Eat.Knit.Sleep

So, I am home sick today. I have this weird combo of sinus headache, sore throat, and horrible stomach pains. I have been taking the time being home to catch up on some sleep, laundry, studying, blog reading, Lost watching, and yes knitting.

I had been focusing much of my energy on Oscar's sweater (which I have not blogged about yet) but misplaced the contrast yarn and the buttons that are needed for it, so that is on hold until I find those. I have been knitting however.

I decided, against all logical thought, to join the Sock Knitters Pentathlon (which is both a Yahoo group and a Ravelry group) even though I'm horrible about keeping up with these things. I did cast on for the sock last night and although the toe is a little weird shaped (this is only my second toe-up sock) I am enjoying it so far.

I am a little further a long than this is here:

Today has also given me some more time to think about things. I posted here before about my complete disinterest in my job, and you all know that I've started back to school for a career change to teaching. In the back of my mind since I made this decision, was a knowledge that in the fall I'm going to need to do some fieldwork as part of my classwork and I'm frightened that my job will not be supportive of me having to change my schedule. I've been trying to figure out a way to take more classes, and have more flexible work, but I've never had to do this with the responsibilities of a mortgage and a household and without wanting to put too much of a burden on C. Anyone have any experience with this? Well-paying part time jobs, flexible or work from home jobs, taking out student loans to cover some living expenses? Any advice would be appreciated

Posted by Jenny at 07:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Happy Monday!

It is 8am and I am not at work. Woot! (Not to rub it in for all of you that ARE at work, but I'm happy so don't rain on my parade).

I had been saving vacation days since June for our impending move which isn't happening, so now I am forced to take some vacation before the end of the year, so I decided to take this week off.

C and I are bailing on Thanksgiving and heading down to Cape May on Wed and I am super excited.

My weekend was pretty great. It started on Friday with some takeout from a local Mexican place. Can't go wrong with Veggie Burritos and Rice and Beans.

Saturday I went for a run, and came back home to C preparing bagels and lox. My favorite! Then he and I headed out shopping to pick out my birthday gift. He had decided to get me a full head-to-toe outfit for our dinner out in Cape May and he got me a beautiful tweed skirt with embroidery, a silk blouse, and hot new knee high boots, and came home and made me dinner to boot. What a catch!

Yesterday it was snowy here, so I stayed in my pjs and am thisclose to a finished Ariann (minus the belt and buttons) but I did manage to complete a Monkey sock.

I'm spending today cleaning the house, but hope to get a little knitting done too!

Posted by Jenny at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I want to thank all of you for your good wishes on C's new job (and on the brown sweater - which I love). He starts tomorrow and he is uber excited.

Friday, I took a half day at work so we could celebrate. We went down to IKEA and bought a whole bunch of stuff -- a new bookshelf/yarn storage unit for me, some shades for C's office, a desk chair, and then headed down to Philly for the best place on earth: Monk's Cafe

While I know there is a lot of great food in the Lowell/Boston area -- I'm so glad we don't have to leave the driving vicinity of Monks! Belgian beer, mussels, what more can a girl want (and also in walking distance of Rosie's Yarn Cellar, but I didn't go this weekend)

Saturday we did a whole day of "back to work" shopping. C has lost some weight and wanted to get some new clothes and I have gained some weight and reluctantly bought new clothes; all in all a long tiring day where I DID NOT buy a new MacBook Pro.

We also registered for a half marathon this weekend, which is scary and exciting being that neither of us currently run on a regular basis.

I've also been knitting. Here are some progress shots of the Monkey socks and Ariann:

Posted by Jenny at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I am really loving this pattern. I'm a bit further along than this photo represents, but my pictures weren't coming out well.

That picture also shows the Knitpicks Harmony DPNs for those of you who haven't seen them yet. They oddly match the yarn I'm using almost perfectly.

I've also cast-on for the Secret of the Stole and am loving knitting it so far. Pictures also came out blurry.

Turns out a personal day on Friday is just what I needed. Had lunch with C and picked up some yarn to make my Dad's Birthday present. (Henry if anyone is interested). We also watched Transamerica, which is worth watching.

