Summer=travel knitting and karate camp

So first, a knitting update; I have been traveling so much for work.  And it's been so exotic, jet-setting to locations such as Branson, Missouri, and San Antonio, Texas.  With a little bit of D.C. thrown in.  I think I've been to each of these towns during record-breaking heat, and I can assure you that there does come a point in the day where your deodorant simply stops working.  And it's not pretty.

I've been spending a lot of time in airports, so let me give you all a quick tip: despite what you might have heard, TSA does allow knitting needles and crochet hooks on planes.  They also allow other knitting notions, but do not, under any circumstances, take your expensive stainless steel mini scissors on a plane, as they will confiscate those.  So here's the breakdown: sharp pointy objects that could kill a man are okay, but scissors are not.  Just don't challenge it.  Smile and apologize, don't try to point out that their reasoning is flawed.  After all, do you want to have your knitting needles confiscated, only to discover that your flight is delayed 3 hours?  You can always cut yarn with your teeth.

I've been knitting a lot of small things because I'm a "carry on only" kind of traveler, and only take what I can carry in my tote bag.  So I've got a lot of baby hats, snugglies, socks and other stuff in my gift arsenal.  I've also started on a personal design that I hope to debut this fall--stay tuned on that.  It's crocheted and cashmere and it is FABULOUS.

So on to karate....this summer marks our first full year as part of our "dojo" family.  Every summer, it holds a summer camp for children who are yellow stripe (novice is the best way to describe a yellow stripe) on up.  I kept procrastinating in signing the girls up, strictly for the sheer fact that I had so much travel on my plate that I kept forgetting.  So when one of the sensei warned that there were only a few slots yet, I got to work and signed the girls up.

So here's a photo that describes karate camp:

The girls had a BLAST.  Seriously, you know a summer camp is a hit when your kids are asking you on the last day if they can go next year.  They thoroughly loved it, made new friends, and learned so many new techniques.  As someone who is training in martial arts, I really appreciated the instructors' efforts to enrich the students' learning experience.  All kids, regardless of rank, learned a kata--that is so significant.  You don't learn katas until you are advanced in your training.

As a parent, I totally appreciated the concern they show for every student, and desire for them to learn how to protect themselves out in the real world.  I had a chance to stop in and offer help on the last day--and in hindsight, I wish I had taken the whole week off to help, but I was late to the party on that one.  On the last day, they had an instructor dress up in full body padding (think of Robo Cop in a sumo suit), who then pretended to entice children into coming with him.  This was to demonstrate to the students how to identify "stranger danger" and what to do about it.  The instructor in the body armor had it down, with the creepy voice and the grabbing--anyone who has ever experienced that would most definitely have post-traumatic stress after seeing his portrayal of a child predator.

I have to tell you that these situations disturbed me, but I clapped heartily for every student who was able to break away from the situation, running, kicking, screaming, and in some instances, going limp like a rag doll and sliding out of the hands of their captor.  I was so proud of every student, and felt so good as a parent knowing that I gave my girls the opportunity to learn how to defend themselves.

I'm probably overreacting, but I can't begin to express my appreciation in how much karate has changed my life, and the life of our family.  I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes thinking about it.  It's given my oldest daughter the confidence to overcome some of her childhood demons (that's a whole other post), it's given my youngest a chance to shine like the bright star that she is, it's given my husband the peace of mind to travel for work without worrying about the safety of his family, and it's given me so much.

I just can't even begin to describe it.  No, wait.  Let me describe it.  Think of a young girl, growing up in Central Illinois, bullied by classmates.  Think of that girl walking into school every day, being threatened and mocked and made fun of for...I don't know, name it--being smart, being nice, having the "wrong" friend.  Think of that same girl faking illness on a weekly basis, just so she could go home and escape the hell of middle school.  Had that girl had karate back then, she would have been able to stand tall and proud and at least have the guts to stand up for herself and get the help she needed to survive.  Well, the me of today wishes she could go back in time and be that girl's karate instructor. Because I'm pretty sure I could transform that girl into a bad-ass.  Oh, wait.  I have.  Mission accomplished!  Or at least mission in the process of being accomplished.

A bientot..

Babies Babies Babies

I need a strategy to address the “unexpected” arrival of babies.  I know, I know, I usually have a few months to prepare a gift for my friends and family who have wee ones, but for some reason I always procrastinate and never have something hand made for the big day.  And most of you will probably think, “who the hell cares, just go to Target like everyone else, get a six-pack of receiving blankets and some cute outfit and you’re done.”  But no, I can’t do that.  I wasn’t raised that way.  I grew up watching my mom make layette sets and blankies for everyone, from her multiple nieces and nephews to the lady she pays for gas at the local Speedway.  Call it handmade snobbery, call it some kind of Martha Stewart-induced obsession, but I’ve got to make things for babies.

Except my own of course.  You have heard the phrase, “the cobblers children have no shoes”?  This knitter’s daughters have no blankets.  Every blanket I’ve ever started for them ends up in the hands of someone else. 

So I showed you all the  blanket I made for my friend Em who is having a boy sometime soon—the due date is a moving target, but he’s expected sometime (they can’t stay in there forever).  My niece also had a baby earlier this month, and a good friend of mine, Mike, became a dad for the first time this summer.  For Mike, I wasn’t sure if I was going to make him something—I haven’t seen him in forever, but he and I go way back (I remember him as a wee boy), so it’s just so sweet to see him as the awesome adult I knew he’d be.  So here’s what I made for his little boy…..

