Returning to Our Regular Programming

I'm back! Sorry I've been MIA for a couple of weeks. Some of this...some of that...and, well, you know. That's life, right?

Let's see...where were we? Ah yes. Winter was holding us captive.

Winston chilling out in the Rose Garden

Yeah...still is in a way, even though the calendar has rolled over to Spring. Well, Mother Nature did NOT get the memo because we had snow flurries on Tuesday. March Madness is not just for basketball! (Sadly, my Tigers did not make it out of the first weekend of NCAA tournament play again this year. Sigh. And that's all I'm going to say about that.)

Here are some more frozen photos to chill you out: be sure to click on the windmill one (below) to get the full, freezy effect! It was actually spinning when I took the shot!

Brrrr----
Thomas in the Way Back
"Don't think I'll sit in those chairs!"

Icicles on the Windmill

Actually, here at Casa 3917, March is marching on, bringing on the buds regardless of the temps. First came the tiny, ground-hugging crocus...yellow ones, followed by purples and whites. Severe weather is nothing for them...but how they survived being trampled several times daily by the dogs, I'll never know. Impressive.

Winston in the Way Back
surrounded by King Alfred Daffodils

Now, our daffodils are blooming all over the property (as you see in the picture of the Rondel, right), making me smile whenever I look out a window. Some of you may remember when we moved here 5 years ago (can you believe it has been that long? Neither can I!), I was saddened to learn that the previous owners were apparently not daffy fans, since there wasn't a blooming one on the place. Never mind...I've fixed that little problem by planting over 500 bulbs (so far!). And now we are reaping the rewards...everywhere we look! Big, bold, bright yellow King Alfreds...delicate, fragrant Tahitis...frilly Rip van Winkles and Golden Ducats...beautiful white Ice Follies...and many I don't know the names of because they were in those two big mixed bags o' 90 bulbs each. They are all out there...and I bring countless ones inside weekly.

And, let's not forget the almost overpoweringly-fragrant hyacinths...deep purples (my personal faves), light "blues," pinks, white, "reds." You name it...they are apparently defying the catalogs that say: "may not return in Zone 7 or higher without digging and chilling." The Blue Star ones that I bought on sale in January of 2011, way past the time to plant them...and planted them anyway, some at the mailbox, some in the back yard next at Hyacynth Bucket's feet...and next to the yet-to-be-built-shed? Yeah. They keep coming back, making me smile to see them...and making me smirk to know that together, the bulbs and I, we beat the odds. A gardener's delight!

Next up in the Show of Blooms will be the iris, both the delicate-looking Dutch Iris (which come from bulbs) and the more rugged Bearded or "German" iris (that grow from rhizomes). Both varieties are preparing to astound us again this year, for I see the sword-like "leaves" coming up through the ground, most often right next to the daffodils. Since you should leave daffy leaves alone after they finish their bloom cycle and allow them to yellow naturally in order to feed the bulbs for next year's show, I have tried to interplant daffodils, iris, and (the next in the succession) daylilies, in order to hide the unsightly yellowing process.

And, in the middle of all this actual gardening, I've been working on several Master Gardening projects. The volunteer opportunities are endless! My latest was doing some revisions for the Speakers Bureau Totally Tomatoes PowerPoint presentation...then previewing those for the other speakers who were giving the presentation across Guilford County...and then giving the presentation last Sunday at the Greensboro Arboretum. Tomatoes? I know, I know...it's too early to plant them...but not too early to talk about growing them!

So, winter weather or no...gardening has been front-and-center. And you can read more about that topic over on our garden blog, Gardening with the Giants. Click here to go there.

I'm guessing you have figured out by now that I've been off my bike more than on. Yes, folks, I'm still biking to Disneyland...just not as much or as often as I was. I made it to Kentucky...and then weather intervened (3 days without power...and my stationary bike has a vital electronic component in keeping up with my mileage, etc.), followed by garden intervention, both here and out at the Extension's Demo Garden/Rose Garden...and oh yeah...life in general. Some were real reasons creating real time constraints...some were/are just plain excuses.

Well, no more of that silliness. I'm back in the saddle(seat) yet again, and I'll do my next post on my ride tomorrow. I'll also get my Twitter feed up to date this afternoon following my ride...which will hopefully follow my annual visit to the eye doctor, which will be followed by a stop at the grocery shop. And probably a run to the bank...the post office...the cleaners...

See? There it goes again. Life in general...interfering...just like at your house...

Madness...March and Otherwise

OK. It's late March, right? Even if I had no current calendar, I'd know this because NCAA Basketball March Madness has dominated the airwaves. My Memphis Tigers made the field of 68 but were knocked out in Round 3 by Michigan State. Bummer. And I hadn't even had time to share this great poster pic with you...

With some key upsets, my bracket that was surviving on life-support was almost toast after yesterday's games. Ah well...there's always next year...and with just a passing interest in the rest of the tournament (I still have Louisville winning it all, so there is a faint glimmer if they hold on til The Final Four), I find I'm freed up to attend to other things. Such as:

1. Weeding the Rose Garden path on Saturday, while Mr. T worked at cutting the lumber for the 5 raised beds he's constructing in the redesigned Cool Season Garden. He braved the sleet (!) in the A. M., got all the pieces cut, and even constructed the Center Square (pictured). Abbie helped.

