the gifts

my sister's baby shower was this afternoon. i had spoken with her, as well as two of her friends, about being on the phone while she opened the gifts i'd sent to her (sadly, with her living in the la area and me in portland...yeah, couldn't make it).

she put me on speaker phone (the only time in my life i have ever actually been happy to be on speaker) and i got to hear everyone's reactions. i could hear the ripping of paper, the oohing and ahhing (which was the perfect amount), and the laughter. it was the best thing that i could have asked for today.

the bib and the green jacket she'd already seen (i showed her when they were here for thanksgiving...i craved seeing her reaction). the blanket, she had no clue, but her response was also perfect (and i could feel the energy over the phone).

now that she's seen them, i can share with you all...

sunshine buddy holds court

status update

i have to laugh at the instant-ness of the world we live in. update your status! tweet about something at twitter! blog about what you are doing right this very instant...

sure, i fall prey to the updates. i love reading what people i went to high school with are doing. i enjoy seeing that my friend jean is still adored by her fabulous husband (his update last night was "sharing a glass of wine with my hot wifey" or something like that). i laugh when i see friends counting down to st. patrick's day (we all have our favorite holidays!! and by laughing, it's not out of fun making, more out of being amused by my friends).

the funny thing is, i update my status all the time over at facebook. i'm serious! right now my status is set to:

working this weekend. but what else is new?

why? why do i feel the need to have that instant information out there. sure it's not anything too invasive or intrusive. but i find myself trying to come up with more creative and inventive reports. oooh, what if i wrote....xyz.

i think it comes down to this: people can comment about your status updates. they can give you a thumbs up if they like it. they are included, for that exact moment, in your life. people i've not thought about for years are liking that my dinner consisted of penne pasta with pesto and crusty bread. and so, because i like that affirmation, i continue to update my status.

scrounging for bus fare...

thursday/monday

today is my monday. i have had the past two days off work. did i do much? well, we cleaned the house yesterday (yea!), i finished one hat (except for finding a button for it), made another (and got to wear it the same night), fnished jill's shrug (the joy on her face for the last try on before completion was beautiful), did some laundry (almost all done now), knit on a dress (i'm nearing the decreases already!) and got to hang out with my husband at sweetness bakery for a while (which is my favorite thing to do).

it was bright and sunny my two days off. today, we woke to pounding rain on our rooftop. it's a lovely sound, but when you are hoping for more sun, it's kind of a bummer sound.

my sister's baby shower is this weekend, on sunday. sadly, i am not able to attend since it's down in california and i live in oregon (i figured it'd be better to wait for the baby to go for a visit). however, i've spoken to a couple of her friends (as well as her) and they are going to call me when she opens the gifts i sent (they will call and set me on the arm rest of her chair). i just sent a note to the hostess asking for the big yellow package to be opened last. it's the surprise.

i must keep in mind that today, today is thursday and sunday is not all that far off! i swear, i want a normal work week, but at this point i'm not even sure what that would look like.

now, if i could only remember what time the shower was starting so i could be prepared for the call. :) mom? do you remember? i recycled my invite once i pulled the address from it to ship the package.

smitten

i am 100% smitten with my husband. sure we have issues that pop up that annoy us about the other, but we openly discuss them and figure out solutions. kev hates doing laundry (which is evident when he starts a load and two days later i finish it). i dislike dealing with the cat box (and you can tell because i only scoop it out once in a while). while i don't LOVE doing laundry and he's not ENAMORED with dealing with the potty box, we're okay divvying up those two chores to his and hers.

last night we talked about getting up and taking the dog on a walk this morning. i woke, called my parents, as is my normal sunday routine, and it wasn't until kev made the "i'm going to take the dog on a quick walk" motion that i remembered our plan. SHIT! he said not to worry, he'd take her on his own. i'm sad because i missed a chance to connect with him, but was happy to not have to rush to get ready.

kevin is good to me. he is kind and loving.

thanks love, for all you do.

done

i am finished with the scarf for my friend, chaz. her birthday was a little bit ago and jill and i went in on the yarn for me to knit her a fabulous scarf. i think i did just that, if i do say so myself.

the pattern was free and man oh man was it fun! i think pairing it with the malabrigo chunky was perfect. it's sturdy enough a yarn to keep shape, but soft enough to want to wear constantly. i will probably wear it once tonight to give it some of my energy before gifting it to chaz.

i'll be finishing jill's shrug next. it is thin yarn (fingering weight), like the blanket, being knit on tiny needles (us 1's) and i needed a quick break from tiny yarn and toothpick needles. after the shrug i would love to crank out another scarf as well as this hat for jill's sister, darcy. i think she'll like both.

both yarns for the scarf and hat are chunky so they should go quickly. because after that, i MUST get working on the dress i'm knitting to wear to friends weddings this summer!!

a friend asked

i hadn't realized i never shared the beautiful kitchen table with you all until monika asked to see it fully. oops!

so, here we go...

the table with the flying piggie chandelier. i am so in love with our table it is not even funny.

we've had several dinners with friends around it. played mahjong with the neighbor who made it and his partner. sat and played on the computer...it just is a joy to get to see every single day!

as for the piggies, i was searching online for a silly chandelier for our hall when i found them. i knew they were far too big for hall, but we were in need for a new light fixture for over the table and it just seemed like the no brainer. i love the piggies! the light they emit is just a warm glow and their whimsy is the perfect way to keep the kitchen lively and fun.

the downstairs bathroom is the next major reno i have in mind, but that won't be for a little while. until then i'm searching for deals on tile, vessel sinks, old tables/dressers...

so there you go, monika, our kitchen table in all its glory!!

what's this? knitting?!

I started my friend's birthday scarf yesterday at work. Man, am I in love with both pattern AND yarn!! I can see women in my family (both sides) wanting one for themselves.

Ladies, tell me what color!

This pattern has to be one of the most fun ones I've ever knit. The yarn is Malabrigo Chunky which is soft and luxurious and like butter in my hands (although with less mess).

advantage

sometimes you have to take advantage of the days you are given. today was just that type of day for us. the house got picked up and dusted this morning, while it was still chilly and grey outside. but just as the weather reporters predicted, it was sunny and lovely by this afternoon. kevin took josie on a walk while i finished getting cleaned up myself. we ate leftover baked penne with shrimp and scallops for lunch, i gorged on the leftover broccoli. and then we walked over to the garden center to get seeds.

we were lucky enough to get over to the center while there was still a few asparagus crowns left. we put our five into the bag and wandered the rows a bit more. we asked about broccoli starts and were told to keep on checking back in the next week or so. we picked up some seeds, though. butter lettuce, romaine, corn, red onion, spinach, and some cat grass kevin says he will grow for the duo. we'll see.

anyway, as i was putting the receipt in the pile to file, i got to thinking how for just a little bit more than $20.00 we will have vegetables for a good portion of the summer (hopefully our success last year was not a fluke). we are going to also plant potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and zuchinni.

it's a gift, being able to grow our own food.

different shades of clean

we're having a friend over for dinner tonight. black bean chili (mom, dad it's in the slow cooker book you got us two years ago, page 110). last night i said to kevin as we were hanging out that we could clean in the morning. his response, "well, it shouldn't be too bad, i did it on saturday." i know he vacuumed on saturday, but other than that...

there is clutter (i swear we both are culprits, but i'm also pretty sure the clutter starts reproducing when we aren't looking). there is dust. there is fur.

i am up and have started the procedures. dust cloth in hand, i've whisked through the house, touching every surface to releave it from the dust that had accummulated. sadly, this brought on a runny nose (darn those allergies). i currently have one 'helper' with me in the form of chloe. she flits from room to room with me, chirping the whole time.

i have just over an hour before i have to start constructing the chili. enough time to clean both bathrooms really well. joy...

i think i'll leave vacuuming for kev.

thanks babies

I am a lucky woman. Not only did I meet and marry someone who I truly love with everything I have, but together we get to share our home and lives with three of the most special animals.

