Remembering

Scary Cat (2004)

Scary Cat (2010)

Fuzzy Wuz (2004)

Fuzzy Wuz with Munroe, who happily, is still with us (2007?)

Fuzzy Wuz, Scary Cat, and Munroe (2007)

Fuzzy Wuz and Scary Cat (last year)

Tigra (last year)

Socks (last year)

Sadly, I could find no pictures of Sophie. She spooked so easily, I knew I had never taken a picture of her, but I had hoped that I could find garden picture where she was captured in the background.  She was a beautiful, long-haired black cat with gold eyes.  She looked very much like Fuzzy, only smaller.  This has been a very heart-breaking time for me.  I very much need your prayers.

RIP Fuzzy Wuz

I am in a state of complete shock.  I just found the body of another one of my cats in the neighbor's yard.  Fuzzy Wuz was one of the original group of cats that lived out here when I first started feeding and helping Feral cats.  I don't know just how old he was, but he was just a kitten at the time, and more open to human contact.  I had been married for less than a year, and didn't have any indoor cats yet.  I used to sit on the back porch and hold him in my lap each morning after feeding time.  I guess that would make him ten years old (give or take), Which is a long life for a feral cat, but this is still a huge shock!  I saw him two days ago, and he looked and acted perfectly healthy!  He never went down hill the way Sophie and Scary cat did.  One day he was healthy, then next, gone.  I still am having trouble believing it.

Unto Thee O Lord

Unto thee O Lord
Do I lift up my soul
Unto thee O Lord
Do I lift up my soul

O my God
I trust in thee
Let me not be ashamed
Let not my enemies triumph over me

RIP Sophie

We lost her. First Scary Cat, now Sophie. I'm too emotional to write at the moment. Dave is taking me out of town.

She's Back

As I walked out onto the back porch, I heard that whimpering sound Sophie made yesterday. It was coming from the direction of the shed porch, where I keep a box with fleece blankets on cold days. There is where I found her. Apparently she had wondered home, and found her box. Without thinking, I went out and got her, and brought her in the house. Surprisingly, she let me. She's in terrible shape. She is very weak, and has visible tremors (obviously more going on than the skin condition), but she did eat some gravy from a can of Friskies shreds. I called Dr House's emergency number to tell him about her condition. I was scared to give her such a strong dose of medicine in her present condition. Turns out I was right. He didn't recommend it at all, and I have an appointment for him to see her first thing tomorrow morning. I have her closed up in the craft room, trying to keep her warm. Before I go to bed, I'll transfer her to a pet taxi, and put the space heater in here. I hope and pray it's not too late.

Sophie Is Missing

Sophie is one of my feral cats, who has never lost her fear of humans.  Unlike the kittens who were born out here, and grew up around Dave and me, Sophie was already an adult cat with all her feral tendancies firmly ingrained.  In spite of this wild streak, she saw us as reliable sourse of food, and stayed.  Each morning, she comes to the food trays, eats, then goes to my neighbor's yard to nap or hide.  I grew to love her and count on her presence even though she's never been friendly.  During the time we were doing our TNR, she became wise to the trap, and was actually the last of my ferals to be spayed.  I still don't know what made her decide to walk into the trap that day, but I'm glad she did.  That day marked the end of her kitten bearing days, and the beginning of her carefree days of running, playing, and napping in the sun.
I don't remember if it was August or September, but I began to notice her developing a skin problem.  It broke my heart, because I knew she needed help, but would never allow me to help her.  I began to try harder each day to reach out to her and win her trust.  I wanted to take her to see the vet.  My efforts had just the opposite effect.  She became so freaked out by my attentions, that she wouldn't come to the food trays until I'd gone back in the house.  For months, I watched her skin conditions spread, and her misery grow worse, despite all my efforts to reach her.  About a week ago, she was eating, and while she wasn't paying attention, I reached down to pet her.  She didn't run away.  Great! For the past week, I've been petting her each time she'll let me, thinking maybe she'll finally trust me enough to let me help her.  Two days ago, she was in such a miserable condition, that she actually came up to me.  Reluctantly, but still she came up to me. Today, I called our vet, and explained what she looked like, and how she's been behaving.  He knows I work with ferals, and tries to help me when he can.  He recommended a heavy dose of Advantage Multi, which kills all kinds of skin mites as well as fleas.  I have the medicine, and am ready to attempt to dose her as soon as I see her again.  The bad news is that she's been missing since yesterday around noon.  The last time I saw her, she was wondering over to the neighbor's yard, her misery causing her to let out a wimper now and then. 
Please, God, let her come back.  Please don't let that be my last memory of her.

