I’ve been traveling a lot already this year. None of it was work related though. I saw that baby twice. I went to Pennsylvania and saw my parents while Lou and Ryan attended the Frozen Four in Philadelphia. I just got back from a really nice trip to Mackinac Island (pronounced mackinaw). We are six months in and I have been traveling nearly constantly for the last 3 months. It’s not about to end.
I think the key to successfully carrying out all of my plans and fulfilling all of my obligations through the end of the year will be making lists and charts. I worked with Jillian on improving my skills at this last year. It was wonderful. We had regular meetings where she steered me through making goals and figuring out how to accomplish things. She’s a master at that kind of thing. Then she pushed me out of the nest and told me to fly on my own. I’m working on it and slowly getting there. Once in a while if I’m falling she swoops under and lifts me up again.
Anyway, I have this Excel spreadsheet that I have been working on since January. I printed it out yesterday. I had to tape it together. It is a list of all of the classes I am teaching and how much of each fiber I need for each full class. Want to see?
I now have all of the raw wool I need for classes thanks to local shepherds as well as the Spinning Loft but I still need to do an inventory of the silks and downy fibers and processed wools to make sure I have enough of all of them. That’s on my list of things to do next week.
In all of this time of figuring out how to work and get everything done I have realized that electronic lists and organizational things don’t work well for me so I am back to a notebook and pen. Writing it rather than typing it seems to help it stick in my brain better. I have a tendency, when using electronic apps, to type it and forget it.
I have made a rough list for each day for the next 2 weeks. Each day includes washing 3 types of wool. If all goes well, all of the wool I need through December will be clean by mid July and I won’t have to worry about that anymore. I will average about 20 pounds per day with this plan. No Problem!
My parents were here for a couple of days and my mom walked into my extremely messy work room and told me that it was arranged wrong. In a two hour period she helped me rearrange the shelves and work table and get it almost cleaned up. I feel happy and comfortable in here now!
The other things that are weighing on my mind are these:
1. I’m going to Meg Swansen’s Knitting Camp for the first time and I feel like a young girl with all of the nerves and worries. I’m sure it will be fine. I have friends who are going too and I will follow them around like a puppy.
2. I’m taking a 2 day lace knitting class with Franklin Habit at Stitches in August. I’m a pretty good lace knitter but I want to take hand spun yarn to sample with in class. I have some spun but should I spin a different breed too? Not sure yet.
3. Greater Los Angeles Spinning Guild! I’ll be there in August. Class Outlines! Plus it’ll be my first book signing! That makes me nervous. Also, my first time teaching on the west coast!
4. Happy Camper Fiber Retreat! It’s coming up fast and there are still spaces open. I want you to come! It’s going to be so fun! and the place is so beautiful and the price is so good!
5. Wisconsin Sheep and Wool! I’ve never been there before Also, book signing!
Seriously, that brings me through September and I’m nervous and excited about all of it!
