Jen-Knits

Wordless Wednesday - Horse Hat is Done!

2011-12-07T20:21:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday - Nemesis

2011-11-02T12:56:00.001-04:00

pattern: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEdf10/PATTnemesis.php

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-29T08:25:00.001-04:00

A little pumpkin hat for my nephew.

Winter Hats

2011-10-21T08:11:00.001-04:00

The boys in their 2011 winter hats. They each picked out their yarn during our trip to Rhode Island. And they picked out the patterns. I love that they participate and get excited about knitted items!

Wedding Shawl - Picture of the 4 Day Shawl

2011-10-14T09:04:00.000-04:00

See - I did finish it in time! Not the best picture of the shawl, but I didn't think to take pictures of myself that night. It really did only take 4 days and I use it all the time. I love this Clapotis!

Baby Harper's Sweater

2011-10-06T21:35:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday - Fetching

2011-09-28T08:33:00.001-04:00

Wedding Shawl Day Two

2011-09-16T00:22:00.001-04:00

I managed to find a decent amount of time to knit today, so the shawl is coming along nicely. It's so soft!

Wedding Clapotis Day One

2011-09-15T00:09:00.001-04:00

My cousin is getting married on Saturday, and I had the brilliant idea today to knit a clapotis to wear. Here's my day one progress. Hopefully tomorrow is more productive!

New Baby Sweater

2011-08-16T21:38:00.001-04:00

Another friend is having a baby! I just started this one.

Another Picture of my Mini

2011-08-14T19:13:00.002-04:00

My Mini

2011-08-12T15:17:00.005-04:00

Isn't she pretty??? I can't wait to get out on the road this weekend!!!

Baby Woz Blanket Done!

2011-07-14T11:49:00.003-04:00

We're expecting our first nephew in August, so of course I needed to knit him a blanket. This is a super-easy cable pattern by Bernat that knits up just beautiful!

Beautiful New Bike

2011-04-16T13:47:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was the annual sale at Performance Bike in Cary, and since I've decided to do a triathlon in August I just had to check it out. I decided on a Schwinn Frontier Sport. It's really a mountain bike but it rides very nicely on the roads. (believe me - the kids have had me ride it around the neighborhood over and over!)

Wordless Wednesday - Clearly I've lost my mind...

2011-04-13T13:43:00.000-04:00

To Infinity & Beyond....

2011-04-05T22:34:00.000-04:00

This last week has been so tough. So many good-byes. I'm leaving my job of 10-1/2 years. It's time. Last week I was in Boston, but since I don't officially have a job yet, I couldn't say my good-byes in person. It breaks my heart to not have those conversations with people when I'm in the office. Hopefully later this week I'll have an official start date and this not knowing will be over.

(Everyone loved the Boston Scarf!)

On Sunday a wonderful little boy left his earthly family and joined the angels in heaven. T. was 7 years old and a light in the lives of everyone who knew him. My boys and I only knew him briefly, but his death has had huge effect on our lives. Kyle remembers playing with him and is worried about T.'s older brother N. Dyl just sees us all so sad. T. had a heart condition and was on the donor list, but one didn't come through in time. I'm so thankful he's not in pain anymore, but it's hard to be thankful when a child dies. It brings up so many feelings from when Dyl was sick - it never gets any easier.

One of T.'s favorite movies was Toy Story. I'll never look at the phrase "to infinity and beyond" the same way again.

We're taking care of T.'s dog while his family attends to the funeral. It's the least we can do for them. Princess Sophie has been a joy, and it's so nice to know we're helping.

And I've been knitting a little. I'm working on a sweater for my soon-to-be nephew, but had to rip out a bunch of it today. UGH!!!

Finished Friday

2011-03-25T10:06:00.000-04:00

The Boston Scarf is done - it only took a few hours. Very cute - I can't wait to wear it next week in Boston when I'm up there for work!

Wordless Wednesday - Fun with Funky Yarn

2011-03-23T11:19:00.000-04:00

Froggin'

2011-02-05T08:05:00.000-05:00

There's been a whole lot of froggin' going on here this week. I only have 1 project on the needles now - Kyle sweater! And I'm going to CO the Chiton Pullover for my vacation knitting. Today I even ripped out the shawl in kidsilk haze. Ripping out mohair sucks... even after being frozen for years!

Next Project - Chiton Pullover

2011-02-04T22:18:00.001-05:00

I was lucky enough to attend the launch party for the newest issue of Knitscene at Downtown Knits. And I fell in love with this easy sweater. Perfect for vacation knitting, and this gorgeous Malabrigo in red - just my color!

More Sweater Love

2011-01-15T16:28:00.000-05:00

I just finished this one today!

Dylan's Favorite Sweater

2011-01-15T15:41:00.000-05:00

I can't get the kid to take it off... such love! He told me it's like wearing a nice warm blanket.

Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-26T11:52:00.000-05:00

What do you want to eat this week?

2010-12-22T14:47:00.000-05:00

School vacation and I suppose the children might want to eat something other than coffee and toast. Here's their list. Hysterical. And when I asked what kind of pie and fruit, they answered that it doesn't matter. Love it!

Chocolate Balls

2010-12-19T15:32:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas!!! I love this time of the year. Gifts and parties and friends and family. This week we had 4 parties - the last one is tonight. I always bring these "Oreo truffles". Super yummy, they're impressive but are very easy to make!

