Rite of Passage

Getting your nails done is a lot like getting your ears pierced. I remember when I was 13 that I went to the mall and sat down on the stool at the Earrings & Things store and commenced the rite of passage. I got the little diamond studs and they hurt like heck for days! It scared me when I thought of all the horror stories - girls who didn't swab with alcohol every night before bed. Their ears would rot off. It must be true! So I was a good girl and kept them pretty clean; as much as any young girl could. My mom pretty much reminded me.

So last weekend I went with my daughter for the first time to get my nails done. I'd had a friend paint them years ago, who was in beauty school. She did a great job, but this is different. It's like having a box of 64 crayons, brand new, and a giant scribble pad. I am thinking of colors to paint my nails like never before. I never cared. My husband has really encouraged me to do this, I think because he thought it would cheer me up. And my daughter couldn't believe it when I took her up on her offer to go with her to the salon. Stranger things have happened, but not many.
As rites of passage go, I'm delving into new frontiers with my knitting. I am feeling ready to dive into some serious cable knitting. I like lace, but this Leroy Brown sock (probably twice this long now; photo is a couple of days old) is a blast to knit! I love my little cable needle (my deceased mother in law's). It is smooth and vintage gun metal green.
Here is the swatch-a-week swatch, so you can see how quick a knit it must have been. Honking size 13 needles and cabled wool yarn. (6 ply).
My husband was working with a friend this week so he took a few of his stacked up vacation days and did some picking. They are a very good writing team and always produce a good end result.

Oh when the Saints

A great Superbowl indeed - hooooooray for the Saints! I grew up very near New Orleans and much of the culture on the Gulf Coast is influenced by it. So it was natural that I would root for the Saints yesterday, and God Bless' em, they won!
And I can't believe Dree Brees asked to pose with my Leroy Brown sock. He said he knew I knitted on it all during the game and that it was only fair to share the credit and the glory! Aw shucks! I wasn't able to go with him and his family to Disneyworld, as I have to work this week.

I came home tonight and made some supper, although I felt a little queasy all afternoon. I had chills last night and again today, but I was hoping it was the fish I had for dinner yesterday. DH swore it smelled funny, and I swore it was just the marinade. Not to worry... (we'll see....)
He's working today and tomorrow, so tonight I'm going to make more headway on the Leroy Brown socks. I'm on row 53 and I can't start the heel till row 78. These little rows take a while!

I found a great pattern for my 'swatch a week' idea. I started it this weekend and think it would be a great pattern for a lot of things.
I'll post a good picture soon. And I'm thinking of doing a pair of socks next month that are a WIP. The Stoney River socks that are in my to-do basket. I think with a good washing and blocking they'll be beautiful.

I alluded to something that happened to me last week, and I'll embellish just a bit tonight. A business consultant who tweaks operations for businesses, came by to meet with me for about an hour. I told her all about my "processes" and she listened, very well I must say. And she took notes, and she nodded and asked questions. I was sure she was going to say, 'honey, there's nothing I can do for you - you're a mess'. But instead she smiled and assured me that there were some very simple solutions to my work stress and frustration. It was such a relief to have someone who truly, truly understood what I was going through and like a angel, could tell me things were not hopeless. Thank God there are people out there, who going around making life better for other people!

I'm on a roll!

It is early Saturday morning and the wind is blowing and the rain has been light but present for a day or so. I don't really care, though, because for the first time in a long time, I'm inspired. My husband said yesterday, "she's back...". He's right. No need to belabor the point, but I will say that a cloud has lifted and I'm thinking more clearly now. For at least a month or so, and to be honest, probably longer, I've had a diminished desire to be me. Kind of in a holding pattern, like a plane that just can't land.
I think I've finally landed. And here are some things floating around in my head this blustery Saturday morning (aided by some strong coffee and folks around me who care about me).

I'm going back to my old day-timer. I picked up a newer, more colorful one around Christmas, but it's just not working. The old one is back, even though it's overweight and not as cute. It works really well for me, and I'm just going to make the effort to keep it with me!! There.

I'm also going to do a better job of eating. I have a friend who's a writer, and she also publishes a weekly menu-suggestion with shopping list with nutrition information. savingdinner.com
I used to use this all the time and every so often, I'll get out my saved files for inspiration. I intend to go back to being more intentional with my eating and cooking. And Lord help me stay away from comfort-cheeseburgers on my lunch hour!

My knitting and spinning has been so-so and again, I want to be more intentional with my projects. Wintertime is the best time for knitting and I've only got a few more months of cold weather to knock out some great projects! (Seriously thinking of a sock of the month or stitch a week KAL.)

