Friday October 31, 2008

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

This was me at our park day party yesterday. (I haven't fixed my camera issue, someone emailed me that) The kids had a blast, and some of the moms even dressed up. We still have two more parties to go to, and I am dressing up again tonight.

I have managed to do some yoga each day this week. I am taking weekends off. My colon cleansing product was delivered yesterday, and I am starting the program. I can really use it this week, too. Yesterday was not a good eating day. I decided to skip snacks because of the potluck, and I was starving by the time we ate. I did eat less than I wanted to, but not healthy choices. I also didn't cook dinner, so we just had leftover sandwiches from the park. This morning, I decided to try out the nutrition tracker on Spark People. I seem to have trouble figuring out the tools on that site. The good news is that I did figure it out, and I seem to be on track with nutrition.

The real news is that Joaquin Phoenix announced that he is no longer going to act, and is focusing on his music career. (Yeah, I told him he could use that excuse- he really just misses me too much when he is filming.*wink*) I've been working on my Sea Silk shawl, and I am nearing the end. When I finish that, I should focus on my sweater. It's starting to cool off again some.

Have a safe and sane Halloween, and don't forget to change your clocks this weekend!

Wednesday October 29, 2008

I'm sorry J.P.- I made you a year older than you really are. You can't run for president quite yet.

We're having one of those "slow as molasses" mornings. My alarm dind't go off, and I woke up at 7:30 with a little person in my bed. I was too hungry to do my yoga without eating some breakfast, so now I have to wait a bit. I had to coax the cat off the roof, and his back was all wet. The kids asked what I thought had happened, and I said that I thought he went into someone's yard who didn't want him there, and got squirted. Maybe it will teach him a lesson, but I doubt it.

We have one last piece of The Boy Wonder's Halloween costume to glue, and that is it. He likes the way that is is turning, and I am glad. Princess Stomping Foot will get to wear her costume for the first time at dance tonight. I've got to get the house clean today- I seem to keep putting that off. The Boy is very excited- we found a website where he can watch episodes of Naruto online. It's called Hulu, and they have a bunch of new and old shows that you can watch. I watched an episode of The Starter Wife last night.

When The Rusty Knight found the note from Miss Next Door in the backyard (it was labeled To: Jack From: Your Secret Admirer, and it was a colored picture form a coloring book), I had asked him if he was going to let the neighbors know. He decided not to, since her name wasn't on it and it never even reached The Boy. A few days later, The Boy complained that Miss Next Door had thrown something at him in the backyard. Now, he didn't actually see her do it, but she has a history of doing this. I have personally seen her do it a number of times when she doesn't think I can see her. Rusty did go over and tell the parents about this, so that they could address the problem. I never heard anything more about it until yesterday. Her Ladyship didn't want to go over and play with Miss Next Door. She said she didn't think that Miss Next Door could play with her because her dad didn't like The Boy because he had said she threw something when she didn't. At first, I didn't understand. The parents seem reasonable enough. Then it clicked. The dad didn't say that- Miss Next Door told Her Ladyship that her dad had said those things. She is a bit of a embellish-er, and quite sneaky. THIS is why I could become a Hermit (and don't even tell me that it will get worse as the kids get older).

Tuesday October 28, 2008

Happy Birthday Joaquin !!!

I just had to say that. He's 35 today, and I hope it's a good year for him. I'm looking forward to his new movie coming out in February, but it's a long wait.

I still can't get the pictures off of my camera, and The Rusty Knight hasn't been able to figure it out, either. So, I'll be without pictures the rest of the week. (Which also means that I can't list those seconds at my etsy shop yet).

Anyway, we picked up the rest of the materials for The Boy Wonder's Halloween costume yesterday. I hope it works out as well in real life as it is in his imagination. We shall see. I have today to get it all done, and that is it.

Not only am I down another pound of weight this week, but I can finally get into my new jeans. I was really surprised. I have been trying them on periodically, so I know how much tighter they were the last time. I pulled them on and was trying to see how much further away the button was, and it just popped into the buttonhole- just like that! I think the Yoga is really helping. I was going to take them to the tailor to be hemmed, but since I have to get the sewing machine out for the costume, I just may hem them myself.

Oh- I saw this quiz on someone else's blog, and I took it. It's only two questions, so it's short and kind of fun. :
http://www.helloquizzy.com/tests/are-you-a-jackie-or-a-marilyn-or-someone-else-mad-menera-female-icon-quiz

Here are my results:

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Ingrid!