Back to Normal

Taking down ornaments, dismantling the tree, and packing it all away is always an emotional time for me.  I know it has to be done, but I can't help but feel a little sad.  At least that's how it starts.  As I take each ornament off the tree, and lay it out on the floor, and coffee table in groups (wood, breakable, knitted, etc...) I begin to feel overwhelmed by the amount of clutter.  After the tree is free of decorations, Dave dismantles it, and boxes it back up, leaving me room to wrap each ornament in tissue or newspaper, and place them all safely in the storeage bin.  I, then, move on to the angels on my mantle, stockings, cards, everything Christmas has to be put away in this same manner.  It's a slow process, but as I complete each task, I get that feeling of accomplishment, and seeing my house return to its normal state makes me happy.  I begin to reflect on the good memories made this season, another Chrismas to cherish forever.  Thank you, Jesus, for all you've given us. Friends and family, and eachother to name a few.  I feel so blessed!

Now, tomorrow, we hit those sales!  Next year, my porch is going to look awesome!

Success!

I couldn't have asked for a better week.  Just as I had predicted, we were very busy with parties, shopping, and cooking, but everything turned out perfect.  The women's Christmas party and all day shopping trip were both complete blasts, and yesterday's family Christmas party couldn't have been better.  We enjoyed a meal of Turkey soup with choice of rice or noodles (I'm a noodle girl myself), ham or turkey and cheese sandwiches, and plenty of sweets and snacks for later.  We played bingo for prizes, and had our gift exchange.  I got a set of hand embroidered napkins, and some glasses that used to belong to my mom, and Dave got a gift card for Amazon.com!  I hope everyone had as good a time as I did, and I'm already looking forward to next year.  Merry Christmas to all of you!  May your day be filled with many blessings!

Busy Busy!

Lots to look forward to in the coming week.  It all begins Tuesday, with our women's Christmas party at the church. Several of us have met last Wednesday and Thursday for cleaning and decorating.  We'll meet that morning for last minute decorating before the party, which will be so much fun!  Wednesday morning, a small group of us (church ladies) will be heading out of town for a Christmas shopping spree.  They have done this every year for several years, but last year was the first time I'd gone with them.  There was no way I was going to miss it this year.  We'll have a fresh, new "ugly necklace" to keep us light-hearted, and on our toes.  Thursday and Friday will be cooking and cleaning days, as Dave and I get things prepared for our family Christmas party Saturday.  I look forward to this time with my family every year, and I can hardly wait to see everyone.  This has been a tough year for all of us, but we're going to support eachother, and enjoy this get-together.  Maybe even have an ugly necklace of our own? Maybe not...

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), 1867)

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

RIP Scary Cat

It is a sad day in my household.  We just said goodbye to one of our outdoor cats.  Scary Cat was from the same litter as Tigra, and grew to be very special to me.  He was a solid black cat with gold eyes, so I gave him his Halloween themed name. He developed a gum condition called Stomatitis back in 2008 (or 09, not sure).  Our vet had him on half a prednisone every other day to reduce inflamation so he could eat. This treatment worked, and his medication became part of our routine.  He was as happy and playful as any of my cats for all these years. 
We noticed the change last Saturday. He started losing weight, and began to lose strenght in his back legs.  We took him in to discover he had started losing muscle mass, and several of his teeth had broken off, making it impossible for him to eat dry food.  For the last week I had been giving him canned food, which at first, he devoured like a treat, but by Sunday, he had stopped eating even that.  All he would eat was leftover people food, which he never lost his appetite for, but he still continued to go downhill.  We took him back today, where a full blood work-up revealed that he had inoperable cancer throughout his body.  Dr House recommended that the kindest thing would be to let him go.  So after a tearful farewell, we left the vet's office with heavy hearts.  I will truly miss him.  I've never seen a cat with more fight in him.  It was very heartbreaking to see him lose his spark, and go downhill the way he did at the last. 

RIP, Sweet little guy.  I'll never forget you.

Side Two

I can't believe I didn't do this before, but I rotated the tree so I could show my readers the other side. 

I've also included this picture of my TV room tree.  This small tree is from our after Christmas Home Depot trip.  I added bows, and some small candy ornaments.  Very cute!

