A rainy evening...

I missed another day. Actually, the last time I tried to post, there was an error. Don't know what or why...just wouldn't let me post. So I got frustrated and was too tired last night...so I spent a few minutes tonight and figured out what to do. Consequently, I posted the last 'post' and am working on this one. WHEW! NOW I'm exhausted!

We had quite a storm this evening. Great rain and amazing lightning. Perhaps that's what is causing this massive headache I have had for the past few hours.

Got off early today and went to Harry's to meet up with 'husband' and friends Paul and Mary Ann who are in town for a day or two. Going there is out of character for me, so this was relaxing. Had a few beers and came home and sort of took a nap...ate some supper and am now nursing this headache. More in the neck...but not symptomatic of a migraine coming on. Let's hope not.

I cut up two huge wonderful cantaloupe that Russ brought home yesterday. They are so sweet they make your teeth ache! I must say that the fruit here in Texas is wonderful. We have a watermelon and I think I'll make sure I have the ingredients to make watermelon rind pickles when we cut it...I LOVE them and think I am on the last jar from last year...so I feel a 'pickling' coming on!

Russ made some Chinese pickles a couple of days ago. The are the kind that you don't have to process...just refrigerate. They taste SOOOOO good! I don't have a canning pot (well...I DO, but it is in storage and I just don't feel like fighting the mess to find it...so I think I'll check on line. There was a steamer/canner on Amazon that looked pretty interesting and inexpensive. That is something that I would definitely use.

I finished the baby hat (it's adorable...) and am making a second tonight. I also crocheted a cute hat (Autumn Harvest Crocheted Hat on the lionbrand.com site) with a cream colored bulky yarn. Super fast to make so I need to get some other yarn in pretty fall colors. I have filled out the form to mail in for the Mountain Country Christmas Bazaar and will BE there this year. For sure!

I also found another site for beads and leather tonight. I think it is hideandfur.com but I'm not sure. Pretty stuff...(like I need more beads!)

Won't read tonight...no need to feed the headache any more. Might not even knit...In the Army Now is on now (dumb movie, but I like Pauley Shore) and I am sure it will put me to sleep... As you noticed...no photos yet...I'm getting there!!! Have a good one!

b

a cloudy photo op day

Well...it became a little cloudy by the time I got to take a few photos. They are OK...I'll try again tomorrow and then I'll start to post a few on here. At least I say I will. Got a couple more books today. I really need to start reading. I'll add that to my list,to things to do.

I am reading Dixie Cash's 'Since You're Leaving Anyway...Take out the Trash'. It is definitely a fun read! And I can read a chapter or two and not loose my place in the book.

Russell finally got info from the VA in Albuquerque regarding surgery date(s). First round is Sept. 2 to remove tumors in both arms, and then October 5 for neck and underarm tumor removal. He will check with Dr. 'Lorianne' tomorrow about another shot for his back. He is having considerable pain in his back and legs and is long overdue for this treatment. Last shot was in January!

I am not feeling well today. I have had quite a bit of pain over the past few days. Motrin just isn't cutting it. Of course, I have cheated in my diet of what I am NOT supposed to eat, so I shouldn't be surprised...but it still hurts. And I thought Fybromyalgia was an imaginary disease!

I found some great free knitting and crochet patterns on the lionbrand.com (yarn) website. I may cast on stitches for the Queen of Hearts Preemie/Newborn Hat tonight. It's very cute. It's shown in white with a red band with tiny hearts. I am making it in 'Vanna's Baby yarn' in a berry blue.

Time to check out for the evening. I have a long day tomorrow and want to read 2 chapters and begin my newest knitting project. Sleep well!

b

day and a half later.....

Well...photo taking was out for a day (yesterday) and again today...RAIN!! Which is a good thing but messed up my concrete plans (yeah...right!) Maybe the light will be better this evening...

I got the 'Vanna's Choice Baby Yarn today...I will no doubt start a preemie cap tonight. I am almost through with the second Schooner Hat, but this one looks kinda big...I am using a funky yarn which is no doubt the problem, but I still like the effect. I also got a catalog today with some cute Christmas ornaments. Perhaps I shall plagiarize some patterns!! Pretend I never said that!. I also got a couple of books in the mail today...a Sarah Bird (my hero), a Dixie Cash and a Carol Dawson. ooooooo.......so much to read, knit and crochet and...so little time!

It was such an easy day today! Bobbie and I finished early (@ 2) and I came home to rest a while. I actually cleaned up around the room last night and it still smelled clean when I got home. So I had a little snack, watched it rain (which it still is) and got some stuff lined up to work with. Let's see....the yarn is calling me. Might read later after a shower.

