One Dropped Stitch

Book #12 of 2012...

2012-01-28T07:00:00.002-08:00

Zombie Bits by Scott Nicholson

From Goodreads.com:

A collection of eight zombie short stories from best-selling author Scott Nicholson. Includes two stories from "The Best of All Flesh" series, as well as the original post-apocalypse story "A Farewell to Arms" written especially for this volume. Also includes a short story from Jack Kilborn (ENDURANCE) and a "Zombie Apocalypse Survival Scorecard" from Jonathan Maberry (PATIENT ZERO, ROT AND RUIN.)Includes an opportunity to appear as a zombie in the Murdermouth comic book. Nicholson is author of 10 novels, including THE RED CHURCH, THE SKULL RING, SPEED DATING WITH THE DEAD, and DRUMMER BOY. Learn more about his work at http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/ or email hauntedcomputer@yahoo.com.

My take:

2 out of 5 stars. Meh, it was ok.

Oops!

2012-01-27T07:00:00.002-08:00

When I run during the week, my runs are dark. I don’t get home until after 5pm and by the time I’m out the door it’s almost dark. Don’t worry, I’m dressed for the dark. My running tights have reflective do-hickies on them, I wear a reflective vest and I also wear a head lamp. I’ve had a few close calls with cars and it’s gotten to the point that I will flash my headlight into a vehicle if I think they don’t see me.

Granted I do run in the street but in the neighborhoods I run in the sidewalks are generally a mess and there aren’t enough street lights for me to be able to see if the sidewalk suddenly slopes for a driveway which means I chance a sprained ankle every time I run on the sidewalk. But for the most part where I run is pretty quiet so there aren’t many cars and I stay as much as possible on the shoulder or in the bike lane. I also never wear headphones and I run against traffic so I can see oncoming cars.

I know there are people who don’t agree with the way I run and that’s fine. To each their own. My point is that it’s dark. There really aren’t enough street lights to see by and my headlight comes in handy for the really dark sections where the street lights are often out or just don’t exist.

Ok, so you get the picture. It’s dark, I’m reflective. I told you that story to tell you this story. The other night I’m about 4 miles into a 5 mile run and headed back to the house. Millers Creek Road is one of those dark sections. On one side of the street you have low income housing and on the other side you have an primary school. The school itself is lit up but the part by the road is an unlit field. The low income housing has good lighting in their parking lot but it’s in the middle of the complex with the houses around the outside and along the street. Millers Creek is dark, really dark and I generally go as fast as I can because it’s kind of creepy, especially in the winter when we have fog because it’s really quiet and no one is out at all. Millers Creek = Creepy.

Of course I happen to be on Millers Creek when, in the dark, I accidently kick a rock I couldn’t see…because there isn’t any light. I hear it skip a couple of times not really thinking anything of it. It happens from time to time.. and then Wham! The freaking rock hits a car. OMG! And because it’s so dark I don’t know which car it hit or where it kit. I felt so bad!

I did stop and try to figure out which car it was but after a while I just gave up and finished up my run. I really hope that I didn’t cause any damage to someone’s car. I know how I am about my car and keeping it as nice as possible for as long as possible. So if your car was parked on Millers Creek and some jerk kicked a rock into last week, I’m soooo sorry!

Book #11 of 2012...

2012-01-26T07:00:00.001-08:00

Th Light at the End by Donna Burgess

From Goodreads.com:

Bill Andrews always ran the north end of the beach on Wednesdays, but this morning starfish littered the sand. Not a few, but thousands. He stood, quietly perplexed, as the winter sun glinted off the Atlantic and the waves lapped gently at the fields of dead and dying creatures. Here and there, pointed limbs flexed slowly toward the endless blue sky as if grasping for some kind of mercy that was not coming.

The news made little of the dying and the article buried deep on page five. However, there was a much larger dying in the wings...

Something dire is coming and the government is keeping everyone in the dark. A strange little countdown clock has appeared in the bottom corner of the cable news networks and people are beginning to talk.

They feel anxious, afraid. What do you do? Hide? Live your life as if tomorrow is promised to you? Do you give up? Do you hope? Turn your neighbors away at the door? Turn the gun on yourself? Turn inward or reach outward? Do you hold your family close and know that whatever happens you are together?

The Light at the End is a 4500 word tale of hope and family during Earth's darkest moment.

Also included: an extended preview of the apocalyptic novel, Solstice.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. Great short story about what may happen at the end of the world.

What I think about when I run...

2012-01-25T07:00:00.001-08:00

Due to incredible laziness on Sunday, I moved my long run to last Monday night after work. Normally I prefer to do my long run on Sunday when I have more time and am not tired from being a work all day but since I wussed out on Sunday to watch/sleep through the football play offs, I figured I better suck it up and get my long run done on Monday.

Thankfully, Monday was fairly busy at work which actually helps me stay motivated to run. If it’s a slow, quiet day I find I’m really tired and sleep at the end of the day and just want to crash on the couch. But the busier, more crazy days are the ones I love. I’m more energetic, happier and more motivated to get things done when I get home.

My training is loosely based on a training plan that I got from Runner’s World. I’m currently in week 3 of the plan and my long run should have been 5 miles Sunday. But I like to increase my long runs by a mile each week. First week was 7, second week was 8, so third week was 9. I’ve never run 9 miles before. The last long run I did before I crashed and burned between Thanksgiving and Christmas was 8.5 miles, so I pretty much knew that I could run 9 miles. But I was still nervous about doing it.

I got home from work about 5:15 and Hubbs friend had stopped by, so I said hi and quickly changed my clothes. Hubbs friend asked how long my run was going to be and when I said 9 miles he laughed and said I was crazy. I’m crazy?! He’s a Marine! Those guys are crazy! 9 miles is nothing compared to what he’s done and seen. Of course he asked me what my best 5k time is and then bragged that his was 20:something…7 years ago! LOL

While I was still at work on Monday, I started thinking about what I think about when I’m running. Blank, I’m blank. I have no idea what I think about when I run. I pretty much let my mind wander where it will and try not to dwell on any pain or discomfort that I might be having. I’ll be honest, the first mile to mile & a half are terrible and I wonder every time why I do this to myself. But after that my muscles loosen up and things start to flow and it’s about that time that I start having my “deep” thoughts. But what I think about I have no idea.

For Monday, since I had 9 miles to think about stuff I thought about what I think about when I run. I wondered what I think about. Then I had some great ideas that would make for awesome posts. And then I forgot the awesome ideas. Grrrr. I guess my running is my brains time to just wander around, think about my day, de-stress, go over things that bother me and work out my problems. It’s nothing earth shattering. But when my runs are over, I feel good. Even if it’s a bad run, I still feel good. I’m happier and more relaxed then if I’d had a massage or gone shopping.

The only specific thing I really remember thinking was right about the 5 mile mark. I was thinking about last April when I was first starting the Couch to 5k program. I remember being so intimidated by the 20 min run with no breaks. I was scared. I was scared I couldn’t do it, that I’d embarrass myself, that I’d fail. But there I was, about 9 months later, gliding along, almost effortlessly in the middle of a 9 mile run. At 5 miles I’d already been running for more than 50 minutes without a break and didn’t need a walk break. I was really and truly humbled by what my body can do.

Book #10 of 2012...

2012-01-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Crossing Places by Ellie Griffiths

From Goodreads.com:

When she’s not digging up bones or other ancient objects, quirky, tart-tongued archaeologist Ruth Galloway lives happily alone in a remote area called Saltmarsh near Norfolk, land that was sacred to its Iron Age inhabitants - not quite earth, not quite sea.

When a child’s bones are found on a desolate beach nearby, Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson calls Galloway for help. Nelson thinks he has found the remains of Lucy Downey, a little girl who went missing ten years ago. Since her disappearance he has been receiving bizarre letters about her, letters with references to ritual and sacrifice.

The bones actually turn out to be two thousand years old, but Ruth is soon drawn into the Lucy Downey case and into the mind of the letter writer, who seems to have both archaeological knowledge and eerie psychic powers. Then another child goes missing and the hunt is on to find her.

As the letter writer moves closer and the windswept Norfolk landscape exerts its power, Ruth finds herself in completely new territory – and in serious danger.

THE CROSSING PLACES marks the beginning of a captivating new crime series featuring an irresistible heroine.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. I don't normally read mysteries but this one was offered on Amazon for free for Kindle a while back so I snatched it. I figured even if I didn't like it, at least I could try something new for free. If you have a Kindle, you should check out the discussions area. Every day there is a thread with lists of Kindle Books they are offering for free for a short period of time. Because of this my reading list is out of control.

Anyway, back to the Crossing. Great mystery. I loved it. It was complicated enough to keep it interesting for me but not so complicated that I couldn't follow it (not that I'm dumb). I did guess who done it before the end of the book but I really loved finding out I was right. The main character, Ruth is warm and believable. I really enjoyed this book and would consider purchasing the next book in the series.

Weekend Recap...

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Or lack there of. It was very stormy here over the weekend, so other then getting out to run on Saturday (4.06 miles, 39:07, 9:38 pace) and running a couple of errands durring a break in the storm, I didn't do anything.

Sunday was the same thing. We watched both play off games. I predicted a Pariots/Niner's Superbowl but the Niners lost so I was half right. I spent most of both games either reading or working on the second sleeve of Gnarled Oak Cardigan. But I didn't even come close to finishing it.

Today is back to work. The wind is blowing a lot this morning and I'm hoping that it is going to die down enough tonight that I can make up my long run.

Book #9 of 2012

2012-01-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Little Valley by Shawn Weaver

From Goodreads.com:

Bringing his family home to Little Valley, Wisconsin, Allen Young thought that this move was the chance for a new beginning, a new job, a new town, a breath of fresh air. Little did he know that the very home he had lived in as a child held more than the memories of his father and grandfather. It held their very souls.Built by loving hands a replica of Little Valley sat in a room on the second floor of Allen’s new home. With loving care every tree, every building, every street was placed on the model. And, day by day, whatever happened in town showed itself in miniature detail before Allen’s eyes.Then one by one his children vanish within the house. Their soul’s caught in the battle between the living and the dead, a battle of those wanting to be brought home to an eternal rest, and a soul wanting them to stay locked in an eternal embrace.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars for this one. I downloaded this on my Kindle for free. I always check the daily listing of what's free for that day, and this one was listed there. For being a short book, only a couple of hundred pages, this was a good story. Reminded me of early Stephen King. I would be interested in reading more by this author.

I was Curious...

2012-01-21T07:00:00.001-08:00

I figured I'd use Runner's World's Finish Time Calculator and find out what I could expect to finish my Half in...

I used my last long run of 8 miles and the time I ran it in, 1:23:41 as the base and their calculator came up with:

Based on a split distance of 8 miles at 01:23:41, this race participant's projected finish time for a half-marathon will be: 02:17:02 Projected half-marathon finish time

My goal is to not die, first and foremost but after that I'm hoping to keep it under 2:30 over all and this is really giving me hope that I can accomplish my goal. All I have to do is stay in front of the 2:30 pace setter and I'm golden. If I can do more tempo runs and stay in from of the 2:00 pace setter...man! I can't even think about that. I don't want to kill myself, I just want to run my race, enjoy myself and be able to work on Monday after the race.

New Toy...

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

For Christmas, Hubbs and the family all went in together and got me a new Nikon D5100. I am so in love with this camera. Here's a few pictures from right after new years. The pictures are so amazing.

16.1 mega pixels. Just clear amazing photographs. I'm in love and I can't wait to travel in 2012 and take some amazing pictures.

Training Report

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

Training Update for The Shamrock'n 1/2 Marathon...

I started training for my 1/2 a few months ago when I signed up to run Shamrock'n on 11/1/11. I signed up the day the it became available. I trained diligently for the first 4 weeks and even ran a 10k on Thanksgiving morning. But then stuff with my family went sideways and work pushed me even further off course. I was traveling back to the bay area twice a week between Thanksgiving and Christmas either for my family drama or for Hubbs family drama and work was super busy and I never got off at the same time twice. I was working late, going in early...and really didn't have the energy to train between the family drama and work. So I didn't, I didn't train one little bit. I think I got in two runs for all of December.

