WIP Wednesday - Anxiety

As a result of the holiday and my surgery I won't have any new posts until January.  

Happy Holidays from Amaryllis Musings!

I really don't know how the past 3 months have sped by so fast.  I feel like it was just last week where I sat in the surgeon's office and talked about surgery and what I would need to do to prep for it.  But now the wait is in the single digits and I am suddenly full of anxiety.  Mostly I am anxious about stuff I can't control.  For example, my insurance hasn't approved the surgery yet and there was some complication with my leave.  And what I have in my control hasn't been very controlled this week.  

I need to lose 3 more lbs for my weigh in tomorrow.  I am a nervous wreck that they will tell me that the surgery is canceled because of 3 lbs.  I wish I could say that I followed my diet but in the face of not eating real food for 2 months, I was weak and didn't follow the plan.  Now I am super nervous.  I always do this.  While I bitch and moan on my blog about stress, really I make my life stressful by procrastinating.  Perhaps I secretly covet the thrill that procrastinating provides.

Never the less, please keep me in mind tomorrow morning when I go to the nutritionist.

In other news, I almost prepared for the holidays.  I have the majority of my shopping done in record time and I just have to wrap.  I still have some baking to do but basically I am almost done.  I even got my nerd wars swap present done and out almost a week ahead of schedule.  :)

Rigging Up the Color Affection

11 rows of lights :)

I have one more stripe repeat to complete and then I start on the short rows.  I had hoped to have that started for this week's post but I wanted to the hat done for Christmas first.  So hopefully I will have a third color incorporated for next post.

Hue Shift Afghan

This is a big welcome back to the hue shift afghan.  I put this aside to concentrate on my White Centered Granny Blanket and now have finally gotten back to this project.  I got two more squares complete and started on a third.  Maybe I will be done with this by spring? 

So that's all for this week.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis

Check out my new meme Movie Madness Monday

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Merry and Bright

What a week!  Pitt is technically in Finals but I just have a paper to submit before Friday at 6 pm.  The paper is complete just with my group for a final review.  That out of the way, I am back to my regular schedule and it's a little weird.  I really have lost track of what day it is because I'm not leaving for class on Monday and Wednesday.

I do want to apologize for not responding to comments this past week.  Something is wrong with the embedded comments and I cannot reply.  When I started my blog I promised myself that I would respond to every comment.  I really appreciate your insights and reminds me that there are people out there reading this.  :)

In another bit of news, this one's a big one.  I am having Gastric Bypass Surgery on December 24th.  I have kept things quiet while I was prepping and telling friends and family.  Now that it's so close I am excited but anxious about how rapidly it's approaching.  Please keep me in your thoughts.  With that said, I can't wait to post pictures of my weight loss.  I have lost 25 lbs in 2 months in preparation for the surgery.  My doctor wants me to lose 30 total and it's been a bit of a challenge.

Rigging Up the Color Affection

This is coming along nicely.  I have 8 of 12 stripes complete with only 4 more to go.  This section has flown.  I am also at the point where the stripes are mixing colors.  I like it but it took a while to get used too.  Its a little more muddled than the solid color stripes.  Anyway, can't wait to get it done.

Pittsburgh Panther Hat

This is a hat for my bestie's guy.  Like me he went to the University of Pittsburgh so I decided to make a Blue and Gold hat.  I looked for color work that was Pitt inspired but couldn't find anything so I settled on this pattern.  It was originally Steeler Black and Gold but the blue looks so nice. Since it lacks any logo, it can be worn anywhere.  I made a boo boo and misread the instructions. You're supposed to knit plain for 4 inches before the pattern and i knit 2 inches.  Sadly this is a but of a blessing because I was low on the navy blue so the hat will be predominately gold.

So that's all for this week.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis

Check out my new meme Movie Madness Monday

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Mitts and Lights

Hello again!  Welcome to December and all of the craziness of the upcoming holiday season.  I had a lovely Thanksgiving and then did some serious shopping the rest of the weekend.  I fell hard at Candy Skein and bought enough yarn for a sweater.  Now that I finished my cardigan, I want to knit all the sweaters!

