Distraction

That is the word for February. I've had the attention span of a gnat. I fouled up the seaming on a sleeve on a top I had mostly completed, so instead of being angry and ripping out the seam, I put it down and started a brand new sweater. The new sweater is over a third done, it's been 3 days. I've bought sock yarn so bright as to make Boyo wince, in colors that make Darling Husband cringe. I rather like them and proceeded off on a tangent to find perfect sock patterns for such demanding yarn, to prove to them both that I picked fantastic yarn. Then, there was the bout of yarn exhibitionism in which I felt the need to photograph and post pictures of yarn stash at hand (not all of it, that would take far too long), with details of how much I have and what colors on Ravelry. I had to convince myself that I didn't need a Coraline sweater with glow in the dark stars right this instant, in colors from the book, not the movie. I've found and hoarded more patterns than I could possibly knit, figured out what yarns to use and calculated costs. Seeds have been started and a tiered raised bed planned and plotted for the front yard. I've finished reading three books, one while making dinner one evening, and have started a fourth.

Has anyone else had this problem? The feeling that you must do everything right now? Or do I just have a really bad case of Spring Fever?

I'd share if I could

As I really shouldn't be eating all this by myself. Darling Husband surprised me with a box, rather early in the morning, on Valentine's Day. Yes, that is a box of Godiva. That day I also made cinnamon rolls from scratch and a bacon spinach quiche(which had a perfect crust if I do say so myself). I suppose I will just have to force myself to consume the sweet lovelies as it would be a pity to let them go to waste.

It was a quiet evening

The kids got invited to an impromptu birthday party across the street just before dinner this evening. The father did face painting and I got brought home a large piece of rather garish looking Hannah Montana cake, but the kids had fun. With Darling Husband off working and the kids at the party, there was no one around to complain when I chose the History Channel as my evening's entertainment. There will be even more time to sit and knit while watching bad movies later after the kids are in bed. Honestly, I have no real excuse to not have at least two projects completed before the week is out. I do have pictures of what Husband got me for Valentine's Day, that I will get posted eventually, which will be keeping me company as I knit.

Temporary reprieve from at least one chore...

My washing machine died yesterday. Three quarters of the way through a load of laundry. Thankfully it was the last one for the week. Admittedly, it means I now have a perfectly valid reason to get a new one and for not doing the laundry for a few days at least.
I spent time yesterday taking advantage of the wonderful spring-like weather we had, scrubbing the outside windows,plotting to re-decorate the loft, and deciding what seeds to start, only to come inside and see the weather forecast. The weather forecast with the ever lovely red mark next to it indicating severe conditions, in this case harsh winter weather due to blow in and stick for the next five days at least. The abrupt change in weather would be more disappointing if it hadn't been so dry here over the last couple of months, we need any rain or snow that's willing to show up. Besides, a few days of bad weather means I have a chance at finishing some warmer weather knitting, before the warmer weather actually gets here. Back to watching re-runs of Bewitched and knitting things without sleeves.

Maybe I should pay better attention

It occurred to me this morning, that maybe I should start working on clothing for warm weather. I realized last night, when trying to find something to go out in, two of my three options for bottoms were at the point of disintegration and most of the top options were for decidedly cooler weather. Maybe the lovely, wool/angora cardigan I've been working on can wait while I finish a lace silk top and sew up some skirts that don't have holes in the fabric. My wardrobe tends to be something I think about all too often, but the last thing I actually do anything about. Besides, I can't get those entertaining looks from the locals around here if I dress the way I am expected to. No, I don't care if they think they are laughing at me, mainly due to the fact I think it's funny that they all dress alike. Kind of like a pair of women in the restaurant we went to last night (please imagine evil smirk here). At this point, I would like to note, it's always the women who are disparaging, the men tend to try not to look too hard (I think Hubby has something to do with that). Maybe it's the waist length red hair and muted red lipstick? Unless I missed something and it was the plain black Doc Marten's with an ankle length (loose fit) denim skirt?
Please understand, I am not trying to be mean and rude, this is really just my commentary on how I stick out like a sore thumb almost everywhere we go. It's just easier to be a touch arrogant about it than lament my inability to conform.

Look!

