Right Back At It..........

I've been home for a week now. As of yesterday, everything is put away; suitcases are emptied; 3 boxes arrived from NY on Tuesday. Loaded with extras from said suitcases that I didn't want to carry with me, as well as lots and lots of treasures from my parents' house. Mostly items that I made for her and my dad over the years or that we gave them as gifts. Yes, I am reclaiming them.

Finally got all the Christmas decorations down and put away and cleaned the house thoroughly.

Ah, order. I'm an order freak. I like everything in order. I can't function in mess and chaos.

There's also been a lot of cooking going on. Need to fatten up BH as he seems to have lost some weight while I was gone. He really can't afford to lose weight. Normal weight is 155#. He's down to 145#!!

I started spinning yesterday. Pulled out the 7 oz. of black alpaca; spinning singles with black/white glass beads, size E. It'll be plied with black Shetland; I'm thinking maybe a 3-ply. I have about 3# of said Shetland.

I am not a fan of alpaca. For some reason I'm having a difficult time drafting to keep it thin. Twist keeps entering the drafting zone. Aaarrggghh. Could I really be that out of touch, not spinning for over 3 weeks? Nah. I will persevere. It will all come back to me. It'll turn out just fine.

I still have the dreaded shawl on the needles. Almost finished. I'm trying to decide if I should knit another inch or so, or keep what's left of the yarn to do some kind of edging. Picot, I'm thinking. Have to get back to the knitting.

I also started a pair of socks while sitting in the back seat of my brother's car, driving to NY. Started the heel gusset and discovered a mistake in the heel flap. I really don't want to rip it back. And I'm really not too crazy about this yarn for socks. I think the color would be better suited to a hat and scarf or maybe fingerless mitts. So that will be on the agenda, hopefully to be started soon.

A pot of ham and bean soup will be started shortly; supper tonight. Tomorrow I'm thinking turkey pot pie. I love making pot pie. I love eating pot pie. Homemade pot pie.

Well, time is slipping away. Better get started if I'm going to accomplish anything today.

You all have a great day!

(clicking heels...) There's No Place Like Home........

3 weeks and I'm finally home. Had to go back to NY for mom's funeral. Stayed with #1 son and family; spent most of the time cleaning out ma's house and organizing all possessions for distribution later in the year, and tossing out all that is useless - garbage.

I did manage to connect with my 2 dear friends; spent a day with each. And spent some time with my brother who is hoping to buy our family home, as well as my other siblings.

The flight home was uneventful, although the butterflies never left my stomach the whole trip. #2 son picked me up at the airport and we went back to his house. #3 son came over and we all had dinner together (at 11:00pm) and talked up a storm! Drove halfway on Saturday to meet BH to take me home. He was sooo happy to see me. The poor man, batching it for 3 weeks!

I know what you're thinking, but no........ the house was clean, the laundry was done. He even changed the bed linens and washed them! Only thing to do was grocery shopping, which we did Sunday.

Funny how our house looks so small! Everything looks miniature compared to the families homes in NY. My small, compact home! Nothing is better!

So I started yesterday undecorating the house -- from Christmas. Yep, Christmas. Didn't have enough time to do this before I left. We got up at 3:30 am due to the fact that is was -25 degrees, the wood stove had stopped blowing the heated air and found that the water pipes were frozen. But 15 minutes later with the aid of the hair dryer and we had running water. So BH got into his recliner and fell asleep. I couldn't. So ---- went through the mountains of mail, sorted out the bills, put some traveling paraphenalia away, made out the grocery list and started undecorating.

Couldn't go over to the old house and get the storage containers -- too cold. So that is on the agenda for today. I can finish the undoing and put things away.

Then tomorrow and Wednesday I will deep clean throughout. It's amazing how much dirty dust accumulates in 3 weeks. Yuck. Yes, BH kept the house cleaned up, but dusting is not on the list of to-do's. Besides, you know how women see things that never occur to men.

And then ---- I so have to get back to spinning and knitting. My fingers are itching to get at it, my mind is buzzing with all that can be done. I can't wait. But first things first. I need an absolutely clean and dust-free home before I can settle down and get to the real important things!

Truly the End of 2010.......

My mom passed away yesterday afternoon, New Year's Eve day. The last day of the year. May the coming year fill our hearts with love, memories and peace.

She is with my dad now, which is where she has wanted to be all these months. Selfishly, we wanted her to stay with us! But she got her way, finally, as mom always did.

Well, give Pop a big kiss and hug for all of us. We love you both and miss you so much. Thank you for our big family and all your love and guidance through the years. It will certainly put our hearts at peace for all our years to come.

Remember, you two wanted this ever since you've been separated. So----no arguing with each other up there!!!

A Very Happy New Year........

Today marks the end of another year. As John Lennon said: "another year over; and a new one just begun"........

This has been a year of trials and tribulations; of heartache and frustration; of sadness and joy; of hope and love.

