Yarn-O

I'm done moving!

2009-12-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't been available in a really long time. I have made a few changes in my life. The major one being I have moved AGAIN! I know, I am really sick of moving also. This time though, I did good! I have permanently made a move to Mackinaw City, Michigan. OMG. I love it here so much. I am ecstatic about this move. I will most definitely not be moving anytime soon, ok unless it's into a big ole house. We found a really nice apartment complex and have a 1000+ square foot, two bedroom. Ahhhh no more mowing 3 acres with a stupid push mower that only kinda works. Can you tell I am giddy?

I am starting my New Year's resolutions early by stating that I am going to make a huge effort to keep up on this blog. I miss writing and keeping up on everything. I am finally glad that my life has made the first step in steadying out. I am exhausted from trying to crawl out of the quicksand. Well I am off to do some Christmas decorating. Have a great evening.

Best Wishes

Turtle Town

2009-06-17T20:46:00.001-07:00

Hi there. I have decided that this blog needs a happy face put on it. I have a crazy weird life. My sister Cheryl said that I am the only person she knows that has had so many crazy, goofy things happen to them. Yeah my life is way from conventional and if I told you some of the story's I have, you would run far, far away LOL. No seriously you would recommend a psychiatrist or perhaps a nice institution on a hill over looking a pretty little pond.

Anyhow. Moving on. We have acquired a new member of or quaint little family. Please a round of applause for...... Shyloe the darling little turtle. Tom rescued her out of the middle of a very busy highway a few weeks ago. I feel so in love with this little girl, she is the brightest. We sectioned out a place to put her nice 1 room cardboard bungalow, included in her newly acquired home with a nice lawn. A in-ground pool and all the tasty worms,slugs, and bugs she can eat. Did I also mention a wonderful view? So without further ado here is Shyloe :)

(OMG I take horrible pictures! Oh and Shyloe had just finished her dinner of juicy blueberries so No she isn't bleeding or hasn't eating something that was bloody)
Have a wonderful evening :)

Swaps

2009-06-15T21:50:00.000-07:00

Hi there it's been a while but I have been pretty busy with household stuff and swaps that I had signed up for. I just completed two Swaps on Ravelry. One was the Mini Purse Swap. I have been doing these swaps from the start up group. There's not a lot of chatting but I think it's an awesome swap. I have always gotten the most wonderful handmade items and gifts.

What a fantastic package huh?

Next Swap was Swap on A Budget. There is of course a story behind this one. I sent my package off to my Spoilee and she received it a few weeks before the deadline. I also sent off a Thank you gift of Stitch Markers, and a Row Counter Bracelet to my moderator. I was a day late in sending that off due to not being able to afford the shipping until Tom got paid. By the way Man the prices at the post office have seriously went up since last year at this time Sheesh!
Any way I received a message from my moderator a few day's before the due date and she let me know my spoiler had some things going on and I wouldn't receive my package right away. This was perfectly Ok with me Honestly. I know things come up (OMG do I know this) and family and household stuff comes first. I'm a very patient person. Yes, Yes I am! I am like everyone else and I love to get gifts and what not and I get super excited but I would never rush or whine and moan about not getting my stuff right away. I waited 3 weeks and 3 days. Every so often when I would post in the thread that was called the waiting room when asked who all was still waiting and I would reply that I was still there and once when someone asked in our group about who has received and who has sent their packages out I replied that I was still waiting.

Ok here's where I am feel pretty disappointed. I felt as though my moderator just could not have cared less. She really let me down because she didn't even bother letting me know that my spoiler flaked on me. The moderator told me several times that my package was on it's way and that I was not being flaked on. To me On it's Way means it's in the mail and it should be at your door any day now. We are to get delivery confirmation on our packages and I figured she was tracking it's progress and it got hung up some where. Nope, never received even a quick post letting me know that my spoiler just couldn't complete the swap due to ? and that they we're going to give me a Angel. She didn't communicate with me and to be honest when I posted that I was patiently waiting she made me feel as though I was being impatient. Now I know you can't tell a tone of a post on the internet and maybe I took it wrong, but I know when I feel as though I am being brushed to the side. I had Tom read all the post and he was pretty ticked about it and he agreed.

I was never mad about my spoiler flaking on me, I just wish that someone would have let me know that she was not able to complete the swap, but I am extremely disappointed that the moderator let me down with the communication. I was going to write a message to the moderator but you know what, I think it would be ignored or misconstrued as to me making a big deal out of nothing and maybe I could be, but I can't help how something makes me feel. The only reason I bothered to say anything on here is that this is a place where I let out my personal thoughts and feelings and I needed to vent a bit. I have some hurt feelings but I'll get over it eventually.

There is a fabulous ending to this though. I received an amazing Angel. Thank you Shebear29 for being so rocking. I got the best swap package and she spoiled me completely.

Scaredy Cat

2009-05-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

Hi there the last time I posted I had told an Electrifying story LOL. Ok I'm cheesy and I know it.

Well onto the next weirdo thing that took place. Saturday night I was reading before bed like usual. I had turned off the light and had just falling into a deep sleep. Riveting huh? I woke up to the sound of thunder and saw lighting flash. I sat up and looked around and noticed that our bedroom door was opened half way (I never keep our door open at night and I always lock it) between that and the thunder I was terrified. I woke up Tom and told him to shut the window so that it didn't rain in and to shut the door. I don't know what he was thinking being half asleep but he left the room and was checking all the other windows in the house. It was a horrible storm with a ton of lighting and after what had happened on Friday I was terrified let me tell ya, and so were the dogs! Daisy came over and was shaking up against my legs and Isabelle was glued to my side. I got out of bed and as soon as I went to reach for the door handle the door slammed shut in my face. I freaked out big time! I tried opening the door and couldn't get it to budge. I was hysterical by this point (lighting,thundering even worse now). I finally thought to unlock the door and ran out into the living room looking for Tom. He was no where to be seen so I turned around and went to go back into our room and the door slammed shut on me again! Remember here that I had just got my butt zapped the day before so I was an emotional wreak! That was enough to send me over the edge completely, I finally opened my door and as soon as I did lighting struck somewhere close by and it Thundered the loudest I have ever heard I dove into bed and hid under the covers with the dog. I was hysterically crying and finally Tom came back in and held me until I calmed down. He had went outside to roll up the van windows and heard me screaming and ran back inside. This all took place in a matter of a couple of minutes but it was like a horror dream that I couldn't get out of. Tom said I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder now. I am terrified of storms and I don't see me getting better anytime soon.

I have a question though that I haven't figured out yet. How did my bedroom door get open when neither Tom or I got up? Hmmmm is right.

We have a lot of weird stuff that has happened but you would think I'm a nut if I so much as told you a bit of it. :) Maybe I am a nut after all LOL.

Anywho there is a awesome contest over at Skeins Her Way go ahead and check it out for a chance to win some Spud&Chloe yarn.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Best Wishes,
Linda

I love the look!

2009-05-19T22:32:00.000-07:00

New blog face and I love this one! The colors are awesome and it's so pretty. :)

Have a great night.

Striken

2009-05-19T21:49:00.000-07:00

Hello :) I know I have been MIA for a while but hey I've been a busy woman.

There are times when my life seems extremely crazy and I guess I just continue to go with the flow and try to ride it out. It's hard a lot of the time and I get tired of the fight and just want to freeze everything.

Take 2 weeks ago for instance. Tom's Grandmother that had ALS passed away on Friday May 8th may she rest in peace.

An hour after we received the news the following happens. Let me paint the scene for you. I was sitting at my desk on the computer (yes like usual) I had been on my favorite web site Ravelry and I had the tv on watching the updates about a severe thunderstorm moving through. I looked out of the front window and I saw some lighting strikes in the distance, I thought it was just so spectacular. I was typing in Weather.com to my link thingy and next thing I know I am on the recliner and shaking like a leaf.

Yes as you have probably guessed I got my butt zapped. By the way I can laugh about this now since it's been a few weeks. I was touching the keys on my lap top at the exact moment lighting hit the top of our chimney. I am ok but I tell you what it scared the ever loving snot out of me. My hands hurt for several days and were pretty numb but other wise it was more of an emotional mess up. It fried pretty much all our electronics. We lost the following: T.V, DVD, Converter Box, Xbox 360, Stereo, Printer, Coffee Maker, Tom's computer cable (luckily his laptop wasn't plugged into it), and two of my lap top usb drives no longer work. Oh and it blew the M key off my computer which I am guessing is the key I happened to be touching when I got zapped. Our chimney has bricks falling off of it on one side and some of the flashing blew into the yard, it blew one of our fuses (the glass kind) so bad it kinda melted in the fuse box lucky we rent and the landlord has to take care of all that but guess what we don't have? You got it Renter's Insurance. So we lost everything and now have to slowly try and build back up. I know I am so lucky that I am ok and I am thankful for that everyday but all I can say is "AHHHHHHHHHH" :)

So yeah. Life as I know it. Oh and by the way I am terrified of Thunderstorms now and I will tell a wonderful story on that tomorrow. LOL

Have a great evening and unplug your electronics!

