Absolutely nothing about knitting...

Imagine: You are in your car driving home.. Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you've ever heard fills the air. The sound is high above you. A trumpet? A choir? A choir of trumpets? You don't know, but you want to know..

So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up. As you do, you see you aren't the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people areStaring at the sky. Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store. The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents are searching ? the clouds. And what they see, and what you see, has never before been seen.

As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part. A brilliant light spills onto the earth. There are no shadows. None.From every hue ever seen and a million more never seen. Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky.North. South. East. West.

Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting, Holy, holy, holy.. The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship.Suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet.

The angels t urn, you turn, the entire world turns and there He is.. Jesus.Through waves of light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud. He opens his mouth, and you are surrounded by his declaration:I am the Alpha and the Omega.The angels bow their heads.. The elders remove their crowns.. And before you is a Figure so consuming that you know, instantly you know: Nothing else matters..

Forget stock markets and school reports. Sales meetings and football games. Nothing is newsworthy.. All that mattered, matters no more.. For Christ has come.

From makenna's blog, serious words of wisdom

This has been altered into generic terms. It came from a blog of a mom who writes very honestly and openly about the challenges of having a child with a serious medical condition. I thought it was wonderful -

the blog is www.caringbridge.org/visit/makennajohnson



I just wanted to tell you not to be afraid to live your life. You HAVE been equipped to handle this situation. You may feel lost, scared, and unable to handle it, but God has anointed you and called you to this unique time. YOU, no one else. He has and will continue to give you the strength you need to face whatever is to come.

"Stay alert! Whatch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a rouaring lion, looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) Like trying to convince you that you can't handle this situation and sowing seeds of doubt. Don't listen! Focus on the Lord and His promises.

"Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." (1 Peter 5:9)

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Cor 15:57-58)

Insomnia sucks

I feel like this might start off like an AA meeting.

Hi, I'm Mollie, I have insomnia.

But it's true and it's lousy! You would think that sleeping should be "easy". That it's natural, just let it happen. But the drag of having insomnia, especially when it lasts long, is that when you lie down, you get nervous about not being able to sleep or stay asleep. And because you're nervous about sleeping, you don't do it. It's a vicious cycle, well documented in medical literature.

Another documented fact about insomnia, is that when you're sleep deprived, there's a chemical phenomenon in the brain that generally helps you stay awake and overcome the fatigue. However, it's like an on switch, and over time, it's tough to switch off!

I haven't blogged in forever, mostly because I haven't wanted to write about insomnia and give it any more "control" over my life than it already has robbed me of. But here it is. Not that anyone reads it anyway.

*sigh. In life there are definitely much (MUCH) worse problems to have, and for that I am grateful. I have a great husband, terrific kids, health, a job! I have an entire stash of yarn. (Why, I might add, is it SO much fun to buy yarn and that I don't have enough time to knit!!!)

Proverbs somewhere says "when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet". Here's hoping!

Something to consider

Know how sometimes you just get tugged inside for the compassion of someone else? Like when you see someone helping another person, or even when Jesus was moved by the widow of Nain? I stumbled onto a blog that I've been reading for a while now, probably through the blog of one of our church friends, that has done just that tugging on me.

www.themicahproject911.blogspot.com

should explain the story much better than I can. It is a 7 year old's desire to help people, and he is motivated to activity. And he has parents who are helping him run with an idea.

It's just good reading!

Another wonderful quote

Proverbs 31:13 "(a wife of noble character) selects wool... and works with eager hands."

Whoo-hoo!

an excerpt on childhood cancer from Devin Reid

... who passed away this past week. www.caringbridge.org/visit/devinreid

I never met this man, who was 19, but wow, did he live life!!!

After starting the bulk of my book I have realized, Wow! This is not going to be easy. Having to relive some of these days, not fun, it scares me, this is not in anyway a fun story. On this very personal level I have become attached to and I believe all who have had cancer the all of the cancer patients I have met. Their pain is my pain. There deaths are a {burden?} on my soul, never forget. But it is good to know that when I think of them and reminisce about them all I see is smiles, beautiful and everlasting smiles. If this was in writing…there would be tears on this page. Lives taken, friends….Lost. I guess, anyone of those people could have been me. Their deaths were not due to there lack of passion, or strength, or will to live. They were all fighters, fighters in a war that was to big for their age, but that didn’t stop any of them, if anything, that is what made us strong. When common sense and logic say NO but you say YES, physically, mentally, and spiritually, with all your heart, and all your soul.That is what made things hard, not just for the teenagers, but the younger ones as well. The death of friends. After a while it becomes harder and harder to get too close to the newer people, you know what can happen, what has happened, but eventually, like always, you open up to those people and form bonds with them because you need them, just as much as they need you. And after all of those deaths, and sacrifices, a new death, the death of another friend, it hits you just as hard as it did the first time. That is why I hate going back to New York, to the Ronald McDonald House, not because of the smells, or the wind, or the way {finish this sentence}. But because when you go back, you find out who’s not there. Please say a prayer for all.

