THE DELICATE WORKINGS OF THE BRAIN

My Dad has dementia with a "trace" of Alzheimer's. He is 85 years old and though he has been able to keep his mind as sharp as possibly can at 85 but he has a lot of other issues going against him ...... peripheral neuropathy plays a big factor in his brain function as well.

Changes and disturbances in his routine really throw him off. Mom and I have gotten use to being able to work very hard at keeping him "safe" from changes etc. but now that he is in the nursing home things are out of our control. It's hard to watch what it is doing to his mental status.

He has been "acting out" these last couple days and it is hard for Mom to sit there and listen to him accuse her of seeing other men, of dating some of the nursing staff etc. It is my prayer today that God will touch his mind and restore it to a functioning level.

God is able to do just what He said He would do!
GOD IS ABLE!

Only God can make such beauty.........

So after writing yesteday's post, I came out this morning to get into my car to head to work and I looked down at my dark blue coat and was totally taken back by the beauty that God had created for me! There, gently drifting down from the cloudy sky came individual snow flakes ....which landed on my coat and thru the contrast on the dark blue it showed God's wonderful handywork. I smiled from ear to ear!

Who doubts that the Lord Jesus exists? Take a look at that snowflake!!! Each one different....awesome is what I say! And leave it to my Heavenly Father to "toy" with me this morning....... knowing full well that I am "not comfortable" with this whole snow/white stuff........ at all. So He sprinkles my coat with these beautiful snowflakes....... and I am, of course, totally blown away!!!!

He is amazing and HE IS ABLE!

Thanks for loving me even when I grumble Jesus!

Tired of it already..................

Some people love winter (skiiers, snowboarders, etc.) and love to see the snow fly. Some love snow just around Christmas because it makes the season so "romantic" and "festive". Bah. Bah-humbug.

I loved winter when I was little...... not a care in the world. I didn't shovel --- my Daddy did it all. I just got in my little old snowsuit and off to school I WALKED. Didn't worry about my Dad who drove dangerous country roads in pieces of junk milk trucks/bread trucks. I didn't pay attention to how upset and worried my Mom was until he came home safe and sound...... no cell phones back then.

Then I moved out of the house, moved to the city and lived on my own.........and suddenly the snow wasn't a "cute" as before. But, I still was young, had no fear and drove as such.

Then I became a wife (now I had a husband to worry about coming home late on bad country roads.....) and a mother....... and suddenly ...... snow and the cold winter months became hell on earth to me. Lack of sun light, always cold in the old drafty farm house, shoveling, hauling wood, furnace always breaking down, shoveling, cold fingers and feet while trying to clean off cars and shoveling. Then always my favorite..... shoveling. lol

Now the hatred has peaked with me being older and easily exhausted after ....... you guessed it.....shoveling and hauling wood. Now my darling toddlers are full grown women, working and driving in this "winter wonderland" - --- Making the process of trying to tolerate the white stuff almost unbearable.

Some people have told me that I have to love the snow because God created it....and He would not create anything bad. I agree 100% that He created it, and that He would not create anything bad...... but the Bible does not say I have to love snow. It says that I have to give thanks in all things................. And to that I say "Thank you Jesus for the snow that waters the earth." (By the way Jesus, I hate the stuff!!!! )

So, there my winter vent for today.

Okay, I am getting buried in knitting projects!!!

This is my first time using lace weight wool - and I think it will be my last. lol It is a simple enough pattern and it is going along good enough - but it is a Christmas present for a co worker and I hope I get it done in time for Christmas! I can hardly wait for the purple to turn in to the sof green color!

Now you see that I am definately keeping myself too busy!



This is what I call a pencil scarf - a pattern I got from my Mom. I like it because it makes a long thin little scarf - I make it about 90 inches long so you can wrap it around your neck about three or four times and still have long tails hanging down. It is a real simple pattern and one you can do with your eyes closed!!!!

