tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379111072011-12-04T15:52:55.393-08:00This blog is about my adventures, especially the ones with my husband and dog.Teresanoreply@blogger.comBlogger3391100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-5204660729066757362010-10-26T14:22:00.000-07:002010-10-26T14:22:47.395-07:00

One of the best feelings in the world is crossing an item off a list.  If I had saved my to-do lists from the last six months, it would have amounted to a fairly shocking amount of receipt backs, old envelopes, post-its, scratch paper, journal pages, and other miscellaneous paper goods, all with scrawled jobs, tasks, items, lists, deadlines, and reminders that helped me get through the days

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-40608091604953851042010-10-25T23:17:00.000-07:002010-10-25T23:17:42.288-07:00

I finally followed the instructions to migrate my blog back to blogspot after it stopped supporting automatic forwarding to my website.  Before the migration, my mind was full of great ideas for a snappy new "welcome back" blog entry.  But now?  I forgot what I wanted to write about.  The husband (oh right, I'm married now!) thinks I should tell gross pug stories, since she has been particularly

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-36069452220247240152010-10-25T22:58:00.001-07:002010-10-25T22:58:46.554-07:00

This blog is now located at __FTP_MIGRATION_NEW_URL__. You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here. For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to __FTP_MIGRATION_FEED_URL__.

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-82480679139707882542010-02-26T13:27:00.000-08:002010-02-26T13:28:30.150-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT0zDToqagcI feel like dancing today, do you?:)

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-74603618332104141302010-02-23T12:54:00.000-08:002010-02-23T13:11:01.586-08:00

Wow, last week was a whirlwind. Final rehearsals for "La Perichole" took up every spare moment of my non-working awake time, but it was worth it. We had a solid dress rehearsal last Thursday evening, and three energetic shows over the weekend. It's funny to think that the production is concluded, and that I won't be working with my castmates in that show again. Well, at least for awhile.Did

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-76068510692254177532010-02-14T13:31:00.001-08:002010-02-14T14:49:47.871-08:00

I have become a connoisseur of donuts over the past several months, and have been going on "donut dates" with friends to Top Pot, a really yummy donut shop with storefronts all over Seattle. On one particular visit, I brought the BF with me to partake in some donut deliciousness, and he ordered an apple fritter, his favorite. Well, he was fairly unimprissed with the fritter, and said that they

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-79988630109028855362010-02-12T12:44:00.001-08:002010-02-12T12:53:24.657-08:00

Every Friday the greeting in my office is "Happy Friday!" I like the tradition, and think it's festive without going the whole "TGIF" route. I have *big* plans for this weekend, so I am very excited that Friday is here. Starting this evening, my BF and I plan on..........doing as little as possible!!! Yay!!!I am so excited. Tonight is the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games, and we're

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-84808699073573815872010-02-08T12:48:00.000-08:002010-02-08T13:01:57.071-08:00

Thanks to some fairly long musical rehearsals in January, I was able to revisit my September Sweater project. (You know how it goes: "Okay, tenors, let's take a look at page 12. Everyone else just sit tight." Good thing I had a project to keep my hands busy!) After starting the project in April 2009, it was a real joy to finally get it finished. I have worn it a lot and it is very

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-47509940531069547702010-02-04T12:45:00.000-08:002010-02-04T13:05:08.759-08:00

After taking a break from blogging for an extended period of time, I am noticing that I have fallen out of the habit of writing. Aside from the occasional e-mail, I haven't been putting many thoughts together in written form. Since I have started a handful of posts that have not made it to the "publish" level, I thought I would just write you a list of random bits. That should tide you over

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-87028559196308611532010-01-23T22:25:00.000-08:002010-01-23T22:38:53.196-08:00

Well, that was quite a long pause, now, wasn't it?Welcome to my blog via www.teresamarielewis.com! I've had a domain name for several months now, but thanks to a very patient boyfriend and a lack of commitments this weekend, he was able to throw my ideas together to make a workable, clickable website in about a day. I didn't want to leave my blog behind and start from scratch, though, so it

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-33252458347468200882009-08-24T19:22:00.000-07:002009-08-24T19:28:20.961-07:00

Life is moving along for me in a lot of fun ways, and my current blog isn't reflecting that. I have decided to expand my little corner of the interwebs and make my own website that is more appropriate for my readers. I purchased a domain name yesterday and am working on making a few webpages pretty for you. I will let you all know when I'm ready to convert over to my new website. Thanks for

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-16255270369566644292009-07-10T15:05:00.000-07:002009-07-10T15:24:48.597-07:00

A short while back I ate dinner with my boyfriend at a Chinese restaurant. When we received our fortune cookies at the end of the meal, mine said that the current month (June) would be my most profitable month this year. I don't normally take these little bits of paper very seriously, especially since so many fortune cookie fortunes say things like "you like Chinese food" instead of actually

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-24093187145703256372009-06-25T15:01:00.000-07:002009-06-25T15:02:44.636-07:00

I think about blogging a lot, but it appears I haven’t managed to sit down to actually write a post in some time. Let’s remedy that, shall we?My most exciting news is that I bought a used car nearly two weeks ago. It’s a zippy little Mercedes that looks way more expensive than it ended up costing. My Dad found the listing online and I purchased it in Portland from a very nice woman, making it

Teresanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-12901079205253963222009-06-08T10:21:00.000-07:002009-06-08T10:38:33.377-07:00

The older I get, the more I realize that I am a dabbler. I like to learn how to do many different activities (mostly falling under the "home arts" category) and tend to pick up creative hobbies left and right. In addition to designing knitwear patterns, decorating my apartment, and turning trash into treasure, I have found three new activities that have made my life more enjoyable.1. Personal

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-51466441369173854572009-06-05T12:47:00.001-07:002009-06-05T12:59:25.239-07:00

Did you see the movie "Reality Bites" when it came out in the early nineties? I did. I was 13 or 14, not yet in high school, and was blissfully swept away in the fictional story of four twenty-somethings just graduating from college. The main character, played by Winona Ryder, seemed particularly comical to my pubescent self, especially her desire to be individual, independent, and not cave to

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-9892151168355130192009-05-19T22:26:00.000-07:002009-05-19T22:42:29.421-07:00

Although I love knitting things for babies and children, it can be impractical at times because I don't normally have a baby or child sitting around to use as a model for sizing. I knit a Viking Hat for the cutest baby in the world's first birthday a few months ago and loved how it turned out. So, after being asked to knit a pair of caps for twin two-year-olds, I thought I would just adjust the

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-57971363829023448522009-05-15T11:13:00.000-07:002009-05-15T11:23:56.908-07:00

Remember back in early spring (when it was still snowing every weekend) and I started my balcony makeover? I planted some flowers in a color bowl for my bistro table, and hoped that the freezing temperatures wouldn't kill them.Now that spring has officially arrived (this time with monsoon rains instead of snow), my balcony makeover is moving ahead...slowly. The flowers don't need any real help

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-74619538918906202952009-05-13T21:57:00.000-07:002009-05-13T22:13:57.551-07:00

I have a couple private voice students and a part-time office job. Combining that with the occasional singing gig, I pretty much break even every month financially. Although it isn't the most responsible long-term financial plan in the world, for now I am having a great time. And today is one of the best examples of why I appreciate my "underemployed" lifestyle. Here's a breakdown of what I did

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-7439050674202348012009-05-08T16:39:00.000-07:002009-05-08T16:45:34.626-07:00

A lovely German tradition that my Mom discovered when she visited me in Germany was the afternoon "Kaffee und Kuchen." Around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, Germans will wander into a cafe and enjoy a piece of cake and a cup of coffee. It's something that most people can get on board with (Mom, Dad and I took time for it pretty much every day we were together in Germany), and today I thought I'd

Teresanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-10078153636880470782009-05-07T17:25:00.001-07:002009-05-07T17:32:50.803-07:00

Not too long ago, the speedy progress on a sweater project symbolized an accomplishment, but also a bit of isolation and lonliness. After rehearsals or performances at the theater in Germany, I was pretty much left alone. That meant many (MANY) hours of knitting time on my couch in my cozy little apartment, usually with a cup of tea, a few cookies, and NPR playing on my computer in the

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-73590963112042667602009-05-02T09:39:00.000-07:002009-05-02T09:55:48.645-07:00

After finishing the Lellow Blankie for my friend Beth, I was eager to start a project that was more challenging. Although I loved being able to knit anytime and anywhere with such an easy project as the blankie, by the end I was REALLY bored with the pattern and couldn't stand looking at yellow yarn.So, after determining what yarn in my under-the-bed stash I wanted to work with next, I started

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-50798135885413318562009-04-26T21:15:00.001-07:002009-04-26T21:18:13.748-07:00

The cutest baby in the world is quickly becoming the cutest toddler in the world. She has an amazing vocabulary, can run like a big kid, and is practicing climbing stairs! She also gets more beautiful every time I see her. But you can see for yourself that a picture is worth a thousand words, isn't it?

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-7814286224387734262009-04-22T14:09:00.001-07:002009-04-22T14:15:18.402-07:00

I am going to a baby shower on Saturday afternoon. My friend is having a baby girl at the beginning of June, and the timing is perfect for my most recent knitting project.Here is a close-up shot of my lellow blankie clone.Using my childhood blanket as a template, I figured out the pattern and knit myself a replica. I love how the simple stitch pattern still has so much depth and texture. Don't

Teresanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-13780280251517706452009-04-19T11:11:00.000-07:002009-04-19T11:23:23.855-07:00

Well, thanks to those of you who took the time to help educate me on the pros and cons of the various MP3 players currently available. I think I learned a lot about new-fangled electronics and technology. And, in the end, I purchased neither the Zune nor the iPod Touch. Instead I got this:http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-25601661857120549702009-04-15T16:13:00.001-07:002009-04-15T16:38:32.671-07:00

I am a reluctant electronics user. I have been using the same MP3 player since 2003, and the purchase of that device was only made after receiving a direct recommendation from a trusted friend who, after showing me his player and where I could buy it online, also showed me how to install and use it. Suffice it to say there was a lot of hand-holding involved.After going through a period of not

Teresanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-49426967619274117872009-04-10T08:54:00.000-07:002009-04-10T09:10:41.906-07:00

