Got Gauge

Tickle Me Teal Take Two

I wanted to show you what has me just tickled teal!

It's the start of this:

A pattern by  Kristen TenDyke in Vogue Summer 2008. I mis-read the pattern earlier in the week. (I know, imagine that!) I thought I was going to have to write out a little cheat sheet. I was thrilled when I sat down to dig into the project and realized "DUH!" So I did a swatch. Garter stitch only and after 4 rows, it looked good so I cast on. If it's too small, it's just the type of holey sweater my friend in SC has been wanting me to make for her for quite some time. And if it fits me, I am not taking it to Maine for fear it might be lost and, oddly enough, be found in SC when she gets home.

I'm using stitch markers to identify the cable bits. The other parts are 8 stitch lace pattern. I got lazy with the increases and started another lace repeat once I had all 8 stitches on the needle. I got confused try to add them in otherwise. I know I'm easily confused. I embrace it.

I'm a bit tickled by my Orange Dreamsicle. I enjoy working with the Pima Tencel. Good thing because I have 34 balls of it!

There is about 3 more inches as of this afternoon. I had a couple of calls that I had to knit while I was on them. I love that about my job. Knitting really helps me stay focused. Otherwise I'm tempted to check email, work on my presentation for the beginning of June or check to see if I'll ever hear from the eBay seller who sold me a bad heart rate monitor.

Tonight the Husband has band practice for a charity gig on Sunday afternoon. So I'm either going to stay home and watch a movie and knit or knit, stay home and watch a movie or watch a movie, knit and stay home.

Happy Weekend! Happy Friday! Happy Knitting! Will someone pack for my trip next week. I've done nothing to prepare.

Tickle Me Teal

Is this not the cutest darn puppy in the world? He melts my heart every day. Bosco is so happy I'm working from home. Now if it would only stop raining so he can go outside. He HATES to get his feet wet. Maybe I should switch out his Coach collar? Perhaps he knows it shouldn't get wet?

Today was weigh-in day and as you all know, this has been a light workout week for me. I was a teeny bit worried. In addition to not hitting it as hard as I normally do, I am was at a sticking point. You know that area were you lose those same 5 pounds over and over and over yet again?

I stepped on the scale this morning and lo and behold the little thing didn't pop up when I went to the number where I last weighed in. I dropped almost 2 full pounds. 1 and 3/4. Hooray.

One would think that my trainer would celebrate with a nice, easy workout. Not so. Since I'm headed to Zurich Monday afternoon, he wants to make sure I get in two really good workouts before I leave. What does he think I'll hate him less when I return because I will have forgotten the pain?  I complain now but I love it. I'm also drinking my coffee through a straw because I can't seem to lift my coffee cup.

My trainer pushes me harder than I'd ever push myself. Seriously I would have never, ever done the shoulder work that I did today without him. He's very encouraging. And a bit demanding. He does a fabulous job pushing me with just the right about of "get off your ass" and "you're doing great!"

Today we were doing some endurance sets and he had me moving the whole time because HE had a busy morning. What a crack up. Yeah, right. Blame it on that. Instead of saying "we need to get your flabby butt moving this week!" I adore my health club. Have I told you that 5011 times yet? A very buff woman whose evidently just getting back to the gym (I heard her talking to someone else, I am nosey like that) said, "wow! you really are working hard!" It's statements like that that give me a boost and keep me going.

This all has nothing to do with my original post about Tickle Me Teal and I've run out of time. I'll log back in later with why I'm Tickle Teal.

Happy Friday! Happy Knitting!

Must Get Organized

I have yarn with no pattern and patterns with no yarn and 2 patterns for some yarn and 2 yarns for some patterns. And I'm not talking about the stash, we all have those organizational problems with the stash. I'm talking about what I'm working on now or planning to work on. Writing out my workout plan helped me stick with it so I'm going to try to do the same thing with my projects.

Today, I made it to the gym for a very short workout. I'm still feeling rather yucky. I don't like working out with tissues hanging out of my nose which was replaced with a faucet. Seriously, who knew one person could go through so many tissues. No, I'm not often sick and I just think it's weird. I decided to go for 1/2 hour cardio, push-ups, sit-ups and planks. I burned about 300 calories so I feel like I did something. Even if it's half of what I normally do.

So here's my outline and plan to help me try to get some Spring and Summer knitting completed before fall comes around.

What's on the needles and making progress:

• Smock Top in Soft Green
• Bam Boo Lounge Jacket in Dreamsicle

On the Needles but sitting idle:

• Soleil is hibernating until she loosens up a bit. She's stiff and uptight. Once she relaxes, she'll be finished in about 20 minutes.
• Curlicue in Kuyreon is just hanging out and I work on it every now and again. Good TV project.
• Wrap Sweater in Dark Horse Fantasy is hanging out waiting for the Fall.

Waiting Patiently to be Cast On:

• Green Calmer, this yarn has been cast on so many times it deserves to grow up to be Dayflower. I'll cast on when I return from Zurich.

• Purple Premiere and the Teal Pima Tencel will battle it out to become these. The Swing Top from Classic Elite and the Lace and Cable top from Vogue Summer 2008. Any suggestions? I'm leaning towards the teal for the Lace and Cable.

• Cream Pima Tencel the Medallion sweater in Vogue Summer 2008. I couldn't find a good picture of it by itself. Here's a close up of the pattern.

It's not a lot of knitting but I have to stay focused and not get sidetracked. I think it will be a good amount to get me through until Fall Knitting. With perhaps a side project to make a sweater in Noro Silver Thaw that I saw and fell in love with! It will be a perfect throw on sweater for me that I might just live in, I'm sure!

I have to run. Washington's Green Grocer just dropped off my delivery and I want to go check out all the yummy veggies. Can you believe I am actually really bummed I missed Spin Class yesterday? It's because of the people. Kind of like I miss making time to sit and knit. I have to do that again soon!

Happy Knitting! Happy SUNSHINE! Happy Day!

Decide Already!

I have a cold or it might be allergies. Either way, when I talk it sounds like it's underwater. I'm hoping this goes away before I get on the plane on Monday. I'm already a bit grossed out by planes. You know with the whole Legionnaire Pneumonia the Husband picked up on our trip to Sarasota. I skipped Spin Class today. I feel a bit like I have a fever. Not good. Not good at all. If I'm not better today, I'm going to get drugs. I am going to buy stock in Kleenex. Did you know the first coffee shop opened in Constantinople in 1475? It says so on the bottom of my Kleenex box.

I am knitting or at least I'm casting on quite a bit. I'm on a quest to find a good travel project. I need something that will keep me occupied on the however many hour trip it is to Zurich. **shush, don't tell me, I don't want to know.** I'm thinking there will not be a great deal of knitting time on the ground.

The Smock Top in pretty green is good, for now. That has a LOOOOONNNNNGGG stretch of st st that will be a good, no-thinking project. My Webs order arrived and I cast on last night for the Dayflower Camisole or Dress in Orange. It looks just like a Dreamscile. Isn't there a pattern by that name?

I didn't work out so well. I was having trouble with the chart and the numbers working out. And the yarn was NOT happy. Not even a little bit. So I cracked open my two new CEY books because the Pima Tencel is a good match for many of the yarns.

It's from book 9087 Summer Book 1. It's a twisted st st so there is a little interest. I think this pattern shows off the sheen of the yarn wonderfully. The orange is fun and I think I'm on my way to a staple in my wardrobe. I might even go buy a sun dress.

I was having a small issue with gauge. The gauge that's recommended of 17 stitches over 10 cm, is TIGHT. As in cut off your finger circulation tight. As in make another Kevlar Poncho tight. So I'm going with my own thing. I started with the sleeves so I can adjust the body accordingly. I will be able to do the math to determine which size to knit.

Who watched the Bachelor? How happy was I for Shayne? I really liked her. I hated the way Chelsea totally zoned in on slamming Shayne on her exit. Fake? Oh sweetie, please. If that's not the pot calling the kettle, I don't know what is. Did you see her at his parents? Where was that girl the whole show? At least Shayne has the common sense to act like a nut all the time. "Does England have palm trees?" I think she's hilarious. She knows darn well they don't. But who didn't laugh? I enjoy being with people who make me laugh and she's all about fun. I thought Shayne's gift to him was brilliant! Brilliant. Best one I've seen. Yes, I love trash TV. Can't wait to see Deanna next season.