2. Speaking at the Greensboro Arboretum yesterday to 17 or so hardy souls who ignored the raw weather conditions to come to our Master Gardener Speakers Bureau Growing the Green Way presentation called "Totally Tomatoes." This is the PowerPoint presentation I've been working on for the past month, and I think I've mentioned in earlier posts. Think it went well...got some positive comments. Of course, it went longer than the planned hour, but we were concerned about that anyway...who can possibly cover everything you need to know about growing tomatoes in 60 minutes or less? Obviously, not I. What to tweak, was the question JA asked me in our debrief? Lordy, Lordy...I couldn't even force myself to think about Tomatoes for another second. I had reached my absolute limit! Especially since it was near freezing...the only tomatoes I wanted to think about were the ones in a lovely, steaming bowl of soup.

3. Taking Abbie for her monthly checkup and second round of puppy vaccines this morning. She's gained four pounds, now up to 12.4 pounds. She did really well, and it all went a little easier with Mr. T driving while I kept a rambunctious ball of energy under control. Here's a photo I took of our little growl upon our return home, lounging on the bean-bag stool...which she has commandeered. She's growing, for sure.

Mr. T was able to play pet parent today, as he is taking vacation days this week. The plan was to get several items checked off our To Do List (which seems to get longer as the year progresses). And to finish our chores soon enough to head to Louisville for Easter Weekend. But plans should always have flexibility built in, right?

When we returned home from the vet this morning, Mr. T went outside to refill the bird feeders and check to see how damp the work area in the garden still was (we'd had over a half-inch of rain Sunday). I was finishing my second cup of coffee before changing into gardening duds. Next thing I know, he's whistling to get my attention. As I looked out the window, it registered that flakes were falling about the same time his words "It's snowing!" hit my ears. Good grief. No gardening today.

Just call us Gumby. Flexibility is our name. And March Madness is our game.

Bell's Palsy Update - Three Months

That's right, dear readers. It has now been 3 months since that Sunday when it seemed the left half of my face slid off my skull. June 24 to September 24...13 long weeks...91 interminable days. And, it ain't over yet.

Oh, I've come a long way, baby, as they say. My eyebrow droop is barely noticeable to others, I can wink my left eye without too much difficulty, and the blink response is almost completely restored...almost. Thankfully, I no longer need to tape my eyelid closed, nor do I have to deal with the waterfall of tears that poured down my cheek. I say "thankfully" because my 'bad eye' (left) is now my 'good eye,' due to the aggressive progression of the cataract in my right eye. But that's another tale for another day.

I no longer suffer the constant jaw pressure/facial pain, nor am I under the spell of the nerve medicine that alleviated the pain, but robbed me of most of my "waking" hours. Now, I only have that pain when I eat something that requires lots of enthusiastic chewing or when I talk for an extended period.

And, I am no longer using a straw to sip my morning coffee, thank goodness, plus my speech is understandable again by almost all. Yes, eating is much less a chore now, although I'm not 'there' yet. The paralysis lingers on my lower lip, making "open wide!" just a goal at this point. Still, with Tori the Speech Therapist's help, I can now manage a decent whistle, I can pronounce P, B, and F without sounding like I have a mouthful of marbles, and I make progress toward my ultimate goal of a full-toothed smile.

So, tell us something we haven't heard. OK, here goes...

I have been reluctant to be among folks I know because I have struggled with this whole speech-smile-eating in public thing. I am OK with my immediate family (well, they HAVE seen/heard me at my very, very worst, right?), and I have handled trips to the doctors, pharmacy, and rehab center...but "they" are medical professionals and have seen far worse I'm sure.

I am now answering the phone (I didn't for the first two months), and I have started initiating and/or returning calls to friends, family, and clients. (Remember, I am a trainer and a career coach, so struggling to speak and be understood has been doubly frustrating for me...not only embarrassing but also income-limiting.)

But, I made a small step forward this weekend that both encouraged and exhausted me. We returned from our Beach Trip in time to make it to the Duke football game on Saturday ...where we have season tickets. Wouldn't you know it? The Blue Devils were playing our own Memphis Tigers! And prior to the game, we were invited to a meet-&-greet with other Tiger fans, sponsored by the Alumni Association. Bit the bullet and RSVPd affirmatively.

So glad we went, even though it was tough and tiring, trying to watch my words and enunciation...as well as monitor my eating and chewing at a table with people I didn't know. But really, that was the whole point: I didn't know them...they didn't know me...and the likelihood we'd see each other again anytime soon was slim and none. "And Slim left town..." Pah-dum-pum!

Check one more milestone off my list.

Of course, by the time we'd settled into our seats for the game, I was limp as the proverbial dishrag from the efforts. Didn't regain my momentum until halftime...which corresponds almost exactly with the time that the Tigers lost theirs. Their record is now 0-4. Oh well, we've only got one way to go from here, right? Up! (Is it basketball season yet?!). And, the Blue Devils are working on a winning football season...for a change. Yea?

