tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319171722024-03-13T12:51:24.676-05:00Plum Texan<b>A writer's head...a crafter's hands...a Texan's heart.
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2010: The year of Taking Action. No, really.</b>Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-90415143431096791122011-01-03T01:03:00.004-06:002011-01-03T01:07:11.202-06:00Could it be?A new and evolving home for Plum Texan? Why, yes. It could.<br /><br />Come join me for all-new adventures at <a href="http://plumtexan.wordpress.com/">plumtexan.wordpress.com</a>. The archives will be here at least until I'm certain it's all been properly moved. The new site is a work in progress - as is my crazy life, as ever. Stop by to rubberneck. There will be baked goods!<br /><br />Again, that's <a href="http://plumtexan.wordpress.com/">plumtexan.wordpress.com</a>!Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-79053950253907161482010-10-23T15:01:00.003-05:002010-10-23T15:07:49.711-05:00Falling over for a visit<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">So...yeah. Adventures in Being Me and Adventures in Being Married have run fast and furious throughout the year of Taking Action. It hasn't all been good, and it hasn't all been bad. But at least there's never a dull moment...?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Since, at the moment, I'm fatigued by the not-so-good, I'm going to take a few minutes and share the good with you. Never hurts to have the reminder, right?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"><span style="font-size:85%;">- For a few months now, we have been fostering a clutch of three orange tabby kittens we discovered in our front yard. We were worried they'd be under a car at the wrong time...so we wrangled them into our back yard and have been feeding and caring for them since. At some point, we will probably have to adopt two of them out – but they're still young and we want to get them fixed first.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">We have a boy and two girls, which we haven't officially named, but are instead calling "Boy," "Girl," and "Little," or Small, Medium, and Large. Should I ever again find my camera cable, you will get to squee at the cuteness.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">- I have had the crochet bug this year and, holy crap, actually finished another project! It's the Wavy Blanky by Stephie, a San Antonio knitter, and I completely adored it. It now lives (or almost does) with Bryan's cousin and her five-month-old son, for whose use it is intended. Again, camera cable --> loveliness.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">- We moved up the road about 10 minutes in July, and are now renting a house that is about 50 years newer than the previous one. It's a world of difference, and we're getting a bit spoiled...but hey, we deserve it, right? Best of all, we have already managed to have guests and gatherings, which I consider requisite for a house to be a home.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">In other news...have I taken action? Well, yes. I never feel that I get quite as far on my goals as I like, but progress is progress. Somewhat unbeknownst to him, Bryan has joined in on Taking Action and is actually ahead of me.</span></p> <p face="trebuchet ms" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p face="trebuchet ms" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm here at the moment because I have a weekend to myself with no specific plans. But I have my usual ton of ideas knocking around, and haven't given up on the idea of moving them forward.</span></p> <p face="trebuchet ms" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p face="trebuchet ms" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">There is always much more I want to do and not enough time/energy/resources to do it all at once. I definitely want to get back to this blogging thing, but as the BFF pointed out the other day, it's important to know your limitations, and I do. So I'm not overpromising to anyone, myself included – I'm just keeping things in my pocket until someone hands me that Round Tuit and I can really get going.</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">So how has your year been? Did you pick a theme, and has it guided you? How have you Taken Action?</span></p>Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-65160747923146630332010-01-01T18:41:00.005-06:002010-01-01T18:53:05.526-06:00Forward<span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">If you've been following me for any length of time, i</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">t probably won't surprise you to discover (or to be reminded) that New Year's is my favorite holiday. Th</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">is *does* seem to surprise some folk, though</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-family:Arial;">–</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> usually those most enamored of Halloween, Thanksgiving, or the Big C.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span> <p dir="ltr"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Not to down any of the others, but since I was a kid, the New Year has had a huge appeal to me. While I'm very traditional in some ways,</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-family:Arial;">and the themes of my life (wordsmithing, kitchen magic, craftiness) tend to remain the same,</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-family:Arial;">I also like to</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> always be moving forward, to discard what's no longer working and forge ahead into new, exciting things.</span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I'll admit that's a tendency that's refining itself over time.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-family:Arial;">Old habits do, indeed, die hard, and baggage (both material and otherwise) is often hard to lighten or throw away. I've seen this and struggled with it over many years, and most certainly throughout 2009.</span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Still, despite losing momentum, I'm looking back at the year and realizing that, in fact, I did keep with my theme of Motivation. Sometimes (frequently, in fact) it was a baby step</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">, sometimes several. A couple of times it was a great leap forward. And still others, it was a good hard shove</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-family:Arial;">(sometimes REALLY hard)</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-family:Arial;">from the Universe.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">So how did it turn out? Let's see: I found my knit-mojo. I leapt back into the kitchen with gusto. I started dancing again. I'm getting my house in order, literally.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-family:Arial;">I'm eating vastly better. I'm paying attention to and getting care for all my medical issues.</span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I'd definitely say all this belongs in the WIN column. And that surprises me a little, because there were several times I thought that Motivation was out of reach. But something I remember from reading others who have chosen a Word (or Theme) of the Year is that often, your Word will express itself in ways you didn't expect.