Donna Lynn's Blog

Update and my latest FO!

2008-09-28T18:38:00.003-04:00

Yikes, I haven't updated my blog in over a month! I have no excuse except blog neglect... Lock me up and throw away the key!

I just finished this project last weekend and love it! It's from Lion Brand's Vintage patterns for today book (the pattern on the cover) and even though it didn't turn out like the pattern called for I actually love it! I still don't have a clue what I did wrong, but it was somehow something I did when I sewed it together. So instead of a kind of vest, it turned into a kind of shrug. Oh well, I call this my "Happy Accident!"

Doug and I have been really busy with work and trying to get our foster license. I think we are getting close to the end of everything. Fingers crossed that our next visit will kind of at least tell us where we are and what else we need to do...

Weight Watchers at work ended last week and my total weight loss is 27 pounds! I was very happy to finally get past the 25 pound mark! Now I just have to keep watching what I eat and remember this is for life, not a diet and that I can do this, even without the weekly meetings!

My mother in law and I have been having lots of fun painting ceramics and my first piece should be completed this week! There is this cute little ceramic place about 20 mins away from where we live and they have classes and everything and will help you if you need it but the first thing I made was a little fishy for our bathroom. He should be all fired and I can't wait to see him! I'll post a picture once I pick him up! I just finished painting a Tweety Bird which I need to drop off and have him fired and then I'll glaze him and he'll be really cute! There wasn't a lot of detail to him so he wasn't too bad. There are a couple of really neat chess pieces that I want to do for Doug for Christmas but they involve quite a bit of detail and I need to get some kind of magnification to do it with my crappy eyes! LOL

Well, that's it from here for the moment! For my friends who have facebook, don't forget to look me up! I'm on there now!

My Gold Medal Porjects for the Crochet Olympics!

2008-08-22T22:22:00.002-04:00

Well this is the "Drops Circle Jacket" that I've been wanting to make for well over a year now. It was a pain and I had several rows that I had to frog and re-do but in the end, I am extremely happy with the end result! This was made with 3 strands of thread held together and a size J hook so it worked out very nicely. I opted not to make the sleeves and didn't do the button closure since I would rather close it with a pin.

This is my Pineapple Shawl! It's actually a doily pattern that I converted into a shawl by simply using larger yarn and a larger hook. I used Bernat Softee Baby and a size J hook. This one also gave me a few troubles but after getting through a couple of tough rounds it came together nicely.

A few FO's!

2008-08-09T19:17:00.003-04:00

Yes I know, I have been lax with my blog lately... Ok, so I've been very busy and have actually completed a few very nice things so here they are!!!

This was made for one of our engineers at work. He and his wife just welcomed their 2nd child into the world a couple of weeks ago, a little girl. I actually made this out of odds and ends of baby yarn and think it turned out lovely. It's a basic shell pattern and I got it from CPC. I believe the pattern name was something like 5 day newborn blankie or something like that.

Here's a close-up of the stitches:

This one I just love! It's actually a pattern for a chair back and I stumbled across it on Ravelry and someone else had decided to take the pattern and instead of a little hook and thread, she used WW yarn and a larger hook and came up with a shawl so I decided to give it a try! It only took me about 48 hours to complete it and I just love it! I had some baby yarn in my stash and used that. I think it actually would look better all one color and it shows off the pineapples better when I'm not wearing white underneath it but at least you get the idea! This is the back view:

And the front... I used a nice pin to keep it closed during the day. It's nice at work to keep the chill off my shoulders!

And finally a one skein project that worked up in a couple of hours. I got the pattern from the latest issue of Crochet! and used a skein of Red Heart Rasta I think... I made it for Weight Watchers... Our WW group at work's leader always takes our name tags, puts them in a bag at the end of each meeting and draws a name for a prize. Well, she always forgets to bring a bag so every week she has to go into the cabinet and take apart a brand new package with the books and stuff in it to get a drawstring bag out just to draw names and I thought, geez, it's nothing to make a little drawstring bag. So I made it for her and she was tickled pink! I love the colors of that yarn but I swear it's made with bits of straw or something. It's the harshest feeling yarn I've ever felt...

My favorite room in the house!

2008-08-02T00:19:00.003-04:00

THE GARAGE!!!

I know, that sounds a little weird but here goes... We have a really cool garage! As you can see from the pictures below it's got the really nice screens on it so if we have the garage door open it's almost like a Florida room. Not to mention the all-weather carpeting which makes it very nice out there. (These pics were taken the day we moved in a year ago. It looks a lot different now!)

We have several things out there now (I need to take some new pictures) including 2 tables with lots of chairs (we play cards and stuff out there a lot), several cabinets which hold all of our board games, puzzles, playing cards, etc., as well as a full sized fridge which is stocked with cold beverages most of the time, a stereo, window A/C to keep it nice and cool on those very steamy hot afternoons and we even have an electronic dart board on the wall.

For the past few months I have really enjoyed going out there in the evenings to watch my movies on my portable DVD player and crochet. When it got too hot to crochet out there I started oil painting. I then started listening to audio books while I painted and now I go out there almost every night for at least an hour to paint and listen to one CD of an audio book that I'm listening to at the time. I esp love to go out there when we have one of our summer thunderstorms. It's so neat to watch it from the safety of the garage yet almost feel like you're outside.

What's funny is that this was originally supposed to be Doug's "getaway room" but he hardly ever went out there so I started to. I think eventually he'll start going out there. We'd like to put a small TV out there, run our dish service out there and once we buy new furniture put the love seat out there and he'd really like it out there then... But for now, every evening after dinner for about an hour, me and the doggies relax in the garage!!!

Has it been almost a month?

2008-07-25T19:40:00.003-04:00

Geez, I guess I've really been neglecting my blog, haven't I?

Ok, let's see what's been going on. We've been busy trying to get all of our paperwork together and our house all in order for the foster care process which in itself has been a lot of work. We've also been busy with work. Doug has had a couple of special assignments and ended up working quite a bit of overtime this month.

On the crochet front I whipped up a beautiful baby blanket for a co-worker who's wife just had a baby girl (will post a pic once I get it uploaded) and am working on a really pretty pineapple shawl which is about 3/4 of the way finished!

I've been spending a lot of time out in the garage painting. I finished the 2 paint by numbers sets that Doug got me for my birthday and I think I will get a new one this weekend. It's really nice in the evenings to go out there, listen to an audio book and paint. Fozzy and Tweety love to go out there with me and bark at the people who walk by and I esp love it when we get a nice storm, watching it from the safety of the garage. We had a really doozy of a storm last week that was so bad I had to put Fozzy in the house he about had a heart attack. Tweety doesn't even notice but he doesn't like storms. It was raining sideways, the wind was just blowing and the lighting and thunder was so loud but it was really cool to kind of watch it being outside but not being outside. It's really nice having those screen doors on the garage. I never knew how much I would love it out there but I do...

Today Doug and I went to Orlando and had a great time. We went to see "The Dark Knight" at the IMAX which was incredible and went to Giodorno's Pizza for their famous stuffed pizza. YUMMY! Last weekend I saw Mama Mia which was also fantastic! Pierce Brosnan should never ever sing in public again but everyone else was amazing in the film. I have a gift cert coming for Amazon and can't wait til it get's here so I can order the soundtrack.

My weight loss hasn't been good this month. So far I've gained 4.2 pounds back. UGH! I don't get it, I've been counting and really been careful but I have been going up. I'm sure that wonderful stuffed pizza I had today didn't help either but it was the first time I had it in almost 10 years. I really need to start walking in the evenings and start "moving" a little more. I also need to get diligient about making my breakfast for the week. On Sunday, If I make ahead of time breakfast burritos for the whole week (they are 5 points each how I make them) they are great for my first break in the morning and keep me satisfied til lunch then I'm fine, but if I don't, then I'll buy a muffin out of the machine which is just awful. I think one of those muffins is like 20 points or something insane like that. I must make my breakfast burritos on Sunday!!!!!

We have another 8 weeks left in this cycle of Weight Watchers and I really want to hit my 10% mark. I am still close even with the gain of 4 pounds. I really want to get it. Wish me luck!!!!

Just shy of 25!!!!

2008-07-01T17:17:00.003-04:00

So after weighing in at Weight Watchers tonite I was shocked to find out that I have now lost a total of 24.6 pounds! WOW!!!!!! Just .4 away from 25!!!! I still cannot believe that! I mean, 25 is a lot! My 10% goal is just around the corner and I'm really excited about hitting that mark so this is just really exciting!!!

I just wanted to share my good news!!!! Considering the wonderful Dairy Queen Ice Cream cake Doug got me for my Birthday I may gain a pound or 2 next week but let's keep our fingers crossed that I can keep this momentum going down!!!!!

My first 24 point Round Ripple!

2008-06-28T22:21:00.003-04:00

As many of you know, my step-sister, Jennifer has been in the hospital for several weeks now after her appendix burst. She's been going through a rough time trying to get better and I feel just awful that I'm all the way down here in Florida and since the only thing I could do was to make her something I thought a nice afghan for when she gets home would be comforting...

This took me 2 weeks to make and although I had some difficulties with it not wanting to lie flat, I finally worked it out and I am pleased with the way it turned out. I think it looks Christmasey even though there aren't any greens in it! Ah well, hopefully she'll like it!

I think I'd like to really carefully choose a cool color scheme for the next one I make. I think it's all about what colors you choose and how you arrange them as to how these end up looking...

21.4 pounds and 4 pant sizes down!!!!

2008-06-22T18:42:00.002-04:00

On Tuesday I was pleasantly surprised after getting on the scale at Weight Watchers and finding out that I not only FINALLY hit the 20 pound mark (after teetering near it for a month and a half!) but I surpased it!!!

I knew I had also lost a lost of inches since starting this journey and jokingly told Doug I thought it was about time I went and bought a new outfit. He actually looked at me and said "I think you deserve it." I was so thrilled to go shopping! It was so great to not have to go for the largest things on the rack like I used to! Anyway, I grabbed a bunch of stuff, went into the changing room and nothing I got fit! Everything I grabbed was too big! I couldn't believe how much I had gone down! After all was said and done I am officially down 4 pant sizes and 2 shirt sizes!!!!!

Doug took a couple of pics of me in my new outfit and for comparison's sake I also included a picture of me at the exact same time last year. I think I have toned down in my arms quite a bit and I've lost a lot in my face. I really need to find a way to get my calves to go down. They are still huge. It is hereditary. My grandma who is a toothpick has very large calves. So even though I'm 4 pant sizes down, it's only in shorts or capris because in blue jeans I cannot get the pant legs over my monster calves yet. UGH! So for now I'm forced to wear my oooober loose jeans until I can find a way to lose some weight in my calves...

Other than that I'm thrilled that this program is working for me and just wish Doug was having a better time with it. I know it helps that I stuck with going to the meetings. That really is helping to keep me on track!

Master Bathroom Pictures

2008-06-14T15:21:00.002-04:00

Well it only took me a couple of months to upload the pics and get them on my blog but here they are!!! Ok, these are the BEFORE pics... I don't whose brilliant idea it was to paint the walls different colors... UGH!!!

Me in the midst of paint...

My first attempt a a palm tree mural. As you can tell it was AWFUL!!!! I ended up painting over it and starting all over again!

Doug putting back fixtures...

These are the AFTER pics!!! As you can see I did a PALM TREE theme! I stenciled these on both sides of the bathroom door as well as the switch plate and on the cabinet doors over the toilet...

I really think the color brightens the whole room. Believe it or not, Doug picked lavendar! I wanted peach but he didn't. I like it though!

This was an awesome find! Since there are no windows in the bathroom it always seems so closed off. I happened to find these things called "Wallies" at Michaels which are little wallpaper things which you can re-position, put down, put back up, and so on and so forth and I saw this window and had to have it! It really makes the bathroom so much more open now!

And at last, my completed palm tree! This thing took me well over 25 hours of work! It was ALL done in free-hand and a lot of help from a really cool tutorial I found on You-Tube. It is so relaxing now when I take a bath with my palm tree and my window!!!! CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!!!!

Now it's on to the guest bathroom which we are going to paint peach (I already bought the paint) and will be doing in a sea-shell theme. I don't know when we'll get started on that but hopefully I'll post pictures much sooner than I did these!!!

Update!

2008-05-26T08:34:00.002-04:00

Hello! Gosh, I had no idea it had been a month since I updated my blog! Things have been so crazy that I just haven't had a moment to spare!

Well, we have finally finished ALL the foster classes! WOO-HOO for that! We still have several other steps to finish like our case worker coming for several home visits, I still have to take CPR and first Aid and we still have to finish getting the house in order, but at least the classes are behind us!!!

I've been working on graduation afghans and am just about finished!!! I still have a little bit of the trim to do on one afghan (which needs to be done by Friday, UGH!) but the one that I have to have done by next Saturday is complete so that's good! I am actually looking forward to the Crochet Summer Games this year so I can work on something just for me!!!

In other news, I'm down 19 pounds since joining Weight Watchers! I just can't get to the 20 pound mark! I am trying but I think I hit a plateau! This week I was also pretty bad too so I'm not looking forward to weighing in tomorrow but I know I need to get back on track. The good news is that I was finally able to get into a much smaller bathing suit!!!! I actually bought this neat bathing suit top at a consignment shop several months ago for like $5. It was so cute and I kept thinking maybe someday I'd be able to wear it. Well I tried it on yesterday again and I fit really nice! I bought a pair of nice bottoms to go with it from Wal-Mart and I had a really nice bathing suit and for the first time I felt comfortable enough to NOT have to wear one of those little skirt things to hide my belly! That was a big turning point for me!

Well that's about it from here, I just wanted to quickly post so that anyone who may read hopefully knows I'm still alive out here! I have tons of pics to share but I just haven't had the time to upload them. My bathroom turned out lovely and I can't wait to share those in the coming weeks! Hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend!

Foster Overload!!!

2008-04-26T16:35:00.003-04:00

Well, it's been a very intense week for me and Doug!

Last Saturday was our first MAPP class which is the class for regular fostering. It lasts 5 weeks (it usually lasts 10 but we are doing double classes to get through quicker which is great!) Then Monday thru Friday we took the Medical Foster Classes which was a full 40 hour intense class. There were 21 of us taking the class in this tiny little room so it was rather cramped but we got through it. Then today we had our 2nd MAPP class. WHOA!!!

In between all of that I started on the MOUNTAIN of paperwork we have to fill out. I literally spent 5 hours total filling out the paperwork they gave me in the first MAPP class so that I could give that to them today. Plus the homework they give you to do and all the other things we have to do on top of that to get the house in order! It's just insane!

We really have a much better understanding of what we are in for, what this is going to entail, esp with the medical aspect of it but we are both really looking forward to this. All we care about is taking care of a sick child. I know I will be crying and sad every time they have to leave my home when they go back to their parents but I'm doing this to give the child a place when they need one.

I cannot tell you just how excited we really are to do this! Within the next month I guess we'll be having our first home visit with the regular foster system caseworker so we'll have to get the crib all set up and such by then. It'll be hard looking at that empty crib waiting to fill it!

