stitchingmystressaway.com

Friday morning I was told there would be snow.

Now, I love DC but I’ll have no problems admitting that “snow’s coming” doesn’t mean the same as it would mean to someone hearing it in Minneapolis.

Work has been insanely busy, hence the absence of blogging. So Friday December 18, I just wanted to go to the grocery story and hunker down. The store was packed but I have to say, as someone who has gone to the store the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the store Friday night really wasn’t that bad. Yes, it was packed, but at the very worst, people were distracted. So we got home and about an hour later, this started:

And about 15 hours later:

And this Sunday, today, Jermaine and I ventured outside:

So what have we been up to? Well I’m working on Christmas presents, J’s been playing video games and job searching. But together, we made some yummy goodness:

Friday night we got a ton of apples and Saturday morning we made apple butter

For the past few months every time we’ve had spaghetti, we’ve save the jar so that we can do this. We started this wonderful recipe in the morning but maybe next time, we’re going to start it at night so that it can wrap up the following evening or night. It took a while for this to finish. But my was it tasty!!!

I also made some chocolate chip cookies…tasssssssssssty!

The kittehs are a little weirded out by the snow but still inquisitive

So we’ve been snowed in but it’s still been one great weekend. I really needed some relaxation and fun. I got that and some gorgeous snow to boot!

Last night Jermaine and I went out to a romantic spot in DC–The Waterfront and we walked and talked and ate ice cream. Yummmmmy I won’t lie. I knew Jermaine had my engagement ring because of an oh so subtle text message I got from him a few days prior.

That’s mah pookie. oh so subtle. I thought that if he were going to propose, it would be in one of our spots. He didn’t. I was a little bummed. I’m not going to lie.

We came home and, to be honest, I wanted to get in my sweats. I am having the period from hell so I was just about to hop in them when Jermaine came in the room with Layla and a rose. He said he wanted a witness and what a better witness than one of our girls. He sat down with me and said “Laura, you’re my best friend who I love so much. Will you marry me?”

Now there are two types of fiancees–one type that break down in tears. My mom and my girl Courtney fall into this category. Then there is another type that get ecstatic. This is where I was–I was like “OF COURSE I WILL!”

I have to say, I love that he included our girls in this process. (In case you’re wondering, a lot of times, when we get home, Luna goes into hiding other wise, Jermaine would have scooped her up too, bless his heart) It was at home in our own intimate environment. I couldn’t have asked for a better proposal.

My friend Courtney told me to write this down because, yes, now I think I’ll remember everything but I’ve also been in this world long enough to know that experiences you swear you’re going to remember….after some time you’ll forget some of the details. So I write this now. Thanks C!

Here is our attempt at a family photo afterward. :">

As you can see the feline members had had E-NOUGH. hahahaha

The kind of bride I’ll likely be:

I hate being in the center of attention. NEVER liked it. My mom, bless her heart, threw me a surprise graduation party, the first twenty minutes of which I hid behind my 6′3 brother. (The rest of the party was amazing, by the way!!) I won’t be that kind of engaged person that walks into work and goes “LOOKS WHATS ON MY LEFT HAND LADIES AND GENTS” that just isnt’ my style. Sure I will do that with close friends but I don’t want a big to do at work. This is big news yes and I want to share it but I also dont want to live and breath wedding stuff all day. I absolutely love that Jermaine and I are planning this next step together. I want to marry him oh so much but I refuse to freak out over table settings. Shoot, in my ordinary life I’m lucky if I use a napkin I just want our wedding to be about the marriage being celebrated and not about the production of it.

I’ve received some messages that folks want a picture of the ring. Here it is. Absolutely graceful. I <3 it so much. I’m so proud of Jermaine for saving up money to get this. It was not easy for him. It didn’t help that at times I got a little impatient too. But holy crap was it worth the wait. It’s gorgeous!

I am so so happy and excited for Jermaine and me. I hope everyone else is too! It’s our time, damnit

I have a hobby that I’m rather obsessed with. I have no problems admitting such a thing. If some make fun of me it’s either just to make me laugh or because they don’t understand what it’s like to have a creative outlet.

