Happy New Year

I love New Year's Eve. I love the concept that tomorrow will be a new year and a clean slate. As far as years go, 2009 was not my favorite and I can't wait to start fresh. Between the economic crisis both personally and nationwide, the H1N1 virus and other assorted doom and gloom I think it's seriously time to move on and look for brighter horizons. Have a happy and safe new year and remember it's a jungle out there... take care of each other.

Merry Christmas to All!

Soon I'm off to the hustle and bustle of holidays with our families. I am so very lucky to have friends and family to share in this wonderful holiday. I've already had a few surprises and have a few up my sleeve to spread a little joy. Merry Christmas to All and to All a good night!

Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus

Here is the "Yes, Virginia" editorial. For those of us who need a little boost of faith.

Sick Day

I have been fighting a cold for the last couple days *sniff*. It's the 'runny nose, your eyeballs feel like popping out, choosing between eating and breathing' type of cold. I went into work yesterday because we were short staffed and about 2 o'clock my co-worker sent me home. This morning I had totally intended to go in (even if it was a little late) when I called my boss to tell her I was coming in and I was unequivocally told to stay home. It could have been the fact that right now I pronounce the letters 'v' and 'm' as 'buh'. That being said I have a hard time being sick. I feel like there is so much to do that if I don't at least do something I'll never catch up. But I am trying to rest as much as I can because it is crucial to getting well. Well, what do you know... one of my nostrils just opened up. I guess I am on the road to recovery.

Pay it forward..

During the Christmas season more than ever people think about giving back to those less fortunate. Especially in this rough economy, it is important to give to charities and take time to be grateful for what you have. My goal is to try to work random acts of kindness into my life all year round. Doing something simple to brighten someones day is one small step to making the world a better place.

This year on TV and Internet are stories about secret Santas handing out cash to those in need. The catch? Do something good for someone else. What a wonderful way to make the world a better place.

Here is the secret Santa article. Read it. Get inspired. Go change the world.

It's a jungle out there...take care of each other.

First Snow

Right now the first substantial snow of the season is falling. Right now as I sit in the gentle glow of the lit Christmas Tree and warming my hands on a mug of hot cocoa, snow is falling silently outside. Tomorrow everything will look new covered in a soft blanket of white.

I love snow, especially the first snow. As Lorelei Gilmore would say, "It's like catnip." I love how quiet everything gets when it snows. How every breath you breathe is bracing. How the cold, crisp air tingles on your cheeks and nose making you feel alive and invigorated all over. How tiny flakes stick to you hair and gloves reminding you that each one is a miniature miracle. I love to just take a few moments to watch the snow fall and just 'be'.

It's a jungle out there... take care of each other.

Yards of Yarn

It's done...finally! All my Christmas knitting is DONE! I am pleased and proud of all the knitting I did. This is my very first Christmas as a knitter and maybe I went a little overboard but what's Christmas without going at least a little overboard?

My list: Four face cloths, three scarves, two pairs of fingerless gloves, a coaster, a coffee cozy AND a partridge in a pear tree. OK, maybe not the pear tree.

"They say it's your birthday...."

In my family birthdays are a big deal. My mom makes us whatever cake and whatever meal we request and the family gets together and makes an afternoon of it. After growing up like that, it's hard to imagine a birthday not being celebrated. Here is an article on a woman in my area that set out to make birthdays special for area homeless children living in shelters. I tip my hat to her for not only thinking of a creative way to help others in need but doing it in an innovative way. Kudos.

For a good time call....

I have been a big fan of Etsy for a while now. I try to buy from there whenever possible. I love the idea of supporting an individual and their art. That being said... the combination of creativity, potential financial gain and the Internet can sometimes lead to disaster. I am referring to the flip side of Etsy, a site called Regretsy.com. This is all the stuff that is funny and disturbing at the same time. It shows that creativity is limitless but not always in a good way. If you're having a rough day and need a good laugh, check it out. Beware you may need to keep a box of tissues on hand to dry your tears of laughter.

