...no diggity... Heyo heyo heyo heyaaaaa.... Love that song.
Anyway...
Welcome once again to Weigh-In Wednesday. Sigh.
It was hard dragging my butt out of bed this morning, but check it! I've lost that same pound - yet again. Back to where I was last week. And still so far away from the first goal. And time is running out. Fast.
Sigh.
I should be grateful that the stair walking has offset my eating habits this past week. I've been a bit naughty. Apparently not too much though. I got very lucky. Sigh.
So last night after dinner - a bit of a naughty one - I stopped off at the local Big Lots! store. As luck would have it, the very first display was exercise DVD's and I headed over. Hmmm...feeling a little guilty Donna? Why, yes, I was... Could it be a sign you should get off that bum and start workin' it? That would be another yes. $15 later.... I was in possession of 5 Winsor Pilates exercise DVDs. Which I promptly took home and watched - without exercising.
Oh stop with the 'what good are the videos if you're only gonna watch 'em girl?" thoughts. I always watch exercise, dance, instructional anything videos first before I actually do anything with them. I watch them thru once, get a feel for what is going on then I dive in. That way, I know what to expect, can make a plan of action, and I find out exactly just how much it's going to take out of me.
Now I know that I will be doing the modified all over workout for a while until my body gets used to the Pilates moves. After a few weeks, I'll add in the body specific workouts - starting with the Ab workout (bye bye baby fat-the baby is 12 yrs old after all), and then adding the hips, buns and thighs workout ('cause baby do got some back). Oh yeah, and there's the Maximum Burn and resistant bands DVDs too. I think I'll wait to do those for at least a month or two. Right now, they would probably kill me.
And I'll be using that box of stretching cards my Sis gave me for Xmas. Each card has a body specific stretch. I'll try to get that link up here soon, as I think they are fantastic!
Lord knows I'll need it. I'm not as young as I think I am.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Walk this Way....
Welcome to Boobie Tuesday!
And now for Rachel's weekly update...
Week 2 – Holding Back
I am not a patient person. I can be if I need to, but it doesn’t come naturally. Once I decide to do something, I want it done NOW. So of course, I want to be fully ready to walk a marathon and a half TODAY. Well, apparently that’s not how one is supposed to train for something like this. So this week, I had to learn about recovery time, and not pushing things too hard, even though I feel as if I can.
Last week I was sure that I was going to be sore the day after our big training walk. To my surprise, I actually was fine. No soreness at all. I did a recovery walk on Monday – a little over a mile at a much more moderate pace than my usual. Tuesday was a little faster, and I tried to push it while going up a pretty steep hill on Wednesday. Mistake. I did something to my calf – probably a minor tear – and had to take 2 days off in a row. It’s fine now, but lesson learned. For now anyway – I’m sure I’ll do something equally brainy later.
I’ve gotten better about stretching, and it’s really helping. We had a team training walk today – pretty tame one – about 5 miles. I’d done a moderate 3 miler Saturday so my legs were a bit tight. I stretched when I got up, just before I got into the car, and again just before we started walking. And I stretched briefly twice during the walk. I think it made a big difference. It goes against the grain for me (back to the patience thing – I don’t want to stretch, I want to get walking NOW!) but there are obvious benefits and potentially some serious consequences if I don’t do it, so I’m just going to have to make it a habit.
Duh move of the week (oh god, are they really going to happen every week?):
I finished my walk today, came home feeling great, and got ready to get in the shower. On my way, I rammed my knee into the corner of our bedframe. So hard my legs nearly collapsed under me. Damn that hurt!
Proud of myself moment of the week (I have those too):
Deborah, our team captain, owns a lovely yarn shop in Los Gatos, which is where we all meet to start our walks. This weekend, she was having a sale – 20% off of everything, and dang she has some beautiful stuff! I’m not on a formal yarn diet, but really – I need nothing. So guess what? I bought nothing! I don’t always have that much self control – maybe I did today because I’ve spent so freakin’ much on gear for this walk recently. I’ll talk more about some of the things that I use during training next time.
I need to go make dinner – I burned over 1000 calories walking today!
You go Rachel! Check it out folks! She's raised over $1300 already. Giddy Up!!!!!
Ok now girl - keep it up - AND DON'T FORGET TO STRETCH! Any moment you can while you are walking, you need to stretch. It helps.
And now for Rachel's weekly update...
Week 2 – Holding Back
I am not a patient person. I can be if I need to, but it doesn’t come naturally. Once I decide to do something, I want it done NOW. So of course, I want to be fully ready to walk a marathon and a half TODAY. Well, apparently that’s not how one is supposed to train for something like this. So this week, I had to learn about recovery time, and not pushing things too hard, even though I feel as if I can.
Last week I was sure that I was going to be sore the day after our big training walk. To my surprise, I actually was fine. No soreness at all. I did a recovery walk on Monday – a little over a mile at a much more moderate pace than my usual. Tuesday was a little faster, and I tried to push it while going up a pretty steep hill on Wednesday. Mistake. I did something to my calf – probably a minor tear – and had to take 2 days off in a row. It’s fine now, but lesson learned. For now anyway – I’m sure I’ll do something equally brainy later.
I’ve gotten better about stretching, and it’s really helping. We had a team training walk today – pretty tame one – about 5 miles. I’d done a moderate 3 miler Saturday so my legs were a bit tight. I stretched when I got up, just before I got into the car, and again just before we started walking. And I stretched briefly twice during the walk. I think it made a big difference. It goes against the grain for me (back to the patience thing – I don’t want to stretch, I want to get walking NOW!) but there are obvious benefits and potentially some serious consequences if I don’t do it, so I’m just going to have to make it a habit.
Duh move of the week (oh god, are they really going to happen every week?):
I finished my walk today, came home feeling great, and got ready to get in the shower. On my way, I rammed my knee into the corner of our bedframe. So hard my legs nearly collapsed under me. Damn that hurt!
Proud of myself moment of the week (I have those too):
Deborah, our team captain, owns a lovely yarn shop in Los Gatos, which is where we all meet to start our walks. This weekend, she was having a sale – 20% off of everything, and dang she has some beautiful stuff! I’m not on a formal yarn diet, but really – I need nothing. So guess what? I bought nothing! I don’t always have that much self control – maybe I did today because I’ve spent so freakin’ much on gear for this walk recently. I’ll talk more about some of the things that I use during training next time.
I need to go make dinner – I burned over 1000 calories walking today!
You go Rachel! Check it out folks! She's raised over $1300 already. Giddy Up!!!!!
Ok now girl - keep it up - AND DON'T FORGET TO STRETCH! Any moment you can while you are walking, you need to stretch. It helps.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Mojo Monday
Hey everyone, my knitting mojo is back...I felt it coming back before I found the mini circs on Saturday, but now it is all the way back - and more than I can handle.
I had planned on doing absolutely nothing this weekend. It was supposed to be a lazy weekend. Instead I got quite a bit of organizing and knitting done. Oh, a lot of movies played on the TV too. And most importantly, I washed that gray right out of my hair. And I knit. A lot. We're talking two (yes 2!) FO's and an almost pair of FO's.
What else do you do when it's doing this outside?
So, this weekend I made this...
It's a gift for a friend. Yarn is Nanook (50% nylon/50% microfiber) from ArtFibers Yarn in San Francisco. Lost the color number. Two balls held together to make a double strand (oooh, that sounds kinky). Size 13 needles, 12 stitches, garter stitch with a fringe. (NOTE to Cherry: Here's a good tip for if you want to fringe something. Cut all the yarn for your fringe first, then you can just knit your scarf until the yarn runs out.)
...and this (for lil' ol' me)...
Same yarn as the blueish one above. This time, green Nanook double stranded, and 10 stitches in garter stitch.
...and I am almost done with Gary's gloves (no pic 'til they're done). If I get some knitting time tonight, I will most likely finish a few of the fingers. Then I will just have a few more fingers left, some end-weaving and they'll be ready. Just in time for the Superbowl. (GO BEARS!)
My needles are on fire I tell you.
Now that I am finishing up all these projects, I am at a total loss as to what I should start next. My knitty mojo is playing serious head games. My fingers say KNIT! My brain says WHAT? It's really annoying I tell you. I wish the voices would just hush up and give me some peace and quiet already.
Movies watched this weekend: Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Mummy, Scorpion King, and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. They were the movies already sitting out by the TV, so I went with those. Well, I guess you can't really call it 'watching' since I was pretty much bouncing off the walls while I wasn't sitting and knitting. And then I was knitting. So it was pretty much listening. That's what happens when they take away your extended cable I guess...
I had planned on doing absolutely nothing this weekend. It was supposed to be a lazy weekend. Instead I got quite a bit of organizing and knitting done. Oh, a lot of movies played on the TV too. And most importantly, I washed that gray right out of my hair. And I knit. A lot. We're talking two (yes 2!) FO's and an almost pair of FO's.
What else do you do when it's doing this outside?
So, this weekend I made this...
