Remember Me?

It is has been so long since my last post that I don't even know where to begin. It isn't that I don't like posting, or keeping you guys up to date, but I just don't think to do it too often. And, that makes no sense because I read your blogs every day or two! As Kate would say, anyhoo:

• Casey and I went to San Diego two weekends ago. It was spur of the moment trip and we had a great time. Well, we had a great time after we found a hotel. He called hotels for two days and couldn't find anything under $200 because a) it is summer in Arizona and everyone runs to San Diego at the site of 100 degrees and b) the weekend we chose to go to San Diego was also the weekend of some huge comic book convention. Casey being Casey refused to give up and finally found a hotel some 30-odd miles outside San Diego. We weren't thrilled with the location but, hey, at least we would be in CA and not AZ! However, the day after making the reservation, I came home from work to find that Casey had cancelled that reservation and made one at a Sheraton right downtown. He told me that it was going to be a surprise (and wouldn't tell me what he agreed to pay!) but that he decided to fill me in and I was so pleased. It made the weekend much more enjoyable. We were able to spend the day at the beach, go back to the hotel for a shower, and then head out for dinner.

Speaking of the beach, that is pretty much all we saw. We decided that this was going to be a relaxing weekend so we did pretty much nothing. Friday afternoon, after getting in, we put on our bathing suits (in the car!) and hit the beach right away. It was so nice and relaxing, even though there were gazillions of people around. The next day we went to the dog beach! If you've never been, I highly recommend it. There were tons of dogs (big, little, ones who liked water, ones who didn't) running and playing and kicking sand all over me. For a split second we thought, "oh, wouldn't it be nice if Oso were here" and then we both looked at each other and said, "he would hate this. Too much commotion, too many other dogs, too much sand." He was probably much happier spending the weekend at Grandma's house.

• The other new and exciting thing is that Leah is teaching me how to knit. Leah taught herself to knit about a year ago and when I saw her a month or two ago she had to go to the yarn store so I tagged along. I was taken by all the cool yarns and agreed to have Leah teach me how to knit. I've only learned the (basic) knit stitch but I've started my first project. The woman at the yarn store told me that most beginners start with a scarf but, no, I had to start with a throw for the couch! It is going to be like a patchwork quilt with many different (complementary) colors (aubergine chenille, chocolate brown wool, etc). I started making 6 x 6" squares and was feeling really good, like I was making good progress. That is until I put them out on the bed and realized that I had completed 15 squares and I needed 99 (!!!) to complete the throw! I felt overwhelmed so Casey suggested I just use the 6 x 6" squares as a border and then make 12 x 12" squares for the interior. It is just as much work but won't look as busy. I've started the first 12 x 12 square and it looks good but the larger square is taking me much longer and I don't have that same sense of accomplishment. I worked for about 3 hours and only have 1/4 of one square completed! Previously I was working on the throw every day and I haven't worked on it for 2 days because I'm feeling a bit frustrated and don't want to get burnt out. Maybe I'll get back to it today. Ann, send good crafty thoughts my way!

• I'm still hitting the gym regularly and feeling pretty good because I'm up to running for 35 minutes. I've been using the elliptical for 15 minutes (to warm up my legs), run for 35 and walk for 5. A few weeks ago I started adding weights to my routine and now I am spending much too much time at the gym! I'll keep running for 35 minutes (at 4.5 on the treadmill) and then slowly increase the speed so I'm getting a better workout but won't have to run for as long. I am only seeing minor physical changes to my body but, as Casey kindly reminded me, apparently there are changes going on because when I started I could only run a couple of minutes (we're talking 2 ) and now I'm up to 35! I'm really pleased and that is what is keeping me going on the days I really don't want to go. I did a bunch of serious leg weights on Tuesday and my legs were pretty sore so yesterday I focused more on arms. However, I was foolish and did a few legs yesterday and my knees were really sore so I had to take 2 Aleve before going to bed. I feel great today but will need to remind myself not to push it when I go again tomorrow.

Okay, this has turned into a novel. I'll really try to write more and write more often.

Have a great weekend!