I'm halfway done with 2005
A moment of silence, friends, for the Sweaters That Will Never End have been finished. Finished, tried on by the recipients, photographed and folded nicely.
A few people on the Knitlist (aka "Why bitch and moan in person when I can publicly hate everyone on this list?") listed everything they knit this year. I have NO IDEA what I made this year. I don't keep track. I don't write everything down in a little knitting journal, keeping track of all my swatches and what yarn I used and what size needle and how long it took and what modifications I made, blah blah blah. I should. But I don't.
In no particular order, here's what I finished:
1. Rosedale United
2. Green tank top
3. Striped knee socks from
Stitch and Bitch
4. designed and knit the Fibonaci tote
5. AbFab throw for the store
6. Slip-a-stitch hat for the store
7. Klaralund
8. That really horrible blue tank top I threw away (I mean, it was done. I just didn't like it.)
9. My mom's cabled sweater
10. My dad's raglan
11. Abby's Burly Spun sweater in Lotus Blossom, The Hottest Sweater On Earth
12. A scarf for Sara
13. A felted bag to match Rosedale United. I love that bag. Where did it go?
14. The reversible cable scarf in Baby Alpaca for Nanie
15. Pumpkin hat, baby size
16. Pumpkin hat, adult size
17. Green checked hat, baby size
18. Green checked hat, adult size
I think that's it. Maybe. I don't know.
I learned a lot this year, knitting-wise. I learned a lot in general. But as for knitting:
1. I'm a good seamer. And I think I hate it before I start, but it's kind of relaxing.
2. There is nothing as wonderful in this world as a pair of handknit socks. Nothing. Which is why I currently have supplies to make myself 10 more pairs.
3. Lace? Love it.
4. Some things are a lot softer when they're knit up. Cascade 220 and Arcuna Nature Wool are good examples.
5. I am a moron for not buying my DeNeedles earlier.
6. You can't have too many stitch markers.
7. The best time to knit is anytime; the best place is anywhere. But nothing is better than knitting with friends.
8. As I tell my classes, anyone who tells you you're not using the right colors or right pattern or aren't doing something right should be shot. Because you shouldn't give a shit what anyone else thinks about what you're making - the important thing is that you're doing it and you like it.
9. Mothers and daughters
should under no circumstances learn how to knit or crochet together.
10. I don't like novelty yarn. Period.
Because I can.
Today is the greatest day I've ever known. Can't wait for tomor...
Ha! Billy Corgan, you stinker, I was channeling you there for a second.
But no, today
was the greatest day of my vacation thus far. My parents and I met up with Justin's parents, brother and sister and aunt and friend in Geneva, IL. Geneva is adorable. We had a fantastic lunch. Everyone was so much fun to be around and it was all so
easy. And when we got back in the car to drive the two hours home, my mom said, "Okay, you can marry him."
This is such a huge departure from where he and I were last year. It's not something to discuss or put out there, but it's good to make note that everything is different and everything is great.
But anyway. Geneva. Yarn shops abound. The one we met at was closed and Justin almost lost his life for not calling to check first, but it turned out there was a much better one down the street, and it was open. I felt like Gretchen when I walked in - "La la la la!" So many great things.
Great things:
1. Koigu
2. Manos del Uraguay
3. Wildfoote
4. Recycled cotton, which I had never seen before
5. Burly Cascade
6. Every color of Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille (even though I hate it)
7. Lots and lots of books
And a kabillion other things. I got some Wildfoote in the Rock 'n Roll colorway and some gorgeous Manos. It's my first Manos. Tear.
I also found a shop that carried the Sarena Mann fairies I so love. (I got one for Christmas - she's chasing three butterflies - I'll have to post a picture when I get back to Kansas City.) I talked to the owner of the store and she showed me the backstock, too. I got a ribbon dancer at an amazing price. Her name, appropriately, is Geneva.
