Eye Candy Friday

So, today I'll get the rest of the house together because I too like to start the new year out right, and I've been in a funky funk so will work more on figuring out why that is.    Of course, I was off work all week and didn't get as much done as I had hoped, do we ever?   But I did accomplish getting the kids school stuff organized and into smaller boxes - I have all their awards, report cards, programs, etc saved in case they every want them.   My mom didn't do that for mine, which I didn't mind until I found out she did for my sister.   And I'm HOW old?  I got the tree down, the house is still relatively clean, life actually is good.

Here's a picture of the Hyperbolic corched coral reef, it is awsome.   If you're in the D.C. area go see it, it isn't just one huge exhibit, itis many huge exhibits.

Have a Happy and Safe New Years Eve!

Playing Tourist

Today while DD was spending his last few days on leave, he decided it was time to be a tourist.   His sister and I were game, I mean really, we live within 20 miles of Washington D.C. and avoid the city at all costs.  

When the kids were little their dad would take the spring vacation week off to stay home with them, and theywould visit a museum or two, maybe go to the zoo, have fun.   And we are fortunate in this area that most of those things are free.  

So I told him the day was his.   We went to the Viet Nam Wall, the Lincoln Memoria, the Korean Memorial, the WWII Memorial and the Technology portion of the Smithsonian to see the trains and cars.

Why do I tear up at these places?

Korean Memorial

Washington Monument from Steps of Lincoln Memorial

WW II  Memorial

Another view of Korean Memorial, it is a marble wall that has faces watermark kinda on the marble, and then it reflects the soldiers in the field

Lincoln Memorial

Transition Week - 10 on Tuesday

This is the week between the holidays that is most in limbo.  Christmas celebrations are over, family is either gone or making noises about leaving, kids are catching up with their friends before everyone scatters back to where they belong.  Resolutions are being made.    I don't typically make resolutions because then I feel bad when I don't succeed with them and one thing I've learned about myself is if I declare that I'm going to do something, I somehow make sure that I never do.   It took me until a couple of years ago to realize that and I'm still trying to figure out how to get around it.

So, here's my list of  10 things I would like to accomplish in 2011 in random order and with no pressure to make sure they are actually successfully completed.

1.  Knit more.   This won't be too hard, I'm doing a KAL and one of the things I'm organizing this week while I'm off is all my UFOs and projects I have yarn and patterns for but haven't started.   

2.  Go meatless for 2 dinners a week.  

3.   Stop checking Ravelry while at work all the time.   Really.   I've got hugs projects to start in January and won't have the time anyway.   And it is very poor work ethic to be on Ravelry when I should be working, or at least doing homework.

4.   Get control of how much I eat.   I started using smaller plates in an effort to have portion control.  So that means I go back for seconds.   Really NOT my intention.

5.    Get the treadmil fixed.    The belt has been broken for over a year.   First I didn't get it fixed because I wasn't working and it seemed not a good use of my available cash when I could go outside for free.  Now I work again, I need it to work.    Of course, I have to crawl on the ground to find the model number, but really, this is something I can do this week.

6.    Remember to take my camera when I go places and actually use it.

7.    Spin more and then use the yarn to make something.   I got a woolie winder, it is making simply lovely yarn.   While I don't like the chatter the bobbin makes, I LOVE the product.

8.   Reduce the grocery bill.   Going meatless twice a week will help, but really, I need to start thinking about replacing my truck, and I am already on a yarn/fiber diet.

9.    Save for a new truck.   Mine is gonna crap out one of these days, but keeping fingers crossed that it lasts until spring/summer of 2012.   It can be my graduation present - we won't discuss how many years it is actualy taking me to get my degree.

10.  Continue being kind.   Yeah, well people who know me would never accuse me of being kind.  But when someone does something unkind, like cutting me off in traffic, running over me with the shopping cart, that kind of thing, I now just look at them and remind myself that they will get theirs.  Then I try to smile and wave at them, because that usually confuses them.   I am a firm believer in what goes around comes around, and I don't want to be a cranky old lady when I'm old and grey.  Well, I'm grey now, but Miss Clairol fixes that for me quite nicely once a month.

One Week

I have the next week off.   What I would like to do is get the basement finally cleaned and organized.   And I'd like to sit in my comfy chair in my happy room and knit all week.   And I'd like to bake yummy stuff to eat.   Unfortunately I don't feel like doing anything!    I wanted to finish a pair of socks today.   The toes keep looking like elf toes.    I need to finish a market bag.   Using flax.  It just plain is bothering my hands, but not like cotton does - oh yeah, I've got a market bag in cotton I need to finish too.   Ive got another two pair of stocks to get off the needles and I've got a pair for me I want to start in sparkly yarn. 

But, I did get my happy room half cleaned today, I got hooks and a pole hung on the wall and draped an antique quilt made by my great great, maybe great grandmother.  

Tomorrow DS, DD and I are off to do tourist things in D.C.   Will have to bundle up because the boy gave me his list of places he wants to go to, and most of them are outside.    Well, they say the wind will die down later tonight.   Let's hope.

Merry Christmas

It has been blessedly quiet here this season, even with all the little kidlets home, and my baby is 6' tall, so I guess not so "little" anymore.

Today has been extra quiet, all children are out visiting friends, left chores for me, which is a-okay, I have spent the day thus far, cleaning up my girl cave - pictures to follow.   Getting the kitchen back in order which didn't take nearly as much time as it could have, and knitting and running errants.  DM's blackberry broke.   DT's blackberry broke two weeks ago about the sametime my non-blackberry bit it.   I told both of them when I had my phone replaced, be sure to set your phone so the numbers save to your sim card.   If you don't and the phone craps out, you're out of luck.    DM said okay.   However, he did not heed my words.   He did not heed my words in June when he dropped his phone into the sewer system so had to make use of the insurance plan he had on a phone he had owned for 3 weeks.   At that time I said, write those numbers down somewhere, or type them into a program on your computer.   Something.   Okay mom, he said.   HA!   So I took my little self out in the snow to the repair center since this is something I could do for my boy while he was out playing and thus out of my hair.  They said, oh, this phone is broken,  then they said, oh, his sim card is empty and there is no way we can get the contacts off his phone.   It won't come on no matter what we do.    Oh well.

This is my new favorite mug of which I am enjoying a warm drink now waiting for the stupid snow to finally start.   I want snowmagedden.

Arggg, they just said on the radio we dodged a huge, huge storm.   WHY???????  Comeon weather, it is Sunday, I don't have to go to work until January 3rd.   I want snow!

Cell Phones

I never read all the directions for the new phone I got last May - I KNOW there's a shocker huh? I went to the repair shop today because my phone touch screen died. That is after the keyboard quit working properly, it either wouldn't acknowledge that I typed a letter or it printed that letter 3-4 times.  And it would randomly delete my contacts.   It has been a true pain in the ass not having a phone for a week.