And finally, I am trying something today that's a real stretch for me. Not kidding. I'm going to get my nails done today. I have been keeping them polished and filed but typing all day takes its toll on the edges and tips. Salons will paint a hard coating on your nails to keep them strong, and you don't have to go with the Cruella DeVille look or the 'white-out-on-the tips' look . That's just not me, I could never pull that off. (People would laugh, I'm sure; especially all my Birkenstock wearing friends!). But I would like a little something to strengthen the ends.

And last but not least, I really want to blog more often. When I don't blog, I think I'm just not dealing with things, and that's not good. I do want to maintain privacy, but there's something so cathartic about expression.
There are no pictures today, but lots of link so you can share my enthusiasm. And please read yarn harlot's post about best laid plans. I love the way she writes! This is where today's post found it's land legs.

Optical Illusions

Sometimes the way things look aren't actually the way they are. Some situations seem worse by their appearance - but looks can be deceiving.
I placed my cell phone next to the scarf so you could see how long it really is. And it looks dark against the white bedspread. But you've seen the previous photos, some looking green, brown or even black. You can't always trust your eyes or the dim light. (I still need to weave in the loose ends.)
This week was one of the worst I've ever had, and mostly because of the way I was seeing things. Or the way I was afraid things really were. I didn't trust my gut or my brain; I was listening to my emotions and fears. Now that's dangerous. Even pilots know not to do that, cause you could crash your airplane.

I had a real turnaround this afternoon, coming out of a meeting that 1. confirmed what my brain was telling me and 2. dispelled the fears I had that there was no hope. I want more than anything else, to post things that encourage and uplift, and sometimes I write entire rants, realizing later how good it was that I didn't post those feelings.
I love to read and hear things that uplift me. It's so important that we keep our perspective and a sense of proportion.
After all the snow last weekend, and more rain and showers today, I was really starting to get down in the dumps. What a relief to find a glimmer of hope & light today. Thank you Lord for lifting me up!

I have a new knitting project to share soon. I've started a pair of ecru gloves for my daughter. A friend sent me a pattern that I'm trying out (needles to yarn ratio) and seeing how the stitches look so far. Easy pattern, too!
And I've got Sara Palin's book on my iPod.

Trifecta

If you were the betting kind, you might want to place your bets on what I'll be knitting/spinning next. (Then please let me know where you put your money, cause I can't decide!)

I am finishing up with the Alice Roving. Lovely, elegant gray wool yarn. Maybe I'll get seven or eight skeins out of it.

I'm well into the second scarf and it is supposed to snow this weekend. That means a lot of knitting by the fire, if I were to bet on what I'll be doing this weekend.
I passed forward the first scarf and it was well received. I got some good comments on it at our spinning guild meeting, so I may be onto something. Because of all the great knitted garments I'm seeing lately, I am really wanting to do a cabled slouchy hat. Everywhere I look, I see another, better one.

While shopping with my daughter last weekend, we stopped into Brooks Brothers for her husband to look around. She spotted a lovely pair of gloves that I felt sure I could knit, given the right basic pattern.
So there are a few candidates to bet on for my next project or so.

Here's my birthday present. I am so content to have this little faucet. It may not look like much, but it's my first fancy upgrade.

I also got this great little coffee maker from my friends - one cup at a time.
I guess folks know I love coffee. I just realized there's an espresso machine and coffee maker in the background of the above shot! Yikes.
I want you to know that I'm doing pretty well with my New Year's resolutions. One that I made was to paint my nails more. Done. I'm trying to at least paint them on the weekends. I also am trying to wear more perfume. Just 'cause. I'm really trying to live more in the moment, when you come down to it. I'm trying not to spend so much time thinking about the next thing; that whole living for the weekend mentality. That's not good -I am where I am, I am who I am. Enjoy! So.....I'm taking care of me, now, and looking up, and around me. Trying to be thankful for all the wonderful things right in front of me. All the things I've been blessed with.

Kindling

Whenever someone says, "I don't know if I'd like a Kindle, I just love the smell of books, feel of books, look of books, etc." I really think what they're trying to say is that they love books. A bibliophile. Kindles are for reading. (Like iPods are for people who want to listen to music.) They won't replace books, but I do feel like they're a great addition to the sport!

