Merry Christmas (A Few Days Late)

Well another Christmas has come and gone. Oh wait, there is one more Christmas to celebrate. My side of the family is Serbian Eastern Orthodox and we celebrate Christmas on January 7th. DD's birthday is on the 6th of January. We still are in the planning stages for her birthday. She has mentioned that she wants a vanilla layer cake decorated with polka dots and stars. So I'll have to order her cake before it gets to be too late. We didn't quite have a full house for Christmas. My aunt and cousin didn't show and an uncle was sick. I messed up the mashed potatoes. I put the milk and butter in the bottom of the bowl then added the potatoes started mashing and then oops this is too soupy. Instant potatoes to the rescue! The dressing ended up being too dry. Although it re-heated up even better. I ended up giving out a lot of the hand knitted items as Christmas gifts. All recipients seemed to have loved their gifts (either that or they are very good actors/actresses. I signed up to take a sweater class at Fiddleheads. I got several gift certificates to Fiddleheads. Enough to pay for the class and purchase the yarn for the sweater. Photos to come later. I am making progress on the Lady Eleanor. I am enjoying knitting her very much. I can't wait to start knitting her in some Glazed Carrot Malabrigo. The only knitting gift that I got from DH was the SNB calendar. I need to bring that to work so I can enjoy it there!

Happy Holidays

How many days until Christmas? Less than a week, 5 days to be exact. This month sure has flown by. I couldn't believe that my last post was on November 13th. I've been busy with working for Weight Watchers (my part time job) and my full time job. We just went through our year-end process which sucked up about 8 hours of my extra time per week. I am definitely going to miss the overtime pay. On the knitting front, where to begin. I guess I could give you a listing of projects that are on my needles. I may end up shocking myself here. 1. Lady Eleanore in the lovely Sapphire Magenta Malabrigo. I should take a picture of her progress. I learned how to knit her at a class at Fiddleheads. 2. Midwest Moonlight scarf in a lovely Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. A gorgeous wine color. 3. A scarf done in Frog Tree, in a lovely purple colorway. Not too bad if I say so myself. Only 3 WIPs. From what I can remember, I haven't had too many finished projects but they are definitely worth mentioning and maybe worthy of a picture later. First, I did finish a pair of socks. Although....they are not the perfect match for one another. The first one, I finished was done in Austerman's Step. Done in toe-up. The other sock is done in Lorna's Laces. I'll have to post the name later. Last night, I ended up finishing knitting up a washcloth. I have decided that I am going to start my Christmas knitting for next year now. This year for Christmas, I am going to give each of my aunts (there's only 2) 2 washcloths and a bottle of dishwashing liquid. My brother is going to get the same along with my dad. My dad is kind of funny, he told me that I didn't have to get him anything, well technically I didn't get him anything, I made him something. Last Saturday, I attended another class at Fiddleheads to learn other methods for casting on and binding off. That was a very big help. Look for more pictures to be posted later. anawhoatthemomentwhohasallofherchristmaspresentswrapped.

WIP Updates

Life certainly has been busy lately, so I thought that I would update my WIP. I actually have four of them. I certainly know how that happened. The Midwest Moonlight Scarf that I started was intended for a Christmas present for one of my receptionists, except I decided that I wasn't going to give her a scarf that has a cost of over $30 in yarn. So that one is on a hiatus. On to WIP #2. I casted on a scarf using Frog Tree yarns. After numerous starts I had finally made progress. That has been put on hiatus for now also. Next stop is WIP #3, which is a toe-up scarf done in Austerman's step yarn. I forgot the colorway. I had a hard time doing the original toe that was part of the class, so Mindy helped me do more of a flat toe. After the first class, we had to knit far enough to knit the gusset and turn the heel. That was accomplished in the second night of class. I had no problem with knitting that. So now I am in the final stages of sock #1. I just need to knit far enough up to be statisfied with how high I want it. Last but not least is WIP #4, which is The Lady Eleanor. Lady Eleanore is knitted up in Malabrigo colorway Saphire Amethyst. I am actually working on the second tier. Once I got the hang of it, it is knitting up real fast and it is real fun to see her grow. I took a class on Saturday morning to learn how to knit her up. Sunday, I stopped at The Loop Yarn in Milwaukee on my way home. I went to look for a new yarn bag and also some Malabrigo in a colorway that one of the ladies had at the class on Saturday morning. I didn't find that colorway but I did find some absolutely gorgeous yarn in my favorite color...ORANGE! I want to knit Lady Eleanore up in the colorway glazed carrot. I also got some blue sky bulky alpaca in a orange duotones. I bought a pattern to make a hat, scarf and mittens if I chose to do so. For now, I plan on making the hat. Pictures to come later. Shower time, then I'll take the pictures and more knitting!

Progress

I have been making progress on my Frog Tree scarf. Two days ago, I had another mishap with the scarf. I ended up with an extra stitch. I ended up tinking, I had to undo about 4 rows but everything turned out well. I continued on. I just added a new ball of yarn to the scarf. It is approximately 1 foot so that means 4 more to go. Tomorrow night is the first night of my Toe-up class. I am pretty excited about the class. Tonight, I wound another ball of Frog Tree yarn and one of my Austermann Steps for my class tomorrow. I'll have to remember to post a picture of my progress for tomorrow night. I am also debating about taking my camera with me to get pictures of the group. Well time to go knit and add some more rows to that Frog Tree scarf.

Pictures, Pictures and More Pictures!

Here is the completed Linen Stitch Scarf. It's laid out in all of it's glory. Here's a closer view to the left. It really does look like a piece of linen.

Next, comes my knitting library. I had finally cleaned up part of my bedroom and gathered all of my knitting books and put them in one place so they will be easier to find. And yes, that is two crochet books that you see on the shelf also. After I had taken this picture I did find my Fix It book. My Style Book did not make the photo shoot because it is actually be used for my Midwest Moonlight Scarf. That is on the needles and is on hiatus. Wrap Style is missing also. I wonder where that book is hiding.

Here is my Frog Tree Scarf in progress. You can see the stitch markers. I honestly believe that these stitch markers have made the world of difference in my progress. I am amazed at how much I have gotten done. I am liking this pattern better and better. I am anxious to see it completed and blocked in all of its glory.

Here is some yummy sock yarn that I have recently purchased. There are two skeins of Austerman's Step, one of Trekking XXL and one of Opal. One of these skeins will become a pair of toe-up socks. Friday is the first of four classes to learn how to knit. I am so excited about finally learning how to knit a pair of socks.

Here is some lovely Malabrigo in the Amoroso colorway. This lovely skein is going to become a cowl from the book Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I originally saw this knitted up at Fiddlesticks. Mindy had used a different yarn. She also had demonstrated how to wear it. I am thinking of knitting this up for me.

Last but not least, here are six skeins of Malabrigo in the Saphire Magenta colorway. These six gorgeous skeins are going to become The Lady Eleanor. I have signed up for a second class at Fiddlesticks to learn how to knit up The Lady Eleanor. I am excited about this class also.

Well enough yarn porn for now. Time for a shower and then it's knitting time! Have to make some progress on that Frog Tree Scarf. I also need to look for another scarf. This time I am going to look for a scarf that is going to knit up very quickly.

Time to Knit!

