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.