Life in the slow lane . . .

. . . surely 'bout to lose my mind . . .   to paraphrase the Eagles.

I have definitely been living in the slow lane since my surgery last Thursday.  My daily schedule goes something like this:

 9:30 am--get up, wash face, feed cats and Elvis, fix latte, eat breakfast.

10:00 am--watch Martha Stewart

11:00 am--watch the View

12:00 pm--watch Homicide--or not.  I have the DVR set to tape this one everyday.  Every other day, I have been showering about this time.  Typically, I would shower and do the hair everyday, but it is rather labor intensive when you are dealing with this:

I have to put a trash bag over it to keep it dry.  It is quite cumbersome with all the bulk over my thumb.  I'm glad I didn't get my hair cut before the surgery.  I'm thinking of getting a stacked bob just above my shoulders.  The problem with this style is that it must be blown dry. Right now I cannot maneuver a blowdryer and brush.  I just aim the dryer and dry.  Fortunately I have a professional flat iron which is what I do to look presentable.  On the off days, I resort to this:
I love, love, love this product!  It is a dry shampoo, reminiscent of the stuff we used back in the 70's.  I keep one of these at work too.  My bangs get oily and I just zap 'em with this and brush!  Good as new!

Back to my tv schedule--for those of you who like tv dramas and have never watched "Homicide, Life on the Street," it is by far my most favorite tv drama.  It aired for 7 seasons in the 90's and was hailed as the most realistic police drama ever.  It takes place in Balitmore, so it is always neat to see one's stomping grounds on a tv show.  The writers were, respectively, a retired Baltimore City homicide detective and a Baltimore Sun crime reporter.  They are the same writers responsible for HBO's "The Wire."  Homicide airs on Chicagos WGN daily at noon (eastern time).  Today's show is the first one in season  4.  I'm on my second time through.  I've literally seen every single show of the 7 seasons and I still love it!

During the time I'm watching tv, I'm usually on the computer.  I have to admit that I am getting bored.  I love time when I'm not working, but typically I can use that time to get housework, sewing, knitting, gardening etc. etc. done.  I can't do any of that stuff!  Just read and shop on ebay.  That's about it!  

I then fix lunch. Lately it's been this:

DH gave me the flatbreads in my Easter basket and leftover Easter eggs make great egg salad, which I absolutely love!

Of course the rest of the afternoon is spent on Law & Order reruns. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and actually get to watch an episode that I've never seen before!

I have been venturing out a little.  Surgery was last Thursday.  Friday I stayed in.  Saturday, I ventured out for a pedicure.  It was nice because the nail spa was dead so I got to sit in the massage chair while my nails dryed. DH and I went to Cosi's for dinner.  That was enough for my first day out.  Sunday, DH took me to BJ's and Trader Joe's.  I love that they always have stuff to sample at TJ's.  They had a really good side dish which I ended up fixing on Monday.

Here it is:

Quinoa with Grilled Mixed Veggies

ingredients: 1 box Trader Joe's Quinoa, 1 Jar of Trader Joe's Mixed Grilled Vegetable Bruschetta, 1/4 cup grated cheese.

Using 1 cup of quinoa, prepare according to package directions.  When done, mix in entire contents of the Bruschetta and the cheese.  That's it!  

It is really good stuff!

I got these at BJ's:

2 dozen roses!

Monday, I stayed in again.  Tuesday I went to Target and DSW.  Drastic times call for drastic measures.   What were those drastic measures?  I had to buy  "sensible" shoes.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I do not wear sensible shoes.  I do wear comfortable shoes, but not sensible ones.  The problem is that I cannot wear my jeans yet.  I cannot button them in this condition so I am reduced to wearing workout pants and jean skirts.   I also don't wear athletic shoes except for on the treadmill or at Curves.  I usually wear my Icon sneakers or Tsubos with workout clothes in public.  I can't tie my shoes so I had to get some shoes that would work with the pants that I didn't have to tie.  I got these:

Fortunately the Privos (the top ones) were on clearance for  $1 5.  I think they are hideous, but they are comfortable and I will use them for exercise.  I rather like the Sketchers.  My only regret is that they were out of my size in the ones made of black eyelet.  They were identical to these, but the eyelet seemed more springy.  I would bet that it is also cooler, so I would wear them in the summer.  They are extremely comfortable.

Yesterday, I went to CVS and Marshall's and today, I went to Borders and Loehmann's.  I received a coupon for $25 off of a $50 purchase at Loehmann's.  I ended up getting another pair of sensible shoes:

I also got a Donna Karan cotton and lace workout top and two pairs of bamboo socks. Total bill? $29! Gotta love that!  I also placed an order with Webs.

They are having their spring sale so I got 10 skeins of Ella Rae Bamboo Silk to make this from the newest IK:
I got a lovely pale dusty turquoise color.   I received an email that the yarn was backordered for a couple of weeks, then today I got one saying that the yarn had shipped!  I guess they were running into backorders with the spring sale and just sent out the emails as a CYA measure!  There's certainly no rush.  It's not like I can knit this anytime soon!  

I've been procrastinating on the taxes.  That was my goal for the week.  I will begin them this evening as I really can't put it off any longer.  

Tomorrow, I get to go to the doctor's and trade in this big bulky splint for a regular cast.  That should enable me to do a little more.  Monday, I will go back to work for a professional day.  It worked out well as that will give me a day to clean up, do grades and get things together for the week.  Next weekend (the 12th) we will go to Pittsburgh.  Bird's senior recital is on Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m.  I will order some deli platters from the Giant Eagle in the 'burgh and bring some boxed wine and rolls for a little reception. 

That's about all that's been going on.  It will be good to get back to work.  It won't be good to get back to  5 hours of sleep a night.  That will totally suck.

Bushism of the day:

"The truth of that matter is, if you listen carefully, Saddam would still be in power if he were the president of the United States, and the world would be a lot better off." --George W. Bush, second presidential debate, St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 8, 2004

Boggles the mind, doesn't it?

Kitty cam:

This is what you see when I leave the couch:

Meanwhile, Samantha refuses to hang out with the boys. She hangs out on her favorite resting spot in the living room.

And I thought I was the only lazy one!

When the going gets tough . . .

The tough go shopping! At least that's what I did this week. I hadn't been shopping in a while--just internet shopping. First of all on Tuesday, Ems and I went to Sephora. She needed some stuff so I decided to tag along. Nothing soothes the soul like a new tube of lipstick! You may remember that red lipstick I blogged about last month. Well, the new one makes that one look understated! It is called "Heat Wave" and it is beyond vivid! I rather like it!

I also purchased the following books/magazines:


The book of SewStylish Gifts has some really neat little projects for small gifts as does the Interweave Gifts. Hopefully, I'll make use of both of them in the next couple of months!

The next acquisition hasn't arrived yet. I ordered 5 skeins of Malabrigo for Cherie Amour.

Then Friday was when I got into real trouble. Notice the shopping bags:

Cole Haan leather and one of my LYS!

I made the drive to Pentagon City to go to the Cole Haan Store there. I had blogged about these boots a while back and I got 'em! They are sweet! I do believe that Cole Haan shoes are the most comfortable things to have on my feet!

But wait! There's more! I saw these and couldn't resist!


Are they bitchin' or what! But that isn't all . . .
There was a clearance shelf. There was a pair of brown sandals with the Nike Air soles. They are like walking on pillows!

I wouldn't have splurged so much except Cole Haan had a deal where you get 20% off your purchase if you contribute a pair of gently used shoes for Soles for Souls. So I did that. It took every ounce of self control not to try on these:

That would have cleaned out my bank account. You can bet that I will be stalking Ebay for those boots in the next year!

I love Pentagon City! I think it may be my new favorite mall. The only problem is that it took longer for me to find a parking place than it did to do my shopping! It's definitely a place that you want to take the metro.

Next --I went to All About Yarn which was having their anniversary sale. I got these:

The book has a lot of gift ideas--particularly gloves. I love knitting gloves!

