tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412369305313723352024-03-05T19:53:04.731-05:00Yarn to KnitI'm Holly and this is my blog where I discuss yarn, knitting, and life. Make yourself at home.Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.comBlogger202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-14741298545248258972011-08-21T21:07:00.003-04:002011-08-21T23:04:37.370-04:00Columbus Knitters' Lee County Fiber QuestRecently we learned that there were new yarn stores in Auburn and Opelika, so we planned what we call a "yarn store field trip." Yesterday was the day. We had such fun! My favorite barbecue place is in Auburn and my friends indulged me lunch there. Thankfully they enjoyed it, too. We met the nice yarn store owners, bought a lot of yarn, ate good food, bought some more yarn, got to see our student from last year who is now a freshman at Auburn University, and enjoyed our journey there and back together. I love my knitsters! Please press the "play" button below to see my photos.
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/6052017300/" title="Me, Ellen, and Karen by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6052017300_6b57e3dce6.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Me, Ellen, and Karen"></a>
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/6051508065/" title="My Lunch by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6051508065_11b685ba2b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="My Lunch"></a>
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/6052017310/" title="Karen's Lunch - Buffalo Bleu Chicken Sandwich by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6052017310_8ac3f164fd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Karen's Lunch - Buffalo Bleu Chicken Sandwich"></a>
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/6051504893/" title="Ellen's Lunch - Mushroom Swiss Burger by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6051504893_5b39d07505.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Ellen's Lunch - Mushroom Swiss Burger"></a>
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/6052017316/" title="A storm hit while we were in IKEA. by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6052017316_28ae9626fa.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="A storm hit while we were in IKEA."></a>
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/6052017318/" title="Leaving IKEA by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6052017318_50b11c7541.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Leaving IKEA"></a>Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-71962151747349178802011-08-14T22:55:00.011-04:002011-08-14T23:46:52.312-04:00Catching UpDang, it's been a long time since I did a "here's what up" post. (Click the links or the photos for more info or more photos.) Here goes:
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<br />I spent Memorial Day Weekend in South Carolina with friends
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyY0u711tpZe74VUpK8EqDmVHdxPtsR-u3AsROuhtPCV7SAWqpspff1HkPRnzJKypmX5Tf2M1gvVUYS7zBRegUabU5-djiIWN_h3d4F67pBEDFhWHY5ksyuCNMYsWOpmKJBsHpr2eeQ/s1600/DSCN5968.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyY0u711tpZe74VUpK8EqDmVHdxPtsR-u3AsROuhtPCV7SAWqpspff1HkPRnzJKypmX5Tf2M1gvVUYS7zBRegUabU5-djiIWN_h3d4F67pBEDFhWHY5ksyuCNMYsWOpmKJBsHpr2eeQ/s320/DSCN5968.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640922623570736754" /></a>
<br />and family
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1x1y-vCztMCe_TAgpNNpetHOHH6LWbN-v-NVX-h_udyB72k6uDmtO2Q-Vh12iQGwWZP-_woONEvJlyqEK4cYXTeT48IQOCptUb5LPz2qxPbLDW3Kjl1ogoDDgagWRqYY-SJUdoHjpnw/s1600/DSCN6019.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1x1y-vCztMCe_TAgpNNpetHOHH6LWbN-v-NVX-h_udyB72k6uDmtO2Q-Vh12iQGwWZP-_woONEvJlyqEK4cYXTeT48IQOCptUb5LPz2qxPbLDW3Kjl1ogoDDgagWRqYY-SJUdoHjpnw/s320/DSCN6019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640922949710686642" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8ERzwp-KeULCHx4q5J7kkO7Vl2JeMLEWmaz8NkRmn6IxokSO6ICTB2agEnLkSfHnEbZaMRmyHA_Pnax5fLQIULHQXwUvHZegchC-slvIexMZlW7xwlTUbpFvSeeceRMGAXYlpmjF0w/s1600/DSCN6015.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8ERzwp-KeULCHx4q5J7kkO7Vl2JeMLEWmaz8NkRmn6IxokSO6ICTB2agEnLkSfHnEbZaMRmyHA_Pnax5fLQIULHQXwUvHZegchC-slvIexMZlW7xwlTUbpFvSeeceRMGAXYlpmjF0w/s320/DSCN6015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640923535574377762" /></a>
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<br />In June the Knitting Group observed <a href="http://wwkipday.com/">Worldwide Knit in Public Week</a> with (click for the photos) <a href="http://flic.kr/s/aHsjuVjBLX">a series of events</a>. Great fun was had by all!
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<br />I went to the <a href="http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com/">National Infantry Museum</a> July 4th weekend.
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/5896202102/" title="Me in front of the Museum by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5896202102_67887984ea.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Me in front of the Museum"></a>
<br />I saw fireworks on the Fourth.
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/5903815022/" title="Oooo (3/365) by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6043/5903815022_2696e2de4c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Oooo (3/365)"></a>
<br />I saw my friend Katy play her first featured gig.
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/5920524186/" title="Ready to Start by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5920524186_7673c8ace2.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Ready to Start"></a>
<br />I went to my high school reunion later in July.
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/5963219124/" title="Everybody! by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5963219124_7a9ba7d98b.jpg" width="500" height="274" alt="Everybody!"></a>
<br />My friend Cindy and I went to a concert by the group Truth. We followed them for years until they stopped touring nine years ago. We were at their farewell concert in 2002 and now they are doing a reunion tour and we were at the first concert on that tour. It was so nice to hear the old songs again.
