I can't believe I'm the first one! I am glad to hear of your rededication to your blog - I read it every day and find so much inspiration from it, both in terms of knitting and otherwise.
For the longest time, I wanted to pick up sewing. I learned the VERY BASICS of sewing in home ec when I was younger, but I was too intimated to actually break out my grandmother's old sewing machine and have at it. Once I finished my master's degree, I decided that relearning to sew on a machine was the One Big Thing I was going to accomplish this year. So far, I have sewn 3 blankets, 2 clutches and some bibs, and I haven't looked back since. What was I so afraid of again?
Thanks for continuing to write...I look forward to your blog posts every day.

Cara,

I am a mom and a knitter and I love your blog. You've been an inspiration for me in the knitting department and now, every time I hear Bruce Springsteen, I think of you.

I don't know how to explain the re-dedication, but it involves creating. I have so many half-finished, half-imagined ideas, and I just want to create them! So, I dedicate myself to NOT dissolving into a puddle of meh at the end of the day with my remote in my hand, and WORKING ON my quilt, my grandpa's knit hat, and my lace shawl that will be so very beautiful if I could just concentrate on it enough not to eff it all up. Heheheh.

Congratulations. I am so happy for you and G.

I enjoy reading your blog - glad to see that you are going to continue. Have a nice day!

I always enjoy reading your blog - whether the subject is babies or knitting! I'm glad you will be blogging on.

I miss walking and doing yoga. I was in pretty good shape 7 years ago, after spending two years losing weight and working hard to exercise regularly, and now I've turned 60 and am really feeling old and out of shape. I know it's now or never.

Change is inevitable and usually for the best. Keep up the great work, we're all changing with you.

I think the thing I've been the most afraid of is admitting what would really get me to jump out of bed every morning and love going to work. The idea it isn't anything to do with what I worked through college to achieve is torturous. But acknowledgment/acceptance is the first step, right?

I bought that same yarn at Rhinebeck, really liked the colorways at Silver Moon.

Cheers!

I'm a long time reader. I eagerly await your posts every day. I have a special fondness because my daughter is also a January one. We waited a long time for her and she was worth it! Now she is 14 and a crazy knitter. I'm proud of her and I'm proud of you. Namaste.

I am making the same thing... and love it!

I'd like to rededicate myself to letter writing. I love to write letters and I find that I am more "me" when I write a letter than type an email. A friend expressed that this year, she didn't get her birthday letter... a tradition among us. instead, she got an email, b/c I was busy/distracted/overbooked.

I enjoy your blog and am happy for you that you picked up your needles again. I have a business with my husband and two kids, and you are right...sometimes you have to grab the time you are able to for your indulgences. And with a baby, that time may come in smaller blocks at times you aren't used to. But also, you are correct that a happy mom makes for a happy baby. I have always wanted to write a novel, but have never afforded myself the time to do it. I still think that I will, but find that I am not as good a writer in small snippets of time. So I am biding my time a bit and then will tackle it.

There are three things for me. Reading, gardening and drawing/painting. They are all things I have done with passion in the past. (Ask me to talk a bit of botanical latin, I can do it.) I'm like you a person who becomes totally obsessive about whatever the current intrest is. It is so hard for me to dabble. Now that I have started knitting again my books are gathering dust, my garden is a mess and my drawing skills are only used to sketch pattern ideas. But then again, there are only so many hours in a day.

I love reading your blog, whether you're talking about babies, or knitting, or anything, really. Your photos are beautiful, and you inspired me to try the Monkey pattern (now I have three pairs, with more planned!)

PS - Have a nice day. =)

I'd like to dedicate more time to crafting for fun. Knitting without a deadline, making cards for friends & family and learning how to sew. Not because I'm trying to impress others in the blogosphere but because I want to do it and it makes me happy. :)

Here's a blog philosophy you might like: http://www.tartx.com/blog/?page_id=233

I decided it was the right answer for me. :D

Here's a blog philosophy you might like: http://www.tartx.com/blog/?page_id=233

I decided it was the right answer for me. :D

I'm so glad you are going to continue blogging -- and knitting! What do I want to rededicate my self to? Music...piano, voice, and guitar. (Yikes- did I say "guitar"?!?). I took 13 years of piano lessons (thanks, Mom!), sang in church choirs, and now only play and sing kids' music. Great stuff, but it's time to stretch and challenge myself again. Hopefully, if my kids see me doing it, they'll want to do it, too!

What a beautiful post. These last few months I've taken to rededicate to myself - not in a "I'm the queen of the world" sort of way, but in a way that I think make time for myself and don't push myself to be everything to everyone. With all that has happened this year, it was a good move. :) And have a nice day :)

I wonder sometimes about those people who tell you what to write - either by telling you outright what to write or by informing you that they're voting with their feet because you're not writing what they want to read. I'm not sure what drives people to do this: would these same people say, "Oh - you repainted your living room. I liked the old color much better, so I won't be coming over to your house any more"? It's just bizarre (well, it's rude and hurtful also - maybe it's part of the cult of, "What? I was only being honest...").

I don't know why it is, but I'm always too shy to tell you this when I see you in person: I really enjoy reading your blog everyday. I always take something away from it, whether it's a different understanding of color or photography, or a newfound love of STR and Bruce Springsteen. So what if you blog about what is happening in your life? I do that all the time - as you said, the blog is a large part of you, and if it wasn't, we wouldn't like it as much!

My rededication is to creativity. I spent much of the summer "on hiatus," where I would just sit around and read or watch TV or play on the computer, without doing anything creative. Creativity is a huge part of me, so basically I spent the summer stagnating. No more of that. More spinning, knitting, photography, beading, writing, theatre. I need to let my creative self take the lead again and push myself to get my work out there. A good goal, and something to hopefully aim for the rest of my life. :)

How cool -- I woke up this morning also determined to rededicate myself to knitting! It may be because I've gotten a bit tired of my current project; all the same, it needs to get done, and two or four rows at a time will get it finished. Many thanks for your inspiration!

Cara, I wanted so much to meet you at Rhinebeck but I was so overwhelmed by the hugeness of it all that I didn't see ANYONE I knew (save 2 RL friends I saw at the very beginning). I never understood the whole 'your blog isn't what I wanted it to be so I'm leaving' thing; a blog is about what YOU want to write. If the thing that you write about doesn't have to do with knitting, so what? Your pregnancy is the most important thing in your life, so you write about it. Heck, what you're going through actually helps to reinforce MY decision NOT to have kids. ;)

I have the opposite problem on my blog. None of my RL friends or family care about knitting or spinning, so they complain that all I EVER talk about is yarn! Can't please everyone.

Anyway, have a wonderful day. Keep writing what's in you and I'll still be here reading.

I miss public performance, either with a choral group or an orchestra. In some sense it's a nostalgia - I know the time has passed, to be sitting on stage with my flute and being a small part of a gloriously cooperative sound.

On the other hand, there's nothing stopping me from seeking out local choral groups and participating in those (I'm not religious, so it limits the public singing opportunities).

My mom always said that a mother has to take time for herself or she will begin to resent the family and other household responsibilities.

I plan to rededicate myself to fitness....I was doing tae kwan do and stopped when I became pregnant. I had my daughter in 2002 (!) and now it is time to get myself back to a comfortable level of fitness.I do take time to read and knit...usually in the wee hours of the morning but I also need to incorporate some sort of activity as well.

I love you and I love the blog because of the friendship it brought us. Being apart of your life and watching the processes you've been through has been a joy. Thank you, grrlfriend.

I need to reassign my time between my hobbies and DH. Right now I spend most of my time knitting. But I need to spend more quality time with the hubby and then split the rest of the time between knitting, of course, and my two other hobbies, spinning and sewing.

Good for you. I don't understand why people would abandon you just because you started talking babies and puke. It's not like you pulled a James Watson or anything. To me it's all about seeing people change and develop, either in their knitting or the real life they chose to share. So thank you. I like seeing you grow.

Tina

Congrats! I too have been a fan of StR for some time, but it was not until this past Stitches East that I was able to actually purchase some! I chose January One, but in medium weight. I hope to find a shawl to make with it at some point. Until then, I take it out and squish it everyday! :)

I enjoy your blog! Thank you for writing!

Congrats on the three years! I haven't been commenting on the baby stuff b/c I haven't gone through this process, and I can't really relate and I'm in my own state of denial about having or not having kids. But I appreciate the raw honesty that you have been putting out there. Ef 'em if they don't like it.

