New Year's Eve

Well, folks, the end of 2010 is here. My first thought is to say, "Thank God, it's over." This year has seen many battles and heartbreaks for my family, but lets not dismiss 2010 without picking out some good among the rubble.
This year, my brother-in-law recieved a kidney transplant that saved his life. God brought him back from the brink of death, and continues to strengthen him. My sister, Norma, was in excrutiating pain yesterday, later to wake from a nap, totally pain free (please keep praying for her, people. She really needs it). My sister, Glenda, after years of pain, was pronounced cancer free following her surgury. My sister Zita was accepted by the weatherization program for her house, and recieved new heaters and a new refrigerator. This should lower her sky-high bills. When the radio station was in the process of changing management, Dave watched all his co-workers lose thier jobs. He was so sure he was next, that we'd gone though the checkbook to see what extra costs we could do without. I thought I might be going back to work so we could afford to feed the cats. Not only did Dave not get fired, but he got a promotion. I finally got brave enough to start my blog, which has turned into a way for me to keep in touch with my sisters. I'm thankful for even small surprizes, like my brother spending Thanksgiving with us.
I'm not denying this has been a hard year, and I hope we never have to repeat it. I just wanted to look back on the good things, because it helps me to remember how God never leaves us to face our challanges alone. I love all of you, and I'm praying for a better year ahead full of health and happiness.

Progress For Annie

My cats, with the exception of Merlin, are uncomfortable with crowds. When we have guests at the house, even if they've seen the person before, they hide. On Thanksgiving, when my house filled up with family, Annie took advantage of the fact that most of her housemates were hidden. She took this opportunity to come out of her hiding place, and wonder the house. She was nervous, but she quickly warmed up to the fact that she was free to roam. She did the same thing again during our Christmas party. Well, she must have enjoyed herself, because she is coming out of her hole more often, and staying out for longer periods of time. She still spooks easily, and rushes back into hiding when things are too rambunctious, but I'm very proud of her. She never did like rough housing with the other cats, but I'm hoping she'll get to a point where she'll run and play with toys again. It's not perfect yet, but I thank God for every minute she spends with us.

Big Plans Tomorrow

Between Dave's busy work schedule and my sickness, I had pretty much accepted that I would miss the year end sale at The Woolie Ewe. I told Dave that my shopping spree at the Philosophy website was a good substitute. I enjoyed browsing thier website, and I have a package to look forward to (I love getting packages in the mail). I don't need anymore yarn or knitting supplies anyway, do I? Apparantly, Dave thinks I do. When he got home from work yesterday, he informed me that things had slowed down a bit at the station, enabling him to take a personal day. We'll drive to Plano early tomorrow. He'll drop me off at Woolie Ewe, while he goes on to Costco for our monthy stock up of cat food, litter, and other things. He'll then pick me up (I hope), and we'll go eat at our favorite Chinese food place, and hopefully be home by 3.
I hope I can sleep tonight. Normally, I can't when I'm excited about something.

Temperature Control Dilemma

It's a cold, rainy day in my part of the country. I was unable to get out and about, even to feed and visit with Max (I'm so sorry, Max). If I wasn't sick, I'd have probably gone anyway, but Dave didn't think it was a good idea. Trying to shift the guilt off myself, I asked Dave if he forbids me to go see Max. He hesitates. As far as he's concerned, I'm a grown-up, and he has no business forbidding me to do anything. He did managed to talk me out of it, using the reason that makes the most sense. I'm sick. (Poor, Max, I hope you don't think I've abandoned you).
So, I've spent the day indoors, watching TV and knitting. My knitting has gone very slow, because for some reason, my hands seem to be shakey, and unable to hold on to anything. During today's confinement, I've discovered my biggest enemy. The thermostat. When I turn the heat down, I get chills, but if I turn it up, all my sinus conjestion drains into my throat, causing caughing fits, and multiple sneezes. Grrr
Don't feel sorry for me too much, unless it's because I can't go see my Max. The sickness is so small in comparison to my guilt over him.

Philosophy

Ok, I have a new favorite. The gift I came away with from the family Christmas party, was a set of four cookie scented, 4oz bottles of three in one bath/shampoo products from Philosophy. I've been using the Oatmeal Raisin one for the past two weeks, and I absolutely LOVE it. I was afraid that being an all-in-one product would meant that it would be drying to the hair, but it's not. I do still use a separate conditioner, but only because I have color treated hair. Otherwise, philosophy + silk therapy would be sufficient. So here's a big, and I mean really big, thank you to whoever brought that gift. I'm pretty sure it was you, Glenda. ;)

Manly Mitts

When we walk, Dave's hands get very cold. His arms are too long to pull the sleeves of his jacket down over his hands the way I do. I had plenty of yarn left over from the hat's I'd made us, so I started knitting him a pair of matching mittens. I'd hoped to get them finished in time to give them as a Christmas gift (and if I wasn't sick, I would have), but they were not ready this morning. All I had left to finish was the top of mitt number two, and the thumbs, so I worked on them during the football game, and I'm happy to say that I finished them. So, technically, they were a Christmas gift after all. :)

Dave Is Sneaky (But Awesome)

Even though I'm sick, Dave and I have had the best Christmas. I gave him a pair of socks (hand knitted, of course), a gift card to Home Depot, and various kitchen items he'd been eyeing. He gave me a portable CD player (so I can listen to my music as I sit on my back porch), a magazine I've been eyeing, but haven't bought, and something that is so thoughtful, it left me speechless...

Back in October, when I won my ribbons at the fair, I had planned to create a page for the scrapbook Norma gave me back when Dave and I were Family of the month. Since I don't really know how to scrap, I had stuck my ribbons in a drawer, fully intending to persue my idea after I'd learned a few things, but actually I'd, sadly, forgotten about them. Last week, Dave asked me what I'd done with my ribbons, and I showed them to him. Again, I'd forgotten about them...until today. You know what that sneaky husband of mine did? He took them, along with my photos, to a frame shop to have a display made. I have to say, this was a complete surprise, and I love it so much. I hope it's not to prideful, but I've hung the framed ribbons right in the livingroom. I just have to have it where I can see it and be reminded of how much my husband loves me.

Where's Morty?

You know how sometimes can't find your cat? You've looked in all his favorite places to sleep and all his favorite hidey holes, but he seems to have disappeared. I sometimes wonder if there's some kind of magic vortex that only cats know about, because just when you've reached the end of your rope; when you just know something has happened to him, and your beginning to go into panac mode, here he comes, strolling up to you, with a look on his face that says, "what are you looking for?" That's the kind of thing Morty does, but most of the time if I want to find him, all I have to do is look up. (Click the photo to get the full effect)

Wrapping Noises

How fun is this? Dave went to the station this morning. Apparantly that is where he's been hiding my Christmas gifts. He brought them in, took them into the extra bedroom, and is now in the process of wrapping them. I can hear him right now as I type. Merlin was sitting just outside the door, peeking under, until Dave came out to look for scissors. He allowed Merlin to go in the room with him. He might be sorry...

Isaiah 9:6

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Catching Up

Since I haven't written in a couple of days, I thought it might be a good idea to touch base with my friends. We had such a busy weekend. Friday night was the Christmas party for the radio station, Saturday was our family Christmas party, and Sunday night I went over to Highway to sing with my fellow church members. By comparison, this week has been pretty routine and uneventful. I've already bought Dave's Christmas gifts, and they're wrapped and under the tree, so even Christmas shopping isn't on the agenda. Dave and I have one more Christmas party to go to Thursday night, then we plan to relax Friday, and have a quiet Christmas together Saturday, just the two of us. We have some leftover turkey we brought home from Friday night's party, so I'm hoping I can talk him into making his amazingly delicious turkey and rice soup. Yum.
Please, keep us in our prayers. Some minor disturbances have occurred at the radio station. I want God to intervene, and help them settle them before they become problematic. The business is on the upward swing, and I hate to see it brought down by misunderstandings. Also, pray for me. I seem to be coming down with a cold or something. My throat was terribly sore last night and this morning. It's better now, but I still have the stuffiness. I also seem to be going thought a bit of a blue spell. I'm hoping it's because of my sickness, and will go away when I'm well.

