Saturday (And our family grew)

On Saturday morning we gathered to prepare for a very momentous occasion, one of those occasions that will be recorded as part of your family history, will be forever part of your collective memory and will always be recalled with a smile.

As we hung the garland handmade by my brother and his new bride, as we strung lights, put jars of fresh flowers from their garden on the tables, as we placed tiny lights along the pathway leading into reception hall, as we laid home-made crisp cookies at each place setting, we were all taking part in what would be their wedding.

There couldn't have been a more perfect setting: a small green lawn surrounded by autumnal trees, situated among the mountains. The nearby reception hall reminded me much of the grange halls I had read about. Her dress she had refashioned using the fabric from her mother's. My brother was handsome in his dark suit. As we watched them exchange vows, vows they had written, you could literally feel the sincerity.

The wedding and events leading up to and following were non-traditional, but perhaps more appropriate and fitting than any I had been involved in. They celebrated the couple, they honored family and they recognized relationships. From outdoor family dinners to picnics to fiddles at the ceremony, everything was suitable and reminiscent of the duo.

The decorations, as I mentioned, were all created by my brother and his bride, as well as their friends. The couple had collected tea cups, saucers and dessert plates throughout the year, all mismatched and encouraged their guests to take home one of each.

And yesterday my family grew by leaps, as we welcomed not only my new sister-in-law, but her wonderful family as well.

(And the cake was amazing! Light frothy icing, blueberry filling. . .mmmmmm.)

We're headed home.

Photos:
Signs and flowers leading to the wedding.

Mounds of cups waiting for coffee.

Friday (Picnicking in the park)

Our day began with a misting rain, which soon cleared. However, that wasn't enough to lure us from our room. It seems we were a little lazy this morning, choosing to stay inside until time for lunch. We joined my parents for lunch at Jack in the Woods and a little time downtown.

After a few wedding-related errands, we went to yet another nuptual event: a family and friend picnic at a beautiful park. This was a great opportunity for us to spend some quality time watching my tiny nephew sleep and my active niece play.

All is well and we are relaxing, as tomorrow is the big day: wedding bells will be ringing. And then sadly, on Sunday, we'll be coming home.

Photos:
A shot of a little shoppe that seemed appropriate for this here blog.

The walkway at the site of the picnic, autumn is here.

Thursday (We are a family)

On Thursday, admist wind and rain, we bid farewell to Charleston and Folly Beach, as we made our way to Asheville. Four hours of travel later and we were checked into our hotel. We ventured downtown for lunch, a visit to the Earth Guild, Purl's and Malaprop's Bookstore.

Afterward we met up for a family dinner to kick off the festivities leading up to my brother and soon-to-be-sister-in-law's wedding. They hosted the meal in their beautiful and unique backyard. As we all sat along a long table at the center of their gardens, we shared food and drank wine as the two families and groups of friends got to know each other a little better. Fireworks topped off the evening and we said our goodbyes.

Meanwhile our "hometown" was pelted by horrific storms and perhaps a tornado. Trusted friends checked on the house and thankfully all is well. However, the steeple on my church was torn off and tossed into the sanctuary, several houses were damaged, some buildings destroyed and trees, powerlines and poles scattered around town. Apparently 11 people are injured, but gratefully no deaths reported thus far. The tornado is one of 10 potential ones in a four county area.

I am not certain what today holds, but there is a picnic and "field day" at 4. Wish us luck, as the athletic gene has not been passed among our clan.

Photos:
Shot of the dinner table and one of the candles scattered throughout the yard.

October snuck up on me

It just occurred to me that today begins the month of October. And October for us is going to be a very exciting and busy month. Let the festivities begin!

Our weekend was hectic but good. My Saturday began at 4 a.m. with a work-related event; by noon I was home and ready for the next part of my day: a visit with Cynical's family, a trip to the recycling center and a marathon visit to the stylist. That evening, sans any sign of gray hair, I crashed during episodes of "Big Love".

On Sunday we got up and moved at a leisurely pace, eventually driving in the beautiful fall sun to Cynical's family homestead. After an extended visit, we drove back home, stopping at a local farm to pick up a few pumpkins.

