Happy New Year!

To all our friends and family from Mr80grit and me, have a Happy New Year!
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Snow day

It has been snowing on and off since yesterday so I have made this a snow day. Which means staying in my pajamas, watching movies and doing a little knitting. Some of that knitting is on Mr80grit's new socks.
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a little update

Well it has been 10 days since I have posted.  While I have been sidelined to do illness I am going to focus on what I have done instead of what I haven't done. I enjoyed the movie Blind Side with friends on the 20th after going out to lunch with them.  I was entertained by a friend's 1st grade performance at the library on the 21st. I was up and around to enjoy the afternoon of Christmas Eve at my MIL's and got to see my SIL and nephews.  Christmas Eve service was awesome and I enjoyed it completely. Christmas Eve night at my parents was fun and full of cheer.  Christmas Day was fun with my hubby and the afternoon back at my parents was fun with watching Star Trek with them.  Yesterday I was up and about to run errands with my hubby and do somethings for the office (more on that later). I managed to get to my favorite LYS yesterday and bought yarn for a project for next Christmas.

I am very thankful for my winter break and will be enjoying it more today as Mr80grit and I are off to see a movie this afternoon. It is snowing lightly here and hope it continues all day. I did finish one project during this time and it is the pink mitts above. They are a belated birthday gift for my boss' wife.  I think she will enjoy them. 

Christmas Cheesecake and Chat along with more fun

This afternoon was a lovely time with the event of cheesecake and chat with my mom at church for a ladies party. It was a lot of fun with even gluten free cheesecake and gluten free key lime pie.  So very, very yummy.
Even Mr80grit got to go to the event as he ran sound.  I was so happy to go as in the past I always worked on Saturdays and couldn't go to the Christmas party each December.

After we went to do a little shopping before meeting up with Dad at our favorite restaurant. While there I got a chance to met Margene.  We had met years ago and have talked on the blogs and via email.  She was there for dinner and it was so great to see her.  She looks great!

I think this was a great way to kick off my winter break! Two weeks off at Christmas. I don't think I have had this much time off at Christmas since college. I have a few things scheduled but I have left a few days opened. I plan at least one of those days as a pajama/movie/knit day.  Maybe if I am lucky it will snow too! 

homemade pizza

Found the best gluten free pizza. At home using Udi's frozen gf pizza crusts. So yummy!
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One finished project

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Happy Thanksgiving

From my parents house to yours!
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Snow in the valley

We got our first serious snow in the valley tonight. So Mr80grit and I did our annual hot chocolate city street drive. It was awesome!
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a small life update

I have been lazy about blogging lately. I am still recovering from my ear and sinus infection.  I haven't taken any picture of my knitting. I was finally able to do a mock fitting for my sil's sweater by borrowing one of her favorite tops.  Now I have to get serious about getting it done. I want to have it done by Thanksgiving.

A little knitting while sick

Luckily I don't have the flu, just a sinus and ear infection . So trying to get some knitting done.
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Wordless Wednesday

Not your ordinary Tuesday

Definitely not your normal Tuesday! First I was unable to text or receive phone calls on my cell phone from 4:45 pm to 7 pm.  That what really weird and stranger still was when the phone was working again all the texts I missed came in. 

Mr80grit had to call me on my work phone to make plans for going to the bookstore and out to dinner. We usually are home bodies on Tuesday.  It was great. I picked up the Holiday issue of Interweave Knits. I already have plans for one or two of the patterns.

Then it was a dinner at a local chain, potato skins..yummy! Now we are back to our normal Tuesday activites, knitting, watching TV, playing on the computer.

Day light changes

I have noticed that this year I am handling the time change better than last year. I guess it is because this year I am not going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. It is much nicer to wake up slowly and have some morning time to enjoy before heading out.  I also can watch the changes in the day from my desk, it isn't hard to take the day light going away so early or when the weather changes. I have been so blessed by God with this job, I am very thankful for the changes that have happened since last year.

Fall celebration

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Happy Halloween!

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Goal met!

