Weekend Whirl

Well, another holiday weekend is now a blur. I spent Saturday morning and afternoon with my good friend Joie, who takes the train tomorrow morning for her new home in Lakewood, CO. I'll miss her, but we'll keep in touch. We have to, she owes me a tea! (hehehe...)

After hanging out with Joie, I drove out to San Andreas to visit my Dad. I hadn't been out there since mid-April. I didn't think that I'd get to see my baby brother (he's 2) this weekend, since my step-mother was on a business trip and the grandparents were watching Gino (my Dad had to work a few shifts this weekend). So, I went armed with yarn and hooks, to entertain myself while Dad worked. He had Saturday night and all of Sunday off.

Sunday we went over to my brother's apartment in Angel's Camp (not the 2 year old, the 28 year old), which I'd never been to before. It's a whole lot smaller than I expected! No wonder he left so much stuff here when he moved out. We walked down to the theater and saw X Men III, which was really good. (And even if it wasnt...there was Hugh Jackman to look at the whole time.)

My stepmother came back Monday morning, and brought Gino back too, so I got to see him after all. So cute! But he doesn't look like a little baby anymore. :( He does look like a miniature of my father, which is almost a little creepy. And that kid loves his little Kenmore Elite play vacuum. He pushed it all over the house. If it only had a little more suction (it does have a little) then Dad and Annamarie wouldn't ever have to vacuum! Anyway, that kid is adorable, but he does wear me out. I was exhausted yesterday on my way home.

Then back to work today... Way too much to do there. And not enough motivation. Argh...

Anyway, here's a cute shot of my little brother, the yarn helper. He saw the ball of yarn on the table (still attached to the sock I had just finished), and got all excited and was pointing at it saying, "ball, ball." It was cute, but I did get it away from him before he started throwing it around the room or anything.

You Tarzan...Me Jane

You're Jane Eyre of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte!
Take this quiz!

Withdrawal Pains

I have been without TV for 3 whole days now. 3 WHOLE DAYS!!! I'm starting to hallucinate...(okay, not quite, but I can feel it coming!) Tuesday night when I got home and turned on the TV, the sattelite was searching for a signal. It had been raining that day, so I figured the weather was screwing with the system and popped in a DVD, sitting down to crochet with my cat.

Last night, I didn't get home until 11pm, after helping my friend pack up for her move. I turned on the TV just to see if the dish was working. It was still searching for a signal. But, it was late, so I turned off the TV, fed the cat and went to bed.

Today, still no signal. And yes, I paid my bill. I've checked the online manual, and none of the troubleshooting is helping. Everything is plugged in and connected, I've reset the receiver (numerous times...). I'm starting to wonder if the apartment managers screwed something up. The satellite dish is provided through the complex, and we dwellers have individual receivers and accounts. I am stymied...and I can't exactly run out and adjust the dish...well, especially since I have no idea where it is located! I'm about to give up and call customer service...but I want to make sure it's not something simple and easily fixed (ha!) before I call.

It is just way too quiet around here. (Which means none of the neighbors have their TVs on either...I'm thinking we are all screwed here...) And my next door neighbor always has her front door open in the evenings when I get home, with her TV almost always on. All is quiet from next door... (Yeah, I know, I should go ask her if she knows what's going on...but she's not in her living room, and I don't want to disturb her.) I'd call the apartment office, but they're not open anyway so it wouldn't do me any good.

Anyway...I suppose I shouldn't be so dependent on my TV for entertainment, but heck, I am paying for it, so I feel like I should watch enough to make it worth my while. And believe me...I do... I'm not totally proud of that, but it's the truth. Plus, I use it for background noise while I'm doing other stuff. I am rarely just sitting watching TV, without some kind of craft or something in my hands. And, it's not like I'm home (and awake) more than 4 hours each day. But wait - I don't need to justify it! I'm an adult. :)

Busy Wednesday...

Today began with an hour and a half training session on a new web-based application for one of our investors. Sound exciting? That's because it's not...especially not at 9am. But I did manage to get into the office 10 minutes early today. (A big feat for me.)

I talked to my mother this afternoon, and she is feeling much better. I can tell, since she was highly talkative this time (which is more like normal). She did mention that she weighed herself after getting discharged, and she had gained 21 pounds since the surgery. (We're sure it was mostly excess fluid, from the trauma, and the IVs they'd had her on.) She actually had to go out and buy pants, because none of hers fit her. Mind you, she's on vacation in IA (step-nephew's wedding - which she ended up missing due to the hospitalization), so it's not like she's got the closet full of backup sizes. My poor mother! She tells a good story though. She and her husband figured that she'd be in the hospital until last Monday (since that's what they were initially told), so my step-father had taken her clothes back to their place, intending, I assume, to bring her fresh clothes before her release. But, my mother (the overacheiver) was doing so well that they decided to discharge her on Sunday night. So, the nurse (or doctor, can't remember) told her to go ahead and put on her clothes and go home. My mother responds that she doesn't have any clothes. And the nurse says, "Well, I knew you were from California, but don't you at least wear something?" uh...or something like that (in a joking fashion). So, Mom ended up leaving wearing a hospital gown, a pair of paper/mesh panties (that's seriously how she described them to me!), hospital socks with non-slip bottoms and her robe (which she thankfully did have with her). She told me she thought she looked like a baglady. I told her she probably looked like an escaped mental patient. (Aren't a good little daughter - good thing my mother has a sense of humor.)

Tonight, I am heading over to visit my friend who is moving to Denver, and helping her finish up packing. From the e-mail she sent me earlier today, she's got some stories to tell about her last encounter with the mother in law...(that woman - the MIL - is a serious nutjob...)

