Scrapbook Paper Cubicle Wall Cover

When my company moved to a new office building in October, we got new cubicles (which are pretty nice for cubicles - they even have their own coat closets!) However they were just too beige - beige walls, beige desktops. I couldn't stand to look at that all day. We had 3 days without any computer or phone access so I had time to come up with something that looked nice. I had a bunch of really pretty K & Company scrapbook paper that I hadn't used yet. Frankly I hated the idea of cutting it and covering it up! So I took it in to work, laid out a pattern that I liked and stapled it up to the back wall. I left the 2 side walls bare for work related things and other pictures. This gives me a really pretty background to look at all day and was fun to do. Plus I can change it out whenever I get tired of it. So far 2 of my co-workers have copied my idea and done something similar to their walls. Everyone who visits our office compliments it; hopefully I've started a new trend!

Christmas Rush

So I haven't had time to blog in the last few weeks with all of the Christmas rush along with fighting a sinus infection for weeks. I tend to make a lot of my Christmas gifts between baking and knitting. And then I discovered Pinterest! What a time suck! I love it but am so addicted. I just hope I actually make something I've pinned soon! I'm sure this is a common problem. I have found quite a few things that I'd like to make as gifts next Christmas so hopefully I'll get started sooner next year. I also wanted to post pictures of our Christmas decor but haven't even had time to take pictures. I'll try to do that this weekend before we host my in-laws for our traditional New Year's Day get together. We're at my parents house now and they gave us a PS3 Move for Christmas so the hubby & my dad have been playing bocce every night. It's been fun to watch them play together! I'm trying to finish up my last few scarves to give away this weekend and then maybe I can make myself something.  :) It's been nice to have some time off work to relax and try to rejuvenate for the new year. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have a safe & fun New Year!

Knitted Ribbed Hat

The women's ministry at my church is having a silent auction to raise money to help give Christmas to those less fortunate. I decided to knit a few things to donate to the auction. I had 2 balls of Lion Brand Hometown USA  in Houston Cream so I made a cowl with 1 skein and wanted to make a hat with the other. I needed something quick so checked all over Ravelry for a pattern. I found one that used English rib stitch, which I had never done before. I tried about 5 times and couldn't get the hang of it and my deadline was looming so I just adapted the pattern to have a regular rib stitch. This hat was super stretchy and warm, I can't wait to make it again. It took me 2 evenings, I think I may make it for some Christmas gifts!

Here's my pattern:

Used Lion Brand Hometown USA (super bulky)

Size 15 circular needle

Size 17 circular needle

Size 17 double pointed needles

With size 15 circular needle, cast on 42.

1^st 4 rows: K2, P1

Switch to size 17 circular needle.

P4, K2 repeat to end of row. Continue until hat is approximately 7 inches.

Start Decrease Rows:

1: P2tog, p2, k2, repeat to end of row.

2: P1, p2tog, k2, repeat to end of row.

3: P2tog, k2, repeat to end of row.

4: P1, ssk, repeat to end of row. Switch to double pointed needles.

5: K2tog til end of row.

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull through the hole & tie off.

Cash

I have to introduce you to the sweetest puppy in the world, Cash! About a year after we moved into our house we started looking for a dog since we finally had a back yard. We were extremely fortunate to be introduced to someone giving away this precious shih tzu so he could have a good home. We fell in love instantly! When we got him he was 1 1/2 but was not completely housebroken. He gets along fine with the cats and doesn't chase them too much. I'm so thankful that he is so sweet and loving since he is my first dog. I couldn't imagine life without him!

Smokey the Cat

In February of this year our next door neighbors moved out, unfortunately due to foreclosure. I guess they could not afford to keep all of their pets because they left at least 2 cats behind. One of these is rather wild, always wandering the neighborhood and we feed him whenever he comes looking for food. The other cat is super friendly. For as long as we've lived here he has come over begging for food and loving on us. He has a damaged eye, I think he can see a little out of it but you could tell he didn't like living outside because of it. When we found out for sure our neighbors were never coming back we decided to adopt him. We named him Smokey because he is a beautiful grey and white cat. I'm so glad we kept him because he is the sweetest, most loving cat I've ever met. He sits in my lap every night, in fact he is unhappy if he's not sitting on one of us! He gets along fine with the other cats after a brief adjustment period and even likes Cash. He had 2 big dogs at his previous house so I'm sure a dog that weighs less than he does is not a threat!

One funny story about Smokey. We were convinced he was a girl, mostly because a year ago in the spring I thought he was pregnant. We hadn't seen him all winter but the previous fall he had been kind of skinny. Guess he gained weight over the winter! Anyway, I was convinced his hard, fat belly was a pregnant one and then not too long after that we kept seeing this adorable grey & white kitten following him around. Every time Smokey came to eat, the kitten followed him. So when we adopted Smokey and took him to the vet I just told them he was a girl instead of having them check. We found out otherwise after they cut him open to spay him! My vet still laughs about that every time she sees us. She says at least she's made that mistake once and won't do it again!

I'm Back...

Well, I apparently have forgotten to blog for over 2 years! Looking back at my last blog post I see why I stopped. We started looking for a house in March 2009 and bought one in May of that year. It's a 50 year old house in Overland Park and we still love it. It's a very cute house, hardwood floors (that we refinished when we bought the house), has a sub-basement and even a greenhouse! Unfortunately the greenhouse isn't effective for keeping plants in as I found out immediately. I put some out there to keep until I brought them into the house & they fried instantly. At least it makes a nice potting shed.

About the same time we bought the house I was given a new position at work. I work for a retail broker, we work with manufacturers to get their products into grocery stores. We work closely with AWG here in KC - they supply over 2000 stores in the Midwest and the South. I was moved over to the specialty food department and started working full-time. I really love working in that department, the people are great and it's so interesting to learn about new foods. I've tried so many things that I would never have bought and tried on my own. And my family loves all the great samples I get to bring home! This position is very demanding, we are always busy but I love it. Unfortunately it means I'm a little more tired at night and don't always feel like getting on the computer (except to Facebook of course!)

So I'm going to try to write more, hope I hold to that!