Cats In Hats

When I was planning my move to this apartment, I looked for suitable curtains for the french doors in my kitchen, leading out to the deck. I didn't want something heavy or dark, just something to let in the light, and allow for a bit of privacy. I settled on some off-white "netting" type curtains. Perfect! My sister helped me pick them out, and I bought a nice curtain rod that even matched the hardware on the cupboards. It was a great look, and I was quite pleased.

However. Someone had other ideas. And it's probably not who you think.

"I have no regrets."

So, looks like that experiment failed. I have a pair of curtains I'll put up that should do the trick for now. Ones that will hopefully not shred quite so...easily. I don't want to have bare windows, I need to have something there. *sigh* I keep forgetting that my home is their castle. Not mine.

I actually have a finished piece of knitting to show off!

Kittiwake is complete. It was knit on 3mm needles, and I used a little over one ball of AS' Scottish Fleet in Navy Blue. It is much more "stretchy" than I anticipated - Scottish Fleet is like twine to knit with. Not my favourite yarn, but I have to say - the results are worth the rash on my finger from the yarn, and the stabbed index finger from the needles (the dryness from the furnace didn't help either). I haven't decided if I'm going to add the tassle or not. I think it's fine the way it is, and being such a dark colour - you can't really see where the stitches are gathered at the top.

So - did I enjoy it? Meh. It wasn't the most enjoyable of Starmore projects - primarily because I chose to use such a dark colour. But, I'm very pleased with the results, and VERY glad it's finished.

"*sigh* I'm 11 years old, and yet..."

"Hi Everybody! Sorry I missed you last weekend - apparently Mom's Internet service was down because the company she uses are tools. That's what she said anyway. Look! Here I am, with Big Daddy. You may call him Atticus, but he's Big Daddy to me. "Daddy" because I'm pretty sure if Gandalf is my Cat-Mom, then Atticus must be my Cat-Dad; and "Big" because. Well. C'mon. He's big... But he rocks! When it's night time and we're all sleeping on the couch, no one but Big Daddy will do."

"Here I am with Gandalf. I love him. He's like the coolest big brother ever. Except when he goes all Cat-Mom on me, and grabs me by the scruff of my neck. He gets all worried I'm going to hurt myself, blah blah blah... I mean really. Look at me! Aren't I getting big? Last time I went to the vet, Mom said I weighed 4.4lbs. Wow! Oh, and speaking of the vet's office. Not liking the needles. And I can do without them taking my temperature. And Gandalf told me something about going there to get my warbles removed, whatever that means..."

"And here I am cuddling up to my sister Mae. She can be crabby sometimes, and she's not much into playing with me. But, as long as I behave nicely, she lets me lie down next to her. If I get to be too much of a pill, as she calls me, she hisses at me. And boy can she ever hiss! And she can really get mad too! Phew! I guess she's just not into playing Gladiator with me. I wonder if she has warbles?"

"I really love being underneath stuff. Just like Gandalf! Mom says I can sleep through an earthquake, whatever that is. But. In case you think that I'm all about the napping and cuddling, let me remind you. I'm only 3 months old."

"See? Here I am waking up Big Daddy from his nap."

" *sigh*...how long 'til those warbles come off?"

"Mom says I can be a little pooper, but then I snuggle up on her lap, and that makes her go all "awwww" and stuff. Well, thanks for stopping by everyone! I'm glad Mom has so many friends out there. It makes me feel special all right! 'K, nap time. Bye!"

Peace Reigns

It didn't take long for Malcolm to find a surrogate Kitty Mom. Gandalf stepped in to the role rather quickly. Cleaning him, sleeping next to him, making sure he's ok when he starts whimpering, playing with him...sometimes a bit too roughly, but hey. Malcolm is made of rubber. Can you tell?! He's also carried him around by the scruff of the neck as well. Funny how these instincts rise to the surface in adult (even male?) cats. I never thought I'd see the day when Gandalf would be such a soft touch.


However, it took a few more days for the others to come around.



First was Gandalf, within 24 hours.

"I love you Big Brother! You're awesome!"

Gandalf has the most patience with him, pretty much allowing Malcolm to do anything. But, when it comes to teaching the little grasshopper some manners, he can be a bit forceful. After a few days of breaking them up, Chris and I realized one thing - Malcolm is a bit of a Drama Queen. And most times, he initiates the wrestling matches. Gandalf is not hurting him, he's just teaching him how to behave. Malcolm? Hasn't quite caught on yet, at least when he's with Gandalf.

Then Atticus came around. I woke up one night to find Malcolm sleeping next to Atticus.

Atticus hotly denied this. But, I caught this moment.

"I love you Really Really Big Brother! You're awesome!"

"Yeah, I know."

Atticus will put up with Malcolm only so long. Which is no different from the other cats and people in his life. It's funny watching him trying to clean Malcolm - while Gandalf will physically hold him down to clean him, Atticus will try to get in in between Malcolm squirms. It's so funny watching his head bob up and down trying to get a clean in. He'll play with him as well, but when he's had enough, he's had ENOUGH. Malcolm is slowly getting that message, heh.

Then there's Mae.

"I love you Big Sister! You're awesome!"

"Just lie there, squirt."

She's come around, although very much on her own terms. He can sleep next to her, but there will be NO playing, NO wrestling, and NO cleaning. And he'd better not swat at her tail. She's a stern one, that Mae. But, Malcolm seems to have gotten that message, and goes to her for a nap cuddle.

So, peace reigns amongst the clan. I knew they'd be fine together, I just didn't expect it so quickly. And I certainly didn't expect Gandalf to find his inner Queen Cat, and become so motherly towards Malcolm. The boy has a good appetite, and his older siblings have taught him how to whine at just the right times for food. Mealtimes can be a bit of a challenge - keeping him out of their food, and them out of his kitten food. It's getting there.

Chris was here visiting from Minneapolis, MN for awhile, and the Little Dudes were most impressed. Two humans dishing out pets and compliments? Doesn't get better than that! And, she came bearing gifts!

"Oooo, gifties! For me?"

For me! All sorts of stuff, some of which isn't even in the picture. There's a circular needle case, some notepaper, a book on Minnesota lore, some Noro Kureyon yarn for my Lizard Ridge blanket, some black kitty pot holders (LOL!), and a Socktopus from IKEA (the ones I've seen here aren't as funky). She also had a second swift lying around at home that she gave to me - something I don't have. And some gluten-free pretzels, pasta, and the entire line of Betty Crocker gluten-free baking mixes, which are not yet available in Canada. And I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff too. There was a LOT of stuff in that bag. And of course, toys for the kitties, which are now *somewhere* in the apartment.

She's back home now, much to the relief of Chaos and Mayhem. Apparently the smell of the Little Dudes didn't linger too much, and they seem unaware of time she spent in the company of other kitties... We had such a great time together, and the time zipped by so quickly! I knew we'd get along great, and we did.

We all miss you Chris! Come back again soon!

Oh! And in case you're wondering - yes, there has been knitting.

I finished a few things, probably not what you'd think though. I started making a pair of baby socks for a friend of mine who's wife just had another baby.

How CUTE are these?!!

And I also made a little hat as well. I think I may even have enough to make a little pair of mittens. The yarn I used to for the socks was left over from a pair I was making for myself. I started making them before I moved, and then forgot about them.

I've often been laughed at for having small feet (size 6.5).

Heh. Chris was here when I completed the pair. She saw for herself that they fit. :) The ones on the top, of course!

Have a great week everyone!

Pretty Post With Project Pictures

OK, let's see if I can find where the pictures are saved.

Yay, it worked! Oh, this isn't the picture I wanted, but. Enjoy. :D

Look! Here are the projects I told you about last week.



Phew! There she is, in all her glory - Windsor Waistcoat. Pretty, huh?! The only thing I did differently was use a 3.25mm instead of the 3mm specified. By knitting the extra-small size in a larger needle, I ended up with a finished measurement of 39", which is exactly what I wanted. Doesn't Lorraine design a cool vest?! And you can get your very own pattern by following the link... Just sayin'.

And to keep things "simple" (or so I thought), I started work on my Thistle Bag, courtesy of the fine folks at Virtual Yarns:

Oooo, pretty! This represents about two-thirds of the first half. Trust me. It's a LOT of work. Those fun little Trinity Stitch bauble thingies in the centre of the thistle? Nasty. But - it will be worth it all when it's done; I try to work on it every other day, but by the end of the night, my arms are sore.

(Kitty break)

"What am I looking at?"

"The squirrel! See him?? He's...ooo...look at him go! Look Mae!"

"You're weird. He's outside. We can't catch him."

