Ramblings from the Lair

2011: The Odyssey Begins

2011-01-05T16:21:00.003-05:00

My year has started out on a roller coaster. The good part: I was told today that someone misses seeing my articles in the paper, that he enjoys my writing style. I cannot begin to express how much that meant to me...

The bad part: still waiting on the okay for my financial aid to go back to college. And today found out that my state aid income will be non-existent for three months... so my only income will be from the writing (which there isn't much being done, unfortunately) and the occasional sale of the odd knit or crochet item...

Concentrating on the good part.

The Things We Take For Granted

2010-10-11T20:02:00.001-05:00

My Adventures With Wild Cherry Bark

2010-09-09T14:51:00.003-05:00

Ah, the joys of crafting.

I started to knit my sister's birthday present last night. Started out with my size three dpns. All went well, until I noticed that it was turning out way larger than it needed to be... oops, different weight of yarn than called for in the directions. No problem. Frog the first row (all that I had done at that point, glad I was paying attention!), do some mental math (grind teeth, find whiskey, give up and figure it out on paper, pray to Minerva that I calculated correctly), and cast on again.

OK, it's going great, everything is perfect. Now I get to where I change to size 5 dpns. Bear in mind, it's about 2 AM-- if you can't sleep, do something useful. I get out the package of size 5s, start to knit, and realize that there are only three needles in this set.

Now, if you have never used dpns, here's the reason I flipped: you knit x number of stitches on three needles, making a cute little triangle. But to do this, you need a fourth needle to knit the stitches. Ergo, I was fubarred. Flummoxed. Flipped out. I couldn't just run to the LYS (Local Yarn Store, to you non-crafters)-- it's 2 AM! And even if I had wanted to waste the gas to go to Wal-Hell, their craft department is under-stocked (evil Wal-Hell) and the chances of finding the size I needed were slimmer than Cher. I could just put the knitting away-- hahahahaha! Yeah, right!

But the little voices in my head, they are smart. "Lyn," they said, "what is a dpn, but a stick with modified points on the end? Can you not find a substitute somewhere in your craft supplies? Can you not-- listen, Lyn, this could work-- can you not use a size F crochet hook in place of the fourth needle?" After all, it isn't like the points have to be sharp, just pointy enough to slip between the yarn and make a stitch. The end of a crochet hook would work, and a dpn doesn't need to be pointy on both ends, as long as there is nothing blocking the end of the needle to keep the stitches on. So I whipped out the trusty hook, said a quick "pleeeeeease" to the heavens, and tried it.

Glorioski, it actually worked! Takes a bit of concentration, especially if you are a tight knitter (guilty), and the wider spot on the center of the hook handle is irritating when you are sliding yarn along, but IT CAN BE DONE. So thus I knit on Sis's present until about 3, then finally got to sleep.

I debated buying more dpns, because that wide spot on the hook is irritating, but I hate the idea of spending money for a whole set of needles when I really only need ONE. So this afternoon while calling the wide spot dirty names, I decided: I'm in Battle Creek anyway, I'm only a few blocks away from the Charitable Union, it won't kill me to go there and spend 50 cents for a set of size 5 dpns. Providing they had any. Knowing how the knitting needles do not always stay organized, I brought my trusty needle-sizer with me to be sure I didn't end up with a 4 or 6 (shoot, I could do that at home!). I ended up volunteering to sort the dpns and label them, because after the fifth set of needles with three different sizes, I was getting way more irritated than the hook made me feel! They were more than glad to let me organize them.☺ (A non-profit organization accepting volunteer help -- Ya THINK?!) So I spent a happy hour, sizing needles and sorting them into sets. Sadly, some of the sets only had three to a set, but there were also three sets that only had ONE needle to them. There was ONE size 8 dpn, one size 7, and one size 6! Happily, there ended up being TWO sets of size 5, so I bought one set and left one set for someone else (I am so generous! ☺)

And bought more yarn.

Then, I asked what their needs are for charity knitting (if anyone is interested, they need mittens, lots of mittens, preschool to adult size), since I have them on my list for charity knitting this Yule season and I thought it would be nice to make something they can really use, rather than just make something and hope it fit a need somewhere. As a result, I left with a bag of yarn for free, to make mittens for them. On top of what I had bought for my own use. I'm just glad that my daughter doesn't read this blog, and hopefully she won't notice the two bags in the back seat of the car... apparently, the mis-informed young woman (at 21 I can't call her a child, I guess) thinks--- ready?--- that I have too much yarn already. Yeah, right! That's like having too much money, or too many books. Or in her and her sister's cases, too many shoes and purses.

Ha. I win.

Back to my knitting!

Happy ☺

2010-08-20T14:34:00.003-05:00

Last Christmas I knitted approximately six billion pairs of mittens and matching hats. Well, it certainly felt like that many!

Some were for charities, local and kind-of-local; some were for my family's kids, and some were for Old Man's family's kids.

Yesterday we were visiting his niece and her family, and I was knitting a pair of mittens for the Headstart kids at Pine Ridge Reservation. I asked her son (who is going into kindergarten) to try them on for size, since I was knitting from memory-- and my memory isn't always the best! His sister (above)-- who is going into first grade, holy cow!-- pipes up with, "I love my mittens, Aunt Lyn!" The ones I had made her for Christmas last year...

She got a humungous hug! While inside my heart was going all wishy-washy happy-dance.

That's what keeps me going when I wonder "why am I doing all this again???"

Another Great Night of Karaoke ♫

2010-07-10T01:00:00.002-05:00

A picture is worth a thousand words (and a pitcher is worth $5). Jeff knew when I walked in the door of the bar and said "Give me your drink"-- he just knew that I had made him a cozy. Smart man, he knows me pretty well! At least, he is pretty accurate at predicting my actions... (first clue, if you think, "she'd never do :: that ::"--- I probably will...!!!)

Ah, the joys and thrills of an evening at the Pioneer! Only one more week until Friday night! ☺

100

2010-06-26T14:01:00.002-05:00

crap. this is my 100th post, and what is it about? how shitty i feel today. why am i not surprised. and who cares anyway.

frog it. i'll take some pain meds -useless- and take a nap. thats about all i'm good for lately.

WWKIP: World Wide Knit In Public Day

2010-06-21T17:08:00.003-05:00

Saturday, June 19 was World Wide Knit in Public Day. Around the world, knitters and crocheters gathered to work their yarny goodness where all and sundry could watch.

I wasn't able to attend the KazooYarnies group gathering in Kalamazoo, due to a family reunion scheduled for the same time in Coldwater. BUT-- I did knit at the reunion, and later that night at karaoke in Union City. So, I had my own worldwide KIP day, sort of!

This is me. This is me knitting.
This is me knitting at the Pioneer in Union City.This is public.

This is me knitting in public.

Hope all my yarny pals had lots of fun on WWKIP Day!

Short one.

2010-05-26T11:33:00.002-05:00

John the Baptist. Now there's someone who had trouble knitting!

So as bad as things get, they could always be worse; at least I'm not John the Baptist.

Stupid Picture of the Day

2010-04-17T02:25:00.003-05:00

People actually need to be told this?

Of course you shouldn't put small children in plastic totes!

There wouldn't be enough room for the yarn stash!

DUH!

Jenny's on Ravelry now!

2010-03-29T17:03:00.002-05:00

Yep, I have brought another to the yarn side... (Actually, she has been a knitter/crocheter since I have known her, thanks to her Mom being a 4H leader) but now I have led her to the Knirvana that is Ravelry (free patterns!).

I also introduced her to the gift shop at Charitable Union, where they sell not only beautiful hand-made items, but also hooks, needles, threads, yarns, craft kits, patterns, books.... you get the idea. At thrift-shop prices, no less. While I picked up a copy of "500 Full-Size Patchwork Patterns" by Maggie Malone (hardcover, $2) and a couple of quilting magazines, and an almost-full skein of yarn, and an antique crochet hook, all for just under $5, Jen found some embroidery kits ($3 each, in original packaging, never opened) and other goodies; then we crossed the street to Kricketts where we both found excellent deals (of course, it's Krickett's for crying out loud!),and finally, across Calhoun Street to BC Burgers. The Calhoun Corner Triple-threat, as I like to call these three stores. Oh yeah, major hat trick there at Calhoun and Franklin Streets in Battle Creek! Yarn, used books, and the best burgers in three counties. Trifecta!

Yep, another convert. I'm happy. {grin}

Best of all, because of the proximity to KCC we were able to do all this and still get back to campus in time to finish up our work for our classes. With time to spare. And get the best parking spot in the lot! Woot!!

Queue Update

2010-03-29T02:47:00.002-05:00

My Ravelry queue is up to 340, not counting the patterns in my library that I didn't add because I have the pattern so can make them anytime without having to figure out where did I find the pattern online....

That really does make sense, if you're a Raveler!

Also updated my projects list a bit, so I have pix of (some of) the stuff I have made over the years. Even added pix of the people they were made for, when I had one. I have so many more photos, that I can't add, because they are either quilts or things I have sewn. Which doesn't quite fit into the Ravelry protocol, but I don't mind. I have my notebook (somewhere in here) with pix of everything (that I have pix of)...

And am getting OF to keep track of what he's made in the quilting arena; recently bought him a nice little pocket photo album to keep his quilt pix in to take with him. (I got tired of running back home to get the latest quilt top because someone wanted to see.) Also set him up a page on FaceBook, so he can post his pix there and have access to them later. And show them off to everyone....

Us Girls went out for karaoke Friday night. Again, some people should be given microphones with dead batteries (flashbacks to Colorado Springs).... but all in all, had a good time. Took (very dark) videos of the girls singing. Now to get the camera card and see if they can be edited to actually show the person in them... Again, I did not sing. Except at the table. With no mike. And learned that head-banging to AC/DC is just not the same when you have short hair.... [sigh]

And found out that I *am* smart enough to add "drink recipe" when googling Screaming Orgasm. (I was too chicken to try it without the modifier... I *really* don't want to know what I might find. I'm still reeling from the Puppetry of the Penis book!)

Started the doll that I promised to make for Nitia, at the bar during the singing. Had to quit when I needed both hands to cover my ears a few times, but got a darn good beginning on it. Now to get'm done. Should be interesting..... making a few slight modifications to the pattern so that it will look like her favorite character from Clerks. Progress reports will be issued-- when I have progress to report.

OK, now everyone get over to e-bay and bid on the stuff that etroll has up for auction!

Blah blah blah...

2010-03-23T08:42:00.002-05:00

Woot!! Taxes are done!

Bummer... Homework isn't.
What in the name of all that is holy and sacred made me think that I could handle a full course load of college work?

At least I got the baby blanket done in time for Essence's baby shower (more or less... got it done in time for the gift giving, even though I was half an hour late getting there because I was going to get it finished first come heck or high water). Waiting on Rose to email me the photos of the finished item. Until then, all I have on Ravelry is a photo of the beginning. At least it shows all the colors...

This makes three Otterwise patterns that I have managed to complete. The first was Wild Cherry Bark Mitts, then I made a Corydalis cowl for my mom, and finally the Wave Baby blanket. I love Diana's patterns, they are easy to make but look difficult. (Not hard; see, Mrs. Waligora, I *am* paying attention in English class!) Next in line is another pair of WCB Mitts for my sister, then after some baby stuff for Essence (actually, for her soon-to-be-born daughter, Sacred), either the Farrow Rib Set or the Cloud on Her Shoulders Shawl. I only have 187 items on my Ravelry Queue... not counting the horse sweater pattern that I need to get from Dusty, so I can make for ---- someone---- (I don't know if that person reads this, so I have to behave and not spill the beans just yet).

OK, off to the post office and the library. Might get some of that homework done today...

Ravelry is Da Bomb!

2010-01-30T15:41:00.002-05:00

WHOO HOO!

I made this sweater for my then SIL back in the early 80s. Of course now I have no idea where the pattern is, and I want to make another for someone (not a SIL). Well, thanks to Cindersall on Ravelry, I will now be able to make it again!

She was the only person to find the correct pattern (everyone else pointed me to Mary Maxim), and it is truly amazing because she is currently in EGYPT of all places, and this pattern is in the only old copy of McCalls that she brought with her! With the knowledge of not only what magazine, but what ISSUE, it was, my beloved Diana was able to find a copy on ebay. So now I am just waiting on the mail, as I can't even set aside the knitting needles until I get it because I don't know what size to use.

This was the first time I ever did knitting in the round, which is one of the main reasons that this pattern stuck in my mind. Also my first intarsia. And my first Fair Isle. (Um, bite off more than you can chew, much?) But I somehow managed to not only finish it, but to not hate knitting afterward. Pretty amazing, considering my lack of patience back then (yeah, I have SO much of THAT now!!!).

I can't wait to start this again! (In different colors this time.... just to be different, because that's how I am).

In reply to Otterwise's Rounding Out Thursday :-}

2010-01-22T12:37:00.002-05:00

Snort. Giggle. Fall on floor laughing.... someone had WAY too much fun making this video!
HAPPY FRIDAY! :-}

Kitten Mittens 1

2010-01-21T11:32:00.003-05:00

I can't help it, I just keep hitting REPLAY and snurkling every time the poor kitty falls off the table. Bet he lands on his feet! OK, I snurkle while the kitty walks, too.... how can you not?

I know that if I tried this with our cat, I would need stitches... instead, I am IN stitches!
I gotta watch this one more time!

Happy happy joy joy!

2010-01-12T11:03:00.003-05:00

Got my new stitch markers today from http://lizswares.blogspot.com/ and they are of course, absolutely gorgeous.... the attached photo shows which ones I got (also the large crystal ones in the top corner).

Now to decide which ones I can part with (hahaha) to send on to a certain favorite knitmeister (knitmeistress???).... would share some with Leslie, but that would be sending coals to Newcastle as her daughter Erin makes them to sell on Etsy as well..... I can't wait to get a DECENT pair of needlenose pliers so I can make all the ones I have started collecting beads for......... found the eye-pins and others at Dollar Tree, just love to save that coinage...

almost makes up for having to deal with the quack doctor this afternoon, if I don't end up going in the opposite direction to take the boy to HIS doctor (who is actually intellgent)... hoping that a day of rest and food will heal him up, he fell in gym yesterday and could barely walk by the time he got home (good thing he took the bus from the afterschool program)... I really wish the legislature would do something useful for once and ban dodgeball and any games involving a dodgeball!!!!

Photos: Best of 2009, first favorite of 2010

2010-01-08T03:21:00.010-05:00

Some of my favorite photos from 2009...

And my first favorite photo of 2010!

2010-01-03T08:49:00.002-05:00

While I usually am offended by the term "retarded" when used in a derogatory fashion, I couldn't stop laughing at this video.... My favorite part: Spoiler Alert. Sit back, relax, and laugh!

Silent Monks Hallelujah Chorus

2009-12-24T04:55:00.001-05:00

more about "Silent Monks Hallelujah Chorus", posted with vodpod

I'm Baaaack!

2009-12-22T01:07:00.005-05:00

While I haven't been writing on THIS blog for way too long, I *have* been writing: blogs on Myspace, blogs on the Community Unlimited site, newsletters for Community Unlimited, articles for the local newspapers and the Senior Times.

And once in awhile, an actual letter to my family in Georgia!

Currently, my big time-users are knitting Christmas presents for George's great-nieces and great-nephews; knitting presents for my friends and family; reading new murder mysteries (currently hooked on Maggie Sefton and Madlyn Alt).

On occasion, I can even be found washing dishes...
Rare occasion.

Hopefully in 2010 I will keep this updated better!

Quilt Tale

2008-10-13T12:42:00.003-05:00

Last week a long-time family friend passed away from cancer. But one good thing happened at the visitation....

When her youngest daughter was pregnant I made this baby quilt for her. If you know me, I tend to go overboard on baby quilts when it comes to size; I feel that if I am going to spend that much time making it, then the child should get more than a few months of being able to use it! I do NOT make itty-bitty baby quilts! Well, this quilt tale shows why.

The first thing her mother said when she saw me was, "She still sleeps with the baby quilt that you made her."The baby's name is Cindy, and I finally got to meet her at the visitation for her grandma. Her mother introduced me as "this is the lady that made your baby quilt that you still sleep with." I got a hug from the THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD and a thank you! It seems that it is her pride and joy. I can't tell you how warm and fuzzy that made me feel! After all this time, for her to not only still have it, but to still cherish it. Doing the happy dance, y'all.... And apparently it is still in good condition, even after MULTIPLE washings. So, I did good. After that moment, I decided to not hang up the needles just yet.... still have some love to share.

Incidentally, that's my youngest daughter (now known as Amanda) holding the quilt for display. In the other photo that I can't find here at the library, she and Alae are holding it together so that you can see the actual size. This one was more for detail. Amanda is now a senior in high school, so looking at this photo really brings back the memories.....

Fuzzy fuzzy joy joy. Gives me faith that I will be able to finish the Super Quilt that I have planned...... and that it will be worth the needle-stabs.

I'm Baaaaack!

2008-05-19T13:55:00.004-05:00

Wow, with all the excitement of the NEW APARTMENT I didn't realize how long since I have posted!

We are all moved in now, still plenty of boxes and bags to sort out and figure out the placement of their contents. But have movies on the shelf, books on the shelf, and some of the knick-knacks on the shelf. All different shelves, that is one really nice thing about the apartment, plenty of shelves and closets and hidey-holes. (I even have a Harry Potter room in our bedroom). Plus with the shelf units we brought from the old hole, I mean home, lots and lots of space for display.

Less than a month there, and yesterday I felt the need to rearrange the bedroom furniture. Can you say "NEVER AGAIN," children? Wouldn't have been so bad had we not had to work around unpacked boxes. Would have been much worse without my brother there to help with moving the bed! And all the other moving he helped with...

Thanks also to John (picture to be posted later when I find what safe spot I put the digital camera in)... for lifting, for driving, for the new tv stand, and especially for my famed Half Coffee Cup that I have been looking for ever since my folks sold the restaurant back in the late seventies! Will post a picture of that one too..... eventually.....

But the best house-warming gift of all was a visit from my bestest friend in this and any other universe! Diana and her hubby Oscar drove all the way from Ypsi to see me. Yes, I finally got to meet the famous Oscar, and I approve of him. (grin) In spite of some hormonal issues from my oldest, a great time was had by all. This is the first time I have seen Dusty in person since before I was pregnant with my son, so it was a visit long looked forward to! And worth the wait.... although I hope it won't be another thirteen years before the next visit! I love my Diana, she is the true Google Goddess. Even when she wasn't around, she has been a cornerstone of my life.

The kids are home from the dreaded foster care, Liam has his own room (being the only boy, he gets the special treatment). Ruthi (now going by Amanda) and Alanda have to share a room. This is not the best idea in the world, but it's only a three bedroom apartment. And I am NOT sleeping in the living room with a perfectly good bedroom downstairs that is big enough for my beautiful BED (thanks again, Katrina!!). They will live; they shared a room when they were much younger and survived. And they get the biggest bedroom, which is just about big enough to be two bedrooms. So they have plenty of space (they would argue with that statement!), it's just a matter of getting everything arranged "fairly"... glad I have a set of earplugs!

Still trying to find another job besides the laundrymat; still trying to figure out how to afford a car; still allergic to cardboard boxes; still jumping through the hoops for the government. Some things never change.

