What's that Crazy Mom been up to?

I'll bet you thought I just gave up the ghost. No, I've been busy.

I've been VERY busy at work. Lots of things to do, but I like it a lot. We are moving to a different floor in the building - below is my view from my office. Note that I said office - I won't be in a cube - hurrah!

I've been dating a bit. On and off. Mostly off. Mostly guys I'm not interested in - and then there was that guy who as soon as he met me, he kissed me stuck his freakin' tongue down my freakin' throat. EWWWWW!!! No second date with that one. Yuck.

I've been dealing with the Stooges.

Larry has had some very serious health issues that required 2 hospitalizations - and he has no health insurance. I flew down to FL to be with him during the first - and scariest - of the hospital visits. And now he has no job, so we moved him back up to Hotlanta to live with his brothers. He's going to be ok, needs to get a job and concentrate on getting better.

Moe has graduated from high school!  DH The Ex and I saw him do it and were very happy to have the youngest done. As to what he will do now - I have no idea. He has not applied to a single college. SOOOO frustrating. Get a job Moe! Go to college!

 

Curly - remember my frustrations with Curly? Cross your fingers, the worst of that seems over! Curly is working selling mobile phones and plans for a big company, does a great job for them, they want him to be store manager soon. He's taking his meds! He's got a girlfriend with personality and ambition! He seems grateful for things I've done for him! He calls me up and tells me he loves me!

All the Stooges are now out of my house. They have moved in with DH The Ex, who lives nearby in a nice brick ranch with a big yard. DH The Ex volunteered to do have them all. We are on good terms - of course, he wants me back big time. That ain't happening.

I've tatted a little tiny bit. Here's something I made for one of the guys I've been going out with.

And I'm teaching again at Tat Days - I'm doing 2 of Nina's gorgeous patterns.

I've had my own share of health issues - no worries, I'm fine! But I had a stay in the hospital too, had cellulitis. I had my laptop with me and worked the entire time, 'cause that's what I do. (And why my company loves me...) And I had this lovely view:

This is not abstract art - it was a lovely view of the hospital roof

I'm better. Really I am. I was annoyed to have to be there.

However - one of the biggest things that I've been doing is finding new housing - for me, not the Stooges, just me and the cats. And I've found a place.

A condo just for ME!!!!

In this complex.Yes, this is the view from the 2nd bedroom.

With this view at night from my balcony.

This is the daytime view from a different angle - you can see the Hotlanta skyscrapers.

The condo is in a part of Hotlanta that's its own little city, considered one of the top 10 most walkable urban areas in the country. More than 40 restaurants within walking distance. Seven miles to my office. A block to the subway. It's safe. It's artsy. It's hip. It's not in the cultural desert that I've been living in. And no real maintenance. I'll close on it very soon - and I'll have it totally paid off by the time I retire. Woo-hoo!!!!

Oh - and I'm heading to London Monday on business - I have to hire a new staff member in that office. Across the pond I go!

And that Saturday - I'll see Jane!!

I'm not dead yet

I'm back...

I'm not dead yet.

I've been very busy with non-tatting stuff. It's been a hard, tough few months, but I'm getting through. I'm sorry I haven't blogged.

I really can't go into the BIG stuff, but here's a bit of what I've been dealing with:

I had a breast biopsy that showed something, and I had breast surgery. Fortunately, it's not cancer, just something called an intraductal papilloma. And it's gone. My surgeon doesn't want to see me again for a year.

My mother has sold her big house in the mountains, and has bought a condo on the other side of Hotlanta, within walking distance of my sister A. Mom is delighted in her new place. She has a lot of friends in the area and is happy to go onto this new phase of her life. I helped Mom clean out her big mountain house, and I inherited a bunch of new-to-me furniture. I'm really relieved that Mom is off the mountain - I worried about her there.

Curly has violated a probation rule - twice - and is now in the pokie. He'll be getting out in 3 weeks. I'm sad, but it's all his own doing.

Little Larry

Larry is moving out!!!! He's moving to the middle of Florida, on the east coast. He has a good plan and affordable housing. He's studying and hopes to pass his FL EMT exam soon. I'm very pleased with this - he's moving on Friday!
 

At Finger Lakes

And I've been teaching - I taught at the Finger Lakes Tatting Conference the 2nd weekend in April.