I got this yarn for Matilda Jane .

It is Sublime Merino Silk Cashmere dk in sage green and taupe for the lace trim.

I got this too:

Tilli Tomas' new beaded merino. There are only 70 yards on a skein so I bought the two skeins of Debbie Bliss to give me more mileage. I'm thinking of making a scarf for Maddie with the pink and using the beaded yarn for a ruffle trim. Gloves would be nice as well with the beaded yarn as a trim on the cuff. I haven't decided, but I really like it! Here'a close up:


Today I went to Joann's to get fabric for the dining room. I'm making a swag for the windows and I need to cover the chair seats. Here's what I ended up with:

The striped fabric looks like grosgrain ribbon. It is gorgeous and will look nice on our traditional oak T-back chairs. The 3 solids are for this swag:

I really like the colors against the jade green walls. They had a nice selection of fancy rods as well and I settled on the antique brass one.

Last of all--my Moo cards came!


I love them! You can upload and crop your photos right from Flickr! They are a nice heavy card stock and they're about 1 X 3 inches. They make great little calling cards. I feel bad though. I don't have one with Samantha's picture--only the boys. I apologized to her and promised her that she would definitely be included in the next batch!

I do believe that I am totally shopped out for awhile--at least until I have to do my Christmas shopping!

Bushism of the day:
"I want it to be said that the Bush administration was a results-oriented administration, because I believe the results of focusing our attention and energy on teaching children to read and having an education system that's responsive to the child and to the parents, as opposed to mired in a system that refuses to change, will make America what we want it to be — a more literate country and a hopefuller country." —George W. Bush, Jan. 11, 2001

Kitty Cam:
We've always suspected Harley of being a pervert, but we never thought that he had an underwear fetish!

It's beginning to look a lot like . . .

Christmas! NOT! This post is somewhat of a rant, so forgive me if I digress from my usual discussion of creative things or shoes. Actually it is two mini rants--the inspiration for which came from the same shopping trip!

First--I had to run into BJ's get a couple of food items. I came across a display which made me want to knock some sense into some marketing executive somewhere. What was this display? Lighted Christmas trees! Yup--that's right! In September on the very first day of autumn. And here I thought that heat index being about 90 degrees was the only fluke that was ocurring. Is this not totally insane? In my mind, anything Christmas should not be happening until the first day after Thanksgiving. Alright, alright, I know that some people like to get in the Christmas spirit earlier than that, but at least get by Halloween first! There should not be Christmas and Halloween displays up at the same time. Period.

Second rant--I think all these "think pink" items for breast cancer awareness are very nice, but wouldn't it really be better just to contribute money to the cause? If I'm buying something I need and part of the proceeds go to the cure, then sure, that's great! But otherwise, doesn't it just make more sense to give money directly? I was stunned at the number of pink things there are out there for breast cancer awareness! Please understand that I'm not criticizing this. I just wonder if money wouldn't be better. Why spend $25 on a pink t-shirt with a small percentage going to the cure when you could just contribute $25 with all of it going to the cure?

That's it. My rants are over. So is my procrastinating. I have 8 stinkin' rows left to do on my Fifi then I have to finish the sleeves which will be very short! I'll be so relieved. I just hate ribbing. I don't know what I was thinking! It will be cute though, so that's certainly a relief! I will post the photos when finished! DH went to a friend's house to jam, so I will find a good flick on HBO and knit!

Bushism of the day:
"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.'' —George W. Bush, Feb. 21, 2001

Yes George. Isn't that all that matters?

Kitty Cam:
Samantha tries to inch her way to my lap by starting on the end table!


After which she ended up here!

How do you spell relief?

N-O S-C-H-O-O-L! That's how! Now before you think that I don't like my job, allow me to clarify things. I love teaching. It's the other crap that bugs me! Most of the other crap deals with misplaced priorities on the part of the "powers that be" within the school system and my school. That is a very long rant that I don't care to bore you folks with! So I won't! We had no school today because it is Rosh Hashanna. Holidays and snow days are "freebies" as far as I'm concerned! That means that I am not obligated to do housework on those days. I will confess that I ran some errands today. I had a bunch of little nitpicky errands--too many to do after work--so I did them all today. I also got my nails done!