Still helping with the music system for the Community Unlimited play, The Tales of Scherezade. Still trying to get the songs out of my head while washing dishes, laundry, typing.... At least they are all in tune when I hear them in my head..... {giggle}

Rumors of My Death, Yada Yada Yada

2008-02-26T10:41:00.003-05:00

Still alive. Just very busy: packing, trying to find a new home, trying to get the damn Hotmail to work here at the library, working with Community Unlimited, packing, reading (now hooked on Kim Harrison and P.N. Elrod), crafting, laundry, new group I joined on Yahoo (thanks, Dusty!!!), watching movies (waiting for "new" Vicar of Dibley tapes from the library, and drooling over Capt. Jack Sparrow in At World's End), writing letters to my beloved children who are still in foster care, and trying to not overdose on pain pills and anti-depressants....

Amanda Ruth had Concert Band Festival last weekend; they garnered straight 1s (perfect score). Liam has now read all of the Harry Potter books (except for Deathly Hallows, a little too intense for him right now) and is working on the Charlie Bone books by Jenny Nimmo (by this time, he is probably finished with them). Casting is scheduled for this week for the community play, Scherezade, Amanda and Alanda both want the leading part. Both would be excellent for it, but then, I admit to being biased!

Then, to add to all the stress, I get the message that my Mom is in the hospital from high blood pressure. She went home yesterday, I got time on my cell phone and called her, and found out the Rest of The Story: she had had a mild stroke. So she is now home, not driving, using a walker, but able to speak clearly again. Off work for awhile, just what she needs to reduce the stress in HER life (she is the only wage earner, Dad is retired). My younger sister has previously had at least one mini-stroke (that *I* know of); so the news that my cholesterol was "a little high" at my annual check-up was no surprise. Actually, it has been "a little high" for the past five years, but apparently not high enough to warrant medication for it. This year I did get one surprise, my blood sugar was "a little high" as well. Normally my blood sugar is too low; I was always kind of relieved about that, as there is a history of "The D Word" in my family. But as my stepmom said, too low can change overnight to too high. Gee, here I was so happy because with all the stress and depression and DBFs I had been eating less and walking more and actually lost close to 20 pounds, thus thinking I was getting healthier. But no, just the opposite. When will I learn, STOP THINKING because it SO frequently turns out to be bass-ackwards!!!!!!

Thank Goddess for the Internet, my friends Dusty and Deb and my new friends at the disabled pagans group!

Bah Humbug

2007-12-14T14:29:00.000-05:00

'Nuff said.

Unlike Ebenezeer Scrooge, I won't be finding the inherent Christmas spirit this year (although I am living with the Spirit of Christmas past, everyone who missed the play this year really missed a great performance). Not that anybody cares (except Dusty), but y'all should remember the old adage, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" and guess what, Momma ain't happy. We will be celebrating a new holiday when the kids come home, it shall be known forevermore as Dickless Bastard Day. Until then, small dolls shall be getting piercings, voodoo style... not as actual voodoo, please understand, as I DON'T do the dark side of magick. It is strictly therapy. And yes, it feels good. At least I am honest about my failings.

Have been cleaning out my stashes -- crafts, that is! Have a box of yarn for Martha, she knits afghans and lap robes with her church circle to donate to long-term care facilities. (With thanks to George Carlin for correcting my politically incorrect use of the phrase, nursing home.) And a bag of fabrics for Aunt Sally, whom I HOPE is still quilting. If not, then at least I know she will find a good home for the stuff. Have donated boxes upon boxes to the local thrift shop, and still have more boxes at home. Don't ask about the bags of trash that have left the house! I am trying to find homes for everything usable, rather than just throw away everything that I don't desperately need at this moment in time. What can't be used, I don't feel guilty disposing of, but if it is still serviceable-- well, I wasn't raised to just trash stuff, there are others that may need or want what I don't. So better that they get it, than to have the dumps filled up with items that are still good. For those who disagree and think that I should just play Bag Everything And Throw It Away No Matter What It Is, take a flying leap. I am sticking to my guns (metaphysically speaking, as there are no guns in my house, haven't been for a long time and probably a very good thing right now!). But I digress... if it is still good, it will go to another home, not just get trashed. It's my stuff and as an American I hope that I still have the right to dispose of my belongings as I wish. Although as a low-income American, my rights are minimal, in the system as it stands now.

Anyway, happy frigging whatever holiday you celebrate, and if you need books (yes, I am getting rid of books, mark this day on your calendars, people!) or clothes, please stop by the house soon. It's (almost) all going....

My Mom's Treasure

2007-11-05T15:07:00.001-05:00

This is an ashtray from my grandparents' restaurant. Cousin Shelley's cousin gave it to her after his mom died, and Shelley gave it to my mother at the family reunion this summer. This dates back even before my time; I don't know exactly when, but I know as a child in the 60s they used plain glass ashtrays without advertising. So when Shelley gave this to my mom, it became a Genuine Family Heirloom. Since I don't get it until mom passes on (if my brother doesn't accidentally break it by then!), she was kind enough to let me photograph it. So this photo is my heirloom, and I hope very much that I don't get the real thing for a LONG time! I love my mommy!

I Needle Little Lovin'

2007-11-05T14:19:00.000-05:00

I got to try my hand at spinning Saturday at a craft festival. I totally sucked at it, but was great fun to try!

This is a photo of some of the famous recycled tote-bags I have been working on. The red one was a gift to a neighbor, the two smaller ones are currently in use for small projects when I am on-the-go, and I also made a purple one like the big red one for myself. The big ones (and some of the small ones) have an extra "pocket" inside to tuck scissors, hook, etc. Is this a great use for old laundry soap bottles or what! And there are more to come, of a totally different design. The smaller ones shown are made using old bleach bottles. The unshown design... is made from all sorts of laundry soap bottles. Photo forthcoming when I get a new battery for my camera (it's an older one that uses the more expensive watch batteries, not the cheapie AA ones...) Can't complain about the cost of the better batteries, as much as I get to use my camera nowadays, the batteries literally last years. Can't even remember what year I last replaced them! (Not that THAT is surprising, I can't remember squat anymore...)

Have also been refining the pattern I have for 2-needle socks. The original pattern is for 2-3 year old kids; by changing needle sizes I have been able to make them adult size. Even doubled the yarn and use size 15 needles to make super-thick ones. Yummy warm, but need to refine the leg part a little more. Have been partying with the box of yarn Dusty sent and making shorty socks and super-sorty socks. The super-shorty ones are basically just slippers, but there are a lot of people that wear socks that are that short, so I am calling them socks! They are so pretty, because Dusty sends BEAUTIFUL yarns! My mom will be getting a green pair for Christmas, made with super-soft green yarn and green eyelash yarn that Dusty sent; luckily Mom doesn't get online unless I am with her to help, so I can tell that big secret! And will include a photo when I get the famous batteries. (Actually have the socks FINISHED already. Wow me!!) And I totally love the result, so will be making quite a few more pairs for her (and eventually myself--- always after everyone else's). Providing I still have use of my hands after all the typing I am doing today!

Watched "Phenomenon" this week, or at least parts of it. Warning: VENTING NEXT MILE! One fellow claimed to be channeling the spirit of an author to learn what selected item was in a sealed box. He communicated via "spirit writing".

The item turned out to be a toy car. The "author's" description was: "Metal. Rectangle. 4 weels."
Yes, that is an accurate transcription. "Weels". Now, if *I* were a deceased author, communicating by WRITING on LIVE NATIONAL TV, I would certainly take the brief half second necessary to SPELL THE WORD "WHEELS" CORRECTLY!!!!! An AUTHOR, for crying out loud! I wanted to reach into the screen and bitch-slap the guy. And tell him that his acting sucked worse than my spinning; did a great impression of a gran mal seizure, but not of interacting with spirits. Unless he was being possessed by a demon, and we all know that authors aren't demons: EDITORS are!

OK, now I feel better. Thank you. Back to watching "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" and banning the show "Phenomenon" from my television set permanently. Even though Ross the Intern was one of the "judges"-- I love Ross, but even he can't make up for that!

Great. DH is here, so need to end this and get offline. And now have to give up the computer anyway. Happy frigging Monday...

Spoons and Forks and Spatulas, Oh My!

2007-10-17T13:41:00.000-05:00

Wow, I rode Alanda's bike to the Community Unlimited meeting last night because I had left later than intended. Bicycles and I are not good friends, more specifically, bicycles and my KNEES are not good friends. Although riding the bike downhill on Park Street with my cape billowing behind me was incredible, today I am paying for it.

On the walk to town to use the library computers, not only did Alanda have to walk behind and give me a gentle nudge up the hill, but when we got to Town and I faced the steps to the sidewalk, I learned that I couldn't bend my knee to go up them. Tried, got one step, and learned that I couldn't put the pressure on the knee to actually move up the steps. Had to walk the long way around to where the sidewalk levels out, which would be ok except that in order to avoid even the single step in front of the library, I would have had to walk another half-block and then back. Which, of course, my knees were hurting too much to permit. So ended up sitting on the short wall and swinging my legs around, and let Alanda pull me up to standing. How embarassing, not to mention painful. At least she knows enough to not just jerk on my arm, or I would be in even worse shape.

This is so pathetic. I hurt too much to walk but am not to the point of needing a wheelchair. Which is a very good thing, as I would never be able to get in or out of my house, since the landlord removed the ramp at the back door when they tore down my garage. Thank Goddess that George is able to walk better since he had the stent put in, or I would have to sue the landlord to get another ramp. He had an awful time making that step, when he was having so much trouble with his legs and balance. So guess that I shouldn't complain. But dammit, my knees hurt and I am tired of living like this and the condescending looks from people that think I am less than worthy because I don't have a job. People would be a bit more polite if I had an "obvious" disability; Parkinson's, for example, or a cast or brace, or something that shows the whole frigging world that "Yes, I do have physical issues, I am not 'just being lazy' or 'thinking I am too good to do certain jobs'." There are days that I want to just pull my hair out by the roots, except it hurts too much to lift my arms that high. (Thought: is that why I am determined to grow my hair long in spite of the care hassles? Trying to get it long enough to pull out without having to lift my arms? Hmmm, could be....)

I realize that there are people in the world with much worse problems than my own, so don't start lecturing me on how I should count my blessings. Believe me, I do appreciate what I do have. Starting with friends like Dusty, who passed the Spoon theory on in her blog. Gives me something to make funny remarks with, such as the time I said I had not only used up all my spoons but had even worn out the spatula. If I couldn't be sarcastic or amusing or whatever you want to call it, I would be so whiney that Dr. Jack would break his parole... For the good of everyone around me, of course; ease their suffering of having to listen to me! (See, more funny ha-ha comments.)

Now that I have typed all this, I am looking forward to going home and sucking down a handful of pain pills. OK, really just one or two. With the arthritis I probably couldn't actually hold a real handful, so put down the phone, I am NOT suicidal. But I will have to put off the pain pills for a few more hours, because tonight is Ruthi's band festival at the high school and I really want to go; and while the pain pills work (sort of), they knock me out more than anything. I don't want to lay down for a little nap before the festival because of the pain pills; I know that it would be more like "Wake up it's MORNING" instead. So, the pills will wait until much later. Wish I could find a compromise, something that makes the pain go away without making me sleep for ten hours... Oh well. (Deep subject: turn it sideways and you have a tunnel. Sorry, had to throw that comment in for old times sake!)

Going to mosey over to My Yearbook and MySpace and see what is happening with the rest of the world. See you in Cyberworld!

Everything in a Nutshell (and I'm the Nut!)

2007-10-09T14:28:00.000-05:00

My mom is the bomb. She found a bunch of old photos--- and I do mean old! We went to the library and I scanned them and uploaded them to my Flickr account. Now to get hold of various relatives and see if anyone can identify some of the photos. There is one with about thirty women; we know my grandmother, her mother, her sister, and her grandmother, but the rest are unknown. Taking a wild guess that it was a special family reunion, though, because my grandma and her mom are wearing matching dresses. And my grandma only wore a dress two other times in her life; once for grandpa’s retirement party, and once for her father’s funeral. So I can guarantee that it was SOME special event!

Have been working on some of my crochet projects; overdid it yesterday and today so am paying for it with very sore and tired hands. Makes the typing a bit slower (not that it CAN be much slower…). But I got my purple project bag done, the red one for my neighbor done, the red one for my friend Joanne done, and the autumnal-colored smaller bag done for my mommy. Even got photos, this time! The film is at the store awaiting developing, should be back by Wednesday but then I have to get to Coldwater and have $$$$ at the same time. One or the other I can usually do; it’s the simultaneous activity that throws me off. Hopefully the photos will turn out, since it turns out that my batteries finally died. They do last a long time…. But not forever!

George goes in Thursday to have cataract surgery. Hopefully he will be able to see better afterward, and able to read again. Next step is to get him a hearing aid, so he can stop YELLING BECAUSE HE CAN’T HEAR HIMSELF OR ANYONE ELSE! Not that I am complaining… there are times that his hearing is perfect, usually when you don’t want him to hear you. But the majority of the time, he mishears you just enough to get a good fight going. And of course, he swears that he heard you right. One of my favorite quotes comes to mind: I know you think you understand what I’m saying, but I don’t believe that what you heard is the same as what I said. Or something like that; used to have it on a card somewhere. Now that card is in A Safe Place.

Updated my Myspace profile a bit, check it out. Gotta get home and read the Charlaine Harris novel that the library got for me. And all the other ones in the stack! Easier on the fingers than crocheting, but at least with the crocheting I can watch TV or movies while I work, the kinetic memory works while the brain vegs out on brain-numbing Hypno-gourd activity (if you don’t follow that reference, then go and read anything Xanth by Piers Anthony!).

Still here!

2007-10-01T13:45:00.000-05:00

Good grief, I knew I had been busy over the last couple of weeks, but didn't realize that it had been a month since I posted!

George had to go to the ER earlier this month, spent just under a week at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. There is a special place in heaven for the nurses on the cardiology unit, for putting up with him when he started to feel better! He is a grand pick (yes, I meant to type the "P"!!) when he doesn't feel like crapola. They never really figured out exactly what caused his "spell," but did plenty of tests and sent him home happier than when he went in. Of course, at the ER when the doctor wanted to transfer him, he didn't want to go; so the nurse, being a smart woman, handed the consent form to ME to sign. HA HA, we gals stick together, old man! Sometimes men just have to be taken care of, whether they want to be or not.

The one good thing about his stay, was that he got to talk with some of his sisters that he doesn't get to see very often, and he even had visits from his niece and one of his daughters... who brought her month-old baby with her. We are always the last to know..... Wish he would have been able to get a photo, but will be content with his happiness to see Soo Ming. Now that he is home, hope that family and friends will continue to STAY IN TOUCH WITH HIM. Some of us appreciate family!

Our favorite granddaughter got to spend this past weekend with us, so he was REALLY feeling happy when he saw her. She doesn't get down here often, and never gets the message when we call her (thank gods for email!), so Poppy doesn't get to see her as much as he would like to. She is a good kid, and I actually like having her around; the ultimate compliment from me! Ha...

Found George's family tree album, and need to do some updates with all the new nieces and nephews that have been born since I originally compiled it for him. So, will end this post and go do that right now. And make a sign for the laundrymat. And print a pattern for Joanne. Will try to do better with my postings for the next few months..... really!!!

New Sites and Other News

2007-08-29T12:22:00.000-05:00

Hey, I'm still here! Have been playing with a couple of new sites, one for Alanda's poetry and one for mine. (Hers is better). These are still works-in-progress, as I both have more poems to upload AND I plan to re-edit the pages currently online. So, be forewarned, these are not Shakespeare (this is a good thing!) but they will pass the time. Click here to view Alanda's poetry, and here to laugh at mine. Then wander over to Myspace and see what I am playing with there... Photobucket is a great site, I found some GREAT craft graphics to put in my scrapbook.

Which brings me to the other news: I *FINALLY* started my things-I-have-made scrapbook, actually putting pictures and comments into a REAL notebook. Well, the photos that I HAVE, anyway; there are so many things I have made that were never photographed. Like the crocheted motorcycle that I designed and made for my MAN back in the day. Never wrote down the pattern because I fully intended to NEVER make another one again. Yet here I am years later, without the motorcycle, without a photo, and without a pattern. Oh, and without the MAN, so I doubt that the motorcycle even exists anymore. Moral of the story, crafters: TAKE LOTS OF PHOTOS!

Countdown

2007-08-10T11:43:00.000-05:00

This is going to be a very popular site: click here to view an online countdown to the end of The Reign of Stupidity.

More Political Humor

2007-08-10T11:09:00.000-05:00

Still haven't found the morphing DevilBush, but will share the location of many other anti-Bush humor. Click here to find some really excellent photos and laughs. My favorite is still the button I bought that says "BU__SH__"... even though I had to explain it to a few people. Not everyone is good at Fill-in-the-Blanks jokes...

Hopefully, our country is still free enough that I won't end up in Guantanamo Bay for posting this! Democracy rocks... now if only it were a democracy instead of a millionaire-ocracy. But that's just My Humble Opinion.

Anti Dubya

2007-08-08T15:49:00.000-05:00

Now if only someone would send me the animated gif of Dubya morphing into Satan...

Reunion is a great site!

2007-07-28T10:26:00.000-05:00

Hey there world! Look who I found hanging out at Classmates.com and reunion.com! This is Mike, also known (back in the day) as Moose, or Big Mike (to distinguish from the younger Mike, Little Mike). We hung together both in high school (what I remember of it, have spent ---a few-- years blocking the memories of those years in general) and afterward. Mike was in the car the day that Daveykins almost lost his license, but I cried until the cop took pity and let him off with a verbal warning. Those were the days...

It is so nice to know that I still have friends left alive... at least two of my classmates that I *wanted* to see at reunions have died, one from a heart attack, one from a car accident. Another classmate died of pneumonia, another from a heart attack (but he wasn't my "pal" like Crystal was), and yet another from cancer (not too long after graduation, whereas the rest have been in the last ten years). Guess I should be grateful that we are all too old for active duty, or at least I hope we are, because I haven't heard of any of my classmates dying in Iraq or Afghanistan. Yet. Now that I have opened that can of worms for the Fates to get ideas from...

Anyway, I am just a happy little camper now, and what would make me happier would be if Mike didn't live on the other side of the frigging country now. But I can't blame him, the weather is much nicer there and the employment opportunities have GOT to be better than here. And he owns his own house! Hey, Mike, looking for a roomie? JK, or am I????

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Goddess Bless the Internet!

Happy Birthday!

2007-07-23T16:13:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to my only Little Sister, Dawn! Didn't get her present done yet, and haven't gotten a decent card to send her. So decided to post her photo for the world to see, and let everyone know that she is now.... over forty. Don't ask for details, we don't do numbers here!!!

Died in the Wool

2007-06-29T14:58:00.000-05:00

What incredible crappy luck. The library got a new copy of Died in the Wool by Rett MacPherson, and damn if it isn't from the same bad run! Eight pages of Annabelle and Flora, who have absolutely nothing to do with the story.

I may have to take a bus to St. Louis and get a copy directly from the author, at this rate!

At least the other novels by her are all okay, so I am re-reading them (again).

I did get an email from Rett, that her next novel will be out next year: The Blood Ballad. I offered to proofread it for her for free... haven't heard back yet. Hey, I am addicted to Torie O'Shea, I admit it!!!

Still kicking here in Hicksville...

