Yoo-hoo?!

First I will start by saying, "Is anyone even out there??". It has been months, yes, months since I have even had the slightest desire to blog. Way back when, right around the New Year I vowed to blog more. I lied. Moving on.

To play catch up for all of the 3 people that still may have me on their feed, things are moving along. This semester is finally over, and I ended up with 3 A's and 2 B's. I know. B's suck. But, considering I was taking 15 credits (um, 5 classes), have three kids that all play sports, single mom, divorce, blah blah blah, I guess it's not so bad.

I was reading over my last blog before I posted this one, and I am on my way to meeting some of my listed goals!

1. I turned my application in for nursing school this fall. I am pretty confident that I will be accepted. Once again, this is in the number 1 spot, b/c this will pay Wonder's bills.

2. Signed the divorce papers. Divorce final. Wonder is a single woman! Now what?

Ok, that's all I remember, and I'm too lazy to open a new window to read the others.....forgetful, or avoiding? Hmmm.......

So, I am off the whole month of May, will take Chemistry and Spanish over the summer. I might even give ya'll a little treat and blog in the espanol..huh? Wouldn't that be fun?!

Ok, that really it. Life has been pretty uneventful. Back to my swine flu tracking!

Out with the old, in with the new

I know what you're thinking? A New Year? We are 14 days into said "new year" and she's just now blogging about it? Yes, that's right, I am. I have been busy, so what?

I am determined to make this year a good one. Last year was a tough one, my grandfather had an emergency triple bypass and almost didn't make it shortly thereafter, I took the most grueling summer semester ever, I filed for divorce, and then to end the year on the right note my dining room ceiling fell in. Yes, fell in. I know, these things don't JUST happen, but sometimes kids, they do. Yes, they do.

Let's just jump right to the ceiling issue. Most of you already have read my so-called divorce posts and that's as detailed as it's going to get. You were around to witness my summer semester which included squatting in the library, those were fun days. Let's not forget the bazillionth degree sunburn saga either. So, on to the matter at hand.

Ceilings. One day you have em' the next day they're gone. That's how it works at my house anyway.

Poor Roni almost got knocked in the head with the debris but made it to safety just in time. Fiberglass dust was EVERYWHERE as you can see.

It's being fixed as we speak (well not RIGHT now, I let the guy go home for the evening) and I can't wait to get all of the dust and stuff out of my house!

On to my next favorite topic, school. It started. I go. This is my LAST semester before nursing school. Finally! Speaking of nursing school..........

I got a little practice in emergency medical triage today. I cut the tip of my thumb off. Yes. Continue when you are ready.

Now, when I say this, it sounds much worse that it actually is, that's what we call dramaticizing. I am quite good at dramaticizing if I do say so myself. So, it's just a small chunk of thumb tip, but still painful none the less. I was chopping an onion for my spaghetti sauce. Yes, I threw the onion away and got a new one. I took careful note of the inflammatory response, and marveled at the accuracy of my body when responding to an emergent situation. I could practically see the neutrophils running toward the cite of the wound to gobble up the foreign invaders by phagocytosis! I know, it's exciting.

So, now for the rest of the year. I am over all of the garbageness of last year. Done with it I say. This is going to be a great year. Here are a few of the things that I will accomplish:

1. I will get into nursing school. This is first and foremost on my list because this is what's going to pay Wonder's bills.

2. My divorce will be final. This is second because this is the second most important. It makes perfect sense right? It's a little system I came up with. I call it numbering things in order of importance. Let me know if you'd like me to explain it to you.

3. I will lose weight. Yes, I am just like every other woman on the face of the earth. I will not say how much I would like to lose because then nobody will know if I fail. This another system I came up with called covering my butt. Be as vague as possible, that way nobody will know what a loser (no pun intended) you are!

4. I will make better use of my free time. I will work hard to squeeze more naps into my schedule when I have an opening. Isn't that what you would do? And last but not least.......

