3/8/07

Sorry for the long absence. Had a wonderful trip to Hawaii. The flights are KILLER, but once you get there it is awesome. I got to see a lot of Oahu, and some of Hawaii (flew over to see the volcanoes). Would certainly go back if he has to go work again. Not sure I would go on a regular vacation. He is a bad tourist so to pay that much to go on our own doesn't make sense.

I tried to post a picture, but they need to be resized. They are too big to upload. I will try to get him to do that so I can post a couple of pictures. I really do need to learn more about that digital camera!!!

Not much knitting to report. I only took a scarf from sock yarn with me and didn't have much time to do that. This week I have been busy getting unpacked and clothes washed from the Hawaii trip and packing and getting ready for my Outer Banks trip. I leave Saturday for a week down there. The second weekend is our Quilting Weekend at Barefoot Quilter. I am going to try to make this mostly a quilting week, with just a little knitting. I need to get some quilting done too!!!

I have been very good with my Fiber Diet. NO purchases while in Hawaii. The fact that I didn't find a store of either variety is not relevant to the discussion!!!

I lost about 4 lbs while I was there. Eating was somewhat of a problem. The first time since I had surgery that I felt that way. There was NOTHING on the plane or time in the airports to get anything going or coming. With 20+ hour trips this is an issue. I carried Slim Jims and protein bars to tide me over and I am glad I did, because that is all I got either way. While we were there, food was either outrageously expensive or there was a several hour wait to get in places. I am just not willing to pay $60 for an entree that I might eat a 1/3rd of. And of course, there was no saving it for later either. It wouldn't have bothered me to pay that before my surgery, but not now. So I really didn't eat good while I was gone. So I may gain the 4 lbs back now that I am eating right.

My dogs were so excited to have me back home. They haven't figured out that I am leaving again yet!!! They will be unhappy, but at least he will be home with them this trip. They just need a lot of attention. Of course, that is because they are the most spoiled dogs in the whole wide world. And I know I am the cause, but that is what they are for, right?

I read "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" on the plane over. It was ok. Very deep, and I had heard so much about it there really wasn't anything new in it. Then I started and almost finished "Wicked". This is interesting, but I little wordy. I will finish it soon. Next on the list is "Knitting under the Influence". On the front of the book is a picture of a Cosmo and knitting. He thinks this is my autobiography!!! ;-)

I have gotten in 2 good runs since I got back. I have to get back on track with that now. Yesterday I ran ALL of all 8 intervals. The first time that I haven't wimped out on the end of several of the intervals. Maybe I am finally making some slow progress. Running gear will be going to the beach with me. Hopefully the weather will be good. As you know, I am a fair weather runner!!

Chat later
Susan

2/21/07

Back to try to add pictures again. I discovered last night that the pictures I was trying to post were HUGE. DH shrunk them down last night so I am trying again. Wish me luck.

Yippee!!! now let's see if I can do another one.

Not formatted like I wanted, but at least they are pictures. Beginners can't be but so picky!!!!

Chat later

Susan

2/20/07

Well, Sahara is finished. It is a little too snug. Maybe I will loss a few more pounds so it will fit. It is cute and if I was 16 maybe I wouldn't think it was too snug, but at my age, I don't need quite so form fitting. ;-(

I have finished my February Socks for the SAM 3.

I have just spent the last hour trying to put a picture here. This really makes me crazy!!!

Any they are knit with Socks That Rock Lightweight in Queen Rock color. It is the Stitches of Violet Basketweave Rib pattern. I really like them. I was afraid I was going to run out of yarn, but I had plenty.

I have started a scarf from Stars and Stripes Patterned sock yarn from Skacel. It is just stockinette stitch so it is for my mindless times and what I am taking on the trip because it is small.

I also started my Civil War Shawl. It is going very smoothly. Some of the easiest lace knitting I have ever done. I am on row 73, but of course, each row gets longer!!! It will go on hold very soon because of the trip

The Outer Banks weekend is all scheduled. But I am turning it into a week at the beach. It will be in March so not laying out weather, but last March my week was beautiful. I can rest up from my Hawaii trip!!! ;-)

Well back to trying to figure out how to post pictures. Hopefully soon.

I continue to be good on my Fiber Diet, BUT the quilt show, which also has yarn, is this week. Can I really resist that much fiber all in one place and time!?!?!

Chat later
Susan

2/13/07

Well, today is 14 months since my weight loss surgery. I have lost 120 lbs. I had thought it would be 122, but somewhere between Saturday and Wednesday, I mysteriously "found" 2 lbs!! ;-( Of course, it could be lack of exercise!!!

I have almost finished Sahara. I just have the neckline and a tiny bit of finishing. It is knit top down so all you have to do is sew a short seam in the front neckline and weave ends. So that may get finished today.

I still have the socks to finish this month, but I am to the heel so they will go pretty fast.

I have one more room cleaned out in my house. Hopefully soon downstairs will be finished. They I have to take the bulldozer upstairs!!! ;-) And of course my sewing room needs a lot of work.