Take this very instant. I am sitting in my beautiful kitchen, listening to Coldplay, with Simon on my lap as we wait for Kevin to come home with dinner. He just pressed his head up into my face, getting a squished kiss from me, holding his it there for quite a bit of time before laying down with his front paws just barely on the edge of the table.

Josie was standing at alert, knowing that soon she'll hear the sound of the car pulling into the drive. Now she's lowered her head and just keeping us company.

Chloe had been up here with us too, but is now off on some adventure.

All three give me something uniquely their own, and even though I can't put what that something is in words, but I feel it. I know that most of the eyes around here know exactly what that feeling is.

I know I am lucky and say thanks babies. I love all of you!!

i post that

so yeah, i post that i am back and ready to write and then go quiet again...what's with that? well, i was in vegas for a shoe show. it was...fine. that's about all i can write. you know the creed, happens in vegas...

the entire time i didn't sleep all that well. i would close my eyes and see the flashing lights of the casino downstairs. the last night was one of the better nights sleep i got, but nothing, NOTHING beats having your cats snuggled up next to you, purring you to sleep. she's trying to work her magic right now, but since i'm sitting upright and beginning my wait for my ride to work...

i got a ton done on the blanket i am making for my soon to be born nephew. i worked so fast and furiously that i actually got a rub burn on my finger. today, i wear a band-aid and continue the quest to get this blankie done.

kev was busy when i was away. although he had time for the occasional text messages which made me feel loved and missed. i'm looking forward to tuesday and wednesday, as i have those two days off this week. some time to reconnect with the fam.

okay, going to go get my lunch packed up and ready to go, as well as all the knitting supplies i will need for my day.

the blog

when i started blogging a few years ago my intention was to have a place where my family could go to check in. then, i started really enjoying the whole sharing my life's stories with people i don't even know (well, at least not in person). and finally i got quiet.

i think it started being hard for me to write because i was not sharing some very personal things here. my life has continued, things have gotten better and i am starting to feel the pangs of missing my friends.

so, to write...to speak...to sing.

in which i am quiet

Those of you who know me, know I'm a *talker. Always have been, probably always will be. There are times that I get quiet and introspective. I think about the life I get to lead and say thanks.

I'm facing one of those times. One where writing here seems to take a bit of a back burner to simply living my life. I suppose I'm saying I going to take a break? But then who knows, perhaps next week I'll be inspired and ready to write more?

Things at Chez Clock are hopefully going to be changing soon. Things I've not really shared here. Face it, I've not shared a lot lately...When the time is right, I might just.

Meanwhile, I am going to be knitting like the wind on that blankie for Bocephus. I am going to have it done long before I need to ship it off so I have time to wash, block, and wrap it nicely.

*Oh and as a talker, trust me when I say, we don't need people to say such things as "wow, you really talk a lot!" cuz we know that already. Sometimes we have a hard time turning it off.

the wind and orts

It is maddening. Blowing cold air straight through you. Part of me wishes it would go away, but the other part realizes that the wind is the reason we have beautiful sunshine in what should be rainy Portland. Windbreakers are not even enough to keep it from making you shake.

_________________________

I am knitting a baby blanket for Bocephus. It is with really thin yarn (fingering weight) with really tiny needles (US 1's) and I am hoping to have it done with enough time to send to my sister for her shower in March. Crazy? Me? Nah!

_________________________

The store is slow today. What are people doing with their day today? Many do not have to work in observation of Martin Luther King Jr's birthday. I am not one of those who don't have to work. I've had two sales and one return. Not such a great day in that aspect, but a great day celebrating an exceptional human. Too bad we didn't get to see what else Mr. King could have done...

_________________________

I am looking forward to a jammy night tonight. We were invited over to Mahjong Monday (as we are almost every Monday) but I decided that I really wanted a sit and knit kind of night...in my jammies.

_________________________

Oregon passed a law prohibiting smoking in bars. This makes me smile ear to ear. I can now go to a bar and not come out smelling like I smoked two packs a day. I can even go knit in a bar if I really wanted to get crazy!

_________________________

That is all.

repeat

I am sitting here listening to music, waiting for it to be time to go to Kev's hair appointment. Suzette is making me come along so she can trim my bangs. No was not an option. I'm glad I listened to her because my bangs are driving me nuts and have ever since I made the appointment for him.

We're hoping to meet up with some friends for lunch (the call is out) before I head to help a girlfriend find THE dress. She's got one that is a contender already in mind. I've not gotten to see it on her, but it looks lovely in the photo.

After that, we have no plans. It's a lovely thing...

If our friends meet up with us, I'll probably leave Kev with them while I go look at dresses. Then I'll go to their house to pick him up, most likely hanging out for the evening. So yes, a great day is unfolding.

my henry

When we first moved to Portland we knew a couple of people already (well, the girls were "my" friends so I knew people) but Kev missed his buddies. It was shortly after he started at the soul sucking job (ssj) that he met Bran. The four of us, including his wife Jess, finally hung out and an instant friendship was born. Two years ago Henry was born. He is a joy. He is fun. He is love. He is...you get the picture.

I guess since their last visit he's been talking about Simon, Josie and Chloe. We couldn't make it to his birthday party yesterday so they all came over this morning for brunch. Chloe and Henry played Hide and Seek. Chloe is the most excellent hider. Simon just hung on the couch and Henry would sit for a bit with him, giving him pat pats (pics once okayed with Jess). Josie hung around a bit more this time, too.

While he did energize me and I was not tired at all while he was here, I'm going to take a nap. Late night last night and tonight we go meet a puppy...

today

The house is almost ready. Our friends will be showing up between an hour from now and 6:00. It all started out as me wanting to show my friend how to knit a hat. Then I figured I had a few other friends who should meet, I think the group will meld well. But after I got to thinking about the ladies I was inviting, I got to remembering who their significant others were...gamers.

It seemed only fitting that I suggest a knitting/gaming party. Almost all the couples can make it (and those who can't are missed!!).

I made brownies this morning. Fudgey Wudgey Blueberry Brownies. They are fabulous from what my friend tells me. She'll have to tell me if I did okay. I probably will only allow myself one bite of one because of my cocoa allergy (for those who don't know, man...it's ugly). If they turn out as good as proclaimed, I'll share the link. :)

I'm pretty excited about the day. I hope it's a success.

Off to set the lighting.

a girl could get used to it

I called to check in with Kev today and he said he was going to look in our favorite cookbook and go to the store for dinner. Did I have any particular cravings? All I craved was something that would be good leftovers. I came home to him making baked ziti with shrimp and scallops. Oh Em Gee! So good.

Last night I had dinner with my yoga teacher (and dear friend) whose boyfriend made us dinner. Enchiladas Lawrence. They had quinoa with toasted pecans and other amazing ingredients.