The blanket, a crochet pattern that I use for nearly every baby blanket I make (really, I need a new schtick, but it’s just so quick to make).  And the bear, which is a new addition to my repartee.  I pretty much love this little guy, and plan to make more.  The best part about him and the blanket is that he’s made from yarn that is made from recycled plastic bottles—which is cool, although I will never figure out how they do that.  And it’s all machine washable—ideal for spit up, blow outs, dirt, strained peas, and tears from mom and dad. . .

Do I expect everything I make to become an heirloom?  Oh, god no.  That’s why I make everything machine washable.  I want parents to USE the gifts I give them.  And would they probably use a bouncy seat or a wipe warmer more often?  Probably.  But you can’t snuggle a wipe warmer.  At least not without some discomfort.  

Belt Test Today

My youngest karate-ka and I tested for our next belt promotion today.  I'd like to say that I kicked butt, I don't think I did.  Every time I go through one of these I get all psyched up to do well, and then when I'm done, I go over in my head all the little stupid things I did during the test that I should have done better.  Not to mention that no one enjoys being judged--and if you do you are insane.  So imagine standing in front of a panel of 10+ pairs of eyes, looking at every flaw.  Well, if you're me, you turn red and start to sweat profusely, grateful for the fact that the end is near.  

I couldn't help but notice that the person who was "grading" me was taking copious notes.  Ugh!  I'm sure she wasn't because I was so great she wanted to gush about my grace under extreme pressure....And of course by inviting her to take up residence in my head during the test I know that I screwed up a couple of strikes, foot forms and at one point, my voice cracked during a sound-off like I was Peter Brady going through puberty ("when it's time to change...").

Here's some highlights.  I was actually proud of my roundhouse kick:

And I love this self-defense.  It's "bear hug over the arms," and requires you to reach behind and do a groin grab (assuming a man is doing this and that would actually hurt), followed by an elbow strike, aikido hand hold, snap kick to the face, and a takedown.  I love takedowns, I probably shouldn't love them as much as I do..

After I did my test, my daughter did hers--she was the only one in her belt rank going for a promotion, and she did great! When I think about how nervous I was, at least I'm not five years old, standing by myself in front of a bunch of adults.  What courage she showed!  Here's a picture of the two of us.  I'm such a proud mama-san:

Did we pass?  Well, we shall see tomorrow night!

Travel Knitting and Motion Sickness

We went to Florida last week.  I packed a simple scarf I've been working on for my dear nephew Josh, who I promised to make a scarf for for next christmas.  It is a simple pattern, K4P4, then P4K4 the opposite row.  I have crocheted in the car on road trips before, so I figured that knitting would be just fine.  Uh, no.  Whatever part of the brain I use to crochet must not be the same part that controls knitting because I was sooo queasy when I tried to knit more than 2 rows at time.  But the good news is that a 20 hour car ride is plenty of time to get in some quality knitting even if you're not trying.

So the scarf is almost done, and then it's on to Breton Girl..for me!!  I'm making it in grey and black...depending on how it turns out I may have to give it to someone..because I can't help myself.  I'm also attempting to finish socks, which are the bane of my existence.  socks, which seem so small and easy to make, pretty much take up weeks and weeks of delicate knitting.  Ack.

In other news, I'm going to test for my purple belt this next weekend.  I haven't gotten formal approval, but I'm so confident in my abilities that I know I will walk in and they'll literally stop the test to give me my belt right there.  Okay, so maybe that won't happen, but I'm regaining my confidence in that department and it feels good.  I also think my daughters will test for their belt promotions, so it will be a karate fest at my house for all the ladies!

Confidence Deficit

I've never been what one would consider an "athlete."  In fact, one might say I was athletically challenged--I still have scars down my knees from my failed attempt at hurdles in 8th grade.  The poor track coach thought "tall girl with long legs, let's try her on hurdles" and fifteen minutes later I was in the school nurse's office, laying on a cot while she picked cinders out of my shins with a pair of tweezers.  So let's say that sports are not my strong suit.

But when I got older I fell in love with yoga, running and biking, three strenuous activities that are generally safe when done correctly.  So karate was an excellent fit for me.  And so far, that has proven correct.

Except my head isn't there yet.  In my head, I'm still tripping over hurdles.

I know everything that I need to do for my next belt promotion, and I have even had it all signed off.  But every time I have the opportunity for the Master to test me, I find something wrong with what I was doing and delay it.  I know every single thing I need to do to get a perfect score on my belt test, but the only thing I do not have is the confidence to do it.  And that is the problem.

This shouldn't be a shock to those who know me--I have a track record of lacking confidence in certain areas of my life.  It's like I don't think I deserve success or good fortune, that stuff like that is for people who do things totally perfectly, who are naturally athletic or smart or outgoing.  You'd think at the age of 38, with a successful career, a great family and just the sheer will power to learn a new sport would be enough for me to be confident in my abilities, but it's almost as if I need a life coach standing next to me 24 hours a day giving me constant positive reinforcement.  And that's exhausting.  I know.  I don't want to be this way anymore.

So for the next week I am going to stop this negative self-talk and channel my inner Stuart Smalley, be my own life coach.  And I WILL test for my purple belt and I WILL snatch it out of the hands of the Master.  Because I worked hard for it and I will have earned it!

Okay, maybe I won't snatch it out of his hands.  Because he's a lot bigger than me and I'm pretty sure he could break something important.  But you know what I mean.