Frankly, I'm not one of those women that believes pregnancy is beautiful, and I suspect that more people feel the way you do than will let on. There's this cult of moms that don't tell women what it's really like in case the rest of us won't go there. My sister-in-law hated her pregnancy, so now there are two people out there spreading the truth. ;)

There are so many things that I'd love to rededicate myself to. Life gets in the way. I wish I could still take the occasional ballet class here and there, noodle on my viola, and do more with my photography. Most of these things require a time commitment that I can't give. But you're so right, knitting a few rows here and there, is at least something.

Hi Cara:

I am glad that you rededicated yourself to your craft (one that you are extremely good at). I have those moments myself. All or nothing! But I realized I just don't have time to do a major project, so I start small and work up. I spin to knit. I spin a yarn for a particular project. Then when I am ready, I start knitting. I am into lace, and I knit a couple of rows at night before bed. It doesn't seem like much progress to the outside world, but being a busy married, primary caretaker of two, it is a ton of progress.

Early October, I started to rededicated myself to MYSELF. I decided that despite my husband living in WI while I live in MA, I am going to get a full time job, put the kids in daycare and afterschool, and get back into a pattern of self improvement. I've been working for 2 weeks in a rewarding and challenging job. The money I make pays for the childcare, but the remainder of that pay will go to clothes (which I never buy for myself), crafts (which I used to feel guilty about spending a fraction of my dh's "hard earned" money--as if I didn't earn that money too), and future endeavours, such as photography.

YOU have been the main culprit of my rediscovered love of photography. My goal is to buy a DSLR and lenses to become a semi-professional photographer. Because of your blog (which to me isn't just about your knitting), I've read books on photography, have improved my photographs with a P&S camera, and have learned to post-process my snapshots. I even plan on taking a digital photography certification course in Boston next semester.

When you get comments about losing a reader and how your blogging has changed, it is not representative of all of us readers. There are many of us who will keep coming back for more of YOU.

Hi,

I started reading your blog because the photos were so inspiring. Having had kids myself, talk of babies doesn't upset me. While I enjoyed the knitting content, there's more to life than knitting, and I can still enjoy the read when you wander off topic. Best of luck with the baby!

I've been in graduate school for more than 2 years now, after a zillion years being out of school. I really miss having time to read books. Nice, cozy, non-academic books. Come next summer, I'll be able to get back into reading. Yay!

I am a relatively new blogger. I have enjoyed reading through all the baby stuff and the knitting. I can only imagine, if your pictures of yarn are this beautiful how amazing the pictures of the little one will be. So rest relax and take care of yourself and knit. I have decided to rededicate myself to my pottery. I love the feel of the mud yet haven't maanaged to do any lately. I think I am going to start this weekend.

Whichever direction your blog takes, Cara, will be one full of passion. I'll be happy to be along for the ride.

Just wanted to say "Thank you for today's post." I had been avoiding my knitting ever since a marathon session while trying to finish a project to enter in the fair, and since then I just can't get motivated to knit. (I did win a blue ribbon though.) You helped me see that I too am a bit obsessive.
So I am rededicating myself to my knitting, but not at the exclusion of all else. I pledge to no longer make knitting a chore, I will knit what I want, when I can and I'm probably going to become a selfish knitter. So no more knitted gifts, unless I really want to. I'm also gonna read again. It's okay if it takes away from knitting time. Thanks for the insight.

I think it's crummy when people tell you that YOUR blog isn't suiting THEIR needs. It's not like you're being paid to write for them, y'know?

I'd like to get back in touch with the part of me that loved sports. I used to have such fun playing volleyball and haven't done it even recreationally in years. Now might be the time to start looking for a local rec league.

Thanks for the invitation to rededicate myself to a project I've been thinking about for a while now. My project is my geneology. I got very excited about working on it a couple years ago and then let it go because I didn't have software to keep track of it all. There's a huge stack of papers in my office waiting to be sorted out. I'm doing my research now on the programs available so I can get back to this passion!

My hubby and I decided not to have kids together. I'm step-mom to a wonderful 11 year old girl. I absolutely know that we made the right decision, but occasionally the hormones still give me the baby craving. I really enjoyed being close to my sister when she was pregnant and helping her in that first year or so of motherhood. I've been enjoying the vicarious view into your process as well.

Thanks for being you, whatever the subject you choose!

Great post. This is just the first of many rededications your life will go through. Duh, right? Isn't that what life's all about? Stocked with some good standards to come home to; knitting, photos & General Hospital. I think it's just good that we all take the time to rededicate every couple months.

Aside from the fact that I simply can't understand why someone would think it's OK to tell you that they're disappointed in the direction your blog is taking (nobody is obligated to read anybody's blog, so it's conversationally odd to inform you that they're not going to do something that they're under no obligation to do), I personally find myself gravitating toward knitting blogs that are something more than a simple catalog of "I knit this, and then I knit that, after frogging this other thing".

In terms of rededication, I don't know that I'd want now to go back to what I was when I finished my PhD, 25+ years ago, and embarked on an academic career. Along the way, I switched academic areas and discovered a talent for computer support that I didn't know I had (of course, 30 years ago, desktop computers were some kind of fantasy!). I'm a different person now. But what I'd like more than anything is to remain open to even more change.

Hi Cara

Wishing you a happy blogiversary and I hope that this blog brings you everything that you need. I love coming here to read and love your pictures - they are simply amazing :-) and I look forward to reading more in the future - baby included :-)

I too am knitting Sivia's shawl and I'm loving the pattern. As you mentioned, very rythmic. I'm about 1/2 through and you can see the pix on Ravelry.

Because of you and a few other known knitters, I have grown to love knitting socks and have loved the process if turning the heal and kitchenering the toes as I feel such a sense of accomplishment - thank you for that :-)

so here's to many more years of blogging and making friends!!! :-)

Reading what you have written makes me think of my life in so many ways. From a 2 time mommy, I will give you may best advice.....be gentle with yourself. We often forget to take care of us and when we do we are better at taking care of those around us (including that new baby that's coming!) Remember to take time to knit, to read, to blog to enjoy! I'm rededicating myself to taking care of me!

Blogs ONLY about knitting are a wee bit boring. Blogs about your LIFE and knitting, are wonderful. I just started reading your blog amidst the puking. So even though some leave, some are new.

I miss painting. I'm an artist living in toddler land. Getting out all of my paints and things is really difficult right now since I have no dedicated space and two toddlers who will destroy should they get their grubby paws on anything. So that is what I can not wait to do. For the time being, knitting has taken it's place for my creative outlet. Ironically, I'll probably get my studio about the time the girls move out. Oh.. and yes... get used to that few rows at a time. It does add up. ;)

I won't be having babies to keep you company (my grandkids would be amused, my daughter would be horrified!), but I'll keep reading with or without babies. I read your blog because I enjoy your writing, not because you write about any particular subject.

That said, you (and Shelly Kang) have inspired me to try mitered squares to build a blanket. Thank you!

For me, a blog is a personal journal that others can read. Life is ever changing, and a blog will reflect that. Don't feel bad about that. My blog has included way more baby than knitting lately. Because everything is about the baby now :)!

I've tried really hard to think to what I can rededicate myself, and honestly, I can't think of something that has really fallen by the wayside. I really want to make a homemade pie so that's what I'm going to do.

Most of the blogs I read are from a combination of knitting and what the blogger has to say. Sometimes I'll read some uninteresting writing to get to the fabulous knitting, and sometimes I'll read a knitting blog with very little knitting content just because the stories the blogger tells are interesting in themselves. When you knit, your knits are fabulous. When you don't, you're still interesting and worth the read in my opinion :)

Cara - good for you! You've got something great here and it's appreciated. Ignore those people who feel compelled to spew their unwanted negative opinions all over. They're just jealous! Keep up the good work. Happy knitting and blogging.

I'm very happy that you're keeping the blog. I've always enjoyed your writings and photos, no matter the subject. Rededication is something I find myself doing with each change of seasons. It's always something new and doesn't always stick, but I keep trying. Sometimes I only get to knit a row or two a day, also, but I do it because it's mine and no one else's. I plan to rededicate myself to my spinnning. It won't happen until January One, when I have 3 lovely weeks off of work, but that will be my rededication day.
Thanks, Cara, for all the inspiration!

I'm thrilled to hear another blogger out there not apologize for having their blog develop over the years. My blog strayed into infertility and ttc'ing for a while after I lost my first child and began to struggle with secondary infertility. I regret not blogging for a while because I felt like since I wasnt knitting a lot, I couldnt blog.

