LoopyKnittersthoughtsandnonsense

Catching up?

2009-07-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

Where to begin??? I am so far behind, I don't think I'll even try to get totally caught up....

We moved into our "new" old house...finally. We are still finishing up moving the last boxes and things out of the old "old" house....sometimes it feels like we will never be done!! Hubby and I are totally wiped out!!!! We have had t o move a little bit here and there, due to babysitting Keara, taking Nicki to her job, and Ray's working. Ray went over there after work today to get a load in the van and bring it over. Tomorrow Ray and I will go over there again. Oh, fun. NOT.
The babies are growing so big, and so fast! Time just seems to fly...I don't want them to grow up too fast! I am enjoying the baby stage too much!

happy, giggling Naomi

beautiful smiling baby girl at 5 months old!

Keara's first 4th of July...staring at the pretty fireworks

beautiful baby girl, Keara at 3 months

We have been transplanting some of our hostas and perennials from the other house. The garden was just starting to really get so pretty...we couldn't bear to leave all of the plants there. I know, that sounds pathetic, right? Ya think we need to get a life? LOL We have been dividing the bigger perennials. Hubby and I have discovered that gardening can really be very nice...and therapeutic. We both have realized that it is something we really enjoy. I really like flowering plants, and Ray has a passion for his Hosta varieties and different grasses. Our son in law, James, loves to tease 'Pa' about his 'weed garden' and get him all riled up.

pretty Asiatic lilies - planted last year

some of Ray's grasses

Sweet William

Before we moved - Ray went to a bird fair and sold ALL the lovebirds!!! Wow! We were very happy about that!!! It is SO much quieter now!!! We still have the cockatiels, a parakeet, some canaries, and my green cheek conure. It is so much easier to keep up with these few. I don't regret selling the lovebirds one bit!!

Ray and I volunteered for the Cup O Joy booth at Lifest again this year. It was actually more like a break to go there and work the coffee booth/tent, and then be able to sit and listen to some of the artists that performed at Lifest. It was the first time we've been able to sit down, and do nothing, for a long time. It was nice to be living closer to Lifest too...we were able to stay later and got to listen to Third Day, Phillips, Craig and Dean, Mark Schultz, Tim Hawkins, Bone Hampton, Barlow Girl, Jeremy Camp, Thor Ramsey, Bob Smiley, and a lot of other great Christian artists. It was refreshing to sit and soak up all of that.

Let's hear it for sunshine!

2009-05-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful, sunshine-y day outside! It is supposed to get up into the 80's... I am absolutely loving the spring!!!

The flowers are blooming...my perennials are growing like...weeds!!!

Primrose

Bleeding Heart

I have no idea what kind of flower this is, but I love the checkerboard pattern!!!

Grandma's favorite 'flowers' - Keara,

and my other favorite 'flower' Naomi
(they are the most beautiful flowers in my 'garden')

The baby robins in the nest in our carport have feathers, and their eyes are open. It won't be too long before they are ready to fly away. It wasn't that long ago that they looked like this:

Pretty Blue Robin's Eggs

We still haven't moved yet...it is going way too slowly for us. It is very tiring having to take care of two places. We finally were able to finish painting the master bedroom and master bathroom at the 'new' house. We have a few spots that need to be touched up. Then only two more rooms to paint. It sure turned out to be a lot more work than I thought it would be.

We're trying to figure out where we want our perennials over there too. Yes, I plan on taking a lot of mine with us. If I have holes left in the "old" yard, I will fill them in with annuals, so it looks nice.

I plan on packing some today, but mostly I want to get out in that sunshine and soak some of it up.
Maybe it is a good day for me to get my fishing license?

Link to a great blog post...

2009-05-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

I don't have anything original to say today...we have been busy working on the house, and I am so tired!
I belong to a group of bloggers called SITS - The Secret Is In The Sauce...they are a great bunch of bloggers and human beings.
They feature a blog of the day...and the idea is to visit the blog, and leave comments...positive ones. I think its a wonderful idea, just to know that someone out there in cyber space knows you are alive and a real person, you know?

I have to share a post from today's featured blogger. It made me cry...in a good way. How many of us struggle with self-image, and self-worth? Do we matter? Do we 'look' okay?

If you do (and I know I struggle with this) - then this post is for you: "Baby Fat"
It is a really great reminder on perspective, and not only how we see ourselves, but how we should see ourselves. And how God sees each one of us.

The Silver Bear Cafe...

2009-05-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

A sweet friend of mine posted this link on her Facebook page. I think it is delightful to watch the expressions of the people watching this 'happen'... as my friend also posted... "can't we all just dance together?"....wouldn't that would be sweet???... enjoy! (you will need to 'pause' the little pink I-POD like thingy to the right of the blog... and then press the play button on the video in this post)

Veggie - Trader

2009-04-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

Our son Tim emailed me to tell me about a new site that he heard about from a friend. It sounds like a neat idea. It's called "Veggie-Trader". You go there, register for an account (free) and then you can search the ads in your area for people that have extra produce, seeds, plants, etc. that they want to trade for something. Sort of like a 'vegetarian' craigs list... LOL
I signed up - I like the idea of trading or bartering. I am looking forward to planting a big veggie garden as soon as we move. And I love my perennials. I plan on digging some of them up and taking some starts over to the new place with us when we move.
I am still fighting the cold I came down with on Sunday. Sore throat, congestion, not so fun. The worst part about being sick is that I can't see my grand babies! I don't want them to get sick too...and I miss them!!!!!
Have a good Tuesday! The sun is shining here today, for a nice change.

Our Two Beautiful little baby girls...

2009-04-27T08:04:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Keara LeAnne - our newest grandchild!!!

2009-04-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

We have another beautiful grand daughter! Our youngest daughter, and her hubby, had their little baby girl the day before yesterday. She is a small baby... 6 pounds, and 19 inches long...but healthy and pretty! She is doing really well!Keara, Mommy and Daddy

And I got to be there when she was born!!! Which was almost not a good thing for one of the nurses who was trying to give DD an IV during a contraction...and was making her cry more from the pain of her trying to start the IV than the actual contraction....I wanted to deck that nurse.... (I didn't - but I have to say that I thought of it) (I know that the nurse had to do it, but I think she could have been gentler. DD has a huge bruise on her arm!)

Keara LeAnne is my newest grand-baby's name. She is a miracle baby, in my opinion. (but then again, aren't all babies God's miracles?)

Keara LeAnne

She was in the perfect head down position for weeks before DD went into labor, but decided to switch to a 'frank breech' position when it was time to arrive. In a "frank breech" position, the baby's bottom is down, with the legs bent up at the baby's hip, and baby is facing forward. Normally, if a baby is breech, they will be delivered by a C-section. DD's OB Dr. is an EXCELLENT Dr. - he actually was MY Dr. when she was born, and also for one of her brothers. And as soon as the Dr. said the baby was breech, I started praying! And God heard it... Dr. D. did a great job....and so did DD and her DH.

Keara and Grandma

Keara and Grandpa

Thank you, God!!!!

Now we have two gorgeous grand daughters!

And this Grandma is lovin' being a Grandma!

To-Do Lists or Not-To-Do-Lists...That IsThe Question...

2009-04-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

Here's some 'food for thought'...from one of the blogs I enjoy, called "So Not Domestic"....

I found this fascinating quote today:

Weekly to-do list. On Sundays, I make a list of everything that I want to accomplish for the given week. Then, each day, I select about five items from that list. Of the five things that I choose, I select 2 that I'm really looking forward to, 2 that I can get done easily but they might not be my favorites, and 1 task that I'm really dreading. For me, the "dreaded thing" is usually a phone call I have to make. I have a phone phobia.Donella aka Lazy Housewife, So Not Domestic, Apr 2009

You should read the whole article.

I really like this idea...I AM already a list-maker, and a 'wanna-be list follower'... I really do have good intentions, but when I make out a list of things I don't want to forget, or need to do, there is always something on my list that I DON'T WANT to do ....so I procrastinate... I lose my list...I do one or two things that are not too bad on my list, and then I either conveniently (or cleverly) lose, maim, or destroy my list. I am SO going to try this idea from "The Lazy Housewife". Maybe I can do it... I can pretend I am the little engine that could....maybe...

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.... maybe if I reward myself each day with something I actually LIKE to do penciled in on my daily lists.

So...now I'm challenging myself. (thanks, Donella. You're an inspiration...not to mention hysterically funny...)
Does anyone else have any tried and true systems that you use to keep yourself motivated? Please, please share...

Oh, and I have a phone phobia too....LOLOL

too much to do & not enough time or energy...

2009-03-30T18:21:00.000-07:00

I'm still out at Mom's...keeping pretty busy, doing paperwork, catching her up on her Dr.appointments,etc.

I did manage to finish a knit baby sweater

for one of the grandbabies, and a crocheted

bandanna for the baby of one of my daughter's

friends. I hope that the bandanna fits.

I think it looks cute on one of Mom's dolls.

:o)))))

My brother Terry and his girlfriend, Deb, came up for the weekend this last weekend. The job for the weekend was to trim the big, old Elm tree in

the backyard.

I am not sure exactly how old that tree is, but it

is huge, and many of the limbs were heavy, and hanging over the house.

Terry was a 'tree surgeon' for many years, so he knows what he is doing.

I have never seen him in action before though. It was pretty impressive to watch.

I helped a little, but not nearly as much

as I feel I should have. I had to leave halfway through to go pick up Frank from the hospital.

And for the last bit of this 'chatty' post... I made my first real Lemon Meringue Pie...from scratch...not instant pudding...lol...

I picked the lemons from Mom's Meyer Lemon tree, and squeezed the juice even...

It looked like a picture...in fact, Mom

made me take a picture...

and even more surprising, it actually tasted pretty good...but it was a lot of work.... LOL. So I am not sure how often I will make it...

Have an awesome week!

lost in space....

2009-03-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

We've been busy, so I haven't posted for a few weeks... we have been working on helping Kim and James finish painting their nursery and bedroom, and stenciling the nursery.

And of course - had to get in my time with our new grandbaby. And trying to get our lovebirds listed so we can try and find them new homes.

It's impossible for me to be able to keep up with them lately...just too much going on all of the time it seems.

I am in sunny California again, checking up on my Mom, and 'stuff'. She is going to have a procedure done tomorrow that will hopefully help ease some of the pain she has been having in her back, and legs. She is definitely having a difficult time getting around, and her body is not cooperating with her at all. Her mind is still sharp as a tack, tho!

The flight out was interesting. The little plane that I took for the first 'leg' of the flight had propellers. I think they had to go out and give them a spin to get them going. :o) The engine was so loud, that I was wishing I had brought earplugs along for the trip!!! (I did see some very fashionable looking ones on fellow passengers in purple, green and pink! They obviously are seasoned travelers)

As the plane lifted off, it was vibrating so much, that my teeth were rattling. I have never, ever been airsick before.... but this plane had me looking in the seat pocket to see if they had a 'Motion Discomfort' bag. (commonly known as a 'barf bag'!) I was sort of disappointed to see that they did, and it was a generic navy blue... very boring.... if I was gonna have to be sick, I would want my bag to have pretty flowers on it, or something interesting... just to improve the experience a bit. (believe it or not - there are actually people that collect barf bags???)

As it turned out, I didn't need it after all. But I did need to take some Excedrin for the headache from the engine noise and plane vibration.

The rest of the flight out was uneventful. (I'm always grateful for that.) The two people in the next seats were pleasant. There was an adorable little girl in the seat in front of me, traveling with her Mommy and Grandma. This little girl was just under 2 yrs old, and so cute! Curly brown hair and big blue eyes. She was really very good through most of the flight...but 5 hours is a long time for a toddler to sit and not get frustrated with it. Toward the end of the flight, this little girl had had enough! I had to shake my head at a lady sitting across from them, who said "I have an idea! Honey (speaking to the less than 2 yr old) - you should practice your manners. It's not nice to scream and throw fits on a plane." I almost laughed out loud at her! Obviously, she has never had kids! If I had been that little girls Mommy, I would have been very offended.

I dug through my backpack, which had almost anything you could need...or Not...and found a little flashlight in there. So I turned it on and showed it to Charlotte (the little girl) and told her it was 'magic'. She entertained herself, and her Mommy and Grandma with that for almost a half hour. Too cute!

Well, I am going to pretend that I have a little bit of sense left... and get my butt to bed.

Happy Thursday!! The weekend's almost here...

Surprise 25th Anniversary Celebration!

2009-02-28T19:23:00.000-08:00

Our five kids did the sweetest thing for us today. Wednesday the 25th was our 25th wedding anniversary. We celebrated quietly.
All week our kids were bugging us for pictures, and other wierd things. We knew they were up to something, but we didn't know what.
A couple of days ago, Matt & Katie wanted to know if they could give us some 'alone time' and have Nicki stay with them for a few days. But wanted us to pick her up on Saturday (today) at 1 o'clock. No later.
So we showed up at 1 o'clock, and all of our kids were there...
our oldest son had cooked a meal of Chicken Alfredo (which was delicious) and broccoli, and toasted french bread. Our DIL Katie, had baked and decorated two cakes. Our sons, Matt & Joey, and their wives, and our daughters Kim and her husband, James, and our other daughter Nicki, had put together a video with all the pictures set to music, that was beautiful. Hubby and I were both in tears. (good thing) And they invited our best friends, Nancy and Charlie too.
We had a wonderful meal, and then watched the video they had made. They all thanked us for being good parents. (I know, I know, I was shocked too!) Then we had cake...they wanted us to cut it, and to know if we were going to 'behave' when we did...well, of course...after that question...we couldn't - so hubby and I each ended up wearing some yummy chocolate cake.
What fun!
We were very touched that they planned this out...geez, maybe the kids didn't turn out too bad after all...actually, I think they are pretty great.

