Longest Post Ever

Ok, I know it's been forever! Where have I been, the lousy loser that I am? I've been really busy that's what! Work has been crazy, lots of work and family obligations, and I caught strep and was really sick for about 10 days. I've also been hard at work learning how to knit socks and feverishly buying every bit of sock yarn I set my eyes on in anticipation of all the socks I plan on making.

We celebrated Penelope's 4th birthday in true doggy-dogg style, with a cake and singing. Much to her dismay, she got to wear the birthday bandana:

She's the cutest, isn't she? We took her in as a stray and although she was a naughty puppy at first, she's grown into a wonderfully calm and easygoing young girl.

I also attended a charity bowling tournament, for which F-bomb bought me my very own bowling ball! It's a swirly blend of magenta, turquoise, and pearly white--and it glows in the dark! Here I am with a few of my peeps at the event:

It was so freakin' hot in that bowling alley, that my glasses were fogging and I had to take them off! And yes, I'm sweating like a pig at a luau in that pic on the right. Let me tell ya, I ran for the shower as soon as I got home.

F-bomb at I took a road trip to IKEA, which abut 90 minutes from us, to go look for flooring. I, of course, was on the lookout for knick-knacks and whatnot. Along, the way, I worked on a Ballband Dishcloth from Mason-Dixon Knitting. I also harassed the driver, chugged my fave springtime beverage lemonade, and enjoyed the traffic.

I gave it to my grandmother, along with a dishcloth-sized version of the burp cloth, for Easter. She promptly thanked me fo the lovely "potholders." I tried to explain what they were for, but it was a lost cause. As long as she likes them, I'm happy!

My sister also announced her pregnancy to the family--her second baby! I'm very excted about being an aunt again. I'm really pulling for a boy, since she already has a girl. I've been calling him by his name and I told him he really needed to come out a boy 'cuz it would be really silly for him to be a girl with a boy's name! My sister laughs when I talk to him, but I know she likes it! I also gave her bib knitted out of yellow cotton for Easter.

Let's see, what else? Oh, work's been insane. I work as an internal auditor for a financial institution and we've been going nuts with the year-end audit. A number of extra hours and some added stress, but that's the name of the game this time of year. Things are finally getting back to normal, sorta, so it will be back to the normal auditing for a while.

Oh yeah, I mentioned strep. Never in my life have I felt so awful. I've never had strep and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy! I missed quite a bit of work and couldn't talk properly for days. It was like Hell on earth. Seriously.

As for more recent events, I went to my aunt's house a couple of weekends ago for some R&R and some stamping fun. She's also my Stampin' Up! upline and for the first time ever I was able to join the rest of my sidelines for her monthly downline meeting. We had a blast stamping a few great projects and getting to know each other. And being the angel that she is, she took me to a yarn store close to her house called Yarn Heaven. Boy was it ever! The ladies there were just wonderful and the yarn selection was outstanding. Only downside to the visit was that it was a rather humid and slightly warm day and they had the A/C off in the store. The doors were open and the ceiling fans on, but it was still uncomfortable for someone as hot-natured as me. I did not let that stop me from buying plenty o' yarn though! I think since tomorrow's Friday, I'll have a Fiber Friday like so many other knit-bloggers out there. So check back for some yarn prOn!

Then last weekend I helped my friend Rachael re-arrange the living room of her very first apartment. It's very cute! I stayed late, so then I went home and cooked and baked until 4 in the morning since I was having the family over for Mother's Day brunch. Then I slept 'til eight and got back up to finish cooking. I think it turned out well and everyone seemed to enjoy the food.

Also over the weekend, F-bomb got a very sad call that he needed to head home to Hawaii for a funeral. I wanted to go with him for support, but he's only going to be gone for a few days and he said he'd feel more comfortable with me staying home to keep an eye on the pups. Since there are children involved in this tragedy, I covered and stamped some composition books for him to take as gifts. I figured they might need a place to put all their feelings. I forgot to take pictures since they're wrapped and in his suitcase now. I hope they help--I feel so bad for those poor kids.

Anyway, thank goodness the weekend is almost here! I stayed home today with some sort of bug, but I'm feeling better and ready to attack my last day of the work week.

Catch ya tomorrow for Fiber Friday!