Friday Fill In - 1/25/2008

Friday Fill In -- woo hoo -- two weeks in a row that I actually filled this in on a FRIDAY!!

1. My family makes me happy.
2. I would like everyone to just get along, please.
3. Fresh baked bread tastes SO good!
4. Sunday is my favorite day of the week because if I work it right, I won't leave the house all day.
5. My hair is my best feature.
6. We could learn so much from small children . . . looking at things with new eyes . . . what a joy.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Chuck and Michelle coming for dinner, tomorrow my plans include swimming/laundry/Church/making bread/relaxing and Sunday, I will be going to lunch with Janet before she returns to Dallas!

I scored this quiz off of Sandra's blog.

You paid attention during 91% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

It was kind of fun. The only draw back is that it doesn't tell you which ones you got wrong!

7 Random Facts . . . don't feel obliged to carry it on

~ 7 Random Facts Meme ~I've been tagged by Jane to play along.

7 Random Facts...
now these are the rules:

• Link to the person’s blog who tagged you.
• Post these rules on your blog.
• List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself.
• Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
• Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog (or not . . . I didn't because I think of this like chain mail . . . so respond if you want or not and anyone who wants to do the seven random facts, don't wait to be tagged . . . I'm feeling rebellious!)

My 7 random facts:

1. I am the middle child of seven -- two older sisters and an older brother; two younger sisters and a younger brother
2. I am perpetually early.
3. I met Dave in 1973, but wouldn't date him -- until December 1979 and we got married in April 1980.
4. All three of my kids are adopted (the younger two from the same Mom)
5. I've been at the same company for 35 years
6. I have serious knitting ADHD . . . keep short and sweet it will get done . . . I've been knitting the same sweater for years.
7. My husband has our deep freeze and pantry inventoried . . . to play with his head, I move things . . . its become a game between us.

Okay - I'm NOT tagging anyone . . . if you feel like using it, go for it, otherwise, don't!! LOL

Happy Birthday, Zachariah

Zachariah was born on January 18, 2001. He came to us on June 3, 2001. When he arrived, he was suffering from malnutrition and hadn't had any of his shots.

Today, he is still small but the docs think that given time, he will continue to grow.

He is smart as a whip and loves to read. He is currently reading the Junie B. Jones books and will manage to read one during the car ride with Dad every morning. Plus his comprehension is incredible. He will start laughing and tell Dave, "listen to this . . . . "

He is a joy and funny and we are so very blessed to have this wonderful child as part of our family.

Happy Birthday, Zachariah.

Friday Fill In -- actually on a Friday!!

1. The last compliment I got was from Barbara; she said "you are doing good . . . really, really good."
2. I'm reading Guide for Managing the Global Workforce (how boring is that!).
3. I woke up today and thought Janet moves to Dallas today. I will not cry.
4. Why does the lunch hour go so fast.
5. The last thing I ate was bagel and apple.
6. January... a new start, again.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to eating dinner with Zachariah and Dave (it is Zachariah's 7th birthday), tomorrow my plans include going to the dentist and taking Zachariah to swimming lessons and 4:30 Mass and Sunday, my family is coming over to celebrate Zachariah's birthday!

I've got nothin'

Seriously, I have been so busy with this new job and that by the end of the day my brain is so fried that I cannot do anything but sit and veg . . .

Well, I did clean two cupboards this past weekend. I dumped a bunch of candles (we use candles at dinner but Lindsey keeps switching them in and out and her way of dealing with the "used" ones is to open the cupboard and toss). I also organized all the candle holders. It is quite obvious to me at least that we do not need anymore candles or holders. In fact, I told Dave that if there were ever a power outage, we have enough candles to not only light the way but heat the house for probably a week. I didn't, however, get to my closet. A never ending disaster. I don't know why I think I will ever fit in those clothes, much less want to wear them if I ever do lose the weight. Seriously, who am I kidding!

This past weekend, I also discovered that I did organize my stash and knitting and scrapbooking things sometime in December. I don't recall totally doing it but was incredibly surprised when I opened my hallway dresser to grab the "winter"* tablecloth only to discover that it was filled with yarn. And, the bookshelves look great. I discovered that when I went to put away my latest Interweave magazine and discovered that everything is actually organized on the shelves.

So, did the kids do this. Phhhshshsh . . . not a chance. I know that my darlin' hubby didn't do it because the magazines and books were sorted by date and name, the books were not alphabetized (he is just so predictably anal). I did it but I don't remember exactly when. Sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It looks good. I am so impressed.

