Make yourself comfortable, it's been awhile

Picture heavy post ahead!

Mom left on June 29th for San Diego. The weekend prior, Sis 1 of 2 came down with her girls. We decided to have a July birthday party for Mom (3rd), me (6th) and Samantha (29th).

We had cake, wore crowns had fun.


Everyone left on Tuesday, and Wednesday night our water heater threw up. We'd hoped to be able to deal with it on the weekend, but no way. Rob & I stayed home on Thursday and tried to clean up the mess. You can see that we had to remove some of the sheet rock. Luckily, the linoleum extended under the carpet in our closet and we just have to deal with cleaning it.

But we did get a new water heater out of it and gained a little plumbing experience. Gotta find the upside right?

Arrgh! Ewww! Ahhh!

And an upside is also that I finally sent my Dulaan knits. I sent the 3 hats, 2 vests, 1 sweater and 1 scarf shown here. The scarf was a started by niece Samantha who did the first 5 or 6 inches and I finished it for her. I also managed to get another couple of hats banged out one evening.

Rob got them sent out for me and my procrastination cost us, but it's worth it.

and

So now what to do? I've got a hoodie to make for Erin from the new FCEK (the only pattern in there that caught my eye), socks for 3 people, a lace scarf for a friend using the Paws to Remember pattern from FiberTrends, the Shoalwater shawl also from FT, a baby blanket in blue Crayon from Knitpicks, a couple of doll sweaters for Samantha and find something to make for myself. I'm thinking socks at this point.

The weight loss is going slowly but positively. I'm down 10 pounds, but I need to add some walking. I'm so lazy that I just want to knit, I don't want to give up time to other things. But if I don't then I'm hurting myself in the long run.

Short term weight goal: Hit my 10% by Labor Day. Only 9 more pounds to go.

3 years, 20 days and counting down

Erin's wrapping up her first year of high school soon. Last official day is 6/22 and she's looking forward to doing nothing. Well, not exactly nothing since she'll be working for her mom and stepdad 3 days a week. Then it's just 3 more years before she's out for either college or the military.

Mom's just 20 days from leaving for San Diego. It's been nice having her around, but I've gotta say, I'm looking forward to her leaving. And yes, I've said as much to her. It's just that I'll be able to reclaim a bedroom and find places for everything again.

Last night we turned the TV off and read for awhile. It was peaceful and snug with the cats and the dog lounging around with us. Erin was working on the computer and Mom was in her room. It was a small glimpse into what our lives will be like in 3 years, 20 days and counting.

I've been knitting for Dulaan finally. I've completed 3 hats, 1 vest and a sweater. I'm going to cast on for a couple more vests and then go buy the supplies for the blankets and put a couple in there. I also have a scarf to put in the box. 6-year-old Samantha knit the first few inches on the scarf and I'm finishing it up for her. She wanted to be able to contribute in some way and this worked.

Mom's offered to ship the box for me so I'll have to get cracking and finish these in the next 12 working days (gotta do it before she leaves!)

I'll post pics as soon as I get up off of my lazy bum to take them.

Past, Present, Future: My life in three acts

The past is on my mind today as I watch the news leading up to the 25th anniversary of the eruption of Mt.St.Helens. I'd gone to church with my friend Leslie's family and we could see the plume of ash as we drove home. We lived outside Battle Ground at the time and a short trek through the woods behind our home brought us to the edge of a neighboring field where we could watch the dark grey clouds billow over the mountain.

I remember wearing a mask over my nose and mouth to walk down to catch the school bus, the ash that built up on the cars and the concerns about what the ash might do to the engines. When the Toutle River highway opened up again, we drove down it and saw the twisted wreckage of bridges, buried cars and houses and wondered at the destructive force of nature.

Now when she belches smoke, I can see it from the 3rd floor of my office building in Gresham. I can see it rise over Prune Hill in Camas and reassure my colleagues who weren't here 25 years ago, that nope, that was nowhere near as big as 1980. And no, Mt.St.Helens isn't the one to worry about. If we take a look to the right, there's Mt. Hood a heckuva lot closer to us. It's only 26 miles from work to the foothills! Focus, people!

Anyhoo, in my present, I've finally completed the KnitPicks blanket.

I don't know what book the pattern came out of but their Crayon yarn is wonderful. While I got annoyed with my apparent inability to follow a pattern correctly the first 2 times, I was still enjoying the yarn by the end. I enjoyed the project enough to ask for the blanket back once they've finished taking pictures for their upcoming catalog. Nice people, good yarn. Can't wait for the next project in June.

And my knitting future? It's Dulaan, baby! (just had a flashback to Austin Powers and his attack on Basil's mother "that's not a woman, it's a man, baby!")

So far this week, I've completed 2 of Norma's pinwheel hats in Encore and Wool-Ease and I've got another headed to the needles. I've also got some bulky yarn I'll use for the pattern from the Harlot.

A brief break to FINALLY finish Mom's Berry Freeze vest today and then back to the charity knitting.

All the above is little stuff. Here's my past, present and future:


Happy Anniversary, honey. Here's to another 7 years.

