meandering

    I know I don't post regularly any more (did I ever??), but seems like all I have to say is whiney. I'm not doing anything interesting, nothing but work and school, and I am pretty exhausted by the time I get home. As much as I despise day-light savings time, at least by the time I drive home these days it is still light and I'm a little more awake. But, like last night, for example, I wanted to do something but had no energy... and my eyes were SO tired! They actually 'quit' on me about 2:30pm; at least it felt that way... and this morning they are still fuzzy. Yes, Rissa, I will drink more water today. And I need to get an eye exam and new lenses, I'm sure. Too much tiny print in old books yesterday, plus all the reading for classes. See??? Whiney stuff.

    And here's some more........

    kinds of drivers who make me crazy: those who stop and won't go at a four-way, and those who go and won't stop... then there are those who speed in town but won't accelerate onto the interstate...

    I should stop and save this as a draft, then add at least one purse photo from my laptop... nah. I'll just post again at break.

Right.

    I am doing some research via blogging. How about that for different? Seems there is this movement afoot on the library scene that has come to be known as "Library 2.0." I set up the Google Reader for these blogs, and by golly, it's a rather convenient way to read blogs. But, in some ways, I don't get the hoop-la. It's almost exactly like reading newsgroups -- which was around long before *I* started doing in in the mid-nineties. Sure, the interface is different, and there are bells and whistles, but it is really the same approach...

    As for the Library 2.0, my paper will hopefully answer my primary question: what is the point/reason for the gushing? Is it hyperbole or is it a practical and worthwhile use of staff time. So far, I've read some interesting opinions, but, most just seem just infatuated with the toys.

(gotta run)

will i never learn

to keep my mouth shut?

    First thing at work this morning, I checked my e-mail -- just like everyone else does. The draft of a group assignment for one of my classes was in my inbox. I expected to have a couple of grammatical or spelling errors to comment on, BUT, the formatting throughout the document was inconsistent. I cannot afford a grade lower than a "B" on any of these assignments! So I spent an hour editing the document.

    Now here's the stupid part: I dropped by my temporary supervisor's office and told her I would owe her an hour on Monday because of the classwork ... nope. I had to submit leave-time for it because the pay-period ends today and I have no way to make up the hour.

    Back at my desk, I was in tears. If I had said nothing, no one would have known I'd spent that hour doing classwork, but noooooooooooooo! I have to be honest.

stupidstupidstupidstupidstupid . . .

    I realize it has been over 20 years since I have been in the workplace, but I do not remember being treated like a child in my previous jobs.

purses

    Amazingly, I seem to have a bit of the "spring cleaning" bug. I've been tidying up here and there -- but honestly, I was searching for something. A purse.
    Now, some people think I have a lot of purses. I can't helpt it. When they are cute and cheap, I buy them. (By the way, I was truly frustrated when I didn't have time to change my purse last month when I went to visit some people and did some "marathon shopping."

this is my current carry
    This is the one I was hunting for the last week and finally found this morning buried under a pile of new sheets I bought a while ago:

    It is a Nine West, but I'm not a designer or brand-name shopper. I only know this because the cashier made a big deal out of what a bargain it was.
    While I had out the camera, and was tidying up the bedroom (including doing the piles and piles of laundry), I took some photographs of my other little treasures, so I'll be sharing those in future posts. Aren't you thrilled?

rose ice

    My husband is a worse book-wh*re than I am. He haunts both the town library and used book store for interesting bargains. This morning he brought me three small cookbooks -- don't laugh so hard -- including this one:
    I just have to share the recipe for "Rose Ice" from this little treasure.

Wash half pint of rose petals; pound them to a paste, adding granually four tablespoons og granulated sugar. When smooth, add a quart of water and a pound of sugar, boil ten minutes; do not strain. When the mixture is cold, add the juice of four oranges strained through chhese cloth. Freeze carefully and serve in punch or wine glasses, garnished with fresh rose petals. -- Mrs. S.T. Rorer, Dainty Dished for All the Year Round, 1908.

self-connections

    I usually bump along on meme's after Rissa, though I skipped the "Inside the Actor's Studio" (Bernard Pivot)one)... maybe another time.

1a. What is one thing about your body that you hate, deny, talk trash about?
    Is hair part of your body? It upsets me that my hair has gotten so thin. It is embarassing, and I do talk trash about it as a defense mechanism, I guess. What REALLY bothers me is women and girls (okay, Pentecostals/Fundamentalists) with long, long hair who won't donate even a portion of it to Locks of Love! Their 'crowning glory' is nothing but vanity.
    Like Rissa, my flabby and paunchie tummy bothers me. Yes, it is smaller now, but that means it is saggy. But, what is up with this not having eyebrows any more?!?!?
1b. What can you do to make friends with this part and show it a little love?
    Keeping my hair colored is about the only thing I can do to make myself feel better about that; I use good shampoos and conditioners. Biotin is supposed to help. As for the tummy, I'm so glad to have lost the weight, I'll put up with the saggy tummy.
    The eyebrows, well, I have this nervous habit of plucking at them when I am under stress. Staying calm helps more than just that, thank goodness; and keeping my hands occupied helps. Last year I just about plucked the left one totally off; lately it's the right. And then... one of the women at Incense asked if I wanted my eyebrows 'threaded' -- I had to tell her I didn't have enough to bother with.
2a. What is one thing about your home that doesn't feel good?
    Except for the clutter, and the fact that I'm a terrible housekeeper (I need a maid), and there are a hundred things that need to be done (or finished), I love my house.
2b. What is one thing you can do to change that?
    Hmm... just said it I guess: get a maid. But what I'd really like to do is to finally have the light blue paint job finished and to create a Japanese garden outside the 'library.'
3a. Is there a relationship that you have difficulty with?
    The relationship with which I have difficulty is not one I am either willing to discuss on a blog or do anything about.
3b. What is something small you can do to either salvage it or come to terms with the way it is now?
    I am polite, and hard as I try not to do so, I keep hope that the future will not be as bad as I fear it will be because of this person.
4a. Is there something you are afraid to do, but would like to try it?
    I am afraid to get a tatoo. For a dozen reasons (all pretty good ones).
4b. What can you do to begin a plan to try it?
    Won't be doing anything. I will, however, probably get a third piercing in my ear. Which one should it be??

i got'em, y'all

what my momma always called "the-can't-help-its-and-the-don't-want-to's"

    so... I'm feeling a little overwhelmed lately. not getting a lot accomplished, and having a lot that needs accomplishing will do that.

    so... I'm feeling a little overwhelmed lately. not getting a lot accomplished, and having a lot that needs accomplishing will do that. work is going well, though (my temporary supervisor told me today that my work from last week showed improvement). my knee was even feeling pretty good until I pulled 50 books from the stacks today and pushed that cartful of items back to my desk -- it's aching toinght even after taking Aleve when I got back to my desk this morning and one after supper tonight. driving when it's aching is such a joy, too.

    I finally managed to finish and submit my application to TWU toinght.

For those of you who don't know, I'm not real happy with the program I'm currently in -- which may pass with time (and more classes), but I'm keeping an eye on other options.

didn't get any (more) laundry done tonight, nor my kitchen cleaned up. didn't find my tweezers or get my hair colored. didn't do a dozen other things. I did waste spend two hours with class chats -- a message board/email list could accomplish the same thing as what occurs in the one class, and I'm still waiting to "learn from my fellow classmates" in the other, and wondering why we aren't "learning" from the Ph.D.

    yesterday (Sunday) I spend browsing library-oriented blogs, having a work-group chat for one class, reading (really boring, twice as long as necessary) textbook chapters, and watching House on peekvid.com. then I gave in to my OCD-self and ripped back, a stitch at a time, the 3-knit stitch edges of the Peaks & Valleys scarf and fixed the row where I forgot to knit on the wrong side. It happened on both edges, one side about three inches from the beginning and the other about six inches from the beginning. I fixed all the stitches except the turn stitch at the end/beginning of the rows. I knew I'd screw that up, so I left it. I worked on it some more tonight while I sat through class chat.

oh! and I don't know why, but when I try to reply to your comments through my email program, my replies always bounce back to me. so, I'm not being rude, I'm just not sure how to fix the problem yet.

    now... it's time for bed. I know this because the neighbor's dog is barking.

daniel

    My friend/co-worker had her baby yesterday afternoon. They discovered a couple of months ago that the fetus had Parson's syndrome. Daniel lived only a couple of hours, but all his family had time to hold him before he left this world. Please take a moment to be thankful for the presence of all those you love, and to remember this family.

