Knitaholics R Us

On Muses and Mojos...All Lost and Possibly Found

Life is incredibly, ridiculously, ironically funny sometimes, don't you think?  I was so keyed up to begin writing again on this old blog, but life just took my by the boot straps and said "Nope hon, you are going with me.  And get your coat, 'cuz it's gonna get blustery."

Now remember two posts ago when I said that HotelChain released me from my restraints job?  Initially, I was so happy about that.  Really, I was.  And to be honest, I still am thrilled to be away from the insanity that HotelChain can rain down upon one's soul.  But I never really considered how difficult it would be to purge 8 years worth of emotions associated with that place.  For eight years, I always knew that no matter what, I had a job...not the best job, but a job.  I built relationships within the HotelChain and outside of the HotelChain that seemed to be held together because of the HotelChain.  So when I saw myself left with no more HotelChain, all of a sudden, I felt as though it all was being swept away from me.  The friendships, the comfort, and my dignity.  This, my friends, has not been an easy pill to swallow.  It's one thing to choose not to work...it's another to not have a choice.

One would think that with the free time associated with not having to work and not having any other major responsibilities (namely, children), I would have knit myself into a warm and fuzzy little comfort zone, complete with padded room for the truly insane days.  But no.  And I really started to ask myself, has my mojo been sucked away too?  I know it's been dwindling in the past few months, but I never considered it completely gone, because I still stalked patterns, yarn, and blogs without hesitation.  But for sometime, even those things weren't as sparkly and bright to me as they once were.

So I didn't feel like knitting as much, but why not write, and possibly, look for inspiration, in my own words?  Up until very recently, I have not been able to answer that question.  It seemed that blogging was so very important to me for a time there, with the exception of some major life blips.  But in the last few months, I have found it painfully hard just to sit down and leave a comment on your blogs, let alone write an entry for myself.  And please understand that I don't mean to exaggerate writers' block and the such.  This is not the sort of issue I was having.  I am the sort of person who has generally found it pretty easy to form thoughts and ideas and express them in words, both written and spoken. 

Over the last few months, Mr Wonderful and I had noticed a change in my ability to formulate and express thoughts.  It seemed as thought I was constantly fishing for the easiest of words and expressions, and easily forgetting what I had just been saying.  At first we chalked it up to stress and thought it would go away.  But in the back of my mind, I knew something was wrong.  I considered a brain tumor (yes, I jumped right to that theory, because...why the heck not), but when my rational self took over, I knew that if I had a tumor, it would have shown up in a recent MRI.  So, hmmm...what could it be?  Then, a couple of days ago, I ran across an ad for Topamax, a medication I take to help keep my migraines away and thought I'd read through the 'side effects.'  Yep, there I found it.  It basically said that some people taking the medication have difficulty concentrating, formulating thoughts and recalling words.  Wow.  That's me.

So here we are today.  I've been emailing my doc and we are cutting back on the meds, because well, I need to be able to communicate, right?  Immediately, I can feel the difference, hence the desire to write today...and write a lot.  Good news.  I have a new job too.  I work for a yoga company, selling merchandise.  We train instructors in our style of yoga that is truly for EVERY BODY.  I am loving it so far.  I even participated in my first level of instructor certification.  How great is that?

And finally, in all of the chaos that has been going on, Mr Wonderful and I are purchasing a new home!  Life, after all this is over, can we slow down a bit so maybe I can knit again?

Destashing, just a bit!

Hey all,

I am destashing a bit!  If you'd like to see what I am parting ways with, please check out my eBay listings here!

Thanks!

Huzzah!

Let us celebrate!

First let's toast to a progress shot of Flair!

Huzzah!  I have finally gotten off of my lazy duff to show you a progress shot of my lovely Flair, just in the nick of time for the red, black and metallic segment of Project Spectrum 2.0!  Yippee for me!  Again, I am working her in some lovely Blue Sky Cotton in Tomato.  It's a heavenly cotton yarn and I do recommend it so far!

In addition, I have completed one (waaaaay back) and started another Jaywalker in Knitterly Things Vesper Sock in the Knit and Tonic colorway.