This little gem is going to end up being a Toadstool Rattle! I found it on a blog and since I have a passion for all things having to do with mushrooms (I even love eating them!) I am knitting this up for a soon to arrive baby! Hope I get more knitting time in so I get it done in time!

A trip home...............

I went home to spend the weekend with my Mom and Dad. I left early this morning and driving by the lake on my way to get to the thruway, the lake called out to me!

You know, growing up on the end of one of the Finger Lakes - you take for granted the beauty of the lakes. I spent many many hours at friend's lake cottages, sailing, swimming, and always fishing with my grandpa on the old pier (which is now gone).

So I stopped at the Lake Park - put on my coat and walked and walked and walked......... it was GREAT! The waves were white caps and splashing so hard on the shore that most of the time I was getting a shower! It was so early that there were not too many people out there. It was a refreshing walk and really, I was not alone......... I asked Jesus to come with me!!!

Just wanted to share.

MY CURRENT CHRISTMAS PROJECTS .....shhhhhh

Finished a snood hat and pencil scarf for one co-worker and now I am working on a lace scarf for another co-worker. In case they find my blog, I will keep names out of this entry!!!!

I have never used lace yarn before, but I fell in love with Paton's lace!!! The color I am using is the one with shades of purple and green. I started it last night and go very frustrated, not with the yarn but with the needles I was using. I used my clover bamboo needles, my fave stand bys ------ but the lace pattern calls for lots of yarn overs and k2tog and it was near impossible to accomplish that with the fat pointed wooden needles I was using. So I pulled out the couple rows I had started and got out my Knitpick's needles (they have super fine points) and will start it over again this afternoon after work. I don't know that I will ever be a big fan of lace work, but thought this was a good thing to try it out with.

Easy Slouch Hat Free Knitting Pattern at Jimmy Beans Wool

Easy Slouch Hat Free Knitting Pattern at Jimmy Beans Wool

Making this hat is a lot of fun - I have made a couple and just finished one for a Christmas present. Thanks Chris for sharing this!

CURRENT HAT IN PROGRESS

So this is the current hat I am making and this is a swatch of the Paton classic wool that I am doing it in. It will be felted after it is knit up - so it should be very interesting to see how the fibers will melt and blend together.

The pattern was a little bit of a brain teaser for me, so I went to Ravelry and had some of those nice ladies help me figure out the earflaps. If I pull this hat off and it looks nicely done I might enter it in the fair next year. I am taking the attitude that everything I knit from now until August 2011 is a potential state fair entry.

I have to show you the other hat I am working on too. It's a traditional old stocking cap
- like the kind of hat gentlemen wore to bed to keep their heads warm. The color is wild too - I'll post it on another entry.

I am on a hat "kick" right now, but I am sure I will move on to something else.

Keep knitting and trying not to think about the long dark winter days ahead............

Two recent finishes..........

So here is what I have been working on for the last couple weeks. The blueberry hat is for someone at church who is having a baby boy and the pink hat is for someone who is having a baby girl! Now I am working on a couple other hats - no one in particular is getting my next batch. I am making a felted "helmet" type hat with earflaps. I was having a hard time with the directions and so I went to my new fave place, Ravelry and those ladies were super and they helped me to move along with the directions.

I really am getting frustrated with not being able to move pictures around within my blog, but I guess they don't look so bad today on this entry. There is so much to learn on the internet and this computer........ all the little tricks I just don't have the patience to learn!!!! Mrs. B. showed me the photo thing and I still can't get it working!

Well, I don't dwell on the frustration and I in turn it into knitting time!!!! I am really finding my knitting time very precious to me....... that means winter is coming and I need my stress points relaxed by knitting.........

Speaking of that..... I am off this computer and on my way to knit!

ROAD TRIP!

Well tomorrow Scott and I leave for a short road trip to back to his home town of Owosso, Michigan. The girls are staying home, both have jobs and responsibilities here. I am honestly kind of looking forward to a road trip with just the two of us, but I am also a little nervous leaving the girls here alone.

