Home again jiggety jig

I'm home and so tired (prolly from the meds) that I'm about to tump over for a good long nap. The procedure went well. What he thought he would find..he didn't. And will try to manage teh pain with nitro. Did discover something else that will need to be dealt with or watched or something. It's still in the discussion stages. I didn't have to stay flat long at all and they fed me a really really good box lunch from a deli. :D And now I'm going to go snooze for a bit.

Pink!

It's overcast today with rain in the forecast. But all is not gray. While out gathering mulberry leaves for those continually hungry silkworms, I saw these practically glowing.

Specs: Rose, pink, smells good and that's all I know. I think it's a David Austin rose, but I surely wouldn't go to court on it.

And there was another earth family member out having an early morning breaktime. I'd already put the camera up but he/she was nice enough to stay put until I could get it and get back outside. See ya later!

Antsy

That's me for sure on this bright, warm Sunday.

A bit of background. Back on the 13th (Friday the 13th even) I had a regular checkup appointment with my cardiologist. I told him what my PCP already knew, that with exertion like walking fast or uphill. or taking the trash thing to the alley, or going up and down steps, my jaw would hurt like a mad dog. After a few minutes of rest it went away. PCP said to let her know if it got worse or if it wasn't relieved with rest. Cardiac doc said WHAT??? DO I KNOW ABOUT THIS?. Ooops. I related that it was unchanged. No good.

So, this last Monday I had a stress test on a treadmill. A few things learned. First of all, I get really cranky without caffeine, water or food until lunch time. Second, I just cannot seem to walk on a treadmill. Even with repeated instruction and practice, when push came to shove it was a disaster! You Tube material definitely. :::hangs head:::. Actually at the end of the test, my jaw felt like someone had socked me; I was gasping for air; and one of the guys doing the test had his hands on the small of my back to keep me from flying off the back end of the treadmill. Shut up.

Results came in which looked pretty good to me. But...and that's actually what the cardios nurse said on Thursday when she called. There were some things that weren't quite right..or at least questionable. So, a heart cath was called for so he could go see what's up with this Twisted Sister as he calls me. Originally it was scheduled for the 7th which would mean my friend Mac would be back from her trip and could chauffeur me. (You get reallllly good legal drugs and driving is not allowed.) Then I discovered that the doc would be out of town then and I would have to wait until the 14th. As wacked out as I have been about this week, I would definitely be certifiable by then. So on Friday, strings were pulled and I'm scheduled for tomorrow. I have this sort of adjustable plan. I'll drive over, have the test and then 2 people will come to get me and one of them can drive my vehicle and me home. I have NO idea who those two people are so it'll be a good surprise but all sorts of coworkers have volunteered.

I've had this done once before only it was to look at the arteries in my neck (they're fine but twisted ...that's where I got the nickname) and the worst part was having to lie on my back afterwards.

I don't really feel scared now. Earlier in the week I was. Now...just very antsy. There really isn't much that needs doing...but I keep looking LOL. This morning I would knit a row, then look out the window. Knit another row and look out the door. Wash some towels, knit a row, brush the dog. You get the idea. I'm really going to attempt to get 10 rows knitted before nightfall LOL

It's time now to go pick mulberry leaves and do some worm moving. See ya later!

A Lovely Way to Spend the Day

What a good day this has been. Usual homekeeping stuff early. There wasn't anything extra that needed doing (well, there is, but I ignored it). Then outside to enjoy the warm sun without a wind that blows you over. A bit of trimming; a bit of weeding; and then...oh joy! I got the water hose out and washed down the front of the house and the porch. I have this non-toxic soap stuff that you can put in a hose-end sprayer so it doesn't hurt the plants and then...I get to play in the water. For, of course, there's no way to do this without spraying yourself too. Love it!

A couple of little and fun errands and then the highlight of the day. I have a dear friend named Sam who used to live in Arkansas. She's since moved to AZ and I haven't seen her in a year. She was on her way back from tending to some business in AR and stopped for a rather short, but way fun visit. Her friend had come with her to share in the adventure and she was a lot of fun too! Talk, talk, talk! We do it well and with 3 of us, the air was filled with laughter and words. Zoey was delighted to have some other humans to adore her LOL. And even the old cat Mary came out for some petting. That's highly unusual. She usually stays hidden if company comes unless she knows them really well. So that put the stamp of approval on the both of them.

A couple of pics. One is of the new blue berries on the cedar that's by the front steps. Not a good choice in dry years cause if cedar catches fire it really burns hot and fast. But it's a wet year, so far, so I shall just enjoy it. I love the scent although the actual foliage makes my hands itch.

And this is my biggest tree. It was a gift from nature, an elm that just happened to sprout in a little pot of dirt. And it grew, and grew, and grew. I kept repotting it and finally a friend dug a giant hole (thanks Marc) and we planted it. And now look. Another totally wrong planting since the neighbors electric lines goes right by it. So I just cross my fingers. I do wish nature had gifted me with a bright colored maple or something, but I say thank you very much Mother. It's my very own big tree. And it makes those hot Oklahoma summers ever so much nicer when it's shade softens the soul sapping heat.

There was some knitting done and frogged. Not to worry, it was a swatch, not a sock or something. Maybe more about the swatch project tomorrow.

I hope if you had errands they all got done. And what about tomorrow? What does it hold for you?
Hopefully lots of things that make you smile.

Finally..it's Friday!

If I could have made myself any crazier this week, I'd be totally living under a rock. But the weekend is coming and that makes it all better.

In between freaking myself out (I didn't realize how good at that I am), I've been a good silkworm mommie. Hungry little buggers. We had toad strangling rains today so there I was after work, not only plucking the leaves off the mulberry...but also shaking the rain off them. Don't want the worms to drown!

Here's what their home looked like this morning as I left for work. Lots of fresh lovely leafy produce.

And here's what it looked like when I got home. Totally annihilated leaves and ever growing silkworms. They aren't particularly attractive. I think they sort of look like s*men. ewww! But I don't let them know I find them sorta icky. Don't want to hurt their feelings. That bright spot is a dime for scale. The sun was peeking in through the blinds and sort of obliterated the details.

Happy April 22

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

I got all excited when I found out that you could get free CFL bulbs at Home Depot. Then I realized it was 30 miles away, and I would negate any good stuff by the amount of gas my behomoth vehicle would use. So, for my celebration, I shall stay here and plant my tomato plants and feed the silkworms.

And, Happy 89'er Day to my fellow Okies. It seems so odd to me that this place is so new in the history of cities. Maybe I will wear a sunbonnet and sing.

Serendipity Again

The plans for the day involved washing blankets (I think spring is finally here to stay), curtains and the regular laundry that didn't get done last night plus various errands. The errands went well...got done without any glitches. The laundry however was another story. Once again my machine decided to turn into a screaming banshee and no amount of rearranging wet stuff, repositioning the washer, or cussing would make it work right. So feeling way put upon, I loaded up wet blankets, throw rugs and the stuff that was still in line and off to the laundry I went.

Thought I would use one of the great big front loaders. Put my quarters in..all $3 but umm, it wouldn't start and there was no attendant there. Pulled everything out and split it between a smaller front loader and two regular washers. I find this laundry quite depressing. It's certainly not a good space. So I decided while everything was washing, I would go around the corner to the quilt store and get some needles with big enough eyes to hold the tying stuff for my quilt. As I was being helped, I heard someone say "She's not to be trusted with sharp things!" Laughing, I turned around to discover one of the few fiber folks I know around here. She was there taking a class but the classroom was cold so she'd come out front to stitch on her appliqued butterfly. We chatted a bit and she invited me over to see her silkworms. Well, not worms quite yet.

Happily I went back to the laundry to discover everything done....except the two regular washers didn't spin very well and so actually I'd spent money to end up with the same very wet blankets. Lugging them home, I discovered the mail had arrived. A bill, some ads, and this very cool card from Devorah! I love it! I think it needs a frame. I usually stand them up on my desk for awhile and then put them in my treasure space, but I'm afraid the laser strips will get bent and it's way too neat to have that happen.

