Keep my friend in your prayers..

One of my best friends (I've known her since birth), Rebecca Pickens lives in Ohio. She called me tonight to tell me that her dad's dad was killed in a car accident this morning. She said the car flipped over and he flew out and the car landed on him. He was killed instantely.

The good side, if there can be said that there is one, is that Rebecca and her family were able to visit their grandparents this past weekend. Atleast they were able to see him one last time? Ugh. I never know what to say in a time like this.

I guess that's how it felt to everyone else when we lost the baby. There just aren't words... other than "I'm sorry, I love you, I'll be thinking and praying about you and call me if I can do anything." She lives in Cleveland so it's not as though I can go give her a hug.

Rebecca actually bought the house my grandparents lived in (rebecca's parents live next door.. that's how I know them).

*big sigh*

~danielle~

I've come to realize...

I have a lot of tv shows I watch/dvr. I don't usually get to watch them on the night they come on, but I am watching them! In no particular order, here's my list of shows I watch on a weekly basis!

1. Desperate Housewives
2. Army Wives
3. Grey's Anatomy
4. Ugly Betty
5. Life
6. Bones
7. House
8. Private Practice
9. Dirty, Sexy, Money
9. Lipstick Jungle
10. The Cleaner
11. Dr. Phil
12. Women's Murder Club

As you can see, I'm not big into reality tv shows. Now I do watch American Idol, but even then I don't DVR the epsidoes. If I see them great, if not. I can always read/hear about it. As for the other shows. I watch them. Religiously. I guess that's why I can balance out my reading and my knitting. I read when I'm not watching tv and I knit when I'm watching tv.

Yikes!

~danielle~

Deadly Gamble- Linda Lael Miller

Deadly Gamble was very different from the usual writings of Linda Lael Miller. I almost stopped reading it b/c I find it deficult to read books where people can talk to the dead. But I continued on because I've always enjoyed her books and figured I'd give it a chance.

I loved it!! "Mojo" as the character was called was an interesting character. She didn't remember her past so things about her were kind of Shady. I liked her on again off again boyfriend, Tucker. I thought the relationship she had with her dead ex-husband, Nick and the cat Chester was interesting. Like I said, I don't usually read books where people talk to the dead, but it was almost believeable in a sense that she could communicate with spiritual beings.

I had to laugh a few times when outsiders (those who coudln't see see/communicate) would catch her talk to the spirits, and it looked like she was talking to herself! She would get angry and yell at the air. It was a good laugh.

I'm going to get the 2nd book Deadly Deception from the Marshall Library on Friday. I hope it's as good as the first one. Plus I need to know if her and Tucker can work things out!

~danielle~

Kittens..

My neighbor has cats..lots of them. They reproduce and she shoves them outside. Today when I went to take some garbage out to the trash can, this little kitten came running up to Lane. Buster was barking and this kitten didn't know to be scared. I remembered that the little girl from across the street came over and told me that one of her mommy cats had 7 kittens. So this must be the outcome of this.

I looked around and didn't see any of the other kittens, so I picked it up and it immediatly started trying to suck on my finger. I guesstamate that they are about 3-4weeks old. I walked over to their house to knock on the door to see if maybe this one had escaped. No answer. I went around to the front and there were 3 other kittens along with 2 others that were from another litter (they are probably 4-6 months old).

Lane was upset b/c I wouldn't bring the kittens home. I was upset too b/c the family just shoved these kittens outside, like all the others. But I couldn't explain to him that we already have 3 dogs and 1 cat, and that the dogs wont take well to other kittens. Plus we really don't have the resources (or the house) to take care of them.

I called around. I can't find anyone to take them/help me. I was told it's best to leave them for a couple more weeks to let them ween if they can. I don't feel comfortable approaching the neighbor about these cats, but if my count is right, there are atleast 10-15 cats/kittens across the street. They will just continue to reproduce!

I'm not sure what I'll do. But something has to be done. Maybe I can find a spay/neuter clinic that will atleast take care of the females. That would stop a lot of the production.. Across the street atleast.

~danielle~

A horse!

I've wanted a horse for a while now. But I realized we didn't have a place ready for one and really no money to run out and buy a good horse. I've always wanted a golden palomino. I just love the blond mane and it would look so pretty in my pink tack!!!

