2008 Completed Knitting

10 Pairs of Socks
4 shawls
5 scarfs
27 mini socks - advent calendar size
1 pair of baby socks
1 baby hat
4 pairs of half socks
2 cowls
4 ornament socks

58 completed knitted items

Pretty good for a year that I had major dental work, chronic sinusitis, increase of hours at old job, additional hours of second job. Who knows what I will be able to accomplish when I am not sending so much time sick or at work!

Overload

I am definately overloaded. Too much to do at work. Going in early and staying late. I am starting to really count down the days!!! I am hoping the overwhelming work at the orange office will die down for Christmas as I want to make it to Christmas eve services.

On the up side today, it has been snowing all day and Mr80grit came and got me from work as I am too tired to drive. The down side is that I didn't get to take any cool pictures of said snow.

I must hurry to my knitting only a few more sleeps til Chrismas!

It snowed...and snowed

Well it finally decided to snow yesterday and when it did ...WOW!

This was yesterday afternoon on my way home from work. Very pretty and with my new tires on the van, pretty easy to get around in. It snowed more this morning and more is expected the whole week.






On the knitting front, I have given up on trying to knit two socks on one needle. The pair of socks has been on the needles since October and it wasn't any fun for me to knit them so I put one of the socks on another 40" circular size 1 needle and have done quite a bit on both of the socks. I switched over at the heel flap start this morning and have done both heel flaps on both. The gusset is complete on one and the other is started. I am much happier! I do enjoy the longer circular needle to 4 dpns also.

A day of ups and downs

Today was a beautiful sunny day and I actually got to see a little bit only because Mr80grit's car had to have the water pump replaced. It died this morning so I left work to pick him up at the garage so that he could go back to work. On my way there I found out that a good friend of ours had died last night after months of pancreatic cancer. I was a relief to know that he has gone home but I will miss him dearly until I see him again. He was in his 80's and had been married a very long time to his beautiful wife. Every Sunday he wore a suit with a Flag pin. He was quick with a smile and a big hug.

This evening we were at one of the local grocery stores and ran into another older couple from church who were also good friends with Mr L. It was just what I needed. They always keep us on our toes. They are very fun and energetic! We had a ton of fun there at the store before we parted.

Then back to the restaurant that we have been eating at everyday but Sunday since last Friday. For more see here. We have sat in the 'bar' area at this restaurant each night and so the bartender has been our server. We have gotten to know him well and that has made the night very enjoyable. It is Mr80grit and I's unwritten rule that we try to make sure that our server no matter where we are has as much fun as we do. We usually don't go back anywhere that the servers are grumpy.

Work has been crummy recently and it makes me look forward to my new job even more. But things at old work should be calming down in two areas by the end of this week. So I am really looking forward to the weekend. Oh yeah- it is suppose to snow this weekend. Like always hoping for six feet (probably not the best thing to say today) oh well...seven feet?

Our Christmas Tree

Mr80grit and I set up our new Christmas tree yesterday after a wonderful afternoon nap. It is a fiber optic one and it is really pretty.



I made mini socks for our advent calendar this year and after we take out the goody we are now putting the sock on the tree.



Sometimes just laying them on the branch.

Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Meme

I grabbed this meme from Bea and added pictures I took on my way home. I am still fighting that awful cold but this was fun!


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Usually wrapping paper
2. Real tree or Artificial?
This year it is a artificial as we are putting in our bedroom which is cat free (helps with sleeping). It is a fiber optic one. But love the real ones.
3. When do you put up the tree?
As soon as we clean the corner in the bedroom, probably this weekend.
4. When do you take the tree down?
End of January or Valentines (we are that lazy)
5. Do you like eggnog?
Yes! We have a local dairy that makes it almost as good as our mom's. Both mom make different but good eggnog.
6. Favorite gift received as a child.
Toss up between my Winnie the Pooh at age 3 or the Snoopy at age 7.