Had just started pressing curtains when my friend called and said can you come now??? Oh sure...I'm ready for some fun. Not only did I get to see the silkworm babies, I was also given some to raise. They are bombyx silkworms, domestic ones. Who knew? The link tells all about the raising of them. The black spots that look like poppy seeds are really infants, the longer black things are a bit older and the leaves are mulberry leaves. Fortunately I have a mulberry tree in my yard...at least we 'think' it's a mulberry tree. Leaves look right. But that's the only thing they will eat. And they eat a lot! Something else to feed! *G* And it was such fun talking with someone who loves fiber. She also makes soap, and has a kiln and her daughter sews and her husband knits. My kind of folks!

And on the way outside to cut some for my new babies, I noticed that the blackberries are blooming. ohhhh my mouth is watering already!

So..if the washer wasn't acting up, I wouldn't have a new project, wouldn't have got to spend time with a fiber friend. And hey, maybe the card wouldn't have arrived. And, if I hadn't gone out to get mulberry leaves I might have not noticed the blackberry blossoms. It's all good. Excuse me, I have to go see if my jammies are dry.

Remembering April 19

Twelve years ago today it was bright and sunny. As I set out to do early visits on some patients, I was wearing my favorite yellow and white stripey shirt. I was happy and laughing. I did not know of the terror and sadness that would soon arrive in my life.
o, I wasn't in the Murrah building. I had, however, been in it several times, and when I worked in downtown Oklahoma City, had often eaten my lunch outside it on pretty days. At first, when I first, along with many others, crowded around a tiny tv in a doctor's office, I didn't believe it. The Murrah had reflective glass. This wasn't that building. It took awhile for me to absorb the fact that the glass was gone.When I was told to change into jeans and heavy shoes and then dispatched to help triage those rescued I still had hopes. They were dashed as we were told that the majority of the injured ones had been transported. And that those that were missing...well, it was unlikely they would need us.I was lucky. I didn't lose anyone that was close to me. But I did lose someone I'd known for years. And many of my friends and coworkers were more closely affected.

And more importantly at age 50, I lost the majority of my remaining innocence. This was Oklahoma for God's sake. Nothing like this would ever happen here. Tornadoes, sure. Bombings, no way! But it did.

And I learned. I learned that right this moment is what I have. I learned that you can't wait until a "good time" to tell someone you love them...that they make you smile...that you appreciate their help. Running an errand may be that last thing you do. Cherish the time you spend giggling with a friend, child, spouse, lover...or the clerk at the grocery.
Know too, that I cherish each of you.

Rain

Bad Blogger, bad bad bad

I'm sorry. I know I said I would be back on Sunday and I didn't make it. Thought of y'all though as I busied around here like a crazy woman.

I did get some things accomplished. Made a sandwich of my quilt top, washed the patio (no plumbing to clean out there though, Ann), and probably some things that I've forgotten now. I truly meant to take a picture of the quilt all spread out on the patio but ...I didn't.

I do have some things to show you. Nope, no knitting although some is going on. It's just not ready for primetime yet.

First, new friends. I first saw the big lamb over on Scrappy Knitter's place and thought her just the cutest thing. But when I finally ok'd it, they were out at Build A Bear. Who knew? I ended up getting her unstuffed on eBay. And who says lambs named Rowan can't wear a Hello Kitty shirt? She came with her own little companion who is named Petal and now they have a new friend too. On the right is my first ever lamb Pez...compliments of Scrappy Knitter. Too fun! She came inside a giant plastic Easter egg even. I had to take the front off for the picture and so that she could breathe easier. And it arrived on a day that was in real need of a fun surprise. Thank you!

And the gratuitous nature shot. These little pretties are called Star of Bethlehem, or wild onions since the bulblets they grow from smell like onions, or some people refer to them as weeds. The very idea!! They seem to like my yard quite well and so I consider them a wonderful gift from nature. It's just easier that way.

