What Goes Around Comes Around

You should know that. 
What goes around comes around, Yeahhh… 

My Mamaw used to say, “What goes around comes around.” (She also said, “If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all”, which I chose to ignore because I was afraid I’d never be able to utter a word!)

What does it mean? Basically it means that the things you do (to others) will come back to you. It ties into do unto others, we reap what we sow, karma. Apparently, with all the quotes addressing the situation, it used to be more important or at least in more people’s thoughts than today.

In this case it was really a form of bullying. Almost everyone has experienced bullying at one time or another. If you weren’t the bully maybe you were a participant, as an onlooker. And if you weren’t the bully or the observer then you were most likely a victim.

Bullying is a hot topic lately. There are many tragic stories of young people being bullied and the dire actions sometimes taken to end the torment. Sadly, adults are not immune. Bullies exist in the workplace, just as they did throughout the 12 or so years of school. They may not be quite as obvious as they were then, but they are definitely there.

I’m not one to wish ill will on people. However, there are times when I think it’s acceptable to want people to get what’s coming to them. It was pure luck that I was able to witness this first hand. And I enjoyed every second. Do I feel guilty for being happy? Not a bit. Do I feel guilty that a couple of us went out and actually toasted to the event? Well, maybe a little.

Things are back to normal now. Well, it’s better than normal, for me anyway. And hopefully it will stay that way. But the old bullies are replaced by new ones. And I see the fresh victims and know they pretty much just have to grin and bear it. And my heart hurts for them.

Don't wanna talk about it (uh) 
I'm just so sick about it...

I really intended that this year would be different, in blogging anyway. I thought I’d set up a schedule and post more frequently. Alas, life happens and maybe I did heed my Mamaw’s advice. If I don’t have anything to say I don’t say anything at all!

My DS brought me roses for Valentine's Day. Sweet! And the best present of course is our sweet Belle who turned 5 years old!

Red roses for mom!

Belle in her poncho and hat that WE like! ha ha

Getting back in the swing of things is harder than it sounds! And I’ll try to post more often. And knit more often! Here’s a picture of a scarf for a friend. She bought the yarn and asked me to make her something. I don’t usually do that, unless I like you, and I happened to like her and it was a pattern I wanted to try, so it was a win win.

Pretty picture, much better than mine!

I also did some simple little hearts to get into the spirit of Valentines. Somebody liked them so I gave her a strand. Something so simple and she said it really made her day! And who knows? It can always come back around!

Hearts everywhere!

What goes around, goes around, goes around, comes all the way back around. 
Yeah.

You Are So Beautiful

To me… 

She danced around the room, singing her songs. She sang, “You are so beautiful, to me-e-e-e”, ala Joe Cocker! I laughed, because it took me by surprise that she would know the words to a song that was introduced almost four decades before she was born. She struck a pose to hit the high note at the end and gave me a dazzling smile.

You are so beautiful...

Then she climbed in my lap. She put her little hand on my cheek and began to sing the song again. As I gazed into her ebony eyes, I believed every word she said. And for that little spot of time, I did feel beautiful. I knew she thought so. And I knew I held a special place in her heart, just as she holds in mine.

You're everything I need. 

Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever gone this long between posts since I started blogging. I don’t know exactly what I’ve been doing that’s kept me so busy lately but it sure tires me out. There have been a couple of deadline projects at work. That’s a little stress. By the time I get home I don’t want to do much of anything. I’ll get something ready for us to eat and maybe do a load of laundry and I’m finished. If I get in my chair and get comfortable I’m all but done for the night. Sometimes I don’t even pick up my knitting. This too shall pass.

I love these stitch markers my friend Alice made!

As far as knitting goes though, I have just been working on the Clapotis for the KAL and am (finally) on the decrease rows. There’s a road trip coming up so I might be able to finish it. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the pattern. I also forgot that it seems to take forever! I don’t know what’s next but I’ll think of something I’m sure.

On the down side!

I’ve managed to do a little bathtub reading and finished a couple of books as well. Bathtub reading is one of my private little pleasures! If it weren’t for that I might not ever finish a story. Usually, if I pick up a book it’s a signal for people to start talking to me. It doesn’t matter where; at the airport, in the car, at home. That’s why I knit. I can listen and comment and don’t lose my place unless it’s something complicated.

My reading choices are simple books, mysteries mostly, easy no-brainer reading. The last three I read of course, had a murder. Would it be an oxymoron to say a homicide makes light reading? They are entertaining and the villain is caught in the end. And I like them.

Intellectual reading!

With heroines and sleuths like Cece Caruso, Sarah Boothe Delaney and Tinkie, and Gwen Katz, how could I not be interested? There’s a suspicious death on Kosher Karaoke Night, a missing 4 million dollar ruby necklace and a wrongly convicted criminal still awaiting parole after 40 years. If that’s not better, (and a lot more fun) than the daily news, what is? You can see, my literary choices run deep! Maybe I’ll go take a bath.

You are so beautiful, 

To me…

May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose

I heard him say as I made my retreat, 

"May the bird of paradise fly up your nose…” 

Would you be suspicious if someone who doesn’t speak to you suddenly comes by and chats you up for about ten or more minutes? Yeah, me too. And I don’t know where it came from, but after it was over I had an overwhelming urge to say, “May the bird of paradise fly up your nose!” I didn’t. But I thought it. And I also thought that it would probably be most painful if a bird flew up your nose. And if it did happen I’d much rather it is someone else’s nose than mine.

There’s a funny thing about birds. They can do all sorts of things. They can tell secrets. When I did something that wasn’t quite on the up and up, some dumb little birdie always told my mom. But that’s to be suspected when they have that bird’s eye view of things going on. And all the while I thought I was free as a bird turned out I was just a sitting duck with some stool pigeon reporting all my moves. I never did figure out who it was. However, after she got over being mad as a wet hen she’d let me fly the coop. As I got older I realized she really was a wise old owl.

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My grandmother always told me she ate like a bird. That is, until I told her that birds eat constantly and sometimes eat up to twice their weight in food, daily. I guess she didn’t want to know that as she gave me the old eagle eye the rest of that day. To prove a point, (I suppose anyway), there weren’t any snacks that day until supper. As my stomach growled, I really felt liked I’d cooked my own goose!

Speaking of grandmother, I guess my sister and I weren’t always good little girls at her house. Grandmother insisted on being called Grandmother. She wasn’t a mam or a nanny or even a grandma type person. But one thing she definitely hated was to be called granny. Granny was what they called my great grandmother, my granddaddy’s mother, or her mother-in-law. Now, I can understand. Anyway, my sister and I, sitting naked as jay birds in the bathtub, would call for her when we were ready to get out. I don’t know why we had to wait for her. Seems like she was afraid we’d fall or maybe she wanted to make sure we’d washed with soap. Whatever the reason, we would call out, “Granny, we’re done!” Well, maybe it was just me who’d call out while my sister giggled. There would be no answer. Birds of a feather that we were, we (or I) would try again. In a voice sweet as a nightingale I’d cry out, “Granny, we’re done!” Nothing. Finally, shriveled and shivering in the cold bathwater, one of us would call, “Grandmother, we’re done!” Quick as that old roadrunner, she’d dash in, grab us up with a towel and all was well. Meep Meep. She was a sly old bird!

I may just start saying “may the bird of paradise fly up your nose.” I kind of like the sound of it! I can have a “Pretty Woman” plan in the eaves. You know, I almost peed my pants, Pirates of Penzance. Most people just ask how you’re doing to say something when you pass each other in the hall or on the street. They don’t listen and they most likely really don’t care. So if I answer with “may the bird of paradise fly up your nose”, would they even notice? Probably not, but in case they did and asked what I’d just said, I could say, “hey, I really like your clothes.” Or maybe “you’ve got something on your nose.” Or how about “that’s just the way the day goes,” or “good, except for the run in my hose.” And I can just smile, like the cat that swallowed the canary. Yes, think I’ve got it covered!

May the bird of paradise fly up your nose… 

May an elephant caress you with his toes. 

May your wife be plagued with runners in her hose. 

May the bird of paradise fly up your nose. 

I’m on the downside of a pretty powerful cold or something. It zapped every bit of energy I had. I didn’t miss work, except for one day, but by the time I got home I didn’t want to do anything. Two full weekends were spent sleeping or just laying around. I didn’t even want to knit. I still have the cough but I feel okay so it’s time to dig out. I did get the shawl sent off. I didn’t have daylight to take a picture of it after the blocking but maybe my sister will send one. I made some more of those cute little hearts but now that I’ve missed Valentines, I guess I’ll just keep them for later.

Being the bird brain I am, now I have birds on my mind. I have a stained sweater I saved to make an owl. The plans are in my head so there’s a big chance that the finished product won’t look anything like my mental picture!

And I ran across this cute little bird pattern, on Attic 24’s blog. I want to make some of them too.

Birdie decoration. DIY on Attic 24's blog.

Valentine’s day is sweet Belle’s birthday. We went over to help her celebrate. She was in a poofy pink dress and told me I had to call her princess because today was her birthday and she was four. She’s so funny.

My princess on her birthday.

The princess and her pinata.

Finally! Candy!!!

 We lucked out and got some Sweet Sugar Belle cookies for Valentines! We even shared with co-workers. Funny, the people I gifted don’t want to eat them. They say they are too pretty! All I can say is the love bird, or bluebird of happiness, your choice, tasted mighty fine to me!

Valentine cookies from my daughter, Sweet Sugar Belle.

I heard him sayin' as I turned to go, 

"May the bird of paradise fly up your nose"

Ma Belle Amie

You were a child of the sun

And the sky and the deep blue sea

February 14, 2008 at 2:32 am our sweet Belle came into our lives. She was a healthy 7.6 pounds and 19.5 inches long. She had curly dark hair and big dark eyes. From that minute on she became our special Valentine!

New sister!

Belle is a well rounded little girl. She can pinch her brothers and turn around and hug them, all in the same minute. She can be a tomboy, right there in the mud or race around yelling. She can be a little diva in her frills and ruffles and jewelry. She can be a momma, taking care of all when someone she loves is sick or hurting. And she can be the little girl with the little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. But however she is, she’s our Belle, sweet, mean, mad, crying or smiling.

Belle’s mom says she’s a lot like me. I don’t know yet. There’s some ways I hope she is and there are a lot of ways I hope she’s not. We don’t really look alike but we both have curly hair. We can be mean girls. We can be nice girls too. We both love shoes. She even has a baby shoe rack hanging on the inside of her closet door and knows which pair she is going to wear, whether her mom agrees or not! She likes clothes and already knows to sqeee in delight at something pretty. She decides what she wants to wear and there’s not a lot of compromising. She knows what she likes! I think we will probably be good shopping buddies when she gets older. I know that whatever comes, she’ll be my sweet Belle, my baby girl and my beautiful friend.

Happy birthday ma Belle amie! Mamye loves you!

I want to tell you that I adore you,

And always do.

That you amaze me, by leaving me now.

And start a-new.

Ma belle amie, I'm in love with you!

Now wouldn’t you want to get this for a Valentine’s present? Well, not unless you like yarn! But I sure wouldn’t mind having it. I wonder if I could make one. Creative!

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/02/how-to_giant_valentine_heart_b.html

It’s February 10, day 316 and I’m so relieved to be home. I’m still just tired and could stay in bed all day I think. Won’t get the chance but it’s good to be back. I chose thick aqua twisted with gray. Back to it today. It’s day 317, February 11, and it’s a peaceful day at work. There are not many people there and I can get a lot done. Leftovers in the break room for lunch so that’s good. Then Alan brought more leftovers for supper from another luncheon. All is good! I picked sinfonia blue variegated for today. I’m working on Saturday, day 318, February 12. It’s cold but they did remember to leave the door unlocked so I can turn the heat on for us. I’m content to get some work done and listen and hope my intern listens so he can pass his test! We end early and I’m able to take my friend for a late birthday lunch. It’s a good day. I chose a tan and white nubby yarn for today. Day 319, February 13, and I sleep late, again. I just can’t seem to get caught up. Or maybe it’s some new medicine. Anyway, when I finally get around I don’t do much. I should have gone to a funeral for a young man who used to live across the road from me. But it was just so sad I couldn’t do it. He was a soldier and it’s not known what happened yet. It’s just sad that such a young life is ended so soon. I choose camo yarn for him today. Day 320 is Valentine’s Day. It’s February 14 and my sweet Belle’s 3rd birthday. I can’t believe it’s gone so fast. She makes me feel loved. I choose pink worsted because pink is her favorite color. I want her to grow up and have everything she needs and most everything she wants. I want her to be kind and considerate, honest and headstrong in a good way. I want the best for her.

Finished cowl, except for blocking

Spread out to see the pattern.

Ma belle amie,

I want to tell you that I adore you,

And always do.

Ma belle amie I'm in love with you...