Oreo Truffles
1 box Oreos
2 blocks cream cheese (soft)
chocolate chips

1. Grind up Oreos in your food processor.
2. Mix Oreo crumbs with cream chesse.
3. Roll into small balls and refrigerate at least an hour.
4. Melt chocolate chips.
5. Roll balls in melted chocolate. Set on parchment paper and return them to the refrigerator to harden.

That's it! This year I got fancy... I've tried different chocolates and sprinkles. So far my favorite are the mint chips. YUMMY!!!

Retro Towel Topper

2010-12-05T21:12:00.000-05:00

Love these! Look out family members - you all might find these under your tree ;)

Quick & Easy Cowl

2010-12-04T21:24:00.000-05:00

It snowed today! I was out hanging our Christmas lights and it started. Two hours later when I finished it was drizzling. Oh well - snow in December is nice for a few hours.

I was freezing after being out in the cold and wet, so I decided I needed a cowl. And of course I had the perfect yarn in my stash. Ta-da!!!

I pulled back the blankets and what did I find?

2010-12-03T11:20:00.000-05:00

Up to no good...

2010-11-29T10:47:00.000-05:00

We recently adopted Scooter - a 3-year-old tabby cat - from the local shelter. Scooter lived with a dog his entire life, and poor Greyci has never lived with a cat. Scooter is coming out of his shell now that he's been here 2 weeks. This morning he decided to tease Greyci for more than an hour. Finally Greyci laid down and ignored the cat... so Scooter stared at her and planned his next attack. It's so funny to see the two of them together!

Chemo Shawl

2010-11-21T23:10:00.000-05:00

I've heard from a number of friends that a hat and shawl make Chemo more bearable. This is the shawl I just knit for a friend going through treatments right now. I pray it brings her a little comfort and warmth as she battles this terrible disease!

Busy busy!!!

2010-11-17T22:59:00.000-05:00

We've been so busy lately! Tonight I finished up a skeleton for Dyl. This morning I finished up a chemo cap for a friend (see previous post from today). A few days ago I finished an afghan for my brother (another previous post from today). Tomorrow I'm going to start a turkey for Kyle. It's so much fun knitting for my kids!

2010-11-17T22:40:00.000-05:00

Chemo Cap

2010-11-17T22:30:00.001-05:00

Afghan

2010-11-17T22:27:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-02T08:55:00.000-04:00

Not so wordless and not so Wednesday. I posted on Wednesday and have no clue where it went! So here goes again....

GWP Beach Weekend!

2010-09-25T09:53:00.000-04:00

Last weekend was beach weekend with one of my knitting groups. We rented a fabulous house right on the water on Oak Island. And this year I actually got to go from Thursday night to Sunday!

Friday I knit these for the boys...

(they're all ready drunks and they can swim in their wine glass, such fun!)

and worked on my shawl...

Saturday we went to Knitting up a Storm in North Myrtle Beach - definitely one of my favorite shops here in the South! I bought this Lantern Moon bag...

(Actually Leslie and I discussed it, I decided I didn't need it, she bought it and then I took it from her instead of her paying me back the money she owed me... but who really needs the whole story?)

And I started a new sweater...

What a great weekend!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Crochet Bracelet

2010-08-18T10:14:00.000-04:00

The Wedding - Flower Girl and Ring Bearer

2010-07-29T10:28:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday - Airy Hemp Traveling Woman Shawl

2010-07-14T14:37:00.000-04:00

De-Stashing

2010-06-26T10:39:00.000-04:00

D is sick, so last night instead of getting to have date night with hubby and see Grown Ups, DH watched the NHL draft and I de-stashed.

At one point D came downstairs and saw me sitting on the floor of the living room with yarn all around. He said "awe Mommy, you're cute sitting in the middle of the pretty yarn!". That's my kid!

I wish I'd taken some pictures - it's amazing how much yarn I had shoved various places in the house (and how much crappy yarn I was just hanging onto for no good reason). Two overflowing bags were freecycled this morning. Now I'm back down to one tote! And I found yarn in my stash for a project that I want to start today. YAY!

Wordless Wednesday - Epic Yarn Game!

2010-06-16T08:16:00.002-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-26T09:33:00.000-04:00

A little knitting... a little sewing..

2010-05-21T10:13:00.000-04:00

Knitting....

A little knitting and sewing....

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-19T09:29:00.000-04:00

Finished!

2010-05-05T14:22:00.000-04:00

(loved the light on this one)

(not sure why I look jaundiced)

(up close)

Blocking!

2010-05-04T13:38:00.000-04:00

Oh yea, it's time to block! I finished knitting last night and today I started thinking about how I was going to block it without blocking wires. I'm not a perfectionist, but with the amount of time I've spent on this project, I really want it to come out nice. I came across this post by Velma of Colorbomb Creations, which used a yoga mat. And not only do I have an old yoga mat, but I know where it is.

After a nice bath in Soak, the shawl was ready to pin. It's all pinned and I'm waiting for it to dry... I'm in serious need of patience - I think I've checked it 10 times all ready today! I can't wait give it to my mom for Mother's Day!

Wordless Wednesday - if I didn't have to work today

2010-04-28T08:12:00.000-04:00

My Review of Santorini Mosaic Coffee Table

2010-04-28T00:03:00.003-04:00

Originally submitted at Cost Plus World Market

Taking a note from the gorgeous mosaic designs of Greece, our shimmering, jade-shaded, glass- tiled Santorini Mosaic Coffee Table has classical decorating appeal. One of our most versatile finds, our Santorini Mosaic Table is pretty enough to be an eye-catching accent indoors, sturdy enough to be a...

