And so it begins...

I decided to make the Cozy wrap - third picture down from my last post. There were two primary reasons. First, the yarn that I had purchased was the right weight, so I don't have to try to figure out any adjustments my first time trying a pattern like this. Second, it has "rest rows" meaning that every other row is straight purling. I figured that would be easier my first time out with something more intricate. So far, I've only ever done stockinette stitch, garter stitch and then the baby blanket I made which had seed stitch and was the first time I had to count stitches and rows! I started last night, made an error in my second row of the pattern. I tried to find it, ended up ripping it out to the beginning. Second attempt has gone better. I'll be working on it tonight. My goal is to finish it by mid-June. You may think that's very doable - even too much time - but I have a habit of starting out great guns and then slacking. I do have an event to which I would like to wear this, so hopefully that goal will keep me on track. I've got another project I plan to spend some lunch hours working on - but I'm keeping mum about that, just in case the planned recipient pops in here. That one's easy - straight stockinette stitch for the most part.

Friday Photos - sort of

Okay - I'm cheating a little. I actually have photos to post - but I decided to do something else. I am planning to knit myself a stole/wrap. I've had trouble deciding what pattern I want - have even considered creating my own pattern. I plan to use off white yarn for the stole. The yarn I plan to use is thicker than what's in the first pattern, so the stole wouldn't be so lacy looking - but would have a nice pattern to it. So here are pictures of the possibilities - feel free to comment.

happiness is....

....good numbers. There are all sorts of ways numbers can be good - weight going down (or up for some people), salaries, house prices. For me right now, the good numbers are the ones I got yesterday on a big bond refunding we did. When municipalities need to borrow money, we sell bonds. Refunding bonds is pretty much like refinancing your mortgage. So, yesterday, we refunded about $30 million in bonds by selling $28.5 million in bonds. We saved $1.8 million dollars on a budgetary basis over the life of the new bonds. It's a 5.1% present value savings - WOO FREAKIN' HOO!! This is providing serious budgetary relief for the next two years - so I'm a very happy camper.

Friday Photos

I've been slacking a bit - sorry. Last Friday, I started my day in beautiful Laguna Beach, California. Here are some pictures I took.

Happiness is...

...okay - so I'm a little late in the day - but....happiness is catching up with girlfriends. I had dinner tonight with two girlfriends. One I had seen not so long ago, but we haven't had a chance to sit and talk recently. The other I hadn't seen in months, but had kept in touch with via e-mail. Tonight was fun to sit and talk about all sorts of things that came to mind. We all need such nights once in a while.

Snow thoughts

It always amazes me what other people consider to be adequate removal of snow from their car. We got over 10 inches of snow last night. I saw a car that cleared the windshield off - but left the 10 inches that accumulated on the hood and the roof! And there are the ones that clear off the front windshield, but not the back? Of course, they may have cleared off the back, but left the 10 inches on the roof, which then slid down and covered the back windshield. One of my favorites is not clearing the snow off around your license plate! Mmmmm way to avoid that speeding ticket.

Next snow thought - I arrived at work only about 10 minutes late. That's actually pretty normal for me. My employee who lives in walking distance - shows up 1/2 hour late. What's up with that! She says to me "I thought we were closed." Uh - since when? We hardly ever close. Anyway - it's the snow, freezes peoples' brains - must be.

Thoughts on the plane

I travelled to California this week. I went out there to interview for the Presidency of my national professional association - same thing I went after last year and didn't get. Maybe this year is my year - if not, I'm not trying again. Anyway - I had lots of things running through my head while I was on the plane, so I wrote them down, planning to post them on my blog when I got home. So - here it is, as written, no editing (except to protect the innocent). It's really just a stream of thoughts.

I'm on a plan. Flying west. Feeling lost, scared, nervous. I'm out of my element. Missing A. I'mnot the same person I was before him - not as independent and self-reliant. I wonder where she went - that woman I was. But I love who I am now. Wife, partner, friend, lover. I am a better me with him. It's not easy to be apart from him. I want to do this. It's scary. It means more to me than last year maybe. Is that an advantage? I will be the outsider tomorrow night - not part of the in group. I'll feel welcome, but a little odd. Need to put on that persona - the at ease, confident woman they expect. I hope that made the trip wiht me. It will be okay as soon as I'm with everyon. I'm sure I'll fall into the groove. Is she really me? Will I be ready tomorrow? Will I impress? I need to practice, find the second me, not the scared lonely me who is missing her other half.

Later - I got a little more practical. You have to understand that when I have a big presentation or something like this interview, I feel that if I look my best, all put-together, then I don't worry about that and I feel more at ease going in - you know - not all focused on "will they notice how flat my hair is" kind of thing. I also look for omens - I'm superstitious. So - here are the rest of my thoughts from my trip, from right before I went in for my interview.

Cell phone dead. Two nail chips - can only band-aid one. Too much mousse, sticky hairspray - but looks okay - just kind of stiff. Dolphins! So - good omens or bad? Anderson Cooper is funny, but it's weird to watch "live" shows that are taped.

