Sweet Thang Knits

It's been a while

2009-03-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last posted. So much for those new years resolutions. But life has kept me super busy. Family visits, work, etc.

I have been busy knitting for friends. My newest fascination; knitting socks. It's been a desire to do for a while and I finally took the plunge when I decided to knit a pair of baby socks for my Director. I am quite pleased with myself as they came out really well. Now I am going to have to start knitting them for big people. LOL. I think I am going to make socks for the nieces and nephews for christmas this year. I think that they will really like it alot. I have made a hat for my brother in law who is going through chemo and I am just about to finish another one soon. He's getting socks too, so that he will have them to keep his feet warm after surgery!!

Weight watchers is going pretty good. I am doing what I can to stay on program. I have only lost 6 pounds over the 11 weeks, but I am wishing it was more. I need to really refocus on what I want and pay more attention. Though I am seeing a difference in the way my clothes fit. That's always a plus.

We have been fourtnate to have the In Laws out for a visit. That's always a great time. My MIL and I went out antiques shopping in Tomball and had a blast. We had a quaint lunch in a tearoom and just had a ball. She's the greatest woman and I am so very happy and very proud to be her daughter in law.

Today, I had the best time; I met up with three other friends for knitting and chat. They are all accomplished knitters and I am so happy to be able to be friends with them. The ladies are so very nice; and two of them have the cutest little girls! I had the extreme pleasure to hold both of them; one of them being about 1 month old!!

Right now, the husband and I are watching "Kiss the Girls". I like this movie; it's one of those that when I saw it the first time; I jumped out of my seat and screamed.

Here's a picture of the socks that I knit this last week:

Which team are you rooting for?

2009-01-31T18:25:00.000-08:00

That was the question I had this afternoon, when picking up the dog from the groomers. I had told her that we were having a few friends over for the Superbowl game. What a good question, I have not a freaking clue. I am more interested in eating the hot wings and watching the Superbowl commercials!! The commercials are the best!! But if I had to choose a team to win, I think it would have to be the Cardinals. I guess I like the underdog! LOL.

It's been a somewhat busy week. Month end close came up as quickly as Christmas did this year. I stared and stared at numbers for two days and I think that I have crossed my eyes on a permanent basis. But I stayed late on Friday so that I could get them all in just in time. That way I can take Monday off to recover from the party! Hahaha.

I joined Weight Watchers about three weeks ago and I have lost five pounds. of course most of that was in the first week; but this week, I didn't budge. No gain, no loss. I guess that is good, but still, it's depressing. I know what my problem is and that is I am not being as diligent in writing down everything that enters my mouth. I did that faithfully the first week, but not sense then. So I need to get my shit together and get on the ball. I think, no I KNOW that I am going to do better this week as there's an incentive dangling in my face. My leader, Brenda, is piloting a program with all her meetings that will give us/me the support that I need. Without going into it, for 90 days, we will be exchanging ideas/trackers each week. This will make me accountable. Which is what I need. I have all the tools now, a new digital scale, measuring spoons, etc. I am going to do it. I need to lose at least 30 lbs... I have to do it.

I learned a new trick in knitting this week. It's called the Magic Loop method. Though, I think that I am doing it somewhat wrong, since everything I knit appears to be knitted inside out. I am hoping that I can find a class or demonstration on how to do it properly. Though I can find videos online, I think that I do better with hands on help. But I am excited to learn this method because I have tried to knit on the DPN's and I just can't do it. Too much to hold on to and to remember. Less is More for me!! As for my sweater; well, I had to rip it out YET again. I messed up a row and that caused me to get the pattern out of sync. I couldn't leave it as is because it was so farking obvious that I had messed up. So I started to frog it. Until I dropped two stitches in the pattern. At that point, I had to take it all out. Oh well, third time's a charm. Though something good comes out of it; I did get some help with the eyelets row and trying to space out them out evenly. One of my bunco partners clued me in on what to do correctly. !!

Speaking of Bunco, we had that this week as well. This month, it was my turn to bring the gifts. I think I did really good this month as it seemed that everyone loved them. We had a few new people and we are about to start our new year in February. I love having Bunco as it's a nice night to get out and have a good time. My friend and I met up and then went over to Halfpint's house for a glass of wine, or two, before hand. That was fun; and I just LOVE Halfpint's house. She's got it decorated so beautifully!! I am very jealous and I am thinking that I need to hang out with her more often!! One of the other members brought a bottle of wine to enjoy. However the hostess did not have a bottle opener. (they don't drink). Never fear, SweetThang to the rescue!! With a knife and my teeth, I got that sucker out!! It was hilarious!! Good thing that it was a synthetic cork!! Putting the knife in the cork and turning it, it didn't break or crumble like the real corks.