This is what happens...

2009-02-28T19:02:00.000-08:00

Here's a news flash for the day...I did something dumb...lol

We were getting ready to leave this morning, and hubby came in and said that I left a can of the soda in the car yesterday, and he was going out to clean it up. I told him no way, I drank all of it and the can was empty. He said, no...you didn't... I didn't understand he was trying to tell me that the can he was referring to was a full, unopened can. Apparently, I forgot that one in the car, and the temperature dropped below freezing last night.

So...here's why you should never leave an unopened can of soda where it will freeze......note the frozen soda all over the dash...it was also on the roof, the inside of the windshield...etc. And I did not cut the can open...that was from exploding. Luckily, because it was frozen - it wasn't too hard to clean up. Lesson learned...
DUH

unofficial tourism committee

2009-02-27T07:33:00.000-08:00

I think I will pretend I am the "unofficial local tourism committee" this morning....

so, do you like snow? Lots of it, you say? Have we got the place for you!!!! So come on up nort' - have we got da snow fer yous!

Just look at all the pretty, pristine, white snow...

makes ya wanna move right in now, doesn't it? Don't forget ta bring lozza dem der snow shuvels....cuz ur gonna need em!!!!

Plenty of parking spaces... you just have to dig them out!!!!

Have a nice picnic with your friends...maybe even a cook out!

Don't forget - it's time to plant those cold weather garden plants... (or so my gardening magazine tells me.) You just have to try and remember where the garden IS.

My calendar tells me it is only 22 more days until spring...I sure hope it can be trusted!

I love snow??????

2009-02-26T19:43:00.000-08:00

We are having one heck of a snowstorm tonight! Can I say 'oh joy.'
I am so sick of snow. and ice. and cold weather. Blech.

The snowstorm is named 'Snowstorm Julia'. Around here people must get so bored that they name snowstorms ...whatever. Personally, I think they need to get a life... Snow is snow...and we are supposed to get about 10" of the lovely white stuff tonight. I am. so thrilled. I will try to contain my enthusiasm.
(it's really quite easy to)

Oh, and this snowstorm woke me up from a nice nap. (stooooopid storm) A big boom of thunder, and then lightning (in a snowstorm...only in Wisconsin) woke me right up!!!!

DH had to work in Menasha today, which is about a little over an hour south of us. They sent him home early in the afternoon, because the snow had started and it was coming down heavy. DH said he could barely see the road in front, or tell where the lanes were on the highway. He saw numerous cars in the ditch. It took him almost 2 hours to make the drive home.

It is nasty out there. I am glad I don't have anywhere to go.

So...we are going to stay in and stay warm and safe.

so...what's everyone else doing?

"Lissa Needs..."

2009-02-25T07:17:00.000-08:00

Ok, I am playing along with my friend Char, at PawsN2Stamp
This is how this little game works. Go to Google, type (your first name) needs" keep the quotation marks like it shows. Then, list the first ten things that come up.

So here are mine:

1. Lissa needs an injection of SOMETHING... (you mean there's an injection to cure insanity???)

2. 'Princess' Lissa needs our help... (that's got a lot of truth to it, really!!)

3. Lissa - explains it all... (I think one of my kids told me I knew it 'all' just the other day, in fact...)

4. Lissa needs ...a student representative... (but if I do that, then I won't 'know it all'...)

5. Lissa needs...you.... ( gosh, I sound like Uncle Sam!!!!)

6. Lissa needs... to be set up as a Federal Advisory Committee... (wow...let's do that. I'll tell you who to send some Stimulus funding to...)

7. Lissa needs some buddies... (so I can have someone to 'explain it all' to! :0)

8. Lissa needs... a shoulder to cry on. (sometimes I do. But I usually have a hard time finding a shoulder that's available.)

9. Lissa is a cyperpath (what in the world is a cyperpath? I am not admitting to it, until I know what it is. I'll have to look that up. Whoops! I guess I don't know it all..)

10. Lissa...needs to stop drinking... (Ha. Ha. and Ha. I AM NOT giving up my coffee. No Way Jose - and No One Can Make Me...LOL)

Ok, now, it's YOUR turn!!!! If you decide to play, link back to this post so I can see what you need ;-)

Lissa

Pictures of our beautiful grand baby!

2009-02-23T21:03:00.000-08:00

We had to take some pictures of something pretty after that last post about that room... so here's more baby pictures of that sweet little granddaughter...

This pic is of Ray and I and our son, Tim (Joey) with his new little girl

This is Ray and I with Naomi

Naomi and her proud Momma...

Naomi and her Momma and Papa..

Naomi with her Aunt Nicki....

trying really hard to pay attention to Grampa...and still sleep....

Ugly Room Pictorial Update...

2009-02-23T20:21:00.000-08:00

I thought I would post pictures of the room that we have been tearing apart for the past couple of weeks...

In this photo, you can see the old ceiling tiles...which I think were made of some kind of a fiberglass material. Not sure about that...

This is the closet we decided to tear down...

This is the plaster-over-wood lathing that was behind the panels on three walls... yuck

This is just another view of the painted panels that were on the walls, and the gaps between them...

This is the same corner of the room as the picture posted above, but after we tore off the panels, the plaster, and most of the lathing...

This is the wall on the door side, the closet used to be to the right of the door. This is before the plaster was taken off this wall...

This is looking up at the lathing on the ceiling, after we took down the ceiling tiles, and chipped away all the plaster...

and this is the other front corner of the room, with Dear Hubby working on updating the electrical wiring in the room...

and finally, this is the wall behind the door, after the panels, plaster and lathing have been removed. Right behind the door is the old chimney. That had 1" thick CEMENT on it...boy was that ever fun to chisel off.... (yeah, right... I would compare it to a root canal - minus the anesthetic....)
Now the good part will be coming...I can't wait...for the drywall!!!
When that is up, I'll post "after" shots...

Meret #2

2009-02-18T14:54:00.000-08:00

I finished my second Meret last week...and am just getting around to posting it.

I like it even more than the first one I made! (and I LOVED the first one!)

I used Moda Dea's Vision yarn for this one (a worsted weight yarn)...it took less than a skein. The "Vision" yarn is nice to work with...soft, and it has a little bit of a sheen to it, and I loved the colorway!

I followed someone's suggestion on Ravelry, and did the brim in 1" of knitting, and 1" of a 1x1 Rib. It's nice and comfy...not too tight.

In the above picture, I tried to get a close up of some of the pretty lace pattern in Wooly Wormhead's design. I love it!

When I first got the Moda Dea Visions yarn, I didn't know what I was going to make with it, I just knew I had to get it because I loved the color so much!!! ( Many A Yarn-A-Holic's Justification For Many, Many, Important And Necessary Yarn Purchases....)

So, here is the second Meret... (and I will probably make more...the pattern is fun!)

Plaster, cement, and pry-bars...oh, my!!!!

2009-02-16T23:17:00.000-08:00

I am possibly the sorest, and the tired-est I have ever been for a long, long, time! Maybe even in my whole life!!!!!

We are re-doing what was a bedroom in our very old house, and turning it into an office -slash- craft -slash- computer room that hubby and I are going to share. This room was like the UGLIEST room in the world... it was 10 x 12 ft with a closet on one wall, and a 10 foot high ceiling. It had really, really UGLY panels on the wall...circa 1960 something, that had been painted over with yellow, and ugly, ugly, ugly ceiling tiles. We want to have it drywalled. One guy looked at it, and said he would just drywall over all that 'stuff'. I am probably paranoid, but I kept thinking about how quickly that all would go if there were a fire or something. (I worry about stupid stuff like that sometimes....)
Another guy looked at it, and said that he thought it would be better to take out the panels, etc. and start 'fresh'.

So DH and I sat in the 'ugly room' and tried to figure out what the best way to go about making it nicer, would be.

We decided to,
a. rip off the ugly circa 1960 something panels
b. rip off the equally ugly ceiling tiles
c. tear out the closet (which made the room bigger, of course.)
d. replace the ratty carpet in there
e. after doing all the 'demolition' ourselves, letting someone 'professional' do the drywall.
Our sweet son-in-law pulled off all of the wall panels for us, and then hubby and I started tearing into the room last night. Hubby
tore out the closet, and started to rip out the ceiling tiles. I started chiseling away at the plaster that was on two walls behind the panels. Hubby found out that underneath the ceiling tiles was even more plaster (and lathing). We finished tearing off all the plaster, and found out that what must have been a part of the original exterior of the house (brick) was behind a part of one plastered wall, but the bricks didn't have plaster. It was cement.
UGH!
Anyhow to shorten this...we have it all 'stripped' down to the lathing strips, which we will rip off Thursday. Then DH will do some re-wiring in there, and we'll have the drywall done.
I can't wait till we are through with this! This is the first time I have done anything like this...and I hope it will be the last!
I found out I have horrible aim with a hammer... and I have the bruised knuckles to prove it.
And also during all this, when dear hubby was taking out the closet, a couple of old nails attacked his left hand (I think that they were avenging the death of the ugly closet)...so this morning we went to the Dr. so he could get a tetanus booster shot.
So now...at 1:45 a.m. - we are going to take our tired, and really sore bodies and go to sleep!!! I don't think either one of us will have any trouble sleeping tonight!

Nursing covers

2009-02-13T20:35:00.000-08:00

My DIL had put a nursing cover on her baby registry before her shower back in December. I looked at them, and they were $30! And nothing to them... I went to the internet, and did a search to see if I could find pictures of them, to see how they were made, and I found a website with basic instructions for making your own. (I so love the internet!)

I went shopping at JoAnn's...got some fabric, the corset boning, and some D-rings....then procrastinated about making them for two months!!!!

Now that my baby grand-daughter has arrived, and her Momma is nursing her, I decided to get to work on the nursing covers. I made two for her, and I am pleased with how they turned out! I think I will make some more, and the only changes I would make, would be to make the straps wider, and perhaps put the little pocket on the inside of the cover, for a burp cloth.

You can see the boning holding the neckline open between the straps. That (for those of us that didn't know...and I was one of the ones that didn't) is so that Momma can see her baby, and baby can see her, when baby is nursing.
I made them out of cotton print fabrics, and lined the pink print one with a soft pink flannel, and the beige print one with a fine wale corduroy - all of which were on sale. And got the corset boning for the neckline at JoAnn's also.
I think the lined ones will be good until the weather gets warmer. If DIL likes them, I will make some unlined ones for her for the summer months.

I am anxious to see what she thinks of them!!!

More Grand baby pictures!!!!

2009-02-10T18:18:00.000-08:00

I spent this afternoon making some meals and things to take over to Joey and Kate's, now that Naomi is here. I made some dishes that they could freeze, and also some homemade Oatmeal Bread...NOT in the bread machine, but the old fashioned way. :o) The bread turned out scrumptious! I forgot how good homemade bread is!!!!

I took it over to their house, and Kate had just finished nursing Naomi when I got there. The other grandparents were there too, helping out also. I told Kate to go grab something to eat while Naomi was sleeping. So I got my turn to rock and cuddle that sweet little grandbaby!!! Isn't she just a beautiful baby???
I am in love!(The blanket with the purple trim was made by my Mom, (Naomi's is her first great granddaughter)

Fed, warm and comfy!

It's true, babies are a special gift from God!!!!

Grand Baby has arrived!!!!

2009-02-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

Our baby grand-daughter arrived on Feb 7th at 7:36 p.m., weighing in at 8 lbs. 15 oz, and 21" long...and I think she is the most beautiful baby ever! We are so excited!!!!
Naomi Adalyn is just gorgeous!!!!With her proud new Papa...2 hours old.

With Grandpa K...
And me...Grandma K (with a mask because I have a cold)...
And Naomi at 1 day old...I may be biased - but isn't she the most beautiful baby???

2009-02-06T10:04:00.000-08:00

It's beautifully warm and sunny outside so far today...I think its in the 20's! Just about t-shirt weather in Wisconsin!
I spent yesterday with our youngest DD - they had a drywall contractor come and drywall the nursery, their master bedroom closet, and patch the living room where they took out the doorway to enlarge the MB closet. The drywall looks very nice. DD and hubby are anxiously waiting for it to dry, so we can paint the rooms, and then they can get their carpet in.
I felt like baking (I don't feel like that too often lately! ) so I made a huge batch of Nestle's TollHouse chocolate chip cookies, and an equally large batch of "Cowboy Cookies". The house smelled wonderful!!!!
I finished another 'Sweetheart Washcloth' - in pinks. I was trying to take a photo for Ravelry, and Tootsie decided to test the washcloth for softness. So now it is "doggie tested and approved".
Also went out and took some pictures of the snow for Momma. She lives where it never snows, so she thinks its neat! Ha! Tootsie was my 'model' again to show how deep it is in spots! Since it is in the 20's - he was very happy to come out and romp in the snow with me.
DH came down with a nasty head cold, and has decided to share it with me...bless his heart. We both feel rotten...and sound like a flock of congested geese! We are both taking more vitamin C, and drinking lots of juice to try and kick it.
Still no baby yet from DS and his wife. Today is their due date, but it seems that their baby is very comfortable right where she is, and isn't quite ready to come out into the world. I can't say I blame her...but Kate's parents and DH and I are so looking forward to seeing our new little granddaughter when she decides to make an entrance! We can hardly wait!
I am going to fix some meals this weekend for them, that can be frozen and then just popped into the oven to heat up, after baby arrives. I remember how tired I was when the babies were little, and how nice it would have been not to have had to cook.
Have a great weekend!!!

Cold!!!!

