HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! GOODBYE 2011!

As this year is neatly rapped up, we say good bye to 2011, and say hello to 2012. I hope that this past year was full of good memories and cheer.

I can't but look back and smile at the good times.

Trying not to be sad in remembering the loved one's who couldn't come with us on this journey into the future. Knowing full well they will always live on in our hearts.

Thinking of all the projects that had been done, and trying not to think about the ones I haven't even started yet. Jerid's strides in school. Justin's new found for his artwork. My friends and family. I can't help but feel grateful for all of it.

This year I have not made a resolution. As I get older I find myself less and less willing to do so. I made one a few years ago, and I've tried to live by it. To try to live life as positive as possible and try to find the good in any situation, no matter how grim. Knowing that I'm not perfect in any way, I know I've not been 100% on that. I do the best I can.

Coming up in Jan. we will be going in front of a Judge. The Judge will be telling us what we need to do to keep the Carver House in the family. I am hoping a preying that we will be getting the house, and we can move and that, will be it. It makes me nervous, so I'm staying hopeful.

I'm concluding this blog this year with, Happy New Year, stay safe, positive and hopeful! See you next year!

(picture taken bye, Sara Dibble (me) at the Mocha Monkey, in Waconia Minnesota)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! (give or take a day or three) This year we made it to my grandparent's house, had a lot of good food, seen family I haven't seen since last year and had a great time. Jerid seemed to enjoy the holiday ruckus and handled it very well. Last night (Saturday after Thanksgiving) a friend of ours had, what she called, a chosen family Thanksgiving. We saw old friends and made some new ones, which made things seem more festive.

My only regret was I didn't have my camera, so no new pictures of family from me, I have to rely on the kindness of family members and their memory cards to send pictures my way. (nudge nudge, wink, wink, know what I mean? know what I mean?) Until then, I'll post this lovely picture of a cowl I made that I submitted to 101 skein wonders, crochet addition that promptly got rejected. I'm going to be posting the pattern of in a later date. (stay tuned)

So let's talk about what Thanksgiving is about. What we are thankful for. So since it's my blog, I'll go first.

I am thankful for my families. The ones I'm blessed to be related to, and the ones that have chosen me and mine to be apart of theirs. I'm thankful for all the good times, and yes the bad ones. For without the bad ones, we would not truly know how blessed we are when the times are good.

I know this is the start of the Holiday Season's and which ever you wish to celebrate, or not. I hope that everyone will stay safe, be kind, and stay hopeful.

Enjoy the life that will come and be above all be thankful for the ones around you. Remember we are all in this together.

Season's greetings.

This is the National Writers Month, yet again, I feel vastly unprepared for it. I haven't been writing much. I have on the other hand been working hard on getting this Christmas taken care of. All but the Finishing work is finished.

This year has been ripe with anticipation when it comes to politics. The GOP has not picked it's candidate. It seems every week there is a new front runner, then something happens where they are not it anymore and someone new is the bee's knees. So far the newest flavor of, last week anyway, Herman Cain is making the head lines with his 9.9.9. campaign. Though it would drastically change how we pay taxes it would sadly be a case of reality mimicking a video game. Sims 4 (released in 03') I should note that it hasn't been officially stated that is where the 9.9.9. came from it just seems to be a coincidence, and how he seems to running his campaign it is mostly likely true. Although at currant point he is dealing with allegations of sexual harassment and now Mitt Romney is up in the poles. (again.). It's hard to believe that people are scraping the bottom of the barrel to try to beat Obama in the next election.

All I can say to that is Good Luck. I don't see it happening. But hey I was surprised before when Bush got reelected. I'm not a psychic. Lord knows I'm not.

I get that people are unhappy, it just seems like after a while they don't even know why. So that brings me to Occupy Wall Street, Occupy the World. I am happy to know that people are finally fed up with the Corporate corruption that America seems to have fallen pray to. I can get behind, the back to basics, message that they are trying to convey. It's just sad that the GOP has taken it as whining, and won't take the anger seriously. I don't think that they realize that that anger is bigger then the Tea Party could dish out. They may not weather the storm with that attitude.

So now that I got the unpleasantness of politics out of the way. I would like to talk about my favorite subject....Knitting. I have already said I've been making Christmas gifts and that means knitting. I have also been trying design on the side. I have also been steadily working toward my first level Masters. Stead as she goes, I guess. I have one more swatch to make (the one I have to design myself) and the question portion of the class. Then the report. Okay, I have also been trying to write more. I did put a pattern in for the next installment of One Skein Wonders, crochet edition. I got rejected. so I'm thinking of putting the pattern on my blog and be done with it and move on. I can say I tried and it's just a misstep in my journey. I will prevail! I kinda have to.