Anyway...

It is no secret that I wanted to be over-&-done with this misery that is Bell's by now. It appears that I will be one of those whose duration with the disease is longer than the oft-quoted "three months." Sigh.

Still, I've survived so far...seen much improvement...and continue to believe that 'normal' is just over that next crest there. So close I can almost feel it! Just a few more days...maybe a week or two. Three more months...tops, she said hopefully.

After all, what's 3 months, I ask you? Just a mere 13 weeks. 91 days. Piece o' cake, right?

Piece o' cake.

===================
Documentation photo time

Day 91...

...compared to Day 7

Let The Games Begin!

Go Tigers Go!

Have you done your NCAA Basketball Bracket(s) yet?  I have!  I'll just let you guess who I've picked on my #1 Bracket to be the upset winner.  Hint:  photo (left).  I'm picking from the heart, don't you know?  My Tigers haven't exactly made positive impressions this year, especially whenever they tip-off on TV.  Hopefully, they will continue playing like they have been for the past month or so.  Fingers crossed...toes, too!

Speaking of crossing body parts...

I know many of you have been checking this space to see if I had any good news about my back issues. Let's say I'm cautiously optimistic.  Of course, my natural state is optimism, so that may not sound like a news item...but, I have to admit to a few hours of negativity over the past couple of months.  OK...maybe a day or two.

You see, I have been struggling since January with back pain that "isn't what it was like 'before'".  I've said this all along.  'Before' was when the disc(s) in my lower back actually herniated, pinching various nerves, causing pain to radiate down my left leg, into my foot.  The first time this happened, we were moving from GA to FL in 2002; I ended up having surgery in October...a partial ('hemi-") lamenectomy on the disc/space between L3and L4.  (If you have back problems, you will recognize the technical terminology and the numerical designation of lumbar discs in the spine.  If you don't...well, be happy and move along...:)

That was the beginning of the saga.  After the surgery, I said to anyone who would listen...and that did NOT include the orthopedic surgeon in Orlando...I am still having problems; I can't seem to get back to 'normal.'  He said I just needed to keep doing physical therapy...walk 2 miles a day...lose weight...move on.

Well, I did move on...sort of.  We moved to Missouri in 2003...and I eventually found an answer...sort of.  I connected with the Pain Management Doc in St. Peters who was treating Momma (for back pain, following her lumbar fusion surgery in 2005).  He ordered an MRI, and then we had a better picture of what I was dealing with.  I have apparently inherited my spine directly from Momma, as I also have Spinal Stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal column) and Degenerative Disc Disease [AKA: 'slipped discs,' at L2-L3, L3-L4 (yep...where I had the surgery) and L4-L5...more on that later]...all aggravated by osteoarthritis.

Then, bless him, he prescribed what I have come to call my 'arsenal:'  Celebrex (for the arthritis, in general...marvelous stuff!); pain meds (because I am extremely sensitive to the narcotic effects, he finally found a really mild one for me in Ultram/Tramadol); muscle relaxers (I have tried several...they give me some temporary relief, but I can only tolerate 2-4 days usage); topical pain relief (I use a 12-hour patch called LidoDerm, which is lidocaine); and what I refer to as The Zapper (a TENS unit, or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator, that provides pain relief by using electrical pulses to stimulate the nerves of the lower back). He also advised a series of epidural steroid injections, of which I received 4 over about a year and a half.

Moving on...

Well, I did...again.  This time to North Carolina, as you know.  And, you also know what my time here was like through last year.  I guess I was fortunate not to have too many back attack episodes...until...

January.  When I took that shortcut down the stairs, I thought I'd bruised my tailbone.  Owwww.  Apparently not. I apparently caused an annular tear at L4-L5, which is the final lumbar disc...just above the tailbone. Whatever...it hurt...and it has continued to hurt for weeks beyond when it should have stopped hurting. Enter:  a Neurologist.  He's a nice guy who apparently was absent the day they taught all the other Neurologists their terrible bedside manners.  I hate to generalize, but this one is the ONLY one I've met who actually seems to care...and to want to help.

Blah, blah, blah...more medical stuff.  Anyway, he ordered a new MRI, since the previous one was 5 years old, and that confirmed the annular tear, as well as the state of  the 3 herniated discs. He gave me an injection (he called it a nerve block) to alleviate the pain in my hip (probably due to bursitis, he says), and he recommended another round of epidural spinal injections for the back pain. Enter: the insurance company.

Apparently, the SAME insurance company we had 5 years ago looked at the new MRI of the SAME spine...which itself was now 5 years older...and decided that they would decline coverage for the SAME treatment(s) they had approved 5 years ago. Go figure.  They also did this two days before the procedure was scheduled, so it had to be cancelled.

Oh no they don't!  While I felt discouraged and so lacking in energy to fight, Mr. T was of a different mind, shall we say.  He soon found out how to contest their decision...they said they needed 'more information from the doctor'...which they got...and now I'm rescheduled for the injection on Monday the 19th...just a two-week delay. Way to go, Mr. T!

So, how am I feeling...really?  Better...really!  I've been using my TENS unit ('The Zapper') regularly...and I find I don't need the meds nearly as much. I'm trying to be a good patient by not overdoing it, and I've gotten lots of knitting done (more on that in the next post)...but...

It has been SO beautiful lately...and the Garden Siren is calling.  Spring has arrived, no matter what the calendar says, and in honor of the Season, I have changed my blog's skin...out with that wintry background!.  Well, it's actually more like Summer this week, with record-breaking temps in the 80's.  Yesterday, we were warmer than Phoenix!

Anyway, it's difficult to be an invalid when it is so warm and welcoming outside...and I have to admit to a few hours spent in the garden...well, the broccoli, cabbage, spinach, potatoes, lettuces, onions, carrots, and beets won't wait any longer to get into the ground!  Of course, I also have to admit I paid the price for those hours...by having to spend the next two days recovering.  Ah well...

Maybe the Tournament is coming at the perfect time. That should keep me inside...glued to the new big-screen TV (yowza!), knitting at near-record speed...and allow a few more days of "rest and relaxation," right?

If you believe that, you have obviously never been around me when there is basketball involved.

Oh yeah.  Let the games begin...indeed!

Monday Morning Melody

Raised beds in the Wayback:
Blueberries in front; blackberries beyond

Whew! What a busy...and productive...weekend we had.  Since the weather was mostly sunny and generally warm, we tackled a big project in the Wayback Garden:  building enclosed, raised beds for three new blueberry bushes, along with the ones to come this Fall (photo, left).  We also added raised beds for the blackberry bushes (2 new ones; 3 relocated ones).  The Berry Patch portion of the Wayback Garden is off and growing!


Pots of herbs for Hyacynth:
Parsley, Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, and Mint


While Mr. T was working his wood-working magic with saw and drill, I rooted several dozen forsythia stem cuttings across the back property line.  Then I concocted my own special potting soil, using the wheelbarrow for mixing the soil from last year's pots with sand, peat, fresh potting soil, and compost to give it "new life" for the coming season. 

I then potted up several herbs, including rosemary, thyme, mint, parsley, and lavender.  These new pots decorated the area around Hyacynth's seat (photo, right)...but only for a while.  Most of these guys are Mediterranean in origin, so they prefer the warmer climes. The weather report was for much colder temps today and tomorrow, so we hauled them all back inside the Greenhouse Porch, along with the ferns and the palms and the potted geraniums that we are over-Wintering...they had been enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon on the deck.  Soon, and very soon indeed, we'll hopefully be able to leave everybody outside.



A Goldfinch visits the feeder...
Spring brings back bolder colors



And, we know that Spring is almost here...just around the corner for sure.  This morning, for instance, Mr. Gold Finch (photo, left)...sporting his brighter suit of feathers...arrived on the feeder outside the Morning Room and sang his own Monday Melody.  Isn't he just beautiful?

Of course, we are rejoicing that the Memphis Tigers made it to the NCAA Tournament...if only just barely.  They had to beat UTEP (on their home court, I might add) to win the Conference USA Tournament...and thereby get an automatic bid...and they did it with one whole point to spare.  On free throws, no less.  They play Arizona in Tulsa on Friday at 2:30ish.  Honestly, I had my doubts that they'd make it to the Big Dance this year...oh, they have a boat-load of talent, but not enough discipline or direction, in my own humble opinion.  Still, now that they are dancing, you know I'm cheering:  Go Tigers, Go!!!



I wish everything in my Monday report was good news.  Mom update:  not so good today.  Back pain is waking her up/keeping her up at night, meaning she's getting less restorative sleep.  So, the next day is harder to manage without more pain medication.  Last night was a difficult one, so today is less than stellar, shall we say?  Wish I had better news to share.  Sigh.  I'm guessing it's almost time for us to get a follow-up Xray to determine if there have been changes since she received the original diagnosis.

Still, I noticed that she perked up a tad when I printed out a blank bracket for her to fill out.  You know she loves her sports, and she likes nothing better than to pick the winners...whether it's in horse-racing or the NCAA Tournament.  I can't wait to see how she calls the games on favorites Memphis, Duke, North Carolina, and Tennessee. 

Personal note:  I'm OK with the Blue...but I don't wanna see no Orange in this house.  No way.  No how.

The Garden Shed - Day Three

The wind doth blow, the rain doth fall...

As I write this post, I've got one eye on the weather...for good reason, too.  We have predictions of rain and wind, possibly even a thunderstorm...and we don't need any of those here at Casa 3917.

Remember, when last you read, we'd raised the walls on our Garden Shed, but the dark and the cold chased us indoors before we could complete any further steps of the instruction booklet.  So, it sits roof-less, facing the cruel elements.  And, I sit...fearing one bad blast that will flatten all our hard work.  It's a nail-biter, all right.



