November 2005 Archives

As I was painting the cabinets I realized I had chosen the colors of food. Grape, raspberry, and silver. No, silver is not a food---but sometimes you can take colloidal silver for antibacterial purposes, only if you take too much of it you'll turn blue like Krishna.

But, then it also occurred to me that I had chosen the Red Hat Ladies colors! (Not the silver, they only use the red and purple.) How did this happen? I thought I had picked Shrone colors. Well, these are Shrone colors, but I probably should have done purple tones and skipped the raspberry, but the raspberry looked so divine on the color card against the color called Wizard, that I knew my cabinets were destined to be Raspberry Pudding and Wizard with Metallic Silver accent. Now Pooky thinks we should paint the knobs in a blueberry color, which I think will add to the deliciousness of the colors. We also found metallic silver blinds and will get those because the current window treatment is a white blind and just wouldn't work out.

He's also got the bug in his butt to build a new shelving unit to replace the makeshift worthless shelves that exist, so it will be a pantry when he's done with it and we can at last put away the rotisserie, crockpot, mixer, microwave, and all of the other appliance crap we've managed to collect, and also store our soup cans nicely.

And because I now have to contort my body on our toilets to drain my bag, we're getting one new toilet with an extended bowl so I don't have to spread eagle and slip into a yoga posture just to drain it. On both toilets the evil wooden seats are going and we're getting regular white seats. I wish we could change both toilets to extended bowls, but the toilet downstairs was put into a broom closet—I kid you not! The room exits to the basement, so you pass through the bathroom to get down into it (common in these older homes to stick a toilet wherever). Pooky says there isn't enough room to enlarge the toilet in that room, so for now I'll have to endure until we can make a for-real bathroom downstairs.

Maybe we could turn the mud room into a bathroom? Right now the room serves as a junk space because it really has no purpose since two walls are all windows. If we get rid of the door to the outside and cover up the windows we could make it a genuine bathroom. Well, it all depends upon things. It's easier to come up with remodeling ideas than making them a reality.

The paint beckons. I can slap on some Shrone purple and then prime the next section of cabinets. The beasties have been very good about not rubbing against the wet paint.

We've been getting chunky rain, and the occasional snowflake the size of a dessert plate, but we're too warm for it to stick. It's funny to say that it is too warm because it feels like it is freezing, yet it is 35°!

As promised, here are some mouth-watering pictures of the small, but bountiful feast Pooky, my dad, stepmom, and I, enjoyed. Where's the turkey? I took a brief movie (2MB) movie of it as it cooked because it was just too special to try to capture it as "still life."

I will send anyone who would like the carrot cake recipe a copy, but I will not be responsible for any excessive caloric indulgences as a result of eating said cake. In other words, be sure to have plenty of people to share it with so those calories are spread around!

Yes, the circle of frosting carrots is lopsided! I have no cake decorating skills! Pooky says a carrot cake isn't a carrot cake unless it has frosting carrots on top, so I did my best. I think next time I'm going to make a design that looks like a crop circle, or maybe just one big carrot!

It's been a whirlwind since Thursday. The dinner was a great success, and I have the pictures to show off the 3 layer carrot cake and cream cheese ball, but will need to post them later.

I bought some paint yesterday to finally rid the kitchen of the washed out lemon yellow cabinets! The color scheme is trés Shrone! I won't say what colors until I get a portion completed so you can see for yourself that I've lost my mind!

I also found a couple of Shrone welcoming gifts while out in the crazy holiday shopping world! I'll package them up and get them out on Monday.

Now, to enjoy some turkey leftovers for dinner!

In the spirit of Kari's post about things to be thankful for, I thought I'd post my list as well.

• Pooky
• The five wonder-beasties
• Reuniting with my family and my in-laws!
• Death of the Rectal Dragon
• Having a special house complete with two passages to Narnia
• My Winter track classmates and I click
• All of my bloggy friends
• Twenty-four awesome Shrones (and counting)!
• One year left to go and then I'm a for-real marriage & family therapist!
• Being blessed with enough income to have a relatively pleasant lifestyle (but the day of reckoning is soon to come when I will have to start paying back my student loans)

May you all have a remarkable, joyous, and spectacular Thanksgiving!

I started to watch Death on the Niles a 1978 movie adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel. Angela Lansbury has a role in is as a fictional writer and she is constantly wearing gaudy turbans, lots of jewelry, and flamboyant gowns. Yes, she is a Shrone! I tried to capture a picture of her in the first turban/head dress she appears wearing. It has a Princess Leah style of round buns on the side, lots of jewels up from, but in the back it has two very long black feather plumes. I wish I could figure out how to capture it from the DVD, and I wasn't able to.

Bette Davis, the quintessential Shrone extraordinaire also has a role and she seems to be wearing a lot of Irish crocheted lace. One blouse se was wearing stuck me as being a very lovely piece.

I want to send a thank you to Marvie for her promotion of free SterlingSilverClub.com. I've been addicted, hoping to find the right something for my mom for Christmas since she loves silver jewelry, and in the meantime I've found these rings for myself:

I imagine the sizes will fit me, unless their sizing is way different from other ring sizes. I think that it is pretty standardized. This site is way too addicting! I admit, I've never been a big jewelry wearing person, but with prices this low (and I hope the quality will be good) that I may have to indulge and get a few pieces to have. I will soon have to don professional attire and look spiffy.

The following is my rant in regard to a thread running on C'Ville. I have taken the post rather personally, along with some of the responses the member received. The topic hits too close to the bone. You can skip this if you like. If you get triggered by what I write, then let's politely discuss it.

I've been debating whether or not to post what has been on my mind in response to Kellie's original post. My interpretation of the responses given have been that no one has really read her "whine", but instead has taken it as a personal reason to lament all of the housework a mother is laden with, and how children don't and should assist in helping out the mother.

Kellie's post begins by saying that it was the brother-in-law who started the argument, with her sister (the BIL's wife) backing him up, and then the younger brother joining in. She didn't mention her mother joining in with these three family members; rather the mother comforted her daughter saying she felt the amount of housework she contributed was fine. Kellie admitted she could do more, and that she also felt that no one notices the housework she does do. Above all she felt upset that the only way in her family to have merit was based upon the amount of housework a person does.

I'm going to make the assumption that the reason the BIL and sister started this arugment really has nothing to do with the contributions that Kellie makes to the housework, but is instead a projection onto her for perhaps the lack of housework these two are guilty of? No one cared to see that; instead the consensus in responses was that Kellie should do more housework. She admitted she realizes she could do more.

The deeper issue really isn't about the housework, but is about power in the family, who holds it and wields it. The BIL (Kellie wrote he considers himself King) is taking on the role of the Alpha male, and his wife (Kellie's sister) seems to have more authority and weight then her mother. For all we know, the BIL and sister are having marital troubles and are just taking it out in the form of bitching that nobody does any housework. It eases some of the tension between them, deflecting it so that they don't have to really address what is going on.

What other points were overlooked was that the sister is demanding or insisting that Kellie give up her own life to be the babysitter of her sister's child. Nobody came forward and said how wrong this is! If the sister is going to have a child, and she has a husband in the picture, why didn't anyone give the advice that it is the mother's (Kellie's sister) responsibility to provide care for her child, and not her siblings?!?!

The sister needs to face up to the fact that she either needs to become a SAHM, put the kid in daycare, find a babysitter, or financially compensate her sister at the going rate that an outsider would receive. No and's, if's or but's about it---when one family member uses another in this fashion it only creates animosity, hurt feelings, and the kind of trouble that no one wants.

Since everyone put their personal spin on this, making it into a call for tea and sympathy for the plight of mothers, I'd like to add my perspective to this situation.

As a woman who has chosen not to have children, I will never have to worry about a messy child's bedroom or whether or not they have done the dishes like I've asked them to, or ground them for not doing their chores. Instead I get to enjoy doing the majority of the housework (even though I'm only cleaning for "just two people and five cats) myself. My husband's contributions are the typical manly duties of taking the trash out on garbage day and mowing the lawn in the spring and summer (if I don't do it first). Though I ask him to bring up the laundry, it always take a couple of reminders and eventually I do it myself. Less chances of starting an argument that way.

I actually envy the women who have children because it seems that kids are viewed as internal housecleaners. Sure, you may have to bitch and threaten your offspring to clean up, but don't miss the fact you have the help (when they are old enough)! The only way I'll ever have help with housework is if I can afford a maid--and I doubt that I'll be in that position anytime soon. (One of the myths about kid-free couples that I detest is that we have more disposable income. Not always true.)

I am adding the following to show where I am coming from in my support of Kellie's situation, for I find that it sounds a lot like my own. (I am making this assumption, I could be wrong.) My point is to share the hard facts of my own youth, with the hope to shed insight on this situation.

* * * *
I left home at 17 and married. It lasted only a year and I returned to live at home with my mother. The time I stayed at home before moving out again was insane. I paid my mother rent, bought my own food, gas, clothing, and paid for my car insurance, but she still expected me to be her built-in babysitter! I was not allowed to have any social life that would interfere with her work schedule or my brother's school schedule. This meant if I attend college it had to comply with these hours. I was not permitted to get a job because she bemoaned that she'd have to hire a babysitter, and she simply wasn't going to do that when she had me!

