Some Bunny’s Love

Too many assignments to finish, too many projects to make, too many errands to run, too many posts to write, too many yarns to play with — not enough hours in the day. So goes life for most of us, eh?

In being frank, I do need to get a better handle on my spent time. I have been trying to reorganize my bedroom (Rich gets one, I get one, and we share the master) so that I can work out and knit upstairs in peace. I have a crunch appliance/tool/gizmo that my best-friend-in-RI let me have, a medium-sized Pilates ball, yoga mat, assorted sizes of weights, and now all I need is space to use it. I may have to tackle that bedroom on Sunday during the nice lovely weather that is hitting the area. I would tidy up tomorrow, but I am going to see Carol Sulcoski at WEBS for the signing of her co-authored “Knit So Fine” book. I also need to see if I can find more of a blue cotton/wool yarn for my friend of (GASP) 21 years, Eric. We dated for a bit during and years later after college, and are smart enough to know that we are better off as pals. When I asked if he would like a knitted item, he requested a cabled v-neck pullover. I finally found the yarn and have 3 patterns to decide upon. I am hoping to finish the sweater by Christmas. He is in great shape and could get away with a women’s design. Just thinking about the whole bit gives me shivers. =:8

Shelby’s SP12 Question #3: *What would you consider the perfect amount of stash?*
Is she giving us tough ones to answer or what? Here is my short and sweet response…
*From the Ravelry Helpers Birthday Swap Questionnaire*
What is your name? What is your quest? What is your favorite color?
Some Bunny’s Love, I mean, Kimberly.
To acquire all the yarn in the world.
Ummm… Not neon?

Slowly I am gaining control of my life. It first started when I decided to cut my hair, then I made a change in my eating habits to be healthier — or at least not as gluttonous. I started knitting more conscientiously about what I am making and what each detail symbolizes. I started getting a better idea on how much I am on Ravelry — maybe too much to comprehend? As for stash-enhancement-experiences, I am guilty of over-indulging a bit much. There are too many yarns “with whispering voices calling to me” (figure out where that phrase is from?) for projects begging to be made. To counteract the weight gain of yarn, I have taken up losing body weight and clothing sizes.

When Rich and I married four years ago, I was a fat bride and hated being one. Seeing myself in the mirror grow in size since I was 30 years-old depressed me and I kept wishing myself strong and healthy again. Without any support from home and work in everything I did and wanted to do, I found myself getting worse emotionally, mentally, and physically. When I was “walked” out in March, something snapped in my head for an unknown reason and the drive grew to become the person that I knew was inside.

I realized that my choices of what I put into my body were the main culprit to how I looked. I started grazing during the course of the day, and only ate heavier types of food for breakfast and lunch. I cut down on my meat intake and doubled my dairy intake. One discovery was a flavored/enhanced water that contained 2-3 grams of fiber in each serving — roughly 5 grams per bottle. Lately I eat lighter during lunch with a salad, or a cup of soup with a side of vegetables, but I still make sure I have breakfast. I also let myself splurge on the weekend with controlled portions of sweets. I have found that completely denying oneself always leads to backward steps. So far, I have been rewarded with a drop in 2 dress sizes. The satisfaction of having clothes unable to stay on my hips without being tightly belted is quite empowering!

My next steps are going to help me drop another 2 sizes and put some definition on my physique. Adding to the change in diet, I needed a new routine. I started walking 2 flights of stairs to get to my office. This week I joined a gym that has classes in conditioning, yoga, and pilates. I will have to replace my Monday/Thursday nights of knitting groups with the classes, but I know that the trade will make me feel and look better. My next target on the fitness revamp is getting more active. I have a lot of nervous energy, and a morning walk would help. Granted I have to get up earlier than I am now, but like the trade of the classes, the final result is worth the change.

This week also brought me a wonderful package in the mail (Well, okay — several packages). The much anticipated “Favorites Swap” package by Bobbi from “(Caffeinated) Knitting Keeps me (Chemically) Balanced” brought anxious excitement. The biggest challenge of this swap was being able to abide by the $15 budget requirement yet offering a nice package. I enjoyed shopping for my assigned pal Wanda from the “Silly Sheep” blog, and am still wondering if she even liked anything I gave her. (YAY!! She DOES!!) Holding the box, I opened it to see what Bobbi had in store for me. Boy, was I in for some goodness!!

