Another Beautiful Day

I promised pictures, but in transferring data from one computer to another the program I used is gone forever. Dh loaded the one that came with the camera. Great! But I don't know how to use it :-( By the time I have time to play with it, he is fast asleep. So I will have to postpone show and tell until I can get him to sit with me.

I have really enjoyed being outdoors for the past two days. On Tuesday, it felt like early summer. I took my little pumpkin to the zoo and Van Saun and then to the playground they have there. I am so out of shape, that by the time we left, I was dead tired. My gd kept asking me to carry her, but I need someone to carry me. The park was packed and of course we had to park at the furthest parking spot. We got to the zoo at 1pm got home after 5pm. I got home so exhausted, I could not cook. Pizza never tasted so good! Had a glass of wine, watched American Idol, life felt good.

Wednesday, I woke up a little tired so I did not want to do as much walking. But I took pumpkin to a play group, then to the library (she loves it) we had lunch outdoors and then went home. Another good day.

I did manage to cook dinner! However, I just don't know how some people do it. Three years ago, I quit my job to stay at home with my gd and my dd could go back to work. I thought it would be great to be able to be home and work on things I never got a chance to. I thought I would be able to pursue some hobbies, maybe start an online business. Start projects on my home that I never got around to. Ha, I have never had so little time to myself. I only manage to crochet at night while the rest of my family sleeps. I have a difficult time keeping the house clean, doing the shopping, laundry, cooking. I am beginning to feel that I am inept. I used to manage all this with a full time job. Yesterday, my dd tells me they are trying to have another baby and she hopes to be pregnant by the summer. Of course, I am happy to be a nana again. But, OMG, how can I handle 2. I really think I must be doing something wrong. Maybe I am just old. I didn't feel old until I stopped working, what's up with that?

Ok, I really don't want to complain. I don't want to give myself some bad karma or allow myself not to enjoy what I have. I need to count my blessings and hope for the best.

Funk Over!

I have been a very bad blogger, I know. I just could could not get out of my funk. I tried, believe me. Don't know which was worse, the weather, all of us being sick from January thru March, my little pumpkin getting pnemonia (I think that's how it is spelled) or the fact that my computer was so slow I was better off writing a letter and mailing it to all of you!

BUT, guess what??? We have all finally gotten better, the weather is warmer, and I have a new computer. We finally broke down and forked over the cash for a new one. It was hard to hand over all that $$ knowing that in a few years it will be useless again. For now, I am loving the new toy.

I have managed to crochet a few things, but even that was a struggle. I felt as if I was burned out on crochet. Now that is really a funk. I will post some pictures of my fo's as soon as I figure out how. I am now working on two baby sweaters, two toddler ponchos that were commissioned by my sister (she said "don't be afraid to charge me!", so don't worry I won't) and a baby it's cold outside sweater as a gift for a new baby. Why is it that I love to make stuff as gifts, but when it's commissioned it seems like a chore. Do any of you feel that way? Of course, I waited until the last minute to start them and now I feel rushed.

This week, if the weather is in any way decent, I plan to be outdoors with my grand daughter most of the day. I promised her we would go see the animals at the zoo and go to her favorite park and she never forgets. Plus, I need to move that body! I must lose 5 pounds before the end of April because I am going on vacation to the Bahamas and I do not plan on getting new clothes. Everything I own is so very tight, I feel like a sausage. We'll see how that works for me.

Well thanks for visiting, pictures coming soon.

Is it Spring Yet!!!

It has been a long winter, even though it was relatively warm until a few weeks ago. But I feel like I have not been able to get back into the swing since the holidays. In early November, it was a mad rush to redo my house for the holidays. That combined with the holiday shopping, baking, cooking, entertaining and watching my 2 1/2 yo gd from 7am to 7pm, 5 (sometimes 6) days a week left me feeling totally wasted. I like what we did, but there are still so many little things that need to be taken care of. Then comes January - February. It seems everyone I know and love is an aquarian, including myself. So, the shopping, cooking, celebrating continues. And everyone gets sick. It feels like weeks since we were all healthy. By the time Valentines comes along, I am so over it! So this year, I did not buy or receive any Valentines gifts. And now that it's all over, I feel bad. I say this almost every year. Next year I need to keep it together until after Valentines. That is when the holidays are over for me. I did not give any handmade gifts this year so I now have to make up for it on birthdays, mothers and fathers day, etc. Wow, I am getting too old, I cannot keep up anymore.

It's My Birthday...

My hubby took me into New York for dinner and a show and we spent the night in a fabulous NY hotel.

We saw Mama Mia! I had heard that this was a good show, but I had no idea how much I would love it. We had great seats. The music brought me right back to my youth. It made me want to dance and sing. The performers were outstanding and the set was just perfect.

