On Frustration

Yesterday, I scooted out of school after the last bus took the kids away. I had plans of productivity running through my head. Mostly because I didn't feel like I got enough knitting done over the three day weekend. See, there's lots of inventory to build up right now and knitting is not exactly the fastest kid on the playground, so it is kind of slow going. Which can be frustrating.

When I got home yesterday I finished up a bow-tie scarf I'd been working on and another pom-pom hat and then I stared dumbly at my yarn. I tried to start another hat, then I looked at my stash, then I did my dishes, then I looked at my stash, then I cleaned the bathroom, then I looked at my stash. I was completely uninspired, I couldn't get anywhere. It's kind of a desperate time to be unproductive, uninspired, and unmotivated. (Am I starting to make up words here? Just go with me, ok?) And so I gave up. I put down the knitting needles, I turned off the tv, and I curled up in bed with a book.

I've been really pushing myself lately. And trust me, I know how ridiculous that sounds given that we are talking about knitting not The Middle East Peace Treaty. But I really want to have a lot of inventory for the Craftland show with enough left over to do a few local craft fairs with enough left over to have a functioning Etsy shop with enough left over to start thinking about consigning at another store or two. But, I only have two hands and so many hours in a day. Basically, I need to cut myself a break.

Today after the busses left, I hopped in my car and took the long way home. It is full on autumn here right now. You know, the perfect autumn where the weather is warm but crisp and the trees are these amazing, awe-inspiring colors, and and the sun is bright and you are just happy to be amongst it all. Yeah, that kind of autumn. The kind of autumn that shouldn't be taken for granted. And today I didn't take it for granted, I soaked it up, and when I got home, I knit again.

Staring At The Sun

Guys, don't panic, but I am pretty sure that I just saw the sun. It was so surprising that I actually had to take a picture of it. All sarcasm aside, it has (is) been a very long week and I blame it on the rain. I really think that Milli Vanilli were on to something with that ditty that cannot be denied despite their lip syncing crimes. It shouldn't feel like a long week. I had to leave work early on Monday because I had a delightful case of Conjunctivitis and tomorrow is an In-Service/No Students day, plus I didn't have any late meetings or tutoring this week. It should have just breezed by, but it hasn't. Since Tuesday, every morning feels like it should be Friday. Better yet, it feels like it should be Saturday and my alarm is going off by mistake. And I think that it's because the sun took the week off. So many days of clouds, cold, and rain. Every person and child that I know had a terrible case of cabin fever this week. And I will tell you that it is way too early for cabin fever. We have 19 months of winter ahead of us. 19 months where we are trapped in our houses. 19 months where we curse our decisions to live in northern New England. 19 months where we only leave the house and get into our cold cars when it is absolutely necessary. Yeah, I might be exaggerating, but that is how it feels. And right now, it's fall and we should be outside each afternoon playing and walking and taking cleansing deep breaths and conversing and engaging with our neighbors. So sun, let's straighten this out. We need you to stick around for a bit. We need you to remind us that this season, that right now is why we live up her. How about we make a deal? You stick around for a few days and I will complain a little bit less this winter. I swear.

Fall Sights

In between as many Pom Pom hats as possible for The Craftland Show I've also been trying to take in as many fall sights as possible. I mean, does it get better than this? The weather is crisp, the trees are an amazing inspiration of color, and there is just so much to do.

Before heading to my dad's on Saturday, I made a quick trip to the farm down the road to pick up a dozen fresh apple cider donuts for him. These donuts are where it's at. I long for them year round, but they are only available during apple picking season. But, I digress.

The nearby farm that sells them is kind of like the Disney Land of farms. There are hayrides and pumpkin patches, acres upon acres of apple trees, raspberry bushes to pick from, corn fields, tractor rides, scarecrow makings, the list goes on and on. So, the place gets packed up early. Luckily, I got there early enough to be avoid the crowd and take a few shots before the chaos.

Doesn't that look like a Cinderella Pumpkin with Starfish?!