Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!! 2012 WOW ... Aye I know it's February, but January just disappeared too fast. Must be a 'getting old' sign eh? I remember my mother saying that time went faster the older you got and I didn't really believe her. Sorry Mammy, you were right after all. My sister Rina died at the beginning of December last year so life wasn't as happy as it usually is at Christmastime. She had cancer and it caused a brain tumour. She really didn't know it was all happening because she'd been on pain control patches which masked the pain so it was too late to have any treatment by the time the cancer was discovered. At least she didn't suffer for a long time. I really still can't believe she's gone. Tom, Maggie and I spent two and a half weeks in UK over Christmas and New Year. I had the best time with family and friends of course. So good to be with Stef and Craig and do our usual festive stuff.Not sure what Maggie thought of it all as she spent all of her time at Stef's online and in her own wee world. She said she had a good time and was having fun, but we haven't heard a word from her since, not one word, even on Tom's birthday. So much for strengthening family relationships eh? We caught up with June, Wendy and family in Woolfords on Boxing Day which was great, and even managed to have some laughs when we went to clear out some of Rina's stuff at her house. June's doing all the lawyer business about selling the house and it looks like we have a buyer already! Weatherwise, we're having a good winter here. Very mild indeed. No snow, although folk are saying it'll come along one day soon! Until then I'm enjoying it being neither too hot or too cold! Mango and Smudge continue to entertain us, better than the telly most nights

Fall? --- Yessss - Bring it on!!

Well, the days are finally getting a little cooler here and the good news for today is that Stef passed his driving test this very morning and just called to tell me! YAY - well done son! I was in Glasgow for three weeks in July/August and he was taking two lessons a week but it all paid off and of course he now needs a car! So yes, I'm next. I do need to be mobile, even if only for shopping, clubs, visits etc., although I know Tom would love me to share the driving on our longer trips, like going to see Maggie. SUCH a drive!! Around four hours each way, and he insists on doing it all in one day which is a total pain. Made even worse by the fact that we sometimes only see Maggie for minutes (last time) or an hour or so. Total craziness really. She still hasn't come to see us here in Carbondale, not even for the Superman Festival which we thought was the best bet. Well if it does anything, it makes me appreciate how much my sons enjoy our visits! We had to tell Craig that he didn't need to come down every day when I was there! Even though it wasn't really what they wanted to do, they both came with us to Largs on our last day, and I enjoyed every minute. Of course I really miss them both now that I'm back here, but it's good to be home too. Mango and Smudge are settling in with each other and play sometimes rather than battling, but occasional wars do still break out! They make me laugh every day and continue to be a source of happiness and company on the days when Tom's away at work.In events that happen here, I've attended my first Baby Shower and we're looking forward to the birth of our neighbours Julie and Kyle's twin girls. I've been knitting and crocheting lots of my favourite baby items of course, some started and finished on the same day. Instant gratification! Our Yarn Shoppe group has been over to 'hang out' and knit at our place and it's good to 'have folk over' - feels gooood, not just getting together in restaurants or whatever. So if you're passing, do pop in, the kettle's on and there could just be some freshly baked Snickerdoodles in the cookie jar! haaaaaa

Looking forward to Summer in Southern Illinois

Well this is the last day of Spring and so tomorrow Summer begins! 94F forecast today, but should be cooler for the rest of the week. Wendy, Andrew and Neil arrive in Chicago on Thursday and will be with us Friday so we're pretty excited about their visit! Wendy and I have been e-mailing regularly with questions about activities, driving, plans and everything else.

We also have a new addition to the family. Last Monday Tom and I were at Irish Inn for Lynn and Brian's Cherokee renewal of vows and a wee kitten was sitting on their porch. Apparently it had wandered out from the Shawnee Forest that morning and they think he was abandoned somewhere close by. I fell in love with him of course, and Tom relented on his "No more cats in the house" statement and wee Smudge came home with us. Mango has not been a happy cat since and terrorises the kitten. He's had so many squirts of water (apparently it's a training aid so that he knows he's doing wrong) that he'll have webbed feet soon! Early days though, hopefully he'll tolerate his wee brother soon.

I've been enjoying my Wednesday Craft group and started a crochet bracelet with wire and beads yesterday. It's looking pretty but slow going with all the other stuff I'm trying to do - get the yard in shape, organise the rooms for the Jones's, and clear out clutter from everywhere! Just as well women are natural multi-taskers! Told Tom we'll need a truck to take everything to Salvation Army so there will be a few trips this week for sure. He's been busy too with his DIY projects - new porch lights, shower head and glider, rail and the vent in the bathroom has finally been replaced too - YAY The lawn mower refused to start yesterday so nae mowing. Hope the guy gets the estimate to us soon for a new deck before I go crashing through the old one! It's really dilapidated now, especially after all the rain and storms we've had.

OK better get some work done now and get rid of our 'To Do' list!

