This cold snap is such a shock to the system. Just a couple of weeks ago it was so very warm, and now ..... oh my goodness! When I got to the parking garage yesterday evening at 4:30 the puddles at the top were frozen! I'm not a big fan of cold weather and that's why Seattle is nice, because it's usually so mild. This is quite early for this temperature. I do remember us having snow at Thanksgiving before, but it's very rare. I think the last time I remember is like 1979 or maybe 1980. Not that we're expecting snow, but I'm just saying it does get that cold now and again. And I do not like it.
But ... the good news is that it's sunny. It was gorgeous yesterday and it looks to be another nice day today and tomorrow. I'm going to run at lunchtime today. I am quite looking forward to it.
Noon knitting was yesterday but Monika forgot her knitting. It was only three of us, since MaryEllin is off recruiting in Austin -- she's not getting the cold weather. I suspect it's quite hot down there. I worked a bit on the Melon stitch stole and last night I went through a couple of my newer books to find some new projects. Again, I must take some time and go through my WIPs and either pick up the ones I have started or frog them and regroup. I don't think I'll actually ever do that complicated cabled hoodie I started a couple of years ago and that yarn is really nice. And then there's the Alpaca Iwi I started and haven't picked up in a while. I do like that sweater ..... See? It's not that easy. I just don't have the time I need to work on all the disparate projects. At this time of the year I need something in my hands when I'm watching football or else I feel like I'm completely wasting that time. And there's a LOT of football on this time of year. So I need easy projects and harder projects for when I'm just relaxing and knitting ... the Zen part of knitting. But then I find a need and slip a little accessory in here and there, like the Brown Eyed Susan. Not complaining. I just need about twice the hours in a day and only have to work the same amount of time. Or stop working. That would be nice. Maybe someday.
Hooray for four day weekends. It's Thursday already. Only one more morning to get up this week and then a good weekend. I have SO much to do though. I'm cooking Thanksgiving dinner the following Thursday for 15, so this weekend I've got to get the logistics down. It's a newly remodeled house, but still small. How to fit 15 eating and then reconfigure and fit 15 comfortably to watch the football game. I'm going to have the game on not only in the great room, but also in the bedroom (a few people could recline on the bed and watch if they wanted) and also in the office/video game room, although that TV is on an HD antenna. I've got to make sure the game is on the local station or it won't work unless I put the Google TV on there and stream from my iPad .... maybe. Ah well, that's what this coming weekend is for.
13 November, 2014
12 November, 2014
Cold cold Wednesday
What an awesome four day weekend! I got almost everything done I had hoped to do. That's pretty good, don't you think so?
Saturday was rainy and that meant I wasn't about to go out into the garden to clean up the tomato cages. I got a little shopping done, did a little visiting with friends -- one of my friends just got back from visiting his family in Yorkshire and brought me back some tea, so I picked that up. And then it was time to get ready to go out for dinner and listen to some music.
A table had been reserved and the woman who made the reservation had requested that it be not to close to the stage, since last time we were right next to it. When we got there it was indeed about three or four tables from the stage, but the woman seating us suggested we move the party to the back of the restaurant, as far away from the music as possible. Not a good sign. We asked about who was playing and she said it sounded like bad Karaoke. And she was right on. It was terrible and we were all very happy we had moved before it started. And I was disappointed. It would have been fun to dance.
Sunday was also not very nice and that was a day that consisted of football, laundry and knitting. I finished up a cute little beret using the beaded yarn, Lousia Harding Grace. I made some modifications to the pattern to make it a slouchy beret. Will I wear it? Maybe. It's awfully cute but a little big. I might put some elastic thread in the band to tighten it up a bit.
Monday I had a hair appointment set for noon and the new house cleaners were set to start at 10 that morning. Perfect, right? I got up, dressed, picked up a last few things around the house and took off with Tinkerbell at a little after ten, figuring that maybe they were running a little late. I stopped at the store and got a coffee and croissant, picked up the items I needed for dinner that night and then took Tink to the park at Cottage Lake, which is right next to where my hair appointment was and right across from the grocery store. All of this just about a mile from my place, which makes it pretty convenient. Otherwise I'd have to go all the way in to Woodinville proper or the other direction to Duval to get any groceries. So off we go to the park and I've got one whole hour before my hair appointment. Lucky Tink. Twice around the park. Then it was noon, got my hair done and got back home around 1:30. Guess what? They hadn't been there!! So I was stuck - I couldn't do anything because I didn't when when they could arrive. Finally, around 4 o'clock they show up. Great. I took Tink and off we went to the Triplehorn to wait.
The Triplehorn is awesome. It's a brewery so you can bring your dog! Or your kids even. It's like a pub in Europe. I don't know specifically how they get around the laws here but I don't care. I love it! And the beer is out of this world. So - we waited and waited and drank and watched Monday Night football. It all worked out okay.
Yesterday I had in mind to get the last room squared away - or at least start. I did a fantastic job - I got my Wii hooked up and running. Perfect. But then I found out that Nintendo no longer supports online gaming with Mariokart anymore - well, not on the Wii platform. The Wii U is the new platform. I don't think I'll be getting one although I really really enjoyed playing online. But the room is nearer to being done, that's the main thing.
Now it's Wednesday and we're all back at work. Hoorah for noon knitting so the day won't entirely suck.
Saturday was rainy and that meant I wasn't about to go out into the garden to clean up the tomato cages. I got a little shopping done, did a little visiting with friends -- one of my friends just got back from visiting his family in Yorkshire and brought me back some tea, so I picked that up. And then it was time to get ready to go out for dinner and listen to some music.
A table had been reserved and the woman who made the reservation had requested that it be not to close to the stage, since last time we were right next to it. When we got there it was indeed about three or four tables from the stage, but the woman seating us suggested we move the party to the back of the restaurant, as far away from the music as possible. Not a good sign. We asked about who was playing and she said it sounded like bad Karaoke. And she was right on. It was terrible and we were all very happy we had moved before it started. And I was disappointed. It would have been fun to dance.
Sunday was also not very nice and that was a day that consisted of football, laundry and knitting. I finished up a cute little beret using the beaded yarn, Lousia Harding Grace. I made some modifications to the pattern to make it a slouchy beret. Will I wear it? Maybe. It's awfully cute but a little big. I might put some elastic thread in the band to tighten it up a bit.
Monday I had a hair appointment set for noon and the new house cleaners were set to start at 10 that morning. Perfect, right? I got up, dressed, picked up a last few things around the house and took off with Tinkerbell at a little after ten, figuring that maybe they were running a little late. I stopped at the store and got a coffee and croissant, picked up the items I needed for dinner that night and then took Tink to the park at Cottage Lake, which is right next to where my hair appointment was and right across from the grocery store. All of this just about a mile from my place, which makes it pretty convenient. Otherwise I'd have to go all the way in to Woodinville proper or the other direction to Duval to get any groceries. So off we go to the park and I've got one whole hour before my hair appointment. Lucky Tink. Twice around the park. Then it was noon, got my hair done and got back home around 1:30. Guess what? They hadn't been there!! So I was stuck - I couldn't do anything because I didn't when when they could arrive. Finally, around 4 o'clock they show up. Great. I took Tink and off we went to the Triplehorn to wait.
The Triplehorn is awesome. It's a brewery so you can bring your dog! Or your kids even. It's like a pub in Europe. I don't know specifically how they get around the laws here but I don't care. I love it! And the beer is out of this world. So - we waited and waited and drank and watched Monday Night football. It all worked out okay.
Yesterday I had in mind to get the last room squared away - or at least start. I did a fantastic job - I got my Wii hooked up and running. Perfect. But then I found out that Nintendo no longer supports online gaming with Mariokart anymore - well, not on the Wii platform. The Wii U is the new platform. I don't think I'll be getting one although I really really enjoyed playing online. But the room is nearer to being done, that's the main thing.
Now it's Wednesday and we're all back at work. Hoorah for noon knitting so the day won't entirely suck.
07 November, 2014
Classic cuisine
Sometimes it's fun to make something old fashioned for dinner. Last night that was beef stroganoff from the Betty Crocker cookbook and it was just delicious! I couldn't make myself use full fat sour cream, nor use an entire 1/4 cup(!) of butter to cook the mushrooms and onions but otherwise I just followed the receipe. It was the perfect comfort food dinner for a stormy night.
