I love packages!

And there's one waiting for me at home right now!!! I put a UPS alert on an cross stitch order I placed, and I just got an email that it's there! UPS does not always leave packages. Last time they delivered to me they actually never delivered my package. A neighbor tried to sign for it, then changed his mind, and UPS told me they could not do any more attempts. I had to find out where the commercial warehouse was and walk 1.5 miles to get there (it was that or take three buses that would take over an hour).

This time when I placed my order I forgot to change my shipping information to my work address, but it's HERE!

I'm In Love With A Beautiful Cowl

Thank you Ravelry! Once again you've come to my rescue, providing me with the perfect object to dream about curling up with, stroking, wearing all around the house and work until someone finally asks me if I have hickies all over my neck. That's right, it's a cowl. Not just any cowl, but a noble cowl with lovely lacy stitches but in a thick enough yarn that I can attempt this and expect to finish this project before winter ends. If I start right now. And keep working on it. And don't get distracted.

I think I will take the designer's advice and cast on 105 stitches for a snugger fit. I want this thing to keep me warm.

I'm posting a picture of someone else's finished project until I get my own underway. Yay! Check out Toonces project on Ravelry to see more cool images of it. I'll be using much darker yarn than most that made this pattern, but I'm trying to use what I have and not march out and buy yarn for this. I have some great Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran in eggplant and cashmerino dk in deep turquoise. The eggplant was purchased to make the Irish Hiking Scarf but now I'm casting on for this cowl instead.

Okay - back now after blogger difficulties and I'm on the 3rd row of the cowl. Hooray! Cast on 105 instead of 120, but I'm using size 10 needles to make up for my tight stitching, so we'll see what size this turns out. Oh, and I've managed to watch the entire first season of Coupling while doing it. Gotta love those brits.

Obama mayhem

I've read a lot of posts over the last twenty-four hours that mention Obama, the presidency, and the so-what factor of it all. Most of the blogs say "Yes, Obama is now president. Moving on...." They make a point out that the national thrumming is due to the fact that Obama is the first African-American president. Yes, that is historic, but that is not why I'm excited.

I watched the inauguration with my coworkers on CNNlive.com and had tears in my eyes. I have tears in my eyes now. I don't know if it's because I am old enough now to have a good understanding of the world and what it takes to stand up and be a leader, but I believe in Obama. I trust that he is in this thing heart and soul, body and mind, (throw in other appropriate cliches here) and that he is working for us. I am filled with hope that someone is finally paying attention to what we've done to our country with misguided values and competitive natures. I listened to his words and understood. I will be following the new presidency and cabinet and seeing how I can participate in it. Give us hope, and spread the love.

Nearly There...

Only one more day until I can order the "Soul of the Rose" cross stitch kit from Herrschners. I have been wanting this kit since this time last year. At the start of the year I told myself that if I set up goals and meet them, I can reward myself with things I want but don't need, like this cross stitch kit. I just have to bring my lunch to work tomorrow and eat it and I'm set. Hooray!

Cat Sneezes

Myc at Harry has taken to sneezing in sets of 3. He'll be walking into the living room, stop for a moment, and sneeze away. It's been cold in my apartment lately but does that really effect cats? I think the culprit might be the perfumed cat litter I have right now. I ordered unscented from Peapod delivery, but 2 of the boxes came with 'fresh scent'. Every time I scoop it I sneeze, so maybe Harry and I have the same problem. Anybody want an unopened box of Arm + Hammer Super Scoop Fresh Scent litter?!?

And the Most Beautiful Nasal Passages Award Goes to...

Me! This morning before work I had an ENT appointment to recheck my sinuses. In March 2005 I had sinus surgery to repair my deviated septum and widen the nasal passages. Immediately after surgery I felt improvement. During 2008 I seemed to ahve a lot of sinus issues, with 4 bouts of sinus infection needing antibiotics, and numerous colds or lingering issues in between. I felt like it was time to get the schnozz checked out again, see if there was scar tissue or perhaps polyps growing.

Today when I saw Dr. Diamond she said I had been worked on by one of the best in the biz, and that she has always admired his work, even back when he was an intern. Nice to know he's got a good reputation. Apparently there are 6 different areas of the sinus, and she could only see 5 of the 6 with the scope since the last one is pretty far back and ultra sensitive, with an extra cluster of nerve endings. He worked on all of them, sculpting wide passages and taking a large chunk out of my septum. I have no scar tissue, no polyps, no pools of fluid, no excessive swelling or irritation. It's finally time to take the allergy test. I've been seeing doctors about my sinuses since I was 14, and this is the first time a doctor has recommended that I take the scratch test. Whoopee! I doubt we'll get any answers from that, but it's worth a shot.

Checking in

Health/Fitnes Goals -
1. Bring lunch and snacks all this week and next.
Reward - buy Soul of the Rose cross stitch kit
2. Cook dinner and right away put away portions in fridge for lunches/dinners.
3. Work out for 30 minutes each week of January.
Reward - buy mini-trampoline to further my workout progress goals.

Mini-trampoline? Yes. I'm a bit obsessed with them right now really. I've been researching 'rebounding' online and the health benefits. I have been trying to think of fun ways to exercise and I think this will be something I can do at home for short bursts along with weight training moves, yoga, and my bicycle pedaler.

I've also been reading up on Curves and their whole program design. I don't know that I want to join Curves. I've not had great luck with gym memberships, mainly because I hate working out around other people. There's a whole list of reasons that go along with that, but I won't bore you any more today with that!

Craft-wise
1. Working on Babette Blanket - consists of afghan squares in 17 different colors. Some color combinations look nautrual and other make your eyes bleed. The finished result should be a delightful mess that brightens up a room.

2. HAED Frog Prince QS3 - This is the crazy over one stitching on 25 count evenweave. So far I haven't moved out of the maroon tapestry background. I love working on this piece, but after 3 bleary eyed nights of stitching, I see progress but it's very hard to measure. I read in the newest issue of The Cross Stitcher that their formula for figuring out stitching time is this - a 1 inch by 1 inch square on 14 count Aida cloth, fully stitched, takes 1 hour. I can't fathom how many stitching hours this pattern will take - it is fully stitched, no open spaces, over one, and I think the size is 6x9, I'll have to check. Eek!

3. Floral Potpourri(hate the name - I call it Peony cross stitch) -


Started this up again Wednesday night. This is the first cross stitch project I started when I renewed my interest. I must have started it in 2001 or 2002. Not even halfway, is it? I do like the pattern, and now I am working on this alternately with Frog Prince. I see now that my stitching has improved a lot since I started this piece. I've learned a lot of stitching techniques from The Cross Stitcher, like using one long thread and doubling it for less ends on the back of the piece. Works like a charm.

For the Love of Journalling

New year, new book, right? For the past few years I've been trying to keep both a calendar book and a journal, and both seem to fall apart a few months into the year. Last year I took the Moleskine journal I'd been using since July 2007 and turned it into a catch-all book with journal entries, calendar stuff, and my lists of books and craft progress all in one place. The Moleskine still isn't used up, but I am sick of staring at the thing.

I love journals, blank books, organizers, calendars, sketch books, etc, but no one book ever has all of the features that I need/want in a book.

Here's the magic combination:
-embedded ribbon bookmark
-pocket in back
-beautiful cover
-elastic bungee/tie feature to keep book closed
-book binding so it will lie flat
-pretty inside pages
-Gilded edges

I went to Bob Slate Stationers today to pick out a new book and came home with this lovely blue embossed leather book. I think this will do if I fit it out with my calendar print outs like last year.