for my "little" brother...

Who not-so-mildly scolded me over the weekend for my lack of blogging.

I'm a slacker.

I own it.

I haven't had much to say.

The school year is going well, for the most part.  I miss the class that I had the last two years, but this class is good, too.  For the most part.

I miss my niece and nephew.  They are growing up and I don't get nearly enough time with them.

Or pictures.

Ahem.  *cough*mybrotherisaslacker*cough*

Knitting is going well.  I've finished several projects lately, including two shawls.  I'm almost done with a pair of socks and I start a new sweater class soon.  I am so excited about this class!  I've been wanting to make this particular sweater FORever and now I am going to get to make it!

Congress is being a bunch of five-year olds and I am SO over it already.  We were supposed to go on a field trip this Friday that has been almost certainly cancelled because the place we were going is part of the National Park Service and since the government is shut down they will be closed.  So I have a class of disappointed children because Congress is acting like a bunch of spoiled children.

Hmmm....not much else is happening.  It is fall now and I hate it.

Sorry, didn't you know that about me?

Fall comes before winter and I hate winter.  Fall makes me sad because I know winter is coming.  I hate winter.  I hate cold.  I hate snow.  I hate winter.

But I digress.

Football is good and my team is not.  Well, they currently have a winning record but unless something odd happens, like, I don't know, the Earth tilts on it's axis or something, we won't have a winning record after Sunday.  I love the Cowboys and we are playing the Broncos.  And Peyton Manning.  Who is surgical in his slicing and dicing of all teams who aren't the Broncos.  Sigh.  Maybe one year soon we won't suck so much.  But hey, at least we aren't the Giants.  Or the Eagles.  hehehehehehehe!

Done for now.  I'm tired and I'm going to bed.

I hope I have made you happy, little brother.

;)

I know, I know...

I've been gone for a while.

AGAIN.

But I swear I have good reasons this time!!!

Namely these two:

OMG!  Can you just die from the cuteness?!?!

I spent almost two weeks with them (and their parents and my dad) and had the time of my life.  They are SO much fun and it about killed me to leave them.

We did all kinds of things but the best part was just getting to spend time with them.

Once I got back from Texas, where, I must say, it was hotter than Satan's armpit, I went to see my best friend and her family in Ohio.

We had a great, albeit it short time, and I already miss her like crazy.  The worst part is not knowing when I will see her again.  (In case that wasn't clear, it was a thinly concealed plea for her to come visit me.  I'm not proud and I'm not above begging.)

Confession Time:

In my quest for "healthiness" I have been a total and complete failure.  Mostly.  For the last three weeks I have eaten pretty much everything that isn't nailed down.  It just dawned on my that maybe that's why my raven girlie has been spending so much time in the bedroom.  Poor thing is probably scared to death!  Today was no exception.  And then the guilt kicked in and kicked in hard.

Over in the corner stood a recumbent exercise bike that my BFF's parents generously gave to me this past weekend.  I can not even begin to tell you how thankful I am for it.  I got it hauled in to the house and it has been comfortably sitting there for the last two days.  And then tonight, after I had gone through the kitchen like a eating tornado, I decided that enough was enough.  I pulled the bike over to in front of the TV, got my water close by, turned on Jeopardy, and started pedaling.  Thirty minutes and five and a half miles later, and dripping with sweat, I stopped.  And I felt good.  I'm still fat, but I feel like I have taken a step to fix that.  I am planning on getting up tomorrow morning and doing another 30 minutes on the bike.  I would like to go for a walk but it is REALLY hot outside, even early in the morning.

Anyway.  I am hoping to lose 20 pounds or so before school starts in 6 weeks.  I want to start the year off on the right foot and hopefully, by this time next year, I will feel alot better about myself.  And maybe I won't mind having my picture taken...

:)

A little of this and some of that....

Sorry for my absence.  No reason, really, other than I just didn't feel like turning on the computer when I got home from work.

Also, I had a bit of a head cold at the end of last week and that left me really drained.

Oh, and I found out on Friday afternoon that my dad was in the hospital.

UGH.

It ended up not being extremely serious and he is ok and home now but still....being so far away makes me feel very helpless when things like this arise.

I didn't lose any weight last week.  As a matter of fact, not only did I not lose, I gained a pound.  Not quite sure how that happened.  I really was careful about logging everything I ate/drank, so I don't know what happened.  I didn't let it devastate me, though, and have been working just as hard this week.  I am hoping that I have something positive to report on Saturday.

