...just under the wire:

...Hi friends
wow, I am coming in just under the wire to post for January 4th!!!
as a ton of you already know I am obsessed with crafts,
my current obsession revolves around knitting, and I am a member of the
HPKCHC (which I explain here) over on Ravelry
-I wanted to share with you my OWL proposal of the School of Fish Afghan for EJ-
Please find below:

QallieQ of Slytherin, requesting to sit for the OWL in Defense Again the Dark Arts

1. Identify the pattern you will be using.
I will be knitting the Festive Fish Afghan. My friend Megan has already completed it and so will serve as a mentor when I need assistance with seaming and the crochet edge.

2. Photograph of the yarn(s)/needles/materials involved.
12 balls of My Family Baby Yarn-Size 8 Clover 6”needles each ball produces about 5 fish


3. Photograph of your swatch OR an explanation of why a swatch is not needed.
I have photographed my swatch along with my supplies.
Blue fish was size 7, yellow size 8….
I was so much happier with the result on size 8, so 8 it is!

4. Two or three sentences describing the planned crafting sequence and analyzing any areas of potential difficulty or new skills needed.
To prove my proficiency at repelling the Cruciatus Curse, I have chosen a very tedious and fairly large project! I am sure that knitting, seaming, and weaving the ends of 45-60 fish will be very fiddly… and excruciatingly painful! In addition, this afghan will be for my sons’ bedroom, making this a selfless knit for someone else. I have had this yarn on hand since before he was conceived, and so I am excited to finally give it use. I will be learning a new skill with the crochet hook, when the time comes to add the border…
I may also add one or two red fish and a red border just for excitement and contrast but will not decide that until the 1/2way point. I will be using this site to plan the color placement, and determine if the red will make the cut: http://www.knittinguniverse.com/flash/webfeatures/paintbo...

...2010 will be Holy, 2010 will be Healthy, and 2010 will be Happy..

The year of 30 will be H-cubed

(Holy/Healthy/Happy)

Today in church Pastor Ron gave us a challenge, to memorize verses this year:
I am going to be very intentional in this (please hold me to this LP)
'
I have really been thinking about what this next year will hold for me.
I am excited to report after inspiration from this mornings closing prayer that
this year will be H-Cubed.

This year for me will be a Holy Year- I will be more intentional in my daily devotions, attendance to sunday services, and descriminating in what I expose my family too, especially when it comes to the books we read, and the programing we sit through.

This will be a Healthy Year- I have already chosen the 1/2 marathon that I will be participating in... the Avenue of the Giants (theave.org) as soon as I go back to work, and have an income again I will be registering for this event! Max and I both have been participating in the EA Active 30day Challenge (ok its only day two) but we are doing it together so that helps to have an accountability partner. I have as you already know already joined Weight Watchers with my Mom as well... I am only on day2 but I am off to a great start.

This will be a Happy Year- From intentionally surrounding myself with positive people, focusing my crafting to specific projects, and working/challenging our selves to become debt free. Slowing down and enjoying a novel, and I will be taking pleasure in simple things...

I truly belive if I can make 2010 a Holy, Healthy and Happy year- I am on the right track!!

...playing for points

01.02.10















Weight Watchers: 1st meeting
Starting Weight: 163
Goal Weight: 135
Activity Goals: Complete a 1/2 Marathon and Run a 5K

-the people were really nice, much older then me and certainly at different stages in their lives. Points seem to be determined by your height and starting weight... and of course you age.
I think the best thing that was said, is your height and age won't go backwards, so make goals based on those things... in otherwords age appropriate activity goals are important.
for the time being the total points I am allocated per day are 27-this will change once I stop nursing, so hurrah for 5extra points at least for now!!!

The points will take a bit of getting use to, but hey at least the tracker is online.

I told Max that the key for success for me, is to pre-plan my meals and then I know exactly what I am eating!
6points for one lunch is a bit much, anyone have some quick and
easy snacks/lunch point ideas I might like??