Anyway, I have been listening to Christmas carols non stop and thinking about what I am going to get for my family and friends.  I also have plans to get some shortbread made as gifts for my swap partners.  Oh the lists keep on growing!

Ginger Ale Podsters

One down, One to go

I was clearly productive in the time off of work during the holidays.  I went from one cuff to a 1.5 completed mitts.  I have since weaved all of the ends in on the left mitt and started the fingers for the right mitt.  I hope to get the right one done tonight because I still have a hat to make for a gift.  

One thing I can say is that, while I like the finished result, this pattern is riddled with mistakes and some issues.  I followed the size small directions so far an had to make some modifications, thankfully I get the general construction and was able to fix some things.

Rigging Up the Color Affection

Pretty Colored Lights!

I have had a Color Affection on my to do list for ages but hadn't found anything that inspired me to make the shawl.  Now if your a frequent visitor her at the musings, then you know I like me a garter shawl.  Anyway, I was inspired by Candy Affection by Maria of Kiwiria Knits and I found this lovely yarn at the Pittsburgh Indie Knit and Spin Festival.  When I saw the sparkily multicolored yarn from Fibernymph Dye Works I know it had to be a shawl. 

So I picked a lovely grey and went home to check out my stash for the third color.  I had a lovely teal blue in Shalimar Yarns Breathless and knew I found my set of colors.

So as soon as December rolled around I got my needles moving and started this shawl.  I am really pleased so far but I can't wait for the colors to start to blend and meld together.  But the stripy pattern is pretty awesome too!

So that's all for this week.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

Check out my new meme Movie Madness Monday

<3 Heather

Movie Madness Monday 21

Welcome back.  This is a weekly meme where bloggers can share their thoughts on movies.  Any movie review is welcome including, new releases, old favorites or new found favorites.

What I am Reviewing:

The Heat

image from imdb.com

I have always like buddy cop movies and to see two strong female lead cops was awesome!  I loved this movie and I think it will be a regular in my rotation. The story is about an uptight FBI agent who goes to Boston on a case.  She is partnered with a rough cop who loosens her up a bit.

I have to say if you have sensitive ears, this movie may not be to your taste.  I can't count how many F bombs were dropped in the movie.


What I have reviewed (last 5):

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The Incredible Hulk
This is the End
Ghostbusters
Sense and Sensibility
Perks of Being a Wallflower
Don Jon

To visit the rest of the reviews, visit the Movies Page

What I want to see:

CBGB - 10/11/2013
Kill Your Darlings - 10/16/2013
Carrie - 10/18/2013
About Time - 11/08/2013
Frozen - 11/27/2013
Out of the Furnace - 12/06/2013
Savings Mr. Banks - 12/13/2013
American Hustle - 12/25/2013
August: Osage County - 12/25/2013

Wait for Blue Ray

The World's End - Now available on Blue Ray
Now You See Me  - Now available on Blue Ray
The Bling Ring - Now available on Blue Ray
Hangover 3 - Now available on Blue Ray
Pacific Rim - Now available on Blue Ray

Girl Most Likely - Now Available on Blue Ray
Man of Steel - Available November 12
To Do List - Available November 19
Fast and Furious 6 - Available December 10

The Spectacular Now - Coming Soon
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters - Coming Soon

If you are participating in Movie Madness Monday, fill out Mr. Link Below. You do not have to comment but please link back to this post in your post to get the word out!

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Turkey?

I am a bit early but I wanted to wish all of my USA readers a Happy Thanksgiving.  Whether you eat lots of turkey, watch football, or shop til you drop I hope the holiday brings peace and happiness to your family.  To those not celebrating, happy Wednesday!

Well the weather outside was supposed to be frightful but gobble-geddon was fairly lack luster.  We got some some snow but the ground temperature was still warm enough that it barely accumulated.  We had more of a slushy snow than a fluffy one.  In years past we haven't really had snow until December but this is the third of November.  I hope this winter isn't too cold.

Gobblegeddon!

This week was really productive.  I combined and edited the paper for my class.  I also met with my dad to help pick out new shoes for my Grandmother's birthday, which is today!  Overall, this has been a laid back week.

