Julz...simply

Catching up & 3 new afghans later

2012-01-02T12:37:00.001-08:00

I know its been quite awhile since I’ve posted anything, you know how it goes…life just gets away from you sometimes.

Through the summer and early fall, I made afghans for my 2 of my best friends that I’ve been friends with for more than 20 years (Oooo just saying that makes me cringe…lol) I love these ladies dearly they were a huge part of my life going through elementary, middle & high school together…so many good times with them.

This one is Cindy’s

This one is Tammy’s

And then the 3rd one that I finished, I did for my uncle’s girlfriend. They’ve been together for couple years now and we’ve grown to become very good friends, I enjoy spending time with her and I think she’s been a good addition to our family.

This one is Mary Helen’s

I’ve also tried my hand at making a few purses, I found this pattern on Ravelry and I loved it and its so versatile with colors. Here’s the ones that I have done so far…

That’s all I have for now, I’m working on another afghan right now and I will post it when its finished. I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and I wish every to have a very blessed Happy New Year!!

Win this Simplicity Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder!

2011-11-10T11:17:00.001-08:00

I just learned about this give-away…so enter to win!!

This is a crochet must have…it will keep your yarn from getting tangled and its good to have to organize your yarn to save some space wherever you keep your stash at!!

Simplicity Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder!

Catching up…latest crocheting work

2011-07-04T14:05:00.001-07:00

This is the Daisy Four-Patch pattern.

I made this for my family reunion that was on July 2nd. We gave it away as a door prize. My uncle’s girlfriend, Mary Helen had the idea to put marbles in a jar and the family members had to guess how many were in there and the person that got to closest got to take the afghan home. It was such a good idea and a big hit…everyone enjoyed it and anticipated the winner.

And the winner is my beloved Aunt Sharon. She only missed the count by 2. She was thrilled!!

Another project that I have recently finished is a cuddle sack for a baby…its my first one and I love it!! I loved doing it, although I’m in fear that it may be to narrow for a baby, guess I’ll have to wait and see…and if it is I’ll know to adjust the pattern some for the next one I’ll make, here’s a picture of it…

I have 3 more projects that I’m working on at the moment also and 2 of those should be done very soon, so I’ll post them ASAP.

by the way…

God Bless this country and all of those that live in it!!

Alex’s Bearghan

2011-04-04T12:04:00.001-07:00

I finished anther bearghan…this one is for my God-son, Alex (4 yrs old)

110 Squares for Crochet A Rainbow

2011-03-09T11:51:00.001-08:00

Well I’m happy to say that I’ve finished using up a lot of my scrap yarn to make granny squares…in which helped me a lot to clear out some shelf space. You don’t realize how quickly left over yarn can build up…one day you just happen to look at your stash and think “where did all this come from and what am I going to do with it?” LOL

The squares are going to be shipped to Australia very soon. They are for the project that Sarah London created for the victims of the severe flooding in Australia recently…she’s asked for the squares and when she gets them, she’s going to sew them together to make blankets for these people.

So between a friend of mine and me we were able to make 110 squares…

Crochet A Rainbow

2011-01-24T11:07:00.000-08:00

Today I'm starting the project 'Crochet A Rainbow' and I'm excited to get started. I don't have a lot of money to be able to donate and I always wanna help when disasters hit. It breaks my heart to see people suffering and losing their homes and everything they own. So when I was informed about this project...well its one thing I know I can do...Crochet!! I have plenty of leftover yarn from previous projects and I'm gonna make as many granny squares I can out of all of that to contribute in the best way that I can.

If you're a crocheter and would like to get more info on how you can help click on the above picture or the 'Crochet A Rainbow' button to the right of my blog.

Thank you to Sarah London for coming up with this idea and sharing it with us and for the job you're going to have sewing all of these squares together as they begin to roll in...LOL

Bearghan

2011-01-22T15:18:00.001-08:00

I’m thrilled that I made my first bearghan and I loved the way it turned out. I saw this pattern here and I wanted to do one. I remembered that I had a request from someone who wanted me to make an afghan for her little girl, so I suggested this one. She chose the colors of pink & brown, and this is what I came up with. I wanted it to resemble a “teddy bear”.

Happy New Year 2011

2010-12-30T15:53:00.001-08:00

I really want to wish everyone the happiest of New Years!!