2007-06-29T14:55:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to let the world know that I am still here. For what it's worth. Pretty sad that my adopted kids love me more than my blood offspring, but true. Guess it's less embarassing how *CRAZY* I am when they aren't genetically related. But that's OK, because someday it will all come back to them. The wheel turns and all that you send out returns threefold.

There, I've had my say. Wicca Rocks, thank you very much.

Patches had two kittens yesterday, as of 5 this morning they were still alive and healthy. Not to be negative, but we'll see how long that will last. The last few batches of kittens have all passed to Bast before reaching one month. Sad, because they were so frigging cuuuuute. But Al got a kitten from a neighbor, that is actually the offspring of our beautiful missing Casey, and Amour (she named him) is doing beautifully and being a treat to have around. I told her today that when she moves out I am keeping her cat. She didn't like that idea at all, so I told her that if she moves somewhere that she can't keep him (like a college dorm room) then we would be happy to take care of him while she's gone. That went over better.

Will someday get around to posting a photo of Casey, he has been missing since we sold the van this spring. I don't know if he snuck in before it left, or if one of the neighbors shot him, or took him into their house and kept him, or if he just ran off to die somewhere. Or found some fresh you-know-what to interest him and took off after her. But we miss him, he was a sweet cat for being a crazy Siamese.

OK, that's it for now. Need to go home and wash dishes. How exciting is my life?!?!?!?!

Day Late...

2007-06-27T13:43:00.001-05:00

Day late and a dollar short.... not a surprise, huh?! Anyway, happy anniversary to Patsy and Frank Simington, 40+ years yesterday. I would say it seems like yesterday, but as I was just a toddler at the time, I honestly don't remember anything other than photographs.

This photo was taken back in 1993 at a Union City basketball game that their son Rick was playing in. The sign refers to the fact that the last time the Chargers won the state finals was in 1961, and this year the team was going for a repeat. Sadly, they didn't make it to the finals that year, but got awfully close and gave it a heck of a shot. I will never forget the sight of Matt (approximately 5'4") literally jumping over a 6' player from the opposing team. Or for that matter, the expression on the other player's face! Somebody somewhere must have it on video, I would like to see THAT posted on YouTube! Don't look at me, though, I didn't even have the still camera with me that particular night...

Rick did go on to set a school record for points scored or rebounds or something like that. Don't ask me, it's a sports thing.... the only sport I do is Quiz Bowl! I did make him a maroon and gray quilt with a Charger horse, and his sports info embroidered in the corners, for his graduation. I do have a photo somewhere, need to find it for my famous Scrapbook (the one that currently exists only in my mind.... and that's a scary place to be lost!)

Paradise on Planet Earth

2007-06-15T15:30:00.000-05:00

OK, I'm happy now.

Even though the Rett MacPherson novel had some printing difficulties (eight pages were from a totally different book!), it was a wonderful read. Think I'll wait for the next printing before I buy my own copy, hopefully they will fix those little errors then.

But best of all, and the reason for the title of today's rambling, is that I *FINALLY* got to go to BC Burgers in Battle Creek and get a hamburger. Divine is ten steps short of accurate... these burgers are better than Shaner's (sorry, dude) and even better than my bomb-burgers. Brought one home for Alanda because she didn't get to go with us, and it was still warm after the twenty-minute drive home. And still dee-lish-ous... (I offered to eat it for her, but she would have taken my head off if I had actually tried.) I am telling you, these burgers are fabulous.... and I have missed them so much!!! If the terrorists would eat beef, I would bring them all over here (a few at a time, the building isn't that big) and buy them all lunch at BC Burger; and thus would end all wars forever. Because you can't feel anything negative after eating one of their meals! YUMYUMYUM!!!!! I could almost deal with the high school right now (and that is saying a lot!). Shoot, I even forgive St. Martin's Minotaur for screwing up Rett's new novel, and you KNOW that is a big deal!!!

Mmmmmmm, I will feel good for awhile now... even though I will be booted off the computer here at the library in a couple of minutes so need to end this and get it posted. Remember, when you are feeling down just get to Battle Creek and get a BC Burger; cheaper than Valium and a whole lot more effective!

Finally Got my Book!

2007-06-13T15:29:00.000-05:00

The librarians finally came through, and I am going home tonight with a copy of "Died in the Wool" by Rett MacPherson!

Looks like I won't be painting tonight! About time I get the paint off my arm from the last time I painted the bathroom, first... no, that can wait until I am done reading the book.

So if I don't post or email anyone for a few days, you know what I am doing: reading, and probably RE-reading, Rett's latest novel!

See ya later, everybody!!!

New stuff on the website

2007-06-13T15:20:00.000-05:00

Yay, I'm finally getting the website updated. Check here to see the "New and Improved" site... Hey! Wait a minute! Give me a few minutes to get it reposted!!! {grin}

Daddy's Home, and Other Ramblings

2007-06-13T13:51:00.000-05:00

What a week...
George went to the hospital last week, was transferred to Kalamazoo and had a pacemaker put in. He is feeling better now than he has for the last couple of years. I am feeling a lot of relief, I must admit. Just have to learn how to cook again, now that he is on a low-sodium, low-cholesterol diet. Low sodium wouldn't be a problem, I use every spice except salt it seems like; however, there are so many things out there that don't necessarily have salt but their sodium levels are outrageous. Even cottage cheese! Luckily, he is LOW not NO sodium; as long as *I* dish out the food he will be ok. Before, he would eat the entire container of cottage cheese; now, with me playing Cook of the Day, he gets a small serving (about half the recommended serving size) and that is all. Of course, last night I went "fancy"... I put some cottage cheese in a bowl, added some peach low-fat yogurt, mixed it all together and tossed some fresh-picked strawberries on top. Looked cute, and was even tasty enough that he ate every last bite. I know it sounds kind of yucky, but that's because I don't like cottage cheese myself. The finished result looked and tasted like a pudding. (Personally, I still prefer chocolate!)

Darrell and Savvy were here for the weekend, a great time was had by all. He fixed the neighbor's friend's kid's bike for him, mowed my lawn (which is what George was doing that sent him to the hospital in the first place), and gave the kids a good lecture on how to behave when Daddy got home from the Cardiology Unit. Savvy totally defeated my lectures to everyone in town that Darrell is NOT my boyfriend, by calling me Mom. But since she is one of my Adopted Kids, I can cope... after all, at one point she was my granddaughter, before her birthmother decided that she wasn't my stepdaughter after all. Talk about your one-branch family tree...

Anyway, the Weeks Family Reunion is in a couple of weeks, and I am hoping to get to attend this year. Have an old family photo that I am HOPING someone can identify. We know the man in it is Grandpa Smith, but the woman is unfamiliar. A pox on the people that don't write names and dates on the back of photos!!! (Or that do, then glue them in an album so that you can't read the backs!) For that matter, a pox on whoever got me interested in genealogy! With names like Smith, Jones, Brown, Weeks, and Carpenter on the family tree, Tylenol is a good investment...

Cheaper than tequila, too....

Help Me!!!

2007-06-05T11:23:00.000-05:00

Finally found a photo online of the christmas stockings that I *used* to have the patterns for. The site that had this photo said that the pattern was in the December 83 issue of Crochet World, and I found that issue for sale on ebay, but turns out that it is the wrong issue. I am 99% sure that it WAS in Crochet World, and 100% sure that it was a December issue (duh!!!), but only know for sure that it was during the 1980s. If anyone has the pattern or can get the pattern, PLEASE let me know! I am getting desperate, I really want to make a few sets again and I DON'T want to try to make the pattern myself! Please, all my crafty pals, help me out here! Anyone that finds the pattern and gets it to me, I will make you a pair if you want!!!
Thanks folks. I needed to vent a bit there for a second!

Photos to Blackmail With...

2007-05-16T15:35:00.000-05:00

Just had to post these photos, because it is so much fun to tease the kids that "I put your picture on my blog/website/myspace..."
The first one is Alanda, in her room, I don't know exactly when it was taken. Recently, that much I am sure of.

The second photo is of Eric, no idea when Al took this of him but do know that it is in the gym at the high school. You can tell because the lighting pretty much sucks for photography in there. But he still looks cute...
Eric was one of the stars of the recent comedy hit, "Nothing But the Truth," put on at the high school by Community Unlimited. Did I mention that my camcorder power died fifteen minutes into the first act? Luckily, Kim's dad got everything on tape---and I do mean, EVERYTHING,burp---and that's a story for a different day...

How Times Change with the Kids

2007-05-14T14:46:00.000-05:00

Had an email about how things change from your first kid to your third kid. Don't have it with me, but do have the additions that I made for it:

Baby Books. For your first child, you take 200 photos every week, save their umbilical cord when it falls off, have their little footprints in the book, and fill out the family tree back to Adam and Eve. Second child, you get their birthday photos in, maybe, and the family tree goes back to your grandparents. Third child, the baby book is still in the wrapper at their fifth birthday party and you still haven't developed the film from their third birthday party.

hmmmm, nipple questions too: first child, you breastfeed every single drop no matter how inconvenient the location. second child, you breastfeed and pump for the bottle for when you are in public. third child, you stick a nipple on the pepsi bottle and go from there.

Hey, no one is arguing with me! LOL

Now, to come up with some witty stuff about baby blankets...

Lots of Gallimaufries Today!

2007-05-04T13:35:00.000-05:00

To all my Pagan pals, HAPPY BELTANE!!

Tonight the plan is for a Birthday/Beltane Bonfire Blast, to celebrate Alanda turning 18. I get to chaperone a bunch of teenagers, yippee. At least no one has griped because I demand it is booze-free; when she turns 21 it will be a different story. Until then, no underage drinking on my property. After then, probably still no drinking on my property! Too many things can go wrong, because so many people just don't know when to stop. What can I say, I'm a party-pooper. {ha}

Printing up the graduation invitations for all the people that I don't have email addresses for. Since I haven't worked for awhile, don't get welfare, and just found out that I won't be getting a tax refund after all, anyone that I can email gets their invitation that way. God, how I do love the Internet! Except for Yahoo right now..... I want to take their "Error 999" and stick it right in their USB ports....

Eddy is still dead, but my favorite techie emailed me directions to diagnose the issue. Also got input from a local, and had my own thought as a result of his suggestion. Hopefully one of the suggestions will work to resuscitate poor Eddy; since I am not likely to receive another free computer in this lifetime, and if I DID get one I would be hard-pressed to find a name for it. Maybe I should start going with names of Girl Singers instead of Boy Singers... except that all we females KNOW that computers are male. (Could always compromise with Boy George or Alice Cooper...)

Alice Cooper was on Last Call with Carson Daly this week, and has written a new book. Alice Cooper, heavy metal rocker for what--thirty years?-- is a golf addict. And admits it on national tv. What guts! And to prove it, here is the cover as shown at Amazon.com. I just might request this at the library, just to see what The Man has to say. Like our library would get a book by ALICE COOPER, ha that's a good one! The man could write a book on Bible Study and they would find an excuse not to get it because of his "history"... hey, Vincent, if by chance you read this, I challenge you to write that Bible History Study so I can prove my theory of intolerance at my local library! And I promise to buy a copy if you will come to Union City to autograph it for me!

Here's a great quote from his website bio:

However, if that's not stomach-churning enough for you, then consider this, perhaps his sickest outrage: Alice Cooper actually ran for President of the United States against that other paragon of perversion, Richard Nixon. What's really sick, though, is that Alice lost. [italics and bold print are my addition.]

Hey, if The Terminator and Jesse Ventura can be elected governors, why not?! Vincent, run again: you will definitely have MY vote! And now that Alanda is 18, I can't guarantee her mind but would bet my yarn stash, or even my Sharyn McCrumb novels, that you will have HER vote. (If not, she is not my clone after all!)...

OK, I will get off my political soapbox for now. And start saving up my pennies for Vincent's campaign drive! Need to get home and start frying hamburgers for the Bash, and pick up the cake on my way home. Didn't get the original cake that I wanted, had to settle for the mundane-yet-appropriate purple flowers. (Alanda means "purple flower.") So if you are reading this today and in my neighborhood, stop by a burger and some cake and ice cream!

And don't forget, graduation is next month!

In the spirit of Family and Friendship: You are invited to join us in celebrating the graduation of Alanda Bernadette-Cheri McRae

On Sunday, June 3, 2007 At 2:00 PM Union City High School

430 St. Joseph Street Union City, MI 49094

Come early for a good parking space!
Please join us for cake and punch after the ceremony at our home Three blocks from the school.
School Colors: Maroon and Grey

Class Colors: Maroon and White

Favorite Colors: Silver and Black

Eddy's Dead

2007-04-30T14:11:00.000-05:00

My computer at home died this weekend. I am so miserable that I am actually cleaning house. Please send chocolate, books, and earplugs as soon as possible! And Pepsi, I could really use some Pepsi. And chocolate chip cookies. With or without milk for dunking (in spite of my college past, I refuse to dunk my cookies in Pepsi).

Other than that, Alanda turns 18 this week; providing we all live that long.... raging hormones and a full moon, graduation stress, all combine to make people more crazy than usual. And then Eddy the computer dies. And here I finally found a photo I had been looking for, of Dusty, from MSU; and I can't scan it and I can't add it to my screensaver. THIS SUCKS!!!

I was looking for something to read while eating the other day (I know it is bad to read while eating, but I don't care) and I picked up a copy of She Walks These Hills by Sharyn McCrumb that was sitting there innocently on my bookshelf. Hadn't read it in awhile. Twelve chapters later I realized it was almost time to get the kids up for school! This woman is so darned good, and she even answers her fan mail! Really!

If you get the opportunity to read any of her Ballad novels, clear your schedule because these books are very hard to put down. Sharyn and Rett MacPherson, my two published idols. (Dusty is going to be added to the short list as soon as she sends me a copy of her published novel).

OK, now it is time to hit the library shelves and grab a few copies of her other novels, that I don't have at home. Don't expect to hear from me for a couple of days!

Duh Attack and Spring Fever

2007-04-24T14:51:00.000-05:00

Well, duh. I just discovered that I never posted the pix of Tricia's pink baby blanket! So here are some shots of the blanket to go with the picture of the booties that I made to go with the blanket. (Tired yet? I can get you a road map to help follow along.... this IS called "Ramblings" for a reason!)

Got spring fever this weekend, and fixed up the ugly white mailbox. These photos are a little off because of the sunlight hitting just right, the mailbox is NOT striped. Just plain bright yellow! And the flag is definitely a contrasting color! Gorgeous shade of green, my friend Randy calls it "Froot Loop Green" but I love it anyway. {grin} I also painted the driveway posts, since my mom always has trouble seeing them at night. If you look closely in the first photo, you can see the first post to the left of the mailbox. George woke up from his nap, and asked "Who went yellow crazy?" Damn it, they are pretty now! Sometimes I think that I can't do a thing without a smarmy comment from him . This was one of those times. Oh well, buckos, my mailbox is now PRETTY and *I* like it. So there!!!

Another Accomplishment, and Life in a Small Town

2007-04-24T14:29:00.000-05:00

Not the best photo, but they are so cute and warm! These are the pink baby booties I made to go with the baby blanket I made for Tricia from FrankTalk fame.

Just dropped them and the blanket off at the local dimestore, for her dad to pick up tomorrow when he delivers the magazine. I just love living in a small town! Couldn't do that at your local WalMart!!! Although there are many times I can think of things I DON'T love about living in a small town, the good stuff outweighs the bad. Although I would still rather live in the countryside of the small town, rather than smack in the center, but without a car this is the best spot for us. I can walk to the grocery store, and the laundrymat, and the post office, and the library, and the schools, and sometimes I even get really lucky and someone stops and gives me a ride. Not going to happen in New York City, I bet!

What really gets me, is that Alanda wants so much to live in New York City, second choice is Chicago; but she is adamant that she won't move to Battle Creek because it is too dangerous! Now, I won't say that the town isn't dangerous, ANY town can be; but I would be more afraid to have her live in Coldwater (smaller and "safer") because of certain conditions there. Won't go into details, just say that there are people in that town that she is safer being far away from. Since we never know when he is in or out of jail, I figure it's just best to stay away from there whenever possible. Still, afraid of Battle Creek but not of NYC. I give up figuring this kid out!

Not that she is much of a kid anymore. She went to the prom, after much debating on whether she wanted to or not, and ended up having the best time of her life. Considering what a fiasco the other school dances end up, I was relieved to say the least. We figured it out, though: the prom wasn't held at the high school! She had one anxiety attack, but her friends helped her through it with the co-operation of a teacher who let them break rules by leaving the building and coming back in. Teacher stayed with them, of course. So since they were chaperoned, *I* don't consider it breaking the rules. So there! Thanks, teach...

Another One Done!

2007-03-26T16:07:00.000-05:00

Yay me! I finished the baby blanket for Dylon, and he is only three months old! LOL

This isn't the best photo, but the batteries in my beloved digital camera were on their last positrons. I put it over Liam while he was sleeping, thus proving that YES it is big enough for a growing baby (I had my doubts at one point). The mommy has promised to send me a photo of baby and blankie, when she does it will be posted for posterity. Stop laughing, I'm serious here...

Have started the pink baby blanket for Tricia, the Mommy's Day columnist for FrankTalk. Little Luci Lyn is due around Ruthi's birthday, so I am fairly confident that I will get it done in time. It is looking *so* good, if I say so myself. The center of the MAM strip is hot pink, with borders of white and pastel pink. There will be two panels with dark pink centers instead of hot pink centers; in my mind's eye it is delightfully pretty. Even though it's pink... I can't help it that pink is not my favorite color (although an awesome singer!!), but I gotta admit that this one is an exception to the rule. (The hot pink helps, it really "shouts" and offsets the sleepiness of the white and pastel.)

Am thinking about making a maroon and gray one for Alanda for her graduation. That's this June, too, so if I do it needs to be started soon. If I use two strands at once and a P hook, I could get it done in no time (if the arthritis doesn't flare up too badly). The finger I tried to break (by falling on the ice) is a little better, I can use it to type on the computer now. But still have a LOT of pain when bending it or straightening it. Not to mention the swelling, which is hard to notice because my fingers are so chunky in the first place... Yes, my life sucks. Get over it! If I can put up with the bu--sh-- that is my life, so can you!!!

Want to make a blanket for my best bud, Diana, but since she is going through Cleaning Mode, I hate to give her something else to be put away for the summer. Besides that, she is a much better and more prolific crafter than I am; it would be like cooking for Martha Stewart. Except that I like Diana, and I don't like Martha. I used to make her lap quilts every year for Christmas, until I finally got to see some of her quilting. The woman did impossibly tiny stitches! I am nowhere near that skilled, in spite of all the years of practice. But I keep trying, and need to get to work on the baby quilt mom wants me to make for Baby James (my sister's step-daughter's new baby). But it is so much more fun to write! I wrote a "ghost column" for Ruthi, in case she doesn't get her column done in time this week. I must say, it is pretty good-- although nowhere near her talent! Will post it on my website Just Call Me F7 later tonight, I think...

Well, time to read this week's FrankTalk online and get my website updated! Check out the website, and write something in my new guestbook!

Another one done in time!

