Tragic News

Today I learned that one of my Crochetville friends was killed in a car accident. I never met her in person but we e-mailed several times and did several trades. She was such a sweetheart. I know it sounds weird that I would be upset about someone I never met, but she was a special lady. We all knew something was wrong. She hadn't been on in quite awhile and then someone found out and posted it today. Her screen name was Shelain22 and she will be missed. God got a blessed angel when He took her. If you pray, please pray for her family. She has 4 children who will grow up without a mommy.

I lost my mom when I was 15 so I know what kind of a scar that can leave. Her children were much younger.

I had some other things to post here today but when I heard this news I didn't want to. I will post about them hopefully tomorrow.

Bubblegum Princess Purse (Pattern)

This is my original pattern. Please do not sell this pattern but feel free to make copies for friends if needed. If you make this pattern and post it to your website or blog, please link back to me! Thank You! -- Donna Lynn

I finally wrote up the pattern and hope you like it. It can be made easily within a couple of hours. This pattern has not been tested yet so please let me know if you find any mistakes!

Materials:
Size H Hook
1 skein Nobo yarn (or similar)
Small amount of eyelash yarn (Fun Fur type)
1 pearl & beaded Purse Handle
Tapestry needle
Stitch Marker

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Round 1: With Nobo Yarn CH 17. HDC in 2nd CH from hook and across to last CH. 3 HDC in last CH. Now working on opposite side in unused loops of CH, HDC in each loop across to last loop. 3 HDC’s in last loop. (Place a stitch marker in 2nd of 3 HDC’s on each end.)

Round 2: HDC in each HDC around working 3 HDC’s in each HDC with stitch marker. (Move stitch markers to same stitch on current row.)

Round 3: HDC in each HDC around.

Rounds 4-15: Repeat round 3

Rounds 16&17: HDC in first 3 HDC’s, ***2HDCTOG in next 2 stitches, HDC in next 3 HDC’s.*** Repeat around. Fasten off Nobo Yarn.

Round 18: With Eyelash Yarn, join in any HDC. HDC in each stitch around. Fasten off and weave in ends.

With tapestry needle stitch purse handles on the insides of each end of purse.

Tingling in my hand/arm

For the past 2 weeks I have been noticing quite a bit of tingling in my arms and hands. It's been more so in the left than right. It only happens for moments at a time then goes away but I'll bet it happens approx 2 dozen times a day at least. I haven't said anything about it to anyone because I am so afraid of having to have surgery and having to give up my crocheting and such for such a long time. Both my sister and brother have had to have Carpal Tunnel Surgery done on both hands. My sister does data entry and my brother is a body man (works on cars). My sister's surgery was easy and she recovered quickly. My brother was in a lot of pain and it took him awhile to recover. Not only am I afraid to know what happening for all these reasons but with work as well. Right now I have the nerve damage in my leg which has limited some of my job responsibilites until it gets better. My bosses understand why I can go marketing right now but they are not pleased about it. Not to mention the fact that I do have a messed up back from a few years ago when I fell and of course the constant migraines I get which I can't take anything for as my DH and I are trying for a baby. If I have anything else wrong with me I don't think I'll be able to take it.

On top of all of this both the oven and dishwasher in our home are not working correctly. I am a baker and a half. I got my baking talent from my mom and not tooting my own horn here but I make some pretty darn good desserts. Anyway, for the past few weeks every single thing I have made has not turned out. The first 2 times I honestly thought it was this new glass pan I had but last weekend I made foolproof brownies and the same thing again. It's like the oven isn't getting hot enough or something. Sure enough, I put in a Tombstone Pizza yesterday and it ALWAYS takes 15 mins on 400 and it's perfect. Yesterday I had to cook it for almost 20 and the middle was still not quite done. Well then we noticed that all the dishes we just washed weren't clean and inside there was crud in the dishwasher that should have rinsed away. We went ahead and ran it again and the same thing happened so I just spent 30 mins killing my back and my left hand tingling the whole time hand washing dishes. Now I have to call the landlord and tell him of the problems. He's not going to be happy as he just replaced the stove not more than a year ago as the old one went out. UGH! We honestly are really good tenants and do most little repairs ourself. We only call him if it's something that's going to cost a bit of money or something. I mean, we have replaced the screen door on the porch and the handle/lock on the glass doors ourselves. We aren't going to call him about piddly stuff but still...

I have spent most of today cleaning my room. I am such a pack rat and have a hard time putting things away when I'm finished with them. Well my desk has been a disaster area for months now so I have been cleaning it all day. It's finally done! All the drawers are cleaned out and organized and there's actually room to write and such! WOW! Wanna make a bet on how long it'll stay this way? Of course I haven't even started on the rest of the room yet! Just another wonderful Sunday for me... I cannot wait for my vacation next month. I am sooooo tired of working 6 days a week I cannot even tell you!