Go Me!

I am my own cheerleader.

Well, not really. I'm more dance team or pep band than cheerleader. Although, I'll cop to watching cheer competitions on ESPN (oooh, they dropped her! THAT's gonna leave a mark)

Anyhoo, I weighed in yesterday and I'm down again. Yee haw! I'm now at 190 and have dropped 7.6 lbs over 3 weeks. Makes me feel better since I didn't feel like I'd done well staying on plan. But apparently 3rd time's a charm and it's starting to sink in.

If I keep going at this rate, I'll reach my 10% goal by, hmmm, today's the 5th, my goal is 19, add my age, subtract the number of times I've done WW and divide the pie to share and let's see, the 2nd week of June? That would beat my time goal of end of July to lose 20 lbs.

Not too shabby.

I dream of Gina with short brown hair

Lookie! Finally got my hair cut after a couple of years.


It was nice to get it cut off. Yeah, I've had the cut before and didn't really go in for anything different, but I thought it would be a nice start. I can go shorter in another couple of months and shoot for a different style then.

I've also been going to WeightWatchers with Rebecca. So far I've lost 4.6 pounds, so not too bad. The goal is to lose 5 a month since that's nice and safe. That should also get me to my 10% goal by the end of July. I'm happy to have Rebecca and Karen to hold me accountable. Otherwise, I'd be blowing the whole weight issue off.

Brother brought by the new nephew, Kruz. Here's Nanny holding her new grandson while on the phone with Grandpa.


He's already grown so much! He's over a month old now and a total sweetie. And Sis, here's evidence that Art's actually taking an active role in his care.


Yeah, I've been knitting on the KP blanket, but I've got nothing I want to show. I only have 9 more days to finish it and turn it in. AAAGHHHHH!

But other than that, I'm OK.

I need to start me a band

My Aliases

Your movie star name: Zingers Ray

Your fashion designer name is Regina Rome

Your socialite name is Beana Portland

Your fly girl / guy name is R Woo

Your detective name is Cat Battle Ground

Your barfly name is Chips Ahoy Cape Cod

Your soap opera name is Elaine 176th Street

Your rock star name is Butterfingers Cheetah

Your star wars name is Regsmu Woojas

Your punk rock band name is The Overwhelmed UFO

The Amazing Meganame Generator

New leaf

I've decided to go back on W*ightW*tch*rs. I've been creeping back up to my all-time high and I don't want to go there again. Lucky for me, Rebecca is willing to do it with me too. We've decided to attend the meetings rather than do the online thing.

Now, I lost 25 lbs 3 years ago doing the online version, but I need more motivation this time around. More accountability too. So here it is. On Tuesday, April 12 I weighed in at 197.6, and started counting points on Wednesday.

Keep an eye on me, OK? I'm taking on two jobs and only getting paid for 1, I just paid taxes to Uncle Sam and I'm HUNGRY.

How many activity points can you get with knitting?

Saturday in the Park

Clock tower at Esther Short Park

Last Saturday there was a walk and a health fair down at Esther Short Park. Mom was manning the booth for Walk About magazine and I showed up at noon to keep her company.

Here's Mom standing below the clock tower. Water runs down the sides, not quite a waterfall, but definitely a water feature. There are sculptures of salmon at the base as if they are going to jump up the clock's watery sides.

But was Mom feeling a little hungry? Or having a private moment with one of the salmon?

At noon the tower has doors that swing open and a story is told about the Indians that fished the Columbia River for the salmon. I'd never been down there for that before and it was pretty interesting to watch everyone stop and listen.

Like a knife to my heart

My poor car!

So I'm walking out to my car this morning, planning my day. Get to work early, run the reports, work the issues, leave early since Rebecca's coming over for Craft Night.

Ran into a small problem though. It didn't look like I'd be able to tell what speed I was going. Someone apparently needed my gauges more than I did. After checking if anything else was missing, taking pictures and trying the Sheriff's office, I took a few minutes to cry.

This car, my lovely 1993 Honda Civic, was the first car I'd ever purchased. I've been the only owner and we have shared over 209,000 miles together. We have been violated.

At least they were nice and left the screws behind.

Breezy with the start of the KP blanket

What Book Are You?

You're Catch-22!

by Joseph Heller

Incredibly witty and funny, you have a taste for irony in all that you
see. It seems that life has put you in perpetually untenable situations, and your sense
of humor is all that gets you through them. These experiences have also made you an
ardent pacifist, though you present your message with tongue sewn into cheek. You
could coin a phrase that replaces the word "paradox" for millions of
people.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Of illness, family and the ever present knitting

I'm working on trying to get past my second major cold in the last 6 weeks. Was doing well except for the cough that wouldn't go away, but now it's clear . . . I'm sick.

I've got sinus stuff going on, the ever present cough and I'm having trouble sleeping at night even with the OTC cold medicine. However, it's not bad enough to keep me home. Major suckage.

BUT! Sis 1 of 2 now has her house back to normal. Miss Micki has exited stage right to a local assisted living home. Much better all around. Without spilling any gory details, suffice it to say that dastardly deeds were averted with this move and hopefully everyone will live happily ever after. Please God.

