Work In Progress

I will 2014 - Wrapping up

 

So, another year gone.

 

I don't know about you, but I think I'm glad 2014 is gone. It wasn't bad. It just wasn't that good. Just a vague discontent about the year without being able to say that was bad. 

But, since I've completed my 2015 goals, I thought I'd wrap up 2014. Al always, just boop boop boop down to the red if you're only interested in knitting.

1. I think PRESENT was a good word for me. I'm not sure I'm done with it in 2015 but more on that later. I spent a lot of time just being with Wiggle. It was awesome. 

2.  Wiggle is incredibly happy. I mean, Partner and I aren't overflowing with joy but Wiggle has some inner light. His laugh is pure joy.

3. Reducing stress. I think I'm still working on it. My 10 minute breaks each day often became internet zone out time and I don't think it does the same thing, even if it is personal time.

4 & 10. I started the year doing reasonably well eating healthy. And then around June went on sugar bender after sugar bender. I am going to continue working on this one in the new year. 

5. Work to be less angry. I think I am less angry, but I'm still quick to anger. I want to work more on this. 

6. These last couple months, I've found I'm often up until at least 11. When I'm getting up at 5:30 each morning and up at least once in the night with Wiggle, I know this isn't good. But I'm still doing it. I need to work on a better balance. 

7 & 8. We started the year of strong with minimizing and then stopped. The spare room has become a junk room in the lead up to Christmas. Last year we also lost a lot of stuff in storage because of flooding. This has helped in some ways because we are both ready to let stuff go. But in some ways, it now seems bigger because we know we aren't just putting stuff in a place, but well and truly just getting rid of - in the garbage, in donation, in garage sale. 

9. I've figured out that we don't buy a lot but we buy necessities and then don't manage them well. I think this goes into the minimize concept. 

11. We bought a new file cabinet and shredder. We're doing well with the current stuff but the old stuff still hasn't been wrestled under control. 

13. We planted a garden and it did great. But neither one of us took the time to nurture it.

14. I did some kind of yoga most nights but without any direction, I feel that this was more of a "check the box" instead of a meaningful yoga. I intend to change that this year.

15 & 16. I didn't run the 1/2 marathon but I did run the full!  My training was such that at mile 18 I hit a wall and just walked most of the last eight miles. It wasn't a lot of fun and I think I'm going to work more on halfs and not worry so much about fulls for awhile.  The training took a lot of time and it was time I didn't spend with Wiggle. That's not a trade off I'm willing to make right now.

17. I really reconnected with reading this year. Most nights I read at least 5-10 pages. Some nights I make bad decisions and read too late. 

KNITTING GOALS!!!

1. I think I finished about a project a month but I think it was fewer than 5,000 yards. There are a couple WIPs that would get me to 5K, if I'd actually completed them. One I worked on quite a bit, but I'm undecided if I'm going to rip it. I fear it's far too large. :/

2. Oh gosh, I bought yarn like it was my job this year. I am going to try again in 2015, but more on that later. 

3. I didn't release designs this year and I'm disappointed by that. I need to do some priorities evaluation. Life evaluation... there is a lot of explanation here. But, I still want to release some designs and actually have more. 

4. I don't think I did as well on blog comments as I wanted to. In general, most of my blog and email time was to/from work and I found I left a lot of emails undone. I also didn't participate in blogs as much this year. I don't like that so I need to figure out a way to get a better balance this year. 

Well, that's all folks! I'll unveil 2015's list soon-ish.

I hope your 2015 brings you much joy and happiness for whatever you wish to accomplish. 

I will - the May - September version

Here is the update for May through September. There won't be much kitting this time around, I'm afraid!  As before, If you only want to see the knitting goals, just boop, boop, boop, down to the RED text. 

Without further ado... 

1. This may be the one bright light in today's post. I don't feel like I've done much well this summer, but I am good at plopping down in my dirty house and building a megablocs tower and knocking it down and building a new one. That's a good thing. 

2 & 4.  I think we're doing good on raising a happy little boy. He is incredibly full of joy. 