My longest run prior to all the happy fun time was 8.5 miles. I was pretty happy with those 8.5 miles. They were long but I did them and I was looking forward to longer runs. My goal was to run about 20 miles pre-1/2 marathon so that 13.1 miles would be a cake walk. But life got in the way. Stupid life.

Since Christmas, family drama and work have died down to a more manageable level. I started my training back up at the first of the year. My long runs are scheduled for Sundays. First Sunday back was 7 miles and I wasn't sure it wasn't going to kill me. But it didn't and while it wasn't great, it wasn't horrible either. I am not designed to be a speedster, slow and long are my style. But I just couldn't get into the rhythm of the run but I didn't give up and I got through it.

Second Sunday long run was just this last Sunday. 8 miles. It was good, really good. Before my break I was running my long runs at about an 11 minute mile. Not horrible but long runs are supposed to be long and slow. The point is to teach your muscles you can go a long ways. I get that. But after last week when I really tried to push my pace time more toward 10:15 pace on my short runs and actually do tempo runs, my pace was a bit different for my long run. My average pace for the 8 miles was 10:28 per mile. That's 30 seconds faster then normal. And I felt good for the entire run, despite the wind coming in out of the west.

I guess those tempo runs are paying off. I'm loosely following a training schedule that I got from Runners World and this coming Sunday is supposed to be a short run because they have a 5k race scheduled for Saturday. But I won't be racing. Right now I can't afford to pay to race and I'd rather push the schedule so that I'm running further then the 10 miles the plan calls for before the race. I don't want to over train but I don't want to surprise my body with an extra 3 miles it's never run before on race day. I've always trained further then the actual race I'm running. That way I feel more prepared then I have to be and I tend to enjoy the race more...I hope.

13.1 miles is kind of scary. Honestly, race day is scary for me. Even for a 5k I find myself standing at the starting line wishing I hadn't signed myself up for this torture but after the first mile, I generally start to enjoy myself. And I'm sure that history will repeat itself for this race too.

8th Book of 2012

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

This is the second book I finished over the MLK weekend...I love a long weekend. Lots of relaxing, reading and knitting. But they're never long enough...

Dropped Calls by Mateo Hellion

This was more of a short story then a book. But if Goodreads counts it as a book, then so do I. Plus who wouldn't want a short story to count for their goal of 100 books in 2012?

From Goodreads.com:

Carla finally located what she had been looking for and placed a slender metallic black cell phone on the desk and slid it to him, “here, try this.”“Thanks, but I already have a cell phone and it’s anything but a stress reliever.”“I’m sure, but this isn’t just any cell phone, it’s special, it will allow you to get back at those S.O.B.’s that keep wrecking your life.”“Yeah right and there’s a million dollar check waiting at home in the mail.” Henry replied.“Oh Henry, such doubt,” She turned the phone on and the screen glowed a devilish red, “It drops the people you call.”…And so Henry Lockmann’s nightmare begins, with the simple game of revenge. He only has to place a call to who he’d like dropped and the phone would drop them. It would then randomly choose a contact from his address book and drop them too, tit-for-tat. It doesn’t take long for Henry to realize that his new cell phone isn’t just dropping cell service, its killing people, and their dropping like flies.Drunk with the power to play God, Henry plunges into a hell he could never imagine possible.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. For a short story, it was pretty good and I could have used a few more pages of it.

7th Book of 2012

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

Since it was a long weekend, I finished a couple of books over the weekend. One review today and one review tomorrow. And hopefully an update on Gnarled Oak Cardigan sometime this week and an update on my training.

Oops. I just realized I listed both Breakdown and What I talk about when I talk about Running as book 4 for 2012. So that makes this book 7 not 6. Oh well..

Any way, the book...

Littlefield by Scott Nicholson

This was two of Scott Nicholson's books in one. It contained The Red Church and Little Drummer boy. Two stories with the main/secondary character is Sheriff Littlefield. Both books are set in the same county in West Virgina. Both are scary thrillers. I wouldn't call them horror storys but thrillers for sure.

From Goodreads.com:
A two-novel collection featuring Sheriff Frank Littlefield, whose tiny Appalachian community has its share of supernatural mysteries.

THE RED CHURCHBook I in the Sheriff Littlefield SeriesFor 13-year-old Ronnie Day, life is full of problems: Mom and Dad have separated, his brother Tim is a constant pest, Melanie Ward either loves him or hates him, and Jesus Christ won't stay in his heart. Plus he has to walk past the red church every day, where the Bell Monster hides with its wings and claws and livers for eyes. But the biggest problem is that Archer McFall is the new preacher at the church, and Mom wants Ronnie to attend midnight services with her.Sheriff Frank Littlefield hates the red church for a different reason. His little brother died in a freak accident at the church twenty years ago, and now Frank is starting to see his brother's ghost.The Days, the Littlefields, and the McFalls are descendants of the original families that settled the rural Appalachian community. Those old families share a secret of betrayal and guilt, and McFall wants his congregation to prove its faith. Because he believes he is the Second Son of God, and that the cleansing of sin must be done in blood."Sacrifice is the currency of God," McFall preaches, and unless Frank and Ronnie stop him, everybody pays.

DRUMMER BOYBook II in the Littlefield SeriesOn an Appalachian Mountain ridge, three boys hear the rattling of a snare drum deep inside a cave known as The Jangling Hole, and the wind carries a whispered name.It’s the eve of a Civil War re-enactment, and the town of Titusville is preparing to host a staged battle. Sheriff Frank Littlefield doesn't want to believe the local legend that a ghostly troop of Civil War deserters is stirring in the Hole. But one dead soldier is intent on returning home.And one misfit kid is all that stands between the town and the cold mouth of hell…

From bestselling mystery, thriller, and paranormal author Scott Nicholson (Speed Dating with the Dead, Disintegration, Liquid Fear). Nicholson has also written seven story collections, four screenplays, two children's books and three-comic book series. Includes the bonus ghost story "The Endless Bivouac" from the collection Ashes. DRM-free

My take: I gave it 3 out of stars. I enjoyed the stories but I didn't love it. It wasn't enough to keep me up at night, not wanting to sleep so I can keep reading. But good stories and I will read other books by this author again.

5th Book of 2012...

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Always War by Margaret Peterson Haddis

From Goodreads.com:

In a war-torn future United States, fifteen-year-old Tessa, her childhood friend Gideon, now a traumatized military hero, and Dek, a streetwise orphan, enter enemy territory and discover the shocking truth about a war that began more than seventy-five years earlier.

My take:

3 out of 5 stars. Decent but not great. It just didn't do much for me.

4th Book of 2012

2012-01-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

What I talk about when I talk about Running by Haruki Murakami

From Goodreads.com:

In 1982, having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing, Murakami began running to keep fit. A year later, he’d completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon, and now, after dozens of such races, not to mention triathlons and a dozen critically acclaimed books, he reflects upon the influence the sport has had on his life and—even more important—on his writing.Equal parts training log, travelogue, and reminiscence, this revealing memoir covers his four-month preparation for the 2005 New York City Marathon and takes us to places ranging from Tokyo’s Jingu Gaien gardens, where he once shared the course with an Olympian, to the Charles River in Boston among young women who outpace him. Through this marvelous lens of sport emerges a panorama of memories and insights: the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer, his greatest triumphs and disappointments, his passion for vintage LPs, and the experience, after fifty, of seeing his race times improve and then fall back.By turns funny and sobering, playful and philosophical, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is rich and revelatory, both for fans of this masterful yet guardedly private writer and for the exploding population of athletes who find similar satisfaction in running.

My take:I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars because it wasn't terrible but it wasn't really about running that much to me. The author kept going back to his writing and I was expecting more about running. Basically it was...meh to me. I wouldn't read it again.

I Love Getting New Yarn!

2012-01-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

It's like getting a new car every time I get yarn in the mail. I ordered my MadelineTosh, Tosh DK from Webs on January 2nd and it came last weekend. I was a bit nervous opening the package because you never know what the color is really going to look like in real life vs. a picture on the Internet. But it's beautiful and it's going to be perfect for Gnarled Oak Cardigan.

It's green, brown, yellow and blue all at once. And soooo soft! I love Tosh DK. I knit my Honey Cowl with it last year and have worn it a ton. After almost a year of wear the stitch definition is still beautiful and the yarn is soft with little to no piling.

I can not wait to swatch this up and start my Gnarled Oak Cardigan. Fingers crossed it will be done in time for Stitches West.

Second Finished Object of 2012...

2012-01-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm calling this scarf Baa Baa Black Sheep but it's really called Eatons Scarf by Jennifer Refat. I wanted a scarf to go with my beautiful red, black and gray wool jacket that I got a few months ago while on a spur of the moment trip up to Reno. I have lots of scarves but nothing that would look fantastic with my jacket.

When it got really cold here at the beginning of December I knew I need to knit myself a scarf to go with the jacket. One of the things I love the most about knitting (and sewing) is that I can create the perfect accessory to go with a piece of clothing that I love.

It took over a month to finish the scarf because I bought 3 skeins of yarn at my local LYS, Anna's Yarn Shoppe but when the yarn ran out the scarf wasn't long enough for my liking. I went back to the shop and they were out. I figured I'd just order another skein from the Internet but never got around to it until I ordered my yarn for Gnarled Oak Cardigan. The yarn came over the weekend and I wanted to finish my scarf before I started on my Cardigan. Otherwise, I was afraid that I'd never finish the scarf.

Pattern: Eatons Scarf by Jennifer Refat
Yarn: Berroco Lustra in colorway 3134, Ebony (4 skeins)
Needles: US 8
Mods: Added 2 extra repeats of the pattern to make the scarf wider and used more yarn then called for in the pattern to make the scarf longer.

I love this scarf with the jacket. It's perfect and it's long enough that I can double it and then wrap it around my neck. I love the buttons on this coat. They are one detail that really makes it special.

I also love the hood on this jacket. It's nice to not have to carry an umbrella to avoid getting my hair wet when it's raining or when we have heavy fog.

I love this scarf. It was perfect pre-holiday mindless knitting. I would totally made this again for gift knitting. Non-knitters would be totally impressed with how lovely it is and not have a clue about how easy a knit it was.

First Finished Object of 2012

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

And my first piece of color work! I give you...Muckle Mitts!
Pattern: Muckle Mitts by Mary Jane Mucklestone
Needles: US 3 & US 4
Yarn: Lion Brand Lion Wool Solids in Pearl Gray and Ebony (1/2 skein of Ebony & 1/4 of Pearl Gray)
Mods: Moved thumb hole to row 12 instead of row 11. Did 6 repeats of the finger ribbing instead of 4 & did 8 repeats of thumb ribbing instead of 6.

I love any pair of mitts that has a thumb. I never liked the pairs that has just a hole for the thumb.

One of my goals for 2011 was to learn color work. I know it's not 2011 anymore but I'm marking it off on my goals since I still have 2011's listed in my side bar. This pattern was really easy to follow and didn't really need any mods. The only reason I did mods was because my hands are long and I wanted them to cover more of my fingers. They fit really well and I only had a couple of places where the stitches could have been pulled tighter or where the colors don't match up exactly. But all and all, I'm super proud of these mitts. My first try at color work and I actually walked away with a use able and beautiful pair of mitts. I can't wait to wear these!

4th Book of 2012

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

Breakdown by Katherine Amt Hanna

We all know that I have a love of post-apocalyptic/dystopia novels. Just look at my reading list 2011. I love them a lot. I read pretty much anything I can get my hands on...well, and zombie books too but that's a different post.

Breakdown was great! Six years after a pandemic devastates the human population, and the subsequent loss of much of the world's technology, Chris Price finally makes it from New York to Britain to reunite with his brother. But unresolved grief over his dead wife and baby and the horrors he witnessed as he traveled through a changed world have damaged him. He struggles to let go of his past, accept the healing kindness of those around him, and let love back into his life.

There is a lot of mystery sounding Chris and his journey from New York to Bath. I would have liked more of the story about what happened to him in the US but the author conveniently says that Chris doesn't remember it except for small parts. I didn't love that, it was too convenient. But it really didn't take away from the story. It's kinda like his wife and kid died and he went crazy and doesn't remember. It doesn't detract but I would have liked more of that part of the story.

I loved the ending, which I won't give away. Sadness and happiness. I just wonder if the author is going to write a second book about Pauline's brother. I'd like to know where he's been and what he's seen.

