Forget about the song about getting to the church on time

I'm wondering if I'm going to get this skirt knit in time!!! I have big plans for this baby. If I don't get it done, I'm seriously wondering what I'm going to wear with a few tops while we are gone. I've been in shopping mode. Did you know that a wardrobe meant for 75 degrees and raining will NOT cut it past 90? I'm here to tell you, it will not. Especially when the wearer is as heat sensitive as I am. BAH!!!! I knit this one top down. I just made the ruffle increases while at the softball game. Time's a wastin. We'll see how much forward progress I can make tomorrow. 2-3 more inches. I can do this, I CAN DO THIS. When? Totally different story!!!

I busted ass today. I billed out 4 hours of work. I got my allergy shot, the oil changed in my car and cheered for our team at a double header. I also went up to Dundas to Fashion Bug where I found a tank and a t shirt. We stopped in Faribault on the way home, and Katie found a pair of jean shorts. YIPPEE! Then, while she was at pregame pictures and practice, I hit part of the outlet mall and went to my meeting. I found a great pair of shoes to go with the unfinished skirt. I'm weighing pretty heavily that I'm going to get it done. HELP ME! LOL. I love the rush before a deadline, as long as I think it *might* be possible to meet.

Now, tomorrow, we have hair appointments, I need to go to the post office, I have a couple hours of work to cover. I need to continue looking for steamy HOT weather clothes, do more laundry, start ironing and make a few modifications to clothes I have already purchased. And that's the short list! Bwhahahahahahahahaha. I can only do what I can do, therefore that is what I'm going to do. Run my brain in circles~

Hopefully I'm off to sleep soon. If that becomes an issue, then I'm going to get up and knit until I can't stay awake any longer.

Sweet Dreams Blogland!

What a week, what a ride.

Wow. So much has happened, I'm not sure I even know what all happened.

The new black skirt that is taking forever is at 14.5 inches. Not much longer and I'll be adding the ruffle at the bottom. Now that's really going to take most of eternity! So far, so good. I'm liking it, other than the slowness of it all. My time frame is ticking down, so I need to get those needles clicking!

I had a great week last week. I had company, and it was so nice to reconnect and talk to a real, live, thinking adult. Amaaaaaaaazingly wonderful.

Work is work. It's wrapping up, and everything I have left in my folder is complicated. Figures. I'll hit it again tomorrow.

The swimmer is happily at camp, learning lots of new things and getting stronger every day. The food has gotten better, so life is good. I haven't had much one on one time with the softball player, but I've enjoyed what moments I've gotten. She's just a pleasure to be around.

then there is the workload. this week I have to finish up the paperwork for the job and community ed, get an allergy shot, get my hair dyed (and the softball player's hair as well), my nails need to be done, laundry washed and ironed, a couple of ball games to watch and two shops. Yeah. It's going to get a little interesting. It should be funny to see what does and does not get done. I'll give it my best shot.

Thanks for listening last Monday night. I was finally able to go to sleep around 530, but I made it unassisted. YAY!

Now it's off to bed, hoping that Mr Sandman visits so I can get up with my alarm and start knocking things off my list!

MUAH!

Tryingn to look the monster in the eye

I just woke up in the middle of a massive panic attack. Wow. It's been months since that has happened. To be honest, I could not do that for the rest of my life, and I'd be okay with it. Honestly! Not meant to be, I suppose. So now what do I do? Type here, of course. We're not going to mention that I'm terrified awake and literally drooping asleep at the same time. Not fun......although it is an interesting sensation. Guess I haven't done as good of a job as I thought at stress reduction. I think that shall be #1 on my list tomorrow. Exercise. #1 stress reducer. #1? Because this SUCKS!!! Hey, if it convinces me to work out, then maaaaaaaaaaybe I'll concede it's not the worst thing in the universe.

Why am I typing? Because I need to calm down. It would help if I could think of something else, but I cannot. (hence the whole problem in the first place) but sitting here typing is WAY more productive than pacing frantically around the house trying to run away from my own head. For the record, out running your head is not possible. I've tried. Just saying.

Whew. I'm starting to feel the grip on my head start to subside. it's still there, but it's easing up a bit. What do I mean by grip? That irrational fear that I cannot talk down...... I just saw a glimpse of rationality through the haze. This is good. Hopefully I can beat it down with more rationality instead of another panic wave washing over me. Typing this increases the odds of irrational thinking....but like I said, I'm trying to stare down the monster called panic. I'm tired of being it's bitch. Now I've really done it! LOL.

