Eye Candy Friday

For those of you wishing for spring. 

He Plays The Violin

Or he will, soon.

Cody had been wanting a violin, and between saving up and getting money for Christmas, he was finally able to order the one he wanted.  Yesterday, he posed this photo on FB. 

I can't wait to hear him play something. 

Hot And Cold

I had some potatoes.

These potatoes I had have been calling my name. I tried to ignore them, but they just got louder and more insistent. Finally, I could block them out no more. I had to make them into soup.   Them and the onion and celery that were sharing their space in the crisper drawer.  So I made soup.  Lots of soup. 

Again, I didn't have a recipe. I just kind of made it up as I went along.  It turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself.  Just perfect for a cold day like today.

While I was at it, I worked on the blankie. 

And I made some tomato soup, too.

Why I needed two pots of two different kinds of soup, I don't know, but apparently, I did.  And why I needed to make soup at all when I've got enough in the freezer to feed an army is beyond me.

I've long since given up trying to find a logical explanation for...well, for myself. 

I've long since given up trying to be anyone but myself, and I'm discovering that being me is a pretty darn good thing to be. 

Chats On The Farmhouse Porch

Interesting thing, the computer -- Cody's old desktop that I'd been using since mine died-- that I thought had died booted up just fine last night.  The bad news is, the USB port seems to be messed up, so I couldn't get my Quicken data to download to the thumb drive.  It has more USB ports in the back, but I just didn't feel like crawling under the desk to get to them. 

Now, on to today's chat.


Questions 


1.  Have you tried any DIY cleaning products or skin care products from the many recipes on the internet?

Yes, I have made my own laundry detergent and daily shower spray before.  I've also made a sugar scrub, but I keep forgetting to use it.

2.   Do you like to enter sweepstakes, giveaways, or prize drawings?

It depends.  If it's something on FB or a blog that doesn't require me to spend an arm and a leg to get an entry in, or do to hours worth of linking and liking stuff, I'll enter.  Otherwise, no.

3. How often do you visit your local library? Do you have a local library?

 I haven't been to the public library in years.  I've even let my card expire.  What with my Kindle and having so many unread books on it already, it doesn't seem that necessary.  Plus, our public library closes at 5:30, so that really limits the time I can be there.   I do visit the church library often, though.
 
4.  Do you have a simple mobile phone or one that does lots of things? 

 I've got an iPhone 4S.  I've discovered that if you wait until the next models come out, previous models get really cheap really fast.  Otherwise, I'd have a very simple phone. 

 5.  Tell me something new or interesting.  Please :)

Today is the 28th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger explosion.  I was in college at the time, my junior year.  I was in class when the explosion actually happened.  I found out about it when I went into the student union building to watch All My Children.  Instead of my favorite soap, there was news coverage of the tragedy. 

As we conclude today's chat, let's take a moment of silence to remember the 7 who died on that terrible day, January 28, 1986.

Yarn!!

I got a surprise in the mail today.  My friend Sue was doing a bit of housecleaning, and she sent a whole bag of yarn for the blankie. 

She also sent a few hanks of worsted weight for hats and such. 

Thanks, Sue! 

I can't wait to get started knitting with it, but first, I think I need a nap. 

Dear Disgusting Creep

If I am going to ruin my reputation, dishonor my God, and trash my good name in order to run away with a married man, it's going to have to be a much better man than you doing the asking.

But then, a better man would not be asking me to ruin my reputation, dishonor my God, and trash my good name in order to run away with a married man in the first place.

Now, would he? 

It's Here!!!

The first overtime check came in today, and my checking account breathed a sigh of relief.  It had gotten so tight it was squeaking.

Long family tradition dictates that with the first overtime check, we buy something we've been wanting for a long time, but had been putting off due to financial reasons.  When Cody was three-ish, it was a box of plastic bugs.

Other times it has been a DVD we'd been wanting, or even something as simple as going out for pizza.

Last summer, a friend posted a link to a ring.  Now, I'm not a big jewelry person, but I did love this ring. 

It cost a bit more than I normally spend on frivolities, so I took some old financial advice I'd heard years ago.  Wait 30 days before you buy it, and if you still want it that bad, go ahead.  I waited a bit longer than 30 days --like six months-- but I realized I still wanted it just as bad as I did when I first saw it. 
 

I must say, it's definitely going to take some getting used to. It's very heavy, but then it is titanium, and I'm not used to wearing rings at all.  Right now, I've got it on my right hand, but if it gets too annoying, I'm going to move it to my left. 

Then I'll have to say, "No, I did not get married" exactly 5836 times.  That may not be worth it. 

Speaking of marriages, I've been watching Bridezillas.  I've watched it (on Netflix) off and on for a few years now.  I'm telling you, I don't know why any man would want to be married to one of those shrieking harpies. 

Sometimes Group Leader Fernando calls me Bad Attitude.  Next time he does that, I'm just going to tell him, "Hey, it could be worse.  I could be a Bridezilla." 

Spring!

I bought seeds! 

Now, I stare forlornly at my frozen ground for three more months...

But since I could not wait for spring, I brought a little spring to me. 

And just what I want for Valentine's Day.  A Tar Wars mug.

(Read the price tag.)

More Computer Woes

I was having problems with my old desktop last summer.  It finally died completely, but as it was so old (2005), I decided not to try to get it fixed.  I just went and got Cody's desktop that he was no longer using and started using it.  Really, the only thing I was using it for was my banking and printing stuff out.  I spent most of my time on the laptop. 

Anyway, a couple of days ago, it started acting up.  Now, it won't boot up at all.  It's also ancient.  I got it for him the same year I got my old one -- 2005--so I doubt I try to get it fixed.  I think I'll just carry it in to the Computer Doctor and see if he can get my Quicken files off of it and then trash it. 

I won't be buying a new one any time soon, so I'll just have to stick with my laptop.

 And that's my excitement for today.

New Teeth

I'm getting new teeth!

Well, not all of them.  Just a few.

See, the thing is, when I was a kid, I had two molars that the permanent teeth never came in, thus the baby teeth never fell out.  When I was 19, my dentist decided it was time to get them pulled and put in bridges.  He told me that they would eventually need to be replaced, and that time has come.

I took out a flexible spending account to pay for it, but I greatly overestimated how much the bridges would cost.  Now, I will have quite a bit left over. 

I think I will get new glasses.  And get Cody a spare pair.

And buy some more Epi-Pens.  And get Cody an Epi-Pen. 

And if there's still more left, well, I'll think of something to do with it. 

Too bad I can't use it to pay the vet bills...

Rylea says, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Chats On The Farmhouse Porch

Yay! Chats are back!  Patrice has been having computer issues, but hopefully they are all worked out now.



Questions 


1.  How many seed catalogs have arrived at you home? 

 I think about 4.  I'll have to round them all up and see. 

2.  Will you be learning to do something new this year? 

 No.  I'd like to learn to weave, but a loom is a bit out of my budget right now.  I'd also like to learn to spin on a wheel, but again, a wheel is just a bit out of my budget.

3.  How many pair of boot do you own?(This can include casual, dressy, hiking, farm, riding, snow, or any other kind of boot.) 

Three.  I have a pair of rubber boots, a pair of work boots, and a pair of nicer boots.  

4.  Valentine's Day is just around the corner. There are decorations in the stores. Do you have anything planned for Valentine's Day? 

No.  

5.  Please tell me your favorite breeds of dogs. If you don't like dogs, tell me something about a favorite animal. (Please. :) 

My absolute favorite is the Alaskan Malamute.  I'd love to have one some day.  I also like Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.  I had one once, and a dog who was half Chessie and half Lab.  He was The Best Dog Ever.

You know, the Auntie in that story is the one we just lost.  Tomorrow she will be laid to rest.  I wish I could be there, but I didn't see any way possible.  Sharing this story, though, is a good memory.

Some people have the mistaken idea that we shouldn't mention those we've lost, because it might make someone cry.  I so disagree.

It's good to cry, it's good to grieve, but most of all, it's good to remember. 

I Found It

After knitting a round and a half on my lace shawl, I realized that it wasn't what I really wanted to work on right now. Especially not during championship Sunday ball games.

So I dug out Sock Yarn Blankie #2.  

Apparently, it was what I really wanted to be knitting all along. 

This is the one I'd started for my sister's family, though at the rate I'm going, it may be done in time for her first grandchild. 

Auntie

This morning, my dear Aunt Martha went home to be with the Lord. 

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.  Psalm 116:15

There are few more saintly than my sweet auntie.  

Friday

Friday morning...

I woke up and found my jewelry box lid in the dog food bowl. 

I don't know why.  I've long since given up trying to find a logical explanation for...well, you know. 

