It's snowing!!

...i mean REALLY snowing... :-)

more on this latest development tomorrow...

blessings
~*~

Why... oh why...

...is it so FREAKING HOT?!?!?

I swear I can barely move it is so hot. I went out this morning around 6 and it was already almost 80 degrees. I hope this is not a sign of what the summer is going to be like. If it is, I'll be spending a lot of time inside. :-)

This time next Saturday I'll be arriving in the Outer Banks for a weeks vacation. I am so excited about it! A week away from work and 8 days at the ocean. I'll be on the beach for both the full moon and the summer solstice. I'm trying to get a list together of the things I will need for "ritual" while I'm there. This is a family vacation and my family are all southern baptists so any ritual will have to be disguised or hidden quietly. Oh well, I'll get some time alone on the sand and that should be good. The weather forecast for the week we are there looks perfect. Oh, I can't wait!

Blessings,
~*~

Too excited...

I must be too excited to sleep. This is the third night this week that I have been up very late. To me, 11pm is very late. I still have about an hours worth of stuff to do before I can go to bed. I'm currently cutting out tags to put on my wreaths. Yes, I've made more.


I have been very productive creatively this week. I made seven wreaths to take to the shop tomorrow and I also did some dabbling in clay. I really like what I made with the clay and I'll post a photo of it later. It isn't quite finished.

I have also finished making some business cards. I just have to separate them. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I'm going to be doing tarot card readings professionally. Tomorrow is my "first day" so to speak. That is probably what is causing all this nervous/excited energy I'm filled with right now. I'm hoping once I do my first reading that I'll calm down some.

We had a beautiful day here today. The temperature went up to 74 degrees. I planted some pansies in my window box and weeded just a little. My lawn desperately needs to be mowed, but my mower is broken. I went to Home Depot to purchase a new mower but they were out of stock in the model I want. I called one of the other ones in town and found one that has it in stock and am going to get it tomorrow. I have Monday off for the holiday and I plan to mow then.

Still a lot to be done, so I'm off for now.
Blessings,
~*~

Has anyone seen my heart?

No, I don't think this is it. I found this in the snow on valentine's afternoon. Is it irony, coincidence, a sign... I don't know. Sometimes I feel like my heart is encased in ice and that is why I haven't found anyone for me yet. I like to think it is a sign. A sign of love to come? Maybe...

Did anyone see the eclipse last night? It was beautiful!

It is getting closer to the spring equinox. Signs of spring are everywhere...



The weather people are calling for sleet and freezing rain tonight and tomorrow. I wouldn't mind a day of bad weather so I can stay home and finish my book. I'm reading Phillipa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl and I absolutely love it! I can't wait for the movie. I will probably go to see it when it comes out.
Blessings
~*~

Happy...day...

We had snow last night. Yes, I said it, SNOW! We accumulated about 2 to 2.5 inches. I went to take the beast out around 9 pm and it was really coming down. It has already started to melt, boo hoo. I really still want a storm that will basically freeze the city. I would like to experience that at least once! :-)

I've been so busy and wanting to post here but just haven't been able to find the time. I went shopping on Saturday with Mum, the first time in a long time. We had fun and I got a few things that were kind of neat. One is a "Love Stinks" valentine voodoo doll. He is so cute! Yeah, V-day is not really my favorite time of year. Tonight I'm having dinner with mum and two of her single friends. Both of her friends need me to help them with their computers so I figured I'd be better off to get it over with tonight. It isn't like I have anything else to do.

I'm also starting to get the crud. That is what we grew up calling it. When you have a bad cough or congestion and just generally feel like death warmed over. I started noticing a cough on Sunday and each day it has gotten progressively worse. Today I can feel it really bad in my throat and chest and my nose is constantly stopped up. Ugh!

I have been knitting. I made a fun fur scarf for my friends eldest daughter who turned 10 at the end of January.



I'm also continuing work on the never-ending afghan. I'll try to get a picture of the progress up soon.

Well, I'd best get back to work. Hopefully, I can get back to regular posting now.
Blessings,
~*~

getting there...

First, let me say thank you to Queen and Draven for their comments on my post yesterday. Don't worry. I'm not suicidal or even homicidal, just really depressed. But the good news is, I'm feeling better today.

I got out of the house today, just a short trip to grocers, but it is progress. I didn't spend all day sleeping either, which is what I've done the past several days. I talked with my supervisor and let them know I needed some more time away from work. I have the rest of this week off and since Monday is a holiday, I don't have to go back until Tuesday. I think I can have myself back together by then, at least enough to be able to work.



This is what I'm looking at today. I love Christmas cacti, although this one turned out to be a new year's cactus. It has three big beautiful blooms on it right now. It is so cheerful.



I've also started a new project. I've decided I don't like one of the colors on my afghan, the color I am currently knitting on (a sort of grayish green) so I've put it up until I can get to the shop to pick another color. For my new project, I'm doing a second pair of socks. I'm going to follow the pattern more closely this time, doing the ribbing all the way down the leg instead of just at the top inch or two. I've chosen a purple colorway for this pair. If you click on the picture you can probably see the color better.