Dave's Handiwork

While I was inside decorating the tree, Dave was outside doing this.  Picture taken from the sidewalk.

This picture was taken from the driveway.  I love it!

Here's a close-up.  I expecially like this picture, because my tree shows through the window.

Tree Pictures

Poor Dave.  I normally do the bottom tier, but I was busy feeding cats and washing cat food dishes.

Nosy Merlin wanted to help, but unfortunately he wasn't very useful to the purpose.

You know it's Christmas in Texas, when you're trimming the tree in shorts.

Finally done! Looking at it today with non-cranky eyes, I love it.  My ornaments have never been more evenly placed. :)

Bah!

Our house is cozy and festive. The tree is up, and we finally get to use the new ornaments and decorations we bought from shopping after Christmas sales. Today should have been a great day, but I'm sorry to have to admit I did not have an enjoyable day of decorating.
First of all, I only had about four hours of sleep, after spending the night in a state of worry (that's another story). Normally, it doesn't matter how late I stay up, because I don't work outside the home. I actually prefer the peace and quiet of the night hours. But, anyway, Sundays are the only days I get up early, and I was already tired when we started.
The next (and biggest) cause of my crankiness began when I decided to try something new. My big tree rotates. I've never used this feature, because I never before, had enough ornaments to fill up such a big tree, front and back. Thanks to the previously mentioned after Christmas sales, that was no longer a problem. I started the tree rotating, thinking it the best way to evenly distribute all my new pretties. Big mistake! The tree turns slowly, but faster than I needed it to. I need time to place an ornament, examine its surroundings, then position just the right way to show it off to its greatest advantage. I did not have time to do this before the area was gone from sight. So I would have to stand, holding said ornament until the tree rotated back around, but by then I'd forgotten where I wanted to hang it. Needless to say, it took me all afternoon, and part of the evening to finish trimming my tree, I only THOUGHT I was tired before.
Poor Dave didn't fare much better. I have to stop here, and explain that after Christmas last year, I was so psyched.  I had bought some new ornaments, and had so enjoyed having new things to display, that I was already planning the next year's decor, hence the the many references to the after Christmas sales. During one excursion to Hobby Lobby, we bought nine large shatterproof, bright red Christmas balls. These, we decided (ok, I guess I decided), would look super cute hanging from the plant hooks surrounding our front porch. They totally do, but when I recall the hours of decorating hell Dave went through, trying tie all that fishing line with his huge fingers, I have to ask myself, "Was it worth it?"
Hopefully, tomorrow, when I see the results of all our work with fresh, non-exhausted, not frustrated, and non OCD (without the C) eyes, the answer will be "Yes!!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks thanks I give you thanks for all you've done
I am so blessed my soul is at rest
Oh lord I give you thanks

An Almost Disaster

It's Thanksgiving time again!  Dave and I have been getting things ready for our dinner guests on Thursday.  On Monday, we finished the last of our grocery shopping with a trip to Paris Tx Pecan Company, so that Tuesday, we could begin the cooking with my pecan pies, and the cornbread for his dressing.  He got the crust all ready for me (I don't make crust), while I was doing some last minute cleaning.  It looks like tomorrow will be warm enough for us to eat our dinner outside on the back porch. I had such a good day planned. Anyway, Dave had finished the crust, and turned the oven on to preheat.  It didn't work!  Can you believe it?  Two days before Thanksgiving and the OVEN WON'T WORK!!
Dave located the owner's manual, and while he was busy doing all the things on the trouble-shooting list, I was...well, I have to admit, I was panicking a little.  After trying all the suggestions in the book, Dave called the 800 number, while I mentally got to work on plan B.  Dave could cook the turkey outside.  It takes longer, but it can be done.  I could make my pecan pies and corn casserole in the toaster oven, and I could call my sister, Norma, and get her to make the dressing.  The only thing I didn't have a plan for was the rolls.  Sure, anybody can heat up a pan of rolls and bring them over, but it's just not the same as hot from the oven rolls.  We decided we could use the toaster oven for them as well.  We could cook six at a time, work the toaster oven to death, and maybe have a nice dinner...BY MIDNIGHT!
Well, I'm happy to say that disaster has been avoided.  I was so afraid we'd have trouble finding someone on such short notice, but the repair man did come out, and our oven is once again in working order.  All he had to do was replace the igniter, and we're all set. What a close call.  Our original Thankgiving plans are back on, and I'm once again, planning to have a great day! 