Well, I'm sticking to my word about posting details here for upcoming performances, however late in the game the details come! Tonight (this evening, in a few short hours, even) I am performing as the alto soloist in Pergolesi's Stabat Mater at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Everett, WA. On the off chance that any of you dear readers a) live within spitting distance of the church or b) have

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-33750600271505943912009-04-08T16:32:00.001-07:002009-04-08T16:44:21.279-07:00

My friend Tracy came to visit from Ohio about a week ago. Last Wednesday I took her and some of her friends on a tour of Seattle. This is the "view" we saw from Kerry park on top of Queen Anne hill:Yeah, not much of a view, huh? There are supposedly "mountains" behind those "skyscrapers" and even "water." I put all of this in quotes because as far as my friend Tracy is concerned, these things

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-81795542722357502382009-03-27T11:39:00.000-07:002009-03-27T11:52:45.853-07:00

Have you ever heard of the life phase referred to as the Saturn Return? A friend of mine told me about it a few weeks ago and this morning I finally had some time to look it up online and read more about it. Here's what Wikipedia says about it and here is another good article.According to what I read, between 27 and 30 years of age people experience the first of three Saturn Returns in their

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-83366156019295736162009-03-23T17:41:00.000-07:002009-03-23T17:58:16.080-07:00

Now that I'm back to "freelancing" as an opera singer, I have to keep a calendar with me at all times that looks at least one year into the future. Right now I am juggling a fair amount of repertoire for a fair amount of auditions/gigs, and if I am successful and receive a role after these auditions, I won't actually perform many of the roles until sometime in 2010.Here's a small glimpse into

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-56483061042346764432009-03-13T18:10:00.000-07:002009-03-19T19:42:28.735-07:00

Spring is nearly here. After almost a week of bitterly cold days on my balcony, my pansies are enjoying a mild evening and look very perky.I am nearly someone's employee. The construction company where I have been temping for the last five weeks is getting me set up with computer credentials, including an employee e-mail address, with no end to my assignment in sight. And with my flexible

Teresanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-27194997943891226832009-03-11T15:00:00.001-07:002009-03-11T15:23:55.528-07:00

Has anyone openly criticized your line of work? Have you ever been put down because of your passion? Has someone made a cruel joke to your face about your career choice? All of these things have happened to me at some point, with the most recent occurrence being last night. I was at a casual German meet-up group and, in the course of a conversation, a man said something very hateful to me

Teresanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-71621249605511485192009-03-09T10:16:00.001-07:002009-03-09T10:38:11.981-07:00

Daylight Saving Time is upon us and I love the prospect of longer days. It also gives me hope that I can eventually put away my winter sweaters and scarves and welcome warmer spring weather. However, after seeing snow the last three days in a row, I'm not holding my breath for a speedy change in the seasons.However, that does give me some time to remodel yet one more living space! I can't

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-9901016342749414272009-03-08T10:28:00.000-07:002009-03-08T10:44:23.791-07:00

This weekend has been filled with fun outings and exciting musical events. On Friday night I went to see the Lion King at the Paramount Theater, which was an absolutely amazing show in a regal and sumptuous venue. After several months away from being a stage performer in Germany, it was refreshing and fun to sit in the audience and enjoy the hard work of all the singers and dancers onstage. I

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-18980810423595688332009-03-03T20:01:00.000-08:002009-03-03T20:23:01.403-08:00

Those adorable yellow braids from the Viking Hat on the cutest baby in the world reminded me of something. My yellow (pronounced "lellow") blankie from childhood. I blogged about it last fall in a sorry attempt to get someone to figure out the pattern for me, because I've been hankering to knit a new one. Well, after not getting any responses, I randomly came across a pattern that looked exactly

Teresanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-9753461102646333372009-02-27T12:07:00.000-08:002009-02-27T14:04:24.252-08:00

I'm helping my parents organize their attic, which is chock-full of memorabilia from my childhood, including about 45,000 pictures of me going through various stages of orthodontics, bad hair and general gangliness (I once grew 6 inches in 11 months). I now feel sorry for all children who are growing up in the digital age, whose parents can quickly upload said awkward pictures to their facebook

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-57719135707898730092009-02-22T19:07:00.000-08:002009-02-22T19:24:31.863-08:00

How ironic is this? I spent one year working on the sweater I am wearing in this picture. But do you notice it at all? Heck no! Because who can take their eyes off the cutest baby in the world wearing her birthday present from me that only took two days to knit???Yes my friends, this is a custom-made viking hat. I got the pattern here, but modified it quite a bit. More about that in a

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-21575246055806685552009-02-17T10:49:00.000-08:002009-02-17T11:05:47.342-08:00

There is a flurry of activity on Facebook right now as people are posting "25 Random Things" about themselves. I have been sucked into the vortex of social networking and read these lists with delight. I even made my own! So today I am writing a version for my blog. But I probably won't make it to 25. I might be a bit wacky but I don't think I have THAT many random thoughts to share...1) I

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-5782506188338154162009-02-08T17:13:00.001-08:002009-02-08T17:20:36.306-08:00