2009-02-04T13:04:00.000-08:00

It seems we are not done with our cold 'snap' yet. We are suffering from...er, I mean enjoying? sub-zero temperatures again. Our kitchen window over the sink always ices up on the inside when it is below zero, in the most beautiful patterns. I tried to capture it in a couple of photos, but the photos just don't do it justice...they can't capture how pretty the icing looks. (it's about the only thing I can appreciate from this cold!) When the sun shines through the ice crystals on the window, it acts as a prism, with a zillion little rainbows.

It seems that old Punxsutawney Phil, bless his little rodent heart, saw his shadow on February 2nd, so we can expect another six weeks of winter. The good news is that over the last 112 years, 'Phil' was only correct about 39% of the time, so there's still hope!

Nothing new here, other than I gave all of the doggies a bath a little while ago. I towel dried them as much as I could, and now they are tearing around here, and bouncing off the walls...what they usually do after bath time. They are a hoot to watch!

Have a great Wednesday! I will...tonight its a "Lost" night!!!! ô¿~

Meret is finished!

2009-02-02T11:51:00.000-08:00

I finished the "Meret" beret I started the other day. I love it!!!! It is so soft and probably the comfiest hat I have ever had! I am not usually a hat kind of person, but this winter has been sooooo cold, I have been wearing them.

The Meret pattern was mentioned in a previous post. It was designed by 'Wooly Wormhead'. The pattern was easy to follow, and a really fun and interesting knit!

Here's pics of it being blocked (over one of those decorative aluminum plates for Christmas treats):

My steam iron lived long enough to steam the Meret, so it could be blocked...just barely! And then it died! So now I need another iron that steams...NOT for ironing, of course! For crafting! And blocking!

Here's a pic or two of it being worn.

I plan on making another one for sure, maybe more. The next one I make I will try with a little less 'slouch'.

No News - but a great little video!

2009-01-30T21:59:00.000-08:00

A friend sent me this video in an email tonight...it was great! So I thought I'd share it... It's called "The Stethoscope"... great message!
(of course, you'll need to slide your mouse over to the music "bar" on the top right side of the block and click on the 'Pause' button, or you'll have two things going at once... :0)))))))

Meret by Wooly Wormhead

2009-01-28T20:26:00.000-08:00

I finally started on the beret that I want to make. It took me a while to find a pattern that looked like something that I would like.
I have never wanted to have a beret...but I watched a movie called "The Note" before Christmas and fell in love with a knit beret that one the actresses wore in the movie. I decided I had to have one. LOL.
So I started "Meret" tonight. The pattern is designed by 'Wooly Wormhead', and is offered free on her website/blog, among many other cute hat patterns. I did a little 'research' on Ravelry to find out what other 'Ravelers' thought of that pattern, and any errata regarding it.
I am using Plymouth Encore Colorspun in a lovely variegated colorway with greens and blues in it.
I am a little nervous about making it...because maybe I won't like a beret on me...I don't know. I am also a little concerned it won't fit.
It is the FIRST time I have actually knit a swatch to check the gauge. (I know... I'm bad.)
So, I'll keep you updated on how its going. (oh, and BTW - Susan B Anderson 'inspired' me to start it...with her post on her knit slouchy hat that she had made. Hers turned out so darn cute, that I had to try making this one.)

Knit Lite Needle disappointment!

2009-01-27T18:13:00.000-08:00

ok...I have had my Knite lite needles for what... a little over a week? I am sad to say that they aren't all that great.
After a week, the clear tips snapped off on both needles, and are not able to be repaired. I am so disappointed!
I emailed Clover, who is the company that is listed on the package, and asked them for either a replacement or a refund.
I received an email in response, and this is all they said:

Unfortunately, Our KnitLite needles have been discontinued. Here is the manufacturer's information :
Widget Products, Inc
402-933-1003
widgetproducts@yahoo.com
Thank you and have a nice day.

I have not yet tried to contact Widget Products (I will be, though)...but I must say I was surprised and disappointed in the response I received from Clover. Their name is on the needles, and I think they should back them up.

Needless to say, I will NOT be investing in any more of these needles.

I think the idea is SUPER...I love being able to knit in the dark!!! But not if the needles are going to fall apart after a week of normal use, and for almost $9 a pair. I will definitely not get any more, NOR will I recommend them.

Bummer.

Who invented Peanut Butter?

2009-01-25T17:47:00.000-08:00

Tonight we had soup for dinner...it is still below zero outside, and I am freezing. Soup sounded good on a freezing day! After dinner, as I was enjoying some saltine crackers with peanut butter....yummy...
I asked DH who invented it? He didn't know and doesn't care. LOL
But I had to go look it up...what on earth did we ever do before the plethora of information that be found with just the click of a button on the internet???
So - here is my bit of thoughts (and nonsense) for the day...
And I quote (from about.com):

"Peanut butter was invented and reinvented many times during history. Peanuts were known as early as 950 B.C. and originated in South America. The ancient Incas used peanuts and were known to have made it into a paste-like substance. As a crop peanuts emigrated from South America to Africa by early explorers and then traveled by trade into Spain who then traded the product to the American colonies. The first commercial peanut crop was grown in Virginia in the early to mid 1840's and in North Carolina beginning around 1818.

According to the Corn Products Company, Dr. Ambrose Straub of St. Louis patented a peanut butter-making machine in 1903 and some unknown doctor invented peanut butter in 1890.

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patented a "Process of Preparing Nut Meal" in 1895 and used peanuts. Kellogg served the patients at his Battle Creek Sanitarium peanut butter. Joseph Lambert worked for Dr. Kellogg and began selling his own hand-operated peanut butter grinder in 1896. Almeeta Lambert published the first nut cookbook, "The Complete Guide to Nut Cookery" in 1899.

By 1914, many companies were making peanut butter.

Joseph L. Rosenfield invented a churning process that made smooth peanut butter smooth. In 1928, Rosenfield licensed his invention to the Pond Company, the makers of Peter Pan peanut butter. In 1932, Rosenfield began making his own brand of peanut butter called Skippy which included a crunchy style peanut butter.

Agricultural chemist, George Washington Carver discovered three hundred uses for peanuts and hundreds more uses for soybeans, pecans and sweet potatoes. He start popularizing uses for peanut products including peanut butter, paper, ink, and oils beginning in 1880. The most famous of Carver's research took place after he arrived in Tuskeegee in 1896. However, Carver did not patent peanut butter as he believed food products were all gifts from God. The 1880 date precedes all the above inventors except of course for the Incas, who were first. It was Carver who made peanuts a significant crop in the American South in the early 1900's.

After all peanut butter is just roasted peanuts crushed into a paste. One-half of all edible peanuts produced in the United States are used to make peanut butter and peanut spreads." (end of quote)

So, now I KNOW who invented it. Interesting, I think. I also think that the reason that George Washington Carver did not seek a patent for peanut butter because his belief that all food products were a gift from God is equally interesting. (And I agree with that sentiment.)

Of course - I just remembered that there is a big recall of things that have peanut butter in them. So be careful when you enjoy it. And I just hope I'm not recalled...

So now you know why my blog is called LoopyKnitters"thoughtsandnonsense".

Stay warm and happy!

third (and last) post for the day...

2009-01-23T10:26:00.000-08:00

Some days I don't post at all...and some days...like today...I forget about the stuff I wanted to post, so I end up with several posts in a day...
Just have to share what one of our neighbors, Lloyd - gave to us for Christmas. It was our first Amaryllis bulb, that he had started for us. We have really been enjoying this beautiful touch of spring...looking forward to it finally blooming. There are piles of snow, and a myriad of icicles outside, and below zero temperatures, and here is this simple gift that has brought much joy, just in the anticipation of waiting for it to bloom.
We have really enjoyed this simple, and very thoughtful, gift.

LOST

2009-01-23T07:55:00.000-08:00

Ok...anybody out there a "Lost" fan? I wasn't until last year, when a friend of mine loaned me the first season on DVD's to watch - and then I ended up borrowing the other seasons and watching those too. I was (and am) hooked! Season 5 just started on Wednesday night, and I recorded it, because we were not going to be home.
It looks like Season 5 is going to be really good!
The show can be confusing...and mysterious....but that's the beauty of it...
My 25 yr old son loves it too!!!
So.....how many other "LOST" addicts are there out there????

Sweetheart Washcloths

2009-01-23T07:30:00.000-08:00

I finished a pair of the Sweetheart Washcloths I was knitting. They are so cute! I mentioned the pattern in two previous posts.
There are a breeze to make, and will make nice little gifts.
We are back to our sub-zero temperatures again for a few days, at least. We had a brief reprieve when the temps actually got up into the teen's and twenties. I even went without my coat one day! :o)))) It was wonderful while it lasted! I am looking forward to spring!!!!!!!!!

another baby ruffle hat finished

2009-01-19T19:05:00.000-08:00

I finished another Baby Ruffle Hat the other day for granddaughter-to-be #2. The pattern is so easy, and so cute. I love, love, love it.
I love the way the Bernat Baby Jacquard yarn 'self-patterns'. I think it is really cool, and nice yarn to work with!
Now I am working on some "Sweetheart Washcloths" for Valentine's day gifts. The pattern is by Susan B Anderson. They are quick, easy and really cute!!!! I just love Susan's patterns. Really clear and easy to follow, and always so cute.

Have a good Tuesday tomorrow!!

Knit Lite Needle Review

2009-01-15T13:50:00.000-08:00

I have seen the needles in Michael's called "Knit Lite" - the ones that light up at the tip so you can knit in the dark, or see the stitches better when working with dark colored yarn...and never tried them.

Last night DH & I were coming home...long, boring, drive... at night. I made him stop at Michael's on the way and I finally bought a pair to try. These needles are way cool. Love them. I was a happy camper, for sure.

They only had the long length (14") (I prefer shorter needles) but they are easy to knit with, smooth, a nice pointy tip, and I didn't find them too heavy at all. I knit all the way home, and was thrilled with them. I plan on gradually investing in them, although I will probably go for the 9" length. They can be found Here and this website also carries lighted crochet hooks.

I ordered the pattern for Sweetheart Dishcloths that Susan B. Anderson designed. These washcloths look so sweet!!! I am looking forward to making some for the grand babies due to arrive this spring, and for Valentine's day too...of course. Susan is a talented designer, and comes up with some of the most adorable patterns! Thanks for another 'sweet' pattern, Susan!

It has been BITTER cold! The wind chills are 35 - 45º below zero today and tomorrow, and we have had sub zero temps for at least a week or more now. Ugh!

My Mom has such a sense of humor...she lives in sunny (and warm) California, and she called me and left a voice mail saying she had some 'news' she wanted to share with me.

The "news" was.... 'I thought I would let you know it is 70º outside, and it got so hot, we had to leave the back door open...'. she is such a witty person... and a big stinker!!! I called her back and she was so amused with herself.... she can make me laugh, for sure.

Stay warm!

Ruffle hat finished

2009-01-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

I finished one more small project I started back in September, and then left sitting.
It turned out really cute, I think. It was done in Bernat Baby Jacquards yarn, and the pattern was on the paper sleeve wrapped on the yarn.
It is called "Ruffle Hat" and has two patterns - one in crochet and one in knit. I chose the knit version, and used the same colorway that the pattern was shown in...not very original, but I liked the color so much! The pattern is very simple, and looks really cute on my 'model' (one of the dolls that my girls outgrew).
So far, The New Year's Resolution is going well. I have to decide what 'hibernating' project to finish next...
It has been bitter cold here for several weeks now! My least favorite thing about this cold weather is ICE. So far, just about everyone I know has taken a spill on the ice, including me. Ouch. I have to get some of those ice gripper things that you can slip on over your shoes. I...hate....ice.
I am listening to Josh Groban right now. What a voice. The CD is not new...but I never really listened to it all the way through before last week. I love it. What a voice! (oh...said that already??)
Happy Monday!

New year - new start

2009-01-05T20:19:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it is 2009! I can remember when I thought the 1990's seemed like they were a gazillion years away...I hadn't even thought about the 2000's...
My only resolution that I made (because I usually don't keep the resolutions I make. Is there anyone that does???) is to actually try and FINISH some of the projects that I had started already. So far, so good, but the year is young yet.
I finished a couple of 'Garter Stitch Loop-Through Scarves' from the book "101 Designer One-Skein Wonders". Each of the scarves were for gifts. One I did with Bernat Baby yarn in a beautiful pink...it turned out so nice and soft and squishy! The other I did in Red Heart Soft (worsted) in a cheery red, also soft and warm. Each one of the scarves were in the intended recipient's favorite colors, so I hope they enjoy them. They were a cinch to make. Quick and easy.

I also made a scarf and a hat for Hailey for Christmas. She seemed to love them...and they look cute on her! The hat pattern is one called 'Double Quick Knit Roll Brim Hat' - that I have used over and over and over, and I love! It is easy...and a quick knit! Hailey wanted a scarf like her two Aunt Nicki and Aunt Kim have... the ones made with Fun Fur yarn. I used one strand of the Fun Fur held with a strand of knitting worsted, and just did a very simple pattern of double crochets.

After the holidays, I started working on some more projects that need to be finished. I finished a flannel blanket for DS & DIL's baby that is due the first part of February. I crocheted a ruffle edging around it. I like it...it will be nice and cozy for the new baby.
I have another one to finish for them, and then a couple for my DD's baby, that is due in May. I am so excited about my grandbabies!!!! I can hardly wait to spoil them!!!
I also finally finished a little knit lamb that I made for DS & DIL's baby - I used a Fuzzy Mitten pattern designed by Barbara Prime. The Lamb pattern is free on her website. I liked it so much that I got her book with other little knit animals. The lamb was pretty easy, and is too cute!!!!
Now I am working on finishing the 'Tiramisu' baby blanket the DIL asked me if I would make for the baby. It's all single crochet, so it's going to take me a little longer. I am about a third of the way done with that.
Other news... DH has a sister! We knew about her, but DH had never met her, and didn't know where to look for her...and I guess she has also looked for him over the years, but she didn't know where to look for him...and long story short...one of her children saw one of our son's website, and his picture, and his name, and thought there was a strong family resemblance... and last Wednesday, Sue (DH's sister) surprised DH with a visit/reunion!!!
It was a wonderful surprise!!!! And a miracle that they have found each other! We had a great visit...they have many, many years to catch up on!!!! Our family just got bigger, and its so great for DH to have found his sister after all these years!!! God answers prayers!!!!
'til next time...
Lissa

catching up...

2008-12-01T07:44:00.000-08:00

I am finally almost done with the ascot scarf I have been knitting. It is pretty and soft, and very pink...which will hopefully delight the recipient-to-be, as her favorite color is pink. I have got to learn to pay more attention when I am knitting tho. I had to redo some rows several times, and it is a very easy pattern!!!! I am anxious to finish it, because I want to crochet some little angel ornaments...and my new issue (Jan/Feb 09) of Crochet Today! got here, and there are several projects in there that are just too cute!

I made the 'mistake' of going into JoAnn's on Saturday, so I could get a crochet hook in a size that I have misplaced somewhere...Mistake, because they had some yarn on sale that I couldn't resist!!! And their sewing notions were all 50% off, and since I have been using my sewing machine alot more lately, I finally bought a bunch of bobbins, and a bobbin box to keep them organized in...well...because they were on sale!! The first thing dear hubby said when I came out was 'that bag is too big for one little crochet hook...' (I am so blessed that my hubby is very understanding!)

Thanksgiving was good...a lot of work, but good. All of the kids were here, which was a miracle in itself. We had 13 people. I know its not a lot by some people's standards, but it makes our small place seem very crowded. But happy crowded. I didn't go through the empty nest syndrome thing like a lot of Moms do... but I really do enjoy having them all together.

Happy Monday... (uh-huh) :o)
Love,
Lissa

Happy Monday

2008-11-24T11:52:00.000-08:00

Not too much going on right now...there's a light layer of white stuff on the ground, and baby, it's cold outside.

The weekend flew by way too fast. Our middle DS and his wife had a housewarming party Saturday afternoon. It was really great to be able to be with all the kids and also 2 DIL's and one SIL, and a DIL to be. When we got there, our three DS's were outside playing a little football with our grandson. Too cold for me. But they had a good time. Its nice to know they still haven't outgrown tackling each other in the cold. And even nicer to observe that male bonding from inside the warmth of the house.

DH and I had an scintillating time yesterday defrosting the freezer downstairs in the dungeon. We found that we have a lot more food down there than we knew about. LOL. I procrastinated for months about that chore... its probably my least favorite one...next to cleaning the refrigerator. Ugh.

Last night we watched a comedy dvd we had picked up, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. It was great! I found a sketch of theirs, "The Dentist" at youtube.com.

What fun! I think it is hilarious to watch Harvey Korman trying to keep a straight face while Tim Conway does his part of the routine.

Classic ...gotta love it.

On a totally different note... last week was quite a week for my dear hubby. Since he was in high school, he knew he had a sister, from his Dad's previous marriage. All he knew was her first name, and her maiden name of course. But nothing else.

Last week, our son the web designer, called, and said someone contacted him via his website, and asked if he was related to a man in San Jose (the man in San Jose just happened to be my husband's father).

To shorten the story, this lady contacted DH and her Mom is DH's long-lost sister, and apparently has also been looking for him for years. So now they are in touch, have spent hours on the phone, and we are making plans to meet her and her family - possibly in the spring.

Such exciting happy news for hubby! He thought he would never find her, and now she has found him. I am so happy for him, and her. Family is so important!

Have a great Monday,
Lissa

"Dark Pursuit" review

2008-11-17T20:00:00.000-08:00

You probably figured out from some of my previous posts that one of my favorite authors is Brandilyn Collins. She is a christian suspense writer, and writes what is called 'seat-belt suspense'. It really is! I have really enjoyed her books, and I have read all of them.
I was thrilled to be able to preview her newest book: "Dark Pursuit" !!! DH thought it was pretty funny to see my face when I opened up the package, and saw my copy.
I couldn't wait to sit down and start reading it!!!
The story is set in the San Francisco bay area...and I love that...that's where I grew up, and I am very familiar with many of the places in the book, although the town is fictional. (in a fiction book. LOL)
The story started, and without giving it away... the reader came to the 'logical' conclusion. As the story twists and weaves it way through each and every page, you are carried on a roller coaster ride of suspense...all the way to a surprise ending...one that you would not have guessed at all.
As Brandilyn says, and I quote...'fasten your seatbelt and don't forget to...breathe'.
This was an excellent book...not for the faint of heart. Great page turning suspense! Enjoy~~~~

Knitting Backwards

2008-11-16T21:16:00.000-08:00

I've been knitting an ascot scarf for a gift, and it is straight garter stitch with a few YO's on the ends for a little lacy looking edge. Easy pattern, really... but the attention deficit disorder kicked in (I have to do 16 inches of garter stitch...not much challenge in that)... and I started to wonder if I could knit backwards, so it would be more interesting, because I was getting bored... and so I wouldn't have to keep turning my work because they are short rows. It can be done, I've found out...and I thought it was fun. You need to watch your tension though, as I found out it is pretty easy to knit too tightly when knitting backwards (for me, anyways).

I am not the only one that has thought of this ... there is a really nice tutorial posted on Knitty dot com that explains it quite well! After looking at the tutorial, I think what I am doing is 'purling back, backwards'. Or more simply put... "left handed knitting" .

Oh well, either way, it makes it a little more interesting for me...and Momma always said I do everything backwards.

Chocolate Chip Friendship Bread - Yum!

2008-11-09T12:42:00.000-08:00

I made Chocolate Chip Friendship bread for our youngest DD last week, because she asked me to...I have not made it for quite a while, and she was hungry for some. Someone asked me if I would share the recipe, so here it is:
(I don't remember who I got the original recipe from. I have had it for a long time.)

Amish Friendship Bread

(Do NOT refrigerate or use a metal bowl or metal spoon)

***

Day 1: Receive starter – do nothing

Day 2: Stir with wooden spoon (do not use metal)

Day 3: -same-

Day 4: -same-

Day 5: Transfer to large covered container. Add 1 C milk & stir. Gradually add 1 C flour & stir.

Gradually add 1 C sugar & stir.

Day 6: Stir with wooden spoon

Day 7: -same-

Day 8: -same-

Day 9: -same-

Day 10: Add 1 C milk & stir. Gradually add 1 C flour & stir. Add 1 C sugar & stir. Take two - 1 Cup

starters out. Keep one, and give one away to a friend.

To the rest, add:

1 C. oil

1 tsp. vanilla

3 eggs

Stir. Gradually add 2 C. flour & stir. Add 1 C. sugar & 1 tsp. cinnamon and stir. Add 1 ½ tsp. baking powder, ½ tsp. baking soda, 1 small box vanilla or French vanilla instant pudding. Stir only until blended.

Add 1 C. chocolate chips and 1 C. chopped nuts (optional) (At this point, ovoid over stirring. It will make your bread ‘tough’. (ask me how I know this :o)))

Pour immediately into 2 well greased loaf pans. Bake immediately at 350º for 57 to 70 minutes on upper shelf in oven. When toothpick comes out clean, it is done.

Cool 6 minutes in, and then remove from pan. Cool on rack.

Serve with or without butter or margarine.

You can also substitute butterscotch chips or toffee crunch chips.

*** If you want to make your own starter, combine 1 cup milk with 1 cup flour, and 1 cup sugar. Then follow directions beginning with instructions for Day 1 of recipe.

ENJOY!!!

Our Little "Squirt" May 1997 - Oct 3, 2008

2008-10-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

This is so hard to write. We had to have Squirt put to sleep on October 3rd. He was 11 years old and the sweetest little guy. He has had health problems for quite a few years, but with medication, etc. - he kept on going. He was completely blind, had diabetes, Cushing's disease and hypothyroidism...but he was happy, and loving, and doing well with the medications.

I was in California taking care of Mom, who had had surgery, and DH called me one night and he was very upset. He said Squirt had started having seizures. He took him to a small animal emergency hospital, and they said his blood glucose was so low that they could hardly get a reading. They put him on a dextrose IV and also valium. They had DH pick him up the next morning and take him to our regular vet. They monitored him and checked him over, and he kept having seizures.

The Vet told us that the seizures had caused too much neurological damage, and he was suffering. We couldn't let him suffer anymore. It sounds stupid, I know, but I called the vet office and asked their vet tech, Kim, if I could talk to Squirt, so I could say good bye - she held the phone up to his ear, and she said he calmed down when he heard my voice.

Our hearts are still broken. We will all miss him so much! The other doggies miss him too...they keep looking for him, especially Sassy.

Surely there must be a heaven for a precious little dog like that? I hope so. He blessed our lives with his.

...Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
But laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you...
I loved you so,
'twas Heaven here with you.
Isla Paschal Richardson

2008-09-10T17:19:00.000-07:00

Kermit March 2007-September 10, 2008

DH and I have had an awful day! Our little Kermit (AKA Kermie, our little 'alien friend') had to be put to sleep today. We lost a very special and sweet little birdie. (I had posted about him a few times...this one was one of the posts).

Kermit had not been his usual perky, talkative self for several weeks. Dr. Sarah, our birdie doctor, had been trying to make him better. He had antibiotics, and we have been hand-feeding him for about three weeks. He had just been getting weaker, and not able to eat as much.

I took him to see Dr. Sarah yesterday, and she felt a mass in his abdomen, that wasn't there two weeks ago. She had me bring him back for x-rays today. He had a very large tumor on his liver, that was affecting his nervous system and compromising his lung capacity, and also his digestive system. It was not something that could be surgically corrected, and he probably would not have survived surgery, either. We made the decision to have him put to sleep, and not let him suffer any more.

We are both mourning the loss of our little feathered friend. We will miss him so much! He was such a character, and such a joy! Hard to imagine that we could get so attached to a little parrot...but we did. His life was just way too short.

He will be missed so much. Rest in peace, our sweet little birdie friend.

Fishing, knitting and book reviews

2008-08-20T16:42:00.000-07:00

We (my oldest DD) and I just got home a little while ago from spending the afternoon swimming and fishing with my good friend, Nancy. We always have such a good time together!

First we went over to Nanc's house (out in the country) and she fixed us lunch (two different zucchini casseroles...yummy!) and we ate outside - the weather is beautiful today! Then we got the 'grand' tour of her vegetable garden, and best of all, some of the garden fresh veggies, and some apples off of one of her trees.

Then we left to go to a small lake nearby that we like to go swimming at. The water was cold, but 'refreshing'. (that's a nice way of saying it gave us goosebumps!) Needless to say, we did not swim too long!

After that, we left to go to a different lake (up here in the
'Nort-woods' remember, we have a LOT of lakes to choose from!!!!) to go fishing.

We usually don't come home with any keepers (but we don't care...hmm...some fisher'men' we are, huh?), because we fish from the shore, and its a shallow lake.

We did manage to use up our 'old' worms leftover from our last fishing excursion. Nanc caught a nice size sunfish, and I caught a nice yellow perch. We had brought along a 5 gallon pail and put some water in it, and had Nancy's fish in there, and then went to put my perch in there, and the sunfish had flipped out of the pail and back into the water, so we let the perch go too. I did catch a largemouth bass (I love how they put up a fight!) but it was not quite legal size, so I caught it and released it. The majority of the fish we caught were little dinky baby panfish. So our average fish was - hold onto your hat, here... only about 2 or 3 inches long. Yep...ridiculously teeny!

But...the main thing is we had fun! It was great to be out in the water, in the sunshine, and fresh air, with a great friend. I didn't have to catch any fish to be happy about being out there.
(having God's gift of a wonderful friend, and the beautiful nature that He created was more than enough!)

Thank you to anyone that has been praying for Mom. She went home yesterday. The Drs. decided it was NOT a heart attack. They did say she has an 'ileus' - which is a pocket in the intestine, that can 'back up' and become blocked. It was very painful from what Mom said. She is feeling a little better, but still very tired and weak.

I finished one of the baby sweaters I have been working on (except for sewing the sleeve seams) and started another one. The first one was fun to make...and yep...it was the pattern with the SSK that I didn't enjoy...but I am getting used to it and actually LIKE doing it now! LOL!

I thought the first sweater turned out so cute (I used the light yellow Bernat satin WW), that I started a second one. I am using Vanna's Choice Baby in a pretty aqua color, and using white for the main part of the body. It never hurts to have extras around for a special baby gift. Actually, the yellow sweater IS for a gift...and the aqua and white one is for my future grandbaby that is due to arrive in Jan 2009. I will post pictures here when I am done with the second one.

Speaking of the future 'baby grand', I bought some sweet printed flannel the other day at JoAnn's to make some receiving blankies out of for the baby. I will be crocheting an edging around the blankies too. And I will also post pics of those when I get them done.

I finished the third book in the Hidden Faces series that I am reading by Brandilyn Collins. I could NOT put that book down! I think it might have been the best one I have read so far...and I was sooo wrong about the ending. It took a total twist and turn near the end of the book...the kind that leaves you sitting there saying..."THAT'S who it was???" I had it guessed all wrong! Good job, Brandilyn! The book was a christian mystery and again...kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. And I love how Brandilyn gets the spiritual points across. In this one, called Dead of Night, it was a lot about spiritual warfare, and again, the power of prayer. And how sometimes, we may not even know how to pray or what to say, but the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and leads us to pray.
(Romans 8:26: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.)
I just started the 4th book in the series. AND, I won a book from Brandilyn's newsletter called Sneak Pique!!! So by the time I finish Web of Lies - my book that I won (Violet Dawn) should be here. Too Cool!!!

