KnitCrit

Resolutions?

It's that time of year when all most of my thoughts turn to the new year and the opportunity necessity to determine what resolutions to make. 

Why do I do this to myself?  Why not just let the new year begin peacefully and happily; gliding into it with a sense of newness?  Just like that feeling I experience when I purchase new yarn for a project.  Come to think of it, that's it!  That's the feeling that I should bask in and relish, without any pressure.

But, wait a minute.  If it's like the purchase of new yarn, then what about the part when I buy the yarn and then feel some commitment toward starting and completing the project?  I purchase the yarn with enthusiasm toward the FO, right? 

More relevancy here: I finish the project because I have finished other projects and reflect on the wonderful feeling associated with completing those.  Just like achieving a resolution.  Sixteen years ago, I quit smoking as a new year's resolution.  It was cold turkey and after many years of struggling with quitting, I stopped on January 2nd and have never since taken so little as a single drag off of a cigarette.   All these years later, I just feel so good when I think about that accomplishment. 

Okay, so that was just one resolution amongst the decades' worth of others that haven't been so successful.  But, damn it felt good.  My knitted FO's look good, too, despite there being several UFOs in bags, dispersed here and there throughout the guest bedroom.

Actually, when I sat down to write this post, this was not the direction I was headed.  Yet, there really is a correlation here. 

It may be during the day on January 1, 2008 that I finally decide what my new years' resolution for 2008 will be.  I have to lose some weight.  I need to increase my exercise weekly, particularly the miles on the bike.  Since I am starting a new job, it presents the perfect opportunity for a new routine, one that is less stressful and more peaceful.  Or, perhaps I should strive to spend less money on yarn; maybe more time reading; blog more often; possibly save more money for retirement.

No matter what I do, it will come to me in the same way that a yarn purchase ultimately occurs.  It may be random or it may come with a complete, detailed plan.  No matter, it will come and I will hope that my resolution for 2008 is just like a beautiful FO that I can post about and be proud about for many years to come.  If not, it'll go in the UFO bag to be achieved...later.

Happy New Year!

'Tis the Season for Thankfulness

"This skein of yarn is a little bit like life," she wrote.

"...knots in it, places are weak, places much too energized."

" I wanted to make you a beautiful gift to cheer you up..."

Thank you, Rebecca, aka Fiber.

My career dilemma has been solved.  I have accepted a position with an organization that provides scholarships to children of people in the military.  I am happy, and very thankful, that the "acrylic" period is over.  It can now be replaced with lovely handspun yarn in yellow, my favorite color, from and by Rebecca, an SSKer.

3+ years ago, I wanted to meet fellow knitters.  Not finding a group close-by, I started my own - SSK, Silver Spring Knitters.  The first meeting was at a Starbucks, a location that was riddled by horrid parking, poor lighting, no real food and most importantly, no wine.  We moved to Adega.  Soon, they came, lots of them.  We changed to every Tuesday, not just two Tuesdays a month. 

Through all of the changes, the "usuals" developed.  There has been some transformation as a couple have moved away and new friends have come with regularity.  Yes, they are friends, the most extraordinary of friends; those "usuals" who have taken up a very special part of my life, of my heart.  Some know my deepest feelings and me theirs.  Others have listened as I have shared my darkest secrets and I have listened to them, too.  We come from everywhere, and every conceivable background.  The only similarity among us that I have noticed, beyond our passion for knitting, is our politics - of the blue state variety. 

There are not enough words to describe the love and thankfulness I have for these women and men, with whom I share every Tuesday night of my life.  I can only hope that it is for a lifetime.