Time flies when you are not having fun

This fall has been horrendous. Simply a mess. Between moving and work, everything has been a giant headache filled blur.

Sorry I do apologize to anyone I have been out of touch with. We've been moved into our new place for about 3 weeks now and we are still living out of boxes and bags, that is exactly what our life has become. We are so busy we can't even put anything away. I actually bought new jeans and underwear because it was easier.
And it is only getting worse. We've lost two employees at work, during the start of our busiest time, so my 9 hour work day will most likely stretch into a 12 hour work day, and I will definitely be taking the stress home with me. I wish the paychecks were nice and plump too, then I wouldn't feel as bad about everything. I just hate feeling like I'm 2 weeks behind every single day. And now that we are horribly short staffed its only going to get worse.

My birthday was pitiful, I have a cold that will just not go away, and my stress level is through the roof. I'd go on vacation but I can barely afford a latte. I think a full nights sleep would be lovely...too bad our new neighbors are constantly fighting. Sigh.

Thanksgiving can't come soon enough. Free food and a night away from Philadelphia seems like the only thing I want right now.

I have one new skein of yarn...it was my one and only splurge because it matches my new coat, but our camera is dying so no new photos until the holidays. So...picture to come later!

If anyone sees a big bag of money laying around please send it my way...it would be much appreciated!

the hardest anniversary I have.

January 20, 1941 - October 25, 2005

My mom died two years ago today.

It feels like so much time has passed, like a whole lifetime, but it all feels so recent too.

I still cry most nights. I still can't look at her handwriting and I still start sobbing whenever I go into an AC Moore.

Its weird what memories I think about most. I'm always picturing her hands, and the silly face she would make at me or the short but sweet voicemails she would leave me.

I was a stronger person when she was here I'd like to continue to be, make her proud of me, but sometimes getting out of bed and dragging myself to work is all I can muster.

I miss her everyday....and I will forever.

I love you mom...and I always will.

I'm missing you.

Lake Shore Drive
by the Innocence Mission

Regret has gone down in my estimation now.
The old world had you smiling out,
putting your arms around.
I tell myself now
things I would have told to you,
the smallest plan, the greatest news.
The more days come, the more it's true.

Right now I've got to get back home,
in from the sad day out.
Missing you forever,
yes, I shout, yes I, yes I, yes I am.

It seems the right time
to let go of the steep incline
of this day and to know you're mine
forever and I will be fine.
In me will you shine,
shine, shine, will you shine.

I'm stepping through
the streams and fountains of the sad day out.
Missing you forever,
yes, I shout, yes I, yes I, yes I am.
Yes I, yes I, yes I am.



I miss my mom.

Practice makes perfect.

Maybe if I post regularly I'll get so into the habit I won't let it drop off for months anymore.

Too bad I have very little to say right now. I'm so full of conversations and loud noises all day at work that the last thing I want to do when I'm at home is be communicative. (well, I'm constantly talking to Aaron, but he doesn't count, he lives with me, proximity makes it easier to keep conversations going)

Lists have become my new best friends. And short bullet points are easier to read then full complete paragraphs.

I've finally been not so lazy about acquiring new cds. I work a few blocks from a record store but never bothered to walk over there. I blame the summer heat and lack of money. But I have finally started to fatten up my music collection. And..well..after listening to the same dozen albums on my Ipod for 6 months straight, it was time to listen to something else.

So....new albums I have recently picked up and have fallen head over heels in love with:
- Iron and Wine - The Shepard's Dog. Ok, this actually just came out, but I can't get enough of it. I want to play it non-stop in my head at all times. His voice...oh lord his voice.
- Sufjan Stevens - Michigan. I'm still confused as to why I didn't like him when I first heard him years ago. I had it in my head I didn't like it....but he sounds like every other band I listen to. I'm glad I've finally turned. His music is lovely.
- Hayden - Skyscraper National Park. I've wanted this album for ages but never seemed to order it. I've heard it before, but that doesn't make me love it any less.
- Denison Witmer - Are You a Dreamer. He's from Lancaster, PA. He knits...even going so far as to knit the entire cover of this album. He's friends with Innocence Mission and don Peris produced his album with Karen singing on a handful of the tracks. Its beautiful. Its quiet and lovely.
- Calexico - The black Light. Another one I've been meaning to get forever but never got around to. Mexicana/country/rock/indie/folk mix. Its hard to explain. I love them so.


