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August - December 2004 archive
December 29, 2004 3:48:07 PM
I am enjoying my week off with the girls. Our Christmas was nice and quiet. We stayed home and had a lovely time although I had a bout of serious homesickness after talking to my grandma. I was missing my family and wishing that I could be surrounded by them and feel the love and sense of belonging. As time goes by I get more and more used to living here, but I still miss my old home and family.
I feel great about how I handled this Christmas. Usually, I make this unreasonable list of gifts that I plan to make for friends and family. Then I turn into a knitting factory cranking out all of these gifts for people who probably don't appreciate them or even want them. I have three sisters-in-law, and for my first Christmas with Daryll I made each of them a pair of hand knit socks. They never wear them and when I asked why they said that the socks were 'too nice' to wear! This year I decided that I would only knit things that I want to knit, and so I was able to relax and enjoy myself. I also wanted to keep thisngs simple and not go overboard with decorations and all of that. I wanted to keep the focus on the true meaning of Christmas not the commercialization of the holiday. I set up our small, artificial tree with our fmaily ornaments and tiny white lights. I thought it looked cute, but one SIL was concerned that my girls would feel deprived so she went out and bought a 5' tree and put it up next to my tree. I felt a little insulted, but I didn't feel that it was important enough of an issue to make a big deal about it. I really don't see how the size of the Christmas tree makes that much of a difference.
My Secret Pal is the best ever! She has totally spoiled me and sent me yet another little package, which included handmade (by her!) candles, two skeins of lovel mohair hand painted yarns made in her local area, a knitter's notebook and a beautiful hand crocheted cross bookmark. The bookmark will stay in my Bible. It was just a wonderful, thoughtful gift that really touched my heart.
Another of my favorite gifts was a three CD set by Rev. Paula White called, Pursue, Protect, Purpose. It is has a powerful message about walking in your God-given purpose. One of my favorite things that she says on the program is that, "God does not consult your past to prepare your future." I've been using this time off to get more into my Bible and more quite times in prayer. I have been taking a nap in the afternoon if I feel like it and just having a good time with my girls.
This year, as the year draws to a close I have also decided that I will not make any New Year's resolutions. I will just take each day as it comes and do my best to live a life that glorifies God in all that I do.
December 22, 2004 3:42:50 PM
Got Power?
One of the things that I have lamented since we moved into this house is the fact that the electrical system in this house is not worth a dime. When we plugged in the microwave and turned it on, it blew the circuits, so we could only use it on power level eight or below. My biggest complaint was that we could not run the dryer because there was no 220 outlet in the basement. I fussed and fussed until my sweet, Dh called this 'friend of a friend from around the way' to install the 220 outlet for him. He installed the outlet, but the dryer still did not work. Dh called GE to send a repair man to see what was going on with the dryer. GE man plugs the dryer in to his portable generator and the dryer worked like a charm. GE repair guy checks the 220 with a voltage meter and laughs and says, "you've only got just over 150 volts going to this outlet. You'd better call your electrician back." I fussed at him (sensing a theme here?) and I begged him to make sure that we hired a licensed electrician to fix the problem. He got a recommendation for an electrician from a friend who is a pastor. Dh asked him if he was licensed and he said yes. He charged us to install a whole new elecrtical panel and box. Part of what he did worked because when we used the microwave it no longer blew a circuit, but gues what? The dryer still does not work. We stood at the laundrymat for three hours late Saturday night doing laundry and I whined that I wished I could do laundry at home. . . Dh was not amused.
Finally, the husband of the woman who keeps Jordan for us said that his church has a great electrician named Tony, who is licensed and bonded and does excellent work. Dh gave Tony a call and he came over and inspected homey's work. Tony announced that had he not taken a look inside the panel and discovered the shoddy work that homey did, our house may have burned to the ground from an electrical fire. He said that homey (not his real name, of course) did shoddy work--as if he was a beginning apprentice. He recommended that we call homey and get our money back. Tony graciously fixed the problem and cleaned up homey's sloppy work. Dh was now fuming because homey had also done some work on his mother's electricity as well. Toney went and looked at MIL's panel and found the same sloppy, hazardous work.
Since I work for the city government, I found the number for the agency that licenses electricians and I found out how to file a complaint and how to make sure that homey does not continue to go around taking people's money and leaving their homes in a hazardous condition. It turns out that had he indeed been a licensed electrician, he would have applied for the proper permit to re-wire the electrical panel, and the work would have been inspected by the licensing agency. Expensive lesson learned.
Christmas Shopping
Last night Dh and I did our first Christmas shopping of the season. He and I have such opposite shopping styles. He shops like a woman and I shop like a man. He enjoys making a day of it walking all through the mall, looking in windows, trying things on, trying out new gadgets and messing around. He can spend a whole day at the mall just looking. I, on the other hand, make a list at home, doing research if necessary, and then go to the right store, buy what's on my list and get home. Consequently, he and I don't go shopping together very often. Last night you should have seen us in Walmart. We were in the toy section and he was trying out the electronic toys and playing with the sports equipment while I had my list and was carefully perusing the aisles to find what I needed. At one point I did sneak away to the yarn aisle to get some Homespun to make another prayer Shawl. We got what we needed, and the store really was not that much more crowded than usual.