See?

Next, I have been released from the nasty grips of the HotelChain!  Woot!  I won't go into too much, but department realignment created an opportunity for me to get outta there w/ severance and my dignity so huzzah to that!  I am definitely NOT on vacay, though.  I am looking for a job and it's a little stressful, since I don't particularly want to go back into the field in which I am leaving and am not quite sure where I want to go.  Although, I do think I would like to train/counsel/consult people.  It's gotta be with people.  If you are out there and you have suggestions, I am open...way open to advice and suggestions!

Mr Wonderful and I had a lovely vacay in Hawaii back in May.

If you'd like to see a few more pictures, you can see them here.

Finally, I just have to show you the newest edition to my mom's household.  She's the cutest baby ever!  Meet Molly!

She's a 4 month old Chihuahua mix that Mom rescued from the pound and she a love.  Sweet as can be and I adore her.  She, on the other hand, likes to bite me.  It's ok, cuz she's cute!

And hey, if you are on Ravelry, come find me!  I'm there as knitaholicsky!  And if you found me via Ravelry, SWEET!  Thank you!

Things Random Seven

Sorry for the, once again, delay in posting.  Mr Wonderful and I just got back from a fab vacation in Hawaii where, horror of all horrors, no knitting took place.  I would like to post photos soon, but alas, I am at work and don't have access to them here.  I do have a nice progress shot of Flair too, so please be patient with me.

To tie you over, how about a meme?

Seven Random Things About Me:

7. Although I've known how to swim quite competently since the age of 9 and swam competitively all 4 years of high school (long distance, no less), I tend to get panic-y in the ocean unless I can see the bottom.  Unfortch, this little quirk has kept me from learning how to surf, which is something that I think would be mad fun.  It's completely silly, because rationally, I know that I would have no problem mastering the ocean.  I am even educated on how to get out of a rip current (swim at right angles to the current, usually parallel to the shore till you are out of the current).  But irrationally, I can't get this little fright out of my system unless the water is way calm.

6. One of my favorite things to do in the whole wide world, is to get in bed and go to sleep.  Ever since I was a little girl, my mom says that she never had to tell me go to bed.  When I was sleepy, I happily obliged.  Mr Wonderful says that most nights I have a big ol' grin when I get into bed.  You know, just thinking about going to bed gets me all happy inside...

5. I do not like coffee.  I adore the smell of freshly brewing coffee and beans and grounds and oh my god, Starbucks smells so good inside, but I hate the taste of coffee.  I even like coffee ice cream and candy, but not coffee.  And no, I don't drink Diet Coke instead.  I barely drink caffeine.  A couple of cups of green tea a week is all.

4. Speaking of green tea, I really like my green tea steeped for like EVER.  I like it super strong and like almost ready to kick you on your ass.  One officemate thinks this is normal and the other thinks this is completely obnoxious.

3. It has been pointed out to me, that I change the inflection of my voice, depending on who I am speaking with.  For instance, if I am with one set of friends, I tend to speak one way and then will speak in a different way with another set of people.  I didn't notice it so much until recently.  I definitely think it has a lot to do with the fact that I am bi-racial and have this intense need to fit in.  I am not ashamed of it.  It's who I am.  For this, I am borrowing a new quote I heard on "The Real World" of all God-awful places: "Those who mind, don't matter, and those who matter, don't mind."  Thanks for that, Colie!

2. I am a huge stickler for manicured hands and feet.  Especially toes.  Chipped polish sends me over the edge.  On others, on myself. On anyone.  So, as summer approaches, here's my public service announcement, please keep those nails neat and tidy.  If you wear polish, please remove it when it starts to chip or grow out.  Ok, I am off my soapbox.

1. Speaking of toes, I can pick up a multitude of things with my toes.  It's not that I have strange, long toes or anything.  You' ve seen my feet in pics before and I think they are pretty cute.  Anyway.  So yeah, I can pick stuff up with my toes.  So can my Mom, brother, Grandpa, and Mr Wonderful (and he's not even in the bloodline, go figure).  My Dad, well, he got assed-out, I guess.  This talent does come in handy, especially when you drop laundry when walking up the stairs with a big basket in your arms.  Or when just being straight up lazy...