Welcome to 2011!!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T12:33:00.000-08:00

Candlelit Heart
A Christmas Poem by Mary E. Linton

Somewhere across the winter world tonight
You will be hearing chimes that fill the air;
Christmas extends its all-enfolding light
Across the distance...something we can share.

You will be singing, just the same as I,
These familiar songs we know so well,
And you will see these same stars in your sky
And wish upon that brightest one that fell.

I shall remember you and trim my tree,
One shining star upon the topmost bough;
I will hang wreaths of faith that all may see --
Tonight I glimpse beyond the hear and now.

And all the time that we must be apart
I keep a candle in my heart.

Amber's Mile-A-Minute Afghan

2010-12-19T13:11:00.000-08:00

This is my latest afghan that I've finished. I made this for my cousin, Amber. We were close when we were younger and then "life" happened and we lost touch over the years. After about 18 years, I found her through Facebook and we reunited this past summer. Its been great having her back in my life and seeing the wonderful & very kind woman & mother she has turned out to be.

Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

2010-12-11T13:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book and the whole saga...they were very sweet reads. I loved the humor and the friendships among the ladies and then eventually the men as they became involved.

View all my reviews

~Happy Thanksgiving~

2010-11-25T11:00:00.000-08:00

'Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned - the dark meat and white
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.
Tossing and turning with anticipation
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So, I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door
And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
'Til all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.
But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees....
Happy eating to all - pass the cranberries, please.

May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes 'n gravy have nary a lump,
May your yams be delicious, may your pies take the prize ,
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Fall 2010~

2010-11-01T11:38:00.001-07:00

While out on a Sunday afternoon drive with my husband, I was really noticing all the beautiful fall colors in the tree, so I snapped a few pictures with my phone. I ended up making this collage.

And also as were coming around a curve there were four deer crossing the road...I wish that picture would've been better...but they were fast...lol

~Happy Halloween~

2010-10-31T13:25:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone has a fun & safe Halloween!!

Baby Bubbles

2010-10-21T11:39:00.000-07:00

(close up)

This is the latest afghan that I've finished...I made it for my hair stylist, her baby is due in Feb. I was able to give it to her this morning during my appointment and she loves it!! Its a very simple pattern that I got here at Crochet Pattern Central. I used the colors of Light Peach & Buttercup and the neat thing about it is that you use 2 strands of yarn at the same time, it gives it such a great effect and makes it really thick and comfy.

Rose Bud Picture-ghan

2010-09-28T11:15:00.001-07:00

I made this for a dear friend/co-worker/fellow crocheter...she's made me several things over the years and I've been focusing on "my list" for my family...I now have that caught up and wanted to make her something. I know she loves roses so I got the idea to design this and now I'm finally finished!!!

Remembering 9-11-01

2010-09-11T11:33:00.001-07:00

I remember this day very clearly...I had just gotten up and out of the shower. I haven't even turned on the TV yet. There was a lady that I had worked with and she had had some serious surgery and I had heard that she was home from the hospital. So I was going to call her and check on her to see how she was doing. During our conversation she asked if I had seen the news yet and I said "No, whats going on?" (as I turned on the TV) and she proceeded to tell me that a plane had just struck one of the towers and at this time we just thought it was a freak accident. I got off the phone with her so I could pay attention to what was going on. A few minutes later I saw the second plane hit and then heard them talking about the one at the Pentagon and then in the blur came the fourth plane in a field in Pennsylvania...I was thinking "what the hell is going on?" and of course was in tears and then somewhere in the midst of this I came to conclusion that it was an attack. I stayed glued to the news all day, but I still had to go to work that afternoon. I was working in a factory at the time and we all had our headphones on listening to the radio...everyone was like zombies...we did'nt hardly get any work done at all. I had heard on one of the stations that I was listening to say that there was going to be a nation wide moment of silence and prayer at 7pm. We told our boss and that we wanted to participate...and I remember all of us going outside and we circled our flag pole and this one lady (I never knew her name) said the most beautiful prayer I had ever heard...needless to say we were all in tears and holding hands and hugging...even people that were complete strangers to each other and had never associated with each other before. We stayed out there a long time...then everything else after that for the next few days is in a haze for me.

Nicholas & The Hummingbird

2010-08-26T12:08:00.001-07:00

My Godson, Nicholas got a hummingbird yesterday...it was so sweet and gentle, it just let him hold it...he eventually let it go though.

I've always heard that catching a hummingbird was very good luck, if you believe in that sort of thing...so I looked up a couple of "sayings" that were written about the symbolism of a hummingbird and I thought they were beautiful, so I wanted to share them.