It's a Wrap!

My blog has been quiet the past couple weeks because of a slight (but uncomfortable) carpal tunnel flair up. I blame work (with aspirations for independent wealth) so I was using what wrist tolerance I had toward Christmas knitting. Which is nearing completion, Hooray!

Now I have nearly 90% of all Christmas gifts purchased (I draw two names on Turkey day) and stashed away in our hobby room. I can't wait to wrap and put them under the tree. The tradition on our house used to be to wait until the Saturday before Christmas and my husband and I would wrap the presents together that way he could see what I bought for everyone. However that tradition turned into him eating pizza and watching a movie and doing very little wrapping and me glaring laser daggers at him while I wrap. So this year I decided I would wrap a little at a time during the week while hubby is at work. Now that he's on 2nd shift and working 60 hours a week I have a feeling that his interest in wrapping is going to be even less than usual.

I don't mind wrapping really. I used to work at Hallmark for a wrap Nazi so I learned how to do it fast and tight. The biggest challenge is to keep the curious kitties from laying on the gifts and tearing the paper. Sigh, I've given up on ribbons long ago.

Makin' a list and checkin' it twice...

Today I took a vacation day to do the bulk of my Christmas shopping. I have been doing this for years, it dates back to when I started working at a bank and we were closed on Veteran's Day. I decided it was a good time to do Christmas shopping as there were decent sales and it was far enough away from Christmas to avoid a crowd.

Today on my list are an outfit for my youngest nephews, Trio blocks, Starbucks cards for friends, pajama's for hubby, nice drinking glasses for my niece, who recently moved out on her own. That's just the tip of the iceberg.

Fall Back???

So today is the first day of daylight savings time. It is always a rough transition for me. This morning Sullivan woke me up at what we thought was 6:30 for his breakfast. Then I got up at what I thought was 8:30 and waited patiently for CBS Sunday Morning to start, and when it didn't start it dawned on me... I'm up an hour early. I know I should change the clocks at night but it always escapes me.

I know this week will be rough because Sullivan has been waking up right before my alarm at 6 so for awhile I know he'll be waking me up right before 5 (groan). No matter how much I try to explain to him the concept of daylight savings time...no matter how many charts and graphs I use, like most Indiana natives, he just doesn't get it. I say that because up until about 4 years ago Indiana did not observe daylight savings time. For half the year we were on Central time and the other half on Eastern time. So overall this is a relatively new concept for most Hoosiers. So I'll just drink my coffee and enjoy the extra hour today and not think about the fur-ball that is going to be waking me up an hour early tomorrow.

Sullivan: Doesn't understand daylight savings time...

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown...

Living in an apartment, we don't get many trick or treaters, so this year I stole a great idea from a good friend of mine... we're doing a great pumpkin. The plan is to put together sacks of goodies for my two youngest nephews 3 and 5 (all my other nephews are in their 20's) and leave it on their doorstep from "The Great Pumpkin".

My husband and I had a ball picking out candy and other fun stuff to give the boys. Then today I went to Target and got more fun stuff. I admit the Great Pumpkin did go a little crazy. We got a flashing jack-o lantern necklace, a pez dispenser (classic!), stickers, tongue tattoos, hot wheels cars, AND a light up gyroscope. The gyroscopes came three to a pack so I had to keep one to make sure its safe, you can never be too careful (hee hee). I only wish I can be there to see them open it but, alas, the Great Pumpkin must remain anonymous.

Now that I look a picture of the haul, I think we may become very unpopular with the parents. It may be best to lie low for a while after this...

On the needle.

I finished my first fingerless glove. I am actually working on the second (yea!). This among the scarves and facecloths I am knitting for Christmas. Oy, the knitting but I do love it.

Here is the finished work (in case you're wondering that is not a ghost modeling, it's me)

Photos of the'fondled yarn'

I realized today that after my post yesterday that all the yarnies out there would perhaps like to view the yarn that sent me into a petting daze yesterday.

