Well, they’re done. Over on Rav, I joined a Knit-A-Long back in…oh, December. Starting in January. I had until March to finish them – it was the sock of the first quarter. January, February, March came and went. Others posted beautiful, complete socks. Frankly, I knit on these once a week for a couple of hours…that was about the size of it. Not really feeling like knitting. Finally, though – they’re DONE. And I love them. But – I think that overwhelming need to knit socks has passed.

Now what?

Yarn: Socks That Rock Lightweight in Tide Pooling from Rockin Sock Club 2008
Pattern: Leyburn Socks
Needles: US 1.5
Started: 7 January 2009
Finished: 21 April 2009

Notes:
My normal number of stitches to cast on is around 64 – but the consensus was that the floats make these tight. So, I cast on the specified 72 sts. They are looser than my usual sock, but not really big by any means. I also did these cuff down – my personal preference. The pattern was technically reversed because I didn’t change it from the toe-up version. I mean, really, they’re socks. I did adjust the pattern down to 64 sts for the foot – it was pretty easy to reduce the pattern gradually at the gusset to accomplish this.

It’s too bad it’s now 90 degrees out – these have already gone into my drawer, ready for Fall!

I’ve had a rough week health-wise, so food and deep thoughts haven’t been high on my list. I haven’t been a total sloth, however, so I thought this would be a good time to get to cataloging some of what I HAVE been up to.

Awhile back, I finished this sweater for Alex. It took awhile to make its way to Canada, but it is now keeping this lil’ munchkin warm…at least until his next growth spurt.

Awwwww…..

I’ve also sewn a couple of Amy Butler Laptop Covers (if anyone wants to attempt this one, let me know and I’ll pass on my substantial lessons learned – what a nightmare), and spent two Saturdays making this:

Truly, the most fantabulous, perfect work bag ever. It fits my heels, my lunch, assorted purse necessities, a water bottle – all with room to spare, and organized into neat little compartments. I think I may have finally found something to get me over my 1154 Lill “problem.” I will definitely be making another one of these when this wears out.

Or, to go with everything I own.

And, finally, after much ado, we spent the majority of last weekend preparing and executing the compete gutting and reorganizing of our closet. It was worth every penny. And I got to merrily organize J’s shirt collection (he has FIFTY) into color groups, which made me so happy. We’ll see how long that lasts. Curious about the end result? Have a look.

Now, I’m going to go see about having my gut ripped out and replaced. Can they do that? Ug.

There are a few people doing this one now, and I, too, LOVE it. So, I’m not doing resolutions this year, I’m moving to a theme: Health. The magic word.

I envision this as a tree. You start with the trunk, and Health pertains to so many things – branches. Physical. Environmental. Mental. Emotional. The more shiny, green leaves you have on your branches, the healthier your tree is. And everyone’s definition of those categories of health is slightly different.

With my randomness of unresolved health issues in the past few months (another doctor – gastroenterologist – on Tuesday), I am newly reminded of how we only get one body, and we’d better take care of it. For me, I also don’t like the thought of pumping medication into it constantly. So, we’ll see what the doctor says….if it’s you have this (goal) and so let’s manage it with this and this and this (red alert), we have a problem. Holistic approaches in my future? A nutritionist if it’s IBS? Very possibly. Nothing crazy – if we’re talking life threatening or something that needs to be physically repaired, we’ll do that.

There’s forgiveness. Somewhere around the cruise last May I decided that there was no real point in my weighing 125 lbs anymore. We’re not going all willy nilly here – there’s still some holiday pounds I want to lose – but I’m more interested in how I FEEL. Skinnier is not better. More toned is. So, my dieting is back on – but so is Pilates and walking at the gym, because (despite my complaining), it makes me feel good….physically and mentally. Healthy.

The environment. I think at this point you’d have to have been living in a cave to not be observing the societal press for “green.” I’ve carried reusable shopping bags for a few years now, and the plastic bags we do get are recycled for kitty and doggie “goodness.” I drive a small, efficient car and have no plans on anything much bigger. We recycle bottles, cans, paper…anything we can. How to take it further within my current constraints? As much as I’d like to, I can’t move to the city to be able to walk more and use public transit! But I CAN make a large reduction in the material goods I do have and don’t use, and from there, resolve to use and buy less. I’m not going to be buying whole chickens, cutting them up, and using every last bit anytime soon – but it’s the baby steps. And from there, organizing what I DO have to make it more efficient to use. An added bonus? Buying less means saving more – so I may even get a little more financial health out of the deal.

All of these things tie into my emotional health as well – physically well, surrounded by a healthy environment equals a big part of that. And then there are my relationships – the other part of my emotional health. There is always work to be done. Relationships to nurture, dead wood to cut away, adjustments to priorities in those relationships. At work, at home. Further, on some level, I still view myself as the hapless, friendless, dork of a 10 year old who could still never do anything good enough to please her tough parents. Over New Year’s, my father – the withholder of all praise – said he was proud of me. My mother has said similar things recently. That’s been so healing. And – get this – Facebook. I joined, never thinking it would be anything huge. I have 221 friends.

OK – I’m not trying to play Miss Popularity here, but the point is that it drove home for me that I’m not friendless. And likely, not a dork. Every single person on that list is someone I know, that I wouldn’t mind having a coffee with if I had the chance. Touchpoints of a 31 (almost 32) year history. I can travel to most places in this country (and some in OTHER countries) and know someone there – someone I’d love to catch up with. That’s an amazing thing, and I’m blessed to be able to say that. That realization is a path to improving my emotional health, for sure.

So – this will prove to be an interesting little adventure for 2009. I’m looking forward to it.

And – because I’m too lazy for a second post – a little New Year’s knitting FO:

Pattern: Confection Baby Shrug (rav link)
Size: 12 month
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in Red
Needles: US 8 (5.0mm)
Started: 25 December 2008
Finished: 1 January 2009
Notes:
I am ALWAYS looking for an excuse to use this yarn. Soft! Luscious! Washable! I officially accept the fact that, if necessary, I would knit with nothing but this yarn (all weights are acceptable) and Socks That Rock for the rest of my life. Maybe I should knit a sweater for myself. Hmmm.

Anyway, this sweet little shrug is for Monika‘s little boy Alex. He apparently has a little fleecy, warm bag-thing to sleep in that hangs over his shoulders, but has no sleeves. Can you imagine? As newly-minted Canadian residents, this is simply not acceptable. It’s darn cold up there. So, I’m hoping this will keep him warm and snuggly through the rest of the winter.

The only modifications I did to this were to remove the eyelet detail (too girly) and to make the sleeves a smidge long to cover his hands, if needed. It’s just the cutest fast knit. I frankly want one for me.

Happy One Week Into the New Year! It’s a good thing “Timely” is not my word for this year…