Off the wagon? Back on the wagon?

I guess it depends how you look at it, but I cracked open the Zoloft today. I had gotten down to mere crumbs and then had been off it entirely for about a week and thought I was home free (no more withdrawal symptoms, zaps, etc). However, due to a new little development, we decided that the best thing at this time would be for me to go back on it, so this morning I got out my pill cutter (my knife) and started splintering pills again, lol.

Hope

From Jacob's Journey blog:

Hope is not the anticipation that all will go according to my plan; hope is the confidence that whatever comes tomorrow, the presence of God is stepping with me through each moment.

Running roundup

So on Monday, Columbus Day, I went for my long run -- 8 miles. It was actually much better than the short runs I had during the week. Crazy. I ran out the Sylvan gate, down to the harbor and along the running trail all the way to the Cannery Row Starbucks and back. Running time was an hour and 30 minutes. I stopped running at the bottom of Sylvan and walked 10 more minutes as a cool-down the rest of the way home.

This week I've only gotten one short run in. I need to do another one today and then my long run on Sunday. The run I did yesterday was 5 minute walk, 35 minute run, 5 minute walk. I took the boys with me (on bikes and rollerblades) and it wasn't too bad. Except for the part where I got irritated because their friends tagged along for the second 1/2 and after that they weren't paying attention to me and riding way ahead. So I told them that now I was picking the direction we were going so they had to wait for me at each corner. I haven't figured out if I'm going to take them with me today (I should) or wait until Josh gets home and run during Carter's soccer practice (I won't feel like going by then).

ETA: I went and did 5/35/5 with 5 boys on bikes. I decided to wear my ipod and listen to music and it made me much less tense about boys riding inappropriately in the street, getting too far ahead of me, etc. It was a warm and sunny day, which helped a lot.

Tree quilt layout

 

This is the layout of all the quilt block centers -- the months of the year surround the central tree which will have leaves/flowers from 3 of the 4 seasons (cause I don't want a 1/2 dead looking tree, even if it does represent winter).

Quilt center

 

A close up of the center medallion. It's pretty just like that, isn't it? I'll probably end up making it look ugly once I start sticking leaves and flowers on it.

December block

 

The spruce tree with the crazy quilted corners. My raccoon isn't too bad. Woo hoo!

November block

 

I've stitched the crazy quilt pieces down, but haven't added embroidery or beads yet. I also have to add leaves to the center tree. They will be a blend of pale yellow, purple and redish brown: the last leaves left on the tree as winter arrives.

October block

 

This is one of my favorite squares, but it doesn't photograph well. I guess I should say, "I, standing on one foot balanced over the bed with my camera stretched way out trying to get it all in the frame" don't take very good pictures. I still have orange and yellow leaves to add to the center tree. (It looks better if you click on it to view it close up.)

September block

 

I haven't constructed the crazy quilt corners for Sept yet. There's also a moose that I haven't had the guts to add to the tree scene yet either. He's cute, but I'm afraid he's going to end up looking goofy like my horse.
**see May block for proof of goofy horse

August block

 

This tree square is supposed to be a weird teal/peach color scheme that I didn't like at all so I changed it to blue/orange and tried to get away from the New Mexico feel of the original. I don't know how it's going to look once I put the leaves on. I have several different shades of green ribbon and the leaves are going to be long and flowy since it's a Weeping Willow tree.

July block

 

I'm annoyed because one of my corners is missing. It used to exist and now I can't find it. I'm going to have to dig through my linen closet to find it. That makes it sound all organized doesn't it? It really means I'm going to have to pull down all the sheets and towels and blankets that I have stuffed in there and hope it's wrapped up in a stray blanket or something.

But for now I'm just irritated because I like that square with the bears and I don't want to have to do a new corner for it.

June block

 

This tree is supposed to have some leaves and flowers embroidered over the top. I'm putting it off because I don't want to do it wrong and have it look stupid. Right now it looks good, just boring. I bet there's an animal that I'm supposed to add too . . .

May block

 

Exhibit A: goofy horse. Yes, it's a horse. Yes, I know it looks weird. No, I'm not going to go back and re-do it. Haven't you heard about the Amish? They put mistakes in their quilts on purpose because no one is perfect except for God. It's actually more Godly to have an ugly horse in my quilt.