It's a gift for a friend. Yarn is Nanook (50% nylon/50% microfiber) from ArtFibers Yarn in San Francisco. Lost the color number. Two balls held together to make a double strand (oooh, that sounds kinky). Size 13 needles, 12 stitches, garter stitch with a fringe. (NOTE to Cherry: Here's a good tip for if you want to fringe something. Cut all the yarn for your fringe first, then you can just knit your scarf until the yarn runs out.)
...and this (for lil' ol' me)...
Same yarn as the blueish one above. This time, green Nanook double stranded, and 10 stitches in garter stitch.
...and I am almost done with Gary's gloves (no pic 'til they're done). If I get some knitting time tonight, I will most likely finish a few of the fingers. Then I will just have a few more fingers left, some end-weaving and they'll be ready. Just in time for the Superbowl. (GO BEARS!)
My needles are on fire I tell you.
Now that I am finishing up all these projects, I am at a total loss as to what I should start next. My knitty mojo is playing serious head games. My fingers say KNIT! My brain says WHAT? It's really annoying I tell you. I wish the voices would just hush up and give me some peace and quiet already.
Movies watched this weekend: Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Mummy, Scorpion King, and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. They were the movies already sitting out by the TV, so I went with those. Well, I guess you can't really call it 'watching' since I was pretty much bouncing off the walls while I wasn't sitting and knitting. And then I was knitting. So it was pretty much listening. That's what happens when they take away your extended cable I guess...
Sunday, January 28, 2007
OMG folks, it's another rare weekend sighting...
Wonders never cease...posting on the weekend. Can you tell the kid's not around?
Stephieface: I agree. Totally. Get me dirrrrty Viggo! Yum.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch the trifecta of hunks in The Mummy. That's Brenden Fraser, John Hannah (love his accent), and Oded Fehr.
After a break for hair coloring, it's a late afternoon Viggo II drool fest. (LoTR, The Two Towers)
Yes, folks. This weekend is about watching gorgeous actors on my TV. I do lots of other stuff while watching, but I'd rather remember the gorgeous hunks. Makes shredding paper or going through boxes or doing laundry so much easier when your mind is semi-escaping into some other reality populated by handsome men...
Stephieface: I agree. Totally. Get me dirrrrty Viggo! Yum.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch the trifecta of hunks in The Mummy. That's Brenden Fraser, John Hannah (love his accent), and Oded Fehr.
After a break for hair coloring, it's a late afternoon Viggo II drool fest. (LoTR, The Two Towers)
Yes, folks. This weekend is about watching gorgeous actors on my TV. I do lots of other stuff while watching, but I'd rather remember the gorgeous hunks. Makes shredding paper or going through boxes or doing laundry so much easier when your mind is semi-escaping into some other reality populated by handsome men...
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Saturday Surprise
First surprise, I'm actually posting an entry on Saturday. Actually, two entries. How's about that?!?
Second surprise, I FOUND MY GRANDMA'S MINI CIRC! All is now right with my knitty world.
Carry on. I'm going to go fondle the mini circ as it is 'precious to me'. My precious!
Can you tell I watched Viggo I today? (That's Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Rings for those of you who don't know. Yeah, I've got it bad for Viggo Mortenson. Really. Bad.)
Second surprise, I FOUND MY GRANDMA'S MINI CIRC! All is now right with my knitty world.
Carry on. I'm going to go fondle the mini circ as it is 'precious to me'. My precious!
Can you tell I watched Viggo I today? (That's Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Rings for those of you who don't know. Yeah, I've got it bad for Viggo Mortenson. Really. Bad.)
Page 123 Meme
I've never done one of these before, but I've seen it around the blog world and I think it's a good one, so here goes:
Here are the rules:
1. Find the nearest book.
2. Name the book & the author.
3. Turn to page 123.
4. Go to the fifth sentence on the page. Copy out the next three sentences and post to your blog.
5. Tag three more folks.
1. Had to go into the bedroom for that, I have my bookshelf in there.
2. Spell of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
3 & 4. Whipping around, she scanned the room. There was no one there. Beyond the bathroom door, the shower still ran, and Cian MacKeltar still splashed.
5. If you want to do this, do it. If you don't, don't.
Yes, I read romance novels. Lots of 'em. As a matter of fact I have the entire Highlander Series by Ms. Moning. And I like them very much. They are a great escape from reality. I can read one of these 400+ pagers in a weekend if I want. Or during a week's worth of train rides to work.
I also read horror, mysteries, history, and whatever Spence is reading. I've read all the Harry Potter books too. I was an early reader, and will continue to read until I can't no more.
Knowledge is power. Word.
Here are the rules:
1. Find the nearest book.
2. Name the book & the author.
3. Turn to page 123.
4. Go to the fifth sentence on the page. Copy out the next three sentences and post to your blog.
5. Tag three more folks.
1. Had to go into the bedroom for that, I have my bookshelf in there.
2. Spell of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
3 & 4. Whipping around, she scanned the room. There was no one there. Beyond the bathroom door, the shower still ran, and Cian MacKeltar still splashed.
5. If you want to do this, do it. If you don't, don't.
Yes, I read romance novels. Lots of 'em. As a matter of fact I have the entire Highlander Series by Ms. Moning. And I like them very much. They are a great escape from reality. I can read one of these 400+ pagers in a weekend if I want. Or during a week's worth of train rides to work.
I also read horror, mysteries, history, and whatever Spence is reading. I've read all the Harry Potter books too. I was an early reader, and will continue to read until I can't no more.
Knowledge is power. Word.
Friday, January 26, 2007
TGIF
Before we get into FlyLady Friday...
I just read about the coolest thing on Franklin's blog. It's LibraryThing.com. A place online where you can catalog your personal library. I think I will do one for Spencer and one for myself. He's getting quite the collection of Manga and Drawing books and of course I've got my knitting books, sewing books, and a host of others. Not quite as many as a lot of folks, but it will still be useful to us. I just went and looked around really quick-like. Looks like it could be a great organizing tool.
And now on to what I've been up to lately as far as organizing goes...
Last Friday, Spence and I come home to a note taped to our door. Heads up! Annual City inspections happening next Wednesday. The small city where I live inspects all apartments every year to make sure the renters have a good place to live.
On the one hand, that's good. On the other hand, it's not.
I feel like I am being judged on my housework and cleaning skills.
Ask me if I care anymore. I used to bust my butt trying to get everything 'perfect' before they came, but not any more. I've got a busy schedule. The place is clean, but a bit cluttered. You want it any cleaner or any less cluttered, have at it. I do what I can with the time I've got. I'm working on it and that'll have to be enough. Maybe next year, it'll be less cluttered, but I can't guarantee it.
That being said, the inspection happened on Wednesday, and there was no notice on our door when we got back, so I guess they really don't care about my clutter as much as I do.
Anyway, this is what I did during Da Bears game last Sunday. I fought the paper tiger - and I've won the first battle. And now, may I introduce you to my secret weapon...
Jaws...
By the time he had finished knashing his teeth, I ended up with 5 plastic grocery bags full of shredded paper and about the same amount of bags of non-shredded junk mail.
This weekend, the knashing of teeth continues as Jaws and I attack the paper pile(s) in my bedroom.
Hey Paper! Looks like I don't love you anymore...
I just read about the coolest thing on Franklin's blog. It's LibraryThing.com. A place online where you can catalog your personal library. I think I will do one for Spencer and one for myself. He's getting quite the collection of Manga and Drawing books and of course I've got my knitting books, sewing books, and a host of others. Not quite as many as a lot of folks, but it will still be useful to us. I just went and looked around really quick-like. Looks like it could be a great organizing tool.
And now on to what I've been up to lately as far as organizing goes...
Last Friday, Spence and I come home to a note taped to our door. Heads up! Annual City inspections happening next Wednesday. The small city where I live inspects all apartments every year to make sure the renters have a good place to live.
On the one hand, that's good. On the other hand, it's not.
I feel like I am being judged on my housework and cleaning skills.
Ask me if I care anymore. I used to bust my butt trying to get everything 'perfect' before they came, but not any more. I've got a busy schedule. The place is clean, but a bit cluttered. You want it any cleaner or any less cluttered, have at it. I do what I can with the time I've got. I'm working on it and that'll have to be enough. Maybe next year, it'll be less cluttered, but I can't guarantee it.
That being said, the inspection happened on Wednesday, and there was no notice on our door when we got back, so I guess they really don't care about my clutter as much as I do.
Anyway, this is what I did during Da Bears game last Sunday. I fought the paper tiger - and I've won the first battle. And now, may I introduce you to my secret weapon...
Jaws...
By the time he had finished knashing his teeth, I ended up with 5 plastic grocery bags full of shredded paper and about the same amount of bags of non-shredded junk mail.
This weekend, the knashing of teeth continues as Jaws and I attack the paper pile(s) in my bedroom.
Hey Paper! Looks like I don't love you anymore...
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Where in she rambles endlessly...