Summer fabric and fiber arts

When the weather gets hot, it becomes harder for me to focus on making wooly blankets and heavy socks for cold feet.  I'd rather make summery dresses and shirts, using the trusty portable sewing machine my mom bought me for christmas in 2000.  The same sewing machine that my husband claimed I'd never use, probably because at that point he hadn't known me long enough to know that my approach to crafting has seasons--I love all kinds of crafts and will go through little phases depending on the time of year.  Summer is a great time to make jewelry and sew, fall, winter and spring are my fiber arts seasons.

Because of my job and family demands, I haven't had a lot of time in the last ten years to devote to my passion for sewing.  However, this year, I am starting to feel a little more liberated--the girls are both independent (which, in this house, is reached when one can buckle oneself into the car) and off doing their own thing.  Compound this with several babies being born this year to friends and family and I've got a reason to break out my sewing machine to make simple block quilts.  And while it's out, I may as well make a couple of cute sundresses for the girls, and maybe a shirt or skirt for myself.  

I was at the Tommy Bahama store last weekend, eyeing some gorgeous summer clothes for our upcoming trip to Florida.  I love TB's women's line; the fabrics are light and easily packable, and very flattering for almost any shape.  The downside to Tommy Bahama is that it's outrageously expensive, so hard to justify in this age of austerity.  I spied this gorgeous flowy halter top, but $88 would pay for 2 gallons of gas for our road trip!   But I had an idea....I had the pattern to make a similar-styled halter, all I needed was some summery fabric to make it.  That way I could have an $88 look for $12 worth of fabric...off to Joann Fabrics I went.

I woke up early yesterday (4 am), so excited to get stated on my project.  I wish I had snapped photos of what I was doing to show you just how simple it was to make this shirt.  From start to finish, including laying out the pattern, cutting the fabric, and sewing it all together was about 2 hours.  Here's the finished product:

It's wrinkly because I was so excited to have it finished yesterday that I wore it before I had a chance to take a picture!  here's the detail on the tie in back:

I'm planning on making a couple more for the season.  I like the tunic-style, which hides a multitude of sins.   The pattern is also easily modifiable to make a sundress--just a little more fabric.  

Anyway, that's what I've been up to.  Oh, and all those baby quilts?  Well, I'm hoping to get to that this weekend......

Violating my Own Etiquette Rules

I think anyone who has seen Karate Kid or watched Kung Fu Theatre knows that etiquette is a central tenant of any martial arts style.  There’s a hierarchy and there are rules about how you behave.  Our dojo has very specific rules about etiquette and general behavior that every student is expected to know and abide.  But there are sometimes mistakes….

I started taking karate because, among other reasons, I was looking for a sense of order in my otherwise chaotic life.  Karate brings that, and then some!  The bowing and the rank system mean something here.  So many titles in everyday life are meaningless, especially in my given profession, that it’s quite refreshing to enter a space where titles mean EVERYTHING.  But not in a negative sense, in a matter of respect and homage.  Dan, Sensei, Master, these titles mean that the person has passed a great test, achieved a major milestone.  And respect is given to that, for good reason. 

So it pains me that my oldest daughter has the WORST habit of fiddling with her belt while at cheriut (attention).  I notice this more now that I’m helping to instruct.  I also can’t stand how she does pushups, but that’s another story…which is actually quite funny. 

I hate to zone in on my kids all the time because it drives them crazy and probably isn’t fair of me. . . but . . .their behavior reflects on me, right?  And of course, I’m PERFECT. . .

Last week I was helping to instruct the children’s class.  This was the same class where the Master was speaking to the students about the importance of etiquette, sitting properly during class, and not creating a distraction during belt testing.  I was listening attentively to what he was saying, and making mental notes so that when I had a chance to instruct my group of students, I’d make sure to mention something about etiquette (bowing to your partner, et cet).  I was complimenting myself on the lessons I was learning and ….that is until I heard this:

http://youtu.be/42QnlzsPdzI

My ringtone….UGH!!  I just violated my own personal etiquette rule, “thou shalt not let one’s phone ring while in the dojo.”  I ran to mute it, also violating the rule about not leaving the dojo unless permitted to do so..So basically, I was breaking all the rules that night, so let’s just add in my swearing “Oh shit” underneath my breath as I frantically searched for my whistling phone, which was at the bottom of my gear bag.  And yes, let’s pause for a moment to chuckle that my ring tone is the theme song to Kill Bill—yea, that’s an extra special touch of irony during karate class. 

I returned to class just as everyone had taken a break.  Whew.  My face beet red (which, thanks to my Irish predisposition to blush like the Lucky Charms guy, happens at least 16 times a day, since I have a tendency to embarrass myself every waking hour of the day), I resumed helping to instruct.  Of course adding in a few comments about etiquette to the small group of beginners, but no longer so righteously indignant.  After all, we all have our moments, right?

Next blog post: quilting for a baby and socks, more socks.  And hopefully beginning another sweater pour moi.

On being a Road Warrior

So I ran my first half-marathon today.  But the story actually starts two years ago, when I took a look at my body and asked myself, “what the hell happened to you?”  Being a full time mom with a full-time job had done a number on me.  Not to mention telecommuting.  No one told me about the “telecommuting 20”, the 20 pounds of weight you gain simply by the mere fact of being able to cook exactly what you want for every meal and only having to move just a few feet a day.  Then add on the metabolism factor—I never believed my friends who warned me that my metabolism would change for the worse after 35—oy.  Bottom line: I had gone from curvy to flabby.

