tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33209582458229478972024-03-21T11:12:12.587-04:00what you think on growsDonna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.comBlogger1013125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-39023256762030442422019-11-17T13:35:00.001-05:002019-11-17T13:35:18.094-05:00Happy Sunday! I am sitting here working on my sweater made with the cashmere yarn my husband gave me for my birthday last year.<img id="id_97bb_349a_25bd_cdc0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/eKgnpXFJcMARoUa2L6TRJnhMw8pzGefXYha04V0fztcsW1Sq-Yx6WuiW0vI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 194px; height: auto;">I’m further along than this. I have 2/3 of one sleeve to finish and then the washing, blocking and weaving in. The yarn comes from a small collective in Mongolia. It doesn’t feel like much in the ball but once it’s knit up, wow. What a transformation. I put it away for the warm weather and now I have the boring boring boring part of just plain knitting around and around.... I looked a long time to find a pattern that would work with my yarn. I wanted enough design to make it interesting but not too much so that the yarn itself didn’t shine. It’s too much to carry to work for my lunch time knitting or my knitting group, so I should be faithful and work on it at home every night until it’s done. The operative word in that sentence is should. <div><br></div><div>Friday night, Pk and I went on a date. We had dinner and a concert of old folk singers. The dinner was unforgettable but not because it was good. The concert was wonderful. Chris Eberhart, Patti Larkin, Cheryl Wheeler, John Gorka and Christine Lavin. Not heard of them? I’m not surprised. They are singer/songwriters and they have stories to tell. John Gorka is a NJ native. He won the night with his song, “I’m from NJ”. The chorus is, “I’m from NJ, I don’t expect too much. If the world ended today, I’d adjust”. Of course at a concert in NJ, that would go over well. We were in a small, old theater which added to the charm. <img id="id_7cc2_d9bd_f669_3dda" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/CThTsqEq9UAQwomFzUV8q0XHNJ-gAxVmu4r0brpBxFinJLQ4Z_vjioQ44SQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 121px; height: auto;"> We got lucky and the 2 seats next to me were empty and I could move over so we had some extra room. The seats were close together and build for a population that was less broad in the beam. It was interesting to be in an audience full of white haired people watching a stage full of white haired people.</div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday, I was productive. All of the laundry got done and put away, the bathroom got cleaned and I spent a good part of the day cleaning our bedroom. It really wasn’t a mess but we have a tendency to just put things on shelves and in the corner and eventually it piles up. I cleaned up my little shelving unit of yarn/wips and what a difference. I stirred up a lot of dust which made me sneeze.</div><div><br></div><div>I wanted things straightened up because I want to put some holiday things in our room as well as the rest of the house. I ordered a duvet cover with snowflakes (we have a duvet and are waiting for our everyday cover to come. It’s a new thing for us). I also got a holiday shower curtain. For some reason, I am feeling very holiday like this year. I can’t wait to have Thanksgiving dinner and then perhaps go out to Lancaster for the day after to do some holiday food shopping. That weekend will be decorating time. </div><div><br></div><div>I slept for 10 hours last night. I must have been more tired than I thought. Today is a low energy day. One of the ways I am always reminded that I am no longer 18 is that if I spend a day doing physical work, the next day is a slow day for me. I don’t mind. I watch movies, listen to books and knit or spin. Today it’s Star Wars. I can do the boring sleeve knitting and say the lines along with the characters. </div><div><br></div><div>My car is back from the shop (again). This time for a brake line. Sigh. It’s time to put it out to pasture and look for a newer car. I really don’t want another car payment. We have 2 years left on our Rav4. It would be nice if my old car could last til then</div><div><br></div><div>.<img id="id_f506_e441_4971_b167" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/i5FZcoUYIOaz96QwTewOEKo_302YWWQhR2o5ELtQan-urE446bLAuBebsdw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 169px; height: auto;"> Our grandson has decided that he is a superhero. He likes to have his blankets tied around his neck. His mother thought she would be smart and made him a cape with some of his favorite fleecy material. Does he use it as a cape? Nope. He goes for his blankets instead. He is growing up so fast (I know, I know, they all do). He’s a superhero to me.</div><div><br></div><div>Well, time to go back to my sleeve. Soon it will be time to start the jambalaya for dinner. A perfect dish for the cold grey day we are having. </div><div><br></div><div>Have a superb week.<br><br><br><br><br><br></div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-54331779420784457662019-11-06T14:09:00.001-05:002019-11-06T14:09:08.688-05:00<img id="id_5e2c_1892_510c_ed81" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/E3D8HCKx7ePycOlgh2kyODOIPZU8mcy9b_eJCpL2tCd8QulPyI4WXFWon9E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 225px; height: auto;">Guess who is 62 now? That’s right, it’s this woman. I wore my witch hat for Hallowe’en and my tunic with stars and had my familiar with me. I enjoyed the day. We had a party at work and then I came home and gave out candy to the few kids who came to our door. There are fewer and fewer houses participating and fewer and fewer kids. <div><br></div><div>We had a Chinese food celebration on Saturday night and the girls came for my birthday. I got to introduce my grandson to fried dumplings and udon noodles with chicken. He was more interested in playing with the noodles than eating them but he did a good job managing the little fork to pick them up.</div><div><br></div><div>Monday was my actual birthday and Elanor sent me flowers at work. They’re just beautiful. Daisies (one of my favorite flowers) and pink roses and pink polka dotted ribbon.<img id="id_757b_5af3_adda_a7a5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Z9kdn-DYlolLy1d7zo4_v8n3YAoRfl_Uc6EcT98Toq1vY5PjVYKTitZPAms" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 158px; height: auto;"> She knows me well.</div><div><br></div><div>We have begun the quick slide into the holidays. I absolutely love this time of year. I love cooking Thanksgiving dinner, even though it will be just 3 of us. The number doesn’t matter, it’s the ritual of the baking of the pies, the making of the fruit relish and the baking of the cornbread for the stuffing. I have one month to practice baking in our new oven. It’s been a long time since I really worried about something splattering in the oven or boiling over on the stove. Now, I feel honor bound to scrub all the messes up right away. I know the time will come when we pay less attention to these things but the stove is still new and shiny. </div><div><br></div><div>Our stove hood should be delivered next week and then we have to choose tile to go up on the wall behind it. Slowly but surely, we are doing the things we’ve wanted to do but have not been able to since Pk’s job was not secure (it still isn’t secure but it’s less insecure now than it was before). Being a contractor is not conducive to long range planning. </div><div><br></div><div>We have to wait to see how Kate and Patrick want to work out the holiday visitation schedule. James has 5 grandparents who would all like to be with him for Christmas morning. There is just not enough room and it would be too much commotion with all of us and the dogs. We figured, Kate will let us know what’s best for Jamie. </div><div><br></div><div>I got Lindt chocolate advent calendars for the girls for December, Peter Kevin got one from the Metropolitan Museum of Art (it’s a pop up tree with 24 little birds to put on, one for each day) and I got a yarn advent calendar. 24 little skeins and then a pattern to use with them at the end. </div><div><br></div><div>We wrapped up the fig tree and are putting the garden to bed for the winter. There are 2,000 bulbs waiting to be planted for next spring. Pk does not do things halfway......</div><div><br></div><div>One more hour and I can head home. I have 10 more angels to finish for the ornament exchange and if I’m lucky, I’ll finish them today. The crocheting is all done, just the assembling has to be done. </div><img id="id_8a2d_e247_581_181f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_I7H3W7xW6iQQvPHdvbrz-Y5BT--rgZn1MPyhwrZrq_SV2zvH0kCVFzi06M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 197px; height: auto;">Aren’t they adorable? Otherwise, I have no firm plans for holiday knitting. If I finish the Swedish Fish socks, I’ll wrap them up for Pk, I have some other things otn that may become gifts. I haven’t done much spinning lately. I think I might enjoy that for a while.<div><br></div><div>How about you? Are you making plans? Are you already in the midst of preparations? Do you enjoy this time of year?</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3c0b_80_5439_8654" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TtSpkVMg3LJplXwMoaQxQBWHdinbfM_IvQzow-pO5_iLREN-xyxzxfg-75s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 283px; height: auto;">Bye for now!<br><br><br><br><div><br></div><div><br><br><br> </div></div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-6391357004295247982019-10-16T09:06:00.001-04:002019-10-16T09:06:48.644-04:00<img id="id_5772_fb72_b752_68dc" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/02V6CfkWoFN9ZC-6A8IL_5wd6Xb22auOqs1QPdKgdXbxP530djBmRZC0c9Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 264px; height: auto;">Boo!<div>These scary things are on my front yard. We’ve been collecting the minions for a few years and the tree is a new addition. (We have a great fondness for the minions).<img id="id_6b46_866e_4956_132e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/4jDQQWNnwuP7NMOMb7TCt1mgkx51ELCAVormOiJ9AX4KCQhqnLHjFG_MM7g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 196px; height: auto;">On the other side are these plastic jack-o-lanterns and real pumpkins. They are colorful in the day and just a bit spooky in the dark<img id="id_9783_38a6_533d_f6f5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hda2Yt5JEoX5ZlqM354ntL5yVnwwYilmqXGz6uSdJmvopNZDLLERDigG_Lg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 199px; height: auto;">The light on the wall says Beware! I love Hallowe’en and Peter Kevin loves decorating outside. The outside is mostly his. He asks for my opinion but then chooses what he wants to do. I’m ok with that since all of the indoor decorating is to my taste.</div><div><br></div><div>Life here has been good. The weather is getting cooler. I wish my allergies would go into hibernation but some days they seem to be worse than they were all spring/summer. I’ve been feeling tired and I am starting to think it’s the statin that my endocrinologist has started me on. My cholesterol numbers are good but she thinks they should be lower because of the diabetes. I reluctantly took the statin and for the last 6 weeks or so, I have felt lethargic no matter how much sleep I get. I don’t like feeling like this and I looked it up online. Sure enough, statins have a few minor side effects but one of them is increased fatigue.</div><div><br></div><div>I am going to stop taking it and see if it makes a difference. I know she is only doing what she thinks is best for me but I don’t like feeling like I have no energy. There are too many things to do!</div><div><br></div><div>Last weekend we took Jamie to Allaire State Park to go to the Flea Market and ride the Oak Creek RR. The flea mkt was a hit. He seemed to enjoy walking around and touching all the things (and talking to all the dogs because grandmom would not let him touch them). Then he heard the train’s whistle. Not really a whistle at all but an air horn. Holy moly it was loud and jarring and his poor 19 month old self couldn’t handle it. No train rides this year. Maybe next time.</div><div><br></div><div>Peter Kevin and I went to Smithville for our 38th anniversary brunch. It was elegant and delicious as usual. We walked around a little and then hit the flea mkt of a small town on our way home. I bought something I’ve never seen before, a wooden folding rocking chair. It’s small and low to the ground but really clever. I want to clean it up some and put new fabric on the seat and back.</div><div><br></div><div>I am loving our new fridge and now we are on the lookout for a new stove and then a dishwasher. We figured we should probably get the appliances while Peter Kevin is still working. I’ve never bought new appliances before the old ones broke down before and it’s been interesting. I like shopping and examining all of the various models. And then we look at cabinets and try to decide what we want our kitchen area to look like. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f901_6a19_4e68_e55" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/DBC04g1Uot0rHuzRuzKIU5_HQ9U2R9j_c2F13jC4La21TUVkMQvCd95A8WA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 188px; height: auto;">I got my hair cut last week and I love it. It’s rather short and I’m thinking of asking Kate to put some color on it. It’s so easy to take care of. I do miss my curls but it could be worse. </div><div><br></div><div>Well, off to an All Staff Meeting (not usually very exciting but mandatory). Happy Wednesday!<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> </div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-31220108936465628262019-10-04T07:50:00.001-04:002019-10-04T07:50:27.495-04:00<img alt="Image result for fall clip art free images" class="mimg" data-bm="56" height="168" src="https://www.bing.com/th?id=OIP.sqpGPlk4XDj9WUzhAqA7lgHaEK&w=300&h=168&c=7&o=5&pid=1.7" style="background-color: #c39708; color: #c39708;" width="300" />Good morning and Happy Friday! I am sitting at my desk and eating some soda bread I made in March. I found it while I was transferring the food from the old fridge to the new one. I always make 4 or 5 loaves and freeze or give away all but one. We take them out once in a while and slather them with butter. Mmmmmmm.<br />