Yeah, sure I can get upset at what some ignorant people might say but I don’t. It’s not worth it. They don’t get it just like I don’t know how people can sit and watch a movie and only do that.

Knitting has brought me such comfort and resulted in my loved ones receiving such comfort through my gifts I give them.

So this week, one that wasn’t really the best, I’ve been awfully thankful I’ve been able to go on the Metro and come home and do something I know I’m good at and one that gives me a great deal of satisfaction. No matter how much I might mess up in other aspects of my life, I have this creative outlet that helps me think about ways I can improve parts of my life and parts of me, as a person.

I got a new book entitled Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.? Stopping the Roller Coaster When Someone You Love Has Attention Deficit Disorder and yes I find the title, like most self-help books, to be incredibly corny.

hooooowever

I have had some difficulty swallowing this diagnosis as I have typical responses like “Why did it wait 27 years to manifest itself?” “I did fairly well in school, why now?”

Jermaine and I also have been having some stupid fights of late. No big deal. I honestly I remember that we fought but forgot the details. We’ve settled them but it got me wondering how my ADHD is/isn’t affecting relationships and that is what prompted me to get this book.In any kind of conflict I have, I find myself wondering is it me, the other person/people or some misunderstanding from how different my head works with the ADHD

I found some answers and statements that I can so relate to:

Many of these late-to diagnosis adults have long suspected that they were a bit “different” When they finally learn about ADHD, most wish they’d learned sooner. Much sooner. It explains a lot about how their unwitting actions generated unpleasant consequences as weel as why, just when they started getting traction in life, they’d often slip on the invisible banana peel….So instead of calling it an attention-deficiet disorder, we should call it an intention-inhibition disorder. That’s because it’s a condition in which the best intentions go awry (Pera, 4 & 5)

THAT is me in a nutshell. I’m going on with my life then one part just slips on that banana peel Gina Pera referred to. I can not tell you how many times I have messed up…at work…at home…with friends…with colleagues because of good intentions and, because I’m not understanding something. The next time I mess up with a friend, does this mean I will then say “Oh _____, it’s just my ADHD” NO because I don’t want to use it as an excuse or crutch. I need to develop ways to try to understand and interpret things better. I have a feeling that can take a better part of my life but still. It’s nice to know what I’m contending with and to see how it’s affecting me.

This might be a completely obvious thing taught in all Psych 101 course but it’s been helpful learning more about it:

People with ADHD must cope with the central challenge of directing their attention and summoning the motivation for doing so (Pera, 14)

Yes not earth breaking and I’m sure I read that somewhere on the internet but I guess it just struck me at the time because it’s not like I can’t or don’t pay attention, its more of an issue of directing and controlling  it.

And Overdiagnosis. Yes I’ve mentioned it before but this was interesting to read:

One comprehensive survey concluded that about 4.4% of the US population age 18-44 has ADHD; yet, only 10% of the 4.4% are being treated for it. As it turns out, that treatment rate is far less than that for anxiety, substance use disorders, and mood disorders such as depression and biopolar.

THANK YOU. I’m getting better about not being so defensive about it. Having information like this helps though.

And something else, finally, struck me as quite relevant to my life:

Know that, strictly speaking, ADHD is considered a developmental disorder, involving a slower-to-mature function of the brain

I have always the last person in any group to ____insert life milestone here____. Getting a drivers’ license,  getting a boyfriend, feeling ready to get married…I am usually the last to “get” or “comprehend” anything. Am I stupid or slow? There are times when I honestly feel like that. Not gonna lie about it. I’ve lost a great many friends because of misunderstandings and I honestly don’t know if things will ever mend but at least I can reflect and move on, or try to with this diagnosisI don’t understand things. Don’t understand a great many things. But that doesn’t mean I’m a lost cause. Just walking along life  on a different path.

I work in grants administration and we have a huge center grant application due tomorrow at 6pm. It’s multi-disciplinary, multi-projects…multi everything. The leader of this grant has got to be one of the most creative passionate men I’ve ever met and here he is trying to combat the many health disparities that African American women encounter as they try to seek breast cancer care. The grant is HUGE. I’m not used to getting to work at 7:30am and leaving at 10pm. I have friends that say “that’s so common for me”

Well it isn’t for me. Some might look at a 9-5 job and call it boring. That’s cool That’s what makes us all special. I, personally seek great comfort in it. Simplicity seems to be an overall theme for me in general and my career is no exception.

But I’ve been coming home at asinine hours absolutely exhausted. Priorities don’t really exist because EVERYTHING is important and I find that stressful, as someone who takes great comfort in making lists and checking things off them. It’s one of the most professionally stressful times for me right now and care to know what’s been getting me through this

Friends and family, of course. Keep random funny emails/ravelry messages coming. You might think we’re just talking about crazy things boys do or patterns to knit, but they help me remain in touch with the outside world as I run around like a chicken with my head cut off.

Knowing that “Up” is coming out this weekend. Jermaine and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Pixar movies and this looks just so wonderful. It’s getting to the point now, where I walk into the the theatre and have no idea what the movie’s about but I have yet to be disappointed. Shoot their shorts are pretty awesome too

There is a little part of me quite curious about the new Twist Collective that should be coming out in June as well as the new Knitty AND my final Wollmesise sock club installment. Twist, Knitty Wollmeise, OH MY!

and coming home to these little girls is always so wonderful

she looked so comfortable here! I often find myself jealous of Layla and Luna. But they also help me keep things in perspective. Hugging, Schnuggle and Bonding ALWAYS come first!

...and man can they make you laugh!

I think I can….I think I can….

…and that would be MDSW

Not only is it a fantastic time to get some nice loot, but it’s also a time to meet up with buddies you haven’t seen in a while.

Case in point….

Granted the young lady next to me, Steph, works three floors below me (what’s up Steph!) but it’s still a great opportunity to meet up with friends I haven’t seen in a while, throw ‘em all in my Saturn and go to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival… (From left to right, me, Steph, Darsana and Kira)

and of course see cute lil animals…

Dar can always be counted on to pet cute things too. I'm not the only one

this poor lil black bunny wasn't getting any love from the kids....they were too enamored with the white bunnies. I felt bad. This lil guy was a little shy too...but still so adorable

That's Darsana's hand right there. She said it was like she was petting a cloud. what a cutie pie

And of course we bought.  teeheee. I do have to say though that I love the spirit of small business owners especially in times like these. Webs is great, don’t get me wrong, but crappy economy of not, i always view this festival as a time to show some love to the mom and pop farmers that need just as much help if not more during these rought times. Their yarn, 9 times out of ten, is so unique as well. There’s something to be said for picking things out of the ordinary

Is this not a sight to behold? It's Brooks Farm Solo wall. It feels amazing and their colors are so vibrant as you can clearly see

Kira is molesting the yarn. Yes, I picked that verb particularly for this.

And I have to say, in my resolutions for 2009 that I wanted things I buy to have a purpose. Yes I understand that that’s not really being that zen about the experience of MDSW, however, for the past two years, I’ve bought some gorgeous things and no idea what to do with them because I have too much or too little. If I saw something I could get online or at a store, I didn’t buy it. I of course felt it, but didn’t buy it. This was a time to get the unique items.

And HAI! I met my buddy Lindsey at MDSW for the first time! She and I became buddies on Ravelry and I feel like she’s a kindred spirit in Cincinatti. She came to MD for the festival with her buddy Jess to the fiesta

We’ve been chatting about plans for Rhinebeck even but that’s not for quite some time. I hope to have a MDSW FO to wear though. wanna see mah options?

And might I present mah loot

1. Tess Superwash Merino for a nice cable-y sweater, maybe Bonnie? , 2. Tess Superwash Lace that I want to make irtfa'a faroese lace shawl with, 3. Carolina Homespun...yummmmmy I want to spin this for the kind coworker that loaned me her wheel. She's a 100% process knitter so I'm sure she'll like it, 4. DK Weight Shelridge Farm Merino that I'd like to make mittens with, 5. more Shelridge. yay mittens, 6. loverly green, 7. Did I mention I heart Mittens?, 8. Brooks Farm Solo..., 9. ....that I'm dying to make Tempest with

Call this lame, but I’m quite proud that there is NO sock yarn in this pile! Each item had a plan behind it and I came home with the proper amounts too, which is nice!

