Happy New Year Everyone!

May the New Year bring all that my dear friends and readers wish for and a few happy surprises.

I wish every good thing for my Spencer - he'll be graduating from High School, turning 18 and going off to college to begin his own life.  All around a HUGE year.  Choose well my son.  Is your turn to do all that now.  I've done my part, now it's your turn.  Go get 'em!

Excuse me while I go cry...

OK...

For my Mom and Sis I wish a happy, healthy New Year and a bottomless box of Kleenex as we all watch our Spencer go forth to conquer the world.  And he will, cos that's the kind of guy he is...

Oh crap, here come more tears....

My Honey and I get the same wish: health, happiness and to be united with the one we love.  Anyone know a good immigration lawyer who gives free consultations?

Going going gone...

Many things going in the Chaos.

The old year is going (obviously).

Things no longer needed are (eventually) going.

The Chaos is also (eventually) going. Somewhere else.  Hopefully sooner rather than later.

I will be going.  Maybe.  Haven't decided yet. I always chicken out.  Going where you ask?

Not where, what.  I am once again contemplating NOT coloring my hair.  Just going au naturale. 

Grey. 

I think I'd be a 50/50 salt 'n pepper.  I'm not quite sure because I keep coloring my hair. :)

Anyway, now would be a really good time to do it.

I'm feeling the need for a coiffure change.

Whether going grey will be that change, I don't know yet.

One thing I do know for sure is that I really need a haircut.

Maybe a salt 'n pepper new cut?

Dare I do both?

Me and my big mouth...

This is what happens when you are stupid enough to not start on time, then rush, and then have the balls to brag that things are going along GREAT JUST GREAT!

And then you publish it on the internet.

You mess up the pattern and don't notice until 3 rows later.

THREE LONG ROWS OF 130+ stitches.

And it wasn't a simple enough thing for me that I could just let a stitch go, go down a bit and fix the mistake.  I don't do well with that process to begin with...  If I did that, it would just be better to frog and start over because it would all be a big fat yarny mess.

So just spent almost the entire knitting time since I bragged about how well things were going, tinking*.

Rinkety tinkety tink. 
The yarn ball fell in the sink. 
The knitter went skating, instead of just waiting,
and busted her butt in the rink.

(Makes no sense whatever, I know. It just popped into my head.)

So... Sorry Sis, you'll have to wait a few extra days for your knitterly item.  There's an envelope coming to Mom's house by Saturday.  Enjoy your gift card in the interim.

*Definition of Tink:
Tink is the term used by knitters to mean unknitting or knitting backward. Tink is actually knit spelled backward.

When you notice a mistake in your knitting either in the row you are currently working on or the row you just finished working, the easiest way to fix it is to tink back to the problem stitch and start over.

It is not recommended that you tink over several rows because it takes a long time and is very nerve-wracking.

Also Known As: Unknitting, backward knitting

Secret knitting continues...

...I am pushing the limits here, but still knitting my little fingers off.  If I was using metal needles, I think sparks would be flying.

Not really, but the projects have been going along a lot quicker than usual.  I'm sure it has NOTHING to do with the short deadline I'm up against.

Not at all.

One project is blocking another is halfway done on the needles.  The rest are not due before Xmas, so I'm in pretty good shape so far.

I'd be in better shape if I would have started earlier, but well, I'm knitting now, that's all that matters.

Spence and I spent yesterday with family friends who came into town with their son to spend the day "in the big city" shopping and seeing the sites. 

Spence and I went earlier so I could shop for a coat. Happy to say I found one and now I won't be freezing my butt off at the bus stop in every long sleeved shirt and fleece I have with a down vest zipped over it.


One of the downsizes of losing weight is all your nice warm winter coats and jackets are too big. Don't get me wrong, clothes being too big is a good thing, but not in winter.

Anyway, we met with friends after lunch and spent more time trying to keep track of each other in the crowds than actually LOOKING at anything.


Oh, and I don't care what language you speak, I'm sure they ALL include the words EXCUSE ME or PARDON ME or THANK YOU.  We may not all speak what words you speak, but most of us can recognize good manners.

And to the guy trying to sell his "art" for money instead of begging...it was a good idea until you started yelling out random insults.  Kinda ruined the whole vibe you had going on.

Just sayin'.

We gave up on the insanity after 2 hours (not even 2 actually) and got in the car for the long journey out of downtown.  It took us longer to get from Union Square to the Bay Bridge than it did to get from the Bay Bridge to Back 40 Texas BBQ.

Where we all enjoyed the company of friends over a yummy meal.

After we waited 40 min to be seated.

Winter WonderSuck...

More like Winter WTF?!?

Not much to say here except that there has been a whole bunch of SUCK going on...as in lots of little sucky things have happened to add up to one giant HOOVER.  And from what I've been reading in other blogs, I'm not the only ones who has had a Hoover sort of week.  WTF?!?

Whatever.

It is over now - so far as I know.

I'll take it.

I won't take the daily afternoon hot flashes though.  Mother nature can have those back.

Happiness in the fog of What.Ever.

Happiness is having a dedicated Knitting Chair.  Mine is now known affectionately by the name Chair.

As in My Chair, do not sit in My Chair.

Capitalized because it is a such wonderful revered place - if only by me, but who cares.

This is the first time in all my knitting years (that's about 42 total btw - yes, i started VERY YOUNG), that I've had a dedicated knitting chair.

It's the first time, since I became a single parent that I've had a VERY NICE chair.  All my other furniture has been fine: second hand/ consignment furniture that has more than done it's duty and served it's purpose.  It's worn out, I'm worn out and I only had the bare necessities because that's all I could afford.  An extra comfy chair would have been considered a luxury.

And right now, I need some luxury.  Still can't afford it, but I have an Angel.

Chair is not brand new, but it sure does look like it.  Thanks to a very generous friend who manages to give me some wonderful cast-offs whenever she moves.  I've had it for over a year, but have had to share it with a teenage son and an old Kitty and then some very soft donation items.

Now that Kitty has been gone for a while (sadness) and the son is getting ready for college (more sadness...especially since the acceptance letters have started to arrive), and I've packed up the donation clothes, I have now reclaimed it as MINE.

I NEED the Chair.  It helps me relax during what little down time I have. Definitely should have reclaimed it earlier, but I guess I wasn't ready to acknowledge I needed it.  Or some sort of hooey whatsit.  I now officially acknowledge the need.

It's the right amount of coziness.

And Chair soon could be joined by a storage cube/ottoman.  Generous friend informed me last night that she has a few to hand off after their last move (they are redecorating in the new place) and would I be interested.

HELL TO THE YES.

A place to put my weary tooties that also holds yarny goodies?

Oh yes indeedy, I am very interested.

Last night was the first night I actually sat in Chair and knit for more than a few minutes.

Knitterly heaven in a sea of boxes.

As soon as all the boxes go away, I'll post a photo of my special place in the Chaos.  There are still too many of them in the background.

What.Ever.

So tomorrow is the "annual inspecting of the apartments".

What have I done for the last few days or nights when I've had free time?

Knit.

Road my bike with Spencer.