"I'm gonna get you! Squirrely...squirrel...squirrel..."

Atticus is ready to pounce on the squirrel, despite the window. And I kid you not - Mae? Just sits there, looking outside. Sometimes she'll watch the squirrel, sometimes the birds, but she doesn't get all "squirrely" (heh). Live and let live is her motto.

OK. Back to knitting stuff!

Look what else I've been working on!

Now this one really makes me happy. The colours could not be more perfect together, and it knits up like a dream. As I mentioned previously - it's quick and easy too. Can't go wrong with no colour changes and 4mm needles.

It's St. Aula, knit using stashed 3-ply Mara and Machair. I should have more than enough to knit the "standard" size, and the hood as well, although I haven't decided which colour I'll use for it. I've almost completed the 2nd go-round of the chart, so I'm more then half way to the armholes.

Now, I've also been working on Delores, and the Mystery Pressie, but no pictures this time. Next week...

I'm feeling every bit of my nearly 41 years today - I pulled a muscle in my lower back yesterday bending over to do something stupid. As a result, I have to use whatever is handy to get up from a sitting or lowered position. Ugh... It's fine when I'm sitting or standing. It's just getting from one position to the other that's a bit...problematic. And you know what? Nothing I take seems to ease the ache. I've tried Ibuprofen and Aceteminophen, but both do diddly. Guess I'll just have to wait it out. Oh! I just remembered I still have some Tylenol 3's from my ear infection/hospital stay earlier in the spring! That ought to numb pretty much all pain...heh.

"What do you mean - do I want a baby sister?? Why? Why would I want a baby sister??"

Yes...what is Gandalf talking about??!

The One Without Pictures

Well, I've heard of these things happening, but was arrogant enough to think it would never happen to me.

A moment of silence if you will...for my computer. I pronounced it officially at 6:45pm on Friday night.

"So, how is it you're blogging, Brigitte?"

Well, thanks to my work laptop, I am able to do a few things, but not load pictures. Because ever since I moved? I can't find a thing. No clue where the install CD is for my camera.

*sigh* And I had things to show off. Finished things! And 2 newbies too!

Anyway - I came home on Friday afternoon to find an unresponsive computer. When it boots up to a blue screen of death - it's not a good thing. When you get a "unmountable boot volume" error message, it's an even worse thing. And, when you run every diagnostic and fix known to try and repair it, and you get an even more ominous "...the volume appears to contain one or more UNRECOVERABLE errors...", it's kaked.

And kaked she is. I even spoke to Dell's Tech Support (who were excellent, by the way), and they basically confirmed what I knew. So, hopefully with the help of Lorraine's tech whiz son Alexander, I may be able to recover a few things. Oh, and start shopping for a new computer... It has served me well for 6 years, so I suppose I really shouldn't complain.

I think I'm going to get a pink one. Seriously!

(Aw crap, I just went to open up my links page in Notepad, only to realise that it's not on this computer! Damn!!!!!!!)

Anyway. Until I can find the CD to load my camera software temporarily on this laptop, I won't be able to post pictures. You'll have to trust me when I say that I finished Windsor Waistcoat. And that it fits perfectly! I had no issues whatsoever - I tinkered here and there with the sizing, and made the neckline a bit shorter.

Feeling quite pleased with myself, I allowed a new project to be started. OK. Two. But! Because one is quite rough on the hands to do, I needed something...easier...to do in between.

Firstly, I picked out "Thistle Bag" that I won from Virtual Yarns, and decided to give it a go. I figured it would be a nice, simple and smallish project to work on during the summer.

Simple and smallish... Famous last words. God love the Starmores - and you all know I do - but is nothing ever simple?!! LOL. I guess it's the difference between a knitted handbag, and a superior-designed knitted handbag. The level detail is outstanding, and if I was thinking this would be a quick knit, I was mistaken. Ever try doing a 1 over 3 right cross cable using 2 strands of 3-ply yarn (and not just any 3-ply - Hebridean 3-ply wool)? No? Well. Let me tell you. You may just start throwing up a little bit in your mouth when you realize the front of the bag and the back are the same.

But, I am fascinated with the process, but because the tension needs to be quite tight, my arms do tend to be a bit sore by the end of the night.

So, on alternate nights, I decided to work on my "St. Aula". I'm knitting it using 3-ply Mara as the main colour, and 3-ply Machair as the background colour, both of which I had in my stash. I know some of you *cough*Chris*cough* may be wondering how doing a stranded project can be relaxing, but trust me - it is.

