Weekend Wandering

It is finally warm enough to be out a little on days we have free. 

This last Saturday was a day off, so we took kid to work then went to the river. watching the water flow by, chatting, people watching, all so peaceful. 

and as always, I took my camera (now how often do i go without it?)

First, this little bench. i think it is cute. 2 logs, with a board nailed between them. simple, functional. 

the rest of the photos below were taken at the City Dock.  strange old dead trees, birds hunting fish. boring to some, interesting to me. 

 The bridge is old, but sturdy, used daily by hundreds of people. Looking through one, you can see the other that goes over the freeway nearby.

 Very strange plane was flying along the river, seemingly following the river. it was flying the direction of the smaller wings, with the single propeller in the back.

Busy Busy

First an update. The bead company did send more beads...of the same kind. exactly same.  I have decided though to keep them, and use them in free wrap bracelets.  These bracelets are just a string of random beads, all sizes, all kinds, one one long string.  you wrap them around your wrist, or can wear them as a necklace too.

Mid January we find out hubby's mom is turning 80 soon. and I wanted to do something for her.  I decided an afghan was a good idea, because she reclines on her sofa watching tv, covered up with an afghan.  Wonderful Idea right? ummm yeah ...except birthday March 10th. And i needed the afghan done, washed and dried and ready to gift on the 7th of March.
So I started hunting for an elegant yet not flashy afghan.
I asked on crochet groups on facebook.
I asked in some crochet groups i still belong to.
One day a lady posted a link to one. and I loved it. it was PERFECT!
January 16th i acquired the pattern and bought the yarn.
Afghan started. center was easy.

 this one was no flash

this one taken with flash

pretty, and easy.
The border was a different story. Looked easy. Was NOT

 Finished afghan

all packaged up.
The lady that received it loved it. I was not real happy with it, as i could not figure out the pattern corners, so I did the best i could, and it puckered up at the corners. Very unhappy with it, but she loved it. and i will never tell that it was not done perfectly.

I have also joined a dishcloth exchange. Worried terribly about this one. will my work be good enough for these ladies? I have seen their works, they are all good, very good.   can only cross fingers and hope.

My sister contacted me less than 7 days before Christmas. said she knew of a young lady who had no hat/scarf/mittens, and it was cold out, could I help. Well, I will never turn down one in need. So I got out my hooks, got some yarn and  sat down to make this:

I love her smile. Sis said she had a tear in her eye when she was given the set.  I am so glad she liked it.

As a surprise for my sister, I made her a crocheted scarf as well, and a beaded crochet bracelet.

Beads...I am so frustrated over Beads!! I love working with them....till you buy boxes of 11/0 seed beads for a project and they end up like this:

i bought 18 boxes of these, all from the same company. 18 different colors and ALL of the boxes are like this.  nothing consistent at all.  cannot use for the loom projects which i bought them for.
A visit to the company website and many emails back and forth to customer service, they told me what i bought are CRAFT BEADS not jewelry beads, they are all going to be like this, and if i wanted consistency, i should buy more expensive beads. but to compensate me they will send me more vials of what I bought.  Now what sense does that make??  oh well, i guess let them send...i'll put them on Listia.

just a few photos of Jewelry I have made.

Another year:

wow a year has passed,  time got away from me again. Guess I should close this blog.  maybe.
or maybe I should just use it.

Lets see...in the last year, much has happened.
Was in and out of hospital, first because i took a bad fall, emergency guys thought i hurt my neck, but luckily no damage. Leg, knee and neck hurt like the devil for a while.
Then went to ER because my chest hurt so bad, felt like a knife stabbing me. but after many tests, they found nothing wrong. weird.

We put a new deck on the front of the house. it has a handicap ramp, so now I can easily leave without steps. so nice.  My power chair can easily go up and down, right into the house on bad days.

Hubby's father got very ill, and passed away. was very hard on us both. I loved him like my own dad.


On the crafting side, I still crochet. Market bags, dishcloths, potholders, beaded bracelets.
Have also started making jewelry. will post photos of one set i am so happy with.

Hubby bought me a portable scanner. it is a wand like item, can slide it down a page and it keeps the scan as a photo. will be so nice to have when i am out and see a recipe i want, or when at family to get copies of photos, etc.  I am thrilled.