Sis 2 of 2 has changed the name of her blog. She's no longer Do Bee Do, but now Little buds on blooming trees. Same person, but feeling a wider range open to her through a simple name change.

Bro 1 of 1 is doing well with his new boy. His little family will be venturing north to visit Sis 1 of 2 this upcoming weekend and everyone is excited to be able to spend time with the baby.

The 'rents have begun the move to the next chapter in their lives. Dad is now in San Diego in an apartment working for the new company. Mom is at our house working and waiting until summer when she can join Dad. Looks like they'll opt to move their sailboat down to SD, but not live aboard at this time. They'll hang out in the apartment and hope the real estate bubble bursts sometime soon for them to be able to buy something.

I've started my next project (the Cotton Classic vest for my niece was a hit and I'm expecting a pic from the sis to post here). I picked up the yarn and pattern to work on a baby blanket. Wait, let me reword that. I picked up the pattern and yarn from Knit Picks to do the catalog sample they asked me to knit.

Love, love, love the yarn. It's one that will be coming out under their brand name soon and very soft. I have until May 11 to get it done, so I've got to get hopping.

More later!

Props to the sis for finding this!

Too Too FUNNY!

Here's Kendra waiting patiently for her turn to deliver. She was originally scheduled for a C-section at 9am, but due to a couple of emergencies that bumped her down in the queue, she didn't get into the OR until after 1pm.

Brother Art and his new boy. Kruz has more hair and weighs less than Art at the same age. Art was bald, 2 weeks overdue, over 9 lbs and according to my mom he was so big he was smooth as a bowling ball.

Kruz Axel, born March 14th sometime after 1pm. Dad didn't pay any attention to the time since he was too excited and teary-eyed to notice. 7 lbs, 11.5 oz and 20 inches long.

New Nephew!

Kruz Axel Freeman made his appearance this afternoon just after 1pm. He was greeted by a weeping dad and a happy mom and plenty of relatives and friends. He scored 9.9 on his first test (APGAR). Pictures to follow once they get sent to me!

Now I get to start knitting on another sweater for him - the Mexicali Ole from Knitters.

And get this! I finally got an email back from Knit Picks - I'll get to start sample knitting for them to meet their 4/4 deadline. Yay!

Weeds are really low on my gardening priorities when you see these sprouting up in the lawn instead.

Spring 2005 is coming! This is 3 weeks before the official start of the season

Apparently some things learned stick with you

Advanced You scored 100% Beginner, 93% Intermediate, 93% Advanced, and 66% Expert!

You have an extremely good understanding of beginner, intermediate, and advanced level commonly confused English words, getting at least 75% of each of these three levels' questions correct. This is an exceptional score. Remember, these are commonly confused English words, which means most people don't use them properly. You got an extremely respectable score. Thank you so much for taking my test. I hope you enjoyed it! For the complete Answer Key, visit my blog: http://shortredhead78.blogspot.com/.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 54% on Beginner You scored higher than 22% on Intermediate You scored higher than 39% on Advanced You scored higher than 30% on Expert

Link: The Commonly Confused Words Test written by shortredhead78 on Ok Cupid

Catching up

I've been busy, yes, I have. I finished the pair of socks (after ripping the toe back on the first one to get the length right). I've got Cotton Classic purchased for the niece's requested vest and I'm getting read to swatch for it. I'm using this book since I didn't find any specific pattern I liked enough to use. And I'm using the ruffle from this book for the edging.

I was in training yesterday and continuing today for the 7 Habits. I'm finding it interesting to see what I thought were my competencies and how others viewed them. And it's coming at a time when I'm assessing what I'm doing with my life right now.

I enjoy people, have been told I'm a good listener, that I'm the rock of my family. I'm striving to become stronger in my faith and my walk, to trust God more, to encourage those around me. I want to find my place.

So is my place in one where I nurture? I'm not sure I want to have people bringing their problems to me to solve, but as a friend pointed out, everyone needs someone to listen to them and hug them and tell them that it's OK. I once took a test in my bible study that points out where your ministry gifts are strongest. If I remember correctly, my highest was in Mercy. I'm thinking about doing it again (online?) to help me with this.

After all, my place may be in different places at the same time. I'm where I am right now because God placed me here for a purpose. My job, my department? I serve a purpose there that I'm reconnecting with, trying to enjoy and take further (although there's no other department in this place I'd ever want to move to. Or manage for that matter). My family? I also serve a purpose there in His plan. My study group? He has a purpose for me to be with this group, learning from specific women and encouraging me to step beyond my comfort level. I've learned more than I could have expected because of that.

So, I have some answers and lots of questions. We'll see where I head from here.

Have a good day! (I'll try to post some of the pictures I took of spring arriving here at my house - It was 72F yesterday!)

