Monday, December 31, 2007

Chillin in the New Year

College Girl collects snowmen and loves to bake – so here is Frosty – just chillin! She made three of these for various holiday festivities…one for practice, one for my book club dinner and one for the first night the family was all here. He had to reside in the fridge between creation and tasting – otherwise he fell apart at the seams!

Christmas was lots of fun – but definitely package and mess overload! Oh my gosh there were a lot of packages. Included was a beautiful yarn swift (yea!!!) and some delicious Alpaca sock yarn. The colors in the yarn really match the new jacket the kids got me – so instead of socks it will become mittens for me! My yarn – my mittens. Darn - I'll have to knit a new scarf too! Pictures soon.

Having 7 extra people living here was challenging – am now just getting things put back together. The tree comes down tomorrow and the rest of the Christmas stuff gets packed away before college girl goes back to school next Sunday. I need help putting the boxes up on the high shelves. I hate to see it go – especially the tree. It smells so nice.

The kids had a lot of fun together – we are so lucky the cousins are all such good friends. They compared college adventures, played games, shopped and had a good time. I enjoyed being with my siblings – nice to have brother here to put in my new microwave – saw it on sale so cheap I had to get it for myself with my bonus from work. It matches the stove and helps to update the tired kitchen.

Started back to work full-time right after Christmas – now that was a challenge. Having to get up early and actually be ready to face the day….having almost 6 months off from going to a regularly scheduled day was a gift – but now back to the real world as I keep telling the kids!

I do have some pretty specific New Year’s resolutions – I will stick to them too! – 1) Continue to work at Weight Watchers – I’ve been successful (After Christmas clothes shopping was very satisfying – I needed work outfits!) so no reason not to keep going; 2) get more exercise – I really want to ride my bike. I ran into an old friend the other day – she had just finished a ride. I told her I’d join her when the weather got a little warmer – it was only 14 this morning so don’t think it’s an immediate thing. 3) Become a more detailed knitter – be more careful and rip out my mistakes if necessary. Learn to finish more professionally. Obviously I like the hand knit look – but not the messy hand knit part! My knitting looks nice to others – but I always find flaws that are just sloppy work – you know – you’re almost finished and you hurry through the last steps. Well no more of that for me! I also will pay more attention to the pattern and to fitting with EPS. I’ve done it before and it worked out perfectly. I just need to remind myself of that! And 4) GET OUT THERE!! Really, I need more of a life with friends, so will work at that too.

Am looking forward to having a great year, enjoying my family (I’m so glad middle daughter is living close by and comes by often to hang out! And Son is remembering to call his mom more often – love it!), enjoying my job (I do!) and staying in touch with my blogging buddies! Happy New Year to all!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Just have a moment to remind the world that I'm still alive...just been really busy. Had a flurry of work related activities that kept me flying for a few weeks. Now the big wait is on. But will be working full time again right after Christmas - for at least a few months. I'd better explain...I've worked part-time for the last five years (usually in addition to a regular full time job) for a developer. Really work as his personal assistant on projects outside the development..including managing his photo library and working on research on a book he is writing. I also fill in on occasion for his full time office manager when she is gone on vacation - which in the past has been up to a month at a time. Well she's off again for two-three months and I'm going to fill in. The other development project is in a slump again while we wait for the State of Oregon to decide how to handle stupid laws that uninformed voters voted for. But by the time the two-three month gig is up - the other should be back in full swing...so looks like I'll be busy -
Whoo Hoo!

Have been working on the Christmas decorations - all the family will be here this year - and tomorrow is the tree day. College girl is home for the holidays so we can finally get that done.

I've done almost all my shopping (remember my vow not to knit gifts this year....lied, but forgot to take a picture of the hat I knit, but you can check it out here)

I've wrapped everything and sent stuff away to my Dad in California - I sent his girl friend the Autumn Canopy Shawl and him one of those digital picture frames..wow is it cool. I loaded it with family pictures that I collected from my brother and sister and all the kids. It was really fun and I know that he'll like it.

I've got the master grocery shopping list completed for the Christmas Eve dinner (our big family meal), Christmas day breakfast and all the leftover feasting...I'm organized!

Next week is Christmas shopping with College girl, haircuts, doctor appointments, work meetings and getting ready for the onslaught to begin next Sunday when there will be 10 people living in my house for a few days!!! College girl has prepared me for the changes - her stuff is of course everywhere - piles of laundry, scattered shoes in hallways and stuff all over the kitchen counter...Oh I love it!!!

I have been knitting (got the hat finished) a little in the evenings - working on the Norgi sweater - I'm on the second sleeve. Have decided that I want to do the Central Park Hoodie for College girl - I may have to make a stop at the LYS for her to pick out the color!

So I anticipate that this will be the last post til after the New Year. I will be thinking about all of you....Annie I am wondering if you got hit with the snow and ice? Rhonda - so sorry about the Gloucester fire....Roxie - oh those hot tropical nights! and Pat - wish I could motivate myself to walk as often as you do, my WW efforts would be more successful I'm sure, but I'm down 15 pounds - 5 short of my Christmas goal, but I'll get there!

I do hope that everyone has the best Christmas ever and that you all enjoy your families and that Santa brings you all fiberly wonderfulness!!