Exciting News

Ok, SP9, I did receive my package, and was very excited to do so. Now to thank you entirely, i would like to post some pictures... and will do so as soon as i return home with my new digital camera from santa!!! I opened my package the day we left and just now got a chance to post.

So for initial purposes... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
pictures to come and detailed thank yous soon.

Also, Today we had another ultrasound, and the baby is perfect and cute and it is a GIRL!!! so we are very excited about that.

I am sorry I have not posted lately, for i am very sick and hopefully get back up on my feet soon. As for now i am getting in to comfy clothes and laying on the couch making my hubby wait on me!

write again soon
:)

the marks of pregnancy...

GER
Last night as I was climbing into bed, I noticed three little lines on my belly to either side of my belly button...
So far all my stretchmarks have been on my hips, but now they have started on my tummy!!!
GER GER GER
Anyways, this definately shows I am Prego!!! 22 weeks today!

poor haley dog

so i get home from NY and haley has a scab on her chest. and yesterday morning she blew her scab which had absessed, and allowed her to start gushing blood. so i took her to the vet and at first look they thought she had been shot. she had a puncture wound about 5-6 inches deep but they didn't see anything in the xray. yeah it happened about 5 or 6 days ago cuz it had healed over, and got infected inside and gassy and what-not which blew her scab yesterday morning
they found the hair that had been ripped off her skin in about 2.5 inches. so they cleaned it all out, irrigated it. gave her lots of antibiotics and sent her home with an open wound so it could drain. and with rymadil and antibiotics
there was no bullet, so we have no clue what punctured her. the doc doesn't either but whatever it was, missed all organs and joints... by far. so she said haley was a lucky doggie
my beetle became a doggie ambulance! at least my car seats are leather, it was easily cleaned up... but toby's truck is all cloth... so that would be a pain. but even he said she would be worth it! he loves this dog so much.

I was so worried. the day after i get back, my baby goes to the doggie hospital. i missed her so much.

the big apple

So, currently i am in the Big Apple, wonderful NYC.

my mom and sister and two good friends are here for the weekend to go look at all the xmas windows and shopping and just visiting. thank god for moms!!!

I got something for my spoilee's next package. well actually for her daughter. i cant wait.
and tomorrow we are going to ground zero. i am getting ready to cry again. i came 3 years ago and it was still all garbled and trashed, but when we drove by last night it looked a lot more cleaned up. i will get pictures!

my tummy has been hurting lots lately... thanks kid for stretching me out... OUCH can i say!

well it is almost midnight here and i have been up since 730 am. going to let you go and will write you more soon!

Belated Thanks

So, before I get any more tied up in cleaning and cooking and still unpacking, preparing for my in-laws to come for Thanksgiving, and since I have now given up being able to take pictures of my package from my secret pal, I am now writing a thank you to her! Sorry this is so late.

I received my package last thursday, and quickly ran to the post office to pick it up (since my hubby was too lazy to stand in the line for Post Office box package pickup.... well I had a feeling I knew who it was from so I ran to it trying hard to hold in my excitement... and I stood in a 30-45 minute line to get my package... but well worth it!

I received two skeins of very soft wonderful wool yarn in a burgandy color (maroon/burgandy one of my favorites... GO U of Puget Sound LOGGERS!!! MAROON AND WHITE!!!)
And with this yarn, i am to knit up a pair of fingerless gloves for myself (patern included from my lovely sp!)!!! how perfect! And a set of double point knitting needles to work the patern. Also some smaller stitch markers, which are much needed when working on smaller projects on smaller needles... and a gage ruler (something i have been planning on buying myself, but always forget when i am in the store).

Also, my secret pal didnt want my mind to go unstimulated since i finished my Harry Potter book and now am looking for more books to read... It will be my next read... "Magyk" by Septimus Heap. Well recommended by fellow Harry Potter lovers! I am excited to get through this other book (only about 30 pages left) that i read just so i had something to do, so i can get to this awsome book! I think i will be able to start it tomorrow!

Needless to say, the Digestive biscuts SP9 sent me have been more than half eaten as i sit and finish the book i am currently on, or knitting, or watching tv. I have had to hide them from my husband so he will not eat them!

And last but not least, My SP9 always comes through for my four-legged children... They all got treats from her in the package! However, i think i will save them for a Thanksgiving treat for them! hehehe~!!!

THANK YOU SP9, I AM ENJOYING MY PACKAGE SO MUCH!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!

snappy update~

So we have to wait another two weeks to find out what gender our baby is. Only a couple of the ultrasound machines were usable so we had to make an appointment to go in and find out what the baby is... good Thanksgiving Present eh?

We did get our results back for our CF, DS, Trisomy 18, and what ever else they tested for. All results were NEGATIVE!!!! WOO HOO! so for the top 32 most common markers for CF carrier, I am not! Great news!

