Sine Qua Non

May Day... I mean, How is it May?

Hello! How are my pumpkins? Is anyone even still visiting my little world? I'm so sorry I have been absent. I am still out in the world searching for a job (that is a major time suck); in the meantime I have been busy like a beaver with volunteering and crafting to keep my mind agile, my soul healthy and my body active.

Want to see my new favorite thing?

These little cuties are called Bunny Nuggets. Pattern generously donated to the knitting community by Danger Craft (that's a link to Rebecca's lovely blog).

That's not all, I have finished a few socks, a sweater, started 2 new sweaters, another pair of socks...however all are stalled out while I work out my addiction to the above nuggets. Sigh. Obsessed as usual. I think I could knit 100 of these little guys and love every one of them. The first intent was for the Nephews. Now I'm getting requests and want to keep most of them to myself!

On another note, speaking of the Nephews, I get to go home for a holiday! It's three fold: thaw Fashion Show to benefit HDSA (Huntington's Disease), my Sister's birthday, and Mother's Day! It might also be the last time up to Seattle before M and I relocate. Don't ask, I don't have any information on where, when, how or who. Just sayin'.

So the fashion show is kinda a big deal. If you are in Seattle and have the duckets to spare, you should make a concerted effort to come out and represent. It'll be yummy, with drinks (open bar!!), swanky and very sexy (or so I hear). I'm currently thrilled about my dress by the Portland independant designer Seth Aaron. It's gorgeous, and shows off some of my new (and new and improved) assets that I have been working so hard to sculpt and whittle away! It's being tailored to fit me like a glove by the designer. I have never had a dress made for me, and I couldn't be more giggly about it if I was a sorority pledge that just had her first beer bong.

I know I promised to visit more regularly again, and I am hoping that I keep to that promise. I have been mourning the lull in my writing and my cyber entity, and am still striving to keep the creative on the surface. I am also working on a few ideas- lately the are seeming more like short stories than novels. And, they seem to be supernatural. Go figure!

I miss you my lovelies, come back now, and I will try to deliver!

XOXO

Hello Tuesday, Where Did Monday Go?

Oops. Yesterday was Monday. I didn't stop by to say Hello!

I had some news for everyone too- about Commit to Be Fit- 6 week results are IN, and they are incredible:

• 10% Body Fat Loss (myself and one other woman have achieved this, we are the first in the history of the program to get this high of a number)

• Cumulative of 7.5 inches lost: 2 hips, 1 Belly,1.5 waist, .5 each thigh and each arm

•  7 net pounds lost

That is in SIX WEEKS. Yesterday was the start of the next six weeks, and would you believe that after a little splurge on Pizza and red wine this weekend, I am HIGHLY motivated to finish out this next six weeks with a bang. If my legs ever get back to normal. Oh, what is that? What's up with my legs you ask? Silly me, I decided to run the Shamrock 5K with some other Fierce members and JAE, and so Sunday afternoon I ran 3 miles. In 38 minutes. So really, I jogged and walked. However, my legs are in crazy pain. I powered through class last night regardless...

So yes. I have gone a little bonkers you might say.

This past weekend was awesome, almost TOO full, but awesome.
Saturday the massage was amazing. It's not what you might be thinking, it's PT massage, meaning that she released some really deep, really old trigger points. It's not a full body massage, or even a half body massage, it's a structured massage, geared towards healing problem areas and seeing what other areas they affect- or unaffect- as they are released. Sunday, Monday and today are the first days I have woken up without a searing pain in my left back side by the surgery area. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. If anyone is interested in her, let me know, I can't recommend her enough. We have 4 sessions, I might do 6, to just get my body even more back on track. I need to remember to do my homework. The therapy combined with working out and emotional release is one of the best things I've ever done for myself.

Saturday night I got to see Melly's movie, hang out in PJ's with Jazz and eat pizza. Regardless of how campy a slasher film, my overactive imagination kept me up too late. Serial Killer? On my Balcony? Yep, there was one. IN MY HEAD. Sheesh I'm a wus.

