Weekend and Sex & The City

Does anyone else love Friday night as much as I do? Do we ever outgrow that feeling? Kind of like the dreaded Sunday night - except opposite.

This week for some reason seemed long and hard. It wasn't that much different in any way that I can think of, but I must have spring fever. It is finally warm, beautiful blue skies, and being cooped up in an office all day is so much harder. I don't want to wish my life away, it is going too fast as it is, but...oh, the weekend! Even when we don't have anything exciting planned, or have errands and work in the yard or around the house, it is just so nice to not have to get up early, have clothes ready, fix lunches, etc. Friday night is de-stress night.



I hope to get to see Sex & the City movie tomorrow. My daughter and I have been looking forward to this for months. (a sad testiment to how boring my life is!) I didn't watch S & C when on HBO, but have watched all the episodes in syndication. I just read a review from a man who had never watched the series - why on earth was he picked to review this movie? I hate violent movies so I can pretty much tell you I am not going to like a war movie - no matter how well it is done. Good grief!


Also, and I guess this is very superficial, but I love movies about New York City, I love movies with beautiful or quirky houses or apartments and pretty clothes. Remember all the Doris Day/Rock Hudson movies - no academy awards, but just entertainment.

I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged by Robin for this MeMe. Since I'm fairly new to this blogging thing, this is my first go at this.


The rules: Posted here at the beginning. The player answers all questions. The player then chooses six people you want to know more about and tags those people by listing their names at the end of the post and going to their blog and leaving a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Also, you let the person who tagged you know when you've posted your answer.


1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
Actually not much has changed. We had moved to Virginia from Kentucky in 1992 and bought this house, where we still live. I work at the same business, but have moved to a different position. My son had recently joined the Navy (he's still in) and moved his wife & year old daughter to Norfolk - leaving me in mourning over missing my granddaughter! My daughter then lived in Louisville, Ky, so I really had just begun the "empty nest" syndrome. My parents were still living, but back in Kentucky, so that was a worry. (They've both since passed away)


2) What are five things on my to-do list today (not in any particular order)
Try to catch up at work., Get my hair cut (that was cancelled by hairstylist), find something in this house to fix for dinner, do laundry (does everyone have that on their list - laundry is taking over the world!, make myself walk or do other exercise and find time to knit.


3) What snacks do I enjoy
Too many, I'm sorry to say! (some are healthy I promise) Fruit, Nuts, Cheese, Popcorn, Chocolate, Ice Cream


4) What are some places I've lived?
Kentucky, Long Beach and San Diego, California, Charleston, S.C., Danville, VA


5) What things would I do if I were a billionaire?
Pay bills, buy a one-level house with every easy cleaning feature possible, buy books, buy yarn, travel, help out family, give to my favorite charities (college scholarships, feed hungry kids, help abused women). I like my job - but not enough to stay - if I get bored, I'll volunteer somewhere!


Now I need to tag 6 other bloggers. Since I'm new at blogging I don't know lots of bloggers and am going with four. Hope none of you mind. First, Amy, my daughter and her China adoption blog, my friend Candyce, and her blog about travel, teacups, sewing, and life, and two members of my Monday night knitting group, Timmie and Laura.


Thanks everyone.

Memorial Day

Since I have to work tomorrow on Memorial Day - boo! hiss!, we pretended the holiday was today. It was a beautiful day! Husband, daughter & I went to Dan Daniel Park to visit the Veteran's Memorial. I had read about it in the paper, but shamefully had not been till today. It is a nice memorial and the people in charge should be proud. We should be thankful for our Veterans.

The wall is engraved with names of all Pittsylvania County/Danville residents who were killed in action in any war. The brick walkway has names of veterans who served or are serving in time of peace or war if a donation is given. It was impossible to read all the names, but strangely I found this one:

I wonder who donated for Elvis?

After we visited the memorial we walked along the trail which partly follows the Dan River. Here at the dam the water looks fairly clear, but down the trail you can see its more normal muddy look.

I made my first mistake

by thinking I could knit on this summer cotton sweater while watching the final episode of Greys Anatomy Thursday night. First, about the time they found the guy encased in concrete, I knitted the same row twice. When Meredith's sister found the personnel files and was telling George he only failed his intern test by 1 point I dropped a stitch and didn't notice it till the end of the row. If you are counting, I've ripped out twice and I should have quit then. NEXT.....while all the other characters were getting together in the end, Meredith and McDreamy were running in opposite directions and I was just sure they were going to give up and not get together in this episode - leaving us hanging till next year. Obviously I was paying more attention to their plight than to my knitting and I counted the pattern wrong and again didn't realize it till the end of the row. By then the show and I were both through! I was tired, and mad at myself. However, I don't like to leave a problem - even though it sucks to have to frog and fix it then, I know I won't like it anymore tomorrow, so I fixed it before I went to bed.