<br /><br />
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://www.bing.com/th?id=OIP.71YE4BTtyslyuoiSkU7ZTwHaGX&w=210&h=180&c=7&o=5&pid=1.7" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; height: 184px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 177px;"><div style="border-image: none;">
<img alt="Image result for fall clip art free images" border="0" class="mimg" height="180" src="https://www.bing.com/th?id=OIP.71YE4BTtyslyuoiSkU7ZTwHaGX&w=210&h=180&c=7&o=5&pid=1.7" style="background-color: #466802; color: #466802;" width="210" /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br /><br />
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
</a><div style="border-image: none;">
Peter Kevin has managed to catch Jamie's cold (you will remember we had him most of last weekend). This is unusual. I am the one that usually catches whatever germs/viruses happen to be near. I have not gotten sick. My arm is sore from my mandatory flu shot though.</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<a href="https://www.bing.com/th?id=OIP.0dyy4oCbyIirTYd-4feFLQHaH1&w=175&h=171&c=7&o=5&pid=1.7" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for fall clip art free images" border="0" class="mimg" height="171" src="https://www.bing.com/th?id=OIP.0dyy4oCbyIirTYd-4feFLQHaH1&w=175&h=171&c=7&o=5&pid=1.7" style="background-color: #be400d; color: #be400d;" width="175" /></a>Peter Kevin had jury duty yesterday. I don't know anyone that says "Yay! Jury duty!". I have been called for federal level jury duty and local and state. I don't really mind it but the waiting around to be called or to be sent home is so boring. Our local court is in a neighborhood I am not familiar with and looks a bit sketchy. He didn't get called and got sent home at 11:30. Not a bad thing and he got to rest so he could go to work today. When you are a contractor, you only get paid if you work.</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
We have one of those weekends coming up that has no scheduled activities. We will get the old refrigerator out of the living/dining room and put it into its new place in the downstairs area next to the chest freezer. It will come in handy during the holidays when I am looking for a large space to defrost a turkey or hold extra cold beverages. The new fridge is so shiny. Everything is in its place inside. I give it 2 weeks before things are all over the place.</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<a href="https://www.bing.com/th?id=OIP.A9rec7NYR9Fo0Sw6BlMKHQHaJU&w=148&h=182&c=7&o=5&pid=1.7" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for fall clip art free images" border="0" class="mimg" data-bm="359" height="182" src="https://www.bing.com/th?id=OIP.A9rec7NYR9Fo0Sw6BlMKHQHaJU&w=148&h=182&c=7&o=5&pid=1.7" style="background-color: #87a823; color: #87a823;" width="148" /></a>I have vague plans to switch out the summer/winter clothes and I want to put up the Fall decorations. Inside the house, these things are mostly orange and brown. The girls used to call it "getting out the orange stuff". Outside, it involves finding placement for the 8' dragon, 10' Hallowe'en tree and 3 3' minions in costumes. Yes, I am afraid we have become THAT family. We have inflatable decorations for most holidays (including an inflatable Peep for Easter).</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
One of the things I like about it is that from now until January, our house will be decorated. Usually by the time I take down the Christmas decorations, I am tired of all the things on all the surfaces and look forward to our everyday stuff.</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
One weekend soon, we have to clean out the rec room area. We use it as a basement, mostly for storage. I also have to clean up the craft room. It is a disaster and it get on my nerves if I have to go in there for something. I think I'm going to have to do one of those things where I set a timer for 15 minutes and do it in stages. Otherwise, it will never get cleaned up.</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Well, that's about it for my part of the world. Once again, I have managed to prattle on for a full page without saying anything. But, since it's Friday, here are a few things I am thankful for this week:</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
-cooler temperatures</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
-crock pots</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
-soccer games on television</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
-sneakers</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
-trees that change color and evergreens that provide some of the only color all winter long.</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
How about you? What are you thankful for? Have a great weekend.</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-29668480421328284822019-09-30T17:21:00.001-04:002019-09-30T17:21:41.326-04:00<img id="id_fcc_7077_fe7c_b797" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4isyQNfWseNoxClpxPWuHqT-JvFvJ66YtMG43EQrzXNAZ1SU9qKXa7MAdOg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 363px; height: auto;">This is what the sky looked like as I waited for the train this morning. It never got really nice (nor did it get dark and stormy). It was just a cool, cloudy day. Very,very nice after the hot, humid weekend.<div><br></div><div>You know how you have vague plans for your weekend? Grocery shopping, swapping out the summer clothes, cleaning out the craft room (which has become the “I don’t know where to put this so I’ll put it in here” room), yardwork, etc, etc. Our weekend plans mostly went out the window. Thursday night, my sweet, innocent grandson poked his father in the eye. He scratched Patrick’s cornea causing him great pain. They went to Urgent Care on Thursday night and by Friday morning, Patrick had a red, swollen, very painful eye. I left work and took James so they could do what they needed to do. He is young enough to need constant looking after and Kate had her hands full with Patrick.</div><div><br></div><div>So, twist my arm reeeaaalllly hard and make me take care of my grandson! Jamie ended up spending most of the weekend with us while Kate and Patrick got his eye sorted. We had things that had to get done and things that could wait. We went shopping for a new refrigerator. There is nothing mechanically wrong with our current one but we have not liked it since we bought it 12 years ago. It was a quick purchase when our old fridge broke and it was what we could afford. </div><div><br></div><div>The new one comes as a result of a surprise bonus from work. It didn’t pay for the entire fridge but about 1/3 of it. We were able to decide what we wanted/needed and spent a lot of time looking online before we went out to the store. And we took James. He enjoyed the day. He opened every refrigerator on the sales floor. We chose a french door refrigerator with 2(!) ice makers. We use a lot of ice. <img id="id_3719_32_e6aa_e6c0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Y944nKFK1G6xDx_ltOyFErC-DMPUlnJOvqm3oHInkuuwL8rovI1vRNDojdQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 231px; height: auto;"><br><br><br>It’s being delivered tomorrow. It means I am taking another day off, and will have Jamie with me as Kate takes Patrick back to Wills Eye Hospital to get checked. I don’t mind the day off but I am going to be stretched tight when it comes time to take off the time at the holidays I usually take.</div><div><br></div><div>Saturday we took James to Johnson’s Corner Farm to take a hay ride and pick a pumpkin. Unfortunately, the line was so long, and he is so little, it would not have been worth it to stand in the line. We walked around and with all the things he could see and touch, what did he choose to play with? The mulch. We chose several pumpkins</div><img id="id_3e20_df71_9d8_89e1" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/5MX6YnTvsMruvtE4fTIJi9Tp--7aC0b-obgzGsvf1oevc7pjDTmSL0d4GEk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 256px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5b62_7144_ddaa_1d19" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/MAuVLnO0f6BDLZZXmBcRRpNhcVCKxJAm4XeRlsXBeWfCjB17ndd7tpK9SZ0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 194px; height: auto;"> Of all shapes and colors. Some of them will get carved. Some we’ll just save the seeds and plant them next year.<div>It was too crowded to easily shop in their farm store so I got some blueberries so James could have a snack.</div><div><br></div><div>We came home exhausted and hot and dusty. There was DinoTrucks on the television and chicken fingers and french fries for dinner. It’s part of the beauty of being a grandparent. I don’t worry about his eating healthy for every meal. I just feed him what he likes.</div><div><br></div><div>Saturday night we had to make sure he was asleep before we put him into the porta crib because he can climb out of it now. He’s tall and strong for an 18 month old child. We all watched the movie Babies (if you’ve never seen it, watch it. It follows 4 babies from different cultures from their birth to their first year) and James finally fell asleep hard enough to be picked up and put in the crib. He slept through the night and we got up early Sunday morning and did some of the other chores we had put off. The bed linens got changed and the laundry got done. The rest of the groceries were put away and things were generally cleaned up. We collapsed into our chairs when Kate came and took James home. <br></div><div><br></div><div>And today was Monday and the week starts all over again. I have groups of Temple Univ. students coming to my group this week. They will be with us for 8 weeks. They’re rec therapy majors and for some of them, this is the first time they’ve met individuals who have mental illness. It is an eye opening experience for them and my group loves it. I think they get tired of hearing my voice all the time.</div><div><br></div><div>Tonight we are making pizzas on naan bread. I hope it’s as good as I imagine it will be. I can hear Elanor upstairs laughing. I’m going to go see what’s so funny. I could use a good laugh.</div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-76227784794854156532019-09-27T23:44:00.001-04:002019-09-27T23:44:38.739-04:00Deja vu.....<img id="id_7d8a_e69a_f679_6b85" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7jQBZ6XFpNhXeOVM_Spw0kuJZxPSuXjb28anb8j6SOf6Qlj3LMlCVr5-qLI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 312px; height: auto;">It will be October soon and my thoughts are already turning to Hallowe’en. It’s one of my favorite holidays. I have decorated my office window with some friendly looking guys. The best part is that when you walk down the hall, you can see my window. It’s very popular. I have had an office to myself for 2 years now, since my office mate retired. I cleaned out years of saved papers and got a new floor lamp so I don’t have to use the <div> <img id="id_4371_9913_4a2e_3ef" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ikJSNJSBciZCrupESeJU_j7KU8Nm28hRSPj2ukbeAm81XQs_71FB2D_gA48" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 283px; height: auto;">Overhead lights. They buzz and it drives me crazy. I bought the witch’s hat for myself from a crafter on Etsy. She is in the Ukraine and I am glad I thought to order it in August because it came last week, plenty of time for me to put together a costume for Hallowe’en that is work appropriate (and comfortable. Mustn’t be uncomfortable all day at work.) I found a tunic with stars stenciled across it and a cartoon witch’s broom. The best part will be wearing my hat. </div><div><br></div><div>I know I haven’t written a word in almost a year. I don’t want to bore you with a long explanation of what I have been doing and why I didn’t keep you all informed. I’ll give you some bullet points:</div><div>-I stopped coloring my hair and started dyeing it in rainbow colors. It’s now naturally a silver/white color so the blue and purple and red and green and yellow show up brilliantly for about 2 weeks and then they fade. They look pastel and rather pretty as they fade.</div><div>-my grandson is 18 months old and cute and very smart. I am glad to be the grandmom and not the mom for this kid. He is a handful.</div><div>-Pk has a job as a contractor for a company that monitors/manages the electric grid for several states. The commute is a long one but they pay him well.</div><div>-I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes after a blood test showed a glucose level of 853 (which put me in the hospital in intensive care for 3 days). I have lost 50 pounds and have been trying to be more mindful of my portion sizes and what I eat. I learned a new phrase, “insulin dependent diabetic” and also learned how important those 3 words can be.</div><div>-I will turn 62 in a few weeks and the word Retirement keeps cropping up in conversation.</div><div><br></div><div>THAT is an interesting topic and everyone has their own idea of what that should look like. Me? Well, my retirement will be the pension my employer has for me and my SS payments. If I put off retiring until I turn 70 (sounds really really old but it’s only 8 years away), I will collect a significant amount more each month. My job can be mentally exhausting but it is a desk job and I could easily work another 8 years. I like what I do even if it means most of my day is spent entering my client interactions into the medical records database. I HATE EMR. </div><div><br></div><div>My family is all well at the moment. Well, Patrick has a scratched cornea courtesy of his son. He is in quite a bit of pain today. Hopefully, he will rest some tonight with the pain meds they gave him and tomorrow will be a better day for him.