number 18

Being that it is New Years Eve -- and New Years, in some countries -- I thought I'd look back and look forward a bit here.  This has been a trying year.  Lots of medical crap to figure out, and lots of emotional...err, stuff to sort through.  I've mended bridges between friends and myself, and have truly begun down a path of figuring out what is really important to me.  I've severed ties with people who are no good for me or my health, and tightened attachments to people who help me soar.  When the whole story is considered, this has been a wonderful year, as many of them are in retrospect.  This being said, I think my main goal for the coming year to keep this state of mind during the year.  To hold on to the tiny moments that make the year worthwhile when looking back on it.

I just found this article (link opens in new window) and a couple of key points really struck home with me.  As the title of my entry suggests, number 18 really hit home.  For as long as I can remember, the past has plagued me.  As has my anger toward people from my past for things done and said.  I have already begun working toward letting this anger go.  I believe my work for 2012 is to continue releasing this and to live an anger-free existence.  Not free of feelings of anger and frustration about the present, but free...

Let's see here.  I wrote the rest of this post here this morning while apparently the interwebs were behaving terribly, and the remainder of my post was lost.  I was a good ending, too.  C'est la vie.  It happens.  Guess this sort of just plays into my whole theme for the New Year, doesn't it?  And if I can't let this go...wow, am I in for a terrible year!  Haha!

It's about an hour from the "Ball Drop", which I won't be watching, because we do not have cable -- because I'm not allowed to watch commercials (they make me mad).  So, for all of you reading this tonight, have a wonderful end to 2011!  And for those who will not be reading this until tomorrow or the next day, I hope your ending to 2011 was as epic or relaxed as you wanted it to be.

Happy New Years!
~j.b. 

Order Up!

So, my order from Knitpicks.com finally came in.  You know, after weeks of waiting.  Okay, so I only waited a couple days.  They ship surprisingly fast, even for this time of year.  I just opened it tonight, and I am in love with the yarn.  And the needles, even though they are a tad bit more bendy -- I know, not actually a word -- than I'm used to.  But, I usually use metal, so...yeah.

Oh!  I found these beauties today.  I think I might just spend a tiny bit too much time online these days.  Ah well, sometimes recovering from a busy holiday of shopping and visiting requires some sitting as well as some more shopping.  Haha!

Don't you judge me.

Anyway, these are the creme de la creme of amazing-ness when it comes to knitting needles.  According to reviews, at least.  I'm not wealthy enough to afford these at this time.  I will though, mark my words.  I'm a dpn fiend, and these look like heaven.  They even have this wonderful option of creating your own wish-list so people can purchase what you'd like from them.  They are tricksy that way.  And I love them. 

I have also spent the day reading the TECHknitting blog.  This woman is a genius!  I totally want to pick her brain.  Or eat her brain...you know, as in zombies.  BRAAAAAAAINS...ahem.

What was I saying?

So, I guess that was my day.  Drooling over beautiful yarn-type stuff, and reading about yarny things.  Not too bad of a way to while away the hours, if I do say so myself.  I also made some ice cream batter.  Can't wait to try that out!  I'll post pictures, promise.

Happy Thursday, my lovelies,
~j.b.

I'm not much for listing or even really commenting on gifts I've received for X-mas.  No particular reason, I just don't see the purpose.  I'm not five any longer.  This being said, I received a few gifts yesterday that are really special.  This first one is a necklace and ring from my parents. 

Not the best picture, but they're fire opal.  Which I've never even seen before.  They were made locally where my parents live and are beautiful on.  I don't know if my parents have ever purchased me jewelery, and it meant the world to me.  My dad was just as excited as my mom about it.  Plus 5,000 points for the parents!

I also received a necklace from my Sister-in-Law.  I don't actually have a picture of it, but it is beautiful.  It's from her shop on Etsy.  She's away -- visiting us -- currently, but check back and love her jewelery.  I know I do.  <3

This last gift is also wonderful!  It's from Jamie over at...well, the blog seems to have vanished, I'll edit back in when I can find it again.  I've known her for 20 years, and this was a super sweet gift, considering we don't usually do presents.

Okay, found her.  Good grief, can you say panic?  For no reason what-so-ever?

