Three years ago today I started this blog. Or, really, an incarnation of this blog. It didn’t start out as January One, but it didn’t take me long to adopt the name. I still think it fits perfectly, encompassing much of who I am.
This weekend at Rhinebeck, among my many blogger friends – friends I would’ve never made had it not been for this blog, I took stock of things. Obviously, things have changed. Much less knitting. Much more baby babble. A blog is a dynamic entity. It needs to grow and change and if it had stayed the same all these years I doubt you’d be reading this right now. I’d have bored myself silly and I can’t imagine what it would have done to you.
One of the most interesting things I’ve thought about in the last couple of days – in thinking about writing this post – is WHY I started this blog. Of course it was to catalog my knitting and talk about my knitting, but more than anything, I realize now, it was an escape. I started this blog less than two weeks after Georgie and I backed out of our first IVF transfer. Two weeks. It doesn’t take Freud to understand what I was really after. And oh my god how much this blog – and you all – whether you know it or not – helped me through that very difficult time. Now that I’m on the other side – and the blog has definitely suffered for it – I find it all so fascinating.
The chances are very great, that had I gone through with the IVF the first time, and certainly if I had gotten pregnant, I might have never started this blog.
That time in my life was so difficult. I tortured myself for more than two years with the decisions looming over us. To have children, not to have children. How much to go through to get those children. And honestly I’m so glad we waited. Beyond the fact that THIS IS THE TIME FOR US, I’m completely convinced, it makes me a bit sad to know that had we gone through with it before, I might have missed all that my blog has brought me. Friends. Inspiration. Frustration. Lessons learned. All of it. I am so grateful for what this blog has given me in my life. And, it goes without saying, all of you. Sure, sometimes you make me crazy and I’m sorely tempted to close up shop, but then someone reaches out and tells me that I’ve helped them – or you help me in some very needed way and it’s all worth it again.
Over the past three years this blog has grown in ways I’ve never imagined. Lately, because of the changes I’m going through and inevitably the blog is going through, many people have felt the need to tell me they won’t be reading anymore. I’m not going to lie – it hurts my feelings. This blog is ME. Not all of me, but a great deal of me and who doesn’t want to be loved? BUT, that’s not why I write this blog. I write it because it’s cathartic and an escape and because it’s an outlet for my creativity that I so need in my life. An outlet for my passions. An outlet for my dreams. Everyone needs an outlet and I’d much rather blog than walk the treadmill, if you know what I mean.
So on my three year anniversary I’m rededicating myself to my blog. I will write what I want, when I want. About what I want. Maybe some of you will stay around, most likely some will not. Please, though, if you choose to go, know that I send you off with my best wishes. But don’t tell me about it. Restrain yourselves. Just move along quietly. Thank you.
I’ve also decided to rededicate my life to my knitting. My wise friend Ann and I were discussing the current lack of knitting in my life and she had some really good insight. Generally I’m an all or nothing kind of girl. I throw myself into everything – passion is my middle name – and it’s never been as satisfying to dabble. (I give you Miter Madness. Possibly the most extreme example of my obsessions.) Here I am – working my ass off everyday – collapsing at night – and I realize that what may be keeping me from my knitting is the idea that I can’t knit for hours at a time. But what’s wrong with fifteen minutes here or there? Even two rows? IT COUNTS. So that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to try to knit a little bit every day and maybe the spark will catch again. And really, this is an excellent exercise for me. Not everything in life has to overwhelm you. Once the baby gets here I’m going to have to be content with a row here and a row there so I better get used to it now.
In honor of my third year anniversary, I cast on a new project last night. And I managed to knit more than 2 rows. 25 to be exact.
It’s the Waves in the Square Shawl by Sivia Harding, one of my favorite lace designers ever! (She of Diamond Fantasy fame!) So far I’m loving the pattern and I think it will be perfect for re-entry. The lace isn’t too complicated and once I get farther into the pattern there’s a rhythm to it. It’s also an interesting construction in that it’s a triangle – but it’s separated in to three sections so it sits squarer on your neck.
I think the picture above illustrates this pretty well. I’m planning on using beads on the picot bind off, as Sivia suggests, but I’ve got a long way to go before I get there. The yarn I’m using was a Rhinebeck purchase:
Fingering weight 100% superwash wool hand dyed by SilverSLIVER Moon Farm. (Thanks, Sharon, for pointing out I got the name wrong!! This website works fine!) The color is Smoky Plum and that’s exactly what it is. There are wonderful streaks of gray running through the yarn – just subtle enough to catch your eye, but nothing that stands out as streaky in the knitted fabric. I’m enjoying myself so much that I stayed up way past my bedtime last night just to finish ONE MORE ROW. Ah. The good old days are back!
There is no pressure with this project. I have one other project planned – my stole with yarn from Briar Rose – and if I manage to get these two projects done before the babe arrives I will be so pleased. And maybe a pair of socks. If not – that’s okay too. Knitting and this blog are my indulgences. I don’t think I should have to give those up just because a baby is on the way. A happy mama makes for a happy baby. And knitting and blogging make me happy.
To celebrate and rededicate the blog, I’m giving away three skeins of the aptly named Socks That Rock January One sock yarn (Lightweight – my fave!) and some other knitty treats as well. Without blogging I would’ve never found this yarn – which truly remains my favorite. To win the yarn, leave a commen
t telling me a part of your life that you miss that you would like to rededicate – or maybe something you’ve always wanted to try but didn’t have the time or were scared or whatever. Or just leave me a comment telling me to have a nice day. I will pick the winners at random. Comments will close at 11:59 EST Sunday, October 28. Winners will be announced on Monday, October 29. ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PLEASE.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for your support. Just thank you.
L, C
I can’t believe I’m the first one! I am glad to hear of your rededication to your blog – I read it every day and find so much inspiration from it, both in terms of knitting and otherwise.
For the longest time, I wanted to pick up sewing. I learned the VERY BASICS of sewing in home ec when I was younger, but I was too intimated to actually break out my grandmother’s old sewing machine and have at it. Once I finished my master’s degree, I decided that relearning to sew on a machine was the One Big Thing I was going to accomplish this year. So far, I have sewn 3 blankets, 2 clutches and some bibs, and I haven’t looked back since. What was I so afraid of again?
Thanks for continuing to write…I look forward to your blog posts every day.
Cara,
I am a mom and a knitter and I love your blog. You’ve been an inspiration for me in the knitting department and now, every time I hear Bruce Springsteen, I think of you.
I don’t know how to explain the re-dedication, but it involves creating. I have so many half-finished, half-imagined ideas, and I just want to create them! So, I dedicate myself to NOT dissolving into a puddle of meh at the end of the day with my remote in my hand, and WORKING ON my quilt, my grandpa’s knit hat, and my lace shawl that will be so very beautiful if I could just concentrate on it enough not to eff it all up. Heheheh.
Congratulations. I am so happy for you and G.
I enjoy reading your blog – glad to see that you are going to continue. Have a nice day!
I always enjoy reading your blog – whether the subject is babies or knitting! I’m glad you will be blogging on.
I miss walking and doing yoga. I was in pretty good shape 7 years ago, after spending two years losing weight and working hard to exercise regularly, and now I’ve turned 60 and am really feeling old and out of shape. I know it’s now or never.
Change is inevitable and usually for the best. Keep up the great work, we’re all changing with you.
I think the thing I’ve been the most afraid of is admitting what would really get me to jump out of bed every morning and love going to work. The idea it isn’t anything to do with what I worked through college to achieve is torturous. But acknowledgment/acceptance is the first step, right?
I bought that same yarn at Rhinebeck, really liked the colorways at Silver Moon.
Cheers!
I’m a long time reader. I eagerly await your posts every day. I have a special fondness because my daughter is also a January one. We waited a long time for her and she was worth it! Now she is 14 and a crazy knitter. I’m proud of her and I’m proud of you. Namaste.
I am making the same thing… and love it!
I’d like to rededicate myself to letter writing. I love to write letters and I find that I am more “me” when I write a letter than type an email. A friend expressed that this year, she didn’t get her birthday letter… a tradition among us. instead, she got an email, b/c I was busy/distracted/overbooked.
I enjoy your blog and am happy for you that you picked up your needles again. I have a business with my husband and two kids, and you are right…sometimes you have to grab the time you are able to for your indulgences. And with a baby, that time may come in smaller blocks at times you aren’t used to. But also, you are correct that a happy mom makes for a happy baby. I have always wanted to write a novel, but have never afforded myself the time to do it. I still think that I will, but find that I am not as good a writer in small snippets of time. So I am biding my time a bit and then will tackle it.
There are three things for me. Reading, gardening and drawing/painting. They are all things I have done with passion in the past. (Ask me to talk a bit of botanical latin, I can do it.) I’m like you a person who becomes totally obsessive about whatever the current intrest is. It is so hard for me to dabble. Now that I have started knitting again my books are gathering dust, my garden is a mess and my drawing skills are only used to sketch pattern ideas. But then again, there are only so many hours in a day.
I love reading your blog, whether you’re talking about babies, or knitting, or anything, really. Your photos are beautiful, and you inspired me to try the Monkey pattern (now I have three pairs, with more planned!)
PS – Have a nice day. =)
I’d like to dedicate more time to crafting for fun. Knitting without a deadline, making cards for friends & family and learning how to sew. Not because I’m trying to impress others in the blogosphere but because I want to do it and it makes me happy. 🙂
Here’s a blog philosophy you might like: http://www.tartx.com/blog/?page_id=233
I decided it was the right answer for me. 😀
Here’s a blog philosophy you might like: http://www.tartx.com/blog/?page_id=233
I decided it was the right answer for me. 😀
I’m so glad you are going to continue blogging — and knitting! What do I want to rededicate my self to? Music…piano, voice, and guitar. (Yikes- did I say “guitar”?!?). I took 13 years of piano lessons (thanks, Mom!), sang in church choirs, and now only play and sing kids’ music. Great stuff, but it’s time to stretch and challenge myself again. Hopefully, if my kids see me doing it, they’ll want to do it, too!
What a beautiful post. These last few months I’ve taken to rededicate to myself – not in a “I’m the queen of the world” sort of way, but in a way that I think make time for myself and don’t push myself to be everything to everyone. With all that has happened this year, it was a good move. 🙂 And have a nice day 🙂
I wonder sometimes about those people who tell you what to write – either by telling you outright what to write or by informing you that they’re voting with their feet because you’re not writing what they want to read. I’m not sure what drives people to do this: would these same people say, “Oh – you repainted your living room. I liked the old color much better, so I won’t be coming over to your house any more”? It’s just bizarre (well, it’s rude and hurtful also – maybe it’s part of the cult of, “What? I was only being honest…”).
I don’t know why it is, but I’m always too shy to tell you this when I see you in person: I really enjoy reading your blog everyday. I always take something away from it, whether it’s a different understanding of color or photography, or a newfound love of STR and Bruce Springsteen. So what if you blog about what is happening in your life? I do that all the time – as you said, the blog is a large part of you, and if it wasn’t, we wouldn’t like it as much!
My rededication is to creativity. I spent much of the summer “on hiatus,” where I would just sit around and read or watch TV or play on the computer, without doing anything creative. Creativity is a huge part of me, so basically I spent the summer stagnating. No more of that. More spinning, knitting, photography, beading, writing, theatre. I need to let my creative self take the lead again and push myself to get my work out there. A good goal, and something to hopefully aim for the rest of my life. 🙂
How cool — I woke up this morning also determined to rededicate myself to knitting! It may be because I’ve gotten a bit tired of my current project; all the same, it needs to get done, and two or four rows at a time will get it finished. Many thanks for your inspiration!
Cara, I wanted so much to meet you at Rhinebeck but I was so overwhelmed by the hugeness of it all that I didn’t see ANYONE I knew (save 2 RL friends I saw at the very beginning). I never understood the whole ‘your blog isn’t what I wanted it to be so I’m leaving’ thing; a blog is about what YOU want to write. If the thing that you write about doesn’t have to do with knitting, so what? Your pregnancy is the most important thing in your life, so you write about it. Heck, what you’re going through actually helps to reinforce MY decision NOT to have kids. 😉
I have the opposite problem on my blog. None of my RL friends or family care about knitting or spinning, so they complain that all I EVER talk about is yarn! Can’t please everyone.
Anyway, have a wonderful day. Keep writing what’s in you and I’ll still be here reading.
I miss public performance, either with a choral group or an orchestra. In some sense it’s a nostalgia – I know the time has passed, to be sitting on stage with my flute and being a small part of a gloriously cooperative sound.
On the other hand, there’s nothing stopping me from seeking out local choral groups and participating in those (I’m not religious, so it limits the public singing opportunities).
My mom always said that a mother has to take time for herself or she will begin to resent the family and other household responsibilities.
I plan to rededicate myself to fitness….I was doing tae kwan do and stopped when I became pregnant. I had my daughter in 2002 (!) and now it is time to get myself back to a comfortable level of fitness.I do take time to read and knit…usually in the wee hours of the morning but I also need to incorporate some sort of activity as well.
I love you and I love the blog because of the friendship it brought us. Being apart of your life and watching the processes you’ve been through has been a joy. Thank you, grrlfriend.
I need to reassign my time between my hobbies and DH. Right now I spend most of my time knitting. But I need to spend more quality time with the hubby and then split the rest of the time between knitting, of course, and my two other hobbies, spinning and sewing.
Good for you. I don’t understand why people would abandon you just because you started talking babies and puke. It’s not like you pulled a James Watson or anything. To me it’s all about seeing people change and develop, either in their knitting or the real life they chose to share. So thank you. I like seeing you grow.
Tina
Congrats! I too have been a fan of StR for some time, but it was not until this past Stitches East that I was able to actually purchase some! I chose January One, but in medium weight. I hope to find a shawl to make with it at some point. Until then, I take it out and squish it everyday! 🙂
I enjoy your blog! Thank you for writing!
Congrats on the three years! I haven’t been commenting on the baby stuff b/c I haven’t gone through this process, and I can’t really relate and I’m in my own state of denial about having or not having kids. But I appreciate the raw honesty that you have been putting out there. Ef ’em if they don’t like it.
Frankly, I’m not one of those women that believes pregnancy is beautiful, and I suspect that more people feel the way you do than will let on. There’s this cult of moms that don’t tell women what it’s really like in case the rest of us won’t go there. My sister-in-law hated her pregnancy, so now there are two people out there spreading the truth. 😉
There are so many things that I’d love to rededicate myself to. Life gets in the way. I wish I could still take the occasional ballet class here and there, noodle on my viola, and do more with my photography. Most of these things require a time commitment that I can’t give. But you’re so right, knitting a few rows here and there, is at least something.
Hi Cara:
I am glad that you rededicated yourself to your craft (one that you are extremely good at). I have those moments myself. All or nothing! But I realized I just don’t have time to do a major project, so I start small and work up. I spin to knit. I spin a yarn for a particular project. Then when I am ready, I start knitting. I am into lace, and I knit a couple of rows at night before bed. It doesn’t seem like much progress to the outside world, but being a busy married, primary caretaker of two, it is a ton of progress.
Early October, I started to rededicated myself to MYSELF. I decided that despite my husband living in WI while I live in MA, I am going to get a full time job, put the kids in daycare and afterschool, and get back into a pattern of self improvement. I’ve been working for 2 weeks in a rewarding and challenging job. The money I make pays for the childcare, but the remainder of that pay will go to clothes (which I never buy for myself), crafts (which I used to feel guilty about spending a fraction of my dh’s “hard earned” money–as if I didn’t earn that money too), and future endeavours, such as photography.
YOU have been the main culprit of my rediscovered love of photography. My goal is to buy a DSLR and lenses to become a semi-professional photographer. Because of your blog (which to me isn’t just about your knitting), I’ve read books on photography, have improved my photographs with a P&S camera, and have learned to post-process my snapshots. I even plan on taking a digital photography certification course in Boston next semester.
When you get comments about losing a reader and how your blogging has changed, it is not representative of all of us readers. There are many of us who will keep coming back for more of YOU.
Hi,
I started reading your blog because the photos were so inspiring. Having had kids myself, talk of babies doesn’t upset me. While I enjoyed the knitting content, there’s more to life than knitting, and I can still enjoy the read when you wander off topic. Best of luck with the baby!
I’ve been in graduate school for more than 2 years now, after a zillion years being out of school. I really miss having time to read books. Nice, cozy, non-academic books. Come next summer, I’ll be able to get back into reading. Yay!
I am a relatively new blogger. I have enjoyed reading through all the baby stuff and the knitting. I can only imagine, if your pictures of yarn are this beautiful how amazing the pictures of the little one will be. So rest relax and take care of yourself and knit. I have decided to rededicate myself to my pottery. I love the feel of the mud yet haven’t maanaged to do any lately. I think I am going to start this weekend.
Whichever direction your blog takes, Cara, will be one full of passion. I’ll be happy to be along for the ride.
Just wanted to say “Thank you for today’s post.” I had been avoiding my knitting ever since a marathon session while trying to finish a project to enter in the fair, and since then I just can’t get motivated to knit. (I did win a blue ribbon though.) You helped me see that I too am a bit obsessive.
So I am rededicating myself to my knitting, but not at the exclusion of all else. I pledge to no longer make knitting a chore, I will knit what I want, when I can and I’m probably going to become a selfish knitter. So no more knitted gifts, unless I really want to. I’m also gonna read again. It’s okay if it takes away from knitting time. Thanks for the insight.
I think it’s crummy when people tell you that YOUR blog isn’t suiting THEIR needs. It’s not like you’re being paid to write for them, y’know?
I’d like to get back in touch with the part of me that loved sports. I used to have such fun playing volleyball and haven’t done it even recreationally in years. Now might be the time to start looking for a local rec league.
Thanks for the invitation to rededicate myself to a project I’ve been thinking about for a while now. My project is my geneology. I got very excited about working on it a couple years ago and then let it go because I didn’t have software to keep track of it all. There’s a huge stack of papers in my office waiting to be sorted out. I’m doing my research now on the programs available so I can get back to this passion!
My hubby and I decided not to have kids together. I’m step-mom to a wonderful 11 year old girl. I absolutely know that we made the right decision, but occasionally the hormones still give me the baby craving. I really enjoyed being close to my sister when she was pregnant and helping her in that first year or so of motherhood. I’ve been enjoying the vicarious view into your process as well.
Thanks for being you, whatever the subject you choose!
Great post. This is just the first of many rededications your life will go through. Duh, right? Isn’t that what life’s all about? Stocked with some good standards to come home to; knitting, photos & General Hospital. I think it’s just good that we all take the time to rededicate every couple months.
Aside from the fact that I simply can’t understand why someone would think it’s OK to tell you that they’re disappointed in the direction your blog is taking (nobody is obligated to read anybody’s blog, so it’s conversationally odd to inform you that they’re not going to do something that they’re under no obligation to do), I personally find myself gravitating toward knitting blogs that are something more than a simple catalog of “I knit this, and then I knit that, after frogging this other thing”.
In terms of rededication, I don’t know that I’d want now to go back to what I was when I finished my PhD, 25+ years ago, and embarked on an academic career. Along the way, I switched academic areas and discovered a talent for computer support that I didn’t know I had (of course, 30 years ago, desktop computers were some kind of fantasy!). I’m a different person now. But what I’d like more than anything is to remain open to even more change.
Hi Cara
Wishing you a happy blogiversary and I hope that this blog brings you everything that you need. I love coming here to read and love your pictures – they are simply amazing 🙂 and I look forward to reading more in the future – baby included 🙂
I too am knitting Sivia’s shawl and I’m loving the pattern. As you mentioned, very rythmic. I’m about 1/2 through and you can see the pix on Ravelry.
Because of you and a few other known knitters, I have grown to love knitting socks and have loved the process if turning the heal and kitchenering the toes as I feel such a sense of accomplishment – thank you for that 🙂
so here’s to many more years of blogging and making friends!!! 🙂
Reading what you have written makes me think of my life in so many ways. From a 2 time mommy, I will give you may best advice…..be gentle with yourself. We often forget to take care of us and when we do we are better at taking care of those around us (including that new baby that’s coming!) Remember to take time to knit, to read, to blog to enjoy! I’m rededicating myself to taking care of me!
Blogs ONLY about knitting are a wee bit boring. Blogs about your LIFE and knitting, are wonderful. I just started reading your blog amidst the puking. So even though some leave, some are new.
I miss painting. I’m an artist living in toddler land. Getting out all of my paints and things is really difficult right now since I have no dedicated space and two toddlers who will destroy should they get their grubby paws on anything. So that is what I can not wait to do. For the time being, knitting has taken it’s place for my creative outlet. Ironically, I’ll probably get my studio about the time the girls move out. Oh.. and yes… get used to that few rows at a time. It does add up. 😉
I won’t be having babies to keep you company (my grandkids would be amused, my daughter would be horrified!), but I’ll keep reading with or without babies. I read your blog because I enjoy your writing, not because you write about any particular subject.
That said, you (and Shelly Kang) have inspired me to try mitered squares to build a blanket. Thank you!
For me, a blog is a personal journal that others can read. Life is ever changing, and a blog will reflect that. Don’t feel bad about that. My blog has included way more baby than knitting lately. Because everything is about the baby now :)!
I’ve tried really hard to think to what I can rededicate myself, and honestly, I can’t think of something that has really fallen by the wayside. I really want to make a homemade pie so that’s what I’m going to do.
Most of the blogs I read are from a combination of knitting and what the blogger has to say. Sometimes I’ll read some uninteresting writing to get to the fabulous knitting, and sometimes I’ll read a knitting blog with very little knitting content just because the stories the blogger tells are interesting in themselves. When you knit, your knits are fabulous. When you don’t, you’re still interesting and worth the read in my opinion 🙂
Cara – good for you! You’ve got something great here and it’s appreciated. Ignore those people who feel compelled to spew their unwanted negative opinions all over. They’re just jealous! Keep up the good work. Happy knitting and blogging.
I’m very happy that you’re keeping the blog. I’ve always enjoyed your writings and photos, no matter the subject. Rededication is something I find myself doing with each change of seasons. It’s always something new and doesn’t always stick, but I keep trying. Sometimes I only get to knit a row or two a day, also, but I do it because it’s mine and no one else’s. I plan to rededicate myself to my spinnning. It won’t happen until January One, when I have 3 lovely weeks off of work, but that will be my rededication day.
Thanks, Cara, for all the inspiration!
I’m thrilled to hear another blogger out there not apologize for having their blog develop over the years. My blog strayed into infertility and ttc’ing for a while after I lost my first child and began to struggle with secondary infertility. I regret not blogging for a while because I felt like since I wasnt knitting a lot, I couldnt blog.
Well, I’m done with that. I’ll blog about my baby and the rest of my life if I want to.
I like how I am balancing out work vs knitting and fiber in general. I do have a question: are you going to finish the miter blanket? 😀 Some sock yarn would be nice since sock yarn does not count ……
I just wanted to say that I’m really happy you started this blog back then. It’s always a thrill to read your posts, and even more so now that the puking plays a part in it (I’m a big fan of poo/wee/bodyfluids humor!). 🙂 I can’t really remember when I started reading, but it was a pretty long time ago.
Knitting has now taken over a big part of my life, and if I “had” to reintroduce something into my life that I haven’t done in a long time, it would be playing the piano. I’ve done that since I was 6 years old, but I just don’t seem to have time for it anymore. But if I have to choose between knitting and playing, hehe, there’s no competition! 🙂
And finally, have a great day! (Hopefully without too much puking…)
Happy blogiversary Cara!
I always enjoy seeing what you knit and reading your blog. So, thank you for blogging.
I’d always wanted to learn to crochet… finally this winter I did. So far I’ve completed 3 dishcloths, but it’s been a couple of months since I’ve picked up the hook (for crochet purposes, I have been using it to pick up/fix stitches though), so I want to remember to make time to crochet. Knitting gets picked up first, because I can do that and watch tv, whereas I need to look at the crochet.
Over the past two years I’ve been constantly switching my priorities between family/friend and my education. University kicked into high gear and I haven’t been able to be there when most people need me. I always feel that I’m being pulled in two directions–I love the work that I do and I want to do it all the time, however I also love my family friends and boyfriend and they all suffer at the hands of my education sometimes.
I can’t wait until the time is right to rededicate myself to my family. I miss everyone so much.
Thank you Cara for writing and have a good week end!
Have a nice day! okthxbye!
Just kidding . . . your post really hit a chord with me because lately I feel like my blog has really been neglected, and that I need to rededicate myself to it as you are with yours!
In knitting, I’d like to brave some lace . . . I’ve never knit lace, and it’s something I want to be able to say I’ve done!
Also, happy blogiversary!
Cara..much of what you say mimics my current life and situation. Although I never had to deal with the IVF stuff, I can relate to your feelings, the need to keep things dynamic and real for you. As a whole, blog readers can be a finicky bunch, looking for the next great fix – but life isn’t always great and that is what makes “real” blog reassuring. If I wanted everything coming up roses I’d watch more primetime TV. Regardless, stay true to yourself and for as many pain in the ass people there are who feel the need to express their discomfort with your current topics, there are a dozen of us who really care and are here to offer unconditional support.
So with that said, my redirection pledge is to be more like Cara… 🙂 To blog for me and not feel guilty for burdening my readers with my daily bitches and to also get back in touch with my knitting. I’ve finished like one project this year! Maybe I’ll try to make it two! Take care. H
When I was younger, I was always reading something. Always! Over the summer, I read the final Harry Potter book and before that, I don’t remember the last book that I read that wasn’t about knitting or cooking. Someone asked me for a book recommendation a few months ago and all I could muster was a blank stare and a mumble. 10 year old me would be horrified at 30 year old me.
By the way, my tiny opinion is that all of those people who told you that they wouldn’t read because you’re not talking about knitting? Piss on them. You deserve better readers than that.
Congratulations on the baby and the re-dedication to your blog! I just wanted to say that I enjoy reading your blog and it is obviously an inspiration to alot of people; especially to those who realize that it is a PART of you that you give to us freely. So keep on writing what you want and we’ll keep on reading!!
Cara,
First I want to say Thank you for your blog – I’ve enjoyed reading it and
Second, blog on as you will, as you need to, as you have time for – much the same as knitting. A creative outlet, be it words in cyberspace, or yarn on needles should grow in the manner that most reflects and benefits the creative person who started the outlet.
As for my re-dedication – I’d like to keep my sanity and wits about me in what will be a fairly hectic and horrid new year – as my job changes, my long help position sunsets, and I lose the staff I have worked with and managed for years. It’s been weighing on my mind and spirit for months
Cara – I am so glad that you are continuing to blog. I really enjoy reading your posts, whatever the topic might be. Lately I have been too busy and exhausted from my work to cook and to bake as much as I used to so that is something I am trying to re-dedicate myself to. I recently ordered some new cookbooks to inspire myself to get back into it! Have fun with your re-dedication to the blog and remember that your life is yours to do with what you want. Just try to ignore the crabby people.
Thank you for writing all that. It helps to see the fuller picture of who you are. 🙂 I admire your passion.
For me, I was always the artsy kid. I drew all the time. Could amuse myself for hours with paper and pencil. I went to college and got a degree in Studio Art. Painting was my specialty, but I took Graphic Design courses to give myself something I could live on. Now I’ve worked as a web designer for six years…. and I don’t draw. I don’t paint. I knit, which is a creative outlet and something I really enjoy…. but I feel like I’m letting someone down by not using the gift I have, even if it is myself. I stare at paper and can’t think of anything to draw, to explore with my mind. It hurts terribly.
Even before this post, I had decided to devote myself to doing some drawing this weekend. Put the knitting on hold, not care about what other artists out there say or do and just doodle for myself. I’ve gotta kick start myself or this part of me will die.
Yeah for you – and us!
I’ve been told by a number of people from differnt parts of my life the keeping a journal would be a good thing for me to do – to help me sort out a lot of things going on in my life. I have the lovely blank book, the new pen but I’m afraid to start. I’m afraid of what I’ll find out. Or not. You’ve just pushed me over the edge and I’m going upstairs and even if I just write the date and “Cara made me think about starting this today” it will be a start.
Thanks.
I miss never having any solitude to do whatever I want. I’m tired of taking care of people – I want people to take care of me or just not want me to do for them. I miss the years I’ve lost…
Lately I’ve been rededicating myself to creating in a non-fiber way. I used to draw every single day, for 6-20 hours. [I know that sounds insane, but it was a huge chunk of my school work]. And now? Barely ever. So I’m rededicating myself to that.
I read every time you post, but I don’t often comment. I’m not commenting because of your contest. I just wanted to say that I don’t believe people should have expectations of what anyone posts. You get the entire package. That’s what’s so great about blogging.
I’m so happy for you and Georgie!
Good for you, Cara. I, for one, am happy to read whatever it is you have to say. I’m glad you’re going to continue writing.
Hugs, and happy baby and happy knitting,
oceanpoet
Happy blogiversary, and thank you for that lovely, thoughtful entry.
Rededication: I’ve really been ignoring my body of late, and I think I need to start realizing that my body is me, as much as my brain is.
Oh, and have a WONDERFUL day!
It’s not really a re-commitment, but I am in the process of trying to find a way to live a more active life. Right now, I basically just work at my computer all day and knit all night and I feel like a lump. I know myself, though- I need to find realistic ways to get moving or else I won’t do it at all. So I’m Netflixing yoga DVDs to see if that works.
What I’d like re-dedicate myself to is getting in shape. I have had numerous(!) health problems over the last 8 years and have stopped exercising and consequently, put on a lot of weight. I used to kick-box and *loved* it, but couldn’t keep it up when I discovered my problems. My concern was that it is such a loooonnnnngggg road to get back “in shape” but maybe I should try your philosophy – one row here and there.
And for the naysayers–don’t let them bother you, my philosophy has always been “if you don’t like me, go away!”
It’s your blog and I support you for writing about what YOU want. Not all topics interest everyone which is just as true on my blog as it is on yours. But anyway, regarding dedication:
My dressage saddle is sitting on the back of my couch in my house. It’s been there all week as my horses where sent to Montana a week before I can go myself. I walk by it several times a day and it calls to me – it is my passion and my inspiration to re-dedicate myself to riding for what I want more than anything is for that saddle and the back of a horse to feel like home.
(I’m pretty sure I passed that yarn last weekend…not sure how I passed it up.)
I woke up this morning saddened by the realization that I only travel for business. I want to get excited when I see my suitcase again; I need to re-earn my “Little Miss Adventurer” merit badge.
Many, many congratulations on your blogiversary! I’ve been reading for a few months now, and I really enjoy your writing – whether it’s about knitting, or whatever you’re going through. Thanks for sharing!
The first thing that pops into my mind when I think about reclaiming lost passions is reading. I still read every night, and always, always have at least one book in-progress. But it’s not the same as it used to be for me, when I would be sucked into a book for hours, unable to put it down. And the story and the characters would linger in my mind throughout the day, and I couldn’t wait to pick up the book again and find out what happens next. Now, even when I find a book I love, I don’t take the time to dig deeply into it and let it take over. I’d love to have the chance to have that experience again.
Anyway, thanks again for blogging, and I hope you’re having a puke-free day!
You win some, you lose some. I think the evolution of your blog will, as you acknowledge, invariably lose some readers but will also gain some, too. Life is about changes, right, because when we stop changing, well, we get boring.
There are a lot of things I wish I did or still did. Having a baby flipped my world on end. I’d like to reconnect with the person I used to be, who was a lot more care-free, fun and adventurous than today. I would like to introduce that woman to my daughter, that she might have a role model to grow by, learn from and, most importantly, be supported by in all that she does.
Congratulations on three years of making us smile and think. It’s been a pleasure. Though I love my knitting world (which BTW is often 2 rows at a time!) I miss my reading world. I made a list of 10 books to read in 2007 – of which I’ve read one. So, via your inspiration, I rededicate my self the the written word.
I love your blog, whatever you write about! Babies and pregnancy experiences are great. I am a mom/knitter and read primarily fiber related blogs. Your blog has re inspired me to start spinning. I had drop spindled with a big clunky spindle years ago. Just a couple of weeks ago a spinning wheel came into my life, and then a spinning guild that is involved in helping support a group of widowed African women who raise sheep in order to survive(not unlike a Heifer project!). Thanks for sharing with us all.
I feel a little guilty commenting because there is a contest, as I haven’t been commenting on blogs lately. So that is what I will rededicate myself to – commenting on blogs. I often think about how I love a certain post, or a FO, but I never *say* anything about it. So from now on, I will be more diligent with the commenting, too.
Please keep doing what you are doing! It’s your blog and I love it. It inspires me with all of your beautiful knitting as well as your excellent stories about being pregnant!
My rededication is to myself! To all aspects of my life, personal, professional, hobbies, etc. I have started a weight loss journey that has been extremely sucessful (40 lbs!). I just got a new job that I will start in a week. And I have really started to enjoy my knitting with real and true rededication. So here is to our success of rededication!
The shawl and yarn is gorgeous by the way.
love the blog….even all the recent baby babble. its your blog, talk about what you want.
what do i miss? well, i’m pregnant with twins and on bedrest, so i miss walking, driving, but mostly i miss scooping my daughter dorothy up and spinning her around and covering her with kisses. soon, i’ll do that again, with 2 new people to kiss.
