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November 16, 2006
Detour
Yesterday was exhausting. My argument went well - I think. It's so hard to know and I basically just have to forget about it because it will be at least 6 months before I hear anything from the Wyoming Supreme Court. So, life goes on. I left work early yesterday because I certainly wasn't being productive. I just couldn't concentrate. It was like I'd used up all my brain power getting through a 20 minute oral argument and I just couldn't figure out how to get back in to the swing of things. So, I went home and plowed through the disaster that was my house. I swear to you, I do not know how two adults and one small dog can make a house so absolutely cluttered. I suppose the fact that I haven't done anything but work on my supreme court argument might have something to do with the state of things, but still. The dishes alone were enough to make me want to hide under the bed with my knitting. Why is it that the dishwasher fills up so fast? And how the heck hard is it to empty the damn thing? I mean really. It only takes 10 minutes (maybe) to empty it, yet I just pile the dishes in the sink rather than empty the dishwasher and put the dirty dishes in there so I at least don't have to look at them. Washing them by hand would clearly be out of the relm of possibilities if I can't even be bothered with the dishwasher - way too much effort if you know what I mean. After the kitchen, there was the living room. I can see the surface of the coffee table, which I consider a major improvement. It's a big coffee table and it was completely buried under papers and magazines and computer parephernalia. The dogs toys are all back in the basket and I managed to do a load of laundry. You know things are bad when you don't have any clean underwear. At that point things like laundry really need attention. Oh, and the final push to unmuck the house was to go through the huge pile of catalogs and get rid of all but the few that I actually might order from. I swear I must be getting at least 10 of those suckers every single day. That is my least favorite part of the holidays and generally if I'm going to order something, I'm just going to get online and order it. I wish those companies would just save the trees and the hassle and stop sending those catalogs to me. At this point I'd decided that I'd done entirely enough "housework" for the night and made myself some mac and cheese, built a fire, and watched some television.
I debated about working on the sock. I'm close to being ready to start the ribbing and I thought it would be really nice to finish that, but I didn't work on the sock. Nor did I work on the wedding square (that I really have to finish this weekend). Didn't work on Butterfly, didn't spin. Instead, I took a little detour.
This is the start of the Curiously Clever Clogs (without beads) in some lovely Cascade 220. I'm in desparate need of a new pair of slippers, so I thought I'd start these and work on them at home. The pattern is very detailed, but so far seems easy enough.
Saturday I'm taking a dyeing class from 10-2 at the LYS. The lady teaching the class is very knowledgable and I think it will be a great exposure to chemical dyeing (I did take a natural dyeing class at Estes Park last year) and hopefully I'll get brave enough to try dyeing some of the fleece I have. We'll see. I hope I have the opportunity to take lots of pictures (read: I'll try to be a good blogger).
Comments
At least you have your argument as an excuse for your house clutter - mine's just as bad because I knit instead of clean! I'm sure you'll find acid dyeing quite easy, and turn out some beautiful roving! I'm started to get tempted into spinning, but luckily I don't know anyone who can teach me, so I'll stay away from that temptation a bit longer.
Posted by: Zarah at November 16, 2006 12:28 PM
is there anything more boring than emptying the dishwasher? i have my own pile of dirty dishes on the counter. ack. wish i could blame the supreme court ;-)
those slippers look very intriguing! make sure you document your progress carefully for us.
Posted by: kris at November 16, 2006 12:40 PM
I know just what you mean about the dishwasher. Emptying it sucks. But it's better than doing dishes. What you need is a kid. Then you get them to do all the chores you hate!
Posted by: Carole at November 16, 2006 12:44 PM
Wow, you accomplished a lot. Sometimes that's exactly what one needs. I have to do t hat tomorrow as my parents decided to come to my house a day earlier then planned, so I have to leave and go home and clean. Darn, a half day of work. I hope I can bear it.
Can't wait to see more of the clogs.
Posted by: Rebekah at November 16, 2006 1:03 PM
What, no Butterfly?!? Well, I guess I can wait (a girl's just gotta knit clogs sometimes. I have, myself, have knitted two pairs of the FiberTrends felted clogs this fall. Haven't felted them yet, of course.)