Shapely Boyfriend

Another sneak peek!

Given the weather, I didn't want to venture out and run errands so I worked on my sweater instead.  I am proud to say that it's finished.  Okay ends still need weaved and it could do with a wash before I posted a FO but darn it the garment is finished and I am proud of it.

Ginger Ale Podsters

Podsters!

So due to the upcoming Nerd War Swap there are the next priority item.  The hat is already done and these are the matching mitts.  I need to get a move on so I can send this out by December 18th.  I mentioned last week that the 2 at a time attempt was less than steller so I am just doing these one at a time.  I have 9 more rows to finish cuff one and then I can work on cuff 2.

So that's all for this week.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

Check out my new meme Movie Madness Monday

<3 Heather

Movie Madness Monday 20

Welcome back.  This is a weekly meme where bloggers can share their thoughts on movies.  Any movie review is welcome including, new releases, old favorites or new found favorites.

What I am Reviewing:

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

I have been anticipating this movie since the last one.  These books captured my interest and I couldn't put them down.  Of the three this one is my favorite.  The story begins with the victors from the 74th Hunger Games traveling around Panem in celebration of their victory.  Unlike previous years, there are 2 victors and the seeds of a rebellion are starting.

The Capitol then reacts to these seeds of rebellion by announcing the quarter quell where previous victors must return to the arena to fight again.  Little does our heroine know that there is a ticking clock behind the scenes that will change everything.

The overall movie was great, the pacing was good and the effects were awesome.  I wish the theater wasn't so crowded but that is the downfall of going opening weekend.  I had a couple sitting next to me that talked through the movie.  The guy just kept commenting on what was happening and it kept pulling me out of the story.  I admit to talking to the characters when I watch a movie but I only do that in empty theaters and in my home.


What I have reviewed (last 5):

The Incredible Hulk
This is the End
Ghostbusters
Sense and Sensibility
Perks of Being a Wallflower
Don Jon

To visit the rest of the reviews, visit the Movies Page

What I want to see:

CBGB - 10/11/2013
Kill Your Darlings - 10/16/2013
Carrie - 10/18/2013
About Time - 11/08/2013
Frozen - 11/27/2013
Out of the Furnace - 12/06/2013
Savings Mr. Banks - 12/13/2013
American Hustle - 12/25/2013
August: Osage County - 12/25/2013

Wait for Blue Ray

The World's End - Now available on Blue Ray
Now You See Me  - Now available on Blue Ray
The Bling Ring - Now available on Blue Ray
Hangover 3 - Now available on Blue Ray
The Heat - Now available on Blue Ray
Pacific Rim - Now available on Blue Ray

Girl Most Likely - Now Available on Blue Ray
Man of Steel - Available November 12
To Do List - Available November 19
Fast and Furious 6 - Available December 10

The Spectacular Now - Coming Soon
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters - Coming Soon

If you are participating in Movie Madness Monday, fill out Mr. Link Below. You do not have to comment but please link back to this post in your post to get the word out!

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - The Holidays Are Coming!

I feel like there should be screaming and pandemonium, when I read this weeks title.  This time next week I will be scrambling to get the ingredients for the side dish I am taking to Thanksgiving dinner.  But for now I am in gift making and buying mode.  I am in two holiday swaps.  One if for our local knitting group and I am just about done with that one.  Muwahahaha!  I need to order something but other than that I am done!  Woot.  The other one is for Nerd Wars.  I am well on my way with progress for that one so yippy.

As far as other shopping goes, I think I know what I will get everyone but haven't had an opportunity to shop.  I usually wait until after Thankgiving to do my shopping but because it's so late this year I may have to start this weekend.  There are only 3 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Aieeeeee!  

Shapely Boyfriend

Arm number two.

I have to say the picture above makes me think of something that was scandalous in Georgian England.  Seriously it's just a bit of shoulder and arm.  How racy :)  Perhaps I need to lay off the historical romances...

Anyway due to swap projects in the works I put this aside the later part of the week.  I cast off the first sleeve last week and got a lot done on Thursday but didn't manage to finish it like I hoped.  I should be able to finish it tonight and get started on the button band.