I finished Harry Potter, it was great, I just wish it wasn't done! Now I don't know what to read HAHHAHA.

We went up to New Mexico this last weekend so Toby could hunt. He got his deer! and we now have plenty of venison in the freezer. Hopefully I will find that i enjoy venison!

I am almost done with the diaper bag. A few more rows and then the straps and then all I have to do is felt it!!!! Exciting exciting!

Got my flu shot yesterday, and now i have a huge welt on my arm... got to love those shots~

alright that is it for now. we are waiting on our movers to come pack. we are moving today and tomorrow to the other house... very exciting!

Royal Mail

Ok, so as I am writing this and bragging, know I am both packing up my house cuz we are moving onto base since it will be so much cheeper (our electric bill from last month was 500 bucks... OUCH) and taking pictures of my gifts with my cellphone because I can not find my digital camera... i may have to go buy another cheep one at target or walmart to do little things like this!

ok... here we go I GOT MY GIFT FROM MY SP9 TODAY!!! HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ME!!!!

Haha so i got that news across if you couldn't tell from earlier in my post! haha..

sorry giddy here... i love getting packages.

So I open up my package and to my suprise I see Candy for me... Fruit Pastittes and a Cadbury Dairy Milk bar (my grandma's fav) (i love them too), and a treat for my 3 puppies!!! That is so cool my pal sent a treat for my little ones!!! Great Idea secret pal!!!

Then I find these really cool hard acrylic knitting needles. I love purple!!! and they are totally great! I know it isn't a great picture, but it came from my cellphone... it is the best I could do today!

I Continue to dig further into the package... and find some so very beautiful 100% wool!!! 4 Skeins of it!!! and my sp9 says it is suposed to be great for Felting!!! Hear that FELTING!!!!

Also in colors I adore! (man she knows me well!!!)

And last photo but not least... there in that box sat two wonderfully smelling candles and this kit to make my own cards! They came with their own charms and ideas too!! I am going to have tons of fun! THANKS SO MUCH SECRET PAL!!!

By the way, the way you packaged and wrapped the box, it took me about 10 minutes to get into it. Granted I was attempting to multi task at the same time, but still.. I had to tear the box apart! Too bad i didn't have the mind to keep the box and take a picture of it before i threw it in the trash so you all could see, but that brown scotch tape for shipping is hard hard hard to get loose (mind you i did not have a knife, scisors, keys, or anything sharp! so that made entering the box a bit more difficult)

THANKS AGAIN!!! I can't wait to find a project to knit up and felt! You are awsome!!!

impatienly waiting

ps secret pal, i got your letter while i was gone in colorado!!! but just wanted to make sure you kenw i got your letter!!! i am so excited to see what the package is you have sent now. Impatiently waiting!!!

have no clue what to title this!

It has been a while. Wow.

So, I have been knitting away and now on the second half of my felted diaper bag. Very excited. Then i have to get started on the ACU diaper bag so that Toby doesn't feel so awekward carrying the colorful diaper bag.

So going home this past weekend was a real treat. And definately needed. I got to visit with my mom, my dad, and all my nieces and nephews and their parents (yes my loveable brothers and sis in laws). I needed to feel reconnected to my family again.

Also while i was home i got a couple books for my secret pal, and will be sending her a package soon!!! I am very excited because these are two of my favorite books. Now I just need to collect some other fun stuff to send her!!! I have some ideas, it is just taht they are not readily found around here... bummer.

Monday we go in for genetic testing adn then on november 8th we find out what our baby is. Very exciting.

Digestives

So i was looking over Shelby's blog and saw she got a cool package from a different exchange. My mouth started watering when i saw DIGESTIVES!!!! oh my god i love those things. my mom and i stock up every time we go to england or europe and bring them home... my favorites are the dark or pure chocolate ones, but fell in love with them all.

for those of you who don't know what a digestive is... it is this slightly sweetened biscut, with one side coated with chocolate!!! AMAZING! it is less sweet than the american cookies, but gives you just the right amount of goodies.

just had to dream of them for a minute or two!

Favorites List

List your favorite:
Actor - mathew maconahey
Actress - julia roberts
Animal - dogs!!!!
Band - Dave Mathews Band
Book - Harry Potter
Bubble Bath - Citris
Candy - Jolly Ranchers
Color - Blues
Drink- Milk
Flower - Fresia
Food - Mexican
Lip Balm - bert's bees
Lotion - palmers shea butter (pregnancy)
Movie - Pride and Prejudice
Place- Colorado
Song - chariots of fire
TV Show - ER
Yarn- wool, lamb's pride
Vacation Spot - Hawaii or europe

Pregnancy Fever

Is it normal to always feel hot during pregnancy? Because I do. And the worst part is that I am drinking enough fluids, but feel like i have a dehydration headache, and have a temperature... about 1.3 degrees higher than normal. For a normal person that is a 99.9 degree temp. See my body temperature is normally at 97.1 degrees. My book says call the doc or go to the ER (if I am less that 20 weeks prego) which I am, if you have a temperature of 100 degrees. Well I am feeling fine, just got the headache. I have tried frozen foods such as popsicles or frozen fruit (which are way healthy and tasty cold treat!) but nothing seems to work... or atleast if it does work, it is only temporary.

