yarnslinger

Friends

2011-09-22T19:21:00.000-04:00

Hi Blog!

It's been a loooong time. Life must be going well, because I tend to only write when it isn't. And yet, I have so much on my mind - not bad, not good - just thoughts that need a place to be expressed.

I wanted to write last night, but I am sick and I ran out of energy, Getting an early start tonight.

So friends have been on my mind this week. I spent an amazingly fun weekend this past one with 4 other friends in Ogunquit. Let me preface this by saying, I am generally not all that comfortable traveling in groups. I have my control issues, and I need to be able to do what I want, even if it's not what the group wants to do. And that has often caused problems, because others have expectations that I should just be going along with things. (But I do what I want anyway).

So I hadn't been away with a group in quite some time, and I decided to be open to just doing whatever everyone wanted to do. Well. it all worked out great. And the bonus? So everyone but me was an early to bed, early to rise kind of gal - SO not me. And the great thing was that I didn't get all pissy when they were ready to call it a night, and they didn't get all pissy when I chose to stay out late on my own. I like to call that a win/win situation.

Now I know to some of you, this is not a big deal. You are sitting there going, "yeah, so"? But it is, because it got me to thinking about the quality of people I allow into my life. This is not to say that I think I am better than anyone (ok maybe sometimes), but I don't mean it in a judgmental way. I mean it in a "what are you bringing to the table" kind of way. I have too often in my life found myself in circles of people who are all about drama and dysfunction. I have worked hard to overcome that and just say no to it. And so, it was a BIG DEAL to find myself with a group of friends who are so like minded! Wow! It only goes to show that the universe listens and brings us what we ask for.

So. Now I find myself struggling with a couple of friendships that are just not working. All I can really do is let go and hope they sort themselves out. And that makes me sad. But, I have arrived at a place in my life where I know it is not all up to me to make a friendship work, it is a 2 way street. I've said this before - we put our time, attention and energy into the things that matter the most. Truly we do. And that is how it should be. And, I have to be honest here. I have not put my share of time and attention into one particular friendship. So, where does that leave things if neither party are just not all that into it? I guess all I can do is just wait and see.

I'm not convinced that I am a great friend. I think I missed a few social skills along the way. I try, but now and then I come up short.

Anyway,. Life is good. It has been for some time, and for this I am grateful. I have amazing people in my life. I have a good job. I have a great place to live. I am in good health. I have a terrific family. If there was one thing I would change it would be to just slow things down. There is so much I want to do and I just want to savor every moment and not be rushing from one thing to the next. Oh and maybe I would also like to be a better housekeeper. I used to be practically anal about keeping the house clean. What happened?

Family

2011-07-23T21:57:00.000-04:00

Mine.is.awesome. And today, it just got WAY bigger!! My brother, who I absolutely love unconditionally, got married today. It was the most real, beautiful, full of love from all gathered ceremony I have ever had the privilege to attend. Some other time I will post about how awesome my brother is.

So a few months ago, when he told me they were getting married, I was not on board. At all. I thought it was too soon. His last marriage did not end well, and I guess I am a bit of a mother cub when it comes to him, but I was not going to let someone else come along and take advantage of him. The beauty of our relationship is that I could air my concerns, and he listened. And told me that he heard me. And really loved this woman. And don't get me wrong - I had met her, and she was sweet, and nice, and fun - but you want to marry my brother? Really? Well, you gotta prove yourself woman!

Now, I don't know this for fact, but I suspect my brother shared it all with his now wife, because that is just who he is, and were the tables turned, I would too.

The first time I went to my brother's house after she moved in, I will say, I was well, a little anxious. All these people had moved into what I considered my family home - and I was I admit, scared, that it just wouldn't be the same, and I was going to lose my safe haven. My issues. So I went there, and yup - it just wasn't the same. IT WAS EVEN BETTER!!!!! The energy in that home, and the people there, well they were just awesome. And I felt bad that I had had so many misgivings. And I patted myself on the back for being open to the possibilities.

And I realize why. Because I always wanted a sister. Really, I did. And the last person who called me sister, well, she really ripped my heart out. And I had to deal with that, and put it into perspective. And separate the "no one is EVER going to take advantage of MY brother again" from who this new woman in his life was. And I appreciate that she gave me the space to do that, and never took it personally, and has never been anything other than genuine and kind to me. Exactly what I would want for my brother. Oh. Yeah, Melissa, connect the dots. I have witnessed over the past months how happy my brother is, not because he is in this relationship, but because he is happy with who he is, and she is happy with who she is, and they complement each other.

I am sending them the link to this. I am tired. I am emotional (in a good, no make that GREAT way.)

I am feeling very blessed right now to know the people I call family. They are a small lot, But it's quality, not quantity as I like to say. WE are blessed. And today, the people I call family have expanded. I have neices - YAY!!!

I also got to meet my cousin, who I have know existed since I was 15 (35 years!) and never met - and felt an instant connection with. And her kids are awesome! Anyway, my heart is very full, and I am very tired, but in a good way for sure.

It's the only picture I took today. I just needed to be present and there were plenty of others taking pics which I will share at a later date.

Today was just perfect. I am blessed!!!

Dusting off the Blog and a recipe

2011-02-08T20:37:00.002-05:00

And it has been a LONG while since I have wandered around here!!

Life is good. Most would find my life boring, but I am way content.

Baseball is on the horizon. And spring. And the pool. And summer which I love the most.

Work is good. Tolerable. Friends have had challenges - me no likee.

Made this recipe from Bon Appetit on Saturday. Heated up leftovers tonight - tis true, lasagna improves with age! It really was delish, but I really dislike the way Bon Appetit presents their recipes. I am going to re-write it so it is in sync with the way my brain works when I cook. I am all about multi-tasking, and this recipe was not my friend in that way. But that's ok, I can rework it.

But yeah...life is good for the most part. Content. Finally!!! Restless used to be a way of life - no more!

http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/01/swiss_chard_lasagna_with_ricotta_and_mushrooms

Thanks Bill - great idea!!

2010-05-11T19:18:00.003-04:00

I received the following e-mail today from none other than our former President, Bill Clinton!!

Dear Melissa,

During the 2008 campaign I had the opportunity to meet Hillary's supporters from all over the country. I met so many wonderful people and had so many great conversations.

A few months ago, I had a chance to do that again, when the campaign flew one of Hillary's biggest supporters, who won our previous contest, to New York to visit me. We talked about how Hillary's doing as Secretary of State and the current state of the world, and about the work of my foundation.

I had such a good time that I'd like to do it again. How would you like the chance to come up to New York and spend a day with me?

Hillary's campaign still has a few vestiges of debt that I know she would like to see paid in full. Will you reach out today to help Hillary this one last time? If you enter between now and May 18th, you might join me for a day in New York.

Click here to help pay down the last of our campaign debt, and we might fly you to New York to spend the day with me.

I'm so proud of the work Hillary has done as Secretary of State, traveling the world, restoring the country's alliances, and making America stronger. And as I watch health care reform sweep the country, I can't help but think about how much she has contributed over the years to make the progress we are making possible.

I know you share my pride in all her accomplishments, and I know how much your continued support means to her.

And yes, she still needs your help. That's why we're going to choose one supporter who enters between now and May 18th and fly them and a guest to New York, where they'll spend a day with me.

Contribute $5 or more today for your chance to join me for a day in New York City.

Thank you for the wonderful support you've shown to both me and Hillary over the years. Our lives are richer for knowing you.

Sincerely,
Bill Clinton

How fabulous is this? For a mere $5 I could have the chance to spend the day with Bill Clinton! You can imagine my disappointment though...unfortunately, I need to use that $5 to pay down my own debt.

But it gave me a great idea! I mean, I have a fair share of debt, those student loans are going to be around at least another 10 years, you know? And the Clintons...well...don't get me wrong now, but something tells me they have the means to pay off their debt much easier than I do, just saying.

So...why not send that money to me instead? Seriously...send me at least $5 and I will enter your name into a drawing to spend the day with me! I can come over and we can, I don't know, rent some movies and I'll make a yummy meal for you. I think that's a pretty good deal! So leave me some love in the comments if you're interested, 'k?

And thanks Bill, I think those student loans of mine are soon going to be paid

Guest Blogger

2010-03-16T17:39:00.008-04:00

Hi it's me, Rusty. My mom said she was playing "hooky" today. I have no idea what kind of game that is, or when she actually played it. But she took my and my sister Sabre to the beach and we had a really fun time and she let me take some pictures!!

The waves were REALLY BIG! Bigger than me! My mom says the beach was eroded and that there were huge piles of sand everywhere. Well, I don't know what that means, but all I can say is that when you are only like 2 feet about the ground, EVERYTHING is huge! That pile of stuff in the sand smelled really good to me and Sabre. Mom says it is "lobz-tah traps".

I stuck my toes in. Chilly!!! Bichons were not meant for this. Where is the hot tub?

Mom stuck her toes in too. Me and Sabre are laffin' at her because a BIG wave came and got her pants wet. She wasn't paying attention. You would have laffed too!

Mom made me take a picture of her toes to prove she really did go in.

We made a new friend. He hung with us for a long time, and he had a leash on...but we couldn't figure out who his people were and hope he is ok...

Hi Mom!!

Mom's trying to dry her pants off in the sun...

We sat on this log for a while and rested.

Happy my mom got to spend fun time with me today!

Sabre is happy too!

Can we go now? How 'bout now?

After the beach, mom had to stop at the store. She bought some roast beef. AND SHE SHARED IT WITH US!!! Me and Sabre snuggled up in the back seat for the ride home, VERY content!!

Remember Me

2010-03-14T20:40:00.007-04:00

WARNING *SPOILER ALERT* REMEMBER ME
If you plan to see the movie, do NOT read this post!!

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Hey, what are you looking at? She told you not to look!

The biggest problem with Remember Me is the ending. It's brilliant. Because it will stir deep emotions in anyone who remembers 9/11.

Humans by nature avoid the unpleasant. We like to move on and focus on what is pretty. That was not a pretty time for any of us.

Tell me what you thought of the movie's ending...cheap cop-out? sacrilege? amazing? I'm curious as to how it moved you. It moved me in my own unique way.

The movie opens with a shot of the twin towers at night. It always unnerves me a bit to see them and then remember they don't exist anymore.

I'd be lying if I told you I'd have gone to see this movie in a theater if someone other than Robert Pattinson was starring. Normally it would be the kind of movie I would wait and rent. I'm glad I didn't wait. The movie was so much better than the mediocre fluff I feared it would be. The acting was good, the story drew me in. I'm a sucker for the angst anyway.

And all was well, until I figured out where the ending was heading. I'm good at figuring out where a story is heading. It is the number 1 delight for me in any book or movie. If the ending surprises me, that is an accomplishment. If I figure it out early on, death sentence. I did not see this one coming. At all. As soon as Tyler was in the elevator and I saw the number 88 flash by, I knew. I'm surprised I didn't gasp out loud. Or maybe I did. All I know is that I got so anxious, everything inside me just clenched up tight and I thought, oh no, please, don' t. As soon as Tyler sat down at his father's desk and saw the pictures on the computer, that was it for me - the tears came. I silently prayed, pleeeeeease don't make this graphic. Please don't show it happening. Please. And, they heard me. It was perfect. Tasteful. Powerful. I personally don't think the ending was a cheap shot, or a cop out, as others have stated. I understand why someone could feel that way.

My friend I saw the movie with shared that she remembered exactly where she was and what she was doing when the planes hit. I know for me, all I wanted to do was get home and make sure my daughter, who was 13 at the time, was safe. I wanted to hug her. I was uncertain that we were all going to be ok. I was terrified.

So how did it make you feel? Angry? Sad? Betrayed?

I know I was happy that when I got home there were people I love more than anything here. I know I am reminded not to take one second of this life for granted.

Brain Dump

2010-02-04T22:19:00.000-05:00

Just got home from the gym, another really great workout. I'm really getting into some good habits and noticing a shift the last couple of weeks. I feel the endorphins kick in about halfway through and I end up doing more than I planned. Weight loss has slowed down a bit. I think it was perhaps August when I really started making an effort, and I'm down 22 pounds. I'm trying not to make it be about the numbers. I am down a size in clothing and that size is getting looser. I'm not dieting. I eat what I want to eat and have learned healthier ways of balancing my intake. I don't ever eat anything I don't like, or don't want, and I don't eat if I am not hungry. That seems to be the key piece that has really changed. I can discern between hungry and not hungry, and truly don't want to eat when I am not hungry. It's a lifestyle, not a diet. I am LOVING the exercise. I've set a goal weight for myself, and when I reach it (21 more pounds) I am going to treat myself to a fitting at the shop in town that specializes in running shoes. I've always wanted to be able to run, but always end up with shin splints. I figure maybe having my feet, and my gait analyzed and getting the right shoes may make that happen.

So I have been in my head ALOT today and feel the need to just brain dump. Where to begin. This is what started me thinking. Are we going to run out of oil - of course we are, it is a finite resource. The question is...then what? Seriously. I've often wondered if the 2008 car I own will be the last gas powered vehicle I ever own. Of course the bigger question is, how will a decreased supply of oil affect our daily lives? We have grown so used to have everything we need trucked or flown in from all over the world, something that people living 100 years ago could not imagine. We are an instant society. I don't have to wait until July to eat fresh tomatoes, they are in the grocery store daily. Instant gratification. I'm stupid to think that the grocery store is always going to be stocked with everything I need. I need to learn to be more self sufficient. I'm working on it.

Then there are all the products we have and use in our everyday lives that are powered by fossil fuel. Anything plastic, for instance. That covers alot. And so much of that plastic gets thrown away.

That's not the main thing I was thinking about today. Nope, nope. It was the ride home from work tonight that really got my wheels spinning. I started thinking about how spread out we all are. I commute 20 miles each way to work every day. I bet most people travel even farther. 100 years ago, perhaps even 50 years ago, I would have worked much closer to home. Well, since I'm a woman my "place" would most likely have been IN the home. But Mr. Me would have most likely worked in the same town we lived in. Anyway, I suddenly just sort of detached from the grid for moment and took in all the cars on the road, the people in them, isolated, making the same journey day after day. What if my mode of transportation, the gas fueled automobile with every comfort of home could no longer be used and I had to rely on a horse to get around? Well, it would kind of suck seeing as how I am so allergic to them.

OK, my brain is all over the place and now I am tired. I guess the bottom line is I do not like the pace of life out there and I want mine to slow down. I do love my technology, but honestly? I could walk away from it and live a different kind of life. Maybe I should go live with the Amish.

Comfort Food

2010-01-24T19:19:00.003-05:00

Mac and cheese. The ultimate comfort food, no? If you have ever had my homemade mac and cheese, you have most likely ended up proposing marriage to me. Which I politely decline, because a marriage based on my mac and cheese will only end up with us both on Inside Edition as they cut us out of our home weighing 500+ lbs each. Trust me. There are a month's worth of fat grams in that recipe. And every artery clogging bite is heaven.

I think it has been 2 years at least since I have made that. I've found a MUCH less artery clogging meal that serves as comfort food. I made me some tonight, because I'm kind of in a bad mood. Aggravated. Mainly at myself. Planets must not be aligned right or something. Anyway, the following is something I have adapted from a Campbell's soup recipe. You can find on the back of the Cream of Mushroom Soup can (full fat version). Here is my version...

Kind of Like Pasta Alfredo - 4 servings

2 boneless chicken breasts (optional - I often take this to vegetarian pot lucks and use a tone of veggies)
1/2 box Penne pasta (or pasta of your choice - doesn't matter)
1 can 98% fat free Cream of Mushroom soup. (I buy store brand)
1 - 2 oz. freshly grated parmesan cheese. (or use 1/4 - 1/2c of the already grated crap)
4 oz. fresh mushrooms
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1/4 c skim milk

Boil water for pasta. Cook pasta according to package directions, adding the broccoli to the last 4 minutes of cooking time.
Drain pasta and broccoli.
When 4 minutes are left on
Heat olive oil over medium high heat.
Add chicken and saute until cooked. Remove.
Melt butter in same pan. Add mushrooms and cook until they begin to brown.
Add the can of soup and the milk.
Increase heat and stir until bubbly.
Add parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until melted.
Add in pasta, broccoli and chicken. Stir well.
Cover and reduce heat to low for 10 minutes.

Channeling my inner Julia

2010-01-24T19:04:00.002-05:00

The first 2 videos are what I made for dinner last night. Recipe follows...

Baby Spinach Stir Fry - 1 serving

Ingredients:

2 TBSP Olive Oil
pinch salt
1/2 tsp Herbes de Provence, or Italian Season, or any blend of herbs you like
1/4 vidalia onion, coarsely chopped
1 handfull pinenuts
1/3 package ( or 2 handfulls) baby spinach, remove stems
1 egg, whisked
1 oz. grated cheese, or goat cheese

Heat oil in wok, or large skillet. lower heat to between medium low - medium. Add onion. Sprinkle salt over onion. Stir often, allowing onion to sweat and begin carmelizing.

When onions begin to carmelize, add pine nuts and herbs. Toss to coat in oil. Continue stirring frequently.

When pine nuts start to toast, add spinach. Toss to coat in oil. Lower heat to medium low. Cook until spinach reduces in size, about 4 min.

Add egg and stir continuously. When egg is cooked, add cheese and cook until cheese melts.

WNBP*

2010-01-20T21:46:00.006-05:00

How is it that 3+ months have passed since I have blogged?

Every Lady Gaga song I hear, she says "gaga". Is that really necessary?

I meet with a group of people twice a month to talk about stuff.

This week's topic was "What are you passionate about."

I'm passionate about many things.

I was feeling very superficial though and thought about things like knitting, and baseball.

But mostly I spoke about local food.

Tonight I was at the grocery store and I looked at all the pale vegetables of winter who have traveled so far in trucks that use up the oil we are running out of.

I wondered what they do with all the produce that spoils that they can't sell.

I just made a note to call them tomorrow and ask.

Me and Rusty are eating blah summer squash. It is a pale imitation of the yumminess I ate a few months ago.

I can't wait for the farmers markets to start up again.

This year I would like to plan for fall and winter, perhaps can or freeze some veggies.

Why is it called "canning" when glass jars are used?

So back to the topic of what I am passionate about. I thought alot more about that tonight.

And I made a connection (kind of like connecting the dots - I used to LOVE doing those when I was a kid) between the local food and a couple of other ideas that have floated around in my head for years now.

Tomorrow I start writing my proposal/business plan. I have no idea what it will be - I will allow the process to unfold.

Tell me what you are passionate about. I really want to know.

I challenge you the next time you grocery shop to look at every single label on everything you put in your cart and see where it comes from.

Post a comment about this. Where was the furthest place? The nearest? Any surprises?

No judgement. Promise.

Pitchers and catchers report 2/19. 31 days. SQEEEEEE!!!

I really want to re-design this blog...

If you have a blog and would like me to link to it, let me know!

*Wednesday Night Bullet Post (idea swiped from Sheepish Annie)

Great Night

2009-10-13T21:57:00.004-04:00

Ever decide to do something, not really knowing what it was you were signing up for, only trusting that it felt like the right thing? There have been many of those moments in my life - times when a friend suggested I go somewhere, or try something new. Or times I noticed the signs and followed them. And trust me, I am not a person who normally does anything without careful thought and planning - but there are times when it just feels like the absolute right thing and the head is not involved. I guess it's what you call that "gut feeling". Mine has never steered me wrong. Ever. Not once. How cool is that? I think it is very cool.

