Remember the old saying from the Olympics…."The thrill of victory and The agony of defeat? Well this week here has not been as dramatic as agony, but there have been little bouts of victory and little spells of defeat.
It would appear that my post from a few days ago regarding WIP’s
stirred up a bit of interest. I will admit, that I was a little taken
aback by the good natured jabs on numerous posts, feeling a bit defeated…. but then
I smiled victoriously, for it seems that I am seeing more works in progress again
and grrls……….part of why we knit is the process…so keep sharing!
The Agony of Defeat….
Ok…….I will start with my real life little defeats this week, so that I can end my post with the good things that have happened, as we all know life is a series of ups….and downs.
See that hand above?………that is the hand of a daughter wearing a very tight mitten……sigh.
This daughter has long thin hands, so I thought I was going to be ok with this gauge, even though that little voice in my head kept whispering in my ear… "Too small….Too small".
Geez…when am I ever going to listen to that voice? Well you know the end of this story…..ripppppppp.
Now my dilemma is….do I just bump it up a needle size as the stitch was a bit tight as well, but not so tight that I didn’t like the fiber…or do I add stitches which means doing some math…and I think I told you how I feel about the math….I guess I will have to think on it some more… Uggh
Today was a busy day of making soap, dyeing wool, working and making hand cream. Tis’ the season to be busy with the holidays right around the corner.
I was feeling pretty good about my pace until I opened the new bag of caps for the new glass jars that I use for handcream. Slam on that brake sister….for the caps in that bag are much much too small.
Frantic call to the bottle company with assurances that the new caps will be on their way tomorrow, but what do I do in the interim? Hmmm…I wonder if wet papertowels under saran wrap will keep them happy….uggh…
Then there were the beads that I ordered for markers that were much smaller than I envisioned when I opened the package. (note to self, learn measurements in mm’s)….and then the 4 oz of lavender essential oil I had chilling in the freezer for soap that daughter #3 with the long thin hands spilled all over the freezer and floor….ugggh
...and the Thrill of Victory…
But thankfully there were small victories as well!
I am working with Kirsten on setting up a kit for her Belvedere socks and for once I came up with colors that I loved almost immediately. Colorwork can be wonderful when it clicks and ..well…lets say I have given some yarn away to the children on more than one occasion when it didn’t.
This week it worked. The yarn is a new blend for me. An 80/20 merino/nylon superwash yarn that is extra soft and extra cushy, so I am excited about that…….yay (more about the yarn when it is ready to be sold)
…and my website…. I was thinking to myself this week…."thyself, if you are paying for this website…then don’t you think you should learn how to utilize it?"
Well, after much digging around in the various help folders, I finally figured out how to send a newsletter. With lots of new things happening on that site, I was pleased that I was finally able to figure out how to utilize this feature, so …..yay again!
…but the biggest yay came today when #2 daughter stopped over for a visit and a chat.
She told me that she had been discussing what "success" is with some of her co-workers..and then contemplated on it some more.
She told me that her idea of success is doing what makes her happy. Working with the land and learning about self sustenance in a natural way. She wants to learn how to work with herbs, make tinctures….. and garden.
She wants to build her own home….. and spin.
She wants to help our earth……….and learn to knit.
How much do you want to bet she is going to want bees too……buzzzz!
………..and I smiled for yes……..I have raised her up well. A victory indeed!
The Woolen Rabbit 
I dunno about the rest of it, but at least your freezer smells nice. 🙂
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what a lovely post.. and what success with your gorgeous daughter – her ideals are so wonderful 🙂 (yay Mom – yay daughter!)
too bad about the re-knit of the mitt.. it sure looks pretty tho’
and what fabulous colors in that new yarn..
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I’m sorry about the bad stuff, it all sounds very frustrating. Maybe you were doing TOO much multitasking? 🙂
Great news on your daughter. Of course you’ve done a wonderful job. Be proud.
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Frankly, with an ending to your day like the one in your post, how could you possibly even notice the little “down dips”? Obviously you did a good job – daughter #2 sounds fabulous.
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Sorry about your little defeats, but it sounds like you have some great victories!
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At least every time you open the freezer you should get a sense of calm!! Good luck on the mittens, and I hope the jar caps arrived in time!! Sounds like a day in the life, some days it is just the way it is…hope that things go better today!
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In the end, when we have a conversation like that with our kids it’s worth everything, isn’t it.
I say knit with bigger needles, use a spatula and put all the cream in a rubbermaid bin until the lids come and then sit down with a cup of tea and knit. Can’t help you with the scented freezer. :-0
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interesting..I just knit a very tight mitten as well. Hmm….and I’m always lecturing my mom on knitting a guage swatch before starting a project….practice what I preach…
If it were not for life’s little defeats, the victories would not be so gratifying. Your daughter is gorgeous! I think that we hold many of the same ideals…
Hope today goes well for you.