Despite the nasty weather, Sunday was a fun day. The swimmer is now at camp. I didn't get lost on my way there. The third time IS a charm! We stopped by the mega mall. I'd have to say quite a bit of damage has been done. K is now the proud owner of an itouch. You know, it's nice to see her face light up. What a beautiful smile she has. We finally got some one on one time in the car, even though I was quite brain dead by then. It was still nice. She and I don't get to hang out much. It's a shame. She's such an interesting person. We found a softball bead for her, which lead to the buying of leather lacing and all the trimmings to make a necklace. Naturally, I found my own charm. Now to find the time to make it. Now is NOT the time. Too tired, and too shaky. I also found a broomstick skirt on sale at Macy's that couldn't be left in the store for someone else. I'm going to have to take off the top tier and redo the waist as this (as with so many other things) is made for somebody with twice the leg length. Thanks Granny, cos I just heard you say "I'd rather be too short than too tall. You can always take some fabric off, but you can never put it back on" Too true. So much for complaining about shortening that skirt! At least I can take some of it off!

YUCK!!!!!!! I just killed some BIG assed bug that flew on my arm. I've never seen one like this before. Okay, it was kinda pretty, but I noticed that after it was dead. NOT helping the panic situation ONE LITTLE BIT!!!!!! Anxiety levels back UP. *sigh* I really shouldn't have said that about being panic's bitch or looking it in the eye. It never pays to make bold statements like that!!!! LOL. Okay, so do you think it's time to let go of the muscle tension in my body? I think so too, but I can't remember how. Maybe in a few more minutes.

Well, that was a whole lot of babbling. It's now 2:47. I woke up at 2:12. Hopefully, this ride is about over and I can get back to sleep. Thanks for being there world.....and I sure hope none of you ever know what this feels like. I don't wish it on anyone.....EVER.

Sweet dreams!



Edit: I did decide to make the necklaces tonight...and here's the results. The only foul from shakiness was the first shot of super glue (to secure the fasteners up top) that coated my left fingers. GO TEAM!

Just Complaining

I look out my window, and I see nothing but water and gray skies. It's cold, again. Try 61 degrees. Hello MOTHER NATURE, it's JUNE not APRIL!!!!! Most of last summer was wet and cold. I was really really really hoping this one wouldn't follow suit. We've had pockets of decent weather, but school was still in session. Now the girls are out of school, and it really isn't nice enough to do anything fun outside. WAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

Yesterday. Outdoor swim meet. We covet them here. They aren't exactly a dime a dozen. Most are spent in a very hot, humid and packed gym. However, I'm not sure I'd trade the indoor heat for 58 and rain! However, the swimmer has her pre camp times. In a little over an hour, we start our trek to take her to camp. Good thing it's inside! :) One of her favorite off time activities is bumming around town, or playing volleyball. Ummmmmmmmmmmm. Not so much for the next few days.

Tomorrow is another lovely double header ball game. The HIGH for the day is 66. The games start at 6. Guess what's in the forecast? You got it, MORE RAIN. On the up side (I'm digging deep here) I bought an outdoor canopy. It saved my body yesterday, and it'll be packed tomorrow to do the same. I'm just so hungry for nice weather, I don't know what to do!

Knitting isn't really happening. I'm not getting much time on it. I'm not sure what the hang up is, but I'm not going to have 2 skirts to wear if I don't hit it. We'll see. Failure to motivate is my mantra.

So, those of you with nice weather, please PLEASE *PLEASE* go soak it up for me too, okay?

Worn Out

There's nothing like a slow rain to make me realize how worn out I really am.....or maybe I'm just solar powered. Does anyone else find this as well?

Animal Dreams - Barbara Kingslover

READ IT!!!! This book is one of the best I've read in awhile. 100% recommend it. Now I'm off to discover the world according to Eggers!

Bit the bullet aka Third time charmed?

Ahhhhh, I did it today. I frogged Sassy back to the decreases I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy to finally hit so many weeks ago. This time around, I can't say I'm quite as excited. As you can see in the picture - the blasted hole!!!! Never fear, Shelly the *knitting machine* is here!. Ugh! I am now officially calling Sassy, the PITATISL - Pain In The Ass That I Still Love. Love's labor lost. I think I'm beginning to understand what that means! LOL. Anyway. She's frogged back to the decreases. I did a quick stitch count of how much width I'd like to take off, and did another row of decreases. If I've made her to small this time, I wouldn't want to read THAT post, if I were you!!! (can't say I'd want to live here, either) Wow. However, this time around, instead of using the needles that I hate, I went out and bought my favorite Addi's. You know, sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do!!! I'm not sure if you can see the hair/dirt on the skirt, but that would be remnants from the shearing of the cat, episode one. Just saying. I finally have the black skirt back to 6 inches, which is where it was when I lost the other one I had started. I'm beginning to think I'm skirt knitting doomed! We'll see. Only time will tell. That's what I get for loving stuff. More work! LOL. It's going to be a crazy busy month, but yet, I am hopeful that I will get both of them done by the end. Yep, that's pretty much looking for a miracle in the knitting world, but I won't succeed if I don't try.

