Sunday, August 29, 2010
Busy for the last couple days
The weekend is over. I was busy with little things, so did not get a chance to walk around at the Corn Fest. I did not even do the usual thing, which is to buy a dozen ears to cook at home.
Had to prep and speak a Sunday school lesson for 3 year olds. Sure able to tell which kids are already trained in Pre-School, cuz they raise their hands in response to a question, ask nicely to use the bathroom, willing to wait for a turn.
One boy who is rarely with other caregivers just shouts out, does not sit still during snack. It is possible to teach a child so young some social manners. He still has a year before Kindergarten, so there is time for lessons.
I was amused when I brought out the Crafts project. The assignment was to Draw a Picture about Peace. There were crayons and stickers. I have a shoe box full of stickers here at home. I love stickers. I’m always buying them on Clearance, I order them from catalogs. So I pulled out some pertaining to the subject, a smaller box not even half full.
So the kids did a little drawing and stuck a couple stickers on their papers. I asked if anyone could write his or her own name on the bottom. One girl did very nicely.
A couple just sat there waiting for whatever happens next…. with 15 minutes of class time left. So I mentioned that there were plenty of stickers still on the table, and I could see white spaces and the whole back side of the papers would need some signs of peace.
One girl said “You mean we can have more stickers?”
Like I said, training. But I answered Yes.
I should have thought to take the camera with me. Back when I was working full time daycare, I had my camera all the time. Which means I am way out of practice with this routine teaching gig. But this is my last SS lesson for a semester.
There were stickers all over the pages. Quite lovely. Themes were decided. Animal sticker requests. Careful consideration of placement. In almost 4 year olds, I was glad to see a nice balance of spontaneity and order.
We did not even get to the game I had brought just in case. Once the sticker limit opened, the craft table was busy. I had to tell an older brother who came to the door that we were not ready to dismiss yet.
This afternoon, a couple teenagers came over as planned to cut back some more of the jungle. Husband went up on the garage roof and sawed off a big branch which was bumping the gutter (and making me crazy when the wind blows) then the boys sawed it into lengths and dragged it to the curb for the trash truck.
There are several piles of brush to be carried away. I’ll go out and do a few touch-ups in the next couple weeks, but we don’t usually cut and trim after Labor Day.
This evening was a trip to WallyWorld. Young Son tagged along. All 3 of us got each and all of the items on our lists, so we were quite pleased when it came time to check out.
I’m tired, physically, socially, and mentally. A good feeling, at the end of getting a whole bunch of stuff done.
SubFinder is saying No Jobs Available for tomorrow. Wonder what morning will bring.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Tiny Little Update
Today is Thursday, which I consider my day off from the TA Sub job. The Child Care at church doesn’t begin for a couple weeks yet, so I am free this morning, then my Needlework Group meets in the afternoon, and the Weight Loss Support Group meets in the evening.
So why I call this a day ‘off’ is murky.
I pulled out a spray cleaner and bucket of water, then wiped down the stove hood. It ain’t greatest, but most of the dirt is gone. And spiders might have second thoughts about building a web above hot burners.
Both cats ate a full breakfast, went outside to potty, a nice drink of water, and are now snoozing in comfy places with sunshine warming their backs. The last couple days have been the most peaceful they’ve had in quite awhile, so I hope they are past germ phase, with further troubles being just old age.
Got the ironing done yesterday, but the board still needs folded and put into the closet. I did use it this morning to hold some stuff I was packing up for an envelope going to the post office.
Looking out the window into the south yard, I see a Boy and a Girl Cardinal, 2 robins, a blue jay, 2 blackbirds, 2 squirrels, and a rabbit. They must know the cats are not currently on guard duty.
Gonna pack my crochet bag to be ready for the meeting this afternoon. On the way there, I’ll stop for a nice frozen latte. I’ve decided to order just a medium. Less expensive by 35¢ and lowers the calorie count for a guilty pleasure.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Monday, August 23, 2010
A Little Wish for a Happy Birthday!
Today is my kid brother David’s birthday.
This picture was taken in Spring 2005, when he was 30 years old. I could barely accept then that he was turnin’ 30, yet today is years beyond that wonderful afternoon.
We were sitting on the deck at our sister Denise’s house. He was so relaxed—I think that was the time he made the trip from Virginia to Ohio without his young sons.
He was born the first week I was in nursing school. I had to take a phone call at the pay phone at the end of the hall in the dorm. After Dad gave me the news, I yelled out “I got a brother!” to which a gal in the closest room stuck her head out the door and said “I’ve got 2, no big deal”
Well, it was for me. There are 3 sisters between his age and mine.
I got to hold him in the back seat of the station wagon on the way home from the hospital. Mom was still sore from delivery. Those days, car seats not required.
My wedding was when he was in First Grade. He grew up while I was living in another state, raising my own family.
Last week, I sent a card, which he received, then called me on his lunch break to tell me Thank You for the card. Those Free Cell Phone minutes are good for something 
Not sure why I am writing about this here. He doesn’t own a computer, never gets online. Not even sure if he does Texting on his cell phone.
Still, I’m glad he is part of the clan.
Happy Birthday, Caboose Kid!
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Monday Morning by 9 AM
This morning, I got an urgent e-mail from my spouse who was already at his job.
It seems in his dash out the door, he forgot a few items.
Would I please deliver in about an hour?
So I used up 20 minutes looking for his reading glasses, called his desk to find out any clues, so when there was no answer, I decided to just walk on down with what I had in hand.
Wasn’t sure where I might be able to park my bicycle, and University Street is still closed due to construction, so walking seemed a better choice.
The first day of classes on the University Quad is always interesting. I’ve done it a few other times, having lived here all these years. Flip-flops on so many feet that the sound of slapping is overwhelming. How do ankles manage any support? A guy’s ear buds were so loud I could identify the song he was listening to. New backpacks and tote bags.
And communication devices. Two friends walking together, but talking on their phones and not to each other.
One gal was texting, and stepped off the edge of the walk into mud from construction. She was wearing new sneakers, so at least her ankle had a little help.
When I went in to Husband’s office, he wasn’t there. His mate offered to track him down, but I said I just needed to drop off the goodies. Also decided to search his backpack, one of those wifely privileges I fall upon when I have already gone bonkers with ransacking his desk, and the table in the breakfast nook.
I did find his reading glasses in a zipped shut pouch.
On the way home, I stopped at Burger King in the student center for a biscuit sandwich to go. Coming back out into sunlight, I spied a dark-haired young man carefully studying a print-out campus map. I grinned and said he looks like a tourist.
He asked where is Moulton Hall, pointing to the printed word with one finger, the building and number with another.
I gave him directions to go across the bridge over College Avenue, and reassured him that he will get his schedule straight real soon, and if he is late, just hold up the map and the professor should be understanding.
In my own kitchen, I separated the sandwich, cooked a scrambled egg, added some cheese and Cholula sauce, then had a feast while reading part of the Sunday paper.
After looking around my online haunts, I must now get going on the laundry. Looking down through the chute, I can see there is a bunch. And the recent heat wave means it is quite stinky.
Hope your Monday is beginning at least as good as mine has.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Half-Granny Squares Baby Blankie
At a church rummage sale, I came across a bag of JAMIE yarn. I remember this style from a dozen years ago, and loved it enough to make several baby aphgans with it back in the day. When LION Brand discontinued, I wrote a letter of protest.
So I snatched up what was there at the craft table for a couple dollars. Then I came home and searched through my boxes until I found a skein of white. Then I went to the supply room at the Activity Center and found a few odds more.
This blankie is what I came up with. It measures about a yard on each side. also a newborn hat was still on the peg loom when I snapped this picture. And there is enough yarn for a couple more hats.
It is still a very nice yarn to work with, and quite warm to use. Maybe LION Brand will re-new?
~~love and Huggs, Diane
ps This picture coming in at the top is much better than my previous whine.
And Now Sunday is Over
My day has been a bit sideways.
Nothing Wrong exactly, but not perfect neither.
