a visit - and some running news

Sorry I've been AWOL, I was playing hostess to my brother this weekend! I bought him a plane ticket a few months back as a little present for the craptastic year he's had. But it's getting better - he just moved to a new apartment in Columbus, he's single, and he's making a big change (joining the National Guard in a few weeks). And of course he spent nearly every day here at the beach.

And he tried blue crabs:



I took a little video of the bay:



We took a day trip to Baltimore for an Orioles-Yankees game.



It was really fun - just a long, hot day. The game went on foreeever - it was 8-7 when we left in the middle of the seventh inning!

Now that he's back in Ohio, I returned to work where I've had a few busy days thanks to the Democratic National Convention. And tomorrow is my weekend again, thank goodness. I've got a lot to catch up on around the house.

And best of all, I made a not-so-triumphant return to running. Yesterday I did 2.2 miles and it was tough, but invigorating. I've got to get back to it, weather or no, because I've registered for two 5Ks - one on Sept. 26 and one on Oct. 18. The October race is the Race for the Cure, and I'm organizing a team from the newsroom again. I'm looking forward to both of 'em.

I won a blog contest!

I've been putting my name in for blog contests for months now and have never won ... until now! Carly, practically my neighbor (she lives in the next city over, close enough in blogland) had a yarn giveaway and I won some pretty Plymouth Sockotta:



She included a nice note. Thanks, Carly!

proof that I've been knitting

A sweater in progress, whee! And ... a finished sock:



I also have some stash enhancement, from a Socks that Rock order. I had planned on buying some of the retiring colorways, but after I added and deleted and re-added, none of them ended up in my cart.

Mustang Sally in lightweight:



Dutch Canyon in lightweight:



And Oregon Red Clover Honey in mediumweight:



I really must get cracking on Christmas knits ... currently on the needles is the mate to my Fire on the Mountain sock and the sweater. Knitting has slowed, I've been going to the gym and wasting time on the computer and, most of all, I've been been in a funk. Things are topsy-turvy at work and lots of people I really respect are leaving. It's really bumming me out. In fact, I'm headed out the door now to bid some farewell over bevvies.

I'm not dead.

Just a little check-in post because it's been a while ... I'm around, just not feeling very bloggy. . Work is a little more stressful than usual right now and it's taking more of my attention/thoughts, even when I'm at home. And I am knitting - I even cast on for my first sweater - but not feeling inspired to take photos. I hope my mojo at everything returns soon ..