You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'general musings' category.
Have you stumbled across The Bright Side Project yet?
A couple of weeks ago, I saw it popping up on several of the blogs in my Google Reader, so I clicked over. As it says in their FAQ’s:
The Bright Side Project is a website dedicated to daily giveaways. Each day we feature a brand or product we think will add a little sunshine in your life.
Not only this, but The Bright Side Project is dedicated to supporting independent artisans. They offer prizes both from well-known companies (E.L.F. Cosmetics!) and from etsy sellers.
Was I tempted to keep this wonderful site to myself? Of course! But that wouldn’t be in the spirit of the site, now, would it? So hop on over and win something wonderful!
Jason and the boys are currently out for Round II of The Great Candy Grab. Round I ended with shivers, followed by a halftime with a giant pizza and the first half of The Sorcerer’s Stone, our usual Halloween night movie. The boys donned hoodies under their costumes and hit the streets to see what else they could haul in.
How about those blasters? I saw this tutorial linked on Geek Dad this week and immediately sent it to Jason. (Not that I couldn’t – or wouldn’t! – make them myself, but he did ask what he could do to help. He had fun with it, and he rarely gets to be involved in the Halloween costuming.)
In an effort not to pass Hamthrax H1N1 onto the entire neighborhood, we decided to leave our candy out on the porch for the neighbors. In an additional effort not to let the first three kids get all the candy, I did this:
The boys are back, not-so-patiently waiting to restart the movie, so off I go. Once they’re in bed, Jason and I will cross our fingers and hope AMC is showing some wonderful old Vincent Price movie.
Have a safe and spooky Halloween!
A couple of weeks ago*, Jen and John from Cake Wrecks came to town on their book signing tour. I just had to go.
The coolest part was not the book (although it’s nifty, sturdier and higher-quality than I expected, and has lots of content not on the website), nor was it the cakes present at the event (although they were awesome), nor was it how incredibly geeky-cool and funny (duh) both Jen and John are and how I would love to be friends with Jen (can’t write about that too much, ‘cuz I don’t want to look too internet-stalkery). No. The coolest part? Jen and I were wearing the same shoes.
Now, I suppose one could interpret this in a [limited] number of ways. Coincidence springs to mind. I, however, chose this completely unscientific interpretation: that by nature of association, I now have some small level of cool. Argument: Jen is cool. Jen wears low-top raspberry Chucks. I wear low-top raspberry Chucks. I am, therefore, cool.** That I am cool to a much lesser extent is a reasonable assumption (especially since I’m sitting here blogging about whether or not I’m cool) and is perfectly okay with me.
No, really, the event was a blast. Quite crowded, but fun. Jen and John are naturals in front of a crowd and are troopers. Not only did they sign all of those autographs, I heard them having actual conversations with people as they came up to the table. I’m sure it’s tempting to just smile and sign, but they seemed to be having a good (albeit tiring) time.
Even the folks at the adjacent coffee shop got into the spirit:
*This was before John’s hospitalization mid-tour with horrible, ICU-level pneumonia and infection, poor guy! I bet Jen was a wreck. Ouch…that pun wasn’t intended & probably isn’t original in the slightest, but I think they’d like it, so I’m leaving it. Anyway, it looks like John is home and doing better now, although he still needs some healing time. Happy, healthy thoughts to John, everyone!
**Hush, math nerds.
I have been scatterbrained and completely unfocused on doing anything fun and creative lately. My blog has been withering, the posts have been piling up in my Google Reader, I haven’t done a scrapbook page since leaving Atlanta, the crochet hooks are cold and lifeless.
The final straw? I forgot 12 of 12 yesterday. I love 12 of 12. It’s no Bench Monday, but it does make me happy.
The solution? I’ve given up on Project 365 (one less thing to think about on a daily basis), and I caught up on my Google Reader, which has inspired me to at least get blogging again.
Balance. Isn’t that always the key? It is for me. Funny that using that particular key also happens to be one of my biggest challenges in life.