Here it is Mirasol- Sulka. It's an unbelievably soft combo of Merino, Alpaca and Silk. Like a baby's behind without the mess.

The Yarn Fondler and the Cat Whisperer

OK, so embarrassing day for me. I don't really get embarrassed all that often. Its kind of a game in my family to see who can be the craziest in public and embarrass the others, there once was an incident when I was a teen shopping for my first bra that from which I never quite recovered.

So after work, I head over to my local yarn store to pick up some yarn (duh) for another Christmas request (drat another scarf!). As I meander through the store, I touch and pet and stroke and yes, fondle the yarn. I rub it on my cheek, caress it on my neck. I am making a scarf, after all. As I am rubbing some super soft yarn on my cheek I give it a little sniff. I just can't help myself! As I am doing this I hear, "Can I help you?" I about jump out of my skin! Oh God! I'm sure she didn't see me sniff the yarn exactly but I'm sure my reaction gave away something weird was going on. I am a new knitter but I'm pretty sure sniffing may be out of bounds behavior in a yarn store.

Then I get home and I am famished. I don't really feel like cooking so I hem and haw awhile before deciding to treat myself to some McDonald's. Since I am leaving again so soon the cats look sad. I always think they look sad when I leave but I may be projecting. So I say out loud in my 'cutesy talking to the cats' voice (yes, I talk to the cats) as I am walking out the door "Don't worry Meow-Meows. Mama will be home real soon for good." And then I hear "Hi."

OH GOD.

Its our neighbor man across the hall.

The thing about talking to yourself, which, face it, talking to the cats really is talking to myself, is eventually someone will hear you. I tried to just play it off like I didn't say anything at all and hurried to my car where I burst out laughing!

What a day! Who knows, maybe tomorrow I'll accidentally grab someone inappropriately.

Pennies from Heaven...

The holidays are quickly approaching and in this economy it's sometimes hard to find the funds for those little extras, let alone Christmas gifts. For the past couple years, I have had a Christmas Club account. I have a automatic transfer put $35 a paycheck (biweekly) into the account and come October when I'm ready to start really shopping the money is there waiting for me. And the funny thing is that all year I never missed the money going into the account. Not once.

Another tool I use to help plan and control holiday spending is an excel spreadsheet. This may sound uber-geeky but I use it to make my list and layout a budget for each member of the family. Since I start shopping really early it helps me to not over-spend and keep things relatively even.

If you're looking for some more money saving tips, check out these articles I found on the web:

Find $1,000 by the holidays

Seven daily routines to break

Best Layed Plans...

On Saturdays I try to get things done around the house that I don't have the gumption to get done during the week. The problem? On Saturdays, I don't feel like doing it either! There's dishes to do, vacuuming to be done, sweeping, mopping, dusting, the list goes on. I enjoy living in a clean house, I just don't enjoy the process of getting there. I think because it seems like the hard work doesn't last because you just have to do it all again eventually.

I've tried to come up with a plan that I do some cleaning for say 20 mins then do something leasurely for 20 mins. It seems to help because I can get a lot done in 20 mins but the problem is getting started. I think there's a quote but I don't know who it is by "He who is begun is half done." Good advice for anything especially cleaning house.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

It is a cold, rainy, gloomy week here in Indiana. I vaguely remember that there used to be this bright yellow thing in the sky but I haven't seen it in awhile, so I may have dreamed it. On the other hand, it's a perfect time to cuddle up with a good movie, some knitting and my faithful kitty cat Sullivan.

Sullivan doesn't particularly care for the cold. He gets to be a little cuddle slut when its cold out and cuddles with anyone that will let him including Sloane. During the cold weather is about the only time Sullivan will be nice to Sloane because he wants to curl up with him and get warm.

This desperation for warmth may be indirectly my fault. Every year I try to declare 'Heather Law' and state that we will not turn on the furnace until Nov. 1. Some years it sticks and some years it doesn't. The main purpose in 'Heather Law' is to conserve energy for as long as possible. By waiting until Nov. 1 we can have one more low gas bill and have time to put up plastic insulation around the apartment windows before turning on the heat.

This year is one of the non 'Heather Law' years. I came home from work, the apartment was empty (hubby is on 2nd shift now) but something was different. Then I saw it...the heavy flannel shirt my husband wears around the house when its really cold. And then I smelled the tell tale sign in the air... the furnace had been on! He had turned the furnace on. I checked the theromstat and it was on but then I turned it down a little bit but not off.

I guess someone has to be reasonable around here and at least it doesn't have to be me. : )

Authentic Self

Lately I've been a little meloncholy. I guess I've been struggling with a lot of different issues in my life that sort of all colminate into the idea of my authentic self. I struggle with my own identity and fitting into society while remaining my authentic self. I struggle because a lot of times I suffer from 'square peg-round hole' syndrome, its a very techinical term for not fitting in.

I live in a conservative mid-western city, I'm married but do not plan to have children, I have liberal politics, I am pro-choice and support gay marriage. The icing on the cake is I'm a vegetarian. All of this together and I raise a lot of eyebrows, in the conservative midwest, that is, but I have to be who I am.

But sometimes it's hard to be who you are when it's different from everyone else. The big thing that I struggle with in fitting in is 'no kids'. At first I would get the sympathetic looks or the 'well, maybe someday' from strangers when having this conversation (and seriously, I think "I'm having this conversation with Strangers?!"). But I felt that was misleading, now I just answer "No, we have cats." I admit that does paint me in a certain light that is just this side of crazy, but then there are no more questions.

I know I'm doing the right thing in not changing who I am because the world around me expects me to be a certain way, but boy, sometimes it sure is hard. I have to remember that nothing worthwhile is ever easy. I don't hurt anyone. I don't expect to change anyone. I just want to be Heather, and continue in the off-beat, independent minded, trailblazing way I have lived my life thus far.

Remember...it's a jungle out there, take care of each other.

Peace prize??

I was shocked to hear that President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize this week. It wasn't shock because I don't feel that it's not deserving but shock that someone so new to the international scene could be awarded the highest honor in the international community. It's almost sad because it says so much about the Bush Administration almost more than it does about Barrack Obama. This actually seems unfair to Obama because unfortunately it feels like although he has been working constantly toward international harmony (which is what the award is for) but that they gave him the award because finally the US has someone in charge that isn't a short-sighted, big headed, money grubbing Texan. Praise the Lord and pass the chicken.

The other thing that is so disappointing is the reaction of the conservative community. One blogger that actually made it to Yahoo! News said he wasn't aware that the Nobel prize had an affirmative action quota. That is a despicable comment! This is an international award, the committee looks all over at all sorts of people before awarding the prize. There isn't anything that President Obama could have done to bias this decision. The committee awarded the prize to the party they thought deserved it. They've been doing this awhile so I don't think that they just give those away willy-nilly.

I think the calm reaction to fervent critics that President Obama has continued to keep will win out in the end and show that this inner peace he keeps is an example of deserving behavior that earned him the prize to begin with.

Economic Upturn

Economy got you down? Here is an interesting little article on indicators of economic upturn. They may not be exactly what you think they are...

Lethal Weapon

Last Saturday I took a 'knitting with double points' class. As a relatively new knitter, you could say I was more than a little intimidated. However, in my short history with knitting I can tell I already hate seaming. HATE it. So something had to be done.

The young lady (I say that because we're probably about the same age ;)) teaching the class at my local yarn shop was spectacular. She was so patient and before I knew it I was knitting on four needles! Look at me go! I still get a little confused sometimes and sometimes try to look a little too closely at my knitting without being fully aware of the placement of all the needles. Pointy needles + eyeball= bad, bad news. But thus far, have avoided tragically loosing an eye and growing more and more confident. I deem the class a success.

My first double points project...

a fingerless glove.

Music Calms the Savage Beast...

