FLIPPIN' THRILLED!!
I just got the final proofs for the Flip Knits in the mail - they'd been mis-sent to my old address so it took an extra two weeks to get them.
They're SO much nicer than the original proofs (the ones I took to TNNA, which weren't bad - but these are stellar!) and with the exception of one small glitch (the Knit cover and the Grandma Increase covers have been switched - a VERY easy fix in the bindery!) we're ready to roll! HOO-AH!
Break
It's 11:00 and I'm taking a break. I was up early and tore open the PAX wardrobe system to dig out the instructions so I could read them over breakfast. After a walk with Atticus to Wuollets for muffins in the 15 degree morning, and a quick cup of tea, I settled into my job. The scenery, this morning, was stunning. Snow is lovely.
I had the 19" wide frame almost fully assembled before Gerry got out of bed (I think he was just enjoying laying there listening to me grunt and swear - I'd rather have him rest his back anyway!) With some help from Max that frame was finished, and the second started. It took me about an hour each for the frames. The second 38" wide frame was a bit harder, but I knew what I was doing. At one point everyone in the family was in the bedroom supporting some portion of the project (Gerry was supporting me) and we got the thing together.
Now the empty frames sit against the wall, looking for all the world like oversized coffins. I need to make the drawers and install the shelves and clothes rods and we'll be ready to EMPTY THE FRIGGIN' BOXES THAT ARE FILLING OUR BEDROOM! Huzzah.
Rudeness, or Rush?
I LOVE New Jersey. I do. Honest. As I re-read my last post I realized that folks may have the idea that I think it's a state full of rude clerks.
Not at all - it's just a very highly populated area. Folks are in a rush, the average person behind whatever counter has seen dozens and dozens of faces in a day (many of which are probably not so happy) and emotionally it's draining to have contact with so many different energies.
Yes, I do think that a lot of clerks I've met in NJ could have been nicer, but often times I could have been nicer, too. And I think most of them had a pretty valid reason for being so overwhelmed that they couldn't pull out the 'have a nice day' with the same ease folks in less populated areas might be able to.
I just want to make it clear that some of the kindest, most generous and most pleasant folks I've met in my life are living in NJ. I thoroughly enjoyed living in that state, but the feeling that I had to steele myself for any kind of town government exchange, or to deal with many stores, is such a stark contrast to my dealings (so far) with the St. Paul government, the school system, the local shops, the bank, etc.
I'm glad I got that off my chest.
It's easy to damn the NY area as a place of rude folks, but I prefer to think of it as a place of rushed folks. When they take the time (when they HAVE the time) NY'ers are as pleasant and generous and kind as anyone else in the country. Some might argue that with the huge financial burden many carry, and all that is demanded from living in such a busy place, they're actually more pleasant than other folks might be if dropped into the same situation.
I'm glad I got that out.
NJ, I will ALWAYS love you, ya big dope!
Cool Digs
The kids decided to build an igloo, Hannah devised a plan, Max "helped", and now we have a half dug out snow pile in the front yard. What the heck, it makes the neighbors smile...
Too bad Hannah didn't see what was coming a few seconds after this was snapped. It's payback for the 'snow bath' she and a friend gave Max last winter in NJ.
Now STOP IT, Max, you've had your revenge...
THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!
They're SO much nicer than the original proofs (the ones I took to TNNA, which weren't bad - but these are stellar!) and with the exception of one small glitch (the Knit cover and the Grandma Increase covers have been switched - a VERY easy fix in the bindery!) we're ready to roll! HOO-AH!
Break
It's 11:00 and I'm taking a break. I was up early and tore open the PAX wardrobe system to dig out the instructions so I could read them over breakfast. After a walk with Atticus to Wuollets for muffins in the 15 degree morning, and a quick cup of tea, I settled into my job. The scenery, this morning, was stunning. Snow is lovely.I had the 19" wide frame almost fully assembled before Gerry got out of bed (I think he was just enjoying laying there listening to me grunt and swear - I'd rather have him rest his back anyway!) With some help from Max that frame was finished, and the second started. It took me about an hour each for the frames. The second 38" wide frame was a bit harder, but I knew what I was doing. At one point everyone in the family was in the bedroom supporting some portion of the project (Gerry was supporting me) and we got the thing together.
Now the empty frames sit against the wall, looking for all the world like oversized coffins. I need to make the drawers and install the shelves and clothes rods and we'll be ready to EMPTY THE FRIGGIN' BOXES THAT ARE FILLING OUR BEDROOM! Huzzah.
Rudeness, or Rush?
I LOVE New Jersey. I do. Honest. As I re-read my last post I realized that folks may have the idea that I think it's a state full of rude clerks.
