Not Nearly Busy Enough

So, many are asking what am I doing, cause I'm certainly not blogging. Well, it is not spinning of that you can be sure. Working, well yes, I have been working, not long hours, but working. Going to school? Yes, I am taking 2 classes but that is not over taxing. So, what is it that is taking up my time. I have been crocheting, and knitting. I don't have a picture of the knitted blanket, but the crochet ones I do. I have a granddaughter on the way and I need to make sure she is kept warm. Well, this first one won't keep her very warm, there are many holes in it. It is her summer blanket. I have already knitted her a blanket for winter and sent it before I got pics of it. So you ask yourself, what is she doing now? I am crocheting another blanket. It is a pattern that my grandmother crocheted for her grandchildren so I decided Alayna should have one too. It will be a nice warm blanket. The shoe is in the picture to show how big it is so far. It is a size 8.5 shoe. The first blanket is a shell stitch that will also be stitched for a shawl for TJ. The second blanket is a basket weave stitch. Very easy to do, but it can be confusing to explain.
So, that is about all I have done, no spinning, nothing fancy like that. I also have been visiting PA and am on my way to Indiana next week. After that Earthpig, BlueJinx, Fozzie and I are going to go to Gatlinburg, TN for a w/e. It has been, and continues to be, a busy summer for me this year. Usually I only have one vacation.

Water World

So here it is, Friday morning, and Earthpig and I are headed to Jinx’s. I left the house to go fill up the car and left Earthpig at home to wake up. I come back home, ready to pack the car and go. Earthpig sees me, drops a packet of printouts on the kitchen table and says “There’s no such thing as a free ride.” I have no idea what he is talking about. He says, “The water heater broke and there is water all over the laundry room.” Having just walked through the laundry room, I am a bit confused. “Our water heater broke?” “No, Jinx’s and we have to go fix it.” “Ok, well let’s get on the road so we can do it,” I thought.
     
     So, on the road we went. Not speeding, but trying to get there as quickly as possible, so that Jinx wouldn’t drown. After about two hours Jinx calls and asks how long it takes for a water heater to drain because it was still leaking like a sieve. We told her it should be finished, did you turn it off at the pump? “Yes, I turned it off.” “Ok, well, we’ll be there in an hour, be patient.”       

     We finally arrived, and quickly went in the house. There was the water heater pumping out water. I asked Jinx, “Are you sure you turned the water all the way off? It shouldn’t still be pouring out like this.” “Yes, I turned it all the way.” So, out to the pump we went. “See, it is all the way off,” and turned it to show me. “Jinx! You had it all the way on.” We turned it off, and lo and behold, after 45 minutes it is drained. Earthpig and Surlymon manhandle it out of the hole, we get all the info we need off of it, and off to Lowe’s we go.

     Well, it is a 50 gallon water heater we took out, and it WILL BE  a 50 gallon water heater we put back in. Jinx lives in a triple wide, a nice house, but we all know that they have their little idiosyncrasies. You have to have a special water heater for them. The largest one they had was a 40 gallon. Wouldn’t do. So we got a 50 gallon for a frame house. “How do we plumb it for a trailer?” John, at Lowe’s, was very helpful, got us all the stuff we needed. Jinx paid and home we went.

Pouring down rain, in a 1984 Ford pickup truck, the three of us wedged in the seat, praying that the truck would get us home. The 4 speed transmission is a bit worn, it grumbled most of the way home. About 15 miles from home, I sheepishly ask, “Does anyone else smell the plastic burning?” Jinx, also sheepishly, says she does. We pet and stroke the truck, praying it will make it home. About 5 miles from home Jinx says that something is wrong with the truck, it is sliding. We lovingly talk to the truck, babying it all the way. This is all we need, broken down truck, I think it would be the straw that broke Jinx’s composure. She has held it together up till now, but this would be it. We pull into the driveway, Surlymon (who has stayed home because he wouldn’t fit in the truck) and Earthpig unload the heater, Jinx and I stay out of the way.

Earthpig installs the heater but one part is too short, so away Jinx and I go to a hardware store, Wal-Mart, anywhere that will have the part. Hardware store is closed, go figure, and Wal-Mart does not have the part we need. We call Earthpig and see if a washing machine water hose will work for tonight. “Yes,” he says, “it will work for tonight.” We get the part home, along with the pizzas we ordered and Earthpig fixes it. Now it is time to turn on the water. Jinx and Earthpig go out to the pump house to turn the water on. To shorten this already long story, Earthpig and Jinx don’t get the water turned on, although they thought they did. Fozzie, who has been at work during this debacle, goes out and turns on the water. We have water, it is hot, life is good. Saturday Jinx and I go get the part needed and Earthpig finishes the repair. So ends our experience at Jinx’s.