Played a stupid computer game.

Some would say I'm not ready for inspection (like me, for instance).

I don't really care.  The place is clean and I'll shift the clutter around into the stacks where it should go and will end up anyway.  It's mostly in boxes right now, so it'll be easier than it sounds.

A few signs saying "Donate" and "Back to storage" on each of the respective stacks and I'm done.

Although the "Back to storage" is really "still need to go through" as I do not intend to put anything back into storage.

But the inspectors don't need to know that right now.

That's how we roll in The Chaos

OK, so my friend Antonella gave me these awesome covertible fleece gloves last Christmas in a most fetching green.  Fingerless gloves with the tops off, put the tops on and you've got warm mittens.  They even have zippers on the top to hold money, an ID, your bus pass, or a key or two.

I wore them every day when I got them until the weather changed and I didn't need them anymore.  They were set aside and that was that til the next winter.

Well the next winter is here.  The temps dropped last week and there I was going through all my winter accessories and lo and behold, NO GREEN GLOVES.

I look night after night. Sound familiar? Yeah, I was also looking for my knitting needles.

So The Chaos was torn apart, put back together and torn apart again.

The needles were found, but not the gloves...until last night.

Also found with them were a few other items (from top to bottom as they were pulled out of where they were):

• two organic face towels that have been earmarked for a special project
• a large freezer ziplock bag (empty)
• Ms Cow's knitted sleeping bag (I was wondering where that was too)
• the gloves
• a small ziplock bag containing the leftover yarn from Ms Cow knitted sleeping bag and two sets of dpn's (which I noticed were missing from the ones I found the other day)
• a small silk pouch with my best set of zils
• my favorite veil (used mostly in dance class)

Quite an eclectic collection of items, wouldn't you say?

Oh, and Donna, where DID you happen to FIND all these items?

Ummm...wellll....

They were in a small tote bag sitting innocently next to a shelving unit in my bedroom.  I ummm never bothered to look in it because I thought the whole thing was full of the face towels that were the top layer.

I just so happened to accidentally knock it over as I moved the shelving cabinet to see if my gloves had fallen down behind it.

When BAZINGA all those diverse little goodies spilled onto the floor.

Of all the things I manage to lose in my apartment, I really do miss my sanity the most.

...and she still tries...

OK, so how's the secret knitting going?

Ummmmm....

Ummmmm....

It was going along quite well.  Until.

Until the temperature dropped down into the 30's at night and my hands got so stiff and achy that not even knitting could help.  I have tried to knit in fingerless gloves, but that's not working with dpn's.

Neither is sitting on the train bundled up in every outer garment I possess and trying to knit.  I only have 20 minutes on the train, so disrobing in order to knit is not an option. By the time I do that, pull out the latest secret knitting project and get started, it's time to pack up, get dressed and run off.

Besides, everyone else on the train is bundled up in every single outer garment they possess, so there is not much elbow room.  The other day, I actually had to lean out in the aisle and knit.  That did not go well, as I was on a cabling row.

I don't want to talk about it.

And now we are having a City Inspector come out and do their yearly apartment inspection next Monday.

While I appreciate that my little town takes care of its renters, I don't appreciate them waiting until the Holidays when my apartment is a disaster while I downsize, shift things around and have boxes of Xmas decorations everywhere to come and do an inspection.

I'm supposed to be Knitting Secret Things, not cleaning up.

Jeez.

...and the secret knitting begins...

...but not after two whole nights spent tearing The Chaos apart to locate my stash of knitting needles.  I had even went so far as to hit Michael's during lunch yesterday to buy the needles I needed - knowing full well that a minimum of TWO SETS of the damn things were at home.

Somewhere.

Luckily for my wallet and my sanity, Michael's didn't have ANYTHING I needed.

And I found ALL my needles last night.

PHEW!!!!

So now this sweater languishes once again in the bottom of my project bag sitting next to the couch, buried under the new projects ready and waiting to go once the one on my needles is done.

Every night this week that wasn't spent searching desperately for needles was spent going through a shitload of knitting patterns, my boxes of yarn, and my gift list and seeing who gets what and in what yarn, and wondering CAN I POSSIBLY KNIT IT ALL BEFORE XMAS?!?

You know, typical knitter crap.  You KNOW you are or already HAVE gone through all this, don't deny it my knitting friends.

For the non-knitters, welcome to the insanity that is Xmas gift knitting.

Usually it starts earlier for me, in October or so, but I haven't picked up the needles on anything since Mom's birthday Damask shawl in June.  After the shawl, the weather got really HOT and I lost my mojo.  And it has stayed too warm-ish to knit until the last few weeks.

It came SCREAMING back Sunday night-along with high winds and colder temps.  Just in time to (hopefully) knock out a few small gift projects.  Now that I have all my damn needles, I think I'll be OK.

Here's an important tip...organizing all your knitting stuff into one general area only works if you ACTUALLY PUT IT ALL IN THE SAME DAMN SPOT.

So now after I finish off this post, I'm going to go back to watching Bocelli live from Central Park on PBS and pick up the needles and continue on with the first project on my list.

The only thing missing from this whole setup tonight is my faithful knitting companion Kitty.  I do so miss her company on these solo nights at home. :(

Remember the Knitting

OK, so here I sit typing up a blog about knitting when I should be fast asleep.

Whatever.

Some things have not changed in The Chaos.  It hasn't moved and I haven't done much with sorting through things lately.

Some things have changed in The Chaos.  The Queen of The Chaos (that would be me) is shrinking.  Just a little.  If Her Majesty could get off her Royal Bum, she might be shrinking faster.  But that's a whole new blog post.

The point is, this sweater has been languishing in my project bag for a long time.  A very long time.  I'm making it with the most scrumptous yarn (in the 07 Autumn colorway) I have ever gotten my Royal Paws into...bought in England.  Yum.  And Purrrrrrrrrr.  And if I had an entire room of it, I would sleep on it.

Yes, it's THAT yummy.

Anyway, I had a feeling all along that Juliet would end up being too big, but that did not deter me one bit in continuing to knit it.

Why?

Well, honestly, because I have no concept of gauge and how to manipulate that S.O.B. to get it to work in my favor.  Also, well I am a short, potato shaped knitter with a warped sense of what should fit.  It's not that I'm a size 20 trying to fit into a size 2.  It's just that I cannot for the life of me accurately judge what size I am.  Seriously.  Measuring does not help.  I just cannot correlate measurements with making garments that fit me.

That sounds much better than "because I'm a total nutter", doesn't it?

This gauge imparement is why I make socks and scarves and hats.  Simple stuff for my simple brain - until I can get a handle on this whole gauge thing.  Honestly (again), if I could handle free-form knitting that ended up as something usable, I'd do that.  No pattern, no gauge, no rules - just KNITTING at it's purest.

Right.

Anyway, back on topic.  Now that I'm not so much the large Idaho I used to be, but, still potato shaped none-the-less, I realize that my Juliet will need to be frogged and restarted.

Which does not bother me in the least, because if you have been reading me since the beginning, you know that deconstructing is one of my favorite knitting activities.

Because then I can knit it all up over and probably over again.

