Tired of being Physically Phffft

I'm getting back on the WW wagon. I'm tracking again on my PDA, trying to watch my portions, choosing broth based soups over creamier options. I need to add more veggies and do better on my water, but I am making progress!

I started the year at 199. Not my all-time high, but too close for comfort. Or comfortable clothes.

I've managed to drop 3 lbs and I'm contemplating a yoga class at the Y with a friend. She's making it easy by offering her free passes to try it out. I know I need to say yes.

After reading about http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ at Rachael's blog, I've found some walking routes around my house that keep me on sidewalks or wide sidestreets for 1.5 to 3 miles. That will be easier to do once spring and summer roll around. It's tough to get out when it's dark when you get up and when you come home.

I'm knitting again, too. Took a few days break and have only completed some Natalya gauntlets for Erin. I've picked through my stash and I'm knitting the 5-hr Baby Sweater again for one of 4 babies that are due in the next 3 months. I'm using some leftover lilac Red Heart for this one for a little girl due in just 3 weeks. I'll probably do the Baby Kimono from MDK's book, too.

On the reading front, I'm reading The Devil in the White City. It's caught my interest and kept it with the descriptions of Chicago and the people during the time frame of the 1893 World's Fair. I hadn't known of the serial killer using the fair as a hunting ground (don't think they mentioned that aspect in history class), and I'm finding it fascinating.

2006 Knitting re-cap

I'm not going to bore you with pictures and comments. Here's the list. Pictures may be had by clicking the 2006 Knitting label in the sidebar. Not all items have pictures due to the inability of the knitter to remember to take pictures.

1. Beanie o' Flames for Kruz, Red Schachenmayr (??) & Black Silja
   
2. Miss KJ's Pink Odessa, DB Merino DK
   
3. Miss S's Purple Odessa, DB Merino DK
   
4. Miss K's Purple Sweater, RH SoftYarn
   
5. Zach's Trellis sweater, Bernat CottonTots
   
6. Rebecca's socks, KnitPicks Sock Landscape
   
7. Lap Blanket, Bernat Berella4
   
8. Erin's Clogs, KnitPicks Wool of the Andes
   
9. Rob's Clogs, KnitPicks Wool of the Andes
   
10. Acacia's Bonnet, Tahki Cotton Classic
    
11. Acacia's Bonnet, LB Microspun
    
12. Katie's rainbow sweater, Patons Melody
    
13. Kruz's Raglan sweater, Reynolds Utopia
    
14. Ruffled Blanket #2, KnitPicks Crayon
    
15. Wide Wale Socks, Knitpicks Dancing
    
16. Samantha's Sweater, Plymouth Encore
    
17. Samantha's Tank, Sirdar Snuggly DK
    
18. Baby Schaak's socks, KnitPicks Dancing
    
19. Charity scarf, Encore/Wool-Ease mix
    
20. Mom's Quick Wrap, Maggi's Mist Slub
    
21. Karen's Paws To Remember scarf, FrogTree Alpaca
    
22. Erin's Pirate Hat, LB Wool-Ease
    
23. Khylee's Bitty Baby Sweater, Red Heart Soft Yarn
    
24. Rebecca's Icarus Shawl, Rowan KSH Night

2006 Book wrap-up

Just a final list of what I read - and to be honest, I'm not sure it's entirely accurate. I realized yesterday I'd forgotten A Girl Named Zippy and just added it.

The goals for 2007? To read one book more than 2006, to borrow from the library, to not buy books for the first 3 months of 2007 and re-evaluate this book diet each quarter.

Here's the list:

1. A Girl Named Zippy, Haven Kimmel
2. Mrs. Hudson and the Spirit's Curse, Martin Davies
   
3. A Midsummer Night's Scream, Jill Churchill
   
4. Lie by Moonlight, Amanda Quick
   
5. All Night Long, Jayne Ann Krentz
   
6. The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd
   
7. Now You See Her, Linda Howard
   
8. Falling Awake, Jayne Ann Krentz
   
9. To Say Nothing of the Dog, Connie Willis
   
10. Bare Bones, Kathy Reichs
    
11. The Etruscan Chimera, Lyn Hamilton
    
12. A Farewell to Yarns, Jill Churchill
    
13. It's Not About the Bike, Lance Armstrong
    
14. Storage & Display, Pottery Barn
    
15. Stylish Storage, Paige Gilchrist
    
16. Murder with Peacocks, Donna Andrews
    
17. Key of Valor, Nora Roberts
    
18. Honor's Splendor, Julie Garwood
    
19. Charmed (anthology), Jayne Castle
    
20. After Glow, Jayne Castle
    
21. After Dark, Jayne Castle
    
22. Fast Women, Jennifer Crusie
    
23. Survivor in Death, JD Robb
    
24. Knitting Rules, Yarn Harlot
    
25. Mason-Dixon Knitting, Ann & Kay
    
26. Origin in Death, JD Robb
    
27. Memory in Death, JD Robb
    
28. Carolina Moon, Nora Roberts
    
29. Susannah's Garden, Debbie Macomber
    
30. Second Sight, Amanda Quick
    
31. Deadly Decisions, Kathy Reichs
    
32. Class Menagerie, Jill Churchill
    
33. Silence of the Hams, Jill Churchill
    
34. We'll Always Have Parrots, Donna Andrews
    
35. Rebellious Desire, Julie Garwood
    
36. Unhinged, Sarah Graves
    
37. A Case of Bad Taste, Lori Copeland
    
38. To Die For, Linda Howard
    
39. A Groom With A View, Jill Churchill
    
40. Wendy Knits!, Wendy Johnson
    
41. Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch, Haywood Smith
    
42. Happily Ever After, Susan May Warren
    
43. Morrigan's Cross, Nora Roberts
    
44. A Deadly Yarn, Maggie Sefton
    
45. Embroidered Truths, Monica Ferris
    
46. Million Dollar Dilemma, Judy Baer
    
47. Angels Fall, Nora Roberts
    
48. Fatal Voyage, Kathy Reichs
    
49. 6 Rainier Drive, Debbie Macomber
    
50. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
    
51. May the Best Man Die, Deborah Donnelly
    
52. Knit Lit
    
53. Knit Lit (too)
    
54. Knit Lit the Third
    
55. Dance of the Gods, Nora Roberts
    
56. Valley of Silence, Nora Roberts
    
57. Midnight in Ruby Bayou, Elizabeth Lowell
    
58. Crime of Passion, Kay Hooper
    
59. House of Cards, Kay Hooper
    
60. Match Me if You Can, Susan Elizabeth Philips
    
61. A Stitch In Time, various
    
62. Flabbergasted, Ray Blackston
    
63. Family Man, Jayne Ann Krentz
    
64. Sweet Fortune, Jayne Ann Krentz

Merry Christmas!

It's after 5pm here in Vancouver. Rob & The Boy went to see Night at the Museum. Erin's at her mom's. I'm home at the computer.

Erin had her wisdom teeth out Friday and has been doing well enough to not need much V*cadin for the pain. She's been taking half doses if it gets to be more than ibuprofen can handle.

We met last night at one of the BIL's homes for the annual Christmas Eve gathering for Rob's side. Low key, fun and we got home around 10:30pm. Stayed up until midnight and opened our gifts. Normally, we'd wait until morning but with Erin heading over to her mom's before 7am we opted to get the midnight jump on the holiday.

My Christmas knitting is almost done. I still need to finish Kruz' hat, but I finished Miss K's sweater today (only needed the seaming). I'll post a picture of their gifts later.

The hats for Misses S & K are done. Here they are in the almost done stage. Knit in Debbie Bliss Merino DK using the Odessa pattern from Grumperina.

Miss S will get the purple hat and Miss K will get the pink hat. A fun knit and one that I would do again.

Well, off to watch Neat and try to finish the Christmas knitting before the day is officially over.

Making progress on the list!

Making progress on the list!

Ship out Kim's Christmas box o' stuff
Ship M&D's Christmas box o' stuff by 12/16
Wrap Erin's last gift
Wrap Rob's last gifts
Finish buying for Rob's stocking
Buy lottery scratch-its for all stockings (except Kim's - sorry!)
Go to Jaminga and buy Kruz' shirt
Find pattern to make black beanie with flames to go with Kruz' shirt
Do finish work (seams, ends, buttons) on Miss K's sweater
Find dress or pants/shirt combo to coordinate with Miss K's sweater
Go to Beacock's music for Samantha's gift
Buy beads to begin knitting on Samantha's other gift (although I now want to change the beads I bought)
Determine the best gift for Katie J
Buy beads to begin knitting on Katie's other gift Bought and 90% knitted
Block out Karen's scarf to give on Monday
Work on Raye & Bonnie's gift to have ready by Christmas Eve
Get tree and trim it OK, it's not completely trimmed, but decorations are out now too.
Send out cards to family and friends Not happening this year
Buy gift card for kid's mom & stepdad Actually, Hickory Farms came to the rescue
Make cookies
Clean house for after-Christmas visit by sister and girls
Take Sean out for birthday dinner
Check if I'm a great-aunt yet for the 5th time (Rob's family) Chy had a little boy on the 14th, Ezra Kai.

Mini update

Just finished The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Can't wait to read something else by her. I loved the imagery, the clarity of the story her words painted in my mind. I may need to find a used copy to keep since I'll need to return this one to the library.

Managed to check off item #22 last night. Sean turned 19 and we went out to Gustav's for dinner (his choice). He's making better choices than he was a year ago and has made the very adult decision to enter the Air Force. He's currently working at a local restaurant and working out to try to lose about 20 pounds.

I need to get a plan of attack ready for tomorrow. I have the day off and need to donate platelets at 6:30am, buy Kruz' shirt, buy beads, and maybe yarn, to make Odessa for the nieces, wrap gifts, and work on M&D's gift so I can mail it out no later than Monday if I want any chance of it making it to them by Christmas.

