A day late . . .

During World War II, my Dad was in the Army, stationed in the Philippines. Six months before the war ended, he (and many of his comrades) came down with yellow jaundice and spent a little more than a year in the hospital. At one point and while he was still in the hospital (actually, on 9/24/45), one of his friends did this pencil sketch of my Dad. My Dad, in turn, sent it to his Mom who had it hanging on her wall in her dining room. After Grandma died, my Dad got the sketch back. Against my Dad's better judgment, my Mom hung it her sewing room. And now I have it. And yes, he was this good looking.

I miss you Daddy. Thank you for everything. For the sacrifices for your family and your country. For the pain you suffered for years. For your love. For your patience (five daughters/one bathroom . . . the man was a saint). And for your kindness and gentleness.

May we never forget the sacrifices made by so many in order to keep us safe and secure.

Orchid - first bloom

While I was travelling during the last week of October, I was really concerned about my orchid. The plant was ready to bloom before I left and I kept thinking that the silly thing would bloom while I was gone. However, when I got back to work, the biggest bud had yet to open. When I came into my office last Friday, this is what I saw . . .

and here it is up close and personal.

Isn't this just loverly. I bought the orchid plant a year ago at Smith & Hawken's store in Crocker Park. It was discounted as they wanted to get rid of plants in order to put up the Christmas stuff.

Orchid plants, per se, are not pretty. But the blooms! Well worth the wait.



The plant now has many other blooms.

Seriously, I have people that walk past my office and come back to ask, first, "are they real" and then "wow, how did you get that to do that?"

To be honest, I just did what the packaging and instructions said. Trimmed it back and watered it.

Pretty cool stuff!

And so you might ask me why I keep this at the office . . . because I am here more than I am at home. Of course, it also doesn't help that it is now swim season and Lindsey has to be in the water in the early morning (5:15 on Wednesday and Fridays and 5:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays) which puts me in the office by 5:45 every morning, and, as you can see from the window behind the orchids, it is pitch black outside. The only light is those being shed by the Browns stadium. So for now, when I get here so early, I have a lovely thing to look at.

Simple Woman - 11-10-08

FOR TODAY ~

We learn something every day, and lots of times it's that what we learned the day before was wrong.
-- Bill Vaughan

Outside my Window... I am home today (the washer repair guy is coming sometime between 10:00 and 3:00) Many of the trees have lost their leaves but there are still some that are lush with bright reds and yellows. Since the temp dropped quite a bit over the weekend and this morning it was icy, we have red and yellow that look crystalized.
I am thinking... I would like to work four days a week. I could work from home. I wish my company wasn't so ensconced in a traditional work day pattern.
I am thankful for... gas prices that are under $2.00
From the kitchen... last evening we had baked chicken (crusted with corn flakes -- mix mayo with italian seasoning and some garlic salt, rub chicken breasts in it and then press into crushed corn flakes), cabbage and noodles (too many noodles to the cabbage), brocolli (steamed) and garlic bread. Tonight we are having pseudo stuffed cabbage (or lazy woman's stuffed cabbage . . . you don't make cabbage rolls, you just mix the ground meat, rice, cabbage, onions, seasonings, diced tomatoes, top with a can of tomato soup and bake).
I am creating... Lucy Bag for Janet; socks for Zachariah; gauntlets for Lindsey
I am going... to finish my cleaning the upstairs
I am wearing... jeans (it is Monday and I am at home), a black sweatshirt, slippers
I am reading... not much of anything. I am supposed to be reading Smila's Sense of Snow but have not even started it. I also have to do a presenation a week from Friday and need to prep for that so I really don't have time to read anything except some professional journals.
I am hoping... that last week wasn't our Indian summer and that we will have at least one more week of warm weather
I am hearing... the wind blowing through the trees
Around the house... the washer died after one load on Friday evening. A repairman was coming on Saturday but never showed up. I called another guy yesterday and he is supposed to be coming today. Yesterday, Lindsey, Zachariah and I schlepped the laundry to a laundromat. If it weren't so expensive, it would be a great way to do it. We had everything washed, dried and folded within 75 minutes.
One of my favorite things... spending time with my family (even when they are annoying).
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... meetings, flu vaccine, more meetings, swim team practice every morning (except Mondays), first reconciliation retreat on Saturday
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... one of the pics I am considering for our Christmas card enclosures.

SP 13 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
wool; I despise acrylics and fingerlash yarns

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
some containers

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
40 years or so ago . . . my grandmother taught me, cables and mohair. My level would be advanced . . . although I really prefer straight knitting

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
you betcha, see my blog lists

5. What's your favorite scent?
NONE

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Heath's bar, of course I have a sweet tooth.


7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
stamping and scrapbooking

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
soft rock

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
green . . . I can't stand yellow

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married. three kids. cat -- outside

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
yes.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
anything felted

13. What are you knitting right now?
felted bag and socks.


14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
circulars


16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
yes


17. How old is your oldest UFO?
huge secret

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
Christmas and Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?
no


20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
anything Vogue

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
not right now

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I am just starting knitting socks but don't know my foot measurements

23. When is your birthday?
10/09

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Yes, mlj1954

a project

On November 28, I am going to Dallas to spend the weekend with a friend. Her sons are having a 70th birthday part for her. As it turns out, I was invited to attend a meeting on Monday, December 1, so I will be going down the Friday before, spending time with Janet, attending my meeting on Monday and returning to Cleveland on Tuesday.

Janet had commented on how much she like my Lucy Bag. So, I am going to make her one. This morning (really early), I wound the yarn, have the needles . . . now all I have to do is find the pattern.

Friday Fill In - 11/7/2008

1. My blueprint for success includes making lists.
2. Butterfinger was the last candy I ate.
3. The best facial moisturizer I've ever used is Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 30 Daily Moisturizer.
4. Knitting can be good therapy.
5. I'd like to tell you about my job, but then . . . . .
6. Sense of humor is my strongest characteristic.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having Lindsey's friend spend the night, tomorrow my plans include swimming in the a.m. and going to a reverse raffle* in the evening and Sunday, I want to go to mass in the morning, making dinner and enjoying time with my family!

