So, hubby comes home in 4 days. I have a list of things to do a mile long to prepare for his return. The last 4 weeks I have have avoided doing a lot of things that I wanted to have done by now. Just have to be sure to hide anything that may not need to be seen when he gets here! (Just kidding sweetie!)
What have I been doing with all my free time you might ask. Class knitting and teaching has taken up some of my time and also a secret project that I have been working on for some time. But all the class knitting is done and the secret knitting is almost done so in the next week I should be doing something that I have wanted to do for a while.
First up, I am going to cast on for some super cute little bathroom curtains. My bathroom has undergone a little color redo. It was looking really institutional with its belgian waffle color walls and all the white towels and clear shower curtain.Now I have beautiful green towels and a great new shower curtain and I will be adding some little linen knitted curtains with a cafe rod. I will be sure to let you see them!
I am sitting in Barnes and Noble (one of my favorite hang outs) having a decaf coffee. Some people might say, "decaf, what's the point!" but I am really caffeine sensitive and stay away from it after 5 pm. But I still love that delicious coffee flavor! The smell of coffee and books is almost the most sensual experience in the world! Almost.
Yesterday my friend, Roseanna, and I took a trip to Hillsborough, NC. We of course visited the Yarnshop, but we also found a really cute bookshop in the little town that has a big section on Hillsborough authors and apparently they are very prolific in that area. Roseanna and I both picked up books by Michael Malone. She got this one, and I picked up these two. I can't wait to dig in!
I know! You want to know what I got at the Hillsborough Yarnshop. Well I had a $20 card, so I picked up a beautiful skein of Pagewood Farms Alyeska in the Harvest colorway.
It was Hotttt in the Piedmont Triad region! Nevertheless, a great day!
Stay cool and take care "til the next time we meet!
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Hot D@#n Summer in Virginia!
I get to stay in the states for the Summer and I'm glad but miss Hubby.
While I am here I will be teaching at Yarn Explosion and hanging out at my other favorite places, Barnes and Noble, The Crooked Stitch, and Mosaic.
I was fortunate to be able to attend the Columbus TNNA (The National Needlework Association) show with the super nice ladies at Yarn Explosion and we had such a good time!! I met a cabbie whose name is Tom and was from Kentucky that called me Hillbilly, imagine that! I was able to sneak out on Sunday morning and go to a bookstore in the German Village in Columbus. It is called The Book Loft and contains 32 rooms of books. I am thinking about having my afterlife there! There were 4 rooms of bargain books and I managed to pick up a couple of lovelies. I got Le Morte d'Arthur complete edition for a mere $4.99, Out of Africa, Some Terry Pratchett, and Kurt Vonnegut all at steals! Long sigh-----I love books.
Also while I was there I picked up Shutter Island which was just a fabulous book. I read it on the way home from Columbus and finished it the next day still weary from jet lag and the weekend excitement. It was a wonderful book.
Hubby got me a Nook for Valentines Day this year and it went with me to China! I am enjoying it so much. I still shop around for the best prices as some of the books on the Nook use the trade paperback size for pricing and the mass market paperbacks are still cheaper. So I always compare prices first and, anyway, when I am in the states I still love that new book smell and feeling a nice tight spine. Wait a minute, I know hubby has been gone for a while, but this is a little ridiculous! (Fanning myself briskly!) Anyway, I have the 3G and Wireless model and I really do love it. Its MP3 feature is another of my favorite things about it and I have downloaded audiobooks on it to listen as I knit. I can plug it into the stereo speakers for the computer also and have real surround sound!
Before sweetie left we were able to take a long weekend to Chincoteague on the Eastern Shore and took the bikes and had homemade ice cream and fresh seafood. I just love it there. Not to mention the sea air is great for my sinuses. Click on any photo to embiggen. If you look carefully you can see the Assateague Lighthouse in the background of the center photo.
Talk soon!! All about knitting next time. Hope you are all enjoying your Summer!
While I am here I will be teaching at Yarn Explosion and hanging out at my other favorite places, Barnes and Noble, The Crooked Stitch, and Mosaic.
