So...we went to bed quite early last night. I spent several hours over the course of the entire night thinking about cars, cell phones, and the Knitters Review. My goodness, my mind would just not shut off.

Hubby and I were able to get away for several hours yesterday, first time since harvest started. It was so nice! We were able to take our time and enjoy our lunch, visit several car lots, and attempt to upgrade our cell phones (I'll get to that fiasco in a moment!).

We have known for awhile now that we were going to have to start looking for a new vehicle-whether brand new or slightly used. We've been going back and forth about whether it should be a car (we currently have a wonderful Ford F-150 with almost 176,000 miles. It's been an awesome, very reliable vehicle-hard to give up!) or an SUV. Being small in stature, I really didn't want another big pickup, although I love mine, plus, they are quite expensive. We also want something that gets better gas mileage, but I don't want to go to small. We live in the country, on a gravel road, so some height and all-wheel or 4-wheel is a good idea. UGH! So, we hit several lots and have come down to the Ford Escape or a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I think we can get a little more for our money with the Cherokee, but we're just going to sit back and watch the adds and check the websites until December or January.

Oh, the cell phones! For goodness sakes! We use Cingular (it used to be AT&T). We knew that our contract was up, so we decided to go in and see what they could do for us and if we could save some money. Well, Cingular is going to this GSM technology (apparently the technology they've been using in Europe for years) and their phones no longer support analog. According to their map, we would probably not have service at our home and there were several other places in Iowa that we would not get service. Of course, along the interstates, etc., we would be okay, but probably not in the fields or our home. So, that leaves us with a dilemma. We left US Cellular after 9 years because of several things, including 3 different customer service people giving me three different answers to a question. That makes it sound rather simplistic, but the Attorney General became involved. So, our dilemma, bad coverage from our current provider, or bite the bullet and go back to US Cellular and get better coverage.

KR...what can I say that hasn't already been said. I find it so interesting that liberals like to forget what Democrats in the recent past have done, but they can vilify and berate Republicans for the same line of defense.

I spent a good part of the middle of the night considering their take on Mr. Clinton's "indiscretions" as compared to the Libby issue. I've been told that lying about your sex life and lying about a CIA agent, especially during WARTIME, is like night and day.

I'm sorry, but I just don't see it. Lying is lying. A liar can't be trusted. Mr. Clinton broke trust with myself and many others by abusing the Office of the President. He didn't have enough self-control to wait until he was out of office or even just go in a supply closet. Lying about it showed his true character. Lying, cheating, adultery, all true. His character is deeply flawed. If Mr. Libby is truly guilty of lying, his character is flawed as well. Now I know that we are all sinners, we are all flawed, but, by the power of Jesus Christ, we can live in obedience.

I'm quite tired of the witch hunt mentality of the liberals and the media. It's become a sport of sorts-kick them while they are down, find something, anything, to discredit the Republicans. The hate-filled rhetoric is getting quite old and I think that it will backfire in the liberals faces. They are like bullies on the playground and eventually the bullied with get in their faces.

I started a felted bag out of Noro Koreyon this weekend. Almost done with that, just had to do something for myself before I get serious about Christmas gifts and orders. It's time to start putting in a big push.

Yeah, another one done! This is from a Sirdar pattern. I added the different color trim and put the ISU (daddy played football there) on the side. I knit it with Dreambaby DK. I know, I know, acrylic-but, it's so nice for the mom to just be able to throw it into the wash. Being a first time mommy, I didn't want to give her anything that required extra care.

Today, dd has two interviews, one with the State Senate and one with the House. She has applied to be a page for the 2006 legislative session. She enjoys politics and government and gets pretty excited by the process. We'll find out in a few weeks if she gets the job.

She also gets to go to the Paul McCartney concert tonight. She's a huge oldies fan and was so disappointed to hear that Grandma and Grandpa were going. Boy, was she surprised when she got her ticket for her 18th birthday! Tonight is the night and she's pretty excited. Of course, she needs two outfits for the day, professional, yet young for her interviews, fun and hip for tonight. Of course, she's wearing the poncho that she knit earlier this year. It's a perfect fit.

