Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Thought for today...

“Don’t Take Anything Personally Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.” 
**NIKKI SIXX**


I think I've admitted to having an utter fascination, bordering on obsession with this man! But, seriously, the guy has been through a lot of shit...and he's come through on the other side a better person, a stronger person, a man with a vision and the balls to make that vision happen. 




Anyway, I thought this quote was pretty damn to the point, and considering some of the stuff going on around me, I thought it was also pretty fitting. 


So, that's my contribution to everyone's mental health for today, via Nikki Sixx. 


Have a great day! happy riding to those of you who are still out there riding! I miss you and hope the winter is short so I can join you soon! 

Possibilities

Good morning!
Just finished my workout. My arms are nice and sore, in the good kind of way! I was told I look like I'm slimming down, yesterday by a girl at work. Thank you very much! She said I look more toned. SWEET! It's working!
I am also considering applying for a different position with in my company. We shall see. I will submit my resume and see how it turns out. I don't suppose it will harm my current status there if I don't get the position and without trying we will never succeed.

I have started a new Afghan. Still using the Homespun yarn (I have a ton of it that I picked up at the garage sale), but found a different pattern. It will be much more airy and pretty than the one I made and posted a week or so ago.

I am sad to say that Fall is upon us and I have done probably less than 100 miles on my bike this year. This absolutely must be remedied in 2012.

Is it horrible that I'm not purchasing school pictures this year? They are so....generic! I want to take the kids to the apple orchard and take my own pics. I have my old as hell Minolta 35 mm camera that does take nice pics. I also have an older digital and my cell phone, all which take at least decent pics. I think I'll do it my way this year and see how it turns out. I also want to get some family pics but will have to set up something with Terri and if she's not available I'll call Mikka Rosen.

Okay, well that's it for now. Back to my parental duties. Time to awaken my little cherubs...okay, gag, that sounded silly...time to wake up the 3 punks for school :o) That's more on target!

Have a great day, everyone!  I am off to prepare for the day!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Happy Birthday To Me!

Well, I turned 37 yesterday. I woke up to several birthday wishes, including hearing from my mother (she's currently living in the Azores).

I did not have to work, so I spent the day the way I wanted! It was a good day! At 7:30 I  went to my friend Geri's house, several of my friends were there, and we ate pizza and drank wine! We laughed and laughed.

After Mallory & I went up to a little bar in town called Joker's. My friend's band, Skinny Lombard, was playing. So, John, the lead singer, called me up front and sang me happy birthday, and made the bar join in! It was a good time! John is such a sweetheart!

Anyway, good times. Tonight I'm heading up to Lord Stanley's to hang out with Mallory and some other friends and try to get free stuff from the Jager girls. :)

Not sure if Mallory got pics last night but if she did I will share :)

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Tomorrow...tomorrow, I love you tomorrow..

Sorry, couldn't help it...I sang that song once for contest. LOL!

So, I have tomorrow off, because my company gives us our birthday as a holiday! Sweet!

I'm looking forward to the day. I will still need to get up at the normal 5 a.m. to do my workout, make coffee then get the kids up for school. However, the rest of the day is mine!  I hear it's going to rain, which sucks, however, I am still considering going out to some of the parks and taking pics. I'm feeling very inspired and creative lately. The poetry is flowing, everything I see I think of how it would look through a lens and my craftiness is in full gear.

I may even bake a bit tomorrow.

In the evening I'm going to Geri's for dinner with some of my friends (I may have mentioned this already).

 Tomorrow I turn 37. I sometimes look back at my life and wonder how I survived my stepfather, my own stupidity, and then begin to wonder how all this time has flown past. It seems that so many of the desires and dreams I had have fallen to the wayside...I guess part of it is that it's time to reevaluate those things, because while I'm not where I thought I'd be I am certainly blessed. I have beautiful children, a beautiful grandson and great friends! To be surrounded by that many positives makes me pause and even feel bad for all the complaining and venting I do sometimes. Some people never feel that kind of love and acceptance. I mean, seriously, how lucky am I to be surrounded by these people who love me despite my flaws, despite my tendency for freaking out about little things, and despite all the bad things that they know I've done in my life...(no I haven't strangled anyone ...yet).