2007-03-17T10:11:00.000-05:00

Got the teacher's baby blanket finished and delivered before she delivered! (LOL)

Mrs. Wattie, the art teacher at the high school, had a boy Monday. His name is Vincent, and this blankie should last him into high school. The granny squares are the "fancy" ones, with interlocking loops at the corners. The rows alternate squares of red/yellow/blue (primary colors) with white borders, with squares of purple/orange/green (secondary colors) with white borders. Then each row is bordered, top to bottom: red, orange, yellow,green, blue, purple (rainbow order). Finally, the whole blanket is bordered with white, red, yellow, blue, white, purple, orange, green and white, with picoted scallops along the final border. That's Alanda in the photo, holding the blanket upside down. RED AT THE TOP, I told her. Well, we were all a little upside-down that weekend...

Now I am working on one for Liam's counselor at the elementary. She had a boy back in December, his name is Dylan. This one is a new pattern that I finally learned, the mile-a-minute. The strips are variegated blue, with borders of medium blue and red. Looks pretty good so far; have one more strip to make, then sew together the last three strips, and I can take photos. This one is a bit smaller than I usually like to make, because in adapting the original afghan pattern I shortened it a bit more than I thought. Still plenty big for a baby blanket, though. I just like to make blankies that can be used for a LOOOOONG time. Figure if I put that much work into it, the recipient better get lots of use out of it!

I've also started a baby blanket for Tricia, who writes for Frank Talk Magazine (see the link to Ruthi's column at the right). Tricia writes the column, All in a M0mmy's Day; she has a ten-year-old daughter and an eight-year-old son, and little Luci is due in late May/early June. (We all know that the doctor says one thing, but the babies never listen to THEM!) I told her to hold out for June 5th, Ruthi's birthday. This one is another MAM pattern, in pink and white. I got even more creative with this one; playing with the pattern, adding licks and tricks here and there... I have a vision, and it will turn out that way come heck or high water!!! (HA!) Watch this space for further updates and photos of work-in-progress!

I was going to do a whole post about the dead elmo in front of Ben's house, but he still hasn't emailed me the photo he took of it and I never got one done myself before the thaw. Once the ice melted this week (for a few days) someone wasted no time in getting rid of the elmo body... before that it was frozen to the sidewalk. When Ben tried to pull it out of the ice it made very bad sounds, so it was left until warmer days. I made a comment about salting the ice so it would melt faster, and of course then I walked home singing about salted dead elmos and kentucky fried big birds with a helping of mashed snufflalumpalous. I have no idea how to spell snufflalumpalous, and really don't care; I may write the post even without the photo, but it wouldn't be the same. Ben, send me that photo!!! I have so many plans for that picture... photoshop is a wonderful program! {evil giggle}

Baby's growing up!

2007-03-10T11:24:00.000-05:00

Can you believe, when I brought this dog home I smuggled her into the house inside my coat?! My SHORT coat!

Now she just needs a saddle, and I would never need a car again.

Being Lab mix, she is very friendly. As in, "Oh boy somebody new to PLAY with and give me LOVIN'!!!!!" If you are under 5'3" tall, or weigh less than 175 pounds, you probably shouldn't visit, because she will take you DOWN. Not to hurt you, just to lick your face and break your leg wagging her tail.

Every time I see "Over the Hedge" I think of her, when the little Rott puppy comes on. (Nakeyta is also part Rottweiller, but it doesn't show; with her ears, I think she might have some Shepherd or Chihuahua somewhere in the DNA as well). If you have seen the movie, you know what I mean when I yell "Play! Play!" If you haven't seen the movie, go to the library and rent it, it is hilarious. When you see the puppy, picture it all grown up to Pony size, and you have 'Keyta!

One more interesting tidbit, she is Italian by osmosis. As if it weren't weird enough that my cats will eat chip-dip, my dog eats spaghetti. And goulash. If I buy a brand of hard dog food that she doesn't like, all I have to do is pour olive oil over it, or pour some spaghetti sauce on it. And no, it isn't meat-flavored sauce; remember Ruthi is a vegetarian and won't eat anything even flavored with meat. Not even ramen noodles. Great, it is officially easier to feed my fur-kins than to feed my skin-kins...

Typical!

Jimmy

2007-03-02T15:58:00.000-05:00

From the Chattanoogan:

James Brooks, 48, of Hixson, died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007.

He was a native of Burlington, Mi. He was known for his hard work and dedication as product manager with Sierra Solutions.Jim loved music, football, photography and a good laugh. He enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the United States with Sierra Solutions, where he had the opportunity to make many friends. He will be greatly missed.

A beloved son, brother, father and uncle, he is survived by his mother, Carol Coffey, of Hixson; a son, Josh Brooks, of Chattanooga; siblings, John Brooks, of Reno, Nev., Sherry Parris, of Hixson, Linda Fuller, of Reno, and Shane Brooks, of Harrison; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Services were held Sunday at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. Entombment will be at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.Please share your thoughts and memories at Mem.com or here in the comments section. Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.

Jimmy was my cousin on my sister's side, the oldest of Aunt Carol's kids. I am so tired of the only family reunions being ones where the "guest of honor" is passed on! Worse yet, I didn't even get to attend this one, because I had no way to get clear down to Tennessee from here! {make crying sad face}. So, to all my family and friends: come up here now and visit me while I can still enjoy your visit! If the trip is too much, at least email me. I miss everyone so much...

OK, now I have to go and cry because I've started thinking of all the people that have gone on before me that I miss. Shirley, Mamaw, Papaw, Grandpa Ted, Danny, Timmy, Grandma Thelma, Grandpa Clyde, Mike, Stan, Leo, Crystal, Uncle Leon... and all the ones that I never got to meet: Grandpa Ben, Grandma Edith, Grandma Weeks...

My neighbor's son, the artist

2007-02-21T16:36:00.000-05:00

Promised Sherideth, Angel of the Block (grin) that I would post a picture of her son Jaymz. He did these in his morning graphic arts class at the Calhoun Vo-Ed Center (or whatever fancy name they have this year...). Not only is he a hottie (for a kid), he is an excellent artist. Even though he hates to have his photo taken. And to really stun the world, he is a good driver! A teenage male that actually drives well: yet another sign of the Apocalypse... Hopefully will be able to get some non-graphicked (new word;

don't bother looking it up in Webster's, it isn't there yet) photos of him sometime, even if only on the morning bus to school while he is

napping. Catching the bus at 6:30 in the morning should be considered cruel and inhuman punishment... One thing worse than catching the bus that early: trying to get a kid up in time to catch it... oh well, I love ya Ruthi!!! (grin!)

Snocoming—how prophetic

2007-02-21T16:28:00.000-05:00

I love my digital camera! Here is a photo of Alanda on Extreme Maroon and Grey Day, wearing a purple sweatshirt from our arch-rival school, Athens. I borrowed it from a friend, because Al is a little rebel…

...and here are Alanda and Savanna getting ready to go to the Snocoming Dance. Beautiful dresses, beautiful girls… And then the prophecy hit.

Why do they have to call it Snocoming? Because that is exactly what happened after the dance! YUCK!!!

Thankfully, by the time I got over the 24-hour bug I had yesterday and was able to get here to the library to post this, it is up to 40 degrees and the river has melted, so Spring might actually be on its way.... please!!!!!

Quickie

2007-02-10T11:44:00.000-05:00

Have about one minute to post, so here is my quickie for the day:

Have added Ross-the-Intern's blogsite to my list of links at the right; also added a link to FrankTalk, so you can pop over and read Ruthi's column every week. New editions are online every Monday.

This is my neighbor's daughter, Belle. Ain't she a cutiepie!!! Alanda took this picture with my beloved cheapie digital camera; we have entirely too much fun with that camera! THANK YOU CAROLE!!! (Sorry if you are tired of being appreciated, Carole!) Later I will post a pic of the blanket I made for Belle when her sister Beth was born (didn't want a jealous big sister!) and the one I made for Beth.

Now it turns out that Alanda's friend's mom is pregnant. Definitely must be something in the water... so one more blankie to start crocheting. Add to the list of BABIES EVERYWHERE. Shaner, if you are reading this, PLEASE tell me that YOU don't have another on the way!

Tonight is Snocoming at the High School. Yippee. Will hopefully have pix to post next week.

Have a great weekend, y'all!

Groundhog Day and Other I Told You Sos

2007-02-07T16:44:00.000-05:00

Well, the famous Puxatawny Phil didn’t see his shadow, so according to folklore we will have an early spring. Guess what folks, it is so early that it was last year! Remember all that fabulous weather last December and this January? That was our early spring!!!

And remember how, while I was reveling in the nice warm weather, I kept saying that real winter would eventually hit and it would hit hard. Look outside your windows; I was right. Boy, when I am right, I am right with a vengeance! Would have been nice to have been wrong just this once. I really am not a fan of the white Goddess Dandruff. Give me sunny beaches any day! (Actually, I prefer the woods to the beach, but you get my drift…) Might not be so bad, if I had been able to get a wood burner for the house, this year. Our furnace is older than I am, and with a messed-up thing that makes it run: it blows hot air for so long, then blows COLD air for even longer. The temperature on the thermostat and on the thermometer are vaguely close to each other… have to set it at 60 to get it to go to 70. Or something like that, either way it is mucked up…

Am giving serious consideration to packing a suitcase (wish that Eddy the Computer was a notebook!) and hitch-hiking to Florida. Hey, Darrell, do you ever head south when you’re driving that pretty purple rig all over the country? If so, you need a co-pilot! You know where I live, haul your *** over here! We even have a real coffeepot now, so you don’t have to settle for instant coffee before we leave. (Ooh, I hear air brakes in the distance!) Be careful out there, the roads are slicker than a New York politician…

I am so proud of my mommy. She actually got to read her own email and send messages this weekend! With just a little help!

Here is my future fur coat.... Just kidding!

And see, I really *DO* wash my dishes!!!

Happy Imbolc! And Other Fun Stuff...

2007-02-02T16:08:00.000-05:00

To all my pagan pals, Happy Imbolc! Officially the last day to have Yule decorations up; since I never actually put mine on display this (past) year, I guess I was safe, but finally got them all back into the basement until December today. Soon I will be able to sit in my chair again in the living room! (More likely, soon it will be moved onto the porch...) The ancient belief, according to my book Seasons of the Witch, (thanks again, Dusty!) is that any decorations left up after today become a hiding place for goblins. I have enough problems already, goblins I DON'T need!

Got the rest of the pix uploaded from my previous post, except the one of Sarah the Llama. Maybe I will get that one up tomorrow. OK, realistically it will be next week; tomorrow is Saturday and the library is only open from 9 AM to noon, and everyone knows that I am *NOT* a morning person! So, here are the pix of Alanda and her shirt (it is so shiney!!!) and of Nakeyta, that Ruthi thinks I spell wrong. Hey, it's the Irish spelling.... OK, I'll tell the truth: every time I see "Nakita" (the way Ruthi thinks it should be spelled), I think of "Akita", which is a breed of dog. This would be like naming the neighbor's chihuahua "Malamute." Just doesn't work for me!

I am so happy, Ruthi's column this week in FrankTalk is about stupid people, and she never mentioned my name once! This column is a showcase of her acerbic wit; I just wish she had asked me for some examples, I have some real goodies. Like the girl at the cash register at the grocery store, that gave me Canadian coins in my change. She started to take them back, and give me "real" money (first "duh" award). Then, I told her that it was okay, that I was saving all my Canadian change in case I ever went back to visit Canada. Her answer? I swear to God and Goddess, she honestly said, "Oh! You can use it there?" in total surprise. At least she had counted the change right....

Which brings me to the next Duh Recipient: another cash register story. At a certain fast-food take-out drive-through (rhymes with Locko Hell), when the girl gave me my change for a twenty, I told her, "But I gave you a thirty." This poor kid actually looked through the cash drawer to find the thirty dollar bill I said I had given her. I let her look for a minute, then pointed out to her that there is no such thing as a thirty dollar bill. Thankfully, she had a sense of humor! She even went up front and told her co-worker what I had done to her, and they both laughed.

Sadly, in a later incident I was relating the story to my friend's fifteen-year-old daughter, and had to EXPLAIN to her why this was funny.
As in, "Kara, there is no such thing as a thirty dollar bill."
"Yes, really; I was just joking with the cashier."
"Seriously, NO there are NO thirty dollar bills, and if someone gives you one it is FAKE."
"NO! THERE IS NO THIRTY DOLLAR BILL!!! YES, I AM SURE!!! "
Some teenagers are just so stubborn.

But, bless their little hearts! They are so much fun to pick on! (I won't even go into poor Darcy at Jack's Grocery, who turns twelve shades of red when I ask her which aisle the Twinkies are in.)

And to prove that I am an equal-opportunity smart-aleck, I also pranked people when *I* was a cashier. Working third shift, it's pretty easy. Once, I told a group of men (at three in the morning) that I couldn't sell them cigarettes because the city council had recently passed a bill banning tobacco sales after 2 AM. After they bitched and moaned for a few minutes about politicians and government, I asked them if they believe everything they hear. And sold them the cigarettes, while we all laughed at their gullibility.

Then there was the teenager who came in to buy a bottle of Mountain Dew, and I told him he had to prove that he was over eighteen. He was quite distraught to learn that a new state law banned the sale of caffeine to minors, because it is an addictive substance. I let him pout for a minute, then sold him the pop under the condition that he not tell anyone that I did because I didn't want to lose my job for selling it to him. Bet that kid carries his ID all the time, now... (Hey, caffeine is an addictive substance, and I am honestly surprised that its sale hasn't been banned for minors! Give California a month or two after this is posted, someone will send this to the Terminator and then all California teens will be burning me in effigy!)

So, everybody watch your change, and get your holiday decorations put away so the goblins don't get you (and give you Twinkies, Darcy...)!

Really Rambling Around

2007-01-31T16:41:00.000-05:00

So many things to write about today! I had to catch Nakeyta today, she somehow slipped off her chain again… we are pretty sure that she is getting help, because if the chain isn’t broken and her collar is still on, how does she get the chain unhooked from the collar? She’s smart, but not * that * smart! Or at least, not that coordinated! The good part is that all I did was walk outside, call her name, and she came running right to me. Usually she runs right to me and PAST me because she wants to play “catch me!” So this was a nice change. Right now as I write this, she is on a chair pad by the computer (writing at home to post later at the library), being the sweetest, quietest puppy ever seen. She is so cute! Yep, proud mommy here…

Also found a photo of Mom with her coleus this summer. She has Grandma’s green thumb; I have a purple thumb. Her flower garden is gorgeous! Even in the winter she has it pretty; she put fake flowers out! Wish I had been there last week when the ice storm hit, to take photos; she said that the flowers were covered with so much ice that they were three times their original size. Bet that would have been quite a sight! Even though I missed it, I did get this picture in September; this huge coleus is actually planted in a coffee can! Root-bound much???!!! Also got a photo of Sarah the Llama. I really want to make a sign for mom’s house that says “Mama’s Llamas,” it just sounds SO cute!!!

Then, thanks to the beloved digi-cam, I finally got photos of the shirt I made for Alanda, and her cloak. I used the sewing machine for the shirt, but the cloak I made before I borrowed the machine, so it is sewn entirely by hand. And amazingly, not a single bloodstain on it! Stunned that my fingers were still attached by the time I was done…

OK, got the word that I only have five minutes left, so better get this uploaded….

I weigh HOW much???

2007-01-26T11:06:00.000-05:00

Basically, this is the expression on Alanda's face when she read the scales at the doctor's office this week. Then I took my foot off the scale....

My bruises should be gone in a month or two! {LOL}

Actually, in this photo she was reacting to my joking around with my buddy John. Chick has no sense of humor! Of course, she had had a long day that day, school and 4H and little sleep. Excuses, excuses...

New semester starts next Monday. What a way to start something new, with a MONDAY. Oh well, thank the gods that * I * am done with all that!

A Thousand Words

2007-01-24T15:59:00.000-05:00

Yes, I actually took a photo to prove that I cleaned and organized my cupboard! Isn’t it pretty? Now if I could only get the rest of the cupboards looking this good… time, give me time, it will happen… even this year! I promise!

Now why did I make a stupid promise like that?

Put twelve things on my to-do list for today. If I actually make it to town and get this posted, that will be one item I can cross off. Wow, there is a total of eight things that require me to go to town. So naturally it is snowing like a bee-jee-suss…look on the positive side, at least the flakes are gently falling and not blowing in a big old blizzard. Ugh, what a depressing thought! Would be much prettier to look at if I didn’t have to walk with Liam tomorrow to the dentist after school. And I know the white stuff isn’t going to go away before then…

Items in progress in the yarn department of my life: cabled scarf for me, baby blanket for the art teacher. Things to make by the end of next month: baby blanket for the counselor at the elementary, hat for Ben, apples for Ben and John, cabled wrist-warmers to match my scarf, new hat with cables (hopefully a little more snug than the one I wear now, beautiful colors and fun pattern to knit, but has been stretched out a lot since I first made it). Things to make within the next four months: baby blanket for new step-nephew, baby blanket for Mom’s friend at work, baby blanket for friend’s new grandson. Things to make during the rest of my lifetime: no, don’t think I’ll list those, there isn’t enough room on the Internet!

Randy Travis Concert, and other Pix

2007-01-24T15:55:00.000-05:00

Went to see Randy Travis in concert at Hillsdale County Fair back in September of 2006. This was Alanda's second concert; her first was Randy Travis in Hillsdale in September of 1989! Not that she remembered it, being only four months old at the time. But this one she will remember for a long time, especially as I got to take photos this time. And FINALLY got the film developed this month for my late birthday present!!!
This is the best one, I had to share it with everyone. Randy Travis is so cool, even if he does sing that twangy stuff...

And of course, had to add a picture of the kids, from the digital camera that I don't have to wait for developing! I love this option! Especially since I have Eddy the Computer at home! If I had to go to the library to download, it could be a problem. BUT who cares! I can do pictures!!! Me so happy.... thank you, Carole, again! And again and again and again....

Babies, babies, everywhere!

2007-01-24T15:53:00.000-05:00

Either there is something in the water (good thing I drink Pepsi!) or there was a party I wasn’t invited to (wouldn’t have gone anyway; I’m in hermit mode until spring). Whichever, there are new babies all over in my life!

In no particular order…

Marie has a new grandson, named Ethan, isn’t he an absolute doll! Grandkids are great; spoil them and send them home! (No, I don’t have any of my own, and it better stay that way for a *long* time!)

My sister’s stepdaughter had a baby boy last week, his name is James, and I don’t have any photos yet. Big surprise, since I don’t even have any photos of the stepdaughter! Shoot, I’m lucky to get photos of my sister! Found a bunch from when we were little, but recent ones are few and far between…

The counselor at my son’s elementary school had a baby boy during the Christmas Break (December 22, to be exact). She should be back to work next month, so I have time to make a blanket; I didn’t know ahead of time, because I only got to see her a few times at the beginning of the school year and she was really NOT showing. I didn’t get his name yet…

The art teacher at the high school is currently pregnant; my oldest daughter has her for art and last semester my youngest daughter had her for Spanish. My mom has a friend at work that is pregnant, not due for quite awhile yet (but boy -- how time flies). And finally, George’s niece Cherish is pregnant. If there is anyone else in the family that is in the family way, nobody has bothered to tell us yet… I think that six babies/babies-in-progress is enough for now! My fingers are starting to hurt already, thinking of all the blankets to be made…. Oh yes, let’s not forget that I have a friend with a pregnant friend. So I guess that makes seven; I probably won’t be asked to make a blanket for the friend’s friend, but one never knows! Maybe if I don’t mention it to the friend, and stop knitting or crocheting or sewing whenever he is around so that maybe he will forget that I do that…. Nope, *that* ain’t going to happen! After all, this is the friend that I knitted a six-foot scarf for one year, and he still has the crocheted octopus that I made him for Christmas about, let me see, twenty-one years ago. Oh lord, now I am really depressed, it can’t have been that long!!! But my oldest is almost eighteen, and we were friends about four years before she was conceived (NO, not by this male friend!!!)… Jeez, time really does fly by! Seems like only last week that we met at the library…

Yep, I got some good, long-time friends! And so far, none of them are pregnant this month…

Blankies

2007-01-09T15:28:00.000-05:00

This is a photo of the very first blanket/bedspread that I ever crocheted. Granny squares, 48 of the little stinkers, made from whatever scrap yarn I could find or beg from Grandma. I gave it to my sister for her birthday that year, I don't even know what year it was now. That's how long I have been doing these things. Rumor has it that my mother still has the blanket safely tucked away. (Knowing her house, and the field mice that sneak in when the cats are watching satellite TV, I don't know if "safely" is the most accurate term...)

