Airport Taxi ran again today

Well Mark is back on a plane this afternoon bound for Germany and Switzerland again!  He's got 9 meetings lined up for Tuesday and one of those involves our move.  Keep your fingers and toes crossed that they have all the details worked out.  I'm sweating it!!!!!

Now for my treats from yesterday.  I was a good girl and walked around the gun store with him so he agreed to a quick mountain trip to Hearts and Flowers Primitives.....my fave.  The wind was howling and it was a struggle just driving up there so happy that he was the one driving.  We also made a super quickie stop at the flea market so here's my latest treasures:

S A T U R DAY, hey S A T U R DAY

Those Bay City Rollers really knew how to Rock a catchy tune. I loved those plaid pants boys on Saturday mornings and I still have an album around here somewhere now if I only could locate a turntable. That comment dates me even more than quoting the Bay City Rollers. Mark is making me stop this post because I have taken my drugs already tonight so really quick first day without a headache in over a week!!!!!! Yea me!!!! We also made a trip to hearts and flowers in Cleveland so I'll post my treasures in the morning.

What a week!

I have been struggling with a headache all week long and no amount of meds seem to be helping me kick it.  I was out of work Tuesday and again today because of the pain.  I don't know what's gonna have to happen to stop this cycle but something has to give soon.  I had Mark give me an injection on Tuesday and dang it, he hit the muscle because I have a huge bruise on my arm.  Sure wish I'd told him to shoot me in the rear end so it wouldn't hurt as bad. 

We've also been talking to his folks all week long because Jack's just not doing well right now.  They diagnosed him with Parkinson's and the meds they have given him are just not working right.  It could be that he's not taking them correctly or maybe they just aren't the right combo but he's having a really tough time.   They moved him into a rehab to help him get better control of his muscle function but have yet to start working with him in physical therapy.  WTF!  He's been there since Monday and no sign of the dr yet!  Mark's really torn because he wants to go home to see if he can help his dad and mom but he's got to leave for Germany on Sunday.  My heart just aches for him because no matter what he does he can't be in 2 places at once.  I have offered to go home for us next week but hr doesn't want me to do that.  Just say a extra little prayer for Jack, Kay and Mark to give them the strength and comfort they all need so badly right now.

Ok now for my family news, my daddy had to place my mamma in a rehab center 2 weeks ago but she's 92, basically living alone, blind, almost deaf and now seeing things that aren't real.  She's put up quite a fight about going but it really is the best decision for now.  She started thinking there was a man in her house trying to steal her pocketbook, a baby that was sitting on the arm of the chair that she talked to a lot and 4 little girls lined up on her bed while she scolded them for not being little proper ladies.  OMG!  I just have to laugh picturing what she's seeing and wonder from what part of her memory banks these memories come from.  Is she imagining my daddy as a baby or my aunt or is it just some random baby that she's created; what little girls is she lecturing because she does have 4 granddaughters and lord knows, none of us were little ladies...LOL!  Besides I'm 12 years older than my first girl cousin so it's not like we were all little at the same time.  Who knows! 

Mark and I had lunch yesterday at his favorite mexican place, Taco Mexico.  It's was very good but the smells just about did me in.  When I'm struggling with a headache my sense of smell is what goes into overdrive.  I can't stand the scent of perfume, deodorant or soap much less cooking smells.  But hey, I survived.  Anyhoo that's not what I started this paragraph, we were talking about our family situations and discussing what our fears are for ourselves as we age.  Mine is and always has been dementia or Alzheimer's since both of those run on both sides on my family.  It really scares me to think about a time where I won't know anything or more importantly everyone that I love.  Mark made a comment that I'd be dead before any of that happened so I quipped back "So think I'll get hit by a car riding my new bicycle or what?" and his response was "Well no car's gonna hit you but I can't promise a house won't fall on you"  OMG!  I laughed so hard that I had tears streaming down my face.  I love, love The Wizard of Oz and that was just too funny.  I laughed all afternoon and just had to share.  He's a smart ass but hey, he's my smart ass!

