The Scanner

When I was a young girl, I remember being at my Grandma's house and hearing the low hum of static.

My Grandmother, Joyce, had her fire and police scanner radio on all the time. I wonder what happened to that black and silver box that always confused me. I didn't understand (at that time) how she could sit and listen to that radio and do crossword puzzles all day.

Joyce was never shy to whip open her front curtain to see what was going on in the world. Again, what was so interesting outside, just cars and people walking by. At my age, there were so many more important things to do, like play with my Cabbage Patch kid or play with Grandmas's coasters that were old rug samples (boy, do I miss those).

And at this moment, I laugh out loud at myself. My favorite chair is right up near the window. The curtain opens within arms length of my perch. And on my lap, the familiar sounds of my childhood.

The beeps, the static, the muffled sounds. The device is different, the words and events being reported are scarier, but the routine is mostly the same. Instead of a radio, it's an app. Instead of a crossword, it's crochet. Instead of Snyder, it's Amherst.

Instead of Joyce, it's Carrie Joyce.

Yes, I carry my Grandmother in my middle name.

Clearly, it's destiny.

49/366: Yarny Future

Remember this big ball of Alpaca?

I purchased it in 2007.

Wound it into a ball on Feb. 4, 2011.

Yesterday, I started a scarf with it.  It was the yarn I had planned for my black coat back in 2007.

My coat is now navy blue (different coat, not a color shifting coat).

I'm liking it.  I started it on the flight to Chicago yesterday morning, and worked on it on the way home while the girl next to me shifted every 42 seconds.

I perhaps had a few too many at our Anniversary work party...because I somehow turned my corner half the width of my scarf.  The worst part of that, I didn't realize it until I had completed two ADDITIONAL rows. 

Yup.  Drinking and Hooking don't mix.

If I were still drunk, I'd think drinking and hooking do mix.  Just not THAT kind of hooking.  The kind with the yarn and a crochet hook.

Can you hear me better when I type in CAPS?

I fixed the scarf on the flight, shifted myself a dozen times just to mess with my neighbor, then turned the reading light out for a bit of shut eye before landing.

It was a great day, despite my feet having an all out civil war with my shoes.  The feet are still healing and the shoes are laughing their heels off.

I'm punchy tired, can you tell?

15/366: Old Chicago

Chicago is such a great city. Modern and antique, kitsch and fashionable.

The brand new Trump Tower sits in the morning shadow of the Wrigley Building.

The bricks of the Allerton Hotel exterior are weathered and wise.

A giant Marilyn Monroe sculpture stands with dress in the air and snow on her face.

The folks asking for money are kind when you pass by.

Every single person in the hotel elevator wished each other good day as if we were all there as a big family.

It's a city that will always feel like home, no matter how many times I fly away from it.

Chicago Fruit

I have been going through my old photos, editing, deleting, saving and came across this one.  It is from Sam and my visit to Chicago in August.  We had just completed our drive by of our home on Eddy Street near Pulaski and Addison.  Oh, how I love that neighborhood. 

Surprisingly, not much has changed since I last saw the neighborhood.  The house looks like it did when I saw it last, except that poor tree in our front yard.  Tom and I planted that tree.  We were so proud of that little tree.  I want to go help by just standing there with my hand supporting the 55 degree angled trunk.

I miss that old house.  From the Zodiac neon contact paper used as wall paper in the kitchen, to the checkerboard siding used in the foyer to the 23 layers of paint on the banister, I loved it all. 

This wallpaper was the best...

This was Sam's house...I remember these days so fondly...

Now I'm all nostalgic and sad...at the time, those days seemed so hard, but now, they seem so easy.

The Lamb and the Hedgehog

Most of my pictures from the Christmas Pageant were blurry, but I almost enjoy the bit of mystery it leaves. Technically, for me, taking photos in church is against all rules. So, I took my camera and didn't use the flash, and in a dark church, this is what you get.

I'm on my way to Chicago tomorrow for work. I love it when I get there, but the preparation is difficult. Kind of makes me feel like the little lamb above. There is laundry, grocery shopping (which didn't really happen, at least there is milk and leftovers), child care coverage, writing out the child care coverage (looking for the lost child care coverage paper), and packing. Trying to get everything in a carry on and hoping that something will jump out of my closet that looks appropriate for a corporate function. This jersey and denim girl always struggles with that. Fortunately, that is the least of my struggles these days and I basically put everything that is free of stains in my bag and hope it matches.

I just purchased an audiobook from iTunes for the flight. I know, why not just read the book? Well, I can't read a book and crochet at the same time...

And this trip, I have no idea what I'll be making. Taking two fresh balls and a hook. I always love to see what happens when there are no ideas.

The book...The Elegance of the Hedgehog.

Ever seen a Hedgehog purse?

Crisp Ice

It is hard to enjoy winter when it never seems to go away. We are bracing for another sizable storm today.
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I would like to thank my clogged gutter for these ice formations that would make Jack Frost melt.


