Happy New Year!

A new year is here--time for self reflection and goal setting.  I've been a bit out of sorts the past few days. Nothing on my mind, just sad Christmas is over and Christmas music is over and in few days vacation is over.  2014 was a tough year, but it was a good year.  Andrew was out of work for the first 10 months of 2014. We were learning to do without and we were kind to each other.  In situations like this, a lot of married couples would slowly implode, but we managed to still laugh together and not take things too seriously.  In May, my best friend told me to take a hike.  She told me I was hurtful and mean towards her and she wasn't going to put up with it any longer.  I still, to this day, want to know what and why?  In the past if I was being an asshole, she would say, "Quit being an asshole, Michele."  But she moved 4 states away and never called or wouldn't call back, so how did I get to be the toxic one if we never spoke?  I find I lose most of my friends this way.  Some imagined injustice, the silent treatment, then the accusation/break up.  This one really hurt because I always looked out for her, always came when she needed me, always helped her when she needed it.  I helped her when her world fell apart and stood up to her family for her when they would gang up on her.  Her final words to me? "Just go knit your socks and wonder why no one likes you."  Fine.  I will. 

My motto became, "Everything for a reason."  It reminds me to keep moving forward.

And so I keep moving forward.

2014 was a good year for my sock drawer.  I knit 32 pairs of socks.  Yes--32.  There's something about knitting socks that makes me so happy, so I decided I'd keep on knitting them this year, too! No goal setting, just make socks.

I started making lots of hats and I realized I was just making them to make them.  No one would really pay for them--at least not what they are worth.  So, I cut back and now I have all this worsted yarn sitting here waiting for inspiration to strike me.

I did make this headband.  Let me tell you, I love this little beauty.  I took the pattern for the Lucy hat and just used the band pattern out of context, made it wider, and this was the result.  1oz. of yarn, roughly 50 yards.  And it is WARM!  Pattern is coming!

And I finally forced myself to make a color work hat out of my school colors.  I had many false starts and I finally decided on this pattern--Clayoquot Toque by Tin Can knits.  It took 2 days and it looks pretty nice.  And I just may give it to the first student who asks for it.  I hope it's Davonte that asks.

And finally, no new year post is complete without a reorganization picture!  I took on my closet this afternoon.  My house is almost 100 years old and has super crappy closets.  I took out everything, swept out the dog hair, and purged! Two shelving units are gone, 2 laundry baskets full of clothes, shoes, and misc are ready to be donated, and I now have room for a new shoe unit to hold more converse!  I currently have 15 pairs (in color order) and enough room for 15 more.  (I ordered 3 pair online this morning...) (CLEARANCE)

So, Happy New Year to you.  We are getting ready to cut off the money again and go back to minimal spending.  I need new pants and he needs new jeans, but that's it until a couple of bills are paid off. I'm going to continue doing the things that make me happy, hoping to find a friend who likes me for me and not for what I can give her, and I'm going to try to be a bit more active because the couch is not helping my weight. 

 I'm looking forward to this year--it's going to be a good one.