On top of it, I was still required not only to clean up after myself, but she and my brother as well. My worth and value was judged by the amount of housework that I did in a day and how much I sacrificed my life in deference to hers. (If you think she sacrificed for me, consider this: When I was 8 years old and sick in the hospital she wouldn't take time off from work to be with me. She didn't want to give up her job. Prior to my hospitalization, she kept me home alone to care for myself even though I was sick. My family didn't need the income her job provided as my father's wages were more than adequate to allow her to be a SAHM.)

I was allowed one day of freedom every two weeks, when my brother would go to visitation with my father. During this 24 hour break I could do as I pleased, otherwise I was "the nanny" who paid my mother for the priviledge of being so!

The reason I put up with it for so long is I didn't have enough money to support my own apartment/utilities (I paid my mom $250 to live in her house) and it was more important to me to go to college, even if I was extremely limited in what classes I could take do to having to comply with everyone's life but my own. I didn't stay living there for too long, I last only a year before moving out and moving on.
* * * *

What do I think Kellie should do? It's hard to say, as I can only assume what your circumstances are. From my personal experience, going to college or acquiring some kind of training, education, or skill, is the best route to take for being able to live on your own. Think long and hard before you get married and especially before you commit to having children. You can always divorce a husband, but you can't divorce your children. And housework is always going to be a part of life, no matter what!

I made this sweater for my Holiday Swap partner, antara. She posted a picture of herself wearing it. I think it fits her well and the color suits her nicely.

It's that time of year to sign up (and sign-up quickly) to participate in this year's Secret Santa 2005! You must have an Amazon.com wishlist and be able to spend a total of $15 on buying a gift for someone, and in turn, someone will do the same for you! I did it last year and thought it was a nice way to spread some random kindness to somebody.

I live about 50 minutes south of Tacoma and used to shop the mall there. Today's news about the shootings makes me think it's probably safer to stay at home and shop via the Internet! Just a couple of months ago the mall in Tukwila, the very mall I am blocks away from when I go to Modules, had a shooting incident as well, but I think that was in the parking lot. This saddens and troubles me that there is kind of violence so close to home. I've always thought of Washington as being a peaceful place, but since coming back home I keep hearing more and more shocking stories. It wouldn't surprise me if metal detectors are placed in the malls and we have to be screened before entering them.

It's even worse for the families involved. Their whole world has just been turned upside down. Even though no one has died in this, it is nonetheless traumatic. I'll watch the evening news to find out more. Egads!

Every morning there is a ritual. During the night the Tuna Boat sets sail to harvest only the cheapest, stinkiest grade of tuna available at my local Wal-Mart or Costco. Whatever falls into the massive net (old boots, hooves, a crusty sailor, 1950 Chevy, medical waste, and possibly tuna) is brought aboard and canned. In the morning the tuna trawler comes into port and the beasties (all but Theodore Montague) swarm the hallow cupboard where the tuna cans live.

A hand can-opener does the honor of releasing the sea-death smell from the Chicken of the Sea can. The beasties are trained to this sound. As I make my way to their dining area, all of them hover in my pathway—I am certain I will succumb to a painful landing on top of them one day, but for now I scream at them, "Don't make me fall on you! You all know you want me as your servant and to never evolve opposable thumbs!" OK, I only say the first part, but think the second in my mind.

For unknowable reasons, Theodore Montague joins in the meowing and hovering, but then will lay off away from his bretheren and watch them eat their allotment of heavy metals, sea death, and tuna. Mr. Doo only laps up the tuna juice and then has a morsel of the fish. Stash is usually the last to finish eating, while Mr. B and Smee typically get into a hiss-and-strike confrontation.

Experience the joy from my perspective with this QuickTime movie. Watch the tuna descend from the heavens! It is about 4MB in size.

If you have a slow connection you can play Guess Whose Tail? instead and submit your answers in the comments.

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I was thinking about this entity of Shronedom that has been created by the wonderful group of women I know. I have pondered if every woman I get to know will eventually be recognized and named as being a Shrone? Could it be that all women are Shrones at heart?

If like attracts like, which seems to be the case with Shrones, then it would stand to reason that everybody knows everybody, kind of like that old Breck shampoo commercial about telling two friends, and so on, and so on, and so on...

It also occurred to me by something that Jessi had said in her Shrone Award acceptance speech: "I'm A Shrone!!!!! Ye-ah ba-by!!!! I'm flattered and honored and happy as hell :) And it is so perfect we will all meet in Ireland one day because I have always wanted to go there, for as long as I can remember."