I would like to rededicate myself to cooking. Not just quickie meals as I’ve been doing lately, but real full meals. The quick ones are just as healthful (except grilled cheese night, but never mind) but I miss the actual cooking. So I am rededicating myself to cookery, at least once a week.
Congrats to you on three years of blogging!
I miss making music. While there just isn’t room in my apt for a piano, I plan to take up the guitar again. I’m asking Santa for lessons for Christmas!
Yes, be nice to yourself~! Even a couple rows a day counts! Otherwise, nothing would ever be finished.
I’d like to get back to more regular exercise – walking, yoga – I know I feel so much better when I do it and my pants fit better too! It’s a counterbalance to all the sitting and knitting!
Having had one failed IVF myself, I can say I sure don’t miss those days. Now my daughter is 9 (adopted from Vietnam), and while we have our ups and downs, I can’t imagine life without her.
You’ll really feel like a mom when you make her first Halloween costume 🙂
I’m happy to see that you are sticking with the blog, I was a bit worried that you would give it up. I don’t comment often, but I read each entry.
I don’t blog often and I think it’s because I don’t feel my posts are entertaining for those that read them. But I started the blog for me, to keep those that know me up to date with my life, those that know me or have stumbled upon my blog know that I’m not a great writer. I don’t have a great knack for compelling posts, but I do enjoy blogging. I rededicate my blog to me and those that can handle or want to handle my so-so posts 🙂
Hi Cara,
First off, I just wanted to say that I love your blog. I’ve been reading for ages, but I’m a bit shy about commenting. I admit that I first came here for the (awesome) knitting, but now I love reading all of your posts. I really admire you for your willingness to voice your opinions and really put yourself out there and I love that your blog feels really *personal* to me. I come to your blog to hear what you have to say (unlike a lot of other knitting blogs where I just browse through to look at the knitting / FO pics.) Your writing is always engaging, interesting, and above all genuine.
As for what I would like to rededicate myself to, it would have to be writing, specifically poetry. I used to write a lot of poetry and at some point was seriously considering trying to get it published. It’s really fallen by the wayside lately though, and I haven’t really written anything substantial for a couple of years now.
It’s sad because my current (and long-term) boyfriend told me that one of the things that he found attractive about me was the way I saw the world and made it into poetry. Ironically, I think that since meeting him, there’s been less poetry writing. It’s true that sadness/loneliness/depression makes for better poetry than happy/daisies/kittens/sunshine.
Still, I really miss that flash of inspiration I used to get at random times, looking at random things…
Anyway, hope this was not too much navel-gazing for you. Happy blogiversary!
You said: “So on my three year anniversary I’m rededicating myself to my blog. I will write what I want, when I want. About what I want.”
Well, here I am, standing up and applauding!
And FWIW, I’ve been avoiding my blog lately. So much real life stress, of the kind I don’t really want to talk about yet, has been monopolizing my time. And along with that went not only my knitting mojo, but the spinning kind too. So the past few days I’ve been focusing on my spinning. Getting back to it. Improving it. Learning to love it again.
How timely your post is.
Anyway, Happy Blogiversary Cara. I’m here for the long haul baby.. anxious to be a spectator, no matter if its miters, monkeys, or the new itty bitty.
Hugs,
Carla
Cara, you are quite right, it’s your blog and you should be free to say whatever you want. Personally, I kind of like having more dimensions – none of us are only knitters, or only mothers, or only anything. How boring would that be?
I’ve been in hiding from people lately, overwhelmed with a lot of challenges. I just this last week decided to start hosting playgroup/knitting groups with friends a couple times a month. I’m reconnecting with the real world people in my life. It feels good. Now I’m off to do housework to get ready!
Happy Blogiversary!
Happy Blogiversary! Thank you for continuing to blog. I actually am really enjoying your baby posts. I have 2 kids, so I think babies and kids are just as interesting as knitting. Thanks for including it all!
I need to rededicate myself to the joys of motherhood, not the chores of motherhood. Too often lately, I’m just worried about meals and baths and laundry, and not enjoying my little girls. I need to stop and enjoy them.
I think I’d just like to organize a little. I remember the days when it was just me, and if the house was a wreck and all I wanted to do was sit on the couch and eat ice cream, I did it. Nowadays with a toddler and husband and dogs and house and job, that’s not possible, but instead of adapting I often just resent not having the time. I suppose I just need to adapt (like you, with the row here or there) and recognize that, while I miss that time of unstructured freedom, I wouldn’t give up a single bit of what my life is now to have it back. (Okay, maybe I’d give up the job, but not the paycheck.)
Happy blogiversary! And yes, life is funny in how it works out isn’t it? I’m currently dissastisfied with mine, so I hope I’ll get to a point where I am happy and can see this time as a growing period. At any rate, you have lots to celebrate! 🙂 Congrats on all the good stuff you have going – the blog, the friendships, the baby, and the knitting (whenever you can squeeze it in!).
Your blog entry comes at a time when I’m trying to rededicate myself to healthy eating habits.
Cara, every time I passed you at Rhinebeck (and I passed you a lot, but you were either visiting or absorbed in a thought) I wanted to tell you this: Above all, a blog must tell a truth, and yours always does. It just doesn’t matter what some people say.
Anyway, your post is good for me because I have been thinking I’d like to rededicate myself to something too, to the little watercolor sketches that have always, always made me happy. Somehow the paint dried up in the palette, and the brushes got dusty, but I think I will bring them out and freshen them up. Soon. Thanks.
i’ve got a list!
i want to rededicate myself to MY blog and hope that nablopomo in november will help.
i want to rededicate myself to getting better mental health, which has been a bit of a struggle this year (and likely part of the reason why my blog posting has been spotty)
i want to rededicate myself to creative endeavors-knitting, photography, sewing and the like.
i NEED to rededicate myself to better housecleaning habits!
thanks for this post-it was great!
I will only ever be able to be a mum to the furry kind of baby, but that’s okay. I’ve known for a long time that I couldn’t have kids. I am vicariously enjoying your ride through this, though, puking and all. Thanks for sharing. Lately I’ve been rededicating myself to getting out and being with people. I had a couple of bad years healthwise, gained some weight and to top it off just didn’t feel like me at all. I’ve learned that shutting people out just makes things worse and your real friends will stick with you through the garbage, even if at times they want to give you a good smack! I hope you have a great day and enjoy your knitting! I usually have to fit it in between work and other stuff too. It just makes the hour here or there extra special, I think.
Hi Cara,
I may have commented once or twice before, but I’m a faithful reader. And, like you, I’m struggling through all-day sickness and the other assorted goodies with my own first pregnancy. Thank you for being so forthcoming, and thank you for being true to yourself and what YOU want your blog to be 🙂
I’m going to try and re-dedicate myself to my own writing, and my knitting, while I can still find a few moments each day before my own little one comes. And I really hope you have a nice day, even if for you that means being sick one less time, or being able to rest comfortably for an extra few minutes.
E.
Congrats on the three years! Just remember to enjoy the blog… after all it is yours, not ours. =]
Your question is a very good one… one I’ll need to put some thought into. I bet I could come up with a whole list though. I think the one I’ve been thinking about in the past couple of days is rededicating myself to writing. One night a week would make for great progress I think. The idea of taking stock and setting goals is a great one. Thanks for suggesting we all reevaluate and rededicate.
Happy blogiversary! You know, the thing I’ve always wanted to do is learn how to play cocktail piano – fake my way through a few jazz standards. Perhaps 2008 is the year! I hope you and the baby bump enjoy the next year of blogging as much as the last three.
yea cara! write what you want when you want. i think something i would love to rededicate or rather just dedicate myself to is writing more. i never feel that i am quite good at that and know that with anything it takes practice. fear of ridicule I guess… life’s too short though for that isn’t it. So here’s to writing. 🙂
Cara,
We all go through changes and I am glad that you have brought those changes to your blog. Your blog reflects who you are and those of us who have been reading for awhile have come to love who you are…not only the knitting part of you but everything about you and your (growing) family ;).
A change that recently accurred in my life: I turned 30 this month and the biggest change in my life happened. I buckled down and learned to drive. I went to take in my road test on my 30th birthday and to my surprise, I passed! Now, I don’t have to walk my little boy to school in the middle of winter. I can turn the car on and just drive him there. I have had various chances to learn to drive, however, the fear kept me away from it. I never knew how much “freedom” it will give me but now that I drive, I don’t feel as dependent of others as I used to. I am even getting up at 5:30am and driving to the local gym. I never knew my fear was keeping me away from so many things…I am glad that I conquered it. I am still afraid, but that just makes me a more cautious driver :).
Glad to here you’re going to keep blogging. I’m not sure if I’ve ever commented on your blog but it is one of my must read blogs. Poo-poo on those who think a knitting blog should be only about knitting. If that was the case there would be a lot of frickin’ boring blogs out there.
I started my blog to talk about my knitting but I’m a military wife and a stay at home mom for my two daughters. There is no way I could keep my life separated from my knitting because my knitting is a part of me just as my family is a part of me.
Some how I want to find more time to read something other then knitting books. Before knitting I use to always have my nose in a book. Now I get my hands on needles as much as possible. There must be a happy balance somewhere for me. :~)
I miss my knitting group at work. I rededicate myself to meeting once a month with my work knitters. I also rededicate myself to being the best mom I can. Every kid deserves that.
Cara,
Phooey to those that are insensitive to your feelings. They don’t matter. When I read the comments above, I see how much you are appreciated for who you are: talented, vibrant, passionate, inspiring and caring. They matter.
I love reading your blog and appreciate that you are so willing to open your life up in this way.
As for re-dedication, I am on an opposite tack in my life. I’m trying to un-dedicate myself to a lot of superfluous stressful things. So I guess you could say I am re-un-dedicating! 😉
Sometimes they say to have a successful blog you have to pick one topic (like knitting) and stick to it. My blog topic is whatever interests me – that’s my one topic. Yes, as interests change, readers change as well. That’s fine. With new topics you gain new readers. As for the people who had the gall to tell you they wouldn’t be reading your blog anymore, well, same to them and more of it!
Happy day!
Tana
Congrats on your rededication! I admire that you write whatever you want; what’s the point in doing otherwise? If people don’t like what you write they don’t have to read it and I think that’s okay. Believe me, you’ll still have plenty of readers!!
I just wanted to say I’m happy for you… about the baby, the blog, the knitting. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog over the last year and hope to continue to do so, knitting, puking or whatever.
Happy blogiversary, Cara. It was nice to see you (oh-so-briefly) on the weekend.
Honestly, I need to rededicate myself to my schoolwork and back away (at least a little) from the knitting and blogging. So I guess I’ll be moving in the opposite direction from you. Good luck with all your stuff. 🙂
Intarsia scares the crap out of me! All the ends, the wrapping of the yarn so you don’t have holes between the colors, it’s all so daunting!
I’m still going to be here reading. I have two boys and reading blogs, particularly yours, are a wake-up call that there is still normal life out there. 🙂
I rarely comment, okay probably never. But I just want to let you know how important it is to me that you are willing to be honest. I think women sometimes whitewash things or use humor, but just stating our truth can turn a lot of people off. You are being honest about your life as a person and that includes your life as a woman and that includes throwing up during pregnancy as it does for thousands of other women. You are also willing to share some of what the struggle to get there might have meant to you and that is a deep reality for thousands of women as well. And I love that you share what is real for you.
I am rededicating myself to something hard to put into words. For a long time I’ve let my kids (and even my knitting) be what I’m about, and I have a long term project, a professional sort of project, that I’ve been remiss about. Not taking that aspect of my life seriously. I want to finish it. I want to give myself permission to also have a professional side which takes time and commitment and maybe sacrifice from my family. And I want to achieve it and not give up.
Pretty shawl. 🙂
My goodness! So many wonderful comments!!!
I, for one, will continue to read and enjoy your blog. Your writing is real, you’re not just writing stories, you’re being yourself. Even though we’ve never met, I feel like I know you, and look forward to an opportunity to meet you in person (even if you don’t know me and don’t read my blog…)
My rededication is to reduce or eliminate all the “things” that keep me from enjoying my life!
I recently entered a phase of rededication. I am eliminating clutter of all types, including knitting clutter. Do I really need 12 unfinished projects? Do I really need 8 sets of size 0 sock needles? Do I need 2 sets of dishes, when I only ever feed 4 people or fewer? Do I need to keep all the fabric from the days of sewing for pay?
I want to simplify the bookkeeping (and eliminate debt), eliminate the excess, reduce the desired, and generally make my life a simple and enjoyable experience. Complicated does not make for enjoyment; simple is freedom.
Hang in there! I had hyperemesis gravidarum with my (only) pregnancy – and I totally relate to what you’ve been going through! I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy! Just keep in mind the end result!! While I never want to go through that again, I would certainly never take it back!
I love your thoughts on just doing a little bit at a time rather than putting it off because a larger block of time isn’t available. I’ve tried to adopt that idea with my spinning – sometimes I am successful and other times I don’t sit at the wheel for weeks. My lifestyle definitely changed after having a child – I don’t do the weekend craft events as much and if I do, I’m with my daughter. But I enjoy spending the time with her and I know that it will probably change as she gets older – she won’t want to spend the time going to sheep and wool festivals with mom. So, I take advantage of the time we have now and the time we spend together.
I’m not sure I’ve commented on your blog before, and so I’d like to point out that I was going to comment long before I’d read down to the bit with the competition.
What I was going to talk about was about not feeling bad about the inevitable nonsense that comes with starting a blog with a specific intention, or having a particular audience, and finding that your urges take you in a different direction.
I’ve been blogging for (ack!) almost eight years now, and have been through many phases in that time so I hope I can share some hard-won experience.
I’ve gone from having two blogs (one general, one specifically about a medical problem) to one, to two again (photos and words separately) to one, to nothing at all and back to two (a knitting/crafty blog and a dormant personal blog with the entire archives of all that’s swept before it) and I’ve kept a blog in some form or other through major upheavals (life, death and everything in between) in my life, and I know what it’s like to feel expectation from the blog audience. For the most part, I considered myself lucky that the people who read my blog understood that it was my blog, and therefore, it would contain anything that I felt motivated enough to write about, and so I didn’t get pigeonholed so much, but over time, even that got complicated, which is why my personal blog is dormant for now. The only reason I started up a knitting blog recently was because I actually missed blogging. It’s been part of my life for so long that the urge to blog is just second nature and honestly, I missed it.
For what it’s worth, I started reading your blog because of the knitting but I keep reading because of the person.
The thing to remember is that blog readership will naturally wax and wane, and most of the time, you won’t know about it. Those who email to tell you they’re going to stop reading are, frankly, somewhere between rude and downright mean, and while I know it’s hurtful, they’re not worth bothering about.
To use a very british turn of phrase, the way to think about your blog is “my gaff*, my rules”.
*gaff = house, place, whatever.
Write what you want to write. Take photos of what you want to take photos of. Do whatever you want. Those who appreciate you for who and what you are, and like what you do will stay, and those who don’t, wont, and frankly, are no great loss.
Good luck with the baby, and keep on doing what you’re doing. You’re an inspiration.
First of all, I enjoy your writing and your blog and will stick around no matter what you talk about. I’m not a big commenter, but I’m a very regular reader 🙂
And as for the contest, a few years ago I had the opportunity to go to Europe for the summer and take photographs of various hotels and tourist attractions for a travel website that was just starting off. I backed out of the opportunity because I had just started a relationship and didn’t want to leave him for four months, because I wouldn’t be paid very much and needed to make money for school, and because I was really nervous about traveling throughout Europe all by myself. So I stayed home for the summer (and ironically couldn’t even find a job until late August).
I try not to regret decisions that I’ve made for myself, but I wish I had gone and I wish I had’ve had more faith in my relationship and more faith in myself.
Well, I miss my music. For years I was dedicated to playing classical guitar and lute. Now, I don’t have time for it at all. I need to make time, somehow, to play a little every day.
Knit whenever you can, don’t worry about not doing “enough.” Whatever you write, I’ll gladly read.
I’m still reading and love your blog. Like some one said above – what you right is real and I enjoy it. Have a nice day 🙂
Laughter and knitting are the best medicine! I’m so glad to hear you’re back at it.
All my best wishes to both you and G! Congratulations 🙂
many years ago I used to be fit and slim and I really missed that so I have decided to try to get back into shape this year by changing my diet and lifestyle … not easy because it eats into my free time and I do so love good food too. I’m not rededicating my live to recapture my figure from when I was 18, I’m doing this to be healthier
btw, Change is inevitable and I don’t understand how anyone can be so mean-spirited as to tell you that your change in blogging topics no longer interest them. some people just to learn how to be more gracious.
I believe that we are like swords. We go through hammering, shock, abuse, melting down, reforming and in the end, we are refined. Each experience fulfills a little more of our potential in this life. And that’s what I love about your blog and everyone else’s as well.
One of my main themes in life is growth. I have had two kidney transplants, a body that is stunted from seventeen years of prednisone and cyclosporine and though I would love to have a life like my ‘normal’ sister, I have found that we are all different and we all have troubles, as perfect as our lives may seem. And the thing that has made me, perhaps not content, but secure that everything will work out is my faith. I have seen and experienced miracles and I have come to learn time and again that with faith, all things can happen. Even death, when the time comes for me to leave this mortal existence, is nothing more than another lesson in life to help me to learn and to grow.
And so I rededicate my life to having faith and hope and even charity, not that I’ll start knitting blankets or anything but I will always be there for my friends whenever they need me and I will always reach out when I can.
My passion is sewing. I have really put it aside for many years while in college and then working my first couple years out of college. I get a lot out of creating for myself…..I am first and foremost a garment sewer, and I sew for myself, and a little for my husband. I love outerwear and more tailored looks…..HMMMM maybe now’s the time to go shopping for the wool to make that Michael Korrs coat that I want 🙂 Happy to hear you picking the knitting abck up!
Thanks for having us Cara. You are really inspiring to me. You have a great marriage and home and you work at the things you love to do. My rededication is to do one thing I love everyday. Even if it’s just taking one minute to stop and fondle some of my stash! Much love and good luck with your newfound “dabbling”.
I agree that knitting a row or two counts. It sometimes is enough to allow me to relax for a bit. The new shawl appears to be a lovely one.
I wish I had the time and means to horseback ride. I wish i could re-dedicate myself to that. I adore horseback ridding and done it on and off over the last 10 years, and lots before that as a child. I wish I made it more of a priority. It also gave me a great butt! lol
I want to rededicate myself to my friendships. About two months ago I ended a friendship that had kind of consumed me (in a bad way, I now realize) for over a year and some of my other friendships were given less attention over that period. Now that I’m out of the consuming friendship I realize how much I missed out on with other friends.
Cara, I’ve been reading your blog for months and months now, although I rarely comment (this is true for all the blogs I read). I always click through eagerly when you show up in my bloglines, and I’m always inspired by what you write about – whether it is knitting, photography, getting through difficulty, pregnancy, humor, whatever.
One thing I am rededicating myself to right now is a collaborative relationship with my partner – in our love life, our home, and our working lives. I have been trying to create a new career path for myself and have let my attention to our life together go by the wayside. You talk about G and it makes me think of how important my E is to me. I don’t want to let that slide anymore.
Thanks for a beautiful and honest post, as always.
I am thrilled to hear you’re rededicating yourself to the blog–I’ve always loved your wit and style and it brings me a little pride to know there’s another Cara out there doing what you’re doing.
I have ALWAYS wanted to try glass blowing–I even dream about it when I haven’t thought about it in quite awhile. And I will try it and probably become hopelessly obsessed–but not until the price of classes and equipment is a smaller percentage of my monthly income.
I am a lurker, but I wanted you to know that I love all the changes going on in your life, and I’m so happy that you’re willing to share them. You’re really inspiring, and I look forward to reading your new rededicated blog 🙂
Cara – I for one love reading your blog and while I first began reading because it was a knitting blog, I’ve stuck around because I’ve enjoyed getting to “know” you – all of you, not just your knitting side – through the posts. As far as rededication, I know what you mean, I’ve gone through a period recently where I felt like I stopped doing everything I once loved and what I felt made me ME. Recently, I’ve started to include those things back in my life – namely reading and knitting. I want to pick up my crocheting and cross-stitching again as well since I have a number of projects that have been sorely neglected. As far as something new, I am dedicating myself to an exercise and healthy eating routine to try and get back on track with my health and weight. I’d also like to try blogging again, I had started one at one time, but never really devoted a lot of time to it. Perhaps I need to rededicate myself to that and see what it adds to my life.
Congratulations on 3 years of a wonderful blog and an extra special congratulations on the new little one! 🙂
First off, I saw the post title started skimming, then got scared that this was a long winded way of saying *goodbye* to blogland. (I’ve seen it happen more than once, and am always disappointed, though understand why people need to take a break from it.) So I’m happy this is a rededication to your blog, and not to, say, living a more sane, blogless life. 😉
As for my own personal rededication, it has to be music. I grew up playing music, haven’t played any in a couple of years, and miss it so much it hurts. In fact, I miss it so much that it can be painful to listen to certain types or pieces of music, because of the guilt and longing I feel. It’s tempting to take my meager spinning wheel-to-be savings and put them into music lessons.
Happy Blogiversary! I’m so happy that things are going well with you, and I’m glad you started to blog. I read all the time, even though I comment so rarely.
As far as what I’m rededicating myself too, I’d like to work on exercise. I’ve been working on making my diet more healthy, and now it’s time for the exercise piece.
There’s plenty of knitting blogs out there, let’s be honest. I read blogs because I like the voices writing them. The “topic” seems to become less important over time, as I develop an appreciation for the personality behind the blog. So blog on, about whatever you wish.
YAY! You rock, you really do.
My year so far has completely sucked, due to my fiance self destructing into a severe depression and then abandoning me while my mother died from cancer.
I’ve recently rededicated myself to myself after realizing that although the situations I’ve gone through truly suck, I AM ENOUGH. (And so are you, i plan to keep reading.)
I haven’t read the other comments, so forgive me if I repeat them (I dislike being swayed by others and I usually am, so I read them after I post).
I didn’t read the title and after reading two paragraphs, I thought, oh no, she’s become blogless! (sob) Back up to read the title. (phew! rededication is good)
I enjoy the components of your life as well as your knitting. This blog, is for you and you can do what you please with it. I will gladly stay. I can’t say I won’t skim (forgive me, I’m a skimmer) but I will say and look for you highlighted blog name in my RSS feed whenever they come–once a day or once in a blue moon.
As far as rededications go, after doing some crafty stuff with my own kids the past few days, I realize how much I have been misisng. I need to rededicate to THEM. Less blog reading and composing posts in my head.
Happy Blogiversary Cara!! I love your total obsessive passion. The Jaywalkers, the Socks That Sock and the Mitres. My favorite part of your blog is seeing what you fall in love with next be it yarn, a pattern, a renewed love for your husband or your start on motherhood. I’ll be here, quietly, watching it all.
As for me I miss the freespiritedness of my youth and I intend to try to capture a bit of that.
Cara,
Thank goodness that you have come to this point about your blog and about your knitting. It hurt ME as well when I read how people have posted the meanest things to you re: your blogging about the pregnancy rather than knitting. UGH!
I too went through difficulties with pregnancies (much less though than you) and I can understand how important this pregnancy is (not that anyone else’s is any less important).
I LIKE reading about YOU. Knitting, photography, Georgie, the pregnancy, the MITERS (tee hee). . . . . I guess I just like YOU. Period.
Thanks for rededicating yourself to this (and therefore vicariously to us).
Re: my rededication. I have rededicated myself to cooking and baking. REAL cooking and baking. Like, from scratch! I had slipped away from it at my last home b/c the kitchen was a bit “non-conducive” to it and my hubby didn’t really care for our kitchen area and therefore it didn’t seem homey. NOW, I have a fabulous kitchen which we all enjoy and so I am enjoying my cooking much more.
So there. That’s it. I am rededicating myself to feeding my family. It feels good.
Can’t wait to see your shawl. I still think your shawls are the most amazing out there.
I just wanted to say that I’m not leaving.
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and I have to say that I could care less about what you talk about (ok… that came out the wrong way). While we’ve never met, it makes me feel more alive to know there are people out there that I’ve never met that I care about. I think my world would be a little less pleasent if there weren’t people like you out there, willing to share yourself with me if only for a little bit through a blog. You help keep me connected with the larger world. Thank you. 🙂
(ok… did that sound as stalker-ish to you as it did to me…. so not meant that way! :p )
I’m glad to hear that you’re rededicated to the blog & that you are knitting the blog for you, not for other peoples expectations.
One thing I really miss in my life that I’d love to rededicate myself to is travel. In school I traveled every chance I got. I’d go white water rafting, hiking in the mountains, exploring urban landscapes, or simple hole up in a cabin during the winter. I’d love to find a way to take even one week off a year to travel.
Good afternoon, Cara –
I was going to write you, then I see at the end of your post you are having a contest. That is what I like about you, always a surprise 🙂
I have been reading you for quite a long time, I love the ebb and flow of your posts. I am lucky to be able to catch up with you on your journey. You write what you want – crimeny, it is YOUR blog – you write for you. Life changes, it always does. Only TV shows remain the same, and are in syndication forever. You aren’t a sitcom. You are flesh and blood. You are growing (literally and figuratively).
And occasionally if you take a photo along your route… would you please post? I LOVE your photography.
Yeah for you! I’m here and will be here reading for a long time to come, exactly because you are so authentically you! I’m so glad you’re sticking around.
Your post is inspiring and spot on with the concept of all or nothing. This is how I am with my health – Either I am all about the diet and the exercise and the living…or I am not. I am rededicating myself to…myself. Just a few changes will do and I will not beat myself up when I miss a few.
Hi Cara! I’m not sure if there is anything I’d like to rededicate myself too. Before there was no knitting in my life and now there is and as you mentioned, through my blog and also through forums like Ravelry and Knitty, I have made so many new friends! The best part is, it’s a two way road!
I’m glad you were able to knit more than 2 rows on your shawl. I am totally drooling over the colorway!
Cara, I enjoy your blog. It makes me think. And I love your photos.
I understand about the not knitting and knitting slowly. I haven’t picked up my needles in a while (the spring maybe?) and have been busy with other things. So maybe I will try to do some knitting soon. Like some baby booties (small!) or a pair of mittens.
Good luck with your shawl. I love the colour!
Congratulations on 3 years, Cara. I’m glad you’re here and I’ve always enjoyed reading whatever you have to say.
I’ll tell you what I miss about my life – I miss feeling good about the way I look. I’m trying to make changes in what I eat and how much I exercise but it’s HARD to break out of this slump. So, I’m going to try even harder because you’ve inspired me. So, thank you.
Happy Blogiversary! I just had mine a few weeks ago, but it was my first. I am really glad you’re still around and love reading about it all, not just the knitting 🙂
I really want to rededicate myself to being fit and healthy. I had 3 kids in 3.5 years and my body shows it. I want to make time for me, I want to exercise more and eat healthier. So, I now rededicate myself to some kind of daily exercise and eating much better! Thanks for the kick in the pants Cara!
Oh, and I love that shawl. I’ve never done lace, someday I will though. It is beautiful!!!
I wish I could rededicate my career choice to something that involves crafting. I have a boring job in accounting and can not wait to go home most days and knit or quilt, or any other type of craft that catches my fancy.
For the record, I like your blog and it is usually one of the first that I go to to read when I am surfing the net. I think you should be able to blog about whatever you want and it is up to the readers if they want to read it or not.
It’s so sad that people – women, especially – would rag on you for writing about the pregnancy! It’s such a wonderful (although pukey) time for you and it’s natural for you to be consumed by it.
I’ll keep reading. I think one’s blog shouldn’t have to be limited to one thing – heaven knows my blog is all over the place. That’s life, after all.
That being said — regarding the contest: you know what I’ve never been able to accomplish? A sock. A freaking sock. Pathetic!
Happy Blogiversary! Write about whatever you want. This is your space. Screw the people who don’t like it. The most boring blogs are the ones that are all knitting all the time–no personality.
As for me, I’ve been thinking i need to get back to my miters. I was going strong for awhile there but then just gave up. My husband is asking where the hell his blanket is and I have all this yarn sitting around in a bag. I will focus more on my miters and finish my blanket
you go.
this is your space and is absolutely your choice of what is or is not content. I don’t understand anyone’s need to tell you either that they’re leaving/not reading or why. it’s just not necessary.
i wish for you no more of those emails.
in the other realm: i’ve been wanting to try both (a) lace knitting. true lace that requires charts and attention and… well.. i just haven’t gotten there yet. i’ve also wanting to try (b) tatting. for years. but knitting has always been picked up first, as i’m already comfortable with it, and know what i’m doing.
have a great (non-pukey) day!
I used to spend a lot of time outdoors – hiking around in woods, going canoeing, that kind of thing. Somewhere along the way I fell out of it – life got too busy, I got distracted pursuing other things, etc. But I really really miss it. Another summer has come and gone and I didn’t get into a canoe once.
I really want to rededicate myself to making that outdoor time a priority in my life. I grew up loving the woods, loving nature. I want that for my children, too.
Yes, please do have a nice life. And I hope your baby has a nice long happy lovely life, too!
As for me, I miss creativity in my life. Nowadays I knit a lot, but it’s other people’s patterns, other people’s yarn and colors – not mine. I used to make quilts of my own design, pretty damned good approaching-art ones, too, if you don’t mind my honesty. For a variety of perfectly good reasons, I don’t have time to do that any more. Knitting takes less time than quilt-making, but I still don’t have time to do with yarn and fiber and knitting what I want, I don’t have the time to express what I want, what I need to express. For one thing, I’ve been knitting a lot for others – Christmas presents, birthday present, baby shower presents.
So next year I’m knitting for me. I’m going to play with color and pattern a lot. I don’t know how exactly, but I’m going to do it. Because if if I live a nice long happy lovely life, it’s still too short. Way too short not to pursue this desire of mine!
Cara, you are one of my most absolute favorite bloggers and I love to read it all – knitting, baby, your high school reunion, you name it. You’re a wonderful writer and amazing photographer and a real inspiration in so many ways. I hope I never, ever post something that hurts a blogger’s feelings and if I did accidentally and found out about it I’d go way out of my way to try to make it right.
Anyway – there must be something in the air as I’ve been thinking about re-dedication a lot lately too. One, to writing – I’d really like to do NaNoWriMo this year. Two, to weight loss. I’m 45 and the weight just keeps creeping up & up and I really need to face this down and deal with it. I’m a mom too, and was 35 when my DD was born, and I want to live a long and healthy life to share as much of her life as I can. Three, to my own blog and the philosophy I’m aiming for there – “Life is Too Short” which is only a little bit about knitting and crocheting.
But in reality, I know that NaNoWriMo is out this year for a lot of reasons, and I’m not going to dedicate myself to something I know I won’t be able to do. So it’s the weight loss (20-30 lbs) and to Life Is Too Short (the philosophy and the blog.)
Once again you inspire me … and as to inspiration, those picot-edge Monkeys are going to be the next project. 🙂
aside from missing the connection between myself and my now ex-boyfriend (i’m still hoping it’s temporary), i really, really, really miss playing tennis. i started when i was young, around 6, maybe? i played through high school and college for school, and since i graduated over three years ago, i haven’t picked up the racquet but once. i miss it so much!
Happy Blogiversary! I love your blog. It’s definitely one of my favorites that I check for first thing on Bloglines.
thank you for the encouragement on rededication. i read a quote once (wish i had kept it, or at least remembered who said it or just how it goes, but this is close) – nothing ever happens until you decide. and sometimes, i need a little push in that decision making.
i’m rededicating myself to going to bed before eleven. why has that been so hard to do?
happy anniversary. and happy knitting. i’m glad you’re back – back to feeling like this space is a good space for you.
I just had to say part of your post made me chuckle.. I have a youngun’ and except for after bedtime, knitting is definitely done by the “row here and there” method! It’s not quick, but it’s better than nothing 🙂 I miss being able to focus on things, but I also know that that day will come again.
Happy Blogiversary! I agree with pretty much everybody that readers expecting you to change what you write for them are ridiculous. Silly people. Anyway, I loved this post and it really got me thinking to what I need to rededicate to. I will never regret the choice to stay home with the kiddos, but I really miss my music. I love love loved performing whether it be in a group, solo, etc and I get a teensy bit jealous when I talk to people who do it professionally. I think it’s time to find an outlet for that. Thanks for the thought provoking post!
My camera. It has to be my camera. I’ve been futzing about with it here and there but I haven’t really made the time to go out and shoot. So when I get over this darn virus that’s plaguing me, I’m going to go out and get some practice.
I’m sorry to hear that some people have been so lacking in tact with you. Discretion is way underrated.
Wow – three years! Congrats!
I miss reading for FUN. Books that I am not assigned, that I can read purely for pleasure, from which I will maybe learn something … or maybe not. And it doesn’t matter. Is this a do-able rededication? Who knows. I don’t have much time. As a backup – I will definitely dedicate myself to getting up at a decent hour every day.
Have a great day, too!
Cara, happy third blogiversary! I’ve only been reading your blog for about a year, but when I first discovered it, I went all the way back to the beginning and read all the entries up to that point. I have to tell you that while I understand that some people might want to read only for knitting content (and with some blogs I’m like that), yours I read because I can hear your voice so well in your writing. You’ve always seemed like the kind of person I’d be friends with if we knew each other in real life, and I can’t tell you how happy I am for you and your family as you await the newest member of your family. I know you’re going to be a great mother, and I’m looking forward to hearing all about you experiences in the wild world of child rearing.
