I set myself some big-ass goals this weekend and guess what? I MET THEM! Yahoo! First up on the list: DON’T BE CRAZY! And I wasn’t too crazy. Really. There were a few moments here and there of bad thoughts but successful thought-stopping ensued which may or may not have included jumping on a trampoline screaming “I LOVE YOU!” at the top of my lungs. Actually, just thinking about doing it made me smile which stopped a bad thought. Did you know it’s scientifically impossible to have bad thoughts while jumping on a trampoline? It’s true. Don’t believe me? Try it yourself.
Second goal: EXERCISE! Which I did! I actually got off my ass and went out this weekend to run, not once but TWICE! Granted, I started my beginner running program from the freaking beginning AGAIN, but it felt so good to be out there and the weather was glorious. I was a little sad though because my running route is basically the same as my flower route – the path along the development behind my building is the source of most of my flower pictures. I basically missed the whole season. Literally. And what’s out there dying is pretty much TOO dead for my tastes. I do like to take pictures of flowers on their last stem, but these babies are already gone. A trip to the botanical gardens may be in order very, very soon. My little sister will be coming to stay with me next week for a little bit while G is away (AGAIN!) and hopefully we’ll make a trip up to the Bronx.
Third goal: EAT! Yeah. Too much of that. I’m already putting back on the gloriously lost crazy pounds. You knew it was going to happen. But for two days I looked thin again. Hopefully the running will keep things in check. I was back in pants I couldn’t wear since LAST summer. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I always look my best and mentally I feel my worst. It’s a sad truth.
Fourth goal: KNIT!
I’m really enjoying this lace project. I’ve put markers at all of the 12 stitch repeats and it’s been fast going that way. I’ve barely had to tink back – I think maybe once so far. I’ve got one purl row to go on the fourth repeat. I’m planning on doing all ten – for the shawl. Those girls that can do the scarf and call it a shawl are much more petite than I. I may actually go even farther – depends on the yarn situation. I’m liking the yarn too – at least the color. The variegation seems to be working really well with the pattern. Each diamond has some blue, some green, some darker blue. It’s looking lovely. As I knit it I’m thinking it will be beautiful to wear to synagogue this year, should I go for the High Holy Days. With a nice navy skirt and a crisp white blouse. I always loved High Holy Days clothes. Almost as much as I love the prayers said this time of year. They’re mournful and melodic and I often catch myself singing them year round. Anyway, I’ve been enjoying the DFS and I highly recommend it!
Yes, I completed a sock. I very much like it – it’s bright and cheery and it fits well. The heel isn’t perfect – I need to tighten up some almost holes, but in the end I think I like the gusset/flap heel best. I tried two different kinds of short rows and didn’t like either. I still have to try an afterthought heel – next pair of socks – but for now this works well for me. Nice to know that, you know? I haven’t cast on for the second – but I will today. And I want these clogs. Especially for Rhinebeck.
And last but not least….
Yes, my friends, it’s a FINISHED back AND FRONT of the now infamous Short Row Sweater. This was the MAJOR goal of the weekend – I want this sucker done! Of course, in succeeding at said goal, I kind of made pretend that there weren’t 3,681,207 ends.
Just for kicks, you know, to see if this thing will actually, one day, miracle of miracles, BE a sweater, I pinned the back and front together.
WHAHOOO! This might actually WORK! I’m very happy with it so far. Here are some close-ups on the zigzags:
So all I’ve got left are the sleeves – which should be a breeze since they’re all one color. I’m planning on doing both at the same time – and I still haven’t decided yet if I’m going to even cast on for them BEFORE I attend to those ENDS. Ugh. I see myself wearing this sweater for the High Holy Days too. With the same navy skirt. It’s nice to have goals. 😉
Lest you think it was all fun and games and knits here this weekend, there were still tears and sadness. Some of it personal, some of it global. The more I read and see of the tragedy on the Gulf Coast the more disillusioned I am with the human race as a whole. People are just SO MEAN. I’m sick to death of the finger pointing and name calling and who did or did not do what. I’ve never had any love (or even like) for the current administration, but now I’m even disgusted with the people I supposedly AGREE
with. Now is the time TO SHUT THE FUCK UP and ACT! It’s not the time for who’s right and who’s wrong. It seems to me that the political atmosphere in this country is directly to blame – which means BOTH SIDES. BOTH SIDES. NO POLITICIAN OR PUNDIT IS INNOCENT.
