Vacation Day 4

Here is vacation day 4 - my absolutely favorite day. We drove thru the lake district into the highlands and the scenery was magnifco. Warning this post is extremely pic heavy - I had to pic my favorite pics and I took over 800 that day alone so it wasn't easy. Also, another disclaimer on all pics posted regarding the vacation - alot of them were taken out of a bus at 60 or sometime I think 90 miles an hour not to mention that the lighting sucked most of the time so please don't use their quality to judge my artistic ability :) Hope you enjoy.

Summary of Tuesday 5/16/06

We left the heartless town of Glasgow and headed toward the Isle of Skye. However we did stop a bit on the way. The drive up that way was beautiful.


(Yes those are clouds - pretty eh :) )

We stopped by Fort William after driving thru Glencoe where the Campbells massacred the MacDonald Clan. We also drove thru Ben Nevis before getting on the road to the Isles road. The road was one lane and the bus was close to the cars and trees. That road had some great scenery.



We then, at the end of the road got on a ferry that led us to the Isle of Skye. The longest island off of Scotland. It was very pretty. The shoreline which meats the Atlantic Ocean had a lot of rock.



(Pic of a bird on Ferry Docs. One of my favs. The other was of a sheep in the road on our way from the ferry to the end of the island. I'm telling you sheep are everywhere, unfortunately hard to get pic of them going 80 miles an hour in a bus.)

We stopped at the end of the island before taking the bridge back to the mainland. There was a lighthouse and an old tower that was very cool.



(friendly kitty at the end of the island - we got to pet him - it helped our kitty withdrawals - tee hee)

We then headed toward Strathpeffer and stayed at the Ben Wyvis Hotel. However, on our way we did stop and take pics of a couple different castles. Very cool. ((journal note, we also passed Loch Ness which I neglected to mention in my journal))


(Eileen Dolan Castle)

(Urquhart Castle)

The hotel is gorgeous Victorian style and there was a great band playing music (50s & 60s) after dinner. Overall it was a wonderful day.

(Yep that was our hotel!! - it rocked!)

On another note I'm not as frustrated as earlier. I spoke with my academic advisor and believe he is going to help me...we shall see. I also got to come home and play some HL2 Deathmatch - I died alot but I had SOOOOOOOOOO much fun. Now, I'm off to help Jack finish up a quest in EQII. Have a good night blogland.

Frustration

I love it when professors change due dates without informing you! I tell you what my school is about to get an earful when I talk to them! GRRRRRR I may postpone this class and thus my graduation for a month, but I don't wan tot do that. I also don't want to mess w/ my 4.0 but this class is pissing me off and this professor is ... well ... if you can't say anything nice.

I'm going back to work now - just had to vent! Talk to you later :)

Blah, Vacation and other Tidbits

I know your wondering where your vacation tidbits are and where I've been. Your all on the edge of your seat (Sarcasm at Work here - just in case you were taking me seriously :) ) Well, I wish I had a good excuse but to be honest I don't. I've just been blah. It hit me Monday like a ton of bricks, this overwhelming sense of blah. I didn't want to get off the couch to surf the net, play eq or even read. I just sat and channel surfed - sad I know. I even went for 3 days without really reading my favorite blogs or checking my email. But I'm back for however long it last and it feels good.

The bag I was working on in Scotland is virtually done; just have to do the I-cord, felt it and a bag exist. I think I may try this one next... Musique & Iceland Felted Bag Or maybe start a blanket for my Mama's Christmas present. Or.... well heck I don't know what I'm going to do, but you can bet it will be cool :) LOL

School is progressing. I still have one overdue assignment and I have one due tonight but it's progressing. Must get Motivated! The bills are paid, but spending money is short, No vacation pay for Scotland because I have not been their 6 months so I'll be hurting for a month or so, but I budgeted bills accordingly. The trip was worth it!. Life is good and the blahs are passing :)

In a couple of weeks the VOV guild will be here. My house still needs alot of work, but I can't wait for them to come and to meet everyone.

So that's all my boring tidbits for now - More of Scotland below :)

Journal Written Tuesday 5/15/06

Well, I forgot to write about yesterday so we will discuss it first.

Summary of Monday 5/15/06

We began the day in Bolton where we headed into the lake district of Scotland; or actually I believe it was still England. We saw Lake Windermere and saw a small piece of Hadrians Wall. There area had a tremendous view and this great old oak tree.



Then we reboarded the bus and headed fro Greta Green; the first town across the Scottish border. It was where the English ran to elope because the laws were less. It was a quaint little town.





Oh, but I forgot we went to Grasmere before Greta Green. Grasmere was pretty. It is where WilliamWadsworthh is buried. The tombstones in the grave yard were almost 6 ft. It was cool.



So I digress after Greta Green we drove into what is called the Lowland Hill area. It is just that filled with small hills and sheep are everywhere. ItÂ’s great. We then arrived in Glasgow, after sitting in some bad traffic. Glasgow is just another city to me. It did not grab my interest so we relaxed a good part of the afternoon.

((Journal sidenote- this is a pic of me getting a pic from the hotel window in Glasgow...I'm a good 4 feet off the ground standing in the window seal :) tee hee ))

Tuesday's Summary ... rest of this journal to follow tomorrow. Have a good night blogland.

Vacation Day 2

Journal Written Morning of May 15, 2006

Well, I was too tired to write last night but we had a great day. We spent the day traveling by bus up the English countryside.

(pic of Kanola that is used to make Kanola Oil)

We stopped by Stratford Upon Avon and spent a couple of hours. This is the birthplace of Shakespeare. The buildings are very old looking and unique. It was wonderful. We then sat and ate a BLT, which turned out to have ham on it instead of Bacon....they apparently call Ham Bacon.





We then got back on the coach and took a nap.



Afterwards we stopped by Chester. We went into this great Cathedral and then walked along the Roman wall that had been built to protect the city. The city also has what is called rows, which are basically 2 story buildings that are old and have been turned into shops. All of the buildings are old and have been maintained unlike the US where we tear down and build new. It was great.





Then we drove and slept in Bolton. Dinner was....ok. To be honest I didn't care for the Chicken Currey. We did however have dinner with a lady named Annette. She reminds me of Jenner. She is an artist and runs a murder mystery in Australia. I'll tell you about today later.

End Journal

Day 2 was indeed incredible. The birthplace of Shakespeare was so neat and we got to stop and see Ann Hathaway's cottage as well. It was such a quaint little town. Chester was very shopping oriented but it was still neat. I love the look of the buildings. The Cathedral was incredible. Such a massive structure with such architectural beauty; the stained class windows, the sculpture of the building itself. It was great.

On more current notes today has been a lazy one for me. Jack cut some of the grass, bless him, and I've well done very little. I need to work on my class but motivation has flown the coup. Maybe it will come back later... Lord knows it needs too.

Snapfish Day 1

Posting a link to the pictures here will not work because you have to be invited to view them. I have sent out email invitations, if you did not receive one and want to see the pictures please let me know your email address and I'll get one to you. I tried to remember everyone, but since it's been a while since I updated my address book I may have left someone out.

Hope you enjoy :)

Vacation Day 1

Ok, so I've decided to break this up a bit and do a vacation day post per day or maybe 2 a day depending on how I feel. Over the course of the vacation I took over 2,500 pictures (Jack took about 1800) and I want to share some of them with you. This is the only way I thought to do it that wasn't completely overwhelming. So tune in daily!

The journals were actually written in Scotland. Forgive the tone - most were written right before bed. Hope you enjoy, I'm trying to put pics with the journal as it talks about it so go past the pics to finish the journal for the day. I'm also uploading all the pics (minus blurry ones and duplicate shots, which account for quite a few of them) to Snapfish..will take all night to upload day 1; invitations and link to follow tomorrow.

Day 1 Journal - May 13, 2006

Well, today was the first of our journey. It was an exhausting day that actually began yesterday at 11:30 am EST and ended at 10:40 London time. We saw the Tower of London with the crown jewels (gaudy lookin things) and it's torture chamber. This is where three or maybe it was two (not sure) of Henry VIII's wives were killed. It was a prison and execution central.



We also had a nice four course dinner. I had Tomato Basil Soup, salad, chicken in a mushroom sauce and a really, really rich desert. Mama said she needed some fried chicken :) Then we did a cruse on the river and saw the Parilament buildings, Big Ben and many other great buildings. Took pics but it was getting dark and it was misty outside.




Tour guide was Rob - very informative and entertaining.
Now it's time to stop. Our bags have to be ready by 6:30 am. Till tomorrow good night and sweat dreams.