Well my father in law told me he would "sell" me the horse I've been riding off and on for 5 years now. He's name's Vandle. He's a 13 year old sorrel horse. He's always been good to me and we work well together! I've been getting all the paperwork together and everything is about ready to be sent off. I'll be the proud owner of a horse!

We have to finish paying the IRS off and get the flooring and inside doors for the addition and then it will be complete (with the exception of some of the buidins Mikie plans to do so we wont have to have computere desks in there). Then we can start cleaning up the back lot (which is almost an acre and has lots of big beautiful trees) and get a fence and a barn built. I'm so excited!

I really enjoy riding and my step-mother-in-law (that's a mouth full) really likes to read too. We want to do some trail rides in the area and ride in some grand enteries at some of the local rodeos. I'd even like to go to the Marshall play days and see what those are all about as well!

I'm a little saddle sore from riding yesterday, but not too bad. The weather is cooling off so it's nice to go ride in the evenings. I hope I can make a habit of it. It's good to get out. Once the weather turns cold (anything under 65 is cool to me!) I'll be stuck in the house a lot more. This time of year makes me sad.

~danielle~

A Wanted Man - Linda Lael Miller

This book is also 2nd in a series (The Stone creek series). I liked it VERY much. I loved the first book ,which I read a couple of weeks ago. Rhowdy was a character that was saw briefly in the first book. His story continues when he takes a job as Marshal in Stone Creek where he meets Lark ( I love that name). Lark has plenty of secrets of her own which Rhowdy finds interesting as he has some ghosts in his cloest as well!

The two of them dance around their secrets until finally Lark's secret comes to light. Which she's none too happy about. Rhowdy lays out all his secrets once he figures he's going to jail for the rest of his life (something about being locked up/seperated that makes people want to confess).

Gideon (Rhowdy's brother) is great in this story. I'd love to see a book about him going after Lydia later (hopeless romantic, I know).

The next book The Rustler comes out in October. It features one of Rhowdy's brother's, one of which we didn't meet. Another outlaw, I'm sure this will be good :) When bad boys turn good! Ohhh I love a good Romantic Western!

~danielle~

The Death Dealer- Heather Graham

I went and picked this book up from the library b/c it was on the "new" shelf. I started reading it and felt like I was missing something. There were all these references to things in the past, and I felt like they were things I should of known. Unfortunately it was during the time we were without power due to Ike, so I couldn't run to the internet to see if this book was a sequal. I put the book down b/c I didn't want to read it until I knew for sure.

I was able to get the internet up on my phone and realized that yes, indeed, it was a sequal. I raced to the library the next day and got the first book "The dead room". I love Heather Graham's books so I knew it wouldn't take me long to get into it. I love the thriller/suspense/romance. I finished it and immediately went back and finished the The Death Dealer.

I liked the series, BUT I usually have a huge problem when a main character (especially one I like) dies. which was the case. I did enjoy the romance that went on with Joe and Leslie, despite the fact she was in love with his (dead) cousin. But I felt like he was too noble with Gen. He just let her believe he wasn't interested. I think there could of been more of him morning Leslie a bit and a bit more insight as to why he hadn't tried anything with Gen after over a year. I dunno, maybe it was just me. I'm the hopeless romantic :)

Overall the series was good. I'm hoping there will be more in the series, about Adam or even Niki and Brent. What's their story?

~danielle~

Knitted items I want to complete by the end of the year.

I have a small list of items I want to complete by the end of the year. Some of them are UFO's and others I haven't started yet.

7 pairs of clogs (christmas presents)
2 hats (christmas presents)
1 pair of gloves (christmas present)
Mix and Mingle Afghan from Knitpicks.com
Pinwheel sweater that's about 60% done (for myself)
Overlapping leaves socks

I also am on the list to knit on the a few oddball baby blankets and some pet snuggle blankets, but those go without saying :)

After I have completed those I'm not sure what I'll want to work on. Maybe some more socks as my sock yarn has grown so much!

~danielle~

Books on my "to read bookshelf"

Here is a list of books I currently have to read (sitting on my bookshelf). They are in no particular order.