That's about it from here. I just thought I'd post an update!!!! Keep us in your thoughts and prayers!!!! We're gonna need it!!!!!!

Home Improvement Pics

2008-04-18T22:26:00.003-04:00

Ok, I finally got a few pics uploaded from my camera so I thought I would share a few:

This is the front of the house before we did anything to it.

Now in the pic you can't really tell but the front door was just awful. Whoever painted it the first time didn't put more than 1 coat of paint on it and even that was done badly. The trim was willy nilly put up there and it was all around due for a paint job. So I just repainted it and added some stenciling to it:

That's just the start! We have been working on the master bathroom and just as soon as I put the finishing touches on it and get pics taken I'll be sharing those as well!

Things I've been up to...

2008-04-04T21:11:00.002-04:00

Please forgive me for not updating my blog but things have been hectic to say the least!

Ok, first things first! Doug and I are both doing really well with Weight Watchers and I am happy to report that Doug has now lost 12 pounds and I have passed the 15 pound mark! The coolest thing of all for me is that I have gone down 2 pant sizes! I still cannot believe it!!!! I actually would be able to go down a third size if I could lose weight in my calves. I seem to be losing all my weight in my waist, stomach and face but my calves are huge (which unfortunately is a thing in my family so I need to start doing some excersizes to get them toned down a bit.)

In other news, Doug and I have been busy working on the house. 2 weeks ago we finally got our shed put up and I got the front door painted and stenciled. It's amazing how nice it looks now! This weekend we started on the master bathroom which started out 3 different colors! The geniuses who built this house thought each wall needed a different color. UGH! Actually, Doug picked the color out which is a nice Lavendar. I really wanted a peach color but Doug didn't so he picked this one. We got this neat wall paper mural which makes it look like there's a window in the bathroom (which there isn't) and on the other wall I'm thinking about painting a big palm tree (but I'm still a little uncertain about that!) We spent most of the day getting the bathroom cleaned out and got the first coat of paint on all the walls and the ceiling which I wanted to do to bring it all together. Tomorrow we will apply the 2nd coat and I hope to start painting the bathroom door as well. I want to do a stencil on that door as well but not the same one as the front door so I think I'm going to go to town and see if I can find something else I like that would go with the "palm tree" "outdoor" "relaxing" theme we have going in the bathroom.

On top of everything else, Doug and I started the foster process last week. We went to orientation for the regular foster classes and will be going through the medical training portion of it in a couple of weeks. It's amazing just how many things we have to do to not only get the house in order but the checks they have to put us through and stuff but it'll be so worth it to take care of a child who doesn't have anywhere else to go. We have a list of things and actually started getting things here and there. Since we are only going to take babies up to 2 years of age (at least to start out) we basically need everything. We have a crib and just got a nice changing table but need everything else. We got a lot of good information at orientation so we know kinda how things need to be in the house like where chemicals need to be stored and things like that. Since the people who had the house before us did medical fostering at least we're pretty confident that the house itself is up to code and such but it's just all the little things we have to worry about. We're hoping that if all goes well by Christmas we'll have a little one to share our home with! Please pray for us that this all works out and that we get everything taken care of!

Oh, and I'm also in the midst of 2 graduation afghans and a comfortghan for my mom. Her mom just passed away and I wanted to make her something that would cheer her up. I've been working on squares here and there yesterday and today while I take breaks from painting and have lots of angels from the Ville who are donating squares as well for this. Her mom was 87 but it doesn't matter how old someone is, I don't think it's ever easy to lose a parent. I don't think I'll get over my mom's death and I'm sure she won't get over her mom's either. (For those of you who don't know me very well, this is actually my step-mom I'm talking about but I never usually refer to her that way. Just didn't want to confuse anyone. LOL)

Thanks to all my faithful blog readers... I'm now off to do a little hooking before bed. Hopefully I can get this square I've been working on finished and add it to the pile for the comfortghan.

Comfortghan pics and what's happening

2008-03-19T18:05:00.004-04:00

First of all I wanted to thank all my Crochetville friends for contributing squares for this beautiful comfortghan! A co-worker of mine is very ill and I wanted to make something nice for her. Unfortunately not enough people at work crochet so I needed some squares. I ended up making 4 squares myself, had I think 6 made from work and the rest were donated from the Ville. I think it turned out just lovely! The pics don't do it justice! In the end I realized I had 1 square left over so I quickly made one more square and made a matching pillow! Another co-worker and I plan to bring it to her in the hospital this weekend.

Thanks again for all your generosity!!!

Ok, now on to weight loss news. Last week at my weigh in I lost another 4 pounds so I was down a total of like 10.4 pounds! I was so excited! Well, this wasn't a good week and I gained 2 pounds. UGH! But I know there are gains and losses and I'm not letting that get me down. I am still working hard and am trying different things and seeing what does and doesn't work. Even with the 2 pound gain, I'm stil 8 pounds down since starting which is great!

In other news, my migraines are so much better. The past month they've been almost unbearable and my Dr. has been working closely with me and my doseage of migraine prevention medication to get just the right dose. Well, we finally got the right dose but now I'm demon lady. Everything irritates me, I cry at the drop of a hat, I'm depressed and weepy all the time. He's trying a few different things but it's like when you get the headaches under control then I react to the medicine. I honestly don't know how much mother functioned. She got awful migraines and there weren't migraine medicines when she was alive and she never went and laid down in the bedroom. I never heard her complain either. What a saint!

On the crochet front I am in the midst of finishing 2, COUNT 'EM, 2 afghans in time for graduation come the end of May! UGH! Both Doug's oldest niece and nephew are graduating this year so that means Aunt Donna's works her fingers to the bone... Not to mention that we have started "fixing up the house" little by little. We bought paint and are going to start on the bathroom first. Wait, let me specify that. I will be painting the bathroom! LOL Then come the end of April, Doug and I will be taking classes for medical fostering which we are excited about so things are crazy but I guess it's better to get all this done now before we have a little one in the house!

Well, that's about it from here! Thanks again to everyone who donated a square and wish me luck at weigh in next week!!!

Down another 2.4 pounds!

2008-03-01T22:25:00.002-05:00

I'm getting closer to the 10 pound mark! WOO-HOO! I will say that this week has been very hard and I haven't been very good so I am NOT looking forward to weighing in on Tuesday! LOL

The program isn't too bad but sometimes it really does get to you like any other diet, I'm sure. I just hope we can stick with this.

In other news, not much else has been going on with work and all. My migraines have come back full throttle but I am quite certain it's because my Dr. changed the medicine I'm on to prevent them. For the past 3 weekends (why on the weekends?) I have gotten a nasty migraine! Last weekend it started on Thursday night and didn't stop until Tuesday morning. I had one almost all day today but now it's finally gone. I will have to call my Dr. Monday and have him change back to the medicine I used to take. That worked great except it made me a little "bitchy" but both Doug and I would rather I be "bitchy" than live like this.

I've also been busy working on a comfortghan. A co-worker of mine is in the hospital and is not doing well. I got several people from the Ville to donate squares and I even got a few of my co-workers who hadn't picked up hooks in years and years to crochet a square! We had a "refresher" course during break one day and after that the breakroom became the "hooker place". It was rather neat to see other people besides me for once, actually hooking! I really hope this sparks some people to pick up their hooks after this again!

Anyway, I'm not only making a couple of squares but putting the thing together and trying to get everyone to finish their squares which is no small task.

Other than that, there isn't much time for much else. Wish me luck at weigh in on Tuesday!

4.8 pounds lost! WOO-HOO!

2008-02-22T16:14:00.002-05:00

Well, I am very excited! At our first weigh in for Weight Watchers at Work on Tuesday I lost 4.8 pounds! I can't believe it! This was Doug's first week so we're not sure how he's doing yet but we are both excited about this program! Our job is paying for the program and so far we are doing so well with the points. Today was the first day I was bad. Doug took me to Sonny's for lunch and let's just say I'm very glad we have 35 bonus points for the week as I used almost all of them on lunch! It was really nice though to eat out and I can say I actually barely ate anything. I took home about 3/4 of my meal and Doug and I will split what's left for dinner.

Keep your fingers crossed for me and Doug! We would really love to get some of this weight off!!!

Confessions of a bad blogger...

2008-02-16T06:48:00.004-05:00

Yes I know, I haven't updated too much lately and not too often. It just seems like life has been so crazy I don't have the time to do all the things I used to do and want to do.

This week was awful. We live about an hour north of Orlando and sometimes with the position Doug has, he'll have training there and this week was one of them. Mon, Tues and Weds he dropped me off at work, took the work vehicle and drove there for training. Usually they'll get out by 1-3pm so he misses rush hour. Not this time, this time they didn't let out til 5:30 so he wasn't getting home til almost 7pm. This wouldn't be a big deal if we worked normal hours but we go in every morning at 6am. Since we have only one car and if I left and went home after my shift, that would have meant driving back and picking him up so I too, ended up working overtime waiting for him (with the exeption of Weds night. By then I was exhausted and had a co-worker give me a ride home!) So we'd get home just in time to eat and go to bed.

Then we had Valentine's Day Thursday and went out to eat and a movie, and again, didn't get home until late and had to go right to bed. Well with Doug being gone for 3 days the work was piled up so we worked a couple extra hours again yesterday. UGH!!!!

I am sooooo glad the weekend is here! However, there won't be much rest for the weary! We are getting our taxes done this afternoon and need to go shopping. We are out of everything and on top of everything else, Weight Watchers started up at work and Doug and I decided to join. They gave me the literature Monday after work but Doug wasn't back in time. I have the basic info but there was no time for shopping this week so we knew we wouldn't start til Monday. Anyway, we have to really think about what we're going to get. I'm also in desperate need of blue jeans and some shoes so I've got to go shopping at some point and do that as well. I'm not like most women who love to shop. I like shopping for crafts and yarn, NOT for clothes and shoes! Not to mention the regular chores to do around the house like laundry and such!

Oh, I went and saw another surgeon a couple of weeks ago about my back as it's much better but not back to normal and still doing grocery shopping is a pain so he looked at my MRI's with me (the first one to do that) and wasn't pleased with the images. He's sending me for a High Definition MRI in a couple of weeks and I guess it is digital so it comes back right away to him so I go have it done then go right to his office! No waiting weeks for it to get developed! Anyway, I am hopeful after this that we'll have a good place where to go to get me up to speed again. I'm hoping more intense physical therapy will work. It's amazing how much better it is since I first fell and injured it but it's the long walking that gets me almost everytime.

At least with all that I've been doing I've still been able to crochet a bit! I'm in the Kitchen Swap at the Ville and have been working on that for my swap partner and in the rare evenings that Doug and I actually have time to watch TV, I've been actively working on my retro ghan from the the Groove-Along. My stashbusting score is suffering because of it but at least I haven't really been shopping all too much so at least I'm not adding to the pile as of lately. Although I'm going to have to add in the next week or so as I'm out of several colors I always try to keep on hand.

Well that's it for now, just had a few minutes this morning and thought I would update my blog! We're still here but just as busy as ever!

Banquet Pictures

2008-02-13T20:20:00.002-05:00

Our big banquet was this weekend. It was really nice and we had a great time getting all dressed up. Yes, I dyed my hair jet black for Doug. Everyone (esp Doug) likes it (except for me) so I'll keep it like this for awhile (or until the grey overcomes me again!) Anyway, just thought I'd share one of the pics that was taken of me and Doug that night...

I actually made the shawl I'm wearing. I bought the fabric at Jo-Ann's, using the hem tape, put a hem all the way around it and used a nice faux diamond button to close it. The dress is a black velvety type dress I've had for years. It had long sleeves and was very hot so I took the sleeves off and used the hem tape on the sleeves as well so without the wrap it just looked like a sleeveless black dress!

I just put my hair up with some clips so for a black tie event I think I did pretty good as far as how much my outfit cost. The total with earrings and all was less than $20! Not bad considering some people bought brand new prom type dresses for this event!

Latest Oil Painting

2008-02-02T18:05:00.000-05:00

I just got home from taking my latest Bob Ross Oil painting class. This one is titled "Aurora's Dance" and I had such a great time painting it!

Out of the 3 paintings I have done so far, this has got to be my favorite! It just looks so cozy, warm and inviting, doesn't it? All you really need is a nice warm cup of hot cocoa!

If you've never taken a Bob Ross Oil Painting class I highly recommend doing so! They are so much fun and if you can hold a pencil, you can paint a beautiful picture! The instructors really help to make it easy to understand and with the wet-on-wet technique, it's really easy to blend your colors on the canvas.

I have taken one class a year for the past 3 years and am hoping to break tradition by taking another one come April. The teacher who taught this one is doing a very lovely one with palm trees and such that I would really love to see hanging on my wall! We'll just have to wait and see how the finances are come spring!

A few FO's!

2008-01-24T19:53:00.000-05:00

Well I have been busy crocheting and trying to keep my stash under control and have managed to finish a few items!

This first item is for the Valentine's CAL over at the Ville. The pattern calls for it to be made with thread but I used some WW yarn and it's a nice size for the table! I love how it turned out!

This next one is a little cozy I made for my spare change! There are several times a week at work when I don't have any pockets and I go into the break room or go upstairs to the cafeteria for lunch and hate having to carry my purse and fumble through my wallet for change so I took a little container I had and crocheted this little cozy with a handle and put my money for the week that I have to spend at work in it! I love it!

I would like to have 12 different sets of coasters for the house that I can change every month out of the year and this is one of my sets I just finished this week! They look like the sun, don't they?

And last but not least is my new "no name poncho." I got some yummy yarn during a swap last year, didn't know what to make with it and have been looking at it for months. I finally just decided to start stitching and see what I came up with and this original design is what came out! I love the way it turned out, and even though the pic isn't great, it looked really nice on me! I am planning on writing out the pattern very soon!

January Update

2008-01-09T17:09:00.000-05:00

Well, the new year has begun and not much is new around here. I threw my back out during Christmas break and my Dr. wants me to have another consult with a surgeon about it. I am going to schedule an appt and see what he says. I am also going to do more physical therapy as my right leg and right side of my lower back is still not much better when I do much walking.

Doug and I think my office chair may be hurting my back at home as I sit here at my desk sometimes for a couple hours at a time esp on the weekends e-mailing and watching tv and when I get up my back really hurts. So this weekend we are going to move the rocker/recliner from the living room (which nobody sits in anyway) in here and see if it helps. If it does, I think we'll start looking for a permanent chair for me. For that matter, I don't know that I really need a "desk" persay. It just takes up a lot of space and since I have the wireless keyboard and wireless mouse why do I need a desk? I'm thinking maybe I could find a nice chaise lounger, get rid of the desk and put my computer on a nice little table and sit here on my lounger and watch tv with my keyboard on my lap. Why not, right? I dunno, I think if I did that, I would never leave my room! LOL

I've already broken a bunch of my crochet resolutions for the year, including not starting too many projects at once! Oh well, life goes on, right? I am doing fairly well with my stashbusting score this year so far and have only purchased 2 skeins of yarn so far! WOO-HOO! (Ok, so they were one pounders, but still!)

Doug and I have really been enjoying our garage now that it's cleaned out and roomy out there! We've been playing cards in the evening and the weathers been so nice. It's a lot more fun than watching tv like usual!

