Knitting Resolutions...

I am trying very hard to stick to my resolution and have finished knitting up the bunny.  It just needs John's help in being sewed together.  I am not at all confident in my sewing together of stuffed animals.  He helped with the last few I have made and he has offered to help again.  I also dug out a a second sock to a pair I had hoped to have finished for Christmas, but just never got done in the end.  John did get one pair under the tree this year.  As I was folding laundry this morning I realized that he  has about eight pairs and counting of hand knit socks.  And the best part is that he wears them practically every day of the week in the winter.  It is so nice to know that your time and effort are truly appreciated.  Makes you want to go pick up your sticks and carry on.

So often handiwork goes unappreciated.  I hate when I hear "oh you have to make me (fill in the blank)."  It makes me cringe!  No, I don't have to make you anything.  I don't think people realize just how long it takes to make a pair of socks using sock yarn or how long that sweater took me to knit.  Because I have a million other things going on in my life, I am lucky if it only takes me two weeks to finish a pair of socks.  And if I wanted to knit something for someone that is of my own choosing.  Just because you know I knit, does not mean you entitled to the fruits of my labors.

Ok so back to the use of my stash.  I have yet to go through it all and decide what is going to made.  I know I have enough yarn to make at least 10 pairs of socks, several hats, and two sweaters.  And the only thing I have promised myself that I will be making this year is new Christmas stockings for my little family.  So I best get working so I can justify buying the yarn to make those stockings!

Resolutions Y2k13

I was debating about resolutions the other day and how far out on a limb should I go for this year considering all that I have going on in my little world.  So I came out with a realistic resolution and another one with a loftier goal.

First I decided to use up all of my yarn stash and not buy any more until the last ball is gone.  I have plenty of little projects that can be completed and two more bigger projects.  Yay for more sweaters for me.  And several pairs of socks for John!  Oh and lots of new wash clothes to replace old nasty one that we have kicking around here.

The second is my lofty goal for 2013.  I want to put in 1000 miles of running this year.  Is this realistic for me considering I have not run since last summer?  It was the end of July to be exact.  And no I haven't done any since.  And then of course I am not going to be able to start until four weeks after the baby is born.  And we are going to have to start our mileage log on the treadmill as our stroller is not designed for a newborn and it will still be way too cold for outside distance for the little guy.  At least he will have some entertainment at the fire station while I run....

2013 is hours away....

As I sit here in the closing days of 2012, a fresh blanket of snow covers all the brown decay of fall.  This is my favorite time of year.  I love the silence of the woods as the flakes come down.  The snow muffles out the toxic sounds of modern world...the sound of 18 wheelers rolling down Route 28, the sound of neighbors running chainsaws, and other machinery in their yards.  It is quiet and peaceful.  The blanket of white covers up the piles of debris people seem to love to stack up in their yards around here.

The cold snowy weather gives me an excuse to sit by our fireplace and tuck into a book or work on my knitting.  I would love to finish up the nursery, but I have promised Jay that we will not go in there until he is done with the painting this week.  The mattress arrived yesterday and I am looking forward to putting the crib together.

But I really wish I felt up to going for a ride on my sled or taking out my snowshoes.  The pulled muscle in my back is minimally better.  Just when I think I have turned a corner, I move and it starts all over again.  The plan is to be back at work in the am and I have to say I am ready to be back in my routine of normalcy even with all that is going on.  More on that another time....

My how my outlook is a changing

Cannot remember if it was a cough or sneeze that triggered it, all I do know is that I have spent the last three days in 10 out 10 pain.  As we like to say at work 10 out of 10 pain is a trip to the hospital for amputation.  I do not think I have ever experienced pain like that before.  I have had my share of broken bones and I will gladly take a broken ankle over this intractable back pain any day.

