Hat Is Finished

Well, I just finished knitting the replacement hat for C. The one that he had accidentally got ruined in his toolbox, so he requested that I make him another. Fortunately, I had plenty of yarn left from knitting the first one, because I don't think I could stand buying the type and color again. Got a picture in the knitting link. You'll see what I mean about the color ...

Quiet New Years' Eve

Well, it's going to be a very quiet, kinda lonely New Years' Eve this year. F just left a little while ago to go work ... he decided that since we don't usually do anything to celebrate, he'd call in to the Union Hall and see if there was anything available for tonight. He'll be at working from 7:00 until probably about 1:00 or so. That means I'm here, with just the dog and cat for company. Not real happy about it, but can't do anything about it. So, since I won't be up at midnight, I'll say "Happy New Year" now ... and beat the rush.

My Christmas Gift Yarn

Well, it's been a couple of days but I was finally able to get a picture of my beautiful hand-spun yarn! I'm posting it here, and also adding it to my "knitting pics" link on the right. Isn't it beautiful? I think it's going to turn into a little knit piggy. Not sure yet, but that's the idea right now ....

Engagement Party

Last night was the engagement party for C & P. Her grandmother has a huge house, and there were about 30 people there. None of F's family made it (we didn't expect them to) and my Dad and J are still in Canada, so it was just F & I and S & R from "our side". Had a great time; P's family all seem very nice. Lots of hors d'oeuvers (ok, I know that isn't spelled correctly) and then a dinner of spaghetti with meat sauce and home-made pizza. They had a beautiful cake made, too. Apparently the bagger at the store put the other groceries on top of the cake so they had to have it redecorated at the last minute, but it turned out very pretty.

We snuck out to the cars for a couple minutes to do our gift exchange with S & R. I received some beautiful hand-spun yarn that I can't wait to knit up. Just have to decide what to knit it into! I was thinking of a scarf (if I can find a good pattern) but maybe I'll make a toy of some kind that I can keep .... I'll post a picture on my Flickr site when I get fresh batteries for the camera ...

Lunch was nice

Ended up being 9 of us - Kim, Colleen, & Belinda, Ed & Carol, Greg, Dan S and Ken. Had a good time talking over "old times" at Boyd. Guess they won't be replacing Kim; her territory is being split between Colleen, Belinda and the sales group in Modesto. Doesn't look like the "Chino" group will be around much longer, but both Colleen and Belinda are going to stay until the end (if it comes).

The Search Continues

Well, I had a job interview on Wednesday, which I think went ok. The company is one of the vendors we used at Boyd - don't know if that will help or hinder. Then, yesterday I interviewed at another office for the AppleOne agency (they can't just transfer the info from one office to another). Had calls from two other agencies yesterday afternoon; they both have a possible opportunity for me in Monrovia. I'm hoping one of these will be "the one". I'm tired of the job hunt.

Going to lunch today with the Boyd ladies. Today is Kim's last day -- she will be taking the month of January as down time and then will try to find something closer to her home. She's been with Boyd 24.5 years. Wonder what they'll do now; will they hire a replacement for her? Her customers will really miss her - she worked hard to make sure they didn't run out of parts.

Finished sock #2 last night; I'm very pleased with how they turned out! I'll post a picture later - don't feel like getting up and getting the camera, and posing the socks, and taking the picture.

A Very Nice Day!

Well, I must say, it was a very nice day. There, I've said it. Twice, in fact! I received a very nice GPS unit and an HD DVD player from F, along with a nice jacket, a pretty blouse and a Survivor China mouse pad. He was extremely happy and surprised by the laptop I gave him. We also received a very nice DVD player/recorder from the kids. F is going to take back the one he gave me and exchange it for something else. C says not to get the HD one yet, because it may end up being phased out for the Blu-Ray disk format. C fixed a very yummy ham dinner (as usual) and the kids left at about 7:00 to go to her dad's for dessert.