These Hats Were Made For Walkin'

Neither one of us is what I would consider lazy, but Dave and I had gotten into the bad habit of plopping down in front of the TV at the end of the day, and not moving until bedtime (well, Dave's bedtime, anyway...). Of course, I had my knitting, and he gathered his news stories for the radio, so it's not like we were just wasting time, but both of us felt we needed to do something to break the cycle of inactivity. At the beginning of Spring, Dave mapped out a little mile and a half trail (of sorts) through our neighborhood, and we begun walking. Since Dave has to get up so early, we decided the best time to go is in the evenings around 6pm. This gives him a chance to unwind from work, but it's still too early to start his news gathering. Spring is such a beautiful time of year, and I enjoyed, so much, looking at peoples' gardens, and watching them grow. Summer came, and we managed to keep these walks up until the very hottest days of August, but after one summer walk, I was actually dizzy by the time we got home. We discontinued the walks until the latter part of September, when the temps started to cool back down, and this is where the hats come in...

We had an early cool snap last month, but decided to walk our walk anyway. By the time we got home, our ears were numb. that's when I decided to knit us both hats to wear during our winter walks. I finished Daves and knitted half of mine, while I was sitting at the hospital with my sister and her husband. When I had completed both hats, I tried several times to get a photo of Dave and I wearing out new matching hats, but none of the shots were good. I found out that when you hold the camera in front of yourself, the result is not good at all, so in each picture, whoever was holding the camera looked terrible. During yesterday's party, I saw the perfect opportunity to get my desired picture. There were plenty of people willing to take it for me, but Dave, after all our failed attempts, and not liking the way he looks in hats anyway, refused to put his on. The best I could get from him, is a picture of me wearing mine, while he sat by me and held his up. What a spoiler you were, Dave.... :)

Party Day!

What a great day we've had. It really was an easy preparation for the party. We planned to serve soups, Dave's being Chicken noodle, and mine veggie beef (potato soup was provided by my sister, Norma). Since Dave had already made his stock Thursday, all he had to do was chop some veggies and throw it together, while I peeled and chopped my potatoes and started my soup. Dave had made red velvet sandwich cookies, and I had made cake mix cookies Friday night. I got up to discoved that Dave and already made frosting, and iced not only his, but my cookies as well. This left me free to tidy up the house, and fix my snack trays.
The party went well. I got to see all three my sisters' families, three of my nieces, and my two great nephews. The food was good, and we had so much fun playing our game of swap and steal, before several games of Bingo for small prizes. Glenda and I like to pick up little items thoughout the year for the Bingo gifts, but this year we seem to have gotten out of hand. Both of us didn't realized, until we got them out to wrap them, just how many gifts we had bought. We ended up wearing out our caller. Glenda, maybe next year, we should keep it to fifteen prizes each. lol

Our Family Christmas Fun

When I was a child, all my brothers and sisters used to gather at Mom's house for Christmas. We'd eat, visit, and share gifts. It was a fun time. Later, this tradition was moved to my Sister, Glenda's house. By then, our family had grown to include spouses, children, and step children, so we began a new tradition to save money. Mom sewed huge quilted stockings for each of us, which we filled with $5 stocking stuffer gifts. We drew names for the one big gift we were to buy. After Mom and Dad moved from Irving to Paris, we were able to continue this tradition a couple of times before Mom and Dad became unable to travel. My sisters' families and I still continued to meet in Irving. By this time we had omitted the stocking gifts, but dinner and a nice visit were still alive and well, then back to Paris to drop me off home and see Mom and Dad (I was living with my parents at the time).
In 2002, when I married, Dave and I spent our first Christmas continuing the tradition of meeting at Glenda's in Irving. We drove down on Christmas Eve, and spent the night at the hotel in Reunion Tower. We ate at the restaurant in the famous rotating ball, then went back to our room to open our gifts to eachother and watch "It's A Wonderful Life." Believe it or not, that was the first time I'd seen the movie all the way through. We got up the next morning, Checked out, then drove to Glenda's for our Christmas visit. We had some fun times.
In 2004 something happened to change us forever. We lost our dear mother. The entire year passed in a hazy blur, and before we knew it, then Holiday season had sneaked up on us. Not wanting to go anywhere, but still wanting to see my family, I planned a Christmas party. We had been dealt a terrible blow, and my goal was a Christmas free of stress and anxiety. We would have it the Saturday before Christmas, leaving Christmas day free for each family to fulfill thier own Christmas plans without the added stress of working my party into the days' already busy schedule. We'd meet and my home, have a dinner, and play a gift exchange game. In keeping with the theme of stress-free, we made sure everyone knew they were invited, but only the ones who wanted to play the game were to bring a gift. Nobody was to feel obligated in any way. Not only was the party a success, but it has become a new tradition, and grown into more games and fun.
So this Saturday, I look forward to entertaining my brothers (if they come), sisters, nieces, nephews, and anybody else who wants to share the fun. We're planning to have soups and cornbread for our meal, and of course deserts and snacks will be readily available. We'll play bingo for small game prizes that Glenda and I have picked up throughout the year, and of course, our main gift exchange game, where we get a chance to swap and steal (but in fun). I don't know how long we'll continue this latest of Christmas traditions, but I know I plan to enjoy it for as many years as it lasts.

Busy, Busy

I've had such a good day. I went over to the apartment building to see Max, then over to the post office to mail my Christmas cards. While in the area, I went over to Big Lots to pick up a couple of presents I'd been eying since the season started. I then had to stop by Sonic for a happy hour diet coke on my way home. I fed my critters, tidied up the kitchen, then sat down to wrap gifts. I wrapped Kloe's plus all our gift prizes for Saturday's party. How fun! I'm also excited about the new tree skirt my aunt gave me this year, which looks great under my tree. Maybel and Merlin seem to like it, too.

Lots Of Cereal

After Church today, Dave and I went grocery shopping at Kroger for all the items we're going to need for our family Christmas party Saturday. I think Kroger has some of the best prices in town for most of the stuff we need. Dave is planning to make a Chex Mix, and wouldn't ya know it...Chex cereals are on sale! In fact, a lot of different cereals are on sale, and Dave, being a big cereal eater, took the opportunity to stock up. In fact, he bought so much cereal that we jokingly campared him to Seinfeld.

