soul healing summer ~ posted by Melissa

This seems to be a season of change.  Good change.  Big change.  Loved ones making some really hard, life altering decisions and I am so full of hope for them.  It's hard to see people you care deeply about, people that are good right down to their bones, struggle so much.  My wish for them is to come to a place where they are happy with who they are, inside and out.  That's all that matters.  To make that their goal and not worry about the rest.  I very much believe that if you are content with you and trust who you are as a person, you can affect changes in the people around you, so don't worry what the rest of us think or say or do.  Be happy and healthy and the rest will take care of itself.

 

 

Personally I've been making some changes, although they're all trivial in comparison.  But I'll share anyway ~ I've developed some weird body image issues that I'm trying to overcome before they get any worse.  I know they're stupid, but they're mine and they're real.  I haven't worn a pair of shorts in public for the last few years, so today I made myself wear a pair on my walk.  I felt horribly self-conscious showing everyone my stumpy, bowlegged, chubby, pale legs but they're MY legs and they're the only ones I've got.  They're not going to get any longer, less chubby, or unbowleggedy ~ although wearing shorts occasionally might take care of the translucent skin :).

 

 

I'll spare you by not blowing this one up any larger ~ ha!

 

I'm also going to try and get off the beaten path just a little.  This is a tough one for me since there have been some pretty scary moments in the past that have instilled a deep fear of being in secluded places alone, but I miss so much by being fearful that I've decided to try and get past it as much as possible.  So today I took these bowleggedy legs on a different walk that took me places I've not been by myself.  It was frightening ~ I won't lie ~ but I'm so proud that I did.  Here are some things I saw:

 

 

I know ~ .25 miles is not very long to be in the woods alone, but baby steps my friends.  I was ready to karate chop every little bird and critter I heard off the pathway if they decided to attack me but guess what, nothing happened and I lived to tell about it.  And that is a big deal.  Hooray for me!!

 

I'm making time for things that I thoroughly enjoy but for some reason have stopped making time for.  I've been reading like a fiend, working the NY Times Sunday crossword and I've picked up a long neglected needlepoint sampler and continued stitching...counted cross stitch, my first love and one I've had since I was in elementary school:

 

 

And finally, I've joined Andi at My Sister's Knitter in a finishing it up knitalong ~ and she also started a group on ravelry (there are prizes involved!!) ~ the link is here.  My wip's have gotten out of control and it's not like me to have so many things started and languishing ~ drives me absolutely nuts!  So, I'm putting an end to it ~ stay tuned as I work my way through all of this:

 

 

The top photo ~ knitalong projects so I'm not too concerned about quickly finishing these.  I'm mortified that the middle photo contains a poncho, 2 sweaters, a scarf and a baby blanket that just need finish work but I haven't bothered to finish any of it.  The last photo contains lacework (a curtain, a beaded winter table runner, a shawl and a scarf) as well as a baby sweater and a pair of socks.  I was never a monogamous knitter but this is out of control!  I won't be casting on another thing until I make a dent in this mess.  I'm saying it here so you all can hold me accountable!

 

Well, this turned into a pretty long post...sorry!  Mostly working through a bunch of stuff out loud it seems.  I'd love to hear what your goals are for the rest of the summer, and if you'd like to join Andi and I as we try to get the projects under control you're more than welcome!

 

I hope everyone has a happy, happy weekend and does something that makes them laugh out loud at least once or twice!   ~   Melissa