With 17 minutes left on Friday, I completed the red stripe socks!
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Friday Goals

Well this afternoon I didn't get as much knitting done as I wanted to; however, Mr80grit is going to be doing a computer upgrade after I get off this evening. So I think I might have enough time before I go to sleep to finish it. I have the movies I will watch while I knit. (probably all Harry Potter movies). Plus the neighbors are having a party and that will go late. They did invite us but they are all early twenties and guys so we will probably just stay home.

Must Complete

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I have given myself the goal of finishing this pair of socks before I cast on for a pair of mittens or fingerless gloves. This is the leg of the second sock, so with some focused time I should be able to get this done by Friday night.  I really need another set of mittens or fingerless gloves as I only have one pair.

I am really enjoying wearing my handknit socks to work each day. Last year at my old job it just didn't work as well.  But everyday is a different pair, love it.

Cold and Damp Day

Well no snow or rain today but it is definitely cold.  I started this morning going to work it was 39 degrees then it dropped to 37 at 11:45 am. That wasn't good. It has been breezy and cold. It is back up to 39 but the sun is setting and it will be getting colder. I really need to knit some gloves/mittens. I need to finish at least one pair of socks before I cast on mittens.

It is snowing in the valley!

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Knitting projects update

Knitting projects update.

Well Wedding reflections is out of the hiberation status, having been ripped out and cast on as my default shawl pattern of Forest Canopy Shawl.  I love the simple 8 row pattern repeat, perfect on days that my mind can't focus for long periods of time.

Red Stripes is a classic knit 6 purl 2 sock that I am 3/4 down the cuff of sock #2

Blue Knight is the classic knit 3 purl 1 cuff sock for Mr80grit

The Hermonine sock was ripped out and the yarn put back in stash.

The comfort sweater for my SIL is waiting for a fitting before continuing but our schedules are crazy so we haven't met up to do this.

I completed my pea pod for my friend but like everything else I don't have a picture as I forget to take them before I leave for work, or the light isn't right due to no sun etc. A storm is predicted for tomorrow so out of luck for a few days.  Hopefully soon pictures.

Computers and Mr80grit

I have to get Mr80grit off the computer these days to do anything as Windows 7 came out last week. That means while he waits for his to be delivered along with an additional hard drive, he has been doing research. He is making sure that all of his questions are answered before he tackles the update/install. I love having a at home IT guy. It sure makes my life a lot easier. I love that he has something that he is as passionate about computers as I am about knitting. It makes our live well balanced.

Saturday sky

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Friday night

A good Friday night is hanging out at our favorite restaurant with the employees. I think we might come here a little much. But it is so much fun!
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Pancake dinner

Mr80grit made pancakes for dinner.
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Hazards of Knitting

For those who don't knit, they don't know that there are hazards when knitting. Not the dropping of stitch, or messing up the pattern but those tiny needles have really sharp points. I have been knitting on double points for the last few days and noticed that I keep stabbing my right index finger.  Tonight I was watching what I was doing and actually drew blood.  Not fun but not enough to stop knitting. Just taking a moment out to blog and then put a band aid on.  Happy Knitting!

Couch Potato Day

Today I spent most of the day on the couch. Whatever I caught while in Colorado hitting me again last night and so I had to stay home from work.  Mr80grit already planned to have the day off, so he took wonderful care of me. Renting me some of our favorite shows and relaxing with me. Now I realize I am about an hour late from posting on Monday. Oh well. I am going to say this counts.

Back home again...

Well just got back home from a trip to Denver and Colorado Springs. We flew there on Thursday night and spent the night and morning with family. Including brunch where I had wonderful gluten free pancakes. Very good.  Then we drove to Colorado Springs for a conference. 

We had a great time. The picture I have on Saturday's post is the fountain outside our hotel room.  It was so pretty! We returned to Denver on Sunday night and on the way there I dealt with a stomach bug. We got to our Aunt's house to late for the party they planned. But they were awesome about it and send us lots of love.

We left Denver this morning/afternoon with me feeling a little better. I can't wait to go back and visit as we had such a great time with the family. But I am glad to be home in my own bed. Very little knitting done but when I have light I will take some pictures.