Well, I'm done with that. I'll blog about my baby and the rest of my life if I want to.

I like how I am balancing out work vs knitting and fiber in general. I do have a question: are you going to finish the miter blanket? :D Some sock yarn would be nice since sock yarn does not count ......

I just wanted to say that I'm really happy you started this blog back then. It's always a thrill to read your posts, and even more so now that the puking plays a part in it (I'm a big fan of poo/wee/bodyfluids humor!). :) I can't really remember when I started reading, but it was a pretty long time ago.

Knitting has now taken over a big part of my life, and if I "had" to reintroduce something into my life that I haven't done in a long time, it would be playing the piano. I've done that since I was 6 years old, but I just don't seem to have time for it anymore. But if I have to choose between knitting and playing, hehe, there's no competition! :)

And finally, have a great day! (Hopefully without too much puking...)

Happy blogiversary Cara!

I always enjoy seeing what you knit and reading your blog. So, thank you for blogging.

I'd always wanted to learn to crochet... finally this winter I did. So far I've completed 3 dishcloths, but it's been a couple of months since I've picked up the hook (for crochet purposes, I have been using it to pick up/fix stitches though), so I want to remember to make time to crochet. Knitting gets picked up first, because I can do that and watch tv, whereas I need to look at the crochet.

Over the past two years I've been constantly switching my priorities between family/friend and my education. University kicked into high gear and I haven't been able to be there when most people need me. I always feel that I'm being pulled in two directions--I love the work that I do and I want to do it all the time, however I also love my family friends and boyfriend and they all suffer at the hands of my education sometimes.

I can't wait until the time is right to rededicate myself to my family. I miss everyone so much.

Thank you Cara for writing and have a good week end!

Have a nice day! okthxbye!

Just kidding . . . your post really hit a chord with me because lately I feel like my blog has really been neglected, and that I need to rededicate myself to it as you are with yours!

In knitting, I'd like to brave some lace . . . I've never knit lace, and it's something I want to be able to say I've done!

Also, happy blogiversary!

Cara..much of what you say mimics my current life and situation. Although I never had to deal with the IVF stuff, I can relate to your feelings, the need to keep things dynamic and real for you. As a whole, blog readers can be a finicky bunch, looking for the next great fix - but life isn't always great and that is what makes "real" blog reassuring. If I wanted everything coming up roses I'd watch more primetime TV. Regardless, stay true to yourself and for as many pain in the ass people there are who feel the need to express their discomfort with your current topics, there are a dozen of us who really care and are here to offer unconditional support.

So with that said, my redirection pledge is to be more like Cara... :) To blog for me and not feel guilty for burdening my readers with my daily bitches and to also get back in touch with my knitting. I've finished like one project this year! Maybe I'll try to make it two! Take care. H

When I was younger, I was always reading something. Always! Over the summer, I read the final Harry Potter book and before that, I don't remember the last book that I read that wasn't about knitting or cooking. Someone asked me for a book recommendation a few months ago and all I could muster was a blank stare and a mumble. 10 year old me would be horrified at 30 year old me.

By the way, my tiny opinion is that all of those people who told you that they wouldn't read because you're not talking about knitting? Piss on them. You deserve better readers than that.

Congratulations on the baby and the re-dedication to your blog! I just wanted to say that I enjoy reading your blog and it is obviously an inspiration to alot of people; especially to those who realize that it is a PART of you that you give to us freely. So keep on writing what you want and we'll keep on reading!!

Cara,
First I want to say Thank you for your blog - I've enjoyed reading it and
Second, blog on as you will, as you need to, as you have time for - much the same as knitting. A creative outlet, be it words in cyberspace, or yarn on needles should grow in the manner that most reflects and benefits the creative person who started the outlet.
As for my re-dedication - I'd like to keep my sanity and wits about me in what will be a fairly hectic and horrid new year - as my job changes, my long help position sunsets, and I lose the staff I have worked with and managed for years. It's been weighing on my mind and spirit for months

Cara - I am so glad that you are continuing to blog. I really enjoy reading your posts, whatever the topic might be. Lately I have been too busy and exhausted from my work to cook and to bake as much as I used to so that is something I am trying to re-dedicate myself to. I recently ordered some new cookbooks to inspire myself to get back into it! Have fun with your re-dedication to the blog and remember that your life is yours to do with what you want. Just try to ignore the crabby people.

Thank you for writing all that. It helps to see the fuller picture of who you are. :) I admire your passion.

For me, I was always the artsy kid. I drew all the time. Could amuse myself for hours with paper and pencil. I went to college and got a degree in Studio Art. Painting was my specialty, but I took Graphic Design courses to give myself something I could live on. Now I've worked as a web designer for six years.... and I don't draw. I don't paint. I knit, which is a creative outlet and something I really enjoy.... but I feel like I'm letting someone down by not using the gift I have, even if it is myself. I stare at paper and can't think of anything to draw, to explore with my mind. It hurts terribly.

Even before this post, I had decided to devote myself to doing some drawing this weekend. Put the knitting on hold, not care about what other artists out there say or do and just doodle for myself. I've gotta kick start myself or this part of me will die.

Yeah for you - and us!

I've been told by a number of people from differnt parts of my life the keeping a journal would be a good thing for me to do - to help me sort out a lot of things going on in my life. I have the lovely blank book, the new pen but I'm afraid to start. I'm afraid of what I'll find out. Or not. You've just pushed me over the edge and I'm going upstairs and even if I just write the date and "Cara made me think about starting this today" it will be a start.

Thanks.

I miss never having any solitude to do whatever I want. I'm tired of taking care of people - I want people to take care of me or just not want me to do for them. I miss the years I've lost...

Lately I've been rededicating myself to creating in a non-fiber way. I used to draw every single day, for 6-20 hours. [I know that sounds insane, but it was a huge chunk of my school work]. And now? Barely ever. So I'm rededicating myself to that.

I read every time you post, but I don't often comment. I'm not commenting because of your contest. I just wanted to say that I don't believe people should have expectations of what anyone posts. You get the entire package. That's what's so great about blogging.

I'm so happy for you and Georgie!

Good for you, Cara. I, for one, am happy to read whatever it is you have to say. I'm glad you're going to continue writing.

Hugs, and happy baby and happy knitting,
oceanpoet

Happy blogiversary, and thank you for that lovely, thoughtful entry.

Rededication: I've really been ignoring my body of late, and I think I need to start realizing that my body is me, as much as my brain is.

Oh, and have a WONDERFUL day!

It's not really a re-commitment, but I am in the process of trying to find a way to live a more active life. Right now, I basically just work at my computer all day and knit all night and I feel like a lump. I know myself, though- I need to find realistic ways to get moving or else I won't do it at all. So I'm Netflixing yoga DVDs to see if that works.

What I'd like re-dedicate myself to is getting in shape. I have had numerous(!) health problems over the last 8 years and have stopped exercising and consequently, put on a lot of weight. I used to kick-box and *loved* it, but couldn't keep it up when I discovered my problems. My concern was that it is such a loooonnnnngggg road to get back "in shape" but maybe I should try your philosophy - one row here and there.

And for the naysayers--don't let them bother you, my philosophy has always been "if you don't like me, go away!"

It's your blog and I support you for writing about what YOU want. Not all topics interest everyone which is just as true on my blog as it is on yours. But anyway, regarding dedication:

My dressage saddle is sitting on the back of my couch in my house. It's been there all week as my horses where sent to Montana a week before I can go myself. I walk by it several times a day and it calls to me - it is my passion and my inspiration to re-dedicate myself to riding for what I want more than anything is for that saddle and the back of a horse to feel like home.

(I'm pretty sure I passed that yarn last weekend...not sure how I passed it up.)

I woke up this morning saddened by the realization that I only travel for business. I want to get excited when I see my suitcase again; I need to re-earn my "Little Miss Adventurer" merit badge.

Many, many congratulations on your blogiversary! I've been reading for a few months now, and I really enjoy your writing - whether it's about knitting, or whatever you're going through. Thanks for sharing!

The first thing that pops into my mind when I think about reclaiming lost passions is reading. I still read every night, and always, always have at least one book in-progress. But it's not the same as it used to be for me, when I would be sucked into a book for hours, unable to put it down. And the story and the characters would linger in my mind throughout the day, and I couldn't wait to pick up the book again and find out what happens next. Now, even when I find a book I love, I don't take the time to dig deeply into it and let it take over. I'd love to have the chance to have that experience again.

