Weekly Topic #4

So here I sit, still in El Paso, TX. At least the sun shines every day and it has been in the upper 60's/low 70's. It has helped me come out of my duldrum's... I hate the cloudy weather and no sun. That is why I loved Arizona. Sun every day of the year. It was awesome. I love that place. This leads me to my weekly topic:

"Defeat the Winter Doldrums!" For some of us, we get the doldrums and others don't. For the ones who get doldrums, what helps you get rid of them? For the ones who don't get the doldrums, what helps you keep them away?

I didn't think I would get them again, but this is my first winter in a place that gets a real winter in a long time. I don't like it. I like sun. Not for tanning, just for my mood. I never realized how much the sun, or lack there of, affects my mood. I have been in Texas for 3 days and my mood is much better all ready. Sunny every day!! NO CLOUDS!!! See previous posts for a picture of El Paso when I first got here.

My sister suggested a tanning bed(I think it was her). Again, not for the tan, but for the feeling of sun and to help boost mood. I might have to try it. but being down here has helped the mood a ton... hopefully I can carry that when I go back to Michigan. I know I am lucky and get the opportunity to travel for work. Sometimes we go to cool places(San Diego) and not so cool places(Harlingen, TX), but El Paso isn't too bad. The hotel is good to us, food and stores within walking distance and it's SUNNY!!!!

So today we decide we are gonna get a ride to Barnes and Nobel. Sweet! I have an awesome gift cert. and I wanna spend some. So 2 hours and 2 books later, we are ready to leave(we=work people in el paso also). They decide we are gonna walk back... 4+ miles later and almost an hour and a half later, we are back! whew!! It was gorgeous out, so it wasn't too bad, but wow, they were walking at a good clip! Then tonight we got a ride to get dinner and they decide we are gonna walk back again!! prolly about a mile this time. Much harder then the tread mill.. maybe I'll have to start huffing it outside!! But I can't slack on the treadmill... keeps my speed up, cuz i don't wanna look like a baby and walk slow!! Ha ha... we'll see what tomorrow brings!

Defeat the Winter Doldrums Topic #2

Well, here is my next weekly topic from my "Defeat the Winter Doldrums" swap that goes in February. Please speak up and tell me your sad sad stories of people who didn't appreciate your hard work!

There are many people who ADORE receiving hand-knit or crochet items; but there are just as many who have no appreciation whatever of how much love, work, and time goes into a hand-made item. Share a story of a hand-made gift you gave to someone and how it worked out - good, bad, or ugly!

I have spent hours and hours working on baby gifts and send them out to the new owners, only to have no mention of my gift or a 'thanks'. Do you understand how much time it takes? Planning, buying the supplies, debating on colors, patterns, etc. along with all the actual hours of work that goes in!! I guess not. I know a little bit of knitting is self serving... we all love to hear how pretty our stuff is...even if it's for charity, we all like to be praised! I guess I just want some recognition that I worked hard. I agonize over my gifts... the right color, pattern, yarn etc. Sometimes I wonder if I should just not care and then my feelings won't be so hurt... but I know I can't do that, that isn't my nature! argh!

One woman (sorry if you read these, not trying to steal your thunder) told a story of making dozens of dishcloths and taking them to family at a picnic(I think) and people just grabbed them like they had nothing at home to wash dishes with. She said as she left, one person was using the brand new dishcloth to check the oil on their car and wipe oil off the dipstick and off their hands!! Appalling!! Anyway, I haven't had anything quite that bad(that I know of). What are your stories??