Our New Tree

As much as I hated to part with the old one, I Knew it was time for a new tree. After a tearful farewell, Dave and I got in the truck and drove to Walmart, hoping to find another great deal. Sadly, there are no deals to be had until after Christmas, but even more sad, is the poor quality of this year's trees. All we saw were very sparse, plastic-y looking trees. I'm not a snob, but I do want a tree that I don't have to constantly fuss over to fill in holes. Needless to say, we didn't purchase one there. The trees at Hobby Lobby and Big Lots all had clear lights, and as I said in my last post, Dave and I are multi fans. Just as I was deciding to use our tree (minus the big bulbs) one more time, then see what we could find next year, we made one last stop at Sears. That's when I saw it. A beautiful, prelit tree, with large pine cone-shaped LED lights, which can be set to blink in a wide range of patterns and speeds. We purchased this beauty, and took it home to discover just how amazing it is. I've never, in all my 42 years, seen a tree this full. Each branch forks at the end, and fluffs out leaving no holes. You can place any sized ornament anywhere, and it looks great! I didn't even need any plain Christmas balls. I'm sure they would look great, but the large lights make them unnecessary. This left me free to use only my pretty stuff. I look forward to many years, and many memories with this tree...Provided the cats will allow it...(as I go to shoo Morty away from the tree)

Goodbye Old Tree :(

Well, today I had to say goodbye to mine and Dave's first Christmas tree. We were married in October of 2002, and since he didn't have a tree, we used my old four foot tree for our first Christmas together. We moved the coffee table in front of the fireplace, and set the tree up on that. It was at the end of it's rope, but with lots of branch bending, and careful placement of ornaments, we managed to fill in all the holes. What great memories...
After Christmas, we decided to take advantage of the sales, and buy our very own Christmas tree. I wanted multi-colored lights. Don't misunderstand me. I think clear lights are very pretty, and clean looking, but, too me, they lack the warmth I associate with childhood Christmases. Dave didn't have a preference at the time, but over the years, he's become a multi fan. We found this beautiful, 7.5 foot, prelit tree at, of all places, Walmart. We fell in love with it, because of the big bulbs strategically paced among the mini lights. This made the tree stand out from the rest...and even more amazing...it was 75% off!
So this has been our tree for the eight years we've been married. Last year, I could tell it was beginning to fail, because several strings of lights had gone out, leaving dark areas, but we were going to use this tree one last time. We had to discard the bottom portion because of a large Max-shaped dent, where he had climbed up a few branches and settled for a nap (Man, I still miss him so much). Being a 17 pound cat, he bent them beyond repair. So we set the coffee table in front of the fireplace, like we did that first Christmas, and assembled the top two portions of our tree. We took a string of lights to fill in the dark areas that had burned out. It wasn't perfect, but it was useable for one more year. Then something dreadful happened. We started screwing in the big bulbs only to discover that a whole string of them had burned out. Nothing we did could save the tree, because these particular strings cannot be found anymore. I had to cry a little, because I really loved this tree, but I'll never have to say good by to all the memories. I've included last year's picture of this tree in this post. Goodbye Old friend...

Oops! Now I Have To..

Last night the ladies of our church gathered for a little Christmas party. We had food, games, and prayer for us all. Our gift exchange was the game were you can either pick a gift or take away someone else's gift. My gift of a garden rock was taken away by my great aunt Bettie, so I had to pick another gift. I really had my eye on my aunt Gina's lovely tree ornament, a metal beauty, shaped like a bottlecap, with a picture of Santa painted on it. I started not to take it, because I've been so down I haven't even put up my tree, but I just couldn't resist the lure of a Santa ornament. So now I have to put up my tree so I can display my new treasure, and not feel bad for stealing it from my aunt. What a fun night we had.

Max, The Multi-Owner Cat

As most of you already know, we've located Max. He had been hanging around the back of the apartments since the week before Thanksgiving. As far as we knew, he was living the life of a homeless cat, because we thought he didn't know how to get around to the front door, or which apartment was his. We tried to call Sis JoAnne, but couldn't get though (we found out later that she'd been very sick, and wasn't getting out of bed or answering her phone). Max was scared of Dave and Me, so we were taking food for over to him everyday, and sitting with him while he ate it. I left a message on Sis JoAnne's machine that we were going to keep after him until we caught him. During this time, I got my hopes up so much, thinking he was going to come home with us. We had planned to feed him and talk to him everyday until he warmed up to us, then we'd capture him, and bring him home. I was thinking that maybe God just temporarily removed him from my home until things calmed down, and now He was giving him back to me. I didn't realize how much I was counting on this until I got a phone call that knocked the wind out of me...

Sis JoAnne called my cell phone the day before I was planning to go get him. She apologized for not getting back to me sooner, then told me what had been going on with Max. She had seen him out there, and coaxed him around to the front door, using Peace (her Siamese cat) as a lure. Ever since then, he knows that all he has to do to get inside is to pop the screen, and she lets him in. After his adventure, he'll never be happy as an indoor only cat, so when he wants outside, she lets him (which is what we were going to do if we got him back). She went on to tell me that not only has he found his way home, but he seems to have charmed his way into a second home. Apparantly there's a little boy living in the apartment complex who had wanted a cat so much he prayed that God would send him one. When he opened his door to see Max sitting there, he became convinced Max was the cat God had sent him. Not only that, but he seems to have charmed his way into several hearts, and stops by several homes to eat, and recieve pettings and attention.

Then there's me, the still grieving previous owner, who just can't seem to let him go. Even though I know he's not homeless, I still can't seem to stop going over to the apartments with a can of food, and some pettings. I didn't realize how high I had gotten my hopes up. I just knew God was giving him back to me, and finding out that's not the case has plummeted me to an all time low. I know it makes no sense, but I just want him back so bad. Everything I do reminds me of him, and how much he should be here. Everything I share with my cats, he should share, too. I still cry when I take out five feeding bowls instead of six. It's like my family is incomplete.

Please, forgive me if I don't post to my blog for long periods of time. I'm in so much pain, and I don't have the energy to put on a happy tone and write. I haven't put up my tree, wrapped any gifts, or sent cards. I just can't find any joy in any of the things I used to love. Please don't judge me too harshly. Believe me I've already punished myself more than anybody else ever could.

Forgive Me

I know it's been a few days since I've written, and I really want to write, but I'm very emotional, confused, and can't seem to express myself. I even know what I want to write about, and can't seem to make myself do it. Maybe I just need a little more time...

Prayers For My Sisters

My sister, Glenda, had surgery today. It was a complete success, and she is in the process of recovering, but she's in a great deal of pain. My other sister, Norma's, incision from her surgery doesn't want to heal properly. She has a doctor's appointment Wednesday. Please help me pray for their complete healings. And if you could spare a prayer for my third sister, Zita, and one for me, that would cover us all. Thank you, readers for your continued support.

Double Moss Washcloths

Our church likes to pick a family of the month. That means that for an entire month, that family is recognized and honored, and made to feel special. This allows us to show each church member how important they are to the church and how much we all love them. This month was for my cousin's household. A few months ago, Dave made a CD from an old cassette that has special meaning to our families. It is a recording of my mom, my aunt, and his mother performing songs that his mother wrote, with my uncle on guitar. His mother, and mine are both gone to live with the Lord in Heaven, so we all cherish this tape. I wasn't sure if he had it on CD, or how well his cassette tape still played, so I made him a copy of ours.

For the two of his daughters still living at home, I gave little bottles of bath gel along with a hand knitted color coordenating washcloth. I knitted several different patterns, but none of them really looked just right. I decided to create my own, using the double moss stitch from my stitch dictionary, and I was much more happy with the effect. For any of you who'd like to knit a couple, I've included directions for how I made mine:

Double Moss Cloths

Cast on 36 stitches

Rows 1 and 2- K2, P2 to the end of the row

Rows 3 and 4- P2, K2 to the end of row

Knit these four rows 14 times, then repeat row 1. Cast off in pattern, and weave in ends.

Optional: Crochet a border. I just made a simple single crochet border, but the possibilities are endless.

