Goals Update- Week 29

First and foremost today... I have an FO!!!!! Can you believe it? I almost forgot how to spell FO.

Unfortunately, I don't have the greatest pictures. But here's the best of what I took.



Pattern: Clapotis
Yarn: BMFA STR Heavyweight in Lucy- 2 full skeins and about 3 ounces of the 3rd.
Needles: KnitPicks Options Size 8, 5 mm
Mods: I made did 5 more repeats than the pattern called for. I wanted the scarf to be nice and long. It came out a little too long but that's OK.



Closeup of the color. Love, love, love the color. AND since this is sock yarn, it technically counts against my totals for the Lime & Violet sock yarn marathon. Although, that technically ended on the 15th. I'm 80% to my 2 miles. So pretty much I didn't make it in any way, shape, or form. Shocking, I know.

1. Thin for Thirty- I stayed steady this week. This is a minor miracle considering what I've eaten. That's all there really is to say about that. I know what I did wrong and I know what I can do better. So this week, I'll try to be better.

2. Knit from the Stash- I told you last week that I had used a little of the money I made clearing out the stash on ebay to order from BMFA. That package came today.



STR lightweight- Tanzanite. It's more purple than this picture. I couldn't get the color right.



STR lightweight- Lucy in the Sky



STR lightweight- Backstabber

They are delicious. And, since my overall yardage went down, I don't feel like I added to my stash. How's that for justification???

School was really interesting this week. I gave my first shot and put in my first catheter. I feel more and more like a nurse everyday. (Although, I still have plenty of moments when I'm sure I'm an idiot!)

Nothing much else is going on. I did see Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. Worst.Ending.EVER. I had read on someone's blog that the ending sucked. (I can't remember who's blog.) Awful. The rest of the movie was twisted and somewhat interesting. But the ending stunk so much I had to pan it on Netflix. That'll teach me to ignore the advice of a knit blogger.

Goals Update- Week 28

I'm done! The book arrived at 4 pm. And I read almost continuously until midnight when Brian insisted I go to sleep. I reluctantly obliged even though I only had 175 pages to go. By 11 this morning, I was done! I really liked the book. It wasn't completely what I had expected which was great. And it'll absolutely require a second reading.

1. Thin for Thirty- I lost 3 pounds this week! And I'm 2 pounds below my January starting weight. My progress bar on the side bar can now start the countdown. I haven't been as good as I was a couple of weeks ago. I'm trying to find a good balance. But so far, so good. Combining the Ultra simple diet with weight watchers has helped me with balance. The Ultra simple plan gives me a good (but strict) framework for what to eat. And then, I can add a yogurt or more fruit by using the weight watchers on my PDA. Having to enter what I eat somewhere is totally keeping me honest.

2. Knit from the Stash- I fell down a little this week. I took some of the money I had in my paypal account and bought 3 skein of STR lightweight in Backstabber, Lucy in the Sky, and Tanzanite. Since I bought this yarn from selling other yarn, it's more like replacing instead of shopping. Sort of.

Brian bought a new car today. We've been talking about it for 3 months or so. He's been driving a 1993 Honda Del Sol. It's served us well but it's starting to wear out. And with 2 cars that can only hold 2 people, it's not that practical. So he upgraded to this in Silver. It's so nice. I'm jealous and I can't wait to be able to upgrade my car. Hopefully insurance will just let us fix it pretty soon. They are totally dragging their feet.

I'm Still Waiting...

It's been a hell of a week. In fact, I slept for 12 hours last night to compensate. I had a really interesting patient this week. He is cooperative, fun to joke around with, and I learned a lot which is really the best part. I did have to wipe a butt (not his). This is an important right of passage in nursing. Write it down. On July 18, 2007, I wiped my first butt as a nurse.

Here's a picture of part of my group as we left the hospital on Thursday.



L to R: Tiffany, Martha, Me, and Colleen. Don't we almost glow???? Notice I'm the only white shoe holdout. Mine are white and navy. An important distinction I think.

