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

Down time...

Before I begin my "real" blog post, I'd like to thank those of you who offered their sympathy - it meant more than you could possibly know...

I have had so many blog post ideas in my head, but in my tired state of mind as of late, I decided to take it a different direction.  This is a very busy time of year for my profession.  While I do mostly tax work, my tax season doesn't really start until July and runs through November - once the audit is complete.  However, now is the time to close the books and do all the audit schedules - in addition to keeping up with the regular workload.  So, I expect to be busy and even stressed this time of year.  However, this year seems to be extra stressful.  I keep telling myself I'll grow stronger after all is said and done, but right now, I'm just ready for it to be over.

I really miss some of the things I used to have time for.  I don't have time to hang out with my Plurk buddies and that was such a fun part of every day.  I know they all understand, but it doesn't make it any easier for me.  I miss them.  Yet, during the day, I'm so busy, I really don't have time to catch up as I'd like.  And, when I get home in the evening, I haven't had the energy for it.  My down time has changed.  I hope it will be temporary.  I'm doing a little knitting and reading here and there, but for now, I have to do mindless activities that alleviate the stress.  I really need to be at the gym, working it off, but I've done something to my knee and I don't feel comfortable doing my workout routine until I have it looked at.  You see, I walk to and from the metro on a daily basis during the week and if I'm limping during the 10 minutes it takes one way, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't last as long as I'd like on the treadmill.  I must discipline myself to make time for that appointment -it's important.  So, in the meantime, I've reduced my calorie intake.  I'm using The Daily Plate.  I rather like it.  It takes up some of my new down time too, but I consider that a positive thing.  It really makes me take a hard look at my nutrition and wellness.  So far, I've found everything I've eaten in the database, but I have tendencies to order out or eat out with friends, so that might be a challenge in the future if it's something local.  I'll just have to do my best estimate, I guess.

I guess that's about it for now.  I'm hoping I can actually get to sleep on my normal schedule tonight - I miss that too... So next time I blog, I hope to share something more exciting - maybe some photos of knitting or some such fun thing.  I did actually complete a FO, so I should probably blog about it.  And, I might have a new camera soon.  I think I know which one I want now, but haven't committed to buying it yet.  Take care all!  : ) 

The Middle Piece...

It has taken me several days to decide whether or not I was going to write this entry.  I didn't know how I was going to approach it, but then a memory came to me...  And, while I do maintain a blog, I do keep many  things private.  It's just the way I'm wired.  But, since I know my blog has a fairly low readership (which again, I welcome - and thanks to the faithfuls who haven't given up on me!) and I thought it would add additional closure, I decided to go ahead...

While having lunch with my dad when I was in Kansas, we happened to have gingerbread for dessert.  He served the pieces and all I kept thinking was please don't serve me the corner piece.  And, I even considered asking if I could have the piece that was completely in the middle - no edges!  But, I didn't.  Well, dad decided he was going to have another piece and low and behold he took the middle piece!  Told his wife that he was afraid someone else would take it, lol.  Turns out his dad, my grandpa, liked to claim the middle piece too.  We all got a good chuckle out of it because I announced that I too will go out of my way to get that middle piece on most occasions.  A "family tradition" is being passed on (although I'm sure our family in not unique in that aspect, but it still made us laugh).

On Thursday morning of last week, my grandpa unexpectedly passed away.  I am still deeply saddened and going through my personal grieving process, but I'll get through it.  So whenever I have that middle piece, grandpa, I'll always think of you...

On a lighter note...

My last post might have been a little heavy in content - or at least it seemed so to me.  So, I thought I'd focus on a lighter topic this time around.  It's a well known fact that I love books.  I could spend hours in libraries and book stores.  In fact, I'm sure I've blogged that already, lol.  Tonight, I went to Borders because my brother knows how much I love books and wanted me to be able to pick out exactly what I wanted - love those gift cards!  I loaded up in all the genres I'm still interested in.  And, here's my haul:

1.  Henry VIII by Alison Weir (can't wait to hear her speak in February!!)

2.  The Complete Short Novels by Anton Checkhov (translated by my favorite Russian translators Richard Pevear & Larissa Volokhonsky)

3.  The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (now, I've already "read" this - I can't remember who narrated, but he did a superb job IMHO.  In fact I can still hear him in my head now).

4.  Smoke, Mirrors and Murder  by Ann Rule (I'm behind on my true crime reading, but it doesn't stop me from collecting Ann's books - I'll get to them evenutally - you know so much to read, so little time)!