A Max Sighting

God is so good. Today, I was allowed to see Max. One of the neighbors in that area lives in a house, whose backyard faces the back of the apartment building, where Max used to live with sis JoAnne. I had given this woman a current photo of Max with my name and phone numbers on the back, and she's been helping me look. Around 1pm today, I got a call from her, telling me she'd seen him hanging around the back of the apartments. Dave and I went over there to check it out, and it was Max. He was laying on the concrete storm drainage area that runs behind the appartments. My heart just leapt with joy. This is the first time I've seen him since we rehomed him in October, and he just looked so good. I guess he's forgotten us, because he ran away as we got closer. He ran along the back of the building and disappeared around the corner. By the time we got to the corner, he was gone. We hung around for a bit, calling him, but he never returned.
Now most people would consider it a disappointment to get so close and still leave the area without him, but I've chosen to look at it as an answered prayer. I have been out of my mind with worry. My illness causes my imagination to run wild, and I had so many unanswered questions: What if he's hungry? What if he's injured? What if he's (God forbid) dead? Well, now I can speak to those questions and doubts. I saw him with my own eyes today, and he looked fed, unharmed, and very much alive.

Thank you, God, for allowing me to see him. Now my prayer is that he'll find a home with somebody who'll love him as much as I do. I'll still go over there everytime I get a call, because I'd love nothing more than for him to be reunited with Peace and Sis JoAnne, but if that's not to be, then Please, Father God, let him find someone. Please don't make him have to live the life of a street cat. He deserves a home. Please lead him to the perfect companion for him. If that is us, we'll gladly bring him home. If not, please lead him to that forever home.

Success!

Well, our Thanksgiving went really well, in spite of a little snag. Actually, it was a big snag. The turkey took a hour longer to cook than anticipated. There we were will all our veggies and side dishes all ready to eat, and no turkey. The day could have gone down in our minds as a failure, but it didn't. It just gave our family a chance to visit, and share stories about thier own little Thanksgiving turkey hitches. When the turkey was done, Dave rewarmed all the side dishes, and we ate our delicious meal. In the end, it was a great day.
I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was filled with many blessings.

Preparations

Dave and I are having so much fun preparing for tomorrow. By the time he got home from work, I had finished my pasta salad, and sliced up my pineapple (for the fruit salad). Dave made the crusts for our pies, and a pan of cornbread to be used for dressing. He's really the cook around here, while my role is to chop, peel, measure, and assist him. Right now, I have a pecan pie in the oven (yes, except for the crust, I made it), and Dave is unwrapping the turkey to help it thaw faster. I honestly am having a great evening. Yes, it's a lot of work, but Dave and I enjoy working together like this. I hope our Thanksgiving dinner is tasty tomorrow. If it's not, it won't be because we didn't try.

Visitors

Today, I had a pleasant, and very welcome, surprise. My sister, Glenda, arrived earlier than her doctor appointment, and decided to come by. We sat out back and had a lovely visit before she had to go. We talked about plants, pets, house cleanining, and even bugs (ew!) It was so relaxing and fun.

Glenda, we had prayer for you at tonight's prayer meeting, and we're continuing to pray. You're surgery is going to be a complete success, and you're going to feel better than you have in a long time. I ask this in Jesus' name- Amen.

More Cleaning

Today was another cleaning day. There has been a funky smell in the house lately, and Dave and I believe the source has been coming from behind the recliners. During his lunch break, Dave moved the recliners and end tables out from the wall, before he went back to work. I vacuumed back there, then shampooed the area using my Bissel Little Green, and the solution for pet odors. I also emptied the litter boxes, washed them, then refilled them with new litter. I must have gotten to the root of the problem, because the house already smells fresher. Hopefully, by the time Dave gets home from work, the carpet will be dry enough to move the furniture back, and I can run the vacuum where the chairs were sitting. I'm hoping to finish the big tasks today and tomorrow, so all I'll have to do Thursday is tidy up the living area before my guests arrive. Sisters, you're all more than welcome to join us. Ricky has called, and he and Alice will be coming. This will be the first time I've entertained one of my brothers for a holiday. He, Dave, and any other man who wants to, can plant themselves in front of the football game while we ladies visit. It will be fun.

Bringing In The Plants

Well, it's that time again. The time of year, when the outdoor temperatures at night begin to dip too low for my houseplants, and I have to bring them indoors. We chose this weekend because I can't do the heavy lifting and ladder climbing myself, and Dave is too busy during the week. We watched the Dallas Cowboys Football game (which we won!), then began the time consuming task, which includes bringing each plant in, watering it, then choosing a location. I always get so overwhelmed during the process. I have a small house, and it looks so cluttered with freshly watered plants lining (and dripping onto) the kitchen counteres. Have I mentioned that I hate clutter? Keeping the indoor cats from escaping, is another challange, but with Dave's help, we always manage. Now my house smells fresh, and is green with life, until next Spring. I've included a couple of photos. This isn't even nearly all the plants, but it's enough to show you the effect. I'm very proud of us, and it was well worth the effort. I've come to the realization that I've neglected my house long enough. I have some work to do in the yard, and a few odd housecleaning tidy-ups, and my house will be back in shape...just in time for Thanksgiving.

Doubting Thomas- Just A Thought

Dave and I were talking last week about Thomas. Lately, I have been having a hard time blindly trusting. There is a certain thing Dave and I have been praying about, but I'm still worried. Dave assures me that it will be ok, but I want to see for myself. In fact, I almost need to see for myself. Of course, this always leads to the usual comments about doubting Thomas. We use his example to gently (or sometimes not so gently) scold someone for not having enough faith. It's almost like an insult to be compaired to Thomas, but lets think about it. Did Jesus love Thomas less than the others disciples because he wanted to see? No. God knows there are going to be times when we want to see. Of course nothing compairs to the peace we feel when we just believe; When we just know God is taking care of all that concerns us, but as humans, there will always be times when, like Thomas, we want to see with our eyes. And sometimes, like He did with Thomas, God allows us to see...

Hebrews 11:3

By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

Another Ray Of Hope

I got a call from Sis JoAnne today. Max is still missing, but she did find Peace, her Siamese cat. She had been in a fight, and had to be stitched up, but the vet says she'll be fine. This news gives new hope that Max may still be found, and returned safely home. Sis JoAnne says that Peace is physically going to be ok, but she's acting mopey. She keeps going back to all the places in the house Max used to sleep, and crying for him. We really need to pray about this, because if someone has taken Max in, and he doesn't come home, Peace needs to settle in and be happy. Of course our ultimate prayer is that Max, too, returns safely home.

Please, God, let it be so. He is so missed and loved by so many. Please, lead him home, or show somebody where to find him. You are our only hope...

Isaiah 65:24

I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

Thank you, Father. Please protect Max and Peace, and bring them home to Sis JoAnne.

Ride Out Your Storm

I've been going through a pretty rough patch lately, as my readers know. I'm truely sorry for the depressing tone my blog has taken lately. I've actually contemplated putting my online musings on hold, or even possibly ending them all together, but because this blog has served as a way to keep in touch with my sisters, I've kept going. Maybe a little less often, but still going.
This weekend, a song came to my rememberance, that I haven't heard, or even thought about in years. A long-time, dear friend used to sing this song at church. We're all grown up, married, and no longer attend the same church, but in my mind, I can still hear her singing it with so much conviction you just have to know it's true. I googled the title, and found the lyrics. I hope they bless someone....

Ride out Your Storm
You've been in this storm....It seems like forever..And your night of Confusion..Has been OH so long...Your Ship has lost anchor...And the storms got your drifting..Just Hold on to Jesus..And Ride out your storm..
(CHORUS) Ride out your storm...GOd's right there with you..Oh you may not feel him...But you're not alone...You're hurting now...But your morning is coming..Just hold on to Jesus...And ride out your storm....
Remember his promises..He said I'll never forsake..Though the waters are troubled...They'll do you no harm..Don't give up the battle ...For your answer is coming...Just hold on to Jesus ..And Ride out your storm...