Grove to the music

2009-04-22T12:40:00.000-07:00

I am a human jukebox! I know silly right? It's true though, I always have a song playing in my head and a theme song to every moment. Right now it's 1,2,3,4 By Plain White T's. Who knows what it will be playing in 5 minutes though.

I received some wonderful RAK's from some very nice people on Ravelry within the last couple of weeks and I have to say I feel so thought of to say the least. Thank you to those that thought of me. I am so touched by stories of others providing for people they don't even know. I give as much as I can.
Every week I am going to try to post one Random act of kindness that I have done for someone. This week I was at the grocery store and looking through my coupons I saw a woman looking through the brownie mix's and I realized I had a good coupon for $1 off two boxes so I handed it to her and told her I wasn't going to use it so she was welcome to it. She smiled really big at me and told me Thank You. That Thank you was enough to keep a smile on my face for quite a while.

Today is Earth Day and I have been out giving my side of the earth a hair cut. We bought one of those cool lawn mowers that you just push and the blades twirl and snip the lawn. There's no gas or electric involved and I have to say I love it. It gives me something to do and I feel like I am not polluting the environment. Oh and did I mention that we have 2.5+ acres of land? Yeah! Happy Earth day Earth People :)

I was lost, but now I'm found

2009-04-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

I am back and Oh so much better.
We left on Wednesday and drove straight through to Rehoboth Beach and man was it miserable from all the rain. We were exhausted by time we got there. I was extremely surprised at how big the town was, I was honestly expecting it to look about as big as Mackinaw City Michigan. Holy Cow Batman, it was big and OH YEAH Outlet malls every where you looked! Woohoo to bad I'm broke though LOL. No taxes also, that's a kicker huh! I have to get my pictures off my phone so I can post them on here. On Thursday we went to the beach and I loved it.

I could have spent the rest of my life right on that beach. I think the waves healed me. I feel as though they washed all my troubled thoughts and feelings away. I feel lighter, I think it's because I realized my life is mine and I make what I want of it. I am me, I am what I think I am. For the first time in my life I feel as though I can just not care about what others think or feel towards me. I have spent my whole life trying to please others and give them what they want and tell them what they want. I won't do it any more.

Life is exceptional. I have to do whatever I can to make sure I remember that.

Thursday was spent packing up the house and shopping. Ahhhh I love to shop! If you ever need someone to shop with you I have this unbelievable knack of shopping for hours on end. I can spend 3 hours walking and looking at Wal-Mart, Meijer, or Target even though I know exactly what they have on their shelves every single time I go there and it's often. I just love being out. Don't get me wrong I love being at home also, but there is just something about looking and staring at things. I don't buy a lot due to being broke 97% of the time, but hey shopping is shopping as far as I am concerned. I did buy a couple shirts at Lane Bryant that I desperately needed, and a set of Pink Spatulas at Le Gourmet or some such place. I picked up a coffee mug for Tom seeing how he collects them, and that's about the only thing I can find that I know he would want.

Thursday evening was not fun, my step daughter came into my room and was crying because she said there was bugs in the bathtub and her hairbrush! I hung up with Tom and checked it out. I had her wake up Nana and she in turn and woke up Tom's Aunt. We all concluded that OMG!!! C. had critter's! Yes she had lice! Nana and I went to CVS at 9:40pm and got a kit to rid us of these little intruders. I spent 2 hours doing just that. We had to throw away pillows and wash everything that we could in the hottest water we could. My head is itching just telling this story! No I didn't catch any critters either I have had my head checked at least 6 times since Thursday night and I even washed my head in the critter shampoo.
C. caught her critters from a little girl at school because she felt sorry for the little girl because the other kids were making fun of her for having critters and C. didn't think it was nice and played with her at recess. At least so got them from kindness and not uncleanliness right? I know critters are critters though. So C. is now clear of all critters and this makes for a very happy Linda.

We left Friday late afternoon but not before we went to the beach for a few and I even got a bit of a light burn due to not thinking it was so hot out. It was so beautiful and I never wanted to leave but we had to start out and get some driving time in. We stayed at a Holiday Inn Friday evening and drove the rest of the way on Saturday.

Over all it was an awesome trip but I traveled 40 hrs from Friday April 10 to Sunday April 19 and I was exhausted to say the least.

Have a great day and Smile more

Gone for a bit

2009-04-12T19:40:00.000-07:00

We headed up to Indiana this weekend for Easter to visit the home slices (family) (I'm trying to be hip, leave me alone :P). I realized today how much I missed visiting with my family and how wild they can be. We had a big blow out at my bro's house and I spent a bit of time with my little wild nephew T.

OMG that is one wild, crazy, funny, goofy baby! I could not keep up with that child no matter what. I also realized if Tom and I have one of those crazy rugrats, that was how I was going to feel every day with a toddler, I would be all crazy like! To be honest I loved every minute of it.

My nieces were their usual charming selves and jacked all up on sugar. Ahhh to be a child on a sugar high again. Heck what am I talking about I was jacked all up on sugar along with them LOL. Hey don't judge you! You know you have that secret candy stash you sneak into and pig out on and then sit in your sugar induced coma with that goofy ass smile on your face. LOL. Haha called you out didn't I? Anyhow I had a lot of fun, I even flew a kite. It went extremely high up but my brother distracted me and it landed on the roof where it proceeded to get stuck and my brother Luke had to climb up on Jp and get it off. After that it just wouldn't fly again :( I was sad for a bit then started playing with the kid's goo stuff they got, Yes I am a child at heart so, so suck my toe all the way to Mexico Hehe. Damn Sugar making me all sorts of loopy.

Hey guess what I am doing in the next week? Well for one working on my eber secret swap partner package and number two? I am heading off to Delaware! OH YEAH! Mini Vaction for me this week. I am going with my Mother in Law and my step Daughter to help pack up my husbands deceased Great Uncle's home. He passed last year and they finally sold the house in Rehoboth Beach. I am soooooo excited. I have never been to the East Coast and I have always wanted to get over there. Someday I would love to travel up the East and West Coastal ways and check it all out but until then this will be AWESOME.

Hey have you seen this commerical?

HILARIOUS!

Have a great day all and Hope you all got that lovely Sugar High!

(This is from one of my all time favorite movies Empire Records)

Oh the Place's I want to go

2009-04-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

There are so many place's in this beautiful world that I long to visit and I figured I would post them and put down my why's of wanting to see them.

Japan- I am love with pretty much any thing Japanese honestly. I love the movement there. They are such a wonderful culture. A few of my favorite things: Japanese Crochet/Knitting, Sushi, Hello Kitty and Friends, Bento, Cherry Blossoms,Fans, The fact they have a festival almost every weekend, Vending Machines with anything and everything in them, Clean cities, Karaoke, Goofy tv shows, Geisha, Tokyo,Tea, Panchinko, The Architecture, Japanese macaques (those monkeys that hang out in the hot springs), among many many more things.

Have a great day :)

Feeling Better

2009-04-04T10:26:00.000-07:00

I had a bad day the last time I posted but I feel better now. You know how when you wake up in the morning and things just kinda suck all the way around and you just ponder where the heck things just went wrong. Well that's the way my day was that day. I have never been prone to depression until the last 7 month's and that was when we moved from Indiana to Kentucky. I hate it here and I really miss my family. I was extremely close to my family until I moved. I have missed so much with my nieces, and nephew that I feel like I am now a stranger to them. I know things will be changing soon, we are making a huge effort to get back to Indiana, but no matter how much we look for jobs up there, we haven't gotten any leads.

Tom is depressed more than I am. He misses the kids so much, he spent 6 years getting a Bachelors degree in Marketing and no one will give him a job even though he is more then qualified for the one's he has apply for. I don't get it. We are told our whole lives that if you get good grades, and go to college you will get a good job. It hasn't happened for him. I know the economy is cruddy right now but why is that there are a ton of jobs on Career Builder, Monster.com and he applies and never hears back? It sucks. I am here for him every day with positive words and encouragement but it only goes so far. Like I said I have my bad day's also and I just want to scream in the middle of an empty forest where no one can hear me.

