From Colorado to North Carolina...

 

Greetings from Mooresville, North Carolina!  We have lived here for about 4 months now and I am  still giddy over the fact that I am finally near the heart of NASCAR.  The Chief (aka that guy I married) has been trying to get a job in the area for so many years.  And finally, it happened.  He was able to get one at the Lowe's Corporate Headquarters located here in Mooresville.

It's going to be a bit different this year for the holidays.  If we were still in Colorado, then my mother and others would have made the drive up from Pueblo.  But, this year will be a bit smaller in the celebrations since we actually have no family in the state.  And then there's Christmas.  It will most likely not be a white Christmas this year which is probably for the best since this area is not equipped to handle that white stuff from the skies.

The boys have acclimated to their new schools.  The Chief is much happier at his job.  And I am thinking of refocusing what I actually work on.  Next year will be a big one for me.  It's the big 5 - 0 as far as birthdays go.  I am actually looking forward to it.

I don't know what I will be doing next year but... change is coming.

Sock Knitting and NASCAR

At long last, my most favourite day in February has arrived.  It's the start of the 2018 NASCAR season.  I have gone from being a Jeff Burton only fan to fangirling over Crew Chiefs.  It's been quite the journey.

The current Crew Chief lineup is as follows: Chad Knaus (48), Paul Wolfe (2), and Chad Johnston (42).  But Knaus' contract is up at the end of the season.  And since I like to be prepared, I have already started scouting the remaining Cup Crew Chiefs.  The only thing that matters in this decision-making process is the Crew Chief.  The team affiliation and car manufacturer don't matter.  The driver doesn't even matter.  It's all about the Crew Chief.

So what will happen when Knaus is no longer an active Crew Chief?  Paul Wolfe will take the top active spot with Chad Johnston in 2nd.  The 3rd spot will be up for grabs.  And so far, Adam Stevens (18) is in the lead to take that spot.  When did Adam get my attention?  Well, the first time was in 2015.  But I didn't particularly care for his driver so not much happened back then.  Then he grabbed my attention this past season at the Indianapolis race.  This time he still has my attention.

So this season will be interesting.

Pattern: Simply Ginny Socks!
Needles: US Size 1 (2.25mm) DPNs
Yarn: Blue Ridge Yarns Kaleidoscope "Mediterranean Poppy" and Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Solid "Patina"

It has been some time since I have finished a pair of socks.  In fact, I had to look on my Ravelry project page to help determine when that actually happened.  The last pair of socks took me about 9 1/2 months to complete simply because the stitch pattern, although lovely, was quite painful on the fingers to knit.  As much as I love how the socks came out, it is highly unlikely that I will knit that particular pattern again.

The above socks are for a swap package.  The upside is they are for a size 7 foot so they go by a tad quicker.  There is no chance that I will be tempted to keep them.  They are 2 sizes too small for my feet.  So the only thing left for me to do is knit myself a pair.  It's a good thing that I have plenty of fingering weight yarn.

Until next time...

Throwback Thursday

September 2012 ~ HPKCHC ~ Fall 2012 Term - B6 Year

The Beginning of The End

The Harry Potter Knit/Crochet House Cup... it all began in September of 2008.  There were only about 20 students per house during that first term.  Eight calendar years later and it is still going strong with about 175 students per house.  It has grown so much that an enrollment cap had to be instituted.  There are now Students on Sabbatical and NQFYs (Not Quite First Years).

I have been involved since the beginning of House Cup time.  I have spent terms as just a student.  I have spent terms as part of Slytherin staff and House Cup staff.  And during all that time, I have only had one break term.  I am the last Slytherin from term 1.  Many things have happened since then.  A lot of good.  And some bad.

And now my time in the Cup is coming to an end.  Officially I have 3 terms left before I retire and hang up the wand.  I still enjoy it but it's just time to move on.  The only thing that is certain is that my House Cup time will end in the house it began... Slytherin in Fall 2017.  The other two terms (Winter 2017 and Spring 2017) have not been decided on.  But no matter which House I end up for next term, I am already prepared with a ravatar.

Sorting Winter 2017

Winter 2017 ~ D5 term

Let the sorting process begin.

Tuesday Tunes

Happy Birthday Chad!!!

Chad Anthony Knaus

of

Rockford, Illinois