Finally!!

Revelations

Recently someone told me how rare it is to have long-lasting good friendships. Not acquaintances, not going-out buddies, but good friends. Friends that will tell you "yes, your butt does look big in those pants", friends that you feel comfortable around to the point where there is no taboo topic, friends that ultimately become part of your family, because you both choose to remain in the friendship.

I am fortunate. Through Tony I have two great "sisters". We always joke how weird it is that we all get along so well. Our families vacation and spend holidays together, we steal each other clothes, and we fight and get mad at each other almost like real sisters do. However, we are practically family. We have not chosen to be so close, it is just some freakish coincidence that my "one-day sisters-in-law", and I, get along so well.

I have an older cousin who is also very close to me. She is also like a "sister" to me. She tells it to me straight, she does not mince words, and she is truly a woman that I look up to. She is graceful, loving, and although much older - hee hee - , to me the personification of beauty, grace and intelligence. We share the same birth month, and mothers that are sometimes so eerily similar that at times maybe interchangeable. But again, we did not choose to be sisterly-cousins, just another amazing coincidence that cousins ended up being so close.

Then there is Michi and Reese. You have heard of them before, I talk about them a lot. The three of us chose to be friends. Since junior high with Mich, and high school with Reese, we have remained friends. Now, I will admit, I am not the easiest friend to have. I am dramatic, I am sensitive, I am stubborn, and at times at bit unbearable. I admit it, they will agree - trust me, they will agree. But they have put up with me, and I have in turn put up with them.

Michi and I have had an especially rollercoaster friendship. I am liberal, she is conservative; when I was out partying in college (not a lot dad!) she was the campus minister; while I vote one way, she votes another. We clashed since the day we met - I liked the New Kids on the Block (shuddup - they were good!); she was in denial over her love of the New Kids. She even went out with the boy I liked in junior high!!

Sometimes, there were months, maybe even years, where we would not talk to each other. I will admit that I do not remember 85% of the reasons of why we fought. I block those things out. Looking back on it this past weekend, I am glad I do. This past weekend was Michi's baby shower. Seeing my oldest friend beaming with her growing belly, I had an immense surge of revelations. I am so fortunate that I am able to have these two girls in my life! I feel so lucky that through out the years, through illnesses, through heartaches, through disappointments, pains and sorrows, I have been able to call on both of them, and them on me. We have celebrated birthdays together, talked on the phone secretly for hours together, I have watched them dance at their weddings, we have gotten drunk together (not that many times dad!), and have laughed over the silliest things, over, and over again.

Now I get to watch their children grow. I get to call them my nieces, and nephews, because in my heart these two girls are my chosen sisters.

So Mich, CONGRATULATIONS! I cannot wait to meet my new nephew. I cannot wait to see my oldest friend holding her son. I love you tons!

Now, without further delay, I am revealing the Secret Charlie Projects:

Secret Charlie Project 1

Pattern: Saartje's Bootees
Yarn: I have no idea. I found it in my stash - it could have belonged to my mom.
Needles: US2
Ravelry Page: Secret Charlie Project 1


Secret Charlie Project 2

Pattern: Baby Sweater on Two Needles (February) from Knitter's Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmerman
Yarn: Elann Peruvian Highland Wool in Oatmeal
Needles: US6
Ravelry Page: Secret Charlie Project 2


Secret Charlie Project 3

Pattern: Organic Baby Wrapper by ms. pea (she recently got married - go congratulate her!)
Yarn: Bernat Cottontots Solid in Sweet Cream and Little Boy Blue 1 skein of each
Ravelry Page: Secret Charlie Project 3


Secret Charlie Project 4

Pattern: Organic Baby Bonnet by ms. pea
Yarn: Bernat Cottontots Solid in Sweet Cream and Little Boy Blue 1 skein of each
Ravelry Page: Secret Charlie Project 4
Modifications: I added some ribbing at the bottom cause since it seemed too loose.




Secret Charlie Project 5

Pattern: Rabbit by Debbie Bliss Special Knits
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease in Lake
Ravelry Page: Secret Charlie Project 5
Modifications: I added a "c" for Charlie :)





Super Secret Charlie Project 6 (aka "The Little Guy")

Pattern: Little Guy by Jess Hutch
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease in Lake
Story: At the last minute Reese and I decided to make a diaper cake for the shower. It was a test on our friendship. There may have been some wine, and perhaps some tears, and some inappropriate comments about "doing the little guy" may have been mentioned. But, I think it was a success over all.