3. I'll be optimistic and think that Wiggle doesn't see all my stress.  

But this has been a not good few months for me. It started in May and I feel like I've been playing catch up since then. I need space.  And space is hard to find when you live in a house built so that everyone hangs out in a central living room together.

These months have been marked by feelings of tiredness, things undone, and a general feeling that I lack an escape. I would like to feel I could relax and not have this always present feeling that there is so much that needs to be done that isn't being done.  Most moments of relaxation come with guilt then or later of all the things that needed done and weren't. Part of me feels that I ought to just buckle down for a few weeks, recognize that yes, there is a short term loss in down time, for the benefits on the other end (a house that is clean and uncluttered and not junked up with crap; a business that is off the ground, etc). However, so often, at night, I'm just tired.  Part of this probably has to do with what I'm eating... more on this later. 

5. Well, being stressed seems to lead to quick anger. I have this book already, but - of course - can't find it in our trashed storage area.  So, I said the heck with it and bought The Art of Happiness on kindle. I've been slowly reading and am enjoying it. For all my overthinking, mindfulness has never been a strength of mine.  I'm good at the post mortem, not the forethought. 

6. Going to bed by 10.... hahahahahahahaha..... hmmm, maybe that is another part of the stress / tired problem.... I tend to stay up to have a few moments alone and not working.  And then get lost on the internet and go to bed late.... hmmmm.... I guess the good thing about this public airing of my life is that by writing it down, I can see how things are interconnected. 

7 & 8 & 9. Oh shit, I wish I were minimizing! I wish I could find stuff! There has been some want buying, but not much, truly. The kitchen remodel created some good minimizing in the kitchen and I cleared out some clothes. But our spare room has been hit with crap creep! If our storage area burned down, I think I'd feel so much better.  Isn't that sad? It says so much about the unwanted detritus of life. I also intend to do some yarn minimizing, but I have no idea when. You'll hear about it here, trust me! 

10.  No processed sweets.... going into June, I realized I was buying donuts and ice cream all the time. I fell off the wagon and bought a ton of junk food. I realized it was out of control and tried to cut back. I even tried to go sugar free for August and made it seven days.

I realized something amazing in that seven days - I am taking in so much sugar for ready carbs and energy!  I was SO HUNGRY during that week.  Seriously, I was constantly hungry.  Nursing and working full time and chasing after a toddler is tiring. Rather than eating healthy, I've used sugar as a crutch. I intend to do much better until Thanksgiving.  I'm thinking there will be some sugar free weeks between now and then. I don't like eating crap and Wiggle watches everything we do - I don't want him picking up our bad food habits. 

11.  Working on the filing cabinet. Woefully behind on the shredding.... 

12. I do straighten the house each night (making no progress on the dust and accumulated messes). And while I hate not sitting down until 9 some nights, I am just the type of person that would be so much more stressed to wake up in the morning and face the mess of the day(s) before. 

13. We do have a garden!  A friend has been helping us, but it's in and makes me happy. I want to get out there even more with Wiggle. One benefit of Hawaii is there really is no garden season... perfect for garden procrastinators like me. 

14. Yoga became horribly sporadic in May, June and July. It remains limited to 1-2 asanas a day.  I was focusing on at least doing a sun salutation each day, but switched it up and have been trying to do tree pose every night. I have this belief it is grounding me. And maybe that's craziness, but I am feeling less out of control than I did in May - June and I've gone from falling out of tree most days to being able to hold it for awhile and try to focus on rooting and breathe. 

15 & 16. Well, you know the 1/2 marathon didn't happen but 5 weeks ago I dug in my heels and decided I was going to try very hard to run the Honolulu marathon. It is a sacrifice because long runs are on the weekend and I miss time with Iain. That said, I do think the running time has helped me clear my head and I'm running on trails so that is helping me to feel better too. When I start with the four weeks of 15+ mile long runs, I'm going to take a day of from work each week to make up for the 6-7 hours I'm missing with Wiggle each day. 

17. I am feeling very happy about my reading. I've slacked off a bit these past few months - more victimization of the internet time thief - but still manage at least a few pages each night. 

