January 2005 Archives

Food:
Exercise:
Martial Arts, 45 minutes

I disappeared for a week. I realize that. Actually last Tuesday I did martial arts, and then Wednesday morning my world was turned upside down when my best friend was critically injured in an auto accident. She's still in the ICU and I've spent the last 5 days in a daze, crying and eating crap and generally feeling sorry for myself.

You know what, though? She would totally kick my ass for doing this. Totally. She would tell me to get off my lazy butt and get back to exercising, to eat right and take care of myself.

So today I dragged my droopy, depressed ass back to martial arts. Tomorrow I will run and do martial arts. I ate some *salad* and *protein* today. I am still weepy and sad and considering whether I need to get some wellbutrin. But I do not want to completely lose the momentum that I've gained, nor do I want her to yell at me when she does wake up.

Sunday I am going to run in that race. Oh yes I am. Maybe not very fast, but I'll be running.

Food:
Exercise:
Martial Arts, 45 minutes

I disappeared for a week. I realize that. Actually last Tuesday I did martial arts, and then Wednesday morning my world was turned upside down when my best friend was critically injured in an auto accident. She's still in the ICU and I've spent the last 5 days in a daze, crying and eating crap and generally feeling sorry for myself.

You know what, though? She would totally kick my ass for doing this. Totally. She would tell me to get off my lazy butt and get back to exercising, to eat right and take care of myself.

So today I dragged my droopy, depressed ass back to martial arts. Tomorrow I will run and do martial arts. I ate some *salad* and *protein* today. I am still weepy and sad and considering whether I need to get some wellbutrin. But I do not want to completely lose the momentum that I've gained, nor do I want her to yell at me when she does wake up.

Sunday I am going to run in that race. Oh yes I am. Maybe not very fast, but I'll be running.

Food:
Exercise:
Martial Arts, 45 minutes

I disappeared for a week. I realize that. Actually last Tuesday I did martial arts, and then Wednesday morning my world was turned upside down when my best friend was critically injured in an auto accident. She's still in the ICU and I've spent the last 5 days in a daze, crying and eating crap and generally feeling sorry for myself.

You know what, though? She would totally kick my ass for doing this. Totally. She would tell me to get off my lazy butt and get back to exercising, to eat right and take care of myself.

So today I dragged my droopy, depressed ass back to martial arts. Tomorrow I will run and do martial arts. I ate some *salad* and *protein* today. I am still weepy and sad and considering whether I need to get some wellbutrin. But I do not want to completely lose the momentum that I've gained, nor do I want her to yell at me when she does wake up.

Sunday I am going to run in that race. Oh yes I am. Maybe not very fast, but I'll be running.

First, an update on my friend - she is doing as well as we could hope, healing and recovering in the ICU at Stanford. Many ups and downs but she's made it clear she doesn't want to go so all we can do is send her our love and strength.

My knitting progress on Sherbet was pretty good until last night, but then I decided I didn't like the increases on the sleeves (they were holey) and as a result the side didn't look right when I stitched it up, so... rrrrriiiippp!!! My husband can't understand how I can like a hobby where you undo your work so frequently. But I learned good stuff and didn't waste any material. How cool is that? Tonight I'll make a *good* sleeve while watching TV, and I'll stitch that baby on and it will be good. Have to be somewhat expeditious about this since Kaily's bday is on Saturday.

Here's my SP4 list for my SP4 pal (and anyone else who might be curious):

 1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- and/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? 

I like natural fibers, so I'm kind of a yarn snob... although I have enjoyed working with novelty yarns (for this hat and this scarf)

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
While I have admired the wheely things at the yarn shop I have so far resisted their call. And the crochet needles in my possession are only for fixing dropped stitches. So far.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Smoke.

4. How long have you been knitting?
Since Thanksgiving weekend. It's all Michelle's fault.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I do, but it's not very up-to-date.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
My favorite smell *ever* is the Coconut Lime Verbeena stuff from bath and body works. I generally like vanilla and tropical scents, I'm not so much for the more 'grown-up' smells (like lavender).
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I used to be super-non-crafty but recently I've started doing more general stuff. I'm going to spend some time gardening this year, I think. I like sewing, although I'm not very good yet.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) 
My PowerBook can play MP3s... my ipod can play them too

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?
I like bright jewel tones - alone or all smushed together.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Husband, 1. Children, 2 (Boy, 5; Girl, 7). Cats, 2. Dogs, 2. Fish, lots.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
To achieve zen mastery. Be a good mom. Have fun.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Haven't been knitting long enough to really find a preference. My current project is with cotton tape and I think I might use that for a summer tank - I really like the way it looks. I'd like to make something with Noro...

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? 
Acrylic. Ew.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? 
Socks! I have to make some for Sockapalooza!

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I've enjoyed all of the projects I've made, but I am really enjoying the sweater I'm working on now... putting the pieces together into a whole "thing" is really satisfying.

17. What are you knitting right now?
Sherbet, due at a birthday party on Saturday.

18. What do you think about ponchos? 
Haven't decided yet. I have some baby alpaca which may become a scarf someday.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Depends on what I'm working on...

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like wooden needles (harder wood) and the Inox metal needles, and my Denise needles are great too. I'm not fond of the acrylic needles, even though they are fun to look at.

21. Are you a sock knitter?
Not right at this moment. But the deadline for Sockapalooza is March 1 so I'd better get cracking! (right after Sherbet)

22. How did you learn to knit?
From Michelle.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Ha! I don't keep UFO's around. I rip them unceremoniously down to their elemental parts. I think I just haven't been knitting long enough to accumulate UFOs...

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? ??
Uh, I like cats. I like The Tick. Aladdin is cool. Oh! I liked Elastigirl a lot from The Incredibles! Can you tell from my blog name?

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Books... cookbooks, knitting books, science fiction books, romance books, parenting books, fitness books... well, pretty much all kinds of books.

As you might imagine, it's been very stressful here, working through my friend's situation. She's undergoing surgery again right now... once they've got these most critical injuries resolved the orthopedic surgeon says he thinks he should be able to completely reconstruct her pelvis/hip.