Thoughts on increasing stash

This is a fun little bag that I knit out of "Straw into Gold" that ended up being kind of fun. I didn't really use a pattern other than to get the general direction to knit in. It's got fringe at the top which was fun.

I have visions of this blue colorway miraculously turning itself into 3 pairs of fun slipper socks but think the project might be too much for me. We'll see...

These are some photos from a "take" at a going out of business (again) yarn sale. When I got home, all I could envision was the way our dog used to roll around in the grass just because. I had a few mental vacations of doing the exact thing in the new yarn.

This is one of the new yarns last night. It's 3 times the size now and might grow into a Christmas gift. Act surprised if you see it again... jk. Fun to knit with, it's Karabella Festival.

Finally, the gator scarf from Morehouse Merino. Fun knit.

Happy Election Day.

And another annoying political thing...

Can someone explain to me exactly the reason why my "do not call" registry does not apply to political calls?? Why are they exempt?

Trash bag starter kit

The other day, we pulled into our driveway to find a political bag taped to our garage door. It was a trash bag for the car. It was nice of this party to start filling our trash bag with some campaign flyers.

Finally, photos

These two are the whole gang mini golfing in North Myrtle.
This is what happens when you have the air conditioning set quite cold and take the camera to the beach. it really wasn't hazy! The girls always like "pre-ocean" pictures as post ocean pics tend to have salt and sand and messed up hair.

Above, sunrise from our Condo in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Hot but beautiful. Below, a half finished Gator Scarf, pattern from morehousemerino.com -- it cracks me up.
The next 2 pics are of the market bag from Knitty. There is a "prefelted" photo someplace earlier. Fun shape. It always amazes me how small felted things actually get. I think I would have made this bigger. But I really like how the colors blended.

That's it for now, happy knitting!

Not too late for some summer reading...

Had a great half a day finishing a great book called "The Shack" by William Young. Thought-provoking. Beautifully written. Tackles some very hard questions. I can't wait for my wonderful husband to finish the book so we can talk about some of the subjects raised.

We travel to Myrtle Beach in a few days. I might just read to him in the car.

Check out the prizes

Sometimes yarn contests have little to do with the yarn. Here's one that celebrates a knitters 4th anniversary. http://coffeepuppiesandknitting.blogspot.com - check it out.

I'm hoping for some photos by the end of the week. Knitting furiously (in the severe time restrictions I have) so I can finish something -- anything -- because I have a new pattern.

Time to Knit

Unfortunately no pictures, but have another FO - the felted bag. Thanks, dear friend SC for fixing my handles. Felted up beautifully, still drying, can't wait to start using it.

Nearly done the little looped ribbon purse from One Skein Wonders.

Ordered a pattern from Morehouse Merino for the Alligator Scarf that I just can't seem to be able to put out of my mind. I'm picturing one in Flyers colors around every neck in our Christmas Card photo this year...

Off to beautiful Avalon NJ later today. Can't wait.

Bumper Sticker

Saw a nice bumper sticker that was so appropriate for July 4th:

Land of the Free
Because of the Brave.

Thanks to all of our armed services and their families for their sacrifices.

contest link

http://theknittingwildflower.blogspot.com/2008/06/blogiversary-contest-begins-and-waht-i.html

Run on over and say hi! There are good sock stories posted there.

Finally some knitting photos...

Here are some photos of some knitting - wish there were more hours in a day! This is the French Market bag from Knitty.com before felting. I loved how the bottom swirled like this. It's just Patons Classic Merino from AC moore with a 40% off coupon. More pics follow.
Here is the fallout from the clearance sale at the LYS a few months back. I can hardly stand it.
Here is my 12 year old graduating from Elementary School. We had one of those "oh my goodness" moments when she put on the dress. Frightening!