Sick on Sunday

Not much to blog today as I am sick. More tomorrow!
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Saturday walk

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Breakfast

Look at these wondeful gluten free pancakes! I had them for brunch with the cousins! It was so great to see them and spend some time with them. Later we met up with other cousins. Will see some of them later at dinner on Sunday!
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At the end of day....

Especially a busy day, you need a little chocolate. Yummy!
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Too many audiobooks

I think I have too many audiobooks checked out from the library. I have four checked out and only half way through the first one.  I don't know when I will have time to listen to all of them. There is two each in a series.  What was I thinking? Plus they are books that Mr80grit aren't interested in.  Oh Well, I guess I will have to renew them to get them in. 

Leftovers

Not food but sock yarn. I have two plans for this. One is more tiny socks for advent calendar and Christmas tree decorations. The second is a baby ripple afghan.
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Mondays...

are strange days when part of the population has the day off.  I have never had a job where we took Columbus day off.  Half the schools in the area had it off but not all. Crazy! Made for a slow day at work. Hopefully tomorrow will be back to normal. 

Last Fall...

We haven't gotten up into the mountains to take picture like we did last year. So here is a picture from last fall which was a prettier fall color-wise. 

Busy Saturday

Wow, what a busy fun day.

First thing this morning, colored my hair for the fall. I go a light brown or dark blonde. It turned out really well I think. Even my mom liked it.

Lunch at a local gluten free store as it was their fourth anniversary. Hot dogs with buns and cake! Yummy!

The afternoon knitting at my favorite LYS, got to a spot on my SIL's sweater that I need to meet with her for a fitting.

Dinner with my parents at our favorite resturant and dessert at local gelato!

Home to clean up knitting area and to really realize that Christmas is less than 11 weeks away!

Friday Night Fun

I love when a boring friday night becomes one of fun with a phone call from friends.

Tonight was going to be just a few errands to run and a quiet dinner at home with Mr80grit and myself. But this afternoon some friends called to meet for dinner.

It wasn't the restuarant that made the night, it was the time spent with friends. We met at a national fast food chain where I actually can eat a few items.  We were there about an hour and half just laughing and telling stories. We so enjoy the time we spend with our friends.  I can't wait for our next time together.

Now we are home from running errands after and Mr80grit has to work in the morning, so time to finish up and go to bed. Night all!

Things I love about Knit Night

Tonight was Knit Night at my local LYS. I love going to knit there anytime that I can get there.
Here are a few reasons why:

1. Lively discussions which are very useful when knitting in the round stocknette.
2. Learning about other techniques or projects from other knitters
3. Learning about other experiences knitting their current project
4. Seeing the different projects each knitter is doing
5. Being encouraged to try a new technique or yarn or project
6. Being supported in your decision to frog a project for any reason
7. For a GOOD opinion about why something isn't working
8. the laughing over the silly stuff in life
9. the people
10. the people

So as you can see I have a wonderful time every time I go.  With or without Mr80grit, even though when he doesn't go, he is missed by more than just me. I like that.

FO on Wednesday

Finally finished the October night socks for Mr80grit. I started them back on August 19th. So not quite 2 months. Good grief! I can't believe it took that long. Now to finish my sil sweater and my own Halloween socks.
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Things I love about Fall

Fall is one of my favorite times. Here is a list of my favorite things about it:

1. Trees changing color to oranges, yellow and red
2. The smell of fires in the night air
3. Crisp nights and crisp days
4. Pumpkins at the door 
5. Hot Chai in my mug
6. Wearing warm wool socks 
7. Soft, warm clothes
8. Snow on the mountains
9. Halloween candies: candy corn
10. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies....I just found a gf receipe.
    

Mondays

My Mondays are so very different than they were last year. Last year I had a very corporate job that was in transition. My department was being outsourced and many things were changing, October was a very crazy month last year. Mondays were typically my day off from work but during the transition I worked many of them.

Now my Mondays are relaxed. I sleep in until 9 am, wake up slowly. Read a little, spent a little time on the computer, drink some coffee. Then get ready for my day. I work only 6 hours a day, come home have dinner with my husband and spend time with him. 