Schooling at 44

Schooling at 44

So, one day, while interpreting college courses, I decided to go back to school. One class at a time because I can’t handle 18 hours a semester interpreting and more than 3 of my own. So, I started with a computer course, Introduction to computers. Boy was this easy. I got an A. So, then I decided to take another easy course, Conversational Spanish. I got an A. Well, I decided to bite the bullet and take a hard class, English 101 Composition. I really was worried about this class, I am an exceptionally poor writer, but was bound and determined to get a B. I got an A.

This was my first essay:

The Beginning
One day in 1992, I was at the base airport waiting for my husband to return from a mission. Waiting with me were my children, ages eight, seven and three showing my need for a babysitter. While waiting, I spoke with a major in my husband’s unit and found that he had something I needed, babysitters. He had four sons, three of which babysat. This began my association with the Killgore clan and Jehovah’s Witnesses. A religion I never knew existed with beliefs that were new and unfamiliar. This new association would bring answers to questions I had never voiced and repercussions I was not expecting.
One day I called for a babysitter and started a conversation with the major’s wife, Charlotte.
After lining up her son, Jake, to baby-sit, Charlotte and I continued our conversation. This was the beginning of my association with the Killgores. I asked if she was going to the upcoming Christmas Party the unit was having. Charlotte told me they did not celebrate Christmas and when further prompted said that she was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Having never heard of this religion I was curious. We spoke on the phone almost daily, me asking religious questions that I had been hesitant to ask before and Charlotte answering them using the Bible. I thought this interesting; no one had ever explained their beliefs by using the Bible as their sole source.
Our conversations continued for a little more than a year. Early on one question prompted me to start taking our religious conversations seriously. This concerned the concept of heaven. Who goes there, and would animals be there? Animals figure greatly in my life and I could not imagine eternity without them. I said that if there were no animals in heaven that I was not sure I wanted to go. Her response was, “You are not going to heaven, so it’s okay”. I asked why. She said that only a select few are resurrected to heaven, the others would be resurrected here on Earth. She supported this belief by going back to the Bible and showing me where to find this information. I was hooked! This was truly the beginning of my association with Jehovah’s Witnesses. I wanted explanations. I wanted answers. Although I was not planning to convert, I decided to accept a Bible study. It was one day a week and anywhere from two to four hours. I asked many questions. After many questions and answers, I finally accepted this at the true religion. There was no pressure to convert to becoming a Witness. The study was a teaching program, from which I learned and appreciated The Truth.
My conversion has not come without effects being felt in the home. My husband is not one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, but has come to accept that I believe my religion as true. In the beginning, he was not supportive of my faith, without really opposing it either. It was not long, though, until he realized that nothing was going to change my mind. Now the support is one hundred percent. Our older daughter is a baptized Witness of Jehovah and very faithful. Our son is currently having a crisis of faith, but I remain hopeful that he will return. Our younger daughter is studying and making progress. Life in your household, although religiously divided, is happy.
Fourteen years ago I started down a path I did not know I was seeking to a life I did not know I was missing. I am still enjoying a wonderful experience. I believe it has made me a better Mom; I listen to my children more rather than just yelling at them, wife; I have learned the meaning of headship and that this is not a demeaning position for a woman, and person; my relationships with others are stronger. I enjoy life more today, and have a greater appreciation of what is to come.

Who would have thought that I was able to get an A in any class, let alone English, the last time I went to college I carried a 1.3 average, now I am carrying a 4.0. Boy, is that daunting. I have to keep it up. I am taking 2 college courses now, Office Accounting and Internet Communications. I already got 100 on my first test in Internet Communications and have my first test in Office Accounting on Monday.

So, that is what I have been doing lately. Along with knitting and crocheting, but that is another blog.

The Gifts of the Year

The Gifts of the Year

Well Earthpig and I have gifted each other with fun toys this year. He bought me a car and a laptop and I bought him a ShopSmith and a 16X12 foot shop to put it in. He is now fixing up the shop so that it will have electrical and lights. He is paneling the walls with pegboard so that he can hang up all his fun things. I am excited about this too because then I can use the lathe and learn to turn. Earthpig is having a blast.

I love the car. It is a Mazda 3 sedan, 5 speed manual and very blue. That was one of the things I wanted, a blue car. Had a hard time getting it, tho, they wanted to sell me something from the lot. I figured if I was buying the least they could do is get what I wanted. Obviously, they saw things my way, finally. I got exactly what I wanted. It drives like a dream. Jinx and I took it to TeiJai's house. I really enjoy being behind the wheel, and the control of a 5 speed is wonderful.

The laptop is great too. I have it in the family room and now get to be on the computer and be part of the family. We have a wireless house now, so I can be on the internet, watch TV, and talk to Earthpig all at the same time. What fun!!! Piglet #3 likes it too because now we don't make her get off the other computer all the time.

Well, the shop should be wired by next weekend and then Earthpig will be able to build many things. He is looking at birdhouses to do first, because we have many homeless birds. We also are going to build bird feeders, we are afraid if the birds cook in their own houses we might have fires! ( After the houses and soup kitchens for the birds who knows. We will see.

And that is about all for this update. I will update more either later today or tomorrow. I do have to study, but that is another blog.

The Menagerie Continues

The Menagerie Continues
Well much has happened here in this year. We started by getting a new puppy at the beginning of the year. His name is Jaxon and he is a Rat Terrier. He is 6 months old and as big as he will get. He is about 8 pounds. He and our son’s dog played wonderfully together. Pre was a lab mix and gentle with the puppy. He has grown a lot, but not so much that he takes up a lot of room in the bed.

So, now we had 2 dogs. But sadly Pre went westward with her master when he moved to Colorado. This left Jaxon with only 6 cats to play with. He didn’t mind this very much, but the cats did. Piglet #3 also missed Pre as well as her brother so we decided to get her a puppy. There was one we saw on line that we really liked, but she had already been adopted. We went in town to look at another one. We didn’t like her so much, she was very skittish. We wanted one who would stand up to Jaxon (big as he is) and also protect Piglet #3. So away to the SPCA we went. Many puppies later we decided on Tucker. They say he is a lab mix, but we don’t see it. Time will tell. I am hoping that he won’t be over 70 pounds. That is how big Pre was. That is big enough.

Our house is again full of animals. 6 cats and 2 dogs. It is strange, our children leave the house, take their dogs, but leave their cats. I was truly expecting to be able to get rid of a few of these hairballs. But, oh well, I guess we'll keep them a while longer.

Jaxon and Tucker are playing nicely together. The cats seem to accept him, but he hasn't really tried to attack them yet. Then we'll see how they react. It should be fun.

I will try to update this more frequently. Check out both of Jinx and TeiJai's sites, they are wonderful, and they update them more frequently than I d mine.

More to come...

Knitting and Sweaters

Well, I sent Jinx a picture of my sock and she said I should post it. So here it is. This is how far I have gotten on my sock. Not very far, but it is better than nothing. Jinx said that it was looking rather large I said that it might be. She said to rip it out. I think she is crazy! I ain’t ripping anything out. I only do a sock once. She said that I would have to do another one. I told her that I was only doing one sock and would find a one-legged friend to wear it for me. She laughed. I will finish it and do the second one, but I am not sure that I will do another pair. I think she has more fun doing it than I do.

I am enjoying this knitting stuff but I am a starter and not a finisher. I have a scarf that I started last year, a sock, and now I have just started a sweater for Jaxon, the new puppy. I am hoping that I will finish that because the weather has turned a little chilly and he isn’t so big. Also, if it rains he will need something to keep him dry. He is such a little thing that he doesn’t have much body heat to lose. Also, he won’t get very big so I will have to make more. I need to find a crochet pattern, I prefer crochet. So I just crocheted a sweater for him. A little trial and error, but I think it worked out well. I am sure all will let me know how it looks.

So, one sweater finished and a sock started. Hopefully I will finish the socks before next January. I’ll keep you posted about all my crafty stuff with yarn. I did finish a blanket for Jinx’s sister’s baby (who is not born yet). It is beautiful and soft. Piglet 1 wants one too, just a little bigger. We will see how that goes.

The Newest Member to the Zoo

So, here we are on 5 JAN 06 and the Earthpigs have a new addition to their zoo. Earthpig told me the other day to look for Rat Terriers. I was a bit surprised, but I wasn’t going to say ANYTHING! There was nothing here where we live; so, I looked in the paper where Jinx lives and lo and behold I found some. I called the woman and she said she would be home over the w/e and we were more than welcome to come and see her puppies.

So, on Saturday we went looking for their house and the puppies. We found both. There were two young males. I picked up the first one and said, “This one”. Earthpig asked if I was sure. I decided to hold the second one and fell in love. He was smaller than the first, which is good. I prefer small. Of course, when I say smaller, he was probably 4 oz smaller. He probably weighs 2 or less pounds. I decided I wanted the second one. Earthpig asked if I was sure. I was VERY sure this time. He was only 5 ½ weeks old, so she was hesitant to let us have him. I convinced her. We live 3 hours from the Jinx/Fozzie household and I didn’t want to have to come back up. Not that going to see Jinx and Fozzie is a terrible thing, don’t get me wrong. So I said we would take very good care of him, get him his shots, and all of that. I didn’t want to leave him. I was a bit afraid she would sell him to someone else. That would not make me happy. So home came Jaxon.

He has been welcomed by one and all. The cats are indifferent until he bites their tails. Actually, Jellu (Hey You) will play with him. Pre, the dog LOVES him. She can’t wait until he gets big. I don’t have the heart to tell her that big is about 10 pounds. He plays big, though. He jumps on her and barks at her. They have a great time.

We went to the vet yesterday and he weighs 2.6 pounds is healthy and the love of the office. Everyone just fell in love. The office manager, also the wife of the vet, said she wanted one. The vet just grunted. I don’t think they are getting one.

So, that is how our year ended.

Night Night

So, once again, the drugs slowly take over my mind. The fuzziness creeps in and the worms start sliding through my eyes. Pictures are painted on the screen using bits and bytes and pixels shaping and reshaping the contours making the pictures all the more interesting. Thoughts creep into my brain quickly and leave the same way. Flashes of thoughts whisper in my ears, quietly, quickly, then gone. Remembering is not an option because it requires a higher functioning brain and mine is out to lunch right now. The nice thing is that these are legal drugs. The feeling of lying on my back in the ocean letting the whim of the current take me is about the same as this. A feeling of loose disjointedness follows my movements; whether thinking, walking or talking nothing acts quite right. Sense is not made, time does not move, words do not come. Sleep must be given into for this is what I seek, why I take the drugs.

Sleep, that peace that stands just out of reach, laughing at me. Well, one night at a time I will win. For 8 hours I will sleep, wake up and do all that is required of me. Then we’ll see what happens tomorrow night. Sometimes I choose not to take them so that I can be awake for friends. Sometimes I do so I can float.

Time to float. Night Night. See you tomorrow. Promise!

HTML What???

Ok, having only ever played with html once, putting a pic of Earthpig and me for my profile was daunting to say the least. TJ very nicely sent me wonderful directions and I followed them exactally. Well, I had to resize my pic, my FrontPage never came up with how large the pic was. So, it was trial and error, size and resize, cut and paste and VOILA! I have a pic on my web page. Horray!! Thanks TJ and Geek for their help. I would have never been able to do that. I think I will go look at my html for dummies this week and see what else I can learn.

Our trek takes us north this w/e to visit the Fozzie and Jinx. We will see what other trouble we can get ourselves into.

Stay tuned.

Influences.....Good or Bad

Well, it is Tuesday, I am getting ready to go to Piglet 1's house with Piglet 3 and a friend. No not that kind of friend, a friend of Piglet 1's. Remember I have Earthpig!!! Anyway, influences. Well, a few years ago Jinx decided she would take up the flute and floute once again. She plays nicely and joined the symphony, or whatever, in her town. Well, Fozzie decided that he enjoyed the tuba, so he bought a mouthpiece. Honestly, how long do you think that would last?? Not long after, the whole tuba followed. Well, in my family Piglet 2 taught himself to play guitar. He plays well. Piglet 1 thought she wanted to learn too, so she went out, bought herself a guitar and is teaching herself guitar.

Yesterday I decided I needed to join the band wagon, figuritively and literally. I went to the local music store and rented a clarinet. The last time I played the clarinet secretaries used manual typewriters and gritty erasers with brushes on the end to correct mistakes. But I remember enjoying it, so why not. Earthpig wanted an Irish Tin Whistle so I ordered him one and it should be here Friday. Piglet 3 wants a guitar also. I would like to say we could have a band but I am not to sure how that would sound, 3 guitars, a clarinet and a tin whistle. If we got the NC clan with us it could be more interesting, add a tuba and flute.

Home I came with my clarinet. I would like to say I played it right off. I would like to say that, but that would not be the truth. I blew, and I blew, just the mouthpiece, not the whole thing. Jinx told me to sit down before I started to play because I would get dizzy. REALLY???? Well, sound finally came out. A very nice note. AND THE DOG WENT WILD!! She seemed to think this was a new toy and she had to kill it. Well as if that wasn't bad enough I put it together then blew a beautiful haunting note and she thought some crazy dog thought. Her eyes glazed over and I saw her mind singing "Kill the rabbit, kill the rabbit". I decided that I would go into another room and lock her out. She didn't think that was very fair, but I thought I should keep teeth marks off the clarinet, I am only renting it. So, with fingering chart in hand, I practiced the scale. Not too bad, not great, but for the first time in decades I didn't embarass myself. Of course I was the only one in the house, except for the crazy dog.

We will have to see how well this goes. How much I practice and how much I get out of it. Also, if the dog goes absolutly bonkers. Stay tuned. If I ever get to the point where I can play anything I'll attach it and you can listen. Don't hold your breath, or you'll get dizzy too.

This is not the only influence Jinx has had in my life. I also knit because of her. I am going to learn to spin because of her. I am sure there are other things I do because of her but that will be another post.