Oh and the headache went away finally. But it left my head sore. Really...kinda like if you bumped it on a corner or something. I swear, I just keep getting weirder!

How's your week going. Remember, tomorrow is HumpDay...the weekend can't be far behind.

Headache

That's what I've got. It's been with me for a couple of days now and I think I'm actually getting used to it. This morning I thought perhaps if I had less hair it would be better. So my hair is shorter but I really need to get scissors that aren't designed for clipping little stuff. It took awhile. It doesn't look that great...but it's one less annoyance. I think it's a combination of allergy and stress. Today I decided that maybe if I did some major cleaning, I'd feel more in control of my life. Good grief, I even washed the plumbing pipes under the kitchen sink.

On the knitting front, mostly it's been frogged. We still haven't had a softball game due to weather but I decided to just go on and knit and maybe get through the heel and gusset and could use the foot for softball knitting. Then I decided to try one of them on. What was I thinking? They would have been a nice fit for a child. So they're frogged and when the yarn relaxes a bit more I'll cast on the proper amount of stitches for my foot.

Last Wednesday the sun shined, and I took pictures. So that's what I have. Hope you enjoy them. I'll try to be a bit more upbeat tomorrow.

Softball Socks

Two of them to be exact...just barely begun but that's the plan. For, once again, it's softball season and The Girl seems to think I need to be at all her games. And I get fiddly just sitting there so...I need to knit, right? And I need to knit something simple so there you have it. I'm thinking though that until the evenings warm up, I might just spend the evening shivering. 40 degrees with wind. Ack! At least I won't be wearing a cute softball uniform and trying to look really good out on the field *G*

Specs: (because I'll forget later and can come back and look)
Yarn: Dancing from Knit Picks 41% cotton, 39% wool, 13% nylon and 7% elastic. I'm liking using it and I'm thinking they'll be a lot more comfy to wear in an Oklahoma summer than all wool. Of course, it's not in my catalog so I guess I'll have to Google more cotton sock yarns.
Pattern: 3x3 plain rib on US 1 dpns.

Began last night, and partially knitted during Wind in the Willows. It was excellent, and I'm afraid knitting was in my lap much of the time. I adored Matt Lucas who played Toad. He was just perfect!

Sunday Sewing

Don't get too excited. It wasn't a whole lot of sewing but I'm really happy at finally getting this done. I had these two fabric bags filled with flax seed and various herbs. The label says there is chamomile, peppermint, spearmint, rosemary, white willow, yellow dock root, cinnamon, valerian root, saw palmetto berry, lemon grass, yaroow, lavender, flaxseed and natural (but unnamed) grain. They can be heated in the microwave and smell heavenly. Almost makes having a headache or backache worthwhile. But the covers had gotten quite dingy, probably from the oils in the herbs...dunno. And, I always thought it would be cool to have a longer one that I could put around my neck and over my shoulders when knitting had made a few knots in that area too *G*.

So today, I cut them open and poured the contents into a new muslin sack...sewed up the ends and voila!

But that was a bit boring and besides I thought it would be nice to be able to wash the cover, so I made it a pillow case. Could be a bit shorter, but was afraid that since it hadn't been preshrunk, I would be in trouble later on. If not...I'll shorten it. The sack itself fits nicely around my neck and over my shoulders. And everything still smells lovely!

I had to get dressed to go eat dinner so since I was out, I gassed up the vehicle, bought some milk and bananas. As soon as I got home from the dinner, I changed back into my jammies and have been knitting a bit and will, in the fairly near future, be watching Wind of the Willows on Masterpiece Theater. I'm thinking an evening with Ratty, and Badger and Toad will be lovely. I'm not sure how it would feel to be told you'd be perfect for the part of Toad though

Tea Towels

I did very little of a productive nature yesterday unless you count napping and reading as being productive. *G*. I did, however, get the laundry done so I can actually wear clean clothes today.