[ETA: If I hear one more “person” say how everything would’ve been handled so wonderfully if Ghouliani had been mayor – I’m going to start screaming and not stop. There is NO WAY that the disaster in NOLA can be compared to 9/11. After the towers fell, the event was pretty much over, except for the clean-up. The whole tragedy affected (physically) a very small part of the city. There was no recovery. By the end of the day, things were back to “normal” in terms of people getting food, shelter, communicating with each other. Sure, some people were homeless – but those people had the means (by virtue of where they lived) to find other shelter. Ghouliani didn’t have to hold the physical well-being of the city together. This may seem harsh – but it’s the truth as I see it.]
I watched the Sunday news programs this weekend – it’s something G usually does and occasionally I tune in. When I saw Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard on Meet the Press, I was beyond horrified. Then I read about shoe shopping and slack jaws and I wonder, where is our collective conscience? And even if you don’t really care about what’s happened here, where is your INTELLIGENCE to keep your mouth shut? We can’t even make it LOOK like we care. (And isn’t it so much worse that these WOMEN can’t seem to gather up any real sympathy?)
All weekend long I’d pop on over to Margene and Susan’s site and gain a little bit of hope back.
Knit on through all crises. And that’s exactly what I’m doing.
Glad you had a good weekend! Boy did you get a lot done! I love those Walking on Sunshine socks. What’s the yarn? And the short row sweater is so cool. Can’t wait to see it finished. What color are the sleeves going to be?
Wow, Cara! That’s some impressive post! The short rows, the sock, the shawl…not to mention the running!
And thanks for your last comments. As if things weren’t bad enough, all of the usual suspects on BOTH sides (…and why do we need to have sides!!??) are lined up in front of the microphones trying to score political points. Seems to me there’s enough blame to go around and some of it goes back years and years. I just hope an honest analysis will be done so that the next mega-disaster’s destruction won’t be compounded by confused and delayed response.
Beautiful! Beautiful sock, beautiful shawl, beautiful short rows…you amaze me!
Nice short rows! Nice socks! Here’s hoping for you to get up to the botanical gardens!
I love it; love, love, LOVE it all!! The Sunshine Sock is glorious — a very happy sock. Short Rows makes me want to sing, even with all those ends. I can’t wait ’til you’re finished. Stupendous!
And all the rest, too.
I had to come up for air and check on YOU! What fun to see the beautiful shawl (knitting?-not much here!) and the socks is fab, too. I tried (once again) a short row heel this weekend. WTF!? I hate those things!!! (Yeah, I’m a bit stressed – in a good way.) And grrlfriend I’ll tell you right now…you’ll hate the after-thought heel even more. I love the sweater, too! And I’m so with you on this adminstration, the people who are mean and all that…no need for me to go on…you know.
Your knitting looks fabulous. All of it. That shawl is stunning. (Although you got me thinking about high holiday attire — growl — suffice to say that when I’m stressed I eat, so that I both look AND feel bad. So, not so excited about that). Short rows — also beautiful. With respect to Katrina, at different points during the weekend, I’d pop over to Margene’s or Susan’s and tell my husband “guess how much the knitters have raised?” — truly amazing.
Good for you! Excellent progress on all counts!
God. All I did was cry, compile a rectangle, and knit a bunny.
You seriously rock. And I’m using that freaking pyramid for my tail problem…
Girl, you have been busy! Short Rows looks fantastic (love the color scheme you chose) and your happiness sock is so cheery and cozy! I took a peek at your running pyramid thingy, which I’ve seen before at a couple of running sites, and I wonder how you time your increments. Are you actually keeping an eye on your watch or just winging it or what? Curious about how it works cause I’ve never been a runner but want to try. 🙂
wow, that’s an amazing amount of knitting! everything is gorgeous. and congratulations on the running!
and thanks for the rest of the post.
the giuliani comparisons make me crazy.
So much knitting! beautiful short rows sweater.
where to begin? the short rows, the socks, the shawl?? it’s all so very lovely my dear! btw: your feet will stink like a bastard in those clogs, remind me to pack some foot powder for you!
Goals met–now that is good news! Good for you with the exercise! love all of the knits, C. That DFS will be so perfect for the coming holidays. Great idea.
Take care~and have fun with your sis. I miss my sisters…
cara it’s so good to hear you sounding so positive. it made me wonder, did you ever get referred for cognitive behavioural therapy? i’ve been struggling myself recently, so it’s very encouraging that you’re doing so well – i must follow your example with the exercise.
Oooo… I love those socks. What yarn did you use for those?
All of your other knitting is simply beautiful too!
Cara dahling, I’m so behind. I must tell you, though, that the socks are so pretty, the shawl is freaking gorgeous and I can’t breathe looking at the short rows. SO GOOD. And it will become a sweater. It will. I FEEL IT. 😉
Are you going to rhinebeck, p.s.????