Sunday, March 16, 2008

You may remember a certain kitty was scheduled for his annual check up. A certain kitty keeps getting reprieves. Last appointment we had, we were postponed (again) due to an accident involving a poor little Doberman (who did do fine). For once, Atticus was all for the dog.


"I'm what? "For" the what? Why? I mean, good news that the dog came through fine, but what does that have to do with me? "


Still clueless.

We try again next week.

Next week marks a special milestone for me. Now, normally I don't get too nostalgic when it comes to milestone dates (apart from birthdays and anniversaries), but this one is a special one for me. It'll be 10 years that I took my life back into my hands, and struck out on my own. With the support of friends, very little money and a whole lot of courage, I decided that life on my own terms was better than a life on my then husband's. I packed my bags, and never looked back. It was the most difficult, and the single best thing I could have ever done for myself. You never truly realize what life is all about until you take a good hard look into your potential future and remind yourself that you are worth more, and what are you going to do about it?

So, I moved into this apartment (I had so little that it took me an hour to "unpack"), and made a truly wonderful life for myself on my own terms. There have been ups, and downs, but I've learned so much about myself and my place in this world, it's been worth it all. I wouldn't change anything about it, despite the hard times.

I've gone from eating out of old Tupperware containers and borrowed cutlery to having a home, my freedom, my 3 bestest buddies, and life that is entirely my responsibility. Not to mention a killer stash...!

And the knowledge that sometimes you need a bit of pain and hardship in order to truly appreciate yourself, and your time here.



My 3 Bestest Buddies

On to something else!


Hey! Did I ever tell you how much I can't get my fingers around socks? I try! And, unlike lace, I have a stack of perfectly do-able patterns that I could possibly manage. Remember this?


My enthusiastic attempt at a top-down sock? Yeah, that didn't work out all that well. So, I figured, stick to what you've done in the past! So I unravelled my messy top-down, and am trying...again. When it comes to socks, I really have to STICK TO WHAT I KNOW. Sheesh. So they're plain stocking (which is probably why I always use variegated yarn) stitch. I do have a few nice toe-up patterns, but one sock at a time! It does after all take me months to knit a pair. I need to get a few more under my belt before I can attempt anything but the odd slip-stitch pattern.

Don't ask me how it is I can to a Fair Isle sleeve in the round on DPN's, and yet totally mess up a simple stocking stitched top-down sock. No clue. It's a me thing.

I mention the sock thing because I've spent a fair bit of time this past week trying to find a suitable sock pattern, ripping it out, crying, looking again for a suitable sock pattern, again ripping it out, crying, and then deciding that plain is best. This is the time of year when my hands become easily irritated by yarn, so I wasn't able to work on Columbia (back is done and front has been started), or even Endless Summer for that matter. Socks were therefore the project of choice for delicate hands.

Oh, and the other good thing about this upcoming week?

The First Day of Spring. Aaaaaah.....

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on putting yourself first ten years ago!!!

Lorraine said...

Score one for Atticus.

Congratulations- there's alot to be said for being Captain of your own ship.

The crew here gets mutinous sometimes.

Marina said...

You're my hero! Change is always tough and scary.

Hmmm, I don't feel the need to conquer socks! Arans? More than ever, now that I have two "failures" :^(

Chris said...

Happy anniversary!! And good for you!

I can hardly wait to see how Atticus gets out of it this week... ;)

Would it help to pretend that the sock was a sweater sleeve??

miyamojo said...

Yes, another reason to celebrate this month! I'm so proud of you! Yay Brigitte! :)

I can't do socks either... or mittens, I think it's a brain thing with me.

Glad to see Gandalf didn't stow away to visit Chaos & Mayhem! ;)

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! Change is scary and so is taking the reins of your own life in hand. But so much better in the long run.

Oh, Atticus. It's just a vet visit. Don't be such a boy.

Socks! I love them but I sure don't knit a lot.

carolyninAlaska said...

Congratulations! That is a real milestone to be very proud of! Major life changes are so scary.
Good luck in the sock department and with Atticus... I know he's appreciating his little "vacation"!

knitseashore said...

Congratulations to Atticus on the vet. And a big congratulations to you for your anniversary. I admire your courage -- big changes are scary.

And Happy Spring! Finally!

My Little Room In The Corner said...

Congrats on the anniversary! It is difficult to go through a change like that. But, when you come out whole on the other side, the jump becomes so worth it. And, being you is what this life is truly all about. It doesn't belong to anyone else, so you live it your way! It is your bus, you get to drive. Everyone else is just along for your ride!

And the sock? Yes, a sweater sleeve with an elbow bend.

Shelly said...

Thanks for posting this. I'm ten years behind you, 17 days into my divorce and having a hard day. I'm glad to know you made it, and I hope to as well.

Sonya said...

Congratulations on your anniversary! Hard thing to do.

Our dogs feel the same way about the vet. They are also unfortunately 80 pounds apiece.

I always see lots of great sock patterns, but when I'm ready to start a pair, none of them seem to suit me.

Traceyleezle said...

Congratulations for making the big step. You are in good company. Atticus could have has own reality TV show, "Escaping the Vets"

Perhaps if you just told yourself you were really making a sleeve with a bend in the elbow rather than a sock, things would work out better.

Ina said...

Happy Anniversary!

Brenda said...

Happy Anniversary! I had an opposite situation of living on my own for 12 years and then deciding to marry M (I was all for being married with separate houses at first, but he wasn't into that). Glad you built such a wonderful life for yourself; I hope things continue well for you!

As for the sock thing. I must admit to being puzzled. But if you like toe-up socks, I'd just go with that.