I made it through my work day and went to the store, where I bought red lace unmentionables and shotgun shells. 

Because, hey, I gotta be me. 

And that's just who I am.

Hodge Podge And Miscellany

Today has been one of those days.  It all started at 3:30 AM. 

Yes, you read that right.  AM.  Ante Meridian.  Three Thirty.

I woke up to answer nature, and couldn't get back to sleep.  So, yes, it's been a long day and I'm starting to feel it. 

I got to work and told Group Leader Fernando, "I woke up with a positive attitude this morning." 

He said, "Nah, it's just gas." 

I've come to discover that he and I share the same slightly twisted sense of humor.  I've often said I was going to take pictures of my co-workers so you all can put a face to all these names I'm talking about.  It's kind of hard, though, since we're not supposed to have phones at work.  Cameras, neither.  So if I'm going to get pictures, I kind of have to do it on the sly.    He'd probably kill me if he knew I'd taken this, but here you go.  One slightly out of focus, taken on the sly photo of Group Leader Fernando. 

Just don't tell him, okay?

Oh, a bit of good news.  This other guy I work with stopped by my brazing stand the other day to say hello.  I don't even remember what we were talking about.  We were just chatting, when out of the blue, I asked him, "Do you have some land I can squirrel hunt on?"

"Yeah."

"You do?  Really?"

"Yeah"

He's got some land that he deer hunts on, and says it's overrun with squirrels.  He's been begging another coworker of ours to get out there and clean them out some, but the other guy won't go hunt out there.  I said I would.  I love squirrel. 

He told me how to get there, but said to wait until deer season ends before I go hunting.  He said I could hunt there in the fall, too until deer season starts.  That'll work out right nicely, because squirrel season opens usually the end of September.  That'll give me a couple of months to hunt, since he doesn't do archery or primitive weapons. 

Cool. 

Now, I need to go stock up on shotgun shells. 

Lace

I'd been getting the urge to knit lace here lately.  What with the frantic need to finish Christmas knitting past--most of which was pretty mindless-- and feeling a bit of ennui with hats and scarves, I needed something a little more stimulating.  A little more challenging. 

I went in search of one of the lace shawls I knew I had OTN already.  The first one I found was my Orkney Pi. 

Yes, that is a plastic snake in the box with my lace knitting.  I've long since given up trying to find a logical explanation for such phenomena. 

Just roll with it...

I got the Orkney Pi out of the box and tried to organize my pattern, but it just wasn't speaking to me. I resumed my search, and found a much more pleasant surprise. 

A fully completed and bound off pair of socks that, frankly, I don't even remember knitting.   That is a pleasant surprise, as many of my older pairs of socks are becoming threadbare and worn.  So, into the sock drawer they went. 

Delving a bit further, I found this:

It's one of the Anniversary Mystery Shawls.  I think '10,  but it doesn't matter.  It spoke to me.  It practically shouted at me.

I'm almost done!  Finish me!!

I'd found it.  That lost little voice that had been calling me. 

Now, if only I could shake this headache long enough to concentrate...

Long And Happy

I was watching Entertainment Tonight the other day.

Now, that is not a show I would normally be watching, but it happened to be on and I was too lazy to change the channel.  No, I take that back.  I was waiting for Last Man Standing, and it just wasn't that important to me to change the channel.

Anyway, I was watching Entertainment Tonight, and they were doing an interview with Jane Seymore, who recently celebrated her 62 birthday.  The topic of her recent separation from her fourth husband came up.  Afterwards, when they cut back to the studio, the person who had done the interview remarked that Jane Seymore had had four long and happy marriages.   

I was both shocked and saddened by this statement.  Four long and happy marriages?  They can't have been too long, because she's had four of them.  And if they were so happy, why did they end in divorce?  In the interest of full disclosure, I suppose it's possible that one or more of her husbands passed, but frankly, I'm not interested enough in Jane Seymore's marital statistics to google it.  And I'm saddened that Hollywood -- and thus the American culture-- seems to accept this as the norm.

I know some people that Hollywood could take a lesson from.

This is my aunt and uncle.  

 Aunt Martha is my dad's oldest sister.  She and my uncle will be celebrating their 68th wedding anniversary next month.  I'll let that sink in a moment.

Sixty eight years.  They had already been married 6 years when Jane Seymore was born.  They are both in their 90s now, and their health is becoming a struggle, but they are still as much in love as the day they married.