So recently a friend I have known for a long time but not really seen much the last few years, reached out and asked me if I wanted to come to this group she was starting up. And it felt like the right thing to do, so I said yes. And I am so glad that I did! For one thing, it is nice to be connecting with her again, along with another woman I haven't seen in a few years and really like. And there were new people there and yeah, I just see it working. I have learned not to question what feels right and just trust.

So tonight I sat with this group of people and we talked about spirituality. And we all shared and we all listened and I came away just feeling really good and connected and, most importantly, that I am doing something good for my spiritual health. Because it's so easy to be all spiritual and mindful when the bottom drops out and things fall apart. Oh yeah, then I am all mindful and doing the work. Then a couple years ago, I decided that maybe it made sense to not become complacent and let those spiritually nurturing things fall away until I "needed" them again. That maybe, just maybe if I paid attention and kept working at it when things are going well, well, perhaps I would not get struck down with the spiritual sledgehammer again.

I've been looking back over my spiritual journey lately - there is so much I have not thought about before now. It's amazing. I remember the exact moment that the door opened for me. I was 28, mother to an infant, and my life was falling apart. The details are best told another time, but I know without a doubt who it was that showed me to that door. Mere weeks after my daughter was born, my cousin took her own life. We were only 4 months apart in age and growing up, I had adored her. We were like sisters. In spite of the many, many rifts in our family, we had managed to stay close. But, shit happened, and she and her siblings had severed ties with my side of the family, once again. Anyway, I had no idea what had been going on, until it was too late. A few months after that, I went to this womens weekend retreat. I was petrified, the only reason I went was because my therapist was one of the facilitators and she really thought it would be good for me. Well, let me tell you, the door flew open to me that weekend. I heard, saw and experienced things I never knew existed. Meditation. Crystals. Tarot cards. A safe, nurturing space. I left there and I knew I wanted more. And, I never looked back. Shortly after that weekend, I was meditating, and I received a message from my cousin. She was the one who had led me to this open door. Her message was simple. Don't end up like me. Please. 20 years have passed and here I am. So grateful for everything in my life, good and bad. So grateful that I know I have not only been guided, but that I also trusted that "gut feeling" to know I was being led in the right direction.

Tonight has been a full circle for me. I'm sitting back and kind of feeling "wow". I like my life. I embrace it. Because 30 years ago - if someone could have shown me the life I have today - I would not have thought it possible.

So, to answer tonight's question: "Do you think spirituality is important? Why or why not". You bet I do! See above :o)

More thoughts on eating local...

2009-10-11T10:57:00.003-04:00

I had a small epiphany this morning as I was putting together the fixings for pot roast. I realized that when I start a new endeavor, that I have the expectation that it will be difficult. When it turns out to not be difficult (most things are not difficult, at least in my experience), at first I feel as though I must be doing it wrong. Or not good enough. When that is just not true. Because I know this about myself - when I take on a project, a task, learning a new skill - whatever - I give it my all. I don't give up easy, if at all. I've always had this belief, even as a kid, that everything is possible and I will find the way to make it happen. I digress...

These were the thoughts I was having this morning as I was slicing up the most perfect,delicious smelling, local, organic carrots. You see, I have found that one of the differences between the carrots at the grocery and the carrots in my hand is that the local ones come with a story. When I cut into those carrots I thought about how much I love going to the market on my way home every Thursday, and how delightful this one particular small organic stand is - the people running it are so nice and I swear their produce is actually happy! And I observed how long and perfect these carrots were, compared to some of the shorter and stubby ones alot of the other farmers have. I imagined rich, damp earth that nurtured these carrots until they were ready to be pulled and delivered to my kitchen. Those bagged Bunny Luvs at the grocery store - they have never told me a story. We have no history. I don't know where they were grown. Not to mention that they lack the same flavor.

Then I thought about the meat. It's the meat part of the challenge that I am struggling with. Buying local meat at the local store is expensive. I didn't budget well for that. Next year I will start purchasing extra meat all through the summer and freezing it. I'll have to buy a small freezer, but they are pretty inexpensive. Plus it will get me back in the habit of making more of my own pet food again, and that will save me some money as well.

So aside from still buying about half of my meat and chicken from the grocery store...I'm really doing pretty good with the challenge. I realize I had the expectation that this was going to be difficult, and in reality, I realize just how much of my day to day eating DOES come from local sources! So go me! I've made some really great changes in the last year or so. I also make a point when I find new local items at the grocery store, to find the store manager and let them know that I appreciate they are carrying local products.

So October is nearing the half-way point. I promise November blogging will not be about food! Well, not entirely anyway. It won't be about baseball either, because my boys, well, they are just not there this year. Sorry, it has to be said, I cannot live in denial. They are not a world series team this year. I don't know what happened, or what they can do to fix it...I still love 'em though and will be counting down the days to spring training!

Eat Local Challenge Update

2009-10-10T20:12:00.003-04:00

So much for my best intentions of blogging about the challenge. It's going ok. I could do better. More important to me right now though is not sabotaging my weight loss/getting in shape goals. There have been times when I have added some Kashi cereal to my local yogurt. I have shopped the farmers market every week and most of my food has come from there.

One of the nicest things I have realized is that I have become a person who can take inventory of the food that is on hand and whip something up. I used to be the kind of person who first found a recipe, then went out and bought the ingredients. Belonging to the CSA last year taught me to think differently. I never knew what ingredients I would find in my bag each week and the challenge was to use everything.

Tonight I am cooking up a new recipe. I bought a squash - not sure what kind, and I forget what the girl at the market told me it was. But she went on and on about how she loves to stuff these particular squashes with whatever and make a meal out of it. So, that's what is in the oven. I found some sausage - Mailhot's, from Lewiston, ME. It's not preservative free, but I didn't want to risk my expensive local sausage on a new recipe. So, I cooked up 1/2 lb of sausage with a small onion, a stalk of celery, (all chopped) and I pressed a large clove of garlic. Then I added some chopped carrots and mushrooms. The mushrooms and the celery were not local, everything else is. I mixed up the cooked ingredients with 1/2 chopped apple (honey crisp) and 1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (made in Boston). Then I cleaned out the squash much like a pumpkin and added the stuffing.

Then I stopped writing this blog entry, did some stuff around the house, and now it is after eating my concoction. Wow...it was SO YUMMY!!!

I cut it in half and ate that for dinner. I'll have the other half tomorrow before the movie (going to see Whip It - can't WAIT!)

I feel good about my mainly local feast, since for lunch I went to Antiquities with some most awesome Manchvegas knitters!

I hope we do it again next year...I love my knittahs!!!

I (sort of) have a plan

2009-09-28T22:01:00.002-04:00

My Eating Local Manifesto:

1. Eat only vegetables, fruits, meat, cheese,dairy, poultry, meat and fish raised or grown within
a 250 mi radius of Manchester, NH.
2. To learn more about the sources of the
grains I eat.
3. Drink coffee only from local roasters
4. Drink Tap Water.
5. Buy as much food as possible from
farmer's markets
6. When I eat out, pick restaurants known
to source most of their food locally if possible.
7. Eat out less, cook home more.

Exemptions:
Spices
Oils
Coffee (though will only purchase from local roasters)
rice
broccoli - because I love it. once a week.
meals prepared by others
meals prepared for houseguests
food purchased prior to 10/1/09 if it will go bad unless eaten.

Sources:

Eggs: Local farmers market, A-market or Nellie's Nest

Seafood: fresh available in Boston and Portland, can be frozen. Eat seafood at least 3 x week

Butter: Kates Handmade Butter

Dairy: Local farmers market, Stonyfield Farms, Cabot Creamery
Chicken/Meat: A-Market, Local farmers market

Vegetables/fruits - Local Farmers Market, A-Market, Macks apples

Coffee: Green Mountain or New England Coffee. Also see what A-Market has

Alcohol: Local beer available

Bread: bake my own whenever possible, or only buy local

Pasta: only homemade

Flour: no local sources, will purchase only King Arthur

There may be more to add, but I am breathing a BIG sigh of relief that I am in better shape than I thought.

I reserve the right to step out of this challenge if it compromises my commitment to losing weight and exercising!

Deadline

2009-09-27T00:34:00.003-04:00

I am not ready for the challenge!! Or, maybe I am, and I just don't realize it? I wanted to plan this much better than I have - and I didn't. I guess it will be what it will be. Right now there are so many things that need my attention and I am on overload. The best thing I can do right now is sleep. I can do this!!

Something fishy...

2009-09-09T21:59:00.003-04:00

Decided to google some local options for fresh local fish. There are a couple of options in Cambridge I will check out when I am down there visiting Cindi. And a couple more in Portland, ME I will check out when I visit the family later this month. I figure I can bring a cooler and buy enough for a couple of weeks, which when you think about it, for one person won't be alot really. Here are the places I will be looking at. If you know anything about any of them, please share!

Browne Trading Company - Portland, ME
From the website, it looks like they only sell large poundage/whole fish. Not interested in cleaning fish!! I'll go check them out anyway.

Free Range Fish - Portland, ME
I can't wait to check this place out, from what I see on the website they have everything I am looking for - scallops, clams, and haddock - all local!

Harbor Fish Market - Portland, ME
This one looks promising as well

New Deal Fish Market - Cambridge, MA
No info on their website, will check them out soon.

Courthouse Seafood - Cambridge, MA
looks to be near New Deal, same day

Mercato del Mere - North End, Boston
This place looks AWESOME!! I think I know where me and Cindi are
having dinner next week - somewhere in the North End so I can check this
place out. I am certain I can bribe her with the promise of a box of cannolli's from Mike's.

I realized today that I am kind of under the gun here to pull this off. Oops. But, that is typically how I operate - think about everything for a very long time then do all the actual work at the last minute and it all works.

I think I have seafood/fish covered. Meat and chicken options are available at a local market, and I am going to stock up at the farmers market over the next 5 weeks. And there will be plenty of eggs and cheese. And yogurt. So I have protein covered.

Next I will be moving onto grains and pasta! Can you stand the excitement peeps?

Bread...no Salt

2009-09-03T21:20:00.003-04:00

So I had this whole post planned about bread and what my plans are for the Eat Local Challenge...

Instead, I am thinking about how unsatisfying today's meals have been. For some reason, I was extra hungry today. I did not plan well for this. Breakfast was yogurt and Kashi. I did eat it about an hour earlier than normal, which may explain why at 11:00 I was ready to raid my lunch bag. Instead, I grabbed one of my "emergency" rations - a Spring Onion Noodle Bowl. It was mediocre to say the least, and it left a really bad taste in my mouth. And it was salty.

Moving onto lunch. Part One was a chicken pesto Lean Cuisine. It wasn't bad, I'd have it again. Again though, salty!

The salad I threw together, at 4:30, that was the best thing I ate all day!

For dinner, I decided to have this shrimp stir fry in a bag thing that has been in my freezer for a month or so. As I was preparing it, I realized that I could have made my own shrimp stirfry and it would have been MUCH better than what I am eating now. Which is SO SALTY!! And then there is all the packaging - 4 plastic bags inside one large bag. And nothing local. Had I made this from scratch, the shrimp, carrots and peas would have been local. Which made me realize that one of the staples of my diet, stir-fry, is going to be very different come October. No soy sauce for starters. I want to keep my exceptions list to a bare minimum.

Anyway...today I learned that I need to buy ALOT less packaged food. I see this all in one bag stir fry and think, wow, how convenient! But...I used more dishes than I would have if I started from scratch, and my veggies would have had alot more flavor. Not to mention how much bigger the shrimp would have been!

Bread - something to ponder this weekend - hoping to actually make some!!

White House Garden!

2009-08-31T22:59:00.001-04:00

How cool is this???

What an awesome example...

Eating Local - what's it all about?

2009-08-31T21:59:00.003-04:00

I'm resurrecting the blog to, I hope, chronicle the Eat Local Challenge I am planning for the month of October.

Basically what this means is that, with very few exceptions, I make a commitment to eat only food whose origins are in a 250 radius of Manchester, NH, for an entire month. I will blog more about why I am doing this as I go along, for sure.

The first I heard about this challenge was in late September of last year, when I stumbled across this blog. As it was much too late to embark on such an undertaking with only 3 days to prepare, I follwed this brave blogger through her Eat Local adventure. She has 2 little kids and a husband as well. I only have to feed me!

Anyway, inspired to at least start looking around and paying attention to where the food I eat comes from, and looking for local alternatives, I decided to participate in October 2009. OK, but want to hear something funny? I thought the Eat Local Challenge was some big national event that people from all over the country were doing! Um...I was wrong. In fact, a visit to their website shows that it hasn't been updated since March 2009. Where are you local eaters?

I have to say I have done pretty well with finding local sources of some of my food. Note the "some" part. I gotta lotta work to do in September folks if I am going to pull this off!! Now, I do have a rather extensive file I have been compiling of sources of things like flour and oats that I need to sit with and place orders for anything I might need shipped to me by 9/15. I'd like to not do that though, but realistically, I might have to. I will post a blog entry which I will update as I find more, of all the local products/resources I have found so far. And if anyone out there can add to this list, PLEASE leave a comment or email me!!

OK, true story. Tonight I decided to get on Google Maps and find my 250 mile radius. I figured I would mainly be making my purchases from NH and ME, which was good because everyone knows most of our potato crop comes from northern Maine, right? Right. And guess how far away Houlton, ME is? over 300 miles. Seriously Maine people, that is one big ass state you have there. And, somewhere in the back of my mind I knew that. I was reminded of a few 8+ hour trips from Boston to Presque Isle chain smoking in my dads old Dodge Dart - but that is another story! So, first lesson learned tonight is that my 250 mile radious extends, if you can believe this, all the way to NYC!! (248 mi, I kid you not). However, I am drawing the line at the Connecticut border. Rhode Island and Massachusetts also make the cut. That said, I am going to try and keep it within a 100 mi radius if at all possible. My local Farmer's Market is going to be very profitable in the next 6 weeks!

So, I have alot to do, and alot to write about in the next 30 days prior to starting my challenge. If you want to do it too, let me know. Oh, and on top of this, I have also been tracking what I eat in an attempt to eat healthier (it's working, I've lost 7.5 lbs) and I'm exercising ALOT more and feeling really great!

Over dinner last night, my daughter was asking me about how my prepping for this challenge was going. I said good, but that I was stressing a little bit over getting enough protein, as local sources were kinda pricy, so I would have to budget carefully. I mentioned a few other things, and this horrified look crossed her face and she said, "Mom, you're not going to starve, are you?" I assured her that no, I would not starve. I seriously think I could barely eat for a month and live off the fat of this here land. Although with my luck, my body would manage to store fat anyway! (If there is one thing I have learned in the last 4 weeks it's that my body really WILL drop the pounds if I eat more).

I will leave you with this thought...over the weekend, a friend mentioned that movie, Food, Inc (which I am going to see this week) and asked "why would you want to know where your food comes from?" My answer - why wouldn't you?

The Lost Week

2009-02-17T20:28:00.002-05:00

I was just putting away my laundry. I don't have a clothes dryer, and so in the winter my clothes hang out on racks in my bedroom for a couple of days to dry. I've gotten used to it, and honestly, clothes take quite a beating in the dryer, so mine stay in better shape. And yes, every now and then I mooch off a family member and do "real" laundry. I digress. What I realized as I put away the clothing I had washed over the weekend is that, with the exception of 1 sweater, and 1 pair of jeans, it was all pjs and sweats. I literally did not wear any "real" clothes until I had to go out in public late Friday afternoon. I lost an entire week of my life to being sick. Wow.

I'm fine now. My energy levels are back to normal, just in time to have a party tomorrow night followed by a couple of vacation days with a visit from my brother. Yes, that's correct. A party. A Lia Sophia party (jewelry). Which is really kinda funny 'cuz I'm so not a girly-girl, but all of a sudden I like jewelry. If you've met me in real life, you know what I mean. But let me tell you this - I clean up nicely, and can get dressed up when I have to. And honestly? The biggest reason I dress the way I do is not out of comfort. It is because of my feet. They are man feet. Seriously. It literally takes me a couple of weeks of trips to multiple stores to find a pair of dress shoes that work with my feet. Let me restate that - a pair of shoes that I can AFFORD. If I want to spend $100+ for a pair of dress shoes then yes, there are more options. So, my shoe wardrobe consists of a limited amount of Dr. Martens and sneakers. And Birkenstocks and Tevas in the summer.

But, I am excited that all my friends from all my circles are coming over tomorrow night. It is going to be a BLAST!

Random thought: Just what exactly is American Cheese? Here's what's in Kraft Singles. Not so bad really, I guess. Here's what's in Velveeta (gag). And these are the ingredients in Cabot Cheddar: Pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes. Must be all the other stuff that gives American that plastic quality. Seriously - how many of you love the American cheese? How many of you won't touch the stuff?

Ah, Spring!

2009-02-15T12:25:00.001-05:00

swiped from Surviving Grady. Thanks!

Self-Love - a great concept!

2009-02-14T10:21:00.003-05:00

Fabulous is celebrating Self-Love Day. Go here for more info on this.

It's a great idea! How many of us truly love ourselves? I mean, every little flaw and quirk? The best lesson I have learned, and it's only in the last couple of years that I have put it into practice and really learned it, is that I HAVE to love myself and cultivate a healthy relationship with MYSELF before I can have that with anyone else. Bottom line. And how many of us take the time to cultivate this important relationship with ourselves? It is essential.

So, today I am taking myself out for the day. I am including my favorite-est person in the world, the beautiful young woman I am blessed to be a mom to, and we are going to go laugh our way through Cambridge and have a yummy lunch somewhere and visit lots of shops.
So, if ya wanna play too, the rules are really simple.

1. Post a banner on your blog - there are a couple to choose from.
2. Post one nice thing about yourself……then ask others to post one thing that they really like about you.
3. Enjoy yourself!

OK - so, here is one nice thing about me... I care very deeply about people and will pretty much do anything for anyone in need.

Much love to you all today!!! xoxoxox

Pilgrimage

2009-01-25T20:36:00.006-05:00

I don't recall ever having been in the vicinity of Fenway Park in the winter. I'm sure there must have been trips to Lansdowne St. - to places like 15 Landsdowne St and Spit back in the early 80s, but I'm pretty sure I wasn't paying attention to the silent church of all that is Red Sox across the street. No, I'm pretty sure my focus was on those important things like guys (gasp, yes, there was a time I was all about them) and would we meet any good ones at either establishment.

I digress.

Today I wandered over to Kenmore Square, after depositing the offspring back at school. It really is a matter of 5 minutes or so drive to Fenway from there, when there is no traffic. I was on a mission. I am taking part in a Red Sox Traveling Scarf over on Ravelry. What that means is that a group of us each cast on and start knitting a scarf in any manner we like (there are some guidelines) and then every couple of weeks we mail the scarf in progress to the next person. After it is knitted on by everyone participating, the scarf you started comes back to you, and you are now the proud owner of a good mojo Red Sox scarf that has been a-travelin'. So. The first "scarf" I have received from Christine is the one she will end up with. She lives in Kansas City, but in reality, she is from New England, and a displaced Sox fan (though the Cardinals have Chris Carpenter, from Londonderry, NH, so that at least is something! ). So. I decided that since Christine is not likely to have a chance to bring her scarf to Fenway Park anytime soon, it only seemed right that since I had to go to Cambridge anyway, that her scarf go and visit Fenway!
I pulled over on Lansdowne St. (it was FREEZING) and I see this woman walk by my car, with a camera, and proceed to take pictures. I walked over and asked her if she would mind taking my picture, with the Fenway sign in view, and then I pull out the scarf. She turned out to be a charming British gal. I asked her if she was a Sox fan and she most certainly was!! She graciously took a couple of pics. I walked around a bit, and then back to the car - did I mention how cold it was? I circled around to Yawkey Way and tried to get a pic of the Fenway Park stone entrance, but it was too dark by then. I did get some awesome pics of the Citgo sign though, and these were from inside my car!
It was so weird to be there on the empty streets. I keep picturing a sunny warm afternoon where the sidewalks and streets are just burting with life. Soon...

