Resolutions

So I'm at the in-laws and had a chance to surf and thought I would make a quick resolution post because I was so inspired by Crazy Aunt Purl's. I always admire list-maker types, but I am definitely not that type of a thinker, so I shall do my best:

2006 Resolutions:

Health Wise:
1. Eat better (or drink better, depending on jaw state, which recently has sucked. Sidenote: I am at my in-laws and my mother in law is one of the best cooks ever and I have to drink Boost and eat soup. Bitch session over).
1a. Bring lunch to work at least twice a week.
2. Go to the gym at least three times a week. The gym I go to by my work (the YMCA because I like to keep it real) has a steam room which is a great incentive for me to actually go.
3. Continue training and run a 5K.

Hobby Wise:
1. Read at least one book that I wouldn't normally read.
2. Finish a big crochet project, like an afghan.
3. Knit or crochet an article of clothing that I will actually wear.
4. Do more Random Acts of Kindness.
5. Blog more regularly.

Other:
1. Make more time for friends and family.
2. Determine to be happy with whatever life dishes out.
3. Don't be so sensitive in general and concerned about others.
4. Learn to more easily accept people as they are.
5. Be more organized.

We have a fun evening of margaritas and Nickelodeon planned. Should be entertaining!

Happy New Year!

Just a quick post before heading off to the in-laws this weekend. I'm excited, it's been so long since we've seen everyone. We're having our Christmas with them this weekend too, it's always so much more fun with kiddos around! (Neice and nephew who are 7 and 3).
I just finished square #26 of my 63 Squares afghan and hope to get quite a few more out this weekend.
Everyone have a happy and safe New Year!

Trip Pics Try #72

Okay, I won't try to write this time after I post pics because apparently it causes some mass confusion and my whole explorer shuts down. The first pic is Multnomah Falls, just north of the airport area in Portland. The rest were taken in Willamette Valley in the Winelands. The scenery shot is the view from Penner-Ash. The third is Mount Hood at sunset, and the last is just a gorgeous sunset we caught on the way back from Willamette Valley.
I won't try to push my luck and write anymore.

Trip Pics

None too soon, here are some pics from my Portland trip:
First, because I can't get Blogger to cooperate and wanted this last but after my elevteenth post this is how it will be, is the best little knitting nest in the world. It's at the house of the lady we stayed with (yes, this was a business trip, long story that could possibly get me fired if I talk about how weird the concept is).
Okay, looks like this is all that will post. Ugh, but this was one of my favorite parts! Complete with the cat! Wish I could re-creat this at home.

Oh, Joyous Friday...

Means I'm off work for four whole days (well, still on call but don't have to go to work). I am so excited. And I finally have a few pics to post of some sweet packages I've received recently.


Thanks so much to Melly, my holiday swap partner from Crochetville who sent this package:
2 cute hats, some purple mohair-like yarn, blue/gold thread, a fuzzy black and white scarf, and some bath confetti.
Thank you Melly!





I've been participating in the Christmas Wish List at Crochetville, all who wanted to participate posted a list then saw others' wishes they could fill and the fun begins...

I received this thoughtful package from Sue, with the most thoughtful gifts! There are four skeins of Homespun, the gorgeous ribbon pinecone she made herself, some delicious Chai mix from Trader Joe's (Love that Store!) and that precious Willow Tree ornament. Thanks so much Sue, you're the best!








I have also received another Christmas Wish List surprise from Cristin in FL but I don't have a pic to post yet for it. She sent some yummy teas, a tin of Adagio tea, 3 packets of different Chai teas, Sugar Plum Spice tea, cute Snowman hand towels and a bar of glycerin snowman soap and some mint Hershey's kisses. Thank you so much Cristin!

This whole month has been so crazy buzy, I can't believe it is almost Christmas.
We had an excellent time in Vegas. We went with a couple that we know and a couple that they knew and had an absolute blast. You never know how things will go with several couples together but it was so fun. We walked our legs off, saw some great shows (Second City Improv was by far the most fun). Also took in an IMAX show, Wild Safari (3D), which honestly was not that great. And we ate at some of the best places. We stayed at the Luxor, got a really great deal, and ate at their awesome buffet the first night. I'm still on mostly soup but I enjoyed it vicariously and made up for my portion at the dessert bar! We also ate at a great Italian place, Battista's Hole in the Wall, which I would highly recommend. It's not really close to anything else but is worth the trip.

