Summary of the Year

Oh my, it is the end of the year, almost, and it has been a very long time since I have posted. Alas, I fear I got sucked in by Facebook.

At first, you think you will only be socializing with your online friends but own now. You get sucked into playing the games. Ah yes, the games. It started out simply with FarmTown which "farm", you start out plowing your field and planting a few crops then selling them. Next you move on to expanding your acerage and purchasing buildings. You ask your friends to become your neighbors. You send them gifts and they send them in return. Then you populate your farm with the animals you buy and receive as gifts. It snowballs from there. When you sell your crops it allows you to by other things form your farm. The kicker is you can purchase more farm coins with real coins (this I do not do). And on and on.... Of course there is a time when your crops are ready to harvest and if they are not harvested they spoil which is not good. It makes you look like a failure as a farmer and when you neighbors come to visit you farm it looks bad.

As you can see it can get very complicated and time consuming and this is only one game. Before you know it you are farming in a couple of other farm type games, running an amusement, living in Yoville and maintaining several houses. There are do many that keeping up with them is like having a second job.

I have pared down the games I participate in and am coming back to the lighter side. I am knitting more and reading more. I think I am recovering very well.

This year has been eventful. I am still working at not for the government. I past a year in September. I think this is almost the longest I have been on a contract in years. Hopefully, this one will last till I retire. Would be nice. I have made many new friends and lost a few. This is the way of lift.

I have reconnected, via Facebook, with may of the people I went to high school with. I got a message one day from someone who said he thought I had gone to school with him and that there was a group for me to join. We started getting together and now have a pretty large group. It has been fun getting to know them again. There are now plans for our 40year reunion and I am really looking forward to it. I went to the 20 year but had not gone to any of the others.

The interesting thing I have learned from seeing these friends again is that so many of the things that seemed so important back in the school days really were not that important after all. It does matter any more who is popular and who is not. Too bad we did not know it then.

It is this time of year I take stock of the past months. All in all it has been a pretty good year. I am healthy and have friends who care about me. I have money in my pocket, gas in the car, and food in the frige. When it all comes down to the bottom line those are the essentials. That is about all I can ask for. The rest is gravy.

I am knitting many things ranging from a hat, for myself, socks for my mom (she really liked the ones she got for Christmas), and oh yes, a Clapotis for my wonderful friend Nancy.

I have been to Portland to visit my sister and her family. This time we went to the shore and small towns along the cost. Must go back in the Summer when we can go in the water. It is so beautiful there. Of course, we had to stop by the Tillamook cheese factory and have ice cream. It was great. It is so much fun being with my niece and nephew at the age they are now, 7 and 15 (almost). Looking forward to someday moving out there to be closer to them.

My family did Christmas early this year. It is so much cheaper for my sister's family to come before Christmas and then they can be in their own home for Christmas day. I also enjoy being in my own home Christmas day. It is a log less pressure.

Am looking forward to a great new year. I am going to do my best to start it off well. I hope you do too.

The Time Coming Update

Hi, my name is Carol and I am an Facebook addict. I have been spending a lot of time exploring and playing games. Farmtown is a big time sucker and I feel that I now have control. I am getting away from it more and actuall doing other things.

On the other side of FB I have connectec with a lot of people from the past and family I do not get to see often. This has eally been neat. Among those are people I went to high school with. We have a FB group now and have located close to 100 alumni. We have had a couple of happy hour get togethers that have been great fun. It is interesting how all of the things you think are so important in high school like who was popular, clicks, etc have absoultely no importance as adults. It is so nice to talk with people you never would have back then. How things change?

I have been knitting once again on my hemlock ring. I started it last year and did not have the patience for it. I am 3/4 finished and hope to have it done soon.

Things are busy at work trying to keep up with stuff around the house. With all the rain and heat this year it has been hard. The fact that I am getting older and slower doesn't help either.

This is all I have time for right now but promise do better with updates. I will have picture also next time.

Looks Can Be Decieving

If you have not yet view the performance on youTube or elsewhere of Susan Boyle on Britian's Got Talent here is your chance to be blown away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-KiGva9dV4&feature=related

I cannot tell you now many times I have view this and enjoyed it each time.  I am heartened to know that this very plan unassuming woman who at first impression appeared to bore Simon Cowell before she had a chance to open her mouth.  I totally enjoy the reaction when she sings the first notes.

This just proves that beauty comes from within and judging by looks is very short sighted.  This video has been viewed globally over 15 million times.  I am so honored to be one of the number.  Whether whe wins the completition or not she has already one the admiration of millions.  I say good on her.

I had a wonderful Easter weekend.  My friends Nancy and Don came in for the weekend.  I also had the pleasure of having their new puppy Milly visiting Gracie.  

I was so proud of my Gracie kitty.  She did not kill her but was very interested in her and would have liked to get a really close look at her if she had been still long enough.  I was encouraged that she accepted her being in her house so easily.  She did not kill her on sight which is really good.  She only growled and hissed at her a couple of times.

Now I feel good about getting a puppy this summer.  I am starting to look for Sheltie puppies.  I am hoping to connect with the breeder I got my Holly from years ago.

I have not been knitting a lot the past couple of weeks.  I still have a little bit to redo to finish the summer shell.  Maybe I will do that tomorrow night rather than play on Facebook all night.  I am going to have to back off for a while it is getting to addictive.  

I am hoping that the spring weather is finally going to come and stay for a little while.  I am getting very tired of the rain and cooler temps.

What a Difference a Day Makes

Yesterday was totally a winter day.  After the ice chunks came the snow.

Today we have sun and melting snow.

We lucked out and did not get the full load that was predicted.  It was good that we did not get the 8-10 inches forecasted.  I think we ended up with 3 or so.  With the sun out and temps going back up this week it will be gone in a day or so.  This should be the last blast of the season but there is supposed to be another storm coming through this week.  I think this one could be bad unless it breaks up before it gets to us.

OK, now on with Spring.  Once the snow is gone I think I am definitely going to have to mow the new grass.  This moisture is really going to make it grow this week.

You asked for it... You got it

We have been under a winter weather advisory since early yesterday.  Rain, ice and snow were expected last night but somehow we caught a hole in the storm system and just back getting the icy rain late this morning.  How it is raining small ice chunks.  This can't be good.

I am trying to be more domestic today.  I made a pot of chili last night. Yes, I did actually make it from scratch.  Here my contribution for today, since I am not able to get out for knitting and coffee today much to my dissappointment.  Maybe tomorrow.  It could happen.

These are very bit cupcakes.  Not sure why I felt compelled to bake them but it just seemed like the thing to do on a sleety Saturday. Anyway, the house smells really good now so I guess that was the purpose.

I am also doing some Spring cleaning.  It is time to get started going through and changing out clothes for the season and just generally getting things into shape.  I have two ways to arrange the furniture in the living room.  One for winter so I can get to the fireplace and Spring putting the sofa in front of the fireplace.  I had planned on make the change today but guess not.  Maybe next weekend.

I have decided I need to organize my time at home better so I have time for facebook, knitting, that pesky house stuff (the grass is going to need mowing after all this moisture), and socializing.  That is my goal for the Spring.

I almost have the Summer Shell completed but will wait until I have it put together to share it.  It is turning out very nicely so I think I will like it a lot.

Now I am going to sit for a minute and enjoy one of those cupcakes with some nice raspberry tea.  Stay safe everyone in KC area.

Lovely Saturday Morning

I am so glad it is Saturday. It is the day I look forward to all week. While I like what I do most of the time at work, Saturday is just so much better.

I used to get up early Saturday morning and storm through the house and get the cleaning and laundry done right away so I can get on with the rest of the day. Well, that does not happen any more so I am working on that today. I know it sounds like I am always cleaning but most the intent is there. I need to put that plan in to action which doesn't happen if I am sitting at the computer playing games or doing facebook. My goal is to get better organized with my time.

Since I was getting bored with what I have been knitting I have started something new for summer. I am doing the Summer time Shell from Creative Knitting. I really like the way it is working up. The back is nearly to the arm holes. I have purchased the yarn for another sweater but did not like the pattern. Maybe I will do it some other time. So

Lovely Saturday Morning

I am so glad it is Saturday. It is the day I look forward to all week. While I like what I do most of the time at work, Saturday is just so much better.

I used to get up early Saturday morning and storm through the house and get the cleaning and laundry done right away so I can get on with the rest of the day. Well, that does not happen any more so I am working on that today. I know it sounds like I am always cleaning but most the intent is there. I need to put that plan in to action which doesn't happen if I am sitting at the computer playing games or doing facebook. My goal is to get better organized with my time.

Since I was getting bored with what I have been knitting I have started something new for summer. I am doing the Summer time Shell from Creative Knitting. I really like the way it is working up. The back is nearly to the arm holes. I have purchased the yarn for another sweater but did not like the pattern. Maybe I will do it some other time. So

Lovely Saturday Morning

I am so glad it is Saturday. It is the day I look forward to all week. While I like what I do most of the time at work, Saturday is just so much better.

I used to get up early Saturday morning and storm through the house and get the cleaning and laundry done right away so I can get on with the rest of the day. Well, that does not happen any more so I am working on that today. I know it sounds like I am always cleaning but most the intent is there. I need to put that plan in to action which doesn't happen if I am sitting at the computer playing games or doing facebook. My goal is to get better organized with my time.

Since I was getting bored with what I have been knitting I have started something new for summer. I am doing the Summer time Shell from Creative Knitting. I really like the way it is working up. The back is nearly to the arm holes. I have purchased the yarn for another sweater but did not like the pattern. Maybe I will do it some other time. So

Lovely Saturday Morning

I am so glad it is Saturday. It is the day I look forward to all week. While I like what I do most of the time at work, Saturday is just so much better.

I used to get up early Saturday morning and storm through the house and get the cleaning and laundry done right away so I can get on with the rest of the day. Well, that does not happen any more so I am working on that today. I know it sounds like I am always cleaning but most the intent is there. I need to put that plan in to action which doesn't happen if I am sitting at the computer playing games or doing facebook. My goal is to get better organized with my time.

Since I was getting bored with what I have been knitting I have started something new for summer. I am doing the Summer time Shell from Creative Knitting. I really like the way it is working up. The back is nearly to the arm holes. I have purchased the yarn for another sweater but did not like the pattern. Maybe I will do it some other time. So

I know...it has been a long time

Well alot has been going on in my little world. My current aggervation is my UverseTV is not working. I am waiting for some guy in India to call me back after an hour of waiting for my DVR to recycle (yeah right!@#$$). It spent yesterday downloading updates them puked when it the it through a failed client error. Fast forward, I think the evening will end with a scheduled tech visit (I would bet a buck on that). OK, I am through venting on that topic.

UPDATE I just got my call back and guess what...A tech is coming to fix the DVR tomorrow and not the slave receive is not working either. Hummm...May be time to go back to DirecTV.

Back to my little world. This is the first day in 2 weeks that I have felt 100%. To fastforward, I had the flu X3 starting a week ago Sunday, ending with spending the day Saturday in bed all day sleeping for about 12 hours total. Boy am I glad that is over. I would not wish this on anyone not matter how much I hated them. I have not had anything like that in years so I guess I was due. As luck would have it, this is the first year in about fifteen that I did not get a flu shot. I in no way feel that is the reason I got it now but I find it interesting.

Now on to the good stuff. I have been just piddling with knitting lately. Not sure what new exciting thing I want to start. I am doing an Irish Hiking scarf out of wonderful purple Touch Me. It is really going to be pretty, so stay tuned. I am also working on the Hudini socks but not sure I like them yet.

Here is the Kitty Pi I did for Gracie. She was not sure about it at first but she loves it now.

On a sad note...this weekend starts Daylight Savings Time. I think I am the only one bothered by the change. I feel like I am late for everything the whole time and I am so excited and relieved when it is over. I think my inner clock just cannot reset itself. I am night person and the world is not very sympathetic to us as a rule. I normally go to bed about midnight and awake about 5:30 or 6:00 to get ready for work. I try to go earlier but if I do I end up waking earlier. This means that during DLST I end up going to bed at 1:00 but I still need to get up at the new 5:30 or 6:00 with is actually 4:30 or 5:00 my time. So as a result, I get even less sleep. Yes, it is possible to function on that about of sleep. I do it all of the time. I would not recommend it to everyone but it works for me. As you can imagine, this does not make my doctor happy as everytime I go she suggests that I really need to get more sleep. Not sure what the answer is other than getting a night job which are not very plentiful.

I am just glad that I have a job now. It is ironic that I am working a government contract because I have said many times I would not. This one may turn out to by my saving grace. Go figure.

Retreat

This past weekend was the annual Studio retreat at the Elms Hotel in Excelsior Springs, Mo. I think fun was had by all. This year there were 60 knitters in attendence. Attendee from my knitting group included Laura, Kay, Chelle and her mother Carolyn.

The weekend began with some knitting by the fire in the lobby and a soup/salad buffet. It was a good way to start the weekend. As it was a little chilly out I start mine off with an Irish coffee and went from there.

Saturday morning began with a nice breakfast followed by a lot of leisurely knitting. Classes were offered but I did not select any thing time. There was really nothing I that struck my fancy. This is not a reflection on the class offering. I am not much for taking classes unless there is a particular technique I want to learn.

After much knitting and getting a UFO finished and ready to felt. I started this back pack some time ago and just needed to finish the straps. The strap was a divided and done in a double icord. I was not sure I liked it at the time but now I must admit I like the affect.

I can hardly wait to felt it. It was meant to be a baby gift but I am thinking it will end up being another type of give. Not sure for who yet. I guess it will be a surprise.

After dinner Saturday night there was a fashion who. Kay shared her beautiful Angelina sweater. It was remarkable in that it was done with fine yarn with small needles. Quite an accomplishment.

Each attendee receive a door prize. Mine was the book Andean Inspired KNITS written by Helen Hamann. It is a beautiful book. I love many things in it and hope to knit something from it soon.

Every year The Studio bring wonderful things for the yarn market. This year included Dome Hill yarn. This year is dyed by none other than our very own Kay http://trivimp.blogspot.com/. The Studio is now carrying a supply of the Dome Hill sock yarn and you can also purchase through Kay's Etsy store. Check it out.

Among the knitters we met Friday night, I believe her name was Michelle, who made this very lovely dragon scarf. It was very striking. I think this is one I would like to do.

Not sure when the last time was that I had such a good time. Will look forward to doing it again next year. Hope you get a chance to go.