But I digress. Because I want to talk about tea towels. When I was a youngster, those terry cloth kitchen towels were not in the stores. At least not in the stores in my town. Everyone used flour sack tea towels. And, unless you were way out of it, your tea towels were whiter than white and had little embroidered decorations on them.

These were in the laundry yesterday. I don't use them for drying dishes any more, but they made a nice place for the washed fleece to rest while drying (and disguised the baby gate 'drying rack' on the dining room table LOL) The one with the cherries on it was actually made from a bleached out flour sack. The others were probably purchased blanks from the dime store. The cherries used to be very, very bright but age has mellowed them. We go well together *G* Unless I'm missing a stash, these are all that I have left from the bazillion my mom made for me. My favorites were the fruit series (of which only the cherries remain) and this series that had laughing plates and dancing silverware. I remember making some myself but those also have been long worn out.

The women of my mom's generation, by and large, were stay-at-home moms. Even though my mom worked after my dad's death, she still had that image in her mind. And our house was filled with afghans and tea towels and pillow cases and all sorts of other embellished items. The kitchen certainly wasn't left out as a lot of time was spent there. And, if you have to dry dishes, you might as well do it with a dancing fork and a laughing plate.

I know as creative people we still add things to our homes that speak of our love of the place. And I think tea towels may be next judging by some things I have read on blogs lately. After all if granny squares and aprons are popular, can tea towels be far behind?

Oh, and you can go here and see a newer pic of me...and this one wasn't taken in a bathroom mirror!

A Change in Plans

This weekend was planned to be all about outside. Washing down the patio (yes that OCD thing again LOL) doing some trimming, maybe even buying some plants for the pots. The sky is sunny and bright although I haven't been out far enough to take a picture of it because this is what I saw first.

OOOps. Seems like a rather inside sort of day. And, so far, other than the usual Saturday morning tasks, I haven't quite figured out what that will entail.

I was sooooo tired when I posted last night. And Blogger was extremely slow. I was told by a non-techy person that Typepad is much nicer to dial up folks. Maybe I'll investigate that.
Maybe I'll get out that spindle and see if I can remember anything. Maybe I'll sew up the skirt that's been cut out for 2 weeks. Maybe I'll start a new sock. I just couldn't seem to get the ones I was working on to work. Probably user error because the pattern was simple and the yarn was exquisite. For whatever reason it just wouldn't happen. I want them to be different and special. Maybe my knitting fingers were tired. Maybe I should start a simple sock with inexpensive yarn.

Or maybe I should stay in my pjs and read. I have Susan's new book, a new copy of Spin Off. Or I could listen to a book on tape. At the bookstore I found Sense and Sensability on cassette for $10! Lots of listening there.

For those of you not familiar with my newest heroine Susan Wittig Albert, I'll give you a bit more info. I love reading her blog because it's about so many things. Knitting sometimes, gardening, animals, writing, and always about place. Busy person!

She, and her husband Bill, write 3 series. Well one is finished but the other two are still going on.

The first is the China Bayles series. I've been reading and loving these for a long time. China was an attorney who got tired of the rat race and chucked it in favor of operating a herb shop (and growing lots of herbs) in a small Texas town. And, solves mysteries with her friend Ruby who may be my other idol. Ruby is just too wild and cool. Lots of fun and you learn a lot about herbs in the process. And even dyeing and making paper *G* And lots of fun stuff if you follow the above link.

Second is the Robin Paige Victorian Mysteries. Obviously set in the Victorian era, they're made even more fun by having real people involved in the stories. From Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Beatrix Potter, Rolls and Royce (who knew)...you get to get a new idea of who these folks were. Lots of research in these books.

And third, oh my word I love this series, are the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter. I loved her little stories and pictures. I have to love Mrs. Tiggywinkle due to my propensity to iron a lot. But the lady herself was incredibly interesting. In a time when women were expected to do only certain things, she really stretched and succeeded. You won't find blood and guts in these books. But you will find lots of animals. Both those of Ms. Potter, but also of Susan's.

