Not much going on. We're working on a new budget (definitely one of my least fave things to do). I knit the body of a new cardi for Jonas. It's cotton so it should be good for this Fall and hopefully for next Spring, too. I'm going through my books to see which ones I can part with. There are just so many, and I since I'd like to simplify my life as much as possible, I just can't keep them all. I've been going through my yarn stash over the last few months, too. Next up will be cds, dvds, and scrapbooking items (stickers and such). Over the years, we've both accumulated so much STUFF that we spend all of our time moving STUFF from one place to another looking for other STUFF that we don't have time to enjoy the STUFF. Argh! We'll see how this simplification process goes. I am thinking that by streamlining our STUFF, we'll end up with a happier budget. (Because we'll realize that we don't need to buy anything....it's all hiding in a pile of STUFF somewhere.)
But mostly I really,really want clean surfaces and neat closets.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Is There an App for That?
I am impatiently waiting for the latest version of iTunes to download so I can move some of my music to my phone. Even though I have a Palm Pixi and not an iPhone, once I have the updated iTunes, this should be painless. I hope, anyway. The instructions for my phone portrays it that way.
In light of the fact that I'll be flying 7 hours with a 15 1/2 month old all by myself three time zones away, I'm thinking of ways to make things easier on me. Why juggle an iPod and a smart phone if I don't have to? Going without my iPod will be a HUGE step for me. It hasn't left my side in over four years. I'm actually on my second iPod. The first one fried a few days before I went to California for Meli's wedding. I was at work and called Jason in tears. I was such a wreck, he practically begged me to go buy a new one after work. You don't come between me and food, and you don't come between me and my iPod. Not if you like your arms where they are.
I've downloaded a few book reader apps to my phone. One is better than the other, but I have both because there's only a few free books offered by each. I don't pay for eBooks, and I don't pay for apps. I've been toying with the idea of someday getting a Nook or Kindle, but I'm torn over the convenience of an eReader and my love of real books (the weight, the texture, the smell, the beauty of well-stocked bookcases). It's silly to think about, really, because another gadget isn't in the budget right now. Other than cost, the biggest drawback I see is reading in bed late at night. Think about it- staring at that bright rectangle of light is not going to help anyone's insomnia. Anyway, I've only brought up the eBooks so that I can tell you another thing not traveling with me to Vegas- a book.
No iPod. No books. No laptop, either. Just a phone and a young toddler (and clothes, diapers, enough food to get us there, toys, a play yard, a stroller, a car seat, etc). I'm now trying to decide what to do about yarn. Do I take a few balls with me? Do I just take my most commonly used needles? I'll be there for 20 days so you bettter believe I will be hitting the local yarn shops. Which probably means I should only take one ball of yarn with me (in case aliens come down and steal all the yarn in Nevada just before my plane lands), but what about the needles? I could always use more sock needles so if I want to buy more sock yarn out there, that would be great. At the same time, if I buy heavier weight yarn, I'll need bigger needles to knit it, but I am over run with 7's through 10's. Too bad there's not a (free) app to turn my phone into knitting needles.
In light of the fact that I'll be flying 7 hours with a 15 1/2 month old all by myself three time zones away, I'm thinking of ways to make things easier on me. Why juggle an iPod and a smart phone if I don't have to? Going without my iPod will be a HUGE step for me. It hasn't left my side in over four years. I'm actually on my second iPod. The first one fried a few days before I went to California for Meli's wedding. I was at work and called Jason in tears. I was such a wreck, he practically begged me to go buy a new one after work. You don't come between me and food, and you don't come between me and my iPod. Not if you like your arms where they are.
I've downloaded a few book reader apps to my phone. One is better than the other, but I have both because there's only a few free books offered by each. I don't pay for eBooks, and I don't pay for apps. I've been toying with the idea of someday getting a Nook or Kindle, but I'm torn over the convenience of an eReader and my love of real books (the weight, the texture, the smell, the beauty of well-stocked bookcases). It's silly to think about, really, because another gadget isn't in the budget right now. Other than cost, the biggest drawback I see is reading in bed late at night. Think about it- staring at that bright rectangle of light is not going to help anyone's insomnia. Anyway, I've only brought up the eBooks so that I can tell you another thing not traveling with me to Vegas- a book.