So I did what every woman does and first tried to control what I ate—that didn’t work.  Then I tried to exercise on my own.  Again, not working.  I finally got serious and joined a gym and got a personal trainer.  My first trainer, Stacy, was awesome, but sadly after three months she left to find a job closer to home.  Then I met Natalie, who was a force of nature.  I never thought that so much energy and strength could come in such a small package.  She taught me the benefit of weight training, and while I’m sure I constantly disappointed her (my mouth ran more than I did), she helped me get over my fear of the big scary machines in the gym.  My first post-trainer race was the Detroit Turkey Trot 5 K in 2009.  I finished in 36 minutes and thought I was the bomb-diggity. 

If I was a good girl, I would have kept signing up for races and been accountable, but I hit a snag with work stress and stopped making exercise a priority again.  Then I developed a recurring strep throat infection that lasted for near a year.  By January 2011 I was exhausted from trying to stay dedicated to exercise, knowing that it was good for me, but at the same time completely wiped out from being perpetually ill and trying to keep up my other life responsibilities. 

I was determined to get back on track.  I joined the adult karate class at my daughters' dojo, and I signed up for this half marathon.  This is MY year to shine, my year to meet goals for myself that I’ve had for several decades, but never made a priority because I didn’t want to appear selfish.

But something happens when you put yourself first.  You start to realize that by being good to yourself, you are good to everyone else around you.  And while I still lose my temper with my family way more than I’d like, I’m way too hard on myself professionally, and my house always is a mess, I know that most problems can be solved by taking a run.  Or a bike ride.  Or kicking it out at the dojo.  And when I do that everything else gets better. 

The other thing I also realized was that people come in all shapes and sizes—I am never going to be a waif—I’m too tall and I enjoy eating way too much for that to happen.  But as long as I’m good to myself and am mindful of what I put into my body (except for that $3 wine. . .hey, I didn’t say I was perfect) then I need to stop beating myself up. 

So I ran the ½ marathon today—my hamstring ached from the start, and I was not fully prepared for the rigors of a trail course.  But I FINISHED.  And no one can take that away from me.  There’s something to be said for that.

There’s also something to be said for finishing nearly dead last in a half marathon, in front of an 80 year old man with a ligament injury.  More than a little humbling.  But at the same time there’s a certain amount of satisfaction associated with beating that old dude.  ;)  

Instructing at the dojo, working on Christmas gifts

Since I got my yellow belt, I'm now required to log volunteer hours as an instructor before I can be eligible for another belt promotion (on top of all the other requirements for a belt promotion).  Am I the only person excited about this?  I really love it.

A few days ago, I had the chance to be an instructor to three young girls who were just starting in karate.  They had just signed up, and were learning the basics.  We went through the basics of class, including some of the terms, etiquette in class, and some of the basic self defense moves.  As we were finishing, one of the girls asked me, "can I earn a belt?"  It totally reminded me of my oldest on her first day of karate.  We had originally signed her up for a month through the local Parks and Rec; kids who sign up through parks and rec aren't required to wear a gi, but if they want to get promoted then they have to invest in a uniform.  The first month killed my daughter  because she wanted to be like the other kids in a uniform working on stuff for their belts.  But I knew it was a big commitment, so I didn't want her to start up and then hate it six months later.  So I explained to the girl that if she really liked it, then she would have to talk to her parents about getting a uniform and formally start pursuing karate with the goal of getting a belt.

I don't know what it was, but I really felt good about being able to give back what has given me so much over the last six months.  Of course a half-year doesn't sound like much time, but I think back to January where I was at my lowest both mentally and physically.  Being a mom isn't easy, and add a full time job to the mix.  I had forgotten how to do anything for "me".  It's the old cliche, really.  But karate has given me a whole new lease on life.  I feel better, I sleep better, I run more, and I am finally able to turn work off at 5.  I think my family benefits from this, too.  And the best part is that I'm reaching a goal that I've had since I was a little girl, living in a town where karate was an exotic past time for boys only.  I remember telling my middle school guidance counselor once that some day, I was going to be a special agent for the FBI with a black belt in karate.  Well, the FBI job probably won't happen, but the black belt sure will!

On the knitting/crocheting front, I'm working on 2 christmas gifts right now.  I'm hoping to finish them soon because I really want to work on Breton Girl for myself.  I'll post pics when they are done.  In the meantime, here's a pic of my putting on my yellow belt for the first time (I have no idea why my head is tilted at such an awkward angle)!

Yay, sweater is finished!

So I got my tonsils out....and from my lack of blog postings during the last three weeks, it wasn't easy.  Nor was most of it spent cozily knitting while I watched old movies.  Most of it was spent laying in bed, with me counting the minutes until I could take my next dose of Vicodin.  And when I finally did feel up to knitting, I was back to work and thrown back into the chaos of my life.

So...my plans of finishing my sweater and then making a doll "or two" was a bit of a joke, really.   But alas, I finally did finish the sweater, just in time for Easter!  I was planning to wear it to church, but as it turns out it was too warm for it.  Thank God for small favors, as this has been a really miserable spring.  But here's the finished product (and a story):

And the moral to the story is....

So when I bought the yarn for this sweater, I was so excited to start it that I read the number of skeins incorrectly.  I was reading the skein count for the "size small" sweater and not the "size large" sweater.  So as I was finishing the first sleeve, I ran out of yarn.  Okay, simple enough, at least the yarn (Lion Brand Tweed) was mass produced and available at my local Wal- Mart.  Only when it isn't.  My trip to Wal Mart yielded zero skeins in the "orchid" colorway.  As did my visits to three more Wal Marts and two Michaels.  Oy.  Then, last sunday out of desperation, I ran to the local Meijer, figuring that I'd give it one last shot before I frogged the whole thing and cried buckets.