Yesterday we slept late, which I hadn't done in FOREVER, and we took Oscar for a long walk, went out to lunch again (really great behavior for couple living on one income) and out for coffee.

Today I'm taking some much needed knitting time and then making chili (and C will make margaritas).

Good weekend overall, and I'm going to try to keep the stress levels down moving forward. I know eventually C will find a new job, and we will leave PA, and I will get to quit my job. So I'm going to try to do my job, but I'm not going to go above and beyond or succumb to the pressure and the stress and the "do or die" environment that they want me to or to the unethical behavior that some feel the need to do to keep their jobs. If I lose my job, then that's what happens.

Hope all of you are enjoying your weekends as well.

Posted by Jenny at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Also, not one but TWO pairs of finished socks.

Not to be without a sock on the needles. I started a pair of Monkey's with this last night

No one at the yarn shop told C about dyelots but these look pretty close!

Posted by Jenny at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There are so many posts that I could have written in the last 2 weeks. Why is it when life is most interesting, and I feel like I have SO much to say (and no one to say it to) I don't come here?

The weekend in Boston/Lowell was good. We liked the area a lot, we spent a beautiful day in Boston (and I'd be showing you pictures right now if the camera cable wasn't AWOL again). We had a nice dinner with C's potential employer.

Without getting too personal about C here, the interview didn't go as well as he had hoped, but after many talks and emails, strong references, we have a preliminary offer that we are waiting to be finalized. It isn't as much money as we had hoped, as Mass is much more expensive than PA, and we will be responsible for our own moving costs, but word is on the street that there are no other jobs out there period right now, so we'd be stupid not to take the offer.

I'm happy for C, because this is a relief for him. I'm starting to feel overwhelmed by the idea of living here alone, selling a house, moving someplace where I don't know what I will do or how I will fit in. I started looking online for potential jobs, and I don't even know where to start because I really don't want to keep doing what I am doing. I know I will be fine and I will figure it out, but from this side of things, I can't see how.

So, I've been knitting and spinning a lot because they are the last thing I should be doing. I've finished the second Trekking sock, and will cast on for the second Calla Lilly sock today. I'm almost completed with the body of the Bluebell Boatneck from Fitted Knits. I've purchased yarn and beads and swatched for the Secret of the Stole KAL.

Distraction is the best plan right now.

Posted by Jenny at 08:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

So, the yarn I showed you the other day? It's already on its way to being a sock.

I'm a little further a long than that now, and I"m really enjoying the knitting, even if the sock might be a little too big. It is the first installment from long ago of the Sundara Yarn Petal Collection. Beautiful yarn.

I keep joining these clubs and stashing the yarn. I don't know why. I'm weird like that.

I've also been a member of Boogie's Spunky Fiber club, and never spun it. Until now.

Here are my singles of the July selection, Shetland wool in Celebration. I made an effort to spin thicker and they are pretty crazy looking.

I'm home sick today. I was up all night with a terrible headache of which the remnants still remain. I'm totally not focused enough to be at work today, especially because my job involves talking to clients and being consultative. No consultations for me today.

So my friend who's niece I knit the Daisy sweater? Now she is expecting, and the baby is due in February. I'm thinking of doing something special like a blanket, but I'm not sure. Maybe the ubiquitous Baby Surprise. Decisions.

Posted by Jenny at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It is horrible that I keep track of this, but someone unsubscribed to my bloglines. I'm sorry if I bored you to death? Although I'm not particularly surprised.

I found my camera cable so I can provide a little bit of entertainment in that way. So I have finished a few items since last I showed photos.

Finished Sockapalooza socks already received by my pal. They are Tofutsie and a slip stich rib from Sensational Knitted Socks.

I also finished a dishcloth, that I may not have blogged about at all.

And a Daisy sweater, which I think is adorable for a baby just 10 days old.

I also did some frogging. I apparently think I am Shrek sized.