The night before? Kev made stew for us and our neighbor Ian. He made my mom's beef stew recipe, the one from growing up, but added a splash of balsamic vinegar.

I could totally get used to having dinner made for me. Wonder what is on the menu tomorrow night.

the goings on

Well, not a whole lot has been happening here. I've been doing copious amounts of math in preparation to finish a knitted project for my dear friend, Jill. The first math I did, I freaked out because I thought I needed more yarn. I ordered more, hoping the dyelots would match close enough. They did not. But then last night and again this morning I redid my math and found that I actually did have enough of the original yarn. Who knew? I do like the third skein so perhaps I'll actually tag that to make my very first pair of socks? Of course that could be years from now...

I have this dream that I will get laces scarves done in time to ship them down to our sisters with their xmas gifts (oh yeah, we're that late). Time got away from us this year. I wasn't really feeling the xmas spirit. I don't know why...

It's a cold morning. Frost covering the ground. What little "snow" we got the other day is still lingering in parts of the garden. I call it "snow" because it was ice pellets. Those suckers accumulate quickly, too! Supposedly we are to get them on and off this whole weekend, but I am doubtful. We didn't get any yesterday, wait...did we? My days, they run together.

Okay, knitting is clamoring for me to get to it. And nothing delights me more than sitting and knitting while sipping my coffee. So that's what I'm gonna do!

just when we thought it was over

Snow. Not as much as days past and it seems as though it's already begun to melt, but overnight we got a dumping of snow. I am pretty sure there is a direct correlation to it and the puddle on our basement floor. But not in the area one might think (around windows, walls). Smack dab in the middle, under the pipes leading from the tub above. I'm thinking that there might be some kind of cover for the overflow pipe that has been knocked loose on the roof.

We will investigate.

The interviews begin for the part time position for which we are hiring. Not really looking forward to doing them, but we need someone sooner than later. So today and tomorrow, I interview. Only one today so that's not too bad. It's tomorrow that I am not really looking forward to, because I think there are something like eight lined up.

So you may be wondering what we did NYE08/09...not much. Nobody came over, we went nowhere, we didn't even really drink. We sat, watched tv, hung out. We had friends over yesterday for chili (turned out really good, although for a slow cooker recipe, there was an hour of prep). We also taught them how to play Mahjong (well, one version of the game). We played five rounds I think. Each one of us one one and there was a draw...but wait, I won two! So six rounds were played. I knew they'd like it. It's a thinking game. Requires much thought and planning.

Speaking of thought and planning, I should go and figure out the game plan for my day. And maybe go over Kev's plan for this day, since he just got up?!?

Happy 2009 kidlettes! May it be a good one!

life

I posted a job listing yesterday morning for a part time position we had open up. It's not even been a whole 24 hours and I've received 44 resumes already. Ten which I've marked to share with the other manager and hopefully interview.

It's an indication of the job market, really. Although this is the first time in a long time I've had so many that I've been intrigued by. I'm pretty excited.

I will take my laptop with me to work today (I work on the floor at one of the stores today) so I can keep tabs on the resumes we will most likely continue to get in. I will call some of the people to set up interviews, too.

_______

We've had two nights in a row of lovely dinner with friends. Saturday night, new friends came over. We had such a damn good time with them. Kev hadn't met either yet and it felt like we all knew each other for a really long time already. Conversation flowed easily and without hesitation. We're going bowling with them and some of their friends for her birthday tomorrow.

Last night other friends came over for dinner and toilet installation. They came over while I was still at work so the install would be completed before I got home. Man, it's a pretty toilet. :) We chatted, ate, drank some beer. It was a great time, as always.

_______

Our gutters got pulled partway down because of the ice and snow that slid off our metal roof. The back is much worse than the front, but both sustained some damage. Today Kev will need to call our agent to set up a claim. Although I love the ease of the metal roof, the aftermath of a snow and ice storm leaves me annoyed.

_______

On Wednesday (my next day off) we will take down our tree. It's time.

_______

That's all, folks. I need to finish getting ready to go to work. Just wanted a quick update on our life and the goings on.

best tree

I am currently at work. It's been a slower than slow day. Four pairs of socks sold so far. I am hoping for one of those things called a Christmas Miracle. We'd like to make some good sales right now because our weather here has been nasty and we've not been open full days (when it drops below freezing when the "sun" sets, you send people home so they can get there safely).

So, I was sitting here chatting with one of the other stores when I looked out the window and saw the tree. It made me smile. I put the phone down and took a photo.

Now it's raining and even uglier out there (if you can believe it). Everyone keeps saying things about when the rains come it will help melt everything. That's only partly true. Sure the snow will melt, but it will first be turned into a slick slush. People don't know how to drive in it. None of it. Not snow, not slush, not ice.

So there you have it, another post about the weather. It's sometimes all we can talk about up here. :)

what being stuck inside for days on end will make you do...

Go here.

Feel free to register so you can rate it. ;)

a lovely morning

I woke at 7:00 to feed the crew their breakfast. Simon had started his dance half an hour before and was about to start the song. Josie was getting in on the act and was rubbing her body along the foot of the bed, scratching her back and making the bed a vibrating bed (rather jarring when you are still half asleep). Chloe was nowhere to be found, until I got downstairs to feed them. Up on the freezer is where she sat, waiting.

Last night Kev told me to wake him up when I was hungry and he'd make me breakfast. Before I did though, I wanted to see if the desk chair we'd bought for the basement would work with my new desk. Kev hasn't been all that comfortable in it and since I'd been telling him that the new desk could be his gift to me, I figured he deserved a new desk chair. Of course I decided this all this morning, so I simply moved our old desk chair back and told him that we'd eventually get him a new one (the old one is rather uncomfortable after a while of sitting in it).

We ended up making breakfast together, which was just perfect. Perfectly crisped bacon, soft scrambled eggs, a hearty toast...and home made grape jelly.

It's been a lovely morning indeed.

May this day be filled with laughter and love.

tomorrow

The word has been sent out that we are going to plan on opening tomorrow. Even if it's late, but we're shooting for regular hours.

I am going to walk to Hawthorne and then if I need to, I will bus it from there downtown. I think everyone should be okay for getting in. All of them can catch a bus to work (even the ladies who work at the mall).

It's critical we open. This time of year is not the time of year we retailers want to be closed for many days.

I just hope tomorrow is a hair warmer. Even if it were in the 30's would be lovely.

thankful

It snowed more last night. We're officially snowed in. Just opening the door this morning to let Josie out was a trial. There was a broom involved, a dog with a full bladder...

I sent out a text to the staff telling them it was up to them, but we were calling it. So, snow day in Portland. Not the time we want a snow day, right before the holidays. Hopefully people will come in after and buy the clogs they would've bought if they could get out of their houses.

I am thankful for the roof over our head and the warmth coming from the vents. I would not want to be living on the streets right now. Of course this city has done some amazing things and set up warming stations all over the city, but I don't think it will save every single person who lives out on the streets. Some people did not want to leave the few meager belongings they do have because they are not allowed to take their carts into the centers, so they opt to not go. Of course, if they are not of sound mind and body, the organizations have set it up so they have the right to take them in, if life is threatened by the elements.

And the only song that is currently running through my mind is "Baby it's Cold Outside" by Ella and Louie...

happy holidays

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

This year has been an amazing one. We celebrated being in our wonderful new house a whole year! We planted our first garden ever and were rather successful. We traveled a bit to see family and friends. We renovated the kitchen. We had family and friends travel to see us.