No iPod. No books. No laptop, either. Just a phone and a young toddler (and clothes, diapers, enough food to get us there, toys, a play yard, a stroller, a car seat, etc). I'm now trying to decide what to do about yarn. Do I take a few balls with me? Do I just take my most commonly used needles? I'll be there for 20 days so you bettter believe I will be hitting the local yarn shops. Which probably means I should only take one ball of yarn with me (in case aliens come down and steal all the yarn in Nevada just before my plane lands), but what about the needles? I could always use more sock needles so if I want to buy more sock yarn out there, that would be great. At the same time, if I buy heavier weight yarn, I'll need bigger needles to knit it, but I am over run with 7's through 10's. Too bad there's not a (free) app to turn my phone into knitting needles.
Monday, July 12, 2010
In An Attempt to Post More Blogs...
I cried a lot 4th of July weekend because of Ringo, but I'm okay now. Really.
Jonas really took off walking on the 4th. We were at the Aldrich's house, and I think the carpet inspired him to stop dragging his knees on the floor! He went to a little pool party on Saturday at Alexander's house. Alexander is 22 months old, and the other little one at the party, Morgan, is 23 months old. Jonas walked and played with them a lot. But when they were ready to run around, he couldn't keep up and reverted to his crab crawl. I'm sure he'll be running himself in no time at all.
Which means I have to stop putting off joining the local gym! I've lost all of the baby weight finally, but I haven't lost the other weight I put on during pregnancy. You know, the 20 some odd pounds I can't blame on Jonas. I definitely went overboard on the ice cream, and I didn't exercise at all. I don't want to do that the second time around. (Yes, Baby #2 is on my mind, but nowhere near a reality at the moment, so don't get so excited.) I want to lose fat and gain muscle so I can be a healthy, happy mom and a good role model to my son. I want him to know that exercise is (sometimes) fun, and it should be an everyday part of his life even when he's an adult. I used to be very phyically fit until I went to college. It's been down hill since then, but I'm ready to change that.
We're getting geared up for a busy second half of the year. We've got a wedding this weekend and a short visit to my Aunt Peggy's. In August, we'll be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary, and Jonas and I will be flying to Vegas to visit Lara. Jason will join us at the end of the trip. In October, the first weekend is Lincoln Days, and the second weekend is the Stone Mountain Games (Scottish festival) down in Georgia. Mom, Jeanne, Jonas and I will be going down for that, and I'm hoping to meet up with some of my aunts and cousins and Lara's parents. Of course, the end of October is Halloween, and I'm sure I'll be busy sewing (or pasting & stapling) a costume for Jonas. (I think I'll have him be a lamb this year since it's probably my last chance to dress him in something cutesy.) The first part of November Jonas and I are going on our Mystery Trip, and then we'll finish up the month with Thanksgiving. I have a feeling I don't even need to explain how HECTIC December will be....AND I'm still trying to figure out how to squeeze in a trip to Fayetteville, NC and one to Catawba, VA because I OWE quality time to lots of people. (I really do. I've been promising visits to people for years.)
All the while I've got to get my house truly whipped into shape for a possible dinner party in August, I have to knit up a storm to a.)get rid of my yarn stash and b.)fullfill knitting promises (which seem to multiply faster than the visiting promises), and I'm sure there are going to be a lot of little or big surprises along the way. And I still have to juggle my regular, everyday life.
Bring. It. On.
Jonas really took off walking on the 4th. We were at the Aldrich's house, and I think the carpet inspired him to stop dragging his knees on the floor! He went to a little pool party on Saturday at Alexander's house. Alexander is 22 months old, and the other little one at the party, Morgan, is 23 months old. Jonas walked and played with them a lot. But when they were ready to run around, he couldn't keep up and reverted to his crab crawl. I'm sure he'll be running himself in no time at all.
