Adventures in roofing and bees with some music.

TJ Windows adding a new roof to our home, pic. taken by
Justin Hartley

 So let me start off by telling you this past month has been a plethora of excitement!  I would like to say we, after a year of dealing with a tarp for part of our roof, got a brand new shiny roof!  It is so exciting we couldn't contain ourselves, Justin broke the zoom lens on our camera taking so many pictures of the progress from tarp roof to new roof, it took them three days to replace, removing one layer of ceder shakes and two layers of shingles and having to replace some of the decking and having to replace the trim.  Most of it is done except some specialty pieces that have not arrived yet.  But it has rained a few times since we have gotten a new roof and it sounds wonderful!

In addition to getting a roof Jerid got a therapy swing for his room.  It took a few tries to get the swing to get it up but with my Dad's help and a few 2x4's a piece of our old bunk bed from when I was a kid it was put up.  We think he likes it because he has used it allot and has helped us help him with some of his anxiety and gives him somewhere else to hang out in his room other then his bed.

Jerid also has already had a couple of weeks of summer day camp at Mount Olivet Rolling Acres and summer school so far so good, no major upsets. Except he has been not wanting to swim.  For the last few months he has been not wanting to go to or be in a pool, water parks he's been cool with but swimming not so much, I don't know if I should be worried or not.  It's not his usual behavior.

Now for some other news...We went to ConVergance this year as we do in most years, Justin has made some prints of his artwork as greeting cards and I made a quilt for the Art show, he sold a couple of cards with the print of Straganona vs. the flying spaghetti monster.  I sold my Tardis quilt.  Which as always is great news!  We also got a long time friend to join us, she was very reluctant but in the end she was happy and met new friends along the way.  

The sad part is we have decided that this is our last ConVergance, do to the fact that it is a longer con and there for more money.   Also trying to get care for Jerid for two night requires the caregiver to take him over the fourth of July weekend.  Though my Mom and Dad have been taking him he has been proving to be more and more challenging for them to take him, besides I really am sick of the same arguments every year of, "I didn't know I would be taking him for Fourth of July weekend for the rest of my life."  So we are on the look out for other smaller cons that we can take him with on or one that doesn't fall on a holiday weekend and is not a four day con.  I could rant allot about it but the end result is the same.

For the weekend after ConVergance we planned a "Interplanetary folk  music festival", in our back yard.   It has been thrown around to be an annual thing.   That isn't the fun part, so the Monday after Con, we had swarm of honey bees in our house, we thought it was do to the new roof.  We had bad boards and hornets nests, birds and squirrels, so Honey bees are not too surprising, we thought they were trying to find a way out, well to our surprise they were trying to move in.  Tuesday the queen arrived.  Two of the musicians have extreme allergies to bees.  So we had a few bee keepers, one was a contractor who keeps bees on his off time and the other was the head bee keeper from the Mustard Seed,  that were interested in getting them out of our walls but apparently once bees move in it takes allot for them to want to move out.  So we told everyone about the bees, and told those allergic how to get to the nearest Hospital from our house and staked out with caution tape where they hive was and had the out side concert anyway.  Which turned out to be a beautiful day with only one flash flood warning and one set moving into the house then moved promptly back outside since it did not rain and only one person who was rushed to the hospital, do to a broken arm, not the bees.  Eric and Lizzy who came all the way from Iowa that they had a lovely time and would love to do it again.  So that is counted as a win!

We are now awaiting the specialty supplies to get the bees out, by removing the outside boards and digging into our walls then hopefully they will be removed by next week.    Way to late for the festival but better late then never.  

As for knitting I have been milking a the same projects as last time with an addition to starting to spin again.  I had gotten a lovely fleece from my friends the Beth and Jon and Alpaca from Missy and Jerry, so I've been taking my time to learn how to clean fleece and make it into roving.  It has been quite the Adventure.  

Also since the new roof we have been doing more cleaning of the up stairs I am hoping that my future sewing room will be cleaned out and ready of fixing by fall.  

Justin is still working on his illustrations for his  kids book,  'There is more to Life then Monsters'  he is on his second illustration and it is looking amazing!  To see any of his art work check his Ogsnartsarts on Facebook. 

I would also like to say that the shop will be open this weekend starting on Thursday til Sunday please stop by.

Summer Brake

MN river morning in Carver MN.
Pict. taken by Justin Hartley

Wow, June 10!  Time flies.  Justin is working on his illustrations for the book he has written. I'm so proud of him.

