These computer problems!!!!

It is just one thing after another! No, I didn't get another virus, thank goodness. When I use my laptop at work I don't bother plugging into the Ethernet, I just use the wireless connection. I had no problem connecting to my class server and making changes to my class sites, but when I tried to get onto the departmental server it was a no go. The only thing I can figure is the IT guy has not set it up so that I can connect with this machine over the wireless from here. I can do it easily enough from home though. I guess I will work from home tomorrow so I can get these updates done. I have no idea when he's going to be able to fix my machine because even though his vacation is due to end, he blew his knee out snowboarding and so might be laid up for a few more days. Lucky for me it's not September or I'd be in real trouble. The good news is Mr. M has a load in tomorrow so I'll have a nice quiet house .... although come to think about it, his daughter is (still) staying with us and is due to come back from visiting her grandparents tomorrow. Oh well ..... she most likely will be out and about anyway.

I have all my clothes so I AM going to run today. NO excuses. I'll take it nice and slow. I won't be ready for the St. Patrick's Day Dash, but perhaps there's a race in April I can shoot for. So I drove in today and as I was walking down the steps I noticed again how the garden is just going crazy. Unless it's pouring rain on Saturday, I'm going to have to get out there and so a little clean up. Things are coming to life at an alarming rate.

I made some sort of mistake in the lace on the Gatsby dress at noon knitting yesterday. I was doing the first set of decreases and made some sort of mistake. I thought I had it figured out until I got a closer look last evening. Since I am just hopeless at tinking back when there are yarn-overs involved and I don't feel like ripping it out and picking up those stitches again so I'm going to leave it. It will not be noticeable when it's on because it will be the back left portion. Unless someone was on their knees inspecting up close it's not going to show up. Says I!

Sometimes I wonder .....

I get distracted so easily! Yesterday I spent the entire morning dealing with my PC virus issue. The backup IT guy contacted me and arranged to come take a look at my machine in the early afternoon. I ran a scan and found another instance of the offending program and cleaned it up and then ran another scan to make sure it was truly gone. It is gone, but it is quite obvious that my computer has been compromised since I still can't open many programs and there is a fake log in screen. He took my CPU and I am left to work on my laptop until our regular IT guy gets back from vacation and gets my computer fixed. All this to say that I really really REALLY needed my run and at 12:15 I closed my door and prepared to change clothes only to find that I had forgotten a crucial item. And that's where the distraction comes in -- I had been gathering my running clothes and been briefly distracted with another thought and there you have it. The attention span of a ... a ... 2 year old. It's quite annoying.

I did a few more rows of Gatsby last night during the LOST re-cap but put it down for the regular episode, which I thought was really good. It had a nice little twist at the end. I really can't imagine how they're going to tie up all the loose ends. I guess that's why we watch, eh?

Our dinner companions on the cruise were Christine and Dave. Christine is Mike Holmgren's cousin! I wanted to ask her all sorts of personal questions about him but I did not. Remarkable restraint on my part, don't you think? They were pretty conservative people. Members of the Crystal Cathedral. yikes

Malicious Mischief

Yesterday after lunch my PC got hit with a virus. All of a sudden a window popped up saying I had a virus -- it was one of those fake ones we've all seen. I closed it and immediately ran a scan on my machine, which quarantined and then cleaned up the file. I restarted my computer thinking I had dodged a bullet. But even in that short amount of time and without me even clicking on it something had happened to my computer. Now I can't open any program from a shortcut unless I choose it from a list and even then it may or may not open. And some programs are just not found, like Word or Exel. I brought my laptop in today. Of course the IT guy is on vacation and the guy who is supposed to be backing him up is not answering my emails. My laptop is great but it's not as comfortable to work on as the PC. Well it could have been worse. At least I didn't lose anything.

I worked on the Gatsby dress again last night. Here's a picture -- 12 rows of ladder lace on top of the double fern pattern band. I am using Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece and I'm getting a very nice drape with it. The color is good as well. The ladder lace is very easy and good TV knitting. I will be able to work on it some more tonight during the LOST recap episode.

There was one thing I was quite looking forward to when I got home from vacation -- the Spring edition of IK. I sat down with it Saturday after my chores and went through it. And I must say -- ICK! I think it's the worst issue ever. Not one single thing in there caught my eye except in a "what the heck were you thinking?" way. Hideous garments, every one of them.

Today I am going to run at lunchtime. First time in quite a few weeks. I felt really great when I got home last night. The hills didn't kill me like they had been. Maybe .... just maybe ... I am over this respiratory thing finally!

The forgotten

First of all, everything is fine with my nephew. He finally showed up -- called his mother Friday while we were in the air on the way home to say that he was there (in Valencia) with her car and he'd bring it over the next morning. He had completely forgotten he was supposed to pick us up!! He doesn't normally have Friday off, but had arranged for the day off so he could bring the car back and I guess he got caught up in plans with his friends and took off straight after work on Thursday to hang out in Valencia. He felt pretty bad after she had told him how worried we all were, calling the police, etc. I'm sure she rubbed it in good. He did call me last night to apologize. The poor kid feels so foolish I was almost apologizing to him.

So here we are ... back from vacation. It was a good vacation but not long enough, of course. The time in Valencia with my sister was so nice. The weather was warm and sunny and we had a lovely hotel. Getting onto the cruise ship on Monday was a hassle because, as I had posted, Mr. M couldn't find his passport. He was sure it had been stolen. I tried to reassure him that it was most likely just misplaced but he was just positive it was gone. I got him onto the ship and when our bags were delivered to our room he went through his and sure enough, it was there and he was finally able to relax. The cruise itself was fine - great weather in Catalina and Ensenada but cloudy on our day at sea. We had decent dinner companions and the food was fine, although I think it was better on the cruise my sister and I took a few years ago. The entertainment was okay -- the comedians were pretty mediocre, but the live band was wonderful.

We got to shore on Friday around 9:30 and we spent an hour trying to get in touch with my nephew. We finally gave up and went to the Queen Mary and toured around her, then had a nice lunch and after a few more calls back and forth with my sister and other nephew, we headed to the Long Beach airport to wait for our flight. We had plenty of time. I got out my knitting and Mr. M got on his computer (free wi-fi at least) and we spent a 2 1/2 hours in a very teensie airport. I worked on the experimental wrap I started with the Kureyon. It is not working out. I am going to have to rip it out and start over. The border needs to be seed stitch, for one thing. And I am not at all keen on the way the colors are blending. I need an entirely different colorway. And finally I am thinking that perhaps Kureyon is going to be too heavy, even knitting it with a 10 1/2 needle. Back to the drawing board.

I got up early on Saturday and got Tinkerbell from the doggie boarding place. She was SO happy to see me and SO dirty!! I brought her home and gave her a nice long walk. I swear, she spent 25% of the walk rolling on her back in her favorite spots. Then it was time for a much needed bath. Mr. M had to work Saturday and I was going to rehearse but Doug has a cold, so I got to spend some good quality knitting time in my favorite chair in the sunshine. Yes, I felt a bit guilty that I should be out in the garden but I gave myself permission to be on vacation for the entire weekend so I pushed that right out of my head. I worked on the Great Gatsby dress -- finishing up the lace edging for the back hem. Oddly enough there is no gauge listed for that but the measurements are there. Luckily I measured before I finished up all 23 repeats and found that at 19 I was a couple inches over the size I wanted to make. I picked up the number of stitches for the size with 19 repeats, the first one. Ah .. and then I realized I had picked up the stitches on the wrong side! I was not about to take out 146 hard to pick up stitches, so I cut the yarn and just started from the front side. It looks perfect! The next stitch pattern, the ladder lace, does have gauge measurements. I did a few rows last night while watching TV. I'll measure it tonight and hope that I can fudge things so that it won't be huge. Oh and I needed a longer needle so I took a deep breath and pulled it out of the Rock Star. Now it is officially frogged.

We got caught up on LOST last night. Now I need to read the blogs to figure out what the heck is all means. I woke up and started thinking about it, of course, but luckily got back to sleep and work up feeling not too bad, considering I had a week off to sleep all I wanted. It is clear outside, and it's been so nice and warm! However, it is still February and it was barely above freezing when I got on the bike this morning. Wow and did it ever hurt going down the hill. It should be a nice ride home though. It is now light enough both ways that I don't need my head lamp.

Worried sick!!

We got back to Long Beach this morning. I had made arrangements with my nephew to pick us up, hang out and go to the airport. He arranged to take today off so he could take my sister's car back to her. But when I called him this morning there was no answer. After 30 minutes of that I took a cab over to his apartment but couldn't get through the gate. It is now close to 2:30 and he has not surfaced. I am mad at him but also very concerned. No one has been able to contact him today and his friend hasn't seen him for a couple of days. Terrible way to end a vacation. We are in tiny Long Beach airport cooling our heels and I am worrying. The plane doesn't leavefor 2 1/2 hours. Time for some therapeutic knitting.


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Found

He found it in his suitcase. It took every bit of self control I possess not to speak. I deserve a medal.

Catalina Island today. The weather is gorgeous. Heading to a wonderful spa experience, lunch, then back to the shop for a relaxing afternoon with my book and a bottle of Champagne.


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Out to sea

In 30 minutes we will beeaving port. Mr. M has misplaced his passport. ...... Yeah. *sigh*


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Happy V Day

From sunny and warm California, happy Valentine's Day. Observation of this morning.... Time is a very strange thing. Ten years seems like a lifetime ago and like yesterday.


