Complications Settling In

I’m settling in, but there have been complications I didn’t expect. Unpacking has taken longer than I anticipated, I can’t knit much, but don’t seem to have time to draw.  My pantry isn’t adequately stocked, and I have a constant companion.

No Knitting ComplicatIons

Except for two brief stints, I haven’t knit since July 11. All the packing created a huge strain on my wrists, and it seems I’m always carrying something, so they are slow to improve. I am icing them, taking ibuprofen, and really trying not to carry things or do too much standing around holding things. Of course everything we do uses our hands, so being gentle to them is really hard.

It is making me crabby. I am usually a very good couch companion because I happily sit and knit, but Saturday evening had me squirming and feeling agitated. On one hand I have always been aware of how much knitting soothes me, but on the other hand I didn’t really understand how much knitting kept me soothed. I knit a bit last night, but I ran out of yarn, and when I ran upstairs to get more yarn, it was in hanks and I didn’t think hand winding was a good idea. I finally found my markers and did some of the drawing exercises I had missed. Even had I found the yarn, I could tell I was near to needing to quit. I do not want to exacerbate this or prolong the complications!

Cooking Complications

I know I sometimes write about how I have habits that allow me to do things without thinking. When you move to another state there are unforeseen complications.  Not only are the offerings available slightly different, but the stores are different. I typically have not even gone to the grocery store (Safeway delivers an order every month), preferring to use a local butcher, bakery, the farmer’s markets, and the corner stores, instead. I’m sure it is just a matter of time before that become the case here, but until it does, I don’t seem to have what I need to just make my usual meals.

Companion Complications

Have I mentioned that Mitch is working from home? He is a nice companion for the most part, but he forgets that my focus isn’t his. We are figuring it out. I knew it was going to mean that I had to fix lunch for him, but it has been kind of an eye-opener. I will pretty much snag something from the fridge when I get hungry, but he is used to having a salad or sandwich. It is the having to think about it, not the level of difficulty, that requires adjustment.

Mitch is one of those people who wake up ready to go. I’m ready about 3 hours later. Not only is he not leaving for the office, he has been pretty focused on sharing his thoughts with me a little ahead of my willingness to hear them. When he talks on the phone to clients I think he is too loud so I have to shut my door. If any workmen are here, he makes me leave my office so he can speak in private (his office is open) to protect his client confidentiality. He is likely to remind me of things. It is good for staying on top of things, but it is also annoying. Sadly, I am often not very good at hiding my annoyance. So I’m not the only one having to adjust. Otherwise, we co-exist quite nicely! He can often make me laugh which I totally appreciate!

Unpacking Complications

Our most major complication is the loss of 1000 square feet. I thought I had sorted through my things pretty well, but it would now seem otherwise. The kitchen worked out pretty much the way I imagined; the laundry room is a little cramped and needs to have some things find homes elsewhere. The living room and dining room are completed except for not having window shades, but a lot of sun. Artwork is lined up along walls with sheets and towels over it. The bathrooms are in good shape, but awaiting shelf liners. Seriously Container Store, could you be any slower getting your orders out?

I am slowly getting my studio squared away. I am having to go through everything as I come to it and find a suitable home, or move it out. These are decisions I don’t like to make, so it is taking a long time. Because everything is topsy-turvy in here, the yarn I was looking for last night was, in fact, in cakes, just not where I thought it was. I am allowing myself the luxury of fun things like these cool labels–imperfect (erasable!) but really fun to make. They are magnetic, so I’ve already moved things and the labels. A couple of the labels now need adjustments.

These are all complications that will sort themselves out, and soon enough I will soon forget I had any other habits.