Cocoa Swap Questionnairre

Questionnaire
The Yarn…
1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both? Both -- prefer knitting

2. What is your favorite one-skein project? What item do you find you knit the most of?
anything felted. Although I tend to do a lot of fingerless mitts.


3. Do you like using a particular type of needle or hook? (wood, metal, straight, circular) Is there something you’ve been wanting to try, or a particular size you always seem to be short on?
wood, circular . . . no particular size. I enjoy knitpicks options. I am working on adding the various harmony tips.


4. What’s on your needles\hook right now? What’s your oldest UFO (unfinished object)?
My oldes UFO is a secret. It is a sweater that I have been working on forever. I hate it. I really don't want to pull it out because I would have to remember what it was that I was doing, exactly.

I do have a scarf and a Lucy bag on the needles, and mittens (really heavy mittens).



5. What are your favorite types of yarns? Are you allergic to any yarns, or just hate working with something? Anything type/brand of yarn you’ve been dying to try?

I love wool. I DESPISE acrylic anything.

7. What are your favorite colors? Brights? Pastels? More muted colors? Variegated? Are there that make you want to stab yourself in the eye with your needles?

I love greens and aquas.


8. What is your favorite knit accessory, your fancy needles? stitch markers? your yarn cutter? What do you have TOO many of? What do you wish you had?

Knitpicks options needles. Any tips or cables.



The Chocolate
1. Do you prefer boxed/packets, or something homemade?

boxed chocolates is perfect

2. Marshmallows or whipped cream?

Both

3. Do you use any ‘add ins’

sometimes mint

4. Are you a year round cocoa drinker or just in the winter months?

year round

5. Do you like flavored cocoas or are you just a ’straight chocolate’ kind of person?

Flavored are good

6. Do you enjoy cocoa from restaurants or shops like Starbucks? What are some of your favorites?

I like regular cocoa (don't like Starbucks, generally, too strong).


7. You’ve just made the perfect cup of cocoa - is it in a thick mug, or a thinner cup? Where would you sit to drink it?

Thick mug and I am generally reading a book at the dining room table.


8. You’re enjoying that perfect cup, what treats will you enjoy with it? Are they sweet or salty? Crunchy? Soft and flaky?

Salty and crunchy stuff to go with the chocolate



It’s all YOU!
1. Do you have other hobbies like spinning or scrapbooking?

Scrapbooking and stamping

2. Do you collect anything?

Besides yarn??? Nope.

3. What is your favorite part of Winter?

staying inside and reading a good book

4. What sort of scents do you enjoy? Any difference in what you like for your house versus what you like for your body?

vanilla. I cannot wear perfumes because my hubby is allergic to EVERYTHING!!

5. Are you allergic to anything?

Smoke.


6. Are you on Ravelry? What’s your ID?


Yes, mlj1954


7. How would you spend an ideal winter afternoon/day?

ummm, reading a good book with my feet up and sipping cocoa


8. What’s your favorite animal?

dogs.

letting go and other stuff

So, it is the new year. So for 2009 I am letting go of a pound and then another and another . . . I have at least two and possibly four weddings that I know of in the next year or so. My niece, is getting married for the first time. She will be 37. She is freaking out but he is steady and kind and very good to her. Two of my nephews will be getting married -- one for sure and the other probably. And of course, there is Sarah and Kyle.

I have to say that 2008 was okay for my family and I.

Sarah broke up with her former boyfriend in early January -- a real highlight -- he lied to her even when he knew he was going to be caught. Turd breath.

Zachariah made his first communion in May. He is such a joy -- most of the time. Although if he mentions one more time about my belly being similar to Santa Claus' we are going to have words!

Lindsey won all kinds of awards at school, including earning a couple thousand $$$ in scholarships . . . a real help.

Dave continues to be Dave. He is such a great guy and I love him so.

I started my new job and love it, most of the time.