There goes that whole "not admitting to being a nutter" theory.

The Chaos is still where it was...

...and the prospects for moving it aren't too good right now.

That's ok though, something will come up and when it does, we'll be ready.

This Friday, I'm taking a half day, borrowing a friend's car and taking a bunch of boxes to the Thrift store.

When I'm done there, I will be taking some Household Hazardous Waste to the local drop-off station.

So far, Spencer's room is 95% ready to move.  He's cleared out a huge mound of give-aways (which is what is going on Friday to make room for more sorting and piling of give-aways from my room).  Included in that mound, are some kitchen items and a few items from the "general stack of boxes from the storage unit".

I'll also be making a run to a local office supply store to take a box full of papers for shredding.  A lot of the boxes from my room are filled with old papers.  99% of which I do not need anymore (that's how old they are).

I dread going thru the hall closet.  It's filled with tools and hardware.  I'm sure I'll dump the hardware and will want to keep the tools.  A woman and her power tools are not soon parted.

As much as I'm giving away, I've thrown away a lot too, and have recycled as much as I could.

And I still have quite a few boxes to go through too.  If there is anything I know what to do, it's fill up boxes with stuff and store them in any nook and cranny that will fit them.

I've gotten out of that habit though and am making quite a few sacrifices to the "moving reality gods".

I am greatly reducing the size of my stashes.  Just for the record, I did indeed type that with an 's'.  There are stashes for sewing, embroidery, knit/crochet, jewelry and general crafting.  I have applied the "culling the closet principal" of organization.  If I haven't used the supply in question for anything within the last year and there is no immediate intended use, out it goes.

In other words, I'm winging it.  If I still like the supply and can picture myself making an item that is worth gifting, keeping, or selling, then I keep it.

A lot of things I have had so long that I just can't even imagine wanting something made from it for myself, let alone giving something I made from it to someone else.

Time to set it free out in the world so that someone else can be inspired by it like I once was back in the day.

One good thing about Thrift Stores/Charity Shops is that items like these that are still usable and in excellent shape but have fallen out of my favor will definitely find a home somewhere...and for about 1/20th the price I paid for it.

I'm OK with that. Totally.

Would you like a pint of blood, my right arm, AND my firstborn?

Oh the wonderful world of looking for a new place to call "The Chaos".

And I thought it was difficult getting a new car or buying a house.

Has anyone else ever been asked for 3 years worth of tax returns for a rental?

Or do I just look like such a crook that they need that sort of proof that I'm actually gainfully employed...  Usually a call to the HR department of your current position takes care of that...at least it USED to...

What absolutely KILLS me is that I know people who have had bankruptcies, evictions, unemployment, etc and have not had near this much trouble finding nice places in nice 'hoods.

I've never had any of that but the unemployment (who hasn't been unemployed) and I've got almost 13 YEARS (yes I said years - in the same place) of solid rental history.

Good grief.

Next open house is tomorrow after work.  I think I'm going to GRILL THE HECK out of any potential future landlords.  If you're going to ask me for all this, I have the right to know stuff about you too.

Jeez.

Dear Occupy San Francisco Protestors

I am all for folks exercising their right to free speech and expressing their frustration with the system.  BUT. It's probably not a good idea to yell at and insult the people who could possibly be sympathetic to your cause.  And...now that you've done just that, well, you can just shove it.  You stay over on your side of the street and I'll be on my side.  Don't talk to me and I won't talk to you.

Just because someone hasn't been camping out on the street with you and doesn't look homeless like most of you do, doesn't mean they are the "1%".

Why am I ranting?

Spencer is on his way to my place now.  He rode his bike from his Dad's place to the Embarcadero BART Station.  The Occupy folks are hanging out close by there.  For some reason, they fixated on him and started yelling that "you are the 1% you need to be brought down!"

REALLY?!?!?!?

A kid on his bike riding down the street.

"YOU NEED TO BE BROUGHT DOWN"

REALLY?!?

I think those folks have been breathing in the vehicle fumes (and whatever they have been smoking) there on the side of the street for WAY TOO LONG.  Go home, clean up and take a break.

First protestor who touches one hair on the head of me or mine draws back a bloody stump.

Really.

Didn't Get it...

...'nuf said.

We're getting close...

OK, so I went to see one of the places yesterday and the other place open house was not tonight, it's on Saturday. I totally read that posting all wrong.

Anyway...

I absolutely LOVED the place I saw yesterday.  It's a small building with only 25 units.  It seems like a cozy place with friendly people. The manager seems like a really nice lady.

The building was the oldest of the ones I'd seen so far, but good heavens, it has been well taken care of...and there is a pool.  It was clean and so was the surrounding pool area.

I swear, you could eat off the floor of the laundry room in the basement, that's how clean it was in there.  There was a nice sized folding table too.  It was spotless.

The unit itself was awesome.  It's really old with mostly the original fixtures or very old ones, but it was all clean, and they all work and there are lots of cabinets and natural light and a fireplace!  And the bedrooms even had ceiling fixtures.  Have NEVER seen that in an apartment. EVER.

The kitchen has lots of cabinets and the closets are decent.  You can never have enough storage in a California apartment.

I'll have to do without a balcony, a second bathroom, an automatic dishwasher and air conditioning - but I think I'll survive.  If they accept my application/offer, I'll be moving rather quickly, so I'll have the Winter to get used to the climate there. 

And yes, it's quite different than the climate here.  I think the Bay Area has about 9 or more micro climates.

Among the many postives, it gets a bit chilly there, so there will be much knitting and wearing of the knitting.

Fingers crossed everyone!

More to see here...

...going off to two more open houses this week.  In the same area as that very first place I looked at, actually.  The buildings do seem to be kept up better on that side of town than the other, so I'm hoping for something at least at the same level of where I am living now.  Old, but still functioning.  And NO MOLD.

Anyway, the pictures of the interiors look good, and I've checked the Google Satellite and all that, so things are looking pretty good that these will be ok.

Only problem with that is, everyone else and their 5 uncles will be there with the same sort of ideas that I've been having.

Wonder if I'll run into anyone that was at that first showing.  The two buildings are actually on the SAME BLOCK as that other one.

Let the games begin.  Sigh.

Reigning in the Chaos...a little at a time...

This past week has been a doozy, but I sit here today typing, so I obviously survived the dooziness.

A lot of things have changed lately, from where I sit, for the better.  Here are a few tidbits:

1. I was starting a new online shop.  I've cancelled it for now.
2. I was whole-hog on the looking-for-a-new-place.  I've slowed down.
3. I had signed up to do a local craft fair (at my complex, this weekend actually). I cancelled.
4. I felt like crap all the time.  I've changed my eating habits and I'm moving again (as in easing back into something that can be called exercising). 
5. I was trying to remember too much with a memory that isn't as good as it used to be.  I've emptied the extras out onto paper and left other things forgotten. If they were important, I'll find out soon enough.  Then I'll add them to my calendar or my notes.

All of them important changes that add up to me being able to sleep again.  Not stressing over where I should be and what I should be doing or when things should be done or how many things still need doing.