You are an Ingrid -- "I am unique"

Ingrids have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.


• * Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.


• * Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.


• * Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.


• * Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!

What I Like About Being an Ingrid

• * my ability to find meaning in life and to experience feeling at a deep level


• * my ability to establish warm connections with people


• * admiring what is noble, truthful, and beautiful in life


• * my creativity, intuition, and sense of humor


• * being unique and being seen as unique by others


• * having aesthetic sensibilities


• * being able to easily pick up the feelings of people around me

What's Hard About Being an Ingrid

• * experiencing dark moods of emptiness and despair


• * feelings of self-hatred and shame; believing I don't deserve to be loved


• * feeling guilty when I disappoint people


• * feeling hurt or attacked when someone misundertands me


• * expecting too much from myself and life


• * fearing being abandoned


• * obsessing over resentments


• * longing for what I don't have

Ingrids as Children Often

• * have active imaginations: play creatively alone or organize playmates in original games


• * are very sensitive


• * feel that they don't fit in


• * believe they are missing something that other people have


• * attach themselves to idealized teachers, heroes, artists, etc.


• * become antiauthoritarian or rebellious when criticized or not understood


• * feel lonely or abandoned (perhaps as a result of a death or their parents' divorce)

Ingrids as Parents

• * help their children become who they really are


• * support their children's creativity and originality


• * are good at helping their children get in touch with their feelings


• * are sometimes overly critical or overly protective


• * are usually very good with children if not too self-absorbed

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Monday October 27, 2008

Well, I am photo-less again today. I can't get my computer to read my card, so I will have to wait for The Rusty Knight to get home and see what's going on. I finished the gray socks for The Boy Wonder, and immediately cast on another pair for him. He now has three pair that fit, but in the winter it takes a few days for things to dry.

Today was my weekly weight check in, and I am down another pound. I' would have liked it to be more, but I really didn't expect it this week. I was really hungry, all week long. I'm not sure what that is about. I haven't felt hungry until now. We also ate out a few times. I guess it's a good thing that I am doing the yoga now. I did it four times last week, and I already did it this morning. I am having to modify less, which is good. It also makes me get up early in order to get it done before the kids are up, which makes me get to bed at a decent hour. All around, it's a Good Thing (as Martha says). I ordered a colon cleansing program to try out. I know that some people have great success with those. This one sounds fairly gentle, and it has the pro-biotic that you take with it to add the good bacteria back into your system. I'm not one for miracle cures or diet pills, but I am open to natural supplements. I also want to try the Acai Berry. But I only want to do one thing at a time, to see what it really does. This week is going to be crazy: I have to get the supplies for, and finish making The Boy's costume, Her Ladyship has parties at dance this week, there is the parkday party/potluck on Thursday, a friend's party Friday night, and Rusty is taking the kids to his brother's party on Saturday. Rusty should be leaving for a business trip Wednesday, and driving back on Friday. So, this week will just be all about maintaining sanity and starting each day with my yoga.

I have a bunch of "seconds" yarn that I am going to list in my etsy shop- when I can figure out how to get the pictures up. I'm going to slash prices and have a huge "sale". I just need to get rid of these right now- so watch for it.

I've turned the heel on the second gray sock, but I ran out of yarn. I was hoping to get two pair out of one ball, but maybe I can do shortie socks for the second pair. The heel of the old knitted socks are no longer on the heel of his foot, so I'd better get these done soon!

I'm still working on my top down sweater- sleeves are separated, and I need to try it on again to see if I've increased enough for my bust. I'm not really excited about this sweater, but I'll be glad to have it this winter.

I picked up the holiday edition of Vogue the other day. It has some pretty neat patterns. I don't know that I will make any of them right now, but it was a good read.

Yesterday, we went to Scandia with our homeschooling group. The kids had a lot of fun, and both of them (and their father) rose the Sky Screamer ride. The Boy Wonder didn't like it that much, but Her Ladyship wanted to ride it again. She is kind of a daredevil, and I wonder now if that is partly due to her lack of depth perception. The Boy Wonder had a hard time on the go-carts. He was weaving back and forth, and causing near misses all around him. Of course, he was oblivious to all of this. The Rusty Knight was riding in his own car, and trying to yell directions at him, but that didn't help much. He thought the ride operators were going to kick The Boy Wonder off the ride. Of course, he wasn't doing it on purpose, but it just reinforces the idea that he is probably not going to be ready to be a driver at age 16, much to him chagrin. I was glad that Rusty was home to take the kids because it allowed me to get some Christmas shopping done. I know that it's too early for some people, but I like to be finished early and enjoy the season without that on my mind. I got the majority of the stocking stuffers covered, and also The Rusty Knight's gift. He's been brewing his own beer, so I got him a set of beer pitcher and mugs.

