I'm not a fan of Mondays.

I find it exceptionally hard to get out of bed on Mondays. The love of my life and our adorable dogs are all curled up together, and I'm dragging my ass to the bathroom hoping to remember to brush my teeth I'm so tired. The picture of them just makes me want to say screw it and lay back down, but I can't. So, I got up this morning, dressed and out the door in record time. Traffic was even light. However, now that I'm at work, I'm bored. There isn't much going on. Add to that the fact that I have just over two weeks left here, and I really have nothing to do. So, I'm trying to knock out some homework. I'm excited about getting off work and going home. It's been nice getting to pack with Eric. We make a good team, and I'm quite lucky.

Plus, I really want to knit. My socks are so close to being done, and it would rock to knock that out tonight. For the first time in ages, I only have 5 projects on the needles. My socks, Eric's socks, Eric's gloves, our blanket and the favorite cardigan. My socks and his gloves will be done this week. I'm hoping to knock the cardigan out the next week. I have time though. It isn't like it is due for something. After that, Eric's socks... The blanket will be a project that lasts quite a while. I do need to make Eric's cousins some hats and scarfs. They are the cutest girls, and it'll be nice to have something yummy for them for Christmas. Other than that, nothing new.

a bit of this and that...

The weekend really was a nice one. Eric and I got more packing done, and we managed to make it to Chicago to say bye to the city. Can I tell you that Garrett's Popcorn is like crack? It is sooo good. We also went to Chix with Stix to say bye to Kelly. I need to make it up there next Wednesday to say by to everyone. Other than that, life is quiet and peaceful. Here are some pics from the city and the socks that are almost done.

Eric and I at the end of Navy Pier...
Eric touching The Bean...
I touched The Bean!
I more pattern repeart, and I'll be done!!!

12 boxes...

I had the most boring day ever at work yesterday. I really didn't think that I would make it through. I know that I'm leaving, but work is slowing down on top of it. So, it seems like I spend 9 hours a day staring at the walls. I left and drove the 45 minutes home. I live 17 miles from work. I can't wait to not have to drive 45 minutes to get to work. I hate Route 30. Anyways...

When I got home, Eric wanted me to work on packing the craft room. So, that's what I did. I packed up 12 boxes of yarn and books with Eric. Don't worry. There's still another 12 boxes of yarn to be packed. Plus, that doesn't include the stuff that I'm not packing. Since I'm not sure when we will get to unpack the yarn, I'm taking the stuff I'm currently working on or Christmas gift yarn with me to his Mom's to knit so I don't go nuts or go buy more. When I get home tonight, there will be more yarn to pack, but I also have some homework. So, I'm hoping to get a little of both done. I want to go see a couple of friends in the city to say goodbye tomorrow and Sunday. Plus, the pups need to get out. It'll be nice to walk the lake front with them even if it is chilly.

That's all for now.

9 days

Why stop a good thing when it has me writing, right? ;) 9 days...

In 9 days, Eric will driving back to Ohio with all of our stuff. He's leaving me with the air mattress, a week of clothes and the dogs. His dad is being a sweetheart and driving up with the trailer and van. So, with our truck, there should be plenty of room for all of our stuff. It'll be weird living in an empty house, but I'm excited. It'll bring us one step closer to actually living in Ohio. After he leaves, I will follow him 11 days later. So, it is getting very real, very fast. I'm so excited.

Other than that, I'm actually getting some knitting done. I'm going to work on organizing the yarn for packing, and I am hoping to get new pictures of all my WiPs. I'm hoping to have a finished pair of hot pink socks by this weekend. :)

21 days...

I'm on a number of days theme it seems. It just hit me that in 21 days, I'll be almost done with my last day of working at Nufarm Americas. It's been interesting here, but I'm really excited about starting the rest of my life. Plus, Chicago is only four hours away from Cincinnati. I can come back and visit the people I left behind and my friends. :)

The next three weeks are going to be nuts. I am working, and I'm still in school. The dogs still need to be walked, and there's the two bedroom home to pack. Plus, there is Christmas shopping to work on. Hectic is good though. It'll help time fly by.

In 21 days, I'll be packing up the last bit of stuff I had to keep at work with me, my picture frames from my desk and my Amp monkey. I will get in my car and drive to the house one last time to get Dega and Indy and any mail that might still be trickling in. Then, I'll drive four hours to my new home and start the rest of my life.

