Home sweet home. We got home early yesterday morning...and spent Monday recovering from the hot 24 hour drive back and catching up on the Internet. I had meant to update some while we were in Myrtle Beach the prior week but my laptop refused to connect properly to their WiFi.
Here's the vacation pictures. I got to meet Britany, Craig's fiancee and got to hang with Craig himself before he gets deployed to Iraq. She super sweet, quiet, but I am sure that'll change with time. Grin.
Our first stop was the Lake House of course (it's always our rest stop after our long drive to VA), we just stayed there overnight and then we drove up to D.C. to spend some time with my parents. While the kids and Jamey went to the Smithsonian with my Dad and Craig; Mom and I went on a yarn hunt. (I scored some red lace weight purchased at Woolgatherer's and some sea green fingering weight purchased at Knit Happens). Then we drove down to Waynesboro for a quick visit with Granny and the rest of the family--we combined a family picnic and a birthday celebration so we could see all the family. THEN on Saturday all (all 13 of us) drove down to Myrtle Beach.
Kids jumped into the pool almost as soon as we got to the Condo. We all pretty much spent the week either relaxing poolside or on the beach, or at Put Put or shopping at the Outlet Malls. Craig and Britany joined us on Monday...we all spent the day on the beach building sandcastles (I knitted my sock-remember me no sun). Wednesday Craig and Britany had to go home, but not before joining us in watching The Transformers (the Family had a great time laughing at the geographical irregularities in Eygpt. Pria is a LITTLE more than 2 miles from the Pyramids. Grin) and then we all went to Horst Gasthaus for some really good German food. Yummo!
Both on the drive up and the drive back we arranged to meet with some friends Jamey has made online thru Blockhead Radio. It was awesome meeting Marie and Amy. Speaking of the drive...it was very very hot. Luckily it was so hot the kids just slept, so it was relatively quiet. And aside from a stop for extra coolant, our drive was uneventful and blissfully empty of Murphy's influence.
Edited to Add: I forgot to mention the Kittehs. This was Gina's first year (I think) experiencing the freedom from people for 2 weeks. She didn't like it much. She showed me rather graphically infact (peeeww!). She also meowed at us for the entire day yesterday...where as Kittenhead only took a few minutes to give us his report...Gina went ON AND ON! Dude!!
Amazingly enough hell hasn't frozen over and pigs aren't flying, EVEN THOUGH I was up and out of bed (and not on the computer) before 8 am. Wow, right?
I am guessing it's the excitement of vacation. And, the realisation that we leave tonight and I have not packed a single thing. Oh I have been thinking about it (esp. when it comes to what knitting I am bringing-all of it) and I got one set of luggage out of the garage (one set is still mired in amongst our precious possessions we toss haphazardly into the garage). Mic has been asking us for a week, when we are leaving and wondering why we just can't leave right this minute???
We may or may not have internet access...I am guessing it'll be very very sporadic. I am sure we'll have it in DC at the hotel and at my parents. None in Waynesboro or Bracey (and of course none while we are traveling); maybe some at Myrtle Beach (but then WHY would I be on line when there is BEACHING to be had??? Oh yeah because I am addicted to the internet!). I am bringing the laptop, so I can write and make patterns if a knitting bunny starts chewing on my lobes (I am hoping not because DUDE I NEED A VACATION!!!!!)
Jamey is beyond ready for vacation. Last night he got a phone call from work while we were at the Silver Stars season opener (yay they won!). A few angry minutes later, he leaned over, "I swear if we weren't going on vacation tomorrow; I would be forced to murder somebody." Yay vacation! Saving my sweet husbands arse just for me!!
I am already missing the Kittehs. Kittenhead has been overly affectionate this week. And by over affectionate, I mean he lays near my feet and every so often allows me to briefly rub his head. I enjoy these rare moments. I love Kittenhead to pieces, I just wish he was a cuddler, instead of a stoic, stuck up English Cat. Gina, she's a cuddler, a very American cheerleader...though she's been avoiding me lately. Hmmm...