Coraline...oh how I love thee Neil Gaiman and puppeteers...what a beautiful, delicious, drippingly lovely film...if you haven't seen it, get on the ball. It won't be in 3D for long, and you MUST see it in 3D. It would be a shame to miss out on that. I got to see it with my fairy-est of friends, the Bee, and I'm so excited that she's close now and we can go on magical hunts and see beautiful things together again. I'm pretty lucky right now to be in Portland!

I am crazed about Lost and BSG right now, I have a hard time watching the episodes, and then I want more, and more, and more. Like Tree said to me in an email- I can't wait to see how they wrap up BSG,  but then I'm going to be really very, very sad, because it will be over.

I didn't knit this weekend at all. I can't believe I didn't pick up the sticks once. I'm a little forlorn about it, so that's all I'm going to say.

Hope you all had a grand weekend. I'm off back to attend to the demands of paper and crazy tunes head honcho. Boy howdy am I glad I have a job, so I'm going to be happy to go do it!

XOXO

Oh, and a side note: it's the start of the Pisces Month!! Watch out, we might splash you with our dreamy ways and crazy ideas...and believe me, you WILL get sucked in. Mmmm. Birthdays.

Day 1, Week 6, Halfway there...

Today, however, we're marking the fitness in the title, and I will tell you that I'm on the path to do a 5K in March, or maybe the 3.25 mile "stride"- but this is a post about my new knitting technique I taught myself on Thursday and worked on over the weekend: it's called Knitting Socks on 2 Circulars (I can tell you, it's coming, 2 socks at once!! I am so excited...).

Toe, of course

Whole foot! And yay, you can see the cable design, which I am loving. The color is based on the "Lost Boys" from Peter Pan, and is called "Imagination". You can get it at Knitpicks. I love Knitpicks. Send me some more yarn, NOW!

With the ball of yarn. So neatly wrapped by my contraptions K got me for Xmas. K, if you're reading this, I LOVE my contraptions!! Now I just need to get the right memory card for my new camera and we're golden. Then you guys will get the real lovely pictures of my knitting. Heh heh.

Oh Monday, I'm not mad at you today, I'm having a pretty swell day.

XOXO

Oh Hump Day...How I love thee...

Oh Sarcasm...how we shouldn't use thee...

I promised some pictures, right? RIGHT! I am infinitely in love with these socks. I know I am late on the Jaywalking bandwagon, but I didn't really know about them until the Yarn Harlot asked the blog what socks seemed to fly off their needles. I knew right away I wanted to knit them after reading through the comments. The pictures on Ravelry are fantastic, I mean, 5622 people can't be wrong about a pattern, can they? I should have done more research...I'm showing that there is a modification down to 68 stitches, and it's possible I needed that mod. Again, hopefully K won't steal these, and they fit ME!

The color is way more perfect in the bottom picture. Isn't it a great pattern? I'm so excited to wear them.

Not much to say about Commit to be Fit today- well a little. I was absolutely exhausted, and didn't know how I was going to make it through class. BOY HOWDY am I glad that I went. We had a big surprise, Master Johnson, who is the "creator" of the Commit to be Fit class, was teaching our class! It was fun and invigorating. Our regular instructor who we love, Candice, even worked out with us. It was pretty awesome. I was near her in class, so I felt like I learned a few things by watching her form. I hope he comes back sometime before the 12 weeks is up.

Happy Hump day! So as you can see, it's not so bad after all.

Peace out. XOOX

Committed to Eating Food, wishing it was mostly plants...

There has been a change to the blog- over to the left hand side under my "Quote for 2009" you see the "Pages" category. Here I will be checking in with recipes, food choices, and tools for my Commit to Be Fit peeps to come take a look at. Also, I think it's nice for posterity's sake. Feel free to go on over and poke around, there might be something there you would like to try in your own kitchen!! I am starting to morph recipes to fit my needs: 75% protein, 25% carbs every day- with good fats (flax oil, olives, nuts, avocados, olive oil, sesame oil). I think I am doing very well. We get graded on our food choices, and my grades have ranged from "good" to "excellent" for every day except my first day in the program. It's less of a struggle now that I have time and creativity to throw at it. It's like a foodnetwork challenge. I love it.

