Don't Mess With Karma

Doesn't everyone know that I am done with my Christmas celebration so when I go shopping now it's just for everyday essentials. Traffic is crazy, people are crazy. I just want to walk into a store, get what I want and walk out. Not so easy to do right now. It's is kind of fun however; laughing at all the people trying to get their shopping done. Still, I really don't want to leave the house again until after Christmas. I'll have to train Joe to shop and then I can send him for everything.

I had to go to Walmart (the worst place to go this time of year). I wanted to print out some photos that I had scanned and touched up for Amanda. The photos were from her church for their directory. She could have bought extra pictures from them, but they were ridiculously expensive. So I scanned the picture, cropped it and put a border around it and called it my own. I know, it's wrong and I lied to the photo people when I got the pictures. I'm not good at lying. Well, maybe I am good at lying because they bought my story, but I feel really guilty. I also believe in Karma and a balance in life (yin yang). Their has to be a balance between good and bad or you become unhealthy either physically or mentally. I know I'm only talking about illegally printing a photo, but it doesn't matter it's still bad Karma, and I had to fix it. I couldn't take the pictures back, that's just dumb. So as I'm leaving the parking lot, there is an alleged homeless guy standing on the corner. I say alleged because while he did have a bag and sleeping roll, it could have been a prop and he just uses it to get more sympathy. I didn't care though, if he's not really broke and homeless then he has to worry about his own Karma. I gave him $5. He was very appreciative and wished me a Merry Christmas. I felt good knowing that at least he could eat a little today and as a bonus I balanced out my Karma. All is right with the world.

Merry Christmas

Hello old friend! I've been away too long. It's not that I didn't have anything to say. I had plenty of stories that I would write in my head, but when it came down to putting them on the computer I was too tired and my head was filled with all of the things I needed to get done for our Christmas gathering. I didn't have room in my little brain for everything. Even I have my limits.

Our Christmas party for 2009 is over already. It funny to me all of the planning that goes into an event that doesn't last more than a few hours. Honestly, I bitch and moan (to Joe) about all the work I have to do, and I stress about getting everything done. But when it come right down to it, I wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, I bring most of the stress on myself by creating all kinds of projects. Plus striving to make it perfect is very stressful and in my mind it's never good enough. I know in my head that we would all have a good time if I didn't plan anything and we were just together, but in my heart I have to be "the Mom" and try and make things special and memorable. I want my kids and grand kids to remember the fun times at Nanu and Papa Joe's house. I need to keep in mind however that the most memorable things are the unplanned things. Like.......When Lorrie and Julie did acrobatic Yoga in the library and Harrison got mad because his Mom was laughing and being silly. Or when Santa came and he looked "disheveled" (as Amanda said). His wig was on funny and the hair pretty much covered his face. We couldn't keep his hat on either. Poor Santa! He was an awesome Santa though and the kids loved him. Except for maybe Jaxon and initially Connor was a little taken aback but he warmed up to him. Let see what else???? Oh yeah Sarah and Brad bitching about the annual game and how much work it was. You guys know you love it! Bryan and I having the first fight of Christmas over how to work the TV. Who can forget how Jaxon kept Nanu up half of the night crying over I don't know what and me threatening to take him home and telling him to be quiet because he was going to wake everyone up. Brad and Amanda don't remember because they weren't here! Now that I've had a nap, I forgive him. I have also brought more converts to Ruinite D'oro wine. I'm telling you it's the best! I know there is more I'll have to think about it.

One bad thing was the fact that Brian and Malia weren't her this year. We missed you guys! I'll photoshop you into the Christmas picture later.

I also forgot to give a Christmas toast, so here it is. First I was going to tell everyone to dust off their plates because I had the table set for about a week (oh well, a little dust never hurt anyone). Then I would have said something about how happy I was that everyone was here and how much we missed Brian and Malia. I would have talked about Joe not feeling well and how we were worried about him and how scared we all were when Julie was sick. Then I would have said that we are a strong family and we will stick together no matter what and I couldn't be prouder to call you all my family and I love you all very much. Then I would cry and we would all laugh and drink wine.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

To Be Continued

On hiatus until after December 14th. Toooooooo busy to blog!

Tres Birthdays

Boy am I way behind on posts! I've missed 3 birthdays! 2 brand new births and one old birth (sorry Brad).

Lennon Bernadette McKee was born on November 13th. First child for Lauren and Kenny. There is no doubt in my mind that Lennon is one lucky girl. Kenny will surely possess the fathering skills passed on from Roger and Lauren will see to it that Lennon has everything she needs down to the smallest of detail. I can't wait to meet her! Congrats!

Brad's Birthday was the 14th. First day of shotgun hunting season. He got to hang out with the boys on his birthday. He even got a Doe on his birthday (but we aren't going to talk about that). Happy Belated Birthday Brad! Just because it's late doesn't mean it's any less special!

Peyton Steven McKee was born on November 20th. Second child for Lisa and Walt Stone. Peyton joins big brother Henry. Peyton arrived a little early, but I am pretty sure that that was welcomed. Lisa I am so happy that you found your bliss with Walt and now have 2 beautiful babies! Can't wait for pictures and to meet him in person. Congrats!

Joke From The 40's

I found this old joke in Mom's stuff. Not completely politically correct, but none the less funny.

Love Letters

How beautiful is this!!!!!!!(click on the letters to view them larger.)

Crochet Subculture

The craft show I exhibited at was a success. I made over $200! $200 will buy a lot of yarn. It was fun having everyone ooh and aah over my stuff. Sometimes people's reactions surprise me. Crochet seems so simple to me and they make me feel like some kind of yarn god. I guess it's like anything else, the more you do it the easier it is. People who have never crocheted are amazed. People who do crochet act not impressed and are sometimes even rude. I call them crochet snobs. Crochet snobs are different from crochet Nazis. Nazis want to be important so they share their designs, but they want control over who makes them. Then you have the snobs that think they can do better than everyone else; or even if they can't they try to make it seem so. I used to be a selfish crocheter. Everything I made I wanted to keep. I couldn't bear parting with things or even selling things. I could never charge what the items are worth based on the time involved. No one would buy them. I have pretty much come to terms with my selfishness. Mainly since most of the things I make now are for babies. If I don't sell or give away the baby items, I will have to rent a storage space to keep them. Still, however; if I make something like an adult size sweater, I keep it for myself. Anything that takes a long time stays with me. I could keep a small village warm for the winter with the amount of shawls, ponchos and sweaters I have made that are stuffed in a storage box under my bed.

I like making items for babies because they are soooooo cute and tiny. They generally don't take a long time to make relative to making something for an adult of the same pattern. Also, people tend to keep handmade items that their babies wore as heirlooms or keepsakes. The chance of a next generation wearing one of my crochet creations is likely. I like that idea. I guess that makes me somewhat of a crochet narcissist.

Happy Birthday

I didn't forget to wish Joe a Happy Birthday on the 8th, but I didn't have time to post it. I was too busy catering to his every whim. He got breakfast in bed, a professional massage, three tiered birthday cake, gourmet dinner, and I let him have the big TV all day so he could watch horse racing. He was in birthday heaven. I am such a good wife!

I lied, he only got the last two things. Listening to horse racing all day was a huge sacrifice for me, so yeah; I am a good wife.

Happy Birthday my little love bug!