tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259047132024-03-12T22:52:34.640-05:00Odds 'n Ends 'n Things...I really don't know what to make this into, so it's just going to be a repository for my odds and ends and things that I come across on the internet that interests me. As well as pics and stuff dealing with my personal life! Maybe someone out there in the digital universe will enjoy this mess of stuff.Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-73942043272613831352013-01-04T22:34:00.001-06:002013-01-04T22:34:15.116-06:00Run downTo sum up the day: worked, got pissy, continued to work anyway, got off work, came home, had a shot of tequila to cure the pissiness, and went to CoMo. We got an oil change and tire rotation done on the Ford while shopping and picking up a couple of things at bath and body works and sears. I apparently looked somewhat "in style" tonight as I was asked by a teenage girl my opinion on her dress. This was while I was trying on my newest pair of jeans, now bringing my grand total of jeans to three, two that fit well and one pair of "mom jeans". And btw, I'm obviously sick, cause I bought skinny jeans! And I *finally* found a peacoat that *fits*!!! Guess what came home with me also? it's a bright vibrant red...I like red :-) Then out to eat and now sitting in my comfy clothes drinking wine. I'm celebrating a good shopping day :-D<br />
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As per Facebook status for me today... :-)Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-48340632615820737022013-01-03T20:57:00.001-06:002013-01-03T21:01:38.038-06:00Ahhhh, another dayOf sameness, yet differentness :-)<br />
<br />
Of note, today is Tolkein day. Let me share a favorite quote from one of my favorite books of his.<br />
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“Remember what Bilbo used to say: It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”<br />
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Here's hoping I get swept away somewhere fabulous this year...<br />
Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-529138264608461112013-01-02T22:47:00.001-06:002013-01-02T22:47:04.080-06:00Wow...I'm flattered, really...Just speechless, that's all!<br />
<br />
Got employee of the month at work today :-)<br />
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Pretty damn awesome...Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-61886481811548915632013-01-02T06:47:00.001-06:002013-01-02T06:47:22.371-06:00New year...hello 2013And here's hoping the rest of it is better than today...<br />
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Ps: forgot to post this yesterday...oops.Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-16168073529644966052012-12-31T16:48:00.001-06:002012-12-31T16:48:42.937-06:00Look, Ma, it's snowing!That first true snowfall, it is magical...and I'm loving it totally today.<br />
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Have a safe New Years Eve...we'll be staying in snacking and, in my case, drinking some bubbly :-)Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-91638856325839083792012-12-30T15:47:00.001-06:002012-12-30T22:02:46.119-06:00Loving myself moreMaybe it's a strange title, but I don't think so somehow. One of my favorite quotes is:<br />
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"if you don't love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else?" ~RuPaul<br />
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Well, I've certainly loved everybody else long enough that I've forgotten to love myself in the process. What does that mean? Well, it means I finally woke up and I'm going to start taking care of myself again.<br />
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Let me backstory a bit...<br />
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November of 2010, my mother started flaking, right after my hubby lost his his job. It was both a good and bad thing: good was my dh was available to take my gran (my maternal grandmother, the only grandparent i had left) to her doctors appointments, bad because we'd lost a source of income.<br />
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In January of 2011, we found out my mother had been flaking because she'd stolen over a thousand dollars from my gran on her credit card. Guess guilt was kicking her ass and then she was sent to jail and then prison. Yup, my mama's a jailbird. So, my hubby and I somehow got stuck with my gran's care. <br />
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Now, I want to point out that she had two other children here (and two much more capabke kids that lived way out of town) that were capable of taking care of her as well, mostly, but somehow my gran's care was my problem. <br />
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So, my hubby and I took her to appointments, moved her in and out of nursing homes, our home, her home, and hospitals. It was crazy and hectic. But I loved her and she had cared for me when I was little (let's just leave it at my mom wouldn't have won any awards, shall we?), so this was not a hardship to me in that way. <br />
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But I got very distracted with her and forgot about me. And let's not mention what has been, and still is, going on with my marriage. It was a strain. My son, however, is a trooper and it hasn't ruffled his feathers, even when his world was falling apart too, in the form of his grandfather being seriously ill and then finding bladder cancer. That journey began in October of 2011.<br />
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Then my dad died. Unexpectedly. From a massive heart attack. December 19, 2011. We went to Chicago area for his funeral, came home on Christmas eve and got a call at 8 am Christmas day that my gran was back in the hospital. <br />
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And thats when I got lost...very lost.<br />
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A year ago...yes, a whole year. Somehow I forgot me. I'm not sure where I went, but I left the building...<br />
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I put on 10-15 pounds of the 40 I had just lost over the two years previously. I comfort ate sugar the entire time we were at my dads funeral, and I didn't care! And I didn't have time to work it off because my hubby and I spent the next three months intensively caring for my dying gran before she passed away on March 27, 2012. <br />
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And I've spent the time since mourning. More so for my dad whose death was so out of left field it knocked me for a loop and was buried under the need to care for my dying gran. I remember having a conversation with the Lord and Lady (sorry folks, I'm pagan. Deal with it.) begging them to not let my gran die right then, I couldn't handle it yet. To give her the strength to hold on until I could deal. <br />
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And it was granted. I got two and a half months to cope and then I prayed again. I prayed to the Lord and Lady and said I could now handle this. It wasn't fair to her anymore just because I couldn't deal. I could do this and I would do this, because it was her time to go. <br />
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Now maybe that sounds selfish or morbid to say it was her time, but she had told me she was ready when the Lord was ready (she was Christain) for her to come home. I couldn't be selfish about needing time to cope anymore. I'd had two and a half months. It was her time now.<br />
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And two weeks later, she was gone. And I was glad for her. I knew she was where she wanted to be.<br />
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And then wham! <br />
<br />
I finally woke up. It started about a month ago, and I've been slowly and steadily coming out of slumber like a bear out of hibernation. I don't recognize some things anymore, because they're so different! Now I'm just hoping I don't fall back into slumber. It's so much easier there, but so much more worth it here.<br />
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Now maybe that sounds silly, but seriously, deal with all this and see if you don't disappear somewhere deep inside yourself. Then one day, you wake up and realize that your house is a mess, you look and feel like shit, your marriage is strange, and nobody seems able to deal with anything around the house but you.<br />
<br />
Let's just say I'm the lynchpin in this family shall we? And if I don't do it, it doesn't get done. And we'll leave it at that, cause thats a bunch if family dynamics that have only gotten worse in some ways over this sleeping period I've been in.<br />
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So now, I'm going to starting caring for me again, end of story. <br />
<br />
I want a clean house, so I'm going to clean it. <br />
I want beautiful skin, so I'm going to care for it...again. <br />
I want to loose this weight and gain some muscle, so I'm going to watch what I eat and add in some exercises. <br />
I want some other things, but that will require some working with others.<br />
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And I'm not waiting til new years. This isn't a resolution. This is picking up where I dropped off into slumber a year ago. My mourning period is over. <br />
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I will move on and live for me, my son, and my hubby.<br />