Now that I'm done with the *ahem* Twilight Series, I have turned my attention back to "In Defense of Food". I was about a centimeter away from becoming vegan in January when the realization hit that for my Commit to be fit class wouldn't allow for veganism. As you can see, there is too much protein I must eat, and very little carbs. I am thinking about putting the book down until April when I am done in the program...anyone have any good reading suggestions out there? I've zapped my pile down quite a bit. I just don't want to be longing after my vegan idea while I'm pounding the protein.

I'm not minding eating the meats as much as I thought. There is still no dairy in my diet (makes me ill), but I have incorporated Turkey, chicken sausage, and top sirloin into my diet. I eat more tuna, smoked salmon, smoked oysters than usual as well. I still have some tofu around, but it's not a perfect fit for me right now. Nor is the tempeh. I am hoping during the last 6 weeks of the class I can incorporate a teensey bit more of plants and vegetables into my diet. I'm lucky, I love leafy greens, and could eat them all day in different forms, so I am taking FULL advantage of that. This will reflect in the sidebar, I'm sure you will be able to tell!

I made some serious headway on my Jaywalkers last night. I put on my headset and got on the phone with my dear dear Freedom, and knitted away while chatting. It was almost like my own personal Stich and Bitch. It was awful fun! I will be taking photos tonight to show you. They're uber rockin'. I hope that K doesn't try to steal them. They're THAT cool.

Did I mention I was sore? Sore to the bones? Muscles of Jello? No?
A little tender, here. That's okay, I'm getting tough, tough enough to make it through the classes...and not groan too much...tough enough to take a step up to the red band and the 10 pound medicine ball...maybe not for everything, but baby steps. We have to coddle my back a bit. My hamstrings are killing me, and I don't know what to do about it. I think I will google some stretches. Leave a comment if you have some advice!

Hope you have a Swell Tuesday afternoon.

XOXO

Leaping Thru the Mondays...Week 3 Day 1

So I have survived 2 whole weeks of Commit! My back has been in moderate to high pain this weekend, but I took myself over to a tub of steaming water with Epsom Salt (and Ibuprofen) and that helped ease the pain away.

I have TEN updates:

1. K is in Florida, playing with large game animals. I'm very jealous.
2. I had to use the 3rd notch on my belt, and I'm not sure I've used that notch in over a year or two.
3. My pants are getting embarrassing, I need to find new clothes somewhere without buying anything.
4. I cooked some delicious things this weekend that included Mediterranean Turkey (YUM) in the crock pot and Fraioli Family Meatballs- but again, made with Turkey.
5. I ironed 35 shirts. NO KIDDING.
6. I finished 1/2 of K's birthday present, but needed some color in my life, so I started Jaywalker Socks (I can't link you to the original pattern, it's in a closed site) and they knit up pretty fast, I love them so far. I'm going to do one of mine, then back to finish K's before I do my second one. I'm using Regia Sock Yarn in Kaffe Fasset's color design (WOW), and it's fixing my need for color. I can't wait to try them on: I'm hoping that they don't turn out too big- YES, I got gauge, but 76 stitches scares me for my own feet- they seem a little big... I guess I could always give them away...UGH!
7. I am crazy obsessed with BSG and what is going to happen next. I don't like the gimpy guy at all, or the VP, but I love that Adama and the Pres are schtooping (spelling, Max?).
8. I am loving Facebook again for who it brings my way, or who I find. I'm so lucky to be in touch with some great people from my past.
9. I am 2 chapters until DONE with this Twilight Mania. Yes, I'm on the fourth book. Don't laugh at me. Seriously, stop it.*
10. I ordered more sock yarn, a sock book (I am going to conquer knitting 2 socks at once, damn this second sock syndrome!) and yarn for another pair of the Twilight Mittens. I said stop laughing at me. If you saw the mittens, you'd be fiercely jealous.
Okay, so really, go look at the mittens. I have one pair in brown/black, now I'm going to have a pair in Grey. This is the ONLY reason I started reading the damn books. Sigh. STOP LAUGHING!

