I'm enjoying some nice Harney's English Breakfast tea this morning instead of my usual coffee. I would drink tea in the mornings more often if I could find a good tea delivery system that didn't involve boiling water and waiting. At 5:30 a.m. on a work day it's nice to know Mr. Coffee wakes up before me, makes my coffee and has it ready for me when I stagger to the kitchen. This tea is the "puts hair on your chest" type, it no doubt contains just about as much caffeine as my usual coffee, but somehow leaves me feeling more energized and "brighter" than the coffee does. Don't ask me why this is so, but I've noticed it a few times now.

I have a strong urge to go run the streets shopping today, but I will not surrender to it. Today I must tidy the house, wash the dog and my car, and generally bring order to the clutter and chaos. It's amazing how even with just one person in the house the clutter can spin out of control so fast. Apparently I am a slob.

Today I will get this place into shape, and tomorrow I will reward myself with some shopping - I want something nice to wear for Easter. I'm going to see if L can arrange to attend the Easter Vigil with me. I love the Easter Vigil at my parish, it's when the Shiny New Catholics get inducted - er, baptized/confirmed. There's always a good herd of people, young and old, coming into the Church via our parish, and it's a very festive and yet reverent experience. The last time I was able to go was before my husband's illness, and I have missed it.

It's two weeks until Easter and I am not chomping at the bit to buy more yarn. The Lenten fast has done what it it supposed to do - caused me to step back and re-evaluate my attachment to certain habits and things. I can see how yarn-buying was a comfort thing for me during the years of my husband's illness, but it's time to focus on using up the stash, not adding to it. I still like the yarn I bought. I still remember why I bought it. I don't need to follow the siren song of new yarns, new patterns, or the temptation of seeing what others are making (I'll put aside this project because that one looks so much more fun!). I need to remember why I bought this stuff and use it, and if I can't remember why I bought it, that's perhaps a sign that it's time to give it away.

I'll continue to re-evaluate the stash and give the stuff I can't use to charity or to friends. I may still buy a little yarn here or there if a really worthwhile specific project comes along, but my "stashing" days are over. I have more than enough stash for this lifetime.

And, to combine the topic of church and knitting, I'm somewhat tempted to test the waters and see if there is any interest in a shawl-knitting (or other charity crafting) ministry in our parish. I'm going to hold off until the kitchen and the yard are done because I have enough going on right now in my "ample free time" but it's something that is sort of nagging at the back of my head. My parish is huge and amazingly artsy - our fall festival "craft tables" are awesome, with professional quality stuff of all sorts - so I'm guessing there are other knitters and crocheters out there who may be thinking the same thing but haven't come forward to propose it yet.

Girlchild just made her final college schedule, taking her through graduation next May. She's in summer school all summer so the trip to Maine I had contemplated isn't going to happen this year, but that's okay - a few short trips will be just as much fun. I can't believe she's almost done - and neither can she. Of course, if she does take the plunge and go to law school, she's not "done" yet. She has talked about taking a break between her BA and law school, and I think that's a good idea.

I'm so proud of both of the kids - they've come through the hell of the past few years so strong and confident, their father would be so happy. It hasn't been easy, but we're doing okay.