Sorry for that double post, blogger just wasn't cooperating with me that day! My edit page says there is only one, so I guess it will just have to stay that way.

I'm down another 2 pounds. Sometimes working out is challenging (well, most of the time), but I feel so much better the rest of the day. I'm hoping to start incorporating a one-mile walk just before supper, I think that I'll sleep better.

I look back six weeks ago and wonder why I wasn't motivated then. Why couldn't I turn from the food? What did my p.a. say that was so motivating? It wasn't anything that I didn't already know, but I think that the Lord knew that I had to have a push and He provided that. Occasionally food still calls my name, like last night. It seems that whenever I have a migraine coming on, I crave bad carbs. I indulged a little last night, but nothing that took me over my calorie limit. My headache was gone by this morning and I feel really good. I walked my 2 mile, with the hopes of walking one more this afternoon.

I've been trying to get all caught up on baby knits. I have several machine knit Christmas stockings from last year that I have to get duplicate stitched. My machine worked fine, but the computer on my old White 1502 has pooped out and since I have no idea where to send it, I just made the stockings plain and told everyone that I'd duplicate stitch the motif on. Well, it's almost November and I haven't even gotten one done. TIME TO GET BUSY!!!

Baby Z was able to come home from the hospital yesterday! He's doing so well. Of course, due to the chance of RSV, he'll pretty much be secluded at home for awhile, but at least they aren't stuck in the hospital.

Yesterday was one of those days that you wonder why you ever got out of bed! My hubby showed up for a steel load at 5:00 am and didn't leave until after 3:00 pm. It was crazy. Everyone passed the buck, no one really knew what was going on, and poor hubby got stuck just sitting in the truck when he could have been at home and been productive. My hubby has an intense work ethic and he can't stand wasting time! The mood that I was in, I could have really ripped into them, but hubby held me back!!

I received my new Dale Baby Book 155 today. The patterns are absolutely gorgeous. I saw that it was in the states in the Family Circle Easy Knitting magazine and I fell in love with the particular design that they showed. As soon as I get caught up, I'll get it done for darling Baby L. The colors are vivid and fun and the pattern is traditional. (It's Design 9, if anyone wants to take a look). I ordered it from www.spinblessing.com . Susan is just great, she carries all things Dale, and is extremely helpful. I try to get all my Dale yarn and books from her.

Well, I've got laundry to do and a sweater to complete so I'd better "get a move on" as my mom would say!

Another new baby! Our next door neighbors had their new little boy last evening. I'm excited to get to meet him. Babies, babies, everywhere!!

We've have some gorgeous fall weather here. Sunny, warm, breezy. It's been good for getting the crop out of the field, but, Praise God!, the crop is large and we're all running out of places to keep it! It's a good problem to have. With fuel prices so high, it's also a blessing that we aren't having to dry our corn, nature is taking care of that for us.

I am looking forward to some cooler weather. I enjoy drizzly, dreary, cool fall days. I know, I'm strange that way. I call the "sweatshirts and soup" days. I think that fall is my favorite season. It makes you want to snuggle and get cozy.

We had a strange happening with our luscious puppy, Liberty, today. Our mailman actually tried to pepper spray her. Now, I admit, she hates him, but she was in our driveway, he was across the road at the giant mailbox that we bought just so he wouldn't have to get out of his car. He seems to be quite petrified of her. Instead of giving her a treat (like the Schwan's guy), he just makes the situation worse by attempting to hurt her. Makes me crazy! This dog lets little babies crawl all over her and pull her hair. She just looks at me as if to say, "Are we done yet?" She is an awesome dog, she just doesn't like the mailman and delivery trucks. I could have understood it if she was bouncing off his car, but that wasn't the case. My husband thinks we should put a sign on the mailbox that reads, "To H*** with the dog, beware of the owners!" Might have to try that!

I'd better get knitting, these babies keep coming early and I'm getting behind!

From Baby A to Baby Z

From Baby A to Baby Z. The L family has a new addition. Isn’t he adorable. He had to come a little early too, Mommy was having trouble with her blood pressure and toxemia. He weighed in at 4 lb ½ oz, and is 16 ½ inches long. He’s doing well, nursing and off oxygen. He’s just so handsome!!!