A Thread Of Hope

For the last three days, Dave and I have been going over to the area where Max and Peace went missing. I've been worried out of my mind about them, because they're indoor cats and I worry they may not be street smart enough to survive outdoors. Today, during our search, we happened to meet a very nice woman. Her backyard is directly across the small street that runs behind the apartment building where the cats live. She was having a garage sale today, so she was outside. I went over to her, explained what happened, and asked her if she'd seen the cats. She told me she hadn't but she'd be looking. In the course of the conversation, I found out she feeds and cares for the neighborhood cats. Her friend, who was helping her with the sale told me she has the strays spayed and neutered so they won't overpopulate. Wow! A woman after my own heart. I left my cell phone number, thanked her, and told her I felt better knowing that food was available to them. She told me, with conviction in her voice, that if they stayed in the area, they'll find food.

Thank you, God, for the miracles you do everyday. Thank you for all the animal lovers out there, who care for your little creatures, and thank you for the peace I feel, knowing they're chances for survival are good. Help me hold onto that peace when the wee hour of the night haunt me, as they often do. Please, keep the cats in this area of safety until they overcome thier fears and make it home. Please, Father, I still ask you to bring the cats safely home, and restore to Sis JoAnne, all that was stolen from her.

Please Pray

Last night, we found out something terrible has happened. Sis JoAnne, our friend who took Max in, came home to find that her apartment had been burgularized. One of the things stolen had tremendous sentimental value for her. If that isn't bad enough, her cat and Max escaped thought the broken window, and haven't been seen since. This all happened while she was out of town, sitting with my sister in the hospital. Please pray for her. She feels terribly guilty about Max missing, even though it isn't her fault. She's no more at fault than I would be if someone had broken into my house and let him out.

Please father, I ask you to please help us. Please restore all that was stolen from Sis JoAnne. She was doing your work, Father, hospital sitting with one of your sick children. Please, God, don't let this happen to her. Stop it in it's tracks. I ask you please, in you holy name, lead the police to her things and allow them to be returned. Watch over her cats. Keep them safe from harm, and lead them home to her, or please help us find them. Please, Father, restore her peace of mind and her sense of safety in her own home. Ease her guilt, and cause her to know that nobody is blaming her for the missing cats. Please, just send them home. I'll be expecting to hear some good news, Father. I ask all this, in your Holy name, Jesus.

Just Checking In

It's been almost a week since I've posted, and I just wanted to check in. Honestly, things have been pretty uneventful this week. I seem to have fallen into a routine. I wake up, eat lunch with Dave, then just go about my business until he gets home. At least three days a week, that routine includes working out at the gym, then stopping by the Sonic for a happy hour Diet Coke, and on home to feed my critters. I haven't written about the gym, because I've always found it annoying when people constantly talk about their work-out schedule. Sometimes I get the impression that they feel superior, because they exersise regularly. With the so-called health movement (which is actually a thin obcessession movement, in my opinion), it seems to have gotten worse. I don't want to be like that, so I just try to quietly go about my business. Hopefully, my writer's block will move, and I'll find something interesting to regularly blog about again.

Another Good Day

Saturday mornings are Dave's time to take it easy. His alarm doesn't ring at 4am, which allows him to sleep until 9 or 9:30am. Being a night person, I'm never awake of a morning. This gives him the opportunity to relax in his recliner, have a cup of coffee, and read his paper until I drag myself out of bed (usually around noon, give or take).
This morning started out much the same until around 11. Dave woke me up and asked me if I wanted to go to Dallas. My sister, Norma, is at Baylor hospital, and he thought it would be nice for us to go visit her. We had a great trip down. We talked, listened to 60's music, and laughed a lot. Norma looked so good, and seems to be in such good spirits. Her doctor is confident they caught the cancer at an early stage, and removed it. She is discussing Norma's case with fellow Doctors to help determine if precautionary radiation treatments are needed, but she (the doctor) feels the cancer is gone, Praise God!
After our visit, Dave and I stopped by Costco to stock up on cat litter, cat food, and several other items we buy in bulk monthly. We then went to our favorite Chinese restaurant for a lovely dinner before heading home. I can't remember the last time I spent a day free of worry and stress. I still miss Max very much, but he's in a great home, where he's happy and cared for. But more importantly, the fear I've been living with since the last of September, the fear that I was going to lose my two eldest (and much loved) sisters, is gone.

Thank you, God, for your healing touch, and for the peace I feel at this moment. Please help me to stay focused on you instead of the worries that steal that peace. Please bless Norma with a complete and speedy recovery, and provide a successful surgury for Glenda. Be with Zita in her home and work. Keep Dave safe, and give him the strength to do the extra tasks he's been given. He's tired, but he's happier than I've seen him in a long time. Please, bless him for his willingness to do for others. Thank you for him, Father. In Jesus' name- Amen.

A Change of Mind

This summer, I made a goal to knit using only stashed yarn until the end of this year. I'm a little embarrassed to confess that it's a goal I couldn't keep, but I did pretty well for several months. During that time, I started a Noro Striped Scarf, using the two muted colorways I had in my stash. It isn't a color combo I'd have chosen for the scarf, but it wasn't horrible. On the other hand, I didn't particularly love it either. Then, last month, Dave offered to take me yarn shopping for our anniversary. It had been a hard month, and feeling depressed, and a little rebelious, I accepted that offer. This gave me the opportunity to choose my own two Noro colorways for my next striped scarf. Of course, that made it even harder to work on the scarf I have on the needles that feel so lukewarm about.

Wednesday night, I decided to try a little experiment. I have a Debbie Bliss pattern booklet called "Pure Cashmere," that contains the "Lace & Cables Scarf" pattern. I've knitted this scarf twice for gifts, and both times it was well recieved. The pattern calls for a solid color yarn, but feeling adventurous, I decided to use one of the muted colorways from my Noro Striped Scarf in progress. I hadn't used any of the second skein of browns, so I did a few pattern repeats to see how it would look. The pictures I've taken don't do it justice, but trust me, it's really beautiful. I'm going to frog the original scarf I started, and use the browns to make this scarf....And that means, I can start the other striped scarf anytime!

Dinner Date

Dave and I had such a good dinner tonight. We went to this great steak house in Powderly, then over to Dairy Queen to get him a mini blizard, and me a diet coke. The trip over there was so nice. It reminded me of when we were dating. We'd take these totally unnecessary little road trips to eat at out of the way restaurants, and just enjoy eachother's company.

Muscle Ache

As much as I hate to admit this, I injured myself while taking a shower. Yesterday, I was rinsing the shampoo out of my hair. I don't remember why, but I turned my head to the side, and hurt my upper back, close to my right shoulder blade. I had worked out yesterday, and I thought maybe I'd strained it, and it would be better today, but it's not. In fact, the pain seems to be moving up toward my neck. I don't know how to care for it, because I don't know what I did. Assuming it's just muscle strain, I've been going about my business, hoping to work it out, but it still hurts. If it's a pulled muscle, I really should take it easy. If it still hurts tomorrow, I might try that.
Gotta be careful. I did fine at the gym, but apparantly, showering is dangerous business.

Job 5:9-10 (NIV)

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. He provides rain for the earth; he sends water on the countryside.

Thank you, Father, for your miracles. Thank you for reminding us, once again, that you are in control. Last night's prayer meeting was awesome. There was a freedom, and a lightness I haven't felt in a long time. Thank you, Jesus, for that. I can't help but feel there are great things on the way. Thank you, God. Amen.

