Saturday, August 25, 2007

Finally, Some Progress

Hello everyone! I know it's been a while, but look I actually HAVE been knitting. Not lots and lots, but I am just shy of finishing sock 1. This one fits like a dream, and I have come to like the pooling thing just fine. Of course it went all different once I did the heel and gusset stitches, but it was back to it's odd swirly thing pretty fast.

Now I just have to decide what sort of toe I'm going to do. I think I'll probably do a short row toe, just because... I don't know why. Then again, maybe I'll do the other kind, since this isn't a toe UP sock and I would have to kitchener like 34 stitches instead of what's left at the end of a regular toe, like 12 or 15 or some such number.

I'm in no super big hurry to finish, just knitting when I feel like it. I wonder if the next sock I start will have the same swirly action going on? We'll see!

As for the other stuff going on.... School starts on
Monday. On the one hand, I'm sorta glad for a little extra peace, and on the other hand, I'll miss my nice easy mornings with no deadlines. Getting kiddos up and ready by the time the bus gets here at 6:50 something is... a challenge at times.

The Summer went by pretty fast, as Summers always do, but in way I'm glad. It means I've made it through another season. I'm feeling better all the time, even though I still struggle in some ways. I'm finished with one of my books, but I am still using it since it has a recipe for processing negative emotions and replacing them with positive emotions. It's a good tool for me and it works. I still have things to process, of course, but I'm starting to look at life differently. For example, things that used to rile me lots, don't really quite as much. Getting riled and upset over all sorts of things, which is what I used to do, really accomplishes nothing. I'm starting to be able to hear about and see things without internalizing them or allowing them to make me mad or upset. That's one of the things I learned in group therapy, too, that no one can really MAKE you mad. It's actually our own thoughts and beliefs about whatever happened that gives rise to those emotions, which in turn can lead to negative behaviors in response. But if you can look at a situation as just an event an process it without all the negative emotions you can deal with it much better. Easier said than done, of course, but it's a good place to start. I'm working on it. Is this boring? It's just that if I tell you guys about it, I impress it further on myself.

Did I tell y'all that I met the author to the books I have? I did! When I was on my cruise and was seriously tripped out (no chemicals induced it, just rampant emotional collapse or something) I managed to find her. She was so very nice. She put her arm around me and talked to me for a while and told me I needed her book. (boy was she right about that!) I really wish there was some way I could thank her for that. I tried leaving a comment on her website, but I'm not sure those go to her directly. I hope she knows that she helped me though, it's a really good book for me.

Well, that's about all I have to share at the moment, take care everyone, see ya soon.

7 comments:

Tracy said...

Hi, April. Glad you are getting to know how to deal with things better. As with all things, there is a learning curve. Sending good thoughts through all your ups and downs. Your socks are lovely.

Anonymous said...

Very nice job on the sock, so far. I think you're right about the top-down short row toe - all of those stitches!
I think it's good to talk about the things you have. Not only is it good for you, but it might also help someone else.

Anonymous said...

Hey the sock looks great, its doing the same pooling thing as mine, the heel was normal and then the foot pooled. The good news is, that my second sock is behaving the same way so at least they match!!!

So good to hear you are employing some of the coping strategies you have learned. Continue to share, everybody hurts girl.

Anonymous said...

Love the socks! I just love pooling yarn, it reminds me of nature for some reason, especially wild flowers.

You know it surprises me what people will get upset at. A girl at the office today got mad because there was no ice in the ice maker. I said, well there was, but others got there first.

Oh well, we have to take each moment and event individually.

Patty said...

Love the sock - very pretty colours!

Glad you're talking things through - a very healthy coping mechanism! Keep talking and we will be here to listen.

Good luck with getting back into the school routine. I'm a few years off that myself but don't know that I'm looking forward to it!

Samantha said...

I'm glad you're feeling better, and nope, its not boring. Anyway, even if it is boring, too bad for those who think that because its YOUR blog. :)

The sock looks great!

Donna said...

Well, they really coming along! I personally don't get the whole sock thing; I hate making them! Boot socks, anklets, regular socks.......hmmmm.......I just don;t get it! What am I missing here??????? I want to enjoy making them but.....I don't! tell me what the secret is!!!!!!!!!!