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Hoorah!!! Vacation day!!!

Just a few hours more and then it's off to the airport for our little trip. It's pouring rain here in Seattle and, thankfully, the rain has left the southern part of the country and we're headed into warm temperatures and sunny skies. Ahhhhhh ..... yeah.

It took me until about 8 last night to get all packed. I had purchased a new big suitcase for Mr. M and therefore I have a little wiggle room when it comes to my packing. I got everything in my suitcase except my toiletries and a couple books, which will handily fit into his. I did indeed decide to start a new project and brought the Noro Kureyon. And also I had bought some pearls and beads to make a white necklace and that's something that my sister and I will do on Sunday. Tonight I think we'll go out for sushi - just something low key. We're staying at a hotel right across from my sister's apartment building and there are lots of good restaurants within walking distance.

Just tying up a few loose ends. Boy, do I need this vacation!!

Disaster averted

Whew! My plans are still in place and Tinkerbell will be taken care of. HUGE load off my mind. Now I can head out for vacation without worry.

I made it through the day yesterday without my head exploding. Noon knitting was nice and relaxing. I am still plugging away on the Enchanting scarf. I have started on the second skein of yarn. I vow - never ever ever again to make a scarf on size 2 needles!! Even if I block it "severely", as the pattern suggests, it's not going to be very long at all.

I didn't grind my teeth to nubbins yesterday but I did spill a cup of tea on my keyboard. Not the whole thing, but a nice big splash. I was afraid this morning that it might be all sticky or not work properly but I guess I did a good job of getting it dried off quickly because all is well today. Luckily I had a big towel close by that I keep for when I come in from running and that did the trick. Oh, and my desktop is nice and clean too! Bonus!!

Why do things have to get so complicated??

As I was saying (complaining) yesterday, it's sometimes very complicated trying to get out of town for any length of time and getting things lined up, like Tinkerbell sitting, etc. Mr. M threw a HUGE monkey wrench into it yesterday and I swear, I was so mad I felt like I was going to throw up. I'm still quite steamed so I'm not going to go into it. Suffice it to say that unless I am WAY off on imagining the primary reason our house sitter wants to take care of Tink for those 4 nights, I am going to have to hope and pray that the boarding place will take her starting this Friday afternoon. I can't make any changes in the plans until I hear from the house sitter, who has not yet responded to my email from yesterday afternoon. If I don't hear from here by noon knitting time I'll give her a call after lunch. *sigh* I NEED a vacation away from everybody! Unfortunately that's not going to happen ...... grrrrrrr -rant off-

I did manage to knit for that one hour of the LOST re-cap but put it down to concentrate fully on the new episode. What was Sawyer taking out of the floor of his house? And what's the "dark thing" growing in Said and Claire? Oooooo ... spooky.

My hope for today -- that I don't grind my teeth down to nubbins or lash out at a stranger.

It's so hard to wake up on a foggy day

I know that it will be lovely at lunchtime, but it's foggy and cold now. I was going to bike in but then decided to drive so I could make a couple stops on the way home. There are so many little details to take care of before we leave. It's not nearly so chaotic when just I am going away, but when I've got the dog to make arrangements for and the husband to wrangle .... it makes it much more complicated. It's all doable. And the sad part is that it's going to go by so quickly! Then there will be the rest of the winter to get through. It is getting lighter though. It's noticeable finally.

I really wanted to knit last night but after getting the house picked up from the party and getting dinner going I just wasn't in the mood to do anything but watch a little TV. I went upstairs early to read and fell asleep early. But tonight .... ahhhhh LOST is tonight. I can knit through the first hour - the repeat of last week - but then I must put it down so I can concentrate. Oh! That's another thing I need to do. I need to figure out what project I'm going to take with me. I am thinking of making a tilted blocks pattern wrap with four skeins of Kureyon I have. I'll do alternating colorways every pattern repeat. It's the same as the Enchanting scarf but it'll be much bigger. I think that would be a good project to take along. It'll be not so difficult that I can't sit and chat or drink while I knit and yet complicated enough so I don't get bored.

I am looking forward to a LOT of just plain relaxing. I have two movies on my iPhone as well as a couple of TV series [I just can't get enough of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"] and audio books. I just purchased the 8th episode of Ricky Gervais "Guide to" series. I can't decide whether I should save it or listen to it when I go for my walk today. Yeah ... that's the big decision for today.

It was a great game ...

and a not so great party. Well ... actually I had fun, but it was sparsely attended, to say the least. There were a couple of big shows loading in, oddly enough, and it took away a huge number of people who had planned on attending. Thank goodness the BEST ones showed up and we had a fine time eating and drinking. The chili turned out really good, but a bit too salty. I put in a couple of pieces of potato and cooked them up and voila! it was just fine.

I had been given the opportunity to buy into a really good football pool, so I got a square and my friend's husband and his friends got squares. The payout was great but unfortunately we got SUPER bad numbers! I ended up with 9 and 9! I won my money back but that was it. And believe me, I was already spending that $800 I was hoping to win! I found a ring that I really really want when I got my jewelry cleaned this weekend. Gorgeous pave band with a heart .... ah well.

So it was a busy busy weekend. I worked from home on Friday and had intended to go visit Mr. M's daughter in the hospital. Unfortunately I didn't realize the visiting hours were so restricted and by the time I had finished up with some work I needed to get done it was too late, so I had to go on Saturday. Friday night was Sophia's 12th birthday party - 2 of my 3 all time favorite things -- pizza and cake!

With all the running around I had to do on Saturday I didn't get home until 4 and I hadn't even started cooking the chili, although the meat had been marinating. So I had to call Doug and tell him I wouldn't be able to rehearse. He wasn't very happy about that and said he wasn't going to come to my super bowl party if I wouldn't come to rehearsal. Very mature, yea?

Today I had to meet with the woman house and Tink sitting for us. She's Mr. M's bookkeeper and just LOVES Tinkerbell to death! She's so excited to be able to have all that time with her and I'm happy that somebody will be taking care of her at home, at least for a few days. She'll only have to stay in the kennel four nights.

You just wouldn't believe how everything is growing. It honestly looks like spring out there in the gardens and it's only February. Remember last year how snowy and terrible it was? It was snowing during the St. Patrick's day dash! My tulips are coming up in the garden! I seriously have to get out there or hire somebody soon.

The royal "we"

Yesterday as I was getting ready to take a walk in the lovely sunshine up to the used book store, I got a call from Mr. M. "Can you take a little bad news?" ... this is how he starts the conversation. I don't know about you, but that kind of question makes me want to respond with something like "Hell no!" and a quick hang up. However, I managed to keep it to a curt "Just tell me." A traffic ticket had come in the mail that morning. Seems that on the way in to work on January 20th I was caught on a camera speeding in a school zone. There is a section of road labeled "School Zone" where I have never seen a child, nor is there a school visible. I always slow down though and remark on the fact that it seems rather silly when there are no children around. I'm going to contest it, for sure. The fine is ridiculously high and it's clear from the picture that my brake lights are on, and that had to have happened before the camera flash went off. I remember when it happened thinking that it couldn't have been for me, since I was going quite slow. And honestly, at this point I am more upset that Mr. M opened a piece of mail clearly addressed to me - in fact not even using my married name. I brought up the subject last night briefly. I am sure he thinks it's no big deal. I on the other hand think snooping is the worst kind of thing. I wouldn't dream of opening anyone's mail. Anyway .... rant off.

I did some work on the Enchanting scarf last night. I want to get that thing off the needles. It's pretty but I don't like knitting anything besides socks on size 2 needles.

Mystery solved

Of course, they were right in the closet where they should have been. How I missed them I will never know. I was pretty groggy, having stayed up extra late the night before, but still I am surprised how easily I found them when I got home.

I was SO tired yesterday, all day long. The meeting, as is true of most committee meetings, was more talk than action and I was fighting not to yawn through the entire time. Noon knitting was nice and the sun was out (!!) which is extra nice since there are windows where we knit. And in that natural light I was able to see that the yarn I had purchased for my Great Gatsby Dress is dyed a little funny. I bought it on line because the local yarn store only had one skein of the color I wanted. The on line store said nothing about the yarn not being first quality, but as I said, in natural light it is apparent that these are seconds. Ah well .. I am just figuring it will give the garment depth, especially the lace portions. If I find once I get to the plain knitting that I don't like it then we'll have to revisit the issue.

Mr. M is double booked with shows for this weekend and is loading in the first one today. This means I will not have any help at all for putting together the party for Sunday. I don't think it's going to be an issue because it is definitely not going to be as huge as it was last year. Seems that there is another large show loading in on Sunday so a good many of the guests are now going to have to be working. Oh well ... fewer guests, less mess. And I know the ones that are coming are mostly my friends, so I know I'll have good time. And really, the only thing I have to do is make a batch of chili. I've got a new recipe I'm going to try. It's rather labor intensive but everything I've read indicates it is really worth it. I can cook it Saturday and then only have to re-heat it on Sunday. So I guess my main concern is making an inventory of the disposable cutlery and plates and bowls and replenishing that and maybe buying some chips and stuff to make guacamole when I get the chili stuff. Easy.