Just 21 more days to go...

97 Days

97 days? Really? My life is so different than it was 97 days ago or even than we thought it would be after 97 days. Eric had to leave the Border Patrol Academy due to shin splints at the beginning of September. It sucked, and he moved to Chicagoland to be with me. We thought about what we should or shouldn’t do for a while, and then, we decided that while we figure that out, we’d rather be in Ohio closer to our family and friends. So, on the 25th of this month, we’ll be back in Ohio. So, that means the great job hunt has started for me again. Luckily, Eric was able to go back to his old job, and it pays well enough that if I don’t find something right away, we won’t starve. So, my main focus will be school and working on finding a job. It’s going to be different. On New Year’s Eve 2006, I loaded up a U-Haul and moved to Chicago. Now, three years later, I’m going back. Not that I’m bitching… I know how lucky I am. Eric and I have an amazing relationship. We dated off and on from 1998 til 2001, and I never thought we would be back here. However, two years later, we are still kicking ass and taking names. I like being happy, and it seems like things are just going to keep getting better. 2010 is going to be a year of many changes, and I can’t wait to put 2009 behind us.

Day 3 of 149

Day 3 of 149 - Yesterday blew. I don't know if it was a combination of me being tired or what, but we were down right mean to each other. We both got a crappy night of sleep, and now, it has blown over. It wasn't pretty, but we'll leave it at that.

Other than that, I'm just starting to work on packing. I have picked up some boxes from a friend of mine that manages a Panera and here at my own warehouse. I figure I should start the purge and pack soon. Four months really isn't that long of a time when you work and go to school full time. I am going to the Y after work to swim and destress. I do have a bit of homework, but I'm hoping to be in bed by 9pm.

Day 2 of 149

Day 2 of 149 - A friend of mine told me that I was crazy for already counting, but it makes it easier on me to control the whining and know that I have to be in Texas with a house pretty much set up before we actually make it to day 149. I was looking at how long it would be for other times I will actually get to see him.

On day 40 of 149, I will leave Chicagoland to drive him the car and fly back. Oh, since I am, if any other significant others on the way wants to ride down with me, I'm okay with splitting hotels and gas money. :) I'm just going to fly back.

On day 88 of 149, he graduates, and I wouldn't miss that for the world.

On day 122 of 149, I will fly down to spend Thanksgiving weekend with him.

On day 131, I will probably be driving down to Uvalde for good. :)

When I break it down like that, I realize how little time I actually have. It makes it a little easier to know that I won't have to wait 5 months to actually see him again.

Day 1 of 149

I'm bored, and this will help me. We have 88 days until he graduates the Academy, and we have 149 days until he graduates the Spanish Immersion program. So, I thought I would share my daily thoughts. Feel free to chime in with advice or opinions. Though, I'm stubborn and can be known to beat a dead horse.

Day 1 of 149 - I didn't sleep last night. Well, I take that back, I did get about 15 minutes of sleep, but I don't think that should count. I took the BF to the airport with his Mom at 4am. We did get gate passes and no charge for his baggage with his EOD letter. That was a nice bonus. I'll admit I was a bit snippy with him. I don't think it was on purpose, but there it was. After I watched his plane pull away, we drove back to her house to sleep (which I got an hour of). I finished loading my car with my crap and drove back home from Ohio to Indiana. (I live 4 hours away.) I'm really sad. I haven't gotten to speak to him much today, and I thought I would. I know I need to be strong. That's not the point of this. I'm just being honest. I miss him.

And that wasn't enough...

This is the sole tote full of yarn left to be put up. Sadly or maybe not, I don't have a spot for it just yet.
I got the itch to organize the spare bedroom into a craft room, and while it is still a hot mess, I made huge progress. All the blue drawers are full of yarn as well as the four cubbies you can see here. That's not all though. This is a 5 drawer organizer in the living room, and this below...

I found this nifty closet organizers for sweaters, and it holds yarn quite well.

What do ya think?

Shakin' Things Up....

under the covered bridge in Long Grove...
Eric came up to see me last weekend, and it was an awesome surprise. After he left, I was itchin' for something new, and I went and cut my hair.

Which now looks like this! I love it. I'm typically a girl that likes my hair like this, and I'm telling ya, it suits me so much better. :)

the coolest swap package to date

I opened the box and squeeled. My very own owl.... I've named him George. He carried a very lovely note from Minerva Lovegood, and I had to force myself to read it before opening the box.

