A quick note about how I'm working off 10 pounds of stress-induced weight gain.

1. I'm a dieter, not an exerciser. I know that leading an active life is important and all. I do walk briskly in the halls en route to the bathroom. I do want to look like I exercise regularly. I just don't want to have to do it.

2. I'm a calorie counter, not a Weight-Watcher. I can pretty much tell you off the top of my head how many calories are in anything. A medium-sized apple? 60 calories. A chunk of lasagna? 350-600 depending on the meat/cheese ratio. It's one of those useless skills I'm proud of, like being able to type 35 wpm one-handed.

3. I use Fitday. And you're encouraged to keep me honest by visiting my public Fitday link over there on the left.

4. I'm going with my favorite diet plan, the 2-4-6 diet. I feel like it's something I made up, but I probably read it somewhere, so please don't sue me. 200 calories for breakfast, 400 for lunch, and 600 for dinner. It's completely reasonable and easy to stick to, especially when used in combination with Fitday. The only rules are that fruit must be included in the lunch tally, and vegetables must be included with dinner.

5. I hate exercise. Unless knitting is exercise.

While I'm trying to scare up some time to start posting again, I'd wholeheartedly encourage you to go look at my vacation photos here.

There are gratuitous yarn shots throughout. And some of my family and stuff. But also yarn.

Reluctantly back to posting again. I was pretending I was still on vacation in a little Smoky Mountain log cabin away from phones and sales meetings. And I was knitting in front of a cozy fire on a rainy afternoon while the girls acted out scenes from Little House on the Prairie in the loft. And Gary, with his nose pressed wistfully against the window pane, wished the rain would stop so he could ride the bike trail through town again.

It was amazingly beautiful and perfect. I'm convinced the small town we stayed in would be a perfect site for my alpaca farm, which I shall one day own and operate.

Lots and lots of knitting was accomplished. It's not as impressive without photos, but I can't actually help myself, so I'll post photos eventually.

I finished my red-toed socks midway through the week, which then had the privilege of being photographed as finished objects lounging in front of the fireplace. On the drive home, I finished my silk cardigan and cast on for some more socks with some Wildfoote sock yarn I bought. I also bought some purple homespun wool from a very nice local artist, but I'm not sure what I'll do with that yet.

Gertrude only vomited once and Matilda only complained three times. The rest of the time, they actually seemed to like us and each other. I call that a successful family trip.