Now, as to what I miss in my life? It’s gotta be reading. I used to be an absolutely voracious reader — and then I started reading for a living (I’m a proofreader/editor) and found I couldn’t read anymore when I got home in the evening. I have the strength to read now, if I choose, and my knitting has certainly benefitted from all the time I formerly spent reading, but sometimes I really miss being all caught up in a book to the point where time passes and you don’t even notice.
Congratulations, Cara — on the blogoversary, the baby, everything. It took us 2 aching years to conceive our baby girl too and during that time I turned to knitting to save my sanity. After her birth and the overwhelming leap into motherhood, knitting and reading knitting blogs (when I have no hands available) has helped me unwind on those days when having someone attached to my person all day is just a bit too much to handle.
I’d like to make my re-dedication a bit more broad and say I’m rededicating to making time for ME. It is easy to get lost in the doing for others (especially now that baby girl is on the verge of toddlerhood) and leaving myself spent and grumpy. I will go to knitting night. I will get back into yoga. I will sit in the hot tub. I will work on getting back into shape. I will sit and read a book.
Thanks for sharing your life with us.
i really miss going to yoga and spinning classes. i was really lucky to have a wonderful gym where i used to live, and when i moved 400 miles, i couldn’t find a place where i was comfortable. i need to look harder, i guess.
i also wanted to say… anyone who ditches your entire blog because of the baby updates has issues. i don’t read the baby stuff, but you tag your entries so that i always know whether to read or not – and i appreciate that enormously. i don’t care how saturated with baby news this blog gets – i’m sticking around at least until i see some seamed miters 🙂
anyway, congrats on 3 years, congrats on the baby, congrats on 25 rows of knitting, and many, *many* thanks for inspiring all of us to rededicate ourselves to something abandoned or never attempted.
I’m with you on your reaction to the unsolicited email saying they aren’t reading you anymore. Dude. Life’s a journey. It ain’t always about the yarn. When my father died last year, my blog was THE outlet for my grief, because words are easier to write than say sometimes. And if people only want the “good” and happy stuff – well, that’s what television’s for, I say. Real people, real lives – don’t get tidily wrapped up or stay on track in an encapsulated time frame.
Rededication? Well, it’s an interesting challenge for me. I think now, more than ever, I want to live my life in the moment. Not sitting and watching it go by. Or trying to control it so badly. I’m going to keep thinking about this one!
I’m so glad that I got to meet you at Rhinebeck, however briefly. Reading your blog is a joy, no matter what you’re writing about.
As for my rededication…well, I think it’s simplest to say that I’m rededicating myself to being happy. It’s been a while.
I’m in the same boat as many others. I miss the body and the energy I had in my early 20’s. I need to rededicate myself to being healthy. Not necessarily to losing weight. But to being more fit and healthful.
I’m glad to see you staying here, no matter what you write about. I think you’ll find that one of the lessons of having a baby is that you do need to learn to adapt to doing a little here and a little there, whether it’s knitting or reading a book or cleaning your house. And every little bit matters.
The shawl is lovely – looking forward to seeing its slow progress.
I’m glad you’ve decided to continue with the blog because I love reading it! About anything you write! I only wish the people who choose not to continue reading would be considerate enough to move on quietly as you request. Take care of you and that baby!
happy third blogiversary! i always enjoy reading it, and look forward to what you have to say in the future, be it baby stuff or knitting stuff (or both!).
I’d like to rededicate myself to just writing. I can’t write anything creative, a blog post, or even in my journal. Even writing the papers that I have due are a struggle for me lately.
I’d love to get back in the groove, one word at a time.
that little scratch that becomes the open wound of fear and worry have been integrated…my mother taught me well… sometimes. i redediate myself to openingly appreciating and growing each moment.
I feel kind of dirty, posting for a contest after I’ve won a spinning wheel… but who am I to say what the luck spirits should or shouldn’t give me 😉 Really though, just wanted to say that I love this blog. It has a lovely mix of optimism and snark, a fine balance often aimed for but mostly missed, if only by a bit. I’ve got your link right next to the Yarn Harlot’s, so there you go 🙂
Happy 3rd blogiversary! I am sticking around – I love your blog Cara!
1. I was so afraid when I started reading this entry that you were signing off for good this time. I’m so thrilled to read that instead you are rededicating yourself. You are one of my blogging heroes, and I love the way you always just tell it like it is in your head.
2. I’m all-or-nothing too, and I’ve actually found knitting to be a good antidote for that in some ways, because it is simply impossible to sit down and work on a whole project until I finish it (unless it’s a hat or something). I think your idea of just trying to knit a little every day will serve you really well once the baby comes: knit a little, feed the baby, knit a little, change the baby, knit a little, nap with the baby. Sounds like a perfect rhythm to me!
3. The odds are against you pulling my name this time, but if you do, I hope you’ll pick someone else instead. You have been so generous to me already (I still can’t believe my good fortune at winning the STR Laci in Red Clover Honey). The way you share the goods – and yourself – is such an inspiration. Thank you for your generosity, to all of us. It makes a difference.
I typed out this big long comment and decided it was way too personal for a comment and this blog is about YOU anyway, so I changed my mind.
But I do want to tell you that I love your blog. I am a 2 1/2 year lurker here and I have found so many of your projects, and your life in general, inspirational.
So, THANK YOU, and please continue blogging about whatever your heart desires. I will continue reading!
Oh, and have a great day! 😉
I was always impressed w/ how you can just knit for hours on end, which is something I just can’t do. But knitting in snippets, a row fit in here and there, and multi-tasking knitting (you’ll learn about this one with the baby) really does add up. All knitting the past 14 years since kids have been in my life has been sneaked in that way.
I don’t comment too much because I figure my comment will be lost in the sea of comments you get, but I wanted to say that even though I don’t often speak, I do read. Don’t let the nay-sayers get you down… for every one of them, I’m sure you have several dozen like me who read but rarely speak. 😉 Happy blogiversary!
WOW there are SO many things I can think of, but I think the most important one to redidcate my time and energy to is getting healthier…as in eating healthier, keeping the junk food out of the house and exercising regularly. The knitting time will suffer a bit, because I haven’t yet figured out how to knit and exercise at the same time (yes, maybe at home, but not at the gym) or cook and knit at the same time.
I want my kids to grow up with healthy eating habits.
After sic particularly difficult months, my friend recently sent me a new CD by Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem. The first song begins, “I’m gonna be ready, I’m gonna be ready, I’m gonna be ready, when joy comes back to me.”
And that’s what I’m working on.
I’ve been eying that stole too. Then of course I heard on the Today show that wraps are on Glamor Magazine “don’t” list. It was kind of funny cause the host was totally making a plea for the wrap – I was too since I”ve been wanting to knit this! Can’t wait to see how yours turns out.
Oh.. rededicating my life…….. hmmm. My life is so unorganized I probably need to rededicate myself to organization before I can figure out what to dedicate myself to.
Happy Blogiversary! I got the news this morning that I “won” tickets to see Bruce Springsteen and immediately thought of you. 🙂 I’ve been a fan since the (gasp) 70’s, but have never seen him live. Can’t wait!
I, too, need to rededicate myself to my knitting. It has suffered as a result of too much homework. School is different at 40-something. ;)If I keep a sock by the computer, maybe I can squeeze in stitches or rows or repeats while I’m pondering said homework.
Thanks for the boost!!! (And know that I love your blog, no matter what!)
Excellent post. I must confess, I was uncertain of the direction your blog had recently been taking, but as a new mom myself I understand that need to get all those frustrations out! I am glad to hear you speaking so positively now.
I want to rededicate myself to my marriage. There have been no arguments, no disagreements, nothing bad, but since the baby Steve and I have become more co-workers than husband and wife. Now that things seem to be in a routine I want to start making more us time in the day. No baby talk, no work talk, just us.
Best wishes to you. I will keep reading as long as you keep writing!
I miss my old job! Isn’t that nuts? I left when my second child was born, but I miss that office and those people, and the work I did, and the PAYCHECK. Maybe I should call my old boss and see what he’s up to.
Something I’ve always been afraid to try is submitting writing work for publication. This is on my “do before 40” list.
Have a nice day & happy baby! (I don’t think you have too much baby in your blog, and I have kid overload at home with 3 kids of my own. “So there” to the naysayers.)
Cara– Congratulations on your re-dedication. I’ve recently gotten back into a few things that had been lacking in my life. Rededicated myself to teaching (although on a seriously part-time basis). It is so liberating to be in a classroom on my terms, enjoying my time there and looking forward to each new class.
Interestingly, what brought me back to knitting after a several year hiatus was the child factor. I was a bit depressed after having my second child, and needed something for my sanity and myself, so I picked up the needles and knit a sweater in a weekend for my then one year-old son. (still love that Ann Norling top down raglan sweater pattern!) Since that time, what I enjoy MOST of all is the ability to knit just a few rows at a time–while waiting at the doctors office, during Tae Kwon Do class, waiting for school to let out. Knitting is what allows me to hold onto myself in a life where I often have to put my children’s needs first.
I only got into reading knitting blogs thanks to a fantastic babysitter, who shares the obsession with all things yarn. (and what a happy time sponge that has turned out to be!)
Those few rows a day actually turn out quite a few projects (and I finished my first pair of monkeys this summer, thanks to your inspiration.) So before this comment gets beyond unreadable, thanks for opening up your life and giving inspiration to those you don’t know, and don’t shy away from to knitting when you can, for just a little while. To hell with anyone who wants to dictate what you write in your blog, and here’s to less puke for you to actually write about!!
Best,
Cara —
I don’t have the discipline or computer savvy to maintain a blog, but I certainly enjoy reading yours, whether you’re writing about knitting or writing about barfing. I love reading about the knitting (though I only aspire to do the simplest of projects), but as a woman who experienced years of infertility before getting pregnant, I’ve also appreciated your honesty about your hopes and disappointments. I’m 21 years on the other side of your experiences, and my wonderful, sweet clomid twins are in college, but I remember well the aching desire to have children and throwing up every single day for 7 months when I finally got pregnant. You go, girl, and write about whatever you damn choose!
As for me, at the age of 50, I went back to school to earn a Master of Divinity degree, and this whole week I’ve been thinking I made a big mistake. This morning, however, after a healing breakfast with a loving friend, I drove home recommitted to seeing where this road leads me — and I find your re-dedication entry. Sometimes we have to sit down and rest, then take a deep breath, and start walking again. Here’s to following our hearts! They can lead us to such interesting places…
something I’d like to rededicate to? Knitting for fun, for pleasure and not just because I think people need a hand knit gift. The holidays are overwhelming and knitting is just not enjoyable anymore. Sad really.
I’m excited to see your progress (even if it is just a few rows a day)
WAY TO GO ANN for getting the knitting ball rolling again!
Cara, I love your blog and won’t ever leave… even if it were to become solely a count of dirty diapers, I’d stick it out. 🙂
I recently have rededicated myself to my health – and to be honest, I feel like I have to rededicate myself everyday… but that’s okay – it’s who I am and I love me. 🙂
Have a great day, C – here’s to 3x3x3 more anniversaries for january one! 🙂
I actually just had something of a breakdown last night, and realized that for months now I’ve been ignoring a lot of things that I shouldn’t be ignoring, and that that has all sorts of unexpected consequences. So I’m in a rededication-y mood today myself.
It’s good to see you’re doing what makes you happy, and even better to see that that still includes knitting! The shawl is looking beautiful.
Congratulations on your blog anniversary! Keeping up anything for three years is a major accomplishment, even something you love. I stumbled across your blog some time ago, following a link from the Yarn Harlot’s blog. She’d mentioned how much the images at the top of your blog could make her day; I was intrigued, and I’ve been hooked ever since. And the images really do make my day better.
I’m not sure there is anything I’ve been wanting to rededicate myself to, or to try for the first time, but I just wanted to leave you a bit of affirmation. For everyone one of the haters out there that leave you icky comments about why they won’t be reading anymore, there are hundreds of us readers who love what you write. And will be sticking around indefinitely!
I suppose I would like to get back to cross stitching and quilting so that I could finish those UFOs that have been sitting in cupboards for years. Have a nice day.
Cara,
Thank YOU. Thanks for writing with such honesty and humility. Thanks for the gorgeous imagery (as a photographer, I especially enjoy it!). Thanks for the inspiration to be a better knitter. And you know what? Your baby’s lucky to have a mama that loves her/him so much to go through what you’ve gone through to get to him/her.
As a new mom, I am going to rededicate myself to ME. It’s so easy to get burned out and turn into a stressball wondering if you’ve done enough or are enough for your child that your own sense of self can quietly slip away. I’m taking ME back. If that means getting a babysitter every now and again to go to a movie, so be it.
So thanks again, Cara. You rock.
I would love to start figure skating again. I did it as a child and then went to university and couldn’t afford to pay a coach anymore. Hopefully I’ll get back to it yet.
I also want to wish you a happy blogiversary and a wonderful day!
Something else that I’ve been meaning to comment on has been how happy I am that you are using your blog to have an open and honest conversation about the experiences you’ve had with your pregnancy. It is both hilarious and refreshing. Too often pregnant women are portrayed as smiling, glowing, perfectly put together women holding their bellies, and feeling warm and fuzzy. Although that may reflect some people’s experience, it is certainly not the norm.
Child bearing and child rearing is challenging and difficult. I don’t believe that women should be criticized for honestly discussing all one has to go through to make a human being.
This is not to fault those who choose a less public approach to their pregnancy experience but I am very refreshed by your choice and commend you for it. Thank you again!
This is hard for me to type… I have always been a writer, it has always been my main identifier, as a child, as a journalism major, as an MFA student in poetry. Well, I don’t think I’ve finished a single poem since that MFA was printed. I know why, and I know that the program, as educational as it was in many ways, was also deeply disillusioning and discouraging. I also graduated the same year I endured a heartbreaking miscarriage. I allowed myself to be scared into stopping what I loved most, and I’ve been miserable without it. I need to recommit myself to writing and allow myself to write badly, even, and not show anyone. It has to be a horse I climb back on, because it’s so much a part of who I am. More than that, though, it’s not good for the soul to know that fear can dissemble you like that. Fear can’t win.
I meant to comment, before I got to the end of the post. Really. What? No one believes me?
I think you and Ann noticed something important about your knitting and it’s true – a few rows count. I restarted knitting after having my kid, so I’ve only been able to do it a few rows at a time, ever, even if I miss sleep to knit. I’ve envied your obsessive knitting qualities – so many wonderful projects you’ve completed while obsessed! But I have my own, slower and usually smaller, knitting joys, so I’m not too green.
Such a beautiful restart for your knitting!
I think I need to rededicate myself to working when I’m working, and not working when I’m not working.
I can’t imagine leaving now, just when things are getting more interesting! I’ve been reading your blog for about two years because I love your style and language and creativity and vision. Thank you for sharing so much of your self.
Have a fantastic day!
Happy Blogiversary! I look forward to reading your blog, and am so glad that you are rededicating yourself to it.
I too need to rededicate myself to my knitting. Every row does count; so even if I am only able to knit one row a day I am one row closer to finishing.
the part of my life that i miss are the early days with my first child.
she’s 4.5 now and i remember just being/feeling tired all the time and not taking the time to just savour her–i was overwhelmed and didn’t take care of myself properly to be the best mommy.
looking back–i feel like i wasted time.
so know, i try to enjoy all the moments with my kids!!!
You are who you are and that is enough for me. And &*&^ the rest if they can’t take changes. Cara – a girl has to do what a girl has to do…….cg
It’s your blog, write what you want…..
I would love to do more knitting and spinning so I feel I’m actually finishing things….I have a huge bin of handspun I would love to figure out what to do….
Ba
I love your blog!! Knitting, Baby, Georgie – I don’t care what you write about just that you are willing to share and you do it so well. Thank you for being willing to put your life out there for the rest of us to read. Congratulations on Baby.
Thanks for sharing your life with us readers – that is what I like most about your blog and you are so good at including us on your journey – wherever it takes you.
I think my new rededication is to simplify. Give away what I don’t use, let supplies and materials pass on to those who could use them and not hoard leaving more more for new unexpected treats.
I would like to rededicate myself to maintaining the foreign languages I learned!
When I was in high school, I was very actively involved in student activities. Marching band for a few years, then wind ensemble, and I was captain of the debate team. Now that I’m in college, I’m really not involved in anything at all. I don’t even go out all that often, even with friends to the movies or whatever. I’d really like to get back out and be more social. I know the reason I’m not more involved is because I’m shy and still not 100% used to this new place, but it still makes me feel guilty that I don’t do more.
Just wanted to say I enjoy reading your blog and have for at least the last two years. It’s totally up to you what you do with it. I think of it as a work of art in progress. Sometimes you add to it, sometimes you take away.
Make sure you read Bruce’s Rolling Stone interview (if you haven’t yet) and if not just stare at the cover photo for awhile. Pure joy!
Happy Anniversary!
Your blog isn’t the first one I’ve seen chastised by the Knit Blog Police for being off topic. I stopped blogging after a while because I am such a slow knitter that I never had any progress pictures to show and I thought that was all people wanted to see was a parade of finished objects. I’m thinking of starting again and not characterizing it as a knitting blog to see if I can avoid some of those expectations. Good luch with the rest of the pregnancy.
Cara, you are finding some balance in your life. You can do it all, just not all at once. Good luck on continuing the journey and the blog. 🙂
Cara,
It’s your blog and you can write about whatever you want…I think it’s great that you have been writing so much about the baby. That is what is important to you. I agree about the knitting though, a few rows is better than nothing!
Cara, I’m so glad you are going to continue writing here at January One, rather than letting the naysayers get to you. I love reading what you have to say, no matter what you happen to be talking about.
As far as rededication, I would like to rededicate myself to writing for writing’s sake. I’m currently trying to freelance and am finding writing difficult all around, probably because I’m trying to make it just so the first time on the page. I need to get back to putting words down for the sake of the words, and worry about polishing them later.
Thanks for the nudge.
Happy blogiversary! I’m glad you’re here, and I hope you keep doing it as long as it makes you happy. 🙂
Congratulations on your blogiversary!
Your blog is one of my daily reads. In fact, your blog was one of the reasons I decided to start a blog of my own (my 2 year blogiversary is in January). So, thanks for inspiring me! And keep blogging about whatever topic you want–it’s your blog!
On the rededication front, I’d like to bring more balance in my life. I’ve gotten really good at dividing my time between the various things that I like to do, but I don’t feel like I spend enough time with my husband. So I’m rededicating myself to having more “us” time.
Keep on blogging, Cara…I’ll keep reading!
Thank you, Cara, for sticking it out with us. I don’t know why it is so important to me to read about you and your life every day, but it is. So, thank you for continuing with blogging even though you have so much going on right now.
And in response to your question about what I feel I am missing in my life, I can’t exactly name it, but I feel deeply and intensely the lack of its presence. In fact, it’s becoming a large black hole that seems to be swallowing up the rest of me. I don’t know what to do about it, but something has to change or else I’m in trouble.
I don’t think that I planned to write that when I decided to comment, but I think it’s always something that is brewing in the back of my mind. I think I’m scared to open that can of worms right now, lol–this ride is going too fast, can’t stop now or else it might all fall apart.
What I would like to rededicate myself to is something I loved to do but has gotten lost recently: going to the movies or to exhibitions on my own, to discover new works to inspire me, and exit the cinema or museum with a smile on my face.
I would like to rededicate my life to sleeping well and sleeping more often. (I have a nine-month-old, so this should be fairly self-explanatory).
I haven’t had as much to comment about recently, as I’ve never been pregnant/had morning sickness, but I’ve been here reading. And I’m staying, too! I can’t wait to see more progress on the shawl- it looks beautiful so far.
I was just thinking the other day that I need to rededicate myself to going to the gym. Deep down, I know that I need to make taking care of myself physically a priority (I do a good job on the mental/emotional/creative side), and that I shouldn’t let it be the first thing I let go of when other people demand my time, or when I’m feeling lazy.
Perhaps it would be more pleasant to think that those taking the time to tell you that they won’t be reading your blog anymore because the content has changed, knowing that it will be hurtfull, are really telling you that they are sad to be missing your creatuvuty and compulsive dedication to whatever you are doing.
Please don’t stop posting. I check your blog every day and enjoy all your entries – even the ones about farting!
Cara,
First, let me say tat i have never felt as happy for someone as i did the day you announced your pregnancy. Though i don’t know you in real life, knowing that you had something you wanted as badly as you an G wanted that baby filled me with palpable joy. As a teenage girl, i used the most common method of expression and jumped around the kitchen enthusiastically.
To answer your question about rededication… I made a large life choice around a year ago and decided not to apply to college with the rest of my class.The idea was that i would have more time to get into a school i really liked if i waited. but this year, here i am applying to schools i have no interest in, desperate to get in somewhere. I am going to rededicate myself to finding the best place to grow and learn, not just the one that will take me.
Love, KT
I’d like to rededicate myself to music – it was a HUGE part of my life as a teenager, and now I haven’t sat at a piano in years. I know I’ll get back to it one of these days, first I need to trade the condo for a house, buy a piano, and then I’m in business.
thanks for having a contest, and congratulations on three years of successful blogging! Oh yeah, congrats on the baby, too. 🙂
Just wanted to tell you how much I really enjoy reading your blog and looking at your amazing pictures. You are truly talented and an inspiration. I will be sending knitting mojo your way and I know you will be back into the swing of knitting with your current project.
Hugs and have a wonderful weekend.
It’s so weird how this topic just came up on your blog. I had just finished watching “Proof” for the 4th time or so, and was ruminating over Sir Anthony Hopkins urging Gywnneth Paltrow to reckon “how many days have you lost?” regarding her not working on a mathematical proof. I had, at that moment, decided to rededicate myself to writing (not an easy task to do with 3 kids — 2 of whom are twins!) so as not to “lose” more days. And today, here is your blog’s rededication. If you wanna get “New-Age-y” I think it must be the universe’s way of saying, “Get busy!”
I have commented before on others’ blogs when the subject of the “acceptable” ratio of knitting to non-knitting content: IMHO, I find that I read blogs because I enjoy the writing, the person and yeah, sure, the knitting too. But even prolific knitters (e.g., the YarnHarlot) write about non-knitting stuff and frankly, I love that. Writing from the heart is the key, donchya think?
Congratulations on your wee babe and your third-year blogiversary.
I am glad you are going forward, and will enjoy reading about the process. Though I am beyond the baby stage by many years, it holds fond memories. I have recently moved and have a studio space for the first time in those same many years, so I now have to rededicate myself to getting in there and working. No more excuses.
I’m happy that you feel up to blogging at all.
My rededication? Your photos have haunted me for months. After years of only taking pictures with my cell phone and emailing them around, I’m finally researching DSLRs. My mother is positively verklempt..
I don’t think I’ve commented before, but I’ve been reading for a while. I just want to let you know that I’m happy that you’re going to keep blogging and that you’re going to write about the things that are important to you rather than trying to please a fickle audience of commenters. 🙂 I also use my blog for writing about the things that are important to me, and the knitting content has gotten significantly less since my daughter was born. I’m still knitting, but since my free time is more sparse, I’m just spending less time blogging about my knitting as it happens.
Personally, I need to rededicate myself to cooking dinner on a regular basis. I have really slacked off in that department since my daughter was born, and now that she is close to eating table food, I feel it is really important that we all sit down and eat each night at the table together. I’ve never been a planner when it comes to cooking, but it is a skill that I need to locate somewhere deep inside. 🙂 I can be organized, just not usually in the kitchen!
I also want to make myself a fair isle sweater (steeks and all – gasp!), but I’ve never taken the time to plan ahead and make that happen.
I want to rededicate myself to my son and myself, since I feel like I robbed both of us of a whole person…wandering life like I needed another half to complete me.
2 whole people in a relationship is so much better than 2 halves 🙂
Just have to say…I love reading your blog…*everything* you write about, not just knitting! Although that is what got me reading it in the first place. It has been such fun to read about your pregnancy, it brings back great memories for me (my kids aren’t too big, ages 6yrs, 4yrs, and 10mos, so it’s recent history for me!), and I do hope you’ll continue to update us. And don’t forget the belly pics, they are such fun to look at later on!
Anyways…I am like you, I tend to focus too much on one thing at a time. Currently I’ve been slightly addicted to an online game which my husband plays also (sad that we spend “together time” on the computer!!) and have become waaaay too emotional about something which is a GAME. Only a GAME. It is supposed to be fun and entertaining but should not make me upset, angry, frustrated, or sad. So I am rededicating myself to getting some real-life things done. I have way too many unfinished things in my life- knitting projects, cleaning up and reorganizing my craft room, quilts for the kids, curtains for our bedroom…the list is huge. I am going to cut back my game time and work on real life. Hopefully my husband will follow suit. 😉
Cara– I love your honesty and your enthusiasm for everything you decide to do. It’s the main reason I read this blog. Thanks for writing.
As for me, I’m rededicating myself to yoga and exercise. I tore a tendon in my ankle in February, and let my gym membership lapse. I think it’s time to get back in to it.
What an interesting and thought provoking post. For me, somethings I’ve been moving towards recently is ‘rededicating’ myself to my friends – both old and new. I’ve found myself slipping into a cosy world at home and being lazy about making an effort to be in touch with friends. Also, I don’t actually have many friends where we live now, and need to make an effort to make new ones – as cosy as I am, it gets a bit lonely sometimes (I have taken my first steps to address this by joining a SnB group)! So that’s it for me. I hope it works, and I hope that your plans are happy too.
Jen
First off I would just like to say that I love your blog and even though we don’t really “know” each other, I feel as though your a part of my life. Keep up the great work whether it’s knitting or babies;)
On the rededication, I would like to bring back my sketching. It was a very similar meditation experience as knitting is for me. I would carry a sketch book and doodle or capture random things.
Oh yeah…Congratulations on the Blogiversary!
Hi Cara,
I don’t know if this counts as rededication, but I was so inspired by your posting, that I thought I would make this my very first comment on a blog. I am officially de-lurking, and my hands are shaking so much!
I started reading your blog during the miter madness and haven’t stopped since. I’ve put off commenting, because I didn’t think I was a “good enough” knitter, but your post reminded me how far I’ve come and how it’s not about skill or talent, but about making yourself happy, which knitting definitely does. Thank you!
I’d like to rededicate myself to my skydiving. When I first started out I made over 300 jumps my first year and couldn’t stop. Since then things have dwindled and I’ve felt if I couldn’t keep it up at that level then I would jsut quit and I didn’t jump for almost 18 months. And like you, I’m an all or nothing kind of gal. I’ve been trying to make myself happy with just making a jump once a month or even just getting out to the dropzone every other month and being satisified with that level of committment. It’s hard but it is possible.
Happy Blogiversary! This is going to be a great new year for me (2008). My fiance and I are finally going to get to live together (after 4 years of long distance), and I get the chance to find a new job/career in a new city. I’m rededicating myself to finding out what I really want to do and doing it with my favorite partner!
Happy blogiversary and great post! Life makes changes whether you planned for them or not and that’s what makes us who we are. If you’re blogging about your life, it’s inevitable that the content of your blog will change too.
I was drawn to your blog initially by the knitting and your inspiring photography, but as someone who has never been a mom, I enjoy hearing your experiences about being pregnant (but don’t envy the daily puking thing). I enjoying coming here to read your blog and to be inspired, which you have done in many ways.
For my rededication, I want to get back into reading more books, because I really miss it. Thanks Cara!
well, i definitely want to say “have a nice day!” and thank you for sticking around. it’ll be worth it to have this blog in the long run. you’ll especially realize that when you have that lovely baby 🙂
now, what i want to rededicate myself to is my exercise. i miss good exercise so much!
Keep on blogging as you see fit – I can’t believe the snotheads who would be down on your for talking about your life on your own blog, of all things! Oh well.
And, because I have recently discovered sock yarn and its joys, I must participate….
I would like to rededicate myself to being the emotional, giving, warm person I think I was more, before grad school and an unhappy marriage and divorce wore me down. I’m trying to get back there. It’s a process.
My MIL is a January 10, she pick some STR January One for her socks. It’s knitting up quite nicely into a pair of Waving Lace socks (Favorite Socks).
I have recently (re)dedicated myself to becoming a better, more knowledgable knitter and blogland has been so very helpful. If it wasn’t for you and your Wing o the Moth and directing me towards Bee Fields at Knitspot I don’t think I ever would even contemplate trying lace. But, I have a Bee kit in my room waiting for me to be brave. I am also aspiring to be a better photographer, I don’t want to be a Photographer, but more than just one who takes pictures. I have books from the library to occupy me until registration for the winter courses opens up at the local college.
I enjoy your blog immensly, both for the knitting content and the life content. But, you have to write about what you want to, it is your blog afterall. I for one, will keep reading if you keep writing. As a mom of 3 (ages 2-7), knit when you can, it’s always enjoyable be it 2 rows or 20 rows.
I don’t always comment but I’m a faithful reader of your blog.
What a wonderful post, I’m just celebrating my 2nd blogiversary and have reflected on what my blog has done to enrich my life with so many new friends around the world, many of which I will not have the opportunity to meet…as badly as I want to.
Now as far as what part of my life I miss and how to rededicate myself to it…this is difficult because I can’t get back what I lost so many years ago…but I can rededicate my life to my now adult children and ensuring they have happy fulfilled lives…and enjoy the grandbabies! My baby turns 20 tomorrow, so hard to believe!
Happy Blogiversary…and I happen to enjoy your pregnancy stories, it’s your blog and you can write whatever the ‘H’ you want to!!!!
Please don’t let the snotty people telling you they aren’t reading anymore get you down. You have a lot of people here who enjoy reading what you write, knitting content or not.
Lately I have discovered how much I miss bike riding, and so I’m trying to get back in the groove. Of course I realize this in the middle of fall, but oh well =P
Happy rededication, I have a little story for you. A few years ago I was having a really bad year. I lost quite a bit in my life due to some tragedies. The year went by very slowly. It didnt look like the upcoming year was going to get any better. I realized on my birthday that I had told the whole world the wrong age, for a whole year. I had to figure out the year I was born to get my facts straight. It was horrible to realize that I had done this and vowed to always try to make the coming year better even if it wasnt. You reminded me that I can rededicate my life to find happiness and joy in life and to play the piano solos in front of real people, and not be scared, to put myself out there and make friends again, and last but not least do my best and be proud of the outcome. AMEN
Wow. Rededication. That’s pretty deep! I’ve been so bogged down in my paying job lately. I would really love to take some time and focus on ME! Get back to crafting. Knitting, sewing, breathing. Wish me luck!
I also haven’t been blogging very much. I just started a new graduate program and it’s been eating up a lot of time. I try to knit a few rows every day (yay socks!) but haven’t been able to find the time to take pictures of things and post them. I have a number of finished projects that have yet to be blogged. I sort of feel like they’re not really finished until I write an FO post, which feels weird. Of course they’re finished.
I can’t wait to be a better mm. We are embarking on a cross-country move, that leaves me jobless in the traditional sense and becoming just a mom again. I am thrilled – my kids are still young and this is what I’ve been hoping for.
Congrats on three years – I’ve always enjoyed your viewpoint.
I, too, want to rededicate myself to my knitting and my blog. My blog has died away along with my knitting in the past year and I can’t even explain why I lost the mojo to begin with. It just sort of…frittered away. But I am hoping with the return of cold weather and several requests for gift knitting that I can get back on the road and try again. A lot of crafty pursuits that I love have fallen by the wayside of late in the struggle to survive life’s insanity, including photography, blogging, quilting, knitting…so yes. I like this call for rededication.
I am loving watching your journey to parenthood and everything else you choose to share with the Internets. So thank you for being here, and I can’t wait to see what comes next!
Oh, I love that Smoky Plum! I’m not usually a purple kind of gal, but that is so deep and beautiful…it makes me re-think my feelings toward purple.
I really believe that your blog (my blog, whoevers blog) should be whatever it is that you (Me, joe t. public) wants it to be. Write what you want, what you want to remember. I’ll keep coming back. For the photos, the yarn, the knitting…and of course to meet baby in a few months!
OOh I know right off.. learning, and enjoying my knitting! I have spent so much time this year on work knitting projects that I have lost the joy of experimenting and fun! So back at it! I have an armfull of books to start me off and the answer to work knitting for the next 6 months will be NO!
For a variety of reasons, I dropped out of choir at church for which I also played oboe. I loved being part of it and playing, but found it do difficult to go back. But this fall, I finally decided to rejoin or rededicate myself to choir and oboe again. I’m so happy that I have–in fact, I’m looking into taking oboe lessons.
I enjoy reading your blog and following whatever topic you choose to write. Happy 3rd bloggaversary. 🙂
Happy blogiversary! Cara, I feel that I have a personal connection to people whose blogs I read for a while, even if I’ve never met them or e-mailed them. So even though I’m not a mom, I’m really happy for you and your family, and NOT reading your blog would be like cutting a friend out of my life, you know?
Something I’d like to do more of: keep in touch with old friends. I’m terrible at keeping up with people outside a handful of friends and relatives.