The hummingbird is a messenger.
It is also a symbol of love, joy, and beauty. The hummingbird is also able to fly backwards, teaching us that we can look back on our past. But, this bird also teaches that we must not dwell on our past; we need to move forward. When the hummingbird hovers over flowers while drinking nectar, we learn that we should savor each moment, and appreciate the things we love.

Hummingbirds, called new world birds cause they are native to North America, Central and South America, are considered to be symbols of peace, love and happiness, moreover, ancient pagans held them sacred for their tireless energy and anxiety.
In Native American culture, a hummingbird symbolizes timless joy and the Nectar of Life. It's a symbol for accomplishing that which seems impossible and will teach you how to find the miracle of joyful living from your own life circumstances.

They are really spectacular birds, and have a lot to teach a person about self discovery and healing.

Animal-Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small

By: Ted Andrews

It stands for immortality. Or sometimes the Sun.
Hummingbird is seen by some as a messenger of love and joy. It symbolises energy, wonder and swift action. It is associated with the Ghost Spirit native American religion which teaches a dance that is intended to return the natural balance of the world.

The Search by Nora Roberts

2010-08-12T11:46:00.000-07:00

The Search by Nora Roberts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a very good read, I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked within the first 6 pages. If you're a dog lover you will definitely love this book!! It has a lot of funny parts and then some real scary & sad parts.

View all my reviews >>

Follow up with Tiffany

2010-08-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I took a trip up to Ohio to visit family for a reunion and the first stop was my brothers house...mostly because he was the one driving...lol...anyhoo while I was there I took a pic of Tiffany, my sister-in-law with the recent afghan that I made for her. She loves it and is taking really good care of it...I'm so happy to see how much she loved it...its not often I get to see recipitant of one my afghans, so this was great!

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella

2010-07-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just another great read by Stephanie Meyer to go along with the Twilight Saga...although the book was short, it kept me interested...wondering what was gonna happen next.

View all my reviews >>

Tiffany's Wool-Eater

2010-06-16T11:18:00.000-07:00

I have finally finished another afghan...this one took me about 2 months doing it off & on...I made this for my sister-in-law...she's been married to my brother for almost 2 yrs and I've grown to really like her...she's a sweet sensitive person and I wanted to give her something special for our new friendship & family.

This pattern is called "wool-eater"...when I first saw this pattern, I just new I wanted to do one and so with a friend we taught ourselves how to do it and it wasn't so bad after all...I'm very pleased with how it turned out and I can't wait to give it to Tiffany.

Memorial Day

2010-05-29T16:39:00.000-07:00

Freedom Is Not Free

I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of TAPS one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That TAPS had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.

-Kelly Strong

Graduation Starghan for Erica

2010-05-22T19:31:00.001-07:00

I've had this Starghan done for awhile but I couldn't post it until the person that I made it for received it. I made this for my best friends daughter for her graduation. She graduated last night and we had such a good time...the whole day was great. It was neat to watch her graduate from the same school that I went to. I've watched Erica grow up from a baby and can't believe she graduated last night and on her way to start college in the fall...I feel blessed to be a part of her life, its been a joy watching her grow up. She told me she wanted an afghan with her school colors which are black & gold and then I sewed the year on it for her...she loves it and its big enough to lay across her bed.

"Savor The Moment" by Nora Roberts

2010-05-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another sweet read...I love the humor and the relationships between the characters. I love how the women are strong and work hard...can't wait to read the 4th book in November.

View all my reviews >>

Carnal Innocense by Nora Roberts

2010-04-19T11:25:00.000-07:00

Carnal Innocence by Nora Roberts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book...very suspenseful and lots of humor especially the southernisms and cousin Lulu...what a hoot!!

View all my reviews >>

The Dogwood Legend

2010-04-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

(In honor of my Dogwoods blooming)

A Dogwood Legend

In Jesus’ time the dogwood grew

To a stately size and a lovely hue.

‘Twas strong and firm as oak-branches interwoven

For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.

Seeing the distress at this use of their wood

Christ made a promise which still holds good:

“Never again shall the dogwood grow

Large enough to be used so

It shall slender and twisted be-

With blossoms like the cross for all to see.

As bloodstains the petals marked in brown-

The blossom’s center shall wear a thorny crown.

All who see it will remember me-

Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.

Cherished and protected this tree shall be

A reminder to all of my agony.”

