Resolutions...I'm really trying to stick to them!

So here we are, just under two weeks into 2010 and I haven't exactly fallen off the wagon, though I think I may have to work a little harder to keep up with everything. Focus!

Hooks and Needles

1. Chocolate Vanilla Swirl Blanket. This is a baby blanket for the wife of an old college friend. They know they are having a boy, so I wanted to keep it kinda neutral. I made this same blanket for another friend, and it's a great soft knit, that works up quickly (and uses a nice bit of stash). Once I am done with all of this stash-busting, I'd like to make this in a larger version for the living room, or try it in some different colors!

2. Flat Feet Socks - this project is adored by my beagle/shepherd mix, Veruca Salt. Three times she has destroyed this project - but only the needles (size 3 circs from Knit Picks). She manages to not damage the yarn and I can even save the stitches, but I may never get this set done!

3. Lion Brand Sock-Ease socks in Cotton Candy. Ugh - this pink was a lot more pink than I thought! It's a straight ribbed sock I started on the plane to Vegas back in December. It's knitting up quickly, but I need to get it off the needles, especially as I now need those 3's for the Flat Feet!

4. Various crochet facecloths. I want to make these and sell them on ArtFire.com. That said, I don't want to do anything with ArtFire.com until my stash is depleted. These are a quick project if I am less than inspired on anything else.

5. I forgot to add that I am working on some mats for my dogs' bowls. These are felted with Lion Brand Fisherman wool, which I have to confess I bought on sale a few weeks ago. It's a project I have been wanting to undertake for months, and it's a mindless knit that has no deadline.

From Getting Back Into Shape to Running and Ultra
While preparing for the Surf City Half Marathon, I was able to get a free ticket to Austin to run the 3M half matathon Janaury 24th. It will be a quick trip to see my great friend Melissa and her family, run 13 miles, and see the wonderful city of Austin! I will also get in a long run, and be better prepared for the half marathon in Huntington Beach two weeks later.

A few months ago, Runners World Magazine had an article on the best Ultra events for beginners. There was one race that totally interested me, the Lean Horse in South Dakota. There is a 50 mile and a 50K option (and 100 miles, but that's not an option for me at all), and I am not sure which one I want to do yet, but that is my goal for 2010. My husband was looking at doing an Ironman event on the same day, but he has since changed his mind, and is looking at a local Half Ironman instead, which was mighty convenient. Maybe. Now I have to run a long, long way.

It's back to the baby blanket so I can move on to some other projects - I have a LOT more yarn in my stash than I ever knew. I have a feeling it's going to be afghan city around here!

Digging Into the Stash

So...lots of yarn, and a lot more work to do to clean out the knitting room. I plan on spending the next few weeks clearing out the acrylic yarn in my stash...

Hooks and Needles
1. Crochet blanket - brown and pink (not my favorite combo at all!), using Red Heart Super Saver. This was a project I started about three years ago when my friend's wife was expecting. She wanted pink and brown, so I made a baby blanket (which poor baby Iris didn't even get for nearly a year as I am so lame about hitting the post office), and started a blanket for mom. Never finished this thing. It's actually pretty nice, and I am probably three days from finishing it.

2. Flat Feet Socks - this project is adored by my beagle/shepherd mix, Veruca Salt. Three times she has destroyed this project - but only the needles (size 3 circs from Knit Picks). She manages to not damage the yarn and I can even save the stitches, but I may never get this set done!

3. Lion Brand Sock-Ease socks in Cotton Candy. Ugh - this pink was a lot more pink than I thought! It's a straight ribbed sock I started on the plane to Vegas back in December. It's knitting up quickly, but I need to get it off the needles, especially as I now need those 3's for the Flat Feet!

4. Various crochet facecloths. I want to make these and sell them on ArtFire.com. That said, I don't want to do anything with ArtFire.com until my stash is depleted. These are a quick project if I am less than inspired on anything else.

Getting Back in Shape
I started Fitness Magazine's Skinny Jeans Workout a little over a week ago. It claims that doing the workout for four weeks will help your glutes, quads, hammies and abs. We'll see! I do love it, and I can already feel a bit more strength, but I did strain my IT band as well. Ugh. And of curse, there is always the fact you can't spot reduce, so it's going to take some over all commitment to really get back into shape (duh).

We are running the Surf City USA Half Marathon on February 7th. I have not run at all since the Las Vegas Half Marathon December 6th, so tomorrow Bob and I have an 8 miler planned. I hope it feels good. I need to find the love of running again!

It's back to working on the pink/brown blanket. I'd love to get through the last brown panel this afternoon, and be able to have one of my little yarn cubes cleaned out by the end of the weekend! I've spent the afternoon window shopping at Majestic Mountain Sage for some new lip balm and body butter recipes...I have to practice some restraint - no new body stuff until the stash is under control!

2010 - bigger, stronger, faster. Well, how about more dedicated?

So, it's 2010. Like everyone else, I guess it's time to reflect on last year and make some plans for this one. Except I have no intention of reflecting on last year - it wasn't that great. (I just typed two paragraphs about how not-so-great it was, which I deleted, as I am not reflecting. But now looking ahead...

This year I have a few commitments.

1. Clear out my yarn stash. Really. Seriously. I would love to turn into a "project" knitter, where I buy my yarn for a specific project, rather than just because it's pretty, cool or nice. I have a lot of knitting to do in order to get there.

2. Blog more regularly - like one time a week. While it may not be terribly interesting stuff, it will hopefully keep me on task with objective one above.

3. Find my love for running again, and perhaps attack a 50K run...maybe even a 50 miler. I have one in mind, but it happens to be the same day as Ironman Louisville, which my husband wants to. So that means I'll be doing my race of choice (Lean Horse, SD 50 miler) in 2011, but I am sure I can find a good run to do in 2010.

4. Enjoy life more. It's not that hard. I have a great family, good friends, and two amazing dogs. I have a job, and even if it's not perfect, it should pay the bills and leave me time to really enjoy everything. I want to make a conscious decision to enjoy more things!

5. Open an Artfire.com store - and sell some creations including my lip balm and body creams!

So...those are the plans for 2010. Pretty simple - and that's how it should be. I am so annoyed with all the drama that surrounds everyone, when most of it is really unnecessary!

Happy New Year!!