Three on Thursday | 8.1.19

by Kat | Aug 1, 2019 | General, In This Moment

I woke up this morning thinking how nice that it was finally Friday and about 30 minutes later I realized it was Thursday. Sigh. I hope those were not the best 30 minutes of my day! Ha!

I am joining with Carole and Friends to share three things from my week thus far!

Thing One:

I went for my annual mammogram last Saturday… a necessary “irritation” I never expect it to “not be fine” but I am almost always called back for additional views. This year the place where I go is only using digital imaging and I did not need to go back for any additional views! Bravo for technology!

Thing Two:

I went to the dreaded DMV yesterday and unbelievably; technology has improved things there as well! I checked in and received a number which was immediately called… I am not kidding you. The thing that took the longest was the machine that immediately printed my new ID – I was in an out in less than 10 minutes! Well done PA for improving what was truly a painful experience.

Thing Three:

AUGUST! At long last July is over! Not that I am rushing summer, but I really needed to turn the page on July! My August calendar is a blank page… and I look forward to filling it with some very good things!

What about you? Did you have some very good things this week?

Three on Thursday | 7.25.19

by Kat | Jul 25, 2019 | General, In This Moment

It’s Thursday and I have three things to share so I am joining with Carole and friends again today!

This morning a curious quiet greeted me when I took Sherman out – no bird song, no frenzied hum of cicadas – just silence. It seemed that nature was reminding me that summer is fleeting, and I should spend more time enjoying it than I do complaining about it!

I am going to try and heed that advice, especially with warmer temps returning today.

Thing One:

This Willow Variation crossed my feed reader yesterday and I see a lovely flannel version in my mind – paired with a black long-sleeved shirt and leggings. Yes, fall is creeping into my mind – if ever so slightly!

Thing Two:

Last month I injured my ankle but after a couple of days, though it was still a little painful, I could walk and so I ignored it and carried on. And then July came and my focus to walk every single day happened, and by the 15th the pain was, well, much more painful. It was now constant pain, pain that interrupted me, and, yes – pain that stopped me from walking or doing Pilates. Enter, Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy. 10 days of Motrin and immobilization have helped considerably. Yesterday was day one of doing some very careful movements to stretch and build up the muscles and tendon and know what? I feel like I could walk today – but I won’t! I am going to get back on my Pilates mat today though and incorporate some more of the stretching and mobility exercises! Moral of the story… self-care is important and when your body is telling you something, don’t ignore it!

Thing Three:

So that yarn… I swatched, and swatched, and swatched – and no matter what needle I use, I CAN.NOT.GET.GAUGE!!! In fact, I could not even get close to gauge! And, then I took a breath and pulled out some leftover Joyful and swatched…perhaps the key is in the name, because I too was JOYFUL. I got gauge!! I have 1280+ yds and now that brown yarn is back in a pile by my desk. However, one of the swatches matches gauge to Andrea Mowry’s The Weekender and Isabell Kraemer’s Daelyn Pullover. So, my question for you… which would you choose and why?

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Three on Thursday | 7.18.19

by Kat | Jul 18, 2019 | General, In This Moment

Joining together with Carole and friends this week again. And, I don’t know about you, but holy hell this been the week of all.the.horrific.things!

My things this week, have been things to pick me up…and I hope they do you too!

Thing One:

This week I discovered #tinypricks on Instagram. Stitchers might just be the most brilliant people ever! (And, my inner juvenile laughs hilariously at the hash tag…)

Thing Two:

Speaking of Instagram, @ladydyeyarns shared this awesome support list! I do not consider myself an “influencer” but I absolutely believe we should all support these businesses!

Thing Three:

Finally, because in this week of hell I have looked to James Baldwin for hope and wisdom and I stumbled across this article that is full of both of those things! I watched the video and I agree that James Baldwin is still very relevant today and I will leave these words here. I will be spending some uncomfortable time pondering them today.

There are my things… what about you? Do you have any things that are helping you get through this week?

Three on Thursday | 7.11.19

by Kat | Jul 11, 2019 | General, In This Moment

I love the rain and everything about the monsoons! – Disha Patani

Another day of insane rains here in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Hail, thunder, and torrential downpours greeted my morning. I am trying so hard to find the beauty in this weather – and am hopeful that if I focus on Disha’s quote today – it will help!

My things today are random and somewhat scattered, but that is my life most days!

Thing One:

I am not a fan of summer and I wanted to NOT be that person who complains every single day about how hot it is. It changes nothing, and you know bitching about the heat just makes it feel warmer. I am trying (so hard!) to find joy in the fact that we have AC that works almost too well. I see how much my gardens love these long, warm days. Especially the tomatoes which are full of growing fruit! It is an imperfect journey to find joy in heat (that is often paired with ghastly humidity) and I am finding that the inner does impact the outer. These are most certainly small steps but every journey begins with a step, right?

Thing Two:

Sometimes, there is nothing you can do but give in to an urge…and I did exactly that yesterday! I have seen so many amazing cropped sweaters and I love how they look but my inner critic tells me how those styles are not for overweight, middle-aged women. And, then this incredible Diva appeared on my radar! And, her pattern notes and images are even more amazing! Jennifer Jones, thanks to you I cast on my own Early Bloomer yesterday! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for inspiring me!

Thing Three:

Finally, is it just me – or does it seem to be much easier to figure out what to make for dinner when there is such an abundance of fresh veggies available? Also, a meal of all veggies is simply the best and that is what we are doing tonight! Why? Well, the sweet corn is in and that is what we are having for dinner tonight and I can hardly wait!

Those are my random and somewhat scattered things! Head on over to Carole’s to see what everyone else has on their list today!