Donna Lynn's Blog

I'm a 34 yr old, happily married woman with the 2 most wonderful doggies in the world! I live in Florida and love all types of crafting! Right now my fave thing to do with my hands is crochet!!!


Friday, April 21, 2006

Losing a loved one to cancer

Many of you already know this, but for those of you who do not, my mom died of cancer when she was 44 years old, just 3 days after my 15th birthday. I grew up in a typical family and we were very close. It was beyond difficult saying goodbye to her and to this day I still cry myself to sleep because I miss her so much. She had cancer of the common bowl duct (pancreatic) and that combined with hepatitis and yellow jaundice made her last 3 months alive almost unbearable for her. She never believed this would take her life so she never prepared any of us for this event. After she passed on I clung to my Aunt Ruth (my dads sister.) Her and my mom were more than sister in laws, they were like me and my sister in law, Tina. They were truly closer than blood sisters. My Aunt Ruth became a surrogate mother for me and it was comforting to spend time with her. Only 6 short years later (shortly before my 21st birthday) she died of a blood clot after bypass surgery. These 2 events made it very difficult for me as I felt like everytime I got close to someone they died. Cancer has always been a hard thing for me to stomach when I find out someone I know has it. When one of my best friends, Michelle, found out that she had breast cancer she was so upbeat, positive and such a witness for God that she amazed me. I saw her go through losing her beautiful hair, painful radiation and surgeries with a smile on her face and nothing but grace. I moved away from Michigan during the last 2 years of her life. When I found out that she finally succomed to it I was just devistated. Cancer is something we try not to talk about at home as it makes everyone in my family get upset.

Well, last month our dishwasher broke down so I called up our landlord and let him know. He said he was really sick and if I'd just go buy a new one and take that amount out of the rent that would be great. I really didn't think much about it til his son in law came by for the rent check and we found out that he was in the hospital. So my DH and I went to see him while he was there and he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It about knocked me over. Hearing those words again opened up all these old wounds. Now, we aren't super good friends with the landlord, but he's a nice older man and we've been renting from him since we got married 5 years ago and have spent time here and there with him. I called him today to see how he was doing and he told me that after 2 weeks of them picking and prodding at him the prognosis wasn't good and that he decided to come home and just "do what I'm gonna do". Which of course I interpret as live until I die. It's been a very emotional day for me today. Once again I see this horrible thing take away someone else for no good reason.

I pray that you never lose a loved one to cancer. I pray that you never have to see those you love waste away to nothing. I hope that your children will not have to go through what I did. I don't have much more to say at the moment. I hope tomorrow that I will be a little stronger and be able to deal with this better. I'm no good to him if I break down in front of him. Thanks for listening...

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Dreams of Harry Potter

Ok, I know this is weird, but for the past 2 nights I have dreamed of nothing but Harry Potter. Maybe it's because I took myself off Elavil (which counteracted with my rapid heartbeat) but really, not taking it should make me stay awake. Yes, I have been listening to the Harry Potter audio books at work but geez. I remember the night before last clear as a bell, but last nights is a little more foggy. Regardless, I'm waking up with headaches again (which the Elavil did help) and so I don't know which is worse. It would be nice to not take any medicines regularly...

I'm on my 2nd listen thru to the books and am currently about 1/2 way through the Half Blood Prince. It's amazing how many things you miss the first time around. After this I think I'll take a Harry Potter break and listen to the Lord of the Rings on Audiobook. I just picked up "The Hobbit" from the Library this week and a few other things. It's hard though. Since listening to these audio books and Jim Dale's talented voice, it's hard to go back to anything else.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Simple Lacy Scrunchy (for beginners)


I wore all white yesterday and realized I didn't have a simple white scrunchy without any other colors in it so I quick made this up. It's super simple and a great project for beginners to both crochet and/or thread. This pattern has not been tested, so please let me know if you find any errors.


Simple Lacy Scrunchy


Materials : Size 0 steel hook
Small amount of size #3 crochet cotton
Elastic Goody (the color of the thread you are using.)


Round 1: Join thread to elastic band with a slip knot. CH 1, SC 50 times around the elastic band. Join with a slip stitch to first SC.

Round 2: CH 2, HDC in same stitch. 2 HDC in next SC and in each SC across. Join with a slip stitch to first HDC. Fasten off and weave in ends.


This is my original pattern. Please do not copy this pattern and publish on your blog, website or other method. If you wish to reference it, please link back to this page. Thanks so much!

Thank you Fairy Godmother!



When I got home last night there was a package waiting for me! It was marked "Fairy Godmother" so I figured I had been RAOKed! When I opened it I screamed in delight! I love Tweety Bird and can never have enough storage for my cd's! Thank you so much whoever you are! You made my day!!!

Monday, April 17, 2006

Counting down the days til vacation!