It started out that I used up some of Saturday getting ready to teach a Sunday School class. I had signed on the last 2 Sundays in August.
When I got to the church, I found another gal in the room setting up a lovely lesson plan, and snacks table. So I tracked down a Christian Education committee member, who said I was to be the Assistant. Which means I am just a warm body who helps to keep a bunch of 3 year olds on task.
During Worship Service, I sat in the back and tried to cast on a pretty red yarn on a peg loom. Third try, I had it almost proper, but was not about to start again.
Knitted during the service, sitting right under the speaker where I can hear best. Along comes a friend on her way to the water fountain. She sees red yarn and loom, and wants to start a conversation. During the sermon, which had some fine stories. I managed to be civil, then got the idea across to her that this would not be the time and place.
Sunday School went fine, all the stuff I had with me did not even make it out of the bag. Next week, I’m the Assistant again, which will be a-okay with me.
All the way home, I was making a mental list of what needed to be ready for when the workers came to make the yard not quite so much of a jungle. I wanted some macaroni and cheese, so did not call my spouse to learn his lunch plans.
Well, he had stayed in all morning, and was quite ready to head out for lunch.
But no tools were out and ready to be used. He brought down the weed-eater machine, had to mend an extension cord, misplaced the hedge-trimmers.
Quite irritated, I asked what had he been doing all morning? Obviously not making preparations!
I got my macaroni and cheese. Not sure what he ate.
Later I learned what he had worked on during cooler time was to change the tires on my bicycle. I’ve been wanting some with better tread, since the ones on it are original since 1994. They had been purchased weeks ago, yet this morning was when he decided to get it done.
But I thought he was giving tools some attention.
I guess I should say I’m sorry. We’re not mind-readers.
There were other small episodes, but I shouldn’t bore you with so many more details. Highlighted by the grand finale of the red hat. As I cinched it closed and was about to tie the knot at the top of the crown, the yarn broke, leaving about 3/4 inch to finish. I did not drop stitches, but really had to be careful to secure it closed.
One great thing was my Subway sandwich for supper. The clerk/artist piled on lots of roast beef, onions, green pepper, dijon mustard. Yet the price was almost a dollar less than I had expected. Maybe there is a sale going on now.
Anyway, I brought it back home and enjoyed greatly!
Husband had a few hours at the office, doing last minute checking before college classes begin. He had oatmeal for supper. Says it is better for his tummy.
And then, we had to take my car to the mechanic, leaving it just outside the garage, dropping the key and explanation into a lockbox. It will have a part replaced in its exhaust system. Any driving I need to do, I’ll have Husband’s car. He pedals to the job on his bicycle, and will be at work some long hours over the next few days.
And now the dark night has come.
Nothing drastic happened here today.
Rather ordinary, actually.
Tomorrow I should manage my meals better. And exercise my legs and back.
All while waiting to see what will happen with Unit 5 Schools beginning the new year, and my TA Sub job needs.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
ps the cross bookmarks were tucked into cards and placed in their dad’s church cubbie. Not sure if or when he got them.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Special Boys get Special Crochet Cross Bookmarks
On Monday, I decided to stay close to home.
My tummy was not at its best. I don’t like to blame all the good eating I did at the church picnic on Sunday, then again, there was a whole bunch of fruits or spices which I have not consumed in quite awhile.
Plus, a couple kids got baptized on Sunday, and I really like to crochet a cross for a baptism. I haven’t worked up any in months. In fact the last few participants got straight bookmarks, and seemed quite pleased, but my personal desire is to crochet a cross for such a religious event.
Anyways, a friend in my Needlework Group had pulled out pages from a craft magazine, saying the cross pattern made her think of me. I read it over, and decided Yes, I would try it out.
The green cross is from that pattern. It is worked with size 10 bedspread cotton and a size 7 steel hook. My hands did not get too tired, mainly because it is worked from the long bottom, up one side, then down the other side, creating many chain spaces.
The copper color cross is from a different pattern book. I find it more difficult to work up, even though it has a size 6 (slightly bigger) crochet hook. Each point is worked separately. Getting my hands into position to work the arms is so tiring.
