Putting It All Together

*sigh*
It's not you LJ - it's me.
We've grown apart.
I need ... more

http://www.deservedindulgence.com

Okay, so we made it as far as the Magnolia Bakery's cupcakes - I could have eaten the entire bowl of batter with a spoon!

But I didn't.

I am so glad the holiday's are over! The guilt this year nearly crushed me. I just couldn't seem to get in the spirit of things ... and it never got around to actually feeling like Christmas. This put me in a bit of a mood, and I'm not quite done with it yet.


Bring it on 2007!

Okay, we're off to the grocery store to get the cookie makings.
Thus far the overly optimistic list includes:

Cherry Chews (for Kiddo to take to School for a project)
Sugar Cookies (in all their many forms)
Egg Nog Poundcake
Forgotten Cookies
Buckeyes
Snickerdoodles
Ginger Gems
Magnolia's chocolate cupcakes
Gingerbread
Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yeah, we'll see how far we get.

My sister would love nothing better than for me to send her a case of good ole Philadelphia Tastykakes for Christmas.
Should I be the enabler and give the addict what she wants?
Or should I get the butterscotch ones instead of the chocolate cupcakes (insert evil laughter here)?

In other news, I have started running again. Can I call it running again when I haven't run in 15 years? Anyway, I'm almost to the point where I don't want to hurl by the end of the driveway - go me!
Why is it that I can walk all day long, but if I get up to the slowest speed that could not be considered walking my body stages a coup? The good news is that our golf course has started letting people use the cart paths for walking or running in the mornings - the back nine - and we have to be off before the first time time makes the turn. I think that is pretty progressive for a club in this area.

Is anyone else having trouble getting into the whole holiday thing this year? It's been too warm for me to really believe it's December.

I've been putting off this entry, and I still don't really know how to do it.

How do you say goodbye to someone you never knew?
GAC, I only knew her from the archived posts that I read after BusyMom posted the link to AtomicTumor.
But half of her remains, and I'm getting to know an appreciate the people she left behind. I feel like I can sense the hole she has left behind, and thus see a shadow of who she must have been.
She needed our prayers then.
Her family needs them now.
Too many people attend the tragic events and then go about their lives.
For me, it was important enough for me to support them while we watched tragedy strike, and it is important enough for me to stick around to support them while they grieve and try and sort our their new lives.
Such a wonderful group of people. So like you and me. It really could happen to any of us.

So when I first read AT's story, I made an appointment for the family to get physicals. The day she passed away we were all in the doctor's office. Not that a physical could have prevented what happened to GAC, but now every year in November, I will take the time to think about how lucky I am, and do everything I can not to take it for granted.

Vladimir Palaniuk (Jack Palance) died today.

Hey internet, go by and read AT's blog, and throw some prayers his way.
http://www.atomictumor.com/
In particular, a complete healing for BJ, an easy return to consciousness, Peace for AT and the kids, and BJ's parents need some Peace as well.
But read his posts yourself, and come up with what you think you will help. I am sure it would all be appreciated.

This weekend was great! The family and I headed to Manhattan for the weekend to celebrate my birthday and to see my Sister in Law who was visiting friends in Brooklyn. Two days filled with my most favorite things - The Strand Bookstore, Cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery, The Natural History Museum, and tortellini della nonna at Ralph's. I even bought a pashmina of questionable fiber content from a street vendor.

When we got home, Annika gave me a present of an unbearable stench. She apparently tangled with a skunk while we were away. Those of you have seen Annika know that there is NO WAY we could possibly wash her ourselves, so the groomer is working her in on Wednesday. Poor puppy, but if there ever was a dog suited to spending the night outside in the cold weather - it's her.

I got new golf clubs for my birthday too. I chose the Adams A2 OS irons. I'm still looking for the woods that feel right - but for now I'll mostly use my hybrids off the tees. I ordered them from the pro shop - even though our pro doesn't really sell Adams. He tried to talk me into the Taylor Made line, but even though I could make good contact, they didn't give me the effortless feel that the Adams did. Let me tell you - I need effortless.

In knitting news, I finished one Moccasin sock and then promptly lost my copy of The Knitter's Almanac. The Husband ordered me another copy and it arrived today. I'm sure I'll find the first copy any minuet.