You know the situation is bad when your husband and co workers have put on your shoes and socks.  Hell, I teach people how to do that after a broken hip or a stroke.  Now here I am the pathetic occupational therapist who needs the help.  No, I don't keep a sock aid and reacher at home, but I suppose I will have to from now on.  I think what was worst of all is the helpless looks I got from John as he did his best to keep me comfortable.  From making our bed into a place where I could try to get to sleep sitting up to sleeping on the small couch next to me after I decided the couch in the living room would be a better place to get some rest.  And then finally going upstairs with me at three am to sleep in our bed.  I did beg him to call for an ambulance, but he talked some sense into me that there would be very little the ER could do for me since I already had Flexerill and Vicodin on board.  You know when I broke my foot a few summers back never even took one dose of a narcotic and in the last few days I have sure made up for refusing that script.

I finally feel a bit better today.  The painful spasms are only occasional and I don't plan on taking any more drugs until bed time.  Baby Savage doesn't seem the least bit concerned that I have been miserable and he is as active as ever.  Guess he is biding his time until he makes his grand entrance into the world.  I am still hoping for a tax break, but would like my back a little more healed before he does.

Now I have not touched my knitting in a few days due the back issue, but will be digging out my basket in a few to get that bunny done!  Looking forward to a better few days ahead.  We still have lots to do before the baby is here.  And I cannot wait to see the nursery since the door has been shut and there is a keep out sign up!  And of course there is dinner at the Crystal Quail tomorrow night.  Good times...just please let my back not interfere!

Merry Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas all!  Figured I would send out my first blog post from my iPad on this Christmas morn.  Please take a moment to keep our fire, EMS, and police in your thoughts who are working on this holiday.  It was a tragic day yesterday as two firefighters were ambushed and murdered as they responded to the call of duty.  Routine calls do not exist for us anymore.  But then again, did they ever?  A look back in history will show us that there are always variables and unknowns when it comes to emergency scenes.

It is hard to believe that 2013 is almost upon us.  John and I have so much to be thankful for and to look forward in new year.  Most of all we cannot wait to meet Baby Savage in the next few weeks.

The more it snows tiddly pom...

For all of us December is a very busy month!  For me, it means added expenses and trying to find time to get it done.  On tap for me today is new tires, brakes, an oil change, alignment, inspection and later this week is registration.  Yay for a birthday in December!  I already got my new license in the mail back in early November.  I am so glad our state finally went to an online version so I didn't have to take a trek to the DMV.

It's felt like crunch time this whole fall for many different things.  I decided to work a little harder and get all of my EMT refresher stuff out of the way before the arrival of Baby Savage.  I ended up with a crazy amount of con ed hours and managed to get it all done in mid November.  Just have to take my state protocol test and that should be done.

The in laws are here this weekend to help John with his basement project.  Looks like a busy weekend of mud and tape for them!

And then of course we woke up to some gently falling snow this morning.  What could be better??  Sounds like the beginning of a perfect December!

It's never too late...

Life has caught up with me again and I realized I stopped posting what I am thankful for since November 11, 2012.  It's been a busy few weeks at Chez Savage and I will finally finish up since it's the last day of November.

12. Thankful for the warm little dog who stretches out between us in bed every night.
13. For my love of sticks and string...been hard at work on baby creations and last minute Christmas gifts.
14. For my co-workers (especially my work wife).
15. That my cat has finally come to see the light and actually pretends to like me most of the time.
16. For online shopping...it's been the best this year!
17. For a comfy bed and body pillows...don't ask me to stay anywhere else in the upcoming weeks cause there is no place like home!
18. For my friends who write blogs...I love reading them!
19. For the hand me downs...
20. For pedicures (can't even imagine trying to reach my toes).
21. My reliable vehicle (even though one tire has been losing air all week).
22. That my Christmas gifts actually made it to Sicily well before the holiday.
23. Good books
24. Good homemade food
25. Good friends
26. That each weekend the basement is closer to being done
27. For great craft ideas...will be getting my glue gun out later!
28. For all the places I have been lucky enough to visit.
29. The smells of each season we get to experience here in New Hampshire
30.  Lastly, I am thankful for a good health (even though I have sounded like crap for the last two weeks) and good pregnancy...things are about to change very drastically in our little world in the upcoming weeks.  I look forward to this exciting ride!