Exhibit A: Second Trekking Sock

The top finished sock is big and slouchy. The bottom sock was loose on C's size 13s and these socks are for me. Frogged and sent to their room without supper. Plan on recuperating with some of this:

I also frogged CeCe which I was really enjoying. I took it off the needles to frog back to fix a mistake and realized that it would fit around a person twice my size. This is even though I swatched and I was spot on. I'm going to try again in a smaller size but I need to do some more swatching.

This time of year is touch because I can't decide whether to squeeze one more summer project in, or to get started on fall. Tough call.

Posted by Jenny at 08:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dude, this is my 200th post!

And I'm still the loser with no camera cable. I swear it is in this room somewhere and I had it not too long ago!

I'm having one of those days. I didn't sleep well last night and I've been a little grumpy and fat today. I'm not sure the fat part has anything to do with the sleeping, but I feel particularly fat today. I'm sure that has nothing to do with the fact that I ate ice cream twice yesterday.

Our trip to New Hope was nice, although I'm very sunburnt right now. I'm sure that is helping a lot with the crankiness.

In knitting news, for some reason I realized only today as I started the toe decreases that the second Trekking sock is made for someone with the gout. Or elephantitis of the leg and foot. Or Shrek. I need to rip back, but I also need a break. Working on CeCe is a nice change from the stockinette sock and I hope to be able to show you soon.

I've also been spinning up my Celebration Shetland from the Spunky Club. I'm making a real effort to spin a little heavier, but I'm nervous about the plying because I suck ass at it. I'm thinking of making my own lazy kate (per Elspeth's advice and the fact that my Woolee WInder bobbins don't fit well on the Kate that came with my wheel).

I'm sleepy now, and am going to get ready for bed. Good night.

Posted by Jenny at 09:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, no pictures today either. Which sucks, because I actually have stuff to show you.

I've turned the heel and done the gusset decreases on the Trekking socks, which are so autumn it kills me.

I've finished the knitting and seaming on the Daisy sweater, and just need to sew on buttons and mail it off the the baby who is 6 days old.

I've finished knitting the Ballband Dishcloth and it is already in use in my kitchen.

I've finished spinning the BFL from Hello Yarn, and just need to get up the nerve to ply it. I suck at plying.

It's been a little touch and go around here.

My job is extremely demoralizing . . . they are asking us to work harder for significantly less pay (I'm earning about 1/3 of what I was a few months ago) and they are not letting people move to different positions within the company. I can't afford to quit because C still hasn't had any job interviews and we don't know where we will be living so I don't want to look for a new job around here.

We are 12 days a way from when C loses his benefits and gets his severance pay out which is all he will get (besides unemployment) until he gets a new job.

One of C's former coworkers who was laid off with him killed himself, leaving behind a wife and 3 small children. C is taking it hard. It makes me extraordinarily sad, while simultaneously, very grateful for what I have.

I don't have time to go searching for the cable today, or at least right now, because we will be heading down to the New Hope Automotive Show to hopefully distract C and let him have a good time before heading off to the service for his friend tomorrow.

Posted by Jenny at 09:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I actually finished these a while ago, but hadn't gotten around to posting them yet.

This is my first pair of solid socks, and I'm hoping the Knitpicks Essential softens with washing. Done with those, I've started my Sockapalooza socks:

It's made from Tofutsies, which is a little splitty but makes a nice fabric for warm weather socks, which was my intent.

I'm pulling myself back on the wagon with diet and exercise, as I realize I really have let myself go. Running, weights, cardio and yoga, and an eating plan designed to boost my metabolism. We'll see how this goes.

Had a nice weekend -- saw some friends from high school I hadn't seen in almost 10 years, which was interesting, and made me realize I really need to get out of my job. Anyone successfully make a career change in their mid-twenties?

Posted by Jenny at 02:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So I signed up for Sockapalooza 4 even though I'm not much of a joiner, and when I was in NJ this weekend for a friend's wedding I did a little yarn shopping for her.

She lives in So Cal where it is mild in climate and she likes purple and green. She said she either likes patterned socks in solid or semi-solid colors, or plain socks in beautiful variegated yarns. She also would be interested in cotton-blend or lighter-weight socks she said. Going through my stash, and with the purchase made on Saturday, I think I have two options.