   Jerid is off of school, Jerid's last day of school was at Valley Fair.  I wasn't impressed with how they treat their disabled guests. First off I would like to point out that if you have a PCA, Parra, or Support Staff to go with you for your day of fun to Valley Fair, they do not get in free, they are not discouted, full price or bust. (last year they were aloud to get in free, not this year)

To establish that one of their patrons is disabled is frustrating enough they expected us after getting the proper paperwork taken care of they expected us to go back out side and wait in line to get in, when the pass allows the disabled party to bi-pass all lines.  When argued with they seemed annoyed that we pointed it out but aloud us to bi-pass the line.  Next on the sheet of paper the ride conductors are allowed to turn the disabled person away to come back at a different time.  Most of these kids have to go against a crowd of people coming off the ride to get to the ride then after they are so close to the ride, are made to leave to come back 20 minutes later, WTF?  My son is pretty easy going, but he's not above a tantrum hell at that point I'm not above having a tantrum.  What difference does it make that a disabled person cut in line now or twenty minutes from now?  So I'm warning all that want to go to Valley Fair who have a disabled child or client that it may not a good idea.  Other wise we had a pretty good day.
 
   So summer brake is here we are trying to establish a groove at home.  School usually gives us a window of time without Jerid, so we can get the things Jerid hates to do, done without him.  Summer does not allow such things to happen as easily.  Before the start of the brake we had gotten the loan taken care of for a new roof.  YaY! No word yet on a start date, but we did sign papers with dotted I's and crossed T's so we just have to rely on mother nature to have a few days without rain, because they put us on the list, the more clear days the closer and faster they can get to us on that list.  I've been racking my brains to figure out what I'm doing for ConVergance this year.  I'm thinking about making a quilt, don't know if it will be done by then but I'll be working a little bit on it day by day to see where it takes me by 4th of July weekend.  Temperance Arts and Gifts now has an Etsy site!  www.temperancearts@etsy.com check it out, not much is there, ideas are always welcome.

Justin and I are hosting a house concert, The Feng Shui Ninjas, Beth Kinderman and the player Characters, possibly Candles Enough and Cheshire Moon. July 13,2013.  In Carver MN.  for more info check out www.fengshuininjas.com, www.bethkinderman.com or check them out on Facebook.

So not much more to report.  Thanks for reading.

April Snow and other things.

Bug Bee Hive resort, front door of our cabin
April 2013.

 This past week has been exciting for me in Minnesota, this past weekend I went on a retreat with the Nokomis Knitting group, also know is the Clickity Chicks, to peaceful Bug bee Hive resort in  Paynesville MN.

Per request, no pictures of the knitters have been taken this year, but this was the view from our front door of the cabin we were in.

To clarify, this is a picture taken in April of this year, and yes that is about six to nine inches of snow on the ground.   It snowed most of time we there, but then the sun came out and melted most of it then it would snow again.  Every one got there safely and returned safely as well so it was a good weekend.

tree in my parents front yard 4-23-13

Most people left the retreat revitalized and with a little less unfinished projects on their needles.  I made two chemo hats and finished socks for my mom.    I just wanted to take the time to thank all of my friends who make this weekend possible, and put up with me for the days we were there.

I've been dying yarn lately. (as my previous post has shown.)  I also have received another sheep pelt.  I have to clean it, but Justin has been heavily hinting on getting me a carder.  I've been saving up, and tax money may be helping in this investment.  The Minnesota Shepard Harvest Festival is coming up on Mother's day.  So we will see if it is in the cards by then.

We need to see about a roof for our house first.   House comes first then the fun.

Carver road left completely covered in snow, right almost melted
4-23-13

Jerid is doing well with his schooling, he is following directions so much better then he has in the past.  He now has home work to do.  Which he is like most kids not willing to show us, but we have to take it out of his bag and make him do his sentences.   He will be going to high school next year so his paras have been gearing him up for the transfer.  His teachers have expressed that they will be missing him.




Justin has been working on his illustrated  book about monsters, finally got past the writing and  mapping out process, now to the making of the pages!  I am so excited to see him do this.



The shop in our house is still there.  We get allot of traffic in Carver, just have allot more antique hunters, then handmade junkies.  We were open this past weekend.  Thanks to Karen, of  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Larsenstitches/307418729306601?ref=hl who made that possible, while I was on retreat.  

So thanks for reading.  Till next time.