As for the Carver House, we are still in limbo with it. We will be going to court for Probate soon. Then we can talk to a judge and see what he/she says. the whole thing makes me gitty and nervous at the same time.

Well Thanksgiving is around the corner. So if I don't get back to blogging before then have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

It's that time again, two days till school starts and it is Labor Day weekend. I wish I could say that everything is great, but I just got an e-mail from my sons social worker and it looks like my pay is going down and my hours are getting cut, more then I thought I would. sigh. I can't help but feel like it's my fault for trying to have a normal life, and buying some things for myself I've been putting off for years, I was hoping to get a new dryer, I guess that has be put on hold for now, again. (Although with budget cuts, we all know who we can blame, I meen thank for that, thanks TEA Party and GOP jerks!)

On a brighter note...

Since I wrote last time, I did sign up for the Knitting Mastery program. (my last big purchess for myself (and only me) for a good long while) It is a very intense program. I've not been one for making swatches or worrying about gauge. (I know I'm bad, what can I say, but I like to live on the edge). I also will have to write two page report on blocking, which I have not done allot of either. I should also confess that I haven't done a report since High School. (yep, it's been a while)

I also am doing a short "report" on why Steampunk is relvent enough to make a pattern book for knitters to submitt and hope that a publisher will like the idea, I'm hoping to include many different designers to make it as diverse and unique as possible (also add a few designs of my own).

Between all of that I'm doing my best to make costumes for Fest and make Christmas gifts. Busy, busy.

I have submitted a pattern for One-hundred one skien wonders Crochet, I haven't heard if they liked it or not, hears to hoping right?

Hope everyone stays safe, and Happy crafting.

It's hard to believe that most of the summer has gone.

I haven't been as much of a shutter bug, as I am most of the time. I have been taking my camra, I just haven't been taking any pictures.

Jerid will be going to summer camp soon and then back to school before anyone knows it. Wow, Time flies when your sweltering hot.

This is the hotest summer, Minnesota has seen ever. More then once it was over a hundred and five degrees. I'm hoping that there is not anouther flood in the fall, like last year. I know alot of Ren. Fest. Workers (including Justin and myself) that would not like to drive around the river for work.

I've been sewing for the Festivel this year. I'm so amazed to think that this would be my fifteenth year working for or around Ren. Fest. It only seems like a few years ago I started, not fifteen. Speaking of time flying...Geess. I've also been trying to design for a crochet book. I'm hoping that I will get in it. I can crochet. This will be the first thing I've ever designed for crochet.

I also haven't been writing as much because I have a new obsession. It's my new spinning wheel!!

My friend Sandra had gifted me a spinning wheel and I've been having alot of fun! (as you can see it's not just me!)

I've been making my own yarn and having alot of fun, I'm amazed with each new skien, I'm getting better each time. I'm also looking into classes for Master Knitting. The classes are a bit steep in price, but I'm thinking it just might be worth it. Then I could say I mastered something. I think it sounds good.

Well, I hope everyone enjoy's the rest of the summer, I hoping to. I meen so far so good.

I've also started to write some fiction on ,http://www.wattpad.com/mystories there isn't much up, so I'll work on that.

Well this was the weekend, for the event known as ConVergence, and man we had so much fun!

For those who don't know ConVergence is a large Science Fiction convention that happens in Bloomington Minnesota. It happens on the Weekend of Fourth of July.

This year I did have a costume. I desided on Swedish Steampunk. I have no pictures as of yet, but as soon as I do I'll be sure to share.

This picture was taken at the Dairy Queen next to the hotel ConVergence was held. Picture taken By: Sara Dibble (Me)

Ok, so a I am feeling the need to speak up about this Minnesota Government shut down. I try to stay away from politics because I hate confrontaton but I'm so very frustrated about this shut down because it seems that more people are affected by this then last time. This shut down is going to affect my son (pictured) He is a wonderful child with Autism and global Apraxia. Because of this shut down his summer programs have been put on hold. Or cancelled all together. He and his friends at day camp, our funding that helps pay the bills are on hold and I'm not the only one suffering, some parents will have to take leave from work to take care of their differantly abled loved ones for a undisclosed amount of time. Not only are the parents affected but the ones who work with the elderly and or disabled have to take time off of work or work without pay. I'm also going to put it out there that most people that are working with the elderly and or disabled are mostly not doing it for the pay. They live like most paycheck to paycheck trying to make ends meet.