This weekend is for celebrating where I've been and how far I've come and celebrating the love I give and receive. It's for enjoying the little things and planning the big things.

I'm sure I'll have a few pics to share by the end of the weekend.

Have a great day, a great weekend etc.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Fantasy

Sitting here listening to Sixx Sense and am listening to Aldo Nova's 'Fantasy'. That is one of the first songs that Bob ever played to me when we started dating...back in 1989. It brings back some memories that make me smile.

I am excited for Friday. It's my birthday and my friends Geri, Mallory & Mary are having dinner with me! Will be nice to hang out with my friends and enjoy an evening sans children and spouses. :o)~
Saturday night Mallory has decided we have to go to Lord Stanley's they are having the Jager girls and of course will be giving away free shit. LOL! This is what Mallory lives for...free shit!

I finished the afghan I've been working on. It's a very simple afghan, all double crochet with a single crochet border, but it's made with the LionBrand Homespun Ricocco color yarn. I think it's pretty, and it's very warm...Last night as I was finishing it up I had to open a window because it was making my lap so darn warm while I was working on it. HA!
It's 54" x 48 "


Considering making a website to sell my stuff on - I think I mentioned before that I took inventory and I have way too many projects completed that need to be sold and go to good homes :)

Next project - work on more hats for the chemo lab. I think his next appointment is in November...so I still have some time to get a few more dozen made. I also need to make a baby blanket for my nephew, no name chosen yet, who is going to be delivered via C-section on December 16.

Okay, time to head to work. Still hoping I get a nice Nikon camera for my birthday...or a Leica...a girl can wish....right?

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Pics from the Chicago trip...

Here are the pictures from our trip to Chicago. Cassy had to take her boards there. My phone was almost dead by the time we left the art institute so I had to limit my picture taking. Note to self, take backup camera's on trips to the city! 


Sorry I have not posted these before, just got them loaded to the computer from my phone. 

                                          Cody on the train, looking a little spacey early in the am
                       Brendon a little more chipper in the morning, Cody is coming around
                     Caiden was not real sure how he felt about riding the train....he warmed up to it after a while.
                                            Caiden
                                             Brendon checking out the scenery.
                                            Gaven is a little camera shy.
                                          The train ride began loosing it's fun factor after a while.
                                          Jeff....are we there yet?
  Wish my phone hadn't died, many of the places we walked had buildings with such interesting architecture, I'd have enjoyed photographing them, but that will have to be saved for another day, and a good camera.
                                          The fountain in front of the Art Institute
Jeff helping Caiden take in the sites.
                                       
                                            Cody and Brendon in front of the fountain.
                              This is so much more beautiful in person, my phone's camera does not do it justice.
                                                     Another, but different vantage point.
                                            ...looking into the water...
                                           Brendon and Cody in front of the lion...
 Took a couple shots to get them and the lion in the frame without cutting something off, was almost standing in the street to get this picture taken .
                                                                      Buddha...interesting fella.
                                             In the Japanese art area.
                                              same one different angle.
                                 For a while these are just pics of different art work I found interesting.












                                                               The Pieta...




                                          Fountain at Grant Park.
                                           more of the fountain...
                                           Along Navy Pier.
                                              Big boat.
                                           The signage for Navy Pier
                                          Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
                                           Harry Caray's tavern...we didn't stop, just took the pic.
                                          I love the skylines in Chicago...
                                            More skyline...
                                             Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.
                                         Got distracted by the skyline again.
                                          and again.
                                           Cassy & Caiden in line for the merry go round.

                                           He seems to be enjoying his ride.
                                         

                 Cody was scared of the ferris wheel & the swings...so he opted for this ride with all the little kids.
                         He looks like the big kid that got stuck going on the kiddy ride with a younger sibling.
                     Brendon, however, is terrified of heights, so none of the rides on Navy Pier were to his liking.
                                          Gaven on the swings.
                                                Caiden & Cassy on the train ride.