Knitter in Progress

1. Read two books. 2. Finish Rage's socks. 3. Stitch on Bramble and Rose. 4. Lose 5 pounds. 5. Make better eating choices. 6. Complete 26 Turbo Fire workouts(this will be the easiest goal) **My life would be fantastic if I could figure out how to knit, read, stitch, workout, AND do all my mother/wife duties at the same time**

1. Find a new magazine to subscribe to since I kicked Interweave Knits to the curb after 8 years as a subscriber. Done 3/16/11 Country Living and I am toying with the idea of Vogue Knitting 2. Finish my slow book and then read Kresley Cole's newest book, Dreams of a Dark Warrior . Finished Blood Trinity 3/15/11 3. Finish Diva's socks and start Rage's. Finished Diva's 3/12/11 4. Finish two pages of Bramble and the Rose. Still no stitching in March :( 5. Post pictures of above mentioned projects here and on Ravelry(at least the knitting on Ravelry). Done 3/16/11 6. Lose 5 pounds. I lost 4 pounds this month :) 7. Make healthier eating choices on a more consistent basis. --ongoing challenge--

Knitting: (1) Winter Lace--Lion Brand Thick and Quick--Free Lion Brand pattern (2) Baby Socks--Shibui Knits--personal pattern (3) Baby Hat--Colinette Jitterbug--Handle pattern (4) Baby Hat--Opal Harry Potter Tonks--Handle pattern (5) Rick socks--Red Rocks Fiber Works--Rick, Cookie A, Sock Innovation (6) Barn Raising Square--Red Rocks Fiber Works--Knitalong (7) Barn Raising Square--Collinette Jitterbug--Knitalong (8) Barn Raising Square--Pagewood Farms sock bites--Knitalong (9) Barn Raising Square--Pagewood Farms sock bites--Knitalong (10) Barn Raising Square--Pagewood Farms sock bites--Knitalong (11) Barn Raising Square--Pagewood Farms sock bites--Knitalong (12) Barn Raising Square--Shibui Knits sock--Knitalong (13) Barn Raising Square--Pagewood Farms sock bites--Knitalong (14) Dishcloth--Sugar and Cream Cotton--Mason Dixon Knitting (15) Dishcloth--Sugar and Cream Cotton--Mason Dixon Knitting (16) Dishcloth--Sugar and Cream Cotton--Mason Dixon Knitting (17) Dishcloth--Sugar and Cream C...

I am halfway through my third round of P90X. This is more of a hybrid version where I have been mixing up the cardio days with different programs--mostly Turbo Jam and Cathe . I have also been mixing up the ab workouts. I do not really like Ab Ripper--in fact, I call it hip flexor ripper because that's the only place I feel that workout. I have been subbing in Turbo Jam Abs, Insanity Abs, and Cathe's Ab Circuit and Core Max to get a more varied abdominal routine. In addition to those modifications I have been been adding an extra cardio workout after every workout every other week--did you follow that? Basically, I add an additional cardio daily on alternate weeks. I am looking into getting Turbo Fire from Beachbody . I really enjoy Turbo Jam--love the music. Turbo Fire is a big step up from Turbo Jam from what I've read. It incorporates HIIT training (high intensity interval training) as does Insanity but I think I like Chalene's music style more(she's the instruct...

Knitting: (1) Rage's Hat--Cascade 220 Heathers--Knitters Handy Book of Patterns(Budd) (2) Barn Raising Square--Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport--Knitalong (3) Flying Trapeze Socks--Cascade 220--Interweave Holiday 08 (4) Clapotis--Mountain Colors Bearfoot--Knitty (5) 2 Barn Raising Squares--Three Irish Girls--Knitalong (6) Barn Raising Square--Mountain Colors Bearfoot--Knitalong (7) Bella's Fingerless Gloves(Diva)--Blue Sky Alpaca and Silk--Stitch-n-Snitch (8) Kai-Mei--Colinette Jitterbug--Sock Innovation (9) Barn Raisning Square--STR Sherbet--Knitalong (10) Mod on Mod square--cotton--Yarnplay (11) Barn Raising Square--Opal Harry Potter(tonks)--Knitalong **for HBP Premier** (12) Round Facecloth--Sugar 'n Cream Stripes--free pattern(Ravelry) (13) Round Facecloth--Sugar 'n Cream Stripes--free pattern(Ravelry) (14) Round Facecloth--Sugar 'n Cream--free pattern(Ravelry) (15) Round Facecloth--Sugar 'n Cream--free pattern(Ravelry) (16) Diva's Knitted Babe--mostly K...