I like making granny squares, they are portable and second-nature. I used to make them during my breaks at work, sitting in the cafeteria with my eyes closed, crocheting away at 50 miles per hour. Once, I made a bedspread for a friend's graduation, and in the time crunch I was actually working on it in the car at stop lights. And sometimes at go lights... but I got it done in time!

I'm making a granny square baby blanket for one of the high school teachers. Or I was until I got sidetracked into making Christmas gifts. Now that THAT is over, I can get back to the baby blankie. It's about two-thirds done, so no worries mate...

Here is the bedspread I spent about two years making for my friend Rick. Notice that this one is NOT granny squares, hence the lengthy work-time. When it's a huge (full-size bed) one-piece, the blanket gets pretty heavy after a point, and in the summer heat you do NOT want to be working on a fifty-pound blanket! Plus, couldn't tote the pieces around in a little tote bag to work on in odd moments. But, after all that and then some, I did get it finished and even delivered to Rick. I was even fortunate enough to get there on a day when he had film in his Polaroid, so I was able to get this picture of him with the blanket on his bed. Have more on the film in my Real Camera, to be developed in 50 or so years when I get the film used. The yarns used in this are Mexicana Variegated, Royal Blue, Purple, Emerald Green, and Black. All Red Heart brand. All bought brand new just for this project, an event that doesn't occur very often!

So, keep an eye out here for more pix, thanks to Wonderful Carole and my digie cam!

SNOWDROPS IN JANUARY

2007-01-09T14:47:00.000-05:00

Here's another example of why I'm glad I got that digital camera for Christmas! These snowdrops were blooming just last week; if I had taken a photo with the Real Camera, the film *might* get developed before NEXT January. But thanks to the miracles of modern technology, and Carole, I can share this photo with you now, even though two days later the white stuff decided to cover our lawn and kill off the pretty flowers.

As I sit here at home typing this for the library, I glanced out the window and see that the Goddess needs some Selsun Blue Shampoo; Her dandruff is all over the place and more wafting down as I write. How sad. I just don't care for the cold, I would probably see the prettiness easier if it were warm. If that makes no sense, sorry. *I* know what I mean! I never did like the snow-in-the-poppyfield scene in Wizard of Oz, snow belongs in pretty little jars with scenery... safely enclosed where it can do no harm. Brrr....

Have been working on my cabled scarf while watching Rachael Ray. Nowhere near as close to done as I would like to be, but it's getting there. I took a photo to show the pretty colors and plain cables, and in my infinite creativity (LOL) I wanted to share my discovery of the latest Cable Needle Replacement. Ah, the advantages of using large needles and double yarn; a pencil works so well to make cables with! Judging from the walk to the library, I better get the fingers flying and get the scarf finished...COLD!!!

Have accomplished one goal for the New Year: 51 weeks to go! I got my kitchen drawers cleaned out and organized. Well, the ones by the sink, at least. The ones in the huge-ass cupboard are PIPs: Projects In Progress. I plan to move around the "furniture" in the kitchen, my microwave cart and the cupboards and the hutch, THEN I can clean the cupboard drawers and cupboards. That's a scary thought; if I don't post for a while, send the Marines to do Search & Rescue! What's the current reward for finding Jimmy Hoffa? I could use a few bucks, and it wouldn't surprise me in the least to find him in the back of one of these cupboards. I *have* to get the cupboards re-organized, as I got some boxes of pans and dishes and other kitcheny miscellanea. I am the Queen of Hand-me-downs; unlike some people, I have absolutely no problem accepting someone's cast-offs. Just don't tell me that you have dishpan hands from washing everything before you brought it to me, when it is obvious even to my poor eyesight that these pans haven't seen the inside of a sink since Reagan's presidency! OK, I'm done venting now... I don't mind cleaning the stuff, after all it's not like I paid a fortune for it (my favorite four-letter "F" word: FREE!). I just hate the recovery from scrubbing, stupid arthritis anyway.

Finished re-reading Delores Stewart Riccio's Circle of Five, Charmed Circle, The Divine Circle of Ladies Making Mischief, and am now re-reading The Divine Circle of Ladies Courting Trouble. Don't you just love books that you can re-read and enjoy as much the second (third, fourth...) time as you did the first time! The Tory O'Shea mysteries by Rett MacPherson are another series I can read repeatedly. And of course the Appalachian mysteries by Sharyn McCrumb. Recently re-read If I'd Killed Him When I Met Him, was just as good this time around. (With a title like that, how could it be anything BUT fabulous!)

OK, time to finish this posting, go read Ross the Intern's blog and Dusty's blog, and check today's free pattern from Annie's Attic. Then sneak over to FrankTalk and read Ruthi's column instead of waiting for the published copy to be delivered tomorrow. Ah, the advantages of the Internet!!!

Happy birthday to me!

2006-12-29T16:37:00.000-05:00

Got my package of books from DiTro yesterday. Just in time for my birthday tomorrow! And not a minute too soon, as I just finished reading the fourth book in the Charmed Circle series by Delores Stewart Riccio. Which unfortunately is a library book so must be returned, but I have it for a whole month; so might just go back and read the whole series over again before I send it back to Cassopolis.

Need new batteries for the digital camera already. Why am I actually surprised by this? But at least I found the power-off switch for the electronic keyboard, so it doesn't start playing itself every time it gets barely bumped. Whew, that was getting just a *little* annoying!

Had to frog about four inches of my big cable scarf, couldn't figure out why the cable looked wrong. Then I realized, it WAS wrong. So frogged and re-knit, thrill of my life. Got the freaking cables right this time, though! Will be beautiful if it ever gets finished...

Still don't have the new stove/oven hooked up yet. But Mom baked a ham at her house and brought it over for Christmas, microwaves are wonderful.

Time to sign off already, story of my life. Final words: IT'S NOT A PERSON HANGING IN THE WIZARD OF OZ, IT'S A FREAKING BIRD! Ok, I feel better now!

363 Shopping Days Until Christmas

2006-12-27T16:23:00.000-05:00

In other words, hurry up and finish reading this and get back to your knitting! I found out the hard way that there is less time available than you realize, when you make gifts for the holidays. On the brighter side, I did find the blanket I had started for my brother last year; turns out that all I really had to do was tie up the last end of yarn, it was big enough after all. (Yes, I cheated and showed it to him a couple of weeks ago, and asked him if he thought it was big enough. Since he said yes, and the only reason to make it bigger was because I like to make BIG blankets -- hence the extremely long finishing time -- well, that was one present done). I took a photo before I wrapped it, but haven't developed the film (actually I haven't even finished the film yet...); more on that in a moment.

Also took photos of the ornaments I made. Not ALL of the ornaments, I don't have a wide-angle lens for my good camera; just a composite of the different types. And a photo of the famous Blanket for Rick, two in fact; one has a toy horse from the old swingset next to it for perspective. The film, still the roll that I haven't finished. Got a photo of the crocheted octopus that I made for John more years ago than I care to count (don't want to take my shoes off, ha ha). Same roll of film! Hope that there are still places that develop film by the time I get it finished... again, ha ha.

Now for the incredibly awesome great news: I won't have to whine about not being able to post pix of my "stuff" anymore! Santa and Carole were great to me and the kids for Christmas; I got a DIGITAL CAMERA!!! While it isn't the fancy-shmancy one that I dream of someday in the very distant future, it is good enough for website photos; since that was the main reason I wanted one (along with not having to get film developed) I am not complaining. Couldn't complain anyway, I got to pick it out myself! The only thing I really dislike about it is that there is no preview LCD screen, only a little screen to show mode and flash and number of pix left, etc. So you don't know until you download whether the picture is worth keeping. Oh frigging well, I'm not wasting tears on that! Not since I have a working computer at home (beautiful Eddy) and can sit right down and check them, even have the USB port on the front so don't have to kill myself getting to the back of the tower like I did with Elvis. Yee haa!!!

The only two complaints that I have about the camera are that it is made in China (forgive me, John McCormick and Cliff Parr); and that I have to beat my kids to get it back from them. The girls are having a great time with MY presents; I also got an electronic musical keyboard from my mommy and you can bet that the three kids are partying down with that one! Oh well, at least it is educational. (Mom got it for me so I could try and drown out Alanda's Christmas present; she got her the guitar she has been begging for for the last three months -- or is it years?)This photo is actually of Ruthi, but it shows Alanda's guitar really well...would show it better if Al hadn't been playing with the special effects feature on my photo editing software...

OK, calm down, I don't really beat the kids, you don't have to call CPS. Put the phone down! I did pitch a whiney fit (the nice way of saying I bitched like a crazy woman) and now they at least ASK before they take over my toys. Hey, ya gotta do what works... Too bad that technique doesn't work with irresponsible teachers as well as it does with teens... We won't go *there* right now, I still get itchy mad when I think about the situation.

Anyway, I did manage to get a photo with the NEW camera of my brother wearing the hat I made him for his birthday (which happens to be December 25th, hence the name Chris).

Happy Belated Birthday, and Early Yule!

2006-12-08T15:40:00.000-05:00

Just received an email from DiTro that she got her late birthday/early yule package already. WOW that was fast, as I sent it media rate and the nice lady at the post office said it would take about a week... And I sent it like Tuesday or Wednesday! Of this week! Too bad *I* can't get around that fast!

Dusty, I am very glad that you liked the gifts. And since today is your Extra Birthday thanks to mom-in-law, I must say "Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy biiiiiirthday dear Diana, happy birthday to youuuuuuuuuu!" and entirely on-key thanks to the computer keyboard. Har de har har... And now that you have the Nora Roberts quote in LARGE PRINT to inspire you, when do I get to proofread for you???????

Love you, kiddo, you keep me---well, not sane necessarily, because that would be no fun -- but at least you keep me feeling loved in my insanity! Thank you for being the bestest friend in the whole wide world.... which, being round isn't really wide, but the W alliteration sounds better than WRW sounds....

Like I said, not necessarily sane! LOL

Friday Afternoon Ramblings

2006-12-08T14:59:00.000-05:00

Wow. Read my fifteen year old daughter's column in this week's FrankTalk; I officially resign from writing anything more complicated than a grocery list! Might actually sign my name to some Christmas cards, too, but don't hold your breath on that one....

Was posting a comment to Dusty's blog and realized that I was typing enough for my own blog posting. So here I am...

I re-organized the yarn in the living room this morning, since I can't get to the old doll cradle that I relined and recommissioned as a yarn basket until we get the new stove moved and hooked up. Then I took donations to the local thrift shop, outgrown clothes and re-read books. Ended up seeing an old buddy from high school at the grocery store on the way uptown, and gave her the books instead. Since our reading tastes are the same (anything except romance), I only had to sort out about three books that I really don't know how they got into my possession. So she went home with a box and three grocery bags of books, and I know for a fact that they went to a good and appreciative home. She was happy because she had just ran out of stuff to read, and now she is set for at least a few days. {grin} I am happy because I have room on my shelves now and know that the books are going to be enjoyed. Happy Yule all around!

Then at the thrift shop, I ended up buying a cool-looking leather coat for The Boy, and --- my mind went for a vacation -- a huge grocery bag stuffed full of "Miscellaneous Yarn." And a size C crochet hook, and #3 sp knitting needles, and a plastic canvas cow face for my neighbor's kitchen... At least I left with less than I went in with! Which is always a good thing!

Ended up frogging the hat I was trying to knit on the dpn, apparently I need longer needles because the stitches kept slipping off the needles. So am going to try again later with regular single-point needles and the funky cool yarn. For the moment am doing another hat for stepdad on the sp, this one a little smaller than the last because he apparently has a small head. (My brother, on the other hand, has enough hair that I don't know why I am knitting HIM hats!) Now watch, this hat will be TOO small for dad..... If so, I will just tell him to go to a psychiatrist and get his head shrunk. Or use hotter water when he washes his hair, see if his head shrinks like my hubby's pants all seem to have done. And the doctor says he's losing weight, yeah right.

Ruthi's Winter Concert (high school band) was Wednesday night, and once again they were outstanding. Closing my eyes, I felt like I was in a symphony hall instead of a high school gymnasium. Plan on getting a copy of the recording the director made, soon as I find a blank CD. Desk-cleaning time again, send in the troops... I won't mention here the typos in the band program... but I did volunteer to compose the program for the Spring Concert. This year had an improvement over last year's concert: last December, the director decided to change "Christmas concert" to "Winter Concert," and the following day we had a huge blizzard that closed school and so forth. This year, in spite of the jinxing title, the weather has held with cold and dreary but no huge YuckyStuff like last year. Good thing, too, or I would have to have a few words with the director about a new name for the concert next year!

Liam wrote out his Christmas Wish List last night; actually, he dictated and I typed it on the computer, he got a kick out of that. Twenty wishes has my little guy; one of my favorites is for another kid on his bus to get coal for Christmas because he is mean. My other favorite is that he wants to meet his great-great-great-great-grandfather who was born in Ireland. Since James Bryans died long before I was born and started climbing the family tree, that is one wish I probably won't see him get. I don't even know if anyone in the family has any photos, am putting out a request to some cousins in an email right now. Be just my luck that all old family photos are in the possession of the Perfect Aunt, who not only doesn't care about family history, she doesn't seem to give a monk's fart about the family present. Yes, I am whining again. Oh frigging well, it's my blog and if I want to whine I will... send chocolate chip cookies! (YES, it is true that back in The Day, at college, I dunked my chocolate chip cookies in wine because we were out of milk. Bring back any memories, Dusty?!)

Have considered not posting anymore, because no one ever comments. But Alanda CLAIMS that she and Bailey read me, so we will see. HEY BAILEY, HAPPY FREAKIN' BIRTHDAY KIDLET!!!!! Yeah, the challenge has been issued, do they really read or are they just trying to get brownie points? Because there are no brownies until the oven is hooked up! Maybe not even then, because the first thing I plan on baking is a cheap frozen pizza; although I did threaten to make homemade pizza. Of course, won't make either until I get a new Pizza Pan! (The old one took an extended vacation to the garbage can after too many dents and rust stains and that nasty black buildup that refuses to come off the pans with less than a power sander).

Ok, that seems a fitting end to my writing "career," a complaint about dirty dishes and nobody loving me.....

A New Star is Born

2006-12-06T15:07:00.000-05:00

There is a weekly free entertainment magazine in our area called Frank Talk. I have been reading it ever since they added Union City to their distribution area, and really enjoy it. Lots of different columnists, all ages and both genders, even some with my "special" sense of humor. And now, there is a new columnist: my daughter!

Ruthi has been reading FrankTalk almost as long as I have, and when they recently added a fifteen-year-old girl to their list of writers, she decided to give it a go herself. She submitted some sample columns, and was beyond excited to get a reply from Jim Frank (the publisher) welcoming her to the staff! Last week was her introductory column, complete with her photo on the front page in Jim's welcoming column. This week's issue is out today, but since I haven't left the house yet I haven't picked up my copy, so I don't know what she wrote about this week. That's right, even though I am her mommy I have to wait until the publication to read her column! (Unless I sneak onto the website, www.franktalkonline.com and read it there when it is uploaded on Mondays.) Which I haven't done this week because I have been hiding from the nasty white stuff all over the ground. Yes, in my next life I want to be a bear, so I can hibernate all nasty winter!

So, stop reading this rambling and go to www.franktalkonline.com and read Ruthi's column, Right of Passage ! That's where I will be!

The End is Near

2006-12-06T15:06:00.000-05:00

Actually, a lot of ends are here or near: the end of the year, the end of my 43rd year on this planet, the end of the school semester, the end of the semi-decent weather, the end of my license plate, the end of my rope.

The weather has ended, the Goddess's Dandruff is everywhere. School was cancelled Friday because of the icy roads, so the talent show and art show are postponed until next Monday. Tonight is the Band's Winter Concert;I need to find a ride because Ruthi shouldn't be walking in this weather in her dress clothes for concert.

The end of my license plate and my 43rd year are simultaneous: December 30th. Since my van doesn't run anymore, I don't have to worry about renewing the plate, and my actual driver license is good for one more year. The end of my rope is extremely near; between the stress of not having my own income, getting no help from local agencies on my gas bill, and trying to find a set of size 9 double-pointed knitting needles, the end is about a quarter-inch away. If I ever did find the dpn, they would probably cost a left leg and four fingers. Because it looks like I would have to make them myself!

Did manage to find a set of dpn that I kept safe in my crochet hook case; pity I will never find my gauger so that I would know what size they are. Did learn an important lesson: don't try new techniques, or rather re-try old techniques, with fancy funky yarn! Haven't knitted with dpn in a coon's age or longer, so what do I do for my first recent attempt, but grab the gorgeous yet bulky yarn that DiTro sent me. If I don't frog it, will make a gorgeous hat, though! If I do frog it, will just try again with the spn; the yarn is that beautiful...

Got the "new" stove at last, now just have to get it hooked up. Too complicated for my taste; it was previously set up for bottled gas, and I have natural gas. (Too many tacos?) Apparently the valves need to be adjusted for the difference. Luckily, while I don't have a clue what to do, I do know who to call for directions, so did that and am just waiting for Buddy John to get over here and do all the shennanigans. Yee ha.

Bought film for the Camera, to take photos of my latest creations. Finally got the blanket for Rick finished, it is really pretty and should look totally awesome on his bed. But he ain't getting it until I get a photo! After all that work and excellent results, I simply must have evidence of it all. And BJ found the crocheted octopus I made for him *many* years ago, so I am getting a photo of it as well. Of course, the way things are going, by the time the film gets developed I will be too arthritic to make anything else, and the photos will be even more cherished....

Well, am home typing this on Eddy (named for the character played by Meatloaf in RHPS; to complement the previous Elvis computer...) and getting ready to get dressed and get to the library and post this before all the kiddies get released from school and hog the Internet Computers. So will end for now, and get going.

There's Good news and Bad news...