Last night I got out for a quick walk and managed to get our house "in order" in time for some season premieres.

I have a full week ahead of me at work, balanced by some relaxing evenings at home. Let's hope I am able to maintain that balance.

A poorly taken photograph of the market bag I finished in time for our vacation in less than two weeks.

Trippin'

All it takes is one cool evening and three falling leaves to set into motion a whole series of autumnal-related events at Chez Ragged. So, forgive me if I have been distracted by taking long walks with Cynical, making chili, planning my fall knits and digging our fall-themed decorations out of storage.

The big news is that we've finally gotten down to planning our vacation to the Charleston, South Carolina area next month. (Can you think of a more perfect place to be this time of year?) Yes, that's right, we are vacationing next month and just this week developed a plan of action. However, we are determined to take said vacation, despite our lack of preparation. It is, afterall, the first time Cynical and I have tripped for tripping sake. All of our other travels have been centered around family events, work conferences or such. This time around we're taking five days of glorious alone time and crafting it into an actual vacation. Extensive internet browsing landed us in a most posh place two blocks from the water at Folly Beach. It's such a nice place that I often find myself pausing during the day to find it on the web just to browse "our room" one more time.

We are planning a day at Folly, another in downtown Charleston and two others are set aside for touring and such. Then we'll head to Asheville for my middle brother's wedding and all of the festivities that surround it, including a family dinner, all-day picnic and extensive reception. And then, sadly, it's back home, back to reality. Don't feel too sorry for us because we're home less than a week before we board a plane for Seattle, Washington. This time it's for work, but who are we to complain?

In our spare time, we're completely obsessed with the new fall television season. Thus far ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money" tops my list of new faves. How could it not? Anyone else found a new fave?

In other news, there has been a lot of knitting going on. I not only finished my back-to-school vest, but also a cotton market bag as well, designed to be used on our little trek. And tonight I hope to start on Juliet by Zephyr in a pretty light blue color. My hopes are to have it done in time to wear to dinner one night while we're away.

Socktoberfest begins on Monday and it's a great excuse for me to knit up some of my stash. For some reason I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by my mound of yarn. I have gotten much better about my yarn purchasing: choosing yarns for specific projects, but that doesn't mean those lonely skeins aren't still clogging up my closet. Hopefully some careful planning will eliminate some of my stash concerns.

I have been wasting away my time on Ravelry lately. Such a great resource for knitters, designers and yarn fiends. Wonderfully put together and so intuitive.

That's it in a nutshell, a large nutshell, but a nutshell none-the-less.

I cannot begin to do it justice

I took the photo above on our first morning there. Everyone was still sleeping when I took a little walk around my brother's extensive garden. Perfect lighting, saturated colors and silence made it the perfect way to begin my day.


Somehow whenever we began planning a trip to Asheville to visit my two brothers and their families I got so lost in the journey to get there that I forgot how wonderful it would be actually being there. Finding maps, packing coolers, gasing cars, prepping cat sitters. . . I was too caught up in the details of travel.


And maybe that's why I was so surprised at the emotion of just being with them. At times it was more than this girl could handle. Simply being near those that know you best, sharing time with the two people who come from whence you come, and being able to see them in their natural habitat, the lives that they have built, makes me openly emotional and weepy.


Forgive me, if for the sake of prosperity, I provide a detailed rundown of the past few days. As I type this, I know that I cannot do it justice. I cannot adequately describe the beauty of the Asheville area, the mountains, the gardens, the art. I know that I cannot relay to you how much it meant to be with my family, to be with Cynical in this very unique and inviting place. I will not be able to tell you how my heart, much like the Grinch's, grew and grew and grew whenever I laid my eyes upon my niece and nephews. So, let me give you the logistical and clinical view, but know that underneath is more emotion, more than I will ever be able to wrap my mind around.


Cynical and I packed up early on Friday morning and hit the road to Asheville. The trip went quickly, thanks to a plethora of CDs, snacks and a cooler (remember me being so caught up in the logistics, sometimes that pays off). Stops along the way also broke up the seven-hours on the road. We even managed to hit an outlet mall somewhere between here and there. Every traveler needs a new pair of jeans, right?