The first installment of the Yarn Pirate Booty Club reached my doorstep earlier this week.



Rumrunner. So pretty. Georgia also included a small bar of soap from The Knitting Philistine. Yummy! I'm thrilled with this club so far.

I have to put in another plug for paperbackswap.com. Check out the loot I've been able to amass.



From top to bottom: The Memory Keeper's Daughter, Snow Falling on Cedars, Midwives, Life of Pi, The Red Tent, and The Historian. I'm late to the party on lots of these. And I really don't know when I'll get to them. But I'm glad I got them while sending out some books I'm done with. What a great idea!

Of course, the one book I'm waiting on isn't here yet. I'm giving UPS until 5 pm. Then I'm going to Target for a copy. Meanwhile, I'm trying really hard to not read anything about it!

Goals Update- Week 27

This was a very good but very busy week. I have midterm exams (AGAIN!) this coming week. So a lot of studying was done this weekend. I have to give a head to toe physical exam on Tuesday. That'll be interesting.

1. Thin for Thirty- I lost another 4 pounds this week!! I'm this close to being at my January weight. I think I finally found something that works for me. The Ultra simple diet consists of eating vegetables, brown rice, and lean protein. It is ultra simple. I didn't follow it perfectly. I didn't make it into that lavender scented bath every night but overall, I'm really happy with the results. I'm going to give it another shot this week. Hopefully, I can keep up this pace. Unfortunately, I haven't been as careful this weekend. But that's OK. It's what is going to keep me sane. I even worked out twice this week.

2. Knit from the Stash- I have 3 more repeats until the decrease rows. YAY! I'm so close. Stupid midterms getting in the way of my knitting time! But I did hear that the Yarn Pirate Booty Club ships on Monday. YAY!!!

I've been doing a lot of sleeping and studying this weekend. (thanks, Peaknit for your prescription for rest!) Last week was a tough one. But it was also great. I'm working with cool patients. There isn't a TON to do because I'm on a neuro rehab floor so the patients are encouraged to do a lot for themselves. But they have interesting disease processes. Lots of patients with strokes and some motor vehicle accidents. They are stable and in the process of relearning how to do activities of daily living (ADL's). It's a cool process but not that great for baby nurses like us.

I'll try to get a picture of me in my super cool uniform of all white scrubs. It's pretty hot!!!

Exhausted

I started clinical work this week. Phew! 8 hours on my feet is a BIG change from an office desk job. I came home today and collapsed into bed for 2 hours. And I'll definitely be sore tomorrow when I head back for my last shift of the week.

I really like it. (Even though I feel like a moron/in the way all day) And I'm hoping all this activity is going to help with the whole weight loss quest.

I'm off to bed.

Goals Update- Week 26

Blogger is apparently not allowing for titles today. I'm glad I'm not the only one having this issue.

1. Thin for Thirty- I lost 2 pounds!!! Still about 5 above my starting weight in January. But it's progress! This past week I've been taking my Alli and eating more thoughtfully. I haven't had any "treatment effects" until this morning. But I was asking for it when I make BLT's for lunch yesterday. (only 1 sadnwich and no mayo) This will sound weird but I'm kind of glad I had this happen. I was starting to think I got a placebo bottle! The only thing I'm noticing about Alli is that I'm so aware of how much fat I'm eating that I'm increasing my intake of carbs. I think this is leading me to eating too many calories even though I'm being really aware of my fat intake. Last week, I paired Alli with weight watchers. They have a PDA version that links to the WW website. So I keep track of what I eat all day on my palm and sync it up to their site. Pretty cool.