For one - 3-ply vs. 2-ply means far fewer stitches to work with in the round - 220-ish vs. well over 325 on average for 2-ply. There are only 2 colours to work with, so there are no yarn changes and weaving in to do. There is only one chart to work with, and once I've completed the first repeat, I've memorized the sequence and I can get a round done pretty quickly. And, it's going to be a toasty warm outdoor sweater when it's done. I'm knitting the "standard" version, and should I have enough, I plan on making the hood as well.

Easy peasy, lemon squeazy, as Lorraine would say.

AND - now that Windsor Waistcoat is done, I can concentrated on finishing up Delores (also a Starmore design)! It's a complex Fair Isle project, so I only work on it when I know I'll have a few uninterupted hours. I'm also still working on the "stealth project" for my sister and SIL when the weather allows.

Hey! When I went to Virtual Yarns, I noticed that there is a pattern coming out in the excellent British magazine "The Knitter" that will be using Hebridean yarns, and it is really lovely! I had a chance to thumb through a copy of The Knitter while at Chapters last week with Lorraine, and I am quite smitten! It has a lot of beautiful patterns with techniques that I love. It's pretty steep though - nearly $20 Canadian for an issue, but I think I will be saving my pennies and picking this one up.

So, that's pretty much it for now. The guys all say "Hi!" to all their cyber-buddies, and promise to help me look for the install CD for the camera.

Oh! And great news! The civic workers strike is now officially over here in Toronto! Which means garbage pickup for me on Tuesday! I never thought I'd ever be so happy about garbage day, but believe me - this one is one I'm looking forward to.

Here's to a technologically smooth week!

Party Time!

Hard to believe that despite this:

I was able to do this:

Finish Isobel of Mar. Yay me! OK, to be truthful - I still have to block her, and sew on the buttons, but despite that - she is finished. And guess what? All those worries I had about it maybe being too small? For nothing. She fits perfectly. And long enough that I can pass her off as a coat, and not worry about looking tubby in it. I loves her.

For those of you who are wondering - Isobel of Mar is the adult version of "Secret Garden" from the Starmore book "The Children's Collection". I knit her using Hebridean 3-ply in the "Summertide" shade. The colour is much more vibrant that it appears in the picture - it's a beautiful shade of blue, with flecks of green and gold. And it's just the right shade to perfectly show off the little details this coat has. Although - if you're not a big "finisher", this may be a bit much as the buttonbands and the collar are added separately, which in itself is not a big deal, but the execution of the collar at least is probably a bit more involved. But the results are worth it. So happy! Thanks to Marina for discovering this gem, and putting the bug in my ear to make it as well.

So, as I mentioned - that I was able to concentrate long enough to finish it up is pretty amazing. It's been rather hectic around here: work and the never-ending mega-project; a crappy bout of shingles that just had to rear it's head NOW; my upcoming move downstairs and the clutter of my apartment now (and clutter in my own home makes me cuckoo); and of course, listeing to the Bickersons downstairs yell and scream at each other... Just a few more weeks, I tell myself. Just a few more weeks...

I picked this up yesterday for the guys, mainly because I thought the name was hilarious:

Party Mix for Cats. You can't tell, but the expression on the cat's face on the bag makes him look like he's on speed or something. Despite being the ultimate in kitty junk food, I decided to pick some up to liven up the Little Dudes Cocktail Hour of 9pm.

"Party on, Gandalf."

"Party on, Atticus."

"Mae's World! Mae's World! ...Party time...Excellent... *guitar riff*..."

(Hopefully you remember your SNL from the early 90's...)

OK. Time to hit the laundrymat. I really let it go way too long this time. You know, when it comes to my home, I have two wishes. One - a cleaning lady. And two - my own washer/dryer. One day...

I leave you with this little gem I snapped this past week.

I have to wonder how comfortable it can be to sleep with your head on the window sill, but, he looks pretty content in his sunbeam!

Hey! And to all of my mom friends - Happy Mother's Day!

Little Things That Make You Happy

Hi Mae!

She never sits still, so this is a good thing.

An FO! Wow! Technically it shouldn't count...this is Loreli, from Fiddlesticks Knitting. I actually finished it last fall, but didn't put it together until a few weeks ago. When I had finished knitting the pieces, I figured I wouldn't be able to wear it for months - so there was no rush to do the finishing. Or, I was just intent on starting something else. Probably that.