As we all know that financial issues facing everyone have been tough. Sarah's job disappeared but she has decided to focus on school, including taking this semester to get a nursing assistant's certificate so she can get a job (what a novel idea). My 401K took a hit, as did everyone else's. I wasn't going to look at it and just shred the reports but for the financial aid for Lindsey's school, you have to report how much you have in it. Bah humbug and all that fun stuff. It dropped, oh, about, 100K+. Ouch, ouch, ouch. Being positive, however, the fact that I had that much to lose is a good thing.

Sarah has fallen in love with a wonderful young man. He is a farmer. An honest-to-God, corn and soy and pig farmer. He loves her too and they are talking about getting married. So, the problem is I have had to let go.

And, I have to tell you, I am so angry with my Mom I could spit. Sarah thought I was angry with her (which I was) but then I discovered that I was talking to my Mom. Since my Mom has been dead for ten years the conversation was rather one-sided but I did manage to fill in some of her lines as I knew exactly what she would say:

"You lied to me."
"I didn't lie."

"You did so"
"How"

"You NEVER told me that it would hurt so much to let her go. NEVER, Mom. You told me about loving that baby and the joy of holding her the first time and sleep deprivation when she was a baby and on her first and second and third and fourth . . . date(s). But you never told me that seeing her skip out of the house, floating on air and not being here with me would hurt."

sigh "Okay, so it was the sin of omission. I had seven kids. And letting go of each of you hurt, in different ways for each of you. It is part of being a parent and a mother . . . the letting go . . . so go for a walk, cry in the shower and tell her you love her."

"Mom, I am still mad at you . . . you lied."

sigh "Dogs get mad, people get angry and disappointed and hurt . . . I didn't lie . . . I let you go and I knew from the first time I saw you with our Sarah that someday you would be hurt and you would still let her go . . . I wish . . . "

"Mom, I wish too . . . I love you . . . "

Doing Right in 2008 -- a contest on Jane's blog

Hey, hey, hey!!! Happy New Year everyone!

Speaking of New Year, Jane has a contest on her blog and if you click here you can find it. If you link it to your blog, you get two entries . . . so go join the fun. It is also a great way to put a positive spin on what you did right in '08!!

Monday, monday and catching up~~~~

Well, last Tuesday, December 23, I had cataract surgery. A rather strange experience.

When I went for the follow-up on Wednesday, I had better vision in my left eye without my glasses than I had with my glasses before surgery. Woo hoo!!!!

The surgery for my right eye is scheduled for Tuesday, January 6. The problem is that I still need glasses with my right eye but not with my left, need bifocals for both and if I wear my glasses, I get really nauseous.

However, I have felt really good and except for the restrictions (you cannot lift anything over 5 lbs and am not allowed to bend over to pick ANYTHING up -- until tomorrow when I go for my next follow up) I am feeling really grand.

So, next week, I am going to work on Monday and will be out Tuesday and Wednesday and back to work on Thursday. It seems to be very bizarre to not take any sick time for over a year and then have four days within a couple of weeks. Of course, it will look good on the "books" since it has been spread out over two years -- LOL!!

~~

I was going stir crazy because I couldn't knit or read. I can increase the size of the font on the computer and did manage to convince my younger sister to write out a pattern for a scarf that I am making Lindsey. She printed it out on an index card and after the fourth repeat I have it memorized. The pattern only goes over four rows, three of which are straight knitting. The pattern is from One Skein Wonders. The pattern row is a simple combination of YO and K2tog. It looks loverly!!

~~

Our holiday was grand and the weather was great for those who had to travel. My sister and her family drove up from Kentucky. My other sister and her husband drove to Florida to spend the holiday with his family. They have now all returned home and the weather held nicely so that none of them had to travel in horrendous weather. Actually, this past Saturday, we broke record high temperatures in Cleveland with a 66. We went to a huge swim meet on Saturday evening (12 teams -- it took hours). It was so incredibly warm and humid in the pool area that most of my pictures came out rather steamy!

Wishing all who read this the best for a safe and happy new year's eve and a blessed and joyous 2009!