Throughout this year our family and friends (who face it, are our family) have shown us love and support in many ways. We appreciate and love every single one of you. Thank you from the bottoms of our hearts.

We hope that this holiday season finds you surrounded by loved ones, sharing the memories of the year gone by, and making new ones for the year to come.

Now can someone answer this question: what is egg nog and why do people think it tastes good?

it's coming doooown

Every single time it snows, ever since I met Jill and she introduced me to the band... I have one particular song that runs through my brain. Trip Shakespeare, Snow Days.

It really is coming down today. Just like the weather folks predicted. I woke to snow falling, I sit here at my desk with snow falling outside. Dinner plans have been canceled (for the safety of those invited over) and other plans are in the works (the boys who live across the street need to eat).

I've been flitting through the house taking photos as Kev's been making breakfast (mmm, pancakes and bacon).

Our favorite by far is this one of Simon and Josie...



okay, breakfast is ready

business as usual

So we are opening the stores like normal. Well, perhaps a couple will open a bit late since public transportation is the way most of the employees are getting into work. I am fine with them running late due to that issue.

I, however, will be driving to the mall store today. I am scheduled to close that location. Not looking forward to the drive, but the highways are actually quite cleared. It's the side streets I may end up having a bit more trouble with.

Even though the sun is shining, the wind is also blowing and it feels like 10 degrees outside. I swear, it's almost like we never left Kansas!

So, since I'm not working until later today, I get to have a "leisurely" morning around the house. Yeah, my stomach is in knots and I'm anxiously waiting to hear from everyone telling me they arrived safely. I told them all to call me when they got to the stores, just so I would know they were safe. I swear, I'm such a mom!

bird party

We have been making sure to feed our little friends outside, too.

snow day

I got up this morning with the intention of driving to our store at a mall in Hillsboro. It's on the other side of the city from where I live so it takes a little time. My co-worker was supposed to come and pick me up, but after I woke and saw the snow I was not surprised by her call asking me and my four wheel drive Subie to do the driving. Not a problem.

I called my boss as I got gas because it was really coming down on our side of the city. He said it was not bad out his way (he lives near the store at the mall). Off to my friends house to pick her up. We were driving right along, snow blowing around us, when our visibility dropped drastically. I handed her my phone and asked her to go ahead and call our boss.

He and I spoke, after I've pulled over in preparation for taking her home, and decided to not open today. I then called the mall office and left a voice mail saying as such.

The drive back to her house was not that bad. The snow had seemed to let up a bit in that area, but the roads did feel a little slicker. I popped in, met her husband (who was real nice and easy goin'...I see game nights in our future), smooched on her dog, scritched the two cats ears and called the people who were scheduled to go into work today to tell them to stay home and be safe. My favorite response, "what? I don't have to go to work? That rocks!" I told her happy snow day, but be prepared for work tomorrow.

Of course if it's not cleared up at all, we may end up making that call again.

The drive home from her house was a bit rocky at times, but when I got home I called my parents and thanked Dad for teaching me how to drive in this mess. Now I've got my jammies on (well, at least the lounge pants) and am waiting for our neighbor to text back whether they are coming for tiny pies or not.

I leave you with a site I just walked in on...

why with the aching head? oh right, wine.

I woke with a killer of a headache this morning. I took some pain reliever, but the ache was just all too powerful and determined to not be driven from my body (or masked as some say). I did a tremendous amount of running between stores today which added to my discomfort.

I got home, popped two more pain relievers, ate a bagel, and am now feeling that desired relief. I am hopeful that it has said its bit and I will not be in pain later on tonight. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will have a headache-less evening.

Perhaps the bagel is the real savior.

i could've laughed all night

This is why I love Simon so. He's totally chill. Kev was pulling the molting fur off of Josie's hind legs. He started fashioning little toupees for Simon. That cat just sat there for the longest time with each new do. I finally ran up to get the camera and man, am I glad I did.

This is his mo-hawk from the side. The one from the front, well, the black dog acting as a background kind of made his fancy toupee hard to see.

I laughed so hard that I cried big fat tears. Kev did too.

Thanks Simon...

thanks, michael vincent!

Wow, Michael, I wanted to say thank you for taking the time and effort to find me a new job...even though there are several reasons why you shouldn't have...

1. I do not know you.

2. Your emails are always routed to my spam folder.

3. I don't even open those emails.

If you are some guy whose email got hacked into, you really ought to change your password to a more difficult one. Maybe add some numbers and some upper case letters? If you really are some guy trying to help people find new jobs, you may want to make sure those people you are trying to help want your help.

I'm pretty happy where I am. My boss is great. The staff is fantastic. My hours are never too horrible. The pay, well, I can't discuss that at all.

So even though you are relentless with trying to help me find a new job, I say thanks but no thanks. You can totally stop sending those emails now, Michael. I don't need, nor want, a new job.

where i sit

Yesterday life returned to "normal" and I worked until closing at our mall location (perhaps you read something about that yesterday?). I got home and my new desk had been delivered. Kev knew better than to put it together. I love doing that kind of stuff.

So after changing into my jammies, I set to work promptly. It took very little time and it's perfect. The chair is a fine height (after much debate). The desk is the right size for the space. I am a little saddened at the thought of not getting to use Jill's desk anymore, but it's time. She's not asking for it back, but I can't allow myself to get any more attached than I already am.

In real life, it's not as dark. It's a redder wood than you can see here. And that chest that Simon is splayed on? It actually lives where the tree is currently standing.

over

Everyone is now at their respective homes. It was a fun filled 9 days of family fun.

I am home from closing the store out at the mall. It closes at 9 pm.

It took me more than 9 minutes to build my new desk. And about 9 seconds to start wondering if my chair is now too short.

I'm going to go to bed.

I'm over the 9's.

never thought i'd say it...

But thank goodness for KU football. :) Currently I am sitting at work while my family is at home watching KU football (KU/MU). I had someone call in sick. The other manager is going to be in shortly, to let me go home to the visiting family. After I get home I am going to see what the game plan is that my family came up with for dinner. The original idea was to go to the store and make turkey broth so we could make soup tonight for dinner in the slow cooker. That has now been a wash, since they've not gone and have instead settled down with the foolsball. I just spoke with Kevin and he said Dad has two ideas. We'll see what those are when I get home in a couple of hours.

I'm glad they can entertain themselves (with the help of KU football).

So yes, thankful still.

giving thanks

We are ready. The silver is ready. The dog is ready (to lay under the table and pick up anything that gets dropped).

The food is almost ready. The house smells wonderful. The desserts are waiting in the wings.

I am thankful for family who could join us. I am thankful for family I married into. I am thankful for my little family I get to live with here, the animals and Kevin.

I am thankful that the tests run for my sister's baby all came back with the results for which we hoped.

Remember to give thanks for all you do have in life.

rest in peace barbara

We just got a call from Kev's mom saying that their dear kitty Barbara Frietchie has left this world. She was a good old girl. Not a nasty bone in her tiny little body. Nothing more than a few scritches made her happy. The neighbor's dogs... She didn't deserve to go like that. She was the sweetest old gal I ever did know.

Rest in peace Babs, we will miss your sweet little face...

good morning

I was met by this beautiful creature this morning as I was taking my coffee cup into the kitchen. The image is taken with an extreme zoom as well as through a window screen. But yes, our backyard is a virtual Disney movie!