Her boy stayed with his daddy last night so he could work on processing what's happening, and I've been given the very important job of mouthpiece for the family. I set up an email list, I send out updates on her condition, and that way people don't bug her husband on a minute-by-minute basis. It's a good job. I feel like I'm helping in a fundamental and important way, and at the same time I selfishly appreciate the fact that I get to know *right away* when something happens. I'm not so good with the waiting.

Yesterday, she was supposed to go into surgery at 4:00. I lit some candles in the laundry room to send her some healing vibes. I chose the laundry room because the cat box is in there and the air kinda needed some candle energy too. My friend would appreciate this dual purpose candle use.

I didn't find out until 8:00 that her surgery was pushed out to today, at which point my poor candles had exhausted themselves. There was no way I was blowing out my ritualistic healing candles until I knew what was up, so they just created a kinda cute flowery mosaic on the tile.

I need new candles now.

Just like any other nervous knitter, I've been using this time to work on Sherbet. The back is done. So is the front:

I'm sure I would have the whole danged thing done if I only actually paid attention to what I was doing. I swatched on 13 needles, got the gauge right, and then cast on for the back and then did the ribbing and a stripe and a half before I remembered, oh yeah, I was supposed to do the ribbing on 11s. So I ripped back and started again. Then I started a front panel. On 13s. Again, 1-1/2 stripes and d'oh! Back I ripped. The irony here is that these two were the pieces I worked on *before* the accident. So I have no excuse other than general air-headedness. The *third* panel (started on Wednesday, after the accident) I remembered the 11 needles. Apparently I do better knitting under duress.

Thanks for all the healing thoughts, I'm certain that they are helping. If you can, please stop by the Red Cross and give blood - my friend has needed lots of it, and will need more, and she's not the only one. So, if you get a chance, please take the time out to donate.

And all the healing thoughts you have, she'll take them.

One of my best friends in the world was critically injured yesterday in an automobile accident. Nobody's fault, slippery mountain road, bad visibility, her van spun out and hit a tree. It was a huge blessing that the two kindergarten-aged children in her car were basically unhurt but she was, as I said, critically injured. She was stabilized at our local hospital and flown to one of the best trauma centers in the world (Stanford), and last night the doctors performed surgery and miraculously stabilized her. She still has several surgeries ahead of her, and she needs whatever prayers and healing thoughts you might be able to offer.

I need to tell you what a wonderful woman this is. She is the godmother of my children and has been a huge part of my life for several years. She is an amazing cook, a wonderful Jewish mom, a phenomenal friend and just generally a brilliant light in the world. She's also sometimes bossy, tends to over-commit, very sensitive, so totally human. I am extremely fortunate to have such a person as my friend, and I am honored to be able to help during this time by offering her son a place to stay so her husband can concentrate on her during this fragile time.

I believe strongly and completely in the power of prayer and positive thought to help someone through something like this, so if you have a moment, please send out some good thoughts in the general direction of Stanford, California, or light a candle in her honor.

Thanks...

I've moved all my cooking stuff to a separate blog named DomestiGirl Cooks! Head over there to see my recipes and food musings

Back to knitting! Yesterday our postal carrier was running very late and didn't come until dark, so I was pleasantly surprised while making dinner when a package appeared on my doorstep from my Knitty Secret Pal!

What cool stuff!

• A cool socky variegated ball of yarn to make some Sockapalooza socks with (she promises they won't be itchy!) The great thing is that these autumn colors are just what my sockapalooza pal likes.
  
• A nice cotton chenille with a pattern for an interesting dishcloth! No more boring stockinette stitch dishcloths!
  
• An adorable pad of kitty note paper (aw)
  
• Seeds from her garden, for mine - lots of cool seeds (including chenille :-) mostly ones which love full sun. Which is a Very Good Thing considering my house sits perched atop a very very sunny hill. And I was just contemplating getting some more flowers out in my yard, so the timing is great...
  
• A very cool little soap. I can't place the scent but it's really very yummy. Smells almost like some of my Perfumer's Apprentice scents. Mmmm....
  

Thanks, Secret Pal! You're the best!

On Thursday my friend and I went to Sur La Table to take a class "Pies and Tarts 101". It was a workshop so we got to play with the food ourselves, and it was pretty darned fun (except for a couple of grumpy people who we mostly avoided). We worked on the Lemon Saboyon Tart, which came out quite well in the class.

During intermission, we got to wander around and shop, and I picked up some cool goodies. Look how well I focussed on pastry related items! And I even got some stuff for my kids, what a caring mom I am.

I attempted to make the Lemon Saboyon Tart at home but it didn't work out nearly as well, probably because I used Meyer Lemons instead of regular lemons and their zest is much different. Everyone seemed to like it, but I probably won't make it again since I spent 2-1/2 hours standing at the stove adding eggs/sugar/wine and mixing frantically. And the pinenut cookie crust was great (in fact we have some extra dough from that and I might just use it for some cookies - that stuff is fabulous).

Since I'm putting all my cooking entries in here now, I think I'll participate in one of the food blog MEME's, Sugar High Fridays on February 11. Have to go check out some puff pastry recipes and get some inspiration!

On Thursday my friend and I went to Sur La Table to take a class "Pies and Tarts 101". It was a workshop so we got to play with the food ourselves, and it was pretty darned fun (except for a couple of grumpy people who we mostly avoided). We worked on the Lemon Saboyon Tart, which came out quite well in the class.

During intermission, we got to wander around and shop, and I picked up some cool goodies. Look how well I focussed on pastry related items! And I even got some stuff for my kids, what a caring mom I am.

I attempted to make the Lemon Saboyon Tart at home but it didn't work out nearly as well, probably because I used Meyer Lemons instead of regular lemons and their zest is much different. Everyone seemed to like it, but I probably won't make it again since I spent 2-1/2 hours standing at the stove adding eggs/sugar/wine and mixing frantically. And the pinenut cookie crust was great (in fact we have some extra dough from that and I might just use it for some cookies - that stuff is fabulous).

Since I'm putting all my cooking entries in here now, I think I'll participate in one of the food blog MEME's, Sugar High Fridays on February 11. Have to go check out some puff pastry recipes and get some inspiration!

