Killing Time

Or waiting for paint to dry.

 

Nail polish

but you get the idea.

 

The shellac manicure has spoiled me.

Suddenly, the time involved in "doing"

my nails at home

has become intolerable.

Keeping my nails presentable consumes

 at least two nights a week -

nights that could be used for so many

other pursuits.

 

I use the nudest of nude polish

and keep my nails fairly short

so it's not a matter

of maintaining fire-red talons.

It's simply that they have to look "done."

 

Thinking it would minimize my OCD

concerning chipped polish, and thus allow me to coast

with just one session during a week,

I tried just a clear coat for

 shine and protection.  

It didn't work.

It's been three days

and I just couldn't take it!

I've just applied a quick coat

of color so I can go to work.

 

Obviously wet nails don't interfere

with typing

so the time would provide a good excuse

to post on a regular basis.

There is never enough time for reading

so wet nails would be the

perfect cover story

to curl up and read the night away.

 

Yes, it is a trivial complaint, at best,

and there is always a

suitable resolution

for such matters.

 

 

Faux Fuchsia says it best:

"Chipped nail polish still revolts me." 

 

 

 

Just to let you know...

... it's

snowing

 

 

and thundering.

In Season

The air has been filled with the

long, shifting V-s of

returning geese.

Their honking

alerts the casual

witness to this seasonal

trek pulling the eye to the horizon

where they hover en masse

looking for a place to rest.

 

We've also seen a flock of mallard ducks

and deluded and bedraggled robins

 huddled in the falling snow.

 

Within my four walls there

are signs of impending spring, as well.

This morning I opened the

storage space built into the fireplace shelving

 

 to retrieve some seasonal accents.

 

Today's bright sunshine is whispering that it might

be reason enough to debut

some "spring" clothes at work tonight...

 

Sunday Evening

I still find it

hard to believe that time can slip so quickly

through my fingers.

Intended posts and other projects

were set aside this week

to allow for the unexpected.

 

Last weekend Tim fell while cross-country skiing,

causing something in his knee to pop.

He iced and elevated through the night

and decided the next morning that it should be seen.

Preliminary diagnosis

was a torn ACL.

An MRI on Thursday indicated a torn MCL,

which means that surgery won't be required.

A round of PT twice a week for the next

 month or six weeks

and he should be good as new.

We're very thankful.

It did mean, though, that I was the designated

driver for work and appointments,

a role that will continue for at least another week.

 

We had several snowfalls last week

and the truck just went down our street

spreading the de-icing solution in

anticipation of freezing rain/ice later tonight

and into tomorrow morning.

Yippee.

 

Anyway, I was able to claim

some of the week for myself:

 

Tonight the last few rows of my sweater back will be finished,

bound off, and the front section begun.

 

My navy wardrobe selections are coming together.

A mariner dress from llbean

will be nothing but fun to wear.

A cotton/cashmere blend V-neck sweater

will prove versatile.

Local sales added a solid (but lightweight) 3/4 sleeve cardigan

a coral top (which may not make it)

a tank with embellished neckline

a 3/4 sleeve mariner top

and a pair of tan jeans.

 

 

The sneakers were found online.

A local store carried the style, but not

this color, so they were ordered and shipped to my front door. 

They are cute, comfy and will be a fun option

 for casual outings.

There are a few more packages

scheduled to arrive in the next few days.

Paint chips have proven helpful

when trying to "remember"

a color from one place to the next.

 

And this:



 

was going to be so much fun.

Projects using bleach pens and various

fabric mediums are featured on Pinterest

from time to time

and this was going to be my

grand experiment!

The scarf was clearanced for $3.00 - why not

take the chance?! 

 

It didn't work.

Plan B doesn't exist at this point

but I'm determined to

transform this scarf.

 

 

Flotsam and Jetsom

It's snowing.

I've already shoveled twice today:

before I left for  the gym

and after my return.

My guess is an easy 6 inches so far,

and it's expected to continue through the night.

 

The library will close early

meaning I won't be working tonight.

So rather than entering my full-on

getting-ready-for-work-mode

I shall blog.

With a cup of hot chocolate

comfortably within reach. 

 

We had our first cross country skiing

experience over the weekend.

I will tell you that I'm willing to give it

 another try,

express thanks that no footage exists of our outing,

and then move on to a new subject.

 

Our trips to Minneapolis are always too short

and very busy.

This trip also included a

Chinese New Year celebration with Aidan

pizza and foosball

pot roast, roasted marshmallows

snow removal and

 our farewells to Proton.

 

 This:

 

called my name at the thrift store during a blitz stop.

I'm embarrassed to admit that

Naphtali was wearing it at the time.

We did the "Oh no, you should take it!"

routine for a couple  minutes

and then it was mine.

 

This is why I don't take pictures.

This sweater is the loveliest, lightest

 mohair concoction in a rich caramel color.

The collar

(I know "fur" is divisive)(but I love it)

creates a soft frame.

The smile it generates starts in my toes!

 

 The plan was to wear it to work today

with a black tee and jeans.

It will make its debut tomorrow!

 

In return for Naphtali's generous capitulation

I offered to alter the sleeves on a

  beautiful black linen tunic

that she would have otherwise walked away from.

See? Win-win!

 

Not one, but two new berets

have recently been finished and made their public debut.

No photos exist of either event.

 

This:

 

is the sweater I'm knitting.

Let me say that again:

I'm knitting myself a sweater!

 

My list of things to try someday

includes several items that I should just

well, try.

This past year has already seen so many new

experiences why let

a small detail like primitive needle skills

prevent me launching another

new project?!

 

Actually, I recently read some good advice that went something like this:

Knitting dishcloths won't teach you to knit socks.

If you want to knit socks, then knit socks.

 

Here's to "knitting socks" in the new year!