Wednesday, November 08, 2006

If you're happy and you know it CLAP-O-TIS

Ha ha ha ha ha!!! How's that for a Clapotis pun that hasn't been done yet? What better intro to the progress on my Clapotis?


Here is my version of the pattern everyone in blogland has knit except me. The gorgeous yarn is some Brooks Farms Four Play that I picked up at Rhinebeck. I love the colors, and the yarn itself is a true joy to work with. I'd like to pick up some more for a sweater in the future.

Although I'm not quite as far along on my Clapotis as I thought I would be, I'm happy . . . and I know it . . . Clap-o-tis!! Sorry, I couldn't resist using that line once more. This is what sleep deprivation does to me. Even though I wasn't up knitting all night like I thought I would be, I didn't get my usual good night of sleep.

Last night was a bit of a landmark for me. Pea was away overnight for work, and it was the first time I spent the night alone in my house since the break in three years ago. I could have slept at my parent's house, or a friend's house, but I figured it was about time I conquered this last demon. I set the burglar alarm and hunkered down in the bedroom with knitting projects, books, magazines and movies. Oh,and three phones - the cordless one, a second cordless in case the battery went on the first one, and the cell phone.

As it turned out, I was much more relaxed than I thought I would be. I fell asleep sometime around midnight and slept straight through until 4:30. By then I knew it was less then two hours until daylight, so I dozed off and on until I got up at 7:30. It was much more sleep than I expected, but much less than I am used to.

But I feel great this morning (aside from the stupid sense of humor that kicks in when I'm sleep deprived.) I now remember how much I used to enjoy living alone - although I can't wait until Pea gets back tonight. I celebrated by baking my favorite muffins and making a huge cup of coffee. It's cold and rainy here, so I plan to reward myself with a day on the couch with my knitting and the movies I didn't end up watching last night.

Note to the burglars - You may have taken some much loved material objects from my home, but you have not taken anything from my spirit. I am stronger than I knew, and I have gotten back all of the comfort I used to feel in my home.

If you're happy and you know it
and you really want to show it
if you're happy and you know it Clap-O-Tis!!

20 comments:

Nancy said...

HAHAHA!! I always thought "Clapotis" sounded like a social disease. But, yours looks great!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on conquering your fear!! That's a huge sign of how strong you are. Awesome.

Fields of Heather said...

Way to go! That was very brave- I keep a VERY BIG dog by my side at night. Don't know how I would ever get to sleep if he wasn't there.

Jillio said...

haha, cute!
and dude, it's good that you had three phones cuz at least you'd have something to throw at burglars while you use one to dial 911! heaven forbid you have to throw the needles ;P
i got the yarn yesterday. yay! so pretty! i've already got three socks on the needles, but i want to cast on with christine's yarn. gaaaaah! but thank you. :)
oh, btw, i hope you have at least three hanks of that brooks farm for your clapotis. that's how much it takes to make a full sized one. you could eke by on two if you can figure out how many increases / straight row sections to take out. i made one with two skeins, sans one increase and one straight section, but i still ended up running out before i could finish a corner.

Noey D. said...

I love your Clap-o-tis! I've always wanted to make one. Good for you for showing those burglars they can't scare you!

Anonymous said...

Karen, you are hilarious! That was an awesome intro.

I have had to conquer that fear too! But its wonderful to know you can! :)

Confessions of a Knitting Diva said...

You are so cute!! How scary to be broken into!! Yuck! I haven't made a Clapotis, but it looks great!! Have a good day!!

~Kristie said...

YEAH! A Clapotis theme song!! I LOVE the yarn you chose for yours. I just went to their website & now am trying to pick a colorway to also make myself a Clapotis. Unfortunately, I have to wait until payday to buy any.

Melissa said...

I haven't made a Clapotis yet. Yours is looking great!

MissyJoon said...

WOOO-HOO! You are pretty far on that clap, and the yarn is lovely! I just started (Again!!!).

And hats off to you, you brave woman (you forgot to say you had 3 phones, and a pair of knitting needles to stab the robbers!!!! xoxo

Jen said...

good for you for showing would-be burglars who's boss! I only WISH DH would go away once in a while so I could have total guilt free knitting time.

Jenn said...

Hysterical. I could totally teach my class that version! Yours is so pretty! I love the Four Play - I used it for my clapotis and it is so nice.

amandazen said...

You are not the only one who has not knit it. I still have it on my long TBK list. I love the color that you choose.

Amanda

Kirsten said...

Yay you! I'm glad you've conquered your fear!
The Clapotis looks great! I can't wait to see it once you start dropping those stitches.

Anonymous said...

Your Clapotis looks great already - and the yarn you're using for it seems to be every bit as soft and cozy as you described it - perfect!
Yay for conquering your fears, that's a truly amazing thing that you can be really proud of! I'm always pretty anxious when I'm alone over night, even though we live in an apartment house and one could say there's enough people around - but still... My parents place was something really different, they have a house, absolutely on its own, right in the middle of a big wood. Wahhh - guess how I felt whenever they were away at nights? They weren't when I was a kid, but when I was older they occasionally went on vacations - and mind you, I spent many a sleepless night then, I was horrified! So, yay for battling your fears, I admire you big time for that!

Alisha said...

Your clapotis is lookinf so beautiful...I keep seeing them everywhere, I am going to have to definatly start one. In the new year...definatly. Looks great!!

I am glad you made it through the night okay.

Sonya said...

I'm so glad you made it through the night! Kevin is going to be gone next weekend and I'm a little nervous. I lived alone for a long time and loved it, but it's been a while.

Your clapotis is looking lovely!

Lynda said...

Good for you! Don't give the bad guys that power over your life :o)

Ragan said...

LOL!!!
You crack me up!
Congrats on making it through the night and well, good for you! You did great!
Oh yes, and love the Clap-o-tis, and the ditty.
:)

Anonymous said...

Your Clapotis looks great!

Yay for taking back your home ;o)

We had two break-ins in our neighborhood the other night - I'm a little freaked about it. Especially since our back door hasn't been locked in about 10 years. No key. Oh, and the deadbolt stopped working about five years ago. No, I haven't been sleeping very well...*sigh*

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