I ran into someone the other day who hadn't seen me since I changed jobs. They almost didn't recognize me as I looked about 10 years younger. It is amazing was lack of stress and enough sleep will do. I think back and can't believe I allowed myself to be that stressed.  How did Mr80grit put up with me? But he is a lot happier these days too!

Fall is here!

Even though snow hit the ski resorts on Wednesday, it now feels like fall is here since the wreaths were hung. I also have unpacked my fall/winter clothes. It has rained all day making me very happy.

I have turned the heel in Mr80grit's October sock! I want to get this done this week.
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Two shawls and a ton of socks later

I think I have a wool hangover. Last night I wash all my wool socks. That was the easy part. After that we blocked two shawls.  Even with Mr80grit it took a couple of hours.  Less than half way through this process, Mr80grit asked, isn't there that person we met at knit night at our LYS that will do this?  I couldn't blame him, I am not a happy blocker.  Bending over whether it is the board on the bed or on the floor my back starts killing in moments and I get very cranky. So maybe the next one I will take it to the wonderful lady.

Blogging Daily

Okay I did I joined


So hopefully this will get me to post daily at least for the month of October. It has been a goal this year that I have struggled with but for one month, I can do that!  Here I go!

Yesterday's Storm

After work we went up to see the snow at the ski resorts.  Here is a little from Brighton:

Then we made a pitstop at Solitude and after this is what is looked like.

This is great! All within 15 minutes of home!

Monday night

Fergie is not that thrilled with the football game. She is bored with the two teams.
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What 'cha doing?

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Wednesday WIP

Here is a picture of the 2nd sock of October night. They are for Mr80grit. Basic sock pattern
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Yesterday at twilight

It was raining when I got off work last night, mostly in the mountains so Mr80grit and I took a drive up Millcreek canyon. It was so pretty. The picture is from the top of the canyon. It was cold in the forties. We drove down the canyon with the windows down. At one spot where there wasn't much pine but other trees and such the air smelled like chai tea. It was so cool!
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The weekend

Yesterday was our 12th wedding anniversary. We basically took the whole weekend for ourselves. We started with Friday night at our favorite restaurant. We slept in Saturday and then went to the great basin fiber fair. I was very picky this year and got some worsted weight for a pillow and then some sock blockers.
Mr80grit got me some delicous gluten free sugar cookies in flower design. Very yummy( I did share with him as they are his favorite cookie).




We had dinner with my parents again at our favorite restaurant that night which was a lot of fun.


Sunday was a quiet day but we ended up finding another place with gluten free pizza. This is a place that we used to eat at all the time before I was diagnosed. They just add the pizza within the last six months. It is very good!

Pause

Today is the day to remember all who keep us free! Thanks to all the service men and women!

One of those days

Do you ever have one of those days when instead of reading your favorite blogs, you just stop by to look at the pictures? Today was one of those days for me. To all my blog friends, sorry my mind just isn't there today. Maybe I will be in the reading mood tomorrow. To top it off, I don't even have a photo for my blog. Sorry!

Knitting Updates

Current knitting projects, first is October Flame for me



October Nights for Mr80grit


Completed WC socks in size 7


Mr80grit socks for our Colorado Springs trip in October


My socks for our trip to Colorado Springs


I gave up trying to find the perfect place and time to take pictures of the projects.

at the park

Even though it is 100+ today, I am the park, knitting and listening to all the bands at Summer Jam. It is a showcase event for our summer program and amp'd bands. I love where I work!
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Dinner with friends

I have to say that one of my favorite things to do is to hang out with friends. Tonight was no exception. Our hosts for this lovely evening were LadyC and MrSir. They are perfect hosts. They made us feel very welcome and they worked hard to insure the meal was gluten free. I always love spending time with this couple. They refresh the heart, mind, and spirit!

