Always starting, never finishing

Why am I always so anxious to start a new knitting project (or quilting, or book or whatever) before finishing up things I'm already working on? I'm so excited to start something new, but can't gather the same enthusiasm about finishing something and having it ready to use or wear or whatever. I can understand with garments. The interesting thing is, I can hand-sew or hand quilt or applique, but when it comes to sewing up the seams of a sweater or weaving in the yarns when you change colors, etc., I never feel like doing that.

What brought about this train of thought? I just realized I have 2 afghans in progress, 1 vest (since last winter) for Mike, 1 shell for me (ok, I put that one off because I probably won't wear it in the winter anyway), and one cardigan (again for me but probably for whomever it fits). And now that I've heard Bev (librarian here) is definitely having a boy, I'm itching to make a little, teeny baby sweater. I actually have one finished (but not seamed, surprise surprise) that was supposed to be for Mankee (she's having her second child now and never got this for the first one), so perhaps I'll take it apart and redo it for Bev's. The yarn was really nice, is a nice beige color that goes with everything.

I haven't posted much lately. Oldest daughter is back in college and we can only hope she's studying as much as she's socializing. She's off to Mexico with friends during Spring Break and looking for a house to share for next Fall. I'm feeling 100 years old.

Second daughter is finishing up senior year and has been accepted to every college she's applied to (except Northeastern, because she hasn't heard from them yet). With all these options, she's decided that she was to go to UMass Amherst. And on top of that, after getting accepted to all these engineering schools, she wants to go into medicine. As my sister said, "I'm sure that's a good career path for her. She's got such a bedside manner." Realize that that statement was positively dripping with sarcasm.

Work has been VERY busy and I feel good because I've gotten some things accomplished. I moved the public computers onto a separate DSL line, thus making the computers faster for them and for the staff here. Wireless is going to be installed in both branches tomorrow. I've instituted a library-wide master staff schedule so we can assign people to public desks if there is an illness or vacation.

But after all this good stuff, and more good stuff to come, I will be first on the chopping block come July if the city insists on layoffs. Because although I'm the only one that does what I do, I'm the last hired. I'm not even going to go into how I feel about all this. But I will say, the threat of a layoff means they will probably lose me before that, because I'm sending out resumes NOW. And although I'll be sad to go, I'll be sadder to be laid off.

Who knew?

that one little change to a new isp could cause so many problems within the library computer system? The changeover appeared to go very smoothly on Monday. But of course, as soon as everyone (meaning the guys that really knew what they were doing) left, all hell broke lose. Just ridiculous. Now none of the public computers will stay on the Pharos time management system. and I spend my time waiting for the public to get off so that I can try to change the host files on each individual computer but it's just crazy.

On top of that, and now I know I'm going to sound like an old fart, my older daughter did the one thing I have asked her not to do, because of a prejudice of mine. And that is. . .pierce her belly-button. Honestly, nothing says "trailer-trash" to me like a pierced belly-button. But, as she so forcefully told me, she's 19 and it's her body. On top of that, my bitch was that she really doesn't have $78 to throw away on another hole in her body. But whatever. I'm just a parent; what the hell could I know?

So what's going well? At this moment, I can't think of a thing. But I'll work on that and get back to you.

Where Did January Go?

I thought that I would have soooo much time to update this blog and post the pictures I took ages ago onto Ravelry. But I haven't done either. And although we've been snowed in, and it seems like I'd have time on my hands, that hasn't been the case.

I have a good portion of my cotton/silk cardigan finished. I got to the arms and of course, instead of finishing up, I began another project. Just as I did for Sam, I am going to make afghans for Anna's friends who are graduating this year. Anna gave me the colors they might like, and I'm working hard. My rationale is that:

1. I have a deadline for these 3 afghans (or is it 4?). I want them done by June 6, 2009.
2. I have no deadline for my sweater (and it's for me, so I'm flexible)
3. It's better to work throughout the winter with a big heavy afghan on your lap, as opposed to like, April.

Also, it gives me a chance to start something new, which I love, as opposed to actually finishing anything, which is harder for me.

Daughter #1 returned to UMass Amherst on Sunday. I miss her but not that much because with modern technology, you can certainly keep in touch. But I know she had bored days toward the end (witnessed by her enthusiasm about going back), but it's still nice to have someone to watch TV with. Anna is so stressed with homework, work, and friends, I hardly see her except for her to complain about a) the car; b) the food; or c) the speed with which her laundry is returned. Oh, college is going to be such a rude awakening for her.

Speaking for college for Anna, she has gotten into everywhere she applied, thus far. She is still waiting to hear from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Northeastern. She's met someone from New York on Facebook that is leaning heavily toward UMass Amherst, and likes her very much. That may be the catalyst that propels her toward that school over others.

Work has been intensely stressful with lots going on in my real job, and then lots more other stuff happening with the Assistant Director position that I'm filling, but that is not my job. I also had to give a talk on Advocacy to the Key Users group this month. I'm often feeling overwhelmed, but if I ignore it long enough, it goes away.

On the diet front, the struggle to lose those last 3-4 lbs. is incredible. I could let myself get discouraged, and believe me it is tempting, but if I don't keep my spirits up, who will? So I will try to hold up.