Playing Santa

We had fun delivering presents to friends and neighbors!

Busy

I sure have a lot of Christmas presents to make! I'm trying to knit a small hat and scarf to dress up a bottle. It's a cute idea, but it's taking a long time! I haven't been knitting for a while and trying to get used to knitting again---plus trying to knit in the round with 4 needles is really difficult for me. I'm also making a scarf for my aunt. It's a spiral---curly scarf. It's got a lot of stitches... so one row takes a long time to get through. I'm also trying to make Steve a scarf and Jake a hat. I've made most of the coffee/drink cozies. I've also finished 6 pairs of slippers.

We're getting our new dining room table and chairs in a couple days.... but we still have our old set! We've gotta sell that set and get it out of here!

I haven't even started decorating for Christmas yet! And I need to get the house cleaned up a bit before decorating. Humphrey is still marking... that means we have gates put up to protect areas of the house. How that'll work with the tree will be interesting! Why did he start this!?!? He was totally potty trained and all of a sudden he started marking in the house! I guess it's his age and hormones! :(

I guess I'm gonna get a move on and get cleaning!

Christmas is coming!

I dressed Humphrey as Santa and he was so cute.... too bad he didn't really like it!

I finished Humphrey's sweater!

I made a lot of changes to the pattern---which is difficult for me since I'm so new at this! But it turned out OK! He looks so cute! Now I want to make myself a matching poncho or scarf! It's pretty late---I guess I better get to bed!

I finished the arms and legs!

That's my Adipose creature. I'm waiting for the eyes to come in the mail so I can finish the body. The little piece is an arm.

That's my piece of coral--the pink, blue, purple fuzzy one!

Crochet

I've been getting more into crochet lately. I made some coral for the Natural History Museum Hyperbolic Coral Reef Exhibit. It's open until April 2011! You should try to get out and see the exhibit--it's really beautiful. I was very excited to find one of my pieces... they're having a party for the people who contributed to the reef on Saturday--tomorrow! Steve's going with me. Looking forward to meeting other contributors.

I've joined a group on the internet who like to crochet and knit. The website is Ravelry.com. They have a lot of great ideas and some helpful hints. I'm enjoying perusing their site. I found a pattern for an Adipose doll from Dr. Who and have been trying to make that. This is my 1st amigurumi creature. I hope it turns out OK! I've been getting help from Cindy at work. It's been fun learning how to read a pattern. Images will be posted!

Pictures of Fall-- super dog, pretty sights, & movie fun!

Fall

YIPPPEEEE! Fall is here along with cooler weather and beautiful colored leaves! I'm so glad that the hot weather is behind us. DC broke a record for days 90 or above this summer... I think it was 67 days, and that tied the 1980 record. We are finally able to enjoy our deck-- & our new deck furniture and grill. We are also enjoying sitting on the deck at night watching movies. We set up a white sheet and use our projector to make a pretty big picture. We have a fire pit too. The other night we watched "Alien" and roasted marshmallows! What fun!

Humphrey is having a lot more fun outside too-- he gets hot too easily. He's got plenty of jackets, sweatshirts, and sweaters to keep him comfortable. He got to dress up for Halloween too.

Defying Gravity

I've been watching Defying Gravity, season 1. It's an interesting premise. Astronauts in 2052 go on a mission across the solar system thinking they are exploring. Weird things start happening to the crew... hallucinations about things they feel guilty about... fractal tomatoes growing out of the blue.... the crew sweating with fever out of the blue, then getting better all of a sudden. Then they find out their mission is a little more complicated than what they were told. I hope the show continues because I really want to see how things pan out!

New DVD's!

I just got some new DVD's! I saw "Avatar" in the theaters in 3D and LOVED it, so I just got the DVD... it's not 3D though. I also got "Up in the air." It seems like a good movie... haven't seen it yet. I'll let you know how it is. I got 2 Dr Who shows with John Pertwee. "Dr. Who and the Silurians" and "Dr. Who and the Sea Devils." I got the 1st season of "Defying Gravity." I've seen the 1st 3 episodes. It's an interesting series.... of course it's Sci-fi. I got a book too.... "The Primal Blueprint" by Mark Sisson. It looks like an interesting book about diet and exercise... it includes barefoot running and eating more protein and veggies and less carbs. I just started looking at it, so I'll fill you in on more details as I read.

