Random July Goodness

Wow! It's been a minute since my last post but I'm gonna post anyways. Has anyone seen the new blogger posting view? It's pretty cool. Although I do miss the old layout.
Summer is almost over, at least for me. I have to register the gal for school next week. Then school will be starting mid August. It's hard to believe. It feels like yesterday she was just getting out for summer.
Also have to bring back a little miss to her mom although I wish she'd hang with us for this school year.
There's been a bunch of things going on but I don't know where to begin.
I know! I'll make a list.
1. We went to the lake with my sister Pam and her family. We towed my grandfather's pontoon boat with us. Then on the last day the motor fell off so we have to go back to the lake and get the motor off so we can tow it back across town. But buddy we all had a blast!!! I caught a 4 lb cat fish. ;-) It's hanging in the freezer and we totally need to fry Bertha up and eat her. Yeah I named her Bertha.

2. Johnny's birthday was yesterday. He worked all day came home and we surprised him with a streamered condo, daughter created cake, custom gift cards and a fishing shirt. He was tired from working all day and didn't want us to make a big deal of his birthday so we just made a mini party at home. It was great!! The girls did a pretty good job on the cake too. 
3. Knitting: Still pickin on the mystery hat by Leethal Lee, finished the baby booties. Crocheting: I started another Threads of Love blanket. Painting: I attempted Stary Night and I've yet to finish it.
4. Adventures of Cats v Dog Update: I think they are getting along pretty well now. Darky occasionally will stay back when she sees Katie and then her hairs stand on end and tail fluffs then she realizes that the dog is not paying any attention to her and she just goes on about her business. Izzy is actually sniffing Katie's butt and she lets him. However if any dog comes around katie she immediately starts snapping and barking. go figure
Here's Katie and the Girls

Airports are interesting

Funny thing happened this morning. Johnny and I stopped by Starbucks and after ordering I turned around and saw a vision of lovelyness. A woman was sitting and knitting on Clapotis in Maidens yarn color Lady Godiva! OMG Too wild!! IT was beautiful She was almost finished with it too and had been enjoying the knit bunches. Honestly I've never seen anyone knitting in that starbuck aside from me.

Currently sitting at a little bar/restaurant at the Birmingham Airport. I'm excited about this trip I'm taking to see my sister in Charleston WV. I had booked this flight back in September way before what happened with Dad. I never told him that I was going to see our girl on his birthday weekend. I know for damn sure that he would totally approve. I couldn't imagine celebrating his birthday any other way.
Super excited!! I just wish I would have waited a bit longer before getting her but after seeing the freakin line in security, I'm glad I got here when I did. I don't like stressing before flyin.
I just finished my Yuengling. LOL Yeah I'm drinking before noon. It makes flying better. ;-) I just wish I could have another cig before I go but I don't want to go thru security hell again. I have time but 1-2 ciggs aren't worth it.
Ok so I'll think about posting again in Charlotte. Love to All!!!

Friday couldn't have come sooner.....

"Burning Down the Hut"

What a week! I'm still getting over being sick. I have yet to block Icing only because of my crazy cats. I fear they will annihilate that poor scarf that has taken me a month to knit. I'm not about to let that happen. J is hooking me up with some styrofoam to block it on. I figure I'll get it totally blocked at some point on sunday. (J = my awesome man that's almost too good to be true but all in all I know it is meant to be)

In the mean time I'm knitting on a grey hat for J. I know there's that Curse of knitting for a boyfriend but this time, i think it will be worth the risk. He's awesome and not going anywhere. Which is a first in a long time for Sym and Me. It's a mindless hat just a simple 1in rib of 1x1 then stockingette all the way to the top. Blah boring. I'll knit better later. After the Yo's and the SSK's of my first lace accomplishment, I needed boring and easy instant grat. I'm actually in the decrease for crown stage so I'll probably finish it on the way to our weekend destination. Which I intend to take many pics and post about...well maybe not all of it. ;-)

Friday Fill-ins Yeah it's a the source.

1. Why are you making _a hat?____Because it's faster for me to make than socks.___
2. I want you to take __me away from this town!_Even for a little while.__
3. __Fine________ then it will be on my terms.
4. __Just knit the damn sweater_______ and see what happens.
5. I could use a _weekend full of wine, hot tub and relaxin____.
6. _Just do what you have to do_______ and then __freak out about it later__.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _leaving the Ham hock for a getaway with my man J___, tomorrow my plans include _Wine, exploring, hot tub and relaxation____ and Sunday, I want to _never come home but know I have to get ready for a new week of the everyday actions just to look forward to another weekend of fun_!
Yeah I'm a busy lady. ;-)

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)

My Weekend, yeah I know it is Tuesday

In the wee early morning hours of 6:30 AM on a SATURDAY, my butt was up and getting ready for a nice drive to Huntsville Alabama.
I know you Birmingham folks are saying in your heads right now "Why the hell is Lesley going to Huntsville at 6:30 AM on a SATURDAY?"

The Franklin Habit!! Yep came all the way down her from Chicago to take pix of the lovely Alabama knitters for his 1000 knitter Project. Not only did he take pics but a special pre-release on his book "It Itches!" kicked off! Too freakin cool! For the record this lady is one of 1000, and now owns an autographed copy of It Itches! ;o) Ya'll look for me when the 1000 knitters is published. ;-) Promise? I'll be like knitter number 96?-97?. (no clue which number but it will be toward the end.)

I was the second person in line to get my pic though. yeah cause leaving the house at 7 am on a 2 hour drive gets you there by 9 am instead of 10am when the event begins. Yeah. Can you tell I was excited? No not me.

I got to meet some super groovie folks!! By the way, thank you Meg at Yarn Expressions for hosting the 1000 knitters project and lettin all us knitters overrun your store all day Saturday!!

I met SEVERAL super cool folks from North Alabama. I wish I lived up that way. Just so I could hang out with these amazing folks again. :-(
One of which CraftMonkey Took pictures. Needless to say, awaking so early and still having problems with the brain after 2 hours of driving, I alas forgot to take pics to commemorate the moment. Not even with my camera phone. I suck like that. ;-)

I met a few of the Skanky Knitters Ravelry Group! Those folks Rule!! Also met some of the North Alabama Knitters too. Ya'll Rule! So does Franklin, and Delores! Ah fun Saturday!!

I left at 3. I wish now I could have hung out a little longer but I really needed to head back to the Ham (Birmingham that is). On the way I saw a sign for Ave Maria Grotto so I decided to stop on by and see it since my friend Gary whose website is down otherwise I'd link ya'll to him.

My brain had stopped farting so I was able to think to take some pics with the ol camera phone that works better than my digital cam anyways.
Here are some pics of Ave Maria Grotto. Ya'll enjoy!

I know! I'm a freakin Loser for not posting pics! (or more info!)

Sorry ya'll! I've been so busy gatherin my stuff together and trying to get ready to said trip to see the Shadkitty lady that I haven't been able to get together with my darling lovely sis to get pics. I know I suck!
I have some new items to add but the pic is bad for now.

My famous Gaisha Girl Purses


I only have 2 and I am selling them for $25 each. They are great for going out on the town! They hold a pack of smokes, cell phone, cash and keys. Here is a bad pic of them but I hope it will shed some lite on its glory for you until I can get together with sis.



Sym and I had a great get away to see Crystal Shadkitty in real life!! Check out her blog man!! She wrote up a MUCH better account of the weekend!! Dude she is so cool!!! Our kids had so much fun, WE had so much fun!! We relaxed, had great chats, went to the yarn store, oh yeah and had a grownup girl throw down! lol We had fun! I miss them already! Check out my flickr!!!
(I have more to say about this but I feel the boss breathin down my neck right now!!! eek!!!) **updated to add pictures! working on a better bloggy!!!

Okay I've got to get back to writing BORING 3rd Grade level Documentation. Grrrr!!
I leave ya'll with this thought....
Would you feel safe if these folks were lookin out for ya?


XOXOXO
Lesley