To Dad

I hope you can see
How they've grown up to be
The women you would beam about
Same ones you took out
Just Fishing.
Can You See?
Did I do OK? 
Do you see how hard
They work to achieve
Making us proud and
Making us believe?

Can You See?
Did I do OK?

Can You See?
Did I do OK?

Laziest Blogger out there

I don't know why I don't get over here and blog. Maybe I got bored with it, or I am sure I have nothing of value to say to the world. I do have things to show...LOL The purse above was just finished by me. It is crochet and I used a faux  cable design and made it bigger than my inspiration purse. I call my purse X's and Bows. The handles cross over making the X and you can see the bow. It is a dusty purple color and I wish I could have captured that in this picture. It is nice and thick and very sturdy. I lined it with a purple sparkle fabric. I absolutely love this purse. It is roomy and all my stuff fits in it just fine. I am guilty of carrying a lot of stuff...LOL  These are the ways I occupy my time. With pain being such a big deal these days, I have to do things that make me happy but don't compromise my aches. 
I am currently knitting a lace shoulder wrap. I am new to this and have gotten use to reading charts. I color coded my copy of the chart and I find it helps me more to have colors on it. Everything I learned about life, I learned in first grade. (I didn't get to attend a kindergarten. O:((( poor me.)
I am also designing a new project for a competition. I will let you know how that goes when I get it all done. 

UPDATE ON MY LAST POST!!!
I did clog up my floor cleaner by using my homemade mix. So here is my solution. I mix up my carpet cleaning solution and spray it on the carpet as I work the machine across the floor. Don't use anything in those cleaners except what they tell you to use or it voids your warranty. I managed to clean mine up and move along but I still think my mix is so awesome. My carpets look so nice after I clean them. With pets, I need all the help I can get.

CARPET CLEANING HOMEMADE

I have pets. I love my pets. I hate pet hair, stains and odors. I struggle just like anyone else to come to a happy meeting place. Today I worked on one problem area by cleaning up a pet stain. My dog is elderly and having issues with occasional carpet accidents. I wanted a non-toxic carpet cleaner that I could clean a tough stain and not kill us all with the fumes or chemicals I cannot pronounce. I turned to Pinterest. Yes I admit I have turned here often to get ideas. I take their suggestions to heart and I either put my own spin on it or make up my own way based on their ideas. I have often slipped up and made things just the way they tell me to...LOL!

I played around with ingredients until I got what I wanted. I want to share it with you. I did use one chemical that I have to say does not bother my allergies or my pets. It is OdoBan. I think it is a fresh clean scent and I don't mind using it. I mixed up the following:

1c OdoBan

1/4c baking soda

1/2c Hydrogen peroxide

2 T Dawn  (If you use this, you will need to rinse well..it kills fleas)

5 drops Lavender essential oil or to your liking

1c Orange Vinegar (Orange peels soaked in Vinegar for at least 2 days drained and strained) Sometimes mine goes longer as I am forgetful. LOL

I mixed everything but the baking soda (Please follow your manufacturer's directions because I may have gunked mine up with the baking soda my first time out. My man may be coming home to a cleaning project. *shrug*) {*sad face*} and used the mixture in my electric carpet cleaner. You can place in a spray bottle, spray carpet, let soak for a bit and then blot dry with a clean cloth. You can mix in the vinegar if you want to but I rinsed my floors with the orange vinegar to hopefully help discourage pet potty habits. (We shall see)

My house smells nice, my carpet is clean and I am one happy camper. Now if I could just get my man to clean the boxes more often. O:((( One problem at a time folks...one problem at a time. 


*****NOTE: I did gunk up my cleaner but was able to get it cleaned up and working again. So put it in a spray bottle and spray it ahead of the cleaner as you go. It is too good to not freshen up the carpets this way. 

I am Home!!