It was a great day. And you know, you need to record those great days, because even though they happen more than the bad, we only remember the bad and the great ones should be why we get up in the morning. Tonight, I will soak in the hot tub and do some more sweater seaming (no, they're not done. I don't want to talk about it.).
The post in which you think something life-altering happens, but really, I took a nap
Mostly, I sleep. And when I say sleep, I mean
sleep. I'm not one of those 20-minute nap kind of girls. When I nap, it's for at least three hours. So I've been sleeping, knitting, sleeping, watching movies, sleeping and sometimes leaving the house to shop. I like vacation, but all of a sudden it's whizzing by and I (gasp) have things to do. Like finish two sweaters. Like some work I sent home because I know I won't do it at the office because I'm just. That. Lazy.
But anyway. My parents and I went to
Crazy Girl Yarn Shop in Muscatine on Monday. It was okay. I say that not in a downtrodden "It was okay," mopey voice, but a "Yeah, it was okay!" The shop was small, which is not surprising given I work in a palatial yarn-peddling space, and they carried mostly the same stuff. Mostly. I did pick up some Classic Elite Lush, which is a 50/50 angora/wool blend (light mossy green) and some Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in flourescent orange, pink, blue, purple, etc. This is the first Cheery Tree Hill I've owned, and I'm very proud of it. They had some hand-dyed stuff, but then the owner told me she just dyed some Lamb's Pride, I was like, mmm, no. I can do that myself.
And I can! I got that KnitPicks house sock weight stuff for Christmas and some dye, as well as a book. I'm being polite and not ruining all of my parents' pots and waiting until I get home to try it out. And, you know, trying to finish two sweaters. (Between you and me, I feel that today is the day for the sweaters. They will be finished. And then I will be FREE! Except for a pair of socks for Justin. But then, FREE!)
But yes, I enjoyed Crazy Girl Yarn Shop. We're meeting Justin's family in Geneva tomorrow for some yarn/thrift shopping, wherein I hope to score some more booty (in a strictly non-sexual way). I'm thinking...socks?
Penny celebrates Christmas early or Roo has a heart attack
You know that point in time where you just realize, "Hell, this is never going to happen," and you throw in the towel and decide to just stop before you start ripping out your hair? I was at that point at 6:30 last night, sick to my stomach and spending some quality time in the bathroom. My mom's sleeves aren't done. They could have been done, maybe, if I had a third, fourth or even a fifth arm. But the end wasn't in site and it had been a long day and if I eat one more piece of Godiva I'm going to maim someone. So I packed, took a long hot bath and thanked Hy-Vee for cheap over-the-counter medicine. She'll get sleeves. Just not tomorrow.
Roo and I made it back to Iowa just fine. He slept for the second half of the trip while I listened to an audio book. We left at 7:30 this morning, mostly because I couldn't sleep and wanted to be anywhere except my apartment. We got here a little after 1:00, had some lunch and took a nap. Roo's cage was on a little table in the family room, and Penny was enthralled as usual. Later, my mom was cooking dinner and I was at the kitchen counter, and we heard a huge crash. I go into the family room, and there's Penny, slouching into a corner, and then there's Roo's cage...everywhere.
She must have bumped it too hard with her nose. The cage literally exploded - pieces completely apart, litter everywhere. Roo was under a pile of litter, just hanging out. He was fine. In fact, I don't think he's ever been better. We managed to put the cage back together and get all the litter back in (good thing I cleaned it today), and the only casualty was his wheel. If you know Roo, you know that he's no good without his wheel. Three of the little prongs that hold it into place broke off, and it just wasn't safe. My dad managed to superglue everything back together (including his fingers) and everything seems to be good as new. I'm going to try to mail-order a replacement part, but I'm not sure if they're available.
It's good to be home.
...and then I beat Austin Scarlet with his own hair dryer
Dear friends,
The Christmas sickness is upon us. I have this knack to get sick right after Christmas, and I feel it a 'comin. I'm ignoring the fact that I've had a cold since March - I think that's a permanent condition, and don't count that as part of the sickness. But breathing has become somewhat, oh,
difficult, and then there's that whole coughing like I want to die. Hurrah, Christmas!