Grandma Lucy, meds, and knitting

Grandma Lucy
Rob's Grandma Lucy passed away this last Monday after nearly 97 (!) years on this earth. She was a lovely woman who took a lot of pleasure in her family and saw 4 generations spring from her genes. She was a tough little cookie with a soft heart. She raised her two girls on her own after her divorce, learned to drive in her 60's and was living on her own (in a little house behind the home of her daughter Netha) until her early 90's.

While her family misses her already, there's a lot of smiling going on. Stories are being passed down, favorite memories shared and these generations left behind are thankful for the knowledge that Lucy is with her God and Saviour and preparing a place for the rest of us.

The Meds
A few weeks ago I had a lovely cold that left in its wake the inability to speak more than 2 sentences without loss of breath or a major coughing fit. Chewing on cherry cough drops helped (I can't help but chew. I do the same with Lifesavers, Tootsie Roll pops and any other hard candy).

OK, I can deal with that. I'll keep a few cough drops with me at all times, especially on Saturday since we'd be in Tillamook for Lucy's memorial service and then in Salem for the burial. Lots of knitting time on Saturday, right?

Well, Friday night I woke up with the *worst* earache I've had in a long, long time. For two hours, I tried T*lenol and heat to get rid of the pain and finally fell back to sleep around 3am. Now, I don't get sick too often so this was a major issue. At 7:30a on Saturday, Rob and the kids departed for Tillamook and at 9am I parked myself at Kaiser to await the opening of Urgent Care.

Apparently my lovely cold decided to impart one more gift: a nasty ear infection requiring antibiotics to get rid of it. That would explain why my head felt stuffed with cotton on the right side, why the swab didn't feel good after a shower and why I was still tired! Hmmph.

The Knitting
So I wasn't able to knit in the car for all those hours as I'd originally planned. I did manage 45 minutes in the car waiting for Urgent Care to open (at 10am apparently) and then the rest of the afternoon and into the evening. I worked on the sock below.

Now, I've taken a sock class and from it made a pair of socks that took approximately 1 year to make. The class was in Feb or March and I made the first sock for that class. The second sock didn't get made until the following January on a trip to Fresno for my Gramma Maria's funeral.

The second pair of socks were made (and documented back on 2/13) to go with the little baby hat I'd made.

I'm hoping to get the mate done for this by the end of the week. Have to, in fact. I have a baby sweater for Kruz to make (his arrival date in 3/14) and a yellow vest with buttons for Katherine's birthday (3/29).

After these are done, it's All Dulaan, All the Time here at Chez Woolbright. Daughter Erin's going to be knitting, friend Rebecca will be crocheting and the 3 of us are going to be cranking out items to send.

I feel a craft day coming on.

Beginning of 3rd pair of socks EVER

Some of the news that's fit to print

It's been a busy two weeks since I last posted (was it really back on 2/13?) I worked a busy 3 days last week so I could take Thurs and Fri off to babysit Sis 1 of 2's daughters while she was at the Vegas National Conference.

Let me tell you that I love my nieces to bits. They are smart, funny and they love to laugh. Samantha is 6 and her reading is going *so* well! Katherine will be 4 next month and she's sharp as a tack. Samantha read to me from several of her books (including a book from her other Auntie) and Katherine wanted to hear Little Black Sambo at least 3 times a day!

Sambo's story was one I hadn't thought of in a long time. I remember going out to breakfast to Sambo's in Vancouver when we were much younger and I loved to look at the mural on the wall of Sambo riding on the back of one of the tigers. Now that I think about it, the mural didn't portray any scene from the book other than a young boy and tigers. And the restaurant is no longer there either.

The girls and I loved growling like tigers at the right spots and saying to each other "purple slippers with crimson soles and crimson linings." And I only had to explain to Katherine once that trousers were the same as pants. Each time the section of the book came up with Sambo's blue trousers, she would point out that "trousers were the same as pants, Auntie Gina."

This book was a gift from Miss Micki, an octagenerian who lives with them. Katherine, for some reason, wanted to have me read the preface each time. The preface explained that the publisher chose to print it again despite the book's controversy as perceived racism. The girls didn't view it that way; we just enjoyed the imagery of colorful clothing and Sambo dealing bravely with tigers who wanted to eat him up.

Can I also mention that my nieces can give me a migraine? As much as we all enjoyed each other's company, I also had to deal with hurt feelings, argumentative 6-year-olds (yes, Samantha, when you disagree with *everything* said to you, even when you aren't in a fight, that's a form of arguing) and a 3-year-old who screams at the top of her lungs when she doesn't like what you said to her (and then grunts when you calm her down enough to try to reason with her).

It's a this point that I would like to say that Stay-At-Home-Parents have my complete and utter respect for what has to be the hardest job in the world. Long hours, no pay, lots of snot, tears and laundry. And that's just what YOU go through. But the benefits and ultimate pay-off are worth the time. Right?

More on my Adventures in Babysitting later.

Babies, babies everywhere

So I finished the little baby hat and decided to do some socks to go with it. Have NO idea which baby will get them, but most likely to go to Brian at work whose wife just had their first, a girl by the name of Cydney Jade.

