Manic Monday

Manic Monday #175

Name two things you consider yourself to be very good at:

• Cooking.  I was so terrible at one point in time that I burnt water (no joke.)  I give most of the credit to my being a good cook to my once roommate and friend Rachael, who broke cooking down to the bare bones of flavor for me.  Now, I love to have people over for dinner, and they seem to always come back for more, especially my homemade bread.  I also believe that a large part of being good at cooking is that one must put love into your food.  People can taste it, that’s for sure.  Some of my best memories of my Grandmother were in her kitchen, and around the winter holidays, my favorite part was not the gifts, but having the whole family (15+ people) there for a meal.
• Care-giving.  I don’t want to toot my own horn; I’m good at taking care of people.  When I tell people what I do for a living, being a CNA, and that I enjoy my job, they have one of two reactions.  It’s either, “I could never do that,” or, ” You are a saint to do that job.” I have a talent for putting everyone above myself without getting too burnt out in the process.  I do my best to make all my patients feel safe and happy, to feel that it’s ‘all about them’ while helping them understand that it takes many people to get better.  No money or goods in the world can buy the feeling that I get when I get hugs and thanks from the people I take care of.

Name two things you consider yourself to be bad at:

• Playing well with others.  First – let me be fair; this is not true in all situations, like knitting, marriage, and family.  But for the most part, I’m a firm believer in that old saying, “If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.” At work, I would rather do my job alone, except for when I absolutely have to have the help.  In the same respect, I work nights because I DO NOT play well with authority.  I hate having a manager over my shoulder watching me and telling me how to do my job when I know what I’m doing.  At home, I do the grocery shopping and do the bulk of the cleaning/cooking – not because I’m the woman, but because I want it done my way.  I love my husband for offering to help, but I just prefer to do it myself, unless I ask personally.
• Watching what I say.  I’m blunt, crass, and honest.  Sometimes it gets me in trouble.  I personally don’t care.  See … there ya go.

Name one thing not many people know about you:

You see … this is very hard.  For the life of me, I can’t think of one single thing.  I’m very open about all aspects of my life and don’t have too many secrets.

Friday Fill-In

I have had the flu since Wednesday morning.  I have gotten exactly zero/squat done in the meantime.  Arg …. I’m glad that I was sick on my days off so that I didn’t have to use any time, but then again … who wants to be sick on their days off??  And I have no choice BUT to be better and go to work tomorrow.  They have this thing now where nothing is excusable on your weekend to work … and I really don’t want to make it up next weekend.

I should have known something was a miss on Tuesday night.  Not only was my stomach turning over on me, the cowl I started knitting – I kept messing up on it, and the socks that I was working on turned out TOO SMALL after I got passed the heel.

Friday Fill-In #131

1. When I heard that Sarah Palin was resigning I just had to snicker.

2. Bed rest, mountain dew Slurpee’s, and Tylenol are the best medicine.

3. It’s late, but I should stay up for a while tonight.

4. I love my hubby, always.

5. My eyes have seen every bodily fluid known to man (at work.)

6. Defending the rights of those who can not is something that I feel for strongly.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to knitting a little and still resting – and kick this shit out of the remainder of the flu that I have, tomorrow my plans include work and Sunday, I want to stay home and get some sewing done, but I have to work!

Manic Monday

Happy Monday!  I’m back to work tonight.  I just hope it’s not as crazy as last week!

Manic Monday #174

What is the longest love relationship (partner) you have had, and if it has ended, why?

My relationship with my husband.  And no … I see no sign of it ending.

What is on your bedside table?

A lamp, remote control to the tele, tv channel guide, and whatever book I happen to be reading.

How many pillows do you have on your bed? Do you make your bed every day?

I have four pillows on my bed; two for me and two for my hubby.  And no – neither of us makes the bed.

Sock Fiend

I feel as if all I knit is socks.  Not that this is a bad thing.   That’s what is easiest to take with me to work, and what I end up knitting the most.  I must confess; I haven’t been knitting very much at home.  I’ve been watching movies and reading a lot more than normal.  Not that it’s a bad thing either.

So, I’ve been focusing on the project Wilma, one of my nurses at work, has commissioned me to do for her.  Four pair of socks for Christmas.  Well … two down, two to go!

• Project : Pair #2 For Wilma
• Pattern: Waving Lace Socks by Evelyn A. Clark
• Yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun Fingering in “Winter Blue”

This was a really fun pattern to work … especially the scalloped edging!  Very easy, and I really should make a pair for myself!  (NOTE : why do the soles of the socks look wavy?  I assure you, its just the photo, not the socks.)