Have a great Wednesday, friends!

Prayer for Momma please

2008-08-15T21:08:00.000-07:00

This is gonna be short...but if any of you out there would pray for my Mom right now, I would be so grateful. I got a call from LifeLine a little over an hour ago, that Momma had been taken by ambulance to the emergency room. I do not know why.

I just talked to Mom this afternoon, and she sounded tired, but she is like that most of the time. She said her blood pressure had been high the last few days, but last night and today, it was better.

I finally got through to a nurse in the ER that was downright rude. He refused to tell me anything about Mom's condition, despite the fact that there is a signed release on file that I am her emergency medical contact, and that they also have a copy of a POA for Medical care in her files. It's hard enough being all the way across the country from her, and knowing she is in the hospital, but twice as bad, not knowing why. (I am NOT a fan of Kaiser P.) I wouldn't recommend them to my worst enemy!

So I am frustrated and trying not to worry. And praying. I can't do anything right now, except for to let God take care of her. So any additional prayers are appreciated.

What Kind of Flower Are you?

2008-08-14T19:46:00.000-07:00

I took this quiz on this site, and found out I am a "SnapDragon".
(see the little box with the flower picture in it to the right of the posts)
Actually, my hubby said that the description of a 'snapdragon' is really pretty close to my personality. (I think I'll agree with him! ~¿ô)
Here it is: "Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."
I am so easily amused...

Birdie Poo and other interesting tidbits....

2008-08-14T16:03:00.000-07:00

It's time to take a break...so here I am at the computer. I am too tired to do anything else right now.

I procrastinated about cleaning the bird cages today. And procrastinated some more. I even managed to do a load of laundry while I was in the midst of procrastionation... (we're talking serious procrastination here!)...then finally this afternoon, I made myself start the cage cleaning marathon. It always takes me at least 4 to 5 hours to clean all the bird cages. I washed, scrubbed, and dried, and now all the birds are happily chirping and singing in their nice clean cages. I do them at least once a week, sometimes more than that, if necessary.

After I was done with that, I trimmed some birdie toenails. In case you wondered, the birds aren't necessarily fond of that. But none of them bit me for the deed today.

Then I got the vaccuum out and cleaned up the living room floor, underneath and around furniture, and the carpets too.

Now, I am going to work on rewarding myself for beating the procrastination bug to death, and doing all that manual labor!!!!

I am going to take my 'well-deserved' break and go work on some knitting. :O))) Of course, that will be after I make dinner. (It's true what they say, a woman's work is never done!)

I am almost finished with a baby sweater I am working on for a gift for a friend at church. It is called 'Top Down Baby Sweater' and the pattern is by Plymouth Yarn. (I just looked it up, so I could put the link in this post, and found out the pattern is FREE online! I PAID for mine...oh,well...gotta keep the LYS in business! LOL)

I am using Bernat Satin (Worsted Weight) in a pretty, soft, pale yellow color that I love! The pattern is not difficult, but it has one pattern stitch in there that I really dislike doing... it's a SSK ( Slip 1 stitch, Slip another stitch, then knit through the back of both slipped stitches.) It isn't hard, but for me, it just is plain awkward. But I am getting it done. Here is how far I am on it at the moment:

"Top Down Baby Sweater" in progress

Speaking of the Local Yarn Store...I went to my favorite one on Tuesday and got some sweet DK yarn to make a couple of adorable baby sweaters for my future grandbaby that is due in January. The patterns are in a Sirdar pattern book for babies, and the patterns are just too cute for words!!!

...And then I want to read some more of the second book in the 'Hidden Faces' series by Brandilyn Collins, called "Stain of Guilt". She has become my favorite author! She writes christian mystery/suspense novels that keep you on the edge of your seat.

I know I mentioned her books in a previous post. (one of the signs of senility is that you repeat yourself...right?)

(one of the signs of senility is that you repeat yourself...right?)

So here's another shameless plug for Brandilyn...
If you haven't read any of her books, I would highly recommend them - especially if you like mysteries! She also has a series that is called The Bradleyville Series, and they are great christian fiction too... for those that aren't into the edge-of-your-seat-suspense type novels. The first book I read of hers was 'Elisha's Eyes' and that got me...hook, line and sinker. I enjoyed the fact that the setting for the book was the SF bay area, where I was born and raised...so I knew most of the locations.

I got a part time job working for a local auctioneer. It ought to be interesting. It's fairly flexible, which is what I needed, considering I take care of Mom fairly often, and I am also responsible for getting our older DD to and from her meetings with her 'job developer' and DVR and job search,etc. The term "Mom's Taxi Service" definitely applies here!

I finished crocheting the "Anne" scarf by MK Carroll. I think it turned out very pretty (although one of my DD's and her hubby say the colors are ugly. What do they know??? LOL!) I plan on giving it to my Mom on my next trip out there...which sounds like it may be soon. Momma's been having some more health problems.

The "Anne Scarf" (pre-blocking)

My willing and beautiful assistant, Sassy, modeling the Anne scarf!

Now doesn't she just look so perky???

Off to 'claim' my reward and do some knitting!

Happy knitting y'all!!!

Czech Festival last Saturday

2008-08-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, we went to Kewaunee to Heritage Farm, for a Czech festival. Since DH has Bohemian ancestry, we are very interested in the culture and cuisine, etc. of the Czech people.

Kewaunee was settled by many Czech immigrants back in the 1800's, so the area is rich in history.

We invited my dear friend, Nancy, to go with us, as she is of Bohemian descent also. She was so excited about going with us.

The first thing they had going on when we arrived, was a Kolache making demonstration. Which sounds boring, but it really was very interesting and fun. Nancy has an old recipe passed down through her family for Kolaches...and I have one that I got from an older Bohemian lady many years ago when she (Audrey, now in heaven) taught me how to make them.

Now we have another recipe to try. Nanc and I are going to get together and bake a bunch one of these days soon. We decided we are going to have our own, unofficial, Kolache bake-off. And my DH and her boyfriend are going to be the unfortunate judges. LOL. They are already shaking in their boots, because they don't want to get in 'trouble' if they choose the wrong Kolache.

For those of you that are wondering what a Kolache (pronouced Kole-ach) is, a Kolache is made out of a slightly sweet dough, that is formed into flat circles about 2 1/2" in diameter or so. After, the dough has raised, an depression is made in the center of the circle, and some special fruit or poppy seed or cheese filling is placed into the depression and then they are baked, and brushed with butter when they come out of the oven. They are yummy!!!! Not too sweet. This blog has a recipe that looks like it is pretty authentic, and pictures also of what they look like. I don't know why I didn't think to take some pictures!

The demonstration was 'hands on', which was fun. Another lady taught us how to use the same dough to form little bird 'rolls'.

There was a czech polka band there, and also a choir that sang traditional songs in czech. And some beautiful, colorful costumes, which in czech are called 'Kroje'. Each county had its own version of the kroje - and each village had some variations to the costume that identified it as coming from a certain area. More information about the kroje can be found here.

Here is a picture of a sweet little lady in her costume enjoying the czech band.

Heritage Farm had some charming displays in an old barn, an old cabin , and a few other buildings. Here are just a few pictures of some of the displays:
And of course, I had to get a couple of photos of the antique spinning wheel (over 250 yrs old) and the carding equipment for the wool. Since I don't spin yarn, I don't know the correct terminology for it...but since I knit...I loved seeing them!!!!

We spent a really nice relaxing and interesting afternoon. Had some chicken booyah for lunch...oh, do I love booyah!!!!

After we got back home, Nanc called her boyfriend and he came over and we threw together some sandwiches for 'dinner', and took them down to the river, and had a little picnic and did a 'little' fishing. (and I do mean little!) We were catching little, itty, bitty fish..oh, about 2-3 inches long or so...none of them were keepers. (which was fine, because I am not thrilled about cleaning fish. I'll do it, but I don't like it.)

DH does not enjoy fishing, but he likes to sit out there with me, and enjoy the outdoors. He decided to play with my camera and got some beautiful pictures of a beautiful sunset. These are just a couple:

It was so very relaxing to sit on the rocks and fish (even though the fish must have gone to bed for the night, because they sure weren't biting. :oO) and watch the sun go down, and experience the beautiful sunset...and to be with my sweet husband, and good friends.

D-u-m-b Movie review

2008-07-31T20:47:00.000-07:00

We wanted to just kick back a little tonight and watch a movie, so we watched one that we had checked out from the library, called "Mysterious Island". It was a Hallmark movie, made in 2005. It had some well known actors in it.
But the movie reminded me of the old "Godzilla" movies, in a way, because certain parts of it were so extremely phony. It definitely seemed like a low budget film.
The 'special' effects just were not all that.

It was based on a Jules Verne book, and I do like his stories.

But the film was nothing to get excited about, for sure.

almost.....August...already???

2008-07-30T08:12:00.000-07:00

Is it just me, or does time seem to be whizzing by faster and faster? I can't believe it's already the end of July! I don't want Summer to end!

We have been so busy one way or another...DH and I have been working on the flower garden alot. We both have been enjoying it. It's really starting to fill in with all the perennials. It's been kinda nice too, because we have had a couple of our neighbors, and the postman, comment on how nice it is looking. Nothing like a compliment to give the ego a little boost. So, maybe we have green thumbs, after all? LOL I absolutely LOVE having flowers too...especially the kind that come back by themselves (and smell good too) I have noticed (or maybe its just my imagination?) that I seem to hear more birds around the house, and have seen some butterflies too...something I never really saw a lot of since we moved into town. I love to go out and sit with a cup of coffee and a good book at the picnic table under the basswood tree, and just kick back.

I have been doing a lot of knitting and crocheting lately. I think I am having some serious ADD issues tho... I can't stick to just one project lately! I have several going right now! I have the Boho Bag about 3/4 of the way done. The pattern was in the Jan 2008 issue of Crochet Today! magazine, and I fell in love with it and simply *had* to make it! Now if only I could stay on task long enough to just *finish* it!!!!!

I am also working on a crocheted scarf called "Anne". I saw it on a friend's blog (Susan B Anderson) and she has made several of them for gifts, and they are beautiful. So, of course, this ADD girl simply *had* to make it too!!! I simply LOVE the pattern...it is based on Queen Anne's lace, and it is lacey and lovely!!! I tried Caron's new yarn, Simply Soft Paints for it. It is - wonderfully soft, and the colors are beautiful!

And then... I have a baby sweater OTK that I am making for a gift for a couple at church that are going to have their fourth child sometime in August. And I still have the bag that I was knitting with a pattern from Anni Rodriguez. And I am FORCING myself NOT to cast on or start anything else just yet.

I have also been reading A LOT. My favorite author right now is Brandilyn Collins. She calls her books "Seatbelt Suspense". They are Christian mysteries, and I have been enjoying each one I have read so far! Eventually I would love to invest in them. They are the kind of book that you could probably read over and over. Right now, I am reading the second book in her Chelsea Adams series, called "Dread Champion". I have to force myself to put it down! Its that good.

Sunday after church we had a really nice afternoon. Our oldest DS and his fiancee and our two grandchildren (we have 'adopted' them already! LOL) came over. We fixed a quick lunch, and then took the kids fishing. I guess I earned the *cool grandma* award because:

1. I can bait my own hook
2. I LIKE to stand IN the water (at LEAST waist deep) when I fish
3. When DS lost his rig (bobber, hook, etc) on some vegetation, Grandma is crazy enough to swim out and fetch it for him. LOLOL
4. Oh, and I can touch the fish and take it off my hook unassisted
Funny how these silly things can earn you the 'respect' of kids!!! You gotta love it!!! :o)

Speaking of fishing, a friend of mine is supposed to be here in a bit, and we are either going to go fishing or swimming today (or both) - so I had better get myself in gear and get ready!

Happy Knitting to you friends!

Relaxing Monday...

2008-07-14T19:40:00.000-07:00

After a long three days last week of working at Lifest in the Cup O'Joy booth (very fun, but very tiring :o)))) , I took a lllooonnngg nap Sunday afternoon.

Today I spent the day with my oldest son's fiancee, Elvie. We went to the bridal store, and looked at some wedding dresses for their wedding planned in May of 2009. We window-shopped at a few other stores, and picked up coffee at a Starbuck's. YUM!
We hadn't had lunch yet, so I treated her to Red Lobster. Another YUM!!
I LOVE their biscuits!
We spent all day talking, and finding out we have a lot in common! How scary!!!! LOL

I worked on a Felted purse I have been knitting from a pattern by Anni Rodriguez . She makes some very *cool* 'Flap-of-the-Month' purse patterns and sells them on her blog site. I have made another purse from one of her patterns - the one I gave to my DIL for her birthday...and Anni's patterns are very easy to follow, and very clear.

I am still absolutely loving the basswood tree being in bloom. I took some more pictures, and I am going to go sit outside for a little while, and enjoy the scent some more!

Have a great evening, knitting friends!

Tilia americana

2008-07-13T20:52:00.000-07:00

The last few nights I have been enjoying going out and just sitting at our old picnic table, which is located in our yard underneath a beautiful, HUGE, old Basswood tree, which is the 'Tilia Americana'. The tree is blooming right now, and the blossoms on this tree are so wonderfully fragrant and pretty!!! We love standing outside and just enjoying the scent from the flowers on it.

One of our neighbors, a man in his late 80's - told us that the tree in our yard was measured by the County and our tree is the largest and oldest basswood tree in our county. If only trees could talk... I bet this one would have some stories to tell!