Cast on for the next hat and set of socks and those will likely go to Matt (also at work) and the little boy he & his wife are expecting. Keep them in your prayers, she's not due until early April but she's in the hospital for contractions. They're trying to stop them and let the little guy cook some more, so she may end up with bedrest from here on out.

Two of the women in my small group for Bible Study (there are 6 of us at my table) are pregnant, there are at least 2 other people at work expecting, and my brother & his girlfriend are also due mid-March. I've got to get crackin' on the baby knitting. But I also have several other gifts to crank out by mid-to-late March.

After that, I'm knitting for the Dulaan project. Rebecca and I will be putting stuff together to send by the deadline and we're planning to do a craft day (read day off) to get a jump.

Been doing better with the weight and eating. Of course, having a cold puts a damper on the appetite which has been nice. I managed to drop a couple of pounds (I'm down to 191.5), so now I've got to keep it off and work on some more.

Lots of family stuff going on. There was a baby shower this past Saturday for my brother's girlfriend and baby Kruz. Felt weird since her friends are all in their early 20's. Next up is a trip to Ellensburg on Wednesday to watch the nieces. I think we'll plan a trip to the library there, maybe a walk around the campus, and a visit to Yellow House Knits to peruse their yarns.

And on Thursday is the bro's birthday, but a phone call will have to suffice since I won't be able to go out to dinner with the fam on Wednesday. Rob & Erin will have to go without me.

Gotta go, our food will be ready in 15 minutes and I've gotta finish getting ready for tomorrow night's potluck.

New hat

Hat & socks

Emma's little 5-hr sweater.

Here are the wristers that didn't show up earlier.

Oh yeah, one more thing

I forgot that I've read 2 more books. Re-read Tears of the Moon (Nora, of course) and a new book, Shining Hero by Sara Banerji.

Shining Hero really intrigued me because it's a view of India and it's culture written by someone who's been a part for many years but by marriage. The author currently teaches at Oxford. I wasn't sure I was going to finish it but it kept playing in my head and I wanted to get questions answered.

I'm glad I checked it out.

Home alone

The post title refers to the fact that I'm by myself today despite the entire family being together. I'm not there and neither is the sweater below.




Baby Emma was born on 1/27 and I this I finished her sweater on 1/26. There was supposed to be a baby shower on 1/29, but since Emma was 2 weeks early, we didn't have the party. I'd planned to give it to her today since the entire Woolbright clan is gathered at her parents' house for the Super Bowl.

I have a horrible cold and cough going and didn't want to infect anyone, so I'm home with chicken soup and OJ and having my own little party. I've got the TV on F*x for the game and I'm working on the 'puter.

Been finally making an effort to do something about the exercise and diet thing. Sister 2 of 2 is bugging me, Dad's bugging me and a friend at work is bugging me.

So I walked on Saturday with Dad. 3.12 miles in 54 minutes. And I've started using FitWatch. Happy now?

After I finished Emma's sweater I worked on Erin's wristers. She'd picked out the L/P Bulky from my stash and using SavannahChik's pattern. That little round thing in my hand? One of my makeshift stitch markers. I was working on the wristers at lunchtime and realized I'd forgotten my notions bag. I started looking for something to use instead and drew blanks until I opened a desk drawer. What you see is a piece cut off from the inside cardboard from a tampon. Necessity is definitely the mother of invention.

Next project, please

There's a baby boom happening at work and this is going to go to one of the new babies. Just a little stockinette hat. Yarn is from the little trip I made to KnitPick's store.

Moving right along

Footloose and fancy free! Getting there is half the fun, come share it with me.

Sorry, had a little Muppet moment there.

I've started on Erin's fingerless mitts. I finished the first and the second one has been cast on. Forest Green, Lamb's Pride, bulky. I'll take a pic when I finish

Mom's Berry Freeze now only needs ribbing on the armholes and the neck. Yay!

I bought a few skeins of sock yarn to use for baby hats and I'll be casting those on next. Bought them at KnitPicks' store in Vancouver. Their selection is more like remainders from their catalog shipping rather than a full blown LYS. The saleswoman mentioned they would be getting their new Wool of the Andes in to showcase the colors and I'm looking forward to that.

Finished a new book - From Here to Paternity. I really enjoy Jill Churchill. Rob & I were at the beach for a long weekend and we stopped in a used bookstore to browse. Picked up Grime and Punishment and I've been checking her out of the library since.

If you enjoy mysteries, I highly recommend visiting Stop You're Killing Me. Great place to search out new authors and see if you'd missed any by your favorites.

The Trouble with Tribbles

This is Tribble at 6 weeks. Rescued by our daughter at age 1.5 days (DAYS!) and bottle-fed by us. When we first took her in to the vet at 1 week (or was it 2?) she weighed only .5 oz.

She started out with the name Smack (because we all thought Smack the Cat sounded funny), but changed to Tribble after running through various sci-fi inspired names. Erin and Rob are sci-fi fans and it made sense. Especially now that she makes the little trilling noises like the Tribbles in the Star Trek episode.

So, here's the delightful Tribble at 6 months. Now at 6 lbs and eating like a stevedore. She's going back to the vet in 2 weeks to be spayed (gotta be responsible owners!)