Busy busy busy

Updates on my family since Thanksgiving last year.  So sorry I haven't updated in a while, I have been  busy busy, not many pictures this time.  Sorry, I do have pictures of my latest projects.  You've guessed it, hand dyed yarns!  It is exciting for me because it was something that I have been thinking about for years and I am afraid that I don't want it to stop.

Justin has even joined in on the fun as well.  He still will not knit, but he likes painting and dying the yarn, I guess it is just one step at a time.  It will come. I know it.

On the family front so far things are going well.  My brother, who was diagnosed with Epilepsy, has now gotten his diagnoses changed to a Seizure disorder.  I am not so sure that is a better diagnoses, but it has been changed.  Prayers for him and his family are always welcome.  Over Christmas we were all sick. The flu ran us all down.  Jerid had a double ear infection to boot.  He hadn't had an ear infection in years now he is going threw his second one in the past three months.  Poor kid.  He has his I.E.P. meeting this week and he went skiing with his class mates, hope to have pictures to share.

The shop as had some set backs last month.  Our drainage pipes froze last month when the store was supposed to be open.  Well we had to close because we had no plumbing and Justin had to be there to talk to the plumbers and Jerid needed someone to get him off the bus.  The schedule  was not working in our favor.  Now it will be the weekend to be open again, and another cold snap, keeping my fingers cross to make it threw this one.  Not much more to report.  Enjoy the pretty pictures of yarn till next time.

Happy Holidays Everyone

Freyja looking out side our living room window.

Our family has been getting better acquainted with our new home, our newest addition Freyja (pictured) is getting big and just as fluffy as ever.  Our cat Kitt (not pictured) is getting used to her, since she is obviously not going anywhere.  

Jerid is getting bigger and enjoying his new space as well.

The day before Thanksgiving the bridge that is right next to our home has been finished! No more construction workers, equipment and pounding, just a beautiful bridge! (picture below, taken by Justin Hartley)
We have had a great time during Thanksgiving, we went to my Grandparents home, and had lots of good food and cheer.

a view of our shop door

Although with our good cheer we had some news that my Brother Zach had a seizure on the way  to visit his mother up in northern Minnesota.  He and his family are safe and great to report that no one got hurt.  He has been diagnosed with Epilepsy, which was something no one know knew he had, including himself.
Prayers are for them are always welcome.

We have a shop in our home and have since August of this year.  We are having alot of fun with it.  However, this weekend was some what distressing.  I have been a rude to a few of our customers. Which brings me to my rant. So here it goes.

Jerid making his self comfortable in our home.

So we live in a house that hasn't been open to the public since the early 1900's.  It was in the 1850's through the 1890's a hotel, then Bertha and her husband Dr. Everett Hartley, had inherited it from her family and made it a private residents a Doctors office.  Then after Dr. Hartley passed away the home has been closed to the public for many many years, over 50 that we know of.  We have opened the old doctors office to the public once more not only to sell our art but to be apart of the community and to share a piece of the house that has been closed for so long. This isn't where I've got rude. These are just facts that are there for the back story of my rant.

Now when we get costumers I don't mind telling those who what to know the history of the house.  I have no problem telling them that the rest of the house is our home and or a private residence.  I have a problem with those who come into my shop and telling me what I should do with our home.  I've had costumers tell me that we HAVE to rent our home out.  We have had costumers ask us why we not opening a coffee shop.  We have had costumers ask us if we are renting out the rest of the house and when told we are not, they ask us why not?

finished bridge next to our home Picture taken by Justin Hartley

 I can tell you why not!  WE LIVE HERE!  OMG! What part of WE LIVE HERE don't you understand!  I could let it roll off my back the first few times I've heard it, Our first first costumer asked where the antiques were that were from the house.  A costumer this weekend came in and told us she used to work for  the historical society and told us that have been (circling like vultures waiting for the people who live there to die so they can claim antiques from the house) waiting for an estate sale!   It is the rudest thing in the world to hear!

It is all that I could do to just close the doors for good and make a website and tell the whole town where to shove it.

We also had a visit from the head of the historical society of Carver MN.  John Van Walter, he told us that we should get the no interest loan from the city to fix the facade of house, which would be wonderful if we didn't NEED a roof (which the historical society will NOT help us get they can care less if our house is collaped)  I think Justin put it beautifully when he told me the next time we hear this from him or anyone about our facade. "That would be great if we were building a movie set, but for now we wish our roof not to cave in."

I've actually told a costumer that it was rude to tell me that my home should be a dinner, I then followed it up with why not make your house into a dinner, and leave mine alone?