Food:
Exercise:
Martial Arts, 45 minutes
Running: 30 minutes (2 miles)

This weekend was a big wasteland of tasty junk food and rump-sitting. I was supposed to go running with my friend yesterday but her son came down with a high fever so she couldn't go. Spurred on by irresistable forces like this I managed to do not really anything this weekend.

But it's Monday! So back on the treadmill with me - I'm up to 2 minutes running and 2 minutes walking. I toned down the 'running' speed to see if I could run for 2 minutes at 5 MPH without having my heartrate get over 170. The answer was... yes, the first 3 times. After that my body was a little more spiky with the heart rate but overall I'm pleased - when I've run previously I've had much more trouble with the spiking heart rate so I must be better conditioned than I thought, from all the martial arts I've been doing.

Only 2 weeks until my first event of the year - not anything spectacular, just the Super Bowl 3K, but I'm looking forward to it anyhow because then I'll have a baseline for pace to improve upon.

Food:
Exercise:
Martial Arts, 45 minutes
Running: 30 minutes (2 miles)

This weekend was a big wasteland of tasty junk food and rump-sitting. I was supposed to go running with my friend yesterday but her son came down with a high fever so she couldn't go. Spurred on by irresistable forces like this I managed to do not really anything this weekend.

But it's Monday! So back on the treadmill with me - I'm up to 2 minutes running and 2 minutes walking. I toned down the 'running' speed to see if I could run for 2 minutes at 5 MPH without having my heartrate get over 170. The answer was... yes, the first 3 times. After that my body was a little more spiky with the heart rate but overall I'm pleased - when I've run previously I've had much more trouble with the spiking heart rate so I must be better conditioned than I thought, from all the martial arts I've been doing.

Only 2 weeks until my first event of the year - not anything spectacular, just the Super Bowl 3K, but I'm looking forward to it anyhow because then I'll have a baseline for pace to improve upon.

Food:
Exercise:
Martial Arts, 45 minutes
Running: 30 minutes (2 miles)

This weekend was a big wasteland of tasty junk food and rump-sitting. I was supposed to go running with my friend yesterday but her son came down with a high fever so she couldn't go. Spurred on by irresistable forces like this I managed to do not really anything this weekend.

But it's Monday! So back on the treadmill with me - I'm up to 2 minutes running and 2 minutes walking. I toned down the 'running' speed to see if I could run for 2 minutes at 5 MPH without having my heartrate get over 170. The answer was... yes, the first 3 times. After that my body was a little more spiky with the heart rate but overall I'm pleased - when I've run previously I've had much more trouble with the spiking heart rate so I must be better conditioned than I thought, from all the martial arts I've been doing.

Only 2 weeks until my first event of the year - not anything spectacular, just the Super Bowl 3K, but I'm looking forward to it anyhow because then I'll have a baseline for pace to improve upon.

The sherbet sweater is not moving very quickly, mostly because my last three days were jam packed full of other stuff. Sadly, not knitting, running, or cooking, but errands to get ready for the Girl Scout meeting (it went fine, thanks for asking!), a pastry making class, working, the actual Girl Scout meeting, shopping, and some random running around all day today.

The pastry making class at Sur La Table was super fun and I learned how to make a spectacular lemon saboyon tart, which I will make and post about tomorrow. I encountered these very grumpy people at the class - fortunately none of their attitude was contagious and we ended up working with some really fun women. And I got some excellent new books and toys, since it was just before the start of our new allowance scheme (whew!)

My daughter and I finally made it to the Santa Cruz Stitch and Bitch today, which was nice. She sold some Girl Scout Cookies and worked on her hat, and I realized that I had messed up one of the rows of Sherbet. In trying rip the row out in my usual haphazard way I managed to snap one of the connectors for my Denise needles (fooey)! Now I have to go find the blog where someone said they were able to get a replacement, or at least find someone who knows where their website might be found, because I've lost the documentation.

I have learned even more cool stuff working on this sweater - how to rip back several rows safely (thanks to the excellent pictures in the Vogue Knitting Ultimate Guide), how to knit continental with some confidence (thanks to the excellent instructional videos at Knitting Help). I'm itching to try socks but Kaily's birthday is February 5 so I want to get this sweater done before then...

Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a finished piece to look at :-)

It always seems like Girl Scout weeks I end up madly running errands on Thursday and Friday and this week was no exception. And I didn't get in my usual martial arts workout on Thursday (because I was learning how to make even more wonderful desserts) so I have now had 3 rest days in a row. Foo. Tomorrow my friend is coming over to run with me, so that'll be a good way to kick start my workouts again. And there won't be another Girl Scout meeting for 2 weeks so I'll have some time to exercise before then!

Down to 215, though... 3 pounds off is a nice start.

It always seems like Girl Scout weeks I end up madly running errands on Thursday and Friday and this week was no exception. And I didn't get in my usual martial arts workout on Thursday (because I was learning how to make even more wonderful desserts) so I have now had 3 rest days in a row. Foo. Tomorrow my friend is coming over to run with me, so that'll be a good way to kick start my workouts again. And there won't be another Girl Scout meeting for 2 weeks so I'll have some time to exercise before then!

Down to 215, though... 3 pounds off is a nice start.

It always seems like Girl Scout weeks I end up madly running errands on Thursday and Friday and this week was no exception. And I didn't get in my usual martial arts workout on Thursday (because I was learning how to make even more wonderful desserts) so I have now had 3 rest days in a row. Foo. Tomorrow my friend is coming over to run with me, so that'll be a good way to kick start my workouts again. And there won't be another Girl Scout meeting for 2 weeks so I'll have some time to exercise before then!

Down to 215, though... 3 pounds off is a nice start.

OK, I know this blog is called DomestiGirl and I try to maintain some semblance of superhero-osity, but some days I feel like a flailing buffoon.

Remember the Continental Dishcloth? I frogged it. It was too boring. Stockinette stitch just can't hold my attention, even if I am learning a new way to hold the string. Perhaps it will become another kind of dishcloth. I really like the *idea* of working on stitches with dishcloths but I can only stay interested for about 3 inches and so it's more of a doll-wrap than a washcloth or dishcloth. Alas. I am a flibbertijibit.