End Journal Day 1

Well, There is Day 1. We really did have a great time. I wish the pics from the cruise had turned out better but it was getting dark not to mention the fact that it was so drizzly. The tower was huge and old. One of the things that I found humbling about this trip was standing in buildings that existed in the 1500's ... Imagine the lives, history, and events those walls have witnessed. Plus, the fact that it was built in the 1500's and is still in use today, not only as a tourist attraction but the crown jewels that the Queen still wears at least once a year (opening of Parliament) are stored here; granted the vault is a little more modern, but still. Guards still live on the premises and people work here everyday. Can you imagine working in a 500 year old building??

On another note we got some stuff accomplished today, which felt good. I still have one over due assignment and several things that are outstanding on my list, but we did go grocery shopping, got some laundry done and grilled steaks and shrimp out on the grill. It was nice and felt good. Well, I'm off to sleep - sleep well blog land.

Secret Pal Goodies

Oooh, I love secret pals - especially mine. I came home today and received the best surprise :) I got some hemp seed lotion that feels like satin on my skin. I love it. I also got a post card and this lovely fellow. My kitties can't decide if he is friend or foe, but I've decided he's cute :) He now is hanging on my lamp post above my desk telling me I need to get off my ass and get started.

This little gift came on a day when I have more things to do then I can name, but I will try just for your sake :)

1) Statistics assignment that was due Monday.
2) 2nd Statistics Assignment due Tomorrow.
3) Vacuum House
4) Wash cloths
5) Wash Dishes
6) Go grocery shopping
7) Go thru pictures and update blog on trip...can't wait to do this. Just have to wade thru everything. I took over 500 pics a day! I'm sure you don't' want to see all of them, but I will be putting a good number on snapfish when I've gone thru them. I can't wait to tell you all about the trip and all the great things we did.
8) Scrapbook
9) Clean up house really well including basement pool room for guild get together in June.
10) Finish bag (almost done) and start something new and exciting in the knitting realm.
11) Shoot myself in the head for typing this out and truly realizing I don't have time to type this out. Grrr.

Well, anyway I really do have to get this damn assignment done. Thanks SP for making my afternoon a little better. I really do love "Jerry" which is what I have decided to name my new butterfly friend. He's so dang cute.

I Promise

I promise details and pics of the trip coming soon...I just haven't had the time or rather the energy to wade thru. I promise it won't be long...

Home Safely

Well, I am home safely and we had a wonderful time. I promise a very detailed post tomorrow but in the meantime the time differnce has gotten me and I'm crawling into bed. Expect a super long blog soon with my journal and pics from trip...

Sleep well blog land.

I'm Off

Well, We are mostly packed and are scheduled to fly out tomorrow! I'll try to post abroad but not sure it will happen, but look for lots of pics when I get back.

See you in 10 days!

Done, Done & Donner (is that a word ?) ...

Well, fellow bloggers my last assignment for this class is done and assuming I did well my 4.0 will continue. WOOT - CELEBRATE - HAPPY - HAPPY

Ok, so enough of that... so what else new is going on in my life? Not really that much actually.

We are gearing up for our trip - getting currency, packing and etc... I regret to inform you that I did not fulfill my resolution to keep the laundry done. I swear I have 10 loads or more; which shows that Jack and I have way too damn many cloths, or shall I say mainly I have too many cloths. Mama is going to come down tomorrow and spend the day at my house washing cloths (yes I'm paying her though she will probably argue about it). I just don't see where I have the time before I leave and I need my cloths to take with me. After Scotland I'm keeping them better caught up...yall hold me to that :)

Secret Pal 8 is about to begin. I received my spoilee the other day -> very exciting. I really enjoyed the last one. I need to remember to pick her something up in my travels, maybe some yarn from Scotland??? Not sure if the tour I'm on will detour to find a knitting store but I'll figure something cool out :)

My knitting is kinda at a stand still. I want to get the Booga Bag I'm working on fixed so that I can easily knit it in the plane. Fixed you ask? Oh, yes I had to take roughly 20 rows out of it and redo them. I'm still getting used to circular needles and apparently I flipped the bag or started knitting in the wrong direction because I had 10 or so rows with the knots on one side and 20 or so with them on the other...why didn't I catch it earlier you ask? Because I'm a dumb ass :) So anyway I need to go recount the rows that I didn't have to take out; which I'm not good at doing; readjust my stich counter and go at it again. I plan to take it on the plane with me; since they are circular needles and I'm really hoping the security peps don't want to take them away. I'm only carrying the one pair on the plane; the others I may need during my trip are being tucked away in my luggage to be checked.

I'm thinking about trying to sale some of my photography; I'm going thru the archives marking pics that I may be able to sale. I may try to sale them online; or at a craft fair; or heck I don't know what the best way to try is. I don't want to spend $100 on a table at a fair and not be able to sale anything...I just don't know if peps will buy them and it cost money to buy the mats, bags to hold them in and to have them printed. Ugh...I want to do it but don't really know how without taking a financial risk. Might try online first - maybe set up a site like I've seen some peps do for their knitting stuff. Any ideas / suggestions / votes of confidence accepted and appreciated.

Hmmm...what else to tell you tonight? Something inspirational and awe inspiring for sure...hmm let me think -------------- Nope nothing comes to mind :) So I will just bid you a wonderful nights sleep filled with puffy clouds and silver linings :)

Quote

I'm writing my last assignment for this class and found the following quote that I really liked...

"People are disturbed not by things, but by their perception of things…" - Epictetus –

Will post more later - I just had to share that :) 2 More workin days and I'm off to Scotland.

SP8 Questionnaire

Another SP about to start - can't wait. Here is my questionnaire.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love fibers that are soft to the touch such as Alpaca and etc… I also like the Noro yarns because of the colors.

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

A hand sewn case that ties.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

Almost a year; still at beginner level.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

No

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

I’m not a big candle person – the stong smells they generate tend to give me headaches. I do love flowery smells for bath products and Cool Water is my fav perfume.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Brownies are always good. Chocolate and hard candies are as well… I love anything that is sweet really.

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

Digitial Photography, Scrapbooking, Make homemade frames

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

Country and some soft rock. My comp can play MP3's

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

I like pinks and reds. Also love the autumn colors.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Married with 2 cats

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

All of the above; but not too heavy; doesn’t get that cold down here.

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

I’m really enjoying bags right now and scarves. I’m still very much a beginner so this is about all I’ve done.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Booga Bag, Scarf

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Absolutely

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

Bamboo - Straight

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

No

17. How did you learn to knit?

Sister-in-law, books and internet help.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?

2 months

19. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

20. Is there anything that you collect?

Stuff with dolphins and / or butterflies…. Can never get enough picture frames either.

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

Hmm… not that I can think of

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Just need to get better at reading patterns so I can branch out.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

No, unsure of sock size – shoe is 7 1/2

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

July 10th

Personality

I took this personality test for my class - man it nailed me :( check out the link for details on Me :)

I'm a O7-C86-E31-A2-N80 Big Five!!

Patience, Will Power, Love, Desire

Emotions, personalities, problems, etc... we all have them. I'm sitting here thinking, thinking of life, of love, of passion, of disappointment of life in general. I find myself disappointed in myself, in my ... well, I can't even put a word on it. However, I know that I am capable of more.

I shouldn't be dragging my feet with school, I shouldn't be worried about a guild that will survive no matter what, I shouldn't be wanting to sit around the house and do nothing. I have a good life that I love; I have a home that while not my dream is mine, I have food in my belly and money to have some pleasures yet I take no pride in it. The house is a mess, no you don't have to kick your way thru it but it needs to be cleaned, the yard is a disaster that we need to tackle and I've been saying I'm going to clean up the basement for a year. I have assignments due and I'm waiting till the last minute, I have a bag that I want to knit, but no energy to knit it, my scrapbooking is crying for my attention yet all I want to do is lay on the couch and watch tv or read...or play EQ but honestly I don't have the energy to do that. Am I sick, no - just lazy.

I say I'm lazy and then something rises up inside of me and tells me that I'm not. That I do more than enough... I get up and go to work, 1 15 min one way and then I come home and finish my assignments to maintain the 4.0. Then another part of me yells that the 4.0 is not really that hard and that I need to get off my lazy ass and do something useful with my time. The ultimate internal struggle that I'm sure lazy will win. Man you can tell it's that time of the month... I don't know what's wrong with me. One day I'm so happy you would think the sun rose just for me and the next you would think I need to be put on anti-depressants. I'm just restless; this trip should do us good. God I hope so. I need some inspiration, I need some internal strength to rise up inside of me and take hold, I need the will power to get off my ass and do something other than sit here and whine about it. I need something.

I see all these people running and exercising and realize I would probably feel better if I would do something, but then at the same time I don't have the will power to clean the house much less exercise everyday or every other day. Sorry for the whinny post - I just needed to vent for the 2nd time today.

