Thirty years and counting....

Thirty years. Seems like a long time in some instances. But in the course of a lifetime, not so much. I feel like I'm really starting to live my life. I went from being someone's daughter to someone's wife to someone's mother with no real stops in between to learn who I am to myself. Those steps I took ten years ago, to marry my dearest, most beloved friend were exactly what I needed. He's a solid rock of a man, which was and is something I desperately needed. College wouldn't have worked for me, at a time when I would've made stupid mistakes and bounced around like a game of pinball. I'll get to college eventually, when I've made up my mind what I want to do. For now, I'm contented with being a Mrs. and a mommy. I have a happy family life, which is all the little girl inside of me has ever wanted. We live in a leaky old farmhouse, we drive 11 year old vehicles, we don't have fancy clothes or go on vacation. We do have love in abundance, love in the face of adversity, laughter in even sad times, camaraderie in everything we do. We're evenly yoked, he and I, sharing our strengths and shouldering the weaknesses. So, instead of figuring myself out, my family has taught me who I am, and who I want and need to be.


I'm knitting (yes, knitting) myself a new bag. I got some super SUPER cute material at Joann's and just had to do it.

The blue of the yarn and the background of the fabric is more intense than what is shown in the picture. It's going to be a much smaller bag than what I carry right now, but that could be a good thing. Better for my shoulder anyway. I'll post another picture when I'm done.

Blocked hat and gulp - knitting socks...

The hat is blocked and finished. I wore it out today and just loved the drapey-ness that the wool took on after blocking. I was almost upset with the sort of stiff way it was laying against my head, but a cold water dunk and a night stretched over a balloon, and wonders never cease. Now to finish typing out the pattern. I hope I can figure out my chicken scratches.

Also finishing up work on the Tatiana Sweater from Interweave Crochet. I'm working on the ribbing for the sleeves and bottom hem. I just have to sew them on and weave in my ends(blech!) and sew on some buttons. YAY!

I went to Joann's on Saturday with kids in tow and was lured by the "Buy One Get One Half Price" Sale they were having on sock yarn. So I bought two skeins of Red Heart Heart and Sole in the Razzle Dazzle colorway and a set of number 2 DPN's (double pointed needles) and have the top of a sock underway. Knitting in the round on DPN's is proving to be just the challenge these nimble little fingers were looking for, but the cast on nearly pushed me over the edge. That finished I've been merrily knitting away in 2x2 ribbing. I'll be happy with the next stage, but after that comes "dividing for the heel flap" or some such eerie lingo and that scares the bajeebies outta me. But, I must have something to challenge my brain, or it will just turn to mush.

I think that's what I like about the crochet/knitting arts. Just when you thought you've got everything down pat, you turn the page and discover something new. Like my fascination with hairpin lace this past summer. I had inherited this contraption from my husband's great grandmother upon her passing and I had no NO idea what it could be. Fast forward to an episode of Knit and Crochet Today where they are featuring Hairpin Lace. Cut to my face filled with awe and wonderment, "So THAT's what that thing is for?" Three scarves later, I've got the logistics down and went back to the regularly scheduled program of crochet, but I have a project filed away in my head. With new techniques or patterns to challenge every skill degree, you can never get bored with it. Which is my trouble with so much stuff. I become enamored until I've sufficiently conquered it and then I must find a new gijamawatsit to hold my attention. So far, I've not become bored. I don't think I'll ever be. I still have a loooooooong way to go before I'm ever as good as I want to be at knitting, and then there's spinning and dying and all that comes with that, and never enough hours in the day to devote to this craft that has lured me in so subtly......

help??