Newsy News

A lot has been happening, so I don't know where to begin.

The biggest news is that I am planning to retire at the end of the year. February, 1981 through December, 2007, is not a bad run.

But that will not be the only big change. We are planning on moving. We're just getting started on that. We have 35 years of accumulated lives in our condo, so sorting it out is a major job. We plan to stay in Chicago and maybe even (with his blessing) move into Abraham's building.

On the more day-to-day front, knitting continues. I need to put a few more inches onto another recycled sari silk scarf. Jewelry continues. I am building up a good stock and keep selling it. I have to spend more time getting a real web-site up and running. I have had several people ask if they can buy something off my web-site and i cringe and say "not yet, but soon." Soon is now.

The Bean

Thursday I really did intend to go to the office after my dentist appointment.

The weather was perfect, I was early and "The Bean" (OK it is really "Cloud Gate" but that is like Mrs. Cleaver calling Beaver "Theodore") was between my parking space and the dentist.

This picture is taken from underneath looking up. I'm the yellow and red figure repeated many times.

Very cool.

After the appointment (everything was good, just a cleaning) I checked out a bead shop and latched onto a tour going through the store formerly known as Marshall Field's. I audited their viewing of the Tiffany ceiling. Let's hope that Macy's recognizes a legacy when they own it.

Lunch with Gene and Garnet at the Daley Center followed by accompanying Gene on a wild goose chase for old case files.

A stop at the Clerk of Cook County Vital Records may help to unravel a mystery recently discovered. Several months ago I was doing family tree stuff and checked the 1920 US Census for my mother's family. I found them easily. There was Sidney Zittenfield, Irene, his wife, and their children, Milton (14), Raymond (8), Barbara (4) and John (2). JOHN?? Who was John? Good old uncle John? I requested a search for his birth certificate. It takes about six weeks for an answer.

A Visit with Old Friends

Wednesday evening I had a most enjoyable dinner with three friend from high school. Much catching up was done. There was a lot of time to cover. While the other three had been getting together in past years, but I hadn't seen Barbara since graduation, Ellen at the 25th reunion and Michael a few years ago.

Barbara lives in Oregon and has been happily and busily retired for several years, Michael is writing and editing in New York, Ellen continues to court report and I'm still computing but looking forward to retiring soon. A good time was had by all.

Next year in New York!

Back to Knitting

I was shocked to see that it was 46 days since my last post.

I have not been knitting as much as I have been making jewelry. Earrings and necklaces galore. Oh look, here is a necklace now -


I donated a necklace and earrings to The Harbour. A friend is on their board. The word I got back was that there was active bidding and they were sold for more than their set value. That made me feel good.


There is a good amount of knitted goodies to send off to Dulaan. The deadline to be included in this year's shipment is rapidly approaching so I'll try to get them packed up and out this weekend.

I recently made another scarf out of the recycled sari silk yarn. Amazing stuff. Much like Chicago weather, if you don't like the color you are knitting, wait a few stitches and it will change!

Ugh, Chicago weather. A very undecided proposition. Warm weather, bulbs popped, snow fell, heat happened, cold, then rain and to keep you on your toes, tornadoes in the southwest suburbs.

Thought of retirement are percolating through my head. Some downsizing, some disencumbering ourselves of years of possessions. It is a big job, but it must be tackled eventually. How do you decide?

Busy Times

Where has the time gone? I was shocked to see the date of my last post.


The hat that I said that I was knitting for my son was finished and given to him.
Note to self: Show the yarn to Abe BEFORE you begin.
The hat fit nicely but the color was all wrong. I liked it, it was called "Painted Desert" and was muted tans and blue-greens. While the weather was still cold, I knit up a charcoal gray number that met with his color sensibilities.


Dulaan just got a lovely "Painted Desert" hat, and another one in a sorta dark green heather. I'll have to count, but I think my Dulaan count is up to ten.


Weboggle continues to be addictive. If you see "Sue in Chicago", that's me.


Jewelry making continues. Sales are going well and someone even asked if they could order off my website? I guess I have to get on the ball and make one. I'll keep you posted.


The investment club was here today. We had a good meeting and decided to invest in a new to us stock. We weathered the recent market drop and are doing well.

A WARNING

It is my duty to issue a Public Service Announcement.

Because it is sometimes important to get thing done, to go to work, to sleep,

DO NOT get started with WEBoggle.

Much like SNOOD, it is addictive.

You have been given fair warning.

Meanderings

Patterns, I don't need no stinkin' patterns. With that in mind, I started a hat for my son. I've made many hats, I know what size things will be. I sat through a Book Club gathering and blissfully started to knit a hat that may have fit him when he was ten. I really like the yarns I used and didn't want to rip it, so it is now my current Dulaan Project project. Skip ahead a few days and I started another hat, smaller needle, many more stitches. It fits me, so I'm sure it will fit him.

So now I have two hats on the needle, one at my computer to work on while things download or while watching TV and the other in the bedroom, so I can knit while I watch TV there or while just seeking some quiet.

I have been going gangbusters making jewelry. I can really see progress when comparing older pieces to what I'm making now. Of course it doesn't hurt to have an ever growing stash of beads and findings.

Cousin Eve liked the earrings sent to her. She wrote a glowing thank you note. I may have to send her some more, just to get the very positive feedback!