Yes, it would be grand to have our first annual Shrone convention in the little hamlet of Shrone, Ireland! My mind wonders how to make that possible, and then it hit me: FUNDRAISING! How else could we ever hope to save enough money to go when we have yarn needs, family needs, and Shrone needs?

I've done small-time fundraising and hate it. There is nothing great or fun about trying to get donations out of people, and Shronedom isn't going to be a worthy cause, unless...unless we make it one! But, how can we turn Shronedom into a worthy cause, like those Red Hat ladies?

What we really need is a winning lottery ticket!

Meanwhile, I'll be scratching my head trying to think of how someday we can make this dream come true of descending on the town of Shrone!

I found a pair of crocheted boobies! I think it is way-cool, and goes with all of those crocheted crotches! Some of you are already aware of Amanda's weirdness, but I'm just discovering her talents!

I guess I'd get more pins stuck on my map if I announced instead of letting in languish on the sidebar. So, without further ado, please take a moment and pin yourself on my map! You'll be happy you did! Note: All Shrones should be sure to pin themselves on here because it is The Shrone Map after all!

While I do have Sara's blog on my Bloglines, for some reason she has escaped my awareness...many things have these days. I have not meant to ignore her—really, honesty and for true! It's just I spend less time at the computer and have this tendency to read fewer blogs. This is why I have opened up nominations because I know that there are more Shrones out there, like Sara and Pam! My Shrone-dar (Shrone radar) is on the fritz. I'm not sure what I basically need to snap out of my brain cloud...

Without further ado...Sara has the distinction of receiving two nominations! Noricum did an excellent job of pointing out Sara's Shrone-dom, and Deneen backed it all up.

Sara

1. You understand the majesty and divinity of cats.

2. You will always be a Shrone as long as there are women wearing turbans and penises to go cruising for.

3. You have a kind and generous heart.

4. You possess a keen spiritual awareness that is the magic of being a Shrone.

5. Something about you says when you get old and withered, you just might go out crusing for penis!

6. You are unknowable.

7. You know what it is like to have very serious health problems.

8. You live in the south (which I envy!).

9. You're one groovy chick and I think you are super cool!

10. You haven't killed your inner child and you freely allow it out to play.

Welcome to Shronedom, Sara!

I have it on good authority...

That the following gals should be in cat-like-heat anticipation for a special anouncement in their Inbox: Marvie, Tandi, and Nakedjen.

This morning I received my first nomination, and self-nomination from Pam. It just so happens that a couple of days ago I came across her blog and upon reading her 100 Things About Me list thinking she was one groovy chick! Here's the announcement that I sent to Pam:

Dear Pam,

I'm pleased to inform you that your nomination for Shronedom has been reviewed and approved! Please accept my Shrone-welcome at becoming the first nominee selected as a esteemed recipient of The Bona Fide Shrone Award! I've determined that you possess many of the salient characteristics of a Shrone! Here are the reasons why you are a Shrone:

1. You own a sock monkey!
2. You are a Scorpio, have a tattoo, love the word spinster, and bestow love to a doggie because you're allergic to kitties and would have a kitty if you weren't.
3. You have a kind and generous heart.
4. You've got a wickedly divine sense of humor coupled with amazing creativity (I refer to Tinkle Bell, the Happy Bladder).
5. Something about you says when you get old and withered, you just might go out crusing for penis!
6. You are unknowable.
7. You know what it is like to have very serious health problems.
8. You possess a degree in Biochemistry which means at any moment you could set up your own evil laboratory and become a mad scientist with plans for Total World Domination.
9. You're one groovy chick and I think you are super cool!
10. You haven't killed your inner child and you freely allow it out to play.

Welcome to Shrone-dom!

Please note: If you tried to submit an application prior to 9:00 am PST I didn't receive it due to my not setting up the proper notifications. You'll have to re-submit your application. I'm sorry! I did this so very late last night!

This week I'll be naming a handful or so of new Shrones and then I will be doing something very grand! I have decided to allow nominations for Shronedom! You can nominate anyone that you think is a Shrone, including yourself!

I have created a Shrone Nomination Form that will bring to my attention your nominee. In order for me to keep from e-mailing you for additional information, please provide lengthy answers when asked because this is how I will get to know your nominee and determine if they are a Shrone. I may just e-mail you anyhow because I am like that.

If you aren't certain about criteria, don't panic. Simply review previously named Shrones and review the What is a Shrone page. You can always e-mail me if you have any questions, too!

Nominated Shrones will be provided with a Bona Fide Shrone card, and if financially possible a small welcoming gift, too. You will have to provide a mailing address if your nominee is accepted.

Shronedom makes for a lovely gift to bestow on someone you care for very much!

I finally own (well, soon to physically own) a copy of the greatest board game ever to have been created! I won the auction for Talisman: The Magical Quest Game. I was first introduced to this fun-to-play game back in the late 80s via my sister who had friends at college. She borrowed the game from them and due to various circumstances, didn't return it. I don't know whatever happened to that copy—for all I know it still is packed away in a box somewhere in my mother's attic space, or my sister might have found it and she has the copy—whatever the case may be, I have a copy with one of the expansion packs! And I got it for less than I had feared I would have to pay for it.

This game was such a fun way to spend four or so hours on a dreary rainy day. There were characters you chose to play from a deck of possible good or evil characters, and each character had so much gold, strength, intelligence, and magical ability. You got spell cards and other nifty things. You rolled dice and made your way across the board and through 3 different levels. The object was to reach the highest level and slay some evil dragon beast and win the game. It took the acquisition of gold, strength, and spells to win the game. At any moment your alignment could be switched and that would make things really interesting!

I just hope that Pooky will enjoy this game. I can't very well play it alone. I'm sure he'll enjoy it because he used to be a D&D player. This is like D&D but made simple. I'm excited about the expansion pack because I only played the game without it.

Just know if you ever come to my house you will be asked to play it with me, so figure on staying about 4 hours at my house when you come for tea.

Stacey

1. You have truly masterful fiber art skills as demonstrated with your ability to work with yarn and thread via knitting, crocheting and tatting.
2. You were a "shining light that shines" during my dark days of illness, and I truly appreciate you being there for me.
3. You have a kind and generous heart.
4. You are a dedicated feline maintenance worker.
5. Something about you says when you get old and withered, you just might go out crusing for penis!
6. You are unknowable.
7. You began blogging around the same time I did because great Shrones think alike!
8. You've had your share of bodily ailments so you know what it is like to have a poopy body.
9. You're one groovy chick and I think you are super cool!
10. You haven't killed your inner child and you freely allow it out to play. (This is true since your quiz about your inner child reveals you haven't formed one of those hideous "adult thick skins"!)

Lené

1. You've a randy sense of humor that is highly becoming of a Shrone.
   
2. You have a kitty named Persephone (I did too!)
   
3. You have a kind and generous heart.
   
4. You were born in a year of the Rat (the most charming, best Chinese zodiac sign there is!).
   
5. Something about you says when you get old and withered, you just might go out crusing for penis! Heck, I think you might actually cruise for it now (tee-hee)!
   
6. You are unknowable.
   
7. You know what it is like to have serious health problems.
   
8. You know how to be a great secret pal!
   
9. You're one groovy chick and I think you are super cool!
   
10. You haven't killed your inner child and you freely allow it out to play.

Jessi

1. You are astounding because you've made your own crochet designs.
2. You would actually look very distinguished in a turban (at least I think you would!).
3. You have a kind and generous heart.
4. Your crocheting is inspirational!
5. Something about you says when you get old and withered, you just might go out crusing for penis!
6. You are unknowable.
7. You have cute, adorable kids (who will grow up to be beautiful Shrones).
8. You can make Orbs of Wisdom!
9. You're one groovy chick and I think you are super cool!
10. You haven't killed your inner child and you freely allow it out to play.

Melinda

1. You have many creative talents, crocheting being one of them.
2. You are as good as Oprah at recommending great books to read.
3. You have a kind and generous heart.
4. You've been very influential in my life regarding Christianity, and I value the wisdom and knowledge you've shared with me.
5. Something about you says when you get old and withered, you just might go out crusing for penis!
6. You are unknowable.
7. You live in the South (which I so envy!).
8. You have a thoughtful, unique view of life that is tres Shrone.
9. You're one groovy chick and I think you are super cool!
10. You haven't killed your inner child and you freely allow it out to play.

Heather

1. You make the most unique crochet creations (your mandalas).
2. You are seeking a career in a noble profession (therapist).
3. Your 50 Book Challenge List is motivating!
4. You'd look at home in a turban and Shrone colors and clothes.
5. Something about you says when you get old and withered, you just might go out crusing for penis!
6. You are unknowable.
7. You have many things from your 100 Things About Me list which is genuine Shrone.
8. Your style is emulative.
9. You're one groovy chick and I think you are super cool!
10. You haven't killed your inner child and you freely allow it out to play.

As I'm typing this I hear a flock of geese flying overhead. It's been raining so much I think they are looking for a dryer place to live. There is only so much rain a person or goose can endure and it is very close to reaching the limit here. Since returning to Washington in May 2002, it's not been classically rainy during the winters, but this year is making up for it. I thought I detested the coldness and the snow of the northeast, but it wasn't this depressing! Why is rain so depressing? I think it may have to do with the less sun and daylight hours here versus the northeast. Strangely, where we are in Washington is farther north than we were in Pennsylvania and this difference in latitude accounts for about an hour less of daylight hours. In the summer it is so pretty here because we have an extended twilight and western horizon glow until almost 11 pm at the height of summer.

But, this entry isn't about another weather gripe. I'm sure most of you have already clicked on to the next blog as who wants to read another weather report?

Actually, what I'd like to say is that the new Orbs of Wisdom arrived in yesterday's mail! I had asked Regina for additional orbs and she obliged me with special requested ones. Now with my expanded Orbs I will catch up on all of those patient folk who requested readings so very long ago. I will get ambitious and post pictures of the new orbs this week. They are spectacular!

I spoke with my sister today and asked her what crochet stuff she has been working on and she said she got inspired by my fair entry doilies to take up crocheting again! She's working on a sampler square afghan and has made some doilies, too. I said I've got tons of stuff to show her and share with her. She was thrilled to hear about all of the various free patterns that exist in the world and that there are Clover Soft Touch hooks to be had. She agrees with me that crocheting is far faster and kinder than knitting. She was surprised to find out that crochet is considered "hillbilly art" as she never thought of it that way, but when I explained to her how knitters are snobby, she understood. She knows about coffee, wine, and beer snobs because this state has all of them, plus yarn snobs.

She's off to spend Turkey Day with my brother out in North Carolina, her first time out that way, and I told her she must find an authentic barbecue restaurant to chow down on some pork products. She said she would try to find something. I said it is usually cheap and good eats. I've watched all of those Food Network shows about to-die-for restaurants in the south to get good barbecue at and said she might want to go to the website and track down a place or two where she'll be.

She'll actually be very close to Elizabeth, a pity I'm not the one going to visit, but definitely next year I'll make a journey out that way.

Last but not least, I had said that eight new Shrones were to be inducted and I didn't announce all eight lucky ladies. I'm sure the suspense has been killing a few, and I don't mean to keep everyone waiting. So I shall endeavor this week to continue with the presentations.

Yesterday I met and had lunch with Crochetville member Kathy (Katchkan) who is truly a gifted Irish lace crocheter! She showed me her works and works in progress and many books that inspired her. She was able to de-mystify Irish crochet so that I feel confident that I, too, can make some motifs and put them together in my own lace creations. Her hints, pointers, and wise suggestions have sparked my imagination and I will soon start making motifs once I am done with whipping up a few holiday gifts.

She also does amazing bead work!

We both wore our own crocheted creations, which is how I knew it had to be her. She wore a lovely size 10 thread blouse adored with Irish roses on the cuffs, and she showed me her size 10 thread beaded shawl that has been accepted for publication.

One of the most amazing pieces she showed me was done using sewing thread and it was a clasp purse with beads and things. All of her work looks truly antique—designs that you would expect to see "back then." She struck me as being someone who would look more at home being in period clothing than modern.

She bestowed upon me a few helpful tools for Irish crochet lace-making and gave me a starter book with motifs. I plan to put it all to good use very soon, and she said she'd happily help me if the need arose.

She mentioned that next month she'd be getting together with some other gals and invited me to join them, and I said I'd love to. At last I've found a thread crocheting kindred spirit!

My mom stopped by yesterday. She's out of the hospital (obviously) and remarks that getting around is a chore, but she's the determined type and won't take it easy. She does have the LYS to run and each day the shop is closed is money that is lost. Anyhoo...when she was here Mr. Doo made his appearance and she said he was fat! I ask you, does Mr. Doo look fat?

He does weigh about 20 pounds, and he has the typical "waddle" at the back end of his undercarriage that adult cats get when they have been fixed, and he's got a bit of a turkey neck on his chest when he positions himself just so, but when I look at his profile to see if he bulges excessively on his sides, he actually sinks in at the back and his chest is sturdy.

Of course when he sprawls out and is in his boneless amorphous form his tummy oozes out like pancake batter in a frying pan, but all cats look bigger when they ooze!

I've been taking some melatonin at night to help me sleep less fitfully and I think it has prompted me to have more vivid dreams. This morning's dream I have to share because it speaks of the connections I have with my bloggy friends.

I was at this place of employment, and I'm not sure if I was an employee or why I was there, but I'd say there was a handful of people working at this place which was really a house, and come to think of it, no one was really working and I have no idea what type of business it was, yet I was all there among people whom I didn't recognize—all total strangers—yet we were all good friends like we knew each other for years.

Now as it turns out this dream had one of my classic bathroom dreams in which I go to use the bathroom and the place is dirty. My bathroom dreams have a theme of a full, unflushed toilet, or a toilet that isn't working so there is crap everywhere, or there is just a feeling of it being disgustingly filthy.

This time the bathroom had cat poop everywhere on the rug and the toilet itself was clean but there was no way I could get to the toilet because of the dirty carpet. I recall thinking that if my mother were to see how nasty the bathroom looked she'd freak out.

Then somehow in this dream there was a lake or pond or body of dark water and I was floating on it while my fellow co-workers (or whomever they were) stared at me. I recalled thinking how nice it felt to just float weightlessly.

But here is where my bloggy friends come in. I recognized one of the gals as being Elizabeth, and when we made the realization, we started talking friendly with each other and we were talking about yarn—I think about alpaca yarn. Then I asked her if she commutes every day to work, thinking that it would be a very long drive since she lives in Lexington, Kentucky, and then she morphed into Kari and yet was still Elizabeth, creating the new person Kari-Beth!

With my head very confused about just who it was I was dreaming about, the dream faded away and I don't recall anymore of it.

I am panting and huffing. I just got back from a simple grocery shopping at Wal-Mart, nothing unusual, and I feel like someone has run me over. I didn't want to believe the doctor about taking a year to regain my health. That just feels like a very long time to feel normal again. I'm not even three months from my last surgery and I feel fatigued. My blood levels are fine as far as B-12 and iron. I am taking a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement and some Co-Enzyme Q10 for energy boost and so far no improvement.

If I don't come around by the end of the month, I'm going to have to seriously re-evaluate my return to school in January. Right now the idea of doing a 20 hr/wk internship sounds like working in the salt mines and it shouldn't be that way. It pains me though to have to remain dormant until next September to finish my degree. I feel like I'll get out of the loop.

I suppose the best thing would be, if I do decide I need more time to regain myself, is to find a volunteer position working in the field of mental health and get connected in the community. What's nice about a volunteer position is you can work as much as you can handle and nobody is going to get tweaky with you if you only stay for 4 hours, or your bag ruptures and you need to rush home.

I've been rock bottom before due to the nasty Rectal Dragon, but I've always bounced back with ease. Could the slow recovery be due to the fact I'm in the my 30's now? I know our bodies are much more resilient at age 18 than 33. I've also had many years of prednisone damage that hasn't totally gone away.

It sucks feeling like I should be out there moving with the speed of life only to get up off the couch, walk to the door, and start panting because I'm out of breath! That's my reality today. Panting. I could make crank phone calls as a heavy breather!

Well, the goodness in all of this is I bought the ceremonial Thanksgiving Turkey! Yes, a genuine Butterball™ not on sale, so it was 98¢/lb, and I got one in the 13 pound range. More bird than we need, but the single 10-pounder I could find looked sunken. As I was trying to scan bird weights I was overwhelmed with exhaustion and I struggled to pull the birds up to look at their tags. That's pathetic. I am no stronger than Mr. Burns!

Anyhow, I made it home and have discovered that my bag has ruptured again! It ruptured earlier this morning. This sucks! I went all of last week with a perfect seal that lasted 5-7 days. Now I can't keep a seal for more than 24 hours! But at least my ass isn't hurting me...I'd rather spring a leak than be back with a defunct rectum any day.

It is Pooky's birthday! My beloved Scorpio will have to wait until Thaksgiving for his carrot cake birthday cake (it weighs 7 pounds upon completion and requires more than two people to eat it), but he has already seen his gift: The 70th anniversary edition of Monopoly. (I saved $10 on it, too!) He has also received a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com from my dad and stepmom.

Other Odds & Ends

Today we had a reprieve from the torrential rains! There was sun this morning and blue skies until the afternoon. The clouds have rolled back in, gearing up for yet another deluge for the week. As for my reader's requests for me to send them the rain: If I could, I would!

I crocheted today (I didn't yesterday) and have made progress!

Just a moment ago I felt something strange with my ostomy bag and decided I should open my pants to check it out. I had ruptured a very big leak. Apparently taking a shower weakened the seal, or it could have been the apple I ate. Well, whatever the reason, it was a mess. Thankfully I keep my supplies downstairs and I was able to change it before total disaster happened. It's moments like that which make me feel like having a normal, public existence is going to be funky. If I had ruptured during class or at my future internship—eek!

