Welcome fellow travelers! Glad you stopped by for another week of bloggy love, also known as ICLW! (If you're not sure what ICLW is, click that blue button over there on the right, the one with the cute little dog on it, it will explain it all!) If this is your first visit, you can read a little of my history in the "about me" tab at the top, or scroll through the archives to get a feel for my little spot on the road.
I hope you're all doing well.
As has become customary for ICLW week, the Q and A is open for business! I am an open book, so if there's anything I've talked about you'd like to hear more about, or just want to know more about me in general...leave your question in the comments section and I will collect them and answer them in a later post. :)
As for me, I've had kind of a bad anxiety day today. Nothing major happened to trigger it, I've just had this odd feeling in the pit of my stomach and have been very on edge all day. I'm sure I'll be fine, I just hate the muddled feeling I have when the anxiety sets in. Hopefully a good night's sleep will fix me right up!
Check back this weekend for new posts, there are a few interesting things going on around here that I'm excited to share.
Have a great weekend and happy ICLW!
January 21, 2010
January 16, 2010
Challenging myself...
Kristin from Dragondreamer’s Lair is hosting the Annual Book Challenge. Since I read all the time anyway, why not challenge myself to see just how many books I can devour in one year? I usually average one to two a month, depending on the book length, content or subject matter, and my availability of reading time. So this year I am challenging myself to up it a bit (and maybe reap the added benefit of a little less mindless time in front of the TV…although, TV time is my knitting time, so this might be tough considering the amount of projects I have lined up!). My goal is 3 books a month, or a total of 36 books read in 2010. I have one (and a half) down already. You can check the “My Reading List” page for what I’m currently reading and have lined up to read.
In knitty news, a few weeks ago my bestest friend and I had a girls’ day out trip to a local yarn store. We had such a great time! She bought some gorgeous yarn for a sweater project, and I bought some beautiful sock yarn. I am deliriously in love with the colorway of this yarn.
It reminds me of twilight on a spring evening…cool, calm and a little mysterious.
I also bought my first 100% wool yarn. (I'm usually a cheapskate frugal, and use less expensive, mostly acrylic or "blend" yarn. I felt might hoity toity purchasing these fibers, let me tell ya!) I plan to use it for my first felted project, a Booga Bag. I have to admit, I honestly believe this has to be the UGLIEST yarn I have ever laid eyes on.
However, I just had to have it in spite of (or because of?) the sheer hideousness of it. The picture isn't true to life, but it's orange/muddy green/brighter green/red. Blech! I think it will knit up beautifully and give a gorgeous stripe. The socks and bag will have to wait for a little bit because I still have several projects STILL on the needles. In addition to the baby gifts I’m furiously trying to finish before my friend’s twin boys get here, I have a scarf for my sister (that was supposed to be part of her Christmas gift, but since she does live in Minnesota, no worries…there will be winterlike weather there for quite a while!), a knitted skullcap for my sweet husband, and my Renaissance Sweater. I have a feeling I am going to have to redo a couple of the panels because I think I wasn’t following the right section of the pattern. OOPS. Bummer. Oh well, everything is a learning experience, right? My knitting challenge for this year is to make more things for ME. I love knitting for other people, don't get me wrong! I love the feeling I get knowing that I created something one-of-a-kind for someone. However, most of my "other people" projects have been baby gifts, and sometimes it's just too darn hard for me to keep knitting baby sweater after baby sweater and baby blanket after baby blanket for everyone else but myself. So...I'm taking a step back from consistently knitting for others and taking some time to knit for myself this year. I have lots of projects lined up, and I'll share them as I start each one. :)
Another task I’m challenging myself with this year (and a significant portion of The Year of Self) is to read the Bible cover to cover. My bestest friend (who has also become sort of a “faith mentor” to me as of late) is participating in the Bible in 90 Days challenge. I’m doing a “modified” version of that. I am not setting a daily page quota, rather trying to make a conscious effort to make reading my Bible at least 30 minutes a day before any other leisure activity (including knitting…egads!). I’ve missed a couple of days just due to things going on around here, and I really find that I miss that quiet time. I’m still in Genesis, of course, but making progress. The Bible I use also has a guided topic reading track that I’m also using during my readings. I must admit, I’m surprised at how much comfort my going back to church and taking steps to reconstruct my relationship with and faith in God has brought me. I still have many, many questions and stumbling blocks to overcome, but I’m getting there. One step at a time. I’m trying to institute a routine of daily prayer time, learning how to pray*, and trying to understand and embrace the concept of “God’s Will” and submitting (the mere mention of the word raises my feminist hackles, I can’t help it) to Him while still believing I have free will. My conversations with my bestest have not only shed a different light on my view of religion, but also opened up a whole new dimension to our friendship. I cannot describe how that makes me feel. We’ve been through a lot in our friendship, and for a while I honestly didn’t know that this level of connection between us was even possible. God has been working in mysterious ways, as the old saying goes, in my life recently. And I thank Him every day for it. Now if only He could grant me a few more hours in each day to accomplish all this reading, learning and knitting …THAT would be great! Have a great night everyone!