And what a storm! It was so dark when I got to work, but at noon it was rather nice outside so I thought it safe to walk to the grocery store. However, it was the eye of the storm and as soon as I got outside it started up again, whipping my umbrella inside out a couple of times. I took the bus back from the store, that's for sure. By that time it was really dumping down rain and I would have gotten soaked, carrying that heavy bag of groceries back to work. It was still very windy when I was driving home from the RTC and on Avondale Road I saw something floating down in front of me, narrowly missing getting hit on the windshield by a branch!
This morning it's beautiful outside. The trees are all gold and red. I pass by several farms on my route down Avondale Road and the mist was laying on the fields this morning. Beautiful. Also, I could just see the moon in the sky. I think it's going to be nice this weekend and I'm taking a long one. It's Veteran's Day on Tuesday and I'm taking Monday as well. From the look of the traffic this morning I suspect quite a few people are taking today off too. I really need to get out in the garden and get the tomato cages off the dead plants and stored. Well I have big plans for my four days off, with some fun in there as well Saturday night with dinner and music ... maybe dancing if the music is conducive to it. And football. I'd also like to finish up the last room, getting the Wii hooked up to the TV, and hanging the last of the pictures. We'll see. Oh ... and blocking that wrap. Yes, some knitting too. I noticed I messed up the 1x1 ribbing on the hat I just started so I've got to tink that back. See? Lots and lots and lots to do!
And what a storm! It was so dark when I got to work, but at noon it was rather nice outside so I thought it safe to walk to the grocery store. However, it was the eye of the storm and as soon as I got outside it started up again, whipping my umbrella inside out a couple of times. I took the bus back from the store, that's for sure. By that time it was really dumping down rain and I would have gotten soaked, carrying that heavy bag of groceries back to work. It was still very windy when I was driving home from the RTC and on Avondale Road I saw something floating down in front of me, narrowly missing getting hit on the windshield by a branch!
This morning it's beautiful outside. The trees are all gold and red. I pass by several farms on my route down Avondale Road and the mist was laying on the fields this morning. Beautiful. Also, I could just see the moon in the sky. I think it's going to be nice this weekend and I'm taking a long one. It's Veteran's Day on Tuesday and I'm taking Monday as well. From the look of the traffic this morning I suspect quite a few people are taking today off too. I really need to get out in the garden and get the tomato cages off the dead plants and stored. Well I have big plans for my four days off, with some fun in there as well Saturday night with dinner and music ... maybe dancing if the music is conducive to it. And football. I'd also like to finish up the last room, getting the Wii hooked up to the TV, and hanging the last of the pictures. We'll see. Oh ... and blocking that wrap. Yes, some knitting too. I noticed I messed up the 1x1 ribbing on the hat I just started so I've got to tink that back. See? Lots and lots and lots to do!
06 November, 2014
As dark as night!
There is a storm coming through today with high winds and lashing rain. It was sprinkling when I left Woodinville and at the RTC the sky was bright and I was contemplating putting my sunglasses on. However, as we got on the freeway heading to the 520 bridge the sky got progressively darker and the rain started coming down harder. By the time the bus dropped me off on Pacific Avenue it was pouring rain, the sky was pitch black and the gutters were raging rivers. I had to jump over to cross the street to my building. I was planning on walking up to the grocery store at lunchtime, since I'm not keen on running in the rain and wind, but if it's a gale, as it is now, I'm going to skip that and stop on the way home instead. I just don't like doing that because the store is always so full of people doing exactly the same thing - stopping for dinner on their way home.
I got re-started on the Melon stitch project at noon knitting yesterday but Monika had brought in some books and I finally found a pattern that I could use for a slouchy beret using the Louisa Harding Grace Beaded I picked up a few weeks ago. First things first - I had to hand wind it because even though you can use a swift with beaded yarn, using the yarn winder is not possible because the beads get caught in the metal eye. Lucky for me, I had my recorded "Inside the NFL" to watch, so after dinner that was my project. It took almost an hour to wind those four balls, then I cast on the 100 stitches and started the 1x1 ribbing. That yarn is SO nice! Silk and merino, so it's soft with the nice weight of the glass beads. The beret has a simple leaf pattern in knits, purls and yarn-overs. I want to make it slouchy so I'm going to add another entire repeat of the leaf pattern before I start decreasing. I have four skeins of this yarn which is not enough for a real shawl or stole and a little more than I would need for a normal beret. So - slouchy beret instead.
I had my manicure and pedicure last night on the way home, which means that I was very late getting home and it was pitch black and raining. I was having the devil of a time seeing, which was odd since the headlight switch had just been fixed and both headlamps working again. Or so I thought until I pulled up into the driveway. It turns out the right headlamp is AGAIN not working!! No wonder I couldn't see properly. It shouldn't be so dark when I get home tonight. Maybe it's just loose. I hope.
I am looking forward to my four day weekend. I made an appointment to get my hair cut on Monday and I cannot wait. You know that point when your hair is just too long? I passed that about three weeks ago.
I got re-started on the Melon stitch project at noon knitting yesterday but Monika had brought in some books and I finally found a pattern that I could use for a slouchy beret using the Louisa Harding Grace Beaded I picked up a few weeks ago. First things first - I had to hand wind it because even though you can use a swift with beaded yarn, using the yarn winder is not possible because the beads get caught in the metal eye. Lucky for me, I had my recorded "Inside the NFL" to watch, so after dinner that was my project. It took almost an hour to wind those four balls, then I cast on the 100 stitches and started the 1x1 ribbing. That yarn is SO nice! Silk and merino, so it's soft with the nice weight of the glass beads. The beret has a simple leaf pattern in knits, purls and yarn-overs. I want to make it slouchy so I'm going to add another entire repeat of the leaf pattern before I start decreasing. I have four skeins of this yarn which is not enough for a real shawl or stole and a little more than I would need for a normal beret. So - slouchy beret instead.
I had my manicure and pedicure last night on the way home, which means that I was very late getting home and it was pitch black and raining. I was having the devil of a time seeing, which was odd since the headlight switch had just been fixed and both headlamps working again. Or so I thought until I pulled up into the driveway. It turns out the right headlamp is AGAIN not working!! No wonder I couldn't see properly. It shouldn't be so dark when I get home tonight. Maybe it's just loose. I hope.
I am looking forward to my four day weekend. I made an appointment to get my hair cut on Monday and I cannot wait. You know that point when your hair is just too long? I passed that about three weeks ago.
05 November, 2014
Recipe for a nice evening
I found the latest issue of Interweave Knits in my mailbox when I got home last night. So after Tink's walk and getting my little chores done, I sat down with a martini and relaxed. On first time through, nothing is screaming at me to be made, but I'll go through it again at noon knitting for a better look. I've been through a bulky knits phase already, and that seems to be what this issue is about.
Thankfully the drain was fixed at the parking garage and I didn't have to wade through a lake to get to my vehicle last night. We'll see after the next series of rainy days whether it is truly fixed.
There's a meeting this morning. The curriculum committee meetings have been cut down to every other month and will be phased out when the new curriculum starts next September. So this is my last year with this committee. There doesn't seem to be a place for me in the new structure. Which doesn't break my heart.
Well, I'm on for Thanksgiving dinner this year. I'm okay with that too. That means I get to have everything the way I want it. I am NOT going to be having a potluck Thanksgiving dinner! Period. If people want to bring something they can bring wine or flowers. It's only going to be a dozen or so. Fifteen at the very most. I can handle it. One year I made Christmas Eve AND Christmas dinners - both different menus - for 12 people one night and 15 the other. Fun. It's all about organization and planning. And lists.
Thankfully the drain was fixed at the parking garage and I didn't have to wade through a lake to get to my vehicle last night. We'll see after the next series of rainy days whether it is truly fixed.
There's a meeting this morning. The curriculum committee meetings have been cut down to every other month and will be phased out when the new curriculum starts next September. So this is my last year with this committee. There doesn't seem to be a place for me in the new structure. Which doesn't break my heart.