We all resolve to go into the New Year making changes. To do better, to plan better, to accomplish more, to be more loving, more patient, more compassionate.

The powers that be will, of course, try to throw a monkey wrench into the whole thing. But we need to stay above board, to keep our wits about us, to keep foraging onward.

What are your plans and expectations for the year? Mine is to have a more peaceful life. To not let people or situations get to me, put me in a funk, upset the goals I have in mind for myself and BH.

BH's constant saying to me is: "what's done is done. If you can't change it, you do the best you can at this moment and move on". He's so right. We spend most of our days, our emotional health, our heart, thinking we can always make it right. Many times we cannot. It is not within our power. People and situations will be what they will be. The question to ask is: "What is best I can do at this moment?"
Let's all pray for:

a better economic state. That those unemployed will find fullfilling employment.

that people will not lose their homes.

that no one will go hungry.

that children everywhere will once again be looked upon as a gift from God; to be nurtured, cared for, protected and loved as He intended. They are our future. They are a product of ourselves. May we all open our eyes and see ourselves in them.

that families who are estranged will find the will to come together. To put all ill feelings and hurt behind them and reconnect the bonds. No one can make it through this life alone. We're all going to come to the same final end.

that those we love who are on a path of destruction will see the light; will heed the advice of those who truly care and will make a concerted effort to change their lives around, to value themselves, to really know that someone loves them.

May we all face the New Year with peace, love and a commitment to be the person we were designed to be. To be our brother's keeper. To love those who are the hardest to show love to. To give a hand-up to those in need. To love and care for our family members as if they weren't going to be here forever ---- because they aren't. What do the petty arguments, hurt feelings, estrangement get us? A life of loneliness, bitterness, should-have's, could-have's, would-have's.

Make right what you can make right; release what you cannot from your mind and heart; always look forward to a new day, a new opporturnity, a better plan, a new you.

We wish everyone a brighter, happier, more peaceful, more fulfilling New Year! Remember, we are not in this alone. As the inspirational writer, Wayne Dyer, wrote: "If we truly, truly knew who was walking with us, we would fear nothing!" (paraphrased).

Peace to you all. God bless.

Good Morning!!.......

Well how ya doing today? Me? Great!! I've been up since 4:15am ---- that's right --- a.m. Why? Because I can!! This is the first day I have all to myself. No work. No cleaning. No shopping. No baking; no cooking. OMG! I'm giddy with self-indulgence!!

BH and I got up at that time - he to put wood in the stove and me -- because it's morning. Put the coffee on. BH went back to bed. "What're you going to do?" he asks. Silly man. "Oh, maybe I'll pull out my knitting".

Well I did. The shawl I had to put away some weeks ago to do the necessary Christmassy things. So, I knitted 2 rows. And decided to check the internet. No mail. FB is boring, no news. Went to the blogs. Decided to check out some new ones, added a bunch more to "favorites". I really need more blogs to follow. Deleted a bunch that haven't been active for many months or even a year.

Had to get up and put more wood in the stove. Geezz, it's getting cold in here. Don't want BH getting up just yet. And put on a fresh pot of coffee. Hey, it's been over 3 hours. The pot's almost empty.

Can't wait to get back to spinning. I would've uncovered the wheel and got out the tub of roving, but I need to put together a plan of action! Don't like to go at these things willy nilly. I'm sure by tonight, all will be organized.

Oh, and I found a few free knitting patterns on the web. Printed those out, to be added to my 3-ring binder.

Holy crap, it's been a busy morning! It's only 7:30. Well, I think I'll go find that tub of roving -- so many choices, so much to choose from. This may be more difficult that I thought. Just close my eyes and grab one. Do some more knitting while watching GMA. And then --- who knows ---- the day is mine, all mine!!

(Note to self: DO NOT ANSWER THE PHONE).

Have a happy one!!

It's December 26th!!!

Ahh. My favorite day!! How was your Christmas? Ours was very, very nice. Kind of peaceful. Son and grandson came over and of course, daughter was here. Dinner was great. The ham that son got for us was fantastic! We had a wonderful buffet.

We exchanged gifts; had a conference call with family back in NY. It was as if we were all there, like Christmases past. Everyone talking at once, lots of noise in the background, all of us yelling "Merry Christmas" back and forth over phones, and at the end my sister told us all she had a Christmas message from our dad.

That brought down the house. It was a poem. I think it was "Merry Christmas from Heaven". There wasn't a dry eye from us all across the country. She broke down and couldn't finish the last stanza; our dear friend had to finish it for her. Our first Christmas without our dad.

Merry Christmas, Pop. We miss you so.

So, you know how I said Dec. 26 was the favorite day, a day for collapsing, relaxing. Scratch that.

Of course our two boys in the Burbs didn't make it up here. And for numerous reasons, won't be coming up next weekend or the weekend after. So......when one called, I told him we're thinking of meeting him halfway today after we take daughter home, to give them their gifts. ok. That's arranged.