Hey everyone, I've got lots to talk about today (I think, if I remember it all), so let's just get to it...
First off, gotta get this in...
GO BEARS!
OK, now that I've got that off my chest, lets move to areas further south on the ol' bod.
Last week, I received this in the mail...
A bracelet kit from Make The Connection (MTC). MTC, a campaign for cervical cancer awareness, is making these bracelet kits available (free while supplies last) to those who make the commitment to talk to their health care providers about cervical cancer prevention. January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, so go check out the website and then get yourself checked out. Make that appointment for your yearly PAP screening. It's a nasty test, but you gotta do it for yourself. A lot of women have the virus (human papillomavirus) and don't even know it - there are no symptoms. Some will never get cervical cancer, but some will. And of those who do get cervical cancer, almost half will die. Do it for yourself. Do it for your loved ones. Spread the word. Make the Connection, Make the Commitment - get your screening today.
And now that I've got that off my ummm...moving right along....
OK, so I Made the Commitment (I go yearly anyway, so that part was easy) and got my bracelet kit. Only one problem, I don't wear bracelets. What to do? Simple.
Add a few of my recent recycled bead acquisitions and viola!
MTC stitch markers. Modeled by my favorite Chicago Bear.
OH, and here's a picture of my 7 layers of nightly warmth and comfort...
...which will soon turn to about 8 or more since my electric bill is $105 this time around. Gack!!! Time to turn down the heater even more and throw some more blankies on the bed. Gack! I'm still in shock. Gack! My regular electric bill is never more than $20. Gack! Ack! Gack!
And now a few photos of Spencer's new backpack - from Italy. The best souvenir his Dad ever bought him. He likes it a lot, thinks it's 'cool military style' and has named it. Everyone? Meet Meibin (May' bin)...
In case you haven't noticed, he got the name from the label.
Yeah, I'm all over the place. Ping! Ping! Piiiiingggggg! Ricochet Rabbit! Anybody remember that cartoon?
Anyway, pinging back to my thoughts...time for some knitty content.
I've picked up the needles again. Started back up on Monday or Tuesday. I'm working again on the Phoenix beaded rectangular wrap and another scarf (this ones a gifter).
Hey Donna!
Why aren't you working on Gary's gloves?
I started those up again, but didn't get very far. I've misplaced (I'm holding out hope that it's around somewhere and not gone for good) my Grandma's small circular needle. This has caused much discombobulation. Even though I can finish up the glove I'm working on now, I'll have two miss-matched gloves (I switched up the pattern on the second one, remember?) and no needle to use to start up a matching glove for either one. I am lost without Grandma's mini circular. It has much knitty mojo and my fingers just fly when I use it. The thought of using dpns for the entire project makes me ill. It's bad enough I have to use them on the fingers.
I use the mini circ for a lot of my small projects. Wrist warmers? Mini circ. Gloves? Mini circ. Booties? Mini circ. When the pattern calls for dpns? Mini circ. You get the picture. I'm hoping Kitty decided to play with it and it's under a chair or behind a dresser somewhere. I am tearing apart the apartment this weekend.
The Hunt for Mini Green Circular Needle is on...
First off, gotta get this in...
GO BEARS!
OK, now that I've got that off my chest, lets move to areas further south on the ol' bod.
Last week, I received this in the mail...
A bracelet kit from Make The Connection (MTC). MTC, a campaign for cervical cancer awareness, is making these bracelet kits available (free while supplies last) to those who make the commitment to talk to their health care providers about cervical cancer prevention. January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, so go check out the website and then get yourself checked out. Make that appointment for your yearly PAP screening. It's a nasty test, but you gotta do it for yourself. A lot of women have the virus (human papillomavirus) and don't even know it - there are no symptoms. Some will never get cervical cancer, but some will. And of those who do get cervical cancer, almost half will die. Do it for yourself. Do it for your loved ones. Spread the word. Make the Connection, Make the Commitment - get your screening today.
And now that I've got that off my ummm...moving right along....
OK, so I Made the Commitment (I go yearly anyway, so that part was easy) and got my bracelet kit. Only one problem, I don't wear bracelets. What to do? Simple.
Add a few of my recent recycled bead acquisitions and viola!
MTC stitch markers. Modeled by my favorite Chicago Bear.
OH, and here's a picture of my 7 layers of nightly warmth and comfort...
...which will soon turn to about 8 or more since my electric bill is $105 this time around. Gack!!! Time to turn down the heater even more and throw some more blankies on the bed. Gack! I'm still in shock. Gack! My regular electric bill is never more than $20. Gack! Ack! Gack!
And now a few photos of Spencer's new backpack - from Italy. The best souvenir his Dad ever bought him. He likes it a lot, thinks it's 'cool military style' and has named it. Everyone? Meet Meibin (May' bin)...
In case you haven't noticed, he got the name from the label.
Yeah, I'm all over the place. Ping! Ping! Piiiiingggggg! Ricochet Rabbit! Anybody remember that cartoon?
Anyway, pinging back to my thoughts...time for some knitty content.
I've picked up the needles again. Started back up on Monday or Tuesday. I'm working again on the Phoenix beaded rectangular wrap and another scarf (this ones a gifter).
Hey Donna!
Why aren't you working on Gary's gloves?
I started those up again, but didn't get very far. I've misplaced (I'm holding out hope that it's around somewhere and not gone for good) my Grandma's small circular needle. This has caused much discombobulation. Even though I can finish up the glove I'm working on now, I'll have two miss-matched gloves (I switched up the pattern on the second one, remember?) and no needle to use to start up a matching glove for either one. I am lost without Grandma's mini circular. It has much knitty mojo and my fingers just fly when I use it. The thought of using dpns for the entire project makes me ill. It's bad enough I have to use them on the fingers.
I use the mini circ for a lot of my small projects. Wrist warmers? Mini circ. Gloves? Mini circ. Booties? Mini circ. When the pattern calls for dpns? Mini circ. You get the picture. I'm hoping Kitty decided to play with it and it's under a chair or behind a dresser somewhere. I am tearing apart the apartment this weekend.
The Hunt for Mini Green Circular Needle is on...
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Down (or should I say up) but not out...
Hey Folks! Welcome to Weigh In Wednesday! The day I hop up out of bed and weigh myself first thing - cause that's when I weigh the least don't cha know.
Anyway, check the ticker at the top of the page. For those of you paying attention, it's gone up by 1 pound. Not the best news considering the time crunch I'm under (check the ticker at the bottom of the page), but it's no surprise. This past week has been tough physically. I've had a nasty cold. Head so stuffed, it was hard to breathe there for a few days. Not the best time to be getting too physically active, so I wasn't. The pounding sinus headache also had something to do with that.
I did manage, however, to still watch what I ate (for the most part) and the fact that I kept the weight gain to just 1 pound is awesome.
Yay Donna! GO Bears! With a cutie like this on my side, I shall prevail!
So what's the plan for this week?
Last night on the way home, I was actually able to breathe, and this morning, I'm doing much better. Started walking the escalator at the train stations this morning. I won't tackle the non-moving stairs until I'm 100% again. My weezing scares people. I'm going to try to get out more for quick walks during the work day. Every time I tried last week, I got a phone call or someone needed something RIGHT NOW! so I got sidetracked and then it was time to go home. Argh.
I'm pretty much at the half way point of the first goal of 20 lbs in 3 months before I take that nasty Glucose test again. I haven't lost half the weight. Things are out of whack a bit, but that's OK. I can recover. It's only 1 pound, right? RIGHT?!?
Holy crap, maybe I should just pull out some damn pom-poms and give myself a cheer or something.
Oh yeah, and I realized a big boo-boo I've been making. I never really read the label on my favorite low-fat yogurt. I did read it, but I was in denial. Way too much sugar, so I've got to ditch it. Next time I go shopping, I need to find something better - or give up my daily morning yogurt snack. Wah!
I think I can, I think I can...I know I can, I know I can...chooo choooo!
Anyway, check the ticker at the top of the page. For those of you paying attention, it's gone up by 1 pound. Not the best news considering the time crunch I'm under (check the ticker at the bottom of the page), but it's no surprise. This past week has been tough physically. I've had a nasty cold. Head so stuffed, it was hard to breathe there for a few days. Not the best time to be getting too physically active, so I wasn't. The pounding sinus headache also had something to do with that.
I did manage, however, to still watch what I ate (for the most part) and the fact that I kept the weight gain to just 1 pound is awesome.
Yay Donna! GO Bears! With a cutie like this on my side, I shall prevail!
So what's the plan for this week?
Last night on the way home, I was actually able to breathe, and this morning, I'm doing much better. Started walking the escalator at the train stations this morning. I won't tackle the non-moving stairs until I'm 100% again. My weezing scares people. I'm going to try to get out more for quick walks during the work day. Every time I tried last week, I got a phone call or someone needed something RIGHT NOW! so I got sidetracked and then it was time to go home. Argh.
