sara skates

This video was linked in Toby’s online playgroup board (a group of women who were all due the same month/year – 8.5 years later, the group persists – which is pretty awesome in it’s own right).  I think it’s a really nice way to start the year – looking at seasonal changes.  This guy took a picture every day for a year – at the same spot – and then put the stills all together into a 40 second “video”.

I tried but failed to embed the video – here’s a link:  Eirik Solheim

I have much to write, and was hoping to write some of it this week while on break.  Unfortunately, much *much* computer time was spent getting rid of a virus on the home desktop.  What a total PITA.  What finally worked was using a PrevX product – a malware scanner and removing tool.  I had been using McAfee antivirus software, but it got compromised with the virus and it was loading upon startup, but getting disabled within seconds and not allowing me to re-enable it.  I removed it and installed AVG antivirus software – which was not compromised – and it found a few trojans and viruses that McAfee hadn’t found.  I googled some of the names of the trojans, and came across the Prevx site.  I was initially intrigued by their graphic showing how much “more” they found than various other antivirus packages, and by some of the technical details explaining that it works differently than most antivirus software – rather than responding to specific named malware, it focuses on virusey behavior and thus targets the malware often before it’s even “named” and recognized.  Long story short (sorta, I have already gone on at great length), it identified over 35 additional viruses/trojans/malware and disabled them in short order.  The free download identifies what’s on your system; the $25-$30 fee gets you the removal tool.  It’s entirely worth it in my opinion.

Other news that I’ll touch on for the moment – in no particular order.

The holidays were good – it’s been great to have 2 weeks home with the kids.  Presents were numerous, the kids are happy, Hannah had many playdates; Toby had some; plus he and I did a lot of cooking.  I have embarked on a “minor” home reno plan – removing a hall closet, installing a boot bench and coat hooks instead for storage, and widening the doorway from the hallway to the den so that Toby can fit through with his walker.  Of course I thought I’d finish it while off on winter break.  Of course it’s taking way longer than that.  By removing the closet walls, there were “holes” in the floor tiling – I decided to remove the closet floor tiles add a border as a transition, and then matching new tiles.  Removing the closet tiles was a piece of cake – they popped right up with minimal effort.  Three tiles from the hallway need to be removed or at least cut down – to make room for the border – rather than being shaped to surround the former walls.  It took me two hours to get one of the three removed today – and involved eventually using a sledgehammer.  I may try using a circular saw with a tile blade on it – a messy somewhat dangerous job with flying shards of porceline – but, there are two freaking tiles to cut down (or remove) and however fun it is to get out some anger and aggression with a sledgehammer?  I don’t wanna.

Skating is gearing up for Adult Sectionals and Nationals again.  Sectionals are in North Carolina at my friend Amy’s rink – I’m very excited about returning there and spending some time with her.  The last time it was there was my first Sectionals experience – and I skated at the Silver level at that time (I have since moved up a level).  Moreover, it’s a great rink and one of my favorite coaches in the world is there – so I’ll stay an extra day or two and work with her.

Work persists at being pretty stressful, and upon return (break is over as of tomorrow) I need to have some difficult conversations and initiate some changes.  More details as they unfold – suffice it to say I am not happy with how things have unfolded due to the computer security issues from earlier this fall.

Home life is ok, the kids continue to sort through issues of their moms separating, while still all mostly living together (for lots of reasons).  It’s confusing and conflicting at times, it works much of the time, it’s difficult (muchly) some of the time.  Ultimately their needs continue to drive most of my decisions which is exactly how it should be.

Knitting has been happening at great speed.  Hannah has a new dragon scarf, Jill has a new scarf from yarn she designed at http://yarniapdx.com/in Portland (OR), I have a new sweater and another more than halfway done; I also have a new hat; I have a stranded mitten that turned out too small for even Hannah so I need to rip and restart it; and a pair of socks on the way.  No doubt I have left out a project or two.  As usual, knitting helps in so many ways – I partially feel like I’m knitting myself back together lately

Happy new year to all – and honestly?  I think my only resolution is to come to terms with how to continue to post sporadically but yet meaningfully.  Well, there are some other goals for the year – mostly related to things I have summarized above