Summer has arrived

Temperature forecast for the day 92F (that's 33C folks) so HOT! Too hot to be working in the yard anytime after 7am so, apart from watering tomatoes, my other veggies and flowers, I'll be indoors with the air conditioning running.
Tom's away to Louisville, Kentucky for a week so I'm home alone, and have loads to do around the house, but of course avoiding it by blogging, being on facebook, checking e-mail etc. I think you know that story! Today the plan is to clear up some of the clutter which accumulates too quickly for me to keep up with it and to start getting the place back in shape after decorating. Why is it that when painting is being done, the whole house ends up in a total guddle? Or is that just me? Where does all the extra clutter come from? Maggie is due to visit in a couple of weeks. She's coming down for the Superman Festival at Metropolis, so I think she'll be amazed at the changes we've made. One of the neighbours told me that I've transformed the place, and she's not even been inside the house!!! It's been a lot of work and there's still a whole lot more to do. My thoughts of sitting crocheting on the back porch all day long are still on hold, as there's always 'work' to do, although breaks for crafting are possible of course!
Wendy, Andrew and Neil will be visiting in just over three weeks, and we're so looking forward to seeing them too, with all the news from home. I miss the family a lot and often wish I could meet up with Rina and June for lunch, and although we have phone calls, webchats and e-mail, it's not the same as a good old blether when we get together. Stef always said I only went over to see him when Tom was around, but he would come to see me and of course Craig was always popping in at Cedar Street, especially for Sunday breakfast. I missed them especially on Mothers' Day of course, and think about them every day and wonder what they're doing. Still, one day soon my passport should be returned and I'll be able to visit and see everyone. Until then, I should be gettin on with getting this place shipshape and ready for guests!

Have I really not blogged since last year? What on earth have I been doing?
Well, settling in mostly, I guess and getting used to life with my wonderful man in USA. My friend Helen told me that she tells her grand-daughter the story of her lovely friend who went to marry her Prince Charming in America, then she shows her USA on the globe that she has. It's my claim to fame - I'm in a bedtme story!
Lynn and Brian from the Irish Inn have been very friendly and I've been out to lunch with Lynn and her Mom. Her Mom loved the fact that I said we were having a "girly day out". Mango even came visiting with us to the Irish Inn and just loved the fireplace, sat on the chimney piece and enjoyed walking along the beams in the great room. Brian loved the tattie scones I made for him and Lynn even suggested I make them and sell them. I just don't know if there would be a great market, although Tom's cousin Pam and her DH Will loved them when we visited. We've also been to see Penny and Ernst and Pat and her family in Virginia Beach. Pat has been my facebook friend and it was really good to meet for real at last.
Well, Tom's been surprised that the neighbours have now included us in their invitations and we went next door to Julie and Kyle's for a Christmas Dessert Get-together which was great! Of course I agonised a bit over what to make and bring along until Tom suggested trifle. We had no custard at the time so had to use cooked pudding and it worked well, tasted delicious and was a hit with all who tasted it. Julie then very kindly brought us in some bread and butter pudding in the dish we left behind. Very neighbourly! They also invited us to their Superbowl party - another first for me - even though I had no idea what was happening in the game.
Now I'm getting ready to go to my new knitting group in Herrin. I went on Ravelry looking for local groups and Michele from the next town replied and volunteered to take me to one that she knew about and had been to a few times. I went for the first time last week and enjoyed every minute. The women were all very friendly and of course there is 'something' about knitting or crocheting together that feels so good! The fact that the group 'hangs out' in The Yarn Shoppe might not be good for my purse, however, as there are so many beautiful yarns on those shelves! I might not resist today!
This morning, I've tried Mhairi's recipe for good old Scottish tablet (which Tom loves) and it seems to be setting nicely right now, so I'll take some along for my knitting buddies, and see if they like it as much as they enjoy my accent!!

Would you believe I'm a very happily married woman!

We got married last Saturday (September 25 2010) at The Irish Inn, Ozark, IL. I'm so happy sometimes I have to pinch myself to see if it's really happening to me! Tom and I waited so long to be together and now it just feels so natural and right.

Stef and Craig came over with me on Monday July 26 and so it felt like a lovely family holiday while they were here. Although Tom was working, he took us sightseeing and the boys had a great time on their first visit to USA.

Mango's growing fast and is a delight to us. A wee kitten as lively and crazy as this one just suits us - fits right into the family! He loves chasing squirrels, birds and bugs but can usually only catch leaves. Of course it's Fall now and the weather suits me just fine. Snuggling up with my wonderful new hubby and my crochet - what more can I wish for? Well, remember I thought I couldn't live without work? Just call me the happy housewife! Long may it last!

Almost on my way to USA!

Only 11 days until I'm off to start a new chapter of my life in USA with my lovely fiance Tom. So excited that it's really happening now after such a long wait, but saying farewell to family and friends is very very difficult. I know I'll be home for holidays and I hope that lots of folk will come and visit us in Carbondale, but it's still painful doing so many things for the 'last time'!
I'm lucky that my two sons are travelling out with me on Monday 26 July for their first ever holiday in the States, and I hope not their last!
Our wee kitten Mango has settled in so well with Tom, and I watch him on webcam every night. I've been looking at Animal Rescue places near Carbondale and thinking I could maybe volunteer some of my time there until I get a Green Card so I can earn some money again! The only thing is ~ can I resist taking all the wee kittens home with me if they're not re-homed with new families!!??
I've knitted socks for Jeneece and am working on a crochet gift for Joanna to take with me. I thought I would have loads of time to crochet when I stopped work, but days have been busy and somehow the time flies by!