Tuesday, June 17, 2025
An Eventful Saturday
On Saturday, we visited the Steam Museum for an iron pour event. Here are some pictures!
They even have a mini train people can ride on. Afterwards, I got some close-ups of friends.
Sunday, June 1, 2025
End of May Update
WIPs (new ones are bolded)
Ten Stitch Blanket, Caron Cakes (started 2019)
Walter's Blanket, Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle (started July 16, 2024)
Bright Stripes Throw, Caron Anniversary Cakes (started September 5, 2024)
Cable Car Coat, Bernat Chunky Solids (Bulky) (started February 6, 2025)
Mini Mania Scarf II, leftover fingering-weight yarns (started February 18, 2025)
5K Blanket, Mary Maxim Glimmer (not my yarn, started March 30, 2025)
Hibernating
Dancing Bees MKAL, Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace (started 2015 - oops)
End of month yarn stats: 52 entries, 82 skeins, 24423.60 metres, 8201 grams.
Well, May snuck up on me. I've been in a weird slump for the last week, because my wrist has been acting up and Minecraft has been very alluring. I started a test knit and I'm over half-way done. I didn't buy any yarn! Or fibre! But I haven't seamed together the blanket squares (only five are together).
May goals:
1. Finish test knit.
2. Seam the blanket squares together in strips of 8.
3. Keep not buying yarn.
4. Maybe do some spinning.
May felt more productive, and I suspect that some of it is due to the medication I've started. I finished the test knit before the due date and it's beautiful!
I did buy yarn, but it was a special one. I was at Mary Maxim on Victoria Day (I know, what do I expect going to a yarn store?) and I saw a discontinued colourway in Lion Brand Mandala - Hudson's Bay! I figured this was an acceptable exception to my cold sheeping.
The blanket is done! It's currently drying out from its bath and I'll do a final steam block on it, then off to its recipient!
June goals:
1. Work on the Cable Car Coat a few nights this month.
2. No more yarn!
3. Start something new (I've got something in mind).
4. Survive June.
Friday, May 30, 2025
Vyvanse Journal - Weeks 10, 11, & 12
May 8 - May 14, 2025
At first, I didn't think there'd be a difference between 40mg and 50mg, but now that it's week 2 at 40mg again, I can see a change - and not a good one. Fortunately, I had a follow-up appointment on May 13 and was prescribed 50mg.
May 15 - May 19, 2025
I didn't end up picking up the 50mg prescription right away, but managed to get them on Saturday. I took the higher dose starting Sunday. I'm definitely seeing a difference now that it's been a solid two weeks back at 40mg and I hate it. I want the slight changes to my brain back. Now that I've seen what it can be like, I don't want to go back.
Some things that I've noticed are the anxiety and the critic, as well as the struggle to manage thoughts. My anxiety feels higher in the last half-week, and my inner critic is trying to gain the upper hand. I've had more difficulty managing and organizing my thoughts, too.
I guess my brain was wrong and there was a difference with the 50mg.
May 20 - May 21, 2025
I suspect it may take a few more days at 50mg to get back to where I was.
May 22 - May 28, 2025
It's been almost two weeks back at 50mg, and the difference is quite noticeable now. I'll be staying at 50mg for another 6 weeks. I'll update if there are any changes (good or bad), but for now, the weekly journal can be put aside.
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Vyvanse Journal - Weeks 8 & 9
April 24 - 30, 2025
Week 2 at 50mg. Still nothing new to report.
May 1 - May 4, 2025
Week 3 at 50 mg. Nothing new! But I will have to go back down to 40mg because I'm out of the 10mg pills.
May 5 - May 7, 2025
Back at 40mg. I'm not sure if I feel anything different with dropping by 10mg, but I don't know.
Saturday, May 3, 2025
End of April Update
WIPs (new ones are bolded)
Ten Stitch Blanket, Caron Cakes (started 2019)
Walter's Blanket, Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle (started July 16, 2024)
Bright Stripes Throw, Caron Anniversary Cakes (started September 5, 2024)
Cable Car Coat, Bernat Chunky Solids (Bulky) (started February 6, 2025)
Mini Mania Scarf II, leftover fingering-weight yarns (started February 18, 2025)
Mitred Square Blanket, Paton's Canadiana (started March 2, 2025)
5K Blanket, Mary Maxim Glimmer (not my yarn, started March 30, 2025)
Rhubarb Custard Pi Test, Crystal Palace Yarns Lace (started April 12, 2025)
Hibernating
Dancing Bees MKAL, Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace (started 2015 - oops)
End of month yarn stats: 51 entries, 81 skeins, 23995.90 metres, 7985 grams.
Ah, March. Honestly, you weren't too bad and you're basically over. There's been a lot of knitting, but I have a ton of squares to make for the mitred square blanket, so it feels like I've gotten nothing done. I participated in a test knit, which is something I've wanted to get back into for a bit. I only bought one skein of yarn for the blanket (was short a ball).
Sounds great, yeah? Well, I did go to the fibre market on March 23 and maaaaybe got some fibre (for my new e-spinner that came). It's not technically stash, right?
April goals:
1. No yarn (or fibre) unless it's a really good deal.
2. Finish the squares for the blanket and pin down the layout.
3. Decide on the seaming choice for the blanket squares.
4. Spin! Weekly.
Well, May snuck up on me. I've been in a weird slump for the last week, because my wrist has been acting up and Minecraft has been very alluring. I started a test knit and I'm over half-way done. I didn't buy any yarn! Or fibre! But I haven't seamed together the blanket squares (only five are together).
May goals:
1. Finish test knit.
2. Seam the blanket squares together in strips of 8.
3. Keep not buying yarn.
4. Maybe do some spinning.
Monday, April 28, 2025
Vyvanse Journal - Week 7
April 17, 2025
Began 50mg today.
April 18 - April 23, 2025
No real changes, but no back-tracking!
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Vyvanse Journal - Week 6
April 10 to 13, 2025
Nothing new to report. I have noticed a lot of jaw-clenching, so will monitor. It's a rough time of year.
April 14 to 16, 2025
Nothing new, jaw-clenching still occurring, and I'm experiencing worse allergies than usual. That's probably just nature trying to kill me, like usual!
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Vyvanse Journal - Week 5
April 3, 2025
I had my first follow-up doctor's appointment since starting the Vyvanse. The doctor was slightly concerned that my anxiety looked moderate, but we're only just coming out of winter and I'm sure that'll calm down eventually. Another two weeks at 40mg, then increase to 50mg if needed.
April 4, 2025
Still seeing a weird calm where there wasn't before, in terms of the medication working. I don't feel as overwhelmed when faced with a lot of disorder, chaos, and work. My therapy session today was celebratory!
April 5 to 9, 2025
Nothing new to report.
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Vyvanse Journal - Week 4
March 27, 2025
Started 40mg today. Also I have cut down my morning tea intake (by not steeping the bag as long). I still notice an elevated heart rate but it isn't overly high.
I'm still not sure if I've noticed any improvements with regards to ADHD. I have felt calmer overall.
March 28, 2025
Nothing new to note. Last year I had signed up for the Around The Bay race that is happening on Sunday, but I won't run this time, just walk. After my mini heart scare in February (weird chest pain when pulling my son on his sled), I ain't risking anything!
March 29/30, 2025
Nothing to note - no new/worsening side effects, nothing really tangible to note as an improvement.
March 31, 2025
Possibly seeing less anxiety when faced with overwhelming choices/tasks. Interesting!
April 1, 2025
Again, another day of managing to wade through tasks and pivot when priorities changed without much anxiety. Maybe this stuff is starting to work!
April 2, 2025
Nothing really new beyond the slight clarity. I imagine it's still getting in my system, and possibly not enough yet, but we'll see. I meet with my doctor tomorrow.
Monday, March 31, 2025
End of March Update
WIPs (new ones are bolded)
Ten Stitch Blanket, Caron Cakes (started 2019)
Walter's Blanket, Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle (Started July 16, 2024)
Bright Stripes Throw, Caron Anniversary Cakes (Started September 5, 2024)
Cable Car Coat, Bernat Chunky Solids (Bulky) (Started February 6, 2025)
Mini Mania Scarf II, leftover fingering-weight yarns (Started February 18, 2025)
Mitred Square Blanket, Paton's Canadiana (Started March 2, 2025)
5K Blanket, Mary Maxim Glimmer (not my yarn, started March 30, 2025)
Hibernating
Dancing Bees MKAL, Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace (started 2015 - oops)
End of month yarn stats: 61 entries, 87 skeins, 25234.7 metres, 8629 grams.
February. WTF.
I did buy yarn, though not at Handknit, but at Mary Maxim's right before the massive snowstorm on the Family Day weekend. And some gift yarn for a friend.
And the yarn I bought for the gift is Paton's Canadiana in pink and purple. Pretty sure I'd just destashed some of that last month, too (oops).
March goals:
1. No yarn (do I say that every month?) unless there's a really, really good reason!
2. Finish the fourth Musselburgh.
3. Work on the Cable Car Coat.
4. Survive.
Ah, March. Honestly, you weren't too bad and you're basically over. There's been a lot of knitting, but I have a ton of squares to make for the mitred square blanket, so it feels like I've gotten nothing done. I participated in a test knit, which is something I've wanted to get back into for a bit. I only bought one skein of yarn for the blanket (was short a ball).