I gave the book 5 out of 5 stars on good reads. The things that bothered me didn't detract enough to take away from a really good story. I'd like to read more by this author.

I Guess this is What Happens...

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

when you fall off the face of the earth. You miss that the Winter 2011 Twist Collective came out. Where was I?!

I always love the photography in Twist Collective but this time I doubly love it. The mix of the fancy fabrics with the rusticness of the wool is beautiful.

Lots to love in this issue but two were my favorites:

Corinth by Christa Giles

Bellevue by Robin Melanson

Last years Stitches West sweater was from Twist Collective, Roheline. It got lots of attention at Stitches and I still wear it all the time. This year my mom and I are going and we're taking one of my mom's friends that is part of her sewing group. I am really looking forward to going again this year. I got a copy of Cookie A.'s Knit. Sock. Love. for Christmas and I NEED sock yarn!

3rd book of 2012

2012-01-09T07:00:00.001-08:00

Plague Year by Jeff Carlson

From Goodreads:

The nanotechnology was designed to fight cancer. Instead, it evolved into the Machine Plague, killing nearly five billion people and changing life on Earth forever.

The nanotech has one weakness: it self-destructs at altitudes above ten thousand feet. Those few who've managed to escape the plague struggle to stay alive on the highest mountains, but time is running out-there is famine and war, and the environment is crashing worldwide. Humanity's last hope lies with a top nanotech researcher aboard the International Space Station-and with a small group of survivors in California who risk a daring journey below the death line...

My take:

This book lost me with all the Nanotech gargon. I gave it 2 stars. It just couldn't hold my attention for long.

2nd Book of 2012

2012-01-08T07:00:00.001-08:00

Fighting to Survive Book 2 by Rhiannon Frater

From Goodreads.com:

Katie and Jenni have found new lives with the survivors of their makeshift fort, but danger still lurks. Nothing is easy in the new world where the dead walk and every day is a struggle to keep safe.As the elements, bandits, and the zombie horde threaten their safe haven, Jenni and Katie join the other survivors in fighting to survive as the world dies.

My take:

Great zombie book. Has all the elements: zombies, bad humans, peril, fight for survival, interesting lead characters. I won the 1st book in the series from Goodreads and the second one was just as good as the first. I gave it 5 stars.

Kings Win!! Kings Win!!!

2012-01-07T07:00:00.001-08:00

I mentioned to Hubbs a while back that we should try to see a Sacramento Kings game at home before the Maloofs move the Kings to another city. So Thursday night we got tickets to see the Kings play the Milwaukee Bucks. I've been to see major league baseball but never basketball.

We had pretty decent seats behind the hoop. After seeing the game, I think next time we should try to get tickets from the side. I spent a lot of time trying to see but the back board was in the way.
They had a very nice opening with the national anthem. And during the game they had dancing girls and break dancers.

Of course I wore a hand knit, Roheline. It was the sweater that I knit last year for Stitches West and the sweater I wear most of the time.

Jimmer Frebette, I guess he's a big deal. They had all kinds of shirts that said, "Got Jimmer?" He was a good player and made lots of baskets. The game was really exciting even if I didn't really know what was going on most of the game. I'm pretty sure I asked Hubbs a thousand questions. But the game was fast paced and fun.

In the last period the game was really exciting becuase it was so close. There were lots of fouls and we finally pulled it out in the end for a win. The crowed was going crazy and everyone was on their feet. Right at the buzzer the Bucks shot a 3 pointer which would have tied up the game but it bounced off the rim. Everyone was screaming and hollaring. It was a great game and a very fun way to spend the evening. I defenitaly want to see another one.

1st book of 2012

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

11/22/63 by Stephen King

From Goodreads:

ON NOVEMBER 22, 1963, THREE SHOTS RANG OUT IN DALLAS, PRESIDENT KENNEDY DIED, AND THE WORLD CHANGED.WHAT IF YOU COULD CHANGE IT BACK?

In this brilliantly conceived tour de force, Stephen King—who has absorbed the social, political, and popular culture of his generation more imaginatively and thoroughly than any other writer—takes readers on an incredible journey into the past and the possibility of altering it.

It begins with Jake Epping, a thirty-five-year-old English teacher in Lisbon Falls, Maine, who makes extra money teaching GED classes. He asks his students to write about an event that changed their lives, and one essay blows him away—a gruesome, harrowing story about the night more than fifty years ago when Harry Dunning’s father came home and killed his mother, his sister, and his brother with a sledgehammer. Reading the essay is a watershed moment for Jake, his life—like Harry’s, like America’s in 1963—turning on a dime. Not much later his friend Al, who owns the local diner, divulges a secret: his storeroom is a portal to the past, a particular day in 1958. And Al enlists Jake to take over the mission that has become his obsession—to prevent the Kennedy assassination.

So begins Jake’s new life as George Amberson, in a different world of Ike and JFK and Elvis, of big American cars and sock hops and cigarette smoke everywhere. From the dank little city of Derry, Maine (where there’s Dunning business to conduct), to the warmhearted small town of Jodie, Texas, where Jake falls dangerously in love, every turn is leading eventually, of course, to a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald and to Dallas, where the past becomes heart-stoppingly suspenseful, and where history might not be history anymore. Time-travel has never been so believable. Or so terrifying.

My take:

Interesting story of how time travel could tear a world apart. Best part was revisiting two characters from It in the first part of the story. I gave it 5 stars if only because Mr. King doesn't write himself into this one.

Gnarled Oak Cardigan

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

When I first found out on Alana Dakos blog that she was co-writing a pattern book with Hannah Fettig called Coastal Knits, I was so excited. I've knitted patterns written by both of these ladies and met Alana last year at Stitches West. So of course I pre-ordered Coastal Knits. If you haven't seen it, you should check it out on Ravelry and then order the book. Lots of really cute patterns for sweaters and accessories.

Two of the sweaters that I really fell in love with were Wildflower Cardigan and Gnarled Oak Cardigan both by Alana Dakos. I was trying to pick between these two cardigans for a sweater to try and knit for Stitches West this year. I finally decided on Gnarled Oak because it has longer sleeves, not that I couldn't have made the ones on Wildflower longer.

I love this sweater. It's a bottom up, seamless pattern with lots of stockinette so I'm hoping that I will be able to finish it in time for Stitches. I ordered 7 skeins of MadelineTosh, Tosh DK in Filigree to make this sweater. This is going to be the most expensive sweater I've ever knit. Tosh DK isn't cheap. But I do love the color, Filigree, that I chose. It's green with brown accents. I'm thinking it's going to be perfect for this pattern. But of course, I have to wait until the yarn gets here before I decide if it's going to work.

Normally I order all my yarn either from Knitpicks or from Jimmy Beans Wool. I always get good, fast service from both of these companies. But I placed my order with Webs this time. I've never ordered from them before but they had enough skeins of Tosh DK in Filigree and Jimmy Beans didn't. I ordered it over the weekend, so I guess I'm going to have to wait a while before it arrives. I've gotten so spoiled with having Jimmy Beans so close that I get things almost next day. I hate waiting for yarn to come in the mail. I guess this is where I learn some patients.

Year End 2011, Part 2

2012-01-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

I set myself a goal at the beginning of 2011 to read 100 books. I actually read 103. I posted almost all of them here but then I got lost in craziness that I posted about yesterday. But I did meet my goal and actually exceeded my goal. 103 books. 37,621 pages. That’s a lot of reading. Honestly I didn’t think I would make my goal, 100 books is a lot of reading.

I set a goal of 100 books again for 2012. I got a Kindle Touch for Christmas from my mom and a $25 Amazon gift card from my sister so I’ve been buying and downloading books into my kindle. I can also borrow Kindle books from the library but there aren’t that many available so I’m on the waiting list for a few of them. I will of course still be reading good old fashioned paper books too. As fast as I read, I can’t afford to be purchasing books all the time from Amazon. Not that the prices are outrageous or anything but it’s still hard to pay $9.99 for an e-book that I read once and most likely won’t ever read again.

I know that it’s only the 4th of January but I finished 3 books already. I spent most of Sunday just hanging out at home and reading. Work has been so crazy that I really needed some down time to try and recharge my batteries before I start my Half Marathon Training again. Christmas day I purchased 11/22/63 by Stephen King and I finished it on New Year’s day. I also had purchased Fighting to Survive, As the World Dies, Book 2 by Rhiannon Frater. I read the whole thing on New Year’s day. Honestly, I never got dressed. Just hung out all day in my jammies and read. It was beautiful. I’ll have reviews on these books coming up.

In addition to reading 100 books in 2011, I had 8 goals for myself. Sadly I didn’t accomplish that many of them.

1. Finish Valpuri (done), Central Park Hoodie, Girl Friday (done) & Vintage Knee Socks (done).
I didn’t finish Central Park Hoodie. I didn’t even try to finish it. I just need to redo the sleeves and it would be done. Honestly, I’m thinking about frogging it and never going back to it. I just don’t know what I want to do with it. So languish it does.
2. Complete at least two of my WIPs (listed in #1) before starting any new projects. (done)
This one I did do. I finished everything but Central Park Hoodie before I started new projects.
3. Read 50 of the books on the list of Best Post-Apocalyptic Books on Goodreads.com (done)
Done and then some!
4. Finish the Christmas Quilt Wall Hanging.
Nope, still in the state it was last January. I don’t think I sewed a stitch on this.
5. Learn Stranded Color Work.
Not a chance. Didn’t even attempt this one. I really didn’t do that much knitting all year.
6. Knit 2 pairs of socks from Around the World in Knitted Socks for Gram. (done)
This one I did do! Yay! Sort of. I knit one pair for her and one pair for me but I still knit 2 pairs of socks from this book.
7. Make 4 quilt tops from the November Shop Hop.
Nope, not done. I did one top and almost got it quilted but not the others. Like knitting, I didn’t do much sewing in 2011. All my project mojo went into my running.
8. Have no more than 4 WIPs at any one time.
I did pretty good on this one for most of the year but then I lost it as I lost interest in the projects I was working on and just cast on for new things.

My 2011 Goals are still posted to the right. I’m not sure if I’m going to set any goals for myself for 2012. Usually I have all my goals planned out before the end of the year but this year the end came so fast that I didn’t really have much time to dedicate to thinking about goals. I was just trying to survive the end of the year. I do have my 100 book goal again and to run my Half Marathon goal. But other than that…not much has been planned. My goals are going to be fluid this year. They can drift and change as the year progresses.

Year End 2011, Part 1

2012-01-03T09:28:00.000-08:00

Really? Nothing since November 7th? Wow. I posted almost daily for the last year and then nothing. But looking back at the last two months I’m not surprised at my sudden disappearance. Up until Thanksgiving I was working hard on my ½ Marathon training and work was crazy. The my grandmother got ill and my mom needed help and my husband’s grandfather ill too which meant that I was making trips to the bay area twice a week between Thanksgiving and Christmas and work was still crazy. My training schedule went out the window too and other then spending all my time either working or driving, I didn’t do a whole lot.

But it’s a new year. Happy New Year everyone! No more pity party for me. It’s time to get my training back on schedule. My half marathon is two and half months away, March 15th. Yikes. It’s so close, close enough to be scary. Really scaring since yesterday I ran for the first time since December 7th and I couldn’t even run a mile without stopping. Yikes. But that’s ok, I have two and half months. I can totally get back on track with this.

I did do a little bit of knitting while I was gone but not much. No sewing at all happened. None of my Christmas knitting happened. When things went haywire with the family something had to give so it was the knitting and the running. I’m embarrassed to admit it but I gave no hand knit gifts at all this year. Not one hand sewn place mat or table runner. Nothing. I literally did all of my Christmas gift shopping in a couple of hours on a Wednesday night about a week and a half before Christmas.

But I did manage to knit myself a couple of things. Selfish knitting, it’s the best.

I knit myself a scarf. I used Jacob's Ladder Seaman's Scarf by Jennifer Hoel but I modified mine to continue with the pattern all the way across instead of doing ribbing in the middle like the pattern called for. I used 2 skeins of Berroco Vintage in colorway 5125 which is a teal color. It was a nice easy knit that only took a couple of days.