The problem is that for Whoduknit, we are doing a KAL and I cannot find my knitting needles. NONE. ZERO. ZILCH. On Monday evening, when I discovered the phenomena of the beautiful organization, I couldn't find them and assumed that I must have left my Options needles at work (even though I had brought home all my knitting stuff when I moved into my office. So this morning (yes, it is Thursday), I went through all the drawers, boxes (did manage to empty two of them) and cannot find a single needle. Well, actually, that isn't true, I do have the needles from Jane that she made the flowers out of.



But, I didn't even check the size because I didn't want to take them apart.

My big fear is that my needles got put in with our Christmas stuff which was just hauled up to the attic this past Sunday. Gee, maybe I should just by some more of the Knitpick's Harmony needles . . .

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*Winter tablecloth as opposed to fall (which is orange and brown and has fall leaves on it) or Christmas (I have several of those . . . and bought a new one in the post-holiday sales) or summer (which is cream). The winter one is light green with matching dark green napkins.

Go figure

Yesterday morning over breakfast, her second for the day (so far totalling 3 bowls of cereal (before church) and two biscuits, bacon, scrambled eggs and lemonade at Bob Evans (after church)), Lindsey, my lovely 13 year old, announced that her goal for 2008 was to have a "six pack" by the end of summer. She is currently on swim team. They swim six days a week. Besides their meets which are generally two or three a week, they swim on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoon and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, they swim from 5:45a to 7:00a . . . on Saturday, they can sleep in and only swim from 7:00a to 9:00a).

So, she asked me how to do this. I know, I know, I am obese, consider organizing my yarn stash as serious exercise, and yet she asks me about abs of steel. Go figure. I said eating correctly (more fruits and vegetables) and exercising. Obviously, she presumed I made a mistake, made a face only a 13 year could accomplish and said that "I'll look online."

Great fun. Before dinner, she checked online and was totally bummed because everything she found said that the only way to get a "six-pack" was to eat correctly (minimum of 8 servings of fruits/vegetables per day) and to exercise. She then proceeded to eat two pieces of chicken, 3 potato wedges (roasted potatoes - not her favorite because they just aren't as good as fries), 1/4 cup of brocolli and two bisquits.

By the way, she is 5'1" and weighs 101. Frankly, she looks great. The swimming has toned her arms and legs. She loves swimming the 500 meter and since the beginning of the season has shaved 132 seconds (and incredible feat) off of her time and ended up in second place for the event at this past weekend's meet, only losing by 2 seconds.

So, the question is why does she want a six pack . . . cause it will increase her muscle mass and she will be able to eat more cereal for breakfast. Gotta love the logic of a healthy 13 year old. If she wasn't so terribly annoying sometimes, she would be great fun to be around.

Friday fill in on a Saturday, again

1. "I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, the odor that clogs the nasal passages, and the stickiness that makes goop out of your shoes."
2. "Why is money always gone?"
3. "Harold, *everyone* has the right to make a mess."
4. "Nine companions, so be it. You shall be ten."
5. "Nonsense, I have not yet begun to fight."
6. "Mama says they was magic shoes. They could fly."
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to visiting with friends, tomorrow my plans include working all day, packing and moving and Sunday, I want to go to church, clean my closets and relax - probably in that order!

the end of the year

I am sure that I probably have talked about this . . . but here I go again . . . I assume it is okay since it is my blog and I can do anything I want.

I am starting a new job. On January 1, 2008. I will be the Manager of Relocation Services for one of the largest law firms in the world. Seriously. How weird is that?

There are many upsides to this. I will be my own boss (more or less . . . I do have two people over me but generally, I am responsible for the job). I will have an office. With a door. I got a very nice raise, but will be exempt from overtime. On the other hand, I am required to work 37.5 hours per week and so there is some flexibility in my hours, etc.

Last year, we moved over 250 individuals, internationally. The biggest chunk, as a group, of those moves are new associates, about 100. The rest are partners, lateral hires, judicial clerks, interns, associates and some staff. It is kind of important stuff.

The downside is that the reason I am available to take this job is that the person that I have worked for during the last 34 years is retiring. He is retiring because he feels it is time to retire. He is not quitting work but will be doing some consulting. I, on the other hand, feel as if I am getting divorced.

It is exciting and sad and, actually, kind of lonely. We have two more days of work. And I should be finishing up some other stuff. Bye for now.

have I told you about my husband

he is the funniest, sweetest, kindest guy . . . seriously.