Collinette Jitterbug in a beautiful semi-solid purple. I would have the option to do a more patterned sock here. Problem is, my pal has slightly larger feet than I do, which are a women's 8.5-9 and the yardage on the Jitterbug is pretty slight, especially when taking into account a textured pattern. I'd also have ZERO problem making myself some anklets with this stuff!

I also found this in my stash, which is lovely, but also not colors I'd wear, and it has the prerequisite purple and green.

With the Wildfoote I wouldn't worry about yardage, but I'd feel weird making very plain socks, so I suppose I could do a bit of a fancy rib.

What do you guys think?

I'm a little sad today as one of my favorite people at work quit/was pushed out on Friday when I was out and it makes me really hate my job and boss right now. And one of my little baby Basil's bit it while we were away as well:

Posted by Jenny at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I meant to post this last week . . .

Posted by Jenny at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, a couple of weeks ago I broke my nose. I got hit with a door, big nosebleed, the whole nine yards. I didn't really believe that I had broken it, so I waited a few days to go to my family doctor. He suspected it was broken, sent me for an x-ray and referred me to a specialist. My nose was swollen and crooked looking, and I was having trouble breathing out of the right side. The X-Ray showed no fracture, or cartilage damage, although my septum was deviated and the Dr. thought that was the reason for the trouble breathing (although if my septum had ALWAYS been deviated, I don't know why it would only give me trouble after I banged my nose!). Anyway, I pressed, and he decided I should have a CAT Scan in case the swelling was hiding a fracture. I had that last Thursday, and a follow up appointment with the ENT specialist on Tuesday. Yep, there was a fracture, and it was indenting my bone into my nasal canal restricting my breathing, so yesterday I had surgery to straighten it out.

Now I look like this:

Please excuse the no makeup, bad hair. I haven't showered since yesterday because I need to take baths until the splint comes off next week, and I need Carlos' help to wash my hair. (This is when a boyfriend who actually has hair might have come in handy, although he was a sweetie who took the day to spend with me in the hospital yesterday although it was a minor, out-patient procedure).

The pain wasn't so bad last night or this morning, although just now when my Percocet wore off it hurts a lot, and I'm not looking forward to going to work tomorrow, in pain with the funny splint on my nose. Why I have no problem posting the photo on the internet, I do not know.

I spent a fair time knitting, spinning, and reading today which was nice. I finished the bobbin of 2-ply I was working on, started the waist increases on Ariann, and have been knitting on the Cable Rib socks, because I really need some grey socks. Oscar definitely enjoyed me being home.

Really, really don't want to go to work tomorrow. Think the big plaster cast will help in my quarterly review from the boss with completely unrealistic expectations (how a sales person who has never missed their quota, and has a great relationship with my customers and coworkers and consistently get negative reviews, I will never know! -- I need to find a job without all the politics).

Posted by Jenny at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

This was my plane knitting for my trip to Seattle. Been putting off finishing it.

Feeling slightly better . . . debating whether to take another day to recover. I've never been good at deciding when is sick enough to stay home . . .especially since I've already been sick one day this month, and will have used up half of my sick days in March alone.

Posted by Jenny at 04:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Click here for a closeup.

I wore them all weekend. They made me very happy. I am also very happy that I am currently weighing 131.4. This means I am down 6.6 lbs!

Posted by Jenny at 05:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

My Jaywalkers are blocking as we speak. I hope to have a FO picture tomorrow. Now just have to finish Carlos' clogs .. .

Posted by Jenny at 01:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey all,
I'm sorry my posting has been odd lately. I've been busy and working hard to get the new site up and running, so here it is, the first post posted only on this site! Hopefully everyone will make their way over here soon. So this weekend was hectic.

Friday we stopped at Border's after work to figure out what the hell we are going to do with our lawn. Our backyard won't grow grass, so we are looking into some "lawn alternatives." Anyone know anyone with a clover lawn?

