Mini Vacation

Hello Everyone!  I decided to take a little mini vacation from the computer.  I spend so much time on one at work, I decided that I wouldn't get on over the past weekend. So if I haven't stopped by to catch up, I'm getting there.  It's amazing how much we rely on computers for information and entertainment.  I had over 99 Facebook requests and 172 emails - Yikes!

Do you like the new banner picture?  Those beautiful horses belong to my friend Renee (Hi!)  Since I was off work yesterday, I went to her farm to visit.  Renee and I've known each other since we were three years old....in other words, a really long time.  It truly is wonderful to spend time with her because we can talk about everything and we don't have to explain ourselves.  We just know.  I understand how her thought process works and God help her, she understand mine.  Not to mention, she's just fun to be around.  I always have the best time. This was a special trip though.  I went to see Renee's new babies....of the four legged assortment.  Get ready, because these pictures are just too cute, even if I do say so myself.  Trust me, it wasn't the photographer - it was the subject matter.

See what I mean?  Isn't she adorable? If I remember correctly, this little beauty is just over a month old.

She's quite the poser!  Her name is Khloe.

This sleeping beauty is Sienna.  She was 3 weeks premature & is only a few weeks old.

Here she is with both her mommies.

It was such a relaxing day and I must be honest when I say that I'm envious of the farm.  I really think I was meant to live on a farm. So if there's anyone out there that wants to invest in a farm, let me know because I need a backer - Ha Ha!  I told Car Guy that I wanted to be an alpaca farmer.  Then I saw how expensive alpacas are - Holy Cow!

Since I started this post with pictures of babies, I think I'll end it with pictures of babies.  Below are pictures of some kittens that a co-worker is taking care of.

Again, just adorable! I want to take them all home.  However, since I think Oreo and Smokey might get a little upset, so I won't.  

Well, I hope you've enjoyed a blog of cuteness! It's just a little something to make everyone smile in the middle of the week. Have a good one!

Just a peek...

Since it's the middle of the week, I thought I'd share a little yarn goodness. A peek if you will, of things to come....

Here's a bit of the  spiral...

 

A closer look...

With a little extra added...

Just to make it interesting.

Enjoy the eye candy...More to come soon. Spring has sprung and so have my allergies. I'll apologize now for all the sniffling. Hope you are all having a wonderful week!

LAX - That would be Lacrosse

Well, here it is...Monday again.  The weekend went by so quickly.  We had spring storms on Saturday that caused tornadoes in some areas and were actually all around us but never hit us - Yea!  And they were all during the day, so I was able to sleep through the night.

The one standing sideways between Number 25 and 24 is mine.

Our weekend started with Number One Son's Lacrosse game against one of his schools biggest rivals.  The game was tough and the boys played well but unfortunately, they weren't quite able to pull out a win.  I was a little disappointed.  The opposing team was actually the High School I graduated from.  I have to say that I was a bit embarrassed to admit that I went to school there.  Somewhere along the way they forgot to teach good sportsmanship.  These boys played the game in a "win at all costs" fashion and it was quite ugly.  And the spectators weren't much better and in some cases these were the adults!  I know that some of the behavior that was on display would have gotten players benched and spectators would have been asked to leave when I was in school.  It was a bit disheartening. I hate that this is example that has been set.  Is it any wonder that pro athletes think that they can get away with anything when this is what they've been taught.

Ahem...OK.  The soapbox has been put away.  Sorry about that.  I just got a little fired up. On to happier topics....

Projects are moving along quite well.  I just need to take some pictures.  The mystery swirly project is almost done.  One more round for the border and then blocking.  I have a pretty good feeling that I'm going to finish all my projects and then block them all at once.  Then I'll just have one huge TA-DA post. Oh! That would be so pretty.

Sorry for the short post, but lunch time is over and it's time to get back to work.  I hope everyone has a wonderful week and I hope to be back soon!

Too Much To Do....

So I have been a very slack blogger....I've been lurking on other people's blogs, but not posting anything on mine. I'm afraid I've just been very busy.  As I told a friend the other day (Hi Alice!) I have six (yes, that is 6) family members that have birthdays in May...and Mother's Day - I can NOT forget Mother's Day!  That means that my hooks are flying right now. I don't have a Ta Da post on the Fluffy Stars yet because I'm still weaving in ALL THOSE ENDS...Holy Cow!! I won't block it until those are done.

Here's a sneak peak at something I'm currently working on.  There are five of theses pretty swirly pieces. Do you recognize the yarn?  Yup, that is one of the yarns I used for the Stars.  It is such a lush yarn and the colors are brilliant.  I'm afraid my photography skills just don't do it justice.  I'll show you more once it starts looking a little more interesting.  I know, I'm such a tease : )

Speaking of teases....Here is the camera shy Smokey.  Please note that he is sound asleep on my lap, so he has no clue that I'm taking his picture.  It was Sunday morning when I took this, so I didn't even have to use a flash.  Look at that snugly little kitty....so sweet. I just want to hug him and squeeze him and rub his fur the wrong way and call him George.....I apologize, Looney Tunes briefly invaded. Click on the link and you will get to watch what I'm babbling on about.  Nothing like a little Daffy Duck to make your week better.

And on that note, it's time to get back to work. I hope everyone is having a wonderful week! Enjoy!

April's Show and Tell and Why I Hate My Weather Radio

It' so lovely to be getting back into the groove of routine.  I'm finding the older I get, the more I like it.  Does that make me boring??  Never mind, don't answer that.

The blog I'd like to recommend for April's Show and Tell (Pay it Forward) is Jackie at Dog-Daisy Chains.  Some of you may already be acquainted with her blog as she has over 600 followers, but I bet that's not a true representation and she has a lot of regular visitors.
 

Does this look familiar?  It's her banner. I absolutely LOVE her use of color and texture. There is an incredible flow to what she produces and her embroidery is exquisite. There is so much to love....If you'd like to look at some of her artwork - cause that's what it is, you can find her on Flicker and she also has an Etsy store.  Please take a moment to be awed. I definitely was.

Legal Jargon - Disclaimer - the picture above is a copy of the banner of Jackie's Blog.  It is solely her artwork, her photography and her property.  I am not claiming them as mine in any way, shape or form cause I ain't no thief.  Also, Jackie doesn't know me from Adam's house cat so this is not a paid endorsement.  Does that take care of all the legal stuff? Thank you for your time!

Have you ever seen one of these before? It's a weather radio. Now, for those of who don't live the Southern Area of the United States, you may not be aware of the crazy weather we get in the spring.  According to the weather men, there are lots of changes in the temperature and atmospheric pressure.  All I know is that it gets REALLY dark and Mother Nature decides to put on this amazing show of lights, sounds, water, and sometimes wind.  This is not normally a big deal, but sometimes it can get a little hairy.

Picture if you will, a fairly normal Monday evening.  Everyone is tired, as they usually are after a long day.  And since this wasn't a particularly good Monday (not terrible, just not good) everyone is looking forward to the comfort of their beds and a good night's sleep.  All is quiet and well with the world.  It starts raining, then there is some lightening and a little wind. Just as that lovely deep sleep is getting ready to take over the body and releave it of the day's stress - WOOWAAA!  The piercing sound of a siren breaks through the rhythm of the rain. Trying to turn off the alarm clock doesn't make it stop.  It only gets louder and then this strange male voice that is vaguely familiar, but not one normally heard in the bedroom, finally penetrates the fog of the sleeping brain....."This is a warning from the National Weather Service....Severe Thunderstorms and Tornado Watches have been issued for the following  areas.....Seek shelter in a basement or other safe structure.  If you are in a mobile home seek immediate shelter....." Holy Toledo! It's the weather radio letting us know that all hell is about to break loose.  It's amazing that I didn't pee in my bed last night.  The weather radio is a wonderful device and I do recommend them as they have been known to help save lives.  But I'm just wondering how many heart attacks and soiled bed linens they've caused as well.   We slept in the basement for a little bit and then went back to bed.  Just as I was falling back to sleep....WOOOWAA!  Argh! Not again?!?! It finally stopped.  I'm not sure what time.  I just know that when my alarm clock (battery operated, thank you) went off this morning, I was not ready to get up.  Then we had to get ready with no power.  Has anyone ever tried to put makeup on in the semi darkness of dawn?  Not the easiest thing to do. It looks a little wonky.  Fortunately, I wasn't the only one with a wonky face and tired eyes at work today.  I hope to get better sleep tonight....please.