Theodore Montague has joined me on the computer desk. I've tried to find him a treat that he will eat. I bought him beef flavored snacks: didn't like those. He has no interest in tuna. He did discover bacon grease left in the frying pan after it had solidified at he was licking that up, but that is not going to be his regular treat. He's the most odd cat I've ever known!

I'm participating in the Holiday Swap at C'Ville so I managed to muster up some motivation to crochet again. I'm making one of my signature easy sweaters for my swapee. I've got the back done and worked most of one sleeve yesterday. If I feel motivated today I should get the sleeves and most of the front made, if not the whole she-bang. It's just single crochets and chain one for the pattern. It goes quickly.

And now a momentary rant about our weather:

We've had rain storm after rain storm with a forecast of rain each day as far as they can tell! It's that time of year when I lament living here. I tell myself, "Rain is better than snow." Yet, I recall in Pennsylvania that we'd have sun and the frosty days looked so brilliant with all of the colors and such. I almost miss the ice and snow because there was sun to perk things up.

What sucks is this rainy season will not end until late spring.

This past Wednesday we went to our local casino so that Pooky could take advantage of a few promotional offers. One of them is a chance to double your paycheck if you bring it in for cashing. You spin a color-coded wheel and you win a prize no matter what. Then since it is Pooky's birthday month he gets a free meal at the buffet and some coupons for betting at Blackjack.

The computers were down when we arrived, but he pressed for his free meal pass. He didn't double his paycheck but did get $5 in slot machine money. He was going to give me $20 for the slots, so now we had $25.

Playing slots is not the best way to win money in a casino. The lower the amount per spin, the less likely it will pay out. Therefore, I was only going to play the $1 and 25¢ machines. I allotted $5 for the $1 machines and then $20 for the quarter.

I stopped first at the $1 machine and I got down to my final spin when I won back $2. I moved on to the quarter machines. I tried one for a few spins, then moved to another. I was down by half and going to move on to another machine when on my last spin I hit a small jackpot and won back $32! I more than doubled my money, and my belief is: If I double my money, it is time to quit.

So our "fun" was over in about 10 minutes or less!

We still had time to spend before the buffet opened, so we sat and watched the old folks. Casinos I have learned are in business to entertain the able-bodied elderly. If they can board a bus and tolerate the multi-houred ride to the nearest casino, they will come. Plus, the casinos give them loads of promotional offers.

I like watching crowds of people because I'm always looking for the odd one. I hit pay dirt with an a lady dressed in a bright sapphire blue dress and she wore these beaded earrings that extended down past her waist! She had an old beehive hair-do to boot! She was a bona fide Shrone!

The food was typical "old people food" at the buffet, but I still ate my full. We get to go back later so Pooky can get his birthday stuff.

Anyhow, on Thursday night we went to my dad's for his homemade pizza, and Pooky told him of our casino adventure. At first I thought it wasn't the best thing to brag about because I know my dad is tight with his money, but it turns out they go to the casinos because it is cheap food! What was funny was to hear my dad talk about the senior citizens behaving badly—even though he is one of them!

My Secret Pal is...Lené!

My Secret Pal was the best! Lene e-mailed me frequently, sent me little notecards with cute trinkets tucked inside of them, and she indulged in my Baby Stewie desires! The wonderful lace weight alpaca blend yarn is from Knitpicks. I found the perfect pattern for this wonderfully soft yarn! Also included were some teas, incense, body lotion, candle, and thread cutter.

As I got to know Lene, I realized she is a sister-Shrone and though it isn't offical, I have it on good authority she will soon be named. You're the best Lene, and I thank you so much for being my Secret Pal!

Tea Swap

I'm also participating in the tea swap and I received my first package from CJ. She sent me two varieties of Earl Grey. She also tucked in some gel pens and some stitch markers! Way cool!

I just happened to come upon a picture of Smee as a kitten and then one I took of him recently. He's gotten so big! I almost don't remember the tiny little fuzzball! He's my Smee-Ami and my Smee-Baby-Smee! I love to cuddle him and he cleans me with his sandpaper tongue. His bell-clapper tail is his trademark feature. I'm smitten with Smee.

Good Evening!

The swanky new costume I got is a vampiress get-up, but I thought of myself as a sorceress. I did the weird The Price is Right hand modeling just to be silly.

Pooky the Artist

Pooky can wield one of those little saws very well and carve up any design from a template. I am not very good at it so I didn't carve a pumpkin this year. I felt too fatigued to have the patience to carve. Anyhow, his work is the source of my envy!