Saturday we went to the hardware store to start dealing with our front lawn, which has grass that is dying, and the large spot that Oscar killed with his, um, organic material. So we spent the day laboring in the yard, seeding, and digging, and mulching. Not even fun stuff like flowers, and we decide we've earned a burger and a beer. I go to check the mail, and I find 3 condoms filled with liquid like water balloons in our mailbox. Interesting.

I get C and we decide we have to move them because the mailman is coming, and that is just rude. So we move them, we call the police, and this poor officer had to come out for our condom incident. We finally made it out for our beer and had a nice night and played some pool.

Yesterday we went into the city to try to take some photos to get ourselves out of our parking ticket, and lo and behold, there was a tiny No standing sign way down the other end of the street that was bent and looked like it was pointing the opposite direction. I'm still going to plead not guilty and try to get out of them, because it was really unclear.

I'm still plugging away at my knitting projects, which I promise I will photograph. I'm almost done with the first felted clog, I'm seriously procrastinating seaming my vest because it is too warm to wear it, I started the front of Smooch, and I'm almost to the heel of my jaywalkers. I sincerely apologize to my Sock Pal and my Project Spectrum Postcard pal for not posting their pictures yet. I've misplaced my camera cable and I promise I will look for it this week!

I leave you with this, some Zephyr from Rosie's Yarn Cellar to be turned into the Fibertrends Landscape Shawl. I can't wait to start this!

Posted by Jenny at 07:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I know I haven't been posting all of the pictures I said I would. I've been very busy getting http://www.jennysbelly.com sorted out. I'm trying to get it looking the way that I want before I have you all check me out over there, so bear with me. I have been knitting, although not so much finishing up my Tweedy Vest. I'm loving the Lorna's Laces for the Jaywalkers so far. Stay tuned!

Posted by Jenny at 08:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Since these are red, orange, and yellow . . .I've decided to count these towards both the Red Hot Socks and Project Spectrum. (I did buy some orange yarn in April, which I'll photograph soon).

You may have remembered I finished the first one of these a LONG time ago, but here is the happy pair.

Life has been a lot less dramatic as of late. The Kid no longer lives here, and that was a large part of the drama that I spoke about earlier in the month, as well as the effect the stress was having on my relationship with C. A lot of my time has been spent cleaning out his room as he seems to think that any drawer, or spare bit of space should be filled with empty packs of cigarettes and food wrappers. I'll let you imagine what that must smell like. My mother is coming to visit on Thursday so it has to get done. I bought some yarn this month, and I will photograph and post.

I've decided to make a point to post every day in May. There will be some exceptions as I am going to NYC the first weekend in May and don't have a laptop to post with, but I'll do my best.

Posted by Jenny at 05:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Posted by Jenny at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Wow, you guys are great!

Thank you for all of your support, both on the drama & the Clapotis.

The drama is a little less dramatic as of late . . .the gist is that the Kid will no longer be living at La Maison de Jennysbelly much longer . . . the details make me a little uncomfortable, but I am happy with the outcome. C & I actually get to enjoy our home we've been living in for almost a  year. We don't like PA, but we do like our house, and in many ways we've been walking on eggshells for a long time.

In triathlon news . . .C & I ran and played raquetball (played might be a bit of an overstatement) on Saturday before buying new mountain bikes!

Here's my new bike, which I haven't ridden yet.

There was a bit of an incident with my lack of height and an inability to see if a car with a bike rack could clear a parking garage, but damage seems to be minimal.

In knitting news, I'm making good progress on my Sockapaloooza socks .. . I'm using the same yarn, and working them 2 at a time on 2 circulars. My first time using this method. I like it, and actually ladders don't seem to be an issue with my Open Rib pattern I'm using. I just hope they fit as my sock pal has larger feet than me. I should turn the heel tonight or tomorrow.

I also am almost done with the front of the Tweedy Vest from Knitscene. I'm enjoying this a lot as well, although keeping in pattern was a bit of a challenge after I started decreasing for the armholes. I'll try to take some pictures tonight. I also have some cleaning and curtain hanging to do as my good friend from college will be staying at my house on Sunday.