I got the last package that I have been waiting for. It's an outfit for the Christmas Dinner that Rusty's work always puts on. I got it a little bit tight, hoping it will fit by December. It's a little motivation for me, and it will be a nice reward. I love, Love, LOVE the top, and it is just a smidgen tight, so that should be perfect. The pats are really nice, but also quite tight. I don't know if I will make it into those by then. I will make it into them sooner or later, though. I can see the whole outfit in my head now- it's gorgeous, and I am really happy with it. I guess I have to finish my wrap to wear.

Rusty and Her Ladyship were doing some yard work this morning while I took The Boy to therapy. When we got home, Rusty said he had something to show me. It was a letter..... for The Boy.......from a "Secret Admirer"!

Miss Next-Door door has had a crush on him for a while, but this is the first physical evidence that we have found. She must have pushed it through the fence in hopes that he would find it. It's kind of ironic, because she annoys the crap out of him. If she were the slight bit nice to him, he might like her back. (Or he might die of mortification that she isn't The Love of his Life AKA the only girl from our homeschool group that will play the boys games). The next door neighbors keep telling us that The Boy is welcome to come over and play as well, but the probably wouldn't if they knew what she was up to. I guess they are having a baby soon, so hopefully a new sibling will occupy Miss Next-Door for a while.

Wednesday October 22, 2008 second post

Yes, I am posting twice in one day.

This morning, it seemd like it would be a fine day. I managed to get my yoga in, even though I had to work around the kids and Rusty. We were back to our usual routine, and the day was promising. Then I got a message from our new sitter- who is working out really well for us. She had been bitten by a spider in the face, and had a bad reaction to it. She wasn't going to make it. My stomach lurched when I heard that, but I thought that we were doing so well we could just roll with it. Then I caught a glimpse of The Boy Wonder. He was clearly Not Happy, and waiting for me to notice. We went and sat on his bed to talk for a while. Sometimes I feel so badly for him. He has a developmental disability called Asperger's, which is basicly high functioning Autism. He is able to mostly get along with his peers, and not many people even notice that something is "wrong" with him, but he notices. He notices that his friends have an easier time figuring out their favorite computer game (Runescape). He notices that his friends moms allow them to do certain things that I am not comfortable with (because of some of his defecits). he notices how much harder he has to try at thigns than his friends. Every once in a while, it just all hits him. We talked for a long time (and both cried), and I think that it helped him. I've always believed in being honest with the kids, and so he knows what his diagnosis is. I guess he didn't quite understand what it meant (hell, some days I don't understand what it means!), and he thought that he had a mental handicap. I explained to him that he has a developmental disability, and that means that he might not grow and mature (emotionally and psychologically) at the same rate as his friends. I can only hope that he understand that it doesn't make him any less of a person, just more unique. I knew that after a meltdown like that, he would not be able to stand three hours of dance. Luckily, the Rusty knight was able to leave work early and stay home with him. I didn't even have to ask. I just told him what was going on, and he made it happen. I'm thankful for that. Some of my packages arrived this afternoon, and that cheered me up a bit. I love my new shoes, and when I put on my sweatsuit from Old Navy I decided not to take it off. It is so soft and comfortable, that I am wearing it to dance tonight. I know that some people think if you wear sweats, you are giving up on yourself and "letting yourself go" , but they are such a comfort at times (sorry Tim Gunn). I needed something to work out in, as well as something to sleep in as it gets colder, and something that will see me through the next couple of sizes. Multi-purpose clothing is a necessity right now, as I try to make due with the least possible purchases as my size changes. But you know, these are such a bargain that I might buy another set two sizes smaller as some motivation.

Wednesday October 22, 2008

I tried to take a picture of the sweater that I'm knitting, but my camera needs new batteries. I guess I will pick those up when we go out to get cat food and mail a package today. Maybe I'll get the kids haircuts, too. I separated the sleeves, and I am going to continue doing some increases so that The Girls will fit.