Anyhow, seeking an actual project, I cast on for the cute sherbet sweater. And I felt very grown-up about it too - the tape yarn (yes, I know I called it ribbon yarn before, but it's tape yarn) was too thin to hold gauge, plus I didn't like how open the stitching ended up so I doubled the yarn and am knitting with 2 strands held together. Of course it's a striped sweater so that means 4 balls being toted about with me, but I can handle that. It's coming along pretty well and I've even managed to make the Continental stitch thing work.

That light yarn is actually a super-light purple. So the sweater will look kinda like a bowl of rainbow sherbet when it's done. I'm actually contemplating lime green buttons to finish the look - but I didn't buy any buttons yet - I figure I can buy them when the rest of the sweater is available to hold them up to.

I even got to go back to Knitting Arts yesterday to get a few more balls of yarn (since I have to hold it double, I need extra and it's sale yarn so likely to evaporate!) It was a nice trip, I bought 4 more balls of the yarn and SNB Nation and chatted about my sherbet sweater with the nice knitting ladies. And, uh, apparently I've already spent $200+ there because my yarn stash card was full so I got $20 off on the purchase - effectively making SNB Nation free. Neat.

So why do I feel like a lame-o? Well, obviously I'm working on a sweater which is a decently difficult knitting project. But then I have to ask a friend "how does 2x2 ribbing work?" Duh. When you turn the work the knits become purls and the purls become knits and it works out fine. And I am *so* proud (and a little embarrassed) to say that I can now correctly identify the 'right side' and 'wrong side' (and I even know where it should be in relation to my knitting!) Also, when preparing your yarn for continental knitting, it is apparently not necessary (or even a good idea) to take a foot of yarn and wrap it 4 times around your pinky and then twice around your index finger. Yes, you have lots to work with. But if you start with less, you can feed better from the ball (or in this case, balls).

I've gotten to my 3rd stripe now and I can say that I feel *much* less lame. So much wisdom from just a few rows of knitting. I also look less like a mad scientist while I'm working. Which can only be a good thing... no offense to mad scientists but it's really not a good look for me.

I have many things on my to-do list for today - mail SP gift, write Girl Scout meeting agenda, go to cooking class to learn how to make better pastry, do some actual work... but the sherbet sweater, it calls to me. My husband says I shouldn't knit in the car because it's dangerous. Not when I'm driving (duh!) but when I'm riding. That seems silly. Especially with Denise needles. I think the dangerous thing would be actually telling him that I'm going to knit in the car, so I'll just avoid that - the cooking class is 1/2 hour away, my friend is driving, I am bringing the sweater, so there!

Oh yeah, in the spirit of frugality which seems to be sweeping blogland, I've decided to have a spending diet too. I suggested to my husband (what was I *thinking*) that we each get a spending allowance for lunches, movies, book purchases and whatnot. To help us try to manage our expenses better. Ack! A book allowance! The very thought makes it hard to breathe. Fortunately, my friend suggested that I start selling my old books (the ones I don't tend to use) on Amazon so I can buy new books with that money. Ah, a very good plan. Sell stuff, buy new stuff. My breath is returning, thank heavens. The allowance starts tomorrow, perhaps I should run down to the bookstore today, just in case there's anything I need there.

I won't worry too much about yarn. So far my stash is pretty manageable. Of course I haven't bought any yarn for big projects yet...

Food:
Exercise:
Tuesday: Martial Arts, 90 minutes
Wednesday: Martial Arts class: 45 minutes

It feels like I'm getting into a good rhythm here, getting back in the habit of making the time to get exercise in. Martial arts class over the last two days, good workouts, and I'm eating lots less. Tomorrow, more running!

For anyone out there planning to get started on a new program, I highly recommend getting a good book on heart zone training so you can increase your fitness level gradually and without stressing your body too much. A great book is Fit and Fat by Sally Edwards... check it out. I need to get a copy for myself - I'm implementing a strict book allowance starting on Friday so I need to buy all my books now!

And while I'm on a buying spree, I'm having a hard time resisting getting one of the new GPS Heart rate monitor things. But they're really expensive and don't track calories. For now I'll stick with my Polar M51, which tracks calories, heart rate, all the useful stuff. Maybe when it warms up and I run outside more I'll want the GPS tracker.

Got some excellent news today - I get to be in another Field beta test for Nike shoes - sometimes it's nice to have size 12 feet. Looking forward to playing in another butt-ugly pair of test shoes, for sure...

Food:
Exercise:
Tuesday: Martial Arts, 90 minutes
Wednesday: Martial Arts class: 45 minutes

It feels like I'm getting into a good rhythm here, getting back in the habit of making the time to get exercise in. Martial arts class over the last two days, good workouts, and I'm eating lots less. Tomorrow, more running!

For anyone out there planning to get started on a new program, I highly recommend getting a good book on heart zone training so you can increase your fitness level gradually and without stressing your body too much. A great book is Fit and Fat by Sally Edwards... check it out. I need to get a copy for myself - I'm implementing a strict book allowance starting on Friday so I need to buy all my books now!

And while I'm on a buying spree, I'm having a hard time resisting getting one of the new GPS Heart rate monitor things. But they're really expensive and don't track calories. For now I'll stick with my Polar M51, which tracks calories, heart rate, all the useful stuff. Maybe when it warms up and I run outside more I'll want the GPS tracker.

Got some excellent news today - I get to be in another Field beta test for Nike shoes - sometimes it's nice to have size 12 feet. Looking forward to playing in another butt-ugly pair of test shoes, for sure...

Food:
Exercise:
Tuesday: Martial Arts, 90 minutes
Wednesday: Martial Arts class: 45 minutes

It feels like I'm getting into a good rhythm here, getting back in the habit of making the time to get exercise in. Martial arts class over the last two days, good workouts, and I'm eating lots less. Tomorrow, more running!