Touchdown Jesus!

2009-01-25T10:47:00.003-05:00

If you've ever heard me utter those words*, here is the inspiration!

*no disrespect meant to my Christian friends

Good News, Fingers Crossed...

2009-01-25T10:44:00.002-05:00

"A baseball source tells The Boston Globe that the Red Sox have made a contract offer to the veteran catcher and team captain. Without citing specifics, the report states the proposal given to Varitek's agent, Scott Boras, may include a second guaranteed season."

insert happy dance here.

and later today, I shall be making a pilgrimage - details on that later...

Checking In

2009-01-23T22:32:00.004-05:00

Yeah, yeah...I missed you too. I've thought about you alot, I really have, and I would have all these great things to say, but then life would get busy, or I'd be tired, or want to do other things...I know! You probably don't even come visit anymore do you, because I am never here!

Life's good. No complaints. A pretty good balance of work, fun and leisure. I'm grateful to have a job and I'm not going to complain, even though I could. Been feeling these little nagging thoughts that say "what about doing something for a living that makes a difference in the world?", so I am starting to have that conversation.

Holidays were fun, over so fast! But, that means baseball is coming and I can't wait!! Knitting is still happening, and one of these days I will post some pics.

For now, I will leave you with these, and I promise I'll be around more often!

I wish Rusty could just RELAX!!

Nubble Light, York Maine

Late December Beach Day and yes, my feets went in the water!

Working at home with Zuni's help.

Heartbreaking...

2008-10-20T11:00:00.005-04:00

I'm dealing with the loss. We had a good year, alot of injuries, we had our great moments, and the Rays earned the title, we made 'em fight for it. And just like that, it's over. Another season. My constant companion since March, gone, left town, see ya in March. And I can deal with that. It will be a strange few nights, but my thoughts will turn to trades and looking ahead to the 2009 team. But this. This I cannot even think about. Tek. He is my guy. And he is a free agent. It's a very short clip. It makes me sad...

The Great Pumpkin Pie Bake-off of 2008 Part 1

2008-10-13T22:18:00.004-04:00

This is the one thing from my childhood that I will not part with. It's a sifter that has seen better days, for sure!

My mom was a terrible cook. Thank god we were a "meat and potatoes" family, for the most part, and that, combined with frozen veggies and rice, got us by. I never even knew what garlic was until I left home. I know!!!

But the one thing my mom was good at was baking cakes. And a few other desserty things, but it was the cakes that we always did together. There were two things that were my job. The sifting of the dry ingredients, and the coveted batter remains after the cake pan was filled. I know, it doesn't sound like much, but trust me, this was the one thing we managed to connect with , no matter what else. My mom and I, well, on a good day, we were miles apart. But the baking, that was special.

Then there was my gram, my mom's mother. That woman could bake. She got by in the cooking department (she and I would never agree on the definition of "rare" when it came to meat. To gram , it meant "cook the ass off it". But the baking more than made up for that. I was fortunate enough that she always lived within walking distance of our house. And I was also fortunate enough that I could show up there anytime, no need to call ahead, and I could stay as long as I wanted, which was often days that turned into weeks until finally the phone would ring and I was told I ought to go home. (But I thought I already WAS home). And there was always pie at her house. Always. Honestly, I can't ever remember showing up at her house and there not being at least 2 kinds of pie for the choosing. My favorites were apple and pumpkin. Especially in the fall, because the apples were the freshest and the pumpkin was in season.

Fast forward to Fall 2008. We got 2 sugar pumpkins from the CSA. I offered to take them both and transform them into pie and roasted seeds (the first handfull of which I am munching on right now - yum!). Yesterday I roasted the pumpkins in the oven, and made pumpkin puree to use in the pies.

The first pie has been baked. It is the tried and true recipe I have always used, from the back of the One Pie can. Since I was using fresh pumpkin and not canned, I decreased the evaporated milk to 10 oz. It's out of the oven, and still cooling, but the little itty bitty piece I snuck tastes AMAZING!!!

I had some help though. The pie making thing? Yeah, that comes from my gram. And the sifter? I know not where it came from, if it was something handed down to my mom, or something she acquired. What does matter is that for a little while tonight, 3 generations gathered in my kitchen and created some pumpkin goodness. And I wonder - how might all of our lives have been transformed if but for one afternoon the 3 of us had gathered for some serious pie-making way back then? That I will never know. I do know that I have lots of pie-making and pie-savoring moments to treasure of me and my gram. And that is good enough.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Bake-off tomorrow night!

The Balance - we findz it...

2008-10-11T16:20:00.008-04:00

After arriving at the place I was at yesterday - end of week, once again burned out and exhausted and irritable - and after neglecting to pry myself away from my work yesterday long enough to go enjoy some of the beautiful day with my doggie, I decided that today was going to be all about him.

After a yummy breakfast at Jewell and the Beanstalk with the beautiful Jericka, I came home, changed my shoes, and me and Rusty headed off for an adventure.

Massabesic Lake is a treasure every city should be lucky enough to have. The water I am drinking right now comes from that lake. Of course I can't find the information on-line now, but I remember reading a couple of years ago about the history of how the city had the forethought to buy up all the land in and around the watershed. As a result, it is a wonderful place to enjoy a beautiful day anytime of the year when you don't feel like driving a great distance. I can get there in 10 minutes or less from my house.

Lot's of people bring their dogs there, so I thought Rusty would like going there. We hadn't been there in a long time, but that is another story.

I like it when my mom brings me places. There is so much to sniff here!! I really hope I make alot of friends today.
What was that? You hear it? Maybe it was a deer!

We came to a clearing and found this amazing uprooted tree...

I've never seen ducks here! (maybe 'cuz no one feeds 'em? public water supply and all that...)

No clue what this means, but I thought it was cool!!

We walked way farther than we ever have before. We crossed Rt. 121 in Auburn and came upon this trail.

At this point I put the camera away for a while, as we were leaving the lake. I know there are other trails that go around the lake, but we will save them for another day. We walked for probably a good half hour before we turned around.

I was thirsty, and very happy when we came back to this little stream. My mom let me go in and it felt really good.

This was the view downstream from Rusty's drink.

I have lived in New England my whole life. Believe it or not, I have never taken foliage pictures. This the first fall EVER, in my whole LIFE that I have loved - yes, that's right - LOVED fall. That little sunlamp thing has made a huge difference in me. Even my brother says he can't believe the difference. Seriously, it's as though I am experiencing fall for the first time in my life and it just takes my breath away. I am grateful.

At long last - friends!!

What a great fall day. We just got wrapped up in beauty for a couple of hours. I even left the phone in the car!

and the greatest of these is love...

2008-10-10T19:26:00.003-04:00

The balance thing. I'm not quite there yet. I'm better. But, here it is Friday night and I am wiped. Too pooped to, once again, go to knitting. I'll get there. I need to learn to let the workload slide a bit. I'll get there.

So tonight I did go out to go to the grocery store. And, since I was glued to my chair working all day and didn't even take a time out for some Rusty fun, I decided to take him "shopping" too. First we went for his after dinner walk. I stopped to talk to my friend Scott, hadn't seen him in a while, and he hasn't been having an easy time of it. So Rusty played with their dogs and we had a nice chat. Came home and we piled in the car and went off to Rusty's favorite store, Pawsitive Pet Nutrition on Candia Rd. I didn't need anything, just felt like visiting my friend Gail who owns the business and spoils Rusty rotten. Had a nice visit with her. Left and realized I did not have the wallet with me, so had to come all the way home, then back out to the store.

I overheard something in the store tonight. Maybe it was just being so damn tired that made me have to really fight not to cry. Or maybe it is just the general energy on the planet right now making me more sensitive. Anyway...this group of people were talking in the grocery store. They were standing in a kind of in the way place - right where the meat counter starts - but people still managed to get by. Anyway, there was an older man in a wheel chair, a woman pushing the wheel chair, and another older woman talking to them. I heard woman #1 explaining that "he has dementia now and is in the wheelchair all the time.". I assumed she was his caretaker and just went on my way. You know, in that almost semi-conscious way we have of taking in a snippet around us, assigning it a story, and moving on. I made my way up and down the aisles and they were still there talking. And then I over heard woman #1 say "what else am I gonna do, he's my husband and I love him." And those words followed me around for quite a while. They just touched on something deep in my heart. Perhaps it was the heartfelt sincerity they were spoken with. Perhaps it was the look in his eyes when I walked by them again and smiled. I hope he is aware of how loved he is. And I'm also glad to know that in this upside down world I live in, that they have each other.
I think I must be pmsing.
Another hour til baseball. And it's the weekend. Boy, do I need the weekend. Breakfast with a dear friend tomorrow, drinks with another Sunday night, and in between lots of fresh air, Rusty and Zuni time, and exercise!!!

I'm over it...

2008-09-18T15:19:00.002-04:00

I just can't stand the corporate world. I'm very unhappy there. Love my job, love what I'm doing, but I do not belong in the corporate world. I've never worked for a large public corporation. I've always worked for smaller, privately owned companies. You wouldn't think there is that much of a difference, but let me tell you, for me anyway, there is.

I can't talk specifically about where I work, or what is going on there. And truthfully, it's not a bad situation. It's just not me.

I had this realization today. I chose to work from home. At home, I can just put my head down and do my work and not rub up against the corporate thing. I just don't care about org charts and mergers and metrics and buzz words.

So earlier this afternoon I took the dogs outside and I brought my spindle and some roving. It was a bit windy out, not too bad, and it felt nice just sitting in the sun. This spinning thing is kinda frustrating for me. I don't get the drafting thing. I don't know which hand is supposed to do what, which hand actually pulls out the fibers, and then there is my tendency to clamp down on the fiber to much and that makes it hard to draft. I think I might have found the drafting triangle. And so on this went for about 30 minutes. I'd get it for a little bit, then it would all go to hell again. The thing I really like about spinning on the spindle though, is that I think about things I wouldn't normally think about. I thought about how nice it would be to be sitting out in the sun in the country somewhere near a field and a lake with no sounds of civilization. No sound of cars, no planes. Just me and the sun and nature sounds. And I thought, well that's something I can easily make happen. Then I got to thinking about the spinning itself and I thought that 200 years ago that a woman much like me took a break from her chores and sat out in the sun in her dooryard spinning on a spindle. And that brought me back to the absolute one thing I would give anything to be able to do. And that is, boys and girls, have a farm. Seriously. If I had the money and the skills, I'd do it. If I had the money to BUY the skills, I'd do it. And I've been thinking about it the rest of the day. How it makes me feel when I think about that as a lifestyle, and how right it feels to me. And who's to say it can't happen? I believe in the law of attraction and that anything is possible. The only thing really standing in my way are my own self-imposed limitations and fears. In my heart I know that this would be right work for me. So universe - show me the way, I'm paying attention.

See, you never really know where .5 oz. of roving and a spindle may take you. I liked today's journey, and it is a good reminder for me to create more of these little moments in my days.

Substitute Blog Post*

2008-09-17T08:18:00.008-04:00

*The title originally planned for this space was "Red Sox Take Back First Place in the AL East". You know what they say about plans. I didn't even stick around for the post game - something I always watch because I love hearing Tito answering the media, especially when they ask him stupid questions. Nope, last night the TV was off before they could say "stay tuned for Tom Caron and Extra Innings".

So it's a good thing I have a back-up plan. For some unknown reason, I decided I needed to take a ton of pictures last night to put up on Ravelry. Well, the ton ended up being a dozen or so...and they haven't made it to Ravelry yet...but it made me realize how little knitting really was accomplished this summer!! Anyway, here is some rare fiber porn for your enjoyment...

This is the Lisha Lace Scarf, designed by my friend Gina. I absolutely love this pattern, and the yummy yarn I am knitting it up in makes it even more pleasurable. It is Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere.
Next is the Monkey Sock ( it does have a partner) done in Spunky Eclectic's Skinny Sock in the Peacock Colorway.
Love the pattern, the yarn is soooooo soft..but...they are a little big, especially in the heel. I am hoping they will still be comfortable to wear though.

This is the Cascading Leaves sock, my third time doing this pattern, and the yarn is Knit Picks Essential Tweed. I love this yarn, this is my third pair of socks knit in Essential.

This is my favorite yarn buy from the summer. Purchased at the New Boston Farmer's Market. It is handspun Corridale and the dark colorway is from a sheep named Corey!
This will become a hat and mittens for a gift!

Finally, I have been slowly learning how to spin my own yarn with a spindle. The spindle is a new purchase, it is a Cascade spindle, and I love it. I finally gave up on using my crap roving to learn on and have moved on to the good stuff. This is also from Spunky, more Corriedale, in the Mahogany colorway. I have made peace that it will be thick and thin homespun and I'm sure I will come up with something wonderful to make once I get it done.
So, that's it on the knitting front for now. I'm hoping to finish up the socks I have in progress (I also have a pair of Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn that I am knitting in the Oak Ribbed sock pattern from Vintage Sock Knitting by Nancy Bush.

What a gas...

2008-09-16T19:48:00.001-04:00

I find it so interesting that as soon as the new announces that the price per barrel oil price has risen that the price at the pumps, overNIGHT increases. Yet lately we have had many, MANY announcements that the price per barrel has gone down...yet the prices at the pump do not reflect this. Case in point, from my local news station:

Oil Price Decline Takes Time To Reach Gas Pump

Gas Prices Still Higher Than Last Time Oil Was As Cheap

The price of a barrel of crude oil has continued to slide, but many drivers are wondering when those savings will trickle down to the pump.Crude oil slipped to $92 a barrel on Tuesday, the lowest it has been since last November. At that time, gas cost about $3 per gallon. But now, it's about 50 cents higher.

Loose Ends...

2008-09-11T20:33:00.003-04:00

Having one of those nights when I just can't figure out what I feel like doing with myself!! There is a list a mile long of things that need doing, like cleaning, dishes, coloring my hair...nope, not happenin'. There is this other list of things I like doing like knitting, spinning, surfin', watchin' tv or a movie - nope, don't feel like any of those either. I KNOW - knitting?!? I am always knitting!! Just feeling a little out of sorts for no particular reason. Maybe I will go curl up with a book. No baseball tonight, can ya tell??

It all comes back to that balance thing. I am realizing that I come home from work every day and I'm not really taking enough "me" time. In a way tonight has been good. I spent some time hanging out with the dogs and writing in my new journal. Then Lisa and Rico came by and we took the dogs for a walk. Sabre is spending the night as her dad is out of town for the night on business. She is very content up here. And there was ice cream.

Not complaining. It's always a hard time of year for me, this transition from summer to fall. Feel like I didn't get enough summer, you know? And yet, I do love fall. Just not for another few weeks, until I see the leaves turning and start digging out my favorite snuggly warm clothes and I love being outside in the fall...

I'm rambling. I miss my kitty, she is spending the night at the vet as she was spayed today and I felt awful bringing her there!!

Gameday Grape

2008-09-07T19:31:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, before TS Hannah came to visit, I visited the grapevine in my backyard...

This approximately 1 pound of Concord Grapes
This approximately 3.5 pounds of Concord grapes.

This is the remaining poundage...
This is the bath...

These are 16 jars of Gameday Grape Jelly. Why Gameday? Because, aside from the picking of the grapes, everything else was accomplished while the Pats beat KC 17 - 10 and the Sox beat the Rangers 7 - 2. I also learned that I can stir a pot of jelly stuff and., as long as I remember to bring the remote to the kitchen, I can keep up with the games. There is enough juice in my fridge to make one more batch of 8 jars tomorrow night as long as I remember to pick up another package of pectin.

This is the most fun I have had gettin hot 'n sticky as a single person EVER!!

Out of balance...

2008-08-22T20:18:00.002-04:00

That is how I am feeling tonight. And for a while now, though I hadn't really taken the time to think about how I've been feeling. Today was my last day of work and I am about to start vacation. My mind is still at work though, and I feel wound very tightly. Normally I am really good about separating work from home. The past month or more I have not succeeded at this. I take alot of pride in the work I do. When it is expected that I perform A, B & C by a certain date, and then they toss in D, E, and F, I will do what it takes to accomplish what needs to be done, because we do have deadlines and if things aren't done in time, it affects everyone else. Unfortunately, some of my coworkers do not share that belief. They instead complain that there is SOOOOO much work to do, and they spend time making excuses as to why they are not getting the work they are assigned done. It makes more work for everyone. Now, I don't mind doing more than my fair share of the work. I do mind though when I have planned out my time a month in advance, and said co-workers repeatedly don't get their work done, and I end up either doing some of their work, or not having enough time to do the final testing in the manner it should be done. The other issue is that we have been without a manager since February, there is division in the department, and going to work every day has become kind of like living having to live with your partner after you've decided to part company until one of you finds a place to live. Only you're getting paid to do it. Don't get me wrong - I really do love what I do. I'm just tired of the system that is in place that doesn't work. I'm tired of working with people who complain, make more work than is necessary, have no concept of how to prioritize and basically act like 5th graders. Hopefully a new manager will help. But there is still the issue of the division, and I don't think that can be easily mended. I just want to not think about that place for the next week and work on finding the balance. For starters, I need to stop coming home and logging into work to work some more. And I really, really, really want to be able to just move out of the office and work from home full time.
So, here's to a much needed vacation. I'm heading to Maine in the morning and then back to NH Wednesday. Not a whole lot planned, my brother is on vacation as well, and then next weekend is getting the kid ready to go back to school...I am craving a few days to myself to do absolutely nothing. I have a big chunk of time off at the end of the year and am definitely scheduling at least a 4 day stretch to myself. But that is months away. I will have to plan a 3 day weekend in the meantime.
Time to find the balance between work and play, activity and rest!

You can dance...

2008-08-06T23:45:00.002-04:00

Went and saw Mama Mia at Chunky's tonight.

Meryl Streep can sing!! And she looks sooooooo hot in the overalls. And then she adds the toolbelt and the power tools...swoooooon!! OK, I admit it. I have always had a thing for Ms. Streep. I kinda forgot about it though. Then I heard about Mamma Mia and thought, yeah, I don't think so. Then I heard Meryl Streep was in it and I watched the trailer. Hmmmm...maybe I should check it out. So, off I went to meet up with the ManchVegas Knitters. The first 5 minutes I'm thinking - sigh - this is going to be one of those musicals that bore me to tears. After those 5 minutes? That there movie picked me up and took me on a feel good ride that had me smiling the whole way through. Yes, it is pure fluff. The story is simple and it is a pure escape from reality. Go see it. I'm going again, you can go with me!

I shouldn't be up. It's late. But I came home and worked for a while. I need to stop doing that!!

p.s. don't beleive a word Laurin says, I behaved myself the entire evening!!!

All is well...

2008-08-03T18:55:00.002-04:00

in Red Sox Nation. Carry on...

