Monday, December 14, 2009

Its Almost Yuletide




And its lovely. Our tree is up,decorated. I have our stockings on the mantel. It even snowed a little the Sunday before last. I have been making presents: Crocheting like mad. My fingers hurt a little. But its all worth it to be able to provide my family with something for under their trees.
I love celebrating both yuletide on the 21st and Christmas on the 25th. Most people do one or the other,but its best to do both with my family. My grandfather would have a big dinner on the 21st,and a breakfast and dinner on Christmas.At his home up on the mountain winter was beautiful. It got snow, you could go cut down a fresh fir tree to decorate and all the great food that my mother,and the aunts would prepare. Ham,Turkey, Venison,Dressing,Cakes,Pies,
Sourdough bread loaves- It makes my mouth water remembering those meals.

Now my husband is the chef. He makes one delectable turkey and the gravy for the potatoes MMMMmhhhh. I can not wait till our Christmas dinner. I hope we make a ham. His dressing is also tops!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Can not sleep


Tomorrow we have a date day. My husband and I. Zombie land and 1/2 price sushi. Can not wait. =)

I'll let you know how the movie is...

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Its Finally October 1st!



Its time to break out the leaf garlands, bake the pumpkin bread, make the apple butter and set up your Halloween decorations! This month has always been my favorite. Ever since I was a little girl. I already have my decorations up inside and out. Today is the day I start contemplating my jack-o-lantern ideas: Scary or sweet face? I think about it all month long. Then the eve before Halloween my husband will carve what I pick. Hes much better with a knife than I. Welcome October! Welcome!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

The heat is on.

It is cold enough right now to turn on my brand new Rheem furnace. Its wonderful having a brand new system to battle the fall and coming winter.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

just cause I can.

A little something for my husband.

How may I praise you my love?

When in shadows, I lie hidden.
Wrapped in pain unbidden,at my temples,my bones...

Your lips to mine are as sweet as kings mead,
your whispers as gentle as feathers.

Your scent of rain drenched woods,
fragrant,wild.

When loss overwhelms me you anchor me here,
your arms warm,welcoming,strong.

My tongue fails at all that is wonderful,
no single word, or song enough to express my love and appreciation,
my affections.

To drift off by starlight with you is paradise and to wake by dawn with you is so very much more.

For all you do, I love you.

Always.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Welcome Fall! Welcome! Welcome!







Drift by,pretty fire, drift by!
Loft by winds of change.
Crispy air and apple scent,
Autumn cloaks the earth in red,gold,brown richness,
Mother nature sings of coming cold and cozy hearths.

Tomorrow is the 1st of September. This Morning as I gathered the mail, it wasn't chilly, not exactly, but it was cooler. Sweetly cooler. And it smelled, ever so faintly of leaves. My favorite
season is Autumn. Followed closely by Winter. My husband agrees with me. Goodness am I lucky!
He too likes the idea of a cabin surrounded by trees,where it will snow. For now though, I must put up with not getting real fall till late October. But tomorrow September dawns. Yay!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

One Happy Hooker





NO. Not a street walker. A crochet hooker! ;) I taught myself last year to crochet. It took much cursing,throwing the jumbled,crooked mess of yarn across the room- but I did it! Now I find myself able to watch a movie or the nightly news and let my fingers do the stitching from memory even the most complicated looking project isn't complicated now. I have always loved crafts. My talent is proudly inherited from my mommy and her mother. The bug bit me hard so i've got plenty of ideas but usually,never ever enough yarn.

For my Daddy this year on father's day I made him a large hexagonal 'square' design afghan to cover his big chair. He loves it. My husband has the first one I ever made: crooked and a little too short for his 6 foot 2 inch frame,but he loves it. I made our little brother (his little bro) one out of the same yarn so it matches for his birthday.

