as you know,

yesterday the move finally brought me to my knees, morose and overwhelmed, like this but with a little more woe:


i work pretty darn hard to keep both my 'whataboutme' and my 'woeisme' valves closed, but life happens. sometimes the Lord sees fit to help me back on track, kinda like this:


but usually i try and help myself before asking for help.

my take when a valve springs a leak is that it is usually an indication i am not doing enough for others. basically, if i am keeping up on my service, the pressure available to blow a narcissistic gasket cannot accrue. even when this isn't the case, upping my service tends to help refocus my internal self on what is truly important.

Shell baby afghan
Originally uploaded by jacquichris

i am still remarkably tired though and have to be still a lot - waiting for workmen to repair various things, waiting endlessly at the DMV (90 minutes), waiting interminably for my license plates (only 18 minutes!) so... time for charity crafting. the afghan is turning out to be quite sweet. i got the pattern per se, here. although the pattern itself is quite brainless, it is not completely written up. still, it is pretty obvious how to proceed if you have crocheted any type of shell before.

Travy was quite disconcerted. he stared and stared and then finally, 'You know, I don't think I have seen you use one of those strange needles before.'

me: 'That's because it isn't a needle. It is a crochet hook. I am crocheting.'

him, uncertainly: 'Is this a sign you need more yarn?'

me: [blink] 'No. Crochet is faster than knitting. Warm Hearts is down an afghan crocheter. I hate this stupid (donated) yarn. They need things fast and I want to be done with the yarn quickly.'

him: 'Um, okay.'

even though i still have a headache and everything is still all messed up, i do feel much better today. i am not sure whether it was the crying or all the mindful crochet, but i'll take it either way.

Argosy
Originally uploaded by jacquichris

in other news, i now have three sets of socks in play (fish sock, Roza socks, new ribbed socks for Travy). i have to STOP casting on socks if i am ever to start the lace. sheesh. it is like i leave my brain in the other room for just a few minutes and BLAM! another pair of socks on the needles.

oh, yes. i found the Argosy in the last of the unpacking and it is finally blocked. i wouldn't have thought it possible, but i love it even more.