Ms. Knit Sox: Executing Stitches, One Stitch at a Time...

3 A.M. Eternal...

It's Three A.M., Three A.M.
It's Three A.M. eternal
Eternal

(remember that song from back in the day, lol??  If not and you are interested, you can check out YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UO3PAQodYg) 

So, that's what popped into my head as I unlocked my apartment door this morning.  That's what time my cab from DCA dropped me off at my apartment complex.  So not what I had intended.  It might have snowed about 3-5 inches in my hometown of Minneapolis, KS the night before my return to the DC area.  But, that did not cause any weather delays.  I wasn't connecting through Chicago, so no worries, right??? 

My flight was scheduled to leave Wichita about 4:30 pm, connecting in Atlanta and then arriving at Reagan National at 10:00 pm.  I checked in online before we made the 1.5 hour trek to the airport.  All was good.  All was on time.  Well, right before we were headed out the door, I decided I'd check one more time.  Delayed flashed across my computer screen.  Rats.  We waited a while longer to leave and the departure time did come down.  At least I had my knitting and my ipod (with music and audiobooks) to keep me entertained.  Fog and some sort of computer system issue that didn't quite register in my tired brain yesterday.  Departure time was around 7:45 pm or so.  Arrived in Atlanta and had to wait until 1:15 am to depart for DC.  Fortunately, my luggage beat me there and I grabbed it and got a cab relatively quickly and was headed home.  Called mom to let her know I was back.  Went to bed.  I'm still tired.  I slept until about 2:30 pm - got up when P called to invite me for a quick PB/Lowe's run.  Napped again until about 5:30 and am trying to force myself to get back on a regular schedule.   

Maybe next time I'll remember my own advice that I chose to ignore this year:  Direct Flights!!!

Meet Me in St. Louis...

Okay, I've been dying to write this short post.  I just know you Loopy Groupies understand.  I'm in!!!!!!!!!  Loopy's Knitting Retreat.  I've never been to a knitting retreat and I just can't tell you how excited I am about going!  I even have a cool roommate!

And, now I want to watch the movie - I love listening to Judy sing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."  But, I am about 45 minutes away from hoping on the metro to go to the airport for holiday travels...  Maybe I can watch it when I get there...

Home for the holidays...

I leave Sunday to go to Kansas to see my family.  I think I just may have a white Christmas if the photos on the front page of my hometown newspaper are any indication:

http://www.minneapolismessenger.net/index.html

I also better get ready for the colder weather.  It was nice to check out the National Christmas Tree this evening...so pretty this year: (I loved the bows):

In case I don't blog before then, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas (for those who do celebrate this holiday)!!  And, Happy New Year (for all)! 

I might have some issues...

Every year for the past 3 or so years I go through the same process when sending out my Christmas cards.  I am, after all, a creature of habit (aren't we all, lol??).  First, the easy part.  Buy cards.  Buy stamps.  Start the assembly line.  By this, I mean, I go through each envelope and put an address label on it.  Then, I put a stamp on each of the envelopes.  Next, I address the envelopes with the addresses I know by heart.  And, then the hard part.  I drag my desk chair over to the closet.  I take down the stash of yarn I have sitting on the boxes of "keepsakes" which includes all the cards I have ever received for the 11+ years I have lived in the DC area among other stuff.  Then, down come the boxes.  Sift through the boxes and find the cards with the return addresses I'm looking for.  Stuff everything back in the boxes.  Return yarn to its resting spot.  Fill out cards. 

Well, this year, I might have stuffed everything back in the box, including the old cards I'd set aside.  Grrrr.  So, instead of repeating the process, I thought, how hard could it be to just pry open the box and grab handfuls of cards and sift through them until I find what I'm looking for and then simply stuff it back into the box until I'm ready to deal with it?  Well, let's just say, yarn fell down and the stuffing back in also resulted in tons of loose papers flying all over.  Not pretty.  But, I accomplished what I needed to and got back to addressing the cards. 