I went on a 21 day tour of 12 states with my best friend in the world. We met in High School when no one seemed to want to make friends with the child of a cop/security manager. Our Mothers made quick friends and both were nurses...saving lives, giving service to the public and doing God's work. This managed to trickle down to their daughters and grew into a friendship that didn't need a daily chat or even over years we could lose touch but never the love we had for each other. She is like a sister to me. I am the older sister but sometimes, she is the wise one. She inspires me with her generosity, her love, her advice, and her genuine care for me. I cannot explain how often I have thought of her and just smiled. My kid loves her so much she calls her "Aunt Linda". Our kids didn't grow up together but they know each other and like cousins could be there for each other if needed. Our adventures were very Thelma and Louise like. I am Louise because I have been told I resemble Susan Sarandon. (I am sorry Susan....You are way more beautiful than me but I am flattered to even be compared) We didn't go over any cliffs but funny enough we were very close to the edge of a cliff in Glacier National Park. LOL! I am very tired and have been a slug the last 2 days but so blessed to have had the experience. God looks down on us and gives us what we need. I needed this more than you know. I had never been to North Dakota and I must say there were a lot of beautiful things I saw there. Today, I take time out and say Thank You to Mark & Linda, My Lord and King, and most of all, my man Ed who let me venture out and have a lot of fun thousand of miles from his loving arms. He is amazing and incredibly loving to live on his own. He has also been very loving about my need to veg out for a few days.
If you have people in your life that you love and who love you in return, take the time today to give thanks, tell them you love them and count your blessings. 

Be well.....Angelictoo

Even after all the joy over my former post, today is a sad day in my life. I lost my dear sweet Deddy 1 year ago today. I cannot tell you how many times I have picked up the phone to call him and stopped in my tracks to the sudden realization that he is gone. He will not answer the phone, make me laugh or spout off some words of wisdom. Even as a grown woman with my own kids and 1 grandchild, I still needed him to tell me things would be okay. I have to honor him today by just being the person I need to be, standing up for things I believe in and making choices according my beliefs. I know that when my earthly body is done, he will once again lead me, care for me and help my soul over into it's next works. Of course none of the things I am writing make me feel any better. My heart is still heavy and sad. I will try very hard to try and overcome this sadness and carry on but for now, all I can do is remember, reflect and cope. I miss you Mista Jim. You were my first love, my guide through many storms and no matter what happened between us, we knew we could come back together and our love would heal all wounds. May you be resting in the arms of our Lord and all your pain be over forever.

Sometimes, you just have to learn something new and make it into a gift for a friend. I did this recently after browsing Pinterest for a while. I saw the tulip stitch and just had to try it. I am in North Dakota visiting a very good friend from my High School days and thought....."Hmmmm maybe something for her that she can't buy."

These are her favorite colors. Since we had just returned from Glacier National Park, I also thought of the Mountains and big Montana Skies. After all that thinking, I remembered she also favors the tulip as her flower of choice. 

Now I ask you ~ WIN WIN? Why of course!!! It is made out of kitchen cotton. I used the pattern found here: http://foothillsofthegreatsmokymountains.blogspot.com/2008/03/tulip-stitch-cloth.html

This pattern could be made any size and for any reason. I will try it again for sure. The only thing I may change is the chain 3 that makes the loop. I might want it more closed up so therefore will change it to a chain 2. That will still give enough space for your "tulip" but close up the gap a bit. 

Give it a go, see where it takes you and have fun!!!

Recipe Tried.....Results?

OK so I tried a new recipe last night. The things on the right (forgive the bad photo) are twice baked potatoes (made healthy). To the left is left-over chicken spaghetti. I almost left the potatoes in the oven too long thus the dark spots on the cheese. They were so yummy, it did not matter.
Here's the magic: Mix together, 2 T of each of sour cream (low Fat or fat free), Greek yogurt, soft margarine or butter and Parmesan cheese, 1 pkg of dry ranch dressing mix and one package of real bacon bits. Place in fridge while you prep potatoes. Microwave potatoes on high until soft but not mushy (they need some body to them). I like to have water in the bowl with a lid. I have a Tupperware cooker for the microwave that lets me steam the potatoes not boil them. Spray a baking sheet with non stick butter flavored spray. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Score each half to make squares in them but do not cut through the skin. Sprinkle with salt and pepper now (I forgot to do this part and regretted it). Preheat oven to Broil. Scoop a big scoop on each potato and cover with sharp cheddar cheese. Broil until cheese is bubbly but not burned...LOL Serve. Talk about yummy!!!!!!!! My wonderful man loved it last night and again today warmed over. ENJOY!

