One of the reasons

An example of one of the reasons I love where I work:

"In a few minutes we will be able to enjoy some warm, chewy cookies, courtesy of Marc and Jeff who consider it a priority to keep us happy and well fed. They supplied the dough, the rest is up to us, so if you crave cookies, bake a batch from the freezer over by the webbies.

(The cookies will be in the webbie kitchen.)"

What other company does this?! :)

monday, 05 nov 2007

1. Finding out that my photo submission to beagles-on-the-web.com Guest Daily Digital was one of eight accepted – out of 60 entries.
2. Finally found inspiration to post a list to this blog after nearly a year.
3. Thinking back to my performance review at work last Friday and smiling.
4. Waking up at 5:40 a.m. knowing that by 6:05, when I take the beagles out for our morning walk, there will be sunshine thanks to the end of Daylight Savings time (not that I'm happy about the absence of daylight after work!).
5. Enjoying how much of a mood-lifter that morning sunshine is.
6. York peppermint patties. The labels say they are a fat-free food. That means barely any guilt.
   
7. Sixth week of agility class with Marvin tonight. Last week he traveled along the top of the tunnel rather than running through. What will he surprise me with this evening?
8. Diesel greeting me at the door at lunchtime with a Nylabone® and a big wag.
9. Seeing my BF at home in the middle of the day. How much longer will that last?
10. Knowing that there will be one more "best" that I don't know about yet by the end of the day!
    

She came over with tears in her eyes …

Boy, do I have some explaining to do!

Beyond garter stitch

The scarf I planned to finish by February 1 was actually completed *on* February 1 and I wore it to work the next day. I oozed with pride over how it turned out. Since then I made another scarf and spent a stupid amount of money on needles. I now have a complete set of 9-10" Clover bamboo straight needles, an almost complete set of 13-14" Clover bamboo straight needles, and a pink Denise interchangeable needle kit. I love having all these needles. It's very in keeping with all the new hobbies I start up ... stock up on all the supplies before I even know if the hobby will stick. At least I didn't pay retail. I did spend quite a bit of time on eBay however.

As far as skills, I've progressed beyond the garter stitch (knitting back and forth). I've now got the hang of purling as well and figured out how to put the two together to make ribbing (without holes, bonus!). I'm dying to put it to good practice and make ribbed leg warmers. I've got a pattern. I've got the yarn.

But I got distracted by a garter stitch dog sweater pattern so the ribbing project will have to wait.

Not that Diesel needs more clothes.

I am the scrap knitter

… no more!

While working out tonight I set a goal for myself. I will knit an actual *something* by the end of this month. That's right, in the next three days. A chunky garter stitch scarf is my project of choice. Off I go to get those No. 13 needles and some Thick 'n Quick yarn, color TBD.

thursday, 11 jan 2007

1. Extra-long dog walk this morning in windy, but mild, weather. There is a reason for the "extra-long" but I won't get into it at this time. Eventually I will.
2. Wearing leg warmers to work. I think they are in style again.
   
3. Good hair day.
4. Arriving home for lunch and seeing both Mark and Diesel in the front window.
5. Still feeling sore from yoga Tuesday evening.
6. Getting our two $50 rebate checks from Verizon Wireless.
7. One more day of work tomorrow.
8. Mark's passport renewal application arrived at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. today as scheduled. We're getting closer!
9. Meeting with Greg, then coming home and perfecting my time card for his projects with Mark's help.
10. Watching Bindi Irwin (the Crocodile Hunter's 7-year-old daughter) on Larry King Live. She's inspirational.
    

monday, 08 jan 2007

1. Hearing the chilly wind howl outside before I got out of bed this morning, but feeling nice and warm in my coat (which is like a sleeping bag) on the a.m. dog walk a couple minutes later.
2. A celebratory New Year's breakfast at work with *bacon*, eggs, potatoes, fruit, and pastries … compliments of the best bosses in the world.
3. Monday staff meeting where we each wrote down a highlight from 2006 and then Marc and Jeff read them out loud (naming names!), plus a year in review list from their perspective. Our highest profit year to date which means higher profit sharing.
4. Diesel made the GS year in review list, under family additions. :)
5. A very sentimental birthday/Christmas gift from Jen. I don't think I can express how much she touched my heart, and it would probably make her throw up just a little to read that. She gifted me with an intro to knitting kit she put together … two sets of wooden needles, hand-dyed wool yarn of purple colors, a yarn sewing needle, and the first Stitch 'n Bitch book I've been looking for, all clumped in a rustic basket for storage. And a box of Walkers shortbread, in case I need a snack. She also hand-crocheted me a beautiful wool scarf. (Thank you Christian, for choosing a lovely button.) The knitting kit means a lot because she's sharing this new craft with me. The scarf means even more (and made me cry) because she was crocheting it at the hospital while visiting her mom. The next morning her mom passed away, relieved of the cancer she had suffered from. This scarf is a treasure to me, much like Jen.
6. Peering at Jeffrey's salad during lunch and vowing to make one soon (spring greens, red peppers, chevre, cranberries, walnuts, and balsamic vinigarette).
7. Bought our tickets for our visit to England in March. Now that I've reconsiled with the damage done to the credit card, I'm grinning from ear to ear.
8. More quality Jen time before leaving work and later reading a post she wrote today about her mom and faith on her blog.
9. Mark offering to get me a glass of wine even though he was wrapped up all snug in a blanket on the chair. He's much better about offering beverages than I am.
   
10. Enjoying a lazy computer and TV night, knowing tomorrow night will be completely opposite. Yes, this includes Wife Swap and Supernanny.