But, here she is, all stitched together! I omitted the crochet edging - it looks fine the way it is, and besides. My crochet skills suck. I tried. And it looked pretty lousy. So, I left it as is. And the details -

Lorelei, by Dorothy Siemens of Fiddlesticks Knitting. Knit with Fiddlesticks Knitting Silk Sensation (100% un-smelly silk) in the Cream shade, on 3.5mm needles. Nice, easy knit, with brilliant results. I am very pleased at how it turned out - and she fits! Always a good thing.

And look! The Boy is looking so much better. His Fuzziness is starting to look like his old self, now that his fur is growing back. He may not be so happy once I attempt once again to take him to the vet's office next Friday for his check-up.

"Did you wish my Auntie Lorraine a happy birthday last week? I did. AND I sent her a cheesecake photo of me too."

Hey! You know what else makes me happy!?

Winning a Virtual Yarns contest! (Did I mention how happy happy HAPPY that made me? Huh? Huh?!)

It arrived! It's the Thistle Bag in the "Clover" shade of Hebridean 3-ply! One of my favourite colours too.

*sigh* I really want to start knitting it now, but...um, I really should finish up some stuff first. I will have more pictures of knitting I HAVE in fact been doing. But, next week...

"I waited and waited, and I didn't see the Easter Bunny, Mae. Are you sure? Really? You're not pulling my leg? Do you think he left us some of those awesome Creamy Dairy treats?!!"

As for the apartment situation...what to do, what to do...

Do I stay here? Do I take the soon to be vacated apartment below (did I mention that she handed in her notice? Heh.)?

My landlady has been away on vacation, so I haven't actually spoken to her about it. Which is a good thing - it has given me time to think things through. Weigh the pros, and cons. As of today, I am leaning towards staying here, and moving a few things around. Switching my bedroom and spare room around for starters (my sister should note that curtains may be needed. Just sayin'.). Which in itself will be a mini-move. It would give me more bedroom space, and force me to clean up some of the non-knitting stuff I have in this room.

I always hesitated in making this room my bedroom, due to the west facing windows. It can get pretty hot in here during the summer. But, with the right curtains kept closed during the day, and a window fan, it could be fine.

I'm still mulling it over... I now work at least 3 days a week at home (soon to be more), as my company is trying to have as many of it's technical people working from home in order to free up floor space at our downtown Toronto building. It's pretty pricey real estate... I think it's a great idea - it saves my commute, allows me more flexible work hours, and I'm much more efficient without the distractions of an office. They provide me with everything I need - the phone, printer, and they pay my Internet service. I will still go in at least one day per week - if anything, to see my co-workers. A lot of them are friends. I do lose my workstation though, so when I do go in I work out of a "hotelling" station on my floor. Win for me, and win for the company. And in these times - whatever helps them out can only be good for me.

All that to say - I really want to make my workstation here at home a distinct, separate area from the rest of my spare room space. So, if I'm going to go to that extent - I may as well move everything around.

So - pros and cons. But still, the prospect of moving stuff around and redecorating? LOVE IT. I'm just weird like that...

Spring Cleaning...Oh, and an FO

This...
Has turned into this...

Not bad, huh? I went through each and every bin and bag, and put aside anything I either did not remember having, or did not have any intention of using. You gotta be ruthless...

I ended up with 4 large Ziploc XXL-sized bags, ready to be donated. So, Lorraine came over, and I packed up her car with the yarn, and we dropped it off at the Purple Purl, where they would be donating it to Sistering - a drop-in centre for homeless and socially isolated women here in Toronto. And excellent cause, and I'm glad I could contribute in some small way.

Let's face it. If I haven't used it by now, chances are I won't. Sure, I could have sold it off, but to be honest - I don't have the time. And you know what? Donating it was a much better solution.

What I kept - all my Virtual Yarns kits and Hebridean yarn, all my Norwegian kits and yarn, my "basic" wool, most of the Fleece Artist/Fiddlesticks yarns, and the Noro Kureyon (I want to make Lizard Ridge...). Oh, and all of my Jamieson's too. What I gave away was good stuff, but nevertheless stuff I would not have ended up using.

Hey look! It's an FO! Wow!

Hello, Genevieve.