________________

* A reverse raffle is when instead of the first ticket being drawn is the winner, the last ticket being drawn is the winner. Usually, the grand prize is about $2,000 and the last four people will split the pot . . . and then sometimes, one of them will want to hold out for the entire pot.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 11/03/08

Pay no attention to what the critics say... Remember, a statue has never been set up in honor of a critic!
-- Jean Sibelius, quoted in Bengt de Torne "Sibelius: A Close-Up" 1937

FOR TODAY ~
Outside my Window... the sun is shining and it is going to be a beautiful day.
I am thinking... I need to open the stack of mail waiting for me and turn in my time
I am thankful for... having a job
From the kitchen... lasagna, yummy. I made enough for two nights.
I am creating... socks (how about that, my new passion)
I am going... to work as a poll worker tomorrow
I am wearing... brown slacks, burnt orange shirt and brown sweater with fall leaves (very seasonal)
I am reading... Third Degree by Greg Iles (good read)
I am hoping... to finish socks tomorrow
I am hearing... files being moved around . . . we are shifting space
Around the house... bikes are being put away, cars will be parked in the garage
One of my favorite things... reading
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... working the election tomorrow; taking Wednesday off; going to Book and Bean for knit group on Wednesday evening while Lindsey is at violin; going to reverse raffle at Z's school.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... while in DC last week we were invited to a private tour and dinner (Wolfgang Puck runs the catering) at the Newseum. The Newseum opened in April. It is fascinating and a must see if you are ever in DC. Here is the link to it.

PA300105
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

This is a piece of the North Tower that is now at the Newseum which opened in April 2008. On the wall behind it, are front pages of newspapers from around the world. I will post other photos that I took in DC. Mostly at the Newseum. We were allowed to have dinner up on the top floor which has an outside patio overlooking the Smithsonian and the Art Museum. To the left was the Capitol and the Supreme Court; to the right was the Washington Memorial.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 10/27/08

FOR TODAY ~

It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others.
-- John Andrew Holmes

Outside my Window... it is dark . . . it may snow today . . . not the sticking kind of snow . . . the kind that is rain turned to snow turned to rain turned to snow . . .
I am thinking... I need to dig out my gloves (isn't that a riot!)
I am thankful for... my family, even when they irritate me.
From the kitchen... pulled pork, sliced and baked potatoes (with onions), green beans with bacon
I am creating... socks for Zachariah . . . I figured that maybe if I start with the kid with the smallest feet, I might even finish a pair!
I am going... to New Jersey and Washington
I am wearing... brown slacks and orange shirt and green sweater . . . with trees and leaves on it . . . I look like Fall.
I am reading... Mobility (its for work . . . very boring, well not always).
I am praying ... that my sister's surgery for her nerve decompression on both feet and legs (she is diabetic and has diabetic neuropathy) goes well. She will have one surgery on Thursday, October 30 and the second on December 4.
I am hearing... not much. It seems to be very quiet around here.
Around the house... I am packed and ready to go. Zachariah and I played all day yesterday. No vacuuming, no sweeping, no dusting . . . I did look at the tree in the family room and though it needed a bath but I should have done that when it was warmer outside.
One of my favorite things... Fall . . . I love the changes in the air and the trees.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week.... I leave for NJ tomorrow morning (early . . . like 5:00 a.m.), meeting in Somerset, train from Trenton to DC, meetings in DC all week, return to Cleveland on Friday in time for Halloween. On Saturday, Lindsey, Wendy (my neighbor), Sue (Wendy's sister) and I are attending the Speaking of Women's Health Program, sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic. We have gone about 5 times. It is well worth the money and the time.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

late September 2007 036
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

This is what fall looks like off my back porch . . . The pool is closed for the season. The trees are changing colors (it seems a little bit slower and more sporadic this year . . . usually, the trees all start changing colors at the same time so . . . this year the changing has been spread out more). The darkening sky. Because we sit right on Lake Erie, we get what is called "Lake-effect clouds." Of course, with Lake-effect clouds, we often get "Lake-effect snow." Lake-effect snow is caused when the air temperature over the land is very cold and the Lake water is still warm. The moisture from the Lake when blowing over the land can cause Lake-effect snow. Fortunately, it is not cold enough yet. My husband likes to call it the Lake Erie Cloud Machine. The clouds can be totally awesome and a great show . . . better than anything on tv.

Whoduknit - Trick or Treat Swap Package

These pics really don't do this package justice. My package came from Barbara. It is fabulous. It included two books, Kay Hooper's If there be Dragons and Greg Iles' Third Degree.

Two skeins of Patons' Kroy Sock stripes in great browns, oranges (more burnished oranges than orange orange) and black, along with a patter for the Old Shale Smoke Ring.

It also included a bat washcloth (and your knitting is incredibly neat and precise), a knitted bookmark, two packets of M&M limited editions (razzberry and wild cherry), a package of limited edition Margarita Jello, along with a handful of dumdum suckers. The package also included halloween socks that make noise (gee should I wear them on the plane coming back from DC on Halloween?).

And, this is great, a loaf of bread. A wonderfully beautiful loaf of bread. We are going to be having it with dinner tonight. We would have had it last evening but by the time I got home, my hubby had already made dinner (hash, eggs and toast).

Thanks so much Barbara. This was an incredible package.

Friday Fill In - 10/24/2008

I think that one possible definition of our modern culture is that it is one in which nine-tenths of our intellectuals can't read any poetry.
-- Randall Jarrell

1. Right now, I'm feeling satisfied . . . I just ate eggs, rye toast, coffee. Yummy.
2. Home in bed with a good book and my knitting is where I want to be.
3. How does one convince their boss that working from home would be a good thing? Well, maybe he knows that I want to be home and in bed.
4. My calendar and to-do lists keep me on track.
5. Please don't play with my yarn.
6. My family fills me with joy.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing nothing, tomorrow my plans include weigh in at 8:00, take Zachariah to swimming at 9:00 and the Library afterward, take Lindsey to Sarah's house in the afternoon, Mass at 4:30 and Sunday, I want to sleep in, pack for my roadtrip, share dinner with my family!

pishhhhh

What this country needs is more free speech worth listening to.
-- Hansell B. Duckett

So yesterday I took off from work. Since I have eight vacation days that I have to use before year end, it was a good day to sleep in, have lunch with a friend and go to the doctor

`

It was a relatively successful day . . . in the grand scheme of things.