*How do you pray? Do you have a standard prayer that you use each time you pray? Do you have an “outline” you follow when praying or do you simply speak to God about what is on your heart as you would a friend? Is there, in your opinion, a right or wrong way to pray? Would you mind sharing some examples with me?
In knitty news, a few weeks ago my bestest friend and I had a girls’ day out trip to a local yarn store. We had such a great time! She bought some gorgeous yarn for a sweater project, and I bought some beautiful sock yarn. I am deliriously in love with the colorway of this yarn.
It reminds me of twilight on a spring evening…cool, calm and a little mysterious.
I also bought my first 100% wool yarn. (I'm usually a cheapskate frugal, and use less expensive, mostly acrylic or "blend" yarn. I felt might hoity toity purchasing these fibers, let me tell ya!) I plan to use it for my first felted project, a Booga Bag. I have to admit, I honestly believe this has to be the UGLIEST yarn I have ever laid eyes on.
However, I just had to have it in spite of (or because of?) the sheer hideousness of it. The picture isn't true to life, but it's orange/muddy green/brighter green/red. Blech! I think it will knit up beautifully and give a gorgeous stripe. The socks and bag will have to wait for a little bit because I still have several projects STILL on the needles. In addition to the baby gifts I’m furiously trying to finish before my friend’s twin boys get here, I have a scarf for my sister (that was supposed to be part of her Christmas gift, but since she does live in Minnesota, no worries…there will be winterlike weather there for quite a while!), a knitted skullcap for my sweet husband, and my Renaissance Sweater. I have a feeling I am going to have to redo a couple of the panels because I think I wasn’t following the right section of the pattern. OOPS. Bummer. Oh well, everything is a learning experience, right? My knitting challenge for this year is to make more things for ME. I love knitting for other people, don't get me wrong! I love the feeling I get knowing that I created something one-of-a-kind for someone. However, most of my "other people" projects have been baby gifts, and sometimes it's just too darn hard for me to keep knitting baby sweater after baby sweater and baby blanket after baby blanket for everyone else but myself. So...I'm taking a step back from consistently knitting for others and taking some time to knit for myself this year. I have lots of projects lined up, and I'll share them as I start each one. :)
Another task I’m challenging myself with this year (and a significant portion of The Year of Self) is to read the Bible cover to cover. My bestest friend (who has also become sort of a “faith mentor” to me as of late) is participating in the Bible in 90 Days challenge. I’m doing a “modified” version of that. I am not setting a daily page quota, rather trying to make a conscious effort to make reading my Bible at least 30 minutes a day before any other leisure activity (including knitting…egads!). I’ve missed a couple of days just due to things going on around here, and I really find that I miss that quiet time. I’m still in Genesis, of course, but making progress. The Bible I use also has a guided topic reading track that I’m also using during my readings. I must admit, I’m surprised at how much comfort my going back to church and taking steps to reconstruct my relationship with and faith in God has brought me. I still have many, many questions and stumbling blocks to overcome, but I’m getting there. One step at a time. I’m trying to institute a routine of daily prayer time, learning how to pray*, and trying to understand and embrace the concept of “God’s Will” and submitting (the mere mention of the word raises my feminist hackles, I can’t help it) to Him while still believing I have free will. My conversations with my bestest have not only shed a different light on my view of religion, but also opened up a whole new dimension to our friendship. I cannot describe how that makes me feel. We’ve been through a lot in our friendship, and for a while I honestly didn’t know that this level of connection between us was even possible. God has been working in mysterious ways, as the old saying goes, in my life recently. And I thank Him every day for it. Now if only He could grant me a few more hours in each day to accomplish all this reading, learning and knitting …THAT would be great! Have a great night everyone!
