Hi. Um... how do I say I'm sorry for waiting another few years to make a post on a blog no one is reading any longer? How about a top ten list?

10. I've got a four year old who's demanding of all of my time.
9. I've got a husband and a four year old who like clean clothes.
8. They also seem found of eating.
7. And sleeping - that one's for me, I love sleeping.
6. I've been reading a lot in my free time.
5. Just started a new job this year - full time! Yay!
4. Boy, top ten lists get really hard to commit to.
3. Maybe that was my problem, I'm not great at commitment...
2. Did I mention that I have a four year old now? I feel like that counts for two.
1. The knitting has been spotty for all of the above reasons.

Well, after nearly five years, we're still in North Carolina. Small town southern living is a constant surprise to this Yankee. The rules, steeped in hundreds of years of tradition, seem to change from day-to-day around here. Regardless, this small southern town has charmed me, and we're pretty happy here. On owning a business: if you're about to take the plunge and own a business let me give you this sage advice: everything is going to take twice as long as you think it will!

I hope to get back to more regular blogging and I'm not so worried that no one is reading this... it's for me!

What do you say when you've taken a three year break from blogging? Heeeyyy...anyone out there? I have a pretty good excuse...'cause, ya know, everything in my whole world has changed.

I am a different person than who I was in 2010. Here's a short recap:

Chris and I were very happy in New York, but in 2011 things got...interesting. My job had taken a turn with a management problem and I was increasingly unhappy working there. In January I started to feel sick. I was off - exhausted and cranky all of the time. It turns out that I was pregnant (I told you, a lot has happened). Things began to unravel more and more at work and with impending arrival of our bundle of joy we knew that we were going to have to make a pretty drastic change in our lives. We knew that moving to be near one of our families was the best choice.

On September 29th our dear baby boy came into the world (12 days early) and we were smitten from the moment we saw him. So at the end of 2011 we decided to buy a wine and beer shop in North Carolina (I told you...crazy) and get out of the cycle of working for someone and to start working for ourselves. It was the right choice.

Though it was hard to say goodbye to New York, we packed up ourselves, the baby and of course, our first baby - Sadie dog and headed south (in a snow storm).

We opened the shop in the beginning of February and haven't looked back. We've made some dear new friends in our new town and though we're still adjusting to the new pace and the new temperatures, we're thrilled with it all.

I'd like to get back to blogging. Knitting took a bit of a back burner to the baby (though I knit some cute things for him before he was born). Our boy will be 2 this September; how did it all go so quickly?

It's good to be back - I hope someone's still out there; I'm ready to get it all back online!

For now, this is all the news that's fit to knit.

Dud

I'm just back from Naples, FL for a work conference and I've come to realize (yet again) that mama's not a jet setter anymore. When I took my first job in New York City (almost ten years ago now), I loved running off to the Caribbean for work and staying in hotel suites with free room service and then I got married and I didn't want to travel anymore and then we got our dog Sadie and now I really don't enjoy travel and I'm just guessing that if we decide to have a baby that I'll complete my slow cycle of agoraphobia and never leave the house again. I'm kidding; but not. It's another beast entirely to leave on a trip with the husband and the dog - EUPHORIA! I love that! I would love to take a little trip, just the three of us and sit on a deck overlooking a lake and nap and read and probably drink wine. Life is good.

I got C. XM radio as a birthday present in July and since my darling husband is the only person (I've totally confirmed this) reading this blog, I feel that I can state publicly to you and only you (this means you), Mr. C. that I think I got you a dud of a gift and I'm giving you a do-over.

I clearly love the XM radio and you clearly like the XM radio. So here's my proposition: I'll get you an iPad for our anniversary next month, but it'll really be for your birthday, but we'll say it's for our anniversary so that we don't have to tell anyone that I got you a dud birthday present. Whaaddya think?

This is all the news that's fit to knit.

Happy Birthday!

We are celebrating my dear, sweet, amazing husband's birthday today. Happy Birthday C.!

I am so glad you were born all of those years ago today so that you could grow up and marry me and we could share this happy life. More than that I am so happy that you are in the world - you make so many people happy and we're all better because you are in our lives. You're kind and honest and funny and talented and the best guy I know.

