WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WORLD...

now that I can see it again! The laser surgery was a piece of cake and now I can see SO clearly out of my right eye. Can't wait to get the other one done.

This procedure - YAG- is done on people who develope cloudiness in the eyes after cataract surgery, which I had four year ago. It was gradual and was beginning to be a huge problem.

It took less than 10 minutes. I had been given mulitple numbing and dialating drops, so I felt nothing. He put what he called a "contact lens" over my eye (biggest contact I've ever seen) so I wouldn't blink my eye, rested my head on the machine and ping, ping, ping. The only thing I felt was the vibration from the pings. Not painful. What I saw was a bright red light. No lasting image.

I didn't feel anything for awhile. Then the numbing wore off and, okay, it was a little uncomfortable. Aleve took care of it and this morning, no discomfort. I do have to use prednisone drops for four days.

Today I was driving like nothing had happened. I'm so glad I live in such a modern age!

On the stitchy side, I've finished 3 LHN ornies and now have to put them together. One more and I can start on the 2011 ornies.

My friend Ann told me that there was a companion piece to the Creation in GOS. I found it! I've kitted it up and it's in the bag with the biggie.

I ordered two charts. I may never get to them, but they were so perfect. They are by Joan Elliot and are the Musician and the Reader, my two favorite pasttimes.  Here they are:

I've added some pages to the top of the blog. You might check them out from time to time. I have a couple more topics, but just have to buckle down and do it.

Have a great day and happy stitching!

HALLOWEEN IN HOUSTON, FOOTBALL IN ALABAMA

Weekend before last was the great Alabama-Tennessee game. We won-barely.  Here's three peas in a pod: Mike Tabb, David and Deigh's cousin from Mobile;my brother-in-law Deigh and son Michael. It was a little warmer than Homecoming! Thanks to Mike T. for the photo.

Michael went to Houston this weekend. He went to visit John and family but really went to the air show. He took MANY great photos. This one is of John (the Mad Maestro), Laura (Betty Crocker) and the kids. Great photo. Thanks, Michael.

I added and subtracted from my blog section. Added some great ones. I also added a cooking section. I rarely cook these days, but every now and then will get a wild hair and hit the kitchen. I have a map to find my way there!! Cajun Delights is my favorite and Catholic Cuisine ain't half bad. Enjoy!

ADDENDUM!!

I've had so many nice comments about the photo on the header of my blog. It is a close up of "Miss Hathaway's Garden" by Marty Bell. It took several years to complete: talk about confetti!!!! And it's how I learned -the hard way- about gridding. It's my pride and joy. I'm glad you all like it.

I've managed to do a little reading. I re-read the Harry Potter series and, on a trip to Books A Million, found this little gem. It's titled A Rose for the Crown. It's by Anne Easter Smith. I'm a big history buff, especially British history. It's the story of Richard III ( you know: the guy who supposedly did away with his nephews so he could become king- the princes in the tower)  and the mistress who gave him his illegitimate children. It's well written, well researched. It gives another view of the famous -infamous?- bad guy. My jury is till out on that matter and, in this case, don't take Shakespeare's word for it! I need more info, but it seems that he may not be as bad as he's portrayed. There was even more info at the end of the book in the author's notes. We'll see....

I'm going to make another trip this Friday to purchase this one. It's the story of Margaret, Richard's sister.
Hopefully it will read as easily as the last one.

Also,the glass balls that I use for my TUSal were purchased at Hobby Lobby. They are actually Christmas ornaments. I just turned them upside down in the bowl so the hanger wouldn't be seen. I think they're also at Michael's. There are 3 sizes and I used the medium ornaments.

In the meantime, my grandkids (and my son and daughter-in-law!) are coming Friday. They are on the way to Tuscaloosa to see David's mother (97 and still going strong). So......I guess you all may be subjected to some of Mimi's photos next week. They are SO cute.

Until then, stay safe!

This weekend we went to Houston to visit John and his family. I do like Houston, especially HEB ! But I think I've said that before. I came home with some wonderful hand-milled lavender soap and some Mexican spices to use when (!) I cook.

On Saturday, we traveled south to John's company's fishing and hunting camp. The house was a little bit of a shock on the outside but was really nice on the inside. I guess it has something to do with the way men live when they're on the hunt! Everyone fished but me, of course. My skin burns so quickly so I stayed inside-where it was cool- and read a little and worked on LNS's Home of a Needleworker.

The kids are growing so fast. And John actually has gray hair in his beard. He'll be 40 next year. Michael is graying, also. I don't really think I will as long as there's hair dye!

Anyway, here are some snaps from the weekend.