Great weekend!! T-dance yesterday, shopping in Ogunquit, got my tires rotated (yes, this was very good!), breakfast with an old friend, some knitting, lot's of baseball...that about sums it up. Oh! And new recipe...kind of a random creation mine and a combination of CSA and Manchester Farmers Market. It needs a name!! I had in mind making a sort of turnip hash, and the obvious name would be - Trash - but who would want to make that??

Ingredients

5 small - medium turnips
1/2 medium sweet onion, diced
1 garlic scape, or 1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 head cabbage, diced
1 tsp thyme
2 tbsp butter
olive oil

Cut up turnip into 1" chunks. Boil until mushy (think: mashed potatoes consistency), about 20 min. Drain. Mash.

In a wok or skillet, heat 1 - 2 tbsp olive oil oil. Saute' onion for 5 minutes or so. Add garlic. Cook a few minutes more. Add cabbage. Add thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until cabbage is soft. Add butter. Cook a few more minutes.
Add turnip. Smoosh (very technical cooking term) mixture as though you were cooking hash browns. Add more butter, or not, to taste. Cook until browned to your liking.

This was so yummy. i had no idea what to do with turnips, other than make soup, and I don't really eat soup in the summer (except for Friday when I had lunch at the Seedling Cafe in Nashua and had a (huge) cup of pumpkin walnut soup - yummmmmm!) so I just kind of improvised and the results are amazing!!

This blog is in shock and mourning...

2008-07-31T17:52:00.001-04:00

He's heading west...

womenspace

2008-07-29T19:04:00.004-04:00

Before the weekend gets too much further behind us, I want to post some pics from the women's drumming circle I hosted in my yard this weekend! It's something I have wanted to do for some time now, and the women from the bookclub I belong to were interested. So, we made it happen. The weather was amazing - a little on the hot side but the shade came and made for a more comfortable gathering. Oh - wait - I guess it wasn't exclusively womenspace - Rusty and Lincoln were there as well!! I thought maybe they wouldn't like being around the drums, but they stayed in the circle with us the entire time (except to take a break for supper of course).

Drumming is so healing on so many levels. I have no formal training, yet my hands just seem to know what to do. I need to do more of it and plan to make it a priority. (and if anyone is interested, there is a community drum happening in Manchester on 8/16 with Akwaaba from 12 - 3 Bronstein Park, between Hanover and Union streets).

Anyway, back to Saturday. 3 of the group who attended were in not so great emotional spaces. Names and details do not need mentioning. I found it interesting though, that for each of these women, it was as if the universe say a healing space in their future and so threw them each a curve ball, knowing they would have the opportunity to shift things by drumming.

Sunday was equally as fun. I did something most unusual - got up at 6 and out the door shortly after 7. Wow - Sunday mornings are a whole lot cooler than weekday mornings!! For one thing, there is like no one on the roads. And the radio! There is a Beatles Breakfast on 100.7 at 8Am that I think I will listen to at home ( assuming of course I get up in time). So I picked up my friend Melissa in Portsmouth and we proceeded to the Museum of Science in Boston (Cambridge really) to see the Baseball in America exhibit. OMG. It is so worth going. In fact, I have convinced my brother that be must go and we will be going in a few weeks. Unfortunately there were signs all over explaining that this was a low light exhibit and no photography was allowed - which I totally understand as some of the displays were 100+ years old! Bonus points for being in the museum before 10, no crowds. Then we had lunch (also very reasonable) and took in a wonderful Planetarium show. We emerged from the cocoon of the Planetarium, hit the gift shop, and then realized the place was PACKED!! Time to go. Kudos to the MOS for making some much needed improvements. Can't wait to go back! (sidenote: ya know how the MOS has overnight lockdowns for scouting troops, church groups, school groups, etc? How cool would it be if they had a KNITTING OVERNIGHT?!?!?!?)

One week later...

I guess it is a good thing that I don't spend alot of time on-line these days, eh? Finally getting around to adding the pics and posting this...

Before everyone arrived:
Zoom in if you can and check out the expression on Lincoln's face... i love that dog!

Did someone mention that I should grow a pair?

Rusty and Lincoln were there the whole time!

Rosy was happy to find a new drum!

If a tree falls in my driveway and no one is there to hear it...

2008-07-21T19:23:00.003-04:00

Tree

Walked out the back door this morning and didn't see my car in the driveway...click on the picture to see the rest of the pics I uploaded to Picasa. Neither car had a scratch on it!! Don't know if it was lighting, or wind - it's obviously a healthy tree, so lightning? Scary storms last night, that's for sure!!

Neighborhood News

2008-07-19T21:39:00.002-04:00

I know I have shared many stories of the fine neighborhood I live in. These tales have perhaps painted a rather bleak picture of said neighborhood. I was thinking this morning about how great the place I live is. The women who own the house are so cool, nice and amazing. I have a rare city perk and that is a backyard. There is all sorts of great stuff growing back there, and I have a nice raised bed garden to grow veggies in, shade from trees, and at the moment a bumper crop of raspberries. My apartment is charming to say the least. The whole house has a very positive, healing energy to it, as though it has always had good people living in it. Wood holds the energies of the past you know.
The house formerly known as the crack house has quieted down - the dealer was jailed last year and I never see the police over there anymore. The house formerly know as the tenement, scene of a bad fire in April, is getting a makeover. The screamers aren't screaming as much these days.
So tonight I am out walking Rusty and Lincoln, and I glance out in to the road and I see this . Warning - do not click on that link if there are children around, you are at work, etc. I'm l ike, are you kidding me? Is that really? I walked over and sure enough. Luckily I had my ph one with me and snagged that picture. Came home and had to text it to my one friend I knew would appreciate it. Her reply, "Was it buzzing?" I could not stop laughing!! Seriously. How does something like that end up in the middle of the road? I'm not sure I want to imagine!!!

Sox on the Beach

2008-07-19T21:07:00.004-04:00

I brought some socks to the beach to work on today. The one on the left is Monkey, in some yummy Skinny Socks yarn from Spunky Eclectic, gifted to me on my birthday. The one on the right is some Noro Silk Garden sock yarn I got last night at Yarn and Fiber. I cast on 63 56 49 stitches and knit the ~~cuff~~ swatch in the 5+ hours I spent at the beach.

This is me and what my skin looks like after those 5+ hours at the beach:
This is the list I sat at this very desk and made this morning to insure that I brought everything I needed to the beach with me:

Feed Opie He is our turtle. I fed him.
chair
knitting
sunblock
water
sammich
towel
hoodie
umbrella

So I loaded everything into my knapsack that was on the list, secure in the knowledge that the sunblock was already in there, because that's where it has been for like the past month, and off I went! Got to my usual favorite beach in Rye and there was actually a line to get into the $10 parking lot. I lucked out and got in right away and got a nice shady spot on the grass to park.

Set up my camp on the sand (the place was PACKED) and reached into the knapsack for the sunblock...what the...? Yeah. I took it out last night because I took the knapsack to knitting and was afraid of leakage. I distinctly remember thinking at the time that I probably shouldn't take it out as I would probably forget about it. Well, I had my trusty beach umbrella with me, since I have only been to the beach once all summer, and that was a month ago, I didn't want to do any damage to my skin. So no sun block, no problem, right? Wrong. Apparently the umbrellas don't block all of the UV rays. And the sun reflects off the sand. And I spent at least an hour unprotected while swimming or walking. And then there was that 1/2 hour that I took the umbrella down because it got windy and blew off at one point, landing on the chair of a woman who moments before had been sleeping there and luckily had gotten up to take a dip. Oh well, it was worth it, it is a mild sunburn and I am not in any discomfort, just feel hot and not used to feeling like I am on fire. Luckily I had put moisturizer on my face right before I left the house that is SPF 15 and I had my hat on for most of the day as well, so the face was spared. Kind of.

And now it is Saturday night and I am home and I don't have to be anywhere or do anything until Monday morning! Feels good to have some down time. Not complaining - the weekends have been packed with fun activities, but it is nice to have some time to myself.

Mindless Fun

2008-07-16T08:08:00.004-04:00

and because giving credit is the polite thing to do, here is where all the pics came from...

1. Melissa, 2. Cheese shop (3), 3. Arlington High School, 4. purple haze, 5. Jason Varitek 2, 6. Bowling pins, 7. Rooftops - Barra de Navidad, Mexico, 8. Good News Ice Cream!, 9. Eid Mubarak - عید فطر مبارک, 10. New family on Garda lake...., 11. A Boatman & His Dog Cruising Along in the Cannaregio Sestiere, Venice, 12. You are here in my Heart, my Dearest..

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

The Questions (and my answers):
1. What is your first name? Melissa
2. What is your favorite food? cheese
3. What high school did you go to? Arlington High
4. What is your favorite color? purple
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Jason Varitek (even though we all know it's Rachel Ray, couldn't find a nice pic so went wtih #2!)
6. Favorite drink? a fine merlot
7. Dream vacation? Mexican coast
8. Favorite dessert? ice cream
9. What you want to be when you grow up? wealthy
10. What do you love most in life? my family
11. One Word to describe you. authentic
12. Your flickr name. jasminenh

CSA Week 1

2008-07-14T21:16:00.003-04:00

So I want to keep a blog of the CSA each week and recipes we come up with. I'm too lazy to create a separate blog, so if you're not interested, just move along :o)

Wow. I can't believe how much my eating, cooking and shopping habits have changed in a few months. Saturday we made the first pick-up at the CSA.

What we got:
Kale
Pac Choi
Beets
Carrotts
Lettuce
Garlic Scapes
Radishes
Yellow Squash
Zucchini
Pickling Cukes
Salad with the lettuce, radishes and cukes

First recipe:

Sauted Greens

1/2 bunch kale
greens from 1 bunch beets
1 garlic scape or 1 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 pkg mushrooms
4 oz bacon, coarsely chopped (can use turkey bacon or veggie bacon)
1/2c chicken broth (or veggie)
1 Tbsp fresh thyme

Remove stems from kale and greens. Rinse. Add to a large pot of boiling water and cook for 6 minutes. Drain.
In wok, cook bacon until done, but not crisp. Remove from pan with slotted spoon and drain on paper towel.
Saute mushrooms in bacon fat (there won't be that much). Add garlic scape or garlic. Cook for 6 minutes. Add greens, bacon, broth and thyme. Cook for approx 6 minutes or until broth reduces.

It.Was.Amazing.

If anyone told me 6 months ago that I would be eating greens and loving it, yeah, hahahaha...

So me and Cindi are going to take turns coming up with ideas each week for cooking with the stuff we get, and posting our recipes here.

Plans for the rest of the haul are:
Juicing the beets with carrot and celery
Using the pac coi and carrots in a stir fry
Steaming the yellow squash and zucchini

4 July

2008-07-06T22:01:00.002-04:00

Four July is my favorite holiday. Think about it. There is no gift giving involved. No holiday dress-up. No traveling unless ya wanna. No cooking huge feasts unless you wanna have a cookout. Outdoor activities. Fireworks. I rest my case. It's also the only holiday I really have any fond memories of from childhood. Memories of feeling free, running around barefoot, cheeseburgers, favorite shorts, sparklers, screen doors, damp grass, holding hands in the the back of a station wagon, time stretching out endlessly, ice cream, baseball, more ice cream, fireworks, beach trips, skin warmed by sun, running and playing and laughing and ponytails coming undone and sleepy rides home. Way better than Christmas. Seriously.

This was an awesome 4 July.

The Don't Feel Like Its"

2008-07-02T19:37:00.005-04:00

Ever get them?

I was planning to go to knitting tonight - I sorta feel like it.
It would require showering though - don't feel like it.

My garden needs weeding from all the rain we've had. Won't have time this weekend unless the weather is decent when I get home on Sunday - don't feel like it.

Lot's of yummy stuff in the house to make for dinner - don't feel like it.

Do you sense a pattern here? lol.

Hey, look who's back!

Worked from home today. We had a most wonderful kick-ass thunderstorm this afternoon. It was still kind of crappy weather when 5:30 rolled around and I called it a day. Did something I never do - laid on the couch and fell asleep watching the news. Woke up an hour late. I know! Think of all the weeding or showering or knitting I could have been doing instead! And when 11 rolls around tonight and I am wide awake, I will remember why naps on school nights are a no-no.

Tonight however I am indulging my I Don't Feel Like It-ness. (or IDFLI - pronounced "i-dee-fly" with kind of a ghetto accent.)

Haven't even turned on the Game yet. IDFLI. Yet. Silence is nice for now.

This was the scene today in the (home) office:

Hundreds of dogs were seen milling about, I know, the camera couldn't capture them all, but here are Rusty, Lincoln and Sabre try to restore order. Then the kick-ass thunderstorm came along and it looked like this out my window. I was trying to get some of the giant forks of lightning, but missed them.

This was the garden last week. Now it's several inches taller and in need of a good weeding. Maybe Friday morning before I leave town.

On that note, I now feel like dinner and baseball. I shall leave you with these:

And this one is for Gigi. I had been hoping for a better picture than this, but ms Zuni is spending all her time on top of the refrigerator because of what she refers to as "the big goggie" I remind her that "big goggie" has been nothing but a gentleman to her and promise he won't chase her or eat her, but she will have none of that.

Lisha Lace Scarf

2008-06-29T20:06:00.005-04:00

I am honored that the lovely Gina was inspired to create a beautiful pattern named in my honor. And I quote,
"This luxury scarf pattern was designed with friendships in mind...It was created and inspired by my friend, Lisha, and uses the beautiful, handpainted yarn of one of one my dearest friends, Heather of Sereknity Yarn and Fiber. My best friend, Jackie, was kind enough to model my design and makes the scarf look so lovely. This scarf would make a wonderful gift for a loving friend, especially a fellow knitter!"

~~my secret fantasy~~ The lovely Jackie is modeling...
You can order the pattern here, and here. And, if I can ever get my head to wrap itself around how to make links here on blogger, I will have a link up as well. That is actually my goal this week.

Now I just need to get some of that yummy yarn from Heather and imagonna make me one! Cuz the Lisha needs to have one!

2008-06-10T15:58:00.003-04:00

In case you can't read what that is, it is 100 degrees. My weatherbug toolbar thing turned red when it hit 100.

Yesterday I went out and purchased an air conditioner. I was really afraid that my second floor apartment would just be too hot for Rusty and Zuni. Cindi offered to take them to her dads, and while I would feel comfortable letting Rusty go, I don't think Zuni would like it too much. So, I closed off rooms and plunked an a/c into the living room. This morning things had cooled down to a comfy 72. Yay! It will be interesting to see if the unit was able to keep up with it today though. At least last night I was able to do some spinning. TOnight I will try and post a picture of my first plyed yarn. Something finally clicked for me this weekend and I understand the whole spinning thing alot better. Thanks Sadia! Now to make plans to head up to Spunky and get a new spindle and some yummy fiber!

Tired today. I hate being cooped up inside and am looking forward to normal weather again. But for tonight, it will be cooped up again. Sox are playing. Bed early I hope!!

Memorial Day BP

2008-05-26T22:16:00.002-04:00

I managed to forget about all the stress that is work for 3 days. I was going to "log in" tonight and see what was going on...and I made myself not do it. Tomorrow will be here soon enough!
I have really come a long way in the last 2+ years. I've learned ALOT. I know myself so much better than I did 2 years ago.
I'm happy. Very happy.
But I'm still not ready for a relationship. For many reasons. I'm still enjoying being on my own so much. Not having to answer to anyone. And, just not ready to go there.
Yet.
My nephew was here for alot of the weekend. We had fun. He's a great person. We get each other.
My garden is planted.
If anyone has any ideas for building cheap/makeshift trellises for cucumbers and squash, let me know
I the almost 8 years that the Shrub has been our Commander-In-Chief, this past weekend was the first time I ever heard him say something I agreed with. He encouraged every American to place a flag on a veterans grave for memorial day. Wow. I did not have an opportunity to get a flag this weekend. But I will. And I will find someone to honor.
Because it makes me very sad to read in the news today that a Marine RESERVE unit is being deployed to Iraq for the 3rd time. And that most of the current members are going for the first time. 18 - 22 year olds. Kids.
They will patrol the streets. Those are the ones that get killed the most. Security.
The RESERVES are only supposed to get called up as kinda a last resort.
Back to the garden.
I had to drive to Portsmouth this afternoon to return the nephew.
We all went out to lunch in Portsmouth.
Avocado on a burger is yummy.
I thought about going to the beach. But it was really windy today.
And there was all the traffic.
So I came home. And grabbed Rusty and headed out to finish planting the garden.
When I was apartment hunting 2+ years ago, I knew when I saw the yard, and the vegetable garden area, that this was the place.
My first year here, I planted lots of stuff.
I was going through a really hard time and I didn't have the energy to really devote to maintaining the garden once I had planted it, but I dabbled here and there.
Last year I never got around to planting it.
Last summer I instead spent alot of time at the beach and did ALOT of healing and pretty much shunned anything that required my time and energy. It was good!
But I did miss the garden.
Last weekend I got a jump on it and went out and bought all my plants.
Saturday I got the plot turned over.
Sunday I planted tomatoes and peppers.
Tonight I spent about 2 hours out there. Hands, feet, legs, arms in the dirt.
It was amazing. I just felt the exchange of energy between me, and the plants and the dirt. I welcomed the plants and talked to them. Thanked them for gracing my garden. Promised to nourish them and tend to them and harvest their gifts.
See - there is more to me than the Sox!
The Sox are playing a late game. In Seattle.
Soon I will retire to my rather unkempt bedroom and fall asleep to the voices of Don and Jerry, and the crack of the bats.
I did put away a ton of clothes today. Clothes I can't really fit into at the moment. Clothes I am really sick of.
I need a major shopping spree
Instead, I will go back to the gym tomorrow. And set the alarm clock for 6 so I can get a 30 minute walk in before work.
I'm thinking the 30 minute walk every morning, plus 2 full body Nautilus circuits at the gym every week, plus evening power walks as the weather allow should help with the losing weight thing.
I hope everyone had a great long weekend.
I hope a year or so from now that I no longer live in the city.
Don't get me wrong. I do love my apartment. The positives FAR outweigh the negatives.
Sometimes the negatives though...like the tenement that burned in April? Still sitting there uninhabited and boarded up.
And then there is the crazy guy with the Don King hair that lives in the 1st floor apartment on the corner. His car looks like someone takes a baseball bat to it every other day. He is a maniac. I saw him actually slug a woman a couple of weeks ago. I'm talking total right hook.
And I bet none of you went out last evening to take your dog for a walk around the block and came back to find a young Latino girl in handcuffs, 2 cruisers, and lots of people milling around. I think it was an immigration issue. But still.
I'm not a city girl.
But for now, it's good. And so am I!

Do you know Carolina?

2008-05-12T17:45:00.002-04:00

True: My phone rings at 11:07 pm Saturday...

Me: Hello?
Mans Voice on Phone: Is this Melissa Riley?
Me: (pause) who's calling
MVOP: Manchester Police
Me: (heart skips a beat or 2) This is Melissa
MVOP: We're wondering if you have any information on how to reach Carolina Homespun
Me: (does this Officer knit? am I in trouble for buying those knitting needles today? I truly needed them to make the hat to match the sweater I made for CJs baby). um...they were at the Sheep and Wool Festival today...I made a purchase from them (oh great, did that just sound like I bought heroin or something - "made a purchase" - what was I thinking, I am so screwed) and I think I have a receipt here, let me see if there is a number on it. (Said receipt just happens to be right there on my coffee table.)
Me: No, there is no number on here, just an address
MVOP: Do you know if she is staying in town? She had something stolen from her today and we are trying to contact her.
Me: (did I fall asleep and I'm having a weird dream because I spent too much money on wool today?) Carolina Homespun is a business, not a person. They are at the NH Sheep and Wool Festival this weekend. I purchased some knitting needles from them today. Would you like me to go on-line and see if I can find a phone number for you?
MVOP: No ma'am, that's not necessary, we will contact her. Good night.