2006-11-25T11:32:00.000-05:00

The bad news is, I have slowed down tremendously on my handi-crafts. The good news, well there are two good news. One is that the reason I have slowed down on my crafts is that I have a new computer at home! No internet access, but since I don't have a phone that is no big deal, obviously. The second good news is that I actually accomplished some cleaning last night. Now I just have to go home and clean up the mess I made cleaning.... this pile of papers needs to be filed, this needs to go in the desk drawer (which already needs cleaning, dangnab it), and these boxes need to go to the basement. And these huge mounds need to go to the laundrymat.... and then the clothes in the bathtub need to be rinsed and hung outside to dry.... and the dishes need to be washed.... and isn't it totally astounding that with five people in the house, no one else is capable of doing squat diddley to help. Although the little guy is very good at UNhelping, this morning he was "playing" the piano. He is definitely not Liberace... Daddy has an excuse, since his mini stroke a few months ago he can only walk with a cane, and if he tries to bend over to pick something up -- well, then *I* am picking *HIM* up. But my brother came over Thursday for Thanksgiving, and stayed to help me out with all the lifting. Good kid, Chris... too bad we spent Friday resting up from all the food.... missed a garbage pickup! OOPS!! Well, there is one more on Tuesday, so guess the trashcan will be sitting full for a couple more days...

Ooooh, another miracle: Ruthi started cleaning her room. She lost her glasses in her sleep one night, and I guess she finally got tired of squinting all the time. Plus I bribed her that if she cleans enough, I will give her the extra printer that I have, for her computer. Not much of a bribe, though, since she needs a power strip first. Santa, are you listening?

Liam is doing *SOOOOO* great in school, I could just hop. Well, a few steps before I fall on my face.... have been having a lot of issues with dizziness and stumbling almost as much as DH, since I fell off the ladder a few weeks ago. Chiropractor appointment in the extreme near future!!! Would like to be able to turn my head to make sure traffic is clear before I try to cross the street!!! He is on a new dose of the medication, and this is the email I got from his Special Ed teacher this week:
"Liam did a great job doing his work in the am on all three days. I don't know about the pm for Tues. I do know, Liam did a great job in reading groups on Monday for Mrs. Mead. We were concerned about him participating within groups staying in the classroom. Eventually, it looks like we will pull the LRE aide. If he can succeed without one, it would be awesome. Think about his initial label. CI????? He is not any where near that, is he? Let's continue to observe Liam's progress for the next two weeks. He seems pretty quiet but not "doped". He is doing very well. I appreciate the note and am so proud of Liam's progress. Donna "
HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!?!?!? To paraphrase my new favorite celebrity, Rachael Ray... I finally figured out why I like her show so much: she cooks like my grandma did. Measuring cup? What's that? And she's just so darn perky, but I like her anyway. {HA}

Wish that DiTro would get her own show, or get that darn book finished so that I have something to look forward to! (She used to be DiMi, but now that she is married I felt the need to change her nickname. But she will always be Sweetheart to me....giggle ha ha) Want to get to know DiTro better? Check out her blog here... Now! What are you waiting for, Christmas? We do Yule here, thank you..... Why are you still here? Go to Dusty's site!!! (a/k/a DiTro)....

This Week's Achievements

2006-11-03T16:11:00.000-05:00

Wow, what a week.

I am in the process of finishing a fullsize bedspread I started crocheting for my friend Rick last year (too hot to work on in the summer), only twenty more rows to go. Thanks to John, for buying me a skein of yarn when I ran out unexpectedly! Even got it off the top shelf at the store, as I am not supposed to do any lifting over my head, with my dumb shoulder being still messed up. I am also crocheting a scrap afghan, Jeweled Granny Squares, just to have a project to work on while riding in cars or waiting in doctor offices. I have also started a baby afghan for Alanda's art teacher (also Ruthi's Spanish teacher), granny squares of primary colors and secondary colors. Another travel-project! My final travel-bag is Granny Square Tree Ornaments (and bookmarks, and hairties, and whatever else I decide to make them into). Then today I started the fulfillment of my promise to my son Liam, to knit him a hat for the winter.

Recent accomplishments in the creative arena: a floorlength cloak for Alanda, a waistlength cape for Ruthi, a Space Alien costume for Liam -and a trick or treat bag, a shirt for Alanda, a Medieval dress for Alanda for homecoming Theme day, and two new sets of quilt squares started. The quilt squares are because, while the BORROWED sewing machine sat on my kitchen table after Liam's costume, the machine started talking to me. My computer used to do that, before he died on me recently; I would be walking past all innocent and that voice would call out "Turn me on, use me!" Now the Singer is doing it instead. So dug into the fabric stash and started cutting and sewing. Now George is cutting pieces for me from his stash, and whining because I put the machine up (moment of willpower) and haven't sewn for two days. Well, technically one day because today isn't up yet and I may give in and unleash the monster tonight....

Big accomplishment (for me) in the decluttering habit attempt: while cutting fabrics for all these projects, I was able to take the small scraps and THROW THEM DIRECTLY INTO THE TRASH CAN WHILE I CUT. Of course, any scrap actually big enough to use in a quilt was used, in fact, immediately cut and sewn together. Avoid the Procrastination! I was so proud of myself!!! (And then had to explain to DH why I was throwing away "perfectly good scraps..."--- I just can't win sometimes...) A smaller but still excellent achievement was that I took a full grocery bag stuffed with sewing patterns that I no longer or never have used, and donated them to the local thrift shop. I am so proud of myself!!! And I am going through other sewing patterns later (really) and minimizing them as well. And explaining again to DH why I am getting rid of this stuff. He is a worse packrat than I ever have been; if he ever finds out that in cleaning his dresser drawer I threw away rent receipts from 30 years ago, I will never hear the end of it. Oh well, they are gone now and they ain't coming back! I have two boxes of clothes and knick-knacks to take to the thrift shop; but as I am still a pedestrian I can only take one at a time when I walk to town. Unless I get in gear and get a few more boxes together and dig out the wagon, which is a possibility. I just hate walking in this nasty cold weather; and it isn't even real winter yet. But anything below 70 is vile to me. Why do I live in Michigan???? Oh, yeah, because I can't afford financially to move, and I don't want to uproot the kids. And, to be honest, I dread the idea of packing and moving all this s**t!!! Just the thought of it sends me into a quilt and cocoa!

Another achievement on my Things To Do List: I got some of Alanda's senior pictures printed at WalMart (thanks Mom for paying) so she has some to hand out. Grandma got to pick which pose she wanted, Uncle Chris picked his favorite, and Grandpa and Aunt Dawn got the poses that Grandma chose for them. Now if she could only choose which one to use in the yearbook...

This is the one she did choose, very artsy-fartsy, the yearbook advisor doesn't like for the yearbook. A good photo, just not yearbook material... NO COMMENT! Looks pretty cool in blue graphic-pen, too... So, she will go through the choices AGAIN and pick one for the yearbook publication. Maybe we can talk the advisor into using the first photo somewhere else in the yearbook, as a candid shot. If not, well, it's the yearbook's loss. (Opinionated much, Lyn???)

Dang, time to log off already. On to the pharmacy to pick up DH's phenobarb, then home to clean and cook... yay joy. Then I can CREATE!!!!! YAY!!!!!

Missing Trinity

2006-10-23T15:02:00.000-05:00

Our baby Trinity (photo to be added soon) has gone to the Pet Summerlands. She got into a fight with a raccoon, and while that is not unusual (she always whipped their butts before) this time the rotten 'coon took her out. One note of justice: George found what was left of the 'coon a few days later, hiding underneath the former chicken coop. So at least Trinnie took it out with her. She is buried by her doghouse, and every time I look out the window I cry because she was such a doll.... now I have no reason to learn to spin, because I won't be brushing her winter coat out every spring (and getting enough hair to knit a Dr. Who-length scarf). At least we still have Nakeyta, but as loving as she is, she is not a replacement for Trinnie. Pup, may your bum leg give you no troubles in Puppy Heaven....

Beat Me Now, Please

2006-09-26T12:36:00.000-05:00

Beat me with the idiot stick, please. Why do I have so much trouble spelling names right? First I get Charlaine Harris wrong, changed her to Charlene. Now I get Rett MacPherson wrong. Listen, children, THERE IS NO "H" IN HER FIRST NAME! Now that I have that corrected, my deepest apologies to the fabulous writer who also quilts. My goddess, I have found another Dusty!

Now if you see my kids' names, it may explain my weirdness for name spells. My oldest is Alanda, the middle kidlet is Ruthi, and the youngest is Liam - short for Uilliam, the Irish spelling of William. His middle name is Beathan-Davelynn; Beathan is Scots for Benjamin. Alanda is just made up, but seems to be pretty popular; there is a series of books with Alanda as a country, and in Piers Anthony's Xanth books, Alanda is the Earth Goddess. Pretty good for a name that my ex made up (he wanted to give her the name he would have had if he had been born a girl: Yolanda Susie Katherine. He suggested and we compromised on Alanda; he figured it would be easier for him to spell because it is shorther than Yolanda.) Nuff said about exes...

We have new kittens, one bluegrey (Alae named him Riffraff, after the RHPS dude), and one white siamese mix (originally named Magenta, to go with Riffraff, until I pointed out that she is a HE kitty; now named Rico). Don't know how many there were originally, at least one more blue that hasn't been seen since the first discovery after they got out of wherever their mother had them. Now momkit won't feed them, so I get to do the nursemaid routine. How happy am I... if they survive I will be surprised, as the last batch of kittens didn't make it past two months. Too much inbreeding, I think. Not that mine is the only tom in the neighborhood, but apparently he is the only one to breed here; and since half 0f the females are his offspring, it doesn't bode well genetically. Great, hillbilly cats.... (My daddy is from Mississippi, I can say stuff like that! But y'all can't! So there!)

Now I just find out that the gas company apparently never received their payments, which were made like three months ago, and I have 24 hours to come up with over $1000 or have my gas shut off. I cook with gas and have a gas water heater, so kind of need the service. Can't cook everything in the microwave, especially since I have a shortage of glass and plastic cooking pans/bowls/etc. Which really ticks me off, because I know the payments were made, but bet anything I won't be able to find the paperwork now that I actually need it. The gas company just changed ownership about two weeks after these payments were made, so somewhere Aquila has my payment and Michigan Gas Utilities wants more. I just can't seem to get ahead.

So beat me with the idiot stick really hard; maybe if I am in the hospital I can have a vacation from reality for awhile. Everyone knows I need one!

News and Reminisces from the Home Front

2006-09-22T15:36:00.000-05:00

OK, today maybe I can get the stuff posted…

Got a “new” book by Rhett MacPherson today at the library, the title is A Misty Mourning. These books are just so cool!!! I probably won’t get this one finished tonight, though, as I have already started a Margaret Coel mystery and I am trying to get into the habit of only reading one book at a time. Hard habit to break, reading up to five titles at once, but it is about time. Not like I am in college anymore. Thank gods, although I wouldn’t give up the time I did do in college because while there were miserable times (ad design class) there were also FABULOUS times (every minute spent with Dusty, John, Lisa, MaryLou and Giggles a/k/a Dawn).

Of course, all these years later the only one I still am in contact with is Dusty; which is excellent because other than John (who later developed an attitude issue – HIS loss), Dusty is the one that kept me going through thick and thin. While Mary was still a good friend long after college, we went our separate ways about fifteen years ago. Her life went down the path of perfection, and she didn’t condone some of my life choices. I didn’t exactly like some of them either, but I am the one that has to live with them and the consequences. So, considering that the only thing we have in common anymore is our memories and (hopefully) a love of sci/fi-fantasy books and art, and of course our birthday (she is one year older, nyah nyah…); I guess I shouldn’t lose any sleep or tears over her absence in my life. Guess what, I still think of her at least once a year; every December 30 I psychically send her a “happy birthday Mary” thought. And once in awhile something else will bring her to the front of my mind, a cool picture or something that triggers a certain memory. She is an excellent artist, or was, I always wonder if she still does any drawing anymore, since the last time we talked she “didn’t have time anymore” for her artwork. Sadly, I can’t draw a straight line without a ruler or the shift key, so I really admire those who can draw anything they want to.

Which brings me back to Dusty. That girl can PAINT!!! Somewhere in my lair I have a book of photos and poems and drawings/paintings, and in that book are some of the mini-watercolors that Dusty shared with me when she was in East Lansing (more cool memories!). One of the reasons I am trying to get the house cleaned and organized is to find that book so I can scan them and send them to her. I have a nagging feeling that the volume in question is in Alanda’s room, though; translation, look behind Amelia Earhart!

OK, got to end now. Accomplishments for the week include half of the living room cleaned, books sorted through, tapes put back on shelves, and George’s dresser cleaned out and sorted…. No wonder I am tired today!

Some Good News at Last

2006-09-19T13:48:00.000-05:00

OK, I just typed this post for twenty minutes and lost it. I don't feel up to sharing all that information again.... but will suffice to say that George's cardiac stress tests came back normal, looks like his recurrent chest pains are from the hiatal (sp?) hernia. He has two MRIs scheduled for next week. Liam is on meds at last for ADD, but we are having trouble getting him to swallow them, they keep sticking to his tongue. Ruthi is on meds for ADHD and is very happy with them, she is able to concentrate much better now. Alanda and I have appointments this afternoon, hers to check on her meds and mine to beg for pain pills and antibiotics for an abcessed tooth.

I miss all my friends (not that there are that many to miss), and am slipping into serious Kinnison-channeling. Even RHPS can't perk me up.

Have to do some email, let the teachers know what is going on with the kids....

Another Day Bites the Dust

2006-09-08T12:44:00.000-05:00

SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION! I guess I am happy about it; it is weird that I now hate high school more than I did when I was actually in high school. At least we had choir, to keep us sane (more or less). And we could go into the school library during lunch hour. Nowadays the HS has no choir and the library -- excuse ME, the MEDIA CENTER -- is offlimits during lunch.

Al is a senior, gods how time flies. Seems like just yesterday she was starting pre-school. Her pre-school teacher was my college psychology teacher. Then her kindergarten teacher was my kindergarten teacher. Through her school years she has had only a couple of teachers that had no relation to my school years... spooky. Her fifth grade teacher, Mr. Smeltzer, ended up being Ruthi's fifth grade teacher, and I was looking forward to Liam having him next year for fifth grade. Unfortunately, Mr. Smeltzer passed away last weekend. He had the same birthday as Ruthi and died on Liam's birthday. Bizarre, you say. Freaking scary, I say... Not to mention very depressing.

Ruthi is a sophomore this year, and Liam is in fourth grade (obviously). While there are days that I wish I were back in school with them, eventually I wake up screaming and come to my senses.

Got an email from my nephew-in-law, George's late sister's husband passed away this weekend the day after Liam's birthday. He didn't even make six months after she passed; I can't say I am surprised, because they were so close to each other. At least the kids are all grown, and the grandkids fairly grown, so everyone is old enough to have good memories to keep.

Am trying to keep my depression at bay; with no income, no vehicle, no energy, no washing machine (five people's laundry being washed by hand.... it SUCKS). It is a challenge, and all my friends are so far away... and I can't even keep in touch through e-mail unless I can get my sorry asterisk to the library. So when I am too down to move, I go totally hermit. Which brings me down even more. Usually, anyway; there will always be days that I just really need the peace and quiet that I don't often get with four kids at home (three I gave birth to and the one I married)...

Have made a bit of a dent in the massive hellhole that is housecleaning. Even started on the basement, which is a REALLY scary place! I hope to get all my yarn together in one spot, all my fabric and notions in one spot, all my books given away or sold, and all my why-do-I-keep-this-junk either to the thrift shop or the trash can, depending on its condition.

Real coffee. He says real coffee. Dang nab it, instant coffee is real coffee!!! It certainly isn't fake coffee. Maybe I should get a coffee cup and fill it with brown cotton, and show little old Darrell what FAKE coffee really is! Men. If they didn't make such handy speedbumps.....

OK, now that I have drifted totally off-topic, I guess I should end this off and do some surfing.

The Sword of Damocles

2006-08-25T13:57:00.000-05:00

For those of you familiar with RHPS, today's title should clue you in that I'm at the start of a pretty big downer.

Last week DH spent three days in the hospital from a heart attack and mild stroke. He is still not walking so good, was doing much better last night but then went and overdid himself. So today he can barely stand because his legs keep going numb. I had the thrill of trying to pick him up off the floor when he fell, now I get to go home again and find the Codeine because my back and arms are a-hurting, maynerd. I have a 5-pound lifting limit, so you can imagine what his 141 pounds (of dead weight) have done to me.

He has a doctors appointment next Wednesday, I am going with him (the one advantage to not being employed) and you can bet the baby's booties that I will be mentioning this numb leg issue. DH, being a Stubborn Man, wouldn't say anything about it otherwise.

And the worst thing of all to happen this week, because it is something I can't do a single freaking thing about: Elvis died. The monitor still works, but the tower won't even power up. Yes it is plugged in, duh I learned to check that little trick a LONG time ago. So, now all my writing will be done here at the library, or on paper... The home computer died, and I am extremely sad.... (To think I used to be Queen of the Technophobes, terrified of being in the same room as a computer).

There has been one good event this week; my neighbor needed a gift for a baby shower, and I should have it finished for her tonight. A granny-square baby blanket in blues and grays and whites. Purty... am on the final border round, making pretty little shells to classy it up. Second good event, Mom gave me some $$ to get the girls jeans for school. (Big sale here in town this weekend, hopefully can find some to fit them, sale is good but selection is iffy in Real People sizes). Also have to get Ruthi shoes for band, first performance is next Friday. School doesn't even start until Sept 5!!! I for one would be happy to put it off for a few more years...

Who would have believed it, I hate school now more than I did when I was actually in school!

One of my step-granddaughters, well, I still call them that even now that their mom has decided that my DH is not her father after all, has moved here to town with her father's parents and will be in Alae's grade at the high school. So, guess who Alae's locker partner is going to be! Yay, one good thing for the whole frigging year, that is a new record. Sheryl is a cutie, if her sister EVER gets off her patootie and emails me a photo I will post it here and tell lots of cute stories of when she was a little kidlet... (Are you reading this Jojo? HINT HINT) And got George's nephew's email from his daughter, so now can keep in contact with him again. Gods bless email!!!

OK, am going to end this now, and try to figure out why, with one week left before school starts, the Superintendant of Schools told me that he has no idea whether we will have a new principal at the high school this year. Either he is totally incompetent as an administrator, or he was bald-faced lying (technically I should say beard-faced lying)... either way, I am not impressed with the school anymore....

Leaf Goddess

2006-08-15T15:08:00.000-05:00

This is a ceramic wall plaque that I bought many years ago and painted. I love painting ceramics, when there was a store here that I could buy them at to paint. There was also a Green Man plaque, but I didn't get it and now I don't know where to find one. Originally planned to buy three more of the Goddess one here and paint them to match the seasons. Unfortunately, the store closed and now I can't find anyplace to buy more (affordably). Need to get a better photo of this one, not to brag but I have to admit that the eyes are absolutely beautiful. She was so much fun to paint, and has hung on my kitchen wall as my "KitchenWitch/Kitchen Guardian" since the paint dried. I want to get some photos of the other statuettes that I painted and still have. I did a small gargoyle in purples, somehow managed to get the paint to look marbleized (sp?), it was **SSSOOO** cool. Yes, I gave it away as a gift without getting a photo. Sigh. And will probably never be able to duplicate the marbling effect again... Oh well! On to the Internet to surf for RHPS stuff.

Pretty pictures

2006-08-15T14:57:00.000-05:00

Finally found some pretty pix of my own, ok actually of George's flowers, all my plants are plastic and dead anyway. How do you kill a cactus by not watering it enough? Don't know, but I do know that I did...

Rants: Episode 1

2006-08-15T14:27:00.000-05:00

My gods, has it really been two weeks since I updated this? Seems like only a few days ago...