So for right now, I have an icepack on the base of my neck to see if I can cool myself down. Make me a bit more comfortable.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Moving back and forth

Within trying to pack various odds and ends up in order to help 'sell' the house to a new renter, Toby has packed up my directions to make the fingerless gloves i am making for a present. SO FRUSTRATING. But understandable mistke. So now i have a good excuse to call my mom and have her copy the copy i made her and send it to me!

Putting the fingerless gloves on hold for the time being, i will be getting back to the bag waiting to be finished so i can felt it!!! Exciting exciting.

Since we moved into this house, I have made a few mistakes. One being thinking that all dryers are as good as mine that currently lays lonely with its washing companion in storage. I washed and dried (on no heat dry setting) my husband's ACU's. The tops came out fine, but the bottoms? well that is a different story. They shrunk in length about 3 inches, and around the legs a bit too. I felt so bad, i went and replaced them today. And am very excited about what i am going to make out of the shrunk fabric. Since most guys don't like carrying around diaper bags that have Whinny the poo bears or flowers or other designs all over it. To fix this, i am going to patch together fabric to make a diaper bag out of ACU fabric so it matches Toby's uniform and such! I also like the green colors!

Pro of pregnancy, Everyone says you look so healthy and glowing.

Con of pregnancy, I have skin problems, pimples, dryness, oilyness, worse than when going through puberty. I have always had a clear complexion, now it is gone!

2nd 3rd has been reached!!

I am now in my 2nd day of my 2nd trimester. My new medicines have started to stablize, thank god. Because I was having worse morning/day sickness the last week than at any point in my first trimester. It sucked feeling icky and gross and blah, with nothing soothing my stomache or brain aches. But I am getting better.

I tried sleeping in the guest room last night (no I wasn't trying to give my husband hints that sleeping with him has been difficult lately) but rather the guest room as a delicious temperpedic matress topper on it that i used all through college to assist the pain in my back. Well now it helped releave the pressure points and sore spots on my left side when i try and be a good prego woman and sleep on that side.

We go back to the doctor on friday, so we will see what they have to say then.

SP 9 QUESTIONAIRE!!!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love knitting with wool, soft preferably, to felt and make scarves and gloves.

fun creative yarns are great, i only have a hard time with too much of them. I get overwhelmed with fuzzy frilly stuff, but enjoy them as an accent.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? nothing currently. They are in various places, wish i could find them all.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
started when i was about 10, then didn't do it for quite a while... about 10 yrs. so i would have to say i am early intermediate. about 3 yrs continuously i have been knitting since i started again

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
no

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) lavendar and vanilla and cinnimon, and other stuff.... oh grapefruit and peach!!!

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Jolly Ranchers

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I love building things. But I have just learned how to needle felt, and am currently needle felting baby blocks for my coming little one. but i crochet, knit (of course), cross-stitch, sew, quilt, scrapbook.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) i love country, musicals (andrew loyd webber, and others), instrumentals, celtic. yes my comp and stereo play mp3's.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I am loving of all colors, just so long as it doesn't remind me of something being dingy or dirty. earth tones are great but not puke green, you know?

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am married, with a baby on the way, with 2 house dogs, haley-black lab mix, and noah-boxer chow mix, and my husband's hunting dog Sophie - chocolate lab.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? yes, yes, yes, and yes. working on a poncho for myself, or at least trying. Not sure how cold it gets down here in texas during the winter, but when i go to my parent's or in-law's to visit i will defiantely use them.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? anything felting... and anything for baby right now.

13. What are you knitting right now? felted bag, fingerless gloves, scarf, hm, can't remember what else.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? love receiving them. Hand made items are very very special.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? straight or circular, bamboo or aluminum. but not plastic, makes my hands sweat too much.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? nope

17. How old is your oldest UFO? 2 yrs

18. What is your favorite holiday? hm, i love them all. I just love the holiday season because that means i get to see my family.

19. Is there anything that you collect? beanie babies, and baby things now

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? i have tried the addi turbo needles, fell in love, but they make me sweat when i look at their price. I don't have any subscriptions. there is one book i really want... hold on let me think.... Maran Illustrated Knitting and Crocheting (Maran Illustrated) (Paperback)

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? hm still workign on knittng in the round, and cabling. so at the moment, don't think so. but eventually, lacing

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Next thing i want to learn to do... food measurements? i am a size 8.5-9 womens american shoe.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 04/25 is my bday, and 04/15 is my duedate!!!! woo hoo! no i am not excited at all!