Not at all - it's just a very highly populated area. Folks are in a rush, the average person behind whatever counter has seen dozens and dozens of faces in a day (many of which are probably not so happy) and emotionally it's draining to have contact with so many different energies.
Yes, I do think that a lot of clerks I've met in NJ could have been nicer, but often times I could have been nicer, too. And I think most of them had a pretty valid reason for being so overwhelmed that they couldn't pull out the 'have a nice day' with the same ease folks in less populated areas might be able to.
I just want to make it clear that some of the kindest, most generous and most pleasant folks I've met in my life are living in NJ. I thoroughly enjoyed living in that state, but the feeling that I had to steele myself for any kind of town government exchange, or to deal with many stores, is such a stark contrast to my dealings (so far) with the St. Paul government, the school system, the local shops, the bank, etc.
I'm glad I got that off my chest.
It's easy to damn the NY area as a place of rude folks, but I prefer to think of it as a place of rushed folks. When they take the time (when they HAVE the time) NY'ers are as pleasant and generous and kind as anyone else in the country. Some might argue that with the huge financial burden many carry, and all that is demanded from living in such a busy place, they're actually more pleasant than other folks might be if dropped into the same situation.
I'm glad I got that out.
NJ, I will ALWAYS love you, ya big dope!
Cool DigsThe kids decided to build an igloo, Hannah devised a plan, Max "helped", and now we have a half dug out snow pile in the front yard. What the heck, it makes the neighbors smile...
Too bad Hannah didn't see what was coming a few seconds after this was snapped. It's payback for the 'snow bath' she and a friend gave Max last winter in NJ.
Now STOP IT, Max, you've had your revenge...
7 Comments:
While I appreciate your loyalty to your "home" state, I must endorse the absolutely consistently friendly nature of Minnesotans. I have visited small towns in NJ as a boater--Sandy Hook and Mayport--so the idea of large population being the cause of terseness and rudeness would not hold there--and we were taken aback by the behaviour of those we encountered at that time. We had sailed our boat from Oswego NY through the Erie Canal, Hudson River, and the Intercoastal Waterway. NJ stands out as the only place we were treated rudely and didn't want to stay an extra day. Minnesotans stand out as the kind of place you've experienced. From small towns (Maple Grove--which has a fabulous yarn store) to "pretty big" Minneapolis-St.Paul. People are helpful, friendly, humourous (Prairie Home Companion funny) and thoughtful. I think you'll be very very happy with your decision to relocate. Good luck to you. Hoping Gerry gets better soon.
Marlyce in Windsor, Ontario
South Org today is about 53 degrees, and right now, sunny. Just so you know what you're missing.
On the other hand, I'm flying in to Minneapolis on the 14th to visit DD, DSIL, and DGD, so I'll get to experience some MN weather. DD, who lives in Minneapolis, says that people are friendlier here than in NJ, where she was born. In Maplewood.
So all these years, I lived and worked in Maplewood, right next to S.Org, and did I know you taught there? No.
From a number of years of experience, I have to say that folks are nice both places. Maplewood, South Orange, Madison, Morris Twp are all lovely places to live, and so are the Twin Cities. Except that I like NJ's weather a lot more.
Hope your Hubby is feeling better.
I'll never forget visiting MN when I was 6 (what a wonderful summer) and folks saw our NY license plates and assumed we were rude folks.. then we explained that NY was a very large state which had more than NYC and we were on the end this place called Long Island ... now that i live in the city (brooklyn, it's slightly slower) I can totally agree with the rushed comment. I plan my shopping for when stores aren't rushed and the clerks have had a minute or two to breathe. And these new automated machines at the post office (i've not succeeded in finding a link - you can buy stamps, mail boxes, etc w/cash or credit)? They are life savers.
I'm Canadian and have never been to NJ or even Minnesota (I'm from Manitoba) but everytime I've been to the States everyone has been nothing but great. So I believe you when you say NJ has great people. But there is something very special about Prairie people. They will be some of the nicest people you will ever have the pleasure to meet. BTW: not to be picky, but your daughter is actually building a quinzy, not an igloo. We had to learn how to build them in school for a summer/winter survival course. They are quite cosy...
Those Flip Books are awesome!!
As a transplanted NY'er, I get what you mean by "rushed, not rude". After living in New England for 10 years I still get impatient at the check-out line while the clerk is chit-chatting away with the customer in front of me about the weather and everything else under the sun. I think "Am I the only one that needs to get someplace????". Then I gather myself together and realize that I need to stop and SLOW down........
You can take the girl out of NY, but you can't take NY out of the girl.
Annie,
My husband's cousin is an orthopedic spine surgeon in Minn/St. Paul (they live in Edina). He no longer does surgery (semi-retired), but if Gerry needs a second opinion about surgery or other treatment, I can email him and see if he'd be willing to go over the test results.
Ellen in KY
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