Let Me Know You Were here!! :)

Friday, January 30, 2009

Friday...


Well, John and I had a chance to get away for a few days. We went down to Gaylord, Michigan...one of our favorite spots. We stay at The Quality Inn, where we get senior rates, free breakfast, a chance to do some shopping and see the sites. It was nice to get away and do "nothing". We were able to take some time and head west to the Petosky area. Lovely city on Traverse Bay off of Lake Michigan. On the way home, we took a few of the local highways to the Mackinaw Bridge..through Cheybogan, along Lake Huron. It was a nice change from the interstate.

While in Gaylord, we went over to the refuge where the deer and elk come in to feed. It's just amazing! The last time we were there we saw 2 or 3 Royal Bull Elk. They are so majestic and beautiful. Unfortunately, this time, there was only one. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Took my crocheting along...left my patterns home. What was I thinking??? I worked on a scarf, where a pattern wasn't really needed...a special order for one of the nurses in Saginaw. Just another row or two left to do and I'll be finished with it!!

I'll be heading down to Saginaw again this week. My Mother is having her back surgery on Friday, February 6th....FINALLY!!! I do hope things go well for her--she's been through so much, and still keeps a positive attitude!!

Well, time to sit and relax. Hope to get a few more post in before I leave. Talk to you later.........

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Sunshine...


It's so damn cold out again today...but there is one "plus" to the day...there's not a cloud in the sky and the sun is shining. It's AWESOME!

John and I are going to head out for a few days. Karen and Bruce will be watching the place...keeping the cats in line and bringing in the mail. Nice to have good friends and neighbors that are trustworthy and kind!! Oggie is going over to play with his buddy--Ryan. He just loves it!! A special treat for him as well!!

I finished the calorimetry in the cocoa brown. Turned out pretty nice...but I won't make another. Almost done with Karen's hat...then on to her next special order. Slowly but surely getting things done!!!

Well, time to fix dinner. I've been cheating on the diet alittle....but still no salt, caffeine or midnight snacks!

See you in a few days!!!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Thursday....


Another day. Not a bad day at all, actually--alittle stressful--but nothing that couldn't be remedied. The crocheting caused me some real aggravation. How could such a simple pattern be so complicated????? Operator error...helps to read the pattern in its entirety.

Walked again tonight...this time we talked John into coming along. Not bad out...a little sloppy on the road, but it was warmer today. We'll take the "slop", right???

Doing quite well with the diet... giving up the salt, some caffeine etc. isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Just 12 pounds to go and I'll be a happy girl.

Have a good evening...I'm going to see what's on t.v.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

President Barack Obama..


Well, it was Inauguration Day for the 44th President of The United States...Barack Obama....the first Afro-American President. Can you believe it? I think it's amazing!! I'm afraid of the hurdles he faces. Not only for his race, but for the mess he walks into. God Bless the U.S.A. and the man who now runs the country. He will need all the help he can get!!

Busy day! Had to clean for Adrienne this morning. Came home to pick up John and went to the free blood pressure clinic they hold every Tuesday in the mall. Just by making a few changes in my eating habits...I have managed to drop my heart rate and blood pressure as well. I was just thrilled!!! Now, to get the weight to drop. And this too, will happen!!

Started a few projects...working on a tam in a Lion Brand Chenille, a lovely teal color and a calorimetry in cocoa brown for a lady in the Bronx, New York. Moving right along.....I'll show you a few pictures when I'm finished.

John went to the blue grass group tonight. Some time alone..need to take my bath and sit and work with my hooks!!

Have a super evening...I'm going to do the same!!

Monday, January 19, 2009

It's FINALLY Finished!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Well now..I'm pleased to announce the baby afghan is FINISHED and delivered! Took awhile...but it's now out of my hair. It wouldn't have been so bad, but.....the yarn was fine and therefore, time consuming. I am ready to move on.

Not much going on today. I had several packages to mail this morning, so had to make a trip to the post office. Ebay has been keeping me busy.

We ran into friends...and ended up going out to lunch....Viking's Fish and Chips. Always the same and always tasty. Stopped at the grocery store on the way home. Still no Pepsi...which I might add, was advertised "on sale".

Short and sweet...I'm ready to start on a new project. Several orders yet to fill. I see some teal colored yarn...better see what I can come up with. Have just the perfect hat pattern!!

See ya later.....

Friday, January 16, 2009

Home Alone...


Friday night...and I'm home alone. John went out to the hockey game, and I have some "free time".

Take a look at this picture....terrible, isn't it? And...it was even colder than that earlier in the morning!! We've been fortunate this month....not alot of snow. But... the temperatures have been just unbearable. It should start to warm up over night. I'll be so grateful to play out in my rock garden this spring and put up with the back flies.

Just about done with the baby afghan. Currently crocheting the border on, and Jean informed me she'd like pom-poms on each corner. Shouldn't be too bad. There's light at the end of the tunnel!!

Sunny Kitty is under the weather. Just not up to his mischievous antics. However, he did eat some tonight and drank a good bit of water, which is always a good sign. Keep your fingers crossed. I'm like an old mother hen...even with my pets.

Well, better get busy...enjoy your evening.


Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Wednesday...


It's still too cold to do much of anything outside. John and I went to the post office this morning--packages to mail. Ebay sales are up--a far cry from the last few months.

After the post office, we went over to the Civic Center, where John signed up for his painting course. He does an amazing job...and it's something I, personally, believe he should pursue further. It's in his blood...his Grandfather was quite a reknown artist during WWII--back in the Netherlands.

I'm still "plugging away" on that DAMN baby afghan. I'm really sick of working on it...must be the pastel colors. The yarn is fine and it's "never-ending". I need to get motivated and finish it...maybe tomorrow will be the day!!

We have 3 squirrels that "hang out" in our back yard. It must be a safe haven. The one large squirrel is pretty much a "loner". She loves sunflower seeds and usually spends the morning at the feeder...occassionally makes her way to the deck for the peanuts we throw out. The two smaller ones frolic in the trees...and if you listen closely, you can hear them "talk" to one another. Here's a prime example...

Enjoy your evening...see you soon!!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Baby...it's cold outside!!!


It's sooooooo cold out there and looks like it's going to stay this way for a few days. I'm ready for our January "thaw".

Take a look at this cartoon! My "dark humor" is showing...good to put a smile on your face!!!

What an awesome day!!! Karen and I went shopping...for almost 7 hours here in Elliot Lake!!! Now...if you've EVER been to EL --- you'll understand completely. For those of you who haven't been blessed with a visit here...Elliot Lake is a small town and doesn't offer much in the line of shopping. But...we managed to find some real deals here and there....and I even found a few Christmas gifts. Nothing like planning ahead, right??

Found an interesting bit of reading earlier this evening...makes sense. Take a look...worth the time!! I believe they were written by Robert Louis Stevenson.....

Make up your mind to be happy.
Learn to find pleasure in simple things.
Make the best of circumstances.
No one has everything and everyone has something of sorrow.
Don't take yourself too seriously.
Don't let criticism worry you.
You can't please everybody.
Don't let your neighbors set your standards; be yourself.
Do things you enjoy doing but stay out of debt.
Don't borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than actual ones.
Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish enmities and grudges.
Avoid people who make you unhappy.
Have many interests.
If you can't travel, read about places.
Don't hold post-mortems or spend time brooding over sorrows and mistakes.
Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.
Keep busy at something. A very busy person never has time to be unhappy.
With that...I bid you a "good evening"! I'm going to go sit and crochet for awhile.

I do hope your day was as much fun as mine!!! KEEP WARM!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

I'm Off The Wagon...


I was doing so well....keeping the promise I made to myself...NO MORE YARN AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR! I blew it!! I just bid on this awesome yarn on ebay! Nice stuff, don't you think? I just don't know what came over me...I'm out of control!!

I worked all week-end...and all in all, it wasn't too bad. I'm now off for 4 days. I have some major crocheting to deal with and want to go shopping with my buddy, Karen. ALWAYS a good time.

A major cold snap moving in...and I DO mean COLD!! Like -30 F. I hate winter. But...keep in mind, when it's that cold out, it doesn't snow.

I'll let you know how I make out on the auction...I just made room for those 2 skeins.

Enjoy!!! See you tomorrow!!






Friday, January 9, 2009

Humiliation....


Here's a picture of the Oggie Dog, putting up with my irritating sense of humor. He looks as though he's had enough! He's humiliated! If he only knew I was showing this around!!! This is his "kitty"....which appears to be as irritating as the 2-4 legged babies that "rule the roost"--Sunny and The Magnolia!!!

It was an "okay" day. Busy at the restaurant again this morning. Stayed an extra hour to help with the salad bar. Went to the post office and waited 20 minutes to take care of business...and then off to the market. Had a few things to pick up there. By the time I got home...it was time to fix dinner....

