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December 30, 2010

2010 - A retrospective

Knitwise, 2010 was a pretty productive year.

1. Cochmumblemumble, 2. Cancan scarf, 3. Bellevue in Blue 11/12/10, 4. Ruffled Bolero, 5. Em Petal, 6. Oblique, 7. Clapotis, 8. Sophie, 9. Opal socks!, 10. Offset Wraplan, 11. Shimmer close, 12. Blue Blouse, 13. Ruched Baby Cardi, 14. Em's Birthday socks, 15. Veyla in black, 16. Eve gloves done!, 17. Ishbel, 18. Tempest done, 19. Veyla, 20. Ishbel, 21. Purple Veyla, 22. Diamond lace Cardi, 23. Rogue Hood down, 24. Chunky Scarf, 25. Rickenbacker adapted - and done!, 26. Featherweight at camp, 27. Baby Cardi, 28. Emily's Bonnie Hat, 29. Otto 2, 30. Lacy Kerchief scarf, 31. Rosa, 32. Waterfall Scarf, 33. Doily, 34. Apple Pie Socks, 35. Hungry Caterpillar

So, 35 projects in total. But lots of them are small projects - scarves, gloves, a doily and toys. And not very many socks. The socks bug and the lace bug left me this year, and there were more garments than usual. Looking back, I don't think I spent as much time knitting this year, but it obviously hasn't shown int he finished project count!

In other aspects, for us, 2010 was a year of suck. Emily did her HSC, and that caused stress beyond anything I could have imagined. She didn't put her heart into it, and there was a lot of stress over it all. Thankfully she pulled victory from the jaws of defeat, as David put it, and got the mark she needed in the end, but it was a pretty close call.
I finished my TAFE course, with great results, but found that for many libraries, the qualification I earned wasn't enough. David had huge amounts of stress at work. There was the yard work that went on and on. I had surgery in the middle of the year, and at around the same time there was car trouble that took forever to be diagnosed and rectified. Money was tight and caused a sleepless night or two.
There was a few upsetting personal issues. I really, really value my friendships. I tend to be slack about keeping in touch with people and answering emails and making phone calls and the like, but my friends are really important to me. I learned this year that not everybody feels the same way about my friendship and I took it to heart for a little while. Then I slowly realised that it really says a whole lot more about them than me, and that they are probably not worth the time I wasted worrying about it. And you can't make someone see something they don't want to!
Of course, we all had our health, a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs, a car to worry about and plenty of nice yarn, and all the other things are minor in comparison, even if it doesn't feel like it at the time!

Now, however, the yard is finished, the car is fixed, Em has her result, passed her requisite audition and will hopefully get into the Uni course she wants, I have not one, but two dream jobs, and David has almost completed the project he was working on and will move on to something more fulfilling and less stressful.

Bring on 2011!

Posted by Donna at December 30, 2010 06:08 PM

Comments

Yes, bring on 2011! I'm glad that the good stuff outweighed the bad stuff in the end.

Posted by: SallyO at December 30, 2010 07:05 PM

such a sucky year in so many ways, I'm glad to see the end of it too. I am really glad that things are starting to even out for you, and I'm glad I got to know you better this year too. And so much knitting, oh my god. A bit scary to think what you will churn out next year. Scary, but exciting.

Posted by: drk at December 30, 2010 07:14 PM

such beautiful knit garments and yes, a very productive year for you and your family---hope 2011 is kind and full of the things you wish for yourselves!

Posted by: debbie at December 30, 2010 07:15 PM

Happy New Year Donna. I can't wait to hear how the job is. I am going to schlep over there one day to have a stickybeak!

Posted by: Sheridan at December 30, 2010 08:54 PM

Puh to silly people who dont know a good friend when they have one!

You've been very productive this year, because this doesn't even show all the sewing you have accomplished this year on top of all the knitting.

Here's to the end of a mostly sucky 2010 and onto a brilliant 2011!!

Posted by: Tia at December 30, 2010 09:02 PM

Wish you a Happy 2011!

Posted by: Marika at December 31, 2010 03:05 AM

Happy New Year!! I hope you have less stress this coming year.

Posted by: monica at December 31, 2010 03:16 AM

YAY what a productive year - and worth all the had work for everyone.
So happy for you all that Em did ok and will be able to do the uni course she wants.

And the best end to the year was the not one but 2 jobs

happy new year

Posted by: missfee at December 31, 2010 06:37 AM

Hi Donna - all the best for a fantastic 2011 - you are inspiring with all the beautiful knitting that you do. I cant wait to hear about your knitting shop/ library adventures!
Nat xx

Posted by: Nat at December 31, 2010 07:52 AM

Happy New Year, Donna! All the best for 2011.

Posted by: Suzanne at December 31, 2010 11:12 AM

Such a great retrospective of your knits, and of your year (despite the sucky bits). Such good news about the library job! Congratulations!

And the Colchmumble scarf looks great. I really have to get me some of that Pashmina yarn. Except for my whole commitment to StashDownUnder for 2011...oh well, maybe I'll buy me some as a reward at the end of the year. If I've actually StashDowned instead of StashUpped, like I usually do!

Happy New Year!

Posted by: Rose Red at December 31, 2010 04:22 PM

I hope your 2011 is as wonderful as you are. Always a pleasure to see what you're up to. Hugs.

Posted by: Kate at January 1, 2011 02:48 AM

Happy New Year! Congratulations on TWO fabulous jobs. Your knitting is inspiring as always :O)

Posted by: Sharon at January 1, 2011 06:57 AM

Happy New Year my friend.

And my god, what a knitting output. Monster result!

Posted by: Ailsa at January 2, 2011 09:06 AM

Hi Donna,I cant believe how much you achieved,Ive bearly a sock,lol
On the other front,it taken this year for me to see true light where friends or not friends as it turned out,I just wish work wasnt part of the puzzle
Good luck this year and I hope things are much better

Posted by: cath at January 10, 2011 11:00 PM

Beneficial info and excellent design you got here! I want to thank you for sharing your ideas and putting the time into the stuff you publish! Great work!

Posted by: Medical Jobs at January 19, 2011 04:14 AM