And DWTS? If Miss Piggy wins, I'm not watching any longer. She looks ridiculous out there. She's not the best of the group. Simply not and I don't care if she's a size 1, 12, 22 or whatever. She just looks clumsy. Now Jason Taylor, that's a dancer.

Happy Knitting! Happy Hope You Are Able to Work Out today! I am going to have another cup of tea.

Blame It On The Rain

I'm going to Blame It On the Rain. And, yes I was the BIGGEST fan. I wore out two cassette tapes that summer. Anyway, I didn't cast on for Bella Paquita on Friday night. I printed the instructions and promptly decided it was not something I wanted to do.

On Saturday I caught up on some blog reading and stopped by The Knitting Nurse. She's knitting the flirty tank. I needed the flirty tank. I desparately needed the flirty tank. I called Carol and she agreed and locked me in to meeting her to buy the flirty tank. I did not buy the flirty tank. Instead, I bought 4 pattern books, yarn for two sweaters and a new bag. And I caught up with some friends that I forgot how much I missed. It was good for the soul, even if it was not so good for the wallet!

I'm making this

In Cotton Bam Boo in a pretty soft green.

I think it's the far right one. And I'm making this one

In a Premiere in a pretty purple.

I couldn't find a good picture of the color. In addition to these two books, I got two others to try to help use up the stash of Jaeger Sienna in my closet. 48 balls to be exact.

And, of course, I needed something to carry all my new purchases in, right?

In the yellow stripe.

And my Webs order should arrive today. Decisions, decisions. What to cast on for first? I cast on for the Smock Top and I've knit about 5 inches of the back. I'll probably cast on for a bunch of other projects so I can decide what to take on my trip to Zurich. I'd like to take just one project. I have to go search to see if there are any yarn stores there.

I hit the gym this morning for a workout with Mark and some cardio. I rowed for a little more than 30 minutes. I walked the course yesterday and my feet weren't feeling up to running. Tomorrow is spin class! hooray! I actually look forward to that class.

Happy Rainy Monday! Happy belated Mother's Day! Happy Knitting!

Itchy Fingers

I have set aside Soleil. I don't like her. She's itchy, she's tight and the armholes are a mess. The neckline doesn't seem to be in the right place and overall I just simply think she's ugly. Maybe it's the rain and she's a sunny sweater? I don't know. But she's currently a nice little ball shoved in the corner of the couch. I think she'll consider behaving herself when I decide to pull her out.

I know she'll relax and get softer after a little dip in Ecualan. Maybe I'll go dunk her now. **sigh**

No, I'm going to read the pattern and cast on for Bella Paquita because it looks pretty and I have Calmer in stash that has been cast on for at least 5 other sweaters only to be ripped and re-stashed. Seriously, I think I could probably have 20 balls of different yarns and be happy forever. What do I finish? I do not have good knitting mojo for anything larger than a scarf. Goodness, grumpy much?

The pattern looks rather complicated but I need something to capture my interest.

Happy Knitting!

The Presidential Fitness Award

The Husband and I had a nice dinner tonight from Dinner Done! It was good. My plate looked like this:

I try to load my plate with fresh veggies so my 3 oz of meat and 1/4 cup of brown and wild rice don't look so lonely on the plate.

I told the Husband I'd run another 1.5 miles again today and he asked if I remembered running that for the Presidential Fitness Award. I don't remember  1.5 miles. I remembered doing the sit-ups. They were the full sit-ups and you did as many as you could in 2 minutes. The dreaded flex arm hang. Hated that! The Shuttle Run which we did with chalkboard erasers. And a 600 yard dash. And I thought we did some sort of long jump or it might have been a flexibility thing. I don't remember. I searched online and couldn't find anything about the "old" program. Do you remember doing this in school? If so, what activities do you remember doing? Favorites? Most hated?

I'm going to finish Soleil. I got an email saying I should have my Webs order on the 12th and I want to get started on a new project as soon as it lands on my doorstep.

Happy Knitting! Happy Health and Fitness Month!

