I was never very good at charades, which is too bad. I could use the skills today, since I have no voice. When I fell asleep last night, I had hopes of waking up this morning and feeling much better. Sadly, it didn’t work out that way.

I know from experience this can go one of two ways, so I’m laying low today and hoping for the better outcome. A day or two of rest and tea and Halls stuff, and with a little luck, it’ll pass quick. If Monday rolls around and my glands are still doing golf call impersonations though, I will be making a trip to the Dr. to avoid the long drawn out full on sick this could turn in to.

Luckily for me, I have plenty to keep me entertained during this self imposed chill out time.

I’m snuggled under my old UFOlympics winner, laptop close by, Halls Breezers to soothe the throat and my choice of Definitely Dead, the One Row Scarf, or of course, Hemlock. I knwo I said last night the Noro was going to become the Silk Delight Scarf, but I just wasn’t feeling the love. I rooted around on Ravelry and came up with this one, and it feels like a better fit. I only knit some last night, and haven’t touched it today – although I may knit a row or three between rounds on Hemlock. Or maybe after increase rounds on Hemlock… of which I only have two left!

I’m also catching up on the new episodes of (a guilty little angsty teen drama pleasure) The Secret Life of the American Teenager since I’m actually all caught up on Podcasts.

If I didn’t feel so crappy, this would be a pretty awesome day. Actually, even in spite of feeling so crappy, it’s still a pretty decent day.

Back to knitting (and maybe some more tea with honey). Happy Saturday.

The year. The blog break(s). Lots of things seem to be whoshing by – but it’s New Years Eve, and somehow, I wouldn’t feel right without at least posting something to close the year out and get ready to start anew.

There won’t be any resolutions here – I don’t do them. Go ahead, check my previous NYE posts! (2007, 2006, and 2005) You’ll see, I just don’t do ‘em.

I spent a little time earlier getting my planner in order. Yes, I’m a techy girl and yes I heart my iPhone dearly, but there is something about the paper and pen (or pencil, depending on my mood) that I can’t completely forsake. There’s something about the neat clean lines, all the possibilities of what those pages can hold. I make no apologies – my Dad did this to me. Stationary stores are a playground to me and I have a closet full of empty notebooks to prove it. There are filled pages there too, mind you, along with many years of prior planner pages, should I ever need to go back and check something. Like tax records, I only keep 7 years prior – there’s only so much room!

Anyway, as I was putting the 2009 pages in place, I realized how long it’s been since I planned my “me” time. It was something I used to do back when I 1st learned to use the planner system, and it was really good for me to have separate time every day to do something for me – even if it was only 10 minutes at a clip, I had blocked out time for nothing but a little ME time. The rule was I could do anything I wanted, but nothing i HAD to do. Sometimes, I would bank the time if the day got away from me and I missed it, but I made it a point to not let it roll more than 3 days. I’ll be adding that recurring appointment back to my routine.

I also have been thinking all day about an email thread between J, G and I earlier today (or was it yesterday – we have group discussions about everything and nothing just about every day. Seriously, those guys rule!) about what 2009 was going to be about for us. G said something about taking the 1st few months of the year taking care of him – he has spent a large amount of time taking care of everyone around him and not focusing on himself, and he plans to be better about that. I understood his point, and I think I feel at least in part kind of the same way, but we’re just planning to attack things a little differently. Largely due to his reference to doing what matters when you still can, I’ve been making some minor adjustments to the road map in my head, and also have set aside some time tomorrow to get the plan out of my head and into the physical realm.

It’s almost 10:30, and I’m moving this rockin’ party (ha!) to the living room, where I will snuggle up on the couch, knit on Hemlock (more on that soon) and see in the New Year with my honey.

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Years Eve, and that the days ahead bring you love and compassion, peace and understanding, and no opportunities for regret.

I have less than anything interesting to share, so today’s post is chock full of pure filler goodness – less taste, more filling ;)

I went to the doctor yesterday (nothing serious, general appointment-y type stuff) and then off to work. My night was pretty laid back, just some TV and a failed attempt at knitting (my eyes refused to stay focused long enough, I was pretty tired), after cleaning the kitchen and prepping the ingredients for tonight’s dinner (it’s tough putting stuff into the crock pot and setting the timer, but someone’s gotta do it). If it comes out as well as I’m hoping, I will share the details tomorrow.