Wow. Sad to say, what happened is that at the end of the day on Saturday, someone did indeed steal the cash box from Carolina Homespun. Unbelievable. People who vend at these fairs, they are trying to make a living doing what they love. How sad that someone in NH has tarnished our reputation that way. Anyway, I read on Ravelry today that the box was recovered, minus the cash, all that was there were checks and credit card receipts. I paid with a check. I'm glad I did. People stealing from the little guy is just wrong!

Miso Soup Goodness

2008-05-07T13:56:00.002-04:00

About 5 years ago, I worked for a few months in Copley Square. When I first started the job, I was sick with a cold. I remember walking around on my lunch hour looking for something to eat, but nothing was appealing to me. I wandered into an asian restaurant, and for the low, low price of $1.50 + tax, walked out with a pint of Miso soup. It was just the thing. It warmed me. It nourished me on a day when I just didn't feel like eating, but needed the energy. There were many more purchases of the stuff in the 7 months I worked there. And ever since, I have tried all the instant miso soup packets and bowls, but never found one that made me want to keep on buying. So this past weekend, in an effort to eat healthier, I braved the local Asian market (Saigon Market on Maple St. for the locals). I spent almost an hour in there examining all the goodies for sale. Alot of the labels were not in English, but some things I could guess at by sight. Some of the translations are fun as well. So I picked up a package of red Miso and was delighted to find a recipe on the back of the package. It called for something called Dashi stock. I figured that was something that came ready made, like chicken stock or vegetable stock. They were really busy that day, and the whole language barrier made it hard for me to convey what it was I was looking for, so I came home and did some Googling. Another trip to the A-Market on Monday, and I had all the ingredients. I just now made a batch and it is delightful.
Here is my recipe:
First, make the Dashi stock.

Dashi
5-6 cups of hot water in saucepan
Soak a 5-6 in piece of Kombu for 10 minutes, then remove (I ended up tearing off a few small pieces and putting it back in)
Add 1/2c. Bonito Flakes (it's dried fish and I thought it would be disgusting, but it's not)
Bring to a boil and simmer until the Bonito sinks to the bottom.

I then took a large bowl, placed a metal collendar on top lined with a piece of paper towel, and strained the broth. Listen, my little kitchen is right out of the 70s, virtually no counter space, 20 year old set of pans, but I turn out some pretty marvelous food with just the basics.

Next I cut up a brick of firm tofu into 1 in. cubes. (note, next time I would use 1/2 as much).
Put tofu into the Dashi stock and brought to a gentle boil. Turned down heat to med/low and simmered for a few minutes.

Next I took 3 heaping tablespoons of Red Miso and put them in a little bowl. When I was ready to add the miso, I first took some of the soup from the pot and mixed it into the Miso paste. Then I added this into the soup pot along with a few thinly sliced small pieces of Kombu, a handful of dried Black Fungus (mushrooms) from the Asian market, and about 1/4 c. sliced green onions.

It's a little salty and I think next time I will use 2 Tablespoons of Miso and see if that makes a difference. I'll also check and see how salty the broth is before adding the Miso, as I may want to leave out the Kombu other than the initial soaking.

But it's reaaaaalllly good!! Yay!

Spa-wing Feevah (I haz it)

2008-05-06T19:12:00.002-04:00

Today was just one of those days when nothing could get me down. I had a smile on my face all day, even when I was venting to one of my co-workers. On our ever-expanding walk tonight, the there was this burning smell in the air. It was everywhere. I wondered what was burning this time. The answer? Seems everyone in the city is barbecuing tonight. Smelled delish! I found myself just totally into people today (kinda odd for me). The whole way home I didn't swear at another driver once. No impatience. (The daughter will tell you how often THAT happens - she learned all the swear words riding around with me). Turned on the tv just before 7 for the game, and caught the last story on ABC news - a musician took a cab from NYC to his apartment in NJ, and realized he had left his $4M Stradivarius violin in the cab!! He called 911 (I would *love* to hear the tape of that call) and the instrument was found. As thanks, today he played a special concert just for the NY cabbies. I was reaching for the Kleenex. Then Charles Gibson said "I hope you had a good day" and I replied, "Absolutely", beaming from ear to ear "Yes, yes, I did, I had a wonderful day."

Today was just an ordinary day. I got up, went to work, walked the pooch, etc., etc. And yet, I am in this most delightful place tonight. I'm not pregnant. I'm not in love. Either of those hormonal situations would explain my mood. But, nope, they do not apply. Oh. Wait. It's SPRING!!! Finally, it feels like it is here.

Time Lapse

2008-04-30T07:58:00.002-04:00

This is so cool! I came across this just now on Universal Hub. Tom is a camera man for NESN (he's the guy up near the Coca-Cola sign). He set up a camera (the details are here) alongside his NESN HD camera, and created a 7 hour time lapse video of One Day at Fenway. I can't wait to check out some of his other stuff!

One Day At Fenway - Letus Extreme Film - Time Lapse - HDTV from Tom Guilmette on Vimeo.

This is turning into more of a Red Sox blog than a yarn blog! Oh well - it actually was never meant to be either of those things, just a place to share my thoughts from time to time.

Virginia Tech

2008-04-16T09:29:00.004-04:00

I saw this picture this morning while reading the headlines. These are the lyrics to the song* that was playing at that moment. The timing was perfect...

All at once the ghosts come back
Reeling in you now oh tell me
What if they came down crushing
It used to be
that you and me
play for all of the loneliness
that nobody notices now
I'm begging slow 'cause I'm coming here...
I'm only waiting I wanted to stay
I wanted to stay
I wanted to play
I wanted to love you
#41 Dave Matthews Band

Take a moment today if you can to pause and send out some love to these young people today.

and on a lighter note...

2008-04-14T16:05:00.002-04:00

So I was standing outside just before noon today watching the cute reported getting ready for the noon broadcast...and this young, hot looking guy drives by and stops and asks if this is my driveway. I said yes. Then he informed me that he had some asphalt for sale and would I be interested in buying some. (Our driveway has a hump and could stand to be leveled out). I said well, I'm not the owner, and when pressed for more info explained that they live out of state. He said, oh, ok. Then he says "So, do you want to hang out sometime?" Now mind you, I wearing sweats and a baseball cap. To say I was extremely flattered would be a gross understatement. I flashed him a big smile and said no thanks. He looked genuinely crushed. My neighbor says he was probably a serial killer. I asked her to please not rain on my moment of glory. Hee hee.

Long Night

2008-04-14T00:32:00.004-04:00

Update:

Last night:

Today:

Good thing I had a long nap this afternoon. Right now I am listening to the sound of every fire truck the city has working on a house fire in the neighborhood over at the house I call the tenement. Around 11 I was watching the Sox/Yankees game (what sles would I be doing?) and I hear alot of shouting outside. I muted the tv and then started hearing sirens. Lots of them. I looked out the window in my bedroom and I can plainly see the tenement is on fire, flames shooting out onto one of the porches. The good news is that everyone, including pets, got out ok. The bad news is that there are alot of little kids living in that building. I hope they have places to go to tonight. I just came in a little while ago. I'm pretty rattled.
When I was a little kid, my parents were what I call fire chasers. We'd be out in the car, and fire engines would go by and we would follow them to the f ire. It scared the crap out of me. I would get left in the car while my parents went off to watch. I had horrible nightmares about fires growing up. I know, I'm a grown up now. But I was out there talking to my neighbors and my little heart was racing. I'm going to have a glass of wine, finish watching the game (I paused it before I went outside) and then I will probably stay up and work for a few hours. It's too loud to get any sleep, at least in my bedroom which is in the front of the house.
What a way to start the week! Those poor people, I mean they are people who have nothing to start with and now this. I feel helpless. The Red Cross came and I know they will get what they need, at least in the short-term.

3AM update: Here is a link to the story at the Union Leader. The fire trucks have left. but there is still activity over there. It looks like the police are letting people in to get personal things, and there are alot of lights shining on the building.

The Sox won. I've been logged into work for the past few hours getting some work done, and soon I will try and get some sleep. I am grateful for a warm safe home tonight.

Catching up...

2008-04-12T22:36:00.005-04:00

Today is April 12*

What a great day, make that week! Had the beginning of the week of and got to spend some time with my favorite boys in Maine. I brought my camera, but failed to bring the battery charger, so alas, no pictures. I'm going again in a couple of weeks and will try and remember! Tuesday was my long awaited opening day at Fenway. I even bought a new shirt (#25 Mike Lowell) for the occasion.
Watched the ring ceremony and the opening day festivities.

First we have Papi and his bling...

Last year, MLB decided that Johnny Pesky could no longer sit in the Sox dugout at Fenway. I hear the Yankees complained. Folks, meet the new Red Sox team Instructor:

THIS is why I am proud to be a fan. Pesky is back in the dugout as a staff member and he hoisted the 2007 World Series flag up the pole.

Obligatory Bill Buckner photo. I never knew he was such a soft spoken man. Forgiveness is a wonderful thing.

Steven Tyler sang the Star Spangled Banner. I wondered where my 8th grade jeans ended up...dude!

The banner is unfurled...underneath the banner are flags (65 I think) representing every country that is a part of Red Sox Nation. Wow.

I *love* this one of Dice K. He is looking very good this year.

And of course, there is Manny...

Thanks to Boston.com for the pictures.

Yes, I am obsessed. There are worse things to be addicted to. Some of my earliest and happiest childhood memories involve Fenway Park. It's in my blood.

Today was a surprise nice day, in terms of weather. Got to spend some time outside with Rusty and doing some yard work. Weirdest thing...this one section of my backyard? I must have picked at least 40 cigarette butts up. Not all the same brand. Did like a group of people have a party back there? I suspect it is the neighbors, or perhaps some contractors that were back there going some work on their house. But man, that is ALOT of smokes!!

Came in and showered and got ready to go to the tea dance in Lowell. My straight friends always ask what a tea dance is. Well, here is the official Wiki on that. Basically it is a dance that happens in the afternoon. And apparently the gay community adopted this term. Anyway, we got to Lowell at the Brewery Exchange around 4. I'd never been there before. It's pretty cool. When you walk in, the first floor has a dining area, with TV screens everywhere, a couple of bars, darts, air hockey, at least a dozen, if not more pool tables, and a mechanical bull. It is located in an old mill building. Upstairs there was a large room where the actual women's tea dance was happening. To say it was hot up there would be a gross understatement. I regretted my decision not to wear shorts. Some of my friends went off to play pool. Some of us were just hanging out, me included. Instead of the usual great dance music, a woman who sang cover songs really off key serenaded us. During the 3rd song I realized I was becoming rather grumpy and regretting my decision to attend. For one thing, I strongly dislike being in a hot room. I like it cool. And I was getting hungry. And there was a Red Sox game on downtairs. Yeah, 'scuse me my friends, I'll be back. I headed downstairs and grabbed a seat at the bar. Much cooler down there. Enjoyed several innings of the Sox/Yankees game, ate some yummy food, then headed back upstairs and was ready to enjoy some dancing time. Around 8:30 they finally got the a/c working up there. I didn't dance as much as I would have liked to, due to the fact that is was sooooooo hot up there!! But I had a really fun time anyway and saw lots of friends. I still don't know who won the game tonight!! I think I will go watch the rest and find out. Yeah, guilty...I taped the game!!

*Dear Anonymous...
When I realized today's date, I thought of you. Peaceful feelings and happy thoughts that made me smile. No regrets. I think you are awesome!!! xo

My Best Friend

2008-04-09T23:00:00.004-04:00

It was only right that my first beach trip of 2008 was with my best friend. One of us really wanted to stick their feet/legs in the ocean for longer than the 60 seconds she was allowed, despite the 39 degree water temperature. And one of us was kinda scared of the waves and preferred to sniff around in the sand. I'll leave it to the reader to figure that out.

There is much to be blogged about Opening Day at Fenway. Last night while driving to York and the Yarn Sellar (and please note, if you are someone who commented on my lack of blogging last night, not mentioning any names (noolieandpatty)) I had a whole blog post in my head - someone needs to invent a way for people to blog and drive safely. I will try and catch up with all that is Red Sox Nation this weekend. Because it is so good. And yet, not so good. Stay tuned for the explanation!!

I live for this...

2008-03-24T21:50:00.004-04:00

Coffee maker programmed - check
Appropriate Red Sox sleep attire - check
Fresh batteries for bedroom remote - check

This is it. This is what I live for. Opening freakin' day. Bring it on boys!!

YAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

And for those of you who are either clueless about what I speak of, or just plain not interested...here is a photo from last month from when me and the kid got our respective noses pierced...

No Clue...

2008-03-19T23:46:00.002-04:00

That last post of mine - the pic with the Viking kitty? Yeah, I have absolutely NO CLUE why I posted that. Someone asked me about it tonight, and I was like, huh? What Viking kitty? So I had to check this out in order to be able to sleep tonight (not really, but it sounds good, and I'll probably forget otherwise).

Did I mean to post something else and copy the wrong link? That's all I can think of. Hmmmmm....I have no freakin' clue...

Happy Friday!

2008-02-29T12:25:00.001-05:00

so much for an inch...

2008-02-26T21:57:00.004-05:00

Luckily I heeded the wisdom of my co-workers Diane and Tam and headed home at 5:30 instead of going to yoga. They were the wiser ones who left at 4:30. I crept home on the slick roads, not all THAT bothered by them, since for the most part I have worked from home when snow has been in the forecast. A little while ago I took Rusty out one last time, and noticed how beautiful it was out there. Big, wet flakes making it hard to see I'm sure if you are driving, but making everything else look really pretty. So I brought him back in and grabbed my camera for what I am hoping will be the last snowflakes of 2008. My cheap ass digital camera doesn't do it justice.

The 'hood

My car ~ barely made it up the driveway!
I love how the flash bounces off the big flakes!

If all the little snowflakes
Were candy bars and milkshakes
Oh, what a snow that would be!

Random BP*

2008-02-19T11:07:00.004-05:00

I'm glad the most recent missing hikers were found safely. What bothers me though is that people go up into the White Mountains in the dead of winter. I can understand an experienced hiker wanting the challenge. But how about taking into consideration the lives that are placed in danger when they have to go looking for your frozen ass.
Dear City of Manchester - What is up with the roads disintegrating? There's this new invention called asphalt, I hear it is pretty amazing. The intersection of Granite and Elm has been an axle-breaker for the past month and is just getting worse.
Speaking of Granite St...Dear People who use the Granite Street Bridge - there is this thing called a yellow line that is painted down the middle of the bridge. Please stop crossing over it as I am trying to get to the highway to go to work. 'k, thanks!
If anyone remembers Charles Laquidara from the old days of WBCN, The Big Mattress has a blog
The aforementioned blog is where I found the link to pictures of Lindsay Lohan posing as her idol, Marilyn Monroe. (warning, that link does contain nudity). It would be more appropriate to call this "Shots of Linsday's rack with a messy blonde wig." Marilyn was a class act and slapping a blonde wig on a skank and saying she is anything remotely resembling Marilyn - it's just wrong
I spun yarn over the weekend. Tee hee. It's even hanging up here at work on my cube. I'll take a picture of it later before I leave.
Spring training has begun. You know you are a baseball geek when you download the entire season schedule into your Outlook calendar. Want to know when the Sox are playing the Yankees? I can have that info in seconds!
Work. Nothing bad going on, but morale is low and our boss is leaving. Uncertainty about what that will mean for us, and as usual, no communication. I am grateful I have a job, I do love what I do, but I would be much happier at a smaller company, at least that's what I think. If I win the powerball tonight, the Omlette Shoppe in Ogunquit is for sale for $1M. I'll hire someone to run it for me, work a little here and there, and park it on the beach anytime I want!

*Bullet Post. Inspired by the Sheep, only hers rock!

Happy Valentines Day...

2008-02-14T08:05:00.000-05:00

moar humorous pics

The news...

2008-02-14T07:56:00.002-05:00

This morning I had the news on in the background while I was doing stuff. I normally spend the first couple of hours of my day in silence and like it that way. But since my street looks like a qualifying run for the Olympic Luge event (and let's not even talk about my driveway), I wanted to see if I could get an update on the rest of the roads.

So, as a service to you all, here is what I got from this morning's news...

Roger Clemens* - do we really care who injected what into the Rocket? Next...

Marie Osmond - did she gain weight while doing dancing with the stars? Well, I can't answer that, but if you tune into ET tonight at 7, this and more will be revealed...

Tina Turner is NOT the queen of soul. Silly Beyonce'.

Obama. No Hilary. No Obama. No Hiliary.

Yeah, so that's pretty much it...

*so yesterday was the Big Day - Pitchers and Catchers showed up in Ft. Meyers to begin spring training. NESN was running their first show from Spring Training at 6:30. What did they then proceed to talk about for the first 10 minutes? Clemens. *sigh*. I mean, do the fans really care that much?
Other than that, there was a great interview with Tito, and seeing Dice-K sporting a MULLETT was priceless!!

The real problem with our economy...

2008-02-01T09:03:00.000-05:00

Payrolls drop for 1st time since 2003 (AP)AP - Nervous employers cut 17,000 jobs in January the first such reduction in more than four years and a fresh trouble sign that the economy is in danger of stalling.

Exxon Mobil posts record profits (AP) AP - Exxon Mobil Corp. on Friday posted the largest annual profit by a U.S. company $40.6 billion as the world's largest publicly traded oil company benefited from historic crude prices at year's end.

When was the last time an oil company had anything but a record profit?

Decisions, Decisions...

2008-01-24T19:25:00.000-05:00

The first one is easy, but I need your help. Over on the right there is a poll to help me decide on which e-mail I want to use as my new main e-mail address. racingspirit is ready to be retired for a couple of reasons. For one thing, I'm not as into Nascar as I was when I chose the account, and secondly, the account resides on someone else's comcast account, and I would prefer to have it reside on my own account. I think I know which one I want...and maybe there will be a prize offered to a random responder!

The second decision is not so easy. Tonight when I was walking Rusty down the road, I heard some loud yelling and swearing. I wasn't wearing my glasses, so it took me a minute to locate the source. Now this past summer, I mentioned the crack house across the street. Well, karma is a beautiful thing and the person I suspected was selling drugs over there has been in jail since late summer on a burglary charge. So all has been quiet. And the tenement on the corner? It would seem all the screamers moved out recently. So like I said, things have been very quiet here. But back to the yelling. I saw the guy who lives a few doors down from me hanging out his front door smoking and yelling and screaming back in at his family. He went back inside, only to come tearing back out, flinging the screen door open very wide so it hit the side of the house, slamming the inside door violently and screaming at the top of his lungs "I have to ing do everying thing around here you ing bitch. Now, ok, that's bad enough that he is spewing such venom out into the street. But then the next words out of his mouth were "I'll kill you all, I swear I will." And I felt this cold block of ice in my middle. I could not believe that a person would actually say that. About their family. He saw me and he looked away. I kept walking and I very calmly said "You know you don't mean that." He never said a word. Finished his smoke and went inside. So what do I do with that? Do I think the guy would actually harm his family? No. Not really. He is volatile and I have heard him go off at his teenage sons and his wife. He's not a very nice guy, nor is he a very happy guy. And the thing is, they live in the best house in the neighborhood. Nice white, middle-income, model family to all outward appearances. But now I get to live with the knowledge that I heard those words come out of his mouth. What if? I hope not. I tend to think it's the ones you never suspect would that actually do. And then I think, who would I tell anyway?

