"I have never felt that anything really mattered but the satisfaction of knowing that you stood for the things in which you believed and had done the very best you could." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Friday Fill-Ins

FFI


And...here we go!

1. I hold my friends close to my heart.

2. So far, SF is someone I like to travel with because she shares the trip a lot more gracefully than anyone else ever has before.

3. That day, I saw a rainbow in my new neighborhood was a wonderful thing.

4. Great things will happen this year.

5. Trust your instincts.

6. I do my best thinking in the dark.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to serious down time, tomorrow my plans include housework and Harry Potter DVDs and Sunday, I want to knit, swim and watch the US Women versus Japan in the World Cup!!

General Catching Up

No, I have not fallen off the face of the Earth, at least not yet.  There have been too many things going on so I am attempting to get caught up.  Some of this has been goon and some has been a set back of sorts so bear with me.

I have a new job and I am LOVING it.  For those of you who didn't know, and there was a reason why I kept it private, I had been without a full-time job since April 2010.  This had been a huge strain on me and on the relationship that was developing with SF.  She was supportive through all of the temporary positions and all of the interviews and rejections.  The new job is awesome even if the drive is a bit grueling.  It is 36 miles one way and thus, 72 round trip.  Thankfully I have a serious collection of music on the three iPods that I can rely on.

As I was adjusting to the commute and the hours, I lost time with the PC at home in the evenings so I am woefully behind on blogs and Ravelry but I am trying to get caught up.  So, if you get comments from me on really old posts just smile and remember that I am playing catch up.

I have been hitting the gym HARD again and I am seeing results as well.  I am down ten (10) full pounds in a month and I am almost back into the 14's.  It feels great and my self-confidence is hitting stride again.  So much so that I am wearing red lipstick again.  It took a week to get used to the sight, as you simply cannot hide red lips.  But the confidence that red lips bring cannot be topped.  I also chopped off the hair in a modified pixie and I love it.  It is totally wash and wear and is super sassy.

The knitting mojo is coming back and there will be some pictures coming soon.  many of the projects have been for swaps, so I cannot share them just yet....patience.....

I only have one more thing to add.  Please say a prayer for my mom.  She had been cancer free for five years until the Memorial Day weekend.  She broke T11 in a weird accident and when they went in to repair the vertebrae the surgeon noticed that there was a spot on the spine in that same bone.  He took a biopsy and the Breast Cancer had metastasized in the same bone.  It is Stage One, so they caught it early.  She has had two different PET scans and there is no evidence of the cancer anyplace else so they can begin a highly aggressive spot radiation treatment on that are within the next two weeks.  I know that my dad and the rest of my family could use extra prayers for my mom, so thank you in advance.

Sassy and the Bunny

Sassy and the Bunny

Dye Day - Part Three

Dye Day Part Trois 2011

Dye Day Part Trois 2011

Dye Day Part Trois 2011

I had an awesome time back in June when Lizzy held a third dye day at Upstairs Studio.  Picture number one is an interesting test.  I selected some wonderful fuchsia cotton yarn and wanted to test what the indigo dye pot would do with it.  The picture doesn't do the richness of the color justice.  I am trying to see what it wants to be....

Picture number two is wonderful Cascade 220 Superwash Merino that I used Wilton Cake Dye on.  I have no clue what it will be when it grows up....any ideas?

Picture number three is a secret project at the moment....I used Wilton's on this one as well and the colors were chosen for a specific person....I can tell you that it looks wonderful as it works up for the shawlette I am making.....I promise to share more about it when it is finished an in the hands of the person it will be for....

Birthday 2011

Birthday Surprise from Amy and John

2011 Birthday

2011 Birthday

Swap Packages

Okay, so I am WAY behind on posting these pictures....

The Swap Stop - Color Swap (April):

The Swap Stop - Color Swap April 2011

The Swap Stop - Color Swap April 2011

The Swap Stop - Color Swap April 2011

The Swap Stop - Color Swap April 2011

The Swap Stop - Color Swap April 2011

The Swap Stop - Color Swap April 2011

The Swap Stop - Color Swap April 2011

The Swap Stop - Color Swap April 2011

The Swap Stop - Color Swap April 2011

The Swap Stop - Color Swap April 2011

The Swap Stop - Color Swap April 2011


The Swap Stop - Recession Swap (July/August 2011):

Recession Swap 2011

Recession Swap 2011

Recession Swap 2011

Recession Swap 2011

Recession Swap 2011

Recession Swap 2011

Recession Swap 2011

ISE10:

ISE10 - 2011




ISE10 - 2011

ISE10 - 2011

ISE10 - 2011

ISE10 - 2011

ISE10 - 2011

ISE10 - 2011

ISE10 - 2011

A heartfelt thank you to all three women that sent me these AWESOME packages and for all their thoughts that went into putting them together.  I can hardly wait for winter to wear the beautiful cowl!  And the chocolate depicted in all the various photos was appreciated more than you know!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Friday Fill-Ins

FFI


And...here we go!

1. Blue skies nothing but blue skies do I see.

2. Sometimes a note from a relative triggers a trip down memory lane for me.

3. Kids say the darnedest things.

4. Trying new foods, relaxing with someone special, no need for a watch; these are some of the best things about vacation.

5. Love is understand, forgiving and never-ending.

6. I wonder if my dad ever participated in submarine races.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing up some packages that need to be mailed, tomorrow my plans include a serious update to the haircut and watching the US Women's soccer match and Sunday, I want to cook out and see what develops for my birthday!