Pilling, you say? What's that?

Just before I left for my trip to Germany I bought some cute argyle sweaters at Target. I just recently washed them and let them dry like usual but was surprised to find that they had these little balls of fabric on them. I didn't really think too much of it or notice it until after I had worn these sweaters for a while. I kept wondering why these little pieces and balls of fabric kept showing up wherever I was in the house: in the bathroom sink, on the couch where I had been sitting, etc. And then one night when I was changing into my p.j.s I noticed that the undershirt I had been wearing underneath the sweater was covered, and I mean covered, in lint and little balls and strings of fabric. The undershirt was green but it was so covered with fabric pieces from my black sweater that it looked more gray than green.

After being super annoyed for a while and asking myself What is the deal here? I realized what was going on. And after a quick google search I discovered the term for this. Apparently it's called pilling, and boy do I feel like an idiot for not knowing what this strange and superbly annoying phenomenon was called and for never having heard of it before.

Did I miss that part of Home Ec. where they go through different types of fabric and how they react to being washed or the best way to wash certain fabrics? Do Home Ec. classes even teach things like that? I don't know about you, but that was never a part of any Home Ec. class I ever took. It would have been nice if it had been. Sometimes I feel so clueless when it comes to fashion and fabrics and Home Ec-type stuff. So ill-prepared for future (I hope) endeavors. Regardless, I now know what pilling is and I have just discovered how to remove this annoying phenomenon which is now plaguing me and my favorite sweaters! Here are two articles about it which I hope will be helpful:

http://www.ehow.com/how_113477_remove-pilling-clothing.html

http://missourifamilies.org/quick/materialqa/material13.htm

I plan on following these tips for removing pilling as soon as I can get the comb they suggest. Sadly, until I can acquire this, I will not be wearing these sweaters anymore.

Secretariat

I just watched the movie, Secretariat, for the first time. It was fabulous! I had no idea what an amazing race horse he really was. I don't know much about horse racing, but this I do know: you rarely see race horses as great as Secretariat. In fact, I'd venture to say that he was one of the greatest and most amazing race horses in horse racing history - ever.

Here are a few pictures of him I found while surfing the web.

Isn't he beautiful?

I love this picture of him in action.

2 different photographic perspectives of Secretariat at the Belmont Stakes race (a mile and a half in length) in 1973, the last of the 3 races composing the Triple Crown. He ended up winning by an incredible 31 lengths, which essentially means that there was enough space for 31 horses between him and the horse in second place. That much of a lead is unheard of in horse racing and it is a record that remains unbroken to this day.

This memorial is located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. My mom and I were lucky enough to see it in July last year.

This Triple Crown winner is quite a legend in horse racing history. Here's to you, Secretariat.

Coming Attractions...

I'm a little slow, but I will shortly be blogging about my 2011 Goals. This is to remind myself to post them.

Just for Fun

I HEART this more than words can say!
I have had horses on the brain more than usual (if that's possible) and I came across this adorable picture today.
It totally made my day and I just had to share.
Hope it makes you laugh out loud just as much as it did me.
Enjoy :o)

FB

Dear F.B.

I am trying hard not to miss you, but I think I do. Though I can't figure out exactly why. I feel like using you is and has been a big waste of my time lately. I didn't realize how much I use you until I got on my computer (after I deleted you) and stared blankly at the screen for several minutes because I couldn't think of any websites to visit. Is it true I spend the majority of my time online with you rather than other websites?

When I was in school I used you as an excuse to waste time and avoid doing my papers and h.w. But now that school is over - gasp, can it really be over? Like FOREVER? - I don't know why I use you so much. Oh wait, for pretty much the same reasons. Except now rather than avoiding papers and h.w. it's avoiding...other things.

Actually, I think I miss playing Farkle most of all. Mmm...playing Farkle solo doesn't sound like tons of fun, but you know, when there is no one else around to play with you, it's actually very appealing. However, at this time I don't feel I can justify reinstating you just so I can play Farkle. Especially when I carry dice in my purse practically everywhere just in case a Farkle playing opportunity presents itself.

Was this extreme? Don't answer that. Hmm...maybe I should re-evaluate my deleting you. I'll give it a week or two before I re-evaluate whether or not this is too extreme.

- Me

Fairwell 2010

I am super excited for 2011, but this entry is dedicated to a quick look back at the best of 2010:

- got rid of my first horse (good riddance, now I can get a nice one)
- completed internship at veterinary clinic
- road trip to ID
- found a "new" car to use my last semester of college, which was great because it made my life that semester much easier
- graduated college with a B.S. degree in July
- road trip back to VA
- ended a relationship that needed to end
- road trip with my sis and her super well-behaved children (and subsequent visit) to AZ
- lost some weight
- gained some confidence and self-esteem
- cleaned out my closet of clothes
- bought some cute clothes my closet now had room for (including a new favorite pea-coat)
- got an awesome compact digi camera
- began visit to Germany in December, which included visits to Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas markets) and Neuschwanstein castle.

Fairwell 2010, here's to the good times.

Happy New Year 2011

In case you are wondering why I am posting pictures of fireworks for New Years, I am currently visiting family in Germany (and loving every minute of it) and for New Year's Eve the Germans shoot off fireworks for most of the night. I heard and saw them start at around 8 or 9 p.m. and they continued intermittently until midnight, at which point, the towns went crazy and shot off amazing amounts of fireworks. I finally went to sleep around 1:30 a.m. and there were still a few scattered fireworks going off. I don't know if any other European countries share in this tradition, but it was amazing. Do any other Americans think this is a tradition the U.S.A needs to adopt? I think we should have fireworks twice a year!

It was pretty spectacular, if I had a tri-pod I would have gotten some really fantastic shots, but since I don't, you'll have to settle for these.

Happy New Year 2011!!