Beautiful Table for Deck or Patio

By Jen from Raleigh, NC on 4/27/2010

Pros: Good Quality, Attractive Design, Good Height

Best Uses: Accent Piece

Describe Yourself: Budget Shopper

Primary use: Personal

Perfect for a patio or deck! Not too big - we really like the coffee-table size, and it leaves us with room for 4 or 5 chairs around it. Beautiful center-piece.

(legalese)

My Review of Casteneda Sangria

2010-04-27T23:58:00.001-04:00

Originally submitted at Cost Plus World Market

A longtime customer favorite, authentic Spanish Castaneda Sangria is back just in time for springtime sipping. Bursting with the sun drenched flavors of a hot Spanish summer, this Sangria is a refreshing blend of red wine, citrus fruit flavors, and a special spice reminiscent of the traditional win...

Yum!!!

By Jen from Raleigh, NC on 4/27/2010

Pros: Good Value, Easy To Prepare, Flavorful

Best Uses: Entertaining

Describe Yourself: Busy Mom

Takes all the work out of Sangria - chill it, pour it in a pitcher, drop some fruit in, and serve. Great for entertaining!

(legalese)

Beginning of the Deck Makeover

2010-04-27T23:23:00.000-04:00

Our back deck is pitiful. It's just ragged and has nothing but a grill on it. Today I started thinking we need to do something with it. So I found a picture on www.diyideas.com site. I love it, but the husband thinks it's a bit too much.

First I went to Target and bought at cheap tan gazebo to go over the deck and gazebo lights for it. Then I wandered over to World Market and found this table. It's gorgeous. Next I'm going to have to find decent seating, but I'm not real worried about it - when it's right I'll find the right seating.

I'm so excited! The back deck is starting to feel like a real room. I also plan to add some curtains to the gazebo eventually. We'll probably stick to a blue/green theme - nice and light and kinda tropical. Maybe by the end of the summer it will be perfect!

Does Cleaning the Bathroom Count as Creativity?

2010-04-23T15:10:00.000-04:00

I think it should. Especially since it took 2 days. I've been avoiding cleaning the master bathroom and the boys' bathroom for at least a month. The guest bathroom gets a decent cleaning each week because that's what other people see. (yes I'm one of "those" people - feel free to make a disgusted face at the computer now)

So finally I had to do it - even the lady bugs that live in our bathroom have either died or left. And as they say in the movie Office Space "That's my only real motivation is not to be hassled, that, and the fear of losing my job. But you know, Bob, that will only make someone work just hard enough not to get fired." - and I'm in serious danger of being fired. By me - not the husband since somehow he seems to be immune to disgustingness. Yuck. But 48 hours and a chemical-induced headache later (what do you mean I can't mix bleach, comet and scrubbing bubbles?), the master bathroom is shining.

Maybe next month I'll tackle the boys' bathroom.... or not...

BTW - if you've been living under a rock (or in a Y2K bunker) and haven't seen Office Space, it's a must-see for those of us with a teenage boy sense of humor and an office job. "Excuse me I believe you have my stapler..."

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-21T08:23:00.000-04:00

Day 5 - Sunny

2010-04-20T22:16:00.000-04:00

Meet Sunny! She's my new BFF.

I plan to teach her to knit.

Day 4

2010-04-20T10:24:00.000-04:00

More knitting.

Days 2 & 3

2010-04-18T23:07:00.000-04:00

Yesterday and today have been filled with more knitting time. As I knit, I think, and all this thinking is a good thing. I know I'm spread too thin. And I know I try too hard to make everyone happy. My husband says "I'm only one man", and the truth is that I'm only one woman. I'm a lot of things to a lot of people, but I'm still just one. "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13 really appears to be my life verse. I hope in all this doing, I'm not missing out on the relationships I should be building - especially my relationship with Christ. Our campus pastor Chris spoke today about God hating religion, and it really got me thinking - I am involved in multiple ministries, but am I missing out on my relationship with Christ? Is all this running around and serving taking me away from my genuine quiet time with him?

It's a lot to think about. One of my goals is to 'live out loud' - just be me and the best me I can be. It sounds like a simple goal, but I've found it's not so simple. There are so many outside influences that push me into a box (different boxes in different situations, but a box none the less). I pray that one day I can let go of all those outside influences and just hear God telling me how to best be me.

30 Days of Creativity

2010-04-17T16:07:00.000-04:00

(I tried to post this yesterday, but it didn't work)

I've been hearing a lot lately about people committing 100 days or a year to doing something creative everyday. I'm not sure I could do 100 days, but I should be able to do it for 30! And who knows? Perhaps this will grow into 100 days.

So here's day one - I cast on a mystery project. (it's a gift for someone I know, so I'm keeping it a secret).

Wordless Wednesday - Greyci's Day

2010-04-14T11:26:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday - Lil Rascals

2010-04-07T08:41:00.000-04:00

Crazy knitting commercial

2010-03-28T22:56:00.000-04:00

I doubt someone really knit all this, but oh the possibilities!

Fridays

2010-03-26T20:22:00.000-04:00

I love Fridays! This week I'm up in Massachusetts eating leftovers and watching tv. I love an evening to myself like this. But I'm not at my house and I have no car, so I'm at the mercy of someone else's fridge. I've discovered a yummy new drink... I'm going to call it the G2 Pina Colada.