`

I slept until 7:30 (I think it was the garbage trucks trucking on down the street that woke me), took a shower and then decided that since it was quiet, it would be a good time to attach Zachariah's sweater arms to the sweater body. BUT, I cannot find the sweater body. What the heck.

`

Hmmmm, it should be next to the chair in the family room. Nope. Pulled the chair out, reorganized my knitting needles, again. Found some self-striping sock yarn.

`

Oh, maybe its in the closet. I took everything out of the closet, put summer clothes away, bagged up stuff that needs to be given away, found more yarn (I really should go on a yarn diet. Seriously . . . I could open a shop).

`

I know, its by the sewing machine, found more yarn (Oh, dear Lord). Spread all the yarn I found on the bed and sorted it by weight or type (I have some handspun stuff). And, seriously, I could do a multitude of projects without buying any yarn. No, really. I AM GOING ON A YARN DIET.

`

I cannot find it. It is in a bag. Somewhere. But, I was running out of time and now have resorted and restored the yarn, cleaned the closet and under the chair.

`

I met my friend for lunch. We were semi-successful in watching what we ate. We each had a cup of chicken soup and split a sandwich. Okay, the sandwich was a Reuben but it was really good. We also discussed the reconciliation retreat that I am organizing for our 2nd graders for their First Reconciliation. My friend is the Director of Religious Education at my church. It is November 15. We pounded out the details. I plan the thing, talk through the details with her, she makes suggestions and communicate the details to the parents. We decided that our theme would be As Light as a Feather, with the idea being that after reconciliation, your heart is light as a feather. Lots of fun with feathers. Now I just need to sell the thing to Fr. Neil.

`

I dropped Sandy off at church, went home, read the newspaper and went off to the doctor. My doctor is not a happy camper. When she came into the exam room, she was thrilled to see me knitting (too many people do too techno stuff and it makes her crazed . . . this being said while she boots up my records on her computer . . . LOL). My blood pressure is good as is my cholesterol. On the other hand, I am pre-diabetic, overweight, my hips, knees and back hurt, etc. etc. etc. So, she wants me to do water aerobics (easier on the hips, knees and back), get up from my desk at least five minutes every hour and walk around, go for physical therapy and lose an entire person. Seriously. She suggested surgery (according to her I am a good candidate, relatively young, healthy and grossly obese . . . what a horrible term). I would have surgery in a minute. My insurance company does not currently cover that option. So, it will be physical therapy, continue with WW, and water aerobics. How fun.

`

And to the success of my day off, I only checked emails once and voice mails once. How cool is that!

Presidential Election Contest with Abigail and Augustus

Are you as tired of the Presidential campaign as I am? I have to admit that I am now keeping a CD in my van because we have commercials every other minute on the radio. On Sunday, I flipped channels and couldn't come up with any music . . . all political commercials. Bah humbug!

Given that, however, I thought you might enjoy abigail and augustus presidential race poll. You should go here and check out this contest on Bea's Blog! Also, if you let her know where you came from, I get another point. Now, how cool is that!!

And good luck!

Simple Woman's Daybook - 10/20/08

FOR TODAY ~
Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.
— Gloria Steinem

Outside my Window... it is Fall. The leaves are changing and beginning to fall.

`

I am thinking... I am bored. I need to find a good project (at work) to keep my mind off the projects I would rather be doing at home.
`

I am thankful for... my daughter finding love. He is kind and good, sweet and gentle, hardworking and honest. She is blessed
`

From the kitchen... Chicken Parmesan, Tortillini, corn, garlic bread . . . it was a delicious if not monochromatic dinner
`

I am creating... baby hats for Save the Children . . . click here for information.
`

I am going... to NO meetings this week. How cool is THAT!!!
`

I am wearing... brown slacks, beige shell, an oriental themed brown/gold/green jacket
`

I am reading... magazines . . . catching up on my magazine reading
`

I am hoping... for a quiet week, full of laughter (is that being quiet though? hmmm?)
`

I am hearing... traffic, radio, people arriving at work
`

Around the house... cleaning out clutter. moving summer clothes to storage and winter clothes to closet.
`

One of my favorite things... eating dinner with my family (whether it is just Dave and I and the kids; or when my sisters and brothers and their families are all together).
`

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... physical on Wednesday (I have decided to take the day off); cleaning clutter from office; start working on next year's budget (for work).
`

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

. . . . a pic that I took in late summer, one of the ones being considered for our Christmas cards . . . .

P9210019
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

Save the Children - Pass this information on!

Charity Feature - as posted on Lion Brand's website:

Four million babies die each year within the first month of life in poor countries. Save the Children and the Warm Up America! Foundation have joined forces to encourage people who knit and crochet to make hats for newborns. This simple solution, which provides warmth to newborn babies can help improve the survival rate.

"We are thrilled to partner with Save the Children on this initiative," said Mary Colucci, executive director of Warm Up America! Foundation. "We are encouraging knitters and crocheters of all ages to host gatherings with friends and families, local community groups, or classmates, and to help us spread the word through their social networking sites."

The caps will be distributed to pregnant women and new mothers and their babies in Save the Children's global programs. Early next year, Save the Children will also take the notes to the President-elect in Washington, D.C.

Celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Debra Messing (of Will and Grace and The Starter Wife) and Lisa Edelstein (of House) have picked up needles and hooks to participate.

Knitters and crocheters can make hats using any pattern they wish, but keep in mind that because the babies that Save the Children serves are often low birth-weight, the caps should be on the smaller side. A circumference of 9 to 11 inches is ideal. Any smooth, washable yarn can be used.

You can go to Save the Children website by clicking here.

For information and patterns from Lion's brand, you can go here.

Friday Fill In - 10/17/08

1. Follow the yellow brick road and you will find that it leads to home.
2. Knitting and books are something I always take with me on vacation.
3. To achieve your goals, you must be willing to make sacrifices, adjust, and change.
4. I am incredibly shy and have a tendency to laugh at myself is something I'd like you to know about me.
5. I have four sisters and two brothers.
6. Rootbear floats with a bit of chocolate sauce . . . yum!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to being home with Dave on a Friday (he has been scoring Friday night games since April), tomorrow my plans include dentist appointment, WW, being a eucharistic minister at 4:30 mass and Sunday, I want to do as little as possible!