Eureka

I went yesterday afternoon to go pick up the Malabrigo that I had bought at the open house at Fiddlesticks on Monday night. I had left the three skeins of Malabrigo in a Saphire Magenta colorway along with a skein of turquoise Cascade 220 to be wound into a pancake. I also brought my knitting project with, the scarf that I am doing in Frog Tree. Mindy's aunt was visiting so she didn't have time to help me out. She has asked me if I would leave it there but I really wasn't prepared to do that. I wanted to keep on knitting. So we talked about it and I had two options, I could tink or just frog it and reuse the yarn. She also suggested that I use stitch markers in between the pattern repeats. So....I frogged it. I ended up cutting it at a certain point and I casted on and started knitting. This time I am placing a stitch marker after each pattern repeat. I am happy to say that I am definitely making progress. I am further along than any other previous attempt. I am also very happy with the way that it is looking. Now, my thoughts are how long is it going to take me to get it knitted up. The stitch markers seemed to have helped with my extra yarn overs and togethers. I was probably getting mixed up in the pattern. I am so excited, Thursday is my first knitting class that I am taking at Fiddlesticks. I am going to learn how to knit Toe-Up socks. It will also be the first socks that I will make. Now, I have to decide which of my yummy sock yarn I want to use. I also need to get some double pointed needles. I figure that I am going to get them on Friday when I go for my class. I do have a question though, I just got done watching a commerical with all these sheep. Half the train car contained white sheep, the other half black. The black sheep are running through town and you see them amongst Harleys. Ok, here's the question, what does that have to do with Harley Davidson? The whole time I was watching the commercial all I could think about was sheep=wool=yarn. I need to post a few pictures...they are coming. Time to go knit.

Linen Stitch Scarf

I forgot to mention that I finished this scarf. I took the photos to which I'll post later. I still have one tail to bury then it needs to be blocked and wrapped for Christmas. On to the last scarf which has been kicking my a**. I also need to find a pattern for a fourth scarf. Question? Do I find the pattern for the fourth scarf and put this one on the back burner? I am determined to knit this scarf from Frog Tree. Is this yarn trying to tell me that it does not want to become this scarf?

Another Catch Up Time

It's been awhile since I've last posted (shame on me). A lot has happened. I'm still trying to figure the pattern for the scarf that I am making using Frog Tree yarn. I seem to either forget a yarn over or add one where none is needed....so I end up with either too many stitches or not enough stitches on my needle. When this would happen I would just cut the yarn and start all over. Now, I have another situation, I have 57 stitches on my needle...so do I cut the yarn? rip it all back and salvage the yarn as much as I can? or patiently unknit? I am leaning towards frogging the whole thing. This is supposed to be a Christmas present...well it's looking like I may not have it done in time. I also found out that I am getting another meeting with another receptionist. That means that I am going to have to make another scarf. My thoughts are maybe to do a cowl instead, might be faster to knit up. Monday, I should be getting my car back. I did not have a good week at all last week. I ended up getting in a car accident. I'm fine but my car ended up with the booboos, front and rear. I didn't think I had damaged the front but obviously I did. I guess when the car behind me hit me she pushed me into the car in front of me. That car did not stay. So, I figure one of a couple of things 1.) They have no insurance. 2) They have no driver's license 3.) In the country illegally or 4) They didn't think that I hit them hard enough. Well time to get knitting.

MIA

Well I've been MIA for awhile. Life's been busy. I'm now working I guess you could say 3 jobs. My Weight Watchers which I am going to be doing 5 meetings on 5 days next week. And I am working 4 hours at my old job and 4 hours at my new job. Yes, I got the job that I had interviewed for. Rumour has it that I am going to be full days at my new job on Oct 30th. I can't wait. I finally got the rhythm of the Midwest Moonlight Scarf. That is on hiatus right now. I am not going to give it to the person that I originally had planned. The scarf is going to end up costing me over $30 in yarn so I am going to find another victim for if I get it done in time. I started another scarf using a pattern called "Linen Stitch Scarves" by Barbara Selesnick. It is a self-striping yarn. I can't remember the name of the company but I will post it along with a picture when it is finished. There is one mistake in it so far and I am continuing on. I am going to see how long the scarf is using one skein of this yarn. I am hoping to get to five feet, but whatever the length is when I run out of yarn is when I am going to call it quits and start the third scarf. Things are looking good to get the three scarves completed in time for Christmas. I have been on a book frenzy lately. I'll have to post the books that I have recently acquired and talk about some of my plans for the books and the dreams that I am having for them.

Knitting Stuff

Ok, I am finally posting my completed Butterfly Shrug which is being modeled my my lovely daughter. (Pardon the hearts) I have worn the shrug a couple of times and love how it wears. I am in the process of making a second shrug. I'll take a photo of it once it's completed.

Here she is posing so we can get a view on how it drapes on the side. She doesn't like the shrug herself, so this one will be all mine. If shrugs ever become the style at school, I have a feeling that I will lose this. So let's hope that it still stays "uncool".

To the right you see the "My So-Called Scarf.

This scarf was actually started numerous times. As evidenced by the frogged items shown to the left Just some of my failed attempts. Sorry I didn't take a picture of all the failed attempts either. I had to take the scarf to the Lake County Knit Together and Erica saved my scarf. I was prepared to take it off the needles and start all over. At the moment the scarf measures over 5ft. I just hold the scarf up and it's taller than me so I know it's 5ft at the moment. I am debating if I want to make it any longer. The lucky recipient of this scarf is my receptionist at my Weight Watchers meeting.

Here's a close up of the stitch pattern. This is knitted in with Cascade 220 Quatro. I absolutely love working with this yarn and this was the perfect yarn for this scarf in my opinion.

Last night I attempted to cast-on and start knitting a gorgeous Midwest Moonlight by Ivy Bigelow from the book Scarf Style. I have chosen to knit it in a gorgeous Cashmerino Aran from Debbie Bliss in a plum or wine color. I had gotten several rows done and dropped a stitch or two and proceeded to frog it. I really should have the camera handy and start taking photos of my work before I proceed to frog it. I figure this will take me several attempts before I finally get it right.

During lunch, I attempted to start a sock using the Magic Loop tecnique book. That didn't go too well. I frogged what I had done then too. I just couldn't get the stitches right and it didn't help that I was losing them off of the needles also.

OTH (On the hook) Butterfly Shrug

OTN (On the Needles) Nothing - tomorrow I cast-on again for the Midwest Moonlight Scarf. (Another Christmas present.)