And have a nice day. 🙂
I think your endeavor to enjoy knitting in moderation is a healthy one for a mom-to-be. You’re right — the days ahead will be filled with lots of small urgencies, and not enough time for your own obsessions. But there will be time for little bits, and good enough.
My rededication – to putting together my resume so that I can move on from my stay at home mom days.
I hope you’ll keep blogging as you want to – part of what I enjoy so much about blogs is that you never quite know what the authors will talk about next!
For me, blogging is a way to keep in touch with family & friends far away – or try to. I very much miss my anonyblogging days, when I could really express myself without fear of hurting people.
I’m working on dedication to happiness: focusin on the good, letting the less-good wash away, and enjoying the little things.
I’d like to rededicate my life to my children. Too often I have not been able to give them the attention they need.
(note: they are happy and healthy, not neglected, but would appreciate more time with their mom)
You know, Mr. Frick and I have been working on a bit of rededication. Parenthood can really stress a relationship- you’re so busy with bedtime, dressing, diapering, feeding that you give each other little pecks in passing. So the other day, while he was playing in the yard with the Biscuit, I walked out wit the Fricklet and asked him for “a boyfriend kiss.” As ridiculous as it sounds, we’ve been requesting “boyfriend” and “girlfriend” kisses from each other now, and it’s helping.
Yes, row by row and stitch by stitch…good training for knitting with a newborn!
I hope you are having a great, puke-free, autumn day. I hope your re-dedication is rewarding. I think your journey to finding some happy mediums rather than the all-or-nothing will be very rewarding. Finding the right balance is much of the journey that is life. It is different for each person. I have found some ways of doing things that works for me, but I would not necessarily recommend those ways for others. As long as we strive to move forward, grow, improve, and change, I think we are doing well. I hope that you find renewed joy in your life.
I would like to rededicate to cooking. I am a good and interested cook, but life as a single parent with a little one was so hectic that I got away from it for a while. Now it is a great way to express my love for my son and myself–and I am loving it. I still have to plan, make menus, look hard at what I have in the fridge and freezer…but it’s all good.
You go girl! This is your blog, your diary, and it’s a privilege that you allow us into part of your life to read it. Thank you. Really. I for one will keep reading even if you write about something I don’t care for. You just hang in there. And regarding the knitting a little at a time…I keep a project in the car for just that reason. When I go to pick up oldest son at school, I usually get there a few minutes early, and while the younger 2 climb over everything, I get a few rows done. I call it my “car knitting”.
I’ve been a very bad reader lately. I’d really like to start reading more good books straight through, cover to cover.
And I am thrilled to read as much baby babble as you can write! Babies are great.
Since starting nursing school, Ive been so insanely busy that I rarely knit, or do anything just for me that isnt related to studying. Id like a little me time. To carve out a few minutes a week that I can have to re-center myself. Take a walk, or knit, or veg out on TV, whatever.
good for you! it always amazes me the sheer selfish gall of people who “announce” their intention to stop reading this or that blog. who cares? go piss off you’re so high and mighty about the content you demand from a personal blog. you’re not paying for it, no one is forcing you to sit at the computer and read it, what purpose is your announcement serving other than to intentionally hurt someone’s feelings? me? i’ll keep reading forever because i feel like no matter what you blog about, you always write about it honestly and thoughtfully. here’s to 3 years of awesome blogness and a happy healthy new baby for you and g! =]
me? i finally had to come to terms with the fact that my fiber budget was completely shutting down my photography budget. all this equipment i need and can’t afford because i spent too much on yarn. so i am being very good about knitting from my stash so that i can save up for a strobe and umbrella kit, and i need to get a new 35mm SLR because i’m tired of having to get all this proprietary crap to fit my minolta. so that’s my rededication goal…saving money for new toys (oh, and converting my bathroom to a darkroom!) so that i can really rededicate myself to my photography. =]
Hi Cara, I don’t comment much, but I read every entry, and will continue to. I love the baby stuff.
The thing that I miss is photography. I started it as a hobby when I was about 16, and I’m almost 23 now. I used to be so dedicated to going and and taking photos at any free moment I had, but now it’s really hard to motivate myself. I feel like if I don’t have several hours to spend, then there’s no point in going out at all. I don’t have a lot of time with school, work, and my upcoming wedding in March. Part of it is also lack of good equipment, which discourages me.
BUT I am going to listen to you and not worry about having only a little time or not having the right stuff. I am going to try in the next few weeks to really get out there and shoot some great photos.
I must rededicate myself to reading. I haven’t finished a book in ages! I start and don’t finish. SO LAME.
Yummy smoky plum.
Cara, I don’t care what you write about because I LOVE reading your blog and seeing your photography! Congrats on all of the blessings in your life right now. I’m rededicting myself to exercise and more blogging! Good for you to no longer let this get you down! Virtual people can be meaner that real ones sometimes, can’t they? Take care!
Hi Cara,
I am glad that you have decided to stick with the blog 🙂 I love reading, even when I don’t comment – you always have something interesting to say, whether it makes me smile or laugh, or cringe in sympathy (and btw, I totally feel your morning sickness pain right now – MAN does THAT SUCK!!!!). I haven’t really knit at all since I found out that I was pregnant – feeling sick, tired, and reading preggo books has been taking up my time, and I feel like it’s just not calling to me right now. I’m hoping when that sickness goes away(note me, thinking positively), I’ll be more interested again 🙂
Very happy 3rd anniversary!!
I’ve recently rededicated myself to knitting as well, I had let it slide for a long time, but when I picked up my knitting in earnest again, I remembered how much I love it! This fall, I’m primarily focusing on making an army of mittens. 🙂
I started my online journal (I still refuse to call it a blog!) quite a few years ago to stay in touch with a friend of mine as she was “blogging” so much. After some days of sheer bordom, I realized the vastness of the online community and how I learned so much about knitting and have created so many new friends online and now in real life all because of knitting.
However, although my Man does appreciate my love for crafts, I have realized I do spend too much time knitting or just thinking about knitting that at times (most evenings actually) I’d rather knit than go out into the world with him and spend time with my #1 love. He really should be on the top of my list. So I rededicated my passion for him, to him and about him. And it’s not like we’re at a rocky path in our relationship… it’s just that I really do think I should just appreciate him more because I know how much he appreciates my passion for knitting.
Have a wonderful bloggiversary – and for many more years to come!
Well, you seem to have hit upon my mother’s advice to me.”Just 15 minutes a day, you’ll be surprised at how far you’ll get.” I have 3 teenagers so some days I don’t even do 15. So, I’ll join you in the 15 min a day plan.
Happy Blogiversary! I never noticed that the blog name was January One Knits! You do beautiful knitting, but you are so much more than that.
I have always wanted to have the kind of house that when someone drops by, I can invite them in without embarrassing myself or my husband. That’s what I’m dedicating myself to. Maybe I’m supposed to have a creative goal, but who notices the creativity when there are dog-fur buffaloes rolling by.
I love reading your blog! Puking and all!
I need to rededicate myself to reading. I do still read, but only when I can fit it in. I really need to make time for it.
I’m not entering in the contest b/c I’m currently knitting with STR Lightweight in your colorway, so I’m good.
I’m glad you’re keeping the blog and I love to read you b/c I enjoy you, your writing, your observations, and your knitting too. Keep it up and I’m glad you’re able to knit. The color is beautiful.
I rededicated myself about 6 weeks ago to running. And last night I ran for 25 minutes, 2.2 miles, without stopping. Rededication rocks.
I would like to re-dedicate myself to reading. Since I became obsessed with knitting, I haven’t been reading much, so I would like to pick up a book every once in a while. But I need to find a balance, because I do not know my knitting to suffer as a result.
Congrats on the pregnancy. I’m happy for you, but must admit…I’m not too into babies. It’s just not my thing. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be happy for those who desperately try and desire one as much as you and G. So for that, I do wish your family all the best.
Good for you! It’s your blog and you should totally do whatever you want with it. There is no blog police. It’s yours to make whatever you want it to be!
I would love to rededicate myself to playing the bassoon, but now is not my time I’m afraid. For now, knitting and spinning work just fine. 🙂
Infertility is an amazing journey, up and down, roundabout, leading you in many different directions, different from everything you thought you had planned for your life. I am VERY sure that God has a wicked sense of humor. DH and I were going to have at least 4 kids, probably more, and started trying when he was almost done with vet school. No dice. Years of treatments, emotional roller coaster, pills, shots, dr visits … we decided to adopt. No one in our family had ever done that. We went on to adopt two babies from wonderful birth moms, and thought our family was complete. Until I was 45, going through some fairly serious medical issues, and God thought it would be funny if I got pregnant. Huh? We didn’t even know I was pregnant until I had already missed the first trimester – not only really short pregnancy now, but I was OLD too, and had medical issues, so we were really high risk. We are now a family of five, with a very fun caboose who is “keeping us young”, or occasionally, “wearing us out!” You can plan all you want, but life has its own energy and its own ideas, and it’s much more fun to go with it than to fight it.
Your re-dedication is wonderful. Ann is so right that now you will learn to do bits here and bits there, and they will add up to wonderful wholes. Life with kids has a totally different rhythm, but once you pick up the beat, it’s a great dance.
My rededication is to myself – to take better care of myself physically, and to nourish the friendships and creative activities that support me and make me happy. “When momma isn’t happy, no one’s happy!”
Congratulations and take care of yourself and wee one.
Patrice
Just wanted to say Happy anniversary. I know how hard it can be to be dedicated to a blog. I am on my second blog. I loved my first topic but knitting overcame it all and right now I am not posting to my current blog because I am under a knitting deadline but I should be back to sing the praises of knitting by the middle of November.
Also congrats on your pregnancy.
I miss leaving the house and making a paycheck, being a SAHM feels like such a thankless job some days. I miss the feeling of contribution, at least financially.
So if any of you know a way to earn money from the home, please let me know.
S
LOVE the idea of this rededication.
I’d like to rededicate myself to be true to myself. For this past year I have lost track of putting myself first and now I see the ramifications of my actions. From here on, I will be good to myself b/c no one will treat me better than I treat myself.
I have been wanting to start my own blog, but have been scared to expose myself. I admire you and your blog, so I just now may have the courage to do it after reading this entry. Oh, and have a nice day :)!
Happy anniversary! It’s been a great ride so far and is sure to only get better. Lately I have rededicated myself to enjoying the arts that I don’t do, like making an effort every now and then to go and listen to live music, seeing a play, or wandering through an art gallery and appreciating the work of other artists. From this effort, I’ve really become aware how all creative expression is similar in so many ways, even though it comes out in ways that seem completely different. That was a really good question!
Happy blogiversary and Thank You for sticking with it. I enjoy reading whatever you choose to write. I also enjoy your photos and admire your mad knitting skillz.
Personally, even 2 rounds of a sock before bedtime helps me sleep better. Even a small fix of knitting time does it for me!
Ok, here it is. I have been thinking of this for several months now….I would like to play the french horn again. I haven’t since high school! Thank you Cara!
Ok, here it is. I have been thinking of this for several months now….I would like to play the french horn again. I haven’t since high school! Thank you Cara!
Hi Cara. Thank you for blogging! I’m a lurker and am honored to read anything you have to share about your pregnancy or any other aspect of your life!
Could the yarn you purchased for your shawl been from SLIVER Moon farm? Slivermoonfarm.com? I worked at their booth on Sunday and thought I recognized their yummy yarn!
Contest or no, I was planning to comment to tell you this: I have not, for the past 4 months, been reading any knitting blogs (big move + new job = no time to knit or read blogs; plus, I moved to the southwest in August, where the idea of woolens was abhorrent!). I had a little time the other day, so I popped in to see the Yarn Harlot. There, what did I see, but you pregnant and happy! I knew from reading your blog a long time that you had been having troubles conceiving and that you wanted a baby very much, so I was delighted for you! Immediately, I linked on over to read the entries since your announcement – and I, for one, LOVE reading about your joys and pains and the reality of what you’re going through. It’s why I ‘came back’ and why I’m excited to see how things progress for you and the little one. For those who are only here for the knitting, let them pay for a knitting magazine. For the rest of us, blogs (yours and others) are about ‘getting to know’ someone and like her – and those of us who like you, WANT to read whatever it is you want to talk about. That’s why we’re here and staying.
Reading your blog makes me happy regardless of content so far, so whatever you want to write about, you go ahead. I don’t really have any rededications, except that I’ve picked up a couple of UFOs and am working on making them FOs. That’s progress, right?
The beauty of knitting is that a couple of rows at a time can still add up to a finished project, or spark an idea, or just make time feel less wasted. If you blog about it, great, and if you blog about other things, also fine.
In the spirit of rededication, I need to spend maybe a little less time knitting & on Ravelry, and more time building a healthier lifestyle–exercising more, eating better, etc.
I discovered you blog when you had the CIT thing going, and have enjoyed it ever since. I remember what it is like to be where you are.
Every 10 year birthday I attempt something new. Since I did Am Kamin in 2006, I don’t know what my new thing will be this year, but I will think of something. After all I just turned 60 yesterday, so I am still looking for this 10 year challenge. You have your’s (baby), now I need mine. thinking…thinking…
I am glad I found you….
I am glad you found yourself…..
I have been thinking about starting a blog….
You are motivating me to do so…..
Congratulations on your success….
(My own rededication is two-fold and happened this summer–does it still count?)
My husband and I had lived and worked for 9 years at two jobs that didn’t pay well and took a lot of our free time. We did it because we thought we couldn’t get anything better. One of those jobs was at a boarding school, where we worked 80-hour weeks and were dorm parents to a group of teenage girls.
Last year, we decided that life was too short to put off our dreams and that we were setting a crap example for our kids (“Life is all about working at terrible jobs so that you can barely make ends meet!”). We also decided that it was time to stop spending all our time taking care of other people’s children and spend our time taking care of ours. We left a very “comfortable” job in a very upscale community, took a flyer on two jobs that sounded like fun, moved to NJ, and now each work from home doing the things we truly love. We’re around when the kids get home from school, and for the first time in 9 years, we get weekends together.
I wish I hadn’t been such a chicken about just doing what I needed to do.
Thanks for a terrific and meaningful post, Cara! I have enjoyed reading your blog ever since I discovered it (and I can’t even remember when that was because it was a long time ago!).
I have to rededicate myself to my knitting, too. I’m in exactly the same sort of situation–I can only knit a few rows or even just a few stitches these days. It’s somewhat frustrating when a whole month goes by and I haven’t finished a single thing. Although I am mostly a “process” knitter, the “process” isn’t so fulfilling when you only do it in bits and pieces. But I just need to remember that stitch by stitch, a WIP in grows and eventually it’ll get done!
Cara, I am glad that you are rededicating your blog! Your post was personally encouraging to me. I’m an all or nothing kind of person too, and I have had to learn to knit in small bits of time. My circumstances look as if they are going to change to result in even less knitting time for me, so I’m going to have to be more creative in trying to fit it in. Thanks for the motivation!
Also, I sure hope I win some STR. I’m still a virgin!
Thanks for the post, Cara. And to what you say about writing your choice of topics, and creative outlet, and all that, I want to give you a resounding, FUCK YEAH!
I miss feeling good. Physically, feeling good (still working on that mentally part). So a month ago I rededicated myself to getting regular exercise, at least 5 days a week. 6 days preferably. I really detest getting up early to get to the gym, but I know how much I really needed to do this. It makes me feel so much better every day, much as I might dislike it.
I miss making music, which I gave up when I began my most recent job in 2003…and I will probably not make music again until my kids are grown.
Oh, where to start? I’d say I want to rededicate myself to my health and fitness, but I’m not sure I was ever dedicated in the first place. So…I need to (re)dedicate myself to that. I feel like Babe the Blue Ox.
I also want to rededicate myself to the piano. My degree is in piano performance, but I haven’t REALLY played like that since I graduated from college in 1996. I know it wouldn’t take long to get the skill back, it’s just setting aside the time to do it. With kids and life it gets hard.
I agree that you should write what you want, when you want. I am one who is looking forward to more pregnancy and baby stories. Life changes all the time. Enjoy your life.
Dear Cara,
thank you for this post and for your blog!
What I miss a lot is sewing – I “inherited” my mother’s sewing machine (which is older than I am …) and keep thinking that I really want to start sewing again. But then it’s easier to just pick up my knitting :-))))
All the best to you and yours,
Beate (Frankfurt/Germany)
Thanks for a wonderful post Cara! I’m one of those readers who has starting coming by more regularly of late. I love knitting blogs that focus on projects and yarn and inspiration, but it’s even better to find one that includes other things as well – I like to get a glimpse of the person behind all the yarn play. And as the mother of two young ones, I still love hearing (reading) pregnancy stories and all the joy that goes along with that.
As for rededications: I’m rededicating myself to making time to do the things I want to do (see above about two kids), like knitting and spinning, every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. It’s so hard to do when there are so many other things that need to be done right now, but if it doesn’t happen, I go nuts. And then no one’s happy.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy, and thanks for writing!
Cara, take care of yourself and enjoy your blog! Good luck with your new projects. I go in fits and starts with my knitting too (and when my kids came there were months where there was no knitting at all!). Enjoy it when you do have a chance to do it, even if it’s one row at a time.
Hi Cara,
I don’t know if I have ever posted before but I love your blog be it about babies or knitting or your beautiful photos. I miss waking up in the morning and not being achy and not having the moment of checking to see if I have a migraine. I miss leaving work and not having to wonder if everything is all set for tomorrow if I am out sick with a migraine.
Wow – that was more personal then I thought it would be. I would say I am sorry but in a way it is a little freeing.
Bex
Cara, Your blog is always the most honest, real thing I read. You are intensely yourself, and that is why I read it. I think many other bloggers (me included) consider how others might perceive them, but you just put yourself as you are OUT THERE and I deeply respect that.
I am so thrilled for you, Georgie, and the baby. As a mother and wife myself, I find I have to daily rededicate myself to intentionality in how I interact with my cherished three. I purposely rededicate myself every morning to patience, laughter, wisdom, and peace. When the kids were babies, sometimes it meant I had to step into the pantry for a moment and just beg for some patience, the sense of humor to make it through the next ten minutes. Now that they are older, it is about knowing when to talk, and when to shut the hell up and listen, to back off, to let them fly or fall on their own.
That’s my daily rededication. My new one is to being more in control of the spending. I know I’m not exactly over-spending, but I am not keeping my eye on the bottom line so well lately, and I think my husband would appreciate that. So, rededicating myself to the budget and thoughtful spending is my new one. Boring, yes, but part of the reality of life.
I think I need to rededicate myself to cleaning my house. Or at the very least, laundry. But then, when would I knit?
I really enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for sharing a little bit of your life with us, and congratulations on your little bundle! Parenthood has it’s challenges, like anything worth doing, but it also has the greatest reward.
Lessons learned… throughout life. I stumbled across your blog several months ago, and have “walked” with you through the turmoils and joys of your pregnancy. Having been through this 5 (yes five) times, the last being almost 15 years ago (on Monday, to be exact), I remeber well, and empathize with you.
That being said, the lessons learned throughout this and all of life have been invaluable to me, and will be to you also. I, too, was an “all or nothing” kind of girl, and was terribly discouraged when I couldn’t finish a project in months that used to take me days. And so, I began the “more-than-one project” phase of life. And I knit when I had time. And I got over it. And you will, too.
I read a beautiful analogy the other day, the kind of hits this mark. Enjoy.
href=http://trekcelt.blogspot.com/2007/10/analogy.html
I Love your blog….and isn’t your Blog supposed to be about YOU!
My re-dedication is to focus on what is really important in life….not the trivial things that cause families to grow apart….I have a very close cousin who’s brother doesn’t speak to her because of selling a 35 yr old patio set at a yard sale……mind you it sat in a storage shed for 25 years and he didn’t want it, UNTIL yard sale came into play…crazy….
Happy 3rd Anniverary…..and say what you feel…it’s why we all Love you so much….
Blogless Diane
I’d like to rededicate myself to learning Spanish. I’ve taken classes, and know vocabulary and can sort of read it. But I want to speak and understand it.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Happy Anniversary!
I’m rededicating myself to peace and breathing deep and admiring the fall leaves.
Cara – I’m so glad you decided to keep your blog! And that Ann – she IS wise. The little bits of knitting is a great plan and yes, it DOES count.
What do I need to rededicate? My blog! I haven’t posted in months.
Well Happy 3rd. I think your blog is great no matter what you write.
I miss painting. I use to paint a lot but then I had 3 kids in 5 years. I kept knitting and I am now learning how to hand spin, but I really want to get back into painting. I think I will go to the craft store this weekend. = )
I want to rededicate myself to LIVING my life instead of thinking about my life or planning my life, or worrying about my life. I want to just LIVE IT!
Thanks for a beautiful post. I enjoy your blog immensely, and I wish you well in all of your “obsessions”, wherever they may lead you.
Cara, Happy Blogaversary!! Hmmm the only thing I can think of as a re-dedication to myself is concerning time. To make more use of the time that I have. Wishing I had more time in my busy life. To not have to take so much time just to commute to work. To enjoy taking the time to do nothing at all. To have time to spend with my family. The time to just get away and have time for myself. To turn back the hands of time and change things I could have. To relive moments in time I wouldnt change for anything in the world.
Other than this glad that I have the time and that I found your blog to read!
Great post! I’d like to rededicate myself to get back into hiking and kayaking. I need to carve out more time for myself instead of just cleaning up after the rug rats.
thank you for sharing your thoughts and for your inspiration – i’d have never known about heifer international if not for you…..i love your knitting adventures and celebrate with you the new life you carry and your rededication of your blog. hmmmm….one thing i hope to come back to is sewing – i even bought a new sewing machine – happy to say i will start soon cause i’m donating a child blanket for a homeless project in the community due this dec. my dream has always been to play the piano – i have no piano, i have access to one though (at church) but i have a bum ear – my family calls it tone deaf….
Congratulations on your 3rd Blog Anniversary! I definitely enjoy reading your blog and I’m glad that you’ll continue to post.
I want to rededicate myself to some ME time! I’m always so tired nowadays – finishing my Ph.D., finding a job, working a second job, running around, etc. I need some quiet time for ME!
I have to say that I only recently discovered your blog but it has really spoken to me in the short months that I have been reading it. This is my first comment but I just wanted to say that I love that you talk about all the things going on in your life, including your pregnancy. As a person with no children of my own yet but the idea that I want some within the next few years, I love to hear the realities.
Congratulations on three great years and here’s to three more.
I enjoy reading whatever you have to post. I’ve learned a lot from your thoughts and experiences. You should definitely blog about whatever you want, it’s your blog. Personally, I prefer it when people just let it out and have no restraint. It’s a character trait I wish I had. I’m such a push over and I admire and respect people who break out of the box.
First of all, thank you for sharing so much of you with us. It takes a kind of courage I can’t even imagine.
Right now I find myself in a situation I would never have imagined. At 36, I’m ending a marriage and starting a new life as a single mom with two great kids. I fought this change, and in doing so, buried huge parts of myself and my life in an attempt to “fix” things. I think I knew all along what needed to happen, but change does not come easy to me, and the thought of inflicting it on my little ones (ages 2 & 5) kept me from facing the truth. I’d like to say there was one breakthrough moment, where the clouds parted, the sun broke through and the dramatic theme music played, but instead I just kept having the thought that the 17-year-old I once was would be really pissed at who I had become. So, this step is a rededication to me. I started with my health, and found wonderful support in a Weight Watchers group. Creativity was next, and while some might consider a new-found obsession with knitting dishcloths far from creative, it’s working for me. Writing and journalling are the next step, I’m overcoming the fear of opening that notebook, and more importantly, opening my heart and laying it all out on the page. Who knows, a blog may follow, but even if it doesn’t, the writing is allowing me to reconnect with myself, and help me create a new life.
Thank you again.
Normally a lurker, I wanted to come out of the “closet” per se, on this one. First and foremost, thanks for having the courage to put yourself out there with each and every post. I don’t have that sort of courage and applaud your willingness to share. Thank you for doing that.
Your idea of “rededication” really appealed to me because I feel like since I’ve gotten married and had a child I’ve lost “me.” I am a mother and a wife, and there seems to be no time, or room in my life to worry about myself. I’d like to rededicate my life to include me – I’m making it a priority to have some “me” time, to not fret about lunches or dinners or vacuuming or laundry. To just have the courage to let it lay and the faith that taking time for myself will not cause our household to fall apart… oh, and HAVE A NICE DAY!!!
i was so worried as the post started – i thought any minute there you were going to say you were finished with the blog! i love reading your blog, whether it’s about knitting, baby stuff, or even puking.
i’d like to do two things – rediscover writing (which i used to do incessantly, but haven’t done in years) and also put more energy into developing my teeny tiny indie business (i sell handpainted & handspun yarn) into something bigger & better. fingers crossed!!
xo lilith
Hey Cara, Happy Blogiversary! Keep writing about whatever you want, girl! I’m so glad that you’ve been keeping this blog, and I’m also glad that you postponed the IVF when you did so that we could get pregnant at almost exactly the same moment and share it!
I think I’m going to try to rededicate myself to blogging – posting more than once or twice a month. And to our house – we’re really trying to get it fixed up, and there’s just so much to to before next March.
Take care!
I’m delurking here. And not because of the STR, although your color is beautiful btw, but because I wanted to show support for your rededication. I’ve been reading for a little over a year and the baby stuff doesn’t bother me at all. Blogs are ever evolving and they are place to say what we want to say. They are a way of connecting with people who are like us, knitting, babies, or whatever. And your blog is lovely in everyway. Me, I’m rededicating myself to finding my balance. I’ve been a little lost along the way lately too.
I was all set to leave a comment, and then I saw that you were having a contest. That’s not why I’m leaving a comment, though 🙂 I mostly lurk here (read through Bloglines and don’t have lots of time to click over and comment) but I’ve read for a while, and will continue no matter what you are writing about. And I cannot wait for cute baby pics!!! I enjoy your style and your honesty and your ability to put a lot out on the table — something I’m not so good at. So, best wishes for a healthy pregnancy and birth, and renewed knitting mojo!
Thank you for your blog! I enjoy it, babys, barf, and all!
I want to rededicate myself to my dissertation. Truth be told, I really do love what I’m writing about. And I *want* to write it. I just lost track of that love with all the stress and the pressure. I need to find a way to remember that there is beauty to this project, and get it done.
Thanks for giving us the space to remember what’s important, and remind ourselves of why we do it!
Cara, I’m so glad you started your blog–and that you’re continuing it. I haven’t read it since the beginning, but I do know that as soon as I realized that you were hoping to conceive, I also started hoping that for you every time I read. I’m so very happy that things are working out for you. I’ve always read the blog mostly for the sheer gusto you put in everything–whether it’s knitting, spinning, or baby stuff, it doesn’t matter! Your spirit always shines through.
Congratulations on three years of blogging! I enjoy your writing and your photography, and will keep reading, no matter what the topic is.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. I really want to rededicate myself to leading a healthier life. Getting more sleep, drinking more water, eating healthier foods, and of course regular exercise. My mom passed away about a year ago, and it really hit me hard. I started having trouble sleeping, then my eating habits got pretty junky, and I’ve never been a big exercise fan. But, I have two beautiful kids who I want to see grow up, and I want to set a good example of a healthy life for them.
Anyway, thanks for blogging, and have a nice day 🙂
Congratulations on three years.
What I’ve been wanting to get back into is music: either singing or learing to play a new instrument.
Congratulations on three years.
What I’ve been wanting to get back into is music: either singing or learning to play a new instrument.
Love the blog and love the photos! Blog on!
Happy blogiversary!
I recently rededicated myself to my blog, which I gave up on rather quickly. I’m trying to stick with it, though.
I am so glad you are going to continue your blog. I love seeing what you are making and your pictures are beautiful. I is good that you are taking the time to reflect on your life and encouraging others to do the same.
In my life I need to take time for myself. I get to bogged down in stress and work. I need to stop and smell the roses a bit, or at least stop and pet the yarn 🙂
oh, Cara, so glad to hear your voice again in your blog. I missed it – the familiar one we all know. Not that the new one was bad, it was just different, and like that best sweater to wear on a rainy weekend, or a beautiful walk in fallen leaves, I love having the sweater on again! The new one hasn’t broken in yet. Weird analogy, but you probably get it. Anyway…I miss…an orderly life. I moved this year, in a kind of perfectly, unplanned, kind of way. The life I had for 25 years or so, that I knew how to live, went out the window, in a good way, and now, I’m all at 6’s and 7’s – how does “this” Gretch live? Will she ever really cook again? How did I forget how to grocery shop? I welcome this new life with open arms, but I get tired, and sometimes miss the orderly, patterned way I used to live. That’s what I miss. Sometimes. Love you – welcome back to the knitting world!
You are an inspiration…photos, knitting, motherhood…thank you for all of it! I wish you and your family the very best of everything.
I love your blog…..and its evolution. I think this is my first comment though, I have been around for at least a year.
As for what I am rededicating myself to?? Reading. I love to read. I used to always have at least one book going. When my kids were born I would soak up books as I breastfed them, as they grew I found less time to do so. I was knitting instead. I could knit and interact with them better than I could when I was lost in the fantasy world of whatever book I was reading. I really miss those escapes. Why not knit and read?? A bit of moderation in all things! I might even start listening to audio books again while I knit….the best of both worlds! Of course this is all while my children sleep. 🙂
I’m coming out of lurking to say congrats on the baby, blogiversary and rededication. I don’t have a recent thought about something I missed, but I can tell you about a recent one. At the age of 37 (5 years ago), I decided to start studying/training in kungfu. My son was doing it, and after watching him for 2 months, I decided I could kick butt too. So I signed up and haven’t looked back. I’m a black belt now, work out 3 days a week, am one of the oldest at the school, but still jump around like one of the craziest. Some days are a lot harder than others, esp. when I’m feeling my age. But when the 20 and 30-something year olds compliment me on my ability and then seeing their jaws drop when they ask and hear how old I am, it’s a nice pat on the back. Bruce Lee was one of my childhoodheroes, so my love of kungfu started way back in the ’70’s. Okay, this sounds really corny now that I have reread it, but you asked.
Cara,
I’m a mom and a (relatively) new knitter, and your blog rocks. It’s part of what inspires me to keep knitting.
As for the rededication part, I am working on getting back into swimming. Yay for me!
Came for the color, stayed for the content.
I found your blog around the time of the great miter square explosion/obsession. I have just been released from my Dr. after hip surgery. It has been a long, painful dark time for me and the knit blogs I read have helped me see that there is life beyond where I was. My dear freind reminds me often that the way I feel right now is not the way I am always going to feel. Its just when I’m deep in it (whatever life gives me)it seems to consume my every waking moment.
The little things keep us going, a kind word, a thoughtful husband, 10 minutes without pain…or puking.
I am so glad that you are continuing to write for yourself. If I derive pleasure from it then that is an aditional blessing for both of us. Plus suffering in silence is highly overated and mostly unnecessary. You may have, with your struggles made it easier for another woman to ask for what she needed.
I wish your family well and a healthy happy baby, too.
I’ll tune in tomorrow. Oh and I am dedicating myself to being more brave. Just in general to say Yes I can/will, instead of Oh, I better not.
Thank you for the thought provoking question.
Katrina
Yay for knitting again! And Cara, don’t let a few mean, self-centered people get you down. I personally don’t have kids and probably won’t have kids, but I’m tickled pink that you’re pregnant, and I can’t WAIT to see the pictures of your wee one.
yours is a blog i check regularly — i enjoy your candid style and dedication to your projects (if i could miter myself to madness, i definitely would. oh miters!) and with so many people i know getting married and having babies, i even enjoy the puking stories.
i wish i actually had more time to cook. living alone and cooking for myself is so darn depressing i’d rather frequent my neighborhood eateries than boil some pasta for myself. le sigh.
thanks for blogging — it’s good.
On my 38th birthday I decided that it was time for me to learn how to run. Or rather, to stop telling myself that I couldn’t be a runner. I did really well with it over the summer. But the last 2 months it has slipped away. I miss it. So it’s time to put on my shoes and go.
Happy Blogiversary, Cara!
A part of my life that I miss is cooking. I used to cook for myself in college and now that I’m working full-time and taking classes, there just is no time for it anymore.
First off – happy blogaversary. Mine was Oct 21st (2 years!)
Second, I want to tell you to have a nice day.
Third, I want to try sky diving, but I’m damn scared! Maybe one day I’ll get over it and try it. It’s not heights. I’m definitely NOT afraid of heights. That’s for sure. It’s the act of falling/flying out of an airplane! Maybe one day.
I had to miss Rhinebeck, my almost (sunday) 10 month old son, came down with fluids in his ear that his doc treated as an ear infection. So, I couldn’t come this year. Next year!
Alright, I’ve babbled enough, have a great weekend!
I haven’t de-lurked lately and now is a good a time as any – it’s so wonderful that you’ve gotten pregnant and it’s special to be able to share the journey with you – yes, even the puking. Part of the reason I like blogs is the ability to see into a stranger’s life – your life is more than just what’s on your needles. Thank you for sharing it with us. And were ever it travels is fine with me.
Yay! I love your contest and apparently everyone else does too.
When I was in high school I was on the school’s improvisation team for three years. I enjoyed it so much. Looking back on it I can’t believe I did it. It depresses me to think that I may have been braver then than I am now. The year before graduation I had to get a job and couldn’t do after school activities anymore.
