Gonzilla the Knitter

Godzilla the Knitter strikes! Here I'm knitting some ear-warmers for Mike so when he's riding his bike on Tuesday nights he won't freeze...well, at least his ears will be warm. So I get to a point where I need to add a new ball, and being the clever knitter I am, I decide to do a Russian Join. I've attached a link, hope it works. It is designed to join the two ends of yarn (one from the working ball and a new ball) so you have a smooth transition and no ends to weave in.

The Godzilla part? I linked my working yarn with the TAIL!! I have done this join MANY times and never had this happen. You should have heard my family laughing...it was pretty funny.
Here's another PicnicKnits pattern...Sideswept! This beautiful yarn I got from my Secret Santa, Cathy. The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock.

These are my first attempt at a short-row heel. The pattern is Anastasia by MintyFresh. Another wonderful freebie on Ravelry! These are toe-up and the twist in the pattern goes in different directions for each sock. Super clever and easy pattern, but that darn short-row heel!! The first one was a struggle, so naturally, I put off doing the second one for a few weeks. When I finally got around to it, it took me several tries, frogging a bit, then finally it clicked, and I was on my way! I even did the double wraps without a crochet hook (told you it was a struggle). I'm about to wind a new ball of sock yarn to tackle another MintyFresh pattern called Leyburn Socks. Shevon from knitting did them and they were sooooo cute!! Casting on tonight!

New Bike!!

I finally figured out how to download pictures from my new phone! Here's one of Lyra in the Christmas Tree. Once the lights, garland and ornaments were down, we let her climb to her heart's content....and she loved it! She would climb to the top and just sit there watching us from her perch. I kinda hated to take the tree apart and put it away, she just had so much fun with it.
Here's my NEW BIKE!! Mike said he had been putting money aside for months and watching Craig's List for some good deals on used bikes. This is a 2004 Giant, but the gal who owned it only rode it a few times, hurt her back and there the bike sat. It's in good shape, but needs some work (new cables, etc.) He switched out my saddle and pedals, too.
I rode it for the first time (a real ride, not just around the neighborhood) last Sunday. Jen, Mike and I went to the Baldwin Trail for a short ride. The bike did great, but I had trouble switching gears on the front derailer...will have the bike shop check that too. And talk about FAST! Just cruising along and I was amazed to see I was going 15 mph. The biggest problem with Sunday was the temperature...it was 48 degrees! We were bundled up and really, after the first 1.5 miles, I felt fine. Then on the way back, we had a HUGE head-wind...brutal! There's a "hill" we go down toward the end, and usually we reach speeds in the 20s...I think I was going 11 mph and really working hard against that wind.
It was so fun to get out and ride. My knee felt fine, too. The run on Saturday had me in alot of pain on Sunday morning, but the ride didn't bother it much.
Going to see a doctor soon about the knee...I miss running without pain.

Welcome 2011

A belated Happy New Year to everyone!!

I had a great Christmas...it was wonderful to not have to go visiting family all day and just hang out in our pj's and play with our toys. We talked with family in California...miss seeing them, that's for sure. Santa was very good to me...I got a new road bike! Well, used, but like new, the previous owner only road it a few times, hurt her back so there it sat for a few years. My mechanic (aka Mike) is waiting on a part and it'll be ready for some serious riding. A ton of minor adjustments need to be made to the handle bars and seat, but it won't be long before I'm riding fast and comfortable. Mike also made me three shawl pins for Christmas. They're beautiful! I really needed them...I'll get some pics soon. I got a skein of MadTosh Sock from Santa and a gift cert for Knitpicks from my little bro, Kurt. Already spent the gift cert and got yarn for a shawl, socks and sweater...thanks Kurtie!! We finally broke down and got Joey a cell phone...he went bananas! Loved it! Everyone was very generous to me and my family.

New Year's was fun...we got together with some friends and played games...and ate...and drank (some, but not too much). The kids played some, did the computer game stuff and just hung out with their friends. The two games we played were Harry Potter Uno and Balderdash! If you've never played either...go get em! We're re-discovering how fun it is to play games. When was the last time you played a game with your family or friends? I have to admit, it's so much more fun with the kids being older.

So, 2011. How's it treating you so far? I'm excited for the new year. I'm looking forward to training this spring/summer and racing, too. No big goals this year as far as that goes...I'd like to keep doing 5Ks and work toward a 10K. I'd like to race in two big races, Duathlons this year, not Triathlons. I'll continue to swim as a cross train, but not in competition. I'm going to incorporate Yoga into my routine, too. It'll help with flexibility and hopefully help prevent injury. I'd like to try some new knitting techniques and make a few items that I haven't tried (or haven't knit in a long, long time). I would also like to start up with my painting and drawing again. Really miss it. Hopefully, I will continue to have a job this year, but if not, we'll work it out. So far, so good.

I hope you're looking forward to some fun this New Year...anything is possible!