*How do you pray? Do you have a standard prayer that you use each time you pray? Do you have an “outline” you follow when praying or do you simply speak to God about what is on your heart as you would a friend? Is there, in your opinion, a right or wrong way to pray? Would you mind sharing some examples with me?
January 9, 2010
Inhale, exhale...
It's amazing that something we take for granted and don't even think about on a daily basis becomes so precious when we CAN'T do it. I'm talking about BREATHING. :)
For the past four or five days it's been a struggle. It started Monday night with a tickle in my throat and a rawness in my chest. I didn't give it much thought. Tuesday I began having a chesty cough with a lot of phlegm, so I knew something wicked this way cometh. By Wednesday, I was a full-on headful of snot hacky cough fever ridden mess. I even had to miss Knit Nite with my oldest and bestest. :(
I spent Thursday in misery at work. Friday I threw in the towel and went to the doctor where I was diagnosed with a sinus infection and upper respiratory infection. I have fluid on my ears, but luckily no signs of pneumonia or bronchitis. I was given a Z-pak antibiotic (love it!) and instructions to get plenty of rest and clear liquids for the rest of the weekend. Believe me, I have definitely taken those instructions to heart, and have been curled up under my blankie napping off and on for the entire day. I feel useless, but I also know it's the only way I'm going to recover from this crap.
My husband has been wonderfully amazing throughout this stint of disgustingness. He has waited on me hand and foot and even bought me flowers today (venturing out in 1 degree weather to buy me ice cream to cater to my craving!).
I had several people suggest to me that I try a Neti Pot to ease my sinus congestion, which felt like someone had poured concrete directly up my nose. So, after a little hesitation I decided to go for it.
Bless that little Neti Pot!
For those curious, I have detailed my experience...if you get squeamish about mucus or things trickling out of bodily orifices, feel free to skip this last paragraph!
The first time I used it I was quite nervous. I freak out at the first sign of water up my nose. Seriously, I don't even go underwater in a swimming pool without holding my nose or wearing noseplugs. I just can't stand that feeling. So I didn't think I would like the "sinus washing" experience. It is a little disconcerting having water poured in one nostril and coming out the other...but it's also quite amazing once you realize what it's doing. I just followed the instructions, emptied the provided salt packet into the pot, filled it to the indicated line with lukewarm water (that's the key...don't get it too hot or too cold, or it will hurt like a bitch!), and got to washing. You just lean over the sink with your head tilted to one side, stick the spout of the Neti Pot in the nostril that is on top, and tilt the pot up to start pouring. You feel a little fullness in your sinuses before it starts draining out the other nostril, and I could "taste" the saline solution in the back of my throat, but it wasn't enough to make me stop or choke or anything. It's kind of a weird feeling...your sinuses get full, then it starts to trickle out your nostril, then it really starts pouring. The only thing that bothered me was that it tickled my nose as it was running out, and it kind of made my eyes water. You definitely have to keep an old towel or some tissues nearby, because you will need to blow the excess saline and mucus out as soon as you're done pouring. I used half the pot in one nostril, and the other half in the other nostril. About 30 minutes after the first washing I realized...I WAS BREATHING THROUGH MY NOSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE DAYS!!! They recommend using it a few times a day to get the maximum benefit if you have a lot of congestion, and I have been doing that. It's working. Of course, it's not a miracle cure, it's not going to "cure" your sinus infection, but it sure does help the congestion and sinus pressure to let your body heal naturally if you stick with it. If you don't think too much about what is really draining out of your nose into the sink, it's not that bad. :) I am the first one to get grossed out about things like this, and if I didn't freak, you know it's got to be okay. I would definitely recommend it. The store I got my pot at had a sinus wash booster, which was a solution of menthol, eucalyptus and camphor blended with some other soothing herbs, and I wish I would have gotten that. My sinuses seem a little tender after the saline solution, so I'm hoping that I'm not damaging or drying them out too much. I would suggest if your sinuses are sensitive, use only 1/2 the saline packet per pot...the whole pack is a little strong for me. Other than that, I'm quite pleased with the outcome.