5.  Mortal Danger  by Ann Rule

6.  Too Late to Say Goodbye  by Ann Rule

And, I'm sure you are not surprised that I could have easily purchased more books.  I'm really sticking to only purchasing books that I want to be part of my collection.  Otherwise, I'll check them out from the library.  I was going to buy The Life and Dealth of Anne Boleyn by Eric Ives because it is supposed to be the best out there -  but decided to hold off until Alison Weir's book enttled, The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn, which comes out in the fall of 2009 because I have been such a fan of her writing style.  Doesn't mean I won't cave and read the Ives version and then do a compare and contrast.  Truly, I have a lot of time on my hands for such studying endeavors, lol.  But, seriously, studying books on whatever subject area I'm interested in keeps my brain active and give me much to think about - sometimes even applying it to today's society.  You may or may not be surprised how little some things change.  

So, there you have it.  My little adventure for the evening.  And, now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be off to curl up with you guessed it...a good book.  Sweet dreams all.  : ) 

Last night I cried...

Not exactly the way I envisioned starting out 2009, but I think it was therapeutic.  Probably a combination of the following:  exhaustion from the travel (I’m pretty sure my family members can function on less sleep.  But, I need my rest people, lol), the pain in my knee that won’t go away (I injured it somehow a few days before I left for KS and it’s not getting any better – probably time for a doctor’s appointment) and of course, all the things that have been on my mind as of late.  There have been things on my mind for months that I haven’t made time to work through.  But, having about 10 days at home in Kansas helped me slow down and do a lot of thinking and reflecting – and work through these issues.  Walking Sammy around my small hometown allowed me to clear my head in many ways.  While some of them aren’t fully resolved, action has started and that is a positive thing!  Some of the things I thought about I’ll share here, but some will be reserved for that private journal that only I can see. 

1. Pets are truly special and bring so much joy to the lives of many (and yes, I need a pet but I have to move first).  I only see Sammy once a year when I visit my family for Christmas.  However, I’m completely attached to him.  I spoil him because he brings me so much happiness.  I walk him several times a day – more than he’s used to, but he loves walks so much.  I let him sleep at the foot of my bed (although, if he crawls up closer, I allow it.  Hee, hee. He’s just too cute).  We walked over to my grandma’s several times on our walks.  She likes it when he hops up on her lap and lets her pet him.  The little children in the neighborhood call out his name and love petting him as well.  My personal favorite was introducing him to a little girl who had not met him yet.  As we parted, she said, “Bye Sammy.  I’ll see you next week.  I’ll miss you!”  It was truly precious. I miss Sammy already myself.  When I called my mom to let her know I made it home safely, she said he had been wondering around the rooms of the house like he was looking for someone.  And, she put the phone down by his ear so I could say “hi” (which I do sometimes when my mom and I talk - just for fun – I don’t know what he hears as sometimes she says he just looks at the phone).  Well, she said after I talked to him, he got excited and ran by the door like he did everyday when I asked him if he was ready for his walk.  So, for me, that meant he remembered me and missed me.  At least that’s how I’m choosing to think of it.  I just love that little guy.  : )
2. The memories of my youth.  Walking around my hometown, seeing various homes that I had lived in, homes that my friends had lived in…oh the memories that came back.  Some things had changed a lot while others were still very much the same.  Walking by my high school – which now also holds the junior high.  The bus barn where we waited to travel to Delphos to go to junior high.  My old grade school – that first day of school – being so afraid to leave my mom.  I was such a shy little girl – and in many ways I’m still quiet (I prefer the term introvert now because yes, there is a difference), but I like to think I have my moments where my “outgoing personality” comes out, lol.  ; )
3. I rather enjoyed being off my computer a lot more.  In between sharing the computer with the family and running around seeing everyone, I was offline more.  While I missed all my friends and acquaintances in my social networks of Plurk, Ravelry and Facebook, I truly felt less stressed.  And, I’m pretty sure social networks are not meant to be stressful, but rather fun.  And, also along those lines, I can’t keep up with the blogs either.  If I spend time online, I spend less time doing things I love and need in my life like books, knitting, etc.  I also tend to use it as a procrastination tool – avoiding things that I really need to be working on.  And, that has to stop!  Therefore, I’ll be continuing my efforts to find a better balance.  I need the calm in my life.  So friends, don’t think I don’t want to keep in touch, I do, but I just need to find the right balance that works for me. 
4. On that note, I met some truly wonderful people in 2008 and can now call my friends.  The wonderful group of ladies I met at The Loopy Ewe Spring Fling – look forward to seeing many of you at the Fling in 2009.  Everyone was so warm and welcoming - it instantly put my anxiety at ease.  And, my NK ladies – here I thought I was going to be going to the concert all by myself (which I was fully prepared to do btw), but instead met a great group women who shared my love of these “Grown Men.”  Bring on 2009!!!  Can’t wait to see you all again later in January for our ladies outing. 

So there you have it – a few things that have been on my mind lately.  Happy New Year and may 2009 bring each of you much love, peace, and joy.  I’ll be back soon…