Easter Holiday

2010-04-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

Easter holiday, is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ!

Jesus Christ, The Son of God, bled and died for us in a sacrifice.

This Spring day's celebrated, generally in the month of April.

All of the bright and pretty colors, of the Easter outfits with frills.

Women and children will wear their Easter bonnets.

In the Spring, you'll hear the various musical sonnets.

April will bring many rain showers.

That'll bring us various beautiful flowers.

One special flower for this day is the Easter Lily.

It's color is white, and yet snowy & milky.

The birds will sing their songs of praise.

As we begin to feel the warmth of the sun's rays.

As we say "Goodbye" to the winter's gloom,

The flowers and trees have already begun to bloom.

All of life's beauty, The Lord created, for us all to share.

Spring breezes begin to flow, sending fragrances through the air.

The winter's thawing will let the rivers, lakes, and streams rise and flow.

The beauty of the Earth will make us all feel aglow!

Farmers and gardeners will start to hoe.

And then they'll begin to sow.

On Sundays, we'll hear the various church bells ring.

Let's be grateful for the LORD, let's rejoice and sing.

If it wasn't for the Lord, we wouldn't have anything!

Frostings Mother's Day Give Away

2010-03-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

Natasha is having a Mother's Day give away....go to her website and learn how you can win a bracelet for yourself or your mother!!Frostings <---click here

Rainbow in March

2010-03-22T11:23:00.001-07:00

After a day of rain and dreary weather, my husband and I sat down to supper, he was facing the window and said "look the sun is coming out." So I looked out the window myself and said "thats usually what the sky looks like when rainbows come out." So about 2 minutes later he said "hey there's a rainbow" and I didn't believe him...lol...I thought he was just saying that because of what I said, just so he could trick me into looking out the window. And of course I fell for it and took a glance and sure enough he was actually telling the truth...lol (he's a big joker, so I was surprised) I grabbed up my camera and BlackBerry and went outside and took as many pictures as I could!! The double rainbow was so gorgeous and brilliant in color...the pics actually don't do it justice. I was so excited, I love seeing rainbows...its a true blessing from God to remind us of his promise.

St. Patrick's Day Blessings

2010-03-16T11:14:00.000-07:00

Designed Necklaces

2010-02-26T12:21:00.000-08:00

My Moms 50th birthday is coming up on March 4th and I knew I wouldn't be able to be with her to celebrate it, so I wanted to get her something special. I talked to my brother about finding something nice for her and if he wanted to go in half with me and he said yeah. I remembered a blog of a friend of mine who had gotten a personalized necklace with her childrens name on them so I went back to this blog and got the info and went and checked out the web site. So after looking around this site, I knew this is what I wanted to get her...my mom lost her "mother's ring" that my dad got her several years ago, so I thought I would try to replace it with a necklace.

The designer is Natasha Vaughn, I called her and she helped me to get what I wanted for my mom, she was really nice and you can tell that she really wants to you to be happy with what she designs for you. She works with you and helps you to get the perfect design. She doesn't just do necklaces either, she has several different choices.

You can find what you're looking for at http://www.frostingstn.com/ I also have a button to her website on the right of my page here.

Here is what she made for me to give to my mom for her birthday. I had her put our birthstone beads on it and I added one for my dad...that is how her mothers ring was also.

And so of course after seeing how great my mom's necklace was...I wanted one for myself!! Ever since my dad passed away I've been looking for something special and personalized for me in memory of him...so after talking with Natasha again and she showed several pictures of ideas she had and she even drew some things out for me....I settled on a silver tear drop...letting my dad know that I will think about him.

I absolutely love this necklace, I'm very pleased with how it turned out...its very authentic and you can tell its hand-crafted which makes it very unique.

I highly reccomend if you're looking for something special for yourself or a gift for someone...to contact Natasha...if she doesn't have it, she will work with you to get you what you want.

Thanks Natasha!!

Saving Ceecee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

2010-02-14T14:05:00.000-08:00

Saving Ceecee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book!! Days later and I'm still thinking about it! I could not put it down...when I had too, I was still thinking about the book and what was going to happen next!! I went from crying to laughing all in the same paragraph sometimes. I really reccomend this book to everyone...and southern ladies will really appreciate this book...I did!!

View all my reviews >>

~Happy Valentine's Day~

2010-02-12T11:19:00.001-08:00

I want to wish everyone a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend

Enjoy time with the ones you love!!