For anyone out there planning to get started on a new program, I highly recommend getting a good book on heart zone training so you can increase your fitness level gradually and without stressing your body too much. A great book is Fit and Fat by Sally Edwards... check it out. I need to get a copy for myself - I'm implementing a strict book allowance starting on Friday so I need to buy all my books now!

And while I'm on a buying spree, I'm having a hard time resisting getting one of the new GPS Heart rate monitor things. But they're really expensive and don't track calories. For now I'll stick with my Polar M51, which tracks calories, heart rate, all the useful stuff. Maybe when it warms up and I run outside more I'll want the GPS tracker.

Got some excellent news today - I get to be in another Field beta test for Nike shoes - sometimes it's nice to have size 12 feet. Looking forward to playing in another butt-ugly pair of test shoes, for sure...

Food:
Exercise:
Run/Walk 1/2 minutes: 35 minutes, 2.25 miles, 350 calories
Martial Arts class: 45 minutes

Chantico, yes. Rest of day: pretty good, I actually just didn't eat enough... so my protein was lacking and so was my fiber. Calorie wise it was nifty though

The running was great, although it kicked my ass. During the running intervals I'm trying to go 6 MPH which is faster than my usual running pace (closer to a 14 minute mile than a 10 minute mile). My heartrate goes way up so the workout is hard, but I want to see if I can increase my speed, and since I'm only running 1 minute out of 3 this seems like the time to try... my heartrate recovers fine (down to 130) before I start the next segment so I think it's a good strategy.

Bless my husband for letting me use his ipod. Mine is apparently too old - the Apple store no longer carries power cords for the thing. Ugh. Running is a lot more fun when you've got fun music to run to!

Food:
Exercise:
Run/Walk 1/2 minutes: 35 minutes, 2.25 miles, 350 calories
Martial Arts class: 45 minutes

Chantico, yes. Rest of day: pretty good, I actually just didn't eat enough... so my protein was lacking and so was my fiber. Calorie wise it was nifty though

The running was great, although it kicked my ass. During the running intervals I'm trying to go 6 MPH which is faster than my usual running pace (closer to a 14 minute mile than a 10 minute mile). My heartrate goes way up so the workout is hard, but I want to see if I can increase my speed, and since I'm only running 1 minute out of 3 this seems like the time to try... my heartrate recovers fine (down to 130) before I start the next segment so I think it's a good strategy.

Bless my husband for letting me use his ipod. Mine is apparently too old - the Apple store no longer carries power cords for the thing. Ugh. Running is a lot more fun when you've got fun music to run to!

Food:
Exercise:
Run/Walk 1/2 minutes: 35 minutes, 2.25 miles, 350 calories
Martial Arts class: 45 minutes

Chantico, yes. Rest of day: pretty good, I actually just didn't eat enough... so my protein was lacking and so was my fiber. Calorie wise it was nifty though

The running was great, although it kicked my ass. During the running intervals I'm trying to go 6 MPH which is faster than my usual running pace (closer to a 14 minute mile than a 10 minute mile). My heartrate goes way up so the workout is hard, but I want to see if I can increase my speed, and since I'm only running 1 minute out of 3 this seems like the time to try... my heartrate recovers fine (down to 130) before I start the next segment so I think it's a good strategy.

Bless my husband for letting me use his ipod. Mine is apparently too old - the Apple store no longer carries power cords for the thing. Ugh. Running is a lot more fun when you've got fun music to run to!

Well, I had lots of stuff to do on my list yesterday. Let's see how I did...

First, to Knitting Arts for some stuff on my list:

Yarn for Kaily's birthday sweater. 40% off! Ribbon yarn so it'll knit up quick!

A sock pattern and some yarn (for myself and my sockapalooza pal). Alas, they had no size 2 dpn's...

And a knitting kit for my flu-ridden daughter, which she set to with all the gusto possible for someone with a fever:

Also ran into Gunilla, the founder of the Santa Cruz Stitch n Bitch. I have to get down there one of these Saturdays!

Then we headed to the mall to go to the Lego store (so Devon could get a goodie) and a bunch of other stores which didn't have what we wanted. So off we went to Yarn and Rug Hut in Campbell (at this point my son was flagging seriously) and picked up my needles and something for my Knitty SP. The store was totally chaotic, but they had a great book selection, and I did get those size 2 dpns... and some size 4s so I can make *my* socks bigger for my size 11 feet.

Then we had a bunch of people over for tacos, tomalito, and homemade chocolate reeses ice cream. Not exactly a fabulous day for my fitness journal, but weekends tend to be like that... I did gift the Scarf of Damocles to its intended recipient and he was very happy with it, and I got to play with Kaily some more so it was a fun evening.

Oh, and the continental knitting? I did get started on that late last night. It went pretty well, I think. I am still somewhat slower than with the American style, but I'm getting better. The yarn I used was pretty splitty from previous learning attempts but the stitches look even and regular. I think I'll try continental for the sweater and socks, we'll see how that goes. Here's the beginning of the Continental Washcloth:

Thank heavens it's Monday and I can get some rest!

Food:
Exercise: REST DAY

Tired today, kid is sick and I was up with her until 3. A big sit-around blobby kind of day. Plus my legs really hurt from yesterday's run!

Eating, pretty much ok but not enough protein, water, fiber and too much crap.

Tomorrow, back on the horse.

Food:
Exercise: REST DAY

Tired today, kid is sick and I was up with her until 3. A big sit-around blobby kind of day. Plus my legs really hurt from yesterday's run!

Eating, pretty much ok but not enough protein, water, fiber and too much crap.

Tomorrow, back on the horse.

Food:
Exercise: REST DAY

Tired today, kid is sick and I was up with her until 3. A big sit-around blobby kind of day. Plus my legs really hurt from yesterday's run!

Eating, pretty much ok but not enough protein, water, fiber and too much crap.

Tomorrow, back on the horse.

Say, what color is the albatross around *your* neck? Mine is red!

And... it's finished! Free at last, free at last, thank g*d almighty I'm free at last! The really funny thing is that this project wasn't very hard or complicated or even very extensive. But I started it a week before Christmas as a Christmas present (and I've had lots of other intervening things on my plate) and so it's been hanging over my head like the sword of Damocles, haunting me until I finally finished it. Today. Hit 60 inches, bound off, wove in ends, woo!