I was fortunate to be able to attend the Columbus TNNA (The National Needlework Association) show with the super nice ladies at Yarn Explosion and we had such a good time!! I met a cabbie whose name is Tom and was from Kentucky that called me Hillbilly, imagine that! I was able to sneak out on Sunday morning and go to a bookstore in the German Village in Columbus. It is called The Book Loft and contains 32 rooms of books. I am thinking about having my afterlife there! There were 4 rooms of bargain books and I managed to pick up a couple of lovelies. I got Le Morte d'Arthur complete edition for a mere $4.99, Out of Africa, Some Terry Pratchett, and Kurt Vonnegut all at steals! Long sigh-----I love books.
Also while I was there I picked up Shutter Island which was just a fabulous book. I read it on the way home from Columbus and finished it the next day still weary from jet lag and the weekend excitement. It was a wonderful book.
Hubby got me a Nook for Valentines Day this year and it went with me to China! I am enjoying it so much. I still shop around for the best prices as some of the books on the Nook use the trade paperback size for pricing and the mass market paperbacks are still cheaper. So I always compare prices first and, anyway, when I am in the states I still love that new book smell and feeling a nice tight spine. Wait a minute, I know hubby has been gone for a while, but this is a little ridiculous! (Fanning myself briskly!) Anyway, I have the 3G and Wireless model and I really do love it. Its MP3 feature is another of my favorite things about it and I have downloaded audiobooks on it to listen as I knit. I can plug it into the stereo speakers for the computer also and have real surround sound!
Before sweetie left we were able to take a long weekend to Chincoteague on the Eastern Shore and took the bikes and had homemade ice cream and fresh seafood. I just love it there. Not to mention the sea air is great for my sinuses. Click on any photo to embiggen. If you look carefully you can see the Assateague Lighthouse in the background of the center photo.
Talk soon!! All about knitting next time. Hope you are all enjoying your Summer!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Almost February?
This month has flown by and I haven't posted any! Sorry!!!
Hubby left for China on Sunday the 10th and had to come home on the 17th. MIL has been in the hospital since the 9th. We didn't know that it was going to turn into such an ordeal for her. She has since had her left leg amputated and they have discovered leaking valves, extremely low blood pressure, and fluid around her heart. The doctors were able to stop the progression of a second heart attack. She has become confused and nervous and it has been so hard on her and the members of her family that have had to see her this way. We have only missed one day going to see her and it is so draining, physically and mentally. Tonight she almost broke my heart- when someone begs you for help and you can't help, it is just heartrending. Tomorrow they will maybe move her closer to us to begin some therapy and we will have to see how everything else progresses.
Also, I taught 3 classes this month at Yarn Explosion and am planning my next sets of classes. I've enjoyed it enormously!
My plan to read a book a week? Yep, going strong! When Christ and his Saints Slept is a fabulous read and I actually missed it when it was done but the good thing is there are two more books in the series so I can go back to these characters and pick up where I left off! Death in the Stocks is the third Georgette Heyer mystery that I have read and they just keep getting better. I love early 20th century writers! The language and humor are just wonderful! Finished Fer-De-Lance and read the second novel, The League of Frightened Men. Again another early 20th century author and I can't tell you how much I truly enjoyed these mysteries. Nero Wolfe is an eccentric, and his personality is so true to his character. I have already bought several more Rex Stout and can't wait to dive into them! The current book on the nightstand is this one. I'll let you know.
In February I will be receiving something very special and will let you know all about it then! I can hardly wait!
Will have the first pair of socks for personal sock club done by the last day of the month. It's been a close race with everything that has been going on and the preparatory knitting that I have been doing for classes this month as well, but I am pretty sure that I'll get there!
My friend Roseanna and I have been able to catch two matinees this month. We saw Avatar in 3D which was just one of the most awesome things I have ever seen for the animation. Also caught Sherlock. As a huge fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his Sherlock I had to get past Robert Downeys looks as the master deducer, but he had the personality down to perfection. The fighting and action part was not true to the original stories either, but it was enjoying none the less. We are going to try to catch as many as we can because during the week the matinees are great!
Phew! Just reading back over what I have written made me suddenly feel very tired. I think it is time for that long winters nap!
Hubby left for China on Sunday the 10th and had to come home on the 17th. MIL has been in the hospital since the 9th. We didn't know that it was going to turn into such an ordeal for her. She has since had her left leg amputated and they have discovered leaking valves, extremely low blood pressure, and fluid around her heart. The doctors were able to stop the progression of a second heart attack. She has become confused and nervous and it has been so hard on her and the members of her family that have had to see her this way. We have only missed one day going to see her and it is so draining, physically and mentally. Tonight she almost broke my heart- when someone begs you for help and you can't help, it is just heartrending. Tomorrow they will maybe move her closer to us to begin some therapy and we will have to see how everything else progresses.
Also, I taught 3 classes this month at Yarn Explosion and am planning my next sets of classes. I've enjoyed it enormously!
My plan to read a book a week? Yep, going strong! When Christ and his Saints Slept is a fabulous read and I actually missed it when it was done but the good thing is there are two more books in the series so I can go back to these characters and pick up where I left off! Death in the Stocks is the third Georgette Heyer mystery that I have read and they just keep getting better. I love early 20th century writers! The language and humor are just wonderful! Finished Fer-De-Lance and read the second novel, The League of Frightened Men. Again another early 20th century author and I can't tell you how much I truly enjoyed these mysteries. Nero Wolfe is an eccentric, and his personality is so true to his character. I have already bought several more Rex Stout and can't wait to dive into them! The current book on the nightstand is this one. I'll let you know.
In February I will be receiving something very special and will let you know all about it then! I can hardly wait!
Will have the first pair of socks for personal sock club done by the last day of the month. It's been a close race with everything that has been going on and the preparatory knitting that I have been doing for classes this month as well, but I am pretty sure that I'll get there!
My friend Roseanna and I have been able to catch two matinees this month. We saw Avatar in 3D which was just one of the most awesome things I have ever seen for the animation. Also caught Sherlock. As a huge fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his Sherlock I had to get past Robert Downeys looks as the master deducer, but he had the personality down to perfection. The fighting and action part was not true to the original stories either, but it was enjoying none the less. We are going to try to catch as many as we can because during the week the matinees are great!
Phew! Just reading back over what I have written made me suddenly feel very tired. I think it is time for that long winters nap!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
2009
This year brought adventure to me. Hubby and I have lived together on the other side of the world where we had no one but each other for support and friendship and we did very well. Trust me when I say it is a challenge. We made it and are even closer because of it. I've met new people and absorbed myself into an entirely different culture and learned a completely new way of life. It's been a trip!
I had to be unemployed this year and that was a challenge for me also because I don't do so well at loose ends. It is always good to feel useful and that was something very hard for me to let go of. Still not sure about this.
We have had to deal with some family issues this year and there is no quick solution to these questions. Time and patience are the only weapons against this kind of problem.
Lots of knitting, stitching, reading was done this year. New, exciting authors have been found that I will enjoy for years to come, and others waiting out there for me to discover.
Friends have been reconnected with during the last month, and I have decided that I know, and hang out with, some of the neatest people in the world!
Happy New Year all! I'll see you in 2010!
I had to be unemployed this year and that was a challenge for me also because I don't do so well at loose ends. It is always good to feel useful and that was something very hard for me to let go of. Still not sure about this.
We have had to deal with some family issues this year and there is no quick solution to these questions. Time and patience are the only weapons against this kind of problem.
Lots of knitting, stitching, reading was done this year. New, exciting authors have been found that I will enjoy for years to come, and others waiting out there for me to discover.
Friends have been reconnected with during the last month, and I have decided that I know, and hang out with, some of the neatest people in the world!
Happy New Year all! I'll see you in 2010!
Friday, December 4, 2009
It's the Hap Happiest Season of All!
My Christmas tree is up!!
That means Christmas has officially begun. I love Christmas! Love Love Love it!!
One Christmas gift has already been gifted before I came home this time.
Gifted to a friend who is in North Dakota celebrating time with family. The yarn is long discontinued from stash and I found the cute dragonfly brooch at a little shop and thought it just added a nice bit of bling. It is the Glitterspun Slouch hat without the glitter, but I really like it.
Knitting like crazy right now trying to get gifts done!! Stay tuned.
Tomorrow is a charity knit and I will post about that Monday. Note to self, don't forget camera!