Simple Woman's Daybook - 12/22/08

FOR TODAY ~
Outside my Window... cold, bitterly cold, windchills well below zero. I think it is 7 degrees now and windy . . . my blinds in my office keep rattling!
I am thinking... I might be warm by May.
I am thankful for... the job which allows me to pay the gas and electric bills, my fireplace, kerosene heater and electric blankets.
From the kitchen... stuffed pork chops, rice, green beans
I am creating... mittens for Lindsey. I ran out of yarn. They are heavy. I wish I had my gauntlets for in the office today.
I am going... home today and not be back to work until January 5 (although I will be going online during the time I am off).
I am wearing... layers. tights, slacks, socks, short-sleeved red sweater, heavy black, white and red sweater. I wish I had a turtle neck.
I am reading... If there be dragons
I am hoping... to get warm (is there a theme here?)
I am hearing... the radio and soon Christmas music.
Around the house... I have wrapped many of the presents. Dave and I usually wrap on Christmas Eve night. But since I am having cataract surgery tomorrow, I decided that I should get most of it done before.
One of my favorite things... Christmas. I do love Christmas. I love the ceremonies at church. I love the songs. I love the children's excitement. I love spending time with my family.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... surgery tomorrow, follow up on Wednesday, Christmas Day with my family, my extended family is coming to my house on Christmas. We are having appetizers and desserts. They all have in-laws to visit so having appetizers and such at our house doesn't "bog" anyone down.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

The young man is my youngest sister's oldest son, Tommy, (he is in the Navy) and the rest are his kids and wife. My sister and her husband are going to Florida to spend Christmas with them and their youngest son is flying in (he is in the air force).

Michelle has had some serious health problems since the youngest child was born, breast cancer and she recently had a stroke. Fortunately, the Navy has decided that private medical care is better than what they can do, so she has been seeing some of the best doctors around. It seems that Michelle is getting better by leaps and bounds. It helps that Tommy is now based on land and teaching, is home for dinner every night and is there to support and help her with the kids and chores. They are all looking forward to a much improved 2009 and I ask that if you have an extra prayer, that you add them to your list. Thank you so much.

Friday Fill In - 12/19/08

"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

- Abraham Lincoln

1. Said the night wind to the little lamb, so, what kind of fleece do you have, don't lay on that straw, geez, how do you expect anyone to be able to spin that stuff?

2. The first Noel, the angel did say, where is everyone else? Why am I always the first one here?

3. Go tell it on the web page, over the hills and everywhere.

4. It came upon the midnight clear, and thank goodness it wasn't snowing. I am so over snow already this year.

5. Put a smile on your face and let your heart be light and you can be happy if you choose to be.

6. And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing IN THE SHOWER . . . trust me, no one wants to hear you sing outside of the shower.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting home safely (it is ugly right now but they are saying it is supposed to get warmer as the day progresses), tomorrow my plans include swimming, laundry, and finishing decorating, dinner with Mario and Sunday, I want to sleep in!

This explains it all . . .

I have not failed.

I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

~Thomas A. Edison

which may be why I never finish socks.

Secret Pal 13 - Question No. 2

Part A:Are you doing any holiday knitting?

Of course I am!


Part B:Have you finished?


DUH! Its not Christmas Eve yet!!!

Surgery

I met with the doctor yesterday. The clinic is Skyvision Clinic and this doctor is so incredibly energetic.

I am having cataract surgery on Tuesday, December 23. After examining my eyes, he sat back and said "so have you been having problems driving at night? or reading at night?" Yes. Well, I need surgery on both eyes but they are going to the left first which I cannot see out of at all and he said that after it has healed, I can decide whether or not I want to have the right one done. He said that some people choose not to but only because they suffer from surgery anxiety. He thinks having both of them done would leave glasses free except for bifocals. I have had glasses since I was 10. I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like without them. Even when I had contacts, I wasn't able to wear the contacts for longer than 12 hours at a time.