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/6010768450/" title="Truth by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/6010768450_dd1f0f99c4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Truth"></a>
<br />My friend Alice had a birthday party.
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/6010782282/" title="Alice's Birthday Cake (32/365) by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/6010782282_a760ded716.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Alice's Birthday Cake (32/365)"></a>
<br />I started back teaching two-year-old Sunday School after taking a break with the Crawler class last year.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSytiYLy_hdgh4f6FDjZXPOa9cDbg5_Xn3kHXlUbX46gSXvPCMSY5VcEcbP5s96b909skf2K14sAQeSsRxdcMx5DS5ZNeF-OWJ7TBdVJ8URigBwNo7VCmmm5xXOZxA_4t3KHKmjzR9kQ/s1600/DSCN6056.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSytiYLy_hdgh4f6FDjZXPOa9cDbg5_Xn3kHXlUbX46gSXvPCMSY5VcEcbP5s96b909skf2K14sAQeSsRxdcMx5DS5ZNeF-OWJ7TBdVJ8URigBwNo7VCmmm5xXOZxA_4t3KHKmjzR9kQ/s200/DSCN6056.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640919916432715906" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupJJLh4k2boCvuLcrkdQ5BV9EfHmqJrlmmBux8KT0t-ZbL-wgnsckyU54Uremj07NJkh5dTmo3PZuXVydXya7LranmB_YoNzrrc5YvjKdSqwD3su3LYmFo8jTSuSh973FHDmjCATfvQ/s1600/DSCN6611.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupJJLh4k2boCvuLcrkdQ5BV9EfHmqJrlmmBux8KT0t-ZbL-wgnsckyU54Uremj07NJkh5dTmo3PZuXVydXya7LranmB_YoNzrrc5YvjKdSqwD3su3LYmFo8jTSuSh973FHDmjCATfvQ/s200/DSCN6611.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640920424914114706" /></a>
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<br />This is my new class who moved up last week:
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7cx8m7HwUZObzopKomXcakE2QDRYIUzVqZ_pp9dF5h4W46Ihv2U0x2O9KDEpac0vOmr6rr57Q9H_mp45QyrB4H_s2YGZxFDpIdjVphU-XGkJtRIAHWCfAuunlhH8hq0nnp_xhMzeMw/s1600/DSCN6795.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7cx8m7HwUZObzopKomXcakE2QDRYIUzVqZ_pp9dF5h4W46Ihv2U0x2O9KDEpac0vOmr6rr57Q9H_mp45QyrB4H_s2YGZxFDpIdjVphU-XGkJtRIAHWCfAuunlhH8hq0nnp_xhMzeMw/s320/DSCN6795.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640917421395882418" /></a>
<br />I saw the group The Landsharks at the Phenix City Amphitheater last night. It was a fun party!
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/6043598173/" title="At the end of the concert the moon was high in the sky (at the top of the frame) by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6043598173_512d73865c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="At the end of the concert the moon was high in the sky (at the top of the frame)"></a>
<br />I've also been knitting:
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/5929163384/" title="Seed Stitch Dish Cloth (10/365) by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6147/5929163384_90b5ff80b9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Seed Stitch Dish Cloth (10/365)"></a>
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/6010785370/" title="Dishcloth (31/365) by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6141/6010785370_2ce4663c2b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Dishcloth (31/365)"></a>
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/6010236215/" title="Dishcloth (34/365) by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6147/6010236215_15d6718948.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Dishcloth (34/365)"></a>
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/6044148610/" title="I finished knitting this dishcloth that I had started earlier in the day at the concert by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6089/6044148610_ef8f78a25c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="I finished knitting this dishcloth that I had started earlier in the day at the concert"></a>
<br />Okay, I know that was a fast summer, but now I won't feel like I have so much to say to get caught up that it's overwhelming and I won't feel like I have time to blog.Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-65129849005213226452011-07-27T23:17:00.004-04:002011-07-28T08:26:42.018-04:00Here I Go AgainI know I don't blog like I should. I apologize to those of you who follow me. I wanted to let you know that I'm doing another 365 project where I take a photo every day and post them to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/sets/72157626994746281/">my flickr page</a>. Please go and check my photos out. Leave a comment on the ones you like. If it won't let you sign in to flickr (say, if you don't have an account?), you can leave a comment here telling me which one's your favorite. I'll take to check in here more often. (I know...you've heard that song before.)Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-51881724559089094002011-06-01T18:14:00.002-04:002011-06-01T18:28:04.406-04:00...And though my heart is torn...<a href="http://youtu.be/Yr7i5L6kFT0">I will praise you in this storm.</a>Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-22951677989577139262011-05-26T23:49:00.002-04:002011-05-27T00:27:24.453-04:00HealingEmotional healing, spiritual healing. It's a long road, let me tell you. It's not a straight road, either. There are lots of curves and hills. Whew! It's exhausting.<br /><br />I went to Books-A-Million when they were having their clearance and bought a book called <span style="font-style:italic;">You're All That - Understanding God's Design for Your Life</span> by Paula White. I've learned a couple of lessons from that book that I'd like to share with you:<br /><br />Lesson 1) The Bible says that all things work together for good for those who love God and choose to put themselves in alignment with his purposes. Therefore, you can choose to believe that everything that happens to you is a factor in creating your ultimate good. You can choose to be happy in a situation or circumstance, even a dire or undesirable circumstance. Why? Because you aren't drawing your happiness from the event or situation itself, but rather, you are drawing happiness from your belief that God is always at work and that He will create something good for you.<br /><br />Lesson 2) Ask God to help you think in new ways, to feel new feelings. Ask God to fill you with His presence so that you will not react in anger, fear, worry, or doubt, but rather, with His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and mercy.