Didn't get much else done today - my little girl (who is 7) has a nasty cold and I was up with her until 3 so I'm tired and cranky and have no energy.

Tomorrow I can get started on my next projects:

• Washcloth in Continental knitting! I want to get this done so I am comfortable knitting continentally. I'll use the Knitting Help videos for this, but mostly I think I just need to practice.
  
• First pair of socks for Sockapalooza for beginners (due March 1). Need yarn. Need a pattern. Need some DPNs. Other than that I'm all ready to go on this!
  
• Sweater or shoes or something for Kaily (the baby featured in the last post)... her first birthday is in February
  
• Chevron scarf in Manos Stria Cotton for my friend. This, I have everything for.
  
• First goodie kit for my Knitty Secret Pal 3 pal...
  

That's probably enough for one day, I think.

Since I'm pretty certain my SP doesn't read my blog I will mention that I found some fabulous SP-worthy stitch markers of two types - Sushi Stitch markers and Goddess Stitch Markers. Very cool!

In fitness and health news, I started a new blog to journal my strides toward a healthier life. The "Be Fit" logo over there >>> no longer goes to FitDay - it now goes to my new blog. I'm planning to run in a bunch of races this year. Stay tuned if you're interested...

Food:
Exercise:
Run/Walk 1/2 minutes: 45 minutes

A better job today... I had a chantico but the rest of the day was pretty darned good (well, there were a couple of cookies but overall a very decent day, probably under 1500 calories with lots of fiber and protein).

I decided that if I'm going to run in some races I should probably get started pretty soon now on the actual running thing. Running... that sounds familiar. I wonder if I might possibly have a book or two on running in my office...

Ah yes, there they are. Thumbed through and found the best 'getting back on the horse' program for myself and ran today. It felt really good and I definitely burned off that Chantico. Ended up going 2.75 miles with the warmup/cooldown so I'm feeling good about my goals for this whole racing thing.

Food:
Exercise:
Run/Walk 1/2 minutes: 45 minutes

A better job today... I had a chantico but the rest of the day was pretty darned good (well, there were a couple of cookies but overall a very decent day, probably under 1500 calories with lots of fiber and protein).

I decided that if I'm going to run in some races I should probably get started pretty soon now on the actual running thing. Running... that sounds familiar. I wonder if I might possibly have a book or two on running in my office...

Ah yes, there they are. Thumbed through and found the best 'getting back on the horse' program for myself and ran today. It felt really good and I definitely burned off that Chantico. Ended up going 2.75 miles with the warmup/cooldown so I'm feeling good about my goals for this whole racing thing.

Food:
Exercise:
Run/Walk 1/2 minutes: 45 minutes

A better job today... I had a chantico but the rest of the day was pretty darned good (well, there were a couple of cookies but overall a very decent day, probably under 1500 calories with lots of fiber and protein).

I decided that if I'm going to run in some races I should probably get started pretty soon now on the actual running thing. Running... that sounds familiar. I wonder if I might possibly have a book or two on running in my office...

Ah yes, there they are. Thumbed through and found the best 'getting back on the horse' program for myself and ran today. It felt really good and I definitely burned off that Chantico. Ended up going 2.75 miles with the warmup/cooldown so I'm feeling good about my goals for this whole racing thing.

Food:
Exercise:
Jiu Sool Do Class: 90 minutes

Well, I came in under my target calorie goal and did an ok job, but my nutritional profile was a little too fat/sugar heavy. Ended up with 2 chanticos and some supplemental chocolate because they were giving them away for free. We'll try to improve on that for future days... I did hit my protein target, didn't get in enough produce.

On the other hand, I went to martial arts and worked very hard for 90 minutes - probably burned around a thousand calories.

I will do some measurements over the weekend and post those in the sidebar, along with my weight and upcoming race goals.

Food:
Exercise:
Jiu Sool Do Class: 90 minutes

Well, I came in under my target calorie goal and did an ok job, but my nutritional profile was a little too fat/sugar heavy. Ended up with 2 chanticos and some supplemental chocolate because they were giving them away for free. We'll try to improve on that for future days... I did hit my protein target, didn't get in enough produce.

On the other hand, I went to martial arts and worked very hard for 90 minutes - probably burned around a thousand calories.

I will do some measurements over the weekend and post those in the sidebar, along with my weight and upcoming race goals.

Food:
Exercise:
Jiu Sool Do Class: 90 minutes

Well, I came in under my target calorie goal and did an ok job, but my nutritional profile was a little too fat/sugar heavy. Ended up with 2 chanticos and some supplemental chocolate because they were giving them away for free. We'll try to improve on that for future days... I did hit my protein target, didn't get in enough produce.

On the other hand, I went to martial arts and worked very hard for 90 minutes - probably burned around a thousand calories.

I will do some measurements over the weekend and post those in the sidebar, along with my weight and upcoming race goals.

Sadly (or happily, depending on your perspective), the world is full of sweet little things. Sweet adorable girls, trying to pull knitted hats off their heads...

... and incredibly sweet small cups full of concentrated evil...

Have any of the rest of you encountered this particular drink? Starbuck's new ultra-rich chocolate drink - Chantico. 6 ounces of super-concentrated chocolate. Evil. Pure, unadulterated evil.

However, I will use it as a carrot to get me started on my fitness kick, so I suppose it's a good thing - any day where I work out at least 45 minutes I may have a Chantico. No workout, no chantico. And if I have one early, I must then find a way to work out sometime that day. I have no excuse, there's a treadmill in the guest bedroom.

Speaking of which, it's time for me to get off to martial arts! I have taped episodes of Lost and West Wing to watch, so I have hopes of getting more Irish Hiking Scarf done (or finishing it?)

If anyone's wondering, the little girl in the hat actually likes it, she would just rather chew on it than wear it. Trendsetter Blossom is so soft, it makes great baby gifts!