Mint Ginger Ale Soda

A Sneak Peek!

So I mentioned that I started and finished this guy between last week's post.  I love making hats, so quick and satisfying.  The pattern is called Cherry Soda/Orange Soda and while I call all fizzy drinks pop, I needed a green soda to name my hat.  Ginger ale came to mind but not just any ginger ale but Mint Ginger Ale.  I love this stuff, it totally reminds me of the holidays because that's when its available.  Apparently it's a Pittsburgh thing but this is my drink of choice around Christmas time.  Anyway the pop is Green!  So of course I had to name my project after this favorite!

Ginger Ale Podsters

Little mitts!

So I tried to start these two at a time but that was an epic fail.  I think I got the needles twisted so I just pulled them off and will make them one at a time.  I will try again at some point.  Anyway so a friend made these for her last swap and they turned out really nice so I wanted to give them a try.

I originally picked a different yarn but it had a color that my swap partner didn't like.  Thankfully I was still on the hat so I swapped out the mitt yarn. One complaint with the teal is that it's kinda dark and it bugs my eyes.  I think it will be easier now that I can see my stitches versus just the cast on row.

So that's all for this week.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

Check out my new meme Movie Madness Monday

<3 Heather

Movie Madness Monday 19

Welcome back.  This is a weekly meme where bloggers can share their thoughts on movies.  Any movie review is welcome including, new releases, old favorites or new found favorites.

What I am Reviewing:

The Incredible Hulk

image from imdb.com

I admit that I got on the Marvel movie train a bit late but given the acclamation they have received, I decided to try them.  It's not that I don't like the characters but I guess I was always a DC girl and never ventured into this genre.  At knit night on Thursday, we some how got to talking about comics and one of the women brought up how Marvel took normal everyday people and gave them powers whereas in DC they were born with the powers.  She also brought up about relate-able the marvel concept was because that could be you.

 So when I saw the Incredible Hulk on TV, I decided to check it out.  The story is about a mild mannered scientist who was exposed to gamma radiation.  As a result, he turns into a huge hulking monster whenever his pulse rate gets to high.  Of course this results in a manhunt and an epic showdown.  I really liked the movie and now want to see all of the movies in the avengers series, maybe even the new Thor.  I was planning on seeing it for the shirtless scenes but now I may actually appreciate it more. ;)


What I have reviewed (last 5):

This is the End
Ghostbusters
Sense and Sensibility
Perks of Being a Wallflower
Don Jon

To visit the rest of the reviews, visit the Movies Page

What I want to see:

CBGB - 10/11/2013
Kill Your Darlings - 10/16/2013
Carrie - 10/18/2013
About Time - 11/08/2013
Hunger Games: Catching Fire - 11/22/2013
Frozen - 11/27/2013
Out of the Furnace - 12/06/2013
Savings Mr. Banks - 12/13/2013
American Hustle - 12/25/2013
August: Osage County - 12/25/2013

Wait for Blue Ray

The World's End - Now available on Blue Ray
Now You See Me  - Now available on Blue Ray
The Bling Ring - Now available on Blue Ray
Hangover 3 - Now available on Blue Ray
The Heat - Now available on Blue Ray
Pacific Rim - Now available on Blue Ray

Girl Most Likely - Now Available on Blue Ray
Man of Steel - Available November 12
To Do List - Available November 19
Fast and Furious 6 - Available December 10

The Spectacular Now - Coming Soon
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters - Coming Soon

If you are participating in Movie Madness Monday, fill out Mr. Link Below. You do not have to comment but please link back to this post in your post to get the word out!

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Fall

What a week.  I can't believe that we went from a spike of 70° F weather last Wednesday to snow on Tuesday.  Fall and spring are so fickle, but the blue sky this morning was breath taking.  Anyway the thought of snow just has me itching to pull out my hats, scarves and shawls to show off.

The juxtiposition of fall leaves and snow

Aside from the weather, Monday was the 2nd anniversary of my mother's passing.  I admit to being down but the pain was less acute.  I was thankful for work and class to keep my mind occupied.  One unfortunate thing is that Veteran's day is forever tinged with loss instead of thankfulness for the veteran's who fought for our freedoms.