G2 Pina Colada
1/3 pina colada mix
1/3 Southern Comfort
1/3 Orange G2

mix all 3 and add ice. yum!

Kids with Chicks

2010-03-22T21:05:00.000-04:00

A little early, but Happy Easter!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-17T08:22:00.000-04:00

Basketball Highlights

2010-02-28T07:40:00.000-05:00

This winter we've spent a lot of time at games. Here are a few highlights from Kyle's games.

Halcyon Days

2010-02-10T01:16:00.000-05:00

I've been reading Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman and came across this section. I remember it from school and still love the scene it paints!

HALCYON DAYS

Not from successful love alone,
Nor wealth, nor honor'd middle age, nor victories of politics or war;
But as life wanes, and all the turbulent passions calm,
As gorgeous, vapory, silent hues cover the evening sky,
As softness, fulness, rest, suffuse the frame, like freshier, balmier air,
As the days take on a mellower light, and the apple at last hangs
really finish'd and indolent-ripe on the tree,
Then for the teeming quietest, happiest days of all!
The brooding and blissful halcyon days!

Superbowl Ads

2010-02-08T08:30:00.000-05:00

Here's a few of my favorites!

Wordless Wednesday - Homework

2010-01-06T08:24:00.000-05:00

8 Years Old All Ready

2010-01-04T22:45:00.001-05:00

Excuse me, having a mommy moment - when the heck did my son get to be eight?! Am I old enough to have an 8-year-old? I think not. But somehow it happened. Here he is in his new sweater that I knit of course. He picked out the pattern Jesse's Flames from Stitch 'N Bitch Nation which required me to size it down for him since it was written for men (and though he may think he's fully a man at 8, he's not quite there yet). And of course he wanted it to be a hoodie. It came out better than I had imagined. Even though it's a little big, he love it and hopefully he'll wear it for years!

Wordless Wednesday ~ The Challenge

2009-12-30T14:54:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-16T07:44:00.002-05:00

H really is for Homemade!

2009-12-01T16:09:00.000-05:00

I have to come back to H. In my world, H really is for homemade. I love to create, but it's more than that - it's the homemade black bean soup I had for lunch and the homemade granola the kids bring in for snack at school. It's their Halloween costumes and the curtain in our bathroom and the table on my front porch. It's functional and whimsical and it's the feeling you get because there's nothing like seeing something you've made in use. I don't think I could not create new things. It's just who I am.

Happy Homemade Holidays!

I is for iphone

2009-12-01T13:10:00.000-05:00

I love my iphone! I can't even tell you all the ways I use this thing. There's the obvious - phone calls, contacts, calendar, web browsing, facebook, twitter, taking pictures, etc. But then there's things like using it as a GPS or tracking my stitches on my current projects or looking up different versions of bible passages or using it as a level when hanging pictures or letting the kids watch videos and play games. I can't imagine my life without it!

H is for Holy Shit it's the Holidays!

2009-11-23T23:31:00.000-05:00

Seriously, when did this happen? Apparently I missed the memo. Today is Monday, and on Thursday is Thanksgiving. We're hosting. It will be fine really. I can just serve turkey and wine right? That's all I really want anyway... well, maybe that and pumpkin cheesecake. Then there's Christmas - don't even get me started with that. We did hang twinkle lights inside our house yesterday and it's very festive feeling. I may never take them down. If I leave them up all year, do they still qualify as Christmas lights?

The reason why I've been so distracted and not really noticing the holidays is that I'm working on a few projects for needy families. It's taking a lot of my time and energy and while I love that I can help, I'm hitting that wall of never feeling like I can do enough. I'm trying not to get discouraged, but what I am right now is sad. Sad that there's so many hungry kids here in my community and across the globe. Sad that there are children who are homeless here in my town. Sad that so many people choose not to see all this need and choose not to help. Angry that for all we try to do to help, it's never enough. I love my church and I'm organizing these projects as a way to reach out to our community through the church, but sometimes it's overwhelming.

Time to pray and get some rest - hopefully tomorrow will be brighter!

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-5

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-18T20:48:00.008-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

G is for Greyci

2009-11-16T09:48:00.000-05:00

We adore our girl Greyci! She's a 2-year old yellow lab/greyhound, and the sweetest dog in the world!

F is for Fat, Fasting and the Future

2009-11-02T12:01:00.000-05:00

I'm fat. I've been fat most of my life (except when I was having anxiety issues and couldn't eat much for a few years, and if I ate too much or the wrong thing I'd have a panic attack and throw up). It's really not the end of the world and I don't hate myself for being fat. It doesn't stop me from doing things like laying on the beach, though I'm sure there are people out there that would prefer I didn't lay out on the beach. I still play soccer, run around with my kids, go for long walks, and most anything I want to do. It definitely affects what I wear and occasionally my confidence (thanks to the "skinny meanie mommies" at my kids' school). Today I stepped on the scale and found that I have gained 10 lbs over the last 2 months which puts me at my highest weight in 3 years. I knew it was going to be bad since my jeans were getting tight, but ugh.

Since my weight is not something I've been able to control over the last 32-1/2 years, I'm giving it to God. Today I started a short daylight fast and plan on doing it every day this week. I'm focusing on opening my heart and reaching out to God for his help with this issue. I all ready planned on a week of more intensive praying since I can feel my stress level going up, and asking for guidance with taking on more of a leadership role at church. Hopefully this one more thing isn't too much for me (I know it's not too much for God, I'm the one with the issues). Plus a daylight fast isn't too stressing on my body - maybe someday I'll have the strength to do a real week long fast.

