Wow, I'm on a ROLL. Feeling some creative energies flowing, even though I haven't had a whole lot of time to express them. It is nice to see my muse poking her head out.
I've lost darn near 20 pounds (that's 1/3 of the way to my goal!), and feeling darn good about it. Even went for a walk this morning before it got hot and got in a trip around the pond with the dogs. My foot was so sore yesterday and still today, so I was nervous but with good shoes and socks on it was fine. Still wish I knew what I did to it to make it feel so bruised.
Headed off to Forma this afternoon with a friend to get yarn for my Christmas knitting. I always say I don't DO any Christmas Knitting, but I do. I just don't pressure myself much about it. And Jan has been wanting to get up to Forma and we both have time, so off we go. He has a lovely site in the woods of northern Ann Arbor.
After I get home, dinner will be something easy and I'm going to try and get into the basement for some decluttering and maybe some stamping. I have a package to get in the mail to my friend Susan. She generously knits me socks so I send her yarn whenever I can. I wanted to get a card ready to go with it and finally got it finished the other day. Now to wrap up the box and get it sent!
Now that I've stated my goals in my little blog, I'm hopefully more likely to follow through. Now, back to my to do list at work. It includes two of my least favorite tasks....ugh. At least it is cool in here.
Until next time!
Viva Las Vegas Stamps!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Friday, June 15, 2012
(Very) Late Spring 2012
This must be a new record. Two posts not only in one year, but within the same season!
I've got a little of a handle on my 'take care of me' problem. I signed up for Medical Weight Loss after hearing umpteen ads on the radio and knowing a couple people who have had success. It is sort of expensive (don't believe those $3/week ads for a second!), but hey, I'm worth it. I have a hard time believing this but it is what I've been told. I know my mom would approve.
The cost was the first discovery. I honestly can say I didn't think it was going to cost $3/week. They couldn't possibly make any money that way. But I went for it, and I'm glad. So far I've lost 16.5 pounds, in just over a month. I'm never hungry, the nutrients are very tasty, the people are super friendly & encouraging. It is all good!
The second discovery was that I had more weight to lose than I thought. Or, to put not too fine a point on it, I was fatter than I realized. Ick. So, my goal is about 50-60 pounds total. Mary, the woman who signed me up, says this is do-able by SEPTEMBER 1 if I do what I'm supposed to. Holy Toledo! So I am very motivated between having spent the money, seeing fast results, and a goal date that is so tantalizingly close.
The third discovery was really more of a confirmation of what I knew to be true but was really hoping wasn't. I was going to have to exercise, at least a little. For the plan, only 3 times a week for 30 minutes. Really, that is nothing, but I make it into a big something in my mind. Especially this spring when I've felt so frazzled and overwhelmed. Ninety minutes of KNITTING time....for what? To take care of myself? Pshaw. I'd rather knit.
So I'm still working on that 'knit while I walk' thing (I really don't think I can make the 'knit while I bicycle' thing work, except maybe at the gym. Not sure I can take the stares there).
Now that I've got most of that down, in two blogging sessions, I am going to go refill my coffee and knit for a while before I have to get anyone up to go anywhere. I have so many lovely projects swirling around my brain, and plenty of yarn in the stash for most of them. Naturally, I start to obsess on projects I don't have yarn for, and I'm going to a local, out of the way shop next week. The purpose is to a: hang out with my friend Jan; and b: get wool for 2 pairs of Christmas slippers for my nieces. The temptation is to 'stock up' for these other projects swirling in my brain (Corona, Sexy Vesty, Thermal sweater, Simple Summer Tweed, 3xChic, to name a few). I may need a chaperone for my check book. But for now, the cuff of 'Rhombus' looks lovely in a red Heritage Paints yarn.
Time's a tickin', so I'd better get to it. If you see a woman walking and knitting at the same time, don't laugh. She's just trying to fit it all in.
I've got a little of a handle on my 'take care of me' problem. I signed up for Medical Weight Loss after hearing umpteen ads on the radio and knowing a couple people who have had success. It is sort of expensive (don't believe those $3/week ads for a second!), but hey, I'm worth it. I have a hard time believing this but it is what I've been told. I know my mom would approve.
The cost was the first discovery. I honestly can say I didn't think it was going to cost $3/week. They couldn't possibly make any money that way. But I went for it, and I'm glad. So far I've lost 16.5 pounds, in just over a month. I'm never hungry, the nutrients are very tasty, the people are super friendly & encouraging. It is all good!