Whoever said music calms the savage beast isn't too far off the mark. Music can lift a mood or transport to another place. Today as I leave the hustle and bustle of work, go out into the gloomy, misty, cold, I get in the car and put in one of my favorite Christmas CDs featuring Dean Martin and Nat King Cole. I let the music envelop me and transport me. I am calmed. The music gives me happy thoughts of the impending holiday. Thoughts of gifts yet to be made and given. Thoughts of spending time with family and friends. These thoughts warm and relax me. Once again the beast within is calmed, for another day at least.

Day to Day

Everyday our lives our filled with the mundane. Commute, work, bills, etc. Things that take up our day but give us very little joy. The challenge is how do we change the mundane and make is extraordinary. One is to count our blessings. I hate paying bills and going to the grocery but I should be grateful that I have the ability and the means to do so. Another is to bring joy to others. give at least one genuine compliment everyday. Make someone laugh. This brightens my day as much as I have brighten theirs. Also challenge yourself outside your comfort zone. Eleanor Roosevelt said "Do one thing every day that scares you." This is the one that is the hardest. Putting yourself out there, out of your comfort zone isn't easy but it does eventually pay off.


Remember... Its a jungle out there, take care of each other.

An Evening at the Theatre

Last night I went with a couple friends to a musical production at the local university. The production, oddly enough, was called Urinetown: The Musical. Yep, that's no typo.

The premise of the musical was that there is a severe water shortage following a 20 year drought and as a result all private toilets are banned. Everyone must pay to go to the bathroom and all the facilities are owned by the same evil monopolistic company (of course). Those found violating the law by 'doing their business' in public are sent away to the mysterious 'Urinetown' as punishment.

I am usually not one for musicals (really we're bursting into song, again?) or even toilet humor for that matter but this production was great. It was very poignant but didn't take itself too seriously, it was great balance.

I don't live in a city where people get outside the box much, sometimes it's a black hole for forward thinking. Pretty much people just go to the movies, or do something 'family oriented' so I was impressed that the university pushed the limit by doing this production and even more impressed that the house was nearly full. Maybe there's hope yet.

Age Old Power Struggle

In our house there is a classic power struggle. I could almost liken it to the biblical 'David and Goliath' or to those with human children it's called sibling rivalry. Sloane and Sullivan our two whisker kids have that love/hate relationship that many human siblings experience. Except in most cases the older/bigger sibling strives for domination but it is just the opposite in our house, which why they are David and Goliath instead of Cain and Abel.

Sullivan the youngest is constantly badgering his older and much bigger brother. There is the lurking around the corner from the litter box waiting to pounce the minute Sloane steps out. The running out from no where to hurry and take Sloane's spot on the ottoman just seconds before Sloane sits down as in "Ha, Ha, I was here first!" I have taken the liberty of translating one of their classic tussles from Meowese to human. I think I may strike a cord if you have sibling or even children.

Setting: My living room when I am at the computer with my back turned.
Sloane laying peacfully and Sullivan starts to circle.

Sloane: (Hiss) Dooon't

Sully: (circling) I'm not touching YOU.

Sloane: (Hiss) Stop iiiit.

Sully: (still circling) I'm not Touching YOU.

Sloane: (Growl) QUIT.

Sully: (circling) I'm still not Touching YOU. God, you are such a baby.

Sloane: (Growl) Stop, I'm gonna tell mom.

Sully: (Pounce and bite) Ha, ha two for flinchin'.

Sloane: (Growl, Hiss and MEOWWWW) OOOUUCH! That hurt! MOOOOOOMMMMM!

Me: BOYS! Knock it off! Sullivan let your brother alone, don't be such a bully!

Sully: (Innocent look) I didn't even DO anything, he's such a tattletale.

Sullivan (left) and Sloane (Right)
My David and Goliath

Putting the 'Me' back in Women

I find Michelle Obama to be an extraordinary woman. She's elegant, intelligent but also an everyday person, and I find that so refreshing for someone that has been thrust into the limelight. I'm pretty sure I want to be her when I grow up (at 30 who says I'm grown up?). This is an article on the address Michelle made urging women to do what makes them happy and be sure to make themselves a priority. I think this is sound advice for everyone.