Tigers score touchdown, win the first half...but lose the game

 We took a little break this past weekend from construction work to travel to Huntington, WV, to see the Tigers play the Thundering Herd of Marshall University.  Yep, that Marshall.  Plus, it was the 40th anniversary of the plane crash that killed 70+ members of football team, coaches, and supporters returning from the East Carolina football game.  Not the best week to be playing them.

Anyway, as that's near the midway point between HPNC and Louisville, we met Missy M there on Saturday.  The Tigers played their hearts out...well, at least for the first half, leading 10-0 as we few Tiger fans cheered loudly when they left the field for the visitors' locker rooms.  Then, apparently that team left town.  Or else, the real Marshall team showed up.  Whatever...the second half was just sad.  Let's not speak of it anymore.

What I do want to say about the trip is how warm and welcoming the folks in Huntington (where Marshall is located) and Barboursville (where we stayed at the Holiday Inn) were!  We must have been thanked for coming 10-15 times.  We were dressed in Memphis blue, so everyone knew who we were there to support.  Several told us how much they love coming to Memphis, too (since they had no way of knowing that we didn't actually live in Memphis anymore).  NOTE:  No one in Knoxville has ever thanked us for coming to UT and spending our money there...and no one in Louisville thanked us for coming to that game earlier this year...not a single person...well, other than Missy M, who doesn't really count 'cause she's a Tiger fan...:)  We'll definitely make the trek back to the west side of West Virginia whenever we can, even if it does involve $6 in tolls there and $6 in tolls back on the West Virginia Turnpike.  I like going where they are happy to see me, don't you?

OK, back to the Shed.  When we returned home on Sunday evening, it was too late to work on the roof.  More importantly, Mr. T had to return to work (and head off to Norfolk, VA) on Monday...and the reports of bad weather began to surface.  Drat.



Shed ready for the storm: painted interior and floor + tarp

 New plan.  On Monday, I dragged out the painting tools.  I had some "oops" paint that would work perfectly to provide some protection for the interior walls and floor against the rain.  Paint, paint, paint.  Paint some more.  Paint until my hands, arms, and legs were screaming at me. I stopped just long enough to down a sandwich and a tangerine for lunch.  Mr. T was packed and ready to head out of town when the first drops started to fall, and I was still working on the left wall...so, he donned his painter's cap to help me get the places I couldn't reach.  There was a little break in the rainfall, and I was able to roll a coat of some semi-gloss on the floor before the heavy stuff arrived.  The tarp we have is too small to cover the entire building, but it makes a great floor cover.  Hopefully, if the walls are still standing after this storm passes, the paint will have kept most of the moisture at bay.

I'm humming "the sun'll come out tomorrow..."

Start of Something New

I really don't want to jinx anything ("You're not superstitious, are you Leon?"  "No, I'm just a little 'stitious."**), but has anyone else noticed a touch of Spring in the air?  I trimmed some branches off our one forsythia (side yard, under our bedroom window...:) and popped them into a vase of warm water...along with some King Alfred daffodils that had opened this weekend...all for the dining room table.  Of course, about an hour after I did that on Saturday, it started to HAIL (English pea-size).  Ah yes, the joys of Spring:  flowers, rebirth, and changeable weather.  It's always something new at this time of the year.

Last Friday brought another "something new" into my life.  I started my volunteer job with the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), a part of Old Salem in Winston-Salem.  It was raining and dreary outside (as you can see in that photo over there that I captured with my phone), but I fell in love with all the beautiful things...and the lovely people...that were inside.  I received such a warm welcome...I got the Grand Tour by two enthusiastic staff members...and I was shown all the "off-Tour areas," too. 

I love that part, don't you know?  When we lived in the Memphis area, I used to be a docent for the Mallory Neely house in Victorian Village (which is closed now, I'm sad to see), and my favorite part was to explore the off-Tour areas (although it was sometimes spooky).

Anyway, I'm excited about helping with the Textile Seminar that starts this week.  I'll also get to attend all of the workshops and sessions, so it's best of all worlds.  I have a coverlet that was woven by my great, great grandmother, Nancy Elizabeth Dudley Holland, who lived in middle Tennessee in the mid- to late- 1800's, and I'm hoping to get some more information on it from the instructor of the session called:  "From Home Looms and Store Shelves: New Considerations of Southern Backcountry Textiles".

An update on Elmo's eye...

He's doing remarkably well, thank goodness.  He keeps both of his eyes open now, even though he only has sight in the left eye.  That means that the pressure in both of his eyes is under control and not causing him pain just to open the lids.  He continues to "get lost" sometimes, walking behind an open door and bumping his nose on the wall.  He just adjusts his journey...sorta like a Roomba...and retraces his steps!  Still doing the drops daily (different kinds in each eye, three times a day.)  Amazingly, he looks "normal" when you look at him, as you can see in this photo of him enjoying the rest of Gus' breakfast.  One thing's for sure, he hasn't lost his appetite!