So when I heard that Gov. Dayton will not take a pay check during this shut down, I was happy to hear it. Then I heard that the rest of the government that is causing this shut down want to get paid I got mad.

I understand that not everyone in the gov. is rich. So Flippen what!!! I'm not rich, my son and many on program are not going to his summer programs. People are getting screwed left and right their summer plans for camping and more, not knowing when they can return to work or if their relatives are going to get the treatments they were promised or desurve. What is worse the politions don't want to go without a paycheck because they were not doing their jobs the right way in the first place! WTF!!!

Ok I know that Dayton is rich and he has money to spare so him not taking a paycheck is symbolic at best, but he's not making tax payers pay more when others are suffering.

The reason for the shut down is because Dayton (A Democrat) want's to charge the top 2% (the Richest in Minnesota) more in taxes and the majority (Republicans) Don't want to raise taxes they want to cut funding to everything so that the top 2% (richest of Minnesota) keep their money.

On the argument that it is the top 2% (again the richest) are the ones who create jobs and if you charge them the same amount (which it wouldn't be the same it still would be less) as the average waige earners they will leave the state taking their jobs with them.

So if we just cut all funding to everything, not raise any revinue and petending we are not drowning in a sea of dept then we will just be fine? (Right)

On the other side of that is if that were true then with all of the money that the top 2% of earners haven't created more jobs by now when the hell will they?

The fact of it is, if we don't have revinue we will just fail, the counties will suffer and the tax payers will pay more in property tax and they will give up and find a new place to live leaving the small businesses without customers and it be like it has been for years, only worse. (Thank you Pawlenty)

It just seems logical in a house hold. If you have cut all expences, lugeries, and have done all you can down to the bear essentals and you are still not making ends meet and you are working all you can for what you have. Sometimes you have to take the chance and ask your bosses for a raise. Or find a new job. I look at the gov. the same way. It's time for them to ask for a raise from the ones that are paying the least.

In my opinion they should not get paid if all other gov. imployees that are not in politics that haven't done anything except our jobs are not getting paid. It's only fair.

It's sad to think that in this day in age Robin Hood would be consitered a Liberal Democrat that just wants the to make everyone poor. Instead of a hero.

As for my son and I we are going to do the best with the little we have and try to make this summer something more then a wash.

I'm also hopeing to sell stuff at ConVergance (a sci-fi convention that is going on this weekend, one of which I wouldn't be going if I didn't pay a year in advance)

Sorry for the rant I just felt very passionate about this, I hope in the final days before the shut down they find a way to make it not happen. (I'm not holding my breath.)

I would like to point out that this is long over do, and I'm sorry for the delay.



Well I had recieved some really good goodies from the Beltain (Mayday) Swap and I'm greatful to say that my package did make it there. I didn't get any pictures apon the arrival of my package but I have some pictures of some of the things that I got, I'll be posting more later...I would like to say to YaYaSis, thank you again fro the lovely gifts.



My very first package from a different country, all the way from Berlin Germany. I thought that was so cool!


In my package that I recieved was a spindle and some roving, (the roving isn't pictured, it was a lovely purple), I have never spun my own yarn, so I took my new spindle to the Sheperd Harvest Festival and learned how to spin or "role my own" yarn. I also got some really cool sock yarn which I started new socks for myself. (pictured, socks were the Blue Bell socks from One hundred and One Designer One Skien Wonders book) I love the color way and couldn't stop to take a before picture (sorry). She also sent me some jewlry, chocolate and some goodies for my dollies. I'm going to post some pictures with those idems (I promise).

Spring is now sprung! I have the flowers in

my yard to prove it!

With it I had done a Beltain (May Day) swap on Ravelry and gotten a drop

spindle and some beautiful hand died wool.

I have never spun wool before, so some friends of mine, told me about the fiber festivel that was going on this weekend.

We went today and had a great time. I learned how to use my drop spindle there, I also found my new obsession with fiber (not that I needed anouther one) Next weekend my friend Jenny will be coming to my house for some sewing and quilting. Part of the sewing projects will be costumes for ConVergence (a Sci-Fi convention in Bloomington MN that is coming up in July) Though the theme isn't steampunk most people are looking at it as such, I thinking of making my costume on this level though not on the same level as most...it should be intresting.

One the news of Jerid.