<br /><br />Lesson 3) One of my high school friends posted <a href="http://beliefchangers.com/site/blog/what-is-gods-will-for-your-life-anyway/">this link</a> yesterday on facebook. I clicked on it this morning, but didn't have time to read it before going to work. I left the tab open so I'd remember to read it when I got home. When I came home, I was feeling sad and discouraged. (One of those uphill passages on the long road to healing.) When I sat down at the computer I found that tab I'd left open. I started reading. As I got to the last third of it, peace and comfort poured over me like water washing away the dirt of the day. I'm so thankful it was here waiting on me when I got home. I sure needed it.<br /><br />What lessons have you learned lately?Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-73667122624301740892011-03-13T21:58:00.004-04:002011-03-18T21:51:05.789-04:00Ch-Ch-Ch-ChangesSo, in the last month my life as taken an unexpected turn. It's meant a lot of heartache, tears, prayer, and changes. I've been re-reading <em>The Purpose Driven Life</em> by Rick Warren. One of the "verses to remember" is Romans 12:2b - "Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect." This verse really hit home and I read it as a prayer - "God, transform me inwardly by a complete change of my mind. So that I will be able to know Your will - what is good and is pleasing to You and is perfect." I need to pray that every day. Maybe I'll put it up on the bathroom mirror. <br /><br />Chapter 25 quotes Psalms 24:18 - "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He rescues those who are crushed in spirit." Warren says, "Your most profound and intimate experience of worship will likely be in your darkest days - when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you're out of options, when the pain is great - and you turn to God alone. It is during suffering that we learn to pray our most autentic, heartfelt, honest-to-God prayers." This guy is good and he knows where I'm at right now.<br /><br />So, God's using this experience to transform me. I don't know for what, but I don't need to know. God knows. I don't need to see where the road leads. I just need to continue down the road.Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-58051817565526813882011-03-07T22:10:00.005-05:002011-03-07T22:47:12.405-05:00Rest in Peace, Smokey JoeMy dad calls all cats "Smokey Joe". I'm not sure why. A few years ago a cat showed up at his house who he called, yep, "Smokey Joe". <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Tgh7EfLB8Si2v9isuFGgDO53MD5UGNAx3_OHXiPu56k3fTUhyi18uphm14b098evnbuhel_LfdCgCVrX3NulFnNBQcup2QfO_-68rHSXc80wgmN87nSIzbcjBZzl4t9ijURRyMpBdw/s1600/DSCN3752.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Tgh7EfLB8Si2v9isuFGgDO53MD5UGNAx3_OHXiPu56k3fTUhyi18uphm14b098evnbuhel_LfdCgCVrX3NulFnNBQcup2QfO_-68rHSXc80wgmN87nSIzbcjBZzl4t9ijURRyMpBdw/s320/DSCN3752.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581545969246088146" /></a><br />Daddy would feed Smokey and then tell him to "go home". I told him, "Daddy, I think he IS home." Smokey would come and go for a while. Over the last couple of years, though, Smokey pretty much stuck around. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2ch6Cbuk2wQ-UfrwP4IyJXMLx4EFF4JOJwNPYzlW7ZS_HiU3UO2bQGdae63_LtLdWPt0D610WYUZEFOua-6iPJ4HWaxrtmZa2AYoVGzn8s1zh3o-B30_KSrYBG1_0pBIPtkbk_qilQ/s1600/DSCN3747.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2ch6Cbuk2wQ-UfrwP4IyJXMLx4EFF4JOJwNPYzlW7ZS_HiU3UO2bQGdae63_LtLdWPt0D610WYUZEFOua-6iPJ4HWaxrtmZa2AYoVGzn8s1zh3o-B30_KSrYBG1_0pBIPtkbk_qilQ/s320/DSCN3747.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581545960826876418" /></a><br />Smokey had been around the block a time or two - nicked ears, scars on his neck - but like most cats Smokey appreciated a good head rub. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjF69hZlJ-6hC7EjjS-zs5pYCNFQPZNA4KeqRaEZHyolTbkIVShPHDrPj7c7Qcui8Q8CdQMh6sU8eWx2jK3Po546rKJxeUlqtQ3w4ttgxTAXy_cRSJ-Fz6EX7ZAQOM521fb2KQsbcLSw/s1600/DSCN3754.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjF69hZlJ-6hC7EjjS-zs5pYCNFQPZNA4KeqRaEZHyolTbkIVShPHDrPj7c7Qcui8Q8CdQMh6sU8eWx2jK3Po546rKJxeUlqtQ3w4ttgxTAXy_cRSJ-Fz6EX7ZAQOM521fb2KQsbcLSw/s320/DSCN3754.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581547119856095042" /></a><br />He was always at the carport door in the morning to greet Daddy and ask for breakfast. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWi4EsgJY1Y7TQDJsjHyYKLpDGgJA1Dx6Kig7Byurv88UC5wR2hjUHP_m9cvmxxwuthyphenhyphenjf3Y9WxrqCN2qxrac92g1_ncmQbkdOZ0LV_YOt6Kn-f9KGofIh5zY8CTfNMEfVJAcLALMEKg/s1600/DSCN3075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWi4EsgJY1Y7TQDJsjHyYKLpDGgJA1Dx6Kig7Byurv88UC5wR2hjUHP_m9cvmxxwuthyphenhyphenjf3Y9WxrqCN2qxrac92g1_ncmQbkdOZ0LV_YOt6Kn-f9KGofIh5zY8CTfNMEfVJAcLALMEKg/s320/DSCN3075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581548557847270850" /></a><br />This morning when Daddy went to feed him, he found that Smokey had passed away. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoRYMqLMFcSiBs-BYYiQOygvl08kEXoiuEyls2r3ovcm17W7ZavkCLuvkZfE14hFjel1nu9J6b5zXZRwzKhSL-V-Rci810aYr_UZmsh5Hoj2lBtjQutsl6pV8V0IG3dU3AlkgJ4RUCA/s1600/Smokey+Joe+in+the+Window.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoRYMqLMFcSiBs-BYYiQOygvl08kEXoiuEyls2r3ovcm17W7ZavkCLuvkZfE14hFjel1nu9J6b5zXZRwzKhSL-V-Rci810aYr_UZmsh5Hoj2lBtjQutsl6pV8V0IG3dU3AlkgJ4RUCA/s320/Smokey+Joe+in+the+Window.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581547122348041698" /></a><br />Tears filled my eyes tonight driving to my knitting group when Daddy told me on the phone. This beautifully marked cat who never was really family had still become part of our lives. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYyHRfRLts-0_NzLXI5u5l-AEmqI_uDyZo-Jng_Y3ztIFDPv-OeLliFbXHbtJYqJXrw3V-lN01HFdKA0ViRgfcsVa4pghKOWdMujzWvtg2Ra2LirbKc9VSnaam_A_b4Pz7bLQob5efA/s1600/DSCN0377.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYyHRfRLts-0_NzLXI5u5l-AEmqI_uDyZo-Jng_Y3ztIFDPv-OeLliFbXHbtJYqJXrw3V-lN01HFdKA0ViRgfcsVa4pghKOWdMujzWvtg2Ra2LirbKc9VSnaam_A_b4Pz7bLQob5efA/s320/DSCN0377.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581548564895891490" /></a><br />We'll miss you, Smokey Joe. I hope you find peace in kitty heaven that eluded you in your early life.Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-83672914505788239672011-03-05T00:03:00.001-05:002011-03-05T00:04:38.134-05:00Seriously?I haven't blogged since October? Really. Wow! Okay, I'm going to do better. I've had some time open up on my calendar, so that sounds like a good thing to do.Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-44859196732490504822010-10-20T00:37:00.002-04:002011-03-18T22:36:57.116-04:00Boots gets a toy<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="260" height="195" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=895a6f1d00&photo_id=4766719408&flickr_show_info_box=true"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=895a6f1d00&photo_id=4766719408&flickr_show_info_box=true" height="195" width="260"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4766719408/">Boots gets a toy</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/hollysutherland/">Holly S.