Son and his wife are finally moving out. 6 months turned into over 5 years, but they found a place they are goign to rent to own. I am happy for them, and thrilled that the room they are in hubby has decided to turn into my craft room, with custom storage, desk for sewing machine, tables for crafting on etc!!. am so looking forward to it!! Everything organized, sorted so I know what is where. and can get rid of things like the plastic canvas i probably will never use.

Why is it....

That if someone says "hey I have this idea for something, can you make it?" I can usually make what they want, without a pattern.
When it comes to something I want for me, I cannot do it. no matter how I try. makes no sense to me.
No matter how hard I try, I just can't do it.
Rarely do I keep things just for me. I make tons of market bags, take them to the stores and end up selling or giving them away.

This time I wanted to make me a lightweight sweater. jacket, whatever you want to call it. So I tried. I can see it in my mind. but I cannot make my hands do the same thing. Start, rip out, start again, change hook, change stitches, try again, still not right. Draw it out. sketch over and over. show family, yes it looks great they say. so stitch away, rip it out ..giving up.

Hate crochet block.
anyone need a market bag?

Times fly...

Time flies when you are having fun. that's the old saying.
But time flies faster it seems when things are not so fun. or at least to me they do..
Shall I post what all i have done since my last post? or shall i just say "much has happened, some good, some not so good" and just move on.
I think thats what I shall do. Move on.

I have taken my love of crocheting back.
For christmas money was tight, so i went through the yarn, and my imagination, and came up with an item both the gals here seemed to love.
I made them something to hang on a wall that they could put their hair ties, and clips on. it hangs on the wall using one of the Command type hooks, no nails in the walls. and they both seem to like it and use it.
For my son, i made him an item to hang on the wall, that he could store his game controllers, phone, glasses etc in at night when he heads to bed. it too hangs on the wall with the Command type hooks. looks similar to a remote control holder only more pockets.

Steven and I did not do anything for each other. we have all we need. We decided it was easier of us to just go to the store or wherever if we need it then, instead of buy it for a gift for each other later. Makes sense to me. hard to buy a surprise for each other when we shop together anyway.

My current project is a granny sweater. for once I am making something just for me. when it is done will post a photo. hopefully it will turn out as pretty as the one i am following the pattern for.

well guess thats all for now.
missing the crochet friends i knew. and hope they are all well.

Been forever

Seems like forever ago..

a long time ago..

Seems like?

No it was...that i have logged into my blog.

Much has happened, too much to post about.

my home is full, 2 of my kids live with me, and one is married.

keeps the house busy.

My D.A. had gotten to the point i am using the handicap parking spots when shopping, and the motorized chairs in the stores. We have bought me a walker too, to help me get around.

and a dear friend has given us a Rascal scooter so i can go on "walks" with hubby.

over the last 60 days life took a bad turn. First a good friend passed away. then 24 hours later my Aunt. then not even 2 weeks later my Mother. its been a hard month since then.

Doc put me on antidepressants and sleeping pills. and more pain pills.

We drove to Nebraska for moms Memorial service. so hard. The drive itself was hard on me, sitting for so long. but to see my dad cry was the worst.

Did get to see many of the family i have not seen in 20 plus years, my brother, cousins, aunts and uncles. Wasn't a good time but was good to see them all even if it was just for an evening. 3 day drive out, one week visiting etc, then 2 hard days drive home.

Dad sent all mom's houseplants home with me, no one else wanted them. they have been badly neglected, some barely alive, but I am determined to help them grow and be healthy again. I do not want to fail.

While in Nebraska I got to see my grandkids. they are wonderful. it was the first time seeing my granddaughter. she is beautiful, and her older brother is just fantastic, and fun to play games with.

As for crochet, my heart really isn't into it right now.

I did buy some beads today, i want to learn to make friendship bracelets that are beaded.

Time will tell if I succeed or not. we shall see.

I wish....

I wish....
..that just once those I love could feel the pain I have when I am hurting, so they know what I am going through. That they would have the struggle of getting out of the chair, so they know how hard it is. that they would feel the pain standing at the sink doing dishes or at the stove trying hard to get a meal on the table without crying.