Well, I'm on for Thanksgiving dinner this year. I'm okay with that too. That means I get to have everything the way I want it. I am NOT going to be having a potluck Thanksgiving dinner! Period. If people want to bring something they can bring wine or flowers. It's only going to be a dozen or so. Fifteen at the very most. I can handle it. One year I made Christmas Eve AND Christmas dinners - both different menus - for 12 people one night and 15 the other. Fun. It's all about organization and planning. And lists.
04 November, 2014
A close win
I won my match up last night! I really didn't think I was going to pull it off, but one of my guys got healthy and the QB threw to him and there ya go! But it didn't change the standings -- I'm still 8th. I wonder how much different it would have been had Adrian Peterson been able to play.
That nasty lady who cut me off and then gave me the finger was at the bus stop last night. I gave her the evil eye. She didn't notice. Maybe it wasn't evil enough. I stared at her anyway. She got on a passing bus and went to the next stop to wait. So, maybe she recognized me after all? I did send an email about the flooded top floor of the parking garage but it was still there this morning. Annoying.
I really wanted to run yesterday but my back is still tweak-y and it was raining. I think I should just wait and start up again next week, unless I am feeling super duper Thursday or Friday. I don't want to make it worse, you know?
I wanted to block the Brown Eyed Susan last night, but the evening got away from me. Somebody was supposed to stop by between 6:30 and 7 to talk about setting up a house cleaning schedule, but he never showed up! And didn't call either. And considering that I saw Tink sleeping on my last item that was blocked and set to dry on the floor, I think I'd better wait until this weekend. I'll bring it in to noon knitting tomorrow for show and tell anyway.
I did all the math and set up my vacation days for now through the second week in May. Now I just have to bite the bullet and actually make my plane reservations for April. It's six months away, but the latest thing from the travel sites is that you need to make international reservations at least(!) 24 weeks in advance to get the best price. I've found good prices but I am still not sure of the departure city. I must put that to the top of my list for this week.
So it's election day today and I am hoping that means that the terrible signs will be gone from the sides of the roads soon. I have noticed something this time around - the vast majority of political signs are in the Seahawks colors and some even have a little swoop somewhere in the logo that looks suspiciously like a Seahawks logo. Don't you just hate politics? One of the signs is different and makes me laugh every time I see it. The candidate's name is Pedro Celis and his sign says "Vote for Pedro" in large white letters and then his last name and the position underneath. That is of course a slogan from "Napoleon Dynamite". Cute. Now get those signs gone tomorrow!!
That nasty lady who cut me off and then gave me the finger was at the bus stop last night. I gave her the evil eye. She didn't notice. Maybe it wasn't evil enough. I stared at her anyway. She got on a passing bus and went to the next stop to wait. So, maybe she recognized me after all? I did send an email about the flooded top floor of the parking garage but it was still there this morning. Annoying.
I really wanted to run yesterday but my back is still tweak-y and it was raining. I think I should just wait and start up again next week, unless I am feeling super duper Thursday or Friday. I don't want to make it worse, you know?
I wanted to block the Brown Eyed Susan last night, but the evening got away from me. Somebody was supposed to stop by between 6:30 and 7 to talk about setting up a house cleaning schedule, but he never showed up! And didn't call either. And considering that I saw Tink sleeping on my last item that was blocked and set to dry on the floor, I think I'd better wait until this weekend. I'll bring it in to noon knitting tomorrow for show and tell anyway.
I did all the math and set up my vacation days for now through the second week in May. Now I just have to bite the bullet and actually make my plane reservations for April. It's six months away, but the latest thing from the travel sites is that you need to make international reservations at least(!) 24 weeks in advance to get the best price. I've found good prices but I am still not sure of the departure city. I must put that to the top of my list for this week.
So it's election day today and I am hoping that means that the terrible signs will be gone from the sides of the roads soon. I have noticed something this time around - the vast majority of political signs are in the Seahawks colors and some even have a little swoop somewhere in the logo that looks suspiciously like a Seahawks logo. Don't you just hate politics? One of the signs is different and makes me laugh every time I see it. The candidate's name is Pedro Celis and his sign says "Vote for Pedro" in large white letters and then his last name and the position underneath. That is of course a slogan from "Napoleon Dynamite". Cute. Now get those signs gone tomorrow!!
03 November, 2014
Little back spasm
It doesn't take much sometimes and that was moving a bit of furniture. I twisted a bit and when I woke up Thursday morning I did not think I could be comfortable sitting at a desk all day. Both Thursday and Friday were spent reclining and using my awesome massaging heating pad. Oh I have definitely had worse tweaked backs. This was pretty mild, considering. I was lucky that I could spend the time letting it relax rather than having to make it worse. Thankfully I had some extra large Ibuprofen tablets from when I broke my toe, which helped. And, bonus, I didn't have to rake wet leaves this weekend!
I did go up to the mall on Saturday, the first of November mind you, and found not a few stores with considerable Christmas decorations and music already! Oh that makes me absolutely nuts. What? Are we just going to skip over Thanksgiving? I know it's a losing battle, but the day after Halloween? Really?
It was also the weekend for turning the clocks back and I am grateful for the extra light in the morning. Oh, but the parking garage! What a freaking mess!! The entire half of the top of the garage, the open air part, is a lake. I saw one guy get out of his vehicle with this pants rolled to the knees and wade through in rubber sandals. I think I'll try to find somebody to complain to. It must just be a matter of a plugged drain, but it's been weeks now. Enough is enough.
Last night I stayed up way too late finishing the Brown Eyed Susan. I only had two rows left of the lace edging which I finished up while watching the football games (both Seahawks and Huskies won this weekend) and then there was the crochet edging bind off left to do and I started it and I just couldn't put it down. It was SO cute. So I kept going and then wove in the ends and voila! It's done. It needs a little blocking, which I can hopefully get to tonight.
So here it is November and I am NOT looking forward to getting on a plane in a few weeks. It feels strange. But I have a trip in six months to get ready for and that'll have to suffice.
Besides the Huskies and the Seahawks winning, I am pretty close on my fantasy match up. My regular QB and best wide receiver are on a bye this week, but I am only 17 points behind and I've got two guys tonight. My opponent doesn't have anybody. But the chances of my guys, even together, getting 17 points is not good. Not impossible mind you, but just not good. I'll watch the game anyway, just in case.
I did go up to the mall on Saturday, the first of November mind you, and found not a few stores with considerable Christmas decorations and music already! Oh that makes me absolutely nuts. What? Are we just going to skip over Thanksgiving? I know it's a losing battle, but the day after Halloween? Really?
It was also the weekend for turning the clocks back and I am grateful for the extra light in the morning. Oh, but the parking garage! What a freaking mess!! The entire half of the top of the garage, the open air part, is a lake. I saw one guy get out of his vehicle with this pants rolled to the knees and wade through in rubber sandals. I think I'll try to find somebody to complain to. It must just be a matter of a plugged drain, but it's been weeks now. Enough is enough.
Last night I stayed up way too late finishing the Brown Eyed Susan. I only had two rows left of the lace edging which I finished up while watching the football games (both Seahawks and Huskies won this weekend) and then there was the crochet edging bind off left to do and I started it and I just couldn't put it down. It was SO cute. So I kept going and then wove in the ends and voila! It's done. It needs a little blocking, which I can hopefully get to tonight.
So here it is November and I am NOT looking forward to getting on a plane in a few weeks. It feels strange. But I have a trip in six months to get ready for and that'll have to suffice.
Besides the Huskies and the Seahawks winning, I am pretty close on my fantasy match up. My regular QB and best wide receiver are on a bye this week, but I am only 17 points behind and I've got two guys tonight. My opponent doesn't have anybody. But the chances of my guys, even together, getting 17 points is not good. Not impossible mind you, but just not good. I'll watch the game anyway, just in case.
29 October, 2014
What is wrong with people??
What happened to courtesy? Or manners? Don't parents teach their children basic skills for living in a polite society? It was raining hard yesterday and I didn't feel like going out for a run and getting soaked to the skin, so I instead took my umbrella and walked up to PetCo to get Tinkerbell some food, and then walked back. It is just a little over a mile each way. During that walk a young man bumped into me so hard that my umbrella banged into my face. No "excuse me" or "sorry". Nothing. And then a girl was so close on my heels that when I stopped at a crosswalk she walked right into me! Again, nothing on her side. No "oops" or "pardon me". No acknowledgement at all. Beasts.