Thank goodness for cell phones and computers and hot spots. I will keep in touch with them via all those different ways. I also will also keep in touch with my Mom while I am gone via my cell phone. When we go thru Canada there will be no cell phone reception which will be a little disturbing but I think my kids will be fine for the few hours we will be out of contact.

I am looking very forward to the trip also because on our way back to NY we will be stopping at the Mary Maxim store which is full of wonderful yarns, patterns, needles etc. I will refrain from spending a large amount of money, but if I find something really different and not something I can easily get here in my local kraft stores.

I spent way too much money the last time I went, but this time I will refrain from spending so much money! We are heading into winter and time to tighten the belt! I am taking the computer with me so hopefully I will keep a dailly blog on the road trip! Looking forward to trying to letterbox in Owosso too!

FIONA, THE WATER STEALER!

Okay, so, my darling Fiona is a water drinker. Ever since she was a young lady she would drink from my water glasses - mostly when they were full so all she would have to do is move her little tongue over the top of the glass and she got her drink.

She is now my little old lady and she STILL has not lost her love for stealing a drink from my water glass! Ah ha Fiona! Caught you in the act with my computer - you never thought it was coming did you? I love it! She almost got her head caught in my glass. And her hot breath was steaming up the glass.

So glad I got her in the act! Saved forever!

AUGUST 24, 1946-AUGUST 24, 2010

Well, by far - in my 55 years of life - August 24, 2010 will reign as one of the hardest days of my life - to date. August 24th was my parent's 64th wedding anniversary AND it was the day that my Mom and I put my Dad into the nursing home. It was incredibly as horrible as you could possibly imagine.

My Dad has been having a horrible time with his balance and it has only gotten worse. My Mom has been his total care giver for 64 years and on her birthday 8/18 Dad took a bad spill and he took her down with him and she was also hurt.

I raced home and spent a week helping get everything in order (my brother John and his wife were thousand of miles away in Nova Scotia Canada on vacation) to get Dad placed into a nursing home because it was now very clear to us that Mom could no longer handle him alone at home. She herself was getting less mobile with her two very bad knees.

My employer was very understanding and my family held it together here at home while I stayed and got everything lined up and in place. Dad has a very nice room, and he is being well taken care of. Of course not as good as if Mom was doing it, but he is getting treated very nicely and he seems to be doing okay. There is a lot of adjustment than needs to be done and that will take time. We got him a tv and my Mom goes to see him every day. I will be going home on 9/11 to check up on everything and make sure Mom is taking care of herself as well. My brother John is now back from vacation and he will also check on her as well.

I never wanted my Dad to go into the nursing home, but I just did not see any other way. I still have so much responsibility here at home............I could not just quit my job and leave my family to go live with my parents indefinately. And my home here is not at all elderly friendly. Two floors, cold, drafty and not close to a hospital or any of their doctors. No, there just was nothing else to be done. I know that I carry some guilt about that , but I have to let go and trust Jesus to make up the difference of my short comings. He is good at that!

My parents did so much for us kids - I wish I could do more.

STATE FAIR WINNERS!

It has been AGES since I last spent some time here on my blog page. The best intentions always get put on the shelf when crisis happens. Let me share my good news and then I will share about the crisis that happened within my family.

These pictures are of the things I entered in the NY State Fair this year and the ribbons I won for them! I am really amazed, honestly, that I won ribbons because I see some of the other things that were entered and they are sooooo much better than my things. But I am tickled pink to be coming home with these ribbons. The pictures don't show much, just how they were displayed at the fair.