He is swimming without life vest and loves to jump in on the deep end. He swam 30 feet the other day and loves to float on his back now. It is awesome to be able to say that. I am a proud mama.

Speaking of Mama's Happy Mother's day to all Mother's and prospective Mama's!

In Knitting News... Today I went to my usual Knitting spot, the place I try to knit at least every Sunday. I saw some fellow fiber artists, I thought it was very cool and tried to socialize to meet new people, that seem to have a love for the arts of fiber. Then I had to remind myself a very important thing. Knitters are an intresting breed and there is two types of knitters in this world. Ones that are social knitters, they knit out side of the house to meet new people and want to socialize outside and inside of their inner circle, thus creating a bigger circle of friends. Then the other ones are anti-social knitters they knit out side of the house but are not intrested in meeting other knitters, their inner circle is just fine and there is no need to expand it. I often find that most of the knitters where I live (Chaska Area) are the anti-social knitters, sad to say. I hope to find people in my area willing to expand there social knitting circle entill then I'll just have to knit alone in the city I live, and drive to MPLS, for my social circle. In Jerid news... I was in the coffee shop (as said above) when a person who works with Jerid came up to him and said hi. She told me that Jerid is doing more and more Swimming on his own. Without a flotation device. He is also jumping off the diving board and is going into the deepend willingly. This is exciting news, consitering where he was a few short monthes ago. He is making great gains in his physical development. I'm very proud of him. We still have alot of work left to go, but the journey is the best part. In Moving to Carver News.... In my previous post I anouced that Justin's dad had past away. He apparently had no will and so everything is pending. The county wants over two-hundred grand from his astate and it's not worth that much. The house has been in the family for four generations and may be lost to the county because of Bill had no will. We are looking in to get a Lawyer because we have been working on the house for over three years. We were mostly moved in and have put alot of money and work into the home we were hoping that would be owned by a 5th gen. Hartley. If anyone knows a good lawyer, or knows the laws around this sort of thing please let us know. Thanks

I would like to start off this blog by mentioning some people that have past away. Justin's father, Bill Hartley. (Pictured)

He past away on Feb. 16, 2011. Loving father, son and friend, and so much more. Though he is gone from this earth he will always be in our hearts and memories. He will be missed.

Also a long time friend and much more, Lea Ortloff. (not pictured) I have known her for a little over 17 years. (over half of my life) She had a lot of struggles, and pain, she seemed to always put on a happy face. She was a very loving person and though she had many illnesses, and physical challenges she was a fighter, and one of the strongest people, next to my late husband Eric, that I knew. She past away March 25th, 2011. She will be missed as well.

Our knitters group that gets together on Wednesdays at lake Nokomis Coffee shop in Mpls, MN(anyone is welcome and the coffee and sandwiches are good too!) put together our second annual Knitters retreat in Paynesville MN. at the Bug Bee Hive Resort. This year had been extended from three days and two nights to four days and three nights. Though I had the opportunity to be there Thursday, I chose to go there Friday.

We all worked on a preplanned project of a lace shawlett or a lace hat, although next year we are thinking it would be easier not to do lace because we like being social and working lace, being social and having wine do not mix well, though it does produce some interesting results and some interesting stories after words.

We also went into town and did some yarn shopping and we also stopped at the quilt, and bead shops as well.

At this retreat I had fully intended to blog about the whole experience. I just had to much fun and decided to write about it later.

I'll show off finished projects soon I promise and more pictures too!

I have been doing alot after the first of the year 2011 has been productive so far in many ways. I have knitted five hats I'm also making a drum bag for Justin and I have my sweater vest ready for finishing. (pictured, Thanks Tamera) As you can see it's color ways a blazen and I have no intentions of stopping, ok, maybe slow down but never stop. The world could always use more color! I intend to help out in this area where ever possible. I have noted that technology hasn't been my biggest ally this year, complictions with up dating my blog (this is my third atempt to write something sinse this year has started. Complications with getting paper work in and the like. Not much more to complain about in my life. (so far this year) Jerid has restarted school like most kids after the christmas season and we are back on a working schedual (Yay!) Justin's two bands are preparing for Marscon, coming up in March. It should be fun. I'm hoping optimism is the key to this year. (here's to keeping our fingers crossed)

The world is anouther matter it is a topsy turvy place. My heart goes out the victums of the shootings of last week. The ones who didn't make it and the ones who did. The mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. May they find peace and understanding in the caos of what happened.

Till next time!

Sara