Ok so it's august...

I still can't believe how fast this summer has flown by. I'm literally overwhelmed with all the activities going on the next 2 months. First of all, I have until sometime next month to find a house to live in. I've found one, submitted an offer and now I'm playing the waiting game. I've got a good rate locked in and I'm anxious to get in. I'm also working my but off to save up enough for Sym's birthday party at the end of this month. We've decided that if I pay for her a grand party, I don't have to buy her anything. I love my kid. ;-) She knows I work hard and that to pay for everything by myself isn't easy.
Also going on this month is my grand father's birthday. My sister pam's is next month and she's gonna be 30. I'm trying to figure out what is going to be done about that party thing too.
Also I've got work going on and am about to approach the busy season for me. Both jobs. Pizza, foot ball season approaches and desk job release period.
But that doesn't mean that we don't get a chance to party. OH heck no!! I took sym to Alabama adventure yesterday. She couldn't do the water park so we just hit the coasters and the other spin you around till you throw up rides. ;-) Thank God for Buy one get one free coupons. I wanted to do something a little special for her since she starts 5th grade next week and the last thing we did this summer trip wise was our North Alabama Adventure. ;-) Love my kid. Still can't believe she is about to turn 10!! 10 Y'all!! that's like a decade! That's 10 years!! I can still remember those insignificant moments of the day she was born like they were yesterday. For instance, chowing down on corn dogs on the way to the hospital because I knew they wouldn't let me eat once I got there. The fact that she was born one minute before Days of Our Lives was supposed to come on. Yeah. 11:59 AM. Drugged on epidural and other good meds, I had told the nurses to wake me for Days when instead they said "Do you feel anything? You are having hard contractions!" Oh sorry the drugs are doing a good job. Can I have that doc's number? I'd love to feel like this again. LOL just kidding. From that day/night on, I didn't get a good night sleep until she was 4 years old. I don't think I ever will sleep like I did before I had her. Especially when she hits the teen years. I love my baby girl. She's the silliest person I know.
Our Conversation:
Me: "Come on Sym I want to take a pic of your smile."
Sym: "OK" (Crossed eyes and tongue out and ready)
Me: "Sym Seriously hun. I have way too many pics of your tongue."
Sym: "Ok mom"
(Just as the button was hit, I see a pic of sym smiling as the camera was thinking and saving it came out with her tongue out. Sighs)

Alot in 8 Days.....No smoking, No nose, the Dresden Dolls and snow? What?

Yep! 8 whole days since I've had a cigarette! Go me huh? I'm proud. Thank you so much for the encouraging words ya'll!!! You guys are so special to me!! Thank you!!! I'm not worthy!! **bowing I'm not worthy! <3 ya'll!!!

I'm starting to get a bit of a cough and my nose is trying to run away but Kleenex keeps catching it for me. I just hope my nose doesn't run off to Aruba. They are still looking for that girl there and I really don't want my nose to go missing that long! My sense of smell is getting better and I just don't think I could handle losing it permanently. Not to mention that would really be attractive wouldn't it? Yes, I can see the personal ads now!
"Hi, I'm LesleyD. I'm a recent non-smoker, single mom, and I don't have a nose. Why are you running away? Please come back!!" ;-)
Aren't I the sexiest without a nose? ;-) I really wanted to see how I would look without a nose so through the miracle that is photo editin software and my gusto for non-smokin I bring you.....


Sorry I've been away for a bit ya'll. I hope you noticed my new blog post that blogger decided to post before my letter to Camel Lights. Oh well. If you do the myspace thing why haven't you befriended me already? hmm? Well my myspace friends can see the rest of the pictures here. ;o) If you want to see them and you aren't my friend already, just click here. Ask nicely and I'll make you my friend then check out the pics! Here's a highlight...Me and the Dresden Dolls!! yeah I'm cool now. ;-)



I've been knitting religiously since my last cigarette on Jan 14 at 8:30ish pm. Can't you tell?