I'm pretty much at the half way point of the first goal of 20 lbs in 3 months before I take that nasty Glucose test again. I haven't lost half the weight. Things are out of whack a bit, but that's OK. I can recover. It's only 1 pound, right? RIGHT?!?
Holy crap, maybe I should just pull out some damn pom-poms and give myself a cheer or something.
Oh yeah, and I realized a big boo-boo I've been making. I never really read the label on my favorite low-fat yogurt. I did read it, but I was in denial. Way too much sugar, so I've got to ditch it. Next time I go shopping, I need to find something better - or give up my daily morning yogurt snack. Wah!
I think I can, I think I can...I know I can, I know I can...chooo choooo!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
The Party has started, care to join?
Hey folks, this will be the easiest post ever for me to write. That's 'cause I have a guest blogger...
May I present, no-blog-Rachel's first ever weekly AVON Walk update for Boobie Tuesday! Take it away Rachel...
Donna asked me if I'd mind writing a bit about training for the Avon Walk in time for each Boobie Tuesday (I'm horribly embarrassed to admit that it freakin' took me a while to figure out where that name came from. Not one of my brighter hours..). Well if I can make myself believe that I can walk 39+ miles over 2 days, wouldn't it be kind of ridiculous to think that I couldn't write a couple of paragraphs about what it's taking to reach that goal? Kinda.
So here I am.
It started with Rachael's idea of running/walking/swimming/whatevering a total of 100 miles by April 1st (check it out). I decided to take on that challenge as a way to get off my butt and back into the habit of exercising. Well there's something about knowing that there are lots of people out there who are doing the same thing toward the same goal that I have found completely energizing. So that got me thinking about what challenge I wanted to take on once April 1st came around. Long story short, and partially thanks to Donna, I found my challenge. The Avon Walk! Sure it's a lot of miles, and sure I have a lot of money I need to raise ($1,800 minimum but my personal goal is twice that) but I can do it! My walk team? Knitters for Knockers. Check out my AVON Walk personal web page. (dudes, she's already raised over a grand!)
So starting last weekend, off I went. Bought some good socks and a fanny pack that holds 2 water bottles, some Gu energy gel in case I'm caught mid-walk with the shakes, and I was off! I increased my mileage and frequency of the walks I'd been doing, and really started keeping track of what I'm doing - paying attention to pace, backing off a little if I'd worked hard the day before, etc. I have a lot of time to train, but as I've never done anything like this, I really want to be careful to avoid shin splints, or any other injuries along the way. For advice, I've been emailing various bloggers (including Donna! Hi Donna!) for advice - and they have been incredibly supportive (again - Hi Donna!).
Someday Rachel will catch the blog bug, start one of her own and will finally step over into the light that is blogging.
GO BEARS! (hey, who said that?)
May I present, no-blog-Rachel's first ever weekly AVON Walk update for Boobie Tuesday! Take it away Rachel...
Donna asked me if I'd mind writing a bit about training for the Avon Walk in time for each Boobie Tuesday (I'm horribly embarrassed to admit that it freakin' took me a while to figure out where that name came from. Not one of my brighter hours..). Well if I can make myself believe that I can walk 39+ miles over 2 days, wouldn't it be kind of ridiculous to think that I couldn't write a couple of paragraphs about what it's taking to reach that goal? Kinda.
So here I am.
It started with Rachael's idea of running/walking/swimming/whatevering a total of 100 miles by April 1st (check it out). I decided to take on that challenge as a way to get off my butt and back into the habit of exercising. Well there's something about knowing that there are lots of people out there who are doing the same thing toward the same goal that I have found completely energizing. So that got me thinking about what challenge I wanted to take on once April 1st came around. Long story short, and partially thanks to Donna, I found my challenge. The Avon Walk! Sure it's a lot of miles, and sure I have a lot of money I need to raise ($1,800 minimum but my personal goal is twice that) but I can do it! My walk team? Knitters for Knockers. Check out my AVON Walk personal web page. (dudes, she's already raised over a grand!)
So starting last weekend, off I went. Bought some good socks and a fanny pack that holds 2 water bottles, some Gu energy gel in case I'm caught mid-walk with the shakes, and I was off! I increased my mileage and frequency of the walks I'd been doing, and really started keeping track of what I'm doing - paying attention to pace, backing off a little if I'd worked hard the day before, etc. I have a lot of time to train, but as I've never done anything like this, I really want to be careful to avoid shin splints, or any other injuries along the way. For advice, I've been emailing various bloggers (including Donna! Hi Donna!) for advice - and they have been incredibly supportive (again - Hi Donna!).
Duh moment of the week (and I hope I don't have one every week): My shins were sore. My feet felt stiff and hurt during a walk. Brilliant idea, Rachel try stretching your feet. Duh. Since that epiphany, I've been giving them a good stretch when I'm in the bathtub or shower and it makes a world of difference!
Today was the first formal Knitters for Knockers training walk - we did just over 9 miles! Holy Cow! I was hot and tired, but really I felt great. No blisters, nothing especially sore. Though I am writing this on Sunday instead of Monday so my entire entry isn't about how much I hurt. Tomorrow's walk will be a very short one - just enough to stretch out the muscles that I know will be complaining. K for K is a great group of women- I'll tell you more about the team another time. Next entry - probably not so talky - but I wanted to give a little background this time. See you next week!
Rachel, you talk as much as you want...it's for a great cause! If any of you want to show Rachel some blog luv and support, just leave a comment, she's a regular reader (I have regular readers!) and will spot them. OR, send me an email and I'll forward it to Rachel.Someday Rachel will catch the blog bug, start one of her own and will finally step over into the light that is blogging.
GO BEARS! (hey, who said that?)
Monday, January 22, 2007
Where in she FINALLY talks about teaching Cherry to knit...
BUT FIRST...
GO BEARS! YAY BEARS! I CAN'T STOP TYPING IN CAPS!!!!!
OK, so maybe I can stop typing in caps...isn't this guy the cutest? He was a gift from my sis many, many, many moons ago. I think probably about the last time Da Bears went to Da Superbowl back in what '85? Anyhoo, I grew up in Chicago surrounded by Bear Fans. So, I am happy for them, happy for the Bears, happy for Chicago. So I will happily cheer them on in the SuperBowl, just as I cheered them on yesterday.
GO BEARS!!!!!!
OK, so now that I've taken a deep breath, I can go on...
Meet the markers I made for Cherry the Friday night before we met...
...and the "Learn to Knit Kit" I put together for her...
...after much time fondling yarn and discussing needles and yarn types...she picked a yarn and some needles...
Hey Everybody, meet Cherry! Here she is with the yellow practice yarn and her brand new bamboo knitting needles happily knitting and purling. That day, she also learned the cable cast on, frogging, and tinking.
...here's Cherry with Hugo and her new yarn...
...and her nicely wound ball...
...and the beginning of her new scarf...
Read here and here for Cherry's account of her learning experience and her first ever FO! She's caught the 'bug' and is on a roll. In the week or so since she learned to knit, she has finished another scarf, and is starting a baby blanket for a friend. The pattern for the blanket sounds a bit complicated for a beginner, but she has done her research and is rolling right along. Amazing, simply amazing...
And speaking of FO's...here's my first of the year..
Spencer's Neck Warmer...and he wore it...and it worked great...and he loved it...and once again, knitting Mom did her thing and kept those she loves warm...sniff...
GO BEARS! YAY BEARS! I CAN'T STOP TYPING IN CAPS!!!!!
OK, so maybe I can stop typing in caps...isn't this guy the cutest? He was a gift from my sis many, many, many moons ago. I think probably about the last time Da Bears went to Da Superbowl back in what '85? Anyhoo, I grew up in Chicago surrounded by Bear Fans. So, I am happy for them, happy for the Bears, happy for Chicago. So I will happily cheer them on in the SuperBowl, just as I cheered them on yesterday.
GO BEARS!!!!!!
OK, so now that I've taken a deep breath, I can go on...
Meet the markers I made for Cherry the Friday night before we met...
...and the "Learn to Knit Kit" I put together for her...
...after much time fondling yarn and discussing needles and yarn types...she picked a yarn and some needles...
Hey Everybody, meet Cherry! Here she is with the yellow practice yarn and her brand new bamboo knitting needles happily knitting and purling. That day, she also learned the cable cast on, frogging, and tinking.
...here's Cherry with Hugo and her new yarn...
...and her nicely wound ball...
...and the beginning of her new scarf...
Read here and here for Cherry's account of her learning experience and her first ever FO! She's caught the 'bug' and is on a roll. In the week or so since she learned to knit, she has finished another scarf, and is starting a baby blanket for a friend. The pattern for the blanket sounds a bit complicated for a beginner, but she has done her research and is rolling right along. Amazing, simply amazing...
And speaking of FO's...here's my first of the year..
Spencer's Neck Warmer...and he wore it...and it worked great...and he loved it...and once again, knitting Mom did her thing and kept those she loves warm...sniff...
Friday, January 19, 2007
How to get Donna to Shine Her Sink
It's FlyLady Friday! And How does one get Donna to shine her friggin' sink?