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> That's turned out to be true, despite the fact that I originally refused to embrace it.</span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">2010 gets a bit of a different approach. I've chosen a new theme (instead of a single word), and while I know some of the plans I already have, I'm fully prepared to accept that I won't see all that's coming, and that what I want or need might chan</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">ge.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> I also know that there will probably come a time when I regret being that open. :)</span></span></p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">But, for better or worse, here it is</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">. My Theme of the Year for 2010 is: Taking Action.<br /><br />I can't wait to see how it takes shape. Want to join me? If you decide to choose a theme, I'd love to hear about it. In the meantime - Happy New Year, and may 2010 be your best year ever.<br /></span></span>Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-5684559813520494832009-12-24T22:50:00.002-06:002009-12-24T22:53:16.702-06:00The spiritIf you didn't believe in Christmas miracles before, perhaps you will now: Hello! I'm out of hiding and only mildly insane from the season.<br /><br />It's been a far nuttier year than I would have expected, sturdily punctuated by a November largely lost to illness, doctors, hospitals, and recovery. While I'll do my best to avoid TMI, I have a few conditions that have played off each other and created a perfect storm – nothing life-threatening, but certainly leaving me low on quality of life. Round 1: get the top-level, potentially dangerous things in line; round 2: <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/uterine-artery-embolization/MY00502">a procedure</a> to take care of a major root problem.*<br /><br />So, following two hospital stays and a total of three weeks off work, you may be glad to know I've more than leveled out – I'm doing exceptionally well, better than I've felt in a while. Things that I'd started to accept as part of my daily life are disappearing rapidly, in a good way. My mom and Bryan have been even more wonderful than usual; my mom stayed with me at the hospital and drove me to a host of appointments. It was nicer than ever to have someone around who knows how to wrangle medical care.<br /><br />***<br /><br />And so life, work, and all the rest rolls on. I'm knitting on a single project, mostly just for the knitting. I'm spending quite a bit more time in the kitchen, which really makes me happy. I'll be trying a new quick-bread recipe in the next couple of days, as well as my good old standby <a href="http://plumtexan.blogspot.com/2007/10/squash-for-dessert.html">pumpkin bread</a>. I even took some Meyer lemons offered by a coworker and made a <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/meyer_lemon_sorbet/">gorgeous sorbet</a>!<br /><br />Really, there's just a whole lot of happy going on for me right now. Not perky, bouncing-off-the-walls happy, but mellow, love-my-family, enjoying-every-day happy. I think I like that better.<br /><br />Thanks to losing November, it took me a while to even absorb that we'd come to the holidays. But I'm with it now! We're doing it low-key, but it will be lovely. I've had a nice spirit about the whole thing...that same pleasant, mellow feeling. Mostly because I've already received more gifts than I could have dreamed: my family and friends top the list; my health is a really close second.<br /><br />Yep, the sap in me is still around, too. Driving back from a lunchtime shopping trip today, I took a high overpass from the Sam Houston Tollway onto I-45 and got a beautifully clear view of the Houston skyline – the kind that makes me catch my breath and think, for all its flaws, how much I love my city, and how grateful I am to call it home.<br /><br />I'm grateful for you, too. :) Merry Christmas and/or happy Winter Holiday of Your Choice...you may even see me again before the New Year!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">* It's a Mayo Clinic link that explains the procedure, if you're interested; nothing gross, but don't feel obligated to click.</span>Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-80796369942317684712009-08-14T23:30:00.004-05:002009-08-14T23:47:32.938-05:00What's cookin'...is not as much as I'd hoped. It's been a hell of a month, you see; the health stuff is not so bad, but there has been a LOT of work insanity, and the big work thing is still to come. As such...and to no one's surprise, I'm sure...the weekliness of my weekly projects went off the rails.<br /><br />Not to say that I've given up, mind you. Just last Sunday, I turned out a chocolate cake with dulce de leche filling and whipped ganache icing. (I'm not sure if it was an excuse to use my new Williams-Sonoma 8" round pans, or the other way around.) If you're keeping score: both gooey things were utterly fabulous, but the cake itself needed some work. Not to worry...it will happen.<br /><br />I'm writing this from (just near) Fort Worth, my fourth trip in as many months. Not sure if I am Mohammed or the mountain, but either way, a girl can't do without her best friends, and must therefore visit them whenever she can. I got to spend a lovely evening with my favorite tall, blond, and handsome gentleman - the one who turns five at the end of this month, and who decided, to his parents' amusement and slight chagrin, to behave like a perfect angel while he was in my sole supervision.<br /><br />Not much else to report, except this. In case you were one of the few mostly-sane fiber-type people left who did not think that the Yarn Harlot is the awesomest awesome that ever awesomed...well. To each their own tastes, and I wouldn't condemn anyone for a difference of opinion (so long as you are civil about it) - but before you make your final judgment, read <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2009/08/14/dear_tina.html">this</a>.<br /><br />Those friends I mentioned? I'd just like them to know that, for the job of work that being one of my BFFs can be, I hope they know that I feel the same way about them. Thanks, y'all.Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-3126289005196908682009-06-28T00:58:00.003-05:002009-06-28T22:12:10.721-05:00InauspiciousWhen I told you, nearly two weeks ago, that there were big things on the horizon for me...well, I couldn't have imagined what all of them were. And sure enough, a lot of really great things have already happened.<br /><br />What's not so great is that many of them have happened despite, or because of, what is best called an unfortunate discovery. I'm suddenly looking at some medical issues - not life-threatening, but definitely serious - and (for reasons I shouldn't go into) I am finding myself in search of a doctor.<br /><br />But back to the good - I have, as ever, a fabulous husband, fantastic parents, amazing friends, and a really great job. All of this plays into the situation quite thoroughly, in ways I should have expected. I have referrals and appointments, I have insurance...and most importantly, I have support.<br /><br />I'm not yet sure if I'll be fully disclosing my issue on the internets, and even if I do, I will most likely not give a play-by-play. What I do know is that if such a thing were going to come up, I'm one of the most fortunate people in the world to whom it could happen. When I come up with a way to pay it forward to others who don't, I may be letting y'all (all four of you, now) know.