Knit Quest

Resolutions

Normally I'm not big on New Year's resolutions but this year (since I have extra thinking time) seems to be all about them.  Now, I know I'll never manage to keep all of them and in a few months may very well have changed my mind about even wanting to, but I hope by taking the time to write them down and share them I'll at least stick to a few.

Knitting Goals for 2008:

1. Stitch Sampler Blanket (more on this later).

2. Organize my Blog so you can find patterns and links. It's a little embarrassing that I write a blog tech column and can't keep my own blog in order.  I plan to tackle one blog housekeeping task a week until spiffiness has been reached.

3. Stick to my previous goal of keeping the FO count down. If you don't remember that means two FO's for every new cast on until the total number of projects is less then 5.

4. Use more of my Stash. No way I could stick to a plan where I didn't buy yarn but I hope to follow similar rules as for FO's. So for 2008 for every project I buy yarn, I must also finish one with yarn from my stash.

5. Learn more about my knitting machine. Try making a fitted garment. Find some online resources. Experiment, experiment, experiment.

6. Get better at recording my failures as well and finished objects. I know I learn as much if not more from my mistakes so, why don't I write them down or blog about them?

7. Start and Complete Vivian Hoxbro's Large Wing Shawl. I purchased the kit for the shawl on my cruise. It's 56" wide and knit on size two needles. If I just keep at it slow and steady it should be doable by next winter. I'm counting on some prodding and encouragement from you all as this is the goal most likely to not succeed.

8. Finally get all my Stash and FO's in Ravelry.  No explanation needed. I just need to do it. We actually have a little sun today so I hope to get a head start by taking some stash photos today.

Since I have no new knitting, yarn or sheep photos here's Billy catching snowflakes (she's cuter anyway).

Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!

I Can Do This

I try to keep a positive outlook, and I really believe that you can find a silver lining in just about any situation. A good vs. bad day, is all in how you look at it. Well, apparently I need my eyes checked because I'm having a very hard time keeping a smile on my face.

I had my second opinion appointment about my shoulder and was told that yes I really did need to have to surgery. My last hope was dashed and my truly frantic preparations became even more overwhelming. Next I had my pre-op with my surgery doc and was told that along with all the other yuckiness there is a small chance (very small, I know) that they could break my arm during the procedure. What! Ok. Just, why did you have to tell me? One more thing to stress about. But, I'm not going to freak.  I can do this! It will be ok.

Then the biggie happens. I take our dog Jubilee in to the vet on Friday (3 hours before I have 30 people coming to my house) because it's the only appointment they have, and she's having trouble with what we were previously told are allergies. After an over an hour, I'm told that Jubilee has cancer and won't be with us much longer. After 12 years together I am losing my companion. My beautiful, silly, cuddly friend.

I have to watch her get sicker and sicker, and know there is nothing I can do but try to make her more comfortable. Do my best to make the time we have left with her happy. Be afraid every time I go to bed or leave the house that it will be the last time I say goodbye. I know it will be hard, but I can do it. I can do it for her.

As if this is not hard enough to deal with my 4 year old daughter is in the room with me, late for dance class and very ready to leave. I keep it together, rush home to hand her off to a friend and then to the bus stop 2 minutes later to pick up my friends son.  No time to talk to my husband.

I can do this. I can keep it together.

Pick up extra boy, go to pick up my son. The bus is 25 minutes late. I am freaking out a little, but I have another kid with me, so no hysterics allowed. Bus finally comes (mechanical problem) we race home where I have 45 minutes to change and be ready for the party. No time to sit and cry. I'm afraid to snuggle her because I know I won't want to stop.

Billy comes home, walks in the door and says: "Is the dog dead yet?". In front of Bug. That's okay, she's only four, she doesn't understand. I can do this.

Everyone comes and goes and I finally get time with my husband and Jubilee. I knew she was getting older and that this time would come. I know she has had a great life. Yet, I can't believe how much I will miss her and how hard it is. I am so sad. I can do this.

As we all know, life doesn't stop because we feel sad or scared. There are still a million things to do and places to be. I still feel overwhelmed by all my responsibilities and my efforts to make my surgery as easy on my family as possible. I'm frustrated that working hard and giving my best effort won't solve either of my problems.  I want to do something, anything, that will make things better.

But after four days of only seeing the bad, I finally found my silver lining. I will be home for at least three weeks with nothing to do but cuddle with Jubilee. I can look forward to her snuggled up next to me waiting to be petted and making me hot. If I didn't need surgery I would never have that chance.  Even the very worst things can have some good.