It's all about my sweetie today - so this is all the news that's fit to knit.

Calm after some storms

It's a beautiful day today after several days of storms here in the Hudson Valley. I'm so thankful for a day like today and am feeling like I can make all kinds of good things happen. I have a lot of work ahead of me and it all starts in about twenty minutes. There's loads of work and I'm so thankful for that; though it is interfering with my personal life at times.

Tomorrow is C.'s birthday and I'm looking forward to celebrating another year of the best husband on earth. We had a quiet weekend (where I procured a gift for him) and watched mother nature's rage via thunderstorm. We never lost power here (thank goodness!).

I don't have a lot to report, I've been working a ton, knitting very little and hanging in there. I've been buried in books the last few days (I read three between last Saturday and this Friday) and we made a trip to Barnes and Noble yesterday. I mentioned in earlier posts that I'm working on changing my life. Changing your life is hard work and I've hung onto a lot of guilt and damage over the years. Forgiving yourself and others takes some doing, but when you let it go you feel so much better. I don't know that anyone can see the difference in me, but I feel it in myself and that's really the most important thing.

For now, this is all the news that's fit to knit.

Book Learning

The night before last I was having a right good pity party for myself and I've been working really hard on changing that behavior in my life so I turned to something that almost always makes me feel better: reading. I escaped into a novel that was new to me and written by author Beverly Lewis. I was drawn to pick up her books out of the Barnes and Noble clearance section because the cover of her first book said that she was writing about Lacaster County, PA.; a place that I'm pretty familiar with.

There's no hiding the fact that I'm from Pittsburgh; either I'm screaming it about me or something about me is screaming it for me. It flumoxes New Yorkers when I carelessly say the word iron (which if I don't watch it often comes out "arh-n") or if I accicently ask what kind of pop they have at a restaraunt instead of saying soda. What you might not know about me is that I spent a few years living in Harrisburg, PA which is just down the road from Lancaster County. Some people refer to this area of PA as "Amish Country" and it's true as there are many Amish settlements in the area. It really is an experience to be late to a meeting in Lancaster and get stuck behind an Amish buggy on a main road. It's a clashing of cultures - you in your car trying not to have road rage in your rush to get where you're going and their absolute bafflement of why you're so worked up and why you think you need to get anywhere that fast or that stressed out.

So when I saw the books on the clearance rack I scooped them up in an impulse buy and when the world was getting to me the other night, I escaped into theirs. I love that about books and I was fascinated about the Amish life and "living plain". I'm glad that God put me right where I am and that might of been the hidden lesson in this book. To tell the truth, I'm hoping my copy was missing a few chapters at the end because she left us with a lot of questions This post is less about the book and more about the experience of leaving behind the world I was in and the mood I was in to find myself in the rolling hills of Lancaster County in an Amish buggy trying to understand why shunnings happen. It was fascinating and it was fun and it reminded me why I was addicted to all of those Lit classes in college.

For now, this is all the news that's fit to knit.

PS - Updated to let you know that I've found out that there are two more books in my series; I'll get those answers I want!

March birthday in July

For my birthday in March my wonderful husband gave me tickets to see Amos Lee in concert at the Tarrytown Music Hall. The concert finally came around and we went last night. The evening started off a bit stressful when the check engine light on the car came on. We're scheduled for a very expensive repair on Monday already...how does that old saying go? When it rains, get out your checkbook?

Amos was amazing and his opening act, a guy by the name of Mutlu (I don't believe this is a nickname), was terrific. We even bought both of his albums as we left the show. It was soul and it was folk and Amos was funny and engaging. I love that the Music Hall holds about 500 people - it's intimate without feeling empty. You feel like you're really there with the performer and can really just immerse yourself in the evening. It was great. A big kiss to my dear, sweet C. he really knows how to knock it out of the park with a good birthday present! He wrapped up the evening with a high class meal of chicken nuggets at chez Mc.D's. Ahhhhh.

For now, we're beating the heat! And that's all the news that's fit to knit.

