SPF: What's Luck Got to Do With It?

It's been a long time since I've participated in Kristine's Stuff Portrait Friday, mainly because I'm too lazy to mess with the camera, but I've already bitched about that.

So why today? Well, I have pictures to upload as it is, and how hard is it to just take a few more? Besides, I had three things immediately in mind:

Something I'm Afraid Of

This is Frida's room. We had to empty out most of the closet to unearth the Christmas shit, and we've just been throwing stuff in there, whether it's for the baby or clothes Bug got for Christmas that won't fit her till next year. My plans for this weekend were to clean out the room, to unpack baby stuff from the closet that we'll need right away, to get some laundry done, and to at least prep the room for painting. The bed won't be moved out right away, since I'll probably be sleeping in there for a while to accommodate more sleeping for me during the time of midnight feedings (not to mention mister mrtl's work schedule). Now nothing will be done in here this weekend, at least not by me. I'm trying so hard not to get all stressed out about this, instead focusing on what is most important to prepare (just in case of an early arrival) and whatever else I can do on while on my ass. I'm getting ahead of myself, though.

This picture is about more than what I can't do this weekend. It symbolizes my biggest fear: Not being prepared. I'm anal about being ready, and I hate surprises, which I've talked about plenty before.

My Lucky Charm

I've already introduced some of my lucky charms. There's another that I meant to share around Christmas, being that Christmas day is Pumpkin Pie Day. Meet Pupif, the Pumpkin Pie Fairy.

Pupif came into my care as a gift from my boss. She said she saw him and just had to get him for me. Being that my boss is practically a Martha Stewart clone (in a good, complimentary way, with her silver and China place settings, hand-made bows, celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas and the raspberry coconut cake that is to die for), I didn't quite know what to make of this gift. Either way, I love Pupif and he sits on the hutch of our desk overlooking my work.

::tangent::
Other gifts I have received from my boss include the multi-colored wig pictured here -- she's also responsible for the four-leaf clover booties -- and a plaque (also kept on my desk) that reads as follows:

May the light always find you on a dreary day.
When you need to be home, may you find your way.
May you always have courage to take a chance,
And never find frogs in your underpants.

These gifts just show her silly side. She's primarily responsible for our China collection, too.
::end tangent::

Something Friday the 13th-ish

This is what I'll be doing this weekend while on my ass: writing thank you notes for the shower gifts I received last weekend. AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!

For balance, here's something I've already done today: I finished my first knitting project. It's a scarf for Bug. She looooooves it! The plan is to learn how to make gloves and a hat to match.

Comments

[yonzie]

First!

I must say, those are some frightening things.

And also, I clicked the Bug wig link, and MY GOD WOMAN, did you know you had a naked child picture in there!?

Child porn lurkers be damned!

[CharlotteinPa]

That Pumpkin Pie Fairy is pretty funny. Good luck getting things done this weekend. It looks like you had a great baby shower!

[suburban misfit]

You can knit?

I'm so jealous.

[Daphne]

Lookit that! A scarf! I want to see it on Bug too of course.

I'm a little afraid of the pumpkin fairy but maybe it's just the flash. I want to tell you not to worry about Frida's room (tangent here to say it is really hard not to type "friday" instead of "frida" [with or without caps]) but I know I'd be feeling the stress too. But don't worry. Mr. Mrtl can clean off the bed and sleep in there, right?

[sheryl]

YES! We must see the scarf on Bug!
I laughed so hard about the frogs in the underpants. Totally was not expecting that.

It's funny - I have never had a desire to knit before. Recently, I have been noticing all the knitting blogs, and remembering I have some beautiful handmade yarn (from my craft school days), some of it that I made myself, and thinking that I want to start knitting. It's a virus, I think!

I wonder if you would mind telling us a few things that Frida may still need.... hmm?

[sheryl]

I mean, I was thinking about knitting her a carseat or a johnny jump-up or something.

[mrtl]

yonzie - If I'm not mistaken, you're also the first person to ever call "First" in my comments. Thanks for giving Google a reason to send such lurkers here. Gah!
CharlotteinPa - Thanks for coming over! It was a great shower. We got a lot of stuff we didn't know we needed.
misfit - My mother has given me lessons on a couple occasions now, and for a refresher I took a class last week. The teacher suggested bigger needles and thicker yarn, which brought me much more success than I had before. According to Daphne, I know enough to be dangerous. I don't know if I agree with her; there's still math involved.
Daphne - Yeah, I realized I didn't get the picture of Bug with the scarf. I'll do that and will probably post it on her site. Stay tuned!

I always type Friday instead of Frida. Mister mrtl won't be sleeping in there. It'll be easier for me to stay in there with the baby -- Bug's room is across the hall -- rather than have to trudge up the stairs when needed.