</div><div><br></div><div>I continue to knit and spin. I am spinning some quivit that I got for Christmas last year. I also have 2 sweaters in progress for myself and one for Jamie. I finished a sweater for my nephew’s 4 yr old daughter and their soon to be born daughter. I am really a process knitter. I enjoy the feel of the yarns and the look of the rows piling up to form a garment. I knit slow but I am very ok with that.</div><div><br></div><div>We will celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary in 2 weeks. I have no idea what we are going to do. They have been far and away mostly good years. There were some tough times but we got through them and will get through the ones to come. One of the good things about being long married and knowing your partner is knowing your partner. I know I can disagree, sometimes strenuously, and while we may never see eye to eye on a subject, we can still discuss it and can agree to disagree. And I know the love is there. </div><div><br></div><div>My little corner of the world remains pretty much the same. I’ll be getting “the orange” decorations out at home soon. It’s always exciting to me because it is a signal that the holidays are fast approaching. The weather is all over the place, 90’s one day, 70’s the next. There have been gorgeous sunny days and there are some leaves just starting to turn color.<img id="id_2928_3226_862b_9b1b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hGEBgba_v8b4paJrRcOa-ab9Op4MRzjTniuDb0RCAcEizHxq-5ih6r7b4ww" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 190px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div>And to end with, here is a shot of my hair done rainbow colors by my daughter Kate. I love it like this. It is fun and I figure I’m old enough to do what I want with my hair.....and it’s only hair. Since Kate is in school now and has an 18 month old toddler to keep track of, it’s harder for her to find the time. I wait until she’s got some time and let her do what she wants. I am never disappointed.</div><div>How are you? Are you doing anything new and different? Finish something you’ve been working on? Start some new grand project? I am feeling the pull of lace knitting. It’s been a long while but I have so many wips now. I really need to finish a few more things.</div><div><br></div><div>Have a peaceful weekend. My intention is to get back into regular writing, but we all know what is paved with all those good intentions, don’t we? <br><br><br> <br><br> </div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-52827841717241216032018-11-03T09:46:00.001-04:002018-11-03T09:46:05.293-04:00November (already)<img id="id_df9f_ff00_745d_5ec9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TiUgIY6bNas/W92mmj4HrjI/AAAAAAAAF6w/4RM_Pnyoeag19GqpHxOFVy7NZkyERrs5wCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 347px; height: auto;"><img src="blob:file:///4e950475-b88b-4621-bb75-df145ee3b4da" id="id_5cf2_3920_7ac2_af63" style="width: 58px; height: auto;"><br>Hallowe’en is over and Fall is underway here in the northeastern US. The warm weather kept the trees from showing off until this week. Just as we begin to notice them, there is a storm that blows them off the trees. Such is the weather in these times of climate change. It was 75 degrees yesterday and today it will be 20 degrees colder (and windy!). <div><br></div><div>October was a good month. Pk and I celebrated our anniversary and had a lovely dinner talking about us and our lives and our dreams. You’d think after 37 years we’d have run out of things to say but we haven’t. One of the perks of a long relationship is that you can sit quietly without talking and it doesn’t feel awkward. But there are always things to share. Peter Kevin is the first person I think of when I hear something funny or sad or profound. And thanks to technology, I can share it with him immediately. </div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow I will be 61 years old. I keep asking myself, “How did that happen?” In my mind, I don’t feel like a senior citizen but my white hair (well, right now it’s rainbow colored but the white is there) gives me away. And the achy joints on a cold rainy day remind me that 18 is a long way in my past. But I like myself more now than I did when I was 18. I am more comfortable in my (less stretchy) skin. I’m more likely to speak my mind, something I didn’t always have the confidence to do at 18. I am more patient with people but say less patient with time wasting. I am increasingly aware that I have lived more of my life than I have left (I’m pretty sure I will not live to 120) and things that cause me to wait and wait and wait make me irritable. </div><div><br></div><div>For my birthday, I asked for some cashmere yarn from a kickstarter company in Mongolia. I got enough to make a sweater and chose this one</div><div><img src="blob:file:///ca89ea91-2dfc-4bea-af63-a6c6d6b2a4ea" id="id_f36c_a8a6_eb3e_c7d4" style="width: 75px; height: auto;">. It’s called Amun. I have natural cream colored yarn and my pattern but realized I don’t have needles.....isn’t that always the way? Amazon to the rescue. They will be delivering them today and I can start on it. I have been playing around with the pattern with some needles that may actually be the right size but since I always have trouble using the needle sizer (I can’t tell if the needle is supposed to slide through the hole or be stopped), I’m not sure. The pattern has german short rows and I’m not familiar with them. I like the fabric it’s making though. It’s a bit extravagant but (this is me rationalizing it) I am a slow knitter and will get hours and hours of pleasure out of knitting it. I’m still working on a sweater for me but I’m at the “just keep knitting around and around to make the sleeves and body” part of it. It’s mindless.</div><div><br></div><div>Jamie is growing by leaps and bounds. Literally. He got used to the jumping chairseat we got for him and he just jumps up and down for long periods of time (his grandfather cannot keep up with him). This is what they do best</div><img id="id_f4fb_7e6c_57aa_746" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gZmbw4U1UKU/W92mmiAviXI/AAAAAAAAF60/yYxalBGLI2oyGe2fY5amhF0ebkCBKKz5ACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 189px; height: auto;">Peter Kevin seems to be the only one he just falls asleep on. Aren’t they precious together?<div><br></div><div>Life is good. This is my favorite time of year. What used to be the long slow slide into the holidays has now become the steep slope. Thanksgiving is only 3 weeks away. I am going to try a new apple pie recipe today to see if we like it. The sun keeps trying to peep out from behind the clouds, my neighbor’s trees are a gorgeous copper color and are waving in the wind. Peter Kevin and I are heading out for breakfast at a diner and then to Lowe’s to look at some holiday lights before they are all gone and then to Walmart to buy a new crockpot. (Our last one was rendering suet out in the garage and got knocked over. Yes, it was an ugly mess. All that liquid fat just poured out all over the cement floor).</div><div><br></div><div>What’s on your agenda? Do you fill your weekends with errands? Do you give yourself time to recharge or are you always busy? I will make sure I get time to decompress and recharge. My job is not physically demanding but it is often mentally and emotionally demanding. I usually find some peace in a quiet time with the spinning wheel or a knitting project and a good audiobook. Last night we relaxed and laughed watching WKRP in Cincinnati. It’s very dated but the characters are familiar and loveable. </div><div><br></div><div>And now we are heading off into the Fall morning. Have a good weekend and don’t forget it’s the end of DST! (I get an extra hour of birthday!)<br><br></div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-42816192253393617922018-10-03T09:38:00.001-04:002018-10-03T09:39:48.023-04:00It’s OctoberWhat is a blog for?<div><br></div><div>I have been thinking about this for a while as I thought about whether there is any reason to continue to write and share in this space. When I started, I used the space to talk about my knitting. I was brand spanking new and was so proud when I finished anything (especially my first pair of striped socks, you’d have thought I invented them) that I had to share it with folks who would get it.</div><div><br></div><div>I talk about my family and what they mean to me and things we are going through. This allowed me to get opinions and ideas from other people and look at things a bit differently. Someone once said it was like getting together for a nice cup of tea and having a chat. I like that idea and wish I could do that more often.</div><div><br></div><div>I guess it’s been like an edited diary that I have used to document events and share them. “Edited” because I have always felt that although this is a place to talk honestly, there are some thoughts that should be kept to oneself. Just because I think it doesn’t mean I have to say it. </div><div><br></div><div>And now here I am. Not much has changed. I am still a knitter who likes to try new things and learn new things. I have been spinning more and using my handspun to make things. I am slow and don’t work well with deadlines. I don’t do contests (like SockWars) anymore, I don’t promise anything I may not be able to finish. And I don’t push myself to work quicker. I’m older and have more patience.</div><div><br></div><div>I still have a dozen things otn at a time and that’s ok. Usually that includes 3 or 4 pairs of socks, a shawl or scarf, a blanket or a sweater for my grandson. Yep. I am a grandmother. James was born in March and has quickly become the second man in my life.</div><img id="id_4f9c_c714_dce4_39c8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5CK-d-4SFRM/W7TGYw_qF7I/AAAAAAAAF6c/sfqTBFbA2wgTypny1-jBoxenayUGa4XqwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 219px; height: auto;"><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Being a grandmother has been such a joy. We have Jamie days on the second Sunday of every month. We pick him up in the morning and then keep him all day. He usually falls asleep on his grandfather and they nap together. He is beautiful and brilliant (of course) and just a happy little boy.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I have also grown all the hair dye out of my hair and now have snow white hair. Snow white until Kate gets to work with the hair colors.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I have done this all summer and have had such a good time with my rainbow hair.</span></div><div><img id="id_dd6d_af38_1398_5ed0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I_Lurab5bzk/W7TGY4he0rI/AAAAAAAAF6U/wb3F_Iq9QO0vGfiiKlGhmLY6CntwOTfogCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 199px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">It fades out to pastel colors and is gone within a month. We have a date for this Saturday.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">My cataract surgery was a sucess and my vision is pretty good, as long as I’m wearing my glasses. I have managed to lose 45 pounds and my diabetes is under good control. I miss being able to eat what I want when I want it (and as much as I want) but I have felt so much better and that is worth it. I do eat sweets, just fewer and if I am going to eat the carbs they have to be GOOD carbs!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">My family is doing well. I’m pulling out the decorations for the holidays. First Hallowe’en and then Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Only 12 weeks til Christmas. I have a few presents planned and will hopefully get them done. I am not that ambitious but I do like to give handmade gifts. My latest handmade gift was a baby surprise jacket. What a fun pattern! I used Lion Brand Mandala and while I liked it for it’s durability, I’m not sure I like the way it feels when it’s knit up.</span></div><div><img id="id_9788_c417_56f0_3ffc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mj2USQLQ8dA/W7TGY37-5LI/AAAAAAAAF6Y/D3hg6d3QBz8itlzEvQN39QQ23zHJvRGwgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 227px; height: auto;">I got the buttons on amazon. </div><div><br></div><div>I’m still working at the same place, and still like my job. It keeps me on my toes. In a month, I’ll be 61. How weird is that? I am getting to be a Little Old Lady and I am ok with that. Next week Peter Kevin and I will celebrate our 37th anniversary. We are lucky and we know it. We have a life that brings us joy and what more can you really ask for?</div><div><br></div><div>Watch this space.......</div><div><br></div><div>Good things are bound to happen.<br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><br></div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-30545626457859719722018-02-08T12:36:00.001-05:002018-02-08T12:36:37.152-05:00It’s been almost a month and while it has zoomed by, it’s been full.<div><img id="id_15a8_1fc3_7fe4_a5d9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l5VwYfvWjGo/WnyKo6jkoFI/AAAAAAAAF5o/UUyflLwrF6c2F4XRHG54Wo54xBB1Dy2swCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">A week ago, I had the cataract removed from my left eye. I get to tape the lovely plastic device to my face at night so I don’t inadvertently rub my eye as it continues to heal. I have 20/20 vision in that eye now! As a person who has worn glasses since I was 7, it’s remarkable. I have a small cataract in my right eye but that one will wait. The vision in that eye is 20/50 and is correctable to 20/20. In about 2 weeks, after my eye has had more time to heal, I will get new glasses and be able to see clearly for the first time in months.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Look at that grey hair! It was sorely in need of a good cutting so the day after the surgery, I got it done. It felt so much better. And there’s almost no color left in it.