I'll try to sneak in...maybe post pictures of the trip. Knowing me it'll be random pictures of trees and weird buildings. Hee.
Vacation is nigh!! Woot! Beach and sand and water and family YAY!!
Craig just proposed to his girlfriend, Britany...and she accepted! I am so happy for my little brother. I get to meet Britany when we go see the family next week, first when I see my parents and again when we go to Beach Week with Jamey's parents.
This will be my first year at the beach with my new camera and tripod and I am looking forward to some nice pictures.
My local big box craft store had a sale on jewelry making stuff, so I bought some stuff to make a few things. I was immediately drawn to two things: the tree and the phoenix. I have always love trees and if any animal symbolised me it would be the Phoenix.
I simply strung the pendant on a chain, and poof!
I really like what I was able to find and work with for the Phoenix pendant.
I think the Infinity chain is perfect. What better to symbolise the cycle and life of the Phoenix? It's funny most of my jewelry uses a symbol of eternity. That and trees...
Life has been super plus plus busy. We had my brother and his wife visit; radio shows launching; hosting a crocheted Doctor, and his various sightseeing trips; super house cleaning; and finally, knitting deadlines that because of my chaotic life passed with no finished knitting.
Right now I am sick. Not swine flu, just allergies, but I still feel like monkey poo. I loathe being sick when it's hot...you are already hot and being feverish just adds to the misery and confusion.
We are going on vacation in exactly 13 days. Boyo all of us need the trip. We will be spending 2 or 3 days in Washington, D.C. visiting my family. I am trying to decide what sites we'll see; we've been to the National Zoo and the Smithsonian, but I am sure Micci will want to go to the Smithsonian again. He especially loves the Natural History Museum. I want to go to the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial, but I doubt the kids will enjoy it or "get" it. I might go see it on my own, take my Mom with me while we go yarn shopping. Shrug, not sure. It's all up in the air.
We're only spending a few days in Waynesboro with Jamey's extended family. We are hoping to cram the family time. Then a week at Myrtle Beach with Jamey's immediate family. The kids are dying for a Beach Week, as we missed it last year.
I am going to try to be a better blogger. I've felt like I had nothing to say. Poot.
Since the wildflowers began popping this Spring, I have been taking lot's and lot's of pictures of them. These are mostly from my front or back yard.
I think this is a type of morning glory. I really need to get my hands on a guide book to Texas wildflowers, because I am totally clueless. Enjoy the pretty pictures!
These yellow jackets are beautiful, I hate that I need to destroy this nest.
Wow! Yeah, I still need to blog. Dude, sorry about that. I kinda fell off the edge of the world didn't I? I guess, I really had nothing to say. Still feeling kinda blah. I have been hard at work for some new Birdy's Knits designs...but still feeling a kind of drag. Was the publication of Flit n Float a fluke? All kinds of self doubt and nuttiness creeping all over me. Other than that I have been doing nothing...really just going through the motions.
Do have some news: the awesome Quimby scored 4 tickets to the U2 concert in Dallas in October. Woot!! I had just about given up hope. And through some amount of persuasion and blackmail: Phisto is flying down from Denver to join us. So the old gang will be together again to cause a ruckus. The fourth is Q's friend--whom I met, briefly--in college? I think. I am still hazy. We ALL know how well my mind works.
I have neglected the Daily Booth, horribly. And right now? I am going through a hair detox and so my hair feel and looks like garage sale barbie hair. Yeah, yuck! By I am told that it'll get better as all the crud I have been using for years works it's way out. So right now, NO PICTURES no way no how.
But I have been taking pictures of the wild flowers that have been blossoming in the yard, thanks to the rain we've been getting.
This has got to be my favourite wild flower (besides violets and bluebonnets). The stem is spiky and terrifying, but the blossom is delicate, big and lovely. A fantastic juxtaposition.
This is another favourite. I have NO clue what it is, but I love it. Mainly because it is red and vibrant. Any one of my lovely, smart readers know what wild flower this is?
Hopefully, I will stay on top of things...and not run off again. I have been thinking of a re-design for the blog. Not sure what...and if it's too much of a change would I also need to re-design the ENTIRE site? Folks, casual readers, it's a HUGE website....with many pages, and categories, and rabbit holes.
