Priorities

The first thing I hear when I wake up is usually Mr. Adventure closing the closet door after he grabs his towel from the hamper. This lets me know he is headed to the shower and it's time for me to get up and make him breakfast. Most of the time I cook up some eggs or toast him a bagel. 

After a kiss on the cheek he leaves with his scrambled egg wrap or bagel or whatever, and I sit down to read my e-mail and proof-read my blog post for the day. I'm such a terrible speller that usually I don't even catch many errors, but at least I make an attempt.

Then I try to convince myself to exercise. This can take 5 minuets to...never, sadly. I really feel motivated to exercise more when I look in the mirror and think about what I want out of life, but when it comes time to turn on the DVD and get to work, I am seriously lacking.

After this I shower and eat my own breakfast, and get to work on knitting, sewing, completing etsy things, and/or blog-post-writing until lunch. At lunch I take a break to check comments on my blog and read my favorite blogs. Then I usually do some chores around the house while listening to the radio or to the Bible.

Eventually the day just gets away from me. Sometimes I've created things, and sometimes I haven't. Sometimes I buy groceries and make it to the post office and take out the smelly trash or pick up my husbands socks and wash his dirty clothes or hang my own up where they belong in the closet or even visit a friend.

And I love my life. I really do. But I still struggle with getting my priorities straight. I'm selfish. I'm me-orientated.

It's usually halfway through the day that I realize I haven't even thought about God, much less cracked open my bible. I'll do it later, I think, because my hands are full of yarn or food or underwear that needs folding or there is a text to answer or a friend to go downtown with or a menu to plan.

And sometimes I do get to hastily flip through some pages and pray. I try to be sincere about it, but often my heart is not in the right place, or even in the right state of mind. I'm distracted by my to-do list. By my wants and my desires and the desires of my husband. By shiny things at Target.

I want to get my priorities straight. I am praying that God will give me a longing for his word and for a quiet time with Him, to learn and grow and become more like Him, and a heart to help others before myself.

And that is what I learned today.

Why be Modest?

I have been reading a lot about modesty lately. I think a lot of people misunderstand why Christians are proponents of modesty, so I decided to write a blog post about it.

Before we start on the why Christians believe in modesty, lets debunk some myths.

• Modesty has nothing to do with rape culture. You do not dress modestly because your body is somehow shameful or needs covering up. From a Christian standpoint God created the body, and it is glorious, not shame-inducing. No matter what you wear it is not an invitation for someone to harm you.
• Modesty should have nothing to do with victim blaming. No one should advocate modesty because "it might make another male/female stumble" or "if you dress like a slut you will be treated like a slut." This creates shame over ones body (I must hide my body to protect others and/or my body causes other people to sin, and is therefore evil) and has nothing to do with Godly modesty. Other people are in control over their own actions/reactions, you are only in control of yourself.
• "The particular [above] approaches to modesty are effective because they are rooted in shame, and shame is a powerful motivator. That's the first red flag. Additionally concerning about this approach is that it perpetuates the objectification of women in a pietistic form. It treats women's bodies not as glorious reflections of the image of God, but as sources of temptation that must be hidden. It is the other side of the same objectifying coin: one side exploits the female body, while the other side seems to be ashamed of it. Both sides reduce the female body to a sexual object." (Quote from here) Emphasis mine.
• This is not my attempt to define modesty. Modesty is both a religious and cultural choice, and a very personal one at that. This is merely my attempt to say why I dress modestly, and why many Christians hold modesty up as something desirable.

So why do Christians advocate modesty?  Well, the only real reason they should is for the glory of God. As a believer in God, who sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins--I have given my whole self over to God. I am his instrument, I am his clay, in every way. Because of this, how I dress should glorify God, and show that I am in line with the standards and commandments the Lord has given. This is what modesty is to me: a conscious choice to worship God though my clothing. A choice to give up what I want in my life and choose what God wants.

