Day 10, Kitten Update, and Stuff

Hey, Remember Me?


So you haven't seen me in awhile--that's largely because not smoking has been something of a fulltime job. Today is Day 10 for both Mr. O'Kitten and me, which is really quite remarkable. But I found that being on the computer is a trigger, so I haven't been on in a week other than to quickly check the etsy shop.

As long as my hands are busy, I'm halfway okay; the crazy raging anger and most intense irritability seems to have subsided somewhat. In its place is an ebbing and flowing anxiety, a sense of restlessness, and--the thing that scares me the most--a general feeling of depression, tiredness, and malaise. Will this pass? And when?

Since I'm a recovering alcoholic and addict with bipolar disorder, PTSD, and who knows what else, I'm the first to admit my brain is already quite scrambled. I'm sure that I was using nicotine to help control my mood, take the edge off of anxious moments, and whatever else it does for you. And I read somewhere that it is particularly difficult for women with depression to quit smoking. And of course, the route my bipolar tends to take is -- long bouts of debilitating depression.

Anyway, Day 10. The beat goes on.

In Which Strider and Gandalf Find a Home


Great news! I talked to the vet's office last week and Gandalf and Strider found a home. I'd dared to hope that they might be able to stay together and fantasized that they'd find a family to live with, and they have. The couple who adopted them has a 3-year-old, who I'm told was very gentle with the rapidly-growing boys (not that they couldn't stand a fair bit of rough-housing) and I couldn't be more delighted. Gandalf and Strider have a home!



Keeping the Hands Busy and the Brain (Somewhat) Quiet


I've been spinning like crazy and knitting up a storm. I finished my No-Smoking Socks (from the Friday Harbor pattern), two hats from Lacey yarn I spun, a pair of long fingerless gloves (well, one still needs seaming)--and yes, pictures are forthcoming. Felted a prototype holiday tree (you have to see it, it's weird) and Mr. O'Kitten and I made some strange Halloween-ish cards for the etsy shop. (Oh yeah, I have to shoot pics of those, too. It's just easier not to move from the couch.)

Like I said, as long as my hands are busy with the needles or the wheel or crossword puzzles...


Breeds Study has resumed at the Spinning Loft. I've washed nearly a pound of this grey corriedale; the three fall sessions are about Longwools and Crossbred wools.

I finally had some sort of breakthrough with my spinning, and it finally looks like yarn. I actually spun almost 200 yards (about 180 m) from 4 oz. (115 g) of luscious merino-silk. I never spun silk before, nor have I been able to spin anything relatively consistent or so fine. (Yes, yes, photos to come, I promise. As soon as I, uh, check a week's worth of email...)