How to be fabulous

This afternoon, I was chatting on the phone with a mom from school. She and her husband have always been very warm and friendly with us, but we've never spent time together outside of school (they are part of local royalty). I had to call her about something small, and she made great conversation. After some chatting, she mentioned she has become hopelessly addicted to online shopping, only recently discovered since it's still not very common here. She had purchased some bathers (a swimsuit) and loved them:

"All this time dreading the shops, not finding anything, and then I order these, they are delivered to my door, and they fit like a dream! I'm so happy!"

Naturally, I pressed for the site so I, too, could be fabulous.

"Oh, it was just Dolce and Gabbana."

Of course it was.

I'm going to keep this story in my backpocket for the next time my husband remarks on my discretionary spending with his "I'll never be able to retire" mumble.

For Nicole

Last week, a friend decided to join me on a shopping trip. I wanted a new pair of jeans. I knew exactly what I wanted and expected to be in and out, but she came along anyway and brought me item after item to try on for her inspection. Being the open and honest friend she is, each ill-fitting item prompted her to announce, "Nope! It's that tummy again!" Thank you for that.

We have subsequently been to two aquarobics classes together this week.

This week's Pinterest find is dedicated to her:

Source: weheartit.com via kristina on Pinterest

Tiny Tea Leaves in blue

This is the one and only time I've persuaded her to try it on. Here, you see the first of two Tiny Tea Leaves, knitted in Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage (color is windowpane):

I am so happy with it! So cute with the bright white and yellow check buttons. Not sure my wee opinionated person thinks so too, but I knit a size up. She might love it next year...

Back to usual

Some of you wrote to express concern after my Monday post. Thank you for the extra support! It means so much! I am totally fine. The incident was a one-off that has been resolved in a good way. One of the friends who touched base did so even though she is going through a FAR more trying time than I am, and I was/am so moved! With her in mind, I'd like to share this quote I found on Pinterest:

Source: ffffound.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Excellent perspective that holds true for many people I know.
That being said, I think there's also plenty of room for this sentiment as well:

Source: acatalogueofsorts.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

For Gayle

...because even on rough days, there are little ones and chocolate ice cream and lots of reasons to smile.

Not my usual

When someone you trust attacks you verbally and makes you cry, do you also wonder how much they might have a point? The attack was wrong and unwarranted. The topic could have been discussed, calmly like rational people where there was some give-and-take rather than one-sided yelling...but. I'm worn and teary and very upset, but I still wonder if that person had a point and I need to make some changes to my usual ways of going about things. I'd like to think this is wisdom, the ability to take stock of oneself and try to improve...but I'm still really upset. I hate it when people are nasty, whether there was a real point hidden underneath or not.

I think that most people, children or adults, have tantrums when the issue is really something else entirely. The person is hungry, thirsty, tired, cold, hot, worried, stressed, unwell...and something (or someone) else sets the person off or just becomes the unlucky recipient of all that pent-up strain. I'm fairly sure that's what just happened to me. I'd love to wish such things would never happen, but we're all human. We all lose it, fairly or unfairly, from time to time. Someone is going to take the brunt, rightly or wrongly, when we do. Is it best then to just accept this human nature and drop it? Does there have to be a discussion of all the ins and outs and whys and whatnots after an apology is offered?

Observing this with children is so easy. They lose it; they move on. They accept that this is normal, not a cause for deep analysis of a relationship. They don't wallow or fester, waiting for it to happen again. The cool-down period and the apology makes the end, and all is new again.

There is much to learn from them.

Quote of the week

Found on pinterest (and didn't pin but cannot get out of my head):

"I never get jealous when I see my ex with someone new,

because my parents always taught me to give my used toys to the less fortunate."

Simple baby hat

One of the families in my daughter's class at school has had a baby boy. What a perfect excuse to knit a baby hat! I didn't want a newborn hat with a rolled brim (uncomfortable when being held close to mom), so my knitting peeps provided me with their go-to baby beanie pattern for 8-ply.

For newborn size (3 months and up), cast on 72 (82) stitches.

Knit 14 rows of rib in K2,P2 on size 3.25 mm needles.

Change to 4mm needles and knit 16 rows in stockinette. Decrease for shaping.

1st row: K1, k2tog, (K5, k2tog) repeat until last 6 stitches, K6.

2nd row (and all even rows): purl

3rd row: K1, k2tog, (K4, k2tog) repeat until last 6 stitches, K6.

5th row: K1, k2tog, (K3, k2tog) repeat until last 4 stitches, K4.

7th row: K1, k2tog, (K2, k2tog) repeat until last 3 stitches, K3.

9th row: K1, k2tog, (K1, k2tog) repeat until last 2 stitches, K2.

11th row: K1, k2tog until last 6 stitches, K1.

Thread wool through remaining stitches. Pull tight and secure. Sew up seam.

I hate seaming, so I followed the pattern but used magic loop rather than knit it flat (I should probably redo the math because I no longer need those knit stitches on either end for the seam, but I knit it as was).

My peeps are incredibly knowledgeable knitters who have knit many a beanie in their lifetimes (they knit baby beanies by the hundreds for the local hospital). However, by row 10, I was unconvinced this pattern was for me. All that rib was cinching up tight and I was picturing a balloon-shaped beanie as I worked (not the desired effect). I switched then and added 4 rows to the stockinette. Next time, I think I'll do the whole beanie on the size 4s with only 4 rows of rib to prevent curling and see how that turns out. Regardless, it looked great once it was blocked on a conveniently-sized balloon! Knit in Sublime's baby cashmere, I hope it will keep that darling baby boy nice and cozy!

Confession

For years, I've been a blogger and a blog reader.

Not lately.

At the moment, I'm ridiculously hooked on pinterest! I joined a few weeks ago, and there is no end to its fascinating array of images and its potential as a time-suck. Oh my. This must be what it's like for people who love facebook.

In case you are curious, let me know and I'll send you an invite.

I have only just begun to pin...