I've completed the following:
1. Calorimetry . I knitted it in Caron's Simply Soft from my stash. Yes Cole I STILL have more of the Caron Simply Soft left over too!! Frankly I can't believe it either. ;-) I began knitting it on Day one of No Smokin and finished it by bed time day 2. My beautiful sis Natalie hasn't posted the pic of it yet. It even has some snow in it. Oh yeah I didn't mention that did I? Oops! I'll get to that.. Natalie is knitting it too bless her heart. Ya'll send good knitting wishes her way! She's GoddessKnitz (with a Z) on Ravelry too!! Tell her I sent ya! ;-)

2. Swatch for SOTSii - Not pictured due to unraveling. :-) Knitting it in Knit Picks Shadow on size 4 KP Option needles. Yes I am a knit picker. ;-) YEs it is the yarn I was going to use for SOTS 1. Oh well. I'll get over it later.

3. A black hat for Miss Symi-D Complete with matching Pom-Pom from the glamorous Pom-Pom maker by Clover. (I love my toys!) The yarn, Lion Brand I think, some Soft Acrylic stuff that had a baby on the band(can't remember the exact name and think I may have lost the band). Yeah stash yarn again!! (Do you see a trend?)

4. Wove in All Yarn ends on EVERY washcloth I knit since November (10 total)

We totally interrupt knitting news and take you now to this week's spotlight.... Milk Disappearance = Snow in Birmingham AL? You are kidding right?
Last Friday, the weather guys predicted 1-2 inches of Snow for Saturday and said the temp for Friday night would be around 19. Sym and I stayed at Natalie & Mikey's place on account that I have a heat pump that really doesn't heat my place very well when it is 19 degrees outside.
It's weird how snow makes the milk and bread disappear from every grocery store in Birmingham or is it that if every gallon has disappeared from the shelves it will snow? Hmmm. I actually saw a lady at Publix Friday night with, seriously 6 freakin gallons of milk in her buggy just for the POSSIBLE 1-2 inches!! I could understand 3 gallons but 6? (really I can't understand 3 either). Sym actually pointed the lady out to me too. She grabbed me by the hair and pulled my ear to her and asked, "Momma, why does that lady have 6 gallons of milk in her buggy?" Honestly ya'll, I've asked myself that question every time the weather guys mention snow in my 29 years in Birmingham. I whispered back to Sym "People buy out the milk in the grocery stores when the weather guys say it is going to snow." She gave me a look like I was crazy then I just shook my head and said, "I know doll, people around here go crazy and do things that don't make much sense, when they say it is going to snow."
Since ALL of the milk left the shelves of EVERY grocery store in the ENTIRE Birmingham Metropolitan area, the little guy that turns the snow switch on in the clouds, listened to the groans of people who really needed milk and couldn't find any. He decided that we earned the right to snow in 2008! It snowed in The Magic City Saturday 1/19/08 at around 9:00 AM CST, and didn't stop until about 10:30-11ish in the AM. Accumulation was about 1-2 inches in some areas. The car had about 1 1/2 inches or so. Just enough to make snow balls and throw them at Sym! We did take pics and I will share as soon as Nat uploads them. We didn't get any of the snowball fight though. Sorry.
The snow melted promptly at 1:00 PM CST. Yes, here and gone within 4 hours. Envious? I hope not, you'd miss the snow trust me. Most of ya'll that read my blog get more snow in 10 minutes than we get in 10 years. Really! But if ya'll want to move down here I would welcome you with open arms. Just remember, if you want it to snow in Birmingham, all you have to do is have everyone in town buy out all the milk. We get at least dandruff every time. ;-)