I also knit myself some mitts from Tideland by london leo. No finished pictures on this one. It's hard to take pictures of your own hands. I used Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk for the mitts in colorway 5630. The color matches the Berroco Vintage that I used for my scarf perfectly. I did the long version. The pattern offers several different lengths of mitt. I have enough yarn left over that I'm thinking of knitting a short pair for when I'm wearing long sleeves and don't need them to cover half way to my elbow but want my hands to be warmer. The pattern was beautifully written and easy to follow. I'll have to get Hubbs to get some pictures of them for me.

Weekend Recap...

2011-11-07T09:42:00.001-08:00

I got waylaid by one of these ugly little guys (and a few million of his friends I'm sure)...germs. Friday afternoon I started getting a sore throat and ended up spending all most my entire weekend in bed (and not in a fun way). I was sick. Wasted my whole weekend. And of course I'm all better to be back to work today. Lucky me (Sarcasm).

Anyway, since I officially signed up and got a spot in the Shamrockn' Half this March I started my half marathon training last week. I got in half my runs but missed 4 miler on Saturday and my long run on Sunday due to illness and migraine, such a lovely combo.

But I did manage to pull it together on Sunday evening enough to do some laundry, clean the kitchen and grocery shop. I also made it up to the local big box sports retailer and got a reflective vest to wear over my running gear. With the time change and all it’s going to be dark before I can get home and run in the evenings now. I run where there is street lights but it can’t hurt to have a little extra to make sure cars see me in the dark.

I picked up one of these bad boys for $25, a Nathan Streak. I can’t believe I had to pay $25 for a very flimsy vest that’s basically some mesh and Velcro. It kills me to pay that kind of money for something so small. But I did. Safety first, right?

Technically, today is a rest day in my training plan but since I didn’t run over the weekend according to plan, I’m planning on getting a run in tonight. Nothing major, maybe 3 or 4 miles depending on how I feel after work. But based on the way that work is going today, I’m going to need a major stress buster tonight.

2011-11-01T15:07:00.000-07:00

OMG! I signed up for the Shamrock'n Half Marathon for March 2012. I'm so excited! This even sells out each year and I'm so excited about getting a spot. Registration opened up this morning at 10am. Thankfully after a few tries I was able to get on and sign up. I can't wait!

A Change in the Weather...

2011-10-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Despite this being the end of October we've been having very warm. It's been in the 80's every afternoon. But I guess October has finally decided to act like October instead of September.

45 degrees yesterday morning on my way to work. Brrr. And thank goodness, I'm ready for some cooler, fall like weather.

Ahead of Schedule.

2011-10-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

You have read 89 books toward your goal of 100 books.

89 of 100 (89%)
Great work, you're 8 books (7%) ahead.

Woohoo! I'm 8 books ahead of schedule. I love being ahead of schedule!

Book #88 of 2011...

2011-10-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

XVI by Julia Karr

From Goodreads.com:

Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world-even the most predatory of men-that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past-one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. Kinda the opposite of The Scarlet Letter in a way. Teenage girls encouraged to have sex without thinking the consequences of it. Of course the main character, Nina, doesn't go in for all that. She wants to hold on to her innocence, not the norm for girls her age. I didn't love the characters but I did love what the story is trying to teach us...don't let the government tell you what is right, follow your heart, Think for yourself.

Book #87 of 2011...

2011-10-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari

From Goodreads.com:

A thrilling tale of adventure, romance, and one girl's unyielding courage through the darkest of nightmares.

Epidemics, floods, droughts--for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, taking 99% of the population with it. As the weather continues to rage out of control, and Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, Lucy survives alone in the wilds of Central Park. But when she's rescued from a pack of hunting dogs by a mysterious boy named Aidan, she reluctantly realizes she can't continue on her own. She joins his band of survivors, yet, a new danger awaits her: the Sweepers are looking for her. There's something special about Lucy, and they will stop at nothing to have her.

My take:

3 out of 5 stars. I like the premise of the story in this book but the characters came off a bit flat for me. I never felt any real connection for either Lucy or Aidan. Not to mention that I saw the twist coming from a long way off in this book. It's not a terrible book but it's not a great book either.

My New Toy!

2011-10-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've been searching for a Garmin 110 or a while but at over $200 I couldn't really justify buying it. But last week I finally found it online for $180 from Holabirdsports.com. I got free shipping so it didn't cost me anything extra. I'm hoping that this will help me find my stride in my training since I've been having trouble. Switching from running in the morning to the afternoons has been tough for me. It's hotter in the afternoon and I'm tired from working a long day. When I was running in the morning I was able to run 6 plus miles with no problem. But in the afternoons, I'm struggling to complete even 2 miles. Fingers crossed, this will help me.

Books# 85 & 86 of 2011

2011-10-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Away (The Line #2) by Teri Hall

From Goodreads.com:

After crossing the Line, Rachel finds herself in a world where survival is never guaranteed - a world where bizarre creatures roam the woods and people have strange abilities. Everything has gone to ruin Away and the survivors have banded into warring clans. Rachel finds her father being held prisoner by a tribe of Others, and she and her new friends set out to rescue him. But when they cross back over the Line, Rachel and Pathik make a foolish decision, bringing them into further danger that can only be resolved with an unthinkable sacrifice.An adventure filled with life-and-death choices, dark conspiracies, and heart-poundingly suspenseful moments, this sequel delivers.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. I really like this story. My only real complaint, as shallow as it might be, is that the books aren't long enough! You could have made one decent length book between this one and the first one with the next installment thrown in. Just when the story starts to get good, the books end. Too short.

The Reapers Are the Angels by Alden Bell

From Goodreads.com:

Zombies have infested a fallen America. A young girl named Temple is on the run. Haunted by her past and pursued by a killer, Temple is surrounded by death and danger, hoping to be set free.

For twenty-five years, civilization has survived in meager enclaves, guarded against a plague of the dead. Temple wanders this blighted landscape, keeping to herself and keeping her demons inside her heart. She can't remember a time before the zombies, but she does remember an old man who took her in and the younger brother she cared for until the tragedy that set her on a personal journey toward redemption. Moving back and forth between the insulated remnants of society and the brutal frontier beyond, Temple must decide where ultimately to make a home and find the salvation she seeks.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. I liked this one. Not your typical zombie book and it had an unusual ending. I would read this one again. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because it had some really slow parts and the fact that 20 years after the zombie apocalypse there were still abandoned places with the power still on. And cars that would start no problem. I just don't think it would happen that way. But otherwise, a good read.

Books 83 & 84 of 2011

2011-10-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Compound by S.A. Bodeen

From Goodreads.com
Eli and his family have lived in the underground Compound for six years. The world they knew is gone, and they've become accustomed to their new life. Accustomed, but not happy. For Eli, no amount of luxury can stifle the dull routine of living in the same place, with only his two sisters, his father and mother, doing the same thing day after day after day. As problems with their carefully planned existence threaten to destroy their sanctuary - and their sanity - Eli can't help but wonder if he's rather take his chances outside. Eli's father built the Compound to keep them safe. But are they safe - or sorry?

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. Creepy. Read the book, it's creepy. And really sad.

Numbers by Rachel Ward

From Goodreads.com:

Whenever Jem meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die. Burdened with such an awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. But while they’re waiting to ride the Eye Ferris wheel, Jem notices that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today’s number. Today’s date. Terrorists are going to attack London. Jem’s world is about to explode!

My take:

3 out of 5 stars. I liked the idea of this book more then I liked the actual book. The entire time I kept thinking, "Just go home. You haven't done anything wrong. Stupid kids." I don't think I'm going to search out the next book in the series. I just didn't enjoy it that much.

Book 81 & 82 of 2011

2011-10-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've gotten a bit behind on reviewing the books I finished, so it's going to be two at a time to catch up. 3 posts of books vs. 6 posts of books sounds much better to me.

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

From Goodreads.com:

An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions.Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom—a young soldier—and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP.

For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it’s now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human. Author Ilsa J. Bick crafts a terrifying and thrilling novel about a world that could be ours at any moment, where those left standing must learn what it means not just to survive, but to live amidst the devastation.

My Take:

5 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed this book and was sad when it ended. I'm still wondering what happened to Tom and Ellie and are we going to see them again. Looking forward to reading the next book.

Daughters of the North by Sarah Hall

From Goodreads.com:

In her stunning novel, Hall imagines a new dystopia set in the not-too-distant future. England is in a state of environmental crisis and economic collapse. There has been a census, and all citizens have been herded into urban centers. Reproduction has become a lottery, with contraceptive coils fitted to every female of childbearing age. A girl who will become known only as "Sister" escapes the confines of her repressive marriage to find an isolated group of women living as "un-officials" in Carhullan, a remote northern farm, where she must find out whether she has it in herself to become a rebel fighter. Provocative and timely, Daughters of the North poses questions about the lengths women will go to resist their oppressors, and under what circumstances might an ordinary person become a terrorist.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. It was very The Handmaiden to me. But I loved that she left society to try for a better life for herself. Based on some of the reviews on Goodreads, I know that some people were a bit miffed by the fact that the main character had some lesbian feelings and that she acted on them. But I didn't find it off putting or out of the character of the story.

Christmas Knitting

2011-10-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's getting to be that time of year where I need to think about my Christmas knitting. Normally this is one at the beginning of the year and worked all year long. But this year I didn't make any plans and barely knitted for myself. Not sure why but I just didn't knit like I did in 2010.

But that aside, it's time for me to start the Christmas knitting. I have Pyroclastic in the works for my grandmother and a second pair of socks planned for her as well. I'm planning to block Almost Ovals (I know it's been done for a month but I still haven't blocked it) and giving it to my mom. But I still need gifts for my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and my older sister. Not to mention something for my extra mom (I hate calling her stepmother, she's so much more then that) and my baby sister. Also I need something for my dad, my nephew and my father-in-law. I'm not sure if I'm going to knit for the men or not.

Here's what I'm thinking for my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law. I didn't knit or sew for them last year and comments were made. Oops. For my mother-in-law I'm thinking Saroyan by Liz Abinante. It's a really beautiful scarf with an unusual leaf edging. It's been in my cure for a long time and I think this is a perfect opportunity to knit something that I've been wanting to knit but haven't got around to.

Photo by by Feministy

I love the leaf edging, makes a very wearable item so beautiful.

Photo by by Feministy

As far as choosing a color and a yarn for this project, I'm trying to keep things on the cheap side this year. Well, not so much cheap as inexpensive. I chose Knitpicks Merino Style in the colorway Storm. My mother-in-law is a blond with beautiful blue eyes, so this should be lovely on her.

For my sister-in-law I'm thinking of Lubov Scarf by Grumperina from the Brave New Knits book. I bought it a few weeks ago and haven't knit anything from it yet.

I love the lace work on this scarf. My sister-in-law has a big personality and I think this would look lovely on her.

I love the lace pattern and the fact that it's knit in one piece and not grafted in the middle.

I've chosen Stroll Glimmer from Knitpicks in the Runway colorway. My sister-in-law has a black pea coat that will really make this color pop.

Now that I've decided on at least two more gifts I have to find time to knit them.

Indian Grinding Rock State Park

2011-10-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Last Friday we went to Indian Grinding Rock State Park in Volcano California. I'd been wanting to go for a while and we finally took some time to do it.

The sheer number of holes in rocks was very impressive, especially when you start thinking about how long it must have taken the Native Americans to grind out those holes.

We had some rain last week so most of the holes were filled with water.

It was such a beautiful day.

They had a replica village and a round house that the local tribe uses for ceremonies.

We saw this awesome hawk in a huge oak tree.

The park was really awesome and totally worth the drive to go see it. However, on the way up there we saw signs for Dark Chasm National Landmark. It was just a couple miles up the road from the park but we didn't know what it was so we didn't go. Turns out it's a really cool cave that you can take a walking tour through. I totally want to go back and check that out some time.

Pyroclastic Socks

2011-10-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

I spent part of Saturday evening and Sunday morning trying to find a pattern that I really liked to knit up my new sock yarn for my Gram. Ravelry is a great tool but sometimes it can be overwhelming trying to find a new pattern out of the millions out there.

But after some searching I finally found Pyroclastic by Marlowe Crawford.

My Gram likes her socks a bit taller so I'm going to add at least one additional repeat of the pattern for the leg.

