All the Pretty Words

The neighbor just came over to let me know that the electric company is coming over to cut down one of his trees, which is leaning rather dangerously on the electricity line going to our house. It is also leaning over the driveway for my house, so he wanted to let me know that it would be a good idea to move my car. There was a rather nasty rain and wind storm in the area Sunday night, so most of the people and stores in several nearby towns are still without power due to downed lines. My town, however, suffered hardly any damage. I’m not sure why, really, but I guess the large hills standing in the direction from which the winds were coming might have protected us somewhat.

The Embossed Leaves Socks are leaving me to go live with my sister. I like the pattern and the way the yarn looks, but after wearing them to class today I just can’t keep them. They’re uncomfortably wide, and the sole of one foot became very inflamed and itchy after just an hour of use. I warned my sister, who has appropriately sized feet for the socks, that they might make her feet itch too, but she is apparently a braver soul than I.

My cousin and her husband are expecting their second child in August, and yesterday I learned that it is a boy. I want to make a shirt of some sort for him, but I’ve yet to find a pattern that will be appropriate for Missouri’s extreme mid-August heat. The One-Piece Baby Kimono out of Mason-Dixon Knitting calls for the exact amount and brand of cotton I have sitting in my stash, so I think I’ll make that even though it has long sleeves. Cotton is cool to wear, and the baby will probably be in air conditioning throughout the whole month anyway, I think. I would make a blanket, but the wool Hoover Blanket I made for their first is now the size of a placemat due to being felted in the wash. Cotton or acrylic it is for this baby, then…

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Well, this has been quite a week. Last night, one of my best friends called me to let me know that she and her husband are expecting their first child! The baby is due on October 5th :) And then if that’s not enough action for you, one of my old friends from school is getting married tomorrow night, so I’m going to that as well. And this all goes on top of my personal little excitements, the interview and presentation next month. I hope your week has been as nice :)

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I love Thanksgiving. It’s one of those holidays that most people can and do enjoy, without as much of the fuss over commercialism and pressures to buy gifts that plague many of the other major holidays. It’s right after my birthday and about a month before Christmas, so it falls nicely in a series of festive events. The whole family, many of whom I don’t get to see very often, comes down for the holiday. And to top it off, we get to eat turkey! Mmmmmmmm. So, happy Thanksgiving to all of you who celebrate it, and have a nice day to all of those who don’t :)

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My cousin, who is one of my best friends, will be getting married this Saturday. We literally grew up together, she being only two months older than I am. We’ve shared everything in our lives for almost our entire lives. That includes baby toys, first loves, fears, dreams, even a boyfriend (and no, we didn’t date him at the same time, if that’s what you’re thinking). She has always been the first one I tell when something happens, the one I run to when I’m upset, the one I know that I can tell anything to and she will still love and accept me. We’ve gotten into our share of mischief together (one of our uncles calls us “Double Trouble”), including a few wild(ish) nights out on the town and some crazy parties. She is, most simply put, one of the very best friends I have ever had or ever will have. To know her is to love her, and I wish that the people who read this could know her for themselves. Her soon-to-be husband is one hell of a lucky guy, and I hope he realizes that and treats her accordingly. To my cousin, my friend, I send my best wishes, love, and hopes for a happy, fulfilling, and rewarding marriage.

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Tonight, I had an important talk with my parents. I asked for their support on an important issue, and they weren’t willing to offer that support. They told me various ways that my plan can fail. They tried to talk me out of it. They tried to scare me out of it. But I stand firm. This is the first time I’ve really done something like this. Stood against them. Sure, I’ve done small stuff. I’ve stayed out too late, hung out with people they didn’t approve of, but this is big stuff. Yes, I’m 20 years old. I’m a bit late in my so-called teenage rebellion. But, it’s as they say…better late than never. I really should have moved out when I started college. I really should move out tomorrow. I would, if I could, but I can’t afford it. So, I’ll stay here until May 2005, when I graduate. I’m going to move out to get a job before starting grad school. I will move at least 3 hours away. An 8-hour drive would be better. Across the world would be perfect. I just need to get away and sort myself out…I need to figure out where their influences and impositions end and I begin. I need to be my own person.

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