Life is complicated enough, I really don't need to make it more so.

There were many things (both big and small) that signalled me that I really needed to change my ways.

The two most obvious things:

1. My body was screaming for mercy.
2. I sat down in front of some very pretty sparkly jewelry supplies, had a zillion ideas in my head about what to do with all those pretty sparkly things and could do nothing but look at the pretty sparkly things and think "ooh, pretty sparkly things, aren't they pretty and sparkly?".

When my body talks so loudly (or in this case just about whacks me over the head with a baseball bat) and my creativity STOPS, I know there is something wrong.  Not only has something been wrong for a long time, but I've been ignoring it.  Bad Donna. Bad.

This time, I sat back and looked at ALL aspects of what was going on, not just the one that was complaining the most.  I unloaded the unnecessary things, rearranged the necessary things, and added some new very necessary things.

I am by no means done, but I have a very good start.

Now if I could just get back all those lost hours of sleep, I'd be golden. :)

Note: I know I am moving in the right direction.  I was able to sleep last night even after having 2 earthquakes yesterday that scared the living daylights out of me.

Well...it's been a few weeks, hasn't it?

And still the Chaos is in the same place.  There has been no forward movement on moving.  I'm pretty much stuck in a loop.

Search ads online...call poster to set up appointment...go look at disappointing apartments.

Good grief, you think I have looked at hundreds, don't you?

There have been only 3 so far.  Three.  It seems like I have already looked at hundreds.  I think it's just because I check the adds about 10 times a day.

Once something gets posted you have to jump on the phone, so whenever I get a chance, I am checking to see if anything new has shown up.

I'll be honest here and say I did actually see an awesome place.  That very first one I went to see after work.  I did not get it.  Disappointed to the max, but there are lots of people out there looking for the same things I am and at the same price points (lowest possible of course) that I am.  it's tough out there.

The last two were awful.  I'm am not a picky person by any means.  And for me to say they were awful...well they just were.  The last two apartment buildings were "born" in the 60's - just like me.  I think I'm holding up a lot better than they are, and that's really not a compliment.  Not at all.

Cracked and peeling formica on the counters, peeled and warped under sink areas (can you say water damage?), one washer/dryer for a floor of 13 apartments.  Really?  Those poor overworked machines looked older than I did.  A pool that hadn't been cleaned in MONTHS, probably longer.  An exterior that probably hadn't been painted in 20 years.  Carpet older than the hills, cabinets that didn't close, moldy caulk in the showers.  And these places were "ready for immediate occupancy".  The musty/mildew/moldy smell was unbearable in the last one I saw today.

It's really a shame too as these places have such potential.  Too bad the owners won't put out the money to do a few necesary repairs and upgrades.  The managers mean well and can only do so much.  I just can't see myself living in a place like this and don't really know how others do it.

The worst part?  Large closets, fireplace, ROOMY living areas, kitchen with a ton of cabinets and EXTRA CLOSETS.  O.M.G. The storage possibilities in all these places were amazing.

I'm just very very bummed that they won't work for me. :(

So...when I publish this post, I will check the ads again and see if anyone did any late night posting.

This is going to take some time...sigh.

On a happier note: Things going out from the Chaos.  LOTS of things.  The Chaos is shrinking.  Now if I could only get my waistline to shrink as easily and quickly as the Chaos!

A New Beginning for the Chaos

Along with everything else going on round here, The Chaos might be moving.

Donna and Spencer of The Chaos are tired of commuting. We're tired of the heat.

Things are being donated, recycled, and thrown out.  Just in case.

The Chaos Nest is down-sizing.  Whether it moves or not.  Spencer is applying for colleges and financial aid.

I'm in denial.

I go tomorrow to my first open house.  I'm putting together my folder with anything and everything I think I might need.  Can't forget my checkbook either.

I'm excited, scared, and all sorts of other emotions I can't even identify.

It's just too much right now, but it has to be done.

Life goes on.

I was going to say if you don't hear from me for a few weeks it means I'm busy moving, but, well, um...that's usually the status quo here.

I'll keep you posted. Promise.

In the meantime, light those candles, send the mojo, say your prayers, or rattle your beads... I really like the place I'm going to see tomorrow after work.

Wish me luck.

It's been awhile...

...I've been busy.

Seems like I am always too busy to write here, but not much actually seems to be getting done.

Really hate that feeling.  Really hate when you can't visually SEE any progress.

But I know I've been doing stuff.

Please tell me it is NOT all in my mind.

That would totally suck...and mean I've really got a lot more to do than I originally thought.

I need some Advil and a nap.

MOMMMMM...my email is being mean!

You, my dearest email, have turned into a demon.  You constantly taunt me with your "SALE!" , "WHAT A DEAL!", "AND LAST CHANCE CLEARANCE!" subject lines.  Stop delivering the "Biggest Sale of the Season", and "FREE SHIPPING" emails.  Didn't you hear me tell you I am trying to save money?!?!?

Away with you online only Yarn sales, biggest Bead sale ever, and "you bought from us before, here's a BIG coupon so you can come back and buy MORE STUFF" emails.

I'm trying to save money.

I really am.  My target is something very special, so I've been trying REALLY hard to save as much as I can.

It's not really working though.  Not because I've been on a spending spree.  I will admit to having spent a lot of money last month, but it was all birthday money and gift cards.  The BEST money to spend.  THANKS to all who contributed to my shopping deliquency.  I totally enjoyed it.  That has finally dried up, so no more shopping.  Now if I could get my life to cooperate and quit costing me so much damn money, I'd have LOTS saved up in no time flat...sigh.

It's REALLY annoying to get all these emails ALL DAY LONG taunting me with all the things I WANT but do not NEED.  I do not want the torture. DO NOT WANT!

I've spent the last month or so removing myself from email lists.  As the emails come in, I "click here to unsubscribe".

Amazingly enough, they are still coming.  If I know that I haven't signed up for anything from a particular company, the emails are marked as "junk" and get filtered out.  I have apparently signed up for a shitload of crap over the last zillion years I've had an email though - and it's taking a long time to get it sorted out.

At least I don't get a whole bunch of catalogs in the snail mail anymore.

That reminds me, I do keep getting a few catalogs in the mail.  Need to get myself off those mailing lists too.  As much as I love diverting myself by looking at pretty yarn and shiny beads every so often, I really don't need the temptation.

It's not like I don't know where to go if I ever need anything. :)

Because The Fish Slapping Dance is not enough...(NSFW*)



*Not Safe For Work :o)

It never gets old...

Missed it again...

As of August 6th, 2011, I've been writing (IF you can call it that) for 5 years.

Missed my own blogiversary. Oh well.  These days, I'm lucky to remember to be fully clothed when I walk out the door in the morning.  I would have said comb my hair, but it doesn't ever look like I do, even when I actually do it, so, well. Whatever.

FIVE YEARS of blabbing how I'm going to get organized, do all sorts of knitting/sewing/jewelry/whatever projects, and lots and lots of blahbity blah blah blah.

I was going along fine on that whole organizing thingy until I got laid off and had to empty out my storage unit.  About 50% of the contents are still in my living room.