Two words...American Idol...Spencer wanted to watch American Idol (his homework was done)...I did not. (Before you say anything about being the parent, putting your foot down and blah blah blah, read on.)
I absolutely, postively hate this show. Especially these first few shows where they are going to different cities and sitting through thousands of awful singers. And they are awful. Like fingernails scraping a chalkboard (are there even any chalkboards left?).
Add to that little equation the fact that our cable company has finally realized their mistake (after 6 years) and cut off the extended cable. I'd been paying for basic cable, did not ask for extended cable, came home one day and POOF! we had extended cable - FREE TRIAL OFFER! When the offer ended, I contacted the cable company and requested to remain at the basic level. It was not changed. I went back and forth with them and with the next company that bought them out and with the next company that bought them out. After about 6 months of this, I gave up. You want to be stupid and give me something for free? That's YOUR problem buddy. I tried, really I did. Oh, and I WILL NOT be upgrading, so don't even start calling me. And Spencer? You can stop with the puppy eyes, I'm not caving.
But now I ramble. Long story short, there was nothing I wanted to watch on TV these past few nights that didn't reside above Channel 36 (the cut-off for basic cable). So I went into the kitchen and started cleaning. And went to the bedroom and started decluttering, and etc etc etc. It still doesn't look like I've done anything, but I guess I'm making progress. There are less things in the apartment now then there were a few days ago.
Things I've noticed (besides the fact that I'm a packrat):
Two words...American Idol...Spencer wanted to watch American Idol (his homework was done)...I did not. (Before you say anything about being the parent, putting your foot down and blah blah blah, read on.)
I absolutely, postively hate this show. Especially these first few shows where they are going to different cities and sitting through thousands of awful singers. And they are awful. Like fingernails scraping a chalkboard (are there even any chalkboards left?).
Add to that little equation the fact that our cable company has finally realized their mistake (after 6 years) and cut off the extended cable. I'd been paying for basic cable, did not ask for extended cable, came home one day and POOF! we had extended cable - FREE TRIAL OFFER! When the offer ended, I contacted the cable company and requested to remain at the basic level. It was not changed. I went back and forth with them and with the next company that bought them out and with the next company that bought them out. After about 6 months of this, I gave up. You want to be stupid and give me something for free? That's YOUR problem buddy. I tried, really I did. Oh, and I WILL NOT be upgrading, so don't even start calling me. And Spencer? You can stop with the puppy eyes, I'm not caving.
But now I ramble. Long story short, there was nothing I wanted to watch on TV these past few nights that didn't reside above Channel 36 (the cut-off for basic cable). So I went into the kitchen and started cleaning. And went to the bedroom and started decluttering, and etc etc etc. It still doesn't look like I've done anything, but I guess I'm making progress. There are less things in the apartment now then there were a few days ago.
Things I've noticed (besides the fact that I'm a packrat):
- I like paper. I must. There are piles of it everywhere.
- I like boxes. I must. There are stacks of them everywhere.
- Spencer doesn't like the brown carpet. He must not. You can't see it in his room. The floor is completely covered with clothes and other pre-teen crap.
Things to do this weekend:
- Fill up the recycle bin in the parking garage with all the paper we'll be throwing out.
- Get rid of one stack of boxes.
- Lock Spencer in his room and don't let him out until I can at least see a 4ft X 4ft patch of the ugly brown carpet.
Like FlyLady says: It didn't get cluttered up in a few hours, it will take more than that to de-clutter and organize it.
We'll have plenty of time for this too. All the good TV is on the channels above 36, so we can't get sucked into TV watching.
Good thing the Bears game is on a network channel...
(I will be taking breaks from the cleaning this weekend, so if I win the coin toss and get to use the computer, I will FINALLY post about Cherry and teaching her to knit. Oh yeah, and my 1st FO of the year too!)
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
More on track than you know...
Hey folks, it's Weigh-In-Wednesday. The day I climb upon the dreaded scale to see how my quest to lose 20 lbs in 3 months is going. Well, in case you haven't noticed, the ticker has not changed. But I am happy. How can I be happy you ask? I'm glad you asked, 'cause now I'll tell you.
I fit into a pair of jeans that are a size smaller than what I was wearing last week. That's why. You can't tell by looking at me, but I'm ecstatic. Booyah! And all that.
I could also be happy because I didn't gain weight. Yeah, that would make me happy too.
And now for something completely different:
Go read this. Kelley has a way with words - to put it mildly. Her dog is the cutest ever too.
Stay tuned for my first FO of the year and pictures of Cherry learning to knit. I'll get around to it. Really. I will.
I fit into a pair of jeans that are a size smaller than what I was wearing last week. That's why. You can't tell by looking at me, but I'm ecstatic. Booyah! And all that.
I could also be happy because I didn't gain weight. Yeah, that would make me happy too.
And now for something completely different:
Go read this. Kelley has a way with words - to put it mildly. Her dog is the cutest ever too.
Stay tuned for my first FO of the year and pictures of Cherry learning to knit. I'll get around to it. Really. I will.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Times they are a changin'...and so is my mind...
First off, welcome to Boobie Tuesday. I'd like to start off by saying I've decided not to do the AVON Walk this year - But Boobie Tuesday will continue - 'cause this is my blog and I can continue it if I want. True to my promise of either walking or raising money without walking...
Please check out Blogless Rachel's Personal Walk Page. Then support her efforts by making a gift to the AVON Foundation. She's a cancer survivor (Lymphoma) who is walking with a team called "Knitters for Knockers". I'll be putting a permanent link in the sidebar as well.
Rachel was looking for a physical challenge and happened upon my blog when I wrote this about the AVON Walk. She said what I wrote helped her make the decision to walk. I only wish I could join her and the other K4Kers. That would have been a hoot! Even though I won't be joining them physically while they train and during the walk, I can do my part to help them make their fundraising goals.
Not doing the walk this year was a very difficult decision for me. I know what I'm missing out on and a few tears still fall when I think about it. BUT in the end, it was the right thing to do for myself and I will feel better with that decision as time goes by and I still have my sanity.
From now until the Walk in July, Boobie Tuesday or BT will be mainly dedicated to updates about Rachel's efforts both in training and fundraising. I'll also be putting up a few things I learned from past walks either from others or on my own (also known as the hard, painful way).
Just because I'm not doing the walk, that doesn't mean I still won't be walking or doing something else physical, so I'll keep you updated via BT on that progress as well. Gotta keep the body and the boobies healthy. If the boobies aren't healthy, Momma's not happy, and if Momma's not happy...well, you know the rest...
Please check out Blogless Rachel's Personal Walk Page. Then support her efforts by making a gift to the AVON Foundation. She's a cancer survivor (Lymphoma) who is walking with a team called "Knitters for Knockers". I'll be putting a permanent link in the sidebar as well.
Rachel was looking for a physical challenge and happened upon my blog when I wrote this about the AVON Walk. She said what I wrote helped her make the decision to walk. I only wish I could join her and the other K4Kers. That would have been a hoot! Even though I won't be joining them physically while they train and during the walk, I can do my part to help them make their fundraising goals.
Not doing the walk this year was a very difficult decision for me. I know what I'm missing out on and a few tears still fall when I think about it. BUT in the end, it was the right thing to do for myself and I will feel better with that decision as time goes by and I still have my sanity.
From now until the Walk in July, Boobie Tuesday or BT will be mainly dedicated to updates about Rachel's efforts both in training and fundraising. I'll also be putting up a few things I learned from past walks either from others or on my own (also known as the hard, painful way).
Just because I'm not doing the walk, that doesn't mean I still won't be walking or doing something else physical, so I'll keep you updated via BT on that progress as well. Gotta keep the body and the boobies healthy. If the boobies aren't healthy, Momma's not happy, and if Momma's not happy...well, you know the rest...
Monday, January 15, 2007
A mighty wind...
And no, I didn't break wind...but the winds of change have started to blow over at Casa de Chaos. Doesn't look like I'll be able to do everything I planned on doing in '07, but the most important things on my list will go ahead.
Saturday's knitting lesson with Cherry went very well.
Pictures of our time together and more on everything else tomorrow.
Saturday's knitting lesson with Cherry went very well.
Pictures of our time together and more on everything else tomorrow.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Mind blank, just start reading already
OK, so I couldn't think of anything clever for a title. Bummer. How am I supposed to meet the challenge then? Ms. Stephieface has game. I say, Bring it. I'll be ready. This ought to be interesting, and fun (the immortal words of the Harlot) - just like knitting. Stay tuned - anyone who answers the challenge will be working hard to steam up your screens with some Knaughty Knitting Stories.
Anyway, on to other stuff. The neck tube for Spencer is almost done. I didn't knit as much on it yesterday as I wanted to...it was too cold out to take my gloves off to knit while I was waiting for the train. I think there's a pair of fingerless gloves in my future as well. While I was on the train, I was so bundled up, it was slow knitting on the neck tube. I know Gary, I know. It's cold out on your deck and you'd really like to go out and smoke your Honduran cigars without freezing your fingers off. I'm getting close. Really. I am.
