Would you like the bad news first? ok, today I broke my yarn diet.

In my own defense, I successfully abstained from buying yarn for 2 months. Several days ago, I cast on the Minisweater you see pictured here. Getting gauge on this project took three or four tries–I even swatched, and re-swatched, and switched needles, and finally decided to hold the yarn double and swatch, and voila! GAUGE! I have lots to say about the yarn and pattern, more in a bit.

But yes, today when I was at my LYS buying two more balls of Berroco Comfort for the Minisweater (technically not breaking the yarn diet since I needed them to finish an existing project)…I purchased yarn I didn’t need, and the valiant resistance was defeated. There was a big sale today, so in addition to more Comfort, I bought one skein of Manos wool (it’s purple! and pinkish-purple!) and also two balls of Rowan Felted Tweed, which I’ve never worked with before but have in mind for fingerless gloves (and possibly a matching hat if I have enough left over). I spent about $36 dollars and saved $10 with the sale, and don’t plan on doing this regularly! I just felt like I deserved a little treat. But yeah, the yarn diet is officially over. The book diet, however, goes on!

So, back to the Minisweater. The pattern is very easy so far, though I’m not fond of the somewhat random “knit until it fits” method. I like sticking to a pattern closely, such as “knit 30[35,40] rows in stockinette stitch, then increase every other row…” Having to put the stitches on waste yarn and try on the sweater three or four times and measure the sleeves to estimate the size was kind of annoying, but at least I know it fits, right?

Thus far, I’m kind of iffy about the yarn. I love how soft it is, but as such, it’s already kind of prone to pilling. Also, it splits like mad! Which annoys me a lot. I found one knot out of two balls, which isn’t very bad. Luckily, the knot occurred at the end of a row, so that worked out ok. But I’m not sure if I’ll use this yarn again in the future.

This is sounding more like a finished object post rather than work in progress, so I’ll say more later when I’m closer to finishing!

Also, I have more exciting ideas/possible plans for that whole “I’ve decided to finish college” thing–more on that soon!

Posted: February 29th, 2008 under Knitting.
Comments: 6

So, on a whim today, I decided to log in to my (former) college account and pull up my unofficial academic transcript. Just to see how many credits I would need to finish my B.A. in English.

Total credits required for a B.A.: 120

My total credits earned: 109

DUDE. I am only 11 credits away from getting that stinking degree! Look how close!!

See, back in fall/winter of 2006 when the whole divorce thing was hitting the fan, I finished that semester of college and went on indefinite hiatus. I moved back to Virginia in March of 2007 (almost one year ago–can you believe I’ve been back for one year already?!). Then I started my full-time job in April 2007 and my part-time/second job in November 2007.

And now I’m thinking. ok, I’m no Superwoman–but what if, once I pay off my credit card and pay down the second card–what if, instead of jumping into saving up for my first house, I finish those 11 credits and earn my degree first? I thought about it…and thought about it…and started to get really, really excited. Motivated, even. In that scary kind of way, sort of like when I first contemplated looking for a second job but didn’t know if I would be able to pull it off.

Well, I’ve been pulling it off for four months now. And that state of the credit card debt in the sidebar over there? It goes down by $800 every month. I’m totally doing it! Never mind the fact that I am a walking zombie most days, alternately frazzled/depressed the other days, and frighteningly gaining weight at a steady pace the rest of the days. Point is, I am ticking off my goals, both small and large, one goal at a time.

So…who’s to say that I can’t take one class per semester and check off those credits, one by one? 11 credits are, what, 4 classes? So close!

It’s become yet another big reality check for me since moving back–employers kind of, well, pay more when you have a Bachelor’s degree. So it would appear, anyway. Case in point: I have an Associate’s degree. Actually, I have two! ha! (One is in Liberal Arts, the other is in Information Systems.) And um, yeah, despite that fact–I have two jobs. You figure out the logic in that one!

There is, of course, the constant issue in my life, the ever-present freakin thorn in my paw: money. I’ve applied for financial aid in the past, only to be offered nothing more than student loans. And I really, really don’t want to go that route. I’m in enough debt as it is! And getting out! I don’t want to accrue more. But it’s worth a try to apply for financial aid and see what happens. Maybe a fall 2008 start date isn’t completely unrealistic, if I can coax all the stars and planets into alignment to see this happen.

This line of thinking completely puts a damper on my Plan A, which was 1) pay off the credit card debt, 2) save up money for the down payment on a house, and 3) buy a house and finally get away from Le Chateau de Parents INSANE. sigh. But I think it makes more sense to finish college first, and then try to buy a house…right? That would be the smarter thing to do?

And I really am trying to make smart choices from now on. I can’t tell you enough how many regrets I have about the past. I know, I know. People say you shouldn’t live with regrets. But I do! I have them. In plenty. Things like not finishing college before getting married, getting married in the first place, etc. etc…but what can you do? Can’t go backward. All I want to do now, though, is try to be smarter. And maybe in doing so, I can make my future better and I, in turn, will be happier. Maybe. I hope.

So cross your fingers that I will either be eligible for financial aid, or will miraculously (summoning those aforementioned stars and planets) win the lottery tomorrow night. By the way, did you hear about the Mega Millions winners in Georgia? $275 million. Millions! Of dollars! Even in the lump sum, it was well over $160 million, or something. I should only be so lucky.

In the meantime, I’m off to sprinkle fairy dust in the general direction of those pesky stars and planets. (And shaking some at the federal student aid people can’t hurt either.)

Posted: February 28th, 2008 under Miss Education, My So-Called Life.
Comments: 7

I hate the feeling that I want to ask someone something, but actually fear the backlash if I do, because the person I want to ask might rant and rave about it on their blog and I don’t want to look like a bad guy! Isn’t that sad?

(P.S. No, it’s likely not you! I doubt this person reads my blog.)

(P.P.S. It doesn’t tell you but comments are closed on this entry.)

Posted: February 27th, 2008 under Randomness.
Comments: none

Current state of the credit card debt:

02/20/2008: $1,420.12
02/04/2008: $1,820.12
01/31/2008: $2,220.12
01/22/2008: $2,620.12
Months till payoff: 1.8

woohoo!

Posted: February 24th, 2008 under My So-Called Life.
Comments: 2

…first, do not post any spoilers, as I just started the book this afternoon! (Acquired before the Great Book Buying Fast of 2008. Thanks again, Annie! )

…second, if you haven’t read it, don’t read the rest of this entry because I might spoil something for you!

Read more »

Posted: February 21st, 2008 under Bookworm.
Comments: 6

This is a test post due to WordPress upgrade…ignore this!

Posted: February 17th, 2008 under Domain.
Comments: 1

I got my hair cut today! Originally I hadn’t intended to go this short, but decided it’s just hair and it will grow back, so I went for it. A total of ten inches were cut off! I kept the ponytail (it’s kind of weird seeing it laying on my bed right now), and I’m going to send it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.

(Here’s what it looked like before I cut it, by the way.)

Posted: February 17th, 2008 under My So-Called Life.
Comments: 5