My favorite part about the package? The labels hinting at our favorites (Yes, that a purposely made pun). I love little details which show how much thought and creativity one puts into everything because I try to do the same. From the fragrant vanilla soap, to the awesome bunny-on-a-sheep figurine, Bobbi put a lot of time to incorporate both of our tastes.

There are 2 really neat items to showcase, and one was wrapped in the orange paper. The other I enjoy because one can never have enough…

So very huge ginormous bunny rabbit hugs go to Bobbi! Thanks so much for the wonderful package. I have been showing off the figurine to the rest of the Ravelry Helpers and anybunny who would listen!

Speaking of more posting, I need to answer the second question that Shelby my SP12 Hostess posted:
“In many parts of the US and abroad, school’s out. Take a walk down memory lane for Week Two’s question: As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?”
I had to do a lot of thinking on that one. My sister and I never went away to camp, which may explain my uneasiness of being in the woods overnight. I remember the summer we learned to swim at the YMCA and discovered I took to the water like a fish. I could never get enough of being in the swimming pool and enjoyed our family membership. The idea of getting back into the water toys in my head occasionally, but I am not ready to slip into a swimsuit yet. In my last 2 summers of high school, I discovered surfing, and fell instantly in love. There is something organically sensuous about being in the water with only Mother Nature and a board. When I get enough money saved up for my little piece of waterside heaven, it will be near the ocean. Whew, I need to get in shape first!! =:8

The past two weeks have been a mite busy. As usual Ravelry and knitting suck up my attention, then work and the daily commute take up the rest. Since going “full-time with Ravelry” blogging had been put on hold and I have been slowly inputting back entries which cover the bigger events since April. To help with my slump, I figured that joining Secret Pal 12 would get me back on the writing saddle. But what is a blog entry without photos and side stories?

Above are the pieces of a Killer Rabbit. This little rabbit has been a challenge for me because I despise hand-sewing and knitting with 100% acrylic. I started this little guy on May 10th to kick off the anniversary celebrating Monty Python’s Holy Grail. Note how I am trying to make him look like “Seize the Bun” Caesar. I think my target is going to love him! The next time I make this pattern, I plan on embedding the ears as I knit the head, using short rows for the mouth, and knitting the hind legs like a boot. Look Ma, NO SEAMS!!

Another exchange I did was the Favorite Things Swap where I spoiled Wanda from the “Silly Sheep” blog. We had to send $15 worth of goodies that both pal and self would love. I sent over 4 skeins of a fabulous new linen/cotton/silk yarn that I bought during the WEBS Tent Sale since I have NOTHING in my crazy stash that is not “animal” fiber or a gift, a bag of Ghiradelli chocolates, a couple of stitch markers from Linda of Saratoga Llamas because my pal said she has never had any stitch markers (whoa — I am spoiled with my stash of markers), my favorite measuring cup (thanks to Alton Brown!), and a earth-friendly jigsaw puzzle that has a drawn rabbit for the artwork. Umm, how can a puzzle be earth-friendly? Because it is made of materials that can be planted into the ground. I have yet to hear from her since I sent the goodies over the past weekend, but I do know that she received it because I have tracking on the package. After realizing my little list for Wanda, I wonder what I will be getting…

My other exchange is the Ravelry Helpers Birthday Swap. Again the challenge is not to spend a lot of money — our budget is $20-25. Because I cannot show anything without divulging who my pal is, I must keep mum for now.

For those who are curious on how many I am currently making, I have 3 Clapotis on the needles, but only 2 of them have been photographed during their WIP-ing status. The orange one is a summertime “thank you” for another exchange, the little sage/black green one is a twist on the pattern to make a matching baby blanket for my cousin’s future daughter arriving in August, and the giant green/yellow one is a birthday present. After these Clapotis are done, I have to begin my sweater for Rhinebeck and the cabled v-neck pullover for my best bud in Virginia, Eric.

Now for the Secret Pal 12 “stuff” to do. First and foremost is my questionnaire which has its own dedicated page *HERE*. Next is the button that I am using. Can anyone guess what it is based on?

The final item is Shelby’s hostess question for this week:
What is your favorite summertime drink?
Hmmm… That is a tough call because what I drink depends on my mood and the social situation. I love a good mojito, dessert wine in a chilled glass, bottled water, sweet tea, lemonade, and (as of late) Coke Zero.