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Dear January,
Hurry up and end. The constant stream of soul-sucking bad news that has marked each of your weeks is getting really old. I'd like my life back, please.
Thanks,
Me
Dear Family and Friends,
Sorry I've been MIA. I'm here, and hoping to get back to normal very shortly.
I love my new cold weather accessories. They look great with my bright blue snowboarding jacket AND my black peacoat. If only it were cold here more often.....
Pattern: Cherry Garcia from hello yarn
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (in a colorway that I believe is Brillante...I lost the ball band. Again.)
Needles: US 11's
Pattern: Maine Morning Mitts, excerpted from the Knitter's Book of Yarn
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted
Needles: US 9's
Pattern: Generic hat, knit in the round, with a little ribbing, to fit my big head and down over my ears
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted
Needles: US 10's
All these quick knits were finished the first week of the new year, I've just been super lazy and haven't taken photos until now. I still have some of this gorgeous yarn left over, and am pondering another Calorimetry. I'm high off the Malabrigo fumes right now; not only did I crank out these three projects, I made B a hat in a more manly color, and I'm knitting a sweater for myself out of yet another colorway. Malabrigo is good. If I could just walk around wearing giant hanks of it instead of clothes, I probably would.
In other news, I think I'm busting out of the rut I've been in due to a big decision I've made. It's a very good thing. Stay tuned for more on that, as well as a resurrection/reincarnation of a failed FO.
I've knit not a stitch since last Thursday...nanny duty and my regular work day are kicking my butt. I've been unable to do anything other than read and fall asleep shortly after 9pm. I've gone through a stack of books, both new and some old favorites...I'm also not at all ashamed to admit I just completed my fourth re-read of the entire Twilight series. (Um, seriously? Fall 2008? Not cool.) Clearly, I'm a 15 year old girl at heart.
So. It's day 5 of 6 of Operation Nanny, and I'm about ready to lose what is left of my mind. I'm caring for two girls, a perfectly well behaved three year old, and a seven year old who begins every sentence with "Actually, you're wrong...", rails against everything I do, and refuses to listen to anything I say. Guess which one is driving me bonkers?
To top it all off, as a direct result of the kid watching, I seem to have come down with a terrible illness. It's a tragic epidemic that is sweeping the nation, preying on families everywhere, sneaking in an taking root before you even notice. You see, I'm suffering from an overdose...of Hannah Montana.*
Hannah is a powerful tool. For example, "no Hannah Montana until you finish dinner" makes the eldest child clean every last crumb off her plate. The words "I'll read you the next chapter in your Hannah Montana book" makes bedtime so much more pleasant, and "Hey, why don't you go put on your Hannah Montana wig and get your sparkly microphone and put on a show for us" immediately puts an end to any screaming fit about why we are not allowed to eat ice cream for breakfast. Hannah Montana is a dangerous drug, causing euphoria and memory loss in children everywhere.
Like all drugs, there are serious side effects for those not even under it's direct influence. Those at high-risk for CCHMP, or Close Contact Hannah Montana Poisoning, include parents, caretakers, and relatives of young girls who like to watch the Disney Channel. Symptoms of CCHMP include
*A sudden aversion to being near any electronic device with the capacity to play sound/video
*A fear of perky blonde women
*Nausea when confronted with all things pink and/or sparkly
*Extreme anger toward Billy Ray Cyrus, and this time, not for Achy Breaky Heart
*Sudden, unexplained knowledge of all the lyrics to some song called 'Best of Both Worlds"
If you display two or more of the symptoms listed, it is possible you have contracted HMP and you should immediately seek treatment. Treatment options include
*Applying a long, loud dose of non-Hannah music directly to your eardrums. I've helpfully linked to some examples and suggestions, but feel free to use whatever works best for you.
*Stay away from all entertainment television programs, websites, and pop radio stations where Hannah Montana may be mentioned. Watch only movies or shows you have seen before and know are free of anything that may cause an CCHMP flare up.
*In extreme cases, temporary removal of sparkly toy microphones and wigs may be necessary. If this is the case, seek assistance from another adult who can help you "accidentally" misplace these items until such a time you feel they are ready to be reintroduced.
Please be aware that your attempts to recover from CCHMP may cause side effects to any children involved. Examples include, but are not limited to, seven year old girls deciding that "London Calling" is their new favorite song, and three year olds air drumming to "Misty Mountain Hop."
*I will say that Hannah Montana is a damn sight better than listening to a seven year old sing "This is Why I'm Hot" on the way home from school. Seriously? She's SEVEN. How the hell does she know that song, I know it didn't come from her parents....what are they teaching those whippersnappers in school these days??
Post holiday ennui, blog and life in general, is in full effect. Pardon my absence. I'm here, I'm still knitting, I actually have a total of four FO's for 2008 already, lined up and eagerly awaiting their photo shoots. I'm eagerly awaiting a lightning bolt of motivation to do something, anything other than sleep, eat, work, repeat.
I'm feeling this inexplicable void right now...I'm not unhappy, I'm not depressed...I'm just...for lack of a better term, utterly and completely BORED. Bored out of my skull. I need to shake things up a bit, in a healthy, positive way, of course. Any suggestions? Should I take up gator hunting? Hang gliding? I'm in a complete rut. I've tried everything I know to shake myself awake, but feel like I'm kind of sleepwalking through my life right now. I told B today I want to move, completely out of our comfort zone, just pack up and go, which has always given me a shot of adrenaline in the past. Pack a bag and head to Alaska. Hop on a plane to somewhere with some snow. Grab a suitcase and jump in the car, ending up wherever. Stupid adulthood, why can't I just pack up and move anymore? Sigh.
In further non-uplifting news, I got word that one of my animal buddies is seriously ill and he may not make it. Matteo, I'm thinking of you, and hoping you pull through this. You'll always be my favorite horse in the world.
Wow. I'm just a beam of stinkin' sunshine today, huh? Sorry y'all. Help a girl out and leave me a funny comment/joke or something. I could use a giggle or two.