I basically gave up.

Well.  Enough about that.

Here's to another year of writing - mainly about nothing - because let's face it (yeah Donna, I'm talking to YOU- which is myself - oh gah, I'm talking to myself now - on the blog) there hasn't been any significant amount of sorting/cleaning going on lately - for a LONG time. 

How I do love to blabbity blab and brain spew...

Stick around readers.  The closer I get to 50, the more I blather. This should be quite entertaining.  I just turned 48 so things are really getting into gear on that front.

In the meantime, I've got a new bra and it seems to be very comfortable.

That, my dear readers, is good because a comfy bra is VERY hard to find when about a third of your body is boobs.

Carry on.

Whutcha doin'?

Playing Wheel of Fortune on my new netbook and drinking imported English Tea (hand carried over by my Honey) in my "cable knit" mug (the infamous Starbuck's knitting mug).

When I make tea, it just makes me wish Honey was here even more. Not only do I miss him, but he makes THE. BEST. TEA.

Well duh Donna, considering where he's from, of COURSE he can make tea.

Just for the record, he makes the best coffee too.

It's always just the right amout of sugar and milk.

Yum.

Check out the laptop cover.  Cables. Yarn.  That, my dear readers is a KNITTED cover.  With CABLES.  Next to the CABLE KNIT mug which holds my not-so-perfectly made tea.

And no, I can't take credit for making the knitted cover.  If it was left to me, my poor netbook would still be nekkid.

I was a "bad" knitter and bought it. :o)

I've gotten over it though, because it's the COOLEST. COVER. EVER.

It's been over a month...

...since my last post.

So, what have I been up to?

Basically a whole lotta nuttin'.

My to-do list grows daily, hourly even, as more ideas pop into my already crowded brain.

And I really shouldn't act on any of those until I get a few things in my life cleaned up and straightened out.

Mainly my apartment and the reality that my son is a senior now and pretty well grown and getting ready to leave the nest.

I have to get my apt in order so I can move. I need a change of pace and somewhere not so hot, dry, dusty and pollen laiden. Good luck finding something convenient for me at a price I can afford, right? ack.

I have to come to terms with the whole "empty nesting" reality.

Bottom line, I don't feel (mentally) like I'm old enough to be going through the empty nest bit...although sometimes I look and feel (physically) way more than old enough. Gah.

Where did the years go?!?

So what have I been doing?

Watching netflix and playing Wheel of Fortune on my new netbook.

Yeah, lots getting done here at Casa de Chaos. (she wrote sarcastically)

I feel like I'm living a comedy bit from the 70's. Can't remember who it was but I thought it was totally hilarious way back then...

Teacher: So what did you do on your summer vacation?
Student: I got up, I got dressed, I went to the corner and hung out with my friends, I came home, I ate dinner, I went to bed.

Teacher: What did you do the second day of your summer vacation?
Student: I got up, I got dressed, I went to the corner and hung out with my friends, I came home, I ate dinner, I went to bed.


Etc etc etc...

Now, it's not so funny.

I am so stuck in a deep rut.

I'd say "Calgon take me away", but that would only may my rut muddy, and then it would be even more difficult to get up and out of it.

(I know, pretty lame attempt at humor.)
Time to reset, recharge, re-whatever my reality.

Lost Work of Art

Spencer drew this for me back when the blog first started. Back in the summer of 2006.

This was during his Manga drawing phase.

It somehow got put into his closet and was "lost".

Found tonight while we were cleaning out said closet.

I. Love. It.

Could have caused so much trouble...

...with the title I wanted to use.

It had to do with the fact that I'm on my own a lot lately - Lonely.

It's at least a zillion degrees outside - Hot.

I don't see my son a whole heck of a lot lately - Mama.

I'm needing something to drink - Seeks.

Preferably something tall and cold - Tall One.

Which could have gotten me a lot of hits.  It still might.

Anyway.

I made this**:

A big pitcher of cucumber, lemon, and mint water. Although there is no mint in it at the moment since the grocery store didn't have any mint. Mmmmm...hits the spot.

Spencer drank half of it when he came home before he took a shower and went back out again.

I've become a pit stop/diner.

Thank God I don't have a washer/dryer, I don't want to be the laundry-mat too.

Besides, his Dad would never see him if he didn't go there and do laundry every so often.

There has been a lot of knitting going on during the Chaos Commute.  Not much happening at home lately.

Too. Damn. Hot. To. Knit.


**Recipe:
1 cucumber, sliced
2 lemons, sliced
5-10 fresh mint leaves


Add all to glass pitcher, add water, let it set for a few hours in the fridge.  After a day, you can take out the slices and leaves if you still have some water left.  It's very refreshing on a hot day.  Ours usually doesn't last that long, cos it's just so darn refreshing.


If you have a camelback water system, drain the water thru a sieve to get rid of slices, leaves and seeds before you put the water in it.  Tastes so good when you're out running or riding.

We Visits da Mooseum Part V - Running Aways

As we came out of da Tower elebator room, we were hit wit lowd skreems.

MC: Dat's not me, I swears!

D: Good heavens. What the hell is going on?!?

MC: Langwij!!!!

D: Oh, sorry. (more screeches and howls, etc) But seriously, what the hell is going on?

As far as we cuuld see dere were kids lineded up to come into da Moosuem. Dis Mooseum. Da one we were in. Dey weren't even insides and we cuuld heer dem screaming. Dey just kept coming off da long skinny yellow tings out in da street.

D: I think it's time we made our escape Ms Cow. It seems the whole of the San Francisco School District has decided to visit this particular museum. Today. Right now.

MC: I don't knoe whut dat means but pweese huwwy and get us out of here. My eers hurts.

We pretty much ran out of da bilding and round da corner.

Where we founded dis GIANT leafs! I wanted to rest in it. It lookded comferibul.

But it was not vewy comferibul cos it had wee spikey thingys all over. It itchyd my bum. :(

Heer is Mr Turtul. Say Hi to Mr Turtul. HI Mr Turtul! He was enjoying da sunshines.

There were pwetty floaty flowurs.  See dem? I pointses to dem.

And big twistee twee twunkses!

As we were cwossing da street to go waits for da MUNI, we herd a vewi LOWD skweeeels. I think 100 kidses skweeelded all at da same time.

Kids: SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE IT'S A TURTLE!!!! IT'S ALIVE!!! OMG !!!! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE LOOK AT THE TURTLE!!!!!!!

Mr Turtul's relaxing day in da sunshines came to a qwick end at dat time I wuud tink. Pore Mr Turtul. I shur hope he swamded away frum da skweeeeling kids!

Just den, da MUNI came and we roded back to downtown City. We were hungwe and needed some peeeses and kwiets. We got lost in da Westfield Mall lunch crowd in a quiet corner and ate a nice calm lunch before we heded to da trane to goes home.

On da way out, Donna baut a Beerded Pappa yummy thingy. We waited until later to enjoy dat one doe. When we were comfy and relaksing at home where it was kwiet, we nommed it!

It was vewi gooood! Yumi yumi! Den we took a naps cos it was a loooooooooong and tyring day. Wit some scawi bits.