NOW FOR THE KNITTING GOALS! 

18. I have so many FOs to tell you about.  I always want to tell the whole story about an FO, but when I was getting ready for this post, I realized the last time I mentioned an FO was my April update!  That is just crazy!  So, I think I'll give up the dream of the perfect story and try harder to just get you some FO posts in the coming weeks.

19. Well, after my birthday, I bought yarn.  And then, I found out that Cephlapod was going out of business because of the owner's complications with MS. At so many Stitches West conventions, I passed up their yarn because of price. Since I knew this was my last chance, I just went with it and bought these three lovelies... 

 20. Oh designs!  I am going to release one this year, I really think I can do it. More so than the desire to release it, is the desire that Wiggle will get it and it will still be useful! And that is your only hint.

21. I hope I'm doing better on blog comments. I truly value and appreciate each of you that comments. 

Well, that is all for now! Writing this has helped me see some patterns for improvement. Hopefully I will have more positive things to report next month! 

xxx 

(maybe I should try to be more zen like Beckerman)

I will 2014 April Update - w an FO

This update is for all things yarn!

I figured I’d kind of been ignoring knitting, which is a bit of a problem on a knitting blog.

So, three goals for this year:

-          I will finish 1 project a month and knit 5,000 yards

-          I will buy no yarn before the ESK sale

-          I will release 2 patterns this year

1. So, I made quick progress on the first goal and think I’m still on track but everything is WIPs at the moment. 

I’m almost done with skein number 2 on my OWLS Cardigan. This yarn is wonderful to work with, but impossible to photograph.  This is probably attempt number four.  It shows the design, but not the color. 

This little joy just needs to be blocked but our spare bed is covered with dishes. My stepson is coming soon so I better hustle if I want this blocked in the next couple months and moved from WIP to FO.

Sorry to disappoint you Melissa, but I did NOT get Basil done in time for Easter!  My brain stopped working and I lost the ability to do simple math so the end of the tail was ripped out a couple times. When I realized he wasn’t getting done by Easter, I lost my momentum. Part of it that I’m really not looking forward to switching colors every three rounds on my 12 stitch rounds.  And then doing it 4 times.  I mean, second sock syndrome is nothing compared to second, third and fourth leg syndrome….

The one knit getting a lot of progress has been my socks and I’m guessing they will be done this weekend. With everything else not in a pick-up and drop without notice stage, I keep going to these socks, even during the week at work when I could be working on something more complicated. 21w

 So I've done great about not buying any yarn.

Last week for my birthday I received two generous gift certificates. I decided that these were in no way a violation of the yarn diet.  Because you can rationalize anything if you want. J Here are my lovelies:

  The lovely yarns in the bottom picture - Madelinetosh Sock - are going to become Crackerjack.  I have waited SO PATIENTLY for my birthday to buy this yarn. All these lovely yarns were bought at Eat.Sleep.Knit.  You'll see I've added a link to ESK on the right and I get a little bit of yarnathon credit if you go to the website through that link.

3. Now for pattern release. I have been experimenting for the first time with knitting without patterns. Unfortunately, the patterns that have been kicking around in my head haven’t worked out as well on the needles.  

I’m still really struggling to decide if doubled knitted fabric is really that much better than two pieces whipstitched together.  Thoughts? 
I did complete one item without a pattern and haven’t blogged about it so you all get one last picture. 

I’m not happy with the way this hat turned out. I wanted a more feminine look for the brim and the lace lines weren’t right. I am, however, super excited by how well the decreases worked out so it would stay in pattern and finish with an awesome star on top! 
But I won’t be writing this one up, I don’t think. Maybe I’ll tweak it and try again but I have some baby patterns to complete first!

Project details: 
Pattern: Not the hat in my head
Yarn: Shibui Baby Alpaca, 183 yards
Modifications: n/a
Yardage total 2014: 1201

I will 2014 March update

Here is the update for March, concentrating on the high points!  As before, If you only want to see the knitting goals, just boop, boop, boop, down to the RED text. 