<br />***<br /><br />In re: my last post, I had only a single taker. You know who you are. :) And in the interest of being true to my word, I'll be contacting you about your reward soon.<br /><br />***<br />Surprisingly enough, there is other news. The no-foolin' version of my Baking 52 is in swing. So far, for semi-obvious reasons, it's taken place on Saturday nights...and now that I'm really giving it thought and time, it's going pretty well. To wit:<br /><br />- Week 1: Easy Pecan Praline* Bars, based on <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Almond-Bars-II/Detail.aspx">this recipe</a> from AllRecipes.com. I had neither almonds nor brown sugar...so I substituted with pecans and white sugar, and added more vanilla and extra butter. I think I was expecting something chewier (which is how I prefer my caramelized sugar), but this turned out a bit crystallized on top.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3669854721/" title="Baking 52, #1: Pecan Praline Bars by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3669854721_f1f8642d9d_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Baking 52, #1: Pecan Praline Bars" /></a><br /><br />Not to worry, though. The bars were very nice warm, and a HUGE hit with Bryan and our folks. I'll try it again to see what I get with brown sugar properly done, but also to get some more of those raves.<br /><br />- Week 2: Chocolate chip cupcakes, inspired by (but not taken from) the <a href="http://www.cakemixdoctor.com/">Cake Mix Doctor's</a> cupcake book. Since yesterday was decidedly a Good Day, I picked up some cake mixes (and brown sugar) at the grocery and went digging through the book. While I wasn't lacking for ingredients, I didn't want to get too complicated. And also, maybe, I wanted to display my kitchen improv prowess just a little.<br /><br />So I took a yellow cake mix and added a bit of brown sugar, some chocolate chips and extra vanilla, and a couple of secret weapons. I'm also 99% sure I left out the vegetable oil.<br /><br />The results?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3669855103/" title="2/52: Two birds, one cupcake by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/3669855103_e6dc4f44df_m.jpg" width="240" height="218" alt="2/52: Two birds, one cupcake" /></a><br /><br />Plain-looking, I know. But it doesn't seem to matter. They're practically perfect without icing - almost a creamy flavor that's sweet without overwhelming. And I'm not holding out on you, either. Just click on the photo if you'd like to see the recipe.<br /><br />***<br />All in all, my life continues to surprise me, and no matter which way it turns, I'm still enjoying most everything. Which is not to say I wouldn't enjoy a little more calm now and then...<br /><br />At least I'm starting to learn a bit not to plan quite as much. Besides, improvisation has always been my strong suit. Why not go with it?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">* This is properly pronounced "peh-KAHN PRAY-leen," by the way. Because a "PEE-can" is what some people's dads made them use on road trips.</span>Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-49789956791620539052009-06-15T23:44:00.001-05:002009-06-28T00:57:53.538-05:00A square triangular numberIn the most shameless of self-promotions, I'm telling the world here and now that today was the 36th anniversary of my birth. (In case you missed the broad hints - or, as Caety would put it, "hint with a doorframe.") This is for no sort of grabby purpose, mind you. It's just a frame for the sharing of mighty big stuff:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3631680812/" title="1/52: touched by 36 by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2461/3631680812_97e026a26d_m.jpg" alt="1/52: touched by 36" height="180" width="240" /></a><br /><br />1 of 52, no foolin' this time.<br /><br />There is, quite naturally, more...much more than I'm going to voice over the Intarwebs. In my 36th year (which is what preceded today, after all), there was more examining, shifting, and revealing than I'd previously thought possible. I discovered many things I'd forgotten, and many things I never before realized I knew.<br /><br />I continue to be thoroughly stunned, but this little amble of mine is far from over, so I owe the universe a heap of gratitude, actively expressed.<br /><br />Or, put more simply: if you were thinking about giving me a birthday gift - or even if the thought never crossed your mind - give your funds to one of these:<br /><br />- <a href="http://www.gssjc.org/">San Jacinto Girl Scouts</a> - the Houston-area council in which I was a Junior and Cadette.<br />- <a href="http://www.ccfa.org/">Crohn's and Colitis Foundation</a> - because my husband (and many other people I know) could use a cure.<br />- <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/tsffaq.html">Knitters Without Borders</a> - because knitters (and all order of fiber artists) really know how to rally to a cause.<br />- <a href="http://www.houstonspca.org/">Houston SPCA</a> - because if you've ever seen Animal Cops Houston, you know how far those amazing people will go to help animals.<br /><br />Remember that something nice to share that I promised? Make a donation of ANY amount (you don't have to tell me what that amount is) by this time next week, and tell me about it via e-mail (blog title no punctuation at earthlink) or commentation - and I'll give one contributor* a $50 online gift certificate of their choice. Yes, really!<br /><br />Many thanks, and a happy June 15th to everyone. It wasn't all what I'd expected...but then, what about this whole year has been?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">* chosen randomly</span>Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-49484512873791417092009-06-12T23:15:00.002-05:002009-06-12T23:44:09.514-05:00Quite falseI know, I know...overpromised, again. But I made an Executive Decision not to bore you with too many gory details about the DFW portion of the trip. Here's a quickie:<br /><br />- The Yarn Harlot's Church of Knitting, and the attendant knitters, were quite fabulous.<br />- Non-blood Nephew Thomas continues to be the cutest four-year-old on two legs ever.<br />- DFW IS FRIGGING HOT IN MAY THANK GOD THE HARLOT DIDN'T COME IN JULY OR AUGUST.*<br />- Yarn crawling with Amy is still a hell of a lot of fun.<br />- Four-day weekends are a really, really nice refresh.<br /><br />Tally for the weekend:<br /><br />- Approximate miles driven: 900<br />- Books signed by the Yarn Harlot: 2<br />- Gifts given to the Yarn Harlot: 1<br />- Cones of Habu laceweight bamboo acquired: 2<br />- Skeins of Comfort Sock: 2<br />- Swatches begun and pulled out: 3<br />- Yarn stores visited: 3<br />- Best friends hugged: 2<br />- Free room and board appreciated: you betcha (thanks, Genghis)<br />- Cats missed: 2<br />- Husband missed: 1<br /><br />***<br /><br />Realizing that I am already a bit off-kilter with them, and also that I have a very hip Significant Start Date at the ready, both the Photo 52 and the Baking 52 will reset (again), to resume on Monday. By then, my ducks should be much more row-like and my day...far more birthy. :)<br /><br />And speaking of Monday...I'm going to do my damndest to have a good favor to ask y'all, and something nice to share in gratitude. In the meantime, have an unbelievably stellar weekend, and do something good for yourself!