A few years back, when Aunt Martha was visiting here, she told me the story of how Uncle Lavergne had surprised her coming back from the war.

Yes, THE war.  World War II. 

This was before they were married.  She knew he was coming home, but he'd told her that he'd be home at a later date.  She was working as a bank teller, and rode to work that morning with a coworker.  They had to park about two blocks away, then walk the rest of the way to the bank.  She told me that she turned the corner and saw my uncle standing there and, psewwww off into his arms she ran.

Her boss was kind enough to give her the day off, and they went and spent the day with his mother.  At this point in the story, my auntie looked me straight in the eye and said with all seriousness, "And that was a good day."

Aunt Martha's health is gone now.  She's like a newborn baby in many aspects.  My uncle has to pretty much do everything for her.  He has to dress her, and bathe her, and change her Depends. He could put her in an old folks home, but he's not going to do that.  She's his wife and he loves her.

Aunt Martha's mind is pretty much gone, too.   She doesn't know who anyone is.  Half of the time she doesn't even know who my uncle is.  She just knows he is the man who takes care of her.

And she knows that she loves him.

And that's all that matters.


I have a friend, Amy, whose husband has a horrible, horrible debilitating disease called neuromyelitis optica.  It attacks the spinal cord and the optic nerves.  It has robbed Gary of his sight and most of his ability to move.  If he can walk from one side of the room to the other, they consider that a good day.  Most days, he can't even hold his head up straight.  Eventually, the disease will claim his life.

Amy has to do everything for Gary.  Everything.  She has to get him out of bed and into his wheelchair.  She has to bathe him and dress him, and make sure he takes his medications, and at the same time, support the both of them with her own screenprinting business.

She works herself to exhaustion, and worries herself sick, but you will never, ever, ever her mention that anything she does for Gary is a burden.  You will never, ever, ever hear her even so much as hint that Gary is a burden to her.  What she does talk about is how much joy he brings to her life.

And how much she loves him.

And that's all that matters.



You know, maybe someday I'll get married again.  Maybe not, I don't know.  But if it turns out that marriage is part of God's plan for my future, it won't be Hollywood, or the pop culture that I look to as a role model.  No, I will look no further than Aunt Martha and Uncle Lavergne, and Amy and Gary Clark. 

It is these two couples who have taught me what marriage is truly all about.

Jane Seymore could take a few lessons from them, too.

Music Monday

I stayed up late last night watching Downton Abbey, followed by Sherlock Unlocked, so I'm a bit weary today.

My brain isn't wanting to work right.  I have a good post planned, and hopefully, I'll get it up later in the week.

But for now, I'm going to cop out and post a song.

Before I get to that, though, a Facebook friend posted a link to all the crazy holidays that exist in America.   So, what holiday falls on your birthday?  Mine is Air Day.  Cody's is Be Bald And Free Day.  My sister's is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day.  My younger brother's day is World Sauntering Day, and my older brother's day is Dictionary Day.

Just for kicks, I looked up Group Leader Fernando's day.  His is National Ding-A-Ling Day.  If you knew him, you'd understand how appropriate that is.

It also segues nicely into the song:



*Snicker*

Heard Any Good Jokes Lately?

Say, did you hear the one about the ship full of global warming scientists who went down to Antarctica to study the effects of the disappearing ice caps and got stuck

in the ice?

And did you hear the one about the three* ice breaker ships were sent down to get them out, only they couldn't get to them because of

all the ice?

And did you hear the one about how they sent a helicopter in to get the scientists off of the research vessel and brought them back to the Chinese ice breaker ship that also got stuck

in the ice?

And did you hear how all this happened in the middle of the Antarctic summer?

And did you hear how all this ice was caused by global warming? 

Seriously, you can't make this stuff up.

*As well as the Xue Long and USCG Polar Star two other icebreakers, Australia's Aurora Australis and France's Astrolabe, were diverted from their Antarctic missions to assist the Shokalskiy, which finally broke free Jan 7, after spending nearly two weeks trapped in the Antarctic ice sheet.

Weird Stuff

Weird stuff just seems to happen to me.

I got up this morning -- thankful that the ice storm had passed us by-- and went into the bathroom to attend to my...um...business. I noticed that the roll of toilet paper was getting kind of low.  When I got a new roll out of the pack, it was soaking wet.

I didn't think too much of it.  Maybe the dogs had spilled their water on it, so I reached for another roll.  It, too, was wet.

