Sunday, June 15, 2008

Ten years later and she's still here

This is the shot I took yesterday, intending to post it as a Saturday Sky:


But there was also this:


And late today I saw this:


And also this:


Would it be surprising to say that I feel blessed?

This week marked an anniversary for me.  Exactly ten years ago I left my life on the mainland to move over here.  Although I knew I was in for some changes, really - I had no clue what was ahead.  Relocating to the island was so much more than a change of address, it was a change of reality. I try to remember who I used to be, and get lost in the memories. I mean, when I arrived I told myself, "okay give it a year at least, maybe two, and see how it goes". But ten years?  I would never have imagined.

A movie released five years ago used the line, "Any arbitrary turning along the way and I would be elsewhere. I would be different."  I have to agree.  If I had continued my life on the mainland, made alternative decisions on where to live, who would I be now?  Because the choices I've made, and the people I've met along the way, have formed and molded me into a different person.  But I like this person, and I'm glad she's still here.

So ten years - and what a long, strange road it has been.  To celebrate this anniversary, I'm going to offer a little contest.  Leave me a comment telling me where you were ten years ago.  You can interpret "where you were" however you want - geographically, emotionally, career - you decide.  Just leave the comment on this post before June 30th.  Mention this contest on your blog with a link and get an additional entry. I'll use a random number generator to pick the winner.

Oh, you want to know what you'd win?  How about this:



Two skeins of deelishus Di.Ve' Autunno, purchased at Liscat. My photos don't do justice to the depth of color and this 100% merino wool yarn is so soft and smooth.  Comfy soft like you wanna get it next to your skin, or maybe just sit and pet it for awhile. I've also included a cute bookmark, with crystal beads and a little heart dangle, perfect for holding your place in your favorite pattern book!

23 comments:

Mia said...

I can't remember yesterday, let alone 10 years ago! *grin* But that water and sky sure do look like a nice place to live!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful color!

Let's see... 10 years ago this month I had just started dating my now husband.

wenat said...

I found your contest on ravelry (I'm "wenat" there.) This is a great idea. It's so hard to think back because in the last 10 years I've gotten married and had two kids and baby-brain has totally wiped out my long-term memory. I remember that I'd been doing a lot more writing at that time, and going to SF/F cons, and now I barely get to see my friends once a month for a dinner party. Same job, same partner (he was my fiance 10 years ago), same office. But we have a house now, compared to the teeny apartment back then.

kasiaiscarly said...

Hello! I found your blog off Ravelry. What a neat anniversary for you! Let's see, 10 years ago for me was the summer between my freshman and sophomore year of College. I moved back home for the summer and was working as a bartender at a Yacht Club. Not horribly exciting, I guess, but what more could I expect at the ripe old age of 18 :)

Happily Knit said...

Wooohoo! Happy Anniversary!

I just realized that 10 years ago I was a footloose and fancy free FIFTH grader!!! A lot has definitely changed since then, but a lot of the important things stayed the same. I wish I could go back to a time when merit badges and practicing dance routines was at the top of my to-do list! It's fun to reflect back on the time that has passed!

Sheepish Annie said...

Let see...ten years ago. I believe I was finishing my first year of grad school and heading into the toughest part of the program. I was dreading it. But I was teaching in a school I hated and knew that getting through this program was my ticket out. That was motivating, let me tell you!

Kenyetta said...

Ten years ago...whew...I had just got hired at a factory, my dad had just passed Father's day weekend. My only crafts were cross stitch and latch hook. My oldest was 3 and my youngest was not even thought about. I was a size 9!
Kenyetta on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

10 years ago was a good time for me.

DH and I got married after a 2 year fantastic courtship!

Professionally doing very well and 1998 presented a good opportunity that has allowed my earnings to increase substantially.

DH and I bought our home. I still love living here to this day!

Jackie

JackieCastsOn Ravelry

Umme Yusuf said...

Happy anniversary!
Well ten years ago I was in final year of medical college with time for little else. That seems liker another life to me since now I'm a SAHWM with two young kids.