me-me-me-me-

    Wow. More than a month since I did a meme! No, I won't make up for lost time, but monkey-see-monkey-do and all that...
What curse words do you use the most?
    Hands-down it would be "sh*t" -- but the f-word has creeped in much more than I care to admit since (no, not "since we met," Rissa!) it got so prevalent on TV and in public... I do HATE to let it slip out in public with little kids around.
Do you own an i-pod?
    I have purchased two, both as gifts. But, since I have not yet mailed the one to my step-grandson, I may order him one with his name on it (like we did for our son) and keep this one. I get tired of unhooking my earphones from the computer at work every time I need to walk away. I *do* have a lot of music on my HP iPaq, so I have mixed feelings about having another electronic toy.
What time is your alarm clock set to?
    Sorry, can't stand it... To what time is your alarm clock set?
Monday through Friday, it is set for 5:35am, not 5:30, because Walton & Johnson don't usually begin until 5:35. I stay in bed and listen until their first commercial break (usually about 5:45), then get up and take a shower.
Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture?
    I would like to be in the picture, if I took a good picture! LOL Pictures of me are always terrible. And the ones I take are not nearly as good as I'd like them to be, or as good as my husband's.
What was the last movie you watched?
    At the movies, it was, hmm.... oh, yes! How could I forget: Pirates of the Caribbean 2. At home, sh*t! I can't remember.
What cd is currently in your player?
    A DVD, actually: Tibet, Cry of the Snow Lion.
Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk?
    I'll drink the no-sugar chocolate sometimes, but an ice-cold glass of skim milk is just fine with me.
Has anyone told you a secret this week?
    Well, things were said to me that I wouldn't repeat, so I guess that's a secret of sorts.
When was the last time you had Starcrack Starbucks?
    About a week or so ago. There is one on the first floor of the library where I work, but I seldom patronize it because there is a better coffeeshop on the way to campus (and another better one in another part of campus). Biscotti are cheaper at SB's than the good cafe, but, SB doesn't have ginger biscotti! Those are my one regular indulgence lately.
Can you whistle?
    Nope. Hubby can though. Loud and strong.
What are you looking forward to?
    The soonest event I'd be looking forward to is the possibility of getting in touch with someone I haven't seen since before Katrina.
Did you watch cartoons when you were little?
    Oh, my yes! When cartoons were GOOD. Bugs Bunny, Wiley Coyote & Road Runner, Yogi Bear, Tom & Jerry...
Do you own any band t-shirts?
    Probably not any more. My favorite one was a skinny little tank from a Waylon Jennings concert at Painter's Mill, MD.
What will you be doing in an hour?
    Most likely watching an episode of Shark or 24 or CSI:[??] off the DVR and eating something.
What was the last song you heard?
    Last one I can remember specifically was by Eric Clapton, the one with a drug name that I don't really want showing up in any Google search! LOL
Last time you cried?
    On my mom's birthday last week.
Desktop or laptop?
    Laptop, definitely!
Desiring any new ink?
    On my braver, quirkier days I think about "first" ink -- but it won't every happen. I am too chicken... and I've seen it done. No raw flesh look, thankyoouverymuch.
What’s the weather like?
    After a rainy morning, it turned into a beautiful, balmy day!
What were you doing an hour ago?
    Reading through the Walgreens sale paper.
How many hours of sleep do you need to function?
    I function best on about 9 hours, but I try to get my 8 hours and 20 minutes now that I'm working.
Do you eat breakfast daily?
    Yes. I rarely miss eating at least something.
What did you do last night?
   Ordered pizza, chatted online, sorted through a big pile of junk mail and stuff I'd set aside for 'later,' and knitted on my Peaks & Valley scarf.
Do you use sarcasm?
    Yes, but with caution... sarcasm is lost on way too many people these days.
Do you like mustard?
    Oh yeah, especially spicy, but all kinds are good with me.
Do you sleep on your side/back/stomach?
    Mostly on my side, and it makes my shoulders hurt. Too many years of having to do it because my stomach/liver was hurting.
Do you watch the news?
    Rarely, and not if I can help it! That's why I never know what's going on.
How did you get one of your scars?
    Many years ago when I lived in Texas, as I was leaving the bathroom, raised my hand to flip the light switch and scraped the top of my hand on the underside of the towel bar. It was a shallow cut, and didn't bleed much at all, but it left an ugly scar.

promised pix

Here, they are....

Shetland Lace Rib Sock

    And this is my Peaks & Valley scarf, in a poly/wool/acrylic/cotton blend from Hobby Lobby

    I have a small space to breathe before I get back to my classwork, so while I read some articles about encyclopedias tonight, I will try to knit on the scarf. Since I'll be gone on Saturday, I may watch some more stuff off my DVR. Still waiting to hear from the second of my professors about my problem... I'm trying to be optimistic.

for Momma

Dear Mom,

Happy Birthday!

    There was a beautiful sunrise this morning. The sky was clear, and the sun came up in a huge ball of orange fire. Just as I was passing the Lumberton exit, it had cleared the horizon, nice and round. I looked west toward the cemetary, and then caught myself thinking, she’s not there… she’s here. With me. Always. Seven years and I don’t miss you any less.

Love you always,

Your Baby

me a silly silly girl

    I had a lovely weekend with friends. Not only did we have two wonderful meals, we did some fine shopping. My haul included two great pairs of Bill Blass jeans, two tops and a pair of workout pants from Ross's (boo-hoo, the belly dance DVD stock was pitiful); then at Hudson's a long velvet jacket with beaded fringe (that we've been eyeing ever since the stock arrived months ago!), a blue 3-piece suit of that lovely wrinkle-free fabric and a violet sweater set. At a lovely Indian shop called Incense, I found a beautiful necklace and some sparkley earrings I just had to have (at 40% off!). After supper, we stopped at Borders; they had all their CD's for buy-three-fourth-half-price. I bought the new (finally!) Loreena McKennitt CD, two Cuban and one Eastern music CDs.

    Watching the dance DVD's with Rissa on Saturday night, really made me miss dancing and dance class. The timing was perfect for when she said last night, I'm paying for the workshops right now! LOL I'd already decided I was going whether she was able to go or not, but being able to share it with a friend makes it special. I had such big plans for costuming when I got into it... then I quit going to classes. That was the semester I took 6 classes, four of them 400-level. I just didn't have the time or the energy. Maybe at the festival I can accomplish two more things on my mind: finding out about my former instructor, and finding somewhere closer than Jackson to take classes again!

    Speaking of class... it is almost time for my LIS chats, so I will stop. The blue socks are coming along -- and even though I can plainly see where I made a definite error in the lace pattern, I'm not going to rip it back. These socks are for me, and I'm letting it stay there. But, I will have photos for you soon. It is too difficult to concentrate on that pattern in the brief moments I have at work to knit, so I pulled out the yarn I got at Hobby Lobby on Saturday (oops! forgot about that purchase!) and started a Peaks & Valley scarf. I had to reduce the cast-on to 25 stitches (instead of 33) because of using a bulky yarn and larger needles. I hope it will turn out okay. Maybe I can get a photo posted after class... later, ya'll!

what I love about the South!

    It is warm enough today, February 8th, to eat lunch outside!

    Under the heading "not letting a bad experience keep me from enjoyment" . . . I forgot to bring lunch today, my friend never called to set up anything either, so I headed to Powerhouse to have lunch again today.

    NOT by the steps, of course. The knee support makes stairs quite difficult. They were very busy, so I ordered my lunch to go, with only a bit of trepidation (perhaps if I had not been carrying my go-box leftovers yesterday I wouldn't have tripped. I hobbled to the back of our building to a picnic table in the sunshine and enjoyed my "Dome Burger" (on whole-wheat sourdough, for those of you concerned about my carbs) and sweet potato fries. Al fresco -- what a lovely way to lunch. The only thing better would have been to have company, human or feline.

back to work . . .

not broken

only sore . . . but, not as sore as I'll be tomorrow!

    Klutz that I am, I tripped up the stairs going back to work after lunch today, and fell very hard on my right knee. Lucky for me about SIX professors were there to witness the graceful display. At least three of them have had me as a student. And amazingly, my carry-out box and drink landed flat. Right-side up.

    I hobbled back to work and took a quick detour to the ladies room to check for bleeding. Only a bit of scraped skin, and some already evident swelling in two places on the knee. Later, my hip started aching, so I dropped the height of my chair. It did help; I have one of those angled foot-rest, too.

    Mid-afternoon, Rissa (a former state employee) pointed out that as it happened at my place of work, it really should be reported as an accident. Well, I did, and within about 15 minutes (or less!) they were shuffling me away from my desk to the main office of the library to make a report, and then sent me off to an "immediate care" clinic. It was after 5:00PM when I headed home.

    The x-rays showed no fractures. The doctor seemed unconcerned about the hip pain (?!?!?), got me a knee support, and told me not to stand for long periods, not to climb or squat, and to take Ibuprofen or Aleve. Report for work tomorrow. Well, at least I didn't have to pay for the visit or the support.

    The nurse showed me how to wear the support, and I was surprised as I walked to the car how my knee really didn't hurt with it on. Great! Until I tried to get in my truck. Had to take it off to drive. May have to get #2Son to drive tomorrow.

    Hubby waited on me all evening. But then, he often does; he is such a sweetheart. I should have done some classwork, but haven't. I'm trying to stay up a little bit later tonight. The last two nights I have gone to bed at my usual time or a bit earlier, but have slept poorly, waking up very early in the morning and not being able to go back to sleep. Also hurting in my shoulders . . . I think that might be from the cold, so tonight should be better. We are finally getting nicer weather. At least for a few days.

    Knitwise, I have actually been knitting during my breaks lately. The second blue sock is almost the same length as the first, and I will be able to work them together soon. I'm really liking the pattern and the yarn. I plan to photograph them on my feet soon. Maybe I'll give you a peek at my lovely knee support, too.

