November 30, 2004
12 hats project!
If you receive Clara's newsletter each week you probably read about her yarn reviews, more so, you might even noticed a few simple words that have always intrigued me. I can't count the number of times I've read this and each time I thought to myself, how odd, can people really do this? Well yes, it can be done. What exactly? Knitting by touch or not fixating your needles at each stitch you are working on. Sure some of you might think, why is this so amazing, especially since you most likely knit without having your eyes glued to the needles. I, on the other hand have almost always looked at my project as it progresses. Well, no more, I am now at a point where I too, can knit just by touch, it's amazing. I first starting simply by forcing myself to read a knitter's blog and knit a few stitches without ever setting my eyes on the stitches. Then I'd watch tv and count the stitches of a full row while resisting the innate urge to check on what I was doing. Of course, I still look at my work tons of times but I don't feel like a slave to my knitting anymore. I can knit without looking (ok maybe not on the Shedir hat!) LOL!
Today as we were at a home appliances store a guy walks up to me says the name of three schools, I laugh and tell him he has two right, my elementary and high school names. He says his family name and I reply with his first name, it was odd, it was funny, we haven't seen each other nor spoke in 10 to 15 years, still he knew exactly who I was. One day we were buying fresh produce at a store and the cashier looked at me and told me my name to my surprise we were never in the same class at school but still she remembered me from 10 years ago. I must have one of those faces people can't forget, that or my amazin' smile! haha! 
Who doesn't like holiday decorations, for me, snowflakes are the best and I can never tire myself at seeing them as decorations. Here a couple have decorated their home with 25000 lightbulbs, the pictures are from the backyard and the side of the building, there are lights at the front also and a sign that invits people to walk to their backyard. It is magical to see all those lights in one place, they are so bright it's festive, it's beautiful. The shed has even been transformed as Santa's workshop with a moving train and elves. The owners proudly talk to everyone and it's a pleasure to meet people that have worked so hard to make this a special place to visit. Last year a few kids from the Children's Wish Foundation got to visit this special place so this year the donations the owners are getting will be donated to the kids.
One fun thing about Zoe now being in school is seeing her acquire new knowledge and bring that home. Today she brought back a letter, when I asked what it was about she responded it was a paper about how we can help people that have no food to eat. She said we could help out with food and toys for kids. Charity is important to me and to see my kids involved in helping out others makes my heart happy. When we were having bad times we were lucky enough to receive help and even though it's not much we all know every little bit helps when in need. So although there are places where you can donate money online or in real life, I prefer to give something with meaning to us. The kids carefully choose foods other kids would enjoy and toys that might bring smiles to smaller kids and carefully put them into bags to bring to school/community center. The joys it brings them is absolutely beautiful. I am proud to have kids that have such a big heart.
As my little way to help the world I am going to repeat a project I did last year. Starting December 1st, I am going to knit 12 little hats for charity, I have tons of yarn that is just begging to be knitted. Got time to crunch a small project in your hectic schedule? Why not join me in an easy, fun and satisfying project. It'll use up some stash for the new year yarn purchases.
Here's the cutie and his new haircut, he even got to get it styled with gel for the 1st time. Lucas has always gotten a buzz cut since he was born, this is the first time he gets a styled haircut. He looks different to us, older, I'm not ready for that. LOL!
hugs,