Change

Change is inevitable and sometimes good, but in this case I find it very saddening. My EQ guild is breaking up; we will still be the VOV for first person shooters and long term friends but since so few people login at a given time many of our members are changing guilds. They want us all to come, a kind of guild merger, but I don't think I'm game. I don't play enough to be of real benefit to a new guild and I have zero desire to reprove my abilities. As a female it is hard to convince people that you will be a good tank and you are constantly chosen over; with the VOV that's not the case. They know I'm a competant tank and even if I have off days they still let me play without giving me hell. I love my guild and know without question that they will always be there as friends, but I still find this move sad. Understandable because people are correct, we very rarely have enough on for a full group and raiding is virtually impossible but that is ok with me...I like playing with my friends and have not in the two years I have been playing with them ever been lfg; it's either a guild group or no group at all for me.

Ah well, change is inevitable.

Guilty ?

I've just finished reading my novel, a rather good read, but I could not fully enjoy it. I kept thinking of the assignment due this evenign and the fact that I had to come up here and write it. So upon completing my novel; I climb up the stairs, with extreme reluctance, look at the task list to see what it is that I have to concentrate on and low and behold my next assignment isn't due until 5/2. Now granted it's a big one; it will suck as it will require alot of work this weekend but I could have read my book without guilt. Ah well - teach me not to look. On the otherhand WOOT I don't have to do anything tonight.

It's strange -> I'm tired. I could lay down on the floor right now and pass out just like I was sleeping on a cloud. Why, you ask... I have no idea, I haven't done anything strenous, my week has been relatively low stress and I'm generally happy. I'm assuming it has to do with that time of the month, my sinuses and well just because... but I'm sure after I sleep until Noon tomorrow it will be fine :) Tee Hee

I want to play Eq some this weekend; I want to clean out the basement, I want to work on my bag while watching hours of television, I want to sleep for hours on end, I will be doing some of the above and writing a paper that I don't want to write. But on a brighter note two weeks from now I will be flying off to Scotland. OMG I can't wait. I can't wait to see Scotland, to take thousands of pictures, but more than that I can't wait to get away. To get away from the mundane, the required, the reality of life. I need an escape and I can think of no better place to get one :)

I know I'm bouncing off the walls tonight but on another topic I may try to sale some of my photography. I'm looking at matting a few and trying to sale them at a trade show or two. Maybe a craft fair. I'm not sure if I have any that are good enough, but I'd like to see. If all fails I'll have some nice pics matted and ready to be given as gifts for those peps who are too nice to tell me to my face that I suck. We shall see - - we shall see.

Well, I'm drained and hyper at the same time which normally means one thing - I need to go to sleep before I do something stupid so good night dear world. See you tomorrow :) May your dreams be filled with rainbows and cotton candy.

Stupid

Have you ever met one of those people that just make you feel incompetent, stupid, that you are generally a waste of space on the planet. There is a guy in my class who does this. I met with him tonight (in a chat room) and was discussing our upcoming group project and since there was not too much to discuss we got off topic. His father is 90 and requires alot of care so to be conversational I mentioned that my father had died of Lugaricks in 04 ... which he promptly corrected is spelled Lou Garhricks (or something like that) and proceeded to give me links and a detailed description of what the disease does. Ok, so I can't spell it - I spell Chemo Kimo - but that doesn't mean I don't know what the damn disease does - I watched it. It just irked me and what is even more funny about this is that I have been in classed off and on with him since September and was so impressed that he was always to find so many great resources (websites) quickly that were relevant to the subject.

Why do I post this you ask. To Vent? No, not really, or that is not my main reason, but to point out that what you like about someone one minute will annoy the living dog shit out of you the next. Isn't that amazing. Why is that? I guess you can have too much of a good thing.

I'm spending the night w/ Mama tomorrow night. I'm hoping to make that a weekly thing, but we shall see. When we get into the new office it will be almost 2 hours to get to her house from work so I have a feeling that the visits will taper off again. Which is good and bad. Good in that I will not want to kill her as often and distance makes the heart grow fonder; bad in that I won't get to see my Mama as much and Jack won't get the house to himself for a night to pretend he misses me while taking up the ENTIRE bed.

Well, I guess I'm done for the night. Nothing else comes to mind to post, my brain is tired and my eyes are drooping so it's off to bed I go. Good night sweet world, may your evening be filled with dreams of .... well I can't think of what I want to wish so lets just say sweet dreams .

Good Times

It was a good weekend and it has been a good day! Why? You ask...Well, some I can tell you and some I will leave to your very overactive imaginations.

No I didn't get my paper wrote Friday night - I went and watched TV. I know shame shame.

Saturday I slept late, then Jack and I ran several errands. Afterwhich we went to see "American Dreamz." I do not under any circumstances recommend it; it had it's funny moments but over all not worth the $18 price for 2 peps to go to a movie; maybe when it gets to $1 rentals would I watch it. But it was a nice time out. After the movie we came home and I was bored.... I convinced Jack to do and adult photo shoot with him behind the camera....No pictures will ever be posted anywhere, but it was fun! and so was what came after :) tee hee

Sunday I slept even later. Woke up with a raging headache....slept too long probably. I vegged most of the day watching tv and movies. Jack and I went and bought Memoirs of Geisha; it was very good! Then we had another entertaining adult evening then all I can say is Wow too...This poses a question for the ladies who read my blog. Do you ever cry during or after sex, not a bad cry, just an emotional release you didn't know you needed? Or am I just a freak? Hey let me know :) I may need to go see the looney doc next week.

And then today I went to work, worked overtime without meaning too (looked up and it was 45 min past time for me to leave and came home. Now I am going to write my paper that was due Friday so that I will be ready to write the one due tomorrow. I will be so glad when I am done with this...I graduate in December! It needs to come faster!

Tomorrow during lunch I'm hoping to get some more done on my bag...I want to have it done or at least well on the way before I go to Scotland...or maybe I'll just take it with me. Who knows...I can't wait. Three more weeks and I'm outta here....Yay!!!

Well, have a great night blogland. May you never procrastinate!

2nd Post of The Day

I know I've already posted and I should be writing my paper but I just want to go on record as saying I love my husband. He annoys me and I love him, he's good to me and I love him, he doesn't fit in a box which may be why I love him. No, he's not the super romantic man that I hear some women speak of, he's not one who loves to do chores around the house and to fix things, he actually hates to do stuff around the house (who honestly doesn't?) but he is my man. He plays computer games and tolerates my mood swings; he understands that sometimes I'm needy and sometimes I want to be left the hell alone, he says I love you and gives me kisses when I have bad breath...he is my husband - my friend - my lover and my life line. I love him with everything that I am ..........

Just had to share. Ok so now I'm writing my paper - really I am.......on the count of three....1, 2, 2 1/4, 2 1/2.....ok, ok, Im going. May you hold that special person extra tight tonight.

Time Escapes Me

Where does the time go? This week it feels like I have been constantly busy and am still behind or at least I feel that way. Monday I had a business appointment in the morning and then worked from home that afternoon; frustrating process. Tuesday I went to work and had an NAIW meeting that evening then I had to come home and write a paper (got to sleep around midnight). Wednesday I was at work by 6:45 am and and left at 5:30 pm -> trying desperately to get caught up; yesterday I was at work from 7:15 to 6 and today I was out on business appts all day so I'll probably behind the 8 ball again on Monday. I have another paper due tonight not to mention the 5 files I brought home with me to work on, but do you know what? I'm happy! I love my life. Job is good, Jack is great and I am happy! I know I've said it but before but it feels good to be happy! Refreshing to wake up and go yea I'm happy to be me. No, my life isn't perfect, far from it, and there is more than one day this week I would love to have stayed home and slept but I'm happy!

Scotland is less than 3 weeks away. Our tickets came yesterday with a wealth of information!!! Oh, I can't wait. Mama had her chemo Monday and she got sick yesterday - it seems to take 3 days to catch up with her but she should be feeling better next week and her next chemo isn't until after the trip! I spent the night with her on Wednesday night and she seemed more like my Mama than she has in a long time! I was so glad. My brother is still sleeping there - not sure what's going on there. I hope they work it out.

Well, I guess I better get to writing my paper - have a good weekend blogland!

How is Everyone?

I hope all of you in blog land had a wonderful Easter. My husband and I had a good one - we drove around a bit, ate at the Waffle House and went to the movies. It was nice and relaxing. I find lately that I am restless...I know I want to do something but have no idea what. I'm bored but lazy - just generally restless. Why? Who knows. Maybe it's because I know Scotland is less than a month away or maybe it's just because I'm in a restless mood. Hopefully it will pass soon....

Well, night blog land. Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite.