    For now, you'll have to settle for this:

fireside detante

    I just *had* to photograph (and post) this rare moment:

(This is actually the second time it has happened in my presence in a week, but the photograph from the first time is too dark.)

    We can only guess that their desire to be near the fire has overcome their distaste of being in such close proximity to one another. The Queen of the Hill especially does not tolerate the males encrouching upon Her Person. Still, the pale Alpha Male manages to make poor Nero so anxious and uncomfortable that he never stays on the arm for very long (what he really wants is Brickle's spot, anyway).

    When I downloaded this shot from my camera, I found a picture of the scarf I made for Knit Your Bit.

    The pin was a give-away from the Navy Recruiters who were at the APA convention I attended in August, and the scarf pattern . . . hmmm . . . just a K2P2 rib, but three at the beginning and end so the sides curl and hide the edge stitches. Knit with two strands of Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool for the cream color and one strand of navy Berella/Spinrite Banff, a bulky merino. I made it sort of narrow. I don't really care for bulky scarves, just something that will snuggle up against the neck and be warm.

    Today I have one more chapter to read for my Collection Development class, and then some articles and a chapter for Reference, and I'll be all ready for 'classes' tomorrow night. And, I have episodes of CSI to watch while I read.

eek! there's a mouse in my kitchen!

    I really hate cleaning. My kitchen always looks like a disaster area. So, when I can find something fun to help ease the pain, I usually buy it. Thus, the mouse palm sponge entered my domesticated life. It's cute, it sort of makes washing dishes more fun, and it's

P U R P L E ! ! !

weakly [bi-]weekly posting

Monday (during my morning break), I drafted this:

    Yeah. well. I don't really intend either condition. You would think with only four days of work last week I'd have been more on the ball. But, two of those evenings at home I didn't even turn on my comptuer! And why is it that as I fall asleep at night I can calmly think of all those things that need to be accomplished the next day. No problem. I'll remember. They are important. Then, I get to work and they are out of my head! I think all I did last week was try to stay warm. I got so cold at work my face was hurting (those were the nights the computer stayed turned off). I did spend a good day with my sister on Saturday; she heads back to Hawaii today.
    We did get all of Season 5 of 24 watched, but not the four hours of Season 6 on the DVR. Maybe by next Monday night we'll be caught up to watch the episode when broadcast.
1/22/07 9:20AM

    Obviously, I never finished it, nor posted it. Sigh. Did get all the 24 watched and am ready for the new episode. On the weekends I like to catch up on the prime-time things the DVR caught during the week; I really don't like watching them in the evenings.
    Son#2 is riding with me each day, as he has classes only on Tues/Thurs, but is now working at the library for the shelving supervisor. IF I could convince him to drive, I could at least knit for about 45 minutes eacch way! LOL But, I'm thinking about trying to go up early for a yoga class, which means he'd be sleeping. Yikes! I'm befuddle about what to do:
    I'd like to work 730-400, and get home early... but I'd also like to take the yoga class (one's early, 630; another at 415) AND I'd like to start sitting in on the Buddhism class at 1100. But, that means taking an hour for lunch, thus working another half-hour, and eliminates the possibility of the afternoon yoga class.
    The problem is, I don't think Work will let me do it one way for two days a week, and the other way for three days a week. And, of coures, until I'm sure what I want to do, I can't even think about asking the supervisors! LOL
    Oh my... I'm such a Pooh-Bear sometimes. For now, I'm going to try to split my day between pleasure, chores, and papers/reading. Two days of sunshine in two weeks of rain -- and now the rain (and cold) is back. Blech!

ETA: Forgot a photo! I (thought I had) posted my student id photos here (but can't find post or photo online), and meant to post my staff id photo before now, but here (are both):

June 2004

November 2006

    Yuck! I look miserable in both! Rissa, let's try to get a decent photo of me while I'm in Jackson next month, okay?

dueling socks

    Yesterday, after Rissa and Karin left, I wound off and weighed the ball of MegaBoots Stretch I bought at Yarn Barn (VA) in October in order to have two working balls. I am making Marguerite's Shetland Lace Rib socks. Since there is such a difference in the two green socks, I have decided to knit both socks of this pair at the same time. I've alread got about half the foot done on one, so I started the second one last night to catch-up.

    Oh dear. I drafted that last Sunday night at 10pm, intending it to be the beginning of my Monday entry. (I did manage to finish the toe for this second sock before I went to bed Sunday night.) Almost a week later, I am finally getting back to my blog. It has been a long week, and a physically exhausting one, though it began easily enough work-wise, as the university was closed until noon.

    We began this week to measure the library collection, that is, how much space on our shelves is being occupied by the holdings. My partner and I had half of the fourth floor as our assignment: approximately 54 seven-shelf sections per range and 16 ranges. We only got into the second range the first afternoon; then I worked alone Tuesday morning. We finished by Thursday lunch break. But then, I -- nor anyone in our department -- could not do my work because the network went down. Actually, it seemed like it was up and down all that afternoon. On Friday was working okay in the morning, but by the time I got back from orientation for new graduate students, it was crashed again. So, after lunch it was back to the measuring project.

    The good news was that I went over 7000 steps on both Tuesday and Wednesday, and over 5000 on Thursday. I haven't been entering my steps at walkertracker.com, but I average 3500 steps a day (i.e., without specific exercise effort). I'm looking forward to yoga classes beginning, and hope to check out the BD classes.

    The bad news was that I have been fighting sinus pressure and pain on the left side of my face and left eye since Wednesday evening. It is better this weekend, but still not gone completely. I took a variety of medications but nothing really seemed to help the pain; it was a miserable way to work. The spicy Thai sauce on my Basil Cashew Chicken wrap at lunch Friday did more to help than anything else!

    Between that and the weariness of the physical effort, I was in bed earlier than usual this week! The worst though is no time/energy to knit or anything else. I did, however, watch the first two discs of season 5 of 24, and am now DVR'ing the Season 6 opener tonight (and tomorrow night). Will pick up the next two discs tomorrow, I think, with a free rental coupon. Maybe by next week I'll be on track. I'm finding season 5 much better than 4!

    So, back to the socks. Here's what the second Senso sock looks like when stretched to "fit" (think Cinderella's Stepsister trying on the glass slipper):

    See how tightly my great toe is poking out the toe, and how the leg ribbing starts way down on my foot? Not good. Not attractive. Not comfortable.

Here, though, is how it looks when not forced to fit:

    I will be ripping back to where the heel begins, adding another round of pale green rows, and then start the ribbing further from the end of the heel--but if I do that, I'll have to rework the leg on the other sock as well...perhaps I'll pull the whole thing apart and try to work it more losely, like the first sock. I did the toe wrong, too. I'll try to remember to take a side-by-side shot of both socks before I rip so you can see how much tigher I knit the second sock.

    I suppose the lesson is that if I'm not going to work both socks at the same time, I need to check my gauge often to be sure the two sock are working up the same! And make notes rather than relying on my memory because I may not make that second sock soon enough to do so correctly.

a stitch on Sunday...

won't last a week!

    That's what Momma always said. And tonight it was true for me, for the first time in a long time. However, I think I discovered what I'm doing wrong on my sock toes. Updates to follow.

    Yes, Momma, I know. It is time to go to bed. Let me get the stitches back on the needles and ready to go for tomorrow. Just a couple more stitches...

12th night & ROC day

    Remember in The Great Gatsby when Daisy laments that she never remembers to have a party on the longest day of the year? Well, I always mean to celebrate Twelfth Night and rarely remember to do so. Now, thanks to spinning/spindling friends I know about ROC day: Return of Chores. The Christmas season is officially over, so back to work, folks.

    Momma never put up any Christmas decorations before December 1st, and once that day arrived it was a slow build-up rather than everything out that day. Tree didn't go up till closer to the 25th -- even closer for a real tree. But, come January 1st EVERYTHING came down and was put away... it was bad luck not to do so. I'm living proof that this is not true (or that it IS??), for I do not like to take down my Christmas decorations on New Year's. (I believe it is the principle of ROC that was also behind my mother's tradition of doing on New Year's day a little bit of everything you want to do all year.)

    Stephanie, like many others, says she does this on Twelfth day to avoid bad luck. But as I think about Twelfth Night celebrations and ROC, I'm thinking that you can't take down the decorations if you are celebrating the Epiphany! So, as I move the decorated mini-trees to itheir storage places on the top of the bookcases in the library tonight, I am ROC'ing. No bad luck for me.

    As for ROC day... well, it was nice to be with friends. Even better if Lisa had been along. It was nice to see the pretty wool and yarn. I was, however, hoping to find a spindle to purchase, and there were none that I wanted. What I want is one of Jen's Mantra spindles, but I have been trying to contact here since October without success. (Obviously, if anyone can help me reach her I would be grateful.) The day would have been better if Lisa had been along, and if there had been more vendors, and if there was... I don't know exactly what I had been expecting, and don't know what was missing. Perhaps it was only me. Still glad I went. Lunch was delish!

    Evenso, I did not come away empty handed:

This is 4.5 ounces of Gulf Coast wool from Running Moon Farm in color "Afternoon Tea," though heaven only know when and how long it will take me to spindle it all! The color is a much lovelier red-violet than the photo shows.