Christmas Knitting Completed
Since my vow to only knit things I want to knit, I only had two Christmas gift knitting projects to complete. I made a lovely red poncho for Jordan's babysitter, who has become quite dear to our family, and a pair of gloves for one of my friends who took up knitting this year. The other night I fund myslef without a project to work on, so I went digging through my stash and found some yarn to make some baby hats that I will donate to charity. From now until December 31, I will work on charity items and prayer shawl that I started when we got home from shopping last night. It does not yet have an intended recipient, but I felt moved to start it. I am already praying over it for the one who shall receive it. On January 1 I will start a new knitting project.
December 16, 2004 10:18:13 AM
Last night we had yet another successful Knitting Group meeting. I am the organizer for the Washington, DC Knitting Meetup Group. We met at Teaism in Penn Quarter, and I arrived a few minutes late to find three people already there. A young man visited our group to share samples of yarn that his family's sheep farm produces. It was lovely wool, and I plan to order some of his yarn. As the evening wore on, more people showed up until we had about nine knitters in attendance. We all had a great time sharing our projects and talking about our holiday plans. I was working on some miniature sweaters that will be used for Christmas tree ornaments. They are so adorable and I'm aving a ball making them.
December 13, 2004 4:32:07 PM
I am so ashamed of myself. On Saturday morning when I had to hobble back to the water stop in pain after only having run four miles of the ten that I had planned to, I sobbed like a baby. I just burst into tears because I am so tired of thid damn IT band and the trouble its been giving me. I have rested it, I stretch all of the time, I got a massage and I run in a knee brace. I even got orthotics for my shoes, yet I am still in pain. One of the girls on my team has the same complaint, but she got a cortisone injection in her knee, which she said takes away the inflammation and allows her to run without pain. I'm just not willing to risk the side effects of cortisone injections, so I'll let mine heal the good old fashioned way. I was advised by my coaches to not try to do any more distance running until it heals completely. I should continue my cardio workouts, and I am going to try pool running as an alternative. I am determined to finish this race, but I also don't want to injure my body to do it. So, I'm taking another hiatus from running.
Our fundraising Winetasting party was so much fun, but we received so many donations of wine, that we are planning to hold another winetasting event in January. It was so much fun to plan and execute a successful event. We had a great team and we worked well together. The bake sale was also a success. I got raves for my cookies (peanutbutter chocolate chip was a popular flavor) and the chocolate cake was also a hit. Each time I do lots of baking like this I think I want to start a bekery, but then I think I'd rather keep it as a hobby and enjoy it rather than turn it into work.
OK, I know I'm a total geek, but I have to share my happy dance of joy 'cause I sold my first ebay item! I made a beautiful rasberry, purple, & multi jewel-toned shawl and I put it on ebay to help raise money for my Marathon and it sold on Saturday! I only listed it on Thursday, and I hadn't even gotten the photo up yet. Hoping for a smooth transaction and I'm ready to put another item up. Watch me now!
December 7, 2004 3:27:29 PM
On Sunday morning I ran eight almost pain-free miles! I have to give big ups to my Team In Training coaches for their dedication. I was unable to make it to Saturday's training run, so the fabulous Coach Alex, came out with another team member and myself to run with us on Sunday morning. I walked around with a broad grin for the rest of the day. My IT band is not completely healed because I did feel some twinges towards the end, but I feel a marked improvement. I wore my old shoes and a soft brace for my knee, which I believe is what saved me. I really feel good and I'm excited to be back in the game.
Right now in my refrigerator you will find six batches of cookie dough. Mmmmmmm! I am preparing for a bake sale this weekend to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. There is a batch of peanut butter chocolate chip, Cranberry, pecan chocolate chip oatmeal, chocolate chip, white chocolate chip pecan, and maple pecan scones. This is, of course, driving my girls absolutely crazy that I am whipping up all of these batches of cookies that they will not be eating. As a good mommy, I will be making more holiday cookies for their enjoyment next week.
Another fundraising project that I am involved with is planning a wine tasting event for this weekend. I was tickled to see in the fabulous new knitty, a pattern for a wine bottle cozy. I have already started one, and I'm planning to do another to raffle off at the event.
I am enjoying the new knitty, and I have my eye on wavy and Mariah. I'm thinking that dd #1, who is 15, might like that since she has more hoodies than a mommy can count. Since I'm always working on one kind of scarf or another, wavy looks funky and completely out of the ordinary--so I must make one.
Odd that I don't feel a scrap of guilt for not yet having purchased a single Christmas gift. . . What has become of me?
December 3, 2004 3:38:07 PM
This has been a busy week. I am working with some members of my Marathon team to plan a winetasting party as a fundraiser. I am also planning a bake sale and I hope to do something with my lys, since my knitting fundraising event sort of fell through.
For some od reason, I'm feeling pretty ambivalent about Christmas this year. I just can't get into the whole "holiday spirit" thing again. I'm not in a "bah hubug" mood, rather I feel like it's all a big distraction. So many people get depressed around this time of year because their lives don't seem to measure up to the hype of the warm family celebration that is sold to us by the media. Don't get me worn. I love my family dearly, but I'm just finding it challenging to be of good cheer this year. My grandmother is in pretty poor health right now, and my grandfather is beginning to show signs of dementia. For heaven's sake ther's a war on, and someone's sons and brothers and husbands and fathers not tomention all of the women who are serving in the military now--they are over there killing and dying to liberate a country that couldn't give a rat's *ss for this country or the ideals that we stand for. So, I guess that reality is creeping up on me and I'm just not feeling it this year.