She's supposedly Erin's cat, but she loves Rob best. Could be the hand that feeds her (Rob), the best place to sleep (his lap), or that Smudge also loves him best too.

So, here's Smudge in his favorite spot - lounging on our bed. Twice as big as Tribble and now 6 years old. We got him our first year of marriage and he's been great. Well, other than the food issues.

He was doing fine with dry food, then started throwing it up. Switched to Friskies wet, and eventually started throwing that up (we thought about re-naming him Chuck at this point). We switched to Science Diet wet and he did well, but each time my parents' animals came over, we had to hide their dry food because he'd get into it and, you guessed it, throw up.

But now he's on Nutro dry. Keeping it down and doing well. Litterbox smell is down too (I'd actually typed doo, not too). We are *loving* it. Less expensive than the wet, better food with fewer additives and he gets to think he's pulling one on us.

Man, we love our cats. I just wonder how they'll do when Rob finally decides on a dog.

Laziness

I'm still slogging away on Mom's sweater (the back is finished and I'm working on the front). But I set it aside to work on a 5-hr baby sweater for my niece who's expecting a girl in early February. I'm not knitting with any kind of speedy enthusiasm so it will definitely take longer than 5 hours.

I'm re-reading another Nora Roberts book, need to go the library to return 3 books and pick up several more, go grocery shopping, make dinner, watch some of the shows on TiVo to clear up some space and finish filing all the stuff on the floor of the den.

Rob's been sick and has stayed home the last couple of days from work. Doctor told him it's a bad cold with possible bronchitis infection, but no drugs since he wasn't running a fever. With any luck the TheraFlu is helping with the worst of it and he can go back tomorrow.

I'm planning to go to E-burg to babysit my sister's 2 daughters in February. I'll be there for 4 nights and I'm thinking I want to read a chapter book to them while I'm there. Something long enough to last the entire visit or short enough to be re-read at least once. Any suggestions?

Mixed Blessings

It's been a mix of a week here.

Good: Tuesday Rob went to the Polk Cty courthouse to review his paperwork to change the child custody and support with the X. They'd filled out the paperwork themselves and Rob sent it in, but someone called and said, Nope, not filled out right. So down he went to review it and someone else told him it was filled out correctly the first time. We should be hearing something back as early as next week.

OK: Work was better this week. I wasn't struggling as much to stay focused and working on the important things. Which is good because I don't want to have another 1:1:1 with my manager and her boss. Nothing bad, just uncomfortable in trying to understand why my performance had been lacking of late.

Bad: Our water heater is leaking. Rob's replaced one of the valves thinking that was the issue, but it's still leaking. So, it's looking like we're going to have to shell out for a new one. We could really use the money for other things, but hot water is highly important in my book.

I've done a little more knitting on the Berry Freeze, but I'm going to have to set it aside to crank out a baby sweater for a shower on the 29th.

I also need to work on my Bible study - Trusting God (Even When Life Hurts). It's been soooo helpful. I've found myself praying more and being thankful that God is truly in charge of ALL things and He's working for the good of His people in ALL ways, at ALL times. We don't know His plans and even the bad things that happen are for our ultimate benefit. That's the difficult one, you know? We want a HUMAN understanding of God, and He's not human. He's GOD.

But the best thing I learned in last Monday's study? God is so in control of the entire universe that even Satan can't harm us unless GOD ALLOWS IT. Even Satan is subject to His will. That is so incredibly awesome, it puts a smile on my face. Just read Job to see that in action. I'm really looking forward to this week.

Well, the hubby's not feeling well and I'm hungry so I'm signing out. Time to eat more, knit more and watch Shaun of the Dead with Ben & Jerry. YUM!

Weekend fun

It was a nice weekend here in Vancouver even with the ice storm. Sister 1 of 2 came down with her girls and we spent Saturday night going through Mom & Dad's house deciding who was getting what. (Explanation: M&D are selling their house, planning to sail for a year and then move home and into a houseboat). We got Sister 2 of 2 on the phone and with the list M&D had already made, went through the house claiming items and exclaiming over others.

I managed to go home with a couple of bags, a new purse, a lot of zippered bags perfect for storing yarn or projects and 3 books I'd loaned her to read. I'll also get a couple of storage cabinets, 3 chairs, a sofa, end table and probably some other stuff I can remember. Sis 2 and Mom went through it again Monday with my brother; however, he doesn't know what he needs yet since he and his girlfriend haven't yet moved into their new place.

Once I got home, I re-read the Key trilogy I got back from Mom. I love to read Nora Roberts. Great writing, good plots and I get completely absorbed and hate coming to the end. She has a new trilogy (In the Garden) going on right now. I read Blue Dahlia in a couple of hours and was thoroughly frustrated to find out I'd have to wait until May to read the 2nd book and December for the 3rd! At least with her Key trilogy, I got all three books with 3 months (she is an extremely prolific writer).

I'd originally planned to put only new books on the "New books read for 2005" list, but it would be like ignoring old friends for new. So I've just changed the listing to what I've read and I'm leaving it open. I'm curious to see just how many books I pick up and read over the course of a year.