5. I will try to blog more. I know, I am selfless. I am willing to make the sacrifice so you can have much reading pleasure. Send money if you'd like, I will take it!

Oh, and in closing, the other night I was at the mall with my friend Jenny. We saw a guy walk directly into a steel pole. It was great. I'm not sure if I have ever laughed so hard right in front of the person I was laughing at. Ahh, that's what I call starting the new year right!

One part The Mama's and the Papa's and two parts Beach Boys

So today I was driving to my American Lit. class, listening to the radio, and NOT talking on my cell phone b/c my soon to be wuzband had it disconnected (this is me not being bitter), and guess what I heard?! Come on, guess!!

It was Wilson Phillips! "Hold On" to be exact. Now, I must admit, I like Wilson Philips. Now when I say that, I am talking about pre-1994 Wilson Philips. Pre-Daniel Baldwin marries Chyna, Wilson Philips. Pre-Carnie has stomach surgery on the internets and still goes on Celebrity Fit Club, Wilson Phillips. Circa the "other" girl dresses kind of trampy and seems to just sit on a giant rock on the beach while they sing and Carnie looks way too hot in head-to-toe all black and should consider a different cut for those bangs, Wilson Philips.

Did you know, if you turn the radio up loud enough, you sound just like them? It's like you are the missing member. You should call them, tell them that you can harmonize with them perfectly and tell them they don't know what they are missing without you. While you're at it, you might as well tell them that you have the power to resurrect their careers with your awesome vocalics.

Listening to them gave me a bit of a flashback to middle school. Man, those were the days and I didn't even know it! I had the most awesome hair in all the land, and a leather bomber jacket to go with it! Tight rolling and multiple pairs of socks were all the rage and so was tucking in only the front of your shirt, all of which I rocked by the way.

Yep, that's me. I told you I had awesome hair. 1991 is where it's at.

Those were the days when a girl wasn't ashamed to carry a (full size)can of Rave or Aquanet in her purse. It was a status symbol really. Rave Extra Hold for me, can't have those bangs drooping half-way through the day!

I also kept all of my Wet N' Wild makeup in one of these! Yes my bloggy friend, it's a Caboodle. You know you had one, and if you didn't know you wanted one. I seem to recollect having a travel sized one to keep in my purse as well....

Yes, those were the days of Wilson Philips, Color Me Bad, and Prince. Throw in a little Guns N' Roses and some Bon Jovi to go with it and what more could a girl with lacquered hair ask for? Nothing, that's what I say. Well, maybe some Pop Rocks and a glass bottle of Mountain Dew or something, but that's it!

A little bit of knit and a little bit of that

Hark, my bloggy friends! It's been a good while since I have sat down and did a nice blog, so today is your lucky day (to be baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church)! Anyone?

First things first, Caps is having a wee bit of a contest. Just follow the link and you can enter to win a 4 disc Very Chappy Christmas cd set and a little piece of knitty handcrafty heaven. Tell her that I sent you and you can get two entries! Ok, maybe not, but you should still enter.

Now, down to business. Things are going ok, winter seems to be considering rearing it's ugly head here in Alabama....sure is a good thing I have this lovely Quickie Cowl that I whipped up to keep my neck warm! I used Cascade baby Alpaca yarn and it is SOOO nice. Shhh! Don't tel Peta.

Nothing like a nice self portrait to show of a little handcraftiness. Just one more up close picture so you can really see the lace rib pattern.

Sunday was a great day here in the land of Bammie. I was sitting minding my own business (which means knitting) and Abby decides she wants to learn how to knit. Then Mo chimes in and agrees. We sat down in the living room floor and the knitty ensued. They both picked it up rather quickly and aren't doing too bad if I do say so myself....and I do.

I have also been compiling a mental list of knitty goods for Christmas, and since you have been good I will give you a sneak peak.

My grandma will get some yummy slippers made out of this yummy yarn.