Election Day

I have never been more glad to see an election day in my life, because that means it's finally over. I am so tired of all the calls asking who I'm voting for and why. In the last week or two, it seems I've gotten a call every day. I told Dave the next time someone calls and asks me who I'm voting for, I'm going to say, "The one who hasn't bugged me to death."
I remember a day when nobody would dare ask who someone was voting for. It was considered rude, and an invasion of privacy. What has happened to make good manners a thing of the past?

Dave's 'Just Because' Socks

When the temperatures go down, and the nights become cooler, Dave likes to wear his handknit socks around the house. I normally make him a pair for Christmas, but this year, I finished them, and gave them to him early. No special occasion, just because I love him. Enjoy your toasty feet, Baby. :)

Cell Phone Ignorance

I had some things to do today, so Dave wanted me to have his cell phone. I told him I didn't need a cell phone to just run to Petco, and what if someone from the station tried to call him. He still wanted me to have a phone, so he gave me his new one. Great, I though. If I see a creepy, suspicious person, I can always get my cell phone out, and ask him how to call the police on him...

Forgive Me, Father...

If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. -Psalm 130:3-5

Another Prayer Request

I just got back from a lovely visit with my sister, Glenda. She and her husband are in town today, and staying in our Church's Sunday School house overnight. Tomorrow she'll be having surgury. Please, readers, keep her in your prayers.

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for my sister. Please keep your hand on her, and give her peace for tomorrow's procedure. Keep her safe though the surgury, and please heal her completely. Jesus, please watch over her and Perry as they travel home. Please let this surgury heal all her health problems so she won't have to endure any more treatments. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Healthy Me?

It depends on my driving phobia. Last week, Dave and I attended the Crime Stoppers banquet. We enjoyed a dinner of fried catfish, and all the fixings of a yummy fish fry. They offered door prizes, and put on a trivia game show. I was chosen, and won the trivia game. My prize? A three month membership to Anytime Fitness. Now, I've never been one who likes to work out in the company of others, so I thought about giving it away. Kim, a friend I used to work with at the salon, loves to work out at the gym. I had pretty much decided to give it to her, but I reconsidered. I found out this gym is available to it's members 24 hours a day. Part of my membership includes a key, so I can go in and work out anytime it's convenient for me. Hence the name, "Anytime Fitness." I went in today to start my membership. The only drawback is that it's out of my driving comfort zone, but there are plenty of traffic lights to help me, and because it's Anytime, I can choose to go during low traffic times. I'm going to try to go regularly. I'll feel guilty if I don't, because Kim would have really enjoyed this.

A Real Pedicure

I never thought I'd say this, but I love a professional pedicure. I don't get them very often, but it sure is nice when I do. My favorite place in town is called Nu Nails. The salon is so clean and spacious, and the staff is very professional. They're fast without making you feel like you've been rushed...And most importantly (for me, anyway)...they've never made fun of my freakishly long second toe.
Earlier this month, when I was feeling so down, I decided to get myself a pedicure. I hadn't had one all year, and I just needed to feel better. When I got to my usual salon, I found them gone, and shop closed down. Oh, no! I can't go to another place. These people are already used to my toe. So I went home and painted my own toenails. I discovered later that Nu Nails hadn't shut down, but simply moved. I still hadn't gone, because they moved to an area that is waaayyy out of my driving comfort zone. Oh, well. I guess I don't really need pedicures, do I?
Did I mention that I have the best husband ever? Friday, Dave had the afternoon off. We went out to eat, then he took me to Tuesday Morning, then for a Sonic happy hour diet coke. While we were out, I mentioned that it's such a shame my favorite nail salon moved, because it would be nice to have one pedicure before it gets too cold to wear sandals. Do you know what that wonderful mad did? He took me there. While I was inside getting my pedicure, he got a nice nap in the car. Once again...Did I mention I have the best husband ever...?

I'm Brilliant

This week, I discoved ants in my bathroom. I can't imagine why they are going after Annie's food and leaving all the other food alone, but that's what is happening. I don't feel she's quite brave enough to return to the main feeding area, and I don't feel safe spaying chemicals in such a confined area. I tried spraying them with water, and wiping them up. That only takes care of the ones that are out at the time. I thought of moving the food to another area, but I know the ants will find it no matter where it is. Then it hit me. There is a product on the market called an ant mote, which protects hummingbird feeders from ants. The mote is filled with water, and hung just over the feeder. I have one, and I know it works, because ants can't cross that barrier of water.
With this thought in mind, I took a food bowl (the old fashioned, bottom heavy kind), and turned it upside down. The upside-down bowl serves as little shelf for a smaller bowl of food, while the hollow area is filled with water. You now have a water barrier the ants can't cross. After your cat eats, you may have to check for fallen kibbles on the floor, because they're still ant magnets. Ok, how do I get a patent?

Slipper Socks Finished!

Wow, this really was a fast knit. The eight row pattern repeat is so easy, I had it memorised about the middle of the first sock. I actually knitted the second sock without using the chart. At first, I was nervous about the heel. Yes, I've knitted short-row heels before, but they never turned out well. My trouble occurs when picking up the wrap to knit together with the stitch. I've always had difficulty figuring out exactly where the wrap is, and I'd end up picking up part of the stitch below. The result is a row of gaps that later have to be sewn shut. This time, it seemed to click, and I was easily able to find the wraps. The difference is amazing. In fact, now that I can do it properly, I think I actually prefer the short-row heel. No picking up gusset stitches.

A Day Of Prayer

Today was Norma's surgury day. I spent most of it as I normally would with one very important difference...Prayer. I prayed as I ate my lunch. I prayed as I knit on my sock. I prayed as I washed, dried and folded clothes. Even as I fed my cats, I prayed. I recieved a call from my other sister, Glenda, informing me that the surgury was over, and went well. Norma will spend three nights in the hospital, before heading home. Now we wait for test results and a plan of action from the doctors. Please help us pray for her complete healing.

Autumn Sage

For the first time this year, my Autumn Sage is in full bloom. I guess it was just too hot during the summer for my potted plants. They bloomed beautifully in the spring, put out the occasional bloom during the heat of the of the summer, then rebloomed with the cooler temperatures of fall. My roses, pink and yellow lantanas, and sages have provided a fresh burst of blooms. My annual pentas and marigolds have also decided to hang in there a bit longer. I feel so blessed to be able to sit on my screened porch, and enjoy the color all around me for a bit longer. If you look closely at the photo, you'll see Morty and Abby enjoying the view as well.

Baby Steps

This is just a little update on Annie's progress. She has fallen into a routine since she started her valium treatment. Around 4:30am, while Dave is getting ready for work (and about the time I've finally gotten to sleep), she comes into our room. This is a good thing, because it gives her a chance to play, and have some human company until I wake around noon. Then I pill her, make the bed, and open the door. When Max still lived here, I had to take her back into the bathroom and shut the door until she could use her litter, eat a bite, and go back into her closet without being chased. Now, I allow her to decide on her own when, or if, she wants to go back into hiding. About the middle of last week, I noticed some subtle changes. Dave and I like to eat lunch out on the back porch, and lately, Annie has been staying in our bedroom, and watching us from the window. It's very promising, because it requires her to stay out of hiding.
Last Friday, I was so proud of her. I walked to the kitchen to get a Diet Coke, and noticed she was lying on our bed instead of hiding under it. Another routine we've started happens at feeding time. Our cats' primary sourse of nutrition is try food, but in the afternoon, I like to give each cat a spoonful of canned food for a treat. I've been taking Annie's into the bathroom and shutting the door so the other cats can't chase her back into her closet, and steal it from her. That same Friday, I was getting ready to take hers into her bathroom, when she came into the kitchen. I put it down, and she ate it right there in the same room as the other cats. That was a huge step for her. Sadly, she hasn't taken anymore big steps since, but I'm still encouraged.