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And to get to where I want to, and need to, be, I must first love myself. And it started in earnest today.<br />
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<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtoLHPOQDsROZP1XkHnGAJCbny8o9MS7zePoUCSTmut8fPdotp_y7-f4QoMKfTnt16WrvaabI5NmlDYwE16WS4yzZOSEQUjH9Zu0-X09Wevz5xEkPNa6CJf6utkHUR05V2eK6/s640/blogger-image--231933458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtoLHPOQDsROZP1XkHnGAJCbny8o9MS7zePoUCSTmut8fPdotp_y7-f4QoMKfTnt16WrvaabI5NmlDYwE16WS4yzZOSEQUjH9Zu0-X09Wevz5xEkPNa6CJf6utkHUR05V2eK6/s640/blogger-image--231933458.jpg" /></a></div>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-67611188816898623242012-12-29T12:29:00.001-06:002012-12-30T00:49:18.413-06:00Happy Birthday to my dear husband!Today is my hubby's 37th birthday. And we will be celebrating somehow or another. Well, I know one thing is that we will be enjoying a no bake Nutella cheesecake courtesy of a blogger, whom I can't remember, lol.<br />
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And here's a pic of ours :-)<br />
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<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCweiQHC4IYuUhw4nccZ3BYmIAjerA7r1sDBw4HVxTzOAAhrEfhAopkA_guPwkY7QNXNW2WzNT9VegQgidA85tkWUlZ91yzG_ELjwQmPvEwMRqbBBd168IVtsjk9x4Zko9HeUg/s640/blogger-image--229898727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCweiQHC4IYuUhw4nccZ3BYmIAjerA7r1sDBw4HVxTzOAAhrEfhAopkA_guPwkY7QNXNW2WzNT9VegQgidA85tkWUlZ91yzG_ELjwQmPvEwMRqbBBd168IVtsjk9x4Zko9HeUg/s640/blogger-image--229898727.jpg" /></a></div>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-83847511657116796702012-12-28T19:34:00.001-06:002012-12-28T19:34:16.123-06:00Tid bits from the work day..."I just want you to know that I marked your car, so it's mine now..." o_O <br />
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"You need to be quiet, man"<br />
"No, you need to turn the Beltones down"<br />
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"I like to nuggle...I nuggled with my granpa til I was 25!! No joke!"<br />
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"I don't understand how I printed two copies of all these [department of mysteries] papers. I just know I printed one...maybe the printers messed up?"<br />
"Maybe your brain shut down"<br />
"It can do that?"<br />
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Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-34821398018992936282012-12-27T19:41:00.001-06:002012-12-27T19:52:55.394-06:00Virtual Calendar Journal for 2013? Maybe...I now have time for this, I hope anyway! Lots has happened since January 2011, such as taking over the care of my gran, finishing my second degree, getting my certification, my dad passing away, my gran passing away, and my boss of 8 years leaving.<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTBkiqhiuXV_E0wJmnOCBbKbe6t0owua-39ar5QVO75TJ61Uc_XAMgArsve0dM8jxysLKod4CDEQKyQ-bQ8KSwwYSidyPDxiGkcJdqYcIpsobzSOMQTqOyMTTzPf0S-BWbAGY/s640/blogger-image--1610731768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTBkiqhiuXV_E0wJmnOCBbKbe6t0owua-39ar5QVO75TJ61Uc_XAMgArsve0dM8jxysLKod4CDEQKyQ-bQ8KSwwYSidyPDxiGkcJdqYcIpsobzSOMQTqOyMTTzPf0S-BWbAGY/s640/blogger-image--1610731768.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Pic is my hubby of 10 years, my then 13 year old son, my dad at 53, and me. It was taken two months before he died of a massive heart attack on December 19th, 2011.<br />
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Life now seems to be somewhat normal now, just chasing around after my son, who is now 15, a freshman in high school, and a soccer playing fool!<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVv68A26hMrpwKGVAIIVmfos90JTEoMtnOB-XvbakR4cJcP260mUg51N6gIk_2wudtf9bTgJgN9ZAh1HMEq_PUAF5y8MnbmXYhEDGRq1pCOSJXyZA47LFYqeSV05m-tp8scsoP/s640/blogger-image-2032094229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVv68A26hMrpwKGVAIIVmfos90JTEoMtnOB-XvbakR4cJcP260mUg51N6gIk_2wudtf9bTgJgN9ZAh1HMEq_PUAF5y8MnbmXYhEDGRq1pCOSJXyZA47LFYqeSV05m-tp8scsoP/s640/blogger-image-2032094229.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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My son is the one in the white uniform. He's grown so much since the pic a year before. He's now a bit over 6 feet tall! *sigh*<br />
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My goal is at least one or two sentences a day about what happened during the day. We'll see what happens, shall we?<br />
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And yes, I still knit... <br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXaB6di-HCgHjXECwgYbGo8ZGk5O5pQcFc1JKHoYyFptZhTr3xaaGkTV5i0F3KVbcs5QcZQH6UFrYGCPTUSIMOLcK2CBRYOEMA6myyPt7m2mx8yp745Zm6xEsxf5SIEC795wz/s640/blogger-image-102748995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXaB6di-HCgHjXECwgYbGo8ZGk5O5pQcFc1JKHoYyFptZhTr3xaaGkTV5i0F3KVbcs5QcZQH6UFrYGCPTUSIMOLcK2CBRYOEMA6myyPt7m2mx8yp745Zm6xEsxf5SIEC795wz/s640/blogger-image-102748995.jpg" /></a></div> <br />
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Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0Fulton Fulton38.853022 -91.950163tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-18675690428075100912011-02-06T13:59:00.001-06:002011-02-06T13:59:23.786-06:00Forgger...Ripit!<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/5422671726/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5422671726_95ef0cc182_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/5422671726/">Forgger...Ripit!</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlochk22/">mlochk22@</a></span></div>Yup, heres a name of a pair of socks that just called for trouble, which is exactly what I got! The floats on the inside at the gussets are too tight on both pair on both sides and so bye bye they are going! <br /><br />Well, I think this is the first unintended frogging this year...and it only took me a bit over a month! Yeehaw!<br clear="all" />Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-57964056645765583022011-01-17T07:21:00.000-06:002011-01-17T07:21:24.011-06:00Time flies...Wow, I was amazed at how quickly 2 weeks go by, especially when you're crazy busy. Which I, I mean, we are right now. Alot of the care taking for my grandmother has now landed on my husband and I, so that has been keeping us busy as has taking care of other things, like studying for my registration exam (which I'm not doing enough of in my opinion), and other various things. <br />
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High light of the last two weeks:<br />
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Went out and saw a few eagles.<br />
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Found my perfect buttons for my cardi that Im doing a redo on (fixing some of the annoying parts of it or maybe just putting on a button band and new buttons...we'll see. I feel I should fix all of it, as that would be the "correct" thing to do, but as there are *no* knitting police, we'll just wait and see what happens).<br />
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Started another damn project...no comment there...<br />
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Anyway Im outta here for now and will return sooner rather that later!Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-38999015431277299542011-01-02T10:45:00.001-06:002011-01-02T10:45:33.536-06:002011 and what I hope it brings...<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/5314460866/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5314460866_1ecb6b419f_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/5314460866/">Tools of the Trade</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlochk22/">mlochk22@</a></span></div>Well, first things first...I am hoping to be able to maintain this blog better now that, finally and officially, Im done with school. I still have some studying to do for my registration test, but other than that, Im done.<br /><br />So, first things first on what I'd like to accomplish this year:<br /><br />1. Blog at least twice a month. I don't want to get overwhelmed on my first year of being done with school. I started school in 2005 and don't want to get bogged down with all the things I *want* to do, so slow and steady is the key!<br /><br />2. Shop the stash! As you can see above, I have enough now for 4 sweaters, a few shawls and *gobs* of socks. I shouldn't have to buy anything unless its something specific to a project (like something for a baby present).<br /><br />3. More family time. While I tried to maintain some amount of family time during these past few years, it has definitely diminished since my child hit middle school/junior high (whatever you'd like to call it). So Im therefore proposing a Sunday Movie Night and a Wednesday Family Night. This Sunday: Lord of the Rings Extended Version :-)<br /><br />4. Project 365. In order to get me back doing something I loved doing way back when, I'm going to try to do the Project 365. In case you don't know, its taking a picture once a day, every day, for an entire year. I don't know if I can actually accomplish this or not, but I'm certainly going to try. What would be the coolest is to actually manage to do this for a whole year and then turn it into a book...that would rock! :-)<br /><br />5. A garden, of the veggie sort. We didn't do one last year, but we're really thinking hard about it this year! This, however, is not a one person show, so will depend upon others help as well. We'll see what happens about this later on this year.<br /><br />Now to explain the pic: Number 2 and Number 4. Welcome to my yarn stash that I plan on shopping this year and my first picture for Project 365. Wonderful bit of yarn, isn't it? *sigh* I love it!<br /><br />Now, I do have some knitting goals, though I don't know if I'll be able to accomplish them all. I'd like to complete all the stuff I have going right now by February (haha) so I can then get started on those 4 sweaters and gazillion socks...ok so really, I'd like to finish 4 sweaters and 6 pairs of socks, but I have the potential for so many more!<br /><br />Now, lets see where the year leads me!<br clear="all" />Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-9082847036740081262011-01-01T00:20:00.002-06:002011-01-01T00:24:13.170-06:00New Year, new startsSo, since its now 2011 and many things are different, I think I'll start blogging on a somewhat regular basis. No, not daily...heck, maybe not even weekly! But I'll try for twice a month. Hopefully Im not overextending myself with all the things I want to do now that I finally have the time.<br /><br />I will catch up with all of the news and happenings...later, like tomorrow or Sunday, when I have time to go over the rest of it (and when I haven't been drinking copious amounts of champagne!)!Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-33388272290795421652009-09-22T19:18:00.002-05:002009-09-22T19:22:25.583-05:00Dont bother, Im not around much...Im at a lot of other places tho!<br /><br />If you're looking for me for knitting projects, Im at Ravelry.com under the name "mlochk22" Come see my projects there.<br /><br />You want pics, pics, and more pics, go to Flickr.com and find me as "mlochk22@" (dont ask...I already had one account and didn't realize it!!) and see my pics and videos as I upload them from time to time.<br /><br />If you want to chit chat, Im on plurk.com also as "mlochk22". Come and visit if you want, sign up is free and painless!<br /><br />For those of you who know me personally, I am finally on Facebook, so friend me there!<br /><br />Otherwise, I might be here from time to time, but not always! Blogging seems too much when Im so busy with work, school, hubby, and kid. Oh, and the cats too! Cant forget them!!<br /><br />Love yall!!Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-76102436083534674402009-07-09T21:52:00.002-05:002009-07-09T21:56:11.235-05:00Since I cant seem to have time for real posts...I thought I'd bore y'all with our vacation pics instead. We went to Roaring River State Park in Cassville MO again, and be-bopped around to Joplin, Eureka Springs, Van Buren, the "three corners", the biggest continuous waterfall in MO, many geocaches and a few other odds and ends. We had a great time! <br /><br />BTW: there are only 92 pics in this slideshow...I say *only* because I took *way* more than that! LOL!!<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fmlochk22%2Fsets%2F72157620622000865%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fmlochk22%2Fsets%2F72157620622000865%2F&set_id=72157620622000865&jump_to="></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fmlochk22%2Fsets%2F72157620622000865%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fmlochk22%2Fsets%2F72157620622000865%2F&set_id=72157620622000865&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-25012063023932300712009-06-16T18:45:00.003-05:002009-06-16T19:22:17.260-05:00WendyKnitsWell, let me tell you about one of my favorite designers of socks (I have two at this point, and I'll do the other one next...) I love Wendy's designs and the fact that they are designed from the toe up (which is my *favorite* way to knit socks as I think my joins suck on cuff downs) and are always sooo pretty!<br /><br />Here's a linkie or two for you to see:<br /><br />Pay for Pattern (all of her paid for patterns can be found at <a href="www.theloopyewe.com">The Loopy Ewe</a>)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/patterns/wendy-knits/wk-six-pack-socks/">Six Pack Socks</a><br /><br />Here's a freebie from Wendy's <a href="http://wendyknits.net/finished-work-free-patterns-tips/sub-page">website</a>:<br /><br /><a href="http://media.wendyknits.net/media/catnip-socks.pdf">Catnip Socks</a><br /><br />And finally a pattern that was originally just for her <a href="www.plurk.com">Plurk</a> pals (and yes, that would include me!! :D )<br /><br /><a href="http://media.wendyknits.net/media/nanner-socks.pdf">Nanner Socks</a><br /><br />And as a finale, the one I'm actually working on! I picked this pattern because I wanted something that no one would stare at me strangely at work! And I had a nice subdued colored yarn that would work well for my purpose. I had bought a <a href="www.knit1mag.com">Knit1 Magazine</a> around Christmas time and found the pattern for <a href="http://www.vogueknitting.com/books/product_info.php?cPath=28_43&products_id=704">Red Brick Road</a>. I loved the simplicity and beauty of the socks and thought "this is the pair!" And I am now proud to say I have finally completed the first sock and already got the toe and one repeat of the pattern on the second one done...and its all of 85-90 degrees F here...and the yarn is wool...guess I'll be waiting a bit before getting to wear these!<br /><br />But I wont be waiting to finish them since they are going on vacation with me!Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-90796955666667423372009-05-25T14:09:00.001-05:002009-05-25T14:09:27.181-05:00My shoes...<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3561025303/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3561025303_6b49f581d3_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3561025303/">100_1451</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlochk22/">mlochk22@</a></span></div>I like them, a lot.<br /><br />'Nuf said!<br clear="all" />Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-20742549489979095332009-05-25T14:06:00.001-05:002009-05-25T14:06:22.476-05:00Anniversary 2009 Dinner<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3561143792/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3561143792_ef28968cef_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3561143792/">Anniversary 2009 Dinner</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlochk22/">mlochk22@</a></span></div>One of the king crab claws that we munched on...man to I love kind crab...too bad its soooo damn expensive, or Id be eating it every other day!<br clear="all" />Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-65942689615363915972009-05-25T14:04:00.001-05:002009-05-25T14:04:53.475-05:00Anniversary 2009 Dinner<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3561145114/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3561145114_77486801f6_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3561145114/">Anniversary 2009 Dinner</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlochk22/">mlochk22@</a></span></div>Here's the bigger of the two lobster tails that we had for supper. Yes, thats Mikes hand, and yes, it was that big!<br clear="all" />Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-47678176124132885892009-05-25T14:02:00.001-05:002009-05-25T14:02:34.713-05:00Anniversary pics...one at a time...<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3560727758/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3560727758_e360682edd_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3560727758/">100_1440</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlochk22/">mlochk22@</a></span></div>Since blogger is screwing with me and my pics, I guess I have to do this separately, each and every goddamned one...<br /><br />My tequila sunrise mike made for me...yummy!! With my ring on there...<br /><br />next pic please :-)<br clear="all" />Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-57211313609777973582009-05-25T13:49:00.002-05:002009-05-25T13:52:18.536-05:00Anniversary: Year 7 and counting...<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3559915689/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3408/3559915689_643e679fb1_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3559915689/">100_1442</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlochk22/">mlochk22@</a></span></div>Id like to show off more pics, but unless I can get blogger to cooperate with me, this pic will just have to do for now!<br /><br />This was my very beautiful anniversary present. Black hills gold grape leaves/vines ring. More decorative than the band I've been wearing, but not so decorative it gets in my way. I just think my hubby likes to buy me jewelry...<br /><br />We had a wonderful anniversary, ate lovely food. <br />And it was good!! Mike made me a tequila sunrise (as evidenced by the pic with the ring...(and yes, that is a size 0 dpn used as a swizzle stick, isn't he inventive!) and he cooked the meal, and he even cleaned up! <br /><br />He also placated me by getting me a small present to "tide me over" until he got up! I love shoes, did ya know that? So he got me a pair... And these ones aren't bad. Nope, not bad at all!<br /><br />Anyway, lets see if blogger cooperates now, and if it does, I might have more pics for this entry. If not, may have to make the pics separate posts.<br clear="all" />Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-18816877564270239512009-05-03T10:33:00.002-05:002009-05-03T11:24:32.750-05:00Lost and FoundStuff I'm working on (knitting wise, of course):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/patterns/archive/2009/02/13/soap-bubble-wrap.aspx">Soap Bubble Wrap</a> in <a href="http://www.naturallycaron.com/shade_cards/country_sh.html">naturallycaron.com's</a> Silver Service <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.vogueknitting.com/books/product_info.php?cPath=28_43&products_id=704">Red Brick Road socks</a> designed by <a href="http://wendyknits.net/">Wendy D. Johnson</a> in <a href="http://www.patonsyarns.com/product.php?LGC=kroysocks&SPP=999">Paton's Kroy Sock Yarn, Glencheck</a> (I've named them "Dusty Brick Road")<br /><br />a pair of socks for hubby of my own design, which I will probably share with all (just because I'm nice like that) using Nob Hill Yarns Carrington in ginger. <br /><br />Im also still working on dishclothes and such for a couple of weddings.<br /><br />And the stuff that is currently taking all of my time:<br /><br />Baby Stuff!!!! Yeah! My friend Brandi is having her first baby this September, and I think I might just be going overboard! I want to make 3 sweaters of various sizes and fiber content, a couple of hats, and a pair of teeny, tiny baby socks...but we'll see how that works out in the end.<br /><br />The one that Im working on currently is:<br /><br /><a href="http://thecompletefabrication.blogspot.com/2007/11/seamless-baby-kimono.html">Seamless Baby Kimono</a> in the 6 months size (its a freebie that way, though I would love to make a newborn size, using Hobby Lobby's I Love that Yarn 100% acrylic in Linen colorway.<br /><br />The other one I will be starting, probably within the next week or so, is the <a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/patterns/archive/2009/05/01/cabled-raglan-baby-sweater.aspx">Cabled Raglan Baby Sweater</a> in <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/CotLin_Yarn__D5420162.html">knitpicks.com CotLin in Sprout.</a> This will be in the 9-12 month size.<br /><br />I also have every intention of making the <a href="http://www.allaboutyou.com/craft/Knitting-pattern-ribbed-baby-jacket/v1">Ribbed Baby Jacket</a> in <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Simply_Cotton_Worsted_Yarn__D5420186.html">knitpicks.com simply cotton in toffee</a> probably in the 12-18 months size.<br /><br />However, I first have to get through the rest of the school year before I go completely crazy. Which brings me to why I haven't been here for the last month. Besides having my first allergic reaction in two years and being on enough corticosteroids to kill a horse, I have been swamped with homework. One class I know I'll be getting a C in, damn there goes the GPA, but thats okay. Its a damn class thats a requirement, not one directly related to my degree. So I'm not going to be too hard on myself about it.<br /><br />We got our garden in last weekend, and then it started to rain. All. Damn. Week. I hope none of the seeds got washed away, because I would really be sad about that! We planted tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, tabasco peppers, potatoes, dill, marigolds, onions, garlic, summer squash, carrots, romaine lettuce, and beets. We are still waiting for the sweet potatoes to arrive so that we can plant them as well.<br /><br />So, here's my first post this month, and hopefully I'll have more this month as well. So for now: Bye!!Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-4424337318952547132009-03-22T09:34:00.002-05:002009-03-22T10:06:15.509-05:00Time flies yet again!! LOL!Wow! Where did a month go? School, work, school, school, home, school...yup, think that sums it up! Lets see, what else? Broken camera, yeah, thats a biggie...sick me, just a little...some other things. Ok, so I really don't have an excuse! Lets be honest, shall we? LOL! Now, I do have pics to share, so I'll get on with those, shall I?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3373441781/" title="Crazy Mar/Apr 2009 schedule by mlochk22@, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3373441781_8aff3dd743.jpg" width="386" height="500" alt="Crazy Mar/Apr 2009 schedule" /></a><br /><br />Heres the first pic for ya! Its my crazy schedule for the rest of March and all of April. As you can tell by the yellow, Alex has joined kickball and it should be a whole helluva lotta fun for him...not so much for me! LOL! Add in school, work, and sleep, and I'm done! Just keep me in mind while I'm gone, eh?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3375930352/" title="100_5687 by mlochk22@, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3375930352_96e6ef3817.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="100_5687" /></a><br /><br />This is what the cats think of the new furniture. Which, btw, I love greatly! Too bad we still can agree on a paint color for the walls! LOL!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3375131689/" title="100_5696 by mlochk22@, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/3375131689_4bab88e3c9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="100_5696" /></a><br /><br />Some num-nums for Mike and I. It was wonderful! Chicken breasts stuffed with roasted red peppers, feta cheese, artichoke hearts, some herbs, and cooked. Talk about wonderful! And to go with it (for me at any rate):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3375134249/" title="100_5698 by mlochk22@, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3375134249_cc03a28672.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="100_5698" /></a><br /><br />Yeah, it was good!<br /><br />What else to share? Oh, how bout a big ol black lump named Ebony?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3375969066/" title="100_5678 by mlochk22@, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3375969066_9de4f1edbd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="100_5678" /></a><br /><br />I think that just about all the good ones...oops, wait! One more!! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3375982046/" title="100_0926 by mlochk22@, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/3375982046_125284354e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="100_0926" /></a><br /><br />Alex at his last "Honor's Choir" concert for the PTO spaghetti supper fundraiser. Too bad you couldnt hear them worth a damn cause people were still talking throughout the musical performances.<br /><br />So, there ya go! Some pics of the last month...Next weekend I'll have lots of pics, since its MOGA and I'm bound to have some sort of fun!Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-48390462503942556602009-02-17T11:40:00.001-06:002009-02-17T11:40:07.054-06:00Really, Im doing stuff!<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3279759011/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3279759011_e9d47d532b_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlochk22/3279759011/">Photo 39</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlochk22/">mlochk22@</a></span></div>And lots of it! Trips to St. Louis, furniture shopping (that was successful), getting sick, having "deadlines" on knitting stuff, etc.<br /><br />Just busy!<br /><br />So, at this point, I've finished Mikes socks, pics coming if I dont forget! LOL! (I realize, Im really bad about post pics here because I post them on my Ravelry project pages.)<br /><br />I'm now working on some disclothes for my sorta neices wedding coming up in May for part of their wedding gift, a pair of house socks that any of us can wear, depending on who gets to them first, and a pair of regular socks for me! Yeah!! <br /><br />I'm also contemplating which damn sweater I want to make as well...more about that later.<br /><br />Our house is a damn mess with stuff being brought in, held, moved out, and the generalized craziness of things. The tv arrived last night and is huge compared to what Im used to, the furniture should be here hopefully next week and then all that will be left is paiting, which will be a while still.<br /><br />So, longer post soon, or maybe I'll fix this one up some and add more pics, we'll just wait and see!<br clear="all" />Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25904713.post-70053238210860892412009-02-01T12:56:00.002-06:002009-02-01T13:03:53.146-06:00Upgrading the house, a 2009 undertaking!We are upgrading some things in the house this year and thought I would share this stuff with you all as you might just enjoy it! Or something like that! :-D<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="flashvars" value="&offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fmlochk22%2Fsets%2F72157613201127655%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fmlochk22%2Fsets%2F72157613201127655%2F&set_id=72157613201127655&jump_to="> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=67089"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=67089" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="&offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fmlochk22%2Fsets%2F72157613201127655%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fmlochk22%2Fsets%2F72157613201127655%2F&set_id=72157613201127655&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />The pics include the two old bookshelves that we have now gotten rid of, Mike working hard on putting them together, and the semi finished result. I say semi finished because we will be taking it down later this summer in order to paint and stain it. Although I guess first I have to figure out what color to paint the room. Damnit, this year, we ARE going to paint this room! <br /><br />More to come soon, as we will have a new tv "system" within the month!Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503507413961626337noreply@blogger.com0