Things will get better soon. I know this. I have a lot of positive aspects in my life and I know there are a ton of people out there right now suffering through things I couldn't even imagine of going through.

As for the friends part of my life. I just wish I had someone I could talk about shopping, hobbies, make-up, cooking, gardening, and just plain chat with. I miss my sister. She has always been the bestest friend I have ever had. I can't wait to move back to Indiana.

Thoughts and Pondering

2009-04-02T10:38:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time with the kids for Spring Break and we miss them so much already. I can't to be moved back near them.

I'm having an off day today and have been really sad. I usually don't talk about my feelings on here due to not wanting to come off sounding like I need to be pitied or whiny, but I have no one to talk to other then my husband. He's great in so many way's and he understands me like no one in my life ever has.

I miss having friends though. I sometimes wonder what is wrong with me. I read a ton of different blogs and I get so sad when I see that most of the people have friends that they hang out with and go have coffee, have a nice dinner, crafting, knitting, crocheting, cooking. I had friends at one time but we fell out of touch due to life changes. I am on Ravelry.com and there are so many women there that I have so much in common with but I still have not made one solid friendship.

I feel lost sometimes. I know I am being a booger and no one wants to read about others problems and I will apologize now. I'm homesick, depressed, and lonely. All I can hope for is to move back to Indiana soon.

Spring Break

2009-03-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

My step kids are here for the week and we have been just hanging out and enjoying their break. I really missed them and it's so much fun to just sit back and listen to them interact with each other. I know I can't believe I'm sitting here typing out that I really missed their bickering but I do. It brings back fond memories of me arguing with my brothers. I miss my family a lot and I can't wait to go back and visit them for Easter.

Onto other thoughts. I started a new swap this week. I am doing a Swap on a Budget swap on Ravelry again. I loved participating last July/August and I had a great time spoiling my partner. I also received some awesome swap goodies.

I am trying to figure out where to start for my spoilee. Dear Spoilee, You don't know me yet but I promise I will stalk you and figure out your likes and act accordingly.

Hey you! Yeah you! My spoiler that's reading this post and stalking me. Hi :)
I see a shadow behind me and I know it's you hiding back there being all sneaky like. I like you, you know. Soon to be BFF's you and me. Uh Huh.

I'm off to stalk my spoilee. Have a great evening.

Great blog

2009-03-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

I have a few different blogs that I go to every day to catch the newest updates and I have to say one of my favorites is Thenewfrugalmom.com. She always has great information on How to save money with coupons, How to use your money wisely, How to have double duty meals. See, it's a really great site.

Today until March 26,2009 at 10:00PM, Marianne at Thenewfrugalmom is having a Giveaway for a really neat doll called Oliva Hope from the Only Hearts Club.
I think these doll's are great. I know my step daughter would love it and I am going to get a few for Christmas presents for my nieces this year. I love how these dolls are portrayed as real girls and they don't have to show plastic to be considered cute. Well I know I am definitely putting my name in the drawing. Get over there and put yours in also. :) Have a great day.

Uh Oh No

2009-03-09T22:22:00.000-07:00

Well guess what I knew it was to good to be true. I'm allergic to Mohair dang it. That ticks me off I love the feel of it and it's oh so pretty. I am just going to have to take an allergy pill that's all there is to it. It never bugged me using Filatura Di Crosa Baby Kid Extra on my pretty Leaf Scarf until I had to tink back a few rows and then my breathing started getting tight and I felt a little weird from the little bit of fuzzy's that came off. It wasn't horrible like a major asthma attack or anything so I figured the next day I would test it out on a different yarn I have. Paton's Lacette. OMG this is ten times worse then the Baby Kid and they have only have 25% Mohair. I think it might depend on the quality of these yarns honestly. The Baby Kid is higher quailty yarn and it only made me have a little breathing hitch but the Lacette I had to put into a plastic bag and get it away from me because I became extremely asthmatic from it I think it was because the fuzzys just came off when you barely touched it. I got a really nice skein of Plymouth Yukon in my last swap and it also doesn't do anything to me. I find it puzzling really.

Well the leaf scarf will get finished and I will be gifting it to someone. Kinda sucks though.

Heres a happy picture to make up for my little rant.This is Daisy enjoying a bit of sunshine and warmth. Have a great day.

Best Wishes,
Linda

Ta da!

2009-03-09T14:12:00.000-07:00

Yes my friends there has been some actual progress in the yarn area over in Lindie Land. I have completed several projects that I am proud of and a few more that I just haven't got photos of just yet. I am lazy when it comes to photographing projects due to non sufficient lighting during the winter months. Here's the goods.

This was for my Swap partner in Mini Purse Swap it's a cute little bag and I would make it again.

This wash cloth was also made for my swap partner and it was a really fast knit. Everything you see here is on my projects page on Ravelry.

This a cute needle roll I whipped up for my swap partner and I love making these. Tutorial Here
She is a great crafter.

This is the package I sent to my Swap partner for Mini Purse swap. Lots of little goodies.

This was my gifts from my Swap partner. I love everything she included Scone mix, Raspberry Cappuccino mix, a Chocolate Angel Food Cake mix, Lindt Lindor Chocolates, a yummy smelling soy candle (scents: cashmere,fresh linen, and cotton whisper), Tea (these tea bags are so neat they are made from organza? I think.), A couple of post cards, information about where she lives, A skein of Bamboo yarn, A skein of Mohair/Wool blend yarn, a awesome bubble purse, a couple of different patterns, and she also sent a few recipes for home baked bread. I hope I didn't forget anything. I do love it all.

These a pair of fingerless gloves called Evangeline. I made these for my sister for her birthday. She hasn't seen them yet so I hope she likes them.

Christmas Stocking: This was Knitted by Tom's grandmother that passed away in September 2008. It was so close to being completed that it was sad to see she never got to finish it. All I did was finish closing the toe and had a to do a sew up the back. This is going to my step son for his christmas stocking as that's who my mother in law said it was meant for. We miss you Grandma Dorie.

Cupcake set from Itty Bitty Nursery by Susan B. Anderson honestly I love everything she designs and I look forward to getting her other book Itty Bitty Hats and some of her other patterns on her website. These are for my nieces and they were meant for Christmas but I didn't finish them in time so they are still awaiting them. I love all of the things included in this set and I will be making more of these sets.
This is a blanket I made for my mom I had previously posted about, and I finished it in January. I love the colors of this but OMG it's time consuming. I hope she loves it though I'll let ya know.

I started this blanket on our Honeymoon in September 2005, it took a long to complete it I think about 2 years or so. There are many mistakes in this but it is the greatest memory of all of our honeymoon because it's always front and center in our living room. I heart this blanket.

Have a great day and lets all wish for sunshine and rainbows *LOL*
Best Wishes, Linda

Motivation

2009-03-07T10:54:00.000-08:00

Haha Yeah I don't have that. I spend a large amount of time wishing I did. I have a huge list of things I would love to accomplish but I lack motivation. I think it's time to make a change.

My first goal is to lose weight. I have never been able to lose more then 20 lbs before and I am determined that by the end of summer to have lost 50lbs. I need to do this for my health and for me. I deserve it.

My second goal is to go forward with my business ideas. More on this later.

My third goal is to keep up with my blog. I feel so much better after I write here and I know I have been sporadic in blogging.

My fourth goal is to spend more time knitting and crocheting. I love the meditative feeling I get when doing these.

My fifth goal is to plant a garden. I love plants and I miss watching them grow.

My sixth goal is to be more thrifty. I love spending money in thrift stores and I love buying used and recycled stuff. I am always up for free and what I don't use I pass on to my family or back to a thrift store. I am really getting into coupon clipping stuff, freecycle, recycling old sweaters for yarn, using items from thrift stores in new ways. I always look for the deals and I never pay full price for anything until I check to see if there is a way to get a better deal for it.

My last goal is to just be better person. I love life and I love just being.

My Family

2009-03-07T07:46:00.001-08:00

Get your own Family Sticker Maker & MySpace Layouts.

I'm a bad blogger

2009-02-15T21:54:00.000-08:00

Hi there it's been a bit since I last blogged. Do ever have that blah feeling? I have been that way lately. I haven't wanted to do much but sit around and knit. Yes I am actually getting some of my projects completed but I am to lazy to put pictures up yet. I will get to it soon :).