Friendly Neighborhood Reminder

Lotus Knits gave a comment reminding me that I'm a procrastinator and she is absolutely 150% correct :) However, I have not been procrastinating regarding the blog I just haven't been in a sharing mood lately. No, blog land I have no deep secrets to hide, well none that have happened in the past week. I've just been lazy. My week has consisted of lots and I mean lots of tv; a little family; some knitting and a little bit of reading. I've been a total slacker and have loved it.

However, now it's time to get back on track - to get refocused. So thank you Lotus Knits for helping me to realize what a complete laze I've become. I came up here tonight and wrote my paper that was due Tuesday; we had to go out of town for Jack's uncle's funeral so I didn't' get it done on Tuesday and yesterday I sat on the couch and was too tired / lazy to come do it. Now its done. I have another short one due tomorrow and then I can take the Easter weekend off - woot! I have no idea what we are going to do yet, but hey it's a 3 day weekend and that's all I care about. I'm sure EQ will be involved some time.

Well, I'm off to bed. I promise to share pics of the bag I'm knitting tomorrow! Sleep well blog land.

Procrastination and Well Nothing...

Yep, you heard right blog land I've procrastinated. I know your in shock - you can't believe that I put something off. Those that have been reading a while will know what a load of shit that just was so I digress. I have a paper due Friday and I haven't read hardly anything so I'll be doubling up over the next couple of days and then playing EQ all day on Saturday. Yep, I'm having an EQ athon...can't wait. We played tonight and had a great time!

On another topic I'm training an account manager at TT&H tomorrow for the small accounts desk. A pretty big compliment if you ask me. Hey, I know you don't work here anymore and I'm going to have to make a deal with your boss but can you please come train our account manager for small accounts. "No one has ever done it better." I was honored, not to mention happy about seeing everyone again. I really enjoyed working there; I would have to say it was my favorite place to work thus far - traffic was just too bad. 2 hours one way home; couldn't do it anymore.

Well, off to bed to dream of gingerbread men. Have a great night.

Happier Day

Today was better, when I have days or shall I say weekends, like the past few I just need to remember that the days are just that days. I haven't heard from Mama or Jean - made some calls and left voicemail, but I assume they are both ok. I pray they are both ok. I know now somewhere deep down that Mama will be fine and that the drugs just need to be adjusted. I want to thank everyone for their comments and continued prayers.

Now on to lighter subjects because well because I feel lighter :) Tee Hee

I promised pics so here you go ...

Here the shawl that I just finished (still need to add fringe). The pic below is much better representation of the color.















Then, onto my next project another Booga Bag - I know I really should move to something harder but I'm enjoying this.


Here's the lovely yarn...hoping these greens and blues will turn out as nicely as the reds and pinks did.

And my progress thus far...









And for those of you who didn't believe me when I told you I threw my phone ....I can still talk on it though (if I use speaker) just can't see any display. Verizon is shipping me a new one - thank goodness for insurance :)


Well, I'm off to watch some TV and relax before I listen to the lecture for my class and begin reading the many many chapters I need to read. I also plan on finding some time to play Everquest II. Gotta play.... Tee Hee

OMG

I have spent the last two hours trying to connect my mother to Jean. Mama was following Jean and got lost.... I told her not to drive after dark; she listens about as well as a deaf mute. I love her. I can't handle this right now - I really just can't handle this. My cell phone is in pieces where I threw it when I hung up. Jean is taking her to the doctor tomorrow for me...this is insane. I'm about to go insane.

I'm so worried...so stressed...so emotional...just so...

Please keep us in your prayers.

Gotta Share

I know I said I was going downstairs to destress, but I decided to read blogs instead. My friend Andy posted this and I just love it. What a perfect description of a rainy day...

http://jamespurcell25.blogspot.com/2006/04/world-is-taking-nap.html

Wow, Almost a Week

Wow, it's been almost a week since my last update. Sorry guys - just haven't felt like bloggin or doin much of anything for that matter. Well, anyway let the blogging begin :)

Friday we had a dinner to celebrate Jacks graduation from college. It was a blast - 12 of us, family and friends at the Olive Garden. Dynamite time- just dynamite. It was great to see some old friends - Donnie and his wife, Billy & Terry, I met a new friend of Jack's - Tripp, and we got to see Jacks' Mom and step dad. My mother was supposed to be there but I'll explain that later. Anyway we had a great time and fantastic service!

Now let's discuss my mother. I love my Mama - she is my best friend, but right now she needs help. I'm not sure if she had a small stroke or if it is just a combination of all these drugs she's on but she's looney. I didn't realize just how bad she was until I spent the entire weekend with her...let me explain. Ok, first you can't hardly understand my Mother on the phone; her speech is extremely slurred. I attributed it to waking her up or she was tired, but no her speech is slurred period. It's much more noticeable over the phone, but its there all the time. Second she's not thinking straight - I mean crazy person. Let me explain:

Friday Mama is supposed to meet us in Douglasville, GA at the Olive Garden which is on the opposite side of town as my home. I wanted her to meet me at work and then I'd just take her back to her car on Monday but she didn't want that. So Friday at 5:00 she calls to tell me she is stuck in traffic on 400. Then at 6:15 (dinner starts at 6:30) she calls to tell me she went the wrong way on 285 and asked for directions again. I try to help her navigate back and then I give Jack the phone because he's so much better w/ directions. 20 minutes later she calls back - has completely not followed any of the directions we gave her and is even more lost; lost to the point that I can't identify where she is. She finally gets to my house around 8:30 pm! She left her house at 3:30 and on normal days it is a hour and 1/2 drive; traffic sometimes 2 to 2 1/2.

Ok, so when she gets here I realize that she is driving the van. The full size conversion van whose mirrors don't work and whose windows wont' roll up. She has a small compact car but it wasn't running Friday, not sure what's wrong with it, so she decides to drive the van. Yes, I wanted her to come but not at the risk of killing herself. Do you know how hard it is to drive a full size conversion van in rush hour Atlanta with the mirrors? Much less without?

We get the van pulled into the driveway and park it. She then stays at the house all weekend. You can tell she just doesn't feel good. Her hands are shaking so bad that I had to mop the kitchen twice from where she spilt drinks and didn't even realize it. Plus she comes off with conversation and you have no clue what in the heck she is talkin about. Before the surgery my mother was invincible or so it seemed to me - this weekend it seemed like she had aged 30 years overnight. Oh, but I'm not done yet...

So today I call to check on her and I can't get an answer at my house or on her cell (which she can't figure out how to answer) so I call Jean. Her and Jean were supposed to go shopping today so I figure they are together. Jean in a non-chalant way, because she assumed I knew, told me she was on the way to my house to get the van out of the ditch. She had backed it off the left side of my driveway into the ditch...all 4 wheels. Now for those of you who have seem my home you will know this is not difficult to do, however all 4 wheels is a little amazing. Apparently they got it out because the van is not here, Mama is not here and there are rutts in my yard the size of Mississippi. She's not answering any of her #s so hopefully she got home before traffic. Yes, I told her to ride home w/ Jean and that I would get the van home to her...did she listen...No.

I'm really hoping that it is the combinations of medicines causing her to seem so out of it: some type of Chemo pill, nausea medicine (that I only thought she needed to take for a few days after the Chemo but she's still on it), indigestion meds, high blood pressure meds (that she can't find), some type of nerve pill and paxel another nerve pill. Oh plus a pill for restless leg syndrome. God help her. She said she would call the doc today and see what's goin on...did she - I don't know. God I hope so.

Please from this rant don't think I don't love my mother I do - dearly, but something is wrong. We just have to figure out what.

Next Topic:

School starts back this week. 9 chapters to get read and a discussion board due Friday - You can feel the excitement, can't ya? Tee Hee

The guild logged onto the regular server last night. We all went into the Silent City and played around - loads of fun. I love grouping w/ guildies. Now if I can just talk them into giving up PvP completely.

I started a new bag :) and finished my shawl (other than adding the fringe) pics to follow later.

Well, I'm going downstairs to destress for a bit. Later blog land - hope you have a restful evening.

Update

Time to give you some updates/boring tidbits/pieces of recent information:

First I got to Mama's house Sunday night and there is my brother looking sad and lonely. I should feel sorry for him, should reach out a helping hand, should feel something other than anger but anger is what I feel so for now I'll roll with that. Mama looked tired and had some severe acid reflux, something she never had before the surgery. She was also hungry so we went to Waffle House, my brother stayed there. We invited him but I'm so glad he didn't go. I ordered food I knew I wouldn't eat so that my mother would eat ... she ate her entire plate. The waitress also said that bakin soda and water was good for acid reflux so we tried it since the medication wasn't workin and it actually helped her. We then went back to Mama's and I stepped over my brother snoring in the floor as I made the way to the guest bedroom he was gracious enough to give up for me. Gracious... oh stopping now before I go off ranting.