When I went to the store, I noticed this in my yard:


Yes, those are daffodils coming up and yes, it is the middle of January. It has been warm and I guess the bulbs have just been tricked into thinking that it is spring. That is all changing tonight supposedly. We are currently under a winter storm warning. Last I heard we are expecting about two inches of snow before it changes to freezing rain and sleet. I'm hoping for the snow. I am planning on making chili tomorrow since the temperature is going to be in the low 30's. It will be a nice day for chili and to curl up with yarn and needles.

Anyway, I'm feeling better and wishing for snow. Thanks again for the comments and concern.

Blessings,
~*~

Brrr...

It is so cold! Today's high was 33 but felt like 21 with the wind chill. I love the cold, how the breathe freezes in your throat. The only thing missing is snow! A friend of my mum's who lives in Maine sent her photos of the snow that they have received. It is so beautiful!

Here it just remains cold...bitterly cold.

New Year's Day I woke to no Internet service. My modem had died a horrible death during the night and it was late yesterday before the cable company could send a service person. What a person they sent! :-) When I opened the door there was the most beautiful man standing there, and when he spoke, I swear I almost swooned! His name is Ian and he is British. I don't know why, but accents from the British Isles just tear me up. Scottish, Irish, English and especially Welsh, I just melt! Unfortunately the hottie cable guy is married. Figures!

It has been a short work week, but a busy one. One of my "wishes" for strength in my job and patience has been going well so far. I think it helps that there is only one more day.

Well, I don't have much else to share tonight.
Blessings,
~*~

Finally feels like December...

It finally feels like December here. For the past week or more it has been the high 70's and today the high was 38. It is currently pouring rain and 35 degrees. I wish the temperature would drop just a few more degrees so we could have sleet or snow. I love winter. I love the cold and would love to have snow and cold for most of the year. I do need some spring and summer so I can grow my herbs and vegetables. But I really love the cold.

I baked cookies today. I cheated and used a toll house mix that I got at Costco, but it was fun and the house now smells like pine trees and chocolate chip cookies. I'm planning to take them to work to share this week. Tomorrow I'm making chocolate dipped pretzels and peanut butter crackers that will also go to work.

I'm currently watching The Notebook (I'm so gonna cry) and am getting ready to edit some pictures to go in a photo album I'm giving as a holiday present. I need to get them edited tonight so I can get them printed. The photo paper that I'm printing on says they need to sit for 7 days before being put in a frame or album, so I'd best get busy because I have to have it wrapped and ready to give on the 24th.

I'm almost finished with my sock. I had to go back to my teacher and get her to help me fix a big hole I'd made and couldn't figure out. Maybe tomorrow night I can work on my sock.

Well, I'm off to edit photos.

Blessings,
~*~

new theme

I really wanted a wintry theme for my blog, but I can't find one that I like that I can make work. So, I went through Blogger's options and chose this one. I needed something light. The dark background was beginning to depress me.

I'm watching the Steelers vs Patriots game now. It is currently halftime. I know... thrilling right, you are just so glad you know this about me. :-)

Not much knitting has been going on around here lately. Mostly just sleeping, wrapping presents and well, more sleeping. Today the temperature reached over 70 degrees. It sucks! 70 in December? There is something just so wrong about that. I think this week will be warm and it will get cold again next Sunday. I really hope so. I need cold and snow!

I thought I'd spend some time surfing. I may try to figure out this whole template thing and get one that I really like. We'll see...

Go Steelers!

Blessings,
~*~

Quick news flash...

This morning when I got out of the shower... it was S.N.O.W.I.N.G! Snowing! Just light tiny flakes, but it was SNOW!

:-)

Blessings,
~*~

We have HEAT, baby!

Yes, we have heat! This morning around 1:30 I woke up freezing my booty off and decided it was time to turn on the heat. When I flipped the switch, nothing...nada...zilch. Being 1:30 am I refused to go outside in the 30 degree temperatures to check the breaker and I could not find batteries to change in the controller so I added two more blankets to the bed, snuggled up to the dog and then went back to sleep.

Work was a nightmare today so I wasn't able to address the heat issue until this afternoon. Luckily, when I flipped the breaker off and then back on and went to try the heat again, the furnace kicked right in. What a relief! It is supposed to get down to 27 tonight and I don't think I could have taken it. :-)



Sock class was last night and let me tell you, I have a new found appreciation for anyone who can actually knit socks. How in the world do you hold all those needles? I had to start over three times but may be getting the hang of it. I'm trying to decide if I want to work on the computer tonight or if I want to knit. I should probably knit while I can remember what she told us, but part of me wants to just surf the net tonight.

Blessings
~*~

Change is a good thing...

I'm trying out this new template. I found it a while back and have really loved it but am just not sure if it is for me. At least, not for the theme of this blog. I'll have to test it and tinker with it for a little bit to see what I think.

I'm still sick. I finally went to the doctor this morning. I have a head cold (I could have told them that!) and it is settled in very well. The right side of my head is completely clogged up. The doctor gave me two nasal sprays, some pills and some liquid medicine to take. Ugh... I hate feeling like this, especially on my days off.