It was such a feel good show. I left with a big grin on my face. I loved it so much that I could see it again tomorrow.

I normally do not like a lot of attention on my birthday. Just a simple expression of love and a little acknowledgement is all I need or want. But I must say that this was a perfect way to spend a birthday. Thank you babe, I love you! I think I am spoiled forever.

My Good Friend's Wedding

My friend has been hoping to meet someone to share her life with for a long time. Because she is was not willing to settle for just anyone, she was starting to get discouraged and thinking that it would not happen for her. But then she met a man that she thought was not her type. But he turned out to be sweet and caring. The kind of man you know will be there for you. And he turned out to be the one. On Feb. 3rd, 2007 she had a very simple but beautiful wedding. I am so happy for her, and wish her a long happy marriage. May they grow old together and love and support each other through the good and the bad.

Oh Cara Mia

I made this set for my grand daughter with some Cara Mia in coral I got from the clearance bin at AC Moore. I love this yarn it is very soft and warm. I really wish it was not discontinued. I trimmed it with some SWS in geranium with is also very nice.

I am still alive!!

I have not been keeping up with my blog in the new year. I almost considered closing up shop but decided to try to keep it going. My house is still not back to normal. I got the holiday stuff put away, but now we are working on the kitchen. Nothing major, just cosmetic things like paint, curtains and reorganizing but right now my kitchen totally disorganized and that makes me feel un- put together. One of my goals for the new year is to get my house and myself and my finances in order. I have just too much stuff from a lifetime of too much shopping. I realize now that stuff creates work and I want to simplify everything. But I have a lot of work to do before I can get to that point. I hate clutter and I have a hard time throwing things out. I am not a pack rat but some things are really nice and so I try to give them away or donate. I can't wait until I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Right now it seems no where in sight.

I have picked up the hook again. . I have stayed away from the yarn shops because I don't want to buy until I make a dent in my stash. I have some really nice yarns that I fell in love with at the store and then just never made anything with them. I have been making hats and scarves to give as gifts. I will post pictures soon.

May Your Days Be Merry and Bright

I will be spending the days that follow wrapping, cooking, doing some last minute shopping and spending quality time with my family. I wish you all a very happy holiday and may the new year bring you your hearts desire.

Tis the Season

So how is everyone enjoying the holiday season? Have you lost your mind yet? I am a woman on the verge. I mentioned a while ago that I was doing work on the house for the holidays. Well just as I feared, I have all my furniture piled all over the place. My floors are covered with paper to protect the hardwood floors I just had done (which came out fab, contractor was great). My entry foyer is full of paint cans and tools. It sounds very festive don't you think. AND I have a crazy little 2 1/2 year old running around. Can't stand the mess, can't find anything and I am trying to shop, send gifts, etc. Because I have a problem with saying no, I also do my mom's shopping (she has problems walking) and some of my daughters (she works long hours). So, I bundle up my little grand daughter and go to the mall to do some shopping. Not a good idea! The place was a mad house and my grand daughter makes shopping a nightmare. Well while I was trying to keep one eye on her and one eye on what I was doing, someone put one hand in my bag and stole my wallet. My whole life was in it and I get upset everytime I think about it. I reported it to security and I might as well just spoken to the nearest wall. They were so not helpful or sympathetic that I got so angry I wanted to cry. So I grab the little one, go to my car and then realized that I have valet parked and the ticket was in the wallet. I had no ticket, no id, no cash to pay for the valet. They gave me a hassel, but finally let me have my car. I reported the cards and no one tried to use them. They just took the cash and probably dumped the wallet somewhere. So, I am doing the rest of my shopping on line.

As for crochet, I made tons of stuff that I was going to post in my Etsy shop, but I cannot find the time (or a clean spot) to photograph them. I may give some away as gifts and just stash the rest for now.

I am trying very hard to not let myself get too bummed out. Trying to keep in mind the true spirit of Christmas is not about the gifts, and focus on the positive. My daughter bought a house on the same block as mine. Just 4 houses away. , which is a good thing (I think)! She moved in on Dec. 1st, so she is in a similar situation house-wise. But just when I think I am going to lose it, my sweet little pumpking will give me a hug and a big kiss and tell me she loves me and I feel on top of the world.

I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season and not getting too crazy.

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving day. I hope you get to share with it those you love. I have much to be thankful for. The start of the holiday season and I am no where near ready, but I am grateful to be with my family today.

A Little Something for My Pumpkin

This is not the best picture and I still have to add some more fringe, but I love this pattern. I got it from SNB HH which is my current favorite pattern book. I love this color combo, rose, chocolate brown and cream. The book had this set with a blanket instead of a scarf, but my little pumpkin is a big girl now. So, I whipped this up instead. No pattern, just winged it. I will definitely be making more of these in other color combo as gifts for little girls on my list.