I can do this.

Pay it Forward

I came across a very interesting post the other day. In that post Shannon talks about an idea she came across on Jacqui's blog and pledges to join in. Man I love the web. Anyway...Here it is:

"I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog."
I can see you all crowding around--no pushing, just type fast if you really want to be one of my three!
(I promise it won't be just a continental knit dishcloth ;-)

How cool is that.  I'm always trying to teach my kids this lesson. You should do nice things just because it's the right thing to do, it feels good, and you never know where it might lead. So I'm putting my money where my mouth is and joining in. 

The first 3 people who comment on this post (and want to join) will receive a knit item made by yours truly. You must be willing to make the same promise on your blog and trust me with your address. In return you will receive your item from me before December 2008.  I promise you won't receive a coaster, or a lace shawl, but I will do my best to craft something you'll like and use. After all, who knows where it might lead?

Nontraditional Advent

Every year I struggle to find the right balance during the holidays. Balancing fun and family time with obligations. Balancing all the sugar and goodies with healthy meals. Balancing the commercial extravaganza with some homey touches. But most of all balancing the giving and receiving, especially for the kids.

It's important to me to teach my children that Christmas isn't just about the presents. Yes, they are fun and it's totally ok to be excited about them (I do), but I try to help them understand that each present they receive is someone saying they love them. That person spent their time and money to share a little joy with them.  I want them to appreciate the thought and learn to put the same care into giving.

That's what the Holiday is about to me. Taking time to be with your family and friends, and showing the people you care about that they are important to you.

So with that in mind we decided to forgo our traditional advent calendar (Lego for Bug and Playmobile for Billy) and make a new tradition of an advent where we give to others. I'm so excited about the idea I wanted to share it and maybe help spread some holiday spirit even further.

Here's how it works. We write out the names of 25 people (or families) that we love, or that we think could use a little extra joy. The names are folded up and placed in the calendar. Each day we pull out a name and do something nice for that person. Simple.

It can be anything from sending an ecard to leaving some cookies on their doorstep. Here are some other ideas we had to spread the love:

1. Double whatever you're making for dinner and share it.
2. Record your family singing carols and YouTube it for them.
3. Hang an ornament on their tree in secret.
4. Leave flowers on their doorstep.
5. Shovel/sweep their walk.
6. Make them a handmade card or drawing.
7. Send them a link to a recipe or article you think they would enjoy.
8. Dedicate a song to them.
9. Just call and tell them you love them.
10. Leave a note on their desk, car, or backpack.
11. Bring them a latte or cup of hot chocolate.
12. Offer to run an errand or do a chore for them.
13. Give them a small surprise (votive candle, pack of cards, chocolate bar, bubble bath, etc.)

To my surprise the kids didn't complain at all about giving up their toys and have had a really good time thinking of ideas and names. We'll unpack all the decorations this weekend and put the names in the calendar. I can hardly wait for December 1st.

Fricking Shoulder

I try to keep the gory details of my personal life out of my blog but I'm so upset I really need to vent a little. So feel free to move along now if you don't want to hear it. I promise you're not missing any good knitting pictures or details.

Last march I had acromioplasty on my R shoulder due to a run in with the Monkey Bars the pervious October. The doc goes in and shaves off some bone and tendon in the hopes of making some room and helping things to heal up without the inflammation. It hurts. A lot.

I am R handed so being without the use of that arm is frustrating to say the least. Being in a sling is uncomfortable and embarrassing. I do not like to ask anyone for help (yes that includes my mother and my husband). Strong women can do it for themselves. Strong women do not complain about pain. Strong women tuff it out and get things done no matter what. I am a strong women, or at least I want to be.

Can you see where this is headed? I'm betting you're smarter then me or at least more reasonable.

As it turns out, even after surgery, four days of drugged painful stupor, 7 1/2 months of physical therapy, frustration and tears, I need to have the procedure again. Yes, the whole shebang, 6 months recovery time, no driving, no lifting, no knitting! Again! Oh yeah, and it hurts. And this time I know just how much.

This time they will put me under and "manipulate" my arm to tear out the scar tissue. In other words jerk my arm into as full a range of motion as they can tearing stuff as they go. If this doesn't get a full range or motion the doc will then put in the arthroscope and cut out the scar tissue. Fun stuff.