I have my very own, sparkly star lined bag. Isn't it stunning? Say hello to my new purse. I love it!!! Seriously? How freakin' cool! Plus, the strap is the perfect length for me! WOW!!!

Plus, the bag was full of all of this... chocolate - yum! Rosewood needles in 2's - my favorites and I don't have them! something that smells incredible - check! a coffee sleeve - needed it! Some incredibly gorgeous yarn - perfect!!!

And then, 2!!! patterns and a HP journal!!!



I was spoiled beyond belief! Thank you!!!

around the house

Last night, I was cooking 3 pounds of pasta, 6 pounds of chicken and a variety of vegetables for today's lunch. I invited the Shipping personnel to come down and eat with us. I think it'll be a nice way to thank both warehouses for how hard they have worked. While I was cooking, I thought I would go ahead and organize the yarn a bit. I was to use my pantry for food storage instead of yarn storage. Saturday, I am planning on moving all the craft stuff from the various places in the apartment to the spare bedroom. I emptied out the yarn in the pantry into FIVE 18 gallon totes full of yarn, and that is probably only 2/3 of it.

Dega and Indy trying to look cute and innocent, but I know the truth.
Lace, bulky and sock yarn that is wound...

Dream in Color, Tosh and Malabrigo...

Worsted and such...

Sock yarn!!!

More sock yarn!!!

List your "Sunday" rituals.

1. Sleep in and cuddle with puppies.
2. KNIT!!!
3. Watch NASCAR race while knitting.
4. Clean house.
5. Cook really yummy dinner.
6. Knit!

List all the activities you'd do if you weren't so afraid.

1. Ride a bull
2. Go rock climbing
3. Get my belly button pierced

List all the qualities you love about being human.

Wow! What an interesting first list. Having never thought about this, this will definitely be from the seat of my pants...


1. The ability to French kiss my boyfriend
2. Sex for fun
3. Knitting
4. Being able to learn more than one language
5. NASCAR races
6. Watching Maddie play softball
7. Long, challenging conversations
8. Riding the bike

List Your Self

So, I bought a new book, and I'm going to use it for blogging. It says that it is "a provacative, probing, and personal expedition into your mind, heart, and soul".

We shall see what y'all think!

Quidditch Round 3

Final Round! Soar Ravenclaws!!!

1. This “Harry Potter” character’s first name comes from Roman mythology. The mythological character’s twin brother is named Romulus. What is the Harry Potter character last name?
b. Lupin

2. Which “Harry Potter” character’s first name is the Roman equivalent of the Greed Goddess Athena?
c. McGonagall

3. In ‘Harry Potter’ World, this wizard has created the Philosopher’s Stone (called the Sorcerer Stone in the US). The historical figure from the 14th and 15th centuries was a scribe and a manuscript-seller who became famous as an alchemist. Who is this individual?
Nicholas Flamel

4. What is the first name of a character whose last name is the name of a Bulgarian leader from early 9th century who doubled the country’s territory?
c. Viktor

5. Which character’s name is the name of goddess in Indian mythology?
b. Patil

6. “Where the Wild Things Are” tells the story of Max, a young boy sent to bed without his supper for his wild antics. Who created this winner of the Caldecott Medal?
a. Maurice Sendak

7. What was NOT one of the unexpected defense mechanisms that Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Griphook encountered in their attempt to rob Gringotts?
d. The Geminio Curse

8. What was Snape aiming at when he cut off George’s ear?
c. Another Death Eater’s wand hand

9. How much older than James was Lily? (Referring to Harry’s parents, not children).
d. 2 months

10. Food is one of the five exceptions to what magical law?
b. Gamp’s Law of Elemental Transfiguration

Trying something new...

Eric and I were supposed to go to Charlotte next month on vacation for the NASCAR Coca Cola 600, but it looks like we'll be going to VA Beach instead. I'm terribly excited and sad at the same time, but it'll be nice to vacation just me and him. Plus, I get to see a bunch of my old friends. I can hardly wait. As soon as I have more details, I will post them.

Oh, and I'm joining Weight Watchers today. A couple of my friends have had great luck with that, and I think that it will help me as well. :) Tonight, I'm going to go to my first meeting.

Overall, life is good. Just busy.

nice weekend....

I had a great weekend, and even better, I got flowers at work today.

Such a nice feeling...