Well, it's official, 1 week til vacation!!! I am soooo excited as this will be my first paid vacation since my honeymoon in 2001! I will not be going anywhere special but will enjoy the peace and quiet of my home and spending lots of time with my doggies! Doug graduates from college on the 29th so of course I'll have a lot to keep me busy throughout the week. I have to buy all the decorations, get the house cleaned, get his suit dry cleaned, steam his gown, get the doggies groomed, take care of ordering food for the party and of course making his cake. I already told him that Mon and Tues I will devote to running errands (I also have a couple of Dr's appts those days) but Wed , Thurs and Fri I will NOT get in my car and will probably not even get dressed! Tee Hee! It's going to be sooooo nice to be at home and relax! My daily commute for work has gotten longer with the addition of a new traffic light so I drive an hour each way to work and I only like 17.6 miles away! It's insane! Trust me, I have tried every possible short-cut, alternative route, you name it. There are just too many people trying to get around the streets of Ocala these days.

I'm still trying to figure out what to do for food for the party. It won't be large, maybe 20 people but I don't want the hassle of cooking and cleaning. We were thinking of having Lee's cater it, but they usually require a 50 person minimum. If you don't have a Lee's Fried Chicken where you live, you are missing out. The best chicken I have ever had and quite reasonable. We may just end up buying a couple large buckets or something. Then I have to figure out what kind of cake I'm making. I want it to be spectacular but tasty too. It'll more than likely be a tiered cake but I am still trying to figure out the layout in my mind.

The doggies will be so happy that mommy will be home with them all week! When we first adopted Tweety I wasn't working so when I did go back to work she had a rough time at first. In fact, to this day, if we don't close the bedroom door, she'll poop on our bed. She's fine in the living room. Doesn't get into anything and very rarely has an accident, but I'm quite certain after vacation is over she'll make a statement about me being gone. Fozzy has always been a great doggie and usually never has accidents. You could leave a steak on the floor and leave for hours and he wouldn't touch it. He's a very well adjusted doggie but he's a mama's boy. It'll be nice to stay home and play with them all day!

Of course going on vacation means more work. I will have a lot of things to do on Friday and Saturday and I'm quite certain I'll have a bunch more to do when I get back. Things never do get done as needed when you're gone. Oh well. My cell phone will be turned off and I'll be able to forget this place for a week! Cannot wait!

Of course the best part about my hubby's graduation is that we'll actually have time to spend together again. He works, goes to school and studies so much we rarely have time together. It'll be nice to get him back!

If anyone has any suggestions for the party or anything, please comment away! I welcome all suggestions!

Sunday, April 16, 2006

I'm a 44

I spotted this on my friend Lucy's blog so I'm sharing it here. Very intersting! I'm a 44 and it's pretty accurate! Take this test and let me know if it was accurate for you as well.

Below is Dr Phil's test. (Dr. Phil scored 55; he did this test on Oprah - she got a 38.) Some folks pay a lot of money to find this stuff out! Read on, this is very interesting! Don't be overly sensitive! The following is pretty accurate and it only takes 2 minutes. Take this test for yourself . Don't peek, but begin the test as you scroll down and answer. Answers are for who you are now...... Not who you were in the past. Have pen or pencil and paper ready. This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and prospective employees. It's only 10 Simple questions, so...grab a pencil and paper, Keeping track of your letter answers to each question.

1. When do you feel your best? A) in the morning B) during the afternoon ∧ early evening C) late at night

2. You usually walk... A) fairly fast, with long steps B) fairly fast, with little steps C) less fast head up, looking the world in the face D) less fast, head down E) very slowly

3. When talking to people you.. A) stand with your arms folded B) have your hands clasped C) have one or both your hands on your hips D) touch or push the person to whom you are talking E) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair

4. When relaxing, you sit with.. A) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side B) your legs crossed C) your legs stretched out or straight D) one leg curled under you

5. When something really amuses you, you react with.. A) big appreciated laugh B) a laugh, but not a loud one C) a quiet chuckle D) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you... A) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you B) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know C) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...... a) welcome the break b) feel extremely irritated c) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colors do you like most? a) Red or orange b) black c) yellow or light blue d) green e) dark blue or purple f) white g) brown or gray

9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are.. a) stretched out on your back b) stretched out face down on your stomach c) on your side, slightly curled d) with your head on one arm e) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are... a) falling b) fighting or struggling c) searching for something or somebody d) flying or floating e) you usually have dreamless sleep f) your dreams are always pleasant

POINTS:
1. (a) 2 (B) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (B) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (B) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (B) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (B) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (B) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (B) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (B) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (G) 1
9. (a) 7 (B) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1
10. (a) 4 (B) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.
OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should "handle with care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you. 51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.
41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and under standing; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.
31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.
21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.
UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions &who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren't.