I don't know about anyone else but one of my biggest fitness/eating issues is motivation--mostly maintaining it. Eating I'm still working on but I have been using something over the last year that has helped me with my fitness motivation. I have been following the Eowyn Challenge . Last year I finished my trek from Hobbiton to Rivendell and very soon I will finish my trek from Rivendell to Lothlorien --I'm on mile 400 right now. Very soon I'll begin my trek from Lothlorien to Rauros which is 389 miles. I basically count a mile as 20 minutes of moderate to hard exercise since I don't really run(I tried it; it didn't take). The Eowyn Challenge site is really fascinating; I cannot believe how much effort went into figuring it all out. It's really inspiring. Of course, if Lord of the Rings isn't your thing, you could always figure out mileage to a favorite destination or a dream trip around the world. I use Tickerfactory to chart my progress and it really...

Before: After(a couple of days of stitching since the last pic): **clickable thumbnails** I have been trying to meet my goal of putting in 1000 stitches per week on one of my HAED pieces and already I am a little bit behind but nothing I can't catch up on.

I have two main goals for this month: 1. To exercise 4-6 times per week. 2. Put 1000 stitches per week into my TT "K". I've been having exercise issues lately so I'm trying to get that routine locked down again--I didn't bust my butt(literally) to lose all the gains I've made. As for the stitching, I think if I don't actually block out time for it then it will not get done.

It's taken me over a year to get a fitness routine that I can maintain on a consistent basis. I try to workout 5-6 days per week for at least 60 minutes each time. Here's a typical breakdown: **3 days weights **2 days cardio **1 day stretch/yoga On some weight days I'll add an extra hour of cardio. I also try to include walks with the family and swimming with the kiddos--neither of which I consider exercise for me(too easy). I use P90X for a majority of my weight work and Cathe for a majority of my cardio. It seems to be working for me and I'm loving the results.

One of my Challenges this year was to blog every month for three months. I've already done January and March and I loved the theme for July, so I decided to jump in. In the dictionary : Main Entry: rou·tine Pronunciation: \rü-ˈtēn\ Function: noun Etymology: French, from Middle French, from route traveled way Date: 1676 1 a: a regular course of procedure b: habitual or mechanical performance of an established procedure 2: a reiterated speech or formula 3: a worked-out part that may be often repeated; especially : a theatrical number 4: a sequence of computer instructions for performing a particular task Main Entry: rou·tine Function: adjective Date: 1817 1 : of a commonplace or repetitious character : ordinary 2 : of, relating to, or being in accordance with established procedure — rou·tine·ly adverb In the thesaurus : Entry Word: routine Function: noun Text: 1 an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity Synonyms...

I don't seem to do well with resolutions, or long term goals, so I decided that rather than list a bunch of things now that I want to accomplish throughout this year, I would rather set up mini-challenges for myself throughout the year. I will probably set my challenges at the beginning of each month(depending on their duration). There are a couple I'm starting on immediately: (1) I'm challenging myself to have 3 months of the year where I post everyday . Starting with this month--I tried last month and I posted 23 out of 31 days which is unheard of for me, so with a little extra push this month I think I can make all 31 :) And this month's theme is Change which I felt was particularly apropos for me. (2) The other challenge I'm presenting myself with is to finish a rotation of P90X Lean . I'm actually in my first week right now(because I started on the 29th of December). And since I need to make myself super accountable on this one it will probably be a top...