A Knitter in Transition

A Knitter in Transition

This is my secret pal!!! she has been great.

Through my morning sickness, my husband went to the post office the other day and brought me my package. I was so excited to get it but just haven't had time to blog about it yet.

I got three awsome packages in the last couple weeks. First i got the wonderful multi colored yarn. I can't wait to do something i can do with it. Then in the next two packages i got Cinimon yarn!! i love that color. Along wiht all the hooks i need to learn how to do cabling. I have so wanted to learn how to do cabling... I am so excited. Now that package my husband ended up opening since he thought it was a present sent to us for our wedding reception. He likes opening up packages. I wasn't suposed to open it until the last box came. well, the last one came yesterday, and i got lots of stuff... cool stuff!!! would i expect anything else from this wonderful SP?

She made it personal by sending a cute little rattle for the eventual baby! it is so cute. i wish i had a way to take pictures of everything but the webcam on my comp doesn't work anymore due to my wonderful sister-in-law's in attentiveness to her baby who just came up and practically ripped it off. oh well, to go on to what else i received.
A pill box/keychain thing which under great suggestion by Ashley (secret pal) will be amazing to hold the little row counters and place/stich holders that come wiht knitting. man this is so cool. I received 2 bamboo handles so i can make a purse, they are really cool. I am just afraid i am going to screw up the purse now since i have never done anything like this before.

Ashley did a great thing, she made me a CD that is titled "Jessica's Cable Tutorial" which has a cable tutorial with all i need to know about cables, a cable video with examples of cables to show you how, and a knit pics cabled purse pattern for me to knit!!! ooo i can't wait to get started! I found three rolls of fabric to put in my purse. they are really cool fabrics and I love the asian look.

Ashley also found that i love to scrap book, and sent me some beautiful origami paper that i can use as scrapbooking paper. Little did she know i lvoe making origami!!! so i may just have to put some of the paper aside so i can make my chinese lanterns and swans! and a note book which i will definately use when i need to write down all my stitches to keep track of. i have realized my memory has gone to the dogs lately.

another thing that continually makes me smile are the postits with the dog and bone on the front. they are so cute. and yes ashley i am so happy to finally have my dogs back. they just need to get used to the new house... which i am having a hard time getting used to. I miss my other one so much. I would give anything to move back there. but it is now on the market and probably will be sold soon. :'(
here is my house on the market website:

Sitting in an airport in austin texas

Hello all,
I know I have been truent on writing in my Blog. Since July 30th, my husband and I have been living in a camper at Fort Hood until we could find housing. Yesterday we put a deposit on a 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 2 car garage house with a nice back yard and plenty of storage space. The back yard will be great since we will be getting our dogs back next week from my inlaws!!!! I can't wait, let me tell you.

So we thought that we would be using the two spare rooms as a guest room and sewing/office. Well in about 8 months one is going to also have to be a nursery. Yep, I found out monday that I am 5.5 weeks along. How exciting eh? No morning sickness yet so no laughing.

I got another package from my wonderful spoiler in Japan!!! She sent me this wonderful earthtone and blue, purple, magenta, green yarn and some new knitting needles! which is great since my needles that size were used as a teething stick by the puppy before the move!

well our plane just got here, i will write more later. I am going to my parents house this weekend for our wedding reception... aprox 4.5 mo late... but this was the best time. i can't wait!
Toodles

i am clicking my heals but not going home...

toto help... my magic shoes are not taking me home. i want to go home.

I am so frustrated. I don't quite know what to do. I am at my in-law's house during this transition from washington state to texas. And we have been here since july 2nd and will be here until july 30th. I have two dogs, they are wonderful dogs, but they are house dogs. My in-laws have two dogs but they are hunting dogs/working dogs. so they stay outside. well my dogs have now been forced to spend all day and all night either chained up or penned up outside. and the days have gotten up to 109degrees here. my dogs are not used to it. they are getting used to the heat, but still they are suposed to stay outside. they used to be allowed in the guest room with us, but it has been hinted and slowly have been perminantly put outside.

well, now, toby's aunt has allowed the family to borrow her camper trailer for second half of june and all of july because of all that has been going on. Toby and i started moving out to the camper last night, but for some reason, all of a sudden we are not allowed to have the dogs out there either even though they were allowed out there during the first week of july. his dad says it is because the aunt is allergic to dogs and dog hair. well aunt and uncle have a little poodle who's hair is longer than either of my dogs. my dogs are house/camper trained and very good. according to toby's dad, my dogs have no place in this house or in the camper. we were moving out there to get out of everyone's way.

my dogs are my children. it feels like no one likes my dogs or wants them around, which makes me feel like that too. his family is a dog loving family, but apparently not to my dogs. this all makes me feel like me and my dogs, my children, my sanity when my husband is off on deployments or training, are not welcome or accepted or loved.

i had already told the family i was going to vacuum and steam clean all ulpulstry and carpet and detail it basically.

i am about to go to a motel where i can have my dogs sleep in the same room as me. but we don't have enough money right now. we have 200 bucks until next paycheck. SHIT!!!

ok end of my bitch fest

nope. not my day

It could have been anyone else's day but mine.