Back to Blogging

If anyone on earth is still reading this blog...I'm back. I needed that break from March. I've been doing a lot of work on my life when it comes to who I am and I think when you're working on growing and changing yourself, it takes some quiet time. And no kidding, we've had a rotten start to this year. It's July and we're still hoping that things will get better. We've lost a lot of dear friends and loved ones this year.

C. and I are very hopeful people though - we've got our heads up and we believe that the blessing are coming our way. It's been so good for me to return to the basics in my life. Finding quiet time, finding time to study the bible and not only talk with God, but spend some real time everyday listening for God. I had been very far away from that for a long time. It feels good to be reconnecting. It's like I've found peace again. I've found a life free of worry and the anxiety that had been choking me.

The summer had been busy with visiting family. My father in law continues his battle against cancer and my mother in law continues to handle the whole situation with grace. We spent the July 4th holiday with my family in Pittsburgh and I was reminded how much I love that city. It was so great to hang out with my family. We spent the whole trip on my brother's deck (which he's had wired for cable television so that we don't miss a second of the world cup or Wimbledon - he's a smart cookie, my brother). I realized that we spent every waking moment outside that I never needed to walk the dog. If Sadie needed to go she got her butt up off the deck and took care of business. It was fantastic. This trip has renewed my fever for wanting a house! I NEED a backyard! : )

So that's what's happening with me. Finished a pair of socks, cast on with Socks that Rock and am working a ton! Hope you've been doing well too.

For now, this is all the news that's fit to knit.

Birthday Weekend

I turned 34 years old on Friday and C. treated me to a delicious dinner out. We had a good time, even if work was really stressful leading up to the celebration time. I'm so glad that we got our night out because Saturday was not fit for man nor beast. We had the rain of all rains (not long after having survived the snow of all snows). I attempted to attend church this morning but was turned away by Irvington's finest with the information that the church was surrounded by downed live wires. They didn't need to tell me twice - I was outta there. I poped into our favorite bagel shop in the hope of surprising C. with some yummy bagel sammiches for lunch. Turns out that all of Tarrytown and the Hollow had the same idea. But I waited in line nonetheless and was rewarded with the deliciousness!

Our cable and internet had been out since last night and its amazes me how much that affects us.

I'm totally stalled out on my February Lady sweater - stuck on sleeve island...I'm most of the way through the first sleeve...keep a good thought for me.

Till next time, its all the news that's fit to knit.

Ten Things I Love:

1. My Family
2. My dear Friends
3. Being at the Cabin - on the back porch, when there is a slight breeze rocking the tree tops back and forth; it is my place of peace.
4. All things Pittsburgh
5. Cheeseburgers
6. Marching Bands
7. Pride and Prejudice
8. Football
9. Puppy Dogs
10. And this guy:

Love You! Happy Valentine's Day!

Moving Forward

Since we lost my friend Adam I'm finding it really hard to move through the grief, but one thing that has been helping me is my knitting. Maybe its creating something new that's helping me; maybe its thinking about something else, I'm not sure - but it makes it hurt a little less.

In easier news, our dear friends in Ireland had a beautiful baby boy and I've knitted up this sweater for him. I hope it'll still fit! If not, they can save it for their next baby!

We've had a wee bit of snow here in NYC...sorry for the shot through the screen, but our backyard was amazing - snow clinging to everything! Had to show you.

Someone else enjoyed the snow too....

Sadie isn't a huge fan of her coat, but I am! She loves to eat snowflakes as they fall and is unashamed to stick her whole face in a pile of snow. I love it! Of course, she gets to being a princess when her paws get cold and she wants to hitch a ride home. We're cruel, we've only carried her twice. She's totally put out by that statistic.

I'm entered in the RavOlympics. For those non-knitters out there, this is the Ravlery (read: the mecca portal for knitters - a place where we manage projects, share information and generally interact with other knitters) Olympic Games. The idea is to choose a project that will challenge you and you cast on not a moment before the torch is lit during the opening ceremonies and you have the length of the Olympics (14 days) to complete your project before they extinguish the flame during the closing ceremonies. If you complete your project and post proof to the finish line post in the forums then you win a virtual gold medal. It's all in good fun and a great way to enjoy the Olumpics and your knitting at the same time.