Directly to the right of the chair was a squirrel. It seems as though they were having a bit of a face off (they are near the bird feeder).

I had to actually stop and do a double take before I realized there was a small hawk sitting on the chair. Then I backed out as slowly as I could, hoping I could grab the camera before it flew away.

the perfect day

I woke without an alarm. Kevin had gotten up and fed the animals, which allowed me to have a bit of a lie in. It was wonderful to get up at 8:00. I had a single slice of toast with one cup of coffee shortly after getting up. Josie by my side. I pulled on my yoga wear and headed to to pick up Jill.

I got to see the beautiful curtains she made for us, giddy with the anticipation of hanging them after class. Practice was exactly what we needed, calm and relaxing leaving us to feel as though we were floating on air. Diana (our teacher) proclaimed she was going to have lunch with us. Jill and I were honored. I had an amazing meal with two fantastic women. Meanwhile, I got a text message from our furniture building neighbor that said "table is ready and why haven't we picked it up yet?!" Brett (neighbor) is a smart ass. I tell him we'll be home to get it shortly. He responds that he's not there, but will be in an hour.

So we installed the curtains in the bedroom and kitchen while waiting. The maple of our headboard against the copper faux silk is beautiful. And the sage color of the kitchen curtains is almost an exact match to the Kauai accent wall while the butter yellow of those same curtains pulls out the yellow in the tiles. Jill is amazing. I will share the photos after the family have gotten their first look at them in person. I love surprises. :) Well, I love surprising people.

Finally we headed to Brett's to pick up the table and Chickie. We are all three blown away. I was blown away, it felt like Kev and Jill were as well. Stunning was the first word that came to my lips. Then I just pet it. I am going to share a little peak of it. I just can't stop myself.

Can't wait to see the whole thing, can you?

constant companion

Josie is a funny girl. She pretty much is my dog in the mornings, unless she's pulled an all nighter and decides to go back to bed (sometimes I tell her to go back to bed, too).

But normally, her position is under my desk while I have breakfast in the morning. I'm not complaining in the least. I love my constant companion. This morning, she even came downstairs with me while I put a load of laundry in. Just to stand near me...

Don't let the tag on her collar fool you. It may say Daddy's Girl, but she's really a Mama's Dog on many occasions. And honestly, nothing makes my heart sing more than when she's following me around, just to lay near me. No poking of me with her cold, wet nose. Just the need to be near.

I heart Josie...

let the waiting begin

We have a beautiful bird feeder we got years ago with my Mamasita-in-law while we were out on the coast. At our old house, birds wouldn't come near it because it was simply too close to the house.

At this house, there was a pole already out there with a pan for water for birds, so we instantly put up the feeder. The birds here love it, and the cats do too...since they get to watch through the back door.

The squirrels around here are pretty industrious and have figured how to crawl up the pole and launch onto the feeder, tipping the contents on the ground below. I have only seen this happen once, but once was enough.

Today, I have replenished the food in the feeder and am attempting to beat the squirrels at their own game. I've used petroleum jelly on the pole, hoping they will not be able to get enough of a solid grip to climb.

(I'm trying not to be the 13 year old boy that I can sometimes be...the wording of this post is enough to send me into fits!)

Pictures...yes, they will help keep minds out of gutters!

I am hoping that we get to see some of the squirrels having issues and that we can also get those "on film" to share with everyone here. Josie has been doing a good job, patrolling the yard, but when we see the squirrels at the feeder, we tend not to let her out. There is no real close tree or escape route and I DO NOT want my dog to actually catch a squirrel. That would be too much for me to be able to deal with!!

So, here's to hoping I have foiled the squirrels. I do sprinkle some feed on the ground for them, though. I know they are trying to fatten up for a chilly winter...I just want the birds to keep coming around, too. They need fattening as well.

happy birthday bay-bee

Today is your 34th birthday. Our 12th birthday of yours that we've celebrated together. 12 years. I have two responses to that amount of time.

1. Has it already been 12 years?

2. Has it only been 12 years?

It's kind of a tie.

Thank you for being the person you are. Kind, generous, loving. Funny, musical, interesting. You are my husband. But more than that you are my best friend. I am the luckiest girl in the world.

knittahs at noon

In a few hours my house is going to be full of amazing friends. All with at least one thing in common, we knit. Kevin says I lost a couple of eyes when I started talking about all this darn knitting (sorry russ and reggie, i still love you!). But there is something pretty amazing about who is brought together by the simple act of moving two sticks around with some string and creating something beautiful.

I feel like the luckiest girl right now because my sister is pregnant. Beautifully, radiantly, roundly pregnant (well, i've not seen her yet so i don't know if she is all those things, but i'm guessing she is closing in on that last one). For me, knitting baby things is like heaven. They are quick with the knitting so it makes for as close to instant gratification you can get.

With my family's arrival next week, I would like to have the four bibs done. With only one done and one on the needles, I need to knit with the wind to my sails. Perhaps we need a Bourne Identity night sometime this week. I always knit faster to action movies.

Okay, must go finish getting the house ready for the throngs of beautiful women who are coming over today. (i'm trying to get those eyes back...russ, reggie? you out there?)

I'll leave you with this:

a taste

It's killing me, not being able to share the wonderful things I've been knitting for my nephew. So we were playing with the macro setting on our new camera (mom, don't freak out...we are fine) and I am thrilled with it. This way I can tease you all with little snippets of what I've got done and what I am doing without truly giving away the surprise for those family who will be seeing things in person in just under two weeks!! I am beyond excited about Thanksgiving this year.

So, here is just a little peak. I'm pretty happy with the color, as it's pretty spot on for the true color of the bib. And every knitter knows, it's hard to get yarn color to look as it does in real life when taking a photo.

I have a tan one on the needles right now, a cream one laying in wait, only to be followed up by a striped one (in all three colors).

Knitters on ravelry, you can go see it there. :)

my dog's a jerk

Okay, perhaps she's not intentionally being a jerk, but she is still a jerk. I went in the bedroom to check myself in our full length mirror. And who should I see all curled up on my side of the bed, using my pillow? Jerk.

I'd be really upset if she weren't so damn cute.

It's just, I wish that could be me in bed still. I'm just jealous. I know I'm turning that jealousy into name calling...

jerk.

shades of grey

The rain beats down outside in a deluge. It's the hardest rain we've had in a while. The sound is lovely as it bounces off the roof. The remaining leaves on our maple cling for their very lives. Not wanting to join their brothers and sisters that create a blanket on our front lawn. Soon, they will have no choice but to fall.

I've never seen a more beautiful tree in the fall than our maple. It's got shades of orange, red, green, and yellow. I look out my window from my desk and I see the branches blowing in the wind, as if it's trying to get my attention, to admire the beauty that lives before me.

So I will stop and take time to look out my window at the beauty that surrounds before it's all gone. For the grey winter that is on its way.

my morning

We made plans to have brunch at our house today with our friends, Jessica, Brandon and their son Henry. Henry loves him some kitties. We have Simon, Udder Kitty, and Josie (who is also "a Nani dog"- they have a bit black lab at home.)

Chloe (aka Udder Kitty) really wasn't too excited for the quickness of Mr. Henry. But he wanted to find "Udder Kitty" the whole time. She was intrigued and would pop out of hiding to watch him, but would hide if he started moving.

