Knit Lich

OMG, I knit something!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:04:00 +0000

My life is so crazy but I found time to knit a Christmas present for Paige's teacher. Sarah is my model :)

Forks in the Road

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 02:36:00 +0000

My blog has been so neglected. I do miss having the time to knit and crochet and create, BUT I am happy to report that I am now OFFICIALLY a working Registered Nurse. I found a position with a smaller community hospital that is training me to be a Labor & Delivery Nurse. I am so excited and grateful! I love learning everyday and I feel like I can help women during this period in their lives. I'm sure there will be ups and downs but I think that this happened for a reason, and I think someone out there was looking over me. For something creatively inspiring, I give the following: Ben Heine

Grieving

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 02:31:00 +0000

The last month has been most challenging. My younger brother, who was fighting cancer, became critically ill and after three weeks in intensive care, passed away from respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. He fought so hard and I think his body just had had enough. He was only 36 years old.

Children should not pass away before their parents. It just messes up the natural order of things. For those of you who don't know me that well, my father also passed away as a young man (same age as my brother) from an unknown heart defect. To see my mother suffer so, has been heartwrenching to say the least.

In between job hunting...

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 01:24:00 +0000

My husband requested a special blanket just for him during cool Spring evenings.

Drop Stitch

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 23:56:00 +0000

At first, I did not enjoy this one, but once I got the hang of the drop stitches, I was able to enjoy the color changes. I think it will look better after it is blocked.

Entrelac Love

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:30:00 +0000

There is something to be said about the simple enjoyment of knitting entrelac. I especially love it when the yarn is variegated or hand dyed. It is so simple to knit but has a finished look that is complicated and puzzling. I get more comments and compliments on entrelac than on any other projects. Simple things are good.

Graduation means a return to simpler living

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 23:37:00 +0000

I finished Nursing School! This major accomplishment has filled me with great pride and joy. I am excited for what the future holds in the form of a nursing career. Plus I have the joy in knowing that my graduation was a group family effort.

Now back to some knitting....

A gift for my preceptor instructor.

A commission... sort of

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:22:00 +0000

This is the first afghan I've made for someone by "special order". My original was admired during one of my son's baseball games so she asked if I would make one for her. She bought the yarn, I made it... not really a commission but I didn't have to pay for it. :) The colors remind me of the inside of an abalone shell.

Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:47:00 +0000

Artist: Thaneeya McArdle

Well, I was just talking to my husband last night and realized that I only have a little over 2 weeks of my summer left until I go back to Nursing School. Just thinking about it makes my stomach ache but maybe I will have a surge of confidence within the next few days.

I am pleased how I spent my summer getting lots of inspiration and seeing so many beautiful things. I learned that I calm down when I get to spend more than 24 hours outdoors. I love to look at the stars when I can see more than 10 or so. I want to fall asleep every night to the sound of waves crashing on the shore. I want to paint all my walls white and have neutral furniture so I can fill my house with the most colorful artwork I can find. I need to knit and crochet as much as possible. I want to buy an Airstream trailer and travel around the country. I want to be surrounded by golden hills and scrub oak trees. I want to freeze time so I can spend it with my children before they grow up too fast.

Not MIA

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 03:08:00 +0000

I was shocked to realize that it has been almost a year since my last post. Nursing school has really led me in a different direction, one that has been so challenging. But I am about to start my last semester and I have been really enjoying my summer break with my husband and children. One of my best Nursing school friends is getting married tomorrow and I made her an afghan for a wedding present.

I have been really missing my knitting and crocheting. How I wish there was more time in the day but life is short and sometimes you just have to enjoy the moment.

Hope to be blogging again on a more regular basis even though I'm not sure anyone is out there to read this little blodg. That's okay, maybe it will help my sanity as I start a new chapter in my own life.

Amazing talent

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:54:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:59:00 +0000

We had a great time during the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Newport Beach. We walked and ran for my 1st semester nursing professor, mentor, and friend, Frances Outhwaite. We raised almost $1200 for research and to fund free mammograms to women in need. Frances only has three more weeks of chemo to go!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:54:00 +0000

Found this on Loobylu and have to admit I'm one of the fascinated knitters she is talking about...