Now for stitchy news, I finally finished Snow Garden for my mamma and I never realized her initials spelled out FIG.  I have to say that I wasn't crazy about this piece at first because the muted colors just didn't appeal to me but it stitched up very pretty.  I also did a quickie stitch of Black Cat from the Trix or Treat book.  I'm really getting into my stitching groove for 2012 and might actually be able to complete my 12 Blackbird Projects in 2012.  Notice I said might because it's still very early in the year.  I also organized my threads, made a list for must have threads for 2012 and even bought some walnut ink that everyone in blog land says they use to "age" samplers.  I'll let you see how that works for me later because I don't want to age anything just yet.  Ignore the fact that both these need to be ironed:

Hope everyone has a great weekend and does something that makes your spirit happy!  I know I am because I'm cleaning out closets and stitching all weekend long.

What a great weekend!

Mark got home Friday morning so I made my almost weekly drive thru Atlanta traffic to pick him up at the airport.  I hate, hate driving thru Atlanta but seeing Mark smile when he sees me makes it all worthwhile.  After 25 years he still makes my knees weak with that smile.....true he drives me batty as well but what's a gal to do.  I even took off work at noon and we spent the day doing nothing together.  Heavenly!  And I even cooked which made him smile even more.

Yesterday, we ran a couple errands including back to the bicycle shop.  Paul tells Mark that the formal contract will be ready in a couple of weeks for us to review.  I'm excited just thinking about this new adventure that we might be embarking on....notice I still say "might" because if nothing else, I have learned in my 46 years is that nothing is certain but death and taxes in this life.  I have been looking at housing options online but still need to make a trip over to look around before he signs anything.  I have started to make sure that I have all the needed cross stitch supplies to last at least a couple of months before we move.  I also have been working on organizing my stash so it'll be easier to move.  A girl has to have priorities. LOL!

Speaking of stitching, I finished Snow Garden by Blackbird Designs to honor my Mamma.  She turned 92 last month so I wanted to stitch this very special design for her.  At first, I admit that the muted colors weren't a favorite of mine but halfway thru I started to really like them.  Now to decide what to stitch next....hmmm....maybe  Elizabeth Jane or Pumpkin Farm....hmmm maybe a non-blackbird design.  I have so many other patterns in my stash that really need some attention as well.  I love The Primitive Needle, Goode Huswife, Bent Creek, and so many more that I can't even begin to name them all so what to start next? 

Since I'm off work on Monday I guess I'll have some fun sorting thru, petting all my patterns and dreaming of the day that I can do nothing but stitch all day long.  A girl can dream right?  I should have been born wealthy so I don't have to work for a living. LOL. Actually Mark is off work as well after his 2 conference calls so I plan to reorganize all my threads which I got the idea from someone's blog this week but can't for the life of me remember who's. Anyhow, using 3 ring binders and baseball card sheet protectors. This should work much better than any of the other 100 things I've tried before. If nothing else I'll update my wish list of needed threads.

Well that's all for now friends because my tummy is starting to announce that it's really time for me to get busy cooking dinner. 

Zared turned 21 today

And I'm still sitting here wondering where the time has gone! My little man is all grown up now. He was such a cute kid that will always hold a very special place in my heart. Mom was reading some of her old journals this week so we've shared some laughs over stories about Zared's childhood. One that she told me was one night she and Zared were watching a movie laying in the bed and she must have dozed off. She woke up to him patting her cheek and saying "ninny, don't close your eyes cause it gets dark in there". He used to say that he was sleeping with ninny until he turned 16 years old.....bet he wouldn't remember that now. He would make my daddy sleep in the guest room because his snoring kept him and ninny awake. What a kid!

So Mark left today for Korea which meant donna's taxi service made another run to the airport. I swear the car can make the trip without me even being aware of the trip. We had a great breakfast at cracker barrel and I had the sweet potato pancakes...yummy. Then after I dropped him off I made a dash to The Container Store for some project bags so I could kit up some of my projects for 2012. I have joined a blackbird designs sal for 12 finished pieces this year. What was I thinking? I hate deadlines but this is a good deadline. So I'm almost done with my first one as it's Snow Garden for my mamma since her birthday is in January. She turned 92! It's really a pretty piece but very muted. I'll post pics later this week after I get it pressed.

