The Flashback Challenge

If you love to read, then this is a very exciting challenge. It is not an exhausting challenge, but one that will let you revisit your childhood, teenage years and adulthood thru the memories of books that you have read and loved. Just browsing thru blogs, I found this challenge on Scrabblequeen's blog. She is linked to another blog Booklust for the signup.

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The challenge runs from January 1 - December 31, 2010. The reading levels are as follows:

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Bookworm - Up to three books

Scholar - Four to six books

Literati - Over six books

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Within these levels, there are mini-challenges! These are:

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1. Re-read a favorite book from your childhood;
2. Re-read a book assigned to you in high school; and,
3. Re-read a book you loved as an adult.

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Probably will go for the Literati in the challenge. I can think of a number of different books that I want to revisit and will probably start with the Heidi series from childhood; The Robe as a teenager plus others from literature class; and, heaven only knows which ones I will pick from adulthood as I have many on my list of favorites.

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Happy reading!

Happy New Year !

Snowbird and part of family went to the downtown festivities last night and enjoyed the music, the Moon Pie rising and fireworks! My first really big big outing in quite a while.

Today, I made my family a semi-traditional New Years meal that included: Hoppin' John, cornbread and collards. The collards were drained and patted dry from the can and buried in a pizza with turkey pepperoni, lowfat mozarella cheese, feta cheese, and tomato sauce. I thought if you can put spinach on a pizza, why not collards. Pretty much covered all that was needed for good luck and wealth in the food that was made.

I have picked up the knitting needles again after a really long absence from knitting. The surgery and recovery along with going back to work has not helped my creativity one bit. Hopefully, I can get going again with the knitting. I can think of all sort of gifts I want to knit for Christmas this year. Just need to set my mind to it and get the needles clicking.

My best to all in this new year of 2010!

Movement in the Nest

Snowbird has been in the nest comfortably resting for a few weeks (since September 28th) and finally I can begin to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Lower back is healing nicely and doctor is happy with my progress. So much so he is letting me return to work part-time on my birthday for half days (only for two weeks). Then we will see what happens after my next doctor visit.

I am able to walk and stand for longer periods of time now. I still get tired and definitely know when I've done too much. Some movements are still restricted and I need help around the nest from family to make it all work. Sitting for longer periods of time in a chair with the help of a pillow for comfort. It is such a great relief.

This morning I actually picked up my new Patterworks catalog and was eyeing some cashmere and silk yarns for Christmas presents. That's always a good sign. Definitely know I'm feeling much better and my tail feathers are on the mend.

Blogging Sabbatical

I have decided to take a sabbatical from blogging for a couple of months due to my lower back surgery on September 28th. It is quite uncomfortable trying to sit in the chair at the computer even after almost two weeks since the surgery. I will be back at it in a few months or at least prior to Christmas.

See you later....

Snowbird

Fixing Tail Feathers

Monday morning Snowbird will have an operation to fix what has been ailing her for a few years -- her tail feathers. Finally! It has been a long time coming, but doctor determined that L5 needed to be replaced. After many injections and final testing, doctor felt this was the best recourse. Hospital stay will be about four days, two weeks with constant assistance at home and another four weeks to finish recovery. It will take a year for the replacement to totally heal. Snowbirds goal is to be able to walk a couple miles a day again. God willing, I'll reach that goal. Everything with time.

So I'll be out of the nest for a few days, but will be back in again by next weekend and, hopefully, will post again within a few weeks. Who knows, recovery might lend itself to some healthy knitting time. That is if I can knit without sitting for long periods of time. I'll have to think about that and what I can use in my nest to help me knit.

Until the next post.....

Snowbird

Autumn Has Arrived - Happy Fall !

Okay, I'm a day late, but I'm thrilled that one of my favorite times of the year is here -- AUTUMN. It is a time when God lets the trees rest. That has always been my thought. When they begin their rest, the greatest colors and smells abound. I don't sense it so much in the Deep South, but in Michigan the senses are on overload. I miss this time of year in the North. I use to go and sit in piles of leaves just to take in the smells. Check out Michigan.org and the nice little salute to Fall in Michigan.

My other favorites are pumpkins, apples and all those good Fall bounties. Apple and pumpkin pies. YUMMY! Big sister made a homemade apple pie from Michigan apples last weekend. Too good for words!

I have brought out my little scarecrow to put on my hearth. He has a little chalkboard that he holds that says "Happy Fall" and is fiber-optic. Going to hang my lit Fall wreath in the dining room and take in all that is good for this time of year.

Can't wait for Thanksgiving! A wonderful time to end the colorful season and be thankful for all that God has given me and my family throughout the year.

I hope you enjoy this time of year as much as I do because it also gives me license to go full swing with knitting. I have a few projects on the needles and all will be completed soon for another post.

Happy Fall!

World Alzheimer's Day - September 21

I would be remiss if I did not post about this very special day -- World Alzheimer's Day. I lost my Father to Alzheimer's in 2005. Nothing can describe losing your parent twice -- once to Alzheimer's and then to death. This disease is not only devastating to the Alzheimer's patient, but also to loved ones, family and friends.

Alzheimer's can rob a person of memories present and past. Minutes on a clock can become hours and vice versa. Colors will become faded and unrecognizable. People who are family and friends are now strangers. Simple things to me and you are tasking to an Alzheimer's patient such as buttoning a shirt, tieing shoelaces or zipping a zipper. Places that were familiar are now strange.

Strides are being made in research to help with this dreaded disease, but it seems like more and more people are being diagnosed every day. Can research keep up with the numbers? Is medication enough? Is the protein that may be at the root of this dreaded disease really the cause?

For now we have to depend on our contributions and funding to assist research scientists and doctors in finding a cure and to provide the best medicines available for our loved ones, family and friends.

SUPPORT ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH !