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

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Well, now that this year, 2010, is coming to a close. I like to reflect on all the good that I have seen in this past year. Yes, every year has the What the...'s but I also want to think of the good, and what the good the next year will bring. We are all alittle older, and hopefully alittle wiser this year, and hopefully alittle more every coming year. I did do what I set out to do last year, not all of it but alot. I learned to not fear my knitting projects, that I have not concured before, I also learned more about the craft then originally expected. I made new friends. I also learned to say No,(still working on that) and thank you when it is aproperate. I have been moving more, going roller skating and walking (I'm also working on that, old habits are hard to break) I also have a steady income which is mine. I like that. I think my goals for next year are the same as last.

Though everything isn't peaches and cream for me, I am greatful for what is going well in my life, my family is supportive and my friends are awesome. I hope everyone has a safe and warm New Years Eve. (picture of a hat that I made about a week ago, for a friend of mine. Picture taken by me)

Thinking about my last year. I have done more projects this year then I have ever done. Though I may not have made much money, I feel good about what I have accompished, which is more what I've felt in the past. I am very lucky for my family, though I can't begin to know how to pay them back, I do my best with the love I have for them. This year is the year I've pushed myself as an artist, a knitter, a mom and a friend. I learned alot about myself, and how much I have to work on. Though many things are not the way I wish them to be, I am confadent that, just because things are not now, they can be.

I haven't been in a writing mood lately, Ironically it is writing awareness month. I have to admit that I have been more on the groove pof picture and knitting happy. I have been exparimenting with more then one color and have been knitting for Christmas, I almost got my mom's gift done. I just don't know what to make for others. Or if I will. The Picture that is up is from the Minnehaha Falls in Minnesota. I was there on the 12th of November. Justin and his bands (Beth Kinderman and the Player Characters and the Feng Shui Ninjas) went to WindyCon near Chicago IL. this past weekend (Nov. 12-14) They are very good bands and I suggest to anyone who haven't heard them to check them out.

I've been trying to get together with friends to get other projects done, but the it seems to be that the project gods have deemed it not worth it. I will continue to try, I just think I shouldn't promise anything.

that is for now

have a good week

Tomorrow is November 2, 2010. A voting day. Even though it isn't a presidential election. I hope everyone will find it in their day to vote. Ok now that I have that out of the way. The last few weeks have been a little crazy Justin and Jerid went to Long Lake Conservation Center Up North Minnesota, October 18-20 th. Having the time to myself I went to Minnehaha Falls. I also went to the Mall of America. Gearing up for winter, Moving to Carver MN. has been a intresting feet. We have been slowly moving. The biggest thing right now is money. We have to start paying for past due bills for our house and Justin's dad's house. Thankfully Justin just transfered jobs to MRCI for more pay and more hours. It isn't alot more, but hay, more is more...right? Also I have been knitting like crazy. I am knitting for Christmas and I also have to think baby quilts, many of my friends are having babies. So that's all I guess entill next time.

This is Jerid, my son. He we were at Caribou the other day and I was playing with my webcam. Of course this meens he had to take over and Ham it up for everyone! I thought it was so cute that I have to share! Enjoy... It's about three minutes long, so get some popcorn. LoL!

My Birthday week went great!! The day of my Birthday, Justin and a few friends, Rahki and Tim, went walking in the morning and then went to D'vinci's for lunch. I was told that calories don't count on my birthday, so I ate lots and got a birthday shake!!!! It was fun. I also had gotten allot of Happy Birthdays on Face book from those who would have other wise not known what it was. Sweet none the less. For my Birthday I got me the Knitting with out Tears book (finely) and The Knitters Workshop By. Elisabeth Zimmerman . Crazy as it is I have also made so far Three Baby Surprise sweaters, and a rendition of a baby blanket only done as a wash cloth. I also thinking of making me the Rorschach sweater, I just have to find all the yarn for it, I know I have it. It's just packed somewhere. Also Rahki, Justin, Tim and I have been getting together to walk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at the Chaska Community Center. So far this is the second week. It seems to be working. Tomorrow Rahki is coming out to make Zucchini Bread, she brought me lots and man I have no idea what else to do with it. We will have lots for Ren. Fest. Which started last weekend. Jerid is on the last week of summer camp with Mount Olivet Rolling Acers. He has a love hate relationship with the place, he doesn't want to go entill he is there and then he is fine. I'm waiting for my second pay check from MRCI. I am also waiting to get the paper work to sign Justin up to start getting his job started there, he will be getting more money and more pay. I see no down side to it. We are also going to making the move to Carver after all. We have discussed it. It would be in the best interest of Justin's father to move in and pay off his fathers depts and live in his house until medically he can return. For we know the days of his father living on his own is no longer an option. We just have to get him med's that will be able to stabilize his moods so he doesn't fight getting the cares that he needs.

I finished my socks just for me, they are so easy to make too. I thought they were so pretty I should share! My friend Heather, (a fellow doll collector and knitter) gave me the pattern stitch, and I desided to make socks from it. The pattern was two rows and three stitches and I just choose to put them into socks.

Pattern Stitch is: (in the round)

Row 1: K 1 tbl (through back loop) K 1 P1

Row 2: K2 K 1 tbl

as long as the numbers are odd then you can make socks, sweaters in the round and hats!

Just thinking...

I'm just wondering why the world has to be so complex, way every one has to work so very hard to get what they want, to have it always be known that it can be taken away without rhyme, reason or notice, and the ones taking it away realy don't want what you have, they just want to make money from it, and it's meening dosn't matter. This is the world we live in. That is it.