I am looking forward to my race in January. I have come to terms with my decision to do the half Marathon. I met with a sports doctor last week, who recommended that I see a podiatrist and get fitted for orthotics for my shoes because my feet are pretty flat. I will be running in my old shoes until I can get new ones with the proper support. The thing about this IT band injury is that it only hurts when I'm running, so I can't tell if it's better until I get out on the trail and run on it again. I'm going to do eight miles on my long run this weekend and see how it feels. The half Marathon is totally doable for me at this point. My plan is to train again this Spring and find a local Marathon that I can run this summer or fall.
Right now I'm reading Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets. I read it a few years ago, and when I was unpacking books a few days ago I saw it and decided to read it again. What an amazing book. It is inspiring me all over again. If you are a prayer warrier, as I believe we alls hould be, this is a must read. It is refreshing my spirit.
On the Knitting Front. .
I finished the 'shape-it' scarf that I was working on. Daryll drove the girls and me to brooklyn last Friday to visit an old friend from Oregon who eas visitng NYC for Thanksgiving. I gave her the scarf before I had a chance to take a picture of it. I also finished the gloves from Winter IK, and they came out fabulously, dahling. I did, as I am in the habit of doing, tweak the pattern just a teensy bit. Because my row gauge was slightly less that the designer's, I had to add about six rows at the top of the hand before I started on the fingers. I also did a picot edge hem on the lower edge and I did tassels rather than pom-poms. These I will take a picture of once they have been blocked properly. I feel such a sense of freedom after my declaration of no pressure gift knitting. Therefore, here it is early December and I'm not rushing to finish anything in particular. Oh happy me!
November 24, 2004 1:58:33 PM
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm at work today, but half of the Council staff is off today so it's very quiet around here.
This morning I had an appointment with a sports Dr. to look at my leg. He agreed that the pain and weakness I have been experienceing is probably from IT Band friction and that I need to rest and let it heal. He said that I should get a deep tissue massage and go back to my old sneakers. He also recommended that I get a referral to a podiatrist so that I can get fitted for custom orthotics because my feet are almost completely flat. Since I developed the injury after I switched to the fancy, expensive running shoes, he thinks its worth trying the old shoes and see if they provide the stability that I need. So I'm resting once again and I'll try to run again on Sunday afternoon and see how it feels.
I'm glad that we are not doing the major part of the Thanksgiving meal this year. My SIL is going to cook and bring the food to our house, so this should be interesting. I am making my pecan pie and a sweet potatoe pie and my vegetarian stuffing, so I'll be able to relax for the most part this year.
I am so grateful for my family and my new extended family and friends. While I complain about my little running injury, I'm thankful that I can still walk. I pray that everyone has a safe, happy, drama-free Thanksgiving, and that we would all keep in mind that it's not about the food--it's about being together with the ones we love.
My dear friend Claire from Alaska sent this to me this morning, so I had to share.
November 17, 2004 11:52:04 PM
Our baby is still not sleeping well, so her parents walk around bleary-eyed and cranky. I am so sleepy right now I feel that if I laid my head down I would sleep for three hours. Yet I struggle on to try and make it through the day. I'm supposed to go to the gym today, but I feel so sluggish, I don't know if I could make it through my workout. I'll stop whining now because I know that my life could be worse.
My massage therapist had to cancel because he was called out of town. I'm a bit nervous about running this weekend, but I've got to get back on track. I am really yearning to get back out on the trail and stretch my legs. I'm signing up for a Thanksgiving Day 2.5 mile fun run in Bethesda. Since my SIL is cooking this year, I can kick back and not be working my buns off all day. I will be making a few pies and my special vegetarian stuffing, but that's it. I am determined to not feel homesick this year, but I miss my family sooooo much. Holidays are about being with family, and while I love my husband's family, I'd really like to be able to be home. We may drive up to New York for the day after Thanksgiving to visit an old friend from Oregon. I have not seen her in about seven years. She's never met Leila, or Jordan or my dh. Her health has not been that great recently, so I'm hoping that this little trip works out.
On the Knitting front, I have found myself relying more and more on my knitting as a stress reducer. This move has really torpedoed me out of my old familiar patterns and I'm trying to get settled back in to a new normal routine. I finished a diagonal knit scarf for the 1,000 Scarves for a local organization called, "Food and Friends." I've started on the cable gloves, and I am almost finished with the Sideways Spencer from the winter issue of Interweave Knits. I am halfway through a poncho for Jordan's babysitter, and a 'Shape-it' shawl from The Knit Stitch. I was reading Cindy's Knitting Park blog yesterday when I came across this little gem:
"How the hell did it get to be mid-November??? Good thing I don't make Christmas gifts any more, or I would be in panic mode. Instead, I'm working on the things I want to be working on. . ."
