Ridiculous Obsession

The most beautiful things can be found

2009-09-10T11:55:00.003-05:00

right in your own backyard! Here are few from mine. Enjoy!
Click to make bigger...

Peeking over my back fence- wild sunflowers

Hot pink and white tea roses- smells heavenly

Yellow tickseed flowers and a visitor

Russian sage

Morning glories purple,pink and white all growing on one vine!

And so the ending begins...

2009-08-21T10:06:00.003-05:00

Monday is the first day of school. Overjoyed as I am, it is bittersweet. This is my oldest daughter's senior year. Her last first day of school. I am almost beside myself. How did we get here so fast? I remember my Mom telling me it would go fast but honestly,I never quite believed her until now. Seems like a couple of years ago she was in kindergarten. This is going to be a year of letting go and praying she can fly on her own. I am so proud yet at the same time my heart is slowly breaking. Funny how they never mention all this in child birth preparation classes. Or even when you sign them up for kindergarten. so bear with me dear friends,this year is going to be an emotional roller coaster.
BTW- Isn't she gorgeous?

And they said I would never make it to 30

2009-08-10T20:47:00.002-05:00

And tomorrow I turn 41.Wow. I am so glad I am not defined by a number because I don't feel anywhere close to 41. Some days, it feels more like 90.Most days I get up and look in the mirror and wonder why I am not still 16. It blows my mind that I have a daughter who is the same age I was when I started dating her father.I have no idea where the last 24 years have gone so quickly.They have been good years and I am so glad to have lived them.Now I am looking forward to at least 40 to 50 more.Lord knows I have enough yarn to last that long... 0.o Happy Birthday to me!

Still hanging in there

2009-07-26T17:41:00.002-05:00

and not knitting much. I have had this blasted cast almost a month and I am about ready to cut it off myself. I did figure out how to knit with it on but it is a very slow,sometimes painful process.It is quite infuriating since I have quite a few scarves to knit before Thanksgiving. My friend Ronnie from high school and I reconnected via Facebook. I didn't realize how much I had missed him since school. He told me all about his life in California and how he and his partner Andy visit and help take care of the terminally ill. I was so moved by their selflessness and I offered to help if I could. I agrees to knit up some scarves for their clients for Christmas.I have enlisted some help but I am anxious to get started myself. I need 25 scarves. Crazy, I know but I do want to help in any way I can. I have an appointment Thursday to hopefully get this cast off and then I can get to knitting. Just pray I don't go crazy before then. I hate not being able to knit!!!

Broken

2009-06-29T11:45:00.004-05:00

That's me. Or my wrist anyway.Yeah. Graceful me tripped(over nothing) and fell yesterday breaking my lunate bone* in my wrist and cracking a couple of ribs. So much fun around here.I have to go see a surgeon today. Hopefully he will tell me I don't have to have surgery. I suspect either way, I won't be knitting for awhile.But I did finish my Ulmus! So enjoy the pics while I cry and drool over everyone else's knitting.

*I googled the Lunate bone and discovered it is very hard to break.It accounts for 1% of all wrist fractures.I am sooo talented!

Update- No surgery! Yeah!!! But I did get a lovely hot pink cast.I will post pics later...

So yeah...

2009-05-21T08:56:00.003-05:00

I am alive! And feeling sooo much better.Thankyaverymuch! If I had been told how painful hernia repair surgery was and how long it took to get over,I wouldn't have believed it and had the surgery anyway.That's just me.Bur now that I have had it and recovered,ouch.Hurt worse than my hysterectomy.But now I am my spry old self again.Old being the operative word here.
I haven't blogged because I just haven't had the time. I have been playing catch up on housework and yard work.Not fun,I know but necessary.But,there has been a bit of knitting!Shocker I know.