And there are non-fiction books as well. There is the Herbal Book of Days which is on my wish list. Well actually all of these are. So many books so much yarn...choices take time *G*. There is an anthology called Women Writing About the Southwest. There is a guided writing program called Writing from Life. (I wonder if there is a way to write an interesting chapter about cleaning the bathroom????). Work of Her Own which is about doing what your soul wants, I think.

If you go here, there are links to all the books in the sidebar and in the non-fiction area all open on their own page but the addy stays the same so I don't know how to link. It's magic, I tell ya!

Now to go have a soaky bath, pull some warmer clothes out of storage (sort of jumped the gun on that one) and see where this day leads. I hope your path today leads you to lots of contentment.

So Much Fun!

Jackie was totally surprised! She did notice someone carrying in a gift bag but as it was another coworkers birthday, she thought it was for them. We're so clever! She got a lot of nice gifts, from accessories and towels and some totally practical things like the mop I gave her. Actually she got two mop sort of things. Did you know that there's a mop thing out there especially for bathrooms??? Got a swivel head and a sort of triangular cleaning surface for going around tight corners. I shall have to see about this! LOL

I left work an hour early to head into the City. Actually I came home and took a somewhat abbreviated soaky bath. I'm glad I got to leave early because I think if I had had to type one more page of medical stuff I would have cried. Being busy makes the days go by faster and insures that I have a job but whew! The bath revived me and off I went. As I left the house, I almost picked up my sock bag so I'd have something to do if I was way too early, then laughed at myself and left it at home.

I was the first one to get to the book signing. Guess what she was doing. KNITTING A SOCK! Is that cool or what? I introduced myself as Susan aka Red Dirt Knitter since that is on my comment thingy. I got a great big hug and we started talking like we'd known each other a long time but just hadn't spoken recently. Rapidly we discussed knitting, dyeing, blogging, books, spinning, paper making, and on and on. I did, at one point, stop talking to take a breath. At least I think I did. Then as others arrived I tried to be polite but soon we were all talking books at once! I learned of two new authors I want to try. I mostly read female authors except for Tony Hillerman, but these guys sounded cool. Do I remember their names?? Nope. Well one was named McGarrity, I think. I'll google that. But the other one? Nada left of his name. I just know that he is from the west and that there is a good rapport between the main character and a Native American. Big clue, eh?? Sheesh.

Of course there was picture taking. Did I manage to get her books in the pic? Nope. Did I get her sock? Yep :-)

So now I have lots of new ideas to think about. But right now I'm going to go put on my flannel pjs (it got cold here!) and read Spanish Dagger. It's going to be even more fun now since I've met the author and know that in rl Susan Wittig Albert is just too cool! Thank you Susan!

Outside the bookstore there was this huge life sized buffalo all decorated in pearls. I could not get a good picture of the intricacy that I saw when I looked at her but I did also take a pic of one hip sort of up close so you can see.

So Much Fun!

Jackie was totally surprised! She did notice someone carrying in a gift bag but as it was another coworkers birthday, she thought it was for them. We're so clever! She got a lot of nice gifts, from accessories and towels and some totally practical things like the mop I gave her. Actually she got two mop sort of things. Did you know that there's a mop thing out there especially for bathrooms??? Got a swivel head and a sort of triangular cleaning surface for going around tight corners. I shall have to see about this! LOL

I left work an hour early to head into the City. Actually I came home and took a somewhat abbreviated soaky bath. I'm glad I got to leave early because I think if I had had to type one more page of medical stuff I would have cried. Being busy makes the days go by faster and insures that I have a job but whew! The bath revived me and off I went. As I left the house, I almost picked up my sock bag so I'd have something to do if I was way too early, then laughed at myself and left it at home.

