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)

Sunday, sunday, sunday

It's a quiet Sunday morning here at Chez Yarn Pig. Everyone's asleep except for me and the dog. Rob's sleeping hard after a few less than stellar nights of solid sleep, Kruz is sleeping again after his 5am call for room service and the cats, well, they're sleeping again because that's just what they do. In fact, the photo below from yesterday afternoon was more sleeping.


Rob & I will have Kruz until Monday night when his parents return from their trip to California for a friend's wedding. I have to say, he's a good kid. He's willing to watch SportsCenter with Rob, lets his auntie tickle him and generally stays put. Although that may be going away too quickly.


See this photo? He started at Point A (Minnie Mouse) and ended up at Point B (under the table). He's scooting backwards or rolling over to where he wants to go. He's pushing himself up on his knees and toes and it won't be long before it all comes together and he's crawling. Yikes! The cats won't be safe then!

Not that Tribble will let him too close. As long as he's reasonably quiet, she's OK with his presence. If he's crying for lack of A) a dry diaper, B) food in his baby buddha belly or C) painless tooth cutting, then she's wandering around growling and avoiding him.

---Later in the morning---

Everyone's up now and had their breakfast. Football is on the tube and the guys have their beverage of choice.

Last Sunday we were on the road to Tri-Cities to meet up with Rob's extended family. Nice drive, good food, great people. The kids had a nice time with family (that's them with Rob's mom below).

They slept on the way home and we *had* to get the pictures of them sleeping.


Did I knit? You betcha.

Well, the Colts are now playing and I've got a sweater to cast on as a gift for Khylie's 3rd birthday.

Oh! Almost forgot!

Erin now has a driver's permit. Beware.

Quick update

Weight: down and only 0.8 more pounds to go before I reach my 10% goal.
Hair: Cut, pictures will be posted later.
Knitting: almost done with the baby blanket ruffle, but will be setting it aside to work on a sweater for niece Khylie's 3rd birthday.
Job: still working despite the layoff currently underway, will continue to work as a search for a buyer for our facility gets going and will hopefully continue to work after the sale.
Family: fun with the Woolbright clan in Tri-Cities, pictures to come!
Reading: Nora Roberts, of course.

Ahhhhh

It's a little heavy on the pics so be forewarned!

First up, the hoodie, she is done!


6 skeins of Bernat Denim Style, pattern from the Fall 2005 FC Easy Knitting. A seventh skein is waiting for the decision by Erin whether she wants the kangaroo pocket or not.

The dog, she is groomed! Before, she was definitely cute but motley. See?

Her hair was getting matted, she was growling at every little movement because of the matted hair and she was annoyed and annoying.

But now? Now she's as cute as a puppy.

Look at that face! Don't you just want to cuddle her and throw her frisbee endlessly or until she decides she's had enough?

And last, but not least . . . the Kruz man!
Kruz has discovered his toes in the last few weeks and shoves them in his mouth often. He's rolling over and pushing himself up on his arms, he's ticklish and man, this little guy kills me! Reminds me of all the fun I had when the girls were this little and I got to spend time with them and build on my status as favorite Auntie. (Sorry, Kim, how 'bout I claim favorite in-state Auntie?)

He's online!

The husband has decided to blog!

Been trying to get him to do it now for a while and he's finally decided to give it a shot. Be sure to drop by and encourage him.

Not a surprise to my family, I'm sure

You are Julian of Norwich! It's all about God, to
you. You're convinced that the world has a
happy ending. Everyone else is convinced that
you're a closet hippie, but you love them
anyway.


Which Saint Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Give a little bit

As I read the stories coming out in the aftermath of Katrina, I'm increasing grateful for the area I live in. We don't have hurricanes, earthquakes are rare, tornados even more so. Yes, I have an active volcano in my backyard, but I don't have to endure feet of snow in the winter, high humidity in the summer, bugs the size of birds whether flying or crawling. The Northwest is known, and perhaps reviled in places, for the constant rain in fall, winter and spring, but it's cleansing, we're green nearly year-round and it smells good.

But when things happen to make you grateful for what you still have while others have lost everything but their lives, you want to do what you can.

All around the blog, people are urging others to donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund. Do it.

And then go a step further and head to your local Red Cross and donate - time, blood, plasma, blood products.

What am I doing? I have an appointment Sunday in the Apheresis unit to donate platelets and other blood products. I go on average once every 2-3 months. I was just there in mid-August and I'm stepping up again. And I'll schedule my next appointment while I'm there.

Give thanks for what you still have. And then give what you have.