Anyway, this is by-far the prettiest book, let alone food-type book I've ever seen.  Plus, it was wrapped in fabric -- does she know me, or what?  AND there's this inside:

Sooooo pretty.  She does some book-binding for fun, and decided to do something magical to mine.  I love it.  Soooo much.  Plus, the book itself is really awesome.  Talks about various ingredients and why certain ones work well with others.  Scientifically!  It's very cool. 

It was actually a very kitchen themed X-mas, too.  Gave Jon a book on cheese making and a set of cheese knives.  And the two of us even recieved an ice cream maker!  We're very excited.  Found this recipe for Brown Butter ice cream.  I think it will be our first experiment. 

Alright, that's about it for now.  I hope everyone had a wonderful X-mas with their loved-ones, or without...either way.  Now, it's time to recover from the last month of crazy.  Nap time.

Merry, Happy Everything,
~j.b.

Big foot...

I can't tell you how frustrated I am currently.  Not only have I not published a blog post in what feels like weeks, I don't even have anything non-bloggy to show for my absence. 

With X-mas hurdling very quickly in our direction, I have been swamped with present wrapping and migraine fighting (Yes, I'm aware these are not technically holiday related).  Plus, I've been helping out my mom who has been fighting the flu for the past week and a half.  We are unfortunately not going to be able to do X-mas dinner at my parents' house this year.  Fortunately, we have two huge lasagnas we can bring over to the in-laws for dinner and catch up with family there.  Not the same, but still fun.

I have been doing a bit of knitting the past week or so.  Started a pair of socks for Jon, and discovered that the yarn that was sold as a sock-weight is actually more of a light-fingering weight, and does not work well as sock fabric.  So, I ordered this:

from knitpicks a couple days ago.  I've never ordered from them, before.  I genuinely believe in supporting my LYS's, so ordering online for yarn was not the easiest decision for me.  I look at it this way, though.  I have only so much energy.  Period.  And once it's gone, it can take me quite a long time to regain it.  With all the X-mas shopping I've been doing, and the prep and the migraines!!!  Well, I just don't have time to run down to my LYS to buy a skien of yarn.  However much I may really really want to.  So, I ordered it.  Yes, they undercut the local shops.  Tremendously.  And no, I don't like that.  I also don't like having Fibromyalgia and chronic daily migraines.  So, let's not get too picky here, okay?

I also found some lovelies for myself. 

The color name is Guava and it's a wool/silk blend that looks amazing.  The only issue is that I do not currently own a swift or ball winder.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that these will be under someone's tree for me. 

And last, but not least, I found this:

It's name is Sasquach.  And no, this was not the inspiration for the title of this post.  I'll get to that in a minute.  lol.

So, These lovelies and a couple pair of 2mm DPN's will be arriving around the 29th of December.  I personally can not wait until I get this box.  Yarn, arriving in the mail.  What a concept!  I could get used to this!  What's that noise?  It's my bank account crying.

Now for the whole purpose of this post.  I started my sock, last night, actually.  And I have managed to get quite a few rows done.  I was just over at my MIL's house a couple hours ago and she mentioned that it looked awfully small and she didn't think it would fit me.  I came home, slipped it onto a long cabled circular and found this:

I, apparently have gigantic feet.  Who knew?

Happy Frogging,
~j.b.

Day...what day is it, again?

I know, I know. I'm behind, yet again. So, here is my list for the past couple of days, plus a photo of my current progress on Mabel.  Thanks for understanding my laxness - is that a word?

*  understanding and very supportive people in my life.

*  being able to help my mom learn how to crochet amigurumi christmas light-bulb ornaments. I'll post some pics when we get a few finished.

*  people who not only take care of what they say they will, but also make things better than they needed to.

*  being able to get my fuzzy-fix. I miss my kitty so very much. Can't wait until we can take her hone with is again.

Alright, now here is Mabel.

A day behind.

Good grief, I seem to be seriously lagging on my Gratitude list for the past day or so.  I'm behind a day, so tonight I will combine last night's list with the list for tonight.  That way, come tomorrow night, I'll be back on track.  Guess I've had a busy weekend.  It happens.

Today has been a wonderfully relaxing Sunday for Jon and I.  We spent some time this morning sitting at our respective computers reading and surfing.  Me on Pinterest and Jon on...well, where ever it is he goes when he's online.  More than likely, Reddit.  Although, I have to admit, I do spend time there, too.  They have knitting, crochet and sewing sub-reddits that are tons of fun.  You get to see other peoples' projects and visit new and fun blogs.  So...there's that.