The Three Faces of Me

I suspect that the Tivo thinks I have multiple personalities. My husband does use the Tivo to record shows but I am the main recorder in our house. It all starts with PBS. We don't have cable and I love PBS. I record documentaries, cooking and craft shows, British comedies and travel shows. I record A LOT off PBS. Then I sit at home and 'brainiac it ' up! And I also like things like Sex and the City and other sitcoms. So I do have varied interest in TV and like a lot of stuff most people would only watch under severe duress (like losing the remote).

The catch is that Tivo is intuitive and it records things that it thinks you may like. Our suggestion list ranges from Julia Child (good) and Katie Curac (OK) and Frasier (Very Good) to The Simpsons (Huh?) and That 70's Show (Really?) and 90210 (NO Way!!). Maybe I mislead the Tivo because I don't always thumbs down things right away because it is interesting to see what it picks for me based on the info I've given it thus far. Sometimes I think that it cannot possibly suggest The American Experience AND The Simpsons to the same person. On the other hand, maybe my alter ego gets up in the middle of the night, watches 'Jerry Springer', Dr. Phil and The Simpsons while eating Bologna and Wonder bread sandwiches (I'm a vegetarian). Who knows?

It's a jungle out there... take care of each other.

Mama's got a brand new bag...

On Saturday I decided to treat myself to a new knitting bag. I have had my eye on one on Esty (mdknits) for a while and finally decided to pull the trigger and order it. I can't believe it but it came today. Here it is...

It's fabulous with plenty of room for all my knitting and other extraneous junk I like to have with me.

News of the Weird

After hearing about the Libyan leader Gaddafi's bizarre address to the UN this week, I am at a loss for understanding of how some people actually get to be in charge of anything. I don't think this guy be in charge of a house plant let alone a country. But c'est la vie (such is life). Anyway, here is an article regarding Gaddafi's newest idea for Switzerland. He's got big plans for the land of neutrality.

Another One Bites The Dust...

The Christmas knitting seems to be coming along, well, knittingly. (I love word play, if you haven't noticed). I am getting ready to bind off this lovely face cloth to be paired with one of the many bars of handmade soap I recently purchased at a local farmer's market.

I put the finishing touches on two more gifts this morning. Today I also finished and delivered my last, I hope, non-Christmas knitting item. So, from now on its full bore Christmas knitting for me!

Did I just hear the faint sound of sleigh bells in the air? Fa la la la.

The Womb

Every Friday night I meet my girlfriends for dinner. We always go to the same bar, a small, dark wood paneled little hole in the wall that is steeped in history. It is beautiful, cozy and wonderful. We are so regular that the waitresses know us, our drinks and our food. The girls and I come together to lament about work, men, being left wing in a right wing town and events of the week. This is a safe place. This is where we share our secrets, our feelings, our defeats and our triumphs. I know within these walls, with these people; I am safe, I am accepted. I will support and care for them and they for me. I know this without hesitation. I know that these two hours of the week are precious and I would not trade them for all the riches in the world. Then at the end of it, we part with well wishes for the week and are expelled into the light, cold world. The world where people may not care for us or accept us. But we get through it to come together, share and be safe again.

It's a jungle out there... take care of each other.

Singing the Grocery Day Blues

Today is grocery day and I hate grocery day, but we're out of food. By 'out of food' I don't mean third world famine 'out of food', I mean I have half the ingredients to make something that I may want to cook but let's have cereal for dinner instead 'out of food'.



The total trip to the grocery is usually traumatic to me like I think they should change the term 'going postal' to 'going grocery', it's that bad . It's the making the list, trying to plan meals, make sure I remember everything, pack up my reusable grocery bags and off I go to the store.


