contentment 2013

Another Twofer: 21/52 & Craft Book Challenge

Nicky4 Comments

craftbookchallengesmall buttonI don’t even know where to start, so let me lead with the craft-book challenge!  If you haven’t read the post below, you wouldn’t know that I finally finished my first sweater!!!  I’ve had this pattern in my Ravelry library since March 2012!  I can now cross that off my list.  Although I didn’t do much else this month, this F.O. is so much of a success for me that I don’t even mind.  😀

I also wanted to:

I’m swatching the blanket today and beginning the shawlette and shawl this coming week.  Technically, they’ll still be started in May but since this is the last Sunday of the month, I’ll just move them to my W.I.P list for June.

21/52

This week was a good week.  Although it’s been raining and making me feel like I live in Seattle I have much to be thankful for.

  • I found out why my ankle was swollen.  Arthritis!!! Can you believe it?!!!  I’ve had it in my knees since I was 11 but it never stopped me from running track (100 m dash sprinters stand up!!!  😀 ), climbing trees, playing volleyball, playing dodge, climbing this volcano 4 times, trekking through forestland and through my urban jungle (only God alone knows how many miles I’ve walked here).  I have never had a flare-up that’s affected my ankles … never.   With all the rain this week, my ankle has moved from the size of a small egg to one of a large grapefruit.  That says to me that the ailment is progressing but it’s not disheartening to me at all. Honestly, I’m just grateful that I know what it is and that it’s not something new I have to deal with health-wise.  I’m basically stuck in my apt this weekend because it’s uncomfortable to walk around for long periods, but hey … that means more crafting time for me.  😀
  • The elevator in my apt complex is finally fixed.  Thank God for that.  It was fixed and inspected by the city on the day my ankle was acting up the most and I’m grateful I didn’t have to take 12 flights of stairs that day.  Wooohooo!
  • I’ve decided that I’m not going to look for another rental apt.  Eeeeek!!!  I’ve decided to look for a condo to purchase!!!!  My goal is to move by the end of the year. When I thought about the predatory practices of real estate agents here (who the heck is a closer and why do I have to pay them a fee just for giving me rental papers to sign?) , the exorbitant fees and cost I’ll have to pay to rent a unit, the effort it takes to pack up, unpack, look for an apt in NYC … I just can’t do it anymore.  I want to be able to pack up, move to where I’m going, unpack and finally call some place home and not have to go through this jungle-like market that exists here again.  I’m over that, so a new journey is beginning for me out of this city’s rental dysfunction.
  • I GOT PRETTIES!!!!  I found spinning class that I’m gamed to take in July, but in the mean time, me and my spindle have some more pretties to play with.  😀  I have to admit that I haven’t been spinning as much but I’m going to try to practice for 15 mins. a day beginning this week.  Wanna see my new pretties?  😀

IMG_2600 IMG_2602 IMG_2603 IMG_2606 I got these all from Countess Ablaze’s Etsy shop!  Very affordable but you’ll have to wait about 15 business days for delivery since she’s shipping from England.  Definitely worth the wait.  I’m so excited about these pretties. 😀

The rain has made outside look so clean and brilliant.  The trees look extra green, the sky extra blue.  I hope you all are enjoying beautiful weather in your neck of the woods.  I’m off to draw the curtains, mess around with some crochet and watch some Miss Marple mysteries.  Yep … I’m a proud fuddy-duddy. 😀  I have fun crafting and watching British flixs.  😀

Happy Sunday and US readers, enjoy your Memorial Day break tomorrow.  😀 If you pray, remember to pray for our troops.

20/52

Nicky10 Comments

This week was all over the place.  I worked hard on the job to the point where I was asleep at 8:30 pm a couple of nights.  Adding to that, I’m looking to make some changes — professional and move apts.  Anyone who’s apt hunted in NY, knows that the process can reduce the renter to a nail-biting, crying, blubbering mess.   But despite all that’s going on, I’m in a pretty great place.  I was getting anxious this week but I’m not anymore.  This week’s lessons, blessings and surprises reminded me that God’s got my back and everything is going to be alright. 😀    This week:

  • On the work day that totally wiped me out this week, I came home to find not one, but two gifted patterns — Plumeria Frill and Ireland Cowl from Iggystar on Ravelry.  She sent me a note letting me know that I crossed her mind and she was moved to send me a little treat.  For me, the blessing was in the surprise.  God using her to remind me that there’s always some sweet even in chaos.  Bless her!
  • My mother and I were able to come up with four strategies re my moving/living situation.   It was good to have her to bounce ideas off of and come up with concrete backup plans.
  • After recommendations from Yarnphreak and My Sister’s Knitter, (my other two best friends in my head) my friend E sent me some new toys to help speed up my knitting.  My knitting style is not very efficient (too much hand movements) but the cheapo bamboo needles I was using definitely affected even more how fast I could go.   I got some KP Nickel Plated needles to try out.

Knitpicks Nickel Plated Set: Source

I really want some Hiya Hiya’s; those are going on my Amazon Christmas wish-list.  It was awesome that my friend sent me an entire set of nickle circulars and one of DPNs that’s brand new to try.  She’s all upgraded to Signatures … I hate her … LOLOL!  😛

  • Being able to add some rows to my first sweater.  My camera batteries died (they’re recharging now) so I don’t have any pictures but the progress is looking good.
  • I work up one day with a swollen ankle.  Not sure what that was about or even how it became swollen.  After three days of elevation, my ankle is almost back to it’s normal size.  Hopefully before the weekend’s done it’s back to it’s normal size.  I’m also praying that there are no underlying health issues that’s making that happen.

Hope you all had a great week and cheers for a great upcoming week.  😀