Posted by Jenny at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

So I mentionned a bit ago that I had started my sockapaloooza socks .. . Right. Well, apparently I'm not that good at knitting socks for someone with bigger feet than me. The socks were eating up yarn at an alarming rate, and my math just made a big ass sock.

Anyone have a foot that is 9" around who can tell me how many stiches you cast on with dk yarn? So I frogged, not before taking guage in the round, and I think I just need to take into account negative ease and will start again with a new stich count, and probably a pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks.

On the personal level, I got up at 5:30am today to go to the gym to swim (I put some minutes on my bike on a wind trainer in my basement last night) . .. I only brought swimming things, was wearing my bathing suit, and got there and realized I must have left my goggles in the shower at the gym on Friday. I'm wearing contacts. I go to the lost and found, and they said even if they had found them, they would have thrown them out. So, I drove back home, got dressed and went to work. Ugh.

Posted by Jenny at 08:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So, I've been pretty busy lately now that I'm out of training at work and have been pretty beat by the time I get home.

Tri training should be improved by my new purchase of a heart rate monitor. My giant clapotis (pictures to come) arrived in time for the first day of spring, albeit it is 30 degrees out! My SewIKnit skirt is . . .well, still not done. My Project Spectrum postcard arrived, but my socks are on their bazillionth short row heel . . .why do I only get holes on one side?

Lastly, wonderful goodies from my Secret Pal arrived last week!

Posted by Jenny at 09:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm neglecting my knitting (although some has gotten done), my housework (none of that is getting done), my school work (very little is getting done). So don't feel so bad. I can't believe how long it has been since I've written a REAL post and I feel especially guilty that I'm at work and have no pictures to show you. I also have to try to remember what has happened in the past 2 weeks.

February 14th, Valentine's Day, is C and my anniversary. 4 years! And there have been a lot of times in the last 4 years that we didn't think we'd make it. Anyway, we did, and we were very happy and he cooked me a lovely meal of scallops and wild rice pilaf, cheese and bread. Champagne was drunk and chocolate fondue enjoyed by all.

After I ripped out my Rosedale, I started a Clapotis in some Noro Shinano I purchased off of ebay. So far so good . . .I'm in the straight sections and have dropped 4 stitches; I will take some pictures tonight. I'm also up to the heel on my red socks and am eager to finish so I can cast on for my Sockapaloooza socks, probably doing a pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks.

I also got some other goodies in the mail . . .my pattern for the Sew I Knit sewalong, and I purchased my fabric and other notions as well. Now, I just need to learn to use my sewing machine! And learn how to cut out a pattern! Any tips . .. I also got a drop spindle and some beautiful fiber from Adrian at Hello Yarn but I haven't had a chance to do more than fondle (and I realized that Oscar may not love yarn, but he LOOOVVVES fiber . . .so I need to be careful with storage there)

This weekend was nice . .. Friday I wasn't feeling 100% (waiting for blood work results from the doctor to hopefully find out what is wrong) so I skipped the gym. C went, and I made some pasta and we chilled out with some wine on the couch. Saturday we met a friend of C's from Munich and a coworker of his in NYC (It was their first time there). We had oysters and soup at Bar Americain, drove down to the financial district and walked around SoHo, South Street Seaport, and the West Village before having an amazing Portuguese meal in a little place we never would have just found. I highly, highly recommend both. I love NY.

On the weight front .  .. for you Elisa . ..at the doctor on Wed I weighed 131.8 (4.2 lbs down, 21.8 to go). My working out and eating habits have been sporadic at best, and my not feeling hot hasn't helped. Nor has copius amounts of red wine, so I'm happy with my results and that I've lost at all. The 125-130 range is where I've been for the past few years, and is where most of my clothes fit best so I'm getting close.