Well, anyway we get up Monday and went out to breakfast and then went to the clinic. We figured we would be out of there by one or two and I had actually planned on working 1/2 a day -> WRONG. We got there at 10 at which time they informed us they have to do labs before they can begin. That took 2 hours and then the treatment was 4 1/2 hours and it will be 4 1/2 hours each time. I didn't mind the wait or would not have minded the wait had I been mentally prepared for an all day event but both of us expected a couple hours and then we would be out. Little did we know. Plus, they only allow family back during the 1st kimo treatment so they are not really set up for visitors. The majority of the day I sat on a folding metal chair, man was I sore. On the bright side I got my shawl done (pics to be posted tomorrow) and Mama's first treatment is out of the way. By the time we got out of there I was aggravated enough to spit fire and trying not to show it for Mama's sake...I wasn't too successful.

Good news though - she hasn't been sick from it yet. A little queasy but not really sick. Keep hoping that all of her treatments are like that.

On other fronts my Everquest guild has started playing on a Player vs Player server - I don't know I just don't enjoy it as much. I like my main character and really do not have alternate characters like many people so having to start over on another server where I have to watch out for guys much higher level than me hunting me down for the sheer fun of it isn't that much fun. Maybe it will grow on me because Lord knows I love playing with the guild. I can't wait till a bunch of them come down in June. It's going to be so much fun to have them here.

I also signed up for secret pal 8 today - WOOT. SP7 was so much fun...can't wait to do it again.

I'm so restless right now. I want to punch something or scream until I wake up the world or cry until I pass out in exhaustion. I don't know why or what is going on all I know is that I need a release...I need a moment of clarity, happiness, peace. I need something; here's praying I find it soon.

Sleep well blog land. I wish you restful dreams and peaceful days.

The Big Reveal

I received a package late yesterday afternoon and my pal was revealed. I just want to say Thank you Beth for being a great secret pal. I know, I know your dying to see what I received in my final package. Well, I got a really cute butterfly notebook, a card and these absolutely wonderful hand knitted socks. They fit perfect....thanks again!


Sox is sniffing of my Socks :) how cute...

Other than that life at my house has been uneventful. I'm going to Mama's tonight; her first Kimo treatment is tomorrow. My brother is staying with her as well so it should be fun ** sarcasm ** we can't be around each other for 20 minutes without arguing and especially now when I think he is taking advantage of my mother and needs to grow up and get a clue. Not to mention the fact he needs some serious anger management classes.

Well, I'm logging off before I go off on another rant. Thanks again Beth! You have been a great Secret Pal! I really have enjoyed my packages :)

Bittersweet - A Day to ... Well A Day

There are days that go by one wants to remember, there are days that go by one wants to forget and then there are just the days. Most of the 365 days that make up a year are just that - days; they are neither memorably bad or memorably good - they are just another tick on the clock, another rotation of the earth, another day. I mean think about it - How was your day last Wednesday?, Wednesday the 22 of last month?, last year? Get's a little fuzzy for most of you doesn't it? Yep, just another tick in the yearly rotation. So what was today for you - was it something you will remember for ever or was it just a day? I believe this to be a good perspective when judging exactly how bad something is. When you have had what you believe to be an absolutely horrible day you should stop and think - "Will I remember this next week? next month? next year? Hell, will you remember it tomorrow?" This helps to put the days in perspective for me. My perspectives are as follows:

Happiest Days/Memories of my life (in no certain order):
- Day I had my Easter dress on and I went to sit in a bucket of water - no I don't really remember it but the stories make me happy :) and I remember them.
- The day I met Jack. He was leaning back on his 3000 GT with his arms crossed, his combat boots on and a look that showed he thought he ruled the roost. The people around him were dim in comparison.
- The day I married Jack - I remember the look on his face when he saw me...priceless
- The day I met and fell in love with Jack's grandmother, Hapaw. She reminds me so much of my Big Mamaw.
- Playing board and card games with my Big Mamaw
- Playing pool with Riffe, Purcell and Kwamu at the college
- Having my former boss, Dwight, talk about my work and me with pride.
- Talking to my Mama about nothing for hours as she was silently wishing I would shut-up because it was the 15th time I had said the same thing.
- Blowing up the mexican dish and having my mother run out of the bedroom in a panic.
- Flirting and playing pool on Thursday nights at the Wildhorse with Jason and David

** I'd like to note here that only one of my happy moments that I will remember forever have to do with school and / or work. So why is it that we spend so much energy trying to excel there when our real source of happiness is elsewhere. I'm not saying don't do your best - just don't let it be your life - life is at home with your family or with your friends so LIVE it **

Worst Memories
- Most are unspeakable but let's just say in the grand scheme of things they pale in comparison and the numbers are far less. Therefore, I am under the impression that while there are more days, general unmomentious days than there are happy or bad ones; there are also many more happy ones than there are horrible ones. In every bad day I'm sure you can find one good moment, weather it be a sweet spring wind, a sunset, or a cherry blossom falling in your hand...if you look for them they are there.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh, my goodness - dwelling on memories is over now. Tee Hee. Just a bit of philosophy I really didn't know was in me until my fingers began to move on the keyboard. Now, back to real life.

I mailed my last secret pal gift today....she (Jae) will know who I am by Friday. Very exciting! I want to take this moment to say that it has truly been a joy playing the part of your secret pal. I hope you have enjoyed your gifts and I hope to keep in touch! I believe that I have made a real friend thru this exchange! I can't wait to see who my secret pal is - she has been great!!!! Suspense - Suspense :)

On a darker note Mama is going to have to undergo 4 Kimo treatments. Her chance of survival without them is 70% - with them it is 85% - so she is going for them and I'm glad. I feel sorry for her though, she is going to lose her hair and the treatments make you physically sick. Here's hoping her side-effects will be minimal. On a happy note she was able to plan the treatments around our trip to Scotland so she is still going with us - WOOT. I'm spending the night with her tomorrow night so I probably won't be bloggin.

Well, enough jabber for now - Have a good night everyone!

Life

Life is an unquestionable gift - an unpredictable puzzle - a renlentless ride - a joy - a sorrow - Life is just that Life.

So what are we doing with our lives and what makes one person's life more valuable, more joyous, more rewarding or more miserable than someone else's? What gives some people tempers that are uncontrollable? and others an unwavering mentality and patience? I guess we should look at the differences among people as a gift as well; I mean what would happen if we were all the same? How boring would or life be? But sometimes I wonder if the extremes of our temperament wouldn't be better to be forgotten.

I know your wondering what brought on this rant, this deep insight, this list of unanswerable questions up. The answer is simple - drama. I will avoid details here, but lets just say divorce of someone close is never fun and the drama surrounding it is even worse; especially when the husband (whom I happen to be closer to than I am the wife) is a controlling, violent asshole that deserves 95 % of what he gets. I would have left him 10 years ago, but that's just me. Well anyway enough of my cryptic rant. Let's just say I wish all was happy in the world and that people's controlling violent tendencies did not exist.

On happier notes things are well with Jack and I. We are about to celebrate the fact he is graduating with his undergrad. My MBA has a break in it until 4/1 :) plus I finished one of the subcomponents and earned one of my professional certificates - WOOT! Mama is doing much better, she doesn't need the drama she is having to deal with right now but she's holding her own. She goes tomorrow just to make sure she doesn't need Kimo. Pray with me that she doesn't.

The shawl is very slowly progressing...I want to go buy some more yarn for another Booga bag. I enjoyed making mine and thought it would be a good gift. EQII is going well. The guild is actually going to get together for a weekend in Real life -> I get to play hostess here in Atlanta. I can't wait to meet everyone...how much fun!

Well, gotta go get some sleep. I hope all of your lives are filled with peaceful moments and rays of sunshine.

My Fav Drink - How Cool

You Are a Strawberry Daiquiri

You're a fun, playful drinker who loves to party.You may get totally wasted, but you're always a happy drunk!

What Mixed Drink Are You?

Slacker

Wow, I've been a slacker. A full week since my last post - sorry peps. So what's been going on with me? Let me give you the weekly speel

Monday -> Pretty much an uneventful day.
Tuesday -> Pretty much the same.
Wednesday -> Horrible day. Pam a lady at work informed me that I make her feel stupid. The fact is I have to retrain her on everything...it sucks. I'm trying to do as nicely as possible but when it's wrong - it's wrong. She's not stupid but I'm not going to let her continue messing up so I'm trying to be nicer....I'm not good at nice.