</span></div><div><img id="id_989_ffd9_d60b_1132" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NiFD8hvp_yc/WnyKoPzM3tI/AAAAAAAAF5k/iR0kqbN9b-8dREScNSX9d-LdgSY-f3IWQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 200px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">This is right after we left the hairdressers. She always dries it with bangs but I mostly push them back. I love my hair color. I like it short. It makes me feel a bit more modern and less old-lady-like. If my mother were alive, she would be scolding me right now. She colored her hair until the day she died. She thought women should never let people know how old they are. Well, I am 60 and this is what 60 looks like on me. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">We’re going to a “sprinkle” for Kate this weekend. It’s a small baby shower. She is nearing the end of her pregnancy and will be very glad when it’s over. This baby is very active and has managed to kick Kate hard enough to send her to the ER with pains. Could be a good soccer player coming into the world!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Peter Kevin is still looking for a job but El had an interview today at a local store. Fingers are crossed for her to be successful. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I’m home today because it’s parade day in Philadelphia after the Eagles won the Super Bowl last Sunday. They expect 3 million people to crowd into the city today. Since I normally travel into the city for work each day, all of these people would make that commute difficult to say the least. I opted to use a vacation day. There were lines out of the train stations and around the buildings today. And they stopped selling tickets last night so some of those people may be disappointed.</span></div><div><img id="id_a15e_f35f_ec0e_cadd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JXki4ITutEM/WnyKnv5NR3I/AAAAAAAAF5g/KHbbdqmljOAq6PgeGS4MACOIjQG1xq6kQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 327px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">That’s City Hall in the background. (Full disclosure, I did not take the photo. I found it online and borrowed it). Look at all those people! My brother and his wife are huge fans. He’s been waiting for this his entire life. They are the people who paint their faces and go to games. We are not football fans in our house. We watched the game on Sunday and it was exciting enough to keep our interest. The only game we watch regularly is the Army/Navy game. So going to the parade was not something we even considered. I’m content to look at the crowd from the comfort of my living room.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Today, I am going to do some knitting and smell the stew I’ve got going in the crockpot. It’s a beautiful day. Sunny and cold. Not a bad day for a parade, or for sitting with some hot coffee and watching the world go by.<br><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br><br></span><br></div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-54020047378896719902018-01-16T08:33:00.001-05:002018-01-16T08:33:58.284-05:00<div><br><img id="id_7d10_2945_46d0_6030" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5QSXjLpVVFU/Wl3_Q-tBZPI/AAAAAAAAF5I/jzVI2wzgJAwfTLCoj3G3IH5ZrXkh7cgagCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 198px; height: auto;">It’s a full 10 degrees warmer today. But it’s dark and cloudy and a storm in moving in bringing slushy rain and snow. Just lovely for commuting.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>I am an English Major (once an English major, always an English major). Words fascinate me. I would have majored in linguistics if I could have thought of some way to turn that into a career way back when.<div><br></div><div>I learned two new phrases this week. One is ‘insulin dependent diabetic’. I’ve only had a diagnosis of diabetes since October and in no way consider myself an expert on diabetes (just on my diabetes). I have learned that when people hear you are taking insulin, they get a little weird. To me, it’s just another medication. But something about the word makes folks nervous. </div><div><br></div><div>It also changes the way doctors planning procedures look at you. I am scheduled for cataract surgery on Feb 2. I am looking forward to it and thought it was a fairly simple procedure, (compared with the retinal surgery of two and a half years ago). Well, it turns out that as an Insulin Dependent Diabetic, I get to be scheduled early in the morning so as not to upset the blood sugar too much (good thing), the healing time might be a bit longer (not as good thing) and I don’t have a choice about the antibiotic injection in my eye (yucky thing).</div><div><br></div><div>They give you a paper and ask IF you want the injection and thereby avoiding 4 weeks of eyedrops (4x day). I was going to have eyedrops anyway because of the diabetes so I said no, thank you. Turns out, I can’t say No Thank You. I get both.</div><div><br></div><div>Life just gets more and more interesting. </div><div><br></div><div>The other phrase I learned is “actively passing”. It is used by hospice folks to describe the very end stage of life. My sister in law, who has been fighting cancer for over 15 years is actively passing. She is one of the warmest, kindest, best people I know and it breaks my heart. She is 56.</div><div>F’ing cancer.</div><div><br></div><div>I can’t end on that note so here’s a thought from Martin Luther King, jr.</div><div>“Faith is taking that first step when you cannot see the whole staircase”</div><div><br></div><div>I don’t think it matters what your faith is (or isn’t), just taking the first step toward something is a hopeful, positive action. My social rehab poetry group chose “prejudice” as their subject this week. It should be interesting to see how they interpret the word.</div><div><br></div><div>Have a peaceful Tuesday.</div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-21258437512759355572018-01-15T09:36:00.001-05:002018-01-15T09:36:12.730-05:00<img id="id_ab36_140b_f1a1_bbeb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-onZjQ5Uk1-U/Wly8WrFc0iI/AAAAAAAAF44/D4enFaFgc5w2tuKchQ90O9Mj1_pGSXCVgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 170px; height: auto;">The last photo of the tree. I am always glad to get it out of the living room after the holidays but it’s always a wrench on my heart. I know next year’s tree will be just as beautiful but it almost feels like part of our family after living with us for a month.<br><div><br></div><div>How were your holidays? We had wonderful, quiet ones here. We spent a lot of time together in pajamas or lounge clothes, went out as little as possible and enjoyed the peaceful time. I worked two days in the middle but even that wasn’t bad. </div><div><br></div><div>We put away Christmas for another year this past weekend. It takes most of a day to take everything down and wrap it up and pack it away in one of 6 large containers. Then the tree gets 2 containers of its own, plus one for the lights. But when all is finished, and the things are put back where they belong and things get dusted and vacuumed, it feels like home again. I thought we were late this year but I read in the Christmas Book that we did this on the 15th last year so we’re right on schedule. Did I ever tell you about the Christmas Book? I started it when Peter Kevin and I were first married. Each year, I write down the highlights (and comments on the world at large) of our holiday. It’s fun to read back 35 years worth of Christmases and it reminds us of things we would have forgotten. Each of the girls has one so that they can start their own books.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking of the girls, Kate is now seven and one half months pregnant and this baby is giving her a rough time. He/She is very active and poor Kate feels like she has bruised insides. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_155e_506_ba0e_3c43" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UuWTstCKhW0/Wly8Vmn-lrI/AAAAAAAAF4w/cxd-emKiYqYnH0BBhsdkqKGW-T5RCs7hQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 194px; height: auto;">I have two interesting projects on the needles (plus about a half dozen different pairs of socks and two shawls). These are my Lotus mittens. I enjoy colorwork and you can’t have too many pairs of mittens.</div><div><img id="id_66d4_2757_1dd7_8f60" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J7L9jPsodoI/Wly8WdWHWbI/AAAAAAAAF40/AIK5n9m5K-0lWW2fVq32zYiOaQ3kvbH-wCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 150px; height: auto;">This will be my Hurricane Throw. The creative women at The Unique Ewe dyed up a set of skeins to match the symbol for Hurricanes that seemed to be ubiquitious there for a while.<img id="id_b3ee_4cd3_ef81_2df2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KaGlwvA61X8/Wly8VYO_ftI/AAAAAAAAF4s/4ZSlx9yayAQ09FHV6J5Zr7C_1eh-J0z9wCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 116px; height: auto;"> This is the color sequence plus some white for clouds. I found a pattern that looks like a hurricane so I think the two will look good together.</div><div><br></div><div>This has been a doozy of a month for us. The dishwasher needed a new part which made the oven jealous so it decided it wanted attention, too and needed a new part which made the furnace upset so the motor died (during the coldest part of the cold spell), Pk was able to get the motor to work long enough for us to order a new part and we spent the money to get a kerosene heater which helped keep the house warm enough so no pipes froze. The new part came and works like a charm. And all of this with Pk still out of work. Stress? Why no. Why do you ask?</div><div><br></div><div>Today I see the cataract surgeon to make the final measurements to have my first cataract removed on Feb 2. I will admit to a bit of nervousness although he has assured me that it’s “nothing” after the retinal surgery I had 2 years ago. I just look forward to clear(er) vision.</div><div><br></div><div>Work is going well. We have had a series of inspections which went well. The last one is next week. It’s a Big one since money is involved. We don’t want to have to give any back.......</div><div><br></div><div>So,that’s it in my world. I have so much to be grateful for. Happy Monday.<br><br><br><br><br></div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-71534464097474328092017-12-26T18:53:00.001-05:002017-12-26T18:53:39.440-05:00Merry day after Christmas! Since I have no pride, I will show you how Peter Kevin and I spent our day.<img id="id_192c_1a35_ca75_cbf9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tUiIdbM-Vdc/WkLg_xyZeEI/AAAAAAAAF4U/NhZ880iz8TI9qGK93ZObzEpBj-7H_ZKdgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 301px; height: auto;">Yes, we have matching Christmas pjs. I bought them on Etsy and they made us laugh all day.<br><div><br></div><div>Elanor and I did all of the baking on the 23rd. We baked only our favorite cookies. They were delicious. I made coquita which was also delicious but sweet enough that I can only have a small amount.</div><div><br></div><div>We had a quiet family Christmas Eve which included crackers with horns in them so we could all play music. There was more laughter than music but it was all good. The tree got decorated and looked festive and peculiarly ours. There are some ornaments that the girls made 20 years ago but those are my </div><img id="id_b75a_e20_c32c_80a7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a5KBwUj56Mw/WkLhApwE02I/AAAAAAAAF4c/d6MOdnJa6qEBWZ8dxIl69KyXM0RJOaQMACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"><br><div>favorites. </div><div><br></div><div>Peter Kevin and Elanor and I got up and opened our presents while we ate babka and drank hot cocoa (not on my diabetic list but I gave myself permission to have a few days of cheating). Pk got a weather station which he cannot wait to get set up outside. El spent the day playing with her new electronics and I spent the day listening The Stand by Stephen King (one of my favorite books).</div><div><br></div><div>We had a roast beef dinner with roasted vegetables and some cookies for desert. All in all a perfect day.</div><div><br></div><div>I have had today and tomorrow off and then it’s back to work for 2 days. If I didn’t have dr appts on 1/2 and then 1/8, I could have taken the whole week off. My appointments are in NJ and are around noon so it’s not worth going in to work for 3 hours.</div><div><br></div><div>I’m making myself new mittens, </div><img id="id_3570_66d5_1ce6_fccf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-14AUKUliZ4c/WkLg_ej6iPI/AAAAAAAAF4Q/as4SqUPcCOAQBpLWec8Dd2sJLBm6ykqUwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 122px; height: auto;"><br><div>Lotus Mittens which I am starting tonight. I enjoy color work once in a while and I don’t do it often. I like it when I have a few days off that I can just knit and now worry about anything else getting done. </div><div><br></div><div>And now we look forward to the New Year. Once again, my “resolution” is to try to be kinder and not judge others. I’ll keep on taking better care of myself and remain optimistic that the next year will be better.</div><div><img id="id_ad40_2e40_acca_2a63" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-di783XGlYF8/WkLg_4Q2W9I/AAAAAAAAF4Y/V1SC0Eke8FUOonXi6SxahvfpSj_oS1SyACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 414px; height: auto;"><br><br></div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-28105396084681789482017-12-09T23:07:00.001-05:002017-12-09T23:08:02.058-05:00<img id="id_abcd_e975_7398_8530" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tl_E3wtg22o/Wiyy8hHg3pI/AAAAAAAAF4A/oSqv7vnKCs8D1vhH6GKpeLgqTS0dmo_VQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 406px; height: auto;">Well, it snowed today. Not much, just enough to remind us that it’s winter. Or will be soon enough. Peter Kevin used a broom to clean off the front steps. We got up and went to the doctor’s. When we came out of the office, the snow was falling so beautifully. We went to get our Christmas tree. We won’t decorate the tree until Christmas Eve but it smells so nice.