Yesterday, The Rusty Knight took the day off. He really just wanted to relax, but I made him take us to the mall to get eye exams. My eyes have been bothering me lately, and I knew that I needed new glasses. I figured that as long as we were going to do walk in appointments, we should have the kids checked as well. None of us have seen an eye doctor since we moved. We were very diligent about having Princess Stomping Foot's eyes checked annually when she was little, because delayed vision problems are a risk with the surgery that she had. Delayed hearing loss is also a risk, so we had her hearing checked annually, too. Nothing had shown up by kindergarten age, which seemed to be the cutoff for these problems, so we figured she was good. Well, she has one good eye, and one really bad one. I was really surprised, since she reads constantly and never said anything. She picked out a nice pair of glasses, and we added transition lenses. Her glasses, and my new glasses will be ready sometime this week or next week. My one eye had gotten a lot worse, too. I know that my sister has one bad eye as well, so I guess that runs in the family. The doctor said that is probably what was bothering me- that the one eye was so much worse than the other. At first, we thought that The Boy Wonder was going to need glasses, too, but he didn't. I will have to be better about getting his eyes checked, because he might need them in the future.

I'm waiting on a bunch of packages that should be coming in the next few days. One was supposed to be delivered yesterday, but it never came. I think they were holding off until today so they just had to stop by once. I've been doing my yoga every morning, but with having The Rusty Knight home it has thrown everything out of whack. I am going to have to figure out a way to get a peaceful session in the morning somehow. Maybe I can kick him out of the bedroom once he wakes up, and watch a DVD on the computer before the kids wake up. We'll see.

I'm still trying to get The Boy Wonder's costume together for Halloween. The kids have parties to go to three days in a row. We have been talking about out homeschool group's party on the email list, and someone suggested everyone bringing their own plates, utensils, cups and napkins for the party. I am all for eco-friendliness, but you just don't serve food and not provide something to put it on. It's just rude! What if someone forgets, doesn't get the email, or doesn't have plastic dinnerware? Oh well, too bad for them I guess- they can eat finger food.

Monday October 20, 2008

It's official- I have now lost my first ten pounds!
I also started doing yoga again this morning. This is my gentle way of easing into real exercise. Of course, I didn't get through the whole workout without interruptions, but I am hoping to train the kids out of bothering me while I exercise.
The Rusty Knight will be home tonight, but he may just be turning back around and leaving again Wednesday. I will be glad when this project is all finished. He would probably be surprised how easily things run around here when he is away. I make rules, and the kids follow them. Today we are doing our grocery shopping. For the second week in a row, I went to Costco. We have a membership, but I rarely go. Now that I have changed the way that I am cooking, I can do a lot more of our grocery shopping at Costco (fruits, veggies, frozen chicken and pre-portioned snacks). They just opened another Super Target, and I am going to head there and try to get the rest of what I need. My usual grocery store seems to just be getting worse and worse lately. Sometimes it is fine, but there are days when I think that every Meth Head or Crack Ho in a 5 mile radius is in that store. We usually hit Target once a week anyway, so why not combine our regular trip with grocery shopping at one of the two Super Target's? Sounds like a plan to me!

Sunday October 19, 2008

One down, one to go. I finished the first gray sock the other night, and started on it's mate. This fits The Boy Wonder really well, with just a bit of growing room at the toe. Since everything he wears is black or gray these days, these will be perfect for him. I think that I can get a pair out of the one ball, and if so I will just use the other ball for a second pair. I'm sure that he will appreciate that. Princess Stomping Foot is still getting over her cold, but she's been taking Airborne every day, and that seems to help. Her Ladyship has some scar tissue in her lungs. Colds tend to be more severe for her, and to linger longer. I'm glad that we have found something that seems to help. The Boy Wonder and I have both avoided the cold by using Airborne, which says a lot; considering Her Ladyship has been creeping into bed to take advantage of the fact that The Rusty Knight is away on business.

