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

Deep Thoughts by MsKnitSox...

Okay, not really.  LOL.  One thing I have reminded myself of is the need to schedule more quiet time in my life.  Why?  I need more quiet time than the average person.  It's the way I'm wired and I've come to accept it.  But, sometimes I don't do a good job of remembering that's what I need in my life. Therefore, adding unnecessary stress to my life. 

So, what does this mean?  It means:   Unplugging from the internet.  Turning the ringer off.  Making time just for me.  So that's what I'm trying to do now over this long weekend.  And, so far I've created a better balance.  I've watched a few movies (oh, I might have also went to the new Bond movie with a special friend - non-me time, but wonderful nonetheless), finished my lace scarf (yes, I blocked it and wove in the ends!), allowed extra time to read my book and just allowed myself more rest in general. The headache I've had for days is finally gone.   I feel more at peace now.  Do I have things I probably need to be doing?  Sure, but none are pressing and the me time is what's most important now.  I'll tend to those other things in time and all will be right in my world.  : )

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday (if you celebrate it).  I know I feel truly blessed by the family and friends I have in my life.  Thank you for your part in making my world a special place to be in...

In closing, I'll leave you with this:

"Whenever I need to "get away,'' I just get away in my mind. I go to my imaginary spot, where the beach is perfect and the water is perfect and the weather is perfect. The only bad thing there are the flies. They're terrible!"
--  Jack Handey [Deep Thoughts]

Chuck, you sly dog...

LOL. I don't know why that line from Peppermint Patty cracks me up so much, but it does.

Watching the Peanuts specials has been tradition with me ever since I was a child. I have fond memories of watching them with my family. And laughing. Such innocent fun. And, today, I continue to watch them as an adult. I never miss them. Sure, I can buy the DVD's and watch them whenever I want. But, for me, it's all about tradition. And, tradition means watching them when they air on television. They still bring so much joy to my world. How could they not? : )

And, who remembers those great Dolly Madison commercials when watching the Peanuts specials in the late 70's/early 80's? I miss them. Enter modern friend (or perhaps foe), YouTube. Hee, hee (that's my imitation of Snoopy's laugh - oh how I love that silly laugh - it brings a smile to my face every time). Why yes, I am self entertaining. And, I wouldn't have it any other way. : )

La Mer. Charles Trénet

Today, I watched The Diving Bell and The Butterfly.  We read the book a while back for my book club and I had wanted to watch it on film.  Equally as powerful and I experienced a wide range of emotion today as a result.  I recommend it if you get the opportunity.  And, hearing La Mer...such a beautiful song.  Instant calm for me.  Yet makes me miss the French countryside and, of course, Paris.  My happy place...

Oh, I forgot to mention...

Didn't expect such "frequent" blog posts from me did you?! lol.  I am quite excited that British historian Alison Weir has rescheduled an event she had to cancel earlier this year through Smithsonian Resident Associate Program.  And, now it's an all day event to discuss Elizabeth I and Katherine Swyford as opposed to an evening event discussing Elizabeth I as was originally scheduled.  I am thrilled  that I will be in attendance.  : )

Really just a matter of time...

Yup.  I caved and had to start Poor Folk.  I couldn't help myself.  I missed "studying" Dostoevsky too much.  I think it's the psychological aspects of his writing that draws me in.  And, it's been months since I've read any of his work.  And, I might have just placed an order on Amazon for more books.  I couldn't sleep last night (but did not time it right for the 3 a.m. time frame for the Wollmeise update - remind me to post pictures of my acquisition from the last update - yum!!) and starting reasearching all the early works that I don't already have in my collection.  I've found all of them except "Out of the Service" which was written in 1848.  No amount of Google searching has helped me find it.  So, once I receive my order, I'll have his complete works.  So, I'll be making time in my schedule to absorb it all at a leisurely pace.  And, will make time to start looking for his complete letters.  I had originally planned to start Tolstoy in 2009, but well, that's just not going to happen any time soon.   

I don't know how I'm going to schedule time for all the things I love doing, lol.  I want to spend more time knitting as well.  Knitting time has been severely lacking and I miss it too.  And, how will I ever keep up on my book club selections?  I guess it will just be a matter of deciding what is most important to me.  I have thought about giving up the book club because I'd rather spend my reading time with my own choices.  However, I'd probably miss the social interaction and being exposed to books I might not have otherwise chose to read.  As always, so much I want to do, so little time... sigh

That is all..for now...

Blogging? What's that, lol...

 So, it's been months,yes, months since I've blogged.  Have I had blog worthy material?  Yes.  Have I had the time to blog?  Probably.  Have I had the energy to blog?  Not really.  Did I make the time to blog?  Obviously not.

For me to compose a blog post, I have to be in a certain frame of mind and have a certain amount of energy to make it flow the way I want to.  Plurk is so much easier for me.  Can I get behind on Plurks?  Sure I can - but the cool thing is I can just pick up where I am and go from there.  If I have time, I can go back and read what I missed, but if not, no big deal.  Haven't made a decision if it's time to hang up my cleats so to speak on the blogging thing.  I love the idea of having this blog - it's just not always practical for me to blog regularly.  There are so many things out there to "keep up" on - and sometimes, quiet frankly, it's overwhelming and I'd just assume not have that stress in my life.  Do I still read other blogs?  Yes - when I have time.  But, I rarely leave comments anymore.  But, it doesn't mean I don't still enjoy reading all ya'lls blogs - I do.  Just want you to know that.  : )

On the knitting front - well, let's just say my progress has not been as far along as I would like for one reason or another.  But, hope that will be on track soon.  I have finished a few more pairs of socks and am FINALLY almost finished with an easy lace scarf I just let sit for nearly 2 years - I'll try to post photos when I can.  Gotta take photos first, lol. 

On the book front, I have too many books in progress - Elizabeth I and Huck Finn - since I didn't finish it before book club and want to check it off the list.   But, I'm itching, itching I tell ya to get back to the Russian lit.  I miss it so much - so I'll likely be starting Book 3 of the Dostoevsky bio/literary commentary series very soon.  Or, starting "Poor Folk" since I've read his life history through some of the early books.  I need what I call "deep thought" books right now to feed that part of me that needs it to feed my soul so to speak.

And, I've also had some fun things/events going on as well.  I had a fabulous trip to NYC to visit two of my best knitting friends for a yarn crawl and just a general good time full of laughs.  Miss you Karen and  Denise - glad we still have Plurk.  : )

Got to see  Chef Duff at the Corcoran.  I love his show - and he's just as hilarious in person as he is on the show.  Got front row center seats - and had the opportunity to briefly meet him.  Great experience.

And, of course, I've been fortunate enough to meet "my guys" from back in the day.  I've greatly enjoyed reconnecting with old friends who shared the NKOTB love when we were teens and making great new friends to share the experience with.  I met them when they came to DC for a concert.  Took in a show in Dallas with one of my new friends.  And, just this past weekend, took in a 3rd show in AC.  I'll take away many special memories with me and am glad I went. They still look HOT after all these years - age has been kind to them. 

And, in parting, I'll share a few photos:

 

 Yarn has New Zealand possum fur - very fuzzy and warm, I hear!

Me & Duff.

 

Me & my girls.

Jon is still HOT at 40 (well, technically not until later this month).  Yum! : )

 

 

 

And, the guys at the AC concert 11.7.08.  Looks like they were having so much fun on stage.  And, well, I had a BLAST at the concert as well.  Bring on that summer tour!

Until next time, take care everyone... : )