We didn't actually leave the house until around noon.  At that time, we met some friends for Pho in Santa Clara.  I haven't had it in a long time, and it was YUMMY!  I really need a recipe for it.  I have heard it takes all day to make.  Which is perfectly okay me.  Because it's totally worth it for delicious soup.

After lunch, we headed out for a little shopping.  We looked for a gift for Jon's brother and sister, then headed over to R.E.I. to look for some winter-type clothes for Jon and I.  I came out with a pair of pants and a cute knit skirt.  Jon found nothing.  That's the problem with being 6'6".  Things are either long enough in the arms and huge in the torso.  Or they fit in the torso but they're super short in the arms.  So, I think we're just going to need to start doing our shopping for him online.  Does anyone have any suggestions of where to shop for super tall, slim men?  Anyone?  Please?

So, even though our shopping adventure didn't pan out completely, we still had a nice time.  The day in total, was a huge success.  We relaxed.  It was needed.  Now we feel ready to tackle this up-coming week.  I have lots of presents to wrap, and a house to decorate -- not mine though, my mom's.  And Jon will be busy at work, as always.

Now, on to my list:

*  Having my mom over here for most of the day yesterday.  It was nice spending the day with her.  We even got into my sewing room for a while and did some crafting.  Until I needed a nap, anyway!

*  Actually being able to nap yesterday afternoon.  Sleeping during the day has become nearly impossible for me lately.  I'll doze, a tiny bit, but very rarely will I actually sleep.  It can be quite frustrating.

*  Dinner with my parents last night.  It was fun.  My mom and I had crab -- of course! -- and the men had steaks.  Jon doesn't care for sea-food -- which is nearly a deal breaker -- and my dad is allergic to shellfish.  So, all the more crab for mom and me!  Yay!

*  A wonderfully relaxing Sunday with my husband.  We should make this a mandatory way of spending at least one day every weekend.

*  A wonderfully patient brother-in-law.  Thank you so much for understanding my silliness with the password!  Totally figures I finally got it.

Alright...that's it 'til tomorrow night.

Happy, Relaxing Sunday,
~j.b.

Holiday Dress-up and Day five.

I know.  I didn't write last night.  We got home super late -- for me -- and I had a bit of a migraine, and just wasn't up to it.  So, I figured I'd post this afternoon and tonight. 

Dressing up was so much fun.  I got my make-up and hair perfect, and the dress looked stunning, if I do say so myself.  Jon even dressed in slacks and a nice shirt.  And allowed my mom to take a picture of the two of us.  Jon hates his pictures taken.  I am a ham.  I have always loved my picture taken.  Figures I'd marry someone who doesn't.  The most current photograph we have of ourselves in our house is from my cousin's wedding over six years ago!  We don't even have our own wedding pictures hung up anywhere.

Anyway...here's the photo my mom took:

 

 

 

the lovely couple dressed up...

I know you can't see the dress too well.  Maybe I can get a photo of the dress by itself today and post it tonight.  Photographing an all black dress is rather difficult at best, and it was dark last night.  I am really happy though with the way the photo turned out, and we had an absolutely wonderful time last night.  I even received the most amazing compliment.  I was told I looked like a movie-star!  By this woman who was so beautifully dressed she looked like a movie-star, herself!

All in all, it was a wonderful evening.  Met lots of really nice people, and now I finally know who Jon's co-workers are, so I can picture them when he talks about work.

Okay, on to my list from yesterday:

*  I was grateful my mom came home with me to help me get ready last night.  She helped me curl the back of my hair, because I couldn't quite reach it.  It ended up looking perfect in the back because of her help.

*  My doctor appointment -- for which I was very nervous -- turned out wonderfully.  I got what I needed from the Dr. and it wasn't a horribly emotional visit.

*  My dad, for driving my mom and I to the appointment.  I couldn't have done it without him.

*  Finally getting help with my migraines.  I feel as though I can breathe again.  Now, just to wait for the Botox appointment to really get these taken care of.

Okay, I feel good having done this.  I will post again tonight with tonight's list.  Thank you all for understanding the delay! 

Happy Saturday,
~j.b.