AnnOhio Says “Get Social”

No, that’s not a line from a recent date.  That was my reaction when I ventured into The Woolie Ewe yarn shop yesterday.  Wow, I have never in my life been in a yarn store that big, it was overwhelming.  When I go to the yarn store it usually takes me two or three trips around to make a decision. I have to touch the yarn, try to find what would work well for the project I have in mind. zOMG there were so many choices in so many price ranges.  I bought a hat pattern, but there were hundreds of patterns and books.

I went to find more yarn for my project of completing 11 hats by Thanksgiving.  I did linger over the lace shawl patterns but decided that I will begin that project, that bucket list goal at the beginning of the year.  There were a group of people sitting at the table knitting and a variety of people walking around to help if you needed it.  I got the biggest kick out of the mom dragging her adult son around the place holding yarn up to his face to pick out the best color for his scarf.  He looked like he might have played linebacker in high school.  The funny part was that he was into it as much as she was.  They settled on a green to match his eyes and a gray. 

When I walked up to pay for my yarn they added me to their mailing list, that could be serious serious trouble.  I now have a great place to take all of my knitting buddies when they come for a visit in Texas.  I was amazed by the service and the friendliness.  When they asked if I wanted the two hanks of yarn I had purchased spun up on the swift I was wow-ing.  Not that I don’t have a swift and a ball winder at home, but this small extra step impressed me.

I’ll be heading back in that direction again.  I finished the hat I was working on last night, a plastic camo yarn type close to the head hat.  I started a new hat after that..I had forgotten what a yarn snob I am, I am really enjoying knitting with the new stuff.  So very bright and soft.  With this new incentive I’m definitely going to make that 11 hat goal.  Six hats done, 5 to go!

I’m not sure if it’s just a woman thing, or a man thing too..finding someone new to cut your hair is traumatic.  In the cornfields I have had the same lady highlighting, perming, trimming and cutting my hair for nearly 10 years.  It’s just not practical to travel back there when my hair needs attention.  Since arriving in Texas I’ve pretty much been ignoring the gray taking over—the natural highlighting. 

Tuesday I was out taking a walk around the neighborhood and stopped in at the salon in the shopping area near my apartment complex.  Since I’ve been working the afternoon shift this week it seemed like a good opportunity to get something done with my hair. 

The shop was very nice, the lady doing my hair talked but not too much.  In the bright light of the salon I took one look in the mirror and was shocked at just how gray I was.  YIKES!!!  So as my hair was combed and painted and wrapped in foil I really hoped for the best from this trip. 

When washing my hair, the beautician gave me an amazing scalp massage and I didn’t want to get up from the chair, it was so relaxing.  The highlighting was the best I have ever had.  She also suggested parting my hair on the opposite side and she razor cut some bangs for me…still long enough to tuck behind my ear.  I loved the look and my team mates at work told me I looked sassy with my new do.  I even felt a little sassier!

As I sat under the dryer getting the color cooked in I noticed that the other lady in the salon adding a little color to her hair was knitting.  What are the odds of that?  I couldn’t hear the discussion over the hum of the dryer, but she told my beautician that I was a professional knitter.  (Shoot I was working on a mindless knitting hat.)  She did give me a great tip on a LYS (local yarn store) I had just put the address of a few yarn stores in my GPS yesterday.  This one is The Woolie Ewe and I plan to venture there tomorrow before work.

Weather is a bit cooler in Texas and that seems to have me in the knitting mood…I haven’t been in a yarn store in months, I’m overdue!

Today’s Question: Are you a morning or night person?

Please..talk amongst yourselves.  :o)

Ann

Thankfully I’m working 2-10 tomorrow, but I also have been invited to an thank you lunch for my work on a project for another department, I need to be there by 11.  Sooooooooooo, I can sleep in a little bit in the morning.

