December 30, 2007
Hello? Knock, Knock? Anyone Out There?
Mea culpa for the lack of postings, Dear Readers, but a combination of continuing drawma and the holidays led to 13 days of radio silence. In truth, things in the relationship department got a whole heckuva lot nastier and darker before they got…
(dare I say it? dare I?)
better!
Unfortunately for those of you who, like me, devour blogs as much for the personal gossip as for the knitting, lest I jinx our progress by becoming prematurely and overly hopeful, no satisfyingly juicy details will be forthcoming, but TMK and I did spend Christmas together which, two weeks ago, would’ve been an impossibility. Because, you know, couples who’ve broken up don’t do that sort of thing. Yep, you read that right—splitsville. Twice. Which tells you how unstable and erratic and fragmented this whole painful journey has been, especially for a relationship that's been pretty rock solid until now. So, please keep your fingers crossed for us that all the hard work we’ve been putting into this continues to pay off.
My one piece of hard-won wisdom: If you are a friend, family member or online “e-friend” of someone who is going through similar heartbreak, and you are supporting them in any way you can, large or small, yet you don’t think you are making a difference, you are. You are.
On to Very Important yet Very Unfinished business: The Baby Harris Project. Despite the radio silence, I can assure you that this has been very much on my mind. First, and most importantly, “our” baby, Lovie Lee Harris, joined the world on Sunday, December 23! Here is a nice article and photo.
NancyO, your beautiful crocheted sweater arrived but only just recently, a victim of the Christmas mailing crush. However—yay!—I haven’t delivered the Baby Harris items yet—partly because of the holidays, partly because I want to pretty up the cardboard boxes I’ll be delivering them in, and partly because some coordination will be required with my friend at work (the stepfather)—so your sweater is very much a part of the Mount Everestian pile of things I received. The handoff should occur later this week!
In the meantime, I've managed to churn out, well, this...
...an inert, limp, pointless, structureless tube. HOO-ah!
Not very impressive, is it? It's actually my response to the fact that a new ventilation system was installed at work this year, the net result being that the office is 10-20 degrees colder than it was last winter. So, inert, limp, pointless, structureless tube? No, my friends; fingerless, thumbless mitts!!!
These were made using some leftovers of TMK's Chocolate Sauce llama and baby-alpaca yarn (scroll down to see the yarn), and were based (very loosely) on this pattern. The main change, which I think I would do again, is I used size 2s for the wrist/cuff and size 3s for the hand, with no increase in the number of stitches. That, combined with the k2p2 rib, makes for a fingerless mitt that hugs the hand very cozily. Freezing office—you are no match for the awesome power of the inert, limp, pointless, structureless tube!
Posted by Ryan at December 30, 2007 07:18 PM
Just today on the way home from skiing I was speaking of the difficuties to which you have alluded as well as your Baby project(We were reminiscing about first finding your blog during the Christmas holidays a couple of years ago when we read and laughed through your entire archive.)
How wonderful to arrive home to read of good and positive developments on both fronts!
Here's hoping it all bodes - well for 2008!
i hope that your new year begins on a better note! i am keeping both of you in my thoughts and prayers my friend. thanks for the fly by blogging and update!
Posted by: marti on December 30, 2007 08:11 PMI have been thinking of you both and sending good vibes your way, and am glad you've surfaced to say hello. :) If you need anything please let me know. Either of you. I realize this is probably a presumptuous statement, given that I don't know either of you all that well, but I like you both and enjoy your company, and truly hope things work out.
Regardless, I'm glad your holiday was better than anticipated, and hope the coming year is a magnificent one!
Posted by: moiraeknittoo on December 30, 2007 08:14 PMI loved reading your blog tonight. Fingers and toes crossed for you and TMK. The Lovie article was great to read.
Posted by: Donna in VA on December 30, 2007 08:18 PMGlad to hear from you. Good luck in the relationship department. Remember that thing about what doesn't kill you, etc. {{{hugs}}}
Posted by: kmkat on December 30, 2007 08:30 PMAh, so glad the little one is here safely! I hope her mother is thrilled with the knitties.
I'm also glad to hear things are going more smoothly for you.
And the inert, limp, pointless, structureless tube - looks like it will do its job perfectly!
Posted by: Loribird on December 30, 2007 08:34 PMMany of us who've never met you "for real" and don't comment often are right there in your corner. Welcome back, and may good things come your way in the New Year.
Posted by: Elizabeth D on December 30, 2007 10:00 PMI second what Elizabeth D. says!! Here's to a better New Year to all the readers/friends of Mossy Cottage Knits!
Posted by: Pat in Virginia on December 31, 2007 02:26 AMNo juicy details needed but I'm so glad things are looking to settle down. Isn't it crazy how someone you haven't met (yet) feels like a friend? I've been worried about you two and sending you the best.
Come to Portland to play with us! We can hit yarn stores and TMK can show me how to use my table saw.
Posted by: Laurie on December 31, 2007 04:18 AMHappy New Year, Ryan!! I hope the new year brings you happiness and contentment whatever that may be. Wishing you all good things!!