It attempts to be a good daughter, I battened down the hatches last night and literally crafted my ass off, with the help of three episodes of
Project Runway on Bravo. Justin won't let me watch this in his presence, so it was good to catch up. Now I know crazy reality show contestants -
ANTM, Joe Millionaire - but these people ARE INSANE. Have you seen Austin Scarlet? Please tell me that he's not an 80 year-old women in a 23 year-old gay man's body. Please. His hair is ENORMOUS. It must take him hours just to get it that poofy. Anyway, there's a chance, albeit slight, that I will have all parts for knitting items finished before returning to Iowa tomorrow morning, although they most likely won't be sewn together or have neckbands. It would be my own version of a Christmas miracle.
And now I have to get my oil changed because my car is 4
,000 miles over the suggested changing mileage. I am a failure.
But, my Peeto-beeto, even though you weigh more than a moose, you'll always be my girl. I miss you.
You even love that little mouse.
But now you're a big girl. You still eat socks and sometimes walls and you love your Martha Stewart toys.
This was the last rope toy they ever let you have, because sometimes you eat things you shouldn't. Like neighbor kids' socks.
You learned to play by yourself. This was before you started destroying all non-Martha Stewart toys.
And then there's your dad, who's your romping buddy and who can always make you mad enough to pounce.
You loved your mom so much that you started to cry whenever she wasn't around. You're almost four. Let's stop doing that.
You were so bad sometimes.
When we first met and I just didn't like you at all because you weren't my Maggie? (Please notice that my whole arm is IN YOUR MOUTH.)
Remember when you were this little?
Dear Penny,
Flying south
I can't decide if this has been the longest week of my life or not. It's right up there with the week that I had to wear an eyepatch, go to St. Louis and Chicago for interviews, all in a three-day span.
I just heard geese flying over my apartment. It's a very lonely sound on a Tuesday night when your boyfriend is at his family's home and you just left a group of giggling girlfriends and a really, really great twin. The geese honk honk honk, which is how I sound when I cough like my mom. And then I worry about the geese - what if a baby falls behind? - and I wonder where they're going and maybe they'll take me with them. Because it's cold and dark in my apartment, and it's the first time I've actually realized that I don't miss Justin because he's not here in case anything happens. I miss him because there's this smile I have when I say his name and it's much better when I whisper it in his ear. I miss him because Daddy Warbucks is SO RIGHT when he says to Grace, "I don't need anything but you."
Kristin, meet Rock Bottom
I somehow strained my lower back in the past 48 hours. Possible suspects: winding yarn for a kabillion hours on Saturday and Sunday at
Ye Olde Yarn Shoppe, working out, and trying to lift my bed by myself. Whatever caused it, I am currently walking like I have a stick up my butt. When I'm able to walk, that is. I don't recall ever being in so much pain for such a long period of time. It's exhausting! The hurting itself I can deal with, but not the sleepiness that accompanies it. I can't really sit, stand or walk, so that leaves me with the ever-popular horizontal position which is not so conducive to, you know,
working. It's like when I took a huge spill at 5:30 a.m. on the way to my airport last December except
worse. Because
Justin left for Chicago this morning and if I lay down, nobody will be around to pick me back up.
And I am never, ever, at least until next week, eating chocolate again. I just threw away a huge bag of crap in my desk which will be followed by huge bags of crap at home. Crap, I'm tired of you. I miss oatmeal and apples and cheese of the non-Easy Mac variety.
Post, dammit, post!
I'm posting from home.
I know.
And I'm expecting a phone call in a few minutes. I'm not afraid. Because I installed my DSL this morning and DSL is so wonderful that you can be on the internet AND the phone AT THE SAME TIME. And it's so fast. So fast. It's like...it's like not having to wait 20 minutes for your Gmail to load because MSN is so slow.