It has nothing do with others. It should have nothing to do with myself, but everything to do with God and following his path.

What do you think?

Rainbow Hat Knitting Pattern

I made this rainbow hat the other week just in time for fall! I  uploaded this pattern to Ravelry as a free PDF download if you are interested, and I've pasted it below also.

-----------
Using size 6.0mm circular needles, and Noro yarn.

Cast on 60 sts and k2p2 for two inches for ribbing. Then:

Row 1: k all
Row 2: (k9 k1 k1tbl) repeat till end
Row 3: k all stitches
Row 4: Change color (cut yarn, leave tail) and K all with new color
Row 5-8: Purl rows
Row 9: Change color (cut yarn, leave tail) and purl with new color
Row 10-13: Knit all
Row 14: Change color, knit this row with new color
Row 15-17: Purl all
Row 18: Change color, purl this row with new color
Row 19: Knit
Row 20: (K9, K2tog) repeat until row end
Row 21: Knit
Row 22: (K8, K2tog) repeat until row end
Row 23: New color. Knit all
Row 24: Purl all (I switched to dbpoint here)
Row 25: (P7, P2tog) repeat until end of row
Row 26: Purl all
Row 27: New color. (P6, P2 together) repeat to end
Row 28: Knit all
Row 29: (K5, K2tog) repeat until row end
Row 30: Knit all
Row 31: (K4, K2tog) repeat until row end
Row 32: Knit all
Row 33: (K3, K2tog) repeat until row end
Row 34: Knit all
Row 35: (K2, K2tog) repeat until row end
Row 36: Knit all

Cut yarn leaving 10 inch tail. Run tail through remaining stitches. Tie off and weave in all ends!

If you want more information, download the free PDF here!

 

A(nother) Uterus Story

So, remember when I had that horrible UTI and my doctor wouldn't believe that I was actually sick, and kept telling me I had an STD instead?

Well, I have story to top that. About my uterus.

Mine's totally this cute.

So, last month something funny started happening. I'm not sure how to go into it without being sort of personal, but if you clicked on my blog post, you already know this is about my lady bits from the title. Anyway, I started having awful, terrible pain after sex. This was weird, because I've never experienced any pain during sex. Or after. But, about five minutes after completion of great intercourse with my amazing husband, I would curl up in a ball. The pain was like huge, rolling cramps, kind of like my uterus or whatever it was that was hurting was attacking me. It was worse then any period I'd ever had. 10x worse. It felt like a lot of pressure and cramps, and it started lasting for a day or two after the aforementioned great sex.

As you can imagine the onset of this particular unexplainable problem made me not really want to roll in the hay with my husband. Poor husband.

Googling my issue didn't help. All I could find was that I either was A) in my third trimester of pregnancy or B) having pain during sex, not after. And I was having pain after sex, and am not pregnant. But I kept googling and calling lady friends, trying to find some answers.

Anyway, clearly I needed to go to the doctor. So, I call my gyno to make an appointment. I explain the problem as coherently as possible, and ask to be screened for an ovarian cyst (really the only thing besides "cancer" that Web MD would tell me. Only, of course, I don't mention the internet to the nurse...)

Nurse: Oh, your doctor has no free appointments for a month. Would you like to see a different practitioner, or do you want to wait?

Her question made me really excited, because I wanted to see a different doctor--remember what an idiot that other doctor was because she wouldn't believe me? I wanted to switch doctors, but wasn't sure how to go about it exactly, not wanting to sound picky and all. Plus, I'm sure these nurses and doctors talk. I can just imagine my old doctor being told I switched, or whatever, and being upset, and ruining my experience with my new doctor, or something.

Me: Seeing a different Doctor is not a problem to me. 
 
Nurse: The nurse practitioner is available on Friday. We'll do your annual at this time as well as give you an ultrasound for a ovarian cyst.  

 

Friday comes along, I go to the doctor. She does my annual, and is super nice! Score! She chats about my sewing business and even compliments my painted tom shoes.