7. Hardest people to buy for?
MrHarleyDude
8. Easiest person to buy for?
My mom
9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, it is one that my mom's mom made years ago. That is the main one. My mom has a collection of Nativity scenes and so do I.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mainly Mail them and then also send eCards to the same people.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
A bright yellow sweater- looked like big bird.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Mumpet's Christmas Carole and White Christmas


13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
All year long
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes, but I was very sure that they didn't know each other.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Cherry Candy Canes.
16. Lights on the tree?
Yes, but only if Isabelle can't get to the tree as she eats the wires.
17. Favorite Christmas song?
What Child is this? Do you hear what I hear? Silent Night
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Stay in town, both sets of in laws live in Salt Lake Valley. But one year I would mind being at Disneyland, Disneyworld or on a cruise for Christmas.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Yes, but the cold medicine is messing with my brain.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Angel normal but sometimes a star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Both. Christmas eve at my mom's. Christmas Day at his mom's.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
People who forget what the season is really about and become grumpy.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
Red and Gold or Blue and Silver or Maroon with silver or gold, but normal just Red and Green
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Ham

T'was the third day

of an awful cold that is bringing me down. In the past when I caught a cold it would hit hard and fast but this is dragging out. Just when I feel like I have turned the corner, it comes back and hits me again. Yuck! I can't stand feeling like I am in a tunnel. I can't hardly hear anything and can't keep a thought in my head for nuthin'. At least my co-workers are getting a chuckle at all this. So needless to say no knitting is being accomplished this week. I am off to bed to try to sleep this off! Maybe it will snow so at least I will have something pretty to look at!

Last Sunday to Work

Today was the last Sunday I am scheduled to work this year!!!! I am hoping that I won't have to work anymore at all, but we will see how January plays out.

So I had to drop off the half and half at church on my way to work as Mr80grit forgot it this morning so I took some picture on the way to work from there.




Then I decided to take some on the way home as the clouds were awesome!

Waiting

Okay I waited as long as I could....but I had to do it. Time to change to Christmas!

I am Thankful

1. Mr80grit - I could say so much, but today I will keep it simple
2. my family - this includes my four legged family too!
3. my dear real friends who know me so well
4. yarn
5. chocolate
6. text messaging as it keeps me in touch with friend and family across the miles
7. that life continues to change
8. my new teeth
9. snow
10. hot tea, a good book and time to enjoy both

I am thankful of these things and more. I am thankful for my relationship with God and his love for me. I am thankful for the country that I live in - America!!!

Pre-Thanksgiving Meal

Today was a pre-Thanksgiving meal at my parents house. I had to train at my new job and so Mr80grit took me to work this afternoon and then picked me up at 6pm. We quickly set off for the parents house. Mr80grit pick up this lovely flower arrangement in a pumpkin for my mom. It really made her day!!! He is such a great guy. He wanted to make sure that it still felt like Thanksgiving for my parents but especially for my mom. Let's all say it --- Ahhhh!



It was an awesome meal. Pot Roast, baked potatoes, fruit filled jello, gluten free rolls and my mom's delicious green bean medley seen below. I love it! It has green beans, green and red peppers, mushrooms, with a dressing of brown mustard and some kind of vinegar...sorry, I can't remember. Oh and onions...forgot until I looked at the picture. It is really yummy!



We relaxed after dinner with talking, Mr80grit working on Mom's computer and then we finished up with the best pecan pie from Charlotte's Bakery!!! Yummy!!!! With homemade whipped cream on top!!! (yes it is gluten free!) Now we are home again and are totally stuffed. Definitely will not need to eat until tomorrow afternoon!

Have a great night!

Tuesday before Thanksgiving

So question, if work starts putting up Christmas decorations up on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving is okay to start at home? Hmmmm.....

I promised myself this year I wouldn't put any Christmas decorations up until the day after Thanksgiving and Mr80grit and I are doing just that. The tree is still in its box and the new stuff is in a pile still in their bags in the corner of our bedroom.

I am getting excited about this Thanksgiving even though my parents bowed out of going to my in laws with us. Which I am okay with now. We are going to have a roast beef dinner as a family tomorrow night! But what really excited me is that my mom in law called on Monday and asked where she could pick up some gluten free bread as she wants to stuff the turkey. I have to say that my mother in law has done a good job making sure I can eat Thanksgiving dinner at her house. My parents accidentally floured the turkey bag last year so there was no turkey for me to eat. Oh well! At least there is Charlotte's bakery pecan pie! Yummy!!!!!

