A productive week indeed...and I saw my first Robin of the year today!

Sunday.


I have actually managed to get some stuff done this week. So let's get right to it, starting with...

Working out:

As you may remember, last week I took my first NIA class. I LOVED IT! It's like a mix of free-form dance, a little Tai Chi, a little martial arts and a lot of fun. Who'd have known that such joyful movements could provide such a work out. The class is an hour long at In Shape Fitness, the instructor is fab and everyone friendly. I was so sore the next day, I felt as if I had been lifting weights...there were no weights involved, no high impact of any kind; an incredible workout though.

Today it was just too nice out to be indoors, so after a lengthy discussion (about 15 min of vacillating really),I decided it best to get out for a bike ride and did manage nearly 7 miles (I rode rather slowly to enjoy the sun) and afterwards, I went out for a near 5 mile walk and again just kinda went at a slower-than-my-usual pace so I could just enjoy being outdoors. So as far as the rest of the week, I did get some Yoga in and some Leslie Sansone.

Sasha came up with another challenge. This one will begin on Feb 20. She was kind enough to send the packet to me via post, thanks Sasha! I have read thru the information...this is a different one for certain. It does have the usual work out goals, etc...but, this one has a bit of a different twist. This one requires us to work out everyday, not just a couple times a week, but everyday! There is also tracking, which in and of itself is not unusual for her challenges, but this tracking requires us to come up with a game plan, as it were, for each week and we have to stick to it. No allowance for slacking here! Of course the tracking must be turned in weekly.

Yeah, I'm going to start mine tomorrow, 2.13.12. It's not going to count towards the challenge, but I just want to get myself into the habit ahead of time. I do work out a fair amount, however, I admit it, I don't work out everyday. I am going to now though (~: I'm also going to try and post my daily/weekly goals/tracking, so stay tuned and if you catch me slacking...give me a nudge to get me back on track!

The Current Pay-it-Forward:

I'm still working on the snuggles project. So far I have one completed and another one cast on. Since it's pretty mindless I can work on it while working. Here's a pic of this first one complete:

Some little cat or puppy will feel a lot more comfy while waiting for it's forever family. This is going to make me cry, so let's move on...

I finished these this week too:

First I finished the headband for Carmen, which looked spectacular on her!

And I also finished this for my "It's hard to be green" swap:

My socks are still in progress and I haven't given them much love so maybe next week you will get to see them.

Spinning:

So, as you see above ^ I had purchased a beautiful new spindle. I even took it with me to the spinning group yesterday with Jean. I had one of the gals there show me how she uses hers. I came home and tried what I had learned...well, all I will say for now is...patience, much patience and I will probably be going back again to start all over. Yeah, that's all I have to say about that for now, well, except I did pull out the little kick spindle and will see what I can do with it for the time being...hah!

In the garden:

Whoever loves and understands a garden will find contentment
within. ~Chinese Proverb

Not much to report on in the garden this week, except...remember I had thought I lost my purple clover? Guess what, it has now sprouts! I am beyond excited about this. Also, my Hyacinths are getting bigger out back. So I guess that is something to report! Happy day!

Upcoming fun:

First off, this Friday Jean, Helen and I are going to see The Great American Trailer Park Musical...I have seen it twice already and it is hilarious, I can't wait for them to see it. Then, yesterday, Jean turned me on to another venue which I had not considered. It falls right in with the local criteria too. It's events at The Shedd Institute. There are a lot of different things coming up and the tix don't look to badly priced. I am mostly interested in the Theatricals section and going to check my calendar and start booking seats.
I'm still looking at the information, so I'll post later what I've decided on.

What I'm reading:

I'm still reading Over the Edge of the World. It's about Magellan's circumnavigation of the world. I have to say, from the historical accounts, this trip was pretty horrendous. So far we have had a mutiny, or rather an attempted mutiny which resulted in swift, and barbaric action against the mutineers. I won't get into the details, suffice it to say, it is not pretty. In fact it lead to some strange dreams. Here I do have to say, I usually don't have many dreams; probably shouldn't be reading this stuff before I retire for the evening. And I don't think I've picked up any other book lately. Usually I have a couple going at the same time. It seems I'm too busy lately. Looks like it's time to get on Audible and hook up some audio books so I can listen while doing other stuff.

~And today I saw my first Robin of the season...can Spring be that far off...

My new spindle

First week of February 2012 in review:

Welcome to the new and hopefully improved blog!
I'm going to post here once a week and sometimes there will probably be updates throughout the week...we'll see. At any rate, it'll be a
Sunday blog with the week in review. I hope you enjoy it...

So here it is, The Week in review for the first week of February:

Work updates:

I'm still working the OT, however, just M-Th lately...I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed or let's get real, I'm feeling a bit burned out.
It is necessary as I am working on a goal here.

This morning's recipe for a fab breakfast smoothie:
1/2 fresh banana
approx 1 c frozen mixed fruit
1/4 c Silken tofu, soft
1/4 c plain greek yogurt
1/4 c unsweetened coconut milk (sometimes I use soy)
2T sunflower butter

Whiz the entire lot in the blender just until the frozen fruit is no longer whole so it will remain thick, then top off the whole thing with
some fresh made granola. Talk about a great day to start the day! It's very filling and lasts thru lunch.