It is a new pattern by Kirsten over at Through the Loops.I raveled about it here. I am loving this shawl more and more as it knits up.I am not having alot of time to work on it but it is slowly getting bigger.That's about it on the knitting front.And every other front too.School is thankfully out after next week.I do not understand why May has to be so crammed full of choir concerts,banquets and the prom. I am so old I have a daughter going to the prom.Yeah, I know. Astounds me how fast they grow up.Speaking of I have to go pay for a college course for my daughter to take this summer. Take care!

i am still here

2009-04-13T17:35:00.002-05:00

I can't believe I haven't blogged at all in april but I do have a good reason.I did have the hernia repair surgery on April 2nd.It went well.I am still very bruised and sore.But the surgeon said my hernia was the size of a grapefruit.Ewww gross I know. But I am feeling lots better.There has been lots of kntting but sadly,no picture taking.I was too drugged up and sore to go looking for the camera.So the item knitted were sent on to a new home sans photos.Oh well,nothing major.Just a few chemo hats.Anyway,thought would pop in and let everyone know I am alive and kicking! Check in a bit later!

Happy Spring!??

2009-03-27T12:21:00.004-05:00

Or I guess winter decided to visit after all.That's generally how it happens around here.Just when you think winter is over,you look out your front door and find

The biggest blizzard in these parts in several years.I wouldn't be astonished except we have had no and I mean no winter this year.It has snowed a grand total of 3 times since October and all of those were and inch or less.Gone the next day.And to top it all off yesterday it was 72 degrees. But that's how the weather rolls in this part of Texas. The great news is I have this urge to curl up and knit.Which is great since I have a few small projects I need to finish up.
I haven't been blogging much lately for a reason.I have been not well for a while.Actually,pretty sick.All at once I have ovarian cysts and a hernia needing repair.Let's just say I feel like I have been plowed over by a Mack truck.On top of that,add horrendous seasonal allergies from all the dirt and pollen and you get a nonstop sinus migraine for 3 weeks. I am having surgery for the hernia situation on April 2nd.So if you pray,please keep me in your prayers. If not,just send me some good healing thoughts for a speedy recovery. I am a busy mom and cannot afford to be down long.I shudder to think of the disaster that would await me while I was down.
Anyway, Happy spring y'all.Hope your view is better than mine today.

Knitterly love

2009-03-06T10:25:00.010-06:00

Or how awesome is Cookie?Those of you read Cookie's blog know of her speedy knitting.And if you don't read her blog,you should.Anyway she has broken her own record for speed.Behold,the TWO DAY(that's right TWO) Swallowtail shawl. Bear in mind my couch is 6.5 feet long.

Sorry for the poor lighting.Here is a close up for a better representation of the colors.

That girl has mad knitta skilz! I asked her to knit a shawl for a family member about to undergo surgery and chemo therapy for uterine cancer.I sent her the yarn and whammo! two days later a shawl.I am just awestruck by her speed.I am the complete opposite.I am so slow it isn't funny.As amazed as I am of her knitting speed,I am even more so amazed at her kind and generous spirit.Under that crusty,snarky exterior,beats a heart of pure gold.I still wouldn't want to piss her off though,she could totally give me a good old fashioned ass whoopin'.Or at least blog about how she wanted to. Love you Cookie! Thanks a million.

Somedays it IS fewer than one...

2009-01-29T08:17:00.000-06:00

Or it just feels that way.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
1
or fewer people with my name in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

Something borrowed

2009-01-26T13:10:00.003-06:00

From Cookie

Unwanted :: solicitation
You’d better :: think twice
Woman :: passionate
Weighed :: 22 lbs.less than last year (and counting!)
Upright :: is better than uptight
I feel :: pretty
Ill :: equipped
It’s like :: rain on your wedding day
Poor man :: wishes he was a woman
Great :: Scott!!

So today finally feels like winter around here.Sixties and seventies for the last few weeks ain't gonna cut it.We need moisture around here in a bad way.I am hoping it comes in the form of snow.And lots of it.Call me crazy(it's okay,everyone does)but I like to have a few good snow storms to feel like we had winter.Plus,I'll admit it-I'm a snuggler.Nothing like snuggling with my hunny when it's cold.Or my kids or dogs.Or even with some cozy knitting.So I'm off to snuggle my Pekingese and knit!

Where have I been?