Tomorrow is going to be fun. Mr80grit has the day off because pre-new job we were going to have the day off together. Now it is just the morning off together, but that is still exciting!!!

In preparation of the holidays and colder weather I washed all of our handknit socks up along with two gift pairs and decided I need to do that before they are all dirty next time. That was a long process this evening.

I am still fighting my cold, but my back is doing better. I threw it out of whack yesterday coughing. Not fun! I am hoping to get some pictures this weekend to post. I don't like posting without a picture, but oh well life goes on.

Have a wonderful night and an awesome Wednesday!

Monday Musings

It is the Monday before Thanksgiving and I am home with a cold. Today is my normal day off but lately I have been training at my new job in the afternoons on my days off. But not today. I feel stupid for staying home but as someone told me I was burning my candle at both ends and now it is burning in the middle, so today I stay home, drinking plenty of fluids and getting some rest.

Well so far I have slept 12 hours, now time for fluids, maybe some reading and later a little knitting.

This picture has nothing to do with the post. I just like it.

When Tuesday feels like a Monday

Today felt like a Monday at work. It was one of those early morning meetings that was totally pointless. When are they (the powers that be) realize we don't want to hear all those plateaus about "when a door closes, a window opens....". I am sorry but gag me. Enough is enough, stop trying to make us feel better about losing our jobs. Even though I am excited about the change of jobs, I am sick of everyone else outside of our area trying to make us feel better. Just feed us chocolate and let us do our job....sorry I am ranting. It was just one of those days. Probably again this could be all fixed with some MORE peanut butter and chocolate.

Mr80grit decided I deserved a better dinner than my normal chili ( I am on a very weird kick right now). He has gone to my favorite restaurant. (sorry no web page). For my favorite meal. I took the picture below a year ago when eating there. This restaurant even stocks gluten free beer for when the need arises.



So now it is time to eat chocolate, knit a little while waiting for food.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cure for what ails me

Ever have one of those days that when you get home from work, you just have a hard completing things like thoughts or sentences? I am having one of those nights tonight. I jumped onto facebook, looked around, made a comment then left. I don't know if I am bored or just too tired to really do anything even knit. Maybe some chocolate and peanut butter will help....

Now I might have the strength to do a little knitting before bed. Yummmmmm!

New Flowers

Remember those beautiful flowers from Monday? When I went to work on Wednesday, they were brown and dried up even though they had plenty of water. So the great flower store took them back and replaced them today. (They have a five day guarantee).

So Mr80grit brought them to my current work this afternoon where we all enjoyed them. Then he brought them home for both of us to enjoy them this weekend as we have tomorrow off together. The Christmas Expo starts tomorrow and we are going with my mom. It is an annual event for my mom and I, this year we are letting mr80grit come (to carry everything! hahaha!)

So enjoy my flowers with me! Yes, those are chilies - not edible. Sorry!

Veteran's Day another view

If you read my hubby's post on veteran's day here, you will understand that we believe in and support our military and our country. The tears ran down my face as I read his post tonight, I didn't leave a comment on his post, I had more to say.

I was raised to honor the military and our country. My dad served two years in Germany in the late 50's. His brother and father both served also. My Pappy served and would tell stories, not ones that would scare me but would entertain me about World War II. He came into my life when I was 13 and left my live when I was 23. He reminded me of Popeye, short and full of energy. I remember Memorial day in Oklahoma when he would march in the parade and do the ceremonies at the cemeteries in the surrounding area. I remember his and his friends, also veterans of WWII, pride for their country and their flag.

I remember that day in July, in the cemetery and the 21 gun salute, which in a small town is 7 guns and three volleys. The flag on the casket and following the casket out of the church through the arch of swords. The man loved his country, his God and his family. His service to his country I remember on this day.

