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!