I've just so never gotten into that . . .

I do not want people to be agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them.
-- Jane Austen

Seriously! A co-worker who eats lunch with me often is, ummmmm, how can I say this, and be politically correct, an annoying prat. I was thinking something else but annoying prat works well.

I've become a knitting fiend. I was also a semi-closet knitter. I knit at home and when I travel and when I'm visiting my sisters. I have taken knitting some places (like meetings at church) where I know that I can sit in the back and quietly knit away.

I knit on the bus but trust me when I tell you that my bus riding is like riding with family. I kid you not when I say that we all sit in the same seats, generally arrive at the transit center at the same times every day and, in many cases, park in the same spots. I have had my bus riding family ask what I am knitting, or have someone who normally doesn't sit with me, plop down to find out what I am knitting now.

It has only been in the last month that I have been taking my knitting to lunch. I had on occasion, especially when I was in a time crunch, but now I do it every day.

So, to the annoying prat, today one of the other women that sits with us often, said "gee, I should get you to teach me how to do that." A snort emitted from the annoying prat.

Then someone stopped at our table to see what it was that I was doing because she "knows it wasn't the thing I was doing the other day." The annoying prat, got up, said "sit here . . . I am so tired of people asking what it is that she is doing . . . I've just so never gotten into that . . . " and off she went. Weirdo.

I shouldn't be surprised. If we are not talking about something of specific interest to her, she will get annoyed. For example, a bunch of people we work with scrapbook and I mean serious scrapbook. They go to this really cool scrapbooking retreat at a local college every February. And, they have a blast. It isn't just the scrapbooking. It is spending time with friends, eating, drinking and being merry and getting some serious scrapbooking done. I am planning on going this coming year.

Anyway, the week after the scrapbooking retreat, she got annoyed anytime anyone mentioned it, to the point where she finally said something like "when are we going to be done discussing this?" Weirdo.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

So, why do we have her join us for lunch? Because no one else puts up with her. Thank you for listening. I feel so much better!

Oh, and by the way, this is what I am currently knitting. Pretty cool!

The economy and positive spins

The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.
-- John Kenneth Galbraith

~

Saw this quote and it just made so much sense.

~

When I was working on my MBA and we had to take several finance classes, the one student was trying to get the professor to answer some of her very pointed questions. She wanted him to explain to her how she could plan her savings, investment and lifestyle strategy so that she could retire at age 50.

~

His response was that the only way that anyway could guarantee that is if the stars and the moon align correctly in the sky . . . and all things remain aligned forever . . . in other words, there aren't any guarantees.

~

I have consistently put money in my 401k since we were allowed to do so, probably 25 years now. I would never, ever have been able to save the kind of money I have saved. I generally ignore it. Unfortunately, in order to be eligible for scholarships at my daughter's school, you have to complete a PSAS (Private School Aid Service) form. One of the questions you have to answer is how much you currently have in your savings, including 401k. Bah humbug. It is down by 26% . . . now, since I have been investing for 25 years, I still have a rather nice nest egg, it is just down by a lot . . . a really big lot. On the other hand, I'm not planning on retiring for another ten years and in light of this economy, a good thing!

~

So, in trying to keep a positive spin on things:

~

• It is good to see that gas prices have dropped so much (I paid $2.73/gallon on Sunday; Dave paid $2.63)
• I still have enough in my 401k that, if it became necessary, I could pay off my house and still have money left over
• We are all healthy
• The kids are doing well in school
• Sarah is in love and Kyle is a great guy with a good head on his shoulders.
• We are eating out of our freezer (a good thing which we do every fall and saves a boatload of money)

~

I hope everyone is holding their own.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 10/06/08

I finally figured out the only reason to be alive is to enjoy it.
-- Rita Mae Brown

FOR TODAY

Outside my Window... it is especially quiet . . . it is Columbus Day and since my office is surrounded by government buildings, there is very little traffic (both cars and people).
I am thinking... I should have taken that job with the government when it was offered 36 years ago . . . LOL
I am thankful for... the job I have. I am well paid, work with great people and generally have a good time.
From the kitchen... made stuffed shells on Saturday and we will finish them on Wednesday. Yummy (italian sausage, cottage cheese, spinach, mozzarella, garlic, mushrooms, onions)
I am creating... fingerless mitts from Joann's Sensations Soles and More. If you want to see a pic, go here.
I am going... to start working out every morning (hopefully) once our fitness center is finished.
I am wearing... black slacks, pink shell, black and gray jacket
I am reading... Dead until Dark
I am hoping... to do better at WW this week
I am hearing... the radio and people arriving at work
Around the house... I should have really dusted this weekend, but I didn't. Too bad. LOL.
One of my favorite things... not dusting . . . LOL.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Parents Advisory Committee meeting at SJA this evening, Athletic Boosters meeting at SJA tomorrow evening, knitting group at Books and Bean on Wednesday (while Lindsey is at violin), taking Paul out for lunch with the rest of the managers on Friday (at the Harp), ignoring the drop in my 401k.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Zachariah doing his Buddy Holly/Elvis Presley imitation.

Friday Fill Ins - Friday, October 10

1. One of the best concerts/plays/movies I ever saw that I really didn't think I'd like was Elton John out at Blossom in 1981. Super fabulous.
2. Chicken Marsala is a recipe I recently ordered that was delicious!
3. It's time for cleaning out the garden beds.
4. Iced tea is quite refreshing.
5. If I never hear the word "DUDE" again, it'll be too soon.
6. To one side of the curving road was a hunter, and on the other was a deer with a no hunting sign over his head.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to enjoying the evening because I am taking Friday off and getting my haircut, tomorrow my plans include going out to lunch for Dave's birthday and Sunday, I want to find a lace pattern!

Time . . . fleeting and flitting away

Time is that quality of nature which keeps events from happening all at once. Lately it doesn't seem to be working.
-- Anonymous

This has never been truer than when you look at the knitting you want to get done for Christmas.

I was at a knitting gathering at a local coffee shop last evening and some of these people are just incredible in the stuff that they are making and want to finish by Christmas.

Me, I would like to be done with Mary's Elf hat . . . which if you want to see progress on it, you will have to go here since the blogger gods will only allow me to post one picture a week or something.

and maybe Zachariah's sweater

and Lindsey's hat

and Janet's bag . . . ooops that has to be done by the end of November . . .