The repair center was very nice, I didn't have to wait, they replaced my phone with narry a second thought.  I was in there less than 10 minutes.    It helped of course that there were  two staff people and only one other customer.   The guy also said that Apple has the patent on touch screens so everyone else has taken the palm pilot type screens that used a stylus and tried to make them sensitive enough to handle fingers touching them. It isn't working so well for the most part and people are not happy.  And I'll admit as the screen started to crap out, I would "punch" it more often than gently touch it, since it didn't acknowledge a gentle touch.
So, on my way home, I stopped at the store where I bought the phone since I had to go by it anyway, and told myself, if there was no line, I would see about getting a new phone on the cheap. If there was a line, I would just wait until next May.   There was not only no line, but no customers. Guess cuz it's apouring down with the rain.

So, I put the phone on the desk of the store owner and said I hate this phone.  I've always hated it.  I just came from the repair center where they told me I can expect more problems. What can we do?

Ya know, I think these guys at this particular store are smarmy. Not quite snake oil salesmen, but smarmy.  They are very nice, don't get me wrong, very helpful and professional.    Just a little smarmy (I must like that word today).     He said well let me see . . . first he asked what I wanted.

Well a phone that worked would be good, but I need to dial out, receive calls and text message. I don't use it for pictures, I don't get on line with it, I wouldn't know what to do with an app if my life depended on it - and I don't want to pay for that crap. So he showed me a few phones, I went with the first one. it is a samsung Evergreen.   It has a key pad with numbers so I can dial. No more touch screen for me - YEA!

It has the slide out key pad for typing text messages. I told him that was the only thing I liked about the old phone and he said they all have that now. And an app setting and camera and all that other stuff I don't know what to do with, but I think that is standard.

Then he said (and here's the schmarmy part) let me call a special number and see if we can get you a deal on a new phone.   Riiiight. So, the phone I wanted was $30 if you were a new customer signing up for a 2 year contract. He said that the deal they would cut me was $50 and I had to extend my contract on just my phone for an extra 6 months.   I sat and thought about it for a second.  I remembered all the times my husband has wanted something sometimes for no other reason than he wants it, even if it isn't a good deal, or a deal at all, and I said okay.

THEN I find out that my old phone was never set up to store numbers onto the sim card, just into the phone WTF??????? SO he set the new phone up for that, then the sim card died, so he had to replace that.

I have about 5 contacts on the new phone.   Bummer, I'll have to look up numbers this week.   And send emails to people who I don't have their numbers written down and ask for them again.   But, I've downloaded the manual and will start reading in Thursday.

I have a button to push to answer the stupid thing, there is a hang up button, and I'm assuming the text messaging is the same as on the old phone. The rest . . .

I think the guy felt a little sorry for me that I apparently have so few friends. Of course a few weeks ago I painfully added all my work peeps. grrrrr

Ho Ho Ho

Dreary day, of course we have lots of  wet, but that just brings  fog since when it has been really cold here, and the sun  shines, and then  the clouds and moisture come, of course the warm air comes too so we get rain and fog not snow.    I'm sure the people in the mid-west would be glad for my rain/fog.    I would be glad for their snow.   I am not glad to hear that the roads will probably be icy in the morning though :(

Still working on that old holiday spirit.   I'd wanted to get a tree yesterday, but that didn't happen and I wanted to study more for my test, but that didn't happen either.   I studied a lot, there is  still so much more.   Why is it that you have to memorize all sorts of useless stuff for a test that if you ever needed to  use again, would be readily available to look up in a matter of seconds?    I understand  memorization is important, but I also understand that I'm old, there is a lot that I know, and a lot that I don't know but I know how to figure it out.    That's how I got my last job.   When asked about all the stuff I didn't know, my pat answer was "I'll figure it out".    And I have.   Bah!

okay, now I'm off to study for a bit more then go to the cell phone store because my phone is really unhappy.    First it started deleting contacts randomly.   They just disappeared out of my list.   However, if someone called, their name popped right up, so what's up with that?    Now the touch screen doesn't work.    Since that is where I dial out, check messages, sent text messages, I'm without. 

Neglect

I've neglected many things in the past couple of weeks.   I've had finals on my mind   The stress has not been so much I'll do poorly, because at this point I think that is a given - yep, let this class totally defeat me and relishing in the agony of it, and have been focusing on just getting through with it.   I attend every class, I do the work assigned, I've done the extra, extra credit, I'm just plain done. 

I've neglected the house, not too bad though because over the years I've gotten into a few routines, so while we are a little dishevlished, we aren't totally trashed.   Except DS's room but that's his problem, I don't clean his room anymore since he's all grown up. 

I've given serious thought to getting a roomba for the house.   On the one hand, it would help tremendously with dust and cat hair.  On the other hand, do I really want to spend the money?    I'd really like a drum carder (which is more than the roomba) but somehow it doesn't feel as hard to shuck out money for fiber arts as it does cleaning.   On the other hand, if I had the roomba going, I'd have more time for fiber arts.    Decisions, decisions.

So today, I've got to get to the market since tomorrow is suppose to be cold and rain . . . all day.   I have a yard to clean up, that isn't even my own, but I've got to clean up anyway.   Cookies to make.  Pies to make.  A final to study for.   A christmas tree to buy, put up and decorate.  Laundry to do.  And a house to clean up because the boy comes home next Sunday night.

Work is really getting in my way this week.

One Million Dollars

Incredible.  I work for a government agency.  I have a budget.    I love my budget.  It is 8 million dollars.   yep.    I keep an eagle eye on what the staff spents, and everyone wants to spend my budget before they spend their own money.    And to be fair, my budget covers things like building HVAC systems, repairs, maintenance, etc.

My boss was looking at my spread sheet for my budget where I keep track of every invoice I approve for payment and compared that to the "official" books from accounting.   I have spent one million more dollars than they are reporting.  That means that the invoices I have been sending to accounting aren't getting processed for payment.   WTF?????????

But as I pointed out to him, we know we're right and at least the books aren't showing that accounting has spent more money that we say we have - that would be a nightmare to try and figure out.

Wednesdays.

Sunday - Apparently Not a Day of Rest

So this morning DD and I went to the Smithsonian to do our last Biology project.   That had to be the most  boring thing I have ever done.  An hour and a half in one exhibit.

BUT the crochet coral reef exhibit was in the same building.

Saturday Dinner

It is a known fact that while I like to cook, sometimes, my meals are sporatically good and when I experiment (which is often) they are sometimes not fit for a dog.   I usually see something new that sounds good and either follow it to the letter, eveyone loves it, I lose the recipie so then improvise and it is never the same, or I improvise from the get-go. 

Since we're improving our  diets at home, I love soup and it is cold outside and I  saw a recipie on line yesterday, today seemed like a perfect day to try a new dish.    I knew there was meatloaf  in the refrigerator just in case.

I soaked black beans last night in chicken broth, added a little water before I went to bed and this morning they seemed good and wet.   Then I heated a soup pot and browned 1 large chopped onion, two grated  carrots and a couple stalks of celery in olive oil.   I added two heaping spoonfulls of minced garlic, some red pepper flakes, chili powder and fried for a few minutes.   Added the beans, the another box  of beef broth and  one can of diced tomatoes.  

