Knit-fest

I've completed and started some knitting projects recently, and it's time to show off my work!

First is my Pomotamus sock. I used Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Seaside. So far I have only one done. The lace pattern is pretty complicated, but eventually I will do the other one.




Next is the Big Sack Sweater from Stitch 'n Bitch. I used the yarn called for, which is discontinued. Not to worry, I found it on eBay! It's Rowanspun Chunky. The color is actually olive green with tweedy flecks of different colors in it. I'm not thrilled with it - it's a little big, and I didn't sew the underarms right. But who looks at underarms anyway? It's also a little itchy, which means I have to wear a long-sleeve shirt underneath. Oh well, it's a very warm sweater and I still like it.



And below is my current project. From the Spring 2007 issue of Interweave Knits, this is the Bonsai Tunic. I'm knitting it in the suggested yarn, Berroco Bonsai in the same color. First is the picture from the magazine, and below that is my progress so far. I have about 1.5" done.



I'm disappointed that you can't make out the exquisite stitch detail in most of these photos. I think it's time for me to experiment with my camera a little bit.

My Favorite Thing About Valentine's Day

It's not the chocolate. Or the flowers, or the cards, or even the sex.




Not that I got any of that.




It's this. Have fun reading if you have time! Now these are my kind of Valentine poems.

PS - if profanity bothers you, you may not want to read some of them!

Forty

No, it's not my birthday. That's one month from tomorrow. And I won't be forty yet!

I haven't shared anything about my weight loss on this blog because I feel like it's a fairly private thing. I'm happy when people notice it, but too many comments about it just make me uncomfortable. Weight comments are just weird - whether they're positive or negative. It's a girl thing.

But as of today, I have lost 40 pounds. And I think that is something to crow about! I have hit my original goal. I still have 5 more to go - I adjusted it when the pounds started coming off. I'm thinking the last 5 will go pretty slowly, since I am trying diligently to build muscle. I can't wait until it warms up outside and I can start running. I'm doing a Couch to 5K program, and maybe, just MAYBE, I might run a 5K this summer.

Wish me luck!

Weekend

Nice, relaxing weekend. We haven't accomplished much, but sometimes you need weekends like that. Yesterday we hung out with my mom for part of the afternoon, while the boys played and I helped her figure out her new iPod. Mom's techno-savvy now! We went to the Saturday 5 pm church service because Mom was singing, and last night Dan & I watched Super Size Me. It is a gross movie, but very enlightening. I think we eat pretty well, but this movie inspires me to cut out the once-a-week fast food habit we've gotten into.

Today I did an hour of strength training and cardio; I like to kill two birds with one stone by alternating strength and cardio, so my heart rate never goes down. I sent my hubby off to the Sports Show for a fishing seminar, while I shoveled the sidewalk. Once he gets home, it's grocery time for me.

And that's our weekend. Tonight I'm parking myself in front of the Grammys.

This coming weekend is our production of The Vagina Monologues! It's Friday and Saturday nights (the 16th & 17th) at 7:00 pm, at BSC. Two of my sisters-in-law are in it with me, along with a friend from chorus, and a bunch of women I hadn't met before. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for seniors & students, available at the door. Come see it if you can - it's funny, sad, uncomfortable, and beautiful all at the same time.

And now, some pictures:

Sweet doggie. I still miss him SO much.

Yes, we actually caught this on film. Brace yourself. It's my brother. EATING BROCCOLI.

Zero visibility on the second day of February.

Neighbors? What neighbors?

Picture-Fest!

I was going to post some pictures from Evening on Broadway, but then I thought, maybe it isn't nice to post pictures of people all over The Internet without asking first. And I have way too many people to ask, so I'm just forfeiting.

Dan decided to take pictures of a fight in progress between Mason and Darien:




This is Darien screaming "DO NOT PUT THIS PICTURE ON THE INTERNET!!!

Then, because I never do, I decided to post 2 pictures of myself. I recently got some interesting highlights and lowlights, and you can kinda make them out:



And yes, I did slap on some lipstick in the second picture because I thought the first one washed me out.