He also told me that I could have more than the basic surgery but it would cost $700/eye and probably isn't worth it to have done. How cool is that!

Simple Woman's Daybook - 12/15/08

FOR TODAY ~ Monday, December 15, 2008

The very first law in advertising is to avoid the concrete promise and cultivate the delightfully vague. - Bill Cosby

Outside my Window... it is 54 degrees and raining. The temperature is supposed to drop all day long, bottoming out at 30 degrees.
I am thinking... I am glad that I wore my winter coat
I am thankful for... getting our Christmas tree up and decorated
From the kitchen... t-bone steak, baked potatoes, carmelized onions and mushrooms, sliced apples
I am creating... mittens for Lindz to match the hat she got at Target.
I am going... to buy a new camera for me.
I am wearing... black jacket, purple shell, black slacks and shoes
I am reading... nothing. too much to do
I am hoping... to get my Christmas cards done this week . . . well maybe by next Monday.
I am hearing... the cars in the rain
Around the house... tree is up, break-front is cleaned, upstairs hall looks like a disaster
One of my favorite things... cleaning the break-front. It has glass shelves and looks so nice and neat.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... meeting tonight at Lindz' school, taking her to swim practice in mornings.
Here is a picture thought I would share with you... Dave decided that the pool needed a pool. Zachariah had so much fun in the pool's pool. I decided that given the yucky weather, I would share something from the beautiful summer!

Friday Fill In - 12/12/2008

1. Friends are gifts from God.
2. Good health; it's sometime genetic, sometime luck and lots of work (eating right and exercising).
3. I'm ready for the weekend or vacation or both.
4. Rolling over onto my husband's pillow in the morning and lingering in his smell is one of my favorite smells.
5. The oldest ornament I have are ornaments that our parents got us when we were teens (dated - probably 1969 . . . it was the year my brother got out of the Army and both of my older sisters got married . . . reducing the kids at home to four).
6. Take some one box of angel food cake mix and a can of crushed pineapple, mix it all together, bake per cake instructions and you have a heavenly low fat dessert.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to staying up until Lindsey gets done with her swim meet so I can pick her up, tomorrow my plans include taking Zachariah to swimming, cleaning the house (including the breakfront) and setting up Christmas tree and Sunday, I want to go to Mass, do the Christmas cards, clean and clean and clean.

Secret Pal 13 - Package

I order most of my presents online and have all packages delivered to my work (my mail man has "issues" with boxes and packages and has been known to lean boxes against my mail post out by the street rather than pulling in the drive). Anyway, so I have been getting boxes and packages delivered for a couple of weeks now. Most I check and make sure that it is correct, reseal the box and stack them under my desk. So, yesterday, I got this envelope from Robyn's Nest and says "Yarn Kit." Since I do not buy things for myself during this time of year, I couldn't recall what it was that I had ordered. Trust me, I love Robyn's stuff but just couldn't remember what I had ordered.

I didn't.


My secret pal did!!!! Look at what I got . . .


This yarn is fabulous. It is Sweet Surrender Spark Sock Yarn, in Sunshine colorway. The color is incredible.

The package also included stitch markers, a pattern disk, size 2, 32" circular needles, candy and a little rubber duck!

So very cool!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Knitting stuff and Christmas -- EDITED -- see RED text

I am a failure. Okay, some of you have convinced me that I am not a failure. I guess failure is too strong a word. So what is the word for "biting off more than they could chew"? Oh, and a procrastinator too.

I started this season planning early. I made the two elf hats. I started LOTS OF STUFF and didn't finish a thing, except the elf hats. Bah humbug and all that stuff.

I have no excuse except that instead of sticking with one thing until it was done, I would start something then start something else and then something else and something else . . . and go back to one or the other and just didn't finish anything.

Zachariah's socks, both of them, are completed to the heel. I mean, seriously, how hard could this be!

I have one and a half gauntlets made in one yarn, started another pair in another yarn (need to tick this one back . . . way too small needles!).