</a></span></div>I made a toy for Boots. I think he likes it.<br clear="all" />Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-38261968605966066402010-04-25T21:12:00.004-04:002010-04-25T22:30:50.206-04:00Stitches South 2010<a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/flash/events/Eventportalsouth.php">Stitches South</a> was this past week in Atlanta. On Saturday <a href="http://randomstitches-lacey.blogspot.com/">Lacey</a> and I went up for The Market. Lacey drove.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4550076884/" title="Lacey by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4550076884_cc0d45f218.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Lacey" /></a><br />You can't take pictures inside the market, so this is all you get:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4549429649/" title="The entrance to the market. by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4549429649_c8f68d415f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="The entrance to the market." /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4549423415/" title="Me at the market entrance. by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4549423415_36db5a2d94.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Me at the market entrance." /></a><br />Outside there was this big wall of yarn where you could get samples.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4549428589/" title="Wall of Yarn Samples! by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4549428589_d8e43a9016.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Wall of Yarn Samples!" /></a><br />Here's mine:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4550073918/" title="Xtreme Stash Guide by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4550073918_9e8907b1c7.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Xtreme Stash Guide " /></a><br />Once we were inside the Market, we saw new Julie from our knitting group and met her friends from Pensacola who came up to go to Stitches with her. We found original Julie from our knitting group. She and Lacey had formulated some bulk purchase plan at one of the booths. I ran into Yvonne who used to come knit with us, but hasn't in a while. It was so good to see her. I also knit on "The World's Largest Sock". They're going for the Guiness Book of World Records.<br />At the Lion Brand Yarn booth inside the market, I met <a href="http://blog.lionbrand.com/about/about-zontee/">Zontee</a> from the <a href="http://yarncraft.lionbrand.com/">YarnCraft</a> podcast. The cool thing was that when I said, "I'm Hotpink on ravelry," she recognized my name! I had to hug her. I'm southern, it's what we do. I met Jess and Casey <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4550077838/" title="Knitting Royalty by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4550077838_4bf90f42dc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Knitting Royalty" /></a><br />who founded <a href="http://www.ravelry.com">ravlery</a>. (I restrained myself and only shook their hands.) They are so awesome. I love ravelry. There was a lot of hero worship being bestowed on them by many, many conference attendees. I also met Mary Heather and Sarah who help them run ravelry. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4549432919/" title="Mary Heather and Sarah by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4549432919_440c4fed79.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mary Heather and Sarah" /></a> <br />I spoke to the famous <a href="http://www.lilychinsignaturecollection.com/biography.php">Lily Chin</a>, who was dressed in pink from her shoulders to her toes. I said, "I love your pink!" She smiled and thanked me. I saw Dianne who used to own a yarn store in Greer, South Carolina where I shopped on occasion with my friend Dawn. I also saw Margaret who used to own a yarn store in Anderson, South Carolina - my home town. She has a rabbit who stayed at the store with her. Daddy would play with the bunny while I yarn shopped. That bunny bought me a lot more browsing time. I took this photo of Lacey when we were leaving. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4550073004/" title="Lacey by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4550073004_bb6a6a2a9c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Lacey" /></a> <br />I should have snapped it a few minutes earlier when she had all her purchases spread out around her.<br />We left the convention center and drove down the street looking for something to eat. We saw this: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4549426343/" title="This was the sign that lead us to our lunch. by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4549426343_18955e5599.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="This was the sign that lead us to our lunch." /></a> <br />We kept driving, but ended up turning around, going back, and trying the <a href="http://www.elpolloloco.com/index.html">"Crazy Chicken". <br /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4549427481/" title="El Pollo Loco! by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4549427481_d3655838e0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="El Pollo Loco!" /></a><br />It was crazy good! This is what I had: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4549430773/" title="My lunch by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4549430773_99886980bf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="My lunch" /></a> <br />There's rice, beans, grilled chicken, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, pico de gallo, ranch dressing, and salsa in there. Man, it was so good! Lacey got quesadillas <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4549440755/" title="Lacey's Lunch by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4549440755_f51be26cb7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Lacey's Lunch" /></a><br />in steak and chicken. She liked them a lot, too. It was a cool place with cool art. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4549433991/" title="Pollo Loco by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4549433991_3c07d6f319.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Pollo Loco" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4549436671/" title="Art at Pollo Loco by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4549436671_33a9cb84fb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Art at Pollo Loco" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4550075886/" title="Art at Pollo Loco by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4550075886_2d2ee32963.