    Last evening, Rissa, Karin and I stopped by to the stash we'd heard someone was selling off. Talk about pay-dirt! I was very good and only bought a cone of dark rust-colored alpaca. The woman brought out some mohair and mohair blend when she heard me say I was a knitter more than a spinner/weaver. Then a pile of needles. I picked through to find the smaller circulars and ended up with 11 packages. I had to force her to take a very modest payment. She seemed so thrilled that we were so interested in her treasures (she is having to destash for health reasons). I found myself guessing that her own children/relative must not have any interest. Perhaps like me, she had only sons who aren't interested in fiber arts. It was kind of sad, but she is such a sweet lady -- and honestly, I think she is probably a hoot as well, judging by a few passing comments. We are all three thinking of having another look soon.

    An unexpected event along life's path, another person passing through one's life.

    Only a half-day of work tomorrow, though it's an afternoon half, not a morning half. The university football team is playing in a bowl game in Mobile, AL, tonight and the university will be closed until noon. I won't even try to make sense of this.

    I will enjoy an extra hour or two of sleep in the morning, have a long lingering cup of java at the coffeeshop near the college, run an errand or two nearby and have a bite to eat before I go to work.

better now?

    I think most everything is back where it is supposed to be on the sidebar. Just a quickie post to check it out, and to show y'all the photo From June Week that I promised yesterday. We weren't going to the fanciest of the dances, but it's the only photo I have of us dressed up.

    Time for this ol' lady to get to bed. We've got a lot of rain on the way, they say, but at least it isn't cold. Of coures, cold is good for cuddling. Don't go asking me how I know . . .

    (I hear the thunder rolling as I type.)

looking different

    yes, things are looking different today. I am fiddling with the template, so be please be patient. it will take me a bit to get the sidebar back in order.

    [photo for this post is the new banner, with artsiness by Rissa]

misty memories?

    On the job, I work with names. Names of authors at the moment. Every once in a while a name sparks a memory of someone I know with a similar name. Just now I came across a first name that brought back pleasant memories: Reed. First name in both cases, not last.

    More years ago that I want to count, I attended Heritage Baptist Church in Annapolis, MD. The church had a special outreach to the midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy -- don't judge me too harshly, but that IS why I went attended services there. Of course, there was an outstanding Mississippi Boy doing the preaching, and another good ol' southern gent running the Baptist Student Union. Thanks to my swiss-cheese brain, I can not bring either one's name to mind, though I can picture them both!

    So, it came to pass that in the Spring of 1975, I began to date one of the midshipman (not my first, but the nicest) and luckily for me, he not only was he a First Classman, ie., a senior, but he didn't have a girl back home. See, lots of those jerks, er, I mean fellows, only dated the local girls through the year, on the weekends when they had leave time. Then, when it came time for the BIG dances and especially June Week, The Girl Back Home was brought to Annapolis. Since the jerks, er, I mean fellows, who did this weren't so very upfront about The Girl Back Home it was usually too late when the local girl found out about The Girl Back Home. But, I digress.

    Because of Reed, I was able to experience that which is June Week. All the dances, all the parades, all the receptions, and finally, the graduation, complete with the sea of Navy (pardon the pun) dress white hats tossed into the air. We were never too serious, so I didn't pin on his wings; his mother got that pleasure, as she should have. I was just happy to be there. (My best friend's fiance graduated the same year, though the two guys didn't know each other well or run in the same circles.) I even stayed the week at the cottage on the water his parents had rented, it being much closer to Annapolis than where I lived.

    The internet being the wonderful place that it is, and knowing a little about what Reed did post-Navy, I was pretty sure I could find out something by searching Google. I did! Even found a photo; he still looks the same. He's working at a university in VA, is married with two teenage sons -- so he obviously waited a while to have children, as did I. I knew he was married, and that he was at one time in the past in foreign mission work (hospital administration) with the Southern Baptists.

    Will I contact him? Not likely. But it's a pleasure to see he's 'done good.' Not that I doubted it for a second. Hard-working and dedicated -- which, with what little I have learned online about his accomplishments, is still his personality.

    I'll have to wait until tomorrow to post a photo of us from June Week. The scanner at home is not compatible with XP, so I'll have to do it on campus. Until then, another blast from the past . . . The univeristy has a special collection of children's books, DeGummond Collection, so I also come across books that we had in our house . . . like this one I worked with this afternoon:

back later . . .

blog resolutions

    Getting a little more practical and less esoteric, here're a few specific resolutions for my blogging efforts:

1. no more than one meme per week!
2. at least one photo per blog entry!
3. more knitting/beading/stitching content!
4. a little less blathering, i.e., try to write something worth reading!
5. remember to use the spell-checker!
6. learn to blog through my iPaq & email!
7. organize/backup my template so changing it is eaier!
8. change the template more often!

    And so that I don't break #2 right on the first day, here's another shot from commencement. #1Son is on the right (my left), #2Son is on the left (my right):

    If you are lucky, I'll have a new look tomorrow. Now, I want to knit for just a bit while I have my snack. I have everything but the cuff done on the pair of sock I'm knitting with the DMC Senso. I want to put both on the needles and do the cuffs at the same time. Maybe. I've not yet been able to work like that without getting confused. But I'll never get it if I don't keep trying.

    Oh! Did I mention that I got the result of my last blood test and my A1C was 5.2%? Sorry to repeat if I did, but I'm pretty happy about it.

   (I edited yesterday's post to add a photo of the 'sweetheart' I was talking about, so scroll back to have a look at my DH. It's been a while since I posted a shot of him. I even left it big so you can see him well. Go look. Go now. Go!)

no good deed/goals vs. resolutions

    My sweet hubby. I asked him to check to see if the clothes in the dryer were dry. Turned out my clothes were in the washer and needed to be put into the dryer. So, of course, he did that instead. Bless his little heart.
    When I heard the buzzer, and headed to the laundry room, he casually told me that he only put HALF of the clothes in because the dryer looked too full. YIKES!! I am waiting for my clothes to be done to GO TO BED. I am not just physically tired but am mentally and emotionally weary, and have been staying up a little later every night for the past week. But tomorrow I go back to work and that means getting up at 530am.
    So, now I am waiting for the second HALF of my load of wash to finish drying . . .
    Guess I should pony-up and write out my resolutions for 2007. Before I do that, I'll take a peek back in blog-o-sphere and see what I've resolved in the past... and with apologies to Rissa (whom I told I alway post resolutions on 01/01 not 12/31), I did post these on 12/31/2003 (but re-resolved and re-posted 01/01/2005):

(1) to remember birthdays ON-TIME
(2) to use my creative skills to give tangible results to those around me
(3) to delve deeper into my personal spirituality in order to attain resolution, for myself at least, over several personal situations
(4) to be content -- always my primary goal
Four is enough, I think: "Four has long been a number of completion, stability and predictability, as well as the representation of all earthly things."

And as I posted already, in January 2006 I didn't really make resolutions:

I read somewhere that the urgent things of life keep us from doing the important things. If I was going to make a resolution for 2006 it would be that I would make time for the important things.

    I still don't do well at doing things on time, whether it is birthdays, bills, or papers; meals, medicine, or chores.
    I still want to make things for people I love that they will use and love and appreciate -- yeah, I know. I'm expecting a lot from them.
    I still am deepening my personal spirituality, but for a variety of purposes.
    And living contentedly is still my primary goal.
    Perhaps the whole idea of making resolutions is to make one reflect, to make one ponder what it truly important in life. That is, if one will take time to reflect and ponder in the first place. People who do this daily, don't need a special time to do so. I think I like to do it just as an affirmation of who I am and what is important to me.

    The dryer is buzzing at me. Time to fold the clothes and go to bed--and bless his heart! Hubby brought them out for me to fold--I'm already an hour later than I wanted to be, and quarter hour later than is my usual bedtime. Fortunately, I do have the option of going to work a little later tomorrow.
Blessings to all!