Everything old is new again!

I ventured into Nordstrom to replace my favorite all purpose neutral lipstick by Smashbox. Imagine my frustration when I found out it had been discontinued! For those of you who don't know--I LOVE lipstick! I carry no less than four tubes plus the matching lip liners in my purse at any given time! Fortunately I found out that I can find some discontinued items on the Smashbox website and they had my color so I ordered 3 tubes! I felt that I could not walk out of Nordstrom without a new tube of lipstick however so I stopped at the MAC counter. I love MAC lipstick. Typically I buy a new color every spring and fall so I decided it was time. Funny thing was--every color I saw that I liked--I'd turn it over to see the name only to realize that I already owned it! I'm lipsticked out! Go figure! So I went home and pulled out my plastic box under the bathroom sink which contains all my lipsticks that I'm currently not wearing! It was like I had a whole new selection! I came across this one and trust me when I tell you that the color looks a lot brighter than in the photo!

This baby is RED and I mean like Gwen Stefani or Christina Aguilera RED! It's that color that is reminiscent of the 1940's! It is called "Red Hot" and it lives up to its name! I bought this a few years ago and wore it maybe once or twice because I thought it was too bright! Well, when you get nearer the grave than the cradle, your idea of "too daring" changes. I tried it on with a touch of lip glass over it and decided that I rather like it!

It is not as neatly applied in that photo as it typically would be. Lipstick like that takes 3 traffic lights for me to apply on my way to work! I think I will start wearing this color again! Why the hell not!

I have a new assistant. You've seen Sophia, now meet Sylvia! I've decided to stay with the "S" names.

Sylvia was living in the trunk of Ems' car. Ems said that her hairstyle was a "fashion mullet"--not that I ever thought a mullet could be in fashion! Sylvia is fortunate not to have to deal with some of the typcial female problems--menstrual cramps, thigh bulge and saggy boobs--as she has no body. In the photo, she is resting on Mikey's carrier. Sylvia will come in handy when I need a hat model. One of her siblings served this purpose last winter and can be seen in my FO gallery!

I did something today that I rarely, if ever, do. I bought stash yarn! When I buy yarn, it is for a specific pattern. I always get a pattern first then I either have a preconceived notion of what I want for it or I go on a search for the perfect yarn. I have to love any yarn that I get as it may be years before I actually get around to making that particular project. If I really love the yarn when I purchase it, then I usually love it when I get around to knitting it! I was in my LYS and stumbled across a bin of discontinued yarns. I found this Silky Tweed by Elsebeth Lavold.

I had never seen this yarn before. It has a rustic appearence and the color is that of old faded denim--bluer than the photo with flecks of browns. The fiber content is 40% silk, 30% merino, 20% cotton and 10% viscose. I picture this as some sort of tunic so I bought 10 skeins, each having 130 yards. By the time I got home, I realized that this would be perfect for Sahara. I will have to play with the gauge because this is more of a dk and Sahara calls for worsted. I truly love that pattern and I think this would be perfect with some matte finish pewter type beads. Great to wear with jeans! I'll have to play with it when I actually get around to working with it.

A strange kitty thingy--Mikey and Samantha love turtle sticks! What, you may ask, are turtle sticks? They are this little gray floating things that I feed to Elvis. Every morning I go to get Elvis up, which involves turning his lights on and giving him some turtle sticks. Without fail, Mikey and Samantha rush over and start begging. So, softy that I am, I always give them a few.

They look totally unappetizing, if you ask me. They are little gray thingies about 3/4 inch long. When I looked at the ingredients, however, I saw that they are pretty much made of fish which explains the attraction! I guess they are like kitty candy!


I need to get back to Fifi. I have about 10 rows left in the body and then I just have to finish the sleeves and block her.

Bushism of the day:
"Laura and I really don't realize how bright our children is sometimes until we get an objective analysis." --George W. Bush, CNBC, April 15, 2000

Kitty Cam:
Greg sometimes gets impatient when I am on my computer. Here he is showing his frustration by sitting on the table, which he is not allowed to do!