Going through photos this morning, came across this one and had to share. My fancy Pedicure from a couple months ago. I think it was around 7 US bucks!
The little flowers were sculpted onto my toes. The girls who do this are so cute and I feel badly because they get paid so little so I force a tip on them. I say force because they really are not used to it and it scares them, but my conscience feels somewhat better when I leave.
Took hubs back to the airport a couple days ago and he is safely across the pole for a couple weeks but will be home for Christmas. I miss him and speaking of him here is the picture of the day.
I have lots of things planned for the New Year and I will let you all in on it as we go along.
Have a great weekend and, if we get the snow they are calling for, be safe and stay warm!
That means Christmas has officially begun. I love Christmas! Love Love Love it!!
One Christmas gift has already been gifted before I came home this time.
Gifted to a friend who is in North Dakota celebrating time with family. The yarn is long discontinued from stash and I found the cute dragonfly brooch at a little shop and thought it just added a nice bit of bling. It is the Glitterspun Slouch hat without the glitter, but I really like it.
Knitting like crazy right now trying to get gifts done!! Stay tuned.
Tomorrow is a charity knit and I will post about that Monday. Note to self, don't forget camera!
Going through photos this morning, came across this one and had to share. My fancy Pedicure from a couple months ago. I think it was around 7 US bucks!
The little flowers were sculpted onto my toes. The girls who do this are so cute and I feel badly because they get paid so little so I force a tip on them. I say force because they really are not used to it and it scares them, but my conscience feels somewhat better when I leave.
Took hubs back to the airport a couple days ago and he is safely across the pole for a couple weeks but will be home for Christmas. I miss him and speaking of him here is the picture of the day.
I have lots of things planned for the New Year and I will let you all in on it as we go along.
Have a great weekend and, if we get the snow they are calling for, be safe and stay warm!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Playing Catch Up!
Sorry it has been so long since my last post. I have been a little busy doing Christmas shopping and watching all sorts of good movies and trying to spend as much time with Hubby as possible, having dinner with friends and even,on one occasion, having a little too much of the local brew. We have been playing ping pong, and I must say I am enjoying the hell out of that! Talk about fun! It's amazing as we grow older the things that we forget that was so enjoyable when we were younger.
My Christmas shopping is done and now I just have to be able to pack it all in the suitcase! I must say that I am looking forward to getting home to see friends and celebrate Christmas in the traditional way. Also, and you all may think I'm crazy here, I am looking forward to COLD!! It's just not Christmas to me when it's 70 or 80 degrees F outside. I know a lot of people live in the warmer climates and do just fine with it, but I guess I'm just accustomed to the cold Christmas and I miss it. A little bit of snow would be nice as well but I realize that we can't have everything!!
I have discovered a love of the fresh Mandarin Orange as they are in season here and have just about eaten my weight in them. This is the fruit basket we get in the room once a week, not to mention all the fruit you can eat in the mornings on the breakfast buffet.
The two bags of Mandarins go first let me tell you!!
These are two of our friends, Linda and Neo. Yes that is Tsingtao Beer, my new favorite!
And after a few Tsingtaos we decided to entertain everyone at the shopping center. Here we are standing at the big Christmas Tree. Don't let the coats fool you. It is at least 68 degrees F. The street sweeper will have plenty to talk about for a month telling everyone about the crazy American Girl who was dancing in the parking lot!
I'll be home Friday night if the weather allows and all will be good!
Hope to see you all as soon as I can!
My Christmas shopping is done and now I just have to be able to pack it all in the suitcase! I must say that I am looking forward to getting home to see friends and celebrate Christmas in the traditional way. Also, and you all may think I'm crazy here, I am looking forward to COLD!! It's just not Christmas to me when it's 70 or 80 degrees F outside. I know a lot of people live in the warmer climates and do just fine with it, but I guess I'm just accustomed to the cold Christmas and I miss it. A little bit of snow would be nice as well but I realize that we can't have everything!!
I have discovered a love of the fresh Mandarin Orange as they are in season here and have just about eaten my weight in them. This is the fruit basket we get in the room once a week, not to mention all the fruit you can eat in the mornings on the breakfast buffet.
The two bags of Mandarins go first let me tell you!!
These are two of our friends, Linda and Neo. Yes that is Tsingtao Beer, my new favorite!