I quilt,sew,embroider,cross stitch, and now crochet. I also can do crafts taught my Cherokee great grand mama- cut ribbon work and quilling. As in porcupine quills. And ribbon embroidery.
When she taught me, those arts were already fading. Not alot of the young native women wanted to bother with it. She taught me loom weaving too but I haven't loom yet. My husband has promised me a craft room with a sturdy table and a brand new sewing machine. Hes wonderful like that. I would love to his craft too. Gun crafting. I very much hope for the day we have a large family of both sons and daughters and we make a buisness of it. In this day and age a woman should learn as many things as she can. Both traditional and new. Because who to say that by the time i'm a grandmother,what crafts will be still be in use? Well in my house, they will be alive and treasured.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Color Me Beautiful


At Last, a make up that does not make me feel like a painted doll. Even at age 27 my skin is delicate,really fair and easily irritated. I started wearing make up only occasionally starting at 13. I found it felt icky. I would wear it for my husband, but itd feel like a mask. I do have china doll features, my eyes are pale green ringed with gray, my lashes and eyebrows are black, my hair,which reaches my bum ,bright copper red and curly. So trying to find colors was a bitch.

I have what is called a warm completion and cool eyes. These were the words of Avon and Mary Kay representatives.Avon and Mary Kay make up feels just as heavy and greasy at 28.00 dollars for eyeshadow as the 6.00 dollar cover girl from Target. Ick .Enter bare minerals. Pricey, yes. But check eBay. =) Great deals. I was given a 'Autumn' colors set that is perfect for me. Green/Gold/chestnut eye shadows,Bronze lip gloss and a earthy rose blush. Its perfect for me. Or any redhead if you ask me.

They make concealers,foundations,blushes,lipsticks,mineral veil(A kinda of locking base or finisher)mascara, and rare minerals- liquid clear mineral smoothing primers. Fills in pores for a smooth clear finish for your skin,before you apply foundation. I'd reccomend these products for all ages. Finally, I can feel pretty while wearing make up, instead of just wanting to scrub off the drying,cakey greasy mess. ;)

Saturday, June 13, 2009

From Norway With Love


Ear infections suck. Double ear infections even more so. That is why I enjoy a little love from Norway. Most vodkas are, well, not very enjoyable. Too strong. Too bland. My darling found this brand one rainy evening. I fell in love with it. I like to make a tipsy cranberry or sea breeze
(grapefruit juice.) Please note: I'm an adult.( Not a underage sorostitute at UT Knoxville that goes out every Friday night and gets drunk then rolled by some stranger, only to stagger home in heels and crash.My old neighbor did this alot. We heard her every friday.) I enjoy a good drink with dinner or after dinner. Or when sick from migraines or as I said, Ear infections. These two ailments have plagued me since childhood. And prescribed antibiotics don't fix the infections because I was given so many different types when suffering them then. Which makes for a horrible time. Enter ice cold vodka mixed juices. Sweet, Sweet relief. True it doesn't stop the throbbing,pulsating pain but it makes it easy to ignore,and I might add sleep. My husband is a real loving sweetie. If we are stocked up he'll fix me one just right when I'm sick. I love a good strong white wine,dark beer, Amaretto and Lemon Liqueur, both from Italy.

Wonderful sweet cold fire on my tongue. Yes Indeed.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Space The Final Frontier








Went today and saw Star Trek.

Totally Awesome!

Now as to the old question, Picard or Kirk, Well. Definitely Picard. I watched both classic and Next Generation growing up. I preferred NG. Now this movie... It makes me a kirk fan. I liked this Kirk.
He made me chuckle. And the new Spock.Mhmmm. yep. Cute as can be. Wonderful take on the star fleet uniforms,shuttles and damn, The battle scenes! Fast,Bright and very shiny. I laughed, I cried, I clung to my husband during tense moments. Its a great movie you should see on the big screen. Its the $6.50 or $9.50 or whatever it is now at your local movie theater.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Come With Me If You Want To Live






Those iconic words from my child hood. Kyle Reese saving Sara Connor. Kyle Reese. Yum. Played by then 28 year old Michael Biehn. Such a hottie. And I'm allowed to fan girl out over him. My husband says its ok. My darling ,did in fact take me last june to Adventure con and I got to meet Michael Biehn. Oh My God he was still handsome. I got a autograph photo of him as Kyle inscribed with : Samantha, Come with me if you want to live.Michael Biehn. :Swoon::

Ahem. My husband and I went out the other night to see Terminator Salvation. With another of my boys: Christain Bale. (I really only swoon over these two men. Nobody else. Cept my own hottie at home, my Husband. Love you baby!) The movie rocks. It was wonderful. A real treat. I've been a fan of the terminator series since was four. my parents loved the series so I got to watch them whenever I liked.

They show the hunter killers,T600's etc. Oh my! They show Kyle Reese as a teenager before John (Bale) Sends him back to protect Sara. The kid (I think 17) was cute. He does kinda look like a young Biehn.

The best moment for me, was when I got trandported back to age 4 and clinging to my mom's bosom when you see the T800 burned free of the human facade to stand in its metal skeleton glory. John meets up with a T800, The same T800 that his father fought to save his mother Sara before he was born. I admit I snuggled up closer to my husband. It was chilling!





I give this film a big thumbs up. (I don't care what rotten tomatoes says!) I rank this up there with the original And T2: Judgment Day. It was wonderful getting to share this with my husband, The franchise is one of our favorites. Why no mention of 3? I hated 3. Plain and Simple. Yes you see Arnold take up the role of reprogrammed T800 to protect John. But It wasn't enough for me. In Salvation, the war is here. John is a Resistance fighter, working up the ranks. Everything he was told and had seen was coming true. You hear his mother's tapes to him. It is one hell of a movie. Go see it with someone you love. Its perfect for snuggling to. If you're a geek like me.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

ITS ALIVE,ALIVE!


My ac/heat unit that is. I bought my house at 21,6 years ago. For the 1st two summers my Ac worked great. Then it DIED. Kaput. Gone. My beloved husband, who I owe much to,plus many cookies and other baked goods, had a new one installed. Praise be to Sherril Heating and Air.

Right now its cooling down. My goodness its so nice. Can't wait till my sweetie gets home and he can enjoy it too!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Da dum..da dum...da da da da da daDUM!



Its summer. Its getting hot. It makes you want to don a bathing suit and go swimming.
Yeah right.
I discovered a wonderful older documentary about that terrifying wonderful film that still 34
years later strikes terror in our hearts. I was 2 or 3 when I first remember watching it. I remember that music scaring me half to death. THEN I saw the SHARK! my parents delighted in reaching over and grabbing me at really tense moments. Loving parents. Really.


I remember thinking that the first victim was such a pretty lady.







My husband and I eagerly await the release on dvd of The Shark Is Still Working. My husband and I are both movie freaks. We each have our favorites. Jaws is one of them . He bought me a poster of it and had it professionally framed. I have seen Jaws several times. Jaws two about 10. Jaws 3...A horrible 3-D venture 3 times. And Jaws 4: The Revenge. Where the shark follows Widow Body from Amity across the ocean to Jamacia. The only good thing about that was Michael Caine. I admit that I wouldn't get in to the bath after watching jaws. Much less my kiddie pool or the local lake. "It was just a movie! You chicken shit ...get in here!" My big sister would yell when I refused to put my toes in the water at Norris lake all those summers ago.

I couldn't swim until about 2 summers ago,When my husband paiently drug me into the pool and
waited while I tried to get my slower,cebral palsy inflicted right arm and leg to work along with the normal left sided limbs. It took quite awhile. But very slowly I managed to get somewhere.

I can float on both stomach and back. I can swim a little.

Will I ever let my husband take me to Florida to visit my new marine biologist Grandmother and go swimming with real sharks? Maybe.

Friday, May 1, 2009

The Haunted


Today while looking on you tube I came across a movie called The Haunted . (see the book it was based on above.) In my jr. high years, The scifi channel was relatively a new station and they would show great little movies about horror/scfi/ghosts/fantasy that had only been seen once on local tv years before. One of them I watched today again for the 1st time since my 6th grade summer. Spooky good memories!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Morrison- Wine, Women and Song


Silver Tongued. Alcoholic. Poet. Sex Symbol. Prankster. Womanizer.
All the above can describe James Douglas Morrison. I think of him today after viewing the final 24: Morrison


I have just about every book about his life. Including the perhaps most questioned Strange Days.
Penned by Patricia Kenneally Morrison. Personally, I believe her story.She is the only woman he married. True it wasn't at city hall, but was performed by Her high priestess and high priest.
Patricia was and still is a practicing witch. They were married on Beltane eve. Morrison had a pattern of giving completely of himself in his relationship. When he was with you, You were all important.