I am on Team I Did - hanging with my other newlyweds

So tomorrow you can track my progress here as well - on Saturday I hope to update where I am with my starting line.

For tonight, this is all the news that's fit to knit!

Choices

When Chris and I went to Rhinebeck this year I picked up a few kits from The Spinning Room (their shop hails out of Altamont, NY). One kit was for a scarf that I made up for my MIL. I gifted it to her this Christmas and totally forgot to take pictures. I'll have to force her to model for me the next time in NC.

The yarn in the picture to the left is luscious and delicious Akapana (65% Baby Llama, 25% Merino Wool and 10% Donegal). It's spun in Peru and I want to snuggle with it all of the time. In purchasing this kit I am faced with a choice as it included two patterns. I can make a pair of fingerless mitts or a toasty neck warmer. The neck warmer is winning the race right now because of my utter need to nuzzle the skeins of yarn. Maybe I should just keep them around for snuggles. Only other knitters will understand that this is a true possibility. I'll let you know what I decide.

I need to get my rear in gear for the RavOlympics. I'm planning to take on the February Lady sweater from Clara Parke's "Knitters Book of Yarn". Wish me luck - seems just about right to knit this thing in Feb. I hope I can do it in the small window of time.

My life has been a bit of an emotional mess lately. I can't seem to get caught up. I feel like Chris and I got off track with our normal lives during the blizzard on December 19th and we just haven't been able to get our balance. I'm hoping that this month will afford us sometime to get back to center. I think creating things again is a step in the right direction.

For all of the rotten things that have been happening I find that at the core of my life is God and Chris. My family also continues to be this amazing powerhouse of support and encouragement. I'm not sure why I was given the incredible family I was given, but make no mistake, I appreciate them. My mom,  parents inlaw, my brother, brother in law and sisters in law, my nieces and nephews. Each and everyone of them is ready with a kind word, or more likely a sarcastic joke that makes laughter through tears possible. You just don't get luckier than me.

Maybe I should knit them all snuggies...

For now, this is all the news that's fit to knit.

Memorial

My dear friend, Adam, died on January 15th. It was unexpected and we're so sad that he's gone. I've known Adam for about ten years and to tell you the truth it wasn't long enough. He and his wife stood up for us at our wedding and we shared so much of our daily lives with their family.

Adam was kind and funny and a true friend. I hope he knows how much Chris and I love him and how much we will miss him. We will always remember.

Love,
Kristin

Gilmore Friday Night

Sometimes when things get tough I think about Lorelai Gilmore. Sometimes, when things get tough or I get lonely I watch Gilmore Girls on DVD - I have all of the seasons on DVD. I have the soundtrack. I'm not like this about any other television show. When I was offered to take some classes for work (paid for by the company) I only accepted after Chris agreed to get DVR because the class was on Tuesday nights and that's when the show aired. I've never been an obsessed fan, but I was devoted to this show.

There's something about Lorelai's quick wit, confidence and her wordsmithing that makes me love her. I don't want to be Lorelai - lets face it her life is a mess, but there's something so great about being able to see into this crazy little world. I want to live in that small, quaint town where all the people know you and love you and their always involved in crazy schenanegans. I love crazy schenanegans and activities with people I know. I haven't lived in a town where people know me since 1994. I really miss it.

I love the coffee too.

Sometimes I have to make a pot of coffee while I'm watching the show.

I also want the clothes.

I love that we're able to get tv on dvd. It's one of the tech advancements that I'm truly thrilled about. I think indoor plumbing, ez pass and tv on dvd are my top favs. The internet is good too. Internet shopping is not good for the budget - especially when you're admiring the clothes on gg.

Just a glimpse into my Friday night, folks.

For now, its all the news that's fit to knit.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from me and my guy! I truly hope you had an amazing holiday. I've been on vacation for two weeks and I am finally relaxed - so naturally I'm headed back to work tomorrow. There's a lot in store, but I think I'm coming off of this vaction with a new outlook for this new year - a little perspective. There is nothing more important to me than my family. They are my whole world and I am filled up by them. This guy in the picture with me - he's the best friend anyone could ever have and I've got to tell you I have no idea why he picked me, but it is one of my greatest blessings.

