Ms. Knit Sox: Executing Stitches, One Stitch at a Time...

Wow, it's been a minute...

...since I've last blogged.  But, quite honestly, sometimes I'm just not in the creative mood I have to be in to write a post.  Just a quick update for now.  It's official, I haven't been in my book club for months.  I decided it was for the best for me.  I don't want to feel like I "have" to read something.  And, I'm now reading "War and Peace" so that takes up all my free reading time.  As far as knitting, I finally frogged all projects that I had lost interest in and knew I'd never finish.  A huge weight was lifted.  I have only two projects on my needles and it feels great.  I may add a third soon, but that is TBD.  I know there has been plenty of activity going on since I last blogged, but it's mostly old news by now, so I will attempt to start fresh.  Who knows, maybe I'll feel like blogging more regularly again!  Only time will tell!

 

Welcome 2010...

Hello y'all!  Just a quick post to let everyone know I'm still around.  Although, I'm not sure how many really look over here anymore, lol.  I mean, it's not like I post on any kind of regular basis.  I seem to get distracted by other things. 

I'm not planning to take down the blog just yet, but I'm also not resolving to post on a more frequent basis.  It's just not realistic for me.  I'll try to pop in over here when I feel like there is something I want to share.  I've found that I really do struggle with keeping up with everything I want to keep up with.  Who doesn't?  I make choices every day about how I want to spend my time.  There will be some changes in 2010 because I need a better balance.  I sort of lost track of a few things, but feel ready to get back on track.  And, discipline, my friends, is how it's done.  That's a new motto of mine for 2010.  Oh sure, I'll probably still fall into old habits, but I really am striving to make a few changes.  I need to exercise more often.  I need to find more time for knitting.  And, reading books.   And...well, it goes on and on. 

Knitting update:  I need to frog several items I know I will not finish.  I am progressing nicely on my CPH, but probably need some guidance putting the pieces together.  I want to finish that in the next few months.  I have a pair of Monkey socks I want to finish before the Spring Fling (which I'm super excited I got selected to attend again this year!  Woot!!).  I have one other pair of socks that I definitely want to finish, but otherwise, I want to start fresh.  Yes, again.  LOL

Reading update:  I'll still continue to update the sidebar of the blog with my book club selections & what else I'm reading.  I've missed several book clubs this past year, so some of the books I have't read.  I'd like to say I'll go back & read them, but at this point, I'm not sure that is realistic.  I almost considered giving the book club up.  I say that because I'm still very much interested in studying Russian literature.  Dostoevsky specifically at the moment.  I've made purchases of his notebooks for the major works, his letters and the Joseph Frank series.  It will take me years to study the literature the way I want to study it.  I plan to move on to other authors such as Tolstoy, Gogol, Pushkin, etc. 

There is plenty more I have on my mind, but I'll close for now.  Happy New Year to all!  *hugs* :)

Ready for Rhinebeck...

This will be my first year going to Rhinebeck .  I'm very much looking forward to spending time hanging out with some great friends.  And, getting away for a long weekend.  It's just what I need. 

Not much to report at the moment, but I should have something after my trip.  Carry on for now... : )

Coming soon: An Actual Knitting Update...

Please don't have a heart attack, y'all.  I know it's shocking - especially since I don't update the blog frequently these days.  But, I have actually been working on something that I had put away for quite sometime.  And, I'm very much enjoying working on it.  I'll share actual pictures once I finish it - which I hope will be within the next few weeks. 

Anyway, carry along.  Nothing much else to report.  Still plugging away at the Dostoevsky study.  I'm reading short stories at this time.  I did buy more of his notebooks - which, I think, will be a fascinating addition to this little journey I'm going on...

So here's where I'm at...

I'm spending more time reading/studying.  Each day during part of my lunch hour, I'm walking over to the library to enjoy my reading time in a neutral environment where I can just enjoy the moment.  I'm in a place where I can really get back into my study of Dostoevsky.  As I've said before, I'm not sure where this journey is taking me, but I write down my thoughts as well as notes so that I can reflect upon them at my leisure.  I'm on book three of five in the biography/social-cultural study of Dostoevsky.  My plan all along was to periodically stop reading the book as I came to each new book or short story of Dostoevsky so that I could really use it as a study tool to gain a better understanding of his works.  Because, believe me, without reading some background material, I would not fully appreciate what the works contain.  There is so much of the times reflected in his works and without studying the times, I would not "get" the fuller meaning.  This study has become a passion for me.  I believe some of it has to do with my interest in human psychology.  I've come to realize (or maybe I've really known all along) that when something fascinates me to this level, it all comes back to psychology.  That's where my interest in reading true crime books by Ann Rule came from (I also have a side interest in trial law - something that has been with me since college.  I had contemplated law school, but in the end did not pursue that avenue).  The subject seems to give me endless things to think about.  Sometimes I can't always put into words what I am thinking or feeling, but that's okay.  I continue to learn and grow as an individual.  And, that, is exactly what I need. 