Christmas To Do List

1. Ship out Kim's Christmas box o' stuff
2. Ship M&D's Christmas box o' stuff by 12/16
3. Wrap Erin's last gift
4. Wrap Rob's last gifts
5. Finish buying for Rob's stocking
6. Buy lottery scratch-its for all stockings (except Kim's - sorry!)
7. Go to Jaminga and buy Kruz' shirt
8. Find pattern to make black beanie with flames to go with Kruz' shirt
9. Do finish work (seams, ends, buttons) on Miss K's sweater
10. Find dress or pants/shirt combo to coordinate with Miss K's sweater
11. Go to Beacock's music for Samantha's gift
12. Buy beads to begin knitting on Samantha's other gift
13. Determine the best gift for Katie J
14. Buy beads to begin knitting on Katie's other gift
15. Block out Karen's scarf to give on Monday
16. Work on Raye & Bonnie's gift to have ready by Christmas Eve
17. Get tree and trim it
18. Send out cards to family and friends (this makes a regular appearance on the to-do, but rarely happens!)
19. Buy gift card for kid's mom & stepdad
20. Make cookies
21. Clean house for after-Christmas visit by sister and girls
22. Take Sean out for birthday dinner
23. Check if I'm a great-aunt yet for the 5th time (Rob's family)

So I figure on getting some of this done this week, but we'll just have to see how well I do since I did nothing to make a dent in it last night. Instead I read Linda Howard's Now You See Her and finished it.

Upgraded and updated

Well, I moved to the new blogger format. Not bad. Still trying to get some things down. I'd like to be able to change the size of the font in the sidebar but have not yet been able to do so.

In the meantime, here are some pics:

First up is the Icarus shawl being blocked.

Pattern: Icarus by Miriam Felton from Interweave Knits, Summer 2006 issue

Size 3 and 1 needles (don't ask)

Knit in Rowan Kid Silk Haze

Recipient: Rebecca

Started back in early November, it bumped along quite nicely. I would make it again, but knit the entire thing with size 1 needles. It blocked out bigger than I wanted since the upper portion was done with the size 3 needles.

But Rebecca was thrilled with the result. She had wanted a shawl to take with her on a cruise for those dressier nights, the color needed to be dark but shiny and the Rowan KSH Night worked just right for this.

I offered to knit it for her since there was no way she'd get it done it time. As it was, I barely got it done - I blocked it out Thursday night and she left Saturday for San Diego.

Back in early October was Miss K's 4th birthday:

I did knit a little purple sweater for the Bitty Baby her Nanny and Aunties bought for her and had started on a matching sweater for Miss K.

But time got short and the sweater is still on the needles. It's going to be finished for Christmas and gifted to her then.

She was princess for a day at her party. Rob & I had great timing: we were late enough to miss the madness of games & lunch with a bunch of small children, but just in time to witness the opening of the presents and get some cake.

And just for kicks, here's Kruz in his Niner get-up.

On my way to reading more

Well, I have reached 54 books so far this year. And I still have the month of December to go! I added to the list on the right, but I know there are at least one or two books I still need to add. And the pile of 7-8 books still to read and the others I keep picking up at Powell's and a trip to the library to fit in and not enough time to do it all.

But . . . I do love me a good book. I've picked up Nancy Pearl's Book Lust to spur on the goal of reading new authors. Because I don't have enough to read as it is.

Have I mentioned I know how to read?

It's National Book Month! It's also Mystery Series Week! I do love me a good mystery - a good resource is Stop! You're Killing Me! and this new link to Overbooked.

I've been keeping track of the books I read in a year (I'm a little geeky that way) and I find myself selecting mysteries and women's fiction. I prefer the "women's fiction" title much better than romance even though the authors are found in that section of the bookstore. I've found that I don't pick up just any book anymore in that genre - I've gotten pickier, found it harder to relate to the some of the situations and, well, just grown out of some of it.

So I find some authors I read over and over (Nora Roberts *immediately* comes to mind) and new ones that get me excited like Kathy Reichs. You know, I came across her books in Costco a few years ago and passed on it then. I guess I'm ready for her now. And it doesn't hurt that I love to watch Bones which is based on her and her character.

I keep a list of authors I want to read (note to self - tranfer list to PDA), have a stack of books by the bed that are next to read (it's at about 8-10 books right now), love to visit the library, want to get Nancy Pearl's books (ok I want to *be* Nancy Pearl when I grow up) and continually think I don't have enough bookshelves. I really don't, you know. I have books currently in stacks on the floor in our bedroom.

When I was trying to figure out a name for this blog, I wanted to incorporate my two loves - books and knitting. The knitting is recent (less than 5 years) but no less powerful in the impact to my well-being. Both allow me to escape from stress and pressures, both provide pleasure in the doing and the giving, both are spread in nearly every room of the house.

So what to name the blog? Well, after really thinking it over and changing the name from the original Just One More, to the short-lived Yarn and Books = Happiness, Yarn Pig made more sense and appealed to me.

Hmmmm. Long story short? It's National Book Month! Make an author happy - Read a book!

The Color of Summer

 
It's a drab day here in Vancouver so I decided to share a quick photo from the summer of Katherine in the pool. I love this photo. Something about the bright colors, the clarity of the photo, the unexpected good fortune of a good photo (I'm not a great photographer).

It makes me smile.

small knitting update

 

Here's a quick look at the scarf I'm knitting for a friend. Frog Tree Alpaca. I'm almost through 2 skeins and have a 3rd ready to go. Paws to Remember pattern, modified to be not as wide as the pattern calls for and I'm wondering if I'll need that 3rd skein, but why not make it a little long?

I'd hoped to have camera shots from today's Portland Marathon that Chris the Sis ran today, but they haven't come through yet. And trying to sort through the pictures online is a pain! 

 

While I'm at small knitting updates, here's the pirate hat made for Erin's birthday. I used black and grey Wool-Ease and cut the repeat done by one since it was going to be bigger than the yarn used.

And that's Rob modeling the hat - Erin was unavailable for her photo shoot. 

