Well, the dinner is over and it mostly seems to have gone well. I haven't bothered unloading the car as it can wait for another day. I would up going to Walmart and browsing the candle aisle for centerpiece ideas. The restaurant had some of those round rose vases that I filled part way with dark blue glass beads. Added a votive in the middle of the beads and 3 votives around the vase. Put it all on a round mirrored tile with some purples and silver confetti sprinkled around and called it good. Unfortunately we now have to store it for another year but the mirrored tiles can be used for many kinds of decorating.
I was presented with a beautiful bouquet of pink roses as a thank you for my work on the dinner. A very nice gesture for sure. Now I have to keep the cats from eating them. The last time I got flowers they knocked the whole vase off the table resulting in glass and water everywhere. I'll probably have to lock the flowers in the bathroom tonight to keep them safe.
I have some follow up today and receipts to turn in - all the usual post event clean up stuff. This year I'm hanging on to all of the samples of the invitations, agendas, certificates etc. Last year's hard copies have all been misplaced.
Not much new on the knitting front. I haven't gotten much done but the yarn did come in for the February Lady Sweater. Now I just have to read all the recommendations on Ravelry so I don't wind up frogging it like some people have.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Warm and Cozy
I am now safely back in the land of the saguaro and have been hugged and purred by all members of my family. Pippin has hardly left my side all night so I guess I was missed!
It was a good visit with my dad and I got 3/4 of a sock done. We mostly went to take care of errands he has been saving up and ventured out to eat once. That's the first time Dad has been out to eat since the beginning of October. He discovered the restaurant was manageable with his walker so hopefully will return to eating out with his best friend. They've been going to Red Lobster every other week for about 10 years, so the routine has been much missed.
This week on Ravelry I committed to do the Sanguine Gryphon KAL of the Embossed Leaves sock pattern using Bugga yarn (a merino, cashmere,nylon blend). I have a skein I've been saving to try, so now is the time. The fact that I have 3 other socks in progress was no deterrent. We don't start until this weekend which gives me time to find the pattern and finish up my DIL's Phoenix Suns socks.
I also ordered yarn for the February Lady sweater for the same DIL. Since she is so tiny, I will be making the XXS, so shouldn't take too long (famous last words!). There are tons of suggestions on Ravelry so hopefully I can avoid some of the struggles others have had with this project.
Thursday night is the annual meeting I've been planning. We are now down to the nitty gritty and my stress level is going up. I discovered today that whatever centerpieces the restaurant supplied last year are no longer there and I need to come up with something. I'm going down tomorrow to see what they do have on hand and then will make a quick trip to Walmart for any supplies. Of course I should have checked in to this weeks ago but assumed it was taken care of. In any event, the whole thing will be over in two days and I won't have to deal with it for another year (or not at all if I can find a new patsy).
If you have any simple but elegant centerpiece ideas please send them my way!
It was a good visit with my dad and I got 3/4 of a sock done. We mostly went to take care of errands he has been saving up and ventured out to eat once. That's the first time Dad has been out to eat since the beginning of October. He discovered the restaurant was manageable with his walker so hopefully will return to eating out with his best friend. They've been going to Red Lobster every other week for about 10 years, so the routine has been much missed.
This week on Ravelry I committed to do the Sanguine Gryphon KAL of the Embossed Leaves sock pattern using Bugga yarn (a merino, cashmere,nylon blend). I have a skein I've been saving to try, so now is the time. The fact that I have 3 other socks in progress was no deterrent. We don't start until this weekend which gives me time to find the pattern and finish up my DIL's Phoenix Suns socks.
I also ordered yarn for the February Lady sweater for the same DIL. Since she is so tiny, I will be making the XXS, so shouldn't take too long (famous last words!). There are tons of suggestions on Ravelry so hopefully I can avoid some of the struggles others have had with this project.