After the quick checkup, she says everything looks normal, and has me describe the pain to her. I make sure to tell her about "my friend" (google) who had the same problem and it turned out to be an ovarian cyst, and that is why I'd come in to day and why I had made an appointment. I'm expecting an ultrasound, or something.

She then tells me we can't do an ultrasound today.

What? I said, what about my problem? I want it to go away. I want to have sex with my husband without curling up in a ball and crying afterwards. Something is wrong.

Her: Nothing looked wrong when I poked around down there...did anything hurt?

Huh? I'd only had a pap smear and one of those pressure check things, where they push on your belly and on the inside of your lady bits. There is no way she can see my ovaries from there. 

Me: Well, it only hurts after sex. But it can last up to two days after. I just want to check out everything to make sure there is no abnormal growths or something down there.

Her: Here's what you do. Take a ibuprofen 30 minutes before having sex. You should be fine. Call us back if it's still happening. 

Me: But I made the appointment for an ultrasound....this has been happening for weeks...

Her: I'm sorry, that's not our policy. From what you are describing I think its your cervix dilating after sex. I'll be back with your chart and then you can leave. Be sure to call us if this keeps happening!

Me: (not going to argue anymore) Uh, Okay.

Me: (driving home) Everyone at that office is crazy.

I'm going to make a new appointment somewhere else. Because something is clearly wrong with me and no one will do anything about it! I'm sorry, but I just don't trust doctors anymore.

My Most Embarrassing Moments

I'll be honest, I've had some awkward things happen to me in my short years. Usually caused by my own stupidity. Yes, I tend to stick my foot in my mouth a lot. I'm that girl. Sigh.

This is my pretty face

One time, in high school

A football-playing senior is waving at me and saying hi? Huh? I tentatively wave back, only to realize he is waiving to someone behind me. Life fail.

What I learned from this situation: I will never ever wave at anyone ever again, even if I think they are waving at me. Instead I wait until they come up to talk to me. Anything to avoid this terrible embarrassment... 

Last month, in bible study:

Elder: I'm the oldest guy in the church!
Me: Not for long.
Him: What did you just say?
Me: Erm...nothing...
Him: Did you just say not for long?
Me: Uh, yeah. But, um, I was talking about, erm, well, what if someone older joins the church?
Different lady: Uh...
Me: So, uh, about that Psalm?

Mr Adventure, later, in the car: Hahahahahhahahmuhahahahhahahahaha...
Me: Just take me home
Him: My wife is funny.
Me: Your wife is not funny. Your wife is an idiot.
Him: Funny seems safer...

What I learned: I am an idiot.

Last week, in bible study:

Lady: Hi! I met you before, remember?
Me: Yeah, you were that lady who I thought was my age.
Lady: ...oh?
Me: Uh, I mean, I thought you were younger then you really are.
Lady: I see. 
Me: So, uh, how have you been?

What I learned: I really need to purchase a muzzle. A large muzzle.

These three situations really happened. Now, please excuse me while I go hide under my bed again.

Photoshop'ed

I'd thought I'd show you some before/after pictures using Photoshop! I usually only very lightly edit my pictures, but this time went all out. So, which ones do you like better?

I was going for a really romantic, dusky feeling when editing. Here are the raw photos before I applied Photoshop magic:

I think I like Photoshop, and that it is a fun tool to liven up your pictures, as long as you don't go crazy...and by all crazy, I mean, blur your skin to porcelain or otherwise try and portray yourself as perfect. Love the skin you are in!

Boho Refashion

I found this really awesome cotton print mumu dress at Goodwill. Sadly, it was incredibly wrong for my body type. As an pear shape, drop waist dresses do nothing to help balance my hips with the rest of my body. Instead, they tend to accent the one area I am always trying to minimize.

Naturally, because I love the print and feel of this dress, I just refashioned it. It's super fun and flattering to my body shape now!