And, off I went. I think I did a good job in the interview, but who knows. So much of this is whether or not you are the type of person they are looking for to lead the group. Hopefully I fit the bill this year. If not, well, I'll just indulge in some retail therapy.

I'm still here

I've just been busy. I've thought of multiple subjects that would make good posts - but haven't had time to follow through. My fave - and I will get to it - is the subject of visible panty lines. There's always my driving pet peeves and photos and rants. I'll be back - not until the weekend though. I leave tomorrow for Laguna Beach. Before you go getting all jealous - I am flying most of tomorrow, will be busy in the morning and will have only Thursday afternoon to enjoy the scenery before heading home Friday morning.

Happiness is...

...being able to sleep in - which is what I'm hoping for on Saturday - so someone tell my dog please. I'm glad it's hump day. Tonight is the last of the meetings for the week - thank God. The last two have each gone until 10 pm - that's tiring. I can't get home and drop right off to sleep on those nights.

Happiness is also getting to work on a deal that will be good for the Town. We have the potential to save a decent chunk of money over the next few years by refunding some of our debt. It means some extra work for me during one of the busiest times of the year, but the payoff is worth it. This is the finance geek in me coming through.

Lastly, this week - happiness is my husband making a commitment to get in shape. I think he really means it this time. I really hope he does. His weight is not healthy - particularly not considering the work he does.

Christmas is over...and other thoughts

I went for a walk today - actually two walks. While walking around my neighborhood, I couldn't get over how many people still have their Christmas decorations out. Not winter stuff, but the wreaths, the Santa flags, the reindeer - that kind of stuff. I can't tell you how many! Literally - I can't tell you because I didn't count - but the point is - Christmas is over people! Heck, it's almost Valentine's Day.

On the first walk, I took the dog. Boomer is mainly white. When snow is melting, the ground is kind of muddy, spits that stuff up. So - white dog, mud spray - you get the picture. He loved it though.

I think Mother Nature is messing with us. No way is winter over. She's just trying to lull us into a false sense of security - then WHAM - we're going to get hit with more snow. It will be sad.

We have grass in our backyard. I had forgotten. It had been so long since the yard was anything but a blanket of white!

I'm watching the pro bowl. Football's last gasp for the year. Good thing pitchers and catchers report soon - it gives me something to look forward to.

Oh - speaking of baseball - not sure which is my favorite - A-Fraud, A-Roid or A-R*d. He's not exactly my favorite - that would be Derek Jeter - but I always respected that he achieved what he did naturally. So much for that.

Update on the diet

It's been a while since I talked about weight loss. I hit my goal weight almost 6 months ago. I've been able to stay actually a couple of pounds below it for all this time. I did notice that, with the help of a couple of events, I had crept up a little - not even a full pound - but that little bit made me say - WHOA! I have lost that same 15 pounds at least 4 or 5 times in the last 15 years. I want this to be the last time. So, I'm back to one of the WW basics - the food diary. I have to say it's helping. I'm very conscious of what I'm eating. I've got to get active again. It's hard during the winter when I have so many night meetings. I've got to squeeze exercise, along with housework, time with A, projects, all of that into precious little free time in the winter. The milder weather this weekend will help. It looks like the next week will be decent enough that I will be willing to walk at lunchtime. Another alternative is this new ropeless jump rope I got - just need to hook up the DVD so I can watch the how-to video. And I do have a Wii fit. I like it - but I don't think the fit program provides the level of cardio that I want. So I'm looking for other options. Anyway, I'm bound and determined not to gain back the weight this time and being active is key in that.

Friday Photos

Just thinking spring with the flowers here. Plus I've been too busy to take photos this week.

A day late but..Happiness is...

...the forecast for the weekend - 50 degrees! WOOOHOOO! Life is crazy busy due to work - but I think I will get some relaxation time this weekend - so I can do stuff around the house. But - I will be outside walking, getting some exercise, getting the Boom Doggie some exercise and just loving the break from the dregs of winter.

Time for a Boomer Post

I cheated on Boomer Sunday. He knows it too. I went to a friend's house for a Super Bowl party. They have a cute basset hound puppy. I let Bentley sit on my lap. When I got home, Boomer did the sniff test. I failed. He still loves me though.

A & I did a little teasing thing to Boomer a couple of times lately. I had been outside with Boomer when A came down to breakfast. Being a dog, therefore being vertically challenged and unable to see over the counter, Boomer couldn't see A sitting in the dining room. I told Boomer to go find A. He understood and went into the living room, then tore up the stairs and raced around the bedroom looking for A. He then came downstairs again, confused, then went to check the dining room. We did it to him a second time with the same results. Mean - I know. Today, I decided to try it again. Well - he learned from the last two times and did not go racing up the stairs to find A - he looked in the living room first, then went to the dining room. Gotcha! A was still in bed. I know - shouldn't tease the poor dog. He's such a love!

He gets so excited to eat his meals. It's kind of cute. But I wonder where it comes from. I think back to him being abandoned in a park and wonder if that poor little puppy thought he was never going to eat again, so maybe that's why he's so freakin' excited to eat everyday. Or maybe he just loves to eat. And he loves his treats. He sticks to me like glue when I'm leaving for work. It's not because he's sad at the prospect of me leaving him. I give him a treat when I leave. He loves these things. We have a little routine where he gives me his right paw, then his left paw, then he lies down and I give him the treat. You should see him start trying to give me his paw as soon as I approach the cabinet. And damn can that dog rush through pawpawdown - lickety split I tell ya'!

Anyway - despite the pain that it can be to suit up to take him out to do business in the middle of the winter with 6 inches of snow on the ground - I love the Boom Doggie.

Friday Photos

Some pics of things I love and that handsome (not) multi-volume set of the Complete Works of William Shakespeare.

Just thoughts

Thank you to my friends who reached out to me yesterday. It was much appreciated. I'm doing better today, still a tinge of sadness, but much much better.

A is a peach. He knew I was sad, though like I suspected had not realized why. Anyway, I got home from work around 9:15 - and there on the kitchen counter was a vase filled with a dozen roses. With the flowers was a card - a beautiful card saying how much he loved me. I'm sitting here welling up with tears again just thinking about it. Boy did I luck out in the husband department. He's not perfect, none of us are, but he's perfect for me.

I'm trying to work on some self-enrichment this year - learning new things, exploring culture, etc. I thought that one of the things I should do is read all of Shakespeare's sonnets. After all, I have the Complete Works of William Shakespeare in a handsome (not) multi-volume set. Okay - maybe I'm missing something - but these sonnets just don't do it for me. I loved the Shakespeare classes I took in high school and college, but I don't know why I ever bought The Complete Works of William Shakespeare in that handsome (not) multi-volume set - other than to impress visitors to my home? After I manage to slog my way through all of the sonnets, I think the handsome (not) multi-volume set of the Complete Works of William Shakespeare will have to find a new home. I'm thinking Robert Frost may be more to my liking. I have his complete works too. It's just one book though.

Tonight, another budget meeting - but such fun we will have. Tonight, we get to worship at the altar of LPB, librarian of the best library in the state, no - the country, no - make that the world - wait, really, it's the galaxy. I kid you not. My boss says it's a cult. I think he's right. Should be fun.

No happy post today

Today is a day with sad memories for me. The worst thing is that I feel alone in my sadness. I don't think anyone else realizes what today is - not even my husband. If our baby had been born and then died, everyone would remember, but because he never made it to being born, no one remembers today but me. It's not just the day I lost my baby either, it's the day I lost my dreams of being a mother, having a family of more than just me & A - the dream of a lifetime. So, I'm sure there will be moments today that I smile and maybe laugh, but it's just not a happiness day.

More snow?

It has snowed a lot this winter. It's driven me nuts - always snowing after hours and sometimes on holidays. It's killed our snow budget. So I figured that I would have a discussion of snow on my blog - educational even. You know how people say "it's too cold to snow"? Not true. It's never to cold to snow. As long as there is some moisture and a way to lift the cold air, you can have snow. And the bit when it rains about "well at least it's not snow" on the theory that 1 inch of water equals 10 inches of snow? Again, not true. Ten inches of snow can have as little as .1 inch of water and as much as 4 inches of water. National Weather Service records say that Rochester, not Buffalo, is the snowiest large city in the US, with 94 inches annually. 94 freakin' inches! I shouldn't complain about what we're getting in downstate NY. The most Phoenix has ever had is 1 inch. I think I may move there. In this part of the world, we get Nor'easters in the winter - kind of like a winter hurricane. They are dreadful. Blizzards have winds of over 35 mph, visibility less than 1/4 mile all for more than 3 hours. And did you know that there are different types of snow plows? There's the big V plow for really serious snow. They aren't used that often. Then there are straight blade plows. There are plows that are angled that are used to direct the snow a specific way, they may even have a curve on the top. So - now you know all about snow. You're ready for the next storm, which is coming in tonight.

It's the little things...

...that can really get to me. Like my employee who hums kind of mindlessly and not well. The tunes are usually semi-recognizable but awful. And it's just plain annoying - not made better by the fact that she's overpaid for what she does, has an ego bigger than Lake Superior without the goods to back it up and I just wish she would freakin' retire already. Then there's the fact that my husband likes to take his jacket off when he comes home and put it on MY chair at the dining room table. Why not his chair or one of the chairs that we never use? Why MY chair? Add to it that sometimes he sits in MY chair? Does he not realize I am a creature of habit and need certain things a certain way? Actually he does realize this in general, I just don't think he's figured out that the chair thing is part of it. Next on the list - people who are not ready for green lights and people who stop the stop line. Re: the green lights - I don't expect you to bolt when it turns green, as that can be dangerous (people do run red lights) but be prepared to proceed within a short time frame. Re: the stop line people - what's your problem people? Do you not realize that you are now creating a bad situation, making it harder for people to turn into that street or requiring that they veer into the other lane to pass you?

Somedays, the little things put me close to exploding - so I guess they are not so little.

Friday Photos

This has been one of the snowiest winters in a while - so what better subject for photos this week than the snow. And a picture of Boomer being cute, just because.