Emma-isms update (+1 Alex-ism)

So, after what wasn't exactly my favorite week (3 meetings and a dentist visit), I got to hang out with my favorite kids yesterday and this morning. So, I have a few Emma-isms to share.

#1-"I just churched my hand!" (No idea what it means but, I figure it's not good)

#2-"I'll hold you down and spit in your face!" (To my brother-in-law after he accidentally got water on her face)

#3-"I'm not a packing monster! I'm just a regular one!" (When Mom was trying to get her to help load the car this morning)

#4-"Maverick is my aunt, too cause he's Bobby's dog and Bobby's my uncle. That makes him my aunt!" (I have no words for that one.)

#5-"Anita wouldn't stop needling in the car and Mem said not to." (Needling=knitting, I swear)

And, finally, an introductory Alex-ism:
When I gasped at a really intense scene in Up, "Your mouth's open. It's okay, you can close it now."

Fiber madness

I swear that's a real thing. Really! I bought more yarn today despite my pledge not to until I finished more of the projects I have going/queued. But, it wasn't my fault. It was pretty. And laceweight. And purple! And 20% off! So, if you add all that up, I think you'll agree that I am wholly blameless in the further development of what appears to be an addiction. I keep thinking that a group of the A.A. variety should be available for those of us with this disease but, really, all we would do is knit at them and, obviously, that would just contribute to the purchase of more yarn. Vicious circle.

Pagan Picnic was awesome again this year. Picked up some good stuff-salt scrub(made by another Anita so I was obligated to buy it), a book by River and Joyce Higginbotham that seems like another good addition to my collection (so far it's providing some food for thought but, more on that another day) and a goddess bracelet that caught my eye and has got me looking at Athena more closely. Never really gave much thought to the Greco-roman pantheon but, in keeping with what has worked in the past, going with what feels right or that I feel an unexplained pull toward, this seems like an interesting turn in my path.

Also got a nice little sunburn from the picnic and a tarot reading by Melissa (the psychic I saw last year and again in Feb.). I still don't know what to say about that; her readings are always so accurate and, this time, she again echoed what I was feeling lately-that things are okay, moving in the right direction. I'm just supposed to keep doing what I've been doing. Sounds about right cause, life has been so great and drama-free lately. I do know that I still have to work on fitting 'me' time in there but, I've been making progress there, too. Lately, I have been thinking about re-organizing my schedule to get at least two non-weekend evenings just for me time/working out. We'll see if I manage that better in the coming weeks.

I finished reading all of Riordan's Olympian series and am really pleased with the series as a whole. Good, witty YA writing that doesn't talk down to the reader or opt for sensationalism/violence/questionable messages but celebrates individuality and creative thinking. A very refreshing change of pace. And, the fifth book was a nice break from Middlemarch which I am determined to finish despite the fact that I still can't believe just how dumb Dorothea Brooke is behaving. (said the pot to the kettle)

I've decided that I am definitely going to have a party around the 18th of July. Still haven't made any firm decisions on the food/drink front. If someone has ideas, please throw them at me cause I could use the suggestions.

Also finished a sleeve for my sweater and started on the back of it this week. Still love it.

I've now watched the entire first season of Pushing Daisies. I want that and the second season when available. So cute and witty and quirky-I love shows like that. In the sea of crap that seems to be tv these days, I can't understand why more people don't flock to a show that's actually both intelligent and fun. Ah well, being part of the minority seems to be my lot in life.

That's it for now. I'm going to try and sleep without aggravating my sunburned neck and back.

Stina's scarf

Okay, so I finally finished it and I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. Stina, this will be in the mail to you very soon! (Chiquita at work took the pics)

I don't know why I moved at the last minute.

Look how pretty! Not the file cabinets...

Super fast week

It seems like the past week has flown by. Work is going well, if a bit dull some days . I'm being taught everything I never wanted to know about radiation and how 'harmless' it actually is, at least in the amounts our department handles. So, that's supposed to eliminate any concerns I have about getting anywhere near the stuff. I can't say I understand everything they're throwing at me, information-wise, but I did pick up some chemistry over the years and at least get some of it. I got my health insurance cards at the end of the week and should be able to get set up with a doctor and a dentist soon which will be a huge relief after all these years of going without.

I finished the front of my sweater and started on the first sleeve. I also am probably going to finish Stina's scarf this week as I'm starting on the last skein for it and I've gotten more yarn to finish that baby blanket for Holly although it's almost certainly going to take a couple more weeks. I'm itching to start something lace-oriented but don't have any ideas, really.

Saturday was great this week, really busy. I worked at the farmers market, had book club and then got to go see Merry Wives of Windsor with Jimmy. I wish I'd had my video camera with me cause the guy who was doing the roaming pre-show comedy basically pounced on him and they rolled around in the grass, cuddling, for a good bit, much to my amusement. I think Shakespeare will never be the same. Gotta love live theater.

Oh, what else... I'm tentatively planning a party for sometime in July. Don't really have a reason, just want to get some people together and watch movies, have pizza, etc. It's going to have to be a 'bring a pillow or something to sit on' party. Probably BYOB, too but, I'll let you all know as it gets closer and I hammer out the details more.

That's it for now-I'm going to go watch Pushing Daisies again and work on my sweater.

The Hunter

Droplets of water flash upward
as your toes land in the almost puddles.
They'll do for the moment.
I watch as you hunt for more,
your blonde hair peeking from the
edges of the sideways-slipping, too-big cap.
You spy another and, tiptoeing over
the asphalt, you patter toward its edges,
tentative until, on its very brim, you pounce.

Manifesto

I am resolved to continue to be the girl
who laughs too loudly; dreams
too big; gives foolishly; reads and
walks and drives too fast; leaps without
looking; pushes chocolate and books and
yarn; dances when drunk; scorns shoes
when she can; cries when happy;
spoils your children; radicalizes;
scandalizes; tilts at windmills.

I will make you cringe. Or laugh.
Or frown. Or scold. Or smile. I
will be quiet at the wrong time,
leaving questions unanswered or
unasked.

I will speak when you least expect it,
insist on my own way and inconvenience you.
I'll get lost and find something I
didn't know was there. I'll stay up
too late and get up too early.
I will offer my heart and take back
the pieces as often as necessary. I
will be angry. Delighted. Morose.

All this and then some. Even that
for which I have yet to invent words.

I come by it honestly. And I seek
no other way. Heart-led, I'll
continue to follow in my own
stumbling, shambling, wonderfilled,
wandering way.