Inauguration Is Here!

Well...January 20th is just 4 days away.....and we will have a new President. For those of you who have not kept up with my blog, I work in Washington DC about 2 blocks from the Mall (where the re brick Smithsonian is - the original one). For weeks we have been alerted to all the closures of streets and from the press release we received yesterday, I am not sure how the President elect will be able to navigate the streets....just kidding....we know that is all taken care of. So many of my co-workers and others are planning on coming to this history making day....they plan to brave the cold and stand with the tremendous crowds. But I have to agree with what Whoopie Goldberg said last night on TV when she was asked was she going to the Inauguration....and I quote "Nooooo....! That's what they made TVs for baby!" I applaud those who have parked their common sense and brains, but they would see more on TV than they will in town....and be a heck of a lot warmer. I lived in the DC area all of my life and have never and I repeat never come downtown for an Inauguration....just watched on TV.
So for most of you I am sure you will, like me, have your knitting and/or sewing in your lap with the warmness of your home and family and/or friends surrounding the glorious invention that keeps us informed and will see more than the brave souls that will fight the crowds, endure the weather and continuously whipe the snot from their noses as they try and get a glimps of the Presidential car and the new first family.

But I will be relaxed in my recliner and drinking my hot coffee in the comfort of my home and witness this Ignauguration like all the others in front of my own TV and I might record it at that. Hey what can I say...some of us have more common sense than others, but who am I to say they are not wise....but just cold...and worn out...LOL

To another new year and more change than I think some of us want.....but we are Americans and we should be very proud of our freedom of choice and be proud of the great nation we live in.....not just now but for evermore.

Whew...it is only Wed.

I just read my post for a happy new year and boy did I sound gloomy! I didn't mean to. I guess like everyone of us who try and be super human and do all "fun" things and extra special treats....we just burn out and even though we try to put on the happy face, our gloomy extremely tired side comes out. But another year is done and now we face a new year, a new president and new changes.

BTW....working in DC, I am more than grateful that I have off the day before and the day of Inauguration.....it is going to be a mad house. They are closing all streets and some metro stops and blocking so much! I have lived in the area all of my life and believe me when I say....I have never and I never intend to come downtown to see the parade! Whew....you would have to be nuts. The TV will have a better view than you can get being in the thick of things. My mom tells the story when she and my dad came into DC for Truman's Inauguration and they got only a little down the street and were so in the crush of people that my mom said they agreed never again......She said all you could see was tops of peoples heads. Remember that was in the 40's and the only mode of transportation was car, bus, or trolley. And you were lucky to get on and into the city. But the way mom talks about it ....you got around better than we do on the Metro...I guess not as many people as today....and guess what....homeless on the street corners ...sleeping on the grates....just like now....not much has changed.

Okay...not going down the sad road again......so far, I have completed some of my swap items and they are in the mail. My contest winner prizes are going out this weekend...and my post cards that I so owe people for are going out this weekend too. I am accomplishing things. I also am working on projects started and not new ones.....let 's see how long I can keep that up....but my plan is to keep it up! Keep your fingers crossed for me....
Almost time to leave work and I am headed to the grocery store and then home to knit on a past project....lace shawl that is driving me nuts, but it's because I didn't write down where I stopped so I am trying to figure it out...I will....I know I will! Tootles.!

Happy New Year!

Okay I am a bit late, but I spent this weekend trying to catch up on things. I am just about caught up on swap items I owe people. I am going to lay low with swapping this year. I need to accomplish things for me.

I hope everyone had a great holiday and as usual I am glad the frenzy is over. Though I have to say I didn't do a great deal ...I cut way back....it is still exhausting when you hurt. The old knees have given me trouble for the last two weeks....but I am determined to make it better this year.

I am back at work...not wanting to be here....but what can you do...you know the food and shelter thing....LOL. My desk is such a mess, that it will take me all day to clean and organize. I will have to really buckle down and get things done.

I am trying my very best to be more organized and I am slowly getting there. I am trying to finish projects instead of starting new ones. I hope I can keep this momentum up. Time will tell...LOL...but that is my full intention this year.

Well....Happy New Year again to everyone and I hope this is the year we all knit, sew and be merry all year long with an abundance of finished projects!

And the Winners Are.......!

First of all let me apologize for not posting last night....later down in this post I will explain!

My little bears new name is Wexley Frederick.

The two winners are:

Deb - Wexley
Kitten with a Wiplash - Frederick

Everyone gave such wonderful names! I loved them all. As a matter of fact I am keeping all the pieces of paper and when I go to name any other cute stuffed animals I am going to use your suggestions!

