Right Again, Alison!!

OK Alison...I really wasn't going to repost this but when I saw your answer to # 38 I figured, now I HAVE to do it, so....here goes:

1. FIRST NAME? Jody
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My fraternal grandmother's friend Jack and my mom's friend's husband Eddie (who passed away just before I was born.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? About an hour ago when I was at the movies watching Flags of Our Fathers.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Nope!
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Um...have not had it in AGES but I'd say kosher salami.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Of course!
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Just this blog.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No - they left me when I was 11.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Not at this stage of my life. Still want to parasail though (and would LOVE to have the guts to skydive!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?Heart to Heart Cereal
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Usually not, but can't get my current sneakers off unless I do.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Emotionally, yes. Physically, not really (like daughter, like mother).
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Moose tracks; vanilla with peanut butter and chocolate mixed in.
14. SHOE SIZE? 7.5
15. RED OR PINK? Red, although I prefer white, black and denim
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My thighs
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My daughters
18. WHO DO YOU WANT TO FILL THIS OUT? Anyone who would enjoy doing so.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Blue jeans, black t-shirt, barefoot.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Garden burger with cheese & sweet potato fries
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The TV - hubby is watching the World Series while channel surfing.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Blue or yellow
23. FAVORITE SMELL? a freshly bathed baby
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Gerry, my hubby
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Their face and hair
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON YOU STOLE THIS FROM? Of course - Alison is one of my two favorite daughters!
27. FAVORITE DRINK? IBC diet cream soda (which is almost impossible to find) and Chocolate Egg Creams
28. FAVORITE SPORT? To do: scuba diving To watch: Yankee Baseball
29. EYE COLOR? very light green (but they seem blue at times
30. HAT SIZE? One size fits all
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yup - monovision so I don't have to wear separate reading glasses
32. FAVORITE FOOD? rice, pasta, raspberry anything
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Ending! I don't do scary anything!
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer - I HATE being cold.
36. HUGS OR KISSES? Both, but I LOVE kisses from my man
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? NY Cheesecake or dark chocolate mousse
38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO REPOST THIS? I have NO idea!
39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? See # 38
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? On audio, just completed Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs, and I am now "reading" Innocent Man by John Grishom
41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? an aerial map of the former Castle Hill Beach Club in the Bronx, NY
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Didn't watch TV last night
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? for real? Sounds of love (and you take it from there)
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Hawaii or Israel, whichever is further
46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Getting over a difficult situation fairly quickly
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Los Angelos, CA
48. WHERE DID YOU GET THIS SURVEY? On Alison's blog

What Luck!!

With Gerry out of town (he's up in the "Great State of New Jersey" visiting his family), after work I went to a friend's house to help her learn how to set up iTunes and her iPod. Afterward we went to the Avenue (Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, about 9 blocks from my house) for Art & Jazz on the Avenue. Delray does this just about every month or so...they close off the about 7 blocks to traffic, stores/boutiques stay open late, restaurants are all open, bands and other things of interest are there for entertainment. We had some sushi, and just walked a bit. On our way to the car we stopped at the Sunny 104.3 booth (a good local radio station). Just for the heck of it, I put an entry into each of their two contest boxes. In April I had done that and won two FABULOUS tickets to Cirque d'soleil's Delerium, and a $290 GC to paradise spa for all kinds of good stuff. I got home about 30 minutes later, exhausted from work and after work. My phone rang.....and...I WON!!!! A $50 GC for Wellness, Old Mother Hubbard or Neura branded products for the dogs. I couldn't believe it. I drove right back, taking Tiemann with me



















(sorry, Rusty, just couldn't deal with TWO at this time). We had to walk about 5 blocks each way once we parked, so I got my exercise for the night! What a lucky ducky!!!

A Short Contest

A contest came to me from Heatherly via Alison (and originated by Jody - another Jody, not ME Jody). Sounds easy enough, so here's the questions and answers:

1. Where is your favorite knitting spot? While I don't do it that often, I love to lie on my couch and knit, while watching TV.
2. If you suddenly could never knit again (shudder) - what would you do instead? Probalby spend more time (if that's possible) on my computer (G-d, don't let me stop knitting!!).
3. If you could travel anywhere in the world - where would you go and why? I'd love to see Asia because it's such a different culture, and a fine one at that. On the way I want to stop at Palau and Truk - awesome diving spots!!
4. When you were little - What did you want to do "when you grew up?" Are you doing it? I wanted to teach (was sort of brought up to be a teacher)...I have been teaching for over 21 years, mostly kindergarten. So, YUP...I'm doing it, with 9 1/2 more years to go!
5. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Definitely something with peanut butter cups and chocolate ...Moose Tracks!!!...and a really, really good Rocky Road!
How's THAT!?