Without further ado...

1. I think I'm doing a better job of being present. Just hanging out with Wiggle and with Partner. I am able to just ignore the things on the to-do list and spend a few hours building towers that are knocked over. And I love all our time nursing and napping together. I no longer think of putting him down for a nap and leaping up to clean. That time has become "me" time to nap, read or knit. I hope it lasts a very long time!

3. I've kept up with my 10 minutes a day and this is helping me to relax quite a bit. We are in week 4 of getting our kitchen repaired/remodeled from a burst line in January. Add some heavy expenses for some drainage issues and it's been a stressful few months, money-wise. But we've been mostly able to laugh about it (or agree not to mention certain people to each other). 

4 & 10. We've been doing better on sweets but no kitchen has usually meant coffee at 7-11 and I'm powerless to resist a donut. No really, I'm sure it's a medical fact. But I've had so many donuts these past 4 weeks that I'm kind of looking forward to eggs and a bagel for breakfast some day. 

5. Does anyone have any suggestions on being calmer and less quick to anger? I'd be interested in your thoughts on anger and patience.

7 & 8. Still a huge focus to minimize and organize.  We're getting there.  We have been selling off the old appliances to help pay for the new. When the kitchen is done, Partner is going to make a table and we'll sell our other table. I'm also hoping to sell or donate our china cabinet to open up the living room some more. Wiggle be sorry to see the floppy handles go, but it's just too much in our 1040 sq ft house. 

9. We're spending a lot of money on the house right now so there is even more pressure/encouragement to not spend money frivilously. I've been doing really well on this the past 4 weeks because the house it a chaotic mess so I'm very aware of how much we already have. 

14. Missed two days in March and did a double day to make it up. I've been working on some balancing poses which has been disheartening. I'm wondering if my hips moving from baby have thrown off my balance or if I'm just out of practice... 

15. I finally had to admit that I just hadn't done the training. It was kind of a bitter pill to admit that I wasn't going to run. It's been nearly 18 months since I've run and I know I'm in terrible shape. We've lost our running community and I didn't realize how keen a loss that would be, moving out here. Hopefully I can turn it around and run the marathon in December. 

2. Picture time!  I hope he stays happy and healthy! Wiggle is actually sick - he caught whatever someone gave me at work. But for the most part, he's been a pretty healthy kid, for which I am so grateful. I hate when he's sick and we can't do much to help him feel better. 

NOW FOR THE KNITTING GOALS! 

18 & 19. Three FOs this month, with one still to post about (besides these). These are two dishclothes I've made for my mom... now to get them in the mail! My trusty double bump and a garter stitch - started with one stitch, increased to 50 and then back down again. All stash yarn and no purchases! :) 

Project details: 
Pattern: Double Bump and Garter stitch dishclothes
Yarn: Sugar N Cream, Baby Blue Colourway, 55 and 60 yards respectively
Modifications: none, I cast on 34 stitches for the double bump
Yardage total 2014: 1018

I will 2014 February update

Here is the update for February, concentrating on the high points!  As before, If you only want to see the knitting goals, just boop, boop, boop, down to the RED text. 

Without further ado... (and I realized I didn't post my list last time...durrr...) 

3. I've kept up with my 10 minutes a day and this is helping me to relax quite a bit. We also got our Christmas gift for each other - a king size bed - and that is allowing me to get more sleep.

4 & 10. Last week was the week without sugar.  This was because I was eating donuts and/or ice cream nearly everyday. I was pretty out of control. I actually lost quite a bit of weight (which is an indication of just how much I was eating). Partner has started the month of no sugar and I'm thinking I'll join him soon. 

5. I've been very angry of late. I'm not sure how to work on that, but I need to. 

6. I'm getting to bed, right around 10 most nights.  I'm feeling well rested! I know, I'm shocked too. 

7 & 8. Still a huge focus to minimize and organize.  We're getting there.  We sold the bedroom set (dresser, nightstand, bed frame) when we got the new bed and went with a simple metal frame.  We both downsized to the one dresser.  I'm still pushing on this, but I feel I'm making progress. 