Anyway, thanks again for blogging, and I hope you're having a puke-free day!

You win some, you lose some. I think the evolution of your blog will, as you acknowledge, invariably lose some readers but will also gain some, too. Life is about changes, right, because when we stop changing, well, we get boring.

There are a lot of things I wish I did or still did. Having a baby flipped my world on end. I'd like to reconnect with the person I used to be, who was a lot more care-free, fun and adventurous than today. I would like to introduce that woman to my daughter, that she might have a role model to grow by, learn from and, most importantly, be supported by in all that she does.

Congratulations on three years of making us smile and think. It's been a pleasure. Though I love my knitting world (which BTW is often 2 rows at a time!) I miss my reading world. I made a list of 10 books to read in 2007 - of which I've read one. So, via your inspiration, I rededicate my self the the written word.

I love your blog, whatever you write about! Babies and pregnancy experiences are great. I am a mom/knitter and read primarily fiber related blogs. Your blog has re inspired me to start spinning. I had drop spindled with a big clunky spindle years ago. Just a couple of weeks ago a spinning wheel came into my life, and then a spinning guild that is involved in helping support a group of widowed African women who raise sheep in order to survive(not unlike a Heifer project!). Thanks for sharing with us all.

I feel a little guilty commenting because there is a contest, as I haven't been commenting on blogs lately. So that is what I will rededicate myself to - commenting on blogs. I often think about how I love a certain post, or a FO, but I never *say* anything about it. So from now on, I will be more diligent with the commenting, too.

Please keep doing what you are doing! It's your blog and I love it. It inspires me with all of your beautiful knitting as well as your excellent stories about being pregnant!

My rededication is to myself! To all aspects of my life, personal, professional, hobbies, etc. I have started a weight loss journey that has been extremely sucessful (40 lbs!). I just got a new job that I will start in a week. And I have really started to enjoy my knitting with real and true rededication. So here is to our success of rededication!

The shawl and yarn is gorgeous by the way.

love the blog....even all the recent baby babble. its your blog, talk about what you want.

what do i miss? well, i'm pregnant with twins and on bedrest, so i miss walking, driving, but mostly i miss scooping my daughter dorothy up and spinning her around and covering her with kisses. soon, i'll do that again, with 2 new people to kiss.

I would like to rededicate myself to cooking. Not just quickie meals as I've been doing lately, but real full meals. The quick ones are just as healthful (except grilled cheese night, but never mind) but I miss the actual cooking. So I am rededicating myself to cookery, at least once a week.

Congrats to you on three years of blogging!

I miss making music. While there just isn't room in my apt for a piano, I plan to take up the guitar again. I'm asking Santa for lessons for Christmas!

Yes, be nice to yourself~! Even a couple rows a day counts! Otherwise, nothing would ever be finished.

I'd like to get back to more regular exercise - walking, yoga - I know I feel so much better when I do it and my pants fit better too! It's a counterbalance to all the sitting and knitting!

Having had one failed IVF myself, I can say I sure don't miss those days. Now my daughter is 9 (adopted from Vietnam), and while we have our ups and downs, I can't imagine life without her.

You'll really feel like a mom when you make her first Halloween costume :-)

I'm happy to see that you are sticking with the blog, I was a bit worried that you would give it up. I don't comment often, but I read each entry.

I don't blog often and I think it's because I don't feel my posts are entertaining for those that read them. But I started the blog for me, to keep those that know me up to date with my life, those that know me or have stumbled upon my blog know that I'm not a great writer. I don't have a great knack for compelling posts, but I do enjoy blogging. I rededicate my blog to me and those that can handle or want to handle my so-so posts :)

Hi Cara,

First off, I just wanted to say that I love your blog. I've been reading for ages, but I'm a bit shy about commenting. I admit that I first came here for the (awesome) knitting, but now I love reading all of your posts. I really admire you for your willingness to voice your opinions and really put yourself out there and I love that your blog feels really *personal* to me. I come to your blog to hear what you have to say (unlike a lot of other knitting blogs where I just browse through to look at the knitting / FO pics.) Your writing is always engaging, interesting, and above all genuine.

As for what I would like to rededicate myself to, it would have to be writing, specifically poetry. I used to write a lot of poetry and at some point was seriously considering trying to get it published. It's really fallen by the wayside lately though, and I haven't really written anything substantial for a couple of years now.

It's sad because my current (and long-term) boyfriend told me that one of the things that he found attractive about me was the way I saw the world and made it into poetry. Ironically, I think that since meeting him, there's been less poetry writing. It's true that sadness/loneliness/depression makes for better poetry than happy/daisies/kittens/sunshine.

Still, I really miss that flash of inspiration I used to get at random times, looking at random things...

Anyway, hope this was not too much navel-gazing for you. Happy blogiversary!

You said: "So on my three year anniversary I'm rededicating myself to my blog. I will write what I want, when I want. About what I want."

Well, here I am, standing up and applauding!

And FWIW, I've been avoiding my blog lately. So much real life stress, of the kind I don't really want to talk about yet, has been monopolizing my time. And along with that went not only my knitting mojo, but the spinning kind too. So the past few days I've been focusing on my spinning. Getting back to it. Improving it. Learning to love it again.
How timely your post is.
Anyway, Happy Blogiversary Cara. I'm here for the long haul baby.. anxious to be a spectator, no matter if its miters, monkeys, or the new itty bitty.
Hugs,
Carla

Cara, you are quite right, it's your blog and you should be free to say whatever you want. Personally, I kind of like having more dimensions - none of us are only knitters, or only mothers, or only anything. How boring would that be?

I've been in hiding from people lately, overwhelmed with a lot of challenges. I just this last week decided to start hosting playgroup/knitting groups with friends a couple times a month. I'm reconnecting with the real world people in my life. It feels good. Now I'm off to do housework to get ready!

Happy Blogiversary!

Happy Blogiversary! Thank you for continuing to blog. I actually am really enjoying your baby posts. I have 2 kids, so I think babies and kids are just as interesting as knitting. Thanks for including it all!

I need to rededicate myself to the joys of motherhood, not the chores of motherhood. Too often lately, I'm just worried about meals and baths and laundry, and not enjoying my little girls. I need to stop and enjoy them.

I think I'd just like to organize a little. I remember the days when it was just me, and if the house was a wreck and all I wanted to do was sit on the couch and eat ice cream, I did it. Nowadays with a toddler and husband and dogs and house and job, that's not possible, but instead of adapting I often just resent not having the time. I suppose I just need to adapt (like you, with the row here or there) and recognize that, while I miss that time of unstructured freedom, I wouldn't give up a single bit of what my life is now to have it back. (Okay, maybe I'd give up the job, but not the paycheck.)

Happy blogiversary! And yes, life is funny in how it works out isn't it? I'm currently dissastisfied with mine, so I hope I'll get to a point where I am happy and can see this time as a growing period. At any rate, you have lots to celebrate! :) Congrats on all the good stuff you have going - the blog, the friendships, the baby, and the knitting (whenever you can squeeze it in!).

Your blog entry comes at a time when I'm trying to rededicate myself to healthy eating habits.

Cara, every time I passed you at Rhinebeck (and I passed you a lot, but you were either visiting or absorbed in a thought) I wanted to tell you this: Above all, a blog must tell a truth, and yours always does. It just doesn't matter what some people say.

Anyway, your post is good for me because I have been thinking I'd like to rededicate myself to something too, to the little watercolor sketches that have always, always made me happy. Somehow the paint dried up in the palette, and the brushes got dusty, but I think I will bring them out and freshen them up. Soon. Thanks.

i've got a list!

i want to rededicate myself to MY blog and hope that nablopomo in november will help.

i want to rededicate myself to getting better mental health, which has been a bit of a struggle this year (and likely part of the reason why my blog posting has been spotty)

i want to rededicate myself to creative endeavors-knitting, photography, sewing and the like.

i NEED to rededicate myself to better housecleaning habits!

thanks for this post-it was great!

I will only ever be able to be a mum to the furry kind of baby, but that's okay. I've known for a long time that I couldn't have kids. I am vicariously enjoying your ride through this, though, puking and all. Thanks for sharing. Lately I've been rededicating myself to getting out and being with people. I had a couple of bad years healthwise, gained some weight and to top it off just didn't feel like me at all. I've learned that shutting people out just makes things worse and your real friends will stick with you through the garbage, even if at times they want to give you a good smack! I hope you have a great day and enjoy your knitting! I usually have to fit it in between work and other stuff too. It just makes the hour here or there extra special, I think.

