My stepson was here for a few days and we had a lovely visit. He came bearing good humor and gifts and we enjoyed the time spent with him immensely.
I got this little device to hang one's purse off a table, shown here on the sewing table with the strap from a knitting bag. This looks really convenient and I hope it lives up to its promise, although i've already used it for said knitting bag, while knitting in the evening. It is a great improvement as I can keep the ball of yarn in the bag, rather than in my lap where little kitty claws keep sneaking up trying to snag the yarn and make off with it, little kitty claws that far to often snag me as well as the yarn.
I also got a knitting book, Reversible Knitting, which I had been quite curious about for some time, and I've enjoyed looking through it. I like the pages about different knitting stitches and am quite intrigued by some of the patterns. I can definitely see myself making some of them up. If you are on Ravelry, you can see some of the patterns here, although several of the patterns I love, like the double-knit vest and Teva Durham's Geometric Dress are not on Ravelry. Of the other patterns it seems some of the things I find the most intriguing are the least popular — go figure.
But really the best gift of all, aside from the company, was time to myself. A and his Dad went out for an afternoon and left me home alone. I was thrilled.
There are so many things I feel behind on that I was tempted to play catch up with various projects. But I didn't, or at least not entirely. I spent a couple of hours in the sewing room, getting the lining cut out for my skirt, finishing up the marking, and applying the interfacing so that now I can just sit and sew as I get the opportunity. I also sat and knitted a little bit, working out the details on the shaping of a sweater, something that takes more attention than I have had available in my knitting time of late.
But I did work on other projects as well just because there is so much that is in process and unfinished. I realize that I have more things going on than I can finish at once, but I am still dealing with my own frustrations at living in this constant transitional state. I feel like all my ragged edges are showing, so I worked in the garden, cutting down and ripping out many overgrown shrubs and vines and maple seedlings that were all trying to make their homes in inappropriate locations.
Then I came inside. Rather than plunging right into projects, I sat and just enjoyed the silence for a while. You know there are different kinds of silence and the silence of house containing only yourself is different than a silent house with two occupants. I needed those few minutes to just catch my breath and feel the silence.
Only after those few peaceful moments where my mind relaxed could I address some of the little details of the rearranged living room: rehanging paintings, positioning vases and lamps — although I am not completely happy with the lamps and might replace them — and slipping foam pipe insulation around the edges of the glass coffee table. G keeps running into the coffee table because he can't see it and forgets that it is there. His legs are all battered and bruised but he likes this table and refuses to replace it with something he can see. I thought this might be a solution for now, and it looks better than I had anticipated.
Comments
12 responses to “Gifts”
I like your living room and think the table’s new edges looks pretty good. Nice solution!
I like your living room and think the table’s new edges looks pretty good. Nice solution!
what a great idea for the table edges and I agree they look pretty good
what a great idea for the table edges and I agree they look pretty good
Mardel: I just started to read your blog a few moths ago, so I know very little about your family and your situation. Maybe you could fill me up sometime..? I have understood, that sewing and visiting places and meeting people are important for you. You have a very nice living room, which reveals your aesthetic skills. I well understand the need to be alone every now and then. Growing up as an only child, I too need that time for myself. When I feel anxiety rising, I will go to our stable and spend some quality time grooming my horse. His presence, the knowledge him enjoying my touch, brings me great satisfaction. Have a happy day!
Mardel: I just started to read your blog a few moths ago, so I know very little about your family and your situation. Maybe you could fill me up sometime..? I have understood, that sewing and visiting places and meeting people are important for you. You have a very nice living room, which reveals your aesthetic skills. I well understand the need to be alone every now and then. Growing up as an only child, I too need that time for myself. When I feel anxiety rising, I will go to our stable and spend some quality time grooming my horse. His presence, the knowledge him enjoying my touch, brings me great satisfaction. Have a happy day!
Mardel, I so understand about your need for solitude and breathing space. I’m having a little of that this week as my semester has ended and the children are still in school. I’ve been spending lots of time in my sewing room. And, just catching up on blog reading, I’m so happy you bought the pearls that Duchesse returned to Kojima! They look fabulous on you! I’m wearing my pink ovals from Sarah frequently, and I’m looking forward to buying something else from her in the future.
Mardel, I so understand about your need for solitude and breathing space. I’m having a little of that this week as my semester has ended and the children are still in school. I’ve been spending lots of time in my sewing room. And, just catching up on blog reading, I’m so happy you bought the pearls that Duchesse returned to Kojima! They look fabulous on you! I’m wearing my pink ovals from Sarah frequently, and I’m looking forward to buying something else from her in the future.
I love the reversible knitting book, I own it for a few months now but since I had the numb arms problem I’ve been renitent to knit… I will go over that book again though, and I can tell I feel the itch to knit already…
I love the reversible knitting book, I own it for a few months now but since I had the numb arms problem I’ve been renitent to knit… I will go over that book again though, and I can tell I feel the itch to knit already…
Your livingroom is so welcoming and personal. Are those books up on that beam? The reversible knitting book fascinates me, is it difficult? I was given one of those purse hangers, and decided they are like those chains for glasses: I am not ready.
Your livingroom is so welcoming and personal. Are those books up on that beam? The reversible knitting book fascinates me, is it difficult? I was given one of those purse hangers, and decided they are like those chains for glasses: I am not ready.