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />* Of course I knew this before. I lived up there for 10 years.</span>Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-67352085925027217172009-06-08T23:07:00.002-05:002009-06-08T23:43:51.418-05:00YeeshMe and the overpromising, I swear. Here, only a day late, are sneak preview photos of the DFW adventure (click for story bits):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3609918276/" title="Amy's gift by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2461/3609918276_bd557d1388_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Amy's gift" /></a><br /><br />Amy gifts the Harlot with a private beer.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3609920258/" title="sugar?!? by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2430/3609920258_c46b4c9f05_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="sugar?!?" /></a><br /><br />Thomas reacts to the promise of sugar.<br /><br />And I develop camnesia on a yarn crawl with Amy.<br /><br />***<br /><br />In other news:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3609928424/" title="Baking 52, week 2: cranberry muffins by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3609928424_c4921b3055_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Baking 52, week 2: cranberry muffins" /></a><br /><br />These little dears are week 2 of a project I mentioned in passing, now receiving full airtime. Close on the heels of beginning the 52 Weeks self-portrait project, I hit upon another way to bring more Motivation into my life...and enter 52 Weeks of Baking (or Baking 52 for short).<br /><br />Week 1 were the goodies for the Harlot, as mentioned in the previous post. The cranberry cookies are a standby, adapted from Bryan's mom's oatmeal chocolate chip recipe, and rarely go awry.<br /><br />The brown sugar shortbread came from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Gratitude-Thank-You-Really-Important/dp/1579652611/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244522039&sr=8-2">this book</a>, which is lovely and has a ton of recipes I'm looking forward to trying...but either my oven, or their typing, was off, and the shortbread came close to burning. So: should you aim to use this recipe yourself, definitely keep an eye on it.<br /><br />This interlude reminded me just how important one of my baking rules can be: set the timer for half or less of the indicated baking time, and go check and rotate when it goes off. In my oven, this was slightly overbaked at 30 minutes, and would have been inedible by 35...so just imagine if I'd tried to go the full 60 the recipe calls for.<br /><br />I realized that I was about to miss Week 2 after 8 pm Saturday, so I adapted a muffin recipe from Betty Crocker for cranberry goodness. Alas, I overestimated the sweetening power of cranberry-pomegranate juice and ended up with a tart-to-bland concoction. Fortunately, it was edible enough that I'll try again, with added sugar.<br />***<br /><br />Irons in the fire, I haz them. Endeavors and potential are flying fast and furious around here. More on the DFW trip...soon!Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-26988856293886899892009-06-06T22:01:00.003-05:002009-06-06T22:56:48.930-05:00Austin, late of mind (Harlot '09, part 1)What a week, folks. And I don't necessarily mean that in the good way. But never mind - several things came up that made me slow down and take better care of myself, which can only be a good thing.<br /><br />So, Austin. Just over three weeks ago, when I first discovered that the Yarn Harlot was coming back to Texas, I very nearly panicked, thinking there was no way I could go to Austin or Dallas, either one. Then Bryan very sensibly suggested I ask my boss...who promptly said yes, and seemed surprised at my nervousness. And so:<br /><br />Wed. night, 5/27: Up till 2 am baking brown-sugar shortbread (lovely, but almost a disaster) and my famous cranberry cookies. Also packing.<br /><br />Thur., 5/28, 11 am-5:30 pm: On the road only half an hour late, ill-advised walk from <a href="http://austinmotel.com/">hotel</a> to Hill Country Weavers in late-afternoon sun, excellent Japanese fast food (!) lunch, much-welcomed cool-down in cute hotel room (as seen in previous entry).<br /><br />6 pm: Get semi-lost in downtown looking for Book People, receive navigation from husband in Houston & finally find it, settle in, am joined by <a href="http://sweaterproject.org/">David</a>, thoroughly enjoy Stephanie's talk with these folks:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3574728955/" title="madding crowd by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/3574728955_e949045f50_m.jpg" alt="madding crowd" height="160" width="240" /></a><br /><br />Realize I have left cookies in car; go down to retrieve them and return to line up. Kinnear David again:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3574729559/" title="kinneared again by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/3574729559_f6d37d6fd2_m.jpg" alt="kinneared again" height="240" width="160" /></a><br /><br />(Hey, it's tradition by now. What can I do?)<br /><br />...give cookies to a hungry Stephanie, who seems thoroughly pleased and appreciative (also below). Tell her not only have I driven up from Houston to see her today, I'll be in Dallas to see her tomorrow. Am convinced it is the cookies that prevents her from looking at me like I'm completely nuts; she simply warns me it's the same talk, to which I shrug and respond "It's always good."*<br /><br />9 pm: Meander out to car again, giddy, exhausted, and a bit lonely. Call Bryan to report, wander until I find a <a href="http://thundercloud.com/">Thundercloud</a>, acquire the Nada Chicken with hummus sandwich I've missed for a year and a half:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3575553518/" title="nada chicken. todo dinner. by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3575553518_81ed406920_m.jpg" alt="nada chicken. todo dinner." height="160" width="240" /></a><br /><br />...return to the hotel, and settle in with a vat of iced tea, The Simpsons, my MacBook, and a whole hell of a lot of air conditioning.<br /><br />5/29, 2 am: Finally collapse into sleep.<br /><br />5/29, 10:30 am: Rise, but do not manage to shine.<br /><br />12 noon: Check out of hotel, return to Thundercloud for a Nada Chicken for the road, and slide on up I-35 to Tarrant County!<br /><br />The fun doesn't end there...if only the madness did, I might have been more human. Oh well. Part 2 of the journey, coming tomorrow (not an empty promise, either)!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />* Which, indeed, it was.</span>Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-48394079998541804842009-05-31T21:22:00.002-05:002009-05-31T21:35:26.428-05:00A driving forceThat's me, folks. WOW, I drove a lot this weekend. But it was totally worth it...because there was this...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3575536986/" title="Austin Motel by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3369/3575536986_6c779e7384_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Austin Motel" /></a><br /><br />And this...