Catching up

So, I've been to California and Chicago, finished a couple pairs of socks, read a few books, knit on a gift, had another child move in, changed job functions, rearranged book cases . . . ummm . . . done other things I'll think of later since we last talked.

Below is a photo of the sisters and mom taken in Chicago. We were standing around by the car in the parking lot of a Container Store. 

Why were we standing in a parking lot? Well, Mom & Kim (wearing pink and navy respectively) had gone to put the shopping bags into Kim's car. Chris (in light blue) and I headed to the Office Max/Depot (can't remember which) to look for a couple of things for Kim's apartment.

Mom came to find us so we could call AAA.

Apparently, while loading the car, my sister's purse was placed into the back seat out of the way by Mom. Once everything was loaded, Kim shut the trunk and ended up shutting us out of the car. She had unlocked ONLY the trunk and the keys were in her purse. 

See her purse?

The first guy AAA sent out couldn't unlock the Beetle Kim drives. We called AAA and they decided to send a locksmith. On a Sunday. They said they'd call when one was on the way.

No call.

Eventually one did show up (after we'd decided to cab it back into the city to get the spare keys). He popped it open to a round of applause and we immediately headed out to lunch.

Lurve my AAA.

 
We did manage to exit her apartment (pictures and story to come later) and do a little shopping and sight-seeing. Here's my obligatory tourist photo of the Bean.

 
Kim? This one is for you - the promised picture from Khylee.

And I swear the box is on the way! Yes, I a lame-o and you could have starved to death before getting the promised pasta packages or run out of gas or whatever.

But look at your niece! She loves her Auntie Kimmy! Disney goodness from a beloved niece is on the way!

Forgive me yet?

More knitting goodness on the way! 

12 business days and counting

Vacation!

We're off on Wednesday, Aug 9 and headed here to begin our time off. We'll see some frogs, some scenery and what Rob's looking forward to - trees.

After a couple of days, we'll head to San Diego to see Mom & Dad. Rob's not big on touristy stuff, so we're not likely to see Shamu. However, M&D live only a few blocks from Balboa Park so we'll check it out. Probably go sailing one day. Rob would like to see Hell Week if it's going on.

OK, the main reason to go? Tickets to see the Packers play.

We'll get back, have a day at home and then Rob will go to work and I'll head out to Chicago to see the sis. But this isn't just a regular trip. Nope. Kim will be hosting her mom and 2 sisters at the same time. All four of us together for a few days so we're going to set the town on fire.

Just a brief post, I need to finish a sweater for a niece's birthday. Pictures to come.

Work sucks.

Not enough time in the day to do anything beyond the basics and even then, it feels like only half of those. A co-worker is going out on vacation for 4 days and while we're splitting his duties among the rest of us, there are only 4 in our department and only 3 that do actual work. So his vacation means there will be only 2 of us holding down the fort. Ugh.

Below is a pic of the Trellis sweater I knit for a co-worker's first child. She was always wearing cabled sweaters so this made sense to me. It's knit in Bernat's Cotton Tots. Picture courtesy of my camera phone.



Did I mention the new desk we bought a few months ago? Ikea's Mikael. Love, love, love it. Allows me to put tons of stuff around without cluttering it up too much.


You can see photos of the nieces and nephew, our wedding photo, the turtle planter I've had for over 20 years (Thanks, Mom!) and the little tortilla basket we use for office supplies.

And Mom, here's another grandson fix:


Art was changing him into clothes to go play in the water and Kruz looked bored with the whole process.

I noticed I'd forgotten to add a book to the list: Happily Ever After by Susan May Warren. Christian romance. I'm trying to branch out and read different authors and that includes more Christian writers. This was fun, interesting and enjoyable. Not a review to get you to pick it up, huh? Well, I liked the bookstore/coffee shop setting, the struggle with the main characters to accept God's grace for themselves even as they encouraged the other's faith (gosh, not something I struggle with at all *wink*) and that the characters felt compelled to hide portions of themselves even though they longed to pour out these areas of themselves and have them accepted. Don't we all wish for that unconditional acceptance and love from someone? Thankfully, we have God filling that very tall order.

True to my name

I have been a bit of a yarn pig lately.

I've been knitting as evidenced by the shot below:



What you see above is a tank for a niece who's birthday is at the end of the month (I'll also be working on a sweater to make a sort of twinset for her), a scarf for a friend and socks for a sister-in-law.

The tank is in Sirdar Snuggly DK in Lilac (0219) and the pattern is the June 15th pattern from the Knitting Pattern-A-Day. The scarf is being knit in Frog Tree Alpaca in shade #82 (a grayish purple) and the pattern is FiberTrends' Paws to Remember. The socks are from the sock yarn received for Christmas - KnitPicks Dancing sampler - in Swing (23592) and I'm using my Ann Norling pattern for Wide Wale socks.

I've been doing plenty of reading as well. I updated the reading list on the right and since the holiday weekend, when Rob and I made a pilgramage to Powells, I have 5 more to add.

Unhinged by Sarah Graves - part of the Home Repair is Homicide series and the first one I've read by her. Enjoyed it and plan to hunt down or borrow the rest of the series.

A Case of Bad Taste by Lori Copeland - first book in the Morning Shade Mystery series. Christian fiction and the mystery is more of a puzzler - no killers and the only deaths are the ones tracked in the obituaries by one of the older characters. Fun and encouraging.