1. The death dealer - Heather Graham
2. A wanted man - Linda Lael Miller
3. 20 Wishes- Debbie Macomber
4. Deadly Gamble - Linda Lael Miller
5. Dark Roots and Cowboy Boots- Luann Mclane
6. The Knitting Circle- Ann Hood
7. Divided in Death- JD Robb (continue on the series)
8. Moon Women - Pamela Duncan
9. Plant Life - Pamela Duncan
10. Family First - Dr. Phil

Books I wanted to get that I don't currently have:
1. Playing Dead- Allison Brennan
2. Dark Embrace - Brenda Joyce
3. Savannah by the Sea - Denise Hildreth

An author was recommended to me and I want to look into her books as well.
1. Karen Kingsbury

~danielle~

PS. Please leave anymore author book recommendations! I love to find new people :)

Lane's 4th Birthday party!

We were able to have Lane's Birthday party this weekend. It was supposed to be last weekend, but because of Ike, we had to postpone it. How do you explain that to a 4 year old? Sheesh! Atleast it turned out to be a beautiful day yesterday. The Jump'N guy was at our house by 4 so Lane had plenty of time to "test out" the bounce house and the slide before all his friends got there. I had to literally pull him in long enough to eat one piece of pizza! He had such a great time.

His cousins and his friends all came over for a jungle birthday party. They were able to jump and slide for 2 hours or so. I'm SURE those kiddos slept well last night :)

Lane received lots of great stuff! He got a new tonka dump truck, a john deere front end loader, a tool set (so he can work like his daddy), a fisher price digital camera, some clothes (boy they do grow fast), and some other nerf guns and toys. He was very pleased last night :)

We ended up giving him our gifts last weekend because we felt he needed something to show for his birthday since he wasn't having his party. We got him a new bike, a new fish (he loves beta fish) and a new dvd.

All in all he had a great time and I'm glad everything went so well!

~danielle~

PS. The company was used was Jump'N. They are out of Daingerfield, Tx. They are a family owned company and WONDERFUL!! I would DEFINITELY use them again!

More oddball projects!

I just love working on oddball projects. It's such an easy way to use up yarn was well as donate to charity. It takes a couple hours usually to work on a piece of the project. I signed up to work on an orphan oddball blanket. It will be donated to an orphanage in Mexico. I am also signed up to work on a pet snuggle blanket!! These blankets will be donated to local animal shelters to use!

Here is our blogspots!
http://oddballsnuggles.blogspot.com/
http://orphanblanket.blogspot.com/

Can't wait to see how these turn out!

~danielle~

Christmas projects!

I have a few christmas projects I am going to work on!

1. Clogs for Dad
2. Clogs for Grandmother
3. Clogs for Grandfather
4. Clogs for Lane
5. Clogs for Mikie
6. Hat for Mikie
7. Hat for Lane
8. Gloves for Lane
9. Clogs for Mom
10. Clogs for MYSELF!

I made a pair of clogs for myself last year. They were SOOO wonderful! I guess I need to get moving on these clogs :-P Good thing they are pretty easy to knit!

~danielle~

I'm BACK

Ok despite Ike's best efforts we only were in the dark for a little over 48 hours!!! We are finally back up and running :) Hope everyone else fared well! Now it's time to clean up and get things back in some sort of order!

~danielle~

Tuesday's With Morrie

I've been reading a lot lately. I kind of go through the "stages" where I just want to read. Read anything I can get my hands on or I just want to knit. I wish I could do both at the same time. But books on audio only work well for me if I'm driving. I'm too distracted other ways.

Tuesday's With Morrie by Mitch Album is one of those books on my list of "everyone needs to read". My bro read this a couple years ago and recommended to me. I put it on my shelf and just never did anything with it. We'll I've read it and I love it. I cry at the end each time, even though I know the book ends the same way. I always hope that maybe Morrie will get up and start dancing, even if for just one last time. The book is about Morrie dying but it's also about all the things he felt that were important in his life.

One of the things that really hit me was that you needed to deatch from the feeling. So if you're scared of something, it's ok to acknowledge that you're scared of it. But once you've know what is making you scared and why, now it's time to detach and move on. I think that's the only way that Morrie could truly comes to grips with the fact he was dying. If he didn't, he'd also lay around feeling sorry for himself. He never would of made the attempts and get out of bed.

I think as a society was tend to dwell on the things we can't change. I'm guilty of that. I always worry/stress about things I have no control over. I need to recognize what the problem is and then detach so I can move on.

I loved the section about Money. Today it seems like everything is about money. If you don't have money you can't do anything. But money doesn't buy you love. It doesn't buy you happiness. Money is a necessasity but it isn't what makes you happy or bring you love.

