Always more to do

Get passport, done.
Classes to be finished, must do well, don't forget homework: working on it.
And now I feel it is time to sew new wardrobes for everyone. My niece wants skirts for school. My Daughter wants clothes for work ( I am supposed to bring to Greece) and I think I want to make myself a new skirt or two.
Sewing is fun, I enjoy it, but it does make a big pile around until I get it all done.
I am really looking forward to going to Greece. It will be great seeing Jean.
Bill has to travel again this weekend and again next week. Hopefully I will be done sewing then. Am also making my nephew a chefs hat and aprons. Will give it to him at his birthday party on Sunday.

Snowy Days

I never showed you my snowy days pictures. We got 6 1/2 inches. For us that is alot. We have been here almost 20 years (just a few months more) and this is the most we have seen in any winter total. Sure was pretty while it lasted. And lucky us, our power stayed ON!!! Just in case you think that is funny, here in the south, with snow, that is almost a miracle. With that much snow it was heavens blessings. We got the beauty and got to enjoy it. Yes most of the northern part of the state shut down, I mean shut down!!!. No work, no school, no anything.
Everyone else in the family lost power. They got power back next day except for Chris. Lisa and Chris brought animals over and stayed the night the 2nd night until power was on next day. We were glad to have them. Not a problem and glad to help out.
Every time I sat at my laptop I was going to post about the storm and then would say "the pictures are on the other computer" so would wait. So here are a couple of pictures from here.

Jean update

Talked to Jean again today. It is always a joy to talk to her each week. She is really looking forward to the fact that winter is starting to wind down. She is getting into the muddy times before spring arrives. She is out running on a regular basis and enjoying it. Always has been one to keep up her exercise and stay healthy.
Her biggest issue is lack of a can opener. She hasn't found one that works and doesn't know how to use the one on her swiss knife. she printed out instructions on internet and still haven[t figured it out.
I told her to ask her neighbors or check around in town. I am sure someone will help. She bought one in Kyiv, but it isn't working. I am sure she can find something local. If not, I will get her something and bring it when we meet her this summer in Greece.
The weather has warmed up quite a bit here. We were without sweaters and in short sleeves yesterday. Tonight though we are looking at snow. Alabama is already taking in a good bit.
Haven't gotten any time back at my spinning wheel. I want to ply those two bobbins I spun. I haven't plied on the wheel before, so should be different. I will dye it later. I know I could of dyed the roving, but dying the yarn is fine for now. Will maybe do some more dyeing techniques down the road.
I take it back about the weather. It is snowing hard NOW!!!

Ashford Traditional

Forgot to say my spinning wheel was an Ashford traditional. It is a nice wheel and came with many extras. Many name their wheels. I wonder if I will name mine. Will have to wait and see.
My first day with my Ashford was wonderful. I spent the whole day spinning. I actually bruised my hand from holding it in the same position. Wasn't cramped but was bruised. Silly I know. Anyway, I spun two bobbins of white corriedale. I haven't taken a pictures yet, so will have to soon and get one on here. I really need to do some spinning more often. In the meantime there is my chemistry class.
I've been talking to Jean every week pretty much. It is nice to talk to her. I so enjoy it. Hearing about her time there is so fun. I am looking forward to seeing her this summer. I have to get my passport. I sent for my birth certificate and it arrived today. Will pick up an application this week and get my pictures taken and then mail it off. Will be one step closer.
A test this week in Chemistry. Am doing well so far. Hope I do well with this one.

WooHoot Lookie my new toy

My new spinning wheel
I bought it used, but with several extras, and well taken care of, not a mark on it. It works well. I've had it home a couple hours and am really enjoying it. I only spun on a wheel once before -- 3yrs ago. I've already done a bobbin full and am really enjoying it. Its going well and I can't wait to see what all I can do.
In meantime I'll probably not get a lot of spinning time in while going to classes. Homework takes priority. It will all work out and I am sure I will enjoy my time between classes with my new wheel and whenever I get a bit of 'extra' time.

and political

I don't believe in complaining about our last president. The majority voted him in after all. And then again look who he was running against, rest my case. But the government is so much more than one man. It isn't just a man up there in a suit telling everyone else what to do. He is only a small part of it. Our democracy is so much more and we need to learn that and pay attention to it in all its aspects.
I don't share political. but I couldn't resist. So now on to my recent little tidbit of finding to share -- as found
I came across this on John Naughton's blog; I wish someone was working on an upgrade of the UK software too.

Dear World:

We, the United States of America, a top quality supplier of the ideals of liberty and democracy, would like to apologize for our 2001-2008 interruption in service. The technical fault that led to this eight-year service outage has been located, and a decision was taken in early November to completely replace the software responsible. The new software became fully functional on January 20, 2009. Early tests of the newly installed program indicate that we are again operating correctly. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the outage. We look forward to resuming full service and hope to continue improvements in the years to come. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

Sincerely,

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Spinning Wheel Savings

The budget! We all have one. and with the economy it gets tighter. My husband and I have each allotted a certain amount of money for ourselves each pay period (two weeks) for lunch, books, spending , whatever. It goes quick. I am often picking up an extra loaf of bread or when I have class that will include me getting my dinner out as well. I try to include more in my grocery shopping, but you can only carry so many meals with you. And coffee is a must when you are out running 12 to 14 hours a day. Anyway, for several years I have wanted a spinning wheel, and for several years it was not going to be in the budget and I knew it. So for the last several years I spin on my hand spindles when between classes and hope for a wheel, but a year and a half ago I figured if I don't find a way to save for one I would never get one. So enter -- the box -- the spinning wheel box. Every payday I take whatever I have left from previous personal of $40. and put it in the box. It may be 50 cents or $5 but it is mine. Now I have almost $300. I am starting to get excited. At times I think, I don't need that and don't but some things, I don't need another book to read, not till I finish the last 4 I bought anyway. And I don't need a candy bar. I will buy healthier snacks and all. Some weeks I don't put in anything, but occasionally I have put in $20. that was a real boon.Anyway, at this rate I will keep saving and maybe this year sometime I will get a spinning wheel, if not it will be next. We have a LYS that sells wheels. I never get in there. With school and work I don't get much time except every once in a while. I am so looking forward to getting my wheel, but wheel keep saving a bit longer. Spinning wheel I am getting there.