I was looking forward to movie night. I changed my Netflix account from only streaming to streaming with DVDs and I had "Captain America - The Winter Soldier" waiting. What a disappointment. First, Captain American is the most boring superhero ever, but Scarlet Johansson is usually able to put some sparkle into the mix. The story is just so boring that I couldn't finish it and ended up going to bed before it was over.
The blues are still a constant companion. Monday's run helped a bit but that could have been the sunshine as well as the run. It is noon knitting today and that always cheers me up. It would be better if I could knit all afternoon though.
I was looking forward to movie night. I changed my Netflix account from only streaming to streaming with DVDs and I had "Captain America - The Winter Soldier" waiting. What a disappointment. First, Captain American is the most boring superhero ever, but Scarlet Johansson is usually able to put some sparkle into the mix. The story is just so boring that I couldn't finish it and ended up going to bed before it was over.
The blues are still a constant companion. Monday's run helped a bit but that could have been the sunshine as well as the run. It is noon knitting today and that always cheers me up. It would be better if I could knit all afternoon though.
28 October, 2014
Idiots in the parking garage
It was pouring rain on the way to the Transit Center this morning, but my commute was going along just fine until I got behind a school bus, which slowed things down to a crawl. But I got into the parking structure at the normal time and pulled in. However, after the second turn there was a huge backup of cars. When I finally did get up to the top I could see the problem. People were pulling into spots and then backing up, across the lane effectively stopping the flow of traffic so that they could position their cars. *sigh* Add to that a rather large puddle of water spanning four or 5 spots and you can see a mess in the making. I pulled into a spot (any spot!) and gathered my things, but that few minutes of chaos pulling into the garage was enough to put me off my schedule and I got to watch my bus pulling out into the street.
It was sunny yesterday which meant that I got to run in the sunshine. I needed that! Pushing myself slightly, I had a terrific run. I don't know what my chances are for today. It is stormy and raining hard. It may slow down. I hope it does.
I just got beat in my fantasy match up and I'm torn about it. Of course I wanted to win and I was ahead until last night's game. My opponent's player had to make more than 14 points in order for him to win and since he was only supposed to make 7, I felt pretty confident I'd pull this one out. Ha! He had an incredible game and I lost by a hair. The opponent was my nephew, who is in first place and barely lost last year, so I guess I'm not too unhappy about it. I don't have a chance to win first place anyway, at this point. I'd rather have him finally win it.
Tinking back my mistake was my first order of business last night, after the grocery shopping, requisite dog walk, kitchen clean up, and shower. I made myself a cocktail and sat at the dining table, carefully picking back about 60 stitches. Then I started again, moving the markers up by two stitches. I didn't want to take up my entire evening with it, and it's not TV knitting at this point, so I put it down after I was confident I had the problem solved so I could properly watch the game. I do have half a skein of the blue on its way so now I know I won't run out of yarn and I can continue happily knitting along.
Okay now - happy thoughts for a rain free noon time!
It was sunny yesterday which meant that I got to run in the sunshine. I needed that! Pushing myself slightly, I had a terrific run. I don't know what my chances are for today. It is stormy and raining hard. It may slow down. I hope it does.
I just got beat in my fantasy match up and I'm torn about it. Of course I wanted to win and I was ahead until last night's game. My opponent's player had to make more than 14 points in order for him to win and since he was only supposed to make 7, I felt pretty confident I'd pull this one out. Ha! He had an incredible game and I lost by a hair. The opponent was my nephew, who is in first place and barely lost last year, so I guess I'm not too unhappy about it. I don't have a chance to win first place anyway, at this point. I'd rather have him finally win it.
Tinking back my mistake was my first order of business last night, after the grocery shopping, requisite dog walk, kitchen clean up, and shower. I made myself a cocktail and sat at the dining table, carefully picking back about 60 stitches. Then I started again, moving the markers up by two stitches. I didn't want to take up my entire evening with it, and it's not TV knitting at this point, so I put it down after I was confident I had the problem solved so I could properly watch the game. I do have half a skein of the blue on its way so now I know I won't run out of yarn and I can continue happily knitting along.
Okay now - happy thoughts for a rain free noon time!
27 October, 2014
Too short
That's what's wrong with a weekend away. It's just not enough time. I had a difficult time getting anything meaningful done on Friday morning. I've started planning a trip for next April which is six months away, but these days many things have to be reserved that far in advance. So I did a little sleuthing and then headed out to the train after lunch. It's very easy to get to the train station from here and I was not carrying any luggage, which made it even easier. I had purchased business class seats, so I got my seat assignments and headed to my car. All was nice and quiet and I was starting to relax when there they came -- mom, dad and chatty toddler. D'oh! I had forgotten to ask for the child free business class. That child would not shut up for the entire 3 plus hours of the trip. I heard the father say more than once, "I though you said he'd go right to sleep. I have work to do".
The hotel in Portland was just perfect! A boutique hotel in the Pearl District. There were plenty of great restaurants around, the Saturday market was easy walking distance as was everything else, actually. Unfortunately the room opened up right onto 11th so it was noisy with the window open, but the streetcar does not run all night, so it was tolerable.
Portland is an interesting city but in this particular area there are quite a few homeless people - mostly young - hanging about and sleeping on the streets. Not the crazy, forgot-to-take-my-meds type of sad homeless people. No, the nomadic, almost hippie kind of street people. Grubby and annoying. I don't feel sorry for them.
Saturday after a swing through the outdoor market I stopped by Powell's Bookstore and spent WAY too much money on guide books to help me plan my trip - one on Venice and the other on Florence and Tuscany, and then an early lunch at a sandwich shop that came highly recommended. The Husky game was on at 7:45 on ESPN, so the plan was an early lunch so we could get to a particular fancy place for an early supper before the game. But the lunch, even shared, was such that there was no way I was going to be able to eat any nice dinner at 6 pm and enjoy it. Ah well ... a picnic and some good wine is a fine way to watch a football game. It would have been much better, however, had the Huskies found some offense and a won the game.
The trip back home was in a quiet car, thank goodness. I just wanted to get home, get the dog and watch the recorded Seahawks game. There had been a storm Saturday night and quite a few people were without power. It wasn't looking good on the way back, you could see the smoke in the air, indicating people were using their fireplaces, but there was power. And after some quick unpacking and a shower we got to watch the Seahawks win finally! I tried to knit as well, since I was feeling the need for the comfort of it. But the pattern changed drastically at row twenty and after about three repeats I could see I had made a mistake, so I put it down and I'll have to sit in a quiet place tonight and tink back and start over.
And here we are back at Monday. I had the Sunday night blues something awful last night! I got my running clothes washed though and I am looking forward to getting outside at lunchtime and having a nice run and finding my happy place again.
The hotel in Portland was just perfect! A boutique hotel in the Pearl District. There were plenty of great restaurants around, the Saturday market was easy walking distance as was everything else, actually. Unfortunately the room opened up right onto 11th so it was noisy with the window open, but the streetcar does not run all night, so it was tolerable.
Portland is an interesting city but in this particular area there are quite a few homeless people - mostly young - hanging about and sleeping on the streets. Not the crazy, forgot-to-take-my-meds type of sad homeless people. No, the nomadic, almost hippie kind of street people. Grubby and annoying. I don't feel sorry for them.
Saturday after a swing through the outdoor market I stopped by Powell's Bookstore and spent WAY too much money on guide books to help me plan my trip - one on Venice and the other on Florence and Tuscany, and then an early lunch at a sandwich shop that came highly recommended. The Husky game was on at 7:45 on ESPN, so the plan was an early lunch so we could get to a particular fancy place for an early supper before the game. But the lunch, even shared, was such that there was no way I was going to be able to eat any nice dinner at 6 pm and enjoy it. Ah well ... a picnic and some good wine is a fine way to watch a football game. It would have been much better, however, had the Huskies found some offense and a won the game.
