Saturday Sky #3

March 29, 2008

Saturday Sky #3

It's overcast today and it feels like rain which I love! I hear we may get a real storm tonight. I have an Aunt visiting from MN, so I'd like the weather to be nice for her. She probably likes it because it's still warm.



We've had a tragedy hit our neighborhood, a neighbor lost their grandson last week. He was hit by a car while on a skateboard, it was late at night. 12:45 a.m. The 14 year old boy's Father is someone I'm close to. We're close to that whole side of the family. Anyway, the hit and run driver turned himself in after 5 days. I think he may have been drunk but I guess that would be hard to prove now. I hope his parents are ashamed at his behavior and what they raised. He should have stayed and dealt with the consequences, drunk or not. The driver is 24 years old, has had trouble with the law and many driving offenses. And now he's impacted many family members, for the rest of their lives and ruined his own life. He's a felon now. And I hope there is worldly justice for him.

I'll get off my soapbox, it's just upsetting to me how a large part of society has this attitude that they don't have to take personal responsibility. Oh, don't get me started...

I wanted to mention that I haven't had a headache in about 4, maybe 5 days now! I love Zyrtec, the OTC for allergies. It's really helped me.

Friday's Feast

March 28, 2008

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

What does the color dark green make you think of?
It makes me think of yarn. The lovely hand dyed yarn I'm so fond of.

Soup

How many cousins do you have?
Oh my, I have to do a little accounting real quick... OK, on my Fathers side I have 14 cousins and on my Mothers side I have 43 cousins. Wow! 57 cousins.

Salad

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how honest are you?
I'd say an 8, I try to be honest at all times, but sometimes I think honesty can be brutal and I shy away from that.

Main Course

Name something that is truly free.
Love. In the simplest sense of the word.

Dessert

Using the letters in the word SPRING, write a sentence.
Salacious people really invite needy girls.

Thursday Thirteen #46

March 27, 2008

Thursday Thirteen #46

Thirteen Things about my Mamacita! Happy Birthday Mom! She finds humor in life. She's fun to be around. She's a great Mother, Sister, Friend. She's a hard worker with a great work ethic. She's able to deal with life as it hits her. It is very well known what a great cook she is. She loves our furbabies, Tom, Henry and Rufus. She is an avid reader and loves to lose herself in a good book. She makes a mean dirty martini! (Thanks, Ma!) She's very thoughtful. She's a kind soul. She's always there when you need her, when you ask or not. She's an interesting person to talk to. The last 3 were supplied by Julie, my best bud, and she's close to Mamacita. Mom is all of these things and more. Happy Birthday Mamacita!

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Wordless Wednesday

March 26, 2008

Wordless Wednesday

He's so pretty. I love the look on his face. Sometimes it seems like he just adores everything about you and sometimes it's like, hey, feed me!

I am as successful as I make up my mind to be.

March 25, 2008

I am as successful as I make up my mind to be.

Holy Crackamoley, I am suffering with allergies this year! Is anyone else having a hard time? I've had an allergy here or there, but nothing like this. I've had almost constant migraines and headaches for weeks, and I knew I was having allergies, because smells were bothering me and my eyes were itchy and watery, but after talking to my cousin, suffering all weekend with constant headaches and a migraine on Friday, I tried taking Zyrtec for allergies. You can get it OTC now, and it is not cheap but I think it's helping. Yesterday I went through more than half a box of tissue, ended up really sick. This morning I felt like I could breathe but it's still there. The really good news, the headache is gone right now!

People reflect back to me who I am and how to love myself.

March 24, 2008

People reflect back to me who I am and how to love myself.

They announced on the news last night about Justin and looking for the driver. It's just horrible. There is a memorial for him on the street with his picture and flowers and candles. We went and spent time with the family yesterday afternoon. It's so sad, but it was nice to see them all together. I think most are in shock, it just doesn't seem possible that something like this could happen. He was on a skateboard and the SUV may have swerved, and he stopped, and then took off and there was someone else in the SUV as well. How do you live with yourself after that? I just don't get it.