Then younger son calls at 5:15pm to say he wouldn't be coming up. No kidding? Really? Hmmm. Well we'll give your gifts to Ryan and you can pick them up from his place. "Oh. I was going to come up tomorrow", says he. "ehhh, we won't be home. We're taking Julie home and then going to the other end of the state to meet up with Ryan", says I. "Oh. well I can come up anyway and pick the things up", says he.

See, he has a huge box that was delivered here a few weeks ago - some kind of car parts he ordered. I know he wants that box! And maybe the gifts.

This really pisses me off. This is the second time he has not bothered to come up for Christmas; the second time I have created a very, very special gift just for him. It happens to be an essay he wrote when he was young about my dad. My dad kept it all these years; I don't think son believed me when I told me some time ago that grandpa still had that essay. I matted and framed it with a picture of him and grandpa together.

So now I'm thinking, I will leave his stuff here. If he doesn't get them until summer, so be it. C'est le vive.

Anyway, it is Dec. 26. Time to put all the hoopla behind. Time to relax, enjoy, reflect and pray that all will resolve over the coming year.

I do, however, miss the fact that on Dec. 26, the radio stations stop playing Christmas songs. This is wrong. Oh, they play "winter" and "snow" songs. But if the commercial powers that be can start decorating their businesses and advertising Christmas sales in October, you can't play Christmas songs at least til New Year's??! Seriously. We can't extend the feelings of good will, peace and love for another week?? Wrong. Very wrong. Thank God, we have our Christmas CD's. We can play them as long as we want. So there, powers-that-be! Stick that in your microphone!

OMG. I've really got to start relaxing. I'm getting all worked up here. Not good. Ahh, the spinning wheel. That's the ticket. Time to uncover my friend, bring out that tub of roving and..........relax. Peace at last!!

5....4....3....2....1.....It's Over!!

It happens that quick!! Christmas will soon be over. I, for one, think Dec. 26 is the very best day of the Holiday season. I lovvve the day after! One can actually collapse into a state of peace and tranquility (my experience, anywho).

I've been up since 5:45am. Not so amazing except that I couldn't fall asleep until 3:00am. This is going to be a rough day. I'm gonna need a nap. But for now -- the potatoes are boiled for the salad, the beans are simmering away (it's been years since I've made real baked beans. yikes.), the eggs for said salad are boiled, the laundry is folded and all the cookies have been moved into smaller containers. Their numbers have drastically decreased since out-of-state packages were put together and mailed out.

So for today, there's a little dusting and vacuuming to do, clean up the bathroom (you always have to clean up the bathroom!) and putz around doing the last minute odds and ends. I'm thinking of steak for dinner tonight; maybe a late supper. Steak, baked potato, salad and maybe --- shrimp cocktail!! That's how I feel now. At 4:00pm it'll probably change to grilled cheese sandwiches and potato chips!!

Then tomorrow ---- ahh, yes, tomorrow. Snacks, drinks, buffet supper, open gifts, maybe a board game in the evening; say good night, drive safe, thank you for everything, love you ---- and it's OVER!!

We don't do anything for New Year's. If someone comes up, then we go through the snack/supper/games routine and have a great time. If BH and I are by ourselves, it's usually a nice supper, a movie, some snacks ---- and we're in bed before midnight!! Exciting, huh? Definitely old age? Nooo. Just a lover of extreme peace and quiet, just the 2 of us.

Ok. I stepped away for a minute. BH is sitting in the kitchen.

ME: "Say, would you bring over the big styrofoam cooler. I want to put some of the cookie containers in it to get as much as I can off the freezer, so I don't have to keep moving things when I have to get in there".

BH: "Yeah. Or I could bring over one of the other coolers."

ME: "We don't have any other coolers. I lent the one to Corey at Thanksgiving to take some food home".

BH: "Oh. Yeah. I'll bring it over. You mean the one with the double lid?" (he's referring to the cooler son has)

ME: "Yes".

BH: "Ok."

Why does he DO this?? Every time. The other night is was: "Hey, you didn't give me all my vitamins. The fish oil is missing."

BH: "How many did you take?"

ME: "I don't know. I take the bigs ones last. I DON'T have fish oil!"

BH: "Are you sure you didn't take it? How many did I give you?"

ME: " I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YOU GAVE ME. I TAKE THE BIG ONES LAST AND IT'S NOT HERE!!"

Holy shit! He questions everything I say or ask; or worse --- he gives me other suggestions. You know, like "why don't you do it this way..." or "but if you did this......" AAARRGGHH!! JUST DO WHAT I ASK! PLEASE DON'T GIVE ME ANY INPUT OR ASK WHY!!

Believe me, you don't want to be filling my brain with jumbled questions and statements when I have all I can do to keep my mental list of things to be done at the forefront!! NOT AT CHRISTMAS, BUCKO!!

I think I need that nap right now.

Ahh, Dec. 26.