Sometimes, you pick a pattern, yarn and color combination that is so beautiful and perfect and soft and fun to knit, and you realize how knitting really is your zen.
Briar rose in mission falls Teal and Zinnia. yum.
It’s coming September 7, 2007
Fall weather is drifting into portland, and it’s delicious. This morning after I got out of the shower, I heard a noise I hadn’t heard in a LONG time. My furnace was on. usually we turn the thermostat off all Summer, but for some reason, this year it stayed on, set at 60. Apparently it was cooler than that inside this morning and it kicked on. I wandered all over the bedroom asking Ruby “what is that noise?” till I walked up to the heating vent and felt the warm air. Since it is supposed to be near 80 today, I laughed, and went to turn it off, but not before I reveled in the fact that FALL. IS. COMING.
I love fall. (truth be told, I love me a perfect summer day, about 75 degrees, warm enough for a tank top, but not so hot that you sweat in the shade but oh how I love fall!) I grew up in southern California, where there really isn’t a fall. In my small dessert home town, summer is hot and windy, and then it’s cold and windy (well, 40 but that seems cold in so cal). There wasn’t too much fall. Then I moved to San Diego to go to college, and it was 68 and sunny year round (well not exactly, but there was no real seasons). When we moved to Portland, i was so happy to see leaves changing colors (yes, i know it’s not like on the east coast, but it’s a lot for a girl like me!) and the temperatures shifting.
When it starts to cool in the evening, so that you reach for a sweater and socks after dinner. Mmmm fall is coming. When you wake up in the morning and pull the window shut as you pull on your fleece. Mmmm fall is coming! When you peek out into the back yard and see
the sunflowers are waning
and the leaves are changing
and the pumpkins turning from green to orange… FALL IS COMING!
So when we got up and the furnace had kicked on, I knew it might be a long sleeve kinda morning for sweet Ruby. I pulled out the new sweater I had knit for her.
Um, yeah. So this sweater has become a gift for a little man friend of ours who will be ONE in October. He was blessed with a normal sized head. Ruby’s is a bit…
bigger.
Lest you think that I’m sad about the sweater (or the big head), I’m not. The sweater was a quick knit ( and her head is perfect!), and I was thinking of knitting him one in black… so here we are, birthday gift done, and I’ve got another sweater on the needles for Ruby. (briar rose – and it’s coming along nicely, about 1/3 the way up the body) I also have enough left over silky wool in a rusty reddish color to knit ruby another pullover, with a wider neck band. I’m thinking about doing some color work, but as I haven’t done that, I may need some ideas.
So, fall is coming. I’ve got sweaters in the queue, pumpkins in the garden, and tea brewing on the stove. Life couldn’t be better.
Knitting and knitting and knitting September 4, 2007
Ruby has started sleeping a bit better, and that means I have time to knit again! I’ve actually had time to finish a few things, and of course I have a million projects rolling around in my head, but right now only one on the needles.
In the finished objects pile… a dress for Ruby, my own pattern, knit in left over tlc cotton from a previous project.
A pullover for Ruby, Top down pullover from knitting pure and simple, Knit in left over silky wool and some silky tweed from a trade with a friend.
A soaker that will hopefully fit Ruby this winter for nighttime. Wooly Wonder Everlasting wonder soaker, knit in some bulky wool that a friend gave me.
A pair of pants/skirt for Ruby for winter. It’s a mix of a couple of patterns, using some left over wool from other projects.
A wash cloth for Joi, knit in cotton cashmere, pattern from whimsical knitting designs.Not photographed… and now it’s missing.. I believe that is the babies fault!
Oh it feels good to have finished objects! You know what feels almost as good as finished objects? New needles! I got the knitpicks options set for my birthday, and so far, I think it will be a fabulous addition to my knitting life. Smooth join, slick needles, and they seem pretty sturdy. We’ll see, I’ll keep you posted.
On the needles right now is the hourglass sweater from Last minute knitted gifts, in Elsbeth Lavolds silky wool. my how I love silky wool! There is a lot of stockinette in this sweater, so I’m sure it will be alternated with another project, or three….
Which brings us to future projects…
1. Pants for Ruby for winter. I have yarn for at least 2 pairs of pants, maybe more.
2. Cardi for Ruby for winter. I have some mission falls wool, and have chosen the Briar Rose pattern from Knitty… lovely!