The mysterious missing pants

I am SO frustrated this morning I could scream!! I wanted to wear a particular pair of pants today and I could not find them! How can that be? I spent a good part of last Tuesday evening straightening up my office/dressing room, cleaning the closet of unused hangers, etc. etc. I specifically remember picking up those pants because I had worn them a few days earlier and they were draped over my office chair. But when I looked for them this morning I couldn't find them in the closet. My closet is arranged by color (still! Thanks Monika!!) so they could only be in one small part of it, nevertheless I went through the entire thing twice. Somehow I missed them. They didn't just walk out of there on their own. Unfortunately I didn't have time to solve the mystery this morning so I grabbed another pair and off I went. I've got a meeting in a few minutes but I just had to vent. It is beyond annoying. Now I won't be happy until I find them so you know what I'll be doing when I get home this evening.

Last night was "Lost" -- 3 whole hours. One hour of recap and then a two hour premier. And I can just say --- huh? Which of course is probably what they were looking for. Some answers but more questions, like always. 15 more episodes to go.

And another Monday rolls around

On Thursday I got Tinkerbell all checked out at the boarding place and I worked from home again on Friday. I took a little break mid-morning and got my car emissions test and new tabs. The day went by pretty quickly and in the evening I decided to dig out my Rock Star Cardigan. I hadn't touched it for so long -- maybe a year. And after finishing up that Frost Flowers Stole (which I wore out last night) I figured that it would be very easy. But you know what? I just couldn't face it. I've decided to frog it, and here's why. First of all, while I love the yarn (Rowan Kid Classic) I don't like the color of it at all. It's an olive green with way too much brown in it. Secondly, the pattern is not only hard to read (it's printed on dark red paper!) but it is poorly written. Maybe I'll use the yarn for a blanket. Or sell it on eBay.

The weekend was pretty busy. Saturday I did chores and started the Great Gatsby Dress. Even though I am really against doing pieced projects, I am going to make an exception for this. I started the hem lace which is 23 repeats of a 17 stitch 10 row pattern. Then you pick up stitches along the straight edge and start a second pattern which flows into stockinette stitch, then you bind off again and pick up stitches for the ribbing which makes a nice ridge, like on the last skirt I made. I think it's going to be really cute.

Saturday night we had a surprise party to attend, so I got all dressed for the party and went to rehearsal at 4:30, then drove back home and got into Mr. M's car and off we went to the party. The guest of honor was one hour late, but that was okay. The band started a bit early and we chatted with people and had dinner. This was a party to celebrate the retirement of a guy who had a company selling audio gear so basically it was full of live audio geeks. January is the time when they have the most time off. Usually you can't have a normal social life -- it's like theatre people. If you want to socialize with them it's got to be on a Monday. Thankfully we didn't stay long.

Yesterday was Mr. M's birthday so I took him shopping. And in the evening we went out to dinner. Nothing too special.

I've got to start thinking about the party coming up on Sunday. Lots to do for that.

I love working from home!!

Today is going to involve some running around so it is easier to use home as my base in that case. Tinkerbell has to get vetted for her stay at the boarding place. They have a button for a web cam on their site but I couldn't get it to work yesterday. It would be nice to be able to watch her interact with the other dogs while we are gone.

Again I opted for a movie rather than knitting. I think getting that lace monster done kind of took it out of me. Probably tonight I will work on the cashmere thing.

I am SUCH a scatterbrain!

This is the second time I've done this -- packed up my clothes for work and neglected to bring stockings! Today I'm going to have to spend the whole day in my biking clothes. I did change out of my sweaty shirt into my running shirt but otherwise ... here I sit. And I'm cold because it was very foggy out there this morning and chilly. I might have to change into my running pants as well just to warm up. Yes, I think I will do that as soon as I'm done here.

I found a kennel for Tinkerbell. It's called Bow-wow Fun Towne. It's a doggie day care place that also has a swimming pool for dogs and accepts a few dogs for boarding. I have to take her in for an introduction to make sure she gets along with the other dogs, which she will. Then I have to take her to the vet to get a shot and she's all set. I've only got a few more details to take care of.

No knitting last night. "Lost" is starting next week so they had an episode from last year to start bringing us up to speed. I assume they're have a big re-cap next week before the first episode. I hope, because I'm still a little sketchy about the details of last season.

Wraps are the rage

Isn't it funny how knitting -- or at least our Ravelry age knitting -- has its fads? For the past few months it's been increasingly about the wrap or shawl. I was looking at pictures from some knitterly function posted on Ravelry's blog and in every picture at least two women were wearing some type of lacy shawl-ette, bandanna style at their neck, or traditionally around the shoulders. Obviously I'm not immune from the current craze [although I never did succumb to the poncho craze so I must have SOME style sense] and now that my Frost Flowers Stole is an official FO, I started a bottom-up triangular lace pattern last night with the first of 5 balls of cashmere I have. The pattern calls for lace weight mohair but it is looking nice in the cashmere. I just went up three needle sizes to get a nice drape. The pattern is a very simple 8 row repeat, every even row a purl so only 4 different pattern rows. The tough part is that you can't use markers because it's not increasing at the spine of the garment, but on either edge. After a couple false starts I got going last night. I shall reserve judgment on if this is a sane way for me to go -- a lace project with no markers.

Mr. M was working a celebrity memorial yesterday evening and then attending a dinner for the VIPs afterward. I could have attended the dinner but I just hate those things and I didn't really know the deceased all that well having only met him and his wife once. I would have felt awkward and after a day of work I was not up to getting dressed up and driving all the way down there to be uncomfortable. There were a few cool people at Mr. M's table that I might have enjoyed talking to but, again, memorials are not my cup of tea. So I had a nice evening with Tinkerbell and turned in early to watch TV in bed.

I am finding it hard to concentrate at work. It's just a little over 2 weeks until we go on vacation and I'm looking forward to that. Things are going to be pretty busy up until then, too. This weekend we have a party Saturday night (after rehearsal ... gaah), and Sunday is Mr. M's birthday so we'll have to do something ... go out to dinner maybe. I told him that the vacation is his birthday present this year, so that makes it easy.

I heard from the passport office today that they have processed my name change and my new passport is on its way. Hooray, because we need to preregister on the cruise site at least 7 days before we board and they need the passport number. My only other thing to deal with is Tinkerbell. Mr. M's bookkeeper is going to house and Tink sit for only part of the time we are gone. I had a line on a nice girl who house and pet sits for some friends, but she is going to be gone to Hawaii the week we are gone, so now I need to look for a kennel to keep Tink Tuesday through Friday. That shouldn't be too hard. I'll get on it today.

I did it! I did it!!

Oh I can hardly believe it myself, but the Frost Flowers Stole is finished, blocked and dried! What a marathon weekend. I had about 10 rows to go on Saturday and really wanted to get it done this weekend but I wasn't entirely sure that was going to happen considering I had rehearsal Saturday night and a birthday party to attend Sunday evening. But after walking Tink I settled down Saturday at about 12:30 and started knitting. With a couple breaks to run upstairs to change out some laundry I knit until I had 20 minutes to get to rehearsal - 5:40. At that point I had four more rows of knitting to do and I SO wanted to finish it but I had to leave. So I quickly nuked some "Veggie Bites", threw them into a napkin, grabbed a bottle of water and my microphone and ran out the door. I was 10 minutes late to Doug's but .. hmmm .. I didn't see any of the other vehicles. I got to the door and there was Doug with a friend getting ready to walk out the door. He was surprised to see me -- no, no rehearsal because the bass player went to Boston. I didn't remember him saying he was going to Boston but that doesn't mean he didn't say it. So ... back home I went and plunked my butt back down in my comfy chair and tackled the last four rows. At a little after 10 that night I had the knitting finished. I knit the extra couple stitches to get it centered on the needles and put it down. Oh ... no I wanted to start grafting it right then but I thought better of it.

Sunday I had lots of errands and chores so I wasn't able to put half the stitches (238 to be exact) on a spare needle until about 2:30. I started Kitchner-ing the 476 stitches together but after an hour we had to leave for the party. We got back around 7 and I kept at it until I finished around 9:30. [I know ... I should have kept track of exactly how many hours this thing sucked from my life!] After weaving in the two ends I popped it into the washing machine (gotta love that hand wash cycle) and blocked it before falling into bed. And this morning it was all dried and looking fabulous. The seam is all but invisible. I was astonished at myself - I made it to the end without any extra stitches. I must say that I am very doubtful that I will ever again tackle such a project as "real" lace knitting. I much prefer the easier version with a rest row. This pattern on each and every row is really hard. I am pleased with the end product but I don't believe anyone who is not a knitter would know the difference.

I used my camera rather than my iPhone to take this photo this morning so I have it here and can finally post pictures of the coat I made for my sister in November. Unfortunately the picture doesn't show all of the nice lace and fully fashioned increases and decreases. It turned out very well and she loves it, although I think she might have preferred something more fitted. This is very versatile though and I think she'll wear it a lot.

Even though it's not raining I did drive in today, partly because I wanted to bring in my food and running clothes, camera, etc. Scatterbrained me, I realized half way to work that I had forgotten my running clothes. arghghghg I had such a great run on Friday I was really looking forward to today when I was going to run an hour. I guess that'll just have to wait until tomorrow and today, if it's not raining (because I forgot my umbrella as well) I will walk up to the LYS and look at yarn for the Great Gatsby Dress. Any excuse.

More light!

I have noticed lately that it is NOT pitch black at 5 pm and the sun is over the mountains by the time I get to the trail in the morning. Niccccceeee.

