Eyeing the situation.......

At first I thought Grant had a reaction when he saw this year's Christmas bill.......but it turns out he caught a box with his eyeball while at work.

He was very lucky and the doctor said he should fully recover in about four to six weeks.

That should give him enough time to write a best selling novel about a dysfunctional family and their holiday celebrations, eh?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Giving Thanks is on the agenda today. After all the political strife of the last year, the economy tanking, pension plans disappearing, investments and 401Ks sliding into the black hole as the result of what we are told is a deep "recession" (I think it looks more like political manipulation and criminal acts by insiders.....but I digress) it seems that there is very little to be thankful for. But, giving time to look deeper, I was surprised and comforted for all the things I have to be thankful for after all. I hope you are able to take a moment and give thanks and express appreciation for what you have and perhaps it will give you comfort too.

I am very thankful for.......

....being here to share this holiday with my family. As a cancer survivor, I "GET IT" today is a gift!! Try to live each day as it is your last. (When life is hectic, it is easy to forget this.)

....having a warm meal to share with my family. Even more thankful at being able to prepare a meal for my family. (My mashed potatoes are to die for!)

....having my mother to call this morning and share with her an early morning laugh and getting to look forward to her arrival next week.

Side story: I miss my grumpy gruff father, and I appreciate the strength and humor that he passed down to me and my own daughters. My favorite memory of him, just before he died, I was in Tennessee taking care of him and helping my mother caring for him and cooking for both of them. One night, I baked a big batch of cookies when the house was quiet. He was pretty much bedridden by then so I stayed on California time and stayed up till the wee hours of the morning so my mom could try to sleep. After the cookies had all been baked and the last batch was laid out on the counter to cool, I laid down to try and rest. That day had been particularly rough and I was drained. Just as I was about to be drift off to sleep I heard a noise in the Kitchen. Mouse? I hoped not...something shifting in the cupboards? This isn't California, nope no earthquake. What was it? I got up to investigate. My mom was sleeping soundly. Went in to check in my dad...it was dark in the room so I couldn't really see him but was listening to his breathing. It didn't sound right. Stepped lightly over to the side of the bed for a closer look, and in the shadow of night could see he was awake. I whispered "are you okay?" and he mumbled back "uh huh". But he didn't sound right, his mouth was puffed a little. THEN I FIGURED IT OUT and said to him "HEY!! Did you get into the cookies??!" He couldn't really answer because he had a mouthful of cookies. I then said "I caught you red handed old man, you are sooo busted!" The two of us had the biggest laugh over that!! He had to really struggle to get out of bed and shuffle to the kitchen...but he did just to SNEAK a cookie!!! That memory is one of my favorites, only later did I discover it would be one of the last. I'm very thankful for that moment and memory of my dad.

I am thankful for....

....having a wonderful growing relationship with my niece Allyson, and getting to share my love of knitting with her and daughter, Hannah. OH...and hearing how they are now infecting others with handmade knits of love. (I know she will read this, ;) ) I can't wait to see Heidi's project too!!! Knit on Girls!!

....having a warm dry home to wake up in. (we are currently being pounded with rain and had a tornado warning just a bit earlier....this is unheard of in Southern California!!)

....having a loving husband who makes me laugh, puts up with my yarn, wears the sweaters that I knit him, and who on occasion makes us a fantastic fondue dinner just so that we all can knit and graze on a marathon knit Sunday! (Allyson, Hannah and I finished two projects on one of those days!!) It was fiberly fun!

....having a job, that provides the family with a small amount of security and allows us to do some of the small things we do for fun. (All too often I forget to be grateful for just having a job.)

....having a friendship with my x-husband so that on holidays and special occasions we all can celebrate and share a meal and everyone can get together and share these moments with our two daughters.

....having an extended family in Australia and getting to learn more about another culture. I'd love to share a traditional Thanksgiving Day with all of them one day. I think that they would enjoy this day as I grew up celebrating Thanksgiving.

The more I sit here and think of what I am truly thankful for, the more I have to be thankful of.

I hope that you all can find things in your life to be thankful for.

Sneaking Away.....

Today was the first day that I really was able to go out and do anything after coming down with the flu a little over a week ago. I was off today and Grant had to go to work late so Grant decided that we'd sneak out for lunch.

Normally when I have an off Friday and the girls are at school, Grant and I have a "date" where we either go out for breakfast or lunch....so today was not untypical in that sense, it was just not our normal Friday "date".

The issue is Grant's definition of "SNEAKing" out for our lunch date.

"Sneaking" implies a secret....or to stealthy do something that goes undiscovered by others......doesn't it?

Well, Grant gets so INTO sneaking that he has to PROVE that he is sneaking to those very people that he is sneaking away from, i.e. the girls.

