Off to visit the parents in Florida this evening. Can't wait to tell my father about my contact with his nephew with the long-term Italian estrangement between he and his brother. Yes, I decided to disclose this information and I realize I have a haven to go to in Florida in case my mother wants to use a butcher knife on me.
Here today, gone tomorrow - not much of a difference for me anyway. Can't hurt by asking or telling at this stage of life. Don't want to leave out any missing pieces. This is my decade of closure for EVERYONE in my life. :)
I have lots of sock yarn to work with this trip; and the rest of my baby bamboo to finish my Blossom pullover. I updated my Ravelry site with my current projects and near finished projects so I am ready for the time off!
Will post an update on my dinner with the Mambo Italiano when I wipe off the humidity and sweat; from the weather!
02 June 2008
27 May 2008
Trauma from Ransom Conditions
On 5/15/08 I received a ransom notice from the vigilante - Becky. Apparently I am not a good parent and abandoned Basil, my mini guinea finger puppet on 5/10. Apparently I left him at the AFY table with Frances, his play date friend but I completely forgot to pick him up after my first sock knittig class that day! Didn't realize I left him until I returned to the shop on 5/16 - wow no wonder I never had children!!
http://pictures.sprintpcs.com/share.do?invite=2EDrJE7tmUkco5izh7rL&shareName=MMS&messageState=RETRIEVED
When I finally got him home, he was reunited with his sister Ditto.
However when I left the room after the happy reunion (and not looking), I found Basil upside down on the floor off the couch. Vigilantes all around me!
http://pictures.sprintpcs.com/share.do?invite=2EDrJE7tmUkco5izh7rL&shareName=MMS&messageState=RETRIEVED
When I finally got him home, he was reunited with his sister Ditto.
However when I left the room after the happy reunion (and not looking), I found Basil upside down on the floor off the couch. Vigilantes all around me!
05 April 2008
Soft Velvet to Rock Hard
Health update: My allergist says I don't need another round of allergy shots! Hurray. Just need to keep to my Cinderella duties and groom the cats regularly. My allergies are more subdued than we both thought from my bronchitis attack earlier this week. The Nebulizer machine finally arrived at my home and the treatment does help my breathing. If you recall a scene from the movie "Blue Velvet", Dennis Hopper was breathing through a mask in his intense scene; that is what it looks like when taking one of those nebulizer treatments.
Here is what you all missed on our Poppy field visit. My friend Camille drove up from OC the night before so we can meet up with Nancie before we hit the high desert Poppy Reserve. Unfortunately, we missed Sandy and Preita joining us today. Sandy wasn't feeling well still and Preita had a job committment. I can relate to both instances so there will be another poppy run later this month or early in May.
It was very windy so we felt like sails trying to walk through the trails of the reserve. But the beautiful velvety petals of the sprinkled poppies made it worth the trip. There was an interpretive center where we had a momentary shelter from the winds to view artists impressions of the California wildflowers. They had a natural habitat exhibit of the wildlife and a short film of the environment's beauty.
Once we had enough sand and wind blowing through our sinuses, we proceeded to drive back via route 14. I exited Aqua Dulce to visit the Vasquez Rocks park. They film a lot in this park; you may recognize some scenes from the old Star Trek episodes when you drive through the place.
If you look closely, you can see the people at the very top tip of this rock formation that looks like a shipwreck.
These rock formations are absolutely surreal standing upward from the ground!
We could have used a shelter like this in the poppy field.
Here is what you all missed on our Poppy field visit. My friend Camille drove up from OC the night before so we can meet up with Nancie before we hit the high desert Poppy Reserve. Unfortunately, we missed Sandy and Preita joining us today. Sandy wasn't feeling well still and Preita had a job committment. I can relate to both instances so there will be another poppy run later this month or early in May.
It was very windy so we felt like sails trying to walk through the trails of the reserve. But the beautiful velvety petals of the sprinkled poppies made it worth the trip. There was an interpretive center where we had a momentary shelter from the winds to view artists impressions of the California wildflowers. They had a natural habitat exhibit of the wildlife and a short film of the environment's beauty.
Once we had enough sand and wind blowing through our sinuses, we proceeded to drive back via route 14. I exited Aqua Dulce to visit the Vasquez Rocks park. They film a lot in this park; you may recognize some scenes from the old Star Trek episodes when you drive through the place.
If you look closely, you can see the people at the very top tip of this rock formation that looks like a shipwreck.
These rock formations are absolutely surreal standing upward from the ground!
We could have used a shelter like this in the poppy field.
03 April 2008
Reptile Sitings & Succulents
Ok...I forgot to include the 2 lizards from our hike last Sunday. Beautiful red spots on this one
Then there was this handsome one with green spots. I think he was checking me out while taking the photo.
I am always facinated by the wall of succulents. Chalk Live-Forevers growing in this one wall - love the rosette formations.