I also made changes to the color of my blog - I'm having fun with HTML and learning different things. On my monitor it looks rather desert-ish (canyons and cactus versus cheesecake and chocolate).

The Lovely Bones

Well, I've completed my first new book of 2005. I say "new" because I habitually pick up books around the house to re-read. But the new book was Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones. I took a while to do it, too. Not to read it, mind you, since I started it on Monday at lunch and finished it today at lunch. Nope, it was just picking it up and starting it.

But I'm so glad I did. I enjoyed it. I cried over it. I laughed and even re-read sections of it. I briefly considered buying it for my personal library. But you know what? I can check it out any time at the library. Which is where it's going this weekend to re-join its siblings. And I will find another to offer me escape, enlightenment or emotion. Or any combination of the three.

I'm thinking to pick up The Time-Traveler's Wife next to read. It was a gift from the little Sis for Christmas.

But I also need to knit on the Berry Freeze, update Quicken to close out last year, pull together the tax files, pay bills, exercise and decide if I'm going to a bridal shower Friday night after work.

Mom's Berry Freeze, 2nd try

Above is the progress I've made so far on Mom's new Berry Freeze. I frogged the first one and restarted on circulars to avoid seaming.

I'd wanted to have it done by Thursday so she could take it with her to Phoenix to wear after she completed her marathon - and post shower, of course. I signed up for the Body Challenge and my starting weight on 1/1 was 197. Today, after breakfast I'm 195.5. Not bad since I'm also horribly pre-menstrual. Didn't exercise the way I wanted, but I'm drinking more water which is a definite improvement.

Even a little progress can make a big difference, right?

Knitting Year in Review

Time to update the sidebar and remove all of the projects listed from 2004. To date (that I can remember):

1 Knit Wit hat for Erin - and she actually wears it!
7 Christmas Mufflers for the Woolbright & Freeman men and 1 other
5 Christmas Scarves for the Woolbright women and 1 other
6 prs Felted slippers for the Freeman women & girls
2 Retro Ponchos for Mom & Kim
Sherbert Cardis for Samantha's 6th Birthday - one for her and a matching one for her doll.
2 5-hr Baby Sweater & Booties for Tammy T and for Mom's boss' daughter
Mexicali Baby Ole for Pam's baby boy
Kimono Baby Cardi/Hat - the hat went to Rowan and the sweater is waiting for baby Kruz to make his appearance
Girl's Cotton Classic Cardi for Katherine's 3rd birthday
KPS Socks - that ultimately went to Erin.

Sure doesn't seem like much, but we'll see what happens this year as I get better at documenting and blogging.

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Starting Anew

It's the last day of 2004 and I need to get ready to implement my PLAN.

* Increase my exercise. Since my level is currently at ZERO, increasing it shouldn't be too difficult. I'll be adding walking during the day at work and I've got to get my lazy self out of bed to do my Firm dvds.

* Eat healthy. Back to the WW recipes I enjoy, add more veggies to the diet, drink my water. Take my time eating to allow me to enjoy my food and avoid overeating.

* Read more. I have several new books to read (Thanks Kim!)and want to cruise NPR's site and the ALA's site regularly for new ideas. I'll be supporting my local library more this year by borrowing rather than buying. (And yes, we did support our local library levy this year). Rob & I also going to do the "Read the Bible in 1-year" plan from our church.

* Knit something for me. Don't know what yet, but there will be something for me this year coming off of my needles.

* Blog more. Already trying to sit down at the computer at least 2x a week to do an entry. Even got the Sis to do her own (check out Do Bee Do in the sidebar). Now I've got Rob thinking about doing a family site as well.

Looking forward to the new year! Happy 2005!

Starting Over

See below? This was the beginnings of the Berry Freeze for Mom. That's the back. I picked up the needles to get the front done yesterday. I have NO idea what size needles I used, but that is some DENSE knitting. I can't recreate it, so I'm going to frog it. I've restarted on circulars and re-doing it to avoid the seams. It goes at a pace of 1" per hour and my goal is to finish it this week.


Thank goodness I'm not working this week!

More shots when the sun comes up for my new progress.

I'm mentioned!

Yay!!! I got a mention on Norma's blog entry for today. She's knitting some Fuzzy Feet and wanted feedback yesterday and I'm mentioned today!

Woo hoooo!

Last of the knitted gifts

These are the last of the knitted gifts: more slippers for Kendra, Khylee and Mom. Once again, Lamb's pride for the Mary Jane style and Quattro for the slippers.



I'm so glad to be done with the knitting for Christmas. Now I can get on to finishing Mom's Berry Freeze. It's only half done & I'd like to have it done in time for her to take to Phoenix for her marathon.

Merry Christmas!

Slippers, part 1

These are the first of 6 pairs of felted ballerina slippers. These are for my sister Chris and her daughters, Samantha and Katherine. I used Cascade Quattro for Chris' and Lamb's Pride for the girls. I like the thickness of the Lamb's Pride, but love the colors in Chris's slippers. They are a blue and purple blend.

