My 26th Year

   Around this time last year you may remember I sat some goals to achieve in "My 26th Year".
So with this year drawing near it's end I felt it was time to evaluate where I am in relation to those goals.
1.  Wear more pretty clothes- I have some more pretty clothes but some times when you spend your days playing on the floor and being drooled on you don't want to wear your best clothes (it has also been hot as all get out and it is not fun to sweat in cute clothes either).
2. Watch all the girly movies I avoid with Jim home- thanks to Netflix and Redbox I have had a steady supply of girly movies whenever I have the chance. (The Help is next on my I have to see that list)
3. Finish some of the craft projects I have started- Definitely doing great on this one.
4.Take a paining class- The local guy who teaches at ACMoore took the summer off and classes are just starting up again.
5. Lose Weight- Still working on it.
6. Run a 5k- Jim's Awards banquet fell on the same night as the 5k I signed up for and I kinda lost steam after that.
7. Take a Trip with Jim - We are planning a trip to DC!
8. Be more confident when home alone- I am getting better.
9. Learn to cook a wider variety of foods- I have tried quite a few new dishes and most have received a thumbs up from Jim.
10. Go to the Beach More- After my family visited  in June we made our way back to the beach about once every week or every other week this summer either to play in the water, fish, or to take a walk and look for shells.
11. Go to some sort of wine or food tasting- This one did not really pan out. Maybe in the next year?

I am beginning to make a list for the next year and think of what I want to accomplish. Any great suggestions?

Could It Be....

That this is our little duck family?

This group has been hanging out for about a week now and all ten of them interrupt their swimming to come to shore every time we go outside. There were only six ducklings this spring so if this is the same group they have grown by two more ducks (maybe an aunt and uncle).

 

That Cat

Where she isn't supposed to be....

Scarlet has a real fascination with the new washer and dryer... not sure why but she is always trying to jump in while I am switching laundry or taking it out.

Bye Bye Irene

Irene has officially passed us here in Myrtle Beach and we are thankful that it was just a brush by and there was not much damage. I spent much of the week glued to either weather.com or The Weather Channel, listening and watching Irene's every move and in between I was talking to my dad (he is a regular Weather Channel watcher where I only watch at times like this) and asking his opinion. I was completely unsure what to expect as this was the closest encounter with a hurricane since we have lived here.

This picture is from Friday morning.

The new SkyWheel in downtown MB took all the gondolas off in preparation for Irene.

Surfers were excited to have some real waves here.

The first band of rain from Irene.

Many tourists left Friday afternoon. Although Friday and Saturday were projected to be rainy and windy Sunday we are supposed to have beautiful sunshine and warm weather!

A band of rain going down the beach.

Notice the surfer in the middle of the big waves!

Saturday at the beach after the storm has passed us.

 

I went to the beach to see what had washed up. There was not that much different than a typical morning on the beach so I was a bit disappointed. I was hoping with all the hype Irene would wash up some big shells. There were a few trees down around the area and a lot of leaves all over the place. I hope Irene is just as nice to everyone else up the coast.

Hello Irene...

 Now that I have seen you and can say I have experienced a hurricane you may promptly move due East.
   Thank you,
       Lyndsey

Recently Completed Projects

Recently I have finished not one, not two, BUT THREE craft projects! 

But first a sleepy kitty photo (she loves this blanket).

 The first completed project I have been working on since last fall. My first knitting project which stalled out due to needing to learn to cast off (Thank you Aunt Beth). I alternated scarlet and grey which made it take a lot longer because I had to stop and switch colors every six lines (I prefer using the yarn that has multiple colors where you only have to change when you get to the end of the bundle)

 But I love the look that it made when the yarn intertwined with the changing colors!

 The second project is a secret for now and I will share later! ;)

The Third was something inspired by another blog which was inspired by Martha Stewart (that's one creative lady). They used template of leaves and cut them out of felt for a "garland". So I bought five colors of felt for 29 cents a sheet and cut out 45 leaves.

 Just a few of my army of leaves lined up.

 I then decided that they looked a bit boring and decided to use embroidery thread  (3 of 6 strands at a time) to stitch around the edges and make veins in the leaves (I like them much better this way but it did take a good bit of time)

 I then stitched them onto some hemp (natural color) string with more embroidery thread in an alternating color and leaf shape pattern (this may have taken longer than necessary due to my need for "perfect randomization") and hung in our dinning room area.

   I am so pleased with the outcome I am planning several more holiday/season themed "garlands" but we will see.