I didn't work today. Instead, I got to watch K play softball for the first time in a year. She's looking good. In fact, she didn't look rusty at all. I LOVE IT!!!! She did a great job making contact with the ball, and was robbed of a multiple base hit. The umpire told her she hit the best ball he'd seen all day. The other team just happened to make the miracle catch. it happens. She also did a great job in RF backing up first base. I've never seen her so on the spot. That move kept the runner on first, instead of a triple. WTG Katiegirl!!! Keep it up, great things will follow. Most importantly - MORE FUN!!!! Now, I just wish the weather would have been a bit kinder. However, the weather happens to historically hate this tournament. It's always rainy. Blech. I'm also glad that EC was okay. That being said, if there is a new olympic sport called eXtreme fastpitch in 20 years or so, I can tell you I know the inventor. She was hauling ass to first, beat the throw - and then tripped/slid/idk...went head over heels and landed on the back of her head. Yes, the emergency squad was called in, and after a troubling 20 minutes, she walked off the field. I was so happy for her and her mother. I never want to see anybody hurt.

I spent the rest of the day just relaxing and catching up on sleep. Damn, did that ever feel good. If the weather cooperates, I'll work for a few hours tomorrow. Regardless, I still have that blasted laundrymat trip to make, with what I am hoping is the LAST LOAD until Thursday = which I am also hoping is third time charmed. (repair visit for washing machine). Other than that, honestly, I'm looking to sit on my happy ass and knit on my happy skirts and watch happy cars turn left on a happy track. I'm not Oh NO Pocono's biggest fan, but it's cars, speeding. Good enough for me.

Crap, it's quarter til one and I'm no where ready to go to bed. i might have to give it a try or resting today will become a moot point!

Do what you love and love what you do!

Thanks Melissa!

Melissa brought me a piece of wool from her new ram. Damn, I've never felt so much lanolin in a piece of wool. Hell, I've never had my very own piece of virgin wool to fondle either. Can it get any better to be me today? I think not!

Life's to short to hate, be a *lifelover*!!!

And as promised, here's the pictures of the shearing of the cat. Since a picture is worth 1000 words...I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Have a great weekend!

Yep, Still Awake

And the alarm goes off in a little over six hours. Grrrrrrrr. if you think you're tired of hearing me grumble, just IMAGINE how tired of this I am.

Well, that's going to change nothing. It felt good though.

I had a great Census day toady. The majority of the people we home. YIPPEE!!!!! I love turning around paperwork. I really do.

Tomorrow is a half a sub day, which I should be absolutely worthless for....kill me now! LOL. The washing machine repair guy is to come on over and FIX it. (YIPPEE!!!!!!!!) And, I still have some leftover paperwork/people to track down.

I guess I should go to bed and try to read again. Do you think toothpicking my eyes shut will work? ONLY if it pokes my brain into STOPPING. So much stuff to juggle, so many balls hitting the floor.

What's up in your world? Anything interesting? I'd love to hear from you, you know! Man (and woman) we NOT made to be islands! :D

And the count down begins.....

.......I have a year to pull it together. Yep, I got my blood results back. Cholesterol high. Of COURSE it was high, I ate at Culver's every day for a week. My fasting sugar was sitting one below the in trouble line. *sigh*. So. Guess that means it's time to pay attention and treat myself better. This I can do, starting tomorrow, of course! No seriously. Tonight I needed protein in a bad way, so I ate it. Yep, it was red meat, too. Tomorrow AK can lecture me all she wants. Time to get a groove on. Drastic changes and I don't stick, so to quote Erin, "slow and steady wins the race" and this is one race I'm going to move and lose to win.

I worked today. Have I mentioned that I hate watching people on the computer? I think I have. Guess what? It's still true. I did get lots of my book read and another inch on the black skirt. During prep, I went to the post office. The skies picked that very moment to open up and pour buckets. When I got back to school the general reaction was "is it raining that hard?" (yep) or "did you just take a shower" (not on purpose!) I can honestly say I've never been in the rain for less than 3 minutes and been able to wring out my hair before. Thank God I had packed a sweater, because that room that had been warm all day was suddenly freezing!

I didn't get much work in for Uncle Sam, either. The forms can't get wet or they won't go through the scanning machine. That's fine. I'm exhausted. Which means you should see me on here until 3 am or something crazy. Oh, how I hope not!!!

I'm still chuckling. What are the ODDS that the rain had to downpour like that for just a few minutes, and it was the few I was OUTSIDE. It never fails. You know, I've been drier on the log ride!!!!

So far tomorrow is just Census day.....I have a lot that require traveling. Hopefully I can have the window down and the radio ON!!!!