D: It wasn't very scary.

MC: It was to me!!!! Espeshully when dat ladee appeered like majik to say yuu was in twubbls agen.

D: Oh hush.

 

Donna's notes:

As you can probably tell, we didn't really have the best of days out, but we were actually grateful to have had the chance to at least try.  I don't think we'll be heading out to any sort of museum any time soon - especially if we really want to relax and enjoy the day.  If the rules don't get to you, the million screaming kids will. I've come to the conclusion that there really isn't a good time to go to a museum .  During the week, there are the busloads of school kids.  On the weekend, there are all the people who couldn't go during the week.  During the summer, there are the families, the tourists, etc etc etc.

 

I am grateful about one rule tho, no using cell phones.  And just to add emphasis to that one, I'm pretty sure they have some sort of blocker in place - or maybe it's just what the building is made of - as I lost signal before I even entered the museum and didn't get it back until I was about a block away waiting for MUNI.

 

One important lesson I did learn.  Next time I want to see an exhibit, I'll buy the book.  Even better, I'll get the book from the library. I'd be able to settle in at home under a comfy blankie with a cup of tea, or in a big comfy chair at the coffee shop and just enjoy the pictures in the brightest light I could find.

 

I'll save time and my sanity...and buy some fancy-pants yarn instead.

We Visits da Mooseum Part IV - Roming rownd da Mooseum

After we came out of da resting room, Donna had decided it was time to goes and sees da rest of da Mooseum. We turnded off da head phony thingy and made our way quickly through da rest of da pretty dresses.

Off to da corner at da end of de dark rooms dere was a wee shop and a study hall for fashion peoples. We couldn't go in da study hall room and we were sad because dat would have made the whole trip and all da rules worth it just to see the bookses in dere!

Instead we went to da wee shop and looked at all da books about da dresses. There was lots of lights and we could see!

Donna bought me a posty card with my favorite Balenciaga fashun sketch.




And a book about fashun for us to shares.




We decided it was time for a break and we'd go find a nice spot to sit and relax. Donna wanted to knit on da secret project and I wanted to read da new book!


D: Hmmm....it seems the Museum is conserving energy. How can anyone see the art of it's NOT LIT?

MC: I read somewhere dat lyts can hert art.

D: Well, I can understand that, but good grief! I can't SEE anything.

MC: OOoh...I see lots of lyts. Over dere, walks over dere!

At dis time, we walked into a large room. It had GIANT pikchurs, and da room was lit by skylights in da most buutiful way.

D: OOoh, good call Ms Cow. Look at all the benches. Let's sit for a bit and just relax.

MC: Soundses really good to me.


All this peeses and calm lasted about 2 minutes. It ended as soon as I lookded at da portaits. Da faces were scawy wit BIG EYES dat followed you. We moved to diffewent benches 3 times!

We moved to da next gallery wit pottery. Bowlses and vases shuld be safes, ryt?

No benches.

MC: Ooooh, look at all dose chairses in da nekst room!

D: Those aren't for sitting.

MC: But dey are chairses. Dat's what yuu does with chairs. You sits in dem!

D: Not these, they are an exhibit.

MC: I'm confuused. Dis place doesn't make senses. Can we goes now?

D: I think we should. That puffy chair in the exhibit is looking quite inviting and I'm sure we'll be arrested if we go sit in it...

MC: Don't does dat. Yuu been bad enufs alreddy. sigh.

On the way out Donna handed over da head phony thingy and I noticed a syne by the door dat sed "Tower dat ways".

MC: Whuts a tower?

D: It's a very tall part of a building. Why do ask?

MC: Dat syne sez "Tower Dat Ways"

D: Do you want to see what a tower is?

MC: Yes. It sounds like dere is lots of lyts dere.

D: Indeed. Which way? Oh yes, off we go.

We rode in an elebator for a long time. When we got out we saw pretty tings...






And fars away tings...

When Donna tookded dis pikchur she sorta freekded out..

MC: Whuts rong nauw?

D: Crap. Do you see all those skinny yellow things in a row?

MC: Yes.

D: They are filled with children coming to see the musuems.

MC: Dis Mooseum?

D: Maybe this one, maybe the one across the road. Either way, it's a good time to leave the area.

MC: ok, I is hungwe agen and yuu ate all da waisins.

D: Did not.

MC: Did too.

D: OK. OK. Let's go before we get shushed.

At da base of da tower was a very cool hanging wire sculpchur thingy. Donna took a pikchur. And da flash wents off even doe she sed for it nots to go flashee flashees.

SC: No flash photography ma'am.

MC: SCREEEEAAAAAAMMMMMMM!!!! Dere was nowun dere 2 sekunds ago!

D: Ms Cow! My ear!!!!

MC: BUT BUT BUT

D: Yes, I know. Let's just leave. It's for the best.

MC: Sorry but she scareded me! Popded up out of noweres and scareded me! ACK!

Here's the illegal pikchur. At leest da scawy ladee didn't makes us deletes it...

We Visits da Mooseum Part III - Braking da rools

About half way throughs, Donna started coughing. She choked out something about perfume and reached into the backpack for her small bottle of water.

SC: Excuse me ma'am, you can't have beverages in the exhibit room.

D: Oh, sorry, didn't mean to choke to death in front of a Balenciaga masterpiece.

SC: You'll need to put that away now, how did you even get that in here?

D: I was searched when I came in, you tell me. It's one big section and when you look in the bag you can see it.

SC: You must have hidden it.

D: (opens the backpack and shoves it at the SC) Can you see it or not?

SC: Yes.

D: Then it's not hidden, is it?

SC: Just make sure you don't pull it out again.

D: Did you notice it's spill-proof?

At this moment, Donna spots a resting room and decides we needs to go in dere (spelly chekses I ignors yuu).

It was a very pretty resting room. It was also vewy, vewy green.



D: mumble mumble rules mumble can't see mumble mumble mumble... I'm hungry Ms Cow. Do you want to share some raisins?

MC: Yes! Dat sounds yumi. Hey!!!!!! You're gonna gets in twubble agen. I'm sure it's not in da ruuls dat you can eats waysins.

D: Well, we're in the bathroom. They can't come in here and try to keep me from eating raisins, taking pictures and drinking my water.

MC: But but but yuus brayking all da ruuls!

D: There are no rules like that for bathrooms. Not yet anyway. Raisins?

MC: Why yes, tank yuus vewi much! Nommity nom nom.

We Visits da Mooseum Part II - Donna gets in twubbls

(Just a quick note: there are 5 parts to this story.)

We showed our pass to the nice man at the entrance and went inside.

MC: Hay! Hoo turned off da lights?

D: That's the way it is...it's dark in here. I can barely see anything.

MC: Ask dem to turn da lights back on, I can't see.

D: gah. I don't have enough hands to hold my pack and work this audio thingy... (puts backpack on her back)

SC (security guard): Excuse me, I'm going to have to ask you to take off your pack while you are in the exhibit.

D: huh?!?!?! Oh, sorry, just need to get this audio thingy set up and I'll take it off.

SC: You need to remove it now ma'am.