Non-Knitting Stuff

I really need to start posting more often. I had one post that I had saved in a draft and finally posted it today. It's been over two weeks since I have added anything. No excuses other than being absolutely lazy. Now to get you all caught up to date on everything. On the weight-loss front: Things are going good. I had lost almost 4 pounds one week only to gain .2 back. I was so happy that I didn't gain anymore. I had a bad week but kept to program and it paid off. I need to talk to my members about that. I ended up picking up two more meetings during the week both as receptionists one is in Paddock Lake and the other in Union Grove. My boss came and evaluated the group on Sunday. We got a really good review. She really didn't have anything to talk to us about that we were doing wrong. She loved how I brought my laptop to the meeting and featured the Weight Watchers Walking Kit. The members enjoyed watching it. I had brought my computer in to talk about music and play them my theme song for my weight-loss journey. I had picked "New Attitude" by Patti LaBelle. It was a very good meeting. Deb had complemented me on my facilitation skills. She said that there is a huge improvement since she last coached me. I am doing my meetings now with no notes. I find that if I use notes I rely on them too much. It's much more fun just to wing it. I have a few questions under my belt and then just let the meeting take on wings and see where we go with it. Interesting developements on the job search front. I met with a recruiter on September 11th. She agreed to take me on as a client. Today is the first day that she actually sent me something to consider. She sent a posting for a Fund Administration and Compliance Department Compliance Administrator. If I were to pursue this opportunity it would be a lateral move for me. I read the job description and I'm not buying into it. I just can't see myself doing this job. It has a lot to do with banking, in my opinion, and the SEC. I don't have a very high opinion of the banking sector (they buy each other way too much for my liking). So, I will be sending her a very polite "no thank you" and state my reasons. I am in the middle of interviewing for a position within my company right now. I was talking to my girlfriend Pam who works in the International division. We somehow got on the topic of my job search and that I am getting frustrated about not getting any interviews for a promotion. I had mentioned about something that is going on in the department, which is kind of making me think about going a different way to get the promotion. I'll explain about that in a little bit. Well Pam had mentioned something about a grade 9 that had just closed. I had asked her to talk to the manager for me to see if they had found anyone yet. Well I got a call from her and an email telling me to send the hiring manager my resume as soon as possible. I did that on Thursday morning. Within ten minutes of sending it, I got an email from the manager asking me when I am free to set up an interview because they would like to interview me as soon as possible. I replied and the interview was set up for Friday morning. Later that night when I got home I stayed up and prepared for the interview. Usually the managers around here do targeted selection interviewing, on this interview I got the typical questions: "What are your strengths, What are your weakenesses and where do you see yourself five years from now?" Those are the exact questions that I prepared for. This was one of the best interviews that I had in a very long time. I also found out that the department that I would be going to I know and have worked with both of the girls that are there. Later that day, two of my co-workers came rushing in my cube to tell me that they had over heard my boss saying to someone "yeah she's good" they assumed that the hiring manager was talking about me. Yesterday, I got another invite for yet another interview. This is what I believe to be the final stage, I am meeting with the Vice President of International. I think that I got the job! but I still have to be offered the position. It would be a lateral move and one that I believe would help me further my career. On other news, last week I attended a mentoring session that my company has. I had identified someone that I actually know in the finance area and asked her to be my mentor and she accepted. I have my first meeting with her tomorrow. I am going to have to do some prep work before we meet tomorrow. I had the second interview this afternoon. I think that it went well. I basically interviewed him. He gave me some good career advice. So time will tell if I get the job or not.

Butterfly Shrug Completed

Well I completed my Butterfly Shrug a couple of days ago. It is very pretty. But somehow I remember the one at the Loop Yarn being bigger. I should have added one more row of triple crochets and that probably would have worked. The color is absolutely gorgeous. I bought some more Bamboo yarn in the Sahara colorway. I've all ready started the second shrug. I had debated about making the shrug in the size medium but decided against it. I am just going to add either one or two more rows of the triple crochets at the bottom to see if that does the trick. I had a hard time deciding on the color. If the yarn shop would have had tequila which is the color that I used for the first shrug I would have gotten that. I do have over half of skein left of the tequila and Mindy (the shop owner) said that she has some tequila coming in. When she gets the Tequila colorway in, I am going to buy one more skein and make another one. I really like the color but want to make one that I am going to be happy with. I am getting addicted to that new yarn shop in town. I went back there on Saturday. I bought some Opal sock yarn, some Rowan Tapestry, which I am going to cast-on a scarf. I am going to make Sally my receptionist a scarf for Christmas. I also bought the two skeins of Bamboo. The store in Kenosha pretty much carries the yarns that I like. She doesn't have a lot of Noro in stock but that's ok. At the moment I have enough Kureyon to make 3 Booga bags.

Butterfly Shrug

I almost had a mishap last night. I tried to see if the ball of bamboo that I was working with would complete the very last row. I almost made it too. I ended up a couple of inches short. This is where the fun started. I tried to see if I could join the new ball of bamboo in the middle of a row. Well that did work out and somehow, I ended up with a knot. I couldn't take it out. So it was time to do some surgery. I did a little snip and somehow a row three down started to unravel right in the middle of the work, I had rows of stitching on each side. There is good news in all of this! I was able to add the new ball of bamboo without any further problem! I continued on. I got one sleeve sewed last night. I still need to bury some ends but it shouldn't be that big of a problem. Today during lunch, I got the other sleeve sewn and started working on the flared bottom of the shrug. I am on the second to last row of triple crochets. Then I just have to attach the side edges of the flared bottom to the sleeves and bury the ends then voila I am done! I just may be able to get this finished tonight. This Crocheted Butterfly Shrug has been very easy to crochet. I just love the yarn that I am using and the color. Stay tuned for the picture of the completed shrug. I have a Weight Watcher meeting in Union Grove tonight. I'm receptioning again. I sure hope that I do okay.

New Yarn, Butterfly, and Needles

I was so excited yesterday about Fiddlehead Yarns opening. I took off of work early before my meeting in Paddock Lake to go check the store out! It is such an awesome store and the owner Mindy was very friendly. The hours are not the greatest but that should help me out quite a bit. She had a nice selection of yarns and I was in seventh heaven to see several different kinds of sock yarn. She had two socks on display, I forgot the types of yarns that she had used. I had a hard time deciding which sock yarn I had wanted to purchase. She had some Austerman Step, Opal, Regia, Sisu, and Lorna's Lace. I couldn't make up my mind between the Opal or the Lorna's Laces. I ended up with two hanks of the Lorna's Laces in Sherbert. I wasn't too interested in Regia because I all ready have a skein in one of the colors. I think I am going to go back and get skein of the Opal and the Austerman. She's also offering to toe-up sock class that I am thinking about signing up for. The prices for her classes are very reasonable. I need to rescue the needles off of my so-called sock and find the appropriate place for the sock. I am going to wait for my Magic Loop book from Knit Picks before I start another sock.

OTN right now, well actually it's on my crochet hook is the beginning of what I hope to be a gorgeous Butterfly shrug. I am crocheting it with 100% Bamboo yarn. The pattern came from The Loop Yarn Shop in Milwaukee. Here is a close-up of the Butterfly Shrug that I have stitched so far. I am loving the feel of the Bamboo yarn. I also love the colorway. I can't wait to finish this. My thoughts are to wear a dark brown shirt underneath the shrug. So far this is a good easy pattern to crochet. I decided to clean up my dresser tonight. These are all the knitting needles I found on top of the dresser. My daughter thought that the glass was retro. At least now I'm not going to have knitting needles all over the place. These needles have pretty much been retired since, I got a set of Knit Pick Option needles. I fell in love with knitting with circulars. I should go hunt down the other needles that are in the basement and add them to the collection.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

