knitigator

Welcome 2015!

And my word for 2015 is . . .

My 2014 Word and Moving On

As the year draws to a close, some of my pals are thinking about their word for 2014 and their new word for 2015.  Always one to jump on project or discussion that's a group effort (that sounds SO much nicer than calling myself a lemming), I've been evaluating my 2014 word and trying on some words for 2015.  

 My 2014 word was "focus."  I was anything but focused in 2014!  This year brought a lot of stuff from every direction.  And while I picked focus at the beginning of the year and intended to get my proverbial and literal house in order, it didn't happen.  And I felt bad about it!  Clearly, it was not the right word for me or not the right word for last year. 

Happily, with every new year, we begin anew.

This year, I've given a lot more thought as to what the next year may hold and what word will help and guide me.  I've considered a lot of good words that would work - love, kindness, authentic.  They are all GREAT words. What I need right now, however, is a word that's all of those -- loving and kind and authentic, but that's also a manta.  I'll share it with you after the ball drops! 

With love and friendship and wishing you a fabulous 2015!

Weekending

Great weekend!  Lots of fun!  And very exhausting!

• Saw my son perform in "Shrek."  I went to all three performances and enjoyed every one!  It was awesome -- the kids were SO good!  The only downside is the Broadway ear worm.  You know what I mean!
• Worked out with Kendra.
• Went to my daughter's hockey game.  It was between the two Shrek performances on Saturday.  I managed to get in two periods, which was great. What wasn't great is that when I left, we were winning 4-1 and the final was a 4-4 tie.
• Took my son and his friends out after the show on Saturday night.  Yeah, I wanted to go to sleep after the show, but he wanted to celebrate with his pals.  He's not old and tired.  Yet. 
• Ran a road race on Sunday.  I think I was probably overly optimistic with how tired I would be.  Let's just say that I dragged ass.
• Went from the road race to my daughter's indoor lacrosse game.  The good news is that while I was at the road race, Lino went grocery shopping.  Win!
• Finally, went, on Sunday night, to a charity event.  

I am definitely looking forward to some down time in the upcoming weeks! 

Weekending

Lino, David and I overlooking Israel/Syria Border, June 2014.

This weekend:

• Decompressed after getting rear-ended on Friday morning en route to a meeting.
• Worked out with Kendra, who is my friend and also a trainer.
• Cheered on my daughter and her teammates at their first hockey scrimmage.
• Patronized the Holiday Market at our town's high school.
• Had a Chinese Food/"The Hunger Games" night with David.
• Ran a Jingle Bell Road Race.
• Looked at pictures from the past year in order to send pictures to my sister, who makes a calendar for my parents (hence the picture above).
• Went grocery shopping.
• Made chili. This seems to be a frequent weekend activity. Chili + football - it just goes together!
• Watched the first half of the Patriots/Chargers game.

Getting Ready! - NaBloPoMo #23

My 30th high school reunion is tonight. A girl's gotta get ready!

The Day After - NaBloPoMo #22

Breakfast of champions! I didn't have a chance to try this pumpkin pie yesterday. I followed the One Pie can recipe exactly and it's yummy. Maybe I am a pie person after all! (I still need a crust lesson from Carole.)

Lino and the Great Pumpkin Pie - NaBloPoMo #20

I grew up in Massachusetts as did both my parents.  However, in my over twenty-two Thanksgivings with them, we never had pumpkin pie. Not once. I can't remember ever having a taste of pumpkin pie as a kid.  My parents aren't into pumpkin pie and it was never on our menu. And then I met Lino.  On our first Thanksgiving together, he asked "where's the pumpkin pie?" I said "we don't have it."  A debate ensued as the necessity of pumpkin pie.  How it's not Thanksgiving without it. Suffice to say that it is now a staple.

Admittedly, I'm not much of a pie baker. No patience for the crust. And when faced with multiple desserts, I don't usually pick pie.  However, Lino loves his pumpkin pie.  Since we are hosting Thanksgiving this year and others are bringing desserts tomorrow, I thought I'd make it on Friday. Silly me.  Lino saw the ingredients on the counter and said "tomorrow's Thanksgiving. We need the pumpkin pie for tomorrow."  Done!

Ten on Tuesday - NaBloPoMo #19

It's Thanksgiving week, so it's all about being thankful. Now, truth is, I often look around and thank my lucky stars, especially for my family and friends. But, one can't be too thankful and it's nice to take this opportunity to say it again.

I'm thankful for:

1. Good health for me, my family and friends. My dad had some health issues this past year and I really get that health is everything.
2. My husband.  He helps to keep me sane.  Or relatively.  He's a saint!
3. My kids.  I would go to the moon and back for these two. Crazy how much I love them.
4. My family of origin. I'm lucky that we are all in the same geographic area -- the older I get, the greater I realize how special that is.
5. My friends.  They -- YOU -- are simply the best.
6. My profession.  It's challenging and fun.  I have the world's best boss and am happy to go to work every day.  Well, most days!
7. Massachusetts. I've lived other places and came back here. Home of gay marriage, Ted Kennedy and Toll House cookies. I love it.
8. My house.  It's just right for us!
9. My hobbies.  Knitting, reading, running, and cooking. There is no shortage of ways to fill my day.
10. Modern conveniences.  Dishwasher, fridge. Especially helpful as I'm hosting Thanksgiving!

Weekending - NaBloPoMo #18

I haven't given up on NaBloPoMo.  I did, however, take a week off!  Now, I know the rule is a post a day for a month.  Since I missed a week, I'm extending my daily posting by a week (or however long it takes me to get to #30).  Now, if you are a rule follower (which I am in most facets of my life), you're thinking "you can't do that.  A post a day for a month is the rule.  You can't change the rule."  Yes. I. Can.  My blog, my rules!! 

Weekending!  What a weekend:

• Traveled to Orlando, Florida for Presidents Cup lacrosse tournament.
• Ran through the Atlanta airport like the family in Home Alone.  Luckily, we both made the connecting flight.
• Ran and walked on Friday for a total of five miles.
• Had a delicious dinner of shrimp and grits at Sea Dog Brewing Company.  Yeah, a bunch of us New Englanders ate at a  Maine-based place in Florida.  It's Disney.  It's crowded. There were eight of us.  This place was available and, as a bonus, had great beer and yummy food.
• Watched Molly play in four games.  I just love going to her games.
• Joked with Molly all weekend about our crappy rental car.  However, Christine had the last laugh as her sharp door and my nose collided at the rental car return spot.  Guess who won?  Not me.  I am hoping that it heals by my high school reunion THIS WEEKEND.  Oy.
• Read Eleanor and Park.  Such a tender book and I just read that it's going to be made into a movie.  I'm totally digging Young Adult fiction these days.
• Also read the latest Women's Running and Runner's World.
• Came home to a clean house with some (surprise!) freshly painted walls.  Woo hoo!

Hope you had a terrific weekend!

Weekending - NaBloPoMo #17

Thank you for your supportive and sweet comments on the last post. Much appreciated.

Weekending.  A recap!

• Went out to lunch with a high school friend
• Hosted book group
• Started the "Roses are Red" shawl
• Blogged
• Helped my daughter with some things she needed to do as she looks at colleges
• Drove kids around
• Ran
• Went grocery shopping
• Made chili
• Made a training plan for the New Bedford 1/2 Marathon

Hope you had a great weekend!