<br><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f785_1305_2636_ec5d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AJH-h0JbqBc/Wiyy7KISrvI/AAAAAAAAF38/rQhN23ehaqUiZKdrJsFy_9yK-fX5BUrcwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 281px; height: auto;">This is one of the smaller trees we’ve had. It is by no means a small tree. It is beautifully shaped and will hold our treasured ornaments beautifully. (And no, as you can see, we have not painted the living/dining/kitchen room yet). </div><div><br></div><div>Peter Kevin is still looking for a job. He had an interview with the City of Philadelphia last week and is waiting to hear from them. It’s for a 9 month contract but that seems to be the way it goes. No permanent jobs, just contract work. The good thing is, he is home to drive me to the station in the morning. It’s dark in the morning now and my eyesight is just not good enough to drive in the dark. I’m afraid of causing an accident. Soon. I hope I’ll get my vision back after the cataract surgery and be able to see clearly (I can’t wait!).</div><div><br></div><div>My Christmas shopping is done, just need to wrap everything. Actually, I am waiting for some things to come in the mail. For the first time, I am having some trouble with an Etsy seller. I bought his item and paid for it and then nothing. No indication of if/when it will be posted. The notation says it “is scheduled to be mailed on Nov 30”. I have emailed them every day and gotten no response. I reluctantly notified Etsy. I have to wait until Dec 15 before I can go to conflict resolution through Etsy. Fortunately, I used paypal and I know they’ll help me get my money back. I would really rather have the item and wouldn’t mind waiting for it but this silence from the seller is irritating.</div><div><br></div><div>We watched the only football game we watch all year. The Army-Navy game. Pete was a sailor so he roots for Navy. At the same time, he was watching Toronto beat Seatle in the MLS championship game. </div><div><br></div><div>Laundry tomorrow and figuring out a schedule for baking our cookies and other foods. We’ll make some of our favorites but then put most of them in the freezer. That way we can put out a cookie tray if we want and not have them sitting out being all tempting. I did good at Thanksgiving but still ate 700 more calories than I usually eat in a day. I know this because my phone app told me it was that much. And I felt uncomfortable even though I didn’t eat much more than normal. It was just more carbs than I am used to. It didn’t take long for my body to adjust. My weight is slowly creeping downwards. I don’t feel deprived. I allow myself to eat a little bit of what I want and it seems to be ok. I keep below my calorie alotment and keep a close eye on the carbs and sugars. I have never spent so much mental energy paying attention to food.</div><div><img src="webkit-fake-url://3b021c3e-61d0-4265-bedb-d18ebae2ece7/imagepng"></div><div><br></div><div>Have a good Sunday!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-35583117867816979542017-12-03T12:56:00.001-05:002017-12-03T12:56:20.418-05:00<font face="Verdana">A funny thing happened yesterday. Not funny haha but funny, “huh”.</font><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana">I was watching Zumbo’s Just Deserts (amazing competition and mindless) and I happened to think of my niece who is getting married in January. She is wearing a simple dress. I texted her mother and offered my Evenstar as an addition to the wedding outfit. Then I realized I didn’t have a photo to send.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana">I remembered the Blog. I didn’t remember the year I finished the shawl but I knew it was around Memorial Day. I started paging through the posts looking for a photo. I finally found one and sent it off (she was thrilled and said Yes!). In the meantime, I stopped to read through some posts. I’d forgotten some things that I had written about and I enjoyed the photos. </font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana">And I had a thought. Why not start writing the blog again? And so here I am.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana">I’ve just turned 60, (yes, I KNOW!) and in August I decided to stop coloring my hair. I had it cut short</font></div><img id="id_6012_a043_f3f5_63c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bPsGTrJrfqw/WiQ6w4chdEI/AAAAAAAAF3g/a0EK3Gxkg7kEbhb76W1OrLq8AOhrzQ1LACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"><br><div>And by now, most of the color is gone. I got a cut yesterday and I think my next haircut will see the last of the red. </div><div><br></div><div>In October I found out I have diabetes (by having a blood test done and having a blood glucose level of 853. Yes. 853. ). I am now on two medications and a daily insulin injection (which I am hoping will be changed in January). I’ve gotten my blood sugar down to a more normal number. It’s been interesting. I’ve never had to think so much about food. Every time I plan a meal or just feel peckish and want a snack. There are considerations. “Is it carb friendly? How am I doing today? Is my calorie count low enough to let me eat this?”</div><div><br></div><div>I am using 2 apps. Glucose, to keep track of my glucose levels. And My Fitness Pal to keep track of my nutrition. In the 6 weeks or so since I’ve been watching my food intake, I’ve lost almost 10 pounds. Peter Kevin has lost 8 pounds. He’s been getting used to eating less and eating more healthy. Thanksgiving was not nearly as difficult as I thought. I ate extra calories and felt so full. It didn’t take long for my system to get used to eating less.</div><div><br></div><div>I don’t buy many “sugar free” products. I bought some sugar free chocolate popsicles. They are delicious and satisfying enough when I want sweets. Instead, I have cut down my sugar intake. I eat oatmeal every day for breakfast with a mixture of splenda and regular sugar but so much less than I used to. No more poptarts. Today I made buttermilk waffles but only ate one. Our dinners include more veg and less carbs (and oh, I love my carbs).</div><div><br></div><div>The hard part is what it does to your brain. It reminds you that you have NO CHOICE. Eating more healthy is not a choice but a necessity. It was a much needed wake up call.</div><div><br></div><div>I’ll be having cataract surgery sometime in January. The torn retina I had 2 years ago left a cataract after that surgery. And the very high blood sugar has changed my vision. I have no real sight in my left eye right now but my right eye is actually better than it was pre-diagnosis. I am looking forward to having the cataract removed. </div><div><br></div><div>Peter Kevin and I celebrated our 36 anniversary in October. He is still the love of my life. Right now, he’s looking for a job-not an easy feat when you’re 60. I’m still working for the same place. I feel fortunate. I still love my job. </div><div><br></div><div>Em and Jim are doing well and are happy. Kate is pregnant and is due in March. We are cautiously happy (keeping the excitement tamped down for now). </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1797_544b_786e_aa46" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DqaJgI84yN0/WiQ6vxcyEuI/AAAAAAAAF3c/YuYBALcpJLURUyzUk5llHyMoWtQNk0SYwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 974px; height: auto;"><br>We decorated for Christmas yesterday. Pk always wraps our door. I told him the sign should say, “We believe in Santa. And Amazon” since we do a bit of our shopping online. </div><div><br></div><div>My shopping is mostly finished. We got ourselves new iphones last month and got apple watches. They are our presents this year. I didn’t think I needed one but it has come in handy. It reminds me to check my blood sugar before meals (I forget sometimes), it reminds me to get up and move if I have been sitting still for too long, it keeps track of my steps and lets me set goals for myself. It also has Minnie Mouse who tells me the time (verbally) if I tap on her. </div><div><br></div><div>I’m still knitting. I have been working on a Hitofude for myself but was having some difficulty. Looking back, it could have been the diabetes messing with my brain. High blood sugar will do that. I put it aside and am working on simple socks. I’ll pick it back up in a little while. </div><div><br></div><div>Today, we are watching some soccer, making turkey soup out of the Thanksgiving turkey carcass and I’ll sit down with my knitting and watch a movie. I love Sunday afternoons with nothing much to do.....</div><div><br></div><div>Have a good week.</div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-53393006455957734112017-04-09T17:19:00.001-04:002017-04-09T17:19:19.760-04:00And another one....<img id="id_e271_f00d_595d_6220" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UxnuXm62mvo/WOqlUBYNIHI/AAAAAAAAF2E/AHzen2vlwlE/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 290px; height: auto;"> This was a winter with little or no snow here in the wilds of Southern New Jersey. I have listened to the people around me rejoice about this but I am not a happy camper. In my head, I know less snow is safer (unless it means ice storms) but if it doesn't get cold and freeze over, how are we going to survive the hot summer months? I need the contrast to help me get through. <div><br></div><div>Spring has officially come but the poor bulbs didn't know they still had time to wait and we had many daffodils all blooming the day before we were due for a major winter storm.</div><img id="id_1ea3_118d_c2cd_7cfe" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X6iQg8f4lwY/WOqlVpCR5PI/AAAAAAAAF2Q/sW-R9M56uHk/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 216px; height: auto;"> I asked Elanor to go out and cut all of the blooming daffs so we wouldn't lose them all to the ice we were anticipating. The storm was a bust but we had vases and jars of springtime sunshine all through the house. We made it through St Patrick's Day with only 2 loaves of soda bread. It was yummy (and there's still a loaf in the freezer).<img id="id_c52_ba0b_6d46_23d8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XbTLPSmxe9M/WOqlSjcm7CI/AAAAAAAAF18/uP-u_eI6pAI/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div><img id="id_7c90_72c2_7ec2_7170" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l5mQ-VsMiHM/WOqlURWc9NI/AAAAAAAAF2I/-nPD0bCk0OU/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 208px; height: auto;"> In a "swap", I traded these purple hand knit socks for a set of brass, hand forged dpns. I thinkg it was a good deal!<br></div><div> Molly, of Celtic Swan Forge makes the most beautiful knitting needles and also other gorgeous hand forged items. She Enjoys hand knit socks but doesn't like to knit and I love her needles but don't know anything about hand forging anything. So we bartered. I will admit it took me a long time to make the socks (she asked for extra long cuffs) but I finally finished them and within a month, I had these beautiful needles in my hands.</div><img id="id_55bc_a47_a6a1_569f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jbE3NTe75zM/WOqlTgoFaHI/AAAAAAAAF2A/PHzNeNsNfZQ/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 190px; height: auto;"> It seems like a very craftsman thing to do. Trade the fruits of your labor for the fruits of someone else's.<div><br></div><div><img id="id_d64c_6bec_310a_d481" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZLTNKgCHxnQ/WOqlU1a8PvI/AAAAAAAAF2M/G6vNYMh1vqA/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 259px; height: auto;"> This beginning of a blanket is evidence of all of the socks (and some baby sweaters) that I have made over the years. It's bigger now but it's growing slowly. Each stripe I add to a side takes a bit longer. I am in love with all the different colors and textures. I want it to be for the couch in our living room which is now all blue. I want some color in there. It's been so much fun to knit. And easy enough to do it when we're in company.</div><div><br></div><div>Well, it's time for Pk and I to head out to the doctor's office for our checkup. Remind me to tell you all about the terrific gift idea we came up with for Em's birthday.</div><div><br></div><div>See you soon!</div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-1988555236535298942017-03-08T08:17:00.000-05:002017-03-08T08:17:57.933-05:00<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div style="border-image: none;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT42vPHTAeMyNdWmByp67ABNgGLy-pZyJKdDFR7NvfCEc2fEBCAfA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for international women's day" border="0" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="UHOzQAT9JpnAVM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT42vPHTAeMyNdWmByp67ABNgGLy-pZyJKdDFR7NvfCEc2fEBCAfA" style="height: 175px; margin-top: 0px; width: 190px;" /></a>Today is International Women's Day. I couldn't take off so I am wearing red in acknowledgement of the struggles of women all over the world every day.</div>
<br /><br />
To be fair, I cannot claim to have been hindered by being a woman. When I was young, my father wouldn't buy me a basketball because "basketball is for boys". My mother wouldn't allow me to play certain instruments in the school band "because they are not ladylike". I ended up becoming a majorette. A very girly thing. Fortunately, I liked twirling a baton.....<br />
<br /><br />
In my lifetime, I have seen the word, "feminist" go from being something to be proud of to being a word that people are afraid of being associated with. I remember being told that some jobs were "not for women". <br />
<br /><br />
When my 3 girls were born, from the very start, I told them they could do anything. Being a woman was a plus and they were lucky to be born women. They believed me and I have three very strong, intelligent and articulate grown daughters who are proud of who they are. And of whom I am so very proud.<br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Some key targets of the United Nations 2030 Agenda:<br />
<ul>
<li>By 2030, ensure that <strong>all girls and boys</strong> complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes.</li>
<li>By 2030, ensure that all <strong>girls and boys</strong> have access to quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.</li>
<li>End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.</li>