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3574729299/" title="David's gift by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3574729299_bc23435249_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="David's gift" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://sweaterproject.org/2009/05/28/sweet-revenge/">Story here, if you're curious.</a><br /><br />And this...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3574743233/" title="stephanie and dinner by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3383/3574743233_0ce34f540b_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="stephanie and dinner" /></a><br /><br />And that was just the first day! I'm exhausted, but I had a great time in Austin and DFW. Didn't want to leave y'all empty-handed until I got my head together and caught up on my rest.<br /><br />Seems it's about that time. More fun and cuteness later!Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-68293591906571122162009-05-25T21:28:00.002-05:002009-05-25T21:36:47.557-05:00Too much cuteAren't we cute?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3564293925/" title="all the garb, half the look by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2450/3564293925_26eece5192.jpg" alt="all the garb, half the look" height="500" width="333" /></a><br /><br />Isn't he cuter?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3564296593/" title="oh HELL yeah. by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3564296593_99c73f45eb_m.jpg" alt="oh HELL yeah." height="240" width="160" /></a><br /><br />Isn't he cutest?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/3565087246/" title="ant tunnels! by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3565087246_12d02f3887_m.jpg" alt="ant tunnels!" height="160" width="240" /></a><br /><br />That's right, folks: it would seem that <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/">my flickr stream</a> is alive again. Go. Enjoy the cuteness! I have lots to do this week (and forgot my camera cable this weekend, or would have done a whole post already), so I'll catch up ASAP. See you after the Harlot!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">P.S. Didn't quite get the snood done...but my hair looked good anyway, thank God. :)</span>Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-18494757194163944822009-05-21T23:07:00.005-05:002009-05-21T23:40:36.524-05:00Gotcha!After all the times I've made false promises, I'm sure at least one of you is surprised to see me back today. Ha ha!<br /><br />To be fair, I don't have the full brunt of the content I was planning. My evening did not go according to my schedule, so you won't get evidence of my current craftiness. I will tell you about it, though. I have once more lost my knit-mojo (seriously, people, that is getting REALLY old), so a few weeks ago, I took up crochet again. Started by learning granny squares from a video, picked out a doily pattern & started it up with Mo, and found that once I had flat and outward going, I was just fine. This particular piece will be larger than its original...much larger, since it has to fit on my humongous melon and over my hair. Because...<br /><br />...we are going to DFW for the holiday weekend, and on Sunday, I'll wear period garb to a renaissance festival for the first time in 20 years of going! As a married lady, it's only proper to wear something to cover your hair...fashionably, if nothing else. I picked out a gorgeous claret thread to match the trim on my bodice, and it looks amazing in my very dark hair, too. Don't worry, you'll see.<br /><br />Then, after two days back at work, I'll be on the road again...stalking the Yarn Harlot. When I saw her Texas visits were on consecutive weeknights, I had a bit of a meltdown – until my reasonable husband suggested I ask my boss about it. What a concept. Turns out I needn't have worried, and that not only will I be able to enjoy Stephanie with Amy in Plano on 5/29 – I'll get to subject the very lovely Central Texas folks (including David, who damn near made my week with his sparrow post) to my presence the day before. SCORE. (Same notes on pictures apply.)<br /><br />And here's a note on the joys (yes, the joys) of Facebook. There are plenty of reasons to FB and not to FB, and I'm respectful of both. But on top of all the virtual reasons I have to be pro, I now have a couple of real ones. First, one of my dearest friends from high school recently appeared in our FB class rolls, and we've been chatting off and on for a couple of weeks. I haven't seen her in person in about 15 years, and last wrote to her about nine years ago.<br /><br />She lives Far Far Away these days and lives a brilliant and exciting life, but I met her for dinner Friday night as she was home on a visit. Perhaps not an unlikely story, I know, but when it's been this long since you've seen someone, they live halfway across the continent, and they're one of only about 10 people from high school you ever care to see again, it starts to make FB look pretty good.<br /><br />My other specific reasons are mostly personal. And while I did a cost-benefit analysis a few days this weekend, there was a whole lot more than I could possibly tell. It seems the winds have shifted again, in a good but very, very exhausting way.<br /><br />So I roll along with my vernal equinox hyperthermia, already more than aware of how quickly the Real Summer is approaching. I scan the sweaty horizon for signs of what will come with it.<br /><br />And even though they may be a little blurry and the skin tone a little yellow, I take photos with my new camera:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKisS8AOTOR-vtGx_Yo4krkSe6eKrLrLRdQ49nIV_4JjtK0pMwgW6MlXC_UFkruZTAT-2i5NxYVkuTmlbazkGcL7dLx_k-mRR6LlLgWmH9LmoThOEDNNcnhHqdQFh3dTA1nHdibw/s1600-h/5-21-09+so+it+begins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKisS8AOTOR-vtGx_Yo4krkSe6eKrLrLRdQ49nIV_4JjtK0pMwgW6MlXC_UFkruZTAT-2i5NxYVkuTmlbazkGcL7dLx_k-mRR6LlLgWmH9LmoThOEDNNcnhHqdQFh3dTA1nHdibw/s320/5-21-09+so+it+begins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338503161588260290" border="0" /></a><br />That would be 1 of 52. As in 52 Weeks of self-portraits. 365 daunted me overmuch, but I think 52 I can handle.Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-24842092908726861542009-05-20T22:30:00.002-05:002009-05-20T22:41:22.783-05:00Things that are newI have nothing to show for it. I realize that, therefore, it's a bit of a tease to break blog silence for this. But I can't help myself...because people, I GOT A NEW CAMERA.<br /><br />It's a Canon XS equipped with an 18-55 kit lens. I've tested the waters and got it going a bit, including figuring out the modes. I'm also itching to try out my other old EF lenses...<br /><br />...but since I don't have anything other than cats to shoot, and I got home kind of late tonight, it will just have to wait. After, what, 10 or so years of digital, I guess another day won't hurt anything.<br /><br />And no empty promises: I have things to tell you, and I should be able to do it tomorrow! So watch this space. I may bore the crap out of you, but I for one will be fascinated.Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-12774701068722628462009-02-13T21:13:00.004-06:002009-02-13T21:26:57.192-06:00It's cool to be a dork<span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" name=""><span lang="en-us"><span style=""><span>Following completion of a Facebook meme in which we became aware that our detective name consists of our favorite color and our favorite animal, </span></span></span></a></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://aisforamy.wordpress.com/">A is for Amy</a> and I had the following conversation via text. Warning: significant silliness follows.