I have the flower patch mitten done to the thumb gusset. Which is perfect if the person I am making these for only needed one mitten. Unfortunately, they need two and I am not sure I like it anyway. Way too dark, but warm.

I have the Lucy bag mostly done, more than half way through the Lucy bag's first strap.

Lindsey informed me that she didn't like her hat and wouldn't wear it anyway. At least I didn't get it done before this announcement. But, she would like a pair of knee high slippers, like these. She will be lucky if she gets these instead.

Zachariah asked me about his sweater. The sleeves are done. The body is done to where I have to attach the sleeves. Sigh.

Sigh.

Sigh.

Sigh.

And, I have to have cataract surgery probably before year end because, surprise, surprise, I cannot see anything out of my left eye. Do you suppose I could milk the cataract surgery for months of not having to do anything except knit and read?

So, the way I look at it, I can either really apply myself, and not sleep, and get some things done or figure that I am way ahead of schedule for next year.

Miscellaneous stuff

I found this on Jerry's blog and thought I would share with all of you

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I am the middle of eight. My sister was born 14 months before me, and lived only a short while. Her name was Linda Ann, and I like to believe that my name came from a combination of her name and my Mom.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? A couple of weeks ago, at my friend's home, when she talked about her husband who died last year.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Gosh no, but my kids do.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Pepper turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Three. two girls (22 and 14) and a son (7).
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Probably. I am fun, even if I do say so myself.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Yes.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? fear of heights, not a chance
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Wheat Chex
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Yes
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Butter Pecan
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? their hands
15. RED OR PINK? Red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? fat
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My Mom, every day.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO DO THIS? Sure. I love learning more about others.
19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? black
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? 1/2 Turkey sandwich with mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomato, honey mustard and a cup of chicken vegetable soup.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Through a Glass, Darkly (book on CD)
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Deep Green
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Frying Bacon, fresh brewed coffee, baking bread, baby hair
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My daughter
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I, ummmm, borrowed it from Jerry. And yes, I like Jerry.
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? baseball, football, basketball, tennis, golf, swimming, I guess I would rather not
27. HAIR COLOR? brown
28. EYE COLOR? green hazel
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Pizza
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Sleeping with the Enemy
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? maroon
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES? do I have to choose
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? cheesecake
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? don't know
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? don't know
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Through a Glass, Darkly
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't have one. I use a touch pad
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? didn't watch tv
42. FAVORITE SOUND? my kid's laughing
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Rolling Stones
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? California/Oregon/Washington coast
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can remember so many really silly stupid things and can not only relate what was said, but who was sitting where and what they were wearing.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Cleveland, OH

Simple Woman's Daybook - 12/08/08

FOR TODAY ~ Monday, December 8, 2008

Outside my Window... it is cold. We didn't get as much snow as had been predicted and it is supposed to be 40 degrees tomorrow!
I am thinking... this past weekend was good. We enjoyed fun and laughter.
I am thankful for... gift of patience, sense of humor, spirit of adventure
From the kitchen... stuffed shells, brocolli/cauliflower, mushrooms & onions, garlic bread . . . and leftovers tonight!
I am creating... all of kinds of things and not finishing anything. I cannot knit without lots of light
I am going... to have cataract surgery by the end of the year . . . hopefully
I am wearing... black (shoes, tights, slacks, shirt and sweater) The shirt and the sweater have "stuff" on them.
I am reading... listening to Twilight
I am hoping... to finish the shopping tonight, you know "THE SHOPPING."
I am hearing... the radio announcers discuss how really bad the Browns are this year
Around the house... need to get organized, especially if I have surgery
One of my favorite things... listening to the kids laugh together
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... shopping tonight, Lindz' first swim meet tomorrow, Lindz' violin lessons on Wednesday, Lindz' school concert on Thursday, Lindz' second swim meet on Friday . . . oh, and work and our department party on Friday and work and . . . sleep, yes, have to get some sleep in there.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Lindz and her friends went to homecoming the Tuesday before Thanksgiving . . . yes, they go to an all-girls school . . . no, they do not have a football team . . . yes, most of the girls go to other schools' homecomings . . . no, they don't care if they did, they still want their own homecoming. So the students have a powder puff football game against the teachers and then, a dance.