Thursday night is the annual meeting I've been planning. We are now down to the nitty gritty and my stress level is going up. I discovered today that whatever centerpieces the restaurant supplied last year are no longer there and I need to come up with something. I'm going down tomorrow to see what they do have on hand and then will make a quick trip to Walmart for any supplies. Of course I should have checked in to this weeks ago but assumed it was taken care of. In any event, the whole thing will be over in two days and I won't have to deal with it for another year (or not at all if I can find a new patsy).
If you have any simple but elegant centerpiece ideas please send them my way!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Iowa is still cold
I have landed safely on the frozen tundra (oh wait - I mean Iowa). There is a lot of snow. It is cold and getting colder. I am a desert rat with little tolerance for cold = need for wool. Since I keep gifting, I only have two pairs of wool socks but plan to just wash and wear until my feet return to the land of year round sandals.
Dad is good and has a full list of chores for me to do in the next four days. Knitting time is looking a little slim but maybe I can sneak some in after dad goes to bed. I am eternally grateful for the wireless network I created here. I also have the laptop containing the Season 4 episodes of Supernatural - HeeHeeHee. Yummy yummy guys :-)
P.S. Stolen from Donna Lee
Dad is good and has a full list of chores for me to do in the next four days. Knitting time is looking a little slim but maybe I can sneak some in after dad goes to bed. I am eternally grateful for the wireless network I created here. I also have the laptop containing the Season 4 episodes of Supernatural - HeeHeeHee. Yummy yummy guys :-)
P.S. Stolen from Donna Lee
| Your Word is "Peace" |
 You see life as precious, and you wish everyone was safe, happy, and taken care of. Social justice, human rights, and peace for all nations are all important to you. While you can't stop war, you try to be as calm and compassionate as possible in your everyday life. You promote harmony and cooperation. You're always willing to meet someone a little more than halfway. |
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Arizona Rules
In an amazing turn of events both the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Cardinals won today! I admit that I am not a football fan, but even I had to get excited about the Cardinals finally going to the Superbowl. One of my business partners has season tickets, and has sat through many painful seasons to get to this point. Huzzah for the underdog Cardinals!!
Darling daughter and her girlfriend spent the day with us yesterday. We are getting rid of some furniture and our DD wanted it for her house. Friend has a truck to pick up said furniture so all was good. We did lots of eating out (Mexican including fried ice cream and Thai for dinner) and went to two different places along the lake for drinks. The weather is perfect for sitting outside at night under the heaters or fireplace and watching the lights reflecting off the water. All in all a very nice day.
The down side to all that eating (combined with way to much indulgence over Christmas) is that my jeans are now bursting at the seams. I think it is probably time to start Weight Watchers with Amy and Roxie and start working on healthier living for 2009. That would be a good first step. I'll have to see what kind of deals they have after I get back from the ice box that is Iowa.
Yes, I am off to the frozen wastes again to visit my dad. He's been saving up chores for me like getting his car (that he doesn't drive) serviced, going to the doctor and visiting the other four grocery stores he used to frequent. I usually have quite a bit of knitting time in the mornings and evenings so that is a plus.
I now have two socks done. They are for different pairs, but I have two done. I'm thinking about making some heavy socks for my son and have some Cascade 220 in my stash. I am a little concerned about the felting risk if he doesn't wash them carefully. My son is the laundry person at their house and already has some merino clothing so probably can handle it. Has anyone used Cascade 220 for socks before? How did they hold up?
I've been looking at the February Lady sweater and thinking about making it for my pregnant daughter-in-law. Having only one toddler sweater under my belt, I'm not sure whether this is too large a project to take on for completion by the end of February. I saw several pictures on Ravelry of pregnant women wearing them and thought it would be a nice surprise. The plus is she can still wear the sweater after she delivers. Anyone here made it? Thoughts?
Hubby and I have now finished Season 3 of Supernatural and were frustrated to discover the Season 4 episodes are not available on the CW website. Thankfully, my smart spouse thought of Itunes. I am now downloading the last two episodes available so we can get caught up. Of course now we need a new obsession. Any recommendations?
Time to start dinner though I have no plan. This is why Godfather's Pizza is on speed dial.