I was the first one to get to the book signing. Guess what she was doing. KNITTING A SOCK! Is that cool or what? I introduced myself as Susan aka Red Dirt Knitter since that is on my comment thingy. I got a great big hug and we started talking like we'd known each other a long time but just hadn't spoken recently. Rapidly we discussed knitting, dyeing, blogging, books, spinning, paper making, and on and on. I did, at one point, stop talking to take a breath. At least I think I did. Then as others arrived I tried to be polite but soon we were all talking books at once! I learned of two new authors I want to try. I mostly read female authors except for Tony Hillerman, but these guys sounded cool. Do I remember their names?? Nope. Well one was named McGarrity, I think. I'll google that. But the other one? Nada left of his name. I just know that he is from the west and that there is a good rapport between the main character and a Native American. Big clue, eh?? Sheesh.

Of course there was picture taking. Did I manage to get her books in the pic? Nope. Did I get her sock? Yep :-)

So now I have lots of new ideas to think about. But right now I'm going to go put on my flannel pjs (it got cold here!) and read Spanish Dagger. It's going to be even more fun now since I've met the author and know that in rl Susan Wittig Albert is just too cool! Thank you Susan!

Outside the bookstore there was this huge life sized buffalo all decorated in pearls. I could not get a good picture of the intricacy that I saw when I looked at her but I did also take a pic of one hip sort of up close so you can see.

Friday Fun!!

I'm just soooo excited about this day!

My dear friend and co-worker Jackie, and her hubby just bought their first home. It's a modest home that's been completely gutted and remodeled just for being sold. It's soooo cute! And so THEM! All of us at work feel like we've been a part of this, since she has shared all the stories about looking, and paperwork and packing and sorting. There has been a Pasta Toss luncheon in the planning for awhile, and unbeknownst to Jackie, it's also going to be a housewarming party! Now, Jackie and her hubby aren't kids. And it's not like they are just starting their married life. So it will be even more fun. How often do middle aged folks get to have new towels and new accessories and even a new mop all at once. AND we have managed to keep it a secret which is pretty amazing since Jackie always knows everything that's going on! She and her hubby are probably the truly nicest people I've ever known and I'm so excited about making this special for them. I'm so hoping that in the last hours before this happens we don't blow it. Last night another coworker called me and we giggled and giggled about how clever we all are *G*.

Then, this evening, I'm going to a book signing at Full Circle Books in the City. One of my favorite authors, Susan Wittig Albert, will be in town and this will be my first time to meet her although we've traded a few eMails back and forth. (which totally surprised me...a real author answers my comments?!?!?). She writes cozy mysteries, as well as lots about the Texas Hill Country. And has put together this great Story Circle Network which helps women learn to write of place and experience. And, she knits and spins and gosh...just a really cool person and I get to meet her!

Edited to add: She also writes a lot about herbs and flowers. She has a lot of knowledge in these areas and uses that in her books too. I've learned a lot about a lot of things from her, and all the while enjoying myself immensely

I am so jazzed about today! What a fun way to end the work week! Hope your Friday is even better!!!! See ya later

I Can't Think of a Title

Well, the wool is relatively clean. It still has vegetable manner in it, and some of it is stained but it smells like wet wool which, to me, is a rather nice smell. Especially if I compare it with the "before" I rinsed it again to make sure that there wasn't any soap or other goodies and the rinse water stayed clean. I thought it all quite fun, but then I enjoy cleaning bathrooms too. >:)

Speaking of bathrooms, it's really clean also. While the wool was sitting in the kitchen sink, I decided to wash the bathroom down including the ceiling. It's all pretty and fresh now and smells like oranges *G*

And I finished knitting a dish rag while watching NCIS. Oh and I saved Mercy, the long haired calico from a disaster. Someone gave me a new candle and I lit it in the kitchen while I was putting the wool to soak. Mercy, sometimes called the Helper Cat was supervising and also trying to distract me with her swishing tail. So I'm trying to smell the wool and I realize I'm really smelling burning hair. Eww! Fortunately with the long hair only the tips were singed and she thought it great fun to wrestle with me as I tried to wet her tail down.

That's enough excitement for one night~ hope yours was fun too! Niters!

Scents of Spring?