Anybody doing Nanowrimo? I'm thinking about it. I did a test run a few weeks ago to see if I could really carve out the time, and how hard 2000 words a day would be. It was doable for a week or so ... I just don't know if I could keep it up for 30 days straight when I have so much already scheduled. Maybe I'll do a NaNoWri2Mo.

In a valiant effort to double the payoff for my effort ...
I've joined Zimmermania and Socktoberfest - and what am I starting off with?
Elizabeth Zimmermann's Moccasin Socks.

I also thought that it would give me the perfect opportunity to jump back into "El Bloggo".

So ... what have you been up to?

We did Hawaii again for the summer. There was lots of beach, lots of food, and a bit of golf :)
Just getting settled into the school day routines, dealing with house stuff, and falling down the stairs (seems to be a pastime of mine).
Upcoming:
Visit from the nephew - he's looking at colleges.
NYC in October
The kiddo gets a social life - and the aftermath

Apply the lip gloss *AFTER* brushing the dog.

For World Wide Knit in Public Day, Kiddo and I headed down to our local coffee shop. I got through one lace repeat of the Saturday Market bag from magknits - and then the kiddo was bored. She's a fledgling knitter, so we considered our duty done and headed to the store to pick up appetizers for the block party.

So cocktail weenies in puff pastry were popped into the oven without too much trouble and I hobbled around the street without creating too much of a spectacle. I headed back to the house after about an hour and a half to put ice on my ankle, but the the Kiddo and the Husband stayed and had a good time. Next year I am looking forward to meeting more of my neighbors (I had to leave right as most people were showing), but I was thrilled with the ones that I got to talk to this year. I as I have said before - I'm really blessed to live in such a great neighborhood.

I've been planning on sewing for a couple of weeks, but I just haven't had the mobility or motivation to get started. Maybe I should use that "boot" to give myself a good kick in the bum!

Mom's visit went well. I got a chance to show her around locally area (I wasn't up to going into the city) and we also took a day trip to the shore. I love being able to dispel all those perceptions that Southerners have about this area.

My sister in law and her boyfriend stopped in on their way to the Poconos on Friday. It was good to see them. Hopefully they'll be back by today in time to see the bike race.

So this week will involve Birthday shopping for Miss Lydz, who has learned to ride a *two wheeler*, prepping for the Kiddo to visit her dad for the summer, and approximately 5 hours of Physical Therapy. yay me.

How many times have I told the kiddo to watch where she is going while she is on the stairs?
Apparently not enough times for ME to pay attention.
Yesterday I was reading the directions on the back of the deck wash bottle when I missed a step and landed on the tile entryway. So, I've got a chip broken off my ankle, one heck of a sprain, and a date with an ortho.
(That's how I spoiled our first anniversary.)
The husband just walked in with a bunch of Happy Anniversary/ feel better roses. Isn't he the greatest?

Anybody got some netflicks recommends? I've got some time on my hands.

Happy Anniversary, Pookie!
Sorry my clumsiness goobered things up.
I'm sorry that I won't get to play golf with you for a couple of months.
But I can learn to play poker online and learn how the PSP works :)

BTW ... when you come upstairs can you bring me some water - ha ha ha :)

After a week of golf school in St. Augustine, I knew that I'd either be a much better golfer - or my clubs would be at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. These are the benefits of golfing in FL. I am happy to report that I am indeed a better golfer. We wandered around downtown, went to the beach, had a couple of wonderful dinners with friends. All of this combined to make me somewhat obsessive about the golf :)

After returning to our humble abode, it was time to get ready for the mass conflagration of happy fun. The handyman came and lifted a huge weight off of our shoulders and we were ready! Then the infamous puppy of much fluffyness ate some poison. Fortunately we spotted the half mangled - half buried box and rushed her to the vet. So far so good. We are giving her mass quantities of vitamin K for a month, then she gets more tests.

Then the peoples started to arrive.
It was great to see my mom away from mom. She is doing amazingly well, and believe me we put her through her paces. There was lots of geeking out and game playing. David and I arm wrestled over getting to play tour guide. I got to show off all the cool stuff around town, which is one of my favorite reasons to have people visit. :) It was really good the guys from college. Now they are on the way to upstate NY to see the rest of the gang.

Now, I need to catch up on about ONE MILLION hours of sleep.
So ... pictures and details to come.
After sleep.