Might write again later, too. We'll see.......later.....

b

pooped.......

Busy busy busy! Made a simply wonderful brunch for Beth and her family. They were a delight to meet...and they obviously love her very much. I made a ham, cheese and spinach strata; sausage and hash brown breakfast casserole; apple and blueberry muffins; juice and coffee and a fresh fruit platter. I was impressed! Took photos of the family and will make blowups tomorrow.

Then I went to work. It was busy, as usual, and the 'girls' actually took their own initiative to clean after stripping the rooms! Odd! But greatly appreciated. We were done before six which was a complete shocker! Came home to rest and eat more ham and cheese strata for supper...with grapes. Yum!

Not wanting to do anything crafty tonight. The Cary Grant movie 'Houseboat' is on tonight so I think I will relax and watch it. I took a hot shower and am soooo comfortable...

I think I ate too many grapes...

I have had a thought. I have a really nice camera now and I want to take some photos of flowers and cactus. I will write that on my agenda for tomorrow. There are some beautiful lantana in bloom right now, and the cactus have the big plump purple 'tuna' fruit which are as interesting as their flower. Yes...I will add photos to my daily craft to-do list.

OK...it's time for Cary Grant and Sofia Loren...night!!

b

Morning calm before the storm!

Work day started out much better. I say...started out...both girls showed up for work, but had to leave early! We ended up finishing their work, as well as ours. B&B make a great team, but sometimes it would be nice if we could do our planned job instead of finishing what someone else SHOULD have done. Maybe tomorrow will be better. I want to leave around 4:00 so husband and I can go to the chuck wagon cook off at the Ranch Rodeo. Sounds like fun!

I will come back to make a couple of breakfast casseroles to cook on Sunday morning (with other brunch stuff) for the Sul Ross college graduate that has lived next door to us for a couple of months. Beth Scarborough came back to Alpine to finish her degree...and she is in her 80's. She is an AMAZING artist and a wonderful woman. Her family is here to celebrate and we'll have a nice breakfast party for her...

I finished the Schooner hat and am starting another. Fast work and nice soft hats. I should have a skein of 'baby yarn' by Tuesday to try a preemie cap.

On a strange note. I got a Swiffer dry/wet mop today. It works really good! We only have a small area to clean, but this floor gets amazingly gritty. Sweeping and dust moping are a 10 times a day chore, and a regular mop is a pain in the ass. So I will splurge on the Swiffer. I will also make my own washable mop heads from microfiber cloth.

Time to knit ten more rows and go horizontal. It's been real. (Eye...MUCH better!)

b

I'm on a 3 day roll!

Where DOES the time go! I know I promised myself I would write on here every night! I KNOW it! I remember saying that...oh well. Best laid plans, etc, etc.

It's been complicated. I have been pretty upset over various things for a couple of days and I think I am on the downward spiral now. Let's hope. The 'best' thing...husband made Paella out side on the grill. It was mouth wateringly AMAZING!! He made a huge pan and we had friends over. NOTHING LEFT!!! The 'worst' thing...I worked alone yesterday. That's not quite true. Maria helped me (God bless her) and I survived on anger induced adrenaline. I really don't like undependable people. It's so easy to make a phone call! Or...when I actually SEE you drive by...and then you don't show up for work...and don't stop or call...that's pisses me off! Oh well...the work got done and it's in the past.

I started a knitted cap today. It's called a Schooner Hat. Simple garter stitch with a pom pom...has a semi roll to the brim. I like it. And it should only take an evening to make one.Ordered baby soft yarn for some preemie caps.

Started reading a Dixie Cash book last night. Really funny!! Got another one in the mail today. I love books. I haven't been buying any plain old reading books lately (only craft and beading books) and you know, I AM the amazon.com and ABE Books queen, so I have been updating my personal library.

I think I'll read a few chapters, knit a few stitches and hit the hay. I really should get books on tape...or CD's. I would definitely be more productive craft wise. I used to work that way all the time. I get too distracted with TV. A point to ponder!

manana!

b

Holy crap-it's Monday!

Well...I thought I'd slept through the night and it would be happy Monday. NOT!!! Another day in paradise but with a few glitches. I realize that I am without a doubt the most cynical and self centered person that I know. I am fine with that...today...however, I just don't fit into human society this way...today!

Cut to the chase...the day is over and I am calm. 'nough said. Unfortunately, writing this is going to be the most creative thing I do tonight...and at this moment, I don't feel bad about it. I have managed to piss off everyone I know and I can only hope they think better of me tomorrow.

Nothing is on TV...I don't want to read...so when I am done venting to myself..I am going to sleep. I am blaming it on the barometric pressure. When in doubt...

on the morrow...ta ta

b