Thursday -> Walked on egg shells at work, but got some good stuff done. Wrote a paper for school.
Friday -> About the same as Thursday with work. Came home BS's a paper which earned my A in the class. Now I have a 2 week break before my next class - WOOT. Found out that Jack passed his exam so he has finished his degree. So exciting. Then we played EQ for hours...we actually had a lot of guild members on. It was great.

I slept till 2 today and I'll be playing EQ most the day :) Woot. Mama is doing well, I think she is planning on going home today from my brothers. Now she just has to get in a routine from being retired....

Well, that has been my week. I get to mail off my last secret pal gift on Monday and reveal myself. How exciting.

Talk to you soon.

Good Weekend

Jack and I had a good weekend. We got up early Saturday morning and drove his Hapaw to Decatur AL to stay with her sister. I'm normally very nervous around new people so I was dreading having to visit with her sister and brother-in-law but they were great people and we really did have a wonderful time. They have this screen porch that is to die for...may be our next update to the house. Anyway after we had lunch with them and said goodbye to Hapaw we headed to a good friend of mines home to stay the night - Rev. Lester and Linda Cowan. I really wanted to see them and couldn't see not paying a visit since we were so close and well frankly I wanted to go to church and we haven't found one around here; granted I haven't been looking lately but....

The visit was nice. Linda can cook, boy I tell you what. I think I gained three pounds. We played spades (Lester and I winning of course) and then went to church this morning. All I can say is that I needed it. It was uplifting and refreshing. Jack and I will be finding a church in the area.

On another note one of their daughters is knitting. I showed her last time I was over there and she is still at it. So cool. I got a bunch done on my shawl (about 1/2 done). Tee hee.

Well, off to bed or extracurricular activities - see you all later.

Almost over - Oh, but It's Not

The week is almost over - one more day until rest and relaxation. A time I would normally use to recoup my juices, but no not this weekend. Jack's grandmother needs to go to Alabama and we are taking her. I volunteered for the duty but the timing could be better. Mama just got out of the hospital yesterday and for the past week I have been going to the hospital and visiting her; we were there this weekend and I'm tired. Thankfully she's home (came home yesterday) and life is slowly getting back to normal but it will take her time to get her energy back, hell it's taking me time and I'm 24 and haven't had my lung taken out. I'm looking forward to helping Hapaw (Jack's grandmother) out and were going to spend the night with some friends while we are over there, but I'm tired. I need the weekend to rest and recoup - I need some time to be me. Weekend afernext I hope.

I'm going to sleep - sweet dreams dear world.

Woot - Its Done

Finally, the finished product...I know your all dying to see it. My first bag - how exciting. Well here you go. It is complete and actively being used. I love it!

On other topics, my shawl is coming along great... I'm just working on it as I have time or as the need for relaxation arises. No rush...I got alot of it done while being at the hospital though. Lately, I've been on a reading binge. I've read 5 novels in a week...I love to escape into another world.

Mama is doing well. She may get to come home from the hospital tomorrow. Today was the first day since Wednesday of last week I have not went to see her. I had to get my car from the shop and I had an assignment due...I'll go see her tomorrow weather she is at home or at the hospital. I kinda feel guilty about today though.

She sounded fine on the phone...more like herself than she has sounded in days. It was encouraging. Thank you to all who said a prayer or had a good thought. It is greatly appreciated.

Other than Mama, knitting, reading and the occasional log in to EQ things have been fairly uneventful here. I'm about to go delve into Nora Roberts again before I crash...I hope you all have a great evening. Here's wishing you dreams of fluffy clouds and butterfly kisses.

Another Day

Well, Mama is still in the hospital. I got there this morning at 10 and left around 6. Her color was getting alot better and she seemed to be feeling ok. She did have one bout of pain this afternoon that was pretty bad; I've never really seen my mother in pain so it was a humbling experience. I've never seen her helpless - it saddens me and causes me to feel helpless; which really I am. There is nothing I can do to make her feel better or make the incision in her back magically get well. All I can do is be there as support and let her know that I love her and that I and most everyone I know is praying for her.

It's good though - they caught it early; she is not even going to have to do Kimo. She should be plenty well in time for our trip to Scotland - WOOT.

I got some good school work done while sitting up there and some knitting done; my shawl is coming right along. I'm going to try and get the discussion board assignment that is late done tonight and then I should be caught back up. Hopefully I can stay that way.

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. Sleep well blog land.

Recovering

My Mama's surgery went well and she is at the hospital recovering...the doctor said he got all of the cancer. Here's praying he's right. As I sat in that waiting room today all I can say is...well, I don't know what to say. Exhaustion probably played a big part in my day, I slept very bad last night and we had to get up at 3:30 am. Let me walk you thru the day.

We got to the surgery pavilion at 5:10; they were not even open yet. At 5:20 the doors were opened and we walked in to wait. They took her back for pre-op at around 5:40. Not long after that a gentleman from the prayer group at my brother's church came over. Please DO NOT get me wrong. I really appreciated his thoughtfulness in wanting to come and offer comfort and support to the family and to offer his prayers. It is a great ministry and I admire it. However, my brother was not there - we had decided he would take off tomorrow and I would take watch today. I am not an overly chatty person when I first meet people, I'm very quiet and well just not social so him being there made me feel extremely awkward. What do I talk to him about? Do I have to talk to him? You probably can't imagine, but it was awkward....

I was then allowed to go see my mother after they had done all of the pre-op. My husband decided to stay in the waiting room to visit with our guest. I think he knew I needed a moment of freedom; bless him. Mama was completely lucid, though she was getting a bit droopy from the drugs. Her reaction to out guest? "Don't bring him back here." "I told Donald (my brother) there was no sense in them coming, I'm going to be asleep." "Tell Donald to come keep them company"...she is my mama and like me she tells it like it is. So, I called my brother at 6:20 in the morning and his wife answered...she had a sick child, but I basically told her that I have no idea what to talk to his friends about. I had no idea if he was coming or not because she had to let me go Aimie was throwing up. Poor kid.

So then I go back out and the guest has gone to get coffee, Mama has been rolled back and I'm starved. We waited for him for a few minutes and then me being in the extremely good mood I was in **sarcasm** decided I was going to Waffle House and I wasn't worried about the guest. So I gave my cell phone # to the wonderful receptionists (she really was great) and we went out to breakfast.

By time we came back 45 min later I was in a slighly better mood, though not much. We sit down and I begin reading my book, which I bought specifically to enjoy while waiting and low and behold here is my brother. By this time the guest had disappeared so I felt guilty for calling him, especially since he dragged the sick kid with him. However, my guilt quickly subsides when 2 more of his prayer buddies showed up. Once again I am not saying there ministry is not a good one or that it was not done with a loving caring heart, but I just wanted to read and / or knit and be left alone. Donald started talking to them and I tried to continue reading but it was no use I would inevitably be asked a question so I put the book down and began knitting on my shawl. I got alot of it done and the time passed quickly with the conversation buzzing around me...

Then about 10:30 they came to tell me she was in recovery and that they had gotten all of the cancer. Donald and his friends left - Donald with the promise that he would come back tonight and Jack and I continued to wait. We then went and asked the nurse how long she would be in recover and was told it would be well over an hour. So off to lunch we went.

On the way to lunch a client of my current company on my husbands cell phone! My first reaction was what in the Hell is this woman tracking me down for, what nerve and all to check on a quote that anyone in our office could have easily checked on. I told her I couldn't help and that I was at a hospital, after which time I called and asked Wendy who gave her my husbands cell and why? Wendy said no one - Wendy said she had not even asked to speak to anyone else. Oh, the nerve of that woman was my thought - I asked Wendy to take care of her. Then I asked Jack how in the hell she could have gotten his cell....apparently our phone here at the house was down and all calls are automatically forwarded to his cell in that case. This made me really glad I hadn't cussed her out - like I was tempted to. I don't mind them calling me at home, but as I said emotions were running high today and it didn't take much to make me snap...anyway I called work and explained how she had gotten me, I didn't want anyone to get on to her and we went to eat lunch, which was really good by the way.

After lunch we were told to go to the heart center, apparently that is where the monitor surgery patients for the first night after surgery. It is one step down from an ICU would be the only way I can describe it. We are allowed to see her from 10-11, 1 to 2, 5 to 6 and 8 to 9. By time we got back it was 1:15 and she was doing well or so they said. She was alert and talking, though very groggy and desperately wanting to go to sleep. She was exceptionally pale, this from a woman who is normally as red as a coke can and she was cold...I mean ice cold. I know it's just side effects from going under for the surgery, but the fear - the helplessness I felt at that moment was more than I had felt all day. Her best friend and her daughter (basically my sister) showed up shortly thereafter and since only 2 at a time are allowed in Jack and I left for a few and went back to the waiting area. Right before time was up I went and kissed her good bye and told her I would be back tomorrow. She said ok and for me to go home, she was going to sleep.

