Weekend Wrap-up

With Gerry away for the weekend, the girls (Chelsea and Maya) and I have been enjoying some girl time. We've spent most of the weekend enjoying the sweet solace of silence. I'm convinced that for me, it's the best way to connect with God. It's only in the quiet that I can hear that still, small voice, that whisper that directs and guides me.

It's been a productive weekend.  As you can see by the picture I've got my memoir ready for the next round of revisions and rewrites. There is a huge sense of accomplishment as I look at a hard copy of this document that I've worked so long on. In hard copy form it seems more like a tangible piece of work that is one step closer to publication.

It's been a relaxing weekend as well.  I picked up some Sugar 'n Cream Twists yarn and I've started on a dishcloth.  It's something I can work on that calms me and allows me to justify time spent sitting still.  Last night we also enjoyed a Hallmark movie called The Note.

I'm finished work for the day and now I'm off to curl up with a quilt and see what I can find on the Hallmark Channel.

Oh yes, and if you haven't yet left a comment letting me know why you come back to My Own Velvet Room along with your demographic info, please do.  I'll be drawing a name from everyone who leaves a comment with this info on December 15.  The winner will receive their choice of books from the recent reviews on the Story Circle Book Reviews site.

C'mon don't be shy, let me know why you come back.  Whether it's your 2nd visit or your 254th visit (yes, that's how many posts I've done here) I want to know!

Lessons from the Knit Wit

I've enjoyed some quiet time knitting over the past couple of much-enjoyed holiday days and I've learned two things.

1.  Don't leave your knitting out where the dogs (or more specifically, Maya) can get at it.

2.  The practice of knitting, whether it is the rhythm of the process or just sitting quietly and relaxing, invites ideas for writing to come into one's mind.

I was up at 5:30 today and have spent much of the morning at the computer.  I'm deep into the second draft of my memoir today and it's flowing! Oh, what a feeling!

More from the Knit Wit

Well this knitting thing is actually turning out okay.  Once I finally figured out how to cast on, and spent way too much time figuring out how to actually knit a row and purl another, I've decided that this just might work out.

Knitting gives me an opportunity to sit quietly and calm my mind.  I can spend time listening to a TV program and not feel guilty for wasting time.  It also gives me a wonderful opportunity to let my mind wander.  Just this afternoon, while Gerry and the dogs were napping on the sofa, I made plans for Christmas gifts, prayed for family and friends, mentally worked on my memoir, all while knitting.  All in all, I'd say it was time well spent.

On another note, we were out shopping today and came across a Skechers shoe store.  We had never heard of them before, but we had an opportunity to each try a pair of Skechers Shape-Up's on.  I must say that they were the most comfortable shoes I've ever had on my feet.  We are thinking about getting a pair, but they are a bit pricey.  I'm wondering if any of my bloggy friends have heard of them, or even have a pair?
 

Knit Wit

I am trying to learn how to knit.  People have been telling me how relaxing that they find it, and goodness knows that I'm in the market for some relaxation techniques.

So, on Sunday afternoon I took a little trip to the store and picked up a learn-to-knit book, some needles and yarn.  Then I settled in for a hour or so of relaxation.  It was not to be.

Maybe it's just me, but those little diagrams in the book made very little sense to me.  I tried and tried, but couldn't understand what they were trying to tell me to do in order to cast on.

After a while, I put the book down and went to u-tube to see if there were any lessons on there.  (Isn't the internet wonderful?!)  I found a little lesson, watched it three times, and still didn't understand it.

So much for a Sunday afternoon of relaxation.

Well since then, I think I've managed to master casting on.  I think I have figured out the knit stitch, still working on the purl stitch.  The little sample piece I"m working on looks pretty rough - obviously this is going to take some practice.

Relaxing?  Not quite yet.