I biked in again today -- second day in a row. It's going to be lovely and sunny at lunchtime so I'm going to run as well. I suspect I'll be dragging my tail on the ride home, but I don't care. I am really looking forward to starting my regular running schedule again. I wish I hadn't bought those new shoes before the half-marathon. I really want Nike shoes so I can get the chip and use my iPhone and the Nike software. It is VERY cool. But I really can't justify buying another new pair of running shoes since I haven't even put twenty miles on these newer ones, plus which they are really pretty. Maybe I'll splurge this spring, if I can stay healthy and keep up with a good schedule.

No knitting to speak of last night. I watched a cute movie instead. I really do want to carve out some serious knitting time this weekend so I can knock out the Frost Flowers Shawl. Maybe it'll rain so I won't feel too guilty, because quite honestly I should really get out into the garden and start some clean up. I probably won't though, knowing me.

Old Tink video from September

Shelley

I think I've got it figured out ....

kind of. For some unknown reason -- and I've Googled my fingers to the bone trying to find answers -- when iPhone first put MMS capability on our phones I was able to upload pictures and video, but that doesn't work any more. I have finally figured out that I can email and text message text, but if I want to post a picture (or video? don't know about that yet) then I need to use the iPhone app I put on yesterday. I doesn't make any sense that it did work and now it doesn't, and people are writing angry messages on the Blogger forums, but there has so far been no response from the Blogger team. Interesting .... I'm going to try to figure out the video thing today.

El Nino is doing its thing and it is absolutely spring-like today again. I could smell something blooming on the trail and at my house too. The ride in was wonderful and I even had to stop at 4 1/2 miles and take off my big gloves and put on my half gloves! In January!! I love it.

Yesterday my friend Monika performed yet another miracle and tinked back my Enchanting scarf to where I had goofed. I don't know why I can't see to do that. I don't mean that I need stronger contacts or a magnifying glass -- I mean that I can't visualize the loops [clear as mud?]. Thankfully she can and she got me back to a point where I could get back on track, so I worked on that for a couple hours last night while I was vegging out in front of the TV.

I am SO looking forward to vacation. The only fly in the ointment is my passport. I hadn't changed my name on it so after New Years I got a new picture and sent it off January 6th. They said allow 4-6 weeks to process. I need it in hand Thursday February 11. If I don't have it by next Thursday the 28th I'm going to have to contact them and request express service. I should have just done that in the first place. Oh well -- I won't panic just yet.

Another try at photo posting

Now I have an app. Let's see if I can get a photo in here.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

What's the deal with the iPhone and Blogger???

I posted a video taken from my iPhone in September. I know it worked because I looked at it from a couple different computers just to make sure it was running. And now when I go to the link it doesn't work and the picture I tried to post yesterday did not make it either! That is really annoying. I'm going to look into it further. It makes no sense that it used to work and now ... not.

I obviously never got around to posting from my laptop yesterday. The back is much better today. I think it's still a little touchy from the fall I took in December. I always seem to be on the brink of a spasm. Sleeping on my sister's very uncomfortable fold-out right after it happened I am sure did it no favors. I didn't ride in today. Thought it better to err on the side of caution, although I am just chomping at the bit to get out there and ride. It's lovely today as it was yesterday. I believe it hit 60 degrees yesterday. Very strange spring-like weather. Considering the winter we had last year I am not complaining at all!

I had a pretty decent long weekend. I had my little nephew on Saturday and we had fun taking Tink to the doggie park and playing video games. He is a very precocious 8 year old. He reads at the 5th grade level and has an amazing vocabulary and I forget how young he is. Twenty-four hours is plenty though, so I took him home Sunday morning and came home and watched some football playoff games. We are having our Super Bowl Party again this year and I am rooting for the Vikings because Brett Farvre is about the only quarterback of the teams left that I can get behind. It's always nice to have a team to root for, even if it isn't your own.

Monday was knitting day and I worked a lot on the Frost Flowers Stole. I brought it in for noon knitting today. I really really REALLY want to finish that thing off. I would like to bring it on the cruise with me, for one thing. And for another -- I'm just getting tired of it.

Tweaky back

I have got another back spasm!! I will have to get my laptop in here at some point this morning, but for now it is just me and the iPhone so I thought I would experiment. I used to be able to post pictures from my other AT&T phones using MMS but I can't seem to get it to work with this phone.

Too bad about my back. It looks like it is going to be a nice day and good for biking. It isn't raining.

Did you know ....

that there is a salsa version of "Clocks"? I heard it on the radio on the way in to work today and it is kick ass! I think it's better than the original version.

We had a really good rehearsal last night. Finally it's feeling that we're making progress and I've got a monitor system set up with headphones so my ears don't get blasted and I can hear myself. Both keys for improving. We have a date set for sure now - May 8. I don't really know what is going to be happening. I mean if it's just going to be a party or if he (Doug) is considering charging people. I hope it's just going to be a party. I hate to bug my friends to come see me and then expect them to pay for the privilege. That's kind of creepy.

I got lots of work done yesterday - mostly donkey work on the departmental site. My mood is always so much lighter when I can work from home in natural light. I also managed to get a row done on the Frost Flowers Stole before I had to run out the door to rehearsal. It looks like I've got 20 more rows to go. I have to keep reminding myself that each one is getting shorter. I am now about 40 minutes a row. I am going to block out time on Sunday AND Monday to put in some serious hours. I want this thing done! I am now almost completely committed to making the Gatsby Dress from IK summer '09. It's really more of a tunic than a dress, don't you think? My quandary is what yarn to use. It calls for Rowan RYC Silk Wool DK, which is a lovely yarn but I am feeling this more in a bamboo or cotton/linen blend. I haven't read any positive reviews of Knit Picks CotLin. I love the feel of bamboo and even though I sold the bamboo yarn I had before for the Flutter project, that was because of the color rather than the quality of the yarn. I am then leaning towards buying the bamboo. It does come in a gorgeous peacock blue. Well ... still thinking and searching. But I do believe I will make this before I do that cardigan. Maybe.

A little break in the rain

I am working from home today. I just couldn't stand being in the dark another day ... all day .... and it's been especially dark since it's been so rainy. Today it is a little better. It was not pouring when I woke up and I just took Tink for a little walk and managed to go 15 minutes before I had to put my hood up and hurry back. But that was nice. And I can ALMOST make out blue sky. Ah well still it's much better than most of the rest of the world. We have a visiting scientist from the UK who was supposed to come back to work over a week ago. His flight was canceled because, I assume, they weren't able to fly out of Heathrow. He has been re-scheduled twice. Poor guy.

I am not at all keen on violent movies, but last night we watched "Inglorious Basterds" - a Quentin Tarentino gore-fest. Except for that I thought it was good. Brad Pitt was rather amusing. I liked him also in "Burn After Reading". He seems to have a handle on the dummy character, doesn't he? Of course it gave me bad dreams but I have forgotten them already.

Rehearsal tonight - odd in that it's a week day but Rusty the drummer is going out of town for the long weekend and Doug is on a tear now that we have a goal gig. I don't mind. We'll start at six and I'll be home before 9:30.

I have to drive tomorrow because I have an appointment at 4, but I should be able to run again, which is really good. I am a little sore from running on Tuesday but not too bad. I'm excited to get back on a regular schedule. I can't remember when was the last time I really felt good when I was running. Must be way back in September, before I got sick. I want that back.

Here comes Wednesday ....

and no pains. Wow! I am SO lucky! All of the horror stories people have been telling me about getting rear-ended...... I have gotten off easy.

Yesterday during a short break in the rain I managed to get outside and have a run. The first one in ages and ages. I made it for the whole 30 minutes and it felt GREAT! I am just a teensie bit sore in my legs, which is to be expected. It's noon knitting today, but I will be able to get out there again tomorrow and have another go. I think I'm going to start going for an hour rather than just 30 minutes once I feel like I'm back in running shape. When I was training for the 1/2 marathon I did the hour run from here a few times and it is really not bad at all. I go from here down to the Fremont Bridge using the trail, then turn around and come back. It's flat and picturesque. Obviously I'm not going to be biking as much as I did when I only had 3 miles a leg. It's one thing to ride for 11 minutes in the rain and completely another when it's more like 40. And again today it was pouring rain when I got up, so it was the bus for me. If I up my mileage I won't feel like as much of a slug. Maybe I'll do two 60 minutes ones a week and 30 minutes on other non-riding days.

No knitting last night. At noon today I'm going to finish up that last hat - there are only a couple decrease rows to go - and work on the Enchanting scarf. Since it's tiny size 2 needles, it's not TV knitting at all. We have a long weekend coming up so I'm going to get my knitting projects organized on Sunday or Monday. With only about 25 rows to go on the Frost Flowers Stole, I should put that at the top of my list.

I seem to have dodged a bullet

I left work yesterday morning because I was not feeling too well after my little bump and everyone was urging me to go home and call the doctor. I did just that, and he told me that if I didn't have any sharp pains to just ice my aches and see how I felt. I think I must have braced myself with my left arm when I was hit because my elbow and shoulder were hurting. I brought my laptop to bed and did a little work and took it easy. After dinner I knit for a few minutes and read for the rest of the evening. I woke up today feeling great! I was expecting to be a lot sorer than I am. The doctor said Wednesday will be the worst of it but if today is any indication, I am out of the woods.

Of course it was/is pouring rain again so I rode the bus. ick ick ick If it had just been sprinkling I might have gotten on the bike, but no. By the time we got to the UW it was only lightly raining so I am optimistic that I can get out for a little run this afternoon. At least give it a go. I seem to have my wind back.