All of this is not to say that life has been boring or that I’ve been unfulfilled – quite the opposite, in fact! We made the decision upon moving here to refrain from participating in any time-consuming extracurricular activities for a while. This has resulted in an unprecedented amount of family togetherness. Board games and garage saling and letterboxing, dinners with all four of us gathered around the table…these are incredibly good things. The boys and I walk back and forth to school most days (a new experience for us all!). They play on the playground after school while I chat with other moms and [hopefully] form some new friendships (…and thank Heaven for my friend j., who provided me with a built-in amazing friendship and support system and tour guide, all in one.).
On top of all of this, I desperately need what is usually the first thing to fall by the wayside – creative outlet. Something that’s all mine, and mine alone. My feet on a bench. My hook in some yarn. My hand on the mouse. My fingers on the keyboard. That’s all I need…a lot of one, or a little of each.
So, since I spent yesterday morning ironing shirts, this morning calling doctors in Seattle (requesting appointments) and Atlanta (requesting records), and the afternoons on the school playground, I dedicate this evening to me.
As I approached my 30th birthday a few years back, I began to get really excited. It wasn’t just for the party…
…but more for the number itself. I was so excited to leave my 20’s behind! Most of my friends dreaded passing into a new decade, but not I.
It’s not that my twenties were bad. On the contrary, I had a wonderful time in college, met the man of my dreams, had a great marriage and two healthy children. What I would not miss about those years, however, was the attitude from some people who had long ago left that age behind. I cannot tell you the number of times I heard a variation of the phrase, “Oh, well, you’ll understand when you’re older.” By the time I’d reached 28, I was well sick of it. I suppose the fact that I look younger than my age doesn’t help, but I was convinced that I would stop receiving those patronizing comments once I was in my thirties.
And I did. Who knows why – perhaps it was my own attitude that staved them off. Regardless, I find myself happily ensconced in the middle of a decade that sees me neither a young, inexperienced girl, nor yet middle-aged. I am looking forward to my forties just as happily (although not at all wishing the intervening years away), because I see that there is nothing as ineffectual in life as wishing you were in the past, or younger than you are. I cannot wait to see what the years ahead bring.
Images the prompt “School Lunches” brings to mind…
~A very vivid flash of the lunch line in fifth or sixth grade. I am standing in front of the vegetables – the side items – trying to decide which is the least gross, which I will feel least guilty about nibbling once or twice before throwing away. I don’t much like veggies when they’re cooked nicely, forget boiled to unrecognizable mush.
~The cafeteria of a school not my own in California, the long, hinged tables pushed to the sides in the evening, rows of chairs set up for our monthly 4-H meeting.
~The printed monthly menu my sister and I would pore over, choosing which days we would buy our lunches. We usually took our lunchboxes; buying was a treat.
~Sitting with the boys at various lunch events in their current elementary school, my behind and vertebrae protesting the hard, attached discs that serve as seating.
~The yearbook room in my London high school, where I ate lunch every day my senior year. Yearbook staff and various friends, playing music, the young guys using the fridge as a jungle gym. Finishing every day’s lunch with a 3 Musketeers and an ice-cold Coke.
~Participating in a rousing “Tastes Great-Less Filling” style shouting match at the outdoor lunch tables in junior high. The subject? Mayonnaise vs. Miracle Whip.
~Hundreds of sandwiches made, bananas or applesauces packed, juices poured…hastily-made lunches to be shoved into backpacks for the boys to take along, knowing it’s not as interesting to them as the stuff they could buy in the cafeteria, but worth the savings to make it anyway.
~Eating outside in high school in California, seagulls skulking nearby for sandwich remnants. Or inside the band room, always someone nearby tapping out rhythms with their drumsticks.
Red Carpets! Statuettes! Amazing Gowns I’ll Never Fit In!
No, no, not those awards. This award!
Heather gave me this award last week, along with some very sweet comments. I’ve known Heather* as long as I’ve known Jason. We all met in the Georgia Tech Chorale many, many moons ago. At the time, I knew nothing of her craftiness (er, I mean her crafty ways. No, that’s not right, either. I didn’t know she stitched, okay?), but I recently found her on her wonderful, stitchy blog, as well as on Ravelry. It’s fun to reconnect with people and find previously unknown common interests. Anyway, check out her geeky, crafty blog for some gorgeous embroidery and knitting, as well as some great photos of her loft.