For the two of you who won please contact me at iwcquilts@aol.com with your contact info so I can send you the packages!

Thank you all for participating and please always stop by to say hello!

The reason I didn't post last night was.......as you all have read on my blog, I work in Washington DC and travel by train to work from Fredericksburg VA which is 50 miles south of the DC area. Well this week they are running what they call and "S" schedule which simply means....not all trains run. Of course I forget this yesterday and had to wait an hour for the next train on the cold platform. Then about 15 miles from my stop the previous train running broke down and they offloaded all the passengers onto our train. Well...what should have been an hour and 15 minute ride home turned into a 2 and half hour trip. I didn't get home until 8:30 and I ate and went to bed. I have to get up at 5:00 in the morning and I completely forgot to post the winners. I hope you will all forgive me! The pay is good...but the hours are rough!

And I also can't seem to post the picture so I have added a link so you can see the cutie!

Winner Announced Tonight

Thank you all for my birthday wishes....I really appreciated them....wishes are more important to me than presents! Yes Tom you were the first!

I will announce the winners tonight for my name the bear contest. I really had a great Birthday yesterday. I treated my self to a facial and then I went out with a friend for dinner. We were at the restaurant for 3 hours.....so needless to say when I got back home I decided I would announce the winner today! All of the names were so clever....I can't wait to see who wins. I enjoyed every ones comments and I want to thank each one of you for participating in my fun. I feel I have made some new friends!

I have all the names written down with the owners name and when I arrive home tonight I will pick from the bowl! Stay tuned! I have the packages ready to mail out on Friday! Can't wait ......see everyone tonight.

Only a few more days and Little Bear gets his Name!

I am just loving the names that are coming in. I will pick the name on December 29th and post the winners names. I will then send out their prizes once they get in touch with me. Whew.....it is almost that time and then it will be the new year!

For those of you who have wished me a happy birthday.....thank you very much! I have always hated my birthday so close to Christmas. When I was younger, it was because I was always left out of having a special day...you know....I got the BD gift lumped in with the Christmas gift....or it was forgotten, or the two presents blurred together because I got it at the same time. As an adult I appreciate the fact that remembering a kids birthday at the holidays is tough and sometimes ...hey there isn't enough money for all...thus the situations when I was younger. My parents always got me something and I had a BD cake and party....but if a parent asked about a gift my mom would always tell then just send their "kid", the present wasn't necessary....(oh yeah!..LOl...but hey...what can I say...I have a frugal and understanding mom) Well, now I just have a ball and friends and I go out for dinner, lunch or breakfast.....I sometimes pay...sometimes they pay and I still have fun! Wanting the gift has long left me and I just get a charge out of having a meal with really good friends. It's the company that counts for me now.

Well....now that I have bored you with my birthday woes.....just remember to enter the contest and you will get a treat on my birthday!

My Little Bear is Awaiting his Name!

Don't forget it is only 11 more days until my little bear has his new name....get your picks in the hat! I am getting excited....he will show up in my pictures for awhile once he has his official name. I am gathering little prizes and yarn for the packages. Remember ...two winners ...cause he needs a first and last name! I am officially giving him the birthdate of 12/29 because that is my birthday. Easy to remember.....LOL

I Am Excited!

The cutest and most creative names have been coming into my post for the contest! I can't wait to pick his name. With picking randomly.....I imagine it will be one wild and crazy name! This has been so much fun. I have gone on some of your websites and wow are you ladies busy and creative! I am going to watch my grandson the third week in January and I am spending my time during the day knitting, sewing and searching the web blogs. I am going to enjoy myself. I just love to be with my grandson and being at the CAKE household! Fun, fun, fun!!!! Oh...BTW...Mom and Dad CAKE will be out of town and it will just be me and Connor CAKE...hehehe...we will eat what we want and be naughty.....now what are grandmas for?

Late Night Interesting Find

Last night when I should have been asleep but couldn't seem to get there, I was knitting and happened across an interesting show on PBS. They were interviewing an author, William Seale who has done extensive research on the Presidents and their families. It includes traditions, living conditions, the war, assassination, and other stories that revolved around the lives of these first families. I found it absolutely fascinating. He gave all sorts of tidbits and facts about the Presidents and their families all the way back to Washington. Some information I was aware of and other information I was surprised. Some of the men he spoke of ...well needless to say I was asking my self...was he a president? So today, as a Christmas present to myself, I ordered the two volume set of The President's House and plan to enrich my reading after the holidays. I love history and the fact that I work in the US Capital and not all that far from the White House makes is even more tasty reading. Check out the website and you too might find some fun and interesting gifts!

