Big Plans

Now that life has settled down a bit and I am getting into a routine again, the knitting queue is piling up. I have three tops that I want to make this summer: Lelah, the Aletia Shell from Spring 2008 Interweave Knits, and the Surplice Lace Top from Nashua Handknits. I am planning to use yarn from my stash, and actually I have started Lelah already:

I am using Lion Brand Cotton Ease (I really like this yarn!) in a color called 'taupe', but I think it is more of a 'coffee'. I am hoping that the bottom will be big enough... Right now it looks kind of small, but I am hoping it will stretch with blocking. It is lace, afterall.

I am also working on a red baby cardigan that I started a while back, but I keep messing up the lace pattern and I'm getting frustrated. It needs to be ripped right now, but I'm giving it a rest for now. The baby's not due until Aug. 6th, so I've got some time.

Otherwise, I have been keeping busy with getting unpacked and everything put away. I finally unpacked my last few boxes last night. I have plans this weekend for painting the kitchen, making kitchen curtains, and working in the garden. I bought a few more plants. Frazier got into the garden this week and dug up the squash plant, so I think it might be done-for. I'm not sure what his deal was. He's not usually a digger. But, I have tomatoes and green peppers on the way, as long as I can keep them alive.

My other plans include staying away from any thrift stores/flea markets/antique stores. You guys, these places are incredible. I could spend hours and a fortune in these places. I am use to Huntsville where you really have to dig for a treasure, but here they're everywhere. And reasonable prices, not necessarily cheap and not outrageously expensive, but within reason. Which is BAD. Because then I want to buy things. But I am practicing self control. Trying anyway...

29!?!

A year ago Molly was in the hospital, my grandpa was sick. I spent my birthday alone, lonely, and worried about my sister. My then-boyfriend brought me a Hardee's biscuit (bacon, egg, and cheese) for breakfast when I told him I wanted to go out for breakfast. (I will never forgive him for that). Life was really, really different and I was a really different person. It's been a long year. But its been a year I wouldn't give up for anything. Among other things, it has been a year of self-discovery, self-analyzation, and self-realization. Realizing that I am a seriously awesome gal (!), that I am 100% capable of being alone (in all senses of the word), that sometimes things don't turn out as I expect, but everything really does end up for the best. I realized how lucky I am to have such thoughtful, caring, loving, special, talented, simply amazing, kindred-spirit friends. And lots of them. Friends I didn't even realize were my friends. For the first time in my life, I feel like I know who I am... I know where I'm going and where I want to go... and I'm happy with where I am right now. Its a pretty incredible feeling. I don't really think there is anything else like it.

So yesterday was a day to celebrate. I moved across the country two weeks ago, but I didn't spend the day alone! I went hiking in the mountains with two of my new co-worker friends. It was beautiful - a gorgeous day, not too hot and not windy at all. There were great views and cactus blooming (check out flickr for more pictures). I hiked 5.5 miles - the longest I have gone in a long time. On the way home, Frazier insisted that I stop at the store to get myself a treat, and of course I didn't really resist, I decided on a six-pack of local brew and a chocolate/hazelnut bar. Little did I know the little man himself went in a got me a treat too, and when we got home he fixed up a wonderful lemon tart with fresh strawberrys and blackberrys. Man, am I lucky to have that dog or what? He's so smart! We were pooped when we got home, so we ate our treats (of course I shared with him) and plopped down on the (new) couch to watched a move and knit and then went to bed exhaused and happy. A pretty darn good day. And I even finished those socks I started last September. We'll call them Jill's longest project ever:

Pattern: Uptown Boot Socks by Jennifer Appleby

Source: Favorite Socks

Yarn: Plymouth Yarns Sockotta

Needles: US 2

We're Here!

We made it: me, Frazier, and all my junk:

And all my stuff was delivered today... So I've got lots of work to do to get everything unpacked and put away and organized. I am most excited about the kitchen. I've always wanted a cute little eat-in kitchen like this. I am planning on painting the kitchen yellow one of these days. I just wish someone else could do it for me!

Knitting was virtually non-existent last month. I think I knit, maybe, once. But now that I'm getting settled, the thesis is finished and turned in (yay!), and the first week of the new job has been survived, I think I will get back to knitting and sewing. I've already found a knitting group that I think I'm going to join this Monday. We'll see how that goes... I know it won't compare to my knitsters in Huntsville! I've got plans for lots of sewing too. We'll see if I ever actually do it. I always have plans for sewing but rarely actually do it.

Anyway, I've got unpacking to do! More pictures later...