The Hawaii trip is pretty well planned. Since I am going to be by myself during the day, I am sticking to tours. That way the bus picks me up at the hotel and drops me back at the hotel. I don't have to try to drive and navigate at the same time. I am sure the other drivers will appreciate that. If anyone has any eating spots to recommend, please let me know. If I leave it to my husband we will eat at Outback every night. I like Outback, but we can eat there at home and I bet they are exactly the same!!!

I am reading Wild Fire by Nelson Demille. I love his stuff. I have read most of his books, maybe even all, but I am not sure. It is very good. Suspense, mystery, a little romance thrown in. Another thing I want to finish before the trip, so I can take a new book with me and not a half finished one.

Chat later
Susan

2/11/07

The Sheep Shawl is blocking. I looks good. It was fun to knit. The orchard portion was quite frustrating but the rest went very smoothly. I was going to take a picture to post once I got it blocking, but it is cream spread out on a cream color carpet, so you can't even see it in the picture. ;-(

My February socks are ready to have the heel done. So I should make it on those before we leave for Hawaii on the 24th.

Sahara has one sleeve. It needs a second sleeve and the lacework at the neck and it is done. Hopefully it can get finished before the trip too. If I can get them both done, I will have nothing on the needles. Unless, of course, I start something else. Not sure if I am going to take any knitting with me. I read or sleep on the plane. Feel so squashed that I don't feel like I can do anything else. I may take some hand piecing with me for in the room. It fits in a small space. Or, if I decide to take knitting. I am planning a scarf make from sock yarn so that would be small to take. Anyway, I have 2 weeks to decide that.

As far as the running, I haven't done a thing in almost 2 weeks. I am such a wimp. If this cold wet weather doesn't end soon, I can give up the half marathon. Somehow you have to run, to be able to run a half marathon. Odd concept, but that is how it works.

There is a quilting weekend in the works for mid-March on the Outer Banks of NC. I hope it works out. I need to do some quilting. Seems all I do is knit.

Chat later
Susan

2/4/06

Well another Super Bowl Sunday. I never watch the game, but at least I didn't have to work myself to death at a Super Bowl Sale. First time in about 10 years that I haven't work either at another shop or my own for the sale. Major Crazy Days!!! I really enjoyed the peace and quiet today.

I worked on my Sheep Shawl. I have finished the body. Now just to get the edging on it.

I still have my February socks for SAM3 to finish too. I have until the 23rd. We leave for Hawaii on the 24th, shouldn't be a problem, if I can keep from starting something else new.

I also worked on my pattern inventory today. I have yarn and books done. I have the patterns left then to organize the fabric. I don't think I am going to spreadsheet the fabric. Mostly because I can't figure out how it would be useful.

I haven't run in over a week. I have been Nordictracking. I just can't seem to make myself go our the door in the rain or if it is below freezing. I know, I am a major wimp. Maybe after we get the taxes done, I can have my treadmill. It was next on the list before Hawaii came up. Just don't feel comfortable doing both until we find out if we owe Uncle Sam or not!!! ;-(

Tomorrow is a loss as far as getting anything done. My cousin died in DC and I have to take my Mother up to the funeral. It will be an all day endevor (have y'all realized I can't spell?). But some things you just have to do.

Chat later.
Susan

2/2/07

Today was Groundhogs Day. Based on the weather at my house it should be an early Spring. That would be nice, I haven't gotten outside for a run in a week. I have been Nordictracking. It is good exercise, but just not the same. Hopefully we really will have an early Spring, but next week doesn't show any signs of it. They are calling for snow at least one day and the coldest week all season, so far.

I failed to do a end of January update on my "Yarn Diet". I have managed to follow my rules, so far. I did buy the yarn for the Sheep Shawl, but it is a KAL which is a class, right? And besides, it was only $9 so I was quite conservative!!!!

Finished "Holly" by Jude Deveraux. It was very good, so when you need a mindless book, grab this one. No thought required!!!

Reservations are made for Hawaii. I am so excited. Now I just have to figure out where I want to go while I am there. And of course, what project I am taking to work on!!! That is way more important than what clothes to wear!!! ;-) But is has to be small so I can pack it.

The Sheep Shawl is coming along nicely. I hope to finish up to the sheep tonight. Then I will only have sheep, grass and edging to do. My goal is to finish it before I go on the trip so I can start the Civil War Shawl when I get back. That KAL is starting in March.

I have my February socks started for SAM-3. So need to finish before I leave so I can post a picture by the deadline. I can start my March socks on the trip.

Meet with the Barnes & Nobles group today. We had fun as usual. Two of them are working on the October Coat, since I wore mine last week. Two are working on the Sheep Shawl and two are talking about it (go ahead and cast on Linda!!!). Not our best day. The cappacino machine was broken so no frothed drinks, bummer!!!! ;-(

Well back to Sheep Shawl.
Chat Later
Susan