Way out in the Middle of Nowhere

I've been scanning Google's new privacy policy  and what I am seeing does not jibe with me. Basically, they want to be able to store and disseminate every. bit. of. information. they. gather. on. you. to send to whomever they choose. Yeah, not kosher with me.  Heck, I am the one who reads the facebook apps page before consenting.  And I have cancelled an app because they wanted too much power over my name and space on FB. So I'm considering a move to Wordpress.  I know that it might take a bit more education on my part before I do so. All 5 of my followers: Be forewarned. 

Nice Bar, right? This was taken at the Hubbell Power Systems (HPS) Guest House in 2000.  Back then I was working in Electrical Distribution. It's all that stuff that sits on the telephone poles.  HPS gives newbies a week-long seminar on different products used in Electrical Distribution. You get to travel to Missouri and stay at this guest house, which is actually the founder's original home.  The founder of HPS is deceased.  OK, so this is the bar.   I remember doing a LOT of drinking in this bar that had no Guiness, Yukon Jack, Southern Comfort, MGD Light, nor Jack Daniels.  I drank Miller ~shudder~ for a week straight.  Oh the hangovers! There was not much else to do after the day's selection of seminars, so I drank. The house itself was beautiful, decorated in a great Mod/Art Deco style. There was a circular breakfast nook: And a large area where we met every day to learn distribution equipment, their uses and manufacture: One hellac...

Messenger bag Originally uploaded by ruddawg This bag is actually a prototype that I made for the store. It was for sale, but no one bought it. I love it! I'm not sure why it didn't sell, but perhaps it was just destined to be mine. This one carries the sweaters that I make. It also is my go-to bag when I have to travel. Inside the bag is all white lining with a small patch pocket near the top. The trim on this one this fabric called Zen Charmer by Alexander Henry.  It gives a great feel to decor fabric. I've been reconsidering my decision to drop this style of bag in my shop as it is just too useful to not  sell it. On the homefront, it is Snowpocoalypse #2 for the year. It seems as though God has remembered that Wisconsin is a northern state and we are expecting about 12" of snow with this storm.  We're all stocked and ready for the snowfall, and I'm working on cleaning up and organizing my areas around the house.  It's not an easy task...

You get ONE snowfall a few days ago and all it's been doing since is snowing. A nice view of snow at the In-Laws'.  Snow is pretty, and truth be told: We needed some snow. What I did not need is all the fun of driving through it. If you are living in an area with snow, PLEASE do us all a favor and stop riding the bumper of the person in front of you!!! It increases my stress level by about 1,000,000% when someone does that.  I leave ample room in front of my car so that if anything happens, I have room to get it back together. If you ride my butt, you're gonna connect with my car. On another note: Alex and I have ramped up the weight loss plan.  We've now switched from soda's to sparkling juices.  Actually, it's just frozen juice concentrate mixed with carbonated water. It gives the mouthfeel of soda without all the sugar and caffeine. Sugary snacks have been replaced with popcorn, chicken nuggets and fig newtons.  Also, the exercise routines will be ...

A nice bag is it not? The fabric was given to me by a woman who commissioned a number of bags with  licensed fabric. Legally, I'm not allowed to sell bags made with licensed fabric, but I can make bags for someone who provided the fabric.  Yeah, it's a bit complicated.   So I made this one for myself. It's a bit larger than a small KIP; not as big as a medium.  The size does help me keep larger in-progress items stashed.  This one is holding my sweater.  The interior got a custom look to it too, as I did dig through my stash to find some great almost  coordinating fabrics.    That white thing in the pocket is my pattern -actually just a chart, but it helps me remember where I am in the pattern.  Now there is no real written pattern to this sweater. I'm taking the process from the ever-useful " The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns"  The cable pattern is from a more obscure book, " The ...

Today's pic came from our 2009 vacation.  We call it, "Great American Vacation II" and it was a trip to Great Sand Dunes Nat'l park, Mesa Verde, Arches National Park and Dinosaur National Monument. All in 2 weeks.  This picture is taken at Mesa Verde. After going through one of tours to a site, we stopped at a park on the mesa and ate some lunch.  This picture was taken at the edge of the mesa looking towards another site. Mesa Verde was very fun and educational.  I recommend it to families with kids around 10 years old. Younger kids won't grasp the significance of the site, and it's just hard to maneuver around with a toddler. Archaeology is one of my interests, and pre-Columbus native America does capture my attention. There is a museum at the top of the mesa that is must for anyone visiting the sites.

Yep, it all fits into one song.  I remember this one from my High School days. Well you can tell ev'ryone I'm a down disgrace Drag my name all over the place. I don't care anymore. You can tell ev'rybody 'bout the state I'm in You won't catch me crying 'cos I just can't win. I don't care anymore I don't care anymore I don't care what you say I don't play the same games you play. 'Cos I've been talking to the people that you call your friends And it seems to me there's a means to and end. They don't care anymore. And as for me I can sit here and bide my time I got nothing to lose if I speak my mind. I don't care anymore I don't care no more I don't care what you say We never played by the same rules anyway. I won't be there anymore Get out of my way Let me by I got better things to do with my time I don't care anymore I don't care anymore I don't care anymore ...

If I could have any KIP Bag at my disposal, which one would I pick? Well, it's a good question.  I've got about 6 of them rambling about with one project or another in them.  One of my favorites: I'm very fond of Lilies of the Valley; their smell, delicate flowers and how they proliferate around shady areas.  When I was a young girl, there was this old lady that had a house a block from us with these growing by the porch.  Each day I'd steal one of the stems and spend the remaining 5 blocks walking to school sniffing that great smell. Right now it's keeping my Bee Fields Shawl in stasis.  That shawl is 100% handspun silk in hues of gold.  I just lost interest in it during the 2nd motif.  Of course, being the one that sews the bag means mine is lined in black with pockets of green. Since there's a few more bags running around, perhaps I'll show off another one and it's component project next week. 

Alex, opening up his present this year.  What do you give a young man, destined to be outta the house in 3 months and going to a place where nothing is needed? I gave up.  He got every trial sized health sample Target had for dudes.  It includes febreeze and mouth wash and wrinkle release.  According to the recruiter, the earliest he can begin Basic Training is March.  After that, who knows? We'll save up the $$ and send it to him for what he needs. Christmas and New Years are over and I am certainly glad to be rid of both of them. My hope is for a better year this year. Perhaps something with a more optimism, lot less grief from both family and friends, and a bit more adventure.