10 things I learned from knitting a sweater

1. There are some men you just shouldn't knit with. Sam, Jack, Jim and José are not good choices for knitting companions. I learned this one the hard way.
2. Take ALL the pages of your pattern with you wherever you go. You may think you remember exactly what you're supposed to do. Trust me, you don't.
3. When you alter said pattern, WRITE IT DOWN. While my sleeves are the same in length and size, I couldn't remember how I did those funky decreases and on the second side. I did them wrong but didn't care. This brings me to the ever important:
4. Leave perfection at the door or teach José how to knit. I'm a new knitter. It's not going to be exactly right. And THAT'S OKAY. It's ok. Why do you want to handknit something that looks storebought anyway?
5. You can't go it alone. It's like swimming - always have a buddy. I know I give these shout outs every time I finish a project but I swear, I couldn't have done this without my mom, Cami and Rhonda. They were my constant companions throughout this amazing experience and I couldn't have been in better company (see #1).
6. This is a big one. When the voice whispers in your ear, "I can't do that!" I'm here to say, "Yes, you can!"
7. Enjoy the hugs and the feeling when the recipient says, "Oh I love it! It's perfect!" Don't cringe there, refer to #4.
8. Ignore the muggles who say, "You could just buy her a sweater."
9. Sit back and enjoy the wonder and amazement. You just knit a sweater! You took sticks and string and made something she can wear. And it doesn't look that bad! (Cami says it'll be the thing she reaches for to warm her on a chilly day or the thing that makes her feel better when she's sick or the one thing she can wear the whole time she's pregnant - while I appreciate her thoughts let's not get ahead of ourselves! But thanks, friend. I get what you're saying.)
10. Take naps whenever possible.

Now go knit something. Or learn to knit. It'll make you a better person. I swear.

life's a beach

Some shots from beautiful Marco Island, Florida.

I could have walked along the beach all day. The first morning we took a walk was the best. We saw so many different types of shells, sponges, starfish, crabs, anemones, urchins and other, unidentifiable creepy crawlies (I tried to stay away from those!).

The weather was absolutely glorious the whole time we were there.

and this one inspired by Kelly Rae Roberts. Do go check her out.

We were able to take a five day trip because my husband works for an incredible company. This weekend was an award trip for their top customers. 105 of us arrived in southern Florida for five days of wonder. We enjoyed spa visits, deep sea fishing, golf, walks on the beach, wonderful food and drink, music. It was amazing.

The resort where we stayed was five star (or however many is the most). From the housekeeping staff to the servers and even the groundskeepers (which were stunning!), everyone was so nice. Ken was sure to tell me more than once, "This is NOT a vacation." Funny though, it sure felt like one! I got to eat, drink and be merry. I got a little sunburn and came home exhausted. That sounds like a vacation to me!

In all honesty though, it was work. As Ken's wife I was a representative of his company. I had to host and schmooze right along with him. It was terrible. I had to suffer through some of the best seafood I've ever had. I think I ate 152 pieces of shrimp. I felt a little like Bubba from Forrest Gump - I had boiled shrimp, fried shrimp, shrimp scampi, coconut shrimp, etc. Along with all that seafood I had to suffer through gin and tonics - Monday night I impressed the server at the restaurant with my skills. I didn't know what the fuss was all about, I had only four. Turns out they were doubles and I'm some sort of champion in those parts. I don't know about that but I do know, the more I drank the more comfortable my shoes became! heh.

On Tuesday we had some free time, so we took some customers on an everglades tour. We saw all sorts of wildlife including alligators! I'm not sure I'm prepared to talk about the airboat ride just yet. I was absolutely convinced an untimely death was imminent the whole time we were on the water and that tends to scare a person. And they all laughed at me. I tried not to cry and mostly succeeded. :) I asked Ken at one point, "Are you mad at me or something?!" I know he knew this wasn't my thing.

I do have to say though, all in all it was a great day, and an amazing experience I won't forget.

Tuesday night we had the awards ceremony. Ken and I got dolled up in our finest (somehow, those same shoes I wore the night before weren't near as comfortable the next night) and headed out for our last night. Dinner was wonderful, gourmet and de-lish. Crème brûlée followed for dessert - my FAV! And dinner was followed by music. I can't say when I've enjoyed live music more. We flew down The Funk Brothers as the night's entertainers. I think most of us knew every song they performed by heart. It's the music we all grew up on. Fan-freakin-tastic.

It was all more than I could have ever imagined, all paid for by Ken's company. And thanks to him, I can look forward to these sorts of trips yearly. Next February, we're headed to southern California and Pelican Hill. Can't wait!