Lindsey and John Homecoming 2008

Lindsey and John Homecoming 2008
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

Lindsey went to St. Ed's homecoming with John. She has known John for almost three years. They had gone to CYO Camp together. As it turns out, he lives only about five miles from our house.

Strangely enough, Lindsey was thrilled when his mother drove them to homecoming. It isn't that she didn't trust John's driving (he has had his license for three months), it was that Lindsey knew that Dave was going to embarrass her by asking to see John's driver's license. Nothing wrong with that but she would have been mortified. I on the other hand got to explain to her that if she would ever feel uncomfortable or anything ever happens where she thinks she needs us, she should call. "Oh, Mom! He goes to St. Ed's." Uh huh, and soooooooo.

She looked beautiful and they had a great time and her feet hurt because they did so much dancing. She also had leg cramps the next day because . . . she isn'tused to wearing shoes with heels!

SP 12 Swap

SP 12 Swap
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

This is the pic of the wonderful things I got from Nelda for the SP 12 Swap.

I had posted earlier about everything that I received from Nelda but finally was able to get a pic posted. The package included:

This package was super fabulous. I hope I remember everything:

two HEATH Bars (I love Heath bars)

one LARGE milk chocolate, almond and toffee bar (I mean HUGE)

Learn to Knit Socks (I am determined)

Initialled stationery: mini memo & pad; Magnetic listpad; note cards

Laura Ashley journal

Some really cool embellishments for my scrapbooking

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's Things I Learned from Knitting, whether I wanted to or not

Two skeins of Cascade Quatro Yarn in a wonderful blue/green/gold colorway. It is a highland wool and a total of 440 yards

Two skeins of Louisa Harding Ca'd'Oro (Wool/Acrylic/Mohair mix in a green/gold colorway (about 140 yards)

One skein of Pagewood Farm's Hand-Dyed sock yarn in greens (serious greens . . . several from light to dark) (about 450 yards)

A smiley tape measure

Crystal Palace Bamboo Needles (size 2)

Ann Budd's the knitter's handy guide to Yarn Requirements

Sock Shaped Point Protectors

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 10/06/08

FOR TODAY ~

People that are really very weird can get into sensitive positions and have a tremendous impact on history.
-- Dan Quayle

Outside my Window... it is raining. It wasn't supposed to rain. My umbrellas is in my living room, at home and I am at work.
I am thinking... I am going to get wet going home unless it stops raining.
I am thankful for... being able to feel the rain and hoping that this will be the most difficult or tiresome thing I have to deal with all day . . . . LOL . . . that is so funny!
From the kitchen... nothing . . . we went out last night
I am creating... finished Zachariah's ELF hat. Started Mary's. Frogged Mary's. She has such a tiny little head. I think I may have to drop another ten stitches.
I am going... to journal all my food this week. I have been doing rather well in this whole lifestyle change thingee
I am wearing... black slacks, purple shell, black sweater . . . woo hoo, two weeks in a road that I didn't wear red on a Monday!
I am reading... Dead until Dark (the October read for Whoduknit)
I am hoping... to get Mary's hat done soon so I can start Janet's bag. I frogged the MS4 again, sending beads and yarn flying. I cannot do it when people bother me.
I am hearing... birds . . . there are birds in the trees outside my window
Around the house... Dave is home today (Polish Festival at school). Therefore, dinner will be ready, all the sheets will be washed and he will probably vacuum. He is so good.
One of my favorite things... DAVE (see above)
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Dave's birthday is tomorrow (57). My birthday on Thursday (54). That's it.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Dave made an appointment to close the pool next week. This is a pic of one of the first times Zachariah was ever in the pool. He loves the water and spending time in it. He takes swimming lessons on Saturday mornings. It is great fun. He was seven months old in this pic.

Friday Fill In - 10/3/2008

I'm glad I didn't have to fight in any war. I'm glad I didn't have to pick up a gun. I'm glad I didn't get killed or kill somebody. I hope my kids enjoy the same lack of manhood.
-- Tom Hanks

1. October means a change in season, colorful trees, hints of winter and Dave's and my birthdays.
2. Politicians scare me!

3. Leaves are falling all around, it's getting cooler and means it will be great sleeping weather.

4. My favorite horror movie is NONE because I don't watch them. I did like Sleeping with the Enemy though.

5. Laughter = good memories.

6. It was a dark and stormy night and I was inside looking out.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending the evening with Janet, tomorrow my plans include swimming, WW, lunch (after WW . . . LOL!), Lindsey's going to homecoming with John and Sunday, I want to go to church, attend a fundraiser with Janet and Dave and dinner out!

Final SP 12 package, SP 12, SP 13

I received my package from my SP 12 PAL -- Nelda!!! (and, of course, my computer is not allowing me to load pictures . . . I'll try from home tonight). Anyway, this package was super fabulous. I hope I remember everything (the pics are much better):

two HEATH Bars (I love Heath bars)
one LARGE milk chocolate, almond and toffee bar (I mean HUGE)
Learn to Knit Socks (I am determined)
Initialled stationery: mini memo & pad; Magnetic listpad; note cards
Laura Ashley journal
Some really cool embellishments for my scrapbooking
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's Things I Learned from Knitting, whether I wanted to or not
Two skeins of Cascade Quatro Yarn in a wonderful blue/green/gold colorway. It is a highland wool and a total of 440 yards
Two skeins of Louisa Harding Ca'd'Oro (Woold/Acrylic/Mohair mix in a green/gold colorway (about 140 yards)
One skein of Pagewood Farm's Hand-Dyed sock yarn in greens (serious greens . . . several from light to dark) (about 450 yards)
A smiley tape measure
Crystal Palace Bamboo Needles (size 2)
Ann Budd's the knitter's handy guide ot Yarn Requirements
Sock Shaped Point Protectors

I am awed . . . totally absolutely awed . . . and I do have to figure out this picture thing (after I eat my candy)!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I didn't get around to answering this last question for SP 12:

Unlucky Question 13!

If you were told you could never again buy yarn, would would your last yarn purchase be?
I think the last thing I would buy would be KnitPicks Bare merino . . . lots of it, really, lots and lots of it. I could dye it, I could felt it, I could do lots of things with it!

