My Dog BFF!



Last night I moved in with my Dog Best Friend, Zubin. For the next 24 days, we will be playing in Seattle while his parents travel to Italy, France and England.



We started last night off with a rousing game of Squirrelie and Begging for Treats. I encouraged the Squirrelie time but stopped the treat time after the ONE treat I was instructed I could give him (See Julia -- sometimes I listen!).



I'm already excited for all the adventures we are going to have -- walks around Greenlake, relaxing in the backyard, trips to Discovery Park, oh there is so much we will do!



I know Zubin is excited because this morning he was on a Squirrel hunt. It brought a smile to my face.



Julia and Eric -- I do think Zubin was missing you last night though. He headed to the stairs and waited patiently at the top while watching the front door. Soon though he'll forget that he misses you because we'll be having so much fun!

Dulaan Stash Acquisition



Saturday was Dulaan Stash Acquisition day over at Ryan's house. When I arrived shortly after Noon, knitters were lined up around the table, the yarn winder was winding and yarn was being quickly snatched up.



I calmly glanced around before making a grab for my share of the yarn and some delicious Lemonade. Unfortunately I couldn't stay long as I had to get back to the house and kids I was watching but I still think I made out quite well. Now I just need to make about 500 vests from this stuff! Luckily it knits up quickly!

I've done the triathlon, now I'm ready for a yarn challenge



I've gone and done it! I've signed up for Sock Wars!

Radio Silence

Oh I've been busy! and a bit Blog Blocked But I'm back and ready to give you a proper Danskin report!



I was picked up by my parents at the crack of dawn. After a short drive, my Dad dropped my Mom and I off at the race start. We headed out to our transition areas and got set up before racing over to the swim start to sing the National Anthem and watch the elite racers take off.



After much waiting and much too soon, Meg and I lined up for our race start. We waved to my Dad and wadded into the water. Sally Edwards warmed us up and then the buzzer went off and we leapt into the water.

I swam and swam and swam and the buoys were flying by. Soon I was at the finish and running up the path to the transition area.

Swim Time: 19:57 minutes

Due to an injured knee, I mainly walked to my transition area and grabbed my bike gear before shooting out to the bike path.



Transition One Time: 6:03 minutes (no, I do not know what I was doing or why I was in there so long!)



The bike course was perfect! I spotted Eric and screamed his name while looking for my family. I pounded the pedals and decided to bike up the scary hill to I-90. It felt further to Bellevue than it ever had before but I made it across and back. Along the way I saw Julie and Meg. I made sure to really yell for them. Then it was back into the transition area.

Bike Time: 47:32 minutes

Again I'm not sure what I was doing in the transition area but I grabbed my gear, changed my shoes and made my way to the run course.

Transition Two Time: 4:04 minutes

I ran for a bit before my knee began to hurt and decided that walking would be best. I continued running whenever I could and walking when necessary. Carrie soon caught up with me and Meg almost killed herself to catch up with me. In the end Meg beat me by 1 minute! Ughhh! The appentice beat the master! And I'm proud of her for that. I walked up the big hill before running in on the big finish and to the finish line. Sally Edwards was at the end to congratulate and I told her to get back out there to finish last!

Run Time: 45:19 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 2 minutes and 58 seconds

All in all, it was a good race!



Even my Mom did great!

*Updated to add* That is my brother lurking in the picture above just behind me. It's a bit frightening how much we look alike!

The Race, It was Good!



Whew! I did it and it was fun!



In fact we all had fun!



Now its time to get ready for next year!

OMG! The Danskin is tomorrow!



I'm marked!





I've visited the Danskin Expo and picked up my swim cap.



I checked out the Danskin swim course.



My Mom flexed her Danskin muscles.



Julie showed off her Danskin number.



And we received the Danskin Pope's blessing!

I think I'm set!

Wish me luck!

Magic Yarn Balling



On Tuesday night I stopped by the house to pick up my Mother for swimming and found out that a package had arrived for me.

As we drove along, I allowed my Mom to open the envelope for me. Inside we found great treasures! My Magic yarn ball, all the way from Sweden and Emma!

I haven't found all the treats yet but the outside had some sweet ones!



and some delicious candy!



Thank you Emma!

Knittin' with Friends

On Saturday after fighting traffic to get my hair cut in Stanwood, I stopped by a new yarn shop on Camano Island and ran into fellow Feral knitter, June. What a treat!



To continue my treat-filled day, I headed down to Southcenter (because I like driving?) to meet up with Karen. Along the way, I witnessed a near-rollover accident and had to scream on the phone to Mot, "I'll call you later!" as two-handed, 110% attention was necessary at the moment. I called her later to tell her that the truck next to me went into a dead spin and that smoke was pouring from his tires. I was convinced that he was going to slide right into me and I would not have been pleased!

Luckily though, Karen and her daughter were waiting for me at Starbucks where the goodness of Chai lives on. I grabbed my very own Chai and then began hammering Karen with questions about TKGA Master Knitting Level 1. Karen is currently completing Level 2 and is working on her vest. A beautiful vest that she designed herself (check out the entry here) Karen gave me some great tips and helped me feel better about my abilities. She has a gift for that!