Family Time

Last night Gerry and I drove to Boca Raton (about 20 minutes from us) and met "the kids" for dinner...Suzzette and Brian, Adam and his friend (and my best friend's daughter) Lysandra. Lysandra lives in Central Fl and drove down for the weekend to be with Adam. They stopped by my house earlier in the day so Adam could show her where I live. Then they left so I could drive my self crazy doing work for school (YUCK!!!). So I was really happy when it was time to leave for our night out. We went to Mario's of Boca, a really good Italian restaurant where Adam just happens to work. He is breakfast cook/manager a few days a week, serves the other mornings, and serves lunch weekdays. Plus he tends bar on weekends at the Holiday Inn attached to the restaurant. We had such a good time.
Me, Lysandra, Adam Brian, Suzzette, Gerry
The food was good, everyone was talking, laughing, having fun. Of course Adam knew all the servers, and we met his buddies, including the front manager. It was Suzzette's birthday, too. I had brought candles and gave them to Liann, our server, on the sly. When she brought out dessert, Gerry insisted on singing, so...we all did!!! Happy Birthday, Suzzette!!!

Lysandra & Adam Suzzette & Gerry
I still have not finished the blue fisherman rib sweater that I have (sometimes) been working on. Just way too busy with school work or too tired to knit. So tonight, as we watch (and hope) the NY Mets beat the Cardinals (hey, we support NY teams - so what if they aren't the Yankees?), I plan to iron and then....knit!!!

Gotta Love Him!

Last night we went to see Man of the Year, the new Robin Williams movie. While it's no Oscar winner, it was a really cute movie and lots of fun to watch. RW does a lot of his "schtick"-one liners and jokes that keep you laughing. If you like Robin Williams and feel like laughing, go see this movie.

My Secret Pal 9 Survey

It's time for Secret Pal Nine and so once again I am posting the SP survey.
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? I am becoming a little bit of a snob. I don't like acrylic foo-foo yarns, regular acrylics or most Red Heart yarns (though I DO like Caron's Simply Soft and Bernat Babee (sp) yarns for baby items. I do like Lion Brand Wool-Ease and Cotton Ease, as well as better quality and natural fibers (if soft).
2. Do you spin? Crochet? Crochet - yes. Spin - no - too much involved.
3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A box in the closet!! I carry my Denise needles everywhere I go. And my dpns are in a lovely "roll" that my daughter made.
4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting since my early teens. I am an intermediate/advanced knitter
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? - No.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I like Vanilla, and do NOT like anything sweet (except for Sugar Cookie candles). My favorite colognes are all from VictoriaSecret: Dream Angels Heavenly; Rapture; Breathless.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I don't have a sweet tooth. However, my favorite candy is dark chocolate covered raspberry jelly rings.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? While I used to "do 'em all" I just concentrate on knitting and sometimes crocheting.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD). I like light pop, some country (Shania, Garth, Faith), and yes...computer plays all, car only plays regular CD's. I have a new iPod Nano to which I download music and audio books.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? No psychedelic colors, not partial to orange. I like to wear black, blue (love denim), white and beige.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Married almost 3 yrs to a wonderful man. We have 2dogs - a maltese and a dacshund.
12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I live in S. Florida, so usually - no! And definitely not ponchos.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Optimum by SWTC; Plymouth Encore; Bamboo by Crystal Palace; 100% Merino from Knitpicks (nice for baby sweaters).
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Most acrylics (see above), and "foo-foos," and anything scratchy ( do not like knitting with chenille).
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? Knitting "top-down."and toddler sweaters/hats.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Baby and toddler sweaters and hats...my first grandchild is due in November.
17. What are you knitting right now? Blue fisherman rib sweater for who else...my grandson.
18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? yes, but unless someone really knows me, I prefer NOT to get sweaters as they might not fit (all that work for nothing).
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? circular or short straight needles.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Bamboo ( but I do like my Denise circs), and I LOVE Addi Turbos.
21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes
22. How did you learn to knit? my Aunt Pearl taught me. My daughter Alison now teaches me things I haven't learned before.
23. How old is your oldest UFO? 1 1/2 years (same one as in SP8 survey
- needs to be sewn together.
24. What is your favorite holiday? Xmas/Hanukkah
25Is there anything that you collect? I seem to collect yarn!
26. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?Creative Knitting; Family Circle Knitting.
27 Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?Sorry - no.
28 Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Knitting socks on two circs....just ordered book to teach myself how.
29Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? yes, I enjoy knitting socks. 8" circumfrance; 9" heel to toe.
30When is your birthday? (mm/dd) - June 21 (first day of summer)

With a Heavy Heart

Just got back from the vet. We gave Cocktail his final sleep. He was getting weaker and weaker, till he had to be carried out to "go." Seeing him this week told us that we were going the right thing. We went in a little group...Gerry, me, Suzzette (Gerry's daughter) and her husband, Brian. It was Suzzette who brought Cocktail home in her two hands 16 years ago. After a year she gave him to Gerry, and he's had Cocktail ever since. The first time I came to Gerry's house and met Cocktail, we fell in love with each other. Gerry always said that Cocktail then became my dog. We are also so fortunate to have a wonderful doctor at Banfield Animal Hospital. When we carried Cocktail in, the ladies there got a blanket for us to put him on instead of the cold tile. One by one they came in to see Cocktail, for he was so loved. The doctor confirmed that we were doing the right thing. He said he could see that Cocktail was worn out and ready to go. Of course we all cried but wanted it done quickly. So as we all sat on the floor with Cocktail (even the doctor) the dr. put in a catheter, and we made our goodbyes. Then, with the injection, Cocktail very, very peacefully fell into a quick sleep and left us. We love that dog, and he loved us, and so we gave him the rest that, after 16 years and 3 months, he so fully deserved.