This is my So-Called Sock. I believe that I had gotten as far as turning the heel, but I am not sure how to continue from there. I was using Stephanie Pearl-McPhees directions from Knitting Rules but to do the gusset the instructions are written for three needles. I ordered the Magic Loop Technique book from Knit Picks. I decided that my So-Called Sock will never be completed. There are several mistakes in the sock. Not bad for my first attempt at Magic Loop, if I do say so myself. Once I recieve the Magic Loop technique book, I am going to cast-on for my next sock using this yarn. I bought only one skein because that is all the LYS had. I like the colorway and want to see how it will knit up. If I like this, and don't make a lot of mistakes (that are real noticeable then maybe I will find an online store to order this from.) I just ordered the book today and I figure that I should have it by the end of the week. I can't wait to cast-on and complete one sock! Decisions, decisions, decisions. I am trying to decide what do I want to knit or crochet next. To the left you see a hank of Noro Sakura in colorway #3. It's sister skein had turned into that blob from one of my earlier posts. I am going to knit this into the My So-Called Scarf. I know that the scarf is going to be a thin one and more decorative than anything. Or do I break out the crochet hook and use this lovely Bamboo to knit a Butterfly shrug that I got the pattern from the Loop Yarn Shop in Milwaukee. I had seen this shrug in this same colorway and it was simply gorgeous. I purchased two skeins and the owner gave the pattern free. The shrug looks very simple to make. I just need a brush up course on crocheting. The pattern calls for single, double, and triple crochet. I did manage to buy the correct size crochet hook. Here it is my Booga Bag before going for a swim! It is done in Noro Kureyon colorway #40. I knitted this on Addi Turbo's size 10 1/2. The handles are waiting for the swim too. I have enough Noro Kureyon in colorways, #88, 128, and 165 to make three more bags. So what am I going to knit or crochet next? Tune in tomorrow to find out. I also am pretty excited about tomorrow. Fiddlehead Yarns is opening tomorrow! I am going to see if they will still be open when I get done with my Weight Watchers meeting in Paddock Lake tomorrow. I am working as a receptionist for that meeting. Sally's the leader and maybe she can give me some ideas for my meetings!

Dishcloth Madness Photos

The above was my first attempt at the Mason-Dixon ballband warshrage. I absolutely love how it turned out. I made a second one reversing the colors, but that one is in the wash. I knitted this using Sugar 'N Creme. I absolutely love the Mason-Dixon book and plan on making a lot more of these ballband warshrags The dishcloth above was knitted in Peaches 'N Creme color peppermint. the pattern is Grandmother's favorite. The dishcloths above are done in Sugar 'N Creme, the top one is Swimming Pool. I loved how it knitted up in a zig zag. The one to the left is done in Key Lime Pie. I can't remember the color name of the pink one. They turned out real good.

Almost did it again!

Yesterday, I subbed for the first time as a receptionist for WW. I had a really good time. I got there early and wouldn't you know, they were having a used clothing sale at the church where the meeting was held. I ended up getting some clothes, the leader that I was helping last night, Judy, she even picked some clothes out for me. Although, when I got home later there was only a pant suit and a blouse that my husband and daughter liked. It was hilarious, I was modelling the clothes, my daughter was on the computer headset on and she would make funny faces if she didn't like the outfit. I think that I did fairly well last night, I balanced but I forgot to tear the top portion off the 10 week pre-pay that I had sold. Judy said that she was going to stop by the person's house on the way home and see if she can get it from her to enclose in the tally. I am going to sub for this meeting next week. They were a real good group of people and I had a great time and laughed a lot. Who knows maybe watching Judy will give me ideas for making my Saturday morning meetings even better! I got some great ideas for my meeting on Saturday all ready. I didn't get too much knitting done last night. I only knitted for an hour. I'm still working on my so-called sock. At the moment it has one inch of 2x2 ribbing, and one more inch to go before I start working in stockingnette stitch. I almost had a mishap with it this morning. I somehow drop a stitch and was thinking oh no here we go again. I'm not sure how it looks, I'm waiting to knit a few more rows before I take a peek to see how bad it looks. I'm telling myself this is your practice sock so don't worry too much about it. Who knows maybe there's no damage at all and I did a good job of repairing it. I won't be knitting during lunch today, my husband and daughter are coming in to take me out to lunch. Hubby took the day off of work. He's 41 today. Happy Birthday Scott. He mentioned something to me yesterday about my daughter complaining about the amount of time that it takes to drive to see me for lunch. His opinion is then don't go, good opinion in my thoughts. So the sock survived the mishap this morning and is not a candidate for the frog pond. My Noro arrived this morning, I was informed of this by my daughter. I can't wait to see the colorways. I ordered colorways #88 and #128 in Kureyon. Webs had an overstock sale $5.79 a skein, I couldn't pass that up. So now I have enough Noro Kureyon to make 3 Booga Bags. (I still have to felt the first bag. I think it's going for a swim this weekend). Next, I have my eye on some Wool of the Andes from Knit Pick for some buttonhole bags. I found out the most wonderful news yesterday, there is a yarn shop opening up on Tuesday in town! The place is called Fiddleyards. I am so excited, I can't wait to go check it out! I am going to go drive by the place to see if she has her hours posted on the door. I have to do a meeting on Tuesday, so I am hoping that I can go there after I get done with the meeting. If not, I'll be making a trip on Wednesday when I am done with work. I do hope that she carries some good sock yarns and of course Noro!

Believe it or not?

I was reading the instructions in Knitting Rules for the Plain sock pattern, and realized that I should be knitting a 2x2 ribbing instead of 1x1. Ok, now this did bug me. So I'm sitting in a nice comfy chair and I'm knitting on my practice so-called sock, thinking to myself this should be done 2x2 and not 1x1 and guess what happened? Yep, I ended up with a knit stitch instead of a purl on one half of my round. So, I decided that I am going to go back and tink (big mistake). Well, I screwed it up again! Rather than frogging it to reuse the wool, I cut that baby loose. I should measure it to find out how far along I got. So... I casted-on yet again. I counted and re-counted the number of stitches on each side of the needle (good thing I did, one side was over and the other short). Back to knitting, I am not knitting 2x2 ribbing and liking the looks of it a lot better than I had previously done. Could this be the reason that I kept making all these mistakes, the so-called sock knew that it was the wrong pattern and decided to send me messages. Well it is finally clear, yes, you belong in 2x2 ribbing. Okay, how long before the next goof? Tonight I am going to Union Grove to work as a receptionist for Judy for her Thursday night meeting. I have my change fund ready, am I ready? Who knows, it's been awhile since I've worked as a receptionist. Hopefully, things will go swimmingly and there won't be any misadventures to tell about.

Magic Loop Lists

Well I did figure out how to do the Magic Loop, but kept running into problems. 1. Not enough stitches on the needle. (You would think that I would know how to count before I start stitching. 2. Needle kept slipping out of the stitches. (For the life of me, I could not manage to put the tiny stitches back on the needle. 3. The two sides decided to join together to make one big loop. (I couldn't figure out where I had started from.) 4. I dropped a stitch but kept going and going. This is what I have decided: 1. This is just practice, no need to be perfect. 2. I am not going to let this drive me crazy. 3. If this actually looks like a sock, then I am going to do the snoopy dance. 4. If this actually gets finished, then see the second part of #3. 5. If I actually finish this and it fits, then see the second part of #3. 6. Even though this is driving me crazy, I am enjoying sock knitting. 7. I will cast-on for another sock. 8. Hubby will get a pair of hand knit socks. He told me last night some nice thick ones to keep his feet warm. 9. This practice sock is not going to kick my a**. 10. Yep, I'm definitely hooked (on socks that is). Can I do the Snoopy dance now? On to the Magic Loop tale: Well I do have my practice sock OTN. I did make a mistake but just kept knitting. I dropped a stitch. For the life of me I could not figure where that little loop went. So I somehow just picked it up and continued on. Well guess what? I figured out where that loop went, on the last stitch of the round I had just completed. So, I had to figure out a way to add another stitch on to my sock and keep going. I had thought about frogging the thing again, but decided against it. I figured out how to work it all in and that is when I decided that this is my practice sock! By the way, I am doing the pattern from Knit Rules By the Yarn Harlot, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. I have about an inch knitted in 1x1 ribbing.