Meijer had two skeins left.  And they were marked down, too.  I grabbed them like there was a line of little old ladies fighting for them (there weren't by the way).  I must have looked like a maniac, running through the store gleefully like I won the lottery.  

Oh, and I also spent nearly $200 buying a bunch of other things I really didn't need.  But since Meijer is a Michigan company I felt it my civic duty.

And the moral to that story is...read the directions.  Twice.  And circle the number of skeins needed.  

I've started christmas knitting, which I'm sure seems like sheer lunacy to non-knitters, but this is how we roll.  I'm hoping to givve some really great handknits this year, much better than my christmas of hats that I don't think anyone in my family enjoyed.

Tonsil Recovery Knitting

I had my tonsils out yesterday--boo hoo!  About a week or two leading up to this, I went on a stash-busting binge, to free myself of some Lion Brand Homespun I had bought to make two blankets for two friends..And of course I didn't take pictures of either blankets.  I'm hoping that my friends will when they get them.  It's what I call my "loopy blanket"--this is what it looks like:

These are so easy, fast and fun to make!  I made one for my dear friend Stacey and another for my dear friend Patty.

I have the next two weeks off to recover--and I will need them.  Right now I'm blogging but I won't remember doing it tonight because I'm on so much Lortab....but that's fine.  What I'm really sad about is two weeks of no karate--I got everything signed off for the yellow belt test, which takes place on Sunday.  I was extremely bummed, but at the end of the day, everything happens for a reason.  I have one more month to perfect everything, to remember everything, and I will also help Lulu on her purple belt test.

So while I'm recovering I'm working on the Jacket, Deconstructed by Lion Brand.  It will be for me--I have to go to Seattle at the end of the month, and am very eager to wear this with some Calvin Klein suit separates.    I'm also planning on making a doll or two, as they are very easy..

That's all for now...back to sleep.

good news/bad news

Well, so for the bad news....I have to have my tonsils out on March 31...I have had recurrent bouts of strep throat since July of last year.  The last time I had it, I fainted while volunteering at a swim meet.  So these fetid tonsils are leaving the building, and while I'm sort of scared about the surgery and recovery (anesthesia=barf, barf=pain if your throat has been cut), I've got a great support system who will help me while I'm convalescing.

The worst part of this news is that I've been working on my yellow belt for the last two months, and was sure that I was going to be ready to test at the end of this month.  This has been my goal and I don't think I've worked harder on achieving something since I was working on my masters degree.  And the test....is three days after my tonsillectomy.  There's no way that I'd be recovered enough to test, and I also don't think there's any way they'd let me.  So I'm pretty bummed.  But I'm still going to work as hard as I can and continue training through this month like I am going to test--because..why not??!!  Am I the fastest and the most nimble in my class?  No--illness, parenthood and general adult-ness have knocked me off my game, but I will tell you this....the world has no idea what I'm capable of doing when I put my mind to it! Even if I can't test I will bring my A game every class between now and March 31.

So here's the good news...I decided that I'm going to knit myself this cardi that reminds me of my Gi, only a little cuter.  If I'm going to be on the couch, unable to train for 2-3 weeks, I am going to inspire myself in the best way I know!  So when the May test rolls around, I will be able to do it!

Other things that I'm working on...I just finished a hat for my lovely karate partner, Josepha, for her birthday.  It's a hat with the kanji character for "strength" (pattern courtesy of Kodi May Knits).  Here it is, with the character completed:

My first karate-inspired project--yay!

On Karate...

As I start to get into my own martial arts education, I am starting to look more carefully at how my daughters practice.  I worry about becoming a "karate mom" or a stage mom; wanting them to be the best in their own classes so that I look like I'm doing my job outside the dojo.  This is probably really bad.  As they say in swimming, coaches coach, swimmers swim, and parents parent.

My oldest daughter, Lulu, loves karate, but since she is 10 and quite stubborn, she thinks in her head that she's Wendy Wu, Homecoming Warrior.  She loves what she's doing, but she is overzealous and needs to learn control and respect for her fellow classmates and her sensei.  I used to cringe when she was in class and doing something that's so incredibly "off"; I worried about whether her actions made me look like a bad parent?  What should I do to help her work on this?  If I work on it too much outside of class does that make me a crazy obsessive?  Will she resent me for correcting her?  Why do I even think this is all about me?

Fortunately, being a student of karate has given me a lot more confidence in addressing this.  Before, I was just in the audience and not knowing the proper techniques, all I could do was just stew in frustration and worry.  When she got out of class I would find myself upset with her because of what I perceived as her showing disrespect.  Now that I'm learning along with my girls, we can run through what we're working on together.  And we have fun!  And she's even corrected me a few times, which makes me a better student.  My daughters and I have bonded in a whole new way, changing the dynamic in our relationship.  I am moving away from being the "mommy" to being a "mom."

So today, when she was being corrected on her technique, I listened attentively and nodded, confident in knowing that we could go home and learn together on how to make it better.  I'm becoming more calm, less critical, and that in turn helps Lulu gain confidence.

hat is done, hat is done!

I finished the Olympic hat and it is sooooo cute!!