Working on my second sock, and discovered something important. When knitting the heel flap, and it says to repeat rows 1 and 2 until a certain point, and then repeat row 1 for one more time, this is a very important step. Otherwise, when you turn the heel, it goes the wrong way (so the heel pocket is outside the sock!) Fortunately I was able to pull out the stitches back to the edge of the heel flap and then re-knit it the proper way. I am now going to stop knitting until tomorrow, because picking up the stitches along the heel of the sock is the hardest part for me and I don't want to mess it up by being too tired to concentrate on it.

Anyway, it was a nice Christmas ... and now all that is left is the clean up.

Merry Christmas!

It's Ba-a-ack!

Dinner is back at my house tomorrow - C realized they don't have the cookware for doing Christmas dinner and it's easier to fix dinner for the four of us here instead of transporting stuff to their place. Wish I knew that a few days ago - I'd've bought him Pyrex and Corning Ware for Christmas! :-) But now, I get to clean. At least a little.

Merry Christmas Eve

Well, it's the day before Christmas and all through the house ... everything is covered by a huge dust mouse! Actually, the house is pretty much a mess. However, I don't have to worry about cleaning it today, because for the first time in over 20 years, we are not having Christmas dinner at home! Through several guest list changes, it has turned out to be just F & I and the Kids for dinner, so C is going to cook at their place. It's going to be really nice to be a guest this year.

My shopping is done, and the gifts are wrapped and under the tree. I really hope everyone likes what they will be receiving. I hate gift-giving. Not that I hate giving the gift, I hate the worry about whether or not the gift will be liked. We exchanged gifts with Duh at breakfast yesterday and she really seemed to like the pedicure socks. Yes, she finally got them. She also seemed to love the "quilted" picture I did for her (it was a kit, and was extremely easy to do).

The news is doing it again - showing people that are doing last-minute shopping. Hopefully the gift recipient(s) aren't watching the news. The lady they just spoke with even mentioned the price she paid for an item she bought her daughter. Sheesh. Talk about ruining the surprise!

CBS Christmas Party

P and I went out to CBS today for the annual Christmas Party. Yes, *I* actually drove all the way out to Burbank and didn't get lost! It wasn't too bad driving; traffic wasn't bad and the rain had stopped so I didn't have to worry about that. Had a really nice time, although I think we were the only family members who showed up. There was a ton of food, and everything was quite yummy. Especially the ham. And the cupcake. And the roast beef sandwich. Hung around with F and C for a while, then decided we'd better leave before traffic got too heavy. Amazingly, the drive home went more easily than the drive out!

P and I then decided to do a little shopping instead of coming straight home. Was able to pick up a gift for J and for R, so that is 2 more off my list. Which makes 3 total. Guess I'd better get busy on the rest of the shopping!

Finale / Reunion

What an evening! Went to the Survivor finale and live reunion taping last night. I know, it isn't live if it's taped. However, WE watched it while it aired live on the East Coast and it was tape-delayed for the West Coast. First was an early dinner at Wood Ranch in the Farmer's Market with S&R, and C&P. Unfortunately, F had to work and couldn't join us. We then went over to CBS for the taping and met up with S's coworker and her husband. Our seats were fantastic; and the show, of course, was a blast! And - to top it all off - Todd was voted the winner, so I win the $$ from S! I'll have to go over the last couple of weeks and make sure I've got the total correct ... don't wanna gyp myself out of a quarter or two!

Next season - one tribe of "regular" contestants, one tribe of "returning" contestants (one of which will be from the China season - hope it is James!!). Starting in February 2008 - Survivor Micronesia -- Fans vs Favorites!

After the show, F took us for a tour of the set which is always neat. We got to sit on the bench that the contestants sat on, and wander around. We each took some of the used incense sticks (with permission, of course) as souvenirs. Saw my cousin (he was the Prop Master for the show) whom I haven't seen since mom's funeral.