Last year I decided to give acting another try but the audition process was way too nerve wracking now. I don’t have that teenage fearlessness anymore.
I think in general I regret that I didn’t jump at every opportunity that is available to you FOR FREE no less, when you’re in school and have no responsibilities.
What a lovely post. I’m trying to rededicate myself to my school work. I’ve been plugging along but now I want to find the enthusiasm that I used to feel for it. I love my knitting but I want to spread that feeling around again.
Cara,
Your blog is great, just like you. I so needed to hear this today. I feel like I need to rededicate my whole life after reading this. But since that seems like a little bit too much to chew all at once, I’m going to commit to simply reclaiming my life as an artist. It’s time.
Thanks!
Thanks for blogging! I love reading your blog, regardless of the topic.
First of all, I love you and the blog and everything you put into it. Second, your first post on our blog brought me into fits of screaming because you are “famous.” Third, I would like to rededicate myself to keeping a nice home. Before I went back to work, I kept a lovely home, full of cooking and cleanliness and joy. Now? It’s still full of joy, but the cooking comes from a box or a drive-thru and the cleanliness is questionable by any standard. Enjoy your weekend!
Your post really made me think about what is important. I’m trying to rededicate myself to exercise. It’s really gone by the wayside. And I’m not talking about anything big here, I’m definitely going to count walking to the bus stop (instead of driving to work) as exercise! I supposed I am a fairly new reader, but I love your blog and will continue checking in. I love knitting, but I love that people have more than knitting going on. I truly hope you have a wonderful, puke-free weekend 🙂
Oh, Cara,
You are an amazing, talented and lovely woman. To rededicate your blog is really for all of us who sit quietly in our rooms and enjoy reading about your adventures, photography, philosophy, marriage, knitting, humor and now your sweet baby.
We all thank you for your time and enormously generous spirit.
You have inspired me to go back on the stage having left years ago.
Thank you, Cara.
Well, I’m sticking around for your rededicated blog. Good luck!
Cara I can’t tell you how much pleasure I get from knitting a row here and there… I actually knit every “free” moment I get… but with job, kids, dog, house, and as a soon-to-be 45 year old full time student… who has a whole lotta free moments?! Before you know it you will have many wips in every orafice or you home, car, purse, diaper bag etc. just pick one up when opportunity strikes and drop it til the next time!
I understand your struggle – I have the same all-or-nothing mentality, too, and combined with my perfectionist tendencies it really can be a pain in the ass.
So, what do I need to rededicate myself to? My graduate career. It’s been a real struggle for me to this month to get out of bed and get going. Being a first year student is hard enough, but after moving 800 miles away from friends and family and being a newlywed, too… well, that adds pressure and makes it harder. I’m not trying to whine, but man, I totally need to get my act together and concentrate on something else these days, like my schoolwork.
Cara! You go girl! Write what you want, when you want. I love to read it all! I’m rededicating with my own advice, bite off little chunks and it can be just as satisfying as the whole pie. 🙂 I have a lot of projects on the needles which can be discouraging. But I’ll conquer it a bite at a time!
Great attitude Cara. When my guys were little my goal was to knit 1 row per night, usually while I sat on the floor in the bathroom keeping them company in the tub. Over several years I actually made a few sweaters that way (very few and mostly small ones. but still).
Honestly, as harried as it was and as little time I had to myself, I miss those days!
I love reading your blog and I’m looking forward to seeing that completed shawl. I love that color!
I just started grad school, so there is a LOT I’m missing these days.
I’ll rededicate to SLEEP. Just for this weekend.
Have a wonderful day!
🙂
Coincidentally, since becoming pregnant, my knitting has been edged out by baby preparations, worrying, rejoicing, going to bed early, and miscellaneous nonsense. I miss my knitting, I miss my blog, and I hereby re-dedicatate myself to both!
Happy Blogaversary! Best of luck with re-directing your life. I need to switch careers, and have been thinking about re-directing my life in that sense.. but I’m too chickened… I don’t know why?
Happy blogiversary. Standing up for what makes you happy and rededicating yourself to it is a fantastic way to celebrate.
After some recent trauma in my life I’m taking time to heal by rededicating myself to enjoying my daughters and my family. I’ve also committed myself to a really large crochet project that scares the shit out of me because I’m a knitter, not a crocheter but the decision feels really good.
At the moment, I’m missing the knitting! It’s been over a month since I’ve done some serious knitting. Too much going on with moving into the new house and selling the old one. But we close on the old house on Halloween, so after that is done, life will hopefully head back towards normalcy. If such a thing exists. Of course just as one big stress comes to a close (selling the house), my daughter gets a mysterious case of hives. Is it a virus or an allergy? Who knows. More doctor’s visits, more time off work. More stress.
Thank YOU, Cara!
Happy blogiversary, and though one ultimately blogs to express oneself, thank you for sharing it with us.
You will be getting a gazillion comments; I can’t imagine reading them all! Talk about Dedication!
I think I need to rededicate myself to my husband. My daughters and I and he are so busy that the time to just be together is very limited. Add to that the fact that he often works in the evening (being a musician) and I’m often knitting or blogging or working late.
Right at this moment, we are together away from home (he’s snoozing) and I’m going to mindfully enjoy this unscripted time together before a busy tomorrow!
yeah! three years! a thousand congratulations, my dear. the shawl is looking lovely and that yarn – swoon!
(oh and i miss cooking, that is, that time in my life when i was almost as obsessed with it as i am with knitting today) (no need to send me yarn, though, should i be picked, because i have that fab colourway already! ;-))
Great post Cara – I just love Syvia Harding’s shawls and would love to do one along with yours, but too many WIPs right now. I’ve missed time for “me”, as I’m working 40 hours, plus 1-1/2 hours a day commuting, plus taking care of my husband who is ill and his mother (PITA) who lives with us. I try to find time every night to knit, just to get away from the sh** and relax. Will be retiring in 2 months – don’t know what that will bring, but hopefully more time to do what I want. I’ll definitely stay with you and your blog and enjoy whatever you write.
I love your blog! I love hearing about your pregnancy, too. Keep on how you are! I love it!
so funny – just last night I made the decision to refocus on my quilting for one night per week. So the quilts will take me longer to make but one night a week will get me a lot closer to a finished object than moaning about my lack of free time as the mother of a toddler, lol! You have a fabulous day Cara and I for one, am looking forward to the months ahead when your knitting pics have to jostle for position with uber cute baby photos!!
please, don’t ever stop blogging. period.
Happy, relaxed mum = happy, relaxed baby. No point getting all stressed now, there’s plenty of time for that in the first couple of days after the baby arrives (at least that’s what I found!).
Do what you want because you want to do it, not because you feel pressured … as you’ve said – some will stay, some will go – and I’m sure many more will find you and stick around for the ride.
I’ve enjoyed all the aspects of your blog over the last few months, throwing yourself into monkeys and mitres as well as the rollercoaster pregnancy hormones. I hope everything is starting to settle down for you now, and the rest of your pregnancy is less of the puking and more of the textbook happy-glowing-mum-type.
Have a wonderful day, and a fabulous weekend 😉
Congratulations on three years of blogging, Cara!
I’m a regular reader who almost never comments (and has no complaints about your blogging), but I wanted to say “whoohoo!” regarding your rededication and your plan to sneak knitting time in amongst all the other things you are doing!
The shawl is looking lovely already – such a gorgeous color you’ve chosen! Have fun with it : )
I love reading your blog and even though you are talking about your pregnancy more now, I’m still enjoying it! I hope it all goes smoothly from here on out and that the puking goes away. I’m rededicating myself to being organized. It’s hard, but I’m really trying to get things in order. I feel so much better when it is!
Happy ‘versary. I assure you, I’ll read your blog no matter what the subject matter–puking or knitting, whatevs. Your writing is so smart, and your photos are delightful.
I’d like to rededicate myself to a daily yoga practice. I fell away from it when I went back to school and got a dog–both were sort of equal distractions. I’m still in school and now have two dogs, but I miss the feeling of being stretched and of having a short time just to focus on breathing.
Thanks for the chance to re-commit to this.
I read your blog regularly, and just follow along on what’s happening or what you’re knitting. It’s nice to hear you sounding peppier. Hope the next few months get easier and easier.
Very inspiring – I think I’ll rededicate myself to my knitting blog, too. No link – trust me when I say it’s out of date! I don’t document my knitting, and as I’m dealing with my own personal issues as you were when you started here, that gives me an incentive. So what if it’s escapism or Freudian or whatnot, if it works, right?
Happy three year blogiversary! Congrats on the blog rededication and on easing back into knitting. That shawl is lovely. I’m not usually a plum kinda gal but the color of your yarn is stunning! I hoping to get back to more blogging and knitting soon, too.
Hi Cara,
I really enjoy reading your blog–congrats on the anniversary; here’s to three more great years!
I really miss doing photography. I spent several nights a week in the darkroom in college, but haven’t had the opportunity to so so since I graduated. You’ve just inspired me to look for photo enlargers on ebay so I can make a darkroom out of my basement!
Have a great weekend!
Congratulations! Thank you for your blog. I’d like to rededicated myself to living in the now and to knowing that most things work out even if you don’t worry about them.
Keep on rockin’. Knitting…babies…it’s all good.
So glad you’re keeping up the blog – I enjoy reading it! What came to mind on rededicating was a recent vague longing I had to do some writing again. I got an MA in creative writing and haven’t done much (any?) since then. Knitting fever has supplanted writing, and now with a toddler, it seems laughable to try to do both. I hesitate to make a public re-dedication, but you can call this a consideration. Thanks for the inspiration!
I’m glad that you’re getting your knitting groove back…but I don’t really care what you blog about-this is your place to express yourself! This may not be a popular statement on a knitting blog, but there is more to life than knitting. Sometimes it’s nice to hear about that stuff, too. It let’s us know that you are a (somewhat) well-rounded person.
this year i turned 30 and to celebrate i joined roller derby (providence roller derby, if anyone is familiar). i am not a good skater by any means. i worked hard in the spring to learn basic skills, took the summer off for work, and just rejoined in September. i’ve lost a lot of what i gained in the spring, but i really enjoy being out there, doing something that really challenges me physically and mentally for the first time in my life. i’m still not very good, but i’m putting in time- trying to get better. rededicating myself to something i enjoy that’s just for me.
have a wonderful day, by the way, and take good care.
I’m glad you’re goin to talk and write about whatever you want! That’s what these spaces are supposed to be for and I don’t understand readers who act like they are owed something in terms of topic or whatever. Ok, hopping off the soapbox that I didn’t mean to get on in the first place.
To answer your question: I’ve always wanted to try selling my artwork, but it just feels so personal and I don’t know if I want to feel the rejection when no one buys it. (I’m automatically assuming that I’d be a failure which probably isn’t helpful, but what can I say? I am the way I am).
Wow! This is ironic. Today, I took a step towards rededicating myself to something. That something… ME! I have been a SAHM for 7 years. Today I had a job interview. Part-time. But it is just for me! I am giddy with excitement! Just a few hours a week for me, even though it is work, is going to make me a better Mom, Wife, Friend and Knitter. Thanks for being inspiring.
Cara – I have been reading you for a long time but have been terrified of the sheer number of comments you get. Anyway – I think even when you are “just” talking about babe, you manage to shine through. I can’t tell you how tickled I was to receive one of your cards in the mail as part of a SWAP package. Thrilled me to no end.
To answer the question – I have 2 things. I have been fighting health issues this year that have finally scared me enough to see the doctor. With those issues, I have stopped walked the dogs, getting outside in the fresh air, watching the dogs frolic and sniff everything and just having a nice walk with my husband. The second thing is sewing. I am a garment sewer at heart and it has got lost by the wayside. I’m working on finding it again and bringing balance back to my life. Thank you for your very insightful posts! g
Happy blogiversary! You were actually a major inspiration in getting me blogging, and I struggle periodicallly to dedicate myself to writing something, even a little bit, every day.
One thing I’d like to try but have always been afraid to is shape note singing. I’d like the freedom to raise a joyful noise, but I’ve been too skeerd to try it.
Happy 3rd blogversary! Glad you are enjoying knitting again. Hope you blog for a long time to come:~)
I started reading your blog probably about a year ago – initially for the beautiful pictures and knitting inspiration, but over time because of your perspective on more than knitting. Isn’t that what a blog is really about? If it were just about knitting and pictures, it would be much easier and direct to go to the library and read. So, I kept reading even when your blog wasn’t as much about knitting … Besides, I wouldn’t want to knit if I were nauseated all of the time!
So, even though I am glad to see you knitting again, its mainly because I hope it means that you are feeling better. Your blog is about you, and it wouldn’t be a blog if your wrote about knitting so that people wouldn’t criticize you; blogs aren’t about pleasing everyone and thank you for pointing this out!
People and blogs change and grow and morph. I don’t think any of us really knew what we were getting into when we started. I certainly didn’t intend my blog to become a knitting blog, but it is. It will undoubtedly not remain such forever.
This week I attended The Women’s Conference in Long Beach, California, and I came away with my annual resolve to change the world. I haven’t figured out how yet. My first start is to recapture my writing. My muse has been hiding under a rock somewhere and I am determined to go find her.
Congratulations on 3 years of blogging. I can’t wait to see what comes next!
Dear Cara, I read and sympathize, but I never comment, because I never really think I have anything interesting to say. I also figure you know all these people who are commenting… but not me.
I need to rededicate myself to writing, to using my blog. I am undergoing my own life-changing journey and although I started a blog, I stopped writing, cause I don’t know what to say.
My close friends tell me that people want to hear about this journey I’m on, but I hesitate. I’ll try. You’ll knit a little every day (I do that, and I finish things, eventually); I’ll write a little every day. Paragraphs eventually add up to memoirs, right?
Wow! Tons of comments. 🙂
I would like to rededicate myself to health. I used to be in good shape and liked to work out pre-2 kids…now not so much. It’s hard to eek out time for me, but I need to, my family and I will all benefit from it.
I check your blog every day. If you take a day off, I’m disappointed. Sort of the opposite of those snarky people who wrote you (and I’m not being snarky about you taking a day off, please know that!). You have a great way with words, are wise beyond your young age, are creative and fabulous with color (which I also love), and most important to me, you are REAL. If some people can’t take that, then the hell with them. I’m grateful to you for your re-dedication.
What I miss most is my agility and ability to move in this world as I did once. A lung disease caused by a freak allergy to an arthritis medication has caused me to not breathe very well. As a result I don’t have the get-up-and-go I used to have and have gained a lot of weight. This is a viscious circle, and I am not sure how to fight my way out of it. But your post made me decide that once again I have to find a way to compensate for these issues and get back into life. Thank you, Cara.
I agree that sometimes other things in life can get in the way of knitting…. I am currently going through a custody battle with my childrens father (13g & 9b), he is AZ I in Alabama. We go to court Nov 6th. But during this whole year of heartache for my children I have found that knitting soothes my soul. If only for a few minutes a day I try to get that one row or two done. Sometimes is is not easy to focus with my mind racing 90 to nothing… so usually it is a pair of socks or something not to intricate… But it does soothe my soul. Please remember me in your thoughts on Nov 6… Best wishes to you…. I work Labor and delivery and I always tell new parents what an old lady told me when my oldest (20g) was born… “Your anatomy has changed…. Your heart now walks outside your body!”
Dear Cara,
I only found your blog this year (though I did read some of your archived Miter Madness posts, awesome!) and I have enjoyed it immensely. You are so honest and chose your words so well. The way that you take life and make it your own has definitely inspired me.
I’m about to make a big (for me!) life change. I’m in my fourth year at University and I have one more year left to get a BA in English (emphasis in Environmental Lit). However, my University has just announced that starting in the Spring they will be offering a BA in Art.
Even though I knit all the time while I read for my classes (and that’s kind of like making art) with school and work I never make extra time to draw or paint anymore. Something I used to love to do and was quite proud of.
Beginning in the Spring I am switching my degree program and with it re-dedicating myself to becoming the best artist I can be and making my life about art again.
Thank you again for the inspiration!
Alli
Congrats on your third anniversary!
I would like to rededicate myself to two things, but they go hand in hand. The first is education/learning. I feel as though I’ve fallen into a deep rut of reading fluff novels instead of something more vigorous for the soul. Nothing is opening up my world in what I read and I am sadder for it.
The second thing is travel. I have been stuck in the same place for too long. Mercy, if I look close enough I might see moss on this former rolling stone. Perish the thought.
So, at the end of this, I rededicate myself to learning while traveling.
Take care of yourself and the little one.
~Laura
What a lovely project! I’ll be thinking about what you wrote, what would I like to rededicate, as I don’t have any quick answers. I also found you recently, but enjoy reading what you write as it usually makes me think. Thank you!
I would like to rededicate myself to exercise and staying healthy. I, too, am going through an IVF cycle (my second), so exercise tends to get put on the back burner, but I want it to remain a priority for me, even if it’s just a little every day. Thanks for keeping us entertained with your blog!
I’d like to redirect my knitting to sweaters for myself again, or just bigger projects in general. Lately, it seems like I always go for the “instant gratification” of sock knitting.
I have tons of pretty notecards and tons of good friends who live far away. Yet, I never write to them. It is always a quick email or phone call. So I will rededicate myself to becoming a better letter writer.
Congrats on the anniversary!
Happy Blogiversary!
I’m rededicating myself to taking better care of me. I definitely need to take stock of my health & wellness. I also need to take better care of my surroundings, loved ones and life in general.
Hope you have a fabulous day!!
Hi Cara, I lurk alot on your blog but love it all the more for how absolutely “real” it is. I really do feel like I know you from reading it. I am happy you are not throwing in the towel girlie! You inspire me to be myself and not apologize for it! In the spirit of rededication, I want to dedicate myself to knitting for myself, after all I’m the one who appreciates it right? Wearing the things I knit is a luxury for me and I deserve it dangit. Thanks Cara dear.
i just had this discussion with someone last night. i quit writing when i was pregnant. i was so sick, all the time, all nine months, that the words just stopped. and then i was too tired once the child was born and the nausea finally abated. now? now, 7 years later, i think it is just inertia. so i need to uninertiate myself.
Have a wonderful day! Oh, I want to rededicate myself to my body and get healthy again. I need to do it for me and my 2 year old son.
Hey Cara, I’m glad you had a good time at Rhinebeck. Maybe one of these years I’ll make it. I’m looking forward to reading your blog whether it’s about knitting or baby stuff or whatever’s on your mind that week. And the Rhinebeck yarn looks gorgeous.
I miss sewing. As much as I love knitting, it seems to have taken over all of the other crafts that I love. But I don’t really know what to do to change that. The wool, it calls to me.
cara-
i have to tell you that i read your blog everyday! as a midwife i have very much enjoyed reading your story of infertility. i have always known intellectually how hard ivf is for a couple and a woman but reading your blog has really made me understand the pain and struggle that goes along with it. and plus there is knitting! 😉 the projects you choose are always stunning. thank you for rededicating to your blog. i am not going anywhere and will continue to read everyday! i wish you the best of luck with your knitting mojo as well as the baby. if you ever have any pregnancy/baby questions feel free to email me or leave me a comment on my blog! your awesome sweetheart. keep it up!
Hi Cara,
I’ve always been fascinated by tatting and want to try one day, but at the moment too many other things going on to make time for this indulgence. Between knitting socks, sweaters and stuff for the holidays I don’t think I will be trying it soon. Love your blog, glad to hear you are trying to continue with your knitting. I have 3 kids and they are all older, 20,18 & 17 yr olds and you’ll eventually have some to knit more once the baby gets a little older. Knitting a row here and a row there, isn’t that bad – – I do it all the time! Take care!
Rosalia
Hi Cara,
I’ve always been fascinated by tatting and want to try one day, but at the moment too many other things going on to make time for this indulgence. Between knitting socks, sweaters and stuff for the holidays I don’t think I will be trying it soon. Love your blog, glad to hear you are trying to continue with your knitting. I have 3 kids and they are all older, 20,18 & 17 yr olds and you’ll eventually have some to knit more once the baby gets a little older. Knitting a row here and a row there, isn’t that bad – – I do it all the time! Take care!
Rosalia
Hi Cara,
I am relatively new to the whole blogosphere thing. And one of the things that amazed me when I started reading them was that people would leave mean comments. I kind of thought, if you don’t like something, click on, my friend. I hate that people are cruel and judgmental. I think the anonymity of the situation makes people think they can say things they would not normally say. Anyway, I enjoy your blog when I read it. I am sorry for the negativity of others.
I totally think you should knit a row or two a day. That is what I do. I try to do more, on my lunch hour, or in the evenings when I am playing with the kids or watching TV. But when I get ready for bed if I haven’t knit a stitch all day, I try to at least knit a little on a sock. I have told my husband it is like Yoga or something. It relaxes me. It centers me. It says, I at least made 5 minutes of time for something I wanted to do today. Knitting makes me feel motherly, too. It has been a great blessing for me. It coincided with my return to the working world after having two children and being a stay at home mom for 8 years. I guess I’ll stop now. I could go on and on about the wonders of knitting and mental health, but instead I will wish you all a great weekend!!!
Happy Anniversary and happy knitting. I found your blog by accident, during a not-so-nice-time in the yarn biz and have stayed ever since. Yours is one of few blogs I read just about daily and feel like I’ve missed something when a few days pass and there’s been little time to breath, much less read. I’ve enjoyed it whether I’ve agreed with you on something or not. I’ve enjoyed your crazy passion and zeal for mitres and Central Park Hoodies and Monkeys. I’ve loved being able hear how you’ve been feeling, even if it involves puking and peeing. I’ve had kids – I get it. So, write what you want when you want.
As for rededicating myself, there’s a lot of things that come to mind (my own blog included), but I think for me trying to slow down and not fly through life at 78 rpm is what needs my attention. Being okay with not doing it all, right now. . . yeah, need to definitely work on that.
I would like to rededicate that musical part of myself to playing the fiddle again. I never should have put it down. It pleases me.
I hope you have a wonderful, vomit-free weekend Cara! Add me to the list of people who love both your yarny & baby doings.
Enjoy writing about what you want, when you want. About what you want on your blog. Have a good weekend.
Enjoy writing about what you want, when you want. About what you want on your blog. Have a good weekend.
Cara,
I’ve been reading your blog for a long time but never commented. Your post today was so wonderful that I couldn’t help but comment. I’m a knitter and I just had my second baby and I have to knit a row here and there and I miss it so much…you’ve given me the inspiration to keep doing it. Also, I was just so happy to hear that you’re going to be blogging the way you want to and about what you want. That’s as it should be and I will keep reading. Can’t wait to keep reading about your pregnancy and little one, knitting, the weather, whatever you want….
All my best,
Jen
Hi, Cara! Happy Blogiversary! I’m not posting to get yarn (though yarn is always nice!) but because I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I don’t use Bloglines or any sort of feed – instead, I have a bookmark folder in my browser and click on the links individually. January One is in the top ten links – I check every day to see if you’ve posted.
I enjoy what you write – whether it’s about knitting, or your sister’s kids, or photography, or pregnancy puking 😉 or spinning, or Bruce – it’s all good. I come here because you tell it like it is, real and down-to-earth.
Thanks for the past 3, and here’s hoping for 3 (and 3 and 3…) more!
Oh, and I always love your fingering weight lace – looks great!
I’m glad you are blogging about what is most relevent in your life. Keep on! My rededication needs to be to finishing UFOs. I think I’ve hit a phase where UFOs are like clutter, and I need to clear it all out to feel like I’m starting fresh. So…even though I brought home a yummy bag of Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran yarn from my LYS today, I will not cast on tonight…I have UFOs that are waiting.
“Have a nice day!” 🙂
I’m a knitter pregnant with my first baby and am enjoying your pregnancy tales (just like I enjoy your knitting entries) despite the fact our pregnancies are so different (I’m not puking – though it sounds like you are doing enough of it for all of us so maybe I should thank you).
Please don’t censor yourself to please ‘the masses.’
I love to read your blog. I’m as interested in your knitting as in your live. Maybe even more in your live, because in what you are, makes the difference . I hope this makes sense. I mean it is You that makes a blog interesting, not the exact subjects you share with your readers.
Because my husband is very bad at this moment after an severe attack of MS, and not likely to get any better than the present state he is in, maybe I regret the most not been doing the things we now know are impossible to do. For instance make a vacation to New Zealand (we are living in Holland). We just talked about it the past years, that we like to, but it never seemed the right time, and now it is too late.
I so enjoy reading your blog. This was a particularly nice entry.
I’ve always wanted to draw. I took a course a few years ago, and I think I will sign up for another. Thanks for reminding me to do it.
My youngest child turned 21 a few months ago. Now I get to rededicate me to me. It’s interesting finding out who and what I am after raising kids for 28 years. It’s been a great journey, I hope yours is just as blessed as mine was.
Since I took up knitting again, I haven’t made time for fiction writing. My blog satisfies a little of that urge, but I’d love to rededicate myself to writing a novel. Sigh…. so much to do, so little time!
Dear Cara,
Long before I read that you were having a drawing, I decided to post a comment – something that I don’t often do.
Although I am not new to blogging, I am fairly new to knit blogging. Everyone seems so established, so in the know. So I’ve enjoyed from the sidelines, silently cheering for the good things and silently fuming over the sadness and frustration of the people whose blogs I read.
I admire that you are true to your heart and the integrity of your writing. If the good folks of blogland don’t want to read about your baby. Fine. As you say, you don’t need to know that they’ve left. I will stay. I probably won’t comment but I’ll read. I’ll cheer for your triumphs. I’ll laugh at your jokes. I’ll fume when you are fuming.
Thank you for rededicating the blog. I enjoy reading it. Even if I don’t say so very often.
Have a nice day, holly
“I will write what I want, when I want. About what I want.”
Seems to me that is what a blog should be – if it helps others to read it (as yours most surely does), that is gravy.
The blog has changed, will change and SHOULD change to reflect the changes in your world. I feel privileged to share a small part of that.
I’d like to dedicate myself to having fun in my last real semester of college. I am student teaching next semester, so this is my last semester of taking classes and being a regular college kid. And I’m so stressed out because of all the work I have to do…but I also need to take time to enjoy myself.
Thanks for your inspiring post! The stole looks like it will be gorgeous!
I have a feeling you will probably not read this far down in the comments but I wanted to tell you that I always find your posts interesting, whatever you choose to write about. I was afraid that you were going to say that you had no time to blog and I was going to be saddened by that. I am trying to rededicate myself to me this year. I will soon (9days) be 50 and it brings thoughts of mortality and quality of life. I don’t want to be a helpless old lady so I need to care for myself a little more. I love tai chi and will be taking it back up. It’s good for the soul and gentle on the joints.
Dear Cara, What an inspiring entry! I have enjoyed reading your blog for over a year, following your ups and downs, and relating to how much you are affected by the people who respond to you via the comments section. I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss the high of mitre madness, but I’m sure it will return in one form or another! Perhaps knitted baby things will be next? I just today finished knitting a Lizard Ridge afghan which took me about a year (less than an elephant’s gestation, but not by much). I am thrilled to finish something for a change instead of giving in to Startitis. On to the chevron scarf, just one more foot of STR to knit and that baby will be born. Thanks for brightening this knit chick’s day.
You know Cara, for every person who is going to stop reading your blog, you have one wishing they knew one more person to tell about it, so don’t waste time thinking about them.
I have plenty of things I’d like to rededicate myself to. I just finished grad school, moved to a new state, started a new job, bought a new house, etc. A lot of “me” things have been pushed aside in the madness. I had big plans to learn spinning as a graduation present to myself, and I haven’t even decided on which wheel I want. I love to cook, and just don’t bother much anymore. My mother in law is desperate for me to show my basket weaving to her craft guild, but I haven’t made a basket in years.
Good luck with your knitting goals!
I pretty much like the direction that my life has taken and where I’m at – personally & professionally. Looking ahead though, I’m really looking forward to my children getting more & more independent & leaving home so that I can really focus on me, my knitting and Kerwyn. I love ’em, but it will be nice to have my own life again.
Congrats on 3 years of blogging!
I also have to say that I will rededicate to happyness. I’ve been going through a rough patch, being pregnant with a small child, and find out that my husband cheated on me last year. While I am working on keeping my marriage and family together, I have been letting the “why” deamons eat at me at night. And I think this is the first time/place that I have admited online that I was cheated on. Hm. Maybe that is the first step.
I’m an art student. I haven’t wanted to draw in over a year, and I really miss it. I’m not sure if that counts, but after I’m done with school (7 weeks from now) I hope that I get it back.
I think my rededicating might have to be a little bit sideways – I love sailing but I’ve moved about as far from the sea as I can get and it just isn’t an option anymore… however, there is a funky sailing boat pattern for a quilt I’ve seen from Stargazy so perhaps I might substitute! The other rededicating might have to be to finish an embroidery started for my sister-in-law over two years ago and still not finished (oops!)
I enjoy readin gyour blog precisely because it is about you as a whole person not just what flies off your needles (although that’s pretty cool too) so go wherever the flow takes you and as you’ll have seen by the time you get this far down the comments – we’ll all still be here anyway!
Hi Cara,
great topic! I have really enjoyed reading the comments.
I have recently dedicated myself to taking the steps needed (literally, because my favorite form of exercise is walking) to avoid succombing to a genetic disposition for type II diabetes. My mother’s recent diagnosis (grandparents and more already diagnosed) made me realize how serious I need to be now to reduce my risk of developing it later.
Have a nice day!
Hooo boy. I could go a million ways with this one. I’m really tempted just to say “have a nice day,” but taking a leaf from your book, I will close my eyes and jump:
When Taz got sick I put a lot of things on hold, just waiting, and with the new way having long since become the new normal and then simply normal, parts of me are still on hold. (I tried to explain this in a post on my blog last spring; I didn’t do it very well.) I hereby rededicate (or maybe just dedicate) myself to living in motion, not on hold, however scary that may be.
And have a nice day.
My goodness, it looks like you still have quite a few blog readers left. I would probably enjoy your blog no matter what you are writing about because I like the way you write, your personality that shows through and your fabulous photographs. Write what you want to write about, it’s your blog. As the mother of one child (15 years old!) who always wanted to have a big familty but didn’t – it is fun for me to relive the memories of my pregnancy while hearing about yours.
I have rededicated myself to regular exercise in the past 6 months. After doing almost no aerobic exercise for the past 3-4 years I started taking yoga classes and then decided to train to walk a half marathon. After the marathon is over I will continue to train for ‘life’. I feel empowered – taking so much time strictly for myself and I am beginning to remember how good it feels to have a strong, fit body.
Congrats on 3 years!
Happy Blogversary! It’s your blog, you go ahead and write what you want when you want. It makes perfect sense to me! I painted as a child and teenager. When I was laid off from my last job, I asked for an easel for Christmas because I wanted to start painting again. But instead I found another job and haven’t ventured back to painting. Now that I’m only weeks away from giving birth, I doubt I will have time to paint for a while….but maybe when the baby is older, we can paint together.
I’d like to rededicate myself to my friends. Since graduating from college a few years ago we’ve all spread out and keep in contact, but only briefly. I find myself not calling them for lots of lame reasons. I also find myself not taking their calls when they do call because I’m too busy or too tired for a long chat. Lame!! This needs to change.
blog on!
I’m just going to tell you to have a nice day. I came here because you were knitting something interesting and I stayed because I liked your voice. Does it matter that its not knitting? No, not so much, because knitting isn’t your whole life. Please keep blogging like you do and taking such wonderful photographs! Happy day to you!
I love reading your blog! If there is something that does not grab me, I scan and check it the next day – there is always sure to be something that I can relate to coming up…as to rededication…I come and go with throwing myself into reading. When I read a book, I fly through it, totally engrossed. I can’t read a little here, a little there, so when I start a book it takes time, and everything else has to wait. I need to try to make it blend into my life of work, knitting, reading blogs (I am a blogless one) and family (OK the order is a little screwy, but you get the picture)…your blog speaks to me on many different levels…keep it up!
Congratulations on your blogiversary! I’m a constant reader, but often a lurker. I enjoy your blog very much. I’m not rededicating myself to any one thing, but instead, I’m trying to juggle my main crafty loves (crochet, knitting and spinning). Its tough to find a balance between them, but I’ll keep working at it. 🙂
I don’t post often, but I’ve been reading your blog for months now, and I’m a mom and a knitter, too. I don’t read blogs just for it’s supposed “field of interest.” Just because it’s a “knitting blog” doesn’t mean it can’t contain more than knitting. I read for all of it, everything about the blogger whose blog I’m reading!
I’m re-dedicating myself to deciding on a name and finally starting a blog. Mine will have a lot of knitting, but it will also have a lot about my family and my child. One name I’ve considered is close to yours and up until now I’ve been unsure about using it, because it was so close and didn’t want to bother anyone. I might still do it, who knows! At least I’ll keep knitting, and reading.
Thanks Cara for your blog, your insight, and you.
I just wanted to thank you for being “you”. Its so refreshing to read this wonderful blog of your’s, and I hope it keeps going for a long time.
I have been enjoying your blog for the past year and enjoy whatever subject you choose to blog about. We all go through change or we’d be bored to death with ourselves. (At least I hope so.) Having a child is one of the biggest changes my life has gone through. I love to hear about other people experiencing that wonderful miracle! As I am done having children (the second one did me in :)), I am enjoying knitting for others. Pregnancy is definitely in the air right now! Good luck with the rest of yours and feel free to blog about whatever you want. The diehards will still be hear to listen and support!