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Art at Pollo Loco" /></a><br />Here are my take aways from the market: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4549507343/" title="Take Aways by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4549507343_fb8155533b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Take Aways" /></a> <br />Lacey and I really liked this pattern and had to buy it. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4549509025/" title="Twist and Lace Pattern by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4549509025_68a6396e72.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Twist and Lace Pattern" /></a> <br />I love buttons and got these: <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4550151284/" title="Buttons! by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4550151284_6b0043ec83.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Buttons!" /></a> <br />I bought this beautiful bamboo yarn: <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4549514171/" title="Yummy Yarn by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/4549514171_8a108f5a59.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Yummy Yarn" /></a> <br />Lacey and Julie were off buying some yarn and came back with this for me. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4550150446/" title="Project Bag by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2261/4550150446_162e56e5da.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Project Bag" /></a> <br />Wasn't that really sweet of them? I also got this. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4550146166/" title="Pendant by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4550146166_063474270d.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Pendant" /></a> <br />Who knows what it is?<br />I had a great time. I was so worn out when I got home, I took a three hour nap. It was SO worth it. What a great day!Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-44497816662039677612010-04-20T22:41:00.003-04:002010-04-20T22:48:20.953-04:00ReferralsMy knitting friend Katy has <a href="http://chattyhoocheemomma.com/">a new blog</a>. You need to check it out if you want to know about some stuff going on in Columbus, music, scenic photos, etc. All delivered with humor and a gift for stringing words together in a very nice way. I like Katy and I like Katy's blog. If you don't know Katy, you can at least know Katy's blog. Check it out.Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-18950743185670038272010-04-08T21:50:00.004-04:002010-04-08T22:36:53.104-04:00Catching UpHere are some things you missed during my blogging break:<br /><br />I made these cool wristers. I made these and two other pair that I gifted for Christmas without getting photos.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4123979506/" title="Knifty Knitter Loom-Along: Alice Wrist Warmers by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2778/4123979506_8f877b4a14.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Knifty Knitter Loom-Along: Alice Wrist Warmers" /></a><br /><br />I made this coaster for my friend, Karen, for helping me out a lot while I was sick with pneumonia.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4183445098/" title="It's So Mod Coaster by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/4183445098_54107f16d7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="It's So Mod Coaster" /></a><br /><br />Boots came and took care of me while I was sick. One night Seth and I took him to Sonic.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4183451476/" title="Boots at Sonic by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4183451476_0d4593b5d4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Boots at Sonic" /></a><br /><br /><br />This little girl took my car key. Really! Look in her right hand.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/4503780367/" title="Statue at the Landings by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4503780367_f310eeb739.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Statue at the Landings" /></a><br /><br />It snowed one day while I was at work.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsa3YghhammCok-XgzSXSrkg1Ji9q3LllDL58ExagBQNH7tgwOOhR4840aDg7WHLjJK35VrphJ8BWoY1XamHGB2LGyQnPV9DDDMTZCVTg7hnId9NsDXjpkEhnUT2Kglqz8sUsUqtVSw/s1600/DSCN4515.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsa3YghhammCok-XgzSXSrkg1Ji9q3LllDL58ExagBQNH7tgwOOhR4840aDg7WHLjJK35VrphJ8BWoY1XamHGB2LGyQnPV9DDDMTZCVTg7hnId9NsDXjpkEhnUT2Kglqz8sUsUqtVSw/s320/DSCN4515.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457956870867519554" /></a><br /><br />Extreme Makeover Home Edition came to town. Here's the bus and the crowd.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77F0rct-Sn3-N2HZQJh-nieCjoYrki_eFx8geOsYxkyaUgdUiPgYBr5LlT5ey9M9jbjsls3pYz-i56F1308veb7ytn2nsXXesGYiGQjIqrtVP0llY_7YytJSx_CEVTsPJS8bTL1E8ag/s1600/DSCN4639.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77F0rct-Sn3-N2HZQJh-nieCjoYrki_eFx8geOsYxkyaUgdUiPgYBr5LlT5ey9M9jbjsls3pYz-i56F1308veb7ytn2nsXXesGYiGQjIqrtVP0llY_7YytJSx_CEVTsPJS8bTL1E8ag/s320/DSCN4639.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457956880593211666" /></a><br /><br />I went to Atlanta.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLlMZBh1oXnpnUIrEp6yYxiNH4nqZDZGW2mHBCg3C6O5Y2KvkUUiAPPJM3zmMS85AozJt5WdaRz0DhLfxM7TOcueU-YrS_ApPqG0f6uTcIh3_duYT01D9DoprWzBfBS0PzSh7xHsjjw/s1600/DSCN4656.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLlMZBh1oXnpnUIrEp6yYxiNH4nqZDZGW2mHBCg3C6O5Y2KvkUUiAPPJM3zmMS85AozJt5WdaRz0DhLfxM7TOcueU-YrS_ApPqG0f6uTcIh3_duYT01D9DoprWzBfBS0PzSh7xHsjjw/s320/DSCN4656.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457956888744657090" /></a><br /><br />We had the Egg Grab with all the kids from church the day before Easter.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyLsweBHrq8okaZUtysS8ZaFt8j6okH7WmBlCBAQ-iTP6ytwAXxVxDvKDZAfkfNPjPb_ZSlHEMyOM4slHf1arM6Id5LUpbCL4X88KuhXwEZSOSk0LkGOp7vfLXxad3fUNjdClI48coA/s1600/DSCN4686.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyLsweBHrq8okaZUtysS8ZaFt8j6okH7WmBlCBAQ-iTP6ytwAXxVxDvKDZAfkfNPjPb_ZSlHEMyOM4slHf1arM6Id5LUpbCL4X88KuhXwEZSOSk0LkGOp7vfLXxad3fUNjdClI48coA/s320/DSCN4686.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457956902153221394" /></a><br /><br />I promise more updates to come.Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-35866482354007047242010-03-21T21:55:00.003-04:002011-03-18T22:38:46.573-04:00Beef StewSince you keep asking for a new post - <a href="http://knitwitmommy.blogspot.com/">Laurie</a>, <a href="http://bookwyrm40.livejournal.com/">Kristine</a> - I decided to share with you a recipe for Beef Stew I came up with a few weeks ago.