Then there was this handsome one with green spots. I think he was checking me out while taking the photo.
I am always facinated by the wall of succulents. Chalk Live-Forevers growing in this one wall - love the rosette formations.
Another Walk in the Park
Being on a home vacation has certainly made me conscious of many things:
1. I am allergic to cats, dogs, horses 4+++ to the point of near status asthmaticus in my home yesterday after wiping down and vacuuming everything possible that would have flying cat dander. I will NOT give up my girls! I have to sacrifice my life to Cinderella-hood to keep my environment clean as possible. This includes a weekly grooming of the cat dander and house cleaning :(
Otherwise, I am living with a companion now called the nebulize machine. One step toward a respirator (ventilator) if I am hospitalized for any chest trauma or cardiac surgery. This is a result of my childhood viral pneumonia - my respiratory immunities are shot!
2. Because of resurfaced allergies, I am destined to go for another round of allergy testing and therapy with my allergist who scolded me for getting cats in my house again. The idea of purchasing the 'Grand Feline Hotel' business (cat kennel in Ojai) is out of the question if I have to maintain the environment of 2 cats. Being around up to 40 will kill me.
3. I updated my ravelry account with the photos of finished projects; a bit delinquent in that area. Being bedridden for #1 above has helped me advance on the Charlotte's Web and Clapotis shawls. Not that I am asking for this situation at all.
Before my big asthma event, I hiked with Lisa, Beck and Terry last Sunday capturing cool pictures of nature.
From the book of "Flowering Plants" this blossom is on the Mexcian Elderberry bush. The fruit is a blueberry eaten by Indians. They made a soothing tea from the dry blossoms for fevers and spread it on sprains and itches.
Wild Cucumber: trailing vine from a huge fleshy root with long stalked leaves.The bright green fruit has several 'handsome' seeds inside. California Indians made necklaces out of those seeds.
Hummingbord Sage:
Fuschia-Flowered Gooseberry (couldn't get as close for a good picture)
If anyone knows what flowering plant this is, please let me know while I persuse through the book. I love the bright red coloring!
Coming back from the hike the sunlight was just right filtering through the trees onto the ground ferns.
1. I am allergic to cats, dogs, horses 4+++ to the point of near status asthmaticus in my home yesterday after wiping down and vacuuming everything possible that would have flying cat dander. I will NOT give up my girls! I have to sacrifice my life to Cinderella-hood to keep my environment clean as possible. This includes a weekly grooming of the cat dander and house cleaning :(
Otherwise, I am living with a companion now called the nebulize machine. One step toward a respirator (ventilator) if I am hospitalized for any chest trauma or cardiac surgery. This is a result of my childhood viral pneumonia - my respiratory immunities are shot!
2. Because of resurfaced allergies, I am destined to go for another round of allergy testing and therapy with my allergist who scolded me for getting cats in my house again. The idea of purchasing the 'Grand Feline Hotel' business (cat kennel in Ojai) is out of the question if I have to maintain the environment of 2 cats. Being around up to 40 will kill me.
3. I updated my ravelry account with the photos of finished projects; a bit delinquent in that area. Being bedridden for #1 above has helped me advance on the Charlotte's Web and Clapotis shawls. Not that I am asking for this situation at all.
Before my big asthma event, I hiked with Lisa, Beck and Terry last Sunday capturing cool pictures of nature.
From the book of "Flowering Plants" this blossom is on the Mexcian Elderberry bush. The fruit is a blueberry eaten by Indians. They made a soothing tea from the dry blossoms for fevers and spread it on sprains and itches.
Wild Cucumber: trailing vine from a huge fleshy root with long stalked leaves.The bright green fruit has several 'handsome' seeds inside. California Indians made necklaces out of those seeds.
Hummingbord Sage:
Fuschia-Flowered Gooseberry (couldn't get as close for a good picture)
If anyone knows what flowering plant this is, please let me know while I persuse through the book. I love the bright red coloring!
Coming back from the hike the sunlight was just right filtering through the trees onto the ground ferns.
04 March 2008
Out of Site - Out of Mind
The drudge of being away from home.....
Being away on the road brings me back to the "wish my company will contact me for the Australian gig". Being away from home makes me miss people and I am not sure how I am to communicate with folks via cyberspace, it sucks. I guess being out of site doesn't warrant folks to respond as easily than if I was there.....hmm must have been something I did, said or didn't do or say.
Visiting with my cousin last weekend was nice. Driving back from Chicago to Detroit made me realize that I know I can't keep up with these folks as much as I want to if I don't live there as well. So my nomadic lifestyle is really making me realize how I look forward to retirement. Last week I checked on how my girls are doing in the feline hotel; they are doing better. I would love to work in such a job that has cats around me all day. Yarn store or cat kennel/hotel? What a decision.
