Loni's Life

The Daffodil Scarf that I cast on during Yarn Harlot's Knit Olympics is finally complete (and now I see from looking at my blog archives that Mama's Undulating Waves scarf is one that had distracted me from this project (and then losing the pattern didn't help)... wow.. seems like soooo long ago that the Undulating Waves was done and then I need to finish blocking Mina's Eventide scarf.   I also got a little stressed out and was sans knitting for a while; then had to finish the mini-sweaters project with deadline.. but with a few evening sessions of stitching at Mama's, I finally got this little beauty completed! This is only the second project that I've completed for myself Project #10 from Knit Simple Winter 2009/10 issue.  Designer  Coralie Meslin Yarn:  Plymouth Baby Alpaca, 4 skeins

My nickname for Phoebe has been "Cookie Girl".. little did I know how appropriate that name for her would be this week as we are puppy sitting.   Tuesday night, I arrived home to a box of Paradise Cookies knocked from the stovetop to the floor.   Last night hubby  arrived home to Jenny Craig Ginger Bells on the floor and the lid ripped off.. so I guess Phoebe likes people cookies as well as her doggie cookies.

Reverb10: 11 Things What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? Does it count if I just say Stress More Stress Did I say Stress? Ditto See #1 See #2 See #3 See #4 Worries oh yeah.. Stress All of the above That's really tough... Don't need more stress; think that one will always be there on some level.. but daily knitting helps to keep me sane.  Don't need more pounds.. and actually, since I've been on a downward trend since the end of August.. I think that by continuing my Jenny Craig visits along with my new Body Media Fit (to arrive any day now).. it replaces my dead Body Bugg ... plus a full season of cycling efforts and a swim leg of the Trek Triathlon, there should be less of me by this time next year. Don't need more Unfinished knitting projects... so I'll be tackling the UFO's that got pushed aside for other things and keepin...

Reverb 10:Party What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. Hmm.. celebrations in 2010 included New Year's with the Chans; Grandma's 98th birthday celebration in Kauai; Easter with the Chans; Bellamy's Crawfish Boil and Jaeda's 1st Birthday; Thanksgiving Breakfast at Mama's; Ornament Exchange with the Chans; Family Christmas at Mama's New Year's ~ Cheese, Salami, Pepperoni, Crackers, and Sugar Cookies and probably some other munchies, but I only remembered what I took to the party.. since it is all of my "nieces and nephews" favorites. Grandma's Birthday ~ Spam surprise and a cupcake that was NOT a cupcake (I tried to warn Mina, but she just wouldn't listen) Easter - Ham instead of lamb, yum! Crawfish boil - Aunt Loni in the pool with all the kids.. and thank goodness, they make kid-friendly corn, burgers, and hot dogs too. Thanksgiving Breakfast was s...

Reverb10: Wisdom What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? Wisest decision was to stay the course with Jenny Craig... it's a work in progress, but it's been slow and steady progress and I'm enjoying the journey. 

Reverb10: Community . Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? Ok, I'd have to admit it is a network of Zynga Farmville friends... ok, it's a total time-waster; but it's mindless fun.  The other community would be Mama's Crafters on Saturdays and I love that bunch.   In 2011, I'd like to continue with Crafting at Mama's; but may actually make it to a few Women with Pointy Sticks or McKinney InStitches meetings for creativity with other knitters.

Reverb 10:Gift This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year?    Best gift for the whole year is the gift of love, family and friendship.   Elsewise, for the more tangible, I'd have to say I am glad that my family knows me well enough to give me gifts that feed my passions for knitting and stamping :)    

Reverb10: Let go What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? Let go of certain destructive behaviors to replace with more positives ones to build a better me.  Though sometimes it is viewed perhaps as a rejection of some relationships or people, it's really not that; it's just making sure to take time to take care of me.. which is what I am always telling my TOPS folks is to always take time for themselves.  

Reverb10: Wonder How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? Sense of wonder... somehow my mind wants to try to elicit the innocent thoughts and amazement of children and simple pleasures in life... but somehow for me "Wonder" is usually more like "Worries".. which I had expressed plenty of at various times during the year on my blog. 

Reverb10: Make What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? Ok, besides breakfast, lunch, or dinner.. the last thing I made besides my current Daffodil scarf  (still in progress ~ but added the last 4 skeins yesterday) would be Mama C's 2010 knit mini-sweater ornament in seed stitch.  I'd like to get some more stamping done in 2011, but the trade off is usually less knitting time.. but somewhere I'll strike a balance.

Pictures from the Wish100... Cheesy Riders Rule! 