As much as I love my apartment, I am hoping that at this time next year I will be in a position to move back out to the country, or at least the 'burbs.

Blue Eyes...

2008-01-21T13:27:00.000-05:00

Plugging away at work here with the iPod on shuffle to drown out the conversations around me and "My Way" came on. I haven't heard that song in years...forgot what a great song it is!!

I bought Cindi a Sinatra cd for Christmas and loaded it onto my iPod. What a great creation. Anyway...back to work...

Signs of Spring

2008-01-20T23:31:00.001-05:00

Feb 13	Red Sox Spring Training LIVE	6:30 pm
Feb 14	Red Sox Spring Training LIVE	10:00 am
Feb 15	Red Sox Spring Training LIVE	10:00 am
Feb 19	Globe 10.0 (from Ft. Myers)	5:30 pm
Feb 20	Red Sox Spring Training LIVE	10:00 am
Feb 20	Globe 10.0 (from Ft. Myers)	5:30 pm
Feb 21	Red Sox Spring Training LIVE	10:00 am
Feb 21	Globe 10.0 (from Ft. Myers)	5:30 pm
Feb 22	Red Sox Spring Training LIVE	10:00 am
Feb 29	Red Sox vs. Twins	7:00 pm
Mar 2	Red Sox @ Twins	1:00 pm
Mar 9	Red Sox @ Dodgers	1:00 pm
Mar 16	Red Sox @ Pirates	1:00 pm
Mar 17	Red Sox @ Yankees	1:00 pm
Mar 19	Red Sox vs. Blue Jays	12:00 pm
Mar 29	Red Sox vs. Dodgers (@ LA County)	TBD

This is making me pretty happy. My boys!! Less than a month away and I will be reunited...and look at all the spring training we get to watch this year! And don't forget that between Mar 19 and Mar 29 we will have the 2 games against Oakland over in Japan. I hear they are going to be on at like 6 AM. How cool will it be to camp out on the couch so I can set the TV to wake me up to the pre-game show?!?!? I know. I am pathetic. And I don't care.

And a big congrats to the Pats and Giants. The Giants pulled it off and I didn't think they would.

My uncle was so cute - he called me last night - didn't recognize the number, but I answered anyway, and this voice says "Go Pats". He lives in California, has lived there for as long as I have known him (I met him when I was 13) but he still loves his Pats. He is such a great guy - we reconnected a few years ago (that's a great story for another day when it's not so late) and lately we have made a point to keep in touch and talk about once a month. It's really great because we get on the phone and before you know it 2 hours have gone by! And I am not much of a phone talker but I just love talking to him. He's 78, but his mind and his heart are so much younger. I am really hoping to get out to see him this year. In the meantime though, it's off to bed so I can go make the money!

Krazy Kat!

2008-01-14T14:07:00.000-05:00

Here's Zuni enjoying her new toy from her aunties Patty and Molly...

We celebrated our Christmas last night...

FUN!!!

And now, a word from The Shrub...

2007-12-17T22:31:00.000-05:00

Am I the only one who sees the irony in the two back to back news stories I just saw on Yahoo?

Bush says US economy is safe and sound (AP)

AP - President Bush on Monday tried to reassure an edgy public that the economy is "pretty good" despite the dreary mix of a failing housing market, a national credit crunch and surging energy costs. Followed by:

Stocks fall amid economic worries (AP)

Wall Street extended last week's losses Monday as investors remained concerned about flagging growth and rising prices, and were skeptical that a special Federal Reserve credit auction will be a solution.

The man seriously needs a reality check...

My fantasy...

2007-12-16T11:59:00.000-05:00

I know I will probably risk losing my dyke card for saying this...but after watching an hour of her on tv and realizing how absolutely smitten I am with this woman...I confess...

I would love to spend a day with Rachel Ray. There. I said it.

Picture this... Rachel comes over and transforms my kitchen into a gourmet pleasure palace - picture that cool retro look she has going on on her set - lots of tile and expensive cookware. We open a bottle of fabulous wine and I settle in on a comfy high stool opposite the cooking area where I spend the next hour or so watching her prepare us a feast while we sip wine and she performs her kitchen magic (which absolutely MUST include smashing baby potatoes which have been simmering in the expensive cookware with a bottle of EVOO).

I know. Lame.

Hmmmm...what about dessert?

FO Friday

2007-12-14T15:45:00.001-05:00

Wow, it's been a month since I last updated! I think of it all the time, and I have these great thoughts of things I want to say here - but I just don't have the chance to write as I am usually in my car, or out walking So anyway, life is good. Got me one of these and it is making a HUGE difference! It's a light box, or they are also called a sunlight. I sit in front of it every morning for 20 - 30 minutes. It's made a big difference in my energy level and my mood. Normally I tough out winter, this year I'm actually out doing things, sleeping well, and waking up feeling rested - YAY!! OK, so here are my most recent FOs... This is Fetching and Calorimetry. OK, I guess technically Calorimetry is not finished as I still need to get the button for it. I knit these in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. It took a little more than 1 ball for the mitts and I had maybe 12" left when I finished the headband. I did another set in another color, same yarn...here's a pic of the mitts... Where's the matching headband you ask?? Well, it would seem that I ran out of yarn with 1 row left to go plus binding off. I'm not very happy with this yarn at the moment. While it is wonderful and soft, this color has had knotted joins in every skein. I returned the first skein, as I saw the join before I even removed the ball band. The next skein had 3 joins, the last one, 2. And that made all the difference. I really hate that I have to buy one more ball. These socks were a fun and quick knit. The Harlot's basic sock recipe knit on size 5 dpns. The yarn is called Knitcol and I think it is by Adriafil. Anyway, its very soft and light and the socks don't feel bulky. I picked the yarn up at The Yarnsellar a few weeks ago. And finally, a pair of warm knit socks for me, made out of Peace Fleece DK. I still need to wash and block them to soften them up. I think Zuni might have her own blog...she's being very secretive about it...
And finally, here is our little Charlie Brown Christmas Tree..which is what you do when you have a kitten in the house!

Music

2007-11-11T21:53:00.001-05:00

I promise I will post this week and there will be knitting and yarn involved. Got alot of knitting done this weekend. Started the second sock in Peace Fleece and am just about finished with the first Endpaper Mitt. Pics later this week. Worked on the sweater as well, that is coming right along. Had some great quality cuddle time with Zuni today. I think she felt bad about what she did yesterday. She's been doing pretty good with the whole knitting thing, but I do acknowledge that it must be very tempting for a little kitty girl to have all this yarn dangling about her. So yesterday morning she insisted on being in my lap while I was working on the Mitts - they are 2 stranded knitting - and without my even being aware of it, she managed to chew through one of the strands. I 'm knitting along and all of a sudden I have an end...hmmmmm... No great harm done though.

Did a ton of cooking this weekend. Chili. Pot Roast and Garlic Mashed taters. Chicken Soup. Oh, and my neighbor brought me some rice and beans that her hubby made. Yum. I like going into the week knowing I have plenty of food in the house and won't have to cook when I get home from work.

I'm looking for some music suggestions. I need some new selections to load on the iPod for work. So either post those ideas here, or e-mail me (racingspirit at comcast dot net).

Who is your favorite artist? Name 2 of their songs.
Know any good rockin' out sure to get you motivated songs?
Or any good meditation music?
Ever buy music on iTunes? I am thinking of trying it...

I'm listening to some music that I heard today at Yoga. It's called SoulFood. Check it out. I haven't been to yoga in a while. Well, really to the gym period. I went 4 times this week, counting today, plus a 5th workout at PT. Today I went to yoga really looking forward to that quiet, gentle space. Teacher was in the "we're going to do vigorous yoga today" mode. I almost packed it up. But, I decided to just go with it. Lot's of resistance in the beginning. I'm out of shape, I've gained some weight, that makes it harder. But I went with it anyway. And about 20 minutes into it, I just thought, ok, I am just going to give myself over to this yoga. It will be what it will be. I did what I could and honored my physical boundaries. And it was great!

Rusty is doing good - thanks to everyone who has asked this week, it means alot. We're going to see the vet later this week and I will keep y'all posted. For now, time for sleep!!

Mondays suck...

2007-11-05T21:09:00.000-05:00

Rusty had another seizure today. His third one since July. He will see the vet next week. I am very scared. The last time I took a doggie to the vet thinking everything was fine, she didn't come home with me. I just can't go through that again. And, I have no reason to think it's anything bad, but you know, the mind tends to latch on to what it knows and I have been a mess today. So much so that I have practiced mindfulness mediation at every red light today and I am listening to calming/healing music. Rusty is fine. He met me at the door tail a-waggin' and
full of energy.

I am soooooo tired of not mastering this whole money thing. I wish I could stick with it and figure out where the blocks are. I resent that I work hard all week and yet live from paycheck to paycheck. And I shouldn't really complain, I am so much better off than many in this world.

Zuni is getting big. She is going to be an awesome cat. If she survives kittenhood. Just kidding. Yes, she has her wild moments but she really is a love. She loves to snuggle, and best of all, she doesn't wake me up in the middle of the night.

New TV shows I am watching - Journeyman. Life. Private Practice. Big Shots. Moonlight.

Old TV shows I still watch - ER. Grays Anatomy. Brothers and Sisters. Desperate Housewives
(only because Dana Delaney is on it this year). Men In Trees. Las Vegas. House. Rescue Me
(wasn't the season finale disappointing?). The Office.

I miss singing. Alot.

I'm not the same person I was a year ago. Thank god!!

I find that there are people in my life who are falling away because of that. Not tons, but a couple. I know there is one person in particular, who I love dearly. I don't think they read this blog. Anyway, I used to be the kind of person who would drop anything and everything, for a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g a friend might need. Anything. At a moment's notice. I'm not that way anymore. I think of myself now. So the other day, someone called who needed some computer help. And you know, I already had promised myself a weekend free of any obligations. So I left this person a message and said I would be happy to help them, but it would have to wait til Monday. And I asked them to email some info so I could do some research and see if it was even something I could fix. I heard nothing back. And, as I have learned so well from the Four Agreements - I am not taking this personally.

Life really is good. This is just the Fall Funk™. Kinda. And not totally. I'm feeling a little bit stuck.

I want to go crawl into a bear hole for a couple of months and hibernate. Walk, sleep, bathe,
eat, knit. That's it. Have someone deliver the groceries, take a (paid) sabbatical from
working, not have to take care of any of the details of life. Dream on.

Let's see...positive...hmmm...yeah, you know, sometimes a girl just needs to bitch...

Ya know, I wanted to change my little up countdown thing at the top there...and when I clicked on it and went to www.tickerfactory.com...all it is offering me is trying to conceive and ovulation tickers...ummmmmm...what kind of a message is this?? And truthfully - if you are trying to conceive, do you really need to annouce this to the world on your blog?

It's that time again...

2007-11-01T11:30:00.000-04:00

Dear Cymbalta - Depression doesn't hurt. It sucks. kthksbye.

Yes folks, it's that time of the year when the official Fall Funk ™ is upon me. It kind of caught me by surprise this year as I was feeling really really good so far this October. Yes, there are fewer hours of daylight. Yes, I have been tired. I just chalked it up to staying up late for baseball games. But then the last couple days there was the not really wanting to be around people thing. And the not really wanting to go to work thing. Oh yeah, and the not wanting to clean the apartment thing. Pretty much just not wanting to do anything and feeling pretty damn irritated about it that I did! That's what got my attention. The irritability (read - bitchiness) I was feeling pretty much non-stop. Oh, except when I was too tired to be bitchy. And being impatient. I suppose it is a good thing to be aware of it though. Normally I am not aware of it until sometime in February, at which point most people in my life want to be rid of me. At least until I can get enough sunshine to make me human again. So I guess it's time to bite the bullet and look into getting one of them there SAD lights.

It's really a startling contrast for me to be feeling like this. Life is good. But the last few weeks it's take alot more effort to get myself to do things and to go places. So this morning I made a list of all the things that need to be done around the house, both large and small, and I will aim to cross one thing off that list every couple of days. I'll also go back to the gym tonight no matter how tired I am feeling. Because the exercise thing really does help with the whole energy thing.

Imagine my delight this morning when I received an e-mail letting me know that if I purchased a certain product my "penis will make more shadow than a tree."

2007-10-30T14:48:00.000-04:00

The Bullpen Band

I just finished watching the big parade for the Sox. Stayed home to work today so I could see it, and it was well worth it. Wish I had just taken the day off and gone in, but next time. What a month it has been with the playoffs. I have loved every exhausting, exhilarating minute of it. I have loved this team for 30 years and I can say without a doubt that the 2007 Red Sox are the best Red Sox team ever. At least in my lifetime. Not to take anything away from the 2004 team - they were amazing. And not to take away anything from the 67 Dream Team. But this 2007 team? They define the word "team". I can't even begin to describe it. Sure, they will be back in the spring, but it will be a new team, as it is every spring. This has been a great season for me, as far as baseball goes. I didn't do my normal mid-summer wandering away and pick back up with them in the fall. Nope, I would have to say that I watched about 90% of their games this year - not because there wasn't anything else to watch, or I had nothing better to do. Nope. Because I wanted to. They were amazing. And the way they came together and swept the Series...wow. And now, they are gone. Back to their families, back to take a break and relax a bit. It's going to feel a little empty around here for a while.

Paplebon just could not believe it...

That first moment... i have this on my desktop at work and it never fails to make me smile.
Such a sweet victory...
Okie Dokie!!
I bitched and moaned about him all season, but he done good in the playoffs and he really is adorable...

The Break Up

2007-10-12T12:47:00.000-04:00

Dear Greys Anatomy,

We came very close to breaking up last night. I was ready to walk away. As we sat there last night and you once again let me down after promising me so much more, I was actually composing a break up letter to you. I mean, I felt so cheap and so used. Once again you had reeled me in, and once again you just weren’t delivering. That whole come here – no go away thing, you know, it just doesn’t work for me.

In the beginning I felt like we belonged together. You brought out the best in me and I gave you my all. I know they say long distance relationships are hard, and perhaps that is what has caused us to drift apart. I mean, we barely saw each other over the summer…and I supposed I should have seen it then. Everything seemed so – been there, done that, you know?

And then boom – you walked back into my life 3 weeks ago. The anticipation of our being together again left me excited and I felt alive again. And then, there you were, looking as good as you ever had. But it didn’t take long for me to feel as though something just wasn’t right. We weren’t “clicking” like we used to. You seemed nervous and irritable and, well, just not yourself. I wondered if something happened while we were apart…did you have a summer fling with a new writer or something? When you left I felt oddly disappointed.

So I spent the next week searching my soul, wondering if it was something I did, wondering if perhaps I had set my expectations a little too high. I finally decided that, well, everyone has their off nights, and that it was bound to happen. And we touched base during the week and it seemed like you were your old self again. You were such a tease! I thought there was a chance that last Thursday would be right up there as one of the best nights ever. You practically promised!! But no. Once again, you were moody, and unpredictable, and – yes, I hate to say it – whiny. And so we said a rather cool goodnight last week. I think you sensed something was up, because you really turned on the charm. And you kept it up all week long – flashing me a preview when I wasn’t expecting it and leaving me all flustered. But still, something just wasn’t feeling right. It felt like we had lost the magic.

I know we both agreed to having this open relationship – you know I’m seeing others and I know you are too. And that seems to have worked out well, because well, I thought we really went out of our way to make each other feel more special than all the others. We have our “date night” every Thursday at 9pm and I have never rescheduled it. And I’ve had offers. In fact, I didn’t want to tell you this, but The Office has been trying to win me over and grab “our” spot. They are starting to feel a little put out that I’m always there for you, and they get recorded and I see them when I can squeeze them in. And, I was tempted. Yesterday afternoon I was seriously thinking of teaching you a lesson and recording you instead. I wanted to send you the message that you can be replaced. I didn’t follow through though. You started in with the being all nice and flirty and I just couldn’t do it. So when 9:00 came around, I showed up. And, it didn’t take me long to start to have my doubts. I found myself wondering what Jim and Pam were up to instead of listening to you whine some more. Oh, there were a couple of moments there that showed the promise of old times, but it was just too little, too late.

Halfway through our date I had decided that this was it, I was done. And at the very last possible moment, there you were. My heart skipped a beat. You had saved the best for last. Those words are still echoing in my head today. “I slept with Izzy.” There is was. THAT is what had been missing all this time. The magic returned. You had to leave shortly after that, but you did leave me quite a few promises of what is to come that have me pretty worked up. But, when the afterglow of our time together faded, the doubts were back. You’ve been making these promises all along. But then you leave me cold. What do I do?

So after thinking it over, I have decided that the only way we can continue on together is for you to keep this one promise. The girl fight. It needs to happen next week. Callie and Izzy. Bring it baby. If you can’t, then go ahead and find someone else to tease. I’m done. Yeah, ultimatums suck, but I don’t think I am being unreasonable. And don’t bother pulling the McDreamy card on me, you know that doesn’t work.

Bye Al...and thanks!

2007-10-11T19:04:00.000-04:00

I used to "belong" to a local UU church here in town. For reasons that don't really need discussing, I no longer wish to have any association with said church. No, nothing bad happened. It's a church much like any other I suppose - I just found it to be a little too dysfunctional for me. Now, don't ask me why, but with me there tends to be no middle road. I either like ya or I don't. I either wanna or I don't. But, more than all that, the fact is that if something or someone or a situation makes me uncomfortable, I tend to just sever all ties. Now, as you can imagine, this doesn't always work out real well, and so in the past few years I have been learning about things like boundaries and tolerance. And that contrary to my popular belief system, there actually are some emotionally safe people in this world (though I do a pretty darn good job of finding the ones that aren't). But I digress.

Sometimes...no, I'd even go out on a limb and say often, there is a treasure to take with oneself out of a situation that - well - for lack of a better word, pretty much sucked. And, I have a few of those gems from that church experience. A couple of very dear friends. A great experience being a youth advisor and (I hope) making a difference for some teens. And there is one gem that really stands out for me.

Back in 2001 - 2002, when I was attending church nearly every Sunday, I joined the church choir. Now at the time, I was living in Londonderry. There was a couple who belonged to the church - they were pretty old, I guess I figured around 80 at the time, but they were very active in the church, in fact, they were part of the glue that kind of held the place together. Every Sunday they were there. And one of them belonged to the choir. For reasons unknown to me, he didn't drive. The wife always drove them. And, well, sometimes we had to be there early for practice, or stay late. And the wife approached me and asked if I would be willing to provide rides for her husband so he could attend practice. At the time I was unemployed, and even though it was a teeny bit out of the way, I was the one person who lived closest to them and by a slight stretch of the imagination, you could even say they were "on my way" (if driving about 10 miles out of the way counts as "on the way").

And so, for the good part of a year I drove my friend back and forth most Sundays (except for one time we were doing some evening thing and I remember his wife packed us both supper - roast pork sandwiches with applesauce - omg, best thing I ever ate!!). And we developed quite the friendship. He talked about so many things. He was such a gentle and wise person, with a smile for all and a very special way of looking at life. He saw this Earth as a treasure, and was an active voice in his community for things like preservation. For me, our rides were like being in this little bubble. He had this energy that just made ya feel good for no reason, just being around him. He lived a very full and satisfied life and he touched alot of people on his journey.

My friend...his journey ended last weekend at the age of 93. I hope he slipped peacefully away into wherever it is that we journey to next. I found out about it in a really random way.

And now I am trying to decide what I want to do. I will make a donation in his memory to Star Island Corporation. And, there is a service being held on Saturday at the church. Part of me wants to go. I mean, really wants to go. And there is also the part that just doesn't want to have to deal with some of the people that will be there. And I hate that about myself. It shouldn't matter who is going to be there, right? There is no law that says I have to engage in conversations I would rather not have, or converse with people I don't want to, right? There is just this part of me that wants to be invisible in situations like this. Oy. To the point where I am going back and forth between going and not going. I guess I'll just keep praying about it and I'll know in the moment what makes the most sense to do.

The thing is, there are only a handful of people who have touched my life like that, and I would like to honor that.

K, sorry for such a downer of a post! Other than this, life is good. I gotta take some new pictures of Zuni and Rusty this weekend, they are so cute together. Zuni has been perched on the desk while I have been typing this - first eating, now bathing, with a time out in there for a snuggle with mom. I swore a few years ago that I would never have cats again. Oh, I've had some wonderful kitties in my life, but I also had kind of a bad experience after living with too many cats. So, I'm going to keep it at one cat and one dog.

Politically Incorrect

2007-10-03T18:23:00.000-04:00

I'm not really in to politics. I suppose that is kind of a bad thing. I do vote. But I don't go and listen to the candidates speak, or pay much attention to more than the headlines. This morning I hear that the *Shrub vetoed a bill that would fund the renewal of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, on the grounds that it was too much like socialized medicine. God forbid we should embrace a socialized medicine program in this country. Why not? I have received health care in 2 countries that have a socialized medical program - Canada and the UK. In both instances I had to pay for my doctor visits. I both cases I expected to be charged hundreds of dollars. In both cases I was charged a very reasonable fee, much less that what it would have cost me for a doctor's visit in the country, without health insurance. And there have been times in my life when I have been without health insurance, so I know what I'm talking about. I just don't get it.

The other thing I just don't get are the people who stand at busy intersections holding signs for the candidate they endorse while they wave. Is that supposed to make me want to vote for your candidate? Because it doesn't. I also don't get the whole calling voters and asking them to vote for a certain candidate. It seems like a waste of time and money. But that's just me. I vote for the person I like the most, based on a rather randomly exact formula I have used - a combination of what my gut tells me and a little bit of information. Now, I will vote, and I have already made my choice on who will get my vote. But honestly, if that candidate doesn't win, anyone will be better than that Shrub.

So I am home watching my boys get ready to play Game 1 of the ALDS. No knitting for me tonight (I know, 2 weeks in a row!!) but I just couldn't bear to miss the game. And once we get past the World Series, I will be back in the Wednesday night swing to get me through the winter until the Boys come back in April.

Going to attempt to make some progress on my Lilac sock tonight. I did manage to get the Forest Canopy Shawl back in sync and will work on that some more this weekend. I seem to do best working on it first thing in the morning while I'm having my coffee, and definitely can't work on it while watching TV or talking. I'm really wanting to start some new projects - I have some DK weight Peace Fleece that wants to be socks, the Endpaper Mitts that I'm making as a surprise for someone, another Booga Bag (need to get the yarn for that though) and I also want to cast on for Cozy. Oh yeah, and there is my sweater that I haven't touched in months because it is too hot to knit a sweater. Yup, it's October 3rd at 6:38 pm and the temperature is 73 and it's very humid. I'm glad I never got around to putting the fans away last weekend. This has been the warmest fall I can ever remember. I haven't worn any long sleeves yet!

k, off to watch the game...

*my name for our current president

The Tiger in my Bed Kept Me Up Half the Night!

2007-09-26T18:39:00.000-04:00

I'm talking about the kitten...what did YOU think? Yeah, Zuni discovered that unsuspecting toes, covered by a mere sheet, make great playthings. This discovery was made around 12:30 AM. And again at 6:00 AM. That combined with very unrestful sleep (my back/shoulder thing was really acting up last night) made for a tired slinger today. That, combined wtih a day when nothing would work, combined with other stuff, has left me feeling tired, on overload, and just needing to hole up tonight. So my dear ManchVegasknitters, I will not be joining you. The thought of actually getting in my car and driving anywhere makes me want to go crawl under a pile of covers...'cept it's too hot for that!! Work challenged me in a big way today. For those of you who don't know what I do, I am a Software QA Analyst - that means I beat on software and make sure it won't break before it gets sent out to the customers. OK yeah, it's a bit more involved than that, but that about sums it up. So Monday and Tuesday were spent trying in vain to re-create a problem in a previous version that has been fixed in the version we are working on. Finally, much to my great joy (I'm talking a chorus of angels sang), I was able to produce the error just before I went home yesterday! Yay!!! That meant that today I could actually start testing it on my system, which has the latest and greatest version of code. So I arrive at the office primed to finally sink my teeth into this one, thought about it the whole ride in, so I get everything ready and on the very first run, it bombs. So I spend the next hour or so going through various checks, only to find that it works everywhere else in the universe except on my system. So, the remainder of my day was spent uninstalling/re-installing, lather, rinse repeat, beg for help (I love my co-workers, they rock!) and at 5:25 pm there was still no solution. Now, usually when there is a problem, it can be reproduced on other systems. Nope. Only mine. THere is a plus side to this. While all the uninstalling/re-installing was happening, I was knitting. It kept me calm. My co-workers should be very thankful for this. Only I realized at 5pm that I had made a mistake and have to rip out a couple rows. (note to Laurin: no frogging is going to happen - I promised I would save all my frogging for when you were present, and I will keep that promise!) One of the reasons I love my co-workers is conversations like this: (Scene: Melissa has just tried the 4 millionth attempt at resolving this situation. Her co-worker, M, has been helping out, but at the moment is elsewhere. Melissa very calmly rises from her chair and proceeds to the QA Lab, where she decides she will make some Iced Coffee using the Iced Tea machine that was purchased for us. (Melissa only just found out this week that said Ice Tea machine can also make Iced Coffee).

So, I grab all the neccesary items and proceed to make the Iced Coffee. At which point, the following exchange occurred:

M: It didn't work, did it?

Me: (smiling) Nope

M: Yeah, I saw you come in and state you were going to make Iced Coffee and I figured.

Me: (smiling) Yup!

About 15 minutes later I returned to the Iced Tea machine to see how my Iced Coffee was doing. What I found was a rather light coffee colored pot of water. (insert big sigh here)

OK, I'll go make regular coffee in the regular coffee machine!!!

Yeah. That was a splendid idea. Only, I made the coffee and then promptly forgot about it until about 15 minutes before quittin' time.

So yah, it's been *that* kind of day!

On top of all that...it just seems like there is an awful lot of *stuff* going on in the world this week. People seem to be really wound up and the energy feels really frenzied. That's reason numero uno why I am hiding out tonight. I am just on overload from all that is going on around me. And I don't know what to do about it. People just seem - for lack of a better word - fried, on so many levels. Even tonight, when I was walking Rusty, I was coming up my street and this guy (who I think is a complete and total a**hole) was publicly fighting with his son (who was practically in tears and is 18!) out on his front stoop, dropping the f*bomb every other word (note: I know those of you who know me would say, whoa, but YOU have quite the potty mouth yourself. To you I will say, indeed, that is true, but I don't stand out in public and run my mouth for everyone to hear).

So, I am choosing to stay in tonight, though I will miss you all (but perhaps Friday night in Windham is happening and I will see you then?) 'cuz I just can't deal with the general (chaos) public at the moment. Instead, I am going to make something yummy to eat, play with my doggy and my kitty, and do some knitting.

Oh. Yeah. Knitting. Let's see. This past weekend I worked on the Forest Canopy Shawl. I did 2 rows and realized that I started on Row 1 when I should have started on Row 3. Had to tink those 2 rows and am going to put in a lifeline before I proceed. I may do that tonight. I did finish the second sock that I an knit-testing for Heather. Heather, if you are going to be at Y&F on Friday night, bring the other one and we'll take pictures!! I am itching to start a new project...I am going to force myself to wait until the weekend though. I guess tonight I will work on Thuja (the sock I messed up at work today) and perhaps I will get at least the first one done!

It's love...

2007-09-23T21:16:00.001-04:00

HEY!! What's THAT!?!?!?!?!?

Z: Hey, I'm Zuni. You smell...

R: ohboyohboyohboyohboyohboyohboyigotsakitty!!

Phew...he's exhausting!!!

Bonus..

2007-09-18T21:56:00.000-04:00

Two in one day! Had a great visit with Cindi tonight! (thanks to Lora for the conversation on the way down!) This years dorm is in a great building on Brattle St., a much shorter walk to Harvard Square, but a much longer walk to classes which might suck a bit this winter. We walked over to "the burger shack" where we both decided to try something new. I normally get the Ted Kennedy (cheddar and mushroom) and Cindi the Bill Clinton (BBQ sauce and cheese). This time we both went with something new. She had the Professor Skip Gates (teriyaki with a slice of pineapple) and I had the Michael Bloomberg (mayor of NYC - I had to ask, never heard of him) which was a burger with cheddar, chili and sour cream. Wow. Deee-lish. Waddled back to her dorm (which is part of something called the Episcopal Divinity School, see the pic, it's really cool!!) and as I was heading over to my car, I heard this really cool Indian music and chanting coming from the building across the courtyard. The door was open, so I crept in to check it out. I stood in a brightly lit hall outside an open doorway that led into a small, dimly lit room. In the hallway, lined up neatly, were all the guests shoes. Now, I am not at all drawn to the whole having a guru thing - but I do appreciate the many ways that people chose to worship and pray, and satsang is one of the more joyous ways, I think anyway. I wasn't drawn to go in and sit, it was nice just to hang out in the hall and listen and feel the good energies. After a while the chanting came to a close, and Swami Nityananda began to speak. I listened to him for a few minutes, then gave a little prayerful bow of my head and continued on my way home. I love stumbling upon something like that. Just a little slice of someone else's life. They are doing something called "In the Footsteps of Bliss" where they are going around the world, for the next year, to all the places where Baba Muktananda had touched people's lives. There is a quote on their website that says "May all beings be content". So thank you kind chanting ones for bringing a smile to this heart tonight.
Content. Yes, content is good. I am at a place in my life where I am content and that makes me happier than, well, anything!
So, to all who have commented on my earlier entry - guess I have a few pies to bake, huh? And Mel, I will send you some more pictures of that bone, a different angle and you will be able to see that it is definitely a leg...I'll measure it too, because whoever's leg it was, wasn't very tall!!

Roadtrips and stuff

2007-09-18T13:50:00.000-04:00

Road trip...

ARE WE THERE YET???

YOU SMELL LIKE GOAT!!

NO THANKS...YOOOUUUUU PICK 'EM FOR ME!

So Saturday afternoon, after it stopped raining, me and Rusty took a mini road trip to Londonderry to Macks for some apples. For those of you not familiar with Londonderry, it is just south of Manchester and has many large apple orchards. Much of what you buy for apples in your grocery stores in this region most likely grew in Londonderry. I used to live there and loved driving through the orchards year round. Spring when they are in blossom is uplifting. Fall when the aroma of the apples is in the air and the "pickers" come to town equally delightful. Now in the past I have never welcomed fall so early. Oh usually by the first week in October I am into it and over being grumpy that summer is over. But this year I am already into the fall thing. And I haven't even put my shorts away yet. Not to mention being hopeful for a few hours at the beach this weekend. But I digress. By the time I had purchased my apples (Jonamacs - my fav, along with a few Paula Reds and Gingergolds for pie) the sun was out, so me and Rusty took a walk in the orchards and visited with many ducks, geese, and swan, and of course, with the goats. Came home and then on Sunday, produced these:

PAH!

Now, being that I reside alone, I needed to pass on one of these pies. So, in a neighborly gesture, I brought the pie over the the crackhouse. Now, those of you who know me in person, know I am talking about the house across the street from me. I don't like to blog about people and their problems, so let's just say that the family over there has their issues, and I have suspected that some drug dealing is going on over there. Friday night things got a little heated over there, as they sometimes do, and I went over to talk to them. Makes me appreciate my own life very much. Anyway, I present to you...

The Crackhouse

The crackhouse is actually only the left side of the house. I wanted to zoom in on the front porch so you could see the remaining items out there from roommates moving in on Friday night. It's now Tuesday afternoon and all that stuff is still out there. And today was trash day. So anyway, when I brought the pie over it was hilarious. The little girl who lives there peeks through the blinds on the door window, then opens the door a crack. I hand her the pie and a bag of apples, and there is the mother in the background yelling thank you. And the door closes. Now, I had no expectations, it just struck me funny.

The Tenement on the Corner

this is where the loud people who yell at their kids all day, and at each other live. They also set fire to the porch of the house across the street this past summer in the middle of the night because a convicted sex offender lives on the 3rd floor. Yeah, if you check the registry, she was convicted 10 years ago and it was a one time thing. Not condoning that by any means, but I do believe in second chances. Someone from the Tenement did get charged. This house is just disgusting. I cross the street when I walk by, that's how bad it is over there...

Other than that, I had a nice relaxing weekend. Did all my shopping and errands on Friday and the rest of the time was mine, all mine!! I did squeeze in some knitting, 'specially watching 3 Red Sox games and a Nascar Race! I also spent some time working on a little art project, inspired by something I read about on Ray's website. I have *never* enjoyed drawing or art stuff very much, but after having it come up in conversation with a couple of different people, and Ray's site and some internet research, I went out and bought a nice set of colored pencils and some drawing paper, and I spent a few days making this:

It's called a mandala. It's weird, because prior to deciding to try making one, for the past few months I have been dreaming about them. And even seeing them in my head, only I don't possess the artistic skills to be able to draw some of the things I see. But, perhaps I can learn? Anyone out there wanna teach me? Or I suppose I could take a course...anyway, I really enjoyed this process. I mainly worked on it in the morning when I would get back from my walks with Rusty. It was kind of a meditation and I can't wait to start another one!

So a few random things...

These are the S + P shakers that Cindi brought me back from France!!

This is Zuni, who hopefully will come home this weekend!

I found this on the beach when I was on vacation. Anyone know what it is? I think it is the leg bone of a small animal, like racoon, but someone else said maybe it was seal?

and there is something very wrong with a Charmin TP commercial being choreographed to the Halleluia Chorus...

Feelin' Silly...

2007-09-12T11:48:00.000-04:00

Yeah, TOUCH my handmade socks kitty and you are TOAST!!

I'm Baaaaaaaack!!

2007-09-10T21:34:00.000-04:00

I think it has been a good month just about since I was last able to blog. I have been computerless for a stretch of time here, only able to check e-mail at work (no time to blog or anything) and though I could read e-mail on my old iMac at home, I wasn't able to reply to anything.

Honestly though? I haven't really missed it all that much. Yeah, I do miss reading my blog friends and will get caught up eventually. But I have found that I enjoy mornings more without the computer. Sometimes I read, or knit, or journal instead. Or sleep in a little. And I wait until I get to work now and have a sec to check the e-mail. On weekends, I'm up for hours before I even think to check the e-mail. I like it.

Vacation was soooooooo great. I will post about that another time, when I have my pictures. The fabulous Heather hooked me up with her hubby who has repaired my laptop for me! I totally jumped the gun by ordering this new system...but in the long run it will work out for the best. When I work from home, it is better for me to sit at my desk rather than on the couch with the laptop. And, I *love* my new 19 in flat screen monitor...oh YEAH!

Life has been good, although kinda busy. Cindi is off at school and I do miss her. My nephew left yesterday for Washington State to be with his girlfriend. Send him some good thoughts as he drives across the country all alone. I will be calling him soon to see how he's doing.

Well, one more thing before I go...if you at all like music, please go check out Aksara's website and listen to some samples from their new cd, Comfort and Grace. They have an amazing sound and are a really special group of women. Music and sound are so healing, and so important, and they manage to combine the two in their own special way.

I promise to be better about updating now that I have the new 'puter.

Adios for now...

2007-08-17T16:29:00.000-04:00

It is 4:29 pm on Friday and as soon as I hit "Publish Post" I am shutting down this computer and not touching it again until 8/20. Then I will go home, check my e-mail one last time, shut down that computer and not touch a keyboard again for the next 8 days. Amazing. I think it has been years since I have gone that long without a computer. I think it will be a good thing. I work on a computer all day, and then I try to squeeze in things like blogging and Ravelry and responding to e-mails when the last thing I want is to be typing yet more! So when you think of me and Rusty over the next week, picture us walking on an island in Maine, hearing the waves and the seagulls and enjoying total relaxation. We'll take some pictures and update upon our return...peace OUT!

Gearing Up...

2007-08-15T13:39:00.000-04:00

for vacation!!! I so do not feel like working...so I'm not at the moment! I had the morning off and came into work at 1:00. Why? Because I had a late night last night. Why? Because I went here with Lora to see
Brandi Carlile

and Indigo Girls!!
Lora's got some pics and videos up - I completely forgot to grab my camera on the way out the door, but she was kind enough to share hers with me.

Brandi Carlile opened. I had seen her about a month ago in Boston, with her band, and at first I was disappointed to see this was going to be an acoustic show. By the end of the first song (Someday Never Comes) I had goosebumps that lasted through her whole set. The Girls came out and sang on Cannonball with her - their harmonic blend was so amazing. Brandi came out for 5 or 6 songs during the Indigo Girls set and once again, incredible harmony. I enjoyed the Indigo Girls also, though I would have preferred seeing them with their band. I'd never seen them before and it was a great first show. The crowd was great, the venue I absolutely love. At first I was a little disappointed because they played so many songs I don't really like all that much, you know the ones you always tend to skip over in the car...(Ozilline, Yield) but then they made me happy by doing World Falls and Hope Alone (didn't expect to hear that one and I LOVE that song) with Brandi Carlile on both. But what really sealed the deal for me was Amy doing Romeo and Juliet (had tears in my eyes at the end of that one!) and Kid Fears. When they started in on Kid Fears I said to Lora that this song just won't be the same without Micheal Stipes from REM singing his part...ok...I was right...because it was even better...they had Brandi Carlile come out and sing that part and the goosebumps were back!! What a great show, I could hardly get to sleep last night from the energy of such fine music...
Glad I took this morning off from work. Got some stuff done around the house, gave Rusty his pre-vacation bath and now am at work. Surprisingly, given how little sleep I got, I am not feeling tired.

Well, I suppose I should go do some work today...wish vacation started right now!!!

Reason # 645 why I never update!