Then when I get there, I usually end up running into the same people over and over (funny how that happens). They usually fit into one of three categories: The confused senior citizen that feels the need to stop their motorized scooter suddenly and frequently causing me to nearly run into them every time. When are they going to put brake lights on those things?; The time warped citizen fresh from Communist Russia that stands in the aisle glassy eyed, gape mouthed because this is the first time they've seen more than one brand of toilet paper. First time in a grocery store, Comrade? Then finally, there's the family reunion people. You know the ones that run into each other in the grocery and park in the middle of the aisle catching up since they last saw each other at Aunt Carol's youngest boy's, daughter's godchild's first communion party. GET ME OUT OF HERE!

I then try to quickly and efficiently navigate through the crowd in the aisles and gather everything on my list and try to remember anything I forgot. I pass the obligatory harried mother with a screaming infant (Which reminds me... do I need vodka for martini's?) anyway off I go to the checkout. At the store I go to they have a no limit self check out line that I always go through. I use the cloth reusable bags and when I am checked out by a person and want to use my own bags, I get a Look. Really, you sell them here. How are you surprised? I think it may be a Midwest thing.

Then when I get home, my husband helps me unload car. As we put groceries away my husband will say "Did you remember that we're almost out of..(insert Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Cat Food here)? DAMN IT! We'll go back next week.

After all this, I am too exhausted to cook. Frozen pizza anyone?

War and Pieces

This is an absolutely amazing story on how the game 'Monopoly' helped to rescue POW's in WWII. I will never look at a Monopoly game the same way again. Enjoy!

These are a few of my favorite things...

Besides raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, (and thanks to Julie Andrews who doesn't) here are a few of my favorite things...

1) Laughing until I cry
2) Friday night dinners with friends
3) The smell of a new book
4) The sound of my purring kitty
5) Christmas
6) Sharing popcorn with my hubby at a great movie
7) Cool, crisp fall air
8) Fun socks
9) Casting on a new knitting project
10) Random acts of kindness


Remember, it's a jungle out there...take care of each other.

Friday 'Would You Rather..."

Every Friday I e-mail my friends a 'would you rather' question. Most of the time I try to keep it fun, lighthearted and thought-provoking. This week seemed a little more serious than I had intended. See what you think. Here it is:

Would you rather:
Find out that you life has been a scripted TV show and everyone knew but you, like Jim Carrey's "The Truman Show"
Or
Find out you were switched at birth and your real family are Carnies.

Morning Marauder

There is an early morning marauder in my house. It strikes most mornings around 4 am. As I slumber peacefully, there is movement by my head, followed by a faint noise not unlike a lawnmower from a great distance. Then there is gentle and tentative touch to my nose. I try to ignore the marauder in hopes of discouraging any further action. But then there is another gentle but more insistent touch to my head. Still feigning sleep, I try to ignore it but it has become relentless with all decorum gone now.
I open one eye to see a familiar furry face and inquisitive green eyes staring back at me as if to say "Breakfast?". I pry myself from the bed and stumble out to the dining room to the food dish that has been sitting out all night still containing food. I rattle the dish and the marauder comes running and settles down to have a small snack. I crawl back to bed lamenting "Who is really in charge here?" But I swiftly fall back to sleep for at least another two hours.

Youngest whisker kid Sullivan: Cuddly Kitty or Early Morning Marauder?

On the 100th day 'til Christmas, my true love gave to me..

Today is 100 days until Christmas. I am all a quiver with excitement. I love Christmas. I love decorating. I love buying/making gifts for others. I love the music and the movies. Suffice to say, I love Christmas.

The air was cool and crisp this morning and filled me with anticipation of fall and turned my thoughts toward Christmas. I usually start my shopping/planning pretty early. I think that is the reason why I love Christmas because I do hate a crowd.

I try to make several gifts especially for friends and extended family. My projects range from baking to knitting to various up-cycled DYI projects. This year one of my goals is to try and stimulate the local economy by doing more shopping at locally owned stores. This also helps me to avoid the dreaded altar of consumerism...The mall. So fake and plastic, I hate the mall and the soul sucking experience that it is and try to only go there if absolutely necessary.