I met Mr80grit a year after he got out of the Navy. But the Navy never leaves a sailor. We have memories of that time in our house.

In our house we remember the soldiers that are serving our country by always wearing red on Friday. We will wear red on Fridays until they all come home. We pray for the troops, the president and our country. It doesn't matter that our guy didn't win in the recent election, we will still pray and we will still wear red on Fridays.

Let us never forget the cost of freedom - It is never free!

Training at new job

I started training at my new job and guess what met me there?



These beautiful flowers were hand delivered by Mr80grit himself. They are the perfect size for the office and will be enjoyed by all. I really had a great day there and I am really looking for to working there each day.

Weather update: Only rain today with snow in mountains - no good pictures

Heads Up!

Just a little warning, snow storms forecasted for Sunday and Monday! I am totally excited! Especially since the other stuff already melted.

The day after

The snow stayed around today. I was able to get a few shots on my way to work this morning. I love when the trees are coated with snow. My mom lives on the benches of the valley, which means to say is closer to the mountains. The mountains in Salt Lake/Utah have a beach line or what looks like a bench seat at the foot of the mountains. To add to the confusion, she has a park bench in her backyard that we refer to as the weather bench. Yesterday her bench had about 12 inches and down here on the valley floor we had about 4 to 5 inches.

Mr80grit and I dream of living higher up on the benches as we love snow and we love to watch the weather come in . But we are happy where we are for now.

Snow in the morning

Well three days ago I took pictures of beautiful rain soaked landscape with brillant fall colors. This morning it was cover with a layer of white. It is always an adventure when we have our first storm in the valley. It makes the commute long and nerve racking sometimes. I had a pretty easy time into work as the light was better. But coming home it was dark and people drive even worse. Everything as a deeper cover of white and the sidewalks around my place are wet but not snow packed. So it looks like the perfect storm.

At least one piece of good news today...

I won't be getting a 30 day vacation after my job ends as I got a new job already. I am really excited about my new job. I will be training this month and next. January will be a little bit of a juggle as I will need to work there more but it will all work out. Then February it will really begin.

Mr80grit and I went out tonight, ignoring the election as I just can't handle listening to the news. So after we voted, we played. We both got new shoes and had a great time at Gateway - Salt Lake's outdoor mall. Then dinner at our favorite burger/fries place. Tuesday is our date night and this one was a lot of fun. We ending up looking at Christmas decorations - love the holiday. (ps. my new job closes two weeks for Christmas..gotta love it)

Monday Musings

I love fall with all the leaves everywhere. They were cleaning up leaves today in our complex. They put them in these beautiful piles everywhere. It just made my day.



Today I realized that it is November. I know strange, huh? But true never the less. Which means it is less than 30 days until Advent. Oh my! I am making a mini sock advent calendar and I am not half way. I better get working on it! So very focused knitting for the next little while.

The weather changed today...

from Indian Summer in the 70's to a beautiful wet fall.









Now I am home from work and my weekend starts!

Halloween Night a review.

Here is the cute Halloween t-shirt that my mom got me last year on sale after Halloween. I like all the pumpkins have socks on their 'feet' and the hearts are candy corns. See I can be part of the holiday, even if I am not a big fan.



Here is the centerpiece from my mom's table at dinner. We took the picture of my shirt at her house and she asked if we wanted to take a picture of the centerpiece for the blog. So Mr80grit did and here you go. But don't tell Mom - there was a turkey hanging out in her 'Halloween/Autumn' centerpiece. We had a great time over there tonight. Mom's chili was awesome as usual! Hubby and I have a great time everytime we go over!

Halloween

Okay, I am the anti-Halloween person, I admit it. It is one of my least favorite holiday. You see I hate, HATE to be scared. I love the cute stuff of halloween but none of the scary stuff. I don't watch scary movies, nothing. So tomorrow is not my favorite day, plus last year I ended the day in the hospital getting my appendix out. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Celiac disease on Halloween. But I will be a happy camper tomorrow, I have a cute pumpkin shirt to wear to work, I have cute stickers to use on silly stuff and I am going to my mom's and help hand out candy. Because it really all about the kids!

a little knitting update

Although I have been quite on my blog, I have been a little busy knitting when I can. I learned how to knit two socks on one needle (a three minute tutorial was given to me by my LYS owner).