Station Fire

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:21:00 +0000

Station Fire
Originally uploaded by slichly.

Although wildfires are a pretty common occurrence in Southern California, it's not very often that you see one from my city. We live over 30 miles away from the mountains and when we stepped onto the front porch, we could actually see the fire from here.

Hopefully, there will be little damage and no casualties.

Comfort

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:42:00 +0000

There is something to be said for having a hobby. Having something just for myself. Like a gift or a reward. Crochet and knitting are always there for me. Waiting for me even if I'm too busy to get to it on a regular basis. There's something about creating with your hands. It is therapeutic.

There always seems to be a wave of babies coming via various friends and acquaintenances. So I decided on this pattern. It's an older pattern that I thought I could bring to life with a more modern color. Such as salmon.

Not sure who will end up with it, but it is helping with the stress relief.

Anxiety

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:08:00 +0000

I have learned a few things about anxiety in the last few weeks. It can mess with your temper, your sleeping patterns and even your heartbeat. Sometimes I think being a nursing student makes me a little bit of a hypochondriac but given my medical history it seems a little justified.

There's not too much wrong with me that some good sleep won't cure. I'm just starting to realize that I don't think I've gotten any real sleep for about 12 years. I've tried lots of things. Lavender scents, no electronic distractions, no caffeine after 4 pm, eye patches, ear plugs, making lists before bed. Now with all my Pharmacology knowledge and the desire to not die from ventricular fibrillations, my doctor prescribed me some sleeping pills.

This was the first time I ever had taken a sleeping pill and he warned me, make sure you allow 8 hours and time it right and that your husband is aware because it will knock you out. I was a little nervous at first. Moms always sleep with one ear open. What if a child wakes up in the middle of the night with a bad nightmare or worse, thrown up in their bed? But my husband has always gotten up with me in the past when I needed him and he assured me to take the pill.

I didn't know what to expect. I laid in my bed waiting for abrupt unconsciousness. Instead the most amazing thing happened. Sleep overtook my brain. Like when I was a child. Like when you had a long day at the beach and your shoulders are a little pink from too much sun and you are completely relaxed and sleep overtakes you in a wave from the back of your neck all the way to the top of your head. I had forgotten what it felt like, it has been so long.

I only get to take them when I really, really need them. Right now that seems like I need one every night but I will save them for the nights before tests and clinicals.

I am a big believer in sleep.

August 3 - 9

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:05:00 +0000

Since my "good" camera has some lint or dust inside of it causing all sorts of mischief, I have been using my older point and shoot camera. Needless to say, I have been unhappy with the quality of photos but I have continued with my 365 project. This week was a little uneventful so my favorite picture is when the girls went outside to dance in the 5 minute rain downpour we had. It has been so long since we have seen rain that we all danced a little. The lawn is barely hanging in there. Our gardener said we have grubs so I guess that's why the weeds are the only thing surviving the drought back there.

More changes...

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:33:00 +0000

I don't really know who looks at or reads my blog. There really hasn't been anything to read lately, just pictures. Since Nursing school is about to start up for me again and I anticipate some serious stress and anxiety, I'm going to make some changes to my postings. I want to continue my Project365, but I will only be posting my favorite picture of the week here. If you are interested in seeing the other pictures, please look in my Flickr account.

July 27 - August 2

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:51:00 +0000

Click on photo for larger view

July 20 - 26

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:05:00 +0000

Click on photo for a larger view

July 13 - 19

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:40:00 +0000

Click on photo for a larger view

July 6-12

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:44:00 +0000

Click on photo for larger view

June 29 - July 5

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:29:00 +0000

Click on photo for a larger view

Changing things up

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:50:00 +0000

As you may have noticed, I thought it was time to give my blog a new look. I am still deciding if it's the right look for me, but I have to admit, I love all the color. Leave me a comment if you agree!

June 22 - 28

noreply@blogger.com (Stephknits3) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:38:00 +0000

Click on photo for a larger view