Back to knitting news...
January On the Needles:
1. Secret of the Stole Hint 1 of many - Progress = 10% (I've cast on!)
2. Grey Sock Resurrected!- 80% on sock 1 of 2. Yo! I could get used to this again!! It has been awoken from hibernation!! It is amazing what lack of nicotine can do to a knitter. This is a Ravelry project. I have yet to update the pic. I know I'm horrible at this pic thing huh?
3. Willy Warmer #2 for the hell of it. (Yeah I knit one for the first time back in DEC as a gag gift for a friend's hubby. It was interesting nonetheless and he did get a kick out of it. After all, what's the use in living 50 years if you have a cold willy? He was the first guy that actually asked me to knit one for him. I wish I would have taken a pic of it. Ew! Not him modeling it though. That's just sick! He is my friend's hubby! If she has pics of him modeling I hope she'll keep them to herself. Please God may she not be reading this and try to post a pic!)

Hey look! Lesley only has 3 projects going on right now? What gives?
It is tough takin pics!! That's why! Nah, I'm just trying to keep things simple.
Yep. That's a goal! Not too many going on at once for me anymore! It's time to finish at least one project I've kept putting off, socks mainly.

Speaking of OFF, I'm taking Friday & Monday off. You know why? Because I'm turning 30 on Sunday the 27. That's why. ;-) Advice please!!! I'm not ready to turn 30!!! Make it go away!!!
Nah, I'm actually alot more mellow than I thought I'd be especially since I'm not smoking!! I thought I would have killed someone by now but no, just knitting away on my sock or whatever else I have near by. I find security in carrying sharp sticks though. ;-)
It has occurred to me that there needs to be a list of things to have at all times when you are Quitting cancer sticks. I think I shall add these to the end of my blog. Kind of like how my dear knitting friend Cole includes 3 things she is thankful for that day. I like that too Cole! Keep at it!!!

3 things a Non-Smoker carries with them (and is thankful for!!):
1. A knitting UFO to occupy her time
2. GUM!!!
3. Twizzlers

Love, Good Knitting Vibes and a Good night to all of you!!!
XOXO
Lesley

For Bo The Rebel Knitter

What you doing lady?


I went back home to Bessemer today to help my Mom unload her stuff from her move back home. Yep She's moved back home to AL from NC. I'm glad to have her back. (I"m still going to go visit you Kitty!!!)
It was such a beautiful day and the horses were grazing. My family lives on 100 acres (which I refer to as the Commune) and my Aunt boards horses for other people. So Rebel Knitter if you are reading this, this blog is for you hun!! I know how much you love horses especially painted ones! This blog is picture heavy so if you are on dial up I apologize ahead of time. :-)

First here's me and my Mom (I think I get my fear of the camera from her. She doesn't really like to have her pic taken either. LOL)

Here's the pics I don't think ya'll need captions. Enjoy! Lots of love to ya'll!!!
XOXOXOXO






















I call this one freckles! LOL I don't know his real name.



Here's some more pics of the Commune: I hope ya'll enjoy!

Happy Birthday To Me!!!

Okay so since it is my birthday I decided to give a little insight to my pizza slut bag progress. Isn't that funny? I'm giving ya'll a gift on my birthday! But you have to read my story first! blah ha ha!!

Last night Sym and I went to Cambridge Coffee shop at Patton Creek to see an up and coming artist from my home town. His name is Jeffery Lee Alred. Remember that name, one day he will be famous! He has a wonderful voice and is very talented on the guitar. Sym was swooning over him. LOL She got his autograph and drew him a pic. He got a kick out of it. I could tell she had a little crush on him because she wanted to talk to him during his break. He was outside smoking and she took my jacket and ran outside and stood there and watched him while he talked with his friends. I finished a round on head like a hole hat 2 (<--which I finished!!!) and I went outside next to her. She looked up at me and she said, "Mommy I haven't gotten to talk to him yet." I told her to be patient. He walked up to me and said "Arent' you Natalie's sister?" I said Yeah and that she wished she could be there but she had to work. All the while Sym was wrapped around my left leg almost hiding from him! I said to him "This is my daughter Symone and Symone this is Jeff." She smiled and hid her face bashfully. "She is a musician too!" I said. He turned to her and said "Really? What do you play?" said "The violin" He said "Wow! I love the violin" She said "yeah and I am pretty good at it too!" Then the rest of the night she was at the front table and listened to him play and watched him so intently. I'm soooooo in trouble when she gets older. Good thing I'm remembering the 7 year old crush days. Her little mind works alot like mine did back then and I can see it. LOL I finished at the coffee shop, head like a hole 2 even wove in the ends!!