Now for the big news, mark's company has finally put together the relocation package for us moving to Germany and I think this may really be happening! We even went shopping for bicycles on Saturday. Now that's scarey because I realized that I haven't ridden a bike in over 30 years. Now quit laughing and let's hope the old adage of "it's just like riding a bike" is true. I think that scares me more than moving overseas. Lol! I woke up Friday morning with a real peace about this adventure that we may be embarking on. I even started packing in my sleep and as we all know, I talk a lot in my sleep so I kept waking mark up to ask what was in my boxes. So hopefully this will all come together pretty quickly because all this traveling is really wearing him out. At least if we were overseas he wouldn't have to be gone as much and I could actually travel with him more. Lastly, as we were shopping for bikes I told the sales guy that my bike must have a basket on the front so Clarice can ride in it. Can't you just see me biking thru Germany on my shiny purple bike with a little tuxedo kitty riding shotgun. I'd have to use her harness and strap her in but I bet she'd love it.
Well I'm off to watch sappy girlie love stories and stitch do hope you all have a great evening as well.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Just a really quick post but you how when you've found something amazing that you just can't wait to share it with everyone???  Well here's mine and I fixed it yesterday in the slow cooker then drove to the airport to pick Mark up.  It's just so easy and delicious that I have to share with everyone!  Mark even requested it for dinner again tonight so I mixed up another batch to put with our leftovers and it's simmering away already.  The best part is the homemade tortilla strips for the top of the soup.....yummy!  We dressed ours up with avocado slices, chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. 

Ingredients

• 1 pound shredded, cooked chicken-I used a cooked chicken from grocery store
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups water
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn with peppers
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• 7 corn tortillas
• vegetable oil

Directions

1. Place chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, green chiles, and garlic into a slow cooker. Pour in water and chicken broth, and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir in corn and cilantro. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
3. Lightly brush both sides of tortillas with oil. Cut tortillas into strips, then spread on a baking sheet.
4. Bake in preheated oven until crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes. To serve, sprinkle tortilla strips over soup.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 258 | Total Fat: 10.7g | Cholesterol: 44mg

Memphis Rocks!

I decided that I was going to treat myself a little and I bought a ticket to see Memphis last night at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. I've wanted to see a show at the Fox since we've moved here because the building is just beautiful. OMG! It totally lived up to what I imagined on the inside.  The pictures don't  com close to showing just how marvelous this theater is.  Ok, enough about the building and more about an awesome, must see show!  Memphis was everything that I hoped it would be and more.  It made me laugh, think a lot about that era, get misty eyed  and of course, bop along with the wonderful music....just a great.  Growing up in the south as I did in the 60's and 70's , you observed some of the same racial issues that are dealt with in the show and it makes you ashamed to realize that in a small way you helped to cause it.  By saying helped to cause, I mean more for not speaking up and saying that we are equals instead of just shuddering inside when you heard those stereotype remarks.  I know I was a child and didn't have a powerful voice but I should have taken a firmer stand about the injustices that I saw and heard.  As I have gotten older I've made sure to speak up even when it was to my own ignorant relatives.  No person should be treated differently because the color of their skin!  Off my soapbox now and would love to gush on about the music.  A friend had given me a soundtrack a couple of years ago and I had let in languish on my desk without downloading it to my ipod...well that changed last night after I got home from the show.  It's powerful music that makes you want to sing along.  These actors are so talented because there is alot of very physical dancing along with the story and WOW!  I can't even chew gum and walk but these people were dancing, singing and moving constantly.  I was so sorry when it ended because I was really absorbed in the entire experience.  And by the way, buying just one ticket the day before the show scored me one of the best seats in the house.  I was in the orchestra on the center aisle with no one beside or in front of me.  It was the best!  I also drove into downtown Atlanta by myself at dark, found my parking and got to the show with no incidents much to my mother's relief.  I was almost as jazzed about doing that as I was by the show....remember this year is mine to push my boundaries outside my comfort level so this was just another milestone.  I actually do enjoy going places by myself but generally steer away from driving a lot at night and especially in the Big City.  I kinda felt like country mouse goes to the city. 

And I also treated myself to a day off today so I'm getting a pedicure, haircut and might even hit an estate sale or two because the weather is wonderful here today.  The best news of all is Mark will be home tomorrow and I can't wait to see him.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that crap, but the truth is that I miss him a lot all the time.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend doing what you love with those you love the most!!!!!!!