Then I decided it should go into the crock pot.   I cooked it on low for 7 hours, and about  5, added a can of corn and a cup of  small pasta shells that I boiled on the stove for a few minutes first. and turned the crock onto high for about an hour.

I put some soup in the bowls, topped with a little shaved parmesan cheese.

Oh. My.

My picky eaters are on thirds.    I was hoping that there would be enough for my lunch this week.   Guess not.

SCORE!

Slowly

Things are very slowly getting back to normal - or as close to "normal" as they ever are around here.   Some kind of bug came to visit the day after Thanksgiving and it has been a long and unwelcome visitor in this house.

While I was thinking about that I was thinking about this last year and the changes.   It all started when I quit a job I simply could not tolerate  anymore.   It took me a long time to realize I couldn't do it anymore and even longer to screw up the nerve to actually turn in my notice.     Getting screamed at in the middle of a busy sidewalk actually helped cement my decision to do it  on the spot.    But I digress.

Then I was semi-employed working for myself.   Then I temped for awhile.   I went back to school.   That comes and goes with the "going well" part of life.   Then because my husband decided to retire, I decided it was imperative that I go back to work.  I lost weight and gained it back.   My boy came home from Iraq and live has moved right along  quite swimmingly.

In the last 365 days the sun has come up a bit brighter every day, the little things in life don't send me right over the edge anymore, and I'm actually happy every morning.   Well, not this week, but that's cuz of the "houseguest" we've not completely evicted yet. 

Christmas is in a few weeks.   Nope, not ready yet except in my head, but will remedy that some this weekend.   Army boy will be home for a week, this semester will be done in a week - oye, and Stanley will be able to go out side again soon.

Three Things on Thursday

What three things am I thinking about today?

1.  We went to a funeral this morning the wife of one of DH's oldest friends passed away the day after Thanksgiving.  She was 58 years old.   Nita lit up a room whenever she went into it.   She was loud, funny and down to earth.   You knew where you stood with her and she never met a stranger who didn't become a friend.   Today as I was listening to the service and eulogy, it occurred to me that her family was truly blessed to have her for a wife, mom, sister, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandma.   All she ever wanted to be was a grandma.   I remember her talking about it when her kids weren't even teenagers yet.  

2.   How I really need to care more about what it is I'm doing and stop procrastnating, and be glad I'm alive and functional.

3.  It might snow this weekend :)    I know, some of you have more snow than you know what to do with or even want.   I'd like an inch or so thank you very much.

So apparently this cold and I are fighting over who will win.  Last night it tried to choke me.   Tonight I'm prepared.  I'm also tired, have a fever and cranky.   DH and DS have it too.   DS asked if I would fix him eggs  for dinner tonight.   In my mean mommy way, I said nope.  I'm sick too and my gift to the family while I'm sick is to not bite anybody's head off, but everyone is on their own.   And the house better not be trashed.

Got some great roving in the mail today.  FreckleFaceFibers out of California colorway Peony.   Mmmmmmmmmmmm, I'm spinning that up this weekend for sure.    I also got some three irish girls Edelweiss in a blue and green.   I may see if I can get either another skein or something that will go with it, it would make nice socks.  The box was waiting for me tonight and I opened it between work and going back out to school. 

And as a bonus for my day, CAP is extending her book club for two more weeks.   I got the book, started it but haven't gotten far along.   Gotta get busy here.

Not So Lazy Saturday

Okay, so got no knitting done yesterday, that's a bummer and something that will need to change today.

However, I did rake leaves.   Yipeeee.   And I got the gutters on the garage roof cleaned out, that hasn't been done for awhile and I'm not sure why.   Then I raked out the front garden.   Yesterday's high was about 50 degrees F.  The wind was blowing.   Our days of warm and balmy fall have been over for a few weeks.

I found this

Poor little flower is confused all warm under the leaves.  

Today it's a visit to the zoo.  Gotta stop and see the pandas for a ravelry friend.   I don't usually go over to that side, too crowded, but they've been doing a lot of construction since the last time I was there so it will be interesting to see what has changed in the last few years.  Sure wish the lion cubs were out but I hear they are still being kept out of the public eye.

Surviving Black Friday

Why/How do people  do it?   Why in the world would you get in line at 2 am in the freezing cold to save a couple of bucks?   Nope.  Not.  Interested.

I met an old friend for breakfast at IHOP, first time I think I've been to one of those in 2 years.   Then we went to Oak Barrel Winery in Delaplane, VA for a wine tasting and visit.   And score!   they had some crafters and vendors there for a mini shopping experience.   Jo bought some jewelry, I got another stone pan from Pampered Chef.  I don't "do" those home parties and had been wondering how to get another one, so I was sure to keep her card and now I can order directly from Darlene.   Can't wait for that to come, she said about a week to deliver. 

I've decided that I really don't like wine tastings.  The flavors all merge together and I feel rushed.   From now on, I'm just going to tell them what I like and then try a glass of what they recommend.   And really.   I'm cheap.  I'll admit that right off.   So it goes against most of what I believe in to spend over $25 for a bottle of wine.   There are just a lot of wines I like for way less.   And why do I feel pressured to buy a bottle of wine I really didn't love?   For $33?  

Anyway, I heard all about Jo's trip to Russia, now I want to go, and then all the family/kid issues, becuase we just don't get together that often anymore.  and she's become a runner.  She looks fantastic!   Makes me want to get off my lazy behind and get back into shape.   Since I've got to change my diet, I might as well start exercising again.  

So, with that in mind, I'm off to the back yard to rake leaves.  Should get 20 bags out of there today and then will be done for the season.  

Happy Thanksgiving

May you have a peaceful and relaxing day.   HAHAHAHA

Well, mine will be.   I looked at all the hundreds of sale ads and for a brief minute started plotting my shopping stragety.  Huh?    There isn't anything I really need.  Yea Me!  Well, I would like the WII board that is on sale for a rediculus price, but I think I'll see if I can get it on line for the same  price.   If not, then I'll pay an extra little bit and not deal with the crazyness of the stores tomorrow.   Or today.   It is cloudy and a little rainy here right now, but suppose to clear up around noon.    My sister and her family are arriving about 12 for lunch which I'm not stressed about.   I need to think about starting the bird though.   Why do I make turkey?  I don't particularly like turkey.   Tradition.  

Well, my tradition is to watch the parade and drink mimosas.    And knit.   Stanley doesn't have to sit on my lap anymore to have his colar off, he is suppose to keep wearing it for another few weeks until his cuts finish healing, but I take it off when I can watch him, and yep, he still messes with it, and the scab is kinda gone, but hey, he's a cat, and the vet said eventually he'll leave it alone.   My poor boy, but he is fine now, and we are all thankful.

Tomorrow it's breakfast with an old friend then we're off to a local vineyard for wine tasting.   I've never heard of this place before, so have high hopes.

Have a relaxing day. 

Miscellaneous Monday

And a fine day it is too.  I took care of a couple of pesky things at work.   Have more to take care of tomorrow.