I had an epiphany moment. Why do I stress myself out each year trying to get all of these gifts made in time for Christmas?? Knitting is something I enjoy and I do it for relaxation, meditation and creative expression. Around this time of year it becomes work--frantic work. I believe that it's time to give myself permission to let that go! From this moment foreward I will make only what I want to make and I will finish it wheneverI please. Amen
November 12, 2004 5:13:29 PM
We had an enjoyable Veteran's Day off, yesterday. We hugged and kissed and thanked our favorite veteran--my own dh--for making us a fabulous pancake and omlette breakfast. We did a little bit more unpacking and organizing and went to Ikea to buy a cabinet for more kitchen storage, but we ended up finding what we needed at Loewe's.
I'm always very thankful for paid days off because I remember not that long ago when I got paid by the hour and I did not get paid vacation and worked most holidays.
I have created a fun little fundraiser for my Marathon for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Take a look. I'm hoping that some of my fellow bloggers might feel moved to give a little and help me to reach my goal. Love, Giving, generosity and Kindness are things that when you give them away you always end up with more coming back to you.
Taking this week off from running is driving me totally insane. I didn't think I loved running that much. I mean I don't hate it, but it's hard, sweaty work. Every day this week my legs have been itching to run. I work in a government building with looooong, empty hallways. I was walking down one of those hallways early this morning and I felt the overwhelming urge to run its length. I did not do it, mostly for fear of embarassment if someone caught me, but I really had to stifle the urge. I'm addicted to running.
November 8, 2004 10:01:43 AM
Happy Birthday, Jordan!
Today is my baby girl's second birthday! We had a small family party last night at home. I cleared away some of the boxes to make room for company and we had a nice dinner and birthday cake. Jordan was thrilled and could not quite get over the seemingly unending flow of gifts. I thnk her favorite gift was the potty chair that makes music when the child does her business. Jordan was earger to test it out and it does work.
After Jordan opened her presents, we watched Shrek 2. We're unabashed Shrek fans in our household, so the girls got to stay up late and watch it. We had a great time.
I pulled up lame again after only six miles on my long training run on Saturday. I stretched out my legs there on the side of the trail, and then when I got home I iced it twice and stretched it out and tried to keep it elevated. I plan to go to the gym today and stretch it again and make an appointment for a deep-tissue massage. I will skip my long run next week and try to let it heal. I still want to be able to finish my race, so I need to handle this problem now. Today I have it wrapped up in an Ace bandage, and I'm going to try to find a knee brace with magnets in it and see if that will help me to be able to run withou straining that muscle. I am determined not to let this be a setback.
November 2, 2004 4:28:36 PM
Go Vote!
Moving is HELL! I try to be a very organized person. I lay my clothes and my children's clothes out the evening before so that our mornings are not so chaotic. I *always* put my keys in the same spot so that they don't get lost. Order helps me to maintain what miniscule semblence of sanity I have left in this life. So, you can probably understand that moving causes me a little bit of stress. Murphy had his hand all over this move and so I keep praying that God would continue to be my strength and help me to get through this without my lashing out at anyone in my frustration. Today I have on mis-matched socks because I can't find anything. My husband got two of his friends to help us move and they were in a hurry to get finished. It was hot and they were tired, so rather than keeping the things taken from each room together, them just grabbed boxes from here and there and then just piled them all up in the basement. I just want to cry.
Jordan is not happy about moving. either. In the evening she says "I want to go back home now. I want to sleep in my bed." My poor toddler is stressing 'cause her world has been changed right out from under her. We keep telling her that this is her home now, and soon she'll adjust, but for now she is whiney and upset and not happy with life. I hope that her birthday party this weekend will cheer her up a bit
On my long training run on Saturday morning, I learned where my iliotibial band is, and why it's not a good idea to stress it out. By about mile 7 1/2, I kept getting this nagging feeling in my left leg around the outside of my knee. It was a dull ache, but a new ache that I have never experienced. I tried to slough it off and press on, but soon it became unbearable and I had to stop. I caught my breath and stretched for a minute. I felt a tangible release and I breathed a sigh of relief. I got back on the trail and was going to run on and finish out my twelve miles when me knee almost buckled out from under me. I walked (limped was more like it)the remaining 1/2 mile back to the water stop and iced it down. The trainers said it sounded like an IT band friction problem. I was supposed to go home and ice it and elevate it, but we were in the middle of moving, so that was not an option. When I got home I soon discovered that I had to rest my leg because I was in too much pain. Each day It's feeling better, but I'm not sure when it's safe for me to run on it again. I am determined to not let this thwart my progress, but I don't want to aggravate it and not allow it to properly heal.
October 27, 2004 10:09:47 AM
I haven't been posting much because we are packing to move, which is always traumatic for me. I have moved so much in my life and I really just want to find a place where I can settle down for a good long time. We are buying the house we're moving in to, which is also traumatic because its our first major purchase as a couple and neither of us has ever owned a home before. I am thrilled on the one hand, but also mindful that this is a big obligation. I know that a house is just another thing and that I need not worry because my trust is in God. It's just that I am such a control freak--OK, I have been in the past and I am trying to let that go-- When there are so many big issues that are beyond my control I tend to get a ltttle bit freaked out. This is a good opportunity for me to trust and obey.