Darling daughter and her girlfriend spent the day with us yesterday. We are getting rid of some furniture and our DD wanted it for her house. Friend has a truck to pick up said furniture so all was good. We did lots of eating out (Mexican including fried ice cream and Thai for dinner) and went to two different places along the lake for drinks. The weather is perfect for sitting outside at night under the heaters or fireplace and watching the lights reflecting off the water. All in all a very nice day.
The down side to all that eating (combined with way to much indulgence over Christmas) is that my jeans are now bursting at the seams. I think it is probably time to start Weight Watchers with Amy and Roxie and start working on healthier living for 2009. That would be a good first step. I'll have to see what kind of deals they have after I get back from the ice box that is Iowa.
Yes, I am off to the frozen wastes again to visit my dad. He's been saving up chores for me like getting his car (that he doesn't drive) serviced, going to the doctor and visiting the other four grocery stores he used to frequent. I usually have quite a bit of knitting time in the mornings and evenings so that is a plus.
I now have two socks done. They are for different pairs, but I have two done. I'm thinking about making some heavy socks for my son and have some Cascade 220 in my stash. I am a little concerned about the felting risk if he doesn't wash them carefully. My son is the laundry person at their house and already has some merino clothing so probably can handle it. Has anyone used Cascade 220 for socks before? How did they hold up?
I've been looking at the February Lady sweater and thinking about making it for my pregnant daughter-in-law. Having only one toddler sweater under my belt, I'm not sure whether this is too large a project to take on for completion by the end of February. I saw several pictures on Ravelry of pregnant women wearing them and thought it would be a nice surprise. The plus is she can still wear the sweater after she delivers. Anyone here made it? Thoughts?
Hubby and I have now finished Season 3 of Supernatural and were frustrated to discover the Season 4 episodes are not available on the CW website. Thankfully, my smart spouse thought of Itunes. I am now downloading the last two episodes available so we can get caught up. Of course now we need a new obsession. Any recommendations?
Time to start dinner though I have no plan. This is why Godfather's Pizza is on speed dial.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
One down, forty-seven to go
I survived my first regularly scheduled school board meeting and think I might get the hang of this eventually. I didn't make any motions, as I'm still trying to figure out when you have to read the whole motion and when it can just be "as presented". Some of those motions are really long! I now only have 47 regular meetings in my term.
We only had one semi-controversial discussion on changing the weighting for honors classes. Evidently the students vying for valedictorian figured out that taking additional electives hurts their GPA even if they receive an "A". They are opting to sit in study hall to protect their GPA instead of trying out art, drama, woodworking, autos etc. Not everyone is thrilled with the new system but it seems to benefit the majority of students. It was an interesting and interactive discussion, which is what should happen.
I was invited to be a guest read at one of the elementary schools later this month in celebration of the 105th birthday of Dr. Seuss. I am reading Bartholomew and the Oobleck, a personal childhood fave. What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book of all time if you had to pick one? I love to read aloud so am really excited to do this. These are the rewards of school board service :-)
I'm getting some good knitting time in, which coincides with watching the yummy guys on Supernatural. I am so pleased that Guitar Guy (my darling husband) is enjoying the episodes too (but not with the same appreciation for the aforementioned yummy guys :-)) We are getting ready to start Season 3, Disc 3 tonight. We've been staying up until 1 AM on weeknights when they come in from Netflix. Can you say obsessed?
Yesterday I spent my day immersed in techy world trying to get my partner's laptop and our business desktop speaking to each other through our new VPN (virtual private network). The goal is for said partner to be able to sync her laptop with my desktop and share all of the client data between them. I had an IT guy out here for almost two hours trying to make sure my home wireless network was A)protected B)still working for all laptops including Guitar Guy's ancient IBook and C) allowing the VPN to do its thing.
I had much of the set up already done or this would have taken a lot longer and cost a lot more. I know just enough about computer tech stuff to be dangerous to myself and others. I'm a big fan of internet search engines for finding the answers to my questions. The downside is that it might take me anywhere from 2-6 hours to find those answers and get the bugs worked out. I'm just waiting now to hear back from my partner whether she was able to log in to my desktop from her home last night. Technology really is amazing. Tomorrow we install the new geriatric care software and I'm sure that will be another adventure.