The camp
David, John, Bradley and Ann

Michael, The Big Fisherman!

Bradley's SMALL catch

Michael and my fourth grandchild, Annabell

Bradley and Grace

Ann

The four kids at play

It was a great way to spend a weekend. Hummmm........I wonder how I can get David to move????

BEAUTIFUL KIDS, BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS

A little earlier this afternoon, son John sent over this photo of my grandchildren. They're sitting in the cockpit of an AirbusA319. They are SO adorable. And it's no surprise that Ann is sitting in the captain's seat! We'll be seeing them this weekend, so get ready. More photos will follow.

I love blogs and I love blogs with pretty pictures. Several weeks ago, I found a blog with photos of my hometown, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Well, I started checking on the blogs on this site and made a great discovery. Here goes:

Tuscaloosa Daily Photo: http://ttownphoto.blogspot.com/
I love visiting places I remember from so long ago.

Occasional Scotland: http://occasionalscotland.blogspot.com/

Telluride Daily Photo: http://telluridedailyphoto.blogspot.com/

New Orleans Daily Photo: http://neworleansdailyphoto.blogspot.com/
If you go to the bottom of this blog, there are links to ALOT of city photo blogs.

Well, so goes this day. Hope you enjoy the picture and check out these other blogs.







So long for now,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN

Being the proud mother that I am, I claim author's privilege today to wish my oldest son John a very Happy 39th Birthday. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and sometimes it was a long time ago that he was a little blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy, driving me crazy, then making me so proud as he proved to be far more of a musician that I could ever hope to be. And when I was just getting used to that fact, he made me even more proud to be the grandmother to Bradley, Grace and Ann. With Laura's help, of course.

Where the time went I'm not quite sure. One realizes time has REALLY flown when she sees that her little children are turning gray. And on the verge of turning 40.

I can honestly say that John, and his brother Michael, are the best of the best things that have ever happened to me. David's included, or course! I could not be more proud of them and love them more.

So to John (and Laura, too, because she had a birthday last month): I love you dearly and the best part of my being old is watching you grow up to be the man you are. And thanking you for the three little ones.

Happy Birthday!

John, Laura and the Kids


The two generations: John, Michael and Bradley

John and Laura

I WON AN AWARD! CAN YOU BELIEVE?

Friend Donna a Stitching for A Cure tagged me for this award. It's the first I won and can't thank her enough. "Cute" isn't a word often applied to me, I think! But I appreciate it so much.

So now I have to tag five more people. Donna beat me to Elisa. She's a great mother to 2 great kids and is a beautiful stitcher. Oh, well.

Here's my five. I'm not sure how to do this, so bear with me. I'm going to have to do some research:

Ann: http://www.with-my-needle.blogspot.com/

She's a great friend of many years and has truth faith.

Julie: http://juliesstitchingjournal.blogspot.com/

Another new great friend from across the pond.

Edgar: http://blacksheepsite.blogspot.com/

He is such a hoot and says it like it is.

Coral: http://astitcherslife.blogspot.com/

She has such a kind heart and is SO nice.

Carol: http://carolsxsblog.blogspot.com/

She is a great stitcher and has neat cats.

Now for something important. I don't know how many of you out there in cyberspace are aware of what Donna is doing, so here it is. She is collecting cross stitching ornaments which will be placed on a tree and auctioned in time for Christmas. She has chosen the patterns and colors so that the ornies will match. All of you out there who can cross stitch should check out the website and pitch in and help. Breast cancer research is close to our hearts--literally--and we just need to help. Check it out:

http://stitchingforacure.blogspot.com/

Thanks again, Donna

IT'S A NEW YEAR

Here are pictures of the Cute Ones taken while we were in Houston. Bradley is 11, Grace is 8 and Ann was 5 on the 31st. I can't believe they are that old, let alone that I'm as old as I am.

And it's another year. I hope this will be a great one for every body. It's started out okay. LSU won their bowl game. Michael, David, Arthur and I travel to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl tomorrow. Don't know which will be better: the game or the food!

Today was the first day of the Beatrix Potter SAL. I made a start and can't wait to do more. I've also got another idea that I stole from Marlon over at http://fibreactive.blogspot.com/. She has designed her own personalized sampler. It is beautiful and might be a fun thing to do. I'm getting my projects for the year organized right now.

Speaking of which. You might notice that many of the blogging sites are missing from the right side of my blog. I'm moving them to a site of their own. Mainly for my convenience! It might help you, too. The new site is http://downwhiteoaklane.blogspot.com/. It will grow from time to time. Love that "cut and paste".

Until later, HAPPY NEW YEAR.