May 2010 be the best yet from us to you!

For now it's all the news that's fit to knit.

I've been working around the clock for the last few weeks and it has put me severly behind schedule for the holidays. I had a group in the city that had me working all weekend. The truth is that they were a fun a group and I had a good time. My boss and I even had some time to do a little shopping and I found this cut out skyline of NYC in the MoMA shop. C. added the Charlie Brown Christmas tree as our Rock Center tree. It makes a cute scene for our bay window.

We're so far behind schedule that we don't have our tree up yet. We only have two Christmas present bought. We're a little screwed. I basically have this weekend to get my shopping done. How did I let it get this bad???

Family has been on my mind a lot lately. I really need another dose of them. Thanksgiving was just too short. I get to see my family again for a cousin's wedding on December 19th and then we're off to NC for two weeks. The we're back to PA to celebrate birthdays. I'm glad our Sadie dog likes the car.

I'm working on Christmas knitting - so no shots for you. For now, this is all the news that's fit to knit.

For Real

I had a whole blog post written and now it has been eaten! So I'm sorry for the brief update. It's been an up and down kind of day. I'm really looking forward to getting home for the holidays and yet I've got a long way to go with work before we peel out next week.

I just found out through facebook that an old friend from high school has passed away. I haven't spoken to this friend in years, but when we were in school we were really good friends. In fact, he once bought me a teddy bear - a bear that has been a favorite from the moment he was given to me. My friend even named the bear and there are times when I'm making up the bed and putting James da bear on my pillow that this friend comes to mind. I'm so sorry he's gone. 32 is far too young to leave the world and its far too young to feel that life is not a joy.

Though my heart is heavy I believe and so I am not afraid for him.

In knitting news, my mother in law asked for a hand knit scarf as a Christmas present - I love that woman! She loves a hand knit and I really appreciate that! She's a fellow knitter / crafter and an overall awesome lady. I hit the the inlaw jackpot - just love em!

Till tomorrow, this is all the news that's fit to knit.

A Tip of My Hat

Veterans Day is a tough day for me every year. My heart is full of gratitude for the brave service men and women who provide protection and comfort for our country. I understand that the freedom I enjoy is due in large part to their steadfast dedication to the USA. A tip of my hat and my deep-felt thanks for all of those who are serving our country. Thank you.

Veterans Day is tough for me because it marks the anniversary of my dad's death. I woke up this morning to remember that it has been twelve years today since I've spoken to my dad. I miss him so much and though I am finally starting to get on with my life after such a devastating event, I don't think I'll ever be truly over it. I have finally embraced the idea that knowing my dad, he wouldn't want me to live focused on this. He'd want me to live the happiest life I can. In honor of him, I'm trying to do just that. It took me a long time to get here.

Tomorrow: knitting that I'm doing, knitting that I'm planning and other stuff. For now, this is all the news that's fit to knit.

Scarf Weather

It's scarf weather and I love it. It's that time of year when knitters feel like they can knit anything! We can make hats and mittens and scarves and sweaters - out the door we go to enjoy their warmth. Knitting in the summer is lovely, but a heap of wool on the lap in August is just not as sweet as a heap of wool in November or March.

I finished up this little two row scarf and just cast on for one in Noro Silk Garden - yarn I brought home from Rhinebeck. I'm really enjoying it. This scarf is simple, midless knitting and since I've been working myself out of knit-block, it was just what I needed. It's getting to be that time though when I start to challenge myself again. This weekend I went into my new local yarn shop and the people were so nice - I've got to get back there and support them. I'm wondering if they have a knit night - I'll have to call and ask.

The weekend was beautiful and we had a bunch of trick or treaters. It was so much fun! This is the first year for us having anyone come to the door, so we were pleased. Sadie wore her pumpkin outfit and ended up so tired at the end of the night:

The whole village of Tarrytown / Sleepy Hollow was decked out for the holiday. C. and I went down to main street for some lunch and roaming around. I love this little town that we're living in - the people are nice and there are lots of things going on all of the time. I hope we make some nice friends soon. Check out the spiders on the side of this house. I'm pretty sure they light up - very spooky!


For now, this is all the news that fit to knit.

Happy Halloween!