After spending an alarming amount of time this weekend knitting on my couch in my pajamas, I am happy to announce that the longest knitting project of my life is finally DONE!!!!Whew, thank goodness.I just wanted to get it finished, so I didn't allow myself to actually try the sweater on until it was not only knit, but sewn together and all of the loose ends were woven in. It was totally worth

Teresanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-14086996137711577552009-02-06T09:37:00.001-08:002009-02-06T09:47:05.103-08:00

I might need a new nickname. Ten years ago when my Mom helped me think of a new e-mail address we both thought "cougardiva" would be a fun name. I was currently a student at Washington State University (home of the Cougars) studying music (vocal performance, specifically). Not that I can claim to be a diva in talent, but maybe at times in attitude. :)Anyway, the e-mail address and nickname

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-16784506018127603372009-02-03T22:57:00.000-08:002009-02-03T23:14:28.443-08:00

This is why women spend $100 on a knit sweater. This is why *I* have spent $100 on a high-quality, well-made sweater. Because when you decide to knit it yourself and become emotionally invested in the sweater, it can make. you. completely. insane.I am insane. This sweater is making me crazy. Do you want to see why??Here is how much I have left on the front piece. After I bind off all I need

Teresanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-57050484051147654182009-02-02T12:57:00.000-08:002009-02-02T13:16:16.759-08:00

After some wild times with some quilt batting, velvet and a staple gun, my bedroom makeover is about 99% complete! I couldn't wait for that extra one percent to show you how it looks, so here's a tour!I don't even really have any before pictures, but just trust me when I say that the after shot is pretty dramatic.Just to the right of my bed I placed a quilt rack to display some of my Grandma's

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-37995244852004169922009-01-30T11:51:00.000-08:002009-01-30T12:04:48.824-08:00

For a girl who claims to be a professional singer, I sure don't talk about it very much, let alone advertise my performances. Whoops. Well, since I didn't tell you all about my performances last fall, I'll make up for it now by giving extremely short notice for two upcoming shows. If you click on the Puget Sound Concert Opera link on the right, you can read up on the production of Puccini's "

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-69836228902587248732009-01-28T11:53:00.000-08:002009-01-28T12:20:15.882-08:00

How do you define yourself as a person? What parameters do you set for yourself as a definition of "Me?" What word pops into your head first: Mother, Friend, Wife, Daughter? Do you let other people define who you are?These are very interesting questions that I have been confronted with countless times in the last six months. Almost every day I wake up and ask myself these questions, but

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-78931505265020159862009-01-26T17:17:00.000-08:002009-01-26T17:29:03.863-08:00

The sun was shining so brightly today that I just couldn't stay inside. I grabbed my camera and headed out to explore my area a little more. After living in this apartment for four months (can you believe I've been back in the US for over six months now?!?) I am ashamed that I haven't done more exploring.This gorgeous view comes from a park just a few minutes by foot from my apartment. Look at

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-65759858814735110192009-01-21T15:02:00.000-08:002009-01-21T15:20:55.182-08:00

Although most of the apartment is furnished and decorated, my bedroom has been in need of a makeover since nearly the time I moved in! Remember last fall when I went on a long and arduous search for the perfect drawer pulls for my bedroom furniture? Well, after buying the pulls and spending the next few evenings after work drilling dozens of holes for them, I finally had my project done. And I

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-76926566940256697832009-01-20T19:32:00.000-08:002009-01-20T19:50:36.373-08:00

There was/is some sort of weather inversion happening in Western Washington, making the coastal temperatures much warmer than those further inland. Luckily, I was on the coast this past weekend and got to soak up some sun and warm weather. If you are (unfortunately) as cold and fogged-in as I am tonight, these pictures may warm you up. And if you are warm enough, just enjoy the beauty of the

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-47114911145924240092009-01-19T08:25:00.000-08:002009-01-19T08:46:39.050-08:00

The Governor's Inaugural Ball was this past Wednesday night and I had a fantastic time. I went with my parents, and I think we were the three best-looking people at the festivities. My Mom and I had never seen Dad in a tuxedo before!When we got to the ball we did a quick loop around the rotunda, and then moved outside to the heated tents, where food, wine, and music awaited us.Inside the Temple

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-71393352809961531622009-01-13T19:08:00.000-08:002009-01-13T19:20:47.702-08:00

If I were to ask you what Cinderella's most important accessory is, what would you answer?I agree with you completely, her glass slippers.Tomorrow night is the Governor's Inaugural Ball in Olympia and I will be attending. For days now I've been thinking about which one of my gowns I want to wear, and visions of jewelry and accessories have been floating through my head. However, a doctor's

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-48219567590848824792009-01-12T18:19:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:41:29.724-08:00

I think about my blog a lot, even though I don't update it every day. Sometimes when I have an interesting experience I think to myself, "Wow! This would be something great to write on my blog!" Or I keep my camera in my purse and tend to take pictures of things that most people don't take pictures of (ahem, Thanksgiving dinner) because I think readers might enjoy the stories that go along

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-6664907140468901992009-01-07T18:54:00.000-08:002009-01-07T19:05:44.266-08:00

I feel like an errand girl. This entire week has been about checking little things off my to-do list. And all of these "tying up loose ends" blog posts also reflect my desire to clean up, organize, and check off all the pesky projects that have been cluttering my life. So in addition to getting new watch batteries, cleaning out the closet, returning borrowed books and catching up on laundry, I

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-50946983043833361962009-01-05T21:09:00.000-08:002009-01-05T21:56:16.213-08:00

Thanks for the concern some of you voiced about my impending credit doom after closing down so many credit accounts. I did, in fact, know the credit risks associated with cancelling all of those unused cards (thank you Suze Orman!), but decided to do it anyway. :)So I have other kinds of loose ends besides too much plastic in my purse. In the last several months my collection of yarn and

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-67898465180259394652009-01-02T11:42:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:16:33.876-08:00

The beginning of the year is a great time to work on a fresh start and to tie up loose ends. Since I have a bit of extra time on my hands while I am job-hunting, I took a break this morning to consolidate the store membership and credit cards in my possession. After checking in patients for three months at the radiology clinic, I have asked thousands of people for their insurance cards. In that

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-32738583057419527922009-01-01T16:33:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:16:33.876-08:00

I went to a really fun New Year's Eve party last night. The hosts were gracious, the food was bountiful, and the atmosphere and views were amazing. Here are a few pictures of the festivities. I hope you have a great 2009!

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-69806274283007253242008-12-30T21:59:00.000-08:002008-12-30T22:27:23.323-08:00

If you aren't a knitter, the term "fearless knitter" may sound a bit (okay, a lot) wacky. Why in the world would someone be fearful of knitting? Well, in my case I used knitting as a meditative and relaxing activity for many years, meaning I didn't want to knit anything too difficult that could potentially cause me stress or anxiety. Trust me folks, deciphering certain knitting patterns can

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-43670158601190496292008-12-29T22:08:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:16:33.877-08:00

The Olympia family Christmas was different this year. Mom and Dad bought all new ornaments, decorations, and even a new kind of fresh tree for the house. Here it is in all its glory, complete with a snooping dog.You see, along with all new decorations, my parents have a tree stand/trough, which is much more convenient to keep filled with water. No more hunkering down under the tree every day

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-91479750073837250842008-12-27T21:14:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:16:33.877-08:00

I am in the middle of a huge organization weekend here at home. I was so eager to get "settled" in my apartment back in the fall that some organizing was left by the wayside in favor of just getting boxes unpacked and things put away.I just came across a poem that I originally saw hanging on the wall of a fabric store just outside of Coburg. It struck such a chord with me that I borrowed a pen

Teresanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-17930616801071566732008-12-22T07:52:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:16:33.879-08:00

I was invited to a wedding this past weekend that faced trial by snow. After having their venue cancel less than 24 hours before the ceremony, my friend's wedding was moved to a beautiful little home in north Tacoma.Everyone pitched in to decorate the living and dining rooms with greenery and shimmery red and silver decorations, and the result was lovely.Because of the change of venue, the only

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-38021246614392605672008-12-19T09:28:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:16:33.879-08:00

Although it appears this post will be about snow, I actually do have a gingerbread story that weaves into it.Yesterday when I woke up to get ready for work, this is what greeted my eyes:After checking in at work and being told to stay home, I figured it would be a great idea to walk to the grocery store and buy more ingredients to make gingerbread. I'm ready to construct and decorate a house but

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-89038543219149164052008-12-18T08:01:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:16:33.880-08:00

I was very skeptical of the snow forecasted in my area over the last few days, especially yesterday, when not one single flake fell anywhere around me! However, the magic began sometime between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. when I was checking the weather conditions. There are several lovely inches of white, fluffy snow outside! The car I'm driving is garaged until the snow melts and the roads and buses

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-46426068540605645532008-12-16T20:02:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:16:33.880-08:00

I think I could fill the rest of the month with posts about gingerbread. I think I have an illness. But, if you're getting tired of the tireless gingerbread theme, then thank Blogger that the photo upload system isn't working for me right now, meaning I just might have to find something else to write about other than baked ginger goodness. Whew, let's see how I do.Next week at this time I will

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-92144494300762970222008-12-13T10:20:00.001-08:002009-01-12T18:16:33.881-08:00

Ha! Thought I was going to show you a bunch of gingerbread, huh? Okay, those pictures are at the end of the post. But I thought I'd change things up a bit and show you how I've decorated for Christmas at home!This is an evening "mood light" picture of my Christmas tree. I love having it on at night so the twinkling lights add a warm glow to the living room.And here is the outside of my

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-30293055975087663722008-12-11T21:18:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:16:33.881-08:00

Wow, what a busy week! My life is like one big gingerbread explosion right now and it's going to take three posts to show you all of the tasty, gingerbread goodness that has infiltrated my life. In the first part, I want to show you some adorable gingerbread boys and girls that I and my very special helper decorated last weekend. I don't have a lot to say about each one, except that they taste

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-69789333740350105062008-12-04T19:08:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:16:33.882-08:00

Well, last night I had quite an adventure at the South Seattle Goodwill. I came away with a fetching fake tree, which is proudly standing in my living room. I plan on decorating it a little later this evening. But first, I'm going to whip up a batch of gingerbread dough for my first round of gingerbread baking tomorrow night.I saw a really cute gingerbread display in Olympia over Thanksgiving

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-71711993224744456112008-12-03T18:03:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:16:33.882-08:00