Last night in the midst of the chaos of the evening, dh retreated to the living room and pulled out a knitting project that he started when he was out of town last week. Jordan ran over to him and grabbed his knitting from his hands and said, "No Daddy, that's mommy's toy!" We both got a good laugh out of that.
On the weekend I received a package form my Secret Pal! It arrived when I was not feeling well, and Jordan was running a bit of a fever. I was home in bed when my legs were screaming to be out running on the trail. I ripped open the box and found a luscious hank of red Merino lace wight wool, a pattern for a lace shawl, a lovely citrus scented candle and soap and a pattern book of hats and accessories.
The book was actually right on time because I have wanted to make a beret for Jordan, but I had been unable to find a toddler size pattern. Again, as lame as this sounds, I am still dealing with computer/camera software issues, so pcitures will come later. For the benefit of my Secret Pal, (hugs!) I will be posting a picture of my shawl-in-progress. I have worked a good 3" so far, but it's a gossamer lace pattern done on size four needles, so the going will be slow. I am trying to be very careful in follwing the charts because this is not something that you want to be ripping back due to the delicate lace weight yarn. I'm tickled because this is the kind of project that I have sort of secretly lusted after, but might not have purchased for myself.
I mailed off my package to my own Secret Pal the week before last. I hope that she has received it. When I was talking to my old college room-mate and we were bothe freaking out that we were now indeed mothers of high-school aged girls, she mentioned that her daughter is a knitting enthusiast. She said that her daughter brings a knitting project with her wherever she goes and that she has unfinished knitting projects all over her bedroom. Hmmmmm. Sounded kind of familiar. I gathered together a bunch of yarn from my stash and a book that I think she'll enjoy and I'm sending that along to her. I want to encourage her knitting passion especially because I really wish that my daughter would love to knit as much as I do. Alas, my eldest won't even try it, and my six-year-old lacks the attention span to knit longer that 20 minutes at a time, so the scarf she started this summer is still only about six inches long. A mommy can dream.
October 19, 2004 9:26:03 AM
Saturday's training run was challening. We ran ten miles on the Mount Vernon trail, which is a hilly, windy trail. On the plus side, it runs along the Potomac, so the views were breathtaking. I need to whip up a pair of micro fiber gloves 'cause my hands were chilly in the morning air. I am so proud of my 12.5 minute pace. It's so cool to see how I am progressing and how my body is getting better at running. I don't get so winded now, and for goodness sakes, I ran ten miles!
When I got home I had to soak in an ice bath (not fun) because my calves were so sore from the hils. I have grown some new muscles and my legs are getting quite firm now.
Donations keep coming in and I am so thankful. When dh returns we are planning a party to raise some more cash. I'm getting excited. This is a big goal and I am working hard towards achieving it.
I have wanted to knit up a pumkin hat for miss Jordan, but Ihave not been able to find any orange Cotton Fleece, so last night I dyed up some LB Fisherman's wool in Orange and a bit in green so that I can make my girl a hat. When I get the digi-cam issues worked out there will be a picture.
October 12, 2004 5:04:27 PM
I had a much better long training run this weekend. I 'hit my stride' around mile 4 1/2 and I felt strong and steady. But soon after I had been running over an hour and a half, I started feeling hungry. I had brought along an energy bar that I had cut up into small pieces to nibble on in case I needed to, so I took a few bites and drank some water, but then I started to feel terrible cramps in my stomach about 15 minutes later. I tried to run anyway and shake it off, but I began to feel a bit woozy, so I ended up walking the last half mile. All-in-all, other than the stomach troubles at the end, this was a good training run. I have got to figure out a way to get my miles in during the week because it really shows in my diminished endurance on my long runs when I don't do my mid-week miles.
Leila was a beautiful flower girl in our friend's wedding on Saturday. The bride and groom are both from Nigeria, and the bride danced down the aisle to some traditional Nigerian music. She is part of the liturgical dance ministry at our church, so there was a dance performance which was breathtaking. Leila did a great job as a flower girl. I could tell at times that she was getting tired fo standing still up there at the altar, but she was a trooper. The reception was wonderful. Almost all of the guests wore traditional Nigerian clothing, and they played a mix of African music and American music. The girls danced and had a great time. It's funny but now that I am married, attending weddings has such a higher importance for me. I saw the glow of love on their faces and remembered my wedding day, which was so wonderful and sacred. I prayed for them and I will keep them in prayer because being married is not an easy thing. I feel so fortunate to be married to a man who loves the Lord. It is a treasure beyond anything I could imagine. These two people are also Christians, so they have a great head start in life. I am just a sap, and I love a good love story. I pray that these two are as happy as they are right now for the rest of their lives.
October 5, 2004 11:50:29 AM
My run on Saturday was a dog. It was my worst training session yet. I can't blame it on the weather because it was just fine. I felt sluggish and tired and I pretty much dragged my butt for the entire seven miles. When we got back to the parking lot where our team meets up, we all compared notes on our runs and a few other people felt like this wasn't their best day either. Next week will be better because I certainly hope it's not worse! Despite my disappointment with my pace and performance, I am still proud that I completed seven miles. Donations are also slowly rolling in and I am grateful for that.