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br />AisforAmy: Purple Cat</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" lang="en-us" > <span style="">–</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" lang="en-us" ><span style=""> this is Blue Cat checking in. ;)</span></span> <p align="left" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">PlumTexan: BWA!!! I just embarrassed myself LOLing at that...uh, I mean, roger that, Blue Cat. What's your 20? Over</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span></p> <p align="left" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">A: Purple Cat</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="">–</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> my</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="">20 is currently at a plus 7. Over. (I confess that my police talk is rusty and I can't remember what 20 actually is.)</span></span></p> <p align="left" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">P: Blue Cat. Your 20 is your location. Better brush up on your lingo. Over. :-)</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span></p> <p align="left" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">A: Will do Purple Cat. Currently en route to a domestic dispute involving yarn. Apparently a bad sweater choice was made. Over.</span></span></p> <p align="left" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">P: Acknowledged. I expect a full report when the situation is under control. Please advise if said sweater is a cardigan or a pull...over.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span></p> <p align="left" style="font-family:arial;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">A: Hahaha! Roger that Purple Cat. Said sweater is in its second incarnation as a pull...over.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:100%;"></span></p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" lang="en-us" ><span style="">P: *gigglesnort* Roger that, Blue Cat. Over and out.</span></span>Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-35659012751969892562009-02-02T14:31:00.003-06:002009-02-02T14:55:04.580-06:00Best. promo. EVER.Heroes returns for its fourth season (aka season 3B) at 8 pm Central tonight. Despite its shortcomings of late, I remain a loyal, squeeful fangirl, particularly of the Brothers Petrelli (aka Adrian Pasdar and Milo Ventimiglia), Matt Parkman (aka Greg Grunberg, twittering as @greggrunberg), and Noah Bennett/Horn-Rimmed Glasses (aka Jack Coleman).<br /><br />I'd seen <a href="http://pics.livejournal.com/hanuueshe/pic/0004b9d8/s640x480">this Inspirational Poster</a> in advance and already blown a gasket, clueless to the geek-out enablement that would soon be offered in video form. Consequently, <a href="http://www.hulu.com/superbowl/55721/super-bowl-xliii-ads-nbc-heroes-football">this promo</a> made me dang near squee myself out of my skin, right in front of a whole bunch of my husband's bewildered friends.<br /><br />100% worth it. I don't know how many of my tiny pool of adoring fans are Heroes groupies, so please...speak up if you can help me feel like less of a dork.Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-41087766991794477822009-02-01T23:15:00.003-06:002009-02-01T23:19:28.473-06:00Hobbled and unhobbled<p><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Once again, it was a long, tough January. Different reasons this year...but the outcome has been the same: I've spent much of the month hobbled, lacking the energy, brainpower, or stamina (often all of the above) to accomplish all I'd hoped to.</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Thus is the outcome when you start the new year with a bad cold, survive a layoff when a dear friend does not, get over the cold only to get the flu, and start to get rid of the flu only to come down with WALKING PNEUMONIA. (Hard to think or function when you find it difficult to breathe or sleep, really.) This caused me to miss my annual Austin trip for Youth & Government...insult to injury, and I've still not quite recovered from that, either.</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Yes, I come to bury January 2009, not to praise it. But it's also time to reaffirm that my hopeful outlook for the year hasn't faded. I've managed to accomplish a fair amount of project-monogamous knitting on a gift project for one of my Top 5 people*...which, of course, I can't really show you.</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >I've managed some maintenance cleaning at home, started cooking dinner more often, and picked up new duties at work, too - and considering my rather pathetic state, I have to say that feels pretty good. I've already noted that January '08 didn't set the standard for the rest of the year, and I'm bound and determined that January '09 won't either. Motivation is still the Word, and one that even an inhaler and C!pr0-class antibiotic did not deter.</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >I can do it. February ahoy!</span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >* Actually my Top 6, minus the one that's a knitter (aka <a href="http://aisforamy.wordpress.com/">Amy</a>, my BFF [no longer] Local): my husband, my mom and C-dad, my BFF Emerita Caety, and her TallKid Thomas.</span></p>Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-54804895874790424472009-01-12T21:10:00.002-06:002009-01-12T22:54:14.222-06:00Couldn't have said it betterLaurie (aka Crazy Aunt Purl), in her inimitable and adorable Laurie way, has expressed a whole lot of <a href="http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/archives/2009/01/alex_ill_take_o.php">how I feel about the recession hype</a>. No, I didn't take the plunge and go non-commercial last year (for which I heartily admire her) - but I definitely think that worry, stress, and panic are things that most of us can get plenty of without the media's help.<br /><br />I'm right on that Avoid The Recession train. I think this downturn is being a) way oversold and b) seriously exacerbated by the overselling. And I think that even worse than the everyday, every-man-and-woman panic is the incorporated panic and excess that is driving companies to let thousands and thousands of people go from their jobs.<br /><br />And I think that if the media would back off their OMGz WoRst Re-sesh-en EVAR coverage for five minutes, the world might be able to calm the hell down and make a good, reasonable plan - as opposed to entering Drastic Freakout Mode and shutting down for months, then going right back to bad habits as soon as things swing up again. (I'm looking at YOU, gas prices.)<br /><br />Read Laurie's post, because she's done a much better job than I have of offering up a chill pill. And remember, <a href="http://www.douglasadams.com/">Douglas Adams</a> said it best:<br /><br />Don't panic.Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-30663449030458666332009-01-02T15:28:00.002-06:002009-01-02T16:07:14.445-06:00OneAs someone who makes a living putting words together, it's hard to imagine distilling something as complex as a year into a single one. But I found <a href="http://christinekane.com/blog/shout-out-your-word-and-create-your-year-starting-right-now/">this</a> (at christinekane.com, through <a href="http://jdorganizer.blogspot.com/2009/01/word-instead-of-resolution-to-guide-new.html">Jeri's blog</a>), absorbed it, and decided it was something worth trying.