To Die For by Linda Howard - I've usually enjoyed her books. This one was a little different - written in first person, a character I couldn't exactly relate to, I caught on to the identity of the mysterious shooter earlier than normal. It was OK. Glad I bought it used.

A Groom With A View by Jill Churchill - part of the Jane Jeffry series. Fun, light and enjoyable.

Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch by Haywood Smith - first book I've read by the author and it was fun! I can see why women enjoyed this book. And maybe it's a part of me getting older as well, but I can start to relate to characters in their middle-age (granted I just turned 37, so I'm not in my 50's like the main character). But I'm identifying less with the books I read in my 20's and finding a wider range to enjoy. Like this one.

Pictures to make it up to you

To start, yes I have been knitting. These were the most recent - baby bonnets. The pink on the left was made with Erin's pattern from LB Microspun. The one on the right is Tahki Cotton Classic noodled together from other patterns with simple eyelet pattern.



I did add ribbon to both hats, pale pink for the pink bonnet and hot pink for the white.

We (I) had plans to work in the yard this weekend. Clear out beds, lay down weed fabric, plant some shrubs. Draw up plans for a pergola-like thing down the west side of the house. I'll still do some of that, but it's not going to be as fun since we can't pack the Forester up. Erin had a slight accident:



Hit on the passenger side of our only (!) car while going to her Mom's to pick up more stuff. We live in Vancouver, her mom lives in SE Portland so this was the furthest Erin had driven by herself since getting her license.

It doesn't look like much until I explain that the other 3 tires are actually straight. This tire is pushed in and angled. Insurance had the car towed to a reputable shop and we'll hear from them on Monday. In the meantime, we have a lovely Neon from Enterprise.

On an upnote:



Don't you love a kid who enjoys his meals?

Still here!

So, March was my last post? Yipes! Let's see, what's happened since then?

Erin got her driver's license in April? May? Doesn't matter really, since it's all we can do to deal with the reality that she's a *licensed driver*, people! Actually, she's pretty good and gets better with each drive.

She also got accepted into the Running Start program and will be attending community college in the fall while still a junior in high school. We were brainstorming ideas for transportation when she decided to move *back* in with us. So, we have another in the house again. No biggie. She was only gone for 4 months tops.

Sean graduated from HS. Barely. He's working full time and we're praying continually he'll step up to the responsibilities of being an adult. He's going to have a rough road ahead of him if he doesn't, so keep him in your prayers.

Rob's been doing OK. He just went to see a Mariner's game on Father's Day. The Woolbright men went and had a blast. They rode tour buses up (courtesy of the alumni event tickets Rob bought), ate lots of junk, enjoyed a win sitting up behind home plate (300 level, but a great view) and had the fun of *not* driving back. We'll be going back up in July for another game for the Stitch & Pitch.

In August, we'll head down to San Diego for a visit with the 'rents. Mom scored tickets to the Chargers-Packers game and Rob's indebted now. We'll visit, see the sights, head back and then I'll fly out to Chicago to visit the sis.

I *have* been knitting. Finished socks for Rebecca, two little hats for a new grand-niece (yes, at 36 I have a grand-niece courtesy of Rob's family), a sample tank for KnitPicks, a Trellis sweater for a co-worker's baby, clogs for Rob and Erin.

Got a new digital camera, but I still need to load the software so I can show the pictures we have been taking.

Whew. It got up to 100 today and now at 8:30pm it's still 88 out. I'm going to get some sherbet and sit in front of the air conditioner.

Because you asked, Mom

Pictures of the nephew, Kruz, at his 1st birthday party





And the sweater knit for the boy by his loving auntie:


The sweater was knit based on Ann Budd's suggestions for a raglan and used the same Reynolds Utopia yarn I knit his Christmas hat in.

This weekend is another birthday party - niece Katherine turned 5 today and here's her gift:


One back, two sleeves and a front is all done. She'd asked for a rainbow sweater and it's being knit in Paton's Melody in a colorway called Happy Daze. It has nice clear colors (I wish the purple sections had been longer than an inch, thank you very much) but it does have a nice yellow in it. The yellow was important since it's her favorite of all colors. Do you know how hard it is to find a rainbow variegated fit for a 5 year old?

Anyhoo, it's a nice, bulky yarn that's knitting up quickly. Which is good since I need to have it done before we go up to Ellensburg on Friday.

By the way, I did manage to finish the blue baby blanket, have 85% of a baby sweater in Bernat CottonTots complete and have read a couple of books. Just no real blogging progress to show until today.

So I lied.

I didn't blog when I said I would. But look! Yarn!

This is the sock yarn that I had back in January when I was cleaning up my stash. Going clockwise from the 12 o'clock position:
2 skeins Cascade 220 superwash for some boot socks for Rob
6 of Calzetteria for a baby sweater (or socks)
2 of Patons Kroy in Hip Hop Jacquard
2 of Lamb's Pride Superwash (again for Rob)
6 of Wildfoote (2 each in 3 different colorways)
2 of Lorna's Laces
Some STR in the Carbon colorway
Opal Tiger
and Trekking XXL.

This doesn't include the Christmas Dancing sampler from KnitPicks from Rob.

Or the 6 skeins I just picked up for a sweater for the nephew.

I'm showing the sock yarn because gifting the Socktober socks to the Sis was a success. She loved them. So, socks are on the approved knitting list.