Knit Girl is from Mama Cheryl... It's on her tree at the moment because it looks really good there and I wanted it to hang out with her ornaments for a while, but it will make its way home to my tree and then it may have to hang out in my stamping area for the year until it is tree decorating time again. Red for my fave color and green pants to remind me of Mama C ~  Plus I learned to knit thanks to Debbie Macomber's A Shop on Blossom Street and a shared wish with Mama that I wanted to learn to knit... and at that Christmas.. hmm.. 2005 maybe?  I received a Learn to Knit kit from Mama and by New Year's Day I finally had some stitches that actually looked like pictures in the book and video. Hardly a day goes by now that I don't stitch on some project or another.. and I can definitely tell the difference in my stress levels when too many days go by without stitching.

Reverb10:Moment Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). If you haven't figured it out by now, and you really should have, the Trek Triathlon was a big highlight of my 2010.   If I could only pick one moment in which I felt most alive, I'd have to say it was at the midpoint of the 2nd part of the swim leg of the Trek Triathlon.    I had gotten through the first buoy turn and we had spread out such that I wasn't having to dodge flailing arms and legs of the other triathletes.. my heart rate monitor was nearing its max rate alert for all the adreneline running through my body... I took a breath to my right and spied my Guardian Hawk swooping down for a closer look... and with that I took a moment to look at shore, look at the sky, look at less than half the swim course remaining and knew that no matter what, this day would turn out to be A-OK.

Reverb10: Writing . What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? I'm not much of a "writer" but I do enjoy keeping thoughts, projects, progress updates, etc. on my blog and try to update it on a regular basis.   Even if sometimes it may be to just say Hello World, I'm still alive and well... or Hello World, I have a bad cold and my writing sucks.     So all-in-all, I'd have to say I'm happy with the time I allow for "writing."

No particular order to the wishes; just convenient numbering and it goes wit h Debbie Macomber ’ s Twenty Wishes series (I hope she releases a new one in 2011).   1. Take a cake decorating class 3. Take a ballroom dance class 4. Learn how to line dance 5. Take a piano class 6. Go skydiving 7. Go to Australia and climb the Sydney Harbor bridge 8. Take an Alaskan Cruise ~ Planning for 2012!!! 9. Take an ice skating class 10. Complete the DFW MS150 2-day event; or  TDC 2-day - or a Biking Vacation type adventure. 11. Knit an adult-sized sweater ~ On my 2011 Knitting list- Breakfast at Tiffany ’ s sweater for me. 12. Go on a $1000 clothes shopping spree 16. Shark dive in the Bahamas with Stuart Cove's    17. Take karate or tae kwon do class 20 . Go parasailing 21. Take a Hot Air Balloon ride 22. Go Snow Skiing 23. Go Outdoor RockClimbing/Rappelling 24. Do a short Mud Run or local Adventure Race 25. Take a tap dance class 26. Complete a quilt (and I ...

Since I discovered Reverb10 so late in December, I'm backtracking and working other days in whatever kind of order... Reverb10: One Word Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? Hmm.. let me think... PROGRESS .. yes, I think that may summarize 2010.. Progress on projects and progress on my weight loss efforts; progress on my bike and off.   Yes, 2010, I think Progress will work as a word. 2011.. ACHIEVEMENT ... that's what I'd like to see as the word for 2011.

Reverb10: Defining moment . Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year. Easy peasy to answer.. the Trek Triathlon !

Discovered via the Happiness Project... just for fun.. word clouds by Wordle as it picked words off my blog...

Reverb10: Photo Assignment: Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you. Ok... I don't really have that many photos of me.. other than from riding events... but when this prompt came up, this is the photo that came instantly to mind for 2010.. oh, there are others from ride evetns.. but it was this one in particular that sprang to mind immediately. It's from the Run (read: Walk) leg of the Trek Triathlon for women; shot by some Brightroom photographer at the top of a hill on the outward leg of the walk course (just above the finish line... like so close to the finish line, I could have just cheated and finished without doing the whole 5K and no one would have been the wiser except for the timing chip, of course).   It is evidence of one of the most challengi...

Reverb10: Ordinary Joy Just about any time that I could be with any of my family members this year resulted in Ordinary Joy.   I was grateful to have yet another year where we could go visit my grandmother in Kauai (and soon to be blessed with another trip).   Lots of love and laughter with my BFF and my adopted Mama C, her boys, and Auntie J.   Good times with hubby and lots of purrfect days with Mocha. 

http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2007/09/begin-your-ha-1.html Hmm.. which symbol to pick... my bike.. my new wall art.. my kitty.. my new kitty art...  my triathlon medal... my knitting... hmm.... which oh which to pick... and I need to get some pictures because my Christmas gifts/Art from Mama were just soooooo ME.