With us cooped up in the house and Rusty gone, I have had some contemplation time. I'm running out of things to wear, and desperately awaiting my packages that should be coming this week. (I'm almost into those size 18 jeans!) I'm also starting to clean out my closet. I have realized that for me, anyway, the mental aspect of weight loss is as important as the physical. Being large has always been a part of my personality. I have always been big- even as a kid. I have experienced occasional weight losses, but I have never been a chronic dieter. The sad fact is- I like myself, and I like my clothes. Even at my heaviest; I can do my make up and my hair, put on a nice outfit, and look in the mirror and tell myself that I look Good. Of course, the weight is a protective layer, and it's hard peeling it back for the world to see. But, more than that; it has been a lifestyle. I shop at stores specifically for plus sizes, I belong to online communities for large women, I buy plus size knitting books. I am losing a part of my identity, and having to re-invent myself. I think this will be the biggest challenge of all. I realized that continuing to wear clothing that hangs on me was a bad idea. It was messing with my head. I could feel myself looking at all of that empty space, and wanting to fill it back up. I am trying to keep the clothes away from me as soon as they don't fit- and only wear the few things that really do fit me. I'm sure this will get expensive, and difficult- good thing I am a bargain shopper. I realize that while I am losing most of the stores that I am used to shopping at, I am going to be able to go back to some much loved favorites, as well as discovering new stores. I am really looking forward to shopping trips to H&M, Gap, Banana Republic, and Anthropologie in the future. Right now, I am reaching the no-mans-land of the bottom of the plus sized section, and tippy top of ladies sizes. Luckily, I have been this size before, and I know which shops carry these sizes.

I forgot to post a picture of the bracelet that I got on etsy. This is also for the Holiday Dinner, and it's made out of all vintage earrings. It's very cute, and the seller even made it larger for me at no extra charge.

Saturday October 18, 2008

It's really hard to believe that Halloween is in a couple of weeks. Our weather cooled off, then warmed up again. That's typical of the fall, here. The warm days still have a hint of cool to them, which is nice. This is actually the best weather that we get all year, in my opinion. Yesterday, I wore a tee shirt and jeans all day and was completely comfortable. I wish we had more tee shirt weather. I haven't had a chance to wear my new green argyle cardigan yet. I love argyle, and am always happy when it makes a brief return into fashion. Green argyle I couldn't resist- my favorite color in one of my favorite patterns. So vintage-y, it evokes images of Ward Cleaver going out for a round of golf. I love Ward Cleaver's sweaters.

Princes Stomping Foot has a cold this week. She was nice enough not to get sick before dance, so I was able to see pictures of her class' costumes for jazz and ballet. The jazz costume is an empire waisted camisole dress. The bodice is silver sequins, with a double spaghetti strap and a pink pleated skirt. They are dancing to Sixpence None the Richer's "Kiss Me". The ballet costume is a long white dress with arm ruffles and a cherry blossom design on it. That dance is to the Annie Lennox version of "Whiter Shade of Pale". Both are very pretty, and age appropriate. The costumes for tap should be arriving soon, so we will see those when they come in. I don't know what the song for tap is called, but it very Techno sounding. Her Ladyship needs a haircut (actually, we all do), and she wants to go shorter. I am completely encouraging that since she doesn't want to do a thing to her hair, or let me do anything to it. We found a cute picture online to bring into the salon, and I think that I am going to have them stack the back of it. She's going back to a bob, which always looked so cute on her.

I have been working on my sea silk lace stole. It's coming along, and getting a lot longer. I don't have very much yarn left, so I will just knit until I run out. I did cut out a big section that got knotted up, but I think it will be fine. I want to wear this for the Holiday Dinner for The Rusty Knight's work. I also started another top down sweater for the winter. I may have to order a little bit more of this yarn, but I have 9 balls to start out with. I want this baby to be really warm- my park day sweater. I was looking online at LL Bean the other day, and I saw that they have Union Suits. I am thinking about getting one of those. These ones are double layered- wool on the outside, cotton on the inside. I always wear long johns to the park, top and bottom, but sometimes they come untucked. I hate that. The Union Suit would prevent that. As long as I can make it through park without having to go to the bathroom, they would be great.

One of the cats left us a gift at the patio door this morning. It was a mouse- no longer alive. I'm not sure who it was, but all three cats were out for some portion of the night. The big trash can in the patio was also knocked over, so maybe that is where the chase occurred. I guess I'm glad that they caught it. I certainly don't want there to be more, but I don't want them delivered either. Her Ladyship found it. "Poor little mousie", she said. Poor little mousie, indeed.

Wednesday October 15, 2008

These are the most beautiful earrings, ever! I ordered them from Dreamspirations on etsy. They were sent quickly, wrapped nicely, and had a nice note with them. The picture doesn't capture the beauty of them, but they are vintage 40's screw back earrings. I'm going to wear them to Holiday Dinner for The Rusty Knight's work. I also ordered a bracelet made from vintage earrings from another etsy seller to go with it. I'm thinking that I can get my Sea Silk stole finished by then, and wear it with black pants and this blouse, probably in the Vanilla color.