I'm so excited! I'm all signed up to take my 3rd Bob Ross Oil Painting class! If you've never taken one, I encourage you to go to your nearest craft store and do it! I am not an artist at all but you really do leave with a beautiful oil painting ready for framing! This one is on Feb 2nd at Michaels. I hope that after this class I will feel confidant enough to try one on my own but I don't know. I guess if I mess up it's just a canvas that I've wasted, right?

And for now I leave you with a couple of pictures.

This first one is of all of us on Christmas Eve!

And this one is from New Years Eve. As you can see, I now have curly hair! I got a perm over Christmas break and I love it!

Valentine's Day Scarf

2008-01-06T18:40:00.000-05:00

I worked this up today after joining in the Valentine's Day CAL over at Crochetville. I made the heart motifs from THIS pattern omitting the final round and using the 2nd to last round to join the motifs with the white. It was not only a great way to get started on Valentine's Day stuff but a great stashbuster as well!!!!

P.S. It looks a little lopsided because of the way I joined the motifs. I wasn't able to lay it flat on the table without actually hiding one of the hearts so there is actually one more heart you don't see in this scarf... It looks nice wearing it too!!!!

Some FO's and a new WIP!

2007-12-30T23:07:00.000-05:00

Well, this first one isn't quite finished but close enough to show! It's Doug's American Flag afghan that he asked me to make him for Christmas. I used Caron One Pounders in Red and Blue and the white I used was some baby yarn I had on hand and I used 2 strands of the white held together to equal the same weight as the Caron. I used a size N hook so it went pretty fast. Basically, to do one stripe all the way across was about 2 hours each. I have all the stars done I just don't have them all sewn on the ghan yet. If you look you can see a few of them on there but not many. I'll finish it eventually!

This one I made for my neighbor for Christmas. It's a scrap-ghan and I made it in just a matter of days. It was a very easy pattern taken from the Lion Brand website. I cannot remember the name of the pattern but it was a very simple pattern and very easy to do. This is a little on the small side so it's a perfect lapghan. She really liked it and since she does quilting she knows how much work handmade things are. It's so nice to give someone who appreciates it a home-ade gift!

Ok, this one is my newest WIP! It's from the Groove-Along CAL over at the Ville. Julie got me this time! I've been doing good staying away from her CAL's but I just had to do this ghan! It's actually going very quickly and I've even got quite a bit more of the ghan finished since I took this picture a couple of days ago! It's made up of tiny little squares but they are all HDC's which is my fave stitch so that makes a difference! I honestly don't know if I'll give this away or keep it.

I do have a few pictures from Christmas to post I just haven't gotten around to doing that yet. We go back to work on Weds. I cannot believe break is just about over. You wait all year for a nice vacation and it's over before you blink! Poor Doug is really sick. We are hoping our Dr. will be in the office tomorrow as he really needs medical attention. I may have to taken him to the ER if they aren't in. He spent the other day cleaning out our old refrigerator before we sold it and we forgot to open the doors before turning off the power a couple of weeks ago and it was all moldy inside. I told him he needed to wear a mask or something but you know how men are. With all of his allergies and such I know he's got some kind of a horrible infection going on. I was feeling pretty bad myself yesterday but it's really not too bad today, I'm just a little under the weather. Maybe getting the flu shot helped me? I dunno... Doug didn't want it. He got really sick last year after getting it so he won't ever get another one.

Well that's about it from here. We were supposed to go over to the neighbors for New Years Eve but with Doug being so sick I don't think he'll be leaving the house. I will probably go over there for a little bit but definately won't stay too late without him. It seems like either one or the both of us are always sick on New Years Eve...

I hope you have a safe one and please remember no drinking and driving. If possible, stay home or go someplace that you can stay. It's too dangerous being on the roads with all the crazy people New Years Eve night.

Merry Christmas 2007

2007-12-24T12:05:00.000-05:00

Well, it's Christmas Eve and I'm not finished! UGH! I still have about 25 stars to finish sewing onto Doug's American Flag Afghan and hopefully I can finish that before bed tonite but if I don't, he'll open a partially finished afghan in the morning! I have to make an Eggnog Cheesecake today for Christmas dinner tomorrow, make Cheese Dip as well as decorate Santa Claus Cookies. Not to mention that we are babysitting Doug's mom's 3 dog's for the holiday's and they are a pain. They just don't listen at all. It's like you're talking to a brick wall and they can't be left alone for a second. Then last night took the cake. We actually let the 2 smaller dogs in the bed since I went to bed quite a bit before Doug did so we had 4 dogs in the bed with me. (The big dog was on the floor.) Anyway, one of his mom's dog's actually peed on the bed right beside me with me in it! So no more of them in the bed with us. It's amazing that the big dog is the only one that doesn't get into the trash or pee on anything. She's probably the best dog with the exception that she doesn't come when called either. Oh well, it wouldn't be the holiday's without there being some kind of a mess to clean up, right?

Tonite we are planning on going to church then looking at lights around town and then we'll come back home, drink some hot cocoa and relax in front of the fire (if it gets cold enough to start one.) I hope that Santa brings you and yours everything you asked for and that you have a wonderful Christmas!

In the midst of the festivities, please let us not forget the real reason of Christmas, Jesus Christ, and the gift He gave us. As we do our last minute shopping or day after Christmas shopping, let us find one moment to share our love of Jesus with one stranger so that they, too, may know what it is, to have everlasting life.

Merry Christmas All!

Snuggle Up Baby Blanket ~ FO!!!

2007-12-16T13:41:00.000-05:00

Well, another baby is coming into the world and another baby blanket has been finished! I got the pattern for this from an LA booklet I have and it worked up in just a few days. I used TLC Baby yarn and even though in the picture it looks almost blue, it's a lavender color.

This blanket is for my best friends brother and his wife who are expecting their first child in February. With this completed, I have one more blanket for another friend of mine and hopefully that will be it for babies for at least a month or so!

Getting ready for Christmas!

2007-12-08T07:11:00.000-05:00

Welll it's almost Christmastime again! We finished our decorating the weekend of Thanksgiving (as our tradition goes) but I'm just now getting around to posting a few pics!)

Here's our tree! We actually had to take out our dining room table to make room for the tree! Oh well, it's in the garage and considering how little we use it, it's not a huge deal! I think we should keep the tree up all year round!! (The lights were on but my camera sucks!) This was also taken before I put the ornaments on it!

This is the outside of the house with my snowglobe Doug got me last year!

The fireplace with our stockings!

I put all my little Christmas village pieces on the organ this year and I thought it looked neat!

We are actually having a big "after Thanksgiving dinner" tonite! Since we had Thanksgiving with our neighbors we had our own turkey that didn't get cooked so before it goes bad we are deep frying it today and are making all the fixings! We invited Doug's mom and mam-ma over as well as the boys and the neighbors should pop on over as well. Since our table has been taken down to make room for the tree, we'll be eating in the garage! We have 2 nice big tables out there and it's really like an extra room it's really nice! I've been working on my quilting out there in the evenings.

I still have a few more things to finish up for Christmas but all in all I think I'm just about done! WOO-HOO! We got our new video camera in this week and it's really cool! Once I figure out how to do it I'll be able to post mini video clips but that might take a little while to do!

My very first ever Quilt Blocks!!!!

2007-12-01T16:22:00.001-05:00

Ok, I know it isn't a huge deal to those of you who have been sewing for years but for me this is huge! I have just completed my first 4 squares on what will be my first ever Quilt!

I'm not exactly sure if this is the way they will be positioned in the end but for the picture that's how I laid them out! Our next door neighbors are such nice people and the woman does a lot of quilting and offered to show me how! So we looked through her books, found a pattern I liked that was for beginners and off we went! I bought the materials during Black Friday weekend at Jo-Anns and this afternoon she showed me how to cut, sew and press them!

What's really cool is that we both got our Jo-Ann's flyers in the mail today and they have a bunch of quilting stuff on sale for 50% off and I need to get a mat, rotary cutter and ruler so that'll be perfect!

Well I was just so proud I wanted to share! Keep your fingers crossed that I can keep the momentum going and don't forget about my crocheting too much!!!

WIP - Textured Striped Throw

2007-11-25T17:39:00.001-05:00

When I got the latest issue of Crochet! Magazine in the mail this week I saw the pattern for this afghan and knew it would be a great way to use up scraps! It's called the Textured Stripes Throw and can be found on page 70 of the Jan 2008 Crochet Magazine.

The original pattern is only made up of a few colors but I have so many odds and ends and so many 1 skein of this and 1 skein of that I thought this would be a great stash buster! It is a little slower than some afghan patterns due to the small stitches (a lot of HDC's and such) but I love the way it looks and I know once I use up the majority of my odds and ends that I'll be able to buy more yarn!!!

Little Lavendar Wristlet Pouch - Another new design!

2007-11-22T13:02:00.001-05:00

This one I made for one of my niece's and thought I would share it with you!

This pattern is super simple and works up in under 20 minutes! I'm sure your little one would love to have one of these!

Materials:

Small amount WW yarn

Small amount eyelash yarn

Size J Hook or any size as gauge does not matter.

Round 1: CH 6, HDC in 2^nd CH from hook and in each CH across, working 3 HDC in last CH. Now continue working in opposite side of starting CH and work in each unused loop 1 HDC. Finish with 2 HDC in same space as beginning HDC. Join.

Round 2: (From this point on you will NOT join your rounds. Use contrasting yarn or a stitch marker to mark beginning stitch.) CH 2, HDC in each stitch across.

Rounds 3-10: HDC in each HDC around. At the end of round 10, join.

Strap:

Without cutting off yarn, CH 25, now join back in same space as you started. Now turn your work, CH 1 and work a SC in each CH around and join to beginning stitch. Fasten off.

Trim:

With eyelash yarn, working from the inside of the bag facing you, join yarn in any HDC. CH 1, 2 SC in each HDC around. Join, fasten off and weave in ends.

New design - Toilet Paper Cover

2007-11-18T09:57:00.000-05:00

I couldn't find very many "Toilet Paper Covers" on-line for free, esp ones that are basic and can be adapted to fit any color scheme or Holiday time of year so I made one up myself! I made this one for Christmas but you can do it really in any color combination and it's easy enough to whip up in an afternoon.

If you'd like to make this, feel free to use my pattern! It has not been tested yet so please let me know if you find any errors!

Please do not copy this pattern or sell it as your own! You MAY NOT sell copies of this pattern on eBay, etsy or any other on-line forum. You MAY, however, sell the actual item made with this pattern.

Materials:

Crochet Hook Size G

WW Yarn in Multi-Colors (Color A)

WW Yarn in Solid-Color (Color B)

This was made to fit a double roll of charmin toilet paper. To make it smaller, use a smaller hook and/or smaller yarn.

Special Stitches:

Puffy Stitch: YO insert hook in stitch specified, Pull up a loop, YO pull through 2 loops (repeat this 3 times more), YO pull through last 5 hooks on loop and end with a CH 1.

Directions:

Round 1: CH 3, join to form a circle. CH 2 (counts as first HDC), work 11 more HDC in ring. Join.

Round 2: CH 3, DC in same stitch as joining, 2 DC in each DC around. Join (24 DC’s)

Round 3: CH 3, DC in same stitch as joining, *DC in next stitch, 2 DC’s in next stitch** Repeat around, join. (36 DC’s)

Round 4: CH 1, 2 SC’s in same stitch as joining, **SC in next 2 stitches, 2 SC’s in next stitch** repeat around. Join. (48 SC’s)

Round 5: CH 1, SC in same stitch as joining, SC in back loop of each SC around. (48 SC’s.) Join.

Round 6: CH 2, HDC in each stitch around. Join. (48 HDC’s)

Round 7: TURN. CH 1, SC in same stitch as joining and in the next stitch, *Puffy Stitch in next stitch, SC in next 3 stitches** repeat around, ending with a SC in last stitch. Join, TURN.

Round 8: SC in each stitch around. Join, TURN.

Round 9: CH 1, (do not work joining stitch, instead, skip it and immediately work a Puffy stitch in the next stitch, no need to do a starting CH.) **SC in next 3 stitchs, Puffy stitch** repeat around finishing with a SC in last 3 stitches (the last SC is worked in the joining stitch.) Join, TURN.

Round 10: CH 1, SC in each stitch around. Join, TURN.

Round 11: Repeat Round #7

Round 12: Repeat Round #8

Round 13: CH 1, skip joining stitch, *SC in each of the next 3 stitches, Puffy stitch in next stitch** repeat around working a puffy stitch in joining stitch. Join, TURN.

Round 14: Repeat Round #8 (DO NOT TURN)

Round 15: CH 3, DC in each stitch around. (48 DC’s) Join, fasten off.

Ruffle Trim:

Attach Color B to front loop of any stitch on last round. CH 3, work 2 more DC’s in FL only of same stitch. Work 3 DC’s in the FL of each stitch around. Join.

Join with a slip stitch to 3^rd CH of beginning CH. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Turkey Cake

2007-11-14T17:46:00.000-05:00

I just finished him tonite! He's a birthday cake for a co-worker and to celebrate Thanksgiving all in one!!!! He was actually pretty easy to make and I had a blast doing it!!!

So

My latest design - Picket Fences Afghan!

2007-11-13T16:41:00.000-05:00

I finished this one up this weekend and am quite pleased with it! Thanks to "granny squares" over at Crochetville, I have named this little ditty "Picket Fences."

It's made with approx 7 skeins of Lion Brand Homespun and is quite warm! I made it as a wedding present for my step-sister. It gets cold in Michigan so this should help keep her warm.

I have the pattern all written out but I am in need of a couple of testers. I would prefer 1 experienced and 1 beginner crocheter if possible. If you don't have or don't like Homespun yarn you may use ANY chunky/bulky type yarn. It uses a K hook and works up rather quickly. I was hoping to have this tested by the end of the month, but with everyone in full gear Christmas mode, I'm extending my date to have this finished to be the end of the year. If you would like to test this for me and think you could have it finished by years end, please post a comment below with your e-mail address. I will be sure NOT to publish the comment but rather use it to e-mail you back. Of if you're a member of Crochetville, you can e-mail me directly through the forum.

THANKS!

Wearing "red" on Friday's

2007-11-10T09:10:00.000-05:00

Ok, by now most of us have gotten one form of an e-mail or another about an American Solider flying the body of his fallen comrade home and the plane applauding him and out of this comes "wear red on Friday's to show our troops support."

Ok, I have read several of the e-mail versions and like most internet fiction, what could have been started in "fact" has been turned into a story. Regardless, I noticed a few months ago that a few of my co-workers were all wearing red. Asking if I "missed the memo to wear red today" they reminded me I'm supposed to wear red to show my support of the troops.

Now I am patriotic. I fully support the troops and I am thankful each and every day for the job they do to not only keep me safe but keep me living in a FREE country. That being said, why all of a sudden am I deemed "not a patrioit" and "unsupportive of our troops" if I choose to not wear red on Friday's?

Isn't this why our troops fight? So that we can all wear whatever color we want on any given day of the week? Isn't this a principal of freedom to be able to wear what we want??