Oh, and I got my yellow stripe belt, too....and spent all last week in Washington DC for work.  I had a goal of finishing a pair of socks just for me, but that never happened.  I was so exhausted by the time I was done with work every night that I fell into the Westin "heavenly bed", never to be heard from until 7:30 the following morning.

I'll write more later.  We have house guests and I need to make dinner (tortilla soup with cornbread...)..

Still waiting.....

I missed karate on Tuesday night because I had to travel for work.  I'm going through withdrawls!  I keep doing roundhouse kicks and posing in front of the bathroom mirror like I'm freaking John Travolta on Saturday Night Fever.  I should find out this tuesday if I passed my test.  My class partner passed (yay!) and reassured me that I did, too.  We shall see!  I'm so hard on myself; I want to get a perfect "grade" on the belt test, even though I know that there's a few things I could have done better.  I guess this explains why I just found the most perfect sport for me--something that plays on my inner perfectionist, that one that makes lists and is super organized (the one that virtually disappeared after I got married and had kids).

On the knitting front, I continue to be a knitting demon.  I have made 3 hats this week.  I met my friend in Minneapolis while I was there, and in honor of meeting her I made her a "raspberry beret".  I mean, because, well, you know. Prince.  I also got a request to make a cloche-type hat with a flower for my other friend, which I whipped up last night.  And I just started on the Olympic hat...whee!

I hope to have this done no later than tomorrow night.  I have to go to DC for work Wed-Sunday, so I want to bring a sock project with me.  Socks are so easy and fun...and portable.  I'm hoping to make a few pairs in my quiet evenings post-work.  Yes, I'm a wild woman.

First Karate Test Tomorrow; Valentines Day Gifties

I test for my yellow stripe tomorrow.  I am so ready!  I’ve practiced on everyone in the house but the dog, and nearly everyone in my Tuesday night class.  I’m now looking forward to the next test; the yellow belt, which will probably take me two months to achieve all the points.  That’s fine.  I am learning that this is a marathon, not a sprint.  It’s not a matter of just getting from one belt promotion to the next, its learning the kicks, strikes and punches until they are part of your instincts, as rote as lifting a fork to your mouth or holding a pencil.

And so that’s how I get to where I am now, where I dreamt last night about tying my belt correctly.  That might actually be a side effect of my OCD tendencies rather than making karate part of my heart and soul..

On the knitting front, I took a break from The Blanket that Won’t Knit Itself and finished another pair of socks for my boss’s birthday on 2/18, and then some Valentines gifts for a friend of mine who asked me to make her some patterns from Lion Brand.  So here’s the pouch and the envelope I made for her:

The pouch was super simple, and the envelope was fun.  Neither turned out as big as I expected, so I had a lot of yarn left over to make her two hats.  One was the red and two pinks twisted together to make a chunky hat, and I used the shocking pink and a bit of purple I had to make this horse motif hat:

This is for her little girl Kate.  What little girl doesn't like horses?

All the snow we’re getting in the Upper Midwest is giving me ample opportunity to work on these little projects; since I stop knitting pretty much between May-August I need to get some things done for Christmas now before I run out of cold weather.  Today I’m winding the three hanks I got to start on my Olympic Hat…I seriously cannot wait to start on this project.. I’m off to print the pattern from ravelry right now..

Football and Socks

I’m not a football fan.  Strike that.  I cannot follow football.  It’s so slow and boring, and what? You have to do it over until you get it right or get it past a certain point on the field?  Snore.  Even when I’ve watched it live, it just doesn’t do it for me.  And then there’s the Christmas Eve Lions game, where I jinxed them (“they won’t win unless they get that field kick….oops.”).   

Growing up in Decatur, Illinois, I was the only daughter in a house full of male Chicago Bears fans.  My mom took sporting events on TV as a reason to go shopping, and I went with her.  Which is how I’ve learned how to shop a good sale, spot dye lots so that my afghans aren’t all stripey, and learn how to coordinate a good suit with a few tops so that I don’t pack my entire closet when I travel.  I’d say that these life lessons are far more important in my life than learning that if you’re within 50 yards of a field goal on a fourth down that you kick…or whatever you do to  get the ball in that tall thing at the end of the field. 

I am sure my husband wishes he married a jock-type gal who drinks beer and enjoys watching sports, but I just can’t.  I don’t.  Like.  Sports.  I went to Michigan State and had never been to a Spartan basketball game until he took me to the Big 10 Championship in 1999.  As fireworks went off at the end of the game, I asked him , “so does this happen every time?”  He was appalled to learn  I never tailgated at a football game until my late 20s.  What can I say?  I was a foreign languages major, I was drinking cappuccinos and wearing a beret in college.

But he tolerates my knitting and I tolerate hours of sports so I can knit uninterrupted and we make a good pair.  He’s the yin to my knitty yang.