3. Bulky Cardi for me. I have an alpaca blend that I bought to knit a sweater for Ryan, but it never happened, and quite frankly, he’d never wear a bulky sweater. He gets to hot for it. So i’m looking for a fun and funky pattern, or I may do the Fairly Easy Fair Isle from SnB nation.
4. Xmas presents. nuff said. Lots to do. oy.
Then there are all of the things I COULD do with the yarn in my stash…. I need to organize and decide if I’m going to ever use some of this stuff and either pass it on, or something. Oh Ravelry, pick me! pick me!!!
made in… where? August 18, 2007
With all this press about toys made in china being recalled, I’ve no doubt been called many times to Ruby’s toy area to look at what we have there. Thankfully, I’ve not had to throw away anything. She’s too young for many of the toys listed, but also we’ve been picky about what we’ve bought, and lucky about what has been gifted to us. Our families and friends love to make gifts, and have also been so respectful about purchasing what we ask for her. We told all the grandparents that for xmas and birthdays, no more than 3 gifts (please 
) and wooden or cloth. We also requested battery free toys at this point. We don’t mind things that make noise, for crying out loud, THIS is one of our favorite things around here! but we like things that Ruby can make the noise, or that she has to elicit the noise from. It’s a lot more fun for her to play the harmonica than to have a toy that just constantly makes battery operated noise. A lot more fun for everyone, trust me!
Anyway… I have spent some time going through her toys, putting some things aside to be passed on, some things to be saved for future siblings (if we are so lucky). I’ve been happy to see so many beautifully hand made gifts. A doll made by my mom, wooden rattles made by my dad, soft cloth balls made by my friend Celeste, etc. I was also pleased to see so many things that were on ’safe’ lists, made in the US, Europe, Thailand, or India. I’d like to think that all of this was planning, but most of it was pure luck.
Even before we ventured into compacting, I’ve always been a fan of spending a little more to have something better quality, not made in a sweatshop, and now I’m even more a fan of it. I don’t mind spending a little more on a pair of pants that will last a long time, especially if they were made in fair trade…. same with toys. I’d rather Ruby have 10 toys she loves that were produced safely and lovingly, than 30 toys that are not. I want to raise her to thing consciously about the things she has and wants, and to truly love the things she has.
It’s one of the things I love about de-cluttering, getting rid of the things I just don’t need and love, and truly loving the things I have.
Good lord… July 26, 2007
When did I become such a bad blogger? Oh yeah… when I went and had a baby. 
I also used to think about interesting things, knit and read books. hmmm… I still think interesting things, but most of the time I get distracted and start playing peek-a-boo instead. I still knit, but only about 3 stitches a night instead of 3 hours. Books? well I just went back to the library for the first time in over a YEAR… and then I picked up my new copy of Harry Potter! So some reading has happened during naps and after bedtime. Ah, reading till my eyes are heavy is one of my favorite ways to fall asleep!
So… compacting… let’s just say I’m off the wagon. I haven’t cleared any clutter in MONTHS. And just yesterday I looked around and felt like I needed to. (I’m not saying my house/office didn’t need it, but I just started feeling it closing in again yesterday). I haven’t had much time or need to go thrifting. I have bought a few new objects, but not many. I had a slew of birthdays last month, and while I usually make gifts, I didn’t have time or energy, so I did do some birthday shopping. I shopped locally, and tried to buy gifts that were renewable/reuseable. Camping gear, books, gardening stuff.
My baby girl had a birthday. We had a fun little party and gifts were kept to a minimum. I made her a secret bunny.
It’s a softie with a pocket so that each year on her birthday, i can put a note/treat/gift inside for her to find. Just thinking about her future birthdays fills me with glee and tears all at once. Imagining her as a 4 year old, giddy with excitement for her birthday morning… it’s things like that, that I live for. Her daddy made her a ride on toy (also in the pix) that she has yet to ride. I think she’s still a bit afraid of it.
So June was taken up by birthdays and camping and just being… not a bad way to spend a month, eh? July has been more of the same, including lots of berry picking, jams, pies and cobblers, a trip to the beach and many afternoons in the sun in the back yard. Another good month. I’m sure August will bring more of the same, and who knows when you’ll see another post here!
I don’t know about compacting goals… I’m not feeling any desires to shop, as I’ve never been a huge shopper. I need to clear more clutter, but don’t have a burning desire to clear it. so… who knows where that will go from here.
Crafting… I’ve finally gotten back to the sewing machine, and have finished a few more pairs of shoes. I have decided that I need to craft to feel balanced, and why not make a little $$ at the same time? If I can make enough to feed my craft habits (or the habits I used to have!) it will be worth it. So… in the near future I’ll be opening up a little etsy shop for shirts, shoes and other baby trinkets. Stay tuned.
I’ve gotten some knitting done also, but nothing to show just yet. I have cast on a new dress for Ruby, similar to the anouk, but a dress, not a pinafore, and I’m changing a few things. We’ll see how it turns out. I also have a soaker on the needles and a soaker skirt/pants that needs to be finished. I’ll get some shots soon, hopefully.
As far as balance in my life… I’ve realized how i need to swing more balance back toward my family, and I’m taking steps to get there. I decided at the end of may that leaving my baby three times a week to go to work and see patients sucks. I miss her. I want to hear her squealing with delight over the cats tail, and snuggle her when she falls. Since I can’t quit working (unless we win the lottery) I’m doing the next best thing. We’re going to renovate our basement (yes, I’ll try to give a blow by blow, complete with pictures) and I’m moving my office home. The plan is that I’ll have a nanny with Ruby during my treatment hours, and I’ll be able to work just as much as I do now, but since I won’t have any overhead, I’ll actually make money instead of just break even. I can pay my student loans and even put money in the savings account. Most of all, I’ll spend less time away from my precious nugget. I dont’ think this will be any less stressful than what I’m doing now. In some ways it may be more stressful… but I think in the long run, it will make more sense for my family. And isn’t that all that really matters?
Balance… May 10, 2007
Yesterday Adina wrote about trying to find balance in her life now that she’s a mama. Can I just say “amen!”. Finding balance has always been difficult for me. Prior to having a baby, I was prone to excesses. I run my own business and sometimes I’d throw myself into it so much that I’d forget to enjoy life. Then there would be times that were the opposite. I’d get so involved in things outside of work that my business would suffer. Every once in a while, I would feel like I were achieving a nice balance in my life, and I’d have time for work, for craft, for exercise and housework. The only thing I really did differently during those times was that I forced myself to make time to do the things I loved. And it would seem so easy. It would just seem so easy during those times.
And then I had a baby, and wow, that sure does make it hard to have balance. The house NEEDS to be clean. Babies eat stuff off of the ground, so you can’t not clean house. I have to keep my business running (even though I only work 4 half days a week) because that pesky government really does want their money back. I have to play with my baby cause… well she’s so much fun! and we have to eat, and have clean clothes… on and on and on. Some days it seems like a crap shoot as to if the basics will get done. And then, like Adina mentions, I have started feeling like I’d go insane if I didn’t find time to craft. Ruby won’t sleep unless she’s being worn, held, or laid with. So nap time was out, as was after bed time. Sometimes I can sit up after she’s asleep and I can knit in bed, but sometimes (most of the time) I can’t. I have learned to knit lying on my back with her asleep on my chest, and I can knit when she’s in the front carrier. But lately, I’ve had the itch to sew.
So the other day I sent Ryan for a walk with Ruby and spent a glorious hour making some baby shoes. After the first pair, the rest seem easy… so I added a little applique t-shirt into the mix ((this is some wardrobe refashioning, as I took some onesies that were too short and turned them into t-shirts!)). All of the fabric was left overs from previous projects, or just stuff from my scrap pile. And how good it feels to craft! This morning, I sewed a pair of shoes while she slept in the carrier on my chest. Mama is learning how to multitask like a madwoman. Having the time to craft a little makes me feel human again. It’s a step toward achieving balance, but of course, the breakfast dishes were in the sink when I left for work… so it’s a give and take situation.
So, one big thing that came up for me regarding balance today… yesterday I left my computer charger at the office, and by the time I went to put ruby down for sleep last night, my laptop was dead. I usually get her to sleep then chat with friends online (and knit if I’m lucky) while she lies next to me. Last night I had no such option, so I ended up rocking her to sleep then feeling sleepy and going to bed at 9:45 with her. It felt fantastic to go to sleep so early, although I knew I would be missing my only hour or so to knit yesterday. This morning, computer still dead, and I wasn’t going into the office till 1:30. I realized just how much more I could get done without my laptop on all day. I made a shirt/shoe combo, watered the yard, walked, swung on the swing with Ruby… and honestly I felt more attentive to her. It’s usually running in the background as we do things, and I keep connected to others throughout the day that way. But now I’m feeling like a change is in order. I think its time to only connect a couple of specific times a day, and spend more of my day in the here and now. Part of me feels like a crap mom for just now noticing this when she’s 10 months old, and part of me knows that it’s ok, because it’s how I keep connected to all of my friends throughout the day, and that’s important for balance also. If I didn’t I’d feel isolated and lonely, and that’s not good for a mama.