I like to read all kinds of media including magazines, blogs, newspapers and books. I like a good story, for sure. My husband is a writer and he doesn't care what he writes on. Some of his best songs were written on napkins. One time he was taking our daughter to school when she was little, and he dictated a song to her. I think she used her notebook paper. They also had a wreck that morning. (fyi)

So just to comfort all you book lovers, here is a book my son gave me for Christmas. Lots of beautiful color pictures, patterns and information. A true reference book.
The Book of Wool
My birthday was last week and I had a wonderful weekend celebrating it. I went to see Leeland on Wednesday night - they are great live! Thursday my co-workers bought me a lovely, lovely cake. I believe it came from Whole Foods and was one of the most delicious cakes I've had.
Thursday night my husband took me to pick out my birthday present. You'll see it in the next post!
Friday the kids came and we all went to eat Italian, my favorite. My daughter had send a bouquet of flower which arrived during our spinning guild meeting. What a treat!!!
And our meeting went so well. We are very comfortable and respectful of one another, and the talents present at each get-together. Iron sharpens iron and I'm always so sooo inspired when it's over. My mind is almost psychadelic with ideas for new things to spin and knit! I love the variations of each person's technique and style. My friend Debra joined us, and that was an extra special bonus. We go way back with her and her husband and she's like a sister.
Here are a few shots of our show and tell.

Saturday I had a fabulous shopping all day with my daughter and son-in-law and Sunday at church I got to meet my son's girlfriend's mother. He is very serious with this little lady, and I really felt good meeting the 'mother'. I know she did a wonderful job of raising her daughter and am so thankful for all her attention to bringing up such a lovely lady. We are known by our fruits. It was a very brief encounter, as I was about to go to a meeting, but I hope to see her again soon.
Our preschool dept. is growing so quickly, almost faster than we can keep up. I truly admire my supervisor, who is such a humble and caring person. She is a great example, coming from a very dire, minimal subsistence to leading a very successful life. She still deals with many family issues, yet keeps her personal matters from limiting her work and still keeps her family priorities straight.
I finished the rustic scarf and passed it forward yesterday. I hope it's ok!
I'm off work today, as I'll be working this Friday, so I am enjoying a cup of coffee right now, looking out my office window. The photo at the top is from yesterday, and I hope you'll click on it, to see the beauty of the skyline. Even the clouds can be beautiful!

We have lift off!

I planted my lettuce last weekend, and right after I did, the gentle showers began. Perfect timing! The 15th was my goal date and I met it!
I am so blessed to have a considerate husband. He sat through an entire chick flick last night with me, and at the end, LIKED IT! Wow. What a guy.

My husband couldn’t be more thoughtful and attentive, always speaking to me respectfully and never raising his voice. My dad was a great example of how one treats a lady and I think my son is also exhibiting the same behavior with his new lady friend. We definitely taught my daughter that NO man should ever be disrespectful to you, especially in public. (I think she has found her prince! )
The Scarf is nearly finished and I’m not frustrated that there’s another one to go. Unlike the dreaded Second Sock Syndrome, a second scarf is its own creation and is in no way dependent on the other. Thank Goodness!!!!
I am hosting our spinning group meeting this Friday at my house, and I’m so excited. I need to begin to plan a snack, or goody to serve. It looks like most of the group will be able to attend and then later in the afternoon my daughter & her husband will be arriving. My birthday is this week and we’re all going out on Friday night.
Wednesday night I plan to go hear a band play in Nashville; one of my favorites! It will be a treat. Work is always a challenge but I am beginning to see the light: hope, and that is good.
Every so often I have a little break down and my boss gets to witness them on occasion. Last week I had to be really, really honest with him and he was very understanding. For that I am thankful. Praise the Lord!

Rustica Scarf

This great rustic scarf is a breeze to knit, but I’ve hardly spent any time on it. I hope to make time for it this weekend. I’ve been reading a great book lately, and have picked it up every time I had the chance. I only got it last week, but I’m tearing through it like a fireman at the scene of a house fire. I love to find books that do that to me. They are so hard to find!!

One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to work at getting in 10,000 steps a day, according to my pedometer. I’m wearing it now. One thing is abundantly clear. The treadmill has everything to do with getting in 10k steps. Here are my results for the past several days. ( Night before last we ate out and I was so full, I could only go to bed and ask the Lord’s forgiveness for gluttony. (no treadmill for 2 days)

11, 207
9,004
3,664
8,768
10, 768
10,197
5,306
5,484
7,654
I've kept a sticky note on the bathroom mirror and I post it when I take the pedometer off at night. Last night's number is really interesting to me and I'll tell you why. When I got home from work I had only walked about 800 steps all day. After my treadmill time, I had pushed way past 7k. Can you believe that?

I had to renew my drivers license today so I took my knitting with me. I did not have to wait long, but the DMV feels a lot like jail. No one's talking and everyone's staring at the floor. What better time to get in a few more rows on my scarf.