I was in Chicago last week for work and am fortunate enough to be able to eat out at restaurants for every meal while there. It is definitely a change from the refrigerator dinners we come up with over here. Even when the boys get a pizza, I still grab my Amy's Rice Crust pizza from the freezer.
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All the places we went to were very accommodating and every one either understood GF preparation or had a separate menu for the same. My all time favorite is PF Chang's where I eat as much as possible and wonder why I eat so much. Chang's Spicy Chicken is my favorite.
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Then we had our company meeting at The Clubhouse in Oak Brook. The servers and I huddled with the menu in hand and we laughed at how bland everything sounded. I perked up when one of them suggested blackened salmon. Three or so years back I had to go to a convention and try to eat buffet food - quite a challenge. I ended up getting salmon for every meal and since then, my boss (Mr. Krabs), mocks my choices. This time, the salmon was great, I could have had another piece. For dessert I got sorbet. A cute little glass with three different flavors of sorbet...with a cookie. A gluten cookie. Oh well, you can't always get everything...but that dish of bitty balls was like a vacation in a glass.
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Dinner was okay at Kona Grill. The next lunch was at The Chicago Diner , a vegan place. A very small, small place. The sweet potato fries were amazing! I had the quesadillas which resembled more of a taco than a flat quesadilla, it was okay, just a bit bland.
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But, the best stop (thanks, Meredith, I know you drove all day long) was at Swirlz Cupcakes. I would be there every day of the week if I could. They make regular and gluten free cupcakes and Meredith can't tell the difference. I ate all their samples and got a fresh carrot cupcake (no wet, fat, moist, raisins - thank goodness). It was like Thanksgiving in a dreamland where all they serve is the dessert and you can just sit back and fart. Pure bliss!
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I love how accessible and knowledgeable chefs in Chicago are for us gluten freers.
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Did you know that 1 in 133 people have Celiac and live gluten free lives? Shocking statistic, I think.
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Even more shocking...blogspot thinks I meant Celia or Celtic.

Wash My Cloth Goes Holiday

If you know me, you will be astounded that I am thinking about Christmas gifts already. I know, it's crazy. I didn't say I was 'making', just thinking. And preparing for sale on Etsy.com. While in Chicago, I made some cute Christmas stockings from dish towels and always get compliments on them as they hang on my Grandmother's dry sink.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the bargains I found in Chicago. There is a great store there, hidden from regular shoppers. In fact, I introduced this place, 1730 Outlet - TAG, to Meredith. Meredith pretty much knows about every shopping and dining experience in Chicago, so to introduce something to Meredith is quite an accomplishment. Anyway, it is similar to a Pier 1 Imports, all discounted. They have all seasons and holidays, all the time. They have mostly housewares, but mix in fun accessories. I also got some of these at Cost Plus World Market, which we REALLY need here in Buffalo or anywhere in the East. I'd travel.

Not so sure about the last batch, these are napkins and not towels. I hope I have enough fabric to get a decent sized stocking out of it.

My Wife HAS to Use the Bathroom

Ah...long night.

I had an amazing time in Chicago. I met some new co-workers, finished a proposal, and visited both of our company offices. After a very filling meal at the owners new home (Thanks, Jeff), he and Meredith dropped me off at the airport. I was right on time and had 10 minutes to catch the sixth (I think) inning of the Cubs game before we boarded. Standing in line, casing the passengers, I caught the dreary mother with two young girls, a stroller, a car seat, and two bags. One part of me thinks, 'wow, I am impressed, I don't think I could do that' and the other is, "oh, please don't sit near me and cry". As the first group was boarding, the little 5 year old says, "I have to pee". The dread and frustration on the mother's face was imeasurable. They had come from Portland, OR and been traveling since 8 am. It was now 8:30 pm. I took her bag and car seat and waited for them to get done in the bathroom. Then I carried the carseat and one bag down the very narrow aisle into the very last row. It amazed me all the men that commented on "oh, that's a big carseat" or "wow, Britax, those are expensive" and those that didn't need to say anything with their mouths, but their eyes read "don't you hit me with that huge carseat as I am so comfortably leaning into the aisle in my fancy shirt". Why diss the helper OR the mother of two traveling alone?? And I can only imagine what the mom was thinking after more then 12 hours of this.

I sat a couple rows from the back of the plane, we began taxing and I got settled in for a quick flight home.

And then, it happened. Some dufus (can I say that in a blog?) instructed (yes, instructed) his wife to get up and go to the bathroom as we were ON the runway waiting for our chance to take off. After the flight attendant sent the wife back to sit down and fasten her seatbelt, Dufus began. He rudely waved his hands for the flight attendant (large bald man) to come over. He then proceeded to cuss and demand that his wife has to use the bathroom because "she has to pee really bad". OH, well if she has to go REALLY bad. Dufus settled down, but not really and his wife was belittled, not for the first time, I am sure. Oh, and Dufus was right next to me across the aisle.

We begin moving again, only to stop again. All the cabin lights come on, the flight attendant moves to the front of the plane, looking out the door and welcomes in the Chicago Police. Walked down to us, asked Dufus to leave, Wife wanted to leave, Dufus instructed her to stay and he left. No commotion, no surprise, no nothing. Peacefully walked off the plane.

Wife then went to pee, but only after the recommendation came from the flight attendant. Wonder if she can do anything on her own. That makes me really sad.

I was asked to be number one witness. Maybe I'll get a free flight out of it.

Oh, also, Dufus made us wasted so much gas that we needed to refuel but couldn't because the thunderstorm that we almost missed came in and they can't fill gas in thunderstorms. So we sat on the runway for another hour.

The getting home was late, but I learned a couple things:
1. It's nice to help out a mom.
2. Always pee before you get on the plane.
3. Don't be a Dufus.