So today as the vast majority of the East Coast and the Rust Belt watches the playoffs, I made some socks.  My first knitted pair, actually.  From a pattern that isn’t from Ravelry, believe it or not!  It’s just the “basic sock” pattern from Lion Brand yarn.  With a few modifications, including the use of my new favorite 9” circular needles, I was able to make a lovely pair of socks for one of my Pay it Forward projects.  A few thoughts on socks:

• There is an odd comfort in making something so monotonous on a cold day
• Everyone loves a pair of hand-made socks
• Everyone in my family is getting a pair this year (except for my nephews and nieces, who must think I’m a lunatic 75 year old aunt for giving them knitwear for Christmas)
• I can finally make those awesome Christmas stockings my mom has made forever
• Finding the 9” circular needles seriously took my knitting to a whole new level—now there’s mittens and gloves to make, as well as preemie caps for the hospital
• Some may call using the 9” circulars instead of DPNs or the magic loop “cheating” but I call it “enjoying my hobby  without it owning me”
• Turning the heel isn’t as scary as I initially thought
•  I really must learn the kitchener stitch

Anyway, here’s the finished product:

  

I’m thinking of hosting a “learn to knit” session for my MI friends who have asked me to teach them, maybe hold it in East Lansing.  I’d have to charge for supplies, like needles and yarn…but when I think about doing this I secretly feel like a fraud—there are a lot of people out there who do this for a living, and then there’s me who rarely takes a dime for what I make, so charging for passing along my hobby seems sort of…mercenarious (if that’s a word.  Well, yes, it’s a word now.  Take that!).

So as the Bears lost I finished off my last sock.  I admired my work, and Jamie asked me who they were for.  Not wanting to disappoint him that they weren’t for him I told him I hadn’t figured that out yet.  But something tells me that I’d better go buy some blue and orange sock yarn and make him a pair before Detroit Tigers baseball begins in April..

Current projects

January-March is peak knitting season for me.  The air is chilly, the fire is lit, and the needles they are a clicking.  Since I've learned the art of two-strand knitting, I seem to want to make every project with two different colors of yarn.  Here are some examples.

1.  The pirate fish hat for Lulu.  Lulu is a Pisces, and it's reflected in her love of sea life and swimming.  Her feet are also getting so big they are resembling fins!  In honor of her love of water life (and pirates) I made her this hat, based on a pattern I got from ravelry (do I get patterns anywhere else?).

2.  The next is the Pay it Forward project I've been working on for a friend forever--it's actually kind of embarrassing how long this is taking me, but I have no other excuse than I have to do the pattern 14 times over something like 30 rows per pattern sequence.  So if I can knit 30 rows in the span of a work week and one over a weekend I think I'm doing okay.  And I also have to add in time off to make pirate fish hats, work on socks, find more patterns, buy yarn, kick and punch things...

Close up shot of the yarn; they grey is that lovely mohair from colourmart, and the purple is Naturally Caron wool from Michaels.  I'm a conflicted yarn snob; I love nice yarn but I also love the feeling I get turning a $4 ball of yarn into something soft and cozy that someone else will love.

Okay, my last post of the day, and this is for my yarnie friends--I found these 9" CIRCULAR NEEDLES!!!! At Joann Fabrics!  Who knew they made circs this small?  I have now found a solution to my hatred of making socks with DPNs.

And with that I will close out the evening...Wednesday night is good TV night.  Adios..

This is my Dojo….

Today's title is for my husband, who like me loves to quote movies.   That quote is from Boogie Nights, when Dirk Diggler is showing Amber Waves his ultra rad home purchased from 70s porn movie money.  Ahhh, the 70s.  I love that movie.  So many good lines to quote..

Only my dojo does not have the charm of Dirk’s digs…last night it resembled what I have always thought a Turkish prison might look like.  I missed karate last week because I had this nasty bug that’s been going around and didn’t want to infect the class.  And I guess because it was snowing only three people showed up.  Which meant that Sensei Tom really had it in for us last night.

He started the class with words of wisdom about working through the pain, how when we were at the most tired is where we have the opportunity to shine.  After all, if you won’t always be confronted on the mean streets of suburban Detroit fully rested and hydrated.  Some attacker might wish to strike after you’ve run a marathon, which is basically how I felt after the workout I got last night. 

I can’t really describe it all because at some point I just blacked out from the pain, but I can tell you that right at the end, I ended up being cheered on by the entire (mostly adolescent) class because I was having trouble holding up one leg and hopping across the room on the other. 

But I did perfect my basic self defense #1, and I got a few “great job, Liz” kudos from the Sensei.  So maybe he was on to something.  At one point I really wanted to throw up, he said, “you will thank me for this later” and I really have to say that by the time I left the class I was so high on endorphins that it’s a good thing “driving under the influence of good martial arts” isn’t a violation under the Motor Vehicles Act. 

I slept like a baby, then woke up and ran two miles.  So thanks, Sensei Tom.  That yellow stripe is mine on February 6!

Cables

(Bonus blog post for tonight since it's the end of a long holiday weekend and I'm feeling pretty ready for the week..)

I used to be scared of cable knitting.  It involved two things I usually shun: 1) math and 2) directions.  Well, maybe not "math" but counting.  Cabling and sitting as a passenger in a car or on a plane doesn't always mix, especially if you're prone to carsickness if you try to read.   I finally put my big girl pants on about two years ago and gave cabling a whirl. . .

Half of a duo of blankets, for my friend Allison who had twin girls. . .this was my first attempt...you can't see it but when I was done I weaved chocolate brown ribbon through the edges.  The coordinating blanket was chocolate brown cables with pink ribbon. . .

The next cable was for my sister in law, Kim, for Christmas 2009.  This was a very meaty blanket, requiring bulky yarn.  I got the pattern off one of those tear-off sheets at Michaels in the yarn department...

Dog, Princess, is the female half of the dogs we affectionately refer to as "the Bumpuses".  

And here's my piece de la resistance.. a blanket I made for my friend who shall remain nameless since I still haven't given it to her as a Christmas gift!  I love this blanket because it's made from this gorgeous mohair I got from colourmart.  

For those of you who do not knit and think this kind of work seems impossible, it really isn't.  The knitting part is easy--two stitches and the ability to count.  Cabling takes patience and the ability to multitask.  All traits that women (or men) of a certain age must have to survive in this world, no??  

