Goals Update- Week 8

1. Thin for Thirty- There's going to be a relaunch of this goal tomorrow for Lent. I'm a heathen but 6 weeks sounds like a decent amount of time to challenge myself to lose 15 pounds. The NYC trip and the new job has gotten me off track. And I need a good goal to get me back on track. That being said, I'm still down an official 4 pounds. So all has not been lost.

2. Get into grad school- CHECK!!!! A lot of people have asked what I'll be going to grad school for. I'll share all the details once I've made a decision as to where to go. While I don't think anyone from work reads this, I want to hold off a little with the details. Maybe that sounds silly. But I just took a promotion and I'm feeling guilty already about potentially resigning so soon after that. But it really will be financially and spiritually rewarding. You might be able to guess...

3. With the developments of #2, saving money has become much more important. It makes me nervous that I'm not financially ready for this change. Fortunately, it'll only be a year without work. But it's still really scary. Tuition will be steep and we live in an expensive place. I'll try not to focus on the scary part and look to the fun, rewarding part. But it's hard. I'm a Virgo and we're a little anal that way.

4. Yarn Diet- I haven't been buying yarn. I've been tempted.... Yarn Pirate has some very pretty new colors.... And I stayed away from Stitches this weekend specifically not to be tempted.

I also haven't been knitting that much. I have 1 Moorish Lattice sock done. And I'm close to finishing my first Monkey sock. Looks like my February Socktopia goal won't make it.

Here's what I have been working on...



It's going to be a quilt for my friend Jen's baby boy. I've made the "quilt sandwich" and only the quilting and binding remain to finish up. It's based on Flock of Triangles from Denyse Schmidt Quilts. My triangles aren't perfectly pointy. And I misjudged how to cut the back so it's 4 pieces instead of 2. I don't think my faux nephew will care when he spits up all over it. I like this sewing thing. I cut all the pieces Friday night. I made the quilt top and pinned it together yesterday. Good stuff.

Hopefully you're having a good weekend. I love the Oscars. We got pizza and are checking out the show. How beautiful does Reese Witherspoon look?!?!?!?!

Happy and Scared and Thrilled and Nervous all wrapped into One

OMG- I got home today. (from my great new promotion) And I received a letter informing me I was accepted into my #2 pick of grad schools.

Holy shit. (sorry but that's how i feel)

If I accept their offer, I have to quit my job. Go into debt. Spend a year intensely studying to pass a licensing exam. And then have one of the most rewarding (financial and spiritual) and flexible careers.

I'm so scared. I've been working for 8 years and now I have to give all that up and become dependent on my husband. I know that sounds like no big deal but I was raised to be extremely independent. Brian and I still have separate money and bills. He writes me a check every month to cover his half of expenses. I hate having to ask him to go out on a limb financially for me. It's just a thing I have a hard time doing.

But I really, really want to go. It's expensive and scary and thrilling and wonderful. And I'm blessed to even be presented this opportunity. It's a really competitive program.

Deep breaths. We'll have to have a serious conversation. But I can't believe they actually said, YES...

Goals Update- Week 7

This is the lamest goals update ever. I've been traveling and working my tail off.

Needless-to-say, I haven't lost weight. I haven't bought yarn. But I haven't knit a lot either. Let's talk about this all next week.

Let me show you what I've been working on....



This is the quilt top of my first quilt. I bought the fabric from Purl a while ago. And I finally got the space, the sewing machine, and the project.



The pattern is Flock of Triangles from Denyse Schmidt Quilts. Somehow it turned out wider than long. So maybe it'll need to be turned 90 degrees.



Overall, I love how it turned out. Is it perfect? No. But I love the colors. I love the pattern. And it didn't take that long to put together. Now I just need backing, batting and binding. And it's really a prototype for a quilt I've planned for my friend Jen's little unborn boy. I'll show you that next week.

Speaking of little baby boy, what do you think of this...



Well, let me show you the whole thing...



They are the cutest little britches for my friend, Jen's son. I bought the fabric in New York at Purl Patchwork where Jen helped me pick it out. This is the first garment I've sewn. Again, is it perfect? No. But they are freakin' adorable. And my faux nephew* is going to look adorable. I'm pretty proud of these little pants. They were really easy but they look really cute. I'll definitely be making more of them.

So that's what I've been up to. I did buy yarn at Purl. But that's going to be a little sweater for said faux nephew*. And gift yarn doesn't count. I love little ones. As long as they aren't mine!

*I'm a faux Auntie because I'm not actually related to the little guy. He's the son of one of my best friends from college. But don't you worry, I'll be the best faux Auntie EVER!!!!!

Where Do I Even Start

OK- I suppose it's best to start at the beginning...

Last Thursday, I took the red eye to see my girls in NYC. One of my college roommates is pregnant and we decided to get together before the baby comes. Friday morning, Jen (the pregnant one) picked us all up from the airport and took us to lunch at Serendipity. Yes, this is the famous place from the movie of the same name. Very yummy but tiny.

Now, these are non-knitterly friends. But never-the-less, they accompanied me on the pilgrimage to Purl and Purl Patchwork. This is why the girls are my best friends. They let me drag them down to Soho in the freezing cold. I bought yarn and needles at Purl. The shop was empty and the owner could not have been nicer. But this shop is teeny tiny! If it had been crowded, I can see how it would get hard to handle. Purl Patchwork is just down the street. The ladies at the shop helped me pick out a pattern and fabric for the impending baby boy. Yup- I'm learning to sew... I think it'll be quite an adventure.

Once my yarny needs were met, we walked up to Bleeker Street for cupcakes at Magnolia. YUMMY!!!! The line wasn't long and soon we were in butter cream heaven!

We headed back to Jen's house to have wine, dinner, and great conversation.

Saturday morning we hauled our butts all over the City. Ground Zero. The Brooklyn Bridge. Grimaldi's Pizza. (Don't ask for a slice!) And the Met. What a day! Jen and her husband Andy had found a great Brazilian restaurant on the upper East Side- Zebu Grill. More drinks and yummy food.

On Sunday, the other girls headed back to Boston bright and early. So Jen and I headed down to the Macy's to buy baby clothes. All those little things are so cute! Once we'd done some credit card damage, we headed back uptown to meet my volleyball teammate, Stacey and her husband Paul, for brunch. Lots more talking and laughing and suddenly it was time for me to head to the airport! Time really does fly when you're surrounded by (some of) the people you love most in the world.

I got home late Sunday night. Unpacked, repacked, and headed out to Las Vegas on Monday. I won't bore you with all the work details. But I will wholeheartedly recommend Daniel Boulund at the Wynn if you want to go out to a fabulous meal. It's pricey. (I didn't pay.) But really worth it.

I got back from Las Vegas Wednesday night. Thursday was pretty normal but Friday we had to drive to Sacramento to open a new store. By the time I got home last night, I was exhausted. Thank goodness the post office had delivered a fabulous package from my SP!



Vogue Knitting, Runner's World, delicious candies in chocolate and cinnamon, a mix CD, recipes, and NORO!!!!!



I had to wait until this morning to get a decent picture. This is Shinano- wool and silk. I love it. Great colors. I think I'll take the Masked Chicken's advice and turn it into a hat.



This picture shows the colors a little better. I love it. Thank you, Masked Chicken!!!!

I don't have much to report on the knitting front. I've been really busy and a little distracted...



Now that I have my studio, I have other craftiness in the works. Trust me, I'm still knitting. But I'm really excited about this other project. I hope I don't mess it up too much!

Blogaversary

I'm one today!
Love me.

Sorry for the utter lack of content this week. It'll probably continue until I'm back from Las Vegas on Wednesday. But then I can show you what I've been up to and all the fun places I went in NYC this weekend with my favorite girls.

Talk to you soon.

Monday Surprise!

I arrived home this evening to find the first installment of the Sunshine Yarn Sock Club in my mailbox.



The yarn is called Sweet and it definitely is. It has a vintage vibe and bright, springy colors. Along with some cinnamon tic tacs and really thin stitch markers, this was a great intro to the club.

Goals Update- Week 5

It's been another wild week here at Chez Chicken. Between promotion news and preparing to travel, I haven't gotten as much done as I'd hoped.

1. Thin for Thirty- I held steady at down 8 pounds. With the lack of exercise and what I've been eating, this is a minor miracle. I know what I'm doing right and I know what I'm doing wrong. It's all OK. Changing habits takes time.

2. Knit from the Stash- No new yarn purchased. (except SP gifts) The Lisa Souza yarn arrived which made me feel like I'd been shopping. I turned the heel on my first Moorish Lattice Sock this weekend. It's coming out quite well. And I'm using Fleece Artist yarn in Blue Lagoon. So pretty and soft. Sheri carries a nice selection of Fleece Artist. Not that you should shop. Nope- I'm not an enabler.

3. No more junk room! YAY! I love my new office. I got my sewing machine out and my first project planned- a small quilt. It's really nice to have a place to keep my projects that's out of the way and organized. There's still a lot of little things to do. But for the most part, this goal is complete!

4. Save money- I haven't talked a lot about this goal here. But you should know I'm doing pretty well on it. I could have done better but the office needed furniture.

5. Get into grad school- I'm just waiting to hear. When I know, you'll know...

This week will be a little nuts. I'm headed to New York for my friend Jen's baby shower. All the roomies (except Erin and Kristin) are taking over their apartment for pre-baby fun. I'm really excited!

I fly home from NYC on Sunday night. Do laundry. Kiss my husband. And head out to Las Vegas Monday night for work. I'll have a total of 3 days in the office trying to learn what I'm talking about before going on a market trip. Needless to say, it'll be more of a learning trip than a buying trip. Thank goodness I'm on the same flight and in the same hotel as my new boss.

See? A little chaotic. But the good kind of chaotic.

Quick Yarn Pics

Today I received the yarn I ordered from Lisa Souza in December. It took a while but the poor woman had supplier issues! What's a one person dye house to do???? Get over there! She has lovely spinning fiber if you're into that and lots of great yarns!



Sock Merino in Delft- It's perfectly named. My Dutch grandmother would be proud!



Sock in Emerald City- Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! The depth of color is just amazing.

This yarn is so soft and lovely and yummy! I can't wait to knit it up. Too bad the project queue is so long!

I'm also going to start sewing this weekend. Soon, I won't be able to perform at my new job because my projects at home will take over my life!

Talk to you tomorrow.

Buyer

Lots of people have been asking me what I'm going to buy...

Men's Pants. I work for a regional department store in the corporate offices. I'll be in charge of all your men's pant and suit separates needs.

Not thrilling product for me. But the work will be much more interesting.

Thanks again for all your support!

Impatient

I'd usually post these pictures in my weekly goals update but I wanted to show you how productive (impatient) I've been!

Before...



After...



It really is a pretty small room. And there's still a lot of junk in here. More work for this weekend. But I definitely have a place to call my office!

And my new desk is also a great backdrop for pictures...



See???? It's my first package from my secret pal, The Masked Chicken!!!! She gave me three clues to her identity... Canadian postage, great sense of humor, and she's a talented paper artist.



I mean look what she drew on the envelope!

The package included tea bags, handmade tags to attach to gifts I knit for people, and the cutest note cards!!! Thank you so much Masked Chicken! You totally rock that your package got here on the exact day SP started. Very clever. I hope my downstream pal isn't upset that I'm not all that organized.