<li>Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.</li>
<li>Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.</li>
</ul>
This is not only about women and girls but includes men and boys. If we don't pay attention to little boys and give them the same opportunities but promote only girls, then we are as guilty as those who came before us.<br />
<br /><br />
I always believed that in my lifetime things would get better, and in some circumstances, I suppose they have. But there is still so far to go.<br />
<br /><br />
So today we celebrate Women. Women of all kinds and shapes and colors and abilities. <br />
<br /><br />
Happy Women's DayDonna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-72053846375858577262017-02-17T09:14:00.001-05:002017-02-17T09:14:11.213-05:00Number 6It's Friday morning and it's quiet here on the second floor of my building, down the hall, in the corner by the kitchen (or what used to be a kitchen. Now it's just a room with vending machines and a sink and microwave). Once in a while, I can hear the sounds of my fellow early risers down the hall laughing but usually, it's quiet enough to hear the clock on the wall tick.<div><br></div><div>The snowstorm never developed into much to talk about (although you wouldn't know it by the weather people). I requested the day off in case of inclement weather. To be fair, at 6 AM, the weather looked inclement. It was snowing hard and so I decided to stay home. By 11, the sun was out and all told, we got about an inch of snow. Yea. All that hype and just an inch. I would like just one good snowstorm where you sit inside by the window and watch the sharp edges of the world disappear beneath the snow. It feels like we usually get that kind of storm right around this time each year but not this weekend. </div><div><br></div><div>The temps are supposed to be in the 60'sF.(15+ C). Not a good chance for snow but a lovely opportunity to take some time outside. Pk and I are planning a trip to "the woods". We'll take the Quaker Bridge road through parts of the pinelands and end up at Batsto. I'll pack some munchies and some drinks and we'll just get out of doors for the afternoon. We can't take all of the small trails we used to in our older cars. The new one may have "4 wheel on demand" but that is not the same. We're a bit more careful with the new car.</div><div><br></div><div>We can still get out where it's quiet and there are no other people around. When we stop and get out of the car in the middle of the woods and there are no sounds. It feels like you can breathe again and is such a calming, soul-affirming feeling.</div><div><br></div><div>I finished my "socks for needles" trade. I sent off a pair of purple socks to Molly and she will send me a set of dpns that she has hand forged. I can't wait to see them! </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I finished one sock from the Starry Night roving I bought in MD. It didn't feel very soft as I was spinning it but the sock is soft to the touch but feels like it will last. The material is mohair/merino/silk (I think)</div><img id="id_eea2_b2b0_4376_4904" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a_Ropi5ij_o/WKcFLWYWIZI/AAAAAAAAF1c/IZJaCQoIVFw/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 273px; height: auto;"> I love the colors and the fuzziness. And of course, there is that thrill of knitting with your own handspun. I work on them mostly at work in the knitting group on Thursdays because it's simple to pick up and put down and there's no real pattern to remember. <div><br></div><div>At home, I wanted a bigger project so I gathered up the left over balls of yarn and other orphan balls and started a leftover blanket. I am making up a modified Log Cabin pattern and so far, I like it. It's definitely mindless enough but changing the colors keeps it a little interesting. </div><img id="id_d8df_16c4_5063_edea" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mQSBsVgRk5c/WKcFMraCAqI/AAAAAAAAF1k/Lbb5XrOHxoY/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 256px; height: auto;"> I know I have more half balls lying around, I just have to dig and find them. For now, I have plenty to work with. I haven't decided if I want to make one big afghan for the couch in the living room, or a series of small baby sized blankets. Maybe both.....<div><br></div><div>Do you have folks in your friends/family who have celiac disease or are gluten intolerant? I found a recipe that is tasty and just happens to be gluten free. </div><img id="id_93eb_f109_6c79_7993" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G91QHqWNexA/WKcFL5XcJGI/AAAAAAAAF1g/qIen4Oqq27U/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 252px; height: auto;"> These are almond flour cakes with blackberry jam or chocolate ganache on top. They're small and not too sweet and don't taste "off". I found the recipe in the NYT. I think the paper pays for itself in recipes. I didn't have almond flour, so I ground up almonds on my own so they have a nice texture. <div><br></div><div>I took 15 minutes and ordered our groceries this morning and will save lots of time this afternoon in the ShopRite. We'll pick out our meats and veg and then drive around the side of the store and get the non perishables and be home early enough to have an evening together. As long as we don't watch any press conferences, we'll have an enjoyable evening. There's something profoundly disturbing about watching the leader of your country have a tantrum in front of the world.</div><div><br></div><div>So, I pay enough attention to be informed, but not so much that I get anxious and/or depressed.</div><div><br></div><div>Well, here's hoping we all have a good Friday. I am having lunch with Emily (since she started working downtown, we try to get together once a month for lunch.). I like hearing about how much she likes her new job and how they think she "walks on water". It's hard not to beam with pride. I have some paperwork to do today but not too much. </div><div><br></div><div>Happy Friday!</div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-77572439953109314022017-02-08T08:10:00.000-05:002017-02-08T08:10:04.804-05:00<div class="period-name">
<div style="border-image: none;">
<a class="irc_mutl" data-ved="0ahUKEwizk8S4xIDSAhVDRiYKHT9HCTIQjRwIBQ" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwizk8S4xIDSAhVDRiYKHT9HCTIQjRwIBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclipart-library.com%2Fpictures-of-sunny-weather.html&psig=AFQjCNHR_59Z3cKiMGcxRv9m3gI5VLf-dA&ust=1486644492979933" id="irc_ilrp_mutl" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-height="560" data-width="848" height="184" id="irc_ilrp_mut" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRORuMdtpyHyL526ROefta0vUE6R49Drn6cGNhYkvJu-frRauIsbmelEQ" style="margin-top: 84px;" width="200" /></a>Today</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="irc_mutc" style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
High: 64 °F (16.6C)</div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
<br /></div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
This is our forecast for today. I took this from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the government's weather site. They tend to be less dramatic than the local stations when it comes to predicting "winter events" and things. </div>
<div class="temp temp-high" style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="temp temp-high" style="border-image: none;">
Today will be Spring-like (my office window is open at 7 AM because it's already too hot in here)</div>
<div class="temp temp-high" style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAN8AAADiCAMAAAD5w+JtAAABwlBMVEX///83ccgqf/+UrahV3f8hRHiBtf+Hqt7///2As/+Trqir8P9L4f82ccqq7v9g1b4ANXKA/+bQ0NBY1757odkWRFCOqaQAGiwcff9W4P+C/+uDquPk4+MANEP///kAOkjY2Njz8vLLzMyEnpl6k44rbMkTPnbt6+h3j7QAMHDf3t55jYnExsqLx9ZavdUPev8AIzW1urmvwb3v5+kAJWNTsp+Xw8+Zs7qXoZ9sirc6xeawtsGkq6pqnuoAaOmq9f+S1eZEp76FjpFKsp1mrp8AKzpx4sxJxKwAAAA0SGu4x8ukzcRuzbq5vsecqb4tXKNHorgvbdBbd6mEzb5o8tgUXruTqMyazsNrn62zycQXadyHrbiWoK+BnsyBkawAYt11qZ4iWqhYZX4vSVEVNWJlh8t6tsdYZ2x3f49we3+Kt60AABtdg82lxMygpbAAW8vJxLbv6dpqj4dGfXFPmImvu89YkuNQc7ZwjMW1tLATYc2Vo7wAY++Jla5ienVWbGhPapo3k6pGaaNrgKhslaFIf45cfYdGX4sAUs5UgNIoYrTY08V5nadsfJUAHmLE1NBHV3RFV10AADoAAE8QKk1EbXi7XxMRAAAgAElEQVR4nN19C0Ma59bueIkZFQQGQlRGnBkvo8MIosjdC3jbEiFe0BgVYxI1aqN7t19tST3ZpyZt95c0aZNzzvd/z1rvO+AlXIaoqelqDcPA4Dysy/Os9Q7IMLptT9U2Pgr6D/p6TJzs55n4P0TmWX/0rz6XazGl/ykTv8tE+/f+6jO5JgNkwUkVUP5dba/tzp22SfGvPo2rNfXM9tM7d/ql07uK/MXP5spt7xv+9I7Y1h4889izf3z9vhT642fuxe+eQSTf/TtUmqeT5ObZHsdo+MRgP/FpsJ/7K0/sSkxhvP1e3Ghvn3zqRX5Q9vrb20hStj1l5K88QPlvnvFtH3Hr7p3J9rb2j+0f8aYdGV6dfBG9Gy/zAjfcxHh/29NJiEZ5clKIT94Bm3zG7bUhrGfoUj0RKs7c4DorPL3TDmWEa+tnCD9MAj8E22CPMHmnTZ/3vL0+tfyz/gIL7n3s729rm5x8KkgkSrnJ9mdw44U78bttbe2Td5/uxYVyL/PhVrdv99pP9jPsm7vtz+JRlY/2Tz6904alZI9Uznj7nbb+ZwrnDe497f/GW+ZVZF/3B3P3DF/maX+B5U+J3WsnUUr5QemHNMwnXtkSemjeYqK+bt8N7jqkdiwsXopP/gh32vUXzhnzIc/yM+beJ6y2hxUi60/+z/Wc6udYfLJ9sq2trf+jAvji/bjd1v5UZ8ApvT5ZesIwu729WGWkw90ZX6+5u3vmWk+5AhM/trc9w7c+SNIQUMK2FyCXSzxqcfMHRvoDnnvYC0Xm8A8zmG9rpvvJtZ60fpPv3mnXUkeEyGzTUInQSuiK0S1zhJHMPpkRfVuM12d+su4VWGbXfGMqKtA6jUVxrw3KzB3KZfF2fREq+3wio5oxHD+Y470+fHvYPeaJ+fAaT7kyUyEWo15vsP/u3t5kFALU6/V+bJ/U2Tx86BWYpPmWOc4cdnf3QiSwh3/Eoejoi+4vYpCBYG0fBVI/odq0t9/RmX2YdutMxHzr1h/sbnc3BGVkywwe3TJL5Q/9cgb8d6ed0fgvCHcm9cSmeLgusXLvDCi0W7fMTt8tc4TfMt8ClKyvV7nucy5v8aBXQPaGxGu7Q3oi2t8C1ran5P3n1ehesRPld33m3l7fhy3A86T71pYEQSq87751y6cwcq/vBnRW/+jv7787+XFvsn8v2E7GZu2kfIL+9Pb3P3t25y484ZvCuoR74jObt9af+Hq7b5k/yFu3tnZhAzDeQmY47P7jSwIpZrzkDYKzoAuS2u4wVHjCTbTtGfgUJVuUOvgT8870dvfOkBTlZ7pvdW/tdXeD5xBj9x8cyDXfDUk/+VkboTwF+6MoNIDtzxQmThqjNuCKIkXm/0GSPaEKVRTZrVvgtO5ddB24cNcJLHhTGibpm7tBMoAR+9v3oG4C2PbJjx/JFA1Q3ul/VvAwHloGRtjdfTKz5fsjLiPALRBovicfuuPrHyBwbww57PE8lSn9UFPaovFJ77NJCEw8P/5unIkX6d9VHxQVFWolum5mD6LyAyQdz2yhCxHtk8MbEqBQMgkVPAVap/WTj0/Swdmzu8WPOuztPWTYuI+g6e7eek8CkuvFu2YfKOze3pshQNl+Ml5iJAH/pfzARkmno5ZaSNo1YwlRPvSazd23Zpx0Z8SH7jxkGZZb7zXfiNlUtP9srjw7x+uTd0oc+KHbh2MlVRKCW91bGkl6zd3PvIe76MxDs+8mZKH37HJRtO3O2bvBvRIkzc50b+16ZXl9C2K0e0vbGe9G630CB+52+4RrOOFLmNAP/Kd7Ji9vYZb10gwk3RA/A/lI7/sO0cPmGzU4FNva99qeTeqfo/De3RnAAgloFoTdCJHZH6JwF1z4xxYnbnXPsOVf5YvZx34O6svTfkH/IUq3eWY3+WLmFugZn3SIkbrrfD/zZHc9ogpMtBtp46ZYHIgw/o0oT7bplsaKrzfOiKhckOLNHzA48427+sHcbd66MUs0/DegVdQ4NOPf6C3s0AxhKwSgZnZRfd7aivoQoCRCk7tl7vZ9uCEyjVheSes+qV0ztgrgPbP3CcCD2rmrQDXt7vXNbJnNvt0b0AJeyt6b1xkGI9OHwmx3vftWryrOdO++3/JB63QDGsBL2gdzhFGhq53hWOjdJYxR7OUhARX1JhXOz7UtswoYt7yoW26ZGawzM4zo8xV5Ot+TLOBTOfL+hr4XrM8scP8X54Ac1JgtBhtB4IMnvUVaB9XhCL0871g52WNz2ITrP9fPMdnXK5PTFXy9h4hK8OFsgmRlIYs4ekIA8VjSIMrJDRvc73Ekv9gpV2SC2SfjSsoWtgpkOr/e+x7is7cI5x07OFZ9mXXYtNFvioJNOlJf7pwrMSgtPlxtMP+xiy39FojNmSdkuaywhWwoR8Uehxa/quMl9lWco+cLnXCFdgi9n2/m/aFKeqqtbuiH5GfMTLHwlG0hckthgik2AkwMhW5mgTncjQinZ8bPQFvEikqvr8homHMc400OJtQnDVjPTS0wF2zX170lrBdd+Es61hGOSmGi9dhQ4Tg3bmqBuWiqDwR10YWjYygnKQ6qaCS3J+VQWek45LAViegbZ/IHKDnFdJkcQa4L5csLepQSxlckduJ/lBqb8QSi4l3YYJjXC4LkcNg2CmmaG2xSme6Df+l4iRUliTeO9Rs1wLgKk9iQjZNsGz02HsKTuSlT4KsyNSSCTGN6bjuOnSGbxGdvUo8oBj63EOSPOyRhmeRsNjnl2GDOaM8bUGMkdwASaKXygiD25BmgxyZxttDvtpAAECMAUbP1nhtQZ+bmWCYQg5BSEpUcJgMLbKDUFFUuags5jx27tzPvHRE5lHnBEXJgN4An/vpa43UnmJUTcGTspIKjhJBjI+RA/wDFO247QvGM7fbt26HD0O3bsAP0gNzj6NlwhITrOm+9xs6tMCdrjDc2V8HVgkmbYx0RhHg2BQZ65XYG4N3OOBw9x6nU0SGjIHr2pSP7xcdt/Mn5Xi7gDroTAfdKBaF0aCP9HkRgSOIV+I/bRe8hwD2B52GHmnW8xCBdt9ki5V6tpAmFi7EwWPQIPhY4d1+Mnbh/c1dSYTYcGc0rLx02arfzRu87bmuSNWK7lBKV0unFT/h08J7JYioOEALynK253e53lZRydA5ZHVQgQnuoZSi63F2IThIP4iVTcNHyYDY9ew6h+HAqvbhvKTxQEOCpK3PnwfAxd6Dgk4uaQksLF6IlFLZ6cu7boPEEHT3iwhS9VAmdXQQfmiyLp97iyL3B9J8Fn78S81I2OGNibK3SX0vOW8Uiw74PgdkcGeLAEHYTYO8ZKC02lafvwyVs9h6e4L7FlCt+A+mpAdxlvVfw+eKKO8C5zzOd5K6I+YhBAxuiRSayEALnHUdvh25nMrYXPbczPaEFDCgoQhnHxiUljInCGEhr+SalZ+mG6UHhA9gV92/5AkN/+UV/6jOojDkdlgTJEnLEb2fWUZ7ZcpmhXq60oIlWDca91kW84afSyvkHzloiEEhwym9ut1ZglJM1dPvKJ8Qe0OPQSA6HHEJV1iPbQiBqVMGWHy1xl6MGMNG0qL2UxYJhudg6S+8Ppgvg+zUWg1IJP3M051fgzorEzl1MPyn2rpKTWHdExJBNSTpsnOoI4d0KUZSwWQ3Pw/RU2ivutw6ZtFO0FMo/UeHURGBtJTaHXlbd7hM3/ryTVElS8/JFnJurqCjwr4EHj6EHvA1NkiPC/nyFqnpRwzP7QElbrBCkJsoV91oL109qUizGgTADP86585ZnxRV3hR0qCzEJLWDqpUNVIEivsit62LpP3i0rB7HZavmTeUACVpxNF+d3MGEupgbccycMPxf7NfYL8WIOn7dSNuQjGUfEGcrKABPkdk/yCpsG0dRqWnwgqNZB5kHrkEVg/pyS/lw0WS2LpY8Dx8WIyxTcgCxU3VqVUWIrorp2ohcjGS85bLJ6DFl3eCxw0D1kN65uenavdereotUCZXOx1QL+u9dqMS0+nE2XK/nemPtXUlgkd2xNwaCMkbcd+OMXgLwi6PrtuBTmCKU2HPkuIeJYT5EB4RVdhDCYBk8NLrbeY0wWi+UBM2tpEJnBqTLuA85zQ/VEGpDceG4iJKIA3kjA3rk1VW+FSDkyKYk9O989Bqis+jJzZQtIi0gMg1OWzfRQ6/fpReTBwdnWhyWPARVDaic2DZTdwYvuaGAl5p5D5yX0toJJCkw6O58nxx47rqjvGzS1WhYlcXaodWqxtbN1ampfeDjV2rpf6hgJq+bcSiCARLgyh7vW3L/ivgA4g1tDiAFdRYKzkWFLofWVy3+2jnt478EiYBlqtUxB7gE+VyvcTbdaZuH/xQf3pCI19MR9kuAwBNXYnABJyEprhPjztMCtnbh1TSvEEAWWhyNQwKLt0utjD2ctra2tU6Z065SldWgfbkyts7DjOwBnsZhgP0D9tDdEU2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for clip art snow" border="0" class="rg_ic rg_i" data-sz="f" height="200" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="ARz6s_msa5tomM:" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="height: 182px; margin-top: 0px; width: 180px;" width="197" /></a></div>
<div class="tombstone-container" style="border-image: none;">
<div class="period-name" style="border-image: none;">
<strong>Thursday</strong><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="short-desc" style="border-image: none; height: 69px;">
Heavy Snow<br />
and Breezy<br />
then Chance<br />
Snow</div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
High: 32 °F</div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
<br /></div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
And there is tomorrow.<br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Actually, overnight it's supposed to get colder and then rain/sleet/snow will fall turning to all snow by morning and snowing most of the day. The estimates are 5-8 inches.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
<br /></div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
(I hear the laughter. I know that is not a great deal of snow. But, here, our public transportation tends to get bent out of shape with any snowfall)<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
<br /></div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
