Forward Motion

I have fallen off the yarn-diet wagon so hard, that I've finally quit the yarn diet. Wait, that's a bit of an exaggeration. Yes, I have bought yarn, but it wasn't a haul like the good ol' days of Mum and me, and yarn petting gone wild. But these mini binges have become cause for concern in their own rite. When I started this yarn diet, I would occasionally slip and buy yarn, then beat myself up over the purchase and vow to begin the diet again immediately. Here's my conclusion: I work hard and sometimes I want yarn. Once I buy yarn, it's done. I've bought yarn and I can't time travel to make it not happen. Therefore, why should I continue to beat myself up about it, especially when I practice moderation and restraint when I do buy, right? This isn't a bad thing--it really isn't. Really. It isn't a bad thing.

For a minute, I believed that it would be in my best interest to cease buying yarn until Kid 'n Ewe in November. Geez, I still have some Brooks Farm that I bought a year and a half ago that sits around and waits to be knitted or petted. But I cannot lie. I miss my mum terribly, and lately I've felt on the cusp of desperation. I don't have the crying spells (which I can't even force, even if it would seem in my best interest), but I still feel like a lost little kid. Anyway, while I was interviewing various sock yarns at Hill Country Weavers last Thursday, it occurred to me that when I feel desperate to reach out for my mum, I buy yarn. It doesn't actually work; I don't feel like she is standing beside me when I do this. However, it's just what I do. So, if I'm already feeling like complete shit because I want my mommy, then why add to the feelings of despair by scolding myself for buying yarn? Nope, it just doesn't make any sense. Besides, when I look at the buget, I'm not spending a lot on yarn. Really. I'm not. By the way, I hired a skein of Dream in Color Smooshy and a skein of Misti Alpaca sock yarn; they're in training.

Through all the craziness that is 2009, Year of Michelle has taken a backseat. I contemplated this as I took a walk through the 'hood this evening. It's time to get back on track with this mutha. So here goes. Today, I am establishing a few goals for the week. I can do almost anything for a week. *Ahem*:

1. Write down everything I eat and drink, as well as any formal exercise I do. Boy, I've been a slacker in this department, but research indicates that written accountability improves one's odds for weight-loss success. I'm not one to argue with the data.
2. Practice drum rudiments daily, for a minimum of 20 minutes. I have a practice pad, so really, there is no excuse.
3. Finish something. I have a sweater that I knit over a year ago that needs to be steam blocked and stitched, another sweater that I need to put the buttons onto and block...You get the picture.
4. Clear out three boxes from my crazy craft room. This will actually be the most difficult.

From Me to My Blog

It's not like I don't want to blog. My problem is that my SD slot is still busted, and I cannot find the software for this computer. The inability to post pictures just sucks my blogging mojo. However, I'm going to make do for the time being. It's time to woman up and quit whining.

Last month, my neighbor and I made a run out to Fredericksburg and of course, when in Fredericksburg, I like to stop by Stonehill Spinning, LTD. When you step onto their little wooden porch and grasp the doorknob, you just know that good things and kind people await on the other side of the door. They certainly did not disappoint. I scored a skein of fingering-weight Yummy by Fibranatura (distributed by Universal Yarns). This stuff is, in fact, quite yummy. If I may be so bold, I would compare it to Socks That Rock, in that the colorways are outside-the-box and the texture and ply are agreeable with almost any pattern. I could pet this stuff all day--I really can.

Today, my wee-est one and I headed to Ulta to pick up some much-needed basics. I spotted Cover Girl Outlast Lipstain, and after reading user raves, I figured I would give it a try. I had read that not only does the product impart long-lasting color, but it actually moisturizes the lips, which no other lip stain does. Sounds good, right? I tried the Plum Pout which is actually pretty, but it made me look like an Asian hooker. Even though that's not the look I'm going for, it didn't look bad. After allowing the lipstain to dry for around three minutes--during which, my lips started to feel like they were shriveling and not bathing in moisturizing luxury-- I started eating lunch--a Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki flatbread sandwich from Subway. When I wiped my mouth, I noticed some of the lipstain on the napkin. Hmm... After lunch, I did a lip check and found that I no longer resembled a Tokyo prostitute, I looked like a crazy old Asian woman with a ring of worn off lipstick around my mouth. To make matters worse, nothing would remove the ring. I even tried using some of the leftover sweet onion sauce, but was unsuccessful. Good thing I was still a few doors down from the store and could return it (as long as you have your receipt, Ulta is cool about returns). Too bad I still had to stop by Costco, the vet's office, and CVS before going home. *sigh* (See note below.)

At a fairly recent SnB, one of the grrls, Courtney, recommended Kiehl's Abyssine Creme. She has sensitive skin and reported that even though the cream initially "burned" her skin, she is used to it and it no longer has that effect. On a trip to Target, I scored the last jar of said cream on the shelf. Score! I used Retin-A for years, so it's amazing that I have any skin left. However, that which didn't kill my skin, only made it stronger, I suppose, so even though my skin gives me crap with large pores and breakouts, it isn't sensitive. Anyway, I added this cream to my usual routine and I'm loving it. It doesn't burn my skin at all, but it helps even out my tone and is helping me get rid of the spots around my eyes. So worth the dough. If you decide to try it for yourself, please keep in mind that you'll need to add sunscreen to your regimen. Wait a second, you should be using sunscreen anyway!

So even though the lipstain was a bust, I did score in the yarn and skin cream departments. I'm still on a strict yarn diet (my neighbor paid for the Yummy, so that didn't count ;). I'm always on the prowl for the perfect lip products, so when I find them, they'll go from my lips to this blog.

Note: I mean no disrespect to Cover Girl. Their Lash Blast Mascara deserves some major kudos for giving lashes volume and length. However, I'm sharing my experience with a particular product, not posting Bible truth.