Friends in Low Places

I'm not big on social graces, think I'll slip on down to the oasis...
Oh, I've got friends in low places...

One time I was in San Antonio with a group of friends. We’d heard about a killer margarita, the specialty of one of the restaurants on the Riverwalk. So the group of us girls, about six in all, decided we’d take a walk down the river to see if we could find the origin of this famous concoction.

The Riverwalk is in downtown San Antonio. It’s a tourist attraction, but not really a river. It’s actually designed for flood control. In 1921 a disastrous flood along the San Antonio River claimed at least 50 lives. The bypass channel was born. An architect named Robert Hugman dreamed up the plans for what eventually became the Riverwalk. Today it’s a mecca of hotels and restaurants, all one level below the street. It’s a winding maze of people and vegetation. There are even ducks, swimming in the murky water.

We walked along until we found what we were looking for. There was no wait and we circled a table, outside, at river’s edge. The waitress brought large baskets of fried tortilla wedges and bowls of spicy, fresh salsa. We watched the people walk by and visited as we snacked and chatted, awaiting our beverages.

Several tables were occupied. Nearby was a romantic couple and in another spot, a family with small children. Another table had a group similar to ours, women together, most likely doing just what we were; enjoying the atmosphere and each other’s company. That’s what we thought anyway.

One of the women stood. Correction; she tried to stand. With a little help from her friends she made it off the chair and staggered inside, one of the others holding her up. The two at the table were left laughing hysterically. To get inside to the restroom two steps needed to be scaled. After a couple of tries the friend got her inside, presumably all the way to the women’s room. After a bit, still supported by the friend, she came back and tried to make her way to her seat. Without the assistance of the other woman she would have slid to the ground. She was smashed.

We watched curiously, to see what happened next. One of the ladies from the table approached the two, while the other stayed seated, still laughing. We thought she had come to help. No. she had her phone out and was taking picture after picture. The poor inebriated lady was cognizant enough to realize what was going on and begged her to stop. They both just laughed at her and said wait until they put the snapshots on Facebook. Finally the trio made their way back to their table where her friends encouraged her to finish the drink she had left. Knowing no better, she continued to sip the poison they fed her.

We shifted our interest back to our visit, paying no attention to the other table. All was going well until one of the girls at our table exclaimed, “Gross. That is disgusting.” Of course we all turned to see what was going on. The intoxicated woman had thrown up all over their table. Did her friends help her? After they laughed and took more pictures.

The group finally got up, dragging their friend, and staggered away. Hopefully they made it to their hotel down the river. The wait staff, young people, seemed to take it in stride. Utensils and dishes were removed from the table. A water hose and mop appeared and disinfectant was sprayed. The table was scrubbed and set up for the next (unsuspecting) guests. It was a routine occurrence we were told.

I was embarrassed for the lady but mostly I felt anger towards her so-called friends. How could they make the entire situation such a joke, laughing at her and taking pictures which probably made it to some form of social media? How could they encourage her, knowing she couldn’t stand alone, to have more alcohol? Those were not friends. They were cruel, uncaring, individuals.

I hope when she was able to function, that she could recall some of the events of the afternoon. I hope she re-evaluates the people she calls friends. I hope she questions their actions and how they reacted when she needed them. Most of all, I hope, if they ask her to go again that she’d have the sense to say no, she was busy. Besides, they weren’t all that much fun.

Well, I guess I was wrong, I just don't belong,
But then, I've been there before...

Speaking of friends, an Internet knitter friend sent me a package the other day. She crocheted (which isn’t the same as knitting but it uses yarn), some really cool coasters! What a nice gesture! Thank you Jo!

A friend is someone you respect and who reciprocates that feeling. It’s someone whose company you enjoy. It’s someone you like to be around. It’s someone who will support you and likes you, even on your bad days. A true friend celebrates your best and would never post stupid pictures of you on social media. Everybody needs a friend. But first you have to be a friend.

These are my friends in high places! Funnest group ever!!

Oh, I've got friends in low places...

Why Can’t We Be Friends?

Sometimes I don't speak right
But yet I know what I'm talking about.
Why can't we be friends?

A lady I’ve known a long time now works with me. She’d moved away, and had many changes in her life. By chance, we traveled together recently. And we reconnected. Catching up with people you knew, still know, but don’t know, is oftentimes very interesting. We went through the “how have you beens”, “how are the kids”, and “where is everyone now type questions”. We laughed as we visited and caught up. Then we began discussing people we both know.

“Well”, she said. “N is really a nice person. Her son is getting married soon.”
 “Really?” I replied? “N is not a nice person and here is why.”
“Oh, I can sure see why you’d not like her!” she continued.

“Have you seen C lately?” I asked.
“C? Well, yes I’ve seen him but let me tell you what happened.” she replied.
“Oh! I never would have thought that! I understand why you aren’t impressed” I said.

The conversation continued on, with acquaintances, like a tennis ball, being batted between opposing sides. Some of the people she really thought a lot of were in the negative numbers as far as I was concerned. Likewise, several of the individuals I regarded highly were real losers in her book. But we are still friends.

It worked this time. I think the proximity of the people we discussed played a part. And it could even be that we are mature adults. Ha! In earlier times, though, it may not have. When I was a kid it was an unwritten playground rule: If I don’t like them you can’t either! That stood until everyone was invited to the birthday party and we all became fabulous buddies again!

Adults aren’t the same. They can hold grudges and sometimes it’s the mutual friend (or enemy) who gets stuck in the middle. It’s a full-time job to be friends with two people who have a grievance against one another. The shared friend can end up becoming a referee and has the potential of facing a whole lot of drama. When possible I stay far away from those situations. If it happens I try to be congenial and noncommittal to all parties involved.

In a recent situation, a friend is going to rent from another friend. I haven’t really been put in the middle, and I won’t be. But both have come with little complaints about the other. I just nod or shake my head and stay a bit reserved. I might offer a “ask her” or a “tell her” now and then but that’s the extent of my advice. I think (and hope) they’ll work everything out.

In the meantime, I’ll be friends with my friends and I’ll be friends with you, provided the friends of yours that I don’t like stay their distance!

Why can't we be friends?
The color of your skin don't matter to me
As long as we can live in harmony

I can’t seem to find time to play with yarn.
By the time I get home, get supper organized, prepared and on the table it’s around 8:00. Even with help it just seems to take a long time.

I usually don’t even do the dishes. My sweet daughter in law is taking on that chore. After that I just want to sit, maybe watch a show then go to bed. I could pick it up during TV time but I’ve recently found that blasted unnecessary evil, Candy Crush. I have to make a choice!

It shouldn’t be a hard choice. Candy Crush is NOT my friend!

Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends…

Say You, Say Me

Say you, say me; say it together 

Another funny thing happened during the door debacle at Callye’s house. Loud noises startle people. When that happens sometimes an expletive pops out. We may (or may not) have uttered a couple of words not used in everyday conversation, especially when there are Littles about.

After things settled down, while waiting for cookies to bake, Belle came to me. Looking straight at me with her big almost black eyes, she smiled and asked: “What does fark mean?” My mind started whirling. Oh my goodness. Fark. Does she mean fart? She couldn’t mean another ‘F’ word, could she? I didn’t say that at the huge bang, did I? Surely not. Maybe. If I’m honest I have to admit it has happened. But I don’t think it happened today. Oh no.

Beautiful Belle and the lispy Barbie!

Trying to deflect the conversation I said: “Fart? You know what that means silly girl!” No, she said. “Fark.” “Fart?” I asked again. “NO! FARK!” Okay. I’m trying to think, wondering how to explain that sometimes big people say bad words, but little people never should, when suddenly I have another idea. Hoping for the best I say, “Where did you hear that?”

She holds up the Barbie type doll she has in her hand, presses a button somewhere and the doll begins to sing a song. It’s a bit garbled and hard to understand but there it is. Fark. The doll plainly says something that sounds like fark.

The infamous singing Barbie!

Whew. That was close! Relieved, we listen again and again and finally decide the doll is singing the word Spark, albeit with a Barbie lisp.

The real words to the song!

But it goes to show that they hear everything! So be careful, especially if you’re startled and accidentally say “Bleep”!

Say you, say me; say it for always 
That's the way it should be 

It was a great weekend for a knitting get together. It’s an annual thing that we call WHIBSIB which means what happens in Buda stays in Buda with Buda being the name of the town where we gather. It’s ladies from across the state and we laugh, eat, knit, swap stories, yarn and books, win prizes, give prizes and just generally have a great time. There weren’t as many of us this year as usual but we still managed to have a great time!

Here we are at dinner! 15 of us anyway.

I started a quick knit on big needles. They laughed at some of my big needles but I like them. Instant gratification!

Giant needles!!

Say you, say me; say it together 
Naturally…

Old Days

Good times I remember… 

I had a couple of ‘free’ tickets on Southwest that were fixing to expire. These are airline tickets earned with points from other travel. I hated to lose them but I’d let the deadline slip up on me and I didn’t know if I could swing a trip during the block of time I had or not. Besides that, I didn’t have anywhere to go! I thought about it and decided maybe a visit with my sister Judi would be fun. I asked her if she’d be able to get off work if I came over and she said yes. The trip was set.

My airline of choice!

We had no agenda. That meant staying up late and sleeping in. It meant shopping. And it meant eating out at places unknown to me. No pressure. No stress.

Judi contacted some childhood friends and made a date for us to meet them for lunch. We entered the pizza parlor and there they were, looking pretty much like they always looked!

Here we are! Note to self: Don't ever wear white! It makes you look ten pounds heavier!

When we were growing up, we lived on a corner of a ‘T’ intersection. Judy and Jana lived across the street. We spent hours together, playing with troll dolls, skating, and climbing the willow in our front yard. Sometimes we played at our house and sometimes we played at theirs. Jana is the same age as my sister Judi, and Judy is a year or so older than me.

Judy had beautiful, long, shiny, straight hair. That was the fashion back then. She wore it parted down the middle. My hair, on the other hand, was curly. When I tried wearing it long it looked much like Tiny Tim’s hair looked. It wasn’t attractive.

Tiny Tim. I always thought his hair was horrible! And mine looked the same.

Of course, I wanted smooth, vertical hair. Judy and I tried many things to make it straight. She helped me iron it, using a real iron on an ironing board. I guess that was pre flat irons! And it didn’t work. We rolled it on orange juice cans. That made bigger waves than I already had. Plus, it was heck to sleep on! We sprayed it with Knox Unflavored Gelatin. That sounds horrible but really it was probably like a spray gel. It made my hair stiff, but alas, it was still curly.

We were both in constant search of ‘the’ technique that would make my hair straight! One of the most bizarre things we found was for me to sleep with a nylon stocking on my head. Yes, really. I would squeeze it down over my wet hair. My nose was squashed and my eyes were either open for extended periods or closed. It was difficult to blink. It wasn’t comfortable, and there were all kinds of indents pressed into my face upon awakening. One night, as I was preparing this unique costume before I went to bed, my dad came in. He looked at me, shook his head and backed out of the room!

Judy was an expert on the piano. I suppose she took lessons, but I don’t remember for sure. It seemed to me, she could play anything. One song that was especially pretty was “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel. We had a piano too, but nobody played it. At least not like Judy played. I really wanted to learn that song so she hand copied the entire score. I didn’t realize it then but that was amazing in itself!

We visited as we ate our pizza, caught up and reminisced. It was like the old days, minus the troll dolls! My hair is still curly. Judy’s is still straight. Some things never change. It’s good to have longtime friends with whom you can still talk with, laugh with and remember the good (and a few bad) times!

Time passed too quickly and it was time to return to work, a necessary evil. I packed, including the extra suitcase I had to borrow, tucked away the memories we made, and went to the airport. I was already thinking about the next time we’d be able to spend time together.

Fun days. 
Filled with simple pleasures. 

I finally got the rest of my packages from the FB game sent off. My sweet friend Debi got the scribble lace scarf/shawl.

Scribble Lace. A thick yarn mixed with a thin yarn.

My niece got the drop-stitch eternity scarf. I think they were both pleased! I hope so anyway!

A drop stitch eternity/infinity scarf. She said it matched her hair????

Gold days. 
Days I'll always treasure…

I'll Be There For You

It's like you're always stuck in second gear. 

And it hasn't been your day, your week, 

Your month, or even your year but… 

 I'll be there for you… 

Sometimes I’m late to hop on the bandwagon. Well, probably all the time. I haven’t read all the Harry Potter books. None of my jeans have holes in them, unless it was an accident. I eat gluten. I don’t know what gluten is exactly but I don’t search out gluten free items so I must eat it. I don’t know anything at all about Hunger Games and I probably won’t have any tangerine clothes unless it’s a holdover from years ago. (Oops! I got an orangy shirt and had a gifted necklace in tangerine…and they just match!)

What rhymes with orange?

Albeit 18 years late, I’ve found the greatest television show to watch. They call it “Friends”. It’s on Nick at Night, at a time I should be in bed, and also sometimes on TBS. Thank goodness for reruns! I’ll sit up late and giggle at the silly and even stupid things they do and say. Sometimes I laugh out loud then look around, self consciously, lest I wake my sleeping husband and he comes to see what I’m doing. I like some of the characters and I dislike others, depending on the episode. But mostly I wonder what it would be like to actually have a close group of friends like that.

 

I have friends. Just check my Facebook! But they aren’t really friends. If defined they would be classified as acquaintances. That’s someone who knows you, but doesn’t really know you. That’s not to say they don’t care about you. I know a lot who do. I have a handful of close friends, people who are really my friends, but it’s nothing like the TV show. In fact, my close friends probably know very little about me. I can’t even imagine what it would feel like to have friends I could share anything with.

I don’t know when but I guess sometime in my life I was scarred by a bad friendship. I’ve had people I trusted tell things they swore not to tell. I’ve been involved in political life games with people pretending to be your friend until they need something from you that you can’t give. I’ve seen posturing; who can be the smartest, the loudest, the most stylish, the coolest, the prettiest. I’ve been the victim more than once. And these are my grown up ‘friends’! I guess you could say I have trust issues.

I know that there are no ‘Golden Girl’ roomies in my future. And when the kids put me at Shady Pines I’ll be the little old lady sitting and knitting in front of the television set, probably alone. Come sit by me and we’ll visit.

Your mother warned you there'd be days like these 

Oh but she didn't tell you when the world has brought 

You down to your knees that... 

I'll be there for you...

I have this yarn that doesn’t want to be anything. It’s pretty, turquoise blue twisted with reds and yellows. I thought it would be a nice little something. So it was on the way to be a lacy scarf. It was pretty but it just wasn’t right. So it was ‘frogged’.

A little fuzzy in the picture but already unraveled

While I was thinking I read a book called “Mobbed”, by Carol Higgins Clark, one of Mary’s daughters. It is about a missing celebrity and a garage sale. How does that go together? Read it and see! Her books tend to remind me of Keystone Cops. There's lots of things going on all at the same time. After the book I tried to simplify things. I decided the yarn could be just a plain cowl. I finished again but alas, that didn’t work either.

Need a great read idea? http://www.gsheller.com/2012/04/yarn-along-71.html

Now it’s back to a lonely (little--110 yards) ball of yarn. I don’t know whether to try again, or not. Third time’s charm they say. But I’m getting tired of the little guy. I know he's disguised as something. What? I don't know yet. I think I’ll ground him. Maybe if he gets back in the yarn cabinet he can make a friend and they can go on a knitting adventure together when he can think of something he really wants to be…and I hope he lets me know! And if you have any ideas...you let me know too, okay?

Check out http://http://ourcreativespaces.blogspot.com/ for ideas!

Someone to face the day with.

Make it through all the rest with.

Someone I'll always laugh with.

Even at my worst I'm best with you, yeah...

I'll be there for you...

With a Little Help from My Friends…

What would you do if I sang out of tune,

Would you stand up and walk out on me?

Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song

And I'll try not to sing out of key...

We all need friends. Most of us have some, if not many. And really, it’s not how many friends you have, but the kind of friends you keep that make you happy or not. We make friends, lose friends and hold on to some in our lives for many years. And there are still others yet to be met.

There’s something to that saying, “It takes all kinds.” I think the different friends, (sometimes acquaintance is a better word), I have, all help bring out a special part of me. I have friends that don’t criticize when I sing out of tune. I have friends that would leave the room at the thought of me singing. I have friends I joke with. I have friends that I could only be serious with and others with whom I wouldn’t share a thing. I have friends I can get silly and giggle with, never feeling self conscious. I have friends I can drink with and others that I’d never even consider in that sphere. I hear one friend's problems and give her advice then turn around and listen to another advising me. I’m polite and serious with some and loud and raunchy with others. I’ve grown closer to some and sometimes, sadly, drifted away from others. I have friends I can call or text anytime and others whose numbers I don’t even have. I have friends who take me at my word and others who think nothing of using my words against me. I have friends who make me sad and some who make me glad. I have friends who make me mad. I even have some who can make me bad! I have those who think they know me and some who only knew me when. The important thing is I have friends, even when I think there is nobody around that cares.

I read something in an email the other day about all the kinds of friends people have. In fact that’s what inspired this post to some extent. The message also said Dr. Oz calls friends Vitamin F (for friends) and counts the benefits of friends adding to our overall health and well being. I thought that was kind of cool until I googled Vitamin F and found out it that it’s really essential fatty acids. Somehow I doubt that my friends would want me calling them essential fatty acids! But with essential being the key word, I can see how the two could be compared.

Life is about experiencing people, from all walks. I’m realizing that I need to appreciate the people in my life and take nobody for granted. Those are the people who care about me. And on the days when I think it just doesn’t matter anymore I’ll think about a friend and it will all be okay.

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends.

Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends.

Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends...

Knitting? I almost always have some with me. I really like to start things. Finishing? I think this picture sums it up!

No, I get by with a little help from my friends.

Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends.

Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends...

In Fort Worth, Dallas or Houston…

or in San Antone…

It’s doesn’t matter where, but this time, Dallas it is. I’ll be there for a few days for a conference. This trip has added benefits in the fact that my friends from across the state will be there. I can contact any of them by email, telephone or text, but we don’t get to meet in person often, so we take advantage of the opportunity when we can.

Education Service Center Regions in Texas

We’ll, laugh, joke and learn from each other. We started as a group of strangers and we’ve become a group of friends. These are the people I depend on when I have a problem in the program I work with. I have no qualms asking dumb questions. Sometimes I get dumb answers in return but most of the time I get new ideas, new information and new perspectives or find the answer that was in front of me the whole time.

It’s not often a group forms the dynamics we have, especially with the distance involved, and it is a real pleasure. I’ll be surrounded with support and encouragement. I’ll bring it back with me and hope it can last until the next time we meet in person.

In Beaumont, Lubbock or Austin. Or in El Paso…

In Fort Worth, Dallas or Houston. Or in Abilene…

I tried something new the other day. I just happened to see an advertisement for a crocheted bead bracelet class. It was my week off from work so I made arrangements to go. When I went in to register and got a look at the bracelet, it wasn’t what I had thought. In fact, it looked really simple to put together. And it was. I had to string the beads that were in the kit before I got there and bring a crochet hook.

Beads strung on cord

There was no pattern. Instead we got spoken instructions. I didn’t mind that but some of the finishing techniques were new to me and I’d have liked a written copy or a picture or something to make sure I can do it should I try another one. The crochet part was simple. It was chain for about four and a half inches with a bead in each chain. Then there were three single chains, without beads, and another section of four and a half inches with beads. This continued until the cord ran out.

Crochet bead chain

Putting it together wasn’t all that hard either. What I found out is that I can’t see! I really couldn’t see the ring to open it or to put it on the beads. I couldn’t see to add the charms. I didn’t even know I couldn’t see what I couldn’t see! I got a little help from the instructor on that part.

Charms might not have been exactly where I wanted but since I couldn't see...

The end product didn’t look bad at all! I enjoyed the class and hope I can participate in more. Maybe my next class should be one of those eyeglass holder necklaces, with some new glasses attached!

Finished product!

The arm isn't so great but the bracelet is!

I hope I can meet with my peeps again soon. Anywhere.

In Wichita Falls or Waco or San Angelo…

Somewhere round about Fort Worth Dallas or Houston or ol' El Paso…

We Are The Champions

I've paid my dues,

Time after time.

I've done my sentence,

But committed no crime.

And bad mistakes?

I've made a few.

I've had my share of sand kicked in my face.

But I've come through…

My good fortune isn’t always that good. If I buy a raffle ticket, more often than not I end up donating my money to whichever fundraiser is going on at the time. I don’t get picked. My lucky number isn’t drawn. A one in 50 chance for me is the same as a one in 50 million chance. In fact, although I probably have, I don’t remember ever winning a prize, especially not recently. That said, you can only imagine my surprise when Jaqi at il filato dolce wanted to let me know she had nominated my blog for a Liebster Blog award!

What is a Liebster Blog award you might ask? Basically it’s an award given to bloggers who have less than 300 followers. I am honored to receive this award! The Liebster Blog award is not only an award you receive but it’s also a reward to give. I Googled, and found these rules:

This award is meant to highlight small blogs. The blogger receiving the award links back to the blogger who awarded him/her. Then, in the spirit of sharing, the awardee is asked to pay it forward and honor at least 3 fellow bloggers with under 300 followers. 

(I did want to mention there is no obligation to continue this award.)

I’m choosing to continue the award, so with no further adieu, I want to nominate 3 of my favorites.

Miss B is a colleague and a friend. Her blog, That Cat By The Bar, is unique, entertaining, funny and creative. Her writing style is engaging and easy to read. She is honest and speaks from the heart. I’ve learned some things and am often reminded to count my blessings! I smile a lot when I read her blog. I hope you will too.

That Cat By The Bar

Robyn, from Coffee and Cotton, is a knitting friend. She is one of the most creative people I’ve ever run across! She can cook, sew, knit and is a graphic artist. She’s a supermom, super grandmom and super daughter. It seems like she can do anything! She has a wicked good sense of humor and besides coming up with the most entertaining titles for her posts, has great pictures. I enjoy reading her posts, and appreciate her sharing mentions of her family and heritage. Take a look!

Coffee and Cotton

Last, but certainly not least, is a blogger from the ‘other side of the pond’! Sinéad of Knit, Inc., lives in Ireland. She’s another talented knitter. She has lots of yummy finished projects to look at. She’s even designed her own pattern! One of the things I really enjoy is when she reviews a new knitting magazine. She lays it on the line! I don’t remember exactly how I ran across her blog but I’m sure glad I did. Hop over and see what she has to offer!

Knit, Inc

The Liebster Blog award may not be a big deal to some but I can tell you, it made my day. I felt like a champion! I hope it makes someone else feel that way too. Thank you Jaqi!

We are the champions, my friends.

And we'll keep on fighting, til the end.

We are the champions,

We are the champions!

No time for losers

Cause we are the champions, of the world!

Who Are You?

I really wanna know,
Tell me, who are you?
'Cause I really wanna know…

Have you ever heard of Sybil? It’s a true story about a girl who played host to about sixteen separate and distinct personalities. Hers was a mental disorder, the result of child abuse. Eventually, with a lot of therapy, she recovered. Sometimes I feel like Sybil. But it’s not all in my head. I have a lot of different roles. I am a wife, mother, Mamye, daughter, sister, friend, enemy, coworker and employee. It’s just what females do.

How does the saying go? It’s easier to ask forgiveness instead of permission? I’m a fairly independent person. I like to be able to do what I need to do without having to ask permission. That doesn’t mean I just do what I want all the time! Unless it’s really important, I make my own decisions.

When I am the wife I am part of a partnership. We are empty nesters now and have had to make some adjustments. We both travel for work quite a lot. So, to ease the transition, Junior came to live with us. He keeps the one not traveling, company. He’s become one of the family. He’s just another kid!

When I’m the mother my name is “mom”. I think I did okay. But if you ask the kids you may get a completely different opinion. I admit I missed some important things because of work. I regret it but it’s done so I can’t dwell on it. I worked so they could have some things they might not have had otherwise. I hope they know that I’m here for them and always have been and that I support them in everything they do or would like to do. The kids are great. They are all self sufficient and have a good work ethic. They are all intelligent. I may or may not have influenced any of that but they all turned out okay.

When I’m Mamye, or Mames, as it’s sometimes shortened to, I can do no wrong! The little guys are happy to see me, any and every time. I’m the one who has the surprises. I’m the one who will let them do what mom and dad won’t. I’m fun and I’m not mean. I don’t get mad at them and they don’t get mad at me. I’m their “best friend!” I don’t let them run wild. They just think I let them do whatever they want. Power of suggestion! It’s one of my favorite times.

As a daughter I tried hard not to be a disappointment to my parents. I did the best I could and when I didn’t it wasn’t advertised. I wasn’t perfect, by any means. But I didn’t see any sense in broadcasting the things that weren’t my best ideas!

Being a sister might be one of my weakest areas. I’m not easy to get close to. I’m the big sister. My sister is 3 years younger than me and my brother is 9 years younger. I was gone when she was in high school and almost the whole time my brother was growing up. I didn’t get to know him very well at all. We are all fairly close now, though, so I guess it turned out okay.

I can be a good friend, even though I have very few ‘close’ friends. One of my dearest friends I haven’t seen or talked to in years. I have another treasured friend I do keep up with, although I don’t get to see her much. I’m a good listener and want to be there for them, should they ever need me. I know they are there for me. I have a lot of casual friends, even though most of them live far away. Maybe it’s better that way because if they really got to know me they might not even like me!

I make a very good enemy. If I don’t like you there will be no doubt. I do like most people, though, and give them the benefit of the doubt. But one time betrayed or crossed, well, that might be the only time there is. I don’t have any use for people who lie to me or backstab or walk on me. My mother is one of those who let people do things to her and use her. I watched for years and decided long ago I wasn’t going to be that way. I detest confrontation, but if push comes to shove, I’ll do it.

I can be a good coworker, as long as the backstabbing office politics don’t come into play. I’m glad to help and I can work with most anyone. The key word is with. When people want to work against me rather than with me, I’m done. That doesn’t mean I won’t work with people I don’t care for. It just means if I have a choice, they won’t be chosen. I am a team player but I do believe the team captain needs to play fair. If things aren’t fair I’d just as soon work alone. I do have a good sense of responsibility and will get things done regardless of the situation.

I’m a good employee. People are lucky to have me work for them! Treated fairly, I will give them my all. In fact, it’s a fault. I spent way too many hours at work, to the expense of my family. It’s too late now, but if I had it to do again it would be different. I’d make sure my family came first, and then I’d take care of work. Your family is always going to be there. You’re just an employee when it comes to work. And you’re a dispensable employee that can always be replaced, at that.

It’s interesting how people think of themselves versus how others see them. I’ve been told I’m cold, mean, and conceited. And I’ve also been told I’m nice, friendly, smart, and will help anyone. I think I can be all of those things, depending on the situation. So…who am I? As old as I am, I’m still not sure I know.

Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?

Whoever I am knitting is part of it. Or doing something with yarn or with my hands. It’s the fall strip of the knitayear, day 184, but a brand new section. October 1, starts it and it’s a day off for me. I don’t want to go out of the house. It’s like I’ve just withdrawn and I’m perfectly happy with it. I chose yarn that is thick and thin in texture and green, orange and gold in color. It’s pretty, I like it, and that’s what I wanted to use today. October 2, day 185, I felt so much better. I guess I needed alone time. I’m comforted and ready to get back out. It’s haircut day and that in itself is comforting! I picked yarn that is a red, yellow and blue twist. It reminds me of autumn. Sunday, day 186, is October 3. It’s a day of rest and I am slack, doing not much of anything. I picked blue/green wool, because it’s peaceful and that’s how I was today too. Day 187, Monday, October 4 is a hectic day. I am fully engaged in all three things I’m trying to do at once! I’m getting ready for the big training tomorrow and it’s nerve wracking. Pink and green ribbon, really pale colors that blend together well is what I picked for today. Day 188 is October 5. I have the day off and go to Seminole, then on to Lubbock. We meet mom and Judi and go to a cooking show and have a great time. It’s a fun day, but I’m still anxious for the workshop. I choose a light orange wool. It’s reassuring for some reason. Tomorrow is going to be a long day and we are getting back late but the night was really fun. I enjoyed visiting with my family and hope to get to do it more often. It’s all part of who I am, whoever that may be.

Tell me, who are you?
Who are you? Who, who, who, who?
'Cause I really wanna know.

Silver and Gold

I used to have a treasure chest
Got so heavy that I had to rest
I let it slip away from me
Didn't need it anyway
so I let it slip away.

Isn’t it funny how somebody else’s junk is so much better than your own? It might be an addition to your collection of interesting objects. It could be what you needed and would have paid full price for at the store. Maybe it’s something that has sentimental value to you, reminding you of something you used to have/do/want. Maybe it just calls your name and you can’t pass up the opportunity.


Garage sales are an interesting pastime in America. Some are held for necessity, some for fun. I held a garage sale once and the only fun thing about it was the company of the other hostess. People were rude. The garage sale started at 9:00am and they were ringing the doorbell at 7:00am. Something is marked ten cents and they want it for five cents. Stickers are switched. Items are stolen. It was stressful for me. It was so long ago I don’t even remember if I made any money for all my trouble. I don’t know if I’ll ever do it again.

Going to a garage sale or a flea market, on the other hand, is great entertainment. It’s surprising the things you’ll find. It’s surprising the things people set out. There will be broken things, all sorts of clothing, usually toys, old movies, books and almost anything else you can think of, including underwear. Who wants to buy someone else’s underwear, much less wear it? But if that’s what you want you can probably find it at a garage sale. Sometimes you wonder just why they are getting rid of something.

My son told me he once ran across a pair of prosthetic legs at a sale. I don’t know if they were a pair or if there were just two of them. He was so freaked out by it he had to leave. I went to one once where the house was open to the public. It was an elderly lady moving to a smaller house and her daughter was hosting the sale. Someone asked to go to the restroom and when they came back asked if they could buy the toilet! She told them she could hold it for them and to come back late that afternoon. I don’t know if they came back and she just took it out of the bathroom or what! Another sale I went to had a bunch of shoes. As we were getting ready to leave a lady came in. She said she needed to see if her shoe was there. Apparently she had tried on one of a pair and forgotten to put her own shoe back on. She left and had been walking around with two different shoes on all afternoon.


Everybody wants to find a bargain. The first house we went to seemed familiar. One of the other times I’d been in Tulsa we had come to this house for an estate sale. This time the sign said huge multi-family sale. I found a few crocheted items and my bargain, two sets of sewing machine drawers. Then we were off to another. We spent well into the afternoon perusing items for sale and finding new possessions.


Saturday morning was the flea market. My good friend Hallie met us. We had such fun. There was so much to look at. We looked, picked up things, laughed and put down things. We spotted different things, each deciding we had found something special. I got some old salt and pepper shakers and a couple of small crystal decanters. I saw a great costume jewelry bracelet and pin I couldn’t pass up. We both got a china cup and saucer. She found a rooster for her collection and some other little treasures. Bryce got an old book and Ty found some crystal decanters. As I was looking at an iron bedstead with the headboard, footboard and the rails the lady in the booth said I’ll make you a deal. Sold! Now to get it all home!


It was a good time, one memories are made of. I found trinkets that I probably didn’t need, but the best treasure of the weekend was spending time with a good friend and my boys. That kind of treasure doesn’t grow old. It just gets more valuable.


Knitayear is progressing nicely. It’s really long and it’s only coming up on the second month! I still am not sure just what I can do with it. It’s a good thing I decided to divide it! Day 58 was a great day. I was excited for the concert, Brooks and Dunn, Friday night and I was excited to find my little treasures at the garage sale. I chose variegated orange cotton. It seemed bright and cheery and exciting! Day 59 was another good day. Meeting with Hallie and hanging out was great fun. She always makes me laugh. The boys were in good moods and seemed to have fun at the flea market too. I chose a white with silver sparkles in it for this day. The white was for the bright day I was having and the silver for the victories I made in the great finds at the flea market. It may have been trash to someone but I felt victorious because of my new assets! Good company, good friends, good times and treasures too…far better than silver and gold.




Workin' hard every day
Never notice how
the time slips away
People come, seasons go
We got something
that'll never grow old.
It's better than silver and gold.