2007-08-13T16:16:00.000-04:00

#645: because it is so time consuming!!! It took me forever to do that last post. None of the pictures would line up on the actual blog the way they did when I was writing the entry. I almost said *nevermind*. There has got to be an easier way?? What I did, is I downloaded all the pics from my camera to my laptop. Then I uploaded the ones I wanted to use to Blogger. Then I wrote and dragged the pics around, placing them with their corresponding text (I make it sound so simple - yet it just wouldn't come out the way I wanted it to. I supposed one of these days I will have to just sit down and learn more about this Blogger thing.
Knitting is going well. I finished the Angel Sweater and sent it off to France with Cindi - AND FORGOT TO TAKE ANY PICTURES!!! I hope Cindi thinks to take some for me, 'specially if baby niece wears it (I think it will be too big for her at the moment though). I have 2 socks in progress, one pair that should be done before I leave for vacation. My vacation knitting plans are to slog through the Tofutsies socks (I just do not like working with this yarn), make a pair with Heather's yarn, and if time allows, get started on another pair with Ray's yarn. I'm also hoping to work on (and possibly finish) the Forest Canopy shawl. I know, it's an ambitious plan, but I think I can make it happen!
Cindi is in France all this week - she is floating around on a barge with her dad and his family to celebrate her grandparents 50th anniversary. Some people have it rough, no?
I am gearing up for vacation. I am leaving after work on Friday - and I am unplugging. If it is an emergency (or ya just really, really miss me) leave a message on my cell and I will be checking it every evening. I.CAN'T.WAIT!!!
And on that note, I am going to leave work on-time for a change and try and talk myself into visiting the gym on the way home...adios!

A Day in Pictures

2007-08-03T15:34:00.000-04:00

GOODMORNING

So I thought it would be fun to do a "day in the life" blog entry, so the other day I hired a camera crew* to capture my exciting life for a day, to give you, the reader, who may not even know me in the "real world", a taste of the adventure that awaits me on a daily basis! So, pour yourself a cup of coffee and follow along!

*Rusty followed me around with my cheap-ass digital camera all day

First order of business was setting some limits... NO SHOWER PICS!!! My public is not interested in seeing that sort of thing...

After showering, I love to just putz around the house, drinking my coffee and hoping I can manage to leave on time (never happens). For some unknown reason, I get up around 6:15 and it take me 2 hours to get ready. Most mornings there is a 20 - 30 minute walk with Rusty, followed by 1/2 hour or so of checking e-mail, drinking coffee, maybe journaling or reading a bit...so how come I always end up cramming fixingmyhairputtingonmakeupgatheringfoodforthedaymakingthebedandfixingcoffeefortheroad into the last 10 minutes??

Every so often I squeeze in some knitting related time. This morning I blocked the washcloths I made for a good friends birthday present.

Finally, I am out the door and on my way. (after saying bye to Rusty and asking him to
watch the house while I am gone). Doesn't
he just break your heart???

Yes, I do realize that the car needs a good vacuuming. I admit it - I am lazy.

The ride through the city is never boring.
We like it when the lights are green.
And you would not *believe* the scary people I see walking out of Mike's Pub & Grub at 8 or so o'clock in the morning.

Even with all the construction going on, it only takes me less than 10 minutes to get on the highway from my house.

Some sights along the way, including a random pile of bricks:

Normally it is a good commute, and this morning was no exception.
E-Z Pass is one of those inventions you wish you had thought of and marketed. At first I missed my tokens and the great discount they afforded me...but now I have to say, it is worth paying the addition 6 cents a day to not have to stop, and to not have to open my windows when it is cold.

Let's listen to a few tunes while we get on the high way and cruise to Nashua...

Music listened to:
Working Class Hero - John Lennon
F-Me Pumps - Amy Winehouse Gold Dust Woman - Fleetwood Mac
Shadow on the Wall - Brandi Carlile
You Sent Me Flying - Amy Winehouse

nope,it's not a very long commute. plus, I probably checked the radio stations I have programmed a few times because for some reason that is what I have to do...

I think I am being followed!! (no, not really, but you have to admit it made this alot more interesting!!)

Rut-roh - this is the look I get on my face when another driver is being stupid. If you could read my mind, you would hear "what the f&$* was that?"

and then, before you know it, we are at my exit...

ready to start another day...here are some random pictures of work:

The office park we work in is pretty nice. Right
off the highway, which makes for a good commute. This is a shot of the back of the building. I started parking out back 2 summers ago after someone left their car running in the front parking lot. It started a fire and took out 4 other cars - had I been at work that day, my car would have been one of them. The downside to parking out back though is that the back door is where all the smokers congregate. Here is my favorite smoking ashtray...I hold my breath on the way in. Of course, if there is a group of smokers out there, they stand right on the path so you have to walk through their little cloud. Yuck.

This is the view approaching the lobby. It really is a nice building.

Here we are in the lab...to the left is the view from where I sit. I get to watch planes take off and helicopters buzz around since the airport is close by.

For lunch today I went out to the LYS to get a gift for Lora's birthday. I had a hard time parting with it, but after fondling it for a while made the right choice. I will go back and get another one for myself (like I need MORE sock yarn). I'll add a picture of it in later...

Went back to work - yes, I know, the afternoon is sadly lacking in pictures...Rusty had to have his afternoon nap. I don't remembering negotiating this when I hired him, but I guess you get what you pay for...

Wednesday nights are knittin' night at the Manchester Barnes and Noble. Jackie wanted to show me a book she recommended I read. The title of the book is "The Big Book of Breasts". I took a picture of it so I would remember which book it is when I have some extra cash....

After knittin' for a while, we moved over to Famous Dave's next door to celebrate Sarah and Lora's birthdays. It was kind of dark in there, but most of us are in the picture...

After Daves it was time to go home. Luckily I don't have far to drive...

When I got home I was pleased to see that the maid had stopped by and turned down the covers.

and now I am ready to slide into bed and call it a day!!!

Morning Thoughts

2007-07-27T11:05:00.001-04:00

Nothing makes my day more than walking into work and being greeted by the aroma of smoldering cigarette butts...why is it that disgusting ashtrays are placed right outside doorways? And that people have to stand right there, in the doorway, on the path, smoking??

I should have a tape recorder in my car in the mornings. I have some great thoughts but by the time the day gets underway, I forgets. This morning I sent myself a text message as a reminder...yeah, geeky I know.

So this morning there was a Comcast van tailgating me ( love that so much) and when I was able to pull over and let him pass me, on the back of the truck was one of those "How's my driving? Call 1-800-etc-etc. and get me in trouble" messages. Which got me to wondering, do people ever call? Have YOU ever called? I did once. I don't remember what happened, it was a couple of years ago, and I am lucky if I can remember what I had for breakfast, never mind some random incident like that. So anyway, then I got to thinking, wouldn't it be HILARIOUS to put that message across the back of my car? I mean, it would totally crack me up if I saw that on someone's car...I guess you'd have to have been there (i.e., in my head and trust me, that would be a very SCARY experience).

Not a great knitting week - more like 2 rows knitted, 1 row ripped out. Hoping to get caught up this weekend. I haven't worked on my lace in over a month. I'll probably save it for vacation at this point.

My buddy Lincoln may be looking for a new home...if you haven't already seen it over on Lora's blog... Lincoln my friend, you are in SOOOOO much trouble!! I hope mom can find it in your heart to forgive you, but it's probably going to take some time. You need to be extra nice and extra good or they might send you back to my house!!

Well, that's about all that is happening here...I have to get back to work...I promise a good update really soon!! xo

Just Catching Up

2007-07-18T21:58:00.000-04:00

It's knitting night with the Manchvegas Knitters...so why am I home updating my blog?? Well, I have felt like crap all week. So not like me. It started really on Saturday night. I have some sort of weird stomach thing (I'll spare you the details) that is going around and leaves me feeling nauseous much of the time. Oh, and tired. Oh, and then there were the 3 days when my ribs HURT - like all of them, all the way around my trunk and for no apparent reason. And then there was the headache and extreme exhaustion, in spite of getting more than enough sleep, on Monday. Got up at 6:30, walked the dogs, e-mailed work to say I was working from home, and promptly fell back asleep until 10:20!! SO not me! The good news is it is 10 and I am still awake, which has not been the case lately. It's kinda gotten me in a funk though because I don't feel like doing anything...

Anyway...I miss my knitters. Went over to B&N right after work and stayed til around 7:30, had to get home to the boys. Linc goes home this weekend...me sad...he is SUCH a great boy!! Lora, we are going to have to work out some visitation here...Rusty is going to be so lonely!! I am considering getting a kitten...Cindi's little sister's cat is expecting...but I'm just not sure I want to do the cat thing again. Mainly because my brother is soooooo allergic and would not be able to come visit, and then there is the litter box. It would have to be an indoor kitty. But I *know* that Rusty would just LOVE to have his own kitty...he adores kittys and when he meets up with them in our travels he just does not understand why they don't want to be friends. There are a couple of kitties in the neighborhood who have made friends with him, it just makes his day when "meow meow kitty" says hi. We shall see...

On the knitting front...OY! Well, the tiger socks are done, and if I do say so myself they came out great! I gave them to Wendy and she loves them! I picked up some Tofutsies at The Yarn Sellar on my way to Ogunquit Saturday (had a BLAST there) and have started a Jaywalker (photo above) for me! The baby sweater is coming along, but I haven't worked on the shawl for weeks. I guess I will get back to it on vacation in August (if that still happens, long story, stay tuned!)

Rusty is doing good - no more seizures. He had a hair cut recently.
Before and After:

I am looking forward to some more beach time soon...I am out of sorts, mainly because physically I am not feeling well, but also I am feeling irritated by things and need to take some time out. I realize that this is a familiar place I often get to and also have recently learned that it happens because I need more time to myself than I realize! Who knew?

So Gina...how's your luck these days??? ;-)

I adore Jonathan Papelbon. His focus just inspires me. The Sox were doing good for a while, but ended up losing. It's still good watching Jonathan close though. I strive to be that focused in my life...on anything, I'll settle for maintaining a focus on just one thing!!

Saturday Gratefulness

2007-07-07T12:10:00.000-04:00

All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am...*

This song, the first 4 lines, they never fail to give me the shivers in a good way. I have not had a "perfect" life, and that is just perfect. I am at a place in my life of learning to fall in love with myself and not look for happiness from another person. I am cultivating the happy inside me. A year ago, I was not aware it was even there. My endless search for love, peace, and happiness has finally led me to the place where it's been all along...within me.

What prompted all this reflection is I was kinda blue this morning. Alot of it is PMS, but some of it was just a little too much OPD (Other People's Drama) going on this week. I realize that even though I was able to just say no to it (yay me) I still find it quite irritating and draining. So around 9:30 I pulled my daily Angel card and today's message was Ground Yourself. So, I promptly packed up some knitting and headed down to the backyard with the dogs and now several hours later (nope, it wasn't all knitting time, got a shower in there too and some cleaning) I am feeling peaceful again and grounded.

So if you couldn't already tell from this post thus far...I have decided to open my blog up to more than just my knitting life and share on a more personal level when that feels right. I write alot in my paper journal, but every now and then it feels good to go beyond the superficial a bit.

I wanted to take pics earlier to post also but the camera wasn't charged...so I will try and get some pics up tomorrow.

Today I am grateful to the people, places and experiences that have brought me to where I am right now. What are you grateful for?

*lyrics from The Story by Brandi Carlile

Saying Goodbye Sucks

2007-07-05T20:19:00.000-04:00

*WARNING* this is not likely to be a happy post. If you are not in the mood to be bummed out, skip it.

It's so not fair that our pets are with us for such a brief time. I have said good bye to way to many furry children...Misty Kitty, Spook, Oodie, Uunic, Willie, Angel, Pepper, Jasmine, Big Feet, Poof, Erica, Ellen...and today, Matasha. I haven't actually seen her in over a year. She had a good home for herself with a former roomate that I am no longer in touch with. She came to us in December, 1993 - supposedly she was pregnant, it was right before Christmas (12/23/93) and I took her in as a foster from the shelter. Cindi was 5 at the time and named her Matasha. A month went by and she got smaller, so I took her to the vet, he shaved her and said, yah, this cat has been spayed...turns out when she was stressed out she puffs up and looks pregnant...so we kept her.
The old roomie e-mailed me like 6 months ago saying that the cat had some bloodowork done and did I want to know if the results were anything to be concerned about. I replied yes, but never heard anything. Today she e-mails me out of the BLUE to say that the cat wasn't doing well and had kidney issues, yada yada yada and she was probably going to have to put her down this afternoon. So, energetically I said goodbye, and her current roomie and friend of mine let me know that yes, it was her time and they buried her in the backyard...I often thought of bringing her here to Manchester to live, but she would have had to be an indoor cat here and I couldn't bear to do that to her, she would have been miserable. So, my last kitty is gone. I feel guilty that I so easily left her behind 4 years ago...oh, to be able to go back and make different choices, but that is another story.
Anyway, before that depressing news, today was a good day. I find that I am changing in so many ways, and it's not a bad thing at all!
Bye TashiBmeemoomoo...I am so glad you spent today enjoying sunpuddles and will always remember waking up with you wrapped around my head purring...love you...

Dogs Blog

2007-06-24T20:10:00.000-04:00

Hey!! Mom's in the shower and she left her computer on, so me (Rusty) and Wally (my brother who is visiting)

and Lincoln (my new friend) thought we would help her out and update her blog. We wanted to take pictures of us outside, but none of have thumbs and we couldn't get the door opened. We'll ask mom to take some this week. We are having such a fun time together!!! Mom was gone for a few hours today and we all hung out and played cards and smoked cigahs...and we made Lincoln an honorary Bichon so he wouldn't feel left out.

Hi, it's Lincoln. I'm having a nice time here with Rusty and Melissa, and now, Wally, but I do miss my family and I hope they are having fun. Melissa plays with colored string too mom! Don't tell Melissa, but I sneak up on her bed when she is not here...I think she might be pretending she doesn't know though. I took some pictures of the stuff she made with string this weekend:
I think I heard her say it's called a "swetter" - that sounds weird to me. She seems to really like the way it is turning out. I hope she doesn't try to make me wear it.

She played with this too... it looks like a tiger!!

Wally wanted to write something to, but it looks like he already went to bed. I think I'll see about getting another cookie and heading there myself...

we all shine on...

2007-06-12T13:12:00.000-04:00

...like the moon and the stars and the sun (John Lennon)

Heard that song this morning on my way to the highway and it stuck in my head. My first thought this morning was...I am happy! Not that I am not normally happy...it's just not usually the first thing that pops into my head. Usually it is the list of things I have to do...anyway...

I started a post about WWKIP day here in Manchester and never got around to finishing it...we had a blast in spite of the pouring rain. No newcomers, but then we did end up at a completely different park than was advertised, due to the rain.
I was so cold by the time I got home!! For some reason, rainy days make such great knitting days, don't they?

Not too much else knitting related going on. Squeezing it in when I can and working on some gifts so can't really say much about that right now. I've been making time to go to the gym more often, along with eating better, and that takes time to plan and prepare and all that. I wish I could work less hours and have more time for everything else. Gotta try and manifest that for myself.

What would you do?

2007-05-26T15:38:00.000-04:00

OK, I don't live in the nicest neighborhood in the world. It's one of those places that is kinda on the borderline - a few blocks one way is kinda scary, but a block up the hill it gets pretty nice. I like my neighborhood. For the most part, it is quiet. I know my neighbors, we watch out for each other. Good stuff. I have a great apartment, a sweet deal.
The problem. This morning I was awakened by yelling. A man and a woman yelling at the top of their lungs, at 7:30 in the morning, every other word is the 'f' word. Nice. I wasn't sure where it was coming from.
I spent a veeeeeeery lazy day out in my yard. I did have plans today, but decided that I just wanted a "me" day. So a little while ago I came in to get something to eat and I decided to take a few minutes and put in the screens in the outside doors. So I'm in the front hall, and I hear yelling and screaming coming from across the street. I hear a man yelling at one of the kids to "stay the f out of my room" and I hear crashing and I hear screaming. I hear a woman tell him to get out and I hear him continue to yell, and the kids continuing to scream. Loudly. I had my cell phone in my hand and my thumb on the first 9. But I didn't call. I don't want to cause problems. For a family that is, from what I see, down on their luck at the moment. I really like the kids. They are nice, they talk to me, they talk to Rusty, I gave the girl a ride to school one morning when it was pouring out (they don't have a car) and the parents seemed ok. I know that phone call to the police could put them at risk. Maybe they are good parents. Maybe this is a one time thing. I'll keep my ears open. I wanted to go over and ring their doorbell and just talk to them...but I don 't want to cause problems for myself either. People are unpredictable when they are that angry. Did I do the right thing by doing nothing this time?
I stood in the doorway for a while, listening. I wondered if some neighbor ever paused in their daily tasks and heard my family having one of their many loud, violent moments and contemplated getting involved...
I'll keep listening...

Tag, I'm It!

2007-05-16T22:16:00.000-04:00

OK, I will play...Julie tagged me first, followed by Gina...

Here's the deal: Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

1. I got my bachelors degree at the age of 39. I'm thinking about pursuing a master's degree, because I love school, but the thought of even more student loan debt keeps me from starting.

2. I've only been knitting for about 3 years or so. I mainly learned from watching videos at knitting-help.com, googling terms I wasn't familiar with, and my manchvegas knitting friends.

3. It would be a dream come true if I could drive say 50 laps around a racetrack in a Cup car.

4. When I was 11, my parents took me to see Lily Tomlin at some little club in Boston. She invited people to come up and do impersonations of her various characters on stage. I went up and did her Edith Ann character and she gave me a huge hug!

5. I am missing 10 of my teeth, genetically. When I was in the 6th grade, I had to have 4 baby teeth pulled because my second set of canines had no adult partners. Then I had braces to move all my teeth together. I got one set of 12 year molars on the bottom, no partners up top, I'm missing the next set of molars all around, and no wisdom teeth. Other than that my teeth are incredibly healthy, but I've always wanted to have big teeth and a nice smile...

6. I would love the chance to swim with Dolphins. Not one of those tourist-ee things, something a little more obscure than that. Like on some remote Hawaiian island (they have dolphins in Hawaii, don't they?)

7. I don't believe in the physical limitations of age. It's all about how you feel. I love that my doctor (who is my age) shares that same philosphy and doesn't push all these tests on me. He knows I am healthy and that I am in tune with my body. I don't buy into the mindset of taking all kinds of medication. I will admit, I do take one medication, an antidepressant in a low dose, but I only started taking that after trying all kinds of other options.

Phew! That was hard!! And Gina tagged everyone I was gonna tag...hmmmm...now what do I do???

Ramblin

2007-05-14T22:31:00.000-04:00

Went to the NH Sheep and Wool Festival this past Saturday...SUCH a gorgeous day!! Cindi came with me and Sadia drove down from Vermont and then we met up with Gina, Jackie, Laurin and her hubby, Ericka, Chris and Mandy, Heather and her 2 kids, Gaye...ok, I have to be forgetting someone, there were alot of us there...sorry!!! In my travels I also ran into Amanda D and her sister and mom, and Joanne from A Knitters Garden. I purchased my first roving (!) which I will spin up one of these days and make myself a hat with. A friend is lending me a drop spindle. I do not wish to catch the spinning bug, I just don't have the time for it, but it would be cool to try it once at least. Case in point - I have not touched yarn today, it's just been a non-stop day.
Blocked the Booga Bag yesterday and Cindi figured out how to do the handles for me (I am SO visually challenged!). I will take pictures outside tomorrow. I am going to give the bag to Cindi and make another one for me. It's good, mindless meeting knitting.
I was really good at NH Sheep and Wool. Aside from the roving, my only other purchase was some beautiful raw silk that is being made into a gift for someone. Once the gift is delivered, I will post pics.
TOnight I watched one of the best Red Sox games EVER!!! Dice-K pitched his first career full game and they won 7-1 against Detroit. I just love the little bowing/handshake ritual that Dice-K and Big Papi have going on...
Geez, I had so much more I wanted to say earlier...but now I can hardly keep my eyes open, so nite!