I am almost done with what I hope is my LAST hat for a while. This weekend I am going to take another look at the top down white angora sweater I had started before all the Christmas knitting and make a decision on whether I want to continue or rip it out and do a new sweater from the Winter Vogue. I think that the angora soft would work very well for this. And if not, I wouldn't mind making it from mohair. It's awfully cute, isn't it? I'm not all that keen on the turtle neck blouse under it ... but otherwise.

Rear-ended!

Although it was sunny and freakishly warm this weekend, I awoke to another downpour this morning. Friday had started off nice enough but by the time I left for home it was pouring and I got soaked. I didn't want to arrive at work that way, so I drove in. And as I was sitting at a stop light some woman ran into me with her SUV. My car didn't sustain any visible damage and I seem to be okay as well, although I'm feeling a bit queasy and my wrist hurts. I suspect I'm just going to have to wait and see how I feel later. I don't think I'm going to need to see the doctor though. I'm probably just queasy because of the jolt of adrenalin.

The weekend was pretty quiet. Saturday was so amazingly warm, it was spring-like. Quite a contrast to what some of my friends in Europe are going through. But I'm not complaining. After that nasty business last winter I am grateful for the warmer temperatures, although I'm not loving all this rain that much. I can stand arriving back home wet and soggy because I can hop right into the shower and put on dry clothes. Not so when I'm arriving at work. I'll bike in the sprinkles but when it's coming down like curtains, no thank you.

We had a good rehearsal Saturday night and Doug has decided that we're going to shoot for doing a show the second Saturday in May. That gives us a definite goal to plan for and that's a good thing, because Doug is kind of scattered, energy-wise. We're going to rehearse on Thursday night this week because the drummer is going out of town for the long weekend. That works out great for me because I promised my little nephew he could come stay at Shelley's Spa and Resort, but I was going to have to do it Friday. Now I can pick him up on Saturday instead and we'll have all day and evening to play. He's only 9 but he loves golfing, so if the weather is nice I may take him to the driving range. I bought him a junior set of golf clubs a little over a year ago. I'd love to see him use them.

Because my shoulder is still sore, I am guessing it's because of the non-stop knitting I was doing for Christmas. I did not knit this weekend (!! ... I know!) and instead bought some books and spent most of yesterday, after a lovely long walk around the lake, laying on the couch reading. It was a perfect use of a Sunday afternoon.

Now back to the real world. Fingers crossed I don't have any troubles from this accident.

I finally did it

I got back on the bicycle today and rode to work. Yesterday would have been a good day to do it but I had an early meeting and would have had to get up spot on time. Unfortunately I had pushed some odd button on my iHome dock alarm clock thingie and it got off the station. I didn't hear the static until it had been going for 45 minutes. So a quick dash through the shower and out the door I went, driving for a third day in a row. Ah .... but today was "normal" and off I went. It is chilly but it seems that we in the Pacific Northwest are the only ones in the country getting warmer than normal temperatures so even with the wind chill it was tolerable. I did quite well too -- only about 2 minutes off my normal 38 - 40 minute pace. I don't have all my breath back so it is going to be a challenge getting up the hills from the lake.

It was an unusually beautiful sunrise as well this morning. I should have stopped and taken a picture of the mountain and the pink sky but since I was a little late I didn't. Next time I will though. It is really breathtaking.

Work has been busy and hectic all week. I am hoping it will slow down a bit now today and tomorrow so I can catch my breath and clean up my office. I've been so tired when I get home. I didn't do anything last night except cook dinner and watch a movie. I knit on my Enchanting scarf at noon knitting yesterday and if I can take a real lunch hour today I may go over to the South Campus Hub, where there is lovely view of the Montlake Cut, and do a few rows. And if I put my mind to it I just may be able to finish up my Frost Flowers Stole this weekend. More likely that it will spill over into the following one though. I do have to rehearse this Saturday but otherwise I don't believe there is anything else on my plate.

Mystery solved

My work computer is up and running again. Thank goodness it was not infected with a virus, as the IT guy suggested. I am always VERY careful. So far my record is spotless in that regard. The culprit seems to be the network switch. I brought my laptop in just in case. I wouldn't have been heartbroken to have it be something worse. I love working from home. Especially this time of year. I am, of course, immensely grateful that I have a job, especially in light of the budget cuts that don't seem to ever end. However, as I have mentioned before, my office is a windowless box. Every single person without exception that has come to visit me in my "office" has made some comment on how depressing it is, and I couldn't agree more. Since there is not a speck of surplus in our budget for such frivolous things as painting and decor I am left with a yellow room, black shelving on 3/4 of the walls with the other 1/4 just the bare metal brackets. I had the shelves removed from that small portion so I didn't feel quite so claustrophobic and so that I could get to my desk and return without cracking my skull on a corner. The ceiling is high with exposed duct work and three of the ugliest light fixtures you can imagine. I remember last year I got very blue in the winter and the biggest reason, I firmly believe, is this closet. It's pitch black when I get up, dark when I leave for work and nearly dark when I leave for home and fully dark by the time I get there. My only sun exposure is my run and/or walk at lunchtime. Perhaps I can negotiate more telecommuting this winter. I have to learn to deal with it some way.

I did have a very good and productive day yesterday once I got home and could actually do some work. Luckily Mr. M was out at meetings so I had a nice quiet environment. His office is on the main floor and when I'm upstairs in my office I don't really hear him too much, except the phone ringing or if he has crews coming in and out. For the most part it's peaceful and time goes by pretty quickly. My new work laptop is working out fantastically from home. I can't believe I put up with that other one for so long without doing the switch. Having no choice, since it broke, I and kicking myself for not doing it last year.

I did only a little knitting on a hat for one of my nephews last night. I was very tired from the terrible night I had Monday. I got in bed early, watched a little TV and I believe I was asleep by 10. It was a great sleep! I feel pretty normal today.

The cruise is coming up in about six weeks so I've got to get the airline tickets booked, and a hotel for a few nights before we sail to visit with my sister and her boyfriend in Valencia. That's my carrot for the next six weeks.

And a happy new year to all

Ten years ago I was starting my adventure in Paris. It's hard to believe it's been ten whole years. My life is now defined by those six months and the consequences and friendships. Before Paris and After Paris. I do believe I'd give anything to be able to go back and re-live it. Of course if that were an option I also don't believe I'd do anything else. I'd be like Bill Murray in "Groundhog Day", only happy. Oh well -- as far as I know no one has built that machine yet.

NOT the most auspicious beginning for the year for me. As much as I wanted to get on my bike to ride in today, the rain was just thundering down. I would have been soaked to the skin before I got to the trail, so I drove in and I'm glad I did. My computer at work is not working. I spent nearly two hours trying to get something going. Our IT guy is going to have to work on it, so I got all my files together and came home. I would have been miserable trying to ride back home in soaking bike gear.

The holidays were okay. A little too hectic for my taste. The run up to the few days in California were brutal, the days down there great and the trip home a nightmare! And of course a house guest of the worst sort for the entire two weeks. After doing a big Christmas dinner, and then a dinner party for 8 on New Year's Eve I had to decline Mr. M's suggestion of having both of his kids over for dinner on Saturday. Honestly, I just couldn't take having my kitchen trashed another time, and the noise, plus I was on my last nerve with the boy. He took them out and I had a lovely evening ALONE with my doggie and my knitting and silly TV.

I did get some good knitting done on the stole. It is starting to look like something. I've only got about 25 rows left to go. And I don't think I'll be making another one of these. This lace knitting is very intense. I'll try to get some pictures up soon.

It's Wednesday already!

Wow this staycation is zooming right along. I've been sleeping in and knitting for myself. I got a good hour plus in on the Frost Flowers Stole yesterday before I had to have a nap. I also have been putting in a few hours on the new Wii games I got for Christmas. The Sports Resort is so much fun plus Mr. M bought me a Rayman's Raving Rabids game, which is just silliness but fun to play with a group. Maybe we can do that New Year's Eve. I'm just having a few people over for dinner - nothing fancy and at least we don't have to babysit, like we did last year.

Besides knitting on the stole I started another trellis hat so that I can give the other one to my friend who looks much better in oranges than I do. I hadn't realized that the Kureyon I used for that hat did have so much orange but that's the beauty of it. It's always a surprise. The colorway I'm using now has greens and ... well we'll have to see what else. It looks like blues but there always seems to be some sort of brown in there no matter how closely you look at the swatches.

With all this extra, luxurious sleeping I've been doing I've been having some crazy dreams. Much better than nightmares. Those come with stress and I am stress free!

Staycation Day 1

Ah ... I can see that I still need to work on blogging with my iPhone. The picture of my airport cocktail did not come through. I guess I need to send it with messaging rather than email if I want a picture attached.

ANYway ....my sister and I had a wonderful wonderful time together. Time goes too quickly when we're together yapping and shopping and visiting with the boys. Her boyfriend is building a new back lot for Disney and we got to go to the office and see the plans and models. Very cool. But before we knew it Tuesday evening rolled around and we headed for the airport. It had been blowing quite a bit all day but I checked and the flight was listed as on time, so away we went. She got me to the airport in plenty of time, which was good since they were asking for volunteers to take a later flights. Come to find out that later meant the 26th because there were no seats available until then in any airport around the LA area. This was Tuesday night the 22nd, and I was sitting in the airport bar when I got a text from Alaska Airlines saying the plane was delayed until 7:45, having been originally scheduled to go out at 6:50pm. Well to make a very long story a bit shorter, our plane from Seattle couldn't land in Burbank and so it went to LAX and rather than strand us all there we were put on various shuttles and busses and shipped to LAX where a plane was waiting for us. I got home around 12:30 am. Ghastly.