So, the plan for the indefinite future, is to play catch up on the short stories and novels I've skipped over.  I got a little side tracked with reading Tolstoy, but I think that had something to do with the fact that it was eating away at me that I had not read any of his works.  Other Russian authors can be next on my list.  I've already purchased many of the books for my collection.  I need to stay focused.  Here is my list:

1846	Mr. Prokharchin	short story
1847	Novel in Nine Letters	short story
1847	The Landlady (also called The Stranger-Woman)	short story
1848	The Jealous Husband (also called Under the Bed and Another Man's Wife)	short story
1848	A Faint Heart (also called A Weak Heart)	short story
1848	Polzunkov	short story
1848	Out of the Service	?
1848	The Honest Thief	short story
1848	The Christmas Tree and a Wedding (also called The Fir Tree and a Wedding)	short story
1848	White Nights (also called Bright Nights)	short story
1849	Netochka Nezvanovna	medium novel
1849	The Little Hero	short story
1859	The Uncle's Dream	short novel
1859	The Village of Stepanchikovo (also called The Friend of the Family)	medium novel

The only one I cannot read is "Out of the Service."  I can't find it in print and I'd have to refer to one of the previous volumes to be reminded of the details of its original publication. After I finish this list, I will be where I have left off in the third volume - ready to start "The Insulted and the Injured."  I'm really looking forward to this journey as it has been rewarding thus far. 

Aside from that, I do want to find more time for knitting.  I have not had the time for that either in the past several months and I'd really like to start fresh by getting rid of old projects I'll never finish and start anew.  I think this is the best for me. 

And, that, my friends, is where I'm at...

P.S.  I forgot to mention I'm also reading selected letters written by Dostoevsky.  There are volumes with all his letters, but I haven't purchased them at this time.  I'm in the process of playing catch up here too.   : )

I do still knit, lol...

I have finally gotten back to knitting.  A slow start, but have missed it nonetheless.  I am working on the sock I started at the Spring Fling.  And, yes, that was back in April.  Currently, I'm about 20 rounds on a twin rib pattern, but may end up frogging it and just doing a plain vanilla sock pattern - thinking it might be better for this yarn.  I needed to do about 10-20 rounds to see how it was shaping up to really get a better feel for what I thought.  I forgot to take a photo, but may edit this post at some point to include a photo. 

The other projects I have started, may end up getting frogged too.  I feel the need to start fresh.  There are only 2 other socks that need mates that I really care about.  The rest, not so jazzed about anymore.  Since I haven't bound off on them, it might be refreshing to frog them. 

I also started a destash.  So far, it has went well, but I feel as if I haven't even made a dent in my yarn stash.  I need to reduce the amount of stuff in my life and have decided yarn is one of those things.  The size of the stash scares me.  At the pace in which I knit, I know it would be happier in other homes.  Oh, never fear, I will keep a sizeable portion of it, but definitely want to reduce the clutter in my life, lol.

Soon, I hope to write another post.  This time devoted to productive thoughts...as it relates to my reading adventures and my life in general.  Stay tuned...

Take care all.  Be back when the words are flowing... : )

As jm would say, "Let's Get This"...

So, I'm finally getting around to posting what I feel is a very important blog entry.  Oh, some of it was just plain fun, but there is a part of it that is for a bigger, more important cause - something that means a great deal to me.  And, it's called Let's Get This Foundation (LGT Fdn).  

As you know, I was, am and always be a NKOTB fan.  Not everyone gets this.  And, that's okay.  I'm sure there are things that I don't "get" either.  But, I digress...

In recent months, one of the members of this group, Joey McIntyre started a foundation in order to "give back."  The hope is that we can all learn and get involved together.  Step 1:  a summer book drive - collecting childrens books.  Everyone who reads my blog will know that, while it started out as a way for my friends and family to see my knitting related projects, it has become so much more.  And, a very big part of it has been my passion for reading.  You may recall this blog entry...Reading is to the mind...  in which I discussed how reading books is a big part of who I am.  

He opened up a contest for people to enter a 100 word essay to say why they should be selected to be a volunteer at one of the concerts.  And, this is what I wrote:

Why I want to be a part of the book drive:

Reading is a big part of who I am today.  I'm thankful everyday that I learned to appreciate a good book at a young age.  A good book will take you places you never dreamed of going.  By starting to read quality books at a young age it will help develop important skills children need in order to lead future generations.  
 
