tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12898223838988713772024-03-12T18:08:24.297-07:00trikotajciTrikotajci means "Knitter" in Turkishmrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-85259784346015757122009-09-18T10:14:00.001-07:002009-09-18T10:14:25.670-07:00Why is it always like this??<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47016629@N00/3931332059/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2593/3931332059_2405179fd7_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47016629@N00/3931332059/">128977666734653278</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/47016629@N00/">peanutwoman711</a></span></div>This is how I feel sometimes when I can't get through to people (who shall remain anonymous lest I risk losing my job).<br clear="all" />mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-22153179419647879092009-05-04T19:26:00.000-07:002009-05-04T20:06:57.398-07:00Maryland Sheep and WoolSome of The Loot<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUeTwNWyXDK0uQrAmdjhydWdFXA4tZbtsJC2wEOO0zMMrJXk0kpi6vnyYd7tM7Hac6cDuLHOYEV0vA1cpK-ZueMTsbdW36uoWZXaceBPFPm7mSDh3nkSxzusgd6dspTZWYtqkgdv5p1g/s1600-h/DSC_1186.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332169209362356466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUeTwNWyXDK0uQrAmdjhydWdFXA4tZbtsJC2wEOO0zMMrJXk0kpi6vnyYd7tM7Hac6cDuLHOYEV0vA1cpK-ZueMTsbdW36uoWZXaceBPFPm7mSDh3nkSxzusgd6dspTZWYtqkgdv5p1g/s320/DSC_1186.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A Five THOUSAND Dollar Spinning Wheel by Golding. Beautiful, and it sold!!<br /><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8q_ZNQD9TQswBGstJvI1raN-Bkv1od5z6jVE8gvzu7aP8qjbAniVvnKXcbUSS_ZM-9ic1FY0r6T4CWhc6w8QofU_1SP86X3gaH0NP95Zpu1Nz_TQ5zWSROzOo_tIAUB41U1y-RcWY2H0/s1600-h/DSC_1183.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332169204936195282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8q_ZNQD9TQswBGstJvI1raN-Bkv1od5z6jVE8gvzu7aP8qjbAniVvnKXcbUSS_ZM-9ic1FY0r6T4CWhc6w8QofU_1SP86X3gaH0NP95Zpu1Nz_TQ5zWSROzOo_tIAUB41U1y-RcWY2H0/s320/DSC_1183.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Long-haired Sheepies</div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_ox1KJRd5qsYYyYXHtfkKnmi_pDDH6RwadhiAuWs1NEHOGyIX8GbIPqfHG9OEdB8UIc5vjL-SJHiDWVa_CsGFMpYZ_ltuzY-hvMo_JcbWFGDA49cugYOV0LhsnJsPHRNggLstJvcjQk/s1600-h/DSC_1182.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332169201641575282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_ox1KJRd5qsYYyYXHtfkKnmi_pDDH6RwadhiAuWs1NEHOGyIX8GbIPqfHG9OEdB8UIc5vjL-SJHiDWVa_CsGFMpYZ_ltuzY-hvMo_JcbWFGDA49cugYOV0LhsnJsPHRNggLstJvcjQk/s320/DSC_1182.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>More Loot<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcAcQ2nswyUyK5Ym-Eb76tk2fGFNBrGEtZJq4vmfUPNVrA6yROhO3S7vy7vfk0IeBJQVenInok9LXyWWyLHDMWKtbco1fPJFaNh5VaCBpVkoeduNx2B-zHqxXQjfvL80zwjq71fZSgW4/s1600-h/DSC_1187.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332169198807591538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcAcQ2nswyUyK5Ym-Eb76tk2fGFNBrGEtZJq4vmfUPNVrA6yROhO3S7vy7vfk0IeBJQVenInok9LXyWWyLHDMWKtbco1fPJFaNh5VaCBpVkoeduNx2B-zHqxXQjfvL80zwjq71fZSgW4/s320/DSC_1187.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Baa Baa Black Sheep...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGNdDjVrJEvPX5vkVeo_AU28T7iJPOZpOYa6SoNtJuA6uFmWaJsthQIziO-cN1sBRDm6Bd7GJq7p9zrdYozfW6-jN3o197Fd_EbMTmNp3hUFRGcaw36H92dSGzlTnFg62OI3RIyrvwys/s1600-h/DSC_1181.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332167093737846818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGNdDjVrJEvPX5vkVeo_AU28T7iJPOZpOYa6SoNtJuA6uFmWaJsthQIziO-cN1sBRDm6Bd7GJq7p9zrdYozfW6-jN3o197Fd_EbMTmNp3hUFRGcaw36H92dSGzlTnFg62OI3RIyrvwys/s320/DSC_1181.JPG" border="0" /></a> So Cute! Think I could pass one off as a dog? Sheep Dog!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dw01ugIl3uvqRIm23UoJfnA61siPQNmm-l64RqqOpeTckvRQl5yGSP8XFfU9sUu1qDWIsm1uR14oTXSUegT_ujRA1INVB0rBAXG9VByv2K620Jspcw3BmjZFcWJ-Z_ACX9GexGOZMvQ/s1600-h/DSC_1178.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332167089468853618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dw01ugIl3uvqRIm23UoJfnA61siPQNmm-l64RqqOpeTckvRQl5yGSP8XFfU9sUu1qDWIsm1uR14oTXSUegT_ujRA1INVB0rBAXG9VByv2K620Jspcw3BmjZFcWJ-Z_ACX9GexGOZMvQ/s320/DSC_1178.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The Rav Creators (and me)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHbyM5rm47H3-99APr2jkgcWrjBUcYbNnDFw3Tu0NZobcM0stZDJoYcOWypmMPady3jnnWaVHXjb5CWg5hOSThetToJccPjRs1ojaNVSl1yqbjTtuuCg3pgtDcycDZmoPaG_XEX4GiRU/s1600-h/DSC_1172.