Have a fantastic Monday! I'm looking forward to getting my groove on in class tonight.

XOXO

*I might also be in possession of 1 workout shirt that says "Team Edward" on it. Why do I keep hearing sidesplitting laughter?

Battle The Star...Gallactically...

Yes, my post title in Nonsense, but never the less. It's Friday, and that means I am more than anxious for the day to end and the weekend to begin. Tonight will find me in a salt soak to relieve some aches in my very sore muscles. I am seeing new things, my friends: there are new muscles turning out in my tummy. WOW. It's amazing to wake up and visually SEE a difference. Has this ever happened to you? I feel stronger. My back hurt the other day from some crazy leg lift thing we were doing- and not but 12 hours later I was back to working out (although a bit more geriatric-ally than usual)! That could not have happened if I wasn't working so diligently on my core strength. I am absolutely loving class. It's hard to get motivated 5 days a week, but once I get there I keep thinking "what's an hour? Really, just one hour a day?" I don't have other commitments like some of you (i.e. KIDS), and I can spare the hour...

I've also gotten in some good knits! I expect to finish K's first sock tonight or tomorrow and get the second on the needles before the end of the weekend. One day I'd like to learn how to do socks on 2 circulars and do 2 socks at a time. I might do that. Green Apples inspired me to try to teach myself this trick- and I might use the same pattern she is- Widdershins from Knitty- as I also miss the reinforced heel flap in toe-up socks, and would like to learn both of these techniques SOON. K's socks are toe-up (William Street Socks) and I feel like they are, well, flimsy a bit. It's interesting what we get accustomed to- us knitters are all different, and I love that about us. The differences bring out great innovations in knitting too- and yay, I get to benefit! One day I'd like to say I'm advanced enough to create some said innovation... It's okay, I like learning new things- or "tricks" as I like to call them- it makes me FEEL innovative. I hope to get some time in on my February Lady Sweater this weekend, as it's sadly sitting staring at me waiting for me to finish the birthday socks...

Now it's time to get back to work and dream about tonight: tonight will find me with the Crew of Gallactica, knitting away, a very content kitty on my lap curled up in "her" fuzzy red blanket, wearing my butter soft Polar Bear Nightgown...oh how lovely Friday nights are!

Okay, I promise, pictures soon. I need to whip out my new fabulous camera and take some good knitting photos.

Have a great weekend!! XOXO

Note: I'm applying for a new apartment this weekend, and I really want it, so please cross your fingers and send me some good apartment vibes, okay?

Back to The Basics

This weekend was HIGHLY productive, migraine and all. Thank goodness the migraine didn't actually hinder the weekend. Heh. Yes, it hindered Monday, which means it was a very unexpected 3 day weekend...although for most people that was normal, what with Dr. King's Day and all.

The house is clean. I should actually re-phrase that- almost all of the house is clean. I still have the kitchen to tackle and some more laundry to finish. But the living area is as clean and organized as it can get currently. I am still on the search for a new apartment or house to rent, so if you know of any, give me a shout out!

I started K's birthday present, which means I'm not working on my sweater, but these socks are darn tootin' good lookin'. They also feel good in my hands when I squish them. I think he will be pleased. I need to get back to taking pictures for ya'll.

As far as this crazy eating/exercise is, it's well, actually. Saturday was very hard, and I believe it is because I didn't eat enough prior to the class. I felt weak. I think it's a MUST to get up at 8am now on that day and have breakfast. Class is at 11am, and I got up at 10am, and had a protein shake. I think my body needed way more fuel than that. Eating was hard over the weekend, but I spent the time to cook and prep a few days worth of protein and am satisfied to say that yesterday and today was fairly painless. I have found some good, well rounded foods that are working for me- including Raw Goat Milk Cheddar, Toby's Tofu dip, Chipolte Salsa, Smoked Salmon, Broiled Lean Top Sirloin, Turkey Breast, Chicken Sausage, hard boiled eggs, hummus, low carb tortillas and Turkey Meatballs. Throw in some spinach, kale, celery, radish and cucumber- and you pretty much have my meals. I am now searching for an "almost all meat" low-carb turkey chili. Again, if you know of any, give me a shout out! I didn't go to class last night (migraine) but on Tuesdays I will go to two in a row (yes, obviously I am TRYING to kill myself), so I don't feel half as bad as I should.

