Nov 13 - Blogs

Sometimes you trip across something you really need to hear.  Today was just such a day.

I have a whole list of blogs that I try to keep up on; some are knitting blogs, biker blogs and even a fashion blog or two.  I have eclectic interests. :)

Today, I was reading Savage Roads.  His post was about being real.  This is something that I, probably like a lot of people, always struggle with.  I want to succeed and 'fit in' so I do what I have to in order to look right and act right according to work place etiquette.  But after awhile of being that person, I become uncomfortable and have a need to rebel.  Today it was freeing, to see that others think like that too.  I probably will continue to yo-yo back and forth but at least I'll know that I'm not alone.

I'll leave you with a picture of my baby from the day I bought her.

Nov 11th - Cell Phone

Today I am thankful for my cell phone.

Thanks to cell phones, even though I am 700+ miles away, I can keep informed on how my nephew's basketball game is going. (They are currently winning.)  I can see pictures of both nephews through instagram and facebook; and see what they are thinking thanks to twitter.  Thanks to my cell phone that 700 miles doesn't seem so far away.

Nov 10 - Kindle

I am thankful for my Kindle.  I love being able to order and have books when I want them. I also love not having to wait.

November 9 - Starting Over

Today I am thankful that we are able to start over.

We all have to things that we are trying to accomplish, knitting a difficult item, stop gossiping, quitting smoking or losing weight.  Sometimes those things are rather difficult.  But thankfully, we can keep starting over until we get it right.











It isn't always easy to start over, but I can do it. And I can keep doing it until I succeed.

November 7 & 8 - Woolies and exercise

I forgot to post yesterday, so you get two for the price of one.

Nov.7

I am thankful for wool. It has suddenly taken a turn for the colder here.  I am so thankful that I can bundle up in my Woolies and stay warm.

Nov 8

I am thankful that I can exercise.   Like so many I have  few pounds to lose, but at least I can do something about it. 

Nov 6th - E-mail

Today I am thankful for email.  I know this isn't very exciting or sexy.  However, I vividly remember the days prior to e-mail.  The days when you would write a letter or memo by hand or typewriter.  You would then place a stamp on it or send it via inter-office mail and wait days or weeks for a reply.

Today if I have a problem or just a question, I can send off a note to someone within seconds.  Of course this can be good or bad, ask anyone who hasn't thought something through or proof read before hitting the send button.  But overall e-mail has made life a little easier.

Nov. 5th - Work

I am thankful that I have a job to go to everyday.  I am thankful that I enjoy my work, that it supports my family and my yarn habit.  I've worked hard and it's taken a long time but I'm finally in a position that I love.

 

 

And this view certainly doesn't hurt. ;)

November 4th - Military

This is a little early, but today I am thankful for all the Men and Women who protect our Country (America).

I had to read a Memorial Day speech given by General Powell and President Clinton, for a class that I'm taking.  That speech got me thinking about all the things, and rights, I have because someone, somewhere fought for my rights.  Thank you!

November 3rd - Humor

Today I am thankful for a sense of humor.

Some days the only way to get through the day is laugh.

Thankful November - Friends & Faith

Each day until Thanksgiving I am going to post something for which I am thankful.  I had wanted to start November first.  But since today is the second, you get two for the price of one.

November 1.

I am thankful for Friends.

After more than 30 years, these friends are as close as family.  My life without them would not be as colorful or interesting. They help me laugh and not take life too seriously.

November 2.

I am thankful for Faith.

This is something I have struggled with my entire life.  I believe in God and his son Jesus, even when, at times, it would be easier to not believe.  Even though faith and how it should be lived is hard, I am thankful for my mustard seed of faith.

New Year's Goal Check In

We are almost half way through the year so I thought I'd check in with my New Year's goals

1. Update the blog once per week - Fail!  This is only the second time I've blogged since making that goal.  However, I won't be too hard on myself since life is busy.  Maybe after graduation next year this one will be a bit easier.

2. Feel comfortable enough in my skin to wear a little sun dress for Easter - I didn't end up wearing a sun dress but I did wear a really cute pants outfit.

3. Finish everything currently on the needles - Lady Eleanore scarf; 2 pair of socks for my daughter and the Old Man and the Sea Sweater - I finished my Lady Eleanore and the 2 pair of socks but I have yet to pick back up that sweater.

 

 

 

 

 

These are the two pair that are now finished.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Knit a handspun pair of socks - I haven't even thought about this one.  I haven't touched my poor spinning wheel in more than 6 months.  The poor thing probably thinks I left it.

 

5. Knit a worsted weight pair of socks - I haven't started this.

6. Knit a pair of mittens from silk hankies- I haven't started this.

7. Knit the sweater from 'Botanical Knits'- I haven't started this.

8. Knit a sweater from the Blue Cascade yarn- I haven't started this.

 

I have been enjoying this view as much as possible this spring.

 

PS.  In trying to find pictures for this post, I have found a disturbing lack of finished object pictures.  There are an abundance of in progress shots.  I will have to work on that.

Review of FitBit Flex

A couple people wanted to know what I thought of my new FitBit Flex, so I did a little Review. 

Pros:

I’ve lost 2 lbs because it’s making me think about it more about what I’m doing.
I don’t have to worry about a pedometer falling off my pants
It’s always with me so I don’t forget to grab it like my phone.
It’s comfortable.
Waterproof for swimming up to 32 ft depth
It gives me a ton of data

Cons:

Not very stylish
Have to sync it with my computer or cell phone.
Have to look at my cell phone to get data
No data from device directly
I still have to decide what to do when I see the data

I’ve had it one week but here are my thoughts on it:

It certainly doesn't do the work for you, but it does make you more conscious of the work or lack of it you are doing. It helps if you read directions and put it on your non-dominate hand so you don’t rack up steps from things like dealing cards.

The website shows you the following graphics:

Activity: This is your steps by the time of day you were doing them.

Calories: This shows the number of calories burned so far in the day.

Distance: This shows how many miles you've walked in a day.

Steps: This is the number of step today

Friends: Shows the number of steps this week and gives you the option to connect with friends who are also using the fit bit.

Very Active Mins: This shows the number of very active minutes

FoodPlan: The website allows you enter your weight loss goal and timeframe. Then it will calculate the number of  calories you can have in a day to reach your goal, the cool thing is it also adjusts this number for your activity  level. The graphic shows how many calories you have left for the day when you enter what you've eaten.

Calories In vs Out: This graphic looks like a half circle thermostat with an arrow showing when you’re over your calories at a point in the day, under or right on target.

Water: When you enter your water consumption, this shows number of cups of water you have drank and how many you have left to make the recommended amount.

Sleep: When you tell the fit bit that you are going to sleep by tapping the device and telling it when you get up in the morning, again by tapping it. It tracks the amount of time you slept, how long you were in bed, how long it took you to get to sleep, how many times you were restless and woke up during the night. I haven’t found the restless and waking up in the middle of the night information to be 100% accurate, but it does give good enough information to get an idea of if you’re getting enough sleep. I realized even though it feels like I’m up a half dozen times during the night, in reality, it’s probably only once or twice and then only for 1 or 2 minutes.

So to summarize, I love mine.

I hope this helps.