Ranting

Let me start by saying that there is no knitting content in this post. Let me also add that whatever I say here I say with no real understanding of that things are like for my hubby right now.

That said, here we go.......

There are many things that I love about my husband. One thing that I could live without is the smoking. Since we have moved in together he has not smoked in our house he always goes outside but... as a non smoker I can really notice when he comes inside and when I kiss him.

He has tried to quit a few times over the years that I have known him but he has been smoking since he was 13 or 14? He has (in my opinion) gotten past the hardest parts of quitting only to start again.

I do not claim to understand. I never say "I know it's hard" because what I do understand is that there is no way I could possibly understand. I do tell him how proud I am of him for doing what he has so far and to some extent I wait on him hand and foot to keep his stress down and his happiness up.

Because he is not smoking his is eating. Boy oh boy is he eating. So I buy him snacks that I don't like to keep in the house because I like to eat them too. Cookies, chips, pudding, and as strange as it sounds KD and instant mashed potatoes. When he says he is hungry I make him what he asks for (even if it gets in the way of my knitting time). When he tells me he is dying and that he wants a smoke I smile and say "you're not dying hunny, can I get you something?" Ugh...I frustrate myself but I think it is for the greater good.

We had planned to maybe go to see a movie tonight. I was going to meet him after work and go to an early show. He called me after he finished work to tell me he had a bad day and just wanted to go home.

I made him a snack when he got home (dinner was going to take an hour in the oven) he still asked me after for a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. I made him both served with a cold beer.

Then when dinner was ready (lasagna) he started to eat it...looked at it funny and asked if mine was still cold in the middle ("no") we ate a little longer. "Where did we get this lasagna from?... I cant eat this" Then like a silly little wife I offer to make him something else. He didn't want anything else but.....grrrrrr. Now he is sitting here on the couch and is he ever cranky.

He has had one cigarette today and has had 2 or 3 every day for the last (almost) 2 weeks. I am starting to get just as cranky as he is.

If anyone else out there has any suggestions for me about how I can be supportive and not lose my mind please let me know because sometimes I feel about as shaky as he is.

P.S. Just as I was spell checking this the dog rang the bell to go out.....I just wanted to post before I took him out. Hubby asked me if I was going to let him out ("yes") He rang the bell 4 times what are you doing("blogging. I don't see you getting up to let him out") Fine ("I'm going now") Then I'm going to the store (This would imply he was going to buy cigarettes but he instead lay down on the couch.)

Too Busy to Blog

When you go on vacation you have a list of all the things you will get done because you will have all this time on your hands. What happens to that time? Why do you still never seem to have enough?

I have been a busy little bee this week and a bit. When I got better I was talking to a friend that I don't see very often (sometimes only once a year) and we made plans to meet at her cottage. I was very excited and I wanted to take her a birthday present and also a present for her 10 month old baby.

I'm sure you can see where this is going. As a knitter I thought I would make something! Won't that be nice! So I had a week to start and finish 2 projects but hey....I'm on vacation so I have time.

Project #1 : ITV Digital Monkey. I found the pattern on Ravelry and thought how cute it was.

It is cute but.....there are many pieces.

I made changes to the mouth that were suggested by a few other people who made this monkey. I still wasn't completely happy with the shape of the mouth but overall the monkey is cute. But I don't think I will ever make one again.

I loved my Milkweed shawl so much and it was so fast I thought it would be perfect for my friend so....

Project #2 : Milkweed Shawl (x2)

I loved this one just as much as the one as I made for myself. Perhaps more because mine has not yet been blocked.

But wait there is still more.

Project #3 (yes I know): Leaves of Grass Scarf

When I was sick I didn't get the scarf finished in time for my friend's birthday. I hopefully will be seeing her tonight or this month sometime so no excuses. It is finished.

I have often thought I could use blocking wires but I never buy them for myself. I could have really used them for this project. I tried to keep the sides as straight as possible but it was a challenge and I think I put pins in, took them out and moved them at lease 3 times.

I am happy with the way it turned out. I hope my friend likes her gift because I was worried she might like a little brighter blue more but I think she will be happy.

I have a few things on my list now that are not knitting related and without a deadline I have no excuse to ignore my housework any longer.