Simply Tonks

Posted on July 13, 2008 by H3Dakota

So we’ve been back from the camping trip for a couple of days, but I needed a bit more time to recover & relax before getting online much. Plus the boys have been monopolizing the computers a bit, too. LOL!

I had hoped to have Simply Tonks completely done during the trip & the next pattern (or two) underway… but that just didn’t happen. Too much time spent doing things with the kids, not enough light in the day and loads of humidity & mosquitoes really cut into my knitting time. But, at last, they are all done & I’m posting the pattern today. YAY!

Simply Tonks

So I got started on the next pair of socks last night… I was making fantastic progress, then the unthinkable happened. *gasp* My favorite bamboo 40″ circs broke. The tubing ripped. I hope I might be able to fix them, but no luck so far. I turned to my standby, the Addi Turbos. UGH. The tubing is horrible on them & kept twisting so horribly. So… here we are:

Draco on DPNs

LOL, Anett – I know you are smiling now. *grin*

My vacation is over soon – back to work tomorrow. I’m totally NOT looking forward to it. The emails alone will take me a couple hours to go through. *sigh* If only knitting patterns could replace my salary instead of barely covering the cost of my sock yarn addiction!! he he he

Oh, as far as running goes? No such luck during the camping trip. My shoes got soaked during the canoe trip & since it rained every day except the final day, they never did dry out enough for me to wear again.

FINALLY the boys agreed to the canoe run!! Wah-hoo!!! I love, love, love the Juniper Springs canoe run. 7 miles of stunning scenery & definitely challenging to canoe. It take 3-5 hours to complete the run for most & it truly is one of the toughest canoe trails in Florida.

I didn’t take too many shots on the canoe run, as it was a bit of a hassle due to the camera being safely tucked into a ziploc baggie to protect it. Good thing, too, because we had some steady gentle rain during our final hour.

Here is the oldest & their friend that accompanied us on the camping trip – I was trying to capture their limbo moves (see the tree), but didn’t get the camera out in time…

Juniper Canoe Run

The boys decided that we were going to make the canoe trip a good hard workout, so we really paddled hard & fast throughout the run. We got the entire thing done in just under 3 hours, but would have had it done in about 2.5 hours except… the oldest & their friend actually tipped their canoe. ROFL! Not that I’m an expert & have loads of experience, but I have yet to tip myself. It happened right in front of us & was really very funny to watch. My oldest was really angry, but I’d assured him that he would laugh about it later – of course, I got a healthy glare for my trouble – but sure enough, later in the day he was laughing about it. he he he

At some point, my youngest & I had run afoul with an overhanging tree (ok, we did that loads of times!)… but this time in particular, we had a dead fish drop out of the tree into our canoe! Hysterically funny, truly – who would have expected a dead fish to fall out of a tree? I just had to take a shot of that, too.

The Dead Fish

For those interested, here are some links to info about the canoe run. :)

Sun-Sentinel story
www.trails.com
The Florida Traveler
Club Kayak

I wanted SO much to go for a run this morning when I woke up…  *sigh*  but woke up to thunderstorms.  Hopefully, the running will pick back up tomorrow morning, then!!

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Camping & knitting

Posted on July 5, 2008 by H3Dakota

Well, had to sneak in a bit of computer time this morning, as we’re heading for the campsite soon – no computer time for a few days (wah-wah-wah) for me.  Dad will be holding down the fort at home, making sure the guys left behind are ok & have some company.  :D  I hope everyone will be ok, I hate to leave anyone behind…  but then again, they will be taking care of things at home for us.

I’ve already packed the vital things…  a baggie stuffed full of sock yarn.  ROFL!  Books & knitting, the important things to include for any camping trip.  I’d hoped to have Tonks complete before heading out, but between the celebration of Independence Day and a bit of fan fiction, I’ve lost quite a few hours.  Ah well – I am now working the heel, so it won’t be too long before I’m done.  I’m taking a notebook with me so I can jot down the patterns I work on the trip.  Hopefully when I get back, I’ll have 2 new sock patterns to post…  possibly a 3rd, but that all depends on how much actual knitting time I get.  he he he

No time for a run today before we go…  though we plan to continue the workouts at the campsite.  Hopefully we’ll get in a decent workout once we get there.