<br /><br />The gist, in case you don't want to jump around: Choose a word - just one word - as your goal for the year, instead of making the same old resolutions. Apply this word to everything you can - as Christine says, "Hold that word in your mind throughout the year, and let your word guide you to take action."<br /><br />To me, the idea feels like naming something that is a common thread across many aspects of our lives. Maybe it's something we've only just aspired to; maybe it's something we keep trying to achieve and never quite feel as though we've succeeded. Maybe it's things we want to do, something we want to be, a feeling we want to express and receive.<br /><br />But in any case, choosing a Word is like taking the old model of all the promises we make to ourselves and turning it inside out - getting at it from the deepest levels, instead of starting at the surface. Throughout 2008, I started the process of unearthing a lot of old, hidden things in my life in a variety of ways...and I like where it's gone so far, so the Word seems like a natural extension, maybe even the next step in my journey.<br /><br />Others have chosen words like Compassion. Joy. Release. Now. Yes. There are thousands of possibilitites, each bound to mean more at the end of a year's exploration than they do at the beginning.<br /><br />My word for 2009 is Motivation.<br /><br />For now, it's something I keep trying to achieve and never feel as though I've fully succeeded. Maybe it's also something I need to examine when I think of the why of things I do, or don't do.<br /><br />At the least, I want to use it to inspire me to get up off my rear, literally or figuratively. To do more of the things that need doing, or that I aspire to do. To do the things I already do, but better. Not just to do things. Not just to Be Motivated To.<br /><br />Maybe just to Be Motivated.<br /><br />I'd be honored if anyone wanted to join me (and Christine, Jeri, and a lot of other folks) in choosing a Word. Read <a href="http://christinekane.com/blog/resolution-revolution-a-better-way-to-start-your-year/">the original post</a> and give it some consideration. You don't have to make a quick decision; you can choose a different one later; you don't even have to tell anyone (though I'd love to hear it if you do). Just ask yourself: Where could one word take me in my life?<br /><br />It's an interesting question for a writer to ask herself, at least. In 363 days, what will this one word mean to me that it didn't mean today? What will it have inspired me to achieve? How will it have changed me?<br /><br />I can't wait to find out.Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-8231774509614380812008-12-28T23:10:00.003-06:002008-12-28T23:48:10.203-06:00GivingThis is probably overdue, and almost certainly apparent at this point, but it has to be said:<br /><br />I am giving up on my 365.<br /><br />I haven't posted any photos since October, though I continued taking them through last week. At some point, they'll probably still make it onto flickr...but I think they're still on my camera.<br /><br />It mostly boils down to being too busy to handle it the way I wanted to. I wasn't happy with just taking whatever, but that's what it had come to during ongoing weeks of insane overload at work. Add to that any time needed to upload, sort, and fine-tune - well, you get the idea.<br /><br />I wouldn't call this entirely a FAIL, though. I had high hopes when I began:<br /><br />- That I would stop hating seeing myself in photos.<br /><br />This happened, to the point of being willing to mug for other people's shots. It also encouraged me to do more to look nice every day - to the tune of making more effort with my hair, clothes, and makeup. It's all habit now, and it makes me feel much better day to day.<br /><br />- That I would regain my enthusiasm for shooting.<br /><br />Absolutely. I got my first Canon as a high-school graduation present, but at some point my camera-wielding ways fell by the wayside. I now have a really good point-and-shoot, and my eye on a super-fine DSLR (<a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=16303">this one</a>, if you're wondering) that should work with some of my old lenses. It's been too long since I got excited by such a thing.<br /><br />Both of these have threaded into other things. I'm more inspired to create, more inspired to take good care of myself. I got some really wonderful photos that I might have missed not so long ago, and I carry my camera with me everywhere so I don't miss more. That's not going to change.<br /><br />I've been missing the girls on the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/knitterly365days/">Knitterly and Crafty Types</a> flickr pool, who are certainly the other great thing about my half-year of participation. Sharing 365s in a larger pool can feel a little lonely, but this very active and very friendly group has made the whole thing a perspective-expanding adventure.<br /><br />So what's next for my photo creativity? I'm considering starting a 52 Weeks project for the new year. I'd considered this originally, but decided to jump in feet-first with the dailies.<br /><br />Now, I think that a weekly will be just right. There's nothing saying that I can't take dailies if I feel like it, but it will make a big difference when the weeks are long, but the days are short (if you know what I mean). There will just be more for the "rejects" set. I'll politely ask the Knitterly mods if I can post there, but if it won't work for them, I'll just stay on as an observer.<br /><br />As it happens, I am mildly disappointed but not feeling terrible about this. I gave it a good solid effort and got a lot back in the bargain. And I can foresee doing a 365 of different kinds in the future...like, for example, when Bryan and I finally get around to kids.<br /><br />For now, thanks to those of you who've been looking. It would be wrong to end a post about photos without one, so I leave you with my favorite of the shots that are really All About Me:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/2886943918/" title="88/365: lights out (friday face #12) by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2886943918_ce6ff0a13a_m.jpg" alt="88/365: lights out (friday face #12)" height="180" width="240" /></a><br /></div><br />Seems appropriate, somehow.Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-6913874406523183422008-12-24T19:57:00.002-06:002008-12-24T22:25:42.557-06:00SparklyIt's been an absolutely rapid-fire year. A better one than last year, to be sure; thank the heavens, January's standard did not hold true.<br /><br />But in true rapid-fire fashion, December is almost over before I even fully realized it was here. With a couple of exceptions, my holiday spirit held out and I did manage to execute some of my plans:<br /><br />- At this writing, I'm only short one gift, and only purchased two today. Some of the rest were even wrapped a few days ago.<br />- I turned my work cubicle adorably festive, and even got photos and video; that's to come this weekend, when I can really breathe.<br />- There was good partying, and plenty of housecleaning (which, yep, isn't quite done yet).<br />- Bryan put up a cute little display in the front of the house, sparkly and just colorful enough.