Bro P and his bride-to-be Artist J had graciously offered to host us during our stay and to be our guides. Their home is colorful, welcoming, unique, creative and comfortable. We unloaded and headed out to Tomato Cocina Latina for some dinner. Mmmmmmm. Our guides then took us to a backyard gelato/sorbetto stand. Watermelon gelatto. . . just what we needed on a hot summer evening.


And then we trekked to Bro D's house where we met Prince R for the very firs time. . . what a beautiful, chubby, red-headed baby. He's so very sweet and so incredibly perfect. Adored by all, including his "big" sister, Princess S. It amazes me how precious it is to hold a baby. And to see my youngest brother with his little family is moving and inspiring.


Realizing that babies and two-year-olds need sleep, we went home and soon thereafter turned into bed. We had a big day ahead.

One of the many things we reluctantly left behind at the stuff store.

On Saturday, Artist J prepared an incredible breakfast and soon thereafter we headed out to some antique/collectible spots. We met up with my youngest brother and all went for lunch at Mamacita's. Mmmmmexicano. Later we found ourselves meandering around the Screen Door, yet another interesting shopping spot.

Yarn Paradise, Asheville

In the midst of it all, we managed to hit a yarn shoppe, Yarn Paradise where I scored some Koigu, my first Koigu yarn as a matter of fact.

Bruschetta with fresh mozarella, home-grown, organic tomatoes and basil.

Babies also need naps, so we parted ways and those of us of age started preparing a big dinner in celebration of Bro D's birthday. Bro P's extensive garden provided the bounty for the meal. Artist J provided the expertise. Ocra, tomatoes, bruschetta, local wine, fresh peach pie, grit patties, squash casserole. . . . .

Wine chilling in antipation of our celebration.

The food was wonderful, but perhaps what made it most meaningful was all of us, in the same household, recalling similar memories and sharing time together. As we recounted some of our most embarrassing moments, shared some memories we had never verbalized before and laughed and cried, I was overwhelmed with how much I miss my brothers. I missed being part of their daily lives. I missed knowing all about who they had become.


I have a lot to say about that night we spent in Bro P's living room, all of us having just dined on a meal we prepared in unison, talking and sharing, opening up and being together. . . but I don't know if I'll ever be able to verbalize it. Sometimes feelings are that way. . . difficult to describe and boil down into simple sentences.


We stayed up too late, ate too much food and made too big of a mess. We finally collapsed into bed, wondering what our Sunday would hold.

Purl's Yarn Emporium, Asheville

And our Sunday held so much. We nabbed breakfast at the City Bakery, met up with the little ones and I held that baby, that sweet, sweet baby.


Realizing that the yarn shoppes in Asheville are open on Sundays, we made a stop at Purl's Yarn Emporium, where spied some more Cascade Fixation in earthtones and a skein of gray Trekking Pro Natura. At the Earth Guild I snagged some Manos in wine and some Gems sock yarn in French Blue and Burgundy.

Wading in the cool, clear waters.

We later headed to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a view of the mountains, where we stopped at Graveyard Fields for a hike amongst the Rhododendrum forest and some wading in a beatifully clean stream and waterfall.

A shot of a portion of the stream moving through Graveyard Fields.

Cynical and I sat in bewilderment at the beauty, while Bro P and my nephew Prince E swam in the clear pool of water. On our way back up the trail, they stopped and picked fresh blueberries which accompanied us on our trip home. Cynical and I sat together, watching the sunset over the mountains, in awe of the incredible peacefulness. It was truly breath-taking, as in it literally took my breath away, I think I gasped at the view. As we were in the Pisgah area, we stopped at the inn there for an incredible view of the mountains and an exquisite dinner.

Alice, the true hostess, slept with us one night while we visited Asheville.

So very tired, once we finished maneuvering through the winding roads, we parted ways as Cynical and I headed for our hotel and Bro P and his family turned in for the night.


We arose a little later than expected this morning and I reluctantly took my spot in the passenger seat. About seven hours, three stops and a fruitful visit to a used book store later and we were once again home. Loads of laundry, a list of chores and a work week ahead are not enough to distract me from reliving our weekend over and over again in my head. Forgive me, my mind and heart are still in Asheville.