I will attempt to make a wonderful Celtic Cable Neckwarmer out of this delicious red Natural Caron yarn if I can ever find a cable needle.

Seriously, does anyone in the state carry cable needles? I have been to the Hobe (that's what I like to call Hobby Lobby) and they have none. Three different Walmarts, negative. My LYS not a single one to be found! If I only had a smelting pot I could make one myself....but alas, the hunt continues.

In more knitty knews (snark!) I started a charity knitting group at my church. I am really excited to be able to donate my love of the knitty to those in need. This month we are knitting and/or crocheting baby washcloths to the local battered women's shelter. Now, my lady says I need a washcloth intervention. But I'm gonna tell you something. I love knitting them. They are fast and easy. I particularly like to knit them up while I am watching t.v. or when I am on the go.....I have made so many that I know the pattern by heart and it's an easy start-stop project.

Now, in knon knitty(I am on a roll today) related news, well not much to report. The semester is coming to a close and I couldn't be happier. I will have 5 glorious weeks of no school! I can't believe I only have one semester left before I start nursing school. Time flies.....even when you aren't having fun.

I have also become acquainted with the world of deadbeat daddery. Nice job fella, that's what I say. I have started looking for some sort of job that will work around my school/family/sleeping schedule. Only problem is, there aren't too many jobs out there! I'd like to find something where I have no responsibilities whatsoever and a boss that doesn't mind if I fill my time doing homework and knitting. If you have any leads let me know!

I am off to write a process speech that is due tomorrow, I will bring the love of knitty to the students of JSU. Yes, yes I will.

Please take a minute

We are all busy. We all have stuff to do. Sometimes we need to stop doing our stuff and help someone else with their stuff. Please take a moment and follow this link to Baby Mia's website or click on the contest entry to your right and help if you can. It's for a good cause! And if you aren't able to donate or add a link to your own site, do something to help someone else today, they will appreciate it!

Do ya ever?

Do you ever not have time to do anything? I do. Seems like lately everything has been piling up. School is really giving me a swift kick in the rear end this semester and I am counting the days until it's over. Okay, not really. Why? Cause I don't have time to sit down at count them. It was that or post a blog. You win.

It's funny....life has a way of throwing this at you all at once. You know what they say, when it rains it pours. On top of school and being a mother I am struggling with my impending divorce. Yep, I said it divorce. I have been in the closet about it for a while. When is the right time to tell people? I don't think you're really supposed to tell people before you tell your soon to be ex spouse so definitely wait until after that point. My opinion is you should begin to slowly tell people AFTER you have consulted an attorney and AFTER you start the paperwork, which I have.

I'm a bit surprised at the roller coaster of emotions that I have been feeling over the past few weeks. I have come to terms with the fact that my marriage of ten years is over. I am sad about not being married anymore but not sad about not being married to the person I was married to. Does that even make sense? Sure it does, in my mind anyway, and that's all that matters. So if you know any nice Mormon, temple worthy, independently wealthy, strikingly handsome (just thought I'd throw it in, since I'm listing), NOT married guys who are looking for a recently divorced (well, in a few months....we'll have to wait until it's final) mother of three with a slightly dumpy butt who is in nursing school for the next three years therefore cannot consider relocating any time soon, send him my way!

I have been doing a little knitting here and there to ease my tension, we all need an excuse right? I shall now show you a couple of pictures of my knitty handcraftiness since this is somewhat of a knitty blog and I haven't shown any recent pictures.

This is the baby blanket I have been working on. Designed by yours truely (nothing fancy but hey, claim it where you can!). This blanket is headed for a good home and is going to someone who can really use it. She should be heading home with her baby this weekend so that's my deadline....I think I might be able to make it.

This one is for me. I knit it up for everyone else so I decided to make a little sumpin for myself. It's just a plain scarf and it just so happens that I crocheted myself a scarf with the same yarn a few years ago. I must really like this yarn because I bought it again. It's almost completed and should come in nice and handy when winter rolls it's butt around to Alabama.