<br /><br />Tonight, we finish clean-up and start prep; tomorrow, our folks (and a couple of my mom's friends) join us for a Real American Holiday Dinner, which we didn't so much have at Thanksgiving. Bryan is smoking a turkey and a pork loin in his brand-new Meat Master 3000 (his gift to himself); my mom is doing her fabulous cornbread dressing and broccoli rice casserole; I'm in charge of green bean casserole (LOVE), deviled eggs (LOVE MORE), dessert, and Other Stuff.<br /><br />It's a far cry from last year, for sure. And OK, I didn't quite achieve relaxed and organized - more like stressed but not crazy, and there's certainly a good bit of happy here, too. We'll put that in the Win column.<br /><br />The best part, after good family time and food: after Friday (which promises to be VERY quiet), I'm off work for the last week of the year. No, wait, even better: I'll be really close to prepared for New Year's festivities, happening at our place again. Yay, my favorite holiday!<br /><br />For now, the kitchen is calling. If you're celebrating Christmas, I hope it's a very merry one filled with everything you love. If you're not...I hope tomorrow is a very happy day filled with everything you love. Heck, I hope that all the time. :)<br /><br />Wishing everyone everywhere love and light from me, Bryan, Pandora, and Snoopy. See you soon!Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-24858601803822191412008-11-23T18:03:00.002-06:002008-11-23T18:38:46.071-06:00General update, plus: many thanks.So, yep, just over a month it's been. How time flies when you're doing Whatever. Not much in the way of great shakes to report: a nice anniversary weekend with my honey, a really great girls' weekend in the Fort Worth area with <a href="http://seaanemoneknits.com/">Amy</a> and Caety (plus Thomas, and another special guest appearance by <a href="http://jetlag.wordpress.com/">Jet</a>!), and today, a tasty repast (my lands, people, that is some killer food) at the Houston Greek Festival.<br /><br />If you follow my flickr, you may have noticed that the stream is bereft of new material lately. It's not that I'm not taking it...I just haven't been posting it. I am losing a bit of steam on my 365, plus not using the free time I have to my full advantage.<br /><br />To some point, this means that what little I've done of interest lately is sort of lacking in evidence. Believe it or not, I actually achieved a knit FO in the last couple of weeks! My friend Gretchen delivered her gorgeous baby girl on Friday - just eight days after I gifted her with a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/plumtexan/madelines-plum-ripples">Plum Ripples</a> blanket (details at Ravelry for now).<br /><br />The news for now is that I'm actually looking forward to the holidays this year. Seems like several years of headless chickening, plus last year's extremely high stress and sadness factor, have noodged me back in the direction of actually enjoying the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. I'm aiming for relaxed and organized (you there! in the back! QUIT THAT GIGGLESNORTING!), but I think I'll be satisfied with happy.<br /><br />***<br /><br />So, in advance of this week's festivities, it's time for my thanks...<br /><br />That everyone I know and love made it through a big storm safely. Including Amy, as well as her loved ones, plowing through the rebuilding of Galveston as only BOI* people can.<br /><br />That my parents didn't bat an eye when we stayed with them for two weeks, since we didn't have power and they did.<br /><br />That I have a good job and work with people I really enjoy.<br /><br />That I live in a nice house and have a car and plenty of clothes and food and two furry little cats and a big furry husband and lots of not-so-furry friends and family.<br /><br />Turkey Day ahoy! Have a great Thanksgiving, complete with safe travels if you need them. I'll be back sometime before the year is out.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">* Born On the Island, a Galvestonian's badge of honor.</span>Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-67017226705180194902008-10-16T17:44:00.002-05:002008-10-16T17:53:49.042-05:00Happy<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/2666074294/" title="27/365: opa, my love by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2666074294_93a532b5a1_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="27/365: opa, my love" /></a><br /><br />You're the first, my last<br />My everything<br />And the answer to<br />All my dreams<br /><br />- Barry White<br /><br /><br /><br />We've been married four years today! Tonight I knit (with <a href="http://seaanemoneknits.com/">Amy</a> and special guest star <a href"http://jetlag.wordpress.com/">Jet</a>!) - tomorrow, Bryan and I head off on a day-trip adventure! (Probably the Hill Country. Definitely barbecue. Hopefully better 365 photos.)<br /><br />It's a little odd to really, really not be a newlywed anymore...but this being married thing is pretty cool, all in all.<br /><br />See y'all Sunday!Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-88354510243212777842008-10-03T09:32:00.003-05:002008-10-03T09:47:42.446-05:00Happy birthday, Amy!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtexan/2836637299/" title="74/365: pals (friday face[s] #10) by plumtexan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2123/2836637299_4f65027d32_m.jpg" alt="74/365: pals (friday face[s] #10)" width="240" height="180" /></a><br /></div><br />It's <a href="http://www.seaanemoneknits.com/">Sea Anemone Amy's</a> birthday today! Have her digits? Send her a text message (that's the easiest way to get it to her). Don't? Stop by <a href="http://www.seaanemoneknits.com/">her place</a> or drop her an e-mail. Either way, she can use the happy!<br /><br />Happy birthday, girlie. I wish you a smoother, easier, happier year ahead!Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31917172.post-37455923180010485092008-09-26T15:14:00.002-05:002008-09-26T15:27:57.025-05:00An old song by Snap!As if no one has heard this one before. I'm also feeling very punny this week...and I don't care, because<br /><br />I'VE GOT THE POWER!!!<br /><br />My neighbor called at 6 last night to let me know that, 13 days after it went out, our electricity was finally back on. Which means that Bryan and I can comfortably go home after 11 days at my mom's house.<br /><br />(Let's get this out of the way quickly: I am grateful that we have no house damage and that everyone we know is OK. I know we got off pretty light, much lighter than a lot of folks [including <a href="http://www.seaanemoneknits.com/">Amy</a> and her family]. I know we're incredibly privileged in the first place. But being robbed of my creature comforts was definitely...well...uncomfortable.)<br /><br />It's finally starting to feel a bit more like normal, though my workplace is still shaken up and the evidence of Ike's path is everywhere to be seen. The good news is, this experience has pointed out a handful of things that will make next time (whether it's 25 years away, or two) better, and we'll soon be ready to jump on them.<br /><br />In other news, it will be great to have something else to talk about soon. Y'all will be the first to know when I do! Thanks again for all the good thoughts. Keep 'em coming, and as soon as I figure out a good way to help Amy (and the rest of Galveston's residents), I'll shout it out.Plum Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04049304632977462954noreply@blogger.com1