<br /><br />2 lbs. Beef for Stew<br />2 TBS. flour<br />1 TBS grill seasoning<br />1 large yellow onion<br />2 TBS Worcestershire Sauce<br />2 TBS red wine vinegar<br />2 medium zucchini<br />2 c. low sodium beef stock<br />2 c. low sodium V-8 juice<br />2 cloves minced garlic<br />1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes<br />1 15 oz. can carrots, drained<br />1 15 oz. can diced potatoes, drained<br />1 15 oz. can green beans, drained<br />1 15 oz. can sweet peas, drained<br />1 15 oz. can corn drained<br /><br />Heat oven to 350 degrees. Chop the onion into bite size pieces. Place the flour and grill seasoning into a 1 gallon zip top bag and add beef. Shake to coat. Place beef and flour mixture into a 13" by 9" baking dish. Top with diced onion and garlic. Drizzle with Worcestershire and red wine vinegar. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Cook at 350 degrees 45 minutes to one hour until onions are transparent. Place the contents of the baking dish into cock pot. Add the beef stock and the V-9 juice, then the canned vegetables. Cut the zucchinis into half moon shapes and add to crock pot. Let stew cook overnight. Enjoy.<br /><br />Really, I'm going to try to be a better blogger. I've joined a gym and that takes time. I'm loosing weight, though, and my blood pressure's down. Yay!Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-7304721747680567182010-02-07T23:26:00.002-05:002010-02-07T23:28:16.878-05:00The Answer is ....My friend <a href="http://knitwitmommy.blogspot.com/">Laurie</a> asked me last week if I was ever going to blog again. The answer is "yes".Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-68212464367755225962010-01-03T20:59:00.003-05:002010-01-03T21:42:42.164-05:00New YearHappy New Year, Blog! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. May 2010 bring blessing you never even dreamed of. <br /><br />I promised you the story of my pneumonia battle. Here's the story as I sent it in an email to an online friend:<br /><br /><blockquote>I wasn't really feeling bad before I got sick. I have allergies and I often get a little sinusy. I had a very small cough in September and got some stuff at the health food store that usually heads off bronchitis type problems. I was taking it regularly. That's worked for me for about ten years. On October 6th, I woke up and didn't want coffee, I wanted hot tea - that's the first sign. My sinuses were draining like crazy. When I got home the night of the 7th, I had a low fever. The morning of the 8th, it was 101.8. I went to the doctor then and got on antibiotics. They didn't touch the fever. Monday, the 12th, it was still high and I was back at the doctor and that's when she heard the pneumonia in my lungs. An x-ray confirmed her diagnosis. The meds I got that day broke the fever at the end of that week. I went back to the doctor on the 19th for a recheck. She said my lungs were still noisy and I was still coughing too much to work (not that felt like working). The next night, the 20th, I got short of breath. I felt like I'd run up a flight of stairs and I'd just been sitting on the couch. My heart was racing, too. I called the doctor at home. She told me to go to the ER. I was going to drive myself, but Seth insisted that he would come and get me. (He lives forty minutes away. I didn't want him to have to come.) We got to the ER at 10:38. They took me back to a room at 11:53. My O2 sat was 87 (not good) and my heart rate was 137 (really bad!) I had my first breathing treatment at midnight. Then a chest x-ray. Lots of blood work. Around 3am the ER doc said he'd talked to my primary care doc and they were going to admit me for "a day or two" and try to get me lungs to clear. It turned into six days. Four breathing treatments a day. My lungs have had a lot of trouble clearing. When they let me out of the hospital Tuesday, there was still blood work they were waiting to get back. They are testing me for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and some other "connective tissue diseases". There was something in my liver function or liver enzymes - I forget which - along with a chronic skin problem I have that makes the pulmonologist suspect there's an underlying issue. I'm just ready to get well. I go back to both of the doctors on Tuesday.</blockquote><br /><br />So, I didn't have lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. I do have asthma and high blood pressure now. (I've spoken to several people since who have acquired asthma from having pneumonia. Apparently it's not uncommon.) I'm dealing with the asthma and taking my meds. The blood pressure I check each week at Publix on the machine in the pharmacy. It's still a little high. I ended up staying out of work for five weeks. When I went back to work, it was half days for a week. My last full day before I got sick was October 7th. My first full day back was November 20th. I still don't always feel "normal". I saw the doctor November 19th and she told me then (six weeks into the battle) that it would be another three months before I felt like myself again, but I would feel like myself again. It's been a long road.<br /><br />You may remember my 365 project where I took and posted a photo each day in 2009. Well, they wouldn't let me have my digital camera at the hospital, and I felt pretty crappy anyway. I didn't make it. I was disappointed in myself and I'm giving it another go this year.<br /><br />I finished several knitting projects and I'm angry at myself for not getting pictures of all of them before gifting them. ARGH! Last minute Christmas knitting! It's for better organized people.Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-64958992280397963792009-11-06T23:37:00.002-05:002009-11-06T23:39:51.240-05:00Really, two months?Seriously? I haven't blogged in over two months? I really didn't know it'd been that long. I've been really sick since early October. I've had pneumonia and spent six days in the hospital and I'm still not quite over it. I'll compile the whole story and post it here when I'm up to it. Let me just say, pneumonia stinks.Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-30459840033239711412009-08-31T23:05:00.003-04:002009-08-31T23:11:19.255-04:00Holy CowOne of my college friends, <a href="http://www.dariengabriel.com/">Darien</a>, posted <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8">this video</a> on facebook. It blew my mind and makes me a little scared for my job! It's four minutes. Go watch. Then come back to leave your comments.Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-32082092821956089572009-08-31T00:10:00.004-04:002009-08-31T00:16:43.599-04:00Sunday School VisitorSo, I got to church this morning and started setting up the room and talking to the other teachers. I looked out the window and noticed something on the window frame. Thank goodness it was on the outside, or I would have totally freaked out.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57BRHl2SqRSrxW5TFT-FjXki2bpeGBBp1613RJj3nq_nQ6Qa7JrDEGkBNfMEkwV3tK9SLAYvoW8ZRpI7k9HBxm_UUB6_UgpNSiytDElHBA0gFfwDsPdJN7S1ZjPSObPEmOTIGZ7TB5A/s1600-h/Bug.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57BRHl2SqRSrxW5TFT-FjXki2bpeGBBp1613RJj3nq_nQ6Qa7JrDEGkBNfMEkwV3tK9SLAYvoW8ZRpI7k9HBxm_UUB6_UgpNSiytDElHBA0gFfwDsPdJN7S1ZjPSObPEmOTIGZ7TB5A/s400/Bug.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375976099128834578" /></a><br />To be truthful, the flash made it look more fierce than it did in person. Some of the kids enjoyed being held up to the window to get a better look. My friend Karen was creeped out by it and wouldn't even get close to the window.Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-50161124576546576842009-08-26T23:40:00.003-04:002009-08-26T23:44:29.021-04:00Wordless Wednesday - Click the Picture for a Description<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3841907052/" title="#231 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2664/3841907052_90aaf05762.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#231 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3854751766/" title="#232 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2513/3854751766_a8b73433f5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#232 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3854753662/" title="#233 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/3854753662_e97e3febde.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#233 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3853965977/" title="#234 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2579/3853965977_f10432d9a8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#234 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3853967989/" title="#235 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3853967989_588d42c21a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#235 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3861207240/" title="#236 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3425/3861207240_116c797eda.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#236 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3860426061/" title="#237 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/3860426061_576f912bf3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#237 of 365" /></a>Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-4896192504543497402009-08-25T21:39:00.003-04:002009-08-26T11:23:49.266-04:00Blue Springs<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3853965977/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2579/3853965977_f10432d9a8.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /><br />My friend <a href="http://razorfamilyfarms.com/">Lacy</a> invited me to a function her church had at a beautiful location where a natural spring bubbles up from the ground. It was truly lovely and the Episcopalians were very welcoming to their Baptist visitor.<br /><br />Let me emphasize that this photo doesn't do the location justice. It is a truly magical place.</p><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3854104845/" title="Blue Springs by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/3854104845_bdd43c22d3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Blue Springs" /></a><br />This is the mouth of the Blue Spring<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3854106397/" title="Pool by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3854106397_324bf629dd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Pool" /></a><br />This pool was created by the spring.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3854108033/" title="Trees and Ferns by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3854108033_47a8251818.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Trees and Ferns" /></a><br />I just thought this was pretty.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3854900108/" title="Ferns by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/3854900108_817454e95c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Ferns" /></a><br />There were many varieties of ferns there.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3854111641/" title="Blue Springs by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3487/3854111641_b8cfa4f21a.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Blue Springs" /></a><br />Here you can see where the Blue Spring gets its name.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3854113365/" title="Pool by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/3854113365_de7f9a0157.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Pool" /></a><br />This view is from the opposite side of the pool than the other photo.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3854115043/" title="Blue Springs by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2605/3854115043_91f4e8c5e4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Blue Springs" /></a><br />The photos truly don't do it justice.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3854907104/" title="Pretty Flowers by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2459/3854907104_0a285a07eb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Pretty Flowers" /></a><br />These pretty flowers were everywhere and provided a nice splash of color.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3854908926/" title="Magnolia Seed Pods by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/3854908926_b01907617b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Magnolia Seed Pods" /></a><br />These are magnolia pods. This place must be beautiful in the spring.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3854120069/" title="Creek by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3854120069_70c77c0eeb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Creek" /></a><br />This is the creek leading away from the mouth of the spring.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3854121755/" title="Dragonfly over the Creek by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2447/3854121755_bbb4e3e014.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Dragonfly over the Creek" /></a><br />See the dragonfly near the center of the photo. He was hanging out on the plants over the creek.