All of a sudden, something that started as a "story" and a sad account of a solider who was killed returning home in a casket has turned into downright harrassment!

Yesterday at work it started all over again. I didn't say anything, just kept working and not really thinking about it too much when all of a sudden, people were passing out red ribbons and the next thing I knew, one person after another accousted me asking where my red was? Didn't I support our troops? Why wasn't I wearing red? HUH? First of all, I was NEVER offered a red ribbon personally, number 2, I probably wouldn't have worn it anyway. I started thinking about how for years we always wore a yellow ribbon to show our support? Remember the song "tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree"? I am not a history major but I was brought up believing we always wore yellow in these situations... Regardless, why am I being attacked at every turn for my not wearing of red?

I honestly felt like Kramer from Seinfeld. In the episode where he was walking in the Aids Walk but refused to wear the ribbon. He supported the cause, raised money and was in the walk, but didn't want to conform to the idea of supporting AIDS and didn't like being "forced" to do anything. At one point, a co-worker of mine mentioned that very same episode to me after I was talking about it during break.

I don't have a problem with anyone wearing red on Friday's. If you want to wear a different colored ribbon every day of the week that's fine, but when you start forcing me to do it too, that's where I have a problem.

I could be wrong, but I don't think our troops think me unsupportive because I don't wear red on Friday's. I do my share of things to support them and keep them in my prayers every night. I hang my American Flag proudly in front of my home and I have some items that are "red white and blue" and I wear them proudly when I want to. But being forced to do that is taking away the reason that our troops put their lives on the line every day.

Please folks... If you want to show your support by wearing red on Fridays, then by all means do it. But if you do, don't attack others who don't wish to do that.

P.S. I would much rather it be yellow. When I see red all I think of is "blood" and I think about troops being killed rather than thinking about them, their humanity, their families and such. Whoever decided blood red would show support for their troops must have been color blind...

Have a happy WHAT?

2007-11-04T15:08:00.001-05:00

Ok, so this really irks me!!! Have you seen the new commercials for "Always" brand pads? Regina King (of Jerry McGuire fame) does the voice overs for them and their tag lines are "Have a happy period." What? PLEASE!!! Does the company really think we are that dumb? You mean if I wear "Always" brand pads I will have a happy few days this month? Obviously a "man" thought this was a great slogan. The only thing that can make it "HAPPY" is NOT to have it at all! This tag line actually makes me NOT want to buy this product because it really ticks me off!

Am I the only one?

Woodstock Duster

2007-11-04T10:03:00.000-05:00

What do you get when you have a 3 day weekend, tons of odds and ends yarn, and an old issue of Interweave Crochet????

The Woodstock Duster!!!

Doug called it a "coat of many colors" and I agree! It was so easy to make and I really enjoyed just changing colors here there and everywhere! I really didn't have enough of any ONE color to do it like the pattern called for so I just used my old balls of yarn in different types and colors. It's all pretty much acrylic... Some of it is red heart, others Caron Simply Soft and others, an off brand I got at a garage sale. This was one of the first items I've made from an Interweave Crochet that didn't give me fits! The only complaint I have about this thing is that it really makes my butt look huge!!! LOL

Ah well, it's totally me and I love it!

This is a pic of the front:

These are the cool bell sleeves:

This is another of the front:

The back which is my LEAST favorite angle! LOL

And finally, pics of it on a hanger:

Heirloom Blanket and today's Ramblings...

2007-10-30T17:38:00.001-04:00

First of all I wanted to share my latest FO! This pattern is available for free from the Coats and Clark website. I do want to warn you that there are MANY errors and it's extremely difficult to follow. In the end, I DO NOT recommend that a beginner try this! It's only because I can "fudge" a pattern sometimes that I was able to finish it at all!

However, on a positive note, I think it's just beautiful and am so happy with how it did turn out! I made this for my supervisor at work. He and his wife are expecting their 7th child early next year (a boy.) When he opened it at work I got the typical "male" response. He nicely said "looks like a lot of love went into this" which it did, but you could tell he was like, "ok, it's a blanket." LOL I am quite sure that his wife will be impressed. From what he tells me, she crochets as well and I know if someone made this for me I'd be tickled pink!

This is also another FO! This is the Waves of Color Tote bag that you can get for free HERE. This was a quick and easy project and was made as a Christmas gift for someone in my family this year.

I am also working on another "Ruffled Jacket" for a Christmas gift, as well as a plus-sized sweater/jacket and a cool head/scarf from the latest issue of Crochet Today! As you can tell, it's almost Christmastime and I'm up to my eyeballs in WIP'S!!!!

I have also just realized that I have NO IDEA what I will be making DH this year! I have to make him something! Maybe a sweater, although I hate that idea because it hardly ever gets cold enough here to wear them but maybe once or twice a year!

Ruffled Jacket

2007-10-27T10:36:00.000-04:00

This was a very easy project and I'm so glad I did it! It got the pattern from the Dec/Jan issue of Crochet! Today magazine and basically it's just a large rectangle with various shell stitches as the trim for the sleeves and collar. I used Wool-Ease in "Fisherman" and it took about 10 skeins. I am going to make another one for my mom for Christmas in a striped yarn to see how that looks too!

After I finished this I wore it to work and got tons of compliments on it. I highly recommend making this, esp if, like me, you have problems with the shaping working correctly on regular sweaters and jackets.

Fall in Florida!

2007-10-13T14:31:00.001-04:00

I love this time of year in Florida! It's starting to get cool enough that you can open the windows and let the crisp, fresh air come into your house! You can also wear long sleeves and sweaters again without sweltering! Last night it got down in the lower 60's and we slept with the windows open. It was so nice! Today even though it's in the mid 80's, it's low humidity and we opened up all the windows in the house.

This morning Doug took me garage saling which was really nice as it was rather cool before noon. It was the perfect weather for it! We actually hit some really good sales and got some really good bargains! My find of the day? A bunch of brand new yarn (most of it still in bands) for $5!!!! I could not believe my luck! I was actually quite proud of myself! She had 2 other boxes of yarn (at $5 each) and I only took the box of stuff I knew I would use! The other boxes had thread, sport yarn and some other yarn items I knew I just wouldn't use so not only did I actually use a little discipline, for the first time ever (that I can think of) my hubby was actually happy for me and didn't say something like "where are you going to put more yarn?" like he has in the past!

Here's a pic of it!!!

You can't tel from the pic, but on the left hand side, that is a bag FULL of lion brand wool-ease! I think there are like a dozen skeins of the same color in there! That alone was worth $5!!!

Some awesome swap packages!

2007-10-06T21:23:00.001-04:00

First off I wanted to share some photos from the past few swaps I've been in. I don't care how much I do for my partner, they always seem to outdo me! And it's obvious that they read my blog and get to know about me before sending a package. What a neat thing to meet people you never would before, go shopping for them, make them something and know that they will enjoy it. Before becoming a member at Crochetville I didn't understand just how many wonderful ladies (and men) there are out there who are truly ready to be friends and get to know you.

Ok, so this first picture is from my purse swap partner! She made me the most colorful WIP bag (and it's lined!!!) with handles so large I can carry it on my shoulder!!!!, she also sent me 2 hook cases, some sugar and cream yarn, 2 skeins of yarn from France as well as some fine chocolates from France as well! WOW!!!!!!!!

This next package is from my scrap swap partner! Not only did she send me a ton of yarn that was brand new (along with the scraps) but a ton of puzzle books (being as I was out on medical leave, this was wonderful!,) she also made me a custom made word search puzzle that featured crochet terminology and words that meant things to me like my name, my dogs, hubby, where I live and other personal things! As if that weren't enough she sent me all of my favorite chocolate treats!!!!! Talk about being spoiled!!!

I am currently in the Harvest Yarn Swap and Bookmark Swap. I just went shopping yesterday for my yarn partner and was even able to buy a few extra goodies for her this time. I feel bad because I'm on a budget and can't usually buy all the extra things people always seem to do for me but we had a little extra money so I got my Yarn Swap partner a few things that she said she liked. I can't wait to get my bookmark partner so I can get started on that! I love to read and love making little thread projects since I'm no good at large ones!!!!

Update time

2007-10-02T17:50:00.000-04:00

Well I went back to work yesterday! I was excited to get back to my life but it was definately hard. I was in minor pain but that was to be expected. Today was really rough and I was in quite a bit of pain but not so much that I couldn't work. I had physical therapy after work which was grueling but it helped. I really push myself in therapy to get the most out of my time there and I know in the end it helps me.

We had our 2nd garage sale on Saturday and everthing we didn't sell (with the exception of a few minor things) got given to Goodwill afterwords. We also sold our chest freezer and as soon as we can sell our sectional we can start working on making the garage into our game room like we planned.

I've been working on a few projects like an original afghan for my step-sisters wedding present. It's made out of Homespun yarn so it'll be nice and warm for Michigan in the winter (where she lives!) I'm also working on my own version of the Knitting Needles Bag which I am crocheting and will finish off with Crochet Hooks instead of knitting needles. (Be watching for the pattern once I finish it!)

I'm also working on a Pineapple skirt for myself. Up til now I've been leary about making a crocheted skirt because I couldn't figure out what I'd wear under it but then I had an idea that I could buy some nice satiny fabric and sew that to the inside of the skirt! I hope it works!

Since I started back to work I obviously don't have nearly the time I did to crochet so these projects will probably take me a little while to finish.

Well that's the news from here!

My new "do"

2007-09-25T20:52:00.000-04:00

For the past 10 years or so my hair has basically been the same. Sometimes a little longer, sometimes a little shorter, but pretty much the same basic cut. I know my husband loves long hair and hates short hair but I have had it and really needed a change. I got my hair cut today and it's the shortest it has been in years. I really really really like it! It's so light and breezy, not to mention I feel much more free! That hair was really weighing me down! So here's a few pics to show you my new "do". I am considering getting a body wave to add a little body to it but I'm going to wait and see what happens after a few days.

P.S. Sorry I haven't posted the latest prognosis on my back! I saw the 2nd surgeon and he doesn't want to operate yet. He see's the problems I'm having but has prescribed physical therapy first. If I'm not a whole lot better by the beginning of next year he'll look into it at that point. I started PT last week and although very painful, it is helping! I am able to sit for almost an entire day! I'm in quite a bit of pain still but it is getting better! I am hoping to return to work next week and slowly get back to life! I'll keep everyone updated and thanks so much for all your prayers and kind words!

Donna's Migraine Relief Pack

2007-09-16T14:34:00.001-04:00

If you suffer from migraines as I do, then you know that they can pretty much stop you in your tracks and your medicine needs to be close by. I have been taking a migraine pill for several years now that works very well. It comes in a little plastic container which can be reused for anything small and it also helps keep the pills from getting crushed before use. I decided to make a little purse to hold my migraine pills so that if I'm going somewhere that I don't need my purse I'll always have these close by.

If you don't have any of these containers or don't even have migraines, this pattern will work as a regular little purse of sorts.

Please feel free to use this pattern personally, but please do not sell the pattern and do not copy it.

Thanks and enjoy!

Size G Crochet Hook
1 Ball Ribbon Type Yarn (I used SWC Maize)
Tapestry Needle

Round 1: CH 11, HDC in 2nd CH from hook and in each CH across. Work 3 HDC in last CH. Now work on opposite side of CH working 1 HDC in each CH across. Work 2 HDC in same space as first HDC. Join, do not turn.

Round 2: CH 2 (counts as first HDC), HDC in same space, 2 HDC in next space. HDC in next 8 stitches. 2 HDC in each of the next 4 stitches. HDC across to the last 2 stitches. 2 HDC in the last 2 stitches. Join, do not turn.

Round 3: CH 2, HDC in each HDC across. Join, do not turn.

Rounds 4-8: Repeat Round 3

Round 9: CH 2, HDC in each stitch across to other side. (You are working only in 1/2 of the stitches of this row.) Leaving the rest of the stitches unworked, Turn.

Round 10: CH 2, HDC in FRONT LOOP of each stitch across. Turn.

Round 11: CH 2, HDC in each stitch across. Turn.

Round 12: Repeat Round #10

Rounds 13-14: Repeat Round #11

Round 15: CH 2, HDC in first 5 stitches. CH 3, slkip next 3 stitches. HDC in last 5 stitches. Turn.

Round 16: CH 2, HDC in each stitch across, working 3 HDC in CH 3 space. Turn.

Strap:
Do no fasten off! Slip stitch into side stitches up to the side of the purse. Now work 1 SC in each of the next 4 spaces. CH 1, turn. SC in each stitch across. Do this until strap is desired length. Attach strap to opposite end by working a slip stitch into each stitch and space on bag.

Either make a button or use a store bought one, weave in ends and you're done!!!

Some things I've completed

2007-09-13T13:10:00.001-04:00

Well it's been a month since I was put on bed rest and that's a lot of crochet time since that's about the only thing I can do while in bed (besides puzzles!) So I have been crocheting up a storm and thought I would share a few pics!

This first one is the Pineapples & Roses Afghan from the Nov 2002 Crochet! Magazine. It takes almost one full day to complete each square so this took me about a week! I made this for a charity craft sale we are having at work! I hope it sells for a nice price!

This is from one of those free pattern leaflets you get in the stores. I believe it was from Bernat. I really love how this turned out and it's a great way to use up that novelty yarn that you can't figure out what to do with!

This is actually a pattern for a placemat but since I used Sugar N Cream instead of size 10 thread it turned into a very nice doily! I still need to block and stiffen it but I think it looks lovely on my table!

Other than that I am finishing up a baby blanket for a co-worker, a purse for my purse swap partner and I'm working on the huge 63 granny squares project with a bunch of yarn in my stash!

I finally got a Dr's appointment to see the 2nd surgeon! I see him on Monday and we should know more after that. A co-worker let me borrow her TENS unit which helps tremendously but it only masks the pain, doesn't actually help to heal me which is what I'm anxious to do!

I will be posting again next week with the details from my next Dr's visit!

What I've been up to

2007-08-29T06:16:00.000-04:00

Well, since I'm still out of work with my back problems about all I've been doing is crocheting! I am still waiting to get an appt with another surgeon for either confirmation or and change of direction from what the first surgeon said.

I've been watching lots of DVD's and making tons of potholders, dishcloths and scrubbies. I actually have almost an entire box full of the crocheted kitchen items I've made over the past several days. Once I get back on my feet we're having a huge garage sale and I'm going to have a seperate table for my craft stuff and see if any of it sells. If not, I'll have Christmas presents ready for the giving!!!

I still have lots of pics from our vacation trip to share I just haven't had the time to get on here and post. Thanks for all your well wishes and thoughts! They really are appreciated! Please pray that I get in to see this 2nd surgeon soon and that he has good news for me!!!

Update on my back

2007-08-17T07:23:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I know I have some blog readers who have been wanting the status of my back and what's going on. Last Thursday was my last day at work and today concludes my first week out completely. I spend about 90% of the day lying in bed and the other 10% includes getting up to stretch, do my leg excercises and checking e-mail.