I have never been a fan of "Black Friday." I have a vague recollection of being in Fred Meyer on one particular Friday morning at about 5:30 a.m., wondering how I found myself awake and dressed and why everyone seemed to be shopping for socks. In my opinion, the morning after Thanksgiving should be spent sleeping off a food coma and, upon waking fairly late on Friday, spent snacking on

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-10543334552276731502008-12-01T21:18:00.000-08:002008-12-01T21:32:17.505-08:00

I made a hat last week. Well, to be more specific, I took some fiber, spun it into yarn, thought of a pattern, and then knit myself a hat. Okay, so the spinning part didn't all happen in a week, but all things considered the hat came together pretty quickly.The alpaca fiber was a present from the woman who taught me to spin and is very soft and delightful. The hat is so warm and cozy that it

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-59788063737550240622008-11-30T21:07:00.000-08:002008-11-30T21:29:43.023-08:00

I had a dinner party tonight and one of the special guests was the cutest baby in the world. Mom and Dad packed her yellow blankie, which I knit for said baby last year. I haven't had a chance to take many pictures of it, so I took advantage of the opportunity when we were sitting around after dinner.The cutest baby in the world is also a budding starlet and loves the camera. Here she is with her

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-57504715328817528922008-11-28T10:26:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:16:33.884-08:00

Yesterday was the first Thanksgiving I've celebrated with my family in three years. Last year I cooked a Thanksgiving dinner for my choir ladies in Coburg, Germany, and the year before that I didn't do a darn thing to celebrate since I was out and about auditioning for agents.But this year I'm home! And I kept my camera with me to photograph all of the traditions that my little family keeps at

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-42950179165412709372008-11-25T07:30:00.000-08:002008-11-25T07:40:14.055-08:00

Necessity be darned. There is no better excuse to dream up a new hat pattern than the luxurious, delicious feeling of handspun alpaca yarn in my hands. Wow.My recent spinning project (and by recent I mean started two years ago but just recently finished) gave me just enough yarn to make myself a cozy, toasty winter hat. And the timing couldn't be better, since our mornings here in Bellevue are

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-4741456866704934082008-11-20T21:01:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:18:02.340-08:00

That is usually what people cry when they see my spinning wheel. After catching sight of my little wooden treasure there is usually a scratch of the head, and then a concentrated look, and finally a lightbulb going off as each person declares, "Ruplestiltskin!" That's right, my friend, I am a spinner.My spinning wheel came from New Zealand, where the best wheels in the world are made. It's a

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-65326923322605290612008-11-18T21:00:00.001-08:002008-11-18T21:18:45.915-08:00

I love my living room. It took just over a month to get it cleaned, painted, and decorated, but I think it was totally worth it.Remember what it looked like when I moved in? Here is my sister on my first day in the apartment. She's steam-cleaning the floors, which had some pretty scary stains on them. Even the hanging plants looked depressed to be in the old living room.And speaking of stains,

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-31121799739649883082008-11-16T08:48:00.000-08:002008-11-16T09:13:25.821-08:00

About a month ago I auditioned for N.O.I.S.E., an opera company that performs a condensed children's version of a popular opera in assemblies for elementary students. Two casts of five singers are chosen for a 10-week tour, in which they travel to approximately 80-100 schools. N.O.I.S.E. has performed throughout the area for 25 years and I was really excited to have the chance to be a part of

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-24369048042694830642008-11-15T09:02:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:18:02.341-08:00

I know that some of you readers are also knitters, and so I have a proposal for you today. How about I share a semi-embarassing childhood secret in exchange for your knitterly wisdom? Sound fair? I thought so, too. :)When I was a baby I received a knit blanket as a gift. As far as I know it was knit by my namesake, who was also one of my Mom's best childhood friends. I was very attached to the

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-34897296983970287212008-11-12T20:32:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:19:01.740-08:00

1) A fantastic manicure, paid for with a coupon.2) Freshly-painted bedroom walls and ceiling, courtesy of my roommate.3) The approaching holiday season, as demonstrated by the appearance of eggnog in my refrigerator.

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-49351083991026678382008-11-09T18:11:00.000-08:002008-11-09T18:26:36.031-08:00

Knitters on the internet are a really super bunch. Aside from sharing a passion for knitting, there are also a lot of websites that specialize in circulating free knitting patterns, which can be a source of boundless entertainment when looking for that *perfect* knitting project. If you take a look to the right on my homepage, you see that I have actually written out a few of my knitting

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-34882397097018165632008-11-08T22:28:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:19:01.740-08:00

I'm in Olympia this weekend to get my fill of the two best dogs in the world. Well, they are the best about 99% of the time. Here's a picture of the two of them looking sweet and innocent.What the photo doesn't show you is that Grace (the bigger one) has a tendency to pass the worst-smelling gas in the world and Suzie (the smaller one) likes to eat dryer lint. And paychecks. I have found all of

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-71096999624674805892008-11-06T20:16:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:19:01.740-08:00

* I bought a couch today. It's a gorgeous brown microsuede chaise-style couch that will be the finishing touch on the living room. I can't wait to get it in the apartment and take pictures! Then the pressure will be on to get my bedroom finished. I prepped the walls for painting last night and figured out where I want to hang my degrees and favorite pictures.* The winter seems to have arrived