Here she is, completed. Genevieve is by the very talented Dorothy Siemens, of Fiddlesticks Knitting. I bought the kit, and the yarn used is Silken Merino (a lovely blend of merino wool/silk) in the Amethyst colour. It's knit using 3mm and 3.5mm needles, and using 3mm to 4.5mm for the collar.

I thoroughly enjoyed this project! The pattern was well written, and the charts were fool-proof. Now, yes this is "lace", or rather, it uses lace techniques. However, I didn't find it difficult, primarily because of the excellent charts. And the yarn wasn't tiny and floss-like. So, it worked out well.

Not too much else to report in my corner of the world... Let's see... Work is...there. I actually have to finish up here and log into my work laptop. We are working on a server upgrade that's being rather difficult. Such has been the weekend up to now...

The neighbours. Well. It seems they're back together. No s**t. Didn't see that one coming. Although she did mention to me again that she plans on giving her notice. I'm really not holding my breath. But, they have been pretty quiet of late, so I'll take what I can get.

And the Little Dudes?

Very little changes in their world. Which is what they like, so it seems.

Atticus dodged a bullet Saturday morning, simply by being a pill. He was supposed to return to the vet, but put up such a fight, I had to call and cancel.

"Return visit? I don't think so."

Mae is still fidgety when it comes to posing for pictures.

"It's like drinking a ton of caffeine AND sugar together!"

And Gandalf still plays the suck card, milking it for all it's worth.

"My turn! I want to do a crossword puzzle now! Me! Me me me!"

And I must sign off for this week! Have a great one!

The Continuing Saga

Some things never change. And that can be good thing.

Atticus does his Atticus-thing on one of his Atticus spots.

Mae won't hold still for the camera.

And Gandalf relaxes. He does do that from time to time.

And the stuff that changes? Well, it's all good. Folks, it looks like we have found a new home. Fingers crossed! I had the choice between the one I told you about last week, and another one I came across by chance earlier last week, which I like even more than the first one! In a building! With laundry! And 2 bedrooms! With big windows! And lots of closet space! And heat I control! Me! But of course, until it's signed on the dotted line... but I'm confident. And I remain positive.

Thanks again for all your support! Of course, in the past week I haven't had any door incidents. Then again, I ended up working from home most of the week due to an eye infection that was, well, gross. Thanks to the power of antibiotics and warm compresses, I'm on the mend. But I have to say - I am becoming completely paranoid at every small sound.

I did hear from my neighbour downstairs, she had some *interesting* news to tell me - her mail-thieving, door slamming, screaming shrew of a sister has moved out. Moved back in with her mother. Aw. Shucks. And to think I could be out of this place by mid-March. Apparently, she'd had enough of the streetcars, her sister and the new stud-muffin, and of course, me. My heart. She breaks.

Regardless. The sooner I'm out of here, the better. As a few of you commented - if it no longer feels like home - it isn't.

Moving to a new apartment should send the Little Dudes into therapy. Except for Atticus, he adjusts pretty easily to things. But Mae and Gandalf? Oy. They get freaked if I move a chair, or vaccum their sleeping spot. So, if anyone can offer tips on easing cats into a new home, let me know!

In the meantime...

I made a hat! Cute, huh? Carolyn made one as well, which I thought was too cute to resist. It's "Ardvey" from... AS' "In the Hebrides". I never noticed it until I saw one done up on Carolyn's blog. It does look kind of funny now, but it fits beautifully! And I still do need to block it though. I used some "Black Water Abbey" yarn I had left over from something or other (shhhh...I know, I didn't use Starmore yarns! But what Alice doesn't know, won't hurt her...).

And to go with it?

A pair of moss stitch mittens, also in red. I'm using some Mission Falls 1824 wool. The pattern is from the Mission Falls "Smitten" booklet, and they will grow into the "Blossom" design.

Why the new projects? Stress. I simply could not concentrate on anything bigger or more complicated. I was all thumbs trying to work on Isobel of Mar (and I'm *this* close to finishing the bodice). And Windsor Waistcoat? After having to rip out 3 rounds, I decided I should stick to something easy. Knitting definitely calms my nerves, but this time around, I just couldn't concentrate properly. I tend to internalise stress, to the point I don't even realize what I'm doing to myself. Then I realize I am "out of sorts". Regardless, it's not healthy, I know.

The prospect of moving isn't the stress factor - it's the current living arrangements. Well, I'm dealing with the problem, and I hope that it will soon be resolved.

Fingers crossed!