Looking Back, Looking Ahead

2007 was a big year.

For starters, I’m not just mama to Mercy anymore. Keith and I welcomed our first child in November!

I also took a sewing class and finally got the hang of using my machine, reading a pattern, and modifying a pattern. This year I hope to improve my skills and take a class on sewing garments.

My favorite projects were the nursery items and the Nappy Bags. I use one of the nappy bags almost everyday.

My favorite knits from this past year were the baby knits. Maybe they are my favorites because of how quicky they knit up, or because they look so darn cute on our baby. The two sweaters I knit for myself turned out ok but I haven’t had a chance to wear them yet… as I am working on regaining my pre-pregnancy shape.

This year I would like to work on conquering a few sweaters. Fabulous sweaters, ones that I will want to wear all the time! I’m also planning on working on more socks and a few baby knits.

Somehow, someway, I’ll keep up with my hobbies, even with an infant, a barking dog, and my post- pregnancy fitness quest.

What about you? Any 2008 goals?

Freezing here by the Great Lakes…

It is FREEZING outside. I mean FREEZING! It’s so cold that they closed the schools in the area.

Remember those snow days as a kid? It was such a blast to stay home from school, build snowmen, drink hot cocoa, and play outside. I remember how we used to pack the snow on the steps to the deck and sled down them. Sadly, those simple pleasures of snow days are long gone! Although we did have that a little bit last year, during the “October Suprise Storm!“

This weekend we experienced some major snow. And of course, adventurous us ventured out during the thick of it Saturday morning.

This is what dedication looks like. Dear Hubby decided that he was going to train for a half marathon through Team in Training like I did last year (I ran the Nike Women’s Marathon- the whole thing!). So the very first team run happened to be at 7:30 in the morning this past Saturday. During extreme white-out conditions.

Us runners are a different breed, huh?

Good thing I am staying inside today- working on our painting project and my socks!

New beginnings…

My word, it is February 1st! An entire month of the new year has flown by and I am led to reflect a bit. This new month brings some new beginnings for me: new projects, new friends, new encouragement opportunities, and launching a new career.

I started this year off with a list of things to do and I have to say that I have followed through on quite a bit. I have been quite diligent in planning my day, week, etc., and although not everything on my list for January has been crossed off, I’m ok with that!

I have come to realize that I have taken far too much in my life for granted. When I was a kid, my mother’s house was always clean. The laundry was always done. The fridge was always stocked with food. Dinner was always on the table at 5:30.

Now adays I am very rarely home from work by 5:30.

and my thoughts about laundry are more in line with this plaque:

I know it’s a terrible attitude to have!!!

But seriously, I took for granted how tough it is to “keep the ship running.” It is tough for me- I guess I haven’t mastered the art that it seems like so many women have.

How DO they all look so thin, their houses so clean, and have a corner suite office & executive title and 6 figure salary? Is it an illusion that they have all these things along with great friendships, thriving marriage, and children that are well adjusted and happy? Are they aliens or am I the weird one?

Maybe it’s the media influence… making us all THINK that we can have it all…….

But for me, I’d take a happy husband and home anyday over a 70 hour workweek. Too bad the rest of the world looks down on that.

On that note… I am in the process of changing careers! Exciting, scary, and a whole lot of work. I am looking to move into the world of advertising & marketing and grow my skills. So far no takers but I am sure that I would make an excellent acount exec at an agency or in corporate communications.

Now… onto Project Spectrum!!!!

I have temporarily put the “design a sweater” on hold due to a catastrophic event involving the cabled sweater. After much thought, I have decided to embark upon a trusted and true pattern that many people have already done (so I can easily get tips from them:) ). The yarn I am using is this yummy Berrocco yarn that is 50% alpaca & 50% wool. I will be swatching tonight. Stay tuned, the “design a sweater” may come back, depending on how smoothly this one goes…

I have been feverishly working on these knee high socks. I finished the first leg, minus the embroidery, and cast on for the second. The actual sock section is done by picking up the stitches from the bottom cuff and working down to the toe. I haven’t totally decided whether or not to do the sock part. I have to figure out what to wear these with first. I was thinking as leg warmers they would be WICKED cool!

Well, I am off to start celebrating colors this month… blue in my sweater swatch tonight!