Well, now that took awhile.

Exactly a year ago I took up knitting. After a very frustrating couple of months, it seemed that knitting wasn't for me. I was still working on the same scarf and not enjoying it. I put it aside for a couple more months and thought my knitting days were done. Then one day after joking about my poor skills, one of the ladies at work suggested I make a dishcloth, a fun, easy, and basically mindless project. While I scoffed at first, I decided to give it a try.

After only a couple of evenings, my first dishcloth was done, and unlike the scarf, it looked great! Since then, I've been dishclothing away. Friends and family have received them. (If I've left you out, write a comment, and I'll get one made up for you!)

So, with my confidence increasing, I was inspired to attempt a more challenging project, which, of course, requires new supplies. I researched needle sets and came upon one with great reviews, and a store location in Morton. I got them last week, and after a quick dishcloth project to test them out, I have started a more challenging knit. I'll be sure to share some pictures after I see if it's going to turn out. Until then, here's my latest dishcloth and needle set. I'm quite excited!

Filling In and Brightening Up

After two years of steadily working to improve my gardening skills, and thus, our curb appeal, I think I'm finally getting the hang of it. (Just in time for us to move next spring/summer... Oh well, there will be others yards to beautify.)

After updating you on my progress last summer I decided to snap a few more pictures. Things are filling in so nicely! I also can't resist another comparison to when we moved in.

Before, things were overgrown, disorganized, weedy, and bland.

I'm much happier with things now. Everything is colorful, bright, and tidy, not to mention the new deck that you can walk on barefoot without worry of a splinter. I would say my yard is just how I want it to be (although I might change a few things if I had it to do all over again!)

Extreme Couponing!

A couple of weeks ago I decided it was time to get into coupons, and yes, I was inspired by the show. While I couldn't handle having a giant hoard of products stocked at my house (like the people on the show), I do like the idea of saving a little money each week.

Wes has kindly started saving the Sunday circulars for me, so I'm ready to go. Here are few pictures from my first clipping.

Me realizing that I had just purchased some deodorant last week that there was now a coupon for! Rats!

So, the first batch of coupons have been used for a total savings of $5.50. I'm not taking a trip to Jamaica with my savings yet, but it is still a bit exciting. I can see why people get into this.

Ten Years Later

This weekend, we hopped in the car and drove on down to central Illinois for Joshua's ten year class reunion. We met up with his high school friends, all four together for the first time since our wedding, I think. We ate Filippo's pizza and then spent some time playing mini golf and in the batting cages (my first time!) I managed two holes in one! Very exciting.

The reunion was as expected. It was at a Lake of the Woods in a fairly nice, somewhat air-conditioned hall. I met lots of people; today I couldn't tell you their names. We ate some food, chatted for two hours, and then went back to Matt's parents' house to play games. Joshua was a bit nostalgic about the event. It is interesting to think about his life has changed over the past ten years and how it will continue to evolve over the next ten. It really was a fun night. Here are couple of picture from the weekend.

Two Weeks Notice

Today I quit my job. What was supposed to be a very conveniently located position 5-10 minutes from home has turned out to be driving for 1-3 hours a day from anywhere from 2-5 facilities.

I hate driving.

I have always hated driving.

The driving is frustrating now and scary in a January snow storm.

I am sorely disappointed and anxious to find something else. Crossing my fingers...

Anybody need a speech-language pathologist with an excellent work ethic?