The bottom of the foot is interesting with the decreases. I haven't done a foot like this one before.

I love the mock cables.

I decided to use the Cascade Heritage in Red for this pair for my Gram. It'll be a red hot pyroclastic.

I got started on the socks on Sunday evening and did three repeats of the pattern before bed time. It's really easy to memorize and I love that. I used it to hide behind during The Walking Dead season premier.

Weekend Recap...Sorta

2011-10-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when you let your husband do the chores!

So yes, we did some chores around the house over the weekend. But since I also had Thursday and Friday off of work we also did some fun stuff too. I spent most of Thursday at the Subaru dealer getting the Outback serviced. Nothing major just needed an oil change and have it's tires rotated. There was also a couple of recall notices on it that needed to be taken care of, again nothing major but since I was there might as well get it taken care of.

Friday, Hubbs and I went up to Volcano and checked out Indian Grinding Rock State Park. It was pretty neat. Post and pictures to follow on that adventure. We also drove down to Manteca from Volcano on the back roads to check out a couple of new 5th wheels at a dealer there. We're not buying anything right now but Hubbs is considering it. I enjoyed the drive on the back roads. We decided that Walnuts are king in that part of the central valley. But we also so lots of cherry, almonds and peach trees too. Plus the weather was perfect for driving with the windows down and really enjoying the fall weather.

Saturday we decided to take a run to Reno. The plan was to leave early on Saturday morning but we didn't get up and going until later. I haven't been sleeping much lately so when I get up in the morning I'm really groggy and have a hard time getting going. The plan was to hit Jimmy Beans Wool at their new location and then Schells and the Cabelas on the way out of town. We didn't get to Jimmy Beans until almost 1pm, so I just did a quick in and out. I picked up a couple skeins of sock yarn to knit my Gram a couple of pairs of socks for Christmas. I got one skein of Cascade Heritage in a beautiful read and one skein of Madeline Tosh Sock in a purple color. Pics to follow on those too.

After Jimmy Beans we had a quick lunch on the fly at Quizno's. Neither one of us had eaten there before so it was fun to try something new. Then we hit Schells. Let me tell you, it was the biggest sporting goods store that I have ever been in. It had huge fish tanks that you walked through and a ferris wheel in the middle of the store. It was also two stories! It was truly amazing. However, we didn't buy a single thing there. But we did spend several hours just wandering around looking at all the stuff. I would like to go back again sometime when I have money to spend. It was really cool.

On the way out of town we hit Cabellas for Hubbs, all your hunting and fishing needs under one roof. I got an amazing wool jacket with a hood (pictures to follow on that too, I was too tired to take pictures yesterday). Hubbs got a nice shirt and a new baseball cap, because you have to have a clean, fancy going-to-town ball cap. lol

We didn't get home until pretty late so we decided to hit McDonalds for dinner, something we never do. I don't know what was going on last night but the line was super long and not moving so we opted for Carls Jr instead.

After such a busy couple of days, we decided to take it easy and spend most of Sunday at home. We only ventured out for a joint Walmart/grocery store trip. I did loads and loads of laundry and set up the crock pot for chicken taco stew for tonight's dinner. We also watched tons and tons of football. But more importantly Sunday evening was the season premier of one of my favorite shows, The Walking Dead! Love it! I can't wait for next week!

Book #80 for 2011...

2011-10-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

From Goodreads.com:

Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive. A dystopian fantasy series starter with wings. Editor's recommendation.

My take:

3 out of 5 stars. I didn't love or hate this book. I found it a very disturbing concept that because new generations were dying off at such a young age, the found it ok to kidnap and impregnate 13 year old girls. Blew my mind a bit and totally disturbed me. The though process for the main character, while 16 years old, was very adult and I had to keep reminding myself that these were children in this book. Really disturbing.

Quotes

2011-10-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

— Jane Goodall

Another quote that speaks to me. They seem to be coming at me from all sides. I wonder what the universe is trying to tell me. Must be something important.

Book #79 of 2011...

2011-10-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Solitary (Escape from Furnace #2) by Alexander Gordon Smith

From Goodreads.com:

Alex Sawyer and his mates should have known there was no way out of Furnace Penitentiary. Their escape attempt only lands them deeper in the guts of this prison for young offenders, and then into solitary confinement. And that's where a whole new struggle begins—a struggle not to let the hellish conditions overwhelm them. Because before another escape attempt is even possible, they must first survive the nightmare that now haunts their endless nights.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. The concept of a maximum security prison with no government oversight is an interesting concept for me since I work for a government agency that oversees this type of thing. But add in the concept that this maximum security prison is for children and it really blows my mind. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Book# 78 of 2011...

2011-10-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Line by Teri Hall

From Goodreads.com:

An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the United States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It's said that bizarre creatures and super humans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel's dad died in the last war. It's a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help.Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. Good character depth and a plot I hadn't really run into before. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Book# 77 of 2011...

2011-10-11T07:00:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsend

From Goodreads.com:

When Ellie and her friends return from a camping trip in the Australian bush, they find things hideously wrong--their families are gone. Gradually they begin to comprehend that their country has been invaded and everyone in their town has been taken prisoner. As the reality of the situation hits them, they must make a decision--run and hide, give themselves up and be with their families, or fight back. An ALA Best Book for Young Adults.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

When Ellie and her friends go camping, they have no idea they're leaving their old lives behind forever. Despite a less-than-tragic food shortage and a secret crush or two, everything goes as planned. But a week later, they return home to find their houses empty and their pets starving. Something has gone wrong--horribly wrong. Before long, they realize the country has been invaded, and the entire town has been captured--including their families and all their friends. Ellie and the other survivors face an impossible decision: They can flee for the mountains or surrender. Or they can fight.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. I really liked this book. It was like the Australian version of Red Dawn. If you're a child of the 80's you remember this movie. It had all the big stars, Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Lea Thompson, C. Thomas Howell, and Charlie Sheen. The US gets invaded by Russia and a group of teenagers fight back. Tomorrow, When the War Began is pretty much the same story but a new location and new kids. It was a pretty good book and I'm interested in the rest of the series. Unfortunately, my library doesn't have them so it might be a while before I can afford to order them from Amazon or some other big box retailer. Sadly my town no longer has a book store so I can't buy them locally.

Inspiration...

2011-10-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

I love finding quotes that speak to me.

Challenging Myself

2011-10-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

You have read 76 books toward your goal of 100 books.

76 of 100 (76%)
Great work, you're on track!

I like challenging myself and part of that has been with my reading over the last couple of years. In 2010 I challenged myself to read 50 of the most banned books and I did. This year I challenged myself to read 50 post apocalyptic books and I did. Along with the 50 post apocalyptic books I wanted to read 100 books of any shape, size or genera. It's almost the middle of October and I've read 76 books. I expect to finish a couple more this weekend only because I'm so close to the end of two more books.

I love reading. I love getting to know new characters and the endless possibilities of what could happen.

Book# 76 of 2011...

2011-10-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Dead (Enemy #2) by Charlie Higson

From Goodreads:

THE DEAD begins one year before the action in THE ENEMY, just after the Disaster. A terrible disease has struck everyone over the age of sixteen, leaving them either dead or a decomposing, flesh-eating creature. The action starts in a boarding school just outside London where all the teachers have turned into zombies. Together they begin a terrifying journey to find safety, and home.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. Lots of good action but it was pretty predictable. I was never really worried that the kids wouldn't make it and you never really got to know any of the main characters. They played a bit flat for me.

Book# 75 of 2011

2011-10-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Patient Zero (Joe Ledger #1) by Jonathan Maberry

From Goodreads.com:

When you have to kill the same terrorist twice in one week there's either something wrong with your world or something wrong with your skills... and there's nothing wrong with Joe Ledger's skills. And that's both a good, and a bad thing. It's good because he's a Baltimore detective that has just been secretly recruited by the government to lead a new taskforce created to deal with the problems that Homeland Security can't handle. This rapid response group is called the Department of Military Sciences or the DMS for short. It's bad because his first mission is to help stop a group of terrorists from releasing a dreadful bio-weapon that can turn ordinary people into zombies. The fate of the world hangs in the balance....

My take:

3 out of 5 stars. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it. What really killed it for me was all the science-y stuff about the virus that killed it for me. I'm not a scientific person by nature so when the characters would start talking about the microbiology of it all I tended to tune out until there was action. I honestly don't think that I'll pursue reading the rest of the series.

Wise Words...

2011-10-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

“Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.”
— Voltaire

I love this quote but I want to change the word dance for the word run...

October!

2011-10-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Happy October!! And Happy Fall!!!

Also, happy birthday to my mom. Love you you so much!! I hope this year is better then any that's come before it.

Friday...

2011-09-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

I took this picture on my way to work the other day. Such a beautiful fall morning. It makes me want to play hooky even more then usual and go hiking or walk the dogs or sit in the sun, drink coffee and knit.

I love fall.

Almost Ovals, Finally Progress.

2011-09-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

I started working on Almost Ovals a few weeks ago but got sidetracked by working on Larch. But I decided that I wanted a more dense fabric then one strand of lace weight yarn could make so I ripped out what I had done, which was less then one repeat of the pattern. I wound a second skein of yarn and cast on again with the yarn held double.

I finished two repeats of the pattern and decided to faux block it to get a good look at the fabric and the pattern.

I love the pattern even more now then I did before. It's so beautiful.

Unblocked...U.G.L.Y. I hate the way lace is so ugly before you block it. I keep pulling the the fabric out to look at it over and over again.

I love the fall light right now. It's so soft and beautiful.

When the light is like this, I want to take pictures all day long.

Shalder is done!

2011-09-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

The buttons are one and I've worn it...and I love it sooooo much. Still need to get pictures wearing it.

Love the toggle buttons!

Oktobrewfest!!!!

2011-09-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Racing helps keep my running fresh for me. So I signed up for Oktobrewfest over the river in Davis. I can't wait for this race. It's October 8 and it is an evening race which will be new for me. I'm used to running in the morning. But more importantly Hubbs will be running this race with me. I'm not sure he's going to make it since he hasn't had any training at all and every time I ask if he wants to run with me he turns me down. The race is only a 5k so I'm sure he'll be able to do it even if he has to walk a bit (no shame in that, I've done it). Honestly, I think without the training he'll still get a better time then I will! lol Thankfully, while I am competitive, I only race against my last time trying for a new PR.

But what I'm really looking forward to is after the race. I bought food and drink tickets for after! There's going to be beer (of course, it's Oktobrewfest after all) and lots of yummy food. They also have costume judging and bratwurst eating contests! I can't wait! It's going to be so much fun!

Book# 74 of 2011...

2011-09-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

Rise Again, A Zombie Thriller by Ben Tripp

From Goodreads.com:

A MYSTERIOUS CONTAGION. MASS HYSTERIA. SUDDEN DEATH.
And a warning that would come all too late . . .

Forest Peak, California. Fourth of July. Sheriff Danielle Adelman, a troubled war veteran, thinks she has all the problems she can handle in this all-American town after her kid sister runs away from home. But when a disease-stricken horde of panicked refugees fleeing the fall of Los Angeles swarms her small mountain community, Danny realizes her problems have only just begun—starting with what might very well be the end of the world. Danny thought she had seen humanity at its worst in war-torn Iraq, but nothing could prepare her for the remorseless struggle to survive in a dying world being overrun by the reanimated dead and men turned monster. Obsessed with finding her missing sister against all odds, Danny’s epic and dangerous journey across the California desert will challenge her spirit . . . and bring her to the precipice of sanity itself. . . .

Filled with adventurous human drama—and shocking inhuman horror—Rise Again marks a vivid and powerful fiction debut.

My take:

3 out of 4 stars. A thriller for sure but I didn't love the end.

Time for a New Training Plan...

2011-09-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

I officially finished my Bridge to 10k training last Sunday. I could have finished it sooner but I didn’t like how the last week had you jumping up additional minutes of running time every day instead of once as week so I took extra time to run Week 5, Day 1-3 a few times each to get used to running those additional minutes before moving on to the new time.

Since then I’ve been running for 60 minutes on each of my run days. It’s taking me about 75 minutes to run 10k and I’m not sure that I care that much about picking up my pace. I’d like to run it faster but I think I want to start thinking ahead to begin training for a half more then I want to run faster.