I’m new to the knitting blog community, I only have a handful that I read everyday, and yours is one of them. Whether you’re writing about knitting, spinning, the Boss the the baby, I always find your writing very enjoyable. I think that you should write about whatever you feel like writing about. Congradulations on all that you’ve acomplished!
426 comments so far! I guess we really want the yarn. And we want to wish you the best and happy blogiversary!
I say do what every makes you happy, I’ll still be reading.
Hey Cara!
I think your just wonderful. You speak from your heart and If I could subscribe to your blog 20 times I would.
I wish you the bestest
It’s your blog, write what you want!
Music and Dancing. I used to listen to music and dance for myself , but marriage and kids has definitely taking my away from my passion. I’ve slowly started listening to music, but the dancing is hard to do with the kids and life getting in the way!
But I don’t blame anything but life in general. You go through phases in everything. Sometimes one thing is your focus and sometimes another.
If someone doesn’t want to read you right now it’s there focus in life that counts not yours!
Cara,
Happy Blogiversary! I don’t remember if I’ve ever commented before, but I do read all the time. I want to wish you well in your rededication — it feels amazing to take that first step.
I recently (2 days ago, in fact) decided to rededicate myself to my goal of becoming a birth doula. I’ve had this dream for 4 years (?) now, and am finally starting the certification process. That first step feels refreshing, scary, and exhilarating all at once.
Best wishes for your pregnancy, and here’s to more pukeless days!
Congratulations on your rededication! Do want you want when you want…yay for you!
I had my post baby rededication to knitting…it was 7 weeks after my baby girl arrived until I was able to pick up the needles again. 6 months later today both baby and knitting have been such a joy. I suppose over the course of our knitting we have to be ok with periods of prolific knitting and periods of stagnant creativity as well, trusting that we will be true to our desires and knit or not as we see fit. Have a great weekend!
I enjoy your blog very much…This year I’ve moved, taken on a new (all consuming) job, and bought a house that needs remodeling. I’ve been refinishing doors and learning how to drywall instead of knitting. I miss it! I hope to rededicate myself to it this winter!
Sorry if this gets lost in the sea of comments but I am so honoured that you are focusing on my shawl as part of your rededication to knitting. I wish you hearty congratulations on your third blogiversary, and many many more!
And don’t worry… the puking will pass. I puked almost the whole way through both of my pregs, and it made it soooo sweet to get to the end! Hope it goes much faster for you than it did for me…
Five years ago on October 11 I quit my job.We had been trying to have a baby for around 5 years and had no luck. I was extremely unhappy at work and stressed out. I did not want to have all of the tests done for infertility I knew I already had some problems that can cause infertility and we really didn’t want to go through the tests or drugs that can help you conceive. Now five years later, still no baby but we have decided we really don’t want kids, not enough to disrupt our lives with tests, surgery etc. I feel like we’ve come full circle, we are very happy together, the best of friends. It took a while to realize it but I think we are living the life we are meant to live. If I got pregnant I think we would both be happy but it’s not a priority. I feel more authentic than I ever have. That’s what your blog is authentic. Don’t ever stop being yourself! I love the things you knit and the yarn you buy but I also appreciate your You-ness.
I am rededicating myself to my Ph.D. dissertation. Because when it is done I will get my life back! It’s now or never….
Also, thanks Cara, for being yourself on this blog. Your honest Self. You inspire me regularly!
Three years ago, when I had been in my then job for 6 months I was feeling terribly frustrated and as if i’d somehow lost some of my identity through taking that job. It was pretty involved and I always felt like I had to be someone that I wasn’t to get along in that place. I went on a course for work and it involved a “quiet day” (I work for the Methodist Church) where we had time to reflect on how we were. One of the excercises for self reflection was to draw a picture of yourself. It was only supposed to take ten minutes but I spent the whole day doing that and drew not just myself, but all the things about my job, and all the things that made me who I am.
As I drew the picture I realised that I was so frustrated because I was making the job who I was, and I wasn’t the job, that was just something I did. Looking at all the things that made me, I decided to try to make time for those things, and I re-dedicated myself to fining time for crafts. I spent the rest of the week drawing in every spare moment that I got, and when I got back I made sure that I wasn’t getting overwhelmed by the job, but was retaining something of myself as well.
I knw it’s not exactly a recent rededication story, but something about what you said reminded me of how I felt when I was trying to remember who I was.
Your blog is on my feeds and will remain so, whatever you choose to talk about because it is your entertainng and engaging style that I like. I came for the knitting, but I stay for the whole package.
Melissa x
Cara, I don’t want to be entered into the contest, but I do want to thank you for your honesty…and for the inspiration you share so freely. All the best to you!
I like the baby-babble on your blog! Hope the puke-free days continue. Happy blogiversary. Your comments really do take off whenever you give away yarn…probably because it’s Socks that Rock. Happy a great day!
happy blogiversary! you’re an inspiration on so many levels…
I’ve missed quilting since my daughter was born four years ago and have recently rededicated myself to it, hence my blog. (And think you are precisely right about learning to do a bit at a time.) At this point I’m still cataloging UFOs, but hope to soon post something finished, be it a UFO or new. Write about whatever you want. I’ll be here.
P.S. Your love of STR yarn (and your exquisite photos) prompted me to buy some of my own. One down and one to go – hope second sock syndrome doesn’t take hold!
When I was young, I felt endlessly creative, and although I’ve continued that spirit in my life, I think the basics of day-to-day living have kept me from realizing my creative dreams. So, I’m rededicating myself to all of my creative endeavors – writing, sewing, knitting as well as raising my teen-aged son.
By the way, I gave birth to my son on my 40th birthday, and I can identify with lots of your joy and excitement with your pregnancy. My kid is now 15, and he will only be at home a few more years! I can’t believe how fast it has gone. I wish you the very best.
Judy in Virginia
I’m trying to rededicate myself to walking to work. I appreciate mid-years resolutions. 🙂
And good for you for keeping the blog about who *you* are.
I want to re-dedicate myself to spinning….I miss my Saturday morning spins…..
Besides- I have the yumtastic pile of silk merino top waiting for me!
Hi Cara! I think your blog is fab no matter what you write. 🙂
I’ve decided to rededicate myself to my writing. It’s hard with a full time job and a full time credential school load but it’ll be like you getting back into your knitting… a page here, a page there. 🙂
Gosh, it’s so hard to even wrap my brain around this concept. There are so many things I’d like to learn how to do or get better at (knitting is one thing at which I’d like to keep getting better, spinning is another). Between work and my life as a mom, I have very, very little time to knit or spin or write or read or bake or cook — all of which are passions of mine. I want to get better at sewing and learn how to quilt and take classes at the Institute of Culinary Education, but in spite of my desire to do so, there simply isn’t enough time. However, I hereby resolve to spin a little bit every day. That seems reasonable and do-able. Thank you for the inpsiration, and thank you for writing and for sharing yourself with us. I love reading your blog, and I’m glad you’re my friend.
One thing I’ve always wanted to try has been tuna fish. I HATED tuna fish when I was younger. I still don’t really like the smell. But maybe under the right circumstances I could try and it and like it.
I’d like to rededicate myself to writing. I’ve loved writing since I was a child (I wrote tons and tons of stories in elementary school), but for the last few years I have used the “I’m too busy” excuse way too much. NaNoWriMo is coming up in a few days and I want to participate, and win. I know I CAN, I just have to sit myself down and DO IT.
On another note, I have a similar “all or nothing” personality. I am also pregnant, 8 or 9 weeks behind you. After a miscarriage earlier this year, I’ve been pretty obsessed with this baby and his or her health. I want to dedicate myself now to enjoying this time with my DH; I know that sometimes he feels neglected or overshadowed by the baby and I don’t want that. Also, because I’ve felt ill and have been preoccupied with the baby, I haven’t been knitting. Of course I want to get back into that!
Whew. A lot of goals I’ve been thinking about, but now it feels like I’ve actually committed. Thanks for the yarn prize incentive to make that happen!
Hi Cara! Congratulations on your 3 year blogiversary! I enjoy reading your blog and seeing your knitting, and now remembering what pregnancy was like (a long time ago for me). I’m happy to read about your rededication of the blog. I’m at another stage of life (both children all grown up), and I’m pretty happy with the way things are going for me now. I knit in the evenings and a little bit during lunch at work. I may take longer to complete some projects, but I work full time, and that’s just the way it is. For me, knitting is relaxing and can help take the edge off of the stresses of life. I’ll certainly enter for your drawing of STR. I’m going on vacation tomorrow, though, so if you draw my name, please wait for me to return on November 4. I’ll be going through my e-mail then!
i miss: having an amusing dog and taking her for long walks on the perimeter of a public golf course, and to swim through the creek that ran through the middle of it, chasing bubbles.
Cara,
I’ve been a lurker on your blog for over a year, and have enjoyed it tremendously, so I’m very happy you’ve rededicated yourself to it. I am going to dedicate myself to taking more time to enjoy the colors in the world around me, in honor of your dedication to color.
I think it’s great that you were able to find a way to love knitting again. It is such a cathartic experience and very beneficial to being a happy person.
I hope the rest of your pregnancy is enjoyable and puke-free 🙂
Cara,
I’ve been reading for a long time, and I plan to keep reading for as long as you write, whatever you write.
I’d like to rededicate myself to me, and my immediate family. Sometimes I spend so much time worrying about others, and what I can do for htem, that maybe I should start thinking about what I can do for us. On that note, we are taking a family vacation to Disney next month. We turned down offers of siblings joining us with their families – we just want the three of us (Husband, Son and Me) to go, and have fun as a family. ANd yes, I will take some selfish knitting along for the ride.
My mom tried to get me to sew as a child – no way! 20 years ago I got the bug and taught myself. That went by the wayside for making handmade soap. 3 years ago I took up knitting, 2 years ago spinning, who knows what tomorrow will bring 🙂
Cara~ I have been reading and enjoying your blog from pretty close to the very beginning.Your pictures and enthusiasm have always been a boost to continue my own efforts. My rededication will be to SEAM and finish the 2 sweaters on needles and holders that are oh so close to being finished. I don’t care what you write about, I will read. Some of my favorite blogs involve babies..lots and lots about babies. I love it, it brings back so many memories of when my own were little. So you keep on writing and I will keep on reading.
The blogs that are all knitting, all the time are boring anyway. The people I read are the people I find interesting, which you were pre-pregnancy and will continue to be during and after. Having gone through two pregnancies on my knit blog, I was happy to read your pregnancy stories. I’m trying to rededicate myself to keeping a neat home for the well being of my family. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.
Good luck with the pregnancy, good luck with the continued blogging for you. I can’t wait to read all about it.
I’m re-dedicating myself to learning to live more independently and enjoying it. I’ve been dependent on others for most of my life and it ends now.
As for your changes – HURRAH! If you never changed, you would never grow as a person. Those that wish to move on may miss something new and exciting that you discover and share with us. I look forward to that.
Recently I’ve re-dedicated myself to finishing things. I’ve been going through all my UFOs both in knitting and in life and making a dedicated effort to finish more than I start.
Happy Blogiversary.
delurking just to say I’m glad you are letting the blogging go where it feels right despite the comments from some. I for one enjoy the honesty. and as a mom and knitter who also works outside the home and has no “free” time at all I’d rather hear about real people and how they struggle to make the knitting fit into their life than see a list of FOs anyday.
It’s time for me to re-dedicate myself to Pilates- the only exercise I’ve found that will flatten my middle-aged middle. But it REALLY WORKS!
Only if you DO IT though!
Thanks for the opportunity to ‘say’ it out loud, and happy blogiversary to you!
Well, if you make it all the way down to here I’ll be shocked. I just wanted to wish you a great day and to enjoy every minute of the little one kicking you from within. I loved being pregnant (3 times) and was blessed with 3 healthy babies. They are now 30, 27 and 19. It goes by really, really fast.
Sheri in GA
You know, I like the variety that you bring to your blog. I have a bit of a voyeristic streak in me and I love reading about other people’s lives, whether it be about knitting, life, or anything. I think that when I read someone’s blog that I am a guest peeking into someone else’s life. And as a guest, I would never say something mean or demeaning; I may THINK it, but my mother taught me better than to say something out loud that might hurt someone’s feelings. Anyway, I love reading your blog!
So, rededication. I have rededicated my life to balance and being healthy. For the past year I have been lackadasical about exercising and nutrition. This past week (!) I have started back in my early morning cardio routine and I feel 10,000 times better! I am also reevaluating my career (currently in a soul sucking job) and am doing something about it, too!
So, Cara, I will continue reading your blog because you rock!
Congrats! As we change, so does what we care about. I think back to when I was in high school and college, and boy, did I talk about different things than now! It’s just part of growing.
The reason I find blogs to read is because of knitting content. The reason why I keep coming back to the same blog is because of the writer. You are one of my favourites. Thank you for letting us share in you life. I’ve enjoyed your knitting, but even more I’ve enjoyed getting to know you. Happy Blogiversary!
You go, girl! I know you know this, but if I (the reader) didn’t like your voice, it wouldn’t be any fun to be here. And your voice is enjoyable on a number of topics. So write what you feel. Knit as you like.
I recently realized I had not made enough space in my life for singing. So, I am working on that.
Cara,
As you alluded to, things in our lives goes through changes. There is an ebb and flow to Life and just as there have been changes in your blog and your life, their will be changes in your readers and the friends that will come from that. The real life change of having a baby is unlike anything you’ve dealt with in your life. That will bring so many changes in your life’s path – new experiences, new friends… Perhaps the blog will continue to catalog your journey there, too… Try to just ride along with the flow, Cara. Don’t worry about readers, they will find you just where you are in your life. Savor each moment and sensation of your pregnancy – even the barf stuff will take on different meaning later when you see what you’ve grown inside you. And THAT will bring you such great JOY! Not to mention SO much more to knit or craft for! Carry on, my dear…just carry on. Hugs & Happy Blog Day to you.
PS. I really only read you because I so love Bruce…! HA!
Hi Cara,
I’m so happy you’re writing baby stuff, and I will read it all. 🙂 I think the idea of learning to knit a couple rows and call it good is excellent training for what knitting will be like with a toddler around. I’ve been jealous of you finishing things, when I can’t get to mine. Like my 4-year-old WIP miter blanket. But I wouldn’t trade what I have either, and I look forward to seeing you meet your baby and enjoy this new part of your life.
Larissa
As a reader I can sympathise with your trials and cheer your triumphs. And when all is said and done it’s your blog not mine or anyone else’s, so write whatever you want. You must be good or we wouldn’t all be here!
Today’s thought-provoking post seems to have hit on something that is a common theme with so many of us. It all makes me want to go “Me too, me too!”. My personal rededication is to all the things that make me feel like me but which have been sidelined just by life in general – drawing and painting especially (I could go on, there’s so much I want to do). It’s been so long I don’t know where to start but I really feel I have to.
I’ve been thinking along these lines for a while, but your idea of “rededication” feels like a personal promise to myself which I find really helpful, so thank you for that. Best wishes for all your own endeavours – creative, biological, whatever they may be!
cara, i wish more than a good day but a fabulous life. life is too short and precious to waste on things that do not matter to us or that do not love us. you will be a terrific mama to that baby, i just know it. and you will have people who keep reading you if you never knit another row. we all just want you to be happy.
Heh, I started reading your blog during the mitered square insanity. I think I just wanted to see how long you’d keep it up, and then I got completely wowed by the way you were using colour and by how much fun those squares looked. I don’t think I’d ever sew them together, I’d just keep them around to play with. Maybe I should knit some and call them baby toys…
I’m loving the blog even with less knitting content. Your photos inspire me every time I wander over here. Sometimes I just hit refresh to see what comes up next.
Cara,
I’m so glad to hear that you decided to rededicate yourself to the blog rather than closing up shop! I just love your commentary, your candor, and your creativity. A knitter friend and I were talking about your blog the other day, and we both thought it was so funny that we refer to you by your first name as though we’re all three big friends, when in actuality we don’t know you at all. I so appreciate you letting all your readers in on your life and your thoughts. Congratulations on deciding to hold onto something you really enjoy. I’m looking so forward to continuing to “participate” in your life and in the many, many adventures that lay before you.
Beautiful yarn, by the way! I can’t wait to see the finished shawl, whenever you get to finishing it!
What a wonderful way to approach all that you are going through! I would miss reading you if you went away – and your wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing yourself with us!
As for me, I knit a ridculous amount when I’m stressed out. Right now, I basically knit from dawn to dusk. I should be getting outside and enjoying this fall weather… that for the kick in the pants.
Happy Bloggiversary!
If I could rededicate anything right this very minute, my blog and knitting would probably be high contenders as well…but mostly because I just started a new job/career and am going through that horrible brain-dead-after-work phase.
Have a wonderful day, weekend, week, rest of the year.
Well I’LL still be reading your blog, because witty, vibrant writing doesn’t depend on the topic. Good luck!
I’m not sure there’s anything I want to “re-dedicate” to at the moment, but I definitely agree with you about how blogging has changed my life. I moved a long way to a new job recently, and my blogging life helped to keep me from feeling like I was totally alone. Weird, but great!
And I’m so glad you’re going to keep blogging — it’s your life, and you get to blog about whatever you want!
What a wonderful post! I’d love to rededicate myself to making more me-time and hopefully nudging it in the fitness direction. The very few times I do take a walk or run, my mind is clear and I focus on a plan. The opposite tends to happen when I’m in a fitness rut.
If I had to choose to rededicate only one thing, although my poetry and my spinning are high on the list, the one thing I’d end up choosing to rededicate is my marriage. We are in the midst of fighting not only for my daughter’s education but for the right to even have her live a normal life here with us, and we have been through some very rough setting-on-back-burner of relationship issues that needed addressing, even though that relationship is the thing that gets us through the shitstorms. If I could rededicate one thing, it would be the fact that Spiff is the love of my life, and I need to find a clear, gentle, and solid way of making sure that’s something he never needs to question, no matter what else is happening. Our little family is experiencing a sea change, and we are pulling together and pulling for each other. That’s a rededication worth fighting for.
The best part of your blog is….YOU!! Knitting, passions, charity, jocularity(?), peeves, and most of all BABYTALK. I envy you. I have two college age children and LOVED being pregnant. You would hate me because my pregnancies were simple and non-puking. Even the deliveries were quick and relatively painless. NOW everyone who reads this will hate me. I am blessed with two because illness took away any chances of more. Live life Cara as you do. Most of us love ya for it. I thank your “purlingswine” for turning me on to you. I wish you all the best and wait for the next post….
I want to rededicate myself to relationships with other people besides my kids. They will grow up eventually and leave me, but my husband and my friends will still be with me (if I nurture them properly!) I will still dedicate myself wholeheartedly to my kids.
I’ve really enjoyed your blog, not just for the stunning photography but for excellent, thoughtful posts like this one. Thank you for sharing a bit of yourself with all of us.
I want to re-dedicate myself to exercising and eating healthier. I recently made a job change that has done wonders for my happiness and general state of mind, but I’ve kind of neglected my physical health for the last couple of years. Even if it’s just a fifteen minute walk or a piece of fruit instead of a cookie, I’m going to do something healthy for myself every day.
Happy Blogiversary! Write for yourself. Write so you enjoy it. My blog is for myself. For things that I want to remember. For things I want to share. One thing I have missed doing is playing my bass guitar. Unfortunately it is hard to be motivated to practice by myself, but I do want to play and get better and to continue to enjoy playing. So, it is out of the case and smiling at me…”come, play!”
Hi Cara,
Congrats on your rededication to knitting! I finally decided to go back to school after 24 years. This semester I’m taking five classes and I’m overwhelmed to say the least. On September 4th I tucked all my day-to-day knitting stuff away in the closet with the rest of my stash. On December 20th (after my last final) I’ll pull out my knitting and see what I can get done in 5 1/2 weeks. Top on my list is a new pair of Fiber Trends Felted Clogs because my old pair had too many holes and I just tossed them in the garbage. Also on my list of projects is a new pair of socks, nothing fancy, just a quick toe-up that I can finish in record time. BTW, your new project is beautiful….I might add that to my semester break project list. Take care, Kari
Wow – not only did you get me out of lurking to comment (for the first time ever), but I have to say that out of all of the blogs I read, you’ve always inspired me the most. I fell in love with your “verde verde verde” blanket, inspiring me to try to create a log cabin of my own. So far, I’ve bought the yarn, and am in design stage. I’ve also decided that my two UFOs need to be cast off before I start and since one is a Dale sweater and the other is a lace shawl, I probably won’t be starting anytime soon.
I do allow myself to cast on socks for commuter knitting, so if I win, I’ll be ‘allowed’ to cast on the new yarn.
I am choosing to rededicate myself to my photography. I’ve been slacking lately, taking crappy pics of my daughter (now 4) and my knitting. Even though I have all of the equipment and talent (I hope!) to shoot proper photos, I find myself just pointing and shooting and not thinking about the outcome.
Good luck with the baby – you totally deserve it. Make sure he/she listens to lots of Bruce in utero 🙂
I recently rededicated myself to teaching. I was doing it for years and then things changed in my life and I was doing other jobs for about a year. I can’t believe how much better I feel about myself and the impact I’m having on future generations.
I don’t mind you talking about your pregnancy at all, by the way! I don’t have any kids of my own but we’re thinking about starting soon so everyone’s experience with the whole process is fascinating to me.
I need to design another wow quilt. I have 5 kids, and knitting seems to fit my life better right now. But I miss quilting. Bye! I’m going to clean my sewing room. Thanks for blogging. I love it.
I’d love to get back to teaching music, I miss seeing the excitement a kid (or anyone) has when something clicks for the first time, and knowing I was a part of it. As for learning new things, I’ve always wanted to ballroom dance, I think it’s all the sparkly dresses!!
Congrats, Cara! I’ve always enjoyed your blog, no matter what you write about. I echo all of the comments above me–way to go!
Mine is more of a dedication than a rededication, and with amazing timing to boot–today I got a fancy-schmancy mini disc recorder in the mail so I can finally do some audio recordings. I want to be a radio producer for public radio, interviewing amazing people and witnessing amazing things. Getting out there to begin with is the scariest part, so I dedicate myself to interviews with strangers. Walking around with huge headphones and a rat’s nest of cords, and not minding if people stare. And bringing my knitting along, ’cause hey, there’s sure to be some downtime. -_^
Cara – I wish you all the best. Yes, a child will change your life in all the ways you expect, but also will fill you with awe and wonder and joy in ways that you truly cannot imagine. I am so not religious, but it is miraculous. Meanwhile, what do I miss? To what do I want to rededicate? Funny you should ask. I just got home from dinner out with my husband, and after 14 years of parenting, we are now in the stage of being able to go out without a babysitter. So yes, we are rededicating ourselves to our future lives together. We will rekindle what brought us together and what got us through these years of putting our kids ahead of each other. That’s it. Oh, and by the way, have a great day! 🙂
I’m too tired to be introspective right now, so instead I will say thank you for your blog. I’ve found it exciting, interesting and beautiful. Again, thank you.
Thanks for your always thought provoking, inspiring blog Cara. Though it may sound selfish, I think I’d like to re-dedicate to myself. By that I mean all the years that have passed while I was busy being super-mom and a supportive wife I feel like I’ve lost a bit of myself. Maybe it’s more like my dreams and goals just got moved waaaaaay down in the priority que … Im gonna work on changing that 🙂
To be honest, I (a reader but not a commenter), as an 18-year-old first-year-college student who gets grossed out at the mention of babies and pregnancy but loves yarn and beautiful pictures of knitted objects and commentary on them, have been reluctant about reading your blog lately. But for some reason, I couldn’t just stop – I can understand it being a tough time and some things occupy your mind more than others, and I didn’t want to quietly take away my (unknown) support.
So I’m very glad to see this rededication to your weblog and knitting. Because even though some things are more important than others, the cathartic activities in life shouldn’t be given up on.
And what do I want to rededicate or try again for myself? What a good question. I think I need to dedicate myself to some sort of art, other than knitting. Something I can be proud of. Ah, don’t we all want something to be proud of.
Have a wonderful day. 🙂
When I read your blog today this came to mind.
A Time for Everything
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
I am so glad to read that you are going to continue writing your blog.
I hope you have a great day
Thank you for the ongoing inspiration that you provide! I am rededicating myself to taking care of my health. For me, this means increasing exercise, as well as focusing on achieving a balanced diet.
I will do both =). Have a great day Cara! I’ll read your blog whether you talk about babies, puke, or knitting.
Now for the story:
Today I went on an interview for an internship with a major film company. With a husband and 4(!) children I feel like I will be the oldest weirdest, mommiest intern in the world. But I love filmmaking, I love writing scripts, I love writing, and I miss “working”. So I have re-dedicated myself to the pursuit of my dream. I have the support of my family to take this opportunity if the position is offered. Although I will feel tired an miss my babies and hubby (and ravelry and bloglines and knitting…) a couple of days a week I may be one step closer to realizing a dream.
PS I got a wheel this week! Spin out strikes again!
I think it’s great that you are rededicating your blog. Actually, it’s been something I’ve been thinking about with my blog for a while. When I first started blogging it was dedicated to my writing which I have since abandoned. I would definitely love to rededicate a part of my blog to my writing.
Purls of Wisdom to January One 🙂 I may not always get the chance to comment, dear Cara, but I hope you know that I am thinking about you! I am thrilled to see you renewing and rededicating. (and I am thrilled to see such a lovely knit in the works, I must say!)
xo,
L
Happy Anniversary! Hard to believe it’s only been 3 years, but for selfish reasons, I’d like to be reading here long after I retire. (A long way off) Something I always wanted to do (but was too lazy) is to learn Spanish. I even bought CDs. Now with the new job it will be very beneficial and I learn something cool too! Here’s to blogs and babies! Happy Anniversary Cara and thank you 🙂
Hello Cara and little baby:)
I loved reading your blog before and I still love it now…SO happy to hear that you are going to keep blogging:)
have a nice day Cara!
I have to admit, I do miss your knitting content, but I can understand why your pregnancy is taking center stage after what you’ve been through. I am trying to fit EVERYTHING into my life right now–work, kids, and knitting…with knitting often suffering! So I’m not sure I’m missing just one thing, but perhaps if I stopped reading blogs, I’d have more time for everything else!
Oh man. I don’t think of myself as a person who’s scared to do non-life-threatening activities, but as soon as I got to your last paragraph I thought of The Mandolin. Ever since I tried somebody’s mandolin in a Dublin Pub over a year ago, I have wanted to own and play a mandolin. I used to play bass and violin and I still tinkle those piano keys now and then, so this isn’t ridiculous from the perspective of expecting to be able to learn. What’s holding me back is that I want a *nice* one but I feel that’s really an unnecessary luxury.
It’s also partly that my husband discouraged this over-one-year-old “whim”. He pointed out that I never play my bass and am not serious about the piano. So there is in fact a good chance I’d own one and only play it now and then. But is it worth it anyway? I can’t seem to give up on the idea or go through with it. I have no interest in buying one that looks or sounds cheap, but for some reason I’m too scared to go out and buy a mandolin that I might like.
I would like to find the dedication, somewhere inside me, to finish the cross-stitch project I started 11 years ago. I chose it because it had lots of animals in it (hey, I was 12!), but it seems a bit baby-like now, which is why I haven’t done anything on it. I would like to finish it, as it is my oldest UFO. 🙂 I just never feel like cross-stitching.
Good for you.
I’m a graduate student and read a lot for school. Wish I could get around to the books I want to. For pleasure.
Happy anniversary!
This post comes at a good time for me. I hadn’t thought of it as a rededication until I read about yours, but I recently decided that I missed music – playing music, specifically, as I never got out of listening to it – and wanted to get into it again. And just this week I joined the community band, which I hope will give me a place and a reason to do so.
For me, I want to do more knititng for myself instead of just for my business. That is my goal for after the holidays!
This is one of the most important times in your life. You need to do things that make you happy. I am glad blooging is one of them.
Wow you have a lot of comments here! I was going to comment even before you mentioned the STR…. :)Kudos to you for your commitment. I haven’t found this blog boring yet, and I promise if I ever do I’ll skulk away quietly.My own rededication? I think it has to be to my husband. Our 8-year anniversary is Monday. With my own pregnancy and stresses and petty disappointments, I haven’t been showing him the love he deserves. Time for me to stop pouting about not having everything perfect for me, and to work on being best friends with my husband again. With a new baby coming, that seems more important than ever.
I enjoy your blog whatever the topic. I like reading what you have to write about – babies, knitting, whatever. thanks for sharing your life and thoughts with a billion strangers.
I really enjoy reading your blog, congrat’s on the babe and your blogiverary. OH and “have a nice day!” ha.
Happy Blogiversary, Cara! What a lovely (and fitting) post!
I haven’t been blogging much lately, and have had many thoughts as to why. Your post helped put some of it in focus. I haven’t had a lot of time, and what there is has been taken with mundane, everyday necessities (or others’ problems/urgencies) to the point where I’m lucky that I get some sleep. I don’t know when my life got so out of MY control, but it is! SO, in the spirit of this post, I rededicate myself to that which brings me (and others around me) JOY! We get so busy, so tied up in this and that, and forget to allow ourselves the JOY that we felt as children at play, or adolecents in the crush of first love, or at the sight of our first child (or when we made our first sock.) I will allow myself time to FEEL that JOY, even if only for a little while, each day! And I fervently hope some of that Joy spills out to all of you!
I found your blog about two months before your big news and I like all aspects of it. I’m glad you have rededicated to do what you want to do here and try to ignore the naysayers! And I was gonna post that before I saw there was a contest!
I recently rededicated myself to furthering my education and have been taking classes even though my life is very full with two young children and all the craziness that grown-up life entails. Not only did I find out I could survive it all, I find myself thriving even more because I’m doing something that nourishes myself. So that’s mine. 🙂
Today is my 34th birthday, and I’ve had many of the same thoughts you have (although not the pregnancy parts–I’ve got two kids already!). I have to admit that right now I’m doing everything I want to be, and every part of my life (both the good and the bad) have shaped me into what/who I am today and I wouldn’t change it. Not that I’m proud of everything, of course!
GOOD FOR YOU for doing what YOU want to do with your blog. I’ll still be here reading.
Never mind spring–fall really is the season of transformation, don’t you think?
I’m rededicating myself to some really hard work in therapy (hey, I was a New Yorker, I can say that…:), to spinning, to not eating when I’m not hungry, and to adoring my felines.
What an inspiring post.
My rededication? Living with INTENTION. I’ve been alternating between manic, panic and sloth. Oh, and getting a minimum of 7 hours sleep per night. I don’t notice sleep deprivation’s insane effects until they are, um, noticeable to most everyone else. (I don’t have babies at home any more, no excuse!!)
The shawl looks beautiful.
Renewal of knitting is on my list, too. I have a ravelry name and nothing posted. Oh the shame!
Congratulations. Your post indicates what an awesome parent/teacher your child will be blessed with – one who teaches her not what to think but how to think. From the number of responses, you have certainly been successful @ prompting many of us to consider what is really important in our lives. And although I haven’t read them all, the response comments speak very highly of the thoughtfulness of your readers as well. I usually reserve pondering the “great questions” for certain milestone times – like my birthday or New Year’s! There’s some irony there I think. Thanks for challenging our thinking – in this post and many of your yet-to-be posts. Tammy
Holly blogger comments, Batman!! How in the world am I to have the least bit of a chance at winning this contest with over 500 other bloggers ahead of me?? Damn! This is what happens when you put blogging second to taking care of kids, working and trying to stay sane. Congrats on the blogiversary!! Love ya’!
Holy blogger comments, Batman!! How in the world am I to have the least bit of a chance at winning this contest with over 500 other bloggers ahead of me?? Damn! This is what happens when you put blogging second to taking care of kids, working and trying to stay sane. Congrats on the blogiversary!! Love ya’!
Oy, that’s a lot of comments. Good for you!
It’s your blog. Make it what you want it to be.
It’s your knitting. Knit what, when, and if you want to knit it.
This afternoon I almost threw away the invitation I received to sign up for BMFA’s 2008 Rockin’ Sock Club. I thought, “I’m too busy (graduate school and working part-time single parent of two elementary school age kids) to knit socks anymore. I just can’t keep up.
Then I thought, “Who am I kidding. That yarn will make me happy even if all I do with it is look at it or pick it up and give it a pat now and then. And if it becomes a pair of socks someday, that will be great. And if it takes two rows of knitting a day for a year to knit a pair of socks, that will be great, too. So after I picked the kids up from school, I sent my STR membership off in the mail, and I felt good. Saying “yes” to something that will make me happy for a whole year (and beyond) is a good thing to do.
Why say “no” when something great looms on the horizon. Say “yes” and see where it takes you, even if it takes a loooooong time to get there.
I would like to rededicate myself to embroidering dishtowels for my mom. She loves them and never really -gets- the knitting and has been known to say things like, “wow, this scarf is really warm” in a surprised tone, about a wool scarf.
Have a nice day! May there be no more puking for you, and as much babytalk as you wish.
Hi Cara! You have grown and changed, as has your blog, and it’s been a pleasure to watch you grow! As for re-dedications, since dating my (now) husband, I’ve really gotten away from my all-black wearing punk-rock self. I’ve decided that this year it’s out with old navy, in with DIY Bowie shirts! Rock (and knit!) on!