I have read Linda Ashcroft's Wild Child. Utter Rubbish! Angels dance and Angels die. The ballad of Jim and His long time consort, Pamela Courson. I say Consort because it so on again and off again. I feel that his relationship was quite toxic. He abused her, and she him. But they were too entwined to recognize the abuse.She was a admitted heroin addict.There are more than one source that say she might have very well given Morrison a shot that ended his life. She herself died of a overdose 3 years after his death.
Break On Through , Life ,death and Legend, No One GetsOut Of Alive are also excellent books I own.

I ponder on Morrison after listening to a battered old 1986 cassette copy of Riders Of The Storm.
Remembering when I 1st heard that voice. I was about 2 in the kitchen with my mother. I was clinging to her leg and remember her picking me up and spinning me around dancing with me to it. I remember laughing and enjoying it. Not knowing itd be the first time that hooked me. Mom played records of the Doors music. Actual vinyl. How cool is that? I did a report in jr high about him. Having to pick a famous dead person. I think on him, knowing that on july 3rd
this year he'll have been gone for 38 years. Tragic yes, but perhaps for the best. Sometimes
talents can drive you over the edge. But no one will ever know what he might have been.
He would have been 66 years old this December 8th.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

They Must Be Laughing In Heaven

Thank you for being a friend. Travel down the road and back again.You're all I want, you're a pal and a confidante...

I learned yesterday but did not get a chance to blog about it till today, that one of my favorite
ladies of comedy has passed away.

Bea Arthur was 86 and suffering from cancer. She starred in the hit shows, Maude and The Golden girls. I grew up watching reruns of Maude. I was still a little young thing when Golden Girls debuted, I and my mom (and my dad, who never had a say in the matter with both my mom and I wanting to watch it) watched it from premiere to end,and the spin off Golden Palace. This lady was a hoot! I remember watching her as the roman unemployment office worker in History of the world part one. "Did you kill anyone today?" Bea's character. The out of work gladiator. " No". " Did you try to kill any one today?" "Yes." Bea looks at the tiny sindial stapped to her wrist. "Time for my wine break." Pulls down the shade. "Wait wait! I-"
"Back in an hour toots."

She was one of the first female comeadians ro really make it big,making it possible for other ladies to make it. Here's to ya Bea! Leave them laughing so hard they cry up there!

Friday, April 24, 2009

A break from job-less-ness.

Today mu husband has told me that finally, finally work will begin again. Starting tomorrow.
Thank the ones above. Hes been going nuts just sitting around. And the air conditioning at the house will be fixed so we can live there again. Whew.

At least right now, I can relax.

Thoughts on Vermont

With the job market being as it is, My husband and his 2 of his best friends who been co workers for a long time, are having a horrid time finding work. Permanent work. 5 days a week. Not one day...maybe. The Jubster, (Great person,and ladies hes single...hint,hint.) Looked up on line firearms manufacturers. My husband and Him and the other best buddy all have firearms as their
trade. Its what they know how to do, and do it well and also love it.

One such place is in Vermont.

Hmmm. Ok breathe, breathe. I have never lived anywhere but where I am right now. On my maternal side We had branches come in from Ireland and Scotland in 1781, on my paternal side, The maternal half of my father's line, His mother and grandmother are of the cherrokee nation, whose ancestress were was forced to move from here to the reservations in Oklahoma on the trail of tears.
Great Grandmother moved back here in the 30's as a very young girl with her mother. The paternal half's family settled from Scotland in 1791. So this place is very rooted in my blood, my bones. My mother is buried here. Her mother is buried here. You get the idea. It wasn't very logical, but I sobbed a little while my husband held me, because moving would mean leaving my mother behind. I know its crazy, shes not living any more, I'm not really leaving her. Shes always with me. But thats how it felt. My husband is understanding. Very understanding.
I trust him to not to make horrible descions for our family. And did I mention, Most of his family, mom,Dad,sisters and brother live up there too? On a farm no less. I spoke with my mom in law(though its just mom really to me) about VT. I Said, I need a mom's reassurance right now, what is the place like? And got quite a bit of interesting info.