For more pictures, visit my picasa album here.

I'm sure I can blame this on Cami

I've been busy tonight making Valentines.

I mentioned to Cami that I wanted to volunteer at our local humane society. I'm an animal lover. It made sense to me. She said, "Why on earth would you want to do that?" (those who know her, can't you just hear it?!) So I explained how I was an animal lover and I was looking for some worthy cause to which I could donate my time. It made sense to me. Well she had other ideas. Better ideas. ;) She said, "Why not call local nursing homes and see about taking your dog in as a visitor? I think your time would be much better spent working somewhere they aren't euthanizing animals." So I got on the horn and made a few phone calls.

How do we get from dog visits to Valentines you might ask. Here's where I'm blaming Cami. I went in for a volunteer orientation. Seems all they need to allow a dog to visit is their vaccination records. Good deal. Any of my dogs would be great for the job but I'm thinking Sadie, my Golden Retriever would be the best received. Back to Valentines. The director asks if I have any other talents I might like to share. So I went down the list:

singing, cooking, reading, paper crafting . . . he interrupts with a raised brow and a wiggle in his seat (he was a little gay) - paper crafts?

Here's where the Valentines come in. I said, "Well, I suppose I could come in with some simple card designs so the folks could make some greeting cards." He pounced.

So here's what I've come up with so far. The complicated parts of the cards will be pre-assembled. He only expects eight at the most (probably more like five) so it won't be too time consuming to do. What do you think? Cute? Simple enough?

And this is what it looks like when creative juices flow all over my desk. No wonder I don't craft too often! Somebody (me) has to clean up this mess!

oh yeah, inspiration from 2Peas, like always.

Centennial Post

Life Lists. Got one? I created one some years ago but can't recall what I did with it. I'm sure it was lost on an old computer. So, I thought it appropriate to re-create that list here, in honor of my 100th post.
I do remember my list including two things: learn to knit and go to a wine tasting. I now do both. Frequently and well. :)
I hope this encourages you to create your own life list. Think of all the things you'd like to do before you die. Write them down. Do them. We all know how life is too short. No one ever said on their deathbed, "Gee, I wish I'd spent more time at work."
Without further ado:

1. travel. a lot.
2. visit all 50 states
3. see the grand canyon
4. on horseback
5. visit Niagara Falls
6. fill my passport
7. get back to the Seattle/Tacoma area to see my siblings
8. go up in the Space Needle
9. connect with old school friends
10. visit Washington DC
11. get lost in the Smithsonian
12. vacation at the beach
13. ride horseback at the waters edge
14. collect seashells
15. cruise Alaska
16. watch wales jump
17. tour California wine country
18. keep a wine journal
19. learn to play my guitar. well.
20. sing and play with my sister, Robin
21. organize my photos
22. back them up
23. learn to use my camera. well.
24. scrapbook more
25. sew more
26. procrastinate less
27. knit a full-sized sweater
28. keep a knitting journal
29. volunteer
30. learn american sign language
31. learn to read music
32. learn to play the piano
33. own a piano
34. learn to play the oboe
35. sing more
36. read the classics
37. learn more about wine
38. bring color to the inside of my house
39. try more exotic recipes
40. eat at foreign restaurants
41. learn more about art
42. purchase a favorite
43. lose weight
44. grow a vegetable garden
45. grow a flower garden
46. see Les Miserables on stage
47. ditto Lion King
48. ditto Phantom of the Opera
49. ride Amtrak somewhere far
50. recycle
51. bring canvas shopping bags with me to the store
52. hike
53. stay in better touch with my siblings
54. take a cooking class
55. learn the art of pastries
56. exercise
57. walk my dogs
58. meet Cathy Z.
59. have more parties
60. send more thank you notes
61. write real letters
62. journal more
63. drive cross country
64. take a motorcycle trip out west
65. make a real quilt
66. make jam
67. master pie crust
68. camp
69. take a pottery class
70. get new bedroom furniture
71. learn to identify birds
72. vacation in an RV
73. learn to budget
74. build our savings
75. finish my degree
76. start a movie club
77. join a book club
78. raise puppies
79. own a cat
80. renew my wedding vows
81. follow politics
82. play more games
83. learn to ice skate
84. ditto rollerblade
85. get regular pedicures
86. go back to NYC
87. go back to Hawaii
88. re-decorate my bedroom myself
89. host a dinner party
90. spend a romantic weekend away
91. picnic more
92. fly kites more
93. write my own will
94. find a comfortable pair of heels
95. go to a Colts game
96. run again (after the lose weight thing)
97. run a half marathon
98. be more organized
99. have more fun
100. DO the things on this list!