We spent some time looking at my swatches, checking out her vest and finally just knitting. I worked on my Hourglass Sweater and it really beginning to take shape. I can not wait for the cold weather to swoop in and for this to be finished.



Last night after Purlygirls, I sewed up the last sleeve for the Darn Purple Sweater and started attaching it to the sweater. Only 1.5 more sleeve attachments to go! Then blocking and a finished sweater!

The Darn Purple Sweater - Part Two

Completion on the Darn Purple Sweater draws near and I am getting excited. One because I'll soon have a new sweater to wear, two because once this sweater is complete, I get to order more yarn and three because Meg, Jessica and Carrie will finally leave me alone. Well they probably will find something to else to hound me about but that is why I like them.



All that is left to do on the sweater is seaming up the second sleeve and then sleeve attachment. Look for finished photos soon!

Hip Hip Hooray!

Motty just passed her Nurse Practitioner Boards and is now officially a Family Nurse Practitioner! I'm so excited for her!

The Darn Purple Sweater



Jessica and Meg consistently bug me about "The Purple Sweater". The one that I've finished knitting and just need to do the finishing work on. The one that I keep stuffing into the back of the closet.

Well last night, due to the knee, I propped myself up on the couch and started picking up stitches for the neckline.



Yep, I'm not about halfway done with the finishing! Tonight I hope to sew up the sides and add the sleeves. Then I can wear the Darn Purple Sweater!


Even Baby started hounding me about the purple sweater!

PS The knee is doing much better and Nurse Practioner Mot said that I would be A-OK!

TKGA Master Knitting


click on photo for larger view

I'm lost in the weeds of the TKGA Master Knitting program. I have become obsessed with knitting swatch #1 in as many different kinds of yarn as possible. I have finally settled on one of the first yarns -- Cascade 220 -- as the yarn I will use for this project.

Last night I hopped on down to the Feral Knitters to show off my swatches and learned that Norma completed Level 1 in only 6 weeks! I'm impressed! I know that I'll be taking longer than Norma but she did provide me with some great insight.

Tonight I plan to tackle swatch #2 without any fear!

The knee is slowly healing and even though it is hard for me, I am taking it easy. My workout for this evening is to go home, sit outside and knit while the dogs run around. Yes, I know it will be tough one but if I watch "Workout" on Bravo then it will be a well-rounded workout.

I'm hoping to be able to swim by tomorrow and it is looking possible. I even found some great waterproof bandages to protect my wound (which is now scabbed over and I've just provided WAY too much information) from the water and the water from the wound. Thanks for all your advice and comments. I am feeling a bit whiney but hey I really smacked myself hard on the sidewalk!

Woe is the injured one

I've injured myself and I don't even have a great story for it. Blah!

Saturday morning, a few friends and I gathered at Madison Beach for swimming and running. I was feeling fiesty and played shark more than I actually swam and that was fun. The swim was great! The run, not so much. We pounded the pavement towards the turn off point and Carrie's boyfriend was getting ready to push us. We had only run for about 5 minutes when BAM! I tripped on a sidewalk edge and completely landed on my knee. It's not pretty and quite swollen. Carrie, Kevin and Meg were all fantastic and rushed to my aid. Kevin poured water over the wound when I would barely drip water on it. It hurt but that gravel needed out. Meg ran for ice and Carrie made noises over the blood, all the blood!

They helped me back to the car and I drove home to administer to my wounds. I'd show pictures but this is a family blog and the knee is nasty looking! To top it off, I work at a local winery during the summer and there was a two day music festival going on. Yep, that meant two 10 hour days with a busted knee!

I did have the on-site medics take a look at my knee and they re-bandaged me up while providing advice. They said that I have a second degree asphalt burn and all I can say is that this thing need to heal as I have the Danskin Triathlon in 13 days! AND I'm doing it even if I have to crawl!

So I'm taking the next few nights off from training and resting the knee. This means more knitting time! See there is a bright side to all of this!

PS I just noticed that my magic yarn ball is on its way! Yippee!

Happy Birthday Mom-a-Sun!



Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday DEAR MOM!

Happy Birthday to you!

Today is my Mom's birthday! I know this next year will be great for her. First up, she'll complete the Danskin Triathlon on August 20th before blazing a path to Mexico for well deserved vacation in September.

Hope your day is great Mom!

Congrats to Meg-alicous!

It was a busy weekend over here in Supergirl Land. Saturday was Meg's birthday and we all gathered at the Fremont Outdoor Film Event to sing-along to Grease. Saturday was also a big night for me as she got engaged!


I made her pose like this. She loves that I put it up on the blog.

Another friend of mine also got engaged on Saturday. It was engagement weekend here in Seattle! Congratulations to both Krista and Meg!



Sunday brought a trip with the knitters to Bainbridge Island and Churchmouse Yarn. While it rained a little bit, the sun soon came out making for a lovely view.