Chores

I actually had the day off today (a rare thing for my company on President's Day), but instead of filling it with fun and exciting thing, I basically did chores.

Like, doing my taxes. Strange as it may sound, I still do them the old-fashioned way--pen, pencil, calculator, and paper. You know, with, like, real, bad penmanship and everything! I'm well aware that this means that there are no doubt deductions that I'm missing and am therefore paying more in taxes than I strictly need to, but as it is, my taxes are really simple. I am my only deduction, no dependents, no quirky, fiddly numbers to play with--just my income from my W-2 plus my interest income minus tax-already-withheld, compared that to the amount that the government thinks I should pay . . . and boom, done. A couple hundred dollars back, and I'm finished for another year. Could I get more back by using TurboTax or an accountant? I'm sure I could--but would it take me longer than the 15-30 minutes it took me to do my federal and state taxes? And cost me more? Yep. So, really, I'm good. They're out in tomorrow's mail, and my civic duty is done for the year.

Then, having gotten that mathematical landmine out of the way, I immediately dived into another--balancing my checkbook. Which reminds me, I really need to get to the bank to make a deposit . . . I get these piddling little checks that are worth like $.37 and frankly, it's just not worth rushing right over until I've got a reasonable pile--like, enough to cover the gas. I've had checks sit on my desk for months and then still made a deposit that was only $14.97. (No, really!) I mean, my paycheck gets direct-deposited, so it's not like I have to go to the bank every week . . .

So, let's see. Taxes, check. Bank statement, check. Helped Mom put away the groceries, check. Sat with Chappy for a while and read, check. But then, the highlight of the day . . . I went to the dentist. (I know, be still my heart!) I got my permanent crown cemented in and am good now all the way until . . . April, when I need to get another one. (Sigh.)

I did get some knitting done--I've got both of Mom's socks started. Look, they've got toes! (Exciting, I know, huh?) The Regia Bamboo is nice to work with--kind of "splitty" with its multiple plies, but it's soft, and the colors are nice, so really, no worries.

Did you hear about the Create-Along that Julia and Marnie started? The idea is to encourage you, me, everyone to venture out and design something of our own--something small, something big--that's not important. The idea is to get your creative juices flowing, and share the process, struggle, joys with the other -alongers. I thought it sounded like a fabulous idea, but they lost me on their first rule: "You must use Classic Elite Premiere, Rowan Calmer, Rowan Denim, Tahki Cotton Classic, or Rowan Kidsilk Haze."

Sigh. I do happen to have some KSH in my stash, but I've knitted with that before--I want my next lace project to be one of the other, beautiful lace yarns I've got waiting patiently in the closet--and I don't have any of the others (not counting a skein or so of Calmer) . . . so, you know, oh well! To my mind, restricting the KAL to projects primarily made of one of five specific yarns kind of defeats the "creativity" purpose--but that's just me. I'd probably feel differently if I had some Classic Elite Premiere in my stash that I'd been dying to have an excuse to use, but since I don't, and I have no desire to use KSH again (yet), and I'm certainly not going to go buy yarn I don't need when I've got plenty I already love . . . well . . . obviously this one isn't for me. It's certainly their preogative to make whatever rules they want, so don't think I'm complaining just because I can't join. It's still a great idea, which is why I wanted to be sure you knew about it.

And . . . I can't guarantee that this method of jump-starting a car works, but I'm guessing that all of you have the wherewithal to give it a try, so I thought I'd point it out....

Comments

[Beth]

Since I own none of the Create-Along yarns I'll pass too. Basic concept is good though...

[janna]

I'm amazed that knitting (well, wool) and starting a car can have anything to do with each other!

And your mom's socks? At first glance, I thought you had joined the knitting lingerie bandwagon......

[Jess]

I agree - keeping you limited in the type of yarn you are 'allowed' to use is kind of counter-intuitive.

Congrats on getting your taxes done!

[Christina]

What is up with the five yarns for the knit along? The selection is so random. I wonder if they are sponsored by the yarn companies.

[michelle]

Chore days are great big bore days - but man I really hate how they are so needed. Good for you for getting your taxes done already, uh I have thought about it, and that is about as far as I got.

All hail the power of wool. I better go put a hat in the glove compartment :)

[Marnie]

Well, I can certainly see your concern about yarn; I wouldn't go out and buy new yarn either. That said, as a co-moderator, even though I didn't chose that particular rule to the CAL, I do think it has merit. It'd be much harder for us to help people work through issues with yarns we don't have any experience with. It is also really interesting how a diverse number of people approach designing with the same yarn. We really think that having small teams of people working the same yarn, will be helpful in the end. I'm sure at a later date, if the CAL is successful, we'll be adding more teams. Additionally, I think defining the yarns is a lot less limiting than defining, say, the type of item to be designed (sweater, hat, sock, etc). Actually, some of my most creative work has come from having some challenge or limit on what materials I can use.

Of course, if you ever change your mind and want to join us, we'd be happy to have you. :) Take care!
~m

[CindyCindy]

Love your Mom's socks. Pretty. The wool cap and the car battery. Wow! How cool is that? Good for you doing your taxes. I hate doing them so I put them off until mid-March. Also, I'm sorry about the dentist thing. I so identify with you.

[Laura]

Good for you for getting your paperwork done and ready to be filed!

Great start on the socks. Such a pretty color. Bummer that the yarn's splitting, though.

Great idea for the KAL, but I don't like the yarn limits, either. That's a bummer. I have a few balls of Kidsilk Haze, but I'm using them for something else. Never have even owned any of those others. Not going to rush out and buy them for this, either. Drat.

[Lizzy B]

Hmm, I do have some Tahki cotton... An interesting idea but only certain yarns? That's a fairly odd thing unless they are trying to make a compendium of patterns for each of those yarns or something...

Ah, the joy of taxes... We do ours with Turbo Tax and it takes about half an hour start to finish with e-file. We got our money back from the state within 24 hours. The Feds took 3 days...

[Carrie K]

Oh fine, another nice and easy return gone leaving me all the horrid ones!

Did you get your telephone tax refund?

Would a wool skein work on the battery, do you think?

Toes are cute! And the toe up is so NEAT looking. I'm hoping I can do it more than once.....

[Debby]

Wonderful to have the taxes done and out of the way! We go to the accountant...Math + Me is not a good combination. :)

Socks look good and I'm glad your parents both had good birthdays. It's a lousy month for a celebration with all the unexpected "weather events." I have experience with this. :)

[Julia]

I knew that people would have questions regarding the "why" of yarn limitations and choices, and will do a post on that soon. It was a purposeful choice on my part that Marnie agreed to go along with. Initially I was going to do just one yarn - can you imagine the response I would have gotten by doing that? :) I will say up front that I am not sponsored by a yarn company. If I had to choose a favorite big company, it would be Karabella, and they're not even on the list...

Thanks for getting the word out about the CAL. Hopefully we'll enjoy it so much that we'll do a round two with yarn choices that will entice you.