I’m planning on continuing to run 10k 3 times a week until October. In October I have to switch my work hours and will be working a later shift. So I’ll be able to run in the mornings every day that I want to train during the week instead of just 2 days a week during the work week with runs on the weekend when I feel like it.

Picking a training plan is so hard! There are so many out there and I just don’t know what to chose. I’ve had recommendations for the Jeff Galloway plan, Runner’s World Smart Coach and Hal Higdon’s plan. But how do you choose? I’m thinking of printing out the training plans and doing a comparison. Hopefully this will get me a step closer to making a decision. I still have a week before my work schedule changes and I’d like to have at least some idea of how I want to proceed before October 1.

Have you seen Sugarbunny Yarn from Knitpicks?

2011-09-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

I came across Sugarbunny doing the thing I know I shouldn't be doing...yarn shopping on line. I know I should stay away from yarn shopping but I figured it wouldn't hurt to take a peek at Knitpicks to see what's new. Little did I know...Sugarbunny.

It looks so soft and cozy and beautiful. I just want to order it all, make a pile on my bed and burrow in for the winter.

Peacock..so deep and beautiful.

Sea Spray, cool and inviting.

Even the gray of Hawk is just lovely.

And Potion...what can I say? I want a couple dozen skeins of this!!!!

So after I envisioned a beautiful worsted weight sweater perfect for cooler fall temperatures I remembered...Angora makes me itch. Not just an occasional scratch like wool but itch like my skin is on fire and the only way to put it out is by scratching until I don't have skin left. And the itch doesn't go away because I take the garment off, oh no, it lasts for a few days afterward! And it leaves my very pale skin blotchy and red for days.

Some times life is so unfair.

Book# 73 of 2011...

2011-09-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Lockdown (Escape from Furnace) by Alexander Gordon Smith

From Goodreads.com:

Furnace Penitentiary: the world’s most secure prison for young offenders, buried a mile beneath the earth’s surface. Convicted of a murder he didn’t commit, sentenced to life without parole, “new fish” Alex Sawyer knows he has two choices: find a way out, or resign himself to a death behind bars, in the darkness at the bottom of the world. Except in Furnace, death is the least of his worries. Soon Alex discovers that the prison is a place of pure evil, where inhuman creatures in gas masks stalk the corridors at night, where giants in black suits drag screaming inmates into the shadows, where deformed beasts can be heard howling from the blood-drenched tunnels below. And behind everything is the mysterious, all-powerful warden, a man as cruel and dangerous as the devil himself, whose unthinkable acts have consequences that stretch far beyond the walls of the prison.

Together with a bunch of inmates—some innocent kids who have been framed, others cold-blooded killers—Alex plans an escape. But as he starts to uncover the truth about Furnace’s deeper, darker purpose, Alex’s actions grow ever more dangerous, and he must risk everything to expose this nightmare that’s hidden from the eyes of the world.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars, I really enjoyed it but didn't totally love it. The worst part of the whole book is when (spoiler alert) Alex jumps into the underground river and the book ends. Ugh!!! Suspense! It's killing me. But based on the fact that the next book in the series is called Solitary I'm going to guess they don't make it to freedom. But I still want to read it to find out.

Ya think?!

2011-09-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

“She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.”
— Lousia May Alcott

So true but let's be honest, I'm pretty sure my brain was turned long before I started reading so much!

Book# 72 of 2011...

2011-09-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Death & Decay by Jonathan Maberry

From Goodreads.com:

Six months have passed since the terrifying battle with Charlie Pink-eye and the Motor City Hammer in the zombie-infested mountains of the Rot & Ruin. It’s also six months since Benny Imura and Nix Riley saw something in the air that changed their lives. Now, after months of rigorous training with Benny’s zombie-hunter brother Tom, Benny and Nix are ready to leave their home forever and search for a better future. Lilah the Lost Girl and Benny’s best friend Lou Chong are going with them.

Sounds easy. Sounds wonderful. Except that everything that can go wrong does. Before they can even leave there is a shocking zombie attack in town. But as soon as they step into the Rot & Ruin they are pursued by the living dead, wild animals, insane murderers and the horrors of Gameland –where teenagers are forced to fight for their lives in the zombie pits. Worst of all…could the evil Charlie Pink-eye still be alive?

In the great Rot & Ruin everything wants to kill you. Everything…and not everyone in Benny’s small band of travelers will make it out alive.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. The average rating for this book is 4.56 stars and it was good but I didn't love it. I would have liked a little more depth in Liliah then the author gave in this book but I'm sure that the next book in the series (which I do intend to read) will hopefully go more into her character and less into Nix. It doesn't look like the next book is out yet so I guess I'll just have to wait and see what's going to happen.

Book# 71 of 2011...

2011-09-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch

From Goodreads.com:

The wars that followed The Collapse nearly destroyed civilization. Now, twenty years later, the world is faced with a choice—rebuild what was or make something new.

Stephen Quinn, a quiet and dutiful fifteen-year-old scavenger, travels Post-Collapse America with his Dad and stern ex-Marine Grandfather. They travel light. They keep to themselves. Nothing ever changes. But when his Grandfather passes suddenly and Stephen and his Dad decide to risk it all to save the lives of two strangers, Stephen's life is turned upside down. With his father terribly injured, Stephen is left alone to make his own choices for the first time.

Stephen’s choices lead him to Settler's Landing, a lost slice of the Pre-Collapse world where he encounters a seemingly benign world of barbecues, baseball games and days spent in a one-room schoolhouse. Distrustful of such tranquility, Stephen quickly falls in with Jenny Tan, the beautiful town outcast. As his relationship with Jenny grows it brings him into violent conflict with the leaders of Settler's Landing who are determined to remake the world they grew up in, no matter what the cost.

My take:
4 out of 5 stars. I hope there is a sequal to this book. I'm intrested in finding out what happens to Stephen.

Have You Seen This?

2011-09-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this new Goldfish Sandwich bread? I know that I'm 35 but I totally want a goldfish shaped sandwich!

Shalder...

2011-09-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Shalder is blocking! Love the waist shaping.
Yoke with lace.

Detail of lace on yoke.

Pocket detail

I love this sweater. I can't wait for it to be dry so I can wear it. Of course I need to get buttons first.

Book# 69 of 2011...

2011-09-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

From Goodreads.com:

Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step.

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.

Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women - mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends - view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't.

My take:

5 out of 5 stars.

My family is from the south. My Mom was born on the west coast and raised mostly in the south in the 60's. When my great aunt passed away last year she had live in help, a beautiful black lady named Lala. This book as made me think about her a lot and I realized that I never learned her Christian name.

Book# 68 for 2011...

2011-09-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban

From Goodreads.com:

A brilliant, unique, and completely realized work of fiction, "Riddley Walker"--first published in 1980--is set in a remote future in a post-nuclear holocaust England (Inland), where humanity has regressed to an iron-age, semi-literate state, represented by a language created especially by Hoban for the book.

My take:

1 out of 5 stars. I didn't read much of this book. The phonetic spelling that the author chose to write this book in made it really hard for me to read it. I get that it's supposed to be the first written word in 100's of years but I just couldn't get into the story because I spent so much time trying to figure out what each and every word was supposed to be. I gave up after about 60 pages of trying to muddle through.

This book is on the list for my 50 book challenge but since I finished the challenge on the book I posted about yesterday, I didn't really feel like bothering to try to force myself to keep reading a book that I just wasn't enjoying. Ah the joys of a library book...don't like, return it and check out a new book. No money outta pocket (not counting the property taxes I pay to support this type of public service).

9/11 Memorial 5k

2011-09-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning to memorialize the tenth anniversary of 9/11, I ran the 9/11 Memorial 5k in Sacramento. It was a perfect day for a run, the sky was overcast and there was a cool wind blowing. The temps were in the low 70's.

There were over 3000 race participants. It was an enormous race.

I wore my hot pink running skirt and a white top. My race number was 1030.

After the race each participant was handed an American flag to place next to the name of a first responder that died in the line of duty on 9/11. I placed mine next to the name George Lopez. I didn't know him but we share a last name. It was a very touching scene.

It was amazing to see all these people coming together for the same thing.

Unlike when I ran the 5k Foot Pursuit in June, I ran this race all the way through. I finished in 31:57, 103 in my age group and my pace was 10:18. Not bad at all. I was super happy with the results. I didn't train as hard as I would have liked to for this race but sometimes life is like that.

Book#50 of the 50 Book Challenge

2011-09-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Enemy by Charlie Higson

From Goodreads.com:

As the days pass, the situation has gone from frightening to terrifying. Kids are being picked off the streets; the barricaded teens are surrounded by flesh-eating zombie adults. When a mysterious traveler arrives with an offer of refuge in London's Buckingham Palace, they realize that they have no other option. What they can not yet understand is that their intense challenges will not end with their harrowing trip... Another hard-pulsing teen thriller by the author of the Young Bond series.

My Take:

5 out of 5 stars. Good, quick read. Lots of action and a cliff hanging ending.

9/11 Memorial 5k

2011-09-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the 9/11 Memorial 5k run that I signed up for a couple of months ago. I'm not nervous about the race but I don't feel like I've trained enough for this race. I'm still working on my 10k training but it's been a bit sporatic and honestly only 2 days a week for the most part. Not really the kind of effort that I know I should be putting into it. However as of Tuesday, I'm running 51 minuets without stopping, so I have that going for me.

Last update from Fleet Feet had the participent numbers at over 2500for this race. That's more then double what was in the 5k Foot Pursuit that I ran in June. I'm planning on beating my last race time of 33:42 but with that many people on the course I may have a hard time of it just based on the number of people in the race. However, only time will tell and I will be doing my best to beat my old time.

Larch is blocking!

2011-09-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to blocking Larch.
I love the detail around the cuff and hem of this sweater. I can't wait to get it seamed together so I can move on to the collar and wear it this fall.

A New Toy...Sort of

2011-09-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

My washing machine finally bit the dust the other day. A couple of months ago we called a repair guy out to look at my old front loader and were give an estimate of $800 for repair and a suggestion that we just buy a new one since a new machine would be cheaper then fixing the old one.

We decided to buy a new machine but just keep running the old one until it finally died before purchasing a new one. I got top loader this time instead of a front loader. This sucker has such a huge tub that I washed about 2 dozen towels at once. It was almost too much for the dryer to handle. But I love my new machine, it's quite and so easy. I love new toys.

Book# 49 of the 50 Book Challenge

2011-09-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Handling the Undead by John Ajvide Lindqvist

From Goodreads.com:

Something very peculiar is happening in Stockholm. There's a heatwave on and people cannot turn their lights out or switch their appliances off. Then the terrible news breaks. In the city morgue, the dead are waking up... What do they want? What everybody wants: to come home. 'Handling the Undead' is a story about our greatest fear and about a love that defies death.

My Take:

3 out of 5 Stars. It was a decent story but it just petered out at the end, no real wrap up.

I thought you weren't supposed to labor on labor day...

2011-09-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

But it seems like I spent most of my labor day weekend doing chores. I scrubbed floors on my hands and knees and washed dogs among other things...

Poor wet Dixie
I think Rex is almost drowned!

A New Book!

2011-09-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, fellow Blogger Gertie (she blogs at Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing) posted that her husband had written a book and it was being published. Being that the book is about what happens after the end of the world, I hauled tushy over to Amazon and pre-ordered it. Gerties husband, Jeff Hirsch posted a guest post on her blog about the book (find it here). I'm really excited about the book and I can't wait to get some time to sit down and read it. It fits in with all the books I've been reading and the general genre of post-apocalyptic that I seem to be in love with lately.

Congratulations to both Jeff and Gertie on the new book! I'm sure it will be a huge success!

Book# 48 of the 50 Book

2011-09-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Divergent by Veronica Roth

From Goodreads.com:

Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.

My take:

5 out of 5 stars. Excellent book. It only took me two days to read this book, I couldn't put it down. I requested this months ago from the library and was on a hold list so long that you couldn't see where it ended to get this book. After reading it, I know why the hold list was so long. Lots of action, adventure, mystery and just a touch of romance for the teenager in all of us. Good book.

I can't believe that I'm almost to the end of this challenge. 2 books to go. I'm starting to look forward to reading whatever I want...not that I haven't been in addition to the books in my challenge. But it will be nice to request whatever catches my fancy.