So, some of the fabulousness that is underway would be the convergence of several good friends upon our fair City of Brotherly Love.
So, anything you guys want to see in the City?
Here are some recommendations, you guys tell me what you're in to:

Cheesesteaks are a completely different discussion :) But do you guys want some? ... and tastycakes, gotta have tastycakes.

http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/
(Don and Ryan in particular would like this one. It is one of my favorite places to go in the city. They have lots of gourmet foods and supplies. Check out the website for a better idea.)

http://www.philamuseum.org/
(If you run up the stairs like Rocky, I will pretend not to know you.)

http://www.collphyphil.org/mutter.asp
(Come on, what says Happy Fun like a museum of oddities? Disturbingly Informative!)

http://www.nps.gov/inde/lbc.html
(Liberty Bell - some of us have seen it. BUT it has new digs! They've moved it since Seana and Gary's wedding.)

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/

http://www.fi.edu/
(The Franklin Institute. A science museum.)

http://www.nps.gov/inde/visit.html
(You really can't avoid Independence Hall, but there are free tours!)

http://www.easternstate.org/
(*giggle* Come on ...if it is good enough for Capone, it is good enough for us.)

Rittenhouse Square - is just a cool park with lots of benches to sit on. It's really close to a Ben and Jerry's and a really good Noodle Place.)

http://www.pennslandingcorp.com/
(Just kind of a cool place on the river with lots of restaurants and bars.)

So ... leave comments, suggestions - talk amongst yourselves ....
and if anyone wants to go to Valley Forge - it is much closer to the house than Philly so we can do that on a different day. You can drive through it or walk around the trails. Beware of the 3894029837023946742394874 deer.

Okay no they don't.
But I didn't have a better place to put my menu for the week. I needed someplace handy that it wouldn't be whisked away in a cleaning fit.
Dinners:
Chicken Enchiladas
Fish/ Brown Rice/ Edamae
Whole Wheat pizzas (make your own toppings)/ Salad
Spaghetti and Meatballs/ Salad or random veggies (whole wheat noodles)
Baked pork chops/ Roasted Veggies
Chili to feed the masses (Supper Bowl of Chili - ha ha ha I crack me up.)

Snacks:
Fruit
Natural Peanut Butter
Roasted Chick peas
Hummus, Veggies, Pita Bread
Cheese Sticks

Lunches:
Tuna Salad
Boiled Eggs
Salads
Brown Rice Veggie Pilaf

Breakfasts:
Uncle Sams Cereal
Lots of 100% Kona Coffee - don't hate me
Eggs, and TJ's fake Sausage
Frittatas with Lotsata Veggies

Yes, you can come over for dinner - just call first so that I can make sure that I make enough.

Fabulousness of the week included:
Kiddo had Friday off ... we went out to lunch, saw Hoodwinked (which is very funny). Went out for sushi after. Lunch was good, Hoodwinked was very funny - lots of references that kids wouldn't get, but not in the way that normally means. It was refreshing for the humor aimed at adults not to be of a sexual nature. It was more references to old movies that kids wouldn't have seen - like "Fletch" and humor in the musical score - which was written just for the movie. I particularly like "Red is Blue" performed by Ben Folds ... very funny if you listen to the words.
Sushi was awesome. We sat at the bar with the kiddo. I LOVE sitting at the sushi bar. It really is the only way to go if you are into sushi. The chef kept surprising us with some really tasty and beautiful extras. *sigh*

Also, friends came over this weekend. Kiddo invited a friend as well. We all went to lunch, a Chinese New Year festival (that was lame - but would have been fun for kiddos younger than Kiddo). Then we went out for Coldstone. After that there were games in which I WON!!! Did you hear that .. I WON ... which means the HUSBAND LOST. Sadly - the Husband's Settlers winning streak is broken. Of course, this was all due to the fact that all of us ganged up on him. I had to IM my other Settlers buddy and gloat :)

That's what's up here. Going to the gym, hanging out with friends, planning vacations.
Chez Allie is awash with glee.

Exercising more, eating foods that are good for me, drinking less coffee, sewing more, knitting more, taking the dog on more walks, spending more quality time with friends and family .... these are all things that I wanted to do this year.

I seem to have left off blogging more regularly :)
So please know that when I am not updating I am off doing something fabulous!