Well we went through some serious weather business a couple of weeks ago where all of Western Kentucky got a nice freeze. We lost our power for a week and a lot of others lost theirs for about 2 weeks the poor people. There is actually still people without power 4 weeks later. I feel so bad for them. Kentucky didn't do a very good job with the disaster control. They had shelters up but you had to bring your own food and had to bring your own bedding to sleep on, because you had to sleep on the floors. I can't imagine living in a shelter for 2 weeks that way. We luckily had a kerosene heater that the previous renter had left here and 2 gallons of kerosene that we picked up but we soon realized that by day 3 there was no way we could last on just that and there was no gas stations that had kerosene, also we had no hot water and I was not about to stink for days on end. There was no food at the stores, no gas at the gas stations, and no kerosene and generators were sold out. Even if you had a generator there was no gas to be found. We saw people at the one and only gas station that had gas and they were waiting for 15 hours just to get 25 dollars worth of gas. Sucked big time. We decided to use our less then half of tank of gas and head up to Evansville, Indiana to get gas (my mom called the tourist bureau) and go to my in-laws until we got power back. It took exactly one week for that to happen.

Here is a few lessons I have learned from this experience:

1. Always make sure you have tons of cans of Spaghetti O's or that type of canned food. It can be eaten cold if necessary(sucks but works). We had some stuff like this but it goes fast if your eating it 3 times a day.
2. Take a shower when the News people first mention the possibility of bad weather. You never know when you are going to get one next. Also if you take a shower the next day you most likely will have plenty of hot water(or luke warm water).
3. Make sure you have a 5 gallon gas can full of gas and a 5 gallon kerosene can full of kerosene at all times. You never know when you won't be able to get either one from gas station closures.

There are a ton of other ideas I have but I am getting sleepy. I will post more when I get out of my non-blogging funk. Until then stay happy and have a great day.

Best Wishes,
Linda

Congratulations Mr. President

2009-01-20T21:49:00.000-08:00

Obviously we all know today was the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. I just wanted to say Congratulations and good luck.

Best Wishes and Hope for a great change,
Linda

I LOVE MOHAIR!

2009-01-14T12:36:00.000-08:00

OMG! Due to the being broke in this house I don't get to try to many awesome yarns. I work a lot with Red Heart (Not knocking this yarn) and I use Caron Simply soft more than any other yarn it's my go to yarn. I have a ton of yarns that I got from Hobby Lobby when they go on sale for like $.99 and cheaper and they have their uses. I got some wonderful yarn from swaps that include a beautiful Moda Dea green wool and silk blend and some lickable pink Kroy Stripe sock yarn. My most treasured yarn so far would have to be my Noro Silk Garden. I was also RAKed (Random Act of Kindness) with a big box of scraps. Now I fondled everything in that box possibly to death but I couldn't find any pattern or had any inspiration to use anything. I finally saw a wonderful pattern called the Leaf Pattern Scarf from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2005. It had Mohair as the main yarn and I love the flowing look of this scarf. I am using two of the gifted yarns for this and I am in LOVE with Mohair. The other yarn used is Rowen RYC Cashsoft DK, and I also love this yarn. It is unbelieveably soft and scrumptous. Both of these are in a mint/turquoise color.
I'm never going to be the same after these yarns. Mohair, I love thee please come live with me forever. I know I need help, but if you just send lots of Mohair I am sure I will get sick of it eventually! Have a great day.

Mohair Addicted,
Linda

The No Nipper

2009-01-12T21:43:00.000-08:00

I was talking to Mama on the phone and she informed me they have a Blizzard watch there in Fort Wayne. Can you believe that? You know as soon as we move down south they get all that wonderful crazy weather up there. A couple of weeks ago they had a huge Ice Storm that shut down half the city. I know it sounds silly of me to want crazy weather but I love the feeling of the adrenaline rush. I like watching storms blow in and the clouds growing in size when there's about to be a thunder storm. Of course I get extremely scared when there is a Tornado warning. I'd be a goof if I didn't. But there is just something about huddling down in a nice warm house when a snow storm blows around you, and you can watch the snow build up against everything, and the ice form on the trees. I'm not a huge fan of winter but I sure enjoy watching Jack Frost do his job.

Next up we have Daisy! She's quite ticked at me today but I could really care less. I crocheted her a lovely little muzzle to cover her nipping little teeth. Daisy doesn't quite like it when I clip her Dinosaur claws so I have to have someone hold her and she still tries to nip me. She got hit by a car some years ago when someone let her out of the yard and she ran into traffic. I looked for days for her and finally I found a found ad and she was in a Vet office. When she got hit it clipped her back leg and knocked it out of joint. Every since that accident she doesn't like anyone touching her legs. So I really needed to clip those Dinosaur claws and can't afford to get it done at the vet. This is where the No Nipper comes in. I was looking online at fabric muzzles and thought I might as well give it a shot myself. I came up with this little number.Yeah She's not happy. As of now I haven't tried to clip those claws but hopefully tomorrow I can coral Tom and test it out. I will post the pattern after I do that. Well its getting late I am off to bed. Have a great day.

Best Wishes,
Linda

Lazy Poster

2009-01-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

I know I said I post more but seriously I am so being lazy with my projects. I am working diligently on my Swap partners project but other than that I'm not doing much but surfing the net, reading blogs about one of my favorite subjects Food! I started a new blog yesterday dedicated to good food. Come over and visit me there also if you get bored :). Justplaingood

Tomorrow I am going to start a list of Yarns I want to try. There are so many wonderful and beautiful skeins out there. I love the feel of soft squishy yarn don't you?

Well Tom needs the computer. In the words of Tigger from Winnie the Pooh TTFN (Ta Ta For Now) Have a great day.

Best Wishes,
Linda

Moving forward

2009-01-07T09:25:00.001-08:00

We now live in our own sweet little house and I love it. We are on 2 acres and we have a ton of privacy. Only draw back is that we don't have a stove (we also didn't have refrigerator but we finally we're able to get one) . We bought a griddle, and one burner and have been living on that for about 3 months now. It works, kinda. We won't be living here much longer though. I know, I know! Way to much moving, but we miss the kids so much and our families. Tom is looking for a job up in Indiana. I can't wait to be back home honestly. We have driven back and forth so much it's extremely tiresome. Home sweet Indiana here we come.

I joined a swap. The Mini Purse Swap again. I think its such a fun swap to do. My new partner is gonna be a blast to make stuff for. Shhhhhhhhhh! Jen isn't allowed to know what I'm up to. :)
I missed hanging out on Ravelry. But I am back and I have full time computer use again Woohoo.
I joined a few more groups also, their recipe ones and one Chi-Chi one. I love cook books and recipes so I figured these would be awesome groups and I love Chi-Chi's.

I miss cooking on a regular stove. I have so much stuff I want to make but being limited it's really hard to do. But that doesn't stop me from collecting recipes. Well I am off to stalk Ravelry. Have a great day.

Best Wishes,
Linda

2009-01-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

I have decided that I am not going to say much about what happened since last August just that we lost Tom's Grandma Dori to cancer at the end of September, it was extremely hard on both of us. She was a wonderful person and she will always be in our hearts. We love you always Grandma Dori.

Happy New Year 2009

2009-01-01T10:30:00.000-08:00

Hiya Happy New Year.
Guess what? Today's my birthday. I'm Thirty and guess what I'm not at all sad about it. I don't feel any different then I did any other year just more excited this year because I am not going to let this be a cruddy year like last year was. Last year just plain sucked but it's over and done with and this year will be good even if I have to beat it into submission.

Anyhow I hope everyone that reads this has the best year of their lives and my advice to those that want it is to Live! Go out and have fun!!!! Tell everyone that you care about how much you love and cherish them. Help those in need make their lives better. Donate to your local animal shelter.

Have a great day!

Best Wishes,
Linda

I'm Back Yo!

2008-12-25T18:25:00.000-08:00

Hey there guess what? Chicken Butt! No really though I'm back. For sure. I know I was like gone forever huh. Well there is a very, very long story to this and as of right now I am running on empty from so much Christmas freaking cheer. I had a wonderful family Christmas this year. I am thankful they we are all healthy, and happy. Well I am cutting this short due to exhaustion. Happy Holidays and keep warm. Best Wishes!!!

Problems

2008-08-19T07:23:00.000-07:00

Well things haven't gone well here. We have been here all of two weeks before things started going down hill. I am so ticked that I gave up everything in my life to come to a place where I have been treated horribly bad. We are looking for a place to live at the moment. It will be a while before I blog again.

Have a great day.

I have moved

2008-08-04T06:13:00.000-07:00

I am finally able to say we are all moved. Last week was the worst week for me ever. I stayed up for 2 days packing and moving boxes around. I didn't even know my finger tips could hurt LOL. I will take some photos here in the next couple of days. But as for right now I am trying to get situated. I love it here.

