Factory Seconds Men

When I was little we shopped at discount stores selling factory second clothing.  Often there would be nothing visibly wrong, maybe the sizing was off or the color was unpopular.  You had to check, though, to make sure there wasn't a giant slub down the front or one sleeve twice as long as the other.  What was missing was desirability.

Dating feels the same way: I've somehow missed out on the first class men and am digging through the seconds trying to find one who will do.  Does he take time to open up and just needs cleaned up?  Or is there a fatal flaw, like the inability to communicate or commit?  And how big a flaw am I willing to overlook?  But most importantly, I'm pretty great so why do no good men show interest?

These thoughts just coalesced after a profile with a very handsome photo crossed my path.  We talked about going out, I was happy to have someone with actual desirable characteristics who was interested in me.  But he turned out to be worse than all the rest; he posted a 10 year old+ photo.  Meanwhile I get to endure dating advice from married friends.  Dante missed this circle of hell when writing Inferno.

MLK Day

It's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the US.  I feel it's important to remember how far this country has come in such a short time--one hundred years ago there were no civil rights, feminism was in its infancy, and electricity was newfangled technology.  I hope that rights continue to expand to all disenfranchised groups in coming years.

Here's a timeline of Dr King's life that a reader shared with me.

Allison Morris, OnlineCollegeCourses.com

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.