Starting today, I'm going to do the Ultra Simple Diet. I know this sounds like dieting ADD. But I needed to spend a week really aware of what I ate to prepare for this much stricter week. Basically, I get to eat as many vegetables as I want with 1/2 cup brown rice and 4 ounces of lean protein at 1 meal a day. For snacks, you drink vegetable broth. It doesn't sound like much but vegetables are pretty much unlimited. At the end of the day, you take a 20 minute bath with Epsom salts and lavender oil to relax, recharge, and reflect on the day. I'll keep you posted. I do have to go to the grocery store today to pick up some of the things I need to make the broth. Until that happens, canned chicken broth will do. I don't think I'll be taking Alli at 3 meals a day this week. It just doesn't make sense if there's little or no fat in my meals. But I will keep track on WW. This is probably the best habit for me to pick up. Keeping track of what I eat really helps me realize when I'm just mindlessly putting food in my mouth.

One last thing- I promise this won't become a dieting blog.

2. Knit from the stash- I find it very easy not to buy yarn when I don't have time to knit. I already have so many projects planned but not started, it's tough to imagine adding to the list. I did pass the 1/2 way point on my Clapotis! I'm so loving the way it's coming out. The STR heavyweight is going to be warm but the drape is fantastic. And the Lucy colorway is too pretty!

Although, I would love a skein of this from Scout J. But I will resist!

And now for my random thoughts:

Also, if you have the Outdoor Life Network, the Tour de France coverage is so pretty. I mean the cycling is cool. But the scenery is amazing!

In school last week we learned to give injections. It was quite a day with everyone sticking everyone else. But we're starting to feel like real nurses. This week we head into the hospital. I'm so excited. I found out we're going to be on a neuro-rehab floor. So people who are recovering from strokes and motor vehicle accidents with head trauma. Very interesting cases with a lot to learn from each.

Sock Club Extravaganza

The rest of my sock club packages for June came this week.



The final installment of the Sunshine Yarn Club- Darling. Dani did a great job on her first year of the club. The colors were varied and interesting. She's doing a Harry Potter Theme sock club next. If you're interested, email her right away. I don't know when sign ups close.



The Yarntini sock club June installment appropriately named Mint Mojito. This one is through Pure Knits. It came with an interesting pattern and a set of rosewood dpn's. They are lovely. I really hope I don't snap one!

And...



Finally, my June Rockin Sock Club shipment made it to my house! There was an address mix up and the great ladies at BMFA quickly sent me a replacement package. How's that for service?!?!? The color is Firebird and the solstice slip pattern is so pretty. Oh how I want to cast on! But I really do need to finish a thing or two before that happens.

I hope your 7/7/07 is a very lucky day!

Goals Update- Week 25

Wow, it's been a few days since I posted. I made it through my first term at school. New classes start tomorrow which include me heading into the hospital 3 days a week. And I have lots of reading to do.

1. Thin for Thirty- I bought a couple of things to help me get this going again- The Ultra Simple Diet and Alli. You've probably heard a lot about Alli. It's an FDA approved fat blocker. But if you don't change your eating habits, really unpleasant "treatment effects" occur. (mostly related to bathroom issues) So I'm using it as a training device to remind myself not to eat too much fat. And I'm going to do the 7 day Ultra Simple plan next week which includes eating a lot of vegetables, vegetable broth, and a nightly bath. I need a week to get everything prepared. This might sound a little extreme. But I really need to get headed in the right direction. And I only have 2 months to make significant progress before my birthday. I assure you, I'm not being unhealthy. And I will continue to eat. I'm just going to really focus on healthy habits.

2. Knit from my stash- No yarn purchased since school started! But I am getting sock club deliveries. Just like Peaknit, I might need a sock club intervention!

First, from Scout's Swag...



Kizkalesi. I love this deep teal color. And there's a pattern from Cookie A. included!!!! Very nice swag!

Next, The Petals Collection from Sundara...



Grape Hyacinth. The pattern that goes with this one is really cool too. There's cables and little sections that look like bunches of grapes.

STR Club for June....



Oh yeah! This one got sent to my old office. And I'm sorting it out with the BMFA ladies. I'm sure it'll get figured out one way or another.


Thanks for all your help on the destash! There's still some things left...

And Happy July! Have a safe and fun holiday!