And everyone rejoiced (I'm an aunt again)

Last night, little Princess S got herself a baby brother.

Prince R was born around 7:21 last night, weighed 8 lbs., 10 oz. Everyone is doing well. The proud parents, my brother and sister-in-law can't quit laughing through their tears of joy.

I am too excited for words.

Celebrating summer

I think I may have mentioned that most of my family lives away. . . most, in fact, over six hours away. We find a few opportunities to get together, but not nearly enough for my liking.

This weekend my parents hosted their annual family and friends reunion. It's one of those backyard affairs with lawn chairs scattered about, tables set up beneath shade trees and ice cream makers churning continually. The great thing about the assembly is that it recognizes that our families are made up of many different types of people, many different kinds of relationships, some blood, some by selection. . . but no matter the connection, our family is vast, our family is blessed and our family is loved.

Many of those dear to us trekked from far and wide, much to my delight and pleasure. My beloved and I found ourselves parked beneath a tree, slouching comfortably in our lawn chairs as a breeze swept over us, iced tea clanking in our glasses, family and friends chatting all around us. And it was a good day, a very good day.

In addition to the relaxed and comfortable company, the highlight for me was a very special treat. . . This year my brother, our own personal ice cream man, churned out the most incredible cherry Italian tea ice. Mmmmmm, I am still salivating at the thought of it.

After too much blackberry cobbler, a little too much sun and far too many '"goodbyes", we made our way home. The ice cream frenzy carried us along and we eventually made a stop by the new Cold Stone Creamery. . . and enjoyed a nice walk along the riverfront, just in time to catch the sunset. . . the perfect way to cap off our day.

My brother and soon-to-be-sister-in-law joined us later for a movie, napping and conversation. A fellow knitter and one of those people that makes you feel instantly at home, I was glad to get some time with her.

This morning at a breakfast out we bid farewell to Prince P and his fiance, along with her parents who had also come to join in the festivities. What a nice feeling to incorporate two such nurturing, open, loving people. I often say the best thing about having brothers is that you also get sisters-in-law. . . and their families as well.

The recent rain and sunshine have been kind to my tomato plants. . . ours are producing a little later than everyone else's as we slacked a bit on getting them in the ground.

Driving back to reality

I have the ability to completely remove myself from the stresses of my everyday life. All I have to do is take a vacation or go on a road trip. Distance, it seems, is a temporary cure for me.

That's just one of the reasons that this weekend was so welcomed. The main reason is the fact that we had a chance to visit some of our favorite people. You see, we trekked north for what has become an annual event: the celebration of the 4th of July and Pilot and Rudy's birthday.

We snuck away from work early, stopped along the way for lunch and a little shopping, all in celebration of the fact that Cynical is now down to one job. (And the angels sang, "Hallelujah!")

And thus began a wonderful weekend. We started out with dinner and visiting at the northern homestead, got a chance to view the big project complete and fully operational, stayed up too late (when I say "we", I don't mean me, as it seems I went to bed and missed all of the late night fun) and awoke the next morning ready to meet a full day thanks to a wonderful breakfast prepared by Needlefingers). The crew headed out for lunch at a restaurant perched along a beautiful lake.

Soon thereafter, Rudy and Brando hosted a big gathering and cookout at their place, a birthday party and patio/pond christening all wrapped into one. (By the way, Rudy and Brando have two of the most entertaining, interesting and articulate children I have ever met. I seriously considered kidnapping.)

Added surprises included quality time with other fellow bloggers and knitters, Hope and Jenny from the Blog. Sadly, neither had brought along a sock to knit. (By the way, much thanks to Needlefingers who very patiently walked me through my first short-row heel. It's all part of my first toe-up sock, which I wrapped up tonight. . . but sadly I probably won't start another until I see her next. . . darned that Figure 8 cast-on. It has just been so long since she last showed it to me. My memory fails me.)

A great fireworks display wrapped up our evening. After a full day, we lugged our lawn chairs to the car and called it a night.

We reassembled for breakfast this morning, enjoyed the incredible weather a bit and then, sadly, it was time to head home. Cynical and I, wanting to take advantage of this incredibly cool weather, stopped along the way home, picked a restaurant with an outdoor eating area and enjoyed a meal as the only two on the whole patio. Isn't that romantic.