2009-01-19T12:11:00.004-06:00

I can hardly grasp that it is 2009 and it's halfway through January!Since coming back from Florida life has been hectic.(Florida was fab by the way)
The morning after we arrived home the kennel keeping my dogs called.We were scheduled to pick up after they had a bath.Romeo,our Westie,was not doing well.He wouldn't get up,eat or drink.I took him to the vet and it seems he had a stroke.After an agonizing 2 days,we decided to put him down.Romeo had been with us a long time and would have turned 13 in a few days.Needless to say, we were all heartbroken.My oldest daughter was 4 when we got him.She remembers going to pick him out when he was a puppy.My other 2 don't ever remember life without good ole Romeo.He has been very missed.
I hate coming home from vacation to have something awful happen.But that is how we ended our year.I am hoping for a better one this year.I am also hoping I get alot more knitting done.Stitches actually done on vacation-zero.I carried skeins and needles and patterns galore all the way to Florida and back.Nothing was knit.But who could blame me when this is what I sat on the deck mesmerized by

Who could blame me for not knitting?I would already be back there if it didn"t take 18 hours to drive there.Yes I would.
Happy MLK and Inauguration Days!Even if your candidate didn't win,celebrate the fact that you got to vote anyway.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-18T17:17:00.002-06:00

I wanted to say that early because we are leaving town bright and early this Saturday.We are headed someplace warmer and by the water.I am sooo excited!A week with my hubby and kidlets away from all the holiday drama.I have 16 hrs of knit time in the car and a week in a beach house to do next to nothing.I can hardly wait.Hopefully I will have some FO's to show when I come back.Until then,y'all have a Merry Christmas!

If only I were having one this year

2008-12-08T08:42:00.000-06:00

You Should Have a White Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays represent joy and spirituality.

The true meaning of Christmas is important to you - even if you're not religious.

The holidays are a time of reflection for you.

You like to spend time thinking about what's important in life.

Your white tree would look great with: Bright, bold ornaments

You should spend Christmas Eve watching: The Nativity Story

What you should bake for Santa: Sugar cookies - served up with a tall glass of milk

What Color Christmas Tree Should You Have?

Stolen

2008-12-04T16:24:00.002-06:00

From Cookie.If she's doing it,it has to be cool.
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
No.But there is a place in Italy called La Verna.It was St. Francis of Assisi's retreat.Would love to go there someday.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Earlier today

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?Yes.It is quite nice.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? None really.But I like tuna.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yes. 3

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Definitely.I am very generous with my friends.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
You betcha.Every chance I get.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Not even with Van Halen.(80's rock reference)

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?Cheerios.They sound so British.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Never.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
It depends...

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Chocolate almond from Braum's

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Whether they are on a cell phone or not.

15. RED OR PINK?
Both.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My tendency to judge too quickly.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My paternal grandparents.My grandmother and I shared our birthday.My grandpa was blind but he was the coolest cat ever.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO DO THIS?
Don't care either way.

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
White with colorful stripes.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Tuna sandwich and fritos.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
big truck driving down my street

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
hot pink

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Towels fresh from the dryer,lavender and vanilla

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My sister in law

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
I love the person I stole this from. She is my kinda cool.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Pekingese wrestling.Happens in my living room every night about 8

27. HAIR COLOR?
Dark brown and covered up gray

28. EYE COLOR?
Brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Pasta.Any kind.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Neither.I like movies that are tragic and end sadly.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Washington Square.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Pink

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Neither.I am a spring and autumn gal

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Both

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
lemon pie

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Not a clue.

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?Ditto
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
None currently.Just finished Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Blue with bubbles

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Top Chef

42. FAVORITE SOUND?
My sleeping husband breathing next to me.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles!

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Montana

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
None I can discuss here.

There ya go.Steal it for your blog if you like.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T10:46:00.003-06:00

I have 25 people coming to my house for dinner.Yet,I am very thankful.That means I have a house,more than enough food and lots of friends and family to share it with.I am thankful for the fact I had to clean several messes today made by kids and dogs.They are here with me and safe.
No matter the state of the economy or the fact that the person I voted for isn't going to be the next president,I am thankful I love in a country where we are free to choose our government.
Today I am choosing to be thankful even for the bad things in my life.It means I am still alive.
What are you thankful for today?

