Oh yeah!

Well, guess what! I have phones AND a functional DVD player.

"Dave" arrived right on time and quickly and competently got to work and the end result is grand. I wish I lived in a more modern place where most of the phone jacks were actually wired into the house but mine are more of the jury rigged/Radio Shack sort. Part of the problem seemed to be an old alarm system and the rest of it I didn't really understand and probably never will. But who cares? It works.
He did say that he enjoyed the challenge.

And,while he was scurrying around here trying to track down the problem he mentioned that he had spent most of his time with the company doing the cable tv stuff. I just happened to mention my problem with the dvd and presto chango in a matter of minutes that was all functional. Probably done so that I would sit in the living room and watch Fargo for the umpteenth time and quit asking questions. We talked a bit about those rather complicated instructions in the book. He said "I'm a guy. I don't read them". Maybe my masculine side or whatever is the reason I can't understand. :-)

A really great guy, as have been all the folks that I've dealt with at Cox. And certainly an attractive one too. I was also entranced with his tool bag. A really nice gatemouth with a lot of pockets. I wish I could figure out how to make one and use one of those metal frames that will stay open and then close. Another thing to think about. I did a bit of Googling this morning on gatemouths and stumbed onto this knitting bag. Hmmm

I also dealt with some yarn ends on probably the fifth try on my Cupcake mitts. Not that the pattern was a problem. I kept changing my mind on what colors to use. But I liked this and though it would be a cute one when finished and embroidered. There's only one small problem..or maybe it's a large problem. My large hand won't go through the small cuff! So maybe tonight I try with worsted and larger needles. Oh yeah and I have to finish watching Fargo although I can practically recite it! I just love Frances McDormand's character.

Time to get ready for work. Hope you have some fun today!

No Bruises

but I spent much of this weekend figuratively, if not literally, banging my head on the wall.

My old DVD player bit the dust a while back and I recently got a new one. Do you think I can get it to work??? of course not. I do sometimes have trouble reading instructions. I read them, even out loud, but somehow the words don't translate into proper actions. Saturday night I was ready to throw it out the window. Sunday, being a bit more grown up, I sat down in a quiet house, read slowly and highlighted passages that were important. So at long last I think I've figured out what I need to do. If this means anything to you, progressive scan won't work with my tv so I need to change that in the set-up. K...fortified with a fresh pot of coffee I set out to do just that. But now I can't get to the menu. I push setup..nada. I know it's there, I've seen it before.

I think I hate progress in technology. I remember my first VCR. Quite simple. You hooked it up to the tv and pushed play. To record, you pushed record. To record in the future you chose the day and time. The last one I had seemed as if you needed a college education to do anything other than play. And this one won't even get that far. I am soooooooo not techy.

Of course you know that. That's why I have no links in my sidebar. I need a 12 year old to come over and help me.

Ohhhh, and when I got really tired of all that, I decided I'd call a friend and whine. Picked up the phone..no dial tone. Went to the bedroom phone, no dial tone. Off to the playroom..samd thing. I called Cox..they rebooted my phone. No dial tone. There is someone scheduled to come out this afternoon to see what's up. Oh this should be good. It's Monday, coming up on the end of the month and I am way behind. My boss is going to love it.

But hey, I woke up this morning. I can move around. None of the cats have thrown up a hairball. Life is GOOD!

I do hope your's is even better.

This and That

My goodness! It's almost 12:30; I've been up since 5 and have accomplished very little. Well that's not completely true. The dog has a haircut and I've vacuumed and I've eaten a big bowl of oatmeal, two peanut butter sandwiches and some potato chip crumbs.

Other than that I've been reading online. Somewhere in the early morning blog reading time I saw a reference to Persephone books. I wish our economy wasn't such that ordering from England was so costly. I especially wanted to read Mrs. Miniver. Silly me, I didn't even realize it was a book. But Google told me otherwise and I've now discovered a whole bunch of books I can read online! Not as satisfying as being curled up in the corner of the couch with a throw wrapped around my feet, but still. I've now read Mrs. Miniver and have started An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott that I found there also.

Last night I found a drop spindle group on Ravelry as well as one for penpals. I'm resisting to go back and read some more there. Have to ration out all that fun!

Someone sent me a link to the most amazing horse dancing thing. I'm not sure what it's really called but this is pretty amazing. And now I'm wondering if it will actually show up here. (edited to add. No it didn't imbed so here is the link.)

Say, does anyone know where I might find 7 inch zippers, where I can actually see the colors? I found one place online but the colors were just names. I want to make a wallet.