Well, I guess I should sign off for now. DH and I are watching the first season of Saturday Night Live on the DVD. It was a Christmas gift that I had wanted!! The first five years of the SNL was, by far and in my opinion, the best there ever was!

So long and GO CARDINALS!

It was one of those weeks

2009-01-17T22:33:00.000-08:00

Ever have one of those weeks? You know the kind where you don't seem to catch a break? Well, that was my week, last week.

I had to be the one to give one of my employees notice that she was being laid off. It was, by far, the hardest thing that I had to do. No one likes to do such a thing, but it's part of my job. I did very good in holding in my emotions during the meeting, but afterwards, we spoke at length, and at that point, I did let some tears flow. She took the news well, and has already put her foot out and started her job search. I admire her, she's a single mother doing it all on her own. It's funny, she is telling everyone that I took it harder than she did! I love her and I am going to miss her terribly. And no, I had no say in the decision; that was left up to HR and Legal.

On top of that, we received news about a family member, having cancer. It came the night before the lay offs, so it only added to my ability to no sleep that night. The family member is quite positive and I believe that is going to help them in the long run. You never know when the "C" word will creep into your life...

Though, this week there was some excitement! My parents have been in California visiting my Great, Great Aunt. She turned 90 yrs old on the 15th of January and they went out there to visit with her for a week. She's a sweet lady and I love her to pieces. I wished that I could have been out there to wish her a happy birthday as well. While the parents were in California, they got tickets to the taping of Dr. Phil's show. Actually 2 taping's. The first taping, they were on the VERY FRONT ROW! and for the second taping, the were right behind Dr. Phil's wife, Robin. They were not sure when they would air, but we did catch it, in the nick of time, to see the first taping this Friday! We counted seeing them four times! Now we need to find out when the next one airs!

Well, the hubby and I just finished up one episode of the First Season of Saturday Night Live. It was a hoot! I am sorry, but I am an Old School SNL fan. Today's SNL, just is not all that funny. It doesn't compare to the Coneheads, Samurai Warrior, or Gilda Radner as Rosanna Rosannadanna. Long live the Original Cast!

Well, I am outta here. It's time to hit the sack and get some rest!

What makes you excited?

2009-01-11T08:34:00.000-08:00

It gets funny every time we have to purchase a new appliance. Last year, we purchased a new refrigerator. I was so excited about a refrigerator that I just amazed myself. Now we have a new washing machine and yet again, I was excited. Who knew that when you get older, the strangest things excite you. As a teenager, a cool purse or concert tickets were thrilling; as a young, professional adult, it was a raise, or purchasing a new car. As an older adult, like I am now, it's an appliance. It's just too funny!! I wonder when I get much older, what I will get excited about? Will it be dentures? or getting the to actually join AARP? Or getting the senior discounts? I guess as we get older, things just change!

It's been a pretty OK weekend. I had to take my mom and dad to the airport on Saturday morning. They flew out to California to see my Great, Great Aunt for the week. She's really about the only relative that my dad is still close to on his side. She turns 90 next week, and they wanted to spend it with her. She's the sweetest lady ever! I wished that I could be there as well, however, we will not be able to do so. Instead, I believe that we are going to send her a beautiful flower arrangement to let her know that we are thinking of her. As well, I need to get all her cards in the mail tomorrow! Happy 90th Birthday Aunt M!

But I must tell you about the story on the "trip to the airport". On Friday night, I asked my Dad what time we needed to leave the house for the airport. It's about a 30 min ride from my house to IAH on a Saturday morning. He tells me that we need to leave about 6:30 am. They always try to get there at least two hours (good rule of thumb!). I believe, and I think that he did too, that their flight was at 9:15 am. Saturday rolls around and I am up at 5:45 am and piddling around the house before getting ready to leave at the appointed time. At 6:00 am, Mom yells my name and says 'We have to leave NOW! Your Daddy misread the times; the flight BOARDS at 6:35 am!!!". So, I was dressed in less than 1 min, socks on my feet, tennis shoes in my hand and my purse! We hit the road, with my mother saying "we are not going to make it, we are not going to make it." I drove just a tad over the speed limit at 70 mph. I pulled up to the terminal drop off at exactly 6:37 am. the flight was leaving at 7:15 am. they still had to check the bag, get through security and to the gate. Mom still contending that they wont make it, I parked the car, jumped out in my socks, yanked out the luggage (dad can't lift anything heavy at the moment), throw them out on the sidewalk, give the parental units kisses goodbye and a "call me and let me know if you make it on or not.". by 6:40 am, I was on my way out the airport. At about 7:10 am, Mom called and they had made the flight! Damn! I am a good daughter!