So… we go on, a little to the left, a little to the right, just trying to keep balance.
May already! May 7, 2007
Wow, it’s may already! I haven’t done much more decluttering since my last post, nothing to speak of at least. I have fallen down and bought a few new things, but also bought several things used that I spend a long time looking for… so i don’t feel too bad. But that’s not why I’m here to post today! I got crafty! I’ve had some night time to knit (with a baby sleeping on my chest), but have yet to photograph the finished knitted articles. (two finished projects! One on my babies bum as we speak, and one that needs buttons for a friend’s baby). I have several sewing projects I’m dying to work on, but my machine is in the shop, so I had to do something that didn’t require a sewing machine… so.. Voila! Instant art! This was all done during a 90 min nap, with a baby on my back. I love multitasking.
De-cluttered! April 19, 2007
Well, I wouldn’t say that it’s all done…but a lot is! Sunday I took a CARLOAD (subaru outback full) of stuff to Value Village (one of my fave thrift stores, always good finds!). It took me and the guy 20 mins to unload. WOW. I felt 100lbs lighter. I felt like I purged so much from my life.
The weekend before Ryan and I had been pretty ruthless in clearing our closets. I stopped counting when we’d each hit 100. I took 7 bags of clothes, each having approximately 50 items in them. The bag of baby stuff had to have more, but I rounded it all up to 350. I also put a bag of about 40 items aside for another mama I know who’s little girl is smaller than Ruby. Whew. Amazing. I also dropped off 20 books. Books I’ve read more than once, and need to share. Books I probably won’t read again honestly. Truly, it felt fantastic to get rid of it all. My parents had stopped by, as they drove from Seattle to Eugene, and my dad helped me load up the car while Ryan worked in the garden. My mom asked if there was anything left in our closets. Sadly… they are still full, but they are much more representative of who we are and what we really wear.
Today, after morning nap, Ruby and I went back to the thrift store, as I was looking for a clothesline and some clothespins (I forgot to look for them… I got sidetracked in baby clothes) and a wooden push toy for Ruby. I ended up leaving VV with 3 dresses for Ruby and a pair of Hanna Pants for someone else – or a future baby (sz 60) for less than $10. Several of these dresses she won’t wear till fall or winter, but great buys! I then went to Village merchants, another amazing local thrift shop. There I found a box of wooden blocks (just like the ones I had growing up!) for $6 and a wooden xylophone (doesn’t make much noise, but that’s ok by me!) and suction bowl for Ruby’s self feeding. Again, spent less than $10, and had so much fun. I just love thrifting. Everything seems like a treasure when its got a red dot sticker with a hand written price tag.
Ryan came home from work a little early, took Ruby to the coffee shop and left me alone for 90 mins to work on my treasure map. I had cut out most of it while Ruby napped on my back this morning (that will give you a sore back, I tell ya!). As soon as they were out the door, I put on my favorite music mix and got to work. Within an hour, I had a good portion of it laid out and glued. It went so fast, and random pictures and words fit so well. I did my TM with the Feng Shui Bagua, the structure helped, as I’m too tired these days to really be super creative. I left space for affirmations, and will think through this in the next day or so. Sigh.. it feels good!
I’ve also had a few minutes here and there to craft! Knit mostly while Ruby naps on my chest in the wrap… but it’s dinner time, so I’ll tell you all about that later.
Shopping culture April 8, 2007
Just returned from a trip to Key Largo, FL. My first time in FL, and it was enjoyable. It’s hard to spend 10 days on vacation with family. Very hard. I’ll leave it at that…
One thing that compacting has done for me, is made me really aware of how others shop/spend. My desires when I go on vacation center around having a good time, and experiencing the things around me. I want to eat the local food, see the sights and explore the area. I don’t enjoy going SHOPPING. I just don’t enjoy going to a new place just to buy stuff. I’d rather SEE the butterfly conservatory than spend money in it’s gift shop. I’d rather play on the beach and in the water than wander through the shopping district. I’d rather eat at the amazing local restaurants than buy a glass/mug commemorating it. The only memento I try to purchase when on vacation is a christmas ornament. Every year as we decorate the tree, we talk about each ornament, and where it came from and how much fun, etc. So buying the ornament is really contributing to wonderful family time, and that is never a bad thing.