This post was written under the influence of Ingrid Michaelson.
So, I am blogging!
It is SPRING! Yes, it has been Spring for weeks now, but I am finally feeling it. For me Spring comes on Easter. That is the marker for me. I am up and cleaning and enthused and...whatever.
Easter is always lowkey at our house...easter baskets and the gorging of chocolate. We didn't dye eggs this year because a certain little boy didn't clean his room (with Mic it's all about the currency--what can we hang over his head to get him to do what WE want--which is mainly KEEP YOUR ROOM CLEAN. I don't mean--spotless--I just want to be able to walk into his room with out killing myself.). But "the Easter Bunny) did hide plastic eggs filled with candy all over the living room. Then for dinner I made French Onion Soup. Yum!
And that was it. Nice and chill.
I am itching to do another video blog. I am excited and all set to record. But, I don't have anything to talk about. So that sucks. I need to make a list of random things to vlog about. Shrug.
I am going to watch a special Dr. Who screening of the two past specials (Christmas and Easter) at The Alamo Drafthouse (30 foot David Tennant--woot!) But it's also the same time (roughly) as the SA Tea Party...and I WANT to go to that!! Unfortunately, Jamey's work schedule is a bitch this week. If he was off, then I would go downtown and show my support of responsible government spending, but I have no way of making it downtown. I do however have a ride to the movies. I am trying not to feel guilty.
I love Spring.
While our drought is NOT over, we have been having some nice rain and some nice weather. Rain didn't come soon enough, though, for the blooming of the blue bonnets. There are some patches around town, but not many and they are sparse when found.
I have a LOT of work to do. A few designs percolating thru my brain; cleaning, and child learnin'. Happy Spring!
Separate Blankets While you sleep with your partner under one blanket, there is the inevitable tug of war with the blanket. You may be aware of it; you may not-either way it's an unnecessary conflict. You're in a relationship; you're sharing A LOT and there are somethings you don't NEED to share. It's just easier in the long run not share this one thing. (Now this goes for friendships too...it works)
Be Forthcoming If you have a gripe with your partner: get it off your chest. There's no point in being upset at them if you don't tell them why you are aggravated. It adds unnecessary stress to the relationship. And holding your tongue will just eat at you like a cancer.
Love Them But you don't always have to like your partner. And that is perfectly okay.
Last night I had an impromptu Girls Night Out--boyo did I need it! I was at HEB grocery shopping when my mate, B. called, "I want a real hamburger! Let's go get one!!" Woot! She wrangled our other gal pal, A. and our plans were set. We'd meet in an hour at Bigz, after I got home with groceries and whipped up din din for the family. Coolness.
I NEEDED this Girls Night Out. For some reason this week I've been feeling: bleh and blah. Not sure why (although I am sure some sort of hormone is to blame or it could be that I hadn't had a girls night out in a few weeks--oh and there is the good friend in the hospital and gee, my sister getting married to a loser abuser!! Sigh). But I had NO idea where the restaurant was (now, I was going under the assumption that this burger place was called Bigs and not Bigz--it makes a BIG difference on search engines, let me tell ya)--normally not knowing where I am going makes me leery and crabby. (Control issues me? Never!) But I have a cell phone now, so I figured I'd call if I got totally and completely lost.
I am half way there and Beth calls, "Guess what! It's Tuesday and Bigz closes at 8 on Tuesday!" I look down at my dashboard: 7:56. "But here's the plan! We're going to the Bennigan's near 281!"
Gulp!
"That Bennigan's? The one where I got wasted? Are you sure?!"
"Oh, honey, don't worry. You weren't banned or anything."
Face meet palm. "Okay...sounds good. See ya soon."
Luckily the bartender was a different chick from last time, but of course I got teased mercilessly by B. the entire night. Grin. At least it makes a funny story. Now, Girls Night Out wasn't strictly just the Girls. A. brought her exchange student M (they were at his Rugby practise when B. called). We love M., he's 18 and from Argentina and cute as a button. I stuck to my one Guinness (after all earlier in the day my Mom begged me to have one for her due to the aforementioned Marriage)...it's gonna be another ten years till I get wasted again (it's a thing I go on the "1s"....smirk!).