All good things must come to an end!

So this is my last week of summer vacation! I worked 3 days this week which was a good warm up for going back to school full-time next week. Hopefully the hideous traffic jams I experienced this week aren't a preview of what's to come. Monday and Tuesday we had training in Rockville. The first day it took me 55 minutes so I planned accordingly the second day. As luck would have it, something happened on the beltway so it took me over an hour and a half! Go figure! Also Monday, Rt. 29 was closed in the afternoon so what should be a 45 minute commute home turned into 2 and a half hours. It was insane! Hopefully this will be the exception and not the rule!

It was good to get back to my knitting. I finished up the little One Skein Wonder! I rather like this pattern for a quick little diversion. I received this lovely skein of Malabrigo from my SP 10 pal and this seemed to be the perfect use for it!



I love the finished product! The only thing is that it is difficult for me to get off once I have it on! I don't have the flexibility I used to have!

So I'm back to Fifi! I am giving myself 2 weeks to finish it! I need to do the second SKC KAL afterall!

Ebay was good to me this week! I got a couple of cute tops! One was a worn once top from Anthropologie which I love. It is a strapless little number which fits quite well. I am going to add an extra row of elastic to the back since it is just a tiny bit loose.


I also got a brand new Nanette Lepore top--One that I've been wanting for some time now. It's cotton and I can wear it to school. It is covered with pin tucks which should show in the second photo:



Another project which will soon be upon me is this:


Grapes of the Concord variety! I found out that this varietal was actually developed in Concord, MA! For those of you who haven't been there, here's a little lesson in pronunciation. Most of us would say "con-CORD" with the emphasis on the second syllable. In MA they say it like "conquered." Anyway--the grape crop looks good and it's been several years since I've actually done anything with them. I will make grape butter which is a kin to apple butter. It is thick and spicy and downright delicious on an English muffin! The grapes should be ripe in a couple of weeks. Hopefully we won't get a crapload of rain because that will turn them into raisins in short order! Also--if you look closely at the first picture, you will see a little lawn ornament which is the shape of a kitty angel. That is where Peanut is buried. I need to make his stepping stone to put there.

This weekend will be spent on school work--particularly scheduling. I've procrastinated long enough!

Bushism of the day:
"The best way to relieve families from time is to let them keep some of their own money." --George W. Bush, Westminster, Calif., Sept. 13, 2000

Kitty Cam:

Harley seems confused as to the proper use of a treadmill:


If you ask me, he has the right idea!

High School Revisited!

So I had my 35 year high school class reunion last night! Yup! I'm friggin old! We have a tradition for these things. Every single reunion my 2 best high school buds and myself have attended together. DH has gone with us since the 10 year reunion. For us, it's all about "the picture." What's that, you ask? Well, Cynthia, Sandy and myself always pose for a snapshot in the exact same pose. It's hysterical to see them all lined up on our refrigerators. The one thing that stands out is how different my hair is in each one of them! From left to right we have me, Sandy then Cynthia. Here they are:

Class of 1972--10 year reunion


Class of 1972--20 year reunion


Class of 1972--25 year reunion


Class of 1972--30 year reunion


And finally--Class of 1972--35 year reunion

Oh my! What has happened to Sandy! She didn't show, so DH graciously took her place! Hopefully we will be back to our established tradition for the next one!

So Friday I ended up heading to G-Street Fabrics with my coupon. The leather piece that I coveted wasn't there so it obviously wasn't meant for me to have. I did end up buying the bright turquoise charmeuse and I'm sending back the blue that I got via mail order. I just have trouble putting so much time and effort into making something that I don't love. I love the turquoise silk whereas I just tolerated the blue. It was worth it to spend the additional money.

Bushism of the day:
"If the terriers and bariffs are torn down, this economy will grow." --George W. Bush, Jan. 2000

Kitty Cam:
Bird opened up the new laser toy pet exerciser. The kitties went nuts!