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332167084980404146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHbyM5rm47H3-99APr2jkgcWrjBUcYbNnDFw3Tu0NZobcM0stZDJoYcOWypmMPady3jnnWaVHXjb5CWg5hOSThetToJccPjRs1ojaNVSl1yqbjTtuuCg3pgtDcycDZmoPaG_XEX4GiRU/s320/DSC_1172.JPG" border="0" /></a> Lots of Yarny Goodness</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aMLZ31lsyRCF0dKFkF0-vg1MDFGue48b-1cSsENFkGBoH8JvnShZ8AFr8Bk4RpxEZV3-ywbyQIC4lZq3FaKd2-GYtF5nkgnw6bCv_xii1ReuhsHQxbjS0PlDAjQorTgNbyggd3PjZG0/s1600-h/DSC_1164.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332167081577391362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aMLZ31lsyRCF0dKFkF0-vg1MDFGue48b-1cSsENFkGBoH8JvnShZ8AFr8Bk4RpxEZV3-ywbyQIC4lZq3FaKd2-GYtF5nkgnw6bCv_xii1ReuhsHQxbjS0PlDAjQorTgNbyggd3PjZG0/s320/DSC_1164.JPG" border="0" /></a>Sheepies! <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuQHL-g6lBs75n3TvD555HhvLn_exDGOEyhpakPPfU_Tb5G6MREQd9GS72J_CUMccmj3rHvvpgqL1yNGCoWrFXEr3HAfjO475nH0Qo4gPU6ytGOorUVXlAhrpWjTUOPOMi2U5FEbYX7I/s1600-h/DSC_1162.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332167077716041794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuQHL-g6lBs75n3TvD555HhvLn_exDGOEyhpakPPfU_Tb5G6MREQd9GS72J_CUMccmj3rHvvpgqL1yNGCoWrFXEr3HAfjO475nH0Qo4gPU6ytGOorUVXlAhrpWjTUOPOMi2U5FEbYX7I/s320/DSC_1162.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We had so much fun! I loved it, and will go back again next year. I decided to start spinning, so I got three spindles and some Jacob Sheep roving and some luscious Mohair/Silk blend. Also got enough yarn for a sweater, and yarn for a baby sweater!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-47806756095252916842009-04-28T09:27:00.000-07:002009-04-28T09:31:03.455-07:00An allergy question...Why must ALL of the pollen from all the rooty things here in Virginia be solely in MY nose?mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-44681850918053073992009-04-15T12:45:00.000-07:002009-04-15T13:27:22.614-07:00What's up with that??A question I've been pondering this week:<br /><br />Why do we spend time scouring the parking lot to find the closest spot to the gym door, only to walk in and run five miles on the treadmill?<br /><br />Seriously, yesterday afternoon I went to the gym to meet with my trainer (I've gone three times this week, BTW), and saw this guy driving up and down each damn row waiting for someone to pull out of a spot he deemed worthy of being close enough to the door. I parked by the grocery store, walked in, and started my workout. I finally saw closest-parking-spot guy walk in <em>ten minutes later</em><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em>. </em></span>What was going through his head? "I don't want to waste any energy getting <em>to</em> the gym because I need to save it for my workout"???? What the heck???<br /><br />Also, when you're not using the exercise ball, and I walk over to get it, don't jump off your weight machine and scream at me, "I'm using that!" You are not, and you know it, Mrs. hoard-the-equipment.<br /><br />I also just finished <em>the best diet book ever</em>. Okay, so it's not a <em>diet</em> book, but it's everything we think and want to say about weight loss and never do. If you love reading memoirs, read Jen Lancaster's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Such-Pretty-Fat-Narcissists-Discover/dp/0451223896/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239827056&sr=8-1">"Such a Pretty Fat." </a>It is <em>hilarious</em>. She has a pretty foul mouth, but honestly, the book just wouldn't be good without the bad language. All three of her books are great, but this last one was by far the best for me. I love this part (paraphrased because I don't have the book to cite directly from):<br /><br />Jen is at the gym with her trainer, and they are lifting weights in the weight room. Jen notes how small and dark the room is, with a low ceiling and dark walls. She says to her trainer, "This must be what lifting weights in prison is like. We're doing the same exercises that prisoners do just before they get shanked. And you're smaller than I am, so if this were prison I guess that would make you my prison bitch!"<br /><br />My trainer could be my prison bitch. Her legs together are as big as one of mine. I swear, if she's not careful I'll crush her someday.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span>mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-55269493838966521482009-03-02T06:53:00.000-08:002009-03-02T07:21:11.072-08:00Glad to finally have some answers.Hello everyone who reads my blog...<br />I know it's been almost two months since I've written, but a lot has happened since then that I've been dealing with. So here goes...<br />The Monday after Christmas I got a sinus infection. I was miserable, but was able to get over it, or so I thought. I started out the New Year pretty good, joined they gym, and kept taking my NyQuil.