Go forth and cable!!

The Pay it Forward Project

So I don’t normally get into the spammy chain status deals on Facebook.  You know what I’m talking about, the ones that remind you that there’s x% of people in the world who haven’t been able to hug a unicorn and only 2% of people will have the courage to copy this status and post this on their status for 24 hours.  I’m far too interested in talking about myself to post something someone else made up.  But after the new year, I saw one that caught my eye.  It was the “Pay it Forward” project, where you posted the “rules” on your status, and then the first five people to respond would receive something hand made from you if the poster agrees to make something hand made for five people in the next year.

The little knitting angel that sits on my shoulder and encourages me to perform random acts of kindness perked up.  So I broke my personal rule of not repeating chain Facebook statuses and decided to do this.  And it gave me a reason to try out some super cute patterns I had recently downloaded from ravelry.  Here’s my favorite of all five projects (so far, I still have 2 to go):

1.        Norwegian Star Hat for Whitney: Whitney is this extremely gorgeous blonde who used to babysit Lulu.  She was the perfect match for this design…

                                                                                                                                                 

 Anyway, I had to share.  I'm working on another one, a much larger project for a friend who I've been meaning to knit for but get sidetracked from her project with cute hat patterns.  I'll post pics on this one later.

Ki-ya!

Last summer, my oldest daughter, Lulu’s, desire to take karate lessons reached a fever pitch.  I have to thank a viewing of the Karate Kid (Ralph Macchio style) for that one.  So I signed her up through parks and rec, and she started karate lessons.  From there, she became a full fledged karate student with a Gi and a mean vertical lunge punch.  And then my youngest, Mimi, got in on the dojo scene.  We were officially the parents who let their girls punch kids.  Only at the direction of a sensei, of course.

As I sat for two hours every Saturday with the other parents, I started to realize that I’d rather be in the dojo rather than looking at it.  These kids were having fun, learning respect, and most importantly, gaining confidence and a sense of self.  These are all things that I needed.  With the exception of people who are really close to me, most people don’t realize that I’m a bit insecure and terrible situational anxiety.  So in December, I decided that I was going to do it-- I was going to start karate.  I signed up, with my first class starting the first week of the new year. 

Two weeks ago, I had my first karate class.  I wasn’t signing up for the “ladies kickboxing” but full-on self defense with the big boys.  My goal is fourth degree black belt and nothing less.

But I’m almost 100% sure that I will not be getting a black belt tomorrow. . .

My legs will have to stop shaking first.

And I will have to get over the embarrassment of being schooled by a 14 year old. 

But apart from this, I know I will get there.  The best thing about my class was that I really, truly felt welcome.  I was probably the oldest person in the class, among a sea of teenagers, but these were good kids who were in the same position as me at one point, and were patient and eager to teach me what they learned.  I work with a lot of health care professionals in my day job, and a big part of medical education is the concept of “see one, do one, teach one.”  The same premise is at play in karate.  And I really dig it.  

I could go on about the serpent eating its tail and the yin and the yang of the universe.  I felt really balanced, and not just with my body (which, by the way, did not have any muscle memory related to my years of doing yoga) but with my spirit.  I walked out of the dojo with a smile on my face, thinking to myself that someday I will be the teacher and will pass along my skills to a new student.

And so, the wheel turns, the serpent eats its tail, the acorn grows into a mighty oak, blah blah blah.

Here I go again…

No, not in the Whitesnake, Tawny Kitaen rolling around on David Coverdale’s Jaguar, kind of going again, I am talking about having a blog.  I have had blogs in the past; the first being a rather crude, pre-Blogger Web site, and then a Web site that I abandoned because trolls were leaving comments like “your husband is ugly” and “yer fat.”  And at that point, I just wasn’t in the mood to deal with that so I took it down. 

So anyway, I’m back at it.  This time, I’m hoping to focus on two specific aspects of my life as a woman in her mid-30’s: 1) finding “me” again and 2) working on a hobby I absolutely adore—knitting.  And while you might think that the fact that I have time to do #2 must mean that I’ve accomplished #1, you’d be wrong.  I don’t really think I have to explain to the readers what I’m talking about, but let me try.  Your mid-20’s to mid-30s is such a fast-paced decade.  Think of the life change one usually experiences; any random person might get married/divorced/start a serious relationship, have a child, face the aging of your own parents, buy your first house, pay taxes, maybe get hired/fired from multiple jobs.  You might even change careers.  Or spouses.  And then somehow you wake up out of what seems like a haze and realize that.. .you’re an adult!  When did that happen?  And who is this person and what did she do with my metabolism?

As for the knitting part, I love to knit.  My fondest memories growing up are watching my mom knit, her needles clicking away as she discussed something of great importance with my dad, watched TV, or just tried to eke out two minutes to herself before something big.  Little did I know at that time that this was my mom’s way of coping with stress.  And now I see why.  It’s such a relaxing hobby, also allows you to do something for someone else.  Knit a blanket, give it away.  A random act of kindness, some good karma.  All while working with stabby needles.  What’s not to love?

And let me say that I know I’m probably not the only person with a blog out there writing about the same topic.  And that’s cool.  I think everyone’s personal experiences help us deal with our own.  So I hope that maybe someone will read this and identify with some of my own personal story.  Or, if that is too deep for you, maybe you will laugh along as I continually make an ass out of myself. 

So cheers and let’s get started!!