working out

Yup. After a nudge from work with a health incentive and another from trying on too many bathing suits and finding nada - I finally did it. I joined a gym here in Charleston.

I went to my first class on Tues. I did alright keeping up, but I'm not sure that particular class is going to work - I had to think too much, and didn't feel that challenged aerobically - but it's a new instructor I think, so I may give it another try down the road. They have a good variety, and I went to anther on Friday that I am still feeling the effects of today. It reminded me how out of shape I am - which is good and motivating. They also have a bunch of yoga classes that I'm excited to try as well. Then maybe I can find a bathing suit that I like... at least here in SC they still have them in the stores for a while.

Mike and I have also purchased a new TV entertainment center/console. We were actually looking for coffee tables and end tables as our anniversary gift, and ended up finding it instead. Of course it was in the last store, on the 4th floor of a furniture mall we had been looking at all day. But when we saw the piece we both said "I really like that! And it looks like us!" (in the - it looks like something we would buy/have - not it looks like a picture of the two of us heeh!)
As we look for furniture, we're finding those aren't words that come our of both of our mouths very often - so we decided it was meant to be and bought it. I guess the coffee tables will have to wait for the next spark of 'meant-to-be'.

Knitting wise I've been working (not very hard) on a tank top called Calla. I love the design, although I'm working on mine in the round, and removing a few eyelets that may let people 'see' too much, so I'm tweaking the pattern just a bit to accommodate.

A few weeks ago, I finished a mobius scarf/wrap as a store sample for Knit, and am knitting it again in a sparkly maroon and black. I need to take pictures, but right now they wouldn't do it much justice because the knitting is all bunched together because it's knit in the round, and circles in on itself, so you can' t see the pattern. I'm also having a small problem that the needles have come apart in the middle of knitting it, and it's fiddly to get it back on with the stitches correctly. Once I get it all finished, I'll post pictures.

I've also been working on some baby booties, but I'm not getting very far. Either my gage ends up being waay off, or I get stuck on the finishing part. I've been working on a pair from my favorite Erika Knights book (sometimes called this) and I just love the look of them, but when I go to seam them up - it just doesn' t seem like it'll work right - so I haven't done it yet. Not sure what I'm waiting for, perhaps I should knit up the second one and seam them at both at the same time. But I've got plenty of people popping little ones out, so I've got to find a pattern I like and get to it!

celebrating again!

I haven't been blogging lately, and a few people have been harassing me about not posting *ahemeishaahem* so I thought I'd pick up the pace - this past week has been pretty eventful, so I've actually got a lot to talk about!

First off - the most exciting news - We SOLD the house FOR REAL!!! Papers have been signed, keys turned over - it's done - and such a relief. Now I feel like we can really focus on our lives here now. I'm a South Carolinian now YEAH YEAH YEAH!!! The day we sold it, on the way home I saw another rainbow as I crossed the bridge. Just as beautiful as the one I saw a few months ago. Maybe a reminder that it is all ok :)

Last Saturday Mike and I went to a Riverdogs baseball game for World Wide Knit in Public Day. Yes - for you non-fiber people out there, this is a real day - you can read about it here if you'd like. I did manage to tangle up my knitting, take a few pictures and ended up ripping out 1/2 of what i did at the game, but it was a good time. Here are a few pictures of my fellow knitters
Vera, our resident star at Knit set it up, and it was really fun.



Lynn let me knit on her project a bit to see what the yarn was like - it was smooshy and fun - I tried not to tangle it up too badly as I had to move seats in the middle of a row.



Unfortunately, I cut off Gay and Lynn's head - sorry guys! I think I was trying to get the knitting in this one.


Beth and Connie knit away diligently!



Laura and her husband Steve:


Vera and Nancy:


There were more people there - and I wish I had taken more pictures - but I did pull out my camera soon enough.

Then on Tuesday we went to a concert at the Music Farm to see Jakob Dylan - it was an awesome awesome show! I was expecting it to be packed so the small numbers were a surprise. It was really great - we were spitting distance from the stage, and it was a great show. It was our first time to the Music Farm, and the venue was simple but fun - I think it's a place we'll definitely go again.

So on Thursday when the news cam through that the house was really sold - it just topped off the week. Mike and I were finally able to pop open the champagne we've been holding onto for this occasion.

My week was dampened just a bit this weekend - we headed up to Spartenburg for my brother-in-law's 40th birthday, and on the way my phone was taken. I left it at the restaurant, and when I called back a little while later it was gone. The part that really sucks - other than the price of a new phone is ridiculous - is that I had my phone stolen only about 6 months ago so I don't qualify for a trade-in, and I have to switch back to the phone I had 2 phones ago - which is pretty old and crappy. I'm still hoping someone might return it since I switched off service and hopefully I'll get my phone numbers back too. In the meantime - If I don't call you - it's because I don't have your number any more so - call me!!!

dragging her feet

I'm not sure what on, but I've just had a few weeks of the blahs. Not really wanting to do much of anything. I have managed to accomplish a few things in that time though. Sorry I haven't been blogging about it.

Mike and I have almost unpacked all our boxes. We at least went through the ones containing all our pictures and decided which ones go where. Not that they've been hung yet, but at least we've decided and they're sitting in the appropriate room or hallway. And in all honesty, Mike is hanging some of them as I type.
There were a few left over that didn't make it or wouldn't fit in here, so I took a few to work. Most of you that know me might recognize the subject of this one - and those of you who know me even better might possibly recognize the lamp on the desk as well. Yes, that is my arm in the picture, but I cut myself out - it wasn't pretty. The picture is from my officemates i-phone - it worked pretty well - I was impressed.

At home, I was trying to do a bit for a contest, (didn't end up getting my submission in in time - my iMovie couldn't find the movie - after 5 hours of work - grrr) and was trying out a few things I had seen on the show. One of which was a book side/end table for your bedroom - which I though was really cute -



but Mike kinda uses those books, so he wasn't as receptive to it. That's alright, we've got a table to use, I just like this idea. Speaking of, I was calling him 'The Plasterer' but he said it reminded him too much of "The Maestro" on Sienfeld, so we're back to Mike

Too sooth a few requests, here's an actual picture of us on our anniversary, instead of just the food - I believe this was one of the self portraits that we do, and should explain a bit of the absurd looks between us. I was focused on taking the picture, and Mike was focused.. well if you can call it that - on me.



All I can say is that we are dorks - truly.

I have been doing a bit of knitting, and the sale at Knit has inspired me to make my own tank. I usually stick to smaller projects - ones that can be finished quickly, carried around easily and if I mess up, aren't too much to frog. The christening gown was one of my biggest projects, in size and complexity combined. But it also inspired me to do more. I found some beautiful blue linen/cotton yarn that I want to make a tank top called Calla out of.



I also bought some Bellagio yarn that I am making into a mobius drop-lacy shrug. I already made one that I forgot to take pictures of, so I'll make sure to do so for this one. The yarn I do have pictures of, but they're not as clear because of the shine.



pretty huh? I think it'll make a really nice evening shawl/wrap thingy. I'm just hoping it's not too scratchy when I get finished.

I've just started making dishcloths too - I've finished one and have started on the second. Part of it is stashbusting, another part is to try some new things, and they're a great way to do so - plus they fit into my MO (see above). Here's what I've got to start:

Once I have a few of my favorites, I have a recipient in mind that I think will really use and appreciate them.