Travelling...

So we are leaving tomorrow in the wee hours to take my brother to college. The freshman drop-off. I can't believe it! I sound so old, but it really did seem like yestreday that he was running around and shouting down manholes for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (yes, he really did do that!).

So he's enrolled at George Washington University and this will be my first visit to DC!



I also have a 16 mile run to do, so hopefully we can map it out to run along these memorials!


















I don't know if there will be any yarn store stops, but I will be working on the Sizzle Tank for sure! Maybe, just maybe it will be done when I get home!

Here we are at a friend's wedding on Lake Ontario a few weeks ago. That day I ran 10 miles. I can't believe I am doing all this running and I'm not stick thin yet! AhhhH! Gotta get up early in the morning and get to the gym to lift.

I feel like losing weight is a full time job. And my real job makes it really hard to lose weight. We are constantly surrounded by wonderful tasting, but fatty and loader with sugary food. And a TON of it!!!

Oh well, guess I better just keep trying.

Keith, Lynne, & JR looking for cache.

We had a visit with Lynne and her husband this past Sunday. They were so gracious to send donated items home with us for our garage sale we are having Sunday to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

We also had the opportunity to introduce Lynne and JR to geocaching! For those who do not know, geocaching is:

"an entertaining adventure game for gps users. Participating in a cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the wonderful features and capability of a gps unit. The basic idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is if they get something they should try to leave something for the cache."



And guess who found the micro-cache? Miss Lynne herself! It looks like someone will be on EBAY perusing the GPS linstings soon!

One of the really neat things about geocaching is taht it takes you to locations taht locals know about, but your avereage tourist or visitor does not. We have even found awesome places in our own town that we didn't know about! There's a castle near us that I never knew existed- and I grew up around here!!!
Lynne, we're glad we got to introduce the sport to you!

August Colorswap has arrived!!!

Look at what arrived today!!!

My August Colorswap Package!!!

Inside this lovely package from Juli was an amazing array of yarn!!! She sent me three skeins of Lambs Pride in a yummy charcoal color- just perfect for a fall neutral felted bag I think. Awesome! I received skeins of Fortissima colori socka color- some pretty funky sock yarn that makes me want to cast on for a pair of socks ASAP! (I just need a pattern). Then I got Peaches & creme cotton- straight from the mill! I can't believe how I've been blessed! Thank you Juli! You have increased my stash! And my desire to make socks!!!

Juli also sent me some wonderful teas and coffee- mmmm my favorite! I just can't start the day without my coffee! A pair of cute coffee & cookie hand towels for the kitchen, some recipe cards, and a wonderful smelling candle & votive holder rounded out the incredible package.

Thank you Juli! I can't believe the wonderful things you have sent! I hope that you enjoy your package!!!

Medical Update

August 16th Medical Update- in an ironic turn of events, my father was diagnosed yesterday with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. We spent the majority of the day at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, meeting with doctors, discussing treatment options and having more tests done. He will be starting chemotherapy soon.

I never dreamed that cancer could hit so close to home... or that my family would be ones to seek help from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I just thought that I would be helping other people by my participation in Team In Training.

Now, more than ever, do I understand the importance of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I feel a lot better knowing that there is an organization like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society whose mission is to find a cure and help patients and families face cancer.

You can support my efforts to raise money for cancer research here.

Before...

AFTER!!!

Yes, the little Mercy went to the groomers today, while I went to get MY hair done! She is beautiful and after a day of playing with other dogs, being bathed, trimmed, dried, and put up in a pretty lil bow she was kind of tired.

So I let her take a nice little nap, while I readied the house for my in-laws, whose plane we are waiting to arrive, then Mercy and I ran 4 miles. The fastest four miles ever. And up two hills to boot! WOOO HOOO Marathon here I come!!!!!

While I was being pampered today at the hair salon I was able to do THIS:



Yes, my friends. Behold... Sizzle. Well, almost a third of the back of sizzle, so that would be like almost 1/3 of half, so that would be 1/6th of Sizzle. I think. I already used one whole skein of yarn. Woo hoo there is hope for this one!

And the progress on the edging of my lace project!


I missed my deadline on this one... but it was too difficult for me with all the projects we've had going on.

Looks like I am close to the finish line!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look what arrived!

Look at what I got in the mail! (The yarn, not the dog)

Can you just see the excitement on Mercy's face?

She just wanted to nestle in the soft hydrangea yarn, Shine Sport to be exact. Don't you think it goes well with her complexion?

Here is it up close & personal. Soon it will become "Sizzle". And I can't wait.

I have to admit, I was SOOOOOOOO thrilled to get home today from work, after the most challenging week at work I have ever experienced, to see a package in my mailbox from knitpicks. AND a check for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. AND NO BILLS! It was awesome!

After my run tomorrow and a bridal shower in the early afternoon, I am hereby declaring that I will knit for the rest of the day. I need it.

Sleeping in the sun...

Mercy went running with me yesterday- a short 4 miles in the evening. Thankfully it was cool as the rain clouds were coming in. We got home just as it started to rain... not that we really would have minded getting wet after huffing and puffing for a few miles.

New Button!!!!

Yes! I have a new button- the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training. Click it and you will be taken to my fundraising site for the L & L society.

Training has been tough- I ran 10 miles Sunday morning and it wiped me out for a few days.

No news on the knitting front... home improvement projects have taken over for the present...