So I went to the doctor on Thursday to have a spot on my arm checked out. I've got a long history of skin cancer in the family and a few questionable spots removed off myself a few years ago. Anyways, turns out the arm is fine and it's just a bad eczema breakout happening and should be gone within a week or so with treatment. However, my blood pressure was up.
What? I'm 29 and should not be having any issues with this. It may just be a medication I'm on (I go back in 3 months after taking my blood pressure every week until then), but the doctor then did what I hate. He went all disappointed father figure on me.
"Well, you've gained wait..."
No shit. I'm sorry, pardon the language on the blog, but that was literally my reaction to his comment. I know I've gained weight! In fact, everyone who looks at me that saw me 2 years ago at this time knows I've gained. But, it hit me hard with him saying it and the look he gave me of utter disappointment.
I've struggled with my weight for a long time now. It's always been a sore spot with me and one I generally avoided talking about until I started losing a lot two years ago. Sure, I would occasionally mention it here to just get it out, but it's not something I enjoyed talking about.
I'm not really enjoying this post either, but I wanted to write this out somewhere. I have not put on all the weight I lost 2 years ago. I have put on about half of it. I didn't stick with the habits I picked up in Korea, which is a shame. So, I'm making some changes and going to try to drop 10 pounds by the time I see the doctor again in three months. Hopefully this will lower the blood pressure and I won't have to have a med change (I like this pill I'm on, so don't want to change to something else right now).
So, to keep myself accountable, I'm going to do a once a week update on the blood pressure reading and how my week is going. I kinda have another blog for this, but I used that mostly for my running posts, and since I don't do as much exciting runs these days, it's fallen by the wayside.
So, that was a rambling Saturday post for everyone. Here, look at the sock that's growing:
There, now don't we all feel much better? :oP
Knit on...
I only had done the purple center square, so I started working my way around and around and got this much done while watching one of my favorite shows. It's always a good thing to have more than one project going at a time I think!
The picture is terrible since it was taken quickly this morning so I could have something to show you. As many of you know, I am not a very good morning person. Yes, I can get up early with the best of them, but until I have had enough time to wake myself up, it's probably best not to talk to me :oP
And that drama I was thankful for lacking yesterday hit the college. Oh well. It was nice while it lasted! Oh, and it's not a coworker per say, but much higher up. So I'm not spreading my wings to fly from the job. Just the wingspan :oP
You'll have to take my word on those singles being fairly consistent. The fiber from Charlie is a tad full of nepps right now due to him having some sun damage and the tips breaking some during the cleaning and later carding process. So, in this picture, it looks very fuzzy. That is mostly due to bad lighting and a flash. Take my word on it.
This is Wingspan. I am doing the mod for DK weight yarn even though I am using fingering weight so that I get more of a scarf than a shawl.
This one is made of just cheap acrylic yarn, but I see possibilities of a custom designed pillow or wall hanging made out of leftover hand spun yarn. 
I wonder what cabinet creature I will create this next month?
Tomorrow, I intend to wear them. Would have worn them today, but I forgot they were still on the couch when I went to pick out socks to wear. I have decided what my next project will be, and it involves this yarn:
But that's all I'm going to tell you until I get a little further into the thing. Right now though, just look at the pretty yarn nestled in the peace lilly :oP
There, now don't we all feel much better? :oP
Knit on...
Haven't counted the yardage on this one yet. It's a little overspun, so I may give it one more whirl on the wheel to make it even out and then count the yardage. It's navajo plied llama.
On top of finishing up Thorpe, I also went to the Kentucky Crafted market downtown. This was a venue full of artists of all types. I was pleasantly surprised to see a group from the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Festival spinning and promoting the fair which comes in May. One particular vendor caught my eye with this:
This was actually made from clay and seed beads. I was so fascinated by the piece that I struck up a conversation with the artist and told her that I just loved how it looked like a ruffled edge that I could make in fiber arts. I asked if I could take a picture since I couldn't afford the several hundred dollar price tag attached to this little piece. She was kind enough to let me take it.
I had to modify this a little bit to actually fit an adult head since it seemed to be coming out a little too small to me. You can't tell that much other than a few places where the pattern is a little thicker than the rest, but overall I'm pleased. The yarn is Lamb's Pride Bulky in the colors Tahiti Teal and Khaki.
When I first finished the sock, I thought it looked way too wide. Surprisingly, when I tried it on, it fit wonderfully. I think my eyes are playing tricks on me with the stripes on this one. Have you ever had that happen?
After the shower, I had a thought about what to put in my mammoth cabinets that are in the bedroom and I decided to go to the Mad Potter. Meet Larry:
He's very pastel right now, but should be much darker once he is fired. Yes, I am going to fill my shelves with painted porcelain creatures. I decided that once a month, I will spend between 12-20 dollars to paint a new addition. This will let me be creative and also fill the very empty shelves in the bedroom. Here is Larry from the back:
Next week, I'll have pictures of what he looks like once he's fired and shiny. In the meantime, there's some yarn with my name on it next to the couch and I feel some knitting coming on.