Sounds great, yeah? Well, I did go to the fibre market on March 23 and maaaaybe got some fibre (for my new e-spinner that came). It's not technically stash, right?
April goals:
1. No yarn (or fibre) unless it's a really good deal.
2. Finish the squares for the blanket and pin down the layout.
3. Decide on the seaming choice for the blanket squares.
4. Spin! Weekly.
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Vyvanse Journal - Week 3
March 20, 2025
Today I started taking 30mg. Next Thursday is 40mg.
March 21, 2025
I forgot to take it this morning! But I did take it around 2pm instead of 6:30am. I think it will be okay.
March 22, 2025
I felt happy and not anxious today.
March 23, 2025
Happy again today, though a little sneezy (likely allergies).
March 24/25, 2025
I think it was either really, really bad allergies or a slight cold. I stayed home these days. On Monday I had a sore throat and on Tuesday I had some dizziness and shortness of breath, but both days I felt tired and congested.
March 26, 2025
Went to work today, but my heartrate was still spiking. Felt short of breath, too. Being very watchful, since this is a serious side effect (if related to the Vyvanse and not allergies/a cold). Will cut my tea intake in half for now.
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Vyvanse Journal - Week 2
March 13, 2025
Began taking 20mg. No noticeable changes or symptoms.
March 14/15, 2025
Nothing new on Friday, nothing new on Saturday. Still drinking morning tea (though had an evening tea on Friday).
March 16 - 19, 2025
Apart from not being as hungry as often, I haven't noticed anything different.
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Vyvanse Journal - Week 1
March 6, 2025
I have started on a 10mg dose of Vyvanse. I took the medication with water at 6:30am, after my regular breakfast (12 pieces of Brown Sugar Mini-Wheats, for the record, in half a cup of 2% milk, since accuracy is important). I started drinking my regular tea (Red Rose, dash of milk, with a capful of Restoralax) at 7:30am. Actually, it might have been after that. Possibly closer to 8am.
So far I have not noticed any unusual feelings or symptoms. I did feel slightly more chatty than usual this morning, but today was not a normal day at work and so I was already feeling off.
It's now almost 1pm and I haven't noticed anything different. I do have a slight headache (very likely weather-related). Maybe some slight dizziness.
March 7, 2025
Day two of 10mg - no discernable side effects or changes.
March 8, 2025
Day three - I tried cutting the caffeine, but had to have a tea by afternoon (massive withdrawal headache). I decided that unless I noticed ill-effects from the morning tea, I am continuing it for my health (ha!).
March 9 - March 12, 2025
Days four through seven - no side effects or other changes noted.
Saturday, March 1, 2025
End of February Update
WIPs (new ones are bolded)
Ten Stitch Blanket, Caron Cakes (started 2019)
Walter's Blanket, Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle (Started July 16, 2024)
Bright Stripes Throw, Caron Anniversary Cakes (Started September 5, 2024)
Cable Car Coat, Bernat Chunky Solids (Bulky) (Started February 6, 2025)
Mini Mania Scarf II, leftover fingering-weight yarns (Started February 18, 2025)
Musselburgh for RAM, Mary Maxim Merino (Started February 19, 2025)
Hibernating
Dancing Bees MKAL, Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace (started 2015 - oops)
End of month yarn stats: 61 entries, 90 skeins, 28391.10 yards, 9027 grams.
Okay, first month down. Man, January was such a long year. Anyways.
I did pretty well, considering its weirdness. I didn't buy yarn and I finished Oranje completely!
I'm trying to remember to incorporate using the planner in my daily/weekly routines, so habit is building. I did frog a hibernating project because I've realized that my gauge is much larger and I'll have to drop down two needle sizes. Unfortunately (or fortunately) the needle I need is in use. Guess I'll have to finish the Musselburgh.
I did destash a couple of partial skeins of yarn - wasn't going to use them.
February goals:
1. Buy a little bit of yarn if it feels right (will likely be going to Handknit next Saturday).
2. Maybe think about honing (ha!) those knife-sharpening skills? Scrape a reed, perhaps?
3. Finish the Musselburgh hat for my husband to wear. He's getting cold ears. (And I want that needle.)
4. Survive.
February. WTF.
I did buy yarn, though not at Handknit, but at Mary Maxim's right before the massive snowstorm on the Family Day weekend. And some gift yarn for a friend.
Here's the yarn I bought for me:
And the yarn I bought for the gift is Paton's Canadiana in pink and purple. Pretty sure I'd just destashed some of that last month, too (oops).