In September 2004 I did the Danskin triathalon. I didn't have the time or the know how to train for that event and did it in 2 hours (after literally nearly drowning during the swim portion). I had wanted to better my time in 2005, but the move shelved that idea. I still have no idea if  I will be able to compete this year (the time of the event is close to the time we want to go to Portland, and right now that is a priority) but I've decided to train as if I am. Now, I haven't swam or ran since then, so I'm starting with a 10 week walk/run program before I start the tri training with spinning/cycling mixed in to prepare me for the 5 Borough Bike Tour in May. I'm hoping this will kickstart my fitness, and my weight loss.

Posted by Jenny at 10:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I haven't made much progress with the other red sock except to cast on and finish the short row toe. I did purchase some yarn for my Sockapaloooza pal however. Jaeger Matchmaker DK . . .I hope to adapt a pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks.

I also purchased some yarn for a vest for me .. .I've never worn a vest but I've been craving one. It's simple Lambs Pride Worsted in a pretty grey.

I haven't picked a pattern for this  yet, and I may just wing it.

On other news, I've been really run down lately and hard to motivate so I made an appointment for a physical hoping that will help. I haven't weighed myself in a while so I don't know where I am on that front -- I don't think I've lost more.

Work has been a little stressful, but the environment I'm in at this job makes that more bearable. Happy Knitting to all you Olympians out there. Have a cup of joe on me.

Posted by Jenny at 09:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I was planning on posting tonight so I could post some pictures of my Rosedale process . . . I may have to rip the second red sock as I believe I may have been knitting with one size 1 needle and one size 3 needle . . .however due to the fact that I am one inch into the sock, I might just switch needles at home and forget it ever happened.

I am having another one of those days . . . that makes you want to bang your head against the wall and drink wine for breakfast. I'm having some differences with my trainers at my new job on what is proficient . . . luckily my new boss is on my side . . . especially since the trainers' issue is that I may be TOO prepared. Too prepared?

I leave you with this. Have one on me:

Posted by Jenny at 01:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm down 3 pounds. At least I was before my spinning class last night. (Bicycle spinning . .. I only wish it was fiber spinning). I'm hoping that an hour of biking like a madman a la Wendy will balance out the beer, 2 pieces of pizza and homemade carrot cake I ate last night.  I doubt it. Thus, I will be eating salad for lunch today.

Still knitting the Rosedale sleeve. And the red sock. No pictures. I emptied my camera of pictures and yet it still says memory card full. The boy was supposed to look at it last night, but I forgot to ask him and he was distracted by the X games. Hopefully I'll be able to add them tonight after work.

Cheers.

Posted by Jenny at 09:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I started Rosedale United last night. I'm a little curious as to how I like this Kureyon colorway (its 138). Carlos thinks it is ugly but it is growing on me. I was originally going to use this yarn to make a simple top down raglan a la Crafty Brainwave but Rosedale kept calling my name. I'm actually scared shitless excited about the intarsia! So far so good . .. I'm not very far into it but am enjoying how fast knitting goes on size 8s after working on miles of garter stitch for Patrick's scarf (which was finished late Friday night).

I also got to knit at work while listening to boring educational trainings via MS Livemeeting. I turned my first short row heel! Thanks Purly for your excellent yarn over short row tutorial!

This weekend was nice. Low key except for the party (in which C's sister looked beautiful and I took many blurry pictures . . .and that was before I drank too much wine!) I'm looking forward to getting my sock pal and am nervous about knitting for someone who doesn't already love me!

I leave you with this picture of C and his sister dancing.

Posted by Jenny at 10:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Carlos' little sister is having her sweet sixteen party today. I asked her on her birthday how she felt being sixteen and she said, "Old, but not." I laughed because if she is anything like me she will be feeling that for a long, long time.

I have some housekeeping to share . . . I've joined a couple of knitalongs as you can see on my sidebar. (No, I'm not an Olympian). I've also joined up with Concateknit in her fighting her weight down once and for all.  I'll post my number is 135 . . . .30 lbs more  than my weight at 16 (and I haven't grown an inch). Only perk I've found (or more like C's found) is that over the last 10 lbs. I've gained, I've gone up a full cup size. I signed up for eDiets but so far I'm not impressed. . .  it's not practical for me to follow a specific meal plan and I think I am going to cancel and pony up the extra money for Weight Watcher's online. Anyone have any experience with either?

