I Laughed Until I Cried

This past weekend, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a gathering of friends. Somehow I was fortunate enough to get included in a weekend retreat of quilters last year and I behaved, so I got invited back. This year, I took extra precautions and I made some kick-ass cinnamon rolls, so I think I'm in next year, too.

It is hard to explain what is so much fun about these gatherings. This weekend, there was 14 ladies, mostly quilters, but some knitters/quilters. Basically, everyone hangs out and quilts or knits and what is so fun about that? Well fellowship, humor, commiseration. My dear, dear, bff, Janette is a hoot, she is silly and she gets me going and we enjoy playing off of each other and it ends up to be kind of like dinner and a show. Last night we literally laughed so hard that we cried (and it wasn't just us laughing alone), I don't remember the last time I did that, probably last year at the retreat. I got some knitting done, got some catching up done (I usually only see these ladies once per year) and recharged my batteries. I came home a tired, but happy to be home mom. Friends - Such a blessing.

One word

Your hair? Thinning
Your mother? BFF
Your father? Protective
Your favorite thing? Knitting
Your dream last night? College
Your favorite drink? Tea
Your dream/goal? Weightloss
What room are you in? Office
Your hobby? Knitting
Your fear? Abandonment
Where do you want to be in 6 Yrs? College
Where were you last night? Home
Something that you aren't? Thin
Muffins? Yes
Wish list item? House
Last thing you did? Lunch
What are you wearing? Shawl
TV? Yes
Your pets? Dog
Friends? Treasured
Your life? Grateful
Your mood? Hopefull
Missing someone? Grandmother
Drinking? Coke
Your car? Cadillac
Something you're not wearing? Necklace
Your favorite store? Kohl's
Your favorite color? Sage
When is the last time you cried? Christmas
Where do you go to over and over? Bathroom
My favorite place to eat? Chinatown
Favorite place I'd like to be at right now? Home

November 4th, 2008

I want to get this in before the election results start to come in. I was raised in a Democratic family and married a Republican. I don't agree with everything the Republicans support and I don't believe in everything the Democrats support. I have not yet had the opportunity to support a candidate, rather usually I find myself voting against a candidate rather than FOR a candidate and this year is no exception. I hope and pray that whomever wins does the right thing, steers this country to self-sufficiency, brings this military campaign to an equitable solution, fixes our health care system, brings our troups home triumphantly and with the respect and praise they deserve, provides opportunities for all citizens to be productive active members of our world, allows folks to enjoy the fruits of their labor. We are an innovative, resourceful nation, I fear whomever wins will need us to remember that and act upon it. God Bless America - Heaven knows we need it.

Oh Goodness!

I can't believe it has been 2 months since I posted last. Spring kept me busy in my gardens. I planted the front triangle with roses, hydrangeas, coral bells, hosta's and some really neat ground hugging evergreen plant. I am watering, watering, watering. The hydrangea's keep wilting on me. I don't think it has rained since I put the bed in. Oh, well, it will be beautiful next year or the next. I also planted what I call my "Fairy Garden" in the back under the remaining apple tree. DS#1 repainted the flamingo and I dug an ice cream chair from the barn, I also put a bird feeder on an old porch post over there for a platform bird feeder. I planted some creeping thyme and some other low growing "carpet" type perennial over there. I put in a russian sage, spirea, hydrangea (it must be the year of hydrangea's). it will look good when it fills in as well. I have also planted the "divorce garden" with herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and annuals, it really looks lush and I also bought some patio furniture to put out there and some unfortunate umbrella's, as my friend Sandy says, "Umbrella's just don't work in the country" and she is right. Even closed, they fall over, I've used my old friend duct tape already and I haven't had them more than a week, oh, well, it's only money, right?

What am I knitting? Well, I am working on an EZ Pie are Square shawl in my 50% Merino, 50% Angora Fairy Hare. I am into the last ball. I want to get it to the edging part so that I can get help with it at knitting camp. I completed a Mobeius with help from Beth Rosene at Quilters Garden and need to start another one before I forget how to do the cast-on, perhaps tonight. I'd like to make a baby bog so that I can learn to graft garter and put in an afterthought pocket while at camp, but I don't know if I have time. I am also getting around to making a massage appointment in Marshfield, during camp so that I can get a good massage, but I can't decide what day/time to get it. Actually, Saturday night might be good, I don't want to miss Friday night Wisconsin fish fry! Back to knitting, I'd also like to whip up a pair of EZ magic mittens, I could learn to graft garter on those, too.

Tomorrow I am off to a B&B in Algonquin with my friend Lynn and her son, Antonio. The kids are taking a "manners class" on Wednesday and we are taking a restful night in the B&B for some R&R. I've never stayed in a B&B, mostly 'cause I kind of live IN one, but this will be a new experience for MG and I and we'll get to have some "Mommy-time". Pictures later