Definiately a book to read if you haven't.

I'm currently reading "The last lecture".

~danielle~

PS. I also finished another book by Linda Lael Miller - "The man from stone creek." Will talk about that one later!

9-11 and Lane's 4th birthday!

So today being 9-11 in all, I thought I'd post a little bulletin. When I heard about the first plane I was at George Mason University, my sophomore year. I was getting ready for my Art class. I watched it on my computer (the news report). I was a bit confused because my full focus wasn't on the news. I had a big day in my art class (they are 3 hours long) and mentally I just wasn't there. I pushed it aside and figured it was a pilot error, someone hitting the twin towers.

I get to my class and everyone is talking. I catch whispers of what is going on but I'm still getting my stuff out and preparing for class. My teacher walks in and she's looking around at everyone. She starts talking about what is going on and everyone starts talking all at once. It's not long before my cell phone starts to vibrate and it's my dad. I thought he was at home. He had gone to the office (not far from the pentagon).

He's asking me if I watched the news, if I knew what was going on. He says he can hear/see all the stuff near the pentagon. He tells me he may be "stuck" in DC. I ask if I need to come get him. He tells me I might. He'll let me know. I try to make other phone calls, but I can't get my cell phone to work. I finally get through to someone, I don't remember. Maybe my mom, maybe mikie.

Classes are canceled for the rest of the day. I sit in my dorm room, alone and watch everything on my computer (I had a tvcard). My dad finally calls or gets through and tells me he's found a way home, not to worry.

Everyone is in shock on campus. They opened up the theater so people can sit together and just watch....

But on the flip side to it all. I've been to the twin tours before they fell. My brother, sister and I have this really great picture standing with them in the background. I've taken Mikie to ground zero.

My kiddo, Lane was born 4 years ago today. He was 2 weeks early. I labored for almost 24 hours and finally they did a c-section!

If you would of told me I would of had a kiddo born on 9-11, I would of laughed at you. We even put beats on the day it would happen. Adam (mikie's bro) won.

So the morale of my long winded story/recollection is that. God takes life and God gives life.

Take a moment to remember where you were this day and at this time. A remember to give thanks.

~danielle~

Savannah Comes undone.

This was the 2nd book in the Savannah series. Personally, I thought it was better than the first one! It amazes me how the auther (Denise Hildreth) is able to draw me into the book so well. The time frame of this book is about a week. It's amazing how much Savannah realizes. What really gets me, is how much she had overlooked as it was actually happening. But when she sits down to evaluate it all, it just falls into place.

The auther does a great job at making you realize all the little things we take for granted. That living isn't just about living, it's about being. How each experience, good or bad, allows you to grow as a person. Savannah doesn't see her mother in the same light anymore. She isn't just her mother, she's a woman, a person. I think there comes a point in a child's life when the parent has to change roles. They are no longer the parent in the sense that they are there to keep you safe, watch over you and love you. Their role has to change. I think that's what Savannah is finally learning. She sees her mother as a person.

I hope I read more about Joshua in the next book :) I like his character and he really is a good balance for Savannah. He really knows what buttons to push with her! *giggle*.

My library doesn't have the next book "Savannah by the sea" and I'm on the waitlist on my paperbackswap.com site. So I'll patiently wait for the next book to become available!

Wonder what I'll read next!

~danielle~

New tv show obcession!

I decided to try out the Tv show Bones (like I don't have enough tv shows I watch). I love the forensic and my best friend in school, her dad was a forensic entomologist. He had some of the coolest stories and pictures/slides that he showed. I was just amazed by it all. Anyway, off track. I finished the first season of bones. I just LOVE it. I ended up watched 6 hours total of bones yesterday and last night. I have gotten myself on this weekend pattern where I get 2 dics on Saturday (netflix) and then watch them and have to wait till monday to mail them out and then I don't get any until Wednesday. It feels like such a long wait.

My plan is to be ready to watch season 3 when it comes out in November (why did they wait so long to bring it to dvd when the season 4 premire was this past week?) and I'm DVR the 4th season so I can catch right up.

The series is just great. I love the chemistry between Bones and Booth. I am anxiously awaiting the moment they finally DO something *giggle*. Ahhh I'm such a romantic!

So there, I've admitted it. I'm obcessed with the TV show bones!

~danielle~