They Love 'em!!

2010-01-29T13:16:00.000-08:00

Well after finally getting my neice & nephews blankets finished and shipped out and up to Ohio, I recieve these pics from my sister-in-law telling me that they love 'em!!! Which of course makes me very happy!! She said Libby carries hers every where she goes and since she's so little and it was a big one (and heavy) she just ends up dragging it around.

Libby's Blanket

2010-01-20T10:33:00.001-08:00

This is the latest afghan that I've "finally" finished!! Seems like this one took forever to get done!! Its for my neice, Libby. This is a diagonal box stitch pattern...aka Corner to Corner Throw. I wish the lighting was better so you could see the colors better, it really is a gorgeous color!! Thanks for veiwing it...I would love to hear your comments!!

~Happy New Year~

2010-01-01T15:16:00.001-08:00

*CHEERS* to the new year of 2010!! I hope everyone has a blessed year and enjoys every possible minute that God gives us!! Make the best of it and cherish your families!!

~~ Christmas ~~

2009-12-22T11:42:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas to all
And Happy New Year, too
As we all say, farewell
To this year almost, through.

I wish you good health
Happiness and cheer
And all the best things

In, the new, coming year.

I wish peace for the world
And true freedom for all

For the Devil and hate
A final, downfall..

I hope those filled with greed

Will find they have enough

That love and friendship

Will replace all that "stuff".

I hope the homeless and hungry

Find relief from their plight
(And we know they would

if, we'd all do what's right).

I wish a life for the Children

That, will be worth living
Each with loving parents
Who know, the art of giving.

Colorblind would be fine

And respect for our Brother
An end to those Religions

That believe, there is no other.

I wish Mankind united

In one common cause
To root out all evil
To, make it, what was.

I hope all who have passed

Find peace, in their New World

And that the Stars & Stripes

Will fly proudly, unfurled.

I hope we'll care for our Earth

Quit polluting this place
Before it's too late
For the Human Race.

So Merry Christmas to all

And to all a good night

And during this Season
Let's vow, to do right.

My Tree Is Up!! YAY!!

2009-12-06T18:04:00.000-08:00

I got my tree up today...I'm excited about it because its the first tree I've put up in 3 yrs!! With the deaths of my family members, I just haven't been in the mood for it...but this is a "stepping stone" into helping me get past the "Holiday Depression". The last time I put up the tree (in 2005) my Dad did it with me and we took lots of pictures. So I remembered that today and cried a little but mostly I felt good because I know he would want me to be ok and not depressed, I know it would've killed him to see me so sad. So I did it and I feel better and I feel "accomplished"!! My tree is fiber optic, and it spins around and plays music...I love it and its just cute enough for the 2 of us :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2009-11-25T10:56:00.000-08:00

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy the

time with your families!!

God Bless!!

Life Still Has A Meaning

2009-11-10T11:24:00.000-08:00

Life Still Has A Meaning

If there is a future there is time for mending-

Time to see your troubles coming to an ending.

Life is never hopeless however great your sorrow-

If you're looking forward to a new tomorrow.

If there is time for wishing then there is time for hoping-

When through doubt and darkness you are blindly groping.

Though the heart be heavy and hurt you may be feeling-

If there is time for praying there is time for healing.

So if through your window there is a new day breaking-

Thank God for the promise, though mind and soul be aching,

If with harvest over there is grain enough for gleaning-

There is a new tomorrow and life still has meaning.

by Author Unknown

Tyler's ABC's Afghan

2009-11-06T10:57:00.000-08:00

I made this one for my nephew, Tyler for Christmas. He just started school this year so I made him one with the alphabet.

Its been one year...

2009-10-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

It has officially been one year since the death of my Dad and it has been the worse year of my life. I think I've been through emotions ranging from shock, denial, raging anger, devastating sadness, & unbelievable guilt. I've had these emotions but they were multiplied times 10. I can't believe I've lived one whole year without him. I think what hurts the most is the way that he died...he was just gone without a word. When my grandmother passed, I had 15 months to say "good-bye" to her, we all knew it was coming. But my dad died from a heart attack alone without anyone there to comfort him and hold his hand...he went so fast he probably never knew what happened to him. He always told me that if something ever happened to him, he would hug & kiss me on his way out and up and I get comfort from believing that he did. I think I have finally come to the terms that this is something that I will never get over, but I will have to learn to live with it. And I've let myself grieve for a year and so this year I'm going to try to get myself out of this "funk" and maybe some slight depression. I've learned a lot this year and I'm going to try to do the best that I can to move on and be happy the way that he wants me to be. I'm blessed with a great family and wonderful friends that have been there for me this whole year. I'm focusing on that.

