There are thousands of causes for stress, and one antidote to stress is self-expression. That's what happens to me every day. My thoughts get off my chest, down my sleeves and onto my pad.” - Garson Kanin

Stress. STRESSSSSSSS. No matter how you say it, it just makes me want to break out in a cold sweat! Being an individual that suffers from Anxiety Attacks and Depression, Stress is something that causes me to simply shut down. I stop eating, I become anxious, I chew my fingernails, I get irritable the list goes on....
I constantly look for ways to alleviate stress in my life. Exercise, vacation, sex etc. But it's not easy to get rid of! And this economy? Oh man, this lack of money to pay our bills is just crushing. I know many of you out there are experiencing the same thing..
I have to say, finding a job in this market, has been supremely TOUGH! And now, with the troubles I am currently dealing with, it's nigh on IMPOSSIBLE! I try not to spend much time on the Pity Pot, but once in awhile it gets to me. I just don't seem to understand the system. Isn't the Gov't supposed to want us to prosper and grow?
I am under major stress. So much so that I cannot even finish this blog.
*I don't really know the purpose of this post. But maybe it'll make me, or even one of you, feel better.
Even if only for a second!
Lots of Love
ZB

The knIT Grrl's Knitting Circle ~ Part 1

I guess it's time for me to spin another yarn, it's been far too long since I've blogged. 

This weekend will be my first ever Knitting Circle! I'm hosting one for my friends and family at the beach house tomorrow, and Golly am I excited! *You can probably tell by the exclamation points... 
I'm new to knitting, but have always thought it looked like fun. I started a couple of months ago, using books, needles and yarn I had bought last year when I first thought of giving it a try. I have a fantastic book: "The Cool Girl's Guide to Knitting" that is just super informative, with pictures and vivid descriptions to help ease in the beginner. I also used Mrs. Moskowitz's videos on YouTube, they were a wonderful way to visualize what my stitches should look like and where I should place my hands. 
I have yet to make an actual project, as I have been spending my free time watching videos, reading books and practicing basic stitches and what to do when you drop a stitch etc, before trying my first garment. I know I am going to make mistakes, so I may as well make them during a practice session... It's easy for the most part, but I have yet to figure out quite how to read the patterns. It's not like sewing, which I am already familiar with. The shape of objects makes sense, but the instructions about how many rows to knit/purl confound me and heaven forbid it requires pockets! :o
I am sure to be blogging about knitting more and more, as I begin my journey with one little stitch. I invite people to share knitting ideas, tips, tricks etc. If you're interested in joining our Circle, contact me directly. 
As a woman looking for better relationships with her friends, this seems like a step in the right direction. 
*Next up? The Orchid Society!

I Don't Share. Get Your Own!

Secrets. 

Fashionable Rant and Rave (Reviews)

Darn. I was going to start a whole section (Page) on this Blog, simply for the purpose of posting random and miscelleaneous posts about various fashion trends, ideas, websites, finds and looks. But I am now aware that when you make a page on this blog site, it merely makes a single page, with a title and description. I am slightly OCD and love to be organized (This is why my friends refer to me as an "Orga-Nazi" lol), and the idea of having all my posts higgelty-piggelty on one page is grating on my nerves. I mean, honestly, do you want to skip from marriage, to island living, to why I think Clogs are the devil's own invention? *CLOGS? I mean seriously? This is what women are wearing??? It was bad enough they came around at all, but now they're here again? Oy... But this is for another rant, at a later time. Honestly, I could fill a PAGE with my Anti-Clog sentiments*
I am simply, annoyed.
And I had such a lovely idea for my first Fashion Rant... Oh well. Mayhaps tomorrow? By then I should have restructured my thoughts to un-include additional pages for posts.
I will, however, leave you with this that I found today while wandering around the Internet... Enjoy!
Ink This!
This is most def one Ink trend I will never, ever follow. Ever!

Day One. With No Gal Friday in Sight!

Opening Blog. And what should it consist of? Why Blogs, natch!
I've always wondered why people feel the need to share their innermost thoughts with virtual strangers on the Web. It's been a bit of a mystery to me up to now. Especially considering that kats that I know with their own blogs tend to be slightly narcissistic in nature, ranting only about themselves and their opinions on things of no consequence to us "Normal" folks. *Whatever THAT may be. Most of the blogs that I've seen friends start ARE read. Mostly by themselves and the occasional time I log on to see what there is to see, and if it's anything I need to concern myself with. Usually it's not.
However, having given the matter careful thought, and having been a die-hard journal-er for many moons, I have come to the conclusion that there IS some merit to having a creative outlet for your self expressions. *And not being able to draw a straight line without the aid of a ruler makes Art a no-go for people like me. I miss my journal days, and the beautifully bound, lined books which I would fill with random thoughts, poems, short stories and wonderful memories, lovingly transcribing every page so that in the future I could look back at myself and have a good laugh (or cry, as needed).
I have minor tremors in my hands, and after going back to school last year I've noted that any length of writing leaves me trembling and sore. I dislike seeing my simple words transformed into chicken scratch, merely because my body is betraying me. My brain works and functions as well as ever, and I find literary flotsam and jetsam randomly popping into my mind only to be lost forever if I fail to acknowledge them and write them down. I must admit, the Blog seems like the perfect idea for someone like myself!
I am constantly on the computer, type fast, and it seems the creativity flows as well as if I was using a lined notebook and a Papermate Blue Ink Pen (my personal go-to items). I still have my old journals, every last one of them. I hope to take some time and reread them and maybe post some excerpts from them, to be rehashed with a new perspective as I tumble through the past and the present. Always looking forward to the future!
Maybe, just maybe Blogging is not such a bad thing after all...
ZB