A broken Rule and a New WIP

2011-09-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

For the first time this year...I have more then 4 Works In Progress. Insert menacing music here. I have 5, count them, 5 WIPs. Run!!! I'm pretty sure that its one of the 7 signs of the apocalypse. Or at least a sign that I need to finish up a couple of projects that have been languishing (I'm looking at you, Larch and Lacy Leaf Satchel) or maybe frog and re-purpose the yarn (Central Park Hoodie).

But in being true to myself I had to have a new project to take on vacation with last weekend. I can't help it. The thought of being at the beach with nothing to knit makes me stir crazy. I like going to the beach and hanging out with Hubbs and our friends but I can't just sit, I need something to do and still be social. Enter Shalder by Gudrun Johnston.

Stockinette body, circular yoke, seamless construction ...perfect vacation knitting. Nothing too strenuous and nothing too boring.

Beautiful lace yoke

Interesting I-cord bind off or something. Not sure about that part. I've never done one before.

Love the pockets.

Super cute.

I ordered my yarn from Jimmy Beans Wool last week before we left. I had high hopes that it would arrive before we left and it did. Jimmy Beans is so fast! I love them! I ordered Bamboo Ewe by Debbie Stroller. I've used this yarn before for my Lacy Leaf Satchel and I loved it. However that being said I'm less then thrilled with one of the skeins that I received. No fault of Jimmy Beans, but one of the skeins of yarn had at least 3 separate joins in it, big knots. I kept having to cut them out and then rejoin the yarn to my fabric. Not really that big of deal but it was annoying. So far I have only experienced this with only one of the skeins.

Book# 47 of the 50 Book Challenge

2011-09-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

From Goodreads.com:

In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash, but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed this book. Lots of action and it totally set it up for the next book, Dust and Decay. I've already requested it from the library!

Book# 46 of the 50 Book Challenge

2011-09-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Patriots by James Wesley, Rawles

From Goodreads.com:
"Part novel, part survivalist-handbook, Patriots tells of a small group of friends facing every American's worst nightmare - the total collapse of society. The stock market plummets and hyperinflation cripples commerce and then a seemingly isolated financial crisis passes the tipping point when an unprepared government fails to act. Practically overnight, the fragile ...more"Part novel, part survivalist-handbook, Patriots tells of a small group of friends facing every American's worst nightmare - the total collapse of society. The stock market plummets and hyperinflation cripples commerce and then a seemingly isolated financial crisis passes the tipping point when an unprepared government fails to act. Practically overnight, the fragile institutions of democracy fall apart and every American is forced to survive on their own." Evading mobs of desperate, out-of-control citizens who have turned Chicago into a wasteland of looting and mayhem, this novel's protagonists make their way to a shared secure ranch in the wilds of northern Idaho. Here the survival-driven group fends off vicious attacks from the outside and eventually assists in restoring order to the country. The compelling, fast-paced action-adventure novel has readers jotting notes and referencing the book's impressive index for informative survivalist tips on everything from setting up a secure shelter to treating traumatic flesh wounds.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. It was a good book but I found it interesting that the author seems to think that all the good guys will be christian after the fall. Over all I liked the book but I could have done without the, what seemed to me, forced religious lessons.

Book# 63 for 2011

2011-08-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Julian Comstock; A Story of 22nd-Century America by Robert Charles Wilson

From Goodreads.com:

In the reign of President Deklan Comstock, a reborn United States is struggling back to prosperity. Over a century after the Efflorescence of Oil, after the Fall of the Cities, after the Plague of Infertility, after the False Tribulation, after the days of the Pious Presidents, the sixty stars and thirteen stripes wave from the plains of Athabaska to the national capital in New York City. In Colorado Springs, the Dominion sees to the nation’s spiritual needs. In Labrador, the Army wages war on the Dutch. America, unified, is rising once again.

Then out of Labrador come tales of a new Ajax—Captain Commongold, the Youthful Hero of the Saguenay. The ordinary people follow his adventures in the popular press. The Army adores him. The President is…troubled. Especially when the dashing Captain turns out to be his nephew Julian, son of the falsely accused and executed Bryce.

Treachery and intrigue dog Julian’s footsteps. Hairsbreadth escapes and daring rescues fill his days. Stern resolve and tender sentiment dice for Julian’s soul, while his admiration for the works of the Secular Ancients, and his adherence to the evolutionary doctrines of the heretical Darwin, set him at fatal odds with the hierarchy of the Dominion. Plague and fire swirl around the Presidential palace when at last he arrives with the acclamation of the mob.

As told by Julian’s best friend and faithful companion, a rustic yet observant lad from the west, this tale of the 22nd Century asks— and answers—the age-old question: “Do you want to tell the truth, or do you want to tell a story?”

My Take:

4 out of 5 Stars. Interesting take on what could happen after our oil dependant society collapses and our government becomes a dictatorship.

2011-08-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Since last Tuesday was Hubbs birthday we headed over to the ocean for a couple of days. It was a very nice mellow weekend. The weather was cold and over cast both days.

Mondays are for...

2011-08-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Mondays are for catching up on the blogs that I follow...

Mondays are for finishing the laundry that I started on Sunday...

Mondays are for uploading the pictures I took over the weekend...

Mondays are for filling in my day planner for the rest of the week...

Mondays are for catching up with friends and family...

But most of all Mondays are for fun.

What fun thing do you have planned?

A New WIP

2011-08-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Since Waiting for Spring Sweater and Laar are both done, I needed a new project. I cast on for Almost Ovals.

Pattern: Almost Ovals by Anne Hanson

Yarn: Knitpicks Shadow in Vineyard Heather

Needles: US 4

It took me a couple of tries to get this cast on. I kept dropping stitches on the first row due to some SSK's but I finally got it. I did about a half of one repeat before I went to bed last night. I'm really looking forward to this finished object. I think that investing in a set of blocking wires might be advisable for blocking this.

Laar is Done!

2011-08-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Laar is done! And let me tell you it takes a long time to sew on 16 buttons, 2 hours worth of buttons.

Loved the lace pattern. So fun and easy to memorize which is always a plus.

Picot edging around the neck line is beautiful.

The buttons are perfect.

Pattern: Laar by Gudrun Johnston

Yarn: Knitpicks Shadow in Oregon Coast (4 Skeins)

Size: 36 1/2

Needles: US 4 & US 6

Mods: Added 1/25 inches to the stockinette section, added an additional repeat of the lace pattern before splitting off for the fronts & backs and added 16 instead of the 10 called for in the pattern.

A Finished Object!!

2011-08-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

I finished Waiting for Spring Sweater!

I modified the neckline. The original had a high neckline but I can't stand anything tight against my throat.

Love the leaf detail running down the side.

Pattern: Waiting for Spring Sweater by Susan Demptster

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease in Worsted Weight, Color is Dark Rose Heather

Needles: US 8 & 9 to get gauge (I never got gauge pattern said 4 stitches/inch, I got 5 stitches/inch)

Mods: I lowered the neck line to make a scoop neck by beginning the neck shaping at 16 inches from the cast on edge.

This was my first real modification to any project. Generally about the only thing I modify is the length of the sleeves. I was nervous about how it was going to turn out bu this is perfect. I still need to block it but once I get it blocked I'll add pictures to Ravelry of me wearing it. My dress form isn't exactly the same size I am so it doesn't really show what this looks like on.

Laar...One Step Closer to Done

2011-08-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Laar is done blocking and I got buttons for it today too.

I used Knitpicks Shadow lace weight yarn for this project and let me tell you it blocks beautifully. It's soft, has beautiful stitch definition and I can tell you based on another sweater I did a couple of years ago, it wears nicely.

Hancock Fabrics had their buttons on sale until the end of the month. I wasn't sure what I wanted but I found some buttons that I really liked, 4 to a card. I got all 16 buttons for $5.13 including tax. Now that's a deal. Totally worth driving all the way out to the north
side of Sacramento for Buttons. Soon as I get them sewed on I'll be sure to post pictures.

Something Almost Done and Something Begun

2011-08-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

I finished knitting my Laar the other day and I ordered Almost Ovals by Anne Hanson but due to something or other with Hubbs Paypal account I wasn't able to get the pattern right away. I've been feeling really unproductive with everything lately and knitting seems to be only thing that I can get anything done so I decided to start on Waiting for Spring Sweater.

Wait, wait, wait...Laar isn't done but it is blocking. I just need buttons. Hancocks Fabrics has buttons on sale until the end of the month for 30% off. I didn't receive my sales flyer from Joanns so I'll stop in there before I head up to Hancocks to see if they have buttons on sale. Joanns is 15 minuets from my house and Hancocks is about 45 and not in the best area of Sacramento, so I always check Joanns first. Especially since I need like 15 1/2" buttons, it's worth driving to where the sale is.

Back to Waiting for Spring...

I picked up some Lion Brand Wool Ease Worsted on the cheap to start this sweater. Going from US 6 and lace weight yarn to size 9 and worsted weight make it seem like I'm working with rope and small trees to knit this sweater. But since it's mostly stockinette and knitted from the bottom up, it knits up quickly. However, I've run into a problem with it. I posted my question to the designer and hope to hear back quickly from her since I'm almost done with the body of the sweater. I'm planning on knitting the sleeves in the round, assuming that I have the right size DPNs.

I'm pretty sure that where I went wrong with with the arm hole shaping. I think I was supposed to do the shaping on both the back and front flaps and I only did it on the back. I assumed that when I put the front stitches on the holder that the armhole shaping for the front would happen at another place in the pattern. Honestly, even if I do the math that the pattern calls for for armhole shaping for the back I still have 19 stitches not 17 like the pattern calls for. Hopefully the designer gets back to me soon. I'm really looking forward to finishing this sweater.

2011-08-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 30th Birthday to my fabulous husband!

I hope this birthday outshines all the ones that have come before and can't hold a candle to the ones to come! May you have only love and happiness your whole life through!

2011-08-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

I finished another book, Book# 62 for 2011...

The Time Travelers Wife By Audery Niffenegger

From Goodreads.com:

When Henry meets Clare, he is twenty-eight and she is twenty. Henry has never met Clare before; Clare has known Henry since she was six. Impossible but true, because Henry finds himself periodically displaced in time, pulled to moments of emotional gravity from his life, past and future. Henry and Clare's attempts to live normal lives are threatened by a force they can neither prevent nor control, making their passionate love story intensely moving and entirely unforgettable. The Time Traveler's Wife is a story of fate, hope and belief, and more than that, it's about the power of love to endure beyond the bounds of time.

My take:

3 out of 5 stars.

When I told people that I was reading this book everyone said I'd love it. That I'd cry at the end. But I didn't love it and I didn't cry at the end. The first part was good, I was really enjoying it but by the time that I got to the last few chapters I just wanted it to be over. I didn't feel any real connection to either of the main characters in anyway. It was just meh for me. Not something that I'd really want to recommend to anyone else, thus the mediocre rating of 3 out of 5.

When People Move On...

2011-08-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

It’s funny how life works. Ya hate your job, your coworkers piss you off, your boss sucks, customers are rude…but in the end you find yourself making personal relationships with people. My job is a pressure cooker on its worst days and just crazy on its best days. I’ve been here a little over 3 years. I’d guess that most of those 3 years have been pretty awful as jobs go.

But the time has come for one of my coworkers to move on and I’m realizing that I’m really going to miss my friend. I came home from work one night last week really upset. It was a combination of pressure from a friend about ancient history, pressure from my boss and the realization that my work buddy is leaving. I actually got choked up about it when I was talking to Hubbs about it. I’m pretty sure that poor Hubbs was confused as to why I was upset.

My buddy, Lu, is my rock. She’s the one that pulls me away from my computer when I’m going nuts. She’s the one that makes sure I eat lunch in a timely manner. She’s the one that I vent to. She’s the one that offers me advice and talks me down when I’m thinking about doing someone in due to stupidity.

So to Lu, I raise my company approved water bottle and toast…may your new job be calm and relaxed. May you advance in your career. May you find yourself surrounded by people as wonderful as you. But most of all I wish you all the happiness in the world. I’m going to miss you greatly.

Ok, That's Kinda Weird...

