Virtual Monday

It's Day 2 of The Big Quit. I woke up feeling bad this morning. I know what's happening: my body is both demanding nicotine (yay for being an addict) and beginning the process of cleaning out all of the toxins I've been putting into it. My head hurts, my nose and eyes are drippy like my allergies are bothering me, there's a tickle in the back of my throat, and I'm coughing a lot. Occasionally I cough up stuff that tastes absolutely horrible. I understand that my body has to do this so it's not particularly upsetting but I just don't feel good. When the BBE asked I told him it's bad but okay (I had just woken up and didn't have the words yet to say I feel pretty bad physically, really good mentally, and I know now I need to sleep with my nicotine patch on).

Blurry cell phone picture of the two carboys of beer that are busily fermenting in the bottom of my closet. It's really his thing; I am simply his "lovely assistant." It's fun watching how into the whole thing he is. Broken record time... we have so much in common. We both like to try our hand at some new skill or hobby and we both get way into it and learn everything we can about it. I like the beer brewing thing because I can be a little involved, and can be there holding funnels and stirring wort but it's still his thing. Anyway! The one on the right is a black IPA and it smells crazy hops-y. He asked what if it makes all my clothes smell like beer? I said then you'll love me even more! :)

Speaking of hobbies; I totally logged into Ravelry for the first time in a long time yesterday. I was reading my blogs and Mason Dixon Knitting talked about the Honey Cowl and I was exactly like this: I HAVE TO MAKE THIS. I MUST MAKE THIS. OMG. WHERE IS THIS PATTERN? What do ya know, it's a free pattern on Ravelry. I dusted off my Ravelry login skills (i.e. clicked the I Forgot button) and logged in.

It was interesting to see what I had in my queue 18 months to 2 years ago. I deleted all that stuff. Put in the Honey Cowl, which is actually number two on my list. First is a stripey hat for Girl Four. I bought the yarn first, KnitPicks Brava (look at the post from two days ago if you want a link). Yesterday when we were out for our monthly date, we stopped and I picked up size 9 circs with a 16" cable and matching DPNs. I might actually attempt a pattern, but only if I get gauge immediately. I found one I sort of like the look of, by the designer of the amazing Honey Cowl, not sure how it will look striped but I might give a gauge swatch a try. I stuck it in my queue, anyway.

Maybe all this Ravelry stuff will encourage me to get to work on my tiny stash. There's not much there, but there is definitely stuff I will never use. And it looks like I've started project shopping: i.e. buying the yarn I need to make a given project rather than trying to make do from some free stuff someone gave me 3 years ago. It makes a difference in what I end up with, that's for sure. I'm thinking I'll keep the socks and the cottons and ditch everything else. And then buy some Knitpicks Gloss or Capra for my honey cowl. :)

Keeping my hands busy is a good thing.