Friday Fill-In

Friday Fill-Ins #130

1. She had a great feeling of contentment (finally being home from work).

2. My husband is by my side, always.

3. I know this: never drink beer and then eat ice cream

4. Sometimes I just need to be still.

5. These words apply to me: knitter, poet, sewer, re-enactor,beer lover, and wife.

6. Finally the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to having a pina colada and working on my sweater, tomorrow my plans include tearing out the bushes from the front yard and replacing them with a flower bed and Sunday, I want to knit, sew, and watch a new episode of True Blood!

Manic Monday

I am not in a good mood today.  I barely slept.  Grrr.  At least True Blood is on in a couple of minutes.

Manic Monday #173

Do you usually wear perfume/cologne? If so, what’s your current favorite?

Truthfully, I don’t wear perfume.  I’m not much for it.

What’s the last book you’ve read that you thought was really good? If you don’t have one, what looks promising on your to-be-read list?

The one I’m reading right now … Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  It’s excellent!!!

Fill in the blank: I wouldn’t be caught dead leaving the house in sweatpants to go ANYWHERE unless I was sick, at 2am, going to the store..

Jet Setting!

It is official … John and I are traveling to New Orleans for our 1st Anniversary/Vacation!  I’m so excited that I can barley contain myself!

I really wanted to go away somewhere this year.  We usually go camping or to Virginia Beach for vacation, which is all well and good, but I really wanted to go on a fun trip before we have a family (no luck yet, but not for lack of trying!)  So, after playing around on travel sites, I finally settled on New Orleans.

John and I both went there in high school, with the marching band.  It was fun, but structured, and we both had things we would have liked to have done but were not able to do.  So going back now, older and with more time, will be a true joy.  The price, also, was a winner.  I booked our whole trip – airfare, hotel, activities – all for under $900!!!

We’ll be staying at the Prince Conti Hotel; it looks very posh.  The resturant at the hotel calls for gentlemen to where a jacket when dining!  One thing I love to do on vacation is dress up a little bit.  Will we eat there … who knows?  But it does look lovely.

We’ve also got vouchers for a Cemetary and Gris-Gris tour, a Bayou Swapboat tour, and a nice dinner at The Court of the Two Sisters.  It was a long time ago, but I think that that was one of the places I went for lunch when on that band trip, so it will be nice to go again!

There is so much to do there, it will be hard to chose.  There also looks to be at least THREE great yarn stores to visit.  And hey – if I’m not pregnant by the time we go, I can always find a good Voodoo priestess to perform a ceremony for me …

OY … first WOOL in August and then this trip in September!  Believe me you, I’m saving up my pennies as we speak!

Friday Fill-In

Friday Fill-Ins #129

1. All children alarm their parents, if only because you are forever expecting them to be so far beyond your social and technical skills as a child, but it turns out they know just as much as you.

2. Show me a good loser and I will show you a person immersed in the fun of life.
3.  Drinking too much tequila is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs at one time.

4. Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy, smart enough to know better and really good at hiding.

5. I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine saving time and house work.

6. It is impossible to think of any good meal, no matter how plain or elegant, without home-made bread or garlicin it.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to doing some sewing, tomorrow my plans include work and Sunday, I want to stay home and watch True Blood, but I have to work.!

Manic Monday

Manic Monday #172

What is the last song that was stuck in your head and how did you get rid of it?

That would have to be “Brand New Key” by Melanie.  And I had gotten rid of it by turning my I-Tunes on random, but now it’s back again.

If you had to say what one thing in your life best represents your freedom, what would it be?

Passion.  I have passion for everything and everyone that I love, and by way of this passion comes freedom.  Passion allows me to dream and to be inspired, and to carry out love in my life.

If you were invited to the White House for dinner tonight, what would you wear from your current wardrobe?

Oh dear …. probably my vintage satin/brocade dress from the 1950s, and a pair of black flats.

Weekend Warmth

First off … Happy WWKIPD!  I didn’t get any knitting done today; I’ve been too busy cleaning the house and baking bread.  But never fear … I have some beautiful FOs to show off!

• Project : Hypoteneuse
• Made for : ME!
• Pattern: Hypoteneuse by Ann Hanson
• Yarn : Rowan Felted Tweed, in Scree

I must tell you, I am especially proud of this shawl.  I worked hard on it, careful not to make too many mistakes, staying up late to finish it the other night.  It’s not often I make something so grand for myself, with such nice yarn (instead of a substitute to fit my budget,) so this is a real treat.  I adore it.

Next up is my monthly installment of socks from my personal sock club!

• Project : June Socks (Monthly Personal Sock Club)
• Made for : Me
• Pattern: Hedera by Cookie A
• Yarn: Knit Picks Essential Solids in Burgundy

This is my first time knitting a pattern by Cookie A.  I have to say, I got a little backwards when I worked the gusset, but came out alright in the end and just made my own modifications when I found the pattern a wee bit confunding.  The yarn … SO SOFT!  I will certainly be using it again in the future.

Alright kids … have a good weekend!  I’m off to start cooking a big dinner for some friends!