Here's J and my hostess Ginny

 I stayed with Ginny, who's just lovely. She taught a great class on a doily she designed.

Lots of folks there - here's Dr Vicki (a hoot and a half!) and Diane.

The Finger Lakes ladies were so sweet and kind - and great tatters! I had a great time....

More later - not such a long wait this time!
 

Tatting Heart's Desire

I got to meet Susan Fuller this September while I was teaching at Palmetto Tat Days. She came to our room after hours, so Isdihara and I got to chat with her. She's an interesting person, and I enjoyed our time together. For those who don't know, this Susan Fuller is the very Susan Fuller who designed a favorite Tatland pattern, Heart's Desire. (Yet another reason to attend tatting conferences - meet designers!)

It's been a while since I've tatted Heart's Desire. As I had some lovely HDT, I thought I'd take another run at tatting this classic pattern.

Here's my progress so far, tatted in Yarnplayer's gorgeous Roses in size 20. True confessions here - there are two mistakes that I just continued so it would be consistent.

I'm enjoying tatting this again. It's a wonderful pattern and this thread is simply scrumptious. It's a fun tat! I've needed something to divert my attention - I've been laid low with a cold and I have some medical tests coming up. Heart's Desire fits the bill.

I got another diversion in the mail this week - my own copy of Vicki Clarke's "Tatting the Stone"! I had test tatted some patterns for Vicki, who's a sweet lady and a good designer. So I'm excited to see this and I hope to have some fun with this book. Plus, she added in some of Karey Solomon's HDT and a few fun beads. Thank you, Vicki!

What are you working on?
 

Quick update

I have been laid low after some dental surgery which resulted in some major league swelling. I looked (and felt) bad for several days. The swelling made me look like I had a big ol' chaw of terbacky stuffed in my check. Ugh.

I'm somewhat better now. Most of the swelling has subsided, but I'm not 100% yet. And I haven't been able to do much other than family things and healing.

So I'll amuse you with a video of Lily. She loves to jump at a toy that Moe dangles. At the end of the video, Vader peeks in. Lily is a love...

Last Pattern for Tat Days

Here's the last pattern I submitted for Tat Days 2012.

As you all may remember, the tatting community suffered a loss recently when our lovely friend Gina Brummett, the Tatting Goddess, passed away. Gina was a love, a wonderful tatter who was cheery and encouraging to all who had contact with her. So I wanted to do something to honor her.

And this is what I made - the Tatting Goddess Angel.What do you think? She's holding a shuttle, and I've attached some tatting to it in very fine metallic thread. I hope Gina would be pleased.

On home things....

I took Larry for an MRI yesterday and then to the knee guy this morning. And we got some good news! We had been told by two doctors that his injury was likely a torn ACL, which would require surgery and long rehab. Instead, we got the news that Larry dislocated his kneecap. So instead of surgery, he gets a special brace and 6 weeks of physical therapy. So much better!

A young guy with a plain cane has to decorate it!

On Tuesday night, I took Moe to the Fabulous Fox Theater to see the touring 25th anniversary production of Les Misérables. He had the best time! Moe loves the music and has had it on his mp3 player for a long time. We had terrific seats and he was so happy. The Fox is very cool. Above is a view from the balcony, showing the blue ceiling with the lights and clouds above the Moroccan turrets and windows.

While we were there, Moe kept saying to me. "Mom, have I told you how much I love you?" Aww. He's a real sweetie.

Hope you've have had some fun lately!

Bring out your dead

I'm not dead yet. I'm getting better.

Sorry I dropped out. I've been busy with Christmas and family and work. And we had sickness.

Monday of last week, Larry came down with something that started as a major migraine, then went into an extended and ugly intestinal virus - and then it spread to Moe and Curly as well. By Friday, every one of the Stooges were laying around and moaning with trash cans in easy reach. It seemed to go on forever. Poor Larry had it for 4 days. And then I came down with the ick, and moaned in bed all weekend. Fortunately, I didn't have the stuff as bad as the boys. I went to work Monday, not feeling hot, but able to function. The Stooges are better now too. Ugh - it was nasty.