(Not) Knitting With Morty..

Hello Again

Not much to write. I just wanted to touch base and let my readers know  I'm  still here. I've been a little out of sorts lately, and I don't like to write when I'm feeling like that.  I hope everyone had a happy Halloween. I have never been a big celebrator of this holiday, but this year was different. Carving pumpkins made it memorable and fun. Now I look forward to Thanksgiving, a holiday I've always loved. Wishing everyone a good night, and hopefully a great tomorrow. :-)

Pumpkin #2

As Dave and I were leaving Sunday night's party, my friend Lisa, who played the leading female role in the play, gave me her pumpkin. I was so excited to get to use my new pumpkin carving tools so soon. I googled "free pumpkin carving patterns" and found the perfect stencil for a crazy cat lady like me.  Thank you, Lisa!  I love it!

Just for a laugh, I just had to include this last picture.  I set my first pumpkin on the counter for a photo shoot, and my cats were totally freaked out by it.  I've set this as my desktop background.

Back to Normal

Yesterday, Dave, along with the rest of the cast, performed the last show of A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody.  This play has been a complete success, and I am so honored to have been a part of it.  After the performance, and after we broke down the set (in theater, we call it striking the set), there was a cast party at the director's house.  Each cast and crew member was asked to bring a pumpkin for a pumpkin carving contest.  I had never carved a pumpkin.  Unbelieveable, but true.  I am 44 years old, and  until last night, had never carved a pumpkin.  They had all the tools and plenty of patterns and stencils available for this purpose.  I chose a skeleton pattern.  After everyone who wanted to participate was finished, they lined them up along the  top self for a vote, and mine won!  I am now the proud owner of a pumpkin carving tool and handy scoop! Below is a photo Jill (the director's wife) took of the contestants.  Mine is the last one on the right. Not bad for a beginner.

 If I were to be completely honest, I'd have picked Doug's (the director's) Frankenstien as the winner, but they have all the pumpkin carving tools they need. :)  Thank you Doug and Jill for the gift and for inviting us into your home.  We had a marvelous time!  Thank you, Vicki, Jeff, and the whole Frankland family for your patience, and for allowing me to be a part of this production.  Thank you to the whole cast and crew for all the fun and laughter, and even a few practical jokes. I hope I have the honor of working with all of you again sometime.

A Quick Check-In

Sitting here on my screened porch, waiting for Kim to text me. Tomorrow night begins week two of the play, A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody. Last week, opening week, was a success. Dave and the others did a great job entertaining the crowd, and we backstage crew kept the scene changes moving. This has been a fun experience for me. Sunday is the last performance, and I have mixed feelings. While it's going to be nice to relax back into normal life, I can't help but feel sad. I'm going to miss my new friends. This is when I feel thankful for Facebook. I really hope I get another opportunity to work with these people again.

I'm Hopeless!

I've already made this confession to my friends and family, and even publically confessed it in on my blog.  I love to start new knitting and crochet projects, but I have a problem finishing them.  I get so excited about a yarn or a pattern, and just can't wait to start.  I can knit or crochet happily on this item until I get far enough along to see how it's going to look, then I start to lose interest.  In the mean time, patterns and yarns are still catching my eye, and it's only a matter of time until I see another yarn or pattern that I just have to start.  I call this problem Knitting ADD.  I know I have it, but I didn't know just how out of control it had gotten until just a few minutes ago.  I was on Ravelry, looking through my project page.  Out of curiosity, I decided to count my unfinished projects.  Wow!  I have seven WIP's (work in progress for my non-Ravelry readers), and twenty-two projects in hibernation!  That adds up to twenty-nine unfinished projects!  Twenty Nine!!!  I have a serious problem...

Final Ribbon Post

For those of you who are tired of reading about the fair, you're in luck. This is my final post on the subject. Below I have two red ribbon scarves, both patterns designed by Debbie Bliss. The first one, Inishowen is from her Donagal Tweed booklet, the second, Cables And Lace, from her Pure Cashmere booklet.

Inishowen as displayed at the fair



Inishowen resting on my plant table at home

Cables & Lace as displayed at the fair

Cables & Lace resting on my plant stand at home



OMGoodness!!