I took an on line biology quiz I totally forgot about.   You get two tries, the first try I was at work without my books.   I got three answers right out of Eleven.   I came home, went to class, came back home, grabbed my notes, and aced the quiz.  Shame on me for delaying it.  I have started on the next paper, due in 3 weeks.   Get to go to the zoo for that one, hope the baby lions are out now :)

The Yarn Harlot wrote about the magic and therapudic properties of tea in the afternoon.   I'm wondering if that will help center me in my days more.   Think I will try starting tomorrow.  3:00 p.m. one hot cup of tea.   I have tea at work, I have tea at home.   I like hot tea at night, but for some reason never thought about trying a cup in the afternoon.  Will track my progress.

On the knitting front, I'm working on a pair of fingerless gloves should be done by the weekend, I finally found a colar I liked to finish off the central park hoodie I started last spring but decided I didn't want a hood on it.   Which I guess doesn't make it a central park hoodie anymore does it?   Will search for  the pattern with the colar I want on it (hope it's free) and maybe I can get that done too.

Secret  knitting still going on.

Keep your fingers crossed that Stanley's stitches come out tomorrow (or the few that are left) and he can quit wearing that colar around his neck.   We are ALL done with it.

Determination

Stanley is one determined kitty.  Monday I took him to the vet to have the drain tub removed from his let.   He got an extra antiobotic shot cuz the vet wasn't happy with how his leg was looking.   Said it would probably be fine, but you never can be sure.    She said he didn't have to wear the cone thingy on his heat anymore since the drain was gone, but as we were talking she said maybe it would be better to keep it on when no one was home.  

Apparently he has figured out how to stretch his leg enough to get at the stitches and most of them are gone.  Ewwwww

Now I have to cal tomorrow and see if they want to try again, or just leave it.  Next Tuesday he is suppose to go back to get this stitches out.   There's only two left.  Danm cat. 

New Sock Project

I'm working on a secret project to be revealed by end of year (maybe).

Tomorrow before I go to bed, I'm going to start socks for me out of this, just a plain vanilla pair since it's got the sparkly going on.

Stanley is feeling very sorry for himself and lets us all know.  I feel very sorry for him too.  Vet on Monday to take the tube out of his leg.   Then I hope we can take the stupid cone off his neck. 

Jack's nose is so out of joint it is almost up his butt. 

Stanley

I'm squemish.    I freely admit it.   I couldn't be in the same room when my kids got their shots.   They stepped on a piece of glass, dad had to get it out, or the neighbor (who fortunately was a nurse).  Splinter?   My theory is that it will work it's way out eventually.

My poor kitty got attacked by something yesterday.   We suspect the tom in the neighborhood finally got the best of them.  They hiss and spit at each other often.   The vet said she wasn't sure.   Stanley  has long hair, he is colored like a simese and has the trademark blue eyes that will cross.   He is a pretty boy.

Now he has no hair on his back right hindquarter.   He has a bunch of stitched, don't know how many cuz I can't look, but it's about 2 inches long, and he has a drainage tube.   That is gross.    And it comes out Monday.   So for the next four days he has to be confied to my son's room for the most part.   We let him out to eat and visit, and I take that stupid edwardian colar off so he can eat drink and get some love.   The rest of the time it has to stay on because I don't want any complications.

We'll not discuss the emergency room bill, but let me assure you that unil Wednesday, I would swear that I never would pay that much for my cat.

Santa

There has been a lot of talk in the last couple of days about Santa on Ravelry.   Believe or not believe.   Let the kids enjoy the fantasy or pop their little bubbles. 

This subject seems to bring out really angry people, complaining about commercialism, lying to children, santa brings expensive presents to rich kids and crap to poor kids because he doesn't care, etc. etc. etc.

People.   Really?  

What happened to the love and giving spirit of santa?   You can separate the religion an santa quite easily without being . . . well I'd best not say because surely that will really bring the wrath of someone pissed off person.



I always let the kids believe.   Apparently the pretended to believe because they though it made me happy.  Sigh.

Sock Knit Along

Shamless plug:

If you are a member of Ravelry, check out the Misty Mountain Farm group.   We are starting a KAL on January 1, 2011 to run the entire year.    One sock a month out of the Knitting More Circles Around Socks Book.   This book coincidently has 12 sock patterns in it.   It also features for one sock Blue Ridge Yarns.   For those unfamiliar with BBY, this dyer is the daughter of the owner of Misty Mountain Farm, who by the way has her own wonderful yarns.   Something different for the new year, prizes, yarn suggestions and of course you can use any yarn you want, even stash dive if necessary.    Because lets be honest, we've all got stash yarn, and some people have enough sock yarn to start their own shop.

So check the group out, tell all your friends, and join us on January 1st to make a it rockin good sock year!


And by the way, chaning time twice a year is such a silly idea.    What I find even more sillier is how people react to it.   In the fall it is all oh yea!   I get to sleep another hour.   Really?   Your body is gonna wake up when it wakes up, and for me, this morining it was 4:30 a.m.  That's okay cuz I love early morning when it is quiet and my brain works better.  I get quality knitting/spinning time in and can concentrate on things that I need to.

In the spring people seem to be freaked that they are losing an hour of sleep.   Really?   You're never gonna get that sleep again?   It's an hour.   And like the fall, you will pretty much sleep however much you need to.  And Benjamin Franklin kindly picked a Saturday/SUnday time switch so it isn't as if (for the most part) you have to be to work on Sunday at 6 am.   Unless of course you work at a restaurant or other establishment that opens bright and early to take care of those of us who are also up.    To those workers, I will give you my sympathy if you want it.    But since I'm up, why isn't everyone else? 

Oh yeah, cuz I like the peace and quiet.  

Of course none of this applies if you are a teenager.   They sleep all the time and don't care what the clock says.

Okay, so Jack's not up yet, but he is a teenager in cat years.

Happy Sunday!

Random Saturday

I actually slept in this morning.   Guess I was tired, and apparently Jack wasn't hungry becuase he was still curled up in my neck when I finally woke up.   7:22 a.m.   Unheard of.   So I had my coffee and checked the ads for sunday sales - it's DH's birthday tomorrow and of course I forgot so I'll need to get him something and make a cake.   

I got the yard raked front and back in two hours, by myself, 12 bags, score!    Of course DH pointed out that I did the middle and not all the edges but it looks way better and as soon as the rest of the leaves drop and we have to clean the gutters, and then do the edges.    Oh, Thanksgiving weekend will be so busy.    Yarn work and painting the diningroom ceiling.   FUN! 

And We'll Just Start Again

So, It's the beginning of another month, and how in the heck can it be November already?   Doesn't seem like November, but that could be because until last weekend, it was summer weather.  I think CAP has a great idea going about "checking in" the beginning of every month to assess how her last month went and what is in the plans for the next month.

Well, I don't want to copy her completely, but I was thinking about the past year just the other day.   This time last year, tomorrow to be exact, I quit my job.   A job I had had for 7 years.   A job I could no longer stand working with a woman who, well lets just say that I didn't understand her.   Or to be more precise I did actually understand her, I was just tired of being her wife.   By that I mean the one who made sure that her life ran smoothly 24/7.  