Being away on the road brings me back to the "wish my company will contact me for the Australian gig". Being away from home makes me miss people and I am not sure how I am to communicate with folks via cyberspace, it sucks. I guess being out of site doesn't warrant folks to respond as easily than if I was there.....hmm must have been something I did, said or didn't do or say.
Visiting with my cousin last weekend was nice. Driving back from Chicago to Detroit made me realize that I know I can't keep up with these folks as much as I want to if I don't live there as well. So my nomadic lifestyle is really making me realize how I look forward to retirement. Last week I checked on how my girls are doing in the feline hotel; they are doing better. I would love to work in such a job that has cats around me all day. Yarn store or cat kennel/hotel? What a decision.
01 March 2008
Memories of My Youth
I did it to myself today. Since I am imprisoned in Detroit metro this weekend, I planned to drive to Chicago metro to visit my cousin Tom. I missed out the last time I stayed a weekend in the Great Lakes December since this fucking weather took me down for the flu all that weekend. Now I am healthy to take the drive.
On the way I took a detour off I-94 to Sister Lakes, MI. What a time to forget my camera!! Dewey Lake (one of the Sister Lakes) was the lake that my parents had a summer cottage when I was growing up. Every summer that was my home on Huckleberry Lane - Dewey Lake. This is a natural lake where I remember picking out clams, snails and tadpoles. I was a tomboy!! No girly-girl would ever touch those slimy things. I managed to find the patience to fish with my father in that lake and caught crappies (pronounced 'croppies') and wide-mouth sea bass with worms on hooks and fake minnow lures. Many summers I spent there just looking out at the lake at dusk and many mornings I woke up to the glass top of the lake without any ripples yet. We had a ski boat; learned how to water ski there and also lost my innocence there as well. Wow - I miss those times.
The detour was a challenge since it was > 30 years ago when I was last there; couldn't remember all the turns. I had to stop off at a gas station to ask how to get to that lake so I can remember the lot where we lived for the summer. Finally found it! More houses built around the cul-de-sac, and the homes there have second stories. They weren't like that when I was there as a little girl. My have things changed. Even the cottage that we lived in the summer no longer exists. There is a different structure there and the old weeping willow tree in the front yard that had a tire swing is gone. At least the existing house is as small as the cottage we had on that lot. Owners name "Chalpoukpa's" on the sign above the entry of the door. The next door neighbor's structure added a second floor yet the 3-unit rental on the other side was the same; just different painted colors. I was compelled to run through the snow out to the lakefront. The lake is frozen over, I saw a guy out in the middle ice fishing. Otherwise the memories of watching the water day and evening came back even with the snow and frozen lake in front of me - it was bright and sunny out. Then all of a sudden the memory was ruined by a father and son taking out their ATV's onto the lake. So much for the peace and quiet. Driving back out of this area made me realize that the road back when I was young was much longer to walk than I see as an adult. I took another turn down the street where I picked wild rasberries. No more - full of houses - those fuckers!! Sigh! Back to I-94 and into Chicago for my visit. Later!
On the way I took a detour off I-94 to Sister Lakes, MI. What a time to forget my camera!! Dewey Lake (one of the Sister Lakes) was the lake that my parents had a summer cottage when I was growing up. Every summer that was my home on Huckleberry Lane - Dewey Lake. This is a natural lake where I remember picking out clams, snails and tadpoles. I was a tomboy!! No girly-girl would ever touch those slimy things. I managed to find the patience to fish with my father in that lake and caught crappies (pronounced 'croppies') and wide-mouth sea bass with worms on hooks and fake minnow lures. Many summers I spent there just looking out at the lake at dusk and many mornings I woke up to the glass top of the lake without any ripples yet. We had a ski boat; learned how to water ski there and also lost my innocence there as well. Wow - I miss those times.
The detour was a challenge since it was > 30 years ago when I was last there; couldn't remember all the turns. I had to stop off at a gas station to ask how to get to that lake so I can remember the lot where we lived for the summer. Finally found it! More houses built around the cul-de-sac, and the homes there have second stories. They weren't like that when I was there as a little girl. My have things changed. Even the cottage that we lived in the summer no longer exists. There is a different structure there and the old weeping willow tree in the front yard that had a tire swing is gone. At least the existing house is as small as the cottage we had on that lot. Owners name "Chalpoukpa's" on the sign above the entry of the door. The next door neighbor's structure added a second floor yet the 3-unit rental on the other side was the same; just different painted colors. I was compelled to run through the snow out to the lakefront. The lake is frozen over, I saw a guy out in the middle ice fishing. Otherwise the memories of watching the water day and evening came back even with the snow and frozen lake in front of me - it was bright and sunny out. Then all of a sudden the memory was ruined by a father and son taking out their ATV's onto the lake. So much for the peace and quiet. Driving back out of this area made me realize that the road back when I was young was much longer to walk than I see as an adult. I took another turn down the street where I picked wild rasberries. No more - full of houses - those fuckers!! Sigh! Back to I-94 and into Chicago for my visit. Later!
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