Chronic Ennui

Feeling More Stable

Ha!  Witty, huh?  While definitely true, I am actually referring to a little bit of knitting I recently completed.  When I saw the Stable Jacket on Ravelry, I knew I had found Gianna's new Fall sweater.  Knit using Cascade Ecological Wool, one of my favorite yarns, and absolutely loving the design, I quickly bought the pattern and yarn.

Sizing befuddled me a bit since there was no clear-cut US sizes, such as 2, 4, 6, etc.  I took Gianna's measurements, and they seemed to fall into three different size categories.  Thus I decided on the smallest size. 

Once I completed the body, it immediately became apparent that the sweater was just going to be too small.  Back to the yarn store (figuring I'd use the smaller size for another child) to buy more yarn when I spied the most adorable horn, polka-dotted buttons.  So cute!  But the price - OY!

So, I knit some more and pondered the buttons before eventually going back to buy them.  Had I done what my friend Tracy does--that is, read the pattern BEFORE knitting--I would have realized that the pattern button band a) was too narrow for the buttons and b) called for snaps with no buttonholes. 

Not to be daunted, I redesigned the band large enough to accomodate buttonholes*.  Too bad I spaced them evenly without thinking that the last button should probably not be at the very bottom, considering the peplum design.

By the time I was done knitting, I had had enough of this sweater and asked my friend Judy to do the finishing for me, which she did splendidly.  The fit is a bit large, and I have not added the little "horsehoes" that the pattern calls for.  I was considering rosettes, but my sister likes it plain.  So, we'll see.  I am just happy that my sister was able to get a cooperative model...

* since completing the sweater, the pattern has been revised to offer two button options.

 

Prep

Thank you all for your kind comments on my last post.  It's good to be back in the swing of things again, which includes but is not limited to, knitting (more on that later).  I love to spend Saturdays with Jim driving around looking for new places to "junk."  I have a list of items in my head for which I am always on the lookout. 

At the top of my list is an original group photo, preferably framed.  While I have found many on Etsy, they are not typically what I'm looking for.  Either they are reproductions, unframed, family photos, or just too darn expensive.  So, it was with great excitement that I found this in my travels.

It is a boys' prep school photo from 1911 from The Stone School in Boston.  Something about this photo just spoke to me.  That's the term I use when I find something that I must.have. 

At first I walked away from it but found myself going back to take a look at it a few times.  We actually left the store and then went back the following day because I could not get it out of my mind. 

In looking closely at the photo, there are a few of the boys that just stand out to me.  There is "Dapper Boy" (third from the left) who clearly should have made his mark in theater once educated.

"Handsome kid" (also third from the left) who looks like he's actually from another era in the future.

"Mischevious Guy" is on the end...  Oh, what evil lurks beneath that grin...

"Chubbs" is in the middle and thinks he's smarter than the others...

Oh, and "Ghost Boy", who made an unfortunate head turn just as the photo was taken....

I'm not sure why "Small kids" are so much younger than the rest, but the "Scowler" on the end looks destined for reform school rather than prep school...

I attempted to research the school, and found many hits that showed boys who had "prepared" at The Stone School prior to Harvard.  There was also a "Lucy Stone School" in Dorchester, MA, which I do not think is the same school.  I came across a letter on eBay written on letterhead from The Stone School.

I am rather obsessed curious about this school.  Jim always takes it one step further and wants the names of each boy in the photo.  But that is where my interest sort of wanes.

Instead, my curiosity is more on par with the "park bench men"...

Now, I shall "prepare" myself for impending Storm Sandy who, I believe, is employed by the Supermarkets and gas stations to boost pre-holiday sales.  Stay safe and keep your knickers on!

Getting Back to Good

Remember my last whiney post, the one where I was complaining about stupid things going wrong?  What I failed to mention was the real reason for this pervasive feeling was that I was out of work.  After a lengthy, craptastic, year-long, soul-sucking project, our department was eliminated.  Having never been through this experience before, I can tell you that it was more than a bit surreal.  Fifteen minute meetings were scheduled for each of us back to back.  I was first.  And I knew.  I just knew.  Not that there is any great glory in being right about something like this, but most of my coworkers thought we were being told our next assignment and manager.  In a way, we were.  Next assignment:  Job Search.  Next manager:  You. 

I walked into a conference room with a woman I had met only once and saw the HR representative already sitting in the room.  And so began the rehearsed speach, "As you know, we have converted all the systems...."  In my head, I was shouting, "STOP TALKING, STOP TALKING, STOP TALKING." 

You always think, "if only I had the time to do all of the projects I never have time to accomplish..."  And then, I had all the time in the world.  But I was paralyzed with fear.  I drove Jim crazy asking, "Everything is going to be okay, right?" a million times.  I burst into tears at the sight of the guy at Walmart with the "Homeless and Hungry" sign.  "That's going to be ME!," I wailed.  I would drop Jim off at work, point to various people and say, "Oh, but HE has a job.  That's fair!" 

After four months of interviews and disappointment, I started a new job last week.  I'm still getting acclimated, but the people are really great and welcoming.  So, as I come out of this unemployment fog, I thought I'd try to catch up with the three of you who still read my posts.

First, things I've learned:

• I enjoy mowing the lawn regardless of those who drive by and laugh at me.
• No matter now many hours I spend with my dogs, it's never enough.
• Shoveling mulch is not for the faint of heart. 
• Four-Year-Olds don't care if you have a job.
• Buying furniture for the porch was the best decision made all Summer.
• Four months off goes by like the blink of an eye.

Looking forward to Fall and all of the cozy fun that comes with my favorite season.  I hurriedly bought pumpkins and decorated the yard.

My favorite preschooler started soccer this Fall...

And my puppies are just enjoying the last few days of warmth.

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend.  Happy Fall!