I was able to get some errands done today though. I made it to the yarn shop where I'll be taking knitting classes to pick out my pattern and get the supplies. I'll post more on that later. I also went to the grocers to get supplies for my traditional new years meal. I always stay home on New Years Day and fix a traditional southern meal of ham, collards, black eyed peas and cornbread. I had wanted to go today because they are calling for rain and storms for the next few days and with this cold I don't need to be out in the weather. However, I did forget one thing that I desperately need... cat food! I have just enough to feed them in the morning and then I'll have to go out tomorrow to get more.

I was also able to get a little bit of cleaning done and also some laundry. Not much mind you, but a little. I feel better having done something since the last few days have been spent doing nothing.

Well, I'm off to play with my design and see if I can make this look the way I want. There may be some other changes coming to the blog...maybe.

Blessings,
~*~

This doesn't feel like Yule...

It has just been so hot here that I can't believe it is actually time for Yule. I'm sorry, but it should be cold and snowy and well...COLD! I can't stand hot weather and having it year round is just not good for me. :-)

Anyway, the marathon shopping continues as I'm having a very hard time picking out presents for several family members this year. I just don't know what to get people. I hardly ever have this much trouble.

Here is a picture of my Yule tree. It isn't that great of a picture but I hope that I will soon be able to post GOOD photos of things. Yay!

It is bright and shiny and has lots of presents under it. If you look closely at the box on the bottom right of the picture, you might can see a little kittie butt sticking out. That is my boy kittie and he for some reason loves to sit on top of my mum's xmas present. He also loves to sit under the tree right up against the tree stand.

Today I hope to finish my shopping. Tomorrow I will probably go to the hospital to see my friend and her new baby. Baby is arriving today, in fact they are in delivery right now, and I can't wait to meet her. Tomorrow is also our last workday and we will be allowed to leave early. Yay! Friday is cooking day in preparation for Saturday's feast. Sunday will be a small family gathering and then Monday will be spent with my mum and Grandmother. Somewhere in there I'm supposed to visit with my Dad and Stepmum, but I haven't been informed as to when we are getting together. Then Tuesday it is back to work...bleh. At least it should be quiet at work. I'll work three days and have another long weekend and then it will be back to normal.

Well, I'd best go and get some work done. Maybe another post tomorrow...we shall see.
Blessings,
~*~

Halfway to Friday...

It is almost weekend time again. Last weekend was so busy, even for a long weekend, that I felt like I never had a break. So I am really looking forward to this weekend. I don't know as it will be a calm weekend, but it can't possibly be as busy as the last one.

I hope everyone had a good thanksgiving weekend. I've been reading the blogs and catching up and it sounds like it was good. I usually put my yule decorations out right after thanksgiving so that I can enjoy them for a good while, however...the temps here have been in the 70's all week and that is just ridiculous! I can't stand it! It is two days before december and it is 70? WTF?
Needless to say, with all the heat, I'm just not into the whole holiday spirit. Nary a decoration has been set up at my home and I'm seriously contenplating not putting any up at all. :-(

No knitting has been accomplished but I did see a few movies. Nothing worth mentioning here though. Today is soup day for lunch...bleh. I really want something good, but must keep control of the finances.

Alright, I'm going to get some work done now.
Blessings,

~*~

Slow day at the office...

I was so bored today. The day was long and there were no projects to work on. I spent most of the afternoon reading the latest Nora Roberts book. It just seems like it was a useless day. I had so much at home that I could have accomplished. Oh well...

I did start my Grandmother's scarf last night. I finished the first section and hopefully I'll be able to move it along now that it is started.

Dinner is in the oven, leftover chicken casserole sent by mum. I didn't have lunch today so everything sounds really good right now. I'm very hungry. :-)

We had really heavy storms last night and all the leaves have now come off my trees. Guess that means I can clean the gutters now. I was waiting until they came off so I wouldn't have to do it again until spring. I also checked the garden to see how my fledgling plants survived. They seem to be fine. I have 10 garlic plants sprouting and my collards seem to be starting to grow, however, it seems something is eating my collards. I need to find out what it is and figure out how to stop them.

Time to check the laundry and the oven, then I'll probably hang around on the net for a little while and hopefully get back to knitting later.

Blessings,
~*~

Again with the knitting...

I bet you can't guess what I did last night. Come on, give it a try? Heh... I knit. I did manage to squeeze in two loads of laundry while I did it, but I pretty much sat and knit for about 2 and a half hours. I can see the end of the scarf coming soon. Yay! I think maybe two more good knitting sessions and it will be done. I'm also thinking about adding fringe to the ends. I hadn't planned on it at first, but now I'm thinking I want to. It would help to add some length to it and help me not have too much more to knit. hhmmmm.... What to do... What to do...

Now that it is turning cold, I'm having trouble getting up in the mornings. Last night I had taken a shower because I'd gone to the bar where my brother is working to visit for a bit and came out smelling like an ashtray. I hate that! So I showered, which helped a lot this morning when I woke up 45 minutes late. I managed to make it to work 10 minutes later than usual. Tonight I need to rake leaves and mow the yard. Anyway, I'm off to do some real work.

Blessings,
~*~