The trip back home was in a quiet car, thank goodness. I just wanted to get home, get the dog and watch the recorded Seahawks game. There had been a storm Saturday night and quite a few people were without power. It wasn't looking good on the way back, you could see the smoke in the air, indicating people were using their fireplaces, but there was power. And after some quick unpacking and a shower we got to watch the Seahawks win finally! I tried to knit as well, since I was feeling the need for the comfort of it. But the pattern changed drastically at row twenty and after about three repeats I could see I had made a mistake, so I put it down and I'll have to sit in a quiet place tonight and tink back and start over.
And here we are back at Monday. I had the Sunday night blues something awful last night! I got my running clothes washed though and I am looking forward to getting outside at lunchtime and having a nice run and finding my happy place again.
24 October, 2014
Just like that
I'm cold. All it took was a solid week of rain and now for sure the summer is gone. What a spectacular Indian summer we had! But I have been cold in my bed for the last two nights - especially last night since Tinkerbell wasn't there to add her warmth. In the mornings too. Today I wore my full gloves. Fingerless are not going to make it any longer.
Since I'm taking the bus to the train this afternoon I couldn't drive to the Transit Center and instead took the 7 o'clock bus from home -- well, half mile away from home. I was right about the traffic. That bus which always made the 7:24 bus to work missed it by almost 5 minutes so I had to catch the later bus which got me to work a full 20 minutes late. That's all because of the schools. Which is something I was unaware of when I started this commute in the summer. Ah well I truly do prefer to drive to the Transit Center. It is extremely uncomfortable standing in the pitch black on that busy highway. I carried a small flashlight this morning so that the bus driver could see me standing there. I would have been very unhappy had he passed me by!
I got an email this morning from a woman who has some of the yarn I'm looking for! She's going to weigh it for me and if it's a third of a skein then I'm in business. I got the switch over to the other needles done last night but I'm not taking the project with me to Portland. I know I will not be knitting.
I surely hope we have a better football weekend than the last one. I have both of the game set to record because I'm pretty sure the Husky game would not be on any TVs in Portland. You never know. We might blunder in to one of those places that has ALL the games on but I'm not counting on it. They're playing Arizona this weekend. Maybe they'll win!
Since I'm taking the bus to the train this afternoon I couldn't drive to the Transit Center and instead took the 7 o'clock bus from home -- well, half mile away from home. I was right about the traffic. That bus which always made the 7:24 bus to work missed it by almost 5 minutes so I had to catch the later bus which got me to work a full 20 minutes late. That's all because of the schools. Which is something I was unaware of when I started this commute in the summer. Ah well I truly do prefer to drive to the Transit Center. It is extremely uncomfortable standing in the pitch black on that busy highway. I carried a small flashlight this morning so that the bus driver could see me standing there. I would have been very unhappy had he passed me by!
I got an email this morning from a woman who has some of the yarn I'm looking for! She's going to weigh it for me and if it's a third of a skein then I'm in business. I got the switch over to the other needles done last night but I'm not taking the project with me to Portland. I know I will not be knitting.
I surely hope we have a better football weekend than the last one. I have both of the game set to record because I'm pretty sure the Husky game would not be on any TVs in Portland. You never know. We might blunder in to one of those places that has ALL the games on but I'm not counting on it. They're playing Arizona this weekend. Maybe they'll win!
23 October, 2014
An "ah ha!" moment
I think I have put my finger on the cause of my super sensitive teeth. I don't think it was from he jaw clenching. I think it was because I changed from a soft toothbrush to a hard one. In fact I'm 99% sure. I got a new set for the master bathroom when I moved and my soft toothbrush didn't fit into the cup holes, so I took one that did fit and .... yup, it's hard. So I went shopping for a soft one that fits into the cup and now we wait. I am going to the dentist next month so there is time to see if this will indeed make the difference.
Here's a pet peeve -- having to call a company to cancel. This goes for all sorts of companies. You can do everything in the world on line but cancel a membership or a magazine subscription or, in this case, a ZipCar membership. The renewal date is a couple of weeks away and I honestly don't think I used it at all during the last 12 months, and there are no Zipcars in Woodinville. So I can save myself some money if I can only get someone to pick up the freaking phone!! I've been on hold for at least 10 minutes so far.
It happened to me again last night. The needle tip came out of the knitting, even though I'm being super careful about making sure I don't twist the work. So, that means I am going to have to switch needles with another project. I think the needle I'm using on the Melon scarf is long enough to accommodate these 600+ stitches. I just now have to figure out a way to actually make the switch. I guess I could use other tips to transfer the Melon scarf onto another Denise cord, and then I would have a free needle. I wonder if I can do that tonight? I have a lot to do -- Tink goes to the dog boarding place, then I've got to do my regular evening chores as well as get set for the weekend in Portland. We'll see.
Still on hold. *sigh* Eighteen minutes! Good heavens. Isn't that crazy? I should call back and choose a different option.
We have gotten the bike share racks on the campus and around town. I wonder if this will take off here. It seems that there are plenty of bike owners and people who want a bike, have a bike. The chains still look pristine on all of them. And boy are they ugly!
Okay -- more than twenty minutes on hold. Unacceptable. I am going to call back and chose an option that I know will get a person on the other end. Wish me luck.
Here's a pet peeve -- having to call a company to cancel. This goes for all sorts of companies. You can do everything in the world on line but cancel a membership or a magazine subscription or, in this case, a ZipCar membership. The renewal date is a couple of weeks away and I honestly don't think I used it at all during the last 12 months, and there are no Zipcars in Woodinville. So I can save myself some money if I can only get someone to pick up the freaking phone!! I've been on hold for at least 10 minutes so far.
It happened to me again last night. The needle tip came out of the knitting, even though I'm being super careful about making sure I don't twist the work. So, that means I am going to have to switch needles with another project. I think the needle I'm using on the Melon scarf is long enough to accommodate these 600+ stitches. I just now have to figure out a way to actually make the switch. I guess I could use other tips to transfer the Melon scarf onto another Denise cord, and then I would have a free needle. I wonder if I can do that tonight? I have a lot to do -- Tink goes to the dog boarding place, then I've got to do my regular evening chores as well as get set for the weekend in Portland. We'll see.
Still on hold. *sigh* Eighteen minutes! Good heavens. Isn't that crazy? I should call back and choose a different option.
We have gotten the bike share racks on the campus and around town. I wonder if this will take off here. It seems that there are plenty of bike owners and people who want a bike, have a bike. The chains still look pristine on all of them. And boy are they ugly!
Okay -- more than twenty minutes on hold. Unacceptable. I am going to call back and chose an option that I know will get a person on the other end. Wish me luck.
22 October, 2014
Just ouch
I had to go down to the Dean's office yesterday to pick up some exams and that's when I saw the line up of people getting their flu shots. I had forgotten it was yesterday so I filled out my form and went right back down to get my shot. Now I don't usually get a flu shot. I can't remember the last time, actually. But since I've had that nasty respiratory virus not once but twice since July, I thought it would be a good idea to get the flu shot. I forgot that it hurts like the dickens! My left arm is SO sore. Then I went for my run and by the late afternoon my legs were very sore as well. Every time I rolled over in bed last night I woke myself up. Good thing I get a rest today.
Tink had to go outside at 3 am. This is not her typical move but when she has to go ..... and I had to put the outdoor lights on and stand guard because a neighbor put up a sign yesterday that they had spotted a bobcat in their back yarn. Last year at this time I saw two bobcat cubs so I imagine it's one of those come back.
The cauliflower soup I made was just outstanding and so very easy too. I made a roux with a tablespoon each of butter and flour, added 4 cups of chicken broth and the cauliflower with a half of an onion and a few carrots. Then I simmered it until the vegetables were soft and then blended it with an immersion blender. And I just seasoned it with salt and pepper. Amazingly good.
I did not knit. I watched a little TV and went to bed early. Tonight I'll knit while I watch "Inside the NFL". Still nothing on that extra bit of yarn I need. Maybe I won't need it after all. I need to spend some time with my stash and my WIPs and get organized. I don't have any markers because they're all in projects that I had set aside. I should work on them or frog them and use the yarn for something else. I should .....
I am looking forward to my trip downtown today and my visit with my lawyers. A lot.