It seems the rules of this particular blog award are to list five addictions and then pass the award along to five other fabulous bloggers. Addictions, hmm? That should be easy enough. (In no particular order.)
1) Coca-Cola. I prefer Classic, but I’ll drink Diet Coke with Lime. I go back and forth, because I can’t decide which is worse for me: the corn syrup or the artificial sweetener. What’s that? Give it up? No, you don’t want me that cranky. Really.
2) Books. I don’t read constantly, but when I start a book, I cannot. put. it. down. Seriously, the world ceases to exist until I’ve finished the last page.
3) Craft of choice. As I’ve talked about before, whatever craft I’m currently working on becomes somewhat of an obsession. It’s currently crochet, as I’m sure you could gather from a quick perusal of my category cloud.
4) Coffee. Mmm.
5) The internet, and my friends thereon.
And now for the awards. For some reason, I’m always uncomfortable with the tagging part. I’m not sure why.
Anyway, if you’re awarded, please don’t feel obligated to “play.” Just consider it a big Thank You for allowing me to share in your life.
Cindy @ MyRecycledBags
Cindy is one of the reasons I got back into crochet last year. Her plarn instructions and patterns fueled my interest enough to put me on a new obsessive path. Visit her for some great patterns and to give her a big hip-hip-hurrah for kicking the cancer out last year!
Sheri @ Sheri’s Scribbles
Sheri is one of my dear online mommy friends. I love her blog for the great everyday mom-life updates, and I’m amazed, because I can’t imagine how she actually finds time to post, given everything she has going on.
j. @ Introversion 1.0
j. is another of my good online friends, and while her blog isn’t very full yet (hint, hint!), what she does write is wonderful. I’ve always loved her writing style…uber-intelligent and relatable, all at that same time.
Woof Nanny (aka: Barb) @ The Purse Project
Barb writes a couple of great blogs, but this is my favorite, and it doesn’t get nearly the participation it deserves. With The Purse Project, she hosts purse/handbag making challenges with loose guidelines that stretch a crafter’s creativity. Hop on over and participate!
Angelina @ Dustpan Alley
This is one of my favorite sites to read each day, even when it’s difficult. Angelina is honest in her struggles and joys, and she is spreading the word about mental illness in an out-there way few have the guts to do. I learn so much from her, and thanks to her, I am becoming a more understanding person.
*Incidentally, this Heather was one of four in the chorale during our stint there, and it’s very hard to type her name without her last, since we never, ever refer to Chorale Heathers without last name. Even my own sister gets a clarification here at home, being a Heather herself.
Yesterday, Jason asked me when I was going to install my software and start digiscrapping again. He really doesn’t read this blog. Spooky how we’ve been reading each others’ minds lately!
Over the weekend, I began a poncho and a sweater for the Mattaponi project. They’re bright and cheerful – just what I need.
Both are being done in Caron Simply Soft, because it’s durable and washable while still being soft to the touch. If you’re on Ravelry, you can check out the details on my projects page. If not, I’ll post them when the items are finished!
On the personal front, I did apply/register with the only temporary staffing agency near here. It’s interesting how many of those companies are gone now. I suppose it’s a sign of the market. The woman at the agency said there really aren’t that many temping jobs around any more. It used to be that you could basically stay employed full-time just working one- and two-week contracts as a receptionist and/or administrative assistant. Ah well, it will be what it will be. Time to start brainstorming and dive headlong into my budgets! That, however, is a project for a day when I do not have a sick child home from school and do have more than five minutes of quiet.
In restrospect, I realize I ended yesterday’s post with one of my least favorite words in the English language:
Try.
Thinking about that final sentence now, I’m cringing. I am consistent in jumping upon this word when other people use it. When you “try” something, you leave yourself a big excuse for failure. As the wise little muppet said, “Do! Or do not! There is no try.”* So, I am not going to try to balance crochet and digiscrapping. I am going to find a way to incorporate both into my life in a way that makes me happy. So there!
