Monday, February 23, 2015

Miss Clara's Raglan Sweater

One day last week, I went to the bookstore at lunch. After making my selection and waiting to check out, I noticed the elderly lady in front of me. It wasn't so much the woman, but the sweater she was wearing. Only a knitter would notice the raglan sleeves and know immediately that it was a hand knit sweater. As she was waiting for the clerk to obtain a book she had on hold, I asked her if she made her sweater and, to my delight, the answer was yes.  She had made it years ago. When she turned around, I could see the knitted bands up the front and the specially selected buttons. The sweater was a beautiful buttercup yellow color. The raglan sleeve was done by yarn overs. Continuing to talk, she said she had started another sweater just like it back in the 90's, but had run out of yarn/fiber. I told her that was okay because every knitter in their lifetime had done the same thing. It was so nice to talk to her on that day. My day was very stressful at work and I usually don't leave for lunch, but just meeting and talking to her took away some of the anxiety from my workday.

Thank you Miss Clara for being at the right place at the right time.

Monday, January 26, 2015

HI HO HI HO Off to Work, Work, Work

I wish I could sing about going to work, but not really.
I appreciate my job and vocation and never want to appear unthankful to God for the blessing he has given me to work and help care for my family, but then....

So today is eight days in a row that I have been in the office chair trying to push through the insurance paperwork. Cannot tell you how many weekends since September 1st that I have been in that office chair. The last quarter of 2014 and January have been extremely hectic. Missing one person in the department and other changes have put an undue burden on a lot of people. I have been in this business for a very long time, but this year has made me decide that maybe I need to slow down a bit. Entirely too much work for one person to do. There are some options that I am looking at along with my husband. I can possibly work at home and he can too. So we are going to pursue this option. It will mean a pay cut, but the sacrifice would be worth my well being not only physically, but mentally and spiritually. So I will fill out the application and see what happens next.

I am hoping that slowing down and reducing the stress will allow me to do the things I love -- knitting, crocheting, embroidery and anything else that fits into crafting.

So with God's help and turning all over to him, I am looking to make changes. Praying all will work out.