To catch you all up ... here's a quickie summary:
Family came up for a visit right before Christmas... Spent some quality time. Got to see my brother in law and oldest nephew - I haven't seen them since I moved. (Of course I got to see my sis, younger nephew, and niece too.) I was good to spend time with all of them. (Best quote: Niece as she and I sat in a local diner ... "Aunt Allie, that lady has a funny accent." - for best results imagine this coming out of a 5 year old with a THICK southern drawl. She also said the diner was "a very talky place.")
Spent New Years in upstate NY with friends. It was the best New Years I've had in a long time. Good friends, great food, beautiful snow.
Convinced a great friend that he had to come up for a visit so that he go to Spamalot with us. FAB!!! Note to self - go into City more often.
Started working out. Got my yearly Physical (Allie says, "Go get yours!"), Kiddo started dance and swim lessons.
Picked out the rest of the furniture for the bedroom. Still have to actually call and order it though.
The husband is taking a while off before starting "the next big thing (TM)". So, lots going on here.

Yeah, all that and it is still January. Can you see why I haven't had time to blog? And I didn't even mention the reorganizing of the workspace! Holy Cow!

Snow last night and the Eagles lost.
Why, OH WHY didn't someone throw themselves on the field to stop that horrible fiasco???
I made Matzo Ball Soup tonight and it is just the thing :)
I still have a fair bit of online shopping to do before the holiday.
I should do that soon or it won't have time to ship.
Our next few weeks are going to be filled with the kiddos friends coming over to bake cookies (in shifts). I made up HUGE batches of peanutbutter cookies, biscotti - more biscotti needed!, and will make similar batches of chocolate chip. I always make doubly huge batches of sugar cookie dough - good for all occasions, very easy to doctor up, and freezes really well to boot!
I still need to hang the wreaths I bought from the boy scouts. I'm such a sucker - where am I going to put them???

Much knitting to do - this one is for the husband so I can talk about it :) He wants a scarf. He picked out the pattern, the type of yarn, and the color. It is the boyfriend scarf from Last Minuet Knitted Gifts, in a cashmernio aran - grey.
It is going really fast ... but the boy knows too much! I said something about how much work I had done on the scarf and blah blah blah patting myself on the back ... and he says, "yeah, but if that were a sock it would only be *this* (holding up thumb and forefinger) long right now." This means I am going to have to go back and get another skein of yarn ... because he knows it isn't going to be *that* hard to make the scarf super long like he wants. Yup, my man knows too much about yarn. Who knew he was listening????

BEHOLD! The woman who can make FIRE!
The rest of the family is downstairs watching the Simpson. I'm cuddled up on the upstairs couch. Just me, the Half Blood Prince (re-reading) and the Christmas tree.
Lots of Christmas crafting going on - not much posting. When your days are filled with stuff you are doing to surprise others, you can't really blog about it :)

My ex-husband is coming into town on biz this week. He's going to give us a visit. My sister and her family are coming up for Christmas mid month (and leaving before Christmas). Tis the season :) I made a big bunch of biscotti and cookie dough so that I can be prepared for all comers.
I need to go buy yarn for the husband's scarf. I also need to make my Christmas list. *sigh* right now, I'm going to enjoy my peaceful fire.

(BTW - first snow of the season early this morning. Only a half inch - which if you ask me is the perfect amount.)

Turkey :)
I love Thanksgiving. Cooking and over preparation are the things I do best.
I've got the dressing underway, and the pie crust made. The cranberry sauce is saucing. I'll put together the pumpkin pie later this afternoon. Here's what we've got going:
Spinach dip and veggies
Chips, antipasta - some good dried salami, good french cheese, an assortment of olives and stuff
Turkey - brined and roasted
Dressing- mushroom and bacon cornbread dressing
Gravy - a box of organic premade gravy
Garlic Mashed Potatoes- from scratch of course
Cranberry Sauce- cranberry orange relish from scratch
Baked Broccoli- with olive oil and balsamic
Green Bean Casserole - with those little french fried onions
Salad- fresh from the bag
Amaroso Rolls- mmmmm philly
Pumpkin pie- Thanksgiving staple

I'm listening to _One for the Money_ by Janet Evanovich while I'm cooking and puttering. I can just see Stephanie Plum cooking Thanksgiving dinner, can't you?

I'm also still on that second sock. OH SSS ... you are a swift foe! We shall see if I have any time to knit over the next few days.
Happy Holidays!