Working Hard for the Money

My poor honey.

Derrick has been working almost around the clock to have a project ready for his trip to Arkansas on Friday.

The past weeks since we returned from Arizona he has been really burning the midnight oil. I'm missing him and will be thrilled when this project and trip are over. Proud doesn't cover how I feel about his accomplishments though. When we were in Phoenix for the Society of American Florist convention many people remarked to me how much they respected Derrick and his business acumen. I am so happy for him and just about burst with pride at how well he is regarded. It helps to remember how much he loves what he does when I start to miss him too much.

In knitting news I am working on a mini laptop cover for Alex with cables and a throw for Amber. Both will be Christmas presents. I was bummed to run out of yarn for my clapotis, hopefully I will be able to find another skein somewhere. I am hoping to finish a few of my works in process before the end of the year.

I will be hosting an open house this weekend for another agent and hope to meet some interested buyers to work with. I'm still waiting on that first sale. I have 2 listings currently and am hoping for 2 more by January.

We were saddened last week by the death of my great uncle. He was only 75 and was more like a brother than an uncle to my dad. I pray his daughters are able to grieve and then celebrate his life and the fact that he is no longer unwell.

The Need

I am feeling a few needs today.

1. I need to get to Key West, it has been 9 months and I am having withdrawls.

2. I need to knit, my fingers are twitching to get to the wool.

3. I need to find a yoga class, I am feeling tight and confined.

4. I need to lose 80 lbs, I want to look good for Amber's wedding since I am the matron of honor.

5. I need some business, I want a sale!

6. I need a housekeeper, I hate to clean however if we want to sell this house it must be spotless, always.

7. I need to re-make myself, I want to be a certain way but seem unable to make myself resemble the person I see in my head.

8. I need energy, to accomplish these needs.

Family Dinner

To end the Labor Day holiday I cooked and was thrilled that Derrick, Alex and I were able to share it together. As Derrick travels, Alex is back at school and I am working and trying to get my career going it is a rare thing.

I made salad with tomato's and peppers that we grew, grilled chicken using Hogs Breath blackening seasoning, baked potato,and cornbread. I used rice milk for the cornbread so that Alex could have it. It was different but still good.

Man Cave

Derrick and Alex are moving right along on the Man Cave. They have the window installed, and the dry wall up. They are now sanding the dry wall, what a job. It won't be long before I am choosing paint, flooring and stone for the fireplace.

Turning Over a Leaf

Squash Bloosoms

Jalepeno Peppers, Grape Tomatoes

Itty Bitty Bell Peppers

Red Chili Peppers

Alex and I planted a few veggie plant this year. They have been slow to grow, but it is so exciting to see. We have decided that next year we are planting a proper Victory Garden! This will also go a long way towards our healthy eating.

Simple Pleasures

One of life's simple pleasures. Sitting on the beach with my favorite girl, each of us with a book, Communicating without saying a word.

Wow, long time gone.

I'm back...

So much has happened, I couldn't begin to catch up. So I'll be starting from today.

Alex spent 2 solid hours with our nurse practitioner today going over some test results. He hasn't been feeling well for some time and has spent much of this summer sick. We thought it was his allergies. We were correct. We were also incorrect it seems he has developed or had a few we were not aware of. He is highly allergic to wheat, and milk while being highly sensitive to soy and peanuts. It has affected his entire health. He is also mineral deficient. So we will be embarking on an adventure back to health. Both Derrick and I are going to participate with him since we have some of the same symptoms and it won't hurt us to lose some weight!

We will be eating wheat, soy and milk free as well as giving up refined sugar. Taking vitamins, exercising, and sleeping more. An eating more whole, organic and local foods.

I'll keep the blog posted with all our results.

Corruption!!!

Well this will be a photo less post. I have some photos to upload to the computer, but I have turned into Typhoid Mary where electronics are concerned. This will be the 3rd computer that I have killed in the last 12 months. This one's hard-drive was so corrupted that NO info could be saved. I can't even go into what all I lost, I'll start to cry and stomp again. Please do not say the words "back up". I'll not be responsible for what would surely happen to you. Needless to say no one wants me to use their computer. Alex has banned me from even looking in the direction of his PC. He blames all my problems on the cyber knitting community. Ha.

So it's off to Dell for repair. Thank goodness for warranties. In the future "I WILL BACK UP DAILY".

Hopefully I will not be off line too long or I will go completely bat-sh*t crazy!!!

Organizing is Fun!

The other week while Derrick was out of town I decided to organize a baking cabinet for Alex and I. We went to Ikea and purchased glass jars. We labeled an filled the jars and cabinet with everything needed to bake. The cabinet is located to the right of the sink near our Kitchenaid mixer. I was so tickled with the results that I had to keep opening the cabinet to look inside.

We got a huge WOW from Derrick when he arrived home.

When One Is A Pair

Late last night I finished sock # 2. I was very excited and was going to wear them today. Being the super un-organized person I am, I put sock #1 in a place I was sure to find it when ready. Not. I looked for an hour, no sock #1. Oh well it will show up sometime!

The socks are Cheeky Ribbed sock from No Sheep for You in Zitron Lifestyle. I loved the feel and color of the yarn. the knots in the skeins not so much.

Skunk in Pug Clothing

If you are not familiar with pugs, they can be a bit gassy. The newest member of our gang is TOXIC.

On a recent night while I was sleeping soundly for a change, Derrick jumped out of bed, flipped on the light and started stomping around the room. I opened a bleary eye and snarled, I mean politely asked "What the heck are you doing?". He looked accusingly at the pup and declared that said pup had "$hit on the floor". No I said laughing, he has gas, he hasn't gotten off the bed.

Derrick replied "Shove his a$$ under the covers then", he then plopped back in bed and was snoring in seconds.

Poor guy!

New Year

Well our new years plans didn't come off as planned. Derrick ended up in the ER being diagnosed with diverticulitis. So we had a low key night with antibiotics and pain meds.

We did talk a bit and made some plans for the year to come. We want to eat healthier, exercise more and all that stuff. We are both going to try and focus some on our careers. I hope to take my real estate licensing test this month and hit the ground running! We also want to market the condo better so that our occupancy is higher.

Alex still had friends over and some fireworks were lit. I think they all had a nice time. It was the first time that they all got together since some went away to school.

The pugs are pictured above the way the spent the new years, ironically this was also their resolution. To spend more time in this position. Missing from the picture is Goblin and Angus.