Tink had to go outside at 3 am. This is not her typical move but when she has to go ..... and I had to put the outdoor lights on and stand guard because a neighbor put up a sign yesterday that they had spotted a bobcat in their back yarn. Last year at this time I saw two bobcat cubs so I imagine it's one of those come back.
The cauliflower soup I made was just outstanding and so very easy too. I made a roux with a tablespoon each of butter and flour, added 4 cups of chicken broth and the cauliflower with a half of an onion and a few carrots. Then I simmered it until the vegetables were soft and then blended it with an immersion blender. And I just seasoned it with salt and pepper. Amazingly good.
I did not knit. I watched a little TV and went to bed early. Tonight I'll knit while I watch "Inside the NFL". Still nothing on that extra bit of yarn I need. Maybe I won't need it after all. I need to spend some time with my stash and my WIPs and get organized. I don't have any markers because they're all in projects that I had set aside. I should work on them or frog them and use the yarn for something else. I should .....
I am looking forward to my trip downtown today and my visit with my lawyers. A lot.
21 October, 2014
Yippee!!
Finally! It has been since July that I have been able to run, what with being sick and then the class and being sick and the weather and being sick .... Anyway, even though it was raining in the morning, it was fine at lunchtime and I actually got out there and ran 3 miles. I was slow, but I don't care. I had to walk a couple of times, but I did not have to take extra puffs of my inhaler, which is huge. My legs felt like rubber at 2 3/4 miles, but that is to be expected. And I am sore today, but not limping. I am going out again at noon today if it's not pouring. It was very wet on the way in, but by the time we got to the U there was blue sky showing, so I am thinking I'll be fine.
After my terrible football weekend, I really wasn't in the mood for Monday night football, especially since I didn't have anyone on either of the teams and I had already lost my fantasy matchup. I cooked a nice dinner - sauteed scallops and some pasta and a great salad from Trader Joe's. I love those composed salads. The one I've been eating most lately is the Seeds & Greens - arugula, roasted squash, dried cranberries and some grain I can't remember. It's delicious though.
I attending a very frustrating meeting yesterday. Good thing I had already had my run and I was rather subdued. I have been on edge lately and I suspect if I hadn't run I might have been even more obnoxious than I was.
I think I'll have to cancel noon knitting tomorrow. I've got an appointment downtown with my lawyers at 2. I think it would just be two of us anyway. I didn't even pick it up last night, but hopefully I can get a few rows in tonight. I'm going to make cauliflower soup when I get home. That's not too taxing and therefore I should have plenty of energy left for a row or two. Now those rows are approaching 600 stitches! And still no word on anyone having extra yarn to sell me. I sure hope I don't run out!
After my terrible football weekend, I really wasn't in the mood for Monday night football, especially since I didn't have anyone on either of the teams and I had already lost my fantasy matchup. I cooked a nice dinner - sauteed scallops and some pasta and a great salad from Trader Joe's. I love those composed salads. The one I've been eating most lately is the Seeds & Greens - arugula, roasted squash, dried cranberries and some grain I can't remember. It's delicious though.
I attending a very frustrating meeting yesterday. Good thing I had already had my run and I was rather subdued. I have been on edge lately and I suspect if I hadn't run I might have been even more obnoxious than I was.
I think I'll have to cancel noon knitting tomorrow. I've got an appointment downtown with my lawyers at 2. I think it would just be two of us anyway. I didn't even pick it up last night, but hopefully I can get a few rows in tonight. I'm going to make cauliflower soup when I get home. That's not too taxing and therefore I should have plenty of energy left for a row or two. Now those rows are approaching 600 stitches! And still no word on anyone having extra yarn to sell me. I sure hope I don't run out!
20 October, 2014
We are in for a rude awakening
The weather continues to be mild. Extremely mild and record setting. Sunday was too warm for a jacket. Once the weather turns it is going to be really hard to take. It's like we're living in California here. Except for the rain, which has settled in for the week, I believe. We had a little respite on the weekend, well Sunday at least. But the man on the news last night said it's rain and clouds for the rest of the week and into the weekend. I don't really care too much except I do want to start back running today. I can go when it's raining but I prefer not to. I'm so antsy though that I suspect I'll go today no matter what's happening out there.
I spent Friday working from home. I've got an interesting week coming up. A meeting today at 2 o'clock and a meeting Wednesday at 2 o'clock downtown with my lawyer. Thursday night Tink goes to the boarders and Friday I have to take the bus from home because Friday afternoon I'm getting on the train to Portland. Rain or shine, that's going to be fun.
Now I'll tell you what's NOT fun -- watching both of my teams lose this weekend. The second loss for the Seahawks, who haven't had back to back losses since 2012. Oh it was just brutal. We lost so many players in the off season and then we've had some injuries. Ah well -- it's early days yet. As for my fantasy - I got killed there too. I guess it is not my year. Again.
I didn't get much done this weekend, which is okay once in a while, isn't it? You can't work all the time. There was sunshine to enjoy and walks to take - Tinkie got a nice walk at Cottage Lake for a change. It's a nice little park and the lake is lovely. Movies and a fire - even though it's warm, it's always nice to have a fire. I got lots of great knitting done on the Brown Eyed Susan. I'm on row 19 of the lace border and I've put out a request for another skein of the blue. I'm just not entirely sure I'll have enough. So far no luck though. I had gotten a start on the lace border Thursday at work, but row two wasn't working out and so I had to take out both rows - tinking back over 350 stitches twice. I realized I had done the t2l (twist 2 left) incorrectly. The instructions in the book were not sufficient. Once I did a little more digging I realized my mistake and from then on I was on fire. Except when my Denise needle came apart from the cable! Oh heavens ... what a mess. I got it fixed but I was going crazy trying to keep the stitches from unraveling. Now I am very very careful with it. It is getting heavy with now over 500 stitches and those cables can twist out if you're not super careful. I am using my other size 6 long circular for the project that is on hold - the Melon scarf - so I'm stuck with the Denise set.
So let's keep good thoughts for a dry-ish noon time. I am just crazy anxious to start running again!!
I spent Friday working from home. I've got an interesting week coming up. A meeting today at 2 o'clock and a meeting Wednesday at 2 o'clock downtown with my lawyer. Thursday night Tink goes to the boarders and Friday I have to take the bus from home because Friday afternoon I'm getting on the train to Portland. Rain or shine, that's going to be fun.
Now I'll tell you what's NOT fun -- watching both of my teams lose this weekend. The second loss for the Seahawks, who haven't had back to back losses since 2012. Oh it was just brutal. We lost so many players in the off season and then we've had some injuries. Ah well -- it's early days yet. As for my fantasy - I got killed there too. I guess it is not my year. Again.
I didn't get much done this weekend, which is okay once in a while, isn't it? You can't work all the time. There was sunshine to enjoy and walks to take - Tinkie got a nice walk at Cottage Lake for a change. It's a nice little park and the lake is lovely. Movies and a fire - even though it's warm, it's always nice to have a fire. I got lots of great knitting done on the Brown Eyed Susan. I'm on row 19 of the lace border and I've put out a request for another skein of the blue. I'm just not entirely sure I'll have enough. So far no luck though. I had gotten a start on the lace border Thursday at work, but row two wasn't working out and so I had to take out both rows - tinking back over 350 stitches twice. I realized I had done the t2l (twist 2 left) incorrectly. The instructions in the book were not sufficient. Once I did a little more digging I realized my mistake and from then on I was on fire. Except when my Denise needle came apart from the cable! Oh heavens ... what a mess. I got it fixed but I was going crazy trying to keep the stitches from unraveling. Now I am very very careful with it. It is getting heavy with now over 500 stitches and those cables can twist out if you're not super careful. I am using my other size 6 long circular for the project that is on hold - the Melon scarf - so I'm stuck with the Denise set.
So let's keep good thoughts for a dry-ish noon time. I am just crazy anxious to start running again!!
16 October, 2014
It's a let down
After being so terribly busy for a couple of months, I am finding it very difficult to keep interested now that it is not busy. I much prefer to be super busy -- well, who doesn't? I've got to find something interesting to do.