Time for FlyLady Friday content. Um....not much to report here. I haven't really done much else but keep my sink almost clean. Right now, the kitchen is pretty much a disaster, so I get to spend tonight washing dishes, clearing off piles of mail, etc etc etc. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my Friday night, but I don't have anyone else to blame but myself.
This weekend, specifically tomorrow morning, I will be meeting my friend Cherry. We will be fondling yarn balls, measuring needle shafts, making stitches, and talking up a storm. And so begins her journey into the realm of knitting - yes folks, I am going to teach her to knit. She has crocheted before, so she is familiar with the concept of pulling yarn through loops to make things. If I don't wear out poor Hugo tonight (I tend to wear out my tools), I will bring him along so she can meet him and use him to make some balls for herself. (Why do I suddenly feel like a pimp?)
I'll have photos to share for sure and we will both be blogging about this little adventure. I'll link up to her entry when it's ready.
Hope you all have a great weekend. Since Spencer has abandoned me to go skiing, I shall spend my time knitting with friends, dining with friends and creating my Knaughty Knitting masterpiece. Oh yeah, and shining my freakin' kitchen sink...
Anyway, on to other stuff. The neck tube for Spencer is almost done. I didn't knit as much on it yesterday as I wanted to...it was too cold out to take my gloves off to knit while I was waiting for the train. I think there's a pair of fingerless gloves in my future as well. While I was on the train, I was so bundled up, it was slow knitting on the neck tube. I know Gary, I know. It's cold out on your deck and you'd really like to go out and smoke your Honduran cigars without freezing your fingers off. I'm getting close. Really. I am.
Time for FlyLady Friday content. Um....not much to report here. I haven't really done much else but keep my sink almost clean. Right now, the kitchen is pretty much a disaster, so I get to spend tonight washing dishes, clearing off piles of mail, etc etc etc. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my Friday night, but I don't have anyone else to blame but myself.
This weekend, specifically tomorrow morning, I will be meeting my friend Cherry. We will be fondling yarn balls, measuring needle shafts, making stitches, and talking up a storm. And so begins her journey into the realm of knitting - yes folks, I am going to teach her to knit. She has crocheted before, so she is familiar with the concept of pulling yarn through loops to make things. If I don't wear out poor Hugo tonight (I tend to wear out my tools), I will bring him along so she can meet him and use him to make some balls for herself. (Why do I suddenly feel like a pimp?)
I'll have photos to share for sure and we will both be blogging about this little adventure. I'll link up to her entry when it's ready.
Hope you all have a great weekend. Since Spencer has abandoned me to go skiing, I shall spend my time knitting with friends, dining with friends and creating my Knaughty Knitting masterpiece. Oh yeah, and shining my freakin' kitchen sink...
Thursday, January 11, 2007
My Baby still needs me, but not so much
So true in knitting and in regular life. He's growing up and I can't stop it. Sniff. So before I start balling my eyes out again (gee, variations on that word keep popping up, don't they?) , I'll move on to the knitting content.
The knitting emergency has been averted - but I'm still making him something - just not anything as involved as it was going to be. On the train home, we took out his packing list and went over what he already has and what he needs for this weekend. Long story short, he already has a beanie - he just needs something for his neck. We agreed (a small miracle in itself right there) that a scarf would just get in the way on the slopes and that he would probably take it off and lose it (these last words were his, not mine). So I showed him what I was working on and we agreed (twice in 5 minutes) that since he already had a beanie, I could just make him a neck tube to take with him. It will be finished tonight.
He was actually excited about it. When he is going down the slopes, he can pull it up to full length and cover not only his neck, but his lower face. When he's not skiing, he can pull it down around his neck. Nothing hanging off him, nothing to take on and off. Simple thing for me to knit. 2X2 rib around and around and around - I just love knitting in the round - bind off, end of story, take a picture, post it on the blog - you're done.
Crisis averted, problem solved, now I can get back to Gary's gloves tomorrow. And by the way Gary, I've switched up the pattern so not only do I have to finish up the second glove, but I have to re-knit the first one. (This is a test to see if Gary is actually reading my blog. I'll let you know if there is a reaction later.) Oh yeah, and I really did do that. Just ask Antonella.
Psychotic knitting at it's best.
The knitting emergency has been averted - but I'm still making him something - just not anything as involved as it was going to be. On the train home, we took out his packing list and went over what he already has and what he needs for this weekend. Long story short, he already has a beanie - he just needs something for his neck. We agreed (a small miracle in itself right there) that a scarf would just get in the way on the slopes and that he would probably take it off and lose it (these last words were his, not mine). So I showed him what I was working on and we agreed (twice in 5 minutes) that since he already had a beanie, I could just make him a neck tube to take with him. It will be finished tonight.
He was actually excited about it. When he is going down the slopes, he can pull it up to full length and cover not only his neck, but his lower face. When he's not skiing, he can pull it down around his neck. Nothing hanging off him, nothing to take on and off. Simple thing for me to knit. 2X2 rib around and around and around - I just love knitting in the round - bind off, end of story, take a picture, post it on the blog - you're done.
Crisis averted, problem solved, now I can get back to Gary's gloves tomorrow. And by the way Gary, I've switched up the pattern so not only do I have to finish up the second glove, but I have to re-knit the first one. (This is a test to see if Gary is actually reading my blog. I'll let you know if there is a reaction later.) Oh yeah, and I really did do that. Just ask Antonella.
Psychotic knitting at it's best.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Giddy Up and Ye Haw and all that and no more chips
Hey everyone! Look! It's a Weigh-In Wednesday post on an actual Wednesday! I'm excited! Can you tell?!?
Before I begin with today's Weigh-In follies, I'd like to give a big shout out to my sister. The older sister who will always be older than me and turned one year older today! Don't worry, I won't say how old you really are - see, I really do love you - even though you are older. OK I'll stop now. Happy B-day Sis! Hope your day is a great one!!!!!!!
Anyway, check the ticker folks to see why I'm so flippin happy I'm driving my co-workers bat shit. Well not really, but one in particular keeps commenting on my cheerfulness - like it's a bad thing or something (he's only kidding and we're having fun with it).
OK, now for the WIW nitty gritty.
I'm down 8 lbs! I got my hair done last night! I'm almost down a jean size! All the things that make you just wanna jump up and down and go completely ape. But I've got it under control. I've got it toned down to a BIG smile on my face, and singing with my headphones on. Seems to me that once again, what I am doing is working. Making healthy food choices as best as I can and exercising - a little. Time to step it up with the exercise! (I have a thing with exclamation points today! See? There's another one of those buggers!)
And now let's take it down a notch (or ten) for some Knit content - breathe in, breathe out - ahhhh:
KNITTING EMERGENCY!!!!!!
Oh yeah, I was supposed to take it down a few notches....anyway Spencer is off to ski with some friends for the weekend and is lacking a scarf and hat. What kind of a knitting mom would I be if I did not whip something up for him to take? Anywhoo, all other knitting projects are on hold, sorry Gary and Gerson you have to wait just a bit longer for your stuff now, 'cause my baby needs me.
So I picked up the beginnings of a ski mask I had started for him back in November that were laying pathetically at the bottom of Mr. Stuffles and knit my heart out on the train this morning. There will more of that tonight and tomorrow, etc until Friday night when I drop him off at his friend's house. But Donna, that's not a scarf. OK, let's think about who we're talking about here. A 12 1/2 year old boy. Who loses things. Especially warm winter accessory things. And who wouldn't wear a scarf if his life depended on it. Hence, ski mask that will also cover his neck and he can roll it up to a plain hat if he wants. That's the plan anyway. Hopefully I'll get a picture of it before he leaves 'cause I already know I'll never see it again. But I still have to make it. 'Cause he's my baby and he needs something warm.
Here's what Knitting purchases I made this Saturday...
$2 for both pairs (sizes 2.5 and 3) at a local Thrift Store.
Kitty had to come and check them out...
And decided they were non-threatening and wouldn't take over the sheepskin. So much so, that she shot 'em a moon...
...and then sat on them.
Here's what we watched before we watched the football game Saturday night...
...a gorgeous sunset. Gary, you are one lucky dude (in more than one way - you know what I mean).
Before I begin with today's Weigh-In follies, I'd like to give a big shout out to my sister. The older sister who will always be older than me and turned one year older today! Don't worry, I won't say how old you really are - see, I really do love you - even though you are older. OK I'll stop now. Happy B-day Sis! Hope your day is a great one!!!!!!!
Anyway, check the ticker folks to see why I'm so flippin happy I'm driving my co-workers bat shit. Well not really, but one in particular keeps commenting on my cheerfulness - like it's a bad thing or something (he's only kidding and we're having fun with it).
OK, now for the WIW nitty gritty.