It's Knitty Secret Pal season, gotta find something really cool to send off :-)

Tommy Thompson and the HAHS Singers have come out with a new hit single! Following the phenomenal apathy brought on by the 2000 nutritional guidelines (With a pyramid! How could we not be excited about that?) they have created a new cover with the same information. The 2000 nutritional guidelines could be summed up with "Psst... if it's not too much trouble, you should probably eat less, choose better food, and exercise when it's convenient." Apparently that didn't do the trick, so yesterday they came out with some new guidelines. "EAT LESS! EXERCISE MORE! DON'T EAT CRAP!" We'll see if that has any better results... I'm doubting it. Personal responsibility never sells very well.

Personally, I already try to exercise 60-90 minutes most days, and I do well, nutrition wise, when I try to follow the 80/20 rule. To help keep me on track, I'm starting this blog. I'll keep track of my eating (in a sort of 80/20 way - *smile*) and my activity.

My big 'resolution' goal this year is to do the Wharf to Wharf in July, and run from beginning to end. I'll keep my current goals and progress in the sidebar so we can all admire (or mock) my progress. Plus, I'm too lazy to officially log everything in FitDay.

That's it for now. Will post later about my fabulous first day...

Tommy Thompson and the HAHS Singers have come out with a new hit single! Following the phenomenal apathy brought on by the 2000 nutritional guidelines (With a pyramid! How could we not be excited about that?) they have created a new cover with the same information. The 2000 nutritional guidelines could be summed up with "Psst... if it's not too much trouble, you should probably eat less, choose better food, and exercise when it's convenient." Apparently that didn't do the trick, so yesterday they came out with some new guidelines. "EAT LESS! EXERCISE MORE! DON'T EAT CRAP!" We'll see if that has any better results... I'm doubting it. Personal responsibility never sells very well.

Personally, I already try to exercise 60-90 minutes most days, and I do well, nutrition wise, when I try to follow the 80/20 rule. To help keep me on track, I'm starting this blog. I'll keep track of my eating (in a sort of 80/20 way - *smile*) and my activity.

My big 'resolution' goal this year is to do the Wharf to Wharf in July, and run from beginning to end. I'll keep my current goals and progress in the sidebar so we can all admire (or mock) my progress. Plus, I'm too lazy to officially log everything in FitDay.

That's it for now. Will post later about my fabulous first day...

Tommy Thompson and the HAHS Singers have come out with a new hit single! Following the phenomenal apathy brought on by the 2000 nutritional guidelines (With a pyramid! How could we not be excited about that?) they have created a new cover with the same information. The 2000 nutritional guidelines could be summed up with "Psst... if it's not too much trouble, you should probably eat less, choose better food, and exercise when it's convenient." Apparently that didn't do the trick, so yesterday they came out with some new guidelines. "EAT LESS! EXERCISE MORE! DON'T EAT CRAP!" We'll see if that has any better results... I'm doubting it. Personal responsibility never sells very well.

Personally, I already try to exercise 60-90 minutes most days, and I do well, nutrition wise, when I try to follow the 80/20 rule. To help keep me on track, I'm starting this blog. I'll keep track of my eating (in a sort of 80/20 way - *smile*) and my activity.

My big 'resolution' goal this year is to do the Wharf to Wharf in July, and run from beginning to end. I'll keep my current goals and progress in the sidebar so we can all admire (or mock) my progress. Plus, I'm too lazy to officially log everything in FitDay.

That's it for now. Will post later about my fabulous first day...

Whenever I start a new hobby, I buy books. Lots of books. Enormous piles of books. And then I keep buying them. I've been cooking for a few years. This cabinet holds about 1/2 of my cookbooks...

I have whole libraries for writing books (17 books), breastfeeding (12 books)... let's just say that I have lots of books.

So when I started knitting, I bought some books. Of course, the problem with just 'buying books' at the start of a new hobby is that you end up with some serious bowsers. On the other hand, I did manage to stumble across some books I ended up liking very much. Here's my current 'good knitting' book stash.

I've been trying very very hard to be frugal with my book purchasing, but it's been *2 months* that I've been knitting and my pile looks a little sparse to me. I checked at all the local yarn sales in the vain hope of finding the books I wanted, but alas, it was not to be. All of their general knitting books were sold out from the holidays and I was tired of waiting to own them! So I bought a few books today. At least this time I did some research first so I'm sure I'll be happy with the books...

• The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancy Wiseman
  
• Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book
  
• Knit Socks!

I've heard good things about all of these books from various places - The Knitter's Review Forums, Knitty, and casual conversations with my knitterly friends.

I'm looking forward to getting the books - I need to get started on some socks very soon! Today I'll get my knitting shopping fix in with a quick trip to pick up one more skein of the pink stria for my friend's scarf.

Update

News flash: I am the Queen of Self Control! Look how well I did when I went to buy "just one more skein of Stria". See how well I did? I even remembered to get the one thing I actually intended to buy. I'm so proud. Or maybe embarrassed. But it's really good stuff.

If you have any interest in reading a rough draft of one of the chapters of my romance novel, go ahead and click on that 'more' link.

Thank God it's Monday, so I can get back to work and rest up from my frantic weekend... a Girl Scout, knitting, chores, jiu jitsu and shopping extravaganza. Thanks for all the healing vibes for my sick kitty, he's doing much better. My other cat is a little miffed that he hasn't gotten any photo credits yet, so I present for you... Talon!

Any thoughts on why we might not pose this mature 12-year old cat casually with my knitting?

Anyone?

Or why we might have named him "Talon"?

Well anyways, he's a handsome fellow and worthy of a yarn sacrifice now and then.

In other news, I have successfully assimilated one of my best friends into the knitting borg. My newly-assimilated friend and I went to get some needles from my LYS but their stock is still wiped out from the holidays, so I planned my weekend around trying to get over to Knitting Arts for their post-holiday sale - I need to do some sock knitting for the newbie Sockapalooza swap so I needed DPNS, and she just wanted some needles and yarn to start with so she didn't have to keep borrowing.