What I'm doing working out:

I have been out walking and bike riding then Leslie Sansone in the evenings along with Yoga and meditation. Today I am joining a new at the gym~~>NIA, you'll hear about that next week. I did purchase a pair of Vibram's last weekend and have worn them exclusively all week. So far, so good, they have not bothered me at all. I have worn them to work out in, to walk for miles and even riding my bike is a new adventure. These have been the most comfortable shoes right out the door, hands down. I have not experienced any blisters or any pain at all. Ahhhhh.....balance and peace, what a wonderful feeling indeed.

I have been involved with a 21 day Yoga/meditation challenge, online, which I do after work. I find it brings me a peaceful night's rest and helps me to center and balance my inner self. It's definitely worth the extra time it takes to just BE. I also find it's easier to then just let things go rather than dwelling
on them. Everything is transient, everything is temporary after all, so just flow with it.

Upcoming events to Pay it Forward:

I'm looking forward to the March of Dimes walk which I believe to be our first for this year. I don't know, there are so many to select
from that I can't keep up. This one is scheduled for April 28. I've already signed up. There is also the SOLVe project to clean the beaches starting end of March. I'm really looking forward to this one. I hope to be able to schedule my vacation around this one, but alas, we haven't been given the go ahead to schedule vacation time yet...so we'll see. At any rate, even if I don't get to stay the week at this time, I will at least go and spend the day cleaning the beach. Truly there is nothing more rewarding than to give of self.

What I'm currently reading:

I finally took "The Last Man" , by Mary Shelley, back to the library. Yes, I was nearly finished, but I was out-of-my-mind bored with it. I kept asking myself why I continued on with it when I was simply not enjoying it. The writing is beautiful, however, the story line simply drug on and on. By the time I reached the third part, I was completely lost; sad too, I truly wanted to enjoy it.

I have now moved on to Over the Edge of the World by Laurence Bergreen. It's a historical book referencing the story of how Ferdinand Magellan came to circumnavigate the globe and the trials and dangers he faced to see his dream to fruition. I am only in the earliest chapters of the book and so far and am enjoying it very much.

I usually have a couple of books going at any given time, however, I have been quite busy with some knitting projects, of which I will get to
shortly, so it's on with the audio books . One book I listened to yesterday was The Tao of Pooh, and no, this is not a childrens book, although I think a mature child would understand the subtleties of the teachings in the book. It's quite a clever little piece of work, the teachings rather sneak up on you if you aren't paying close attention...at least it was with me.

What I'm currently working on:

As you may or may not know, I did order a hand-made-for-me spindle. As of Thursday it was in the process of being turned. I'm so excited about this. It's a supported spindle so hopefully it won't be as hard on my shoulder as the other spindle I have, is. I already have some fiber to practice with and have joined a monthly fiber club. I'm anxious to spin my own fibers and then make something wonderful with the end results.

And here's what's on my needles:

I just ordered more sock yarn, yeah these socks are going to be fun...I'll post pix when the yarn comes in and when I finish the resulting socks. On one of the groups I belong to on Ravelry, we are in the middle of a "It's hard to be green" swap, so I dyed some green wool and am making this little guy: Irving these are so cute.

I've also started a pair of toe-up socks. I've never tried toe-up before so here I go! These are also being made with some wool I hand-dyed myself in yet another green colorway. Yeah, no rhyme or reason, it just turned out that I wanted to dye some green for socks and then joined this swap and it turned out to be a green swap too...hahahaha

I'm also finishing, and should be finished today, with Carmen's head piece. I just have the button to make and the flower and voila! it's gorgeous. This time I used an Alpaca blend in a kind of teal/green colorway. The green is very subtle until it hits the light and then it can be seen....it's very pretty if I do say so myself!

Emi's sweater -turned-snuggle blanket is moving right along and hopefully will be finished soon. I think she's going to love it, Tab. I also have some charity work going for shelter animals and have been working on a snuggle blanket there.

My love-bug projects are next in queue as well as more Mochi's for Eric. Wow, it seems I haven't worked on those for a while and am aching to get more done. I love these little guys...

I've made a fair number of these cuties; working my way thru each page in the book, they're all so darn cute! I'm hoping to have more soon for you, Eric.
My poor sweater hasn't gotten any love at all for some time. I'm up to the sleeves and working them both together. Then all that needs to be done is the finishing....oh goodness, I should pull it out and get on with it and stop letting these other things sidetrack me (~:}

What's up in the garden:

The earth laughs in flowers. ~E.E. Cummings

Last year I planted my Hyacinth outdoors; they are now coming up and hope to see some blooms soon. I've also been collecting other bulbous flowers for the garden this year. So far I have Hyacinths, Tulips, Daffodils, Narcissus, and miniature Iris. Then I will start with the herbs when the Farmer's Market opens again in April; it won't be long now!

I finally got my Avocado tree planted and sadly lost my purple clover which had been steady since last March. I'm not sure what I did, but I know it may just be a seasonal recycle for it even though I do mourn for the loss of any of my beauties.

And there you have it, a week in review. This week was just a little lengthy as I am getting this re-set and going forward it may be shorter or...who knows. I do hope you enjoy following my journey and please feel free to post any comments or thoughts. I'm also pondering the idea of a video blogcast, but not sure yet.

~Let me know what you think...