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Next pattern, Tonks

Posted on July 3, 2008 by H3Dakota

I mentioned the sock pattern I’m working on now in my post yesterday, Tonks. I wanted something that was easy to memorize, after Potions Master, which couldn’t really be memorized. I found what I was looking for, something easy that looks good with the color variations of the yarn… here’s the progress from yesterday:

Tonks Progress

It rained off & on through the night & we still have thundering going on – promising more rain again today. Today’s run is going to be short again, I think. I wouldn’t mind running in the rain, I find that refreshing, actually. But, living in the lightening capital, I think we’d best leave off until the thunder clears at least. If I could only get the youngest to keep running… he has a tendency to take walk breaks. Me, once I take the first walk break, I find I have to keep taking them. If I don’t take a walk break at all during my run, then I’m just fine… I shared that tidbit yesterday as we drove home – I’m hoping he decides today to keep running & not take any walk breaks. Seeing how we are starting off really slow/light (only TWO miles!!!), I think he can do it just fine. We shall see, anyway!

I’m thinking we’ll follow up with some Tae Bo. After that, I’ve got some errands to run (dang it!). We also need to do some cleaning up around the place, I hate leaving the house a complete mess. he he he

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Severus Mitts finished!

Posted on July 2, 2008 by H3Dakota

Wow, being on vacation totally ROCKS!! I’m all done with my matching Severus mitts. I almost can’t wait to get to work so I can wear them! LOL Seriously – I absolutely LOVE them. :)

So now I’m working on new socks for myself… these are going to be Tonks. I have a fantastic colorway from Wooly Booger Yarns, it’s called Gothelberry – it is just downright perfect for Tonks! I am just as excited about these, I think, as I was over the fingerless gloves. he he he

So today, the boys & I went up to a local park… ran a mile down the trail to the “workout” pit… you know them, those circuits in parks that have pullup bars, monkey bars, parallel bars, benches for situps & pushups, etc.? Anyway, we ran the mile to the pit, did a couple really fast circuits, then ran the mile back to the car. I felt very proud that despite my total lack of fitness due to being away from running so much, I completely beat my boys back to the car. In all fairness, that was because the 15 yr old was such a good kid, he kept going back to get his 13 yr old brother moving. *smile* We had done the same routine on Monday, but spent an extra hour there doing circuits. Today was rushed because we were trying to beat the thunderstorm that was rumbling all around us. I got just a bit of it, but the boys were soaked by the time they got to the car. LOL

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Potions Master – Complete!

Posted on June 28, 2008 by H3Dakota

Woo HOO!  After much frogging & hair pulling, my Potions Master socks are finally done.  I am very happy with how they turned out, actually.  They were definitely worth the wait in the end.  I tried to chart the main portion of the pattern, but I’m afraid that it was beyond my charting skills at this point in time.  Other than that one minor issue, I’m very happy with the pattern as well as the socks.

Next up – Severus mitts!  I’ve got the basics of the pattern already written.  Now I need to cast on & begin working on them.  I’m looking forward to them, as I’ve only crocheted fingerless gloves all this time.  I’m really excited about having matching Severus gloves!

Vacation has begun – 2 weeks of relaxing…   YES!  Naturally, there is a 5 day camping trip planned in the middle, but I’ll be bringing along my knitting.  The boys will be swimming in the spring & I’ll be knitting.  he he he

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Progress on Potions Master

Posted on June 17, 2008 by H3Dakota

YAY!  I’ve got on a roll with Potions Master.  I’d be further along, but decided this go round, to make the socks as I normally do – 2 at a time.  I’m nearly to the heel now (these are once again toe-up).  I’m going for short row this time, as I haven’t done a short row heel in some time.  I think I prefer them, actually.

Running has taken a back seat over the past few days.  I just haven’t had the gumption to get out the door.  I’m kind of struggling with my energy level & outlook.

But at least I know that it is most likely all due to being iron deficient again.  *sigh*  I keep thinking that it is my Hashimoto’s that causes my symptoms – this is 3 times now that I’d thought for sure it was my thyroid, but it has been my iron stores instead.  Most frustrating because I’m not to the point of having full on anemia, but my stores are low enough that I feel like crawling through the day every single day.  No matter how much sleep I might get.

Summer is here, the boys are home.  They are doing a pretty good job so far of keeping themselves occupied without getting into trouble…  but then, I’m really lucky in that respect.  They were really good about that last summer, too.  They do get a bit bored once in a while, but overall they are great.

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It’s Friday, Woo Hoo!