Now nothing has been decided at all. Its just a pondering. But I had to get it out of my head.

Private Demons

Are they in YOU? Yesterday I went to one of my favorite used book shops, been going there for,oh..... 17 years. Its a great place, I've picked up many beloved tomes there. The newest is Private Demons, The life of Shirley Jackson. That wonderful woman who gave us The Haunting Of
Hill House
. The door through the wall. We've always lived in the castle. And many others.

I was first introduced to this delightful scary world of her's, On a rainy afternoon in October. A Sunday. I was 9. My mommy and I watched the original black and white The Haunting .
The movie adaption of the haunting of hill house. Oh my! I was hooked. I went out and found a copy at the library and read in one day. Which at 9 was a fast pace for me. Now I can often read up to 3 books in a day. Private demons looks at the author herself. Pondering how she drew on those inner forces every writer has to create her wonderful and macabre worlds. I'm not finished with it yet, but its a yummy read.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Oh god...They made a movie about these people??

In my earlier 20's I was seamstress to a Amptgard group. Kinda like http://www.sca.org/ But far more less mature, far less together.Best left alone altogether if you want my opinion.(The SCA rocks in comparison.Check to see if you have a local chapter.) In high school I was seamstress to a Calar group. Calar's a step below Amptgard. My horrid ex who use to be emotionally and physically abusive got me into it, Then let it become far more important than his real life and job.

Now I've grown up attending many of the Scottish Highland games' events since the age of 2. I'm a proud member of clans Mckay and Gunn and also claim and wear Macduff clan tartans through my beloved husband. I did the turning of the sash at my wedding,having my husband adopt me into his clan by removing my mckay sash and replace it with a macduff sash. I love celebrating my heiritage. Men in kilts, more specifically, My husband in his kilt, whats not to love? I wear a ankle hostess kilt and black bodice embroierded with red rampant lions and white chemise to these events. I order all my tartan wear direct from Locharron's tartan weavers Selkirk, Scotland.
These gatherings are a celebration of scottish clan and spirit...Not dungeons and Dragons played live on a feild somwhere. I haven't played D&D since my freshman year of highschool. (Now please don't think I'm bashing role players, I loved roleplaying and still think its great.)

But the war gaming club Darkon- http://www.darkon.org/

Seems to me more than a little silly. And to top it off, They made a MOVIE!
You can watch it at snag films - http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/darkon/

Decide for yourself.

Doors,Sinks And Cabinets

Today I went with the mother of a dear family friend for a day of price shopping on everything to do with the home. The house I own was built in 1948 and everything in it is from 1948. My beloved and I are moving back into it soon, about 3 weeks. And once back in,We'll be redoing the bathroom and kitchen. Mostly with the aid of a gifted handy man who also is a dear friend. All we have to is buy the materials and assist him,then watch the progress begin.

So anyway....

I and Ann get in her car and drive out to the old city. We stop at the crown and goose for Shepard's pie and queen's own pudding. Damn delicious! Nothing satisfies my tummy more than old english pub fair, cause its the same hearty food most Irish and Scottish (in my family's case we're both) enjoy everyday as well as 200 years ago.

Then onto the glorious rooms of the Rail Salvage Company. Don't let the name fool you: Top name brand's but at a 1/3 of the cost in most cases. Kohler,Pella,Delta,Medwin you name they have it or can get it.

With a trusty note pad and pen. I spend not 1 but 4 hours there, in the 1st building alone,with Ann writing down starting prices of sinks,counter tops,tile,cabinets... you get the idea.

If you spend 1,000 on cabinet's you get a 10% gift card on anything in the company storeroom's.

Wonderful!