On Sunday I went on a little adventure. I went with two friends to the NYC Knit-Out in Union Square in New York. We caught the bus at 7:30 am and arrived a little bit after noon. We had a bit of trouble navigating the NYC subway system, but we ran into a woman who was heading to the knit-out and she assured us that we were heading in the right direction. The Knit-out was a mob-scene. The sun was bright and there was a brisk fall breeze blowing. People were lined up all the way around the teaching tent, and there were crowds of people at each booth clamoring for whatever was being distributed. We were fortunate enough to find good seats at the fashion show and we watched the doggie fashion show, the industry show, and then we lined up and got on stage for the show and share fashion show. I modeled my red poncho and the modular Sonata gloves I made with a pattern from HeartlandKnits, from a jewel-tone Koigu colorway.
We had a great time and I'm glad I went, however, I much prefer our D.C. Knit-Out because of it's smaller, more welcoming and relaxed feeling. The organizers of the NYC Knit-Out are to be congratulated because it was a huge success and just a wonderful event that really highlighted the passion and creativity that knitters and crocheters have for their craft.
After my first exposure to New York City, I have a greater appreciation for Washington, DC. I could never live in New York. We were there on a Sunday afternoon, and even then it was a hustling, bustling, crowded, smelly place. I felt a little edgy as we walked through the cavernous streets. As much as I dislike D.C., I'll take it any day over the craziness of New York City.
October 1, 2004 11:37:04 AM
Happy October!
Autumn is my favorite season. Today I felt that little chilly nip in the air as I headed for the train.
I feel great today because I did four miles last night at the gym. Galloway's run/walk method is really saving me. At my age, or should I say at my current fitness level, I don't think that I could run the entire thing without stopping. I'm up to a 5:1 run/walk ratio and that is working well for me. On my long training runs, I have been averaging 13-14 minute miles. Tomorrow I will be running seven miles, and I think the trail we're running on will have some hills, which I need because Bermuda is a hilly course. Last night at a party at work, I met a woman who works in my building who is training to run the Aids 1/2 Marathon in New Orleans. She and I are going to run together on the mall after work.
Wednesday I had an odd experience with feeling the tangible expression of the Providence of God in my life. We were in the midst of a brief torrential downpour that was spun off from the remnant of hurricane Jeanne, so my husband came and picked me up from the train station so that I would not get soaked walking home. We pulled up to the house and got the girls out of the car and we ran giggling through the rain up the stairs into to the house. As the screen door closed behind the rest of my family and I was still on the porch, I heard a loud crack and the a whooooosh! sound as the tree across the street from our home fell across the street and crushed the car that was parked directly behind ours. That car was crushed under the tree and our car was gently brushed by a few branches. I called to my dh and told him to come outside and look. He could not believe what he saw. I called and reported the downed tree and then we sat on the porch and watched as the fire truck arrived and put up the yellow tape to close off the street. As I stood and watched what was going on, I could not help noticing that we had just parked our car about thirty seconds before the tree fell. Here we were safe and unharmed and just a breath away from a catastrophe. I whispered a prayer of thanksgiving as my dh said, "we are truly blessed and protected." Amen
Last night I received another donation from a neighbor for my marathon. I'm really getting excited about reacing my goal both physically and financially. At the party I also heard about the Paris half Marathon in the spring. Hmmmmm. . .
September 24, 2004 4:10:36 PM
Are you horrified, as I have been, about what is going on in the Sudan? Have you been feeling helpless, like there is nothing that you can do to have an impact on the genocide that is taking place there while the world stands idly by and watches. Net Aid, a non-profit netwrok of people and organizations who are fighting to end extreme poverty on a global scale, has three ways in which you can stand up and be counted in an effort to end the slaughter in the sudan.
September 23, 2004 9:32:02 AM
Do you ever wonder what your unique spiritual gifts are? This morning while I was reading a devotional at gospelcom.com, I followed a link to a free spiritual gifts analysis. It takes about 15 minutes of your time, and you get a free assessment of your spiritual gifts, and how you can best use these gifts to fulfill your purpose and build up God's kingdom here on earth. Take a look.
September 22, 2004 1:05:47 PM
The Knit-out on the mall was fabulous. All week the forecast had called for torrential rains spun off from hurricane Ivan, but the day was bright, sunny and breezy. It was a little bit cool, so I wore the peacock blue poncho that I had knit for Brianna. I got so many compliments on that poncho. This year I made sure that I'd have time to sit in the tent and watch some of the events. Debra called me up on the stage during the show and share fashion show to model my poncho. Then I sat and watched the 'From Local Hands' fashion show, which was wonderful. The stories that went along with each garment were just as wonderful as the pieces themselves. Knitters are, for the most part, warm and friendly people, so I met lots of smiling faces and enjoyed the positive energy buzzing around the entire event.
I taught knitting for a while and then I did knit doctor and then I worked the information booth and handed out booklets. While I sat at the booth I worked on my koigu gloves and so many people were asking about the pattern. Today I ordered the diamond modular knit sock pattern and I'll make a pair from the rest of the koigu that I bought at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival in May.
After the Knit-out, the girls from Knitting in the City and Wallace all got together for dinner as we did last year. We ate Chinese food that was not that good, but we had a great time hanging out and talking about life with a bit of knitting sprinkled in there.
