Dear Guy Who Was Shopping At Costco,

Thank you.

Thank you so much.  You really made my day. 

How did you know about my closet situation?  Or my subsequent shopping spree?  Did you also know I took extra time getting dressed and made up this morning?

Once upon a time, I would have gotten onto my high horse about you oggling me like that.

Those days are over.

                                                             sincerely,

                                                                   Ann

ps.  right back at’cha — you weren’t too bad yourself!

Yesterday there was a catharsis.

And it feels real good.

While D#1 is off enjoying the life collegiate, I took the opportunity to go through her closet and drawers.  Bags for garbage and Goodwill were gathered.  I vaccuumed — behind the furniture. 

Whenever I go through a room, closet or drawer like this, it gives me such a good feeling that throughout the day I will return to it simply to gaze upon its structured beauty.  Its good, clean lines.  The poetry in the organization.

You would think that would be enough.  Should be enough.

But No!!    My happy good feeling was ruined by my very own closet.

I have a nice sized walk in closet. 1/4 of it goes to the Boar for his suits (how this arrangement came about is a conversation for another day).  5/8 of it goes to all the clothes that don’t fit and the remaining 1/8 is for those that do.

What?? 

You don’t have piles of clothes that no longer fit?  The things that dreams/nightmares are made of?  You don’t also feel the despair and frustration of looking at those f-ing piles every morning?

I went so far as to tell myself that the pile of jeans ranging over four sizes not only might fit me some magical day but would also be great for craft projects. 

So now I not only got to have it on my weight conscience, it was doing double duty as a craft/stash guilt supplier!  aaaarrrrrhhhhh!

Well that is all over.

I emerged victorious and have six big garbage bags to take to a Katrina drop off site. 

Did I do this all alone?      nah!

"Brace yourself!"

Brace yourselves darlings —- I have some FO’s!  In a radical departure, I have actually finished two projects.

almost.

they are being blocked as you read this. 

Does this count?  At what point is a project finished?  Are you a purist and believe it’s done when it’s done?  Or are you like me and the minute that thing isn’t in your knitting bag anymore, it’s finished?

Last month I was at the barn knitting ringside while D#2 had her lesson.  I was working on a pair of Retro Rib socks done in the Trekking XXL.  Another rider’s Dad was sitting there as well and we were happily chatting away.  He said something or other about the socks and how nice they were and how he wouldn’t mind having a pair of handknit socks himself.  I asked him what he would pay for a pair of handknit socks.  He gave it some thought and said he would pay $15.  In no way was he hinting around for me to knit him a pair — this truly was a simple conversation and he was amazed to hear how much yarn costs.  If you can suspend for a moment the amount of labor involved, most people have no idea how much yarn costs these days.

I realize that I have blogged on this topic in the past.  Further, I realize that I get a bit emotional when it comes to this subject and I start to rant and wind up sounding like a shrill harridan.  I will say that I get asked to knit for other people on the average of twice a month.  It is tiring.

How much is that sweater in my knitting bag?  With the holiday season approaching, I would like to direct your attention here.