The husband will take a look at all this once hes off from work tonight. I can't wait till we can start transforming the house I bought when I was 21 six years ago. We won't be staying in it for more than a year at the most but will sell it to buy 'our' first house together. With the money from the sell of mine as a nice down payment. But first it must look better. Thank the gods of building and remodling for the rail salvage company!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Tennis Balls can be fun.

Yesterday on Easter Sunday, after a breakfast of strawberries,pound cake,and bites of chocolate bunny-my beloved husband and I drove into oak ridge for a day of shooting at the out door range with a good friend. I first was started out with a .22 rifle of my beloved's. And after getting used to slightly off sights,Was making tennis balls,clay pigeons, golf balls and milk jugs dance across the ground. Then finally, finally got a chance to shoot my valentine's day present a glock 19. (His and Her glocks of course,very romantic in my opinion.)
First shot right on target.
I could feel a bit of pride emanating from my husband as he stood beside me watching. This marks only about the 5th time I've ever gone shooting. But due credit should be given to my teacher: My darling husband.

After this grand outing, We went back into the ridge, He and the friend playing x box and the friend's mom and I attempting to watch P.S. I love you. The disc froze half way through. So then me and beloved and friend went to books a million.

Where I read Child Bride by Suzzanne Finstad and Drank a vanilla frozen creme.
Nummies!

A perfect day.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Testing,1,2,3...

This is my attempt at a blog. I'm using this as more of a journal than anything else. This post won't be much,just that its 2:56 on the 20th of Feb. I'm now 27 years old. I'm a little scared,a little relieved and very,very amazed. I never really thought I would make to this age.

Born 3 months too early, I had more than just a rough start. my lungs were underdeveloped. I had
cerebral palsy on my side. I stayed the 1st 3 months of my life in a incubator because I forgot to breathe. I was diagnosed with arthritis at age 4,had many surgeries on my right leg to try and ease pain and to keep me from falling by the time I was 14. At 15, my sister's husband raped me.

This event triggered manic depression. It has not gone away. I was genetically predisposed to this disease, inheriting it from both parents. This is the reason I am amazed to still be here. I tried to kill myself more than once. I was gone for 5 mins until a team of doctors pulled me back after over dosing on pain medication.

I felt the rape,the stress of the investigation,the stress of my sister not allowing my mother to see her grandchildren was my fault (in essence my rape split my family down the middle. me,mom and Dad on one side. my mother's family on the other), would go away and things would be better if I wasn't here anymore.

My brother in law had served in jail for the molestation of two of his former step daughters while in Florida before he met my sister. He met my sister at 16 when He was 30. She married him, and when the truth of the rape came out, She chose him. She believed him. His written confession,medical evidence and his serving jail time for this crime did nothing to convince Her that I was the victim. She is still with him. While finally beginning to lead a 'normal' life again, I was hit again with tragedy. My mother died suddenly of a heart attack.

I now was living with just my dad. Who, suffering from severe mental illness had been abusive to both my sister and I . He just didn't have that switch that tells someone that beating your child is not discipline.

I moved out at 19. I bought my house at 21. To the amazement of my high school friends and their parents. There were two sets of parents that were very proud of me.They knew my history,knew what I had gone through. Their support helped,a lot. After finally leaving a boy I'd been with 6 years because I finally saw his abuse for what it was, I spent about 2 years just kinda wondering if I would ever marry,just kinda existing. Then I had a interesting night with a friend who I'd always thought was a great guy.

Two years go by, very happily. I'd been seeing this wonderful person for those two years. He helped establish me in self esteem. Something I don't think I ever had. On st Patrick's day 2008,He asked me to marry him. I,crying with pure joy,said yes. We married in a beautiful,small chapel with stained glass windows by his family's priest.

And now, Life seems good.Really good. And my thoughts turn toward having children. My husband and I talk about six. Everyone, my father,his parents,his siblings ask are you expecting yet? I know we will be at some point. Soon. I couldn't be more happier with that thought.

That is why,while sitting here,unable to sleep, amazed at turning 27, I know life will be continue to be good. Sure there will be downs just as well as ups. But its incredibly better now,than what I once knew.