The second discovery was that I had more weight to lose than I thought. Or, to put not too fine a point on it, I was fatter than I realized. Ick. So, my goal is about 50-60 pounds total. Mary, the woman who signed me up, says this is do-able by SEPTEMBER 1 if I do what I'm supposed to. Holy Toledo! So I am very motivated between having spent the money, seeing fast results, and a goal date that is so tantalizingly close.
The third discovery was really more of a confirmation of what I knew to be true but was really hoping wasn't. I was going to have to exercise, at least a little. For the plan, only 3 times a week for 30 minutes. Really, that is nothing, but I make it into a big something in my mind. Especially this spring when I've felt so frazzled and overwhelmed. Ninety minutes of KNITTING time....for what? To take care of myself? Pshaw. I'd rather knit.
So I'm still working on that 'knit while I walk' thing (I really don't think I can make the 'knit while I bicycle' thing work, except maybe at the gym. Not sure I can take the stares there).
Now that I've got most of that down, in two blogging sessions, I am going to go refill my coffee and knit for a while before I have to get anyone up to go anywhere. I have so many lovely projects swirling around my brain, and plenty of yarn in the stash for most of them. Naturally, I start to obsess on projects I don't have yarn for, and I'm going to a local, out of the way shop next week. The purpose is to a: hang out with my friend Jan; and b: get wool for 2 pairs of Christmas slippers for my nieces. The temptation is to 'stock up' for these other projects swirling in my brain (Corona, Sexy Vesty, Thermal sweater, Simple Summer Tweed, 3xChic, to name a few). I may need a chaperone for my check book. But for now, the cuff of 'Rhombus' looks lovely in a red Heritage Paints yarn.
Time's a tickin', so I'd better get to it. If you see a woman walking and knitting at the same time, don't laugh. She's just trying to fit it all in.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Spring 2012
Believe it or not, I've actually tried to post a couple of times recently. For some reason I wasn't able to sign into this blog. The internet nymphs conspired against me. But the notion struck here at work (where I should be working) on a sunny Saturday in early April so here I am.
I tend to use this as sort of a journal, but not too personal since it is, after all, the internet. Even with only 2 followers, it is still out there. somewhere. Bwaaahaha. Life lately has been....I don't know. I'm happy, generally, but over all unhappy. I'm going along, raising beautiful daughters and doing the best I can in my work. (Well, sort of the best I can, since I'm goofing off right now, blogging at work. ) I don't feel like I am at the place in my life where I thought I would be at almost 47 years old. I feel like I'm taking care of everybody BUT me. Though if I had time to do whatever I wanted, for me, I feel like I would fritter it away like Frankie did on 'The Middle' one Mother's Day.
I want to do what is bad for me but get the results of doing what is good for me. Why can't knitting burn enough calories to negate the Milky Way 'Simply Caramel' bunny I just ate?
I guess the long and short of it is, I take care of everybody. But if I didn't have to I wouldn't necessarily use the time wisely. I'd still be fat and out of shape.
I feel like I'm waiting for the destination and not enjoying the journey. Not good. How to change it?
I tend to use this as sort of a journal, but not too personal since it is, after all, the internet. Even with only 2 followers, it is still out there. somewhere. Bwaaahaha. Life lately has been....I don't know. I'm happy, generally, but over all unhappy. I'm going along, raising beautiful daughters and doing the best I can in my work. (Well, sort of the best I can, since I'm goofing off right now, blogging at work. ) I don't feel like I am at the place in my life where I thought I would be at almost 47 years old. I feel like I'm taking care of everybody BUT me. Though if I had time to do whatever I wanted, for me, I feel like I would fritter it away like Frankie did on 'The Middle' one Mother's Day.
I want to do what is bad for me but get the results of doing what is good for me. Why can't knitting burn enough calories to negate the Milky Way 'Simply Caramel' bunny I just ate?
I guess the long and short of it is, I take care of everybody. But if I didn't have to I wouldn't necessarily use the time wisely. I'd still be fat and out of shape.
I feel like I'm waiting for the destination and not enjoying the journey. Not good. How to change it?
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Mitzvahs, cards, knitting, canoes
Well, they don't seem to go well together, do they? The last 2 weekends have been full of those things and lots more. I keep waiting for a 'do nothing, relaxing weekend'.
Last Saturday at 9:10 Sanna asks if the rest of us are ready to go to the Bar Mitzvah. ??? Nope, we forgot all about it (even though I just thought about it the day before) and managed to get ready in record time. No time to make a card however. There was also a Bat Mitzvah Sanna attended several months ago that the card & gift keeps escaping me. So, this weekend those cards WERE getting made. It is now 9:10 and I've managed it, thanks in part to the extra hour that comes with the time change.
So, that covers Mitzvahs and cards. Is 'Mitzvahs' even an acceptable pluralization of Mitzvah? Since there was both a Bar & a Bat Mitzvah involved, I'm hoping so.
Knitting, always knitting. The first half of the bedspread is done and we're loving it. All other projects on hold, pretty much. That said, I'll sum up the 'canoes' part and go knit.
Last Sunday was consumed with 'Art on the Farm', a local artisans show where Doug has shown his canoes the last 2 years. He didn't sell one (we didn't really expect him to, canoes at that price aren't really a cash and carry item) but I did sell quite a number of knit items. I was thrilled and hope to have more to show next year. When I wasn't talking about canoes at this show, I was talking about his steam engines, also on display, and felt quite a bit out of my element. The rest of the time I was talking about knitting, which was much better.
So far November has been lovely. My mood will likely stay good as long as the weather does. I'm also applying for part time jobs. Blech. But more on that next time.
Last Saturday at 9:10 Sanna asks if the rest of us are ready to go to the Bar Mitzvah. ??? Nope, we forgot all about it (even though I just thought about it the day before) and managed to get ready in record time. No time to make a card however. There was also a Bat Mitzvah Sanna attended several months ago that the card & gift keeps escaping me. So, this weekend those cards WERE getting made. It is now 9:10 and I've managed it, thanks in part to the extra hour that comes with the time change.
So, that covers Mitzvahs and cards. Is 'Mitzvahs' even an acceptable pluralization of Mitzvah? Since there was both a Bar & a Bat Mitzvah involved, I'm hoping so.
Knitting, always knitting. The first half of the bedspread is done and we're loving it. All other projects on hold, pretty much. That said, I'll sum up the 'canoes' part and go knit.
Last Sunday was consumed with 'Art on the Farm', a local artisans show where Doug has shown his canoes the last 2 years. He didn't sell one (we didn't really expect him to, canoes at that price aren't really a cash and carry item) but I did sell quite a number of knit items. I was thrilled and hope to have more to show next year. When I wasn't talking about canoes at this show, I was talking about his steam engines, also on display, and felt quite a bit out of my element. The rest of the time I was talking about knitting, which was much better.
So far November has been lovely. My mood will likely stay good as long as the weather does. I'm also applying for part time jobs. Blech. But more on that next time.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Fall fun!
I've been cooking again, and believe it or not, stamping a bit. Halloween got me going. While I'm not spending more than a little bit of time every few days, it does feel good to get inky fingers.
I'm also knitting just as much as usual. Switched to the 'hell bent for leather' (what does that even mean, and where did it originate?) mode for finishing the baby blanket. Came to the realization today that just because I 'could' keep knitting until I'm out of the yarn, I can also just follow the pattern and finish in about 26 rows. Which, when I count in the row of 'knit in the front and back of every stitch' and the following 7 rows of K1P1 ribbing, and the bind off row, amounts to ......drum roll....about 11968 stitches left, give or take.
So, that said, I'm gonna get on that. Updates to follow.
I'm also knitting just as much as usual. Switched to the 'hell bent for leather' (what does that even mean, and where did it originate?) mode for finishing the baby blanket. Came to the realization today that just because I 'could' keep knitting until I'm out of the yarn, I can also just follow the pattern and finish in about 26 rows. Which, when I count in the row of 'knit in the front and back of every stitch' and the following 7 rows of K1P1 ribbing, and the bind off row, amounts to ......drum roll....about 11968 stitches left, give or take.
So, that said, I'm gonna get on that. Updates to follow.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Late September blues
First of all, I have to get this out there. Private Selection Chocolate Moosetracks is by far the best grocery store Moosetracks offering. Mine is hidden in the basement freezer. Everyone is too lazy to go down there and look for anything good.
I feel confident posting this here, because no one follows my blog. Ha ha! Aren't I clever?
I started a baby blanket tonight, for a young woman I know who is pregnant. I just saw her for the first time in a while yesterday, and was surprised to see she is 7 months along. Anyway, I'm making 'Evellyn Anne's baby blanket', by Christine Olson. I'm using some recycled yarn, white and light purple, that I had on hand. I like the idea of using recycled yarn, as this young woman's life in the past couple years has been consumed with refashioning herself and her way of thinking. It seems fitting.
