Health

Okay, I know health isn't a knitting subject, but it is something that is on my mind right now. I am 40 years old and except for a few years of my life, I've never bothered to take care of my health. I've smoked most of my life and rarely been involved in formal exercise. Now I find myself facing some potentially serious medical problems and suddenly health is in the forefront.

Dont' get me wrong, this isn't the first time I've thought about. I've been progressively gaining weight since a bad car accident in 1996 limited my mobility. Every year I put on a few more pounds and get a little more sedentary. Every year I vow at New Year's to lose weight and get some exercise. And every year, before the end of January, I'm calling myself a total failure.

But health is more than weight. And it isn't a 'plan' you do for a while and then forget about. I'm learning (albeit very, very slowly) that health is a daily effort, a way of life, a way of thinking. You treat your body well and hopefully it rewards you with long life and a body that will help you achieve your goals.

I know that isn't true -- look at all the people who die of lung cancer but never smoked and the smokers that live to be 100. But I can't assume that health is something I have no control over -- I have to believe that I can make a difference.

Knitwit

Why do you do it?

Why do you knit? If you don't knit, but you have some other creative hobby that you love, why do you do it? Is it the joy of creating something? Which do you enjoy more, the act of doing the project or the finished project itself?

I enjoy the process - the fact that I'm using my hands to create something. I'm not good at visualizing things, not a good artist, can't draw a straight line if my life depends on it. But with a knitting pattern, some yarn and needles, I can leave the everyday stress behind and become a creative person.

Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the finished project, but the process is the most rewarding. It's therapeutic.

Yesterday we celebrated a co-workers birthday and I gave her a mohair poncho I had knit. It was a little large for her tiny frame, but she seemed to like it.

-Knitwit (aka knitwit-less)

I know, I know.... yet another knitting blog. Don't worry, we'll have lots of fun anyway! I have a full time job as a marketing butt monkey for a fortune 100 company, I'm working on my bachelors degree, I have a 20 year old son that I've raised by myself and I knit to avoid completely going insane -- partial insanity is a given.

I have a dry, sarcastic sense of humor and I have no shame -- I will make fun of anything -- including myself. I will often post useful words to help increase our communication skills (see image for my "word of the day" at the office today).

Looking forward to blogging.... but I have my doubts that anyone will actually read. :-)

-g