Later today, Corey and I are heading off to Janet’s for an afternoon with the Charlotte Purls (whom I have not seen in WAY too long) to view the EZ Baby Surprise DVD. I have had a few false starts with the sweater (as in, I want to make one but something changes my mind last minute) even though I really do want to experience the magical knitting origami, so I’m hoping watching the video + the current Purls KAL will push me over the proverbial edge. While I do not currently know of any pending babies to be knitting one for, I know eventually, there will be one – there always is!

I need to get ready to head on out of here, so I leave you with the old standby content – a completely random quiz thingy! I’m not too sure how I feel about the accuracy of this one, but it does make me want to re-read the book!

You’re Watership Down!
by Richard Adams
Though many think of you as a bit young, even childish, you’re
actually incredibly deep and complex. You show people the need to rethink their
assumptions, and confront them on everything from how they think to where they
build their houses. You might be one of the greatest people of all time. You’d
be recognized as such if you weren’t always talking about talking rabbits.
Take the Book Quiz

I do have more WIP pics to share, as well as a wonderful Plurk Pal Swap package to tell you about, but i’m gonna throw this out there today in the interest of time. Better to post something than nothing, right?

I’ve had this emailed to me more than a few times the past week, so rather than replying to them all individually, I’m posting it here. I’m not “tagging” anyone, but if you want to play along at home, grab it and go (but leave me a comment so I can come see your answers too)

37 Things about me:

1. Do you like blue cheese? yes – especially on good hot wings
2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes? yes, and I quit. twice. Last time for good.
3. Do you own a gun? water gun
4. What flavors Kool Aid was your favorite? orange
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? not usually
6. What do you think of hotdogs? Eww
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Miracle on 34th Street
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? diet coke or iced coffee
9. Can you do push ups? sorta
10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? Mom’s diamond heart
11. Favorite hobby? knitting (duh! but i also like to read, and bake, and take pictures too)
12. Do you have A.D.D.? nah
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? not since Lasix
14. Middle name? Renee
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
a – I need a vacation
b – My glass is empty
c- I have a ton of work to do tomorrow
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? water, lemonade, iced coffee
17. Current worry? the economy
18. Current hate right now? hate’s a very strong word
19. Favorite place to be? with people who matter
20. How did you bring in the New Year? home with my honey
21. Where would you like to go? St Thomas
22. Name three people who will complete this. whoever is in the mood
23. Do you own slippers? yup 3 or 4 pair
24 What shirt are you wearing? Binary “you are dumb”
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? no
26. Can you whistle? yup
27. Favorite color? Deep sapphire blue
28. Would you be a pirate? minus the raping and pilaging, sure
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? silent ones
30. Favorite Girl’s Name? I dont have one
31. Favorite boy’s name? I dont have one
32. What’s in your pocket right now? no pockets in my jammies
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Rich
34. What vehicle do you drive? Pathfinder
35. Worst injury you’ve ever had? broken heart
36. Do you love where you live? yup
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 3

There you have it, 37 odd and obscure questions, complete with answers. Happy Tuesday!

KnitSteph (that almost said @Knitsteph, as I’m sure my PlurkBuds will appreciate) tagged me and I said I would play along. And then, Jennifer got me too. 2 people in a 24 hour span, I was powerless to say no

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
in 1998, I was working full time for the company I thought I would spend my entire career at. I was very happily involved in so many emerging techy, geeky, fun, things, learning so much from some really great people. I had just met the man I credit with teaching me some of the most important business lessons a person can know, and pretty much just doing my thing. Had you told me then I woudl be living 700 miles away I would have laughed.

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today? (The day is over, so I will go with tonight’s agenda which is simple since I am home alone tonight and have the luxury of a quiet uneventful evening)
>Finish this blog post
>Make/eat some dinner
>Turn on the idiot box
>Knit
>Knit some more

3. Snacks I enjoy:
Popcorn and goobers (yes together), Peanut butter pretzels (a la trader joes), chips and fresh salsa

4. Places I’ve lived:
Chicago, Ft Lauderdale, many (many!) towns on Long Island, Charlotte

5. Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1st few things off the top of my head – insure my family and friends had a safety net, travel a bit, create scholorships funds for fiber and other creative artists, open a knit store/cafe/safe haven.

I’m supposed to tag 5 people but as usual with these things, it’s running rampant. If you want to play along, go ahead and snag the questions – but be sure to leave me a comment so I can come see your answers too!

Tomorrow is a crazyyyyyyy busy day and I cant wait! Lots of good fun on the menu, which I will likely post about on Sunday. Happy weekend everyone!