Sliding up and down

For the most part recently I've been fighting a pretty severe depression phase, and then during a change in medicine, I've been riding a manic phase. Wheeeee! The manic phase wouldn't be so bad if I could keep myself from buying yarn while I'm in it. I'm afraid I visited ebay and Knit Picks and came away a bit poorer.

On a slightly more positive note I've been working on Mom's sweater. If I don't have it done before her birthday, I'll give it to her for Mother's day, I'll just wait and see how it goes. I like the Lily of the Valley stitch pattern I'm using instead of the one the pattern called for, much prettier.

I'm starting work on the helmet liners for the troops that I had worked on in the past. A KAL was started in one of my Ravelry groups so I thought I'd join in.

I'm also getting ready to cast on a blanket for the living room with some Lion Brand Woolspun I have, should be very soft and warm. So much knitting, I'd better get back to it!

Montgomery Scott's Hat

I mentioned this hat in my previous post, but didn't have a pic. Here it is!

That Place On Market

I thought I'd post some pictures of the place where I'm volunteering. A really nice place, not just in the goods they make and sell/give away for charity, but in the actual appearance and the people who volunteer there. I've been working hard to organize the yarn we have (and we have quite a good selection!), and spent some time this past Saturday winding some yarns into cakes. I'm hoping to go back through and price some yarns that haven't been priced, and I have a sweater that someone brought in I'd like to finish. There's always something to do! I am having a good time, it is nice to see human beings face to face, not just ones I meet on-line (although I really enjoy interacting with my on-line friends, also).

I've been horribly sore this weekend, and as a result more than a little down. Maybe it's just the weather, but the RA has really been playing havoc with my joints. The new med, Colchicine that my Rheumatologist prescribed hasn't helped at all as far as I can tell.

I finished the Montgomery Scott's Hat for my brother Clinton. I wrestled with the short rows needed for two of the sides, but eventually managed to figure it out. Or at least did something that looks right. Then I wrestled with the stitching needed for two of the seams, again finally figured out the instructions, but it took me forever! But, it's done and as soon as my brother gives me an address I'll be sending it off to him. I figure as we are in Ohio, we will have a few more cold days that will require warm head gear.

Trying a New Direction

Life can be (and often is) pretty miserable when you have not only chronic pain, but also Rheumatoid Arthritis. When you add the joys of bipolar and depression, it gets close to unbearable. I've been struggling along, trying just to survive, and honestly I'm pretty sick of it. So I'm making an effort to change some things in my life. I can't change my diagnosis and what they, to say nothing of the side effects of the numerous meds I take. But I can make an effort to change some of my responses to my bipolar. So instead of constantly hiding in my house in my old, pink fuzzy robe, I've volunteered to help at a place in my town called "That Place on Market". It's a non-profit shop that makes and sells or gives away hand made items that are sewn, knitted or crocheted. They also have lots of fabric, yarns and supplies for other needle crafts that are for sale. I'm still amazed by the lovely little dresses, hats, mittens, etc that's in the shop, just beautiful! There's always something to do, for the last couple times I've been there I've been organizing the yarn. I can assure you there is a wide variety of yarns to be had! This is the address for the shop if you are interested. The website is still being developed, but the basic info is there. http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/That.Place.On.Market.740-599-7768 Just getting out and seeing real people has already helped my mood. I'm still having some very bad days, the the RA has been especially recently. At least while I'm volunteering it helps me to ignore some of the pain. Amazing what the mind can do if you let it!

Hanging in there with all 10 fingers and toes

That's what I usually tell people when they ask how I am. I mean, how are you supposed to answer a question like that. People don't really want to hear today's list of aches, pains and worries, they're really just saying hello. Even a really nice person who really cares does not have the time to sit down and listen to you. So how to answer? Saying fine is a flat out lie. I'm not fine, I haven't been fine for a long time and don't figure I'll be fine anytime in the near future. Maybe something along the line of "same as always", if they know you they will understand. I guess you could just ignore the question or answer with a statement of your own, something along the lines of "don't you look well today!". That would work, I suppose. If someone really wanted to know, I guess you could give them your whole list of problems and current complaints. But since most people have enough worries of their own, I don't think that would really be very nice. Maybe we could all just say hello instead, that would make it so much easier!

Way down at the bottom of the hole

I'm having trouble getting motivated these past few days. Between the Rheumatoid Arthritis (pain in the shoulders, fingers, wrists, etc, etc ), the ileo-sacral joint pain, the abdominal pain (from all the surgeries and scar tissue), the depression is steadily getting worse. I know I'm in a bad place when I can't even get up the energy to check out my Ravelry groups! I did manage to leave the house long enough to vote yesterday, (and buy some chocolate!). I think the meds for the depression and the RA need increased, if I could only manage to make the phone calls it might even happen. I couldn't even bring myself to answer the phone most of yesterday. I'm hoping today is better. At least I know my cat Opie loves me. He's sitting here beside me head butting my arm. Of course he could just be trying to let me know the food dish needs attention. I'm trying not to be whiney. There are many, many others who are much worse off than I. But sometimes it's just so hard to see any light here at the bottom of the hole.

Working On Presents

I've been working on presents non-stop, for what seems forever. I love making presents for others, especially my family, and with my budget being what it is, I try to make everything I can. I managed to get a sweater made for my niece in time for her birthday. Kind of amazing for me to manage to get something done on time! So yeah! (See the pictures) I'm also working on Christmas presents. My plan is to get all the presents done before December 15th. Not even sure that's possible, but I figure it's worth a try! Last year I was frantically trying to finish presents on Christmas Eve. I really don't want to do that again. Awful. We exchanged names this year, so we have four presents to give from my family. I've finished the scarf my son is giving my brother, so that's one down. (See picture.) I don't think I can come up with something knitted to give my 14 year old nephew, teenagers, at least boys, don't really enjoy hand knitted things as presents. So for him we'll need to come up with something else. Then there's my Dad, who owns everything! He's always a hard one to get a present for. I'm thinking a pair of comfy, wear around the house, and maybe to bed on a cold night socks. I've also got a present for my sister-in-law to make, she's another one who's tough to give a present to. I'm thinking a pair of the comfy socks might just be a winner for her, also. I'm pretty sure it's something she doesn't have and it's something she might actually wear. So now all I've got to do is get all these things made (ha-ha). I'm getting faster, but I'm still not what anyone would consider fast. Oh well, I'll just have to work as fast as I can! I've got to get all this stuff finished so I can start some of the projects I've been wanting to do for myself. So, knit faster, knit faster!