D: Well, can you hold it while I get this stupid thing set up?

SC: No...(walks away mumbling)

D: Wonder what they'll do if I put my backpack down on the floor. Or better yet, this exhibit here, it's the perfect height.

(SC turns and gives D a dirty look.)

MC: Great, you gots us in twubbls. Why didn't you askses dem to turn on da lights?


At this point, we got the headphone thingy working and we walked through the exhibit - with Donna carrying her backpack. It took her a few minutes of looking at pretty dresses to finally stop grumbling about it.

It was really hard to see most of the dresses as it was quite dark in the rooms where they were... It was very dramatic and all, but since Donna doesn't see well in lowered light, she wasn't having a good time. There weren't many peoples in the exhibit yet, but we all managed to bump into each other quite frequently. I'm sure it had something to do with not being able to see each other very well.

We visits da Mooseum Part I - Getting dere.

I'm going to tells da storee abowt owr visit to da Mooseum, but Donna sez I has to uuz da spell chex. Pooh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last Thursday (May 19th - ok so I'm a bit behind, it's hard to type with hooves and Donna took forever to give me da pikchurs), Donna took the day off so we could go to the de Young Museum to see the exhibit about Balenciaga and his designs.

We woke up early to catch the 8am bus to BART and made our way all the way to Golden Gate Park. It took us over an hour to get there so we had to stop and visit a resting room, get a snack and then get on MUNI for the last part of the trip. I have decided I don't likes the MUNI.

We got there soon after the Museum opened and saw some cool things on the way round to the front entrance.






We got searched at the door. Actually, Donna got searched. I burrowed deeper into her backpack because I don't like being searched. MOOOOOOO no likey.

At this time, Donna started cussing under her breath.

MC: whats is wrong?

D: I can't carry my backpack on my back? That's where I'm supposed to carry my backpack. And it's heavy!

MC: Is u twying to say I'm fats?

D: No, I've got a water bottle, snacks, a book, a sketchpad, pencil case, the secret knitting project, a pashmina, and a petite flower of a delicate Cow in my backpack. It's. Just. Heavy.

MC: Wy kants yuu ware da bakpak?

D: Something about not wanting me to back into priceless art. Some idiot must have done that at some point so now the rest of us have to follow more rules. My back already aches, this isn't going to help.

MC: lets just go gets da tikets.

D: Good idea. Oh look how my backpack swings back and forth while I carry it in my hand. It would be much safer on my back where it belongs.

MC: Oh stops whyning alredde. U gonna gets us in twubbls. Get the tikets!!! Get the tikets!!!

The nice lady at the desk gave us tickets right away. We were early and there was no line. Donna seemed to cheer up when she saw the headyphone thingies. We added on the audio tour and off we went up the steps to the exhibit.

Waaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnt

OK, these are definitely going to be knit for next winter here in the warehouse.

Was checking out Ravelry today and decided to see what my friend Stephieface has been up to...she has it in her favorites. Thanks Stephieface, I'm going to fav it too.

Nothing like Dr. Who Tardis things to keep you warm... Did I mention I have a Dr. Who Tardis ringtone?

:o)

Raisins

Or should I say "wayzins".

Remember Ms. Cow and her "raisins from Bike to Work Day"?

Yes. Nomity nom nom...

Well, Ms Cow convinced Cow that he needed to try raisins too, so when Honey's Mum came for a visit, she bought some raisins at the grocery store for Cow.

I think they got a bit carried away.

Things to Do...

...as always in the Chaos, there are MANY. THINGS. TO. DO.


As is normal here, I've not done very much. Although I did get a lot done this weekend. Oddly enough, it doesn't look like I did anything.


All the small steps will add up to things looking better soon. I just know it.


I am currently working on a secret knitting project with a tight deadline.



It's going quite well considering all the stitches involved and that I haven't ever made one of these before and I haven't knit on anything in months and sometimes I can't concentrate and I loose my place on the pattern quite often.



...and...and...and...


In other words, a Typical Chaos Knitting Experience.



One main thing crossed off the TO-DO list this weekend was rescuing a blue dryer ball from behind the dryers. Poor thing has been trapped back there for a week.

A full set again.

Coming Soon: Ms Cow dishes on our Day Out at the Museum.

Question...

How many times does one need to play the demo version of "Collapse! Chaos" on their phone before they get tired of it and just buy the full version?

Apparently I have not hit that particular amount yet cos I've played eleventy-billion games already - the same first level - over and over again - and I'm still not tired of it.

First, I LOVE this game. I don't know why and I don't care. It gets me through many a train ride and bus wait.

Second, I don't have a data plan, so I can't buy the full version even if I wanted to - and I can't just download to my computer and then upload to my phone. It's not fair. Not fair at all.

Third, it would probably be a bad thing for me to get the game on my phone. I can see me missing stops, missing trains, and missing buses because I was so engrossed in a silly little game. That I LOVE.

Fourth, my new phone is awesome. Awesome I say!

Is the sky falling?

It just might be.

Why?

Because I'm taking a day off from work - during the week - when I'm supposed to be working.

ummm...isn't that what a day off usually means?!?

Anyway...

I need a break. I need some culture. I need some inspiration. I need some peace. I need to do something cool. I need to get out.

Ms Cow has finally convinced me to take her here - we're going on Thursday.

And if she behaves herself, maybe I'll buy her this.

We are both very excited! If we're lucky, we'll hit a docent guided tour. If not, well, I'm sure we'll manage. We have ALL day.

Oh yeah, and I've posted TWICE in one day. Yeah, the sky just might be falling. Just hope it waits until Friday. We've got plans.

Cold.

Measurements being taken today to knit warmth producing accessories for my co-workers, and of course myself.

I need a commuter project or two or three. And we're bloody freezing in here.

Just looked out the window. It's raining for the third day straight.

Just checked the temperature gauge in the office/warehouse. 62F outside, 61F inside.

Our heater isn't working. Maintenance has been called.

Just looked at the calendar. Three times.

Yes, it's May 17, 2011.

In the Bay Area.

In California.

I think we're supposed to be having mild and dry and sunny days, right? Right?!?

As slow as I knit, I should be finished by the time Winter rolls around again...if it ever leaves.

I think I'll start with fingerless gloves.

Give it a few days. I'm sure I'll be complaining about the heat and that it's too hot to knit.

Happy Thursday! ***

***This post is being re-posted because Blogger LOST the original I wrote yesterday. Thank God I have things setup so that EVERY post is emailed to me because there is no way in Hell I could have redone this and been so damn clever a second time round. :)

**************************************************************************

Good things today so far:

Bike to Work Day!

It's like my own personal Halloween. My costume is my biking getup (which needs it's own blog post) and I go from Energizing Station to Energizing Station holding open my bag and getting loads of free stuff dumped in... Haul this morning, large size of the official Bike to Work tote bag, tangerines, fig newtons, juice, various maps of trails in the Bay Area (very handy!), reflectors, lip balm, reflective ankle thingy to rein in your pants leg, a recyclable pen, a water bottle, Clif bars, and various coupons to local sports shops. Ooh, and this really cool magnetic blinky light which I still haven't figured out quite how it works. Ms Cow got herself a wee little box of raisins for being a brave bicycle passenger (the trail is rather bumpy lately). All that was only from 2 stations. They LOVE to shower you with stuff - the list of goodies I turned down is even longer.