Pics soon and back to blogging, for realz this time, unless there are any other major life things (please God, no, we can't handle anything else, k?)!

Tribute

Confidante.  Friend.  Pusher.  Enabler.  Counselor.  Guide.  Survivor.  Lover.  Wife.  Mother (in-law).

Today my sweet, dear mother-in-law, was laid to rest.  She passed away in the safety and comfort of her own home with her husband, Mr Wonderful and me by her side as she gracefully took her last few breaths.

And while I am feeling lost without her wicked sense of humor, mad challah making skills, and genuine love for me, I am forever grateful for the amazing son she helped to create and mold into the extra wonderful man he is today. 

In addition, I'd like to thank her for the following:

• I really was knitting the wrong way (dammit)
• Bearnaise and/or Hollandaise sauce really is good on everydamnedthing (even probably shit),
• adding more butter always makes it better
• if you are really depressed and thinking about dying or cancer, you should buy yarn, preferably, lots of the same yarn just in different colors (and Elann is a good place to buy it from too)
• if someone is ever doing something slightly more decadent that what I am currently doing, they are a slut, especially if I would really like to be doing what they are doing right then and there (apparently, even daughter in laws and best friendscan fall into this category)
• even if one is raised by wolves or in an orphanage, they can still turn their life around and become a strong, loving, independent, value and family-oriented woman

Iris, rest in graceful peace.  We love you, always.

Holy Shit, there's Knitting!

This post has, admittedly, been a long time coming.  The beginning of 2007 started off with a roll of knitting projects: one completed Jaywalker sock in Julia's Knit and Tonic Vesper sock yarn, the start of and completion of Camellia, which has taken me an embarrassingly long amount of time to post the craptastic picture (see below) but posted during the appropriate Project Specturm timeframe (yay me) and a cute little cabled handbag.  I was even off and rolling on Flair, which finally gave me the opportunity to put that beautiful Blue Sky Cotton in Tomato to good use. 

Pattern: Camellia by Stephanie Japel

Yarn: Knit Picks Sierra in Leaf

Notes: I love the lace patterns and found them very clever.  I also love the way this is supposed to look.  But mine just does not fit me the way I'd hoped.  It's a little wide-ish across the chest and shoulders and I feel that I am constantly having to adjust myself.  I swatched, got gauge and all.  Oh well, the perfect fit just wasn't in the cards for me on this one.  I will still wear it for now, though.

Pattern: Cabled Handbag from my LYS, LisCat

Yarn: Gawd, for the life of me, I cannot remember right now, but I will edit when I do remember

Notes: Cute, cute, cute!  I love this little purse.  See the nail polish for scale?  It didn't come out very big at all.  It makes a good little handbag for evenings out or the weekend.  I bought the purse handles at Joann's Crafts on sales and just whipstitched them on.  Easy as pie.  This will get lots of use!

Just as things were rolling along, my knitting time started to get interrupted with frequent trips to visit the in-laws and the bout of depression that has seemed to follow lately.  See, in the last couple of months, my beloved MIL, hasn't been well at all.  It wasn't a huge suprise, as she's battled cancer for as long as I've known her (10 years, my gosh), but since January, her health has taken a major turn for the worse.  At the present time, it seems as though we may be spending our last few days/weeks/months with her.  Watching someone die is absolutely shit and it puts your perspective on things in a new order and sometimes, this new order is incredibly hard to knit through.

On the brighter side of things, the needles have been calling to me a bit more and perhaps I just need a change of knitting scenery.  I am looking at starting a smaller scale project, just for a little jump start.  I will keep you posted on things.

Thank you in advance for your love, energy and prayers!

Monday Loves and seriously, I need to talk about knitting one day soon.

I am totally knitting, just super busy.  No time for photo shoot, damn me.  Perhaps the 3 migraines in 3 weeks isn't helping, you know...just sayin'.

