Sunday Contemplations

My goodness, I took a deep breath and an entire week slipped by!



I don't actually have a wonderfully creative post to share with you today, so instead I thought I would share a few things that are on my mind. After all, I do have some wonderful relatives who tend to get a little bit worried when they don't see regular posts!

• I will be really, really happy when the Christmas pageant is over. It will - quite naturally - be a wonderful event, but I am very, very tired of the rehearsal sessions. It's been over two months of near non-stop chaos, and it's been a huge time commitment. This family needs a break! (And the pageant director needs a big, fat gold star for her patience, creativity and energy.)


• To be quite honest, I'm feeling a bit grinchy this year. I'm just not ready for the holidays, and I can't quite get excited about them.


• The reasons behind that last point are probably tied to a bit of a medical issue I'm having. Long story short, I discovered this summer that I have a Vitamin D deficiency, and I'm having trouble getting my levels up. The most recent high-dosage pills made me sick for two weeks, and so if they didn't manage to boost my levels I'm not sure what we're going to do. The more research I do, the more I believe that this could possibly be part of what's been wrong with me for the last 20 years. I'm not one to blame any one specific thing...that's too simplistic of an idea when our bodies are so very complex and individualistic....but wow, the evidence is pretty strong.


• Case in point, I felt my annual case of S.A.D. kick in this last week. I'm unreasonably tired and depressed, and feel in desperate need of some sunshine to feed on. And what does sunshine give us? That's right! Vitamin D.


• And yes, for years and years I've felt that I 'fed' on sunshine. It was a need that I identified at the end of my freshman year in college - after living for a year with absolutely no natural light in my room. Funny, I'm not a huge fan of summer...but I know that I need the sun.


• While thinking about all of this, I'm extremely grateful that this year I am in considerably better shape than I've ever been because I have both the support system and the healthy lifestyle in place to alleviate much of the problem.


• The other problem with my holiday cheer is that last year was a bit of a disaster for me. I gained 15 lbs. over the holidays - part of what pushed me into finally finding the help I needed - and have to admit that I'm very worried going into this holiday season that the same thing will happen despite my best efforts. I love Christmas, but if I'm honest it's not been a happy time of year for me since childhood. (Christmas of '91 is when the trouble started.) I need to make a plan so that this year is different.


• Told you I was grinchy.


• On to other, happier topics.


• I have a really squishy skein of hanspun shetland/alpaca yarn on my desk. I thought it was overspun when I made it, and have admittedly been abusing it. However, I keep touching it and it keeps calling my name. Too bad I only have one skein of it. Is it bad to keep a skein of yarn just so that you can squish it once in a while?


• Speaking of handspun, I'm in a bit of a quandary. I need to be knitting, but all I want to do is practice with my spindles. That's right....spindles. I have a wonderful wheel, but all I want to use are my spindles. I'm reading a couple of spindle books right now, and I also keep looking at spindles online. I don't want any more, but they sure are fun to look at! Too say that I'm obsessed might be a tad of an understatement. I always was more of a spinner than a knitter (even if my project list doesn't reflect that) and I feel like this is the next great adventure in spinning.


• I do want more fiber. Part of my spinning issue is that I'm totally bored with the colors I have right now, and want something completely different to work with. I feel my paypal account calling. I knew I was saving that money for a rainy day!


• In the last week, my littlest daughter lost her handknit mittens and my eldest lost her hat. Both are completely distraught. Guess what I'm going to be doing as soon as I finish up the monkeys!


• I spent all day yesterday in my pajamas. Everyone should do that once in a while. I also slept in late, took a nap and went to bed early. Can't say enough good things about this plan.


• I also read another de Lint novel this week...could be part of why I didn't post! Drat the man! Just kidding. I learn something new about myself every time I read those books. AND, this particular book was (I believe) my introduction to the Crow Girls, who are favorite characters of mine.


• I got to spend some time with my BKB this week. I've really missed her! We don't get to see each other so much anymore because of my gym commitments and our children's routines. It totally stinks.


• My husband loves my friends. The most recent reason? When I asked my BKB if she could potentially babysit for my husband's employee appreciation party at the end of January, her response was, "Yes, but only if you let me go shopping with you to find a hot new dress."


• Peppermint mochas - much to my trainer's dismay - are about the world's most perfect drink.


• We have a local radio station that's been playing Christmas music 24/7 since shortly after Halloween. Too bad they only know about 15 songs - including Wham's "Last Christmas" the perennially distasteful "Santa Baby" and "Feliz Navidad" which my husband transformed into "Really Stinky Dogs" for the kids. Sigh.


• The kids are happy and occupied, so I'm going to go put up Grampa's nativity set!

We'll be back to regular posting tomorrow!