I had been feverishly knitting while with Kelli and got most everything done. Wednesday and Thursday were spent wrapping. We had a family party on Christmas Eve and another party with friends so it was very festive. Thankfully our Christmas dinner was not scheduled until later so I got a somewhat less than hectic Christmas day. Santa was good to me - brought me a new Wii game, the Wii Sports Resort. It is SO much fun. My right arm is sore from playing it. I particularly like the sword games.

The weather has been mild and sunny and so yesterday I got out into the garden and raked up the last of the leaves and I'm glad I did because it is supposed to be raining later this week. I need to get my picture taken for my passport application. I had to do an entire new one for this name change since it had been more than a year. Perhaps tomorrow I'll go out and get a decent picture taken. The last one was hideous!

Also I have just a few more inches to go on Sophia's scarf (not finished for Christmas although the hat was) and then I am going to knit for myself exclusively for a while. I can maybe even put in time on the Frost Flower stole!

And now to browse the yarn sales on line. yeah ....

One last trip to the mall

My sister and I are having a great time! Today we finish up the shopping. The sunshine is much appreciated even though it is not so "seasonal" as Seattle.

I have managed some decent knitting time but it gets cut a bit short since it is always prudent to put the needles aside when the second champagne cork pops. This is experience talking.

Preflight

Aaahhhhhhh



Shelley

Sleep walking

That's what I feel like this morning. The fall that I took on Monday continues to plague me with new aches and pains. Yesterday my back got into the act and I can't lift my right leg without intense pain. This I found out when I was walking downstairs to knitting yesterday at noon. I couldn't rest it however because I had a hair appointment, then dashed home and got the dish ready for the party, changed my clothes while it was baking and off we went. We got home at a decent hour and I got out my heating pad and managed to fall asleep a short while after 10. Unfortunately Tink had some sort of gastrointestinal thing going on. I could hear her tummy gurgling and she needed to go out so she woke me up at 12:45. I took her downstairs and let her out for a while, back up we went and I probably just fell asleep when she woke me again. This time it was 1:45 and she needed to out again. Same routine, back up in bed and once again she woke me up! I know she really needed to go eat grass because I could hear that poor little tummy. That time I got back to bed a little after 3 am. Mr. M's alarm was set to go off at 3:45. He left the house at 5 and so I did manage to sleep a bit between 5 and 6:30, but I am just wiped out! I have so much left to do before I leave. So I'd better get on it!!

I am beyond tired

Exhausted. Worn out. Knackered. All those things. I don't know how long the radio was playing this morning before I woke up enough to hit the snooze button and I kept on hitting it until Mr. M's alarm went off at 7 am!! I won't be able to relax until I get through the security line at the airport on Friday and sit down for my pre-flight cocktail.

I stopped on my way home last night and got some ribbon and paper and boxes and started wrapping gifts when I got home. I wanted to make sure I had a good start on it before I leave or I'll never be able to finish up before Christmas. And while I cooked dinner I also got a start on the dish I need to make for our department party tonight. And then after dinner I worked on the latest hat, this one with a deep reversible cable brim. I am about 15 rows in, but realized last night that something had gone terribly wrong. I either added some stitches or lost some .... whatever I did the cables aren't matching up so I'm going to have to rip it all out and start over! I can do it at noon knitting today. If I can stay awake.

Have I mentioned how excited I am about going to visit my sister? Her boyfriend came home with tons of wine yesterday, because I'm visiting. Kelli was counting -- 14 bottles of champagne in the rack and one in the fridge. She told me not to bring any champagne. I had gotten six bottles of Nicolas Feuillate and was going to bring one down but I guess I'll just save it.

Finally! Some good football news.

Since the Seahawks are a total bust this season, the Huskies have provided the only bright spots in my sports world lately. Jake Locker has decided to return for his senior year. That is HUGE news. As well as the Huskies did this year under the new coach and with Jake healthy, they are going to be quite a team next year. As for the Seahawks --- who knows what's going to happen there. The general manager is gone. Mike Holmgren is being interviewed by the Browns. It sure would be nice if he managed the Seahawks. A perfect fit. I haven't been reading the sports page lately, so I wonder what is up with that. There were rumors going around after the other manager was fired that Mike Holmgren was being considered.

Boy am I ever sore today from my fall yesterday morning. In odd little places, besides my behind. My neck - I guess I must have really clenched up when I fell. My shoulder a little bit too. Again, I am very very grateful that I didn't really hurt myself.

It has really warmed up, although there was snow in the north this morning. I'd be happy if it stayed like this for the rest of the winter. It's perfect biking weather actually. Just misting a bit, and not too cold. Too bad I have to drive in the rest of the week.

Thank goodness for the padded backside

The weather has warmed up. Not by much but it's above freezing, for a welcome change. On Sunday it even snowed a bit in the morning, but it didn't stick. It had gotten down below freezing last night however and therefore it was too slick to ride my bike, so it was public transportation once again (although the LAST time this year). Mr. M cautioned me that the driveway was very very icy and slick so I said I'd be careful and walk across the lawn. There are 3 flagstone steps onto the lawn and then another 4 or 5 down from the edge of the lawn to the roadway. What I didn't take into account is that the flagstones might be slick. I took one step and my feet went out from underneath me and I landed smack on my bottom! It was jarring. Thankfully I seem to have escaped serious injury. My right arm is a bit sore, so I guess I must instinctively put my hand out to keep from landing too hard. It was hard enough though. I went back into the house to collect myself and then got an escort to the street. I made it to the bus stop okay but even though I had started out early, having to collect myself meant that I didn't catch the early bus as I was intending to do. Unfortunately there was something going on because the usual one didn't arrive and the following bus on the schedule was a smaller than usual bus, which meant I had to stand all the way in and half way there the bus quit stopping for additional passengers because we were packed in there like sardines. Like I said - LAST TIME. Unless it freezes again, I am back on the bike when vacation is over.

It was a busy busy weekend. Friday I was just beat when I got home, so we went out for sushi and then watched a silly movie. I slept like a log and slept in on Saturday. Ahhh it was so nice! First on the agenda Saturday was the tree. Unfortunately, Mr. M was in some sort of mood and pronounced the second tree we looked at to be the one. It wasn't until we got it in the stand that it became evident that the tree had some serious issues. Think of a banana - it is very arched. I got it decorated while he was off at his shop and when he got back I had him turn it and push it into the corner so that when you walk into the room it doesn't look bent. But when I am sitting in my comfy chair it is painfully obvious. Ah well .... it's up and done and looks pretty.

Saturday night was a good rehearsal. Doug wants us to be ready to work in early March. We should be able to do that. We've got plenty of material, we just need to get it in shape.

Yesterday was another full day -- shopping, grooming, cards and of course plenty of knitting. Friday night I finished up my sister's cashmere set and worked on the last tassel hat. And yesterday I made a hat for Sophie. Tonight I shall start the matching scarf. Then it's just as many boy beanies as I can get done, I guess.

I woke up early early -- must have been about 4 am -- sorting through all I have to get done this week before I take off. Logistics. It's almost sorted. It's going to be a great week.

I made a Christmas miracle

One of my very oldest friends is not the best at gift buying and he has always come to me for advice about it. His wife knows that and so as long as they've been married she drops "hints" from time to time and I pass them on. Well, she wants for Christmas a certain designer accessory that happens to be one of the hottest accessories this Christmas season. As far as I could find, not a store in the greater Seattle area had one. I contacted the NY headquarters through the web site and they informed me that the item was not sold on line and I had to find a store. I started looking for store locations and that's when I found that we don't have one of them in Washington, so I went to California. I called the LA store yesterday and managed to get the LAST one of these. The woman at the store was so sweet and offered to UPS it up here for $5! Wow. My friend's wife thinks that he's going to have to back order it so she's going to be super surprised on Christmas morning. And I get a bottle of champagne for my trouble. Win win win win.

One more week and I'll be on my way to California! My sister called me last night. She's so excited about me coming down and I am too! I finished up her cashmere cowl last night. I won't be able to wrap her gifts because I'm taking them in my luggage, but I am all done with her now and need to concentrate on a couple of other last minute things. I started the last (I hope) tassel hat last night and then this weekend need to do Sophia's hat and at least start on the scarf. I am going to be SO busy next week, I don't know when I'll have time to knit.

Tomorrow we're going to get our tree and I'll need to get the cards done, if not tonight then tomorrow before rehearsal. On Sunday I've got to set aside some time to wrap the gifts that I already have so that when I get home on the night of the 22nd I don't have to a huge backlog of things to do. It's going to be bad enough getting ready for Christmas. But oh, I wouldn't miss visiting my sister and nephews for anything!!