We enjoyed relaxing on the patio before dinner. Followed by a meal of grilled chicken salad with ice cream for dessert. We could have talked all night. But alas Mr80grit works early tomorrow so now we are home. What a great night!
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car knitting

Today has been a relaxing day. Yesterday my MIL broke her foot and we spent the afternoon and evening with her. We took a Dinner break to see the band from work. They were really good. We got home quite late so we slept in today. Mr80grit and I both needed it. We went out for lunch and took a drive so I got a little knitting done in the car. We are now heard home to watch movies!
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Beautiful Rainy Day

Today is a perfect Saturday for me. It is raining and cooler than it has been all week. Perfect for knitting and catching up on blogs. The only thing that is making the day not perfect is that Mr80grit had to work today. He is required to work one Saturday a month. He loves rainy days as much as I do. Plus after work he is going to his former Science Club Teacher's 75th birthday party. Some how I don't have to go which is okay with me. Maybe I will head to the yarn store and do some card shopping also.

I have not posted in a while as I got some news regarding a love one on August 3rd and I am still processing the information.

This next week is that last week of summer schedule for work and we end it with bang on Saturday the 22nd with Summer Jam.

So off to enjoy the day, maybe take pictures if the sun comes out on some completed projects.

10 years ago

10 years ago today I had major open heart surgery. My friend gave me this bear to let me know she was praying for me. This has been a weekend of reflection of the last 10 years. I have been not only very blessed by the surgery but those who supported me during that time and since that time. I have realized many things that I want to improve. More to follow later. Today is a day of Thanksgiving and celebration.

The end of our vacation

We are home now after a wonderful time in Michigan. As it the sunset of our vacation, I thought I would share a sunset from lake Michigan. More to follow.
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Walking on the beach

Last night we drove out to Lake Michigan and walked on the beach. It was great.I am really enjoying this trip.
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Yummy saga

This was my delicious gluten free pizza. Which was only 2 dollars more than my hubby's for the same size! I will list and link the places when I get back from my trip. It was as good as it looked.(Mr80grit's comment: it was better than it looked!!)
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First day in grand rapids

Well we are here. I have gone to the gluten bakery where I had a wonderful glutn free cookie and slice of sourdough bread warm from the oven. I picked up the rest of the loaf for the weekend long with muffins, cookies and biscotti. Mr80grit is a wonderful driver and got me to a great yarn store. I got some delicous yarn. Lunch was a peanut butter sandwich. Yummy!
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Packing for my vacation

Why is it easier to pack what I am going to wear than what projects to take?
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A quick shot of cute-ness

I was able to snap a quick picture of our youngest cat, China. Her nickname is cute-ness. She is very soft and has a tummy that reminds us of a butterball turkey. China is incredibly shy, for the camera and anyone other than me and Mr80grit.
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Lazy Sunday

After a busy morning, we have been hanging out on the couch. Isabelle was nice enough to pose for today's blog.
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A sign of age

I realized today that I am older than I think. This was demonstrated when I had to take a nap so that I would be awake for a midnight movie. Even now I am fighting my body to wake up for the new HBP movie. At least I don't have to be at work until noon tomorrow!
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So what am I doing?

This week I have taken a break from my regular job to be the Project Coordinator's assistant for the World Changers project here in Salt Lake City. Basically I am in the person to answer the normal questions? Like how to get to the local w-mart, fast food places etc. For more information on World Changers follow this link. To see a local report on the project going on currently go here.
I am having a lot of fun and enjoy been a part of this. I am also getting a little knitting in during the quiet times in the office area.

First day of work

Well yesterday was the first work day of World Changers, what a busy day. In the three years I have helped out the coordinators, yesterday was the first time I made it to one of the sites while the kids were working. It was amazing! I am going to try to get to some other ones this week too!
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Tired feet

It is 730 pm on a Saturday night in July and I have many hours before I sleep, it must be World Changers Salt Lake. I was too excited to sleep last night and now I am feeling it. But I am having so much fun that I don't care! However my feet are quite sore. My bed will feel wonderful tonight!
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Follow up to picture

Yes, that is a measuring cup in Mr80grit's mouth. He is proud of that picture. He was trying to get a reaction out of me. It worked! We both had a great laugh and thought of the millionaire on gilligan's island.
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dressed up Mr

Mr80grit ....... Need I say more?!
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