I have one more red ribbon post, but it will have to wait til tomorrow, because I have exciting (and rather unexpected) news. Today was the last day of the fair, and Dave and I spent most of our day there. He was there to broadcast, then later, team up with Zeke to emcee the Paris Idol singing competition. We arrived early so we could visit the craft exhibit building. Today was the day when best in show ribbons are awarded for each catagory. These ribbons are given based on the number of votes given by the visitors to the exhibit. I'm am greatly honored to announce that I won best in show for one of my ruffled scarves! Wow! How amazing is that?!

Red Ribbon Post #2

My next red ribbon item is an afghan, made from the Ten Stitch Blanket pattern.  Ten Stitch is a free Ravelry download, designed by Frankie Brown.  This pattern shows off those self-striping yarns to their fullest advantage.  The designer uses Noro for the blanket, pictured in the pattern, but with six cats in the house, an acrylic yarn is more practical.  I used Lion Brand's Tweed Strips in the color, Tundra.

Ten Stitch as displayed at the fair





Ten Stitch lounging on my front porch glider




Ten Stitch folded and ready to go



When Ten Stitch first came off the needles, I must admit, I was a little underwhelmed.  The blanket is worked from the center out, with never more than ten stitches on the needles.  Short rows are used to turn each corner, and stitches are picked up and knitted together to join each new edge to the last one (it makes more sense when reading the pattern).  Because of the inside out way this blanket is knitted, the edges have a tendancy to constrict, leaving the middle looking puckered.  Not to worry.  Blocking will always take care of that little problem, but that was my problem.  Acrylic yarn can't be blocked.  At least that's what I thought until I happened upon a thread in the yarn forum on Ravelry.  I discovered that acrylic can, indeed be blocked, it just can't be wet blocked the way wool can.  Using the instructions from Beadknitter's blog and my steam iron, I was able to "kill" the acrylic yarn, enabling the edges of my blanket to lay flat and smooth.  As you can see from the last photo, I could have steamed it more, but I was a little scared.  Once acrylic is killed, the new form is permanent.  The good new is..well, the new form is permanent! :)

First Red Ribbon Post

The rest of this week, I'll be showing my red ribbon projects.  I was going to save this one for last, but I just can't.  This Shawl truly is my pride and joy.  The pattern, designed by Susanna IC, can be found in the first issue of Jane Austen Knits, a magazine dedicated to regency inspired patterns.  I knit this with Pace, a fingering weight sock yarn, put out by Universal Yarn Inc.  I have to confess, I was a little worried when it first came off the needles.  I've knit very few lace projects, and was unfamiliar with their tendancy to curl and bunch.  I soon discovered that, through the miracle of blocking, lace projects come alive.  I've included a few glamour shots of this shawl, because I love it so much. 

This shawl was awarded a red ribbon at this year's fair.

Dave took this picture of me posing with my Georgiana.  I love the way the lace pops against the dark shirt I'm wearing.



Georgiana, resting on the plant stand on my front porch.  This picture makes me think of gentle breezes, and Spring.

Posing for a Ravelry shot.

I really enjoyed taking these outdoor pictures. This may be the beginning of a new hobby.  Posing and photographing knitted items. :)

Blue Ribbon Post

The Red River Valley Fair has opened, and still going strong, but the awards for the craft exhibit entries have already been given.  You really never know what will catch the judges eyes.  As I've stated earlier in my blog (way too many times), I've been halted by a knitters' block for most of the year.  Looking for inspiration, I stumbled upon a YouTube video, explaining how to knit the ruffled scarves that have become so popular.  These are actually very easy, because all you have to do, is open the lacy yarn, and just knit the top row of loops together with a simple garter stitch.  At last, I'd found the perfect instant gratification, easy-to-finish project, to get me over my knitters' block. I picked up a skein of the brand of ruffling yarn sold by Hobby Lobby, and began.  It was so much fun watching the ruffles form as I worked, and before I knew it, I had finished my first project since Christmas! There was only one problem...it became an addiction, and before I knew it, I had become the proud owner of three ruffled scarves. :)  When I was picking out items to enter, I just had to include them.  I know they were easy, but they're so different from anything I'd ever entered, that I couldn't resist.  I wasn't sure if such easy projects would bring ribbons, but I thought they'd look pretty in the display either way.  Was I ever wrong! All three of these beauties, along with a pair of bulky boot socks, earned blue ribbon awards. 

I wish you could see the detailing on these socks.  They're my favorite pair I've ever made.

I'll be posting my red ribbon projects throughout the week.  I want to include some of my own photography I took for my ravelry page.

Our Own LYS!!

