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

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

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
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I am thankful for... my daughter finding love. He is kind and good, sweet and gentle, hardworking and honest. She is blessed
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From the kitchen... Chicken Parmesan, Tortillini, corn, garlic bread . . . it was a delicious if not monochromatic dinner
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I am creating... baby hats for Save the Children . . . click here for information.
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I am going... to NO meetings this week. How cool is THAT!!!
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I am wearing... brown slacks, beige shell, an oriental themed brown/gold/green jacket
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I am reading... magazines . . . catching up on my magazine reading
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I am hoping... for a quiet week, full of laughter (is that being quiet though? hmmm?)
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I am hearing... traffic, radio, people arriving at work
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Around the house... cleaning out clutter. moving summer clothes to storage and winter clothes to closet.
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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).
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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).
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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

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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:

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• 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!