Personal Update: Jan. 2023

It’s a new year, and I’m doing my best to write more on my blog. It’s a case of time management as I juggle work with my crafting, my writing and my self improvement. It’s still a work in progress as I’m doing things slowly.

Work

I work full time in retail, and I work the closing shift which, currently, is 1pm to 10 pm. During the spring, summer and some autumn months, it shifts to 2pm to 11pm. I don’t go to sleep until an hour or so after I get home. I spend this time unwinding, not doing much at all. I get up between 7am and 8am, and this is the time I try to spend getting some crafting in. My job takes up the most part of my day, even more so than sleep. I work the rest of my days and nights around it.

My job is going well. I’m full time when most of my co-workers are part time. I got a raise not long ago, and I hope to get another small on in May. My attendance hasn’t been the best of late since my depression has gotten the best of me many times in the last six months, but it’s not bad enough I’ve gotten into any trouble over it. I am working on improving it because staying home from work seems to make the depression worse, not better.

Work gives me purpose and something else to focus on so I don’t get burned out. My job is part same thing every day and part new experiences every day so, it works for me.

Writing

I’m getting a new program to help me with my writing. It’s called Atticus, and I have a good feeling about it. As soon as I can, I’m going to buy it and try it out. If anyone has used this program before, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. I’ll be sure to post a review of it when I do get it and try it out.

Golden Knave has been on hold because I’ve been very unhappy with the performance of the program I’m currently using. I need something simpler to use because I don’t have the time to learn how to do a great many of the things I need to do. It’s not really user friendly unless you spend a lot of time learning how to use it.

Cross Stitching

I’ve already begun work on my projects for this year, and I’ve also shared several posts about them as well. I’ve begun a new one just today since I have to restart one, and I don’t want to do it right away. Check my archives for those posts if you’re interested.

Doll House

I think I’ve written and shared only one post on this project so far. It’s an ongoing project that’s going to take me years to complete because I plan to do as much as I can by hand.

I’ve finished plastering the walls and ceiling of the first room on the Ground Floor – my newly renamed Wine Cellar. I’ve begun work on the walls and ceiling of the smaller Basement room next to this room.

In addition, I’m making my first wine rack out of the cardboard used to make cat food boxes. I’m actually using this for most of my work on the doll house right now because it’s do plentiful. I’ve put together most of the frame, and it should be done tomorrow. Then, I have to research how to make the racks which will be diagonal instead of horizontal since that’s how real life wine is stored. It’s a fun project so far.

Crocheting

My second favorite hobby right now. I’m making small stuff out of crochet thread since I have so much of it.

This piece is from an insert pattern I found on Free Vintage Crochet. I’m thinking of doing three more of these and putting them in resin to make trivets.

The thread is 100% Mercerized Cotton Size 10 Color Cream by Red Heart Classic. I’m using a size 1.10mm steel crochet hook. It’s about 6 1/2(16.51 cm) inches wide by 4 1/2(11.43 cm) inches tall.

I’m also making a queen sized blanket out of Bernat Chenille yarn, and I’ll post pictures of it when it’s more than just a couple of rows. It’s a gift for my co-worker and Mentor who has really done a lot for me since I started work at Lowe’s the first time many many years ago. I left the company, and I wish I hadn’t. I’m back now though, and I’ll stay with it until my other personal goals are met.

The last crochet project I have on the hook is a scrap yarn body pillow. I’m using an aluminum J hook and different types of yarn in groups of three.

It also doesn’t look like much, but Mimi is enjoying sleeping on it, that’s her side of the bed. I’m out of scrap yarn for now so, I’ll be starting another project soon – one from my stash of saved patterns.

Other Projects

In addition to the aforementioned projects, I have several others I’m working on as I need to take a break from the main ones.

Sewing

I’m turning a table runner into a throw pillow. It was a rescued stamped cross stitch kit that was nearly complete. Thing is, it was just the table runner with the design printed only on one end. I didn’t like that and besides, I don’t have a table it would fit on. Hence, the pillow idea.

Journal Making

I’m going to be making my first ever journal. I haven’t started yet because I have a great many things going on now, but it’s on the list.

Education

I love learning new things, and I try to learn something new every day if I can.

Tack to Trades is a program offered by Lowe’s which allows you to get basic training in a trade of your choice: Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC and one other I can’t remember right now. This training comes with a link to a job site for tradespeople looking for internships/part time and full time jobs in the trades of their choice in their area. Lowe’s doesn’t require you to seek an internship, they’re just making it available. In addition, I was able to take the OSHA 10 Safety Course and got my OSHA card for completeing it.

Another benefit being provided by my work is the ability to go to college. Depending on the course, Lowe’s will pay 100% tuition costs for it. I’ll be starting school in the Fall to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.

I’m also still planning to continue my language studies and improve my fluency. I just need to find the time…

That’s about it for now. I still have lots of plans and ideas for 2023, but they’re just ideas I’ve actually written down. Nothings has been done yet. Once I’m actively working on them, I’ll let you know.

See you on the flipside and don’t forget your towel and sonic screwdriver!!