I finally started ripping out the sapphire sweater. Two strands are harder to unwind! Some things don't ever end up like you intended. And sometimes it takes a couple of tries to get something right.
Our preschoolers had their first week in the new classrooms last week. Things weren't all perfect, but the kids never noticed. A few cried and didn't want to go in, just because it was strange and new, but mostly all the kids took to their classrooms like ducks to water. (Grownups are a little tougher to please!)

As I listen to the reports coming in about Haiti, I heard that people are using car batteries to power things. When I was a young girl, we suffered the loss of our home to a hurricane. Most of the city was without power, other than gas generators. We hadn't seen television for many days, maybe even weeks, so my dad pulled the car up next to the house and ran an electric cord from the car cigarette lighter through a first floor bedroom window. We were able to watch this small black and white portable tv for the evening and it was the biggest treat you can imagine.

I am doing really well with my resolution to look at the clouds. I hope to make a whole post soon with nothing but cloud pictures. Today is really sunny and bright so the clouds are fewer, but I'm happy to have the sun; the snow has finally melted!

Simplification or Complication

Jacques Pepin, a French chef, explained that the problem with nouvelle cuisine is that in an effort to use new ingredients and be creative in presentation, the dishes have become complicated rather than simplified, which is the essence of French cuisine. I guess I agree, because I've never been a fan of French food, mostly because it was weird and the portions were small. French cooking was developed much like soul food, where nothing was wasted and preparation was basic. Just simple and rustic.

As a knitter, I'm not one for complicated patterns and funky yarns. I tend toward the simple, straightforward patterns and am more successful there.

So,I am staying with these Leroy Brown socks, just 'cause I like 'em. They will take a while, but since they aren't complicated, I don't think I'll lose interest.

I dug through my yarn bin/stash in the garage, and found some yarns comparable to my husband's scarf yarn. He agreed that they were similar, so I cast on the needed 36 stitches on size 10 needles. 4x4 rib.
Easy enough, I just have to remember to carry the alternate yarn when I change colors. I'm not going to break off the yarn each time and tie in the new one. Wayyy to much trouble for this simple country girl.

For Christmas, I got these beautiful placemats and knew right away that this was my chance to buy some new napkins and napkin rings. There's a World Market about 45 minutes from here so last night, I found these lovely yellow napkins and brass rings.
We ate dinner across the way at a warm and cozy restaurant. It's been snowing for 3 days now and I wanted something hearty. DH had the chicken pot pie and I had the chicken cordon bleu. It was a little overdone, but very satisfying. So much so that my husband commented on how quiet I'd gotten. I didn't mean to be sullen or morose, but I finally concluded that most of our eating out is after work or after church and I'm still 'in gear'.
(We were headed to a prayer service so I guess I was a bit thoughtful.)

My son, who is somewhat like me in his no frills mentality, asked for a new computer for Christmas. We agreed to help him foot the bill, and he seems to have enjoyed it. Where would we be with out computers?

Someone paid me a compliment about my son last night. They mentioned how enthusiastic he is when he plays his drums.
I second that emotion, and am grateful that he has found a fulfilling thing to do. He is so genuine and real when he's engaged in his music. It's absolutely contagious. He has a sweet lady in his life now, and I know she brings him a tremendous amount of joy. She has offered to cook lunch for all of us tomorrow. Wow. Who could turn that down? What a treat!!

The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of

The stuff that dreams are made of: Great little needles (size 0's), great stretchy yarn, a fire in the fireplace, and good cabled sock pattern.
These Leroy Brown socks are really easy and I'm just using the fifth needle for the cable needle so I don't need that gadget, and I've got the pattern memorized. 2x2 rib with two cables; one forward and one back.

I received a compliment today about my knitting, just to toot my own horn. A couple of guys my husband works with saw his scarf and asked about it. Of all the things I've made, I'm probably not going to put this one on Ravelry. But they thought it was pretty cool. Rustic is what I'd say. I literally hand carded the wool in two batches, light and dark straight from the sheep. Then spun all the yarn on a spindle; my first one - Ashford 5lb (jk!). But it was a pretty hefty spindle.
It is quite a long scarf and is just ribbing, start to finish. Large needles though and it was very long. Long enough for a man. Both fellas that made the compliment will definitely get a scarf, if I can get the right wool for the job. I may have to put my little brown socks on hold for a few weeks!

And....a quick update on the watermelon hat. I gave it to my DD who really liked it. I was sure the color was out of style, but never trust an over 40 mom when looking for fashion advice. Who knew that watermelon/tangerine is the new black? Ok, maybe not, but at least it was wearable!