New iPad

Trying my new iPad. Let's see if this actually publishes correctly!

I woke up to this cute little guy... that's his morning look. So sweet!

Then I took Humphrey for a walk and saw this pretty tree... so I took a photo of the beautiful flowers.

I had a job today... I was in the audience at work for a change... got to hang around my friends... sat with Karen. It was nice to talk to her after so long! It was very comfortable outside... not a bad time at all.

I had a fun time after work today going out to dinner with Jeff and Ellen. We ate at Matchbox. I had 2 mini burgers that were delicious! I had a crab cake and salad. THEN.... Jeff ordered a bunch of desserts!!!!! I had some pecan pie, some chocolate molten cake, some sorbet, and a donut hole! ARGH!!!! But it tasted great!

I wore my wind chime necklace today.... what fun. I love the little jingling sounds following me everywhere.

Allergies still acting up.... gonna clean up the kitchen then relax. Goodnight folks!

taxes!

I've been working on taxes for hours now.... YUCK! My eyes are killing me.... allergies, staring at computer and receipts, etc..... I have the new Sherlock Holmes playing in the background. I'll have to really watch it someday soon.... it looks good.

I made italian sausage with red & green peppers and onions. I had TWO! Yummy!

I wrote a letter to my compassion child and sent a b-day gift. I hope they buy her something she really wants. It'd be neat to meet her someday.... but that trip would be expensive and intense. She's gonna be 16 in June.... she only has until 2012 and she'll be on her own. I hope she can get a good job and maybe move somewhere less poverty stricken. She seems like a nice girl.

OK.... back to work... my break is over!

Humphrey

Humphrey is sooooooo cute! I got him some goggles... called Doggles. So adorable! I love dressing him up. I also like taking him everywhere with me! I got a few dog purse/carriers. I'm dying to try taking him to the mall. He's so small, I would hope no one would care as long as I'm carrying him somehow and he's quiet.

today

I've been cleaning up a bit.... trying to get to my taxes... organizing... and took Humphrey for a walk in the light rain. I think it's time for lunch! I'm hungry!

My birthday...

Well.... I got an iPad from my wonderful hubby! I have too much stuff on my computer, so I have to dump some stuff before I can use the iPad. ARGH! Gotta get movin' on that! I can't wait to try it! I also got a stretching book from Steve's aunt Norma. I got a leopard ring and lip balm from Vicki. I got money from dad and Bev.... and from Aunt Renee... plus she gave me a Steelers shirt and a pretty pink shirt. Tracey gave me a cool wind chime necklace! Claire made pretty blue earrings for me and is sending me a book. Jeff and Steve gave me a Kohl's gift card. Gail sent me a kids book called, "Sadie the saxophone fairy," and an artsy fartsy bookmark.

A bunch of friends gave me an impromptu party yesterday.... lots of good food! Wendy is an expert griller! Jeff made some awesome shrimp... Vicki & Scott brought a yummy salad... Tracey brought grape leaves and hummus... Ellen brought whole wheat pasta salad, strawberries and hummus... I made guacamole and chocolate cake with fudge and ice cream. What a decadent and delightful treat! Lots of beer and wine tasting going on! Of course, Humphrey was a hit!

What a great birthday! Thanks everyone!

B-day dinner

I just had a nice dinner with the hubby at Casey Jones. A grilled caesar salad, crab cakes, green beans, corn mix, sparkling rose and chocolate baked alaska. Delicious! Can't wait to see what my present is! :)

New Blog

I've decided to start a fun blog.... just talking about whatever interests me. That way people can get to know me better. I'm adding a link from my sax website since I really don't post many updates on the "News" page there.

As most people already know, I play saxophone for a living. I enjoy writing arrangements for sax ensemble. I sell a few sax products on my website... I use those products myself and think they are good quality. I also sell my CD, "Sunshine and Tears" and my arrangements. www.dibida.com

I'm a professional photographer and really enjoy doing portraits of other musicians, head shots, kids and pets. www.audreyphoto.com

I love my family and dote on my dog, Humphrey, like crazy! Expect to see lots of photos of him, cause he's so cute I get carried away.

I love movies and TV shows... mostly comedy and sci-fi. I'll share titles of stuff I like and maybe you will enjoy it too.

This could be a lot of fun!