Hi Cara,

I may have commented once or twice before, but I'm a faithful reader. And, like you, I'm struggling through all-day sickness and the other assorted goodies with my own first pregnancy. Thank you for being so forthcoming, and thank you for being true to yourself and what YOU want your blog to be :-)

I'm going to try and re-dedicate myself to my own writing, and my knitting, while I can still find a few moments each day before my own little one comes. And I really hope you have a nice day, even if for you that means being sick one less time, or being able to rest comfortably for an extra few minutes.

E.

Congrats on the three years! Just remember to enjoy the blog... after all it is yours, not ours. =]

Your question is a very good one... one I'll need to put some thought into. I bet I could come up with a whole list though. I think the one I've been thinking about in the past couple of days is rededicating myself to writing. One night a week would make for great progress I think. The idea of taking stock and setting goals is a great one. Thanks for suggesting we all reevaluate and rededicate.

Happy blogiversary! You know, the thing I've always wanted to do is learn how to play cocktail piano - fake my way through a few jazz standards. Perhaps 2008 is the year! I hope you and the baby bump enjoy the next year of blogging as much as the last three.

yea cara! write what you want when you want. i think something i would love to rededicate or rather just dedicate myself to is writing more. i never feel that i am quite good at that and know that with anything it takes practice. fear of ridicule I guess... life's too short though for that isn't it. So here's to writing. :-)

Cara,
We all go through changes and I am glad that you have brought those changes to your blog. Your blog reflects who you are and those of us who have been reading for awhile have come to love who you are...not only the knitting part of you but everything about you and your (growing) family ;).

A change that recently accurred in my life: I turned 30 this month and the biggest change in my life happened. I buckled down and learned to drive. I went to take in my road test on my 30th birthday and to my surprise, I passed! Now, I don't have to walk my little boy to school in the middle of winter. I can turn the car on and just drive him there. I have had various chances to learn to drive, however, the fear kept me away from it. I never knew how much "freedom" it will give me but now that I drive, I don't feel as dependent of others as I used to. I am even getting up at 5:30am and driving to the local gym. I never knew my fear was keeping me away from so many things...I am glad that I conquered it. I am still afraid, but that just makes me a more cautious driver :).

Glad to here you're going to keep blogging. I'm not sure if I've ever commented on your blog but it is one of my must read blogs. Poo-poo on those who think a knitting blog should be only about knitting. If that was the case there would be a lot of frickin' boring blogs out there.
I started my blog to talk about my knitting but I'm a military wife and a stay at home mom for my two daughters. There is no way I could keep my life separated from my knitting because my knitting is a part of me just as my family is a part of me.
Some how I want to find more time to read something other then knitting books. Before knitting I use to always have my nose in a book. Now I get my hands on needles as much as possible. There must be a happy balance somewhere for me. :~)

I miss my knitting group at work. I rededicate myself to meeting once a month with my work knitters. I also rededicate myself to being the best mom I can. Every kid deserves that.

Cara,

Phooey to those that are insensitive to your feelings. They don't matter. When I read the comments above, I see how much you are appreciated for who you are: talented, vibrant, passionate, inspiring and caring. They matter.

I love reading your blog and appreciate that you are so willing to open your life up in this way.

As for re-dedication, I am on an opposite tack in my life. I'm trying to un-dedicate myself to a lot of superfluous stressful things. So I guess you could say I am re-un-dedicating! ;)

Sometimes they say to have a successful blog you have to pick one topic (like knitting) and stick to it. My blog topic is whatever interests me - that's my one topic. Yes, as interests change, readers change as well. That's fine. With new topics you gain new readers. As for the people who had the gall to tell you they wouldn't be reading your blog anymore, well, same to them and more of it!

Happy day!

Tana

Congrats on your rededication! I admire that you write whatever you want; what's the point in doing otherwise? If people don't like what you write they don't have to read it and I think that's okay. Believe me, you'll still have plenty of readers!!

I just wanted to say I'm happy for you... about the baby, the blog, the knitting. I've enjoyed reading your blog over the last year and hope to continue to do so, knitting, puking or whatever.

Happy blogiversary, Cara. It was nice to see you (oh-so-briefly) on the weekend.

Honestly, I need to rededicate myself to my schoolwork and back away (at least a little) from the knitting and blogging. So I guess I'll be moving in the opposite direction from you. Good luck with all your stuff. :)

Intarsia scares the crap out of me! All the ends, the wrapping of the yarn so you don't have holes between the colors, it's all so daunting!

I'm still going to be here reading. I have two boys and reading blogs, particularly yours, are a wake-up call that there is still normal life out there. :)

I rarely comment, okay probably never. But I just want to let you know how important it is to me that you are willing to be honest. I think women sometimes whitewash things or use humor, but just stating our truth can turn a lot of people off. You are being honest about your life as a person and that includes your life as a woman and that includes throwing up during pregnancy as it does for thousands of other women. You are also willing to share some of what the struggle to get there might have meant to you and that is a deep reality for thousands of women as well. And I love that you share what is real for you.

I am rededicating myself to something hard to put into words. For a long time I've let my kids (and even my knitting) be what I'm about, and I have a long term project, a professional sort of project, that I've been remiss about. Not taking that aspect of my life seriously. I want to finish it. I want to give myself permission to also have a professional side which takes time and commitment and maybe sacrifice from my family. And I want to achieve it and not give up.

Pretty shawl. :)

My goodness! So many wonderful comments!!!

I, for one, will continue to read and enjoy your blog. Your writing is real, you're not just writing stories, you're being yourself. Even though we've never met, I feel like I know you, and look forward to an opportunity to meet you in person (even if you don't know me and don't read my blog...)

My rededication is to reduce or eliminate all the "things" that keep me from enjoying my life!

I recently entered a phase of rededication. I am eliminating clutter of all types, including knitting clutter. Do I really need 12 unfinished projects? Do I really need 8 sets of size 0 sock needles? Do I need 2 sets of dishes, when I only ever feed 4 people or fewer? Do I need to keep all the fabric from the days of sewing for pay?

I want to simplify the bookkeeping (and eliminate debt), eliminate the excess, reduce the desired, and generally make my life a simple and enjoyable experience. Complicated does not make for enjoyment; simple is freedom.

Hang in there! I had hyperemesis gravidarum with my (only) pregnancy - and I totally relate to what you've been going through! I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy! Just keep in mind the end result!! While I never want to go through that again, I would certainly never take it back!

I love your thoughts on just doing a little bit at a time rather than putting it off because a larger block of time isn't available. I've tried to adopt that idea with my spinning - sometimes I am successful and other times I don't sit at the wheel for weeks. My lifestyle definitely changed after having a child - I don't do the weekend craft events as much and if I do, I'm with my daughter. But I enjoy spending the time with her and I know that it will probably change as she gets older - she won't want to spend the time going to sheep and wool festivals with mom. So, I take advantage of the time we have now and the time we spend together.

I'm not sure I've commented on your blog before, and so I'd like to point out that I was going to comment long before I'd read down to the bit with the competition.

What I was going to talk about was about not feeling bad about the inevitable nonsense that comes with starting a blog with a specific intention, or having a particular audience, and finding that your urges take you in a different direction.

I've been blogging for (ack!) almost eight years now, and have been through many phases in that time so I hope I can share some hard-won experience.

I've gone from having two blogs (one general, one specifically about a medical problem) to one, to two again (photos and words separately) to one, to nothing at all and back to two (a knitting/crafty blog and a dormant personal blog with the entire archives of all that's swept before it) and I've kept a blog in some form or other through major upheavals (life, death and everything in between) in my life, and I know what it's like to feel expectation from the blog audience. For the most part, I considered myself lucky that the people who read my blog understood that it was my blog, and therefore, it would contain anything that I felt motivated enough to write about, and so I didn't get pigeonholed so much, but over time, even that got complicated, which is why my personal blog is dormant for now. The only reason I started up a knitting blog recently was because I actually missed blogging. It's been part of my life for so long that the urge to blog is just second nature and honestly, I missed it.

For what it's worth, I started reading your blog because of the knitting but I keep reading because of the person.

The thing to remember is that blog readership will naturally wax and wane, and most of the time, you won't know about it. Those who email to tell you they're going to stop reading are, frankly, somewhere between rude and downright mean, and while I know it's hurtful, they're not worth bothering about.