9. We're spending a lot of money on the house right now so there is even more pressure/encouragement to not spend money frivilously. 

14. Missed another day in February and did a double day to make it up. I'm stuck in a sun salutation rut and need to try to add other stuff. 

2. Picture time!  I hope he stays happy and healthy! Wiggle is still not that into food but he's playing with it more and occasionally giving it a taste! 

NOW FOR THE KNITTING GOALS! 

18 & 19. Three FOs completed this month, though I still have one to post about.  I have around 756 yards, a little short of what I need to get 5K by the end of the year. I'm a little more worried since a good chunk of that yardage was really knit in 2013 with my Dad's socks.  All stash yarn and no purchases! :) 

I will 2014 January update

So, I'm going to try to keep myself honest by doing better with monthly updates. I'm only going to hit on the interesting things.  I mean, if you're interested if I'm straightening the house each night (I am) or shredding mail each day (I'm not) I'll be more than happy to email you! As before, If you only want to see the knitting goals, just boop, boop, boop, down to the RED text. 

Without further ado... (and I realized I didn't post my list last time...durrr...) 
3. Stress management. I was getting really stressed a couple weeks ago. With Wiggle sleeping with us most nights, I was feeling like I had no time to myself (which isn't really true, given all the blog posts, but whatever) So this week, I decided to try something new and just give myself 10 minutes.  Some nights it's a candle, or an extra long shower, or staring at the stars.  It's working.

6. Hrm... some nights are great.  And when it goes bad, I'm up wwwwway late.

7 & 8. I've focused on this one this week.  I decided to make sure I got rid of one thing each day.  I got rid of baby stuff we didn't need, shared some yarn with a friend who's son wants to learn and shredded months worth of receipts.  I make it a goal to fill our trash bin every week but usually focus on big things, but this was a week for the little things that linger and clutter without thought. Like all these keys that I threw out this week.  We don't even know what any of them are for: 

9. I'm doing great with this! We bought a new mattress and a pillow! Big purchases but we're really hoping this helps all of us to sleep better!

10. I need to modify this.  Because there is a lot of ice cream and donuts in the world. So, no more than 2 servings of each a week. Yes, this is absolutely a reduction in consumption. Don't judge. ;~)

14. Every day but one this year! And I did double the next day to make up for it. 

15. and 16. We are already registered for both races.  Now we just need to train.  Yeah.

17. Two Randall Lee books in January and started on a third! Maybe I'll keep a tally of books for the year.

NOW FOR THE KNITTING GOALS! 

18. Squeaking in with a single FO in January! I need to up the yardage to get to 5,000, but the brown socks of doom are nearly complete and that will get my numbers up. :)   

And those are the big updates for this month. 

 

Project details:
Pattern: Mine! 
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca Multi Cotton, Marmalade colorway, 79 yards
Modifications: n/a
Yardage total 2014: 79

 

I will 2014

So, unlike last year, when it took me until March to blog about my goals, this year I'm a little more on top of things.  It helps that many of my goals are a continuation or permutation of last year's. I know Kate finds this long list overwhelming, but it works better for me, I think. If you only want to see the knitting goals, just boop, boop, boop, down to the RED text. 

Without further ado... 

1. I will be PRESENT. This is a separate post, in and of itself, but PRESENT is my word for 2014.

2. My number one focus each and every day is that Wiggle is healthy and happy.  He has given my life a focus. Nothing is as important and nothing gives me such immediate feedback on if I'm doing the right thing.

3. My old nemesis of stress (and it's nasty twin, anger).  However, I can see how Wiggle picks up on my emotions and I want to try to model good patterns for dealing with trials and tribulations. Or just an annoying person in traffic. 

4. I was so good while I was pregnant and when I was on maternity leave. And then I went back to work. The guy that works for me said, "you used to eat so much healthier when you were pregnant." I think I've used sugar as a quick fix when I haven't brought enough food or when my energy level is low. I've cut caffeine from my diet  - that was a mistake I only made once when Wiggle was 3 days old - and so sugar has become my insta-energy. But now that I'm away from all my Mom's homemade goodies (literally dozens upon dozens of homemade cookies), I'm going to redouble my efforts to eat healthy.

