Giving Thanks

So much to be thankful for this year! Yesterday we found out that Dave was offered the supervisor promotion at his office, and he has accepted! He wasn't given an exact start date, but it will most likely be in December. I am so proud of him!!

We're spending Thanksgiving afternoon at David & Kelly's house and then heading over to Brandon & Carol's home in the evening. I am really looking forward to not having to cut time with family short. Instead, we're going to see my Dad and Jane on Saturday for lunch and then Bob & Kathy Saturday evening. The next few days are going to be busy with the bar tour, Thanksgiving, helping Jeremy & Jill move into their new home, and then seeing our dads. Sunday I am getting my hair cut - unfortunately at 1:00 when we play the Ravens, but at least the traffic should be minimal.

Anyway, just wanted to say that we are both so thankful for all our blessings, and most of all, for the love and support of our family and friends! Let the holiday season begin!!! Happy Thanksgiving all!

I think I'm addicted

To knitting....Yesterday I met with two friends who are avid knitters. Anna was kind enough to show me through a local store where your imagination could just go wild (and your budget broke if not careful!). There were so many different kinds of yarn - soft silks and cashmere blends. Warmer wools and ribbon weaves. And the colors! It was both overwhelming and inspiring! I already have a few ideas of things I want to progress to and make. For now, I am starting off with your basic wool blend scarf in three colors of blue-greens that remind me of the ocean in Mexico where we spent our honeymoon.

After I selected my skeins, Anna and I went to Starbucks where we met with our friend Lisa and Anna taught me how to knit. I love the repetitive motion of it all - it is soothing and calming. And it is just darn amazing to see something actually coming of it! I thought that my project would look like a crooked lump of material full of holes, but it actually resembles a scarf! Granted, I think I've only done about three inches, but I don't care! It makes me want to do it more and more.

Anna reminded me how knitting isn't totally about the finished product - it's about the journey, the process. That's a life lesson in which I could use some refresher courses. I'm addicted!

Hello Out There....

It's been a while, but I wish it was because we've been living this uber exciting life and I've just not had the time to update. Alas, it's because we've just been going with the flow and haven't had a whole lot to say. So what compelled me to finally write today? Well, I came home from work and went downstairs to see my father in law. It's Wednesday and he typically works on the bathroom on Wednesdays. We have walls! And the shower is in! Hurray! Here are a few pics of the progress. It was hard to tell what the room would like like with just the studding up; now with walls, you really get a sense of what it is going to look like. And Zoe seems already intrigued with the shower...

Some other things that have been going on:

• Dave's back was really hurting. X-rays showed that he had arthritis, which at the tender age of only 37, really got him down. The doctor recommended an anti-inflammatory and physical therapy. Sunday he woke up in such pain that he couldn't really function most of the day. Well, he went to PT on Monday they showed that Dave's hips were wayyyy out of alignment. Apparently his left leg is about 3/4 an inch shorter than his right leg, and it was pushing his hips out of position, irritating his back. While it's normal for one leg to be shorter than the other, most of us only have 1/4" difference. So they recommended a lift for his shoes - especially for running, but most likely for every day wear. Just thinking of how he was pounding on his legs and hips with the marathon and training.... wow. It's amazing that the pain didn't show up sooner! So now my dear husband no longer feels like a 37 yr old trapped in the body of a 77 yr old...
  
• No word yet on Dave's promotion. His boss did tell him that he made the final 3 - excellent news, and I'm quite proud of him! 45 people applied for this position. Hopefully we'll know something by Thanksgiving.
  
• Speaking of which - only 14 days until the 2006 New Sewickley Bar Tour!! Considering that I'm not expecting (as in something more than getting tipsy that night), I can drink yet again this year, but not too much as designated driver for my car. I just hope it doesn't snow this year - last year was crazy with the snow!
  
• Actually, I should be able to drink throughout the entire holiday season. We're taking a little break from trying to conceive until January. It was hard for me at first - it felt like taking a step backwards instead of a rest. And as you know, I just like to go and go and go. But I know that my body is up for some tough times ahead, so I figure I am going to drink my Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes and my merlot while I can. Just enjoy the holidays and hit it hard in January.
  
• I've decided to take up knitting, or at least to try. A few friends have volunteered to teach me this weekend and next. I'm looking for a creative outlet and since I can't afford a piano or violin to pick that back up, I'm branching out to try something new. I hear that knitting also develops patience. Interesting....
  
• Have you seen this web site? www.theburghblog.com is awesome! Her commentary on Pittsburgh is really funny! I now read it daily.

Well, that's about it. Hope everyone is doing great!