It was a scarry thing, quitting without another job to go to.   I temped for awhile.   I didn't work for awhile.   I temped some more, then I decided to maybe really look for a job.   It took about 4 months and I wasn't stressed/serious about it, would just send my resume to anything that looked interesting, and was close to home, and paid more than minimum wage.   And while I wasn't working I was learning to take back my own life.   I made sure to get up and dress every day, and I didn't watch TV all day, but I finally got the house in some semblance of order, laundry was done all the time, we ate good meals for dinner, and I wasn't crazed.   And shockingly, my phone did not ring night and day, day and night, and weekends too.   I could actually get a pedicure and not have my phone ring - score!

I started a full time job again in June, it was a bit of an adjustment, but I like it.   It is close to home, the people are nice - and for me that's sayng a lot because I don't really like people.  And I have benefits.   Including sick leave, personal leave and vacation.   Something I hadn't had in 7 years. 

Last weekend my husband and I were going somewhere and as I looked out the window I said "I'm happy"  just a random thought that came out of my mouth, but upon reflection quite true.   WHile yes, I work a regualar job, I have a regular income, I can knit when I want, I can go out with friends when I want, I can spend all night on the computer if that is what floats my boat.  I've found balance in my life again.  

I'm happy and life is good.

Happy Halloween

May all your dreams come true today :)

Recovery

So after all the hours of shopping, it was time for lunch.   Leslie and I had no doubt where we'd go, Blue Sky Cafe.   It is in Fletcher, and a true fine diner.  We got there at 2:00 p.m.    There were 4 people waiting in line ahead of us.   They said it would be about 30 minutes.   WHY were so many people eating lunch so late on a Saturday?   Nope.  No matter how good the food, and trust me it is REALLY good, we just weren't going to wait.   Not only were we starving, but we had dinner reservtions at 6:30.  So we stopped at the Fresh Market.   Got the best pre-made sandwiches, tried a new to us lentil chip that we must now track down in Virginia, .   We also got fresh made cranberry muffins for breakfast and pumpkin cupcakes for snack on the road.  oh. my.

Drove home to show mom our purchases and rest before dinner.  Which was devine.   There is a restaurant called Larkins in mom's little town.  Casual or fancy wear what you want, it doesn't matter, food is consistently good and they have great desserts.  Not too crowded for a Saturday night, which was a bonus, we took one of mom's friends with us.   She is the smartest woman I think I've ever met, she isn't intimidating about it, and just plain nice.  I'll tell you about her another time though.

                                                                    Winding yarn

mini spinning

the lunch that wasn't

                                                        driving back to the house



SAFF Part 2

Okay, so Monday I had to work, sleep and go to school.   Now that that is out of the way, here's the next leg of our weekend.   Going to SAFF.

We were suppose to leave at 8, grab some breakfast on the road and get there about 8:45 to sit in the parking lot and wait.   Well we were all tired Friday night, so we didn't get up until 7:30ish and then just lazed around not doing anything productive (except knitting) and didn't leave until about 8:30.  Fortunately the drive wasn't bad, since it was pretty much interstate the entire way.  There were only a few cars ahead of us to pay admission, and there was plenty of parking.  THAT was a bonus because we could get a spot in between the two buildings we wanted to visit.

First stop after the obligatory potty stop was to the SAFF booth to buy SAFF mugs.  Sold out.  HUH?   They sold out their mugs on Friday?   Most disappointing .  But I did buy a SAFF bag, which I quite love, so I guess that was good they ran out of mugs.   Then we went around the top of the arena.   If you've never been to SAFF they started in the arena where the horse shows and rodeos are.   Vendors set up around the top with enough room to walk, but once it gets crowded it is definately not handicapped friendly.  Some vendors set up in the stands where there is space.   And the spinners classes set up in the middle of the stands. 

Then there a ton of vendors in the bottom of the arena.   They just throw indoor/outdoor carpet over the dirt.  In the middle ,they corral off squares for classes.   It's kinda noisey and cold down there, but not too bad.  

Then we went to the out buiding where they have expanded their vendors.   Oh my the things we saw.    This was definately a roving event for me, I was finding much more of that that I loved as opposed to yarn.   But I did get some sparkly sock yarn for a new pair of socks for ME.  My friend visited all the dyers that she usually buys from on line.  SIlks, bamboos, merinos, oh my.

Driving West on US 26

Mountains of Western NC, what could be more perfect?

Here we are

Best sign of the day

2nd best sign of the day

Beginning of our journey

spinning class

To be continued tomorrow . . . .

Southeast Animal Fiber Festival

Well.    Since this is technically suppose to be a knitting blog, not a I forgot all about you or I'm feelin snarky blog, perhaps I should start making it about knitting again huh?

Last Friday I piled into my sister's van with our friend and off we went to Western NC for SAFF.  SAFF is technically Friday - Sunday, but since none of us got our acts together last winter while dealing with unusal amounts of snow, we forgot to sign up for classes.  So we were able to take that money and apply it to our shopping.  Score!    We are also fortunate with SAFF in that my mom lives about 20 miles from the fair grounds.   And she is a kind and wonderful mom who allows us to use her home as a hotel.    Of course, we took her out to most awsome dinner but more about that later.   And she doesn't go to SAFF anymore, decided the steps and walking just wasn't her thing.   Since she's 89 we don't argue.  

But we did take her to a Ravelry meet up at the Fairfield Inn on Friday night.   The hotel was kind enough to give us a meeting room for free.    The organizer told them to expect about 100 people, since last year there were about 80.   They gave us a room that held 40.    As Yarn Harlot has said, don't underestimate the power of knitters.  A good time was had by all, even if we had to be a little quiet to keep the noise level to a medium roar.  Door prizes were given out, some dyers donated their stuff, a couple companies donated.  

After a long day (I left at 5:30 a.m.) we put our weary heads down about 10:30, knowing it would be up and out the door by 8 am to sit in a parking lot and wait for the doors to open.

how pathetic is that?

Driving

Dirving

crossing the river

Ravelry meet up

Biology and Proscration and Knitting

I do want my degree.   I truly do.   I do not want to take biology.   I don't care about the differences in plant cells and animal cells.   I don't care why they divide.   I know that they divide.  I have first had experience with the egg splitting and giving me two identical little people.  But that's a story for a different day.

All I can focus on now is that I'm going to have to take another 16 weeks of biology starting in January and we're only about half way though this 16 weeks so how pathetic is that? 

I want to knit.   I need to knit.   I've committed to help run a sock KAL starting in January and going for one solid year.   One sock a month.  We already have prizes lined up.  It's gonna be awsome, and I'll talk more about that in November and December.  I'm doing some test knitting.   I also got a wild hair from somewhere and decided to complete the classes to become a master knitter.   My first year worth of stuff is due soon and I'm no where near done.

I need to buckle down and do it now.    So why am I in the mood to wash my windows?    Saturday when I had a biology paper to work on I cleaned my office and the family room.   True they needed it desparately, but not on Saturday.   I've been wanting to clean those rooms for over a year.  