And now onto the future. I really wonder what the future holds for me. In the last year I've see my faith grow and felt the change and know people around me have seen the change. I have a level of hope that I've never had before. My heart is more open than it's ever been before. I pray that this continues and that I can make a real difference in the lives of others - both those that are close to me and those that I don't know but can help. I'm just one person, but I know I can make a difference, and I hope I can keep that going. Small ways, big ways, whatever. I've always had a heart of service, and I believe that God has led me here, to have these friends, this small group, this church, so that I can use that heart of service and fulfill part of my purpose. (now to work on getting rid of some of this old baggage so I can truly move forward for Him!)

E is for Escape

2009-11-01T23:23:00.000-05:00

Calgone take me away! The last couple weeks have been rough. We've had an increase in violence at work, so everyone is stressed and worried there. And our department lost one of our own to cancer - may she rest in peace. Another friend went missing for several days. He's back and ok, thankfully. And the love of my life has taken a turn for the worse, and while I know this is a temporary state of anger/depression for him, it's still so hard to deal with. My heart aches to help him and there's nothing I can do beyond being there for him when he needs me and help with the kids when he needs space.

So we had a short escape to Oak Island (the boys, my parents and I). The weather was beautiful and we had a wonderful time.

I've also decided to escape each evening into the National Novel Writing Month Challenge. I think it will be fun and a completely different creative outlet. 200 words down 49800 to go!

(Photo courtesy of The Southport Times)

D is for Dreams

2009-10-15T23:08:00.007-04:00

Do you remember back when you were little and everything was possible? You could be and do anything in your imagination? And you dreamed of growing to be a _______ (fill in with whatever you wanted to be). At one point I was going to be a cheerleader at night and a doctor during the day. Seriously.

Tomorrow Where the Wild Things Are is coming out in the theaters. Oh how I remember this book from when I was little! I wanted to be Max and float away on my magic boat to lands far away where there are strange creatures (that resemble Sweetums from the Muppets) who want to play with me all the time, and I get to be in charge of them. Me, queen of the Sweetum monsters!

My boys have the book and love it as well. I hope that it inspires them to reach beyond themselves into that space where imagination and ambition comes together to create greatness. Fostering their imagination and dreams now is my job, but it is their job to create those dreams and goals, and to hold onto them.

C is for Creating

2009-10-14T09:32:00.002-04:00

I consider myself a fairly creative person - kind of like if Macgyver needed to decorate his house and a new wardrobe he'd call me and I'd show up with my knitting needles and a glue gun. I love to create - not just knit. You might recall my table from August. We use it everyday and still love it. These are the kind of projects I love the most - the ones that are useful from day one and continue to be useful for many years. Many of my knitting projects are like this - I use them for years and hopefully some of the knitted gifts I've given are used for years.

When I'm creating I go through a mental process of seeing a need or desire, brainstorming on how to best meet that need, planning, and then executing my plan. Sounds simple enough, but can take anywhere from a couple minutes to a couple months.

I've been thinking lately a lot about goal setting, bucket lists, etc. Today's project with my sons is actually going to be sitting down and having each of them write down 10 things they want to learn more about and 10 things they want to do someday. The boys are 5 & 7 and I have to admit I got this idea from a friend. I think it will teach them a lot about goal setting and it will teach me a lot about my boys - what a great way to get to know them more deeply. And I can't wait for us to look back at everything in a year and see what we've accomplished and write new lists.

So what about me? What are my goals, creative and otherwise? Today it hit me that I should try to shape myself the way I shape my projects - find my need/desire (in this case a mental picture of my ideal me), brainstorm on how best to become that person, plan, and then execute. I feel closer to the person that I want to be than I ever have been before. Kinda cool. But I know there's a lot more I want to do/be/feel. And I know that this vision will change over time, but what better way to honor who I am now and who I want to be than intentionally planning how to become that ideal me? It's really exciting in a way - rather than drudge through things, I'm going to create the person I want to be.

B is for Bono

2009-10-13T12:31:00.002-04:00

My A is for Alex post has me mentally stuck on the alphabet. And since we went to UVA on the 1st to see U2, Bono is still on my brain.

U2 is the only band left that we both wanted to see in concert. Sadly, every time they're close enough for us to go something comes up. This year the planets aligned - my parents were here to watch the kids, we got tickets, and we could actually get away for a couple days. Our 10th anniversary was back in August, so it made the perfect 10th anniversary get-away.

I've grown up listening to U2. I remember seeing them on MTV singing "Do they even know it's Christmas?" when I was 7 or 8. I still have Rattle & Hum around here somewhere on tape. This is a band that I have never let go of from childhood, and I'm amazed that they still are making incredible new music. People grow up, musicians retire, not much stays the same. But for some reason I've always been moved by U2's music. And now I've finally been to a show - I hope it's not my last!

Charlottesville knew what they were doing when planning for this concert. We arrived at 6:30 and stopped to grab dinner about 3 blocks from the parking lot. We parked in one of their designated parking lots at 6:50, and then walked the mile or so to the show. We were in our seats by 7:15. Seriously. It was painless (other than the pebbles in my shoe). Yes, it was busy and there were a phenomenal number of people there, but it was so well planned you barely felt crowded. We were up in the top section of seats and it was fun just to watch everyone arrive. The opening band, Muse, sounded like they were having technical difficulties. Musically they sounded great, but the lead singer was just off. Oh well.