Stacy Kraus McDonald said...

Ten years ago....Hmm...I was struggling to figure out what I wanted to do with my life (note: I still haven't quite figured that out). I was in graduate school and wasn't sure if I was in the right program. I switched to a different school and different program, which I think was the right decision at the time. Then, I tried to uncover an assistantship to help pay for said education. It's truly amazing how I've changed in 10 years - I'm a much stronger and more able woman now. I'm growing into who I was meant to be.

Beverly said...

Ten years ago ... our state was recovering nicely from what we were told was a 500-year flood, the Floods of '93. For the past two weeks, our state has suffered another 500-year flood, the Floods of '08. I hope and pray we're able to recover as well as we did in the 90's.
Personally, it was a really great time when we were enjoying very young grandchildren, fulfilling work, beginning our exploration of the USA on vacations, and a bullish stock market!

JamieL said...

Wow! Those pictures rae amazing! I never wanted to live in California... but I think off the coast where you are is enough to convince a person otherwise!!

Lesse... ten years ago I was just getting done with my freshman year of college. I had reeeeally short hair because of a bad dye job and I was heading out to work at a girl scout camp. Not much has changed since then :D

Anonymous said...

10 years ago, I was 7 years old. I was dancing in the mud by the creek, fighting with the neighbor boy, arguing over what a French Kiss was with the same neighbor boy, and ripping my clothes on metal fences.

Harbor Hon said...

Ten years ago I was limping and thought I would one day walk with crutches the rest of my life. Then I found the most amazing foot doctor who wouldn't give up with trying to fix my terrible foot. Now, after three surgeries and two stainless steel pins, I can walk without support. Thank you, Dr. Werner, what a miracle worker you turned out to be for me. And thank you, God, for helping me to find him. xxoo

Hamburger said...

I found your blog contest on Ravelry.

Wow, I haven't thought about that in a while. Ten years ago I moved to DC to follow my heart. I wanted to go to graduate school and have a career of my own so I enrolled in a program at GW. My decision was met with a lot of friction from my SO at the time who wanted to get married and settle down in NY. Needless to say he is long gone and I have a life I love!

Darcys Knotty Knitter said...

I was at the end of a bad marriage and wondering what I was going to do.Iam remarried now and very happy.Hugs Darcy

Anonymous said...

ten years ago, I was living with another family member, and her family, working a dead-end job in a cake factory, and single, mommy to 3 ferrets. Now, I live in Italy, with my husband, a stay at home mom, with 1 cat, and our own home with a private garden.

Cloudberry said...

10 years ago these days I met the man who become my Hubby :)
We soon become a couple and have got 3 kids along the way.

Anonymous said...

Ten years ago I was in the midst of upheaval. Moving from one state to another and wondering how my small family was going to eke out a living and where that living was going to take place. Strange to think that far back now.

Sonya said...

10 years (this month)ago my husband and I were moving into our own home. We had a 9 month old baby. We now have a 10 yo ds, 8 yo dd and a 6 yo ds. I love our house. But I would love it more with a second bathroom.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary!

Ten years ago I was engaged to my now husband and we lived in this tiny house with 3 little dogs. I worked full time as did he and I thought I knew everything. Since then, we have gotten married and had 2 wonderful children, still have the 2 dogs, and a bigger house, and I stil think I know everything. I wouldn't change a thing.

Michelle said...

10 years ago this month I was moving my mom to live with her mom and my grandmother after her open heart surgery. This was also the first time for me to be living on my own. She died a year later during surgery. It was a crazy/scary time in my life. NOt sure how life would be now if none of those things had happen.

Anonymous said...

Great contest! I was living in an apartment by myself, working at a NICU and looking for Mr. Right, lol. Coincidentally, this is also when I took knitting up in earnest, so it was an important time in my life! Now I live in my first home, with my husband and 3 year old daughter, I'm a SAHM and occasionally teach knitting at my LYS. Seems like a complete 180 to me ;-)
Good luck in your contest!!