And that's my public service announcement for the day! :)
Stay tuned for another post soon, and a fun award I just got today! :)
For the past four or five days it's been a struggle. It started Monday night with a tickle in my throat and a rawness in my chest. I didn't give it much thought. Tuesday I began having a chesty cough with a lot of phlegm, so I knew something wicked this way cometh. By Wednesday, I was a full-on headful of snot hacky cough fever ridden mess. I even had to miss Knit Nite with my oldest and bestest. :(
I spent Thursday in misery at work. Friday I threw in the towel and went to the doctor where I was diagnosed with a sinus infection and upper respiratory infection. I have fluid on my ears, but luckily no signs of pneumonia or bronchitis. I was given a Z-pak antibiotic (love it!) and instructions to get plenty of rest and clear liquids for the rest of the weekend. Believe me, I have definitely taken those instructions to heart, and have been curled up under my blankie napping off and on for the entire day. I feel useless, but I also know it's the only way I'm going to recover from this crap.
My husband has been wonderfully amazing throughout this stint of disgustingness. He has waited on me hand and foot and even bought me flowers today (venturing out in 1 degree weather to buy me ice cream to cater to my craving!).
I had several people suggest to me that I try a Neti Pot to ease my sinus congestion, which felt like someone had poured concrete directly up my nose. So, after a little hesitation I decided to go for it.
Bless that little Neti Pot!
For those curious, I have detailed my experience...if you get squeamish about mucus or things trickling out of bodily orifices, feel free to skip this last paragraph!
The first time I used it I was quite nervous. I freak out at the first sign of water up my nose. Seriously, I don't even go underwater in a swimming pool without holding my nose or wearing noseplugs. I just can't stand that feeling. So I didn't think I would like the "sinus washing" experience. It is a little disconcerting having water poured in one nostril and coming out the other...but it's also quite amazing once you realize what it's doing. I just followed the instructions, emptied the provided salt packet into the pot, filled it to the indicated line with lukewarm water (that's the key...don't get it too hot or too cold, or it will hurt like a bitch!), and got to washing. You just lean over the sink with your head tilted to one side, stick the spout of the Neti Pot in the nostril that is on top, and tilt the pot up to start pouring. You feel a little fullness in your sinuses before it starts draining out the other nostril, and I could "taste" the saline solution in the back of my throat, but it wasn't enough to make me stop or choke or anything. It's kind of a weird feeling...your sinuses get full, then it starts to trickle out your nostril, then it really starts pouring. The only thing that bothered me was that it tickled my nose as it was running out, and it kind of made my eyes water. You definitely have to keep an old towel or some tissues nearby, because you will need to blow the excess saline and mucus out as soon as you're done pouring. I used half the pot in one nostril, and the other half in the other nostril. About 30 minutes after the first washing I realized...I WAS BREATHING THROUGH MY NOSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE DAYS!!! They recommend using it a few times a day to get the maximum benefit if you have a lot of congestion, and I have been doing that. It's working. Of course, it's not a miracle cure, it's not going to "cure" your sinus infection, but it sure does help the congestion and sinus pressure to let your body heal naturally if you stick with it. If you don't think too much about what is really draining out of your nose into the sink, it's not that bad. :) I am the first one to get grossed out about things like this, and if I didn't freak, you know it's got to be okay. I would definitely recommend it. The store I got my pot at had a sinus wash booster, which was a solution of menthol, eucalyptus and camphor blended with some other soothing herbs, and I wish I would have gotten that. My sinuses seem a little tender after the saline solution, so I'm hoping that I'm not damaging or drying them out too much. I would suggest if your sinuses are sensitive, use only 1/2 the saline packet per pot...the whole pack is a little strong for me. Other than that, I'm quite pleased with the outcome.