5. I guess I should have put this next to 3 above.  Less angry... wow, do I have a temper.  I need to learn to evaluate why I'm angry and then address that issue and not just be angry. 

6. And, since it's 18 minutes past 10 - HA! - I'm taking a break and finishing this post tomorrow! :) I need to take care of myself and that really includes getting enough sleep.

....

alright, I'm back!

7. This is the third year that this has been on my list.  But this time, I'm going to make it happen.  I'm minimizing. We started this weekend.  The second Monday of every month is bulky item pick up here.  This was our curb yesterday (and doesn't include the two chairs and footstools some guys grabbed! one guys trash is another man's treasure....) 

 

and I came home from work today and it was all gone. Partner and I agree that it feels SO GOOD.

8. We've got a ways to go on this one.  Well, IN the house, we're doing pretty good. But I get SO STRESSED when I need to go into the storage area and try to find something! I hate it. I sometimes think, that if it weren't for some pictures and a few treasured items, I'd be okay if all burned.  That's how bad it is. 

9. I think last year I knew I wasn't going to succeed in buying no wants.  There were so many big things we had to buy. And just being at stores induced temptation. But I think this really is the year we're going to minimize and make our house a CALM home. So, I think that seeing that in action will really help me.

10. Now, this doesn't mean I'm not going to EAT processed sweets. Just that I'm going to make it harder for myself.  I also am going to try to make more desserts. My mom made so many great desserts and I realized how much nicer it is to eat homemade sweets. I'd forgotten that. I made an exception for ice cream because that is Partner's favorite and I don't have the time to make ice cream. I'm also going to add an exception for donuts, because I like donuts, don't have time to make them, and they sell them at the only store in town. Usually one day on the weekend, we walk down to the store for a donut and coffee. I like those walks.  So yeah, donuts are exempted too. :)

11. I am making so much progress on paper. I love the absence of junk mail. I kind of lost the thread after Wiggle was born, but I'm ready to get back on the get-rid-of-paper bandwagon.

12. We are doing a decent job of straightening the house each night. Really, it's doing dishes putting away toys and sweeping floors. It's not a lot, but it really helps to prevent us from descending into chaos. 

13. We are so ready to have a garden again!  We have some big drainage issues to sort out, but after that, maybe in the spring or early summer, we'll start a garden.

14. This actually seems more realistic than a yoga class each month.  So far, it's mostly been 1-2 sun salutations. Maybe it will become something more. Maybe not. That's okay.

15. and 16. We are already registered for both races.  Now we just need to train.  Yeah.

17. I'm trying to take a little time for myself each week. Partner is always suggesting massages and pedicures, but frankly I just want to be with Wiggle as much as I can. I feel guilty when I'm not with him on weekends since I'm gone so much for work. So, me time has mostly been baths, which I love.  And I read. So this is an easy one. :)

NOW FOR THE KNITTING GOALS! 

18. This is the same goal as last year. I was 500 yards short last year, so I have hope for this year.  One project a month.... we shall see! I seemed to work in clusters last year but hopefully I can be more consistent this year. 

19. No yarn!  Until the eatsleepknit after Thanksgiving sale!  I bought some yarn while in Oregon, which I'll show later... but now that my goals are written down... NO YARN.  I actually knit more last year than I bought.  And that is a first in the seven years I've been knitting!  My stash is a bit... BIG. 

20. You read that right!  Two designs this year!  I've actually knit the samples for one, I just need to actually write out the pattern.  I have three other designs kicking around in my head and I want them out and in the world soon. I'm so excited about them, so I hope they work out.  I do have a yarn buying exception for designs, but I have most of the yarn already.

21. Reply to blog comments.... simple.  I deleted my entire inbox at the beginning of the year. I think that will keep me from being overwhelmed by email and letting your comments slip by unanswered.  

And that, folks, is all. :)  Maybe this year I'll do more updates on my goals too. 

Happy 2014!!!