Hmmm...other than that, not much to report.  School is still going well, although I do have to admit I am looking forward to Spring Break.  As much as I love my babies, and I do, I need a break.  Sweet Lord how I need a break.

miss raven is doing well, although it is obvious that she is aging and that makes me so very sad.  she is the epitome of a sweet, loving, lap-dog and she makes me life so happy.  I can't even imagine her not being around.

I promise to keep my goals to blog more.  I did well last month and there are still several days left to go in this month but for now, it is time for coffee.  :)

Good night!

:)

Happy Birthday...

Today is my nephew's birthday.

He is eight.

EIGHT?!?

Where has the time gone?

I generally get him his present while I am at home for Christmas.  I leave it with my dad who makes sure that Nik gets it at the appropriate time.  This year I decided to piggyback off the success of the Christmas present and get him some more of the Magic Tree House books that he likes.

You know what's awesome?  Having an eight year old nephew who actually LOVES getting books for his birthday.

Score one for the auntie!

Happy, Happy, HAPPY Birthday to the BEST nephew in the UNIVERSE!  I love you, Nikolas!!

:)

seven...

seven years feels like a lifetime.

some days it's hard for me to believe you have been gone for so long.  there are times when i still find myself reaching for my phone to call you when i am desperate for someone to talk to.  especially in the last two years.  you were so right about a lot of things and a lot of people.  i should have listened to you more.

i still get angry that you're gone.  i still cry.  i still feel pain so intense i feel like my heart is being ripped out.  i still find it hard to breathe sometimes.

i wish i could talk to you.  so much has happened that you should have been a part of.  i hate that you have missed so much.

seven years feels like a lifetime...

Welcome back, me!

I've been away for a bit but I promise, it was for a good reason.

I was visiting her

and her

Yea for a visit with my BFF!!!!

We did a whole bunch of stuff including visiting the Memphis Zoo, walking on Beale Street (which, I am sad to say, was rather a disappointment), trolley riding through downtown Memphis, and watching the Olympics Opening Ceremony.  I am happy to report that a wonderful time was had by all.

Well...not by her

My girl is such a homebody.  I can't say that I blame her.

Anywho.

We've been home for a few days and I thought I should probably let you all know I am still alive.  Even better, today, for the first time in probably a year, I can contribute to Ginny's Yarn Along!



Look, look, look at what I have done!

My first knitted scarf:

My first knitted lace scarf:

A scarf version of The Camping Shawl (on Ravelry)

and, on the needles, the Helix Scarf:

I did read two books while I was gone.  Sadly, I am too lazy to get up from the couch, get my Kindle, and take a picture of them.  One was a knitting mystery (along the same line as the crochet mysteries I read last summer) and the other was the same type only it was set in a cupcake shop.  They were cheesy, but they were good.

I will do my best to be back tomorrow.  I only have a few short weeks of vacation left and I want to enjoy every second of them!

Letting off a little steam...

I've got something stuck in my mind tonight and I need to vent it out.  Please pardon my thought process.

If there is one thing I can't stand, other than being lied to, it is a hypocrite.  Don't be fake with me.  Don't smile in my face and stab me in the back and don't have double standards.  It drives me crazy.

And, above all...

Don't take out your frustrations with me on another member of my family.  If you have something to say, say it to me.

If a set of standards applies to me, then it applies to you, too.  Show some respect.  Don't make things personal and don't be a pot-stirrer.  Personal attacks against me or my family are unnecessary.  I have the right to state my opinion and beliefs in a respectful way just like you do and I'll thank you to remember that.

I may hate confrontation and I usually back down from a fight but keep pushing me into a corner and you might be surprised at what happens.  Attack my family again and the gloves come off.  I'm tired of it.  Grow up.

Yes.

This is intended to be read by someone specifically and, while I don't know if they will ever read it (nor do I care, quite frankly), I needed to vent a little steam.

Now.

On to happier and more pleasant news.

HAPPY SPRING BREAK TO ME!

Whoo-hoo!!!!

After a lovely (read: headache-inducing) field trip today, I officially began SPRING BREAK 2012 with a quick little trip to Dunkin Donuts for my usual:  Large Blueberry Iced Coffee, Cream, no Sugar.  I have about a fourth of it left and have already made plans for another one tomorrow.  As a matter of fact, I am thinking of breakfast out, along with my crochet, and a stop at a bookstore for a little browsing.  I will feel like a normal person!

:)

Where did the time go...

Happy 2012, y'all!

Could someone please explain to me just exactly what happened to 2011?  Because the last time I looked, it was only like, June.