Cara, I love reading your blog. I came for the photography, stayed for the knitting and I’m loving the pregnancy posts. Really! I’m a mom of a 13 month old and really need to rededicate myself to myself! It’s so easy to put my daughter, work, husband and home before myself. I am going to start small–15 minutes a day just for me. (And that doesn’t include naps!)
Congrats on being pregnant. It’s not always fun, but it’s worth it!
I miss the drawing and sketching I used to do. Right now I read books and magazines and look at other people’s work. I really want to rededicate myself to bringing my sketch book and pencils with me in my bag, right along with my knitting. I want to begin drawing again – not just reading about it and feeling too out of practice to just jump in and make it a part of myself again.
Actually I didn’t find you until last year totally by accident and while it has been entertaining and awesome and sometimes even humbling to read your blog — I don’t see why or how you having a baby changes any of that. I am delighted for you and wish you every joy on the rollercoaster ride of parenthood… I love reading how you go through it. Knitting is only part of who you are. I love reading how you go through that too.
Just wanted to say that and send good energy vibes your way.
Am I rededicating anything in my life? everyday seems to be a rededication to a better way to live my life…hahaha
Well, Cara, knitting was something I returned to from my youth, but that was back in 2000/20001. Little did I expect how much of my life it would take over.
for the last three or four years I keep looking at drawing and other art classes to return to some actual art work, which I haven’t done for about 20 years. As part of that idea, I have enrolled in a design class at a LYS, The Weaving Works, and spent part of today buying various kinds of paper, charcoal, pencils, watercolors, conte crayons, and pastel pencils. I’m so excited to use all of this, and in a class related to the knitting and pattern design I do have an enforced reintroduction to these supplies and the things they can do.
At the same time, I’m trying to learn much more about the actual techniques of photography. Part of the return I get from my blog is the process of setting up editing my photos. I never really expected to find myself interested in photography as it hasn’t been something I was interested in before. Digital makes such a difference for someone like me with the creative experience but not the technical know-how.
What an amazing response you’ve gotten! I’ll have to go back and read your comments to see what people are mentioning, but the few I did read seemed to be a great range of intentions.
Before picking up my computer (again) this evening, I wrote in my (paper) journal for the first time in a long while, with the intent of getting back into a regular habit of writing. I love it when coincidence brings events together like that!
I’m glad you’re declaring your intent to blog about what you want to blog about. Good for you!
Hang in there, Cara…there are plenty of us still out there reading your blog. Personally, I’ve always wanted to start my own blog but just haven’t had the time…maybe one of these days!
I’m delurking to say that I don’t think you should ever stop being you. Otherwise what’s the point?
I want to rededicate my knitting to me. I’m stuck at the moment with knitting things for people because they don’t knit themselves. While I enjoy this kind of thing (and the charity knitting I’ve been doing), I miss being myself. Knitting is me time, something that is decreasing thanks to commitments all over the place, and it is about time I gave some of that time back to me. I suspect that won’t happen unless I suck it up and finish those things for other people, but I’ll stop saying yes to everyone who asks me for something, and be more selective. Or charge them ;D
Happy blogiversary! I’ve spent the last year rededicating myself to knitting again, after a 3-year hiatus to birth kids. It’s been great to come back to the craft.
What a happy, peaceful, contented post! Glad to find you in such good form, and Happy Blogiversary to you.
Happy Bolgiversary!
Something that I don’t get to do much of anymore and would really like to is getting out in nature. I grew up hiking and biking and walking out side in the fresh air all the time. In the last few years I haven’t lived in a place that has easy access to nature and my bike was stolen and I haven’t had the cash to replace it. This makes me sad. I have found over the years that my mood and happiness is improved tenfold with just a little time exercising in nature. I am determined to live in a place where I can enjoy the outdoors. I’m moving soon.
PS I like all your “baby talk” in your blog. The blogs I enjoy the most talk about whatever whenever, which I think is the most true to life and that’s what I read blogs for.
Hi Cara,
Just de-lurking to say thanks for your blog, and I’m not even a knitter. I found your blog one day when I was trying to decide whether to buy a pair of Naot Sea shoes, so I Googled it and came up with your picture of said shoes on your blog. Yes, I bought them and I love them. And I’ve kept checking back, reading your blog, because I really like it that you’re real and you just put it out there. And while I don’t knit, I do write and sew and appreciate the creative process.
And a belated congratulations on your pregnancy! I am so happy for you. As to your fluctuating interest in knitting, my first pregnancy affected my interests too. I was (and still am, to some extent) an avid teapot collector. I had finally secured the exact Art Deco teapot from the 30’s I’d been dreaming about for a long time. But after I got pregnant, every time I looked at that teapot, it literally made me want to throw up. One look at that teapot and I would feel sick to my stomach (I threw up into my 5th month). I finally had to put a brown paper bag over it that stayed on for about a year. I think it was nature’s way of telling me that I now had other things requiring my time and attention. Then…after our baby was born, of course my whole world changed, and I thought my interests had too, so I sold off a lot of CDs that I thought I had no time for anymore…but now, 6 years later, I wish I had them again. So, don’t do anything drastic like that for the first couple years after your baby comes!
Anyhow, just a long de-lurking to say thanks so much, I love reading you because you just put it out there with honesty and without pretense. And, I love the shoes too 🙂 –Marsha
Wow, three years! (I’ve barely got one under my belt) I totally believe that your blog should be whatever you want and need it to be. I’ll never get people complaing about what someone has decided they want their blog to be….to me that’s like a total stranger coming to my house to complain about what color my walls are painted.
Anyway, I need to rededicate myself to fitness. I’m not getting any younger, (or thinner) and I’ve totally slacked off my exercise routine. Consequently, not only do my clothes not fit very well, more importantly, I just don’t feel good.
I need to get with it.
I just want to bake once a week again. I used to bake every Friday before moving to this house nearly two years ago and then I had to unpack, then depression hit and now I have a new baby and my 7 y.o. and even though I miss cakes and muffins and cookies, I just don’t make the time for baking anymore. So, with the holidays approaching I’ll make an effort to bet back to “Friday is for baking”.
I totally enjoy reading your blog, puking posts and all. I know I didn’t blog for the first 4 months because I was forming an intimate relationship with my bucket 😉
I just wanted to letyou know that I am glad your coming back to try and blog more! 🙂 Im not overly fussed to see your knitting even if it is BEAUTIFUL! I love reading about how your doing and how the baby is. Reading about how many days youve not puked as well.. Only because I havent yet… as much as I would like.. I havent… so its nice to read how happy its making you… Thank you.
Dear Cara,
Thanks for the spirit you sre with the world. You inspire me everytime I open your blog. I want to re-dedicate myself to more spirit in life. I tend to get sloppy and not finish things and not bring up the energy necessary to get anything done. I want to change that and dedicate myself to a more “energated” version of myself. Thank you again for opening my eyes!
Lg, Birgit from Vienna
Cara,
Well as commenter number 540 or something, I dont know if you will even get here but I wanted to let you know how much I LOVE your blog and am so glad that you are rededicating yourself. As I began to read this post I was scared to scroll down fearing you were going to stop blogging. I am so glad that you will still be here. I read you every morning and love your stories, your love of your life, your adventures in knitting, finding pants that fit, and now baby making. I have two kids, cant believe they are now 9 and 11, but I know exactly how you feel with the loss of knitting mojo. All I can say is get used to it! I am an all or nothing, dive in head first kind of gal too but have had to adjust my knitting as you will. Knitting is my release, my stress reliever, my love, even though it is slow at times. I have been heard to say to my husband in the early evening or before the bed time routine, I just need to knit for a bit. Knitting a row or 5 or 10 makes me feel good and relieves my tension. I now only get one day a week or weekend or so when I can actually sit and knit more than 20 rows but I still love it. Hang in there, keep on blogging and keep on keeping on, your life is changing, and about to change in a huge way, only for the better. Your knitting has changed and will continue to change, only for the better. Dont know what I would say in terms of rededicating myself to something, but I am inspired by your love and passion you feel for your husband so maybe for me that is it, I am rededicating myself to my husband and to letting him know each day how much I love him and mirroring that dedication you and Georgie have to your marriage.
Jennifer
Wow – looks like this post really struck a chord with people. I have enjoyed your blog and appreciate your focus on it evolving, plus your new knitting is gorgeous. I think something I’d like to rededicate myself to is cooking. I use to find such joy in cooking with friends and making a really great meal, and lately it has become a chore that I hate. Thanks for the contest!
Happy Third Blogiversary! What a great post. I’ve always enjoyed your blog so much. Right now, the thing I want most to rededicate myself to is my violin. I have a bit of the same “all-or-nothing” problem with it as you do…now that I’m not in a bajillion orchestras, preparing for concerts all the time, it’s hard to get myself to play. But I do love playing, just for the sheer joy of it, so that’s what I’m going to do.
(ok, I’ll admit I have an ulterior motive: my brother wants me to play at his wedding in March!)
I love the shawl, by the way, and the yarn you’re knitting it in is gorgeous!
I have only ever read snippets of your blog, but have just subscribed as I love the way that you embrace the changes in your life and go with them!
The thing in my life that I am going to re-dedicate to is me! I seem to have lost who I am and what I enjoy doing over the past couple of years due to the normal pressusres of family, work and mundane chores. So I am going to make sure that I do one thing a week that is new, that I enjoy and that energises me … whether it be coffee out, a country walk or learning a new skill. And I will appreciate what I have more by doing that I am sure. 🙂 And I will take a leaf out of your book and blog about my pleasures rather than what I think people want to read! Best wishes to you x
Happy blogiversary! Keep writing about you. That’s what makes a blog fun. Besides I empathize and remember my own preggo woes.
I’d like to rededicate myself to my own blog. My grandmother passed away a couple of weeks ago. I haven’t posted to my blog since then. I guess I’m waiting to know what to say, but in reality, I should just go there and write. Thanks for helping me figure that out.
I have enjoyed your blog for ALMOST the whole 3 years you’ve been writing – beautiful writing/photography/witty – I LOVE IT!!
My struggle is always with keeping a balance in my life – knitting/blogging vs. everything else (and there is a lot of everything else!!)So I will rededicate myself to balancing my daily life!
Good for you. Three years and taking stock. It’s a good idea. Love the new project.
Infertility is more than likely a reason I’ve thrown myself into blogging, too. I could speculate why but I think it’s pretty obvious that it fills a need in some way. I’m glad of it.
And yours will evolve as your life changes. That’s the way things go.
I miss my confidence. Where did it go? I moved out to Denver to pursue my Masters, sight unseen, no friends, no family and I was as confident as could be. I made friends, I enjoyed my time by myself… and now that I’m married and am done with my degree, which should be confidence builders, I am without confidence… my self worth is gone, I don’t take risks, I am afraid of life to some extent. So I miss that confidence and that self esteem, and that content feeling that I am ok.
Your blog, your rules! You go, girl!
Hi Cara,
I started reading you this year, and have enjoyed your blog, whether you were discussing knitting, impending motherhood or any other topic. I was always tempted to write in and say, don’t worry about the morning sickness, back in the day when I was expecting my first in NYC, I used to travel the length of Manhattan, from Inwood to Wall Street to work, and like clockwork I would jump out of the train every day at Chambers Street for a little morning sickness action. Then, feeling a teensy bit better, I would wait for the next train and travel on to Broadway-Nassau. Ah, memory lane! By now you may have realized that perhaps an occasional person will hold up her hand and say “TMI !!!”, but as evidenced by the many respondents before me today (over 500), the vast majority will nod and say, ah yes, I remember it well !! Keep writing and keep knitting!!!
Cara, I have been admiring your “banner photos” ever since I first came across your blog. I think your decision to let the blog evolve is right. Life changes and your blog reflects that.
I’m a grandmother now but being pregnant was one of the happiest times in my life.
Happy Blogiversary,
I’ve been worried that you were going to stop blogging, and I really enjoying reading your blog. Discovering knitting blogs about 6 months ago was so great, as I too can get obsessive about things, and knowing that I am not the only one who is obsessed with yarn is great. But I truly enjoy your blog no matter what you write about, as it is your blog, and if I am not interested in your post on a certain day, I can just choose not to read. I can’t imagine telling anyone that I didn’t enjoy their blog.
Keep on writing, no matter the subject. Congrats on the pregnancy and ENJOY!!!
I don’t think that I can come up with a good succinct comment about what I want to rededicate myself to.. except perhaps being more “me”. I was married almost 4 years ago, and although I love my husband very much, and would not want to change the fact that we are married, I feel like I have lost some of me along the way. I need to find a way to get it back, and still keep growing in our relationship.
I miss my weaving and spinning. My new career as a teacher takes up so much of my time that I am tired and unmotivated by the end of the day. Getting to spinning guild once a month sometimes is the only time I get to spin and take some time for me.
I have begun to realize that not creating makes me a worst person. I am not as calm or patient or able to ‘roll with the punches.’ I rededicate myself to my weaving and spinning. Thanks for the opportunity to put that into writing.
Happy Blogiversary. Isn’t the internet wonderful giving us so many opportunities for new words?
Rededicate myself? It would be finishing SEVERAL UFO’s before I cast on something new, getting back to gardening, reading for pleasure and baking bread. In short, the things that feed MY soul because if I’m not fed then I’m not able to give to others. Does that make sense?
Maybe I’ll learn to blog before January One….
My goodness, it took me forever to get to the end of all those comments.
“I will write what I want, when I want. About what I want.” isn’t that what a blog is all about?
You need to do what is best for you and your family, I realized that the hard way. Sometimes that involves shutting people out of your life, but in the end it is for the right reasons! I am a newer knitter, but you have at times given me great inspiration! Thank You!
I went through my own knitting lull last year and, this fall, picked it back up. I don’t think of it so much as rededication, although that’s what it is, more of yet another readjustment of my life. Bean is in school full time now, and I have suddenly become a sock knitting fiend. I wonder what kind of knitting will be my next obsession (although I had better get back some sweater mojo because I have three sweaters that are only lacking collars!).
Gee, Cara, you scared me! I thought you were going to say you were going to stop blogging! It’s true that your knitting time is seriously compromised with a baby. But you will never feel prouder when your little one is asked who made that for you and they point to you and say Mama!
I cried.
ps. I loved your miter madness and was hard pressed not to catch it myself.
I miss my knitting these days too. Working full-time and taking a full course load makes knitting time scarse.
Without Cara and January One, blogland would be woefully incomplete. I do not need any yarn — in fact, I’m going to unload some — the weight of it is getting me down. I, too, would benefit from learning the lesson of just picking it (the knitting) up now and then. I just have too many interests at the moment, and therefore I’m almost paralyzed into inaction in all of them. Weird, but true.
You truly ARE an inspiration. You don’t know how many times I have read your postings and giggled, cried, laughed, nodded in agreement, become angry at something you are writing about, had something stick in my head all day because of one of your posts. You are an “out there” kinda gal and I love that you allow us to let us in to your life. Thank you and I am SOOO grateful that you are continuing, although I know come March it will be tough to find time. Be easy on YOU and take good care of YOU and be kind to YOU and life will turn you favours dear Cara. After a rather tumultuous (sp?)summer, I am hoping to get back to walking, the peaceful exercise that allows the mind to settle, the body to burn and the eyes to enjoy! Thank you
Awesoem that you are “rededicating”! I’d love to get back into sewing again- especially clothes for my wee one! Have a great day!
I’m sorry I missed you at RB. Your new project on the needles is going to be fabulous and what a beautiful color. I really enjoy reading your blog and the fact that you give us YOU. I admire how you give/show us parts of their life. Whereas, I tend to hold back. I think I’d like to ge back into sewing. I hope I make it happen (:-)
As a fellow photographer (we met like 2 years ago in NY thru Paloma), a mother and a knitter I applaud you! Life is all about change. Without change, life is boring. I’ve always enjoyed reading your blog and seeing your masterful knitting skills! Seriously! You convinced me to try socks on 2 circs and I have to admit, I’m still not very good at it..but getting there.
Glad to hear you’re not giving up blogging. I really enjoy reading it and like to see what you have to say about becoming a parent at last.
Happy Blogoversary! May there be many more! If and when the time comes to shutter the blog, I have a feeling you’ll know.
Cara,
Congratulations on three years! I too will continue to read. I’m glad that you are willing to share your life with all of us 🙂
You are definitely right that once baby arrives you’ll be lucky if you can get in a few rows a night… I’ve decided to make peace with that. I’m rededicating (well really, dedicating, since she’s my first) to going with the flow, to taking moments where I can, but most of all, just enjoying each minute I get to spend with my daughter and husband. Soon enough I’ll be back spending more time on my hobbies, but for now, I need to enjoy this time.
Thanks for calling me to it!
Our lives are dynamic and changing. And I think our blogs should be able to reflect that. Since I found knitting I have left rubberstamping by the wayside, and have disappointed some of my stamping friends. I would like to find time to do both.
What do I miss? It’s more like what haven’t I seen–other than travel for work, I haven’t traveled much around the world or in the US for that matter. Excuses pop up, mostly having to do with work. But as I get older I realize that I need to get out of my home/work world.
even though some days i havent enjoyed the entries as much as other days, i still read. its your blog, write about what you want to. since im getting married soon, i am rededicating my life this next year to my family.
Hi Cara,
Glad to see you’ll be sticking around! You have a way of capturing moments that is truly unique and it would be a very sad day indeed if blogland were ever to lose you. As I may have said before: As long as you keep writing, I’ll keep reading!
Thanks for being you!
It never crosses my mind even once to stop reading your blog. All your “madness” are truly inspiring.
Anyway, I’d like to rededicate myself to studying. Once upon a time I was a hardworking student (when I was, like, 6). Now that I’m doing my degree I simply lost my passion for the subject. So I’d like to be passionate about it, just like I’m passionate about knitting.
I need to rededicate myself to black and white photography. It’s as simple as loading up the camera with Tri-X film and shooting anything. I forget that I can do it in small increments, doing a few exposures here and there. I don’t have to use up a whole roll each time.
Thank you for such an inspirational blog post. Happy 3 years!
Congrats on your rededication! I’m so glad you are getting back into knitting – not that I don’t love reading about the baby stuff either (as a new mom!) but I’m glad to see that you aren’t giving anything up! Get in some knitting while you can, it comes in spurts once the baby gets here, but you can still work in a few rows a day!
Cara,
I just wanted to tell you that the 2 minutes a day or 2 rows or whatever most assuredly counts!!! I am a busy mom of 3, yet I still knit.
Recently I went back to school after a 9 year hiatus (getting married and having said children). I was terrified. I am still doing it, have way less time to knit, but I’m still going at it. I will finish the degree I started almost 11 years ago.
I just wanted to say that once wee one arrives your time will be even that much more limited. However, you can knit while nursing (never tried it bottle feeding, as we didn’t do that), while playing with babe (or toddler, or kid) at home or at the park, knit while little one is in the bath (not at first but once they’re a bit bigger, but be prepared to have your knitting get wet), you can knit when they sleep (but not until babe is a bit bigger, sleep when babe sleeps at first. TRUST me on this, sleep in the first month is way more important than knitting). 🙂
Hugs,
tammy a knitting, school going, part-time outside the home working, full time wife, full time mama. Whew that title makes me tired! 😀
Congrats on rededicating your blog, I read it regularly and really enjoy it! I agree with you and Ann that you need to squeeze in time for the things you enjoy..15 minutes here a row or two there, will add up quicket than we think!!
I’d have to say that the part of my life I miss the most is raising my children. I have four boys, all grown up now: three are married and have families of their own, while my ‘baby’ will turn 20 in December. I loved being a stay-at-home Mom with all the promise and possibilities for growth, learning and just plain fun that each day brought. If God offered me the opportunity to do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat. Sure, it was hard to deal with the fights and messes that accompany four rowdy boys, but all that fades and what remains are the sweet memories of the hugs and laughter. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!
My life is so full right now and it’s filled pretty much with the things I love to do. One thing that I might want to pick up again is soap-making, which I used to do every year in November and then give handmade soap as gifts. That’s the only thin I might like bring back into my life. This year at Rhinebeck was the best ever and it was because of the people I’ve met through the blog, many of whom have become my good friends! Happy blogiversary to you!
I read your blog every day and I always want to comment, but then 150 other people have always already said what I want to say, so I just think it, think “go girl!” or “me too” or “those miters are insanely gorgeous” but today I decided to go ahead and say it anyway, even though everybody already has: I always enjoy whatever it is you have to say. Blog on, Cara! And have a nice day. 🙂
So I’ve been thinking about this knitting blog situation since you mentioned that people were leaving your blog because of the baby talk. To me, I think the main focus of a blog is the knitter, not the knitting. I chose to read certain blogs because of a shared interest or hobby, but that is not the only reason that I read them. So if the knitter is getting married or having a baby, why shouldn’t it be ok for them to talk about it? Anyway, I’ve enjoyed hearing about the baby progress, although (for your sake) I wish it’d been a little more fun and not as much pukey. Happy blogiversary!
You know, I started reading your blog for the knitting, for the miters, for the beautiful photos and your lovely color sense. I took up knitting this year, but have also been TTC for a little over a year. To hear your good news and have the blog turn in this direction has been delightful. I wish you the best in the baby department, and enjoy your updates, no matter what they are about.
And hey, any complainers about non-knitting content, you still accomplished some major stuff – spinout sounded like a huge success!
I miss sewing, making new clothing that way. I can make a killer skirt in a few hours, and some very nice bags. I just don’t have time, and knitting eats what time I have. Also I’m moving in a few weeks, so no sewing for a while. I guess I could use the same attitude adjustment you have with knitting, and not worry about not being able to spend hours sewing, just do a little here and there (like I do with knitting). That’s actually probably a really good tip, as I was just telling people that’s the reason I don’t sew – it takes too much condensed uninterrupted time. So smart! Thank you.
Hi,
I am a new knitter and crocheter and I’ve decided to rededicate myself to discovering more sock patterns. I just made my first sock and have started the second one, and I absolutely love making socks – – they make you look like a PRO! Keep on blogging, I will be there reading regardless of the subject. Take care!
Angelica
Hi,
I have decided to rededicate myself to my studies. I have slightly neglected my studies and need to get back on track to insure graduation in a year. Keep up the blogging!
Dani
Hi,I have decided to rededicate myself to my career. I thought I was on the right path, but its proven otherwise. I’m spending more time on my career to make sure I get back on track. Have a good day!
Steph
Wow, that’s a lot of comments!
Congratulations on your blogiversary!
On my own blog this week, I dedicated myself to spinning for and knitting an entire handspun sweater by the end of June, 2008, so that I can enter it in the L.A. County Fair. So that’s my big goal. I will probably even end up designing (sort of) the sweater, as I never find anything perfect. It will be fairisle but with long repeat self striping yarns (I think).
So far all I’ve done is one test dye session, about an ounce of singles and managed to spin at least an hour a day (of whatever) to practice carving the time out of the day. But I feel good about the whole thing. Hopefully, I won’t end up with socks!
I never win contests, so this is more for fun than anything, but I do enjoy your blog, puke and all!
I’m glad you will continue to blog. If you had never blogged about knitting I would have never found you to reconnect for the reunion. I love reading about your knitting projects, I love that you are a selfish knitter(!) and I love reading about your pregnancy adventures. Knitting with a baby has been challenging to me. Andrew does not like to be set down and prefers attaching himself to me. (As he grows older I’m sure that will change.) The one thing that I found helps is to wear him in a sling. He is happy and it frees my hands to knit! Definitely look into getting one for your little one to be! Happy blogiversary Cara!
Happy Blogaversary, Cara! Glad to hear that you are rededicating yourself to the blog. I want to do the same with knitting, especially if I am ever going to get my Christmas gifts done. Maybe with more knitting, the blog will follow.
Ya could knit another pair of Jaywalkers!
Once upon a time, I was quite the serious artist. In the past few years, though, I haven’t had the time or inclination to draw anything. I’m hoping to change that. I’m taking a drawing class next semester and I think that will remind me that I still create things on paper, not just out of fiber.
Happy blogiversary! I started reading because I found your voice engaging and that hasn’t changed since.
I remember waiting for my miracle babies and puking and exhaustion and all the joys of motherhood. The kids are 18 now and are great kids but my life has changed so much over the years. There are so many projects I enjoy and I plan on doing when the kids go to college. Enjoy the baby, the knitting will be there in a few years.
I’m rededicating myself to getting out of my house (and temporarily away from my knitting and my work) to have fun with friends and to date wonderful men. I’ve been hiding too long.
As for you . . . You go, girl!
My problem is balance – I want to exercise more and yet everytime I get on a role my life/work interferes. And I am somewhat like you – if I can’t go regularly (3+/week) I don’t go at all. Perhaps I will rededicate myself to the gym, starting with a small goal.
Congratulations!
I’ve been enjoying your blog for quite a while. I’d like to knit more and better, and so I’ll try to join you in the knitting every day, even if it’s just a few rows. (Baby socks don’t take much time and look so cute!)
holy crap, people love you & the yarn too! Blog about what ever you want to blog about – you are right, if they don’t like it, there are at least a dozen of blogs out there about knitting that they can get their fill from. 😉
Good luck having a happy & wonderful pregnancy.
Heather
Thank YOU! I have been reading your blog since the beginning and it is always a pleasure 🙂
i moved away from a real “city” and live in a place with out art classes. i would like to pick it back up again, having confidence in my own ability to go forward, with out any ojne holding my hand.
I AM GOING TO REDEDICATE MYSELF TO…DARE I SAY IT?…HOUSEWORK! SINCE I BEGAN KNITTING OBSESSIVELY A YEAR A GO, IN DEFIANCE OF A POTENTIALLY CRIPPLING DIAGNOSIS WITH MS, I HAVE LET MY HOME SLIP INTO A SINK HOLE OF NEGLECT.
HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY, AND BIG CONGRATS ON THE BABY! HAVING BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH PREMATURE OVARIAN FAILURE, I UNDERSTAND THE PAINS OF THE INFERTILITY STRUGGLE.
I’m rededicating myself to spinning. Now that it’s not 100 degrees and I’m not all sticky and sweaty.
Also, I’m glad for the changes and growth you’ve made since I started to read your blog about 2 years ago.
Whether you talk of your worries, life, Georgie, babies or knitting, I’m still coming here to read.
And- I just wanted you to know how much you saved my ASS! I knit a Kathy Zimmerman cabled sweater and one cable was crossed incorrectly. Thanks to your tute- I fixed it!!
Thanks.
Holy Cow Cara! What a ton of comments…I’d planned on just saying ‘Good for you and congratulations’ before I saw the contest at the bottom. I’d like to be included please! Hmmm… I recently (well, almost a year ago) quit tae kwon do (after over 20 years) in large part to be home more in the evenings. I’m working more, and then working at tkd at night became too much, I was feeling disconnected from home. Lately I’ve been reading too many patterns and mags and books and blogs and should rededicate myself to actual knitting!
Hey Cara, I will continue to hang around here, I love your blog, and your obsessions. (I got me a whole bunch of mitered square yarn ready to go… one day) So, I’m rededicating myself to journaling – non-computer type. You’ve inspired me that I can grow from it. Even one line at a time.
Cara, two things for you:
1. About the boobs and belly. I definitely have a generous bustline and I remember thinking that my belly would never “overshadow” the boobs. But I was wrong, so wrong! Here’s a picture of me toward the end of the pregnancy for proof: http://goodkarmago.blogspot.com/2006/06/babys-first-mama-made-sweater.html
2. About the blog. I agree with your friend that you should get used to knitting in bits and pieces… you’ll be glad to make some time for it at all, and later on when you haven’t been sleeping much at night and your little bubela is craving your attention you will be glad for a row here or a row there. But mostly, your blog is for you and your own creative outlet; it is a conversation with readers, sure, but it should be what you want it to be. I hope you’ll let go of those readers who decide that the conversation isn’t for them. You’re not writing for them. You’re writing for you. xo
I’d like to rededicate my life to being myself. After 10 years of being with someone I loved dearly I found my own self very lost. I’m still recooperating from our divorce, but everyday I find myself stronger. One day I know that the dust will finally settle.
Cara,
Glad you will be staying and blogging, I love your blog, only wish I would stop reading and start knitting. Maybe a row or two like your re-entry. How long have you been knitting? Your work is beautiful, I wish I was as good a knitter as you are. I am going to try your suggestion and try to start again, it seems my brain has alot of ideas, but my fingers are way too slow.
Take care of yourself and the baby.
If the fact that you have 600+ comments doesn’t inspire you to keep blogging, then you are a lost cause! 🙂
I miss reading. I was an insatiable reader as a little girl and teen and then went to law school and, well, I do enough reading with that and my job as a lawyer that I do not make time for books like I used to.
I also miss German – I lived in Germany for 1.5 years and worked hard to learn the language and have just kinda stopped working on it. Sad pants.
I think you should have a blog party and have all your readers sign up to either exchange knitted gifts OR knit gifts for the baby! If it sounds a bit gratitous, check out this site and her blog party: http://civpro.blogs.com/civil_procedure/2006/11/party_time.html Great fun!
I’m italian mom living in the USA, I’m a knitter and a wife too… Just a short note to say Hi to you and your interesting blog.
lore
Hope you have a nice day!
Before reading your post, I’d actually rededicated myself to my blog and knitting as well. And spinning. And taking better care of myself. Thanks for the reminder.
Hi Cara,
I have been reading your blog for a long time. One thing I would really like to try (when I can get up the nerve) is Fair Isle. Wishing you all the best.
Thank you for sharing yourselves with us. I’ve always enjoyed your blog, and your photos. I’d like to rededicate myself to my photography, sadly neglected, and to my watercolour painting (which I was just starting to get comfortable with). I love my knitting so much the other things get left behind at times. Have a wonderful day!!
Cara, I really enjoy your blog, whether its about knitting, pregnancy, or hygiene (or lack thereof). Thanks for sharing yourself in such an open way. I don’t have any particular rededication, but do have a slew of sweaters to work on for friends’ babies.
Happy blogthday Cara! I’ve been going to try sewing since I received a sewing machine for Christmas. Sadly the machine is still in the unopened box. Today that will change – today I WILL start to sew!
The part of my life I miss is my mom (she passed away in 1987). I believe I’ve taken up knitting as a way to connect back to her. Though she was an avid crocheter, she wouldn’t mind knitting 🙂 Thank you for letting me share that. Have a great day!
aw… what a sweet post. You need to be happy…
Happy Blogiversary!
I just wanted to thank you for your blog. I have enjoyed reading it over the last 2 years and I have never been disappointed.
My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for the last 3 years without success. We started seeing a fertility specialist last Nov. and have attempted 4 IUI cycles. We were getting ready to start our first invitro cycle when I read that you were pregnant on your blog. I want to thank you for blogging about your pregnancy. I was not very optomistic about starting invitro as I have been disappointed every month of the last 3 years. I talked to Kaci from BMFA at stitches East and told her about the invitro ( I was buying a few of the new BMFA Baby Surprise Jacket kits. If you haven’t seen them they are adorable and Easy Knitting:)) and she asked if I read your blog. I told her of course I did and she said you had a difficult time with the hormones. Thanks again for your blog, I absolutely love reading it every day.
Christina
i love your blog, baby talk and all. i have a classical music degree in music performance and i have been scared since september 11th of playing since it touches a part of me that had to go through extreme pain with the loss of three people and the towers and my life. also i seem to have angered my best friend a year ago and she deserves more than i could possibly give her in this lifetime. i think that even more than my need to perform music on stage, i need to write her a letter and that may just be the hardest and scariest thing i do. i hope you have a fabulous time getting back in touch with knitting, i have had a glorious time doing so since last january when i taught myself to knit socks.
Wow, Cara! Just realized you and I started blogging one day apart. Like you, I could not have imagined how my life would change because of this one simple act.
Happy bloggiversary!
614 comments OMG:)
Have a nice day and Happy blogiversary!
I miss reading for readings sake (not for classes). Hope you have a wonderful day. Always love reading your blog.
~Heather
UCFknitGirl
How lovely. The dedication and the shawl and the yarn. All of it.
You probably don’t want to hear this, but the part of my life I wish I could reclaim is from 1997-2000, from 5pm-6:30pm, when my husband and I would meet at the gym and work out together. We had so much fun. Now we have two young kids and we just can’t get that time back yet. Some day. Some day.
January one – rededication. Well maybe this is the time to set some goals instead of waiting for the post holiday guilt to set in.
I would like to start turning yoga back into a practice. It once was. Between birthing thing one and two it was a practice. After thing two came into this world it was hard to make a night for me and doing it at home. Well Thing one thought that downward dog was a new jungle gym. Now that the youngest is in kindergarten it is past time.
Holy shit, I think I’m # 619! (Does it make me a complete pervert that I just realized that that number looks like a 69 with another person in the middle? Or does it mean that it’s exactly the kind of re-dedication I should be looking into? Hmmmm. Intriguing.)
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that you’re awesome. And whether or not I have any offerings on the pregnancy, I am a huge fan and always will be.
Rededication – I love your blog and will read as long as you write. Your post brought tears to my eyes and I want to thank you for sharing your passion with the world.
I’m rededicating myself to putting more effort inot me. You know if mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. I guess I’ll get everyone happy!