<br />The day after I wrote my last post, January 12, I developed some redness in my right eye. As a contact wearer, this has happened before, and when I take my contacts out, it clears up. However, this time, I also had a migraine-like headache that never went away. By Thursday I was at urgent care, where I was told I had Conjunctivitis caused by my contacts, and was prescribed some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Erythromycin</span> antibiotic ointment.<br />Over the weekend, the ointment seemed to work, but by Tuesday (inauguration day), my eye had completely swelled up and was more painful than ever. I wasn't able to get an appointment to see a doctor on Wednesday, and was to the point of wanting to go to the emergency room. I got into the doctor again on Thursday, and she said I was allergic to the ointment and made an appointment for me to see an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">opthamologist</span> at the navy hospital in Bethesda.<br />Dr. Blice, the opthamologist, took one look at my eye and immediately told me I had what I heard was "eye-ritis." Um, yeah, totally sounds like I'm making that up just to get out of work (by this time I had missed a week). It's actually Iritis. He said it's an inflammation of the Iris, and that mine was so swollen it was actually stuck to the lens of my eye. The only way to treat it is to dilate it, so for the next couple days I walked around not being able to see out of one eye. Saw him again on Monday (around the first of February) where there was no improvement, so I had to put drops in to keep it dilated for the next week, as well as put in another drop every hour to keep the swelling down.<br />The following week, there wasn't much improvement, so Dr. Blice decided to do some "routine bloodwork" because he said that there must be something systemic causing the eye inflammation. He also asked if I had been experiencing any joint or muscle pain, which I thought was weird.<br />That night on tv, I saw a special on TLC about a woman who had eye inflammation and joint pain, so I "googled" it and got a laundry list of possible causes of Iritis, including Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus, leukemia, etc. Yeah, pretty scary.<br />On the fifth of February, the doctor called saying he wanted to talk to me about some of the lab results. Unfortunately I didn't get the message until Saturday night, so I had to agonize through Sunday thinking I had cancer or Lupus or something. My mom has RA, and her sister has Lupus, so it was quite scary.<br />It turns out that my lab results for RA and Lupus are negative, but I tested positive for HLA-B27, a gene mutation that is an indicator of auto-immune diseases. I was scheduled for a rheumatology appointment the following week.<br />I saw the rheumatologist this past Thursday (finally), and was given a complete physical. I was given a tentative (but pretty positive) diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis, a spinal arthritis that causes a lot of pain in the lower back, hips, knees, ankles, and the bottoms of the heels.<br />I have had pain in those joints since I was about 20, but had always attributed it to being out of shape, so I ignored it. The pain has been getting increasingly worse over time, but I never knew why. I never said anything to anyone because I'm so young, too young to have old bones and complain that it hurts when I walk. Going upstairs is very difficult, and even more so now that we've moved into a three-level townhouse. My hips and back hurt so much that I wake up at night.<br />Dr. Witter, the rheumatologist, prescribed an anti-inflammatory, but said that the best thing is exercise, like walking, bike riding, and swimming, and to lose some weight. Did you know that an extra ten pounds puts 50 extra pounds of pressure on your knees?<br />I'm just glad to have some answers for my chronic pain that I've been suffering from for over 8 years, and to know that I'm not crazy.<br />It's been a long couple of months, but I'm finally going to get better. I'm sure a lot of you have a lot of questions, and so do I. I can still live a normal lifestyle, I'm not feeble or sick. I've decided I'm not going to let AS "get" me. I've watched my mom live with her RA my whole life, and she is my inspiration.mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-78829627516858325192009-01-11T16:02:00.000-08:002009-01-11T16:22:09.222-08:00moviesLast night we say <strong>Gran Torino</strong>. Clint Eastwood played Walt, a recent widower. He has lived in the same neighborhood for a very long time, and has watched it change over the years. Now it is mostly populated by the Hmong, and having been in the Korean War, Walt has his own distorted prejudices about these people.