Ana and the Magic Loop

I tried during lunch to learn the magic loop method for knitting socks but struck failure. Yesterday was sort of a non-knitting kind of day. I ended up having paperwork all over the diningroom table. I had to fix the tally from Sunday's meeting. We were $19 over and my receptionist and I figured out what was missing. A lifetime member for $10 weekly fee that bought two boxes of bars. So I fixed the tally and talked to my receptionist to let her in on the scoop of what I was doing. I got the tally all filled out and now all it needs is just her signature and I can send it off. My darling daughter is still having her adventures in knitting. The thing that she is knitting ended up increasing like you wouldn't believe. At some point she decided that she was simply going to start over. I believe this where she ended up dropping several stitches and in her frustration decided to frog the thing. She also decided that she wanted different yarn. I will give up my acrylic for her but she is not touching the good stuff. Well we ended up finding some Red Heart Kids yarn in some bright rainbow colors. So yet I casted on some more for her. I knitted the first row and a half for and sent her on her merry way. About this time, I decided that I was going to learn how to the magic loop method for knitting socks. I went to knittinghelp.com to see the video for learning this method. I did learn how to do the magic loop method. When I first started the loop I ended up knitting the stitches well I forgot that I was supposed to do knit one purl one for the ribbing for the cuff. So I tinked the first few stitches and then continued on. Somehow this morning when I was counting the stitches I ended up with a couple of extra stitches so I ended up frogging it this morning. I casted-on again and I am going to start again during lunch. I only have one ball of yarn in this colorway and should go back to the Loop Yarn to pick up another ball for the second sock. I am knitting this without checking gauge, I figure that the sock will end up fitting someone once I'm done. At least there was no tangled blob to deal with last night. I still need to cast on for My So Called Scarf. My Knit Picks order should be coming today, so now I'll have the needles to do the buttonhole bag that I want to knit. I also need to felt my Booga Bag. Pictures should be coming soon!

The Tangled Blob

Over the weekend, I decided that I was going to cast-on the Lacy Edge Tee that I got the pattern from Knit Picks. Well things didn't go quite according to plan. I actually got the first repeat done and then was working on the second and I dropped a stitch somewhere. So rather than frogging the whole thing, I decided that I was just going to cut it off and give it to the garbage. So I casted-on again, same thing happened only this time I didn't get quite that far. I must have casted-on about 6 times maybe more before I finally decided that I am just going to put it away and maybe attempt to do it at another time. I wasn't too happy with the yarn either. The color ended up having kind of a dirty look to it. Over the weekend, my daughter and I ended up visiting two LYS on Saturday and went back to one on Sunday. The first one is the Loop Yarn shop in Milwaukee. I bought some more Noro Kureyon in colorway 165. I should do a search in the Booga Bag gallery to maybe get an inkling as to what the colorway will actually look like. No such luck on the colorway search. I also ended up buying the rest of the Italian Cotton that they had in their clearance bin. I also got a pouch for my knitting notions. The mint color one that I was using was just too small for everything that I had. After we were done at the Loop, we decided that we were going to go over to KnitWits because I was thinking about picking up some more Opal for socks. Much to our surprise, she was closed and the place was cleaned out. When we went back to the Loop on Sunday, I found out that she basically closed up shop without notifying her customers and moved to another state. From there, we went to Barbara's Yarn Garden in Racine. This time the owner seemed a lot more helpful. She seems to carry a lot of Cascade. I ended up buying some wool for my daugther to knit a scarf. She picked a lime green color. I figured that could knit up a garter stitch scarf. I ended up spending a lot more money than I had intended but I invested in a lot of different sock yarn. Sunday after my weight watcher meeting, we went back to the Loop and I picked up some Noro Sakura yarn in colorway #3. I figured that I would use that to knit up the My So Called Scarf. I just bought two skeins on Sunday. I took my daughter out for lunch and we went briefly walking around the mall. After the yarn shop, we went to Regency Mall and I picked up a pair of shoes for her. Monday morning started out perfectly. I decided that I was going to cast-on during lunch for the My So Called Scarf but first I had to wind the yarn into a ball from the hank. Now this is totally where the fun starts! I thought that I would get the hank wound so I can take it to work. That was the plan, but the hank had another thought in mind. Wouldn't you know it, I got a quarter to a half of the hank wound when it decided that it was going to become a tangled mess. Well I had to go to work so I just put the tangled blob on the computer desk and went to work. During lunch, I tried to teach myself to knit using the magic loop method. That didn't work out too well, but I definitely was on the right track. I actually found a nice cozy place to knit. I stopped at the Weight Watchers center on my way home from work, I stopped to check to see if they got the new products that were coming in. I hit pay dirt. I picked up almost all the new products, now I can tell everyone how they actually are. Once I got home, I started working on the Tangle Blob. I actually got a brillant idea that worked. I took one of the larger bobbins that I had and found the loose end and started working backwards. It took me about 4 hours of patience but I untangled that blob. The blob is no more but a neat little pancake ball. Sunday, night I tried to teach my daughter the long-tail method for casting-on. She couldn't get it. So it looks like if she wants to do any knitting projects I am going to be doing the casting-on for her. I taught her the knit stitch. I was surprised at how quickly she picked it up. The only thing that she has a lot of problems with is turning it around to knit a new row. She knits with a very tight tension, I can hear the yarn squeaking. She gets very frustrated when she screws up at the end of the row. One of these times I am going to have to sit down with her and teach her how to fix that mistake and how to turn the row correctly. I am also going to go on a hunt for a solid light colored yarn, I figure that maybe help. I am not going to let her touch that lime green cascade yarn until she gets a lot better. I had a devil of a time to figure out how to work the stitches in the My So Called Scarf. I posted a question about it on the Knitter's Review Forum and I finally got the detailed instructions that I need. I am not sure if I want to cast-on the scarf or the socks during lunch today. I might just do the scarf or who knows maybe both. By the way, I have one more hank of Noro Sakura to wind into a ball. This time, I am going to make my DD stand with her arms out while I wind it up and keep my fingers crossed for no Blob2.