I got an hour or so for the renewal of the vows... blessing of the rings.... unity candle.... and then the rest was not us, it was everyone else.

I just want to scream, yell, cry, run, anything. And my husband isn't here for me right now.

ok going to go continue being invisible since i always am to him while we are at his parent's house...

My Day or NOT

So today is suposed to be MY day. It is my wedding/elopement reception today at my in-laws house. I swear my new sister in law is trying to ruin the day by fighting with her mom incesantly. It is getting to the point of driving me nuts. And it surely does not currently feel like it is MY day. Hopefully by 6pm when it all starts it will.

We made a trip back up to washington state to finish getting the house ready for the market and to pack up the rest of our stuff. When I got there my gas had been turned off which meant no hot water for 3 days while we were there. At least I didn't have to call them to disconnect. But I still didnt like the idea of no hot shower, so instead I heated a wet wash cloth in the microwave and bathed that way. . . thank god for my Dutch heritage... glad i have learned to be innovative... everyone else took ice cold showers. HAHAHHA.

We are back down here in New Mexico now, and I am looking forward to the 28th when we drive to Fort Hood and sign in. I am ready to have our own place again and live by our rules. But I guess that is what comes with going to visit family. And I probably have more of a difficult time since I did not grow up under these rules. Toby will probably think my family's rules are nurotic.

And I shouldn't BITCH because they are doing a lot of the stuff for the reception.
I am excited to open all our presents and what not. we have a few right now, and hopefully more. Expecially all my kitchen stuff. I love playing in the kitchen!!!

One thing that made it my day was the wonderful package i received from my SECRET PAL. I got lots of unique candies, a cool pencil, a fun pen, two sheet protectors so i can put my paterns in them and keep them safe, neat keyring/zipper fob, a notebook, and this totally AWSOME doll. She is so Beautiful, and as soon as i get my house unpacked in Ft. Hood, i will totally put her in my display case or on my entertainment system so i can see her all the time. This is by far the coolest present i have ever received from a secret pal!!!!! THANKS SECRET PAL YOU ARE SUPER DUPER COOL!!!
and i figured something out... she is in JAPAN!!!! another totally cool thing.

well better go take a shower and get all primped... hopefully things will turn my way soon... not trying to sound spoiled, but it is my day, mine and toby's.

day 1

Me: moving is kinda nerve racking though. it is weird to watch them pack my house for me. i just sit here and watch
Al: not nerve-racking-- relaxing. I realise you're relinquishing control, and that may be hard... but seriously-- they're packing FOR you
Me: i know. it just feels weird... i am fully capable of doing it myself, but someone else is doing it for me
Al: it's ok. you don't have to prove that you can do everything.
Me: haha. thanks. toby thinks i am super woman... i keep telling him i am not. maybe i should listen to myself
Al: maybe ;-)

So, that is how I am feeling right now. Packers are here now and have finished the master and guest bedrooms. now are working on the kitchen and study and last they will go downstairs to the laundry room. crazy crazy.

then, my new brother in law is getting married next weekend, so i have to make a cute spring dress for me and the bride to be before then... glad there will be nothing else to do next week. house will be empty and what not. just cleaning.
alright, back to work.

hm... time is running out

I can't believe it. The movers come to pack up the house in 7 days. there is honestly a lot to do in the house, but it is hard to clean everything up since it is just getting packed up.

I guess i am just a bit overwhelmed right now.

Chat later

Progress...

This has been kind of a big week...
I have been training a new person so when I move they will not have a problem with a transition. However, I had been told I would be able to remain at work until we moved. But thursday I received a call at about 3:30 (two hrs before work ended) and they said I have trained my relief well and there doesn't seem to be a reason for me to come back. So Thursday was my last day. GREAT!!!!

Well, I went on a marraige retreat with my hubby on friday and saturday, and through all the discussions and presentations I ended up getting a lot done on my felted bag. I still have a lot to do, but I feel good about my progress on my project.

I will keep you posted on all that is happening. I am kinda hungry, but don't really know what to eat. hm.. time to go scout the kitchen haha.

ACK!

So we are preparing to move to texas. I am frustrated because toby wants to play, and i need to do house work to get ready. we leave in 3 weeks. I just don't know how we are going to get everything done. I know the army will pack the house and move it for us, but i can't imagine letting them pack and ship my delicates and precious things. so i will be packing those all up and taking them with me.

