And now, a word from The Shrub...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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."

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

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!

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

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!

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...

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

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

R: ohboyohboyohboyohboyohboyohboyigotsakitty!!

Phew...he's exhausting!!!

Bonus..

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

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...

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

I'm Baaaaaaaack!!

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...

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...

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!

#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

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!!!