On Monday at the gym I ran 4 1/2 miles on the treadmill and I felt really good about my stamina. I could have gone longer, but I needed to get home to the girls. I'll just do three miles today at lunch and then five again tomorrow evening and then I'll rest Friday because we will be running six miles on the trail on Saturday morning.
I purchased a button-making kit online, which should arrive today or tomorrow. I'm going to design a few different styles of buttons to sell to raise money for my race. I've not raised much money so far, and I'm surprised at the lack of response from family and friends.
Last night we attended 'Back-to-School night at her school, which was thoroughly exhausting, but informative. I really regret not having more time to spend with her and her class. She has a very eager, shiny, new teacher in her second year who is full of enthusiasm and ideas. Leila loves her and she's having a good time. Her reading skills are exploding right now, and I am so impressed. Poor Brianna, my tenth grader, is beginning to feel the strain of a much more academically challenging program this year. She has to go to school early for this first semester to take a Latin class that she did not take last year at her old school. She has so much homework that she stays up 'til ten working on it, and then she has to get up early and get out of the house in the mornings. No more slacking off and sleeping late. She has had to learn to be more organized and disciplined. She is keeping up and she is enjoying what she is doing. My little smart-mouthed, almost two-year-old makes me laugh everyday. She is in the middle of potty training and she does not want to wear the diaper anymore, but she still has trouble saying the she has to go potty--until just after she has already done it in her diaper. So, when I try to put a diaper on her she says "No! I don't want it!" This morning I had to force the issue and put the diaper on her as she fussed at me. When I was done she pouted and said, "I'm going to tell Daddy."
September 15, 2004 11:39:01 PM
Everyone who has an email address probably gets spammed from friends with these forwarded messages filled with hoaxes and other nonsense. I received this one this morning that I thougt was absolutely beautiful in its clarity and simplicity in communicating the simple truth that God is always near. He is closer than our next breath. It is up to us to reach out to Him, and He has promised to never leave us not forsake us. But, as the Bible says, We do not have because we do not ask.
Does God Exist- BEAUTIFUL ANALOGY!
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.
As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects.
When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."
"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.
"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving a God who would allow all of these things."
The customer said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist."
"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I'm working on you!"
"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."
"Ah, but barbers DO exist! " answered the barber. " What happens, is, people do not come to me."
"Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."
September 13, 2004 4:12:33 PM
I ran seven miles this weekend and I feel wonderful about it. On Saturday morning we ran on the Capital Crescent Trail and I did four miles. I definitely felt better this week than last week. My breathing is getting better and my stamina is noticably improving. Since we only add one mile per week to the long runs, we push our endurance a little bit further incrementally until we reach 26 miles, which we will actually run about three weeks before the real Marathon so that we can feel confident about finishing strong. I am so incredibly excited about my training progress. Now I need to focus in on raising some money. I need to plan a big event that does not require a huge investment, but will allow me to gather donations. I'm brainstorming that one this week.
Jordan is really keeping us going with her expanding speech. She repeats almost everything she hears, and we are constantly amazed and what she says. She's a very smart little person who is very focused on language acquisition right now. Her fluency is incredible.
On Sunday afternoon I sat in on our booth at the Takoma Park Folk Festival. The DC Knitting in the City group had a booth where we were publicising the groups and teaching knitting, talking up the knit-out next weekend, crochet and spinning. We had a tent this year, and we were on the shady side of the school, so no sun stroke!
September 10, 2004 12:06:24 PM
On Wednesday I bought Jeff Galloway's book, "Marathon: You can do it!" It's written for first time Marathoners and for experienced runners who'd like to improve their Marathon times, but also finish the race without feeling like they want to die. My TNT group is following his method, and I really feel confident in my improving skills and stamina. It really is about 80% mental. You must believe that you can do it and then just never, ever give up and you will accomplish it. Yesterday I did two miles on the treadmill and tomorrow I will run four miles with my team on the trail. Brianna is on the cross-country track team in High School. Last night she told me that her fist race will be 3.5 miles. I told her to come and train with me, that I ran four miles last weekend. She said, "four miles is just too long, mommy!" I'm going to get her to run with me on Saturday just to prove to herself that she really can do it.
I joined the poncho-along group because that seems to be all that's on my needles these days. Last weekend I purchased the yarn to make a poncho for Jordan's sitter for Christmas. I also bought some to make another, smaller poncho for Leila since the first one I made for her seems to be a little bit too big for her. Riding on the Metro on my way to attend Brianna's back-to-school night last night, I was able to finish yet another baby hat. I am working up a bunch of these adorable little hats to donate to charity at the knit-out coming up on the 19th on the National Mall. We just found out that our neighbors across the street had a baby boy on Tuesday, so I'm going to give one of the hats to them for the new baby.
September 7, 2004 5:01:33 PM
My FIL's home-going service was absolutely beautiful. I think he would have been proud had he seen the tremendous outpouring of people. The sanctuary, which holds about 1,000 people, was almost completely full. He was a lovely man and I don't know what we will do without his peaceful presence.