We had our champagne brunch which was nice, but we couldn't get Justin and family off of our minds.

I'm still not feeling well, but after talking to my cousin I decided to try Zyrtec in case it has to do with allergies and this a.m. I'm blowing and sneezing and still have a headache but it's a little better.

No appropriate title.

March 22, 2008

No appropriate title.

Had a nice day today....with a really bad ending.

Mamacita and I went to go see In the Mood with Mamacita's coworker and my friend Susan. She invited us to celebrate my Mamacita's birthday which is next week. The musical revue was really good, we enjoyed it. The end was patriotic and there was a tribute to our veterans and serving military and it was quite touching. I teared up after seeing an older gentleman in front of me stand up to be recognized and he was shedding a tear and it just got me. I think I was the youngest one in the audience. I kid you not! But I loved it. Then us ladies went to dinner, had a great time, Susan is a lot of fun.

So we drove in our driveway and our neighbor was coming to see us and she had some tragic news. Our neighbors are like family, truly they are, they've known me and my family before I was even born. And their son, well, he was my first love. But the news was that my first love's second son, who was 12 years old, was hit by a SUV last night in our town last night and he was killed. It was a hit and run. It's so tragic, please pray for his family, he was one of 8 kids.

Saturday Sky #2

Saturday Sky #2

Saturday Sky
It's another beautiful sunny day in So. CA! I was a little surprised the beautiful blue came thru in the pic because it's a little overcast this a.m. Some would say it's hazy I guess. And it's suppose to be hot today, we may hit 80 today and expected to hit 90 tomorrow on Easter Sunday!

I don't know what's wrong with me, but I ended up with a duplicate issue of Knitscene, so I am offering this issue to one of you. I'll be happy to send it to you. I was thinking of making you work for it, but I don't like that. I was thinking of asking you to tell me what you'd like to see on this blog, what would entice people to not just pass by but post a comment and say hello. So do that if you like, because I'd like to know,but really, anyone who emails me that they'd like the issue, I'll send it to the 7th person who emails me. Why the 7th? Because I like the number 7.
I received a special package in the mail yesterday! All the way from the Netherlands. It's my La Digitessa sock kit from Yarnissima! I came home half day yesterday with a horrible migraine so when the mail came and my kit was there, well it made me feel a little better. It was so exciting to open it! Marjan does such a nice job of making her kits special. She sent some candy and packaged the pattern separately. And the yarn....oh my Lord! It is so gorgeous! See! It was hard for me to get an accurate pic of the color. I heard it described as dark cherries. My skein in cherries to deep black cherries, you know that gorgeous burgundy color, or wine. The colors are all descriptive with food of course! This is a very special Wollmeise yarn that was hand dyed especially for this kit, and so we all got a slightly different version, but I'm thrilled with my yarn. I cannot wait to cast on. I am trying to finish my current socks before I start this lovely pattern because it's quite involved. It doesn't look difficult so much as just involved.

Oh, before I forget, I wanted to let my Pay It Forward ladies, Molly, Penelope Anne and Jeannine know that I have not forgot you!! No, no, I will try to not make it to the end of my commitment and wait until 365 days, but I will get a package off to you. Just wanted to let you know I didn't forget you!

Happy Easter to all of you!

Friday's Feast, etc.

March 21, 2008

Friday's Feast, etc.

Appetizer
Given the choice, would you prefer to live in the country or in the city?
I've lived in both and they both have good points and bad points. I'd rather live in the country, but not too far from a real city.

Soup
Who is the cutest kid you know?
There are two of them. My friends two twin girls Allison and Jillian. They are cute.

Salad
Fill in the blank: I couldn’t believe it when I heard __that Princess Diana had died__.

Main Course
If you could star in a commercial for one of your favorite products, which one would you want to advertise?
I'd have to say Proactiv because it's really worked for me. I'd have no trouble promoting that product.

Dessert
What type(s) of vitamins and/or supplements do you take on a regular basis?
I take Usana vitamins and supplements....fairly regularly!


And here are the Easter eggs I made tonight for the 2 girls mentioned above and their older sister. I'm putting together their Easter Baskets and it's been quite fun for me. I got the baskets and I'm decorating them and then I have a lot of games and toys and of course, candy to fill them. And just for fun I made these Easter eggs using foam eggs, a sewing ripper and Freshcut fabric squares from Heather Bailey to cover them. It's easy to do and I like how it looks like they are quilted.

Thursday Thirteen #45

March 20, 2008

Thursday Thirteen #45

Thirteen reasons that Mitchypoo loves Spring!

1. It stays light longer after work.
2. The daffodils start to bloom.
3. There's a certain smell in the air.
4. The grass is greener.
5. Puffy clouds.
6. There's a crispness in the air.
7. There is dew in the morning.
8. Tulips! Love them!
9. Easter season, I love the kids Easter Baskets and the decorations.
10. You can start planting herbs and vegetables. Hmmm, I should start an herb garden.
11. It rains quite a bit and I love the rain.
12. The CA wildflowers are beautiful and in bloom.
13. pastel colors...it's a nice change after the dark winter colors.

Well, today is the first day of Spring but I've been seeing glimpses of it for weeks here in So. CA. Enjoy the season!

Wordless Wednesday

March 19, 2008

Wordless Wednesday

This was from our driving trip from MN to CA in Oct 2005 in the beautiful state of New Mexico. I so loved driving thru that state and next time I'm going to stay awhile and really enjoy the beauty.

I bless and prosper others; and they, in turn, bless and prosper me.

March 18, 2008

I bless and prosper others; and they, in turn, bless and prosper me.

I watched Intervention last night and it made me very sad. I can't stop thinking about it. It was the story about Lawrence. And his alcoholism and he very much reminded me of the XDBF. He was a good looking, likable guy and he has deteriorated into this drunken mess. And Lawrence went to rehab but never thought he had a problem, and guess where he is now?....He's dead. I'm so sad. He came back from rehab, actually he was asked to leave because of his attitude, and started bleeding from the esophagus and now he's gone. I pray that somehow the XDBF will be helped so he doesn't meet the same fate. I took some action today but not sure it'll go anywhere and so I won't discuss it.

I'm going to a viewing tonight and a funeral tomorrow. A friend from kindergarten, her grandfather passed. He had a long happy life, but I'm going for her and her family.

I finished my Fall Wine Firestarters. If you are on Ravelry, you can see them here. I really like them. And so I started another pair in a Berroco Sox yarn, no pics yet. It's a self patterning yarn so I did a modified Firestarter. It's plain stockinette stitch, but has the Firestarter gusset and heel. I really like them.

Saturday Sky #1

March 15, 2008

Saturday Sky #1

This is my first time joining in for the Saturday Sky Meme. But I think today's sky is just glorious. It's one of those days that if I was a child or if I didn't care if the neighbors thought I was loony, I'd go lay out a blanket on the front lawn and just watch the sky. And then I'd find different shapes and figures constantly changing in the clouds. So here you go ~ Enjoy!

Friday's Feast

March 14, 2008

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how much do you like your own handwriting?
8~I usually like my handwriting, sometimes it looks messy to me, but I definitely have my own style.

Soup
Do you prefer baths or showers?
I prefer baths in the winter and showers in the hotter months.

Salad
What was the last bad movie you watched?
I cannot remember. I'm bad at remembering movie or stars names.

Main Course
Name something you are addicted to and describe how it affects your life.
Knitting~I'm a compulsive yarn hoarder and I always have something on the needles.

Dessert
Which instrument is your favorite to listen to?
I love the flute. Someday I'm going to learn to play and buy my own flute.

I feed my body nourishing foods and beverages, and I exercise in ways that are fun.

March 13, 2008

I feed my body nourishing foods and beverages, and I exercise in ways that are fun.