Don't forget about my 100the post contest.....only 15 more days until I pick two names from the hat!

It's getting closer to Christmas!

For the last few days I have been in a "get it done" mood. I am trying to think of things my family would want for Christmas and I have made up my mind that it must be practical and not just things. I have found some great items on line and at great prices. As for my handmade things....well I am getting them done also. I got one of my overdue swaps in the mail and I felt so good about it. I have two more to finish and I am well on my way.

I am working very hard to have a good attitude with my boss at work. I finally realized she is such a control freak..far beyond the micro manager I knew her to be. She needs to have all attention on herself and she makes sure that all credit is given to her. What a miserable life she is creating for herself. I have watched over the last few weeks her crumbling at the edges....but hey....you reap what you sow. Now that I have just let her have her way and just keep telling myself....it doesn't matter, she will be gone one day....I am more at peace with myself. I just turned it over to the good Lord and let him deal with it. Enough said.....right?

I am getting so many cute names for my bear. I can't wait to pick from the hat what his name is going to be. I believe once he is named, he will have to be in all my pictures I take and post. It will only be fair....right? Don't forget to post a name if you haven't yet. I will pick the name and post on the 29th of Dec. My birthday! Oh dear...I am now on the downhill slide to 60! It's okay....getting ready to turn 57 is just fine. I like who I am and I can take care of myself....still would like a companion...but hey life isn't all the perfect! One will come along one day, I hope....LOL

Fourteen more knitting and sewing days for me! Well actually 11....my family is gathering on the 21st for our annual brunch which I started and my SIL took over. Bigger house and she is an attention person too. But it is okay...I don't have to clean that much and I can relax more.....silver lining to all clouds. LOL

The Names are so Sweet!

Names have been coming in for my contest and they are so cute and creative. I am so glad that I am pulling them out of a hat instead of trying to decide which one I like....cause I like them all! This is so much fun! I am enjoying meeting new people.

Just three weeks away and my little bear will have a name, so make sure you tell your friends to join in the fun! Keep those cute name rolling in!

This is my 100th Post!

This is my 100th post! So it is time for a contest. You can enter as many times as you like. I will put all suggestions in a hat and draw the name out at the end of this month...as a matter of fact on my birthday, December 29th.

The contest is to name my little bear I bought sometime ago. I love bears and haven't really bought any in a very long time. When I saw this cutie I had to have him. He sits on my table or where ever so I can just enjoy his cuteness! But he soooooo needs a name. So please help me with a name suggestion and why you thought that it would be a good name. I will add your name to the hat when each time you submit a name and in the hat again for every person who visits my site on your recommendation. Make sure you tell them to let me know they have been recommended! And on December 29th he will have a new name!

For the contest I will pick two winners (yes he will need a middle name!) and they will receive wonderful sock yarn and other small gifts. Enjoy!

A Simple Life

This morning as I rode the train to work....I looked out at the river near Quantico and the sun was just rising. It was so beautiful and peaceful in its appearance. the water seemed to be so calm and shimmery. A calm washed over me and I suddenly realized the lady sitting next to me felt it at the same time. She said in her broken English, "it is such a beautiful day and we should all be so thankful". It's the little things that should be making us happy...the beautiful scenes of nature, helping others and the smile of a stranger.

I read my daughter's blog with such sadness and I realized she feels the same about the holidays as I do. We rush, we buy, we invite friends over to an already bulging get together, all the while trying to become super woman or man. We bring so much unnecessary stress into our lives! We have totally forgotten what the reason is for the season. Now don't get me wrong...I love to give and receive as much as the next person. But we all have gone overboard. When I read about the shooting and trampling of people on this Black Friday....my heart just broke. How important is it to save a few dollars at the cost of being hurt or killed.

I am so grateful that I have a job, a nice home, and good friends and family. My wish in the next few years is to celebrate the reason for the holidays and enjoy each other. I can forgo the gifts and treats if it means hardship on anyone. I want the peace and joy I felt as a youngster. My dad insisted on a nice family meal where we all sat at the table and enjoyed each others company. Okay...as a kid it irritated me when I wanted to play with my new things (never got many) but I do have fond memories of playing with my brothers.