Ok, I'm done complaining for now. If you've hung in this long, God Bless You! Having this blog is wonderful therapy for me. I can complain without having to force someone to listen to me... Hopefully I'll be my old cheerful self tomorrow...

Details from Crochet Class #2

Well this week I had 4 students. 3 adults and one tween. It was a lot more fun than the first class but I honestly think it's because 4 was much easier to teach than 5. This class lasted a bit longer than the first class but I didn't just say "Class is over" at 6pm. We hung around til everyone felt comfortable taking their items home and working on them there.

The tween had a hard time at first as she could do the stitches but she had no idea how to hold her hook and the yarn and such. Once she got that down pat she was good to go. I showed her how to actually do a scarf instead of the cozy. Everyone else had a really good start on their cozies by the time they left.

I am still debating whether or not to have a class next weekend or not. I think I need a breather so I will probably do the next one on the weekend of the 7th.

I am planning to teach the small Easter Egg Pillow that a fellow Crochetviller created. It's small, relatively easy and neat to make.

Getting ready for Crochet Class #2

Well, my 2nd crochet class is this afternoon. I only know of 3 people that have signed up so if they all show up it'll be a nice, small group. I'm not completely pleased with Hobby Lobby at the moment. When I went into the store Wednesday to see if anyone else had signed up, I couldn't find my easel or sign up board anywhere. I was told they moved them all to the back by the classroom as the wind kept blowing them over by the door. I expected them to be "up" by the classroom but they weren't. They were all in a big pile on the floor! Ummmm, how are people supposed to know about classes if the signups are in a pile on the floor? There are plenty of places they can put these in the store without being by the door where customers will see them. I'll have a talk with the manager this week about placement.

That's about it for today. Just a lazy, boring Saturday.

What does your birthdate mean?

This is totally accurate for me! Weird!

Your Birthdate: June 30

You have the type of personality that people either love or hate. You're opinionated, dramatic, intense, and very outspoken. And some people can't get enough of you - they're totally addicted. Others, well, they wish you were a little more reserved. Your strength: Your flair Your weakness: If you think it, you say it Your power color: Scarlet red Your power symbol: Inverted triangle Your power month: March

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Another Workplace Rant!

With the business that I'm in I deal with deadbeats. I am the manager of a cash advance store so I have a lot of customers who obviously cannot pay their bills and come to me for cash til their next paydays. 90% of my customers are good people and always pay off on time, however there are the exceptions and then good customers that go bad. One of my customers is a 20-something married woman who works full time and never seems to have enough money. Her DH also works and they seem very nice. A few months ago she told me how she and her DH were trying to have a baby and that when she did get pregnant she would quit work. I couldn't help but think "If she has to come in here for money all the time, how in the world can they afford a child and have only one income?" Well, sure enough after several good transactions she had an excuse as to why she couldn't pay on time. Being as nice as I am I agreed to let her make payments til it was paid off. She agreed to $20 a paycheck and the first couple of times she came in with her payment then all of a sudden she wasn't there. It's been over 3 weeks and nothing. I remember the last time I saw her she told me she was going to Hawaii for her sisters wedding and would be in with a payment on March 8th when she returned. It's now the 20th and I have not seen her nor can I get a hold of her. I finally reached her on her cell this morning and again I got every excuse you can think of and then some. Finally I had enough and went past my breaking point. I simply said to her "why in the world are you actively trying for a baby when you can't make a $20 payment a week to me?" at this she went nuts and started crying and screaming on the phone telling me not to judge her. Hmmmm, am I wrong or is this what is wrong with America today? Sure people get pregnant and I am thankful for those who don't have abortions but instead keep them however I'm not talking about "accidental pregnancies". I'm talking about people who can't afford to keep their phones turned on but have child after child and end up going on welfare in the end. Judging her? Maybe I am, but I can't see how a responsible person could think that way.

My DH and I have been trying for a baby for 2 years now with no success. If we were to have a child today it would be very difficult for us financially but we would be able to make do. There's a reason we didn't try to have a baby right at the start of our marriage, it's called NO MONEY! It just seems like people think that a baby will solve all their problems when in fact it causes more and more.. Maybe I am a bad person for juding this customer of mine who does have a lot of love to give a child, but I am tired of paying for every woman in America to sit on their behinds and have child after child while I work 6 days a week to keep food on the table...