one last meme

Year's End Meme by yours truly. I promise no more than one meme a week in 2007!
1AM: Did you make resolutions for 2006? Did you keep (any of) them? Sort of: “If I was going to make a resolution for 2006 it would be that I would make time for the important things.” My unwritten resolution is always to be more prompt with bill paying. I have made progress on that, thanks to auto-payments though, not my own efforts.
2AM: What New Year traditions (celebrations or superstitions) did you keep in 2006? None of the food ones, and we never stay up til midnight unless it is by accident. We sometime go to friends' early in the evening, but usually stay home. I suppose the one superstition I always follow is to do a little bit of everything on New Year’s Day that I want to do all year. Thanks, Mom.
3AM: Was there anything you did in 2006 that you had never done before? Bunches! Never been to Mexico or climbed a pyramid; never tried to spin wool or knit on two circular needles; never gone to a university commencement or applied to grad school.
4AM: How many calendars do you display/use? Where and what kind are they? There are always at least two displayed in our house, but like Rissa, my most used one is electronic. Mine is in my PDA. At work I use the Outlook calendar feature a lot, but I need to ask for my iPaq software to be added to my work computer so I can sync my desktop and PDA calendars. I like to have pretty calendars around, too. Have a cat weekly engagement type on my desk at work, and one where each month turns into a file folder for bills/receipts/etc. at home. I buy the pattern-a-day knitting calendar just for the patterns, but I may take it to work this year so my knitting co-workers can enjoy it too. I like those moon phase calendars but haven't seen one in years.
5AM: What is the most important lesson you learned in 2006? You have to work hard at being compassionate, and keep doing it every day.
6AM: Which color would you chose to represent 2006? Gotta reason? Turquoise. It's a calm and peaceful, yet intriguing color. It has mystical properies and it just plain makes me happy to look at it. Funny, though, I don't wear it often.
7AM: Of what are you most happy you accomplished in 2006? Knuckling down and getting the diabetes under good control.
8AM: What was the worst thing that happened to you in 2006?Having an emotional breakdown in the middle of the Mexico City International airport. It was a pretty good year really.
9AM: Did you renew or restore a relationship in 2006? I continue to try to accept my father's marriage and wife. I make a little progress each year.
10AM: What candy would best describe 2006 to you? Dulce de Leche, in honor of my study abroad adventure.
11AM: Where you more or less healthy in 2006 than the previous year? Am more healthy now than at the beginning, so would have to say more healthy than 2005.
12PM: What was the best change in your life in 2006? There are actually two: being diagnosed with diabetes and going to work full-time. My life is more structured, my financial situation more secure, and my post-grad education will be covered by employee scholarship – “future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades!”
1PM: What is your greatest regret from 2006? Going to that upstairs bar in Puebla to watch the last game Mexico played in the World Cup was not a good idea. But mostly I regret that my mother did not live to see my college graduation.
2PM: How did you celebrate your birthday in 2006? Hmm… had to check the blog to remember. I was pretty sure I dined with family and friends. I was right.
3PM: If 2006 was a member of your family, which member would it be? I have a small family. I guess I'll say #2Son: full of potential, procrastination, and some how everything usually works out just fine.
4PM: If you could, to which one day in 2006 would you return and why? The day I decided to pursue the second major. I wouldn’t. Then I would have graduated in May, still taken the trip to Mexico but under less stress, and blown off the two minors. Of course, the whole job/grad school-thing would have worked out differently. Eh. S’okay this way.
5PM: Did you fall in love in 2006? With whom or what? Yes, Mexico & Hispanic culture. Am trying to figure out when I can take DH and go back. But I'm also falling in love with Tibet. Heading there first, and taking DH this time, first time!
6PM: What is the most significant thing you read in 2006? Seems everything I read that His Holiness the Dalai Lama says/writes is significant. Reading newspapers and magazine and blog articles while in Mexico, from their perspective, aided by the cultural understanding the professors gave us was certainly important to developing a less USA-centric view.
7PM: Did you take a vacation in 2006? To where? Mexico in May/June; Richmond, D.C., & Silver Spring in October. Oh, also Saint Augustine with DH in October. Lovely year for travel.
8PM: What did you lose in 2006 that can never be recovered? Time and opportunity.
9PM: Do you believe you are a better person at the end of 2006 than you were at the beginning? Yes.
10PM: In your opinion, what was the most memorable world event of 2006? Silliest: the proposed 700-mile fence along the Mexico border. Scariest: Iran and North Korea's build up of arms and nuclear capabilities.
11PM: Are you glad or sad to see 2006 end? I’m always glad to see a new year begin. I like beginnings. Change is good. I try to be a forward-looking person most of the time. I’m not usually happy with out at least a half-dozen things coming up or going on in my future.
12AM: Have you made (or will you make) resolutions for 2007? Will you be able to keep them as well as those you made for 2006? I’ll make a few more; I’ll keep few more, I hope.

abc of me meme

Rissa tagged me:

A- Available or single? Attached.
B- Best Friend? There are SO many levels of friendship. Standing the test of time (over thirty years) though, is my high-school friend, Mary.
C- Cake or Pie? Cake, which, of course, includes cheescake.
D- Drink of Choice? COLD skim milk.
E- Essential Item? My mind.
F- Favorite Color? Purple
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Ewww. Neither. Jujyfruits or gumdrops/jelly beans.
H- Hometown? Lakeland, FL
I- Indulgence? Three-layer chocolate cake with thick fudge icing--about two bites.
J- January or February? February. Valentine's Day, Camellias, Mom’s birthday (but unfortunately also the month in which her mother died), birth month of my first sweetheart and true love, and also the month I got my driver’s license. No wonder I love purple (amethyst).
K- Kids and names? Human: Lisa, Betty; Brent, John. Feline (past & present): Spooky, Morris, Magnum, Shadow; Brickle, Sasha, Nero.
L- Life is incomplete without? faith
M- Marriage Date? First: March 7th. Second: Oct 2nd.
N- Number of Siblings? One sister.
O- Oranges or apples? Apples.
P- Phobias/Fears? Heights and crowds.
Q- Favorite Quote? “Life has to be more than just a heartbeat. What we hold sacred gives life meaning.” (Written by J. M. Straczinsky for the character Jeffrey Sinclair in Babylon 5).
R- Reason to Smile? Every morning I wake up.
S- Season? In the south, winter (except for the short days); in the north, autumn, though spring is a very close second.
T- Tag three people! Lisa, since she’s blogging again, and any one else reading who hasn’t done it and likes meme (leave me a comment so I can come read).
U- Unknown Fact About Me? If I tell it, it won’t be unknown any more!!
V- Vegetable you hate? Never been big on vegetables, unfortunately, but I’m learning to at least enjoy them. I suppose what I hate would be one which was unseasoned.
W- Worst habit? Yikes. What an embarrassing question! Starting things and not finishing them. NO! Procrasinating.
X- X-Rays you’ve had? Normal ones… dental, chest, foot, wrist and hip. I had one of veins in my legs when I was about six months pregnant with twins—that was uncomfortable. And some really nasty GI series’ done. Do sonograms count as x-rays? Or that test that checks to see if your fallopian tubes are blocked?? Talk about painful!!
Y- Your favorite food? Lately, shrimp and beef tenderloin
Z- Zodiac? Moonchild (i.e., Cancer)

more meme

    I got this from Rissa, who got it "from Deb over at Red Shoe Ramblings, but she got it from someone else. I thought the questions were interesting, so I decided to play along." Ditto.
Do you own a gun? Technically, I guess so, but I don’t really consider it my own possession.
What do you think of hot dogs? Only good if grilled or broiled and not boiled, bun-size, fat ones. I’d really rather have Polish or Smoked sausage. Must have mustard.
What’s your favorite Christmas song? Sacred: Away in a Manger; Traditional: Good King What’s-his-name; Modern: I’ll be Home for Christmas.
What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Hot chocolate made with milk.
Can you do push-ups? Been wearing underwires since I started wearing C cups. Never have tried those water thingies—what if they spring a leak??
What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? Something expensive.
What is your secret weapon to lure the opposite sex? I don’t know about luring, but isn’t or@l sex every woman’s secret weapon? As for getting my way, Daddy always caved to a pouty lower lip and teary eyes.
Middle name? Sue. Pet name, Susie.
Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment:
1. What IS Rissa’s middle name?
2. I’ve already seen this episode of CSI:Miami.
3. Shit! I hate that Grissom is leaving.
Name 3 drinks you regularly drink:
1. Diet Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper—too much
2. Coffee—usually only in the morning at work
3. Water – but not enough
What time did you wake up today? Around 10 AM
Current hate? Corruption and Stupidity.
Favorite place to be? Home of mine, friends or family.
Least favorite place to be? In a crowd.
Where would you like to go? To where I’m not already planning a trip? That would be Italy, Scotland, and somewhere to see the Northern Lights.
Do you own slippers? Yes, but it has to be REALLY cold for me to wear them.
What shirt are you wearing? Black short-sleeved tee-shirt with Pink Ribbon decoration (breast cancer). It was the only clean black shirt I could wear with a black & white sweater I bought yesterday that I wanted to wear today.
Do you burn or tan? If over-exposed and unprotected, I burn, otherwise I tan. But it fades fast.
Favorite color(s)? Purple, mostly.
Would you be a pirate? Only if Jack Sparrow was my captain.
What is your favorite holiday? Used to be Thanksgiving. Now, I think maybe Valentine’s Day or my wedding anniversary (25 years last October). Life’s getting to be about me and DH now that kids are grown but there are no grandkids yet. Mardi Gras is a fun time to be off work, but I’d never spend it in NOLA.
What songs do you sing in the shower? Whatever the last song was I heard before turning off the clock-radio. Yeah… I want a radio for the shower!
What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child? Something from under the bed.
What’s in your pockets right now? No pockets right now, but usually it’s my work/student ID and keys.
Last thing that made you laugh? The animal videos we watched on Animal Planet tonight.
Best bed sheets as a child? I’m too old for ‘character’ sheets, but the dark lavender ones my mom dyed for my new room with the canopy bed, French Provencal furniture, purple carpet and frilly bedspread would have to be the most special.
Worst injury you’ve ever had? I have been very lucky with regard to physical injury.
Are your parents still together? Hopefully by their heart-strings, but Mom passed 7 years ago this month.
Do you wish on shooting stars? I wish they’d go to jail for their crimes.
What is your favorite book(s)? One that makes me think.
What is your favorite candy? Green M&Ms
What song did you have played at your wedding? 1st: Trumpet Voluntary; 2nd: none.
How is the weather outside right now? Wet, rainy, humid.
What was your first thought this morning when you woke up? To take my sister shopping and enjoy the day with her.