Decisions and Rain

So, don't go into shock, two posts in one week, what is this world coming to! I finished the Italian cotton dish/wash cloth. It isn't as big as I would have liked it to be but it'll do. Remember the tangled mess? Well the yarn that I threw away from the blob would have made this bigger. Oh well, it still looks real pretty. One of these days I am going to have to take a picture and post it on here so you can see everything I have completed. With the exception of the one dishcloth that I gave my mom, which she still has to use. I stayed up last night to finish this, needless to say I am very happy with the finished results. I still have to weave in the two ends but I consider this pretty much done. Before, I settled in to complete my dish/washcloth I had to make a decision, if I didn't find my next project I was going to have nothing to do at the next Knit together that I am attending tonight. So the decision and quest was on....WHAT TO KNIT NEXT? I remember about some Lion Print Wool that I had bought and thought about these cute Buttonhole Bags that I had seen. My thoughts, perfect this will be my next project. But where had I seen the bag? I pulled my Mason Dixon book to start there, no bag. Next came the Stitch 'N Bitch book could it be there? No Buttonhole bag in that book. I remembered that it had to be Mason Dixon, so it was time to do a search on the internet. Googled buttonhole bag and hit pay dirt. The pattern is on the Mason Dixon website. Would have to wait until morning when I get to work to print it up. Started taking a look at the supply list, 3 skeins of wool, sure hope I have that. Now where did I stash the wool, oh yes, the basement. I trekked downstairs found the Lion Brand Incredible for the ribbon tank that I want to make, that bag can come upstairs. Found the stitch savers I had bought and thought about finding, snagged those to bring up also. I found the wool, 3 skeins I'm in luck. Ok, next item size 15 circulars....hmmmm I wonder to what size the Knit Picks Options set goes to? Size 11, could I do the bag in 11 instead of 15? Might be small, but could try and could always frog it if it's too small. Ok, time to wind the wool. I wound all three skeins, the last two wound look a lot better than the first but hey, I'm learning. Time to pack the knitting bag for tomorrow. I was going to bring the Incredible yarn but decided against it. I decided at while I was pulling the patterns out to bring a couple of skeins of the Knit Picks Pima Cotton and the Sisu Fantasy Sock yarn with me. I put the Options set in my bag and went through the folder with my patterns and pulled out a couple to bring with. Knitting bag is packed and ready to go. Time to finish that Italian wash/dishcloth. I also finished reading the book that I started. Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich. About 2 this morning there was a loud boom, and the power went briefly out. It poured like you wouldn't believe. Normally I sleep through all this activity but not this time. This morning, I made my lunch and wound the two skeins of the Knit Picks Pima Cotton to take with me tonight. I have decided that I am going to cast-on the Lacy Edge Tee in a pretty azure color and work on that tonight. I placed an order to Knit Picks for the remaining larger needles that I need/want, a couple more cables and a pattern for a dishcloth, dish towel and mitt and a few skeins of yarn to play with. This morning, I forgot a book to read and my computer for while I wait at Panera for 7 to come after work. So it looks like a trip to the bookstore for a good book to read. Hmmmm, maybe I'll get the book by Geneen Roth. If you eat out of the refrigerator, pull up a chair. Otherwise, it will be a long wait. It's supposed to rain all day today. I got a good lightning show on the way in. One girl here said that the radio said that there were over 2,000 lightning strikes. I forgot in what time frame.

Tangled Mess

Another week has gone by, and what a week that it has been! Last week Tuesday, I ended up leaving work early and did three Weight Watcher meetings in a row. Never again am I going to do that. By the third meeting, my tongue was running away with my mouth! I lost all the questions that I wanted to ask. Remember, I had all ready done two meetings previously so that meeting should have been a piece of cake, right? Wrong! The last group just sat there looking at me like I had grown a tail, horns or something! Then to top it all off there were three women that were off to my right, all related, and they started whispering and the next thing I know they are getting up and walking out. Made me think, was it something I said? So, I trudged on and finished the meeting and then vowed that I am never doing three meetings again on a day that I have to work at my full-time job. Thursday night, I had to go home and pick up my daughter and get her registered for middle school. That ran a whopping $96 (ouch). After that, she decided that she was going to go to the Kenosha County Fair with her friend. I went to the Lake County Knitting Meet-up. I had a lot of fun at that meeting. I was working on the I-cord for my Booga Bag. Which by the way is now completely knitted. I just need to do the felting now for it. I bought the zippered pillow case this weekend. Now, I just need a couple of pair of jeans to throw in with the bag. Those are going to be some clean jeans by the time I get done with the bag. I'm kind of afraid to throw the bag in with the jeans. The instructions are for hot water, so just how bad will the jeans shrink from the hot water? Guess that's a question for the Knitter's Review Forum. Friday, I ended up going into work at about 1:30. My son is now registered for school. He is taking four classes for a total of 8 credits. I just hope that he does well in school and enjoys himself. Saturday's Weight Watcher meeting, attendance was down by 50% and only two people stayed for the meeting, both were men. So we had a very productive meeting. I enjoyed myself a lot. Saturday, while my son and I were at the bank cashing in his savings bonds for school, I ran into one of the woman that had left the meeting early and I couldn't resist asking her if it was something that I said that had caused her to leave the meeting early. She said that it wasn't. That was a huge relief. Although, she is not going to be at this week's meeting. I am so happy that I ran into her otherwise, I would have been thinking that it was something that I had said to make her leave the meeting. Sunday's meeting went a lot better. Membership was up a bit and we actually had more than two people stay for the meeting. I am worried about the attendance, I sure hope that it starts to go back up otherwise I am going to lose these meetings. Yesterday, I took a vacation day. The morning was nice, no one was home. So the night before I had started a washcloth using a Lion Brand pattern and some Italian Cotton yarn. I am loving the feel of this yarn. I had got it on clearance at the Loop Yarn in Milwaukee for $3 a skein. I bought the remainder of a certain color now I wish I would have gotten more. Well, I had noticed a mistake and tried to rip out a few rows. When I came time to put the needle back on I began to have problems. So I thought ok, no problem I'll just frog the whole thing and rewind the ball of yarn on my new ball winder. I had originally done the skein that way. Well this is where the all the fun begins. Some how I managed to get it in one big tangled mess. I swear I worked on that mess for about 2 hours. Well one way wasn't working so I decided to start on the other end. I began winding the yarn around my completed work. Then I got to one big huge knot that I couldn't get out. Well at this point, I was getting hungry so my daughter and I went to Subway for lunch and to Kohls and Walmart for shopping. During this time away from the tangled monstrosity I had decided that I am going to simply cut the mangled blob and rewind what I had all ready saved and see how far that gets me on a new washrag/dishcloth. Even rewinding was an interesting experience. I wasn't using the tension guide and the yarn was winding wrong. Once I figured the correct way then it went a whole lot better. So, I casted on again and knock on wood things are going well. I also managed to get laundry finished yesterday. Still have to put away my clothes. I also started cleaning up the livingroom and diningroom. I don't know if hubby was in shock or not by the work I was doing. I had completely forgotten that it was my week to do laundry until hubby asked me Sunday afternoon if I was planning on finishing laundry any time soon. I was so happy that I had the day off yesterday! Watched my favorite show last night, it was the finale, Treasure Hunters. I would have never thought that the The Geniuses would have won. The finale was a good show, a lot of laughs. Well now that you're up to date. I'm doing two meetings tonight after work. More later.