Princess Purse

I whipped this up the other day and am quite pleased with it. I used the NoBo yarn I got at Wal-Mart on clearance for $1 a skein (took almost 1 whole skein) as well as the 80cent purse handles from JoAnns on clearance and some white eyelash yarn I had in my stash. This pretty purse cost me less than $2 to make! I am going to make another one I think. I went back into JoAnn's and got a few more of the purse handles and I still have plenty of the NoBo yarn. Keep checking back as I will post the pattern hopefully within a week or 2.

My first Crochet Class!

Well, my first crochet class at the Hobby Lobby has come and gone and I'm pretty pleased with how it went! I had 5 of the 8 that signed up come and they seemed to enjoy it. I had a little difficulty teaching the youngest student there. She was a teenager and is left handed, but wasn't sure which hand to use. We tried both and she had problems just getting the chain going right. After closer examination I realized that she would wrap the yarn around the hoook differently each time and would take her finger and literally push the loops off the hook that way. It was obvious that she was "knitting" with a crochet hook which is what I did when my mom tried teaching me years ago with my left hand! Her and her mom may come back to my next class for follow up. I hope they do as I really want everyone to leave not only getting their moneys worth, but with a confidence that "they can do it!"

The pollen count right now is very high and my poor DH who suffers from allergies has been miserable all weekend. I have just started getting allergies and it has really been bothering me as well. Hopefully we'll get some rain this week which will help.

Friday I finally finished listening to the last of the Hatty Potter audiobooks and cannot wait for the last one to come out. This last book was probably my least favorite. It was just so dark and went in a different direction than the others. I was pretty disappointed in the "Goblet of Fire" movie as well. Dobie the house elf who was a huge part of the book was not anywhere in the movie. I also didn't like how the movie didn't show Harry at his aunt and uncles house at the beginning. It's great comic fodder seeing his Uncle getting what he deserves and they just left this out of the movie. I understand they cannot possibly fit every item in the book into the movie, but I thought it was done rather poorly. I'm anxious to see how this last book plays out without Dumbledore. He'll probably be up in a portrait on the wall offering help to Harry but it will definately be different.

New Shawl and Stoles Finished!

I've been as busy as a bee this week. I finally finished Dot's "Lacy Fans Stole" and love the way it turned out! I also finished the Rose Filet Shawl. This was my first attempt at Filet. It was super easy but I had a hard time seeing the rose in the finished product. I'm going to add some fringe and am planning to wear it to the big black tie dinner with my DH next weekend.

My first crochet class at Hobby Lobby is tonite and I'm excited. I love sharing this wonderful form of art and relaxation and hope my students are just as excited when they leave my class.

DH and I watched "Just Like Heaven" last night and it was a fantastic movie! Probably one of the best Romantic Comedies we've seen in awhile. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it.

We also watched the new Harry Potter movie this week. Very disappointing. I am a huge fan of the audiobooks and was looking forward to this movie. The book version is sooooo much better than the movie, they just had to chop so much out of the movie.

News from the weekend

Well my DH's niece, Katy, got married on Saturday. Here's a pic of us before the wedding. It turned out nice so I thought I would add it. (The poncho was made with Yarn Bee Soft Delights yarn in "Pink" and I used the Quick and Quirky Q Hook pattern which was way simple to use. My only suggestion? If using this yarn beware, as it sheds worse than a cat!)

So the wedding was Saturday. Let's just say it was interesting. If you'd like to see the pics I took click here to see my photo album on Photobucket.

We took home our "new" little doggie from the wedding Saturday and it soon became evident that we would not be able to keep him. He sheds incredibly and we learned shortly after getting home that my DH is allergic. It's a shame as he's such a cutie, but we are sure we'll find him a good home.

My first Crochet Class is this Saturday at Hobby Lobby. I'm super excited about it and hope it goes well. Wish me luck! I have a couple more people signed up so I'll at least make some extra money this weekend!

Was anyone else disgusted by the Oscars last night? The little "spoof" they did on Brokeback Mountain showing all the old Hollywood Westerns and cliping portions and such to make it look like all the old westerns were "gay cowboys" was offensive and disgusting. I'm quite certain that John Wayne, Charlton Heston and others shown would also be offensed by this. I have nothing against those who are gay. I have gay friends. However, the Bible is very clear on this matter and the last time I checked I live in America. The Constitution was written upon religious beliefs. Our founding fathers were Christians and active members of their churches. I'm sorry, but now that Brokeback Mountain has won all these awards, it's "normal" to be gay and go to gay movies. I am sorry, but I cannot stomach it and am very upset about it. I'm tired of my religious rights being affected while those of every minority group get more and more. I'm sure many people won't like my opinions, but it's what I believe. Again, I'm not here to tell a gay person that they will burn in hell, but I cannot condone it either. I am saddened by what has become of this world. Watch closely as Jesus will be coming again soon. The worse things get, the closer Armegeddon will be. (Ok, enough of the preaching. I had to get that off my chest!)