The good news is that I've been sleeping great. Again, not surprising. The nightmares and jaw clamping must have been disturbing my sleep a lot. It was so very cozy this morning, I really didn't want to get out of bed. Therefore I was running late and didn't have time to make my coffee to take on my drive. I pride myself on getting up and out in less than an hour. I can do it in 40 minutes, but I must know what I'm going to put on. I can't be dithering in front of my closet. I had decided to wear one of my new dresses today but when I decided that last night I hadn't quite decided on the shoes, so that was what held me back. What shoes? Or boots? I need grey ones. The black would have worked but since I wore super high heels twice already this week I thought I might wear lower heels today ... see? That takes up a lot of time! Tick tock. So I wore something else entirely. And missed my coffee. And had to rush Tink on her walk.
At lunch yesterday I found a nice little spot and knit and knit. I wanted to go for a walk as well, but it was pouring rain. I think I will be able to run next week! My cough has almost disappeared and my lungs feel good. So -- next week I will start up. I cannot wait. I need my endorphins. I can't get endorphins from knitting.
I think I'll be able to start the lace border on the Brown Eyed Susan tonight, if I get a good solid hour or so in at lunchtime. I hope I have enough yarn to finish up the body. I might not have enough for the contrast lacy bind off though. That would be a drag.
I was reading something the other day about how certain things in your resume make you look old. Did you know that putting two spaces after a period is now considered passe? That it is a convention only taught on type writers? I hadn't noticed but I'm going to start looking to see if I can spot the difference. The person writing the article had to train himself to put only one space and he said it was quite difficult. I can believe it.
The good news is that I've been sleeping great. Again, not surprising. The nightmares and jaw clamping must have been disturbing my sleep a lot. It was so very cozy this morning, I really didn't want to get out of bed. Therefore I was running late and didn't have time to make my coffee to take on my drive. I pride myself on getting up and out in less than an hour. I can do it in 40 minutes, but I must know what I'm going to put on. I can't be dithering in front of my closet. I had decided to wear one of my new dresses today but when I decided that last night I hadn't quite decided on the shoes, so that was what held me back. What shoes? Or boots? I need grey ones. The black would have worked but since I wore super high heels twice already this week I thought I might wear lower heels today ... see? That takes up a lot of time! Tick tock. So I wore something else entirely. And missed my coffee. And had to rush Tink on her walk.
At lunch yesterday I found a nice little spot and knit and knit. I wanted to go for a walk as well, but it was pouring rain. I think I will be able to run next week! My cough has almost disappeared and my lungs feel good. So -- next week I will start up. I cannot wait. I need my endorphins. I can't get endorphins from knitting.
I think I'll be able to start the lace border on the Brown Eyed Susan tonight, if I get a good solid hour or so in at lunchtime. I hope I have enough yarn to finish up the body. I might not have enough for the contrast lacy bind off though. That would be a drag.
I was reading something the other day about how certain things in your resume make you look old. Did you know that putting two spaces after a period is now considered passe? That it is a convention only taught on type writers? I hadn't noticed but I'm going to start looking to see if I can spot the difference. The person writing the article had to train himself to put only one space and he said it was quite difficult. I can believe it.
15 October, 2014
Awake at last
I finally feel human and as if I've had a good night's sleep. In other words, I'm not groggy this morning - or not as bad as I have been the first two days of the week. I fell right asleep last night - which I know because I looked at the clock when I turned out the light - 9:16 (!), and then an Amber Alert made my phone buzz just after 9:30 and I was already deeply asleep. Unfortunately the Amber alerts do not turn off when the phone is in Do Not Disturb mode. I need to search for the alerts and turn that one off.
It's still raining today and it's starting to feel like autumn. I'm ready. But it's going to be a long long winter without a trip to look forward to, I'm afraid. I am starting to put together a three week trip in early spring and I don't have many vacation days to spare between then and now. A few -- I think maybe 5 -- days I can use around Christmas and the New Year. It's going to be tough, make no mistake. Ah but to have three whole weeks off in a row, now that is going to be awesome! It's a long ways away.
Noon knitting today and I'm going to be the only knitter. MaryEllin and Monika are off on trips and Diana has too much work to do before her two weeks off and that leaves me, since Christina hasn't been coming lately, nor has Peggy. Of course Peggy has a good excuse, since she's across the lake. So - just me. If it's not still pouring rain I can have a nice little walk and then find a corner and knit for a while. I am only ten rows from the lace part of the Brown Eyed Susan. Yes, I know I have a few (million) WIPs, but I felt like doing this and so I am doing it. At some point I need to dig through my WIPs and figure out what I'm going to finish and what I can frog. I am running out of tools - needle point protectors, markers, etc.
Yes .... I slept better but I could do with a bit more still. It's got to be the lack of sunshine.
It's still raining today and it's starting to feel like autumn. I'm ready. But it's going to be a long long winter without a trip to look forward to, I'm afraid. I am starting to put together a three week trip in early spring and I don't have many vacation days to spare between then and now. A few -- I think maybe 5 -- days I can use around Christmas and the New Year. It's going to be tough, make no mistake. Ah but to have three whole weeks off in a row, now that is going to be awesome! It's a long ways away.
Noon knitting today and I'm going to be the only knitter. MaryEllin and Monika are off on trips and Diana has too much work to do before her two weeks off and that leaves me, since Christina hasn't been coming lately, nor has Peggy. Of course Peggy has a good excuse, since she's across the lake. So - just me. If it's not still pouring rain I can have a nice little walk and then find a corner and knit for a while. I am only ten rows from the lace part of the Brown Eyed Susan. Yes, I know I have a few (million) WIPs, but I felt like doing this and so I am doing it. At some point I need to dig through my WIPs and figure out what I'm going to finish and what I can frog. I am running out of tools - needle point protectors, markers, etc.
Yes .... I slept better but I could do with a bit more still. It's got to be the lack of sunshine.
14 October, 2014
Tuesdays at the Transit Center
What a huge difference a few weeks makes at that Transit Center parking garage! When I first started driving in and parking every morning it was still summer and there were always tons of parking spots. Now though school has started for the med school and the undergrads. Tuesday and Thursday mornings must be very popular for classes because I was just two or three minutes later than usual today and I had to hunt for a spot. Since this is an express bus it only stops at a few places right off the freeway and if you're not at the Transit Center or the next stop you have to stand. That bus is packed to overflowing. I had to fight my way out of it this morning.
It rained last night and I find that noise to be so soothing. I slept like a log. I was going to read but I couldn't keep my eyes open at 9, so I just turned over and fell asleep. Ahhhhhh ..... better this morning. Although I know I could have easily slept another two hours. Maybe it's the darkness that is keeping me so sleepy these days.
The nightmares have gone the way of the stress, thank goodness for that. It was getting quite tiresome. What hasn't gone away is the sensitivity of my teeth on the right side of my mouth. Obviously I was clenching my jaws as well as having nightmares and I am afraid I've injured that tooth. I'll give it another few weeks though. I've got my cleaning appointment in November so that will give it enough time to heal, if it's going to. I really want to avoid a root canal.
I'm looking forward to the little weekend getaway coming up in a little over a week. A train ride to Portland for the weekend. Hopefully there will be some sunshine and some good music. Just getting away is fun for me, but getting away on a train is always better.
I wore my new red shoes all day yesterday, with the exception of a couple of hours in the afternoon when I put my running shoes on and went for a walk. I can't run until my lungs are clear and, can you believe it, I'm still coughing! It is getting better, slowly. But what I can do it put on my running shoes and get out there for a real walk. My concern was for my foot, and I can't say it didn't hurt at all. It didn't hurt much though and I have heels on again today and I'm still not in pain. This is a good thing. I'll be running again real soon. And in the meantime I can wear some nice shoes!
What should I do with the rest of this tea? Pour it over my head or drink it? Which way is going to work faster??
It rained last night and I find that noise to be so soothing. I slept like a log. I was going to read but I couldn't keep my eyes open at 9, so I just turned over and fell asleep. Ahhhhhh ..... better this morning. Although I know I could have easily slept another two hours. Maybe it's the darkness that is keeping me so sleepy these days.
