Fall in NC---I took these last week at Jetton Park

Sunny and mild Sunday---November 8, 2009

What a gorgeous day here in Charlotte---it's almost 70 degrees, bright and sunny. Hard to believe the sun will be down completely by about 5:45 pm.

Let's see, what have I been doing this week:

Monday I went with my social group to a tour of the Johnson and Wales Culinary School in Charlotte. It was fascinating, and I don't even cook! Sorry I can't provide any pictures, photos were not allowed. We saw a lot of the different cooking labs, and most importantly, the chocolate lab! The school has been open in Charlotte since 2004 (the same year I moved here) and it's become an important part of the community. The outreach director who conducted the tour told us about all of the volunteer work the staff and students perform in the community.

Wednesday I went to an informative seminar on Medicare and Medicare supplement policies put on by the local YMCA. Got a lot of questions answered, trying to understand the Medicare system is not sor sissies. Later that evening, Karen and her brood of stuffed animals came over for dinner and a playdate (the stuffed animals had a playdate, Karen and I had dinner). A good time was had by all.

Thursday was Knit night over in Concord, as always, I had a great time---wonderful group of people. The pumpkin scones at Starbucks are good too!

Saturday I took a ride down to Gastonia to a bioidentical hormone seminar at the Armstrong Athletic Club. It was presented by one of the medical practices here in Charlotte that specializes in BHRT, and as always when I attend one of the seminars, I learn a lot and get remotivated to learn even more about biodientical hormones. It was a beautiful day for a drive. After lunch, I took a quick run up to Mooresville to say hello to all the ladies at Stamper's Alley, yesterday was their open house/customer appreciation day.

Good grief, I haven't been to a movie in a couple weeks now, but Wednesday I am going to see the Michael Jackson movie with a couple people from my social group. I know the movie isn't everyone's cup of tea, but despite what a screw up Jackson was in his personal life, he was a gifted performer. A lot of good movies will be released in the next few weeks----good for me!

I have actually been doing some knitting over the last couple weeks, despite my busy schedule. I used some leftover sock yarn to make holiday ornaments for Ciera and Julian:

The socks are about 3" in length, done on size one needles. Not something I care to mass produce. About once a year I get on a dishcloth/spa cloth kick, and over the last two weeks I think I have finished 3 cloths. One has already been given as a gift, but here's one I finished last night:

They make good tuck in gifts.

I'm in a stitch marker swap on Ravelry, so I finally got back to the beading table:

I go in spurts with this stuff (the hook thingies on the left side of the picture are bookmarks in case you were wondering). I want to get my beads organized and see exactly what I have--I'm going to CA in late February (doctor's appointment) and I plan to make a stop at the bead store in San Diego.

I just got back from running errands, had lunch and now deciding what to do this afternoon. So many possibilities---I have two books to finish up and get back to the library, about 4 knitting projects in progress (pictures soon), a ton of notecards to complete (but I am making progress!) and of course, the beading desk is calling me. Never a dull moment, which is a good thing. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Happy Veteran's Day to all on Wednesday---take at least a moment to remember.

26. What color is your watch?
Most of my watches are silver, I don't wear them anymore as I use my cell to keep track of time.
27. What do you think of when you hear “Australia”?
Nicole Kidman (I don't know why, first thing that popped into my head)
28. Would you strip for money?
If I had a good body, sure (but I don't so I won't)
29. Do you go in a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
Drive through
30. What is your favorite number?
Whatever age I am on that particular day
31. Who’s the last person you talked to on the phone?
Sue
32. Any plans today?
Run a few errands, laundry, and work at the beading desk
33. In how many states have you lived?
3-Texas, NY, NC
34. Biggest annoyance right now?
Inability to lose weight
35. Last song listened to?
The new Michael Buble song
36. Can you say the alphabet backwards?
Probably
37. Do you have a maid service clean your house?
Twice a month
38. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
I'm a shoe slut, I often change shoes more than once a day
39. Are you jealous of anyone?
Yes
40. Is anyone jealous of you?
More than likely
41. Do you love anyone?
Yep
42. Do any of your friends have children?
Most of my friends have children
43. What do you usually do during the day?
Work out, blog, read, knit, putter around the house, bead, read some more, catch up with my friends
44. Do you hate anyone that you know right now?
Yes, absolutely----Jack Ziegler
45. Do you use the word hello daily?
Usually
46. What color is your car?
Dark red
47. What size wedding ring do you wear?
Not married, but if I was I think it would be about a size 8
48. Are you thinking about someone right now?
No, I'm concentrating on getting this posted
49. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
Nope
50. How did you get your worst scar?
Car accident

1. Plans and schedules _______ .
make me laugh.
2. I'm happy when things _______ .
Are sunny and mild, literally and figuratively
3. The last thing I drank was _______ .
A Coke Zero
4. One of the most valuable things in my life is _______ .
my friendships
5. I like _______ on my pizza.
just cheese and sauce
6. Dear November, _______ .
please be sunny, mild, and calm.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!
Put together some stitch markers and knit, a bioidentical hormone replacement therapy seminar, catch up on little stuff around the house!

For my papercrafting friends---------

Great blog candy over at Hope Stamps Eternal......particularly if you like Basic Grey products! Go check it out, have a great evening!

1. What is the color of your toothbrush?
White and aqua
2. Name one person who made you smile today.
Ciera
3. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
Getting out of bed
4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago?
Reading the newspaper
5. What is your favorite candy bar?
Dove Milk Chocolate
6. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Nope
7. What is the last thing you said aloud?
Goodnight (on the phone last night)
8. What is your favorite ice cream? How to choose?
Pumpkin, thank God it's only available a couple months a year
9. What was the last thing you had to drink?
Coke Zero
10. Do you like your wallet?
No
11. What was the last thing you ate?
Turkey sandwish
12. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
No
13. The last sporting event you watched?
One minute of last night's World Series game
14. What is your favorite flavor of popcorn?
Heavy butter
15. Who is the last person you sent a text message to?
I don't text
16. Ever go camping?
No
17. Do you take vitamins daily?
Yes, a whole handful
18. Do you go to church every Sunday?
No, I am agnostic
19. Do you have a tan?
Not this time of year.
20. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza?
No
21. Do you drink your soda with a straw?
No, unless a fountain soda with cover
22. What did your last text message say?
Some ad from wireless service
23. What are you doing tomorrow?
Going on a tour of Johnson and Wales College Cooking School
24. Favorite color?
Purple
25. Look to your left; what do you see?
Sweaters laying on the floor drying

Halloween 2009----In Southern CA

These are pictures of my little man friend Julian (a little over 2 months old) and his sister, my tiny woman friend Ciera (almost 20 months) celebrating Halloween! The first picture is my favourite-----Ciera's daddy John tells me now that Ciera has adjusted to Julian being part of the family, she just loves him and is a wonderful big sister.

Halloween Tip

I heard this today on the news (tip from the Red Cross):

To diminish the risk of spreading H1N1 (or any other disease) tomorrow night when the kids are out trick or treating, if you are handing out candy, you put it into their pumkins/bags/candy containers instead of allowing them to take the candy out of the bowl. I wouldn't have thought of this (doesn't apply to me anyway, I don't have kids here in my subdivision).

Also, extra hour of sleep tomorrow night--------turn your clocks back one hour before you go to bed!

1. It was a dark and stormy night, _____.
So I stayed inside to knit read, and drink a diet soda!
2. ___________ so I offered to take the books myself.
Amazon.com was running out of room on their bookshelves
3. Rushing out ___________.
onto the deck, I saw the stars and the moon (hopefully full).
4. ___________...I think I heard a howl!
Eeyore, BB and L'Eeyore are screwing around.......
5. Shhhh... ___________.
I'm trying to count stitches!
6. ___________ give me something good to eat!
Trader Joe's, Trader Joe's,
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!
Snuggling up with my knitting and a book/lunch with my friends and my knitting group in the afternoon/get caught up on the little stuff around here----maybe take in a movie!

Soup time!

My friend Patti over at Pandora's Box is doing her first give-away----and this is perfect soup weather! Go over to her blog and check it out!