I've been having a bit of a ponder. I want a for-real spindle. Mine wobbles quite a bit. It's homemeade and I think it started out pretty well but it got dropped and bounced down a bunch of steps awhile back and it's not been quite right since. I've sorta kinda picked out this one. Scroll down to the cherry one. And then I'd need to order some fiber. I'll wait a bit on that because I want to get some from the Farm-Witch cause I really like and respect her and her yarns and fiber are lovely. But soon...even if I don't have a new spindle.

Also I would dearly love to do business here. (It's usually about $10-$11a skein) I truly love Rowan Calmer and would love, love, love to have a sweater's worth. A sort of plain almost tshirt looking sweater with short sleeves. Oh how I wish I was skinny! LOL I don't have a pattern so I don't even know how much I'm looking for. Add to this mix that I have $89.50 in can/survey money. Not enough for all of that so I need to really think this out. At any rate, it's more fun to think about stuff like this than a leaky roof with spring rains soon. :-)

I can think about it while I weave in some yarn ends


And do some mending. So how are you spending your Sunday?

Total Confusion

My brain just isn't coping. After a busy weekend and an extra day off on Monday I totally have lost touch with the calendar.

Yesterday, to me was Monday all day and into the evening until I turned on the television and saw NCIS was on. UH oh, I totally missed the Tai Chi class. Thankfully my $$ pay for a certain number of classes so I won't lose one. Will have no clue what I am doing on Thursday though as we learn something new each time.

But, that being said, this confusion could be a good thing. For if I am a day behind, then Friday will arrive before I expect it and that's wonderful.

Unfortunately, I woke up this morning and truly believed it was Thursday. Now Friday will take an extra day to get here. :-(

Might as well just go with it. The weather man said, and I quote "Freezing rain which is ice" No S*** Sherlock. I could have never made that connection. And so, with that forecast in mind, and confusion rampant, I'll leave you with a picture of a summer sky.

Amazing! Exhausting!

That's about all I can say about the weekend. I had such a wonderful time but I was so trashed by the time I got home. I guess I'm not used to such fun...or perhaps riding in the vehicle for a long time.

The trip down was uneventful and mostly dreary. Rain, rain and more rain. At least there were only a few slick places close to home. I was able to knit on my sock but mostly by feel. It was so dark outside. We did stop for lunch on the way and it was actually a treat to see a bright Dairy Queen. Good chicken strips too!

We got there maybe an hour before the reception was to start, but much of that was actually finding the place. I changed clothes in the vehicle. which The Girl thought hysterical. Especially when pulling off my jeans (after putting on my skirt/slip) I almost lost my underwear!

The reception was held in a community center where there is an active art program. Geez, I wish I could live there. Many pieces were on exhibit and they were just wonderful. One that fascinated me was a great big quilted heart block. The background was stipple quilted but what was amazing was that the heart was done log cabin style and the little strips were 1/4" wide! Lots and lots of them. I can't imagine being that exact. No matter how hard I tried I don't think I could pull it off.

The bride/groom were ever so happy but the most fun for me was seeing folks I haven't seen in probably 20 years. It's such fun when two families come together unexpectedly.

And then, finally we went to our rooms for a brief break. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Burleson. I've never ever stayed in such a fancy place. Downstairs there is an exercise room with weights, treadmills and steppers and such. And a swimming pool and a whirlpool My room was a single..big king sized bed, but since it didn't hold two beds, I also had a sitting room! (If in the picture menu at the web site you can see it..it's the top left pic) Lovely little loveseat (which I discovered could be made into a bed), great big tv with digital cable...all those channels! It also had a kitchen area with a microwave, a refrigerator, a coffee pot (with coffee) and in the cabinets there were even disposable plates, bowls and utensils! I had an iron and ironing board and a hair dryer and in the lobby on each floor there was a washer and dryer. Amazing! Each day there is a free breakfast downstairs..not just donuts and fruit. On Sunday it was omelets as well as cereals, pastries, muffins, breads, bagels and a toaster too! At the time, I asked that someone go get me a burger and I'd just stay in my marvelous room all evening :-). I hate to think what it cost. Goodness knows that if I'd been paying, it would have been a Motel 6. Isn't it fun that they even monogram the pillow cases???



Staying in wasn't an option so we changed clothes and rested a wee bit and then headed back out for more fun. Off to visit "the kids" who are all grown up. At Eric's a dream came true. I've heard loads about his dog Joe but had never met him.
Here he is meeting one of our group at the fence. Notice he is sitting down.



I had a chance to get up close and personal with him. He is such the sweetie! He has a smaller dog buddy Pippy, but she's definitely camera shy so no pics of her :-(



Eric is some sort of computer/business person but he's also an amazing woodworker and I was quite happy to go visit his shop adjacent to the house. I've never seen so many saws/routers/drills/joiners in one place. Fun! When we came back outside this greeted us.