I was happy at my weigh in yesterday. I lost .2 lbs. and I was happy with that because of it being my birthday week. I've been out to eat several times, have had leftovers from eating out and I had a few cupcakes....just a few. Ok, maybe more than a few! We had a great meeting. We talked about detours, bumps in the road and how we deal with them. I feel once more, motivated. That's the value of meetings to me. I did some knitting in the meeting, and it's interesting how people react to KIPing (Knitting in Public). People are usually intrigued, some of them commented on how tiny the knit was, I'm working on a pair of Firestarter socks. It was great for me to knit and also it helped me concentrate on the meeting.

I'm reading A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. It's one of those books that is difficult for me to really get in to. It's sort of how I feel about philosophy, I understand it, but it takes some effort to really grasp. But I read something in there that really hit me and I keep thinking about. He was talking about the ego and how we need to get out of our head and he was talking about eating disorders. Now, I've never been bulimic or anorexic, although some wondered in my younger very skinny days. But I relate to some eating disorders and can now admit that I am an emotional eater. It's been my comforter, my soother and it causes me some trouble. So I'm really trying to understand it and not let it be such a problem for me. So what he was saying regarding someone who was bulimic i think is that, Their mind is hungry, not their body. Yes! That makes sense to me. So I'm being very conscious of what I'm doing these days. Am I really hungry? Or is it something else that I'm seeking? And when I need to I tell myself, My mind is hungry, not my body.

It looks like we'll get some more rain this weekend. It's cloudy and overcast today and it'll rain over the weekend, time to make soup! And I'll finish those Firestarters. Pics to follow.

Oh, the pic below is a tulip. I didn't take the pic, but think it's beautiful.

Wordless Wednesday

March 12, 2008

Wordless Wednesday

My unique talents make me an interesting individual.

March 11, 2008

My unique talents make me an interesting individual.

Phone conversation after work last night at home:

Me: Hello?
Ex-Drunk BF: Hey
Me: Hey (realizing who it is...)
EDBF: I haven't talked to you in a long time. I've been thinking about you...
Me: Do you remember our last conversation?
EDBF: Yah?...
Me: So are you calling to apologize?
EDBF: Well ya, well no, not really, I just was thinking of you and missing you...
Me: Than I have nothing to say to you....click

calls again
Me:.............
EDBF: WHOA Whoa...I just want to know how you are. Can't we be friends?
Me: My friends don't treat me like that.
Me: Look, last time I talked to you I hadn't talked to you in over a year, you were suppose to have gone to rehab and you called me drunk. And I told you about my Father passing away and you flipped out, how much he meant to you, how much you cared about him, and not once did you even ask how I was. And then you got upset with me when I wouldn't listen to your drunk talk and you got shitty with me.
EDBF: Well, you just need to calm down, I've been working in the yard for over 6 hours... and you don't know what I've been going thru...
Me: Unless you are sober and divorced and ready to apologize, don't call me. Click.

calls again!
Me: And I know you are still married you ASS!
EDBF: laughs
EDBF: geez
EDBF: Come on. Stop this. Just tell me how you are, are you doing OK? I really need to know how you are doing. (Sincere)
Me: It doesn't matter how I am, I already told you. I don't want you calling me unless you are sober, divorced and apologizing and that's not gonna happen anytime soon.
EDBF: Wait, wait.....
Click...

He called back twice more at least, I didn't answer and he didn't leave a message.

Kitty Knits! A Blog Tour and Review...

March 9, 2008

Kitty Knits! A Blog Tour and Review...

I'm very pleased to introduce you to Donna Drachunas and her latest book Kitty Knits ~projects for cats and their people! I'm also very happy to be included in her Blog Tour to showcase and highlight this delightful book.

Kitty Knits is a lovely book full of kitty poems, cute pictures and really lovely patterns with a cat theme. I am impressed because any type of knitter from novice to expert will find a pattern on their level and interesting to knit. For instance, there is a pattern for Felted Cat Nip Mice which looks very simple. Some regular knitting required, some icord knitting, stuff it with fiberfill and cat nip and felt. Your furbabies are sure to love them.

This is a knit Ballet Cardigan pattern that is really lovely. It incorporates lace knitting and color work to add your kitty on the front.