We have 4 places to go look at tomorrow. I'm hoping we see something we would actually want to live in. I thought it would be much easier then it has been. Who knew so many houses could be so depressing.

Wish me luck!

Late September and its still feels like summer!

WTF?

90 degrees tomorrow.

Bah. I will never get to wear anything wooly at this rate!

Sorry for the loooonnnggg absence. Work has been hectic, the man and I are trying to find a house to move to, and I've been spending most of my free time knitting. I'm doing a sample for the most fabulous Shannon and I'm on a deadline. Well, a very vague loose deadline, which I'm actually trying to adhere to since i was very wishy washy and lazy about it at the beginning.

I've finished a shawl for myself, but no picture yet.

Hmm...why am I updating again? It seems like I have so little to say.
So here's a list of stuff I like, since lists are the new black:
- The Eagles..particularly Westbrook. That man is amazing
- Iron and Wine - The Shepard's Dog. I've been waiting forever for this album...and it was worth every agonizing minute. When I see him on Friday it will be magical!
- The 2007 World Series of Poker is finally on ESPN. Watching poker may be the lamest thing I do, but I love it!
- Halloween themed magazines. Particularly Make and Martha Stewart. I may not be having a big party or have a front yard to decorate, but a girl can dream.
- Tastykake Pumpkin Pie. Its the unofficial beginning of the autumn season
- Halo 3. Such a pretty game to look at, and it will keep AA out of my hair for a few days!
- Even though AA and I are mentally ready to move the hell away from Philly, financially we can't. But...it is nice to know that there are a few neighborhoods in Philly that let you forget that your still in...well...Philly.

Hopefully more substantial updates soon. Maybe once we have somewhere to actually live. All of our energy is in home hunting mode. And this heat...this heat is making me antisocial and grouchy....and since we've already taken out our air conditioners...multiply that crankiness by 100.

Seriously September....what the hell?

I hate how life always interupts my knitting..

I've been meaning to blog. I even have pictures of a recently completed baby sweater. I've had knittings things to talk about, summer photos and stories, and updates about my life in general.

But life, doing what it does, has kept me busy. Work has been kicking my ass repeatedly. And if that wasn't enough I've been having medical issues as of late. Nothing to get myself to paranoid over, but enough to keep me stressed out. I have to go for a bunch of tests. Its nothing that came from out of the blue, but its a lot of things that can be devastating if left unchecked.

My knitting vacation just doesn't seem to be helping. I've been so tired its hard to work on anything. I think my goal of two sweaters done this summer has been officially thrown off track. Although, baby sweaters count, right?

I'll update soon.

video game lust

I need to say something not knitting related:

The new Grand Theft Auto Trailer is seriously making me swoon.

I cannot get over how great their faux NYC looks! Holy god almighty! They even have Coney Island in there.

Sigh.

I think I need a cold shower now.
....and a Xbox 360..

I have always been and always will be a gamer. My love of the video game console and PC runs strong and deep. And If my house was on fire, and I had to save my PC with all my saved games on it or a sweater's worth of yarn......
I think you know where this is going...

My saved games will always win over a sweater in a fight to the death.

For realz.

I Hate Summer

Ok, that's a bit harsh. I strongly dislike summer. Summer and I are not on speaking terms.

Between the hot sun, bugs, and massive amounts of people everywhere there's not much to like. The only highlights are days off, longer amounts of sunlight, and air conditioning.

Some of my mental tasks to be completed before summer is over..

- knit two sweaters. I'm being wildly optimistic about this one. (remember, i knit on tiny needles on a regular basis..this could be quite the challenge)
- grow my hair to at least my shoulders. Not since high school has it been farther then my chin. But now that it is miraculously curly I look forward to having longer wavy locks.
- darken the freckles on my face
- visit the beach at least once
- go on at least three trips. It could be one day, it could be a weekend. Just get me the hell out of Philadelphia!
- re-arrange my bookshelves. (doesn't sound very exciting, but don't be fooled, i've put this off for at least 2 years now)
- read at least two books
- play at least two of the video games I have yet to play but have been sitting on for months/years.
- get my business off the ground

I'm sure there's more things on that list in my head, but i must be blocking things i really don't want to do.

Nothing is very spectacular, but i will be immensely happy if I get all of that accomplished over the next three months.

I really did have a much more detailed blog in the works in my head, but I've lost motivation, plus the radio at work keeps distracting me. I long for days of absolute quiet. Everything is so noisy in my life, even when nothing is running.

Summer is noisy....another annoyance of this time of year. Its the time of white noise and loud speaking people.

Blah. Where's a cold dark cave when you need one.

My Weekend was filled with blood and sun..

I bet the blood thing threw you off. It did the same thing to me, and I had to clean the mess up!
But let me back track a bit...

Friday: good pizza and ice cream cones from my favorite ice cream shop.

Saturday Day: Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn. Besides being completely over hipsters and their ilk, the day was fun. It was literally in an abandoned pool (AA didn't believe me even after I showed him a picture). This was kind of insane, being that it was 10 degrees hotter in the pool then outside of it. I can see why they work best filled with water. I bought the tastiest smelling lotion ever, two vinyl cuffs (with 2, maybe 3 more on the way..I love Miss Alison!!!), a tiny hair accessory and 2 lapel pins. I went with the always fabulous Marissa who is seriously awesome. I love supporting small companies so craft shows are my mecca. I only wish I had more money.

Saturday Night: Enter the blood. I met up with AA at our favorite bar. We had buckets of fun talking to everyone and drinking a few beers. Fastforward a few hours later. We are walking home, I'm a little buzzed, but far from falling down drunk. I'm walking past a bunch of restaurants that offer seating outside (on the freakin sidewalk to be exact. I won't even get into how infurating it make me when restaurants do this. They hog up the entire damn sidewalk...a public sidewalk no less, so pedestrians have to walk on the street. WTF is that??) I'm going from sidewalk to street. The next thing I know I'm laying in the street. I kind of vagulely remember bracing myself but I'm still perplexed as to how I fell or what I tripped on. I'm thinking the curb. This of course happens in front of an entire restaurant full of people. Everyone is staring, I think maybe one guy asked if I was ok (that's philly for ya). I jump up quickly, assure AA I'm fine and continue home. A few blocks later I notice my skirt feels wet. I don't remember a puddle being in the street so I check. Blood, blood and more blood. I seemed to have cut the hell out of my right knee, its bleeding profusely, and blood is just everwhere. Lucky for me I'm wearing a denim skirt that falls just below my knee. Its keeping blood from running down my leg. My left leg is scraped to hell but its not really bleeding. We continue on. AA is looking very worried and I am assuring him that I'm fine, checking to make sure that the blood is not running down my leg. I'm very worried about freaking out the general public.
Get home, clean myself up, (the most important thing ever is to ALWAYS have hydrogen peroxide, bandages, and triple antibiotic in your house at ALL TIMES) bandage my knee and go to bed.

Sunday: My knee and leg is alot more gnarly looking in the sun. My right knee is not just ripped to hell but its bruised too. My left leg is scraped up but not bleeding. Its very red though...which is insanely noticable on my very pale skin. I go pick up some more bandaids, peroxide, and antibiotic ointment and hed over to the bar our friend is bartending at. Yes...drinking trumps cleaning my wounds everytime! We have great conversations and eventually wander home in the heat and sun.

I'm annoyed that this seemed to happen just in time for a heatwave. I'm not embarassed by my giant gross scrapes and cuts, but they're a bit too gruesome to wear a skirt with. So I'm wearing long capris...in 91 degree heat. And it seems nearly impossible to keep a bandaid on. And....since its on my knee every movement feels tight and painful. Grumble grumble.

Only I can take a nice weekend and make it into a bloody mess.

Next post.....plans I'm ready to put into motion...

Optimism

After speaking to my new life coach this weekend (i.e. Marissa) I've come to a conclusion.

Putting all my focus into how my life is making me miserable is not healthy. Sure, there's many things wrong and frustrating. And yes, having depression makes seeing the positive kind of difficult.
If I'm going to do anything with my life I need to start changing things, or at least putting myself in a positive direction. I hate doing nothing with my time and energy. I have all these great ideas and its time some of them come into fruition.

So I'm starting another business, even though my first attempt failed miserably. Which was more the fault of a product that wasn't practical being sold to a market that didn't need it. But anyway...I digress.

I'm in the very early, baby stages of planning. I have yet to even work on testing production methods. But its something I know and love and will hopefully keep my creative side occupied and maybe, eventually, bring in some much needed extra money into my home. I have such a good head for business, I feel like I'm just wasting it. And Aaron is on board to help. Heck, he even seems more excited then I do at times.

Positive directions towards what I think is an attainable goal.

It seems a bit overwhelming and scary, but I've faced much worse. And my first failed attempt didn't kill me, it just stings a little. I can survive.

And since I have no vacation planned to speak of I have nothing but time on my hands. I might as well make something.

Quick non-negative points of interest

Because my whole life can't be gloom and doom, right?

- I'm now a brunette. Sure..not a big difference, unless you haven't been one for over a decade. I'm pretty happy. And its amazing how nice a persons skin looks when being paired with a hair color that is in the same color family as the one they were born with!

- I have an undying love for locally made pickles. I want to eat them with every meal.

- I kind of get a weird kick when I get unapproving looks from tourists walking through the area.

- There's something great about taking a shower after sweating all day at work.

- Bedhead hair products. Sure, I left you once, but I will never leave you again. Especially since Bumble and Bumble seems to be overpriced crap!

- Ted Leo is a hot, hot man. His music puts me in a good mood, no matter how foul I felt previously!

- Sleeping late every single day of this upcoming three day weekend.

- Free bags from work. I got not just one...but two sporty little numbers. Being the bag whore that I am this is the highlight of my freakin year!

- I love my favorite bar in the summer because it gets kind of dead. Not great for the owners, but being able to have conversations with the people around me, and getting to hang out with our friend who just also happens to be the bartender is awesome! Plus, we've met so many other really nice regulars there, I always look forward to going.

- My early summer jams....as in...music that sounds like summer 2007:
* Cold War Kids - Hang me out to dry
* Silversun Pickups - Lazy Eye
* Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - CIA, The Lost Brigade

I'm sure I'll regret this after I get a horrible sunburn and heat exhaustion but i'm actually looking forward to time outside in the sun. I have sunblock ready and sneakers worn in. Flip flops are sitting patiently by the door. I am ready for summer to start already!!

....and yes..I will be eating those words in about a week!

I really need to take pictures ones of these days..

...but I need a camera first. A lofty item that just isn't in my budget right now. Every penny in my paycheck goes to bills. And the little bit left goes to groceries. I'm living tighter then tight. I feel like I'm being strangled by my debt. And my job, although satisfactory, is not cutting it pay wise.

So I'm once again on the hunt. Well, I'm always on the hunt...it never seems to end. I've never been so happy with a position that I stopped looking. And this doesn't feel right. What happened to the idea of careers or long-term positions? Everyone in my age bracket seems to jump from position to position, unhappy everywhere. What's the point of working hard if I'm going to move on within a year or two? What's the point of making friends or working overtime? I try not to think about this too much, it just seems kind of depressing and hopeless.

I'm not as obsessive about looking for work as I have been in the past because AA and I are finally in serious move mode. Its not going to happen tomorrow, but hopefully it will be sooner then later. We're just both sick of putting our lives on hold, hoping that something will change. Philadelphia and I just don't see eye to eye. Sure, I'm happy I lived here and for the friends and experiences it has offered me, but I just don't want to stay here any longer. My future is out west. Plus, I don't want to live in one city my whole adult life. I'd like to live a few places, really see what the world has to offer. And if I end up in the east, at least I know I ended up there by my own choosing.

Its funny that all this flux has made me desire the most mundane knitting. All I've been thinking about is garter stitch. I've been working on lace so much lately that I desire to go in the complete opposite direction. I want simple garter stitch...in Koigu since it seems to look the best in garter. I'm thinking of doing the Spanish Dancer shawl from Knitty, but the thought of casting on 410 stitches makes me queasy! But gosh....that pattern is what I need right now. And the hand painted Koigu-esque yarn I got at Sheep and Wool would be perfect! I guess my two sweaters will have to staisfy me right now, until I have the proper time and emotional strength to tackle that insane cast on. I would like to start a few new sweaters. Maybe actually have one done by fall!!!

Which reminds me...as soon as I have a full piggie bank I may splurge on some lovely yarn from Webs and a cardigan pattern. I've been dreaming about it for 6 months now. Since it is using one of their house yarns the price tag is amazingly modest for the quality. How could I say no to a sweater for under $100!!! But this is still a daydream. My wallet is groaning at the thought of it.

And I won't even go into my desire for day trips in such lovely weather...and how it seems like a a total impossibility.

Why does the world have to revolve around money?

I've always wanted to live in Stars Hollow...

Good bye Gilmore Girls.

I miss you already.

Mother's Day

First off, happy Mother's day to all women who already have children, who are with child, or who would like children someday!

Its a bittersweet holiday for me. I'm constantly bombarded by images of mother's and flowers and smiling families. Its almost overwhelming at times. I know my mom knew i loved her, and I had 29 Mother's Day to tell her this. It just doesn't seem like it was anywhere near enough.

So this Mother's Day, in honor of my mom and her undying love of everything and anything blue, everything I work on this weekend will be blue. Her eyes were the most beautiful blue, like a perfectly clear sky. And that's the color I want to see this weekend.

Blue has become my comfort color....its like a cool blanket. Every time I see it I think of her. And it seems to be the color I've been reaching for most when I'm looking for yarn. I can't get enough of it. I don't think a bad shade of blue exists! And I'm more then a little thankful that it goes with my coloring so well.

My surrogate mom...my mother-in-law....who I like to call Mom Neuman...will be visited. AA's family has definitely taken me in as one of their own, and I do feel like their daughter. I want to make his mom a beautifully intricate shawl, so I didn't want to do a quickie to be done in time for the holiday. So once I find the perfect color for her, and I'm sure i will know it when I see it, I will make her something grand.

And then there's me and the dreams I've been having about children. Well, pregnancy to be exact. I've had a few where i was very pregnant, and we lived in a big old house on a hill, and I seem to be happy all the time. I'm hoping this is a premonition of a joyful pregnancy to come.....eventually....not tomorrow. We can barely feed ourselves, let alone little ones. But children will definitely be in my future. I just don't understand an existence without them. What is the point of life then?

Here's hoping that my Mother's Day is not sad, but optimistic towards my future, and satisfying knowing that my mom, no matter where she is, knows that I love her and am happy that I'm her daughter.

Oh yarn...how could I have doubted you..

All I need is a Sheep and Wool Festival and friends to pal around with in the sunshine....suddenly yarn is fun again!

I think my recent ennui concerning yarn has finally passed. I did not spend gluttoneously this year, like I have in the past, but everything I came home with has made me unbelievably happy, and I can actually see using every last yard of yarn. When my budget is microscopic it makes everything I purchase that much more special, since it really has to be something lovely to draw the cash from my pocket.

I'm sure I'll take pictures of it eventually. I'm just kind of....well....I don't like taking pictures of yarn sitting on my carpet. There...I've admitted it. I think its silly and it goes against everything being married to a photographer has taught me.

Other random tidbits about the festival:
- Animals are cute. Their 'tocks are much cuter!
- I look forward to the day when I can bring my little babies to a similar festival. Because seriously....grown women running around petting animals is cute...in a weird way....but it really seems to be more appropriate for adorable children to be doing it!
- Hand made soda tastes even better when given to me by girls made to wear ridiculous outfits showing much skin. But someone please explain this to me....if most of the festival is made up of women...who are they actually trying to attract with this marketing ploy?
- It always blows my mind how rude suburban ladies get when put in a large crowd situation. I saw a friend of mine not only get shoved, but had her arm hit out of a persons way. Seriously...wtf? If it had been me I would have been barred from ever going back.
- Even when its overcast I really should use sunblock. One day this little nugget of common sense will stick in my brain.
- Heat + dirt + early morning + constant walking = exhaustion
- Non tacky colors really do exist.....they're just harder to find
- I can find PA people everywhere.....
- People I don't know can be very nice and friendly
- Lots of people seem to like skull themed knitting tattoos.....and I do try to explain this to non knitters who always ask "cute skull...what are those sticks underneath?"
- Although I'm kind of sad that lace knitting has become such a fad, I am very happy I can find more laceweight yarns. It used to be something exotic no one ever bothered with...now everyone carries it!

I'll get into more detaisl about yarn and projects soon. I'm still kind of sleepy from this whole weekend. Plus, I have cashmere to fondle.

Sometimes I miss being medicated...

...I honestly do.

There's days that being mentally ill is just an overwhelming thing. I can't think or concentrate or muster enough energy to communicate or knit. The feeling of awkwardness and sadness is really all that I can focus on. And its just a bummer.

So my communications with the outside world have been few and far between. My numerous blogs scattered around the interweb have been collecting dust. I don't even know why I'm writing this. Maybe so I feel like some little bit of junk can finally escape my brain.

Sheep and Wool is this weekend and I'm kind of underwhelmed by the whole idea. I'm not sick of it per say, but I do know the lay of the land and in the past two years nothing has been very new or exciting. I think I'm just not into yarn shopping as of late. When I have to worry about every penny going into bills and groceries my priorities change. I get more excited about getting a great fragrance or bar of soap then a skein of yarn I won't even touch for at least a year, and that's being optimistic! And the knitting population that place attracts makes me feel weird. I don't like suburban women...didn't like them when I lived there, don't like them now...so being surrounded by herds of them gives me the willies. It has every single year I've gone. Maybe I'm just happy living in the little liberal bubble the city gives me.

Hopefully I'll cheer up or get slightly excited by Friday. Hell...you never know...I may find a bag of money on the way home from work.

Did you Miss me?

Yes...I am back.
Well, sort of, I still feel kind of shy and non-social-like. But I can't stay quiet forever...right?

Its just been a whole lot of frustration and hormones. When your having a troublesome time with your life it is really not the best time to ditch birth control for two months. I was broke, didn't want to use what little money I had to buy more, and I thought "hey...interesting experiment...no additional hormones for two cycles!"

I will NEVER do that again. And if I mention it to you, that I'm thinking this is a good idea again, please hit me until I change my mind. Really wallop me one.

If you have a long long history of depression and hormonal imbalance going off birth control is kind of nuts. I take it mostly for regulation of my insane reproductive cycle. I forgot how depressed and kind of crazy I get without the sweet, sweet pills to keep me in check. I forgot how Texas Chainsaw Massacre-esque my period got. I forgot about all the cramping and headaches and general terribleness. Good lord....why did I let myself forgo something so DAMN important! I'd rather go without food, water and shelter then that!

Mix this looney stew up with some frustration and unhappiness about looking for work and you get my extended absence from the outside world.

I think I even had a bit of agoraphobia sprinkled in for some flavor.

But I'm back now...I hope. Things are running a bit more smoothly. Or I'm so crazy its turned into ridiculous amounts of optimism. I'm going to start working on Monday. I'm sure this sense of hope will wear off as soon as I receive that first tiny, tiny paycheck, but for now.....YEAH!

Say hi......if anyone actually still checks this.

This Space is Available

One day I will have something to say.

Promise.

1 down....a lifetime more to go!

It was a year ago today that I married my absolute favorite person in the world!
Sure, we drive each other crazy on a regular basis, but there's no one I'd rather spend my lifetime with.

I heart AA!!!
foreves!




(Romantic song for the day: Tugboat - Galaxie 500)

Daydreaming

I'm getting ridiculous amounts of knitting done as of late, but I'd be much happier employed.

I am hoping for large amounts of snow on Wednesday. Knitting, crazy snowfall, and my year anniversary, AND Valentine's Day. I would be very happy to lock myself at home with my husband, eat chocolate or something as sinful, watch Planet of the Apes, and knit all day long. Hopefully it will snow early and he will be trapped at home with me.
And I really do like exploring the city in the snow....no pesky cars to get in the way.

I've been daydreaming a lot lately. I'm practically obsessed with Craft's blog. Its update very often, which is great for someone with large amounts of time on their hands, and its filled will all sorts of crafty stories. I may be known for my knitting, but my love of crafts in general is where my heart lies. I like glass, and embroidery, and beading, and sewing, and stamper collecting. I get just as giggly buying felt tipped markers as I do buying yarn. I've been reading the crafster message boards since they began. I even used to post to the long defunct glitter boards (which popped up on another server, but its just not the same). I'm waiting patiently, well, more like impatiently for my new issues of Craft and Adorn to show up in the mail. (I subscribed late so it will take forever)
I'm thinking of embroidery ideas and things I'd like to embroider but I just seem to be missing bits and pieces. Maybe this week I'll drag myself to my local art store and pick up the few items I still need.

Nothing else to report. I'm still waiting for good news, especially after spending the past week horribly cold ridden. I had no idea the nose could even get that stuffed, let alone stay that way over a week. The human body is amazing and gross.

The family camera has taken a turn for the worse, so I probably won't have pictures available until I'm happily employed. Lets all hope that is soon.