I started Weight Watchers yesterday morning (after I left the airport, I headed to the meeting). And I am pretty stoked about it. They have a new program called "Momentum" and I think that it's going to be pretty easy to work with. There's focus on eating filling foods, and there's quite a bit that are marked as those that I like. My issue is boredom eating and stress eating. So working within those filling foods and zero point foods is going to really help me out. I just have to remember everything that I "B.L.T." = Bite, Lick, Taste! The leader at the 7 am class is supercharged and great! The class is charged with excitement and that makes me excited. When I did WW about a year ago, the leader of the class i went to was not that enthusiastic! The leader can make all the difference! So now, 7 am will be my meeting on Saturday mornings, which will allow me to take my spin class at the gym at 8:30 am! Doubly good!

Nothing much on the knitting front at the moment. I need to wet block my scarf and get it sent out this week to my exchange partner in Norway. I will take pictures and post later.

Time to move around MORE laundry!! Have a super week!

I suck at this bloging...

2009-01-08T16:55:00.000-08:00

Geez. Make a commitment and I can't keep it. Wow! if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black. (those in the know will understand the private joke/slam).

It's been a busy week at work and so when Wednesday's roll around, I am pretty stoked. Why you ask? Well, I get to work from home on Wednesday's. I really do work, but I am able to slide in a few chores between calls etc. It's really helpful and I like it. Give me the chance to have our weekends more open instead of having to dedicate Sunday to doing laundry. So, when yesterday rolled around, I started my routine. I gathered up all our laundry and started a load of towels. The washer filled up with water and then.......... Nada....... It would not agitate AT all. I cussed it out, kicked it once and called Sears. After an infinite amount of time on hold, I find out that economically it would be more feasible to just buy a new one. Then I had to get the buy in from Mr. ST. That I was worried about since he's on this save save save mode. But surprisingly, he agreed with me, so I hauled ass down to the Sears Appliance store. Needless to say, I got a normal top loading machine that has a delicate cycle (Yayay!! - the old one didn't have one), and it will be delivered on Saturday! I made out like a bandit as it was on sale, I will get a rebate on the delivery fee annnnnnnnnnd because they could not deliver it next day, a $50 gift card to Sears.. SCORE.

Otherwise, a few surprises have come my way this week. I got in contact with two old school chums from middle school! It was so great to reconnect and find out what's been going on in each other lives in the last 28 years! Facebook is my newest addiction!

On the knitting front, I have finished my Scarf for the Facebook scarf exchange. I just need to soak it and block it before sending it off to Norway!! I will take pictures once it is blocked and ready to ship out.

Time to jet, but will post more soon.......

So much for a relaxing Sunday.

2009-01-04T15:20:00.000-08:00

I had high hopes of having a relaxing Sunday. Sit back, knit a bit, watch movies on HBO, and not do anything. Yeah, that didn't happen. Instead, I worked from home. It's month end and at the last minute on Friday I received bad news that an invoice that I had received before Christmas, and had coded for payment was wrong. To only make matters worse, it was day 1 of close, and I had already submitted the original invoice file to AP for booking and payment. That only aggravated me to no end. At the last minute, I am having to code the additional file and BEG for mercy from the gal in AP to let me submit the accrual on Monday. She's being sweet and allowing me to do so, therefore I spent a good part of yesterday and today coding that invoice. I have to pull large files from the server via the VPN so thus, it was a slow, painful process. Yeah, I could have gone to the office and do it there, but I really didn't want to do that. Oh well, at least I accomplished what I was needing to do.

So now, I am sitting on the couch, updating the blog, knitting on my scarf and watching my all time favorite movie "You've Got Mail". I am such a sucker for Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks movies. "Sleepless in Seattle" is another favorite of mine. Even more so, it closely parallels "An Affair to Remember". Of course the husband is rolling his eyes and making snide remarks. I am used to this and will sometimes have to prompt him to go to his room and watch his football.

I am getting over the sickness and I am so happy about that. There's hope that I can get to the gym this week and start back on my routine. Hopefully we won't have any disruptions to that routine. I am, also, hoping to join Weight Watchers later this month. They have a new program called "Momentum" and it looks interesting. My biggest issue is stress eating and bored eating. So they are offering something like filling foods which I think might help.