Now I just need to work on:

Trellis for a new baby (Bernats CottonTots) by March 1
Sweater for nephew by March 14
Sweater for niece by March 29
Durrow, felted clogs, socks for Rob
Bristow for me
Socks for gift
Scarf for gift
Rogue, felted clogs for Erin
Shawl for gift

And whatever else catches my fancy.

Still alive, will blog more tomorrow

Thing to talk about:

* 3 books read
* Sample knit completed
* Baby blanket completed
* Socks gifted
* Trip to Chicago

See you (with pics!) tomorrow!

I've had a whopper of a cold this week. Work hasn't been helping either and I've had to wear my bite plate to control my ear pain. I'm finally on the mend, though. The garbage isn't as full of snot rags as before and my cough is slowing down.

I have been getting little knitting done on the train. As you can see (or maybe not), there are 3 hats and 2.5 scarves done. These are going into my charity knitting box to be split between Dulaan and my church group. The black/white stuff is Homespun-like stuff (could be Homespun, could be Light-N-Lofty, I've lost the bands), the red/black set is Red Heart acrylic and so is the turquoise/lime combo. All of it came out of my leftovers bin.

Boy, that black and white set just doesn't looks like much of anything, does it? Actually, it all looks kind of bad. No, the ends are not yet woven in, no, I didn't take the picture near any natural light, and no, I don't really care right now. And why no, I haven't showered yet, why do you ask?

I've been saving my home-time knitting for this instead. Still slaving away on this baby blanket.

The rows are going faster since I get to decrease every other row. But with 136 stitches to begin with between markers, it has been feeling like slow going.

I am determined to finish this today.
I will get it washed today.
I will gift it tomorrow.

Power of positive thinking, right?

Well, at least I've got something to positively look forward to: Chicago! Southwest is running cheap fares (DING!) and the sis has a 3 day weekend in February, so I'm heading out.

Better start planning my plane knitting . . . .

Distracting you from lack of progress with gifts

We're 10 days into the new year and I have yet to complete the baby blanket I started last summer. But progress is being made so I can 't complain. Too much. And I have managed to complete a hat for charity and started the garter-stitch scarf to go with as part of my easy commuter knitting.

So the lack of progress pics means I'll show you some other stuff I received for Christmas:



You can see the Knitting Pattern-A-Day calendar, the latest Thursday Next book from Jasper Fforde, two Cornelia Funke books, Season 7 of Friends, Mulan and Season 1 of The Muppet Show.

I have started the Fforde book, placed the calendar in my knitting corner of the living room and will be cracking open the Muppet Show for a marathon this weekend.

And finishing the baby blanket.

New Beginnings

First off - Happy New Year! We managed to stay up last night to usher in the new year by watching I Love the 80's: 3D (TiVo'd earlier in the week). I was up this morning at 6:30 to get the Crock-Pot (TM) jambalaya going, let the dog out, got yesterday's mail and began the finishing of the 2nd blue Crayon baby blanket.

I have a total of 6 knitting WIPs I need to finish:
Blue Crayon blanket (gift)
Prairie Spring socks (gift)
Paws to Remember scarf (gift)
Buffalo plaid blanket (gift)
Alpaca mobius scarf
Acrylic lap blanket (charity)

And upcoming items:
Baby boy sweater (Feb)
Boy sweater (March)
Baby girl sweater (May)
Felted clogs for Rob

It's a new year and I'll be renewing my commitment to WW. I've lost (and maintained that loss) of 20 lbs so far. Twenty more to go and I'll be where I was when Rob and I first married. Twenty more past that and I'll be at the weight where I felt my most attractive and sexiest. I wasn't by any means "fit" at the goal weight, but I felt good. And that's what matters.

That's probably the only resolution this year. Last year's? Let's check:
* Increase my exercise: Not so good. I've announced my intention to get my lazy bum out of bed to the husband and the Sis. I'm going to have to make good.

* Eat healthy: Better. Lost the 20 pounds. Definitely need to slow down in eating again. I don't know what's going on, but I've scared myself choking a couple of times. (blech)

* Read more: I did borrow more, didn't reach the 2 new books/authors a month, but being a voracious and fast reader makes a difference in the end totals. Total of 58 books read in 2005.

* Knit something for me: Didn't.

* Blog more: hmmm. Probably better, but not great. Need to establish a day where I update.

Now I'm off to check the jambalaya and watch football with Rob.

A little Christmas love

It's the Knitpicks Dancing sampler! Rob got this for me for Christmas and I'm really excited at knitting myself some socks with this.

And this?


Kruz in the hat I knit for him. Reynolds Utopia, the chullo pattern from KnitWit.

More later!

Knitting content!

So I have been knitting. Wanna see?

First up, the hat knitted and felted for KnitPicks. Done in their Wool of the Andes yarns. Yarns and pattern provided by them. I turned it in to them a couple of weeks ago, so I'm waiting to see when it will turn up on their site or in the catalog.


The hat looks better on the couch than it does me.

Then I finished the mittens for the girls. Well, not quite finished. I still need to pick up some fleece to line them, finish the hats and line those, too.


I am also working on two gifts for friends. We'll see if I manage to get them done in time for a birthday or for Christmas.