So what does Grant do, every single time we go out to lunch while the girls are at school???



Grant takes pictures with his camera phone of our plates full of food then sends the pictures to the girls on their camera phones while they are at school!! This way, he finds out if they have their phone on when they are not suppose to AND he gets the added satisfaction of letting them know he is up to something while they are studying hard at school. Or whatever it is they do at school these days!!

Now that would be the end of this blog post except that this evening.....Since Grant is working late, and Jillian has a date, Janeva and I are having a "girl's night" watching horror flicks and we decided....rather Janeva decided that I should spring for pizza. So a girl's night complete with pizza, horror flicks and having the run of the house in our pjs! It's one of the BEST ways to spend a Friday night!!

Imagine my surprise when I look over at Janeva as she starts to break out the pizza and I see her holding her camera phone to the pizza.......



Looks like Janeva is giving some "PAYBACK"!

Happy Anniversary for Grant

Another anniversary comes and goes......

About a week ago I came down with the flu. It was nothing more than your typical flu, one what makes you wonder for a few days if you'd live through it....but you almost certainly will. The question is, will your relationships and family still want you when it is all over?

Add to that, the stress of knowing that an anniversary is coming up and while you had in mind what you were going to do and the gift you were going to pick up you had not anticipated a need for a "Backup Plan" in the event that you were flat out with the flu.

The day before the Big Day, it became clear that I was not going to be in any shape to get to the mall and pick up the gift, let alone find a card that was suitable to give to Grant. However, that didn't stop Grant from teasing me and dropping hints that I was going to be thrilled and excited to wake up the next day.....increasing my frustration and irritation over my situation.....why I just couldn't wait to find out what the "anniversary fairy" was leaving me!!

It was then in that heightened irritated flu induced frustration that the following conversation took place:

Grant: "I have to run to the store to ummmm, well....I just need to go to the store."
Me: "Great, go then."
Grant: "Do you want me to get anything for you....I mean......aside from what I'm going to the store for ...do you want something?" [insert a smuggly smirk]
Me: "Nope"
Grant: "Nothing? I can easily pick something up while I'm out".

OKAY....that was it!

ME: "YES!! While you are out could you stop at the Hallmark Store and pick up an Anniversary card..a NICE one, not a lame one....and one that is really sweet that says all the crap you'd want to hear from me! If it is loaded with sweet romantic crap, THAT would be the one to buy so I can give it to you tomorrow! Don't you dare come home without a great card because I don't want to look like an ass not having a card for you on our Anniversary, damnit!"

Grant: [slowly backing away from me, eyes wide.....and after he determines to be a safe distance away......breaks out in an uncontrollable laughing fit!!!]

You know that silly bastard still didn't get me a card to give to him on our anniversary!!!!? I won't let him forget that either!!!

Meanwhile....I was able to capture Jillian with the camera wearing a little cardigan I knitted/crocheted for her.



In keeping with the family tone this week Jillian said "FINE!! You can take my picture, but don't get my face it it!"

I think we could pass as one of those TV families!!

Daytona 500 - The Race Day

Well, as expected, Grant was ready for the race, including his coordinated wardrobe. He wore a NASCAR T-shirt, although it was covered by the Leather NASCAR jacket which he wore INSIDE the house during the race. He had his Pepsi and AMP Energy Drink, the two main sponsors for the team he was rooting for......apparently.

If you think I'm making this stuff up.....I have photographic evidence.......



The most exciting moment came right before the start of the race when I was logged onto my computer and I happened to see on my blog, the list of "Live Traffic" someone in Daytona Beach, Fl had logged onto MY blog....So, I excitedly raced over to where Grant was sitting waiting for the start of the race and said..."you won't believe this, but.." then I noticed the look on Grant's face which was a combo of concern and puzzlement. I asked him what the problem was and he as he was intently looking at the TV coverage of the Pre race activities he said "I haven't seen Earnhart, Jr. yet". To which I excidedly said "I KNOW...I am trying to tell you, HE IS READING MY BLOG!!".

Grant slowly tilted his head up to look at me with that WTH expression on his face and said "WHAT?"

I said, "don't take my word for it...look at my blog!!"

Grant typed on his laptop (which was already on his lap with some NASCAR forum on the screen) and he logged onto my blog and I pointed out this .....which again...I now have photographic evidence for all you, my readers/fans.



Grant exclaimed "OH $#*^!" (in a beautifully thick Australian accent)

I am really flattered that Earnhart, Jr was reading my blog yesterday, but I hope next time he will wait till AFTER the race. Since now Grant is blaming me and my blog for his finishing somewhere around the 9th or 10th place.

Meanwhile, with all the excitement I still managed to put together this flouncy vest for Jillian!!



And this Tunic Vest for ME!