I went to see my Dr again Weds for a "range of motion test" and he was not pleased with how I'm doing at all. I will say this has been an incredibly bad week. It's amazing just how painful this is. Even lying down doesn't take the pain away completely and if I don't get up and move around every so often it's worse, but getting up hurts too so it's a continuous cycle of pain.

I am only taking the pain pills when I absolutely have to. I am on Oxycontin which is a very serious narcotic and with so many people becoming addicted to this stuff I am taking it less than prescribed to hopefully make sure that doesn't happen to me. I go see the surgeon on Monday afternoon and I will probably get a 2nd opinion after that to be sure we are going to correct route.

Several years ago when I hurt my upper back my Dr prescribed me a "Tens Unit" which is one of the best things ever. It's a little machine with wires and you put a "pad" on the end of each wire and position them in places around the pain and it sends electro currents to that area and helps to "numb" the pain. My Dr is looking into possibly getting me one of those so I don't have to depend on pain pills so much.

Other than that, I'm watching TONS of daytime TV (but haven't gotten into any of my old soaps, THANK GOODNESS!) but am completely bored out of my mind! I so want to go back to work and see my friends and co-workers again. Not to mention I really like my job and hope that they don't replace me forever!

Well that's the story from here. I'll post my progess again when I have something to report. Thanks for all the well wishes! They brighten my days!!!!

More vacation pics (Berea, Ohio) and the first from Michigan

2007-08-13T07:28:00.001-04:00

We ended our time in Ohio with a short drive to Berea (my mom's hometown) to have dinner with my Uncle Paul and his family. This is me and my Uncle Paul (my mom's youngest brother)

This one is my grandma (she looks pretty good for 86, doesn't she?) Doug, my Uncle Paul, Aunt Laurie and cousin Amanda.

We drove my grandma back to Michigan with us which was intersting and she stayed with my brother and his wife. On Tuesday night (our first full night in Michigan) I went to Michigan City, Indiana with Bev and my step-sister, Jennifer for a night of slots at the casino! I had never been to a casino before and had a blast! I started with $30 and ended up with $90!!!! How exciting! This is me playing one of my first slot machines!

This one is of my and Jen. (Notice the woman in the left side of the picture? I wasn't at the casino, I swear! LOL)

After our evening of gambling, this is the 3 of us waiting for the valet to bring our car around.
Nothing could have been a better topper for the evening than a stop at Oinks!!! Oinks is located in New Buffalo, Michigan (on the way home from Mich City) and is famous for some of the best hand dipped ice cream anywhere! In the summer, this place is always super crowded so it was impossible to get a pic inside but they have tons of collectible pig items hanging from the ceiling along with lots of vintage ice cream scoops and the like! If you ever find yourself near New Buffalo in the summertime, make sure you stop here! The prices are steep (for the 3 of us it was almost $15) but it's so worth it!

More vacation pics (Cleveland, Ohio)

2007-08-12T08:09:00.000-04:00

After leaving Akron, we went to Cleveland to visit some other relatives. Even though we drove through downtown Cleveland we didn't take any pics because I've been there so many times in my life it wasn't a big deal (besides, I was driving and Doug had the camera!) Our first stop was for a visit with my cousin Keith, his wife Meg and their kids. They have 4 girls, but we didn't get to see the youngest as she was at a friends house. The smallest one in the pic was a toddler the last time I saw them. My how time flies!

After spending the afternoon here we went to visit with my cousin Jack and his family at my Uncle Don's house. On the way we passed a 2 story McDonalds. We had never seen one before so snapped a pic!

This is me, Doug and my name sake, my Uncle Don. There were 3 pics of us and we weren't all smliling in any of them! LOL

This is my cousin Jack BBQing in my Uncle's backyard.

Me and Doug as we get ready to leave Cleveland.

More vacation pics (Akron, Ohio)

2007-08-10T07:43:00.001-04:00

Ok, so more pics from my vacation are ready to go!!! This is of Doug setting foot in Ohio for the first time ever. It's kind of funny that both of his parents are from Akron but he had never been there before.

This is of the Goodyear Plant in Akron. We couldn't get over how large it was!

These are my cousins. From the right, Dorothy, Milt, me, their daughters boyfriend and one of their daughters, Sue Ellen. It was really nice to see them as I hadn't in many years.

This is the famous spot where the soap box derby is held every year and Doug's dad actually used to make his car and race it every year right in this spot!

This was a big deal for me! Stricklands Frozen Custard, perhaps the best frozen treat you can buy! I remember as a child going to Ohio on vacation, we always had to stop here and get frozen custard. My dad (who never went out of the way for anything) would go miles out of his way to get this stuff. I was so excited to learn it was still standing and that it was just as good as I remembered!

More pics from our trip are coming!!!!

A few more house pics

2007-08-04T22:23:00.001-04:00

Well, we have been getting the house unpacked little by little and pretty much have the living room, dining room, kitchen and master bedroom done. I took pics of a bit of it tonite to show how we decorated it.

This is the dining room. We haven't hung the pics in this area yet...

This is the organ that we brought back from Michigan. This little area is like a little piece of home for me!

The next few are of the living room. We really like how "open" it is.

The next few are of the kitchen. It's much smaller than our old one but we have more counterspace which is a good thing. I think it turned out rather nice!

This is where we originally had the dining room table. We liked the island here much better and since it's on wheels, I can move it into the kitchen when I need it.

An awesome swap package and a FO!

2007-08-02T01:56:00.000-04:00

I know it's been awhile since I've shown any FO's but this one I just had to share. My niece asked me to make this for a friend of hers who is having a baby girl. I used Bernat Softee Baby for the white and pink colors and Bernat Satin for the lavendar. It just turned out lovely and now I've been commissioned to make another one for a co-worker who is having a boy this winter in white and 2 shades of blue! This is the "Little Star Blanket" pattern which you can find for free on Crochet Pattern Central. It's a super simple pattern and you can make it as big or small as you like!

I had to say a big thank you to Emily, my Crochetville Cotton Swap partner!!!! I had already rcv'd 2 packages full of wonderful cotton yarn which I thought had completely fulfilled the swap requirements, when another package arrived last night!!!! Emily you have completely spoiled me!!!! Not only did she send me more yarn (I am super excited about the cotton ease as I've been wanting to try it for awhile now!) but she sent me the Lion Brand Vintage Styles for today pattern book I have been wanting for quite some time!!!! From the picture you can see she also threw a bunch of goodies in my package as well!!!! Notecards, a candle, my favorite chocolates in the world and a ton of doggie scrapbooking items such as stickers, ribbon and stamps!!!! WOO-HOO!! I cannot wait to get completely unpacked and can work on my doggie scrapbooks!!!! Thank you so much again and I hope you like the items I have picked out for you!!!!

Well, since it's the middle of the night and I cannot sleep I thought I would also write a quick update. Many of you know that I have had a problem with my back causing nerve damage to the left side of my body which has made my left leg weak. A few days after getting back from vacation, I slipped and fell pretty hard and really messed my back up this time. I went to the Dr and he did an MRI and says I absolutely need surgery and that with the pain as bad as it is, it's the only thing he thinks will work. I am waiting to get an appointment with the nerosurgeon to see what he says but in the few days since I've seen my Dr, the pain has gone from bad to almost unbearable. I am getting spasms now and can barely walk more than a few feet without being in agony. My Dr wants me on bedrest (yeah, right, I have a mortgage) and out of work until I have surgery but I'll work as long as I can. I mean, I just sit all day long at a desk so it's not like I'm on my feet all day. He has me on some pretty strong pain medicine but it just takes the edge off and that's about it. Wish me luck as we still haven't finished completely unpacking not to mention I really need to work and be able to work overtime to help pay for the vacation we just took and all. Leave it to me huh! Well I think I'll try and get some sleep or I'm going to be a zombie at work today!!!!

Let's start at the beginning...

2007-07-28T20:22:00.000-04:00

Ok, so since I have so many pictures from vacation to share, I thought I would start at the beginning of the trip and work that way...

Our first night on the road, we stayed in Fancy Gap, VA in this little Inn which was quite charming. Here is a pic of Doug packing things up in the morning.

These next few are the view from outside the Inn. It was lovely and the weather was nice and cool.

This was the view as we entered the tunnel to drive through a mountain in West Virginia. I don't like driving through mountains. I hope to never do that again, however, Doug was like a kid in a candy store, and loved every minute of it! LOL

More pics to come soon!

Some pics FINALLY!

2007-07-16T20:48:00.001-04:00

For some reason, I am having a hard time getting blogger to recognize pics from my photobucket account so I had to upload some pics onto my blogger account to be able to show them. If anyone else has had this kind of problem and has some ideas for me, please let me know!!!

Ok, I am just throwing a few pics up here for now but I have a ton of pictures from the entire trip to share eventually!

This first one is me and Doug and my niece's wedding. He was really sick that day, hence the "stoned" look...

This one is from the wedding. It's my dad, step mom, my sister in law's parents, the bride and groom and my granda.

Me and the bride. Isn't she gorgeous???

I have a ton of things to share when I have the time but wanted to at least post a few pics for now. Between working overtime, just finding out I have Jury Duty next week and trying to read the new Harry Potter book while keeping my eyes and ears closed to all the spoilers out there I'm a little muffled right now!

Will share more next week!!!!

We're back!

2007-07-14T19:48:00.000-04:00

Well, we survived our very first long trip together and had a wonderful time! My niece's wedding was beautiful, I got to see almost all of my family, Doug got to see mountains for the first time and he even got to see my hometown in the summer when it's much more beautiful than in the winter!

The drive was very very long but it was nice and we visited with so many people it would make anyone's head spin. From doorstep to doorstep we traveled 2894 miles!!! I have a ton of pictures to share and will do so little by little. Keep checking back for pictures and to hear all the details of our trip!!!

I'm leaving in a blue Pacifica!!!

2007-06-27T19:55:00.000-04:00

Well, I can't believe it but our vacation starts Friday morning! I honestly didn't think it was going to happen! First we had to move so quickly and then Doug went into the hospital Sunday night. He has been sick for over a month and his Dr kept giving him antibiotics so we took him to the ER and they ended up admitting him. Come to find out, he has really bad asthma. He was released last night and his doctors at the hospital told him that not only is it ok for him to go on this trip, but it'll be good for him as the pollen count isn't nearly as high up north as it is here so he should get a little relief!

We're dropping the doggies off at Doug's mom's tomorrow night, packing up the car and will head out first thing Friday morning! I cannot wait to see my family again and for many of them to finally meet Doug!

Well, I have quite a few more things to do tonite before heading off to bed but wanted to make a quick post before I pack things up. Wish us a very safe trip!

See everyone when we get back!!!

Road Trip!

2007-06-20T17:17:00.000-04:00

Well, we leave for Michigan in just over a week! I am so excited I can barely contain myself!!! We have so much to do between now and then but I know it'll be a great vacation and a nice break from life for the 2 weeks we are away!

We are planning on putting a cooler with ice in the back seat and are going to bring sandwiches and such so we won't have to eat out as much. I'm still not sure about exactly what to bring as far as food goes so if you have any suggestions for the trip at all, I'd love to hear them!

The big thing that we have to do between now and then is to unpack the rest of our clothes! We only had 4 or 5 changes of clothes left out for the move and have been living on them. Thank goodness I remembered to leave my dress for the wedding someplace I could easily find it!

I started working on my craft room last night and let's just say I'm going to be doing some major cleaning house here! The bedrooms are quite a bit smaller in this house than our old place so there just isn't nearly as much room as I'd like. I'm setting aside all the things I can't keep and will post them for sale or trade as soon as I'm finished. It may be a couple of months before I'm done but keep your eyes open for that!

Well I have to scoot, but I did want to quickly post what was going on around here. I'm hoping to have lots and lots of pictures to share from my vacation and some of my latest projects as well!!!

We've made the move!!!

2007-06-15T23:12:00.000-04:00

Well, last weekend we moved into our very first home that we own and although closing was a disaster and the moving company was a joke, we are here and finally in our very own place!!! You will be able to see from the pictures that this house is much smaller than our other house but it is extremely expensive to purchase homes and land in Florida. For what we paid for this little house here, we could have purchased a 3 story, 5 bedroom, 2 bath on several acres up in Michigan but since we live in tourist central, prices are high.

We are so excited to be able to paint and decorate how we want to and have so many ideas for the place! This weekend we plan on going shopping for a few things and I think our first thing to "fix up" is the master bathroom. The walls are painted in 2 completely different colors and neither match the countertop so we are going to re-paint the walls and then I'm thinking of sponge painting over it. My craft room/office I plan on re-painting and I will try my hand at free hand by maybe painting balls of yarn and a crochet hook near where I keep my yarn!

We are by no means unpacked except for essentials but each day we get a few more unpacked. We leave for Michigan in 2 weeks and with work I highly doubt we'll be totally unpacked by then but hopefully very soon!

Ok, here are the pics I took the morning we moved so it's almost empty but gives you an idea of how it looks. As we get rooms finished I'll be adding more pics...

These first 2 are of our backyard:

These next ones are of the exterior of the house.

These are of the garage. I love the fact that it has the nice sliding screen doors on it so that once we get it all unpacked in there, we'll be able to sit out there and enjoy the weather without the bugs!

This is the hallway that goes between the garage and the kitchen which of course is also our laundry room.

This is one of the small dining room area and the sliding glass doors that lead out to the patio and backyard.

The guest bathroom

The spare bedroom and it will also be Doug's room where his computer will be.

My office/craft room

These are of the kitchen

These next ones are of the living room area:

This is another of the dining room area:

This is the beautiful bay window in the master bedroom:

And last, but not least, my very own jacuzzi bathtub! I love this thing! It's so relaxing and I just love it! Word of warning, if you ever get one, make sure you get spa soap as the first night I used it I poured a tiny amount of regular soap in the tub so I'd have a few bubbles and once I turned on the jets, in no time the suds had overpowered me and were above my head! LOL From now on, only spa products go in here!

Isn't God amazing?

2007-06-01T18:50:00.001-04:00

Ok, so now that I have had a few mins to update my blog I wanted to share some of the most exciting news ever!!!

The couple that we are buying the house from have been medical foster parents for several years now. I hadn't heard of this before and found out a little more. They have been taking care of babies who have medical conditions until they get adopted. Hearing about some of the children and things that have happened to them just broke my heart. Immediately I felt like this was what I was supposed to be doing. Amazingly, Doug felt exactly the same way! Taking care of children with medical needs actually pays more money than I make now and I would not only have children to care for, but I would be able to stay home and take care of them!

Doug is completely with me in this and as soon as we get moved and settled, the people we are buying the house from are going to put us in touch with the proper people and we'll start the process of taking all the classes, getting certified and such!

We still are hopeful we will have a child of our own someday, but this would be a fantastic idea for the present. We have decided to stop clomid. It just hasn't happened with it and each month the side effects have gotten worse. I think maybe getting off the medicine will help me to focus on that less.

So exciting news for us in the children arena!

I think now I've finally updated everyone on what's going on! We will be leaving for Michigan the end of June and won't be back for a couple of weeks. My niece Sara is getting married and we are driving up there for the wedding. Between now and then we have to move and I have to finish her wedding present which is about 80% done! I hope to post a couple more times before that, but if I don't that's why!