There is a really good reason that he teaches first grade. Sometimes he is right there on the kids level. He has them all convinced that he is the meanest teacher in the whole school. He tells the other teachers that the kids will do much better with them after they have had him . . . he is right. It isn't just because he is strict but he is compassionate and kind and fair. A friend (a co-worker of my hubby's) stopped over on Saturday. Dave was in the middle of writing thank you notes to all the kids that got him a present. His co-worker asked him what he was doing and then mumbled something about Dave setting the bar too high for the rest of the teachers.

I love him.

Our Christmas

Our Christmas was a joyous event . . . another opportunity to share with each other. We missed those members of our family who couldn't make it home (none of Jeanne's boys were home . . . Tommy and his family had to return to Florida since he had to report to his ship on the 27th, Erich is in Malta with his Marine Unit but will be home for good in February and Ryan was only given 3 days from the Air Force and decided to pool it with his time for February and come home when Erich is home).

We didn't share presents this year. Instead, because of the care and kindness shown Don through out his injury and rehab, we pooled what we would have spent and made a family donation in Don's honor to the MetroHealth Brain Injury Rehab. They did such wonderful things for him and Peg. Peg and Don have nothing but wonderful, glowing things to say about the Unit.

Friday Fill in on a Saturday

I know that I have been very delinquent with doing any blogging. Switching jobs and trying to do the old job at the same time is taking a toll . . . no knitting, no blogging, no scrapbooking, but today I am posting the Friday Fill-In . . on a Saturday, not too bad.

Friday, December 21, 2007
#51
1. Snow -- bah humbug -- loved it as a child, despise it as a driver.
2. I'm looking forward to spending time with my extended family.
3. Dave is the best friend/pal/lover ever!
4. One of my favorite old tv shows is Hill Street Blues.
5. I'm done with shopping.
6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is Christmas Eve Children's Liturgy.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to nothing, tomorrow my plans include working, laundry and Sunday, I am going to have friends over for dinner!

Here is a unique version the 12 Days of Christmas. Enjoy.

Friday fill in on a FRIDAY!!! WOO HOO!

Fill in the lyrics...with the correct ones or ones of your own :-) Have fun!

1. Away in a manger, no room for any of us . . . check out the Holiday Inn.
2. Dashing through the snow, in a snowmobile.
3. Hark! The herald angels sing and sing and sing . . . .
4. It's coming on christmas and I've not done any of my shopping.
5. When I was small I believed in Santa Claus, Though I knew it was really the Easter Bunny dressed up as a little elf in red.
6. That Christmas magic's brought this tale and guitar and another box of other stuff.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to addressing Christmas cards, tomorrow my plans include Lindsey's orthodontist, diving lessons and orchestra rehearsal, picking up her girlfriend, 4:30 Mass and playing cards in the evening and Sunday, we are going to Beauty and the Beast at Beck and Lindsey's Orchestra Concert!

Friday Fill-In #49 posted on Thursday, yet again

Friday Fill-In #49 on Thursday
1. I love Christmas.
2. White lights are my favorite color(s) for the Christmas tree lights.
3. The candles in the window have red bulbs.
4. "While you were Sleeping" is one of my most favorite Christmas movies.
5. My favorite Christmas lyric(s) is/are I'll be home for Christmas.
6. I'm dreaming of a peaceful Christmas.

What kind of ornament am I??

You Are a Tree

You love every part of the holidays, down to the candy canes and stockings. And you're goofy enough to put a Christmas tree ornament on your tree!

<"http://www.blogthings.com/whatchristmasornamentareyouquiz/">What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Weather, Cleveland, Wind and other stuff

Five-day forecast:

Tomorrow, Dec 04: Flurries Hi: 31° Lo: 22°
Wednesday, Dec 05: Flurries Hi: 29° Lo: 22°
Thursday, Dec 06: Scattered Flurries Hi: 30° Lo: 22°
Friday, Dec 07: Snow Showers Hi: 36° Lo: 27°
Saturday, Dec 08: Scattered Flurries Hi: 38° Lo: 26°

- do you see a pattern here? Fortunately, I am going to be off from work on Friday which is when the weather is supposed to get nicer, well as nice as Snow Showers and 36° can be.

This is the local weather map. All of the calming green areas mean the weather may be cold but not stormy. The glowing green part just below Lake Erie (and some day I will learn how to draw circles around these special things) is where I am.

The weather this weekend has been hideous. We had rain and dropping temperatures. Dave and I went to a party Saturday evening. When we got there (around 6:30), it was drizzling and about 40°. When we left, the temp had dropped and the rain had turned to icy, slushy stuff and the car was encased in ice. I think the final chips of ice finally broke off just about the time I was pulling into the garage. By Sunday morning, the temps had gone up again. It was a good thing as I worked. Even so, the streets were still a tad icy and what is normally a 30 minute trip (especially at 5:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning), turned into a 45 minute trip.