First rant: childproof bottles. If I don't want one, why give me grief over it? Yet the local pharmacist, smarmy fart, says "you don't need easy-open bottles, you're young." My dear clone informed him that "Mom has arthritis." Did I get an apology? No. Did I get the dammed easy-open bottle? No. Did I go back and demand a different cap? Hell yes. When I sprained my wrist really badly a few million years ago (Before Children), I went to the pharmacy with my arm in a splint, and when I got home with my pain pills I discovered that they had put the blanking things in a childproof bottle. Ever try to open one with a sling on your arm? And of course I was alone at home, even the neighbors were gone (probably a good thing...) I was less than cheerful that night!

Second rant: people that work in service-related fields that have no empathy for people. If you are only in the health-care field because the pay is good, GET A DIFFERENT JOB. When I or my hubby or kids are sick or injured, the last thing I want is a "medical person" who is rude or smarmy or sanctimonious. Last night my hubby had to go to the hospital (I have another name for the one in Coldwater) by ambulance, and the driver wouldn't let me ride with them because in my haste to get to the scene I didn't take the time to find my shoes. (Yes, I go barefoot at home. Sue me). When I (crying for criminey's sake) told him that I didn't have any other way there, his exact words were "That's not MY problem." Then he felt the need to call the police to "talk" to me, because I was so upset. Hey, my husband is having chest pains and you idiots refuse to let him take his Nitro pill, you won't let me go to the hospital and you're talking like he won't live long enough to GET to the hospital; WHY would I be upset????? And to top it off, the cop on duty is the one that tried to get me sent to prison because I told him not to shove my teenage daughter into a brick wall. Sehkmt cleared that little bushwa episode up, but there is no love lost between my family and this fascist creepoid. (His nickname in our house is Officer Cartman; re: SOUTH PARK. Don't get me started on that one...)

Rant the third: People who think that a uniform and gun make them better than civilians. Guess what: you're not. And to think, when I was young and naive I honestly thought we live in a democratic society. Now I see that fascism is as rampant as discrimination, if not more so. I have a very low income right now, I don't own a home, my taste in entertainment is not the most mainstream, my religion is not the same as the President's (Thank you Goddess!!!), my kids are opinionated and not afraid to speak their mind, my mental health is tenuous, but guess what: none of that makes me less "good" of a person. I love my family and friends, I try to help others when I can (and sometimes when I can't), I love to read, and write, I enjoy the beauty in nature, and I never kick a dog or kid. (Although there are times, I must say, that I might want to nudge them just a little...)

Okay, I guess that is enough for this post. I feel my blood pressure starting to elevate; fortunately it is usually in the low range, so I have farther to go before hitting the "danger" status. Will go home later and watch RHPS --again. At least my clone knows how to calm me down when I start to go postal on the planet... put on Dogma or RHPS, do the Time Warp again...

70 Diskettes

2006-08-01T14:40:00.000-05:00

Yee godz of Technology, I have as much hard drive backed up as can be done. Took 70 diskettes to do it, still have a few things on there but at this point there is nothing I can't live without! Believe me, after zipping and saving that many files/photos/databases, I should be sick and tired of everything computer. But obviously I'm not or you wouldn't be reading this. (If you are actually reading this, and I'm not just blathering for my own therapy)...

Am uploading everything to my personal backup file on the internet, thanks to Dusty's ingeniousness. Of course every so often I get a floppy disk that worked just fine on my own computer an hour ago, but that just doesn't want to open here at the library.... foo bar.... but will persevere, onward and upward, stiff upper lip, yada yada yada.

Actually, there are probably a few things saved on diskette that I could live without, and I know that I did end up duplicating photos; but at this point I DON'T CARE. Better to have two copies of photos of my babies, than to discover that, OOPS, that one I deleted was the only copy after all. Can never have too many photos, of family, friends, and other miscellaneous memories. Especially after the object of the photo is gone.

OK great, now I am depressing myself again. I spent an hour this morning crying myself to sleep, I hate the thought that I might need new meds because everything else that I have taken has either knocked me out completely, zombified me, or made me more depressed than I was to start with. Don't know if it is the meds not working anymore, or just that there is so much extra stress in my life right now, or both, or that I am just a walking piece of oxygen-waster. To be more accurate, a sleeping/crying/useless oxygen-waster. I miss my Mamaw, my friends that all have moved away or moved on in their lives, I hate my wretched "cousin" that had the balls to off herself, because I don't have the guts or the strength or the plain intelligence to do the same myself, I hate that I haven't contributed anything to the world, that when I die there will be no grave, no headstone with The Perfect Epitaph, nothing to commemorate my life or death. Nothing to show that I was ever on this planet. Geez, life sucks. Poverty sucks. If it weren't for the local library offering free internet access and letting me sign out books, there would be absolutely nothing worth being in this town for. Which reminds me, I need to sign out another Dean Koontz novel, finished Dark Rivers of the Heart last night. I will have to stop reading his books if I can't get through them without crying at the sad parts. Literally bawling. After I finished the Koontz book, I found the copy of Charlene Harris's Dead in Dixie and started reading it. Got to the part where {SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!! SPOILER ALERT!!!} Sookie's discovers her grandmother's murdered body in the kitchen, and had to put the book up because I couldn't see the print through my tears. Now I am crying about my grandma being gone, and how much I miss her, but I am glad that she isn't here to see what a hopeless mess I have made of my life.

I am in serious need of a Terry Pratchett novel, a new one that I haven't already read.

A is For...

2006-07-28T15:48:00.001-05:00

Even though I haven't yet "officially" joined the WordPlay group, here is my first contribution:
A is For...

Alanda -- in Piers Anthony’s Isle of View, Alanda is the Earth Goddess. In Mercedes Lackey’s Wren series, Alanda is the country the story takes place in. But in our home, Alanda is my clone, oldest daughter, channeler of Kali and Poet Laureate.

Aqua -- water, cool, sweet water. Lovely to drink when the heat is in the 90s, even better with ice tea mixed in. Fabulous to swim in, except the local river which is kind of chemical and harbors way too much broken glass and stolen bicycles. Fun to play with the dog, Nakeyta likes to try and catch water from the hose like she is drinking from a fountain, I really need to get her on video one day. Fun to walk in during the rain, at least for Alanda, she dances in the rain even during thunderstorms. Me, I like rain but not the fireworks. And finally, a gorgeous shade of blue. Send yarn or fabric, please. {grin}

Adolesence -- a long word for HELL ON EARTH. Both for those going through it, and those living with those going through it!

Absolute -- there are none in this life, everything has shades of gray. Also a brand of vodka, but I have never tried it so I can’t give an opinion!

Adam -- the first man, according to Biblical history. Also, the oldest son of my friend from high school, who was in the play with my oldest daughter; he has AWESOME hair. My personal favorite definition: what beavers build.

Anthony -- the last name of my favorite sister-in-law, until she got married and became a Philps.

Antidisestablishmentarianism -- who cares about the definition, it is such a fun word to say and spell!

Attic -- the one room I never had in my home, but still want. The spot to hide all the trinkets and treasures, to play “let’s pretend.” The single coolest store in Battle Creek, even better than Barnes & Nobles! Check out Barb’s website here: http://the-enchanted-attic.com.

If Women Ruled the World

2006-07-28T15:46:00.000-05:00

A conversation in the drugstore led to today's topic. While commiserating with a total stranger about the hazards of dealing with men, she opined that the world is in the state it is today because women aren't running the world. If we did, and had access to The Red Button, you know that everyone would be much more careful about what they said and did. Because darling, if we are PMSing and that button is within our reach: well, enough said.

This led me to the thought that we should all have Red Buttons in our homes. Guys, if we are heading for that Red Button, get out'da way! A clearcut signal that we have had enough and are ready to snap. And there will be consequences! Yep, that's what we need. Then she had the great idea of bumperstickers for our cars: I'm a woman and I have a Red Button. If only I had a working car to put such a sticker on!

So my next Bright Idea Project is to design, create, and sell Red Buttons for the household. Not the "Easy Button" that Staples stores use in their ads, but a true This is The Button Red Button. I wouldn't really hook it up to a nuclear detenator.... not only because I don't have that kind of technical expertise, lucky for the rest of the world; but also because as a Wiccan, and Quaker descendant, I don't go in for violence (98% of the time, anyway). I can't honestly say that I haven't had times when I wanted to commit Acts of Heinous Violence, especially when it involved someone hurting my kids. But those instances are few and far between.

I Found the Site!

2006-07-28T15:04:00.000-05:00

Yay, after probably half an hour of surfing, I found the site that lets you design your own headstone! Or at least, I found *A* website, if there are others I would like to try them out. I made the DH's headstone at http://www.autowitch.org/?q=node/916. Just in time for the library to close for two days... I hate Thursdays, I have no excuse for not doing anything at home. At least when the library is open, I can use the excuse that I had to go to the library before they close!

So now that I have designed George's headstone and my own, Alae had to do some serious editing to get her epitaph to fit in the limited space allowed on this site. But here they are, just for S&G...

Short and Sweet

2006-07-24T16:10:00.000-05:00

At one point, I decided that my husband's future epitaph (hopefully very far in the future!) would be "Anyway, as I was saying..." because that is the phrase that I hear the most from him. (He just won't let someone change the subject!!!) He just left the library, and as the door closed I heard him using his other most favorite phrase... It is going to be very special, when I have his headstone carved with "Hey, your shoe's untied!" He gets such a kick out of people checking their shoes, only to realize that they are wearing slip-ons or sandals or something equally untie-able. (Yes, he says it to barefooted people, too; and yes, fifty percent of the time they look!)

Although he can be a PITA sometimes (everybody can claim that title some time or another!) I still love the Old Fart. This isn't the best photo I have of him, but it is the best that I have with me at the moment. There will be other, better ones posted some time. Or check my website, or my albums. I will probably start up an album of his creative work, to go along with my stuff. While I knit, crochet, sew, photograph and quilt; he quilts, and has a wonderful touch with the flower garden. I have some gorgeous photos of his roses, of course they are all at home on disk and not here with me at the library.

Aren't you glad I don't have the Internet at home! I would be writing all the time! And posting pictures! But I have to admit, while I have a few great flower photos, Dusty has a LOT of great flower photos on her blogs! (I tend to download them and use them either as desktop wallpaper, screen savers, or in the Puzzle Master game where I can make my own photos into jigsaws and put together on the computer: which is way more fun than the traditional way because nobody can steal a piece while I'm not looking!) So if you want some awesome garden pix, just go over to the links and check out Dusty's blog!

Eventually I hope to get a photo of the shruggy-shawl that Dusty just sent me. The colors are DIVINE, and if you could only feel how soft it is! I am going to be cuddling with it tonight, while hubby cuddles with his oxygen filtrator thingie. (It isn't actually an oxygen tank, but it filters the air he breathes to provide him more oxygen so he can defeat the vile Sleep Apnea Monster).

OK, I really need to go and finish the other multi-tasks I am trying to do. Oh, one quick update on my List of Projects from Hell: I got most of the knick-knacks off of the windowsills in the kitchen, now I need to find a way to reach the windows without standing on my stove or in my sink so I can give them a good scrubbing. Then wash the yucky greasy sticky off the knick-knacks and find a different spot for them. OMGs, I am going to end up re-arranging my whole frigging kitchen. Put the Marines on stand-by.....

Thoughts From Home

2006-07-17T16:34:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am actually writing a post at home to upload later at the library. I know I said previously that I have a hard time doing this, but it gets easier with practice. And this way I can write more than six words before Mrs. K announces "time to get off the computers, ladies!" Deep in my heart I doubt that she would ever use the word "lady" to describe me in real life... which is fine by me, because I seriously doubt that we share a definition of that word! I won't say that I don't consider myself a lady, but I will say that it isn't the first word I would use to describe myself to someone who doesn't know me.

Wow, what a change to go from Dean Koontz to a book by Terry Pratchett, back to Dean Koontz! The literary version of jet lag, or culture shock-- one of the two, if not both! I finally decided to read A Hat Full of Sky: the Further Adventures of Tiffany Aching and the Wee Free Men, after buying it through the bookclub last month. I like the Discworld novels, but thoroughly love the tales of Tiffany and the Nac Mac Feegle! Pratchett not only treats witchcraft with respect, but he gets the whole idea of witchcraft *right*. (If he had been a consultant on The Craft, it would have been a much better movie...) Now I am going to get totally messed up on the reading thing, because I started one by Koontz this morning, and this afternoon a book I had requested at the library came in (already!?!). This one is Labyrinth by Kate Mosse; a story about the Grail where the women have the swords. (How could I resist a blurb like that one!?!) Of course it is a new release so I only get it for two weeks, instead of the standard four weeks. Not usually an issue, when I get "into" a book I have no trouble finishing it fast; I just feel pressured to "only" have two weeks, it makes me feel like I won't be able to finish it in time. (This from a woman that normally reads Harry Potter in one night)... I never said that my brain works logically, people...

Update on Floppy Disk Hell: at this moment, now at 58 disks with a very few more files to back up, and THE FRIGGING HARD DRIVE NO LONGER MAKES A FUNKY NOISE WHEN IT STARTS UP. Which was the whole impetus for backing everything up in the first place.... this hunk of hardware is definitely of the MALE persuasion! No wonder I named it Elvis when it first got set up! Not that I hate men, mind you; I just completely agree with Maxine that "Computers are for women that don't get enough frustration dealing with men." (I adore Maxine! She reminds me of my late grandma: spunky, funny, and always right.) {grin}

Last post I mentioned my "Projects From Hell" list. It now has a total of nine uncompleted items, and I *plan* to not add any projects to it until every item is completed. Or until I think of another thing to do that will make me miserable to do but SO glad to be done. Bear in mind, most of these projects could require years to accomplish... Now, here for your amusement, amazement, and petrification, I reveal to you the terrifying List of Projects From Hell:
1. Clean/organize desk drawer (**ACCOMPLISHED!!** WHOOO HOOOO!!!)
2. Clean desk
3. Clean desk area, return Amelia Earhart's remains to her family...
4. Organize/label photo negatives
5. Inventory crafting magazines to sell
6. Clean & organize file cabinet, keep Marines on stand-by for rescue
7. Clean kitchen windowsills of cute little knick-knacks and dirt
8. Clean & organize basement (forget the Marines, get Vin Diesel on stand-by)
9. Organize crafting supplies
10. Switch kids' rooms between Liam, Alae, and my room

I suppose I could add "clean & organize dressers" to the list, but that would fit better on the "Fantasy Wish List"... right up there with "regain virginity" and "keep the house clean for more than one day with other people still living here with me".

REAL short today

2006-07-14T15:47:00.000-05:00

Accomplishments this week: I can cross off one item from my "Projects From Hell" list-- I cleaned out my desk drawer and re-organized it (again). The things I will do to find a stamp!!!

I am still working on the floppy disk hell, am up to 52 or 53 diskettes now.... yee ha. Now the frigging Explorer is acting up on me, won't let me open file folders! I tricked it, though, added Win2000 to it and can open anything I dang well want to.... when I can find it on the two virtual hard drives and two operating systems. Yes, I know: I NEED A NEW COMPUTER but it ain't going to happen this year, sorry to say.

It's time, so got to end. SAID it would be short. More later!!!

TechnoWhining and BOOKS

2006-07-10T15:33:00.000-05:00

The techno gods hate me. I am in floppy-disk hell. With all the blank CDs that my friend gave me, I should have had the frigging hard drive all backed up on disk three days ago. But NOOOOO, my external-drive CD-burner appears to only love music; every CD I burned with data instead of music, has not turned out. (Tip of the Day: Bad CDs make neat little "scarecrows" in the garden, simply hang them from a string and watch the wind twist them and the sun reflect... back in the "olden days of yore" the tip was to use broken cassette tapes, string the tape in pieces and the fluttering would scare off the birds and squirrels. So now you all have a use for the tapes and VHS tapes that you just can't seem to get rid of! LOL)

Back to the computer: I have pretty much weeded out the superfluous files, and zipped the rest (which I need to re-zip into smaller files in a few cases). And am now having all SORTS of fun putting everything on floppy disks, AFTER scan-disking each three or four times to get all of the blankety-blanking errors fixed. So far I am up to 29 floppies, with a banana-load of files (mostly JPGs) still to download. Even went through the ones I already did and made a list of what is on each diskette, which I am glad I did because I would have had about six files duplicated if I hadn't gone through and typed up everything. The one good thing about Windows 3.1 was that I could compile a list of files on a disk or drive with one function, instead of having to type it all out. Seems that a handy feature like that would have been maintained in the subsequent versions of Windows! Almost makes me want to delete 98 and install 3.1... yeah, right. Now that I finally got a cd for 2000 upgrade (just in time for Elvis to airplane) I am NOT going to go backwards, TYVM. (*Thank You Very Much)

So, now here I sit at the library, blogging, emailing, and surfing for the lyrics to the CD that Dusty sent me (Anne Hill's Circle Round & Sing) that I am listening to on the headphones right now. I love this CD!!!!! Oh, if the Fundie librarians only knew what I am doing! Contaminating their precious space with PAGAN MUSIC. Shame on me. **NOT!!!* Not like it is possible to get any pagan/Wiccan books from here, Herculean task just to get plain SF/Fantasy... But romance and Christian literature overflows. No prejudice here! (Yet, at the main branch I found a pagan book in the used book sale... and they even have books on witchcraft in the nonfiction AND the reference sections.) Some day, I will be a rich Mofo and will open my own library: the Beulah McRae Memorial Library, in honor of my grandma that originated my love of words. And she was fey, as well... My other fantasy is to own my own used-book store, with my apartment above the shop. Yes, I read Christopher Morley's The Haunted Bookshop and Parnassus on Wheels many years ago! Am trying to replace the copies that were lost over many a move. I found the e-books online and downloaded them, but it isn't the same as the old, musty books themselves....

Oooh, am surfing on some of Dusty's links and like what I see... wish I had the Net at home so I could bookmark pages, but here at the library everything gets deleted at the end of the day. Not that I usually get the same computer every time anyway! OK, I am going to finish up this post with two accomplishments: I did four loads of laundry this weekend, including two unfinished- and needing repair- quilt tops, since I currently use Grandma's Wash Tub to wash all laundry by hand, this is one hell of an accomplishment (thank goddess for Pain Medication, even if it did knock me out for a day afterward!). Secondly, I am past chapter 33 in From the Corner of His Eye by Dean Koontz. And don't forget that I am cleaning my computer (but not the desk) and got one ball of yarn rolled up from a very stubborn tangled skein. And did the dishes! And set up DH's meds for the week, except for his phenobarbital that the quack-- I mean, doctor-- needs to call in a refill for. Geez, all this and PMS, no wonder I am tired!

Going to end now, and check to see if Ruthi is done scanning my photos yet. (The advantage of sharing photos: fifteen or more years later, when you can't find your copies, there is some friend in the world with your pictures that you can borrow and recopy!) (Hey Dusty, still got that photo of me and Dave in front of the Xmas tree? Scan it if you do, I want a copy! I was SKINNY then!) LOL *** Love ya, Sis!!!