Knitting: (1) Knit Washcloth--sugar and cream--Mountains and Molehills pattern (2) Baby A's Blankie squares--Tahki Cotton Classic--Mitered Blanket/Mason Dixon (3) Knit Washcloth--sugar and cream--Round Dishcloth Pattern (4) Knit Washcloth--sugar and cream--Octogonal Swirl pattern (5) Baby Bolero--Encore Colorspun Worsted--Baby Bolero( One Skein ) (6) Jaywalker socks--RRFW Aspen sock--Jaywalker (7) Trekking is for Necking scarf--Trekking XXL--TifK pattern(Nipperknits) (8) Basic Socks--Opal--Classic Beginnings Socks for the Family(Wymans) (9) Bella's Fingerless Gloves--Knit Picks Swish--Stitch-n-Snitch (10) Rage's Lapis socks--STR Lightweight--Classic Beginnings Socks for the Family(Wymans) (11) Horcrux Socks--Jojoland Melody--Six Sox Knitalong (12) Winter Hat--Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport--Knitters Handy Book of Patterns(Budd) (13) Felted Backpack--Lamb's Pride Bulky--Bags, a Knitter's Dozen (15) 40+ Barn Raising Squares--various sock yarns--Knitalong St...

I'm thinking more along the line of "challenges" this year rather than actual resolutions. Mostly having to do with my health(mental and physical). I may add in some having to do with knitting and stitching but not for a while. So, anyone out there reflecting on this year and looking towards the next?

December Goals: Knitting: **finish gifty knitting Stitching: **work on something Weight loss/exercise: **hold steady weight wise **log into Peertrainer at least every other day **keep a log of every BLT(bite, lick, taste) in an effort to stop the bleeding on the weight gain front **try for four sixty minute workouts per week Reading: **I may reread either Harry Potter or Twilight November Goals: Knitting: **finish the Horcrux/Socktober socks-- Yes **maybe finish a square or two-- started one square **gifty knitting-- finished one gift/started two others Stitching: **chip away at the two pages I want to finish on I Love Thee-- no stitching this month Other: **lose, at least, the 2 pounds I gained in October-- nope and not only that I gained 2 more--ugh **see if I meet my 60 in 60 goal this time(round two if you're counting)-- nope and I'm saving the next round to begin in January **finish my 4th Nanowrimo Novel-- no, because I never really felt "it" with this one(like ...

October Wrap Up: Knitting: **one pair of Socktober Socks-- almost one pair(sock 1 done/75% of sock 2 done) **gifty knitting-- Done, still working Stitching: **HAED SAL Challenge--QS Swimming with Dolphins-- Nope, and that's 3 strikes and out for that SAL for me. Other: **lose 5 pounds-- gained 2 pounds--ugh! I was not very focused this month. **finish half of my new 60 in 60 challenge-- I did not get halfway but I did workout quite a bit. I don't know my current minutes off the top of my head but I want to say that I'm around 1000. November Goals: Other: **lose, at least, the 2 pounds I gained in October **see if I meet my 60 in 60 goal this time(round two if you're counting) **finish my 4th Nanowrimo Novel Knitting: **finish the Horcrux/Socktober socks **maybe finish a square or two **gifty knitting Stitching: **chip away at the two pages I want to finish on I Love Thee

September Wrap Up: Knitting: **finish 4 squares-- finished 3.5 **finish a pair of socks--nope, but Socktober is coming up **start some gifty knitting-- DONE Stitching: **QS Swimming with Dolphins for the HAED SAL Challenge weekend-- DONE Reading: **finish 2 books-- DONE, finished 3 Other: **lose 5 pounds-- lost 3 **finish my 3600 minutes in 60 days challenge-- ended up with 2498, so I fell a little short but I'm really not that upset about it. I will definitely push harder for the next round. October Goals: Knitting: **one pair of Socktober Socks **gifty knitting Stitching: **HAED SAL Challenge--QS Swimming with Dolphins Other: **lose 5 pounds **finish half of my new 60 in 60 challenge