Making Life Easy

I'm all about taking short cuts to have more time to sit and knit or watch great, trash TV.  I don't like to spend a great deal of time in the kitchen, in the yard or cleaning my house. Or doing laundry. Which is the one thing I can't seem to be able to find someone to do for me. Oh life was good in college. One time, I came home with laundry in tow. I stopped by Granny's and dropped off some there for her and Mom. Auntie said she'd take a load, too. So off I went with some more to see my Brother, his wife at the time and the kids. His wife did the remaining loads and I went to say hello to the kids. Well, we got into a game. My Mom called over to see what I was up to and they all figured out that I was playing and everyone else was doing my laundry. I've never been able to get away with that again.

I would prefer to dream about exercise and have it burn the calories. That would certainly make life easy. Virtual exercise that shows results would be cool. It wasn't until I started my new job working from home that I would really commit to a health and fitness routine. When I worked in a traditional office environment, my excuse in the mornings was sleeping in/have to get ready/play with the dogs/make our lunches/make the coffee. The list was rather long and would sometimes include "sorry! got these sacks."  After work I was tired/it was late/I had dinner plans/I had no dinner plans and had to plan dinner/it would cut into possible knitting time. Again, the list was even longer than the morning list of excuses.

I was rather committed to my yoga classes. I think you make time for what's important to you. So when I got my job working from home, I gained slightly more than 2 hours back every day. This includes the commute, getting myself presentable to go out in public, making my lunch and the general nonsense of traditional work hours. Instead of working longer hours, I decided to commit to going to the gym and getting fit and healthy.  They say it takes 28 days for a habit to develop. While, I think it's become a habit and that makes me happy.

I ran again today for 1.5 miles. I'm so tickled I could just giggle. Actually I am giggling. I started on the treadmill and went to the elliptical next. I was just about to say mercy when when one of the trainers walked by and said, "You are working so hard! Good job!" I adore my gym. It's full of nice, normal people. There isn't a vibe of you aren't fit, you don't belong here. People stop and say "good morning", "where have you been?", "how was vacation" or "look it you go!" My fitness center/club/gym makes my life easier.

Tomorrow I want to write about Let's Dish and Dinner Done! Both of these make my life so much easier.

My first body wrap at Total Body Design was beyond fabulous! BE.YOND.  It's not like all of the sudden I can run out and buy a pair of skinny jeans. But I feel great! My skin is looking nice and firm and my hiney is looking less lumpy. I think someone might need to consider a few treatments herself.

Hey, did I tell you a ran 1.5 miles two days in a row? Did I? Hooray! It got me all sidetracked from my original thought to tell you all the things I do to make my life easy. Oh well.

One thing that's not easy. Waiting for my yarn from Webs!

Happy Knitting! Happy Running!

Firsts

The last 24 hours have included a few firsts for me. Earthquakes, dinner done!, running distance, Noro color matching and arm quakes to name a few.

Wow! Who felt that yesterday. Right around the time I was taking pictures of my lunch, I felt a shake and heard a loud boom and the dogs barked. I thought a dump truck had crashed nearby or was unloading. I didn't think much of it at all actually. I just looked out front, out back and went about my business.

The Husband came home and Sophia was still acting all needy and cute. I said, "she's been like this all. day. long. Even broke in the bathroom while I was in the shower" And Bosco. Oh. my. goodness. He was just unable to really settle down. The couch, the floor, the office, the landing, the couch. The Husband doesn't put two and two together. He was more interested in what food I was making with the Girls last night at Dinner Done!

So M comes over and we are heading over to Dinner Done! and she asks, "So you feel the quake?" OMG! that's what it was at about 1:30! She confirms. I'd experience my first earthquake and never even knew it. How sad. Where can I buy the t-shirt?

My first experience at Dinner Done! was good. I'm going to Let's Dish tonight so over the next few weeks, the Husband and I will see how they compare. I'm really loving these meals. I split with my friends. It's nice because the meals are a nice size for the Husband and I. Many times, we end up with enough for lunches the next day. It's really adding variety to our menu and cutting down on my grocery bill. Between the at home deliveries from Washington's Green Grocer and these meals, I don't really have to leave the house much besides hitting the gym.