If you were told you could never knit again, what would be the last thing you’d knit?

Wow, tough one! If this would be like when I am done, I am done forever, I would just make the world's biggest afghan or something, Oops, not done yet. So sorry, need to frog . . .

Actually, I think I would make a shawl with lace and beads.

In a given year, how many times do you buy yarn?

I go in spurts. I'll be really good for awhile and then go on a frenzy! My new goal is only to buy yarn when I have a specific project in mind. This year, I have probably bought yarn five or six times. Not always for me. Sometimes for Swaps!


And what is your favorite place to buy yarn from? A festival? A shop? Online? Dish your favorite places!!

I love my LYS (Birds of a Feather). Unfortunately, they often don't have what I want. I guess I go there to "feel up the yarn." I buy lots of yarn from Knitpicks.


Lastly, with Fall in full swing in many areas, what is the one thing you look forward to most?

The smells of fall: pumpkin pie; apple pie; burning leaves (even though we aren't supposed to); baking bread (I don't bake bread during the summer).

Secret Pal 13 deadlines have been set:

Sign ups: Oct 15-31
Matches out by: Nov 15
Swap starts: Nov 15
Swap ends: Feb 28
New blog for sp13 is at http://secretpal13.blogspot.comCome join in on the fun!!

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 9/29/08

FOR TODAY:

A poem is never finished, only abandoned.
-- Paul Valery

Outside my Window... grey clouds and the leaves are beginning to turn colors
I am thinking... I have sooooo much work to do and I really, really should get started . . . maybe after I finish my breakfast or, maybe, after lunch . . . LOL!
I am thankful for... my family and laughing . . . and the fact that many times, my family makes me laugh.
From the kitchen... Sarah and Kyle left a bag full of apples (various kinds) so Zachariah and I made apple pie (two of them actually). I used Pampered Chef's apple corer/peeler. If you ever thought about buying one of these things, trust me when I say that it is worth it! Since we had it out, we also sliced a couple of potatoes which I left soaking in cold water with a little bit of salt. The potatoes got browned with onions and garlic and then cooked in a non-stick pan for about an hour. Psuedo fried chicken and broccoli completed the menu. Yum. And I have some potatoes and chicken left for lunch today.
I am creating... Mary's elf hat. Finished Zachariah's last night.
I am going... to a meeting tonight (for Confirmation - I'm the retreat coordinator), I have meetings today, Lindsey has Youth Ministry music practice tomorrow evening, violin lessons on Wednesday and I'm going to a knitting group thing at a local coffee shop while she is at lessons. Janet arrives Friday.
I am wearing... not black and red . . . woo hoo. I am wearing black and PINK and a black/gray jacket.
I am reading... trade journals . . . how boring
I am hoping... to get all my expenses reported and my books in order. Tons of invoicing needs to be attended too since I was out most of last week.
I am hearing... people arriving and greeting each other. I really enjoy my department. Everyone is so friendly.
Around the house... the little elves didn't come and clean. Darn.
One of my favorite things... IKEA . . . Jacquie and I went to the new one in West Chester, Ohio last week. She had never been there.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... co-worker coming in from DC office. Birthday celebration in department. Janet is arriving Friday and spending the weekend. Lindsey is going to John's homecoming Saturday. Ugh. He drives. Ugh.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

P9210024
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

Lindsey just loves being a tree hugger, especially when the tree has a face!

Friday Fill Ins - Friday, September 26

We all have the extraordinary coded within us, waiting to be released.

Jean Houston

1. Dave's and my birthdays are some of the things I'm most looking forward to in October.

2. Sometimes I am so happy about being happy . . . you know it is contagious, even if you keep giving it back to yourself.

3. Because while you still breath, there is always HOPE, and that's why there is a saying, "never say never"!

4. When I'm down, I eat. Of course, when I'm happy, I eat . . . when I'm tired, I eat . . . when I'm bored, I eat . . . and so on and so forth.

5. On the computer is where you'll find me most often.

6. A rainy day is good for reading a book and snuggling.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to being home, tomorrow my plans include WW, a meeting for poll worker training, 4:30 mass and Sunday, I want to do nothing!

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 9/22/08

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.
-- Albert Einstein

FOR TODAY ~ Monday September 22, 2008
Outside my Window... it is a beautiful fall day . . . first full day . . . at least according to my calendars . . .
I am thinking... I have so much stuff to get done before I leave for my road trip tomorrow morning . . . packing might be a good place to start!
I am thankful for... being able to laugh . . . we had such a great weekend . . . full of laughter and no tears (for a change . . . LOL . . . Lindsey tried (she can go from zero to b*&^# faster than anyone I know, including myself, but none of us fell for the bait).
From the kitchen... I am gone all week, leaving tomorrow morning and returning late Friday, which means that the kids will probably have cereal for dinner every evening. Dave lets them eat whatever they want. Although he may encourage hotdogs since we have so many buns left from the Swim Team picnic.
I am creating... MS4 (maybe I'll take it with me since I will be in a hotel room by myself for at least two evenings), the ELF hats
I am going... Louisville, KY for meetings tomorrow, then to Alexandria KY to spend the night at my sister's, then on Wednesday, we are having breakfast and shopping and then I am going to Cincinnati for the Great Lakes Relocation Council annual meeting (woo hoo . . . staying at the Grand Hyatt . . . they have the BEST beds!), home on Friday, then Election Worker training on Saturday morning. Busy week, about 700+ miles on the car.
I am wearing...white tee-shirt, green blouse, navy blue slacks
I am reading... Robert Ludlum's The Bourne sanction : a new Jason Bourne novel / by Eric Van Lustbader, Published 2008.
I am hoping... to not work late today
I am hearing... the radio and traffic
Around the house... things are in disarray. I didn't even vacuum this weekend . . . slacker.
One of my favorite things... not vacuuming . . . LOL
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...already covered that one above
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... since the kids were all together on Sunday (sometimes a major feat), I got them to pose for the annual Christmas photo. This is one that I'm not going to use . . . Dave always laughs that I take the Christmas photo in September . . . actually, it is when they are together, in a good mood and the weather is good.

P9210018
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

p.s. I figured out that if I load the pictures to Flickr from home, then I can post from Flickr . . . maybe.