So.  What did you do on your Christmas break?  Wanna know what I did on mine?

Of course you do!

I had a WONDERFUL break.  I really did.  I got to do some amazing things and spend time with my amazing family.

I started off by taking a few trips into the city.  I went and saw Jersey Boys and LOVED it.  (disclaimer:  the actors use AUTHENTIC Jersey language.  And I do mean AUTHENTIC)  I love going to the theater anyway and this musical was well worth seeing.  The fact that the average age of the audience was about 50 made me feel younger, too.  Win-win.

I also went to the Botanical Gardens.  This was also amazing but for a different reason.  Instead of trying to explain, I will give you pictures:

One of the best parts of my vacation was this:

YES, I WENT TO A COWBOYS GAME!!!!  IN DALLAS!!!!  AT MY FOOTBALL HEAVEN!!!!

My Christmas present from my Dad was a Dallas football game.  I wish I could say that they had a stellar game and played amazingly well and defeated their arch-enemy the eagles, but, alas.  I can't.  Instead, I can give you more pictures!

Christmas Day we flew back to El Paso and I spent the next three days with my brother and his family.  (cue more pictures):

I arrived back to my home a few days ago and am now just enjoying some down time before heading back to work on Tuesday.  I miss my kids and am looking forward to seeing them and hearing all about their Christmas vacation.

And now it is time to gird my loins and pray that the Cowboys can pull off a miracle to get into the playoffs.

:)

Dear Mom,

It's been six years now and the pain I feel is still as strong as the night I found out you'd left us.  There are days when I hurt so much it is hard to breathe.  I still have to go to work though, and be around people so I smile and act like everything is ok.

I find it difficult still to even talk about you.  When I do, I have to fight back the tears because I don't want people to think I'm that person.  The one who can't deal with things or control her emotions.

Lately I have been waking up in the middle of the night and I can't go back to sleep.  I lay in bed and I think about you and how much you have missed.  And how much you are missed.

They told me that time would make me feel better.  They lied.

A list...

1.  I am very, VERY bad at coming up with post titles.  Please don't leave because of that.

2.  miss raven finally took a drink last night.  and hasn't taken one since.  and is slowing beginning to relax after her horrific thunderandlightining filled evening.

3.  My garden is starting to produce more than lettuce.  See:

I am very happy about most of this.  I am not happy about the lack of cucumbers as I was looking forward to garden fresh cucumbers almost as much as I was looking forward to garden fresh tomatoes.  I did find another baby cucmber this afternoon and am hoping that it won't shrivel up and die like all the other ones.  Well, all the other ones except the one long on that is still on the vine but split open is a couple of places.  I also found two more squash.  One is largish and kind of green...not at all like what I thought a butternut squash would look like.  The other one is weeny and yellow and much like the other three that died and fell off.  If anyone out there knows what I am doing wrong in regards to the cucumbers, squash and potentially the green beans that seem to be thinning out now that I have harvested (and eaten) all twelve of them, I would be grateful for your help.

4.  Dieting update.  Well.  It is no secret that the grandiose plans that I had about losing a ton of weight at the beginning of the year have fallen by the wayside.  Not only have I not lost any weight since January 1, I have acutally gained about TEN more pounds.  My wake-up slap across the face was when I saw the pictures that my brother posted of me and the kids from when they where here last week.  I can't believe that I look that big.  I determined that, on Monday, I would start with the whole Weight Watchers thing again.  I am not following their new plan, but rather going back to all my old materials and following the plan that worked for me about three years ago.  I have successfully counted my points yesterday and today.  I had a hard time this afternoon because I was reading a REALLY good book (which I will talk about tomorrow) and I REALLY wanted to munch on something salty and crunchy.  I made myself ignore the pseudo-cravings that my mind tried to tell me I was having and managed to NOT eat anything.  I know that, when I write everything out and follow the plan, it WORKS.  I don't have any grand illusions that I will lose all the weight I regained by some ridiculous end date (like before school starts) but if I can lose roughly 20 pounds before school starts, I would be happy.

5.  Things are still kind of up in the air at work right now.  Nothing is concrete yet and that is slightly concerning me.  I can honestly say I am not worrying...right now.  I do have a meeting next week but, at the moment, it seems to be rather a routine meeting.  I would appreciate any prayers/good thoughts that you would like to send my way. :)

6.  How cute is this:

I submit it is very cute.  Perhaps the cutest thing you have seen all day, even.  ;)

Have a happy Wednesday and.....I MISS YOU, TOO, BFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!