Borg scarves: 10 of 12

These are the last of the scarves; the ends were woven in this morning. 2 in Plymouth Encore, 2 in Lion Brand's Wool-Ease, 1 in Baby Alpaca, 2 in Lamb's Pride bulky, 2 in Microspun and one in Horstia's silk & wool blend. We're delivering all but 4 tonight to their recepients. 2 will need to be mailed to Nebraska and my Dad and brother will receive theirs tomorrow.

Yay!

5 days and counting

Well, only 1 more scarf and a pair of slippers to knit and I'm done with the knitting portion of my Christmas program. Still need to weave in the ends on the other scarves and felt the remaining 3 prs of slippers. I'm glad I decided to knit for all of the adults and tiny kids this year, but next year if I decide to do this again, I'm starting in July.

We have our tree up and we have the ornaments under it. Notice the "under," and not "on?" We are definitely lazy around here this year.

Playing catch-up

It's been over a month since I last posted?!

Well, have all but 2 scarves done and that includes 2 extra scarves knit for my mom to give as gifts. Also knitted a quick baby sweater for Tammy who left for Japan (she's expecting!) on Nov 20th.

Have 3 pairs of slippers done and have started on the remaining 3 pairs.

Knit a hat for Erin. Knit-Wits kit. Didn't have enough to do the hat to pattern so had to do some quick thinking for the last two rows. She loves it, so it was worth it.

Bought some really, really cool Eco-Wool - it feels luscious. It's in the ecru color and I'm pondering what to make with it.

Since I'm seeing the end in sight for Christmas and the year 2004, I've decided to make some changes:

1. Adding exercise to my routine. My mom's family is partial to diabetes (Hispanic, female, apple shaped bodies) and I need to get my weight down. Exercise is part of the change.
2. Cook from healthier recipes. Better planning, more fruits, more veggies, more water.
3. Read a minimum of 2 books a month. My reading has been slacking off and I want to push myself to read more than my standard authors list. So I'm checking out NPR, my library and other sites to expand my list.
4. Knit something in 2005 for ME. That's right, ME. I've been knitting over 2 years now and nothing has remained with me for my enjoyment. I'm thinking to start small with some felted slippers or a bag.
5. Hold myself accountable to the above. I'm going to ask my sister Kim to monitor me and hold me accountable. She can call, email or better yet check the blog for #6 on the list . . .
6. Post more often. At least 2x a week since I want accountability. Learn to post pics, expand my writing abilities and just let loose in blogland.

That's a lot and I'm going to have to dig out a calendar and update it with my new plan. The above aren't resolutions. Collectively, they're a PLAN.

Crappy day

I should be getting into bed, but can't because my thoughts keep going round and round. It was definitely a day from h*ll.

First off, there was a layoff at work. OK, I can handle this, right? After all I've worked there almost 4 years and managed to survive 5 others. I hoped I wouldn't be impacted; the rumours had been running hot and heavy for a few weeks that it was coming, but I didn't figure on this week. One of the supervisors in another department was killed in an auto accident Sunday on her way home, so this was already a bad week for a lot of people.

It was about 11% worldwide. A lot of good people were let go including 2 women who I worked with a great deal. One in my department and another in a parallel department. I cried both times and still feel a lot of grief.

Then we had a discussion with Erin about her jeans and our feelings about them. In a nutshell, we feel they're too tight, too small and we're not thrilled to see crack on a regular basis. She feels that they're fine, others will be too loose and was pretty defensive. Can't blame her since I'd feel the same way in her jeans.

We offered a deal that I thought would work, and we were probably thisclose to sealing the deal (final say on jeans in exchange for a cell phone for as long as she had the phone) when I opened my mouth and said if she didn't take it, then I'd change out her jeans anyway without her say so. Bad move and not really what I want. I just feel frustrated.

So now she's ticked and Rob thinks she'd move back to her mom's over it (something I certainly didn't think of until he mentioned it) and now I'm upset over it. I really do think that she and I could find a middle ground. Something she liked and I was comfortable with. We managed before with the Old Navy capris (and she looks great in them BTW) so I figure a couple hours of frustration for us both would probably yield gold somewhere.

I don't want to think about her moving. I love having her here with us on a daily basis. She's smart, funny, likes things we like and her addition to our home is something we enjoy.

Work is going to be painful enough trying to take over T's duties in addition to my own, my boss just got promoted which means more work for all of us including her, trying to figure out what S did for the engineers and work it into my duties as well and deal with the emotional stuff going on at home too.

If this evening is an indicator of the near future, I can just tell tomorrow is going to be another crappy day.

Playing catch-up

It's been a month since I last posted. A MONTH. And the thing is, I love blogs! But apparently reading them more than writing them. However, I want to create something that allows my family far and wide to see what's happening here in WA.

Plus, the holidays are coming and I need to keep track of the gift exchange stuff. This seems like a good spot, don'tcha think?

In knitting news, I've finished 5 of 7 men's scarves, 1 of 4 women's scarves, and no slippers. And a poncho. Just in the last 8 weeks. Not bad.