I might also add that it never fails that I have to call my mom to clarify at least one address.  For some odd reason, every year I ask her if I have the right address for Aunt Lauri and Uncle Mike.  It's almost always them that I ask about.  But, I have so much old stuff in that box, I keep thinking I've grabbed the wrong info and have one of their old addresses.  So, she goes to read it off to me and I always end up having picked the right address the first time.   

And, at least I've acknowledged that I have a serious problem (but honestly, not like the hoarders I've seen and heard about - mine is reasonably contained to one closet, one desk and stuff under my bed).  The thought of going through those boxes is not pleasant, but I am too sentimental to just toss the contents.  I did that once with another closet and I can honestly say I do regret it.  I wish I still had some of that stuff.  Not all of it, but some of it.  I think someday I want to be buried with all my stuff - just to have it near me.  This talk would surprise most people I know.  Why?  Because I am queen of organization and neatness in every work environment I've ever worked in - everybody wishes they had a nice, neat office like mine.  Now you know my secret.  I have hidden messes at home. 

So, my temporary solution?  I put all the addresses in my side drawer of my desk and have no plans to return them to their old home.  Long term solution?  Major organization project to be complete by the end of 2008.  Stay tuned...

Yet another style of opera...

A while back, you may recall I went to a book signing for Lisa See's newest book:  Peony in Love.  Of course, loving books based on a real and/or historical subject, I also became interested in learning more about the background material and did a small amount of research on The Peony Pavilion.  I still haven't read the book yet (either book, for that matter), but have plans to do so soon, I hope.  Have I mentioned I might have a small problem with wanting to read and learn about too many things at the same time?  Oh, I might put something down when something else comes along that captures my interest more (wouldn't know what that would be at the moment, now would we, lol), but always, always, in the back of my mind I think about getting back to the other subjects and will eventually do so.  If only there were more time in the day...

So, I decided to put the opera version on my Netflix list.  This weekend I watched it.  I've decided as its different than the operas I'm used to, it will probably be an acquired taste.  It's Kunju opera.  It was a rather interesting performance and was edited down to 2 hours.  The 19 hour (I know!!) version was performed several years ago at the Lincoln Center in New York.  It took a bit of getting used to, but I actually could enjoy and appreciate this art form.  The commentary included was also quite valuable in my learning experience.  Always censorship issues with opera...  see more info here:  Lisa See's website.

So much information trying to squeeze its way into my brain.  How can I ever remember it all?  Perhaps I need to fill it with something lighter for a bit.  The only problem is that I miss the more thought provoking material...  sigh...

Otherwise, not much new to report, including the knitting front.  I am making more progress on my Loopy Swap  item - so that's a good thing.  I do need to finish 2 Christmas gifts, but I think if I apply myself, I can easily finish them up this coming weekend...not much time left before I visit the family in Kansas... and Sammy and Maggie: 

                                                                     

 

It's official: I'm a nerd...

Just a quick post for now.  I'm also probably officially going to "h*!!, but I just can't publicly comment on why that is...  Let's just say I'm getting far to many chuckles out of a few incidents I observed at today's conference...

So, as a CPA, I'm required to have so many hours of continuing professional education (CPE) - 80 hours every 2 years to be exact.  I'm attending a 2 day non-profit based conference geared towards accounting professionals.  Can I tell you how much I thoroughly enjoyed the session about the redesign of the Federal Form 990?  It won't go into effect until the 2008 filing year, but it was so exciting to hear about what's coming down the pipe.  Granted, it will be challenging and that's probably what got me most excited.  I need challenge in my life (which I think is a well established fact since I say that all the time here on the blog).  And, I'm a details gal as well.  Me + tax accounting = a match made in heaven.  For now, I'm not worried about the fact that we will probably have to complete 13 out of the 16 new schedules.  I  need a new professional challenge to look forward to and this is it!!

Now, I'm off to have a relaxing evening.  Rudolph is on tonight and I can't miss it.  Just wish P wasn't out of town...  And, if you are interested, go over to Knit 'n' NASCAR for her annual public service announcement of all the specials...thanks again!!  : )