I'm so excited!  While Dave and I were out running errands, we passed by a little shop called Ewe-nique Creations of Paris.  My heart began to beat a little faster, because I know that any shop with a "Ewe" in the title, has to either be a store for people obsessed with little sheep figurines or a LYS (or local yarn shop for my non-Ravelry member readers).  After we finished our errands, we circled back by, and sure enough, it's a yarn shop!!  The store, located on Bonham street, just off the square, is brand new, and still in the process of stocking, but I couldn't resist a quick browse and a conversation with the owner.  Dave pulled up a chair in the bored husbands' section for a visit with her husband, while I buried my hands in soft wool awesomeness.  So far, she carries mostly Cascade yarns (which I love!) and she also stocks Knitpicks needle tips, cables, and whole sets, including the new Sunstruck blond wood.  Since I have three different sets of KP needle sets, I didn't need any needle tips, so I just passed them by.  Ha! Surely you didn't believe that blatant lie?  Of course I picked up a pair of Sunstruck tips, but only one!  I also purchased a hank of Cascade Heritage Silk fingering weight yarn for the next shawl I want to knit.  For some reason, I've become obcessed with lace knitting lately.

My yarn and needle tips.  Isn't this the prettiest red ever?

A close-up of her business card.  So cute!

Busy, Busy Day

Today was a work day at the theater.  Dave dropped me off on his way to work, and I spent the bulk of the day helping paint the set.  This is the first time I've ever helped paint a set, and I had so much fun! There was lots of laughter, and even some practical joking (sorry Alan). I will be helping with props, and costume changes for this show.  I'll do my best not to let anyone down, because I want to be allowed do this again in the future.  When I got home, Kim and I went for our walk, then it was grocery shopping time.  Finally, I got a minute to sit and write on my blog. 
Next Satureday, I'll be taking my knitted items to the fair for display and judging.  I've managed to finish my blanket, several scarves, and a lace shawl I'm especially proud of.  I can hardly wait til the judging is over, so I can post pictures of it. 

Hummers!

Done!

Sometimes being a night owl has its advantages.  In these overnight hours, as my husband and cats slept, I finished another project.  The blanket I've been knitting (off and on, anyway) is done! That means, so far, I have 4 scarves, a pair of slipper socks, and now, a blanket, ready to enter the craft exhibit.  Not too bad, for somebody who struggled with low energy and lack of motivation all year.  I'll be giving more detailed descriptions, along with photos, after the judging is complete.

Maybe, Just Maybe...

I'm getting to the end of my knitter's block.  I started crocheting a baby blanket for a friend of mine back in March.  Since the baby wasn't due until August, like most of my other projects, I had put it to the side.  I've been or crocheting a row or two here and there on several different projects, but never focusing on any of them. That all changed when my friend had her baby early.  I got that blanket out, and didn't stop until I finished it.  There's no way I can properly discribe how happy it made me to finish a project.  I'm hoping this is the beginning of me getting my motivation back.  I hesitate to get my hopes up too high because I know myself so well, but at least some measure of hope is now there.

A Little Pick-Me-Up

The last couple of weeks have been difficult weeks for me.  I'll not attempt to explain, because I can't put my finger on any particular reason for me to be down.  I suffer from major depressive disorder, and these periods of sadness and low energy just happen sometimes.  I just have to press through until they pass.

Poor Dave tries so hard.  When I'm at my low points, he'll do just about anything to cheer me up.  He bought me the premiere issue of Noro magazine.  I picked out a sweater I want to make for myself, and he told me to order the yarn for it.  I found some Kuryon in color # 217 marked almost half price at Little Knits. My order arrived Monday.  I've been resisting the urge to start my sweater, because of the knitting I want to do for the fair.  As soon as those items are turned in, I can begin. 

My lovely new yarn

The sweater I'll hopefully be wearing this winter

Tablet Post

It is so nice to be able to post to my blog without having to get out of bed. This new tablet makes that possible.  Dave and I have quite a Few busy weeks ahead of us. He has agreed to do another play, And hopefully, I'll be working behind the scenes for this one. I've only done this one time, and really enjoyed the experience. Of course all I did was wash glasses, and fill wine bottles with cranberry juice. This one seems much more complicated than that, but I won't know for sure until I attend the first read through.
Also, the Red River Valley Fair will be starting the end of this month. I've got lots of knitting to do if I want to enter the blanket I've been writing about. I still don't understand the reason for my knitter's block, but surely it can't last forever...can it?