mini movie reviews

    We've watched a few rental DVD's in the past couple weeks. I'm batting 500.
    One night I picked up Take the Lead and The Break-Up. The latter I didn't even watch half-way through. It was like one long crappy sit-com. The former, was good, but not enough Antonio for this ol' gal. I thought it a bit to coincidental that the same music was used for the hot tango (he and his up-town student) in this film as was used in Shall We Dance (Gere and Lopez). It was a fun movie and so good to see Banderas again.
    Then on Saturday I picked up Lake House and Scoop. OMG! Even Hugh Jackman couldn't save the latter weak effort by Woody Allen (of whom there was WAY too much in this film!). I lost interest way early. Even though you are supposed to know the outcome from the start, like the heroine you are supposed to be hoping that it isn't true. Yawn.
    But! But! But! Lake House was WONDERFUL! Right up there on my list of romantic movies with An Affair to Remember (an old classic) and Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail (newer classics). Even though I knew from the... hmm... I guess I really can't say without spoiling it for others. It's a wonderful story, even if the "physics" of it don't quite work. Of course, I'm a Keanu Reeves fan. YMMV.
    And then tonight it was MI:III and X-Men 3. I'm not much of a Tom Cruise fan, nor a big action movie fan, so I read blogs and only tried to follow the story line (of which there was little and no surprises). X-men was lots more fun to watch, perhaps simply for all the fantasy of the special effects. Handsome Hugh more than redeemed himself as Wolfie, bless his little self-healing heart. I did not like some of the turns the story took and am curious how the story line will develop if there are any more X-Men films.
    So, it seems I manage to pick only one good one out of every two we rent. I love the in-store exchange program that Blockbuster has started with their online/mail program. I'm glad we changed from Net-Flix. Two free in-store rentals a month and now the in-store exchange program make it a great way to watch new and old movies, and all those series I need to catch up on! Try it free for a month, if you like (I get no benefit, nor am affiliated in any way, just a happy customer):
One Month FREE for friends and family!
Expires: 12/31/2006
Enter promo code: friend1
www.blockbuster.com/friend1

new beginnings

    Part of me always feels that the 'new year' begins the day after Christmas. The hassles are over and my mind can clear a bit. I have a full week to waste, um, I mean accomplish so much! This morning I at least started off right...
    Even after begin up early and quite active all day (forgot to put on my pedometer though), not getting to bed until after midnight (!!!), I still got up just a little after 9AM. Got my 8+ and didn't zonk out for half the day as I expected to do. Perhaps because I had a few things I wanted to get done -- and I feel quite rested, except for my eyes which are almost always tired. Yes. I need to get them checked.
    First thing accomplished was to get my husband's XM satellite radio activated. I'm looking at him now, across the living room from me, enjoying it immensely, happily clicking that record button every time something good comes on. His station of choice is "Willie's Place" for old country music. I want to get him one of the headsets with the antenna booster in it. He has to remove his hearing aids to use the earbuds. His ears will probably be sore shortly, but then he is used to wearing the hearing aids all the time, so perhaps not. I also got us a car kit so we can listen to it in the truck. AND, I get to listen to it online at work (or wherever).
    Next is to order #1Son's iPod Shuffle. I want to get it engraved for him, so I have to wait until he gets up to know what he wants on it. He surprised me actually, by picking that as his gift instead of the front-end mask for his car. But, they are SO cute, I can't blame him at all. I'd get one for myself, but I already carry around too many electronic gadgets!
    I don't always get my kids a lot of gifts, so we try to make the presenting of them fun. This year, I wrapped the Shuffle (that I had on-hand whic is a 21st-birthday gift for DH's grandson) as one gift, a printout from J.C. Whitney for the car mask and $50 as another, and put those two wrapped items along with a plain white envelope with some Marble Slab Creamery gift certificates in a box and wrapped it. Inside too was a note which said something about how it was time to play "Let's Make A Deal" and that he could have the small wrapped box and the plain white envelope or the wrapped envelope, to choose wisely because one was twice as valuable as the other. He wouldn't decide right away. He opened other gifts and later on decided on the small wrapped box (the Shuffle) and the white envelope (the GCs). It was fun for him I think. In the end, I gave him the cash too because it made the difference with what his brother's gifts totaled.
    For #2Son, in a large box, was his guitar stand, in pieces, and new strings, some tool for restringing and some string conditioner, along with a gift card for Circuit City and a bag of Hershey's Peanut Butter-filled Kisses. He got the Creamery GCs too and some for CiCi's Pizza, too. I'd seen this little Smiley Face bank at a dollar store and got it, because his dad always buys Smiley Face stuff for him. But I didn't want him to know what it was as soon as he took off the paper, so I tore the box apart at the seam and turned it inside out. Then I used copious amounts of heavy box tape so he could not get into it easily. He was appropriately frustrated, and greatly amused at his momma.
    My husband loves coconut, and especially all candies coconut. A few weeks ago I brought home some Hershey's Coconut Creame Kisses. He loved them. But he also said later not to get him any more because he just ate too many of them. Well, of course I had already bought him some more! I had a three-tiered candy jar put back as an 'emergency gift' so put one bag of the candies in each of the BOTTOM two glass containers, leaving the top on empty. We are known for putting gifts in boxes which are not what it says on the box, so when he was all "great, a candy jar" I reminded him of that habit, and he puzzled as he took out the foam I had added that would keep everything tight and wouldn't let on the candy was in there. He kept taking out the pieces and finally got to the candy...I'm sure he could smell the chocolate -- as could our sweet-toothed kitty, Sasha! That and the Jeff Foxworthy Redneck Christmas book I found on the BAM bargain table gave him good chuckles.
    All in all, a rather successful day of gift giving. Oh! Me? Well, two lovely books, Tazo Chai tea bags, both dry-roasted and SF chocolate covered macadamia nuts from DSis -- also violet soaps from Scotland, beautiful blown-glass hibicus ornament AND rosewook DP knitting needles, size 2 and 3 -- which I am about half afraid to use after breaking the Brittany birch 1s that I borrowed from Lisa (Remember to order those replacements for me, please, Rissa.) My sister ALWAYS overspends on Baby Susie! At least we got a lot done on her laptop yesterday too. Trying to get her anxieties relieved and her comfort level raised. She has a very nice wide-screen Dell -- just needs the junk cleaned off of it. LOL
    Now, on to other To-Do's. Blessed day to all.

christmas finally

I'm really NOT into Christmas.
    I just wrapped my gifts this morning--for those who I will see today--few as they are.
    I *do* love shopping for gifts for people I love. And this year I've been lucky enough to know what I wanted to get almost everyone.
    What I don't like, and don't do well, is getting gifts in the mail to family living back in MD/WV/PA areas. I still have last year's gifts sitting unwrapped in my living room. And not for the first time.
    I know my sons, at least one of them anyway, get disappointed that we don't really have traditional celebrations. Last year the tree only got about half decorated, then stayed up for months because I can't handle the parts and no one would take it down for me. This year, I didn't even want it put up. I took my Hallmark miniature tree to work; now it sits on top of the television, decorated, but unlit.
    The one tradition we almost always keep is for Christman Eve. Pizza and riding around to look at lights. Only the pizza places keep closing earlier and earlier. This year we, rather #1Son, had to drive 25 miles for carry-out and it was too rainy/foggy to ride around looking at lights. Perhaps tonight.
    I don't get in a hurry to have an early dinner. Usually we have Christmas supper. It gets simplier every year. This year just turkey, bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, some steamed vegetables and salad... I won't be having stuffing or potatoes. I won't be making sweet potatoe casserole (too much sugar, and we now eat sweet potatoes quite often). Rodger may make apple pies later on. Don't know if I'll raid my pecan stash to toast a few or not.
    Every year we talk about going away for Christmas "next year," but so far we haven't followed through. When my dad goes off to LA with his wife to spend the holidays with her son's family, I can't bring myself to leave my sister alone. Plus, we don't want to fly, and haven't taken the time yet to find a good place to be over the holidats that is close enough to drive. (Suggestions welcome!)
    So... now we wait for the bird to cook, and watch some TV. Need to help DSis with her computer. Wish we had some good movies to watch tonight. As appalling as it is to me, I have movies due to Blockbuster today -- can't believe they are open -- so, just might ride down there and get something to watch. (I remember Christmas in, oh, mid-1970's when I was married to the Texan, we went bowling on Christmas!)
Good day for everyone!

grad pics

    We finally got one of the rolls of film with graduation photos developed yesterday, and I cropped three of the photos for the blog:

    *I* knew that the binder would not have my actual diploma in it, but DH didn't. That's why I flashed it at him. What we should have is a photo of *his* reaction rather than of me!