Which means I have to stop putting off joining the local gym! I've lost all of the baby weight finally, but I haven't lost the other weight I put on during pregnancy. You know, the 20 some odd pounds I can't blame on Jonas. I definitely went overboard on the ice cream, and I didn't exercise at all. I don't want to do that the second time around. (Yes, Baby #2 is on my mind, but nowhere near a reality at the moment, so don't get so excited.) I want to lose fat and gain muscle so I can be a healthy, happy mom and a good role model to my son. I want him to know that exercise is (sometimes) fun, and it should be an everyday part of his life even when he's an adult. I used to be very phyically fit until I went to college. It's been down hill since then, but I'm ready to change that.
We're getting geared up for a busy second half of the year. We've got a wedding this weekend and a short visit to my Aunt Peggy's. In August, we'll be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary, and Jonas and I will be flying to Vegas to visit Lara. Jason will join us at the end of the trip. In October, the first weekend is Lincoln Days, and the second weekend is the Stone Mountain Games (Scottish festival) down in Georgia. Mom, Jeanne, Jonas and I will be going down for that, and I'm hoping to meet up with some of my aunts and cousins and Lara's parents. Of course, the end of October is Halloween, and I'm sure I'll be busy sewing (or pasting & stapling) a costume for Jonas. (I think I'll have him be a lamb this year since it's probably my last chance to dress him in something cutesy.) The first part of November Jonas and I are going on our Mystery Trip, and then we'll finish up the month with Thanksgiving. I have a feeling I don't even need to explain how HECTIC December will be....AND I'm still trying to figure out how to squeeze in a trip to Fayetteville, NC and one to Catawba, VA because I OWE quality time to lots of people. (I really do. I've been promising visits to people for years.)
All the while I've got to get my house truly whipped into shape for a possible dinner party in August, I have to knit up a storm to a.)get rid of my yarn stash and b.)fullfill knitting promises (which seem to multiply faster than the visiting promises), and I'm sure there are going to be a lot of little or big surprises along the way. And I still have to juggle my regular, everyday life.
Bring. It. On.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
That Damn Cat
Somewhere in this house, I have a video tape of my Great-Uncle Cy petting Ringo, when Ringo was young. For no reason at all, other than being a cat, Ringo leaped up and chomped down on Uncle Cy's hand. And Uncle Cy said, "That damn cat just bit me!"
Oh, Ringo.
I miss you. I'll probably always miss you. I remember the first time I saw you. My next door neighbor Jean called me over to see a kitten she'd found abandoned. I opened the door to the screened-in porch, and there you were with her son-in-law Scott. You looked impossibly tiny next to all 6 feet 10 inches of him. I had to have you. I didn't care what Mom and Dad would say; I took you home anyway. You fit in the palm of my hand, as you were only 3 inches long and 3 and a half weeks old. I named you Yoko. Until five days later when Dr Berry informed me that you were a boy.
Fourteen years. A lot of memories. A lot of hairballs and fur and bites and scratches and growling and purring and cuddling and laughter. You were a trouper for all the moves you made with me- my parents' house to Atlanta to my parents' house to Acworth to townhouse #1 to townhouse #2 to my parents' house after the flood then back to townhouse #2 to our current house and finally back to my parents' house, to be buried with the dogs you grew up with.
We had a heatwave all June, and no matter how much I combed you, you kept shedding. While we were in Aiken, I suppose you injested too much fur. You upchucked all over the house after we returned. You also sneezed and wheezed. You lost weight. You stopped begging for food. When I saw the cut on your nose last Sunday, I wasn't too worried. But yesterday, it looked worse, and your cloudy eyes were runny. It really seemed like you were looking at me and begging to be put out of your misery. Or just begging for some antibiotics. Jason and I weren't sure. When I took you to see Dr Berry today, I was prepared to have to say goodbye. The diagnosis wasn't good. You definitely had cataracts in your eyes. You probably had a herpes infection causing the sneezing. The cut on your nose? Most likely cancer. I thought about bringing you home and trying to make you comfortable for awhile, but I remembered the way you'd been looking at me so I decided it was time.
I took pictures of you, which you look dreadful in. I kissed you and petted you. Mom and Jonas petted you. I looked in your eyes, and I swear I saw understanding and acceptance in them. I think you were ready to go. And can you believe that even though you were heavily sedated when Dr Berry stuck the needle in your arm, you managed one last growl for him? You were ready to go, but not ready to go quietly! Just like Uncle Cy said, That Damn Cat!
