happy birthday to me…

Another Christmas past. Hope everyone had a lovely day. My Mom told me the Christmas I was born was the best one she ever had. All day Christmas Day people catered to her every whim… she didn't have to lift a finger… she got to open presents… ate a lovely dinner she didn't have to make… saw my 4 older sisters into bed and the next morning she got a late present… me! Boxing Day is no great shakes as far as birthdays go… the day after the big day… it's always subdued… this has become a HUGE plus the older I get ;-D.


I had a bit of a sleep in this morning in then took myself down to Make1 for their Boxing Day Sale. Normally I boycot Boxing Day Sales on principle but sometimes one must make an exception. I made a list of projects and what was needed to make them, then settled on just two: The Felted House Slippers from Knit2Together (Lopi in Dk Green Heather,Orange Rust, Dk Brick Red and Olive enough for a pair for me and a pair for the boy) and the Lacy Hug Me Tight also from Knit2Together in Blue Skys Alpaca/Silk in Mocha. I bought yarn for them plus some Lorna's Laces chunky for a hat scarf and mittens… just because it was so pretty and such a great deal. It was crazy… it was fun… it was my birthday present to me. My son's birthday present to me is that he's gone over to a friends 'til this evening… giving me time to sit and contemplate my ever increasing stash and, of course, knit.


I finally started something new. Another "Purl Scarf" in Misti Alpaca Chunky-Marina Melange, Kid Silk Haze-Hurricane and GGH SIft Kid-078. The three shades of blue look really good together and on big needles, it's a fast knit. I need a fast knit to go with my slow knit green sweater (only a third of a sleeve to go) and socks. I have lots of birthdays coming up in February and March so I'm sure it will find a good home--if I don't decide to keep it.

Reflections…

As the new year (and another birthday) approach. I am reflecting on a couple of things… why do I knit and… why do I blog. I got into a conversation about this at my LYS. Karen said she reads my blog and she found it through Suzen who also reads my blog. OK, I know people actually do read my blog, but it never ceases to surprise me.

Blogging came from knitting but honestly, both came out of the fact that I live alone with my son.

My son is the best thing that ever happened to me, he is nearly 13, nearly as tall as I am, tough, "the crusher" as his rugby coach named him, he is also bright, learning disabled and ADD. He can be a difficult haul sometimes. He can be… overwhelming. He does the most random things that make total sense to him but drive me mad. Like last week… he decided he wasn't going to school any more… in grade 7 he decided that school "sucked" and he'd had enough. He outweighs me… I can't physically force him to go if he doesn't want to. We eventually got it sorted out, the school guidance counsellor, his teachers, the vice principal, they've all been very supportive in what has been, to say the least, a trying week.

I've found knitting as the ultimate form of stress relief. I can loose myself in knitting, the yarns, the colours, the patterns… all that potential. It's endlessly enchanting. I can loose myself, yet still be there for my son, in the same room, sitting side by side. There but not there if you know what I mean. We can still carry on a conversation, I can answer his questions but from a calmer place.

Blogging came from my enthusiasm for knitting and the other people who blog and knit. Mostly it's a way to share that enthusiasm for knitting and knitters in general. Occasionally I side step into more personal stuff on the blog. Occasionally I NEED to side step into that more personal stuff. It gives me somewhere to put it. To… not to offend anyone… dump it. I write it, hit publish and off it goes… into the great void. It can be easy to forget that it's also the public domain. Then things start drifting back… kind words… support… helpful suggestions…. It's like sending a message in a bottle… you don't know where it's going or who will pick it up but it's addictive. I can't see ever not blogging now that I've found it.

with Christmas so close and me so disorganized ;-D I may need to take a little breather but I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season.

Score!!

Guess if I want to get people talking, I should bring up my love life more often ;-D. Believe it or not, I DO appreciate all comments re: the whole "Hanger" issue. Even the ones who nicely (or otherwise) tell me I'm an idiot because that's exactly what friends are for! I do not believe anyone can change someone else. Everyone deserves to be accepted for who they are. Nothing bugs me more than a woman attempting to turn every guy she meets into her latest renovation project. I do, however, believe that people can change. I would hate to be held to the person I was at say…30. What I have seen in the Hanger lately is a radical change, he is not the same shallow, good time boy I started hanging out with. He's different. He told me once that you don't tell people you love them--you show them. He is trying to show me.

Major Score!! Dropped by the LYS today… Misti Alpaca and Cashsoft Aran 20% off. I only went there to pick up a pair of dpns (needed a bigger size) and some Cascade superwash to make my friend's dog a sweater but who could resist. I bought 6 skeins if Misti Alpaca in Cinnamon--enough to make myself a cozy sweater and 4 balls of Cashsoft Aran, 2 in Winter White and 2 in Tornado, (by now pretty much everyone knows what you can make with Cashsoft Aran). No I am not making Fetchings for Christmas but I do have some March birthdays coming up.

On the knitting front… finished the last of the 3 scarves. It's my favourite. It's more of a men's dress scarf than the other ones. It's Garnstudio Drops baby Alpaca 0506 double stranded on 4.5 mm needles. I love the softness of it. It has a lovely halo and is really cozy. Still trying to decide on fringe or no fringe.

And my sweater…a sleeve to go. Can't wait! I want it finished and have not started anything new. Have been sorely tempted by other projects but want to wear the darn thing so badly that I am sticking with it. If it doesn't fit your's truly will be shedding tears big time.

Still working on the toe ups too. I am convinced the secret to second sock syndrome is starting both socks at the same time. Yes the progress is much slower but they are progressing simultaneously which means they will both be done and I won't be faced with starting the dreaded second sock because (and it deeply shames me to admit this) I have never managed to finish a second sock. I'll let you know if my brilliant new strategy works.

We also have four brand new additions to the family. Dwarf aquatic frogs. The boy has named them: John, Paul, George and Ringo. Yes he is a Beatles fan. We hope they will be happy in their new home.