Starting Fresh

Writing everyday seems easy, but it is challenging. Coming up with something interesting and insightful is hard. That said, here goes... At just over 50 I am faced with, "What do I do now"? The kids are on their way, and life is moving on, but to what end. I have clients that I do research for, I work on their websites, I assist them in writing their manuals and that is all good. I knit, which I love. The time spent with family is fun not stressful, but there needs to something bigger. Family is big and never unimportant, but frankly if you put all your energy into your kids and husband they won't thank you nor is it appropriate. So viewing life as a journey, which path should I take? Gainful and fulfilling employment is the way I am heading. Starting with what I like to do, what I'm good at, what I'd do whether I got paid or not, and what is possible. John's theory is do something you like to do and are good at that people will pay for. This will take some exploring, but I'll get there after all Julia Childs didn't start until her 50's!

Finished this sweater

Unfortunately it doesn't fit the recipient. I, however love the sweater for myself.

Why do we do what we do

I need a structure. So today is day one of "the plan".

1. Finish the back of the sweater.
2. Download stock info.
3. Write some.
4. Find old to-do list.

I'm back

Since July I've finished some socks:

I also made a baby sweater:

And finished a sweater for me:

Finally, I finished the Clapotis:

Some of these may not look finished, but also since July I've lost the camera, found it, had it mailed to, but it hasn't arrived.

I enjoyed the Ravelympics, I really enjoyed Stitches. I took some classes bought some stuff, enjoyed some friends.

Nearly, almost, sort of, in the home stretch

With the Tour de France on t.v. a lot during the month of July, I've accomplished the nearly impossible, I've got this on the blocking board.



It needs trim around the front (page down the link and you will see that Kay of Mason Dixon Knitting made this great i-cord edge that I'd like to try on this, and a zipper, and a collar, but I'm nearly there now that I've decided how to finish it.

Wish me luck!

Joining the sock on vacation brigade

We went to Yosemite last weekend and since I don't have the stamina as my 18 and 20 year olds, I took a sock to work on if I couldn't walk with them. At one point I thought, oh.oh.oh. take a picture of the sock.

Here it is overlooking Tenaya Lake at Yosemite National Park:



TA DA!

Traveling with Knitting

I was sitting on a plane writing this. While packing I considered what to bring, I am going to be gone a week and hope to get some knitting done. I therefore packed a sock, it is small, doesn’t need a pattern yet (it is a knit 2 purl 2 cuff down pattern that I have mostly memorized) and perfect for working on while waiting. I have also packed a lace scarf, that requires concentration, but it is also small enough to be worked on while on the plane, where there are few distractions. I actually like working on lace when traveling because I concentrate so hard that I forget how uncomfortable traveling is and time then flies.

Regarding flying with knitting needles, so far I’ve not been stopped, ever. I have metal circular needles, but have flown in the past with plastic ones and wood needles, short sock needles and long sock needles. Knocking on wood now, but so far so good. Today, while boarding the plain for the return trip, I was surprised to see a woman with size 13 - 14 inch straight needles...they did make me pause...