I have news, too! I’m going to be a grandma. Just found out middle of last week. Although my daughter is young and not very settled, we will love this new little baby and do all that we can to help Mommy and Daddy. We have a ways to go, she’s only a month along. She’s due to give birth on my husband’s grandmothers 92nd birthday. Wouldn’t that be something…the oldest and the youngest sharing a birthday!

The happy couple! What a joy-filled bride!

Yesterday was a blessed day! We were blessed to share in witnessing the covenant vows of a wonderful, godly young couple. We were all deeply touched as her father not only gave her away, but gave the key to her heart (an actual key from a locket that he had given her years ago, she had given him the key to it-the key to her heart) to her groom. He challenged them to be a biblical couple. The groom sang to his bride, and sang of God "Our Mighty Fortress". They shared their first kiss on the altar yesterday. A moment to be remembered and treasured. I was doubly blessed that she carried the blessing bag that I knitted for her. It carried the blessings of many special people in her life. She is a walking miracle, she is a cancer survivor, cancer that could not be cured with chemo or radiation. They removed the tumor and then prayer warriors went into action, praying for over a year. She ate a special diet and we waited. She was declared cancer free by the specialists at the University of Iowa. A true miracle. So, to watch her marry the man God has chosen for her was such an amazing moment!

My diet is going okay, although the scale hasn't moved, my clothes are fitting much better. I've been exercising everyday (except Sunday!) and eating around 1500 calories. I'm feeling so much stronger. Not having the scale move is a bit discouraging, but I'm trusting more in the fact that I'm doing what I should and that the clothes are fitting looser.

We had a wonderful young pastor from Mexico at church this morning. He works in the LaLoma area (outside of Torreon). His father has an amazing testimony and the children have followed suit, serving the Lord without reservation. Francisco came with his young wife and their 1 year daughter. He showed us a slide show of the people and situation down there. Despite incredible poverty and harsh conditions, the Lord continues to draw people to Himself. They have a full church (which still needs windows, a solid roof, and a floor) and these people are growing in their faith and are spreading the Gospel.

It's such a testimony to the fact that our circumstances should not determine our joy or contentment. I feel for the millions of people (especially in this country) that feel that they can't be happy because so and so is in office or they don't have the latest toy from Apple. They are bitter and negative and joyless. They condemn believers in Jesus Christ, calling us every name in the book, refusing to see the truth. May the Lord bring conviction of sin to their hearts and forgiveness through Jesus Christ to their souls!

My most recent pair of socks. I started a pair last night that are made with Lorna's Laces, Childsplay. Lots of fun!

I decided that I need to be blogging about my most recent undertaking. I had mentioned several months ago that I was doing weight watchers, well, I fell off the wagon during the summer (lots of family issues, etc.). So, I go to the doctor 3 weeks ago and get my blood work results! Everything was to high, except my good cholesterol, which was to low! So, she gave me the most motivating lecture that I've ever had in my life! I came out of the office knowing what I needed to do and totally ready.

Over the past three weeks, I've been exercising every day for 30 minutes (Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds-the 2 mile walk) and eating 1500 calories or less. I've lost 9 pounds. Praise God! I'm really beginning to grasp that I don't need to be eating 24/7. That most of the time, it didn't even taste good to me, it was just habitual. I'm so excited to be building up stamina and I can tell my body is changing. I want to lose another 50 lbs. I can do it, I've done it before.

I can't say enough good things about Walk Away the Pounds. You don't have to be coordinated, you don't have to know anything about exercise, you just do it and it works. It's quite a workout, but it invigorates and gives me more energy.

Now, that all being said, today has been a tough day. I got up at 5:30 with hubby and so this afternoon I'm sleepy and I've got the munchies. I've hung in there, said several prayers, and am patiently waiting for hubby to get home so that I can enjoy some chicken tortilla soup!

I'm still feeling overwhelmed by all the projects I need to get done. I'm trying to finish up a little vest, then I have two October babies to knit for, plus make some beaded bags to sell at the market the 15th and 16th.

I did get my vacation scrapbook done yesterday, and that was one thing off my plate. I still have tons of pictures to get scrapbooked, but that will come in time!