Off to color in my cells and find two more answers.  

Stranger Danger

This is what hangs on the end of my purse:

Yep, its a voo doo doll.   I have several.  I think they are just cool, great and different.  And fun.   Rarely does anyone say anything about him.  In fact the only person who has ever mentioned him was someone I was having lunch with one day and she said "what is that"   Voo Doo Doll I replied.   She just looked at me and said okay.  I said I like him and he stays with me.  My purse sits on my desk sometimes.   No one says anything or notices.  

Okay, maybe I'm a little quirky.   I like being different.   I have a different persona for whatever the occasion calls for.   Sometimes I allow two to merge.  I behave and dress in a professional way at work.   I wear comfy leggings at home.   At a fiber event, I'm really happy wearing a long skirt.  I made a good hippie.   I was raised as a proper officer's daughter back in the day.   However my dad relished my uniqueness and encouraged it.   I felt lucky and blessed that he allowed me to forge my own path (as long as it was legal).  So yes, I have voo doo dolls almost one for every purse or knitting bag I carry . . . and I gotta get some more now that I think about it.

I was at the market at lunch time today grabbing something to scarf down.   The cashier saw my bag and reached out to touch and said what the heck is that?   A voo doo doll I replied.   He said why?   I said because I think they are great.   The woman behind me got a little upset.  He got a little upset and stepped back.    I looked at him and said they are not bad nor are they evil..   The lady behind me said  it was very strange and wrong.

I almost said thank you.  But I think that would have gone over her head.  They were still discussing the matter as I walked out.  

I also carry my keys on a lanyard that said bail bondsman on them with the 800 number.   One of our friends is a bail bondsman and I am glad to offer free advertising for him.   Plus it's bright orange and black so I find it amusing.  I get a lot of comments about my key chain.  People laugh and then ask why I would carry such a thing.   Why not?   It got your attention and I like it.

Every day just confirms to me that I need to move away from the city and people.  Yep, I'm sure there's gossip and pettiness and all the rest in a small town.   But on my land, I can sit on the porch and enjoy the silence and maybe if I'm lucky I'll become the weird woman who comes into town sometimes.

Taken Back my Life

So I finally got a clue and dropped one of my classes.     I knew I wouldn't get an A in it and am determined to be on the dean's list every quarter.   So I had to admit that I couldn't cram two hard classes into my full time job schedule, knitting, housework, family, etc life.    And I discovered that if I only read text books and not for enjoyment, and can't knit, I'm REALLY cranky.    My boss told me that if I had to take it at anothr campus next semester one afternoon to just sign up and do it.   How many employers tell you that?    Guess he's a keeper.

So now I'm working on studying extra hard for my first biology test this week.   I've got a lot to ctch up on, but know that I'll be okay.   I get some of it.   Some of it is actually interesting.   Some of it I will learn by sheer willpower.  

This is how I wish I was spending my rainy afternoon.

I'm so hosed

I spent this weekend doing everything I could to avoid homework and studying for a test on Thursday.   I'm an idiot.   Well, I'll scrape by but I'd hoped to do better.    Now I find that I've got a biology test in a week.   Hmmm, I've spent the last 4 weeks focused on economics.   Guess what I'll be doing next weekend?

Probably NOT studying biology if my track record keeps up.

Avast ye maties it's talk like a pirate day

So enjoy confusing everyone around you :)

A Day

This day started out so promising.   I got up early, enjoyed my coffee and newspaper, had a nice hot bowl of oatmeal, took a wool area rug outside to clean, visited with a neighbor for a few minutes - hard to believe her son is walking now, but he will be 1 next week so I guess that's about right.  Didn't get any studying done for the economics test done, which is bad, but got a few other things taken care of.    Did most excellent at the LYS and didn't shop for yarn only got the needles that I specifically went in to buy, and had a nice few minute visit.    Didn't buy yarn because there's a fiber fest. next weekend I'm thinking about going to and then SAFF in October.   Need to save up for that.

Then I thought I'd hop to the mall and buy something to wear to a wedding in October.   OMG.   It was worse than two days before christmas.   Why?   It wasn't terrible hot or cold outside, the sun was shining.  In fact all the ingredients were set for people to enjoy a day outside with their kids.   Soccer season in here, why, why, why were there so. many. people?    And children.   And teenagers roaming in packs?   Very unhapy experience.   I'm not a big mall shopper anyway.   At this particuar one there are only two or three stores I go into , they are relatively close together.   I go in.  I buy.  I leave.    But not today.   I tired on 6 outfits to wear to an afternoon wedding.   They were horrible. 

The only thing that made me laugh was the woman pushing a stroller.   She had on really tight light yellow shorts.   She also had on navy blue and white striped panties.   Wanna know how I knew?

National Creme De Menthe Day AND Girlfriends Day

Hmmm, seems these two events can be combined very well.   So today, while you're celebrating Girlfriends Day with all your sisters, be they blood, emotional or whatever, enjoy a nice bowl of ice cream with creme de menthe on top.

Wine and Spinning

No, they don't go together well for the most part.   I'm enjoying a glass of wine right now for a winery I checked out near my mom's house last weekend in Western NC.  They only sell bottles if you go to their shop but the wine tasting of 6 varities for $5 per person was reasonable, and we each bought 2 bottles.   That was after we were at anothr winery up the street where we paid the same price for 7 varities and got to keep the wine glass.   And we each bought 2 bottles.    A family who knits and drinks wine together stays together.

I spent the better part of today working on my spinning skills in silk and cotton.   I'm a mediocre spinner at best and can make great artyarn for which I am not trying to make.   I like the silk bells and hankies becuase I tend to be a very thin spinner, which means, I have a hard time making anything other than lace weight, but at least can ply it thicker.   So the silk is good for that, and I was fairly consistent.   But after awhile my hands got tired and I got sloppy.   Then there were blends.   Why I though it would be a good idea to spin bamboo I don't know.  I'm making a sample project for a dyer who gave me bamboo and I HATE IT.  It is too slippery and I've tried every type of needle available.   It makes me tired although it isn't leaping off the needles so much anymore.   And we tried some dying that was fun and while I'm color challenged, I think I did well.   When I find the camera, I'll take pictures.

September Is Banned Book Month

So go google the list, or check at your local library becuse some libraries post the list and pull the books and put them in a prominent place so that you can easily access those books for your reading pleasure.

Censorship is alive and well all over the world as we are painfully aware.    I think this weekend I'll be reading extra so that I can get at least one "unacceptable" book read.   I really wonder about those who think they can tell anyone else what to read or not read.   Really.   Fortunately my parents were very progressive for their time and encouraged me to follow my own path.   I probably read some stuff I shouldn't have until I was older, but that doesn't seem to have warped me as an adult.   Or maybe it did and I just don't know it.

Harry Potter made the list.  Hmmm, well I won't read the books becuase I've seen the movies.  But maybe the Chocolate War by Robert Cormer, what can be better than reading about chocolate?   Yeah, I'm sure there's more to it than that, but that's the kind of reader I am, if the title catches my attention, it goes on the lets give it a try list.    Sorta like the way I buy wine, if the label is pretty, I'll get a bottle to try.