Marie in Vermont
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That daughter thing sounds like a major victory right there.
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At least you didn’t knit a sweater for your daughter! It was a mitten. Whew. You didn’t have to rip far, at least. Your daughter is really pretty! I love her goals. My daughter is very similar. She has learned a lot about herbs and herbal healing. She knows a lot about it, and I have used her remedies. We’re very lucky moms!
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I had no idea I would kick up such a firestorm with my meek little question, “Is it ok to post about Morocco?” Sorry if you took any heat on it.
I think your victories are ginormous. They are the same kind of satisfying fare as comfort food. They may not be glamorous, but they fill you to the brim and spill you over the edge into joy.
Now it’s time to get back to work (if you can call it that)
Blessings!
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It sounds like the victories more than compensated for the defeats, especially since all of the defeats can be fixed, with the exception of the spilled lavender oil. And at least that mishap left the kitchen smelling good.
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A mitten mishap seems miner in the face of that beautiful yarn and D#2s revelation. She had a great teacher… you did do well.
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Daughter #2 is clearly as beautiful on the inside as on the outside.
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Oh, dear, I MUST have a skein of that new sock yarn (the color in the center). Don’t sell it all before I have a chance!
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Wow, what a week! That must have been very aggrevating to have the wrong-sized lids. Congratulations on the victories!
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What an absolutely lovely post today! Congrats on daughter # 2 she I am sure she will have much happiness and success in her life! There is nothing more rewarding then doing the things that you love and being succesful at it – financially.
Sorry to hear about all the little blunders… When this happens I usually stop and take a breather just in case everyhthing I am touching is not turning into gold:)
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What an absolutely lovely post today! Congrats on daughter # 2 I am sure she will have much happiness and success in her life! There is nothing more rewarding then doing the things that you love and being succesful at it – financially.
Sorry to hear about all the little blunders… When this happens I usually stop and take a breather just in case everyhthing I am touching is not turning into gold:)
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Focus on the victories, right?? I forgot that you have hand cream too … hmmm …
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She’s a chip off the old block, huh? 🙂 Good for her–and for you!
Hope you get the fridge cleaned out–and the handcream stays creamy. 😉
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Hello Kim,
seem to have missed something.Catching up on your blog,I find you have Quite a victory.
That Girl of yours has her head on straight
And is heading for certain success.
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The last success is the best of all! I bet the defeats just didn’t matter anymore!
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Do you sell your hand creams???
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The colorways for the Belvedere are gorgeous!! Can’t wait! Too bad about the mitt – it was so pretty, but it will be pretty again. And indeed – a victory to raise kids and have them define “success” – good job, mom!
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HELLO KIM – really enjoyed you long long post today , and I hope you keep trying to post more often – its great to hear about your new yarn , will look out for it – life is she full of those ups and downs – but thats life when you live it – wounderful to hear what your daughter had to say – my boys are 19 and 24 and what they share amazes me more each day – it sure makes you proud to be a parent – your daughter is lovely – and you seem so sweet , yourself
eye on your blog pat j
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what a great post . . . . a true reflection of real life.
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Wow, she is not only gorgeous on the outside, but on the inside, as well. Score to you for raising her up well!!!
How MADDENING about the handcream jar covers!
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The victories were big, the defeats small. The universe was more your friend than not, methinks.
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One success that you should not forget is your newsletter – which I received (success!) and which led me to your website and beautiful yarn. I would order at least one of every color if I could – since I couldn’t possibly choose a favorite. I hope Santa is generous so I can fulfill my wish.
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Awesome new website set up! This is getting very exciting! Congrats! Hope the cream was salvaged and your freezer now clean and smelling of lavender no doubt.
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Sorry the week was so rough on you. Life can be like that at times. But it seems you won in the end. It was so heartwarming to read that your daughter wants to follow in your happy footsteps! 🙂
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I think your victories greatly outweigh your defeat! Yay for your very pretty daughter and her goals!
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I like the path your daughter’s going down. It sounds like she’s on the right track.
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HELLO KIM- susan’s shawl is looking beautiful – what great name ideas – I have to have the moraccan days , but you never know if night might follow – can’t wait
pat j [ or for my bee socks] – its all so much fun , I will be poor but well dressed in wool!!
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I had to ditto all the gorgeous daughter comments, and also to add as a suggestion that I’m sorry to hear of the Lid Crisis — maybe as a stop-gap, try getting that Glad Press-N-Seal stuff at your local grocery to keep the jars sealed until your lids arrive?
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