So many thanks to all of our hosts for their hospitality, for feeding us, housing us and making sure we didn't get into any serious trouble. I truly do want to move north, but I fear eventually you'd see us for what we truly are: useless mooches.

And now we have returned. I am sad to have said goodbye to everyone, sad to have left behind a relaxing weekend and wishing I could close my eyes, wiggle my nose and be back there again.

We have a break in our week, as Wednesday is a holiday. . . now if I can just convince my Cynical to venture from home once more.

Above is a shot of a lilly pad bloom in Rudy and Brando's pond. The pond, by the way, is amazing. I could lose hours just watching their fish swim about, the fountain trickle and and the flowers float. It's truly beautiful and soothing. Quite an oasis. Also included is just a shot of the fireworks display. I am certain the other photographers will post some that will put mine to shame.

Life is good. . .

for so many reasons including:

-I squeezed in a pedicure yesterday. My toes sparkle with "Belize It Or Not" and I couldn't be more pleased.

-One of the best things about brothers: sisters-in-law. My soon-to-be-relative sent me the most wonderful of zipper pouches. You see, not only is she gonna be kin soon, she's an expert seamstress and fiber artist. (She also included the sweetest of letters, handwritten. How long has it been since I have received an actual snail mail letter.)

-We are hitting the road and heading north, for what has become an annual event: spending two very special birthdays and the 4th of July with our family/friends.

-I finished a pair of socks. Haven't photographed them, but I did indeed, complete some simple stockinette socks in a pretty Trekking colorway.

Above is said zipper pouch, destined to hold all sorts of delightful things and become my constant companion.

I am certain we will pay for this. . .

My nephew was in town recently; so we stole him away for a night of mayhem, violent video games, chalupas and sugar. We learned two things about our favorite 12-year-old. First of all, he's a very, very good shot, which makes us very, very afraid and secondly, his sense of humor is sharper than his aim.

(We chose games the same way we do our music: by whether or not it had a parental advisory on it.)

All good things must come to an end. . .

Some day, some day many years from now, when we have left behind our day jobs in favor of a peaceful retirement, we won't care when the weekends end, or when they begin for that matter.

However, that's a distant dream at this point. Our current reality means that each Sunday night, we are somehow disappointed that once again, our mere two-day weekend has come to an end and come tomorrow morning we'll re-enter our professional lives and live by the clock.

It's saying farewell to such a pleasant weekend that's hard. Our relaxing Friday night at home prepared us for a lot of walking, a lot of shopping and a lot of talking per our meet-up with Needlefingers and Pilot in the big town across the river.

No matter how hard we tried, we were unable to spend our hard-earned money. I came home with a tank top, kitty and furniture brush, and a book of sweater patterns, quite a haul in comparison with my shopping companions. However, we came home so very glad we'd met up with our family and friends; happy that we had some quality time with them.

Today was a bit busy as well. Cynical's family came in for a visit and lunch. We enjoyed catching up with them; playing with Princess M and giggling at her rendition of "Thwinkle, Thwinkle Little Star."

Anxious to stretch our weekend for all it was worth, we dropped by my folks to torment the visiting Prince E. He's in for his summer visit, but make no mistake it's not his grandparents or his aunt he was anxious to see, it was his Uncle Cynical.

Even though our weekend was full, I was able to squeeze in some knitting. I finished up yet another pair of socklettes, this time in pink, made headway on my Rusted Root and am nearing completion on a pair of socks. It appears my mojo is back.

Movies, socklettes, cat names and road trips

I keep thinking of things I want to share on this here blog, but for some reason I am nowhere near a computer whenever those thoughts strike me. Also, it's been a bit of a random week, so it's appropriate that I include a post of unconnected, extraneous bits, right?

-Went to see "Waitress" last night. Loved the film, it was so much more than I expected, so much darker, so much deeper and so much more entertaining than the previews and promos lead me to believe. I was a bit worried it would be a sappy love story. . . something I have seen before, but this was much more twisted and interesting. Loved it.