As always, I wish I could spend more time knitting (and now I want to learn to spin) but things just are so unsettled - when did we let life get so hectic? Full time job, aging parents, adult children with issues and problems that seem to suck me into their drama - apron strings that just are wrapped so tightly around my heart I can't seem to cut them loose. Life is too complicated. Life is too hectic. Life is too demanding. BUT - JESUS is my peace. Jesus is my rest. Jesus is my strength. I can't help people (or my family) if I sit in a cocoon and just knit. (Which is really what I want to do!) I have to extend the peace, rest and strength that Jesus gives to me to others who are also stressed and hurting.

I have always believed that if you make time for Jesus in your 24 hour day then HE will make time for you to do what you possibly wanted to do "for fun" - within the relm of good and Godly that is!

So, that is my blog entry about the fair and my ribbons. I thank Jesus for the gift of knitting and give Him all the praise and glory!

THE WONDER OF FIONA

She is so silly! It seems like everything I use or touch, my Fiona has to become part of it as well. These are my Aldi's shopping bags that I use when I go to the store, and I mistakenly left these on the sofa instead of putting them back into the car.

Look who found them........

THIS IS MONKEY

Once again our neighbors have managed to get themselves an adorable young cat who has been named by our family because we don't know her real name. We named her Monkey. She is a lovely gray tiger with a little small white bib. She a different kind of tiger than Fiona.

Anyhow, they have totally left her outside to fend for herself and she is always hungry and always coming around us when we are outside like we own . I feel terrible but I do know that God watches out for all His creatures and He is taking care of her. We love her but I hav enough cats right now.

MESA BOWL FINISH

So I finished the Mesa bowl and now my State Fair entries are complete. I filled out my entry form with three objects (the pictures of my entries are all here on my blog except the one purse I still have to put the handles on- then its picture will appear here.

I am excited about entering the fair. I use to do it about 25 years ago and won a couple times. It really isn't about the monetary reward, but the ribbons would be cute to have! lol

I am now working on felted flip flops....... will update you on the progress as they "grow".

MY MOLLY SCUFFS ARE DONE!

I saw that the end was near and so I pushed myself to get to the end of the scuffs (that are named after my gray and white cat Molly) and felted them this afternoon.

I put them on the deck to dry in the hot sun. It will be the cool days of fall and the freezing cold days of winter when they come out and warm my feet. Abby wants
a pair of them in pink for herself.

I have started a Mesa bowl until my other needles arrive and I can start my felted flip flops.
I must get to work on my entry form for the state fair and try and decide how many entries I am going to put in this year.

They will all be felted items- I think I will have a total of three. The prize does not give anything of great value - $25 for first place, but it is just the fun of
getting a ribbon that will be the real prize. I know that sounds really small of me - but, this will be the first time I have entered anything in the fair for over 20 years!

I will post a picture of my new project tomorrow.

Happy 4th of July - Thanks to all who have given their lives for our great nation.

A STORMY AFTERNOON SKY

At the end of the day on June 28th, there were lots of tornado warnings out and severe thunderstorms all around us. As the sun was setting at the end of the day I went out on our deck and was totally put in awe at the scene in front of us - no doubt that Jesus is totally in control of the beauty of this earth!

Scott took these pictures - really cool huh?

Thank goodness the storms didn't come close to us, and I pray for those that had the tornados in their yards and had damage done. We have had our "turn" dealing with wind damage and while I am not asking someone else have a chance to experience it, I am glad that it did not come back to us this time.

While I love spring, summer and fall - I don't like the violent storms.

Stay safe and enjoy the summer.

My new pet!

I am making this entry on my new laptop - this is a picture of my "baby" - small, powerful and just what I wanted. I have patiently been waiting for us to be have saved enough money to get this computer............ my husband has put in many extra hours to make sure that when we bought this none of this went on credit.

I love being on the computer right from the comfort of my chair - I just hope that I can continue to get all my knitting done! I have so many projects to get done so I think I had better not spend too much time on this lovely machine.

It is really hot out tonight, so I don't want to over work my baby on the first night!!! lolo

I am thankful for this machine. I hope I can do good for God with this machine.