Also had a great time in Portland. We got to see Multnomah Falls and eat at the lodge there. We were going to go to Mount Hood to Timberline Lodge where the movie The Shining was filmed but the weather up there was too bad to drive in. Our last day there we got to tour some of the Wineries at Willamette Valley. It was absolutely gorgeous there. I was so excited, we got to tour Erath, one of my favorite Pinor Noirs, and several other really cool wineries. And they were a lot nicer there than they were in Temecula, CA last year. We had so much fun. And we got to go to Trader Joe's, the best grocery/specialty store ever. I had to take some files out there in a suitcase so I had a whole empty suitcase to fill with Trader Joe's stuff. They have the best things there, and it's all pretty cheap! I found my new favorite snack, Snap Pea Crisps. And got some great Chai mix and gnocchi and other yummy goods. Can't wait for one to come to my town!

I've had a great day off, slept in then braved the post office and the mall and got my shopping done. We will leave tomorrow to go to my parents' for Christmas, can't wait to see everyone again. If I don't get to post tomorrow, hope everyone has a great holiday!

On the hooks, I'm currently making a cable-type scarf out of the cream Blue Sky organic cotton
I got in Dallas. It's a pattern from 63 Afghan Squares book and it's turning out okay.

Have to get more pics posted soon, of Cristin's package and some snowflakes I finished and the moss stitch scarf in Alpaca silk I finished last week.

And here is a quiz I found on Cristin's blog...

You Have a Sanguine Temperament

You are an optimistic person who is easily content. You enjoy casual, light tasks - never wanting to delve too deep into anything. A bit fickle, it's easy for you to change plans or paths when presented with something better. You enjoy all of the great things life has to offer - food, friends, and fun. A great talker, you can keep the conversation going for hours. You are optimistic and sure of your success. If you fail, you don't worry about it too much. At your worst, you are vain. You are obsessed with your own attractiveness. A horrible flirt, you tend to jump into love affairs and relationship drama easily. You're very jealous - which just magnifies the craziness around you.

What Temperment Are You?

Very interesting, I've been reading an excellent book about these temperaments. The book is called Personality Plus by Florence Littauer. This is my favorite personality profiling book. I've really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it.

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

I'm One of Those People...

You know, the ones who start a blog not having a clue how much free time you don't have, then only checks in every couple of months to say "I'm still alive, here's what I've done..."

So I've been crazy busy since the last post, went to Portland Wed. through Sat. We worked hard but got to see a lot of cool sights. Pics to come, I promise.

On the hooking front, I finished a knitted moss stitch scarf out of the yummy Debbie Bliss Alpaca yarn I got in Dallas. It is so soft and warm!
I've finished a few more squares for my 63 squares blanket, I think I'm on #17. Hope to get pics of that to post soon too.

Have much more to update, hope to get to post tomorrow too.
My husband and I are leaving Thurs. for Vegas with some friends. I am so excited!

Project Pics

Finally, pics of the things I have been working on and finishing...

This one is a variation of Deneen's Marvelous Fulled Bag. I just made it a round larger and carried a Front Post Double Crochet in the blue stripe.

In the bag is the brown Manos that I can't decide what to do with.

The other pic is my find at The Shabby Sheep in Dallas. 3 skeins of Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk which I'm attempting a moss stich scarf out of and 2 skeins of cream Blue Sky Organic Cotton that I haven't decided what to do with.














I am so happy with how this turned out! It's my first knitted object (besides this humongous red dishcloth but that was ugly so it doesn't count). It's Crazy Aunt Purl's Magic Scarf with Noro Kureyon (my new love!). I tried to get a close-up of the checkerboard pattern, hope it shows up.

Had a great weekend, finally talked my husband into putting Christmas lights up (only took 3 years!) and put the tree up and did some cleaning. This will be a short week at work, I leave for Portland on business with a co-worker who is a lot of fun to travel with. I love Portland and don't get to go to the home office of my company too often.