    I'm not the only one in the family to have taken some time to get their degree, or to have graduated from USM. My sister did it in '98 -- but it was her second bachelor's. My dad and mom met at there; he, my uncle, aunt and their three sons, my cousins, all graduated from USM. My mother lacked only a few hours. I would love to walk for my Masters in two years along with my two sons walking for their bacherlors. Will keep working toward it.
    Graduation was more fun than I expected. I'd never attended a university commencement before, so seeing the masters candidates walk and the doctoral candidates get 'hooded' was something new. I have 'lemon yellow' vestments to look forward to. LOL

yikes! spikes!

uhoh... I ate something this morning which was supposed to be whole-grain and low0sugar, but which apparently wasn't... plus, I was half-sick this weekend and didn't eat like I am supposed to... and, I've been under just a WEE bit of stress the past couple days... so after being so happy that my BG was 109 after a great meal the other night, I am shakey this morning. So, afraid my BG was dropping too low I checked it... OMG!! 221!!! What the heck can I do fast to get it down?? I quickly went and did some cardio exercise, then grabbed some protein and am now downing a LOT of water... Finging no help with quick look online, but don't really have time at work to do indepth search. Any advice for future spikes, would be appreciated.

beaming

    My superviosr just returned from the afternoon commencement. She and the other SLIS faculty attended in their full regalia. She apparently didn't realize I was walking this term. She pointed out my name (complete with the honors designation) in the program and said that the person next to her asked, "Didn't we just hire her?"

BIG honors

The BIG day is finally here.
    And I think I am finally excited about it.
    I picked up my cap & gown over lunch. Walking to the coliseum I suddenly realized that it would most likely be folded in a bag... meaning it would be creased/wrinkled! omg! All I could think of was my mother and how she always made sure I looked perfect! Fortunately, there were people there who would steam them (and for a very reasonable fee).
    I came to work today dressed way down: jeans, t-shirt, no make-up, hair undressed, sneakers. The IT folks are running a major test on the main program we all used to access our cataloging system, so it was the ideal day for cleaning. So, I brought my dress and other regalia along and will change after work.     With all the hoop-la over unfinished papers and difficulties with my study, I totally forgot that I was graduating summa cum laude: I have Seat 1 in Row 1 of my college. I think my dad is planning to arrive a bit late so he won't have to sit so long (and perhaps so he can make a fast escape, lol), so I am glad my college is not the first on the program -- or he would miss it all together! My sons are under command to appear; #1Son will be chauffeuring his brother, DH, and DSis.
    Now, between the sunny walk back from the coliseum and cleaning my workspace, I'm all perspire-y... at least I remembered to include wipes, washcloth, deodorant, toothbrush and paste in my 'necessaries' bag!
    I don't know if I'll have a digital photo to upload or will have to wait to scan a printed one, but I'll show-off sooner or later.

small honors

    Last year, I wrote a paper for Buddhism class entitled Bodhisattva of Compassion: Tara & Kwan Yin. Two of the primary sources I used for information on Kwan Yin were John Blofeld's Bodhisattva of Compassion, and Sandra Boucher's Discovering Kwan Yin. Both books made deep impressions upon me, so much so that when it came time to select a library holding for the Senior Bookplate Project, and I couldn't decide on a current holding, I donated both books and asked that my bookplate be placed in the Blofeld book.
    The woman who has the workstaion next to mine is responsible for placing the bookplates and she stopped me today to show me that it was ready to go. As a 'student worker' in the Reading Room for over a year, I am happy that even though at the moment as am graduating I am not currently a 'student worker' they still allowed me to be honored in this way. A small thing, but meaningful.

half an hour?

    Even though I know from studying sleep facts and behavior that losing a half hour of sleep a night WILL have an effect, like most people, I've been ignoring this truth. I have been sleepy-headed on the job for days, especially the last two. So much so that last night, I gave up and headed to bed at 9PM -- one half hour before I usually do so.
    This morning, I was bright and chipper, and alert all morning (the mid-afternoon sleepies are just a fact of our inner rhythm that few can escape, but mild for me today). But the idea of going to bed every night at 9pm, when I don't get home until 5:30 or 6PM, just makes me so sad. Perhaps when the daylight is lasting longer I won't mind so much. And I think that after the first of the year, I am going to cut my lunch break to half an hour so I can leave at 4pm...
    Sorry I've been absent. I'm just too sleepy to do much of anything lately. And speaking of sleep, my DH finally has an appointment for a sleep study to do something about his OSAS (Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome). Yay!

childhood reading

Booking Through Thursday

1. They say that books read as a child make more of an impact on a person than books read at any other time in life. Are there any books that you particularly loved, that shaped the way you think when you were little? I'm not asking if you believed in fairies then but don't any more. I'm asking about patterns of thought, morality--something that made an impact.

   I am a child of the 1950s, and my memories of books reflects it: Cinderella and Little Women come immediately to mind. I remember reading lots of Bobsey Twins and then later, Nancy Drew. Lots of fairytale books, too, mythology and folklore. I think my favorite author in my teens was Francis Parkinson Keyes. I read everything of hers that I could find. I discovered Kahlil Gibran in highschool. I still own many, many of the books from my childhood

2. And, of course, examples, please!

   I was, and perhaps still am, a fantasy girl. Led a sheltered life even up until college. I still tend to live in my own little world. But, I basically quit reading pure romance a long time ago... just too unrealistic and too predictable, like they were all written from the same outling! I haven't looked at a FPK book in ages; I might not care for her now. However, I still love mythology and fairytales. Perhaps because there isn't always a happy ending, eh?

3. Also, did you read this book/these books more than once? Many times? Even if that's not a usual habit of yours?

   Yes. Yes. And, yes, it is definitely a habit of mine, as is revisting places I love rather than traveling to some place new.

well, shoot...

I forgot part of my point/question, and why I would be surfing the diabetes sites: what to do about the late-night carb craving?

carbo fog (whining ahead)

    Is there such a thing? Or is it just a lack of caffiene??     I feel SO bad today, that carbo-fog is the only thing to which I can attribute it. I went to bed at the regular time, and even though I *heard* a neighborhood dog barking, I don't actually think it kept me awake or woke me in the night. Felt DH get up once in the night, but not snoring. And finally my bladder got me out of bed at 4:45 am and I couldn't get back to sleep (yeah, mostly the dog this time, and knowing the alarm was going off at 5:30am anyway).     Usually, even if I wake up sleepy-headed, by the time I finish my shower, I am fairly wide-awake and alert. Not today. It's 8:30am, and I'm still feeling groggy. The aches in my hand, shoulder and hips are not helping.     If it's a lack of caffiene, I'll just have to adjust. I know I am consuming way too much of it, and intend to cut back. But oddly, that usually just gives me a headache, and that's one thing that's NOT hurting this morning!     Everyone have a wonderful day. I will have lunch with a former classmate (and future travel-mate to Tibet) later today. Looking forward to that; she is such a sweetheart. In between that and work, think I'll wander through some diabetes sites.

and then,

sometimes, you just have to do it! Rissa probably could have written this.

bared cubbie

I promised pictures of my workstation:

Needs a little warmth, don't it?

I sort of wish it was left-handed instead of right, but for now it will be fine. I have asked for a different keyboard. One with the curved area for your hands and a touchpad on the right. Having to use a mouse on the desk and the keyboard on a tray has given my shoulder fits! The workstation two spots away from me has a tray that swivels. I may try to get that moved to my spot, too.

In case you are wondering, the three discs are three blank CDs that are supposed to help me see people walk up behind me. It does a little, but I still jump. It's so quiet in the department, and we all sit with our backs to the opening of the workstations, so everyone gets startled. I'd really rather have a long thin mirror hung there. I think the discs look pretty silly, but I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the co-worker who brought them to me.

I have some picture frames I want to take, and hope to get the photos for them pulled out and in place tomorrow. The holiday weekend hasn't gone exactly like I planned (i.e., I didn't get done all the things I meant to get done) but it has been restful.

As Scarlett says, "Tomorrow is another day!"

colorful lives

Taggin' off Rissa, again. 1. Closest red thing to you? The wool blanket over my legs. 2. Has anyone ever cheated on you in a relationship? Probably. 3. The last thing to make you angry? Being disappointed by one of my sons. 4. Are you a fan of romance? Definitely. 5. Have you ever been in love? Was, am, will be. 6. Do you have a temper? Yeah, but all bark & no bite.