NEW KNITTING/FELTING PROJECT........

I finished my other purse (picture coming, waiting to put handles on it ----) and started my next felting project. Scuffs!!! The picture is not that great, the color of the wool is gray and white - the color of my husband's cat Molly - so I call these Molly Scuffs! They will be felted and I might possibly put soles on the bottom.

The wool is soooo soft, and reminds me so much of Molly. Abby wants a pair of pink ones if they felt nice.

The picture on the right is my next project AFTER the Molly Scuffs. Felted flip flops!!!! I ordered the pattern today - I am nuts I know. Wait until my husband finds out that I am spending money on my knitting addiction..............

The project and pattern is getting rave reviews on Ravelry and so I just can't pass it up! I love flip flops in the summer - I can't go bear foot any more so I have to have something on my feet and I hate socks in the summer!

I will keep you posted on the progress of that. I will not start them until I have finished at least one pair of Molly Scuffs!!!

My finished felted purse................

Finished putting the flowers on the purse I had knit and felted and feel that it is pretty darn cute. It's a tiny little thing, probably just good enough for an evening out with your cell phone, drivers lic. and a tissue or female things - not room for much more.

My husband wants me to enter it in the NY State Fair -probably will. The only problem with entering stuff in the NY State Fair is getting your stuff out there to be judged. Many years ago I had entered lots of different things from jams and jellies to photographs.............. came home with an Honorable Mention in my photograph. My Mom had several of her things judged and got a couple blue ribbons. Still thinking about it but will look on line about what class to put felted items in.

Working hard on finishing up the current purse I am working on. It will have store bought handles............... maybe buttons. I am feeling inspired.

Boxing Hall of Fame parade went really well, no rain and a great crowd. Our float was cute and our super heros did a great job! I am tired and it is time to start our movie and more knitting.

Thanks for looking!

PROGRESS OF SOCK............

So, here is the progress of my sock. My problem is this: the pattern offered two sizes and I did the bigger size because I have a size 9 1/2 to 10 foot and the smaller size made it sound like it would fit up to 8 1/2. Now this thing looks like it could fit the Jolly Green Giant's foot!!!! My daughter took one look at it and said "You are going to felt this sock right?". Hmmmmmm, no I wasn't. So I am struggling with this whole thing - whether to pull it out and do the smaller size or just to keep plugging along and finish it.

These were never intended to be socks that I would wear in shoes/boots. They were what I called slipper socks. So, maybe I will just keep going and wear them no matter how big they are. They don't look big in the picture, but trust me, they are huge!

I am use to doing my socks on 2 circular needles so that I can easily try my socks on as I go along, but I did not have circular needles in this large size so I am doing them on my dpn. I tried trying the sock on and it just got too hard and the stitches started slipping off my needles. I gave up!

Well, sitting here talking to myself on my blog has led me to push myself to finish this project regardless of the size. I HATE unfinished projects - I have way to many already!

Knitting is knitting........ it is what relaxes my mind and soul....... regardless of what I am knitting. I sure hope that when I get to heaven, Jesus will have all my favorite needles and wool waiting for me.

THIS IS TIBBETTS POINT LIGHTHOUSE

Pretty as a picture isn't it? Scott took this picture while we were letterboxing. I could have stayed there for days - it was quiet and peaceful and so restful (unfortuantely it was darn hot!).

We had a wonderful day and I was able to get a lot of knitting done while on the road. I am exhausted now but it was worth the trip to letterbox and see the water and the light house.

Thanks Dad, and all those who have served this great nation.

MEMORIAL DAY IN CAPE VINCENT AND WATERTOWN.............

I love turkeys~ always love to hear them in the back yard talking to each other. We went to letterbox today and went to Watertown and then up to Cape Vincent to see the Tibbetts Point Lighthouse. Both places had a letterbox treasure.

At the Watertown Zoo they had two turkeys just walking around and I got to be really close to them and heard them drum and puff their feathers. I loved it.