I'm not sure why I got all tippy taking the pic. It was just huge and seemed to go on forever. I couldn't find a way to get the whole thing in my viewfinder.

Finally we all arrived in the same place and headed out for dinner. A party of 12. And had a great meal served family style. Yummy green beans. I would love to know how to make them.

I was surely glad to see my bed that night. I wanted to knit for awhile and enjoy the tv. I think I lasted maybe 30 min and went to sleep with my dpns in my hand apparently. Only woke up once when one of them poked my cheek.

Sunday morning came way too soon. Sunny and bright at least while we were in Texas. I opened my drapes and window to enjoy some fresh air and discovered a Sunday paper outside my door. Just like being at home. Almost. And about 5 pm Sunday evening that became a reality. A fun time, but always good to be home even if I do just have to 'know' which of my pillows is soft.

Home Again

But Blogger's picture thingy is down so you'll just have to wait for the pics of Joe and my wonderful, elegant motel room. Now...how misleading is that sentence? Heh..

Texas Bound (Maybe)

The plan for today is going to Texas for a wedding reception. It's still at 0710 kind of still up in the air. There's been some freezing rain with more expected but at the last news it's barely freezing and the ground temp is somewhat warm so maybe it's just bridges and overpasses. Thankfully I'm not driving!

The best part (besides getting to see folks I really love be happy) is getting to stay in a motel tonight! I LOVE staying in motels. Yah...I've heard all the horror stories about the bedclothes but I still love it.

Packing took longer than it should for just an overnight stay because I lost my list. Egads! And didn't even realize it until bedtime last night. So, everytime I did anything, I'd put it on the list. Brush teeth, check. Eye drops, check. Teddy bear, check. Jammies...well you get the idea. I woke up in the middle of the night and thought "Knitting". So I got up and put my sock bag on the table with the faux bowling ball bag travel case.

Now, if for some reason it gets cancelled, I won't be complaining at all. I busted my butt last night doing laundry, ironing, even stopped on the way home for a few groceries. So, I could be sitting here in sweats knitting, sewing and making spagetti.

Oh, and I printed out the "Rabbit" personality thing from a previous post and took it to work. My idea was that others could take it and we'd have a new and fun tool for enhancing work place cooperation. The general opinion was that mine was "soooo true"...but nobody else would take the test. I don't know if they just thought it was too stupid, or another of those weird Susan things. I was disappointed.

Of course the fact that most of them are either sick, or getting well, or getting sick might have something to do with it. There are some really rough GI and/or respiratory things going around. Thursday when I made one of the hospital runs, the ER was packed and there were people on gurneys in the halls with their IVs hooked up.

Crossing fingers and traveling with Zicam! Hope your weekend is way fun! Tell me what you're doing.

I'm Feeling So Rich

I don't know about y'all, but I definitely have a beer budget and sometimes champagne taste. But tonight I'm feeling quite well-to-do.

With Valentine's fast approaching I've been seeing lots of ads for floral establishments or websites. Now I know that practically fresh flowers just aren't. Perhaps a plant that will last awhile. Or something more ummm concrete. Fresh flowers just don't last long and then what do you have? But another part of me finds it quite grand. Someone (or yourself) saying that you deserve a thing of transient beauty. You're worth wasting money. Ha..in my mind it all makes sense. So, I satisfy those urges by purchasing fresh flowers at the grocery. They're really quite nice, and since the Moonies don't seem to be selling them on the street corners anymore..well, you get the idea.

So today I find this very tasteful and beautiful website showcasing their Valentine offerings. I picked out a very sweet arrangement of deep red roses in a little vase..not long stemmed, cut short so that the whole thing appears that it would look quite sweet. Hmmm $80 !!! Well of course I'm worth it but dang..it's out of state and so I just can't order them :-). Scrolling down I discover a fuschia Phalaenopisis orchid. 3 blooms, 5 buds and a tasteful black container. It's a bit more, $100.

But wait..look at this!





Two blooms, 3 buds, tasteful (?)gray plastic container and it's in my house. With the added bonus of a handpainted dowel rod to support it..oh and a lovely purple hair tie to anchor it to the dowel. Purchased by me, for me after Valentines last year when it was marked down. I think I paid $8-$10 at W*lmart. And I haven't killed it and it's rewarding me with Valentine blooms this year! I'm not just feeling soooo rich! I AM!

Still Here!

Whoooa, I didn't realize it had been so long since I last posted. I guess when I talk to y'all in my head, it should be while I'm at the keyboard. Sorry.