A quote I have for my blog is "Never discourage anyone...who continually makes progress, no matter how slow." -Plato. 
 
I believe what the Let's Get This Foundation is doing applies here because we will make forward progress together.  
 

Thank you for time and consideration.
 

Well, a few weeks later, people were starting to get notified that they had been selected.  So, I thought, okay, maybe I'll go check my email.  Imagine the surprise and jubilation I felt when I saw this in my email in box:

We want you to volunteer in Washington, DC!‏

From:

Joe McIntyre

I felt so honored.  Out of thousands who entered, only around 10 per city were being chosen.  My passion for reading and this great cause was evident in what I had written.  Go me!  : )  However, I ended up being able to change my city to Virginia Beach (remember I did a mini tour).  I was doing the 5* meet and greet VIP experience in DC, so there was a conflict, but asked if I could do the Virginia Beach location instead and there was an opening. 

That night was a night to remember.  We met at the will call at 4:30 p.m. per the instructions, waited about an hour or so and as "Joe's guests" were escorted to meet him for the briefing.  He was so gracious and appreciative of us.  He asked each of us our names, gave us hugs and asked if we thought we could handle setting up the easels, lol.  We said, "of course!"  And, one thing that I chuckled at, but absolutely loved, was the meticulous way Joe was counting out the download cards (if you donated a book, you get a free download for his song, "Five Brothers and a Million Sisters)."  Maybe it was the accountant in me and his attention to detail that struck such a cord with me.  Hee, hee.  Then, he was like, oh, let's take a picture.  And, here is the result (they did another one - a "switch out" so different ladies could be by Joe - I was one of them in that photo):

 

And, here is a picture of me at the volunteer station:

 

And, then we were off to set up.  Well, most of you know the rain that a good portion of this country has been having this summer.  Well, the sky decided to open up in Virginia Beach that night (a "monsoon" as Jonathan Knight called it - lol, love ya Jon).  Fortunately, it was right after the venue staff provided a tent for us to stand under.  All of us were so thankful for that tent.  Otherwise, we would have been drenched.  But, of course, it would have been worth it because we were there for a bigger cause...  This group of ladies quickly bonded.  And, now we're keeping in touch via social networking on a daily basis.  We want to be able to reunite and do a show together.  Maybe go on the cruise together (yes, there will be another NKOTB cruise and you can bet I'm gonna be on that boat!  Some of my best local girls and I are already planning for it - see how many wonderful people I have in my life because of these guys?  It's kind of like that special group of knitters that I've met through Ravelry and The Loopy Ewe - friendships that warm my heart.  Priceless...)

So there you have it- my wonderful experience as a LGT Fdn volunteer.  I look forward to the things that come with this organization.  This is only the beginning and I know I want to be a part of it as it grows.  As we learn from each other - "Helping the World, Step by Step."

 

One of these days I'll get back to semi-regular blogging...

Hello all!  Just a quick one for now to let y'all know I'm still around.  It seems like I haven't been able to sit down to write out a proper blog entry in a while.  Work is starting to get busy.  In fact, I know it's going to be a crazy summer - a lot of new things going on around here.  But, as long as I pace myself, I'll be just fine.  : )

Most of you probably know I also just recently got back from what my friends and I are calling our "mini concert tour."  We hit 3 cities back to back (I also look forward to my July 3 concert - because I get to attend with one of my best high school friends and see my family this summer).  That will have to be one of my proper blog updates - what a fun time!  I also want to write up a separate entry (I do have a draft for this entry, just need to make edits) about volunteering for the Let's Get This Foundation - because that cause is something very special in and of itself - and so near & dear to my heart.  

And, pretty much zero knitting has been going on.  And, it's starting to make me sad.  I miss it, yet really haven't had the energy to devote to it like I want to.  In my "free" time (when I'm not trying to get properly rested), I've been mostly reading books - because as you all know, that is a part of me that needs to be fed on a regular basis.  I still have about 75 pages in my book club book which meets Thursday.  This book is graphic and I can only read it at certain times of the day.  I also have greatly missed reading "Anna Karenina" so I am making time for that book as well.  I really, really miss my study of Dostoevsky too.  Not to mention the hundreds of other books on my list.  I am once again realizing that I have many, many interests - and only so much time in any given day.  I have to choose what feels right in the moment and just go with it.  I will find my way back to the knitting - when the time is right.  And, I have to let go of the guilt - because that will only bring me down and I don't have room in my life for negative energy!  Focus on the positive!!