1. Closest green thing to you? Shirt I'm wearing. 2. Do you care about the environment? Yes, but I care about people more. 3. Are you jealous of anyone right now? Not a soul...see next question. 4. Are you a lucky person? I think so, or perhaps only serendipitous. 5. Do you always want what you can’t have? Hardly, only anxious for the next goal to be achieved. 6. Are you Irish? Scot-Irish only, no matter how much Son#1 wishes differently. 1. Closest purple thing to you? A handknitted scarf I had around my neck earlier cause my house was cold and I was the only one who couldn't get warm. 2. Like being treated to expensive things? Hmm... sort of. I like most any gift, expensive or not. Even better an expensive thing for a small price, i.e., BARGAIN. 3. Do you like mysterious things? Yes. I didn't used to think I did, and although I don't read mysteries, per se, when it comes to TV/movies I find they are my favorites. All things mystical I find fascinating. 4. Favourite type of chocolate? All kinds. Now, though, whatever's got the least amount of sugar. 5. Ever met any royalty? "Life is too short to be anything but Queen." 6. Are you creative? Yes. Not as artistic as I would like to be, but unwilling to invest the time to do anything more about it at this time. 7. Are you lonely? Rarely. 1. Closest blue thing to you? The jeans I'm wearing and my coffee cup. 2. Are you good at calming people down? No, but I try. Perhaps best with my children? 3. Do you like the ocean? Definitely. Water is my element. 4. What was the last thing that made you cry? This. 5. Are you a logical thinker? When I'm not over-emotionally invovled or stressed, yes. 6. Can you sleep easily? In my own bed, usually. 7. Do you prefer the beach or the woods? Beach, unless there's a lake in the woods. 1. Closest yellow thing to you? Weird. There's no yellow near me. Ah, a pencil. 2. The happiest time(s) of your life? I hope it hasn't happened yet. 3. Favourite holiday? Before my mother passed away, it was Thanksgiving. Now, I guess any one that I have off from work. 4. Are you a coward? In the sense that I avoid confronation at most any cost, yes. 5. Do you burn or tan? Generally, I burn. When a kid, though, my dad called me "Smokey." But then I spent lots of time outside, in the water. 6. Do you want children? Have two sons; DH has two daughters, one neice, two grandsons, one granddaughter, and three grandneices. I'm hoping for a granddaughter -- someday, but not too soon. 7. What makes you happy? Simple things really. But, I also believe happiness is a choice, not an event; with an internal not external source. 1. Closest pink thing to you? The nose of my favorite cat. 2. Do you like sweet things? Yes, but not that I've had to give them up they can be nauseating. 3. Like play-fighting? No. And not arguing for arguing's sake either. 4. Are you sensitive? Excessively. 5. Do you like punk music? No. 6. What is your favourite flower? Gardenias. Lilacs. Roses (Queen Elizabeths & Don Juans). 7. Does someone have a crush on you? I hope not. To me a crush is insincere, too close to infaturation, and a less valuable form of love (See Robert Sternberg's theory). However, they are certainly fun. I get them now and then, but on my new toys, or unobtainable objects. 1. Closest orange thing to you?A container of tropical fruit IceBreakers. 2. Do you like to burn things? Candles. 3. Dress up for Halloween? Only by puting on orange & black. 4. Are you usually a warm-hearted person? Yes. 5. Do you prefer the single life or the security of a relationship? Security. 6. What would your super power be? Enlightenment? 1. Closest white thing to you? Paper. 2. Would you say you’re innocent? I'd say I led a sheltered life. 3. Always try to keep the peace? Peacemaker is my middle name -- I always feel in the middle. 4. How do you imagine your wedding? I've had two. The dream-come-true one didn't take. 5. Do you like to play in the snow? Only until my toes get cold... and really only walking in it, or making snowmen, not snowball fights or shoveling. 6. Are you afraid of going to the doctors or dentist? Nope. Neither bother me any more... only the COST at the dentist because I don't have dental insurance! I do still have to turn my head when I get blood drawn or have injections. 1. Closest black thing to you? Sweater I'm wearing. 2. Ever enjoy hurting people? NO. And hate the thought that I do it unintentionally. 3. Are you sophisticated or silly? It would be super-silly to think I could carry off sophisticated. 4. Do you have a lot of secrets? Can't keep them, so there's no point in trying. 5. What is your favourite colour(s)? Always loved purple. Seem drawn to pink lately. Any color I like tends to have blue undertones. 6. Does the colour you wear affect your mood? Only if I think it looks good/bad on me.

tangled webs

    Do you ever get to wandering through the internet, or blogland, then forget later how you found something or got somewhere that *now* you want to return to? Happens to me all the time. All. the. time.     Like the November calendar photo posting by Deb at Chappysmom. I saw it before I started my new job, and the first time I saw the calendar hanging in the employee lounge, I thought about it again. Of course, I only today remembered to take a photo of it: along with another November calendar page of a co-worker that is just so pithy.... Burnout: Attitudes are contagious. Mine might kill you.     Now, Deb's blog wasn't on my reading list (is now), but I obviously got there from somewhere and I didn't know if I could find it again. Fortunately, I stumbled across another reference to the calendar photo event tonight and... oh, nevermind (I'm too late posting my photos anyway). The point is, Deb states on her blog that her library has 2,797 books!     My first thought was how close I could get to that number if I took time to count, then my eyes fell on the next line in her sidebar: "Number unread: 27" !!! She's not kidding with her nickname, bookworm.     And actually, I'm still not to my point... farther down in her links is one to Booking through Thursday. Turns out that Deb is half the team, Laura being the other. Yes, it is a weekly meme site, but as a library employee and a future librarian, I think I will start following this one.     For this week, they didn't really present any questions, so I'm going to back up to the last two, which were related.

Reading List - Part 1
1. Do you keep a list of books to read? Several, actually.
2. Where do you keep your list (computer, PDA, paper, etc.)? I keep a small spiral book in my purse. I also have several Excel files on my computer and my PDA. Then there are all the little pieces of paper that I accumulate working at the library. Just before I went to back to work, I was trying to get all the little pieces of paper transferred to the PDA. There is still a small pile hiding on the desk under the laptop.
3. How often do you refer to your list? Every time you go for a new book to read? When book shopping? Or? As I carry it with me always, you would think I refer to it all the time, but I don't really. Still you never know when you'll come across a great used bookstore and need to know the title of that illusive book you need to complete a series -- or begin one! My list is more of a shopping or reference list, and it comes out often when I am strolling through the Big Box bookstore or preparing to research for a paper or class.

Reading List, Part 2
1. So, last week we asked you if you kept a list of books that you're interested in, wanting to read, wanting to buy, etc. This week, we want to know--do you keep a list of the books you've READ? Regrettably, no... perhaps I'll begin one. Problem is that I start many books, or read parts of books, more than I finish.
2. If so, how? In a journal? A notebook? On the computer? I think, that having MS OneNote on my computer I would probably use it, but then again, I'm just anal enough to want to do so in an Excel file. A hand-written journal would certainly be something to treasure, though.

    I took photos of my poor little bare workstation today, too. Will post those shortly. Right now, it's past my bedtime, holiday or no.

unexpected

    I doubt I could have picked a better time to begin my job -- not that *I* picked it, actually. We will have eight workdays off at Christmas/New Year's and the next two days for Thanksgiving. So, about 10:00am this morning rumor turned to fact, and the word came down that the university president was letting us have the afternoon off. Woo-hoo!     Being my usual compulsive self, I didn't leave right on time as I was trying to get something finished so I wouldn't forget to finish it when I return to work on Monday. I get a SEVERE case of swiss-cheese brain after days off! Anyway, I missed my appointment with the chiropractor, but enjoyed a Basil Chicken wrap at Roly-Poly, and then I made a B-I-G mistake. I went to Wal-Mart -- because I didn't want to go over the holiday weekend.     Whoa! I was getting panicky by the time I got out of there (even thought it was less than half an hour). Even the self-checkout registers were backed up. But the young woman working that area took pity on me, with my arms piled high, and motioned for me to come to her to be checked out. I was extremely grateful! I hope SHE has a fabulous holiday and something wonderful happens to/for her.     Now, I'm going to relax and enjoy the sunshine, some X-Files and maybe some DVR.... and knit.

no surprise here

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

pizza

    We had an "interest" meeting about the Tibet trip over lunch today. I had four (center) squares of cheese pizza, diet coke, and a very small cookie (26g in 5). This was between about 12:30pm and 1:30pm. I just checked my glucose and it is 93!     I won't do it often... but I *do* miss pizza. Usually I have a salad when I do indulge, which I would think would be even better glucose-wise.     Thank you, Glucophage.

argh!

    Here's the worst part of doing work on a library cataloguing system: seeing too many items you would just like to pull off the shelf and have a look at, much less all the ones you want to READ!

word

Lunchtime. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You. Can. Only. Type. One. Word. No. Explanations.
1. Yourself: unoriginal
2. Your spouse: loveable
3. Your hair: thinning
4. Your mother: dead
5. Your Father: remarried
6. Your favorite Item: book
7. Your dream last night: typical
8. Your favorite drink: pepsi
9. Your dream car: gifted
10. The room you are in: quiet
11. Your Ex: liar
12. Your fear: childlessness
13. What you want to be in 10 years? debtless
14. Who you hung out with last night? cat
15. What you’re not? comedic
16. Muffins: pumpkin
17. One of your wish list items: Aurora
18. Time: irrelevant
19. The last thing you did: chewed
20. What you are wearing: sweater
21. Your favorite weather: mild
22. Your favorite book: overdue
23. The last thing you ate: shrimp
24. Your life: changing
25. Your mood: contented
26. Your best friend: trustworthy
27. What are you thinking about right now? macros
28. Your car: comfortable
29. What are you doing at the moment? eating
30. Your summer: exciting
31. Your relationship status: committed
32. What is on your TV? candles
33. What is the weather like? bright
34. When is the last time you laughed? anoche

i'm IN!

    DH did not get the mail yesterday or I would have known last night, but this morning when he put out the trash he brought it in and I just happen to see it on the table as I was rushing out the door for work...     I have been accepted into the School of Library Science Graduate Program at the University of Southern Mississippi -- and the best part, of course, is that as an employee, I get to take 6 hours per term at no cost! So, in two years, I can complete my masters.     Today is the last day to get fitted for cap & gown, so I have that to take care of over my lunch break. AND, I found out last night that my sister is going to be here for graduation and the holidays. Work is going well, and everything seems quite rosey right now.