<br />Thao is one of the young boys who lives next door to Walt. He is quiet and is a "good kid," but has a cousin who is involved in a gang. The gang wants to recruit Thao, so they tell him that in order to be initiated, he must steal Walt's vintage Gran Torino from his garage. Walt catches him in the act and chases the group away. Thao's family finds out about the break-in and in order to pay back the debt, Thao must work for Walt. Over time, Walt befriends Thao and his family, and becomes a positive influence in Thao's life. The ending was poignant. If you liked <strong>Crash</strong>, you will enjoy this one, as its themes are similar. It really forces you to think about the way we treat other people without getting to know them first.<br /><br />In other news, I went to Yoga yesterday morning. My abs hurt today, but it's a good hurt, and over time I'm sure I'll tone up and it will get easier. I have step aerobics again Tuesday, and I am looking forward to it.<br /><br />I got shafted at work on Friday as well. Earlier this year, around October, I spoke with my principal about developing curriculum for the ESOL department, as we didn't have one to speak of across the entire district. I had already written 10-12 pages of curriculum that I showed her at our meeting (and stupidly emailed her after the meeting). The response was good, and she told me that she had been talking to the associate superintendent about possibly having me do this as an ESOL Specialist instead of teaching, and asked me to come up with a vision (aka-job description). In early November I had the opportunity to travel to Richmond with this superintendent, and spoke with her about the job, and was told I still had to apply for the position once it was posted just for formality. The posting came up in early December so I applied right away and interviewed over my holiday break. I was basically told I was being considered for the Elementary ESOL Specialist position and to wait for a phone call in early January. This past Friday I got an urgent email asking to call the superintent "ASAP." I did so, only to find out THEY HIRED SOMEONE ELSE FOR THE POSITION!!!!!!!!! I was floored. The whole damn thng was my idea to begin with, and I'm positive that if I hadn't mentioned it, that the positon wouldn't even exist today. The person who got the position didn't even know it existed until it was posted, and slid right in without knowing a lick about it.<br />Lesson learned? Just write your own curriculum, shut up about it, and turn it in as your professional development plan. I swear, if they use the curriculum I've already written, I'm going after them with a big stick.mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-54518050650006965302009-01-07T12:09:00.000-08:002009-01-07T12:16:24.858-08:00Oh, sloppy dayMy arms hurt. Why do my arms hurt? It was step aerobics, and God knows I didn't step with my arms! Maybe they're just jealous because my legs got a better workout than they did. Well, tomorrow is Pilates class, so get ready arms! You have to hold up all of this weight! Then you'll be hurting! Ha! Phhbbbbt!<br /><br />It's been raining non-stop for two days. Yep. I'm used to rain lasting 15 minutes or so. I drove to work in the dark in the pouring rain everyday this week. If it doesn't stop soon, we're going to have to blow up the air mattress so I can float to work. I just keep thinking, if all this rain were snowflakes, we'd have the rest of the week off! They delay and close schools in every county <em>around</em> Prince William, but the storm always skirts us and we just end up with big sloppy puddles and extra curly hair.<br /><br />Tim is out of town until Friday, so it's just Dad and me for a couple days.mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-19975557329728048582009-01-06T18:49:00.000-08:002009-01-06T18:53:47.792-08:00SPLAT!Well, I did it. I made it through an entire hour at the gym today. I did a step class, which was fun, but I kept tripping over the damn thing, and once I actually fell. Good thing I have all this extra padding to break my fall. I felt like a dork but was able to laugh at myself and pick up again, but I eventually just got rid of the step and did the exercises without it But dammit, I was there! It was actually kind of fun, to be honest. I feel good too. Afterward I made a nice healthy dinner, had a huge salad and some fruit with it, and am now drinking tea with milk and honey. What a treat!<br />How does my bod feel? Ask me tomorrow when I can't lift my own legs.