I really like the fact that no matter what you are into knitting these days, you'll find a project to knit in Kitty Knits. From a Scandinavian style sweater with a kitty touch, socks, an afghan, cat toys, slippers, a cat mat, several cute styles of cat beds your furbabies are sure to love. There is a pattern for a delicate lace cat scarf, an illusion scarf and hats. There is even an adorable baby blanket pattern! It's all here.

I first was introduced to Donna Druchunas because she is a member of a Ravelry group I started called Cat Knits. The group was started last July and we have over 1600 members now! Unbelievable. Please come join us if you are on Ravelry and also a cat lover.

There is really something to the fact that many knitters, crocheters, crafty people are cat lovers too. I knew it when I started the group, I have 2 cats as many of you know, Tom Thumb and Henry the VIII. Both are adopted and much loved. I knew there was a connection when the majority of members seem to have one of their beloved furbabies as their Avatar on Ravelry. Or people's project pictures would often include their cat in the picture. In my case Tom will not allow me to take a pic of any of my projects without sneaking in there. Cats and Knitters just seem to go together. Thankfully, my two cats leave my yarn alone. They are too busy napping to care. Here's some pics of my babies.




My first project to knit from Kitty Knits is going to be the Bull's Eye Cat Bed. But I'll have to make two of them, because although my two babies are sweet and loving, they do not cuddle and will not share a cat bed. They are more like two 7 year old boys who are antagonizing and hitting eachother all the time. I love this pattern because it's worked in the round and then the bottom of the bed is worked in a sort of bulls-eye pattern that you reduce stitches until you knit down to the center. It's really cute and I think my babies will love it!

The directions in the patterns seem straightforward and simple. There are techniques in the back of the book to help you along. I'm sure you will enjoy Kitty Knits as much as I am!

Still celebrating!

March 8, 2008

Still celebrating!

Thank you all for the birthday wishes and I did have a lovely day! I had to work but it was OK, especially since I was sick earlier in the week. I received really nice cards and ecards, calls, etc. My boss made me a "dietetic birthday cake" which was really good. It was lemon cake mix, mixed mix a can of diet 7Up and baked as usual. It's really a great way to have your cake and eat it too! Ha! The lemon frosting was regular calorie but you save your calories where ever you can.

We ended up not going to the blues wine bar because I was still suffering with headaches and Mamacita didn't feel like going all the way up there so we went to a nice Italian restaurant closer to the house and we had a nice dinner.

I got some really nice gifts including a markasite watch and ring that are way cool, hand cream, dinner party book, a Borders gift card, a Joann gift card and da da ta dah....a Coach bag! I was really surprised and thrilled. That was from Mamacita and I was really surprised. I so love handbags but will not buy one after buying a vintage Louis Vuitton but I love Coach and I've never had one and she did really good. It's got the Coach brown cloth pattern with a white trim and it has a pastel green lining and pretty bow on it. I found a pic of my handbag, isn't it lovely?!

We were going to go to dinner tonight too with my brother but Mamacita isn't feeling well, so maybe we'll make it tomorrow.

Don't forget to change your clocks tonight and Fall Forward! Yep, it's early this year and we lose an hour but it is that time.

Please come and visit the blog tomorrow, I'm doing a blog tour and will be introducing you to a great author and special book. don't miss it!

It's my birthday...

March 7, 2008

It's my birthday...

Yes, it's my birthday! I always think on your birthday that the Mom should be celebrated because she is the one who had all the hard work! My Mamacita is taking me tonight to dinner at a wine bar restaurant. I cannot wait! This place has different types of wine flights, cheese flights, charcuterie flights and the menu looks phenomenal. Mamacita is also making me cupcakes! So I may just have 2 of them!


Appetizer
If you could be any current celebrity for one whole week, who would you want to be?
Heidi Klum...she is so beautiful and she seems to be so happy with Seal and her kids. They seem to have a fairy tale romance also. Wouldn't be bad to have that bod either!

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you enjoy talking on the phone?
It's about a 6 I guess. I do not mind being on the phone but I'm not a huge phone person now, not like in high school.

Salad
Name a charitable organization to which you have donated (or would like to).
St.Jude Children's Hospital.