Friday Fill In - 9/18/08

1. There is no need to hurry, it will all still be here tomorrow.

2. Where in the heck did the time go . . . I can still remember just yesterday holding my babies.

3. Sometimes it seems that getting older is all I managed to do.

4. Prospects for my back surviving next week's 700 miles of driving and sitting in meetings, doesn't look good.

5. God is the message, Christ is the messenger.

6. Simplicity and tranquility are just right outside my grasp.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to nothing, absolutely nothing, tomorrow my plans include 4:30 Mass, swimming lessons, laundry and more nothing and Sunday, I want to sleep in, get organized for next week's trip (which is becoming a moving target), make a fabulous dinner (Chicken Kiev, mushrooms and onions, rice) and take Lindsey to Youth Minstry (she actually brought up that she wanted to go!!!)!

and its Thursday

It has been a strange week.

Lots of weirdness.

I think part of it is that I am getting into some travel time and it just always sends me off on weirdness.

I will be in Louisville and Cincinnati next week. My sister lives in Kentucky, not far from the Ohio River, so I will be able to spend some time with her. I am going to spend Tuesday night at her house. She is a nurse and works nights, so after she gets home on Wednesday morning, we are also going to go to breakfast and maybe visit the IKEA which is about 30 miles from her home.

In October, I go to New Jersey for a couple of hours (yes, hours) and then take the train to DC for another conference. It is a hectic trip. Lots of meetings and all of the service providers I use for relocation, want some of my time. EXHAUSTING.

The day after Thanksgiving, I am flying to Dallas. One of my very bestest friends in the world is going to 70 this year and her sons are having a birthday party for her that Friday evening. Even though her birthday isn't for another week, they figured it would be a good time to do it since all of her sons and their children will be in Dallas for Thanksgiving weekend. I was going to go to Dallas the following week for a meeting (with another service provider). The timing was perfect. So, instead of flying in on Sunday and out on Tuesday, I am flying in on Friday and out on Tuesday which will give me the weekend to spend with Janet.

The timing of that trip is really good since we shut down payment of all invoicing after November 15. It is all very complicated but it gives me incredible breathing room to relax through the holidays and rest up to hit the ground running in January. I know, I know. It sounds weird to be talking about Thanksgiving and the end of the year when it is only September but, hey, it is what I do . . . someday, I will explain more about my job. It is sometimes very bizarre!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Knitting stuff: I am making an ELF hat and have been getting more comments about it than anything else I have knitted on recently. I did go to a KAL at a local coffee shop last Wednesday. My daughter takes violin and the coffee shop is just down the street from her lessons. Great fun. Various levels of expertise.

I also have casted on, knit several rows, and frogged (more than once) MS4. Sigh. It is really the kind of project where I cannot have any distractions!

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 9/15/8

If there were no God, there would be no Atheists.

-- G. K. Chesterton

For Today:

Outside my Window... we have had high winds across Ohio, remnants of Hurricane Ike. There are tree branches and "stuff" everywhere. I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to be in the middle of one of those monsters. My prayers are with those who were.

I am thinking... that the strawberries I am eating are fabulous.

I am thankful for... a sense of humor . . . I realized yesterday in talking to some of the parents of my daughter's friends, that there are many people who just don't have a sense of humor or maybe it is that they just don't know how to laugh? I actually thought it was me but my husband commented on it later too!

From the kitchen... the tomato thingee with the cheese and potato chips

baked tomatoes
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

I am creating... ELF Hat, MS4

I am going... to really have to start exercising. It is the only thing I can think of that will get this butt smaller!

I am wearing... black pants, white shirt, red jacket, multi-colored necklace and earrings

I am reading... Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

I am hoping... to spend every evening this week at home, enjoying time with my family, well, except for tonight (I have a meeting).

I am hearing... the trees hitting my windows . . . it is still windy out.

Around the house... Lindsey cleaned (her friends were over on Sunday and therefore it is her responsibility to make sure that the house is clean). I was going to help her but then she started making comments about how "dirty" the house is. So I looked around. Hmmm . . . Lindsey's towel is on the chair. Lindsey's books are on the table . . . oh, and here are the papers that Lindsey was looking for earlier but couldn't find . . . and, well, the girls' bathroom . . . we won't even go there! I did re-vacuum after she thought she was done since the job she did wasn't up to my standards.

One of my favorite things... Laughing

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... I have a meeting at Lindsey's school this evening. Other than that, it will be the same: work, home, sleep, repeat!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... I posted it above . . . LOL

Sunflowers

This summer has been especially hot and dry (well, except for this weekend, when we had Ike influenced rain). While I have commented on the vegetables, the one flower that we plant is sunflowers. We usually do a whole bunch and they effectively block out my neighbors trash pile (LOL). This year the plants were slow to grow and never reached their height potential. However, when they finally bloomed they were awesome!




And sometimes, if you are sitting on the porch, the sunflowers effectively block not only the neighbors trash containers but also the sun!

Artsy Fartsy

REVISED -- I originally posted this on Saturday night -- big mistake -- my eyes are just causing me so much grief. I have a cataract in my left eye and a cold which is bothering both eyes.
So I looked at this post on Sunday morning and realized that I probably shouldn't be doing anything in the evening when I can barely see the screen!


Okay, so I finally got this pic not to tilt so you don't have to flip your computer screen (LOL):

the pics above are pencil drawings that Lindsey did. She is going to enter them into an Art Show at her school.

The following is something that my Mom made, many years ago.


Oh, she also did the following. My Mom was very talented and what my daughter got was my Mom's talent and skills.

The two things my Mom did were regular rug hooking. It is not latched hook but hooked wool. She belonged to a group called the Happy Hookers. LOL. We spent lots of time at GoodWill shops looking for good wool that she could cut into strips and dye. The goose one has various lengths of wool to give the project depth. Very cool.

