Auntie Nettie's Attic Merchandise 2013 - January

The New Year of 2013 found me once again far from home, but once again with family -- this time in the mountains of Idaho. It was so much fun to be with J & Christina and the kids for the first time in 2 years. I ended the month flying back from Vegas on a red-eye flight. From cold and snow on one end to sunny and 50 degrees on the other? It was a crazy month being hither, thither and yon.

January can best be summed up as transitions and travel, but I also managed to:

~ Catch a Pitch Perfect flick with J; 
~ Discover the Appaloosa Museum in Moscow, ID with the kids;
~ Remember, once again, that I HATE getting up at 2:45 a.m.. It's awful. Just awful. I hate that more than trying to sleep on red-eyes. I'd rather stay up for 24 hours than try and sleep and get up in the wee small hours.;
~ Recuperate at the apartment over a long weekend before heading back to the office, by sleeping, unpacking, cleaning, and doing laundry and catching up on programs I had missed while traveling;
~ Spent 12 business days in the office, transitioning to my new solo position as Associate Director of Development Systems - basically being the new database guru, trying to be pulled in 5 directions instead of 10. I've managed to get this position created, after a few years of 'pushing,' sometimes futilely. I had almost given up. I was ready to quit. No one can do 2 jobs, but I was. I need to get a whole team, eventually, but the gears of the Big J move slowly, so I need to make cases and document things, but it's done. I'm shifted. HOWEVER, I am still helping train my replacement in my old job, and until last week, I didn't have an actual office space. January was spent desk hopping, scrambling to get essential services - like phones and network connections - hooked up, yadda yadda yadda. I barely caught up, before it was time to leave again.
~ Had a welcome lunch with colleagues to welcome the new girl;
~ Repacked for a late-month trip back to Utah/Nevada for:
- Drew's 8th birthday,
- Drew's Baptism,
- The twins' blessing,
- Post-ceremony family gatherings,
- Baking adventures with Mary -- and finally feeling like I've earned my Molly Mormon Cinnamon Roll Merit Badge, 
- Special auntie/nephew bonding time at bowling and dinner,
- Bonding time with J in Snow Canyon, Wendy's, and on his bonus day due to the weather,
- Bonding time with Dad working on my eye/hand coordination. It'd only been a year, but sometimes it's good to surprise Dad on some of my "lucky" "trick" shots, and
- Repacking boxes with treasures/purchases from December and this trip to ship home; and
~ Oh, and some crafting ....

 I didn't get much done, but I did manage to finish a few things, like:

ANA 2013-1, 2, 3: Suite of Objects

 (Skeins of Peaches & Creme multi-colored cotton)

(not pictured, as they are to be gifted)
(as of May 2013, gifted)

ANA 2013-4: Black to Grey Ombre Infinity Cowel Scarf

(1 skein Rainbow Boucle acrylic and nylon)

So many ways to wear it, so lots of pictures

ANA 2013-5: Retro Easter Egg Pastels Baby Blanket

(3 skeins Lion Brand Baby Soft acrylic)

Still in progress: 

2010: 

UFO 1: Multi-color, multi-fibre bane of my existence

2012:

UFO 1: Pink Crib Cover, need to be finished and edged

UFO 2 & 3: 2 holiday stockings, need appliques and to be stitched up

ANA 2012-103: mini holiday stocking, needs some decor

The on-line shop? That's still a work in progress. But there was no point in January, since I was gone more than I was home.

Auntie Nettie's Attic Merchandise 2012 - December

This post actually should have gone up about 6 weeks ago, say in December 2012, and I fully intended to, however ...  Aside from the technology issues inherent in being on the road and at the mercies of someone else's house rules, priorities, and hardware/software issues, I just didn't seem to have time. There were other things that seemed to be more important to do. 