Main Course
What is a food you like so much you could eat it every single day for a month?
Oh, hard one, I like so many food items. Just one? I think I have to say cheese. I so love cheese and I do eat it everyday practically.

Dessert
Have you or anyone in your family had the flu this year?
I've thought I had the flu, but not sure I have. It has not been the flu I hear others are getting right now, that sounds nasty.

Everything I need comes to me in the perfect moment.

March 6, 2008

Everything I need comes to me in the perfect moment.

Yesterday I was feeling kind of awful but I made it to work and I had my Weight Watcher meeting at noon. Of which I was not looking forward to. Sourpuss Schleprock I was. I didn't want to weigh in because I just knew based on my week and my attitude that I'd be up. And I didn't want to face it. But I had a heart to heart with myself and I told myself that I needed to just face it and deal with it and I knew I needed a meeting because of my attitude. So I went to weigh in and guess what???.... I lost 3.8 pounds over 2 weeks! Well, um, I'll take that! I also received an award for being there for 16 weeks and received a cute key chain thingie. My Leader asked if I wanted to say anything and so I mentioned that I have been struggling but I realized that I have made some lasting changes in my attitude and eating. So I feel better now and after the meeting I have some motivation and am inspired to continue. So for this week I will be working on the basics.

My Good Health Guidelines to concentrate on this week:

• 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day
• Choose whole-grain foods
• 2 serving of milk products a day
• Drink at least 6 8 oz. glasses of water
• Have 2 servings a day of healthy oil
• Get enough protein
• Limit sugar and alcohol
• Take a multivitamin

It takes some thinking and preparation but it's doable. I've been lacking the water and the fruits and veg.

And now I'm suffering from allergies. I don't get them every year and it's not that bad but yesterday when I went outside to get to work, my eyes started watering, itching, sneezing, stuffy. It's horrible! I'm afraid this is a bad year for me for allergies. Hopefully I'm only allergic to what is blooming now.

Wordless Wednesday and I'm in the wrong era...

March 5, 2008

Wordless Wednesday and I'm in the wrong era...

Wordless Wednesday
I'll take 2 please...

You Belong in 1950

You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in!

What Year Do You Belong In?

I thought it would say I should be in the 80's because I liked the 80's, but turns out i'm even older than that. I wasn't even a thought in the 50's but that's where I belong I guess. I do like the clothes and makeup style from then. I think I like a more gentler time.
I haven't been to work for 2 days, not feeling well.

Are any of you doing the Eckhart Tolle and Oprah Interactive Class? I heard of it but forgot to sign up and then being home yesterday I saw it again but couldn't sign up until after 5 pm our time which was after the first class. It seems that over half a million people signed on and crashed the Oprah site, I'm downloading the videocast right now. I don't know a lot about it but know that people say it is changing their life for the better. I'm all for that and want to know more. I really could use some inspiration and motivation about now. If you are reading the book and participating I'd love to hear of your experience and why you are doing it.

March 2, 2008

We saw the movie Juno yesterday. We all really enjoyed it. I thought Ellen Page was really wonderful. It was a cute movie, with a good message. And it was about different forms of love, between fathers and daughters, friends, young teens, a stepmom and daughter, a woman wanting to be a mom, a teen not wanting to be a mom, but make sure a baby is loved, a married couple. It's ultimately about love.


I've been fighting a headache most of the weekend. I thought it was becoming a migraine yesterday but it never developed into that. I feel OK now. I know why I'm getting it and it should go away in about a week.


I've also been working furiously on a pair of Firestarter socks and I'm almost done with the first one. I'm in love with the yarn and colors. I call them my Fall Wine Firestarters. Here's a sneak peek.



Perfume worn today: I Love Love by Moschino (my new favorite!)
Beauty Item Highlight: I've recently started using Dr.Hauschka Rose Day Cream Light. It has about 30 roses petals in one tube. I use this day and night as my moisturizer and it's so nice. It's moisturizes but is not oily. My skin seems to love it! Oh, it's kind of expensive, but I found a deal online and paid about half!