The nightmares have gone the way of the stress, thank goodness for that. It was getting quite tiresome. What hasn't gone away is the sensitivity of my teeth on the right side of my mouth. Obviously I was clenching my jaws as well as having nightmares and I am afraid I've injured that tooth. I'll give it another few weeks though. I've got my cleaning appointment in November so that will give it enough time to heal, if it's going to. I really want to avoid a root canal.
I'm looking forward to the little weekend getaway coming up in a little over a week. A train ride to Portland for the weekend. Hopefully there will be some sunshine and some good music. Just getting away is fun for me, but getting away on a train is always better.
I wore my new red shoes all day yesterday, with the exception of a couple of hours in the afternoon when I put my running shoes on and went for a walk. I can't run until my lungs are clear and, can you believe it, I'm still coughing! It is getting better, slowly. But what I can do it put on my running shoes and get out there for a real walk. My concern was for my foot, and I can't say it didn't hurt at all. It didn't hurt much though and I have heels on again today and I'm still not in pain. This is a good thing. I'll be running again real soon. And in the meantime I can wear some nice shoes!
What should I do with the rest of this tea? Pour it over my head or drink it? Which way is going to work faster??
13 October, 2014
Never enough
I feel like that this morning - that I can never get enough sleep! I am just dizzy and I even went to bed at a decent hour. I slept through the night, but eight hours just isn't enough sometimes, is it?
I discovered a little leak on Wednesday and ended up having to work from home for a couple of days to get that taken care of. And then Friday was my spa day. Oh heavens, it was bliss. It was so incredibly relaxing, And then I went shopping! I got some dresses for work and some crazy beautiful red suede shoes. High heels, zippers in the back. I love them. Practical? Well, no. No they're not. But they are gorgeous!
There was an incredible rain storm Saturday. It was a downpour for about 30 minutes. I was in a parking lot and couldn't get out of the car because the entire lot was a river! The walkways in front of the stores were rivers. Flooded streets because of overflowing or plugged storm drains. And as quickly as it started, it ended.
The Seahawks got beat last night, at home, by the Cowboys. It was a terrible game. So difficult to watch. My fantasy team is losing big this week as well. I had some good players on bye and a couple underperformed and somebody else was injured. Not a good football week for me, except the Huskies looked pretty good.
I finally got about half of the stuff hung on the walls. I'd like to live with it for a while before I get the rest of it up.
Oh I hope this caffeine kicks in soon. It better or I'm going to put my head down on the desk and have a little snooze!
I discovered a little leak on Wednesday and ended up having to work from home for a couple of days to get that taken care of. And then Friday was my spa day. Oh heavens, it was bliss. It was so incredibly relaxing, And then I went shopping! I got some dresses for work and some crazy beautiful red suede shoes. High heels, zippers in the back. I love them. Practical? Well, no. No they're not. But they are gorgeous!
There was an incredible rain storm Saturday. It was a downpour for about 30 minutes. I was in a parking lot and couldn't get out of the car because the entire lot was a river! The walkways in front of the stores were rivers. Flooded streets because of overflowing or plugged storm drains. And as quickly as it started, it ended.
The Seahawks got beat last night, at home, by the Cowboys. It was a terrible game. So difficult to watch. My fantasy team is losing big this week as well. I had some good players on bye and a couple underperformed and somebody else was injured. Not a good football week for me, except the Huskies looked pretty good.
I finally got about half of the stuff hung on the walls. I'd like to live with it for a while before I get the rest of it up.
Oh I hope this caffeine kicks in soon. It better or I'm going to put my head down on the desk and have a little snooze!
07 October, 2014
Shoes!
I was positive I was missing some shoes. Shoes that I hadn't room for in my teensie apartment but shoes I couldn't bear to throw away, so they were in my storage locker and then disappeared when I moved. But they surfaced yesterday and I'm so happy! I didn't get a chance to go through them last night, but I know for sure there are some booties in there and I almost bought another pair on Sunday. And some fabulous brown heeled oxfords and ... well, I am sure I've forgotten but they're all good winter shoes and boots and I'll get to them tonight, maybe.
I have lots I want to do tonight that I couldn't do last night because of the game. The Seahawks won but the number of penalties called on them was absolutely obscene! I guess it comes with the territory. I do have to at least start the tomato sauce. I picked the last of the tomatoes except a couple behind a spider web. I will get those tonight if they're still good, then I'm going to do what most of the recipes suggest, which is blanch them and peel them before removing the seeds. Time consuming but I think it is a necessary step.
When I took Tink to the vet on Sunday I also needed to get her flea pills - anti-flea pills, I should say - but they had run out of them! Ridiculous. Obviously I can't drive all the way back there just to pick up pills, so the doctor wrote out the prescription and I stopped at the vet by my house to get it filled. But guess what? They don't carry those pills. *sigh* Now what? The receptionist suggested I go to an online vet pharmacy. So that's on the list for today.
The students took their re-exam yesterday and I just sat and knit while they did their exam. And that's that. Anatomy is over and it'll never be taught like this again. Now we start putting together the new curriculum. Or soon, anyway. I sure need a breather. Luckily Histo is not so demanding right now. I can take some time to clean up my office - it is a wicked mess with stacks of papers and piles of other papers, x-ray envelopes piled on the filing cabinet. Untidy, although I can put my hand on anything I need. Still, I'd like a clean blotter for a change. Right now on my blotter - so that I can't see anything but Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the last two weeks - a red folder (empty), invisible tape, an iPhone charging plug with no cord, a pencil, a pink highlighter, two pens, assorted yellow sticky pads, pieces of white note paper with lists scribbled and checked, white envelopes with who knows what in them ..... No food anyway. That's a good thing.
The weather is strangely warm. I was out walking Tink in the pitch black last night in just my cotton PJs! Usually I just take her out there to the end of her leash and let her piddle, but it was gorgeous so I strolled around with her, watching the stars and the big moon. Sure enough, there was a rabbit, but all you could see was it's white tail as it hopped off into the forest. It's sure to turn soon, but right now it reminds me of a particularly warm November when I was in London. Walking around through the parks in late November in just a turtle neck sweater and a shawl. It was that warm. We could be in for a very mild winter this year.
I have lots I want to do tonight that I couldn't do last night because of the game. The Seahawks won but the number of penalties called on them was absolutely obscene! I guess it comes with the territory. I do have to at least start the tomato sauce. I picked the last of the tomatoes except a couple behind a spider web. I will get those tonight if they're still good, then I'm going to do what most of the recipes suggest, which is blanch them and peel them before removing the seeds. Time consuming but I think it is a necessary step.
When I took Tink to the vet on Sunday I also needed to get her flea pills - anti-flea pills, I should say - but they had run out of them! Ridiculous. Obviously I can't drive all the way back there just to pick up pills, so the doctor wrote out the prescription and I stopped at the vet by my house to get it filled. But guess what? They don't carry those pills. *sigh* Now what? The receptionist suggested I go to an online vet pharmacy. So that's on the list for today.
The students took their re-exam yesterday and I just sat and knit while they did their exam. And that's that. Anatomy is over and it'll never be taught like this again. Now we start putting together the new curriculum. Or soon, anyway. I sure need a breather. Luckily Histo is not so demanding right now. I can take some time to clean up my office - it is a wicked mess with stacks of papers and piles of other papers, x-ray envelopes piled on the filing cabinet. Untidy, although I can put my hand on anything I need. Still, I'd like a clean blotter for a change. Right now on my blotter - so that I can't see anything but Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the last two weeks - a red folder (empty), invisible tape, an iPhone charging plug with no cord, a pencil, a pink highlighter, two pens, assorted yellow sticky pads, pieces of white note paper with lists scribbled and checked, white envelopes with who knows what in them ..... No food anyway. That's a good thing.
The weather is strangely warm. I was out walking Tink in the pitch black last night in just my cotton PJs! Usually I just take her out there to the end of her leash and let her piddle, but it was gorgeous so I strolled around with her, watching the stars and the big moon. Sure enough, there was a rabbit, but all you could see was it's white tail as it hopped off into the forest. It's sure to turn soon, but right now it reminds me of a particularly warm November when I was in London. Walking around through the parks in late November in just a turtle neck sweater and a shawl. It was that warm. We could be in for a very mild winter this year.
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