Always catching up

Well it's been two weeks since my last entry. I should really be making more and also adding some photos. Knitting stuff first, I attended my first Lake County Knit Together on the 3rd and had a lot of fun. I am planning on attending this Thursday and bringing my daughter with me. I guess that I am secretly hoping that she will get addicted to knitting. I finished the dishcloth that I was knitting at the knit together with no problem at all except one. I have a little loop in the corner. I used P&C peppermint. I was half way done with the washcloth by the time I left the knit together. I had started and completed two Mason Dixon warshrags. I used a purple and a varigated purple. I used S&C for those. On the last one that I did, I somehow messed up and reversed the pattern. I didn't notice it until after I had all ready binded off. My DD was going to do dishes and I had asked her if she would like to use one of the dishcloths that I had knitted and she said yes! She fell in love with it right away and is hooked. I gave her the last dishcloth that I had made which had that lovely mistake in it. Sometime during making the warshrags, I had decided to start my Booga bag. I am knitting that using Noro Kureyon #40. Well I got the bottom rectangle done and promptly got stuck. How do I pick up stitches all around the bag? Well I started to ask around and found a post on Knitters Review Forum and found a post about a Booga bag that someone was talking about. Well I got the answer that I was looking for and continued onward with the Booga Bag. The Booga Bag is OTN right now. I am almost done with the bag and getting ready to do the i-cord. I already have dreams of the next Booga Bag. I can not believe how simple they are to make. DD saw the bag last night and said that it was so cool. DD is only 13 so that is the ultimate compliment. I am all ready starting to think about my next project. My thoughts are to attempt to do some socks. I have a size 0 40 inch addi turbo circular to learn how to do the magic loop method. I got some sock yarn that isn't too expensive. I ordered a few things from Knitpicks last Monday and received the order on Friday. I kind of surprised myself and didn't rip into the box right away to check out all the goodies. I waited until almost bedtime and then played with the Options Needle set that I had ordered. I had also ordered some Crayon yarn in a beautiful azure color to make a sweater (another future endeavor). I checked to make sure that the cables fit into the joins correctly. It is a nice set and the binder that came with it is absolutely gorgeous. I am going to have to order more pages though so I can keep my Addi's in there also. On the Weight Watcher front, last week I did a total of 4 meetings. My trainer showed up at my meeting on Saturday. The meeting went fairly well, although I do have a few things to work on. I got told to lose my notes that I use during the meeting. I had all ready decided to do that. She said that it's okay to have a few but not to solely rely on them which I had been doing. Sunday's meeting went very well. I did approximately 95% of the meeting without using notes. The numbers for that meeting are not doing very well. My thoughts are that I was competing with State Fair and the weather. I am hoping that they start climbing again. If they don't, I might just get removed from the meeting. From what Laura says though, this happens everytime during this time frame. On a brighter note, Deb sent out her FYI newsletter and Laura and I were the number one team in sales for the area out of all the other center locations. I knew that we would be. We had over 13 dollars per paid attendance. Today I am doing 3 meetings in a row. I am subbing for two different leaders. I'll probably be wiped out when I am done with them. I out did myself exercising yesterday and boy do I feel it. Yesterday, I ended up walking for one minute at 3mph then bumped it up to 3.5mph for another minute. Then I jogged at a speed of 4mph for a total of 30 minutes which was 2 miles. That is the longest time or distance that I have ran in a very long time. I am going to stay at that speed and time for about a month and then I am going to start bumping the speed up. DH picked up DD to go to the gym with us. They were all ready on the treadmills when I got there. It was kind of funny running on a treadmill next to her. They of course were done long before I was. After we got done running, she kept asking me what I was going to do next and I didn't know. She wanted to try the stairmaster so I did it with her. We both did about 5 minutes I forgot which level I picked, but it sure kicked my butt. I am certainly feeling it in my hamstrings this morning. Another challenge! That's it for now. I will somehow find the time to get some pictures of my work and post them. This blog kind of seems bleh without them.

Happenings

It's been a week since my last post. Where to begin. Thursday I did make it to the gym again. I my upper body workout. I was able to lift the weights that I normally lift; which totally surprised me. It was a good surprise. After the upper body workout, I decided that I would attempt to do some cardio. That turned out to be a bigger surprise. I jumped on a treadmill (well not exactly jump) and started walking. I forgot what I started at I ended up walking for about 3 minutes and decided to bump the speed up to 4 mph. Usually at this speed I'm doing a fast walk, well I decided that I was going to run. It took a little bit but I finally got in a good rhythm thanks to one of my play lists. When I was doing the Body for Life routine, I would only be able to run for a couple of minutes (4 at the most). Well I ended up running for 10 minutes. I finished by walking I forgot the speed. I was very pleased with my workout but ended up being sore. Saturday's meeting went very well. I put the chairs in a circle. The group was very surprised by the configuration. I think they were even more surprised when I sat down in the group with them. It was a very intimate setting. The conversation just flowed from there. I was very happy with the meeting. I got home from my meeting and decided that I was going to pull weeds. It was hot outside, a little bit too hot to be pulling weeds. I couldn't help it though. I got tired of looking at all the weeds that run the length of the house and getting out of my car and getting attacked by fuzzies. Nothing like wearing black pants and having fuzzies all over the place. The afternoon, I spent in the beauty salon. I got my hair cut and foiled. I can't believe how short my hair is now and how dark. It looks good, but it is something that I am going to have to get used to. The curl just wasn't laying right and add the humidity in there and I've got a problem. Sunday, I ended up going early for my meeting. The meeting totally flopped. I was not happy with it at all. I am in the process of re-working it for tomorrow night. I am pretty much going to keep the questions the same but rather than using a train theme I am going to use dancing instead. I think the problem is that people really can't relate to trains and train trips. Yesterday, after work it was time to hit the gym. After I got of work though I couldn't believe the heat. It felt kind of good but nothing that I would want to stay outside in for too long. I decided that I was just going to run yesterday and that is what I did. So I hopped on the treadmill, pushed quick start and started out at 3 mph after one minute bumped it up to 3.5 mph after another minute went to 4 and there I stayed for awhile. I had decided in my mind that I was going to see how I felt after 10 minutes if I wanted to continue on. Ten minutes came and I decided that I was going to continue for a total of 15 minutes (including walking time.) 15 minutes came and I was close to running a mile, so I decided that I wanted to go for it. Well I did it, I ran for a mile. I ended up walking and running for a total of 22 minutes.

Blog Changes and so far today's happenings

Well I have been playing around with my blog and decided to do some changes. One of the first things that I did was to change the heading of my blog. I changed the address of the blog and then last but not least I changed the look. The hardest thing to do was to come up with a name. I kind of looked around and "borrowed" some ideas from other people. The name may change from time to time but the web address shall remain the same. I got a call this morning from another weight watcher leader asking me to sub for a couple of meetings later today. I agreed to do the meetings. Of course, I don't have anything with me for the meetings so I quickly whipped up what I had done on Sunday with a slight variation and I am ready for tonight. This week's topic is such a good topic that it should generate a lot of discussion. This morning before leaving for work I got a couple more rows done on the yellow dragonfly square that I am working on. One more row, then I bind off and it is on to the next square. I haven't decided which square or color I am going to work on next. I have been doing a lot of reading lately on the Knitter's Review Forums website. I am getting some great ideas on there. One idea that I am considering is making a list of what I am going to make everyone for Christmas. Well not quite everyone. I am not going to attempt anything that is going to take a very long time to make. I seem to be enjoying the quick projects. It also helps that I have been able to knit on my lunch hours. I am amazed at how many rows I can complete during that time frame. I'm also thinking that a trip to Michaels is due in the next couple of days. They have Sugar 'N Cream yarn on sale for $1 a skein. Stock up time! Hopefully I will stay away from the varigated colors and start going to the solids. I figure that I can stock up on them for making dishcloths. I have my eye on a Mason Dixon warshrag in the new awesome book that I just bought. I saw the sale in one of the postings to the Yahoo group that I belong to, then of course I had to go check the local ad out just to make sure. Now, I have been itching to go and stock up.