And now after all we've been through, we've been faced with yet another family member in very poor health. My grandpa (my dad's dad) has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He's been in & out of hospitals and rehabilitation centers for the last 3 months, he hasn't been in his own home in 2 months. From what I understand he's had this for years and didn't know it, and is now in the final stage. Its horrible seeing what this cancer does to someone. My grandpa has worked hard his whole life, he's a very strong, determined, respectfully stubborn man. I have never seen him down in my whole life and to see him now a man thats 6' ft or more, down to 102lbs. and fighting just to be able to eat something...well its just devastating and I have a hard time with it, especially after just losing my dad. But it doesn't matter how it makes me feel, I will be there for him regardless and be as strong as I can for him. My aunt told me the other day that he has been trying to eat better and if he keeps it up, they will let him go home, which is what he wants to do. He told us last week he wanted to go home and sit on his porch and I pray that he gets to do that before the weather gets colder.

This past weekend Oct. 16-18 I think was the mile stone for me. The 18th was the 1 year anniversary of my dad's death and I was terrified of it, I got real bad anxiety. I would shake, I couldn't sleep, I was real nervous and I had a pain in my chest that I hadn't had since the minute (@7:26 pm on Oct. 18th 2008) I got the phone call of his passing...I just did not want this day to come. But what I realized is that I just didn't want to go through it alone (excluding my husband). My mom lives in Indiana and she had been saying she was going to come down that weekend, but I didn't want to get my hopes up until I knew for sure. And my brother lives in Ohio and he wasn't sure he could make it, due to work and finances after moving to a new house, he's gotten a little behind. But the weekend before our grandpa asked about David and asked me if he was going to get to come down. And so I told David that grandpa was "asking" for him and so David re-arranged things to be able to come down and see grandpa and to be with me & mom on the anniversary. And so they arrived at my house on Friday night the 16th around midnight and it was so good to see them, I instantly felt a peaceful relief. I knew they were what I needed. My brother has grown up to be a really great guy and has the funniest sense of humor, he had me laughing the minute he walked in the door and my mom has come a long way and when she hugs me now, it feels genuine (long history there...lol). Well I got them to bed because we all had to get up early and get ready for Saturday. And as I woke up on Saturday morning the pain that had been in my chest was gone and I was feeling so much better than I had in a couple weeks. My mom was in good spirits, and David was being his fun self...I think just us being together is what we needed more than I had realized to get through this weekend. We were going to meet my aunt Sharon (dads sister) and her son (my cousin) Steven for lunch at Chili's and then go to the hospital to spend the rest of the afternoon with grandpa, he's in ICU at this time. So as we go in the hospital room, my grandpa is sleeping but the nurse wakes him up, its time for his lunch and he realizes that we're all there...so he gets up to eat and he is looking really good to me, compared to the last time I was there...he had color in his face and was eating the most I had seen him eat in 2 months!! We had a very good visit and I'm so thankful that my brother got this time with him, they both got to tell each other that they loved each other and it was good for David to see the reality of how sick grandpa really is. I don't think he grasped that until seeing it for his self.

After that we went to the cemetary to put flowers on my dad's head stone. And this was the first time that my mom has seen the grave site since the funeral and I think it was really good for her, because all she remembered was the big gaping hole in the ground...so now she felt some closure and I asked her if she felt better and could feel a difference after you see it some time later and she said "yes, actually I felt better at your house last night, when we went to bed I could feel your dad's spirit/presence in your house." She could not have said anything better to me. We came back to my house after that and spent some good quality time together, going through pictures and playing with pictures on the computer...by that I mean editing them and decorating a few for halloween and it was a lot of fun. My mom went to bed early, she had a long drive the next morning and my husband went to bed a little while later and David and I stayed up until 1:00am talking and having a good time...I love my brother so much...he's a big piece of my heart...more than I thought he would ever be (we didn't get along growing up...lol)

Well they got up early on Sunday morning and drove back to their homes and I was alone on the anniversary date, and you know I was ok...it was the worse day of my life and I felt good, I was smiling and having a good day. I thought of my dad the whole day...but of good things not the things that have been haunting me for a year. My dad was so hilarious and compassionate and a very loving man...he had his problems and did some things that he shouldn't have but he learned from them, maybe a little to late, but he did and I realized that those things didn't take away from his "character" & "personality" which was bigger than life!! I'll never be closer to another person than I was to him and as I sit here crying and typing this out, I have realized that besides losing another family member or a close friend, that the worse thing that could ever happen to me, already has, and I'm still here, I'm ok & I'm going to be ok...I can get through "it" now.