[Susie]

That scarf is wonderful. I have a scary room like that, too, but I have more time to get it ready. I want to learn to knit, too. I made a scarf for LG last year, just knit and purl, nothing fancy. But she likes it. It really is cool, turning yarn into something warm and toasty and loving.
Be careful, don't do too much. I wish I were your neighbor, I'd be there helping until you called me Bradley ;)

[mrtl]

sheryl - We may be in the same boat with the knitting. It just was never a cool thing to do. It now has this very odd popularity, but I still feel that stigma and doubt I'm ready to take my knitting out in public.

::tangent in comments::
It's my blog, damnit, and I can tangent
here if I want! My mother, to this day,
embarrasses me when we go out. She always
takes her knitting with her (and her huge
cup, but that's not the point). One time
while I was in college, my roommate and I
went with my parents to a comedy club in
Baltimore. Mom had her knitting -- DURING
THE SHOW, -- so of course the comedian
started in on her. It was dreadful! And
traumatizing. I think that's a part of
my carrying the stigma.
::end tangent in comments::

As for what Frida needs. You know, I tried setting up a registry at a couple places. We've gotten everything (bed set stuff) off the one, and I couldn't find anything for the other one. May I suggest, in lieu of getting us stuff, you contribute to Kristine's Send the Fonz to Hawaii Fund or Sarcastic Journalist's Blogging Baby Shower?

[mrtl]

Susie - If it were any worse we'd have to call it Purgatory (the place where shit gets put before it gets put away). I think everyone has one. Unless they're weird.

So far today I've done nothing but finish up that scarf. Bug and I watched the Babar movie again (4 - I'm keeping count) and I've played on the computer. I just woke up from a wonderful nap, and since Bug's already singing in her tent, much more of nothing will get done till she goes to bed. It's a hard life.

[Dima]

I love your charm thingy! So cute. What the hell is it?

When I was in fourth grade, I was sick and had to stay at home for four weeks, so my mom taught me how to knit and crochet. Everyone got scarves and pot handles. I literally made dozens and dozens of them. Now whenever I see knitting gear I want to run under the nearest bus!

[mrtl]

Dima - Too funny! I may start another scarf tonight after I do some work.

[MrsDoF]

Guilty of carrying my crochet bag with me all over the place.
One time, the main speaker mentioned my hand motions. Maybe the simple movements in my lap caused him to be distracted from his notes, I dunno. He might have had memories of sitting beside an embarassing mother.
At the cookie and punch reception, I handed him the bookmark I had made while sitting in the audience. I explained that keeping my hands busy helps my ears to listen, and went on to give my opinion about something he had said during his speech.
He was dumbfounded, could barely mumble a reply!
His assistant took me aside and explained that what he had said had most likely been intended as an insult, yet I had turned it around and given him a colorful item.
Over the years, I have learned that my hook and yarn is done for my own comfort. Something pretty at the finish is a bonus, and many good causes can reap that benefit.

[eclectic]

I always wanted to knit or crochet, but I haven't the necessary patience. I really don't. But my daughter is learning from one of my friends and she LOVES it! So I get to browse yarn stores and all the good stuff, but I don't have to sit and actually wait for the process. *whew*

[Amy]

Fridas room could be a metaphor for my whole life. I am utterly unprepared for almost everything always. Yet, somehow, life happens regardless of how I meet it.
Great job on the scarf!!

[lawbrat]

I cant knit, or bake.

The scarf you made is beautiful!

[Von Krankipantzen]

Oh man! I wish I lived nearby so I could come over and organise and help paint. I am a good organiser and painter. And I have time on my hands.

[mrtl]

MrsDoF - Great story! Shame on the man for saying something so rude.

I'm not sure I'll ever be able to do that (listen and knit or crochet at the same time) since I can't focus on more than one thing at a time. I'd be more likely to have it on hand for times when I'm waiting for an appointment and the like.
eclectic - I'm trying to do some each night before bed. It's quite relaxing. I'm sure a big part of it is that I'm not allowed to be up and running at the moment, so it's easier to sit still. We'll see how it goes once I'm cleared.
Amy - I wish I could handle the prospect of that much better.
lawbrat - Thanks! Baby steps on both counts. I try not to set too lofty goals.
Kranki - You tease. I'm sure everything will get done eventually. Chances are huge that if I were able to work this weekend, I wouldn't have gotten much finished off my list. One of my biggest faults is starting (or just planning) projects and then not finishing them.

[kalki]

I have been working on a scarf since FEBRUARY. What is wrong with me?! Granted, it's an adult one and so a wee bit longer and wider than Bug's...but still. Anyway, go you and your kick-ass knitting self!

[mrtl]

kalki - Your needles and yarn ain't thick enough, and you're not being forced to sit on your ass over a four-day weekend. Nothing's wrong with YOU, dear.