The stage was amazing and fun to see change over the course of the show. Since we were up high I feel like we had the best vantage point to see everything - especially the stage. There have been so many reviews of the show, I'm not going to get into how great it was - and it was great, incredible, amazing, etc. I was shocked at how you could feel the energy from the band all the way up to our seats. I was shocked at how their music touches me still. I'm still in awe of how Bono manages to run all over the stage like he's 20.

The entire experience was just amazing and exhilarating. We left excited and energized and happy and all those things that you should be after a wonderful evening of fantastic music. I've never seen anything like it, and I hope they tour in our area again because we'll be there.

Images courtesy of powerlinead.wordpress.com, huffingtonpost.com, and U2Star.com.

A is for Alex

2009-10-11T22:48:00.002-04:00

Recently, my husband's best friend's wife had a baby early. So I'm the slacker who didn't start knitting the baby blanket until two weeks after Alex had been born. Here's my A is for Alex blanket!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-30T10:27:00.002-04:00

Thank you KnitPicks.com!

Keeping up and moving around

2009-09-30T10:24:00.002-04:00

This month has been a big travel month for me - Oak Island NC with the knitting girls, Boston for work, and tomorrow I leave for Charlottesville VA for the U2 concert. My parents also moved here from Maine. Craziness!

Anyway, I've been blogging over on Sparkpeople and completely neglecting this blog. So now I'm coming back over here and dropping my Sparkpeople blog. Be ready for some changes... not just knitting... now it's anything that flies out of my brain.

Remembering

2009-09-11T11:51:00.002-04:00

I remember Brent calling me, 6-1/2 months pregnant with Kyle, telling me that a plane had crashed into one of the towers. I thought it was an awful joke or a hoax, I didn't believe him. It couldn't be real. I pulled up cnn.com and saw the pictures. It was real. Brent and I got off the phone, and Megan and I found a tv down the hall and turned it on. The second plane hit. It was real. I remember shaking, scared for Brent in Boston's Financial District. He was so far up - I think it was the 21st floor - at One Financial Center. Someone on tv said the planes were from Boston. It was real. Someone on tv said there was a bomb at the Pentagon. There were pictures, so much smoke. Deb called me to tell me to leave Boston "Take a cab voucher, don't take the T. Go home. It's not safe." It was real. Brent called again to say that they were evacuating his building and he was going to take the T home. I told him I'd come by with a cab, and we'd go home together. Then I called my parents and left a message on their answering machine. "They're evacuating us. It's scary. I love you." Just in case. I watched the first tower collapse on tv, debris everywhere, the screams of the camera crew and people in the street, I wanted to throw up. I had to get out of the city - protect my baby. The cab ride was quick. There were people in the streets, but not as many cars as I would have expected. It was only 10:30 or so. I remember the relief when I saw Brent in front of his building. Then he was in the cab and we were on our way home. I tried to call friends who worked in the city, but all the lines were busy. I didn't get to hear their voices until the 12th. The next few days we sat glued to the tv. It was so quiet. We lived along the path for flights into Logan, and for days there were no planes. Nothing seemed real, but it was real.

The fear and sadness is as real to me today as it was eight years ago. I wonder if that will ever change? Part of me wishes it would, but another part of me wants to hold onto it. I want my children to understand what happened that day so they understand how important the work is that others to do keep us safe. I want them to be vigiliant. I want them to keep them safe.

Sweater Picture

2009-08-07T07:59:00.003-04:00

Yea, not the best angle, but no one was home to help me take the picture. I've had sooo many compliments on it - it makes it even better when I can say "Oh this? It's just something I knitted up last week." LOL!

Creativity!

2009-08-05T22:05:00.005-04:00

The last few days I've had these fits of energy and getting things done and even a bit of creativity! I had forgotten how great that felt. Last week I knit a sweater, yes an entire sweater, for myself. It's supercute and exactly what I wanted. Unfortunately, I forget that I'm no longer an xxl and I made it a little big. So it's very comfy and I'll definitely wear it, but I could have made it smaller. As soon as I remember I'll take pictures of it.

Tonight the boys were playing Battleship on the porch, and they kept spilling the little pegs because they had to hold the game sets in their laps. Well, somewhere in my brain it clicked - we needed a table for the porch... and I noticed the fence my neighbor recently tore down sitting in their yard... and voila - a table!

Obviously it's a little rustic and probably needs a coat of paint, but the boys and I managed to build it in one night! We even got to eat ice cream at the table tonight. I'm excited about it on so many levels - it was creative, it came out cute, it's functional, it was free, it's all recycled... YAY!!!

Week Two

2009-07-22T10:01:00.003-04:00

Yay! So far for July I've lost 9 lbs! That's a lot!!! I've also kept up with everything else - reading, praying, vitamins, fiber, balancing cream, exercising and eating right. And I'm trying really hard to stay on top of my Arbonne business. I'm feeling a little spread thin, but in a good way - not the burn out way.

And I've even sent Sunayana the sweater for Kai.

Now I'm working on an iphone case before I start another sweater. Lots of progress!

Sometimes you just need a good laugh...

2009-07-17T00:10:00.001-04:00

Week One

2009-07-14T23:04:00.002-04:00

This week has actually been sooooo productive! I finished Kai's sweater, but now I have to find the perfect buttons. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have time to do that and then I'll post pictures. I've made a soap sock for my neighbor little Miss Mirium. Now I've got to start something else, or maybe drag out a ufo to work on.