As I have already stated we really do what to have more involvement with the town.  We want to open up more of our home with the community.  We just want people to ASK us what that means, and not have them tell us what that means. Also we would like to have people to ask us what we need and not tell us what we need.  

I know I shouldn't let people get to me.  Tell you the truth we knew that we would get these types of people coming in.  I just thought most people would have tact, couth , or sense of history that doesn't involve simply pushing the town's historical locations towards there own selfish agendas. 

You would think a home that has been in a family for five generations in the same town would be revered in a town that claims reveres it's historical presents, but sadly we are not seeing it.  We were hoping for better.

So I will try to be better and try my best to have it roll off my back.  It's not going to be easy.  I hate having to defend our right to live in our home.  Our shop is open every weekend till X-mas.   Lets see what happens.

Happy Holidays everyone!

P.S. Please send me feedback, let me know if I'm out of line, I've been known to blow things out of pa portion.

Thanks.
   

New chapters

These past few weeks seem to be an end of an era, and yet a very new and exciting time.  This picture of the trailer, was of our last day.  I couldn't help but take a picture, it was our home for the last 8 years.  Jerid, Justin and I had holidays and birthdays here, and we as a family learned so much here.  Trailer or not it was a home.  We will always have memories of here and I am for one, grateful for them.  

Our cats our now getting along finally.  Freyja is getting big and as fluffy as ever.  Kit has been a bit camera shy lately but Frey has no problem posing.

She as been taking to staying up most nights and running in and out of rooms at random and scratching everything she possibly can.  I can say that sleeping has been interesting.  

Justin's bands (the Feng Shui Ninjas and Beth Kinderman and the Player Characters) have been playing gigs lately.  Which after a dry spell it's great to report.  There is also talk of recording for a new CD!  So very exciting.

Justin also got some art requests with pay!  Also exciting!

 The shop is going well Temeperance Arts and Gifts are now selling Christmas ornaments and crazy quilted stockings with hand cross stitched tags.  

Thanks for reading!  Till next time.

Temperance, Arts and Gifts

Well life here in Carver seems to be adventurous to say the least.  The birds living by our front door have learned to fly and have left the nest. The pictures that I have posted are of them a day before and the day of there new life out side of the nest.

The birds mom and dad were NOT happy that we were stopping to take pictures, but we couldn't help ourselves.

Jerid has been doing well in his summer programs for school and has been growing like a weed.  He has been eating like a teenage boy should, some say most kids his age 13, have a "hollow leg" when it comes to eating (that is where all the food goes) I firmly believe that his "hollow leg" has a hole in it.  When he isn't eating he seems to be sleeping.  It's good to see him grow.


Also there is a picture (taken by Justin Hartley) of our house on a beautiful Saturday morning when a group of bikers came to town.  Though it was loud it was a treat.

 Well on the house news front, we are planning to open up one room, the one that was a medical office, to become a occasional  shop that will be opened one weekend a month starting in August. The name that has been agreed upon is  Temperance, Arts and Gifts.  We will be selling mostly handmade items (knitting, crochet, paintings/prints, quilts, and so on), antiques, up cycled items, my friend Tamara will be the owner of the business and we will be adding thing at our own passe.
All we need to do now is sell the trailer, and get rid of Justin's dad's truck and we will have enough of a  cushion to start looking to get money to replace to roof.  (major leaking issues.)  Because the Historical  Society will NOT help with funding for  fixing the house unless it is a business.  So I guess it will be a business.  Hopefully it works in more then helping with the roof, but will give us a little money in our pockets as well.

I'm planning to start a Facebook Group account for the Temperance, Arts and Gifts shop. To show people what will be featured in that months sale.  I am also thinking of starting a separate blog for it.  That would be updated monthly.  Let me know if you think it a good or bad idea.  Input is so very nice.

Been Moving to Carver

Well since it's been about a month and a half since I've last blogged I should say I have moved from Chaska to the little town of Carver, MN.  The house pictured is the place that I moved too. It looks a little different since this picture was taken.  It's been in my S.O.'s family for four generations.  He is the 5th to own and live in it.  There is a lot of history to a home that is older the MN it's self (by two years.) It was built next to the Minnesota River and was a hotel owned by the Strache Family at first, then their oldest daughter got married to Dr. Hartley who would stay at the hotel and open an office there when he was in town.  They inheirted the place after Bertha's parents past away. Then it was the Hartley house since the 1880's.   So we have been going through what is left of the family heirlooms and cleaning, cleaning cleaning.  Also trying to find the funding to replace the roof.  There also has been some major construction to the roads near the place can't be seen from the road, our plan is to open up the first door to the old doctors office to have craft sales and maybe a shop one day.  We just are trying convince the Steamboat Days coordinator to not block our house during the celebration (not to put the beer tent in front of our house.)  So we can participate.  Lot's of plans.

