December 2007 Archives

Progress Chart for PK Doily Challenge

Book Name	# Doilies	# Completed	% Completed
Absolutely Gorgeous Doilies	18	1	5.56%
Coffee N' Cream Doilies	9	4	44.44%
Doilies with a Twist	6	5	83.33%
Doilies with Charm	7	2	28.57%
Elegant in Ecru	12	1	8.33%
Exquisite Pineapple Doilies	10	1	10.00%
Hierloom Pineapple Doilies	6	1	16.67%
Masterpiece Doilies	8	4	50.00%
Mini Masterpieces 30 Little Doilies	30	5	16.67%
Pineapple Elegance	5	0	0.00%
Pineapple Gallery	5	0	0.00%
Pretty Pineapple Doilies	5	0	0.00%
Simply Delightful Doilies	7	4	57.14%
Ultimate Doilies	8	5	62.50%
Victorian Spiral Doilies	6	1	16.67%
Wonderful Doilies	5	4	80.00%
Total	147	38	25.85%

In Need of a Vacation

I think of my upcoming two-week visit to North Carolina as my vacation and reward for getting my master's degree. The trip was paid for by Home Depot. They are paying for some of my meals, too, so I shall try out some of the local burger and barbecue joints in the Raleigh area.

My focal point will be the Raleigh area, but I'll also be spending a week of aunty goodness in Pinehurst where I will once again see my nieces and nephew. I have some loose plans for memory-making and fun with them. They are at that age of prime fun. They all like cats, too. This is a good thing. They all have a creative streak running through them, too. I shall exploit their like for creation. Maybe we'll paint a mural on one of the walls in their house? No, I think my brother would kill me.

John's been out in the Wilson area for a month now and reports he has found no decent burgers. I am hoping that in the Raleigh area we'll fair better. I have a sense of finding a good burger about me, as well as detecting which restaurants will be worth stepping foot into. I'm determined to find a decent steak, too. I'm on a rampant beef-kick.

My camera will go with me to capture the adventures. Last year's adventures I turned into a photobook. I treasure that time. A lot of good memories were made.

What I don't like is having to pack, and I shall have to pack today. What to take!?!?! It seems like there are more and more electronic gadgets traveling with me. The new iTouch we got will replace my having to lug around the laptop. As long as there is a free wi-fi connection I can check e-mail, surf the Net, and watch movies. I need to download a couple of movies for the flight.

Maybe traveling on Christmas Eve won't be so bad. Most people will have reached their destinations. I'm crossing my fingers that the Denver airport stays above freezing. Nothing like frozen wings on aircraft to snarl travel plans. But I shall take a carry-on bag with a change of clothes, plenty of ostomy supplies, and maybe a snack or two to make it through the lean times of not having access to food.

Oh, and of course I shall be taking my doily projects. The self-imposed PK challenge cannot end! I just found out she has a new book out! OMG! It's fantastic!

A Gallant Accomplishment

I have made it to my 40th PK doily in my self-imposed challenge! The special doily is called Gallant from Masterpiece Doilies. It measures about 12 inches in diameter. The thread is Valdani size 12 in Rich Wines. More photos can be seen at my gallery!

My latest doily in my PK Challenge is Graceful Symmetry from Pineapple Elegance. The doily measures 14 inches in diameter and is made from Valdani size 12 thread in "Bronze". This doily has some special stitches that make it truly unique. The variegated tones work well with the pattern. This is my first use of browns to make a doily and I'm pleased with the results.

The colors remind me of a delicious chocolate with caramel. This doily could be called Caramello. However, no candy bars were consumed during the making of the doily.

I do have another doily on my hook and should finish it up this evening and will post it once I've gotten it blocked. I have just one more doily to create for a fellow intern, then I shall create a very, very, very, very special doily for my dear-heart friend, Jodi.

I'm Now an M.A.!

The ceremony yesterday was all that I had hoped it would be and more. The aura the chapel gives off added to the ambience and mood of the commencement. The speakers both spoke about time. Both encouraged us and the audience to have more discipline and slow down.

There was only about 50-60 grads so the ceremony felt intimate and personal. It was exhilarating to have my named called and walk up to my dean and she put the hood onto me. The hood is that white band over my shoulders. It designates that I now hold a master's degree in arts.

A faux diploma scroll was given to us all. It said something very gracious. If they had a sense of humor they could have given everyone something like a fortune cookie message.

After the ceremony me and my peanut gallery went to enjoy some delicious steaks down at Barnaby's. I enjoyed my prime rib immensely, and I forgot to take a picture of it! I normally take a picture of my steaks as I think it honors the meat. Well, next time I'll have to remember to capture it.

Some of my fellow classmates who graduated in June had come to give their support and wishes of congratulations. It was nice to briefly see them and it was nice of them to attend.

I felt in spirit Jodi and Jim. Jim and I started on this adventure the same year, then we took a year off, then continued. He and I found ourselves in many of the same groups over our second year. We'd remark on the many coincidences we noticed about our paths continually crossing. He wasn't able to attend the ceremony but I brought him into the moment by remembering him. Jodi is my dear-heart, my noble lady and beloved friend whom I met during the start of my second year. She wasn't able to continue with our class. I know she was there in spirit--I could feel her presence beside me, and when I'd look out into the audience I swear I could see her face and eyes smiling at me!