I posted this morning right after I hooked everything up, but that post disappeared into the abyss that I like to call "crappy Blogger." A quick recap: I broke my bed while trying to find all the phone jacks in the house and I smashed my finger under said bed and Roo and I are in the biggest fight of our lives.
And I'm so excited that I can't even talk about it. So I won't.
I stole this from Rachel. I am such a poser.
1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?
Taught people how to knit, paid medical/dental bills all on my own, spun my own yarn.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t make resolutions. I did achieve a goal, though – as of today, I hit my savings account goal. Wooo! Financial security – better than sex?
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not close, but several people at work had babies over the past few months.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Um, yeah, no. In 2004, I was in Kansas, Missouri (sometimes on the same day!), Iowa and Illinois.
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
Not to put pressure on anyone, but I would like to have a new ring. Maybe even diamond? I would also like the Big Mouth food processor that has its own infomercial. Or the Magic Bullet. I LOVE THE MAGIC BULLET.
7. What date(s) from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 22 – my birthday and also the day I got my first real job. Yay, real job, yay. Also July 28, the day before my mom’s birthday, when I took the train home to surprise her.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Not throttling Justin when he was hesitant about moving here. Way to go, me.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Those ugly biscotti I made the other night. They looked like croutons.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a lot of wrist and hand problems this year. Thank you, workman’s comp, for fixing me up. I’ve also had a lot of really horrible, nausea-inducing headaches and extremely high blood pressure out of nowhere.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My white sheets. I feel so decadent in them. And, um, a LOT of yarn.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Justin. I love him to the moon and back. (And last year, he was the appalling one!)
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Matt Lauer. DID YOU SEE HIM TALKING TO KIRSTIE ALLEY THIS MORNING? I’m writing a letter of complaint, I swear to God.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent and yarn. There’s no getting around it.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Lorna’s Laces, Netflix, getting the job at The Yarn Shop
16. What songs will always remind you of 2004?
Anything by The Postal Service and the Pixies
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. richer or poorer? Richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Visited Abby
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I wish March/April just didn’t exist – too much medication switching.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Iowa. How else would I spend my Christmas?
22. Did you fall in love in 2004?
I was already in love. But I have fallen in love with many a yarn.
23. How many one-night stands?
None, unless you count that mishap with the Crystal Palace cotton chenille. Threw that right into the trash can, I did.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
America’s Next Top Model, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, and I was strangely attracted to Blow Out. (As a rule, I don’t much like network television.)
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is such a strong word. But yes.
26. What was the best book you read?
The Harry Potter books. I’m like five years late, but they were awesome.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Pixies! Thank you, Pookie.
28. What did you want and get?
A new computer.
29. What did you want and not get?
Nothing. I really don’t want that much. Actually, I really wanted to live with Justin, but you know what? I still want to but I don’t want to force him to do anything.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. And Mean Girls was rather good.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 23 and I went out for dinner with my girlfriends and bought myself a mouse.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not fighting with Justin for all of January and more time to knit.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
If it doesn’t have vomit on it, wear it. Maybe I need to work on my personal fashion concept.
34. What kept you sane?
Lots of knitting, good friends at work, Knit Nights and Justin, my darling Justin
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Johnny Depp and Carson Kressley. Actually, all of the Queer Eyes.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I am very stirred about my health insurance not covering my blood pressure medication.
37. Who did you miss?
My parents, Penny, Abby, Kate J., Dave and my Grandpa.
38. Who were the best new people you met?
Kyra, Abbey, Jimmi, Judy Judy Judy, Jo Anne, Leslie, Gretchen my love, Denise, Ginny, Jean, Beth, Kim and even though I knew her in 2003, Jennifer
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004.
Mice don’t like to be in the rain, not even for a bath. And if you’re going to get two mice, make sure one is not a killer.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I am thinking it's a sign that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images, and when we kiss they're perfectly aligned. And I have to speculate that God himself did make us into corresponding shapes like puzzle pieces from the clay. True, it may seem like a stretch, but its thoughts like this that catch my troubled head when you're away, when I am missing you to death. When you are out there on the road for several weeks of shows and when you scan the radio, I hope this song will guide you home. – The Postal Service, “Such Great Heights.”