Have a great day.

Moving week

2008-07-29T07:44:00.001-07:00

We are moving this week sorry I haven't posted at all. I have been busy, busy, busy packing all our junk up. I never realized how much stuff you can fit into a tiny Townhouse. I am giving a lot of the junk to Goodwill and my mom. They can have it LOL. I probably won't be posting any more this week I have so much to do and so little time to get it done in. Have a great week :).

Frizzled Frazzled

2008-07-24T11:53:00.000-07:00

Tom left today to go with the kids and his mom down to Kentucky to visit Grandma C. for a couple of days. I'm pretty bummed about it. Tom and I haven't spent one night apart since we started dating about 5 years ago. I know! Not one night. I am missing him so much right now. I know he'll be back but that doesn't mean I don't miss his wonderful Tommy smell, or his goofy sense of humor. I love my Tom.

I have been busy cleaning finishing my projects for birthdays. This is Bonnie B!
I had so much trouble making her ears just perfect. They kept coming out all silly. I used I love this Yarn that I got from Hobby Lobby a long time ago. I didn't like crocheting it. It was really snaggy. But I fell in love with her. My daughter C. wants one now. I am thinking I could get away with making her a mega Bonnie :) I can't wait to tackle that project. C. also likes the Booga bag I made for my mother in law so I am going to make her a small version soon. So many projects and so little time.

I need to clean more and get packing. Have a great day :)

Moving!!!

2008-07-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

Ok well it has been a few days since the last post but really nothing much has been going on. I have been working on my projects a lot and wanted to get my work done so I can be ready for birthdays and up coming swap stuff.

New information on the ongoing saga with all the Grandma's and such. First off Granny H. is going into assisted living. Her daughters are moving her into her new digs in 2 weeks. So this has left me open for changes in my life. Tom's mother called and said she talked to Grandma C. in Kentucky. It's official We are Moving!! Wooohooo!!!!! We are so happy. Neither Tom or I have ever lived outside of Indiana. This is a big move for us. The house we are moving to is almost 6,000 sq ft. We will pretty much have our own wing of the house with a huge bedroom and a bathroom with a jacuzzi bath! OMG it has been years since I have a had a bath to relax in. This awesome!
Next up we will have our own balcony so cool. We will also be right on the lake! I know water right out back and a pontoon boat to cruise around on. Where we live now there's no lakes around so this will be heaven on earth for us. Tom will be able to ride his bike everywhere now and I will get to garden in bigger spots. I also get to finally be able to cook in a huge kitchen where we live now it's no bigger than a closet. Grandma C. and Grandpa E. are so happy and relieved. He can barely take care of her and he can't get any more time off work. So they are so open to free in home care and I'm someone they obviously know and trust. We are all benefiting from this move. I am so happy my Mother-In-Law asked us if we could do this. I am starting packing this week (UGH) it's the only part I hate about moving. I am also doing a very deep clean as I go along so that when we get the moving truck it's just a straight up easy going move.

I'm off to work on some projects so I can show you pictures.
Have a great day. :)

Projects, Projects, Projects

2008-07-17T16:35:00.000-07:00

Hi it's been a couple of days since I last blogged and I left off with all the stuff swirling around. No decisions as of yet.

I have been working on my projects but I forgot to take pictures of them all. I will tomorrow though. Bonnie Bunny is coming along beautifully but her ears are giving me a problem. So hopefully I can work them out. I am going to sew her up a wardrobe and some little things to go with her. I need to finish up my Swap On a Budget secret gifts, I am also working on a the little fishes, and my Mom's birthday gift. Oh and I am waiting for my Hammy Cookie Swap info also. So as you can tell I am busy,busy,busy!!
Well I'm off to work and watch some boring T.V. I MISS CABLE!! There I said it. LOL.
Have a great evening.

One Odd Day

2008-07-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

Today was down and up for me. First off I woke up and luckily turned on the coffee pot for our morning cup of bliss. I was in the kitchen and heard a noise out back and it was the Electric Meter Guy messing with our meter. I thought something was wrong with it so I poked my head out and asked him if everything was o.k., he said he was there to Shut it Off!!!! I asked him why because I had assumed (yes I know never to do that) that we had a few more days until it was due. Now the scoop here is we are usually behind on our bill. I know, I know! But we kinda forget about it and we usually don't realize it's due until they show up and want their money. Anyhow they never gave a notice this time. At all!! I asked Mr. Dufus if we could pay it this afternoon but he said No, and he was kinda rude a little bit about it to. Anyhow off went the electric, it didn't effect me to much because it wasn't to hot out and since I keep the doors and windows closed the cool air from the air conditioner stayed in. We have problems with our electric going out during storms so we are pretty use to the no electric thing. Well Tom payed the darn thing and on went the electric. I spent the day working on knitting and listening to my battery operated radio.

Part Two. I have been on vacation for like 4 weeks or so due to Granny H. (Great-Grandmother on Father's side) falling off her sofa. Yes, she had decided that the air conditioner needed to be turned off (which was off) and she climbed onto her sofa and fell off and cracked her pelvis. This woman is 99(as of yesterday) and she doesn't tend to listen to anyone. She is stubborn to the core. But anyhow her daughter came to visit for a few and ended up staying to take care of her. So that left me out of a job. I am starting back up on Wednesday though which is great. But I don't know how long I will be taking care of her, they are putting her into a nursing home. It's sad because she loves her apartment and likes her freedom but she won't listen to anyone and keeps falling. So I might be taking care of Tom's Grandma D.(Father's Mother) we found out about 6 weeks ago that she has cancer again this time it is in her bones and has traveled to her brain. Now they said Chemotherapy and radiation will possibly eradicate it but we aren't sure if her body will be able to handle it all again! Yes this is the second time she has had cancer within 2 years. She has also been through a Quadruple Bypass and 2 strokes. This is one heck of a strong woman let me tell you. Anyhow right now she needs lots of help and I might be called to take care of her until she pulls through.

Part Three. O.K. onto the next chapter of this day. Tom's other Grandmother(Mother's Side) has ALS she has had if for about a year now and is slowly losing her muscle use. Well we were asked today if we would consider the possibility of moving down to Kentucky to take over the care of her. Her husband is doing it now and there is no way he can do it all on his own and work a job. So Tom and I have been talking about it and we are probably going to do it. I am ready for a change and it will mean that his Grandmother will have someone to help with the household day to day stuff and to take over her care. So we'll have to see what happens in the coming up month or so.

Oh and I also saw a Monkey. Yes, I said a Monkey! We were driving to the gas station to get a Icee and saw this Dude on a bike with a monkey hanging on his arm. My mouth dropped open and Tom did a double take. It was one of those little guys. How cute :)

I'm going to bed! Have a great evening. :)

Hop Along

2008-07-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

Well yesterday was a interesting day. First off I woke up and checked my mail and I got Two packages!!!! One was from my Swap on a Budget Spoiler. Wooohooo!!! Her name is Julia or juliebie on Ravelry.

I can't believe how lucky I was to get such a wonderful and talented Spoiler. She handmade the stitch markers. How? I don't know but they are so cool. I love the ones that have my dogs names or nicknames on them but I love the "butt nuggets" one the best. It's my favorite saying. I also love the Linen Handkerchiefs. I am going to try embroidering them soon. The Tea is wonderful I had a cup as soon as I opened the package. I love the Black Cherry Berry. I can't wait to try the Country Peach Passion. She also sent some beautiful Flower seeds. The one packet is from her state and next year I am going to make sure those are in the front of the garden for all to see.
On back of the Linen Handkerchief's there is a Recipe Card on "Basic Socks Recipe by Stephanie Pearl McPhee" I can't wait to try it out and make some awesome socks from the two skeins of Pink Patons Kroy Sock yarn she sent. There was also a skein of Noro Silk Garden Lite Colorway 2010. I have never used Noro before and I got a few sample type sizes from a RAK (soknitpicky)
but now I have a whole skein to myself and I am not sure what I want to make yet. I am thinking either a Calorimetry or a cabled hat. Hmmmm. I just love the fact that I have a choice here with this yarn. Lastly she also sent a very lovely card and I plan on framing it with all the other cards, or postcards people off Ravelry have sent me.

Next up I received an awesome RAK from pretywtch or Jeannie from Ravelry. I am still in awe from her generosity.

She sent me 5 different fabrics. They are gorgeous and I am in love with the Lime Green satiny type stuff. The yardage is amazing on all of them. They will all be awesome as needle rolls or
purse linings. Next she sent 2 vintage crochet magazines. I collect these when I can find them. I got a whole butt load from a thrift shop a while back for cheap and I have been collecting them ever since. I think they have the neatest patterns in them and it doesn't take much to make them into a more up to date design. She also added in some really neat Knitted Sweater pattern booklets and there was also a postcard from her that I am going to add to my photos on the wall.