*newsflash - pedometer at 9pm before treadmill time is just under 5,000 steps for the day! I can do it!

And one more little show-off. Here is some of the Alice wool I've been spinning. Three ply and it's pretty well blended light gray. I'm happy with it!

Bad, Bad Leroy Brown

We made a quick little trip to Memphis and if you've ever been there, it's not Mayberry. I worry a bit about my daughter and her husband living there, but they seem to know what's what and where 'not to be'. That said, I started a new pair of cabled socks and I'm calling them my Leroy Brown socks.

I started them on New Year's Eve as we were watching Die Hard (never saw it unedited; language was worse than I remember). We had so much fun though, cause John McClain is also kinda bad. But he saves the day and his wife as well.

We had fun getting donuts prior to the movie - at Gibson's which is a local favorite.
I felt pretty safe cause there were literally several cops in the place and their cars were out front. Most stores were closed by 6pm Thursday night.
My daughter had made us Shrimp Etoufee and cheese grits (delicious!).
We slept in the next morning and had brunch at Perkins, shopped forever and had pizza at Memphis Pizza.
All great choices and enough eating out for a while. Before we ended the day, we dropped by a local bookstore similar to Barnes & Noble. It used to be a theater and they did a cool job of keeping the theater screen and projectors in the rear.
We were told that this was the theater Elvis used to frequent, staying up in the projection booth to be incognito. When word would get out that he was upstairs, he would leave quickly and the theater manager would have to yell that Elvis had left the building, so that folks would quiet down and let the movie finish. (*fun bit of trivia)
My daughter and I also share a bit of intuition or what some might call a sixth sense. She had mentioned a particular ladies' room that felt really weird and she refused to go in there. When I stopped in to take a look around, I felt the very same 'bad vibe'. Actually it was quite strong and it prompted me to pray 'in the Spirit' until I could leave. Sometimes these things are helpful, but sometimes this awareness is unsettling and bothersome. God keeps things from us for a reason.

So, I'm back at home and putting away all the Christmas stuff, getting ready to start another new year. I kept quite a few resolutions from last year and here are two of this year's hopefuls.
1. Keep an eye on the clouds - they are lovely.
2. Walk 10,000 steps a day (using a pedometer)
I have a few more, but they're more personal and I'll fill you in later, if it seems appropriate.
I have only one knitting/spinning resolution, but it's not really firm. To spin about 30 minutes a day if possible.

Lets see how we do! Happy New Year and God Bless you!!

future

(mom & dad's new house; grass soon to come!)
When the last of the holiday company leaves, your mind automatically shifts into the next gear. Of course there are things to clean and tidy, but further back in your mind are the "to do" things that you look forward to. I'm so glad there are always clean, fresh days to look forward to. We can have a bright, happy future, if we make that our goal.

I've been watching Gone With The Wind (hi-def) and its one of those movies that steels your resilience and motivation to keep on going. If Scarlet could do it, well then frankly, I can too!
And my latest Kindle book is by Louis L'Amour, which kind of takes you to the same mental place.
Work has been really tough this week, and I am worthless tonight. Since it's raining and chilly outside, I've taken a hot bath and am ready to read for a little while before hitting the treadmill and getting to sleep at a decent hour. We are changing our billing structure/person yet again, hopefully tweaking things for the last time. It is exhausting and mentally challenging; I leave feeling like I've had jumper cables clipped to my brain for the day. And our Outlook at work has been out for two days. No email, no calendar, and no contacts. I tell you, I'm tired. Louis L'Amour, take me away!
The spinning wheel has seen a little business lately. No knitting, with company, holidays and church. I will leave tomorrow evening after work to go see my daughter for a day. Maybe I'll take a little project to knit in the car. That would be sweet!

Our church is moving into the newly built sanctuary soon. We had a 'sample' service on Christmas Eve and it was spectacular. Beautiful space and bigger than what you might imagine. The little preschoolers I work with will be moving into the new building soon as well. There's a space just for them and those little guys deserve it. They are precious in God's sight! What a joy to show this brand new place such innocent, unspoiled eyes. Of all the people, I'm glad they're getting to play and learn there. They won't be complaining if things aren't 'just so'. They'll just be glad to have new tables & chairs and crayons to color with!

My parents house got a coat of paint recently, just before we all arrived for their party. (That's it above.)

And my folks have been busy with their garden.

Raised beds and container gardening. My dad even made me this unique rubbermaid tub with holes, pipes and a drainage system that I couldn't begin to explain. When the weather improves, I'll go outside and get some pictures of the container. Here are a couple of the ones he made out back - end of the tomato season!


Click this last one and you'll see a cruise ship coming into port!