I started this post an hour ago, and in that time I got a holiday bonus
This post was going to be all about how I miss creating, I miss writing, I miss coming up with crazy, wacky ideas and putting them into place. Now this post is about how I have a headache and I'm going to take a big scary pill and I might vomit it right back.
Yay, creativity!
First, a letter
Dear Netflix,
I am sorry I lost
Power Yoga: Two 20-minute Workouts. I think I threw it in the trash, which is now in the dumpster. And honestly, Netflix, I didn't feel like dumpster diving last night. So thanks for making it so easy for me to pay for my stupidity and thanks for not harrassing me about it and making me feel like a total turd.
Always a dumbass,
Kristin
Penny is not amused.
This is what one of us looks like now.
This is what we used to look like.
The reversible Baby Grand Alpaca cabled scarf.
We played the old "I'll take your picture but really I'm taking a picture of those horrid fleece ponchos the drunk ladies behind us are wearing." Don't even get me started on the general public's obsession with Santa hats wherever I go.
Scary hats = fun night on the Plaza. Please note that none of us are really that large - are coats are stuffed with warm clothes (and no, Abby isn't really a barrel-chested man).
The only blush Annie has ever owned. EVER.
Abby loves to wear all of the makeup I own. At once.
Annie wears the most delicious scarf in the world around her neck, while Abby opts for a pair of jeans.
With new wave hairdos
So. I'm trying to get a handle on everything. Everything = preparing for a holiday Knit Night bashorama chez moi, planning where my next paycheck is going (Hello, Visa! How are you?) and figuring out what knitting I have left to finish before Santa gets stuck in my parents' fireplace. I literally have a list mapping out every day this week for things to do AFTER work. I haven't even gotten to work duties yet. I'm trying to fly by the seat of my pants on that one.
We watched
The Phantom Menace last night. I had never seen it and Justin obviously slept through most of it at the theater. All I have to say about that is: DARTH VADER IS JESUS? WHAT? If Abby were here, I would use my best Hillary Graber voice, lightly punch her on the shoulder and say, "Jesus." DARTH VADER IS JESUS?
You can tell that I'm not much into the Star Wars sixilogy or whatever you want to call it. I do, however, find the original three to be very good makeout background. (Which is why I've never seen a whole one straight through.)
Now I'm all anxious. STOP!
PS to Psally
I looked it up, and Nanie and I were right. ON THE FOREHEAD?
I have pictures, but they're currently being screened by the US Government
For 24 hours, I was completely at peace and the happiest I've been in months. If Abby could get over that whole law school thing and if Nanie would give up nutritionist school, I could quit my job and we could live on a farm with dogs and goats and llamas and eat cake and huge donuts and drink margaritas and be happy.
We had the best time together - manicures, gifts, eating eating eating, and watching an America's Next Top Model marathon. And
The Wiz! It was like crazy fate that
The Wiz was on. And we laughed and Abby put on all of my makeup and we laughed and Nanie has been using the same container of blush HER WHOLE LIFE and we laughed and wore hats and took pictures of women in ugly ponchos and laughed and laughed and laughed. I gave Abby a powder blue sweatsuit (so early Justin Timberlake) and she slept in it with the tags on, and then tried to steal Nanie's gorgeous scarf.
I don't know if I should be sad that we can't be together very often (for me and Nanie, it's been four years!) or if I should be happy because I'm so lucky to have such good friends after nine years. I'm going to go with a little bit of both.
Sleeve me alone.
I have been awake since 5:15 a.m. Why am I anxious? Today's my day off! I'm supposed to be sleeping! Since I woke, I've cleaned the apartment, washed dishes, washed towels, gone through and filed mail from the past two weeks, sent e-mail, cleaned up the knitting mess on the couch and coffee table and had some tea. All done while waiting for the internet to catch up with my computer.