You know, most catalogs have an 800 number on the back for Customer Service. A few months ago I got a bee in my bonnet, and started calling the numbers as each catalog came in the mail. I get many fewer catalogs now (seriously, Victoria's Secret sends out like 3 per WEEK. Insane.) I get a few, but they are generally the ones that I would actually want. It's nice.
Posted by: Katherine at November 16, 2006 1:14 PM
Cleaning always helps me when I've had a long THINKING day. That and a good run. They both clear my head out so well. I'm glad you had a chance to relax with some knitting in the end!!
Posted by: Elinor at November 16, 2006 1:46 PM
sounds like decluttering the house was a good way to get you back in the swing of things. i hate and love cleaning at the same time! i hate the process of doing it but love the results. sometimes it's just so hard to maintain all that though.
mmmm, warm slippers for the winter. great idea!
Posted by: gleek at November 16, 2006 2:16 PM
Glad that your argument went well! It sounds like you were super duper productive yesterday. I like the colors of the clogs -- can't wait to see more!
Posted by: caitlyn at November 16, 2006 3:43 PM
Carole's plan is a good one (and I laughed out loud), however, that is another person to create more clutter. I do delegate the chores but everyone struggles with unloading the dishwasher. In fact, I seem to like loading it . . . if someone will unload it. I am very interested in those clogs! I'm glad your argument is over.
Posted by: Stephanie at November 16, 2006 4:33 PM
Congratulations on surviving! I'd call in sick tomorrow and give yourself a well deserved 3 day weekend!!
Posted by: Lynn at November 16, 2006 5:18 PM
I bought that clog pattern too, I only need to find the time to actually start them. I can't wait to see how yours turn out. :)
Posted by: Julie at November 16, 2006 5:35 PM
The "simplicity beyond complexity" (as my computer code-head DH puts it) in housework is this: just pick up after yourself. (I have not yet reached that simplicity, but we all have faults, right? lol) Time things, and you'll be surprised. I can empty my dishwasher in 2 1/2 minutes. Even when there are a lot of "weird" items in there that go in various cupboards and drawers. When it's just plates, bowls, silverware, etc., it's two minutes. Picking up the toys/etc. on the living room floor? Five minutes.
Sometimes I just have to close my eyes, remember the recorded time, and dive in. It's amazing how fast it goes. Well, when I'm not interrupted by one of my four small tornadoes.
Bravo for making through your argument, and cleaning on top of it. A clean house makes for a peaceful heart. Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Annalea at November 16, 2006 5:50 PM
congrats on completing the SC argument. that is a huge accomplishment.
laundry, dusting, dishes ??? not happening at our house either. Is it the knitter's curse? :-)
Glad you're making yourself some cozy slippers; they will be fun for winter.
Posted by: Teyani at November 16, 2006 9:23 PM
I didn't have a supreme court argument this week, but I do have housework issues. For the record, I timed it and it takes me FOUR minutes to empty the dishwasher. How I dread that four minutes. It has been my policy to never wash dishes by hand, because We Have a Dishwasher. One day I saw my husband, who rarely cleans the kitchen, hand wash the dishes that wouldn't fit in the full washer. So, even though the dishwasher was running, our sink managed to be emptied and cleaned and the clean dishes dried and put away.
This whole concept blew me away.
(I have yet to repeat it.)
Posted by: jessie at November 17, 2006 3:01 AM
Instead of dog toys, I've got boys' toys all over the place... why clean it all up when it'll be all there again the next day? ;-)
I've got that clog pattern too, but haven't deciphered it yet. Can't wait to see your progress on them.
Posted by: joy at November 17, 2006 7:45 AM
are you sure you don't live at my house?
don't tell tom, but sometimes when I'm out of clothes (because I don't wash any) I go and buy new ones. :)
Posted by: yahaira at November 17, 2006 8:11 AM
I know exactly what you mean! I have no idea how it gets so messy -- expectly because my BF is anally neat so I know it is all me and the pup!
Posted by: Jenny at November 17, 2006 12:15 PM
Yuum felted slippers!
Posted by: Theresa at November 18, 2006 4:24 PM
Ugh - it seems like I can never find those few minutes to do those things like unload the dishwasher or put my clothes in the laundry basket versus just leaving them where they drop! Amazing how much of a mess just 2 people make - I feel like I constantly clean, yet I always see clutter! (and dog hair, but that's another story...)
Posted by: Stacey at November 20, 2006 8:32 AM