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-84561704847290537842008-11-03T22:36:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:19:01.740-08:00

This is probably the only time you will see me post about anything that even halfway involves politics. This blog is my crazy little platform to write about my life as a singer, professional temp and domestic diva. These are all things I feel comfortable writing about to a large and somewhat anonymous audience. And politics does not really fall into any of those categories, unless you count

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-21519786784972118832008-10-29T22:39:00.000-07:002008-11-09T18:27:52.327-08:00

I bought an oak bedroom set on Craigslist (are you getting sick of hearing that yet?) last month and when I purchased the furniture, it was my intention to add hardware to the drawers. There are four pieces in the set with a total of 19 drawers, all of which have a smooth front and no knob or handle. The overall quality is good, but the set looks pretty dated. But I think with a little bit of

Teresanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-76887212565641106722008-10-28T19:20:00.000-07:002009-01-12T18:19:01.741-08:00

On my way home from work I kicked my way through the freshly-fallen leaves on the way to my bus. The fragrance of fall and the glow of the setting sun on the leaves was a lovely contrast to the office. After I got off the bus I meandered to my neighborhood, stopping off on Main Street to pick up a coke slurpee and do a little window shopping. When I got home I called a friend to make plans for

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-49512838329391458122008-10-26T18:21:00.000-07:002008-11-09T18:29:01.598-08:00

My roommate and I went shopping on Thursday night and got some cool curtains for our living space. These ones looked really nifty in the package and I was very happy with how they looked once I got them ironed and hung up in the dining area.And this afternoon someone from (yes, you guessed it!) Craigslist came by and delivered a beautiful piece of art, a framed mirror and a coffee table. The

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-3484122087364070632008-10-23T22:11:00.001-07:002008-11-09T18:29:01.598-08:00

Okay, yesterday's post was kind of cruel. How dare I go on and on about my Craigslist bargains and then not show you what I actually purchased?? Well, I dug my camera charger out of the vortex and snapped some shots for you to see what I've purchased.Here is a great piece of art that a nice lady delivered to me last weekend. It's actually one of a set. This is one side of my living room and

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-55986186221541417022008-10-22T22:42:00.001-07:002008-11-09T18:30:45.495-08:00

Sorry guys and gals, I can't write anything more about work right now. I honestly have been more busy doing that reception job than any other gainful employment I have ever experienced. And when I finally get back to my apartment in the evening, it's hard to sit down and coherently write to you about all of the fun/weird/horrific/zany happenings inside a radiology clinic. So, let's talk about

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-76194163216782897302008-10-20T19:01:00.000-07:002009-01-12T18:19:01.741-08:00

I wear a white lab coat at work. I have three of them. They have my name written on the tag and are washed and ironed by our linens guy who comes in twice a week. Lab coats are really comfortable, cover up anything I might have spilled on my shirt at lunch, and are something I never thought I'd wear to work. Ever. Heck, I never even had a lab coat in school because I never took

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-4258663577148435142008-10-16T18:13:00.001-07:002009-01-12T18:19:01.741-08:00

I think by being a Temp I am living out some sort of subconscious fantasy of mine to see what it's like to put myself in someone else's shoes for awhile. Or maybe it's more like a long-term practicum, where I get to "try on" a bunch of different jobs to see what suits me best. I didn't really consider temporary employment in this light when I registered at a staffing agency in September. But what

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-29139718815406399182008-10-15T21:07:00.001-07:002009-01-12T18:19:01.741-08:00

My Mom pointed out to me today that it's been three months since my last performance at the Landestheater in Germany. On Tuesday, July 15th I sang my last show and when the curtain went down that night, I had no idea that three short months later my life would be so different. Never in a million years did I think I would be sitting in this chair (sturdy, wood, from my parents' attic, needs

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-21677416096657815862008-10-14T08:28:00.001-07:002009-01-12T18:19:01.741-08:00

Well, the insanity of my life finally caught up with me. I'm staying home from work today with a monster head cold. Luckily I was able to fend it off long enough to sing a performance with the Ladies' Musical Club yesterday and I think the show went well. I have another performance this coming Sunday and I'm positive I'll be better for that gig. However, in my pre-cold haze, I forgot to get

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-56853531647264930082008-10-08T19:30:00.001-07:002008-11-09T18:29:01.598-08:00

The kitchen is done! Whew, it feels great to have a clean, spiffy place to putz around to prepare and eat my meals. I don't have a lot of before pictures of the kitchen, but I have some "during" photos.Here is my Mom scrubbing the hard-to-reach areas of the kitchen, while my Dad takes on the scary fridge coils. I went in for round two later with water and a cloth and managed to get the rest of

Teresanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-65966827665839359072008-10-06T20:50:00.001-07:002008-11-09T18:29:01.598-08:00

Wow, check this out!Here is a before and after of my cute little bathroom! If the side-by-side comparison doesn't strike you, let me refresh your memory with a shot of what the walls looked like before my Dad painted:Eeew! That is where the mirror is supposed to be. The "original" paint color was back there and looked even more hideous than the other parts of the bathroom. Dad painted that, too,