I really need to get off dial-up.
Baby Roo got up for awhile and joined me, doing his frenetic little jumping dance and poking his nose through the bars of his cage to say hello. He's asleep again, and hopefully I'm about to do the same.
It's getting down to the wire as far as holiday knitting goes. I have two weeks to finish four sleeves and a sock. And some other little stuff. Let's hope my wrist holds in there.
I'm already dreaming about post-Christmas knitting. Bobbi Bear. Socks. Socks. More socks. Felted bucket hat. Te Rosada. Gigi. Charlotte. Nordic mittens. Maybe even Ribby Cardi. The possibilites are delicious and endless. And they're all for ME.
I'm hoping to finish the rest of my holiday shopping before the girls get into town today. Then I won't have to worry about going after work or battling crowds on the weekend. It'll just be me, the couch, every Johnny Depp movie I can find and sleeve after sleeve after sleeve.
How did I get in this handbasket?
You know that you've entered Knitting for the Holidays Hell when you only have one available Denise needle length and it's the itty-bitty one that you can't possible use to knit in a circle by itself. So what do I do? I spend an evening plying my singles.
I know! I made yarn! It's terribly wonky and looks really twisty, but I made yarn. If I wanted to copy Judy, I would call it Kristin Point Five and charge millions and millions of dollars for two yards, but instead I will call it Cascade 666. Because the devil made me do it.
You know what's great? When people yell at their kids on the phone while at work. Nothing says, "I love my job!" like the 4:24 daily shouting.
***
Nanie and Abby are coming to visit tomorrow. I can't freaking wait. My little Nanie! And Psally! They'll just be here for a day, but it will be the greatest day of all time. I have a cake mix waiting in the wings for just the right moment.
To celebrate, let's review Nanie's Greatest Moments:
1. Proclaiming her love for Homey the Clown.
2. Getting points with me while I wear dog socks.
3. Lance liking boys.
4. Her triumphant second-place in the Eating Contest of 1999, putting Abby to shame.
5. Her bug sunglasses.
6. "If she asks for change one more time, I'm going to shove that $5 up her butt."
7. Being Rita's mother.
8. "Hey guys, I'm not wearing pants."
9. Being THE CUTEST GIRL IN THE WORLD.
10. Marrying me in the back of my convertible during the 1999? 1998? carwash at Happy Joe's. She's the best wife I've ever had.
And I'm excited to see Abby because if she's at my house, I can make sure she's sleeping and occasionally showering. Not that I encourage showering.
Sin, thy name is Baby Grand Alpaca
There was so serious yarn sinning this weekend. I didn't sin - buying yarn isn't a sin. NOT buying yarn this luscious is a sin. But the yarn, my friends, the yarn...so delectable, so completely sumptuous that I feel a little tremor of yargasm every time I touch it.
Friday night was the shop's open house (which I didn't know about until Judy told me the night before. Thanks, Judy!). So I'm enjoying a chocolate chocolate cookie and some cider and Jean nonchalantly says, "Oh yeah, we have Lorna's Laces now."
WHAT? Are you freaking kidding me? I had asked Jo Ann about it the night before and she said it would be in soon and it came the next day and SWEET JESUS it was lovelier than I ever could have imagined. I bought four skeins of sock yarn, two in Fresh Stripe (teal and purple for the 80s girl in me) and Tuscany, which normally wouldn't be my thing, but the colors are so magnificent together that I had to have it.
Yesterday, the shop was a little slow thanks to the Chiefs and a steady rain. I brought the wrong needles to work on my dad's sweater, and Beth kept taunting me with the Baby Grand Alpaca, AND there was a free pattern for it on the counter. I mean, really, it's like Satan himself was putting those needles in my hand. So I started a rather lovely scarf for my dearest Nanie, who will be visiting this weekend (the last Nanie visit was four years ago at an *NSYNC concert. I KNOW.). And I'm so in love with the Baby Grand Alpaca that when they get more in the store, I'm going to buy all of it and drape it all over my body and wear nothing else. IT'S THAT GOOD.