Have I told you about my new March Madness committment?  No, this has nothing to do with the NCAA Tournament, starting this week.  I doubt I'll even do a bracket since my own Memphis Tigers didn't make the cut...they'll be heading into the NIT, playing St. John's on Wednesday...sad to say.  Anyway, I joined other About.com knitters in making a commitment to resolving our UFO's this month...and not starting any new projects until April 1st. 

So, how's that going, Patricia?  It's killing me!!!  I've recently unpacked all of the boxes of yarn that we moved from MO (...whoa!...:), so I was keenly aware of just how many projects I had on the needles...and just how many were in the wings.  Seemed like an excellent idea at the time I read about it.  But, now, that I'm holding myself to it?  Painful. 

BTW, "resolving" means to either finish the thing...or frog it.  I've finished knitting N/M/E's Entwined Shawl (still have to weave in the ends), and an I-cord necklace with buttons (I'd done the I-cord/knitting...I just had to sew about 20 buttons on it for decoration).  I'm working diligently on a belt for Missy M (sock yarn on US 1's...going slowly).  I also have a baby blanket that I'd started crocheting a couple years ago that I've been working on.  Actually, I have two of these baby blankets started; but, in the spirit of things, I'm trying to finish one before I pick up the other one again.  I've yet to frog anything, as I'm putting the ripping out off until the last week of the month.

And, where are the pictures of these things, you ask?  Well, it appears I've misplaced my camera...yikes!  I wish I could ring it up like I do my cellphone when I "lose" it temporarily.  No such luck.  Soon as I can put my hands on it, I'll be back in business.  Until then...stay tuned.



**A great line from NCIS...Special Agent LeRoy Jethro Gibbs to Director Leon Vance, followed by his response.**

Is That Really Snow? No...April Fools!

OMG...it looks like it has snowed at Missy M's house! She has 5 or 6 large Bradford Pear trees in her front yard which were in full bloom last weekend when I was there...and when the wind began to blow on Sunday, the white petals began to fly all about, like snow flakes. Gorgeous!

Yes, I'm still traveling back & forth, to & fro, from KY to MO. I'm thoroughly sick of Interstate 64. I've listened to more books-on-CD than you can imagine...almost every one of Agatha Christie's mysteries.

I especially like to listen to Hugh Frasier's voice (he is the actor who played the definitive Capt. Hastings in the definitive David Suchet-versions of Poirot on BBC/PBS/A&E TV). He does all of the characters' voices so well...even the female, even the "foreign" accents! Suchet is also a reader on a few of the CD's, and he can make his voice sound just like an American woman speaking...or a French man...or Russian woman...or...you get my drift. Amazing talents. I guess I'd better get on the St. Charles County Library's website and reserve me another couple of books to listen to on my next 6 hour ride (3 there, 3 back). Sigh.

Still, I do have good news to report on the home front(s). Here in MO (where I am at the moment), we've had the home inspection and the termite inspection...and there are only 4 things that the buyer is requesting. Three are what I would term "minor," with only one in the "major" catagory...meaning we will have to get someone else to complete it. The home inspector found that 2 of the plumbing vents on the roof have "deteriorating" seals, and the buyer wants us to replace them. Of course, this is not something we will attempt to do (go on the roof), regardless of how dyed-in-the-wool-DIYers we might be. (And, of course, the inspector "found" something that we cannot check out ourselves...but I digress.) We've already signed off on the request, so the next step in the sales process is the appraisal...which should happen soon, maybe as early as tomorrow. After that, it's all over except the actual closing on 5/7/09. Banner day!

In NC, where Mr. T is, there is also good news. He is meeting the Realtor there tomorrow to start the "real" house-hunting. By "real," I mean that they will be visiting properties with an eye for purchase (sooner rather than later), instead of what we were doing, which was to visit properties to get a feel for neighborhoods, etc. Ours was a weeding out process; theirs will be a selection process.

Of course, we are all currently grieving the loss of the Memphis men's basketball coach to the University of Kentucky. Coach Calipari really lifted the program from the doldrums 9 years ago and breathed life back into the Tigers. He's a marvelous recruiter and is able to bring top talent on board...at least until they leave for the NBA. Double sigh. Got to get over it and move on. Still, as I said in my Twitter to the Commercial Appeal, Alan Graf (a top FedEx exec and big Tiger booster) put it best: “Now, [UK]'s the same university that (drove away) Tubby (Smith) after a national championship..." I guess we'll just have to see how this decision plays out. Hopefully, before too very long, we (UofM) will have a new coach in place...and renewed enthusiasm for next year's run at the Final Four!

Meanwhile, I have to keep the stress of waiting and anticipating under (some) control. I started a sweater for friends' new grandbaby on Saturday, using some CotSoy yarn in Missy M's stash and her Queensland Collection book with the Juniperus pattern as my guide. I knitted almost constantly through Monday night, stopping only to eat and to drive back to MO (and if I could figure out how to knit and drive...safely...I would do it...:). I finished the sweater on Tuesday and the little hat (a made-up pattern that mimics the Juniperus color changes) on Tuesday night. There's a photo on the right of the two pieces. The other photo (left) is a picture of the pile of "ends" that I had to weave in on all of the color changes (stripes)!