<br />Does my butt look smaller yet?mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-86658666669887160272009-01-06T09:52:00.001-08:002009-01-06T11:57:53.649-08:00I'm rarin' to go!Tim rearranged our bedroom on Sunday night. He got a second wind around 10:00 (yes, when we should have been in bed), and moved the dressers around and put all of the junk away. It looks beautiful now, and finally feels like the sanctuary a bedroom should be. I was dying of a sinus infection on the couch, so I just stayed out of his way until about midnight when he decided it was time for bed. It looked like a completely different room! It's lovely, and now the only room that needs major work is the office. I am very happy, and am reminded all the time of why I love this man.<br /><br />Joined the gym yesterday. Along with the monthly fee, all classes are included, so I've decided to start doing aerobics or spinning classes along with Curves for muscle building. I feel excited to get into a routine for my workouts, and hope I don't fizzle out before I really get going.<br /><br />It's currently raining here in Virginia, and 33 degrees outside. Pray for it to drop just one degree so it will freeze and we'll have a day off tomorrow! Or a delay. A delay would even be nice.<br /><br />Off to get rid of my butt.mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-1381904441368881162009-01-04T20:00:00.000-08:002009-01-04T20:01:13.189-08:00SickI feel like poo today.mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-70381368738385606952009-01-03T18:43:00.000-08:002009-01-03T19:04:17.525-08:00Stoup??We saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button last night. Very neat movie. Go see it.<br /><br />Today I took my butt to the grocery store to get food for the week. Put on my nice jeans and cute little boots, which made me feel better about myself. For some reason I felt a little thinner. Probably that half-hour walk I took yesterday.<br /><br /><div align="left">Anyway, after planning my week's menu and making a list, and two hours later, our fridge was full again. My feet hurt though because cute boots does not always equal comfortable. Oh well, I'll take fashion over comfort any day. Please remind me that I said this when my feet are covered in bunions when I'm forty.<br /></div><div align="left">I decided to make Italian Sub "Stoup" for dinner. It's out of Rachael Ray's 365 No Repeats book, and I had seen her make it on her show. It's called stoup because "it's thinner than stew but thicker than soup!" I won't put the recipe here, but it has italian sausage, ham, pepperoni, green pepper, onion, and tomatoes. You're supposed to make garlic croutons and float them on top, but we're not big on soggy bread in soup in our house, so I just toasted some Italian garlic bread in the oven and we had it on the side. It smelled wonderful, and my dad said he could smell it cooking outside. The book said "it tastes like a giant Italian sub!" Our verdict?<br /></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Only if you think sandwiches taste like soup.</div>mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-70243964296490675292009-01-02T14:40:00.001-08:002009-01-02T14:40:43.835-08:00I did it!Today I walked for half an hour. Still trying to figure out a good route, but I feel great!mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-63393100684711812892009-01-02T09:41:00.000-08:002009-01-02T10:24:53.674-08:00New Year's Meme!For today, it's the good ol' New Year's Quiz. Not that I couldn't have thought of my own creative thing to write. I just didn't want to.<br /><br /><br />1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?<br /><ul><li>Drove across the country with my mom. We laughed so hard so many times.</li><li>Bought a house. It's fantabulous! </li></ul>2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?<br /><ul><li>I probably made some, but since I don't remember what they are now, I probably didn't keep them. </li><li>I've made some this year and wrote them down (see yesterday's post), and I'm going to try to keep them this time.</li></ul>3. Did anyone close to you give birth?<br /><ul><li>Katie (Mason)</li><li>Amy (Savannah)</li><li>Laura (Jenna)</li><li>Shannon (Sadie)<br /></li></ul><p>4. Did anyone close to you die?</p><ul><li>No, thank God. 2006 was enough to last for a while.</li></ul><p>5. What countries did you visit?</p><ul><li>None this year. Several in 2007 though. That was fun.</li></ul><p>6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?</p><ul><li>More time and better organization of my life. Oh, and more chocolate.</li></ul><p>7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?