It rained most of yesterday. Last night the wind picked up. This morning the ceiling of my porch is gone. I think it might be in Canada or the middle of the Lake. This is no mean feat as my porch ceiling is 8' x 38' (it is a most awesome porch). There are, I think, 2 or 3 panels (10 feet long x 14" wide) that are flapping in the breeze. The rest of them are just gone.

You just gotta love Cleveland weather.

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I haven't been knitting much of anything. I am in the process of moving from a cubicle to an office. I have also been packing and dumping files and other stuff for my boss. My hands and back are killing me. So, yesterday, after working eight hours, I took Lindsey shopping. She wanted to get a second set of piercings (ear lobe). It is the only thing she has asked for Christmas. Well, the place we went to was having itself a little old sale. So I got me another piercing too . . . in the upper top of my right ear. Its just a cute little diamond stud.

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We went to Saturday evening Mass. The first Saturday of each month is "done" by the Youth Ministry of our Church. They are wonderful. It is so good to see so many kids involved and participating, especially since it is no longer required for Confirmation. Zachariah just loves it. He loves the music and singing and praying that goes on. We have been toying with the idea of getting him drums for Christmas (I know, just shoot me now). Anyway, since I was a Eucharistic Minister for the Mass, friends of ours were keeping an eye on him. After Mass, Karen said to me "you just gotta get that boy some drums." Their son is the drummer for the Youth Ministry and Zachariah was keeping up with the beat the entire time. They said to go with the whole set rather than just a drum or two. So, I guess, it might be the thing to do.

Small Comforts

I don't know if any of you who knit or crochet and read this blog are like me, but I've a secret, I don't like knitting sweaters. It is the knitting ADHD that I suffer from. Seriously, it is also the reason that I have so much stash. I see something bright and lovely or soft and comforting and just know that there is something that I could make with that. I have also been known to, ahem, grossly miscalculate how much yarn I'm going to need, so I do have those odd skeins here and there, and there, and there, and there.

Anyway, I came across this at Lime & Violet's Daily Chum and thought it was incredibly well worth sharing. This is a golden opportunity to destash and do some quick projects. This is from Knit and Play with Fire's post on Small Comforts.

It is not only a good thing to do for the patients referenced in the post but also an opportunity to remember that many hospitals and their patients have similar needs. Where I work, we do an Adopt-A-Family and Senior project every year. Our church also does a similar program. I have to tell you, that it is always an eye-opener. The two families that I am the captain for this year are two young families. One young woman has three young children and the only thing she is asking for are school uniforms (a requirement for all public elementary schools in Cleveland). No toys, no games, no stuffed animals . . . just something that her kids need, not necessarily want. The seniors always want socks, hats, mittens and warm pajamas. Last year, for the very first time, both agencies we work with made requests not only at the holidays but mid-year. As we are all aware, the needs continue to grow and not just around the holidays . . . but I digress.

So, if you are feeling the need or desire to share your talents, knit or crochet a hat. Donate it through Small Comforts or your local hospital. Share your skills and destash. It will make you feel good. More importantly, it will help someone who really, really need some Small Comfort.

Okay, I'm off my soap box. Have a wonderful day . . . week . . . month.

Friday fill in on a Sunday . . .

Friday Fill-In #48

1. When my blog is broken, I read other blogs or CNN or MSNBC.

2. I saw the most amazing gas price this morning ($2.83/gallon)!

3. August Rush is the new movie I'm most looking forward to seeing.

4. Work: Necessary and necessary and necessary, in order to keep me in a manner to which I have come become accustomed.

5. Of all the new tv shows, I enjoy Private Practice the most.

6. If only teachers were paid what entertainers/sports players were paid and entertainers/sports players were paid what teachers are.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chaperoning a "mixer" at my youngest daughter's school (it was a huge success 550 students), tomorrow my plans include usual Saturday stuff, including mass (youth ministry singing) and a "cocktail party" in the evening and Sunday, I am working starting at 7:30 until about 3:00!

Late Friday Fill in on a Thursday . . . and another tomorrow

Friday Fill-in #47
1. I enjoy reading more than anything else.
2. Blogging satisfies my need for chatting
3. When I look at a full moon, I feel awed, totally awed by the awesomeness of God.
4. If I want a snack, I usually reach for popcorn
5. The most recent movie I saw, Fred Claus made me laugh and cry (made my kids laugh cause I was crying).
6. If only I were thinner.