Lots going on here. Well, perhaps not a lot if compared to truly exciting lives, but certainly in mine.

WHEELS: First of all, after a couple of months of really unreliable transportation which culminated in antifreeze all over the driveway...and then after a couple of weeks while my vehicle was hospitalized, I once again have wheels. It was a great day when Lily came back home and I could drive without a light coming on or a gauge getting wonky. There is NO public transportation here. Rides to work weren't a problem and I occasionally got to go to Walmart but other than that I was home. Fortunately I can entertain myself pretty easily.

Then, the weekend after I got Lily home, there was an advertisement in our local paper about Tai-Chi classes starting. I knew the person getting it organized, called and signed up. I have been hoping for this for a long time. And I LOVE it! I used to have a tape given to me by someone who had studied for years but the tape broke and I was never quite sure what I was doing. Our instructor is a hoot! And no, I'm not going to try for a Jackie Chan movie. This is designed for seniors, although he does occasionally show us how the movement we are working on translates into martial art. But hey maybe I can be in a laxative commercial someday. And, yay...it doesn't requite that I go out and buy special clothing or mats or blocks or knit a mat bag. Or sit on the floor! I can sit there, I just can't get back up.

Yesterday I zoomed around doing errands and worked in the yard a bit, gave Lily a bath, did laundry. All that Saturday stuff. Today was going to be about staying in my pjs all day with some blog reading. I stopped at Laura's early...then followed a link to her friend's so I could look at a picture and at the end of that post saw a reference to these Cupcake Mitts. Oh the crow in me rejoiced at the bright colors and mixedy up stitches! Reminds me a lot of Kristin Nicholas' work..not that I've ever actually seen her books but I surely like the pictures! And, there was still a pattern left. Must have! Which would have been rather simple if I could have remembered my 'name' on Etsy or my password on Paypal. (I've been really trying to be frugal). Finally I got it all together and the pattern arrived in my mailbox. Gotta love the innernets!

But wait..it calls for DK yarn. I have nary a skein. OMG, I must have it NOW! So, sacrificing jammies, I got dressed and headed for my new (almost)LYS..SWAK in the City. I'm so glad those Guthrie ladies decided to open a store closer to me!

And the yarn? Berroco Comfort DK. Yeah, acrylic but the softest yarn I've ever felt. Love it!


So now, once I make supper and clean up, it's back to jammies and my knitting needles. I'll have to explain to the sock I just started that it gets to nap tonight so I can at least get a few rows done.

And...in case you wanted to know more about me...

Your Score: Rabbit

You scored 21 Ego, 14 Anxiety, and 18 Agency!

IT was going to be one of Rabbit's busy days. As soon as he woke up he felt important, as if everything depended upon him. It was just the day for Organizing Something, or for Writing a Notice Signed Rabbit, or for Seeing What Everybody Else Thought About It. It was a perfect morning for hurrying round to Pooh, and saying, "Very well, then, I'll tell Piglet," and then going to Piglet, and saying, "Pooh thinks--but perhaps I'd better see Owl first." It was a Captainish sort of day, when everybody said, "Yes, Rabbit " and "No, Rabbit," and waited until he had told them.

You scored as Rabbit!

ABOUT RABBIT: Rabbit is generally considered Clever by his many friends and relations. He is actually a much better reader and writer than Owl, but he doesn't consider it worth mentioning. Instead, Rabbit's real talent lies in Organizing Plans. He organizes rescue parties, makes schemes to reduce Tigger's bounciness, and goes on missions to find out what Christopher Robin does when he's not at the Hundred Acre Woods. Sometimes, however, his Plans do not always go as Planned.

WHAT THIS SAYS ABOUT YOU: You are smart, practical and you plan ahead. People sometimes think that you don't stress or worry, but this is not the case. You are the kind of person who worries in a practical way. You think a) What are my anxieties about and b)what can be done about them? No useless fretting for you. You don't see the point in sitting around and waiting for things to work out, when you could actually work them out today and save yourself a lot of time and worry. Your friends tend to rely on you, because they know that they can trust you help them work things out.

You sometimes tend to be impatient with people who are less practical in their ways. You don't have much patience for idiots who moan about things but never actually DO anything about them. You have high expectations of everyone, including yourself. When you don't succeed at something, or when something goes wrong despite your best efforts to prevent it, you can get quite hard on yourself. You need to cut yourself some slack and accept that everyone has their faults, even you, and THAT IS OKAY. Let yourself be faulty, every now and then, for the sake of your own sanity.

Link: The Deep and Meaningful Winnie-The-Pooh Character Test written by wolfcaroling on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test View My Profile(wolfcaroling)