And I've been really good with my 40 days of purpose. I missed exercising (and I use the term very loosely) one day and missed my PM vitamin one day. Not too bad. I've lost 6 lbs. I know... that just can't be right, can it? That means I've lost 6.8 lbs so far for July! Holy crap! I know it's just 'water weight' blah blah blah, but that number makes me pretty darn excited. And that means I'm now less than 10 lbs to my first goal (9.2 to be exact). Pedicure, here I come!

Now onto the more serious... in the first week we've learned that it's not about us, it's all about Him, we are not an accident, He should be the driving force in our lives, this life is not all there is, life is a test and a trust and temporary, and that there's a reason for everything - pretty good stuff. I think sometimes I need to be reminded, particularly of the "life is a test" piece. Am I doing the best that I can with what I have? Am I making the right choices? How can I make better choices? I think right now I'm in the midst of a test from God. It's a big one and one that is very difficult for me. It's been going on for a while and sometimes I just want to throw my hands up and say "whatever" and do what I want to do. I know deep down that's not the right decision. I know that there is a lesson to be learned and that basically I've been stupid and not getting it. Ok, I'm the slow kid in class. But I'm hoping now that I'm starting to get it that this test and the point of this lesson will stick with me forever. I'd hate to have to go through this test again!

40 Days of Purpose/Getting my Life Together

2009-07-07T08:58:00.002-04:00

The last few weeks have felt out of control to me. Friends have passed away, friends have gotten cancer, relationships have ended, I've gained weight, stopped going by our budget, been exhausted and lost touch with Christ. I've been reacting rather than creating. It's amazing how much can change in a few short weeks.

This past weekend was just what I needed - 3 days camping at the beach. It was a great break between life then and life now. Our small group met last night and we're starting a study on The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I read this book a few years ago, but really didn't take the time necessary to reflect on it. This study comes at the perfect time for me to reconnect with Christ and take back my life.

So for the next 40 days, I've come up with my plan to take back my life. (Yes, I know these are heavily focused on my physical being, but I think the only way I'm going to feel better emotionally and spiritually is if I'm taking care of this body that God gave me.)

Daily I'm going to....

Read and Reflect
Pray
Take my vitamins
Take my fiber
Use my balancing cream
Exercise
Follow my nutritionist's eating plan

I pray I can do this for 40 days - I know that it's worth it and that at the end of these 40 days I will be in a much better place in my life!

Friday Night

2009-06-06T10:35:00.003-04:00

Enough said...

U2

2009-05-29T14:48:00.003-04:00

Today I'm working on a bunch of data changes for MGH. So boring, which actually gets stressful because I have to try so hard to stay focused. In October DH and I are going to see U2 up in Charlottesville, VA (we bought the tickets before the Raleigh show had been announced), and I find myself listening to them a lot lately. Today it dawned on me what they sound like to me... a sunrise. They have so many crescendos and the way the music flows is like the sun coming up over an East Coast beach and warming my face. Maybe that's why I get such energy when I listen to them!

Update: pics of the baby sweater

2009-05-28T11:01:00.003-04:00

Some knitting!

2009-05-28T08:12:00.005-04:00

For Mother's Day I knit Mom two dishcloths. I hope she actually uses them - she tends to tell me things are 'too pretty' to use, which drives me nuts. For me that's the whole point of knitting - something pretty and unique to use!

Now for myself I finally finished my wrap around cardigan. Not the greatest picture, but it has become one of my favorite sweaters. And it's MACHINE WASHABLE! Thank you Knit Picks!

I finished knitting the baby sweater for Traci's new little girl Louisa. When I was waiting for this photo to upload I finally figured out what I was going to do for the button - I have a vintage looking clasp that would be gorgeous on it. Now to sew it on and mail it up to them in NH!

And finally I started a pair of socks for Dad for Father's day. Hopefully I can finish them in time... if not, oh well, he understands! I love doing them both at the same time - no more 'onesockitis'!

April

2009-04-06T22:58:00.002-04:00

What is up with this weather?! Oye - one day it's 80 and the next it's 40. I just want the weather to make up it's mind.

We've had a lot of drama lately. M&D are moving down. They really enjoyed their month here in February. They were back last week to check out Wilmington and decided the F-V area is where they want to be. They want to open up a sewing/fabric shop here in town. We really need one, so it would be great. It's a lot of stress.

Also, my friend J. has been very sick. She's got 3 kids and home-schools them, so it's a lot of stress. Her DH works full-time, so it's a lot for her to do all on her own. She had surgery to remove her gall bladder a couple weeks ago and seems to be much better. I actually did knit her a prayer shawl - it was actually one that I resurrected from my knitting basket. It originally was going to be for Erica, who passed away last year. I couldn't bring myself to frog it and it's been with me ever since. It just felt good to knit it again, this time for J. with all my prayers for her and her family. The surgery was a success and we're so happy for her.

Unfortunately, J.'s DH R. lost his job officially today. He knew on Friday that he was going to be laid off today. How terrible. Today he went in, signed his separation agreement and then the family headed off to visit family in GA. It's good that they can get away and hopefully have some time to regroup. I'm so sad for them. They are such good people, caring, sweet, hard working... it's hard to see this happen to someone so close. I know others that have been laid off, but none that have been so close to us and none that have had kids.