Not much time to crochet tonight. Hopefully, will get a few rows done before bed. I'm tired, so I won't be staying up too late. I REALLY need to get that afghan finished! The baby arrived a few days ago...and Jeannie is very impatient. I can't blame her--she is SOOOOOO organized.

Hope the day was good to you...talk to ya later!!!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Winter......BLAHHHHHHH!




Well, for those of you who know me...I'm definitely NOT a winter person. I like NOTHING about it. I could easily pass the time in Florida for 6 months out of the year. But...something came over me this evening. It's snowing, blowing and extrememly cold, and I wanted to go for a walk. So, John and I bundled up...put Oggie's coat on, and away we went....up the road. I was actually quite comfortable...except for my face. Nothing a scarf wouldn't have taken care of. It was quite beautiful out there!!!

I got called into work this morning. It was actually pretty steady and my customers were quite generous again today. One of the ladies told me she had prayed for a "white Christmas". My only come back was that she could quit praying now, or we'll have snow on the ground until NEXT Christmas. It was a good day...

My list of craft blogs is growing and I'm finding that I'm spending far too much time on this computer. Better "knock it off"...I'll never get any thing done!!! There are so many talented people in this world.

Want to see another great picture? We went for a drive over the week-end and came across these beautiful icicles that formed over the rock cliffs. Amazing!!!

Until tomorrow...have a groovy day...and STAY WARM!!!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

A Busy Day....


Didn't get the chance to sit down and write yesterday...but the thought was there!

Monday...well, it was a pretty good day and a busy one. Had an appointment at the bank to do some investing. I hate spending money on something I've been watching just "dwindle" away. But, now is the time to buy...when the prices are low.

John had his first guitar lesson as well. A big disappointment, as the lesson was with someone other than the instructor I had paid for. Think it's time to go down to the classroom and have a little talk with the proprietor!!

While John was having his lesson, I went up to Lil's Chop Shoppe. Lil cut my hair one day last week, and some how forgot to cut a few "chunks" here and there. Oh well...THAT problem was easily remedied....NO CHARGE...a good thing.

And last night...I got BRAVE, and I do mean BRAVE and tackled a good portion of my craft room. It looked like a cyclone hit it!! Managed to rearrange some of the closet...and it does look better, but clear bins would make it look neater. Oh well, hopefully, I'll get a good portion of that yarn used up before too long....and I will forget about the bins. And...believe it or not, I can actually see the floor! (I have far too much "stuff"!!!)

As soon as I'm finished with this baby afghan, I need to work on all of my special orders. The afghan is coming along nicely...and I do hope to have it completed by the week-end...if all goes well. I'm going to think POSITIVE.

Hey...take a look at this awesome picture John took Sunday morning. Isn't it a beauty?? Sunrise....it looks like someone painted the sky!!!

Until next time...BE SAFE OUT THERE!!!!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Sunny....The Cat


Here's a picture of the cat that rules the roost here at home. This is Sunny...The Cat from Hell. He's really a very good boy...but has his moments. He sure is a good looking boy, don't you think? Look at the green eyes!!! He's a monster...actually looks bigger than he really is, as his hair is extremely long and very soft. He didn't eat his dinner tonight. Worries me...as he has an occassional urinary problem. Unless...of course, he ate Magnolia's dinner.....an every day occurrence, if I don't stand guard!!!

After work, John and I went for a drive with the Oggie Dog. It certainly was a beautiful day. The sun was actually out...not a cloud in the sky. Managed to go for a short walk...but just too cold. The wind had a real "bite" to it. Looks like we're in for more snow...will it ever end?????

Went to Hillside Market for some of their broasted chicken earlier. It was good and fresh...so a real treat. No cooking tonight...and no dishes.

John went to the hockey game this evening. It's quiet without him. I'll work on the afghan after my bath.

In the meantime...keep warm. And keep that snow shovel handy. See ya later....


Thursday, January 1, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!



Happy New Year!!

Can you believe just how fast time passes by??? And your Ma-ma told you so, right??? (Always listen to your Ma-ma!!)

Well, it's a new year...new adventures...new dreams! I hope this year is all you want it to be!!! I'm not making any resolutions...after much thought...but I'm going to "pace" myself through the year...try to eliminate stress and enjoy my surroundings. I am a very lucky girl...with much to be "thankful" for. I just need to make the most of each and every day.

I worked a short shift this morning and it was quite busy. A nice change from the "norm". I got up alittle earlier than usual, and managed to crochet a few rows on the baby afghan I told you about yesterday. It's going to be very nice!!!

That's about the extent of my day...tonight I'm going to sit and relax. A stress free evening!!!

See you tomorrow....