In order: Elise, Lindsey, Cortney and Abby . . . Cortney and Lindsey have been best friends since second grade. Elise is incredibly mature and Abby is really bright but very scattered. My DH thinks she bleached her hair to match her personality!

Christmas meme

Kathy had a Meme on her blog about Christmas so I snagged it.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper
2. Real tree or Artificial? My hubby is allergic to EVERYTHING so we have had an artificial since the get go. Two years ago, we bought a pre-lit.
3. When do you put up the tree? this year, it will be on the 13th and the 14th -- it takes the entire weekend (and will be a perfect excuse as to why we cannot go to a function that we don't want to attend . . . gee, we have plans . . . sorry about that!).
4. When do you take the tree down? before Martin Luther King weekend . . . which is when we celebrate Zachariah's birthday.
5. Do you like eggnog? YES
6. Favorite gift received as a child. a winter coat in 9th grade. It was sooooo grown up!
7. Hardest people to buy for? my daughters. They are picky.
8. Easiest person to buy for? my son. He isn't picky.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? yes
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I plead the 5th on this one! LOL.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? As soon as I find something and think "what a good Christmas present
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No (although I have given presents to charity shortly after receiving them).
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? fruitcake
16. Lights on the tree? yes.
17. Favorite Christmas song? I LOVE all Christmas songs and can listen to all year.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home and my extended family comes to my home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel. Grew up with a star. But when we got our first Christmas tree, my hubby told me about being a child and being at a friend's house and seeing the angel on the tree. He loved it. His parents were not the best and often their holidays were sad. He said that he always remembered his friend's angel and saying to himself that someday he would have a huge tree with an angel on the top. He does. He always will.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning -- no matter how much the kids ask.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? the advertising that starts in October
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? we have a very eclectic tree with HUNDREDS of ornaments. If we find something unusual or special, we buy it. My hubby is a sucker for those.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We have been doing appetizers only for dinner with my family. My siblings all have in-laws to visit and eat at. We don't so they come to our house and have appetizers and visit and then go to their in-laws for dinner. It works.

Friday Fill in - 12/05/08

We need not to be let alone.

We need to be really bothered once in a while.

How long is it since you were really bothered?

About something important, about something real?
-- Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451, 1953

1. Snow is great . . . as long as you are inside, by the fireplace, sipping wine or hot chocolate.
2. I'm looking forward to Christmas (my most favorite holiday . . . I enjoy the Christmas Eve Mass, the excitement that crinkles off the children and I like to see if I can surprise people with great presents).
3. Christmas is the best holiday ever!
4. One of my favorite old tv shows is Bonanza.
5. I'm done with the shopping for my kids (and don't buy anything for my husband -- thank goodness that we made THAT decision the first year we were married).
6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is Christmas Eve Mass.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to laundry (seriously), tomorrow my plans include eye doctor (to check on my cataract -- it is worse), 4:30 mass (Lindsey is playing the violin) and Chuck and Michelle's party (they are great friends) and Sunday, I want to finish making the cards for my Christmas exchange at work!

Totally distracted

Did you just ever have one of those days weeks where you just couldn't get it together and motivation was just . . . .

I think it is because of the holiday and travelling and eating and meetings and drinking and meetings and travelling. First of all it is THURSDAY. My sister called to tell me that her surgery went okay. And, I being the ever vigilant older sister said, "I thought you were having it tomorrow." I had even made a note for myself to call her later to wish her well. Oh, and by the way, it is my other younger sister's birthday. Make note to call her. Jeez.

I also have a cold that is just making me feel murky. Not sick just sssssllllllooooowwwww.

And, by the way, I work with stupid people. Seriously. I am in charge of the Holiday Project. The woman who has been in charge for the last ten years is currently being treated for Lymphoma. She is doing well and just came back to work part-time yesterday. She looks great but can only manage about four hours (which, frankly, I think is incredible). She has a wonderful outlook (as she said, there is an upside, her prep time for work has been cut in half since she doesn't have to play with her hair!).

Anyway, because of her dedication to the holiday project, we decided to focus our efforts on those agencies who provide services to those with cancer, their family and caregivers. We have wish lists from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Malachi House (a local hospice for the indigent), The Gathering Place (a local support center) and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospitals Child Life Department. So, the signs have gone up (we have Christmas trees on every floor -- 15 trees in all -- a sign by every tree identifies the agency being "served" by that floor).

So far today, someone has removed two of the signs. You might ask "why." I did. Actually, I think when I found out about the second sign being missing, my response was something like "what the f*&%!" Turns out that one of our departments is having a meeting and "borrowed" the signs for their purposes. Stupid. Did I mention that the signs not only list the agency and the wish list for the agency but the floor captains and their EXTENSIONS. Would it have been too hard for this stupid jerk to call someone and, oh, I don't know "ask" or at least inform? Ah, but I forget, the person that borrowed the signs is a diva and a very important diva in her own mind.

Once the sign issue was resolved, I received an email from one of the floor captains. She wanted to know (because she had been asked) whether we would taked used items. Hello. This is a holiday project.

Then I got a call from another person informing me that the gift cards being requested by one of the agencies is going to be used by that agency to buy items needed and not given to the people being served by the agency. She wanted to know if I was "okay with that." "NO, by God, they must give it to some kid who has cancer and isn't allowed out of the hospital and that way instead of having a game to keep him occupied in between bouts of illness, he can look at his Target gift card and know that someone gave it to him."

Oh, I am so crabby. But feel so much better. Thank you for letting me vent.

Janet - dear friend

Janet
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

This is a pic of Janet. Janet is my bestest girl friend. We have known each other for almost 29 years. She will be 70 next Monday. She moved from Ohio to Dallas this past January. Her husband had died in November and she wanted to be near two of her sons who live in Texas.

Anyway, all four of her sons (ages 50, 49, 48, 47) and their families, her brother and his wife (from Florida), her cousin (from Los Angeles) and I gathered together on Friday at her home to celebrate her birthday. It was early because her boys were going to be there for the holiday and figured it would be a good time to do so. Most of her grandchildren were in attendance too. It was loud and fun.

Her husband had died of Alzheimer's last November. He had been diagnosed 20 years previously. When he was diagnosed, Janet's father had recently died and her mother, who was an invalid, came to live with them. Actually, it was her mother who noticed that he was having some serious problems.

Janet took an early retirement at age 62 to take care of him because he just couldn't be home by himself anymore. Last September he had collapsed (at my home) and was hospitalized. The social workers and doctors said that he couldn't go home, yet, but was not sick enough to be in the hospital. He needed to have 24 hour rehab care. In many ways, the decision was a blessing. It was one that most of Janet's friends felt should have been done earlier, but would have been very difficult for her to make. By the social workers and doctors making the decision, it was out of Janet's hands. Needless to say, he died before he was ever able to return home. Probably, for the first time in 20 years, Janet had freedom to live.

She looks good for a almost 70 year old, although she was complaining that she was getting gray but only on one side. LOL.

Her sons were admonishing her that she needs to call them every morning to let them know she is okay. She responded that she might start doing that, but if they can never get in touch with her, they should call me since she talks to me almost every day or at least emails me (or I her) almost every day.

She is a dear friend. I miss her and it is really a blessing to have email and relatively inexpensive long distance!!

flower patch gauntlets

flower patch gauntlets
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

I am using the flower patch sock pattern and making gauntlets for one of my coworkers for Christmas. I am using Wool of the Andes and Noro Silk Garden. It is loverly.