Posted by: Bonney on December 31, 2007 04:23 AMPhew!! I am glad you and TMK are working things out. I would be very sad to think such a long standing relationship could go south. (Y'all are kind of a long relationship inspiration, don'tcha know. Yes you are, to a pair of straight, white, Republican Christians. :-)
ES
I'm with Elizabeth D. and others. I'm a reader, infrequent commenter, and am hoping things are on the upswing for 2008.
Oh, and fingerless mitts are a necessity for me in the winter; you should try Fetchings next, they're addictive!
I'm not much of a commenter, but I wanted to say I've been checking back regularly to hear more news about the baby and also about you and TMK. Glad to hear things are turning around. Here's hoping 2008 brings much happiness and contentment. I always find odd numbered years are harder so I am looking forward to 2008 very much also!
Posted by: Julie on December 31, 2007 05:25 AMI'm glad things are looking better for both of you. I've missed you both.
Posted by: Carrie on December 31, 2007 06:05 AMI'm glad to hear things are getting a bit better. You deserve loads of happiness.
Posted by: Jennu on December 31, 2007 07:15 AMI second Brenda's assessment of Fetchings - they are addictive! I've knit four pairs (only one for myself, but surely I could use another). :)
That was a lovely article about Lori and Lovie Harris. I hope they love the big box o' goodies!
My best and (((internet hugs))) to you and TMK!
Posted by: jules on December 31, 2007 07:52 AMI was worried it was something like that! Only high drama and rough seas can keep you off the interwebs. I'm glad it's a bit better. You two are good people, and good together. Hoping it eases every day.
xo
Relationsships are never easy. Good luck to you and TMK. Keep working hard, and communicating. It's the only way to stay together! My husband and I have been together 22 years, and if we don't talk, things get not good quick!
Hugs and good wishes!
Relationships are HARD. I'm so glad to hear that all the work you and TMK are putting in is bearing fruit.
Thanks for the link to the article about Lovie Lee. Hear's hoping 2008 is a great year for everyone.
Posted by: Ruth on December 31, 2007 09:45 AMYay! That applies to: relationship progress(hard work never goes un-rewarded), to baby harris' arrival, and your latest project!
Can I comment how nice your hand looks? You should be a hand model!
I must confess. I saw your car at TMK's on xmas(I was at my sister Cheryl's house) and drove by with a smile on my face!
Posted by: Naomi on December 31, 2007 09:59 AMGood luck on the relationship foo! It's always exciting to work on a relation whether it is in a good place or not.
Posted by: Seanna Lea on December 31, 2007 10:05 AMGlad to hear about the improvements in the relationship sphere. I'd like to echo all the others in saying that those of us who may not comment often still think about and care about you and TMK. (hugs)
Posted by: Bether on December 31, 2007 10:25 AMI'm pulling for you and K. And best wishes for a good life for new mom & baby.
Posted by: Becca on December 31, 2007 11:39 AM::hugs:: This is wonderful news to ring in the new year! Relationships are hard, and life throws us some awful curveballs sometimes. You and TMK have been through a lot together, and you'll get through this too. You'll learn a lot about each other and one day, look back on this time and appreciate the lessons learned. For now, enjoy seeing in another new year together, and the beautiful metaphor of TMK's yarn keeping you warm through chilly days in your office. You make a wonderful team!
Posted by: Lisa The Riveter on December 31, 2007 12:33 PMI can only echo what others are saying, but I'll bet it's good to hear it anyway: I'm praying for y'all, that all comes out well and everyone ends up happy. I'm praying for Frankie, too! I'm sure he's doing all he can to arrange a Happy Ending!
Posted by: MaryB in Richmond on December 31, 2007 01:52 PMYour post made my day!
Posted by: Gail "hey-would-you-shake-up-this-bottle-of-juice-for-me" on December 31, 2007 02:23 PMLet me just add a virtual hug to you both and lay on some love along with everyone else. Happy New Year! MaryB
Posted by: MaryB on December 31, 2007 02:28 PMOMG!!! I'm tearing up in hopes that this is all going in the right direction! SUCH good news about you and TMK. When all else has failed me through hard times, my motto has been, "outlast the bad, and hang on for the good." You'd be amazed at what that's gotten me through when I couldn't think of anything else to hang on to. The good always comes again eventually so let 'er rip! Wish I'd been at the Saturday Soiree and seen you both - I'm really missing all the homies. Happy New Year to you both!
Posted by: Linda "K" on December 31, 2007 02:49 PMBeaming Happy New Year wishes and hugs to you and TMK! Don't sweat the irregular appearances. Much as I enjoy reading your blog, there are other things more important than blogging. Take care of you and yours. Your blogfans will survive. :o)
Posted by: morenna on December 31, 2007 04:33 PMgreat to have you back, Ryan -- wishing you and TMK all the best in 2008!
Posted by: Romy on December 31, 2007 04:48 PMOhhhh, Sweetie(s), I didn't know. I'm so glad things have worked out. I hope you are having a champagne or a glass of white grape juice or something tonight. Happy New Year!!!
Posted by: Norma on December 31, 2007 05:09 PMWe're here for you. May 2008 bring you peace.
Posted by: Kristen on December 31, 2007 07:27 PMSo glad to see your post and read that things are looking up. I've been thinking and worrying about you! I hope 2008 is smoother for you. Hugs to you and TMK!
Posted by: no-blog-rachel on December 31, 2007 09:41 PM