Josie was a bit skittish by the fastness of him, but pretty much would just wander away from him if he got too near. Never making a peep, just moving. Henry is a great listener and would let Josie be when we told him she didn't want pat pats.

Simon and he cozied up on the couch for a split second before Henry was up and moving again.

The thing about Henry is, he doesn't wear me out. I enjoy every second of him. And Jess and Bran are really amazing parents (as I always knew they would be). One of my favorite things Jess does now and again, is she sends camera phone pics every so often.

This is on their drive home from our house...

He was on the go the whole time they were here. I'm sure his feet were smelling goo-ood.

And don't worry, he's got his own site and his Mom doesn't mind I post his photo.

have you ever?

I was going through photos tonight on my computer when I ran across this one. Yes, your eyes are correct, you do see a squirrel laying on it's stomach motionless. How do you know it's motionless? Well, because it is in focus, nothing is blurred, not even a hair on it's tail.

I remember this day. As soon as Josie alerted me to the squirrel, I grabbed the camera and took a photo. I text messaged our neighbor, Bret, to tell him I think Nutsy was in our tree acting weird.

I exited my house to see if I could get closer, and I sure could.

Bret came out to meet me and see Nutsy, but as soon as he came up the driveway, Nutsy got up and zipped off. I still think the photos is pretty damn funny. I've never seen a squirrel laying on it's belly. It wasn't even that hot of a summer day...

boy

My sister and her husband found out they are having a boy. 98% chance of it. Ever since I found out about them being pregnant, I've referred to the baby as him. Never waiving. I love little girls, don't get me wrong, but I knew she was going to have a boy.

She called me yesterday and left me a voice mail saying I am going to have a nephew. My heart sang. All I could think of was all the wonderful things I could knit for him. I've already got a jacket done in a kiwi green that is going to be adorable. I have a bib in a pale sky blue and a hat that is deep peacock blue both on the needles. The *Baby Yoda Sweater will be perfect, too. Oh Mah Gawd! I'm going to swoon. :)

(*sorry for no link, the one i have doesn't work anymore)

I did ask about names and am thankful to hear they are keeping that to themselves. I've heard horror stories of parents, family and friends saying things like, "Oh you can't name him *Jub Jub because I once dated an Jub Jub and it was..." or "Jub Jub, that's a dumb name...where'd you hear of Jub Jub?" or "Jub Jub was OUR baby name you..." You get the picture.

*For the record, I think Jub Jub would be a great name. ;)

change

I needed a bit more change in my life and opted to rearrange my closet, which led to the master bedroom being changed around, which meant the living room had to have some changes, too.

Change change change.

It seems that working on one room at a time really pans out for me. Although as soon as the end is near, I start dreaming of the next space to update and change. From the kitchen reno, I've moved onto our bedroom. I will get photos up, but probably after the family has come through in a few weeks. I don't want to spoil the surprise for them. :)

I've not done anything drastic in the master, just moved out some furniture, got a full length mirror and some curtains. Just enough to make it feel a little more done. All that I feel is left in there is finding some artwork for the walls (perhaps I will make something?), the curtains to be hemmed and hung, and finding the aforementioned light fixture. We will either go with a ceiling fan (which when the summer is here in a room where currently one window opens it would be nice) or a chandelier of some sort. Visually I know a really cool chandelier would be better, but again, when there is no air moving...although we will eventually be replacing all the windows in the house and we will be making sure that all in the bedroom open, so perhaps a great chandelier isn't out of the question.

Kev just goes along with my ideas, interjecting if he feels strongly about something. So far, we've done well working together. It's kind of nice to collaborate with him.

Okay, must be off to work. Walking to work in between the bouts of rain. Of course, I'll probably get caught in some since it takes me about 25 minutes to get to work from here. Ah well, it is fall in Oregon.

making the rounds

As I peruse the blogs that I've come to know and love the sentiment is the same, pride.

A feeling overwhelms me.

Tears come to my eyes.

A smile to my lips.

I am proud of my country.

i vOted!

did you?

make your voice heard.

vote for the candidate you believe in.

know that this time we CAN made a difference.

vote for a change in washington.

VOTE!

rosie

So this weekend we were invited to several Halloween parties. As the previous posts made note of, I had one hell of a busy week. All week I was on the fence about going to two parties on Friday. I chatted with one of the women with whom I work and we came up with an easy costume. I got home and started rooting around the closets. Kev asked what I was doing and I told him I was looking for something to use for my costume. All week he'd been wanting to go to the parties. So when he said he wasn't feeling great and thought he should stay home I stopped searching.

On Saturday we had yet another party invite. Kev was feeling better so we decided to search for costumes in our house (yea for no spending $$). Kev went as a beach bum. I went as Rosie:

We can do it!

You can't really see it, but the "badge" on my collar is actually my "KNITTERS FOR OBAMA" sticker. It felt right.

not quite done yet

Well, last night was very sweet. We had a handful of beggars come by the house. I think my favorite was the first two I handed out to. Older sister with younger brother...and she was easily the age where going out with your little brother could be annoying. She seemed really happy to be out with him. It was sweet. What's that? What were they dressed as? I can not remember. I just remember them being happy to be out together.

So, I got home from work yesterday and had mustered the energy and excitement about going to both parties. I started rummaging through Kev's closet, looking for a blue button up shirt. He then announced he was not feeling well and didn't think we should go to either. I told him there were no taksie backsies. So we stayed home. I text messaged our friends to let them know that we were not going to be attending either gathering because of a not feeling so well husband. Everyone told me not to catch it. :)

Today I get to go into work and finish getting the checks ready (gotta stuff the envelope with my memo) and then I get to go to the mall store way the hell out and interview four candidates for the position we have open out there. That will take a few hours and then I will compile notes, talk with Susie (who's conducting the interviews with me) and head home...

We have another party we were invited to tonight. We'll see how the Mr. is feeling tonight.

Tomorrow I work (don't worry Mom and Dad, I have plenty of time to call before heading into the store at 11:00).

I'm ready for Monday because Jill is coming over and we are doing the touch up paint and re-hanging the light fixture that we painted. It should prove to be a productive day. After which, we will drink wine and possibly light a fire...who knows?!?

a week in the life

Sunday: day off. start the finishing touches in kitchen. apply first coat of matte black paint to ugly brass light fixture. take jill out to lunch as a thanks for helping.

Monday: day off. install trim in kitchen. grout. apply another coat of paint to light fixture. go to friends house and play mahjong. win one game. go home. sleep.

Tuesday: back at work. get the mail and everything ready for boss's return home. speak to boss after he's landed in chicago. make boss laugh. boss is very sleep deprived. go to bar friend works at and have dinner and drinks with more friends. go home. sleep

Wednesday: work. write checks. visit with boss (who is at work at an early time of 8:00). go home. rearrange furniture in bedrooms and living room. do this in the three hours between the time i get home and time i have to leave for knit night. go to knit night. eat chili...mmmm, yummy chili. get my knit on with my foul mouthed knitter friends. laugh a lot. go home. sleep.

Thursday: make appointment for dog at vet (6 month check up). work. call potential employees to set up interviews. meet a/c guy downtown. climb through some poor girl's office window to access our a/c unit on the roof. watch as a/c guy disassembles unit. take field trip with a/c guy and his wife (our former employee) to check if we need a new motor as he predicted. find out it's electrical. must call different a/c guy to come out and figure it out. take stills of thief from day before. jackass. get home in time to go to friends pumpkin carving party. drink vodka and cranberry (with a splash of tonic). carve pumpkin before drinking too many of those (although i made them really weak...shhhh!!). light candles in pumpkins on friend's front stoop. oooh and ahhhh. go home, taking pumpkins with. sleep.

Today: work. I am going to call the a/c people about our unit and getting it fixed. I know, you're wondering why we're having it fixed now, with winter coming. Well the store is a little hot box and I don't want my staff to bake. I also have paychecks to write. Tonight we're invited to two parties, but I am still on the fence about going. I want to hand out candy in the hood here because last year we got kids coming by!! Kev is thinking after the candy delivery we could go, but the parties are in Northeast and North Portland (about a 35 minute drive away). On any other night, I'd be there. But this week has been chock full (read above) and an evening at home sounds perfect to me...we'll see.

when life gets in the way

Words elude me.

Legs are tired.

Body follows.

Drinks tonight, indeed.

Off the next two days.

Happy.

sore thighs and tiny pies

It's not like you think.

Kevin just got home from two and a half days of hiking and camping. He and two friends were dropped off at Eagle Creek trail head late on Saturday. They hiked in four miles and set up camp. Yesterday morning they got up, packed up, and hiked up. They hiked UP for about 10 more miles before setting up camp for the night. That meant they had fourteen miles to hike DOWN today. Kev's in a bit of pain. But he had a lot of fun, and that is what matters.

Yesterday I got up and went to my friend's house and we made five dozen tiny pies. Our other friend joined us, otherwise it would've only been four dozen. We each got 8 chicken pot pies, several apple, a few peach and a couple pear/apple. What are tiny pies? You take 8 oz wide mouth canning jars and line them with crust (you can let the crust hang over because after you fill it, you flip it up as a top crust). You can fill then with anything you want. Although we don't suggest custard pies (not that we've tried them). You can either freeze them or put them in the fridge for a week or so and then you bake them on 400 for 45-60 mins. If you freeze them, put them in the oven as you preheat, then keep an eye on and pull when the crust is golden through the side of the jar.

Now Kev's home and we're going to sit and relax together. It was a lovely quiet two days, but I'm glad he's home...so are the trio. Each have taken their turn meowing, sniffing, ribbing against the closed bathroom door, waiting for him to emerge.

today, with updates

Today will consist of the following (in no particular order)

1. Yarn shopping (what, there is a sale that starts today and I took the day off work...because it's my birthday). Yarn purchased. Enough for a sweater for a baby, some bibs for that same baby, and a really cool hat for...that very baby. I also scored on some yarn for a dress I'd like to make for myself to wear in my friend's wedding next summer. It's gorgeous (and sadly the camera died as I was attempting to take my first photo to share. not the kind of died that charging fixes, either).

2. Coffee drinking (that can happen only until about mid morning if I ever want to sleep again). Now it's the time of the day where if I drink more coffee, I will not sleep tonight. Most people think that I couldn't possibly be that touchy to it, but I am. Trust me.

3. Baby knitting (I'm almost done with the first baby jacket for the newest member of my family). I finished, except for seaming up the sides and sleeves (which will take zero time on a baby sweater) and I have to find a really great button, well...two really great buttons.

4. Sushi eating (this will commence this evening with a few friends). Done and done. Greatest meal!

5. Bones watching (I am officially addicted to that show. I've not watched any of this season, we are getting caught up on the former seasons). Done with this as well. Didn't allow myself to watch all day, but I did get quite a few episodes into the season I'm watching.

Other than that, I'm not really sure. I think I'll let the day play out as it is supposed to. I have my list for the yarn shop (remarkably, there is some yardage listed that isn't for the Blob and is in fact for me).

Hope everyone has a great day!!

life

Isn't it interesting how life sometimes seems to fly by? I mean you blink and we're near the middle of October already.

Work has been a bit stressful for me. Yep, in the world of comfort shoes, there can be stress. My boss is out of the country until the 28th, leaving me in charge of the check books. My co-manager was away for a few days. This was the perfect time for someone to get sick. So they did. I worked an 11.5 hour day on Thursday. I'm taking it slow this morning and going in when the store where the office is opens at 11:00. I have to close my old haunt tonight. Then, I am getting a day off!

Tomorrow we have potential plans to meet up with Jill and Mark at Sweetness Bakery, plans to go to Wolfgang's first birthday (he's a baby of some friends of ours), and plans to hang out with Shannon and Kiley.

I am looking forward to every single minute of tomorrow. I am also hoping to go get some yarn to start making a baby sweater for a very special someone in my life (sorry, not disclosing at this time, other to say it is NOT me). I am over the moon, however.

Today is going to be an easier day. It's going to be a less stress filled day. It is going to fly by like yesterday did (I got to work all day at my store...the one downtown that I worked at full time for five years).

So, I am going to go heat up another cup of coffee, scratch Chloe's back a bit more, and maybe take a bath.

morning

every morning

Without fail every morning my dear Chloe will come up to me as I sit in front of the computer eating my breakfast and drinking my coffee. She will stand on her back legs, front paws on my leg. She chirps. She chirps until I reach down and scratch her back. Only then is she happy. Of course, she does this repeatedly in the morning until I tell her she's had enough.

This is the face I get to see every single morning...

I rake my fingers up and down her spine and she just purrs. I look at her and think, "she can't be 11 years old." She acts more and more like a kitten each and every day.

and we have ice

So our friends Jenn and Dugan were over the other evening for dinner (it was after the marathon grape jelly making...after the Oregon Flock and Fiber Fest). Jenn and I had spoken about the possibility of Dugan hooking up our fridge's ice maker at one point. So that night, he took a look. We already had a valve tapping into one of the lines. We even had a hole that'd been plugged up by the previous owners of the house. All we really had to do (in theory) is by the tube and the fittings to hook it up.

This morning Dugan came over and he and Kevin got everything taken care of. We now have ice. Real, made in our house, ice. No more buying ice. Sigh...

It's funny how ten years ago, an ice maker would not have made me smile. Meh, it was just ice. We could buy ice. But now, now it's a beautiful thing. Of course it's ready right in time for the fall like weather we've been getting (although yesterday and today have been gorgeous).

Huh, ice.

brian

I went to the Oregon Flock and Fiber Fest (OFFF) yesterday with three fabulous women. We got up early and headed to the Canby fairgrounds. Much lovely yarn was purchased (I'd been on a yarn diet, saving for OFFF). I got yarn for Chaz's wedding cardigan (not at OFFF, but from one of my amazing friends who dyes yarn...and she had much undyed yarn that she offered up). I found the perfect yarn for Jill's shrug for Chaz's wedding. I also found some yarn for a Christmas present for my sister. And then some lovley yarn for a lace shawl for myself (?) or for whomever it tells me it needs to go to once it's done. I also picked up some skeins of alpaca for the "left over" blanket. I needed cream and I didn't have any cream in the stash...what?!?! :)

I will post what I got over at Ravelry once I have photos taken (sadly I can't do that today since I am working today).

However, I did make friends with a special someone in one of the flocks...

Meet my new friend, Brian. As soon as I pet him, his tail started WAGGING!!! With much enthusiasm. It was really quite sweet.