It really is green here. The rains of the last two weeks have made everything just leap up and look for the sunshine. Today was the first mowing for my yard. Actually, last weekend I weedeated it. Not just around the edges...the whole darn thing. It looked like crap but at least the dog wouldn't get lost. My neighbor told me of a man looking for mowing jobs. He'd had him mow his and he was pleased so I told him to send him my way.

He arrived this morning about 5 minutes after I got dressed. In his mid-40s maybe..it's hard to tell. He's perhaps a bit slow but very nice. He looked at the back to see how big it was, and then I asked him how much he would charge. His reply "Whatever you want to give me". No way, I insisted that he tell me what was fair and he said he charged everyone $20. No way again...not for stuff that's about 10 inches tall and wet. I told him I'd give him more...his response was No, that that would make it too hard to count. I ended up giving him the $20 and then a large tip and suggested that he put it in the other pocket so it wouldn't get so complicated. He did a great job even trimming. I think I'll keep him *G*

So for awhile it smelled like fresh cut green stuff. The mint isn't up yet ...when that happens it will smell like a large package of gum. All enthused with this spring stuff, I decided to trim the hedge. I got part of one side done when I decided that it would be even more fun to audition for Dancing with the Stars. Unfortunately my pirouette down the steps probably won't ensure me a place. But it did put an end to the hedge trimming for the day. No serious injuries... just several scrapes and creaks to contend with..that and my pride.

Partially restored with a cup of tea, I decided on a new project. Wayyyyyyyy back in the fall I went to this Fiber Retreat here. And at the end of the last day, someone left grocery bags full of fleece for free. Well, I think it was maybe the trimmings that hang down. Sorry I don't have the vocabulary. Anyway it wasn't clean...but hey it was free!! So I brought home two bags and then they got lost in the abyss that's also known as the utility room closet. I found them today when putting up the shampooer (yep...all carpet is clean as of 8:30 this morning). I put one bag full in a laundry bag thing. Added hot water and soap in the washer and set it to soak. Whoosh as soon as the water hit it, the "scent" hit too. Ohhhhhh barn scents! Took me back to when I was a farm girl for sure. I let it soak for a long time, then rinsed it, then did it all over again. It's still not clean but it's gone to take a nap on the patio so I can finish the weekend laundry. I don't know if it will ever be clean. But it's fun..and all I really want from it is some sheepy curls. Maybe I should just find a FFA kid and see if they'll sell me a few.

I'll leave you now with a couple of pictures. No sheepy mess, promise. But I hope you like my redbud tree and these iris leaves that have just shot up all of a sudden.

I'm Back!

Hooray for young geeky guys that fix things so you can wander around and visit with your friends!

I must say it was rather interesting being without this beast. The first couple of mornings, which is when I usually read mail and blogs, I was ready for work an hour early. Didn't help that Mary, The Cat Who Must Be Obeyed, decided that wakeup time was 4:30! She's elderly, I love her..but still..ack!

I sewed and sorted and shampooed carpet and knitted and frogged and knitted and frogged and read and had a few nice naps and knitted and frogged. Worked in the yard a bit but torrential rains have left it too soggy to actually do much good. I'm not complaining because we really needed it but I am a bit afraid that the dog will disappear in the back yard before I can get it mowed again.

I started new socks and got all carried away with myself and switched to metal needles after which I kept losing YOs which caused the frogging cause those guys can really travel. Back on bamboo now so hopefully that will work better. For some absurd reason, now my left hand cramps or goes numb after a few rounds...think maybe I'm a bit tense about those YOs *G*

Tornadoes in the area (none really close to me thankfully) brought a bit of excitement and I really should have taken pictures of the creek as the rains ran fast and the street by work looked like a river...but ummm...it was pouring rain. I probably shouldn't have laughed, but they showed a clip on the news with a Hummer stuck in high water. The street was closed but I guess that sign was meant for everyone but Hummer drivers. Nobody was hurt but I bet there were some egos that got bruised.

How's YOUR weather? Whatcha doing this weekend.