Oh the Madness...

The Madness Part 1


I am participating in Sock Madness 10.  It is hard to believe that this crazy knitting competition (if it really can be called a competition) has been going on for 10 years.  I've competed in 3 of them but due to life events, have never gotten past the 3rd round.


This year I snuck past the second round by hours with this beautiful pair of 'Rose and Thorn' Socks.



Now it is a waiting and resting game.  I'm sure round 3 will start soon enough. 

The Madness Part 2

So now to the explanation, I really would rather avoid, but you deserve.  Frankly, I don't have a good explanation for abandoning you.

About a year and a half ago, I posted a blog post written by someone else.  After it was posted, it was difficult for me to get it looking the way the writer wanted. (She had every right to want it to look good!  I am not criticizing her at all! This wasn't her fault!) The process disenchanted me with the blog.  Now to be perfectly honest, I was never very consistent with my blogging; more or less because I haven't felt like I have anything to say.

Recently, I have felt like I had something very important to say, so I started writing occasionally at Out of My Personal Wilderness.  This got me to thinking about this sad and long forgotten blog.  I'd like to resurrect it by writing about my interests, all of my interests.  I am a very diverse person.  I have opinions about a lot of things including politics and religion.  I enjoy a lot of different hobbies like knitting, sewing, spinning, guns and motorcycles.

So I promise to speak my mind and write about what is in my heart, when it is in my heart.  This may not always be politically correct, but I promise that I will do my best to be sensitive.

In the words of Tigger, "TTFN" or Ta Ta for now.

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. 

2014 Goals

Start as you mean to continue.  I've often heard this in relation to the New Year.  So today I have been filling my cupboard shelves and my heart with 'enough.'  For 2014, I want enough.  Enough love in my home, Enough money to pay the bills, and Enough food to keep us fed. I don't need more than that.

But in the fine tradition of new years resolutions, this is the list of my goals for 2014.  

1.  Update the blog once per week 

2.  Feel comfortable enough in my skin to wear a little sun dress for Easter
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

4.  Knit a handspun pair of socks

5.  Knit a worsted weight pair of socks

6.  Knit a pair of mittens from silk hankies

7.  Knit the sweater from 'Botanical Knits'

8.  Knit a sweater from the Blue Cascade yarn

There is nothing shocking or unattainable here but they are things I want to finish or do in my life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Un-delete

It's almost the end of another year and when not freezing (it was -5 F at noon), I've been thinking alot about the past year.  I've been contemplating where I am, where I want to be and what I want in my life.  These are questions that I think about alot but more so this time of year.  One of the things that was bothering me was that a few months ago I deleted this blog.  I really didn't have time to keep up with it and decided it wasn't worth it.  But as usual for me I had delete remorse.  Luckily for me, blogger now has an undelete option.  So, as luck has it, I have my blog back.

I'm not sure where it will go but it's good to be back online.

I leave you with today's knitting project.

Day 2

My goal today is to clear this mess off of my treadmill so that I  use it.

I was 5 points over my daily points allotment due to being attacked by a bag of potato chips after work.  But I got a 30 min walk in during lunch.  Then when I got home I got the treadmill cleared off.  I jumped on it for the first time in a couple months and did one of the 30 min programs. 

Progress is progress.

From Flabby to Fit

I feel like I've been trying to lose weight for quite sometime.  When it has really only been since i quit smoking about 7 years ago. I'm not sure just why I haven't been successful in losing and keeping the weight off.  I consider myself lucky, in that I have a lot of moral support.  My Mom and two of my aunts are also trying to lose weight and we've have supported each other.  But my weight still fluctuates, never resting where I want to be.

Last night I wrenched my back while bowling. I know, funny right. I shouldn't be hurting myself over anything like that. So, this morning while I waited for my hot water bottle to work it's magic and after I called into work, I decided that before I turn 46 I want to lose the weight for good and get healthy.  That is only 5 months away.  Needless to say I spent the rest of the morning trying to figure out how to make that happen.

I came to the conclusion that the only way this is going to work is if I'm held accountable. This is where you come into the plan. I'm hoping that if I have to post my successes and my failures that it will force me to be more mindful of my choices. I really don't want to have to come to you with failures.

I plan to post most days about what has gone well and maybe not so well, whether i went over my Weight Watchers point or stayed on target and finally when I exercise or slipped up.

I hope this will be a successful journey, and maybe if I'm lucky I'll inspire you as well as myself.

 Day 1 - I did what I set out to do today. I started my journey. I stayed under my WW points. And as an added bonus, I did 15 minutes of yoga to gently stretch my back. I have to say that it worked quite well.

Introduction to Spinning

I never expected to enjoy spinning when I took my first class.  But by the end of the day, I was hooked. And bought my wheel on the spot.  Spinning, for me, is not about the getting yarn but about the process of creating.  So when I received an assignment for my english class to explain a green technology in essay form it was only natural for me to turn to an enjoyable hobby that uses very few non-renewable resources and is powered by the human body.  The rest of the assignment was to create a video to go along with the essay - Introduction to Spinning.