</p><ul><li>January 19-Tim moved to Virginia</li><li>February 14-Flew to VA to spend Valentine's Day with Tim. Saw my new apt for the first time</li><li>March 26-Went to VA to spend Spring Break</li><li>April-I don't really remember April</li><li>May 23-moved to Virginia</li><li>July 12-10 year reunion</li><li>July 15-Bought a house</li><li>August 19-Anniversary</li><li>September 2-New job!</li><li>October 5-Went to tea with mom at an estate in VA</li><li>November 28-Moved into new townhouse!</li><li>December 25-Spent the holidays with Tim's family in San Diego</li></ul><p>8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?</p><ul><li>Driving across the country and not getting lost.</li></ul><p>9. What was your biggest failure?</p><ul><li>Not spending enough time with friends, either in person or on the phone</li></ul><p>10. Did you suffer illness or injury?</p><ul><li>Horrible tonsilitis I got from living in DC. I blame the handrails at the Metro.</li><li>Fell over a Smartboard and bruised the hell out of my leg. This was November, and there's still a big purple spot and my knee crackles when I go up stairs.</li><li>So, no. No big illness or injury, compared to what others go through.</li></ul><p>11. What was the best thing you bought?</p><ul><li>House!</li></ul><p>12. Whose behavior merited celebration?</p><ul><li>Um...I don't know...</li></ul><p>13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?</p><ul><li>The Democrats'. Seriously. Proposition 8? Abortion? You're voting for that??</li></ul><p>14. Where did most of your money go?</p><ul><li>Rent and now mortgage</li></ul><p>15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?</p><ul><li>moving into my new house and having space for my stuff<br /></li></ul><p>16. What song will always remind you of 2008?</p><ul><li>I have no idea. Lots of them, probably.</li></ul><p>17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter?c) richer or poorer?</p><ul><li>a) happier</li><li>b) fatter (unfortunately)</li><li>c) poorer (but we have a house!)</li></ul><p><br />18. What do you wish you’d done more of?</p><ul><li>Spent time with friends</li><li>Gone to the gym<br /></li></ul><p>19. What do you wish you’d done less of?</p><ul><li>Frivously spending money on crap I didn't really need</li></ul><p>20. How did you spend Christmas?</p><ul><li>In San Diego with Tim's family<br /></li></ul><p>21. Did you fall in love in 2008?</p><ul><li>No. I stayed in love.</li></ul><p>22. What was your favorite TV program?</p><ul><li>I don't think I had one. The Golden Girls will always rule though. And Friends.</li></ul><p>23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?</p><ul><li>All of my stupid friends' husbands who have decided to go off the deep end with their marriages. </li></ul><p>24. What was the best book you read?</p><ul><li>Sundays at Tiffany's</li><li>The Christmas Swap<br /></li></ul><p>25. What was your greatest musical discovery?</p><ul><li>That I still can't sing</li></ul><p>26. What did you want and get?</p><ul><li>somewhere bigger to live</li><li>a great job<br /></li></ul><p>27. What did you want and not get?</p><ul><li>Nothing</li></ul><p>28. What was your favorite film of this year?</p><ul><li>Brideshead Revisited</li></ul><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Horribles-Sing-Along-Blog-Amazon-com-Exclusive/dp/B001M5UDGS/sweetney-20"></a>29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?</p><ul><li>I turned 28. Tim and I went to dinner at the Lebanese Taverna</li></ul><p>30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?</p><ul><li>Nothing. I'm pretty satisfied. Except maybe not gaining weight.<br /></li></ul><p>31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?</p><ul><li>If it fits, wear it.</li></ul><p>32. What kept you sane?</p><ul><li>knitting</li></ul><p>33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?</p><ul><li>I don't particularly like celebrities or public figures. Except Sarah Palin had geat hair.</li></ul><p>34. What political issue stirred you the most?</p><ul><li>Um, let's see...the Election perhaps?</li></ul><p>35. Who did you miss?</p><ul><li>Everyone in Albuquerque</li></ul><p><br />36. Who was the best new person you met?</p><ul><li>Paige at work.</li></ul><p>37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.</p><ul><li>Life really is like a box of chocolates. You don't know what you're going to get! There have been so many changes this year, and there's always another one waiting around the corner.</li></ul><p>38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.</p><ul><li>"We live, we love, we forgive and never give up. 'Cause the days we are given are gifts from above, and today we remember to live and to love." "We Live" Superchick</li></ul><p><br /></p>mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-64429608396374851302009-01-01T20:29:00.000-08:002009-01-01T20:51:21.011-08:00Happy Go-Lucky 2009"Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. It's been six months since my last entry."