I am trying to get my WIPs under control and have decided not to start any new projects until am am down to only 1 or 2 UFOs. Currently, this is what I have going on:

• Navy & Forest Green Ripple Blanket - about 60% done
• Red Sweet Pea Shawl and a Periwinkle Sweet Pea - both about 90% done
• Baby It's Cold Outside Sweater - 95% done
• Sun Maiden Cardi - 10% done
• Flower Shawl - 90% done
• Cold Shoulders Capelet - 75% done
• Sock Monkey - 5% done

As you can see I have a few projects that are just about finished. But weaving in ends, adding fringe and buttons, etc. just bores me and so I end up starting something new. Let's see if can chip away at this list, so I can start some new fun stuff.

Have a good week all.

TGIF

This week went fast but it was brutally stressful. Looking forward to relaxing this weekend (by doing chores!!) and maybe some crochet. Hopefully I will have pics to post next week.

I am not part of the Foodie Friday ring, but I love reading them. And since I don't have much else to post I will leave you with a link to my favorite sandwich from one of my daughters friends.

http://www.danispies.com/

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 84 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

My halloween treat!
Hope you get lots of treats and no tricks.

I am sorry

To the few that read my blog, I am sorry that I have been neglecting my posts. Since I came back from my vacation, it seems I cannot catch up with my life.

My grand daughter is 2 1/2 and stays with me from 7 am to 7 pm. Those of you who watch little ones, know how little spare time that leaves you. And I must say she is really a handful. It seems that if I take my eyes off her for even 2 minutes, she manages to do something either dangerous or destructive or both!

I also am in the process of getting my house painted (inside and out) and my floors redone. I decided to take the plunge and really add some bold colors. I am so bored with the neutrals but that means that I need new carpets in 2 rooms, new curtains throughout, comforter in the bedroom and slipcovers in the living room (to go with the new paint). AND I want this done before Christmas. AND my husband who usually does most of the labor has informed me that he will be traveling on business a lot between now and December so I need to hire contractors.

So needless to say, I have not been posting much lately.

I am working a few projects, since I crochet at night while watching TV.

Here is a list of my WIPs:

• a sweet pea shawl for my sister's co-worker which she wants for Christmas (of course!).
• a cardigan to go with the sundress from crochet garden for my grand daughter because if I wait until next spring, the dress may not fit her so she needs a cardigan to to with it
• a baby it's cold outside sweater for my grand daughter and a matching hat
• a flower shawl for my friend's birthday in December
• a ripple afghan for my nephew for Christmas
• and I have a few projects that are no longer wips but ufos

I still need to make a list of what I will make as Christmas gifts. But since time is not on my side, I think I am going to cut the list down to just those that are special enough and really appreciate a hand made gift.

I am looking forward to Halloween this year because my little pumpkin is now old enough to enjoy it. She is currently in love with Cinderella and tells me every day that she needs a Cinderella dress. She has no idea that I have one in the closet. I can't wait to give it to her but I need to wait until Halloween is a little closer because once she sees it she will not take it off!

Well thanks for visiting. I hope to have some pictures next time I post.

Maui Photos

I finally loaded my photos of my vacation and am able to share a few. Hope you enjoy them. I love looking at them. It really was a dream vacation. It's sad how quickly the trip is a memory and life goes back to crazy. Hope you enjoy them.

A Few FO's

Before going on vacation, I completed a couple of projects. The blue shawl is for my sil's birthday. It is made with TLC Cotton Plus. The picture is not great, but I really like the way this turned out. She is very tiny so this will be long on her. She is very stylish, so I can't wait to see how she wears it. The brown sweaters were commissioned. I did not pick the colors or the styles and I am not crazy about them. Hopefully, the buyer will be happy with them.

MAUI WOWI

Back from Maui. Will have pics soon. I hope they can do justice to the island. Just beautiful. I am in awe!

I am on vacation in Maui (my 25th wedding anniversary gift) and will be back in a week. I hope to have some nice pictures when I return. I have a couple of fo's but no time to photograph or post them. Have a great week all.

Bronx Zoo

On the one day that it did not rain this week my sister and I took my grand daughter to the Bronx Zoo. I have not been there since my son was little like this (over 15 yrs). There have been a lot of changes since then but all for the better. It is really a great place to spend the day. My little pumpkin was so excited to see the animals that she names from her books. It was so much fun to enjoy this with her. We stayed all day and while we walked back to the car she just passed out. The next day she could not stop talking about all the animals she saw. It was a good day!