I am Thankful...

...for all of you, dear readers. I am thankful for my husband, my family, my fantastic friends who never cease to amaze me with awesomness, my new job, my health, my home, the birds around my house, Unwind with Yarn, being able to travel for lindy as much as we do, having food on the table, not worrying if I am going to lose my place to live or if I am going to be able to eat that day...

I have a plan...a Christmas plan!

This Christmas I am:

1. customizing my wrapping paper (stay turned for details!!)
2. knitting a throw for the couch
3. asking for magazine subscriptions for my favs: MSL, Country Living, County Home, Fitness or Shape
4. breaking out the creme brulee kit for maple creme brulee for Christmas
5. draping garland on the mantle/sideboard
6. finishing the puffed sleeved cardigan, heretofore known as the claret cardi!

Look who came to play!

Who could it be??

It's Sasha, my very first soto softie!!

She just got here, but we already are having a full day!

Cutting cheese...

putting away Target purchases....

folding new napkins....

and knitting away on my puffed sleeve cardigan.

Thank you Maritza! I love her!!!!

AVS redux

This past weekend was possible the best dance weekend of my life. It ranks higher than the weekend I finally understood the 8-count. Something inside me clicked. Frame happened, joy with each dance occured, and a smile was plastered on my face. I really felt like I understood lead/follow, that connectedness which allows us to read the lead and express it as a follow. I am not usre when this change happened in me, but the whole weekend was permeated with feelings of "ahhhhhh". I only had a few moments of wariness (when I saw that the J&J I entered was vastly different then what I imagined). But I said "Self, make the best of it...dance for the sheer love of it, and do not think of what could have been. Deal with what is." And I did. Phillip, Becca and myslef swept the Beginner/Intermediate (uhh...way beginner-heavy) Jack and Jills. First for me and my partner Josef, second for Phillip and Beth, third for Becca and Aridy. A good time was had by all, and I really did try to push myself. Next year....Open/Advanced. So that I may dance way out of my league, get my ass handed to me, and grow as a dancer. Delightful!

Saturday Night was a very magical night for me. I cannot express the fun and creativity that infused each dance. I truly hope that the leads I danced with felt a bit of the feeling that they gave to me. I could replay the event over and over in my mind and keep finding little nuggets of awesome to ponder over. Thank you AVS, for being the catalyst for an enormous shift in my danceworld.

Maybe even more memorable than the dance-revolution I had was the mingling/meeting of new friends. I made an effort to mingle and interact with dancers outside of a "Hey, wanna dance" interaction. It was so fun to get to know these people that I only see every few months. Heather from Knoxville: I wish you were here, and we could have knit-night, shopping trips for bargains, and discussions on all things academic. (including the latest exploits of hunky profs). Bella: you fit is with our wacky circle, and man if that's not easy to do. Thanks for the dinnertime, and I hope the gym was fruitful! Alan, Jesse, The Deanster, Hurley, and Jerred: This weekend wouldn't have been the same without ya! I owe each of you a goodbye hug from Sunday that I left to early to give! Thanks for helping me to realize that a better dancer lives inside me. Each of you either by a dance, or by working out a move in class, gave me a tiny boost . You all have a perma-position down here with us if you even have to come down Pensacola way.

All in all: Best.Damn.Dance.Weekend.Ever.

In the space between days...

....I get reflective. I also hear creepy noises that make me sit up and wonder if something is trying to get in. I'm not worried, I have my big ass knitting needles poised to defend, but still. I am also digging the cold, still nights. The sky so clear that I can see all the way to the stars. I love Fall/Winter sky. If only the mosquietos would go ahead and die already. It would make investigating the patio a little easier.
Crap! That time is was right behind my head. Alright, I am going to turn out the light and....AAAAAAAAAAAA!

Hello there!

Gosh, sorry it has been so long! It has been a very busy month for me. Phillip and I attended the Knoxville Lindy Exchange, and it was so much fun!!! I got to hang out with some new friends and spend time with some old friends. Our host Chris took us rock climbing on the Friday before the dance. It was really exciting and nerve wracking to climb on the side of a river cliff, and I discovered that I am a bit to short to start at the 5-9 there. Boo for shortitude. Ah well, I am doing some arm exercises to give me the strength to get me above those hurdles a bit easier.
The dances themselves were fun. I really enjoyed the afternoon dance on Saturday, the food song battle kept the floor packed. I have already stated my opinion about the Saturday main dance elsewhere, and I really don't want to rehash. I may find the post and put it up here.

I got a wee bit of knitting in the car, however most of the drive was in the dark. I worked a bit on the puff-sleeved cardigan, and ended up having a little accident with it. when we unloaded the car, a needle pulled out, and luckily I didn't drop any stitches!! I have been plugging away, and by now I am halfway through the increase section. (Or as I like to call it, slog-heaven)
I am almost done with the second Roza sock in STR beryl. I have turned the heel, picked up the gusset stitches, lose a rosewood DPN, bought an ebony set to finish with, and I am getting started on the foot.

The most exciting news I have to report.....I turned in my two-week notice at work on Monday!
I waltzed in there with a smile on my face and a lightness in my heart. I have been searching for a new job since this summer (well, and beyond that to be perfectly honest.) on November 20th, I start orientation as the new Pain management nurse for White Wilson Medical Center. They have never had a Pain management doctor before, so I get to help write policy and set up my own office! And just in time for the holiday season! I get holidays off, and NO WEEKENDS!!!! I cannot tell you what it did to my heart to hear Phillip say "You mean I get to have my real wife on the weekends now?" I am so excited to start on this new career journey! I'll be sure to give updates! Oh, and I now get an hour's lunch, i mean eating while knitting time!!!

Hugs to all, enjoy your week. I'll be going to Atlanta for the Atlanta Varsity Showdown this weekend!