I guess that I am rediscovering my love of vintage jewelery.

It's not official yet, since my Weight In day in Mondays; but when I stepped on the scale this morning I was down my first ten pounds. Boy, that felt good. I am hoping that Monday will make it official. Even though it's still warm here (80's), it feels much cooler. I think that I am going to buy myself a little cardi that I have been wanting for a while. It would be perfect for this weather. I may get a couple of other things as well. I am starting to need them.

Last night, I did my semi-annual cosmetics run. I seem to run out of everything at the same time. I did pick up a couple of new products that I am enjoying:

Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm (I am going to buy one of these for The Boy Wonder, who has super bad chronically dry lips)

and L'Oreal Bare Naturals Gentle Lip Conditioner- very cool stuff.

I am working on the neck of my sweater, but I'm not all that motivated. I keep wanting to rip things back (the sleeve to make it longer, the chest to increase for my bust...) I think that I just need to finish it, so that I can wear it and fall in love with it. I have knitted this project so many times that I am just sick of it.

Monday October 13, 2008

Eva Longoria is talking about her weight gain, and I am talking about my weight loss. The Desperate Housewives actress says she quit working out and gained 7 pounds, but hasn't gone up a clothing size. It's ok honey, say whatever makes you feel comfortable. If squeezing into a size zero makes you ok with your weight gain, then by all means- do it.

I haven't talked about it to anyone except The Rusty Knight yet, because I haven't wanted to jinx it. But, it's time. I'm not just trying, I am getting rid of the junk in my trunk.
I have lost almost the same amount that Eva has gained, and nobody has noticed yet. It's not surprising, that small amount of weight on such a big body doesn't make a huge impact. But, I can see it, and feel it in my clothes. I can still wear all of my same clothing, but it's a lot looser. I actually bought my first smaller sizes yesterday (all from the Misses department at Target, instead of the Women's department- a big deal for me). I bought them thinking that they would be for winter, and that I wouldn't be able to get into them now, but I am actually wearing one of the XXL shirts right now. It was a tad tight at the start of the day, but I have a vest over it. After wearing it all day it has stretched out and it fits just fine. I also bought a pair of size 18 jeans- a size that I haven't fit into in quite some time. They were on sale, and I know that I will be needing them soon. I tried them on, and I can actually get them all the way up. I can't button them yet, but I doubt that it will be long before I can. My size 20 pants are already a little loose. I think that I am going to buy a few more things in this size range for the winter. I am hoping that by the time I really need new clothes again, it will be spring weather.

I have a really long term goal for weight loss, and am trying to loose about a pound a week. So far, so good. It's been about a month and a half. I am eating more fruits and veggies, smaller portions, and less sugar. All in all- a healthier diet. I still slip up sometimes, but I consider that a learning opportunity. I didn't get to be this weight overnight, and I won't take it off overnight, either. I haven't even added in any exercise, yet. The last time that I had a significant weight loss, I reached about 20 pounds and hit a plateau. I could not get past it, and ended up just gaining everything back. My plan this time it to wait until I hit a plateau, and then add exercise to help me get past it. Plus, once I loose a little weight; it will be that much easier to exercise.

It's exciting, scary, difficult and wonderful- all at the same time.

Saturday October 11, 2008

I finally finished the Camo Socks. My hands hurt just thinking about the knitting. You can read the details here. I've started another pair of socks for The Boy Wonder, and I am already almost done with the leg portion. I am using a size 0 needle for those, so it's not like I am using a huge needle, but WOW what a difference! This is Joann's brand of sockyarn. It's not bad- not as splitty or thin as some. It's certainly knitting up quickly.

We were at Michael's today, and I didn't get any yarn, but I found two booklets. One was the premiere issue of Debbie Bliss Magazine, the other was a pamphlet from Paton's called Fall in Love. The Debbie Bliss magazine has some patterns that I know I have seen before, but it's still a nice collection. It's always nice to have another choice in knitting magazines, even if I don't get it all of the time. The Patons booklet has some really cute patterns, and they are in the Classic Wool yarns.

Friday October 10, 2008

I don't have any pictures today.

It's 46 degrees this morning, and it's not even supposed to get up to 70 today. I guess it's actually fall. (not that it won't be 80 again next week- this is fall in the desert) I went through my clothes last night to make sure that I do have some things to wear. I do, for now, anyway.