It's kinda bad but for the 2nd year in a row I don't get a birthday. Last year on my birthday (June 30th) we moved so I didn't have much of a birthday at all with moving and cleaning the old house. This year we will be on the road driving up north so I'm quite certain I won't have my ice cream cake this year! LOL Oh well, I guess my present is getting to go up north to see everyone! Say prayers for our safe trip and return!

Oh and lots of prayers are needed for this week! Closing is supposed to happen on Weds and moving day is Saturday! We hope this all goes off without a hitch!!

Doug's 40th Birthday!

2007-06-01T18:44:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share some pics from Doug's birthday party a few weeks ago! It went off without a hitch and he was completely surprised!!!!

This one is of me and Doug during dinner. We all went to Logan's Roadhouse and had a nice birthday dinner!

Just a pic of some of the decorations!

I put 40 candles on the cake and he actually blew them all out!

Has it really been a month since I last posted?

2007-06-01T06:59:00.001-04:00

Wow! Time sure flies, doesn't it? Well the last month has been just a little crazy for us but I think in the end it'll work out for the best.

Start with our landlords calling is the 2nd week of May and asking whether we wanted to re-new our lease. (Our lease isn't even up til June 30th.) Anyway, we told them that we didn't want to stay another year, but that we are wanting to purchase a house and hoped they would let us sign a short term lease. We explained that moving on June 30th wasn't possible as we would be up north for my niece's wedding at the time. They didn't want a short term lease but agreed to let us sign a 6 month lease. We asked if we could talk it over before deciding and they agreed that they would wait for our answer by June 1st at the latest. Fast forward to the next morning when they call and change their minds telling us they are selling the house and want us out when our lease expires!

So we got in touch with a mortgage guy and got the paperwork started then started frantically looking for houses. We saw several, but the 2nd one we looked at just felt like "home" to me. The couple selling are a very nice Christian couple and we hit it off immediately. We made an offer on the house and got the ball rolling!

Last weekend we had Doug's nephews come over to help us pack. Last time we moved it took almost a month to get packed up but this time, over the 3 day weekend we got it ALL packed! (Except essentials, computer, tv and clothes. LOL) Anyway, we talked to our mortgage guy yesterday and we may very well be able to close on the house by middle of next week! I talked to the couple we are buying the house from and they are already moved into their new place so they can close whenever we wish!!! This morning we are heading over for a garage sale with them and are now basically just waiting for the papers to finish up!

This new home is smaller than where we live now, no pool or anything fancy but it's fairly new (2002) and is what I'd describe as "cozy." Doug and I are so excited to get out of this house and into one of our own! As long as the closing goes early enough we'll still be able to make it up north for the wedding!

There is actually quite a bit more to tell but I have to run. I want to thank everyone for the e-mails and encouragement. My ulcer went into high drive during all of this so it's been quite a bumpy ride. I'll be so happy to see the end to this stage in our lives and the beginning of a new one!

I hit the mother lode!

2007-05-05T08:13:00.000-04:00

So I decided to stop at a few garage sales yesterday morning and I stumbled upon a huge "Neighborhood Sale" where almost every house in a subdivison had a sale! I was just looking around and saw a couple skeins of yarn sticking out of a box of other junk and when I moved the "junk" on top I found the entire box was full to the brim of yarn! I asked how much for the box and the next thing I know, the guy shows me 3 other boxes full of yarn type stuff! For all of this I only spent $20!!!! I got tons of yarn, a bunch of thread, ribbon, crochet hooks and knitting needles as well as a bunch of sewing stuff! WOO-HOO! I was so excited I just had to share!!!

A few pictures

2007-04-29T15:52:00.000-04:00

Ok, I know I've been lax in showing my latest things so here's a peek at what I've been working on:

This is a bib I made for a co-worker who's having a baby. It's a free pattern from the Bernat website. Very easy, quick and worked out great!

This next one is from the Happy House website (free pattern) for a headband. It doesn't look like it but it actually turned out a little bit bigger than I needed it to be but it was a quick project to make and I plan on making more in different colors.

And this last one is of my major WIP. This will be the bedspread for my niece's wedding present. I just started on skein 3 and have another 3 after that to go. Once the base is done, I'll be adding flowers and such to it. (The pattern is in the issue before last of Crochet! Magazine.)

Baby Scrubbie

2007-04-22T06:06:00.000-04:00

Made you look! Well you wouldn't want to "scrub" your baby with this as it's more of a gentle washcloth! I made a few things for a co-worker who's having a baby and this one I came up with myself. It's quite simple to make and can be worked up in very little time.

Baby Scrubbie

Size G Crochet Hook
Sugar N Creme yarn

Row 1: CH 20, HDC in 2nd CH from hook and in each CH across. (19 HDC's) CH 1, turn.

Row 2: SC in first stitch, **HDC in next stitch, SC in next stitch** repeat across. CH 1, turn.

Rows 3-15: Repeat Row #2
(if you want to make it larger, just cont with this repeat for the desired length.)

Row 16: HDC in first stitch and in each stitch across. DO not turn.

Row 17: (You are now working around the dishcloth. On the sides, work into the sides of each row.) Work SC, 3 DC's in next stitch. *Skip next stitch, work SC, 3 DC's in next stitch.* Repeat around. Join, fasten off and weave in ends.

Another Cake

2007-04-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

So we were having a little going away party at work for 2 of our co-workers. One lady was retiring and one of our engineers was moving to a different area of the plant. I made the cake and decided to do the logo for what we build in our area. Anyway, here it is:

I planned to do the logo with Royal Icing which is much easier to do these kinds of things with, not to mention that it dries hard as a rock and is shiny. I actually did the logo on parchment paper and the humidity was so high that it wouldn't dry as hard as it needed to and didn't work so I ended up having to use regular buttercream for the logo which was very difficult. All in all I think it turned out nice but not as nice as it could have. At least everyone ate the cake! LOL

I'm still alive!

2007-04-21T09:42:00.000-04:00

Yes, I'm still here, but busy as always! I do have some pics to post and will try to do that this weekend.

Still working a lot and organizing and making plans for our trip up north this summer. We sat down yesterday for the first time to figure out an approx on gas and such and if gas stays the same (i'm sure it'll be more expensive come july) it'll cost us around $400 alone in gas! UGH! Not to mention tolls, food, hotel and other stuff. I'm going to start working as much overtime as I can muster and still feel alive. I worked 1/2 a day yesterday and so if I worked 1/2 a day overtime every week it would sure put a dent in the budget for our trip!

This week was very very rough. As if I didn't have a very pregnant woman to deal with at work already but I found out that ANOTHER one of my co-workers is expecting. It was just a slap in the face. She already has 2 kids, not married but living with man, doesn't tell the gov't. You know the type. She gets all these benefits for the kids that us honest taxpayers pay and here she is having another one! Am I missing something here? I'm MARRIED, waited til I was older than 14 years old and am pretty well established, not to mention, want a child very badly, yet month after month this miracle happens to everyone else I see but me. Yes, I know, pity party for Donna but it is very difficult to deal with. And it isn't just me! I know people who are in the same boat I'm in and it just doesn't seem right. It's one of those things I'll never understand.

Ok, enough crying for now. I did manage to find the rest of the yarn I needed for my niece's bedspread so I've been working on it quite a bit. I think it'll be really nice when it's finished but it's a little bit more of a pain than I thought it would be. I have to really concentrate and COUNT COUNT COUNT all the time! It isn't one of those mindless projects!

Well, that's about it from here for the moment. I'll try to get some new pics posted soon! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

My SP reveal package!

2007-04-08T07:30:00.000-04:00

My spring SP sent me her reveal package and I just LOVED everything!!!! She sent me a TON of scrapbook paper, stickers, a ton of Paton's Brilliance yarn, some patterns, an awesome Crock Pot cookbook (not in the pic) and the coolest Baby Blanket in the shape of a rabbit!!!!!

This is a close up of the blanket. Isn't it adorable???

Baby Blankets and Easter Bunnies!

2007-03-31T22:03:00.000-04:00

I actually finished a project that wasn't one of the ghans for the Florida victims! LOL One of my co-workers if having a baby (a girl) and so I decided to make her a baby ghan. I got the pattern from Lion Brand and it's actually taken from the baby hooded blanket pattern but I just didn't do the hood. I used Bernat Coordinates and love the way the colors worked out! One of my other co-workers was so impressed that she has comissioned me to make her 2 of the exact same blankets for her but only in blue instead of pink! (She's got 2 grandsons on the way this summer!) Dummy me tells her I'll do both for $40! UGH! The yarn itself is almost $8 for each blanket! Am I too afraid to ask for what I should get? I think I should have easily asked for $50 for each and I'm quite certain she would have paid it but I just couldn't do it. Am I a sucker or what? Anyway, here's the one I made for the girl. It really is a nice and easy pattern so maybe I'll make more down the road and sell them on etsy!

Last week we had a "Spring Fling" picnic at work to celebrate the first day of spring. I was asked to make a "Spring" cake and after that, someone suggested I make a bunny, so I did. I used Red Velvet cake (got the idea from Steel Magnolias! LOL) and used Fondant for his ears and tail. Everyone raved about this cake and loved how he looked like he was bleeding when we were cutting him open! LOL

Sunday's Ramblings

2007-03-18T09:08:00.000-04:00

Boy have I neglected my blog lately! I've just been sooooo busy with work and working on the ghans for the Tornado victims, not to mention the swaps I'm in so I haven't had much time for anything else.

Doug took me to see "Music and Lyrics" yesterday and it was a great movie! If you are a child of the 80's (as I am) you must see this film! The opening video was a complete knock-off of some of the most famous 80's videos! Not to mention it was warm, funny and great to watch!

We are having a potluck at work on Wednesday to welcome the first day of spring and I'm making an Easter Bunny Cake and a triple chocolate cheesecake! Yummy! I make the actual cake yesterday and need to put it together and decorate it and will make the cheesecake today. It's a recipe I got from the latest issue of Woman's Day and looks fantastic! I hope it tastes as good as it looks! It's got 3 layers, one of semi-sweet, one of white and another of milk chocolate topped off with a chocolate glaze!!!

Doug and I switched to Verizon from Nextel. We got 2 new awesome fancy phones and love them! Our old phone was like 3 years old, very heavy and just ancient! I got the bluetooth headset with mine and love it! I'm still learning about all the bells and whistles on it!

That's about it from here, just wanted to post an update!

Just a little update

2007-03-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

I know I haven't been blogging much lately so I thought I'd take a few mins and let everyone know what I've been up to.

With my new job I just don't have the time I used to. I get up at 4:45am and have to be at work by 6am. I work until 3:30pm and as soon as I get home I usually cook dinner, clean the kitchen and check my e-mail. Doug and I try to watch a little TV together in the evenings, but most nights we are in bed by 8:30-9pm. Not to mention trying to get some crochet time in, so you can see why I'm MIA a lot of the time!

I've been trying to finish up the rest of the ghans for the Florida tornado victims but squares keep coming in! Not that I'm complaining as the more squares, the more ghans I can make for them but it doesn't leave time for much else.

I'm in a few swaps over at the Ville so I'm also trying to get those finished up as well as think about actually STARTING my niece's wedding present. She's getting married in July and I have yet to actually buy the yarn for her bedspread. I'm terrible with thread so I found an awesome pattern for a yarn bedspread. It's beautiful but the pattern is only for a twin and her bed is queen size so I have to figure out how much more yarn to get as well as what yarn to use! I'm putting a cap on her present at about $50 which I know isn't much but it's the most I can swing for this as I will be making her a bunch of other "little" things. I just don't know what kind of yarn to use! I want it to be functional, something she can wash and something that's practical, yet I want it to feel soft.

Speaking of her wedding, I am SOOOOO excited about this! Doug and I will be taking a little over a week on our trip! He ha NEVER seen my home state in the summer before so it'll be cool! He's only seen it in the winter when it's dirty and messy with snow. Southwestern Michigan is beautiful in both summer and fall so he'll get to see how truly beautiful it really is! We're planning on stopping overnight in Cleveland so that he can meet the "rest" of my family. My aunts, uncles and most of my cousins all live around the Cleveland area and my grandma lives in Berea (about 30 mins from Cleveland) so we'll have a nice visit with everyone. I haven't seen my cousins for years and years so all my little second cousins are all grown up now. I feel so old!

The big news about driving up north is that I'm bringing home my organ! When I was in kindergarten my dad (who worked at Heath Company at the time) built an actual organ! It was a Heath Kit and he put together each key and nut and bolt. I was the lucky kid who had to take organ lessons and learned enough to get by. I am NOT a great player but it has always been set aside that when my dad is gone the organ is mine. Well my parents really don't need another dust catcher in the house and since my dad is pretty much in his wheelchair all the time it's gotten no use and is in dire need of repair. So we're going to bring it home with us and hopefully Doug and I will be able to get it cleaned up and in complete working condition again! (It still works, but some of the keys are out of service.) We hope that it'll fit in the back of our Pacifica as we cannot tow a trailer with our car and really don't want to rent a big vehicle for that far of a drive. My mom sent me the dimensions last night so now we have to measure the car and see if it'll go. Keep your fingers crossed!!!

Well that's it from here! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

It's Christmas for Donna this week!

2007-03-07T17:25:00.000-05:00

This first pic is of the coolest bag ever! My friend, Margaret, made this for me and I LOVE IT! It reminds me of one of those old quilt bags! Thanks Margaret! You're the best!!! (Fozzy just had to be in the pic! LOL)

This next pic is of my first package from my Spring Secret Pal! She has spoiled me already and sent me some really cool stuff! She made me some squares for the ghans I'm making for the Florida tornado victims, she also sent me a ton of dark chocolate (yummy!), as well as the 2 prettiest colors of Sugar N Cream and some baby patterns! Thanks SP, I love everything!!!

This last pic is from my Woolie Wool swap partner! She sent me the most yummy wool yarn, some purse handles, a memo pad, note cards, a bunch of yummy cocoa as well as some postcards from her home state as well as a book from her home state! Thanks so much Darlene! I cannot wait to make something awesome with my new yarn!!!!

My new toy!

2007-02-28T18:34:00.000-05:00

For Valentine's Day, Doug got me an MP3 player! I was so excited! This is my first MP3 player and even though it was a little hard to figure out how to upload/delete songs, now that I know how it works, it's pretty neat! I'm most excited about listening to podcasts from my fave News/Talk Shows which I can't listen to anymore due to my new job.

The only complaint I have is that the player came "pre-loaded" with about a dozen songs. I HATE HATE HATE each one of these songs and have tried everything I can think of to erase them but cannot seem to do it! It is taking away space that I could use for songs I do like! I also like to use the "shuffle" feature and if I use this these songs also get mixed in which is frustrating! Any tech-savies here who have an idea on how to get rid of these songs???

If you know of any good podcasts, please let me know!!! I'm having a blast listening to them all!

A few FO's

2007-02-25T10:15:00.000-05:00

The first pic I wantd to post is of the beautiful socks my swap partner made me in January! Aren't they cool? They fit my monster feet like a glove as well!!!!