Another Phyl first. I ran 1.5 miles on the treadmill this morning. All in a row, no stopping to walk.  And no big, fat, ugly man with a gun was chasing me. Although it would be silly for me to run away on a treadmill. Kind of like the frog in our house last week and I exclaimed, "but what if it had babies while it was down there." To which the Husband said, "babe, if that happened we really do have a problem." It was by the end of that I realized what I said and promptly returned to counting my stitches. I swear I am not. that. dumb. Back to this first for me. ONE and ONE HALF miles all together. Seriously.  I saw Mark and told him. His response was a jaw drop, raised eyebrows and an "are you serious?" I said, "I know! it's the Curious George t-shirt."

How can you not be happy and light on your feet wearing a Curious George's Gym t-shirt? So I continue working out while Mark is working with a client and a new trainer, Mark says something about a mile and a half under his breathe. And a little louder, "remember when you couldn't run one lap? Look at what you did today!" I got a kick out of his comment. I'm making progress and that makes me work even harder. It's nice to have someone else's excitement to build on. And, oh yeah, that not running a whole lap was last Monday, April 28th. Last week I resolved to run a lap and add to that every day. I did it. So now I just need to keep it up. I think I might even try a 5k or something. Did I just type that out loud? I'm so not committing to something like that just yet.

Today's workout was a 22 minute treadmill workout where I ran all but 3 to 4 minutes, followed by an ActivTrax workout that was Back Focused and ab work. Fifteen side thingees, a plank held for 1 1/2 minutes, another plank where I lifted each leg up for 10 secs each, 4 sets of bicycle crunches at 30 seconds each with 30 seconds rest, stretching and 5 minutes on the bike to get to 600 calories. It was a "light" day on the cardio. Although I burned just as many calories because I got my heart rate up before and a bit during the weight lifting portion of the program.

Yes, I still knit. Take a look at Soleil.
 
I'm going to go all Kim on it and match my Noro striping at the top! I can't wait to wear this. Another first (in a long time), I can wave and not cause an arm-quake. Oh yeah. Waving my arm no longer causes after shocks. There is still a ways to go with the toning but this is a great start to the arm-bearing season of summer. Look out stash! You are about to be busted with a bunch of rocking cool tanks. Any suggestions, leave them in the comments.

Another first, being enabled by another knitter. Okay I lied that's certainly no a first. First time for the month. I was doing my daily rounds of blog reading and stopped by Yarn Crawl.  Robin had some great pictures and commentary on Pima Tencel. And she was having a frustrating kind of day with that lousy group project. I had to help her not focus on that right? I'm a nice, kind person that way. So I bought this pattern and this yarn in melon. Plus Vogue Knitting Summer and more yarn in cream to make the one on the far right. (Same picture on Yarn Crawl.) Robin and I are going to be sweater twins.

And maybe a little more yarn in teal as a back up for another arm-bearing sweater. Maybe the one on the far left, it looks interesting. Robin and I exchanged 5011 emails as I asked for color help, pattern ideas and info from the Vogue Magazine. Thanks Robin! Even the Husband approved of the yarn purchases! (is that another first?)

I would have loved to leave you with a first video of my doggies. I am trying hard to catch Sophia snoring or Bosco howling at the first engine. I'll keep at it!

Later today, I go to Total Body Design for my first wrap. I'm excited to see what kind of results I get from the wrap. It will also be my 3rd Endermologie treatment. I am really looking forward to how this helps add to the gym work that I'm doing. It's not something that will work without it but it's helping me get to and stay in the gym. I don't want to spend the money (about the cost of a facial) and not see results. So it's worth it to keep me going. I really want to lose more before I go to Zurich.

Happy Day! Happy Knitting! Happy Health and Fitness Month!

A Day In The Life

Want to know what life has been like around my house since I last updated? Of course you do!

After realizing I posted those pictures of myself on the website, I had to have a cocktail (or twelve). Goodness gracious, what was I thinking? What would Granny say? Oh lands! So I had a very, very, very dirty martini because that's the way I like them. Just because May is the month of Health and Fitness, does not mean it's the month of abstinence. I mean, seriously, a girl has to have her priorities. And for me, it's enjoying a Friday evening on the deck with the Hubby.

Dinner was Chicken breast, mashed sweet potatoes and fresh green beans. We joined Washington's Green Grocer to supplement our CSA. I love having my fresh fruits and veggies delivered to my doorstep. I also love this picture of my dinner. It's colorful and a plate mainly full of "free food". I steamed the green beans and added just a little salt, pepper and fresh thyme. The sweet potatoes are just plain ol'taters. No butter, no sugar.