Huh?

So was the third roll, and the fourth.. all ten rolls left in that pack were soaking wet.  I still have no idea how they got so wet.  There was no water on the floor, and the walls weren't wet, so there wasn't any sort of leak.  I thought maybe the cat was using them as a litterbox, but they didn't smell like pee.

Needless to say, I retained the bulk of my transaction until I got to work, which didn't set too well with Group Leader Fernando.

"You should have gone before you  left the house," says he.

"But I didn't need to go then," replies I.  Which wasn't exactly true, but if I had gone before I left the house, things could have gotten very messy indeed.

Straight to the store after work to get new toilet paper.  While I was there, I got a new toaster oven, too, my old one having kicked the bucket a few weeks ago.

It still made toast, but the oven part didn't work any more. I think it was something with the thermostat. It would just get very, very hot and burned everything I tried to cook.  But I'm not complaining too much.  I'd had the thing for forever.  I definitely got my money's worth out of it.

Now, I think I'll take my new one out of the box and fix myself some toast with cheap generic brand imitation Nutella on it (which tastes a lot better than it sounds).

Good News And Bad News

So, we survived the Polar Vortex, formerly known as winter, just in time for an ice storm.  Yeah....I'm hoping it isn't as bad as they're predicting since the heat went out in my Jimmy.

The good news is, James came over and fixed my shingles for me.  It wasn't too hard.  He just straightened them out and tacked them down.  So that's done.

The bad news is, we worked on Jimmy for a while, but couldn't get the heat to come on.  He thinks it's the switch thingy behind the dash.  That's going to cost bunches of money to fix.  I was looking into getting one of those small heaters that plug into your cigarette lighter, just to defrost the windshield, as a stop gap, but all the ones I've seen have gotten such bad reviews.  The biggest complaint is that they don't put out enough heat, and constantly blow fuses.  So, I don't know what I'm going to do. 

I did go for three years without heat once, but I don't really want to go there again.  

Maybe I'll just buy a new car.  Heh, I wish. 

Oh, and de-icer will actually freeze on your windshield.  Ask me how I know.  

Chats On The Farmhouse Porch

The good news is, we've survived the Polar Vortex. Yay! Not much damage here, though the strong winds Sunday night rolled back a few shingles on my roof. Tomorrow--because it is supposed to get up above freezing for the first time since Sunday-- I'm going to borrow a ladder and get up there and flatten them out.  It ought to be OK until I can get some roofing nails and nail them back down.

One of my coworkers was not so lucky.  He had water pipes burst under his house, and had to leave work today to go fix them.  He's got two small kids, so he needed to get that done.

James and Beverly are back from Texas, so I have one less dog in the house.  I keep Jake while they are out of town.  He's got a lot of energy, so I'm usually pretty worn out by the time they get back.

The bad news is, I can't park Jimmy in their garage any more.  It was so nice these last couple of mornings not to have to get up and scrape ice off of my windshield.  Oh well, it was good while it lasted.

Just when I thought I'd eaten all of the Christmas stuff, my brother and sister in law sent me a whole bunch of stuff from Texas.  Yoke Wan made some of Mammaw's fruitcake cookies, and they made some fudge and other kinds of candy.  The cookies have eggs in them, but I'm going to eat them anyway, accompanied by copious amounts of Benadryl.

Now, on to the chat.  


Questions 


1.   How much baking did you do before and after Christmas? Do you get more inspired to bake when the temps are cooler? 

Not that much, at least not compared to most years.  Since everyone was going to be so scattered this year, I only baked two batches of cookies and made chocolate fudge from a boxed kit.   I didn't really like that, so next year, I'm going back to the recipe I usually use.

2.  Do you have any food intolerances or allergies?

Yes, I've tested positive for egg and orange allergies.  I've never been tested for it, but I also react similarly when I eat/drink cranberry products as I do when I get into something with oranges in it.  So, I'm counting that as an allergy, too.  I'm also lactose intolerant, but I take Digestive Advantage Lactose Defense enzyme supplement, so I don't even notice that one.  

3.  When was the last time you were in a restaurant? 

 September.  It was the last time I went up to see Amy and shop at Hank's place before she closed it for good.  We ate at Huey's.  I don't eat out much.  I've got food at home that I've already paid for.

4.  What's your favorite accent(speech)?

Scottish.  Especially when spoken by a man in a kilt.   