2011-08-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Not sure what to think when I checked my stats for the blog and found that one of the keyword searches that brings people to my blog is "hot girl cell phone mirror." LOL!

Bringing My Reading List Up to Date

2011-08-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

The last two books to bring my reading up to date...

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick

Book# 45 in the 50 Book Challenge...

From Goodreads.com:

A beautiful new trade edition of the original science fiction masterpiece that inspired the cult movie classic Blade Runner. By 2021, the World War had killed millions, driving entire species into extinction and sending mankind off-planet. Those who remained coveted any living creature and for people who couldn't afford one, companies built incredibly realistic simulacrae: horses, birds, cats, sheep . . . even humans.

My Take:

2 out of 5 stars. I don't know why they say this book is classic science fiction. Not my cup of tea. Honestly, it was a waste of my time to read it, not to mention the time I spent carrying it around in my purse.

Richter 10 by Arthur Clarke and Mike McQuay

From Goodreads.com:

Lewis Crane lived through the devastating Los Angeles earthquake of 1994. He survived, but his family didn't—and at ten years old, his life was ripped apart.At the age of thirty-five, Lewis has devoted himself to the study of the most powerful force on Earth: earthquakes. He is the foremost expert in the field of seismology; and when he predicts a gigantic quake, everyone prepares for disaster. But to his relief and dismay, the quake never occurs, and suddenly Crane is the subject of ridicule from scientists around the world. Then he discovers a mistake in his calculations, and realizes that the "Big One" is just around the corner. The clock is ticking as he attempts to convince the world that this time, catastrophe is certain.Richter 10 is vintage Arthur C. Clarke—a fast-paced novel of ideas and near-future imagination, realized by McQuay's talent for characterization and ingenious plotting—and is the major science fiction event of the season.

My take:

3 out of 5 stars. It was ok. The plot was really slow and didn't pick up until the last 100 to 150 pages. Not great but not horrible.

A Couple More to Add to the List

2011-08-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

A couple more to add to my list of books when I thought that I hadn't read anything lately. Neither of these books are part of my 50 book challenge. I was getting run down on the list, even though I'm so close to finishing and I needed a break so I just grabbed a couple of books that seemed interesting.

Zombies Sold Separately by Cheyenne McCray

From Goodreads.com:

Nyx hates Zombies. Seriously. Hates. Zombies. Ever since she was a youngling, she's been haunted by them. And even though she's a big girl now—a half-human, half-Drow private eye, to be precise—Nyx bristles at the mere thought of the walking dead. Meanwhile, the corpses of humans and paranorms alike are turning up all over New York City. Now it's up to Nyx to find out who—or what—is behind this series of horrific attacks. But it's only a matter of time before Nyx is drawn deeper into her darkest fears...and her worst nightmare about meeting a real, flesh-and-blood-hungry, body-snatching Zombie comes blindingly to life. Or death...

My take:

2 out of 5 stars. Elves, zombies, vampires...not my cup of tea.

Deadline (Newsfeed #2) by Mira Grant

From Goodreads.com:

Shaun Mason is a man without a mission. Not even running the news organization he built with his sister has the same urgency as it used to. Playing with dead things just doesn't seem as fun when you've lost as much as he has.

But when a CDC researcher fakes her own death and appears on his doorstep with a ravenous pack of zombies in tow, Shaun has a new found interest in life. Because she brings news-he may have put down the monster who attacked them, but the conspiracy is far from dead.
Now, Shaun hits the road to find what truth can be found at the end of a shotgun.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. I liked this one much better then the first book in the series, Feed. I found Shaun to be a more interesting character then his sister Georgia. Georgia still plays a big part in this book despite the fact that she died in Feed. I thought it was in interesting dynamic to have her as the voice of reason inside Shauns head.

Things I Love this Week

2011-08-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

What I'm loving this week...

Baseball. It doesn't matter if its major league or AAA, I love it.

Waiting for Spring Sweater. Adorable.

This Nike running skort. Mine's hot pink.

And Knitted Bliss blog.

What do you love this week?

Have I read anything lately?

2011-08-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

I was thinking that I haven't finished reading any books lately and it turns out that I've finished a few that I never posted anything about. Here's two of them...

Dying to Live by Kim Paffenroth

From Goodreads.com:

Jonah Caine, a lone survivor in a zombie-infested world, struggles to understand the apocalypse in which he lives. Unable to find a moral or sane reason for the horror that surrounds him, he is overwhelmed by violence and insignificance. After wandering for months, Jonah's lonely existence dramatically changes when he discovers a group of survivors. Living in a museum-turned-compound, they are led jointly by Jack, an ever-practical and efficient military man, and Milton, a mysterious, quizzical prophet who holds a strange power over the dead. Both leaders share Jonah's anguish over the brutality of their world, as well as his hope for its beauty. Together with others, they build a community that reestablishes an island of order and humanity surrounded by relentless ghouls. But this new found peace is short-lived, as Jonah and his band of refugees clash with another group of survivors who remind them that the undead are not the only—nor the most grotesque—horrors they must face.

My take:

4 out of 5 stars. I really liked it. I know it's not intellectual reading but I love my zombie books. I wonder a lot what life will be like after the end of the word, granted chances are there won't be zombies but for some reason I love the books. This book was a fun, fast read. The main character Jonah was intresting and daring. Not a dull moment.

The Gone Away World by Nick Harkaway

Book# 44 of the 50 Book Challenge

From Goodreads.com:

A wildly entertaining debut novel, introducing a bold new voice that combines antic humor (think Joseph Heller and Kurt Vonnegut) with a stunning futuristic vision (ᠬa A Clockwork Orange and 1984, with a little Mad Max thrown in) to give us an electrifyingly original tale of love, friendship, and the apocalypse. There couldn't be a fire along the Jorgmund Pipe. It was the last thing the world needed. But there it was, burning bright on national television. The Pipe was what kept the Livable Zone safe from the bandits, monsters, and nightmares the Go-Away War had left in its wake. The fire was a very big problem. Enter Gonzo Lubitsch and his friends, the Haulage & HazMat Emergency Civil Freebooting Company, a team of master troubleshooters who roll into action when things get particularly hot. They helped build the Pipe. Now they have to preserve it—and save humanity yet again. But this job is not all it seems. It will touch more closely on Gonzo's life—and that of his best friend—than either of them can imagine. And it will decide the fate of the Gone-Away World. Equal parts raucous adventure, comic odyssey, geek nirvana, and ultra-cool epic, The Gone-Away World is a story of—among other things—love, pirates, mimes, greed, and ninjas. But it is also the story of a world, not unlike our own, in desperate need of heroes—however unlikely they may seem.

My take:

1 out of 5 stars. Horrible. So horrible that I couldn't get past the first 100 pages. I finally gave up and returned it to the library. I'm sure there are people out there that love this book but I just couldn't get into the story. The part I did read had no action and wasn't engaging at all. All I can say is that I'm glad it was a library book and not something that I wasted my money in purchasing.

Back on Track?

2011-08-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

I got my first real run in on Thursday. I ran B210k Week 3, Day 2. My last attempt at this was on last Sunday afternoon and it didn’t go well. I had to pep talk myself out of bed and into my running gear but I finally did get up and out the door. I have to be out the door no later than 5am to have enough time to get my entire run in and still have enough time to get a shower, get dressed and have breakfast before I have to go to work. Sadly this also means that I have to give up my hour with my husband before I work but it’s only 2 mornings a week so it’s not too bad.

Since I dress in the dark so I don’t disturb my husband, I’m really glad that it’s really dark outside and not many people are out and about. I’m sure that if they were they’d be startled by the crazy looking lady in the pink running skirt with the wild hair. Get dressed, finger comb the hair and pony it. That’s the extent of the grooming before my run. In my defense, it’s 4:30am people! Too early for primping and I’m running, not entering a beauty pageant.

Normally I don’t see any other runners in the morning because it’s so early but this morning I saw two other people. Shocking. But nice to know that it’s not just me and the people who have to be at work at 6am.

My run was really nice for the most part. Left the house at about 4:45am. The marquee at the high school said it was 60 degrees and there was a slight breeze coming out of the west, just enough to help cool you off a bit. The part I didn’t enjoy was when the crazy lady in the blue car ran the stop sign and almost hit me. Thankfully I realized she was going to run the stop sign and I was able to stop myself otherwise she would have gotten me. I was just about to start my 2 minuet sprint when I saw her. She looked really startled as she went by me since I was screaming and cussing at her. I’m guessing it woke her up some and maybe a few of the neighbors too since I was yelling pretty loud. Oops.

Other than that and a little dog that I had to tell off, most of my run was pretty uneventful…just the way I like them. The good news was that I didn’t have any real aches or pains. I didn’t pass out and die because I forgot to breath. I even zoned out enough to make the run seem to slip by quickly. I’m really happy that it went well. I don’t feel like I ruined my training by taking a couple of weeks off. I missed it and I’m glad I’m back.

Always Late to the Party

2011-08-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Again, behind the times but in case you haven't seen it yet...the 2011 Fall Twist Collective is up!!! Lots and lots of really cute stuff. If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to check it out.

2011-08-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

I know that I'm usually way behind the times. I like to discover whatever the general population loves about a month after everyone else moves on but have you seen this scarf?!

Photo by Knitspot

It's called Almost Ovals by Anne Hanson. I am smitten.

Photo by Knitspot

Photo by Knitspot

From Anne's website, Knitspot:

Distinct ribs of stockinette crisscross gently over a purl background, creating a deeply-carved pattern that is further accented by eyelet highlighting. The stitch pattern looks to be cabled, but is achieved with simple decreases and has a pretty reverse side as well. This project is a good all ‘rounder for beginning and experienced knitters alike.

Ravelry Link

The pattern is $6 and I think that as soon as I finish one of my current projects this is going to be the next thing I knit. I have two skeins of Shadow Lace in Vineyard Heather from Knitpicks left over from another project. The pattern calls for one skein of lace weight yarn 380 yards. Shadow is 440 yards. Since I have 2 skeins, I'm thinking one for me and one for someone else for a Christmas or birthday gift. I am so in love with this.

2011-08-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've been lusting after Gudrun Johnston's Laar for a long time. I still have Larch on my needles but since I finished Alpine Glow I wanted to cast on for a lace weight sweater that I could wear during the summer and fall seasons. Last year I knitted Featherweight Cardigan by Hanna Fettig for the fall and I wear it a lot but it's green and I wanted something a little more neutral in color.

© Gudrun Johnston/Jared Flood

© Gudrun Johnston/Jared Flood

I love the lace on top with the simple stockinette stitch on the bottom. The picot edging is adorable too.

I cast for Laar on July 30th. I'm using Knitpicks Shadow in the colorway Oregon Coast. It's a tan-ish color with reds and blues mixed in. It's not variegated, it just has bits of color mixed in random places. It's really pretty.

I never noticed on the pictures of Laar but there are pleats in the front. I've done pleats in previous projects but this used a construction like the one Gudrun does.

Let me tell you, the picot cast on was time consuming. It took almost entire evening to cast on. Honestly I wasn't sure I wanted it and I wasn't sure it was going to look good but it came out really cute.

Right now I'm working on the first sleeve. I hate my 8" DPN's. I love Knitpicks Harmony needles. The points are very sharp, perfect for working with lace weight yarn but 8 inches is too long for DPNs in my opinion. I'm used to working with 7" needles or shorter. 8" is too long, they get hung up in the fabric, they get hung up in the sleeves my shirt if I'm wearing long sleeves. Ugh. I hate them so much.

The sleeves are picked up from the front and back and worked in short rows. It was really difficult to work short rows with 8" needles. Thankfully the sleeves are only 3/4 length so it shouldn't be that bad...I hope.

2011-08-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

I actually finished a project during my time off. Amazing, I know. It was only a pair of socks but still.

Pattern: Alpine Glow by Stephanie van der Linden

Needles: 1.5 US

Yarn: Cascade Heritage in 5626

Mods: None, pattern was clear and easy to follow. Loved the finished project.

2011-08-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Wednesday...

Things I am loving this week...

Of course this guy...

And Ravelry, I'm so addicted...

The Library? Without a doubt...

Sparkpeople, such inspiring stories and lots of encouragement from my spark friends...

And my latest obsession...Little Chief Honeybee, Such an awesome, fun blog.

So...what are you loving this week?