Eye surgery

Well, been there and done that, again! For the 4th time. When my mother told me not to run with scissors, I would fall and poke my eye out - I should have listened. I had my surgery the day after my daughter's birthday (see last post. I would have put it off as long as I could, but knew I had to bite the bullet and go ahead and get it done. So it is done! And hopefully it will be the last for this particular problem. I have a little sight in the eye, but just enough to cause problems. Last night I was going to make a dump cake, and re-read the recipe before going to the store - and I thought it said to put cornflakes in the topping - so like a cook, who hasn't done this one in a while, I bought some cornflakes. When I got home, I used the ingredients for the topping, and realized that it said a cup of something else, and a cup of coconut flakes - not corn flakes! Yuck! I did it again! These things are common for me - and as I sit here and write this, I realized why it was so dry and kinda yucky - I didn't melt the sticks of butter and pour over it before baking!! My brain just doesn't kick into gear sometimes, especially on days I don't feel well and yesterday was one of those. Since I began to get more ill, it is crazy, the things I think and do. My family has to suffer along with me on my crazies. So this is my dear diary entry for today!

Well the sweetest Carebear I have ever known had her 22nd birthday birthday on Jan 21. I was busy getting ready for surgery and didn't have time to post that day. Here's wishing her another 22 and another 22 and so on forever. Maybe someday, and not soon enough for her liking, she will drop the carebear label, but never in my heart. She has been called that all of her life and I still do half of the time when she says hi on the phone.

Yarnfloozies Anniversary

For her blog anniversary, she is having a contest to come up with a rectangular stole to use up some lace weight yarn she has in her stash. I immediately thought of Sivia Harding's Moonshadow Stole. There is a KAL on her Yahoo site featuring this stole now. I wanted to start it, but have waited because tomorrow I am having my 4th surgery on my right eye, in 9 mos. Not knowing the outcome, and how much it will impact my life for a while, I have held off on buying the yarn kit. But if it goes as the dr thinks, I should be back up and running soon. Keep me in your prayers.

Dishrag or dishcloth - topic of the week

When I was growing up, we always called them dishrags. Using that word now, brings back memories of when I was a child running around in the house, and being called to get a dishrag and clean off the table, or set the table, or help with the dishes. I often, when not concentrating on it, use the word still today - college education put aside! My MIL used the word all of the time, and so does my husband. So I think it is a Southern word that is used still today in many households. Would be interested to read a Northerner's blog and see how they feel about the word.

Defeat the Winter Doldrums Dishcloth Exchange

1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both? Primarily Knit

2. What types of needles do you enjoy using for making dishcloths?
My 16" circulars but would like a Knitpicks US7 16". Love their needles
3. What types of cotton do you enjoy using for making dishcloths? Is there any that you've been wanting to try? I only have access to a range of colors in Sugar and Cream. Would like more of Peaches and creme and maybe try some other cottons.

4. What color(s) are your kitchen and bath decorated in (if any)?
Old - not vintage - just old! Dishes are Fiesta, so like bright colors
5. What are your favorite colors for yarns? Least favorite? Kinda answered earlier - bright, vibrant colors

6. Do you like Winter, or do you count the days until it ends? Count the days until it ends, however, we don't always have much winter here in the SE US.

7. What's your favorite way to brighten your day when you're down in the dumps? Get out among people, Knit

8. What is your favorite treat to indulge in and when your down in the dumps? Unfortunately, chocolate, or anything sweet

9. Do you drink coffee? Tea? Cocoa? Tea mainly, no coffee

10. If you could take a vacation starting tomorrow and go anywhere for one week and money were no object, where would you go and what would you do? Maui, and find the waterfalls my son rappeled down

11. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should be aware of? Severe allergies to cats and cigarette smoke

To all my friends who sent me best wishes in 2007,
or promises of good luck if I forwarded something;

it did NOT WORK.

For 2008, could you please just send either money, chocolate or gasoline vouchers.

Thank you

Holidays are over!

Well Christmas has come and gone - at least in most places!

This house, however, leaves most items up all year long. Minya and Eric couldn't resist a photo of Chattanooga's picturesque Christmas scenery!!

Eric and Minya are in Panama right now - with plans of riding bicycles northward through Central America arriving either in Texas and visiting relatives or straight on through to Tennessee. They arrived in Panama on the 29th and have had to wait until today the 4th to get ready to ride out. One of their bicycles, which was crated and on their airplane, only arrived yesterday. So they have spent countless hours on the phone with Delta searching for it. Eric's patience was runnig low the last time he called, but today the enthusiasm was back. Eric is my child with the most adventurous spirit as far as seeing different countries. My others are just as driven, in different ways.

Carrie, my daughter and youngest child who will 22 next month, had taken this week off to go hiking in the Smokies, but we had a cold front come through. It was 16° here last night, so she made a good choice to stay home until the weather was better.

Jeffery, my middle son, just spent a week climbing Mt Washington - and for those not familiar with either New Hampshire or mountain climbing - it is noted for the highest wind gusts in the world. And Jeffery and his partner did it in a blizzard. No sense - in my book. Stay home in front of a fire!!

Don't really know where the children got this wandering spirit - other than my DH hitchhiked from Central Texas to Yellowstone the summer between his junior and senior year in high school. He also did some backpacking right before and after Eric was born, 30 years ago.

So may each of you reach higher for the goals that you have had in the back of your mind - anything is possible if you want it enough!