I don't know her very well, but it feels like a kind of 'pay it forward' project. I hope the circumstances around her pregnancy are such that she will enjoy her delightful baby when she arrives.
I still have 4 other projects on the needles....I like it that way.
Our foreman gave 2 week notice today. He's been with us several seasons and I'm sorry to see him go. He had a great offer elsewhere in a very different line of work. He's a good guy and could have screwed us by leaving with no notice, but that isn't 'how he rolls' (my words not his). I wish him the best, and I'll miss his irreverent, no-holds-barred humor.
The landscape season is drawing to a close, which always makes me a basket case. The bills come much longer than the money....I know we can't sell it until we buy it, but it doesn't seem to be profitable, especially this last year with the horrible, rainy weather. Many people tell me that 'it will all work out' and 'have faith, you'll be taken care of, probably in a way you haven't even thought of.' These people have no reason to lie to me, and experience has proven this to be true, but I always struggle. And fret. And cry for what seems to be no apparent reason. And have headache after headache. And sometimes snap at my children or spouse. And want to just crawl back into bed and pull the (hand knit) blanket over my head, but I wouldn't be able to sleep once I got there. Just worry. Which accomplishes nothing.
The saying goes 'If you pray, why worry? If you worry, why pray?' Am I the only person who can turn a pray into a worry?
I'm plotting a Halloween card for Vicki. I'd like to use some of my monsters I haven't used yet. And my new dripping blood stamp. Hmmmm.....
I feel confident posting this here, because no one follows my blog. Ha ha! Aren't I clever?
I started a baby blanket tonight, for a young woman I know who is pregnant. I just saw her for the first time in a while yesterday, and was surprised to see she is 7 months along. Anyway, I'm making 'Evellyn Anne's baby blanket', by Christine Olson. I'm using some recycled yarn, white and light purple, that I had on hand. I like the idea of using recycled yarn, as this young woman's life in the past couple years has been consumed with refashioning herself and her way of thinking. It seems fitting.
I don't know her very well, but it feels like a kind of 'pay it forward' project. I hope the circumstances around her pregnancy are such that she will enjoy her delightful baby when she arrives.
I still have 4 other projects on the needles....I like it that way.
Our foreman gave 2 week notice today. He's been with us several seasons and I'm sorry to see him go. He had a great offer elsewhere in a very different line of work. He's a good guy and could have screwed us by leaving with no notice, but that isn't 'how he rolls' (my words not his). I wish him the best, and I'll miss his irreverent, no-holds-barred humor.
The landscape season is drawing to a close, which always makes me a basket case. The bills come much longer than the money....I know we can't sell it until we buy it, but it doesn't seem to be profitable, especially this last year with the horrible, rainy weather. Many people tell me that 'it will all work out' and 'have faith, you'll be taken care of, probably in a way you haven't even thought of.' These people have no reason to lie to me, and experience has proven this to be true, but I always struggle. And fret. And cry for what seems to be no apparent reason. And have headache after headache. And sometimes snap at my children or spouse. And want to just crawl back into bed and pull the (hand knit) blanket over my head, but I wouldn't be able to sleep once I got there. Just worry. Which accomplishes nothing.
The saying goes 'If you pray, why worry? If you worry, why pray?' Am I the only person who can turn a pray into a worry?
I'm plotting a Halloween card for Vicki. I'd like to use some of my monsters I haven't used yet. And my new dripping blood stamp. Hmmmm.....
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Musings
I remember looking at this blog recently and thinking "hmmm, I should really write something. Just something short. It's been a while." Today I checked back and see it didn't write itself, so here I am.
I've been knitting up a storm, which is the only thing keeping me sane. This year has been one full of anxiety, depression, and fear. Pretty cheerful for the first blog post since February, huh?
These are all standard issue life troubles, but I've always felt woefully inadequate when it comes to being a grown up. So in the spirit of 'starting my day (or year) over at any time, I'm making a solemn pledge to see the positive, take care of myself, do my best, and be kind.
That is all we can do, really, in this life.
Until next time, which I most sincerely hope will be on a more cheerful note,
Amy
I've been knitting up a storm, which is the only thing keeping me sane. This year has been one full of anxiety, depression, and fear. Pretty cheerful for the first blog post since February, huh?
These are all standard issue life troubles, but I've always felt woefully inadequate when it comes to being a grown up. So in the spirit of 'starting my day (or year) over at any time, I'm making a solemn pledge to see the positive, take care of myself, do my best, and be kind.
That is all we can do, really, in this life.
Until next time, which I most sincerely hope will be on a more cheerful note,
Amy
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