Monday, January 28, 2013

Progress

I am feeling a little on top of the world right now!  I ran 10 miles yesterday, and survived.  My legs feels as if they have been ran over by a train.  And on the last 3 miles, I really did consider sitting down and waiting for Justin to come pick me up.  But I kept on, and I finished, so I am beyond excited.  I am going to celebrate this feat for a little more, before I start thinking about next week's long run.

Anyways,  I am plugging along on my sweater.  I wish you could understand how much I am in love with this.  I could not be happier at the moment.  And much like running, I am going to celebrate this accomplishment a little longer, before I start thinking about the sleeves.

I have made some serious progress. This is Saturday night.


And this is this morning...


This is around 7:30 before hair and makeup, so no judgement. 

I hate short sweaters, so I am going to knit on, and then the sleeves.  But who knows?  I may be wearing my first sweater as early as next week!!  


Friday, January 25, 2013

Finally, A First

I have said for at least 3 years I was going to do this, and I haven’t even made an attempt to start.
I read a lot of knitting blogs, and I always see these fantastic sweaters knitted with fantastic yarns.  And I want so bad to be able to knit one for myself or my hubby, if he would ever wear it.  But I have been scared and nervous about starting one.
Until Now

 I am finally starting, and as you can see from the pic it is going pretty well.



Pattern:  $5 in Paris
I found this pattern on Ravelry, and a lot of people used this pattern for their first sweater.  One of my hang-ups, is that most sweater patterns call for really nice (read: expensive) yarn.  I was nervous to invest that much money into something I didn’t know if I would or could finish.    However, this pattern was written for cheaper (yet, still nice) yarn.  So I thought, I will give this a try and see what happens.

I am very excited, and thrilled with how this is going.  I am anxious to work on it this weekend.  I will keep you informed on the progress.

I am doing it, finally doing it!!

Happy Friday, Friends!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Izabella Miya

Like most people my age, I had quite a few toys when I was growing up.  Nothing like the kids today, but I still had quite a few.  And my parents taught me from a very early age that “things” don’t matter.  It is about the people around you and the experiences that you share.    My memories of my childhood are filled with people, fun times, and times when my sister got me in trouble, which was always. J
My mom and I didn’t keep a lot of my toys after I outgrew them.  We lived in a small house and there wasn’t room for two teenage girls and a whole lot of toys.  So we donated what we could and threw away the rest.  I have a teddy bear that has a special meaning to me, but that’s about it.  I am okay with that.
However, I do miss one toy, one baby doll, one red-headed cabbage patch doll.  I can remember everything about her.  What her hair looked like, what she wore, and I also know that there would be a stain on her chest, where I mimicked my mom changing my sister’s bandage on her chest.  I wish I had had the foresight at 13 to know that even though I had outgrown her at the time, that I might still want her in the future.
Whenever I am in a toy store, I take a quick look at the cabbage patch dolls, hoping to find her or one like her.  Now they have corn silk hair, preemie cabbage patch dolls, newborn cabbage patch dolls, and so forth.
So when this came in the mail yesterday as a belated Christmas present, I was pretty excited.  Justin had done a lot of searching for a vintage style, red headed, green eyed cabbage patch doll.  No, this is not exactly like the one I had.  The clothes are different.  The hair color is right, but the style is not.   It is still pretty dang close. Close enough that when I texted a picture to my mom, she recognized that it looked like the original.   I can assure that I am going to take better care and track of this one.
Please meet Izabella Miya.


This is me and Izzy on my new chair.

P.S.  Next time I am in Alabama, I plan to dig up a pic of me and the original and add it to this post.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

2013

2012 was a great year for me.  I had a lot of fun.  I learned a lot of new things.  I met new people.  I traveled to new places.  It is going to be pretty hard for 2013 to top it, but I am excited to see what’s in store. 
Now Justin and I aren’t very superstitious, but we make sure to eat some black eyed peas.  And I make sure to eat something green. 
As Justin and I were taking the Christmas tree down last night, we were talking about goals for ourselves and our family.  Things we wanted to do and accomplish, our dreams for our future.  It was a great time of reflection and of looking forward into the future.
Some of my personal ones are...
1.      To knit and crochet things that I want to make, and challenge myself.  Even if this means I have to cut other things out.
2.      To be healthier than I was before.  And to continue to run.
3.      To keep not biting my fingernails.
4.      To be more organized.
5.       To look for the adventure and make the most out of it.
Some of our family ones are...
1.      To watch less tv.
2.      To save more
3.      To not “buy” any Christmas tangible Christmas presents next year.
Yesterday was filled with everything that I want 2013 to hold.   I had breakfast with friends.  I ate some great food.  Saw some beautiful scenery.  Had plenty of time to knit and crochet.  Didn’t spend any money.  Organization of the pantry.  Watched some great football.   Spent quality with Justin.  Yes, 2013 is going to be a great year.