My sabbatical started today. After seven years, you’re entitled to six paid weeks off to which you’re allowed to add two more weeks of vacation. I’ve been there since 2000, so I’m over a year late.

It was a whirlwind of rushing around to get everything done before I leave for Italy. Cleaned out my office desk, printed out plane tickets and Rome itineraries, and grabbed anything I thought I’d couldn’t live without for the next seven weeks (will I really use that yoga mat?). I’m not allowed to step foot into the office until November 17th.

I had a great day of bonding with Janie, loading up the iPod, and making a list of stuff to bring. Now, everything is packed, except my toiletries (toothbrush, paste, floss, razor, shaving cream and moisterizer). Not sure how much online time I’ll get between now and 10/9, but I’ll do my darnedest! Expect more when I return…

The alarm is going off in seven hours, so I should get to bed. Ciao for now.

Did y’all wish PuNk rAwK pUrL a happy birthday yet?

Well, what are you waiting for… go on, even if it’s “late.” She’s a swell gal that I’m proud to call a friend.

Sure, she hasn’t written in her blog since my birthday in April… so go look at her pretty pictures?

We’re headed to Alameda tonight for German food and celebration because what’s better than cabbage to celebrate another milestone? Chance of ice cream afterwards at Tucker’s: extremely high.

The best plastic surgery is the kind you barely notice, right?

I’ve spent the past 6 hours upgrading WordPress and fiddling to recreate this here blog’s design. After a spate of 700 emails from spam commenters overnight, it was time do something. Please let me know if you run into any problems here… other than the lack of stuff to read. They don’t make author upgrades.

It’s pretty shiny back here, behind the curtain. Can’t wait to find what else this little piece of software can do!

Just noticed that my messenger bag pattern from Knitty Gritty was link-checked on Lime N Violet’s Daily Chum which was then picked up by CRAFT magazine’s blog. Thanks, Yarngeek and Jenny Ryan!

Has it been a month since my last post? The Olympics came and went and my socks didn’t get done as planned. Mom successfully completed a pair of Monkey’s in Scout’s Swag hizKNITS yarn. Although I didn’t medal, there is some sock-tacular learning that shall be discussed at a later date. Needless to say, my US#1’s have been busy.

Speaking of knit-alongs, I should also mention the latest episode of YKNIT with Larissa Brown went up. Mike did a bang-up job with that interview.

Just a few more weeks, and I’ll have more free time to typey-type here. None of this “job” stuff cramping my style. See you next month?

(Let’s hope it’s sooner.)