I've also just realized that I need to learn some HTML as I just had to download Firefox since Safari doesn't support WYSIWYG editing in Typepad!

I've been knitting as well, and it was finally nice enough to take some photos today. Here is a long time finished object . . .my multidirectional scarf:

I wear this pretty much every day . ..  although its been like 50 degrees this January so not as much as I would like.

Also some final pictures of the Marilyn . I got many compliments on the sweater when I wore it to work and  the only modifications I made was to omit the r uffles. It's made of Knitpicks Merino Style in Hollyberry and I used most of 6 skeins.

I'll try to take a picture of me wearing it one day when I'm actually showered and all that jazz.

Here's a closeup (I'm too lazy to link it to the above photo right now)
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And lastly here are the red socks I'm working on . .. they are my first toe up.

Posted by Jenny at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I also finished my branching out scarf a while back but never posted.

Weekend was good. Friday, I went to work for a few hours, slept and watched TV most of the rest of the day. Saturday, did more of the same, went to the Brewworks in the afternoon to shoot some pool, and actually won a few games. Made it to the gym for the first time since hurting my foot. Overall, a good weekend.

Posted by Jenny at 11:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I've been having a really hard time motivating myself do work hard at work, or even do the bare minimum of what is required by me. It's like high school all over again.  I discovered early on in school, that doing the bare minimum still got good grades, and I got no extra rewards from working hard. I learned a lot more from the reading I did on my own.

I'm at the same point at work.  I'm seem to not be trying very hard, and everyone is thanking me for my hard work.  Great, you'd think. . .  but I'm not happy.  After the initial happiness of not being in an office all day, and freedom to go home at lunch, I'm finding myself needing to make excuses to not crawl back into bed, or go home and knit in front of the TV.  I honestly think I'd be happier in an office, if I liked my job.

Before we moved to Pennsylvania, I was fed up with sales, applied and got in to graduate school for education. I think I would much rather screw it,  and go back to school full time for History and get my PhD, but I don't think it is practical, and I am afraid to bring it up with C.  Especially with the Kid in the house.  Maybe I made a mistake to come out here. I don't know.

I have been knitting. I've started Scoop du Jour, and a new pair of socks. Here are some pictures I've been taking but not posting over the past few weeks.

This is Carlos with his birthday cake. He made me take that picture, which says how proud he was of the cake. He HATES his picture taken.

Here is a picture of my Fiery Bolero

Here's another one.

Here is my first pair of socks!

Anyway, I'm in a funk, and I REALLY REALLY need the weekend.

Posted by Jenny at 03:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The boy hasn't had a chance to look at the camera to see why it isn't working, yet,  and he's a little annoyed with me right now (for reasons not worth getting into) so I'm not going to push my luck.

I have some good news -- I may have found a job by the new house.  They called and said they were extending an offer but I won't have the details until Monday.  I'm trying not to jinx it by getting my hopes up, so more on that next week.

Carlos and I went to Princeton, a place where I will REALLY miss when we move, for Mexican last night and it was really yummy.  He took me to my favorite ice cream store, the Bent Spoon, but it was kind of rainy and icky out so I got some habenero hot chocolate instead which was fantastic!

Still plugging away on the magic stripes socks. I don't really like the pattern, but I want to practice making a complete pair before I touch the Koigu.  I was bad yesterday at work, and bid on 3 auctions on ebay-- I unexpectedly won all 3.  So I have a bag of Kureyon, a bag of Debbie Bliss Cathay, and another 3 skeins of Kureyon coming way. Luckily I got great deals on all of them. The 3 lone skeins will become a Booga bag which I've been dying to make. The Cathay will be the Bolero from the spring Interweave Knits and another Chickami for a summer twinset.  I don't know what to do with the bag of Kureyon.  Any ideas?

I'm wearing the Chickami today -- it finally dried after 3 days -- it is sooo comfy. 

Posted by Jenny at 12:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)