Denise Knits!

How ya like me now?

If you're in my family, move on... you won't like today's post. If your last name starts with Gut, stay where you are.

I talked with my brother on Thanksgiving and just talked to Mel about family. Mel's family and mine are really starting to piss me off. It's about time the whole lot of them get knocked off their high horses and join the rest of us in the REAL WORLD.

You are not better than me. You'd have to put the beer and the pipe down first. Maybe I didn't graduate high school, and maybe others have body ornaments they wouldn't show to a priest. But, I can pass a piss test. I can look myself in the mirror every morning. I know where my children are. I didn't stay with the asshole who beat me while I was pregnant.

T's family might be weird...but they are here for me, even after all of the stupid shit I pulled. After talking to A at length about my dad, I realize I don't have to put up with his shit anymore. I don't need my mistakes pointed out to me by him, and I certainly don't need anyone else telling me how stupid I am. If we were on speaking terms at present, he would be complaining about how broke he is, even though he makes $100,000 a year. I suppose it's hard to keep a dollar when every penny goes up your nose. These are the kind of things that I heard from him when I couldn't feed my baby, because my husband cut off all support so he could take his girlfriend out on dates. I had to borrow money from my ex to feed her. Dad couldn't help because diesel fuel was too high. But, he had no problems sending money to his girlfriend in Germany.

My dad has his nose shoved so far up his own ass, he can smell his own shit. It's so very sad that I didn't speak to A for 2 years after the divorce, and she still knows me better than my own father. I'm sure that in a heartbeat she could give you a detailed xmas wishlist, my plans for the future, my dreams...my dad couldn't tell you my favorite color.

My brother said on T-day "I wonder what my life would be like if I hadn't moved out of Dad's house...". I said, well it would probably would be like mine. You wouldn't have finished high school, you'd be on divorce number two,  and in the middle of a nasty custody battle. He said "I definitely wouldn't be working for MajorCompany." Yeah, no shit bro.

The great part about it is this...thanks to A & T,  I'm well on my way to making $20 an hour again, at home with my children. In 2 years it will be $40/hr plus. I can retire in 15. My father will never retire, as he's  pissed his life away with drugs and alcohol. Hope you enjoy it, asshole.

Up Knits Creek

I'd like to use one of my lifelines, please. I haven't posted in a few days because I am mad at my ChicKami. I'm working on finding the time to rip back my mistakes (oh there are so many).

I've also been very busy making stitch markers! New photos of those soon.

Race for the Cure

On Saturday, October 22 the Divine Secrets of the Yarn Yarn Sisterhood participated in the Race for the Cure event. Melanie, Nate (her husband) and I were out representing the knitting group in full force.

We did the Fun Run/Walk 2k. It was a BLAST. While we walked, we knitted on pink chemo caps and joined the fight against breast cancer. Our contributions to the Susan G. Komen foundation totaled $130.

This is Melanie and I at the half-way point. And the gorilla? That's Teensy (one of our honorary Ya-Yas) in her custom pink ribbon scarf. She was a bit worried that there would be a chill in the air on race day. She had a fine time at the race, but really got distracted, as you'll see in the next photo. She wanted to RUN...but us human Ya-Yas can't keep up.

I'm wearing an "In Celebration Of" back sign for Karen Thomas, my inspiration for this event and the chemo caps. I was also given a special pink and white intertwined ribbon, symbolizing the celebration of Karens survival and my support of her. I wore it on my shirt during the race and thought of her often as I was walking. I am so very thankful that the cap that I am knitting is not for her, as she doesn't need one anymore!

Nate took the pictures for us. Unfortunately, the digicams batteries died before I could get a picture of him in his lovely pink ribbon bandanna. He was a very good sport for this race...I was so touched when he decided to join us!

I'm very pleased with how this event went. According to the website for the event, there were over 3,000 participants, and over $168,000 was raised that day. Amazing figures! I'd like to thank the following for their support:

Carol Spiros, Mary Rauch (my mom), and Tony G. for donations.

Nate and Melanie Childers for racing with me

Renee Childers for making our beautiful bags that we carried our knitty things in at the race. Along with our group name, she embroidered an angel cuddling a pink ribbon.

Sharon Podlin for making flyers and business cards in a quick hurry for me to pass out to let folks know about this event.

The following businesses who let us put up flyers in their FRONT WINDOWS:A Stitch In Time, Fuzzy Mabel, KnitWitz, and The Sweetest Thing Bakery and Coffee Bar.

And of course, my friends at KnittingHelp.com. Without you, none of this would have been possible!!!

Needle Happy

Postman brought me some goodies today:

Brittany Birch DPN's size 2.5. Can't wait to put something on these lovely needles. These are the most luxurious needles I own. I have another pair of Brittanys, size 7, but it's mate has sadly gone on to greener pastures, although I'm not quite sure WHERE.

Knit On!

“Knit On, with confidence and hope, through all crises.” -Elizabeth Zimmerman

There is something very tangible about knitting. With every stitch I make, there is something that is left behind that says Denise was here. I am real, and I have done something permanent. Even when it seems like I can't do much right any given day, I can knit. I can accomplish something, even if it's just one row, it's done and done well. Cancer hasn't been cured, and people are still hungry, but maybe these things that I have left behind will comfort someone else who is in need.

Knitting heals what ails me, and I really do hope that the chemo caps my group and I are making will heal the spirit of others. Eventually, we will do helmet liners and caps for troops. We will do the American Red Cross Knit Your Bit Kit and maybe donate the socks to troops or wear them ourselves reminding of us and others how very dear to our hearts the women and men of the United States Armed Forces are.

It's kind of funny, when I first started knitting, I had heard of charity knitters. I scoffed at them, thinking "Pish, why don't these people knit for themselves", doubting I'd ever do something like that. Since I said that, I have yet to knit one item and keep it for myself. The gift is really the feeling I get knowing that another person will enjoy what I have created.

Many thanks to those who have inspired me:

Karen, Amy Finlay, Craig, Melanie, Sharon, Christina, Renee, Carolyn, KHisters, and most of all, Tony...without you this wouldn't be possible.