I'm on the bus. The short one.
Before I can begin this day, I must confess that I had a run-in with a roll of packing tape last night and I no longer have any skin on my bottom lip. I do it for you,
Julie. I do it for you.
Things you can tell just by looking at her
Internet, we need to talk.
I don't get on soap boxes a lot. In fact, I'm not a big fan of soap in general. I didn't use it much until high school, I think. Around the same time I stopped wearing stirrup pants. But anyway. Internet, why do so many girls dislike their bodies?
I'm one of those girls, Internet. I'm not happy with what I see. My boyfriend is ECSTATIC with what he sees, and I just don't get it. I don't look like those other girls. I don't look like the girls on TV or in magazines or at the gym. I don't look like the girls in Express, The Limited or Banana Republic. I don't mean the girls in the pictures on the walls - I mean the girls in the store.
Because here's the thing, Internet. I'm a human. I have to eat. I have to breathe and I have to sleep and I have to work and I don't have five hours a day to work out and GOOD GOD I would much rather be knitting.
It makes me mad that there are little girls, girls who are like, 12, who are on diets. You're 12! You gain weight because someday, that'll become fantastic breasts! It happens!
And it's not like I'm grossly overweight or that I can't find clothes that fit. I can. I can shop in all thsoe stores listed above. And when I go to those stores, they're always out of my size. Not because they don't make as many size 10s and 12s, but because MORE PEOPLE WEAR THEM. You ALWAYS see 15 size 2s and like, one 6. First of all, if I ever met a girl that was size 2, I'd knock her block off. Second of all, don't you realize that if you're that small, you LOOK LIKE YOU'RE DEAD?
I've tried to be proud of my body and it's not easy. And so today I did something that I find kind of embarrassing and I know it shouldn't be but it is so I'm going to talk about it: I joined Curves. Not because I want to lose a lot of weight or get skinny, but because I want to be happy with myself.
I've belonged to other gyms and it was so hard to see all those blond girls (they're always blond, aren't they?) breezing away on the eliptical trainer. Internet, I don't breeze. I sweat and turn red and get really itchy. So I feel better knowing that mismatched clothing is encouraged and there's nary a male in sight. (I also enjoy the endless Donna Summer.)
I'm trying, Internet. But I'm not doing it for you. I'm doing it for me.
(This is the end of reflection, which is really the only kind of reflection I can stand right now because a mirror's reflection is horrifying. I mean, HAVE YOU SEEN MY HAIR? It looks like a horse ate it and then shit it back out.)
Merry December!
Merry December, dear friends! This is my very most favorite holiday of the year. My mom created Merry December when I was in third or fourth grade - we still lived in our old house - and I look forward to it every year. The idea is to celebrate the winter months and the upcoming holiday with little gifts. I always used to get nightgowns, ornaments or winter-themed socks - fun things like that. We still do Merry December, and Justin has joined in. This year, my mom gave me the cutest Longaberger dip bowl with snowman spreading knife and some BLT dip mix, perfect for Knit Nights and when Nanie and Abby come visit next week.
So to continue the celebration, I'm going to have (don't tell Justin) eggs and biscuits for dinner, watch America's Next Top Model and knit knit knit. Maybe do some spinning, too. Today is going to be a good day. I can feel it.
The Modest Adventures of a Very Silly Mouse
I got a note Monday night saying that the quarterly visit from the exterminators would be the next day. What to do with a baby mouse? We packed his wheel and slide and sent him to Justin's, where he proceeded to eat all of his food and listen to Modest Mouse. And since he's been home, he hasn't stopped eating. I better get some Modest Mouse over here so he can dance, dance, dance.
How many times are we going to say goodbye to Tom Brokaw? Huh? Because I was done with him about a week ago.
