Routine during travel

Thanks to Lorena for her comments on how she survives while traveling:

"....I got a laptop with three different ways to connect to the Internet, so that I can take care of email (and, uh, blog surfing) while on the go. I try to keep my routine as similar as I can; if I have time in the morning I have coffee and take care of email then like I do at home. Extras of all my usual toothpaste/toothbrush/shampoo things and keep them in a travel case all ready to go. And I got some of my favorite soap, and a plastic soap thing to carry it in. Makes me feel just a wee bit like I'm still home!..."

I really like the idea of keeping the traveling routine as similar as possible to one's normal routine. I had thought to get a laptop mainly so that I wouldn't have to deal with all the emails when I got back, but Lorena's comment made me realize that it's more than that. It's keeping a sense of normalcy, even when I'm away from what is most normal to me.

In the mornings I usually get up, start soaking my Chinese herbs to drink later, and then check my email. Since we have dial-up, I usually get ready for the day while things are loading. Then I eat breakfast and get going. I could keep a similar routine while traveling. In general, I like the idea of keeping the idea of "normal" in mind during my travel. Rather than completely changing things I could try to eat similar foods, try similar activities, etc. Not that I will always do that- I want to have some fun of course. But, that idea feels good.

Thanks Lorena :)

Two other bloggers I read recently spent over about a month and a half living halftime between the hospital and home in order to be with their newborn daughter while she became strong enough to come home with them. I noticed that although things were pretty crazy during that time, they did seem to develop a routine while they got through. Even little things, like always stopping at this particular Starbucks after being at the hospital, seems to make more of a difference than just caffeine-intake. I think it provides a mental and emotional grounding as well.

Routine is important - and is undervalued most of the time. Let's hear it for "the same old thing"! ;)

Knitting a top...why not?

I had a great time today visiting with Silvia. We've had the pleasure of getting together every few weeks for a while now to knit and chat. It had been some time since we last got together, due to vacations and illness, etc., and it just felt fun to hang out and knit and laugh and talk. She seems like a more experienced knitter than I am, and I always learn a lot hanging out with her. Also, she is inspiring me to work on larger projects. She is very good about working on things like sweaters and tops- somehow, they always look great on her. So, I've been thinking about why I don't knit tops more:

1) I'm always afraid of knitting tops because I don't trust that they will actually fit. Socks feel safer. I think there is some reality in this issue. I dislike swatching 10 times in a row (as I did for the Simple Knitted Bodice. However, I don't think this should happen all the time- particularly now that I've learned how to wash my knits correctly.

2) I feel as though a top would be a huge project. Thus, the yarn and pattern and everything else must be chosen with absolute precision. If I'm going to dedicate that much time, it has to be JUST RIGHT! You know...when I think about how many stitches are in a pair of socks- with those tiny needles and thin yarn- and then think about the number of stitches in a top, I realize that it isn't necessarily a huge deal.

3) I'm in Florida. How am I going to wear any knitted tops? Well, this one is blown out of the water since I've been seeing with Silvia knits and also that there are a number of lovely short sleeved tops that are quite becoming. Lace. I like the lace.

So, I may start expanding my range of comfort beyond the sock. I will still knit socks. I like having one on hand for those "small, easy project" times. But, I'd like more variety I think. Don't hold me to this or anything...but I'm going to try to start something else after the SKB. Well, after the SKB and the shawl.

Hey, wanna see the SKB in progress? Sure you do :) I've been contemplating whether to stop the lace where it is (at 1 1/2" rather than the suggested 3"). So, I put it on holders and tried it on. Now that I see it on me, I think I do want maybe 1/2" of lace. What do you think? I don't want the lace to look like a huge block in the middle of my tummy (which was why I was going to stop originally). On the other hand, I want enough for it to make an effect. At this point I have done 4 repeats of lace. Should I do one more?

Simple Knitted Bodice and Barn Swallows

My Simple Knitted Bodice enjoyment has returned. (Maybe it's the weather.) I haven't really worked on it since October, when it got cooler and I hit a block in what to do next. But, I'm back on the bandwagon again. On the flight to CT I separated the sleeves from the body. On the flight home I connected the halves of the front. This week I finally began the lace section, and I've now done 1 inch of lace.

I knit 4 inches in stockinette after I joined the front before I started the lace (instead of immediately starting the lace as suggested). Either I have a much longer torso than most people (I AM tall, so that may be it) or my bosom is much lower. I prefer the former ;)

Behold the progress:

I'm also working on these lovely socks from Autumn House Farm in the Barn Swallow colorway. I like this yarn. The colors are different for me, but very wholesome and rich. I'm just now working on the first sock's heel flap.

This week I'm enjoying the Florida weather. It's about this time of year when everyone up north begins to grumble about how long it's been cold and miserable. This is just the time when FL gets beautiful. I'll enjoy it on the porch while I can- until it gets too hot.

Back in the swing of things...

I have finally admitted to myself that it always seems to take me atleast a week after any trip out of town before I feel capable of attending to anything in my home territory. It then seems to take me atleast another week before I am capable of attending to anything beyond the basic necessities of life. This is true for a trip of any length. (Note that it's now been two weeks since our trip to CT.)

David and I had a wonderful time at my mom's 60th birthday weekend. The party was great, and I really enjoyed being there with my mom and other family members. It was great to meet all my mom's friends and co-workers whom I hear about. I danced and laughed and made merry. Unfortunately I did get sick upon my return. My whole family was coming down with something, and my body was probably more susceptible to it than usual, given the climate change. When we left Gainesville it was 75-80 degrees. Got into CT around 11pm and BRRRrrrrrr!!!!

But, I'm now coming back to myself. I even managed to begin looking at taxes today- wow for me! :)

All of this has me seriously looking at ways that I can make returns from trips easier. I will be going to Ohio and Michigan for a week this summer, then the trips to Philadelphia for grad school 4 times a year. In general, I may be doing this travel stuff more often than usual. I can't be laid up for weeks at a time while I figure my way back into my routines. Particularly with a business, it's hard when I'm out of the loop for any length of time.

I tend to have a hard time with transitions and change. I like routine. The process of packing is always hard on me. The process of being gone and then coming back is hard. It will be even harder when I have to be away from David.

I've decided that I will purchase a laptop. This will make it easier to stay in touch with David while I'm gone. Also, it may decrease the anxiety I feel when I return home and find 89 emails waiting for me. I always feel overwhelmed by that and it adds to my feeling "out of it". If I could stay on top of computer stuff when I'm gone, that may be better. Of course, the laptop will be good for school as well.

Other ideas for ways to make travel easier: I'm thinking that I will try to purchase or "make" doubles of some things so I don't have to get shampoo, soap, etc. together for every trip. I've also typed up a list of basic things I always need on trips, so I can more efficiently pack without getting so worked up.

I'd love any ideas you all have for ways you make travel easier. How do you keep connected to your significant other? Are there systems you have for making the process of travel easier?