7/24/2006

Where to start. Work was not too eventful. I got an email from HR saying that the resume that I posted for in CHMS was sent to the hiring manager. I had an informational interview a couple of weeks ago with the hiring manager. I would be very surprised if I didn't get an interview with him. I used to work with Rob when I was in the department. There were also 2 Financial Analyst and an Accountant position that I posted for today. The Accountant position is in the area that I work and I know the manager. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I get one of these positions that I have posted for. Went to the gym after work today. I decided to sort of take it easy. I jumped on the treadmill and walked and ran for about 20 minutes. I covered a total of 1.3 miles according to the treadmill. I was sucking wind pretty bad. As I was running/walking I kept thinking of how much of a setback I had by taking off so much time from the gym. I am hoping that I am not going to be so stupid again. I am a bit sore so I am going to take off the next couple days and go back on Thursday. Thursday is weight lifting day! I wonder how much I am going to be able to lift. The other thing that I am considering, is do I go back to the 3 reps of each muscle group or do I go back to doing the Body for Life pyramid that I have been doing. I got a little bit of knitting done. At the moment I am knitting a yellow dragonfly block. The block is halfway done. I all ready have two blocks completed. I will post a picture of them sometime soon. Maybe I'll post the picture of the three blocks that I have completed. Although, they are not blocked so they are not going to look pretty. Maybe I should figure out how to block them and then post them. We'll see.

Weekend

At least this weekend didn't seem to fly by like they normally do. Saturday, I did my Weight Watchers meeting and it seemed to go fairly well but no one really wanted to talk. Sometimes I feel like I am pulling teeth. I got home from the meeting, then we took my daughter to the orthodontist. After that we returned my husband's cell phone because he decided that the didn't want one. After we turned it back in and got back to the car first words out of his mouth were "freedom". I look it like this, it is going to save me some money each month because that is one less phone that I am going to have to pay for. After that was lunch at Culver's. From there, my daughter and I dropped my husband off at home and then took a field trip to Milwaukee to look for two yarn shops that I had learned about from a fellow knitter on a knitters review forum website that I like to read. One of the websites contained directions on how to get there. We found the two shops with no problems. The first shop was my favorite. The lighting was good and the selection of yarn was good. Lots of different textures and gorgeous colors. I could tell that my daughter was getting bored. I don't think she shares my love of yarn yet. I ended up buying a skein of cotton yarn, 2 skeins of bamboo. I saw this gorgeous butterfly shrug that I fell in love with. The owner of the shop was kind enough to give me the pattern since I bought two skeins. I wasn't too crazy about the idea of crocheting since that is what the pattern calls or but it wouldn't hurt to do some crocheting every now and then. The next shop we went to was just down the road a bit. The first thing that I noticed was a couch in back of the store where the owner was teaching someone about either knitting or crocheting. There was not a lot of yarn to select from. I didn't feel too comfortable with the shop. The owner did mention something about a yarn shop opening up in Kenosha. My husband ended up going to the races only to come home because of being rained out. I spent most of night working on one of the squares for my afghan and worked on my meeting for Sunday. I was pretty excited and had a real good feeling about my meeting on Sunday and I was correct. It was such an awesome meeting. I am trying something new. I only had one flipchart page that I made at the meeting center. I am typing my questions on a piece of paper and having them on a chair. I am also coming up with questions on my own. I feel that my meetings are starting to evolve and I am becoming a better leader. I am anxious to see how Wednesday's and Saturday's group respond to this meeting. I also believe that it is a good topic. Well tomorrow is back to the gym. In a way I am looking forward to it and in a way I am not. I'm not looking forward to seeing how much of a setback that I have had. I am starting to feel miserable and out of shape.

Been Awhile

I finally graduated from college, after 10 long grueling years. I graduated Magna Cum Laude but that was back in May. My son graduated from high school. I ended up wiping away a few tears that night. I was so proud of him. Unfortunately, we don't have many pictures fromt hat night. I told my husband to go take some pictures and he didn't get any! I am happy to say that the local newspaper did manage to take one picture of him looking so proud and so I ordered it and that is the only picture that I have from his graduation night. The local paper ended up putting a little bit about how the two of us started school, me college at Carthage and my son high school at the same time and graduated in the same year. So now everyone's been asking "What are you going to do with all that free time?" My reply was I have no clue. So what have I been doing with all my free time? I have picked up knitting again. I taught myself how to knit last year and have picked up the needles again. My latest passion has been knitting dishcloths. I have completed a couple. I will post pictures of these later. My latest project that I am working on is a bunch of blocks to which I am going to assemble as an afghan. I am calling my afghan butterflies and dragonflies. I am doing it in Lion Brand Micro Spun in the colors of Coral, Lime, Lavender, Turquoise and Buttercup. I had to do a layout in Excel to determine how many blocks of each pattern I am doing and in what color. The hardest part was to make sure that a lot of the same colors were not next to each other or repeated in the same row. There are only two colors that are diagonal from each other. I am going to layout all the blocks before I sew them together and take a picture to see if they look good together. If not, I may be doing some more knitting. I have on Coral block completed and that took maybe not even a half of skein of yarn. I had thought originally to give this afghan to my daughter but she's not too thrilled about the dragonflies and butterflies. She had helped to pick out the colors. She had thought that I was going to a striped afghan for her. I guess I should have told her what I had planned. Mom's birthday is Sunday. We're taking her out to Cracker Barrel for her birthday. I am going to tell her what I am going to get for her birthday but I have to wait for a sale. Usually Hobby Lobby has it on sale for half off. She wants a mirror that has pegs on it for a coat rack. She likes the one that we have in front entrance way. So I figured that is what I am going to get her. I should have remembered that she said that she wanted one. She had mentioned it. I had to ask my brother what mom wanted. Well I am going to close for now.

Exercise Log 1/19/06

Gym at work Walked on treadmill 20 min. had to bump the speed up to 4.o and incline to 1.5. My heart rate was in the low 100's. Ellipitical for 4 minutes. Feeling better doing it. Chest Flys 10lbs dumbbells 3 sets 12reps bicep curls 10 lbs dumbebells 3 sets 12 reps I also did my ab work out on an incline bench. I actually like laying upside down at times. Rec Plex Walked on the treadmill for 15 minutes had to bump the speed to 3.9 lbs. Ellipitical 3 minutes, that was a struggle. I had a different type of machine so I definitely felt it in my legs. I did my full arm workout. I also worked on my crunches. I feel my tummy getting stronger.

New Year Somewhat Catch up

I've decided to start using my blog again but this time more to keep a log of what I am doing with my exercising. I've decided to get serious about my workouts. What i do at the gym will be posted in a separte entry. Since December 3rd last year, I had gained 11 lbs but I have all ready lost 4lbs. I was surprised that I had dropped 4 lbs in one week. I should be able to get the last 7 lbs off. My ultimate goal is to lose about 15 more pounds. I am now a leader for weight watchers. So I will also be talking about how my meetings go every week. I went to Basic Leader training in the beginning of October. It's been a wonderful ride. I have so much fun doing my meetings. I lead a Saturday morning and a Sunday noon meeting. One is in Milwaukee and the other is in Kenosha. Both groups are great! I'm still trying to find my groove when I do my meetings but I'm slowly getting better. Last Sunday I tried something completely different and it worked and it felt great. Lately, I have been typing my meetings up in Word and then bringing them to the meeting and pretty much using them as a cheat sheet. Well this past Sunday, I only had a poem and some directions typed up that I absolutely could not memorize. Well I made up my flipcharts, wrote some pencil notes on the flips just mainly questions that I wanted to ask (I need to put them on the other side of the flips though because of how I stand when I'm presenting the meeting). Sunday's meeting I felt like I was in control and I had a lot of fun. I'm anxious to see how Saturday's meeting will go. Sunday's meeting should be a fun one, it's about activity. Something that is near and dear to me. I am very happy to say that I can actually talk about it with pride because I am very physically active. I still have to make my flips for the meeting and gather some props. I'll discuss the meeting more in detail in one of my up and coming posts. My job is another story which will be another post. I am going to call it a night. Blog ya later.