To recap:

December 2012 (which now seems like a blur), included:

(*frantically flipping back through planners/calendars*)

~ Aforementioned holiday baking and present preparations/wrapping/shipping/distribution;

~ Dinner with my girls, Christine & Amelia, in Bryant Park; 

~ Holiday parties at work and for fund raisers for the local pre-school; 

~ Lunch with Cynthia and then Kristina; 

~ Packing up my suitcase and then my office for the job transition and shifting that would happen probably the day I was due back in January; 

~ SO MUCH TRAVEL, so many early mornings, trains, planes, shuttles, automobiles; 

~ Last-minute Christmas shopping/crafting - LOTS of trips to lots o' Walmarts;

~ Holiday haircuts and pedicures;  

~ Church; Christmas Eve and Christmas dinners; Cuddles; and Cooking; 

~ Nevada, Utah, and Idaho, not to mention Arizona and Washington;

~ Sun, Snow, Snacks, Silly kids, Sledding, Snuggles, and Sniffles; and

~ New Year's, New boots, and new crafts.

When I wasn't holding a pen, a kid, a book, or a fork, I was holding a hook or needle. I started crafting again .... It was calming. I had no problem curling up on Mom and Dad's couch and crocheting away. It was crafts therapy after a busy couple of weeks, plus, I was under pressure to finish two commissions.     

I started a lot of projects, but didn't get to finish many of them. I stashed them in boxes to ship back to myself in NYC, to be finished as time allowed. There's only so much room in a suitcase. It's not a Tardis, after all.

I just barely managed to finish these first two things in time for Christmas. Like, I was sewing the last piece of holly on the night before Christmas Eve. Talk about under the wire. (To be fair, part of it was because I ran out of yarn, and had to be close to a supply warehouse ... which I didn't have time to do in New York. I waited until I got West.)  

 

ANA 2012-101: Holiday Stocking for Niece Sarah

(Skein of Red Heart Sport yarn, acrylic, plus felt) 

ANA 2012-102: Holiday Stocking for Nephew Cannon

(Skein of Red Heart Sport yarn, acrylic, plus felt)

These two for the twins are now part of an entire stocking suite that I've made for their family over the years.

 l-r: Dad, Cannon, Drew, Sarah, little T for the late Tippi Cat, and Mom

 

 I also made a stocking for J & Christina when they started their family.

 (I'm kind of proud of these. 

Do I have one for me? No.

 It's like the carpenter not living in a completed house.)

ANA 2012-103: Mini holiday stocking

(Partial skein of Red Heart Sport yarn, acrylic)

ANA 2012-104, 105, 106, 107: Suite of Objects

(Skeins of Peaches & Creme multi-colored cotton)

(not pictured, as destined to be gifts) 
(as of May 2013, gifted) 

Still in progress:

2010:

UFO 1:  Multi-colored, multi-fibre bane of my existence

2012:

UFO 1:  Pink Crib Cover, needs to be finished and edged

UFO 2 & 3: holiday stockings, need appliques and to be finished off

UFO 4: Ombre scarf

(not pictured)

UFO 6, 7, 8: Suite of Objects

(not pictured, as destined to be gifts)
(as of May 2013, gifted)

Since I was gone more than half of December and then January, there was no way I could keep the shop open. I probably would have done more, but my hands were full of babies or the handle of my suitcase.

I need a vacation from all of my vacation. But this wandering Nettie continued to wander through January!

Maternal Musings from Mary: February 18, 1976

As part of our theological education in my church, the children spend additional instructional time, as well as congregational time away from the adults-- while they in turn have their own theological education. Primary, as this is called, is for the under 12 year-olds, and comprises of age-grouped class time, as well as a group time with all of the kids. These "opening exercises" have prayers, hymns, scripture readings/moments, a sharing time (kind of like a religious show-and-tell/lunch and learn), and singing time, where we learned new songs and/or practiced group pieces for the inclusive group sessions aka Sacrament meeting. The kids participate by giving the prayers, scripture readings, and assisting with sharing time. It's an example of how our public speaking training starts as early as the age of 3-5 (if not earlier). In my case, I was also providing the musical accompaniment for all of Primary and the Sacrament Meeting, as early as 10ish(?).

The enclosed is a sharing time piece that my mother gave. The Primary must have been highlighting various kids around their birthdays.

February 18, 1976
Was the Special Person for Primary

This special person is a little girl who is very sharing with her little brother, especially his toys. She really tries to help her mother like her teachers tell her in Primary and Junior Sunday School by setting the table, picking up her toys and her brother’s toys, and making her new bed. In October she took a trip with her family to visit her grandparents in North Carolina. Upon her return, she started taking dance lessons and participated in a dance program before Christmas to help with charity. She is really learning many things, like how to color, to write her name, and to count from 20 to 30. The most exciting thing to happen lately was her fourth birthday on Friday. She had a party with all her friends in the neighborhood nursery who are also in her Primary class. Her Mama and daddy love her very much and are thankful that [Auntie Nettie] came to live in their home.