I started some wild socks for myself that remind me of my time in Girl Scouts.



A little knitting was done on my Forest Canopy Shawl.

I only have one day off this week so I stayed home and knitted, no error running.

Kept too busy and now too sleepy....

but I have been knitting. I did two mini socks since monday, learned how to knit two socks at one time with a 40" circular needle, and cast on some crazy colored socks for me on another needle. Mr80grit thinks I have too many projects on the needles, he maybe right. But I am in that kind of mood, if you know what I mean. Hopefully I will get some pictures taken this weekend. Two family birthdays this weekend and I work so it will be interesting.

At least the weather turned cooler in the 50's and 60's so I can wear layers and sleep with the window open at night!

My Friend's Contest...

I have a blogger friend that I have been reading since January of 2007. She started her blog in Nov 2006. In honor of her blog anniversary she is having a little contest/campaign, which I think is really cute, go check it out here

Thinking of Trees......

Christmas trees that is. I have started to work on ornaments for the Salt Lake Knitting Guild's tree for the Festival of Trees. I have volunteered to help put up the tree and even volunteered the help of my husband (was that nice of me?). So I thought I should make sure to make a few mini stockings to go on to the tree. So since I finished some socks for myself, I decided to do a small pair for the tree. I am in meetings for the next two days in which I can knit, so many this one will get a mate and maybe even some additional friends.

Too cute for words!

One of the girls I work with at work has this cute niece. I get pictures send to me every few days. I knitted a baby blanket for this little cutie and have enjoyed watching her grow. She just over a year and she already modeled her Halloween costume for us. This picture sure has been making my day since I got it yesterday and I thought I would share it with all!

My favorite tea...is what I am

You Are Chai Tea

There are many subtle sides to your personality. You are difficult to decode. You are a complex and deep individual. You have many nuanced beliefs, and your mood frequently changes. You are a creative and expressive person. You draw your inspiration from the whole world. You enjoy exotic food, music, and travel. Your tastes are very international.

What Kind of Tea Are You?

Seven days at work, makes a girl crazy....

just ask my hubby! I have been driving him crazy for the last two days with my ramblings and my whinnying. Yes, I whine, and I am pretty good at it. Years of practice as the baby sister to two older brothers. I get this way when I am tired, stress and not feeling good. I have been resisting a cold for a couple of weeks but I think it finally caught me today. I have migraines, sinus induced ones. Due to allergies, I get used to them (if you can). This fall they have been hitting at 845am every day, so I have been good about taking medicine about 10 minutes before. But today I totally messed up. I had a 730 am meeting (for those who don't know, I am not really a morning person) so that put me behind the eight ball. So my mind not fully functioning went to the meeting unprepared. Then the headache showed up 15 minutes early with a jackhammer. I stumbled mid-sentence, passed of what I was saying to a wonderful person I work with and escaped for relief. Unfortunately, I had to go back and so did my headache. It caused all sort of havoc. My assistant manager and good friend did great not laughing at me as I kept losing my train of thought mid-sentence. I finally gave up and came home early. It is a beautiful sunny day and the mountain still have snow on them so I loaded this picture, wishing for a rainy day.


I was going to nap when I got home but all the caffeine I took to help my headache is giving me more energy than I have had all week so I must blog then knit!!!!

First Vally Snow Yesterday!

Well the first snow hit the valley yesterday. I was able to grab some shots before I went to work. The first one is snow on the back patio.



The next two are pictures from our bathroom window through the screen.



I wish it would have stayed longer. I love fall snowstorms.

I am working on some socks for myself out of the Opal yarn in the Harry Potter series. I am calling my pair Muggles but the yarn colorway is Dumbledore. I like this colorway a lot!



I finished the first sock last night and cast on the 2nd sock between putting away my summer clothes and bringing out my winter ones. My wardrobe is probably triple now. I love turtlenecks, sweaters, sweatshirt and fleece tops.