Have I told you how very much I hate to weave in the ends? Well, just in case you missed my previous rant(s), I HATE TO WEAVE IN ENDS! Hate. to. Still I love how the stripey little sweater looks, don't you? Worth it. And, then I put all the little yarn cuttings out for the birds to use in building their nests. Recycling at its best!

My current project is completing a pair of Sockotta socks that I started way back in October (see photo to the right). I had completed the cable patterning for the cuff of Sock #1 before I put this project down to work on Christmas presents. Last night, I was able to turn the heel, finish the instep, and start the toe decreases. Should be able to finish up Sock #1 today and get started on Sock #2 by tomorrow. I'm hoping to get them finished in time for N/M/E's upcoming birthday. I do find that a deadline always makes me knit "on purpose." No stress...

On March 17th, Everyone is Irish!

We're back...! Yes, we had a wonderful week in Ireland, returning last Wednesday...exhausted after the l-o-n-g flight from Dublin to Chicago and then the 5-hour+ drive home to STL...but ever-so-glad that we'd made the trip. I spent most of yesterday and today printing photos and creating our Photo Book on Photoworks.com. If you'd like to see it, follow this link to My Page at: www.photoworks.com/members/Adsit2. BTW, we really like the way that PhotoWorks does the Photo Books...we've had 3 or 4 made there and always liked the results.

The photo of the green beam (above) is from the Guinness Storehouse self-guided tour. Thought it was appropriate for a post on St. Patrick's day. Here's a shot of St. Patrick's Cathedral (right).

Of course, we felt like we had found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow when we returned to NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday...and heard that the Memphis Tigers were the Number 1 seed in the South Region! Go Tigers Go! The games begin on Thursday of this week...so I'd better find a no-brainer project to let me knit through the inevitable tense moments that tournament games bring. How about that Harry Potter Third & Fourth Year scarf I'm knitting for Missy M? It's just knit, knit, knit in the round...the only thing I have to count is number of rounds in each color (19), then change color (gold to burgundy, then vice-versa). Sounds like it might be a perfect project for tournament time!

I worked on a couple of small projects on my trip: the Irish Hiking Scarf (more on that in a later post) and my Sassy Stripes socks. Most of our days were jam-packed with sightseeing, leaving us exhausted in the evenings...with little energy to pick up the pointy stix.

I did finish one of the Sassy Stripes socks, but I can't seem to make it from the heel to the toe on the other. This is the first time I've had a problem getting my hours straight when coming home (flying East to West). I can barely make it to 10:00 p.m. before falling asleep in my chair, knitting needles and project resting in my lap...but I seem to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 3:00 a.m. when getting up with one of the dogs. Reverse jet-lag? Oh well...this, too, shall pass.

On a positive note, we were amazed to find Ireland awash in buttercup-yellow, with daffodils blooming nearly everywhere we went. Coming home to the tiny shoots finally awakening from our own Spring bulbs fills me with hope: Winter will soon be just a memory! Meanwhile, here's a photo of a hillside near Thomastown in County Kilkenny, Ireland.

Introducing...Wilson Potts!

Welcome to the World...Wilson Potts! Yesterday, Thomas and I worked diligently to take all those 31 pots (two 10" clay pots; one 8" clay pot; 16 6" clay pots; and 12 4" clay pots) that have been sitting in the garage all Winter long and to create our very own Clay Pot Person. We read the directions that came with the Bag of Bones...and read them again...and attempted to do what they said...and then re-read the directions...re-did what we'd just done...and finally got it right! We hope to add some interest with bits of clothing...a green plant in the big pot on top ("hair" for his "head")...and some seasonal touches here and there. Meanwhile, Wilson adorns the bench in our back yard. How do you like him?

We saw a similar Pot Person at the bed & breakfast where Jack and Julie were married...almost 8 years ago...and I've wanted one ever since. I searched the internet and located a company in Florida that makes the "bones" that hold all the pots in place: Annie's Bag of Bones. I ordered a couple of bags last year...even bought all those pots...and then set the project aside as I do occasionally. What made me decide to finish it yesterday? Well, let's see...we were working in the yard...it's Spring and time for new things...the bench looked so vacant...who knows? Whatever was the motivation, it worked!

Otherwise, it was a rather sad weekend around here. The University of Memphis Tigers lost their Elite Eight game to Oh-how-I-hate Ohio State. Major bummer. I had to retreat to the yard and throw myself into the work of dividing irises (irii?). Whew! Thank goodness for iris! I worked out my frustrations...set up a temporary spot for the iris and day lilies that we needed to move...and made up 20 pot of iris and day lilies to take to Maredith, to help her get some color into her yard in Kentucky!

We're moving the plants because we are re-working the pond and waterfall we have just off our deck. We're repositioning the waterfall to the opposite side of the pond so that we can incorporate a garden bridge into the design. I've always wanted a bridge, and Thomas says the plans I found shouldn't be too difficult to build. I'll post a picture when we get it finished.