Jerid has been going to Summer Camp this week, two more weeks to go. He seemed to develope a cough, I took him to urgent care, but it seems nothing medical, I guess I have to up his juice intake, and make sure he eats, gets rest. I am fearing he may be sick soon. I really hope it's just allergies. I don't want to take him out of Camp, he really likes it. I like that he does. We talked to an elder care lawyer today. sigh. We couldn't stay longer then an hour and she insisted on getting paid right there. Two hundred an hour...How can you sit there and look at people and seriously expect two hundred dollars for sitting on your but and looking at some papers, saying things to people that may already know. I am appalled at the amout of greed that people have. Ok, rant over....Sigh, I just wish things weren't so complicated when it comes to keeping a family house in the family. Justin and I have finally come to the conclusion that we just need to move to Carver. It would be in His dad's best intrest for some one to live in his house, on the premise that he will return home, he can't live alone.

lately I have been on face book ranting about the way the community and the world has been acting. I have been reading how religious groups have been holding up signs saying "God hates...fill in the blank..." I realize that it's been going on long before I was born and will be going on as long as the human race has posible thumbs.
I am not a Christian, nor do I follow the Christian faith in any way, I do not have a church, People are the ones that hate. To say or put in writing that God hates anything is selfish and ignerate and should have some serious counciling to boot. I know that the universel God is supposed to made of love and nothing more.
I also realize as long as there is opposing thoughts and politics that people will bash anyone as long as they are in a politial party that they are not in, weather they like them as a person or not. It's sad and frustrating.
I admit that I have opposing views in politics, I will also debate with people. I admit I didn't mind the bashing when it was George W. Bush. I had disliked him from the beggining because I was so frustrated and felt like my freedom of speech was being squished while he was our president, I got on the band wagon as soon as the uprise of political bashing happened, now that the world is happy that he is out of office. I am realizing how even with less fustration with our present the world has, people with opposing thoughts are angry. They are excersizing their freedom of speech, I just wish it didn't sound so much like they are screaming fire, in a crowded theater and there is none.
I have to admit that I am not perfect in the least bit. I'm the first to admit this. I just wish more people would personify their beliefs as something more then their own.

Well yesterday we went to our friends Hope and Kirk's new house. It was their son, Evan's, Birthday party. It was pretty fun, I should mention that it was Hope's birthday celebration, and a house warming party as well. There was games and even a Pinata and a fire pit with s'mores as well. all was fun, it was a great to be outside. I met new people and saw people I haven't seen since last year. Jerid was beyond well be haive...until we had to leave, because he didn't want too, we had a tantrum, but I'm happy to report. It was a normal kind coming from a eleven year old. So Ya hay. It is the little things I swear that make life worth living. Today is a little less hectic. We have met up with a friend of ours, Rahki, she was in town to help some friends of hers to set up the tent where she will be sleeping during Ren. Fest. MN. which starts on the 21st of Aug. We took her to the Carver house, because she had never seen it in person. Needless to say, she thinks we should live there too. Sigh, I hate having everything in limbo. At the same time. I doesn't feel that bad. Hard to explain. (The picture was taken by Justin Hartley at the Evan's birthday party)

Ok, writing every day has been happening. Just not here. I'm getting better. LOL. I have been trying to be taking more pictures too. Ok, insperation isn't as rampit some days then others. Exciting things are happening, next week Jerid will be going to a summer camp for the next two weeks. Its a day camp, I hope that Jerid will like it. That is my main worry is that he will not like it. It's sometimes hit and miss with him, some days he likes things and the same things the next day make him mad. so it should be an adventure when it comes to this.

Entil then I'm working my second sock, for myself, and just bought some yarn, the Ravenclaw colors from the book (blue and bronze) I am hoping I get the gumtion to actually have something complete for the next Harry Potter movie comes out in November.

Ok, happy knitting!

I'm trying to write a little everyday. Who knows by the time I'm really truly old, I'll have a novel no one will read. Could be fun.

(this is a quilt I made about a year ago, It sold at Convergence 2009)

I have been looking through magazines at Barnes and Noble today and was unimpressed with allot of what I saw. I have to say the social norms are random weirdness. I guess my burning question is , now what? I like random weirdness, don't get me wrong, I loved being described as organic. I still do. Being authentic has been my state of mind for as long as I have been alive. I loved the quote "I am what I am" Poppy was right all the way on that one. I'm just wondering if people are being authentic or just trying hard to be weird, so they are noticed. The other thought is maybe I'm envious of there success of being authentic. Its very complex emotions I have been feeling lately. I know I have talent, I've never questioned that, I just don't know what to do with it. I'm kinda all over the place when it comes to that, "So many hobbies so little time' comes to mind. Which seems to be so very true when I think about it. I don't want to get rid of my hobbies, I just want to use all of them to create something bigger then maybe myself. But not so big that I loose what I have. Again with the complexities. What to do? What to do?

I've been writing a book for about fifteen years now. I have lot of pictures that I have drawn, paintings I have started and started many quilts, doll clothes that not many will buy, take pretty pictures with my camra, I knit so many things and they are warm. Part of me thinks I should give it all up, and the other part of me thinks its crazy to even think that way. Sigh.

I'm also thinking I need a fresh prospective on everything. Step out of my proverbial box of social norms and stretch out my wings and learn a new way to fly. I have the ambition to talk about it, just not the knowledge on how to do it. I also lack the ambition to get over my fears, go fig. I'll try and let you know how things go.