As I sit here writing this, alternately laughing at some memory (John & the hairclip!) or sobbing because you aren't wrapped around my feet, I am worried about Ruthie, The Cat Who Wouldn't Die. She was upset when we came home because she's not used to being alone. She's usually the one going to the vet, not you. She, with the squinty eye, with the mysterious scar on her throat, with the pupils that are different sizes, with only one kidney, with that abcess back in April I had to inject antibiotics into (which was one of the grossest experiences of my life), who has never been without you....will she grieve terribly? Will she forget you?
I won't forget you. I'll miss so many things about you, but since I firmly believe that every living thing goes to heaven except for truly evil people, I'll see you again some day. Thank you so much for all of the love and trust. You weren't just a damn cat to me; you were a friend and one of the great loves of my life.
love always,
Your Human
P.S. Ringo isn't dead in that second picture. He's just sedated at that point. I wanted to point that out. No post mortem photos on my blog. Ew.
Oh, Ringo.
I miss you. I'll probably always miss you. I remember the first time I saw you. My next door neighbor Jean called me over to see a kitten she'd found abandoned. I opened the door to the screened-in porch, and there you were with her son-in-law Scott. You looked impossibly tiny next to all 6 feet 10 inches of him. I had to have you. I didn't care what Mom and Dad would say; I took you home anyway. You fit in the palm of my hand, as you were only 3 inches long and 3 and a half weeks old. I named you Yoko. Until five days later when Dr Berry informed me that you were a boy.
Fourteen years. A lot of memories. A lot of hairballs and fur and bites and scratches and growling and purring and cuddling and laughter. You were a trouper for all the moves you made with me- my parents' house to Atlanta to my parents' house to Acworth to townhouse #1 to townhouse #2 to my parents' house after the flood then back to townhouse #2 to our current house and finally back to my parents' house, to be buried with the dogs you grew up with.
We had a heatwave all June, and no matter how much I combed you, you kept shedding. While we were in Aiken, I suppose you injested too much fur. You upchucked all over the house after we returned. You also sneezed and wheezed. You lost weight. You stopped begging for food. When I saw the cut on your nose last Sunday, I wasn't too worried. But yesterday, it looked worse, and your cloudy eyes were runny. It really seemed like you were looking at me and begging to be put out of your misery. Or just begging for some antibiotics. Jason and I weren't sure. When I took you to see Dr Berry today, I was prepared to have to say goodbye. The diagnosis wasn't good. You definitely had cataracts in your eyes. You probably had a herpes infection causing the sneezing. The cut on your nose? Most likely cancer. I thought about bringing you home and trying to make you comfortable for awhile, but I remembered the way you'd been looking at me so I decided it was time.
I took pictures of you, which you look dreadful in. I kissed you and petted you. Mom and Jonas petted you. I looked in your eyes, and I swear I saw understanding and acceptance in them. I think you were ready to go. And can you believe that even though you were heavily sedated when Dr Berry stuck the needle in your arm, you managed one last growl for him? You were ready to go, but not ready to go quietly! Just like Uncle Cy said, That Damn Cat!
As I sit here writing this, alternately laughing at some memory (John & the hairclip!) or sobbing because you aren't wrapped around my feet, I am worried about Ruthie, The Cat Who Wouldn't Die. She was upset when we came home because she's not used to being alone. She's usually the one going to the vet, not you. She, with the squinty eye, with the mysterious scar on her throat, with the pupils that are different sizes, with only one kidney, with that abcess back in April I had to inject antibiotics into (which was one of the grossest experiences of my life), who has never been without you....will she grieve terribly? Will she forget you?
I won't forget you. I'll miss so many things about you, but since I firmly believe that every living thing goes to heaven except for truly evil people, I'll see you again some day. Thank you so much for all of the love and trust. You weren't just a damn cat to me; you were a friend and one of the great loves of my life.
love always,
Your Human
P.S. Ringo isn't dead in that second picture. He's just sedated at that point. I wanted to point that out. No post mortem photos on my blog. Ew.
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