To use a very british turn of phrase, the way to think about your blog is "my gaff*, my rules".

*gaff = house, place, whatever.

Write what you want to write. Take photos of what you want to take photos of. Do whatever you want. Those who appreciate you for who and what you are, and like what you do will stay, and those who don't, wont, and frankly, are no great loss.

Good luck with the baby, and keep on doing what you're doing. You're an inspiration.

First of all, I enjoy your writing and your blog and will stick around no matter what you talk about. I'm not a big commenter, but I'm a very regular reader :)

And as for the contest, a few years ago I had the opportunity to go to Europe for the summer and take photographs of various hotels and tourist attractions for a travel website that was just starting off. I backed out of the opportunity because I had just started a relationship and didn't want to leave him for four months, because I wouldn't be paid very much and needed to make money for school, and because I was really nervous about traveling throughout Europe all by myself. So I stayed home for the summer (and ironically couldn't even find a job until late August).

I try not to regret decisions that I've made for myself, but I wish I had gone and I wish I had've had more faith in my relationship and more faith in myself.

Well, I miss my music. For years I was dedicated to playing classical guitar and lute. Now, I don't have time for it at all. I need to make time, somehow, to play a little every day.

Knit whenever you can, don't worry about not doing "enough." Whatever you write, I'll gladly read.

I'm still reading and love your blog. Like some one said above - what you right is real and I enjoy it. Have a nice day :)

Laughter and knitting are the best medicine! I'm so glad to hear you're back at it.
All my best wishes to both you and G! Congratulations :)

many years ago I used to be fit and slim and I really missed that so I have decided to try to get back into shape this year by changing my diet and lifestyle ... not easy because it eats into my free time and I do so love good food too. I'm not rededicating my live to recapture my figure from when I was 18, I'm doing this to be healthier

btw, Change is inevitable and I don't understand how anyone can be so mean-spirited as to tell you that your change in blogging topics no longer interest them. some people just to learn how to be more gracious.

I believe that we are like swords. We go through hammering, shock, abuse, melting down, reforming and in the end, we are refined. Each experience fulfills a little more of our potential in this life. And that's what I love about your blog and everyone else's as well.

One of my main themes in life is growth. I have had two kidney transplants, a body that is stunted from seventeen years of prednisone and cyclosporine and though I would love to have a life like my 'normal' sister, I have found that we are all different and we all have troubles, as perfect as our lives may seem. And the thing that has made me, perhaps not content, but secure that everything will work out is my faith. I have seen and experienced miracles and I have come to learn time and again that with faith, all things can happen. Even death, when the time comes for me to leave this mortal existence, is nothing more than another lesson in life to help me to learn and to grow.

And so I rededicate my life to having faith and hope and even charity, not that I'll start knitting blankets or anything but I will always be there for my friends whenever they need me and I will always reach out when I can.

My passion is sewing. I have really put it aside for many years while in college and then working my first couple years out of college. I get a lot out of creating for myself.....I am first and foremost a garment sewer, and I sew for myself, and a little for my husband. I love outerwear and more tailored looks.....HMMMM maybe now's the time to go shopping for the wool to make that Michael Korrs coat that I want :) Happy to hear you picking the knitting abck up!

Thanks for having us Cara. You are really inspiring to me. You have a great marriage and home and you work at the things you love to do. My rededication is to do one thing I love everyday. Even if it's just taking one minute to stop and fondle some of my stash! Much love and good luck with your newfound "dabbling".

I agree that knitting a row or two counts. It sometimes is enough to allow me to relax for a bit. The new shawl appears to be a lovely one.

I wish I had the time and means to horseback ride. I wish i could re-dedicate myself to that. I adore horseback ridding and done it on and off over the last 10 years, and lots before that as a child. I wish I made it more of a priority. It also gave me a great butt! lol

I want to rededicate myself to my friendships. About two months ago I ended a friendship that had kind of consumed me (in a bad way, I now realize) for over a year and some of my other friendships were given less attention over that period. Now that I'm out of the consuming friendship I realize how much I missed out on with other friends.

Cara, I've been reading your blog for months and months now, although I rarely comment (this is true for all the blogs I read). I always click through eagerly when you show up in my bloglines, and I'm always inspired by what you write about - whether it is knitting, photography, getting through difficulty, pregnancy, humor, whatever.

One thing I am rededicating myself to right now is a collaborative relationship with my partner - in our love life, our home, and our working lives. I have been trying to create a new career path for myself and have let my attention to our life together go by the wayside. You talk about G and it makes me think of how important my E is to me. I don't want to let that slide anymore.

Thanks for a beautiful and honest post, as always.

I am thrilled to hear you're rededicating yourself to the blog--I've always loved your wit and style and it brings me a little pride to know there's another Cara out there doing what you're doing.

I have ALWAYS wanted to try glass blowing--I even dream about it when I haven't thought about it in quite awhile. And I will try it and probably become hopelessly obsessed--but not until the price of classes and equipment is a smaller percentage of my monthly income.

I am a lurker, but I wanted you to know that I love all the changes going on in your life, and I'm so happy that you're willing to share them. You're really inspiring, and I look forward to reading your new rededicated blog :)

Cara - I for one love reading your blog and while I first began reading because it was a knitting blog, I've stuck around because I've enjoyed getting to "know" you - all of you, not just your knitting side - through the posts. As far as rededication, I know what you mean, I've gone through a period recently where I felt like I stopped doing everything I once loved and what I felt made me ME. Recently, I've started to include those things back in my life - namely reading and knitting. I want to pick up my crocheting and cross-stitching again as well since I have a number of projects that have been sorely neglected. As far as something new, I am dedicating myself to an exercise and healthy eating routine to try and get back on track with my health and weight. I'd also like to try blogging again, I had started one at one time, but never really devoted a lot of time to it. Perhaps I need to rededicate myself to that and see what it adds to my life.

Congratulations on 3 years of a wonderful blog and an extra special congratulations on the new little one! :)

First off, I saw the post title started skimming, then got scared that this was a long winded way of saying *goodbye* to blogland. (I've seen it happen more than once, and am always disappointed, though understand why people need to take a break from it.) So I'm happy this is a rededication to your blog, and not to, say, living a more sane, blogless life. ;-)

As for my own personal rededication, it has to be music. I grew up playing music, haven't played any in a couple of years, and miss it so much it hurts. In fact, I miss it so much that it can be painful to listen to certain types or pieces of music, because of the guilt and longing I feel. It's tempting to take my meager spinning wheel-to-be savings and put them into music lessons.

Happy Blogiversary! I'm so happy that things are going well with you, and I'm glad you started to blog. I read all the time, even though I comment so rarely.

As far as what I'm rededicating myself too, I'd like to work on exercise. I've been working on making my diet more healthy, and now it's time for the exercise piece.

There's plenty of knitting blogs out there, let's be honest. I read blogs because I like the voices writing them. The "topic" seems to become less important over time, as I develop an appreciation for the personality behind the blog. So blog on, about whatever you wish.

YAY! You rock, you really do.

My year so far has completely sucked, due to my fiance self destructing into a severe depression and then abandoning me while my mother died from cancer.

I've recently rededicated myself to myself after realizing that although the situations I've gone through truly suck, I AM ENOUGH. (And so are you, i plan to keep reading.)

I haven't read the other comments, so forgive me if I repeat them (I dislike being swayed by others and I usually am, so I read them after I post).

I didn't read the title and after reading two paragraphs, I thought, oh no, she's become blogless! (sob) Back up to read the title. (phew! rededication is good)

I enjoy the components of your life as well as your knitting. This blog, is for you and you can do what you please with it. I will gladly stay. I can't say I won't skim (forgive me, I'm a skimmer) but I will say and look for you highlighted blog name in my RSS feed whenever they come--once a day or once in a blue moon.

As far as rededications go, after doing some crafty stuff with my own kids the past few days, I realize how much I have been misisng. I need to rededicate to THEM. Less blog reading and composing posts in my head.

Happy Blogiversary Cara!! I love your total obsessive passion. The Jaywalkers, the Socks That Sock and the Mitres. My favorite part of your blog is seeing what you fall in love with next be it yarn, a pattern, a renewed love for your husband or your start on motherhood. I'll be here, quietly, watching it all.
As for me I miss the freespiritedness of my youth and I intend to try to capture a bit of that.

Cara,

Thank goodness that you have come to this point about your blog and about your knitting. It hurt ME as well when I read how people have posted the meanest things to you re: your blogging about the pregnancy rather than knitting. UGH!

I too went through difficulties with pregnancies (much less though than you) and I can understand how important this pregnancy is (not that anyone else's is any less important).

I LIKE reading about YOU. Knitting, photography, Georgie, the pregnancy, the MITERS (tee hee). . . . . I guess I just like YOU. Period.

Thanks for rededicating yourself to this (and therefore vicariously to us).

Re: my rededication. I have rededicated myself to cooking and baking. REAL cooking and baking. Like, from scratch! I had slipped away from it at my last home b/c the kitchen was a bit "non-conducive" to it and my hubby didn't really care for our kitchen area and therefore it didn't seem homey. NOW, I have a fabulous kitchen which we all enjoy and so I am enjoying my cooking much more.

So there. That's it. I am rededicating myself to feeding my family. It feels good.

Can't wait to see your shawl. I still think your shawls are the most amazing out there.

I just wanted to say that I'm not leaving.

I've been reading your blog for a while now and I have to say that I could care less about what you talk about (ok... that came out the wrong way). While we've never met, it makes me feel more alive to know there are people out there that I've never met that I care about. I think my world would be a little less pleasent if there weren't people like you out there, willing to share yourself with me if only for a little bit through a blog. You help keep me connected with the larger world. Thank you. :)

(ok... did that sound as stalker-ish to you as it did to me.... so not meant that way! :p )

I'm glad to hear that you're rededicated to the blog & that you are knitting the blog for you, not for other peoples expectations.
One thing I really miss in my life that I'd love to rededicate myself to is travel. In school I traveled every chance I got. I'd go white water rafting, hiking in the mountains, exploring urban landscapes, or simple hole up in a cabin during the winter. I'd love to find a way to take even one week off a year to travel.

Good afternoon, Cara -

I was going to write you, then I see at the end of your post you are having a contest. That is what I like about you, always a surprise :-)

I have been reading you for quite a long time, I love the ebb and flow of your posts. I am lucky to be able to catch up with you on your journey. You write what you want - crimeny, it is YOUR blog - you write for you. Life changes, it always does. Only TV shows remain the same, and are in syndication forever. You aren't a sitcom. You are flesh and blood. You are growing (literally and figuratively).

And occasionally if you take a photo along your route... would you please post? I LOVE your photography.

Yeah for you! I'm here and will be here reading for a long time to come, exactly because you are so authentically you! I'm so glad you're sticking around.

Your post is inspiring and spot on with the concept of all or nothing. This is how I am with my health - Either I am all about the diet and the exercise and the living...or I am not. I am rededicating myself to...myself. Just a few changes will do and I will not beat myself up when I miss a few.

Hi Cara! I'm not sure if there is anything I'd like to rededicate myself too. Before there was no knitting in my life and now there is and as you mentioned, through my blog and also through forums like Ravelry and Knitty, I have made so many new friends! The best part is, it's a two way road!

I'm glad you were able to knit more than 2 rows on your shawl. I am totally drooling over the colorway!

Cara, I enjoy your blog. It makes me think. And I love your photos.

I understand about the not knitting and knitting slowly. I haven't picked up my needles in a while (the spring maybe?) and have been busy with other things. So maybe I will try to do some knitting soon. Like some baby booties (small!) or a pair of mittens.

Good luck with your shawl. I love the colour!

Congratulations on 3 years, Cara. I'm glad you're here and I've always enjoyed reading whatever you have to say.
I'll tell you what I miss about my life - I miss feeling good about the way I look. I'm trying to make changes in what I eat and how much I exercise but it's HARD to break out of this slump. So, I'm going to try even harder because you've inspired me. So, thank you.

Happy Blogiversary! I just had mine a few weeks ago, but it was my first. I am really glad you're still around and love reading about it all, not just the knitting :)
I really want to rededicate myself to being fit and healthy. I had 3 kids in 3.5 years and my body shows it. I want to make time for me, I want to exercise more and eat healthier. So, I now rededicate myself to some kind of daily exercise and eating much better! Thanks for the kick in the pants Cara!
Oh, and I love that shawl. I've never done lace, someday I will though. It is beautiful!!!

I wish I could rededicate my career choice to something that involves crafting. I have a boring job in accounting and can not wait to go home most days and knit or quilt, or any other type of craft that catches my fancy.
For the record, I like your blog and it is usually one of the first that I go to to read when I am surfing the net. I think you should be able to blog about whatever you want and it is up to the readers if they want to read it or not.

It's so sad that people - women, especially - would rag on you for writing about the pregnancy! It's such a wonderful (although pukey) time for you and it's natural for you to be consumed by it.

I'll keep reading. I think one's blog shouldn't have to be limited to one thing - heaven knows my blog is all over the place. That's life, after all.

That being said -- regarding the contest: you know what I've never been able to accomplish? A sock. A freaking sock. Pathetic!

Happy Blogiversary! Write about whatever you want. This is your space. Screw the people who don't like it. The most boring blogs are the ones that are all knitting all the time--no personality.

As for me, I've been thinking i need to get back to my miters. I was going strong for awhile there but then just gave up. My husband is asking where the hell his blanket is and I have all this yarn sitting around in a bag. I will focus more on my miters and finish my blanket

you go.
this is your space and is absolutely your choice of what is or is not content. I don't understand anyone's need to tell you either that they're leaving/not reading or why. it's just not necessary.
i wish for you no more of those emails.

in the other realm: i've been wanting to try both (a) lace knitting. true lace that requires charts and attention and... well.. i just haven't gotten there yet. i've also wanting to try (b) tatting. for years. but knitting has always been picked up first, as i'm already comfortable with it, and know what i'm doing.

have a great (non-pukey) day!

I used to spend a lot of time outdoors - hiking around in woods, going canoeing, that kind of thing. Somewhere along the way I fell out of it - life got too busy, I got distracted pursuing other things, etc. But I really really miss it. Another summer has come and gone and I didn't get into a canoe once.

I really want to rededicate myself to making that outdoor time a priority in my life. I grew up loving the woods, loving nature. I want that for my children, too.

Yes, please do have a nice life. And I hope your baby has a nice long happy lovely life, too!

As for me, I miss creativity in my life. Nowadays I knit a lot, but it's other people's patterns, other people's yarn and colors - not mine. I used to make quilts of my own design, pretty damned good approaching-art ones, too, if you don't mind my honesty. For a variety of perfectly good reasons, I don't have time to do that any more. Knitting takes less time than quilt-making, but I still don't have time to do with yarn and fiber and knitting what I want, I don't have the time to express what I want, what I need to express. For one thing, I've been knitting a lot for others - Christmas presents, birthday present, baby shower presents.

So next year I'm knitting for me. I'm going to play with color and pattern a lot. I don't know how exactly, but I'm going to do it. Because if if I live a nice long happy lovely life, it's still too short. Way too short not to pursue this desire of mine!

Cara, you are one of my most absolute favorite bloggers and I love to read it all - knitting, baby, your high school reunion, you name it. You're a wonderful writer and amazing photographer and a real inspiration in so many ways. I hope I never, ever post something that hurts a blogger's feelings and if I did accidentally and found out about it I'd go way out of my way to try to make it right.

Anyway - there must be something in the air as I've been thinking about re-dedication a lot lately too. One, to writing - I'd really like to do NaNoWriMo this year. Two, to weight loss. I'm 45 and the weight just keeps creeping up & up and I really need to face this down and deal with it. I'm a mom too, and was 35 when my DD was born, and I want to live a long and healthy life to share as much of her life as I can. Three, to my own blog and the philosophy I'm aiming for there - "Life is Too Short" which is only a little bit about knitting and crocheting.

But in reality, I know that NaNoWriMo is out this year for a lot of reasons, and I'm not going to dedicate myself to something I know I won't be able to do. So it's the weight loss (20-30 lbs) and to Life Is Too Short (the philosophy and the blog.)

Once again you inspire me ... and as to inspiration, those picot-edge Monkeys are going to be the next project. :-)

aside from missing the connection between myself and my now ex-boyfriend (i'm still hoping it's temporary), i really, really, really miss playing tennis. i started when i was young, around 6, maybe? i played through high school and college for school, and since i graduated over three years ago, i haven't picked up the racquet but once. i miss it so much!