I have attempted to work on my kniitting projects but they are being put on the back burners due to the move and what not.

well don't know what else to say. just kinda bored and overwhelmed. the buddy i am suposed to be spoiling isn't replying to any posts i have made to her blog or emails sent to her email. not sure what else to do.

toodles

ok ok....

So I have been bad. I should have already posted a blog... but i am now! I got my secret pal, and i am really excited... not going to slip and tell you what i know about her so far.

and my pal found me! cool cool.

So an update on me, i got a new job, and i am in a wedding today. well i must be getting going. no time today much,

I did make her ring bearer pillows for my friend.

WOO HOOO

to my secret pal 8

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I am getting tired of the fun fur or the cha cha stuff. i love to felt... so i think i would say my fav is either soft stuff for kids or wool.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? nothing currently... a box? haha

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I would say i am a beginner-intermediate. better than beginner, but not sure if i would call myself intermediate yet...have not had a whole lot of time to knit in the last few months so i am probably rusty.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Not currently, but would make one if my pal wishes

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) vanilla or fresh sents like fresh rain or stuff like that.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
yes i have a candy weakness... i am just starting to be able to eat candy again so trying new things (just got my braces off)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
i don't spin. my DIY are planning my wedding/invitations, and working on my house. and quilting and scrapbooking

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
yes my comp can play mp3s and so does my stereo. i listen to top 40 and country

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
i love fall/autumn colors and bright/dark/vivid blue green and majenta or purple.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
two dogs, allergic to cats. no kids. maybe moving in the next 2 months... ask if you have any other questions

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?1yes to all... i really want to make myself a poncho.. or have one made for me. i have always wanted one, just not gotten around to it

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? bags i think. then scarves adn i am trying a little sweater for my nephew

13. What are you knitting right now? a bag to be felted

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? i love handmade gifts. lots of thought goes into those.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? straight and circular... does not matter. but bamboo is best for me. does not melt when i move! and i can take them on the plane.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
no

17. How did you learn to knit?
my mom taught me in 3rd grade when i lived in the Netherlands. then i retaught myself a few years ago

18. How old is your oldest UFO? about 8 mo now

19. What is your favorite holiday?
hm hard question... 4th of july? xmas? thanksgiving? hard to choose

20. Is there anything that you collect? beanie babies

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? stich and bitch 2... i think that is what it is called. i absolutely love stich and bitch

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? cable-ing. i dont know other stuff original or new.
23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? i have tried, wish i could... one thing i would love to learn. what do you mean foot measurements
24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 04/25.... you just missed it!!!!

Driving Forces

So, Toby is now home. His parents and nephew are now gone. We had 3 days alone and now I am in oregon for a night to show a scholar around some new schools. This is good in a sense, then toby and i don't get too attached. but at the same time i will be running around all day and probably tired when i return home and he will have been sitting on the couch all day watching tv and movies and trying to get healthy. yes my baby is sick... poor guy. it is great having him home and friends are laughing because we act like an old married couple as if he never left. But old married couple in a good way. well i am off to show Jamie around Willamette University and then departing Salem for Portland to visit Lewis and Clark College before driving back to tacoma. I can't wait to get back home to him and in his arms. This time it was me leaving :(

it is all relative

oh my goodnes... tomorrow he is coming home!!! i can not believe it has been a year since he has left. and now he will be home until he changes duty stations to fort hood texas. i am so excited and so nervous... good nervous though. tomorrow this time i will be getting ready to go pick him up.

his parents will be here tonight. i am a little frustrated with that because we (toby and myself) had hoped we would have some one on one time before they got here tomorrow evening... but they got an early start yesterday adn are about 11 hrs out side of tacoma right now so they will probably get here tonight. booooo .... but good for them i guess. then they can go with me, but we just had hoped on it being us. i am torn, as you can see.

i just want to be with him. so excited to see him. to touch him. anyways i am excited... got to go finish cleaning. and get this puppy off my lap.

Time Variable

The countdown has started. Toby comes home in about 3 weeks. I am so excited I can barely control myself. We are coming down to the wire and in some ways it is the most difficult days. I know he is coming home. I am longing for him. I know he will be home soon, but it doesn't seem fast enough. When I wasn't expecting him it was easier, now i just want the days to pass quickly so he will be by my side.

I got the movies Pride and Prejudice, Hairy Potter Goblet of Fire, and Jarhead in the last few days. I can't wait to get Pride and Prejudice in the mail!!! P&P is my new favorite movie... along with the hairy potter movies.

well i am off to bed. I am tired currently and will update again soon.

Flying Brain Particles

Wow, it has been quite a while since I have posted anything. I guess i have a reason to be delayed though with the fact i have been burning brain cells and working hard at school. This last week i took my GRE's so i can finish my application to graduate school. I did quite well and as soon as i finish my application essay, i will be counting the days until i get a call of acceptance... knock on wood.