We've also been trying to get Curly settled here in Crazy Town. We finally found him a place to stay, a room with a reliable friend of DH's. It's cheap and safe and not far, though not really the party place that Curly would prefer. Curly doesn't have a real job yet either. But he's making real talk about military (Navy) and took the ASVAB test this morning. He made a high score, which I hope makes him of interest as an enlisted person. I'm not sure if the military is best for Curly, but it would be structure and someone he'd be responsible to that would make him toe the line. I hope he finds something that works.

I'm very behind on Christmas stuff, and sickness and bad weather haven't helped lately. And the other thing I've had to worry about has been the results of our county's high school redistricting. Moe will be a freshman in high school next year, and we are now redistricted for now only a school that will be awful for him. Plus there are 3 other high schools significantly closer than this school. The redistricting was slammed in really fast with no time for public comment. (I think many school board members may lose their jobs next election over this. I know my representative is a goner.) Anyhow, I've had to make a quick application to the county's IB program for Moe and hope and pray that he gets in it. I got the application in on Monday, made sure the last teacher recommendation was in today. Cross your fingers for Moe.

Our Christmas tree is soaking in a bucket in the garage. And I've got a lot of work to do - Mom is visiting Sunday afternoon. My house needs a lot of decorating, and what about those presents?

And I haven't got a bit of tatting to show you!

I was almost in a movie....

Monday I woke up and it was snowing.  No lie, it was snowing.

Today it got to 70 and it was gorgeous.  Here in Atlanta, it's possible to experience all four seasons in a week.

Here's today's sunrise, so pretty.  Not a cloud in the sky.  Classic Spring.

I've been very busy at work this week.  I've picked up another system, and there are vendors onsite now to install the product and show me how to configure and support it.  There are some kudgy things about our site which makes this software not install in a standard fashion, so it's been a challenge.  Fortunately, the onsite guy is really nice and kinda funny.  So at least it's not a pain...

Today I saw a bit of a movie that was filming a block from my office, right next to where I went with some office chums for a monthly birthday luncheon.  The film has Owen Wilson and some other famous folks in it, but I saw nothing of Mr. Wilson.  But it was kinda interesting. 

Here's a quick shot at the filming - you can't see anyone's face.  But the guy in the funky blue plaid shorts looked sort of familiar, not that you could tell from this picture.  (The lady on the right was coming to tell me No Pictures.)

Guess I'll find out if I see the movie when it comes out.  They'll be here filming all week - I may get another opportunity to see Somebody. 

Actually, I don't care.  Like me, most Atlantans are rather nonplused about celebrities.  Elton John lives here, and he loves it because he can go to the mall or the store without being harrassed.  We look and shrug  - and go on about our business.

And in other news...   Most of us are starting to get better here at chez Crazy.  Moe and Larry are almost completely recovered.  Curly has had something of a relapse and went back to the doctor yesterday.  He's now on steriods, and inhaler and another antibiotic.  But he seems perked up by the spring weather and has been going out running.  And I'm much better than I was.

And now -  Spring Porn!

The Bradford pears are in full bloom all over the place.

Tulip trees are starting to bloom.

And trees are leafing out - see the baby leaves?  Are they cute?  Aw...

Skies and a cross of hearts

Sunrise yesterday driving towards the train station.  The sun was full up, staring me in the face.

Spring is here.  It's still chilly at night, but 70ºF during the day.  The Bradford pears are beginning to bloom, fosythia too.  I love spring.

I'm still suffering from the sickness.  I slept a long time last night, waking at 10:30.  I'm still choking and gagging with the cold.  Moe and Curly are in the same boat - and we are all sick of it.  Out, out damned crud.

Moe is back in school at least.  And Curly has had 2 days at night school.  He's not wild about it, but he's working hard at his classes.

And I've done a bit of tatting.  Here's something I've been working on, my own pattern.  I need to do this again and neaten it up, but it's not too bad.  Needs blocking.

It uses that stacked split rings technique I was working on.  I think this works nicely, don't you?

The sunset tonight, coming through the neighborhood.  So pretty.  I'll get you some spring pictures tomorrow.

Now - I need to get back to work on the kitty blankie....

More sickness - and some success

DH took Moe to the pediatrician yesterday.  This took some arm twisting on my part - DH doesn't like to do these things.  (To be fair, he cooks and cleans more than I do.)  The result?  Moe has a throat infection, a sinus infection, and an eye infection.  Much in the way of antibiotics are being given now.