..that my daughter would understand when I just cannot hurry or do something that needs done

..that my son would know just how much it means to me when he offers a hand out of the truck on days I just cannot do it alone. or that arm up the steps, or the "mom let me carry that"

..my husband knew just how much he really means to me. words never seem enough. And just how much he is appreciated, again words never seem enough.

..that i could do more of the things I used to do, like going for that walk with my husband, or the bike ride, or shopping in the mall just for the fun of going.


Honestly, No I do not wish the pain on anyone, not my family, not my friends or anyone else. But I do wish for the understanding that I am going through this, and it will not get better, only worse...that some days I just cannot...cannot shop, cannot walk, cannot get up to go look out the door...cannot.

I am thankful that it is I that am struggling though this now, and not my kids, or my husband, or friends. I am thankful that they can go shopping, bike riding, walking. I am thankful for the day that the pain is not so much, that I can go look at the yard, or go to the store, or just go for a ride in the pickup.

People always take the little things for granted...I know I used to. Remember when shopping for Christmas that there are those that would love to go, and cannot. Be thankful you can.

Because I wish......Everyone could.

Halloween bags

Well time flew once again.
seems i never have enough time anymore.
Facebook......thats what I blame. ...well it is my own fault. I got started on silly games. time consuming...and they ate my time up.
Halloween came, and went. We decorated as usual, and although it was raining the kids showed up, and loved the yard.
I handmade treat bags this year for the kids. lots of work, but I like making things for others.

Each one holds 2 kid sized treats.
and try as i might, no 2 faces turned out the same.


Been asked to crochet dishcloths for a friend to use as christmas gifts. So been working on those now. need them done soon. Mind isnt what it used to be so creating interesting patterns isnt working well. guess I resort to a pattern search.
till next time, happy crocheting!

Findings and such

Hope everyone is having a good Labor Day weekend.
Ours has been busy.
First off we decided to go looking for a Shed.
Mind you, last time we were "Just Looking" was just over a year ago when we wanted to see what prices of vehicles were, and fell in love with this:

Saw it on a Saturday, Went back on a Sunday to see it again, and Monday went in and bought it.

So for us to go "JUST LOOK" at sheds was quite funny.
We found one we really like. It matches our house exactly, color and all. It is big enough to store all Hubbys woodworking tools, the lawn mowers, tillers, other lawncare stuff and still have room left over.
Hubby is going to the bank in the morning to see if we can swing a loan.

We also decided to remove the backyard fence. It was here when we moved in almost 7 years ago. it was quite flimsy then, so decided it needed to go. We are talking about maybe putting in a new fence, in a Almond colored vinyl to match the siding on the shed and house.
We shall see.

Found a couple blogs today that are so full of fun things, patterns, recipes and such I thought I would share them with you.
http://mybestfriendcallsmemartha.blogspot.com/
and
http://foothillsofthegreatsmokymountains.blogspot.com/

Check them out when you have time.

Cutest dog

I am currently involved with a friend in a "Cutest Dog" contest.
this is not my dog, but if you wouldnt mind, please go vote for it!!
http://tinyurl.com/m68yj3

thank you!

Country Peaches

I finished this doll today. I am calling her Country Peaches.

I used the basic instructions for the Dumplin Dolls, and improvised a skirt for her.

Mystery Man Market bag

Here is the story behind this bag:

On Tuesday I took dear daughter to one of the temp agencies so she can continue her job search. I stayed in the truck crocheting while she was inside.

I am in the process of making a very bright bag from orange and a red heart yarn called mexicana. vibrant bright colors.

Anyway sitting there with the windows down, radio on and a man walks toward the truck down the sidewalk. He is scruffy looking. needs a shave, clothing a bit torn. he stops and says he likes my truck, and I tell him we do too thanks.

then he notices what I have in my hands. he asks if he can come closer to look. I had no problem with it. he came over and asked what I was crocheting. So I explained what it was. He said he really liked it. I told him I wished it was done I would have given it to him, and he said no, there is another plan for that bag, you just do not know yet what it is. he then placed his hand on the bag, closed his eyes a moment, then shook my hand, said God bless and walked away.I turned around to say goodbye and he was gone...no where to be seen.