Still freakishly cold - 18 degrees this morning when I got up. It is supposed to warm up considerably and maybe snow on Sunday. boooooo

Getting into the holiday spirit

Yesterday I took the afternoon off and went shopping. I have been wanting to go to Costco just to look around. In other words, I didn't have anything in mind present-wise, but I wanted to look and I absolutely cannot stand to go on the weekends. It's just too crammed full of humanity for me. Anyway, I had a great time! I founds lots of gifts and even a few things for myself, like a wonderful running/bike top and some slippers and 2 dozen red roses (*very* Christmas-y). Since I'm going to be in California for 4 days I'm going to do my shopping for my nephews down there so I don't have to bring it with me, but I got well over half of the gifts for people up here taken care of yesterday! I need to get organized though. I have to finish Kelli's cowl, which I can do tonight. Then I have one more striped tassel hat to make and a hat and scarf out of chunky yarn. That will fulfill the gift knitting and if I happen to have more time after finishing those things then that'll be bonus. I think I'm in pretty good shape, actually.

Next week is going to be SO busy. I am going to have to be super organized. I think it's going to call for lists and lists and more lists. As long as it doesn't snow, things should run smoothly. It is 15 degrees this morning but still forecasting a warming up tomorrow. Unfortunately it is also forecasting some precipitation on Sunday. Fingers crossed it's not snow!

Woooohooo!

Looks like I get a reprieve! The son isn't going to be arriving until the 18th - when I will be on a plane or even actually touched down in sunny California. Great! He and his dad can have a nice piggy weekend and they'll have Monday and Tuesday to make sure the house is picked up before I get home Tuesday night. Ahhhhhhh .....

Christmas knitting is getting a little frantic. I have to finish the cashmere cowl -- I finished one ball of yarn and have brought it to noon knitting so I can get some opinions on how big it should be. My nephew wants me to knit a scarf and hat for Sophia, and I've got one more tassel hat to do for the little girls. I'm going to use the left overs from Kelli's coat to make Sophie's hat and scarf because it's chunky yarn and it'll go quickly. Plus I can try out the reversible cable technique I read about. I have tons of bits and bobs to make a stripey tassel hat, which should be nice. I am coming to regret the crochet striped scarf I made. It's just too stiff. I should have used a larger hook. I am going to wash and block it and hope it softens up. If not it'll go to a man.

Cold again this morning. I drove in and saw on the sign at University Village that it was 15 degrees. Thank goodness it's dry. Oh but SO dry. It just sucks the moisture out of my skin by the end of the day. And when I run- even worse. Today is a run day. I am looking forward to it. It's nice and sunny even though it's cold.

Talking about jumping into winter

And it's not even officially winter yet!! Another very VERY cold morning. The temperature at my house read 19 degrees this morning so no riding for me. It is forecast to warm up by Friday. Until then I am riding the bus or driving. Today was another bus day since I have no errands to run and I ran yesterday. Yes! I ran! It wasn't very fast or far, but 30 minutes solid. I bundled up and while I did cough a little bit yesterday evening, I feel just fine today so I must be cured. Hoorah!!

I found out Mr. M's son is having his last final Thursday and will descent upon us Friday for yet another 3 weeks. Heaven help me. I pulled out a sweater from the closet in the guest bedroom this morning and found an empty, molding juice bottle on top of my sweaters. Oh ... yes, there is a waste basket in the room. No, this isn't an adolescent I'm talking about but a man about to turn 24 years old this week. I guess I'm going to have to bring out the house rules again and go over them AGAIN when he gets here.

I don't mean to sound like the quintessential evil step-mother but really I have ZERO privacy. Yes, this is a big house, and yes he has his own bathroom. But the guest bedroom is directly across the hall from the master suite and I have to make sure I'm dressed whenever I walk between my dressing room and the master, when I am used to just walking around in whatever stage of undressing I am in. And I like my quiet. And I like to know when I put something down it's going to be there and not ... oh, I don't know ... under the bed in the guest room. Oh well ..... what can I do?

I started a cowl for my sister last night out of the same cashmere I used for her mitts. It is going to be nice. She's in NYC for a couple days. I'll bet she could use it now.

The big chill

Good lord -- the outdoor temperature at my house this morning was 18 degrees! According to the weather folks there is cold air from the north trapped and that's what's causing this deep freeze. Whatever the reason it is just plain too cold for me to ride, no matter that it's nice and sunny and dry. The wind chill going from my house down to the lake is brutal, even with a mask. No thank you. I learned my lesson last year. I do not like arriving at work in tears from pain. Oh ... well I don't like arriving at work in tears from anything ... of course not.

It was a pretty average weekend. Mr. M was busy and out of my hair, so I had plenty of time to work on Christmas gifts, watch silly TV and rehearse. I am amassing quite a pile of as yet unassigned gifts. As of last night I have 4 neck warmer hats, 2 tassel hats, and two scarves. The cashmere mitts, finished on Friday night, are going to be for my sister. I've also decided to make a cowl to match the mitts in a slightly bigger needle size. I'll do the 4x1 ribs around using maybe a size 8 needle and when it's done I'll crochet the picot edging on top and bottom. I guess that means I should also put in a few cable rows so they'll echo more closely the pattern of the Fetching mitts.

I bought some lights for the little Nobel fir in the front garden and put them on yesterday afternoon. Blue. They look nice. Mr. M still has to put up the lights on the eaves but he's pretty busy this week so it'll most likely have to wait until next week. I guess that's when we'll get the tree as well since I'm leaving on the 18th to go down to visit my sister for a few days. I want to have all the decorating done before I leave so I don't come home to some hideous decorating scheme Mr. M might dream up.

Looking forward to a nice run this afternoon. My cough is almost all gone. At rehearsal on Saturday I got a little hoarse after a couple hours, but no real coughing fits. Fingers crossed I am cured!!

Finally

I got back on the bike today! Finally!! It was cold this morning - 31 degrees - but clear and beautiful so I togged up, put a scarf on my face to protect from the wind chill and set out. I've been here for an hour now and still my legs are a bit cold, but otherwise I feel great! No ache in the chest. No coughing. Gosh, maybe I'm well.

I didn't run yesterday because of knitting but Tinkerbell got a nice long walk when I got home. I have to steel myself and get back out there and run. I believe that since I was so sick for the last ... what ... month? ... I was training, that I should feel like I have wings on my feet when I get back out there. I think I'll sign up for the 5K on February 13 - the day before we leave to go on our cruise. Maybe I can beat my time from last year. Believe it or not, that is the last race I ran! The Love 'em or Leave 'em last February. I was going to run in March but a) it was snowing and b) I'd had a cold. Ah well ...

I did finish up the cashmere mitts last night and instead of starting on a beret to match I pulled out some other yarn and started on another hat with tassels. It's great TV knitting and I was watching some recorded stuff and didn't want to mess with an unknown pattern.

It's pretty nice today, but since it's still clear it's cold. There was ice on some of the puddles next to the trail this morning. I sure hope we don't get another winter like last year.

Maybe not across the universe ...

but pretty far away --- I want to send happy birthday wishes and thoughts out there and hope they stick. Tu me manques.

You should have seen the moon yesterday! It is dark when I leave work and because I'm still working up to biking and running -- maybe going to have a run today, actually -- I drove in and so on my way to the parking garage I looked up and actually gasped. You know how sometimes the full moon is just so big and bright. That's how it was last night. It's very clear here these past couple days so it was extremely bright. And in the morning it was still hanging there in the sky. Just gorgeous!

Clear skies of course means that it's colder. Because Mr. M had to leave before 7:30 and won't be home until nearly midnight, that means that Tink will be alone all day until I get home. I just couldn't ride my bike in today and leave her for that extra hour or so. Plus it was frosty! I need to get another pair of glove liners since the ones I used last year got worn through a few of the fingers. I do believe it's going to cloud up here soon though and that will warm it up a bit.

I walked for over an hour yesterday at lunchtime and felt pretty good! Not much coughing at all. And my shortness of breath is all but gone. I mean ... for a while there I couldn't even climb the stairs in my house without stopping at the top, panting. It was pretty scary. I'd guess by the end of the week I'll be 100%. And I can't wait. I am SO tired of being sick.

I got the second cashmere mitt cast on and half way knit last night. Hopefully I'll get them all finished up between noon knitting and this evening. The cashmere is knitting up beautifully. I may do a couple more.

Vacation day

Ah ... I should say "vacation" day since I've been working all morning. I'm taking the rest of the day off though - no working, no more emails to work. I've finished all the carpet cleaning I'm going to do today and the rest of the day is dedicated to knitting and relaxing.

It wasn't a bad holiday, considering the son was staying with us for a few days. Thursday we went out for Thanksgiving dinner, just the two of us. The dinner was fabulous and it was great not to have to cook for a bunch of ungrateful people, like last year. I even ended up with enough left overs to have a sandwich the next day. I did work on the Frost Flowers Stole as well and got lots of it done. However because of the way I have been sitting in the chair and the fact that the lace yarn is on a cone, I have to pull up each time I need more yarn and after a couple days of doing that for a few hours each time, my shoulder is hurting! So I made another hat, just to keep my knitting chops up and get another gift on the pile.

Friday we went to see the new Christmas Carol in 3-D at the Imax theatre. It was astonishing! Just enchanting. The 3-D is so realistic and the movie itself is lovely and very true to the original story.

Mr. M was working all of Saturday and Sunday, getting up each morning between 3:30 and 4 am. He did the children's 1/2 marathon and 5K on Saturday and the regular marathon and 1/2 marathon (the one I was supposed to run) on Sunday, then both days afterwards to set up another huge show in Tacoma. So I had plenty of time alone to feel sorry for myself and other such useless pastimes. I was so blue yesterday I couldn't even knit. Lucky for my state of mine, we had a rehearsal and I went. First time in a month! The boys were very happy to see me and I did okay, considering. I was coughing quite a bit after a couple of songs and was wishing I had brought my inhaler but I kept on and made it for 3 hours.