I'm now off to see if pennants can be delivered in two weeks for the Foundation annual meeting I'm chairing. Help me say "No" the next time I'm asked to do one of these things! Why do I never remember that "It shouldn't be too much work" is misleading? Ah well- two weeks and it will be over for another year.
Stay warm, knit often, love much.
We only had one semi-controversial discussion on changing the weighting for honors classes. Evidently the students vying for valedictorian figured out that taking additional electives hurts their GPA even if they receive an "A". They are opting to sit in study hall to protect their GPA instead of trying out art, drama, woodworking, autos etc. Not everyone is thrilled with the new system but it seems to benefit the majority of students. It was an interesting and interactive discussion, which is what should happen.
I was invited to be a guest read at one of the elementary schools later this month in celebration of the 105th birthday of Dr. Seuss. I am reading Bartholomew and the Oobleck, a personal childhood fave. What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book of all time if you had to pick one? I love to read aloud so am really excited to do this. These are the rewards of school board service :-)
I'm getting some good knitting time in, which coincides with watching the yummy guys on Supernatural. I am so pleased that Guitar Guy (my darling husband) is enjoying the episodes too (but not with the same appreciation for the aforementioned yummy guys :-)) We are getting ready to start Season 3, Disc 3 tonight. We've been staying up until 1 AM on weeknights when they come in from Netflix. Can you say obsessed?
Yesterday I spent my day immersed in techy world trying to get my partner's laptop and our business desktop speaking to each other through our new VPN (virtual private network). The goal is for said partner to be able to sync her laptop with my desktop and share all of the client data between them. I had an IT guy out here for almost two hours trying to make sure my home wireless network was A)protected B)still working for all laptops including Guitar Guy's ancient IBook and C) allowing the VPN to do its thing.
I had much of the set up already done or this would have taken a lot longer and cost a lot more. I know just enough about computer tech stuff to be dangerous to myself and others. I'm a big fan of internet search engines for finding the answers to my questions. The downside is that it might take me anywhere from 2-6 hours to find those answers and get the bugs worked out. I'm just waiting now to hear back from my partner whether she was able to log in to my desktop from her home last night. Technology really is amazing. Tomorrow we install the new geriatric care software and I'm sure that will be another adventure.
I'm now off to see if pennants can be delivered in two weeks for the Foundation annual meeting I'm chairing. Help me say "No" the next time I'm asked to do one of these things! Why do I never remember that "It shouldn't be too much work" is misleading? Ah well- two weeks and it will be over for another year.
Stay warm, knit often, love much.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
And the cat purrs
I sit here on the couch with Icy cat on my armrest sound asleep and Pippin purring steadily on my right arm. This makes typing on the laptop very interesting since my elbows are basically pinned to my body. Personally I think Pippin is expressing his pleasure over the Arizona Cardinals winning their game tonight. One of my business partners has season tickets and they have waited a long time for a good team.
Today was a very lazy day of reading, knitting and sitting in front of a nice warm fire. Our fireplace season is very short, so I make the most of it when the weather is cool. I also was able to get Roxie's winnings together and will ship her prize package out on Monday.
I got sworn in as a school board member this week and have my first official meeting next Tuesday. One of my first official notices was of a bomb threat at the high school. According to the paper, a former student made the threat but thankfully there was no bomb. Next Tuesday is my first official meeting though it doesn't look like anything too controversial. The budget is going to be the big problem for the year, but I know the whole country is in pretty much the same shape.
Have a good rest of the weekend and stay warm!
P.S. I found this link on Ravelry and had to add it in for all of us who try knit with cats.
http://www.arcamax.com/ezinesamples/40.html
Today was a very lazy day of reading, knitting and sitting in front of a nice warm fire. Our fireplace season is very short, so I make the most of it when the weather is cool. I also was able to get Roxie's winnings together and will ship her prize package out on Monday.