After work, I get to spend time with my "yarn friends."  I'm really looking forward to seeing these lovely ladies and learning more about them and the craft we all love. I hope everyone has a wonderful day and gets to do something fun with yarn  :)

Observation from a Road Trip - A List

Car Guy's family adventure was a road trip to Georgia to pick up some parts for the 914. This trip made me realize a few things:

1. I HATE traffic in big cities. We live in a medium size city. It's really nice. Not too big, not too small. We went to Atlanta and the traffic was insane and stressful.

2. I can only handle so much time in a crowded mall. There are way too many teenagers in the mall and they are loud and rude. I repeatedly told my boys that I had better NEVER see them act like that, or else.

3. A glass of wine and a meal that I didn't have to fix after traveling 500 miles is superb and people watching can be more entertaining than television.

4. Women past a certain age should not wear their hair in pigtails that look like they are sprouting out of their ears. They also shouldn't drink an excessive amount of beer in a short amount of time and start making out in a restaurant bar...just saying.

5. Young men should make sure that the belt they are wearing secures their pant ABOVE their rear end so that I don't have to see what kind of boxers they are wearing. I don't want to see that...especially at dinner.

6. Traveling makes my boys & Car Guy irritable, which makes #3 REALLY special.

7. Hotel beds sleep really well after a long day.

8. Road trips make coming home more special than # 3 and the bed more comfortable than any hotel bed could ever bed.

Oh it's good to be home.

One Row Left!!!

Yea!  It's Friday!  I don't know about the rest of you, but this has been a long week. And dreary!  Ugh!  We've needed the rain, but I'm over it!

Before I get to my fuzzy stars, I want to say "Happy Birthday" to a few of my blog friends.  Teresa, Sandi and Alice are, or have turned, a year old.  This made me look back to see how long I've been blogging and I found out that I've been throwing my "random thoughts" out into the blogosphere for a year as well.  My first post was March 31, 2010.  I can't believe how fast the year has gone by.  So thank you everyone for sharing it with me.   I am honored and blessed to have spent the last year getting to know you all. You have enriched my life immensely.

How do you like that cake?  It's actually a picture of the cake that was made for my 40th birthday - He He!  Notice the black decorations?  I doctored the photo to make the candle a 1 (one). Makes me think I need to find better things to do with my time!

Now on to fuzzy stars! Just a few photos to show the progress....

Three rows done!  Yea! One more row to go and then I'll have to weave in all those ends. UGH! This is going to be a tedious task. There will be sixty stars in total with two ends to weave in per star.  I sort of worked the starting end into the center ring while I was going along, so they won't take as long. I hope.

Here is a close up of one of the colorways.  As I mentioned previously, this is a gift for someone and I know that this will be her favorite colorway. I thought about doing it in this one only, but decided to add the other colorway so that the wrap/scarf will go with EVERYTHING in her wardrobe.

This is my favorite as I have a tendency towards warmer colors.  All in all, I think it's turning out quite lovely.  I'm getting to the point where I'm wanting to be done.  Do you know what I mean?  When you get so close to the end, but you're just not quite there and start getting impatient?  That's where I am with this project.  So close, but not quite there. I think I will be able to finish it this week-end except possibly for the blocking.  Car Guy has a family adventure planned, so this will give me time in the car to work on it.

Because of various things going on this weekend, I'll have April's (already ?!?)  Pay It Forward the first of next week.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week-end and gets to enjoy beautiful weather.  North Carolina will be sunny, windy and cool (around 60 degrees F).  Not quite spring, but getting closer! Soon, Car Guy and I will be going around topless......um, the car that is...not us...no way...not EVEN going there....Cheers!