Dealing with the Hand that's Dealt

I'm back and I've started stalking my favorite blogs again. Don't worry.....if I start stalking you in person then you'll know you're in trouble.

In revisiting some of my favourite blogs, I've discovered a few common threads of wisdom. Firstly the resolution to live more frugally and secondly to learn a new skill or get better at one you already have.

I am on a VERY tight budget. I have to live within my means. I have savings but I'll need those to help set up my own place this summer. I've decided that instead of focusing on not spending and feeling hard done by because I can't afford to get something or just don't have the money for the purchase, I'll focus on what I do have.

This year I took two trips and both times I came back with some seriously gorgeous stash enhancement. The last one was in August and I vowed that I wouldn't buy any more yarn/wool for two years. In December I told someone that I still hadn't bought a single skein, his reply was "that's because you don't have any money". When I told a knitting friend about this conversation her reply was "ok so what have you bought?" I think that it will be the muggle who will keep me on track.

I've bought two sets of DPNs. Since Sept 2nd that is all I've bought. That's it! Yes I know some of you are shocked and at least one of you has fainted. Not to worry though I am consoling myself with some stash diving. Feeling hard done by and having the urge to cast on a new project with something GORGEOUS from the stash, I started a lacy cardi from a wool/cashmere blend. One word comes to mind when I work on this project.....heavenly!!! On further inspection of the stash I have this yarn in two more colours, both with enough to make cardis. That is just the tip of the iceberg of what I have in my stash. I really have no reason to feel deprived, but I think that I'll continue to go cold turkey and refrain from visiting my LYS for the next few months.

Other than curtailing yarn purchases....what else is there? Answer: The Seven Things Project!

My motives are not so much about wanting less, living frugally, needing less or even trying to be environmental as they are more about not being able to buy anything and not wanting to pack up as much when I move. Getting rid of seven things a week won't be hard for someone who can't afford to buy anything. It will mean that I have to examine all my stuff and decide if I really need to continue having it in my life.

Did I tell you that for almost two months DH and I have been sharing an apartment? He lives there one week while I'm at the house and then we trade. I'm at the apartment this week so there is only so much that I can do about culling my un-wanteds, un-neededs and things cluttering my life. I'll see what I can do and let you know what happens.

Here's the goal: get rid of seven (or more) things each week. I'll try for a weekly update and hopefully it will be on Mondays....but you know me.....that may not happen (for example today is Tuesday). Regardless the stuff has to go.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic

One day at a time

Yes I know that it has been some time since I last posted but things have been happening in my life that I am forced to deal with. These are dark and painful things. These are things that I never thought would ever happen to me. Sad things, hurtful things and heart breaking things.

DH has gotten on a train and is going full steam ahead in the other direction. It has come clear to me that I have no choice in this matter, this is his journey to take. He will not even slow down to look behind him until this matter is well underway and his journey has reached its first destination.

In the meantime, my family has been ripped apart and the house is being prepared to be sold. This summer I will get my own place. I will embark on a new phase of my life as a single woman. Maybe this is something that I should have experienced when I was 20 not at ??. (yeah like you really thought that I was actually going to divulge my real age) How did I get to this point? The answer is never clear. My past, present and definitely future is covered in the thick fog of uncertainty and is being held there by fear. Maybe when I stop being afraid will I be able to face the future head on with the confidence that I know is somewhere deep inside me.

So until that time, as my friend Sarah says "be calm and carry on". My friend Taph tells me, I cannot change the decisions of the past but be mindful of the decisions that I make from now on. Here's to making the very best decisions from now on.

All I can do is cry when I must and laugh when I can and just take it one day at a time.

Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic