Turning THE BIG 5-0, It Ain't All That Bad!!!!

Yeah, yeah, yeah, April 3rd I turned the big 5-0. Yeah, 50!!!! You know the number itself isn't a big deal, I certainly don't feel like I thought one would feel when they turned 50. Granted, all things don't look the same as they once did. But I feel no different than when I was in my 20's. I think the scariest thing about aging is the speed at which it flies. I can remember as a child when from one Christmas to the next seemed like forever. Now I feel I turn around and it is July and another turn and it is Christmas all over again. Of course, if I would plan during the year instead of waiting until October to begin my Christmas knitting I may feel different. But that is another story all to itself. Back to the age thing. The thing isn't turning 50. The thing is how quickly that 50 has gone by and how much quicker are the next 30, 40, 50 going to go.

Alright already!!!!!! Enough!!! My Wednesday night knitting class gave me a wonderful birthday present. They gave me a gift card to my LYS, Crafty Hands. It couldn't have been a better gift. I couldn't come up with any excuse, I HAD to go spend the money buying yarn, needles and pattern books. I know it was very difficult but I forced myself to do it. :)

I asked Jordan to go with me. Well actually, I bribed him. Before he agreed to go he said, "I mean, you aren't going to be in there for 2 hours are you? It isn't that big a store!" I told him he had no idea what all could be stuffed into a store that size and there are just so many things to touch and feel. Actually he was a help in determining my final choices. What do you bribe a 22 year old with? Food, what else!!!!! And I have to say we were only in there for about 30 minutes. I was on a mission and they were getting ready to close. I decided I was going to make myself something, since it is MY birthday. I chose a sweater out of "Knitting the New Classics" by Kristin Nicholas. This book has some really beautiful sweater patterns in it. I will be making several I am sure. We (Jordan and I) chose a wonderful yarn by Elsebeth Lavold, Silky Wool made in Italy. It is 65% wool and 35% silk. It is a good weight for a Spring, Fall & Winter sweater. And since all my other size 5 circular needles have something already on them I bought a new wonderful bamboo set by Crystal Palace. I love bamboo, I love wood, I love wool, I love.......................fiber, I just love!!!!

I've started the sweater and all is going well so far. I had a little of a fit of fret last night while working on the stupid swatch (I really hate swatches). As I was knitting along I began looking at all the skeins it is going to take to make this beauty, 11 in all or 2,080 yards of yarn. Hey, I didn't make that number up, it is in the pattern. My gaze then fell upon the picture and I began thinking about how many stitches that will end up being, something like 400 k-zillion at last count. And then I started fretting over whether I really wanted to look at that color through 11 skeins, 2,080 yards, and 400 k-zillion stitches. So, I went to bed.
When I awoke this morning, after my third pot of coffee, I realized that yes, my knitting world is upright tilting on its axis once again. Plus, I put the skeins away and only pay attention to the particular row I am on at the moment. Good plan Peg!!!!! I'll keep you posted as to the progress. Chow baby!!!!