I finished a thing!!

Sadly, first thing that takes a back burner in my life is knitting. I love doing it and I have enough yarn to open my own small store, but kids, work and socializing tend to come first. 

But there is nothing like a new baby to make you think, I need to knit something small for that baby! I mean it shouldn't take a year to knit a baby sweater, right?! Well you would be wrong! 

One of my coworkers announced over a year ago that his daughter was expecting his FIRST grandchild. Of course I had to knit that baby a green sweater because boy or girl, that baby would eventually be a  4-H'er. LOL 

However, I also knew that life was crazy and there was no way I would have something done by the time the baby was born. I mean 6-7 months is totally enough time to knit 3 sweaters but I don't rush the process...so when I cast the sweater on the baby was already 3 months old. I decided to make the 1 year size and it would be a first birthday present. Feb. 1st comes around and the sweater is still missing a sleeve. Yikes! I did finish it a day before the baby's first birthday but it was a couple of weeks late due to washing and blocking. 

But while I'm sure the sweet girl could care less about a sweater, her mom and grandparents felt the love. So all in all, it was time well spent! And next time, I'll make the 2 year size! LOL 

Pattern: Flax Light by Tin Can Knits
Yarn: Wollmeise Sock in Wasabi

The start of the little green sweater in May of 2021. Road Trip knitting! 

The most knitting was done at Rock Springs 4-H Camp in 
June of 2021

Spring Break 2022

 The boys were on Spring Break this last week and we had ALL the weather. We had sunshine and 70s, rain and even snow! That is pretty much spring in Kansas. We didn't have any big plans to leave town, we are planning a trip for after school so we stayed close to home this week. 

On Wednesday we did go to the Zoo to check out the Dinosaurs Alive exhibit. It was awesome! Then on Friday we had dinner at the Pennant and played the arcade games. Other than that we hit the parks big time! It was a nice week and hopefully the boys are ready to finish the school year strong! 

I would like for today's weather to stick around. I had a great 9.5 mile run this morning. Not too hot and not too cold, if we have weather like this in April for the Topeka Half Marathon we would be super lucky! 

Dinos at the Topeka Zoo! 

Playing the golf game at the Pennant!

Sunny today at Lake Shawnee

It was a good Spring Break!

Work Trip, What's That?

 For the first time since 2016 I had an out of state work conference. This was also the first time I've flown since our  2019 family trip to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons! First thing I forgot was to check my e-mail before leaving the house. 

I decided to opt for the smaller Manhattan Airport over Kansas City. I don't regret that, however my flight was delayed by hours, this was sent to me by e-mail at 2:30am. So I arrived for my 6am takeoff  at 5am only to realize my new flight time was 10am. Boooo!

Thankfully, the leadership training I attended was excellent! My co-hort is awesome and I'm making so many new friends. And I speak from experience, Extension friends are some of the best. 

The training was intense, I only left the hotel twice once I got there. And both times it was classmates that got me out, and I am forever thankful. Lisa took me for a nice walk to the bean that was only a mile away, and Byron talked me into a traditional Chicago lunch. He had the hot dog and I opted for the beef and peppers sandwich. 

So much fun and I can't wait to see them all again in June in Kansas City. Our last session will be in Washington DC and I'm looking forward to that too. Yay NELD 2022! We are figuring some stuff out! 

PS-The Kansas delegation is the cutest, we didn't take a vote, because we knew we didn't have to ;-) 

Aren't we so cute?!

Today was so nice, let Spring Break begin! 

Us in the Bean! 

I can wait five hours....I brought a book....

 

County Spelling Bee

 After much anticipation yesterday was the Shawnee County Spelling Bee! It was held at Washburn Rural High School and Alex was so excited he got up a little before six and wanted to do spelling words. This is the first year (4th grade) he got to participate in his school bee so it was really exciting that he made it to the county bee. However, he was also one of the youngest participants since they go all the way up to 8th grade. 

They had the practice round and he spelled his practice word right. Then in round one they were not messing around, the words were tricky. I was crossing my fingers that Alex would get a word he knew, not a word he could spell, just a word he knew! No such luck, his first word was porcine. He asked for a definition, "To have piggish features." He almost got it right but did misspell it. He was disappointed but also determined to make it back another year! 

His disappointment did not last long, we braved the wind for a fun exploration in Lawrence. Walked a new trail and enjoyed the spring like weather. Wish it was here to stay, but this is Kansas. So it will most likely get cold again....

February Goals!

 So the daily habit tracker got a little easier in February. I had to make some adjustments because trying to finish all my daily habits right before bed was setting me up for failure. My best bet to hit all my habits is to take care of my 30 minutes of working out and 10 minute tidy up in the morning before work. Then my evening is still pretty much my own. Drinking the water hasn't gotten easier, but I haven't given up! 

Read 21 Books: 3/21

This month I read We were the Mulvaney's by Joyce Carol Oates. It was a great read about a large family that starts to fall apart from the inside out. Will the family find each other again and repair their relationships? You gotta read the book! 

Run 720 Miles: 127/720

I started some long runs this month, and I can still do them! I added 66 miles in a short month. Not too shabby! I even rested a couple of days because I remember what happened last year when I didn't rest. Trying to run smarter this year! My running highlight was going all the way around lake Shawnee last Sunday. No wind, beautiful temp, it doesn't get much better! 

Money Goals: With the help of my Tax return I actually knocked some of these out!! Yay!! 

Add 2K to Savings, Done Feb 2022 

Pay Mortg principle down 5K, I did make a principal payment in Feb. :-)  

New Living Room Furniture (Home), Done Feb 2022

Replace Some Windows (Home) 

Replace Window Blinds (Home) 

Create Backyard Oasis (Home) 

Trips: 0/3

I haven't taken any trips but a golfing trip with mom is on the books for April and Summer Vacation is on the books for May! "On the books" means I've made some payments and reservations, so no turning back! 

Days I hit all of my Daily Habits: 15, 4 more days than last month! I added a sixth habit not to waste money, if I buy something not in the budget, I wasted money. 

Daryl and Alex both finished books in February. Daryl read New Kid  and he read The Hunger Games in school. He enjoyed it so much his teacher lent him a copy of the next book in the series to read on his own. He is racing through it! Alex read Dog Man For Whom the Ball Rolls. Both boys are right on track for their 12 books a year. 

Reading his Catching Fire book while waiting in my office

Our new couch has recliners! Yay!