After the show we went home and I watched An American in Paris, and Love letters to Paris (I am goin Paris this year. I don't have the tickets yet but I will!). Then I went on a wedding themed movies kick, The Wedding Date and Wedding Crashers. Why? My sister Natalie mentioned earlier is getting married at the end of February(the head like a hole hat-2 is for her!) While watching these movies, I knitted on my Pizza Slut bag. It is going to be bigger than I wanted it but Oh well! It is still mine and will be the envy of everyone!!! Side one completed!!


Happy Birthday to Me!!! Tonight I'm off with DH to some unknown to me destination with out a clue as to what I will be doing. Too much fun!!! Let me know what you guys think so far on the Pizza Slut. It is going to be felted too. I'm kind of worried about the words after felting.

XOXOXOX

9 Reasons I Love Bessemer

My friend Jeremy posted a myspace bulletin called 9 reasons I love bessemer (my hometown). I laughed because he is so right about all these places and I just had to share it with my blogger friends!!! Thanks Jeremy for letting me repost this in my blog!!!

9 Reasons I love Bessemer:
9. Stadium Grill, Fourth Avenue across from Jess Lanier's football stadium. Some of the best burgers I've ever had. Good onion rings. On game night the place is packed, as it has been every Friday night during high school football season for about 40 or 50 years I would guess. Cash only.

8. The Tannehill General, Old Tuscaloosa Highway. These folks do a mean fried chicken. The family also ran two restaurants, now closed, that were among the best in Bessemer - Hobo Joe's and the Furance Masters.

7. Jennie's Sandwich Shop, Fourth Avenue. The pizza burger. Yes. This shop is just down the street from the first murder I ever covered, but I started eating there in high school. The hot dogs make those "best of" lists a lot, but I have a hot dog phobia.

6. Bob Sykes BBQ, Superhighway. The BBQ is better than most, but this place is on this list because of its pies. I like the chocolate, but lemon is my fallback.

5. Pike's BBQ, Superhighway. The owner of this place was the victim of the murder near Jennie's. Mr. Pike was shot while working in his laundromat, (he was nearly 78 at the time) and lived another year. No one was ever arrested. His BBQ joint makes some of the best ribs around and has an old timey milkshake machine from Sears that must have been made in the 50s. Don't leave this building without one of these shakes.

4. W.T.'s, Bessemer Superhighway. This is probably the only bar in America that shares a parking lot with the local Alcoholics' Anonymous. They serve lunch for $5. Great wings, chicken fingers, shrimp. Lunch comes with fries and a huge beverage.

3. UAB Medical West cafeteria, Bessemer Superhighway. With the closing of Bevill's due to a courthouse expansion (it's moving to Alabaster), the best meat and three in the Marvel City is at the hospital. Go figure.

2. The Bright Star, 18th Street. Two words. Snapper throats. I know it sounds gross, but they is tasty. I also like the snapper-shrimp au gratin. And you have to get the peanut butter pie. Lot of history too.

1. Muffaleta's, the Superhighway. All-you-can-eat Italian food on styrofoam plates and plastic table clothes. This is the best lasagna I've ever had. There's meatless versions of everything, except the lasagna. In high school, I ate here two or three times a month. They make dessert pizzas, ravioli the size of a fist, and great alfredo sauce. They have good sandwiches, but I usually get the buffet. This is cash only too.