April block

 

I love this one. Little fox came out perfectly (since we already sacrificed the horse to the Amish quilt gods). I have to do the corners still, but I don't have any pink fabrics so I have to wait until I can go through my mom's stash. The colonial knots in the silk ribbon for the cherry blossoms were so fun to do. It looks even better in person.

March block

My first attempt at an animal. At least it looks like a cat, even though trying to outline it in satin stitch using my machine was a *pain.*

 

 

I love the view of the leaves up close. I haven't decided if I'm going to add more or not. The original is *full* of leaves on top of leaves, but I might be satisfied with it the way it is.

February block

 

This one is going to take me FOREVER -- each little tiny needle has to be stitched by hand. I'm putting this off for a while. Especially since I have to stitch the branches first. I'm thinking these trees aren't going to have very many branches, lol. I'm tempted to cut away the stuff I've already stitched (the branches and needles) and figure out a better way to do it.
The animal is a wolf. It looks kind of like a lumpy dog with a weird face.

January block

 

My first completed square -- it's better looking from far away. I'm a fan of my little snowman and my snowflake (in the corners) though. And yes, the little tree next to the house is crooked. It must be from all the high winds they get there.

The place where I will put photos of my quilt

I spent the day working on the Tree Quilt with my mom. We've been working on it since January (each on our own quilt) and I realized I should have taken pictures before now as it was in progress, but better late than never.

The quilt has a block for each month -- each a different tree at different points through the seasons. The middle is an even bigger jacked-up tree that can't make up its mind what season it is. It's supposed to represent winter, spring, summer and fall, but I refuse to put winter on my big tree cause I think it makes it look 1/2 dead.

Here's a photo of one of the blocks: October (not mine)

[Deleted google image]

The corners are pieced crazy quilt triangles and the center is applique. Essentially I'm doing the entire thing by hand, except some of the applique is fused and then I stitched it down with my machine. Most of it I'm embroidering by hand though.
(and the crazy quilting is all by hand!)

Since I'm too tired from all the quilting I did today, photos will have to wait until tomorrow, or perhaps the next day, since tomorrow my sister is coming over to visit. At least if I post this with the promise of pictures to come, they will one day appear.
Once again, not mine:

[Deleted google image]

You would think

that since I just ran 7 miles on Sunday, that the idea of going for a quick 30 minute run today would be easy, wouldn't you? So why do I feel like staying home, taking a bath and eating chocolate instead? (that would be eating *more* chocolate, since I've already had 3 pieces today. Mmm, See's dark chocolate almond brittle. How I love thee.)

I already have the clothes on. I just have to get moving. I hate the first 10 minutes. Ugh. It's horrible. And it's cold outside. Waah, waah.


ETA: I know I'm supposed to come back raving about how glad I am that I went out and ran and how it felt good once I got started, but it didn't and I'm not. It felt like my first time out -- my legs weren't sore at all, the just felt heavy and sluggish. Well, at least that's over. I'm off to bake molasses cookies now!

Two little acorns, sitting on the grass . . .

 

My most recent knitting project -- a warm-up for fall. I had a request for a fruit hat and while I was waiting for the yarn to come in I found some scraps and invented this adorable acorn cap using KnitPicks Swish superwash wool.

 

CO 64 (72 for the larger cap) stitches. Join and knit in the round for 4-5 inches. Switch to contrasting color, and knit one round. Purl one round.
Texture stitch for acorn top:
Row 1: *K into the front, back, front of 1 stitch (inc of 3), K3tog through the back loop (stitch number stays constant at 64). Continue to end of round.
Row 2: Purl all stitches
Row 3: *K 3tog through the back loop, K into front, back and front of one stitch. Continue to the end of the round.
Row 4: Purl all stitches
Row 5: same as row 1

begin decreases for crown of cap:
Row 6: Purl 6, purl 2tog. Continue to the end of the round.
Row 7: same as row 3
Row 8: purl 4, purl 2tog to the end of the round
Row 9 and following: alternate texture pattern with purl rows, each time decreasing on the purl rows, p2, p2tog, then p2tog for the entire round.

drop texture stitch and stitch the remaining rounds in purl stitch only. Decrease until you have approx 6 stitches. Continue to purl until acorn stem is desired length. Draw yarn through remaining stitches and finish.