5.  My favorite__________is__________. 

 My favorite hot tea is Tea Earl Gray Hot.  This is the first thing that came to my mind, because we were just discussing it on FB.  And it's not just because it's what Captain Picard drinks.  I like the flavor of it.




I did forget to mention that our electricity went out for a couple of hours last night.  No electricity means no heat.  No heat means the house got pretty cold there for a while.  I tried to get Jesse to get into the bed with me, but he wouldn't.  That's one drawback of having a well trained dog.

You can't get him to do the thing you spent so long training him not to do.  

Baby, It's Cold

 

And that was the high for today.

I could use some of that global warming right now.  

Al Gore?  Where are you? 

Knackered

I was kind of hoping today would be a better day at work.  It wasn't.  Again, I'll spare you the gory details, but let's just say if there's a word beyond exhausted, I'm there.

But my day wasn't over when the job was done.  After work, I had to drag my weary body to the store.  While I was there, inspired by my son, I bought some Tea Earl Gray Hot.  As I was checking out, the checker picked up the box, looked at it, and asked, "What is that?"

Seriously.  It says TEA right there on the box.

It even has a picture of a teapot on it.  And she says, "What is that?".

She got lucky.  I was too tired to be my usual snarky self.  I just said, "Tea" and let it go at that.

Ah, well, I guess she's not a geek. 

Anyway, I said yesterday that we hit the ground running, and we did.  We're working our first of many Saturdays tomorrow, and I've got to go in at 5 AM.  That means I've got to be there at five, which calls for a 3:30 wake up time. 

I'm going to bed. 

Chats On The Farmhouse Porch

The first day back at work is always rough, and today was no exception.  I'll spare you the gory details, but suffice it to say, I'm almost too tired to type.  Aaaand, Group Leader Fernando asked me if I would be willing to work overtime, and I said, "I'll work all the overtime you can get me."  So, yeah, we're hitting the ground running. 

Then I came home from work, made myself some hot chocolate, and forgot to drink it.  Until it became cold chocolate, only I was too tired to get up and microwave it, so I just drank it cold.  It's like chocolate milk.  Sigh...

The good news is, Chats are back!  They're on a different day -- for this week only-- but they are back. 





1.  Did you make any New Year's Resolutions? 

No.  I don't do resolutions, but I do set goals for the year.  My goals for this year are to knit from stash and avoid buying new yarn, and to pay down my debts as much as possible.  

2. Are your decorations still up? 

No.  As much as I'd love to leave them up longer, I try to get them down before I go back to work.   Some years we jump right into the 9 hours 6 days overtime, and it's just easier that way.  The house always looks a bit sad for the first few days. 

3.  What did Santa bring you? Okay, maybe not Santa...

A new battery for my Jimmy.  Hey, in these tough economic times, even Santa has to be practical.  

4.  Do you have any special plans for 2014? 

'Fraid not.  Like I said, my biggest goal is to get my debts paid down, and I'll be pinching every penny until I do.  

5.  Have you had any snow yet?

Not yet.  We rarely get snow here anyway, and when we do, it's mostly just light flurries.  I get excited if it sticks until the sun comes up.  

That's it for chats.  I usually try to come up with some witty and clever sign off, but I'm just too tired, so

ummm, ummm, ummm, goodbye.

Happy New Year!

January 1

A new day.  A new year.  A time to reflect and set goals for yourself. 

I know a lot of people say that's silly.  "What's so special about January 1?  Why can't you set goals on any day?" I think these people are ridiculous.  Of course you can review and set goals any day. But the first day of the year is a logical time to do this.  New year, new goals.  So that's when I do it. 

I looked back through the blog, and didn't post my last year's goals, so I don't really know if I met them or not, since I don't remember what they were.  Good goals, huh?

I'm pretty sure they are the same goals I'm going to set for this year-- knit from stash and pay down my debts.  The first one ought to be a lot easier now that Hank has closed her yarn shop.  And I'm still peeved at Knit Picks, so they are a no go, too.  What I really need to do is a yarn inventory, since I don't really even know how much yarn I have.  That ought to be an exciting project for these cold winter days. 

Speaking of winter, the one thing Cody actually requested for Christmas was a new coat.  So, that's what his mama got him.

He looks like he's headed out for an arctic expedition, but he was just trying it on for size.  He didn't actually go outside.

Then he took his coat off and made himself a cup of Tea Earl Gray Hot.

Looks like I raised him right after all.