After dinner we played six wicked rounds of Yahtzee. Yeah, it's a rocking good time here! To top off the evening my niece texted to say her team won and they are going to district. She's the FRESHMAN goalie on the Varsity soccer team. We are so proud of her.

Saturday was golf. I shot a 119 and I walked the course. Most importantly I did not feel like I was going to collapse walking up 4. I was slightly winded. Actually there wasn't a single point during the round that I felt like I'd prefer a cart. This is HUGE progress. HUGE! A bonus to that . . . some other golfer has taken possession of my body and this golfer is hitting her drives 30 yards farther. I hope she sticks around!

Saturday night was a neighborhood party. I will not show you pictures of what I ate. But I did choose the brownies over the actual buffet meal. So that's good, right? I actually did do relatively well considering the bounty of my kind of eats! I stayed away from the "bad" foods. I had shrimp with cocktail sauce, a small handful of nuts, 5 scoops with salsa, 3 cubes of cheese and brownies. I passed over the main dishes in favorite of snacks. I love snacks. Brownies and red wine, seriously. I can't say no to that combination. The good news, I took 1 two by two inch brownie and made it four. Amazing how you can take a smaller portion and still get the same satisfaction!

Sunday, I skipped golf and slept in. My body was needing sleep. I've been faithful about getting up about an hour before my natural body clock wants to wake up to hit the gym. I'm sure in the next couple of weeks, my body clock will adapt to 5:30 instead of 6:30.

Monday, I hit the gym for my session with Mark. But first I stood on the scale.  I'm really glad my official weigh in day is Friday. I knew it was not going to be good because my wedding set was beyond tight. I really need to pay attention to drinking enough water on the weekends. I didn't take a picture of Monday night's meal but it looked about the same as Friday night's only with Snow Peas taking the place of the Green Beans.

Today, I hit the 6:15 spin class at the gym.  I hate love and adore this class. It makes me swear and cry feel great!  Seriously, this is a tough class. Today I kept repeating to myself, "effin' b instructor has thin thighs, thin thighs"  There was a point where I was just going to sit my hiney down on the seat and crank the resistance to zero. I was done, cooked, had it. My legs were rubber. But a good song came on and the instructor glanced over and gave me little "you're doing great!" nod and I was back on pace. I'm easy, I know. I really do like this class. It's fun, very friendly and all of the regulars are really cheering me on. And I burned a bit more than 400 calories in the class today. I don't leave the gym until I hit 600+. I'm convinced that one day, I'm going to be there all darn day cause I'll just be napping on the couch.

After I got home from the gym. Looks like I wasn't the only one who worked hard this morning and needed a good stretch.

Sophia really likes being near me most of the day. Which is good until she starts snoring and I have to unmute my phone on a call to actually speak. I really hope no one can hear her. Bosco prefers to stretch out on the couch.

Today's lunch.

Great spinach salad with an orange and fabulous dressing. The dressing is Marie's Spinach Salad and 70 calories for 2 tablespoons. I usually only use 1. The pizza is a 350 calories South Beach frozen meal. I will not be buying that again. It was so not worth 350 calories. The book is pretty good. About a woman losing weight. I think it will be a fun read. I just finished Remember Me and the new Babara Delinsky novel. Both quick summer reads.

After a hearty lunch, the doggies moved to their afternoon nap locations.

Bosco was more than a little ticked off that I was taking pictures. HELLO Bosco, did you not see the pictures I put out there last week. Be thankful I'm not showing "before" pictures of you!

I forgot to snap a picture of my Soleil. I am working on the front now. I am a bit concerned about the depth of the armholes. They look awfully shallow. But I'm knitting in Silk Garden Lite. I might blocked it on holders and see how the shoulders are after blocking. I know it will relax a bit. Or should I knit, three needle bind-off the shoulders and go from there? Decisions, decisions.

Tonight Dinner Done with the girls. Tomorrow working out on my own and my first Body Wrap at Total Body Design. I very curious to see the result. Like I said earlier, I'm feeling a bit puffy. I think this might help. At the very least, I'll feel good! I do feel like my rear is a bit smoother after my first two Endermologie treatments. I'll spare you the pictures!

Happy Day! Happy Knitting!