-For a while now I had been wanting to make some short socks in something cotton, stretchy and comfortable, just to wear around the house. I had also been hoping to check out Cascade Fixation. Marry those two thoughts and you get my new obsession. I'm a woman obsessed. I can't quit making them. The pair at top are a gift and in keeping with the current Project Spectrum colors. The pair at the bottom are mine, all mine. (Details are in the Finished Objects section at right.)

-We are taking a little day trip on Saturday to meet up with some fellow bloggers, family and friends (Needlefingers & Pilot). A little shopping, a little lunch, a little visiting. All adds up to a day of fun. We'll also be trekking north for the weekend prior to the 4th of July for some birthday celebrating, some fireworks watching and some trouble making.

-My nephew is coming next week. Prince E will be here for a few days before departing on a trip with my folks. I cannot wait to see this kid. It's been ages since we have tormented him, filled him up with ice cream and let him get by with murder.

-I am convinced that my cat, Ike, knows his name. Cynical is less convinced, but I have spent most of the week calling him to see if he'll turn around, using false names to try to trick him. . . thus far he's right on target. The cat knows his name. In this testing process, we also learned that I need more to do, a new distraction or to simply get a life.

Charmed life

When I was a little girl I rarely got a chance to look in my mother's big wooden jewelry box. But once in a while she'd show me something very precious: her charm bracelet. I was mesmerized by the stories I was certain each charm represented. Some she'd share with me, some she wouldn't.

Each Christmas I asked for a bracelet of my own. After losing my felt Brownie beanie in the rain, all of my books on the first day of seventh grade and my post-braces retainer, I realize that my parents and Santa had probably not listened to my incessant begging for a good reason.

Eventually, some time before my 30th birthday and well after I had learned to keep up with my belongings, my wishes were granted and I was given a bracelet of my own, with three charms: a telephone, an angel and a pencil. I come from a long line of talkers, some of which prefer the telephone, so I assume that's why she chose it. The angel I am certain was representative of one of my favorite books, "The Littlest Angel" and the pencil was a salute to my career, at that time, as a newspaper reporter.

I've since added lots of charms to my bracelet including traffic signals, pine cones, airplaces, birthday cakes and horseshoes. Each one marks a moment in time, a special occasion, a particular memory, a memorable trip, a new hobby or interest. . .

In all honesty I rarely wear it, it makes a bit of a racket and is pretty heavy. I also lost it not long ago the the depths of a couch while visiting friends. Luckily they recovered it and it made its way safely back to my box of jewelry.

I have had two charms sliding around in my top drawer for some time, awaiting their place on the bracelet and today I finally stopped by the jeweler's to have them secured to the the links. I couldn't help but to turn it round and round in my hand, remembering each one, recalling the significance. And it reminded me of the mysteries that my mother's version held. . . I was glad that I had my own secrets tucked away on a silver bracelet of my own.

Birthdays are the bestest

You might know this about me, but if you don't, hang around long enough and youll be able to figure out that I like holidays, all holidays. I really do. I must admit I even enjoy my own birthday. That may seem very narcissistic, but darnit, who doesn't like their birthday?

It kinda all began on Friday when my work buddies and I, per a tradition established for all of our birthdays, went out to lunch, opened gifts, started a birthday shrine and skipped outta work for an hour.

My folks took us to dinner at my new favorite restaurant where there was more gift opening, some canoli and cards. Our night concluded with the season finale of the first season of "Veronica Mars". What more could a girl ask for? Well, let me tell you. . .

And all the fun flowed over to yesterday (my actual birthday). Cynical and I jumped in the car for a little trek across the river. A marathon shopping trip resulted in summer clothes, yarn (of course), and a whole sundry of goodies. Apparently the apparel gods were smiling upon me as I had anticipated a disappointing day of clothes shopping, but in reality I came home all set for the summer. We ate a wonderful lunch, wasted time over iced coffee, perused book stores, sang with the radio, and drove along blissfully in the sunshine.

Then we came home and crashed. Lack of sleep the night before, lots of walking, trying on one too many pair of jeans and too many celebratory meals had worn us down.