Please pray for them - I worry about the tough times they have ahead.

Fun Pictures!

2009-02-22T20:47:00.003-05:00

This weekend we visited Imagination Station in Wilson, and they have a kaleidoscope where one person looks in each end. It was really fun!

Slippers!

2009-02-15T23:23:00.003-05:00

I've wanted to knit myself slippers for months, but just haven't had the time. It's getting cold again here in NC, and I decided tonight I need slippers. Easy pattern, 3 hours of knitting, and my feet are warm tonight!

The Yarn Harlot

2009-02-13T09:43:00.001-05:00

I admit I'm a little slow. I'm just now reading "Yarn Harlot: the secret life of a knitter" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. From 2005.

I have loved this book from the start. First, I'm a mom and I love that the chapters are short and stand alone. That is fantastic. It means I can actually read it and not forget things (wait -that makes me sound like I'm old - really I'm not old!). Second, this woman is a riot. I've known this for years since I read her blog, and this book is some of her best stuff. Stephanie is so normal. She's a mom, she knits, she battles squirrels... I can identify with her life and she makes me feel like I'm more normal. Bonus!

And now for my favorite chapter of her book - Parents and Knitters. She writes "The top ten ways why being a parent is like being a knitter". And while I enjoy the entire chapter my favorite today is "3. Both knitting and parenting are more pleasant if you have the occasional glass of wine, but go right down the drain if you start up with a lot of tequila or shooters." I feel like she actually knows me - or my kids - or my knitting.

Now I have to go get all her books from the library!

Free-range knitter: The yarn harlot writes again
Things I Learned From Knitting Whether I Wanted To or Not
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off The Yarn Harlot's Guide to the Land of Knitting
Knitting Rules! The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks
At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much
Knitlit Too edited by Linda Roghaar and Molly Wolf

Another New Post! Thank You!

2009-02-11T08:17:00.002-05:00

Another post!!! I got "Thank You" award from Sabrina of My Little Slice of Pie. I was thanked and now I am supposed to thank 10 other bloggers. They in turn thank ten others and link back to me - so exciting! Sabrina's blog is fantastic - especially her recipes! She has a recipe for just about everything - and they're all the home-made type that I aspire to make. And she's in my knitting group and she goes to my gym (where as I don't actually go to my gym, but I think about it every month when I see the money go out of my checking account). You inspire me!

Now to thank 10 others!
1. Kate of GooGooGoingsOn
2. Ellen of Purl Diva
3. Laurie of Crazy Aunt Purl
4. Maya of the Gamble Life
5. Amy of Boogie Knits
6. Laurie of Punk Rock HR
7. Ginny and the other thread-spinners at 30 threads
8. Kelly of Yarn Rambles
9. Franklin of Panopticon
10. Wendy of Knit and Tonic

Love you all!!!

Busy Busy!

2009-02-11T07:59:00.008-05:00

I know it's been just over a month since I last posted and for the record I'm still alive. I've been so busy since returning from Maine, then I got sick, and then my parents arrived - it's been crazy!

Speaking of crazy - NC weather is crazy. In mid-January my kids got two days off from school for 6 inches of snow! Wow 6 whole inches! You can see how thrilled they are....

Well, actually they did have fun... but two days off for this much snow?!? really now??

Then this past weekend it was in the 70s. GORGEOUS!!!! We spent Sunday at the beach with my parents. (yes they're making "sand angels" - it's February!)

The knitting is going fabulous as well - I've finished a few more gifts and done some work for a friend. Now I'm working on my super easy (read super boring to knit) raglan wrap sweater. It's going to so cute when I'm done... it's just horribly boring to knit. I've had to throw in a few lace projects here and there just to keep interested. But again - it will be very nice when done... very soft and flattering (I hope!)

And my new business is going well. I'm trying to get on top of that as well, but with everything else I worry I'm not putting enough effort into it. Hopefully over the next week or so I can get back to it - there's only so much time in a week!

2009

2009-01-04T23:28:00.004-05:00

Ok - so I'm quite possibly the last person to blog about what they want out of 2009. I had a few things going against me... recovering from knitting a zillion (22) gifts for people for Christmas, traveling to the frozen tundra known as Maine then hitting a damn ice patch here in NC almost killing us, and then of course my son's 7th birthday. But now at 11:30 at night before I have to go back to work I'm ready to go!

2009 needs a theme - something to keep me focused on my goals. A few years ago my theme was "Simplify", then there was "the year of Jen", now I think I'll go with "spend and eat nothing" given my current money and pants situation.

Actually, I'm going with "Breathe". While this may seem odd, it makes a lot of sense in my life. First, my life is insane. In the last year, we've given up our 4 cats (tragic), moved from Maine to North Carolina, and completely reinvented our lives. I'm trying to keep everything together and dammit, that's hard to do. So "breathe" is a good mantra for when I'm on the verge of losing my mind.

Second, I'm determined to start running again and doing races. So breathing is important there as well. Third, I'm getting sick of this topic, so lets move on....

My resolutions!

Spend more time focused on my kids and husband
Lose weight (like you didn't see that coming)
Better balance between work/family/life
Get back into running and going to the gym
Build my businesses, both Etsy and Arbonne

Now most people would say that these goals work against each other, but I think I've found ways to meld them together. For example, spinning class with DH is both time spent focused on him and gets my ass to the gym - hello resolutions 1, 2, 3, and 4!

So here's to 2009! I have hope for a happy, calm, fun year!