Nicky

Fall weather has me doing this all week:

It just feels sooooooooo good!!!

This week, I worked my tuckus off. We (the agency) have a very important audit coming up. Important like — the results make or break the agency. Whatever happens, I’m comforted that I’ll be okay but the audit means that for my dept, me and our new employee must go through all the personnel folders. All of them! We found things that needed to be filed from two years ago — 🙄 — I’m sure some of it was in the desk drawers of the “departed”. It’s daunting to say the least (I worked late every day this week except 1) but we stepped up to the challenge and we’ve made remarkable progress so far. I’ll have to work next weekend but we’ve vowed to get it done. Yesterday, we turned on Pandora (online radio) and rocked the day away until close to 7 pm last night.

Despite all of that, I feel good! A difference in mind-set, a less emotionally stressful work environment and a daily dose of vitamins, left me good tired. Not the dragged out, beaten down kind, but the good kind of tired that comes when you know you’ve gone above and beyond!!! So instead of October kicking my butt, I’m Jackie Chan-ing it with all that I’ve got! Thank God for His goodness. 😀 And the Fall weather’s making everything even better! The weather’s finally changed to cooler, wonderfully crisper temps and I’M. LOVING. IT!!!

Today, I’m grateful for:

the support I’ve gotten from other departments. Some supervisors/department heads have been uncharacteristically patient; that really gave me some breathing room to prepare for the audit.
A tremendous effort between myself, the insurance company and our COBRA administrator that ended with an employee being able to do surgery on Monday despite the fact that she was the one who didn’t complete her COBRA paperwork on time.
A call from the employee on leave to say that she’ll be back on November 4th! Wooooohoooooo!!!!
A “I love you, hope you’re having a great day” call from my younger brother this morning. ❤
My weekend wind-down — it has been positively delightful!!!!! I went out and got some “necessary” supplies for the upcoming Fall & Winter seasons: (never mind the bad photos :P)

I’m not a coffee drinker but let me tell you — these are AWESOME in tea or cocoa!!!

LOLOL! What?!!!! Aren’t these in your “must have” Fall & Winter supplies? If not … you better get on this! LOLOL!

I’m ending the week with my supplies, Fall candle holders and some peppermint candles

curled up on my couch, either knitting or reading and enjoying my “fireplace”

With the lights low, music, some hot cocoa in hand and the heat from my radiators coming up … my “fireplace” almost seems real!

Happy weekend to you all! Hope you each had a wonderful week; cheers for a great upcoming week!!!! ❤

We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day! After a rainy, cloudy Saturday the sun came out in a glorious, splendid way and it was wonderful.

In addition to meeting the knitting icon who is Clara Parkes (I had a total fan girl moment), to playing my own game of “Name That Pattern” while I watched the display of gorgeous hand-knits from knitters young and old, to learning tips and tricks — new and old from seasoned knitters, to oooohing over the deliciously fuzzy angora bunny, then watching children leading alpacas through the fairgrounds, my trip to Rhinebeck today was a much needed re-charge from urban life. The air was crisp and cool, Fall was evident in the foliage — perfection!!! Let’s not talk about my early morning trip from Brooklyn that got me to the train station just before boarding — I was traumatized so let’s leave that alone! LOLOL!

This year, I stuck to my plan — I had a budget and a list; I stayed in that budget even bringing home $2.00 at the end of the day. LOLOL! I did that and even got some extras. While there was sooooooooo much to tempt, with my stash the size it is, I needed to get only what was necessary and that’s what I did. My mindset is moving to the place of “even if I want it, I don’t have to have it now” where yarn is concerned. I have more than enough to keep me busy for a few years … but more about that later. I know what you really want to see is the loot — so here it is!!!!

First up are stitch-markers. I have to confess that this is one accessory I can never have too much of. They’re just so pretty!!! 😀

I really wanted to get this yarn bowl and I’m glad I planned to this year. The vendor is retiring and 2013 will be her last year at Rhinebeck. She told me that she’s going fishing and visiting her grand-babies. 😀 Happy retirement Lady!!! From her, I made out with a bowl that’s beautiful and functional. I love the attached caddy that I put stitchmarkers, needles, and my pair of scissors in.

Next up is some roving I bought to practice my spindling and wheel spinning. I chose BFL and Romney because the fibres are longer and easier for a beginner like me to work with. I can’t wait to use them. The vendor packed 8oz in each bag and I got them for very good prices. Score!!! This was a maybe on my list, so I’m extra happy that I was able to get them.

The only yarn I bought: Shepherd’s Wool in Christmas Red and Berries. These might become hats for my co-workers but I have to re-think that since only one of them will be committed to hand-washing hers.

After that, I picked up some cards from a vendor made by Unravelled. According to them, they make cards for the yarn obsessed and that’s no lie. They were all beautiful, so much so, it was hard to decide which five I was going to take.

source

And of course, I got some wine. If the samples were anything to go by, I’d say that this is another score! The white’s for me and the Cab’s for my co-worker Tracie (belated birthday gift). It felt good to support local wineries.

And there you have it! My most modest haul since attending Rhinebeck. It was what I needed with some extras on the side.

The only other thing I bought, in addition to enjoying the weather, and the atmosphere, was this decadent tray of cheese chili fries. Not exactly the most healthy fare but it was worth every dime!!!

I’ve already made of my mind to skip Rhinebeck next year — the size of my stash dictates it — but if you go, have a blast!!!! It’s definitely a wonderful experience!