Posted on June 6, 2008 by H3Dakota

I was going to go for 3 miles this morning, even though I ran 4 yesterday…  but I was just too tired when the alarm went off this morning.  *sigh*  I could easily go back to sleep for a couple more hours…  this is really getting old already!!

I might still go for 3 later today.  Of course, it would no doubt be a miserable run, as it will be hotter than hell out there.  Ah well.

So my oldest walked into their bathroom yesterday…  and look what he finds:

sleeping in the tub

TOO funny!  And yes, it’s a really old house, so yes, we are stuck with a blue tub & a blue toilet.  *snicker*  Some day I’ll replace them.  I’m just glad they aren’t pink or avocado green!

I didn’t get much knitting done yesterday – did some while I was waiting at the orthodontist office for my son.  Last night, I was wrapped up in setting up a new group out at Ravelry with an online friend.  We’ve both been completely hooked on Harry Potter fan fiction recently, so we started up a group to share the joy.  LOL

I’ve made a bit more progress in Potions Master – enough that I’m not real sure if it is going to go the way I envisioned it.  MIght need to make some changes, which will mean ripping back.  Hopefully it will turn out ok, but if not, it’s ok.  Learned my lesson this time & ran a contrasting yarn through the stitches I would need to rip back to!  LOL

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Severus Mitts!!

Posted on June 5, 2008 by H3Dakota

Ugh, it’s miserable out there, even running at 5:45am. I need to get out the door when I first wake up instead of checking in over at Ravelry. Did 4 this morning, they were slow again. *sigh* Must not beat up on self… the 4 very slow miles are still more than what you were running a month ago.

Still no word yet from the doctor’s office. Unbelievable. Left a message 4 days ago. How insane is that???

Yay, the knitting bug is back!! I’m SO in the mood to knit. I plan to finish up Potions Master in the next week. Next planned project: matching Severus mitts. I’ve got the preliminary pattern already written, I just need to knit them up, take photos & tweak the pattern. WOO HOO! There’s just something about Severus that begs for fingerless gloves.

;)

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*yawn* I’m tired!

Posted on June 3, 2008 by H3Dakota

I’m tired yet again today.  *sigh*  I am waiting on the results of my latest blood test, hopefully it will show enough of a change that the doc changes up my meds.  I know I’m off balance again, as I’m relying on caffeine to get me through the day again.  Plus my hair is falling out.  Have a call in to the doc, but as usual, no return call yet.  They never want to give me my results over the phone, it’s always “gotta make an appt”.  Bah.  Why should I pay you another office fee just so you can tell me what the results are???  That’s BS.

Anyway, going for a run this morning, so not much time for posting.  Planning on 4 today, will see how I feel when I get out there.  My shin was bothering me last night, but it was just as I was drifting off, so might have been “in my head”.  Guess I’ll find out later if it was or not.  LOL

Not much progress on Potions Master, as I’ve been caught up in reading fan fiction again.  Some of it is just awful – you gotta read through some real junk to find the gems, that’s for sure.  It’s frustrating as hell when someone wants to write stores about Severus Snape in jeans.  *rolling eyes*

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Interesting start on the plan

Posted on May 28, 2008 by H3Dakota

Sunday I was wrapped up in trying to finish the other sock, which I accomplished on Monday.  I ended up getting in my 4 miles, but not until 8:30pm, when the sun went down finally.  I won’t be doing that again any time soon, as dinner really had my stomach talking – no…  yelling at me the entire way.   It was not pretty, but I made it & kept dinner down.

Monday was a rest day, but ran into not feeling well at all.  I got very little sleep Monday night because of that, so when the alarm went off Tuesday, I just could not stay awake.  I ended up taking the day off to rest & deal with not feeling well still.  Had 3 scheduled, but there just was no way I could handle that, doggone it.

I am still dog-ass tired today, not having slept well again last night.  But I am feeling a bit better, so I am going to do that 3 this morning – today was scheduled for rest, but I’m swapping the day with yesterday.  We’ll see how well I do, but it is bound to be better than Sunday’s 4 mile fiasco with the stomach troubles!

Progress on Potions Master is a bit slow, as I didn’t work on it yesterday.  I spent most of my waking hours reading instead.  Got pulled into another Harry Potter fan fiction.  *shrug*  It happens.  Didn’t get it done, though, so suspect I’ll be reading again this evening.  We shall see.  :)

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