Shapely Boyfriend

It has a sleeve!

I am so proud of this accomplishment.  My sweater is almost alive, it has a body and 1.15 sleeves! I am currently on the 3rd pattern repeat (out of 18) of the second sleeve and after that is the button band.  I plan on getting this guy done in November!

After this project, I need to recast on for my Quaker Foxhunt, make something for my Nerd Wars Swap and finish Cherry Sundry.

So that's all for this week.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

Check out my new meme Movie Madness Monday

<3 Heather

Movie Madness Monday 18

Welcome back.  This is a weekly meme where bloggers can share their thoughts on movies.  Any movie review is welcome including, new releases, old favorites or new found favorites.

What I am Reviewing:

This is the End

image from imdb.com

Sorry for missing last week.  I was swamped all day and didn't get the meme posted.

I did get a chance to watch a movie last night.  I had seen the previews for This is the End this summer but didn't get a chance to see it in the theater.  The basic premise is that on a night that James Franko held a big Hollywood party, all hell broke loose.  Literally.  Basically the apocalypse started and a bunch of the guys need to figure out how to survive.

I think I made it sound classier than it actually is but it wasn't bad.  I laughed and it was the stupid humor that I needed this weekend.

What I have reviewed:

Ghostbusters
Sense and Sensibility
Perks of Being a Wallflower
Don Jon
Lars and the Real Girl
Rise of the Guardians
Star Trek: Into Darkness
We're the Millers
Pitch Perfect
Die Hard
The Decoy Bride
Despicable Me 2
Monsters University
Much Ado About Nothing - Now available on BlueRay

What I want to see:

CBGB - 10/11/2013
Kill Your Darlings - 10/16/2013
Carrie - 10/18/2013
About Time - 11/08/2013
Hunger Games: Catching Fire - 11/22/2013
Frozen - 11/27/2013
Out of the Furnace - 12/06/2013
Savings Mr. Banks - 12/13/2013
American Hustle - 12/25/2013
August: Osage County - 12/25/2013

Wait for Blue Ray

The World's End - Now available on Blue Ray
Now You See Me  - Now available on Blue Ray
The Bling Ring - Now available on Blue Ray
Hangover 3 - Now available on Blue Ray
The Heat - Now available on Blue Ray
Pacific Rim - Now available on Blue Ray

Girl Most Likely - Available November 5
Man of Steel - Available November 12
To Do List - Available November 19
Fast and Furious 6 - Available December 10

The Spectacular Now - Coming Soon
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters - Coming Soon

If you are participating in Movie Madness Monday, fill out Mr. Link Below. You do not have to comment but please link back to this post in your post to get the word out!

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Err Thursday? #4

This week has been seriously wonky.  Twice a year, I perform a civic duty and work at the election polls.  Granted this is my first year but I am happy to continue on the tradition of my grandmothers before.  Both grandmothers worked at the election polls and I still remember the old machines.  We had these large machines where you could pull a little lever, in fact I was shocked after the 2000 election to learn that other states actually punched holes in their ballots.

What our voting machines and ballots used to look like.

Anyway, that was all day Tuesday and then I lost track of the day yesterday but I still wanted to share with you my progress.

Shapely Boyfriend

Pay no attention to the messy car

I forgot to get pictures until I arrived at work so before I started I captured a few pictures.  Since I was at the election polls from 6 am - 8:30 pm I was able to finish the body and start on the bottom band.  Last night I did finish the band and bound off the body of the sweater and started on a sleeve!  I am so shocked at my progress.  I thought that I might get it done over the week but I was busier than I thought.  I know I will get this done by the end of November.

The band!

I was able to get all of the waist and hip shaping done by Saturday and I was left with 35 rows to finish.  On Tuesday I know 31 of those rows and then finished the rest last night.

After this I am going to focus my efforts to finish some of my shawls.  Maybe with some focused effort I can get those done soon too?

So that's all for this week.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

Check out my new meme Movie Madness Monday

<3 Heather