Friday, February 15, 2008

Wear Report - Valentine's Edition

For the last four years, I have knitted something for Mr S for Valentines Day. The first thing I ever made him were Fibertrends Felted Clogs, and after four years of daily wear, it was time for a replacement.

Let's give some serious credit to that double-thick felted sole; these slippers have held up amazingly well, given their level of hard use. Mr S wore them every day, often up and down our very steep driveway to get the newspaper or to put out the trash. But for the last 6 months or so, the soles of the clogs began to sprout holes, and I began finding little strands of red yarn all over the house as they began to shed their frayed edges.



I made the first pair of clogs in Lambs Pride Worsted. They obviously held up so well, it made sense to use that felting workhorse again. My husband has very big feet (insert snicker here), so I made the largest size, but it took many, many cycles in the washer for these to felt to the proper size. It wasn't much of a surprise when he opened them up even though I made sure I didn't knit them when he was around; he'd been expecting a new pair, but he was, predictably, happy and grateful for the new pair.



Pattern: FiberTrends Felted Clogs
Yarn and Needles: Lambs Pride Worsted, 4 skeins, chocolate souffle, US13
Ravelry Details here

We've all heard the old adage that marriage is hard work, to stay connected as life gets complicated, to keep the spark as life gets predictable and boring. We've been together over a dozen years, and we're in the stage of our life where Friday nights no longer mean wine tastings or art openings. It means ice cream socials at the elementary school or sharing yet another pizza on paper plates. Our first Valentines Day was celebrated with a romantic weekend away at a B & B; now we celebrate with a giant chocolate chip cookie from Acme after dinner and a gift of handknits. I mean, replacement felted slippers don't exactly say "Come on over, sexy lover." They're practical, warm, and sort of boring.

But Mr S and I had an especially happy Valentine's Day, after having endured a potentially scary health issue for me. I am one of the lucky women whose questionable mammogram ultimately showed no signs of malignancy, but it has been a worried few weeks for the two of us. We maintained perspective, and were very optimistic, but it was impossible for me not to see his concern when he looked at me. I teased him that he loved me extra, and that he'd better still love me extra when I was just his Making-Spaghetti-For-Dinner-Again-Wife, not his Oh-My-God-What-If-She-Has-Cancer-Wife.

We've emerged from the last month with an immense feeling of relief and gratitude, as well as a new empathy for people who have to walk the difficult path that we were so fortunate to avoid. We appreciate in a whole new way our boring, happy life, and we still love each other extra.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

awwwwwwwwwwww!

lerve the slipper pix...all lined up, nice and neat!

cancer; the scary part is that uncertain time between test and diagnosis (ask me how I know). but sooooo verrrry happy to know everything is well with you!

wonderful pix of you and mr s; nice to see a happy couple in luv.

smooches!

Elinor said...

Oh, so so sweet!! I'm glad you're cancer-free and he's warm-toed again!!! There's a lot to be said for pizza on paper plates too...

Ann said...

Extra from me too Liz.

Anonymous said...

I've been thinking about you, sweets, and I'm SO happy to hear that you're in the clear. I love your relationship with Mr S and truly hope that I can find something even half as wonderful.

Christie said...

Beautiful couple. :)

Dave said...

I'm so glad things worked out well, for both the clogs and you. :-)

Ashley said...

Oh, Liz, how scary. I'm so glad everything's ok. Sniff.

Bridget said...

That is a perfect picture of the two of you!

And - having been down the road more times than any person should have to, I can tell you that you should hope for and enjoy the boring times. "Excitement" is vastly overrated!

I'm going to have to try that pattern (which I think I've had for about 8 years now ...).

Liz said...

Ain't boring GRAND!?

I'm so glad that everything is going to be okay. Hugs!!

Madge said...

Oh, Liz, how scary the last few weeks must have been for you. (I *knew* something was up...it sounds corny, but I did...only I didn't know what. *hugs*) I'm SO GLAD to hear that your boobs are healthy! (and I bet Mr. S is, too *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*) Fantastic present indeed. :)

P.S. I just gifted Tom a pair of these slippers three weeks ago, too. They're a big hit, though I made mine out of cheapo Patons Classic Wool, so I don't know if they'll hold up as well; they're already pilling on top. Yay for toasty man toes!

Annie said...

Geez, it still shocks me how knitting blogs can make me teary. I am glad to hear that the health scare is over. I am only newly married, but I gotta say, pizza night is one of my favorites. I loved your post and the words written. I love witnessing people in love.

LaurieM said...

That was heartfelt. I'm glad you're okay.

Jenna said...

I have a good friend who says "true love is being bored on a Tuesday night." It's a strange sentiment but I think it has some truth to it.

I'm really glad to hear that all is well with you health-wise.

I love when you write about your relationship with your husband. Your sense of love and caring come through in way that's not cliche or trite. You're both very lucky to have each other.

MandellaUK said...

Well Liz, I would say from the way that you write about him that you and your husband deserve to have many more happy years together.

Kristy said...

I'm so glad everything is fine, and that you're able to appreciate it even more now. (Sorry you had to worry, though.)

The clogs are great, and it's a nice story to go along with it. I've been meaning to make a pair for my husband, too!

Anonymous said...

I am SO glad you are ok. SO. Glad.
(then there was a long pause before I typed again because I had to digest that)
SO. Glad.

What a sweet post. I chuckled at your thoughts about marriage.

Tonight I was trying on and tossing off many outfits, getting all gussied up, I even shaved my legs and put on mascara. My husband was watching and said, "Abi. You do realize we are going to a PreK/K art show, right?" Um. Yeah. But it's Friday night and I'm leaving the house Sheesh!

BTW, Felted Clogs make me hot ;-) But you know I'm a knitter. Ravelry Links? Like foreplay!

Laurie (Moo!) said...

I'm so glad that you're ok!! And the 2 of you are probably cuter together than you ever were.

Boring is SO much better than scary. I'll take it every time.

Love the story of the slippers. Warm feet, warm heart!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you're alright! Love the pic of you two! You're a great wife.

diana said...

Those felted clogs were the only knitted things my husband has ever requested, and he's going on 5 years of daily wear. His are also done in LP and ALSO in that dark grey. HA HA HA.

So glad your scare is over. I've been there and I know what a scary time that can be.

Enjoy the pizza!

HPNY KNITS said...

yikes. those not so clear mammograms can really scare. so glad you are well!!
he looks like he's a partner in life! B&B or paper plates! wishing you both many more "uneventful" valentines.

JulieFrick said...

What a beautiful post. I think you might try spelling out "come on over, sexy lover" in spaghetti. If it works, great. If it doesn't- great laugh!

Marnie said...

i am SO GLAD you are healthy!

Sally said...

Yay for slippers!

Yay for love!

Yay for health!

Yay for Liz!

Francesca said...

OK, well me being out of the loop in this case sorta mattered ~ I'm REALLY sorry to hear that you were so worried and even more happy to hear that all is well.

I've missed you (all my own fault for being skulking type person). Fancy a trip to non-sunny central pa?