And after a few Tsingtaos we decided to entertain everyone at the shopping center. Here we are standing at the big Christmas Tree. Don't let the coats fool you. It is at least 68 degrees F. The street sweeper will have plenty to talk about for a month telling everyone about the crazy American Girl who was dancing in the parking lot!
I'll be home Friday night if the weather allows and all will be good!
Hope to see you all as soon as I can!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Still Live and Kicking
I haven't forgotten you I promise. I've been very busy getting accustomed to everything and meeting people that can help me become more comfortable with day to day life here.
It is much different here than in Virginia where I could jump in the car and go anywhere I wanted whenever I wanted. Here everything must be planned ahead and you get all you need or want while you are out. No taxi driver speaks English and so that is out of the question unless you really don't mind where you end up. I'm planning a trip into Hong Kong in the next couple weeks and have to wait for Elaine, my friend and Victorias mother, to get her Visa to go for the day. It will take about a week for her to get it. I have several addresses of yarn shops in Hong Kong that she will help me to find. Also, buttons are only 10 minutes away from me and we are planning a trip to Shenzhen in the next few days to see them. Elaine assures me that it is button city! How exciting!!
I found Chinese knitting magazines in Walmart of all places and will get some just for the novelty. I really enjoy the pictures!
But so far I am really enjoying being here!
I have started exercising everyday because the gym here at the hotel is just awesome. The food is very healthy and it is much easier to pick and choose now than it used to be. This past weekend we walked about 4 blocks and had lunch at The Bluebird Diner. I had pork chop and the best onion soup I have ever put into my mouth! Of course you still can't drink the water and ice is out of the question, so diet cola is very unpleasant warm and I carry bottled water with me everywhere. Someone put it to me the best way the other day. You come here and you have money to spend and you would love to have a slice of apple pie, but no matter how much money you have there is no apple pie to be had. Sodas taste absolutely nothing like they taste in the states even though they are Coke or Pepsi products. Commonplace foods that we eat everyday at home are completely different tasting here, and no amount of money can buy you what you are accustomed to.
My little girl Victoria got to come and visit with me for a couple of hours yesterday and it was so good to just get to squeeze on her for a little while. She has grown so much and is now 22 months old. She is quite a tall little girl and talks up a storm! Mostly in Chinese but she has some English vocabulary as well and is learning.
My knitting is progressing as well. I had a very big list of things to finish for Christmas gifts and it is getting smaller and I feel that it will be done before I come home.
A while back I asked you to guess who my favorite Beatle was and today while surfing I found this that should answer the question.
My Beatle devotion was always with George!
He was "not long for this world" but boy didn't he help to make it a little nicer?
I promised pictures and I am busily taking them and will have a very heavy picture post by the end of the week. Tune in on your Sunday for a visual treat from me to you!
It is much different here than in Virginia where I could jump in the car and go anywhere I wanted whenever I wanted. Here everything must be planned ahead and you get all you need or want while you are out. No taxi driver speaks English and so that is out of the question unless you really don't mind where you end up. I'm planning a trip into Hong Kong in the next couple weeks and have to wait for Elaine, my friend and Victorias mother, to get her Visa to go for the day. It will take about a week for her to get it. I have several addresses of yarn shops in Hong Kong that she will help me to find. Also, buttons are only 10 minutes away from me and we are planning a trip to Shenzhen in the next few days to see them. Elaine assures me that it is button city! How exciting!!
I found Chinese knitting magazines in Walmart of all places and will get some just for the novelty. I really enjoy the pictures!
But so far I am really enjoying being here!
I have started exercising everyday because the gym here at the hotel is just awesome. The food is very healthy and it is much easier to pick and choose now than it used to be. This past weekend we walked about 4 blocks and had lunch at The Bluebird Diner. I had pork chop and the best onion soup I have ever put into my mouth! Of course you still can't drink the water and ice is out of the question, so diet cola is very unpleasant warm and I carry bottled water with me everywhere. Someone put it to me the best way the other day. You come here and you have money to spend and you would love to have a slice of apple pie, but no matter how much money you have there is no apple pie to be had. Sodas taste absolutely nothing like they taste in the states even though they are Coke or Pepsi products. Commonplace foods that we eat everyday at home are completely different tasting here, and no amount of money can buy you what you are accustomed to.