I almost didn't make it. They close at 5 on Sundays and our chores took us to 4:30 - considering that it was raining and the place is 1/2 hour away I was willing to give up, but my gallant husband shepherded the kids into the car and we headed over to the store - we called ahead to tell them I might be a bit late. As it turns out, it was a good thing. There were still 10 shoppers frantically trying to scoop up armfuls of sale-priced treasures when I got there at 5:05, so the weary clerks tried to fend me off until I said that I was the person who had called ahead, at which point they waved me in. I didn't feel too bad - there were still 3 shoppers left in the store when I left 10 minutes later. Sadly, the books I wanted to get had already been sold but I got my friend some starter needles and snagged some very sexy DPNs at 20% off...

... so I can get started on some socks once I'm done with the Almost Comleted Irish Hiking Scarf. I'll use the leftover red felted merino yarn - perhaps some nice wool socks will help redeem me for my previous novelty yarn use in the eyes of these Serious Knitters:

Or perhaps not. I might buy some fun fur for my daughter to use as fringe on her latest scarf, so I'm probably bound for the special hell for novelty yarn knitters. It's ok, I'm sure I'll be in good company!

My poor kitty has been in medical hell for the last couple of weeks. Apparently his pancreas imploded and his sugars and liver got all totally wacky and he spent 3 nights in the kitty prisonhospital and since then we've been playing the dance-of-the-sugars with him where I stab his precious ear to get blood and test his sugar level. Whee. As it turns out, it might have been a transitory case of diabetes - the insulin is putting him way too low so we're backing him off. Yesterday I had to test his sugar 5 times. Today he does not like me at all. Or perhaps it has something to do with the Irish Hiking Scarf around his neck, although I think it makes him look very distinguished. And look! It's almost done! Just over 4 feet now, and I'm going for 5. If only I were actually knitting it for the cat I would be done already, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't want one. All he wants is for me to stop poking at him with sharp needles.

I've decided to ignore the extra cable which somehow slipped in there:

It's a... um... "design element" (thanks to Michelle for this concept) and not a mistake.

Thank heavens, because I have forbidden myself from joining any of the new knitalongs which are starting up until this scarf is done. It's a Christmas present and already somewhat late (duh). Plus, it's not like I don't have other knitting projects to do once it's finished... I have all my dishcloth yarn to knit up, my friend is expecting me to turn this Manos Cotton Stria into something more interesting (probably an Easy Lace Scarf with some striping. But oh, the Chevron scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts sure looks cool. Hard, but cool. Anyhow, I have to keep reminding myself... I've only been knitting for 6 weeks, there's probably time to fit all this stuff in during my knitting life. Here's the Stria - it's so wonderful.

There's a part of me that wants a quickie knit because the IHS felt like it took me a long time. Instant Knitting Gratification, anyone?

Once I've got the scarf knitted, I'll probably join the Ribby Cardi along, or possibly "Knit Your Bit". Hey, maybe I could make the wristlets for my Cotton Stria friend out of the cotton. Or the hugs and kisses socks! I'm definitely participating in Wombs on Washington. What a cool idea - knitting wombs to use as a political statement.

I added a "Be Fit" image over in the sidebar >>>>> (stolen indirectly from the Green Eyed Girl. It links to my FitDay journal. I've been sitting at about 220 for a bit too long so I'm trying to wiggle my way back down under 200 (and comfortably into 14/16s again). Feel free to spy on my progress... but no comments about the peanut butter, y'hear? That's my number one comfort food :-)

One of the Christmas Gifts I got this year was a gift certificate for a session at a place in Santa Cruz called The Perfumer's Apprentice, so the gifter and I headed down there this afternoon to play. It was this totally cool place where they set you up at an individual station with 80 different natural essences, and you go through the process of creating your own personal fragrance - you smell the essences, create scent sticks for the ones you like, wave the sticks under your nose until you find a combination you like, and then mix them together in essential oil. Her prices are great - $15 for a session, which includes 2 products (so either 2 oils with different mixes or one oil and a hand lotion, shower gel, other product with your original scent). Additional stuff is $5/item... I had so much fun that I ended up making 3 different scents: The names are mine, please excuse any cheesiness.
- Hawaiian Sunrise: Blood Orange, Ylang Ylang, and Cinnamon
- Meadowy Breeze: White Grapefruit, Verbeena, Vanilla, Sweet Basil
- Fresh Cookie: Lime, Verbeena, Vanilla, Cinnamon

They're all totally different and all very cool. I put them all in the "Hall of Fame" - if someone wants to just buy my mix off the shelf I get some credit toward future stuff.

What a great way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon...

Happy New Year! I know, it's a day late, but what the heck. We had a nice New Years Eve, went down to First Night Santa Cruz and saw Zun Zun and the Taiko Drummers (who were, if anything, better than ever this year!). We came home and hung out. Some of us made it to midnight... some of us didn't:

I was hanging out trying to work on the Irish Hiking Scarf yesterday. Making good progress, the thing is now 37 inches long and I've just about finished my second skein, so I'm about 2/3 done (I intend it to be a little over 60 inches):

I've been working on my resolutions for the year. Like I said, I don't like 'lose 10 pounds' or anything like that because you can lose it in January, gain it back in February, and have accomplished precisely nothing.

I will do my very best this year to:
- Run in a race before June
- Knit a sweater for me (maybe Blaze (but not in orange)
- Turn all these balls of cotton yarn in to dishcloths from the Dishcloth Boutique

- Eat out for dinner no more than once a week
- Take the time to buy and prepare relatively healthful food for myself and my family
- Attend at least 3 martial arts classes a week
- Go back to pre-planning at least 48 hours ahead anything that causes me stress (girl scouts, get-togethers, anything where my tummy wrenches when I think about it)
- Move myself closer to zen mastery

My big plan is to take control of my life back away from the demons of chaos. I had a very stressful year, and much of that stress was due to me overcommitting to things, both in work and in the rest of my life. My new mantra will be "I can only do what I can do" which is still a lot, and the quality of my life is much better when I don't try to be superwoman.

Femail Creations, one of my favorite catalogs, is having a special deal on one of their plaques which is very apropos to my goals for the year. For every one they sell, they'll donate $5 to the Red Cross tsunami relief fund. The image is linked to the catalog entry:

That's my big resolution for this year. Find the time. Make the time. And of course... be the change I want to see in the world.