I've talked to my mom a few times since she's been back home and she seems to be alot better...which makes me feel so much better for her and David...well he's just David...lol...back to work and worrying about his home, wife & kids as it should be. We'll always miss him but at least now as we start this next year without him, we can focus more on the positive things about him...so here's to my dad *toast*...may he rest in peace until we get there...lol

Shades of Greens Round Ripple

2009-10-01T11:16:00.000-07:00

This was made for Liz, my couisn-in-law. Her daddy passed away this past spring & she requested an afghan with his favorite color (green) so when she looked at it, she thought of him. She recieved it in the mail yesterday and told me it was perfect and was on the back of her couch, so I'm happy for her.

Thanks Liz!!

Pillows

2009-09-26T19:08:00.000-07:00

Last year I wanted to make something for my family and I got the idea to make pillows. I wanted to make so many more, but my Dad passed away in the middle of this and it set me back and I got behind on what I did do. I really enjoyed making them, they went fast, the only hard part was thinking of different patterns or stitches to use...but I loved how they turned out and everyone loved them :)

Farewell Guiding Light

2009-09-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

Today is a sad day for my family...its the last episode of Guiding Light...to me its just not a show, its part of my childhood. Many memories with my grandma, aunts, cousins and my mom watched this show or kept up with it thru each other for 4 generations. My Great-grandmother started listening to it when it started on radio in 1937 and then when it came on TV in 1952...I'm very sad to see this show go...Thanks for the memories GL

Inner Peace

2009-09-12T14:36:00.000-07:00

{I love this and wish that all people could read this and apply it to thier own lives, I don't remember where I got it from, but I try to read it often}

Inner Peace

How do you know when you have gained inner peace in your life? You begin to draw emotional boundaries, which negative and toxic people can’t cross. You stop giving your power, time, money, body and sanity away to people and conditions that can steal your joy and purpose.

You begin to simplify your life.You begin to value quiet time.You don't feel insecure if you are alone.You begin to trust yourself more.You begin to trust God more.Your choices in food, fun, family and friends change for the better.You sleep better because you let go of worry.You spend time with the people and activities that bring out your best.You don't spend a lot of energy trying to fix or rescue other folk.

You change what you can and what cannot be changed, "it is what it is!" You have gratitude for the things God has brought you through and make a conscience decision not to dwell on the things He "didn't do".

Life lessons learned help you to bounce back with more resiliency after setbacks, disappointments or loss.You focus less on the mess and stress and have more gratitude for your blessings and success.You are liberated from shame, anger, fear and guilt.

REMEMBER PEOPLE:" Our job is to take care of the possible and trust God with the impossible!"

For Those You Love...

2009-09-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

Smile each day for those you love.Let them know by the brightness of your facethat you are happy they are in your life.

Even if there are times you argue and disagree.Touch each day those you love.

Hold them close, even if brieflyThe human touch is one of the most comforting things in our world,and one of the most reassuring.

Speak softly each day to those you love.Those whispers of intimacy that tell them that what you say is important.

But meant for their ears and their ears only.Muse quietly each day of those you love.

Allow yourself to find those thingsthat you truly admire and respect in that person.Forgetting, at least for the moment, any of the negative.

Allow yourself to be vulnerable to those you love.It is a most frightening experience to be without shields,But it can also be the most wonderful flight in the worldTo find another holds your spirit carefully within their heart.

Believe that you deserve those you love.Your love is the most precious giftthat you can bestow on another human.

You deserve to be loved in return,without constraints, without reserve.Be honest with those you love.Let them know how important they are in your life.

Take care that they never have to guess at what you think and feel. There may come a time when they walk away. and then would you regret not telling them? in all possible ways?

~~ Author Unknown ~~

Previous Crochet Work

2009-09-05T20:17:00.000-07:00

For my first post I'm going to post my previous
work that I've done before I made this blog...so here are some pics of tha e afghans that I've made over the last several years...I hope you like them and please feel free to comment...thank you!! :)