• Every ounce of my crafting soul wants this Hello Kitty sewing machine.  Is this wrong?
• I want every single thing in Nigella Lawson's Living Kitchen line, especially this, this and this.
• notscarlett pointed out this website today.  Can I have this shirt, puleeez?  The names are the BEST!
• How lovely are these swatch portraits?  And these as well?  Creative and cheap...I like that!
• Like I needed a new hour-long show to obsess over...
• I just got Stephanie's new book and I love every.single.pattern.  God help me.
• I love Olga's sweater on the cover of Yahaira's new book!  Yay, girls!
• Lolly!  I know it's not just me that wishes that this girl was their best friend, next door neighbor, knit night buddy, and/or workout partner.  Thank you so much for your ever present contributions to the Internets!

Monday Loves...Birthday Edition

Go Skylar, it's your birthday...

Folks, I am 29 today!  One more year till I hit the big 20 PLUS 10!  Woo hoo...I have FOs to show, but I don't have great pics of them yet (soon, though).  So, in honor of my birthday, another edition of Monday Loves!

This is my new favorite apron!  Willliams-Sonoma has these great new aprons that are tailored so no more floppy top and big flappy sides.  The bottom wraps around you quite nicely and there are nice, deep pockets that are great for hand towels or utensils.  Mine came from the store, so no monogram or personalization, but I love the cheery orange just the same!

Sushi pillows!  Especially this one!

Eyebrow shaping!  I saw the Martha episode with Eva Scrivo and her great shaping resource.  Check it out!

Quite obsessed with knee high socks right now!

Tahiti!  Mr Wonderful, thank you for the most phenomenal, amazing, BADASS birthday gift EVER!  We leave on 4/26.  What in the HELL do I bring to knit?

Monday Loves

Inspired by her, I am out of hibernation...

My Monday Loves...

• OMFG, I want this hamburger dress.  It's ohsocute!  Joy's done some amazing stuff...check out her portfolio!
• If you don't already listen, you really should...to this too
• My newest helper...Peer Trainer (thanks Lolly)
• Come lust dopo voi, l'Italia.
• This makes me want to get all ready for Passover!

Start and Finish

Here's to the start and finish of my holiday knitting for 2006!

Pattern: Fetching from Knitty Summer

Yarn: the called for Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in a yummy jewel-toned turquoise from a LYS near my HotelChain and I eeked them out of one ball, which leaves another ball for me!

Recipient: Mr Wonderful's Sis, for Chanukah (she loved them)

Notes: No modifications, except that they were knit in two circulars (God bless the creator/inventor/miracle worker/amazing knitter who came up with this technique).  Super easy and super fun.  My only complaint with the ease of this item is the thumb part.  After carefully unraveling the waste yarn, it was a bitch trying to get the stitches on the needles, just right.  Even so, I had to do some creative darning to hide some little holes that had formed, just like she did.  Still, they were very "instant gratification" and that makes for happy holiday knitting. 

I haven't cast on for anything else, just yet, although I will be starting Glampyre's Camellia for myself and Le Slouch to make up for my cousin's too-small-beret incident soon.  In the meantime, I going to start a little food blog called The Wannabe Foodie.  I haven't posted yet, but I will soon.  Nothing fancy, just some recipes I've tried and some pictures.  Perhaps a little commentary on my experiences with food and my ever growing love for cooking and baking.  So check it out in January!

Finally, how about a knitty list?

Knitty Goals for 2007:

• Colorwork.  Thanks to Stranded, this won't be a problem.  I've even got the pattern.
• Another true sweater.  Not a shrug but a sweater.  Either this one or this one.
• Baby stuffs.  SIL is preggers and so is my cousin.  Both due in late April, early May.
• Destash/Stash Bust and only restash with an exact project in mind, when necessary.  No more mindless yarn shopping until further notice.  God help me.

Thanks for stopping by.  I know I haven't been a good blogger for the past 6 months or so, but I will be back in regular action.  I've missed documenting my knitting journey and sharing it all with you.  Expect to see more of me, with a little more spirit behind it, soon!

Happy Christmakwanzaakah to you all!