As Promised...

The pictures I took yesterday.  I'm so happy!

My pretty new tablet cover

My pretty new tablet :)

Another Distraction

Just when I thought I was ready to settle in and knit my little heart out until time for the fair, in came another distraction. Yes, folks, I'm talking about the tablet Dave bought me. After signing into my google account, I was in for a great surprise. Not only did I get the usual welcome to the world of Google Nexus 7 owners email, I also got an email informing me that I have $25 worth of credit to spend in the Google Play store. Yay! I've sent most of my free time this weekend, and a good part of Monday, shopping for books and music until my money was spent. How fun!
The perfect icing on the cake happened yesterday, when the cover I ordered came. I had been protecting my new tablet as if it were made of blown glass. Monday night, I fell asleep while I was reading, only to be abruplty awakened when my treasured tablet fell out of my hand and landed on the floor. Noooo! I said. I made Dave turn over so I could lay on the other side. That way if it fell again, it would land on the bed. I'm happy to report that my tablet is still intact, and now completely protected. Whew!
Tomorrow, I'll post pictures of my new tablet and cover.  I tried to include them tonight, but Blogger seems to be acting up, and I'm too sleepy headed to figure it out.  :{

I Feel Blessed!

Yesterday, I celebrated my forty fourth birthday, and it was filled with blessings.  When I wake each morning, the first thing I do is reach for my phone.  My routine is to text my husband, then catch up with my friends and family on Facebook.  This day, I was greeted with a timeline full of birthday wishes.  I loved reading each and every one of them.  I was just finishing a reply, when Dave came in with a special gift for me- a Google Nexus 7 tablet! Yay!!  We played with it for a little while before putting on the charger so we could go to lunch.  Dave took me to Roma's, a new Italian restaurant that recently opened in our small town.  The food is delicious, and I couldn't ask for better company than Dave.  Next, he took me to my sister's house.  Since my sister from Irving is in town, I got to visit with all my sisters, and play a few games of Bananagrams.  I got home about an hour ago to find even more happy birthdays from FB friends.  I really am blessed!  Now for a quick shower, before staying up all night to play with my new tablet :)

I'm In

Well, I managed to finish a few projects to enter in the crafts exhibit for next month's fair.  I don't expect blue ribbons this time, as all my items are quick, easy projects, but that doesn't matter this year.  I've been so overwhelmed with depression, and a lack of focus and energy to knit, that I'm just thankful to have something to display at all.  I am rather excited about some of the items, and as much as I'd love to blog about them, I must save them for after the fair.  Another bit of good news is that I have just one more skein of yarn left to go on my afghan.  Since it looks like I'll finish it in time to enter it, I'll save those details for later as well. 
So, even though my blog may be silent for now, please be patient.  As you can see, I'll have lots of crafty goodness to share after next month has passed. 

The Classics On Kindle

Not much has been happening here lately, which is not unusual.  The Summer heat often brings with it a loss of energy to do much activity.  Reading is always a great way to spend the hot months cooped up inside, and I've now embarked upon the world of ebooks.  It all started one night several weeks ago. (technically it's morning, but if I haven't been to sleep yet, I call it 'night').  It was 4am, and I had read my last library book.  Not sleepy enough to sleep, I went though my stash of paperback, only do discover that I'd read them all.  I'm not one who likes to read books again, so I went back to bed.  I lay there, trying to go to sleep, but it's wasn't going to happen.  I got my phone and went to Facebook, but of course, there's very little activity at 4am.  I decided to visit the app market, where I discovered the Kindle app for Android.  With the Kindle app freshly loaded, I used my phone to search the Kindle library.  I wasn't planning to buy anything, just wanted a free book to get me by til I could visit the library, so I went to the classics section.  I loaded an Agatha Christie book called The Secret Adversary.  Great book!  I'd never read any of her books, and quite honestly, I've never been a big fan of the classics.  What was I thinking?  These books are really good!  I've read my first Jane Austen, and my first Mary Roberts Rinehart, and have loaded many more.  Needless to say, I never did make it back to the library. :)

Our New Toys (Picture Share)

Dave's new tv.  We found this shelving unit at Target, during a Sherman shopping trip. It's perfect for that corner.

My new camera. While we were sitting in the car in back of Sears, waiting for them to load our tv, I took this picture with my phone. 

Just for fun, I included the first picture I took with my new camera. Max wasn't in the mood to pose.