Shocking News!

As I was driving to work today listening to 97.3 The Sky FM (as I do most mornings) I was shocked when I heard a news story about Terry Bellows. I used to work with him at K-Country and he has been working in the mornings with Mr. Bob for years. Supposedly he's been indicted on kiddie porn charges. I was aghast about this and quickly switched over to K-Country and sure enough Mr. Bob was all alone. There was no mention of Terry at all. When I got to work I checked out the K-Country website and it was the same story there. It's like he'd been erased from memory.

Considering how I worked for Mr. Bob while in K-Country's employ I got a little sense of satisfaction knowing how much trouble this would cause him not just in having to get a new co-host but Terry RAN that morning show. Now Mr. Bob will actually have to do some work for a change on his own! Knowing Terry I must say I'm shocked. He's one of the nicest people you'd ever meet and whether or not this is true my heart does go out to him as regardless of the outcome, I think it's safe to say his career in broadcasting is over.

Of course when my DH heard the news he called me and said "now that there's an opening over there again why don't you call Mr. Bob"? He quickly rethought this and took it back. I would much rather be poor and happy than to make good money and work for someone who treats you like crud and micro-manages you to death. Now, don't get me wrong, I miss radio every day but I do NOT miss working for Mr. Bob. He was so disrespectful of me and only cared about himself. I was the "night" jock and knowing this he would wake me up nearly every morning yelling at me about this or that, never taking into consideration that I may have been asleep. Not to mention that he didn't feel like my "home" time was valuable to me. Every day I was in fear of what he'd get mad at me for this time and started not answering the phone when it rang for fear he was calling to harass me about something else he heard or saw. I think the power of being PD went to his head as when I worked as his morning show co-host in New York he was never this rude to me. I enjoyed working with him and looked forward to work every day I was his co-host but boy did that change when I started working FOR him. Heck, he has gone through so many co-hosts and such it's crazy. I don't know how poor Terry put up with it for all these years.

So as I am shocked by this news, again, I can't help but smile thinking about all the work that Mr. Bob will find himself doing now. Of course, I guess I shouldn't smile too much as he'll probably over-work poor Lewis, Red and Doug with all of Terry's workload. He'll continue to work 5 hour days and make everyone else work 12. Not to mention he'll still take off every Christmas and New Years while making everybody else work those days. Bitter? Yep, I think I am, but I have a right to be... I had the #1 ratings and was sacked. People still see me in Wal-Mart and such and tell me how much they miss me and that they won't listen to K-Country anymore since I'm not there. Not that I'm trying to toot my own horn, but I believe I was better than Leia and Delilah. I guess the company thought their money was better spent on billboards than on a #1 rated host...

Terry, I hope these alligations are not true and if they are, I hope you know that I'll be praying for you.

I got my contacts!!!

Well I finally got my contact lens' last night! It only took me a few mins to get them in but almost 30 mins to take them out. I was finally able to go home with them and after being home for only an hour it was almost time for bed so I proceeded to start taking them out. It took me well over 2 hours of trying to do it. My eyes are very deep set and I don't have the daintiest hands in the world so it wasn't easy but I finally did it. This morning I wasn't able to get them in before work but got them in within 15 mins of trying at work. Everything is still quite fuzzy and weird looking but I was told it could take a few days for my eyes to adjust. I do remember when I got my progressive lens glasses last year that it took almost a week before I could walk without feeling like I was going to fall over so I'm struggling to adjust to this. They have me in mono-vision so my left eye is for up close and my right eye is for distance. It's especially hard since my left eye has been dominant and now with these lens' my right eye will have to learn to be dominate instead. It's funny because if I cover my left eye I can see distance great but not close up and if I cover my right eye it's just the opposite but put them together and everything is fuzzy. I hope I adjust soon as it's a pain trying to crochet like this!

I am busy working on making a rose filet shawl to wear to the big black tie dinner with my DH in a couple of weeks. This is my first time doing filet and I originally started with Aunt Lydia's Size 3 thread but after completing 8 rows I didn't like the look or feel of it so I have switched to Caron's SS in red. I hope it looks good when finished!

Oh and the really good news is that I have some people signed up for my Crochet Class at Hobby Lobby! I am super excited about teaching my passion to others. Wish me luck! I am planning on offering intermediate classes in April and still have to decide what I'll be teaching that class. I will probably make that one at least a 2 week class as items that are harder to do will have more questions and more need for follow up help so I'm working out all that. These first beginners classes will really help get me going and I am just really hoping that they are a success and everyone will like getting instructions from me. WISH ME LUCK!!!