For Jessica there was a snowy owl - he was hot and hiding in the cool greens. It was wonderful.

I KEPT TO MY WORD.......

Well, I really was disappointed that this was the only wool I could find - I really thought I had more colors than this.

But it is what it is and I started the first sock last night. It was blistering hot so that is about all I felt like working on. I can tell already that this sock is going to go fast because it is so thick and the large needle size (size 10). Boy, they are going to be so nice and warm!

So, I am excited to be doing something new, and if this pair work up nice I am thinking that I will make a pair for my Mom who LOVES big warm socks when she is sitting in her nightie and rob watching tv at night. I will have to buy different wool because she loves blue and I need to extra soft yarn - her feet are very sensitive. I don't mind the woolease - it is pretty soft.

The day is crawling by slow here at work - I have my knitting with me and I am so tempted to get it out and work on it. But I don't think my boss would approve since there is always work to do if you just look for it. I guess it would be in my best interest to start looking for things to do so that the day will go by faster.

We are still thinking of letterboxing in Watertown and along the lake shore this weekend. Don't which day, but whatever day, I am looking forward to it.

Remember our heros past and present whose service to this country is greatly appreciated by me - and my family. Especially, THANKS DAD! YOU ARE MY HERO!

I MUST BE CRAZY TO WORK WITH WOOL......

I am in the middle of knitting projects waiting for my order to come with the needles that I need to finish another felted purse I am making. So I innocently went on a sock pattern spree and found these lovely heavy socks on the Lion Brand web site for free. (I LOVE free!) I have tons of woolese at home and so I think tonight I will start a pair of these socks.

So, why am I saying that I ams crazy to work in wool? Because we are in the middle of a "spring" heatwave - 90 degrees yesterday folks - and I must be crazy to want to work with wool....... the GOOD thing about socks though is that they are small and you don't have piles of wool laying on your lap while you sweat in the heat. When I get home I can hardly wait to dig around in my stash for my woolese and cast on! I have a terrible habit of racing thru the first sock and stalling on the second. I have been giving some SERIOUS thought to trying to knit two socks at a time to solve the problem. I think I am going to really research and buy the needles to do that. Oh I am soooo bad!

Better just stay focused on this new pair and take one pair of socks at a time!!! lol

The long weekend is coming and am looking forward to working around the house on chores, letterboxing up north and knitting. I'll try to keep more updated on my blog..... pretty soon I might have my own laptop and will be able to do more at home.

That's my girl! Jessica Rene is graduating from Cazenovia College on 5/15/2010 and we are as proud as punch! Look out world - here she comes!!!

I'm back! I finished my fourth test and PASSED! That horrible burden has now been lifted and I can get back to knitting, blogging, walking, and praying! It was definately the Lord who got me thru that test - the answers were not coming to my brain so easily, I was exhausted and I just wanted to give up. BUT, the Lord did not give up on me and so I was able to pass. I am so glad that I have my life back.

Today is Mother's Day and it snowed! It started last night as thick rain and then it turned to snow by the time we got home from shopping at Kohls. Woke up to all white on the ground and I had to find a pair of gloves to put on when I went out to get the broom to clean the snow off the cars off before church.

I am working on a little ruffled felted purse - just about done, working on the handles right now and then ready to felt. I a not sure I like it. Will hold my judgement until I have put it in the washer.

Well, hope you enjoy my rose breated grosbeak and the snow.

Feels GREAT to be back in the saddle!

BLONDE KNITTING JOKE

A highway patrolman pulled alongside a speeding car on the freeway. Glancing at the car, he was astounded to see that the blonde behind the wheel was knitting!
Realizing that she was oblivious to his flashing lights and siren, the trooper cranked down his window, turned on his bullhorn and yelled, 'PULL OVER!'
'NO!' the blonde yelled back, 'IT'S A SCARF!'

Being a once blonde (now white) and a knitter - I had to share this joke!

STILL STRESSING OVER THIS AGENT LICENSING........

I am sorry that I have not done much blogging but I did not pass my first examination with the state for my licensing, so I am now scheduled to retake it on 4/22/2010. I have been working really hard to try and get it all in my head this time. It is a lot harder when you are older!

Remember that young people.........

I won't have my life back until this test is behind me!

Nothing says heaven like.....

a laundry basket full of warm towels to a fur baby named Fiona.

GETTING IT DONE

Well, Monday will be my last day of class and it involves the final in order to get my certificate so I can take my test. I am totally trusting God to get thru this test and the state exam. At first I didn't want to do this, but now, I am totally wanting to do my best, pass the test and get my license. Soon.

I have a cold - started coming down with it on Thursday but now it is full blown. Oh well.... such is life.

I am restless with my knitting - now that my washing machine is fine I can finish felting my original bag and I am making a little monster that has to be felted as well. I want to make the bag from KnitPicks but the darn thing was not working out when I was originally working on it and I ripped it out. So, I think I will try it again and with a different yarn - I hated to yarn I was working with. You know, that makes all the difference in the world!

Time to study, clean and knit..... then Jessica wants to meet up at school. Maybe we will go out and look at the new baby and it's adoptive mithers.

MY BRAIN IS MUSH!

After being in an insurance class from 8:30-5pm my brain is mush. I came home to try and do more studying because she is giving us a test tomorrow morning...... MUSH I say. I tried to knit on my lunch break but my brain was just too over loaded. I was so frustrated by the pattern I ripped it all out. I need to find something else to do.

My washer machine is dead and until it gets fixed I won't be able to felt my finished projects. Maybe next week it will get fixed. I don't think there is anything too major wrong with it.

I'M FEELING IN CONTROL TODAY......COOL CAT KATHY

Well, my attitude is much better. The sun is out and Scott is going show me where I am suppose to go. It will be just fine. I will take my knitting, eat my lunch in the car and chill. It is nicer weather now, at least this didn't happen in winter time.

I will try and do my best and I will not stress out about the test. I have no choice, I have to do this and I have to do my best. God will do the rest!

I look forward to knitting at lunch in my truck - hooking up with my shuffle and listening to music and knitting. Just awesome! My first lunch is going to be a P&J sandwhich. Yum!

I just bought the pattern for that cute bag that is in this picture from KnitPicks - I love their stuff! I am going to work on this project during my lunch breaks next week! I love it!

Sigh..... thank goodness it's spring and the sun is out!

My employer has asked that I take a licensing class that starts next week on 3/22 and runs to 3/29. In Rome, NY. Yikes! It goes from 8:30 to 5:00pm and I have to take notes and stay away AND

I CAN'T KNIT!!!!!

I am a little stressed out about stepping out of my comfort zone, but I am very thankful that this waited for now because I don't have to worry about snow etc. I will have Scott drive me there on Sunday afternoon so I know how to get there okay. There are notes to take, tests to take and I am meeting strange people I don't know and taking tests that make me very afraid.

I guess that it is okay that it happened so fast so I don't have too much time to think about what I have to do etc.

I really didn't want to do this at my age. I want to retire in 7 years.....this is too much work for just 7 years and the "promise" of a raise........

I feel in control right now about the whole thing - I just hope I can find my way around. I know I will feel better after I talk to Scott and he tells me how easy it will be to get there.

I regret that this messes up Abby's doctor's appoint on Friday.

Arggggg........

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day!

A walk at Chittenango Falls

It was not a very sunny day, but it was warm and the water was roaring over the falls and all the little creeks and min falls throughout the park. Scott and I just wanted some fresh air and so we just walked around the opened areas of the park. Most of the cool paths to walk were closed off by the state for safety reasons during the winter months.

It felt good to be outside and walking on grass, and it smelled like spring! I loved it!