And now I think I'll cast on for a pair of cashmere fingerless mitts for my sister.

No whinging -- just the facts

Okay - here's how it went down. On Sunday the 18th I did the Cougar Mountain 8 mile run. It was tough but I just figured it was because the trail was hilly and full of roots and slippery. But the following Tuesday I had the flu and was sick for the entire week and therefore skipped the October 25 9.5 mile run. On November 1st I did the 10 mile run from Madison Park to REI and back, also a very difficult run but I felt okay until the 3rd when I woke up with a bad cold, so I skipped the 12.5 mile run on the 8th because I was coughing, etc. I was still in the running, so to speak and so on the 15th of November I did 5 miles even though I hadn't run but one day during the week and I still had the cold. Bad idea my friends because it made my cough MUCH worse so that last Monday, the 16th, I went to see my doctor. I have an infection in my lungs. Nice. He told me not to run and gave me some antibiotics and an inhaler. Actually I wasn't buying it and told him it was a fund raiser. I think he was just being nice telling me that okay, I could run*if* I would agree not to ride my bike to work and only run at the gym until the race. I couldn't get myself to the gym or do anything last week. I got worse before I started feeling better and today I am still coughing and not 100%.

I am profoundly disappointed still, one week later. I have been training since August for this race! And the people who donated ..... again, thank you all. At least it's for a good cause and all that but I feel like I'm letting people down. I know that I just have to let my body heal and I can run again soon. It was just something that I never thought I'd be able to do, and then to get to the point where I could actually run 10 miles without falling over and not be able to do the race ..... it's just so annoying! Probably I'll be glad. Most likely it'll be raining or sleeting and very cold on race day and I'll be glad to be out of it. But for now, not so much. And that's the end of that.

I had an entire weekend with no obligations. The first one in a long time. I did some of my Saturday errands on the way home from work on Friday so that I could spend Saturday morning finishing up Kelli's coat and get it in the mail. Which I did. I took pictures but I forgot to bring my camera. I'll post them tomorrow. Saturday evening was a little party for Mr. M's eldest daughter. Because I've been sick we took the party to her house. I had baked a cake and some cup cakes in the morning and we got pizza. I hadn't eaten all day so I ate pizza with abandon.

And yesterday I tried to keep my mind off running. I bought myself a new toy -- a beautiful new carpet cleaner. Our carpet is beige and I can't keep up with the spots. It's really making me crazy, so now I've got a lovely new machine and this long weekend I can do a room or two a day. (I think I'm cracking. A carpet cleaner - the bright spot of my weekend. *sigh*)

We only have to work 3 days this week and then I'm taking next Monday off so I'll have a 5 day weekend. I worked a bit on the Frost Flowers Stole yesterday afternoon for the first time in a few weeks. Maybe for the long weekend I can get it finished - or near.

Reason number 100,000,001 why I hate the bus

It is very windy and rainy today and so I decided to take the bus rather than ride in and get soaked again, especially since I am still coughing. Because of the complicated lights at the intersection it takes for ever to get across Lake City Way. As I was standing there my bus pulled up to the stop just as the light turned green. I ran across the street but no one on the bus saw me so just as I rounded the end of the bus and started for the door, it pulled away. *sigh* I freaking hate the bus.

I am going to call the doctor today. It's been more than two weeks since I started coughing and it just won't go away. I ran on Sunday (in the rain) and had such a hard time breathing even though I've been really laying low. I could have bronchitis and if I do I would like to get it taken care of before the race so I can have a decent time.

I mostly worked on Kelli's coat this weekend. I was supposed to rehearse but Doug didn't call me until almost 3:30. That is just too late. If I don't hear from him by Friday I assume that we're not rehearsing and I'm onto something else. Oh I will be so happy to get my Sundays back. Not that I'm regretting doing the 1/2 marathon training, it just takes such a bite out of my free time.

But the Huskies and the Seahawks were pathetic this weekend. Thankfully I had been away getting my hair done on Saturday so I had the entire game recorded. When we got to half time I just started fast forwarding and saved myself the horror of watching them get humiliated. Or rather I at least didn't have to watch it in real time. The Seahawks were up 14 to 0 and then got killed. Dang. That means I won't be going to Las Vegas.

Here's a new one

First of all, thank you SO much for the support Mr. ....ish. Very generous of you.

Today is the first really miserable ride of the year. It was blowing and raining and cold for the entire ride. I got to work soaked to the bone. I wish I had thought to bring a second pair of socks and I hope my pants and gloves dry out before it's time to go home because putting on damp clothes and going out in the cold is not fun. But all that pales in comparison to what I found when I took my clothes out of the pannier -- or rather what I didn't find. Stockings. I remember taking them out of the dresser but I must have left them on the floor in my dressing room because they are NOT in the pannier. And now I'm sitting here bare legged in a skirt. I am cold and very uncomfortable. There's a small chance the hospital gift store has stockings so I'll go down after I finish my tea.

I did run yesterday and it was difficult. I still have a bit of a cough and it was hard to breathe. My shoes seem to be working out. The laces are still not quite right -- a bit too tight on the left foot -- but otherwise they feel pretty good. We're only doing 5 miles this Sunday and I'll wear them again. We're going to be running on part of the course. Hopefully not a hilly part of the course.

Okay, I can't stand it any more. I'm going to search out some stockings. Keep your fingers crossed.

WIP-tacular

I have had a bad case of start-itis lately. Tuesday when I got home I just couldn't help myself. I have been wanting to make something with the two gorgeous balls of Tilli Tomas Beaded Lace I got from Little Knits a few months ago and I finally found a pattern on Ravelry that I thought might work. Problem is that I only bought two balls ... well, even on sale it is very expensive. Every pattern I found called for at least 3, until I found Enchanting, a scarf with a tilting blocks pattern. I got the yarn wound and cast on and got a few rows in when there was a knock on the door -- this had to be aboutyarn for my sister's coat, the Long Coat with Chevron Lace, from Fitted Knits. I promised her that I would put all other projects aside when her yarn came and get to work on that coat, so since yesterday was a holiday, that's just what I did. I slept in, went shopping at Trader Joe's and then settled in for a long afternoon of knitting. This is "big ass" knitting (as my friend Peggy calls it) -- large needles and bulky yarn. I haven't worked with big yarn for a long time now. The better I get at knitting the smaller the needles I seem to want to us 6:30 pm. It was the e. But the thing about big needles and yarn - instant gratification. I got the sleeves on holders and all of the shaping done and now I am working on the body of the coat! If I can keep up the pace I should be able to finish this before Thanksgiving.

Also on the WIP list is a modified Simple Knitted Bodice in white angora and the stripped crochet scarf. Instead of lace I'm doing a ribbing with a twisted stitch that looks like a little cable.

I ended up not running on Tuesday but I HAVE to do it today and I can breathe a lot better. This cold is hanging on but my cough is nearly gone and I am pretty sure a run will do me good.

Wow ... it's finally going away!

I did NOT wake myself up coughing last night! What a wonderful things that is. A nice, restful night. And I'm going to run at lunchtime today. I brought my new shoes in with me. I used them on that 10 mile run a couple weekends ago and I wasn't thrilled with them, but since I was breaking them in on a really long run, I thought I'd give them another try before I consider returning them. They are really pretty. I must say though, I am looking forward to this run being done. I can't wear high heels with all this running I'm doing and I miss them!

No knitting last night. I have tomorrow off so I am planning on doing a few hours on the Frost Flowers Stole. And pictures ... I'll take some. I would also like to spend a little time in the garden, weather permitting, and plant some spring bulbs. The weather is sure to turn soon, so I've got to get them in ASAP.

And the cough lingers ....

I came to work Friday still hacking, but feeling a little less under the weather. Still optimistic that I could run on Sunday. The weather was just beastly Friday but the rain stopped around 4 for a while. However, by the time I stopped at the store and got home it was coming down like crazy. I opened the door to let Tink out and just as she stepped onto the deck the sky lit up and a big clap of thunder roared and she turned right around and wanted in. Poor little thing was so freaked out. She couldn't get close enough to me.

I know I said I wasn't going to start another project but I didn't feel like knitting on the angora sweater so I picked up a crochet hook and a few random balls of yarn and started a stripped scarf. I have seen some very cute ones here and thought I'd see if I could replicate it. It's looking kind of mannish so I shall gift it.

Saturday I was STILL coughing and so no rehearsing for me. Besides, Mr. M came home at 8. Thankfully the rain had stopped. I sure wasn't looking forward to driving to the airport in a rain storm. The Huskies lost a heart breaker on Saturday to UCLA. That was mostly my day - watching the game and working on the scarf. And even though we had a couple margaritas with some awesome mescal Mr. M brought back from his trip I still had insomnia. I finally got up at about midnight and sat downstairs and watched TV and worked on the scarf until 3:30!

Sunday I really wanted to run but I was still so congested and coughing so, discretion being the better part of valor, I passed and spent a quiet day. And the Seahawks won, finally. That was nice. And again bedtime came and I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep. I finally went up around midnight and slept for a few hours until my coughing woke me. But I'm coughing LESS, which is good. I rode my bike in. Hopefully I will be able to run tomorrow. We are getting close -- only 3 weeks until the race.