This is the little face cloth that I found on a friends blog. Easy and fun. It's chenille in pale pink.
These are Maine Morning Fingerless Mitts that were really fun out of this Louisa Harding Kimono Angora. There are a few (okay, there are 11) more in my stash.
This is another view of the French Market bag before felting.
Here is why it's not felted yet. These handles are Kitchener stitched together and I don't like how they lay.
This is the other handle. It just bugs me! Any ideas much appreciated!!

Next on the needles is a little purse with looped fringe that I haven't done before. And after that is Subway Mittens because they look fun.

Why on earth?

Everyone has those moments where you realize at some point along the road, what did I get myself into? What on earth was I thinking?! What possessed me to get involved with this?!

Something I've never done before would be to assist the hospital at which I work to completely convert from their old data entry system/assessment/patient care access ("computer system") into a completely new one. All departments from nursing to pharmacy, admissions to morgue, inpatient, outpatient, everything. What was I thinking?

Go live for this project is scheduled for May 1. It was brought to our attention last week that this coincides with "Mayday!!" All I can picture is Leslie Nielsen and Robert Hayes in the movie Airplane.

The biggest drag is that I visited the closeout sale at my LYS and all that luscious yarn (that was a steal!!) is calling me. Knitting? Needles? Right now it's all collecting dust. And making me irritable.

So no pictures, this post is probably something I don't have time to do right now, and I'm sure no knitting until at least May 15, when our mandatory 24/7 support for this conversion ends.

Ahh, cashmere!

Here is the first attempt (of 3) to knit and finish a project with some luscious cashmere and silk yarn.






The cashmere finally grew into this:

And for some reason, I felt compelled to take a pic of some ball band dishcloths, which were a lot of fun to knit. Pattern from Mason Dixon Knitting.

Current projects include: the same sock (singular) from... well, I think it's been on the needles since November 06 ??? It may never get finished. It certainly will never have a mate. There has been significant thought to the flammability of sock yarn on or off bamboo knitting needles.

I didn't really need to do that

Ever do something, and then go, now what on earth did I do that for?! I don't have time for this! Or even better, "I could be knitting!"

Got my invitation from Ravelry in October and thought at the time I didn't really need to photo my stash or update projects. I mean, I have a blog I ignore enough and don't add as many pics as I want to. But the other day, I was informed that you don't have to do all that, you can just look around and see what other people are knitting. Well, that's where I've been the last hour or so while the dust settles and my laundry screams... you know the drill.

There are yarn reviews, patterns, many of them free, photos. From tried and true actual knitters, many of whom it seems don't want you to buy the book/yarn/kit/needles/pattern etc. They are motivated by the love of the craft.

Gonna cut this short, headed back to Ravelry! User name: nightshiftknits.

Knitting is actually a Love Language

One of the best books ever written as far as being practical (aside from Knitting technique books, of course!) is The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. It discusses how we all have five love languages but are most blessed, or touched, by one (or sometimes two) of the five. The five love languages are: Quality Time, Acts of Service, Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, and Gifts.

Knitting encompasses all of these love languages; let me explain. Knitting is definitely physical touch -- who can resist the feel of a soft yarn and the differing textures of fiber? And when we admire knitting, does anyone NOT run their hands over the weave? Or is this why yarn shop owners follow me around as I feel my way around the store?

Knitting is gifts, too -- even when we make something for ourselves or our home. It is generosity, a labor of love, lots of hours combined with stitches and colors. And if you haven't been gifted by a fellow knitter an extra ball of yarn, it's a great feeling! More on this in another post!

Knitting is quality time -- a cherished and precious commodity, to be sure, is our time. In these busy days of _____________(you name it, or substitute "life"), to be able to create something in a few minutes here and there is an expression of love.

Knitting is also an act of service. Go visit a LYS knitting class if you're skeptical. Knitters help other knitters. Knitters offer instruction. Knitters stop what they are doing to admire something, to lend a hand. Go to a knitting group and look around. And when we knit something for someone, it is more than yarn and stitches, it is an investment. It represents hours that actually could have been spent doing something else.

Knitting is, lastly, words of affirmation. We encourage, we love it when there is a compliment. We offer support, direction, praise for quality and effort. Yarn store owners know this : "that would be a great color on you", or "imagine this yarn as a hat/sweater/wrap/sock", or even the inevitable "feel this" as they put it in your hand! We all remember the nervousness as we show off a project and the warm fuzzy (sometimes literally -- you know, that might just have originated with knitting?!) we get when our work is affirmed.

Sorry for the long post, but knitting for me is definitely a love language! And if you haven't read the book, I strongly recommend it!!