Happy Blogiversary! I love your blog. It's definitely one of my favorites that I check for first thing on Bloglines.

thank you for the encouragement on rededication. i read a quote once (wish i had kept it, or at least remembered who said it or just how it goes, but this is close) - nothing ever happens until you decide. and sometimes, i need a little push in that decision making.

i'm rededicating myself to going to bed before eleven. why has that been so hard to do?

happy anniversary. and happy knitting. i'm glad you're back - back to feeling like this space is a good space for you.

I just had to say part of your post made me chuckle.. I have a youngun' and except for after bedtime, knitting is definitely done by the "row here and there" method! It's not quick, but it's better than nothing :) I miss being able to focus on things, but I also know that that day will come again.

Happy Blogiversary! I agree with pretty much everybody that readers expecting you to change what you write for them are ridiculous. Silly people. Anyway, I loved this post and it really got me thinking to what I need to rededicate to. I will never regret the choice to stay home with the kiddos, but I really miss my music. I love love loved performing whether it be in a group, solo, etc and I get a teensy bit jealous when I talk to people who do it professionally. I think it's time to find an outlet for that. Thanks for the thought provoking post!

My camera. It has to be my camera. I've been futzing about with it here and there but I haven't really made the time to go out and shoot. So when I get over this darn virus that's plaguing me, I'm going to go out and get some practice.

I'm sorry to hear that some people have been so lacking in tact with you. Discretion is way underrated.

Wow - three years! Congrats!

I miss reading for FUN. Books that I am not assigned, that I can read purely for pleasure, from which I will maybe learn something ... or maybe not. And it doesn't matter. Is this a do-able rededication? Who knows. I don't have much time. As a backup - I will definitely dedicate myself to getting up at a decent hour every day.

Have a great day, too!

Cara, happy third blogiversary! I've only been reading your blog for about a year, but when I first discovered it, I went all the way back to the beginning and read all the entries up to that point. I have to tell you that while I understand that some people might want to read only for knitting content (and with some blogs I'm like that), yours I read because I can hear your voice so well in your writing. You've always seemed like the kind of person I'd be friends with if we knew each other in real life, and I can't tell you how happy I am for you and your family as you await the newest member of your family. I know you're going to be a great mother, and I'm looking forward to hearing all about you experiences in the wild world of child rearing.

Now, as to what I miss in my life? It's gotta be reading. I used to be an absolutely voracious reader -- and then I started reading for a living (I'm a proofreader/editor) and found I couldn't read anymore when I got home in the evening. I have the strength to read now, if I choose, and my knitting has certainly benefitted from all the time I formerly spent reading, but sometimes I really miss being all caught up in a book to the point where time passes and you don't even notice.

Congratulations, Cara -- on the blogoversary, the baby, everything. It took us 2 aching years to conceive our baby girl too and during that time I turned to knitting to save my sanity. After her birth and the overwhelming leap into motherhood, knitting and reading knitting blogs (when I have no hands available) has helped me unwind on those days when having someone attached to my person all day is just a bit too much to handle.



I'd like to make my re-dedication a bit more broad and say I'm rededicating to making time for ME. It is easy to get lost in the doing for others (especially now that baby girl is on the verge of toddlerhood) and leaving myself spent and grumpy. I will go to knitting night. I will get back into yoga. I will sit in the hot tub. I will work on getting back into shape. I will sit and read a book.



Thanks for sharing your life with us.

i really miss going to yoga and spinning classes. i was really lucky to have a wonderful gym where i used to live, and when i moved 400 miles, i couldn't find a place where i was comfortable. i need to look harder, i guess.

i also wanted to say... anyone who ditches your entire blog because of the baby updates has issues. i don't read the baby stuff, but you tag your entries so that i always know whether to read or not - and i appreciate that enormously. i don't care how saturated with baby news this blog gets - i'm sticking around at least until i see some seamed miters :)

anyway, congrats on 3 years, congrats on the baby, congrats on 25 rows of knitting, and many, *many* thanks for inspiring all of us to rededicate ourselves to something abandoned or never attempted.

I'm with you on your reaction to the unsolicited email saying they aren't reading you anymore. Dude. Life's a journey. It ain't always about the yarn. When my father died last year, my blog was THE outlet for my grief, because words are easier to write than say sometimes. And if people only want the "good" and happy stuff - well, that's what television's for, I say. Real people, real lives - don't get tidily wrapped up or stay on track in an encapsulated time frame.

Rededication? Well, it's an interesting challenge for me. I think now, more than ever, I want to live my life in the moment. Not sitting and watching it go by. Or trying to control it so badly. I'm going to keep thinking about this one!

I'm so glad that I got to meet you at Rhinebeck, however briefly. Reading your blog is a joy, no matter what you're writing about.

As for my rededication...well, I think it's simplest to say that I'm rededicating myself to being happy. It's been a while.

I'm in the same boat as many others. I miss the body and the energy I had in my early 20's. I need to rededicate myself to being healthy. Not necessarily to losing weight. But to being more fit and healthful.

I'm glad to see you staying here, no matter what you write about. I think you'll find that one of the lessons of having a baby is that you do need to learn to adapt to doing a little here and a little there, whether it's knitting or reading a book or cleaning your house. And every little bit matters.

The shawl is lovely - looking forward to seeing its slow progress.

I'm glad you've decided to continue with the blog because I love reading it! About anything you write! I only wish the people who choose not to continue reading would be considerate enough to move on quietly as you request. Take care of you and that baby!

happy third blogiversary! i always enjoy reading it, and look forward to what you have to say in the future, be it baby stuff or knitting stuff (or both!).

I'd like to rededicate myself to just writing. I can't write anything creative, a blog post, or even in my journal. Even writing the papers that I have due are a struggle for me lately.

I'd love to get back in the groove, one word at a time.

that little scratch that becomes the open wound of fear and worry have been integrated...my mother taught me well... sometimes. i redediate myself to openingly appreciating and growing each moment.

I feel kind of dirty, posting for a contest after I've won a spinning wheel... but who am I to say what the luck spirits should or shouldn't give me ;) Really though, just wanted to say that I love this blog. It has a lovely mix of optimism and snark, a fine balance often aimed for but mostly missed, if only by a bit. I've got your link right next to the Yarn Harlot's, so there you go :)

Happy 3rd blogiversary! I am sticking around - I love your blog Cara!

1. I was so afraid when I started reading this entry that you were signing off for good this time. I'm so thrilled to read that instead you are rededicating yourself. You are one of my blogging heroes, and I love the way you always just tell it like it is in your head.

2. I'm all-or-nothing too, and I've actually found knitting to be a good antidote for that in some ways, because it is simply impossible to sit down and work on a whole project until I finish it (unless it's a hat or something). I think your idea of just trying to knit a little every day will serve you really well once the baby comes: knit a little, feed the baby, knit a little, change the baby, knit a little, nap with the baby. Sounds like a perfect rhythm to me!

3. The odds are against you pulling my name this time, but if you do, I hope you'll pick someone else instead. You have been so generous to me already (I still can't believe my good fortune at winning the STR Laci in Red Clover Honey). The way you share the goods - and yourself - is such an inspiration. Thank you for your generosity, to all of us. It makes a difference.

I typed out this big long comment and decided it was way too personal for a comment and this blog is about YOU anyway, so I changed my mind.

But I do want to tell you that I love your blog. I am a 2 1/2 year lurker here and I have found so many of your projects, and your life in general, inspirational.

So, THANK YOU, and please continue blogging about whatever your heart desires. I will continue reading!

Oh, and have a great day! ;)

I was always impressed w/ how you can just knit for hours on end, which is something I just can't do. But knitting in snippets, a row fit in here and there, and multi-tasking knitting (you'll learn about this one with the baby) really does add up. All knitting the past 14 years since kids have been in my life has been sneaked in that way.

I don't comment too much because I figure my comment will be lost in the sea of comments you get, but I wanted to say that even though I don't often speak, I do read. Don't let the nay-sayers get you down... for every one of them, I'm sure you have several dozen like me who read but rarely speak. ;) Happy blogiversary!

WOW there are SO many things I can think of, but I think the most important one to redidcate my time and energy to is getting healthier...as in eating healthier, keeping the junk food out of the house and exercising regularly. The knitting time will suffer a bit, because I haven't yet figured out how to knit and exercise at the same time (yes, maybe at home, but not at the gym) or cook and knit at the same time.

I want my kids to grow up with healthy eating habits.

After sic particularly difficult months, my friend recently sent me a new CD by Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem. The first song begins, "I'm gonna be ready, I'm gonna be ready, I'm gonna be ready, when joy comes back to me."
And that's what I'm working on.