I'm down 8 lbs! I got my hair done last night! I'm almost down a jean size! All the things that make you just wanna jump up and down and go completely ape. But I've got it under control. I've got it toned down to a BIG smile on my face, and singing with my headphones on. Seems to me that once again, what I am doing is working. Making healthy food choices as best as I can and exercising - a little. Time to step it up with the exercise! (I have a thing with exclamation points today! See? There's another one of those buggers!)
And now let's take it down a notch (or ten) for some Knit content - breathe in, breathe out - ahhhh:
KNITTING EMERGENCY!!!!!!
Oh yeah, I was supposed to take it down a few notches....anyway Spencer is off to ski with some friends for the weekend and is lacking a scarf and hat. What kind of a knitting mom would I be if I did not whip something up for him to take? Anywhoo, all other knitting projects are on hold, sorry Gary and Gerson you have to wait just a bit longer for your stuff now, 'cause my baby needs me.
So I picked up the beginnings of a ski mask I had started for him back in November that were laying pathetically at the bottom of Mr. Stuffles and knit my heart out on the train this morning. There will more of that tonight and tomorrow, etc until Friday night when I drop him off at his friend's house. But Donna, that's not a scarf. OK, let's think about who we're talking about here. A 12 1/2 year old boy. Who loses things. Especially warm winter accessory things. And who wouldn't wear a scarf if his life depended on it. Hence, ski mask that will also cover his neck and he can roll it up to a plain hat if he wants. That's the plan anyway. Hopefully I'll get a picture of it before he leaves 'cause I already know I'll never see it again. But I still have to make it. 'Cause he's my baby and he needs something warm.
Here's what Knitting purchases I made this Saturday...
$2 for both pairs (sizes 2.5 and 3) at a local Thrift Store.
Kitty had to come and check them out...
And decided they were non-threatening and wouldn't take over the sheepskin. So much so, that she shot 'em a moon...
...and then sat on them.
Here's what we watched before we watched the football game Saturday night...
...a gorgeous sunset. Gary, you are one lucky dude (in more than one way - you know what I mean).
A Day late and $55 short
It's my Boobie Tuesday entry on Weigh-In Wednesday. Yeah, I'm late, so what.
Things are going along great so far as walking goes. I went to dinner (Spencer was in charge of the meal and he did great!) at my ex's 'new' house in the City and had my first taste of San Francisco hills. DAMN! Just about did me in, but I made it all the way up and then up a few flights of steps as well (KILLER). Just a little huffin' and puffin' and not too many complaints from my knees afterwards.
This makes me happy. I have lots of work to do, but there was no swelling on the knees and bare minimum soreness. This means that what I am doing is working. Knee strengthening exercises and easy stairwork. I should definitely be ready by July.
Tomorrow I go for an info meeting and meet my AVON walk contact. She will be helping me with anything I need as far as training, fundraising, etc. Basically, my AVON walk sanity keeper. Boy does she have her work cut out for her! I was hoping to officially sign up for the walk tomorrow, but need one or two more paychecks for that - then I can be officially official.
Things are going along great so far as walking goes. I went to dinner (Spencer was in charge of the meal and he did great!) at my ex's 'new' house in the City and had my first taste of San Francisco hills. DAMN! Just about did me in, but I made it all the way up and then up a few flights of steps as well (KILLER). Just a little huffin' and puffin' and not too many complaints from my knees afterwards.
This makes me happy. I have lots of work to do, but there was no swelling on the knees and bare minimum soreness. This means that what I am doing is working. Knee strengthening exercises and easy stairwork. I should definitely be ready by July.
Tomorrow I go for an info meeting and meet my AVON walk contact. She will be helping me with anything I need as far as training, fundraising, etc. Basically, my AVON walk sanity keeper. Boy does she have her work cut out for her! I was hoping to officially sign up for the walk tomorrow, but need one or two more paychecks for that - then I can be officially official.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Plays with Balls Part Deux
...'cause I just can't get enough!
Hey Stephieface, I am SOOOO doing that with my Hugo (see her comment). I am about half way through winding up all my yarn stash and I will definitely be going back through it to re-wind some of the balls. I notice they are starting to un-ball themselves. Guess that's what happens when you first start playing with balls. You just got to learn the right techniques.
I am having so much fun with this (both the winding and using the word balls whenever I can) it should be illegal.
Last night, I convinced my friend Antonella to play with balls too. I told her she would have a ball (ha ha). So, while the guys were watching the Cowboys/Seahawks game, we hauled out Hugo. And while the Cowboys demonstrated how NOT to play with balls (so sorry they lost Gary, it was a heartbreaker), Antonella and I wound up a small bit of the 2600 yards of soft, green, boucle. We wound up about 8 balls of it and then couldn't take any more. Playing with balls can be very tiring, especially if you are the human swift. You're a trooper A! I'm gonna make you something special now as a thanks. Sometimes you just gotta have some help when the balls get too big. Now she has the skills to go off and play with balls on her own.
Sorry, but I don't have any pictures of us playing with balls. We were concentrating too much on our technique and trying not to get all tangled up. The guys were too busy watching the guys on TV play with balls to bother with us. Antonella and I were giggling and laughing the whole time. Here we were playing with balls, the guys were watching other guys play with balls, and every other word out of the game announcers' mouth was ball. "He grabs the ball...OHHH he drops the ball...moving the ball down the field...throwing the ball." It was a ball I tell you.
OK, I've got to stop. I can't take it anymore.
(And Stephieface? That's 22 times I used the word ball this time. Make that 23.)
Hey Stephieface, I am SOOOO doing that with my Hugo (see her comment). I am about half way through winding up all my yarn stash and I will definitely be going back through it to re-wind some of the balls. I notice they are starting to un-ball themselves. Guess that's what happens when you first start playing with balls. You just got to learn the right techniques.
I am having so much fun with this (both the winding and using the word balls whenever I can) it should be illegal.
Last night, I convinced my friend Antonella to play with balls too. I told her she would have a ball (ha ha). So, while the guys were watching the Cowboys/Seahawks game, we hauled out Hugo. And while the Cowboys demonstrated how NOT to play with balls (so sorry they lost Gary, it was a heartbreaker), Antonella and I wound up a small bit of the 2600 yards of soft, green, boucle. We wound up about 8 balls of it and then couldn't take any more. Playing with balls can be very tiring, especially if you are the human swift. You're a trooper A! I'm gonna make you something special now as a thanks. Sometimes you just gotta have some help when the balls get too big. Now she has the skills to go off and play with balls on her own.
Sorry, but I don't have any pictures of us playing with balls. We were concentrating too much on our technique and trying not to get all tangled up. The guys were too busy watching the guys on TV play with balls to bother with us. Antonella and I were giggling and laughing the whole time. Here we were playing with balls, the guys were watching other guys play with balls, and every other word out of the game announcers' mouth was ball. "He grabs the ball...OHHH he drops the ball...moving the ball down the field...throwing the ball." It was a ball I tell you.
OK, I've got to stop. I can't take it anymore.
(And Stephieface? That's 22 times I used the word ball this time. Make that 23.)
Friday, January 05, 2007
Plays with Balls
Last night I was up until midnight playing with balls. And I had a great time too.
(OK, you guys can think what you will 'cause I know you're all a bunch of degenerates with filthy minds. Just take this statement as encouragement and let those dirty minds run wild. And just so you know, I'm thinking the same thing.)
I've got a new toy to help me play with balls too...meet Hugo...
...my new ball winder. I just LOVE Hugo. I don't know how I lived without him for so damn long. We played all last night...
Our first ball together (sniff)...
...and certainly not our last. Because now all the balls we make together fit this perfectly...
...which means now I'll have a bunch of handy balls I can just wrap around my wrist and take with me wherever I may roam.
Together we made...
...Wully balls! And guess what?!? They don't itch! Looks like I can handle Wully balls now. But only if they are only 3% Wully.
And then we made...
...random balls - since I couldn't decide on which balls I wanted to fondle first.
Then we made...
...blue balls. For those of you paying attention, that would be the 21 yr old Spanish yarn in those blue balls. (Insert comment about foreign balls here - let your imagination run free my dahlings!)
And finally this morning, we just had to make one more ball...
...but beware! If you play with your balls too much, Nunzilla will smack your hands with her ruler and spit fire at you. Oh yeah, and you'll probably go blind.
(That's the Beaded Phoenix scarf/shawl making an appearance with Nunzilla. She really does spit fire. But you have to wind her up first.)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And now for something less exciting (or perverted so get out of 'dirty mind mode' people) - It's FlyLady Friday!!!!!
OK, so things haven't been going too quickly on this project, but I do try to do a few things every day just like they say I should. Things do seem to be getting better around here - it's just not happening as fast as I would like it. But I've accepted that. If I'm not going to quit my job and devote my life 24/7 to organizing my household, then it's going to take me a while to do this. My sink is empty though! And shiny! (Let's not mention the fact that I just moved all the pots to the countertop, shall we?)