I was driving home tonight when the radio announcer broke in to announce that Obama had won the election.  I came home, turned on the lights, and the power went off in the housing complex.  The first thing I thought was some sort of issue because of the election…how sad is that?  The power came back on, and I sat like quite a few Americans and watched Obama’s speech.  I truly believe this will be one of those moments, like the first lunar landing, the assassination of President Kennedy, the Beatles on Ed Sullivan that one will remember where they were at that particular moment in time.  (And shut up if you don’t remember when any of those things happened.  :o)

I set a goal for myself today to knit 10 hats for Rad Bad Beanies by Thanksgiving.  That’s a pretty lofty goal for someone who has a crazy busy schedule and a bit of a social life–actually after checking at the last update from Rad Bad Beanies, I’ve knitted 44 hats to date, starting in 2005—let’s make the goal 11 and bring that grand total up to 55. 

I hopped up on my soapbox tonight about my feelings that one person really can make a difference.  Someone took it the wrong way as if I was talking about the election and/or the reduction of the DOD budget.  Ummmm..you give me far too much credit for where my head was at.  My mind was thinking about doing for others, never crossed my mind that I was tryng to make some sort of political statement. 

Off to do a little reading–Life is a Verb. 

Hugs all around…

Ann

It was exciting today voting for the first time in my new adopted state of Texas.  Things were a bit different than in the cornfields.  It was my first time using an electronic voting machine.  I was really surprised by all of the campaign signs and people campaigning so close to the polling places.  It was also the first time that I voted early.  I was working the afternoon shift today, so I went before work and waited in line maybe 5 minutes at the  most.  I’ve heard reports of people standing in line 1+ hours after work when trying to vote.  Next Tuesday will just be crazy.

I have voted in every election since becoming eligible to vote with the exception of one year when I moved and didn’t change my voter registration.  It’s just something that’s been ingrained in me since childhood. 

I also took my Honda in for an oil change today to the Honda dealership.  The little wrench lit up on my dashboard letting me know it was time for service.  Service waiting room was very nice, free snacks and a big screen TV.  I loved the part on the news when they showed all of the snow.  I snorted to myself…heh heh heh–I won’t miss that.  I started a mindless knitting hat and just enjoyed my 20 or so minutes there. Not only was it fast and reasonably priced by my car had been washed when I got it back. 

I’m going to check at the complex office tomorrow night to see if and when there is trick or treating in the apartment complex.  I have two cute little girls in the apartment above me, I’m going to put together something special for them for Halloween. 

Today’s Question:  What was your best Halloween costume ever?

My apartment smells like fresh baked snickerdoodles.  That’s because I just baked a batch and a half for work tomorrow.  I have a plate for the office, a dozen for a co-worker who loves snickerdoodles who had a bad day today and nearly a dozen little festive Halloween type bags tied with a candy corn printed ribbon.  To me? Nothing special, just business as usual.  It’s amazing what a little bag full of cookies can do to make an impression.

If you asked my college class students who often celebrated Fun Day Monday, Terrific Tuesday, and What’s Up Wednesday what sorts of things I did in a given semester, this behavior would not surprise them.  For as long as I can remember I’ve just enjoyed doing these kinds of things, it’s never felt like a chore, it gives me pleasure.  I’ve also found it’s a whole lot easier to ask someone for help when you’ve worked on building a relationship before you actually needed that help.

This week my class was cancelled due to the computer conversion.  It’s the first time since my first week that I’ve worked a normal 8-5 schedule.  It’s also given me a chance to get back into my other love course management–using Moodle instead of Blackboard.  I’m still poking around trying to figure new things out.  I need to track down some guidebooks, tutorials or manuals.  The net connection at work makes that darn near impossible, so maybe a little time at home this weekend to see what I can come up with.

What made your day a little brighter today?  What the heck are you up to?

The question of the day….If you had to describe yourself using three words, it would be…

Me? Happy, Contemplative, Goofy!

Sara, inspired today’s blog post with her savings plan to head to Europe. Talk of SXSW popped up on Twitter and I set my sights on that as one of my travel destinations for 2009.  While searching for airline ticket prices at Travelocity I decided to set up fare watches for 10 destinations…

In no particular order the list has started with…

Austin:
SXSW is definitely an achievable goal for 2009-if the computer conversion at work isn’t that weekend.

St Louis
Two of my favorite trips in 2008 were to visit @Mongo, @GeekDave and all of the other midwest gathering crazy people.  I want to go back.

Dayton
I’m sure there will be a trip back to the cornfields in 2009..not sure when.

Washington-DC
I know that @LoganDawg is missing me

Fort Lauderdale
Those crazy friends of mine in south Florida make me want to visit–often!

Kauai
This is my daughter’s island n Hawaii..I’d love to go spend some time with her this year.

Las Vegas
I’ve never been..think I need to see the bright lights in 2009

New Orleans
I’ve never been, another place that’s close that I would love to experience.

Lake Tahoe
A postponed celebration with my buddy in Florida to see this beautiful part of the country.

Colorado Springs
I’ve never been there, but really want to see the scenic vistas of Colorado.

If you would have told me last year at this time that in 2008 I would have visited, Miami, Washington-DC, St. Louis, Ft. Lauderdale, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio I would have laughed at you. Not to mention that I would be living in the Dallas area.  The nice thing about living here is being so close to a major airport.  It offers me all sorts of opportunities for trips to different parts of the world. 

I’m still planning to take a trip back to the Hill Country of Texas…to follow the route that I took 5+ years ago when I first fell in love with the state.  2009 is shaping up to be a busy travel year if I accomplish all of these spots.

Just where would you love to travel to in 2009?

:o)

Come on..dream a little..dream a lot…

ask
believe
receive

Actually, Ann, the less you think about how you can get something, like money, love, or laughter… the faster it will come.

Walkin’ on sunshine,
    The Universe

I just love these messages in my mailbox to start my day.  :o)

Tonight I was home early enough to get about an hour walk in before dark.  The fall weather in Texas is simply spectacular. It gave me time to reflect on the continued Texasization of AnnOhio aka TexAnnie.  Today for lunch we went to Ali Baba’s and had the lunch buffet. Seriously, green stuff is tame compared to some of the stuff I tried today.  There were several comments from my lunch time companions about what selections I liked and didn’t like. I told them they had no idea what a huge step this was for me to even attempt this.

I really am enjoying the team that I work with.  They are great about including me in events both inside and outside of work.  Today I received an invitation for Thanksgiving dinner, yesterday it was a birthday party in the pumpkin patch, Saturday night was an invitation to hear some live music.  It makes me smile to be so included with this group of smart and talented people.

Saturday I spent the day with my friend Carol.  We had a great lunch at Uncle Julio’s and did some serious damage later at the outlet mall.  It was a great day to sit out on the patio sipping margaritas and eating Shrimp Quesadillas. Super Yummy!  The loaded nachos were pretty darn good too!

Late afternoon the change in the weather system grabbed my sinuses and squeezed and I was snoozing on the couch by 8 then off to bed and trying to sleep away the headache until 10. Ouch–that is the same as the cornfields.  It did give me time to catch up on some movie watching and a little slipper knitting for Hospice.  Even TexAnnie needs a little rest now and then.

Today someone walked by my office, took a step backward and said, “Wow, what a happy laugh coming from you…”  I can’t for the life of me remember what struck me so funny, but I find myself smiling, laughing and giggling a lot these days.  Must be the beautiful Texas fall weather?

Today’s Question:
What is one goal you’d like to accomplish during your lifetime?

The remaining items on my current Bucket List contains:
Write a bodice ripper and have it published.  I’m not sure if it will be a bodice ripper, I’ve been encouraged to right a humorous novel about some of my experiences in the dating world.  Of course I would change the names to protect the innocent–you know the heroine could be called Nan or something like that.  :o) 

I did take a step toward that goal and ordered two books this weekend from Amazon:

Sherry, the Hospice volunteer coordinator stopped by today to pick up the cookies/decorations for the nursing home and the gift bags I had put together for Hospice. I can’t explain to you the euphoria I felt as we hugged several times and moved the boxes from my car to hers. She wanted to take a photo, but I was dressed in sweats, my hair pulled back in a clip, I was not exactly looking my best. She said are you sure you don’t want to connect with a facility in your area–they would love to have all of these things from you. I smiled, said “No, I’m happy with this arrangement.”

I truly believed that something nudged me towards Hospice as the charity to work with on a closer basis when I arrived in Texas. I’ve been knitting, quilting, baking and sending packages to the far corners of the US and even to Kandahar–all those projects gave me a great deal of satisfaction. I packed a lot of love into those boxes as I sent them off in the mail.

But this is different—- It’s much more than packing love into a box, it really is a way for me to remember my mom in a special way. I went through such a depression after she died..in part I think to there just being a wake (her wish), and even though I was there with her when she died I don’t think I ever felt any closure. Before leaving Ohio, I can remember pondering this a lot..how to best honor her memory. I thought of a few things, like a donation to the nature center where I like to walk–but I don’t get to walk there any more. This seems like a better idea. Yesterday I mailed off the October birthday cards for the rest of the month, so for a dozen or so people maybe getting a card on their birthday from some random stranger won’t matter much, or it could matter a great deal.

We just don’t know..none of us really, of the impact that small gestures can ripple out and have on the rest of the world. I’ve learned that even the smallest thing can make an impression on someone, sometimes we know, sometimes we never know..the important part is realizing inside that you as an individual can drop a small pebble in the pond and let it ripple out.

I wiped a few tears away as I made my drive back to the apartment after delivering the boxes. Not sad tears, but remembering my mom–the good times, the happy times. I choose not to dwell on the days spent in the hospital with her, and seeing her suffering so much at the end.

I think the lesson that I learned from her death is that life is to be lived each and every day. It made me take a deep breath, take a look at my life, and realize that if I wanted my life to change that I would need to be the one making that change happen.

If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies. ~Author Unknown

What small thing could you do today to make a change for the better in your life, or more importantly in the life of another?

A pondering sort of…Ann today.

I seem to be baking a lot of cookies these days.  For the first training class I did 5 weeks ago I baked cookies for their last day of class, and gave them to them jut before they took the test.  I put the cookies in shamrock bags, and told them they were good luck cookies for the test.  A tradition seems to have been born.  Initially I was not teaching on a weekly basis.  With the big push toward conversion I am teaching every week–sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon.  I’ve baked chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, peanut butter cookies, oatmeal scotchies, and this week my famous homemade sugar cookies. 

This week’s class gets the special cookies as I have been baking this morning for one of the hospice nursing homes.  I received an email last week from the volunteer coordinator looking for bakers.  Yesterday I went to Michael’s Crafts and found some leaf sprinkles and a few fallish type things that can be used to decorate the tables at the nursing home…all were 60% off and should be good to use clear through Thanksgiving.  In two weeks I’ll be baking again for their Halloween party.  One of the pluses of working the afternoon shift this week I was able to arrange a time for the Hospice coordinator to stop and pick up the cookies, the decorations and the 20+ gift bags I have assembled for them.  No handknitted items this time, but I’m sure they will enjoy what I have stuffed into the bags for them.

Looking for a small way to make a difference? 

troyturner Read the article, and then donate your lunch money. http://is.gd/46VJ You know as well as everyone else that you can stand to skip lunch!

How could I resist?  Think about it..or think about other small ways you might make a difference.  I think doing these types of things comes back to me ten fold.  I know that while I am doing things for Hospice I really feel my mom with me.  I know that she is very proud of my efforts for Hospice and I do it for really selfish reasons…it just makes me feel good. 

Send me some new cookie recipes..it looks like I’m going to be baking cookies on a weekly basis for quite some time..and I love it!

Ann