A. took M. home and B. and I went back to her place to watch Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Once More With Feeling. LOVE LOVE this episode. We talked and watched and she smoked and watched the behind the scenes. And I didn't leave her place till 3 am. Now, I got two text messages to Jamey wondering where I was (making/teasing sure I wasn't drunk--again--or didn't go home with a cute guy), I let him know what was up and that was it. B. also works third shift and was feeling particularly tired and so we were making sure she stayed up and didn't ruin her sleep schedule.
Fast forward to this morning: my poor Man has a headache from hell, which started last night. Now I feel slightly guilty that I was out when he felt so bad. But then again, if he had texted me: "I feel sick, please come home soon" I would have been home lickety split. So the guilt, very slight. Grin. I NEEDED this night out and I feel SO refreshed!!
Oh and lesson: do not go to grocery store hungry! Some how I ended up with 4 bags of candy and one candy bar, which I vaguely remember picking up through out the store. Dude, I love my candy but this is ridiculous. Well, at least it's nearly Easter and I can use that as my excuse. Grin.
This post was written under the influence of Sting's Mercury Falling.
Well, not so tired, but busy knitting and not doing much else. My allergies are finally acting up: which was what was making me so tired...I am also having LOT'S of headaches. Oh joy!!
My sister is getting married next week. No one is really happy and the sense of impending doom, looms... No one trusts her fiance and thinks he's abusive and is not good for Kimmy. But there's not much we can do that won't get us arrested.
I've decided to ignore it, like i do with all problems I can't solve. It's better than giving my self an ulcer or worrying the pounds off. But still as much as I am trying to ignore it: it is still in the background, so I worry without realising it and it puts me off. Sigh.
This month marks my first month of blogging nine years ago. (I blogged else where on free sites, but this has been my home since Feb 2000--blog got set up after I built the website) It's a strange thing. Nine years is a long time. Much of my ups and downs and worries and joys have been well documented here. I have a small circle of friends that read: and my audience grows slightly each year. You've done an admirable job ignoring my many typos and grammatical errors and have suffered through my obsessive love of ellipses, parenthesis and dashes. Thanks y'all! The actual date of first blog is April 23, 2000. So who knows I might do something special. Heck I might decide to do some re-designing round here. I haven't changed anything in many many years. I do believe the original template was different, but not by much and this is only the second look this blog has had.
Yeah, I am not a great fan of change. Too lazy. ;-)
I joined facebook and took a more active interest in myspace recently (actually created a background and added stuff)--I (am assuming because I am aging) am feeling the need to re-connect to the past. Every so often I'll look up someone. See what they are up to... Don't know how long this will last: before I run screaming for my Birdy Hermit life. But as a business owner, I do need to network more. I am all about Get Over It '09! Hee hee. Anywho: I am Birdy Evans on facebook and BirdyKnits on myspace.
This week I have been so tired. And for no reason: I am not doing anything. But I can barely get out of bed. Right now? I am blaming the horny trees and flowers and my allergies.
I wanted to talk about creativity today. But I am just not up to it...so tired.
So tired today!!! I've been draggin' my butt around the house getting work done--so at least I am being productive. I think I finished my photo shoot for my new scarf pattern. (I have a lot of editing work ahead of me--woot....bleh!!) I cleaned the living room, still need to vacuum though.
I played with my new bike (got it last week). Rode a few circles...just to see if I can still ride a bike after all these years (it's been about 10)
It's not red (I can always spray paint it, natch!). And it is one speed--I really don't like multiple speed bikes--they just confuse me. I am loving it! I am looking forward to riding it to see my friend L. (Just like when I was a kid, grin) Tomorrow, we'll probably be teaching Lori to ride her bike.
Written under the influence of Sting.
This post was written under the influence of Ingrid Michaelson.
This post was written under the influence of Sting's Mercury Falling.