Last night when I got off from the train and was in my car a gentleman came up to my car and asked could I give him a jump start. His car battery has died and he needed a jump start. I was more than happy to. I drove to his car in the lot and I helped jump his car. He was glad I could help him and his handshake reflected so. It felt very good to be able to do something so small and yet so big for him. We need to carry our good deeds throughout the year. I plan to...how about you?

I hope each and everyone had a great Thanksgiving and will have a wonderful Christmas and above all remember the reason for the season and keep the season all 365 days. God Bless each and everyone!

Contest Time!

Two more posts after this and I will hit the 100 posting mark! I will have a contest! Keep you eyes peeled in the next 24 hours and I will give the details! I will then find out who lurks at my blog......LOL...just kidding. Pass the word.....the contest will be announced within the next 24 hours. The 100 posting will announce the contest.

It's the Christmas rush now!

The long holiday weekend was very nice. Being at my brother's and his family for Thanksgiving was very nice. I was surprised. But true to my predictions, my sister in law did not make the turkey.....her sister did. But all the food was good....not mom's but good. My daughter came and spent Friday through Sunday with me and it was so nice. We have for years gone shopping and out to lunch, but this year with the hard financial times we did a few things and just enjoyed each others company. It didn't really feel like Thanksgiving. I am going to have to start having things at my house. I need that. I feel so scattered and the holidays don't seem all that special anymore.

I had a date on Sunday morning and he seems to be a very nice gentleman. We will see. I am getting rather cynical about this dating thing also. I don't know what people want in life. But that is a whole other story.

I also went to see the play Peter Pan at our local dinner theater. It was as cute as it could be and I enjoyed seeing some ladies I haven't seen in a while. Our local theater really does a phenomenal job when it comes to the plays. Professionals usually play the major parts and locals play the minor parts....the productions have always been great and a real treat.

I need to concentrate now on Christmas and hope I can get everything done. I don't plan on doing much but with my aches and pains it has gotten harder, but I will persevere.

I need to keep the reason for the season in my heart and head and go on from there!

It's almost Turkey Day!

Tomorrow my mom and I will descend on my brother and sister-in-laws house. They invited us for Thanksgiving. Now you have to understand this is the sister-in-law who is a fairly good cook but unless it has a can of soup, cream cheese or a dip involved she usually doesn't make it. She is very impatient when it comes to cooking, so this will be interesting. Her parents and her one sister is coming so the meal will be interesting. I am going with a positive attitude but I will be thinking of my mom's wonderful meal she usually cooks for all of us. I guess I need to dust off my cooking pans and utensils and start cooking again. To be honest I am tired of going to everyone else's house to please.

Oh well....enough complaining and on with the be thankful side of me! I really am thankful that I have a great family and for me reasonable health. Once I make the decision to have my knee replaced and loose this poundage I think I will honestly feel much better. Pain everyday does wear one down.

The old heel has decided to give me grief again, but I think having the next four days to rest it will be good. Knitting, sewing and enjoying my daughter and grandson will be healing for me.

For a number of years my daughter and I have been doing fun things the weekend after Thanksgiving. We don't hit the big stores but the small shops and we just have fun. We go out for lunch or a late lunch and sometimes breakfast that morning. We talk about all kinds of things and she gives me hers, my son in laws and my grandson's wish list and of course I indulge. My grandson now gives me his on his own, which over the years has become huge....but then again what are grandmas for....LOL. This time of year with my daughter always makes me feel very so good and thankful she is my daughter and that she brought into our lives my great son-in-law and together they gave me one of my best joys in life ......my grandson. Of course they make my life special anytime of the year.
But most of all I am thankful to live in a country that is free and bountiful. I am so thankful for having a good job (even though I get very frustrated with you know who!), my wonderful friends and family and above all were I can worship at the church of my choice.
Take the time this year to look around you and see the beautiful land we live in and the diversity of people that surround our great nation. I know I will ;o)

I Hate My Job!.....well not really.....

Well...I really don't hate my work, I just can't stand my supervisor. She and I were at it again yesterday. I came in with such a good happy face on. I stopped by and chatted with two fellow employees and she came by to see this. Well....my life was hell the rest of the day. This is all the energy I am going to give this situation. I need to finish my degree and find another place to work. I refuse to let this woman make my life so miserable.

On a happier note....I have gotten some things accomplished. I am almost finished with a pair of socks for one of my swap partners, and I plan to machine quilt the little doll quilt this weekend. My daughter and grandson are coming after Thanksgiving with her in laws and I am very excited about that. My son in law has to work this weekend and that makes me sad. I like it when he comes too.