I looked it up on the this site, and found that Basswood has an interesting history. To quote: "Native Americans and settlers used the fibrous inner bark (bast) as a source of fiber for rope, mats, fish nets, and baskets. Basswood is still valued for its soft, light, easily worked wood, especially for turned items and hand carving. It once was the material of choice for prosthetic limbs, but these are now made from synthetics. Other uses have included boxes, toys, woodenware, drawing boards, veneer, venetian blinds, excelsior, and pulp. Native Americans used fresh basswood sap, which contains moderate amounts of sugar, as a watery drink or boiled it into syrup. They also ate young basswood leaves and used the cambium for soups and breads. Various medicinal uses were made of leaf and bark extracts, and Iroquois used freshly cut bark as an emergency bandage for wounds."

Here are a few pictures taken of the blossoms at night.

KICK BACK

2008-07-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

I didn't write this article...but it is very wise... so I am sharing it with you all.

Kick Back
Do you feel guilty if you allow yourself a few minutes' luxury of daydreaming? there's always something to do, isn't there? Paul MacCready once stated in a speech:
"The only ideas I've ever had have come form daydreaming, but modern life keep people from daydreaming. Every moment of the day your mind is being occupied, controlled, by someone else--at school, watching television....You need to just kick back in a chair and let your mind daydream."
Schedule it on your calendar if you have to, but carve out some time when you can put your feet up and stare out the window. Take an hour and go sit quietly under a tree, with no book, no companion and no agenda.
One important idea that might come to you while there is that there is nothing you face which is bigger or more powerful than our God.
So go ahead. Kick back and try to imagine anything--anything--bigger than God. Then strengthen yourself with the image of God wrapped around you.
What comfort!
--Rocky Henriques
The Timothy Report
www.timothyreport.com

Gigi's Cargo Sweater

2008-07-02T18:34:00.000-07:00

I told Momma I was going to do a post about the cute little sweater she finished knitting for her little Gigi! Gigi is one lucky girl, to have such a large wardrobe! (she loves to go 'shopping' at the pet stores, to pick out new 'outfits' and the occasional new toy!)

Momma knit this using the Cargo Sweater Pattern from a Paton pattern leaflet called "It's a Dog's Life #1"

She says I am teaching her to knit...but she already knows how! She just was out of practice, but I am elated to say, has become "re-addicted'' to knitting and yarn, thanks to me!!! (LOL- I corrupted my Mother!!!)

Here's GiGi modeling her adorable sweater...she was quite sassy when I was doing our "photo shoot"...the last shots show how tired she got...modeling is tough work!!!

Getting worn out...but fighting it...

Down for the count!

Best Buds sleeping after a tough day of being a designer, and a model!

2008-06-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

It's been a while, hasn't it? I haven't been able to think of anything scintillating to write about...I have been visiting other blogs, and have been impressed with other bloggers cleverness and creative and witty use of words to explain what otherwise would be mundane. Alas, I don't posess that gift of eloquence. (but I am giving it a shot here...can you tell???)

Life has been pretty average around here for the last few weeks since I got back from Mom's. She's hanging in there. I contacted an RN that we had worked with way back in 2004. She is called a Chronic Care Coordinator (or something similar to that. I am too lazy to get up and look at the card.) Her name is Susan and she is wonderful, and Momma likes her. So Susan is kind of helping us with some ideas and working with all the different Drs.

I will be going back out there in the near future again, I'm sure. I would like to be able to stay home for a while though, and enjoy being with my hubby, who I miss so much when I am in California.

Hubby and I have developed Green Thumbs!!! We are so impressed with ourselves...lolol. We actually have a Garden. I mean...one that LOOKS like a REAL garden. We have been enjoying working in it, and have found it really rewarding and relaxing. We have mostly perennials, a hosta bed with many different varieties sizes and colors of hostas, and some different colors of Astilbe that are close to blooming. We planted three different varieties of crabapple trees in the front yard, to provide food for the Cedar WaxWings in the winter. And we bought some larger tomato plants (because I didn't get to plant them until a week ago) and they are doing well.

Our next plan is to relocate some rose peonies - our house is an old one, and in one of the back "corners" of the yard, there is a tangled mess of old fashioned roses, rose peonies, ferns, and I don't know what else! The roses smell wonderful, but the dumb things are blooming on the neighbors side, but not ours. :o( (our neighbors like that.) So we are going to get (or make) a trellis so that we can train the roses (they are climbing roses) to bloom where we can enjoy them too. I don't mind sharing with the neighbors, but I want to see them too. Then relocate the peonies, and discover what other treasures are planted there.

We 'inherited' our youngest DD's long haired doxie, Tootsie. He fits right in with our other dogs! And he LOVES all the squeaky toys that our dogs don't play with any more. He drags them ALL out, and has a blast!

I gave him a trim the other day, since its been pretty hot and humid here lately. It actually looks halfway decent.

We had to have our other kitty, Sterling, put to sleep the other day. He was 16 yrs old! He just was going downhill, and we didn't want him to suffer. It is so hard to have to make that decision though. I know its for the best, but I can't help feeling guilty.

Tomorrow after church, we are having a barbecue with our bible study group. The couple that opened up their home for the study (which was Max Lucado's "3:16-The Numbers of Hope") are providing steaks...so I figured I'd go all out and make what has become "Mom's Famous White Chocolate Cheesecake". It's always so funny to me how when I make that, my kids turn into whiney, pathetic, begging creatures...and they all want some. It amuses me no end. I guess you could say I am easily amused. And of course I love to torment them with it...but I always make an extra one, so the little beggars can have some. :o)

Enough nonsense for now... I am enjoying the beautiful summer weather...even the frequent thunderstorms. I hope you are all doing the same.

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time."
--John Lubbock

checking in...

2008-06-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

I thought I would pop in here and just do a quick post. I am, once again, in California, with Mom. Last week she got pretty sick, and was rushed to the emergency room with a bowel obstruction. Surgery was tentatively scheduled for Thursday (I was notified by Lifeline on Tuesday night that she had been taken to the ER)

Weds. morning, my youngest DD and I flew out here (on the plane) so I could be with Mom. DD helped me through the airport and also when we got here, as I still am not supposed to be walking on my right foot yet. Momma's bowel problem was corrected with lots of prayer (thanks, everyone!) and medication.

In the meantime, the Congestive Heart Failure that Momma has been dealing with for several years got worse. She was in the hospital for almost a week, coming home this last Monday. It has been a very long week for her, and each member of her family.

She is stubborn and is determined to keep on with her life. Today she wanted to go out in the garden and work - so we went out together, and planted some tomato plants, and transplanted a fuschia that one of my brothers and his girlfriend had given Momma when she was in the hospital.

I've done some knitting, but haven't been able to focus on too much. I had started a pair of Plymouth's Basketweave socks, and then put it down, and made a little baby cap to give to the 20 Hats Project.

Please keep Mom in your prayers.

2008-05-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

thought I would take a break from bed and see if I have missed anything. Alas, the world has gone on just fine without me. LOL

I had forgotten about the crazy dreams that you get when you are taking pain pills!!!
I had one last night that had 2 of our dogs, a forest fire, a lady from church, a flood, and murder mystery. Sounds like something that could be made into a wierd movie horror flick. If I could remember all of it, I'd write it down.

I've gotten hubby into watching "Lost" with me.
Poor thing! We are now on Disc 4 - Season two.
He isn't 'into' it, like I am. I love it...he just watches it because he likes to spend time with me.
Is that nice, or what?
He gets into it when we watch it, but when an episode is over, he can just turn it off, and go right to sleep...

and I am asking him...don't you want to know what's going to happen?

How can you stand to wait until tomorrow night for the next episode?

How can you just go to sleep??? It's driving me crazy, and I have seen it before!!! LOLOL (I just don't understand...)
I guess I will have to call my DS Tim, who is also a Lost Fan so I can mull it over with a fellow addict.

(that sounded weird.... 'umm, hello....we're "Lost Fans"...is somebody looking for some fans...that they lost? LOL)

I have been making baby hats (what else) while I have been recuperating.
I have a short attention span (commonly referred to as AOADD) (Adult Onset Attention Deficit Disorder) - so I crochet one, then I knit one, then I use the KK loom, then try a different knit pattern...not neccessarily in that order.

Right now I am working on booties. A very easy, but cute pattern.. It is called "Garter Stitch Baby Booties". It is one of my favorites, because of its simplicity, and minimal yarn that it uses, and they work up very quickly. (an important fact for AOADD sufferers).

It's a great stash buster. And they seem to stay on the babies' teeny tiny feet. I am using Sirdar's Snuggly Yarn for them in a pretty aqua/white striped colorway. I love the feel of the Snuggly yarn (BTW, its DK weight) - it is soooo soft and cuddly and squishy!!!!

I got a "Sweet Pea" knit baby hat pattern from Susan Anderson and some of the Tahki Stacy Charles cotton yarn at my new favorite LYS to make them with... that is going to be my next project! I know a couple of "Sweet Peas"... they are about 9 or 10 months old now...twin girls named Ruby and Bianca. The hat(s) should look adorable on them!

I am allofthesudden very tired... must be the vicodin kicking it. So.... time for a little 'nappy-poo'....

happy knitting!

Keepin it brief...

2008-05-18T18:18:00.000-07:00

Just a short post for now...I am recuperating from surgery on my right ankle. Bed rest, keeping my foot elevated, etc. I snuck out of bed long enough to glance at the computer, though!!
I had a 'severe' tear in one of the tendons in my right ankle, and another tear in the tendon behind that one. I had surgery on Thursday to repair it. I am in a cast up to my knee on my right leg. It is uncomfortable, to say the least. But I have been fighting with this ankle for over a year now, so it is high time I got it repaired.
I'm doing a lot of knitting, when the pain pills don't knock me out! Mostly baby hats for the 20 Hats Project, so far. I am trying different patterns out, and trying to stay sane!
The dogs have all enjoyed 'hanging out' with Mom on the bed. They think its cool!!!! Ugh!
Back to bed...and pretending like I am behaving...LOL

Another Marriage

2008-05-07T17:40:00.000-07:00

April must be the month for weddings!!!
Our 22 year old son, Matthew married his fiancee, Katie on April 30th. It was small and very sweet. Katie's parents and brother, and Ray and I and our children (most of them), and the kids' Uncle Mike were there.
Afterwards, we were invited to Katie's parent's house for dinner, and cake. We had a really nice time... and it was a joy to see Matt and Katie get married!
It made it even more special that Uncle Mike could make it. The kids have always loved him so much!!! It wouldn't have been the same without him.Picture above is of Katie and Matt with Katie's parents, and her brother.

The picture here is of Matt and Katie with Ray and I.

And S-P-R-I-N-G is finally here!!!!! Yay!!!!!! The weather has been beautiful and sunny every day...and finally, we have some flowers blooming...so I'm posting a pic of some of the bleeding hearts I planted last year.

Yarn Bonanza!!!!

2008-05-07T15:30:00.000-07:00

Wow did I ever get a good deal on some yarn!!!! I am so excited!!! (yeah, I know...get a life, right?)

I have a dear friend that just started a new job with an auctioneer. They did an estate sale over the weekend, and Nanc called and asked me if I was looking for anything. I told her I was always looking for yarn for baby hats to knit and donate.

Yesterday she came over with a HUGE box of yarn...told me she got it for $7!!!! LOTS of baby yarn too! I was thrilled! Then she took me out to her car, and showed me the OTHER two BIGGER boxes of yarn that she also got for me. ALL THREE BOXES were only $7!!!!! Wow!!!!!! I told her she can shop for me anytime!!!! LOLOLOL

So...here's pictures of all the yarns...Now this is not including the one box that had full skeins of Macrame cord in it, along with patterns. Those are going to our oldest DD, who likes to macrame. Or the several pairs of knitting needles that were in with the yarn.

Relentess Stomp!

2008-04-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

I saw this on another christian blog...thought it was awesome!!!! I had to post it here to share too. What a creative way to share Christ! Too fun!!!

Kindred Spirits = Knitted Souls

2008-04-25T11:36:00.000-07:00

A very dear friend forwarded this to me...Mary. We have known each other for about 23 yrs. She is one of the few people I can call and talk to about ANYTHING, and she won't judge me. She will listen to me, she will talk, she will cry with me, and most importantly, she prays with me, and we pray for each other. And she knows she can call me anytime, and it will be the same way with me.
She is such a blessing to me, and she sent this to me because we ARE kindred spirits in Christ. (And when I saw the part about being 'knit together', that was it, I had to share it here too :o))))
I hope that God speaks through it to some of you.

April 22, 2008
A KINDRED SPIRITby Charles R. Swindoll
Read 1 Samuel 18:1--4

God knew that David needed an intimate friend to walk with him through the valley that was ahead of him.
Intimate friends are rare in life. Often we have only one, occasionally two, usually not more than three in our entire lives. There's something about an intimate friend that causes your souls to be knit together. It's what we call a kindred spirit.

You don't have to beg a close friend for a favor, which was certainly the case with Jonathan. "Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt" (1 Samuel 18:4).

He wanted to give David something that belonged to him and was meaningful to him. Friends do that. They're never stingy with their possessions. Later, Jonathan says to David, "Whatever you say, I will do for you" (20:4). That's the promise of an intimate friend. You can hardly impose on an intimate friend. He doesn't keep score. An intimate friend is there to assist whenever and in whatever way is needed. Unselfishness prevails.

An intimate friend is a loyal defense before others. He's not a fair-weather friend. He won't talk against you when you're not around. It says, "Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father" (19:4). That was very significant, because Saul was not only the king and Jonathan's father, but also, by that time, Saul had determined to be David's enemy. Yet Jonathan stood up to his father and said, "Dad, you're wrong about David." In fact, he not only defended his friend, he also rebuked his father for his attitude toward David.