Most of the straight bookmark patterns take a little longer than an hour to crochet. Each cross took closer to 2 hours.
But they are done, and will be tucked into cards of Congratulations. Next folks who get a crocheted cross from my hands will have to be just as precious as are these kids to me.
That evening, Husband came home from work quite tuckered out. This is a very busy week, the last before ISU classes begin the Fall Semester. He said he felt a bit bad that he wasn’t good company for me having been home all day alone.
I told him that me, a new crochet pattern, the back porch with 2 cats, was actually a very lovely day.
Tuesday, my car went in for a looksee as to what was making the rattle/dragging noise. Turned out to be a loose clamp on the exhaust system, and a heat shield rusted through. The clamp got tightened, the heat shield removed.
Today, my car is making wa-ay too much noise, almost like a hole in the exhaust. I’ll have to get it back out to the shop soon.
Meanwhile this morning, Mahalia had another visit at the animal clinic. She is dehydrated, so got some sub-cu fluids and a couple vitamin shots. She is getting quite choosy with her meals, anything put in front of her needs a side dish of milk.
She also has decided to sleep on the rug next to my side of the bed, which means I have to do a little dance when I get up for the potty in the middle of the night.
Doc says her cat age is equal to a human in her mid-80s, so I have to be a little forgiving and make accommodations.
The boy next door is doing his practice with the bagpipes. My cats don’t even twitch their ears anymore. There was a time when they scurried down to the basement with the noise.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Monday, August 16, 2010
Some Yarn Projects for the Charity Pile
Here is the much delayed picture of the gold bag
Crocheted of an acrylic/polyester blend of Rug/Craft Yarn from a donation bag
and here are a trio of hats knitted on peg looms
all are acrylic yarns, a single skein each
any pattern is just how it happened
I did not plan nor stripe
They will be going to a charity Craft table somewhere
This is the last week of Summer.
School begins Monday, a week from today, not that I am in great anticipation. Even when I was a kid, I thought that the best weather of the year, and the time when the garden and Grandma doing canning would need me, I had to go sit in a room with a bunch of other kids and try to make nice.
So what job do I have now?
Teaching Assistant Substitute. In the public school system!
the last couple years, I get called soon as the doors open and a principal realizes there are students who need somebody with them and nobody who was interviewed and hired has cleared the background check yet.
So we’ll see.
I would like to work early on a few days, to earn enough for going to Women’s Retreat. Husband says he is glad for me to go be with my friends, but I like thinking that I did pay my own way for it.
I want to get back to my hook and thread. A couple kids got baptized last Sunday, and I have a new crochet cross pattern I’m trying out. It uses size 10 thread (rather than smaller size 30 which my hands cannot hold and work with anymore) so I think I might be able to carry on until the fasten off time.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Definitely Busy—-Just not Here
Another Funeral will be happening at the church on Thursday 05 August. This one is for a pillar in the congregation, a much beloved man who reached the nice old age of 97 years. He often played his saxophone for special music during Worship Services, and at other gatherings.
He was quite proud that my youngest son was born on his 72 birthday, and then went on to be the star of the Christmas pageant as Baby Jesus. One time when we were at Farm & Fleet, we bumped into Earl, and he asked if the tall teenager standing beside me was my son who had been the Baby Jesus. At my Yes response, the kid got a hug and was told that his birthday was blessed indeed.
Earl was the guy who was amazed that I had made it to the age of 27 without ever riding in an airplane. He made arrangements for me and a couple other folks to meet at the airport to go up in the air in a little 4-seat plane. I should dig out the photos from that evening. A wonderful experience.
The other airplane rides I had to do was going and coming back for my Dad’s funeral. Commercial planes with seats so close together that I did not have room for my elbows and had to give up crocheting for the duration of the flight.
Well, anyway, Earl had a request to have a real nice dinner, not just finger foods and paper plates.
The person who is Chairman for Funeral Meals is out of town for her daughter’s wedding, and so again I am doing a whole bunch of the efforts leading up to a nice memory for the family. We might serve 100 guests this time.