Also we went to Convergence this last weekend.  Lot's of fun as always!  I didn't sell anything at the Art show.  I tried something new and well, it didn't work. I guess it's back to the drawing board.  I did get to see a lot of good panels, and listened to great music , and was lucky enough to that we had friends that were kind enough to share their room at the hotel, Thanks again Beth and Eric! 

I did get a pair of 'Time traveler' hand mitt's done this weekend as well.  I also received a package for my Big Bang Theory Swap on Ravelry yesterday and received word that my package made it there in tact.  Things are good.  

So not many pictures this time, my camera's on the fritz.  Sorry.

Thank you for reading and tata for now.

Hello Again

http://bugbeehiveresort.com/

Well a few things have changed since the last time I have blogged here, the format is going to take me a while to get used to for one.  So here is the rundown of what has been going on.  In April I went with a few knitting friends to Bug Bee Hive Resort, for our annual spring retreat. The above picture was taken one the porch on a beautiful morning, our cabin over looked the lake, it was an amazing weekend.  It was here that I found out that I was knitting my socks way to tight, I found out that I had to change from a size two knitting needle to a size three.  Wow, I guess I'm more tense then I thought I was, you can just tell from the knitting.  Kimberly ( a good knitting friend of mine) had taken apart two of my socks while I whimpered into my drink.  I guess you could say a good friend will knit with you, a really good friend will frog your project when it really needs it. I'm thankful  that Lisa Puts found this beautiful location for us to retreat to.  I intended to blog while I was there, but alas I did not.  One of the main reasons I for not doing so.  I was just having so much fun!  Since the retreat, I have knitted three pairs of socks with the size threes. 

  Also went to the Shepard's Harvest Festival over Mother's Day weekend, with good friends Kathy and Jenny. I had a very good time there.   

Jerid News

Jerid was going to be in the Track and Field events for the Special  Olympics this year, but he didn't seem all to interested, it was not at all like Swimming.  When Jerid doesn't want to do something he lets us know.  The last practice we had to take him out of the car because when we put the seat down to let him out of the car, he unbuckled his safety belt then pushed the seat back and buckled himself back in.  That's code for, you go running around the track. I'll stay in the car.  So we heard him loud and clear.  We will wait to try Bowling in the fall.  I would like to send a shout out the the Wild West, Carver Co. Special Olympic team! Hope we bring home gold!

Carver News.  

We have been moving! So close and yet so very far!  Next weekend my brother and sister-in-law have gotten a trailer to help us move.  We have been going to Carver to clean the home we are moving into, trying to get things staged out so the move will go smoothly.  So very nerve racking, and exciting.  Anyone wishing to send good energy or have moving tips or want to help let me know.

Happy Easter Everyone!

A lot of things have happened since I've blogged last. My Grandpa Anderson had two surgeries because of bleeding on the brain. Though I did not go to the hospital, (Jerid and hospital's don't mix) my mom assures me that he was surrounded by loved ones and family including herself. I am happy to report he is recovering nicely and doing well. Part of his recovery was to stay off his feet and relax, as incentive to take it easy he was given a Kindle Fire. I was told that he really likes it.

We went to MarsCon as well. It was fun. We took Jerid to the Pool at the hotel. Justin and I entered into the Art Show. Nothing sold. But we got lots of positive feed back. This year I did a jacket made from quilt fabric. The theme of the coat was monsters. I only wish I could wear it. (it's to small) I also made a hat made from the sweater pattern of the seventh Dr. From Dr. Who. (yellow with green zigzags and red question marks) I also made a knitted Opera hood from a pattern that was made in 1861. Justin did some prints of Straganona vs. the Flying Spaghetti monster, a picture of Augra and his Coffee shop monster.

My nephew Charley turned one yesterday, and his brother, Evan, will be turning five in two weeks.

Jerid will be starting Special Olympics track and field this next week. I have no idea if he will like it, but at least it will get him outside.

I've been reading more lately. I just finished Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, written by Seth Grahame-Smith,I can't wait to see the movie! I have started to read The Stepsister Scheme written by: Jim C. Hines. I have also started a new Opera hood, and I'm hoping to get my mom's sweater done before the end of the month. I am also participating in another swap, the theme is fairy tales. I am over half done with it. I just have some final touches to do and it will be sent before the end of the month.

We are now are awaiting the for the deed to the house in Carver and have been slowly moving over there. We discovered where there was a leak in the roof now we just have to figure out how to fix it with all of our money going to pay off Justin's dad's debts we are just going have to be creative. We are also waiting for the title to his dad's truck so we can sell it. At this point it is a waiting game. The least fun game of all.

The picture is of our cat Kitt, with some of my dolls. I thought it was cute, I hope you do too!

I hope everyone has a great spring!

It's that time again. That time when all of my creative energies are scrambled. Nothing I make looks or feels right and I can't rap my mind around what I'm doing. It feels much like the weather, I can't make up my mind as to what to do with myself. Even as I write this I'm second guessing everything. I think it's the craziness that is in between winter and spring. It happens every year, and I could blame it on a number of things, I will be blaming it on the move, or lack of move.

A few weeks ago we had seen a Judge in the case of Justin's inheritance of his fathers dept so we could move into the house in Carver. Since then we have been in limbo. We are waiting for paperwork so we could secure a loan. Justin will be paying the gov. (more specifically Minnesota Medical Assistance) $56,000 dollars to live in the house that his family has lived in for four generations before. Money we don't have but will be trying to obtain after the paper work goes threw. we need the money to get the papers, but we need the papers to get the money. ( I just love how gov. works.) Then after that we still have to move. I am looking forward to it, and dreading the stress of it all at the same time. I just wish we had a magic genie and have it done already. No such luck.

Convention season is coming soon. MarsCon in March, then a retreat with the knitting group in April then ConVergance in July, then Ren. Fest. in August. Not to mention the Special Olympics Swim matches coming up in March and April as well, then Track and Field in the Summer.

So much to do and it seems so little time. I know that it will be fun. I know I should be concentrating on the now and focus less on the whole picture, just feeling a little over whelmed that's all. So I'll focus on the positive. Jerid is doing awesome in his Swimming. I have a wonderful support system of friends and family.

Sorry no picture today sorry. In my last entry I posted my Jade Dragon mobius Cowl for free, I hope people are enjoying it.

I'm trying this out so see if people like this pattern, please make for personal use only.

-Sara Dibble

Jade Dragon Mobius Cowl

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool

Hook: Size K

Notions: 3 1" buttons & Needle

Gauge: 16dc and 6 rows = 10cm or 4 inches.

Special Stitch: V-st (1dc, ch 2, 1 dc in same ch 2 space)

Chain 33.

Row 1: Dc in 3 sts from hook (counts as first dc), dc 4, *(dc, ch 2, dc in same ch), dc 4, sk 2 ch, dc 4, rep from * to end.

Row 2: Ch 4, working in the back loop, *dc in next 4 dc, V-st, dc 4, sk 2 dc, rep from * to end.

Repeat Row 2 until skein is done or 44 inches long.

Attach the buttons at the nadir of the second to last zig zag. The buttons should go through the ch 2 of the opposite end of the cowl.

It's that time of the year where I'm desperately trying to hold on to the positives in my life.

The court date for Justin's probate is next week and all that should be good.

It is for the most part. The down side is because Justin's father didn't have a Will, we will be paying down his fathers dept, that is if we want to keep the house that has been in his family for four generations.

Which is something we want. We want to keep it in the family,we want to live in it and we want to fix it up and do what his family did in it, which is raise a family and live our lives in it till we are old and grey. Then give to the the next Generation.

We don't mind taking up that burden we would except it. The down side is, we have to get the money. Although everyone we talk to believes in the cause and thinks it's only right that we do this, that is where it ends. No one is willing to co-sign for the loan that we would have to get to do it. Which is what is bringing me down. The total lack of faith in us.

So I'm forcing myself to think positive. Think about all of the good that has happened for us, all of the help, and good will we have had to obtain our goal thus far. To be thankful for the people in our life, they didn't have to do what they have already done, they did because they are good people. Also to be grateful for what we have. Family and friends.

I have to admit to be grateful, thankful and positive isn't easy for me, especially now. So this picture I'm posting is a white board with sentences that my son, Jerid, wrote this school year. He is in the Special Olympics swim team again this year and doing well. They think with training he could compete unassisted, which is a big leap from last time (assisted with life vest, to unassisted and no life vest) Every little and big milestone makes me smile. I have to trust that the universe has a plan for us, I just wish it co-excised with ours.

Thanks for reading.

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.)