Friday Fill In - 9/12/08

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
-- e e cummings

1. I enjoy reading and knitting . . . audio books are great since I can then do both at the same time!
2. Where my kids are going to end up is something I wonder about often lately.
3. In your heart, you knew that Dave and I would end up together.
4. Take a couple of tomatoes and chop, add a little garlic, onion and top with crushed potato chips and mozzarella cheese, and bake (30 minutes @ 350), and you end up with that tomato casserole thing with the potato chips and cheese.
5. Life has gifted me with a sense of humor.
6. Reading is an instant vacation.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to making jello shots for Sarah and Kyle's picnic, tomorrow my plans include WW, Zachariah's swimming and 4:30 Mass and Sunday, I want to watch the St. Joe's Swim Team swimming in our pool (maybe 20 girls and their families . . . what fun)!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am upset with my daughter's school. They provided all the girls with water bottles (a good thing as long as they get washed and rinses well occasionally). They had a water bottle blessing ceremony. They offered a prayer during their opening announcements, as part of the general prayers offered every morning, but other than that, they did nothing for 9/11. But, they did have a water bottle blessing ceremony. How lame is that!

ignoring you

P9100014
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

I'm just going to read my book and ignore you. Do you have a problem with that? Hmmmm? I'm reading Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. It is better than Harry Potter but not as good as Gone with the Wind. Get over it.

You, yes you, Mom, you have got to read this book! Well, its a series. Start with Twilight. We'll talk!

What do you mean you want me to help you in the garden . . . can't you tell that I AM IGNORING YOU????

hmmmm

P9100013
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

am I interrupting you? I'm in the middle of this book. What do you want?

Pssst . . . I'm over here in the garden

P9100012
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

a nice Wednesday afternoon . . .

Mom is putting about in the garden. I'll just sit here on the porch and ignore her.

If I look at her, she might ask me for something. A bowl for the vegetables? Not a chance. I don't even like vegetables. If I liked vegetables, I would be a vegan . . . but I don't.

Gosh, I hope she doesn't ask me to weed. Yuck. That is almost as bad as being forced to plant the vegetables in the first place!

Homemaking ABC's

I stole this off of Shelly's site.
Aprons--y/n If y, what does your fav. look like? I do have one . . . since my wedding reception was at my parents' home and my sisters were doing all the serving, my one sister made aprons for each of them to wear and one for me too. I still have it. It is yellow, full coverage. I usually forget to wear it.

Baking--Favorite thing to bake? Apple Pie with crumb topping.

Clothes line? No but wish I did. I love hanging clothes outside. I especially decided that I loved it when our dryer broke a couple of years ago and rather than schlepping wet laundry, I had Dave hang rope and I hung out all the laundry. Lindsey was appalled. A perk for me. My neighbor was appalled. Another perk for me. We have an acre. And no part of her house looks over my back yard. In fact, she can only see that part of my yard if she stands next to her garage. Pshhhh. She complains about everything.

Donuts-- Have you ever made them? Yes. Stopped doing it because I have the firm conviction that they are only good if you sit and eat all of them while drinking a glass(es) of milk.

Everyday -- One homemaking thing you do every day? Wipe off kitchen counters and scrub sink (a flashback to Flylady).

Freezer --Do you have a separate deep freeze? Yes.

Garbage Disposer? Yes. Wouldn't have a home without one.

Handbook--What is your favorite homemaking resource? Anything Heloise

Ironing--Love it or Hate it? Or hate it but love the results? Hate it, love the results. I will go on a tear and iron everything. Does my hubby notice that I ironed all of his shirts? Nope. Do I care? Nope. Its like washing windows. It makes you feel so good when you see everything so nicely done!

Junk Drawer--y/n? Where is it? Used to have one. Remodelled kitchen and everything nicely got sorted into drawers. I have 15 drawers in my kitchen, four of which have different silverware/stainless/goldware in them . . . how weird is that!

Kitchen--color and decorating scheme. Dark Blue countertops with white cabinets and sunflowers (some mosaic sunflower tiles; silk sunflowers in vase and sunflower painting). If you want to see a picture, go here.

Love--what is your favorite part of homemaking? Having someone else do it?!? Being done? The sense of accomplishment when the home is clean . . . which lasts all of ten seconds until the kids start dropping things on the table, counters, floor . . . sigh

Mop--y/n? Yes.

Nylons, machine or hand wash? Hand wash . . . on the other hand I have totally switched what I wear to work now and have successfully not put on pantyhose in well over a year! It is a beautiful thing. I realized that I was having a work-out every morning trying to get them up and over my butt and didn't like it at all! Besides look at the money I have saved.

Oven--do you use the window or open the oven to check? My oven is totally stainless and doesn't have a window. But even if it did, I would still open the door.

Pizza--What do you put on yours? Sliced tomatoes, glazed mushrooms and onions, sausage and pepperoni, lots of cheese.

Quiet--What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment? knit or read.

Recipe Card Box--y/n? I have my Mom's. I prefer cookbooks and those wonderful post-it notes that I have all my most favorite recipes tagged with!

Style of house--What style is your house? It started life as a ranch with a single garage that was attached with a breezeway (with the breezeway also having the utility room). The people that we bought from went through the roof and added four bedrooms and two baths and converted the downstairs bedrooms into family room, dining room and library, attached a two 1/2 car garage and full attics over the garage and house. We have added another room upstairs, bumped out the back of the house on the first floor by eight feet and added an 8' x 38' porch. It is eclectic.

Tablecloths or Placemats? Both. My kids are 7 to 22 . . . they are slobs. Actually, right now I have two table cloths on the table and a pad and placemats and we use cloth napkins!

Under the kitchen sink--organized or toxic wasteland? organized. We had a problem with the faucet leaking. I got tired of soggy stuff. Everything sits on top of cooling (baking) racks. Any water will go right through and it makes potential clean-up easier.

Vacuum--How many times per week? Depends on when my husband does it . . . he uses vacuuming as a break when he is grading papers on weekends.

Wash--How many loads of laundry do you do per week? usually nine . . . sort Friday morning and all of it except the sheets are done by Saturday morning.

X's--Do you make lists and cross things off as you go? We have an ongoing shopping list. When you take the last or second to the last item out of the pantry (did I ever mention that my hubby has the pantry and deep freeze inventoried?), you write it down on the list. If I am doing a party or picnic, I make lists of what I am serving with a side grocery list. I do use to do lists at work and will call myself at work (or at home, as the case may be) to remind me to do something.

Yard--y/n? Who does what? My husband takes care of the yard. We all help with the vegetable garden (which Lindsey feels is not fair since she despises vegetables).

ZZZ's--what is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed? Cleaning the bathroom sink. I hate waking up to soap or toothpaste scum.