Okay, must gather my things to go to work downtown. At least I get to work at my store. Of course I am taking the lace shawl to start playing with...what?!? It is Sunday, most likely it will be slow (at least I'm kind of hoping it will be so I can play, although if it is busy time will pass faster...oh the catch 22).

aunty jill

Josie is in love. I always knew she would find that one friend of ours whom she just couldn't wait to see, would wiggle just as much as when she sees us after a long day. That one friend is her Aunty Jill.

Jill and I met the first week before our freshman year of college started. She was sitting alone at a table in the dining room. A group of girls I was hanging out with suggested we go ask her to sit with us. My first reaction was, "what if she wants to be left alone?" I'm glad nobody listened to me.

She became my closest friend in about two minutes after meeting her.

She became Josie's favorite aunt in a little less time...

Last night Jill and Mark (her husband) came over for dinner. It was a slightly less than stellar day for me but during dinner Jill kept giggling. She told us somebody was resting her chin on her foot. I had no idea her foot was in the air. I'd thought Josie had lowered her chin to Jill's foot on the floor.

That moment right there, made my night.

A couple of different moments made my morning this morning, but that may be another post (or I might just send those friends an email thanking them).

How can you not smile at a face like Josie's?

when pigs fly

63F

It was a chilly morning as I awoke to the soft sounds coming from my alarm clock (I have it set to a radio station that is not too jarring). No animals climbed across my head, chest, body. Simon was content to snuggle up and keep himself warm against us. Josie was starting to rouse, but had yet to come over to my side of the bed to poke me with her cold, wet nose. Chloe was not in the room with us.

I actually turned on the heater in the bathroom downstairs this morning as I fed the crew. I figured if I turned it on at that time, it'd be warm by the time I went down for my shower. It was.

The past few days I've been walking, riding my bike, relying on my body power to get to work. This morning, I decided to take the car. I need to run down to Portland Fixture (I LOVE going to this place and poking around) to get some things for the kids store. I figured it would be easier to use the Subie as opposed to strapping something to my back or relying on getting a car from one of the guys here. Yesterday I'd hoped to borrow Ahmed's car, but he had people with him and I didn't want to leave them stranded at the office.

Speaking of work...I better get to it. I've got photos to take and load up to our site. I've got fixtures to go buy. I've got shoes to unload and figure out where I am storing. I've got a day ahead of me...

when life settles down

It's funny how often I hear those words. "I'll be able to do ___X___ when life settles down." When is that exactly? I've been waiting, but it just seems to continue down the road of crazy busy (emphasis on crazy).

Today I work downtown (my old haunt) with our newest newbie. She and I have a ton of stock to put away in the small store room. I do have plans, great big plans. She has no clue what is in store for her today.

Tonight we have friends coming over after 8:00. We'll play Rock Band 2 and enjoy ourselves until the wee hours I am sure.

Tomorrow I have a tiny pie party to attend. It starts at 2:00, thank goddess. I can't imagine a late night tonight and an early day tomorrow. I do have to go and buy all my ingredients tomorrow (well, the apples) as well as the tiny pie "pans" which are 8 oz canning jars, with lids. I'm pretty excited about it, really. Of course ten years ago, I would have looked at you like you had a second head sprouting from your shoulders if you told me I'd be excited about making tiny pies.

I'm ready...so when's it going to settle?

crumby? crummy?

I woke up in a little bit of a foul mood this morning. Perhaps I had a dream that I am not remembering that left me feeling a bit "meh"?

Perhaps it was the knowledge that a "fun" day was waiting for me when I got into work?

Maybe it was just...I don't know.

I hate it when I'm asked/told to do something a particular way and when said thing is done in that way and the outcome is undesirable, I get blamed.

I'm having a bitch of a day so far. And honestly, it's probably best for me to not write right now. Yoga will be welcomed with open arms this afternoon!!!

shhh! i'm trying to talk here

I have had people tell me often, throughout my life, that I talk a lot. It finally has hit the time where I've heard it enough to want to say something snarky and rude back (because yes, I think people are being rude when they make that observation and feel the need to comment on it). I mean, honestly, do they not think I hear myself speak?

So now, I will probably be silent for a few more days because my in-laws from Chicago are in town. They arrived yesterday and leave on Thursday. We're going to get fabulous baked goods this morning and possibly hang a chandelier in our almost completed kitchen.

better beans

This morning as I was attempting to put together a lunch that would be substantial enough I looked outside at my garden. I had 20 minutes before I needed to leave to get to work on time. What could I pick to take with?! BEANS! I ran out, grabbed a handful and came in to boil them.

I just opened the container of beans and ate one. I swear, our whole garden could be green beans and I'd be happy. They are the perfect side for so many dishes. Right now I'm eating leftover ravioli and a green bean is perfection alongside.

I know I can't shut up about these damn beans, but let me expand on why they are tastier than those you find at the grocery store...

They squeak when you eat them. Not a crunch, like they are undercooked, but squeak. They are firm as you bite into them. The aroma they make as they cook (both boiling and steaming) is heavenly. Enough to wake Kev out of his slumber this morning, actually.

And now...they are all in my belly.

thanks mom and dad

Mom and I have been talking about our kitchen reno (which is so near complete I can almost see it). I told her that we were wanting to get a new set of dishes since ours were cracking and now didn't look right with the space. She spoke of going to a few places, but there was one that we had coupons for...so we found them there.

I couldn't wait to get them in the dishwasher so I could use them. I've already eaten dinner off of one of the plates and I'm letting a bowl cool so I can have some ice cream.

Thank you Mom and Dad. Christmas came early today. We love you both!

perfect

It seems to me that my written world here has gone a bit stale. It's not that life is stale, but I've not had enough time, enough inspiration, enough ___(fill in the blank)___. And you know what? I'm pretty okay with that.

I sometimes think about why I started writing. It's not that I felt I was a writer of fabulous words and just HAD to get them out. More like, I wanted to not have to write the same email to all our family and friends after having moved here. The cool thing is that I've met a few people along the way. A perk.

So as I reflect upon this I am struck by this thought:

The air today is perfect here. The sun is warm on my face as I harvest more beans (sorry Dad, they're going in my belly tonight, but there are more on the vine). Neighbors are out walking with their baby. And the breeze feels cool on my skin.

I find it hard to tear myself away from such a perfect evening any longer...

first beans blanched

I have done it. I forced myself to NOT eat the beans I harvested today. Instead I blanched them and froze them for Thanksgiving dinner. There was probably about one healthy serving (two smaller) picked with many more on the plant that will be ready in a couple of days. I WILL be serving my home grown greenie beanies for Thanksgiving with my family. I am so proud of these beans (yeah, that feels as odd to write as it reads).

We just got home from a burger out. We've been really good about not eating out as much, but tonight I was tired from working, I didn't want to cook anything, and I just got paid.

really?

So I am sitting here at work, once again. It's been a much busier Labor Day than I thought (read feared) it would be. This makes me happy. However, what makes me cranky is the girl who just came in and very cheerily stated, "Oh, your working on Labor Day. And we're not..." giggling the whole time.

I want to write a book and call it "Stupid things that come out of customer's mouths" or something like that. I'm sure with the staff here we could come up with a large selection pretty darn quickly.

One of my faves was, "the sign on your door that has the hours...it's not right, is it?" said to me 45 minutes AFTER we'd closed. When I said yes, they proceeded to hang around even longer. I finally told them they'd have to come back as I had a life to live outside of the store.

I just have to wonder about people sometime.