I have been too busy to really work on any of my projects, however, i did get my project/sewing room reorganized and clean in the last two weeks. maybe now i can start really working on projects again as long as i dont get too many more papers assigned.

Another interesting or exciting or whatever you want to call it event happened. I found an adorable boxer down on Ruston Way in Tacoma near the arco refinery/plant. Very dangerous part of old ruston way. I take my dog down near there to run off leash because the police don't get angry with you if you have an off leash dog down there because people are rarely down there. And i was throwing my doggy's chew man and this little guy comes out and starts following her! i couldn't believe it. so i took him home and washed him up and posted ads and contacted the humane society and put notices at the vets around town... kept him so he wouldn't be euthenized. No one contacted me. So, hopefully my friend will take him... i will miss him when he does go. he has become way way way attached to me. the only way he will sleep through the night is by sleeping next to me in bed. and no he doesn't go potty during the night, but wakes me up in the morning to go... i wish he was that trained the rest of the time!

Things are going better for Toby and me (not that things were bad, it's just hard to be with out him for a year you know? you probably don't). We set our date for the wedding... September 15th, 2007. And we are getting excited about Toby's return home. only 39 days until they start home!!!! YAYAYAY Oh my goodness. it is so time for me to have my man home!

Well that is all for now. Off to bed with my two dogs.

Conservation... of WHAT???

I guess most of my stress has passed. I am settling back into the school thing. I enjoy my classes, and really enjoy my horse back riding class... we will see how fast I pick up on English style riding!!! HAHA come laugh at me.

Toby is calling often, which is great. I love talking to him and with me missing him sooooooo much, this is good. He is waking me up in the morning and it is wonderful even if it is at 530am... I am happy to hear from him at that time because then I start my day with him. I can definately tell the difference in days when hear from him first thing and the days i don't. Hearing his voice is a gift every single day. I know sometimes, it sounds totally corny I know, but for no reason at all I get a smile on my face and warm feeling in my heart when he wiggles his way into my head spiratically during the day. I feel like I sound so 9th grade like... puppy love geek. but I am not. Any mood I am in he can change it with a call or with me writing a letter to him, or just with a thought of him near, he can change it for the better.

If I chose not to go to school here in Washington, he said I would be finding a school to get my Masters degree at while in Texas. He is so in tune with my dreams and goals. All he wants for the next year is for me to get this degree since I have wanted it for the last 6 years. I have never known or had anyone so close to me who has cared so much about my dreams and aspirations. I don't know what it is about this, and I am not trying to sound like everything has to revolve around me, because it doesn't. But this is a pretty big thing you know? He is not forcing me to change my dreams for him. In the past I have had people ask me to sacrifice what I really have wanted in my life. This time I don't have to sacrifice anything yet, except for time spent with Toby. But I guess that we will have plenty of time together after I get the degree and after we get married. Do this now instead of having to do it later and be apart more. I like this. We have been thinking on the right track, it just feels wonderful that someone is so willing to support me and encourages me so very much. And if I were not to finish my ass would be kicked... by Toby... HAHA. What a great guy.

You probably see a big change in my mood/attitude about school. I think I was really scared to go back. And now that I am back into the scheme of things, it is not so scary. I still think we should go to the courthouse and sign a piece of paper so we are legally bound, but we would still consider ourselves engaged because we would not be married in the eyes of God.

Ok I am going to stop babbling on... have a great night

Ps, i have been so busy being back in school i feel like such a slacker on my felted knitted bag. gerrrrrr

Oppocites Attract

Well today was good and bad. I started out the morning great. I was happy and hopeful for a terrific day. I was woken by the best alarm in the world... Toby, and he ordered me to take a bubble bath (actually he ordered me to do that on Saturday because I had a bad day that day too, but since I didn't take it on Saturday, or Sunday, he ordered me again to take it today... and since he is Sgt Isaacs, I had better listen to him even though I am a civilian and I actually have higher rank than him. Ok, i have rambled enough on this right now). So, we continued our morning talk while I took a beautifully relaxing bath. I then went to get my braces removed. It was a day long awaited. I have had braces 3 times prior, and the only reason I got them on the 4th time was because I had migranes that wouldn't stop. So, I got them off today.

After I got home, I noticed my fiance's hampster was sreaking and gasping for breath. This hampster, Samantha (Sam the ham for short), was my man's pet and he loved her and she was only about 10 months old. So cute she was. Well she was cold and wouldn't wake up so I took her to the vet. Apparently, some time in the night she stopped taking fluids and became very dehydrated. She slipped into a coma and started to die. The doc rehydrated her and put her in an oxygen chamber and warmed her up, but it didn't end up working even though we thought there was a good chance for her coming around for a little while there. However, after her turn for the worse again, I asked the doc if it was worth it... is it worth her suffering. He said that he didn't know how much brain dammage she might have because of the lack of oxygen and coma, and since she was in the coma and dehydrated, she probably had organ failure. I made one of the hardest choices of my life and had to put Sam down so halt her suffering. Then I had to tell her dad... he took it better than I did... but I guess I was the one here with her, and he wasn't. He is detached right now, but I don't blame him.