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-69306258226493755872008-10-05T18:30:00.001-07:002008-11-09T18:29:01.599-08:00

I want to say thank you to my friends and family who have been such a great help to me in the last several weeks. My subtle cry for support on this blog (and my not-so-subtle cries on the telephone) were answered with e-mails, phone calls, and visits and it really helped me get through what I hope is the worst of my difficult transition right now. And since you were so kind to me, let me try to

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-55754149033793862722008-09-28T22:24:00.001-07:002008-09-28T22:42:49.351-07:00

Life has thrown me a few curve balls in the last several weeks and has strained my spirit. I am having a tough go of things right now and have spent quite a bit of time feeling down and confused and sad. But over the years I have come to realize that it is the times when I am broken and feeling my lowest that my amazing set of family and friends swoops in to lift me back up, and this time is no

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-85765040126304965022008-09-23T20:20:00.000-07:002008-09-23T20:30:19.121-07:00

I've been dealing with a lot of changes in my life in the last several weeks. Okay, months. Today I worked a one-day temp assignment in downtown Seattle and tomorrow I start another assignment that will last 4-6 weeks. That is the longest stint of employment I will have had since mid-July, and I'm totally chomping at the bit to get started.I found a great place to live in a really terrific part

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-57053305106602429902008-09-19T11:33:00.000-07:002008-09-19T12:42:25.681-07:00

I have the morning free today and I'm spending it in the kitchen. This afternoon I am setting off on a weekend journey to visit friends and family south of Seattle and I wanted to gear up for my trip the right way: with cooking and baking!!First on the list was a mini-batch of rice krispy treats for Joe. While I am away he is going to be working on some home-improvement projects and these sweet

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-11012499648777365452008-09-17T14:52:00.000-07:002008-09-17T21:27:11.314-07:00

I think I'm a little more mentally-intact than Blanche DuBois, but we do have something in common: we both rely on the kindness of strangers. Or, in my case, I rely on the kindness of strangers and anyone else I can reach on my cell phone when I get myself into a bind.I wonder why I haven't learned, but for some reason I tend to be vastly under-prepared to find my way around a new area. I

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-86307947953572801672008-09-16T20:09:00.000-07:002008-09-16T20:38:32.017-07:00

I can't believe I did it. When I woke up this morning, I knew today would be a challenging day. I needed to run three important errands and I wouldn't be using a car, meaning that the mighty mighty Seattle metro buses were going to be chauffeuring me from place to place. And in just seven hours, I did it all! Wanna see how?(All my times and mileage are approximate.)(Yes, I am this dorky.) :)1:00

Teresanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-58609846805798144792008-09-14T08:13:00.000-07:002008-09-14T08:35:12.033-07:00

Living in Germany delivered a steady stream of interesting new experiences for me to write about. Do you remember my visit to Nuremberg with Garrie and Maggiee where I found that American food section in the grocery store and Bisquick was going for about $10.00 USD? Or when the European soccer championship was going on and all of Coburg went insane and the whole country turned black, red, and

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-36724074456927733592008-09-13T09:08:00.001-07:002008-09-13T09:20:13.925-07:00

My internet provider in Germany (Vodafone) has now collected over $1000.00 U.S. from me in about seven weeks. Never in my wildest dreams did I think tying up my loose ends in Germany would be this difficult.Three days before I left Germany I went to my local Vodafone shop and changed my internet package to a cheaper "basic plan" (just a few megabytes of internet per month) beccause I was not

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-40834460664416134902008-09-09T16:55:00.000-07:002008-11-09T18:29:01.599-08:00

Sometimes I think I subconsciously do strange things so that I'll have something entertaining to blog about. First it was auditioning for work in Germany, then it was theater life, and after that knitting. Now my life seems to revolve around finding a new place to live.I haven't written much about my home-hunting because I've only been looking for about a week. But in that time I have spent

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-90519187364124120072008-09-08T20:53:00.000-07:002008-09-08T21:15:08.462-07:00

Joe and I had a really fun weekend down in Oregon, but unfortunately I developed a severe case of camnesia and didn't take any pictures. Luckily, Joe has some great shots on his camera, so I'll try and upload them soon.Remember this mystery knitting project that I showed you a couple weeks ago?Well, this is the actual project! It is Elizabeth Zimmermann's "February Baby Jacket" pattern from her

Teresanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-45512187571175791652008-09-03T11:02:00.000-07:002008-09-03T19:51:13.505-07:00

I'm glad you all liked the pictures from my first backpacking adventure. However, I must admit that my last post was a bit of a sugar-coated version of the trip. I wasn't the most prepared backpacker on the trail last weekend and it definitely showed. It took a long time to get used to the heavy backpack and I should have practiced before going out on the real trail. I didn't drink enough water

Teresanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37911107.post-21326482599960244472008-09-02T08:31:00.000-07:002008-09-02T09:09:04.403-07:00

(This is a very picture-heavy post and I highly recommend clicking on each photo to get the full effect. Just click your browser's back button when you're done looking at each image to take you back to the post.)Last weekend Joe and I went backpacking with another couple in the Olympic National Forest. We got a bit of a late start on Friday and ended up car camping at the "Heart O the Hills"

Teresanoreply@blogger.com2