Wow.

2008-11-16T15:53:00.003-06:00

Has it really been almost a month since I blogged? Time seems to be zooming by and standing still at the same time for me lately.I really don't know which end is up.In my defense I have had ALOT going on.My number 1 DD turned 17(very traumatic for me.)My cousin who was 10 months younger than me finally succeeded in killing herself.She has been trying for awhile now but it doesn't make it any easier just because we all saw it coming.Her mother is just devastated.My mom and I are the only one who will help my aunt with everything.He has sisters but yeah,too angry to go down that road again.So,it has been a a very sad and long 2 weeks since it happened.
But today is a happy day.Today my baby boy,my middle child T,turned 14.It fills me with pride and breaks my heart all at the same time when I see how quickly my little guy is quickly becoming a man.He is still the cuddliest child I own.Since he was a wee babe, he has loved hugs and kisses and cuddles.This morning I told him Happy Birthday and he bent over to give me a hug.I nearly cried.I miss the days when he would run up and hug my knees.Soon,I may be hugging his if he doesn't quit growing.Love that kid.

In amongst all this there has been actual knitting.I can't show it right now.In the middle of all this going on-I got new furniture too.I misplaced my camera and am too scattered to even look for it.But much knitting there has been.A scarf,a beret,fingerless mitts and a hat have all flown off the needles.I am so glad I have knitting to calm me.I don't think I would do well on Prozac at all.And yarn is squishier!Hopefully, I will locate the camera and have pics next time.And if the creek don't rise,it may even be this year.Have a good one y'all!

A cute little contest

2008-10-19T21:38:00.002-05:00

My friend Bea is having a cute little contest over on her blog.She is having her sweet bulldogs "vote"for President.If you guess which dog votes for who you get and entry in a drawing for some sweet prizes.Also check out Bea's etsy shop while you are over there.She does special orders too.And tell her I sent you!

More useles info about me

2008-10-16T09:46:00.002-05:00

I stole this from Kimberly over at WovenNSpun but its okay.She stole it from someone else!(You should go over and check out her blog.Not only does she knit,she is a weaver and makes some amazing stuff.And it all for sale!)
Without further adieu-
If I were a liquid, I would be - Cherry Vanilla Coke(from Sonic not that icky stuff in a can)

If I were a metal, I would be - Platinum

If I were a tree, I would be - an almond tree (completely nuts!)

If I were a fruit, I would be - a strawberry

If I were a flower, I would be - a yellow rose

If I were weather, I would be - a tornado with lots of hail

If I were a musical instrument, I would be - a piccolo

If I were an element, I would be - oxygen, stable but highly explosive under the right conditions

If I were a color, I would be - hot fuchsia pink

If I were a feeling, I would be - quixotic

If I were a food, I would be - chicken scallopini

If I were a sentence, I would be - an exclamatory

Now its your turn.Go on.You know you want to.

A little game

2008-10-09T08:33:00.001-05:00

I stole this from Carole
YES/NO GAME RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

You can only say yes or no. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages you and asks!

Over 18? Yes
Danced in front of your mirror naked? No
Ever told a lie? Yes
Been arrested? No
Kissed a picture? Yes
Fallen asleep at work/school? yes
Held an actual snake? Yes
Have YOU Ever run a red light? yes
Ever drink and drive? Yes
Been suspended from school? No
Ever been fired from a job? No
Totaled a car/motorbike in an accident? No
Sang karaoke? yes
Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t? Yes
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? yes
Ever laughed until you wet yourself? Yes
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes
Kissed in the rain? Yes
Sang in the shower? yes
Sat on a rooftop? Yes
Thought about your past with regret? Yes
Been pushed in the pool with your clothes on? Yes
Shaved your head? No
Blacked out from drinking? yes
Had a gym membership? Yes
Been in a band? yes
Shot a gun? Yes
Liked someone with nobody else knowing about it? Yes
Played strip poker? Yes
Been to a strip joint? no
Donated Blood? No
Liked someone you shouldn’t? Yes
Have a tattoo? Yes
Have or had any piercings besides ears? No
Made out with a complete stranger? yes
Caught someone cheating on you? Yes
Skinny dipped? Yes
Regret any of your ex’s? Yes
Been to a rodeo? yes
Been to a NASCAR race? yes
Been in Love? Yes