Here are a few pictures of a couple things I'm working on for the Yude-tide season:

Here is the Irish Walking Scarf pattern I found on Raverly.

I'm going to turn these outdated floppy disks into coasters using scrapbook paper.

I have a bunch of projects in the hopper, so I'd better get started.

Signing off..

It's a jungle out there, take care of each other.

"Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner"

I am saddened to hear that Patrick Swayze died today after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Growing up in the '80's every girl wanted to be Baby to Patrick's Johnny. And who could forget him as the super sexy dead guy from 'Ghost'? We have lost an icon today. No one will ever fill out a leotard quite like Patrick Swayze did.

Take A Letter Maria...

Several weeks ago I was inspired by a very good friend of mine to write to my representatives regarding health care reform. So I did. I wrote to them stating that the lack of a health care system in the US was basically a violation of our inalienable rights as laid out in the Declaration of Independence. Those rights being Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. (I must say a little high school history goes a long way) Today, I actually received a response from Senator Richard Lugar (R). Now, I have always considered old Dick Lugar to be a bit of a donkey in elephant's clothing so I thought I might have a chance there.

Yeah, not so much.

The 'letter' in question was basically a copy of an address to Congress he made stating that his top priority is the economic recession, and then maybe but only maybe when that's over we'll consider possibly thinking about looking at health care IF there's nothing good on TV.

OK, so I paraphrased a bit. I agree the economic recession is hugely important. It absolutely needs attention and corrected. That being said...so many Americans are losing their jobs and along with it, their health insurance. These people cannot afford to go to the doctor so they wait and wait and wait until the problem is so large they cannot possibly afford to do what needs to be done to get well again. This is not helping the economy either.

This is the greatest country on earth but we simply do not look out for one another. It's sad for a country that started with a bunch of pioneers that had to help and rely on each other as a community to survive. Ah, how far we've come.

Remember...it's jungle out there, take care of each other.

Alone but not lonely...

Today I scheduled a vacation day from work for two reasons: 1) I wanted a day that I could sleep in (I hate mornings!) and 2) I wanted a day to spend by myself. That's right, a day just for me. Don't get me wrong I have plenty of friends, family and a husband that I enjoy spending time with and going places and doing things together. But once in a while I just need to be alone. So on my quest for alone time today I did a combination of things that I needed to do and things I wanted to do.
I stopped at the post office, shopped at Target (bought bras, definitely a NEED not want). Then I tried a local Mexican restaurant that had caught my eye. Eating in a restaurant alone is an interesting experience and I've been known to do often. My favorite thing is when the waitstaff suspects that you may be a food critic. I'm pretty sure it has happened to me before but not today. Today, when I walked into the restaurant the first thing the waiter/host said was, "Are you meeting someone?" Nope just me, pal. I ordered nachos because I was feeling on the thrifty side, realizing that while nachos are not the epitome of Mexican cuisine, they are simple, cheap and delicious.
Then once I was well fed and watered I decided as I was driving that I needed a bit of exercise. So, I stopped at the local historical cemetery for some peace, reflection and exercise. It may sound strange but this cemetery is one of the most beautiful places. Opening shortly after the Civil War it has more of a nature preserve/park feeling to it rather than a cemetery. It is covered with trees, and hills dotted with some of the most original markers I have seen. Some dating back to right after the Civil War. I then came to the realization that the markers are the last expression of the individual. They been there even before my grandparents, in some cases my great-grandparents and will continue to there after me and future generations. How's that for permency?
Then to finish off the day I went to a local coffeehouse and worked on a Christmas knitting project and settled in for some people watching. I do this at restaurants and other public places. I watch groups of people and see how they interact, what they talk about, etc. It never ceases to interest me. That's the original reality TV.
Now I'm going to kick back with 'Tink' the Tivo and my whisker kids, Sloane and Sullivan, for a quiet afternoon.