Revived! (and a yarn buy too)

So I have gotten over the whole review thing and looked to knitting. My yarn came last Tuesday and I statted Josephine pronto. My gauge is perfect on this too! I have about 5 inches done on the front but realized this morning that watching Dancing with the Stars and knitting even a simple lace pattern don't mix. I now have a small mistake/design feature.

I also checked out a new-to-me LYS yesterday. Yorkshire Yarns in Lakewood. They were really nice and even gave me 15% off for finding them on Ravelry. I picked up some very cute striped sock yarn in brown, teal and red, some blocking pins and a new row counter that has a lock on it so no more extra clicks caused by dropping it.

Tonight I am looking forward to more Josephine and Idol! Hopefully that will mix a little better.

Downer Day

So today I had my annual review at work. Nevermind it is mid-April and the review should have happened in Jan. They told me they like to save the best for last. Overall, I did exactly how I thought I would. Great when it comes to organization, teamwork and professionalism but need to work on more big picture things like reports. This was the year I finally decided to ask for more of a raise than they offered. I did my research and had a list of what I have accomplished in my position. They offered 4%. I hate tooting my own horn so asking for more is really hard. I brought up my research, my accomplishments and my salary goal. After all that they raised it 1% to 5% total with a larger year end bonus. A raise is a raise so I am grateful but I am so pissed at myself for not being able to get more. I am still about $4,000 away from my goal, which is at the low end of the pay scale for my position. I should be celebrating a good review and a raise but can't help thinking about my lack of negotiating skills.

I was looking forward to my Knitpicks delivery to ease the tension. According to the tracker it should be here today but it didn't arrive. I guess a glass of wine and a little Dancing with the Stars might so the trick. Why did the cheerfullness/cheesiest of Steve Guttenburg have to be kicked off so soon?

The Waiting Game

I am patiently waiting for the Knitpicks order to get here so I can start my Josephine Top. In the meantime, I have knitting away on the Chevron Scarf and spending time with my latest hobby- Golf. I played a round on Wed and went again yesterday. Today I hit the driving range down the hill from us. I need to start getting more exercise in and while golf is not the most strenuous activity, it's alot more fun to me than running or going to the gym.

PS- Looks like I won't have to wait too much longer for the yarn. The package got to the local distribution center today!

Semi-Splurge

I have been really good about stash-busting. My last 3 projects were stash busters so I decided to rewards myself a bit. I don't have any summer yarns in the stash. (Well, ok, I have some cotton-ease but i have already made a sweater from it and still have enough for another.) I wanted to make something for warmer weather.

I decided on IK's Josephine Top from Summer 07. So last night I placed a Knitpicks order for some Shine Sport in Grass green. I can hardly wait!

Finishing

Today has been a day of finishing. The second Argyle Sock is sewn and done. I also finished up the Waterfall Scarf. So quick and easy. I like the feeling of a good stashbuster!

Stash-busting (edited to add pics)

Did I tell you the latest pair of socks was frogged? Well it was but I did finish knitting the second sock of the argyle socks. Only the detailing remains.

So as of last Friday, I had nothing on the needles. What is the perfect thing to start at the beginning of Spring? I don't know if our snowy weather last week got to me or what but I decided to start not 1 but 2 scarves. Both are stash-busting projects.

The Waterfall Scarf from One Skein Wonders and a Chevron Scarf in STR Farmhouse and Harlotty. They are not the most contrasting color choices but I don't know if I would really wear a scarf that was too out there.

I am kind of impressed that I am actually working on both equally. I think there is enough differences in the patterns to keep me intersted.