I got sworn in as a school board member this week and have my first official meeting next Tuesday. One of my first official notices was of a bomb threat at the high school. According to the paper, a former student made the threat but thankfully there was no bomb. Next Tuesday is my first official meeting though it doesn't look like anything too controversial. The budget is going to be the big problem for the year, but I know the whole country is in pretty much the same shape.
Have a good rest of the weekend and stay warm!
P.S. I found this link on Ravelry and had to add it in for all of us who try knit with cats.
http://www.arcamax.com/ezinesamples/40.html
Monday, January 5, 2009
And the winner is. . .
Roxie is the winner of the 100th blog contest! You'll have to send me your address again. Being such an organized person I, of course, can't put my hands on it right now. I have part of the surprise package figured out :-)
The house is very quiet now that the kids have all gone. I did spend some time today packing up all the gifts people gave them. It was very generous and they got quite a few 0-3 month clothes for the expected baby. Since we only paid for them to bring one suitcase there wasn't much room for extras.
It was a wonderful time and I've remained in "holiday head" right up until last night when I realized I had to go back to work (even if it is in my spare bedroom :-) I finished my son's scarf before I shipped and am happy with how it came out. I still have two more dog sweaters promised and have cast on two pairs of socks (one of the Opal rainforest yarns and Lorna's Laces Sport in Phoenix Suns colors) The socks are for my daughter-in-law who is a diehard Suns fan but I do have another two skeins for me!
I have so many projects I want to do that I think I've filled my year already. I 've stopped playing one of the Facebook games that was eating too much knitting time. One must have priorities.
I've been savoring my Christmas books - oh joy! I laughed my way through "It Itches" and traveled with Sanna through her amazing adventures. I started reading the new Sanna book on New Year's Eve and didn't put it down until there was no more. Well done Roxie! Please tell me you are already working on the next one!! The Yarn Harlot's new book is less belly laugh and more thoughtful but still a pleasurable read.
My dad sent money for Christmas so guess what I ordered? Youbetcha - yarn and knitting books. I just got the new handpainted sock book and love the ideas for choosing patterns, stitch counts and needles size to alter ugly pooling. (Just think - a year ago I wouldn't have even known what that meant). Woolgirl had a great after Christmas sale that helped me stretch my gift money. I'd say my stash is growing by leaps and bounds but I'm reliably informed that sock yarn doesn't count as stash.
My darling husband has put on LOTR and my socks are calling.
The house is very quiet now that the kids have all gone. I did spend some time today packing up all the gifts people gave them. It was very generous and they got quite a few 0-3 month clothes for the expected baby. Since we only paid for them to bring one suitcase there wasn't much room for extras.
It was a wonderful time and I've remained in "holiday head" right up until last night when I realized I had to go back to work (even if it is in my spare bedroom :-) I finished my son's scarf before I shipped and am happy with how it came out. I still have two more dog sweaters promised and have cast on two pairs of socks (one of the Opal rainforest yarns and Lorna's Laces Sport in Phoenix Suns colors) The socks are for my daughter-in-law who is a diehard Suns fan but I do have another two skeins for me!
I have so many projects I want to do that I think I've filled my year already. I 've stopped playing one of the Facebook games that was eating too much knitting time. One must have priorities.
I've been savoring my Christmas books - oh joy! I laughed my way through "It Itches" and traveled with Sanna through her amazing adventures. I started reading the new Sanna book on New Year's Eve and didn't put it down until there was no more. Well done Roxie! Please tell me you are already working on the next one!! The Yarn Harlot's new book is less belly laugh and more thoughtful but still a pleasurable read.
My dad sent money for Christmas so guess what I ordered? Youbetcha - yarn and knitting books. I just got the new handpainted sock book and love the ideas for choosing patterns, stitch counts and needles size to alter ugly pooling. (Just think - a year ago I wouldn't have even known what that meant). Woolgirl had a great after Christmas sale that helped me stretch my gift money. I'd say my stash is growing by leaps and bounds but I'm reliably informed that sock yarn doesn't count as stash.
My darling husband has put on LOTR and my socks are calling.
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