EW

Ramblings on writing, crafting and life.

This editing hat doesn’t fit terribly well. It’s a bit tight around the brim, and scratches behind the left ear. I’ve been assured it will fit better with wear. Stretch itself and mold to my skull, till I am unaware of its presence. Here’s hoping. I’m through Chapter 6. Still plugging. I’ve also managed to plot out the next four books of the series thematically. Book two has enough of a sketch to get to writing the outline as soon as one is out the door. Then there’s the YA series. Book one’s outline is midway. And it’s begging to be fleshed out and made real. Everything hinges on getting this cleaned up and fixed. So nothing for it but to keep pushing through, clinging to the assumption that this will get easier with practice.

In other, more crafty news… My stash, sadly, still resides in boxes in Florida. But I found a local yarn shop in Anacortes. Ana Cross Stitch. Lovely place. Friendly, helpful staff and a very pettable selection of yarns. M was sweet enough to let me drag him and the short people in there last weekend. I spent a good half hour wandering around drooling. Then finally settled on two skeins of Workhorse fave, Cascade 220. One in dark brown on in oatmeal. I’ve cast on a ribbed watch cap for M, going Dark, light dark wide stripes as he wanted “a halo” hat. Heh.

He might well deserve something of the sort since he’s gotten behind me on my yarn and fiber dyeing. I’m currently putting together a little business plan type thing. Costs etc. So we can look at me taking over part of the garage for a yarn dyeing business! I know…swoon!  More to come as the idea develops.

That’s pretty much the sentiment every day I wake now.  Discounting this morning as I hardly slept at all thanks to one restless short person. But generally speaking, I’m in love with this place, this house, the roses around the house that I keep discovering. My sudden and obsessive urge to garden (yes…I’ve already planted the flower seedlings and have the veggies happily sprouting away). The weather shift was impressive. Going from 90 degree days to 60 degree ones has made all the crew happier campers.

Now that we’ve somewhat settled, I’ve been digging back into book one. Apparently, people are ready to read this damned thing for me! Who knew??? Heh. You lovely people know who you are …and it’s coming soon. Promise. Mostly because I’m ready to be done. Book two’s notes have started streaming..and holy hell I can’t wait to start writing that sucker. So really, It’s incredibly good motivation.

The only thing I can even think to kvetch about …I packed all my yarn…and my needles…and my WIP’s. ALLLLLLLL of it! What in the heck was I thinking. I moved to absolutely perfect knitting weather. And I’ve got squat to do. Oh well. Boxes are streaming in slowly but surely. The stash will arrive soon, and I figure it will be like Christmas as I’ve forgotten half of what’s in there. (and no for you Ravelry.com folks) I’ve been avoiding pining over my stash on the site. It’s too sad.

But little to no writing.

M is gone. 9 days today, not that I’m counting or anything. I’ve spent a lot of time on ravelry.com . If you are a knitter, crocheter, spinner, weaver…hell nearly any kind of fiber artist, this is a place to visit. It’s an amazing resource for information, patterns, and community. I love it. If fiber floats your boat and you haven’t yet been there…Go. Now. Hurry.

I started a Knit Along project. My first sweater! Granted I’ve only made it to the first buttonhole, and became inexplicably stymied by the entire thing. I think I’ve just had a difficult few days. I’ll post pics as the thing progresses. I’m loving the yarn though, Cascade 220 Heathers in a gorgeous purple/black twist.

I’m also at the point of debating on the merits of a massive de-stash before moving. Keeping only those really precious yarns to move. Or just keeping it all. Its just yarn. Doesn’t weigh much right? RIGHT???

With the mail today came the package from my swap partner Kristi. She did a WOW job on the spoiling me!

A gorgeous skein of Cascade Heritage handpainted sock yarn. With an excellent first timers sock pattern.  Add to that coffee and some serious chocolate content and I think I’m good for a few overnighters on the book! I loved it all! Thanks Kristi and I hope you like mine when you get it.

I was rambling around Ravelry today, as has become my habit. Putting patterns to faves and drooling over yarns. When lo and behold as I was checking out someone’s destash page, I noticed their stash was in the high triple digits. I got curious and clicked on the tab. I swear the sucker took ten minutes to load in its entirety. Beautiful yarn too. No Joanns rehash here. But lovely natural fibers. Hand dyed. Sock yarns galore. I think this person must really have to rent a second residence for their stash. Either that, or they sleep in the basement while their stash abides above-ground in lovely, climate-controlled comfort.

The long and the short of this is I no longer feel the least bit guilty. In fact, I might be suffering from stash inadequacy syndrome. Indeed readers, I was assailed by a sudden, near violent need to visit my LYS…immediately….if not sooner. Yarn! Fiber! Arrrrr…..must….stash!

I started a new round of my Four Week Dream class last night. And  -wow- 8 people signed up. Twice what i had in the last group. I know it doesn’t sound like a crowd, but dreamwork is intense, intimate work so 8 is alot. They are a great group of women though. Open and ready for change. I’m excited to see what we move through in the next four weeks.

As always after teaching this kind of class, I got home last night energized, full of renewed purpose. And I have to say, the book idea that’s been attached to my dreamworking and teaching is in there. I think it’s done baking folks. Ready for me to work on it. And yet…I find that I’m berating myself for even considering starting another project when THE BOOK is still hovering incomplete. I read somewhere that writing a book was like a marriage. It required utter fidelity to be successful. So no matter the temptation to put a new idea on paper. To start those first lovely new paragraphs. Don’t. Stick with the current project till it’s done. Apparently… I have literary fidelity issues. So I’m wondering…does it require utter faithfulness? Or would I be better with more than one project going at any time, so if I’m stuck on one…I can move to the other. Back and forth, just as I do in all my other creative endeavors.