Last week I ran 12 miles and my goal this week is 14 miles. Each time I run I can feel my capacity increasing and that feels really good. When I first started running I could not go for more than about 5 minutes before I'd get completely winded and have to stop. I'm not training for speed, but I am trying to be as efficient as I can. Right now my mile is around 13.5 minutes. My goal is to get down to a 10 minute mile. I don't know for how many miles I can sustain that pace, so I'm just taking it as it comes. I am just feeling blessed to have the health and stamina to be able to run. I feel so exhilirated after I complete my big weekend runs.
I got my fundraising web site all set up now. I mailed my letters asking for family and friends to sponsor me, and I am working on some kind of event to raise some more money. I feel pretty confident that I'll reach my $5,000 goal. It's a compelling cause--funding research to cure blood cancers, and there are so many people whose lives have been touched by cancer. I'm just happy to be able to provide people with the opportunity to give and support a great organization that is literally saving and extending people's lives.
On the Knitting front I finished the wedding shawl, and I finished the acapella mini-poncho that I was working on for myself. I used a dusty-rose Woolspun from LB and it looks really rustic. I crocheted the fringe, which looks pretty funky. Pictures are coming soon.
I was selected to be the organizer for the Washington DC Knitting Meetup Group. It doesn't seem like the turnout's been that great, so I'm going to see about merging this group with the already existing DC Knitters group.
August 30, 2004 5:10:21 PM
Happy Birthday, Pappa!
Sad News
My FIL finally went home to be with Jesus. He was a wonderful, sweet man who raised some loving and generous children. Everyone loved him, and he will be missed. This weekend there has just been a steady stream of well wishers coming by the house bringing food and hugs and expressions of sympathy. My MIL has been a pillar of strength and she totaly inspires me with how well she is holding up. My DH is doing as well as can be expected.
The service will be later this week. This will be our fifth funeral this year.
On Friday we went to the doctor's office and had Leila's cast removed. She is so thrilled to have it off. Her little arm still ahs a slight bend where it should be straight. The Dr. said that it will straighten out over the next two years. You can clearly see the mending progress of the bone in the new ex-ray. She is glad that she doesn't have to wear a cast on the first day of school.
On Saturday morning I went for my first long training run with Team in Traning. We (the beginners) were supposed to do three miles, but when we got back we discovered that we had actualy done four miles. I felt so proud of myself. I really felt good and strong after the race was over. As a special surprise for finishing our first run, our coaches gave everyone yellow 'Lifestrong' bracelets from Lance Armstrong's foundation. Nike is one of the main TNT sponsors and they donated $1million to Lance's foundation, so they are giving away the yellow bracelets to TNT participants because we are supporting cancer survivors by our efforts. I'm wearing mine proudly to remind me of what I'm doing this for.
While I was hanging out with visiting relatives over the weeken, I was able to finish Jordan's poncho. I also came very close to finishing the wedding prayer shawl that I am working on. When my sister-in-law saw Jordan's poncho-in-progress, she requested one, too, and then my niece overheard the conversation and she wants one too. I guess I'm already staring on my Christmas list.
August 25, 2004 5:04:33 PM
Just a reminder that it's four months 'til Christmas!
I found the link to this fabulous, sistah-flava, soon-to-be-released craft magazine called Black Purlon Nik's knitting blog. Looks promising. I signed up for the newsletter and I'm thinking I might submit an article or two. Take a look.
August 23, 2004 12:54:09 PM
I've had a bit of a life-changing weekend. I joined Team in Training on Saturday, and I will be running in the Bermuda Marathon on January 16, 2005. Of all of the people on the Bermuda team, only one--our team captain, has run a marathon before, and none of us are long distance runners, so we are all on an even par when training begins. As I have mentioned many times before on this blog, my grandmother died of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma--one of the diseases that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is raising money to find a cure for, so I'm running both in her honor, and to honor the lives of those who are living with and winning the battle with Leukemia and other blood cancers. I'm not sure which is more daunting, the thought of running 26.2 miles or raising the $3800. I have set up a web site to collect pledges, and I am working on writing fundraising letters to be sent to my family and friends. I started working on a shawl that I plan to auction off on ebay to raise money for my run as well. Have I already said I'm excited about this?
Official group training begins next Saturday, but ths week I'll just be training on my own. Yesterday, I woke up and did a three mile run and it felt sooo good. Later on that day, I met a neighbor who is a bicyclist/runner. He has completed a marathon, but he said he'd never do another one. He is a very competitive, athletic type, and he said that he'd rather run in shorter races where he could win. He said that there is so much training and preparation involoved for a marathon, and then if race day conditions are unfavorable (he used the women's Olympic marathon today as an example) then you could end up having a miserable time.
I understood where he was coming from, but I told him that I was participating to finish not for speed or to break any records. I told him about TNT and how we were running to raise money for Leukemia and other blood cancers and that I would be part of a team. I don't think he was trying to discourage me, but I can understand that if your mindset is on speed and winning, then the Marathon is not what you want to take on. Our trainers said, and I've heard this from others as well that a marathon is about 80% mental. You'll be able to do it only if you believe you can do it. So, this is a big challenge that I am taking on, and it will take a lot of time and energy, but in the end I know that it will have been worth it, and that I will be stronger for the experience. We are following pretty closely to the home::about me :: musings :: archives::contact ::
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