<br />My friends all think I've forgotten them, and have probably figured I fell off the face of the earth by now. That hasn't really happened, actually. Being this close to the Atlantic, sometimes I think it could happen though.<br /><br />Since it's 2009, I've decided to resolve myself to a few things:<br /><ul><li>Read through the Bible this year. I always start at the beginning and lose it around oh, say, Numbers or Deuteronomy, so I've decided to start with the prophets first.</li><li>Write a blog entry everyday. Today is January 1st, 11:35 pm, so today still counts in my book. Hey, I haven't gone to bed yet. Still gotta read that Bible though.</li><li>LOSE SOME WEIGHT!! Yeah yeah, we all say that. I'm really going to try though.</li><li>Get moving and get some exercise, even if it is just a walk around the block. I'm tired of my fat ass getting fatter. And just thinking about eating healthy while scarfing oreos doesn't make them healthier.</li></ul><p>We moved into our new house over Thanksgiving weekend, and so far, we love it. We're still partially in boxes, but everything we need right now is out. I figure if we get to this summer and we still have unpacked boxes, I'm going to get rid of them. Or use them as furniture. </p><p>Speaking of house, there's a new light outside. Our living room, dining room, and kitchen are on the second level. The dining room windows are on the side of the house where there's a new bus shelter. Apparently the city thinks bus shelters should be lit up like Times Square, hence the very large orb outside our window. Seriously. It looks like our Mothership has arrived to take us home. Kind of funny, but not so much as our bedroom is on the same side of the house. </p><p>Off to stick to day one of resolutions,</p><p>Melissa</p>mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-54582426215217890582008-07-08T10:33:00.000-07:002008-07-08T10:40:45.808-07:00I'm a blog meme thief.Meme<br />1) What was I doing 10 years ago?I had just finished HS and was getting ready to go to UNM. In the meantime, I was working at the Buckle in the mall trying to convince people to buy $80 jeans when I knew the identical pair was at Target for $20. I should have worked at Target.<br />2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today? Pack for my Albuquerque trip, sign new house paperwork, clean up the apartment a bit, eat dinner, knit socks<br />3) Snacks I enjoy: Oreos, Starbucks, ice cream<br />4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire: Invest the hell out of it<br />5) Places I have lived: Albuquerque, Arlington, VA, and soon Alexandria, VAmrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-86434987420421090732008-07-04T14:36:00.000-07:002008-07-04T14:38:15.375-07:00Update soon!Massive update coming soon! My camera cords and power strip were left in Albuquerque, and I haven't had a chance to get them back yet, but will update as soon as I have my technology back next week! Gosh! Whatever did we do before going digital?<br />Until then, happy knitting and blogging!mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-23851295962331905262008-06-22T23:57:00.000-07:002008-06-22T23:59:59.591-07:00Small WorldWould you believe I bought some yarn from a girl in my Virginia knitting group, and when I looked closer at it, it was made by AdamKnits in Albuquerque?? Small, small, small world! I must find out where Melissa (not me, the girl from Knotty Knitters) got it!mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-57075215233135093302008-06-20T09:05:00.000-07:002008-06-20T09:06:25.562-07:00Inspiration- The Dash - In July 2006, a short 3-minute movie was launched on the Internetcalled The Dash. Since then, over 40 million people from around theworld have watched it; and over 20,000 a day continue to watch it as aresult of people passing it along. The movie has been more successfulthan anyone could have ever imagined. More importantly, however, it hasinspired many, many people to reflect on their lives and ask that allimportant question, 'Are my priorities where they should be?' I hopeyou enjoy this movie and share it with those who are close to you. Click <a href="http://www.dashpoemmovie.com/">This Link </a>to view!mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-34223651148044035012008-06-15T19:38:00.000-07:002008-06-15T19:39:51.607-07:00Summer KnittingMy knitting goals for this summer:<br /><br />Finish Katie's baby blanket<br />Start Amy's baby blanket<br />Make anniversary afghan for Tim<br />Make mohair capelet<br />Make socks!!mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-59966128279892545342008-05-13T08:24:00.000-07:002008-05-13T08:38:05.488-07:00You've been tagged!