So a bitter sweet day...

Modern Excitement

I got a note from my Secret Pal today. Yes it was short... but they said they were looking forward to spoiling me!!! I haven't done something like this since i was in high school... but this is way better! Ok i am a nerd.

Anyways, I am heading to bed. I can't quite shake this cold/ ickieness. And on top of it all, the antibiotics they gave me are making me sick... so to bed I go, earlier than normal for the past few days... Toby says I need to go to bed earlier. Well when he comes back I will have to make sure I go to bed earlier since he wakes up early to go to PT and work.

Ok ok, goodnight!

Spagetti String Theory

I have a question for you all out there even if no one is there to read this. Does anyone else out there have a nervous food? A food that you eat when you are stressed or nervous or just in a funky mood...

Well I have Angel Hair Pasta. I started getting so nervous again... or stressed out i guess, that when i went to pick up my antibiotics for this stupid cold crap that has been going around, i had to pick up a package of angel hair pasta.

I don't know why i am nervous or stressed out right now. It may be that because i am starting school again on tuesday. Maybe because I am seriously debating whether or not to just not do school and go with Toby to Ft Hood. Right now, we are puting off our wedding date to make our families happy, or more rather my family. Do i really want to go back to school? Do i really want to be a teacher??? oh wait, yes i do want to be a teacher, more than anything. But more than anything else i want to be with Toby.

Also, things would be so much easier right now if we just got legally married. In the next yr and a half my masters program will amount to about 45,000 smakers... and about 3500 more smackers for health insurance. If we got married, the army would give me health insurance and pay for my education, or at least most of it. and then we would be saving close to 50,000 bucks for what we want or need, and possibly to pay for our dream wedding.

ACK what do i do? i just want all of this to work out. I know in my heart it will. I know God will allow what is right for both Toby and me.




HAHAAH I just heard one of the best quotes ever... the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.... ahahahahahaha

Eureka!

So here are a few pictures from late december.
These are our first pictures together. These were taken the day after he proposed.... and I accepted.

Will share more sometime soon.
Jess

sp7 questionaire

ok ok so i know i have been lacking lately, but i have been way busy with driving from washington to new mexico, getting proposed to, saying goodbye to my new fiance, going to spend the holidays with my family in colorado, and then yesterday arriving back home in washington to start grad school next week and patiently wait until toby comes home!!! so i will try to be better about my blog, but i hope you all understand.

Secret Pal 7 Questionaire

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? i tend to stay away from red heart i prefer the lion brand softness.
2. Do you spin? Crochet? i crochet and knit and sew and quilt and and and
3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? nothing right now... i guess an old mug is holding them currently
4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? i have been knitting since 3rd grade, but took a long break from it. so it has truly been the last 2 yrs i have been knitting. i would probably say i am intermidiate.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? no i don't, what is that?
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) i love citrus, and lavendar
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? yes i have a sweet tooth, but am trying to cut back!
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I fix my house, all sorts of stuff. i love doing hands on stuff. my fiance and i built an arbor for my garden.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) i listen to top 40 and country. and my programs can play mp3s
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? my house is earthy colors, i love earthy colors. i wear a lot of blue and greens and love the rich and vibrant purple blue majenta combinations.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? My fiance is in Afghanistan, my family is mostly in Colorado, and i have a dog, Haley, and a hampster named Sam
12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I have been attempting to make myself a poncho for about a year, just never get around to it. but i wear all the above.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? oh wow, i don't have a favorite really.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? i am getting a bit tired of the fun fur or cha cha stuff
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? i am making felted wool things... love how those things look when they are done
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? bags, hats, scarves,
17. What are you knitting right now? i am working on a sweater for my nephew, but fear that he will be too big for it by the time it is done.
18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? i love to receive hand made gifts. makes it more personal
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? depends on what project but normally straight
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? bamboo
21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? no, neither
22. How did you learn to knit? my mom, and then i retaught my self
23. How old is your oldest UFO? ufo? unfinished object? is that what it stands for? a year old
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? not really sure what animated character, but fav animals are dogs... black labs, malemutes, goldens
25. What is your favorite holiday? not really sure right now. the day toby comes home!!!
26. Is there anything that you collect? pictures, teddy bears, beanie babies...
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? none
28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? stich and bitch... still dont own it
29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? just a bit more variety
30. Are you a sock knitter? trying to learn... would love to knit my own socks... want to make xmas socks for my house and family...
What are your foot measurements? i wear 8-8.5's
31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 04.25

enjoy secret pal!!!!