Today I finished the bag.

Update on the bug

I found out what this is.
it is a Hummingbird Moth
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/hummingbird_moth.htm thats a website that shows it.
now we know!!

huge fruits and other happenings

I finally got emails sorted out, what a mess! Had to send everything one by one to myself from incredimail, then uninstall and reinstall incredimail.

but it is all back up and working now thankfully.

We picked one of the cantaloupe from the volunteer vine.

8 pounds 3 ounces. Yes, that's what I wrote. it is huge. here is a photo of it, and one of hubby holding it. it is almost the size of a basketball!!

This strange creature was flying around the Zinnias today. its wings were so fast, like a hummingbird, and it was about the same size as one too. At first I thought it was a Hummingbird, till i took this photo, it is no hummingbird. no idea what it is, never saw anything like it.

we have picked 35 Tomatoes from our volunteer plant. with still many many more to come. I am dehydrating them all.

Drowning in seed....

Wanted to post this photo. its taken through the greenhouse door.

we set tables up in our greenhouse, and are using it to dry seeds.

overflowing with seeds even!!

I have given away so many marigold seeds and still more coming. Need any?

we have Marigold seed, Yucca plant seeds, Zinnia, Mello and not sure yet what else i'll have by the time I am done.

Also, just a note.

I am having major email program issues. my incredimail program is a mess. My Antivirus claims it has a virus so every time i open it, it acts weird. I have checked my machine with 3 other scanners (including a professional network one) and they all show clear. Weird stuff.

But I am going through all my old emails and saving as much as it will let me.

Links I saved for things I like I am posting here:
http://www.myhq.com/public/j/a/janglesfromjo/

Until I get that all cleared up I can't do much with email.

So if you do not hear from me you know why.

Our garden

This Summer has kept me quite busy.

Last summer we built raised flower beds for the front walkway. We filled them with cut grass all summer last year, and into the fall. then left them sit uncovered all winter.

this is what they looked like at the beginning of spring.

This spring I planted a hand full of marigold seed and a few Zinnias in the longest one. They grew...and grew....and GREW!!

27 ft of flowers.

one of the smaller boxes has Love Lies Bleeding,

and the last started out with Mello in one corner and i was going to wait to see what else I wanted to put in it. then, a volunteer tomato plant showed up.

these are the Mello at the end.

We decided to let it grow to see what happened. It got HUGE. we have counted over 50 tomatoes!!

That is hubby in behind the tomato..see how big it is. ONE plant!!

about the same time the tomato showed up 3 tiny vines showed up in the flower beds, so I moved them to the end of the box that has the Tomato. we thought they were cucumber, but they are not., they are a cantaloupe!! We have lots of baby cantaloupe.

this is what they look like today

This is one of the baby cantaloupe. It is starting to get the typical ridges cantaloupe are known for.

so now you know what I am doing.

trying to crochet some too, but seem to have lost the creative ability. most days i just pick up the yarn and put it right back down again.

Anyone know?

I have some things i am needing to know an approximate selling/buying price on and canot find.

Anyone know how much this monkey set is worth?

it is just the face, hands and feet.

Shopaholic's Shopper finished

Well I finished the Shopaholic shopper bag.

original pattern called for WW yarn and an H hook.

So I used Red Heart WW yarn and an H hook and started crocheting.

The sides you work each by itself. following the instructions they seemed quite long, so I stopped before I got to the required number of rows.

I finished off all the pieces shorter than they were supposed to be in the pattern.

I started to put it together and oh no it is HUGE!! almost twice the size of the original pattern dimensions.

I was talking to a friend about it, and telling her it was big enough around after i put all the sides together to be a shirt.

I was so upset, almost in tears. I really wanted this one to be perfect and it flopped badly. But I finished it.

I Improvised handles for it, not using what the patten called for.

Here is the finished item, filled with 12, yes 12 giant rolls of paper towels!

This is hubby's hand holding one of the big rolls of towels we put in the bag.

Yes April, it will carry Toilet paper quite nicely (or laundry).

I hope you enjoy the bag.