My little girl Victoria got to come and visit with me for a couple of hours yesterday and it was so good to just get to squeeze on her for a little while. She has grown so much and is now 22 months old. She is quite a tall little girl and talks up a storm! Mostly in Chinese but she has some English vocabulary as well and is learning.
My knitting is progressing as well. I had a very big list of things to finish for Christmas gifts and it is getting smaller and I feel that it will be done before I come home.
A while back I asked you to guess who my favorite Beatle was and today while surfing I found this that should answer the question.
My Beatle devotion was always with George!
He was "not long for this world" but boy didn't he help to make it a little nicer?
I promised pictures and I am busily taking them and will have a very heavy picture post by the end of the week. Tune in on your Sunday for a visual treat from me to you!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
On Monday Morning
Okay, I think that jetlag is finally over and sleep is caught up. The last few days have been sleep, wake, sleep, wake, and sleep some more. Finally feel able to think.
We arrived here on Wednesday night and checked in to our room which is spectacular! We have our own steam sauna! As soon as I finish unpacking I will get camera charged and take pictures.
Breakfasts are awesome here in the hotel and each morning I have been able to drag myself down to the Botanical Garden to sit and knit just for a little while.
I have been to the health club a couple of times and exercised to try to get myself back in the swing of things. The health club here is almost as good as your local gym or YMCA. And very well taken care of!
Each morning I am starting out with breakfasts of fruits and cheeses. The fruits here are out of this world as they are so fresh, but they do have Washington State apples! Just a touch of home to make any gal feel a little more in touch. The only way I can explain the grapes to you is small plum. I've never seen such huge grapes! And very tasty too!
There is a shopping center straight across from the hotel that is 4 floors and has a huge variety of things, but no yarn!
We were able to go out to dinner with friends Horace and Elaine the second night here and hope to see them again very soon.
Right now is the busy time for the factories as it is sample time and my husbands bosses are here to pick out the new items for their catalogs. He is very occupied for the next few days and then we will kind of be able to take a breath. The bosses are only here for a week and they are working 14 hour days while here going to sample showrooms. It is pretty amazing to walk in the sample showrooms here and see all the new furniture that will be gracing the homes in USA, and so much of it that it is a little overwhelming. They will pick what they believe their market will buy and it is very time consuming. I am so glad that I do not have to make these decisions!
In the knitting, I have been able to finish a hat and scarf that is a Christmas present.
And now to go exercise and to start unpacking so that I can show you all what I see everyday.
Take care and have a great Monday!
We arrived here on Wednesday night and checked in to our room which is spectacular! We have our own steam sauna! As soon as I finish unpacking I will get camera charged and take pictures.
Breakfasts are awesome here in the hotel and each morning I have been able to drag myself down to the Botanical Garden to sit and knit just for a little while.
I have been to the health club a couple of times and exercised to try to get myself back in the swing of things. The health club here is almost as good as your local gym or YMCA. And very well taken care of!
Each morning I am starting out with breakfasts of fruits and cheeses. The fruits here are out of this world as they are so fresh, but they do have Washington State apples! Just a touch of home to make any gal feel a little more in touch. The only way I can explain the grapes to you is small plum. I've never seen such huge grapes! And very tasty too!
There is a shopping center straight across from the hotel that is 4 floors and has a huge variety of things, but no yarn!
We were able to go out to dinner with friends Horace and Elaine the second night here and hope to see them again very soon.
Right now is the busy time for the factories as it is sample time and my husbands bosses are here to pick out the new items for their catalogs. He is very occupied for the next few days and then we will kind of be able to take a breath. The bosses are only here for a week and they are working 14 hour days while here going to sample showrooms. It is pretty amazing to walk in the sample showrooms here and see all the new furniture that will be gracing the homes in USA, and so much of it that it is a little overwhelming. They will pick what they believe their market will buy and it is very time consuming. I am so glad that I do not have to make these decisions!
In the knitting, I have been able to finish a hat and scarf that is a Christmas present.
And now to go exercise and to start unpacking so that I can show you all what I see everyday.
Take care and have a great Monday!
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