August Goals: Knitting: **no new cast ons-- DONE--I finished 1 Barn Raising Square and 1/2 a sock. Stitching: **QS Swimming with Dolphins(SAL weekend 8-11)-- DONE **Provence Sampler(SAL weekend 15-18)--not done, kept working on the above QS and consequently eliminated myself from the HAEDless SAL. **TT K (2 QS Wednesdays)--not done, see above Reading: **finish 2 books-- D.O.N.E. I read: Breaking Dawn(Meyer) Acheron(Kenyon) Lover Awakened(Ward) Lover Eternal(Ward) Lover Revealed(Ward) Eat-Clean Diet(Reno) Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook(Reno)--very little actual reading here Eat-Clean Diet for Family and Kids(Reno) Lover Unbound(Ward) Other: **workout for 1800 minutes-- 1396/1800--I need to pick up the pace if I intend to meet my goal of 3600 minutes total by the end of September. **lose 5 pounds-- lost 3 September Goals: Knitting: **finish 4 squares **finish a pair of socks **start some gifty knitting Stitching: **QS Swimming with Dolphins for the HAED SAL Challenge weekend Reading: **finish ...

July Goals: Knitting-- **no new cast ons--finish stuff already on the needles-- DONE, no new cast ons. ** I finished 6 Barn Raising Squares this month Stitching-- **QS Swimming with Dolphins(SAL weekend 11-14)-- DONE **Provence Sampler(HAEDless SAL weekend 18-24)-- skipped this month as my sis was in town. Reading-- **finish one book-- DONE, read Dark Lover by JR Ward August Goals: Knitting: **no new cast ons Stitching: **QS Swimming with Dolphins(SAL weekend 8-11) **Provence Sampler(SAL weekend 15-18) **TT K (2 QS Wednesdays) Reading: **finish 2 books Other: **workout for 1800 minutes **lose 5 pounds

First of all I cannot believe it's July. Pictures will follow later. June Goals, revisited: Knitting: **I need to finish 7 Skully Barn Raising Squares-- I finished 9--7 skully and two others **I'm only working on stuff that is already on the needles this month, no new cast-ons-- DONE Stitching: **QS Swimming with Dolphins SAL Weekend(13-16)-- Nope, my last weekend to opt out of. **Provence Sampler SAL(20-23)-- DONE **TT K(on at least 2 QS Wednesdays)-- Nope, I didn't get a lot of stitching time last month. Reading: **Finish one book(hopefully more)--and that one book will be Blood Noir by Laurell Hamilton which I am going to get as soon as I post this-- DONE and yes it was Blood Noir that I finished. July Goals: Knitting-- **no new cast ons--finish stuff already on the needles. Stitching-- **QS Swimming with Dolphins(SAL weekend 11-14) **Provence Sampler(HAEDless SAL weekend 18-24) Reading-- **finish one book

May Wrap Up: Knitting: **at least 5 Barn Raising squares-- FINISHED 10--yeah, that's right, T-E-N **Rage's Lapis socks-- Finished one sock and got through the heel of the other Stitching: **QS Swimming with Dolphins SAL weekend(9-12)-- DONE **Provence Sampler SAL weekend(16-19)-- DONE Reading: **finish two books-- DONE, I read 3 actually, both new books by Kresley Cole and Harlot's latest June Goals: Knitting: **I need to finish 7 Skully Barn Raising Squares **I'm only working on stuff that is already on the needles this month, no new cast-ons Stitching: **QS Swimming with Dolphins SAL Weekend(13-16) **Provence Sampler SAL(20-23) **TT K(on at least 2 QS Wednesdays) Reading: **Finish one book(hopefully more)--and that one book will be Blood Noir by Laurell Hamilton which I am going to get as soon as I post this.