It's a really good week here, especially since Thomas will be in town all week...woo-hoo! He's got a meeting scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, and Friday is the last working day of the month, so he'll be in his home office for close-of-business. I wish every week could be like this!

OK...time to close...laundry calleth!

Welcome to MO, Spring!

Drum roll, please!! I am pleased to announce that we are finally welcoming our first daffodils. I had wanted to post a picture last week, but I couldn’t get out and take one for the SNOW that was falling!!! Of course, today is a fabulous first day of Spring, breezy with highs in the high 70s. >>>>Be sure and scroll ALL THE WAY DOWN the page (below the posts) to see the video I took of a cardinal at the feeder off the deck in the back yard!<<<<< Love it! Well, I love it as long as the tornado sirens are silent!! Thomas is in Minneapolis, where it’s a bit cooler, shall we say? He’s scheduled to fly back in tomorrow, when thunderstorms are forecast…bummer.

We’re still waiting on the results of Thomas’ most recent test to determine the reason he’s anemic. Remember, he had to swallow the PillCam last Tuesday (see my previous Post)? He said it wasn’t so bad swallowing the thing, but he didn’t particularly care for having to wear the “recorder/transmitter” box around for 8 hours. He hopes that this was the last test he will have to take, but I’m still hoping he’ll have to take at least one more. I don’t think anything that a PillCam finds can be an easy thing to fix, do you? He thinks I ought to post the pictures they took of his small intestine on my blog…hmmmmm…we'll see.

How ‘bout those Tigers??? [Click to hear the fight song>>>Go Tigers Go!] We are so excited that Memphis made it to the NCAA Regionals/Sweet Sixteen! They’ll be playing in San Antonio on Thursday, and if they beat Texas A&M, again on Sunday (against the winner of Ohio State vs. Tennessee…uh-oh, who’s Nana/Momma/Edith going to be yelling for if Memphis ends up playing Tennessee????). Sure do wish we could see ‘em in person. Oh well, we have tickets to the Mid-west Regionals, here in STL, to be played on Friday, with the finals on Sunday. Should be some good games, especially since we’ll see the “Cinderella Team” Butler playing last year’s winner, Florida.

Well, I must report that I dropped down considerably on the CNBC's Million Dollar Portofolio Challenge...all the way down to the 85 percentile after the weekend, with a bounce back up to the Top 51% yesterday...ouch! I had taken a chance on Six Flags (SIX) and on Ligand Pharma (LGND), but both let me down. No matter, sold 'em and moved on! It's only money...and not even that, is it? Trading has no cost associated with it...the way you win on a weekly basis is the greatest percentage gain, so "losers" drag you down. I've still got positions in IMOS and BGP, and added CNXT today. I'm learning so much! While the Challenge isn't about investing at all, since it's trading that wins the game, the lessons I've learned on research and fundamentals, and paying attention to Earnings Dates, will help me with my own investing. Plus, I never miss a chance to earn "Bonus Bucks," and that offers me another opportunity to learn...and "earn!" Wish I could do that in real life!!! Anyway, my goal isn't necessarily about winning the game (although I wouldn't sneeze at either a weekly win...$10,000, or the top prize...$1,000,000!); my personal goal is to put Warren Buffet's advice to work:

1. Rule #1: Never lose money.
2. Rule #2: Never forget Rule #1!

March Madness!

"Where has this month gone???" I find myself asking that question more and more often. I had thought I'd get more done this week than I did, but the week zigged when I had planned to zag!

First, Thomas had to return to the hospital for another GI test to determine why he's anemic. This time he had to swallow a camera! Yep, that's right...a camera. It's called PillCam, and it's just fascinating...or as John Denver would have said..."far out!" We don't have the results yet, as his doctor is out of town until Monday. Fingers crossed...toes, too!

On a more pleasant note, the rest of my week was centered around a visit from one of Mom's friends, Rose Liming. She and her daughter, Carol, motored over in Carol's new Murano (neat car!) from the Cincinnati area for a couple of days. Rose and Mom have known each other for many years, dating back to the days when Daddy worked his "second job" at Clopay in Covington. Carol is a skilled and enthusiastic cross-stitcher, and she had already Googled the shop in St. Charles (Stitches, Etc.), so we headed to Main Street for a wonderful day on Thursday. We also "hit" the quilt shop, Patches, where we oohed and ahhed over the amount and variety of fabrics as well as buttons. This photo is in front of the fireplace at Canoe restaurant, where we enjoyed a nice lunch before heading back to the shoppes. I, of course, had to show them the new yarn shop (Knit 'n Caboodle), where I'm already on a first-name basis with the shop owner, Connie! A good time was had by all!!

Thomas surprised us by heading home from Wisconsin last night...he had said he'd be gone until Friday (today). So he's in his office, toiling away. Hopefully, he'll surface to help us cheer on the Tigers in about an hour (11:30 a.m., Central DS Time).

Yep, the University of Memphis made it into the field of 65 teams in the NCAA Basketball Tournament for 2007! We've got our brackets set, so now it's up to them to go all the way...to the Final Four in Atlanta!! Go Tigers Go!!! (Click for the Fight Song!)