More Knitting

I started this pair of slipper socks using the Kumara Bed Socks pattern from last year's Christmas issue of Interweave Knits. I know I should be finishing up the Christmas projects I've put to the side, but I seem to be in sock knitting mode, and can't get out of it. I've finished the cuff portion of sock #1, and am ready to start the short-row heel. This is such a pretty design, and purple is my favorite color. After this pair of socks is complete, I promise I'll get back to my Christmas knitting. Wait...maybe I shouldn't promise...I'll try to get back to my Christmas knitting...

Roses Just Like Mama's

I feel so blessed to live in Texas. We have such a long growing season, which means I can enjoy my roses just a little longer. When I was younger, my mother's favorite rosebush grew orange roses. Since orange never was my favorite color, I'm sorry to say I didn't fully appreciated how beautiful they were. As I've grown, and hopefully matured, I've learned to love all colors, including orange. Last year (or was it the year before?), Dave and I were shopping at Atwoods. I, of course, was browsing through the gardening section, when I found this beautiful orange rosebush. It reminded me so much of my mother, I just had to have it. It didn't really bloom this year, and I was beginning to think I'd lost it, but I'm happy to say that it still lives, and has produced these beautiful, citrus scented blooms.

Illusion Of Peace

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."-Psalm 42:5

I couldn't have asked for a more calm afternoon. After Dave left for his remote, I heated up some left-over soup, then sat on the back porch to eat it. As I sat there, I began to take notice of all the peace surrounding me. Morty was napping on the back of a porch chair, while Maybel was sleeping on the foot stool. Annie, out of hiding for a good portion of the day, watched us from the bedroom window. As I looked out at my yard, I begun to appreciate the gift of living in a state with a more moderate Fall season. I watched a bumble bee sip from what's left of my annual pentas and my autumn sage. My roses have begun to rebloom, giving me one more flush of color before going to sleep for the year. Gentle breezes rustle the trees, causing the first round of fall leaves to flutter to the ground, while outdoor cats claim the sunniest spots to bask in the warmth of the day. I really have so much to be thankful for. What I don't understand is why my heart can be so unsettled on such a perfect, peaceful day...

Getting Back To Life

Today has been a pretty normal day. Since I'm a night person, I normally lay in bed until Dave comes home for lunch. He came home a bit late, but not too much. I pilled Annie, and made the bed. After Dave left for the TV station, I heated myself up some low-fat pizza rolls, which I ate outside on the screened porch. In fact, I spent most of my afternoon out there knitting. Around 2:00, I watered the potted plants in the front yard, fed the cats, and rinsed out the coffee pot. Next, I gathered up the empty cat dishes, and put them in the sudsy water to soak, then I took the load of towels out of the dryer. Now, here I sit at my computer, a cat in my lap, waiting for Dave to come home from work. I know it's pretty routine, and makes for a boring post, but maybe that's what I need.

By Popular Request

Here are some photos of the yarn I bought last weekend. My sisters have mentioned wanting to see my new yarn, but when they visit me, I seem to keep forgetting to show it. First of all, I must apologize for the tantrum I was having when I wrote of our plans. I was still pouting at the time, so please forgive me for my smarty tone. The truth is, I had been saving my money since we planned this trip, and had $135 dollars to spend on yarn. When we got there, Dave gave me an extra $40, so I was in yarn shopper's heaven...
There is a shawl pattern from the second Mason-Dixon Knitting book, that I've had my eye on for months. It calls for Kidsilk Haze, a kid mohair and silk yarn put out by Rowan. I had planned to buy enough of this yarn to make a shawl, then enough Noro Silk Garden to make another Noro Striped Scarf. When I got there, I discovered that Woolie Ewe no longer sells Rowan yarns, but Sue helped me pick out a substitute yarn called Kid Seta, which is simply Cascade's version of the same blend. I couldn't decide if I wanted to use the green and burgandy color combo, or the chocolate brown and blue, so I got them both. Then I went over to the Noro section, and picked out enough Silk garden to make my striped scarf. Again, I was having a hard time picking from two color combos, but I managed to chose one, and headed for the check out counter. After, I made my purchases, I was told that I'd earned enough points to get $25 off my next purchase within 30 days. Since I live 100 miles away, and knew I couldn't get back within 30 days, they let me make that next purchase right then. So I got enough yarn for that second scarf after all. I know it was an extravagance, but when you consider the amount of high end yarn I was able to purchase, I really didn't do so bad.

Feeling A Little Stronger

I haven't written in the last couple of days, because my heart just hasn't been in it. Truthfully, my heart hasn't been in anything for a long time, but yesterday was a good day. We went to church that morning, and to Caleb's (my cousin) housewarming party in the afternoon. He cooked hot dogs on the grill, and we ate sitting under the trees in his backyard. We were all so happy for him about getting his first home, and everyone was in a good mood. He got so many nice gifts, including some soup bowls that belonged to my mom, some utensils that belonged to Aunt Kathryn (his grandmother), and some dishes that belonged to Ina (another cousin, also gone to Heaven). Dave and I gave him a gas heater we no longer need, and I fixed him a kitchen-themed care package. This is my third time to put together a care package, and I'm especially proud of how this one turned out. His colors are blue and brown, so I included the two ballband dishcloths I knitted a couple of months ago.

Gonna Buy Yarn

Yes, I know I had a goal to use my stashed yarn until the end of the year, but after the past couple of months, I just don't care. Dave and I didn't do anything Tuesday, so we're going to Celebrate our anniversary Saturday. We're going to Dallas to our favorite Chinese restaurant, then over to plano and The Woolie Ewe. We'll hit Costco last before heading home. Folks I need this more than you know. I need to get out of this house and out of this town, and yes, I'm going to buy yarn. Maybe even some expensive yarn...

Do It Anyway

I'm not a big Country music fan, but I can't get the words to this Chorus out of my mind. The song is called "Do It Anyway," and it is sung by Martina McBride.

God is great but sometimes life aint good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

My Heart Is Broken

In the summer of 2008, a beautiful tabby kitten came into our lives. A co-worker of Dave's at the time found him wondering around the parking lot of the bank. She's highly allergic to cats, so she couldn't keep him herself, but she also couldn't just leave him there. She decided to bring him to us, and even though we had five indoor cats, we just couldn't say no. We named him Max. We loved him, nurtured him, and watched him grow into the almost 17 pound mega cat he is today. He was always happy, playful, and very affectionate. I loved to call him my gentle giant, because that's what he was.

Then, after two years, a horrible thing happened. Annie, one of my original two cats became fearful of him, after he decided he liked to chase her. At first, I didn't think much about it, because she's always been more skittish than my other cats. I never, even for a minute thought he'd actually hurt her, and I still believe if she'd just learn to stand her ground, he'd grow bored and leave her alone. She never did get past her fears. We took her to see our vet to make sure she was healthy, and she was put on valium. She has been on valium going on her third week with little progress. She has come out a few times, only to be chased back in. I really don't understand this, because Max gets along fine with the other cats.

We made an appointment for Max to get a full check up, and discuss the possiblility of drug therapy for him. I don't like the idea of pumping my cats full of drugs to make them get along, but I didn't see that I had another choice...Then a strange thing happened. I was on the phone with Norma, and during the course of the conversation, she told me that her sister-in-law had offered to take Max. She had been looking for a companion for her cat with no luck, and was willing to give him a try. I sounds like a no-brainer in hindsight, but at the time, all I could think about was how much I would miss my big lug of a cat. We took Max in for his appointment today, and after discussing everything with our vet, Dave and I decided to forgo the drugs, and give Max to Sis Jo Anne. She came and got him around noon, and I'm sitting here missing him more than I ever thought possible. Please, don't misunderstand me. I'm not worried at all about how he'll be treated. I've known Sis Jo Anne all my life, and if he had to go, I can't think of a better home for him. She'll take excellant care of him...I just miss him. I feel his absence so much it's like I can actually touch it. I know we made the right decision, but I just wish it didn't hurt so much...

