Friday Fill-Ins 2011-008

And...here we go!

1. Ooooh, I have the finish-it-up bug and I plan to get as many WIP's done as quick as possible before I get cured.

2. I want to work with Madelintosh so badly, I can't stand it!

3. How the heck did I end up with so many items in my queue.

4. New Braunfels TX  is one of my favorite places to visit.

5. I'm not a chocoholic, I'm not!

6. Dark chocolate with stout inside it has to be good.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a relaxing evening with SF, tomorrow my plans include (baring any rain) our first ride on the motorcycle of the season and Sunday, I want to do as little as possible (other than knit)!

Manic Monday

Well, it has been quite a while since I posted on a Monday.  I know, so don't faint and don't worry.  Everything is perfect!  Life at Chez RubyRingz couldn't be any better.

A while ago (I'm too lazy to look for the post at the moment) I threatened to announce my Self-Imposed Sock of the Month selections for 2011.  Okay, so it is February.  January's Sock was the "Blame It On Jordan".  I used the leftover white from a test knit for USS and the leftover yarn from the USS Knitting Contest.  They were a birthday gift for Megan and she was so very pleased.  Evidence below of the sock:



February's Sock was test knitting for Amy (DeathByYarn) and this is the only picture I have loaded so far:



I have three inches of the leg, the cuff and the bind off and they are DONE!!!  They are lovely and Amy's pattern was very well written.  I'll have a better post about them later this week to and it will include the Ravelry link and the yarn info as well.

So, here is the grand master plan.  I looked at my queue in Ravelry and it was QBLE (QueueBeyondLifeExpectancy).  So, my logical decision was to tag every entry in the queue (starting with the socks) and thus my 2011 Sock of the Month was born.  I also looked at my queue and I had the RPM's for myself already cast on (just one sock).  Thus, they will be the March sock.  I will take each pattern as it is in the queue and cast on.  I will pair the yarn as I get ready to start the sock.  I can't bring myself to stress about the yarn until then.  Life is TOO short for me to stress.  If some of the patterns are easy I may be able to squeak in a second pair but I will not stress about that either.  One thing is certain: I will work my way through my queue and make myself some snazzy new socks this year.

Now having said that, I am also going to finish tagging all of my queue and then I plan on getting all the WIP's on the Project Page DONE!!!!  That means that I should have a nice pile of FO's by the end of the year.  Now, I have some special knitting to do for a few special friends that sent me emails earlier this year.  Their items will be incorporated as I get all of this laid out.  Most importantly, it will be stress free!

I'll have more pictures of the January and February socks later this week!  Tomorrow I plan of getting together with the USS ladies and then with the gang at PAY....more later ya'll!

Friday Fill-Ins 2011-007

And...here we go!

1. New experiences and possibilities are right around the next bend.

2. Spring could be an unexpected turn on a daily walk given the weather we've had lately.

3. I'm looking forward to going back to the driving range and getting my golf game up to par (Couldn't resits that one.).

4. I want to experience so much that I never have imagined.

5. Try to find that one thing that makes you smile and remember it when you are feeling blue.

6. Just being me is what's extraordinary about me.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to an evening with SF either alone or with friends, tomorrow my plans include finishing my taxes and knitting and Sunday, I want to get outdoors and enjoy the weather!

Valentine's Day Preview

So, SF and I agree that you should show the person you love how you truly feel ever day of the year and not just on one scheduled day.  Having said that, I should also add that we do exchange cards but we limit all other gifts.  We haven't exchanged gifts since this post and this post.

So, imagine my surprise when last Friday while we were at the Fossil store in the Town Center she purchased this watch.  I had tried in on the week before and had mentioned that I wanted to get it for myself.  When I laid it on the counter she gave the gal her card and told me it was for Valentine's Day.  Sly one she is.  So, turn about is fair play.  She thought I was preoccupied with getting mine sized so she looked at a few as well.  She selected this one, and when the gal was ready for payment I slid my card in her hand and insisted that I would get hers.  Gift one to each other.  It felt good and it wasn't expected so it was even more special.

Saturday we had appointments in Clear Lake to get our "hair did".  I needed an overhaul and it was so cold....after we were done I managed to convince her to stop at Barnes and Noble.  While I was browsing for a knitting book (shocked right?) she disappeared.  This is what she disappeared for:





When she handed me the bag from Starbucks she simply said I needed what was inside to remind myself every day how she feels.  I almost cried, I was feeling really girlie that day and that kind of mushy stuff always gets the tear factory started.

So, imagine my total surprise when the neighbor called this morning to tell me that a package had been delivered to her door via FedEx EARLY this morning and it was for me....








Now, I admit that I think roses are the sexiest flower ever.  Running a close second are Calla Lilies and Irises.  I also know that when we were dating SF freely admitted that she thought sending flowers was a HUGE waste of money.  I tried to explain the ROI but I never for once thought she bought it.  I told her how receiving them made me feel and she should consider that reason enough.  All I can say is that she must have seen the ROI from the deliver last year when she brought me these:



I must admit, nothing is more intoxicating to me than the smell of roses, so when I discovered that there are 36 of these beauties in the vase, I was even more impressed.  That would be a dozen for each year we have celebrated.....I can only imagine what else she has planned since she took the day off.  I know that I have a special dinner planned for Sunday and a treat for her lunch box on Monday.

Take a moment to let all those you love how you feel, even if they aren't your Valentine, they need to know how you care.  So, to all my friends, I sincerely do love each of you and want the very best for you and your families.

Friday Fill-Ins 2011-006

And...here we go!

1. Family is special in my life, regardless of the contents of the members.

2. Relationships, even the best ones, have their fair share of ups and downs.

3. Trust yourself.

4. I always pray for the best.

5. Parents mold and shape up to the best of their abilities using our potential the best they can, so forgive them if you can.  Parenthood does not come with an all inclusive how-to manual.

6. "I love you more." is what was said.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a totally spontaneous evening , tomorrow my plans include a trip to the outlet center on 290 and Sunday, I want to share a special Valentine's Day dinner, specially prepared, with SF!

Friday Fill-Ins 2011-005

And...here we go!

1. We are on this earth because we all have gifts to share and love to give.

2. What a strange experience this winter has been here in Texas.

3. One of the hardest things for me to learn is not to wear my feelings on my sleeve and not take so many things so personally.

4. Reach out to your family and stay connected.

5. I remember how I felt the first time you touched my hand, put your arm around my shoulder and told me it was all going to okay from now on.

6. That last cuddle before we drift off to sleep is one of the best parts of my life.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to happy hour with SF (staying safe and warm), tomorrow my plans include a trip to get our hair done (if the shop is open) and getting my taxes done and Sunday, I want to Super Bowl, beer and brats with sauerkraut, knitting and special time with SF!