Well, I am off to hopefully finish my scarf tonight or at least get close so that I can send it off to Norway by end of the week. More tomorrow

Ok, so I fell of the goal wagon..

2009-01-03T06:31:00.000-08:00

but then that's why it's a goal and not a resolution. ::: grins::: I didn't get to post yesterday mainly just because I was so exhausted from a full day a the office and trying to fight fires that it ran me down energy wise. I did take time, while at work, to write in my journal. I had not done that since I was a kid and it was really quite fulfilling. I find that it's going to keep me accountable for many things.

Mr. ST and I didn't really do much last night. Just a quick dinner of leftover ribs (mmmmmm) and TV. He watched more football than I care to watch and I just sat and knitted on the scarf for my exchange partner. I did receive my scarf yesterday and it's beautiful!! I will hopefully take pictures soon to upload. I hope that one day I can knit a scarf like my partner did!

We have decided that for the weekend, it's just going to be a quiet one. No family, no friends, no nothing. This is, to me, a very relaxing. Don't get me wrong; we love all of our family and friends, but we have been going, and going and going for weeks on end of late. It's just nice to relax and just "be". Of course, I think that there are multitudes of football games on TV, so Mr. ST will be pretty much preoccupied all weekend long. For me, it's a good weekend to just knit!

Well, I am signing off to surf the next. I have a gift card burning a hole in my wallet and I am ready to spend!

Ciao!

Happy New Year!!!!

2009-01-01T14:57:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that 2008 just flew by; there was so much that went on during the year that it just made it a blur. However, I can say that 2008 was a good year for Mr. ST and myself and 2009 is going to be even better.

We had a super quiet NYE. Since I am still fighting the multitude of problems, it just was better for us to say in and relax. That we did. We watched "Shrek 2", which Mr. ST just laughs all the way through, and then we watched on of the many NYE festivities. Needless to say, we never made it to midnight. Well, I woke up at midnight to all the fireworks, so that I could go and get another swig of the cough medicine, since the first dose was not doing it's job. It was not eventful! LOL . We both slept in until about 7:30 am which is unusual for us to do. My Dad came in from East Texas to bring my computer that he had restored for me so we have been enjoying a nice visit. My mom did not accompany him on this trip as she drove to Ft. Worth to visit my grandparents. My grandfather was released from the hospital yesterday and she went up to see him and see if she could help my grandmother. Gpa is really not doing well at all. The dementia has gotten worse and he's pretty dependent on others. It's so sad ...

I have spent today doing a little of my "goals" that I set to paper yesterday. I have a thing about magazines. I like to buy them. Don't know why, I just do. I have a bad habit of holding on to them for no apparent reason. So today, I took a stack that I had accumulated and went through every one of them. I cut out recipes, menus or items of interest that deem further research and then ditched the magazine. Now, I just need to make sure that do that research, get the information I need and then ditch that piece of paper. As well, I need to do that to all the saved magazines that I have in my "cookbook cabinet". I have every single Paula Deen Magazine since it's inception and I haven't touched them since. So I am going to go through those and thin them out as well. I think it's a good step forward to getting that organization under control.

Well, I am going to sign off for now. I am just about finished with the scarf I am knitting for my scarf exchange, and I want to get moving on it. I have a deadline to meet and I am bound and determined to do so.

More tomorrow!

It New Years Eve, and what am I doing?

2008-12-31T14:57:00.000-08:00

Well, I can fill you in: Nada damn thing. Yup, we are staying home. But then it's not like we go out on NYE in the past. The both of us are of the mindset that we would rather be at home, safe and sound, than out with all the drunks and wierdos. At least this year, though still sick, I will be able to enjoy it and not be asleep or haning over the toilet. (yeah, sick last year as well).

Since I don't feel so well, we are pretty much not eating much tonight. Mr. ST will probably have himself a lovely deep dish pizza single and moi will probably suck down some more lovely chicken broth. Tomorrow, we are going to have HEB's pre-sliced brisket, that is Cajun style. We had it last year and it was freaking fantastic. There will be some mashed potatoes, stuffing and probably some green beans for me. Yummmm....