EA Active 30Day Challenge: Day One again

Ok so we are starting over on the EA Active 30day, because Max wants to do it with me, and he will already be a day behind... I have also been looking at the EA Active 5K trainer challenge, I am planning to give that a shot one I complete my 1st 30days Challenge.



Finances: The Budget has been sent for 2010, the biggest challenge will be to curb the misc. spending... the plan for this is to pre-diccuss all purchases. Knit from my stash, and read less books... (by reading only two chapters per night, rather then reading until I finish even if that is 4am)



2010 seems to be off to a strong start.

What about you??

...time to get active....

01.01.10: day one of the year of 30

-off to a great start already!!
Max got me EA Active for the Wii for Christmas-we are planning to workout together with the preprogrammed 30day Challenge. I have already done day one, just to play but will be starting over later today! My biggest challenge will be learning to drink more water, and less coffee!

This year I am turning 30-have I mentioned that? I am planning to get healthy, loose weight and eating right! Saturday will be my first Weight Watchers meeting... I am looking forward to the guidance in loosing weight, eating better, and meal planning!!




...I AM SOOOOO TIRED.... and yet here I am blogging day one SUCCESS!!!!
So.... last night we watched all six starwars movies, and I just spent the time plotting my next HPKCHC term, and knitting!!!-Max and EJ were pooped by the time they finished all 12hours of movies!!!

...farewell 2009, hello 2010

...hello friends, let us all scream for joy! The time has come to say farewell to 2009 and welcome to 2010! From now on to be referred to as the year of thirty!! We all know that for me 2009 was a year of exciting changes! The most exciting being the birth of our brand new baby boy! We have never been so happy in our entire lives-things are going great! Our little one has just turned 2months old, he is alert, and aware of the wonderful world around him everyday. His eyes are still a georgous slate blue, he is holding his head up...and smiles and coos when he realizes that people are paying attention to him!!!!

My immediate goals were to get married and have a baby before I turned thirty, I am in just under the wire...but guess what I did it! Next stop a degree, and credential to start teaching!!!

The year of thirty will be a year of change and hopefully the year we get out of debt.
Below I am listing each and everyone of my resolutions, no matter how personal because you friends are the only ones that I know will not judge, and that I can trust to hold me truly accountable! I will be balancing my checkbook each friday, and if it happens that we overspend, I am asking that each and everyone of you call me on it.. if I am not at church (and I know you will see me there) call me on it, and if I am caught eating cupcakes or cotton candy... please dear friends CALL ME ON IT!!! OK without further ado, below are my new years resolutions- 2010 is the year of thirty!!!
On March 8th, 2010- I am turning thirty years old!!!

Helga-Marie’s New Year’s Resolutions

The Year of 30

1. Go to church every sunday

2. Lose 30 pounds

3. Knit 30 gifts

4. Write at least 30 snail mail letters

5. Do not over draw my checking accounts

6. Participate in a 5K

7. Blog regularly

8. Scrapbook 30 layouts of EJ’s first year

9. Surround myself with positive individuals

10. Register, and complete my math requirments with a B or better

11. slow down-and just for fun-only read 30 books!!!!!!

Happy New Year bloggy friends!~!

Introducing EvanJames Peter

14 minutes into this great adventure!

Welcome EJ
October 24, 2009
9lbs 1oz. 21.5 inches

OK friends this will be a really picture heavy post!!!!

As we all know I have been out of the blogsphere for the past while...
well I am sure you are all wondering where I have been and of course
want to see pictures of the baby... so your wish is my command.

in the moses basket

muggin' with aita (daddy)

newborn photoshoot, big yawn~

cuddling with Auntie

jazz baby

see for Halloween I was a tree... and I had a little monkey!

evil genius, or EJ Potter?

kickin' it in the crib

November 8th, Dedication/Christening Day

First Bath, we are NOT

Thank you so much for your emails, texts, and visits this past few months...
I really appreciate the support of all my blogsphere and IRL friends this past year!

qallie-fresh will return in January 2010!
...until then
Merry Christmas

...

I just looked up from knitting and EJ is totally engrossed in his OWLS's