I decided to err on the side of caution and have requested tomorrow off. At the very least, I will be able to sleep in and watch the snow from my living room with some hot drink and some knitting. If all of the forecasts are wrong, then I will get up and go to work and save the day. By requesting it ahead of time, I avoid the dreaded "occurrence" which counts against me.<br />
</div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
<br /></div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
This week is the first week that I've felt like myself again. The infection I got around New Year's really knocked my feet out from under me. I had no energy and felt like I was lugging my exhausted body around day after day. And then I suddenly realized on Monday that I felt ok. No. Better than ok. I felt good. I was relieved. After a month, I was sure that infection was going to hang around forever.<br />
<br /><br />
We made donuts filled with pastry cream and iced with chocolate over the weekend. It was fun and tasty and a learning experience. I learned that I can rise dough using my microwave oven so making bread in the cold of winter isn't so frustrating when the kitchen is too cold to get a good rise.<br />
<br /><br />
We got a new Secretary of Education yesterday. Should it concern me that she herself has never attended a public school? Nor have her children? She admittedly knows nothing about education (has never held a job in the field). It does bother me. I am grateful my children are no longer school aged but I cringe inside for the children in my neighborhood.<br />
<br /><br />
Did you see the photos of the ice shelf in Antarctica that has a crack that has grown 17 MILES in two months? If it continues, it will break off into an ice berg the size of Delaware. That seems insane to me. So, let's all ignore the scientists who tell us that Climate Change is a real thing and go back to using coal to fuel our plants.......(something our new President has actually proposed). The world is going to hell in a handbasket.<br />
<br /><br />
I'm going to go and see how much work I can get done today so that if I am off tomorrow, it won't be such a mess on Friday.<br />
<br /><br />
Happy Hump Day!</div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
<br /></div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
<br /></div>
<div class="temp temp-high">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-20882324189636077002017-01-29T16:22:00.001-05:002017-01-29T16:22:06.541-05:00Number. 4I think Sunday afternoon is one of my favorite times of the week. Usually, everything is already prepared for the upcoming week (my bag is packed and my laundry is done), dinner is in the oven (tonight roast chicken with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans) and it's a time for walks, movies, books and just plain spending time with my husband.<div><br></div><div>The house smells delicious as the chicken cooks. Yesterday I made a loaf of a citrusy challah</div><img id="id_b35d_ab42_c6ff_a353" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D6LExGtxPh0/WI5c-byqJYI/AAAAAAAAF08/_j-KimI6PVg/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 388px; height: auto;"> <div>We had it for dinner last night with a spinach quiche. I fixed dinner for my friend's birthday. We played games and ate hot fudge sundaes. She doesn't like cake (I know! How can that be possible? But it's true) so I got iced cream and hot fudge and whipped up some cream. It was a good substitute for birthday cake.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ae43_5d7b_e7ec_8360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bgq7xtHjr_U/WI5c_c6Dw9I/AAAAAAAAF1E/EmXYRmECybw/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 297px; height: auto;"> I made a sweater and some tiny socks for a coworker's new granddaughter. I love this color for a baby. It's not typical and pastel. I am working on finishing up my wips and then I want to collect all the bits and pieces of leftover sock yarn to make a Log Cabin blanket. I have been wanting a big project and that will certainly be big. I'd like to put it in the living room as a colorful accent.<br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_363c_115f_92bc_fc84" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xPme6V_JbFU/WI5c-yk0rxI/AAAAAAAAF1A/jsRWy7PTFY4/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 343px; height: auto;"> Have you seen the new photos from NOAA's new satellite? Isn't it beautiul? I find it breathtaking. We have such a beautiful planet. We really should be more appreciative. And I say this with full awareness that our new President has already approved the oil pipelines and is planning to gut the Environmental Protection Agency. If you google NASA, NOAA GOES photos, there are several more. <br></div><div><br></div><div>We're expecting precipitation overnight, probably wet, heavy snow. It won't accumulate, it'll just be enough to make a mess of the morning commute. It's not a real problem. It just takes a bit of planning so I am not late. I hate to be late.</div><div><br></div><div>Did I ever tell you about bookbub.com? It's a daily email with discount priced ebooks. They can be from brand new authors (to get awareness of them out there) or the back catalog of established authors. They are priced at less than 2.99 and some are free. You go to the website and sign up. They will ask you for your preferences and then every day you get an email with 6 or 7 books in those catagories. I have learned that if I get the books through amazon, I can get Audible narration for 2 dollars or so. This makes them audio books. I love audio books. And this is cheaper than a membership to audible. </div><div><br></div><div>Well, that's all I've got. I hope everyone had a good weekend. Work has been rather busy this month. Partly this is because insurance companies change their formularies and suddenly people need extra paperwork to get their medicines. It makes for some anxious people and no one ever knows until they go to refill a prescription. That's when I get to spring into action and go to battle with the insurance companies and drug stores. It means that each day can seem to be a light work day and turn out to be rather busy.</div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow should not be busy.......Unless the snow/rain keeps people home. That brings its own kind of chaos. </div><div><br></div><div>I hope your week is not more than you can handle and that everyone you have to deal with is reasonable and pleasant.</div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-57051486167605713532017-01-25T10:56:00.001-05:002017-01-25T10:56:46.823-05:00Number 3Here we are in the deep of winter. And it's over 50 degrees again. My body is confused. At least the sun is out today. For the first time in what seems like weeks. (Probably just days....)<div><br></div><div><img id="id_a07a_865f_e906_455e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o9KPRoFSFKQ/WIjKvRDXmMI/AAAAAAAAF0k/Yj_5NcvOrKg/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 306px; height: auto;"> I made these danish pastries for Sunday breakfast. They are lemon and cheese and are absolutely delicious. They are a bit of work, the dough has to be started the day before you want to eat them, but it isn't hard. The dough is buttery and smooth and the fillings are not too sweet. Much less sweet than the bakery pastries.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Peter Kevin's job search is going fairly well. His resume is getting attention and he has had a few phone interviews and 2 face to face interviews. He is feeling positive. It would be nice if someone offered him a job since unemployment has not kicked in yet (what? It's only been 7 weeks!). They said there was no record of his having worked the past 2 years. We, of course, appealed it and are waiting for a decision. </div><div><br></div><div>We were just hit with a "nor'easter". Lots of precepitation which necessitated getting out the pump and clearing out the crawlspace. At first, I was disappointed that it wasn't snow but then I thought about all the misty precipitation and I know if it were cold enough to snow, it would have covered everything with layers of ice. And that is no fun. So, maybe rain was ok. I would like to get one big snowstorm where we're snowed in. If it could happen over a weekend, that would be even better.</div><div><br></div><div>I've been trying to finish up some projects that I have had on the needles for some time. I am 2/3 of the way through my "barter" socks. I'll send them to Molly (celtic swan forge) and she will send me a set of hand forged dpns. This is the first time I was able to get in on her deal. I love the socks I'm making. I hope she does, too. They're a deep purple with a textured rib design. </div><div><br></div><div>After those are done, I have 5 other pairs started. And one shawl and one baby sweater for a coworker's granddaughter. The number of projects doesn't bother me, they'll all get finished. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm making dinner for a coworker who is celebrating her birthday this week. She's vegetarian and that means I get to be a bit more creative in what I serve and how it is served. I'm thinking spinach and cheese quiche with bread and salad and then birthday cake. She has a game called Exploding Kittens that we are going to play. Google it. It's strange and funny.</div><div><br></div><div>I hope you all are well and 2017 is treating you ok. We're all doing well. No complaints. Although some snow would be nice....</div><img id="id_faee_d41e_bbe9_69d9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XdtcgmzXoZ0/WIjKvsMnpEI/AAAAAAAAF0o/rGTVblC3Lbg/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 275px; height: auto;"> Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-61671060214059517122017-01-20T08:04:00.001-05:002017-01-20T08:04:57.256-05:00And I feel fine....<img id="id_f15_7e7b_73cc_1dea" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_cgp-NbYYkk/WIIK9f5rpJI/AAAAAAAAF0Q/X0xMfLa37kI/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 319px; height: auto;"> "It's the end of the world as we know it....."<div><br></div><div>It's January 20 and I woke up with that song running through my head. I am not truly looking for the end of the world, just the world as we know it. I am one of those people who truly believes in the underlying goodness of people and so I can't help but hope that all the dire forecasts I keep hearing for the next 4 years will turn out to be overly pessimistic.</div><div><br></div><div>Here in the behavioral health field, where many folks live on SS money or disability, there is a great fear and apprehension about benefits and how they will hold up. This increases the level of general anxiety. It means that we spend more time just being encouraging and trying to be reassuring. Sometimes it helps and sometimes people are just too wary. </div><div><br></div><div>And there is anxiety in our home as well. Pk had 3 phone interviews and has 2 in person interviews next week. It's been 6 weeks and we are still waiting for Unemployment to rule on his application. It won't be a lot of money but even a little is better than none.</div><div><br></div><div>We are still fighting off the ends of the Cold That Won't Go Away. There doesn't seem to be enough Mucinex in the world for this. I've had a bit of insomnia for the past 2 nights so I am extra glad it's Friday today. I got up and put jeans on (nice, dark jeans) to go to work. I feel a bit beat up, like someone has been beating me with a stick and these are comfort clothes. If I could get away with it, I'd wear flannel pants and a sweatshirt. But, this is a professional environment so jeans and a sweater will have to do. (Our dress code says no denim pants but we are in a new department now and they are a bit looser in their enforcement of these things).</div><div><br></div><div>That photo on the top of the page is the sky at 7 AM in Center City Philadelphia. I had just turned down the street of my building and it was spectaular. In a few weeks, it won't be quite so dark in the morning. I look forward to not coming into work in the dark.</div><div><br></div><div>And I'll end with a few words from W. Shakespeare</div><div><br></div><div>"Love all, trust a few, and do wrong to none".</div><div><br></div><div>Words to live by. Happy Friday and have a great weekend! </div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-45172278266638026142017-01-08T16:27:00.001-05:002017-01-08T16:27:37.319-05:00No 2Here it is January 8th and I have yet to go back to work. I think the last time I was off for this long was when I had eye surgery to repair the torn retina. <div><br></div><div>In all fairness, I was ready to go back last week but we became a House o' Plague and I had to put off returning to work until tomorrow. Pk got sick right after Christmas. He was not back to himself so we stayed home on New Year's Eve and were in bed just after midnight. We watched soccer games and ate good food and drank the end of the egg nog.</div><div><br></div><div>I was all packed and my clothes were all washed and ironed and hanging in the closet. I even shined up my shoes. But then, I became the next to fall to the plague and didn't make it back to work. The head cold became a sinus infection and it wasn't until the antibiotic had a chance to work that I began to feel better. (Of course there are all the downsides to the antibiotic- intestinal distress, vague nausea and my favorite one:the yeast infection). </div><div><br></div><div>I did the laundry but not much else this weekend. I did some spinning, took some more photos of the tree and took naps. We sat and watched the snow come down on Saturday. Pk took care of me today and told me to just relax since I have to get up early tomorrow.</div><div><img id="id_a023_97bc_669b_4f40" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RuI4d__n9Cw/WHKux98pSjI/AAAAAAAAFz4/2x4PCYXoJVk/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 350px; height: auto;"> This was all you could see of our snowman lights. They glowed under the 6 inches of snow. It was a perfect snow. It was Saturday, so no school. It snowed light and fluffy and then we had a sunny day today to help melt the ice off the sidewalks.