Donald isn't going tomorrow to stay the day, apparently his day job which lets him off to do everything else in the world won't let him off to visit his mother in the hospital...I know I'm harsh, but shit. So, I'm taking tomorrow off - does she need me there? probably not, but I don't want her in the hospital by herself, besides the room she was in is just temporary so I couldn't even leave her cloths. I'm hoping they will get her moved into a regular room soon tomorrow so I can sit with her all day. Knowing us she will be sleeping and I will be knitting/reading or napping,but I will be there. I guess that counts for something.

please keep praying - please if you do smoke - STOP - please keep your loved ones close to you tonight and be grateful for the time you have - please be grateful for what the Lord has given you I know there are times when it's tough, when things seem to be going all wrong, but remember he never gives you more than you can bear and he is there to help you thru the darkness all you have to do is take his hand - please sleep well and be at peace.

Procrastination

Yes, I'm the queen of procrastination...it should be my middle name. Yep, you guessed it I have an assignment due in a few hours that I have not even looked at. Sad I know, but I'll get it done - I hope. I really have zero desire to work on it, man where is my drive? My will?

On the other hand my bag is currently drying. It has been felted - a process my husband almost didn't live thru. OMG I have to tell you - those who have forgetful husbands will completely understand my frustration; if you don't just wait you'll have your day. I decided yesterday that the bag had been sitting long enough so I put it in the pillowcase and wash it with a load of cloths. Knowing that my husband has a habit of getting to the cloths in the wash before I do I told him not once, not twice but 3 times that my bag was in the wash and NOT to put it in the dryer. Thus, when I went in the laundry room later to get my bag and see if it needed to go thru another round of laundry it was no where to be found. So I glance at the dryer and start cussing...yep, there it was. Luckily it had not dried all the way and I think it's ok, but he got an earful. I rewashed it...better safe than sorry and it is currently blocking. I hope it's ok. The edges seem to curl at the top. Mel, are they supposed to do that?

Well, anyway one project almost done. My relaxing scarf is coming along :) nice easy knits, but its what I need right now. Actually its extremely wide so it will probably end up being more of a shawl than a scarf but I like it :)

Mama's surgery is Wednesday. She has to be at the hospital at 5:30 AM, yep you heard right AM!!! Which means we have to get up and leave her house no later than 4:30 - shoot me! I doubt I will blog tomorrow night (since I'll be at her house) and I don't know if I'll make it Wed but I'll let you know as soon as possible how things go - please keep us in your prayers.

Well, guess I'll have to get this assignment done now or maybe I'll just go to bed and worry about it later. I know total cop out, but it may go down that way.

Sleep well dear world. May the Lord bless you and your family.

Sorry

Sorry, I haven't posted this week. I really just haven't had much to say. It seems like you would have more to write about when your life is going well, but never-the-less I found myself at a loss for topics.

mamma's surgery is scheduled for Wed. I'll be spending the night w/ her Tuesday night and taking her to the hospital. She will be in the hospital for a week and then it will take 4 to 6 weeks to recover. She is going to be bored out of her mind...She is a very active person.

Other than that things are going well. Jack finished his Bachelors degree yesterday - WOOT! - as soon as we know he passed, which I'm sure he did. School for me is just trucking along. Work is good and life has been fairly uneventful. I know boring blog huh?

Well, I'll try and do better this week and blog more...I know you all are dying to here from me daily (joke). Well sleep well blog land.

Scrapbook

Ok, so I don't have the motivation to scrapbook right now...but I did make my pal a greeting
card and I decided to share with you a few of the pages I've done. I wish I had a good scanner like some of the other bloggers I've seen but I guess I'll just have to make due with pics of my pages...I need to do some more (I'm still in 03) but all in due time.

(forgive the plastic protectors I have on them... I cut the flash off but to no avail....)

This is the cover page of the 2003 album.






This is Easter with my family. You can't see the pics really well but you get the idea...Man I want a scanner now :)














This is Jack and I on a Geo-Caching outing we did. One of my favorite pages I think...not really sure why.



And this is a Ge0-Caching outing Jack and I did with his sister and brother-in-law. His sister is Lotus Knits, my knitting mentor :)

And that is all I will share for now - I have some more pages done but these are my favs. I need to do more, but they take alot of time....as if EQ doesn't I know.

Well, see you all later....maybe I'll get a good scanner eventually and you can see their true quality :)

Slacker

I know I've been slacking on my blogging - sorry!!! I know you are all dying to know what I have been up to, to see pics of the wonderful gifts from my secret pal and just to hear from me :) Tee Hee. Well, here goes:

Thursday I took the day off and took Mama to have her biopsy done. I spent the night with her Wednesday night and we were at the hospital Thursday at 9:30 am. She was not allowed to eat anything after 12 am the night before so as you can imagine she was pretty hungry and thirsty. The hospital had some type of emergency come before her so they did not take her back to have the biopsy done until right at noon. By this time she was starving...I do have to say though that the hospital staff was extremly professional and kept us in the loop. You could tell they felt sorry for the fact she was so hungry. At noon they took her back and I moved to another waiting area...during this entire waiting process I have been working on a simple scarf using regular knit stitches :) very relaxing and something to fill the time with. In the new waiting room a lady tells me she would love to learn so I began showing her the basics...about the time we get really indepth in the conversation they roll Mama out. Sorry I couldn't show her more, she was really nice. Mama was out like a light - she was moved to recovery and I followed to wait in yet another waiting room. They then called me on the waiting room phone to come back. She was in high sprits, eating and ready to go home. We had to wait at least two hours before they would release her so both of us took a nap :) I tell you those are the most uncomfortable chairs to sleep on...LOL. She is home now and the results from the biopsy should be in tomorrow, but the doc is fairly positive it's cancer. The good news is that it is really small and they believe they can get it all with surgery. She will then be in the hospital for about 5 days and on bed rest another 5, which she will hate, but ah well...

I did get about 1/3 of the scarf done. I'll finish it up while watching TV over the next couple of weeks. The bag is knitted and I need to felt it - which means I need to wash cloths - which I need to do anyway.... I should get it done this week - assuming I'm not as lazy as I was last week. I don't guess I was lazy just tired, I'm having trouble adjusting to the new sleep schedule this job requires. I have to get up at 5:30 am (I am not a morning person) - so by time I get home I'm just exhausted. All I want to do is sleep, it is all I can do to stay awake while driving...I have to make phone calls to stay up. I need to go to bed earlier, which is hard for me. I'll figure it out...I really like my new job!

Now for the moment you have all been sitting on the edge of your seats for - my wonderful secret pal gift :) It came Wednesay night while I was at Mama's - my husband called to let me know I had a package so I had an entire day of suspense knowing I couldn't get to it to rip it open. My pal Rocks - what else can I say ? Other than thank you a gizzelion times over :)




If you can't see I got two skeins fo beautiful Aurora yarn, a pair of really cute butterfly needles, a book mark with dolphins and a butterfly (my favorite animals), a knitting pocket guide and a cute card :) Thanks pal - you Rock!
I need suggestions on what to make with the yarn - something fun.....

Well, I'm off to do something crafty. Maybe I'll scrapbook, I haven't done that in a while or maybe I'll just play EQ or take a nap - Either way I'm up for enjoying my Sunday and I hope you do the same.

What Animal Were You?

Tee Hee - Wasn't I a cute Lizard :)

You are able to bounce back from adversity and regenerate what was lost.Facing your fears and controlling your dreams comes easily for you.

What were you? http://blogthings.com/whatanimalwereyouinapastlifequiz/

Thank you

Thank you secret pal for my wonderful gift :) I love the yarn and everything :) Thanks so much. I'll post pics for the rest of you tomorrow - too tired tonight. I've been at the hospital all day with Mama; she had a biopsy done. We will know more by Monday.

Thanks for all of your prayers.

Valentines Day

Today is Valentines Day, the day love is in the air....you ask what are Jack and I doing? We are going home watching TV, doing homework and may go grocery shopping. How exciting :) tee hee You know what I really wouldn't have it any other way. We had a great dinner our Friday and I'm not in the mood for much else. Besides that we need to save money - just spent 6K on a new HVAC unit!

Mama has her doctor's appointment today so we will find out more about the Cancer and hopefully the surgery will be scheduled. The sooner the better. Other than that not much has been going on. Just working and going to school. I finished my first assignment last night for this new class - the next one is due on Friday. So far I like the instructor; he tells it like it is... also it's hilarious - he grades your assignment where everyone can see the comments. Granted I may not like that fact once he gets to mine, but it really helps you see what he likes and doesn't like.