The video was much more difficult than I expected and gives me even more appreciation for those people who podcast week in and week out.  I'll just apologize up front for the stops, stumbles, umms and ahhs throughout.  I hope you can enjoy it for what it is.

Here are some further spinning resources that I enjoy and you may find helpful:

Podcasts:
 The KnitGirllls - This podcast is excellent at enabling.  They also show beautiful examples of finished yarn and spinning in process.
 Blooming Knitter - This podcaster has done several very professional tutorials and is a pleasure just to listen to while your spinning or knitting.
The Proverbial Knitter - This podcaster has done tours of several different types and styles of spinning wheels.  If you think you want to get a spinning wheel, go check her out.

Books:
Start Spinning by Maggie-Casey
The Spinners Book of Yarn Designs by Sarah Anderson

Edited to add:  I want to say a HUGE thank you to my daughter Jade for all of her help in creating the video.

10 mittens I want to knit

I have a deep and abiding love of Mittens.  When I was little, my Mom made my brother and me many things.  She sewed us outfits and stuffed animals.  But the only thing I can remember my Mom ever knitting me was a pair of white mittens with cables running up the back of each hand.  I have no idea what ever happened to those mittens, but I remember them very fondly and someday I’ll make myself a pair.

As it so happens, I am currently working on a pair of mittens that are lined and color work.  I’m making up the pattern as I go along.  It will end up being a combination of Estonian and Norwegian patterns.

Although I love mittens, I’ve never really taken time to look at patterns.  I live in a cold climate, but it never occurred to me that I could have more than just one or two pair of mittens.  After going down Ravelry mitten pattern rabbit hole, I think maybe a whole wardrobe of mittens might be in order; mittens for good, for every day, just because it’s Monday and because I’m in a silly mood.  I’ve got to go look at yarn to knit my mitten wardrobe.  Here are my top 16 favorite Mittens (No, I couldn’t pick just 10).

1.       Cable-mittens

2.       Norwegian snowflake

3.       mittens-with-a-twist

4.       selbu-mitten

5.       norwegian-mittens

6.       thrummed-mittens

7.       sea-mineral-mittens

8.       piggy-mittens

9.       kilronan-mittens

10.   offset-cable-mittens

11.   simple-chunky-mittens

12.   detour-mittens

13.   lined-sock-monkey-mitten

14.   mn-warm-mittens

15.   rosebud-mittens

16.   ukrainian-rose-mittens

 

For more 10 on Tuesday go see Carole Knits

 

Ten on Tuesday: Thankfulness

I have neglected this blog for a very long time.  I had great and grand plans when I started this almost a year ago.  But as you can see, I haven't done a very good job following through with those plans.  So what better way to jump back into my blog than by doing a 10 on Tuesday, and what better 10 things to write about than the 10 things I'm thankful for.

1. The first and most important thing I am thankful for is my family.  I am very lucky to have wonderful, healthy children and a very supportive husband.  But I am also very fortunate to still have my parents and extended family, who are still constantly teaching me new things.  I also have wonderful in-laws who are alway there for us when we need them.
 
2. My wonderful, giving friends.  My best friends are the friends with whom I went to highschool.  They have always been and continue to be my biggest supporters and sometimes instigators.
 
3. After the financial crisis of the last few years, I feel so very thankful to own our home.  It's not big, or fancy but it is ours.  It keeps us warm and dry, what more could a person ask.
 
4. I have enough.  There is always more that I want, but I'm thankful that I have enough:  enough food, enough love, enough of everything that is truely important.
 
5. I have always struggled with having faith in a power greater than myself.  I believe in God, but it seems to be a constant struggle to maintain that faith.  So when I am content with that belief, I'm thankful for simply having faith and not doubting it.  Even though I know tomorrow I may be struggling again, just for today I'm not and that makes me thankful.
 
6. I am healthy and started the couch to 5K program.  I never thought I'd be a person that enjoyed running, but I really enjoying conquering each workout.
 
7. I have a good job, which I enjoy. I work with some really great people and the work is challenging.  I am blessed to work with people who not only think about their own careers, but also do what they can to help mine advance as well.
 
8. I am thankful to be able to sew, knit and spin because I want to and not because I have to in order to clothe my family.  I enjoy these hobbies, often time they keep me sane.  However if I had to do them, I think they would lose their enjoyment.
 
9. Social Media.  I have learned so much from people all over the world due to Plurk, Twitter and Ravelry.  I have seen how, no matter what country we live in, our lives really are not very different.  I love being able to turn on my computer and read the thoughts of someone a hundred miles away and realize that they are going through some of the same things I am.  It makes the world less large and scary.
 
10. Podcasts, both audio and video have taught me about knitting, spinning, history.  They have given me an appreciation for classic literature, even when I haven't always loved it.  Just like social media, I've learned that we are all more similar than we are different.

*****
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