March goals:
1. No yarn (do I say that every month?) unless there's a really, really good reason!
2. Finish the fourth Musselburgh.
3. Work on the Cable Car Coat.
4. Survive.
Saturday, February 22, 2025
A Snowy Afternoon
I'm watching my son play at an indoor playground.
Watching isn't quite accurate. It's more like catching glimpses of him every few minutes as he tears through the playground, running and jumping and having the time of his life.
I sit here knitting and wondering what this playground looks like to him. Is it a jungle or a maze? Is it an abandoned warehouse? Is he in a video game, and this is one of the challenging levels?
I watch other kids running through, laughing and screaming at each other, at nothing, at everything. One small boy wanders by me, looking around. I think he's looking for his parent - oh, he found someone. All good.
Knitting and catching brief glimpses of my son. It's quite loud in here. There's a snowstorm outside.
He comes to the table for a drink. He's gone again already, back into the structure that I wish I had the mobility and imagination to tackle again.
I hear the rallying cry of 'PIZZA' and a small group of children emerges from the depths and stampedes towards one of the party rooms.
I watch other parents and overhear pieces of conversation. "The twins hate bedtime. By the time they're down, it's time for me to go to bed." "My daughter's enrolled in soccer before and I think we'll try it again this year." "Have you tried different diapers for your newest?" "Hey, don't hit other kids!"
Mayhem. But winter is a hard time to get the exercise in, so we do what we have to for the littles. We stay for over an hour and my son isn't even tired when we leave. But he's had fun.
Friday, February 14, 2025
February Thought
Time has a nasty habit of marching forward, completely disregarding our feelings, emotions, and circumstances.
Monday, February 3, 2025
Cable Coat
See this? I knit this in 2010. My goodness, my gauge was horrendous and super loose. My blocking skills left a lot to be desired, and my seaming skills were rough, to say the least.
So, now it looks like this:
I just have one sleeve left to frog and then I can begin knitting it again. I'm curious to see what the differences will be - I have 15 years of experience gained since then!
Saturday, February 1, 2025
End of January 2025 Update
WIPs (new ones are bolded)
Ten Stitch Blanket, Caron Cakes (started 2019)
Walter's Blanket, Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle (Started July 16, 2024)
Bright Stripes Throw, Caron Anniversary Cakes (Started September 5, 2024)
Musselburgh II, Hedgehog Fibres Sock (Started October 6, 2024) - Car knitting!
Back to Basics: Socks (DK), H&W Comfort-Wolle Sockenwolle Comfort 8-fach Color
Winter Ribbed Scarf, Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes
Hibernating
Dancing Bees MKAL, Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace (started 2015 - oops)
End of month yarn stats: 56 entries, 79 skeins, 25282.60 yards.
"My main goal for 2024 is to finish two of the hibernating projects and three of the current WIPs."
Remember that? From last December? I did it! (Sort of. Does frogging count? Probably not. In which case, I didn't do it for the hibernating projects.)
I did buy yarn that wasn't for the gift, but the recipient asked nicely and I didn't have the appropriate colour in my stash. I also bought yarn for a little guy who wants another sweater. I haven't done any stashbusting projects, but that's because I've been working on Oranje exclusively! I've completed the sleeves and I've joined them to the body and I'm almost at the colourwork part of the yoke.
So here we are, end of year, and I've been consistent each month. I can do this. I will do this. My goal for 2025 is to refine my stash further. I have a lot of stashed yarn from years ago and I want to finally use it.
And for January, the mini-goals:
1. Finish Oranje - the knitting part. I'm sure I'll stall out on the sewing, blocking, and steeking.
2. Sharpen that reed knife and work on some reeds. It'll never happen if I procrastinate.
3. Use the planner my friends got me. I failed horribly at using 2024's weekly planner and I still feel bad about it.
4. No yarn! (Unless a trip to a new yarn store happens.)
Okay, first month down. Man, January was such a long year. Anyways.
I did pretty well, considering its weirdness. I didn't buy yarn and I finished Oranje completely!
I'm trying to remember to incorporate using the planner in my daily/weekly routines, so habit is building. I did frog a hibernating project because I've realized that my gauge is much larger and I'll have to drop down two needle sizes. Unfortunately (or fortunately) the needle I need is in use. Guess I'll have to finish the Musselburgh.
I did destash a couple of partial skeins of yarn - wasn't going to use them.
February goals:
1. Buy a little bit of yarn if it feels right (will likely be going to Handknit next Saturday).
2. Maybe think about honing (ha!) those knife-sharpening skills? Scrape a reed, perhaps?
3. Finish the Musselburgh hat for my husband to wear. He's getting cold ears. (And I want that needle.)
4. Survive.
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