Almost halfway there!!!

Today has been a pretty good day and I am feeling okay. I still must have the cane to walk but I am halfway to 6 mos from my surgery. That is an average recovery time for total hip replacement. I hope by then to be walking without a cane. I have 2 quilt tops finished. I wanted to start quilting my red quilt today but there has been an abundance of electrical outages today. I might start sewing up one quilt top I have all pieced out but need to be doing some applique to the blocks.

Have a blessed day and bless someone else's day!!!!

Update on projects and health

I haven't been post much for 2 reasons, 1 I forget to get in here and blog and 2 my health issues have taken up most of my time.

I was just recently placed on a pain patch. I am hoping it will help with not only my fibro, my bone cysts, but also my Lupus. I am walking around the house with a cane but out in public I still only feel secure with the walker. I hope the leg muscles will get stronger as the days go by. My strongest leg had the hip replacement and the weakest leg is now doing a LOT of work. This morning, I stubbed my toe on my left foot. I am hoping it doesnt turn purple or blue.

I have lost 201 lbs. That was as of last week. I have not had the courage to step up on the scales this week. I get so nervous. I know I am doing ok and now walking more, but I still get nervous. I would like to get to the TCC health park and try the gazelle thingy. I do enjoy that machine. I wish I had one in my carport. I would have a lot of fun every day.

My crochet progress is currently working on the Romanian rope for a handle to my Hello Kitty bag. I still have Brandy's shrug to work on and she may get it in the spring...LOL I have been working on 3 quilts. I need to be sewing on the hand sewn one right now because the machine quilts make my back hurt on such a low table. Maybe I can get my old table in here in the bedroom and sew. I should think about that. My back might benefit and I might be able to finish a project. Wouldn't that be awesome. I am also knitting a little pouch to keep in my purse. Maybe for glasses or stuff. It is from leftover yarn from the project I last posted.

OK that is all of what is on my mind. Have a blessed day.

Finished a project

I wanted to be a good blogger. I wanted to have something to say and say it well. I now know I don't take the time to do this. Yesterday was particularly hard on me. I don't know why but I could not stop crying and bring my self out of a grand funk. I was missing my Deddy so bad and felt like it would be better to just join him so I could be held like he held me as a little girl. I finished a cute knitted set for my great nephew Jericho yesterday (mittens, hat & scarf) but even that didn't make me happy. My kitties gathered about me and loved on me and that didn't help. I am not sure but I think it is the drugs I am on for pain. I had hip replacement surgery in Dec and even though the pain is gone from the bone issues, living with the recovery is driving me insane. I am not good at being dependent. I want to walk through my little house and do what I want not what I am limited to doing. I have never suffered depression until I lost my Deddy last year. I could not understand it or empathize with those suffering from it. He was my best friend, my confidant, my everything and now that is gone. I have my bf Ed, my daughters Brandy & Melissa, but it just isn't the same. I knew I could call him and he he could cheer me up. I could sit in the room with him while he slept and I just felt better. I wear some of his ashes around my neck and that comforts me but some days just not enough. Being Christians, I know I will join him someday but it feels like that will be forever. I talk to him, I listen for his voice and sometimes I think I hear him. Lately, he has been telling me he has ham in heaven waiting on Lexy. She is my 15 yr old dog whose health is not good. He use to sneak her ham from the table and I think he is telling me to send her home but that is just killing my heart, and not what I want to hear. I want him to tell me one more time that he loves me all there is. Even though I know he still does. Maybe when I can get around again without a walker, I will feel better, but right now it is just too much for me to process. I am blessed & I know it. Today I think I will focus on that and not sad things. Good news is my hip doesn't hurt. They found a lot of broken bone in there and spurs that had to be the root of my evil pain. The left hip is worse but I cannot feel it so I may wait a while to get it fixed. Cross that bridge when I get there kinda thing. The pictures are not as good as the real thing but they are really more red than they show up to be. I hope he enjoys them as they were made with pure unconditional love. Today will be a better day right? Right! Hanging in here til I can function on my own again. I will also try to be a better blogger. Peace love and happiness to all of you and your blessings.