(OK, you guys can think what you will 'cause I know you're all a bunch of degenerates with filthy minds. Just take this statement as encouragement and let those dirty minds run wild. And just so you know, I'm thinking the same thing.)
I've got a new toy to help me play with balls too...meet Hugo...
...my new ball winder. I just LOVE Hugo. I don't know how I lived without him for so damn long. We played all last night...
Our first ball together (sniff)...
...and certainly not our last. Because now all the balls we make together fit this perfectly...
...which means now I'll have a bunch of handy balls I can just wrap around my wrist and take with me wherever I may roam.
Together we made...
...Wully balls! And guess what?!? They don't itch! Looks like I can handle Wully balls now. But only if they are only 3% Wully.
And then we made...
...random balls - since I couldn't decide on which balls I wanted to fondle first.
Then we made...
...blue balls. For those of you paying attention, that would be the 21 yr old Spanish yarn in those blue balls. (Insert comment about foreign balls here - let your imagination run free my dahlings!)
And finally this morning, we just had to make one more ball...
...but beware! If you play with your balls too much, Nunzilla will smack your hands with her ruler and spit fire at you. Oh yeah, and you'll probably go blind.
(That's the Beaded Phoenix scarf/shawl making an appearance with Nunzilla. She really does spit fire. But you have to wind her up first.)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And now for something less exciting (or perverted so get out of 'dirty mind mode' people) - It's FlyLady Friday!!!!!
OK, so things haven't been going too quickly on this project, but I do try to do a few things every day just like they say I should. Things do seem to be getting better around here - it's just not happening as fast as I would like it. But I've accepted that. If I'm not going to quit my job and devote my life 24/7 to organizing my household, then it's going to take me a while to do this. My sink is empty though! And shiny! (Let's not mention the fact that I just moved all the pots to the countertop, shall we?)
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Busy Little Knitter
OK, so I'm behind on the posting. I've been busy. Organizing, knitting, crafting and selling on top of the usual Mother-mode and working my day job. I made my first sale on Tuesday! I'm so excited!
My first ever order ready to go...
...and may there be many, many, many more!!!!!
Spence and I have been having a good time taking photos of items for the shop. Here's the setup we're using now. Markers hang from a bamboo needle against the sheepskin rug that's over the back of a chair. Notice the tripod in the foreground. It's an awesome piece of equipment from my photography days.
...photography is one of my fav hobbies (I even won a People's Choice Ribbon once), so I get to play with that now too! I get to style and photograph the stuff we put out on the site. Fun fun fun! (geek alert!) An all-around win for me.
I missed Boobie Tuesday and Weigh-In Wednesday, so here's the latest updates for that...
BT:
I have figured out that if I cut out 50% of the stairs I do every day, my knees are OK. Only problem with that is that the San Francisco AVON Walk goes through the streets of SF. The very, very hilly streets of SF. I'm hoping with time, knee strengthening exercises, and weight loss, the knees will get stronger and the problem will be solved. I am going ahead with the walk and will sign up by the end of this month. I've put up some Pink Ribbon Awareness markers in my shop. All proceeds will go towards my sign up fee. When I sign up for the walk, I'll get an online donation page and will post that link here on the blog. More info on that as things move along.
WIW:
OK, so I didn't weigh in yesterday. Doesn't look like I'll be weighing in at the doc's office as planned. They open way too late. By the time I'd get to work, it would be 10AM. So I'll continue using my own scale. Instead of the South Beach Diet, I've decided to go along with this...make the right food choices, watch your portions, get out and walk. I can do that. As long as I don't deny myself anything, but enjoy in moderation, I'm OK with the whole process. Now that I'm not denying myself anything, I have no urge to eat it. Funny how the brain works, isn't it? So far so good. I've noticed my pants are a teeny bit baggy and Antonella says that after not seeing me for 2 weeks, she can tell I've dropped a few pounds cause my face is different. I'll take it. Next week I'll hop on the scale and hopefully that will reflect a change.
I'm not one of those who is a slave to the scale anymore, so climbing on one every week is something I need to get used to again. I think more about how my clothes look, fit and feel on my body, and how much strength, energy and zest for life I have (and that's pretty much sucked the last 13 yrs or so). That's how I judge whether I'm at a good weight or not (and boy I am so not at a good weight right now). And that's how I'm approaching this whole weight loss adventure. The only reason I've got the numbers on the ticker is because that's what the doctor is using to judge my health. That's the first thing she will look at the next time we meet. The numbers.
So here's to knocking a few numbers by the wayside in the ol' '07.
My first ever order ready to go...
...and may there be many, many, many more!!!!!
Spence and I have been having a good time taking photos of items for the shop. Here's the setup we're using now. Markers hang from a bamboo needle against the sheepskin rug that's over the back of a chair. Notice the tripod in the foreground. It's an awesome piece of equipment from my photography days.
...photography is one of my fav hobbies (I even won a People's Choice Ribbon once), so I get to play with that now too! I get to style and photograph the stuff we put out on the site. Fun fun fun! (geek alert!) An all-around win for me.
I missed Boobie Tuesday and Weigh-In Wednesday, so here's the latest updates for that...
BT:
I have figured out that if I cut out 50% of the stairs I do every day, my knees are OK. Only problem with that is that the San Francisco AVON Walk goes through the streets of SF. The very, very hilly streets of SF. I'm hoping with time, knee strengthening exercises, and weight loss, the knees will get stronger and the problem will be solved. I am going ahead with the walk and will sign up by the end of this month. I've put up some Pink Ribbon Awareness markers in my shop. All proceeds will go towards my sign up fee. When I sign up for the walk, I'll get an online donation page and will post that link here on the blog. More info on that as things move along.
WIW:
OK, so I didn't weigh in yesterday. Doesn't look like I'll be weighing in at the doc's office as planned. They open way too late. By the time I'd get to work, it would be 10AM. So I'll continue using my own scale. Instead of the South Beach Diet, I've decided to go along with this...make the right food choices, watch your portions, get out and walk. I can do that. As long as I don't deny myself anything, but enjoy in moderation, I'm OK with the whole process. Now that I'm not denying myself anything, I have no urge to eat it. Funny how the brain works, isn't it? So far so good. I've noticed my pants are a teeny bit baggy and Antonella says that after not seeing me for 2 weeks, she can tell I've dropped a few pounds cause my face is different. I'll take it. Next week I'll hop on the scale and hopefully that will reflect a change.
I'm not one of those who is a slave to the scale anymore, so climbing on one every week is something I need to get used to again. I think more about how my clothes look, fit and feel on my body, and how much strength, energy and zest for life I have (and that's pretty much sucked the last 13 yrs or so). That's how I judge whether I'm at a good weight or not (and boy I am so not at a good weight right now). And that's how I'm approaching this whole weight loss adventure. The only reason I've got the numbers on the ticker is because that's what the doctor is using to judge my health. That's the first thing she will look at the next time we meet. The numbers.
So here's to knocking a few numbers by the wayside in the ol' '07.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Go Shopping
Happy New Year everyone!
Spencer and I have been busy over the Holidays.
A few weeks ago, I started dabbling in making stitch markers out of cast off earrings. That was a ton o' fun.
Well...I kind of got carried away...OK I got a LOT of carried away with the whole stitch marker thing and bought some beads and got my hands on some orphaned/broken jewelry, and tassels, etc. Plus, I found a whole bunch of jewelry fittings in my crafting stash from way back when. Told you I have a lot of crap. Had to do something with it all. That's what happens when your kid goes off to other parts of the country for a week and you take a short break from "Mom duties" for a bit. Got to fill up that time with something...
The whole making of the stitch markers is way too addicting (even Spence got into the groove when he came back) and I've got LOTS of markers now. Way too many for just one knitter. After gifting some to AmpuT, I still have tons left. So now, I have an Etsy Shop. Go check them out and love them enough to give them a good knitting home.
I've got a crafting habit to support, Spence has a Wii to save up for, and I'm raising money for Breast Cancer. Sharing the love. That's what it's all about at Casa de Chaos.
Spencer and I have been busy over the Holidays.
A few weeks ago, I started dabbling in making stitch markers out of cast off earrings. That was a ton o' fun.
Well...I kind of got carried away...OK I got a LOT of carried away with the whole stitch marker thing and bought some beads and got my hands on some orphaned/broken jewelry, and tassels, etc. Plus, I found a whole bunch of jewelry fittings in my crafting stash from way back when. Told you I have a lot of crap. Had to do something with it all. That's what happens when your kid goes off to other parts of the country for a week and you take a short break from "Mom duties" for a bit. Got to fill up that time with something...
The whole making of the stitch markers is way too addicting (even Spence got into the groove when he came back) and I've got LOTS of markers now. Way too many for just one knitter. After gifting some to AmpuT, I still have tons left. So now, I have an Etsy Shop. Go check them out and love them enough to give them a good knitting home.
I've got a crafting habit to support, Spence has a Wii to save up for, and I'm raising money for Breast Cancer. Sharing the love. That's what it's all about at Casa de Chaos.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)