All of these infections are from the flu Moe caught, which he acquired from Curly.  Who knows where Curly got it.  I'm afraid to guess on that.  And Curly had it for DAYS.  Moe has now been home from school since Thursday of last week - four days - which is a long time for a kid who's seldom sick.  I think he should be well enough to go back tomorrow.  I hope.

So I drove into the sun again this morning.

See it peeping out from behind the Atlanta skyline?

And when I got to work, I got a text message from Larry.  Larry has avoided the flu so far.  Here is the message I received, in its entirety:

I has a sick :( Flu sucks

Oh nooooo......  Larry has the flu tooo...

*sigh*

But I have had some success in my quest for a dimpled split ring vertical chain.

See?  (Don't look at the ones on top.  They are bad.  Seriously, don't look.)  I have a specific reason for wanting to make this work.  Which I will reveal later.

And this afternoon I must go and enroll Mr. Curly in night school.  I hope he gets it together.  Please God, give him some sense!

After that, I may spray the whole house with Lysol.  I think I have latex gloves available.  I just need a mask.  Flu, be gone!

Oh oh oh - you must look at this, especially if you have an affinity for old cars or vintage stuff.  'Cause it's very cool and amazing......

ttfn

Sickness of one kind, and another

I was recently amused by this post in the NY Times.  It's a visual representation of thoughts, processes, decisions.  It's funny.

I'm a visual gal.  I've often put ideas into images.  This is one I've had about the nature of things since I was a kind.  I give you: the year in its seasons.

See?  Summer & winter are long for me.  Winter is at the bottom.  You have to climb hard into summer, and then go down down down into winter.

I don't know how this happened, but this really is the way I think.  Maybe I'm weird.  (Not just maybe.) Or sick. Or something.

We are all kinda sick here at chez Crazy.  DH is throwing up.  I have a cold.  Curly was throwing up but has migrated into a sinus infection and a barking cough.  Moe (who is never sick) has a horrible throat and a sinus infection.  I've been availing myself of the drug store walk-in clinics to get treatment for the boys, as I've been out of work so much lately & can't get them to the pediatrician.  My kitchen countertops are now a small pharmacy.  Larry is the only one who is not ill, and I think that may be because of his lack of exposure to the rest of the family, as he works while we sleep.  Plus, he has joined a gym and is working out 'most every day.  Go Larry!

Larry may have too much chemical exposure at work to let some puny little bacterium get to him.  They are doing major work on the grocery he works at, during his overnight hours.  Here he is working:

He sent this to me, saying that the chemicals they were using on the floor were so strong you couldn't breathe for long without a face mask.

I haven't been buying fresh vegetables there lately.  And for good reason.

DH just went back to bed, something he never does.  Larry wandered through, and has now gone out with a friend.  Curly and Moe are upstairs watching some movie, hacking and coughing.

I am trying to clean up my desk, which has been overwhelmed with detritus from refinancing and work and tatting and life.  I need a room where I can put my hobby crappe.  (And I have too many hobbies.)  (At least I'll have something to do when I retire, whenever that may be.)  I want Larry to get a real job and move out, in part so that I can have a room free to turn into my craft room.  I think I deserve a craft room, don't you?

In cleaning my desk, I pulled 7 balls of thread, 8 packets of beads, some jewelry findings, a buncha finished tatting, and a bag full of shuttles which are now available for use.  I think there were 8 shuttles and 2 bobbin winders.   Plus two novels, many tatting books, and a theological book by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Oh, and much trash.

Some tatting porn for you:

Another Mary Konior large cross, from Tatting With Visual Patterns.  I have the pattern memorized.  This is made in Spring Poppies (I think) by LadyShuttleMaker.  BTW - she's made some terrific precious metal shuttles.  I think they're on her Etsy page now.  She's showcased them on her blog.

I love this pattern, and this thread is so springy and hopeful.  I sent this cross to a cousin who is recovering from surgery.

For supper, I am making a frittata with suburban free range duck and chicken eggs, eggs courtesy of my sister in law.  Our chickens are flourishing at her house.  Mmm, fresh eggs.

I hope spring has sprung where you are...