Saturday, September 22, 2007

Sofa, So Good!!

Why is it that, when you are feeling under the weather, the couch seems like the place to sleep? I know that some people do it to spare their partners the sound of them snuffling and hacking in the dark of night or to keep them safe from harmful germs 'n such. But, I am unencumbered by domestic partnerships of any kind so that couldn't be the reason.

Some people don't want to sully their nice, fresh sheets with all their gooey nasal drippage. I suppose that makes some sort of sense, but I can't see the logic in letting the sneezes fly all over the sofa. And besides, my housekeeping isn't exactly up to four star standards. Sure, I give the sheets a change now and again. But, I'm not all compulsive about it...or given to doing it on what most people would consider a regular schedule.

A couple of years ago, during the Great Monkey Pox Event, I had to sleep on the couch because the bed was too big. I was in some pain (read here: a great deal of excruciating pain that was something of a surprise because no one ever told me that pneumonia hurt...) and the couch was the only sleeping surface that I could be certain of rolling off successfully should I need to take some medicine or get a Popsicle. But, I don't have Monkey Pox right now. I have my Fall Cold. There's no pain involved save that which anyone who has to be around me for more than five minutes these days feels in their neck.

I'll admit that I am not exactly delightful company at the moment. I mean, honestly! You could cut off my left leg with a rusty butter knife and I'd make less of a fuss than I do over a simple cold. I just hate having a cold!!! You guys are pretty darned decent to come by for a read. Thanks for that...dunno what I'd do without ya!

I honestly can't think of a single reason why having the Fall Cold should result in my having to sleep on the couch like a genuinely sick person. But, that is what I seemed to think was right and appropriate last night. This was cause for some confusion on the part of my feline roommates as they weren't sure if it was bedtime or just naptime. We all somehow found a way to adjust, though. And this was clearly a good choice for me. With the exception of a brief period of activity during the wee hours of the morning, I didn't see the light of day until 9:30 a.m. This is unheard of here at The Sheepish House Of Convalescence. I'm not normally one to lie about in the morning. I guess sofa-sleeping just has that sort of effect on a girl. Either way, I suppose it did me some good to sleep so soundly. That, combined with an ungodly amount of cold medications, has made for a pretty good day. Plus, I still have that cool raspy voice that started up yesterday so I sound kind of like a jazz singer. A tone deaf jazz singer, I'll grant you. But it's still kind of cool.

With a full load of NyQuil coursing through my system, it seemed like just the time to revisit that lace project that was hurled across the room a week ago, called a number of vile names, stomped on a bit then consigned to the depths of the knitting basket until it could count to five correctly. Why not? Sober knitting was only bringing me heartbreak. It was rather freeing, actually. If I had an extra stitch left over when I reached the garter stitch border, I just decreased by one. If I was short a stitch, I increased. Over-the-counter-cold medications are quite handy when one needs to sink into the depths of Knitting Denial.

That harsh sound you just heard, by the way, was the collective gasping of the Real Knitters as they process this piece of information. I'm not even going to tell them that I said out loud for all the world to hear: ...and I'm not using a lifeline either, you stupid knitting. What do you think of that, you misbehaving pile of string???

Being off by one or two stitches sort of matters in lace patterns, I should think. This is not the way one should be going about creating a piece of filmy, fluttery beauty. But, I've reached the point in the process where my understanding of this fact is overwhelmed by my need to see this project move forward. It will have boo-boos. I will learn to live with them. I just cannot go on knitting the same row over and over with no real ground gained. It's a coping strategy.




Three weeks worth of knitting. And tinking. And outright ripping. Then more knitting...
Once I've gotten the first repeat under my belt, I'm hoping that things go more smoothly. And yes, I will put in a lifeline before I go too much further. I promise. The golden glow of the cold medicine has to wear off at some point and the true horror of what I have gone and done will sink in. I'll probably start putting in lifelines every other row, just to be safe and all.
In the meantime, though, I fully intend to enjoy the haze brought about by sofa sleeping and NyQuil. If you're looking for me, I'm that large, immobile lump with the poorly executed lace who's making snuffly sounds from the couch...
SA

10 comments:

sheep#100 said...

I just took some of our favorite yellow cough stuff. I wish that you would've just had a dose of it, too: then you would be a much happier and less symptomatic Sheep.

I'd ask if you are sure regarding the wisdom of knitting lace without a lifeline but I know that the NyQuil, not the Sheep, would reply to me.

I managed a couple of lace rows this morning and then realized how tiring it is to count to 153 repeatedly and switched over to aran knitting instead.

Wanna see?

holly said...

Well even if you think you're not the most delightful to be around right now, you're still pretty funny (or are your hallucinations from the Nyquil taking over?!) Couch sleeping can be good every now and then, even if it confuses the kitties. Happy lace knitting--I just purchased my first skein of laceweight tonight--any recommendations for beginner projects? I have 900 yds.

Mel said...

Um, I'm not doing a lifeline on my current lace project. I did one on my last and never used it.On the other hand, if you're doing lace while stoned....

Anonymous said...

Ooo, your lace is looking really pretty! I love the subtle color changes in the yarn.

I hope sleeping on the couch helps you to feel better. That's E's favorite place to convalesce. :)

Anonymous said...

I love couch sleeping when sick particularly in the afternoon if a certain little boy is napping.
Your lace is lovely.
Karen
http://nothingbutknit.blog-city.com/

Cathy said...

Now you know how designers come up with their more challenging designs. d&r

Hope you get over this soon!

Anne said...

My favorite couch sleeping also involves having the tv on -- football, usually, which I can't watch when healthy -- zoning in and out to the lofty pronouncements of gridiron gurus while reaching for the kleenex box. I don't know what I'll do if my fall cold ever turns into a spring event. I hope you feel better soon. Are you a believer in Airborne?

Ronni said...

I'd also suggest the Airborne, Sheepie except that in my experience you have to start taking it by the first tickle of a cold. Long before the runny nose and stuff. This year I started a preventative course of echinacea two days before school started and the kidlet returned to germ central. And, so far, (KoW) I have avoided catching anything. Since she's kind of Typhoid Mary-ish in that she can bring germs home without having symptoms, I think maybe there's a cause and effect thing going on. That won't help for this year but maybe next year?

Anonymous said...

Great minds do think alike! Only yesterday J and I were discussing the virtues of sofa sleeping, especially when not feeling 100% Go figure eh? Slightly crunched-up legs,width perhaps not as wide as comfort would dictate but still, the lure of the sofa prevails. Do stay warm and cozy on the sofa dear Sheep and do keep D and P close at hand, to keep the warmth at peak efficiency. Huggs....

knitseashore said...

If sofa sleeping is a tradition for the fall cold, then a tradition is a tradition and no more explanations are needed. Lace knitting on the sofa during the fall cold, um, can I have some of that medicine? Because apparently it gives you SuperPowers, and I could use some of those too please. Would you share with a fellow knitter?

When I have the flu (which thankfully has only happened a few times), I actually have to sleep on the floor next to the bed. I'm not sure why such a hard surface feels better, but it does. Then the cats come over and stare at me, jump up on the bed, as if to say "Well, if you're not using it..." :) I hope you feel better soon!!