Today was good and bad…first the bad, I’ve felt a cold coming on for a few days and today I’ve got a sore throat and fever I came home from work early because I was too tired and logy.

The good…Adam and I finally started house hunting today! We saw four different places, and the last one was everything we’re looking for. I was expecting to take a long time to hunt and find a place that’s just right, but I can’t imagine finding something better than this place in our price range. Its amazing – 3BR, 2BA, huge kitchen and pantry, living/dining room, den, utility/laundry room, and a gorgeous back yard with tropical landscaping and an inground pool! The house is full of windows and light, ceramic tile floors in the hall/kitchen/living room, carpet in the master BR, pergo in the other two bedrooms….it backs up to a conservation area so we have no rear neighbors and lots of foliage! The only down side to it is that its in a really nice area which = high taxes, but Adam and I are working through the budget and it looks like we’re going to be able to put in an offer! We’re just waiting for an insurance quote and some questions to be answered from the homeowner. As far as we can tell it doesn’t need any repairs or anything – which would really help with the finances! The only thing I’m not crazy about is that the kitchen countertop is laminate…and turqouise. But its in good condition and it works, so we wouldn’t rush to change that.

I’m excited about the house…and a little scared about making such a big decision so fast. I really didn’t want to find such a great place the first day because I wanted to be sure the place we found was the best. I’m pretty satisfied that this place is right for us, and I don’t think I’ll feel like I missed out by not continuing to look. Its not a done deal yet and I know nothing is guaranteed, but I’ve got a great feeling about this place. We walked in and just knew…I think all we said for about ten minutes was “wow”. We’ll see what happens. Tomorrow we’re taking Adam’s mom to see it to get another opinion and to get a better look, and I’ll try to take some pictures. Who knows? We might have a new place by New Year’s!

So today we went to test drive…a boat! Adam’s dad has been thinking about getting one for a while, so the two of them are looking at getting one. Its a 24 foot SeaRay 240, and its really nice…seats six or seven up top, and there’s a cabin down below that can sleep 4. We took the test drive in Tampa Bay, and I got to try driving The place they’re looking to buy from does group trips to local islands, down the coast, and even to the keys! It would even be nice just to take the boat out into the gulf and enjoy the fresh air and being on the water.

Off to the dentist for a filling (hopefully the last one!) then for a massage

OK this has nothing to do with Thanksgiving (more like Christmas actually) but I think I’m in love…has anyone seen Victorian Lace Today? I bought A Gathering of Lace after mom got tired of me stealing (I mean borrowing) her copy and I think I could knit lace for the rest of my life. It makes me want to hurry up and finish my WIPs so I can start more lace! I’ve never made a rectangular wrap/stole and I have about 2000 yards of fine laceweight/cashmere yumminess that is calling my name.

So back to the Telemark Ski Sweater…the body pattern is just so BORING!

A special “on the road” edition of the blog, brought to you courtesy of free WiFi from the Rally gas stations. I’m at work (double time and a half almost makes up for missing thanksgiving dinner but in no way comes near to making up for not being home in NY). Adam’s mom made a turkey, chocolate pudding pie, and other assorted yummy things, but I’ll have to wait until tomorrow (or more likely, 2am when I get home from work) to enjoy them.

I’ve been a little down lately, thinking about the holidays and knowing I won’t be home for them (well except for the BEST holiday of the season – my BIRTHDAY in two weeks!). It shouldn’t be such a big deal since I’m always working anyway, but it was always nice to swing by Grandma’s house with the ambulance or stop by Mom’s on Christmas morning before I left for work. Being in Florida it hardly feels like the holiday season anyway – its 65 degrees and sunny, and palm trees don’t quite give me the holiday spirit. Adam and I both work Christmas Day but we don’t leave until noon, so we can do a “Christmas morning” thing at home, and I’m bringing Christmas to Rochester a few weeks early when I visit so be prepared!

I didn’t want this post to get depressing – its sad that i won’t be home, but today I’m trying to think of all the things I’m thankful for instead of whining about the things that aren’t so good. And really – I’ve got it pretty good. I have a wonderful family who have been nothing but supportive of me with the move this year, even though I know they would rather have me there. I have a great relationship with a wonderful man who puts up with me on a day-to-day basis even though I know thats not always easy. I have a good job, a roof over my head, and enough to eat. AND I have a plane ticket home in less than two weeks

Oh yeah…and a cute cuddly cat

Today was the big day…I got my braces on! I’ll spare you all the details (if you want to read more, check out my dental blog). Here’s my new smile:

It’ll take a little getting used to, but its still exciting

I was at the yarn store the other day and found out – they have a SPINNING section! I never knew that! Needless to say, I walked out with more than I planned on buying. I got myself a hand spindle (1.7 oz, canarywood, handmade by a local guy) and 4 oz of yummy fiber to practice with. I’m really proud – I can spin pretty thin with the hand spindle! It takes a lot longer but I’m really happy with what I’m getting. Check it out:

I’ve got today and tomorrow off to adjust to the braces, so the plan is to spin up enough of the new wool for a skein and see how it comes out. I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but I’m still plugging away on the celtic knot shawl – I’m on row 34 of 106 on the outside, and each row is around 850 stitches. It’ll be done….eventually.