Dancing plums! Are you distracted? Will you forgive me for days of neglect? I love embroidered dishtowels. They remind of the ones my parents had in the kitchen from their grandmothers. They are the kind of handmade kitsch you are starting to see again. Whether you think it's just ridiculous or you enjoy it, it will make you smile. It's also only about 2 days worth of work done off and on, so it's close instant gratification.
There have been lots of projects completed and sick children dealt with. Along with the endless task of trying to keep the kids' lessons interesting. Darling Girl started Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking today. She finished A Brief History of Time yesterday. Boyo has been reading Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku (good book by the way, lots of fun). Do other people have kids who give Latin lessons to the neighborhood kids just because they can?

It's all my sister's fault....

this time. (insert sheepish grin here) She sent a lovely mug, which I claimed immediately, yummy chocolate, which I shared, and tea that makes me salivate at the very thought of it. The tea was my undoing. I am addicted to it, which is why I feel the need to buy a pound of ginger peach tea from The Tao of Tea. These people take their tea very seriously. I am hoping it will help me keep the knitting timetables I have set for myself this year. Hope being the key word. When it comes to projects, I am easily distracted. Everything gets done....eventually.

I do love my food!

Yes, I took a picture of my lunch. It was just so pretty! It's also raw food of my own devising, I think. Soaked red lentils tossed with a beet, a handful of baby portabello mushrooms, a tomato and a leek sliced thin. The whole mess dressed with a bit of apple cider vinegar, olive oil, dried basil, grey sea salt, and fresh ground pepper. No cooking needed, just a few hours thinking ahead to soak the lentils.
The holidays with all their baking threw me off the raw thing a bit and I got low energy, headaches and insomnia in return. Not fun. My body has spoken, raw it is. Not completely mind, but mostly is definitely still do-able.

Getting things accomplished in the new year

These are my first finished project of the year. I had promised myself I would make myself something as soon as I finished all the gifts for Christmas. I have a true weakness for mitts and gloves, so decided that would be my indulgence into immediate gratification knitting.
I made no resolutions this year. They just tend to get in the way. Yes, there are things I intend to do during the year that I didn't do last year. Things like: having gifts ready and sent before someone's birthday, getting off my rear to exercise more, putting the sewing patterns I have to use, and taking some of my better ideas and running with them instead of putting them off for "when I have time". It's time to push things just a little bit harder to see what results.

Happy New Year!

Since it's New Year's Day, let me finally post at least one Christmas picture. The last two and a half months have been a blur of holiday colored yarn, cookies, and wrapping paper. It was a bit of a relief to open my new datebook and hang the new calender in the kitchen. Today, I look forward to a slow day of cartoons and knitting, with no real demands on me in any way (aside from housekeeping of course, that never ends). Since the kids were up till midnight, (and in bed by ten after), they aren't as full of energy as normal. Even with more than eight hours of sleep, they are content to watch Looney Tunes fairly quietly.

I have to admit, for personal and public reasons, I am really quite glad 2008 is finally over. Last year was a bit of an emotional roller coaster. I am looking forward to what can be made of the new year; wrongs righted, problems solved, lessons learned, the potential is awe inspiring. The question being; How will all that potential be put to use? By me? By you? Part of the fun is trying to figure it out!

Forced to do proper housework

It's been snowing since about mid-morning today, with no signs of clearing. Just steady snowfall, slowly but surely beginning to cover everything. Between the weather and a Husband out doing his own thing for a bit, there is no reason I shouldn't be cleaning house. The holiday boxes that needed to get out were sent out Saturday. The only holiday knitting I have left is for the kids, so has to be done after 9pm. I finally began tracing pictures of dancing fruit onto day of the week dishtowels to eventually embroider, because everyone needs dancing fruit dishtowels in their kitchen. Ok, maybe it's just me.

The last couple weeks are rather a blur of red, green, white and baked goods, coupled last week with a rather nasty headache induced by stress, insomnia, junk food and a rather recently noticed spider bite. I have bad reactions to most insect-type bites, so how I missed one swelled to the size of quarter I have no clue. I should also know better about the junk food.

I recently found a new supplier of henna , along with a new method of mixing up said green goo, which I will be trying out tomorrow. I've seen lovely results on others, so am rather optimistic as to how it will turn out.

Back to tracing happy fruit and finishing the sweater for myself that was supposed to get done before it got too cold.