I'm not sure how much knitting I'll get done this weekend. We're taking on Kruz and Khylee for the weekend and a talkative 3-year-old and a crawling 9-mth-old can run you ragged. Thank goodness for Disney movies and doggie gates.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The turkey's in the oven, a pumpkin custard is sitting on the stove. The house is almost clean, and we're getting ready for a gathering of the Woolbright clan. I've sent out the holiday greeting to my family since we're spread out this year - celebrating in San Diego, Roseburg, Ellensburg and Chicago.

May your families be blessed today and may you see the grace of God in each of the faces around your table.

Holiday list

OK, family, here's the list for the gift exchange this year as promised.

Rob has Jim
I have Art
Chris has Kendra
Jim has Kimber
Art has Rob
Kendra has me
Kim has Chris

Rob has an Amazon wishlist - actually 3 lists, but that just means more to chose from.

I also have a wishlist at Amazon, but you can also give me gift certificates to Patternworks.com, knitpicks.com or powells.com.

Well, crap.

Remember back in April when my Honda was vandalized?

Well, it's November now and the difference between then and now?


Same thing done to the inside - the instrumentation panel with all of the gauges, something from the passenger side since the carpet has been pulled up. But hey! The Club was still in place!

So, Rob & I stayed home yesterday - he's called the police, the service center, the insurance company and anyone else who would listen and I worked from home.

This comes on top of the news Wednesday that Rob's oldest has officially been expelled from his high school. Long story short: Expelled, community service, fines, random drug tests.

On the upside of life, I'll get a new car, I just finished a felted hat for KnitPicks and we managed to find our 24 lb turkey for Thanksgiving and only spent $50 at the grocery store!

Well, tell me something I didn't know

Your Birthdate: July 6

You tend to be a the rock in relationships - people depend on you. Thoughtful and caring, you often put others needs first. You aren't content to help those you know... you want to give to the world. An idealist, you strive for positive change and dream about how much better things could be. Your strength: Your intuition Your weakness: You put yourself last Your power color: Rose Your power symbol: Cloud Your power month: June

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

The things I learn about myself

You Should Get a MD (Doctor of Medicine)

You're both compassionate and brilliant - a rare combination. You were born to be a doctor.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

Your Hair Should Be Blue

Wild, brilliant, and out of control. You're a risk taker with an eye to the future.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

Your Blog Should Be Blue

Your blog is a peaceful, calming force in the blogosphere. You tend to avoid conflict - you're more likely to share than rant. From your social causes to cute pet photos, your life is a (mostly) open book.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

Finding pleasure in loss, pleasure in gain

So in my last post I went on about how I was stagnating with the weight loss and generally just not feeling the WW love. Well, apparently tracking everything like it was my first week on plan worked!

I hit my 10% goal. Yep, I lost just over 4 lbs last week and I'm at a grand total of 19.6 lost and weigh in at 178 even! I'd figured on taking the month of November to lose those pounds, but apparently I put myself on the fast track somehow. Really, I just think it was the carrot dangled before me - K, R & I couldn't have our monthly Popeye's lunch unless K & I reached our goals. K still needs to lose 7 pounds to reach her final weight loss goal.

Any hoo, feeling pretty good that I only had 4 pieces of candy Halloween night (they were the teeny tiny little mini bars that are more like hints of candy than actual candy). I'm going to treat myself to some new pants.

In knitting news, I'm going to be knitting a new project for KnitPicks. There's a deadline of 11/18 and it's completely doable. I'll take pics once I pick up the stuff and get going.

Here's some yarny goodness for you:


I actually did finish my Socktober socks before the end of October. I took the picture Halloween night, but didn't post until now and I'm such a slacker, I still need to update Lolly.

More knitting progress:

Mittens for the nieces! I'm using Ann Budd's Handy Book of Patterns and (bad auntie) I'm using acrylic. BUT in my defense, I must state that knowing my sister as I do she will appreciate washable items more than handwash. Yes, yes, I've heard of superwash wool and it's crossed my mind to get some and knit another pair. I have given this a little thought and I'm thinking of lining them with fleece. We'll see.

Did I mention I've also recently bought yarn?


The stuff on top is to knit clogs for Rob and Erin. KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Evergreen for Rob and in Mist and Coal for Erin. The stuff below is a pumpkin hat kit to knit for Kruz for next year and fun fruity baby hats for any baby that happens along. The baby stuff came courtesy of Busy Hands Yarn. They even included a hand written note with my stuff thanking me for buying from them. Nice people.

Yes, yes, this is the last of it:


Two Heartstrings patterns and yarn. Sis 2 of 2 has been after me to make something for myself. I have some EcoWool, some Lorna's Laces in River (the light blue skein in the masthead above), some Socks that Rock in the Carbon colorway (barely visible above as well). I've added the KnitPicks Shine in Orchid to the pile. I was going to make a Picovoli but now I'm leaning towards Marnie in HotKnits (Look in the table of contents). Kim, thoughts?

Starting Over (Again)

Yesterday was weigh-in at WeightWatchers. *sigh* I've been stagnating around the same weight for weeks! I hit 182.4 back on July 27th. My weight yesterday? 182.2. My progress in 13 weeks? 0.2 pounds.

When I started WW back in April, my starting weight was 197.6 and I was excited to get back on program (this is my 3rd time) and get down to around 140. WW wants your first goal to be to lose 10% of your current weight. That made my first goal to be 19 lbs. At this time, I've lost 15.4 so I only have less than 4 more to reach my 10% goal and earn the freakin' key chain thingy.