Cynical baked me cupcakes, yummy, milk-chocolate-iced cupcakes. Intermingled Saturday were calls from my brothers, dear friends, beautiful cards and mysterious packages. However would I celebrate without those that I love and love me back. Thank you.

Today we celebrated Mother's Day with each of our moms, got some quality time with Princess M and managed to tackle all of the chores I had been putting off all week. The sweet smell of just mowed grass is being carried in on a cool spring breeze. The perfect ending to a wonderful weekend.

Thanks Easter Bunny

When our guests left today I was sad. I was sad because our wonderful weekend was coming to an end. I was sad because soon we'd have to re-enter the real world. I was sad that Needlefingers and Pilot don't live closer.

Our weekend began early when the duo made their way to Chez Ragged on Thursday night. We don't often get the luxury of a long weekend together, which, by the way, passed much too quickly. Cynical had to work, so we consoled Pilot with lots and lots of cheesy pizza, as he was silently fretting over his speeding ticket. And we topped it off with stuffed breadsticks. Frigid weather kept us inside where it was safe and warm. The rest of the weekend was absorbed by Trivial Pursuit playing, ice cream eating, movie watching, knitting, knitting and more knitting, laughing, giggling, tell-all-ing, trip planning, internet surfing, plotting and coffee drinking. Can you think of a better way to spend a weekend?

I can. . . you plan a meet-up Japanese lunch with Brando and Rudy! And then you get some time to visit with them, provide a grand tour of Chez Ragged and oooooh and aaaaaah over the new bathroom. (For a much more eloquent summary, visit Needlefingers' internet homeplace.)

This morning I celebrated Easter with a church service with my parents, complete with familiar hymns, a brass section and sweet little girls in bonnets. Cynical met up with us for lunch, topped off by the second chocolate bunny gifted to me today. I am the luckiest girl in the whole wide world, not only because I'll soon be nibbling on chocolate bunny ears, but because I got to spend the weekend with my favorite people. I hope your holiday weekend was as blessed.

Short week ahead

Monday morning always sneaks up on me. I suspect it's because it doesn't take me long to fall into "weekend mode" and somehow I start feeling as if my leisurely days will last forever, but come Monday morning, there is always a rude awakening.

Our weekend was busy, but good, full of projects we were trying to squeeze in before the sunny sky turned to a rainy one. Mulching and mowing. Sweeping and garden planning. My first pedicure of the season. Errand running. Grocery shopping. A walk around the neighborhood. The admiring of spring blossoms and blooms. Lots and lots of laundry. Some knitting. Some reading. Some movie watching.

The good news is that this is a short week for us. Both Cynical and I have Friday off. Being as it's Spring Break in most of fair Kentucky, the phone is ringing a lot less and it's eerily quiet at work. That also means no evening meetings or volunteer activities. The week, it seems, is mine.

And in even better news, we have managed to plan a little visit from Pilot and Needlefingers. They'll be coming Friday and staying Sunday until we all must part to spend Easter with our families. I have been busy printing out geocaching information, figuring out some movies for us to see and planning a menu. I suspect that colder temperatures might impede much caching, but it's worth a shot.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

The key to surviving a potentially stressful family dinner; for a nonlush like me, it only takes one.

(I feel like such a hick posting a photograph of beer. There goes my reputation.)

Balance eludes me

I'm cranky, I'm tired and I am blue. And what bothers me most about this current mood is that I know that I shouldn't be in this funk. What makes it more complicated is that I don't wanna be and I am frustrated by it.

I think that a combination of things have lead to this current state, none of which alone are fatal or even worth getting all gray over. However, for whatever reason, they have all built up and the result is a stressed and tired Ragged.

So, in an effort to turn the tables a bit, I have been attempting to review what has brought me down and balance those things with the reasons I should be on an upswing. Not quite as simple as I suspected, but somewhat effective.

You see, our bathroom is finished and it's truly lovely. But now we are seeing the little imperfections that add up to some disappointment. This too shall pass, but for the time being, we are picking that baby apart and that drives me nuts.

A busy weekend, remodeling, general upheaval and nights away from the house have all added up to mayhem at Chez Ragged. Drywall dust still coats everything, we ran out of wash cloths as laundry hasn't been a priority, framed photographs once happily on display in our living room now clutter my desk, cat litter is scattered across our bedroom floor and I have no idea where the mail from the past few days has landed . . . and the list goes on. For someone that craves order and admits to being obsessive-compulsive, this is a tough situation and right or wrong increases my anxiety.