I had a blast at the kickoff day of The Woolie Ewe's end-of-year blowout sale.. with 40% off of Debbie Bliss (one of my favorite designers and yarn lines) and 40% of Louisa Harding (another fave) and 30% off the rest of the store... I actually spent my Christmas giftcards on yarn for ME for a change rather than finding yarn for projects to knit for others.      So, I'll be spending some time this New Year's weekend consolidating my UFO's (unfinished objects); sorting through the yarn stash; and figuring out the order in the queue.  What's in progress.. what's in queue... what should I do for 2011? Off the top of my head... The next items in queue  My Daffodil baby alpaca scarf is 75% done.. I cast this sucker on during the Knit Olympics while watching the Winter Olympics.. and I was going at a good pace then, but forget what drew my attention away... and then I lost the pattern.. and then I ordered the pattern again.. ...

Christmas ornaments are so much fun... both to give and to receive...  I already shared some of the ornaments I gave.. here are a few more pictures.. and also new ones added to my own collection. Knit Girl is from Mama C..  The Hallmark/Fisher Price Schoolhouse and Funjet joined the Barn this year. Hallmark/Fisher Price Schoolhouse Hallmark/Fisher Price Fun Jet Hallmark/Fisher Price Barn Another Rudolph ornament was added Hallmark/Rudlph - A Star is Born This mini-sweater is just adorable Knit for Mama C (2008 edition?) And this is the newest one to Mama's collection, made in seed stitch since she really liked that one while I was making 16 mini sweaters for various stamping friends. Knit for Mama C - 2010 edition Mina and I spotted this turtle ornament in one of the most unlikely of places-- the Dolphin Quest gift shop at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island of Hawaii in January... we sweated getting it home in one piece...

Mocha's Mommy was busy at The Woolie Ewe and forgot to publish this morning.

I am so very blessed to have adopted some great family ~ Mina is the big sister that my parents did not bless me with (as I am the eldest in my natural family) and her hubby Stan is the biggest teddy bear in the world. Mama Cheryl and her boys.. which really by age, Cheryl is really only yet another elder sister; but truly she is a Mama through and through.. and God puts people in your life for reasons you don't always know and she is one of those rare gifts from God and has enriched myself in ways beyond measure. Her boys are terrific and I have enjoyed getting to spend more time with them and getting to know each of them and their personalities as they grow into very fine young men. Cheryl's BFF, Jill who I lovingly refer to as Auntie Jill. All of these folks bring a lot of friendship, family, love and laughter to my life and I am blessed to know and love them and be loved by them. Tonight, we were able to gather at Mama's for another Christmas Exchange.. we...

Kenny Rogers & Wynona Judd...

Josh Groban and one of the best renditions of O Holy Night that I have ever heard.... Merry Christmas,Hugs & Blessings to you and yours!

Jose Feliciano's Feliz Navidad is one of my favorite Christmas songs... and tie that to some boredome at lunchtime at the office and JibJab.. and well, you get a hilarious video of my BFF and her hubby along with me and my hubby. Enjoy and may you have a great Christmas weekend and a terrific New Year!!

Ok, Mama C's post about Santa's Best Elf combined with Office Max and Jib Jab's Elf Yourself with a bit of needing something fun to do during lunch on my last work day before the holiday... and you get an Elf video starring Mama's Elves. I also had a really good time as a Chief Wrapper of Presents type Elf tonight. Little did I know that Mama doesn't like that task, nor did she know that I had been recruited as a Wrapping Elf from age 10 and happily hummed Christmas tunes whilst wrapping away.

Brenda Lee.. Rocking Around The Christmas Tree.... ok, so I like a lot of upbeat Christmas tunes...

Ok, it's a commercial.. an old one.. but one of my favorite commercials of all time.. Coca Cola - I'd like to each the world to sing...

Here's one of my Mom's favorite Christmas songs/video clips of all time... Bing Crosby and David Bowie... Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth combo.. I can't tell you how many times we saw this on VHS.. so much until her tape of it broke I think.

Another happy tune to keep you dancing today..

A former co-worker sent this to me and it just cracks me up... we techie geeks!

Here's the pretty girl on another Mocha Monday.. have a great week.. and only a handful of shopping days left until Christmas... better get that shopping done or recruit some elves to help you.

