out like a lion...

Whoa, March as flown by in a flash. The job change has evoked feelings of excitement, defeat, accomplishment and exhaustion. Ah, I am back. Funny how something so right can feel wrong some days. But it's good to always to be curious how you can do better, and what might be missing, what could change. Unfortunately you can only change yourself, but it's a start.

I recently read an interesting article about traits of creative people and found it intriguing and it seems to fit in many ways. One being they they lose track of time - and have I ever as I look around at my messy house knowing my family is coming tomorrow to celebrate my oldest's birthday - doh! But you know, it's often how we roll here - we work well under pressure thankfully! (and we even sarted to paint our living room this week - we apparently thrive on chaos - OR I know the added pressure of guests will get my husband moving along - either way - it's a win.)



My second Rayures scarf - made entirely of Plucky Knitter yarn bits...I started it for ravellenics and yet only cast off a little more than a week ago. It seemed like a great idea, I love working with little bits but now I have two. Funny - now I have to find someone to share one with. I once wore a scarf to work with the thought that the first person to compliment me on it would get it - I wasn't in love but thought someone else might be. My officemate about died when I gave it to her. Ever since, I get all sorts of compliments on my knits at work - I secretly think that that they are wondering if lightning may strike again. It's been a fun, unintentional game.

I also wrapped up both of my Through the Loops Mystery Socks. I love the striped toes a lot.


Plucky Knitter in Feather Duster and a random blue grey.

My daughter put on the hand knit sock I had taken off to model these and had to sneak her own foot in the picture. She was dropping big hints about how cozy the sock was, funny this is the same kid who complained about how itchy a pair was that I made her when she was a tot. Good to know that hand knits are appreciated by the littlest to the biggest here.

On the book front - I just wrapped up Motherland. It is the story of a young step-mother to three boys - her husband was a surgeon sent off to work in a Nazi hospital. Typically, I read WW II fiction that is told from the perspective of the holocaust survivor. It was interesting to perhaps realize how much the German people had to endure as their homes were destroyed, food was scarce, every day was about survival. It doesn't forgive what happened but it wasn't about one side vs another but just a story based on the author's grandmother. In the acknowledgments she wrote about how she grappled with the story and how to tell it without seeming overly sympathetic to the Germans, I think she did it well.

Off to clean something - have a wonderful weekend knitters!

Enough

My word this year is enough. I have enough. 2013 was about figuring out where I want to be. As I have mentioned, my career path took a u-turn, literally. From one position to another and back again. Well, that said, I am grateful to be back where I belong. I am relieved it worked out, as things rarely do in bureacracy. I have realized I have enough in my career cup. It has been a great first week back. My welcome has been so warm, as was my farewell from my short term position - wow, if that doesn't boost self-esteem, shucks. I am appreciated, and I dig that a lot. ;)

I am grateful that I have enough in my personal life as well. I am lucky to have a fantastic husband and kids. While sometimes I want to scream because could everyone please just pick up their socks? But, overall, they are pretty excellent people and we do okay, just us. I am also lucky to have some family I can count on. In terms of those relationships, my husband and I often puzzle over things beyond our control, and we have decided to try to be done with that. Just deciding to not dwell, or work harder than anyone else has made us feel relief.

I have also learned over the past decade the importance of female friendships. I have a nice ecclectic group of girlfriends, near and far, that I am lucky to have. Growing up a tomboy, I was late to the table - but have been blessed to find some amazing women who all have something different to teach me. I have a movie friend, a reading friend, knitting friends, a bitching friend, a pick up where you left off friend...life is good.

And I have enough hobbies to keep me busy forever. Wow - I have a lot to be grateful for and sometimes, I need reminding. 2014 has been about remembering what gifts I have rather than wishing for what I don't - and I feel very calm. Now, truth be told, I will have zany moments - but for now...enough.

So, I have also been crafting in between being grateful. I offered to make a prize for the Plucky Knitter group for ravellenics. I sewed a knit project bag using Noodlehead's tutorial for the open-wide zipper bag. I used a quilt as you go technique to add some body, and I really am pleased with how it came out. And I want to share it as part of Sewjo Saturday -



The recipient was so gracious, again - hello, big confidence booster. I am my own worst critic - but whoa, she loves it and wrote that she got some compliments at a knit store on it - bonus.

I am also knitting away on the last section of a Rayures - it is never ending. And have some socks also almost there, oh, and a quilt to quilt and bind...Wowza, I have enough to do indeed. Take care, knitters!



Shimmer in Blue in squooshy Malabrigo on my little sillypants.