Sunday, March 24, 2019

Knitting Frustration



Today I took a  bike ride in the sunshine with my little neighbor. I came home and finally picked up my knitting again. I tried for a third time to get the short rows to work out with the right count. I was still one stitch off, so I did a make one. Now I think it's just how the pattern is written, because I had to decrease later to get the correct number of stitches. Translations in patterns can be confusing. Oh well. It's gorgeous yarn, and once I redo the other side, (for the third time,) I will be out of the woods. I was feeling like I had never knit before, and it was aggravating. I forced myself to work through the negativity.  It was really tempting to quit. 

On a more positive note, I found documentation for the sixth year of work that I need to qualify for my pension. I am so glad that my mother saved my programs and  reviews. She had them all organized in an album. This one is from 1985. It's just what I need to send to the union. I am so relieved. I think a lot of performers don't apply for their pensions, because it requires some intense record keeping. I sent in the first letter that they need today. I will follow up with the rest of the paperwork next week. How was your weekend?

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14 comments:

  1. Well done with working through the confusing knitting pattern and figuring it out! It's too bad the pattern was inaccurately written!

    I'm so glad you were able to find your work records and you now have the proof of work you need for your pension application! Yes, we moms do tend to hold on to all kinds of things when it comes to our children! LOL!

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    1. Hi Bless, I think they just word things differently. The same thing happened with my Russian ballet book. Yes, you are right. I am grateful that my mother kept all of these things.

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  2. Yay!!! You found the paperwork. That's great news Stephenie. Being organized certainly pays off.

    You are very patient with the knitting project. I'm sure you will be very happy once it's over. 😊

    My weekend went well, but I didn't practice crochet. I cooked a lot, and did usual stuff - laundry, cleaning etc.

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    1. Hi Nil, You take such good care of your home. It makes all the difference to have the laundry done and a clean house.

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  3. Thrilled you have been able to sort out your knitting and of course finding the paperwork for your pension.

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    1. Thanks mamasmercntile, I just found out I have to have one more hour of work to qualify for my pension, but I'm working on it.

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  4. What a relief to find the records necessary for your pension. Thank goodness for mothers! Honestly-there is few things more upsetting than a knitting pattern that you simply cannot understand or work out. Good for you to keep going on it! We spend the weekend in Phoenix seeing a few baseball spring training games. It was a nice get-away and a chance to spend time with Steve's sister and her family. No knitting though.

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  5. Hi Anita, Yes, thank goodness for mothers. It turn out that document won't apply, but I will include it anyway. This has been a challenge, but I am determined. Happy knitting. Glad to hear you enjoyed Phoenix.

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  6. Stephenie,
    I'm cheering you on in your quest for that pension!
    You are right,in that so many artists aren't aware of the need to keep careful records and to keep them stored safely. Countless many boxes of papers and receipts end up getting lost in the endless moves and apartment sharing that performers have to endure.

    This would be an excellent topic for you to write about for Dance Magazine!
    When you are young (with your joints and vocal cords in top noth shaoe) and pursuing a career, it all seems so far away!!

    Can't wait to see that luscious orange-sherbert sweater finished!


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    1. Hi jill, I was thinking the same thing. It does all seem so far away when you are a young dancer on tour. I used to think that I probably wouldn't qualify for a pension, anyway. How wrong I was. Thanks for the encouragement and beautiful writing.

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  7. I love your perseverance. It inspires me. I tend to quit too easily. I'm trying to set up a new tablet. The kid at the store said it would be easy. Maybe to him! �� Good luck with your pension! Bobi

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    1. Hi Bobi, Thank you. Perseverance is is my middle name. For some reason, it's been a requirement in my life. But, I believe in persistence, like Ralph Waldo Emerson. I know what you mean about the tablets. I spent several hours today trying to link my new bank account with my existing ones at the credit union. I finally got it to work. Now I'm exhausted. I wish you success with your tablet. Google helps.

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  8. Great news about your pension paperwork Stephenie. Your determination to work out the knitting problem is inspirational. Keep at it :)

    I have a similar issue with a crochet blanket. I started it three years ago and decided to finish it before starting another project. But all that could go wrong, did! It has been sitting on the spare bed for two weeks now waiting for me to pick it up again. I might make a start when I get off here shortly, and hopefully finish it for good. There was no pattern involved, just poor judgement on my behalf lol!

    Hope you are keeping well,

    xTania

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  9. Thanks Tania. I hope you get that blanket finished. Sometimes the hard part is just picking it up and starting again. I plan to work on my sweater this afternoon.

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