I hurds it trew da grapesvyn... Kalifornya waisins, nomity nom nom nom...








Paperback Swap

I LOVE this site. I've mailed off lots of books to good homes and just ordered 5 more for myself. Another Terry Pratchett book (Tiffany Aching, bk 3) and the first four books of the Stephen King "Dark Tower" series. Can't wait to get them!


More Energy

This doesn't really need an explanation, does it? Biking two days in a row and I feel great. Really should have started doing this a lot sooner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Can't wait to see what the "Energizer Station" sponsors have on the ride home. I'm really hoping for a new dingy-ding bell. The East Bay Park folks were giving them out last year, so I hope to get another this year. The poor thing is all worn out. It dingity-dings on it's own now. Every time I hit a bump. Even a small bump. So I'm pretty much dingity-ding-dinging my way down the trail.

It's like it's saying:

"Look at the awesome outfit this woman is wearing! Here she comes wearing an awesome outfit! Look at her wearing that awesome outfit! She's riding a bike! And wearing an awesome outfit while she rides! Make way for the biking chick with the awesome outfit! You want an outfit like hers, you KNOW you do! Cos it's AWESOME!"

~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~*********

Update!


I originally wanted to write this update last night, but Blogger has been having some issues, so here it is on Friday. It's also not going to be so clever and funny as it was last night - in my mind.


Final list of "treats" from Bike to Work Day gathered up along the way home: more maps (I'm pretty sure I've got a complete set for the East Bay now), a chocolate chip cookie for Spencer (and yes I did give it to him), Red Vines for Spencer, cheese sticks, various and sundry juice boxes and mini-Gatorade bottles, various and sundry chips and fruit snack bags, mandarin oranges (YUM), Clif bars, Fig Newtons, more raisins for Ms Cow, and lots of bags. About 4 more bags than I really wanted. They were begging us to take extras though, so I did and they will go this weekend to the charity thrift shop with the rest of my donations.


I was very careful this year to only take what Spence and I would use/eat - no need to be greedy. Do I REALLY need more pens when I have a drawerful at home? Didn't think so. There were quite a few snacks because, well, Spencer is 16, quite tall and has entered his "bottomless pit of a stomach with two hollow legs" stage. Any food brought home is DEFINITELY consumed. So no waste there. The extra bags go away tomorrow and the maps I will keep in my "map box".

At the last stop before leaving the trail, I decided now would be a good time to have a drink of some refreshing water since it was quite warm and hauling all those snacks was causing me to break out into a pretty good sweat. Well, being the graceful dove I am, I managed to dribble half the bottle down my shirt. It was actually quite refreshing since I was indeed rather toasty.

Indeed.

Not quite so refreshing was the small swarm of gnats I swallowed on the last leg of the trip.

Updated List: Minus one bottle of Gatorade used to wash out my mouth...

I really need to keep my mouth SHUT when I'm riding.

Thursday is a Special Day

It's "Bike to Work Day"!!

I'll be in the saddle bright and early and heading out to the train station.

I've been wanting to start riding every day but have been making excuse after excuse.

For inspiration, I've started reading "Fatty" again. I love his logo and catch-phrase. A big draft horse and "Heavyweight horsepower". If you're into biking - and I mean hardcore long rides - give him a look-see. He also has ride-alongs, give-aways, charity stuff, etc. On top of that he's a great writer with a good sense of humor.

I'm going to try and get motivated enough to do some charity rides.

And if that all fails to get me motivated and in the saddle more , I just need to go here.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

A great day out on the bikes with the boy.

Damn, I'm getting shorter every year...

(Mother's Day 2010)

Buy A Shirt, Save my Sanity

Actually, buy a shirt and encourage an artist. :)

My son Spencer recently opened his very own Clothing Design Company.

Go check out Metrix Clothing.

He's got a lot more designs ready to go onto shirts.

Give him a look-see and hopefully you'll like it enough to buy one!

Spread the word...Metrix is in town!!!

Sadness for sure...

I promised an update and here it is...

Sammie, my faithful furry companion of 18yrs passed to the big cat condo in the sky at about 4:45pm today.

She is greatly missed. I miss fighting over the computer mouse and her trying to sit on the keyboard while I type.

She lived a full life staring down evil squirrels, terrifying Spencer and his friends (she REALLY enjoyed that), eating treats, hogging the bed and the couch and generally wrapping me round her little paws.

It was a very difficult thing to do, but she passed quickly and quietly in my arms. Spencer was there with me and Honey was there with us in spirit. Thanks to Antonella for the encouraging words.

The hospital staff was very respectful and took very good care of her.

We have millions of many happy memories.

I've just finished cleaning out her litter box for the last time and packing up all her toys and other cat doodads for donation.

I made her a little pink quilt when we first got her and that will stay here with me. I'll keep it in the cabinet until it's time for us to welcome another furry companion into our home.

Goodbye my sweet kitty girl.

Sad times

I know I said earlier that I was going to try and blog more.

Well, life has made me a liar. There hasn't been much to talk about that I want to share via the blog and I really haven't taken the time to just sit and write about the rest.

Right now, I'm in a bad state of mind. My furry baby cat (who is 18 yrs old and definitely no baby) is fading. She's been for a while now and she took a turn for the worse this week.

We have an appointment at the vet this afternoon.

My constant furry companion for the last 18 years may not be returning home with us.

We've been trying to come to terms with the reality that we're going to have to let her go. Sooner rather than later.

It has not been easy.

I promise to post what happened. If you don't hear from me for a while, you'll know that we had to let her go and I'm dealing with the emotional fallout.

This break in non-posting brought to you by...

Da Bears!!

Enter the sad time...

...well, Honey has gone back home and I'm very sad about it. We had an entire month together and somehow it felt like it was only a 2 weeks. It definitely didn't last long enough. We had lots of things planned, only did one or two things. The most important thing tho is that we did all that "nothing" together.

I miss you Honey!!!!

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Now the hard work begins.

There are lots of things going on right now, all of which are a HUGE strain on me emotionally, mentally, physically. Separately, there are not that bad, but all at once...I'm having problems dealing.

I'll get back into the swing of juggling anything and everything all at once again, I'm just not up to it right now.

Lots of things need to be done, earned, saved, moved, given away, made, sold, cleaned, and so on and so on.

In a few days or so I'll sit down and try to map it all out. This time, I'm going to try and write it all down instead of just keeping it up in my head. That doesn't seem to be working too well for me.

Most of it won't be put out here in details, but you will hear from me every now and then - hopefully more than last year.

Then again, I might get chatty and then you'll be begging me to just shut the hell up already.

In the mean time, I'm going to mope about for a few days and let myself feel nothing but the "missing of the Honey" before I jump back into the Chaos full force.

Ms Cow and I WILL see Honey and Cow again this year. We WILL!!!!!

Sniff.

Sigh.

Pass the damn chocolate.