I rarely have fewer than three knitting projects on needles at any given time. And I pick them up according to mood. What do I feel like working with today? That’s how I do knitting. And I do it without any other thought than the joy of doing it. The love of being able to have a finished item that can be worn, used, and loved by someone…made by my hands. So Why  not take this approach with writing?? It’s something I’ve been pondering during this long nearly three year slog of trying to get my first novel done.

Speaking of knitting, I’ve had a brief note from my swap partner Kristie She’s enjoying her R & R, and I hope she has a fab time. I’m already gathering ideas for her box, but am looking forward to chatting more with her to get a feel for the kinds of things that will have her ooohing, aaahing and drooling when she opens her swap package. In that effort, I’m hoping to make a trip to my LYS this weekend. Now that I’m driving again this is within reach. And I’m plotting on taking the oldest. She’s already something of a mini yarn-a-holic. Apple…tree…all that.

Well, off to work on my market bag. I took a challenge on one of my Ravelry groups to get it off needles this week and time is ticking away. I’ll post pics once I get the replacement charger for my digital cam.

Cheers!

Ok…file this under the things no one warns you about when contemplating a hysterectomy. A thing we’ve come to term affectionately, if somewhat awe-stricken, swelly-belly. Yes. It is exactly what it sounds like. The entire belly area becomes this swollen, unnaturally hard thing. It’s similar to being in the last tri-mester. Ironic that. I found myself putting together snack plates for the short and demonic for dinner this evening, and as I turned, it rammed into the corner of the island. I stood, non-plussed for a few moments. M won’t come near the thing when it’s upon me. I think he fears I’m going to go all Alien on his ass, and explode in a pile of goo and shrieking worm-like creature.

And the hormonal fluxing….lovely. At least once a day I swear I must be going insane. Today is the three week mark, hopefully the ovaries will wake from their surgical “shock” soon and I can go back to my normal level of neuroses. A small example of this, M came in to check on me in my recovery pod (the usurped oldest daughter’s bedroom…chosen because it’s on the first floor of the house and stairs have not been my friend) and as he pulled back from the hug, I informed him rather solemnly that I no longer had a uterus. The dear boy looked pole-axed for a mo before nodding and saying yes….somewhat tentatively as if agreement might be the equivalent of pulling the emotional grenade pin. He then went on to do the man thing of trying to make it better. “this doesn’t change anything..yada yada..” I brilliantly tried to clarify this for him by asking how he’d like to have no balls, and how that would affect him. After another gobsmacked moment, he tried to choke out this was NOT quite the same thing. Sanity returned in time, and I saved him with another hug and shutting myself up.

This is proving to be a very odd process.

Good news. Yet another project off needles today. The cotton sundress for the youngest that has been looming over my head for a few months. She and the boy are both down with fevery colds, but hopefully she’ll be modeling with the hanna leggings and I can find my damned camera charger and get some shots.

Question: Is my uterine radar now utterly defunct via lack of uterus??? I’ll never find a thing if so…..

Part of the swapping process is allowing your partner to get to know you enough  that they can create a box of treasures you will adore. Knittymama has created a questionnaire to nudge us along. Here goes…

QUESTIONS
1. Whole bean or ground?

Whole Bean

2. Fully-loaded or decaf?

Loaded..caffeine is my friend

3. Regular or flavored?

Usually regular. I love the taste of good coffee, but I will indulge in flavored on occasion too.

4. How do you drink your coffee?

Depends..usually half and half and a touch of sweetness. The better the coffee, the less I need to add.

5. Favorite coffee ever?

I have to pick one?Heh..Really good italian or french roast done up in a french press. Or Some really amazing Organic Kona I had that I’ve never been able to remember the name of….

6. Are you fussy about your coffee or will any old bean do?

I’m pain in the tush fussy.

7. Favorite treats to have with your coffee?

Chocolate screams to be in first place. With the run of traditionals (biscotti, scones, etc) after.

8. Anything else about your coffee preferences?

I’m adventurous with my coffee…would love to try locally roasted, or exotic tastes.

9. Yarn/fiber you love?

I’m a natural fiber ho. Alpaca is a current fave, wool, angora, cashmere, silk, etc etc….

10. Yarn/fiber you hate?

Acrylic…ugh..I can take it in small doses mixed in with natural fibers, but on its own…that ugly squeaky feeling it creates as you knit it..I shudder just thinking of it.

11. What’s on your needles?

A wool/mohair hat, the pockets for my youngest’s cotton sundress, and a double stranded seed stitch scarf. Oh…and a wool bag for felting

12. Favorite colors?

Jewel tones -rich purples, blues, greens, black, and fire tones as well. Honestly…I can love any color given the right circumstances (ie fiber/project)

13. Allergies?

ummm…Penicillin?? None that affect my knitting or coffee drinking.

14. Anything you really love, really don’t like, or just need to get off your chest?

I really love the moment you start a new project, or finish one, or find that perfect yarn for one you’ve been dying to do. It’s like a treasure hunt. I love the idea of this swap. That I’ll get to meet and know people with the same likes, and exchange a hoarde-worthy box of stuff with someone somewhere on the globe that I otherwise might not have met.

I really don’t like the so called novelty yarns. The eyelash, fur varieties. The make me jumpy for some reason. Heh.

I think that covers it for now.