Dear, Father, I need you so much right now. I'm completely broken, and can't understand why this had to happen. I know you could have healed the rift between Max and Annie, and turned things around. You chose not to do it that way. Please, don't allow me to let bitterness set in. Thank you for Sis JoAnne, and providing this new home for Max. Please, cause him to settle in quickly, love her, and befriend her cat instantly. Please, cause him to be happier than he's ever been. Please, take care of him, Lord. Father, I ask for peace and strength for the days ahead. I just gave up one of my cats, Lord. I can't believe I just gave up one of my cats. Please, Father, I beg you... Please don't let it be for nothing...

Eight Years Ago, On This Day...

I married my best friend. Dave and I met at Unique Image, the salon where I used to cut hair. We always had fun visits, and I used to smile whenever I'd see his name in my appointment book. After six years of being my faithful client, he finally asked me out. We like to joke about that first date, because I, being stupid like I am, told him I just wanted to be friends. He must have believed me, because I didn't hear from him for two weeks. What? This isn't how it's supposed to happen. In the movies, when a woman tells a man she just wants to be friends, it makes him want to see her even more. After a torturous two weeks of berating myself, I was surprised by a call from him. From that point on, things just fell into place. Six months later, at the small church we still attend to this day, we got married.
Now, after eight years, we're happier than ever. I honestly can't remember what life was like before, because it just feels like we've always been together. We've supported eachother though loss of parents, job scares, illnesses, and issues with my cats. He has never treated any of my worries like they are trivial or unimportant (even when they were unimportant). These may not have been an easy eight years, but they've been wonderful just the same.
Dave, I hope you're reading this at work. I love you. :)

An Urgent Request

I don't know how many readers I have, who believe in the power of prayer, but my family has been dealt a terrible blow, and needs you. I don't want to go into details, and tell her private business, but I do want to request urgent prayer for my sister, Norma. She has to consult with her Doctors today, and I'm praying for some hopeful news.

Dear Lord, I just ask you to keep your healing hand on my sister. Please, give her peace of mind, strength, and a complete miracle. Father, I don't have to tell you what a faithful servant she is. You already know she loves you with all her heart, and is happy to serve you. Please, give her a complete healing. I just can't ask you enough...Amen

Didn't Wanna Do It

Last week, I started knitting a washcloth, which I was going to pair with some pretty soaps I'd bought from Tuesday Morning, for a gift. I have a pretty hefty stash of Rowan Handknit Cotton I purchased during a clearance sale at The Woolie Ewe. Since the colors are so beautiful, and the cotton is softer than Lily cottons, I decided to use it. Oh, I was so proud of the way it was knitting up. About half way though, I decided to read the care instructions. According to the lable, this yarn is supposed to be either dry cleaned or handwashed in soap flakes. No soaking, no wringing. Not very practical for a washcloth, so I felt I had no choice but to frog. I must say, I don’t think frogging a project has ever broken my heart more. A word of advice to all knitters out there...Read your yarn lables before you start your project.

I Shouldn't Be Driving...

Ok, here was the plan...
Saturday was the last day of the fair. Dave and I were to go over to the fair grounds today, so I could pick up my stuff, and he could pick up the radio van. I was to follow him over to the station, where he'd leave the van, and then we'd drive to the sonic for a coke. Simple, huh?

Well, here's what actually happened...
Dave and I went over to the fair ground, picked up my stuff, then loaded it all into the car. He then jumped into the van and headed for the station. I, on the other hand, got behind the wheel of the car and headed for home. I was about half way there, when I remembered I was supposed to be headed to the station. I turned down 20th street, toward Cherry st. Because I'm not used to going to Cherry from that direction (and because they don't seem to think street signs are necessary on that side of town), I passed it. I turned down tudor and drove, seemingly forever, until I managed to find a street that would go through to Fairfax, where I doubled back, returned to 20th, found Cherry, and finally made it to the radio station. Wow, talk about the long way! I parked, got out, and told Dave he'd better drive the rest of the way, because I apparantly can't be trusted behind the wheel of a car.

Arts & Crafts Pictures

I just got back from the fair. Dave doesn't think it's good for me to stay holed up in the house too much, and he was the dj on duty tonight, so I went with him. While there, I managed to snap a few pictures to share...

These are the green socks I feverishly knitted so they'd be finished in time. It was worth it, because they won a blue ribbon.

Here is my striped Booga bag. This happened to be my first real felted project.

My crocheted afghan, and underneath it, my bigger Booga Bag. I was surprised this was the one that won the blue, because I like the striped on better.

And finally, my Kool Aid dyed wool yarn.

This has been such a fun, exciting experience. In fact, I'm already wondering what to make for next year...

Dave, The Mediator

My husband was asked, and accepted, the job of mediating a local political debate between the candidates. He came home so excited, telling me of all the compliments and "thank you's" he recieved for volunteering his time. For him this was an exhilerating experience. I'm serious, he loves being involved in these things, and does an excellant job. I, on the other hand, would do a terrible job. I would be rolling my eyes and saying "Oh, come on! Really?" every time I caught one of them in a lie. And with politicans, I'm sure there were plenty of lies...Oop! I guess I shouldn't have said that. I hope none of them read this...Yeah, right. I'm sure they stay absolutely glued to my little blog. lol

Ribbons!

Yes, you read it right...I've got ribbons!

Today was the first day of the fair, and Dave is one of the dj's on duty. Since I had prayer meeting tonight, Dave was going to look at the exhibit, and tell me the results when he got home. I thought I was ok with waiting, but I just couldn't. The minute prayer meeting was over, I drove over to the fairground to say 'hi' to Dave. When I got there, he had already seen the displays, and informed me that all my entries had ribbons. Seriously? Of course I had to look for myself. I wanted to see the displays anyway, and it was true! My green socks and my bigger Booga Bag both earned blue ribbons! How exciting! I also got red ribbons for my shawl, afghan, the other Booga Bag, and my Kool Aid dyed yarn. I honestly hadn't expected this, but it feels pretty good. I'll check to see if photography is permitted, and if so, I'll post some pictures. This was so much fun!

An Honest Prayer

(Readers, keep in mind I haven't slept yet, so for me, it's still tonight)

Dear Lord, please help me. This was a good day for me. I accomplished the goals I had set for today, I saw some progress with Annie, and I was even able to eat two complete meals with no stomach pain. I was so encouraged, until tonight's altercation between Max and Annie. It wasn't a big one, but it was enough to unsettle me. Now I sit here, discouraged, and once again, unsure of Max's future. I just don't understand why this is happening. I just don't understand how they could do so well with eachother for so long, only to have tension now. But what I'm mostly upset about is the fact that I, so easily, lose hope. Jesus, it's going to take a miracle to heal my home, but I know you can perform miracles, because I've seen it with my own eyes. Recently. So why do I sit here discouraged? Why does each set-back send me plummeting into dispair, when I know better? The reason is fear. Fear that I've made every wrong decision in the world with these cats. Fear that I'll have to lose Max. I beg you, Father, please don't make me give up any of my cats. I love them all so much, and only want them to live long, healthy, happy lives. Please, make that possible, Jesus, in your holy name I pray. Amen.
Father, God, I'm so scared...