Anyhoo, I've got to get back on track. I wasn't tracking my points well (or at all) and I've got to take another look at the meals we're making. They're obviously not too bad since I've essentially maintained for the last 3 months. And *gulp* I've got to add in exercise.

Part of the drive for the do-over is that I'm feeling left behind on the weight loss front and I know it's totally my fault. My sis is doing LA Weight Loss and we're in a supportive competition, the kind only good sisters can do, and she's coming up rapidly on me. Three friends at work have collectively lost 100 pounds, individually it ranges from 30 to 40 pounds. (And in case K, R or S is reading this, I'm proud of each of you and in no way am I trying undermine the very hard work you've been doing - you guys are inspiring in that annoying way good friends can be without pissing you off)

So, today was the beginning of my new start and what a start I got off to! First, I missed my train stop (I was reading KnitLit the Third), then the train that was immediately heading back to my stop left before I had a chance to hop on. Since a woman on the train reminded me they leave every 15 minutes, I figured that if I waited for the next one, I'd miss my shuttle. Let's see . . . it's 6:55am, if the train leaves in 15 min, that's 7:10 and the shuttle leaves at 7:12, but there's a stop between the station I'm at and the one I'm supposed to be at so that spells disaster.

So what to do? How 'bout deciding to walk back to the shuttle location? So I take off walking quickly and wishing I'd decided to wear my Sauconys rather than my Keds. I'd just passed the middle station when a TRAIN WENT BY IN THE DIRECTION I WANTED TO GO. Has it been 15 minutes? NO. If I'd stopped at the station & caught it would I be on time? YES. Was I screwed? PROBABLY. What to do? Keep walking.

Missed my shuttle (I saw it go by as I was coming up to the cross street), had to wait another 30 minutes before they came back around and almost missed that one because they weren't used to seeing me that late. What did I learn? Check the schedules carefully myself, wear comfortable walking shoes and KNIT instead of reading.

But this started out as a knitting blog and I'm going to stop the whining. For now.

As you can see from the photo below, I had cast-on and started the Christmas mittens as part of Sandy's knitalong.

I say "had cast-on" because I've ripped them off and will be restarting the mittens. Going up a needle size (I'd started on #2s) and I'm going to put a pink heart on each palm of her mittens. I'll do a purple set with pink hearts for another niece.

When I've finally got it started, I'll show you.

I knew I was royalty

A strong-willed herald of causes against injustice, you passionately strive to right the wrongs around you.

Somebody has to save our skins!

Leia is a character in the Star Wars universe. See her character entry at the Star Wars Databank for more information.


(Although the husband would say I was more of a royal pain. Found this over at Theresa's blog.)

Look! Actual knitting!

Changes again around Yarn Pig. I figure the sis will be the first to complain about me not leaving things be. (I move the furniture around at least 4 times a year but not the same room)

To deflect her, I offer this:
Particulars anyone? Caron Simply Soft Brites in Watermelon with Friends Mustachio in Cherry on the sleeves. Pattern #8 in FCEK Holiday 2002 for a bolero jacket. Knit with the Caron held doubled to get gauge on #9 needles. Used my Denise set for this.

The sweater knit for this lovely niece:

In this photo, Khylie is groovin' during her birthday party and judging by her face, she's already enjoyed her lunch.

I have been making progress with the socks for Socktoberfest.
I'm actually working the toe on the 2nd sock and should finish it this weekend. As you can see by my knitting corner, the good Dr helps me out. This is Knit Picks Sock Garden in Daffodil on #3 needles. Nice knit, I'm enjoying this yarn.

There are other pictures to share. But we'll drag them out a little.

Just another sheep

Yeah, I'm a joiner. Not a leader. I'm happy to do some small group leading, but take the lead and do it all start to finish? Nope, not a comfortable fit.

So knowing that about myself and also knowing that I need prodding to get some things done, I've joined two online groups.

Socktoberfest! Lolly's got almost two hundred people working on socks this month. I've tossed my hat into the ring as well. I've got a pair going - one done and the second sock on the needles and another pair I want to have done for a gift for a friend. To show my very real intent, I've added the button in my sidebar.

And the other? A Mitten-Along at Sandy's. I've got mittens planned for the nieces anyway so this will also keep me on track.

Quick post

This meme is all over the place so what the heck! Type in your name + needs into Google and list the first 10 results. I checked out what most people call me followed by my given name so you'll see two sets of results below. And yeah, I did some skipping since some of it didn't really fit the name+needs.

Gina Needs:
1. a makeover (no kidding)
2. to be interruptible by WinLogon
3. to listen for custom SAS events on another thread
4. a man in her life (got one, thanks!)
5. to be able to reach out to him (I'll try harder)
6. to get some d*ck before she rips somebody's head off (see 4 & 5 above)
7. a diverse group of hairdressers (maybe they can come up with a better style)
8. needs to abandon beginning sentences with "Presently"
9. a severe reprimand
10. someone to talk Girl Talk to

Regina needs:
1. overtime to defeat Huskies (dontcha love sports?)
2. $30000 to save the family home
3. no introduction
4. money to invest in a business with her brothers
5. to set aside time to exercise (yes, I know)
6. 6 points to secure third place
7. your support!
8. to win to keep in the hunt for the 4th playoff spot
9. advice from Julia on a tax question
10. someone who bring handcuffs as well as roses (I'll mention that to Rob)