And that's my public service announcement for the day! :)
Stay tuned for another post soon, and a fun award I just got today! :)
January 7, 2010
Updates in brief
I really would love to be able to devote the time I want to developing this blog post, however given that I haven't been able to breathe through my nose for the past 36 hours, I'm running a fever, have gone through two boxes of Kleenex and a roll of toilet paper trying to staunch the flow whatever is coming out of my nose (how is it that mucus can clog my sinuses like concrete one minute and be free flowing out my nostrils the next? I mean really.)...I'm just going to do a quickie update and come back later and expand on it. :)
~New Year's Eve service at our "new" church = beautiful. I think we've found our church home.
~I finished up two of the baby sweaters I've been knitting as gifts for a dear friend expecting twins via surrogate. They are adorable! Pictures will be available after I know she's received them (haven't shipped them yet as I still have a couple more surprises up my sleeve for her and her boys!)
~Haven't had AF since going off the pill in November. Apparently I didn't ovulate and am inducing AF with progesterone so we can get the ball rolling.
~Bitter record cold temps here recently and our first "big" snow of the season fell overnight. People STILL don't know how to drive on snow around here. Busy day at work dispatching calls for idiots in SUV's that thought they were invincible and wound up in ditches all day.
~Learned today that although Carmex is amazing for chapped lips...one ought not use it on a chapped nose rubbed raw by Kleenex and noseblowing. That's all I'm sayin'.
Off to drift into a Nyquil induced coma...I'm off all weekend so hopefully this crap will leave me soon so I can enjoy some of it!
~New Year's Eve service at our "new" church = beautiful. I think we've found our church home.
~I finished up two of the baby sweaters I've been knitting as gifts for a dear friend expecting twins via surrogate. They are adorable! Pictures will be available after I know she's received them (haven't shipped them yet as I still have a couple more surprises up my sleeve for her and her boys!)
~Haven't had AF since going off the pill in November. Apparently I didn't ovulate and am inducing AF with progesterone so we can get the ball rolling.
~Bitter record cold temps here recently and our first "big" snow of the season fell overnight. People STILL don't know how to drive on snow around here. Busy day at work dispatching calls for idiots in SUV's that thought they were invincible and wound up in ditches all day.
~Learned today that although Carmex is amazing for chapped lips...one ought not use it on a chapped nose rubbed raw by Kleenex and noseblowing. That's all I'm sayin'.
Off to drift into a Nyquil induced coma...I'm off all weekend so hopefully this crap will leave me soon so I can enjoy some of it!
January 4, 2010
Come out, come out, whoever you are!
My first stop on the blog trail this morning was Mel's place, where I quickly learned it was Delurking Week! How fun!!! An entire week dedicated to simply stepping out from behind the screen and saying "Hey there, I'm reading you".
In the spirit of delurking, I hope that anyone that is reading this silly old thing will pipe up and say howdy! Feel free to tell me about yourself and how you found my blog. Or if you're the shy sort, just a simple "Hi, I'm with you" will do.
And in the spirit of conversation, I'm opening up the Q and A for delurking week. I'm an open book, so if there is anything you've ever wanted to know, now is the time to ask. Just leave your question in the comments section and I will collect them and answer them in a post later this week. I have several posts floating around my noggin right now, so stay tuned a week of wordiness! :)
I hope everyone is having a fantastic week!
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