With that, I'll close for now.  Have a great day all!  : )

Counting My Blessings...

Yesterday, I got a little upset because I thought my computer had officially "died" before I had a chance to finish backing up all the data I wanted to have saved.  And, then after about an hour or two, I realized that was silly.  The calm took over and I called tech support to see if there was something that could be done.  Low and behold, they were able to walk me through some steps and everything came back up.  Someone must have been watching over me.  I now know that I must make it a priority to get an external hard drive (or maybe several thumb drives would suffice) and back up that data ASAP.  So, if the computer does fail in the near future, I'll be ready. 

But, that really isn't the point.  In the grand scheme of this thing called life, things like that seem so trivial when you get down to it.  Instead, I will focus on what I do have.  I am blessed in so many ways.  I am in good health, have a roof over my head, the security of a good job, wonderful friends and a loving family, even if most of them are in Kansas and I'm here in Virginia. 

And on the subject of friendship?  I have always commented on how fortunate I feel to be a part of a wonderful knitting community.  I have met some of the most amazing people through this hobby of mine and some of the most genuinely caring individuals I have ever known.  We can share anything and everything.  We do what we can for others.  And, that, my friends is truly special. 

Also, over the course of the last year, I have made new friendships with a great group of women who share in my love for NK.  This friendship has grown into the type of friendship I have with my knitting community.  Sure, we have a common interest, but we are also there for each other during good times and not so good times.  Laugh, cry, we do it all.  We were even talking last night about doing a one year anniversary girls weekend.  I feel fortunate that these women have come into my life.  I believe things happen for a reason.  Again, that is truly special. 

Think about all that you have and feel blessed each and every day.  I know I do...

And, as I go into a welcome long weekend due to the Memorial Day holiday, I think about the true meaning of that day.  The U.S. men and women who lost their lives serving our country in military service...

Take care, my friends... : )

"Call It What You Want..."

Well, I'm back from my whirlwind trip to NYC.  And, yes, I had a fabulous time!  My friend Juli and I drove up Thursday evening (we had a slight detour, but we won't speak of that, lol) because we planned to attend the Toyota Concert Series on TODAY on Friday morning.  Yes, some of you might have guessed it, NKOTB was performing and we wanted to attend.  We definitely weren't planning on a weeklong urban camping experience, so leaving Thursday worked well for us.  Although, I actually did stay up for over 36 hours, but that was not intentional I assure you.  Since we got there a little later than planned, I would guess we parked ourselves in line about 11 p.m.  But, we did have a hotel reservation, so I told Juli she should go rest since she drove and had been up late a lot during the week (I had rested up for this little adventure - hee, hee).  Fortunately, I did have time to go back to shower, freshen up and change into a new outfit.  : )  They moved us over from the general line to the fan pass line around 4 a.m. and we were there for a few more hours until they let us into the "pen" for soundcheck.  It was very crowded as expected, but that did not keep us from having a great time!  The guys performed three songs, which you can see here if you so choose (I know most of my loyal blog readers are not into the NKOTB thing, but it's a part of me and so I'm sharing! - hopefully those links work!):

Hangin' Tough

Dirty Dancing 

Call It What You Want 

They looked and sounded great!  I didn't take a lot of pictures - but Juli did - and we've also seen some of the others that people have posted.  Pretty cool.  : )  But, I'll post a few just for fun. 

 

 

 

(photo credit: ktsummer)

We also had several laughs about things that would probably only be funny to us and what was going on at the time, so I'll spare you the details here.  Suffice it to say, it was a fun travel experience and I look forward to more road trips in the future, lol. 

And, I can't wait until the "Full Service" Summer Tour kicks off.  You know I'm going to be there!!  I'll be doing two VIP shows (Washington, DC and Wichita, KS) and also hitting up Virginia Beach, VA and maybe Camden, NJ.  It will be very special because I'll get to share it with the great group of ladies I've met and bonded with for these concerts.  We can talk about so many other things besides our love of the guys.  It's pretty special to be able to share the memories with them... And, of course, the Wichita, KS show will be special because that is where it all started for me back in the day.  I'll be attending that show with one of my best girlfriends from high school.   We saw them together in 1990 and had seats way far away.  Now, to be able to have awesome seats and to meet the guys together, well, that's what it's all about - coming full circle.  I've been fortunate enough to have already done the meet and greets, but K has not - so I'm going to do my best to make it as special as I can for her.  Never in a million years would I have thought we would have been able to do this together, but we are and well, it's just so surreal...but pretty damn cool... : )