Now, let’s leave the serious stuff behind and get back to some craftiness. I was looking through my projects folder the other day and realized that I never shared one of my Christmas gifts. It’s not a big deal, but it’s a neat little bag:
Pattern: Go Green Market Bag by Suzetta Williams
Yarn: Something cheap & scratchy from a garage sale
Hooks: H & J
Pattern Modifications: For Rounds 7-15, I changed the V stitches to each have 2 ch’s rather than 1. Then, I added two more rows of V stitches, each with 1 ch in the V’s, before changing back to the H hook and finishing.
This was a little gift for my mother-in-law. She didn’t have any reuseable market bags, so I thought this would work nicely for her. I was really surprised at how much I was able to fit in the bag for the photo.
My current WIP is a poncho for a little girl. The Knitters for Obama group has chosen their next service project and are knitting and crocheting items for the Mattaponi Indian Tribe of eastern Virginia. This is a tribe unrecognized by the federal government and in need of supplies. As one of the ladies said, the things we make them won’t solve their problems, but they will show them that someone cares and will keep them warm in the cold weather. If you’re interested in helping, either by making items or donating yarn, send me a message for the guidelines, or check out the “New Service Project” thread in the Knitters for Obama forum on Ravelry. This is open to all. It is our goal to make our service projects multipartisan efforts, and everyone who wishes to participate is welcome.
*This is an expression that garners mixed reaction in my husband. On one hand, he loves that I’m a Star Wars gal. On the other, he’s pretty darn sick of my reminding him of this line.
A couple of weeks ago, my friend j. IM’d and asked if I would make a hat for a friend of hers just beginning her chemo journey. I agreed, of course, and when she sent the yarn, I happily set aside my other projects and whipped up a hat. When that used half the skein, I decided to complete the set with some wrist warmers.
Something hit me while I was working on this project and another comfort gift last week. I was more content than I had been in a while. In fact, as I packaged them up for shipping, I was saddened the project was over.
I love crocheting, and, yes, I love crocheting things for myself. However, the peace that fills me while I’m making a gift – especially a gift for someone truly in need of comfort – is undeniable.
I grew up with service being an integral part of my social life. Girl Scouts and 4-H both put a heavy emphasis on serving others and the Earth as part of being a good citizen. I was raised in a religion that heavily emphasizes social justice. I lost sight of this to a certain extent upon reaching adulthood. That is to say, while I understood the necessity of being a giving person, I didn’t often make the time or effort to follow through.
Over the past few years, though, the true meaning and purpose of life has begun to cement itself in my conscious mind. And it is this: It is all about love, empathy, and understanding. We are all one. We are all indivisible. A woman three thousand miles away is a sister to us all. The cap I make her will not cure her cancer, but the knowledge that someone cares for her enough to make the effort may bring a smile to her face on a day when she really needs it. A positive attitude will help her in her healing.
Giving and sharing are central to my belief system. It is not enough to do for others to fulfill a duty, or because one thinks she should. I do, because it is right. I cannot understand how I could live life correctly without it, or if I am unable to contribute for a time, without supreme empathy. Yes, of course, I also give because it feels good. I am only human, after all. But it cannot be the only reason or the driving force. I cannot feel only good about making such a small gesture when there is so much dire need; there is always a certain amount of despair that accompanies it. Sadness that I am not doing more. I can only do as much as I can do with the resources that I have, and I suppress the negative emotion once I acknowledge it, because I strongly believe that it does little good to dwell on it.
Of course, I need to work to achieve balance in this, as in all areas of my life. (Balance is always my biggest struggle.) My boys would both like me to crochet something for them, and I have another pair of socks to make for myself with the yarn gift from my husband. I am also beginning to feel pulled back towards digital scrapbooking, but I’m resisting. I’m afraid that I will follow my old pattern: when I pick up another creative pursuit, my current one gets shoved in a drawer, often for years. I’m not ready to give up on crochet, even for a short break, but can I balance both digiscrapping and crocheting as leisure time pursuits? Perhaps keeping service projects going with the crochet will help prevent its decline? I suppose the only thing to do is try.