<br></div><div><img id="id_fcc7_3d1b_c389_3d60" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xI7xQFWXMJE/WHKuxoFH_2I/AAAAAAAAFz0/ZKcd1Y1gTvo/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 538px; height: auto;"> It was so beautiful to watch. Peter Kevin went out for a ride with his brother in law but thankfully got back before it started coming down very hard.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Today is so gorgeous. The sky is as blue as it gets in the winter and the sun is reflecting off the snow making sunglasses more than just a good idea.....</div><div>Pk made omlettes for breakfast and I made some carrot cake-like muffins (delicious). We are watching LOTR and I'm working to finish my mittens because I think I may need them.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1e41_9a81_2acb_99e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lh6glgrUoOw/WHKuxkVrhJI/AAAAAAAAFzw/Do3hhv3C6ok/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 352px; height: auto;"> Our backyard pets got a new house for Christmas. They aren't getting fed as regular because Pk hasn't found a job yet and we have our own bills to pay and food to buy. We don't have any birdhouses, just feeders. It'll be interesting to see if anyone nests inside. I don't know anything about birds and houses/nests. I hope they like it. <br></div><div><br></div><div>If I had gone back to work on Tuesday, I had plans to clean out drawers and clean out folders and get ready for a new year. But, I have no idea what I am going back to. I have a feeling that my voicemail might be full of people cancelling their appointments. Philadelphia doen't do a great job clearing out the small residential streets and often people can't get out. Whatever happens, I'll have to deal with it tomorrow. I don't work from home.....</div><div><br></div><div> <br></div><img id="id_4d39_63af_fbf5_4b1b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2RKgIwi9PkM/WHKuyBO9SSI/AAAAAAAAFz8/b7JFqq52XIk/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 349px; height: auto;"> I take lots of photos of our Christmas tree every year and then keep the one or two that are my favorites. Today she looks like a woman "of a certain age" all dressed up for Bingo or drinks with friends. I have another week to take photos and then she comes down. Last year our outdoor lights stayed up until the end of Feb because of weather. Our aim is to take them down next weekend , but we'll see what happens.<div><br></div><div>When do you take down your decorations? I put up boxes and boxes of favorite family bits and bobs and it takes all day to put up and then all day to take them down and wrap them and put them away. We'll collect the things from all over the house this week and then put them away and regain our living space. That's the part I look forward to . Space and light, especially now that the days are slowly getting longer. 2 more months of winter......</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-15619787711939531112017-01-01T12:38:00.001-05:002017-01-01T12:38:24.465-05:00No 1<img id="id_f9e8_f6d7_9884_d91d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_LQjXjhdaL4/WGk-jH7MWaI/AAAAAAAAFzQ/iwtyDvbYQbo/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 448px; height: auto;"> Happy New Year! And farewell to 2016. I know that some years always seem like they've been harder than others but damn, this past one felt rougher than most.<div><br></div><div>I've been off work for the last week and it has quiet and filled with pj days. </div><div><br></div><div>We made cookies</div><img id="id_5f9a_a2a2_6225_4f49" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jMK9qzz8r-E/WGk-jqpxGpI/AAAAAAAAFzc/Ah9lgwGwYvs/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 368px; height: auto;"> I put eyes on most everything because for some reason, it struck me as funny. We also made babka and our chocolate torte. It was 2 days of work (grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning, baking) but by the late afternoon of the 24th, we were ready for the girls. We had hot sandwiches and egg nog and punch and decorated the tree. It was/is beautiful.<img id="id_4db5_2a76_104b_7eb4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Da8hAc6oWSo/WGk-jVT57jI/AAAAAAAAFzU/Y1V91cIYgN4/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 378px; height: auto;"> We opened our polyana presents and laughed and generally had a good time. Everyone left and we were in bed just after 12. El and Pk and I got up the next morning and opened the rest of our presents and ate babka and spent the day in our pajamas. <div><br></div><div>On Tuesday, Em said she didn't have anything for the top of her tree so Pk and I sprang into action and created this lovely creature for her and Jim. We had a good time doing it. She is mostly made from scraps and some feathers we found at the hobby store. She has plain cream colored merino roving for hair.</div><img id="id_5b32_f4b0_9599_23f5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7wXZKRdURps/WGk-jutxTcI/AAAAAAAAFzY/c1roCWGGIe0/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 348px; height: auto;"> We finished her on Friday, just in time to give her to Em and Jim on Saturday. And then Kate was saying she wouldn't have any babka (a family tradition) because Patrick doesn't like it and she didn't want to make a whole one for herself. So, I made a small one for her when I made ours. <div><br></div><div>I got a set of Weldon's Practical Needlework books and I will never complain about how a modern pattern is written again. Those women of yesteryear were raised to know things that I need to have written down. The patterns are so vague and they assume a knowledge base that I just don't have. They are fascinating to read and one day, I am going to try one. </div><div><br></div><div>I am finished one mitten and will spend the next two days trying to finish the other one. I really like it. The variegated yarn made the pattern look gorgeous. </div><img id="id_5078_f833_d44e_ed64" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-quILVBZS__Y/WGk-j08EzLI/AAAAAAAAFzg/mbSrzYZwOZ8/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 385px; height: auto;"> They need to be blocked but you can see the pattern. I am finished the initial repeat and getting ready to start the thumb on number 2. <div><br></div><div>I don't make NY resolutions as a rule. This year I am going to try to keep better track of my diet by using My Fitness Pal more faithfully and my mantra for the year is "all is well and all will be well and all manner of things will be well". It's a soothing phrase and keeps some of the anxiety gremlins at bay. Pk is still looking for work so I'll be needing that mantra for a while.....</div><div><br></div><div>Do you make resolutions? Have you ever kept one? If so, how did you do it? Inquiring minds and all of that......</div><div><br></div><div>I wish everyone a Happy Healthy New Year filled with blessings and peace.</div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-88047396915812841262016-12-20T09:57:00.001-05:002016-12-20T09:57:02.795-05:00[Auto-saved Post]Good Tuesday morning! Only 5 more days till Christmas! I can't wait. I love this "week before". It's full of anticipation and glee and joy and cinnamon and sugar and baking and secrets and just plain fun.<div><br></div><div>I've had to get a new app to keep blogging from my ipad. I adore the new ipad pro that Pk and I treated ourselves and have had fun learning how to use all the new features. And then I discovered that some of my old apps were useless. Take Blogger. I would get a paragraph typed and then have to delete something and it would delete EVERYTHING. The first time, I was surprised. The fifth or sixth time, I was annoyed. Finally, I decided I should look for a replacement. I hope this will be it......</div><div><br></div><div>So, back to Christmas. You know our family has a thing about penguins. Well, I found what I think is the perfect penguin gift for Pk this year. Only since it's really kind of a decoration, I decided to give it to him early.</div><div><img id="id_9727_ac5b_3a3e_e16d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OKLB5oE_4DU/WFlGu9XhhvI/AAAAAAAAFy4/e7c3nleECFU/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 523px; height: auto;"> And so here we have a penguin nativity. There are kings, and shepherds and an angel and a Holy Family. All penguins. He loves it and today is making a manger for them to live in.<br></div><div><br></div><div>We have been slowly but surely getting ready for the holiday but that doesn't mean we don't stop and enjoy the beauty around us. Like this sunset early in December</div><img id="id_d6dd_5520_7f49_397" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oJJh6RYLsYE/WFlGurMYZSI/AAAAAAAAFyw/ro6I4jvl4j4/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 446px; height: auto;"> The sky was on fire and I just stopped and stood there staring. <div><br></div><div>I made Elanor a pair of mittens. I finished one of them in one day (something I have never done before). They're made with some handspun called Iris.<img id="id_6a8_bcd9_d7c0_73a4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H_V-GN7K7Zc/WFlGvWwbIXI/AAAAAAAAFy8/QtQvTLlCj5U/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 394px; height: auto;"> They came out just beautiful and she loves them. The yarn is a wool/silk blend and El didn't wait for me to block them. She put them right on her hands. That's how we know our gifts are appreciated.<img id="id_6504_ec9c_8001_bafe" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-knlJNEzMRqs/WFlGuuk9XhI/AAAAAAAAFy0/nu60eY0N5us/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 349px; height: auto;"> I made a loaf of challah. It's such a pretty bread. This recipe uses orange juice and it has a light citrusy flavor which was nice with some turkey soup for dinner.</div><div><br></div><div>I bought new dining room chair which are brown seated with black legs so Pk painted our old table to match and it looks like a new set. I always feel lucky that I am married to such a handy man. He is always able to figure out how to fix something or make it work. </div><div><div><br></div><div>All of the gifts we ordered have arrived and are wrapped and everything! We have curtailed some of our spending because of Pk's unemployment but we will still have a festive holiday. The baking will start this week. I am not baking quite as many cookies as we have in the past. The reality is that there are only 3 of us in the house and we do not need a million calories of cookies sitting around with their seductive come hither ways.</div><div><br></div><div>Are you ready? Is the holiday sneaking up on you? I don't know how often I'll feel the urge to post over the next week so in case I don't see you, </div><div><br></div><div>Merry Christmas. And by that I mean, "have a lovely, wonderful holiday. Whatever you celebrate, may you do it with joy and wonder".</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320958245822947897.post-13775236933133513832016-12-07T21:44:00.001-05:002016-12-07T21:48:58.006-05:00It's that time of year again and today we went to get our tree. It's a nice size around and not so tall <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SOP3x0P9eHs/WEjI76l9-eI/AAAAAAAAFyU/r8OCT5T7xaI/s640/blogger-image--2054383958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SOP3x0P9eHs/WEjI76l9-eI/AAAAAAAAFyU/r8OCT5T7xaI/s640/blogger-image--2054383958.jpg"></a>That we'd have to cut a lot off the top. For the first time, we had to have a tree delivered. It was too fat to fit through their baler.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is now standing in the living room and it you take a deep breath, you can smell pine. It's wonderful. I am having a hard time accepting that it will be Christmas in just over 2 weeks! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have decorated<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-krnfZwBUkI0/WEjI8nG2YRI/AAAAAAAAFyY/RX2WNKs7gB0/s640/blogger-image--20135810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-krnfZwBUkI0/WEjI8nG2YRI/AAAAAAAAFyY/RX2WNKs7gB0/s640/blogger-image--20135810.jpg"></a>using lots of hand made things we have collected over the years. My cousin made this handsome fellow and my uncle made this one<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2b7cmdNrO4M/WEjI7NpZL2I/AAAAAAAAFyQ/sCdMUxg9B1s/s640/blogger-image-299573585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2b7cmdNrO4M/WEjI7NpZL2I/AAAAAAAAFyQ/sCdMUxg9B1s/s640/blogger-image-299573585.jpg"></a>Before I was born. It's a candle. He used to put wax into rubber balls as molds and then whip some wax to make loose snow. My mother gave him to me when I got married. I look for him every year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And of course the very 1970's styled tree that my Aunt Joan made and gave to me just before she died. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jkEaYkGrLaY/WEjI9e52CCI/AAAAAAAAFyc/C9EB4kf1M-o/s640/blogger-image--393318630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jkEaYkGrLaY/WEjI9e52CCI/AAAAAAAAFyc/C9EB4kf1M-o/s640/blogger-image--393318630.jpg"></a>I saw one that looked just liked it at the flea market. It makes me miss her every year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We well be curtailing our Christmas a little bit since Peter kevin lost his job last week. He's got a few leads and we are feeling optimistic. I'll be taking my usual week off from the 23rd (also known as Christmas Adam) and going back on the third of January. I look forward to pajama days with some knitting I have been putting off and some spinning and perhaps a trip down to Winterthur. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The girls will come for Christmas Eve and we'll decorate the tree and then exchange our pollyanna gifts. After that, we have no plans just like normal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Are you ready?</div></div></div>Donna Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07877384848664758611noreply@blogger.com2