I did come up with the idea to hit up my e-mail Contacts before I start doing phone calls. E-mails are so much easier to send and reply, rather than ringing someone in from watering the garden and who does not have a Planner book close at hand.
It seems to be working—already marked the list for 4 desserts, 2 salads, a relish tray, and a potato casserole.
But I really should get away from the desk and phone and writing and screen.
There’s laundry and dishes to put away.
I’m not going outside. Temperature is over 90.
Maybe me, my crochet hook, and a dvd will have a quiet afternoon.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
My Writing Excuses
A long time ago, in this very place I have a blog.
It’s not a very busy blog, because the person who is supposed to write here keeps finding different things to do, and other places to be.
My original plan for today was to Update here. There’s been a request for a photo of the crocheted gold bag, and Husband sent a picture of purple flowers, and my cats are really cute since they are days past the side effects of vaccinations.
However, there is a dinner at church tonight, and I was asked to provide a pot of soup. Whoever decided soup in the middle of Summer is young and enthusiastic.
And with such lovely dark eyes and charming grin being right in front of me, I could not say NO, I won’t do it.
And then, there is the proof of my signature on a Sign-Up List to help with Funeral Dinners. Others on the committee have much more important things to do than ‘my’ plan to write for my blog, so I will be doing the grocery shopping for a meal on Thursday. for an estimate of 75 people.
I’m way out of practice for this kitchen duty,
and so I’m procrastinating at topspeed.
So check back here later. How much later, I cannot say.
My crystal ball is in the care of others.
I may just collapse after all the melons are sliced,
and the dishes dried,
then rest my hands for days and days.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Saturday, July 17, 2010
A Pretty Good Movie: City Island
For the third weekend in a row, I have been to see a movie at the historic Normal Theatre.
Tonight’s flick (and it’s still on for Sunday, too)
is City Island starring Julianna Marguiles, formerly of ER, and lately of the Good Wife on television.
I’m not familiar with any of the other actors, but *1* in a cast of dozens makes her worthwhile.
I would not have known about the movie at all, but a trailer was run before a show awhile back, so I decided to walk on down.
Husband said he was not so much interested, so I got to go it alone. Even sat in a row by myself, and nobody in front nor behind me. Sweet, cuz I tend to giggle a bit louder than a companion is comfortable with.
And during this movie, actually, I heard a few guffaws from down in front. Or a raisinet got stuck?
There’s a dad who has a job as a correctional officer, a missus, a teen boy, a daughter with something to hide, an ex-con, poker night, acting class, a stolen car, handcuffs, muscles. Some cussing, some implied sex, no car crashes.
It doesn’t begin as a comedy. But how many secrets and screaming matches can there be before it all just collapses into a heap of incredulous?
Best of all, there’s a happy ending.
I won’t be buying for the shelf and repeats, but it was a nice way to have Saturday evening.
Then I got to walk home
on some very quiet streets under a half moon.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Monday, July 12, 2010
Some Yarn Projects for the Charity Pile
My fingers have been quite busy with yarns and hooks.
These will probably go to the Meadows Home in the Fall.
I’ve been trying to use up some yarn donations by making tote bags, with mixed results.
A hat is a small project to work on, using my peg looms, making it fine to do while sitting on the porch in the summer. Then the item gets worn during the cold weather of winter.
Then there’s my old stand-by: potholders. Since they are so easy, I should say that many of these were crocheted while I was in different meetings.
There have also been several items given as gifts, so no pictures. Most recently completed and waiting on the table are 2 straight bookmarks to be tucked into sympathy cards.
You need not ever wonder what I’m doing if a blog post is not recent 
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Sunday, July 11, 2010
A couple days of routine
So the weekend is over. I loved every minute of it,
although the cleaning of the litter box would be at the bottom of the list.
Read a book GOSSAMER by Lois Lowry. Cannot recall when and where I bought it. It collected dust and cat hairs while waiting on the shelf at the end of the hall.
I don’t usually get much into fantasy and fairy dust, but this one opened well and kept me with it.
When I finished, I considered which little girl from church might like to read it. Then last evening when I was leaving the theater, I spied a family from the neighborhood. I know from being a TA Sub at the elementary school that the girl loves to read.
I gave her the book today, telling her mom that Lois Lowry is a great author. She said there is a family car trip coming soon, so it will be nice to have a new book to travel with. The book is now out of my clutter, and I told them to do with as they wish.
I suppose I should put up a few pictures of the yarn goodies in my Done Box. I’m building a pile for the craft sale happening in the Fall at the nursing home. The gold-color bag finished today during Fellowship Hour got all kinds of praises. On the hook list this week are 2 bookmarks for sympathy cards, and a pair of potholders for a wedding gift.
Gotta go now. Cat between me and screen. I surmise that the food bowl is empty, and a bedtime snack would be appreciated.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Babies are in a movie
This evening I walked down to the Normal Theater to see the movie BABIES.
Husband had asked if his presence was needed, but I said he could come with, or not, his choice.
He stayed home with the cats. Nice change of pace for them, I’m sure. Except they both went to their food bowls and looked over at ME as soon as I got inside the door.
Anyway, that link and comments has some nice writing.
Of course I’m gonna say I LOVED IT! but then again, I think babies are the most wonderful little creatures on the planet, and I really miss having a job working with them every day. I don’t miss the pinkeye, Strep germs, constant runny noses.
Back to the movie, cuz I keep getting myself tangled up.
There are 4 babies from 4 different places on the earth.
We get to see the young mothers all great with child, and their little bonding scenes a little while after birth.
Through different phases and stages, we watch a year in child growth and development. I’ve seen a few educational videos with about the same lesson to be learned. In fact, I’m sure this movie would fit in nicely on PBS-tv. Sometimes I wonder how someone gets the idea and permissions and film crews to put together a movie like this.
What I appreciated was no narrator telling us what we are looking at. All the information is done by camera angles, and patience to see what expression comes next. When one baby girl gets frustrated with a toy, she has the bestest little tantrum I’ve seen in ages. A different girl looks right at the camera as if to say “Ain’t you gonna step in and make this alright?” After a few seconds, she just gives up and crawls away.
There is a bit of music now and then, cooing and babbles.
A couple of the bigger brothers display outright bullying behavior.
The most ‘famous’ scene from the trailer is a little guy in a tub having his bath, then a goat comes over and takes a drink of bathwater. A little girl in the city goes to the zoo and leans in real close to the glass where the great ape lives.
And there are cats. Very patient cats.
Our house did not get a cat until youngest son was almost in Kindergarten, so I don’t know about interaction with toddlers, but those cats are the most forgiving pets I’ve ever seen.
Just about all the seats in the theater were filled, which I’m glad to know.
And the walk home in twilight was just lovely. Over the years, I’ve walked thousands of times on Normal Avenue, and I’m always in awe of its beauty. It really does earn its place on the list of the National Historical Society.
the movie is on again Sunday evening at the theater
and if it comes to your town, you should go watch BABIES
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
You only thought you were going to read that book
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| From album Cats. Click pic to embiggen. |
She’s doing better, Holly is. We really thought we’d lose her earlier this year. She was SO sick, couldn’t even raise up her head.
Amazing thing about cats, apparently they can recover from diabetes. But it did some damage; the vet says her eyes are not in good shape. In fact overall he said she seems more 17 or 18 than 15, which is her real age.
This is not her first close call either. She had an awful infection in her leg some years back, from another cat that chased her and snagged her in the hind quarters.. I gave her injections every day for - what was it? - 2 or 3 weeks, directly into the site. She was an awfully good kitty; she’d holler but never once tried to scratch or bite me.
Trouble is, the antibiotic was Baytril, which has many side-effects including damage to joints, tendons, and retina. We took that risk, without being able to explain it to her, to save her life.
So I really don’t know how well she can see. Seems to get around all right, but she studies visual problems for a long time before attempting a solution. One thing has not changed: if you are eating something that smells good to her (like buttered toast), she wants to examine it more closely.
- George (This entry cross-posted to Decrepit Old Fool)