I don't know how to express the fact that all of these People that have RAK'd me or have been so caring with their Swap packages have made a extreme impact in my life. I have always been one of those people that believe there is wonderful and good Karma in life. I have always treated others how I would like to be treated and I am a very polite and kind person. I give my love and prayers to those that need it. I Thank each and everyone who has treated me with such generosity and kindness deeply from the bottom of my heart and soul. You have enriched my life more than you can ever know.

Onto a new topic Frogs! Yesterday I went out my patio door to look at the sky as it was churning from a storm coming in and I left the door open a bit. I turned around to go get my camera and I saw something dark on the floor by the table. You see I am SCARED to death of spiders! I can't handle being around them and I a freeze up if there is a huge one near me. I have been known to just avoid a room if there is one in there. Well anyhow I thought what was on the floor was a spider. I wasn't sure so I poked it a bit with a piece of paper and it Hopped! It was Ted the Frog or Toad(this is what I named the little fella). Ted decided he wanted to join our household and hopped under my table. I chased him down and caught him. I wanted to get a picture of the little guy so I went over and grabbed the camera. As I was turning it on Ted hopped out of my hand and landed on my chair. Ted must of had to go potty because he whizzed all over it. I then had to chase Mr. Ted for about 5 minutes while he tried to make a break for it once again. I caught him again and he whizzed all over me this time. I took Ted outside and took his picture and released him back into the wild (or into my garden). I washed my hands thoroughly afterwards. He's a cute little guy huh?

Well I am off to do housecleaning Daisy has left a pile of fur from her rolling all over the carpet.

Have a great day :)

Home Again

2008-07-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

Well we are home again. My vacation was nice and long the kind where you can just lay around and not have to do more then cook and watch T.V. I wish we could have went up to Michigan but it was still a nice couple of weeks. My poor apartment needs an overhaul though. I realized when we came home how small it is. I think we are going to look for a new place very soon. I did get some sunshine on my skin and I am a little darker than I was. I'm Mexican/Caucasian so I have a lighter skin tone, more than a full blooded Mexican so I do tan. I love that feeling after you come in from the Sun and see the redness around your cheeks and on your nose.

I spent the last couple of days watching Re-Run episodes of Project Runway. I love it. What a fun program and I can really get into the outfits each one of the designers produce. I will have to wait awhile to watch the next season due to no cable but I can satisfy myself with just getting old re-runs or watching America's Next Top Model. Not the same thing I know but I like it just the same.

Well I am off to put things away. Tomorrow I need to clean Yay! Have a great evening:)
Best Wishes.

Squared Away

2008-07-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

Not a whole lot going on here just working on all the Fish still. I'm needing to go get more yarn for this project as I have went through two skeins already. So far I have 24 Fish it's coming along Swimmingly (LOL). I'm also working on a Birthday gift for my Mother and my Niece Betty Spaghetti (I call her this be cause she's all wiggly and skinny). For my mom I am making a Afghan Blanket in Plum Purple and Ivory. I am using one of those light up hooks (which are awesome) in H. I'm just making a regular granny square.
It's coming along pretty great. The other project is for my Niece Betty Spaghetti is a crochet bunny. I am making the pattern up as I go along and I am only at the head but so far I like it. I'll post pictures when I get more done on her. I think I am going to name her Bonnie. Bonnie the Bunny. I plan to make her a bunch of little stuff to play with also.

On another note. I received a wonderful surprise last week aand I am so moved at the caring of others. I was picked as a receiver for a Random Act of Kindness for Karma Swap on Ravelry by Madcraftermom on there, and I got this in the mail.
It's a beautiful 100% Cotton 300Yd. In a really pretty blue and gray mix. I really like it and I am not sure what to make out of it yet but it will probably be a scarf.
I also received a secret RAK from Pichincha on Ravelry. It's a gorgeous Linen Handkerchief with the initial B on it. It has a sticker that states it Irish Linen.
I love old things. I like knowing that something has a history to it and can be passed to other's for their enjoyment or use. I have never owned a Handkerchief and this one will be treasured always. I love surprises and gifts and when I receive something that someone put thought into just for me I feel moved and humble to be cared for.
Have a great evening :)

Super Dog

2008-07-06T16:55:00.000-07:00

Today I decided I wanted to spend the day out in the pool. We needed to clean it really well and I was using the pool vacuum. As I was minding my own business, I look up and see the neighbors Yellow Lab Luke standing at the top of the ladder. Now this dog is a hoot. He comes over at least twice a day to visit us and whiz all over the place. Isabelle (chichi) likes to think that she can take him on but so far when he comes near her, she takes off screeching and yelping. She's such a baby. Anyhow the first time I met this lovely goof we were driving up the drive and I got out to catch him and take him back home. Well he keep running behind me and trying to jump up and pull my hair tie out. He's a pup or at least only a year old and like I said He's goofy. Yesterday I was walking up the drive and he came out of nowhere and jumped up and bit me on the boob! It wasn't hard just a love nip. :) Well today when I say him on the ladder I told him to get down. He was trying to turn around and I walked over to help him onto the deck, he jumped onto the deck and then decided that he needed to swim with me. He jumped into the pool and was swimming around with me. I had to grab him by his collar because he can't swim to well. I had to yell for Tom to come out and help me get him out of the pool. His owner came by and got him a few minutes later. Needless to say he escaped about an hour later but this time I was ready for the little bugger. We pulled the ladder up! LOL He still tried to jump over the rail but he wasn't tall enough. Yet!! Here's a photo of Luke wondering how to get into the house.

I love goofy animals and he's a big goofy butt.

Have a great evening :)

Living with Cable

2008-07-02T23:19:00.000-07:00

I have been watching a lot of cable these last few days. I'm on cable overload. We don't have cable at our home so when I get a week or two to watch some of my favorite channels I go all out. I have been addicted to Food Network, Discovery, Travel Channel, and cartoons. At our home we get 3 channels that come in downstairs and we get possibly 5 up stairs. At home I watch a lot of CW needless to say, the rest of the channels are MyNDY(?), and 2 of the regular local channels. So now that we are on vacation I am overloading on cable.

Today Tom and I went to the crazy world of Pain-In-The Butt*Mart. OMG was that placed packed! I hate the one we go to. It's dirty and it smells like arm pits EWWW! Any how we needed a few items for dinner and we parked right in front of this car with this cool vanity plate.
How cool is this person :) I want a vanity plate that says "Smell My Yarn!" instead of "Eat My Dust". I like to smell yarn.

This is what we had for dinner tonight.
Two different Chicken Wings. One was Buffalo Chicken from Franks Red Hot Sauce with Butter mix together and the other is Teriyaki. I make my own Teriyaki Sauce.

Teriyaki Sauce:

1/2 Cup Granulate Sugar
1/2 Cup Lite Soy Sauce (You can use regular if you like)
1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Clove of Garlic, Minced
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger ( I use McCormick)
Shake of Red Pepper Flakes to Taste
1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
1 Tablespoon Cold water

Mix the First 6 ingredient's in a bowl. In a smaller bowl or cup wisk Cornstarch and water together until combined. Add to the other ingredients. Wisk all together. Add to a sauce pan and cook until sugar dissolves(medium to low heat). Please be careful this will be hot. Put onto meat or veggies and let sit for a few until cooled enough to eat. You can also sauté this with all your meats and veggies in a pan/wok. You can double,triple, quadruple this recipe. I usually double and it's plenty for a 5lb bag of wings.

With Dinner we had Homemade Potato salad, and Fresh Green Beans. It was a delicious meal. The reason for the two different Wing sauce's are that Tom loves the Buffalo Wing Sauce and I can't eat it at all. I have extremely bad Acid Reflux. So I figured I loved Teriyaki and that's what I make for me :).

OMG! Have you seen that show called BBC America-Britain's Worst Teeth? I have good teeth, I brush my teeth 2 times a day (I know, I know 3 times but I always forget after lunch) and check constantly for any problems. This show had me scrubbing my teeth for 20 minutes and swearing never to eat sugar again after watching it. UGH!!!! My mouth is killing me today from such a scrubbing, but I don't care I feel better and I know that I have clean teeth. I know some people can't help it but I can make sure that I take care of my mouth and believe me after watching that show I am going to be my Dentist's number one customer.

CHICKEN! WHERE?