It wasn't like a big June graduation. It was a modest one, but it had just as much meaning and sense of celebration and accomplishment. I'm learning how to celebrate myself. It's not something that I can do easily in a public setting, nor in private. I think it has to start in the private before I can externalize it. Inside I am basking in the sense of "I've done it! I've made it!" and it feels awfully, awfully good!

It's sinking into my brain that tomorrow morning I'll wake up, get ready to go to the Bastyr campus in Seattle toting my gown and hood with me and that this is the last day I'll just be me. On Tuesday when I go back to my internship I'll be able to sign my name followed by M.A. I'll no longer be a clinician intern. I'll be technically a therapist, but not licensed. Licensing is still many more years ahead of me.

For now, as I stand at the threshold, I ponder about the oddest things. One being is that John who started this journey with me will not be there for the moment I'm handed my ceremonial diploma. It speaks of how the journey I embarked on three years ago has physically and emotionally disconnected us.

My hope was that going into this field would strengthen my relationships--truly make me "a master" at understanding relationship dynamics and having some influence, skills, and ability to have happier, healthier and more satisfying relationships. I have the tools that I sought to acquire but still some of my relationships have been strained or blown apart. The losses are matched by gains. Members of my family that I hadn't spoken to in more than a decade are now part of my life and those relationships have taken root.

There is one new friendship that I have gained that has sustained me through the dark, difficult times. She was unable to continue the journey with me and our fellow classmates.The greater world would benefit from her keen mind, caring heart, and compassionately listening ears. When I think of how the only true friend I made from graduate school just so happens to be one of the few who wasn't able to continue on the same path. She continues her studies in a way that she can.

There were times where I doubted that I'd make it to this moment--not because of my surgeries and the complications--but that the experiences the program put me through took me to the edge of myself and stretched me out. I feel purged and renewed, yet still my same old self. I'm just more aware of my flaws, shadows, strengths, and powers. I feel more confident and assured, but I also feel more sorrow and sadness.

I put forth a prayer at the start of my second year to bring forth into my life all of those people who would join me on my journey to become a therapist. They have joined me and honed me. This prayer will continue and not expire until I draw my last breath for everyone I meet continues to hone and shape the becoming of myself. In turn I hone and shape them in their becoming.
 

The journey has been interesting; it feels most like a sacrifice. I have obtained something big, accomplished quite the achievement. I don't know what to make of it all just yet.

Works in Progress

It's sobering to know that even if I manage to crochet a doily a week for one year, it would take two years to make all of the PK doilies! With that being said, I'd like to make it seem like I'm well on my way to tackling this goal.Therefore, I shall list the various doilies in progress that I am currently working on.

In a Blue Mood

My latest doily, #38, is from Wonderful Doilies. It is called Marvelous. I made it using Valdani size 12 thread in colors O515 and P7. I used the P7 to make some contrast to make parts of the design stand out.

The blue color appears to be solid, but it really is a variegated of subtle shades of blue. The size of the doily, which I'm guessing, is in the 11-12 inch range.

I like the hexagon shape of this doily--a nice change from the usual round. I may re-block this doily to help the shape stay as it seems to have relaxed a bit and gotten a little saggy!

To see larger and a detailed image of the center, check out my photo gallery!

Stately in Greens

This doily is Stately from Masterpiece Doilies. It is made using size 12 Valdani thread in color 0526. It measures about 12 inches in diameter.

This doily is number 37 in my PK challenge. If I still had all of the PK doilies I've made then I would by Anne of Green Gables definition meet the requirement to possibly keep house.

I've got another doily on my hook and will share it as soon as it is completed! I may just make a dent in my challenge by the end of the year! I have at least 3 more planned and after that, I have no idea. I may take a break from making doilies...who am I kidding? It's an addiction. My form of healthy therapy!

At the end of the block

I awoke this morning to find that the flood waters were at the end of our block! It turns out that a dike either ruptured or that the river spilled over the dike that keeps my neighborhood dry.

I'm literally on an island--I am safe and sound with electricity, heat, cable, and phone. However, my neighbors just across the street from me aren't so fortunate. I've never been THIS CLOSE to a natural disaster, and I feel blessed and sad. Sad because of what has happened to the community and my neighbors, blessed because I have been spared.

The flooding is such a big deal that ABC World News has covered it. I didn't explore very far around the block because there were enough people trying to evacuate, and emergency personnel were doing their job, no need for me to be in the way. I took some pictures and posted them to my gallery.

It looks like from what I can tell that the local Wal-Mart business area has been deluged. This area includes the Home Depot, Michael's, Applebee's, and a brand-new Walgreens that hasn't even opened yet. That isn't the only place to suffer damage--the businesses all along I-5 are flooded. It's surreal. The news says that 40% of Centralia homes have been flooded. I bet that the percentage for Chehalis is greater.

It's going to be awhile before all of life gets back to normal. My heart goes out to those whose lives have been thrown this curve ball.

97%ALCOHOLIC

Phoenix Dating

My thought is that even when I'm drunk, I can still spell perfectly! My knowledge of alcohol comes from watching Modern Marvels on the History Channel. My ability to spell correctly comes from having a partially photographic memory. It's my story that I'm sticking to!