As most of you know, I've been working on stitching together sqaures to give to the victims of the recent tornadoes down here in Florida. Here are the ghans I have completed thus far:

This last one was made completely by indiliu (from crochetville). She sent me the entire afghan! It's made with 2 strands of yarn and feels very soft and cozy. Whoever gets this one will love it, I'm sure!

I will have at least another 2 ghans before being finished but I hope I'll get enough squares for at least another 2 or 3 ghans. If you're thinking about donating some 12 inch squares, please leave a comment for me and I'll get in touch with you!

Thanks again to all who have donated so far!!!

Easy Chicken Casserole

2007-02-18T08:51:00.000-05:00

I have gotten into the bad habit lately of just making hamburger helper and boxed meals for dinner. Working the hours I do, it's very hard to cook nice dinners for my hubby. However after learning how quick and easy casseroles can be, I'm pledging to make at least 2 a week for him.

This recipe came from a co-worker of mine. She makes some of the most amazing food and the other day I told her what I had on hand and asked what I could make with it. She came up with the basic idea and I dressed it up a bit. Hubby absolutely loved it!

Easy Chicken Casserole (serves 2-4 depending on how big your portions are)
4 boneless chicken breasts
1 can french style green beans
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz. milk
onion flakes (or diced fresh onions if you have them)
garlic salt to taste
chicken & poultry seasoning
small amount sour cream
shredded monterey jack cheese

In a casserole dish place drained can of beans, then cream of chicken soup, milk and onion; stir well. Place chicken breast on top of mixture and sprinkle with chicken seasoning and garlic salt. Bake uncovered in a 450 degree oven for 40 mins or until chicken is done. After plating food, place a dollop of sour cream on top of chicken and sprinkle with cheese.

ENJOY!!!

Barnhill's

2007-02-11T19:26:00.000-05:00

Ever been to this restaurant before? If not, it's a buffet style place and a little pricey. When they first opened here a couple of years ago it was incredible. The food was fantastic and worth every penny. Then we noticed slowly but surely it getting worse and worse. We had an especially bad meal a few months ago and complained to the management about it. They gave us a couple of free coupons so we used them this weekend. Sad to say it'll be the last time we ever go there.

Not only was the food just plain awful but they weren't doing anything about the zillions of children pushing adults out of the way in line. There must have been a reunion or something but there were tons of kids with this group of people (many of them small children) who literally pushed us out of the way to get the food. Many used their hands and were just plain rude. Aside from the kids most of the food was old and cold. It's a shame when a good place turns bad. They used to have some of the best food around and now it's just a way overpriced buffet.

There's one reason why places like McDonald's and Burger King are still in business and thriving. Because (for the most part) they serve the same quality food at each location and don't just start serving old, nasty food because they can.

There's my rant for the evening! It wasn't too bad, was it?

Donations needed for Florida Tornado Victims

2007-02-05T19:33:00.000-05:00

After the devistation of the tornadoes last week here in the corner of the world where I live, I wanted to do something. The Villages are only about 10 miles away from where I live and Lake County is just a bit farther. These storms literally passed right over us and hit many other people. So far 20 people are known to have lost their lives and the devistation in these areas are horrible.

There's not a lot that can be done but rebuild. One of the things I think about in times like this are that these people lost everything. Photographs, family heirlooms and everything else you and I take for granted will always be there.

I am organizing a charity blitz of sorts and have asked those on the message boards I frequent as well as here on my blog to help. I would like to give these people as many comfortghans as are possible. I am collecting 12 inch squares which I will stitch together and hand deliver myself. 12 - 12 inch squares will make ONE comfortghan. In just a few hours time yesterday I was able to stitch 5 squares myself so I know this can be done. Fancy patterns and specialty yarn are NOT necessary! Grab ANY worsted weight yarn in any color(s) and get started on some squares! If you knit, send those to me as well! If you would rather donate an entire afghan, that's fine too. Anything you can send will help. I am hoping that the people who receive these gifts will find some healing out of this tragedy.

If you'd like to help out, please post a comment here with however I can get in touch with you. If you give me your e-mail address in the comment I will not publish it so that others won't have access to it. I am thinking the end of February for a time frame. Right now they really aren't letting people into the area so I'm thinking if I have everything by the end of the month maybe by then I'll be able to have a clear idea where to drop these items off. THANKS A BUNCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My first big sewing project!!!

2007-02-04T09:38:00.000-05:00

This first picture is of my Tweety claiming her spot on top of all the fabric!

This is my Aunt and Uncle while we were in the middle of working on my bag...

This shows the finished bag and I took it next to Fozzy to show you how big it is! It's only half way filled and very heavy already! We really didn't realize it would be this big! We made 3 pockets in the front where I'm keeping my hooks, tape measure, scissors and other notions.

And this one is just of the bag by itself...

This last one is of the inside of the bag. We made a nice, big pocket for crochet magazines and such as well as a little cell phone holder...

I went to Jo-Anns and got some clearance fabric. I think maybe next weekend I'll try my hand at another sewing project. If you have any links for very simple sewing projects, I'd love to see 'em!!!!

First time homebuyer

2007-01-31T17:26:00.000-05:00

Doug and I started looking into purchasing our very first home and I guess I just need to vent! First of all, both of our credits are very good and we have actually been approved at our bank but we do not like the payments or interest rate. They quoted us 6.5% for a 30 year fixed rate. Down here in Florida homes are very expensive with the average home going for around $175,000. Less than 2 years ago houses were less than half that much but the market has just gone crazy here! We currently pay$1200 a month in rent and would really like to stay under $1000 a month in payments with this mortgage. Once I have a baby we won't have my income anymore so we definately don't want to go "up" in payments. The lady we met with at the bank was less than helpful. She was very forceful and didn't explain things well at all. Not to mention she was rather pushy. After talking with a few people we heard the interest rate and such isn't so bad but the over $12000 in closing costs definately are! As a first time homebuyer where do we go, who do we trust? We really don't want to go all over town as every time your credit gets looked at, you lose points.

Any helpful hints would be most appreciated!!!!!!

6 Weird Things

2007-01-29T18:47:00.000-05:00

Well, it looks like I've been tagged! DixieRedHead sent me to her blog to post 6 weird things about myself so here goes!

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

Ok, here's what I've come up with!

1. Even though I'm female, I have feet and hands the size of your average male. Size 13 shoes and very big wrists. I usually have to purchase special watches that will fit my enourmous hands and have NEVER owned a pair of PINK tennis shoes in my life! (One day I hope they'll make them in my size!)

2. My friends call me a "Plethora of useless information." I am not book smart, I'm useless trivia smart. I can pretty much recite the words to each Star Wars movie by heart. I remember the oddest things about celebs and movies and usually watch a movie I like at least 2 dozen times during my life.

3. I'm left handed, but do many things with my right. I cannot hold a pencil in my right hand, yet I cannot cut with scissors with my left. I cannot eat with my right hand, yet cannot seem to work a computer mouse with my left!

4. I'm a bit obsessive compulsive about certain things. For example, at my job, the first time I washed my hands I pulled 3 paper towel sheets from the roll (that's how many it took to dry my hands) and now it's like I have to grab exactly 3 sheets or something bad will happen. Weird, huh?

5. Not sure if this is "weird" but even though I grew up in a very light atmoshphere and carefree way I'm quite the opposite now. I got maybe 3 spankings in my life, talked back to my parents, never did any chores and was a spoiled rotten brat. Ever since I became an adult, however, I see the need for structure and discipline. Whenever my nieces or nephews come over, they help make dinner and help clean up and know they need to respect me and Doug. I think it's weird how differently I see things now. Again, not sure if it's weird enough for this list, but there it is!

6. I have a compulsion to buy things for my crafting that I'll never use and don't need just because it's on clearance for 50cents! My office is overflowing with yarn, books, paint, needles, fabric, stickers and various scrapbooking items that I will never have the time to actually use, yet I still buy more!

Now to the "fun" part. Who to tag? Well I don't know of anyone to tag. Each person I thought about already had been tagged before. Looks like I'm the end of the line. I tried! If you have a blog and would like to post 6 Weird Things, consider yourself tagged!

Lookie what I learned how to do!!!

2007-01-28T06:52:00.000-05:00

I know it doesn't look like much, but this is a major accomplishment for me! I have never been able to sew and after DH got me a sewing machine for Christmas I had serious doubts I'd ever be able to learn as I just couldn't figure out how to work the thing. Then my aunt and uncle came for the weekend and my aunt (the one who taught me how to crochet) showed me how to sew! We went to Jo-Ann's, picked out a pattern, fabric and all the notions and came home and she showed me how!!! I am also making a nice tote bag today. We have all the parts cut out but forgot to buy one little item so won't start on that til later today! I was just so excited about my first sewing project I just had to share!!!!! Watch out, I am dangerous now!!!!

P.S. Oh, and if you still don't know what this is, it's an eyeglass case!

Garden Trellis Poncho

2007-01-21T17:52:00.000-05:00

This pattern is actually written in shawl form but I really wanted to make it into a poncho so I did! I love the way it turned out and it wasn't too hard to convert it. (Forgive the pics, my hubby always takes the most unflattering angles! LOL) This pattern is available for purchase from www.crochetgarden.com

My latest masterpiece!!!!

2007-01-20T18:36:00.000-05:00

I took my 2nd Bob Ross painting class today and wow, this was much harder than painting a landscape! It did turn out good in the end and now I'm anxious to try a picture on my own without an instructor!

My latest ramblings...

2007-01-19T21:25:00.000-05:00

Well this has been the week from hell! (We all have them, right?) I really don't want to say much except that my ulcer (which I have been able to keep under control) is starting to bother me again! Oh well, thank goodness it's the weekend!!!!!

I have been crocheting as much as possible and am trying to finish up this poncho I started. I purchased the Garden Trellis Shawl pattern from Crochet Garden which is wonderful and well worth every penny! The thing is that I wanted to make it into a poncho. I modified the pattern jut a bit and even though it should work in theory I won't hold my breath until I have it completed! I'm about 3/4's of the way through and am hoping I'll finish it this weekend. Problem is that I used some yarn I got on clearance awhile back (Red Heart Econo Baby in white) and I haven't seen it anywhere since. At first I thought 2 skeins would do it, but it looks like I'm going to come up a bit short. This weekend I'm going to run by all the yarn stores and see if anyone carries it!

Tomorrow afternoon I'm taking my 2nd Bob Ross painting class! The last one I took in November 2005 and loved it! This painting is of a horse and I know Doug will love it (he loves horses.) I'm also going to stop by Michaels and see how much $1 yarn I can snag during their sale!

In other news, I am on baby food again!!! My right upper fang tooth (which has had a crown on it) broke and it is not repairable. My dentist said this would probably happen in a few years (I had it for 5 so I can't complain) and that I have to first go to an oral surgeon to have the tooth removed then he would do the bridge. The only oral surgeon I can go to in my "network" can't get me in til next Friday. It wouldn't have been so bad but the part of the tooth that's left cracked and it's loose in my gums. I cannot even touch that area with my tongue it's so sensitive so hard, crunchy foods are out, as are most other foods. I've been eating lots of jello, pudding, potatoes and ice cream but boy am I getting sick of it!

Well that's about all the news from my exciting week! Hope everyone is doing well and I hope to post pics of my latest masterpiece sometime next week!!!!!!!!

New Swap Open!

2007-01-13T10:22:00.000-05:00

Many of you know I started my own Yahoo Group last year called "Crochet Swappers Anonymous" where we will swap lots of items. If you'd like to join, click HERE and sign in with your Yahoo ID. Our February Swap is going to be Kitchen Crochet featuring a full set of items for your kitchen. Sign-ups will be open until Jan 31st. I hope to see you all there!

A few FO's

2007-01-12T18:40:00.000-05:00

I made a few things for the "Be my Valentine" CAL over at Crochetville and wanted to share pics with you.

This first one is a heart doily I made. It was insanely easy to make and I love the way it turned out!

This next one is 2 of the 4 Heart Coasters I plan on making. Again, very easy!

This I tested for Stormy and plan on putting it on top of my hubby's Valentine's Day gift! It was so easy to make!

And last but not least are 2 remote cozy's I created! The blue one I made for my brother for Christmas and just has one pocket, the white one I made for Doug and has 2 pockets. The pattern is my original design and super simple. I will share shortly.

Lemon-Cheese Delights

2007-01-09T19:02:00.000-05:00

So the other night I had an idea for a quick, sweet treat and it turned out incredible so I thought I'd share the recipe here. These are super simple to make and only take a few mins to prepare!

Ingredients:
1 package refrigerated Crescent Rolls
1 package cream cheese (softened)
1 can lemon pie filling
2 tablespoons white suger (optional)
whipped topping or ice cream (optional)

Pre-heat oven to temp listed on the rolls.
Roll out rolls individually on a greased cookie sheet.
Spread 1 tablespoon cream cheese on each roll.
Place a dolop of lemon filling in the middle of each roll.
Roll up rolls and place in pre-heated oven.
Bake approximately 15 mins or until golden brown.
Sprinkle sugar on top (if you like it a little sweeter)
Serve warm with either Whipped Topping or Ice Cream on top.

ENJOY!!!!

Flower Power Coordinates

2007-01-06T20:36:00.000-05:00

I was packing up my Christmas Presents for up north (I know, better late than never though!) and realized I misplaced the adorable purse I made for my great niece so I whipped this set up today and love the way it turned out! It's the cute Flower Power Hat and Purse from Simply Creative Crochet Magazine (Jan 2006 issue). I used what I had on hand which was Red-Heart Super Saver. I hope she likes it!

I'm Princess Leia!

2007-01-04T17:47:00.000-05:00

I took this cool quiz and cannot say that I'm surprised at the results! I always knew I was a Princess! LOL Which character are you?

A strong-willed herald of causes against injustice, you passionately strive to right the wrongs around you.

Somebody has to save our skins!

Progress on the Blackford Beauty

2007-01-01T18:37:00.000-05:00

I've been working feverishly on this and finished my first of 12 "squares" that make up this ghan. It actually takes 64 small squares to make up just ONE big square but it sure it gorgeous! This is going to be beautiful when complete! Let's just hope I can keep my momentum going!

Latest FO ~ Stroller Blanket

2006-12-31T19:23:00.000-05:00

One of the presents Doug got me for Christmas was some baby yarn which I thought was sweet. I whipped this up in just a few days and love the way it turned out!!! I got the pattern from the latest issue from Crochet Today. I used Red Heart Baby Econo and Bernat Softee Baby.

My 2007 Crochet Resolutions!

2006-12-30T07:37:00.000-05:00

I'm going to try my best at keeping these resolutions in hopes that I'll have fewer WIP's , more finished items and a less cluttered work space. We shall see!

1. I promise not to buy ANY novelty/fun yarn unless it's needed for a specific project no matter how cheap it is on clearance!

2. I promise to put away yarn that isn't being used for a project instead of letting it lay around my office.

3. I promise to actually check my gauge on form-fitting items and actually try to follow a pattern from start to finish without deviating from it!

4. I promise to have no more than 5 major WIP's at any one time and no more than 5 small WIP's at any one time. (I will keep a status bar on my blog to help keep me in check!)