Anyway, no pearls of wisdom today, and no real point to the post. But isn't that just like me anyway? hehe

Yarn Porn & Cats

I was able to run down to the LYS at lunch today with my co-worker, and picked up some goodies for the One Skein Exchange. The shop is relatively new (opened before last Christmas), and it looks like the selection has grown quite a bit. A cute little shop in downtown Novato. Devries Knitterie on Grant Ave. Anyway, I picked up 2 skeins for the secret pal exchange - so far, I'm not sure what I'm making yet, and I'm leaning towards working the project with the Auburgine Nashua Handknits Creative Focus. I love the color. I'm thinking maybe I'll felt a purse or something. (Still thinking about it.) I just couldn't resist the Manos del Uruguay - something about that colorway spoke to me. Had to buy it... And yeah...I finally picked up a copy of the One Skein book. There's not too much crochet in it, but lots of inspiration.

And Gracie was showing a bit of an interest in the new stash... She's been frisky this evening, and apparently this yarn is as good as catnip.And it makes a great kitty pillow... Now I know how to make this little kitty happy! (None of my yarn is safe!)
Don't worry, I got it away from her before she caused any damage...Good thing my secret pal doesn't have any allergies. I'm going to need to pick the "extra natural fibers" out of this skein though.

Rockin...

Hmm...I found this quiz on Dagny's site, and not sure this theme song really fits me... What do you guys think?

Your Theme Song is Back in Black by AC/DC

"Back in black, I hit the sack, I've been too long, I'm glad to be back" Things sometimes get really crazy for you, and sometimes you have to get away from all the chaos. But each time you stage your comeback, it's even better than the last!

What's Your Theme Song?

And it was funny that the quiz asked about how I handle rough times in my life...since this whole year has been up and down for me so far. Another down - My mother called me from the hospital last Friday, and told me she had an emergency appendectomy the night before. I know that when she called she was doing well, and the surgery went fine. But for some reason it bothered me - I think being faced with the thought of losing a parent got to me. Both of my parents are great - and supportive in their own ways. I count myself incredibly lucky to have them, and am really glad that I've re-established a strong relationship with my father since the divorce. (I wasn't too happy with him for a while.) So, I freak out sometimes when that realization that they're not immortal hits me.

And oddly enough, it comforted me that my 24 yo brother was freaked out too. (Misery loves company?) The funny thing is that Tony and I are the ones that are always paranoid that every stomachache we have is appendicitis...but my mom never worries about that... (And from now on, it won't be a possibility.)

So, on top of that (which shouldn't really have bothered me, knowing that she was already recovering well), I talked to another friend on Friday night who will most likely be moving to Atlanta in around a month (her husband was flown out there by an interested company for an interview). It sounds like he has a good chance of getting the job, and I wish them well. But, I don't want them to move! Unfortunately for selfish little me, there is absolutely no good argument for them to stay in CA. It is just too expensive out here for a family of 5, let alone little old me! They'd be able to buy a nice house in GA, and have $$ for food, instead of living check to check here and not being able to save up anything.

And another friend is off to Denver (probably at the end of the week). Her husband is already there, working the new job and hopefully securing a lease on an apartment...long story. I've come to terms with their moving though, since she's been talking about it for over a year, and has wanted to move to Denver since I met her 12 years ago in college. (Wow, has it been that long??)

Anyway, it's just all making me feel lonelier. Even though I still have plenty of local friends around.

Um, wow, I really went on a lot longer than I had planned to...Sorry about that!

Random Thursday Thoughts

Today was a good day - I even felt like I made progress with my workload at the office. I got the permanent crown put in today, so no more rough plastic tooth for me. But, I do need a root canal on that dead front tooth (no horror stories please - that means you Christyn!).

I also talked to my boss about taking vacation in the middle of June, and she approved. I haven't finalized the dates yet, but it will be encompassing the weekend of June 17th, as that's when my cousin's wedding is. So, my plan is to fly out to Buffalo, NY and spend some time with my youngest aunt (she is 13 years older than me, and more like a big sister). We'll drive down to Altoona, PA (where the wedding is taking place), and then back to Buffalo. My aunt has a business meeting in Syracuse the following Monday, and had the idea that I accompany her and then we can visit one of my great-aunts in Canastota (where my mother lived until her senior year of high school. I was born there and we moved to the greater Buffalo area when I was 5). I'd love to go visit Aunt Stella - she's my grandfather's youngest sister, and man is she a kick! A fiesty one. Hmm...possibly my idol. So, um, to sum it up - I'm going on vacation and am excited! Woo-hoo! (I am not, however, excited about plane ticket prices...)

My cat tried to climb me today. I guess it's fitting since my name (Tamara) means palm tree. I guess I never really felt like it until today. I do think she may have ruined these pants though. Which is okay, since trees don't wear clothes. (I guess I'm really not a tree after all - I do not bare my body!!)

Okay - the other day at Target I found some body lotion on sale (2 for $5!!). So, I bought the body lotion and hand lotion. I'm 30 now, and starting to notice that my hands aren't looking as youthful anymore (my mom always used to compliment me on my hands...so I've been aware of them because of that). Well, the lotions I bought were Vaseline Intensive Care Renewal Age Redefining (hand & body). The back of the hand lotion bottle states that in 4 weeks the appearance of age spots, fine lines and wrinkles will be diminished. I've decided to test this...I'm going to take an initial picture of my hand, and see if I notice any difference in the next 4 weeks. Mostly, I apply the lotion before bed. I'm really not good at applying it during the day... So anyway...here's the first shot: