Blackberries-ultimate frugalness

I've been watching these vines ever since they started blooming. And, just now you see I've barely got a bowlful. Now, what can be any more frugal than a bowl of wild blackberries? Oh, I like this path I'm on.

later tonight this will become a mini-pie......mmmm

Chemo Caps

October is breast cancer awareness month. We all know that. My post today is about cancer. My mom's friend from work was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. SHe i going through the first round of chemo right now. Mom called and asked if I could make her a few chemo caps. Who could say no to such a request. I've been looking for a good basic pattern. I found this. So far. I've got some SS in navy and going to cast on tonight for this one. The pattern doesn't look to technical so maybe I can get her one soon.

Let's see. I work all the time now. Don't have much time for anything else. I have been knitting on a pair of boot socks for hubby. Since hunting season starts this weekend (sigh). I've been working in my living room. Removing wallpaper border (help me) and installing in-wall speakers, and mounting the tv on the wall. No, I didnt do it, but I did help hubs put the tv on the wall. The living room was cream colored. I'm sick of bland, so I've choen a light olive green. And I LOVE it! I've got 2 walls painted so far. This spring we will be putting hardwood flooring down and new baseboards. Then this room will be complete! Yays! I'll put pics up soon of my WIP room and the socks.

Hugs to ya all! I still read your blogs just dont post alot. Miss chatting with you guys!

my wacky world + knitting excerpts

You know, during the day when I'm away from the computer, I think of all kinds of things to blog about. I type it up in my mind and rattle on and on to myself about what I will post when I get home. then I get here and all those thoughts I was so passionate about have vanished into thin air. Does anyone else get this type of amnesia when face to face with your computer screen?

Anywho. There is so much going on in my life right now, and I had chose not to blog about it. Mainly, because its "penny-anny". But, it is driving me so crazy I thought I might as well babble on... the girl I work for has told me repeatedly she is going to quit. Actually, this is I-Quit #4. which usually is a good thing to hear, unless you keep hearing it, and she keeps changing her mind. Its really crappy of her, to tell me one thing, and the very next day do another. So much so that I have my boss in the little circle on how she is doing me. For the past 3 weeks, its been I'm going to quit, I'm turning in my written notice ***day. ***day comes around and no notice. She calls again, can you work this week? I'm going to quit on ***day. Do you want to buy my mail jeep? ***day comes around... no notice. no quit. Sigh. Do you know what kind of nerve rollercoaster I've been on now? Its crazy one day shes quitting, the next shes not. Well, she called this weekend. I'm quitting for sure. I've typed up my notice and I'm handing it in Tuesday. Tuesday comes. She comes over to sign leave papers for the rest of this week. did she turn in the notice? Of course not. My boss gave her an ultimatium though. *girl* you have put our office on hold long enough. We have to move on with or without you. You cannot continue to just take a leave. You must make up you mind by Friday. (day after tomo) and let us know what your intentions are. We need your FINAL thoughts on this Friday. Ok. So now I'm tore up, again... waiting...again... for D-day. My boss wants me to train a girl tomorrow to help out though, so I guess she is thinking that *girl* might actually be seriously going to quit this time? Dunno. I'm just glad to have help the next 2 days. And hey I'm off saturday. I haven't had a Saturday off in awhile! I'm excited.

Now during all this chaos I'm getting happy/sad, too. The birthday cow is droppping on me tomorrow. gah. I'm getting old. Its nice to come around, but not nice to get a year older. More gray, more wrinkles, more wisdom. Mom & pop are coming up tomo night and bringing a pot of her homemade chicken dumplings. Looking fwd to that. Happy Birthday to me! #33!!




Thanks to Julie, I have decided to attempt another freaking sock. Can you beleive it? I've frogged every shred of evidence of socks within 2 days of the attempt. I'm on day 4 and still no frogs in the building! I'm using this pattern from Wendyknits. Its simple. Its toeup. I like it. I'm working on the leg now. I turned it without a problem. Amazing. I know! I have several sock yarns stashed away anxiously awaiting me to learn how to make socks. Maybe I can now. Who knows. I'm still worried about making an actual pattern, dunno how to go about that yet, but I think I'm getting the hang of the basic pattern. Thanks for all your help Julie!

I have been crocheting too. I'm still working on that blue ribbon doily in purple. well, I was until I ran out of thread. So I went to the hhtatting.com website to order more, and when it got here yesterday, I had ordered the wrong color. Who knew that lavender is a light pink. I thought it was a light purple. After calling handyhands and realizing it would cost more to ship back a mistake, than just reorder the *cough cough* "antique violet" thread, I decided to find another project for Christmas to use the lavender on. Now I'm still waiting on thread to finish thedoily.

I did complete that bright blue Hiddleson doily. I trimmed the edges with white (since I ran out of blue with one row remaining.) I just havent had time to block it yet. Pics soon though, I promise.

So theres my life in a nutshell. Who knew being postal could be so much fun?
Think some good positive thoughts for me Friday, as I will learn my fate of fulltime fun or parttime misery..... until then.... *hugs*

Honey, I'm home!!

You would have been so proud of me yesterday. I came through the surgery with flying colors! It was alittle edgy getting to and from the vehicle. but, I slept all the way home ( 2 hrs ) and 4 more hrs once I got home. Finally, got to removed the gauze packing, and now 4am the next morning I'm awake, hungry, and typing. Swelling is minimal right now, and as long as I keep the array of pills, for infection, swelling, and pain in my gullet doing pretty well. I want to thank you all for the thoughts I could really tell they were surrounding me! Well, its back to a bowl of soup now. Just wanted to update, I'm doing ok!

THANKS AGAIN!!

Oral Surgery

So, tomorrow is the big day. I'm getting a tooth extracted, and having to be put under. I'm so scared of being put to sleep. see, when I was 5 I was ran-over by a car, and over the course of a few months I was put to sleep several times, while my leg was rebuilt. after traction and months of therapy i am able to walk normally. But, I was put to sleep about 13 times. that is forever etched in my brain and thus tomorrow is a scary day. I told the oral surgeon abotu my fears. He prescribed ativan so I'm here doped up typing to all you out in "blog land" to light a candle, say a prayer, and/or remember me tomorrow as I go thru this. I know it will all go well. I have my faith in God to help me through this. But, I can use all the positive energy I can get. Thanks guys! I love yall!

Happy Birthday #2!

Happy Birthday to DD#2. Hard to believe my baby is 11~ When I think back about how much she has grew up, I get teary-eyed. She was the most beautiful baby, with soft strawberry blonde hair and the biggest blue eyes peering up at me. Ah, my darling, Happy Birthday!






We have been working on the signs for her party this weekend. And, spent a quiet day reminiscing, and enjoying each other's company. She had a family dinner yesterday and had a wonderful time. This weekend its the friend's party... She told me she was too old to have a friend over to her family dinner and wanted a luau swim party with a dozen or so of her "close" friends. LOL. What could I say but..ok baby. Your wish is my command......

What tha?

I've been working alot this week, hence not alot of updates on my blog. The 7 uba pups are growing like weeds. They will be a week old Sunday. I received an invite to a friends wedding shower in 2 weeks, so I'm dropping projects and starting a name doily for her. Thank goodness for a short name is all I gotta say!

We made strawberry freezer jam today. The girls enjoyed helping me, and I enjoyed the help. 24 jars. Whew.

We have a bent n dent grocery in town, and today they started receiving organic whole food products. I'm a happy camper. I love buying natural products but they are so expensive I usually just get the necessities. Today I splurged :-) Yes, I know to watch out for certain things. But considering they are not out of date, they are not damaged, and they are 90% off the store price.. It's all good.





*disgruntled, just ask* I'm coping with my carrier calling me to say she is thinking about quitting again, and wanting me to work for her until further notice. Turns out "the further notice" was one day. Count it again O N E day. This is the 2nd time she has pulled this on me. I'm NOT getting my hopes up again. I'll go and work, but I'm not saying a word to no one about it.

It's septuplets!

My darling Millie gave birth to her first (and only) litter of pups this AM. She woke us up whining, with one pup already born. Soon after 6 more followed. They are 3/4 dashund and 1/4 fiest.The proud pappa is a fullblood brown dashund. 4 boys.3 girls. My whole neighborhood came over to see her babies. I've already got several people wanting one. I'll leave u with these pics. It was such a memorable day for the dd's. From start to finish they were there, watching, discussing, and learning about the miracle of birth. When all this is said and done Millie will be spayed. Our vet had told us that is was better for a dog to have one set of pups, that it would help keep their temperments good in old age. I have to say I was hoping here would be a little Millie.

spiders, snakes, crickets, and mice....

These are the things that scare the piss out of me. I dont like spiders, snakes, crickets, and mice. So, everytime our pest control man comes by he leaves glue traps in the corners of the garage. Especially during the summer, we get mice, those huge crickets, and slugs. ewh. I know. Which leads to my headline. I was taking some trash from the house into the garage, and as I put it in the can, I glanced into the far corner. You know the corner, the one full of those fold up chairs, bicycles, and misc. crap that tends to mingle amongst itself. I noticed the gluetrap had a mouse on it. I thought, I'd just sweep it out and put it in the trash can. (aren't I a great wifey-poo) As I swept it out, I noticed the little mouse had some company. Not the flies. I told you it had been awhile since I visited that corner..... But wowee. Check out that copperhead snake. It frightens me that my dd's play darts in the garage, and have their swingset just out from it. Scary stuff. I'm calling the pset control man tommorrow to get some more of those traps dropped by. I tried some from Wally World, but they aren't as good as the ones the bug man leaves...... Be careful outside..

Basketweaving....

Thanks for all ur support on knitting. I sat down today and completely concentrated on those bamboo sticks. I chose some SWS and a swatch for basketweave stitching. I will post a pic tonight. For my first one, eh its not That bad. To me it is beau-ti-ful though. heh

Kinda nervous today, taking dd#1 to an orthopeadic specialist tomo. She has scoiliosis, we wont know exactly how bad, or what we need to do until tomo. Keep her in ur thoughts, well-wishes, and prayers

The Search for truth: Wanda Wood Darling

I wanted to update everyone. I posted last year about my friend whom was murdered several years ago by her husband. After much publicity, Dateline NBC and Keith Morrision, have picked up the story. It will air tomorrow night (monday, June 11th) at 9pm CST. Here is a link to Dateline's story:

http://insidedateline.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/06/08/218813.aspx

The Old Man & The Sea

Mother's Day Gifts

Kitchen Cotton. ahh. it is sooo nice! Durable, practical, and sometimes, down right cute! I've made 2 kitchen sets, and will finish up the last today. Just wanted to share. Dishcloth, potholder, and towel ring. (I still have to buy the towels though)

Don't forget Mom, this Sunday. Let her know how special she is.... She did gift you life, you know.

Up Up and Away!

We went to a convention this past weekend in Dallas. It was full of ups and downs. (literally) Al Gore was the keynote speaker. No, he did not mention green living. He talked mainly about the IT and Satellite world of today. It was not too bad. The clouds were amazing. I found out mainly because of the storms that hit Kansas the same night. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families.

Serenity Now

Just thought I'd share a few pics from the weekend. The girls and I planted some flowers, and one took the first splash in the pool. We grilled out, and spent a wonderful time chatting over dinner. Enjoy!