It’s your blog; write whatever pleases you, and know that it’s interesting to me.
I want (and need) to rededicate my life to getting rid of the clutter that is stifling my creativity and desire to do anything at home. I also need to rededicate myself to diet and exercise, landscaping my yards, and generally having a lot more fun and working less.
It’s a deal!
Just starting to read Knitting blogs and found yours interesting and insightful. Rededication is an topic to ponder and see how it fits into my life and knitting.
happy blogiversary!
enjoy your capture-the-minutes knitting! You can get a lot done that way! (ask me how I know)
Good for you! Yes, you better get used to doing things a row or even half a row at a time. Multi-Tasking becomes a way of life as a mother. One thing that I’ve always wanted to be was a writer. I have a blog, and that’s a start, but I want to be a novelist. I’ve made fits and starts, but never took it anywhere. I’m going to rededicate myself to this beginning Nov. 1st with National Novel Writing Month. We’ll see if I get there. It’s going to be tough with two kids, knitting and now spinning to compete for time.
I agree with you about the blog. Enjoy writing about what you want to write about. To hell with any who disagree. That’s what I do and why I titled my blog the way I did. I figure if they can’t put up with all things that make up my life, then too bad.
For the last couple of years, I’ve been wanting to rededicate myself to HIV/AIDS advocacy. I was active with Northwest AIDS Foundation when I lived in Seattle, but never reconnected with a group after moving to Chicago and then into Wisconsin & Minnesota. It’s not a cause that has much traction in the community I currently live, though, so it’s been more difficult to figure out how to re-enter. Hopefully, though, I’ll find a way to become active again soon.
Thanks for always inspiring me.
I need to rededicate myself to fitness. My daughter is almost 3 and I need to stop using her as an excuse not to exercise. I also need to stop excouraging her to watch tv just so I don’t have to get off my behind. If I can find time to knit, then I can find time to exercise.
And I hope all your days are nice.
All of this is good news.
Now that I finally have a bit more time and mental space, I’m getting back into learning more about photography. If you know anything about flashes (I don’t have one), spill.
I started reading your blog during the miters thing and then had to go back and read the archives. You have brought me a whole different world I didn’t know existed. Thank you
i think i need to rededicate myself to spinning. thanks for prompting me to take the time to think about this!
Over the last year (especially)I’ve had a lot of ups and downs emotionally … one relationship really had an effect on me … and I lost a part of me … I miss being the positive person that I always used to be … miss feeling good about myself … I re-dedicate myself to finding me again … Thanks!
I like your new view on knitting! It made me realize that I’m doing the EXACT same thing. Without hours of time to devote to it, I’m not knitting.
I’m going to stop this NOW! Maybe I’ll finish up the sweater for my niece now!
Amy
Thanks for sticking around – I enjoy reading your blog and love your photos too!
There really isn’t a part of my life that I miss, but I just discovered something that I love and wish I had done it sooner – running. It was something I never thought I could do but always admired in others – one day at age 43, I decided to try it and, tomorrow, I am running my first 5K race – wow! Something I never thought I could do!
I also now, due to training, can only knit a few rows at time on most days – and that works for me too!
I haven’t read all the comments, there are so many!
Right now, I’m knitting a baby hat for my 2 day old nephew, a Kate Gilbert pattern. I was just telling my DH that I wish I knit like this when we started our family, 7 years ago.
I used to sew a lot, even designed and sewed my wedding dress. Being pregnant was hard to bend over cutting fabric, and sitting in my hard chair at the machine…I also wanted to knit baby stuff, so I picked up the needles again. Now with three kids, I hardly have time to sit still at the machine for long periods, so I knit like crazy, a bit here and a bit there. I now have so much yarn and so many projects on the go…
I will keep reading your blog, I love it! I am looking forward to the new arrival, and to the baby things you will knit, eventually! I love the knitting blogs that are around, and they are my way to stay connected with all new things and trends, just like you. Good luck with the next few months, and keep on knitting your few rows here and there.
I want to rededicate myself to Tarot, which is an important thing that I do for myself, and to my community.
Your blog has been an inspiration to me when I’ve been down.
I am rededicating myself to starting and finishing things. I haven’t had large blocks of time lately and it has prevented me from doing. I am going to take the 5 or 15 minutes to do portions of things, a row of knitting, write a list until I feel in control of my life again.
Being a Mom and a knitter, I would love to rededicate or just have the time to knit. There just don’t seem to be enough hours in the day.
Congratulations on 3 years. Here’s to many many more.
offer a contest with yarn and people come out of the wood work! With over 600 comments I don’t know if you will get to this one.
On the very special day that my oldest daughter turn 4 I think back to one thing that I miss…. my always cleaned adult themed living room!! But as I look around at the sippy cups, doll, play strollers and unwrapped birthday presents, I wouldn’t change a thing. When I see one of my two daughters smiling at me or just bonding with each other it fills me with pride. As your child gets older and you have more free time to knit, nothing will give you more joy than making something for them and seeing their reaction. If makes you remember that the simpliest things you do can make someone else so happy…
Blogs change, people change, life changes, just roll with it!!
I need to rededicate myself to the concept of having a life. As it is, I work far too much and don’t spend nearly enough time with family, friends, or fiber.
I’ve only recently started reading your blog, but I think there’s a decent amount of knitting and fiber related things involved in your posts. And hey, whatever helps you get by right? I find that writing helps me work through a lot of things I would rather escape.
Since I moved to the city, I’ve kind of lost track of my photography skills. I used to go out quite a bit with my SLR and shoot when I saw something interesting and the light was right. I find NYC architecture to be quite inspiring, and yet though I carry my lame digi P&S camera around with me, I’ve definitely lost my touch. I’m really thinking that if I could rededicate myself to taking fabulous photos, I’d be happier with myself.
Cara: Totally off the subject. Springsteen Thursday night! Awesome concert. Backstreets, Thunder Road, Ties That Bind, Promised Land. Most of the new album, too! He totally rocked and so did the rest of the band! Hope this puts a smile on your face. Love the blog, glad you’re staying for a while!
hi, so on the rededication front, i am inching pack to sewing-something i once enjoyed a great deal but it somehow fell by the wayside. as for leaping in and trying something scary, well i think the universe is nudging me towards a blog but i am still tiptoeing around it. hurray to you for taking your leaps of faith and going for things. i love your blog even with the baby focus; its your blog and you get to take it where you want!
You have inspired me too. I am rededicating myself to some really long-term projects. I have the two-year coat that is 3/4 done and an equally long sweater. That is just too much of my life to let the project sit there languishing and it is time to take it up again. Thanks for the push.
I am rededicating myself to make the time to do something for me that isn’t a pair of socks. I have two shawls and a sweater that just sit there, all because I don’t have the time or mental strength to knit for more than 10 minutes at a stretch. If it means that I have to lock myself in the ‘loo to get the time alone to do finish these projects off, so be it.
yoga. since I recently ratcheted up the knitting obsession(Rhinebeck didn’t exactly help), my yoga practice has floundered a bit, and I miss it.
on another note, just want to let you know I’m delurking to let you know the pregnancy talk is just fine with me!
Congrats on three years, Cara! Your knitting, writing, and photos are a great source of inspiration for me. Here’s to many more years of blogging — be it about knitting, baby or springsteen! 🙂
I just wanted to say that I enjoy all of your posts. The knitting inspires me, the pregnancy talk brings back memories of my own pregnancy last year, and your photos… well, wow just about sums it up. Just keep doing what you’ve been doing and we’ll stick with you.
One the rededication front, I definitely have some things I’ve lost track of. With a 15 month old, so much has fallen by the wayside. I’ve managed to pick up knitting again, and my orchids are now flourishing, but the one thing that I still haven’t gotten back to doing is reading. I used to be an avid reader, but in the past year or so I’ve barely made the time for books. I do miss them, and have been slowly finding ways to fit reading back into my day.
Happy Anniversary! I love reading your blog, regardless of what you’re writing about. I’ll be glad to see more knitting, though, because I always find yours inspiring. Have a nice day! 🙂
Aw, sweetie, what a wonderful post. As I’m sure you have figured out by now, there will still be *plenty* of us here no matter what part of life you’re going through. I love the photos, I love the writing, I love the yarn, and heaven knows I love me some babies. Bring it on!
(In answer to your question to all of us, I’m still working on reclaiming my morning routine. I’m definitely slow to gear up in the morning, and that’s taken a back seat to baby these past 2 years. We’re getting there, though!)
Happy Blogiversary! I’ve always found your posts to be worth reading, no matter their topic. Your honesty and frankness is refreshing, and I enjoy your topic sprees.
I haven’t really reclaimed anything, but I tried a new sport this year and now can’t imagine living without it! (My blog has “suffered” because of it, too!)
Congratulations on three years! I really enjoy reading your blog, no matter the topic, I really enjoy your writing style and find myself frequently amused, and the visual stimulation is always a pleasure as well.
Thanks!
I’m I to late? Blogging from Norway makes it hard to tell.. 😉
What I miss is my life. I’ve been suffering with CFS for the last 4 years. From been a normal sosial and physical activ person, I’m now to physical fatigued to leave the house. Even taking a shower is a big challenge some days.. Luckily I’m still able to knit(and I do)! 🙂
Happy blogiversary, and have a nice day!!
Hi Cara,
Congratulations on your 3 years as a fine blogger, left turns and all. It is after all part of the process of life, to change and grow.
I can’t dedicate or rededicate anything right now, as I am going through a sort of grief stage right now. My baby girl is off to University and I never thought I would have such a hard time dealing with this empty nest syndrome. Lord, I miss her so much and want her back but I know she has to fly.
But as you blog about your new life, I can remember mine at that stage of life. I hope you and yours will be filled with joy and happiness always.
Happy Blogversary,
Donna
Hurrah for rededication! I miss being a little kid, the way I could be so happy with myself and not care. Then again … perhaps those years weren’t the best. I think I miss not taking more chances … I’ve always played it safe, and maybe it’s time to dedicate myself to challenges.
Thanks as always for the heartfelt blogging. 🙂
That’s a nice little rededication you’ve got going there… you don’t do anything by halves, do you? ***grin***
My grandmother taught me how to knit and purl when I was very young but as I got older, other things caught my interest and I left knitting behind. A couple of years ago, my niece wanted to learn how to knit so we started again together. Then, I stumbled across these knitting blogs which I found funny, sweet, and inspiring. It’s a little thing, but I’ve wanted to start a blog for a long time, but several things kept preventing it. I’m basically shy so what in the world would I write about that others would find interesting? What if no one visited? What if someone sent me a not so nice comment? Then, on my birthday, when I was pondering those things one does when another year has passed, I read your blog entry which reinforced my feelings about continuing to learn to knit and writing about those things I hold dear. So, in the couple of days since, I’ve decided that I’m going to start a blog because I WANT to – to celebrate..even if no one reads it but me :). In fact, I think my first post will be about my grandmother who would have been endlessly fascinated by all of you. I’ll show off the one knitted item I have of hers…a beautiful coat. So..Thanks for the continued inspiration and the reminder to keep growing and changing, no matter if it’s a life-changing event, knitting, or a step out into blogland!!
Yay Cara! Happy Blogiversary! That purple yarn is yummy!
Wow, I’m # 657! A very HAPPY! rededication of your blog – you do and write as YOU see fit! I’m a casual reader but love you everytime I drop in – so much from the heart. Don’t let the “not gonna read you anymores” get you down! I can’t think of anything for your contest – too early for me 🙂 Take good care.
I want to rededicate myself to walking my dog every morning. I used to know my neighbors and fellow dog-walkers so much better before I had a crazy accident and hurt myself. Now I’m just out of the habit of getting dressed and walking every day. Thanks for the inspiration! Rosey thanks you, too!
Frog P
“It’s your blog and you can write what you want to………….(dancing around room)”
I love your blog and I am so glad you are having a baby.
I am rededicating myself to conversations. I have had some really good conversations with my kids the last few mornings this week while snuggling in their beds (they are boys 13 and 11). I am getting up extra early to enjoy that!
You know we’re going to need you to write your TPS reports instead of this blog stuff. And we’re going to need you to that this weekend. If you can start on this that would be great. Thaaaaaanks.
As for rededication?? With a two year old, grad school, full time job, part time job, husband sisters friends and family the only possible thing I can dedicate myself to is mindfulness. With such a crazy life (and we are trying to get pregnant now) I just have to make sure I am aware of the moment rather than worry about whats coming next.
thanks for everything.
excuse my typing please. my computer died and i am doing this on my phone. took forever!
I also love your blog, whether you talk about knitting, pregnancy, or wild green mushrooms. Thanks for all of the fun contests!
Dear Cara, this post is just about you and your blog. I started reading it because it was about knitting and fiber. And I’ve continued reading it through thick and thin, puking and spinning, and will continue to read. Why? I’m hooked!! I love this community, which is so much MORE than knitting and fiber. It’s about the people I’ve met (so to speak) and hope to continue to meet and develop real realtionships with.
…now I’m thinking about rededication. I think the most honest answer to that would be that I’m in the process of rededicating to me. That’s right, selfish as it is, I’m rededicating my life to me and my well-being. I’m rededicating myself to finding my voice, in my marriage and in my job, rededicating myself to finding my bliss (which right now has NOTHING to with a paying job but rather knitting and quilting!!!), spending time with my friends. My marriage is very important to me too, and I’m rededicating myself to being a strong person in it, not just someone who tries to please. I don’t know if any of this makes sense… And Cara, PLEASE keep writing about what’s in your heart and on your mind, regardless of the topic. I check in with you every day, whether you write or not, and I look forward to reading what’s going on with you. Huge hugs!!!
Cara, I enjoy your blog immensely, even though I rarely comment, but your post while some may be driven off by your baby-having-ness, please know that some of us continure to read because your thoughts reflect our own growing-as-a-person struggles. Although I love the knitting, and the photos thereof in particular on your site, I never continue to read blogs that only discuss knitting. It’s the blogs that share something personal and profound that I love – be it Yarn Harlot’s family, DSY’s cross-country-move angst, or your struggles with pregnancy. If all I wanted was knitting, I would just read IK and be done with it.
My own rededication? I studied art in college (I was a printmaker) and need to get back to that. Art is one of the only places I have found blissful zen-like absence of worry, and I get to make something beautiful to boot.
Keep on keeping on, sister.
Cara,
I just found your blog and I am really enjoying it. I am trying to rededicate myself to exercise. Hard with two little boys running around.
Jenna
Hi Cara
I’m really glad to hear you’re planning to continue with your blog. You’re an entertaining writer, and I’m often seized by the urge to knit whatever it is you’re working on! I’m also happy to hear about the baby stuff. Your pregnancy has coincided nicely with my sister’s somewhat miraculous pregnancy, and I’m keeping you both in my thoughts. I couldn’t be happier for someone I don’t actually know 🙂
Lately, I’m trying really hard lately to rededicate myself to music, and playing the piano. I used to play all the time, but then I somehow stopped wanting to play if anyone is listening. I need to get past that.
Hi Cara, I’m glad to hear you’re going to continue to blog.
While reading about people’s knitting projects is tons of fun (and your projects are pretty amazing indeed), it’s nice also to hear about their lives, and other things that interest them. It makes you relate to them in a different way. 🙂
Have a good weekend!
Hey Cara, I’ve been lurking/reading your blog for almost a year now. I love to read about whatever you write about, whether it be knitting or babies or anything else.
In honor your blog, and the fact that I really need to do this as a senior in high school, I’m going to rededicate myself to my school work. I have the potential to be a fantastic student if I stop procrastinating, ditching class, or just generally neglect my studies.
The best of luck with all the knitting and all the baby-related stuff!
Cara,
I enjoy your blog — regardless of the topic — but especially enjoy the knitting bits because you have inspired me on numerous occasions. Your bow tie quilt idea has, over the past several months, morphed into a denim variation (with a bit of red) for a boy who can’t tolerate wool and that’s just one example…. I don’t have children and, while they will never be an option for me, I delight in the children around me and the opportunity to see them grow up (and, preferably, not so quickly at that). So I hope that you will blog about knitting and babies and whatever over the coming months.
As for me, your note about refocusing on your knitting, etc., prompted a little soul searching. So, I want to focus on the pleasure of making something and to try (hard as this is) to be a little less greedy and a little more realistic about what I can do. I love the blogs about knitting, crafting, and reading, but they can be overwhelming in the aggregate because I start to believe that I should be keeping up. But the goal is not keeping up at all. It’s about drawing inspiration from the creativity that others express and letting that inspiration spark something in me.
So thank you.
Cara – Happy Blogiversary I think I started reading your blog after I googled something about knitting and next thing I knew I found you. Loved the fact you liked Bruce. Great combo! Two things I had in common with you. I also like your spirit and your writing.
Yes, you have changed over these three years but who hasn’t? I give you alot of credit for putting yourself out there. By the looks of your comments, you still have tons of people reading so don’t worry about those that move on. It’s your blog write what you want.
As for rededicating myself, I will be satisfied for just getting myself to use the Ravelry invite that has been sitting in my box.
I am thrilled for and the new baby and the the BLOG. I have 4 daughters and just found out I am going to be grandmother for the first time and I am thrilled beyound belief! Yea! And I love STR, infact I could use more for booties!!!
Love your BLOG! And you post whatever you want!!
Hi, Cara! So glad that you are rededicating the blog. I’ve enjoyed reading for some time, even though I’m still blogless myself. One of these days, though, I may just jump in and start one… when I have the time ;). Wish I had more time – to knit, to quilt, to do needlepoint, and to start that blog!
Also, I’ve been meaning to congratulate you on the pregnancy. We were where you are now – except our 3 in-vitros didn’t even yield embryos. Then DH had surgery and our son is now 13 and worrying about which high school he’ll be accepted to. You have a lot of great stuff to look forward to – especially that first mushy kiss…
XOXOXOX
Maria
Wow! Lots of comments. I have no chance. 🙂
Your blog is great by the way, and I am sorry that people aren’t so kind .
What I am missing the most lately, is my music. Playing the flute. I gave away my flute about 10 years ago to a student and have yet to replace it. Lately I have really been having an urge to pick one up and play again. I really miss it. I am not sure how well I will play now that it has been so long, but I wouls still love to play. I am determined to get a flute as soon as the funds are what they need to be to get one. They have gotten expensive!
Good luck with picking a winner out of all these comments. 🙂
Cara, I have been a lurker of your blog for a while now and I always enjoy reading what you have to say!
I would like to rededicate myself to focusing on one knitting project at a time and increasing the amount of projects I finish. Have a great day!
thanks for sharing your trials and triumphs with us cara. i think you’re very strong to be able to write what you write and it’s there for all to read.
your post made me think about how i should be redirecting myself in certain aspects. one of them would be to try to contact some of my old buddies to catch up. i think it’s time for me to put an end to using the “too busy with work” excuse.
Congrats on the no puking!
Our son is 15 months old and before having him I thought it would be a cinch to do all the things I used to do. Ha! One particular thing I would like to do agian is play soccer. I used to play soccer 2-3 times a week and haven’t played in almost 2 years. I would like to be fit to play soccer again.
I think your idea of rededicating your blog is very cool! I personally need to rededicate myself to organization in every aspect of my life, not the least of which is my knitting basket, which was recently torn asunder by many very happy kitties. 🙂
Happy 3 years! Keep up the good work! 😉
My boyfriend and are a rededicating ourselves to NOT EATING OUT! As of yesterday. For the past 2 years, we’ve pretty much eaten out for every meal together. It’s not good. Hopefully, we’ll lose weight and feel great, or whatever. I’m not looking forward to it, but it is oh-so-necessary.
Smiles,
Erin
Hi Cara,
You look great, btw. Anyway, since I re-started knitting in September 2005 (after a 10-year hiatus), I’ve given up quite a few other hobbies. I don’t think I’ll go back to decoupage or mosaic tiling since they are really solitary activities (and there’s hardly a surface left to cover in my house anyway). I’ve enjoyed the camraderie of knitting too much. Another thing that has really taken a back seat is cooking and baking. Before I started knitting again, I wasn’t working (now work at an LYS betwee 20-40 hours a week), so I had lots of time to cook and bake. I seem to have used my obsession with knitting as an excuse to make my family suffer through lots more take out and/or unimaginative options. I’ve been thinking about this a lot this weekend, and I’ve decided that with a little planning, I should be able to put together decent meals a few days a week. The plus side will be leftovers that I can take for lunch instead of spending $5-$10 on expensive take out. We’ll see how it goes :-).
The whole time I was reading this post, I was thinking, hope she’s not going to stop writing, hope she’s not going to stop writing…please don’t stop the blog, and you aren’t, the title might have given me the answer before I began reading, but my computer is dead, and I am sitting in the library and it’s very distracting. not to mention the keyboard is different from mine at home, so ignore the typos please. Glad you’re staying, glad you are going to try to knit a little at a time, it might work for you. hope so. take care, and have a great day!!
Holy crap. A lot of people want you to have a nice day. Me included! 🙂
Cara,
I have enjoyed reading your blog –whatever the topic may be. I love your beautiful knitting! After seeing some of your work I actually think “I can do that”(even if I can’t). I am going to try and rededicate myself to having FO’s. Hope you keep blogging for a long time!
Colleen
Cara your blog is wonderful. It’s your blog, write what you want when you want. If people don’t like it they don’t have to read it. Happy blogiversary.
I am trying my hardest to rededicate myself to my religious practice as a Goddess-worshipping Green Witch. I miss the meditation and mindfulness that comes with an everyday connection to our ever-changing planet. It’s hard living with a staunch atheist and not just letting myself fall into God(ess)lessness, so I’m just trying to remember Her, every day. It’s not easy.
Also, write what you want. We’ll keep reading. 🙂
The picture that came up for me with this post is the colored lights. That one is my favorite because it is so pretty and because it refers back to the little blinking lights you used to have.
Have a nice day.
Thanks for the reflective post. I like that YOUR new year’s dedication can be OUR new year’s as well. I want to dedicate myself to drawing everyday. I need to improve and just do it for myself. Let’s see if it sticks! 🙂
Cara,
Congratulations on the baby!
As for missing things, I miss Bickram yoga–we moved and are no longer close to a school.
Kudos for ignoring those few people that don’t like the way your blog has changed. People evolve, so do their creative outlets.
I’ve been struggling lately not being about to have any sort of creative outlet at all. I’m working toward a doctorate and am taking classes for a couple semesters away from home and hubby, living in a not so great situation with roommates. I seem to have lost my knitting and art mojo’s. I don’t feel complete without that outlet and I’m trying to find time and the desire to start back up. I like that you posted about knitting a row at a time. Maybe I need to follow your example.
BTW–absolutely love the colors of your yarn!
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog since finding it last year. The sense of community from the blog world is absolutely amazing. Living in a rural area, it makes me feel much more connected! Happy 3 years — BLOG ON!
There is that one remaining sleeve on the cable down raglan that I could rededicate myself to …. but like you say knitting and reading of blogs, since I don’t have one myself, is for enjoyment, and I’ll knit and read what I want. And I like reading your knitting, photography and baby observations. When we go to knitting group, we don’t just talk about knitting after all… Thanks for sharing and I look forward to knitting in motherhood stories next year.
Just wanted to let you know that I’m reading your blog daily and love it (with all the changes you made). Go on and enjoy yourself – in life, knitting and blogging!
A part of my life that I miss and would like to rediscover? How about my (now non-existent) sex life?
heehee
(Watch, now that I’m outing myself as a renewed virgin, however unintended that may be, I’ll be one of the ones to get picked and that’ll be plastered all over blogland)
🙂
Allison
I enjoy reading about people’s lives as much as the knitting in their blogs, so I’ll continue to read yours for the foreseeable future. Good luck with impending motherhood and continued knitting!
Thank you for the thought provoking post.
Wow, what an overwhelming response! I’m sure you’ll find you won’t be losing many readers, including this one! Have a nice day.
I have been a lurker on your and several knitting/life blogs since their conception…rarely, only maybe twice, have I commented. I enjoy your honesty, your edge, your heart on your sleeve….and talents. Thank you for being a bit of my mornings before I set out to teach my yoga classes. Thank you~
Cara – as a frequent reader but not commenter, I’d like to say woo hoo! and hat’s off to you. Your blog is your blog – you write what you want to write, when you want to write. It’s thought provoking and interesting, and if some stuff doesn’t interest some people, there are a bajillion other blogs out there they can look at. I’m so happy for all that is going on in your life. Blog on!
I’ve always sort of wished that I’d done more traveling before ‘settling down’ Jobs and then babies do get in the way of such things. But we did go on a great trip this spring when I was about 7 months pregnant, and I certainly don’t regreat any of it.
And I’m here through knitting and babies! It’s so much fun to read about other’s pregnant and baby experiences especially now that I’ve done it too.
If you can dedicate a little bit of time each day to knitting, then I am encouraged that you will have a little bit of time for your blog after the baby is born.
I am returning to nursing after 13 years raising my children. It will require a difficult year of training, but I have been training my family to clothe and feed themselves. I long to return to patient centred care and teaching.
I have learned from knitting that I can keep learning.
Wow! what a response. I enjoy reading your blog, whatever the subject–good writing and fabulous photos are always fun.
As for re-dedication, I’d like to re-dedicate my self to making sure I have time to work on my own projects, and not just other peoples’. I don’t mean knitting, specifically–more academic. I tend to put my own work last–student papers, prepping classes, making dinner, etc–all seem more immediate. So I’m going to take a leaf from your book and try to make sure I work on something of my own every day, even if it’s just read an article.
Didn’t read all the comments, but I love your blog, am glad you are expecting and hope you get lots of love from your knitting. I know your thoughts, but nursing shawl comes to mind about your current project. Bev
Happy Anniversary and I must admit that I’m a stalker and not a commenter … until you wave 3 of my favorite STR colorways in my face. A girl then can’t HELP but to leave a comment.
The part of myself I’m working on (starting tomorrow of course) is my health. It seemed to be perfect about 7 years ago and then every year since then, I have “let myself go”. It’s time to get back on the health bus and look & feel better about myself.
If you can dedicate a little bit of time each day to knitting, then I am encouraged that you will have a little bit of time for your blog after the baby is born.
I am returning to nursing after 13 years raising my children. It will require a difficult year of training, but I have been training my family to clothe and feed themselves. I long to return to patient centred care and teaching.
I have learned from knitting that I can keep learning.
I’m so proud of you! Your blog was one of the ones that got me interested in blogging two years ago. My mother always says, “Ages and stages.” It’s her explanation for the changes that each of us go through. I’m fascinated by the changes that are involved with knit blogging.
I will continue to be here and continue to enjoy watching your changes as well.
I love your blog! I will continue to read whatever you write!
One thing that I am dedicating myself is to eating healthier. I used to be a strict vegetarian, but have since fallen off the wagon.
I feel like, it’s a blog, and though your main focus might be knitting, you’re certainly allowed to have a life outside knitting, and you’re allowed to share it with friends! I’ve enjoyed reading your blog, and as it gets colder I can certainly feel the re-dedication to knitting in the air. I’m going to re-dedicate myself to knitting things I want to knit, not things I “should” or “have to knit” (because of this silly craft show I’m getting ready for), and I’m going to let knitting me a relaxation, and not a task, because I love it, and it deserves my careful attention.
Much love!
Cara, your blog is the first knitting blog that I began reading, I’ve enjoyed it very much. Thank you for the inspiration. Have a nice day!
I’ve always wanted to try yoga. I finally did 3 weeks ago at a knitting/yoga retreat. There is a class by the instructor from the retreat in my town. I want to go, but it’s been 3 weeks and I still haven’t made it there. I’m really going to try for this week!
I’ve been in a lull with my blog lately as well. I think we all go in cycles to some degree. I’m vowing to get back to posting at least on a semi-regular basis.
I enjoy reading your blog. Thanks!
Good for you Cara! I want to rededicate myself to counting my blessings more often. Our family had a very hard summer. I’m going to work on focusing on our blessings.
Happy knitting and writing about whatever YOU want!
I’d love to rededicate myself to exercise. I used to be so good at it but since acquiring the boyfriend and keeping all the other goodness in my life like photography and knitting, I’ve let the exercise go. You’ve inspired me to rededicate myself to it because I do love it and it does make me feel good.
WOW! Look at all the comments. It’s a good thing you’re planning to continue huh??
Cara – As many other people have already stated, I love your blog. I love the honesty, humor, and pictures. Oh, and of course, have a great day!
I want to rededicate myself to music. Since moving across the country, I haven’t had access to a piano or organ or anything, so I want to actually find a place to practice and set up a practice routine and get my fingers back into shape!
I always wanted to learn to spin. On a wheel. I’ll get there someday! Have a great day!
-Lisa
I am in a bit of a knitting slump too! But it has only lasted about a week so far. But I have a good excuse– I’m learning to weave! I can’t believe how long it takes to set the loom up!
I’ll be knitting again in no time.
Hi Cara,
Congratulations on your baby! Knitting gives us so much, but we can’t feel guilty when we can’t or just don’t want to. I have been knitting for 25 years, and recently have been going through a similar inability to knit, though unfortunately not for the same reason. And I recently decided that that is ok. A time to knit and a time to do other things…So, I have always enjoyed your blog and will continue to visit it. Your blog is so human and the photography is glorious. Enjoy your time. Thanks.
Wow Cara…Over seven hundred comments. That’s a lot of love! I’ve enjoyed reading your blog this past year and am so happy for this special time in your life. And I’m glad you are going to try to pick up the needles again because whether it be knitting or something else, you will need to take time for you when little one is here!
The past few weeks I’ve been rededicating myself to putting my health first, specifically working out and eating well and making it a priority!
Rededication…kind of like a new year…january one…how fitting. Go girl!!!
So glad writing your blog will remain at (or near) the top of your need/want to-do list. (Your post sure started out as many others have right before the writer finishes with “so I’m taking a break for awhile…” You had me going there for a second!) You’ve stated a fundamental truth when you say every row counts. It does. And maybe we could all look at ourselves in the mirror each and every day and say, today counts, and today I count.
That yarn is beautiful!!
I miss creating. I’m craving for the time and space to be able to let everything I have swirling in my mind come out.
I’m happy to see you rededicating yourself to the blog the way you chose to do it. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s coming next.
I love your blog and I’m so happy to hear that you are rededicating yourself to it. I certainly would miss it!
As for me, I want to rededicate myself to not being afraid to take chances and enjoy risks.
I’ve been rededicating myself to quilting in the last couple of weeks. It’s something that I had forgotten I enjoyed so much.
Whatever you blog about, I’ll be here reading.
Welll, 1.3 hrs late, but never mind. Happy blogiversary! I’m dedicating myself to not wasting time.
Yowtch, your blog would be so missed among the few I take time to read. I’m happy to read you intend to keep at it. Happier yet that you’re doing so because it translates to good stuff in your life. We could all do with more good stuff.
So I’m late for the contest, but that’s not the point anyway. I wanted to share my new passion: hooping! As in… hula. It’s wonderfully relaxing and actually a good workout.
And it makes me happy. 🙂
Wow!!! Three years… Here’s too many more.
I just wanted to let you know, There is Nobody in this whole wide world that can write a special blog as you do Cara, the photo’s, the knitting, & all the family storys, & Now the Precious Baby
news…Well what more does a person need, I enjoy getting too read it ALL!!! You have from the very start of my reading it, made me want to be part of the same feeling of life that you write about,
Don’t let some BBW (Big Bag of Wind)make you feel bad in anyway, as your a good person.
Well, I’m too late to enter, because *my* baby had her 6th birthday party this weekend, and I didn’t have time to *read* blogs this weekend, let alone write one. You won’t know until you get there what changes lie in store for you. I wouldn’t trade anything in my life that was Before for what I am and have Now That She Is Here.
One day, I expect that I will be able to attend yoga class again, but I have loved the years of having my nose tweaked or slobbered on by a crawling baby while I lay in relaxation pose in a home practice. I’m hoping that I’ll find a good used sewing machine soon, so I can finish a quilt like I used to before pregnancy and carpal tunnel set in (used to sew them all obsessively by hand).
This time when they are young goes so quickly (how has it been six years!), I really don’t want to miss any of it, and I know that the girl will be off doing her own thing soon enough and not want to be associated with her boring knitting mama. So for now, I’m satisfied. One day, I’ll have time to myself again.
I know I missed the deadline for the contest, but I still wanted to wish you well on this new “phase” in your life. The first few months of pregnancy are such a hormonal whirlwind I think many women go through some sort of emotional re-evalutation. I have 4 children, so I’ve never had hours and hours on end to knit. It becomes sort of a respite in your day, something to look forward to when you finally get that few minutes to yourself. It might even become more precious to you! Whatever happens, it will be right for you.
wow, I was about to comment on the shawl and the nice pattern when I discovered the 100s!!! of comments.
I am late for the contest -and maybe this comment drowns in the rest of the comment. But anyway, I have started a secret knit-along and maybe you wold like to join. It doesn’t start until Jan 1st 2008 so there is plenty of time to finish your shawl first 🙂
You can read about it in my blog.
And I just realised that with your blog called January one and my Spring Shawl Surprise starting January 1 you will be a member of honour 😉
Go Cara, enjoy your knitting and blogging and have a fabulous day. I for one am very glad you are sticking around and I look forward to reading all about your pregnancy and a little knitting along the way. Take care.