How could it be any more upsetting? Surgery is scheduled for December 11th. 3 weeks away. 3 weeks to finish all my Christmas shopping, baking, wrapping, and mailing. 3 weeks to get all the decorating done. 3 weeks to get ahead on bills, housework, and year end paperwork. 3 weeks to cook enough food for the freezer so we aren't eating Red Robin for a month straight. 3 weeks to write enough columns for L & V to get me through January. 3 weeks to blog all my FO's and get a few posts ahead. 3 weeks to finish all my knitting!

No Christmas Eve party like usual, no Christmas morning big breakfast, no trip to visit my family, and no holiday parties after the 11th.

The worst part is, it's my own damn fault. I'm a pigheaded idiot who doesn't listen to her doctor and won't admit I can't do everything. As a result my husband and kids have to suffer. I suck. I can only be thankful I married a very patient man and hope that I learned my lesson, all be it the hard way.

Strong women should know when to ask for help, should listen to people who know better and have their best interests at heart, they should suck up a little frustration and embarrassment and do the right thing. Looks like I need a little work before I'm the woman I'd like to be.

Always try to find a silver lining and maybe this time it's learning a much needed lesson.

Pity party is over. Next time more FO's, knitting adventures, and no whining. Thanks for listening.

Round One

Just a quick update on the ongoing battle of WIPs vs. Queue. Round one  goes to WIPs with an easy victory. There have been absolutely no new projects cast on in the last week and some actual progress made on the Chevron Scarf.  In fact I've started writing this post 3 days in row and stopped, thinking "I'll just wait till the scarf is done" but between 15 year anniversary dinners (hubby's work), book reports, days off school and Halloween parties I just didn't quite make it. Ah well, maybe after the kiddies go to sleep tonight. I even get to catch up on Grey's or Bonic Woman too. All I need is a good beer in a frosty mug and that's my idea of a perfect Saturday night.

Anyway.. My post about my ongoing battle really got me wondering why I have all those UFO's so close to completion but not quite there. If you recall 6 out of 10 unfinished projects were 90% or more complete. What's the deal with that? Honestly I can't figure it out. Maybe it's that seaming and finishing are not my favorite things to do, or maybe as I'm getting to the end I start wondering "What am I'm gonna do with this thing anyway?", or it could be that as I get to the end of a project I start thinking about what I'm going to do next and I let my excitement take over and I start before I'm actually done. But you know what  it doesn't really matter why I do it. I just need to figure out how to stop doing it or I guess I could learn to love and accept my UFOs but I'm at least going to attempt to make some new habits.

So here's my plan and I'm sharing it with you all so that one, I'll remember the plan and two, I'll have some accountability.

1. Before casting on a new project two WIPs must be finished until total number of WIPs is less then 5.

2. Anything not worked on in over a year must be frogged or finished by the end of January 2008.

3. Sunday movie night knitting is reserved for the Manos Throw until it's done. Hopefully I'll finish before it's too warm to use.

4. Swatch's don't count as casting on.

5. Exceptions can be made for a project knit in a class or for a KAL.

Ok, I'm counting on you guys to call me out if I cheat.

Hopefully FO pictures tomorrow!

What do you wear your socks with?

As I was working on my sock yesterday I was imagining it in it's new home. Will my sock pal like the colors? I hope it fits well. This pattern is so cool, I hope she agrees. You get the idea. Then came the big question. What will she wear them with? What will I wear my socks with?

This was a bit of a stumper for me. I have never had my own pair of handknit socks and have only made socks for my 4 year old daughter who has her own style (she likes socks that don't match on the outside of her pants the more colors the better). What do you wear yours with?

I've seen pictures of socks with dresses. Really?

Knee-hi's with shorts?  Socks with heels? Lots of pictures of socks without shoes or any other visible clothing. Probably not so good for the life expectancy of the sock and everything but your feet will be cold. I don't wear dresses, shorts, or heels on a regular basis and I'm certainly not going anywhere naked.

Jeans maybe? There were a few pictures of socks sporting rolled up jeans but still no shoes.  Do you have to roll up your jeans? If not how does anyone ever see your super cool socks? Can I get away with wearing them with my sweatpants du jour?

I could wear them with my Birks.

I do live in the NW and own many pair of birks but still not really my style (at least not out of the house). Maybe I just need some new shoes. I'm sure that's the answer. New shoes are a good solution to almost any delemia.

These look good to me. I can get myself a mother's day gift can't I ?