I have given up on the white sweater for now. I have to rip it back again and fix the puff on the sleeves, and I won't be able to get it done before Sunday. I've been working on my Enchanting scarf, and if I get that done I could wear it. I don't know if I will get it done, though.

Being this cold makes me want to re-start my bulky sweater. I found a top down raglan pattern that will work, so I will start with that. I'm almost finished with the camo socks for The Boy Wonder. Thank goodness, because they kill my hands. I have at least two more pair of socks to get done before Christmas.

Tuesday October 7, 2008

I am almost down to the heel turn on the second Camo Sock. I was knitting on it last night, watching The Yards, when the power went out. The neighbors actually screamed. It was off for a few seconds, then flashed back on and again off and stayed off for five minutes or so. I finally got my movie back on and into the right spot, when it went out again. After that, Netflix wouldn't let me play it. Ugh!

I kept messing up the lace pattern on my Hey Teach!, so I decided to try something else. I'm cobbling together a few patterns to make a top down raglan with puffed sleeved and a razor lace patterned body. I am taking Princess Stomping Foot to the ballet this Sunday, and I'm hoping to finish it before that.

Her Ladyship had her first friend sleepover this weekend. It was just right next door, and she made it through the night. She didn't say much, but I could hear squeals late into the night. I'm glad they slept next door, and not over here. It's nice that there is someone for her to play with, but that little girl is an only child and used to getting her way.

The Rusty Knight is away all week. I'm hoping to get The Boy Wonder's Halloween Costume mostly rounded up during the down time. He wants to be some Naruto character, and we have to make it. I got some stuff for the Goodie Bags for the park day party yesterday- plastic vampire teeth, and bloodshot/dizzy eye patches. I think there will be plenty of candy in there, so I wanted to get toys.

The kids are making jam scones for breakfast- I hope they turn ont, because it sounds yummy!

Friday October 3, 2008

I have more projects than I have pictures for. I finished the first sock for The Boy Wonder (no picture yet), and I started a new scarf (again- no picture yet), and I finished my Just Staying Home Scarf; but I have pictures of that- and more pictures in the FO report and on Ravelry.

I had a lot of fun doing different stitch patterns on this patchwork scarf, and I think that it came out cute. I'm planning on buying this green coat for winter, so you should see me coming from a mile away. Anyway, we're running late (as usual this week) so I'd better run.

Happy Weekend!

Wednesday October 1, 2008

I was finally able to get pictures taken of my other Rock Star Scarf. If you can't tell from the picture, Her Ladyship was none too happy. I had to crop her grumpy face out of all of the pictures. This one is in Socks That Rock medium weight, and is mine. Now it just needs to get cool enough to wear it.

Continuing with my scarf fetish, I decided to make a scarf to go with my Global Economy Hat. It's the same blues and greens as the hat, in patchwork squares- similar to the Traveling Scarf swaps that have been going around. It's really fun to just play around with colors and pattern. Of course, it will need a good blocking to even everything out. I even picked up a new skein of yarn to work into it. It's JoAnn's Sensations Kashmira in a very pretty Robin's Egg Blue. I'm thinking about going back for more of this yarn, and making something more substantial. It has a nice, tight twist and lots of sproing. I'm considering this vest. I also found sockyarn at JoAnn's. I picked up a couple skeins in a black/white/gray pattern for The Boy Wonder. I noticed the other day that his old socks are really too small for him (yes, he's wearing knitted socks in 90 degree heat), and that he has grown into the new pair that I just finished. I'm almost done with the first sock of the current pair that I am working on- I will probably finish the toe tonight at dance. I might just start another pair with the new yarn before I do the second sock of that pair. It's really uncomfortable knitting that yarn with those tiny needles, and I can probably do a pair of socks in the time that the one sock will take me.

Oh, I wanted to mention how much I am loving having iGoogle as my homepage on the new computer. I have it set up with my Yahoo Mail, my Bloglines, and my Gmail- which saves me having to check all of those websites every day, as well as some nifty tools (including the newest knitting book releases). Their news is not as good as Yahoo, but I have to go to Yahoo to check my groups, anyway. I even have Mapquest, and my local movie theaters on there- very handy!

One more thing- I had said that I was going to have some of my sock club patterns available in my etsy shop in September, but I have reconsidered that. I think they will be available at some time, but I can't say anything right now. Sorry to anyone who was waiting on those.