Now this last picture is a nice one. This picture is of what we affectionately call "the wart hand". Poor Josh. Josh has a wart hand.

Abby won't let him touch her stuff with it. They were eating cotton candy the other day and I heard her say, "Not with your wart hand"! A guy can't even eat cotton candy with his wart hand anymore. I am pleased to report that it is decreasing (slowly) in size. We have been treating it for over a month, it sure is a stubborn wart! Josh has an appointment with a dermatologist to have it removed in Novemeber but I thought I'd keep trying to get rid of it until then. November is a long time to walk around with a wart hand you know.

So I guess that's the skinny here as of late. I'm either going to work on my Chemistry homework or go to bed......I wonder which one will win?

Welcome Back Kotter!

Yes, school has O-fficially begun. Yesterday was the first day back and was quite eventful. I had pre-calculus at 7:30...yes, in the a.m, and we kicked it off by going over two chapters.

Next was American History, which my prof. emphasized was just a survey class which means we hit the high spots and should be expected to know everything else in between, yummy. My history professor was quite entertaining to say the least. I don't know if I have ever met anyone quite as "Southern" before in my life. Now, no offense to peeps from the south (for the record, I am from the North, you know, the side that won), but nothing is more entertaining to me (other than seeing people fall while not really getting hurt, which we will talk about shortly) than an over-exaggerated southern person, and I have found one in my professor. I will say this to make my point and move on, when going over the basic policies of the classroom; no cell phones, pagers (who the heck carries a pager anymore anyway!?), etc., she added the no video taping and proceeded to tell us of an incident of a "fella" who was apparently taping her one class and upon describing her realization of said incident she said "...and I thought to myself, well hells bells he's tapin' me"! Oh...my....gosh.

After that was Oral Communications (a.k.a. speech class) which seems pretty darn do-able (is that a word? I took it upon myself to add the hyphen to make it look more wordish, I think it worked out nicely).

Today was Chemistry and American Lit.....Lit, no problem, my instructor seems to have somewhat of a sarcastic dry humor, which I dig, and it's too bad to look at either (bonus). He does have this funny lisp thing going on, but I can overlook it. Chemistry, that is another story. It was made pretty clear today that this class is H-A-R-D. That spells hard kids, hard. It plainly states in the syllibus to expect to spend at least two hours a day just studying for the class, more if you are not familiar with basic chemistry. Do I need to even say that I fall into the "more" category. Am I remotely interested in chemistry? No. Do I have three plus hours a day to devote to one class outside of classroom time? No. Do I want a housekeeper to come in and clean up after me....um, yes, yes I do, thank you.

On to the very entertaining issue of seeing people fall without getting hurt. I know this is going to bring on some bad Karma, but oh man, it was SO worth it. As I was on my way to Lit, I was driving to the back 40 on campus. As I passed by the R.O.T.C. building there was a guy on a bike, talking on his cell phone, backpack on, and a drink in the other hand. Then, right before my very eyes, BAM! he ran right into the sign outside the building. It might have been the funniest thing I have ever seen short of seeing one of my very favorite people fall off the stairs to the patio one day while my lady and I were waiting for her to BBQ our dinner. I will admit, I laughed (both times) and couldn't wait to tell someone about it. Of course the first thing he did was look around to see if anyone saw him, he knew I was laughing at him, he could feel it. I was tempted to honk the horn, but I didn't because I always appreciate it when people act like they didn't see it when I fall (which is often, did it today as a matter of fact, except my friend Maryann laughed right in my face....thanks Maryann).

My bloggy future is uncertain, but I will try. I have a fun Labor Day weekend planned. It's going to be chock full of homework (already) studying (to try to get ahead) and assembling new bunk beds for the girl's room (woot).

Sorry, no pictures today, I am lazy.....tar tar.