The last few years, I had quite a few disappointments. Most were simply beyond my control.
This year, I am trying to do something a little different.
By nature, I am a planner.
I need to organize.
I need to think ahead.
Be prepared.
It stems mainly from my anxiety.
I am a worrier. My head is constantly filled with what ifs.
I am not sure how to eradicate all those nagging thoughts.
My first plan is to start small.
Little steps.
Some situations, I simply do have to wait and plan.
They require more work and lots of budgeting.
Then, there are other situations where I can forge ahead.
One of my ideas is to use up all my sock yarn.
I have all these gorgeous colours and textures at my fingertips.
I have not even thought about using them, because once I do, they are gone.
Some yarns simply cannot be replaced because they have been discontinued or was one of those rare finds where I was in the right place at the right time.
Some have memories attached.
Well, no more. Let's not wait.
I am going to knit up all those gorgeous colours.
That would be The Baroness guarding my stash!
I have joined several groups on Ravelry whose main goal is to knit socks.
Groups like Sock Madness, Two at a Time, The Great Sockening.
This is a simple concept that I can take part in from the comfort of my pajamas.
So far, three months in, I am off to a great start. Already, seven pairs have been knit.
My Pinterest board has been seeing a lot of new and interesting patterns.
So far so good.
This is doable.
And fun!
As a bonus, I have even learned a lot more new techniques.
Who knew there were so many different types of heals?
Simple Skype Socks:
I might have shown you these before. I just love this pattern. I knit at least one pair every year.
Nutkin Socks:
I do like these socks from an artistic standpoint. I'm not sure about the strength of the heal. I wonder if it will stand up to normal wearing and multiple washings. The pattern is simple to commit to memory.
Twisted Madness:
This is one of the sock patterns for the Sock Madness competition I am currently enjoying. It really challenges your knitting skills.
Penuche Twist Socks:
My photo and yarn choice does not really do this pattern justice. The cables mirror each other on the left and right socks.
Hermione's Everyday Socks:
This pattern was inspired by the Harry Potter heroine, Hermione. I love these socks. They wear very well and feel sturdy. A good work sock.
Dropping Madness Socks:
This is another pattern for the Sock Madness competition. As soon as my brain realized it was ok to actually let certain stitches slip, I started to enjoy these socks. The heels are An Afterthought knit heal. Not a very easy concept for me. The second heel went much better with a lot less swearing.
Here is a tutorial I found helpful from KnitGirlls:
This is my current project, Brainless:
Right now I seem to be on the part of endless ribbing and an occasional cable.
Still fun.
This was another new type of heel I learned, Fleegle Heel.
The tutorial is for a top down knit, but this pattern is a toe up knit.
While I have been happily knitting along, I binge watch Bellevue. A fantastic Canadian series that was actually filmed in L'Ile-Perrot, in the province of Quebec.
This looks like a gorgeous area of the province I would love to visit. Which leads me to my other plan.
I want to travel.
I want to see more.
Places I never thought I would ever visit.
It will not happen this year. Nor likely the next.
I have some more saving to do.
But, it will become a reality!
I think we all experience those disappointments.
We are led to believe at a very young age that by the time you reach age such and such, you should be married, have your first home, have this many children etc. etc. etc.
It is tiring. Especially when raised by a generation for who those standards were the norm.
As we can see in most recent years, there is no norm.
Sexuality is more fluid. A family does not always mean a Mom, Dad, brother and sister.
So my life has not turned out like I thought.
I'm ok with that.
I do not have 2.5 children.
I already have had a failed marriage under my belt.
I come with lots of emotional baggage. A bit of debt that is slowing disappearing.
I do have a nice home.
It is not the biggest, fanciest place on the street.
It needs a lot of work.
The people inside this home are amazing.
We still need a little fine tuning.
Someone in my house needs to buckle down more when it comes to school work.
Someone else needs to ensure this happens.
It is a work in progress.
But, the key thing, it is moving forward.
We are all constantly learning and adapting.
I am ok!
I have rambled enough I think.
Talk with you all later.