Auntie Nettie and Grandmary c. early 1976 courtesy of Grumpa Max
Frighteningly, Grandmary is younger in this picture than I am "write" now
Also, that means I'm about Nathan/Elle's age here.

Happy 7th Birthday Amber!

 Happiest of Birthdays Ms. Amber!

It was so good to spend time with you at Christmas time,

 instead of chatting through the phone or Grandma Mary's computer.

I am so amazed just to see how ... mature/silly/big sister/little girly/bossy/snuggly/funny/sassy/snotty/caring/focused/scattered/ so very AMBER you were, especially as I tried to share my knowledge of being a big sister and a craftswoman. 

Being with you all day for a week was such a treat. Thanks for posing for me in your presents; l: modelling your special fashion stylings and r: best Church wear.

  I know you colored in a picture of you, me, and Elle as princesses, 

but I hope you slept like Sleeping Beauty in your big bunk bed.

 

 I really enjoyed watching you playing out in the snow of Idaho, 

even if you did aim more than a few snowballs in my direction.

 (Sorry about that Elle. Amber, don't listen to me!)

 

You and your sister look like naturals out there on the sleds. Or, are you a 'boarder?

I also love how much fun you had at the Appaloosa Museum, with your hair up in a pony tail, saddling up for fun, learning about dream catchers, and going straight to the reading corner to read all the books. You are an adorable cowgirl.

I love you too my Amberkins. I can't wait to talk to you soon on the computer. Feel better so you can celebrate your big day. Hope to see you very soon!

xo Auntie Nettie

Photo of the Day: Where is the Day Going?

Spotted in Chelsea, NY, October 2012

40 Diamonds for 40: Cyn Slips In Under the Wire

About 14 months ago I reached out to a host of friends and family for input into what truly was a vanity project intended to help me over the hump of the year of turning the big 4-0. I was, and am still, amazed by the responses, the submissions, the photos, the reminiscences, and oh, the FEELZZZZZ.

If you are counting, and I'm not ... really, I didn't get 40 responses. But if we are going to take this 40 Diamonds for 40 allusion all the way to the end, it doesn't matter the size or number of the diamonds, it's that you have any diamonds at all. Sometimes it's important to remember that, and, when the February funk suddenly sneaks up on you and brings you crashing down at a glance at the calendar, it's good to have friends in reserve to slip in a shiny happy moment, just under the wire.

Friends like Cynthia. Cynthia, my Big J co-hort; the apple/pumpkin picking party planner; she of car rides home in the wee small hours; my conspirator at work and life/office gossiper, excuse me we have "discussions"; documenter of the unobtainable TV-star silly-girl goofiness; she who has the back-stage access to special events aka OMH OMH it's STINNNNNNNG! moments; her, down in the trenches; understander of goofiness; the friend who made me a Friend of a Friend of Ellen; and who is as camera shy as me, unless it comes to certain fitness gurus or opera stars; and who likes me despite the fact that I loathe and despise opera; and the fellow Baker in the literal and figurative senses of the word.

Thanks, my friend. How did you know that I needed a boost today? (Just under the wire ...)

To My Dear Friend [Auntie Nettie],

On this, the last night of your fortieth year celebration, I am finally submitting what I hope is a small gem in your 40 Diamond birthday tiara. If someone else has had this same idea, then forgive the redundancy, and bask in the fond reflections that bounce off of those who love you.

So for my part, I offer you 40 carats that describe a most wonderful diamond ~ [Auntie Nettie] 

auntie, beautiful, caring, companion, cook, crafty, daughter, dependable, diligent, fair, 
faithful, foodie, forgiving, friend, fun, generous, gentle, giving, honest, humble, intelligent, kind, 

librarian, loving,  organized, patient, photographer, playful, professional, sharing, sister, steadfast, strong, supportive, trustworthy, understanding, wise, witty, wordsmith, 

 and, to cover all of the things I might have missed, 

 supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Photos of the Day: Snow Cap'd & Curly

Virgil Phillips State Park

Moscow, ID

Some people sled. Other people observe.