Fanny Hill, haven't read that in a long time.  
The Kite Runner, have that on my list already anyway (banned?)   hmmm.  
The Awakening.   Actually I'm starting that this week because my daughter is reading it for a history
    class and having trouble, so I told I'd read it too and help her out.  score.   
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.   Nope.  Everytime I hear that, Jack Nicholson's face pops into
    my head. 
East of Eden, read it, saw the movie. 

Happy reading!

Brain Hurt

My brain just plain ole hurts.   I signed up for classes.   One is an 8 week condensed class.   Everyone (almost) said oh, you shouldn't do that.  I said meh, it's economics.   I live economics, how hard can it be?    Don't. Even. Ask.   And it wouldn't be so bad if the instructor was consistent in what she said when explained things.    She'll say something, we'll all right it down, then someone will ask her to say it again, so she does.   Except she says something different.    Sometimes it's just the words she jumbles around.   Once it was completely opposite what she said the first time.   Some girl called her on that.  So, I know what I did wrong on my first test, and I know that I'm not understanding her too good, but I've only got 5 weeks left.  I'm not quiting. 

Biology isn't really THAT hard, the instructor says "okay" a lot which really drives me nuts, but he tries to make it fun, I think that a lot of the students are under the assumption that he's an easy teacher.   He may be, but he still expects you to be in class on time, not wonder out of the class during lecture and how hard it is to remember not to wear flip flops to school on lab night?   Really.   It truly is to protect your feet when something gets dropped.   

Okay, back to studying.

The Great Wheel Debate

Well, I decided a few weeks ago that I really wanted a great wheel.   Don't know why I've wanted one for a long time though.   I found a couple on Craigslist near my mom, so when I came down to check up on her I went to look at one.   When I inquired of the guy selling it if it was in working order, he said well I think so.    it's old and has a great history.  I noticed he wanted 350 on his August listing, but then he had put it on line in July and only wanted 300.  I figured I could offer a little less, then pay the 300 if it was a go.

  Sooooooooo, I went to see my local  spinning guru at Misty Mountain Farm to get some quick tips on what to look for and how to use a great wheel.   I felt ready.   So we treked 20 miles frm mom's and were just on the outskirts of the apple festivel traffic.    SO glad I hadn't planned on being in that particular town I had no idea it was apple festival weekend and oh my, was it crowded. 

Anyway, got to the guy's house, walked in his living room, there in the corner in all it's glory was a great wheel.   From 50 feet it looked good.   I noticed the spindle was missing.   Hmmm, I had brought some cotton and roving to try it out, and I figured he wouldn't have a drive band on it.   Nope, he didnt.   He didn't have all the parts either.   Then I started looking at the wheel, there were splinters and patches, then when I got another angle, there ws a hole in the wheel that would have caught the drive band every time until I cracked the hole all the way through.    I was looking, looking for any redeming value, and he says it's really old, and should have great history.   I guess it wasn't anyone's wheel that he actually knew, he just figured it was old and therefore had history.   Well yes, I suppose that would be true.

I told him I was looking at another one in the afternoon and I'd get back to him.    Abut 20 minutes after we left, I got a text message from him saying he had found a spindle on line, the same color and period, and it wasn't very much he'd be glad to help me get it if I wanted him to.     Yeah, no thanks.

I then reasoned in my own very special way, that while I WANT a Great Wheel.   I NEED a drum carder, and I'd LIKE a wolliewinder.   So instead of getting something I truly don'thave time to deal with right now, and don't need, perhaps it would be wiser of me to get the things I DO need and have immediate use for?

Wow!   There's a concept isn't it?

Happy National Toasted Marshmallow Day

And that should say it all shouldn't it?  

Guess what's on the table tonight.

Homework Guidelines

College study guidelines recommend that you study three hours at home for every hour of class you have.   Seriously?   That would be 33 hours a week for me.   I've been cramming it in in 15 minute slots here and there.  In the morning with my coffee, at lunch instead of reading The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo and I Really want to finish that.  At night after class and this weekend I studied, cleaned, studied, did laundry, studied, bought food for the week, studied, oh, and then I went out to Misty Mountain Farm and played with yarn for a few hours.   Because a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.    I knitted for the first time in a week Saturday morning from 6 to 7 am while watching the Outer Limits and drinking coffee.   I don't really miss television because A it's a huge time sucker and B there is never anything interesting on.  Except NCIS on Tuesdays and I'm home from school before it starts, made sure of that on my schedule.   And how pathetic is it that I enjoyed the Outer Limits?  

Well the crazy schedule only lasts 8 weeks, then it gets a little less crazy . . . .

Rude Inconsiderate People

Don't you hate it when someone opens their mouth and nasty crap just spills out.   Not bad word nasty crap, but speaking without thinking, no control switch, diarrhea of the mouth crap. 

Well that was me on Thursday night. 

I wasn't thinking, I was annoyed and pissed and tired.   No, there is no excuse for it, and had I said it to my sister or close friend, she would have understood where it came from, maybe slapped at me a bit to remind me that I'm not all that special and then it would be done. 

But no.   I said it to a relative stranger.   An on-line friend who hadn't had time to become a friend yet.  And I've thought of nothing else for the past two days.

So now I need to go suck myself up some balls and humble pie and apologize.

I hate being a grown up sometimes.

Go Read The Yarn Harlot

From: Elisabeth G. MacNamara

Subject: Happy Women's Equality Day!
To:
Date: Thursday, August 26, 2010, 8:34 AM

Dear Louise,

Happy Women's Equality Day!

It's hard to believe that just 90 years ago, on August 26, women defeated overwhelming opposition to win the right to vote.

The League of Women Voters - founded the same year - celebrates this historic milestone by promoting greater civic participation and healthy debate on the issues that matter most to our nation and our communities.

This Women's Equality Day, we take time to recognize not only the historic 19th Amendment, but the tremendous progress we've made over the last 90 years in expanding and protecting voting rights. Generation to generation, the work of League supporters like you has been a testament to the incredible legacy of the 19th Amendment.

And today, as we approach the November midterm elections and face new and even greater challenges as a nation, the League believes that the hands-on work of an engaged citizenry can and does lead to civic improvement at all levels of government.

Spread the word about the League's Women's Equality Day celebrations. Send a personalized League e-card to your friends and family reminding them of this important day and telling them about the League's important work.

Ninety-one years ago, as victory seemed imminent for the 19th Amendment, Carrie Chapman Catt proposed the founding of the League of Women Voters to "finish the fight." For 90 years, the League has kept that promise alive for each coming generation. Today, as a League supporter, you have the opportunity to continue to make a profound, direct and positive impact on the issues that matter most to our community and the generations to come.

Sincerely,

Elisabeth MacNamara

President, LWVUS

P.S. How are you celebrating Women's Equality Day? Please visit our Facebook page and tell us about your plans.