I hope each and everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and that we remember what the holiday is about and give thanks for what we have and pray for those less fortunate.

Pictures

I promised pictures and here are a few. I bought this goofy little pens some time ago. I gave some as gifts and I kept one for myself. I keep it in my knitting bag...it is fun just to laugh at myself for being so into funny stuff. Mine is the one at the far right. Her name is LuLu. The two middle ones are pirates. And the one on the far left is just a cute funny pen. You can buy lanyards for them too. I just bought one for mine.
This wonderful boot I had to wear for almost six weeks. I have had it off for 2 weeks now. My Achilles tendon decided to become inflamed and it was so painful. I have had it rough with this boot and the fact that my other leg needs a knee replacement. I haven't had the energy to do much. I am trying very hard to complete projects that I owe people. My swap partners are unhappy with me I am sure. I am really trying. And below is proof that I am working on things. I have jumbled some of the knitting so it can't be totally identified. lol

I still have to machine quilt the little quilt, finish the second mitten and the second sock. I am not getting home from work until 7:00 at night and I try to work some each day. I also am working on fabric postcards. I will photo those later. I need to knit for about 1/2 hour and then head to bed.



I love the little quilt. I am thinking about make one for myself, only a little bigger with more blocks. Each of the baskets has a yo-yo on it with a leaf. I hand stitched the edges in the buttonhole stitch with black embroidery thread. I loved doing them. With the arthritis in my hands, it has slowed me down so much. I need to stop doing swaps where I make things. I am way too slow. Anyway, the fabric I picked is reproduction fabric from the 30's and 40's. My favorite. I think the person I am doing this for likes this time period too.

Sometimes I go overboard wanting things just perfect and that keeps me bogged down also. I hope she will enjoy it as much as I have making it. But I did put a lot of handwork into this. Oh well....my heart is always there and that is what counts for me.

I found it ...I found it! Or rather Mom did!

Well, when you clean up your area you knit, read, do handwork, and read the newspapers and mail you might just find things you have been looking for! I found my cable to my camera! Or rather my relentless mom did. She was down all weekend and she helped me get things in order. She was determined we were going to find that cable. She found it in my knitting basket that was pushed under my end table. Now you have to understand....this is the same place I sit every night to watch TV, put on my shoes in the morning heading to work, where I read, knit and do handiwork. You would think I would have remembered the cable was placed there....but Nooooooooo! LOL...But it is now found and I can post pictures.

I am so far behind on my swaps. I mean well but I seem to always fall behind and thus many impatient swap partners are frustrated with me. So my resolution to all of this...only one handmade swap a quarter. I can't work fast enough and I get so down when people get impatient with me. I am just getting older and my pace isn't what it was when I was in my 20's, 30's or even 40's. My health issues get my down too.....but I don't want to whine. I do give quality items. I spend more time on my projects that I guess I should.....but my philosophy is to make sure I do quality work and not rush any project. My most recent one the lady even said her work was poor but she got it out. Yes, to my dismay it isn't quality and I play to remake it so I can use the quality part she did do. Oh well..human nature. Just have to go with the flow.

When I get home tonight I will post pictures......;o)

Good Attitude and Turning my Troubles Over

The last number of my posts have brought out in me a firm purpose and what I believe in. I have resolved myself to the fact that I can not solve my own problems but that I need to daily lay them at the feet of my maker. I worry...I fret over so much trying to find answers when answers are not there. I so often forget that when you can't handle the problems in life and feel so lost in your worries.....turn those problems over to God and he will give you the answers you need....not always what you want but what he has decided for you. So.....I have done this and have prayed for those who have hurt me or made my life miserable. Things seem a little less stressful for me and I have an inner peace that is hard to describe...maybe some of you can identify with me.

Today has been a very good morning so far. I was given a wonderful leather notebook and an on the spot award for the hard work I did for the office. This came from the Chief of Staff....not my supervisor. (Yes and I have prayed for her!) She can not praise of let others take credit for anything ......she needs all of the praise and feels she is justified in this. It will haunt her one day....I see the results of it now......I no longer argue with her and let her have her way....she is slowly finding out that she is ....well ....not praised as she would like......not my problem.

Enough of that. I am still hunting for my camera cord. I need to post pictures....sigh.....

I did get to take off my boot on my left foot and I feel so funny without it. I am healing slowly and I will listen to the doctor and follow her stick orders.

Well...enough of my ramblings and I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and enjoys our winter coolness!