At one point on our trip, someone was buying a t-shirt or a mug or something, and Ryan mentioned wanting one. I had to put the kibash on it. What are we going to do with ONE MORE MUG? i asked him.The only commemorative mugs that I really love are from the B&B we went to on our wedding night, and on our anniversary for 8 years (until they sold it!). I really don’t need more crap… really I don’t.
And the people in my life don’t need it either. I had figured if i came across something that seemed appropriate for our house sitters as a thank you, I’d get it (and I did, Key Lime pie mix… yum!) but I didn’t want to purposely SHOP for stuff. It’s just me, right? Apparently not.
Well, anyway, we spent money on our trip… we rented a boat one day and went snorkeling. It was worth every penny. I saw a school of barracuda (um scary) and a school of parrot fish (awesome) and a school of baby squid (a pre-school?hahahaha). We spent money eating at great restaurants, eating amazing food and laughing together.
Way better than a mug, eh?
April, already? April 8, 2007
Dang. How did I miss March? Um maybe because I either travelling, preparing for travel or recovering from it… Never the less, March has come and gone, and what did I do?
1. did some great thrifting. (see prev post)
2. did some decluttering – 10 bras, 20 pairs of underware, at least 20 pairs of socks and 30 clothes items.
3. decluttered and organized the craft room. OMG did that feel good. I got rid of 75 (yes Seventy-FIVE!) items, and one huge bag of fabric/yarn. One of the overall goals I have for this year is to find more time (and space) to craft, and re-organizing my craft/guest room is key to that. Since I got it mostly done, I bought a used storage unit (rubermaid with drawers! for $20) and need to clear some space in the closet for it, and fill it up with all of the stuff that has no place to be. I could easily spend an entire weekend working in there, and I should… but alas, we got home from vacation and I have a little (albeit icky) cold. So I will not be shuffling through craft supplies.
4. I had some FUN in March, a trip to SF/Sac, a trip to Eugene to see my parents and a trip to Florida. But man I ‘m tired of travel. And, I’m done with it for a while, thank g-d.
So… over all – march goals – decluttered 155/500 items. Not bad. None of these items have actually made it OUT of the house though… that’s the goal between now and the 17th.
What’s happening on the 17th you ask? why it’s TREASURE MAP TIME!
This is my first year doing a treasure map but not my first experience with the concept. Basically it’s a good time astrologically and energetically to ask the universe for what you want in your life for the next year. For 3 days you put together your ‘map’… some people do a collage, some just write words, some paint, etc… The energies shift in just the right day during those three days… you just need to be clear and put it out there. Part of getting clear, is clearing your clutter… physically, mentally, energetically, etc. So… i’ve got some work to do.
The physical clutter is mostly in the basement. I box things up, and somehow, some one (RYAN) shoves it all in the basement. He has agreed to help me get it (as much as we can) out of there.
The mental and energetic clutter, well, that’s in my basement too, and Ryan isn’t the one who shoves it in there. I’ll take the blame on that one, Bob… and I know it’s hard to NOT do that also. I am really good at taking my feelings out every once in a while and looking at them… then I just shove it back down there. I have trouble actually getting RID of the clutter. I’m not a grudge holder by any means. Actually, just the opposite with most people in my life. Most of the time, when I’m hurt or annoyed, I talk about it (either to the person, or with my confidants) and get over it. There have been a few times where someone hurt me (or annoyed me) one too many times and I just kicked them to the curb. Not really holding a grudge, but getting rid of their presence in my life. (Clearing the friendship clutter, no?) No I don’t hold a grudge against other people, just myself.
Right now the biggest piece of clutter in my heart is recovering from the trauma of Ruby’s birth. I’m not going to write about it here, as I have a private journal that I keep all my deeper, more personal thoughts in and that is a more appropriate place to put those things. I don’t have any illusions of working through all of it before the 17th, but I’m trying to clear some of it out and forgive myself for what I view as my own failure (when my logical mind knows it wasn’t). TOday is the day that Ruby has been OUT of me longer than she was IN. It’s a big day. And it’s high time I looked at my grief and guilt around how she came into this world. I also carry the emotional clutter of infertility. Since that hasn’t cleared out even WITH the arrival of miss Ruby, I know that there is some work to do around that too.
So… lots of clutter clearing to come. This morning Ryan went through all of his drawers and closet, and I got half way through my closet before someone needed milk and a nap. And currently she’ll only nap ON someone, so she’s asleep on my chest, and quite frankly, I love it.