League of Women Voters
1730 M Street NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-429-1965

I Can Do This

Mid-Week.   School started Monday, so I've had each class one time.   Last night I came home at 7:15 and was in bed by 9:00.   This morning I didn't want to get up.    But it's only 8 weeks of this crazy schedule and I can do it.  I know I can.  I can't be tired forever can I?  Naw.   Next week will be easier.

Biology lab is tonight after lecture . . . we'll see how THAT goes.    There's a kid who sits behind me and wants to be a dentist.   I want to be his lab partner.   He can just carry me along.

Economics is pretty basic.   I was a little worried about a liberal arts teacher teaching it, but she seems okay, and I can actually understand her most of the time.   However the shy little girl who sits next to me?   Not so much.   She has an accent which in and of itself isn't necessarily a problem, but she speaks in whispers.   She gives an answer, the instructor says exactly.   Huh?   exactly what?

My New Career

I have now decided that in addition to my full time work at a community college I need to offer services on the proper attire for students.

Today was the first day of the semester.   We are a pretty big CC and have a huge international student population.   We are very proud and excited about all the countries represented.    We're also proud of our surfer dudes, goth population and geeks.

Today however, I saw a girl I'm sure was attending for the first time.   She was wearing:

Shocking pink mary jane pumps
Shocking pink anklet socks with doubel rows of lace trim
A white mini skirt
Pink (I think) tank top with pink tulle wrapped around her upper body in some sort of top
A white mini pillbox/tophat with white tulle and feathers perched at a jauntly angle on her head.

I had to cut through two buildings before I could bust a gut and let it out.   Unfortunately I was laughing at her and am wondering how many other people will do the same.   I know, I know, you can't judge a person by how they dress and I grew up in the '60s so lets just not go there shall we?  

However, I always told my children especially when they were starting a new location, dress/behave as you intend to continue. 

Perhaps I can offer a summer weekend  course in proper attire.

Work, Work, Work

Becuase for some reason I seem to be able to procrastinate on anything that needs to be done in a timely manner so that I will be relaxed and ready today I am taking care of all the little things that need to be done before school starts Monday.   I announced last night that "tonight is the last free ride night"   That means, if you're in the kitchen it better look the same way when you leave as it did when you came in.    I will be sure there is food available, you'd best feed yourself and be neat about it.    Of course the cat's weren't impressed.    I have pretty finger nails and toe nails, I forgot to go get eyebrows shaped, but I have bangs so it really doesn't matter.   I was thinking about a massage, but will save that one for September when I'm tense and need to relax - because often times I bite off more than I can chew.

I've been doing the chapter questions in one of my text books.  WHAT exactly was I thinking?  Oh yeah, I know.   I need to get this done for the satisfaction I will feel in the end.   Yeah.  Right.   Then I remember a guy at work.   He has a degree.   He's been a certified licensed architect for 17 years.   Yet he can't run a project, successfully pull a permit, or get the simplest of things done.   I asked someone if it was because maybe he had a "problem" and just wasn't wired to do these things or was he just plain stupid?   Answer, a little of both.

SO, not only have I explained to daughter that we will be on dean's list ever semester we are in school, but now I've got to rethink someof my "elective" classes and be smarter than the "bewiched guy".  

In the mood for ice cream, and since I don't think I have enough milk, will go make some lemon sorbet, becuase I have lemons that need to be used today or else . . . . wander if the ABC store is still open.

Derek Farley - Hero

I could have spent today writing about some inane and silly topic, and was getting ready to when I heard about Derek Farley.  

Having a son who was in Iraq until recently, I can well relate to the fear and admiration his parents have for him.   It is a fine line that parents of soldiers walk.   When we share our fears and sadness we are met often times by those who try to cheer us up, tell us get over it, he/she will be back or tell us that this is a war we shouldn't be in or some other inane statement.   Parents of soldiers stick together because we know what it's like.  You don't just get over it. 

Words cannot express my sadness at the news of Derek's death.   Nor can I put into words my admiration for the bravery his parents are demonstrating right now. 

You are a Good Man Derek and you will live on in the lives of many.

Age

A few years ago I had an acquaintance whose mother joined the Peace Corps.   She went to China for a year.   She was 85 years old.   I thought that was the most wonderful thing I had heard and said I wanted to be just like her when I grew up . . . I was approaching my 50th birthday.   So I started eating better, exercising more, that one has fallen by the wayside a bit, and decided while I may not want to go to China with the Peace Corps when I'm 85, I want to know that I can.   I at least want to be able to get down on the floor easily and play with any grandchildren that might come along in the future . . . pleasedeargod not too soon though.

Why is it that we continue to believe old people need extra help?   I know some are very frail and do, but just because you look old and sound old doesn't necessarily mean you FEEL old.  And don't get me started on the people who shout at the elderly and call them "hon". 

I was walking back to my office today after lunch and an elderly woman was asking a student how to get to the bus for King Street.   He didn't know.   So I told her walk down this way, go to the main road and the bus stop is right there on your right.  I'm not sure which bus she needed but that was her only option and they all go that direction, she may have needed to change buses, unless she meant the subway station, then she was good.   She said thank you very much and off she went with a smile on her face.   It wasn't terribly hot today, she was dressed correctly and had a wide brimmed straw hat on.   It is maybe a 5 minute walk if you're not in a hurry. 

I almost went to find my car and drive her.   Then I rembered my vow and  reminded myself that just because you are "old" you aren't helpless.   She seemed to have all her facilities about her and seemed perfectly capable of taking the bus which will go straight down to where she needs to be.

I've been reading CLEAN because I've wondered about a detox diet or plan that doesn't include taking a punch of pills or having water "flushed" through your system.   Now I just need to pull myself up and get brave.   I'm going to start with the pre-detox plan and while I'm not positive I can do an entire three weeks, I know I can do one week of the plan.  Maybe two.   

Let the juicing begin.

So, I've apparently taken a blogging break.   Didn't really mean to, and I sabotaged myself by saying silently, I should write every day even if it's stupid rambling.   The best way to get me to NOT do something is to say I'll do it.   I need to practice better reverse psychology.

So, for Wednesday . . .

School starts for me in a week and I must be insane to think I can take two classes - one being a condensed version that will be done in 8 weeks - which is the part I like.   The other is biology.   I haven't taken biology since sometime in the . . . well just after christ was promoted from a corporal.   But in order to improve my mind and get a whole 4 year degree it is a necessity. 

The economics class scares me a little, not so much becuase it's economics and not really a "math" class . . . which I also have to take several of, but becuase when I got on line to the site rate my professor this one didn't show up.   So I checked rate my college and then looked for the professor, she still didn't show up.  So then I looked her up on the college web site.   She's a liberal arts teacher.   WHAT does that mean?   has she ever taught this class before.   Does she know anything about it?   So will it be lectures and lots of tests?   Lots of papers due?   Group projects (pleasedeargodno) 

Well, gotta take it.   The only other way to take it is at a different campus and traffic just sucks in this area so why would I sit in traffic for a couple of hours to get to a class I can take 3 miles from home?    

Will have to keep everyone posted on this one - and now that I've said it, you may hear from me about it when I graduate - HA