C&P went back over to the Market to meet P's grandmother, uncle, and brother for dessert and I was waiting around for F to finish up work. I was invited to go to dessert too, but didn't want to intrude on "family time". Since it looked like it was going to take F longer than he originally thought it would to finish up he called C and arranged to have him come back and get me before going home. He ended up coming over and getting me to go back for dessert since they couldn't get in touch with P's family. P and I split a hot fudge sundae at Dupar's, and C had a brownie sundae (which was huge, and drenched in frosting and hot fudge).

We did meet up with P's family as we were leaving, so we hung around the parking lot for about 20 minutes and talked with them.

All in all --- it was a great day!

Just Realized

that I didn't post the Survivor stuff from last week -- and so forgot that Erik was voted off. That means I don't have my "back-up" person so Todd better not get voted off! I'll write more after the show.


=:-O
Oh, no - I just read an email from Emma and now I know who gets voted off - and it's only 8;10!!!

My Grandpa Brother

Wow - got an email from T last night. Not only are both his older boys expecting new additions to the family, but now his daughter is, too! THREE new grandbabies on the way to join the one he already has! Personally, I think he is getting rather greedy about this whole grandpa business. (hee hee) It should be an interesting summer for Grandpa T!

The Kids

bought their Christmas tree today. It is their first ever "our tree" and, from the picture C sent to my phone, it looks like a very nice one. He says it is 8' tall. They don't have it decorated yet, but I'm sure it'll be beautiful when they finish it. *sigh* Another step away from the parents and home...

It Was Brought To My Attention

that I never posted a picture of the adorable Eeyore that S made for me a couple of years ago. She spun the yarn herself, too. Isn't he just the cutest little guy? He even has a button-on tail.
I'm sorry it took so long to get him on here!


I also didn't mention that We Have Our Tickets for the Survivor Finale!!!
F was able to get them for us again this year, and we can't wait! The only problem with going to the Finale is the fact that the show is over for another couple of months. *sigh* But before I get too sad over the loss of Survivor China, we still have an episode next Thursday and the Finale on the 16th!!!!

New Wedding Site

The Kids have chosen a new site for the wedding. They were worried ab out being able to find a new place, since it is now LESS THAN 5 MONTHS until the Big Day! We were all really happy when we found out that the new place is available on their date. C definitely didn't want to change dates, so this was a very good thing. Went with P today when she paid the deposit, and looked the place over. It is going to be beautiful. Only problem is that C can't bring in his own lighting; he doesn't want to have to pay for something he can do himself. He just doesn't realize that he won't want to have to worry about doing lighting on his wedding day.

Anyway, P is really excited about the new location, and I can't blame her!


I have an interview tomorrow morning with another job agency. I really don't want to have to go to another one, but maybe this will be the agency that finds me the "perfect job". With F's work being slow right now (not as much overtime) it would really be a good thing for me to get working again. Even if it isn't exactly what I want, if I earn more than I'm getting from unemployment it'll be a little stress off F.

Sounds like it's raining pretty hard out there ....

Well, my Todd is still on Survivor, although he got 2 out of 6 votes tonight. The reward challenge was fun - the Survivors were paired up with a family member and had to traverse a maze, blindfolded, and meet up with their partner at the middle. Denise and her husband won, and were able to take 2 other couples with them on a "dinner cruise". She chose Todd and Amanda (which really upset Peih-Gee). Immunity was won by Peih-Gee, who did NOT give up the necklace. Gee, wonder why ... the score is now: S = $7.50 Me = $6.75

Frogged.
My sock has been frogged. I tried to just take out what I needed to take out in order to fix the problem, but it just didn't work out that way. So, the yarn is back "in the pond" and I'm starting over again. *sigh*

Can't Believe I Did That

So, I'm knitting a sock. The pattern is really nice, and a lot easier than the finished project makes it look. I am doing the last pattern repeat before starting on the heel flap. There are 4 rows of "basic" knitting, one row of lace, then one last row of the "basic". I am knitting the last row. So, I finish the stitches on needle 2 and, not paying attention, pull out needle 4. The one holding the lace stitches. And I can't tell by looking at it how to re-insert the needle. I do NOT want to frog my entire sock. I'm hoping I can just take out the last row and the lace row and insert the needle carefully into row four. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

The Boy's Photographs

The Kids drove up to Mt Baldy yesterday, to check out a possibility for a wedding site. While they were up there, it started to snow (first of the season). C was able to get some pictures. He is getting to be quite a photographer! He posted a few more pics on his Flickr site. He has a gorgeous picture of the moon, and some awesome sunset shots. I'm proud of My Boy! (he probably won't be happy if he reads that! Not that he doesn't know I'm proud of him, but mo-om, you don't write it on your blog!!!)


I've added a link to C's photos - with his permission, of course!

Another Survivor Update

Well, I can't believe it but James was voted off. Not that I don't believe he would receive votes, but WHY didn't he use one of the Hidden Immunity Idols???? He left the show with both idols still in his possession. I'll bet Todd is upset - after all, he gave one of the idols to James and told him where to find the second one, and then Todd didn't even get the security of having one returned to him. And now they are out of play. What a waste!

The reward was pretty awesome. Peih-Gee won a visit to the Shaolin Temple, where the martial arts originated. She took Erik and Denise with her. Since James was voted out, S has to choose another person, and she has Chosen Peih-Gee. Fortunately for me, she didn't take my "spare"!

The score is now: S = $6.75 Me = $5.25

Pickpocket Dog!

So, F and I are sitting on the couch, with Buster lying down between us. F doesn't really have a lot of room because Bubs was there first. So, I can hear the dog crunching his teeth against something and ask him what he's chewing on. F checks and the dog has a Tootsie Roll Pop - unwrapped. Hmm, it used to be wrapped and in F's jacket pocket! There is also a Tootsie Roll in front of Bubs ... Needless to say, the candy was taken away from the little thief!

Email Received From Barb

I'm not one to forward "chain letter" emails, but I got this one yesterday and thought the timing was perfect. I've copy/pasted the text:


Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake."
"Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers.
"Yuck" says her daughter.
"How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Mom, those are all yucky!"
To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! "

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful! God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Rest in Peace

The services are over, and we are back home. I was really dreading the thought of going. FIL was not dealing well with things, and BIL2 and BIL4 were very stressed. They even ended up with food poisoning, along with everything else they were dealing with.

We drove down on Thursday and spent most of the day at FIL and MIL's. Surprisingly, FIL was in a relatively good mood. It was great to see BIL1 again (haven't seen him in 4 years or so, since the In-Law's 50th anniversary party). He is dealing with cancerous polyps in his bladder and has to have them removed in January. After the diagnosis,he has quit smoking after 35 years.

It started raining Thursday night (for the first time in about 16 months). Continued to rain all day Friday, until after we got home last night. We decided it was Joe, playing one last joke on us all ... making us stand out in the rain during the interment.

BIL6's family didn't make it out to the service. His MIL was driving out from Long Beach with the kids and BIL2's daughter and were involved in an accident on the freeway. Fortunately, nobody was injured, but the car was totaled. P went out to pick them up and bring them out to Joshua Tree, but her mom decided to go home, and S's daughter also went back home. By the time P got things taken care of and back out to Joshua Tree, she was exhausted and decided to just go back to the motel.

The Church service was really nice. Each of the brothers got up and spoke. Joe's 13-year-old stepdaughter got up and spoke, and read a poem that she had written.BIL3 put together a really nice slideshow of Joe's life. He was able to find pictures from when Joe was just a baby (he even had a copy of the birth announcement that was sent out! My FIL had some hard times during the service, but not as bad as we expected. The "Church Ladies" provided a really nice lunch (sandwiches, pizza, lots of yummy desserts) and then the family went to the cemetery for the interment. The Pastor came too, and said a few words. A lot of us waited until the burial was completed (I didn't want to, but F did).

It was so good to spend time with the family. We don't do it nearly enough. Joe's stepchildren all accepted us as though we had been family forever, and we made sure (I hope) that they knew that, even though Joe is gone, they are still family.

Joe will be missed.