Yesterday I couldn't even look at it - but tonight I actually knitted a few rows with no mistakes (that I see yet).

Today I worked in the yard most of the day, and used some muscles I haven't used in a long time! I finally got some flowers planted. I don't remember ever getting my flowers planted this late and still don't have all that I want. I love thinking about them, planting them, seeing them grow, and even watering for a couple of months, but by August I'm usually sorry I planted so many. Still, I plan on a few more this next weekend!

Hope I can get out of bed tomorrow!

Blue Skies

I finally got around to loading my vacation pictures into flickr tonight and this one is my very favorite. We were at the top of the mountain at Newfound Gap and I was trying to remember how to set my timer. I was just snapping pictures without looking and just happened to get this as the bird flew by. Notice how spring had not yet arrived at that elevation. Everything was so green and lush until we got about 2/3 of the way up. At the very top there were just a few buds opening up.

This is the Methodist Church at Cades Cove. This is an 11 mile circle - if you haven't been, it is a settlement that they bought out when they made the Smoky Mountains into a National Park. They have left many of the buildings, you usually see many animals and it is a beautiful, peaceful area.

Beautiful meadow in Cades Cove - I think there is an animal down there!

American Idol

David Cook just won! After last night I was afraid David Archuletta was going to win. I wonder if Simon knew something as he kind of changed his tune and apologized to David C just before the winner was announced. I liked David A okay, but he just didn't have enough personality and stage presence. Yeah David C.!

Friday Night Random Thoughts

So many random thoughts tonight. Lots of people on my mind for some reason. I just read a blog written by Kim, who lost her two teenage daughters last November in a terrible car accident. How do you get through that? She and her 8 year old daughter seem to be coping very well, but it hurt my heart.


My cute-as-a-button nephew Travis, who I can't believe is old enough, is now in Iraq. I can hardly even hear the word Iraq now.

This is Travis and his equally cute-as-a-button sister - Lindsay, who thankfully is still safe at home!










Also, my brother-in-law, (DH's wonderful sister's wonderful husband) - is in the hospital with heart problems which are worrisome. He went to doctor for another problem, found out he had a carotid artery blockage in his neck and six heart blockages. They scheduled the carotid artery surgery this week and then planned the heart surgery in a couple of weeks. He has had a hard time since the first surgery though, and a minor heart attack, so he is scheduled now for his open heart surgery Monday.

On a lighter note - the surveyors left work today - and the building is still standing! It seemed to go pretty well, and the best part is - they won't be back till next year!

On a knitting note - I just started my first adult sweater. I have knitted a few simple baby sweaters, but decided to try one for me. I am making the Bamboozle Bobble Sampler Pullover with Cascade Pima Tencel. It's a short sleeve summer sweater. I'll post pictures later, after I get a little more done.

Some good news - you may have heard of this blog, if not check it out. Nate & Tricia are a young couple in North Carolina. She has cystic fibrosis and in January had a premature baby and then a double lung transplant. They have both been in Duke University Hospital since January. Last week Tricia was able to go home and this week the baby was also discharged. It is a very inspiring story.

My Feet Hurt!

We have state inspectors at my workplace this week. They are very nice people - but they turn our world upside down for a few days each year. The powers-that-be go totally paranoid crazy and as a result the rest of us suffer. Today was one of those days. I went in early, stayed late, and was on my feet at the copy machine most of that time. When the inspectors find something in a chart they need copies of my boss likes me to be the one to oblige (confidentiality and trust issues!). It is certainly not a hard job - but it is a killer one on feet and backs!

Happy Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day. When we got home Friday, daughter-in-law and two granddaughters came for the weekend. I wish my son could have come, but he is out to sea for the month in training for his big cruise which starts the end of August.

I'm so ashamed that I didn't get any pictures of our 11 year old granddaughter, B. She is getting so grown up and off doing her own thing most of the time. I made up for it by taking tons of sweet N, 16 months old. She has had so many challenges in your young life, several hospitalizations, surgery, lots of problems, but is the best-natured sweetest child ever. (Not at all prejudiced! LOL)

She loves the kitties!

Cooking in the kitchen!

Mothers Day gifts and cards

The Willow Tree figurine and diffuser is from DIL and granddaughters and necklace from daughter, Amy, who is adopting from China, the pendant means maternal grandmother in Chinese . I loved everything, and love all of you!

I came home also to these -

Azaleas in full bloom and...



Miniature iris

Busy, Fun Week

We're back! We had a great week and now are recovering! DH & I were in contact with our friends by cell phone on the road and it so happened we were a little early, so we stopped at the Winery in Gatlinburg and a favorite jam and jelly shop, where we made several purchases and I asked about a yarn shop (Smoky Mountain Spinnery) I had seen when I had done an online search. It was a little hard to find as a husband and wife apparently own two shops together - his is a fishing shop and hers knitting - how neat. The very nice guy who waited on me said they had both gone to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, so I was sorry I didn't get to meet her, but enjoyed browsing through her shop and bought several lovely yarns.














































It was then time to meet our friends at our cabin office where we got directions to our cabin. Even though I would have loved a cabin with a view up in the mountains, I was glad ours was located in Wears Valley which is very near everything in Pigeon Forge. When we first turned into our road I was a little worried because the cabins seemed so close together, but we were very lucky and ours was at the end of the road, surrounded by trees and very private. We wouldn't have had too many neighbors however as we only saw one other car on our trips in and out. This turned out to be a fantastic week to be there - hardly any crowds and wonderful weather. It was in the 70's each day and just beautiful.

Here is our cabin "All Tucked Inn"

This is the living area - it has 2 bedrooms with king-sized beds and 2 baths, so it was great for 2 couples. It was wonderful seeing our friends again and we hope to do it again soon. We both have 11 year old granddaughters and hope we can sometime meet and bring them with us. This time it was nice just having adults only though.

Over the next few days we enjoyed the beautiful spring weather and scenery in the mountains, Cades Cove, Gatlinburg, & Pigeon Forge. We shopped, ate, and had a wonderful time.

Here are some pictures of Cades Cove - more later....

Vacation!!

Tomorrow we leave for Pigeon Forge, TN for a few days to meet with some good friends. In 1967 (can't believe it has been that long) we got married and left for California, where DH's ship was in port. We lived in Long Beach for a few weeks and then the ship moved down to San Diego and we left to find an apartment there. We were only going to be there a few months as the USS Kitty Hawk, Larry's ship, was preparing to go back to Vietnam. For the next few months they would be doing their training preparations. One of Dh's friends from the ship and his wife and DH & I looked for apartments with no luck at all. Either they were in terrible neighborhoods, or we couldn't afford them. We took the ferry over to Coronado Island where the ship was docked and it was so nice! (Now there is a bridge, but then you had to take a ferry). It is somewhat a resort area with very nice residential neighborhoods where many Navy officers and their families live. We found a nice garage apt. behind a navy pilot's home. It had a large high-ceiling living room with bedrooms off each end and small kitchen. We decided to take a chance and rent it together with Roy & Carol. Larry & Roy were out to sea for training most of the rest of the summer, so it was a blessing for me to have Carol there. We had a great summer. Almost everyday we walked to town or the beach, went to garage sales, visited with the neighbors. In November Larry & Roy left with the ship for 9 months, and Carol and I went back to our home towns When the guys got back, Larry left the ship to go to school and then he was lucky enough to have shore duty for the rest of his tour and we lived in San Diego for his school and then Charleston, SC for the next 2 1/2 years. Roy & Carol stayed with the ship and went to Washington state so we never were stationed together again, but have always stayed friends.

Over the years we have kept in touch and visited several times, but life got in the way and for a few years we didn't see each other very often. Last year they came down and spent a weekend with us and we had such a good visit we decided to meet this year in the mtns. and rent a cabin. That's where we are going tomorrow. I can't wait. We don't have any big plans, just take each day and see what goes. It will be great just to get away and visit with our friends! I'm not sure I'll have internet, but will take lots of pictures and post when I get back if not before.

I have late azaleas and they are just starting to bloom. It looks like they are really going to be full and pretty this year and I hope I don't miss them completely. I told my daughter to take pictures while I am gone! Maybe they will last till the weekend, but often if there is wind or rain they don't stay long. I went out today and took pictures of them half-bloomed along with the purple iris and clematis.

These light pink ones are Encore azaleas. They were new to me till last year, but they are great as they bloom again in the summer and then again in the fall.