Here is what it looks like by itself, without the vest. I like it both ways, but the vest helps further define my waist.

 How would you refashion it?

Fall Can Be Fun

I had a super fun time with this outfit! I love lace, and silly hats, and don't even get me started on how much I love my painted tom shoes. All my favorite things, together. I also entered this outfit into Moda Mama's "break the fashion rules" (no white after labor day) link up, last week.

Anyway, if you haven't noticed, I live in these NY&Co skinny stretch leggings/pant things in fall. I've owned a pair since 2010, and I bought another pair last fall. Now, both of them are falling apart. So I bought yet another pair. I now own a pair in a size 8, 10, and 12. The 8 is a bit tight now, and threadbare to boot. :P

Dress like Sky

Remember that dress I fixed? I tie dyed it! When I have a box of dye clothes tend to not stay white.

This is what I wore to church on Sunday. My scarf is from Denna back when I did a clothing swap. I love it because its so colorful!

What are you wearing today? 

Whimsical Day

So, in one of my previous fashion posts I dressed up like Deanna. For this post I'm going to attempt to dress up like Oh Whimsical Me!

I noticed that I own a similar dress to Emorie--through hers is a skirt! To compensate,  I just tucked the top part of my dress down, to turn my halter dress into a maxi skirt. Step two was to add a white shirt and a green cardigan, through mine is a different color green. Oh well. Yay, new outfit! Yay, fall!

Would you style these pieces differently? I've never worn all three of these things together this way. Thanks for the inspiration, Emorie! (Also, how pretty is the name Emorie? It just drips poetic syllables. I love it.)

Fall

Hey guys! So to stay warm, most the time I just throw leggings under my dresses and call it good! This is the dress I bought from Modcloth. I absolutely love it--and I've worn it a ton since I bought it last month. Also, I am totally loving the weather right now. My windows are down, my door is open, and my dreams are all full of muted colors and scarfs. So that's why I decided to wear this pink floral number while I still can.

Polka Dot Skirt

 Hey guys! I made a lovely polka dot skirt last month, and just now got around to wearing it! The weather is turning chilly here, so I paired it with this lovely silk green top that I bought from my local Goodwill.

I really want to make more skirts like this. I installed my first non-machine-eaten zipper (seriously, my sewing machine laughs at me every time I attempt a zipper, but this time I prevailed!) and the skirt is two layers. I love it. It came out a little big, but you can't really tell.

The dotted necklace I'm wearing is also thrifted. And isn't my hair getting long?  Super excited about that. Wonder what I'll do with it next?

I'm linking up with Fall Fashion Week for the next six days! You should totally link up too. Because, I would love to know how you would wear a dotted skirt!

An Odd Habit

I've started acquiring odd habits.

For example, this month I kept track of our food waste. A goal of mine is to have as little food shrink as possible, so to challenge myself I made a list to track our progress this month.

:source:

In September I threw away:

• 4 small plums
• 1/8 container of mint chocolate chip ice cream
• a loaf of mistake no-meat meatloaf (don't ask)
• 1/6 container of spinach leaves
• 1 burnt pancake (oops)
• 4 slices moldy cheese
• 1 old advacado
• 12 very shriveled raspberries
• 1 peach
• 1 serving of very gross leftovers (yuck)

It was actually less then I thought it would be. Maybe thinking about what was in the fridge helped me eat things as I noticed they were going bad? Anyway, my plan is to learn about the food we are tossing and try to save money the next time around. Or maybe start composting like my parents and a few of my neighbors?

What about you? Ever kept track?

My Worst Roommate Story

Everyone has one. Or, knows someone who has had one. No one ever admits to being one...

So, in 2010 I decided to move in with one of my best friends. I was working at VT at the time, and she also worked there. We were good friends, and I thought it was an awesome idea. We signed a lease and got an apartment together, and thus began the worst year of my life.

yeah, that bad.

The first day I caught her eating my food. Her boyfriend also stayed over that first day. Guess who she fed my food to.

She also never washed anything.

But I was willing to try to work with her. I mean, I'm not an angel all the time, and I'm sure I was hard to deal with and stuff. Everyone has problems, right? This was okay. We could still be friends. Just don't eat my food. Why are you eating my food? So, we talked, and I tried to communicate to her that consuming my food was the worst possible thing she could ever do--and if she used my dishes, I only wanted her to wash them. Like, is that too much to ask?

But that's not the worst story. Oh, no, the worst part is when I caught her doing...uh, well, you can guess--on my couch. Drunk. On my couch. Doing. THAT. On my couch. Women, don't you have your own room? Doesn't he have his own apartment?! Don't you know I am home? This happened more then one time. Like, three times total, that I knew about. What ever happened to go to your own room--to make the bang bang times, for the love of all things sanitary and appropriate? Seriously!

Uh, your a bad roommate.

Suffice to say that was the last straw. I kinda quit trying to communicate with her after this point.

But then--no, then--she somehow acquired two boyfriends (yes, you heard that right, two) So, one would stay over on the weekdays and another on the weekends. It was like playing musical chairs. Except with men. Whose names I could never keep straight. They didn't know about each other (hah) and, yes, if you have to ask, they did eventually find out.

Oh, you want to know what happened? Well, one left her. And the other apparently didn't care, so he stuck around. I happened to be working during the blow out, thankfully. Also, I didn't really want to hear about her sob story at this point.

Then she accused me of telling on her. Like, really? No, I didn't tell sleeping partner A about sleeping partner B. I can't even remember their names, much less who is who. I'm over here, juggling my full time job and my own social life, thank you very much. I don't know how they found out, maybe they read your e-mail? Or checked your phone? Or maybe one of them saw you out with the other? It's not like you were really discrete. So not my problem.

I'm so glad I'm married, and don't have to juggle female roommates anymore. Ya'know?

I do feel kinda bad about totally blowing up on her in the end, and sometimes I wonder what happened to her. Sometimes I pray for her. But then I remember her craziness and suddenly I don't feel that bad anymore...

Did you ever have any terrible roommate stories? I doubt you can top this....

Tie Dye

I love tie dying. However, I was skeptical about dying my Gunne Sax dress. It's a vintage item, and unfortunately the blue in the dress has faded over the years. It had to be dyed, or scrapped. But it was hard, even if it is still super beautiful--because it was just as gorgeous before.

I can't wait to wear it again.

Blogging Advice

Here is some blogging advice I've picked up though the years--perhaps you will find it helpful? And no, this is not another blogging post about how to grow your traffic or gain followers. Because, lets be honest, those are a dime a dozen and mostly useless...

• Follow your own blog by e-mail. Why? Well, there are many reasons. My reason? Because sometimes I accidentally delete a post when I'm editing after publication. Also, because I use Google to blog, they can shut down my site without a by-your-leave (not that I think they will, but I don't want to lose my posts)
• Notice what you do on other blogs. Probably people visiting your blog will want to do the same. For example, I find that after reading a blog post, the next thing I do is click on their about me page. So, I made an about me page for Kitty Adventures around that time. If I am  interested in finding out more about the people whose blogs I read, then those who read my blog probably want want know more about me. Oh, and I always read their "suggested blog posts, like Michmash; and the posts she linked there totally caused me to subscribe. 
•  Make a specific time to reply to comments. Sometimes I get a really nice comment that I totally forget about because I wait a day or two to reply and the comment gets lost in my e-mail. I now have a day where I go through and make sure I haven't forgotten any. I hate it when I write my life story on your blog because it touched me and I never get as much as a by-your-leave...and I'm sure you dislike this also.

I can't really think of any other points that don't sound totally cliche. You know, like "have a pretty header" or "make your blog readable," and other lame things that no one really wants to hear... Does anyone have any blogging advice for me? Or site advice? I'd love a critique on my layout!