5. I will not purchase any more crochet books no matter how great the temptation until I actually make at least ONE item from each of the last 5 books I have purchased!

6. I will not offer to crochet items for co-workers unless I am being paid for it no matter how much they gush over how much they love my things.

7. I will become more involved in crocheting for charities by making at least ONE item per month.

8. I will only join swaps which I have time for and will do a better job of being involved in my own swap forum (Crochet Swappers Anonymous)

9. I will crochet gifts for people in a quick manner and get them mailed out in time!

10. I will continue to crochet baby items in hopes that we will have our own baby in the coming year. I will no longer let doubts of not having a child stop me from crocheting cute little booties, blankies and bonnets.

I hope everyone has a happy new year and is able to stick to their own resolutions!

(My normal new years resolutions are to follow...)

My latest WIP! Blackford Beauty Crochet Quilt!

2006-12-28T23:10:00.000-05:00

Call me crazy but I have just started working on a new crochet quilt! I saw THIS pattern and fell immediately in love with it! I have usually not done these afghans as I hate sewing hundreds of squares together, not to mention the zillion ends that need woven in, however it was just too pretty NOT to do!

I decided to make it for a friend of mine as a "Friendship Quilt" and am joining the squares as I go. I am also weaving in the ends as I go so that it doesn't get too daunting at the end!

I plan on using White, Burgundy, Light Green and Dark Green. I have already gotten started on white and am going to go yarn shopping for the rest of the yarn this weekend. Wish me luck! Let's hope I can actually keep going and finish this up rather quickly!

Pictures from Christmas!

2006-12-27T17:15:00.000-05:00

My parents are now back home in Michigan and since I had a few minutes, I thought I'd share a few pictures from their visit!

This first one is just of me and my dad. It's my favorite picture! I had such a great time while he was here and hated seeing him go home.

The next one is just of Tweety sitting in Grandpa's lap! It took her quite a few days before she'd go near him, but once she did, she was clamoring for attention quite a bit!

Since our very first Christmas together, we have always taken a picture in front of the tree on Christmas Eve! This is this years and a pretty bad picture. Doug looks mad (even though he wasn't) but it'll still have it's place in our family album!

These next 2 I really liked! While we were opening presents, Tweety was very curious about each present and was quite nosy! LOL

And of course I had to include a pic of Doug opening his big present! He was shocked and really loved his afghan! Once he opened it, he had me spread it out to get a better picture! (If you look at the bottom corner of the first picture, you can see poor Fozzy trying to get in the picture as well!)

I have been wanting one of these Snow Globe lawn things all year and Doug got me one for Christmas! Isn't it neat?

This is the only one of me and Bev together and it's not the best but at least we got one!

And this last once I just loved! Me and my little boy on Christmas Eve! Isn't he cute?

Twas the night before Christmas

2006-12-24T18:39:00.000-05:00

Wow! It's Christmas Eve already! My parents got to town Monday evening and we have had such a nice visit this week! They only have 2 more days before going home which is sad, but I'm so glad they were able to come for a visit!

Tonite we will each open one present and eat lots of goodies! I made a Lemon Poppyseed Sour Cream Cake and Bev made 2 pumpkin pies (one for tonite and one for tomorrow) and I also whipped up a cheese spread to go with crackers. Tomorrow we will open gifts in the morning and will start working on dinner pretty early. On Tuesday, Bev and I plan on going shopping the after Christmas sales and are going to have lunch at the local Mexican restaurant. Doug won't eat Mexican and I have nobody to go with so I haven't eaten there yet. Best yet, I have a coupon for buy one entree get one free so that will be good! Then on Tuesday night we really won't get much sleep as we have to leave for the airport by about 3:30am. UGH! But that's such a small price to pay to have spent a whole week with my dad!

I hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas and have fun whether it's with a large family, or just a quiet celebration at home. May we take a moment tomorrow to remember the reason we celebrate Christmas and give thanks to Jesus for coming to earth and taking on a human body for us.

Merry Christmas!!!

Cruel and Unusual Punishment?

2006-12-16T05:34:00.000-05:00

Ok, I don't want to start a whole pro or con debate on the whole death penalty issue, but this really has me ticked.

Last week in Florida, a man was executed by lethal injection and I guess it took 2 doses to kill him and he appeared to be in pain. (Read the story here). Anyway, Gov Bush has now suspended all executions in Fla and there's a big hoopla about how this was cruel and unusual punishment.

Ummmm, hello! This man killed someone! I think being put to sleep is a very nice way to die. We shouldn't do the whole lethal injection thing. Go back to the electric chair or death by firing squad. Or better yet, let the families of the victims kill them however they wish.

Why are we bending over backwards to assist those people who are not fit for society and who have caused so much pain and agony to others? I remember a few months ago there was something similar that happened. Supposedly the man wasn't "healthy enough" for execution. Huh? Not healthy enough? What the heck is that all about?

The United States of America that we have grown up in and been a part of for years is now so politically correct that we don't stop and think about what's right and what's wrong. Pretty soon it will be illegal to say the word Christmas, pretty soon we'll have national holidays for Muslims, Cubans and illegal immigrants. Pretty soon English won't be spoken at all. Why? Because our country is too wimpy to put a stop to all of this.

Ok, enough for now, this just really really burns me. Oh and if you are going to start leaving me nasty comments I won't publish them. If you want to disagree with me that's fine, but do it nicely. Thanks!

P.S. I have nothing against Muslims, Cubans or any other race. I just feel that if you come to this country, you need to do so legally, become a tax paying citizen and that you adapt to OUR culture, not insist that we adapt to yours! When our ancestors came here years ago they didn't demand that we learn their language and they certainly didn't get welfare. They worked their butts off to start a new life for their families and that's all I'm asking of anyone else. If I decided to move somewhere else, I certainly wouldn't expect the whole country to adapt to me, I'd learn their language and culture and do my best to become a productive member of it.

3 more days!!!

2006-12-15T16:16:00.000-05:00

Well, my parents will be here Monday evening and I am sooooo excited!!! I cannot believe it's Christmas time again already! We got the lift chair delivered this afternoon and all ready and set up for my dad. Since I woke up this morning I've been slowly cleaning my office. I still have to get the bedroom set up for Bev and only have about 1/2 of my office done right now. I'm moving in super slow motion today. At least I finished the last of the small crocheted gifts I made for Bev and got her and my dad's stockings stuffed so that's one more thing done!

I finished my first week of actual on the job work and really like it. I've never done anything like this before in my life so it's a big challenge but I really enjoy learning new things. This kind of job requires a lot of patience and paying close attention to what you're doing. So far, the people I work with are super nice and friendly. Next week will be a nice short week and then we are all off for Christmas break!!!

Well, it's back to cleaning and getting the house ready. I don't know how much I'll be on line after my parents get here so if you don't hear from me for awhile, don't worry. I'll post again when I have the time!

If I don't get on here again before then, have a Merry Christmas!!!!!!

FINISHED!!! 6 months in the making!!!

2006-12-13T19:31:00.000-05:00

Well, it is finally done!!! Doug's afghan for Christmas is complete and ready to be put under the tree! I never thought I would get it finished so it's a big relief to know it is done! If not for all my wonderful internet friends cheering me on, I never would have finished this so thank you to each and every one of you who helped me along the way!

Here's a picture of how it looks. It's not the best picture but the best I could do at the moment. We sewed fleece to the back of it and a hem around the front to complete it. I figured it out and after all was said and done this monster was made up of over 30,000 single crochets! UGH!!! I can't wait to see Doug's face when he opens it on Christmas morning!

Training is OVER!!!!

2006-12-09T07:43:00.000-05:00

I am sooooo excited! Training ended on Thursday afternoon and each of us were told what part of the plant we would be working in. There were 6 of us in the class and only 2 of us are working in the same area, everyone else is spread out all over the place. Another girl and I have been put right next to each other which is nice as we are both learning the ropes and getting comfortable with our surroundings. The job I'll be doing is great as it was one of my favorite parts of training and something I think I'll enjoy doing daily. We pretty much got our areas all set up yesterday, met everyone and kind of just adapted to our surroundings. Monday the real fun begins when we actually get to do something.

It's such a relief to have training behind us! 6 weeks was way too long a time! I really am enjoying this new job but I have really had to adapt to not having nearly as much crochet and internet time as before. Now I only have maybe 30 mins in the evenings and other than that, everything has to wait til the weekend. Some of my other obligations are suffering for it but it can't be helped. I've been fevereshly working on Doug's present as we're getting down to the wire here and it still needs to be sewn when it's all done. Anyway, last night I finally finished the crocheted portion of it! It looks amazing if I do say so myself! LOL I'm going to see if Doug's mom can come over this weekend and show me how to use my new sewing machine and help me sew this together. I am pretty much all done with everything else except for 2 other items. I think I'm going to start taking these projects with me to work and try and work on them during lunch break. While in training I ate lunch with Doug as we were in close proximity to each other. Now that I'm on the floor, I am in a completely different area than him and it takes way too long to go get him and eat in the cafeteria with him. I will more than likely just eat in the breakroom in my area and maybe once a week have lunch with him. Hopefully I'll be able to get these last 2 items finished!

That's about it for now. I will upload a pic of Doug's finished present after I get it sewm which will hopefully be this weekend!!!!!!!!!

My latest design ~ Felted Purse & Cell Cozy

2006-12-03T06:22:00.000-05:00

Can you believe I'm finally posting a picture? I got up early this morning (couldn't sleep) so figured I'd upload some photos. I just finished this set last night (had it finished for the past 2 weeks, just hadn't felted them yet). Anyway, I used Caron's Felt It and even though it didn't turn out nearly as well as the other felted bag I made, I am quite pleased with it anyway. I made these for me me me! I really wanted a nice, bright, colorful purse for me to take to work and a matching cell cozy so I whipped these up and voila! They are all primarily done in HDC but I did write out the pattern and will be having it tested soon. What do you think?

Before felting:

After felting:

Update and today's ramblings...

2006-12-02T18:36:00.000-05:00

Well, Monday starts my final week of training at work! I cannot wait for it to finally be over! The past 2 weeks it has gotten a lot better and I've been doing much better. I can't wait to get out on the floor and actually doing something other than "practice"...

My parents will be here in just over 2 weeks and we've got so much to do! We will be cleaning the house from top to bottom and will be shampooing the rugs. I also have to finish the last of the presents and with my new job, I don't have nearly as much crochet time as I used to.

Ok, tell me if you think we're crazy or justified in our thinking... Our landlord came over about 3 weeks ago and started literally tearing up the backyard. He took out ALL the bushes, flowers, shrubs, bird bath, ceramic tiles in the garden and even took out a beautiful plant. Our backyard looks horrible and he still hasn't finished yet. He's been taking all the stuff from our yard and putting it in his own yard. I can't find anything on line about this, but doesn't this seem odd? I mean, part of what we liked about this house was the landscaping and all of a sudden we have nothing in our backyard! Not only that, but he's been working on it slowly over a 3 week period and isn't even done yet. There are big patches of dirt where he's dug stuff up so our dog's get all muddy now and track in dirt when they come inside, not to mention our beautiful backyard looks like a hurricane went through it. This is really not right and I don't think that just because he owns this house that means he can take whatever he wants, I mean, we are paying for it for this year, aren't we? Anyone have any ideas or links? I can't find anything on line that says this is not legal...

In other news, I think Doug's laptop has finally bit the dust. He's had problems with it for the past 2 years where it will run fine for awhile and then it starts running really slow. We've checked for viruses and spyware but that doesn't seem to be the problem. So he asked me to restore it again so I tried wiping the computer and starting over with the operating disc (something we've done several times) but it won't work. It'll get to 100% and just sit there for hours, never finishing the install. We considered buying a new one on Black Friday but really didn't have an extra $300-$400 for a new one so we'll just have to make due with mine for awhile. That is, unless, I happen to make friends with a computer tech who can tell me how to fix the doggone thing! LOL

We ordered a new digital camera on line on black Friday from Office Max. It's on backorder. We got the free accessory kit for the camera but no camera yet. It's been 5 biz days so I'm wondering how long it's going to take? Hopefully we'll get it this next week...

Oh, has anyone checked out the big sale at Annie's Attic? I ordered several crochet books I have been wanting and spent a little over $10 which I thought was a steal! It only took a few days to rcv it as well!

In closing, another month as come and gone with no baby news. This month hit me even harder than the last. The day before I got my period, I had a dream that we had a little boy and named him Karl Jr. (Don't ask me where we got that name but that's what it was! LOL) and I could see this little baby as clear as day. All day I thought it was a sign that I was pregnant and then of course later on in the afternoon reality set in. I know, keep trying. I start my 3rd month of clomid Monday and I'm really stressing because my Dr. will only let me take it for 6 months. I'm really trying to be optimistic but it's not easy. It seems like everywhere I go there are pregnant ladies. (Can you tell I'm having a down day today?) Like always, I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow!

Thanks for listening to my ramble... I really really hope to have some new pics to share with everyone by next weekend... Until then, wish us luck this next month!!!

Happy Thanksgiving 2006

2006-11-23T08:59:00.000-05:00

Wow, can you believe the holiday season is upon us already? I think that the older we get, the faster time goes. (At least it seems that way!)

Today's post is just a list of things I'm thankful for. I challenge you to do the same on your blog.

I'm thankful for...

The most wonderful husband a woman could ask for.

2 of the best little doggies in the whole wide world.

A home with a roof over our heads, food in the fridge and air conditioning in the summer. So many people don't even have a place to sleep at night and sometimes I think we take for granted all of the things we have.

A wonderful family who provided me with a wonderful childhood with 2 loving, devoted parents, a sister who teased the crap out of me (I still love her) and of course my big brother, Joe, who from the moment I arrived took me with him everywhere. Many people have horrible, abusive childhoods and I am very thankful for the loving home I had the privelege to grow up in.

Most importantly, my Savior, Jesus Christ. If not for Him, this world would be forever lost. Many times during the holiday season we'll hear words like "The Virgin Birth" "Baby Jesus" and things like that, not actually taking in what it all really means. Without Jesus coming down to earth, becoming flesh, walking in our shoes sinless, and dying a horrific death on a cross, we would be forever seperated from Him. Thank You Lord Jesus for dying to save a horrible sinner like me.

I hope you all have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving and are safe if going somewhere!

A few FO's!

2006-11-22T19:19:00.000-05:00

I have been busy trying to finish up the remaining Christmas presents and wanted to share some pics of the latest things I have made. I have several more items not listed here that I recently finished but haven't taken pics of yet. I'll post those sometime this weekend.

Felted Purse

This one I made up Saturday afternoon in just a couple of hours. I used Paton's Merino WW Wool which by far has been the easiest item I've felted. It meshed together very well in the wash and turned out even better than I hoped.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Mini-Pillow

I made this for my oldest nephew who is a huge Notre Dame fan. It's a small pillow and worked up in only a couple of hours. It was quite easy to do as the logo was really simple.

Mootastic Scarf

I actually made this quite awhile ago for my Autumn Secret Pal Swap Buddy who loves Cows. I designed this myself and am in the process of writing out the pattern now. I really am quite pleased with the way it turned out, even though several people think it looks like a pig, not a cow. LOL