And I can not end this without the traditional MDSW shots

This has become TRADITION (think Fiddler on the Roof)

I had a fantastic time and got some fantastic things and had a wonderful time with my girls!

….one of these days, i’m going to have a finished object…i swear

So I’ve got my new header up. Jermaine had a heck of a time teaching me how to use Photoshop. I don’t know…there is something really NOT intuitive about it for me at least. But anyway, last night I finished it after a few reminders from Jermaine. What do ya’ll think of it? I wish there was a way to manipulate the blog title and perhaps move it??? But if there isn’t a way, I can’t say I’d be that devastated. I mean it has to go somewhere right??

Another random, completely unrelated thought. Today is Jermaine’s birthday. I want to make him breakfast in bed but I always feel awkward doing it. Cuz essentially you’re waking up someone to give them breakfast if they’re still sleeping and if they’re not still sleeping they’re up and it’s therefore not breakfast in bed. hmmmmmmmm

We have all heard so many horror stories about social networking sites. Some person got fired for spending so much time on Facebook. A crazy person was going after people they found on Myspace. Of course I hear these stories and remind myself to employ some common sense on the internet. The world, put quite bluntly, is  not safe.

But it also isn’t full of 100% crazies either.

I say this because my buddy Lindsey mentioned on Twitter today something to this effect and I’ve been thinking the same thing of late. It’s been amazing meeting these wonderful knitting buddies through Ravelry and Twitter. Sometimes asking someone about their recent pair of socks can turn into an interesting buddy to chat with throughout the day. Lindsey and I are knitting the same things and we’re part of similar groups on Ravelry. I’ve been talking with her as well as many others through these sites and I feel I’ve received a great group of fiber loving friends. I’ve also discovered some friends right in my own neighborhood as well like my friend Mai who I will be seeing Bruce Springsteen with in May. Shoooot! I met a friend of mine who works at my university through Ravelry. Steph worked on her Rogue and mentioned something about grant administration and I said “I work in that too!” and then I came to realize she worked in the same field, in a different academic department down the street! It’s amazing how these cultures are formed through the internet…to be part of a group that cares about similar things, to bounce knitterly things off each other and often talk about what’s going on in your “ordinary” life.

As you can imagine, there are groups on this site dedicated to everything from politics and religion to favorite yarns and shows. There are groups there that discuss some of the issues I’ve been experiencing in school too, which has been nice to discuss with people going through similar experiences.

Now, have I found my maid of honor thanks to Ravelry? I don’t know! I can’t say I’m out searching or interviewing for that position…hehehe but I’m still so very glad to be a part of some awesome groups of people who love what I love and share my passions. I’m not about to underestimate the sense of community felt through Ravelry. Many of these people I haven’t met yet but I know that once I do at Maryland Sheep and Wool, it will be like picking up where you left off on Twitter a few nights ago. hooray!

Yes, I know I changed my blog theme. I wanted something a little more simple but I will be asking Jermaine to help me with a header this weekend.

Good morning

I try to avoid posts that are solely “look at this…two extra inches added to ______” I am flying, however, through my Dad’s Central Park Non-Hoodie. I decided to make him this non hoodie when he asked for a v-neck cardigan. I liked that it had cables to make it an interesting knit and dad liked it so long as it didn’t have a hoodie and that it was v-necked. Kai fine. I have this handy book for sweater modifications that I trust immensely. So I started this about a month and a half ago. It was pushed to the back burner till a week and a half ago when I started to spend a majority of my knitting time knitting it. The biggest part, the back, is now done.

I started the sleve the other night and hope to have this puppy done soon.

In more fiber news, I got March’s installment of the Wollmeise sock club. YUM!

Here are some close ups of the individual skeins

I love the blue oh so much!! No idea what to make with it but I’ll let it marinate.