Singalong to this one... After yesterday's sad song, I figured I'd cheer things up with yet another Christmas favorite and a classic... it's Alvin and the Chipmunks

Final 6 for Survivor Nicaragua - Jane, Dan, Holly, Sash, Chase, Fabio Jane was in what she thought was a tight alliance to Final Four with Holly, Sash, and Chase who all turned on her.   Dan was still in it only by virtue of being seen as a non-threat in physical challenges.  Fabio played from the heart and had no clue or at the editing showed he had no clue as to what was going on.. but that was part of his strategy.  Sash was ever the schemer.  Holly was still a nutcase and Chase was as wishy washy as ever.  When it came time to churn and burn and win some Immunity Challenges, Fabio did it when he had to.. and I don't see why Chase was sort of a whiner about Fabio being such a physical threat when he, himself, had won several Reward challenges in a row.      Sash couldn't sell it to The Jury which surprisingly didn't ask much of Fabio ~ who chimed in where he could on answers while throwing the other two under the bus as he co...

Kleenex alert...Pretty melody, but sad song... and the TV-movie with Rob Lowe is equally as sad...

Embedding was disabled on today's selection; but here's a link. I first heard this way back when Ron Chapman was still on KVIL...  Vince Vance and the Valiants with All I Want for Christmas is You..  featuring lead vocals from Lisa Layne. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1VkMBi9vvw

1. What in the world does Santa want for Christmas ? 2. When Mama cooks, then her chickadees are well fed. 3. Go tell it on the mountain . 4. I have finished the knitting, but have not yet sent Christmas ornaments to their final destinations . 5. I keep on counting the days until we leave for Kauai! 6. Ready or not ; Christmas arrives next week . 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spaghetti dinner and teen birthday celebration , tomorrow my plans include knitting for me and Sunday, I want to relax ! AND/OR 19. IDOAWCJLTOIUTK: 20. CROAOFJFNAYN: 21. IBTLALLC: 22. OLTOBHSWSTL: 23. SBRAYLITLSIG: 24. IBHFC: 25. WWYAMCWWYAMC: 26. IHTBOCD: 27. FTSIAJHS:

ROFL.. enjoy today's selection..and Happy Humming 12 Pains of Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yasSkqJBytk&feature=player_embedded

helps you to laugh when the season gets too stressful... I like this quartet version too..

Ok, so you've tuned in for yet another day of one of Loni's favorite Christmas diddy's... It's Dominick The Donkey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok5rOO2v2dU&feature=player_embedded  

Another one to to hum all day, eh? Ok, you asked for it... and No, I don't really want a hippopotamus for Christmas :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RBZz730ibU&feature=player_embedded

Boxes... boxes.. cats love boxes.. small boxes, big boxes, plastic boxes, cardboard boxes.. it matters not.. and Mocha is no exception. Here she is in on of my shelf organizer cube boxes.

She'll live forever in song... Karen Carpenter.. Merry Christmas Darling http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1ujXx2p-I&feature=player_embedded

Beach Boys and Christmas... yeah, you'll be humming along with this one too.. hhahahhahahahahaha.

Ok... be warned.. another song to stick in your head and hum and dance to all day... Jose Feliciano.. Feliz Navidad!

Friday Fill Ins # 203 1. I wish you a Merry Christmas . 2. Is it 2:30 yet? ...that's what I'm thinking. 3. Please bring me a winning lottery ticket for the SuperHuge jackpot and no other winners so that I can have more fun and a crafting village . 4. Chocolate is so amazing. 5. One of my fondest hopes is for the happiness, health, and well-being of my family and friends . 6. Mama C has been very good at mothering me and I just wanted to say thank you. 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner with BFF , tomorrow my plans include stamping and Sunday, I want to sleep late and eat cinnamon rolls ! ~~~ And this week ’ s Christmas songs with the first letter of each word in the first line of the song.. 10. YKDADAPAVCACADAB: 11. ISMKSCUTMLN: 12. CSBSDIHS: 13. HTHASGTTNK: 14. GGROBAR: 15. OHNTSASB: 16. AIWFCIMTFT: 17. DTTSIAOHOS: 18. WTKOOA:

Ok.. yes, I like Amy Grant's list... but more selfish things for me would be like winning the lotto so huge that my family and close friends wouldn't have to work again... so that we could all explore whatever else is in us  to contribute to the world...  unlimited knitting and stamping time and supplies; a craft village; and then on the really wishful worldly view ~ a cure for Cancer, World Hunger, and other diseases as well as wiping away poverty would be a grand thing too.

Ok, I love Jim Brickman's music.. and The Gift is no exception. The best gifts in my life are my family and of course my close friends who are adopted family.   I love you! 

You know you'll want to...  and now I'm going to stick Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer in your head today... ROFL...  and my maternal grandmother I think hated this song... my paternal grandmother would probably love it.. especially if I could find an animated reindeer singing the darn song... at least this guy made it a little entertaining... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMCbBcEUbVc