Too Much Information

Too much information running through my brain 
Too much information driving me insane...

I’ve noticed a lot of distractors on social media lately. I’m happy to see them. There are puppy pictures instead of politics, jokes, games and even some survey says type things where you have to answer questions about yourself. Reminds me of the good old FB days when you could see what everyone was having for dinner!

Recently a coworker asked me to help compile a list of the 'about me' questions she had seen on FB. I thought maybe I’d answer a few. So I did the ‘pick and choose’ and answered the ones I felt like finishing.

Without further ado, here are 20 absolutely useless facts about me.

Who are you named after? 
My dad. I was supposed to be their boy, a junior. My middle name is from my mom’s friend she once told me. I was never fond of that part of my name!

Do you use sarcasm?
Most of the time. Someone told me I’m not funny. I think I’m hilarious.

Do you still have your tonsils? 
I do and almost all of the other parts I came with as well.

What is your favorite cereal?
Depends. Sometimes it’s Rice Krispies and sometimes Frosted Shredded Wheat. If I’m feeling like I should be healthy it might be Raisin Bran or oatmeal. Usually it’s not the super sweet cereals. But sometimes they are good for snacking. I guess I don’t have a favorite.

What is your favorite ice cream?
I like ice cream so I’d probably try most anything I got. Right now it’s Rocky Road with milk poured over it.

What are you listening to right now?
Television. DVR is great and I can multi task then rewind when I miss something. And zooming through commercials is priceless!

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? 
I couldn’t be just one color. I’m variegated at heart.

What is your hair color? 
Really dark brown, almost black. Nowadays it comes from a tube.

What is your eye color? 
My eyes are green but can also be blue, depending on what I wear. Sometimes they are kind of a gray color as well. If you ask people they will tell you different things. But both of them are the same color!

What is your favorite Holiday? 
I want to say Christmas but the past few have been stressful. I never thought we’d become one of those families...but we have.

Where were you born?
I was born in Lubbock, Texas. We moved to Albuquerque when I was three years old and I grew up there. But marriage brought Texas again and I’ve lived in this little town longer than anywhere else. I’m a Texan at heart with a little green chile thrown in.

Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? 
Absolutely. I dislike most anything medical; procedures, needles and visiting any medical personnel, dentists included. They always say this won’t hurt...but it does.

What do you think of hot dogs? 
I like hotdogs. A lot. I like them with mustard, relish and pickles, chili, cheese, bacon. I like hotdogs.

Do you have A.D.D.?
Probably. And H too.

Do you wear glasses?
Only if I want to see to read.

How did you bring in the New Year? 
I waited for E to get here for our traditional ‘party’. But he didn’t come home until 11:45 so I woke Alan, we waited til midnight and toasted then went to bed. Sad, but I think the littles are getting too old for this Mamye.

Do you own slippers?
I own several pairs of slippers. As soon as I get home from work, on they go. I love my slippers!

What is the last thing that made you laugh? 
Some silly joke I read on FB. What a life. FB makes me laugh and cry and lately, it also makes me angry...and scared.

What vehicle do you drive?
I love my Honda Accord. Her name is Bessie Lee and she takes me where I need to be. See how I did that?

There has to be one last question because I don’t like ending on an odd number.

Do you like odd or even numbers?
Apparently tonight it’s even.

Too much information running through my brain... 

Someone wanted a hat without a hole so I made her a happy hat!

The beginning.

Finished product!

 Here’s a last bunch of messy bun hats. Some are in the last picture too. I think I’ll switch to dishcloths for a while!

Too much information driving me insane...

I Can See Clearly Now

…the rain is gone, 

I can see all obstacles in my way. 

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind, 

It’s gonna be a bright, bright Sun-Shiny day. 

My friend Lynn posted a note on Facebook the other day that really hit home. It went something like this.

She was in a hardware store waiting on her husband in the gardening department. An older man and his grown daughter walked by. They laughed and pointed as they walked by. Their childish display astonished her. As she waited, more customers passed by, acting in the same manner. Feeling self conscious, she checked to make sure all was okay and decided to move on and find her husband. As she walked away she saw more people snickering and pointing as they sauntered by where she had just been.

When she turned to look, sitting right behind where she had been standing, was a young man, fully reclined, sound asleep! With his mouth wide open, drooling, he was slouched down in a hammock type lawn chair. He looked like a commercial for the furniture, showing how comfortable the chairs were! She began to laugh at him, but mostly at herself because she thought it had been her people were staring and laughing at. She said she was reminded of an important life lesson; never take anything personally. She said she laughed at herself for thinking she was important enough to have been laughed at to begin with! She said, “It ISN'T always about me!!!”

I have to admit, I would have thought the exact same thing she was thinking. I’d have wondered if my hair looked funny or my zipper was down. I would have naturally assumed it was something I had done. I would have thought it was all about me!

I always thought that ‘all about me’ meant you considered yourself to be something special, something better than the average bear. After reading her note I realized it works the opposite way, just as well. People are self centered. Most people think ‘it’s all about ME’, when in reality nothing others do is because of you. People say and do things that are a projection of their own reality. You are just a character in their personal soap opera!

I tend to take things personally. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Apparently I give permission freely because I let people make me feel inferior quite often. I need to remember that when I take things personally, I’m not focusing on what someone said or did but more on how I feel. I replay the situation until I agree with whatever negativity they’ve chosen to bestow. Instead, I should focus on that person.

Perhaps this person is negative to everyone. (yes) Perhaps it’s supposed to be funny or it's a bad day. (365) Perhaps they have much insecurity. (myriad) Perhaps it’s just poor communication and emotional management skills. (tirade) Perhaps I should find compassion. (patience)

I need to remind myself that I don’t need anyone’s approval. If I get a compliment I need to remember that it’s the other person’s viewpoint. The same goes for an insult. It’s how the other person sees it and that may or may not be accurate. Compliments don’t make me a better person and insults don’t make me worse. When someone compliments, it makes them better because they're taking the time to be supportive and encouraging. If someone isn't happy with you it doesn't mean you've done something wrong. In most cases it means that person isn't happy and they want you to feel as bad as they feel.

Life can be far more pleasant by not taking things personally. I have to remember that sometimes it is all about me. Most of the time though? It ISN'T about me at all!

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone. 

All of the bad feelings have disappeared. 

Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin’ for. 

It’s gonna be a bright , bright, 

Sun-Shiny day. 

I still don’t like blocking. But I did it! I blocked the shawl for my sister and now just have to send it on its merry way!

Close up of edge

Probably medium sized

I restarted the rainbow scarf too. It's almost finished.

Where's the pot of gold? :)

I also started another plain old cowl. This is a shiny yarn and will be okay being just plain. The groundhog said six more weeks of winter but I have a feeling it’s going to be warmer than scarf weather soon. That’s a shame as I really like wearing them now. It’s surprising how just that little bit around your neck can keep you warm!

Cast on 150, join and knit, knit, knit

 And to be in the spirit of February, here’s a few hearts from a great pattern over at Cornflower Blue Studio.

Cute little guys!

Our Creative Spaces is back up. Head over there if you want to see some really cool things!

In the meantime just remember, you’re okay just how you are. And I’m okay too! Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

Look all around, there’s nothin' but blue skies. 

Look straight ahead, nothin' but blue skies... 

It’s gonna be a bright, bright, 

Sun-Shiny day.