The cat is still having problems with bed time. I think it might be time to get a hard-hitting spray bottle. Sigh. She FRAP's way too much now that K is gone. (I once saw Alicia refer to the crazy manic way the pets tear around the house in the evening, and it's not left my mind- but I can't for the life of me remember what it means: Frenetic...Rampage...Around..Premise or something like that- but I it made K and I laugh and laugh, so now it's what we call Stellas nutty rampages- jumping around on the furniture, bouncing off the walls, fur all out on her little body- it would be funny if it didn't happen at 12am...)

Speaking of which, K is now in San Antonio from San Diego, and tomorrow heads to St. Louis (Brrrrr). From there it's Tampa, and possibly PA. We'll see how it goes. It's been a week and two days since he departed, and Stells and I miss him. He's having a ball being out in the world again and being at the Sea Worlds. I wish I could go to FL with him and go to Busch Gardens. That would be a blast.

Have a great day everyone!
XOXO

Day 5, Week 1

I'm really, super, uber excited to NOT have kickboxing today, and to let my sore bones rest. Well, sort of rest. There is much to do at the house, and the way things look today I might get off early enough to accomplish a few chores before I can sit, and, RELAX. I have class tomorrow, and then a whole Sunday off- which there are more chores to do, but it's okay. The cleaning might just jump start packing for the immenent move in March anyway...and there is also the food planning that I have to do on Sunday. I'm looking forward to that, however. It's like a tetris challenge: how do you get all your nutrition together to form a perfect wall of shapes?

Do you know what tonight is? I've been waiting for MONTHS for tonight. Tonight, Battlestar Gallactica returns to Sci-Fi to finish off the series. What's up with Earth? What DID Kara do? Who is the final Cylon? So many questions. I'm going to be right there, geeking out, knitting and enjoying every second of it. So if you think you might want to call me, well, wait until tomorrow. We can talk then- don't call tonight.

I finished up my first commisioned peice for my Mom's coworker last week, and then forgot to mail it out. It's now stamped and ready to go, so I'm excited to see it leave me and get on to other things. My arms have been too sore to knit- but tonight I plan to wind some yarn and maybe start on some socks for K for his birthday. Although that comes on Monday...I'm going to try to get them going anyway. I have a nice pattern in mind, with some manly cables.

Well, I'm out of words today. I'm more into lyrics and songs...making a CD for K too for his birthday- so I'm rather immersed in melodys and meaning.

Have a fantastic weekend one and all!

XOXO

Day 3, Week 1

A few updates:

I am wearing items of clothing I could not wear, even if I would have liked to, 6 weeks ago.

I am exhausted. I am not sleeping enough. Part of this is K being out of town, but it's mostly the cat and my head. The cat has some hard programmed habits that K usually tends to when I am sleeping, and since he's gone- that makes her try to get me out of bed. UGH. She'd make a very nice throw pillow, indeed.* My head keeps dozing off, and then waking and spinning around in conversations and items on my to-do list. I cannot get peace much before 1:00 am, and it's really becoming an issue. I might do something about that tonight.

I am not knitting. I have stalled out. I have to find some way to prep all this food and still have time to relax. Aqua and I were speaking last night and she hit the nail on the head: "it's like having a second job".

I am sore. I am not as sore as I thought I was going to be, but I can feel it deeper than usual. I am also struggling with my right hand- like carpal tunnel or some such. It's hard to type, click, and use for push-ups. Maybe it's a good thing I can't knit. That cannot possibly be a sentence that ever came out of my head.

Have an excellent Hump Day everyone!

XOXO

*for anyone who knows me, Stella Blue: kitty extraordinaire, is in no danger of being stuffed for a pillow. It's a joke- and a very long running joke at that. She's my soul pet, so therefore in no danger of ever perishing at my two delicate hands. Maybe my feet when I trip over her, but not my hands. Promise.