<a name="8322048231121736634"></a>ABC's "getting to know you"<br />TAG ABC's of you. Each player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then go to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.<br /><br />A- Attached or single: Attached!<br />B- Best Friend: My Hubby!!<br />C-Cake or Pie: Yes<br />D-Day: Tuesday (knit night)<br />E- Essential Item: Yarn<br />F- Favorite Color: Blues and greens<br />G-Gummi Bears or Worms: Bears<br />H-Home town: Albuquerque, NM<br />I- Indulgences: Chocolate<br />J- January or July?: January<br />K-Kids: None yet, but potential grandmas are waiting!<br />L-Life is incomplete without: Coffee<br />M- Marriage Date: August 19, 2006<br />N- Number of Siblings: 3-two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law<br />O- Oranges or Apples: Apples<br />P- Phobias or Fears: Divorce<br />Q- Quote: "If you can't be a good example, then you'll have to be a horrible warning."<br />R- Reason To Smile: God<br />S- Season: Fall<br />T- Tag Three: Nichole, Nancy, and Paula<br />U- Unknown fact about me: I proofread the newspaper<br />V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: God didn't put me at the top of the food chain to eat vegetables...<br />W- Worst Habit: procrastinating<br />Y-Your favorite food: Comfort food<br />Z: Zodiac Sign: Cancermrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-48397723798784199092008-05-13T08:08:00.003-07:002008-05-13T08:08:43.533-07:00Maybe...This yarn does want to be socks. I cast on again last night, hoping that this time around will be better.mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-10352676540693373592008-05-12T08:15:00.001-07:002008-05-12T08:15:29.337-07:00Frog Socks<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47016629@N00/2484580990/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2484580990_dfdf8db90b_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47016629@N00/2484580990/">20080511_7</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/47016629@N00/">peanutwoman711</a></span></div>I frogged this pair last night after knitting an 8 inch cuff. I don't know what happened after I turned the heel, except that I think I forgot to knit that last row, which made me have to purl on the foot. Therefore, my stitches ended up being huge on the foot, and I couldn't figure out how to turn the sock around so I'd be knitting again. It was frustrating, to say the least, and now I have this ugly ball of curly yarn that used to be a sock. I'm so disillusioned by this pair, that I think I'll knit it into a baby hat or something besides socks. Too sad. It could have been a really cool pair of socks.<br clear="all" />mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-24745752942111222462008-05-11T15:13:00.001-07:002008-05-11T15:13:09.951-07:00Harry!<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47016629@N00/2484592756/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2239/2484592756_fb03fca486_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47016629@N00/2484592756/">20080511_166</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/47016629@N00/">peanutwoman711</a></span></div>This is Harry Hedgehog. He ws finally finished last night, and now he has personality after having sat around unstuffed on the fireplace hearth. This was a totally fun felting project, and I will definitely be making more "Harry's!"<br clear="all" />mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-29679398913334632622008-05-06T13:09:00.001-07:002008-05-08T07:51:24.648-07:00Second Pair...I finally finished my first pair of socks on Sunday, well, actually Monday morning at 12:30 before I went to bed. I just couldn't go to bed with just the toe decreases left.<br />Then, last night, I made a wee sock out of some leftover yarn and immediately cast on for another pair. Think I'm addicted to socks??<br />These are self-striping to look like Fair Isle, so I decided that with a busy enough yarn pattern, I'll just do stockinette stitch. Yes, I still have a baby blanket to work on, but it's so boring that I just can't bring myself to do it. Luckily I don't have a deadline.mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1289822383898871377.post-30761206776857844632008-04-30T13:37:00.000-07:002008-04-30T13:38:58.843-07:00A Found TreasureI found <a href="http://arsemce.blogspot.com/">this blog</a> today in my searching for cool stuff. It's in Turkish, but the knitting stuff is beautiful! Just like a smile, knitting says the same thing in any language.mrs. reynoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430761922965592089noreply@blogger.com0