Goals for 2013

I don't make resolutions, largely because I don't find Jan 1st to be a natural transition.  Also, the more I plan the more the plans seem not to happen.  Instead I come up with goals, usually things I've been working on already, and prod myself to continue.  Like patience: I've been trying to be a more patient person for as long as I can remember and it seems to finally be working.

1) Cook more from scratch.  With higher pain, arthritis in my hands, cooking only for myself, and hot weather this summer I'd almost stopped cooking.  I'm trying to cook most of my meals, enough at once to have several days' leftovers, and much more satisfying and healthy than snacks or ramen.

2) See friends more, even if it's just to invite them to my home.  I had frequent migraines last year and rarely got out.  Thankfully I was able to see friends over the holidays and reconnect.  Now to keep the connection now that everyone's back to everyday life, and with my health rollercoastering.

3) Ask for help more.  I have some help.  But it gets lonely being home sick all day, and even running errands with a friend is preferable to doing it alone.

The biggest hinderance to all these is pain.  Having my life ruled by pain, and its energy-sapping brain-numbing tentacles, is indescribably difficult.  There are bright spots and I'm reminded of one every time my lap cat climbs onto my shoulder for a snuggle.  I'm also hoping to feel well enough to write up a couple knitting patterns this year, but that's a pie in the sky hope.

2012 Roundup

It was a very difficult year but I made a lot of neat stuff! lol  Not everything was well photographed so missed being posted about.  I started and finished 25 knitting projects this year, everything from baby booties to a cabled sweater.  Plus 5 more projects that were started in 2011 (or much further back) and completed.  A very successful year in that regard.

Healthwise, much harder.  I have more pain and less energy, and sewing is definitely on hold aside from some mending.  It was a difficult year to spend on my own.

I started off the year on a lace kick, finishing a few shawls.  I wore the large pink one for New Year's.

My first published pattern:

And Kate Davies' fabulous Peerie Flooers Mittens and Hat.  I'm excited to do more colorwork!

This cat bed, finished in Aug and finally felted in Dec.  It's already well-loved, and Ella's figured out how to sit inside rather than on top of it ;)

Goodbye 2012, welcome 2013, may this year bring all good things.

Christmas Knitting

Does it still count as Christmas knitting if I start it the day after?  I chose to do no holiday knitting this year, which pairs nicely with my No Deadlines rule.  However, I had no gift for my sister and no idea what she'd want.  Then I saw a very cute coffee cup cozy project, dug up some leftover yarn, and swatched last night.

It's a take off on Kate Davies' Owls, but in coffee form.  And much much smaller, so I should be able to start and finish today.  I hope she likes it.  As a neurobiology PhD candidate I know she drinks a lot of coffee!

Owl Coffee Cozy by Tiny Dino

Owls by the super awesome Kate Davies

I've been feeling pretty miserable lately and have had little to post about.  I stuck to the concept "if you can't say anything nice..."

Timing

manhattanlsat.com

We hear that timing is everything, so what does it mean when you have terrible timing?  I have a talent for joining groups after they're already well established, making it difficult to join the inner circle.  I'm mid-30s and single which is some of the worst timing ever.  Jolts of energy for sewing come just as I have to go do something else.  Or I'll read about a fabulous event the day after.

This doesn't mean that I don't have some lovely friends, or don't enjoy life.  I just wish my timing were better and I'd miss out on less.  C'est la vie.

Family and Friends

My grandmother was visiting from out of town for a few weeks so I spent as much time with her as I could.  It's fun to be an adult and learn about her early life.  I knit her a ruffle scarf, just like the scarf at right but in plum.  She loved it.  She also went home with a lace shawl, so plenty of knitted lovelies to show off to her friends.  It's so cool being one of the most bragged about grandkids :)

As a shocking departure from previous dating posts, I had a good date!  And then another, with the same man.  The whole world must have turned upside down!  It's still early days but this is more progress than I've made in years, and with a good solid guy.

I'm really looking forward to holiday parties.  Seeing friends and family makes this one of my favorite times of year.  I hope everyone has a Happy Holiday Season!