Short But Sweet

2006-07-07T15:44:00.000-05:00

Had to publish a link to a site about Alan Rickman as Metatron, in the movie Dogma. While he is excellent as Snape in the Harry Potter movies, I will always and forever first think of him as The Voice of God! If you haven't seen Dogma, wow; but if you don't have a strong sense of humor, or you are easily offended by religious "comments" or lots of swearing or naked black men, then I wouldn't recommend it. Favorite line from the movie: pretty much all of them! Favorite charactors: Metatron, Serendipity, Rufus, and Silent Bob. And Loki, even though he is a "bad boy"... "You didn't say God Bless You when I sneezed!"

OK, have about three seconds left online, got here late as usual. Must now go home and clean house.... if I have any more Vault to drink for some energy.... I hate cleaning house, have I mentioned that before???? If only it weren't so useless, but with five people and uncounted spirits residing there, I get done in time to start all over again. Of all the spirits in the world, why can't I find one that washes dishes... and get him/her/it to move into my house!!!

GHOST STORIES--part 1

2006-07-01T10:07:00.000-05:00

Alae got a book at the library about Hauntings in Michigan, wanted me to read it too. I still have a few pages to go, but it is going very fast because I have already read it a few years ago. Oops! LOL But it piqued my interest enough to get the other two books on the subject that they had on the shelf. I have been ignoring my beloved Dean Koontz to read these ghost stories!
Then of course, Alae had to do a blog post about some of her supernatural experiences. Ghosties, ghosties everywhere.... I hesitate to share my tales of the Otherside, but since it is still daylight out I might be persuaded...

The very first experience, was not really a ghost story but more of an out-of-body experience. In the house that I grew up in, the basement door was three feet in front of the back entrance door. If you were in a hurry and clumsy (like a young kid...) it was quite possible to barrel through the entrance and go right on through the basement door. When I was younger and less experienced with the paranormal, I insisted that my younger sister had done exactly that: bounced into the basement door and down the steps. My mother maintains that my sister never did any such thing; so of course I had to tell her about how I remembered the event. She gave me a sidewise look when I was done, because without thinking about exactly what I was saying, this is how my recollection went:
"I came in the back door in a big hurry, and tripped against the basement door. It flew open, and the next thing I remember is standing there at the top of the stairs and seeing a young child at the bottom of the steps. I guess I yelled for Grandma, because she came running. The next thing I remember is sitting down at the bottom of the stairs saying "yes, I'm alright" and trying to figure out how I got to the basement when I just came in the back door..."

The entire twenty-plus years that I lived in that house, I was never entirely comfortable in the basement; if I was doing laundry (the washer being in the room immediately at the bottom of the stairs) I would make sure that the doors to every other room were closed, and I would actively avoid looking down the hallway to the extra bathroom. I still can't say exactly what I was feeling, except that I was convinced that if I were to turn around I would see someone--- usually no one in particular, but sometimes I felt that if I turned around I would see my sister's father (this is twelve or more years after he was killed in a car accident when I was six years old). I wasn't ready yet to see the shades, with my eyes anyway; apparently I was seeing them with something else at that time. (I learned later that my sister had seen her father there, so it looks like I was right. There are a lot of ghost stories to tell about Danny, her father!)

But more stories occur about the house. My great-grandfather lived in an apartment next door, and he would come in to our home to use the bathroom or shower. One time, and I was too young to even recall how old I was, he came over very late (I think) to ask my grandma (his daughter) to take him to the hospital, he didn't feel good. I am fuzzy on the details, but it seems that this would be his last trip, he passed away at the hospital. For years after, until her death as far as I know, Grandma would still hear him knocking at the door some nights, calling her name. While I never heard the knocks or the calling, I don't doubt for a second that Grandma did hear them. Being of good Irish stock there was a long string of fey in the family, and Great Grandma Smith was fey as well. All I remember about the funeral for Great Grandpa is that I was scared because I had no idea what was going on, all I knew was that Grandpa was dead and I would never get to see him again (or so I thought, I was just a little tyke). I remember being furious because my aunt wouldn't let me go in with everyone else to the room with the casket, she thought I was "too young" to view Grandpa's body. Have to tell you, this instilled a huge fear of death in me for many years. I didn't understand why I couldn't say goodbye to my gampaw, everyone else was. And I knew it was a very important occassion, this funeral, because my grandma was wearing a dress. That scared me more than any thoughts of seeing a dead body! Anything important enough to get Grandma to wear a dress was important!!!

Partly in response to this first exposure to funerals, when my children were born I had no hesitation in taking them to visitations and funerals at a young age. I got flack from some people, but I really didn't care, because I was not going to let my kids grow up afraid of death and dead bodies. And they aren't.... afraid of spirits, maybe, but not of the bodies. Therein lies a tale or two, as well!

But I digress...

My two favorite stories about the house, though, are the ones about the angel, and Molly McGillicuddy. But since this has turned out to be so long, you have to wait for Ghost Stories - part 2 for those tales!

Still Alive

2006-06-30T13:30:00.000-05:00

Well, at least I think I am still alive, the way things have been running ragged around here this week I would be the last to know if I wasn't...

Exactly how long DOES it take for Yahoo to upload a photo! Trying to get a photo for Alae's blog, would have been faster to walk back home and put it on a disk..... then post it directly to her site. Oh well, if it comes to that it will be done next week!!

Have been spending free moments (of which I have way too many) trying to untangle the now-clean hanks of yarn. It is easier to understand teenagers than to untangle these hanks.... but worth it when I finally succeed. Came up with a lovely philosophy in the process: life is like rewinding a skein of yarn, sometimes you just have to break it clean and start a new ball. Ooooh, that's deep....

Today began with a major wave of DBF. For those who have never heard me use that phrase before, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN????!!!! It stands for Deep Blue Funk, which is a nice way of saying major depressive cycle on the bipolarity ride. Sometimes they slide into Channeling, I only channel one spirit, and that is Sam Kinison. If you have ever seen me when I lose my closely-guarded temper, and have ever had the privilege of watching Kinison in action (thank God/dess for DVDs), all is clear. If you haven't had the privilege of seeing Kinison, go immediately to the nearest mall video store and buy one of his shows. You can't rent them at Blockbuster, and WalMart won't sell them, because Sam My Love is very----- politically incorrect! And loud about it! And if you haven't witnessed my temper blowing, say many prayers of gratitude and light many candles that it never happen to you! Especially if you are the recipient of my wrath... you don't want to know about the time I threw a bowl of mac-n-cheese at my son-in-law. But in all honesty, he deserved it!!!!!

Have been trying to organize my photos and files on the home computer, so that I can back up the important stuff on cd before Elvis (my computer) airplanes for the final time. Been making very bad noises on start-up, hey for as long as I have had it I think it is doing pretty good! My *FRIEND* John brought me some blank cd-rs so I can save everything, but I don't want to waste cd space by saving doubles and things I don't really need to save. So am going through all the files--and there are many-- and deleting, moving, cleaning, scanningdisk, and DEFRAGGING for hours at a time. Defragging is a gooooooood thing!

Still a pedestrian, think that status will never change. But I am trying to climb out of the DBF and that line of thought will only take me farther down.... So will focus on my accomplishments (which doesn't take too long). Most recent one is that I actually earned some ca$h with my heard-earned DTP skills (Desk Top Publishing, for the dirty-minded out there). Not a lot of $$$, but it was just a small job, and hoping it will lead to more work in that area. Every little bit helps, or so I have been told.

That brings up a subject to ramble on (hey, I'm making up for many missed days here!): finding money on the ground. Some people think I am stupid for picking up a penny when I see one, because we all know that the worth of a penny is-- miniscule. I explain to them that A) if I pick up enough pennies, they add up to a dollar, and B) if I bend over and pick up a penny enough times I will be doing my exercises for the week! And let's not forget C) sometimes the penny turns out to be a dime or is lying near a quarter. Then there are the "superstitious" ones that say, "oh, that was face-down, that's bad luck!" Hey, if I find money I don't care what side is facing up, finding money is good luck!!!

Well, my beloved son is getting antsy (severe ADHD) and I need to get out of here, so will end this and get to the post office and mail Al's letter. Happy Independence Day Weekend!

Me in Ones

2006-06-23T15:16:00.000-05:00

Decided to make up my own variation of the “me in Fours” post. Not as easy as you would think... So here goes!

The one most favorite job you’ve ever had:
Office manager at STRIVE.

The one job you would like to spend the rest of your life doing:
Running a used book store!

The one job you would rather starve than do:
Prostitution.

The one book you would take if you were stranded on a desert island:
Impossible to answer, there are just too many good ones. Maybe if Dusty writes her novel and gets it published, that could be a definite contender.

If you were to change your name, what name would you take:
Already did, Lyn Marguerite McRae, aka Maggie.

The one word that describes you best:
Creative.

One activity that makes you forget all about time:
Reading.

What would you title your autobiography:
Geez, this is harder than I thought... hey, that's a good title: "Geez This Is Harder Than I Thought..."

You can only have one photograph in your home; what would it be:
A collage of my ancestors and descendants and spirit siblings.

Epitaph you would want to have:
Just one more stitch/chapter...

Yeah, ten seems like a good number to quit at. Can always do a “me in ones, Part Two” if I come up with more good questions!

My Clone

2006-06-21T15:43:00.000-05:00

This is a (photoshopped) picture of my clone, aka oldest daughter, Alae and myself. We are both 14 in this photo, don't you just love editing software! She has apparently inherited more than just my looks; when she was two years old and we went to the Thrift shop in UC, she ran right past the toys and straight to the books. THAT'S MY GIRL!!! She has the same taste in clothes, music (for the most part), and movies. Same attitudes, religious beliefs, bipolarity, PMS cycle, same favorite colors. If it weren't for her addiction to romance novels, I would think I had been reborn before I died! Does reincarnation work that way??? And she loves to create, to write, to take pictures. Her writing skills are amazing... She made a pair of bracelets into earrings, they are Way Cool!
Crud, I got here to the library late and now it is time to get off the computer. So today was Short and Sweet for once!

"Me -- In Fours"

2006-06-20T14:28:00.000-05:00

This is an interesting email I got from Sue. Thought it would make a fun posting, so here goes:

Four jobs you have had in your life:
1. Office Manager
2. Donation Processor (Goodwill)
3. Public Relations Writer
4. Waitress

Four movies you would watch over and over:
1.Dogma
2. Practical Magic
3. Ghostbusters
4. Rocky Horror Picture Show (I'm a sucker for a guy in eyeliner... and fishnet stockings....)

Four places you have lived
1. Union City, Mich
2. Battle Creek, Mich
3. Coldwater, Mich
4. Athens, Mich

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. Crossing Jordan
2. House
3. Medium
4. South Park

Four places you have been on vacation:
1.Tishomingo, Mississippi
2. Winter Haven, Florida
3. East Lansing, Michigan
4. Toronto, Canada (for two hours, while in Detroit)

Four websites I visit often:
1. Dusty's blogs (does this count as three, since I check all three of hers?)
2. hotmail
3. Annie's Attic free pattern of the day
4. SciFi Book Club

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Spaghetti
2. Stewed Carrots
3. Macaroni & Cheese
4. Grandma's meatloaf, goulash, or milk gravy (there's nothing like Grandma's cooking!!!!)

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Visiting Dusty in Ypsi...
2. In a theater, watching a new release with LOTS of popcorn and someone ELSE running to the concession stand for refills
3. Stonehenge
4. Shopping. With Bill Gates' credit card...

Four friends whom I have tagged that I think will respond (eventually):
1. Dusty
2. Sally
3. Brian
4. Alae

You've been tagged so here it goes...delete my answers, replace with your own and send it back to me and to other friends
>> lyn mcrae, a/k/a Aunt Maggie

Not as Much To Say Today

2006-06-19T16:01:00.000-05:00

Guess I'll have to have nothing to say more often! When I went home and printed up the "Nothing to say today" post, it filled the page....

When I mentioned I don't know what to write about today, my oldest suggested I write about her PMS. I can sum up her PMS in one sentence: Alae PMSing makes Kali look like Mother Theresa! (For those of you who have no idea who Kali is, she is the Hindu goddess of Death, Destruction, and Revenge. NOW do you get the meaning!?!)

My other topic I have wanted to rave about, I already wrote about in an actual handwritten letter to Dusty. So for everyone else: I went to get into my Rubbermaid tub filled with yarn, that I had *told* hubby to put in the basement, but he had put in the (leaky) garage instead. He told me after the *SCENE* that he had checked it before he put the lid on, but it looks like he didn't check very hard, because there was almost two inches of water in the bottom. You can imagine the condition of the yarn... not pretty. Not pretty at all... and of course it was a BIG tub of yarn. So, being the frugal (re: CHEAP) (re: POOR) chickybabe that I am, I decided to try to save as much as I could. Got the old washtub out, started sorting skeins, and what was beyond all hope I pitched and the rest I washed out and rinsed.... and rinsed.... and rinsed.... then hung on the clothesline to dry. Hanks of yarn on the line are so pretty, I considered not actually crocheting anything but just hanging the hanks on the wall to look pretty-fied. Considered taking a photo, but only had B&W film in the camera, which would defeat the purpose of all the pretty colors, so just took a mental picture. Then when it all dried, took it down, put it in a laundry basket, and started crocheting a blanket for my brother Chris. Which I may very well finish before he turns 43... (He is 23 now, until Christmas).

Got a letter in the mail from my mom Sandy, nice to know that *some* of my family still love me. Thanks, Mom!!! I found a letter I started to her about a month ago, never finished, wish I had found before I started a whole new letter that I did get done and mailed.... oh well.... I might just write some more on it and send it anyway, it's only four weeks out of date....

Have to get to work on a birthday card for a friend, Rick will be 54 this Thursday. I won't be able to post that day, as the library is closed on Thursdays, but sometime between then and now and Friday I will find one of his photos on disk and post it here with a birthday wish. He won't get to see it because he doesn't have Internet at home and doesn't know how to work a computer at the library (and in Coldwater they are honestly too busy to spend much time in instruction; the ones working the desk in the reference room where the computers are, are also manning phones and copiers and helping find books on the interloan sites, and their hardest job, getting the kidlets to behave.) And they have a rule that only one person can be at a computer at a time, so * I *can't teach him how to Websurf... I understand the rule, because the kids get together to watch each other play games, and they get rowdy. But there are times when the rule is just plain stupid, like when I want to teach someone how to NetSurf!!!

OK, I am done ranting now. About that, at least. {grin} I can't believe it is almost Solstice already, where did the Spring go? Oh, I forgot, in Michigan Spring lasts about ten minutes... I modified a recipe to create Solstice Pancakes. Tried it today, they were pretty good. So will have to make them on Wednesday! Maybe the next time I make them I will be able to keep the pancake batter OFF my shirt!!! Of course I didn't notice the mess until I was almost to the library. No one has said anything rude about it yet, of course the day is young yet...

Milk and Pepsi both on sale at the grocery store. Yippee!! So, since I am going to be thrown off in a couple of minutes, I will finish this and post, then go buy groceries. How exciting.... Will end with my new favorite quote: Save the Earth, it's the only planet that has chocolate!

Nothing to say Today

2006-06-16T14:06:00.000-05:00

Geez, is this allowed? I have nothing to write about today. Nothing that would not be either bitchy or boring, and I don't feel emotionally up to any more negative energy today. But in the spirit of maintaining the writing ability that made me start this blog in the first place, I will carry on and type about not having anything to write about. See why I named it "Ramblings"!

Must write. Must write. Must write something worth reading. OK, now THAT may be asking a bit more than the Muses will grant!

Hmmm, a little rambling on the techie survival saga: I finally managed to actually comprehend the directions for adding links to the sidebar! Yay me! I know that isn't much to the real techies, but considering how recently I was a total technophobe (there is actually a "correct" word for the fear of computers, but I can't for the life of me recall what it is, and personally I think that technophobe is far more accurate anyway)... where was I????? Oh yeah, considering how recently I learned that computers will *NOT* explode if I am in the same room, this is quite an accomplishment for me. Usually if I need something really technical done, or hardware or programming or all the techie stuff, I haul over to my guru Paul. He can do ANYTHING with a computer, except maybe bake a pizza. And I bet if I challenged him, he could do that too.... After all, he got me over my terror of 'puters! I still am technophobic about installing hardware, messing around with the guts of the animal, but there is good reason for that; the only time I actually attempted to do internal surgery, I fried my cousin's floppy drive. Luckily she loves me anyway, and we were able to pick up a replacement online absolutely dirt cheap. Then got someone else to do the installation!!!

Everyone has their talents/skills/strengths, and mine is just not hardware. So I truely appreciate those who CAN do that stuff! There should be a National Techie Day, where everyone buys their favorite techie a pizza and bag of marshmallows, and a pack of smokes for those who still indulge in lung cancer. And caffeine of choice, of course. Next challenge for Paul: a computer that brews coffee.... although I don't care for coffee myself, and would much prefer a computer that brews Pepsi!!!

Wow, I seem to have done pretty good for not having anything to write about! I have tried to compose my blogs at home, then transfer them online here at the library; but for some unknown reason it just doesn't work. I can't write anything until I get here and get online and to the blogsite.... weird, but then so much in the world is even weirder....

Quick Update

2006-06-13T12:08:00.000-05:00

Well, the local librarian is back from Rachel's funeral. I overheard her say that the post-funeral dinner is going to be in Athens, she just left the cemetery herself and didn't want to go clear back to Athens after having just been there for the funeral. So, I still have a little bit of time to get home before my mother returns from the whole shebang. At least, I expect her to attend the dinner, after all it is her sister's youngest daughter that was buried today.
But that doesn't make her my cousin, not after the past twenty years of being shunned, by everyone in her little circle of blood relatives.
Yes, I am angry. And sad. And still confused over how two people who were raised by the same parents (meaning my mom and her sister) could have such polar opposite attitudes and outlooks. Mom and I, we believe in family, extended and not-so-extended. Mom's sister, however, only believes in family if they are Not Embarassing. Boy, that definition sure lets me out in a hurry! As my teen daughters would be the first to tell you, I am the Queen of Causing Embarassment!! Hey, it's a skill...

Lists: The Motherlist of Lists

2006-06-13T11:59:00.000-05:00

I love lists. I recently wrote to my best friend, that I should make a list of lists to make; "wow," wrote I, "that sounds like a good blog topic!"

So, forthwith, my list of lists (Work In Progress)...

List of Lists

1. Things to make for sale:
sublist:
a) Crocheted
b) Knitted
c) Sewn
d) Quilted
e) Printed
f) Plastic Canvas
g) Miscellaneous Craft

2. Things to make for gifts:
sublist:
a) Crocheted
b) Knitted
c) Sewn
d) Quilted
e) Printed
f) Plastic Canvas
g) Miscellaneous Craft

3. Books to Read

4. Books I Have Read

5. Letters to Write

6. Movies I Own

7. Books I Own

8. Music (CDs, Tapes, Vinyl) I Own

9. Music I Want to Own

10. Things to do to Get House Cleaned
sublist:
a) Kitchen
b) Dining Room
c) Living Room
d) Hallways
e) Alae’s Room
f) Ruthi’s Room
g) Liam’s Room
h) Our Bedroom
i) Bathroom
j) Basement
k) Yard/Porch

11. Topics for Blogs

12. Photos to Post

13. Things to Do Before I Die

14. Things to Be Thankful For

15. Photos I Want to Take With Digital Camera

16. Cool Digi-toys I Must Have

17. People to Make Presents for

18. Lists to Write

19. Lists I Have Made

20. Favorite Movies

21. Favorite Books

22. Christmas Card List

23. Birthday Card List

24. Groceries