Adult Onset OCD

I have heard of adult onset: acne, adhd, allergies, arthritis, asthma, as well as diabetes. (The fact that they are in alphabetical order explains the reason for my post.) I wonder if there is adult onset O.C.D. ?

I was seriously thinking I had adult onset adhd. I start a lot of projects...scrapbooks, needlepoint, counted cross stitch, scrubbing tile grout, stripping antique chairs...and never finish any of them. I love the idea of a new project, as well as buying for the project, but my motivation loses momentum shortly after I begin my 'new hobby'. After finishing my very first sock (one...not the pair) I bought oodles of sock yarn! I didn't research blends or brands, just went for price...the cheaper the better. After completing my 3rd sock (1st sock of the 2nd pair) I realized that cheap is sometimes frustrating. My yarn would split and it was not as soft as the yarn I used on the first pair. I completed the pair, and my cheap frustrating socks began to felt after the 2nd wash in COLD water! I actually knit another pair, however, I felt my desire to knit socks starting to feign, although my stash had enough yarn to warm the feet of the entire Cullen vampire clan as well as the Jacob wolf pack!

Okay,so now what? I began to look for patterns, knitting blogs, and other's projects. I also stumbled upon Ravelry! There I found pictures of adorable knitting projects that I could knit for others :)

And here we go again: buy the pattern, buy the yarn...
I began Candy Bear, an adorable pattern by Susan Hickson, and after taking a couple of weeks to actually put together the color selections of pink, brown and tweed, I began my Candy. I did not intend to make the entire outfit, but I couldn't bring myself to not knit it. I was possessed by the yarn, the needles and the desire to complete the project! Can you say 'PSYCHO KNITTER'???? I looked at other patterns during the weeks I spent knitting, assembling and putting lots of love into Candy, but I would not start another project.

I am glad that my socks and Candy have gotten me out out my adhd phase, however, I believe I might have developed O.C.D. I am constantly counting (stitches), I expected perfection (in my work) and on occasion I horde (lots of yarn)!!!

BTW- I discovered a great way to strip antique chairs! Put them outside. The elements do a fantastic job of removing years of paint!

Tethered for a few more days...

My daughter has been driving since August 22, 2009 and has encountered many situations that are covered in the lessons of our Parent Taught Driver's Education Course and some that probably are not...like, what to do when a cop cuts you off on the freeway, the importance of releasing the emergency brake BEFORE driving around the block, and a Jeep with the top on does not get as much attention as a Jeep with the top off :)

We headed to the DPS early Tuesday morning with her permit, Social Security card, VOE, and the affidavit that I signed stating I had 'taught' her to drive. However, we did not have the Certificate of Completion because 'none of my friends had to take it'. Guess what? After waiting in line for 2 hours...SHE needed it! Now my confident little driver was a bummed little passenger, and I was furious! At her? No! At my self for allowing her to think this was okay? YES!!! There are rules and laws and directions for a reason. Yahh, they can be a pain, ridiculous, irritating and sometimes down right prehistoric! I don't always agree with them but life can be a lot more predictable if we follow them.

On the ride back to our house (minus the license and the freedom it can provide), we talked about her day at the beach on Monday and her sunburn. I knew she had taken 70 spf and was curious why she had gotten burned. I asked when she applied She explained that she 'applied it about noon and only swam for 3-4 hours.' 'Did you reapply it?' I asked. 'Ummm, no.' Hmmm, here goes the directions thing again...I love it when life gives you reinforcement for lessons you are trying to teach!

The laws in my state allow a teenager to get their license at 16 with proper classes and documentation. When the certificate arrives, I will accompany her to the DPS with ALL the necessary paper work ...and use the line pass we were given :)