It's Thursday

2008-10-02T15:54:00.002-05:00

and I got nuthin.Well not much of nuthin.I cannot believe it is already October.My eldest DD will be 17 on the 17th.Amazing.That's how old I was when I started dating her father!She is a junior in high school and we just ordered her class ring.(already!)I was looking online at colleges today.I am still having sticker shock.I hope the other 2 don't want to go.(just kidding guys.we DO have a college fund.)
On the knitting front,well I got nuthin there too.I have a sock about 75% done.Although it was for a KAL that ended September 30.I keep thinking I will finish something if I join a knitalong.So far it hasn't worked.Peer pressure never was a motivating factor for me.Frankly,I never have cared what anyone else thinks.Not sure if it is a good thing or not.Good thing is-I don't care!
So I was thinking,maybe if someone will do a sock swap with me and I have a deadline I will finish.I always finish my swaps.I am going to so the Mystery Sock KAL with Kirsten.Raveled here She releases the pattern in weekly segments and by the end,voila! socks.Any takers?I knit a pair for you,you knit a pair for me and we both have socks!And I finally finish something.I only need one person,so leave me a comment and I will get back to you.Ciao!

Oh hi...

2008-09-23T17:45:00.003-05:00

Contrary to popular belief,I am in fact still alive.And doing quite well.Thanks for asking.I had a rough couple of weeks but it was all made better by a weekend away with my hubby.First,I had a wicked bladder infection.(gross I know)Then I had a reaction to the antibiotic prescribed to me.Next,I was having chest pain and shortness of breath.My doctor decided I was having ashthma symptoms.Even though I don't have asthma.But 2 inhaler scripts later,turns out he was right.Pollen is a reall bitch around here lately.Everyone around here has allergies this fall.Can't wait for a hard freeze.But all of that was forgotten as soon as I looked out the window of my hotel room and saw this-
Ahh-instant zen...
Hubby took me to Ruidoso,NM for our 18th wedding anniversary.We stayed at the Inn of The Mountain Gods resort.We had a blast.We ordered room service,shopped,gambled and did some other things I WON'T mention here.
(This is a PG-13 blog after all)Needless to say,I came back tired but refreshed and ready to face the world again.
And I did manage to find a yarn shop along the way as well.Perfect weekend complete!
Now back to the "real" world-sigh..... There is always next year!

Cheer up! It's Friday.

2008-09-12T13:25:00.004-05:00

Kinda dreary and rainy here today and I haven't been feeling well the last couple of weeks.Horrible UTI and then side effects from medication(legal poison-don't EVEN get me started).Needless to say,I needed some cheering up.So I went to my local bog box store and got the prettiest flowers I could find for less than 10 bucks.Actually,they were the prettiest I found.They just happened to be less than 10 dollars.I pulled out a vase I got at a thrift store for 2 dollars.Put them all together and voila! Instant pick me up.I thought I would share...

Oh and the purple candle holder,I got it at the same thrift store for a buck.I can be a thrifty girl if I want but most of the time I choose NOT to be.(Just ask the hubby)
Anyway-Cheer up! It's Friday! Have a great weekend!

This made me laugh

2008-09-11T09:42:00.002-05:00

I was over at Grace's blog and she had this quiz thingy she did and so I did it too.It is an Autumn quiz and here is what it said about me

You Are Changing Leaves

Pretty, but soon dead.

What Part of Fall Are You?

I thought it was funny anyway!Happy Fall y'all!

Just a quick blurb

2008-09-07T22:17:00.002-05:00

Run over and see Grace at LovinComfort Knits.She is having a blogiversary contest and giving away a shawl knit by her.I was in a Prayer Shawl Swap last year and Grace was the one who sent me a shawl.It is so pretty.And she is one of the sweetest,most generous and talented knitters out there in blogland.So what are you waitng for? Go! Oh,and don't forget to tell her I sent ya.