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3854913696/" title="Ferns by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/3854913696_463fcd6507.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Ferns" /></a><br />There were ferns everywhere. They were so pretty.<br /><br />You can click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/sets/72157622011784515/show/">here</a> for a fullscreen slideshow of the photos. Worth it!Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-39737223632750743652009-08-19T23:42:00.003-04:002009-08-19T23:46:42.486-04:00Wordless Wednesday - Click the Picture for a Description<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3821593169/" title="#224 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2451/3821593169_52738d30cf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#224 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3821591779/" title="#225 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3524/3821591779_4f13b8c74a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#225 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3824518081/" title="#226 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2616/3824518081_b9a3da6230.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#226 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3829103444/" title="#227 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3829103444_b4337439f1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#227 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3831809577/" title="#228 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/3831809577_5f21a863ea.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#228 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3838998932/" title="#229 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3485/3838998932_2759983ddc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#229 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3838210103/" title="#230 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3434/3838210103_7c000356fd.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="#230 of 365" /></a>Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-82482727362739641682009-08-13T00:40:00.002-04:002009-08-13T00:43:35.778-04:00Wordless Wednesday - Click the Picture for a Description<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3809507549/" title="#220 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2620/3809507549_c6e37faacb.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="#220 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3809509391/" title="#221 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2513/3809509391_8fd5002ab6.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="#221 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3816199759/" title="#222 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2486/3816199759_82e85dffb2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#222 of 365" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3817013264/" title="#223 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2575/3817013264_95261f7e9b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#223 of 365" /></a>Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-29895200209680752802009-08-09T00:05:00.005-04:002011-03-18T22:42:32.859-04:00Where you do the clicking.I'm so behind in posting pics. Click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3731495688/in/set-72157611961239611/">here</a> to catch up with my 365 project. From there you can click on the next photo in the little browse window on the right.<br /><br />I also took a trip to South Carolina for week of vacation. You can see those pictures <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/sets/72157621753644508/">here</a>. There are descriptions under each of the photos.<br /><br />The only yarn store within 90 minutes had a going out of business sale last Saturday. <a href="http://knitwitarmywife.blogspot.com/">Laurie</a> and <a href="http://www.randomstitches-lacey.blogspot.com/">Lacey</a> and I went. See pictures <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/sets/72157621803923843/">here</a> of all our fun.<br /><br />Tomorrow we get a new group of two-year-olds in Sunday School. Every year I get nervous and excited. We so loved our class last year. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3783769402/" title="#213 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/3783769402_599ec33055.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#213 of 365" /></a><br />It's hard to leave them to go to a new group, but we know we'll love them, too. I made them Jello Jigglers. I hope they like them.<br /><br />I'll post some knitting updates soon. I've finished a few things that I haven't even gotten into ravelry yet. See, it's not just the blog I'm neglecting. You know, it's all facebook's fault!Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641236930531372335.post-22925797636120751302009-07-18T00:42:00.001-04:002009-07-18T00:48:43.059-04:00Wordless Friday - Wait, What?<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3706250522/" title="#189 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3706250522_f020b4f633.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#189 of 365" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3708116939/" title="#190 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/3708116939_5957b16bc6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#190 of 365" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3710919261/" title="#191 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3710919261_a0266ce663.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#191 of 365" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3715558660/" title="#192 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2465/3715558660_d313fd347d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#192 of 365" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3718529871/" title="#193 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/3718529871_8319164f20.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="#193 of 365" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3722141567/" title="#194 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/3722141567_2edbb5c7c6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#194 of 365" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollysutherland/3731494650/" title="#195 of 365 by Holly S., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/3731494650_6b34c943a5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="#195 of 365" /></a>Holly S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16682578423502499143noreply@blogger.com1