Well now that I have spread some love I am off to oogle some more Cable T.V. If you see a chunky Mexican Chick stumbling around with wide open eyes you'll know it's me from being CableZombified. Have a great evening :)

A Few of my favorite things

2008-06-29T17:51:00.000-07:00

Howdy. I have spent the day watching the Food Network off and on and I love to see things come together. I had DVR'd (?) Ace of Cakes. What an awesome show! The artistry that goes into just one of those cakes is amazing. What a dream job huh!

Someday my dream job would be to run a Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Not just a B&B. I would love to have enough acreage up in Northern Michigan (Preferably Mackinaw City) to open one. I can cook for a large crowd and I love it. I grew up with 1 sister, and 3 brothers. I am of course the middle child. Plus add both of my parents and that equals a decent size family. I have made enough to feed at least 30 people at one time and still have had left overs. My mother taught me from a early age to cook and so I can handle large amounts of food. Plus I have worked in Restaurant Kitchens before and enjoyed it a lot. I love to make comfort foods and I like to add new and interesting dishes to our lives. I think that would have to be a highlight of life, taking something that you dream about on a daily basis and making it come true. Sounds like a resume right LOL.

I wanted to list a few things I find that I like in life.

1. The color Pink. I like it in many different shades. I like it mixed up with other colors. I even like Pepto Pink! Someday when I have my own craft room I'm painting it pink! I may even paint my kitchen pink LOL. 2. Recipes. I love to cook obviously. I like to make things that are interesting and new to me. I love to read recipe books.

3. Sewing. I am very new at this but I have fun when I create things.

4. Buttons. They come in so many different sizes and shapes.

5. Reading. I read a lot. I like Romance (Cheesy I know). Not a lot of people my age care for it but I read them by the dozen. My favorite writers are Laurell K. Hamilton and Heather Graham.
I also read Horror, Mystery, and Classics.

6. My favorite foods are Mexican of course, Tex-Mex, Italian, Asian. I would love to try new foods from all over. I don't like anything that has parts like feet, tongue, brain, etc.... EWWW.
There is so much out there I haven't had like Indian, Greek (besides Gyros), European, etc...

7. My favorite snack right now is Strawberry and Dark Chocolate S' mores. YUMMY! I like all sorts of snacks though I'm not overly picky.

8. Veggies. I crave vegetables all the time. My favorites are broccoli, tomato's , cauliflower, green beans, spinach (new craving), mushrooms, and a ton of others. I am growing zucchini in my garden and carrots I have never tried growing either of these before and it's going pretty great. I can't wait to pick and eat these.

9. I like the cartoon Chowder. It's a hoot.

10. I love to Knit and Crochet. I am good at both. I think! I'm not very fast at either but I'm getting there. It's fun and soothing and I love the fact that there is such a large community. I am pretty shy at making friends and where I live I don't have any. I know it's kind of sad really. But just signing in on the website Ravelry I feel like there are a lot of people out there I can relate to. I have just started being more active on there by joining groups and posting a lot more.

11. Traveling. I love to take road trips. Right now I would love to travel to the West Coast and just start from Vancouver Canada and go all the way down to the end of California. I also want to head over to Europe, and Asia. My favorite place in the world is Mackinaw Michigan. I feel at peace here and I love to hear the waves from Lake Michigan hit the shore. It's home in my heart.

There is a ton more that I find to be my favorite on a daily,weekly, monthly, and yearly basis, but these are my top ones at the moment.
Smell-Belle's secret hide out.
Have a great evening :)

Summer Vacation

2008-06-28T18:27:00.000-07:00

Today marks the first day of two weeks we are hanging out at my in-laws. I spent the day watching cable (we don't have it at home), and swimming. We even made turkey burgers on the B.B.Q. I spent a lot of the time knitting on the Fish Blanket. I'm getting quicker at making this little fish but still I wish I could knit continental style faster. I'm o.k. at it but I have a hard time keeping my fingers closed on the feed yarn. Someday it will be conquered.

I will leave you with a beautiful Flower from my Dad's garden. Enjoy your evening.

Dog eats towel

2008-06-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

Well today was kind of boring. I made Blue Berry Pancakes with Turkey bacon on the side for Lunch (Yeah, You heard me Lunch. I'm lazy and on vacation so there!LOL) actually I got up at 9 and just didn't feel like breakfast this morning so I ate it for lunch.
Then we went to my in-laws to see the kids before they all head up to Mackinaw for 2 weeks with out US!!!! It sucks that we get to miss another year up there but we get to chill at the in-laws house with their pool, so there is that plus for us. Still it's not the same.

Well my Title of today is about a Dog that eats a towel. Daisy dog (black lab mix) has decided after 11 years of life she wants to develop separation anxiety. I mean this dog goes nuts and whines and barks as soon as we put her in her cage. She started this about a month ago and now she is pulling things into her cage and is chewing holes in them! I have blanket that we got in Cozumel Mexico when we went on a cruise and I put it over her cage, what does she do? She eats holes all over in it. The we put a towel over the front of her cage only at night so that she doesn't catch a chill from the air conditioner and what does she do? She eats holes in it even though I put it up on top when she gets up in the morning. We left and she found a corner or something and pulled it through the bars and eats big holes all over it. UGH! She also pulled a cord from a old humidifier through the bars and chewed through that. It was unplugged by the way. I tried putting a nice big chewy bone in with her before we leave but she didn't touch it, she just ate the blanket. She's driving me bonkies I tell ya. Goofy dog. Who me I didn't eat that Towel, maybe the blanket but not the towel Honestly!

Well I think I going sign off for now Have a great evening :)

Scarf Day

2008-06-26T14:59:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get a perfect hand lotion and you sparingly use it just in cast you can never get it again? Mine would have to be Bath & Body Works Sea Island Cotton. I love this stuff and it's a thicker lotion so when it goes on it doesn't leave your hands or feet all oily. I use it on my feet at night also. It also has a nice subtle smell to it. Mmmmm smelly stuff.

Today I deem Scarf day. I made a few scarfs for myself over the last couple of months and I have actual photos of said scarfs.
I put them on Diane (my dress form). She likes wearing my scarfs at least they don't make her neck itch like they do mine. The first is the Debbie Mumm Traditions 2x2 Rib Scarf I wrote about yesterday I did these on a size 11 needles. I love the colors in this scarf a lot. The next one is Jo-Anns Sensations in the color Lime doubled with Dolcetto with size 15 needles garter stitch. So soft but itchy, itchy, itchy. I can wear these over the top of a coat but not close to my neck. I am extremely sensitive on my neck otherwise I'm o.k with wool. The last one is Truffles in Purple, Pink, and Blue (can't find a link for a store) knitted on a size 10 1/2 in garter stitch.
I love making scarfs there simple, and fast.

Well I am going to make dinner Have a great day. :)

Rainy Day's

2008-06-25T08:10:00.000-07:00

It's raining, it's pouring, My Dog is snoring. I love the sound of a good Thunderstorm don't you? As long as our power stays on though. It must be really touchy since every single time we have a storm it blinks off and on and then most of the time stays off. But so far it's only blinked a few times.

Today is lazy day. I plan on cuddling up with a book and my knitting. I need to finish all those Fish and I am also working on a 2x2 Ribbed Scarf in Debbie Mumm Robins Egg Blue color. I like the feel of this scarf but it's kinda goofy to work with. You kinda have to be gentle with it and pull the strand out so it doesn't bunch. I know a lot of work for a scarf huh! But I promise the results are turning out excellent. I think they used Kool-Aid to dye these skeins. It smells just like when I dyed the wool for some purses I made. I can smell the Blue Raspberry in the Debbie Mumm yarn. I like that smell.

Onward. I was asked by my new friend who is the 11 1/2 year old from the swap I joined before, if I wanted to join her swap. How could I say no honestly. She and her friend are presenting this swap all on their own. If you happen to get a chance please stop by and check it out Hammy's Cookie Swap this is only on Ravelry. She would love to have new members.

Well I think I am going to go and have my Rainy Day, Lazy Day. Have Fun.

Gone Fishing

2008-06-24T08:55:00.000-07:00

I came back the very next day to blog can you believe it? I told you I was going to be a good girl from now on.

I am on vacation since last week, last week I had a horrible ear infection and my husband sat with Granny H. (who is 98 years old by the way) for a couple of days until her daughter came. This week is kind of mandatory vacation due to the her falling and hurting herself and her daughter is in town to take care of her. Poor Granny H. I am making her favorite thing, Chocolate Chip cookies to help cheer her up. I spend my days helping her out around the house and making her lunch. She still lives on her own in an apartment and she's feisty as all get out. She is also my husband Great-Grandmother. :)

Well since I am on vacation I decided to make my husband's Grandma D. a blanket. She just found out she has cancer again but this time it's in her bones. I wanted to make something warm for her while she is going through chemotherapy so I found a really neat blanket pattern. It's this one A Recipe For Fish and I have already caught a few on my needles.

I am using Caron Simply Soft in colors, Woodland Heather and Deep Teal Heather. I love how they look together and they are really soft. I will definitely be making more fish blankets from this yarn.
I use Caron a lot for my projects. I love how soft it is and how you can cuddle up with it. I put it with Novelty soft yarn or Eyelash with complimentary colors when I make scarves and they come out so soft and fuzzy. I'm not in the least a picky Knitter. I can't afford to be. I do love some of the yarns that I have gotten that aren't acrylic but when you are on a budget soft acrylics it is.
When Hobby Lobby use to be in Marion I would buy a ton of the sale $.99 yarn in as many colors that I could afford. I also had gotten a lot of the Dream by Moda Dea for like $.70 . Man that's some lovable yarn especially in a scarf or a hat.

Speaking of yarn spots.
I went to Sarah Jane's Yarn Shoppe in Fort Wayne a couple of weeks ago I had been wanting to see it ever since it opened. It's a cute and lovely yarn store. I found the layout really nice and not crowded even when there were a few people in there. I bought a retractable tape measure for my swap pal. I loved that they had such a good variety of brands. I will definitely be going back in there soon.

Well I guess I had better get my needle out and make some more Fish only about 80 more to go LOL. Have a great day :)

Long Time, No Blog

2008-06-23T12:14:00.000-07:00

Ok, ok I know it's been months but I have decided to start blogging again. Not that I really had a whole lot to say before but I VOW to try to be a good blogger this time. Well I guess what really inspired me to start again was the fact that I am apart of http://www.ravelry.com
I love it there, the kindness and caring of such a large group of people is extraordinaril . I decided to be more of a joiner and did my first swap, and I received some really wonderful gifts from a 11 1/2 year old girl!!! Omg I was floored, she was so thoughtful and did an awesome job making the little felted purse in a very pretty blue. She even included a bone for my doggies. Heres a picture isn't it great to receive something in the mail. So this is the package I sent out to my secret swap pal.
Plus I added some coffee, chocolate and some Nerds (gotta love Nerds) also I love making things and it was my first time sewing and I think I did a pretty good job with the needle and crochet cases.

Well then my goal was to speak up in more postings and I have! I am pretty proud of myself. I don't have any friends where I live due to living out in the country and there isn't much to do here. I am a pretty shy person at first so I find it hard to make friends. Next I decided to join a group called RAK. Now I feel kind of weird joining this group because you make a wish list and then very nice people come by and check it out and send you lovely gifts in the mail. I work with mostly acrylics/acrylic blends which I love and I know for a lot of people that's forbidden but I really do love them. I have gotten some really beautiful and soft scarves, handbags, slippers, blankies from acrylic/acrylic blends.
I figured it was an opportunity so see what other people knitted with and if they wanted to throw some other stuff in there then so be it :). I love used stuff. I take stuff that is used and make it even more loved. I got RAK'ed ( not sure how to say that) last week and received some wonderful things today. First off is some items I got from Soknitpicky

my jaw about dropped when I opened this package and there was a ton of the most wonderful leftovers (and full skeins) ever. There was Habu Kid Mohair N-52 1/20 (peachy), Noro Silk Garden (red, and brown), Cotton Chenille from Crystal Palace Yarns (baby blue), Filatura Di Crosa BabyKid Extra (Aqua)(SOOO Soft),Classic Yarns Natural Silk Aran( pretty peachy orange and sage green), Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran( Black/grey with Turquoise speckles), Malabrigo Uruguay(Geranio Red)(OMG YUM!), Classic Yarns Cashsoft Dk (Aqua with fleck of blue and brown)( I made a bracelet from this with a glass bead), On live?(Yellow sock yarn going to make a elefante by Susan B. Anderson for my nephew T. or some Monkey socks.)Paton's Up Country ( Blue and Brown), Rowan Cotton Tape (Black), Rowanspun Chunky (Sage with flecks), Habu Textiles 2/48 Merino Thread/Lace (Sage), Lion Brand Wool (Sage), Vogue Knitting knit.1 magazine Spring 2007, Vogue Knitting International Spring/Summer 2005, and a Knitting Calendar 2008 box thingy wow is all I can say I love it it has a ton of interesting projects.
The next package I got was from a Knitter named juulia on Ravelry She included a full skein of RH Rose, a cake of Cherry Red and Pink, a smallish ball of Red Stripe, and a little ball of Purple, Blue, and Pink. I plan on making some baby blocks and the Red and Pink will go towards making this bag Colorful Carryall Bag from Crochet Today, but I need some more colors to add. I will probably use the Rose for a blanket and a stitch holder which I needed Thank You sooo much.

Thank You both for so much Generosity.

I want to send someone else some lovely gifts but it will have to wait until next week unfortunately, but I will be making sure that I will RAK someone's wish list and pass on some items I don't need. The feeling of giving is a wonderful one.

Camera MIA

2007-10-09T22:43:00.000-07:00

(Would have been posted yesterday but computer got messed up)

Sorry to have disappeared for a couple of days. For about a week now I have had the tummy flu and have not been able to shake it. That's probably why I had such a lousy day on Saturday. I am still feeling kinda sluggish from it and running a fever off and on but I feel a lot better. So on to knitting news. I keep meaning to post photos but that dang camera likes to play hide and go seek when I need it. Right now I am working on a beanie hat for the cutie. I made one for my stepson and made my step daughter a crocheted shrug from the Happy Hooker SnB book. They turned out pretty well I think. I will post photos when that camera decides to show it's self. Does anyone have numb hands when they first started knitting? It's pretty inconvenient when you want to get things done fast. I wonder if it's because I'm just starting out making something other than scarves. I mean the most knitting I have ever done was last Christmas I knitted like 12 scarves for family and I haven't made anything but one pair of socks since. Speaking of which I would highly recommend this http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/ as a beginners guide to socks. It was the easiest tutorial I have found yet. Well I am off to work on my projects. Have a great day.

To be yarn or not to be yarn

2007-10-06T15:54:00.000-07:00

That is today's question. Or at least it is for me. I had a very long day, first off me and the cutie (husband) went to my step-son's (age 10 by the way) , ( there is also a step-daughter age 9 ) last football game. Now, I love that he is involved in sports but dang do they really have to have have the dang thing on a early Saturday morning? I know, I know here I am complaining already on my second blog but oh well it is my blog after all right? Anyway it's at 9:30am, way to early for me. I sleep till 10 or 11am on the weekdays, no way am I liking the early Saturdays. In case you are wondering, I am a stay at home, non working person. So I can do that. I am trying to change my sleeping ways but it's a trial. So back to topic. Next we decided to go to the Mississinewa Battle of 1812 re-enactment, WOW who know that there would be like a billion people there and that it would be like 90 some odd degrees out today. So we pushed through the crowds and finally found the one thing I had been wanting for weeks now. A drop spindle. I so knew they would have them there. I bought one, and 3 small roving's to try out on it. Well the nice lady showed me how to do it and wouldn't you know when I get home to try I suck at it! I tried a website step by step but I still can't get it. Well since my title is yarn or not to be yarn I am guessing the not to be yarn is the answer. Next after the battlement place we went to a school carnival for my step-daughter.The cutie and I sat off to the side while watching her spend all her tickets. After that it was good to be home. I probably would have had a better day if I would have gotten more than 4 1/2 hours of sleep last night but dummy me had to stay up late reading a really good romance book. I will try to post a couple of pictures tomorrow.

My start

2007-10-04T15:45:00.000-07:00

Well I have finally took the plunge and created my first blog. Everyone else is doing it right? Yes I am one of those people that would jump off a bridge if everyone else is doing it! I am not sure if this will be an everyday blogging or once a week, but my thoughts about all sorts of things will end up on here eventually. I would like to post photos of my likes and projects. I am a beginning knitter and I have only accomplished scarves and a couple of hats so far. I am left-handed but I have taught myself how to knit and crochet like a right-handed person. I have crocheted for awhile now but off and on. I really picked it up with the Stitch N' Bitch Happy Hooker book. Now I have found myself wrapped up in the Knitting world. I hope I can look back at this 5 years from now and be amazed at my skill level progress. I am not really informed yet about how the blogging world works but I catch on pretty quickly. So hopefully there will be more from the wonderful words of Linda. :)