This gets even messier when you realize I have no idea when I am going to tackle the mess that is our house, we are planning to paint this weekend (creating additional messiness all around) and have guests coming on Sunday to "inspect" our progress thus far, sure to provide not support, but criticism and general pessimism. Cynical and I, you see, are alone in our quest for a new place. Support and encouragement from those that should be providing it is non-existent. Flying solo on this project, it seems.

Lots of other "issues" are scattered in there: such as the fact that as much as I love spring and summer, the thought of showing any of this overweight and pale flesh literally makes me ill.

I miss my family, my brothers in particular. I am wishing they were near. I am wishing I could invite them over for dinner (even though the house is a wreck), open a bottle of wine, play some music and talk until one of starts dozing off in the chair.

And then there's money: money has always stressed me out: saving it, spending it, owing it, reserving it, making it. I have big plans for this move and big plans call for big bucks. I can handle that, it's all of the things in between that keep sucking more of my fundage than I like.

And then there's work. . . enough said.

There are so many reasons that none of this should matter, so many strong and substantial reasons such as the fact that I am loved, truly loved by Cynical. Each night I know that the man beside me is not only the love of my life (gush, gush), but the person that will stick with me through thick and thin, sick and sin.

And I am blessed today with a huge window that opens onto an incredible sunshiney day. It's gorgeous outside. If I am lucky, there will be a little bit of it left as I head out today at lunch and away from work this afternoon.

We have a gorgeous bathroom. Granted the shower curtain I chose is much less conducive than I expected, but it is truly wonderful.

Yesterday I got a chance to see new photographs of my niece. And she is lovely, and tiny and sweet. And soon she'll have a little brother or sister to call her own, to pester, to protect and to lean on.

I have friends. That's one blessing that I am reminded of daily. . . online and offline. . . and those relationships are truly important to me and precious in so many ways.

It's all about striking a balance between the blessings and the frustrations. Pardon me while I try to stack the deck in my favor.

The sound of music

Tonight has been one of those odd evenings. One of those nights where I am out of my regular rhythm, out of sorts, if you will. I had big plans for how I'd waste away my few hours free from work and sleep. However, it seems the best laid plans were, well, laid aside.

After a few errands, I came into the house without any real idea of what I wanted to do. So, I meandered around from room to room aimlessly doing this or that, but really doing nothing at all, until I finally came across my mail, set out neatly for me by my dear Cynical.

And there I found a CD sent to me by a very thoughtful Madretz. It's her very own version of a Valentine CD. Such an eclectic mix; so intriguing, so sweet and funny. Just as a good CD should be. I have already tucked it into the bag I take to work each day. It will accompany me as I make my way to and fro to the office this week and next, I am certain. You are right, Madretz, love rocks.

And that prompted me to wrap up my own version of a St. Valentine's Day compilation, begun long ago, but never quite finished. I ended up with a strange mix, I must admit. A bit twisted in fact, but isn't that the best part of luv and all that sappy stuff? I opted to also include some songs that depict the underbelly of what some mistake as love, 'cause there are some of you out there that remember that part all too well. And what's a sappy CD without "Song for the Dumped" by Ben Folds Five.

And as it was burning, I found myself hungry to listen to mixed tapes in my own collection, one in particular. A while back I had been given a CD by my dear brother. Things were a bit rocky for both of us and I am not certain, in all honesty, that I listened to it at all, as I was too bitter, angry and hateful to be patient enough to settle down and enjoy it.

In a panic, I dug through my collection and couldn't find it. I was heartbroken and guilt-ridden. And then I discovered it, tucked between two old compilations. Sometimes obsessive-compulsive tendencies can pay off.

And I popped it in the computer and it's playing as I type. Each song was obviously chosen with purpose and reason. And I am thinking now, would it have made a difference all that time ago. . . would I have been quicker to forgive and forget. Music can do that sort of thing.

Wow, Madretz, I bet you never thought your CD would spur all of that, eh?