What a friend Jonathan was! No pettiness, no envy, no jealousy. After all, Jonathan, as Saul's son, might have been the heir apparent. He might have wanted the praise of the people, yet here was this kid from the hills of Bethlehem, garnering all of it. Still, Jonathan stood in defense of his friend against his own father, who was ready to take David's life. This is what we might call bottom-line theology. This is putting shoe leather to your belief, to your faith. He stood in his defense because he was his friend.

Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, Great Days with the Great Lives (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2005). Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc.

Lazy Person's Cookie Recipe (yummy!)

2008-04-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

We had friends over for dinner last night, and I wanted to make some sort of a dessert...but I was also too tired, and not too ambitious.
I did a web search and at allrecipes.com (I think.) I found this disgustingly EASY - but really YUMMY cookie recipe. I used Chocolate Fudge cake mix, and it turned out delicious!

Chocolate Fudge Cookies

1 box chocolate cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 C oil
1 C chocolate chips

stir together the eggs, oil, and cake mix, blending well. Stir in Chocolate chips. Roll into walnut sized balls,and place onto lightly greased cookie sheet . Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes.

I did not write this recipe...and it is so good. I imagine you could use other flavors of cake mixes and add ins... the possibilities are endless!!!

Cookies were tested and approved by our friends, my DH, our oldest DD and me!

Backwards Knitting - perfect!

2008-04-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

I have been "browsing" Ravelry...oh, how I love that site!!! Casey and Jess and Bob came up with an absolutely brilliant idea when they thought that up!!!! Really!!!! I can spend HOURS there!!!! LOL
I followed this link, to that link, and THAT link to that link...and ended up finding out that someone has posted a video on YouTube on how to knit "backwards".
Well, for me, the person that does nearly everything backwards and does it better that way...I was intrigued! So I grabbed my current knitting project, a cap for the "20 Caps Project", and parked myself in front of the computer, and watched the video and knit...backwards!!!! Cool!!!! Now all I have to do is figure out how to knit backwards 'continental' style!
So - had to share this awesome idea, and also the website for the person that created the video and has many other terrific instructional videos for various knitting techniques (and crochet videos too!) on her site.
Enjoy!!!!

Baby Daughter's wedding!

2008-04-19T18:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday our youngest daughter got married to a wonderful guy, which means we have a wonderful new son!!! They are so much in love, and we are so happy for them!

They decided on a simple courthouse wedding, which was every bit as beautiful as a large wedding, (and much more inexpensive...they are saving to buy a home, and this was much more sensible for them). They also decided just to have immediate family at the wedding itself, and that they wanted to go bowling afterwards with their family and a few close friends.

We had a wonderful time!

The Judge that married them was a great guy with a great sense of humor, and just made it all that much more special!!

Here's a pic or two of the whole family (well, all the kids, and their beloved Uncle Mike) and one of Ray and I with Kim and James.

Feather and Fan Purse finally done...

2008-04-17T14:38:00.000-07:00

Feather and Fan flap felted purse

I finally finished the Feather and Fan flap purse...well, all except the lining! Once I made myself focus on finishing it, it went faster. But it felt like I had it 'OTN' forever!!! It was knit from a pattern designed by Anni Rodriguez and is available for purchase HERE . When you get to Anni's blog, scroll down a little bit, and you will see the purse on the right side of the page. (She also has some other neat patterns there too.)

It was an easy pattern to follow, and fun to do. I used Noro Kureyon for the Feather and Fan portion, and Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky for the body and the handle of the purse. The only thing I did different from the pattern, was to add a single crochet border (single row) around the flap, because I thought it might curl or roll after it had been felted.
It's bigger than I thought it would be - even after felting. In fact, it didn't shrink up as much as I hoped it would, although it felted very nicely. I ended up running it through the felting 'process' several times, to see if it would get smaller. LOL.
It is about the perfect size that IF I had a laptop computer, I could put it in this purse and it would be a perfect laptop case.
In fact...IF I had a laptop, I would line the purse with a layer of fleece inbetween the purse and the lining to offer better protection for said imaginary laptop.
I really do like the pattern... I would like to make another one, but the next one will be with less stitches, and maybe a size smaller needle, so that the bag will be a 'smaller purse' size when completed. I'm trying to get away from carrying a huge purse/suitcase with me everywhere I go. My shoulders just can't take it anymore!
In the meantime, before I finish lining this, I might just drop some very UNSUBTLE hints about 'needing' a laptop (which will get me absolutely nowhere, because our "Money Tree" is only 'imaginary' too. LOL)
But it gives me a good excuse to procrastinate...which is something I am always looking for an excuse to do... of course I have practiced procrastinating so much that I am quite accomplished at it....

Close up of the stitch pattern

The completed 'oh-so-perfect-a-size-for-a-laptop-computer Feather and Fan Bag.

Almost finished!!!!

2008-04-09T19:59:00.000-07:00

I had to go to the podiatrist today so she could check the tendonitis on my right ankle. Turns out it still isn't healing as well as it should - so I get to keep the -ever-so-fashionable-looking-cam-walker-boot for another 3 weeks. Lovely. Did I mention the thing looks like a moon boot?
While I was in the waiting room, I had pulled out the never-ending fan & feather purse to work on. Someone commented on "oh, no, you haven't been waiting THAT long for the Dr., have you?" So I had to explain to her that no, I had not...I just can't stand to be in a sitting position without knitting needles in my hands. Then she commented on how much she liked the felted purse I was using (I made that one and posted about it a while ago, it was the Autumn Felted Bag) and also how much she liked the quilted bag I had my knitting in (that I didn't tell her I got from Goodwill for a buck!!!!)
Anyhow, now I am finally on the decreases on the bottom of the purse. It is a good thing I got that extra skein of wool yesterday....I needed it. And then it calls for a 3-needle bind-off. I haven't done that before, but found some instructions on the KnitPicks website, and it doesn't look too hard. I can't wait to finish this bag!!!! I have some cool tye-dyed looking fabric to use for the lining in the bag.
I will have to get off my duff long enough to get a pic or two posted...but I don't want to stop knitting yet to do it! :o) Keep those needles going!!!!

Progress on the Feather and Fan purse

2008-04-08T15:09:00.000-07:00

Last night I finished the I-cord for the Feather and Fan flap purse (while hubby and I were watching a "Lost" DVD. I have him hooked!!!! Yes!!!! We are starting at the beginning.)
I am working on completing the 'body' of the purse, and am pretty close to being done with it! Which will be nice, because it has been OTN for a ridiculously LONG time.
I had to take a couple of birds to the Avian Vet today in Green Bay, and afterwards I stopped at the LYS to get one more skein of the Lamb's Pride Bulky, because I think I am going to run out of yarn. They didn't have the Bulky in the color I needed. GRRRR! So I got the Lamb's Pride Worsted, and will use double strands if I run out. Hopefully after felting, the stitch definition (or lack thereof) will be the same, and you won't be able to tell the difference.
While I was at the yarn store, I had to get some Cascade Fixation that I NEED for a pair of socks, and found another sock yarn in cotton that was too pretty not to get.
DH just pointed out that its raining cats and dogs outside...and that it is a good thing it is rain and not snow. I can't wait for spring!!!!!

Feather & Fan Flap Purse

2008-04-06T21:11:00.000-07:00

I decided to try and pick up some knitting again today. I decided to start with something that's been OTN for months!
So I dragged out my Feather & Fan Flap (Old Shale) Purse that I have been working on for forever. It will be felted when it is all completed. Right now I am working on the I cord for the handle. The pattern calls for Bulky weight wool yarn, so I am hoping that once I have it all completed, the I cord handle won't stretch like the ones I have made in the past.
Now that I finally understand HOW to do the I cord, its actually pretty easy, and is going quickly. I will try and get some 'in progress' pictures up soon.

In Memory of Our Precious Grandchild

2008-04-06T20:41:00.000-07:00

These verses has been on my heart the last few days...

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

and also: Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens

Those two verses have been comforting to us with the loss of our daughter's baby (who was our future grandchild). It still hurts...and we know it will for some time...but I have faith that God knew what he was doing, and faith that there will be another baby in God's plan for our daughter and SIL. And I can't think of any being I would trust that precious baby to besides Jesus. He's already taking care of one that my DH and I lost in 1986 and many, many other's precious little ones that He took home to heaven to be in His care. We look forward to seeing them when we arrive in Heaven someday, and what a joyful reunion that will be!

I don't know what Heaven will be like, I can only imagine...but I know God's Heaven is going to be more than we'd ever be able to comprehend. I can't wait.

2008-04-03T18:35:00.000-07:00

How do I write this???

Our DD that was expecting in October lost the baby today. I've been with her and DSIL most of the day. Our hearts are all broken. We were all looking forward to that baby so much.
My heart is so heavy.
Please keep our family in your prayers.

Another Baby Blanket

2008-03-31T18:33:00.000-07:00

I forgot to take pictures of another one of the baby blankets I made for our grandbaby that is due in October. I guess I will just have to describe it. Duh! I made it when I was out in California at Mom's. Out of doubled flannel with a little rubber ducky print - the little duckies are so cute!!! I crocheted a rippled edge around it in the same yellow yarn that I used to make the "Exquisite" afghan that I shared in a previous post. It turned out lovely too, even if I had to say that myself!

And it is soft and cuddly too...it should be very snuggly for Baby.

I am posting a couple of pictures of my little 'assistant'. Mom's little chihuahua, Gigi, loved being anywhere nearby when I was working on things. I had to keep a close eye on her, because I found out GiGi has a penchant for yarn!!!!! If I didn't keep track of it, all of the sudden my yarn ball would be in the other room, with a tell-tale length of yarn connecting it to the object I was working on. So GiGi, we have discovered, is a little yarn thief! I still think she is too cute to get upset with!!!! LOL (if you look closely at the pics, you can see the rubber duckie flannel)Also I am posting a couple of pictures of some of the flowers that were blooming when I was there....ohhhh...how I loved the flowers!!!!! And a little hummingbird that kept dive-bombing my head!

All About Kermit!

2008-03-26T08:48:00.000-07:00

I have to share, as I am sitting here this morning... listening to my parrot, Kermit, babbling in the other room to himself. He is such a joy!!! This month is his first birdie birthday.

We call him our little alien friend, because he hasn't 'perfected' his voice yet, and he sometimes sounds like a little Martian. But he is talking, and his vocabulary has increased! Some things that we taught him to say, some things he picked up on his own, and some things he learned from the Cockatiel Boys, Cricket, Baby and Frodo.

Kermit can now say: Hello! ; Good Morning; Hi Kermie!; Good Boy! ; Kermit is a good boy; Pretty boy; Pretty bird; How ya doing?; "HONEY!!" (he picked that one up from me. lol); Hey, Baby!!!!; I Love you; I love you, Mommy; 'HA-HA-HA-HA-HA'; he can bark exactly like Gabriel 'rufrufrufrufrufruf' - with the same little growl Gabriel uses (sometimes I can't tell if its Kermit or the dog barking - he's that good. :o)); Pretty Boy, Rugby (learned from the 'tiel boys); and wolf whistles, and seven other different 'tunes' that Ray taught him how to whistle.

He is so amusing!!! He is the first parrot we have owned (a black wing jardine) and I have fallen in love with this bird. He makes us all smile! Another one of God's totally 'Amaze-ing' creations!!!!

I am so thankful God gave us these special little gifts, that enrich our lives so much!

"Exquisite" Baby Afghan finished

2008-03-24T11:56:00.000-07:00

I finished crocheting a baby blanket for my youngest DD, who is expecting a baby in October. (another BabyGrand!) I used a pattern leaflet with designs in it by Terry Kimbrough. The pattern I chose was called "Exquisite"....because I absolutely love the crochet pineapple design!

I used Bernat Satin worsted weight yarn in a lovely soft colorway called 'banana'. The yarn is soft and squishy...yummy!

I enjoyed making the blanket...the pattern was well written and easy to follow. The only problem I had was when I didn't pay attention to what I was doing and lost my count. The yarn worked up beautifully, although I had a little trouble with it splitting when I worked it up.

But the end project was worth it. I loved how it turned out - and so did Kim and James!

It's a bit too lacey to be a practical blanket, but wrapped over a flannel recieving blanket, it will be cozy and pretty, and what I hope will be an heirloom. :o)

Here are the pictures of the completed afghan....

Home Again!

2008-03-19T21:26:00.000-07:00

After about six weeks out in California, helping out my Momma, I am home again for a while...and suffering from jet lag! I can't get enough sleep...I am still tired. I know it will get back to 'normal' soon. Until then, if I can't be found...I curled up somewhere and am taking a nap!
I felt prayers being answered yesterday on my way home. On the way TO the airport we came within a foot or two of being in an accident. Scary!! I haven't ever been 'that' close! I did a lot of thank you's to God for protecting us from that one!!! Then flying into Detroit airport, where I was to get my connecting flight to Green Bay, the airplane began its descent to Detroit, and then we could feel the plane lifting back up again. It turned out that the Air Traffic Controllers changed their minds about giving clearance for our plane to land, and said that it was just a little too close, so we had to circle around the airport again a time or two. Another Thank You Lord!
I have definitely felt God's presence in my life lately.
Momma had a close call with a medication mix-up that made her very sick, and was pretty scary, so I extended my stay another week to be sure she was better before I came back. There were many prayers being said for her - and I really felt them being answered!
She is, happily, feeling MUCH better, the medication problem has been fixed, and she is doing pretty good for being 86!

Learn something new every day

2008-01-28T21:39:00.000-08:00

I'm preparing for my trip to my Mom's next week...so I decided to wash one of my purses to use. I checked all of the pockets, cleaned it out, and threw it in the washer with some of my turtleneck tops, and some towels.

I have washed this purse this way many times with good results. I threw the load in the dryer when it was washed, and to my shock, when I opened the dryer - discovered BLUE ink from 3 ball point pens ALL OVER the inside of my dryer. Everywhere. And plenty of blue ink stains on my load of wash. It seems that the purse had a rip in the lining that I didn't notice, and these 3 pens were hiding in there. GRRRRR!!!!!

I tried Simple Green, I tried my Mr Clean Magic eraser, Rubbing Alcohol. Nothing worked!!!!

Then I had an 'ah-ha' thought - and Googled for 'removing ink from dryer drum'. I found a site called Thrifty Fun and they had oodles of suggestions for removing the ink. Apparently I am not the only dork that has had ball point pens explode in their dryers. The first person suggested Lysol Disinfectant Spray. I had that on hand, so I tried it. It removed some of the ink...but there was still a lot left.
Another suggestion, was to use a Magic Eraser sponge, and soak it with NON-acetone nail polish remover. I had 'regular' nail polish remover, and it didn't work...so I made a trip to the dollar store. Came home, soaked my magic eraser sponge with the non-acetone remover, and it worked!!! My dryer is totally clean again.

Oh...and on the same site, they said to throw some of the Orange Cleaner in with the laundry soap, and also use Shout on the stains on the clothes, and the ink will come out. Almost all of it did. Amazing. I am in awe of these geniuses.

Now I have two questions on my mind (make that 3)....

Question 1. Just WHAT did we ever do before the internet (and before Google???)

Question 2. Who on earth came UP with the idea of "hey, I will just pour some of this here non-acetone nail polish remover on my Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponge, and I KNOW that will take off the ink that is all over the inside of my dryer????? WHO thinks these things up????

Question 3. WHY is this stuff considered Thrifty "FUN"???? LOLOL

I dunno...but thanks, whoever you are. I'm glad your idea of fun is figuring these things out so I don't have to try. Cause I never would have thought it up. :o)

Now the Knitting...

2008-01-25T09:05:00.000-08:00

I finished the hat I was knitting for my youngest DD's boyfriend. I like it. The pattern was easy (2x2 Rib) and came from the Stitch n B___ch book. It is called Men's Hot Head Hat.

Here it is on my DH's head, so I could take pictures.

I made it with Caron Simply Soft worsted, and Red Heart Soft (worsted). It didn't take too long to make, either. I think I will make him another one!! LOL Oh, and now DH wants one too!!!

Funny Dogs & Funny Kittehs!!!!

2008-01-25T08:51:00.000-08:00

K, dis haz abzolutli nuttin ta do wit knittin!!! TWO of mah favrit places tah look are http://www.laughoutlouddogs.com/ and http://www.lolcats.com/. If you haven't seen these, and you are an animal lover, like me, you NEED to go check them out!!! They are so funny!!!! Just go browse through the pictures! I can spend a lot of time doing nothing at those two sites!!! But they sure make you smile!!!

Here is a picture of one of our dogs that I submitted to LOL dogs. .. this is one of our precious 'babies', Squirt. One of the gals from a Ravelry group I am on (LOLRavelers) came up with the words for each of these pics. (thank you Cathy in Ohio!!!!)

Hope you enjoy! (my favorite is the Ribbit, Ribbit one!)

And now to discuss Knitting Related Disorders/Obsessions...

2008-01-18T19:55:00.000-08:00

I have just been diagnosed with "YAS" - "Yarn Aquisition Syndrome". My doctor gently told me I had the following symptoms:

1. Can't run errands without bringing home new colors of yarn.

2. Wake up in the morning, thinking about which stores I need to go to on my lunch hour where yarn is on sale.

3. Lay awake at night thinking about which colors of the spectrum I don't have - causing insomnia (but I just KNOW as soon as I get it all, I'll sleep like a baby!)

4. Went to the store yesterday for milk and came home with 12 skeins of yarn...forgot the milk.

5. Am considering an addition to the house for a yarn room.

6. I have 21 skeins of green yarn (my current favorite), but I know I'm gonna need more, so I need to go out and buy 20 more - they might discontinue that color!!!

7. Gotta buy at least 20 more of bright yellow, because it goes so well with the green!

8. Can't make Sunday dinner for the family because I don't have any place to put the yarn I bought this week that is sitting on the dining room table.

9. Family is grumbling about all the yarn, saying things like "what the heck are you going to do with all this???" and "you'll never use all this in your lifetime!" (Yes..I can. Wait and see.)

So I am thinking about forming a support group for fellow sufferers of "YAS". Think I'll reserve a classroom at the Craft store in my neighborhood....
(They have Wintuk and Bernat yarn on sale this week....)
Care to join me??

I am not the author of this (but I can sure identify with it!!!! LOLOL) If you know who did author this, let me know, so I can give them credit. Thanks!

Snow, Snow, and more snow!

2008-01-17T19:54:00.000-08:00

We got another ...oh, maybe 6 or 7 " of fluffy white snow since last night. I hate to admit it
( I really do) but all that snowy stuff is real pretty! I had to drive in it today, and I didn't even mind.
OMG... I don't know what's wrong with me??? Somebody call a Dr. quick!

I, um, even wanted to go out and shovel when I got home. I can't remember the last time I wanted to (or even actually did) pick up a snow shovel, with the intent of actually using it. (we are so blessed to have a generous neighbor with a snow blower that LIKES to use his snow blower, so he comes over after every snowfall and does our driveway and sidewalk. He is so sweet!) I shoveled the sidewalk AND the driveway this evening.

This is so totally out of character for me. I am usually a whiney , spineless, little wimp when it comes to snow and cold.

I'm sure I must be sick or something.

Goodbye Old Picture!

2008-01-15T12:29:00.000-08:00

Since my picture that's been on the blog since I began it was taken in 2004 - and it is now four years later...I am going to take a big step for me and replace the old one with the 'current' me. Scary for me, because I liked my old picture a whole lot better. So out with the old (which was L'oreal blonde) and in with the new (working my way back to my 'natural' hair color. IF I remember right, this is pretty close. I hope.

Snow is a four-letter word

2008-01-14T21:14:00.000-08:00

We have had some beautiful snowstorms lately...and it is cold! It is so crisp and white looking and looks very pretty from INSIDE the house. (did I mention I am not especially fond of winter??? Give me 70's - even 80's, and sunshine every day!)
But even though I am not fond of winter, I still find it hard not to appreciate and enjoy looking at the beautiful, white, pristine, snow drifts...and it is amazing to me that God created snow, along with everything else that He created. God is amazing!!! I went outside the night before last when we were having big, fat, fluffy flakes of snow... I was crazy, and went out in stocking feet and my sweater (no jacket, no gloves...us Wisconsinites get tough, y'know) I took my camera (my Christmas present from DD Kim, and took some 'snow' pictures. I tried the night 'scene' setting...cool...but I found out with the flash, the snowflakes looked almost like little Christmas tree lights and they sparkled and twinkled so pretty when the flash went off. I kind of went nuts with the camera. (I've been doing that alot lately, trying to discover all of the features it has.)
So here are some nightime photos of the snowfall.

I have been knitting (when do I ever NOT knit? LOL) I knit yet another sweater and baby hat for DD K to give as a gift to one of her friends that recently had a baby.

Then DD K asked me ever so sweetly, if I would make her another scarf - in pastel baby pink. She handed me three skeins of yarn, and said "you rock, Momma". How on earth could I resist that flattery???? LOL So three days later, I have her scarf finished. She had picked out a super soft baby yarn and matching fun fur. So I doubled the baby yarn and crocheted the scarf with a double strand of the baby yarn held together with one strand of the fun fur. So far, my DD's have not tired of having the fun fur scarves. I still get requests from them for different colors.

Now DD K asked me if I would knit a hat for her boyfriend so I started that tonight.
I am using the "Hot Head" cap pattern from the 'Stitch n B_ _ _ H' book.

I had a Drs. appt today for my stupid ankle. Apparently I sprained it about 6 months ago, and it has been sore ever since, and swells all the time. The Dr. told me it has developed into tendonitis. So now I get to see a podiatrist, to see what they do for that. I have no idea.

I'm also posting doggie pics too. Of course, they ARE some of the cutest doggies ever!!! Yes, I AM biased. Squirt is sleeping on his 'cow' fake fur rug, with his two favorite toys, his little frogs, and a blanket. Sassy and Gabriel just looked so sweet cuddled up together, I couldn't resist. I've been a bit camera happy lately!!!

Blessings to you and yours.
Lissa

A little Funny...

2007-12-27T20:30:00.000-08:00

This was a forward I received in my email from a friend, and it was so funny! I thought I would share it! Hope it makes you smile!

PECANS IN THE CEMETERY

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts.
"One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me," said one boy.
Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence. Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate.
Sure enough, he heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off.
Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along.
"Come here quick," said the boy, "you won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls."
The man said, "Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk."
When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery. Standing by the fence they heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me."
The old man whispered, "Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord."
Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord.
At last they heard, "One for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done."
They say the old man made it back to town a full 5 minutes ahead of the kid on the bike.

Christmas... It's about the Cross!

2007-12-22T20:39:00.000-08:00

Only three more days til Christmas. We are celebrating the REASON for the season! I am so happy that we decided to 'slow down' this year, and truly have time to be able to relax and reflect this time of year...about what is really important.
I found a video on YouTube that someone did, with the song by the group called "Go Fish" - I hope you enjoy the video as much as I did - cause I am posting it here. :o)))
Take the time to remember what Christmas is....may God bless you

Easy Baby Cardigan - Frogged!

2007-12-19T19:41:00.000-08:00

Well, I ended up frogging the baby cardigan I was working on! GRRRR!!!!!
I was doing the sleeves, and the decrease rows just didn't look right to me. They looked 'funny'. I felt that the cardigan was too 'plain' in the straight stockinette stitch. And after looking at the sleeves for a few minutes, I ripped the whole thing out! (not that I am a perfectionist or anything.... So now to start from scratch again... sigh!!!
I think I am going to use a different pattern with some interesting designs - I have one in mind already.
I'll post as I get it going again.

MY FAVORITE WEB SITE

2007-12-19T10:12:00.000-08:00

I have a favorite website I have to share!!! It belongs to our 24 year old son...so maybe, I am, of course, more than a 'little' bit biased...but I think its great! And I am very proud of him.
It is here... so if you feel inclined, check it out.
Hugs!

Ready for the Christmas Season - Part Two!

2007-12-14T15:48:00.000-08:00

I just checked my emails after I did my last post, and I had received an email from DaySpring about their "Jesus is The Gift" 'movement'. Very cool - and the website has some great ideas on ways to make Christmas more meaningful. I thought I'd share it, in case you want to check it out. I did not write the following poem, but it is so appropriate. Have a blessed Christmas season!!!

Jesus is the Gift
Jesus is the gift that perfectly fits every heart
and it is with His love that all celebration starts.
We rejoice in Him as we remember His birth
and thank God for sending His only Son to earth.
His life led from a manger to a cross on a hill
where He faithfully followed His Father’s perfect will.
He freely laid down everything so that we could live,
and there is no greater treasure anyone could give.
Like a scarlet ribbon His love wrapped around the cross
and He offered it to us all at the greatest cost.
So each time that we give we remember what He’s done
and honor the perfect Gift—God’s one and only Son.— Author is Holley Gerth

Ready for a Merry Christmas season!!!

2007-12-14T15:13:00.000-08:00

I am so amazed!!! Here it is - December 14th - and we have our tree up already!!!! (doing the happy dance!!!) LOLOL

In the last few years, we've not had it up until December 23rd or so! I wanted us to be able to ENJOY Christmas this year. You know how sometimes this time of year, we get so busy and stressed out, and before we know what has hit us, we forget WHY we have Christmas in the first place???

THIS year, and in years following, I don't want to get so caught up in the 'busy-ness' that I forget that we are celebrating the birth of our Savior!

The night before last, R dragged the tree out of the box, and set it up in the living room, and I spent yesterday afternoon putting LOTS of lights on it! I love LOTS and LOTS of lights!!! Then this afternoon, my oldest DD and I hung the ornaments, and I finished up with the little glittery icicles all over the tree. I think it turned out pretty pretty! LOL

I even went 'all out' and hung some blue "arch lights" in the kitchen windows, and dug out some of the ceramic Christmas decorations that my Momma had made for me in the past. She did such a beautiful job with the ceramics. They are each something that I treasure, and will become family heirlooms, just because she made them. (yes, I am extremely sentimental)

So we are listening to Christmas music on the stereo, and watching lots of Christmas movies. Like I said, we are going to enjoy the season from now on...and especially the 'reason' we have it!!!

So go make yourself a cup of hot cocoa, and enjoy it too!!!

smorgasbord of stuff...........

2007-12-11T12:13:00.000-08:00

I just got back from my *last* post-op appointment with my Orthopedic Dr. for my shoulder surgery. He's 'turning me loose'! Yay! My shoulder isn't back 100%, but it has only been 5 months since I had surgery, and he said I am doing very well.
I have been working hard on finishing the baby sweater I posted about yesterday. Its very easy, but I need a little challenge, so sometimes its harder for me to work on something easy!!! I think I am going to make a little knit lace baby hat for a break!
I am posting a 'group' picture of some of the little baby hats and a couple of pairs of booties that I am making for the '20 Hats Project' to give to babies in the NICU. If you want to know about any of the patterns, email me privately, and I will send you the links to the individual websites, as they are not of my design. They are free patterns I found on the internet though, for charity use.