I think the i-cord for my bag is done...now I just have to figure out the next step and finish it up. I also need to decide what my next project is going to be....I may try an afghan. Or may just do a simple scarf for presents...or another bag... we shall see, we shall see.

Well, my lunch break is almost over - I wish you all a great day!

Not Much to Post

Not much to post today - been extremly lazy. Watched tv, slept and played EQ :) My kind of day.

Well, just wanted to say hi blog land - hope your weekend has been as uneventful and restful as mine :)

Phantom Reader

Everything is ok here. Mama's appt with the surgeon to find out what is next is on 2/14; work is good; new class has stared with an assignment due on Monday; the new HVAC unit was installed today (WOOT) and Jack and I have a date tonight. Yep you read it right - a date. Were going out to dinner and a nice evening out! I'm looking forward to it.

Also, a friend of mine commented on the telephone to me about my blog today. She was saying she was sorry to hear about my mother. I didn't figure she ever read it - I"m really glad she does. It did however make me me wonder how many other phantom readers are out there reading my daily ramblings ? The more the merrier and I love comments :) Tee Hee

Well, time to get ready for my date. Pics of my i-cord that I'm almost done with; if I'm not already and other interesting tidbits to follow later.

Have a fun Friday night blog land ;)

WOOT - A

One more thing - I checked my grade right after my last post! I made an A in my class; WOOT!!! HOORAY!!!! CARTWHEELS OUT THE DOOR!!!! YAY!!!!!

Next class starts tomorrow, but one more down :)

Night all - I wish you dreams of family and peace.

Update

I need to post a pic of my bag the right way, I need to post a pic of the I-cord I'm about 1/2 way done with, I need to read some to get ahead in my next class, I need to put the laundry away and wash some more cloths, I need to do a lot of things....I'm going to post; pack a bag and go to bed.

I discussed with Mama her illness in more detail today, after I had time to calm down. There 99% sure it's lung cancer - once she speaks to the surgeon and is able to ask some questions she will be 100%. However it is very small and and it is isolated - they caught it early which is great news. Until she has the appointment with the surgeon that is all we know. My brothers are each stressing in their own way; we all are I guess. I'm going up tomorrow night and spending the night with her. She actually lives closer to my work than I do so maybe I'll get an extra hour of sleep. Tomorrow I have 9:30 business meeting in Atlanta so I'll get to sleep and extra couple of hours...no sense driving an hour to work, turning around and driving an hour back to make the meeting so I get sleep - WOOT!!!!

Well, I would post more but I'm sleepy...the handle is coming along slowly. I haven't felt like knitting when I get home and you can't get a lot done during lunch.... Here's praying I get caught up on my sleep and get readjusted to my new schedule; here's praying that my Mama comes thru this; here's thanking God for my family and friends who are praying with me or for those not religious but are thinking good thoughts :) Special thanks to Tid and Lotus Knits for their comments today; it was good to know someone is there :) I love you guys.

Mortality

My mother is by far my best friend; heck she is my only friend. I have friends in Everquest (Tidbit, Veso, Ace and many more), but here in GA I have no real friends. There's my husband who is the greatest, but sometimes you need a friend other than your spouse. Then there's Andy who is always good to laugh with and always lends me a shoulder to cry on, but you can only talk about certain things to your Ex; therefore the role of girl friend, best friend, confidant has been given to my mother. She is my rock. When it gets bad I go to Mama, when it gets happy I go to Mama, when it's just going I go to Mama. So today when I found out she has a small mass in her left lung that may or may not be cancerous it devastated me. I lost my father in May of 04 and while we were not close it was still a hard blow; the thought of losing my Mama is unbearable.

She is a strong woman. She stands on her own two feet and dares the world to knock her down! She is my inspiration and I thank God everyday that he chose her to be my Mama. As she said "I'm not Dying" and I know that in the back of my mind but it still scares the hell out of me. It's selfish I know but I can't lose her right now; I couldn't handle it. Things are going well in my life - I am happy and I need her to be happy with me, to laugh with me and to ask me to come fix her computer. I need her to bitch at people in her sleep and yell at the newscaster at 6 am because she disagrees with God knows what. I need her to complain about the dogs that she loves so much she can't stand it; to garden for no reason; to read history novels so I can pretend to be interested. I need her to continue being my friend for 50 more years or 100...I know it's not going to happen. That one's life on this good earth is limited, but I pray and ask that you pray with me that I am given a good bit more time to spend with her. She is only 55 and I need more time...

Here's praying!

Well, I got my secret pal's Valentines gift mailed today (I love to shop but shipping...I' m bad about putting it off)... I also have one more assignment due tonight and then I'll have another class done and over with. My next class starts Wednesday but it feels good to have one more under my belt even if I don't get a break. I better get started - have a great evening.

Oh, FYI the song I spoke about yesterday is by Rick Huckaby and its called Good Times - it rocks. I strongly suggest you check it out - http://www.rickhuckaby.com/home.html

Have a good night all.

Marriage

Marriage - it has it's days where one spouse drives the other to the point of insanity then it has days where you are reminded why you are married in the first place. Today is the latter and I can't really tell you why. It's not one thing he has done or anything like that; it's just a good day. Waking up and wondering into the living room thankful he was nice enough not to wake me when he got up, sitting on the couch watching television with Sox curled between us purring like a freight train, yanking him down on the bed to hug me before he wandered back up stairs, coming upstairs to see him working on my computer because it wasn't performing as well as he thought it should.... My husband is well mine and I love him with everything I am. He brightens my days and reminds me of why I am here. I'm here to live and to love - that is my purpose on this earth. I'm sure other things will come that I am intended to do but all of us are here to live and love; if we all remember that maybe the world would be a better place.

Speaking of better places I heard the greatest song the other day on the radio. I'm trying desperately to find a copy of it, but I don't know who sings it. It is a new song and I believe it was called Good Times. The song was about what if the news was filled with good stories; such as 1.3 million students woke up, ate breakfast and went to school with no fatalities... It was great!

Other than my deep thoughts of life and marriage my day has been well uneventful. I got up at 2, yes 2 :) Then I watched TV and now I'm blogging. Yes, that is all I have done today. Friday I came home and finished my assignment, one more due tomorrow and this class is over. Yesterday we got our taxes filed and came home - we are getting enough back to pay for the new heating and air unit we now have to buy so Woot! God is looking after us this year. I also got a great card from my secret pal yesterday. I would post a pic but my husband has my computer torn apart, but it was great. Very sweet and thoughtful - thank you!!!

Also, my knitting mentor, Lotusknits, informed me that the picture of my bag I had posted was inside out, LOL. I'll repost a picture of it. The I-cord is coming along. I have to back track on it some as I was working on it in the tax office yesterday and I did not tighten my stiches enough, but it's coming along. Work is good; I really think this place and I are going to be a good fit for each other. Life is actually good right now and that's a great feeling!

Have a great Sunday everyone. I hope something good happens to each of you today.

Howdy Blog Land

Well, I got a good night's sleep last night and it felt good. I'm still tired but not as much. Currently I work 7 to 4, but due to the fact that it takes an hour and 15 minutes to get to work I have to leave at 5:45...we are moving offices in a couple of months and it should only take me about 45 minutes to get there then. So I struck a deal with them and now I go in at 7:30 and work till 4; when we are in the new office I will come in at 7. That way I don't have to leave the house before 6:15, because honestly 5:45 and I don't get along :)

Other than that the job is good. I really like the people and I can see where my skills and the way I think will come in handy; woot. I have to be careful not to get too gun hoe but I think it's going to work out....

On other fronts I haven't had much time to knit; or rather I've had the time but just been to tired to do anything other than lay down. However I have started the I-cord and I hope I'm doing it correctly. Here is a picture of the bag part waiting to be felted with the handles when I get them finished...

Also, I found a great needle holder on E-bay...I was looking for a needle set for my secret pal and I just couldn't resist this for myself. I love it; here's a picture.

It barely fits in my knitting bag, but I like it...

School is going along...2 more assignments (one Friday and one Monday) then this class is over. A new one starts Wednesday....I'm glad I"m getting my MBA, but I'll be glad when it's over.

Well, other than this all is quiet in Mylerna' s world. They just released a new patch in Everquest so I'm sure we will be playing tonight. LOL. That game is addictive and time consuming...I understand why Lotus Knits quit playing. I like the game and the friends I have in my guild too much to quit, but I certainly understand.

Well, have a good evening dear world. I hope it is filled with memorable moments.

Too Tired

I'm too tired to post, lol. I don't know what's wrong with me the past couple days; I'm just exhausted. I like my new job so far and it's not overly tiring...guess it's just PMS. Well, I would post more but the couch is calling my name.

See ya in my dreams.