So, now that it's NYE, then it's time for those Goals I promised a few days ago. So here goes the list:

Lose 30 lbs - Yes, I need to lose 30 lbs. Let me tell you, even if you have gastric bypass surgery, you can gain it back. I am NOT going to let that happen. There's just no way. I will say that the majority of the gain has been in the last year, but I do attribute it to some health issues. Those issues are now under control and hopefully I can gain a better perpsective and lose that weight. I won't get back down to my lowest, the one the surgeon set for me because honestly, people told me I looked very sick.
Workout at least four days a week - I had been, just before the holidays, making it to the gym at least three times a week. What I enjoy the most are the classes that the gym offers. But I think that I need to mix things up even more since I don't see much difference just by doing classes. I miss my personal trainer that I had last year, but since I changed gyms, I don't get to use him anymore. I still know some of the things he taught me, I just need to put them to use.
Stay organized - I really have a tendancy to not stay organized. So, by organization, I mean keep better track of what I spend, what I eat, work items, groceries, etc. Keep my kitchen well stocked, but not over buy because I am not organized.
Finish the cross stitch - I have a rather lovely cross stitch project that I started when I first started dating Mr. ST. His mom, my MIL, stitches all the time and when I first visited her, I saw all the stitching projects around the house and it really inspired me. I ran out and bought a lovely pattern. Got it started and it sits in the closet in the corner. I really want to finish it so that I can get it framed and hang it in my house.
Learn how to needlepoint - Another one of those things that my MIL likes to do. I have vowed to pick up a small kit and give it a try to see if I like it or not. Just another hobby to add to my crafting abilities.
Learn how to knit socks - I still havent learned how to do it, and I have the stuff to do it!! It intrigues me, but I just seem to find something else to do in it's place. If I could learn how, then I might just be able to do some pairs for the nieces and nephews!!
Keep a daily journal - I think that by doing this, I can keep track of what I eat, what I do, and other random thoughts that I sometimes just can't remember.
Do a blog entry every single day - I promise to do one post a day. Whether it be about my day, knitting or what not, I need to do an entry. This is called committment.

I might add some more to this list; just incase I have forgotten what I formulated in my mind while I was driving home the other day. LOL. I am an old fart you know!!

I send you and your family, best wishes for a Safe and Happy New Year. Please be sure, to not Drink and Drive!

I am a walking drug store!

2008-12-30T16:46:00.000-08:00

Well, it never ceases to amaze me; I can stay relatively healthy all year long and then as it approaches the new year.... BOOM, I get nailed. Sigh. What is the malady of the year? Hmmm, let's see, let's go for

Bronchitis
Sinusitis
Eustcian Tube Dysfunction (fancy word for water in ya ear)

...and a partridge in a pear treeeeee.... Ok so that was bad...

Needless to say, I am stocked with tissues, some really yummmmmmy cough syrup loaded with codeine, antibiotics, and lovely nasal spray. I really hate being sick. But then I love it because Mr. ST takes care of my like no other. ::::smiles sweetly::::

Oh well, hopefully by tomorrow, I will be feeling more like me so that I can post those resolutions, er, goals for 2009.

For now.. Hasta La Pasta!!

Planning

2008-12-28T08:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Mr. ST and I drove back, well *I* drove, from visting Mr. ST's family for the Christmas holidays. This drive, only three hours or so, usually gives me time to reflect since the hubby is usually asleep for the first hour and a half or so. So, yesterday was my time to really start thinking about all the things that I want to accomplish in the new year.

Yes, the dreaded resolutions that people rarely keep. I have made many in the past that were never kept, so I am really familiar with not following all the way through with them. But I really think that maybe if I change them from resolutions to GOALS, then I might just succeed. I want to meet each goal with gusto and maybe, I will feel that sense of accomplishment. Like when I complete a knitting project!!

So today, I am going sit back and further finalize those "goal's" for 2009. I will put them out soon, I just need to get them all formulated into complete thoughts in my mind. So, stay tuned!

Changes...

2008-12-27T18:53:00.000-08:00

Just checking out the colors and other thingy-m-bobbies on this blog.

Well, because I am an idiot...

2008-12-27T16:34:00.000-08:00

I have had to create a whole new blog. Yes, you read that right. SweetThangKnits.blogspot.com will not be updated, as I had hoped. Stupid me, yes I said stupid, cannot for the life of her remember her login password. I tried every freaking combination that I use and can't get it loaded. No use in trying to get a email hint because the account that was used to set up the blog is defunct. Yeah... totally stupid on me.

So, I have started this new one: Knitting by SweetThang. I hope to fill it up with posts on my knitting adventures, family, friends and my personal journey to lose weight and get healthy. I am sure you will be happy to see all my incessant ramblings too.

Stay tuned for the next post, which will be my 2009 Resolutions.. And let me tell you.. they will be a DOOZY!

Ciao!