Hats Off For Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Well, not quite yet, but this time of year certainly keeps me busy with the yarn and keeping my two cats away from my stash. I have made several hats and I still have three more to make. Funny thing is, they are all so very different.

 

This is a Taxi/Golfer hat that I made my husband for Christmas. He is actually more happy about it than I am. I somewhat used a pattern. It was in a different language so I'm sure I didn't get everything right.I am searching for a similar pattern or translation for it, then I will post the pattern. He wanted another beanie but I've already made him at least four or five, so I decided to do something a little different. 

 This is a hat that I made for my sister-in-law. She is coming home for a visit and she loves these kinds of hats. So, I am making her two of these kind. I did not use a pattern for this one.

Materials: worsted weight yarn (any color, I used gray for this one) and size H hook.

R1: chain three, dc in third chain from hook 11 times and join in third chain with a slst (12 dc)
R2: chain 2 (counts as first dc) dc in the same st as joining and 2 dc in each st around. slst in second ch.(24dc)
R3: ch 2. dc in same st as joining. *1 dc in next st, 2dc in next.   Repeat from * around, slst in second ch (36dc)
R4: ch 2. dc in same st as joining. *1 dc in the next 2 st. 2dc in the next.  Repeat from * around, slst in second ch. (48 dc) 
R5: ch 2. dc in same st as joining. *1 dc in the next 3 st. 2dc in the next.  Repeat from * around, slst in second ch. (60 dc)
Round 6: Ch 2, 1dc in same st as joining. 1 dc in each st around. slst in second ch ( 60 dc )Round 7: Ch 2, skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st. * Skip 2 sts, 1 dc in next st. Skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st. Repeat from *around, slst in second ch..
Round 8: Ch 2, 2 dc in same stitch as join. Skip 2 sts, dc in next st, skip 2 sts. *5 dc in next st, skip 2 sts, dc in next st, skip 2 sts. Repeat from * around. End with 2 dc in the sl st of the previous row (to complete the 1st shell). slst in second ch.
Round 9-14: Repeat Rounds 7 and 8
Rounds 15 and 16: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining. Sc in each st around. slst in first ch.. (60 sc)
Fasten off and weave in loose ends.

This hat, I made for my brother-in-law. I used the same yarn that I used to make his "Creeper Scarf". He had a hat that was very similar to this, that I used a round loom for (this was back before I knew how to crochet) and he lost it at sears when he tried suits on for our wedding. It was his favorite hat but we never found it,even though we searched for it in lost and found, several times. I made him a tan and orange hat, last year and he loves that but this matches his new scarf, a little better.

I made an earwarmer for my mother-in-law, because she doesn't seem like the type of person to go around wearing hats. The only problem is that I wrapped it before I thought to take a picture. I did use a pattern for that, because it was the first earwarmer that I made. When I find this pattern, again, I will post a link to it. It was a very nice, simple, ribbed wave ear warmer.

Now, I need to finish a hat for Jerad's cousin, who just moved near us from out West; a second hat for my sister-in-law and probably a hat for Jerad's Aunt who is also coming to visit us on Christmas.

While I keep busy, please, be safe and remember that you are beautiful.

Mine Craft Mania Crochet gifts!

Christmas is drawing near and I have decided that I like making things for people, instead of buying them. Usually it is cheaper to just buy the yarn to make a winter set or quality dishcloths. I mean, the average cost of a scarf and hat set is at least $12, for a decent one. However, you can garuntee that someone else will have that same exact set. When it comes to a teenager, who likes to stand out, at school, making something, is the best way to go. Especially, when I can get a pound of yarn for $7 at the craft store and make three hat and scarf sets.

My brother-in-law, who is a teen loves minecraft. He plays it all the time. It is kind of like a computer lego simulation. So, I decided that I would make a "Creeper Scarf" for him. Now, before you say anything, the Creeper is one of the 'bad guys' on Minecraft. They are green and pop out of nowhere, while you are trying to build your home and take care of the sheep that randomly spawn in your house.

Here is a picture of the scarf:

I borrowed the pattern from Ravelry. Pattern by April Garcia. This pattern, and the items made from this pattern, are intended for personal use only as the Creeper image is a copyright of Mojang. I did add more rows than what the pattern called for.

I am trying to come up with a nice pattern, for a hat that matches the scarf but using only the colors. I am not sure that he would want a "Creeper Hat" and the ones I have seen have not been done well.

White Peppermint Bark

It is the season for baking and making the house smell so wonderful that you stomach growls. I love the feeling of baking, the warmth and the togetherness. I think that is why I like Thanksgiving so much. Today, I'm going to share with you, a very simple recipe that I only learned to make in the past couple of years.

White Peppermint Bark

What you need:
2 cups white chips (I use Hershey's, when it is on sale)
1/4 to 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candy (I usually use the mini candy canes because you can get a lot of them for much cheaper, and they are great for stirring hot chocolate!)
A cookie sheet
Wax paper

1. Crush up those peppermints!
2. Line the cookie sheet with wax paper (learned that the hard way.)
3. Place the white chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave them for 1 minute. Stir. Continue microwaving at 15 second incriments and stir after each, until chips are melted smooth when stirred.
4.Set aside about 1 Tablespoon of the crushed peppermint candies. Stir the rest into the melted chips and pour the mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet. Spread to about 1/2 inch thickness. Gently tap out the cookie sheet on the counter to even out the thickness. Sprinkle the 1 Tablespoon of crushed candies over the surface.
5. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until the bark is firm. Break it into pieces and store in a cool, dry place.

This makes about 3/4 pound of candy.


I know that it isn't exactly baking, but it still makes the house smell good and then you can put mint candies on your hot chocolate and marshmallows, while you wait.

I loved making this while I studied for finals because I would put several mini pepermint candy canes into a ziploc bag and just have at them with a rolling pin, hammer, whatever I could find. It took out some of the stress and if you do this with kids, they will love it!

As I go through my recipe box, I will share more of them.

I hope that you enjoy, if you try this.
Stay warm and remember that you are beautiful!

Pet Sweaters

This week, I decided that I would try my hand at crocheting our dog a sweater. I found the perfect pattern at yarnspirations.com and grabbed the only yarn that I knew would probably be enough for the sweater. Little did I know that our dog is so oddly porportioned. SHe has the head and mid section of a large breed dog (German Shepherd) but she is as short (in length and height) as a medium size dog. This explains why any sweater we get her is either way too small, around or way to long. Needless to say, I had to modify the pattern and fight her several times, after having her try on the unfinished product. She is the only dog I know who actually likes wearing her collar and her sweaters.

Here is a picture of the finished product:

Dog Sweater Pattern

Then, after I posted the picture of the finished sweater on Facebook, I was asked to make a sweater for a friend's cat. I didn't know that was a thing, but I have never been one to turn a challenge down. So I went in search of a sweater for cats and found one at my go-to place for patterns. ravelry.com
Here's the pattern. It is not mine, in any way, shape or form. However, I did think it was easy and even though my cat hates me for the time being, I think it turned out great.

Food to fight the Cold

I found this picture, today. It is not mine, but I did want to post it on the blog because it has something to do with Raynaud's Syndrome. I never really thought about foods that could actually help your body to keep it's temperature. I always drank hot chocolate because it is hot (duh). No matter what I put it in, it keeps my hands warm. When I sip it, it warms my core.

I have read that ginger can help people who have Fibromyalgia. It is something that my mother has and I was trying to help her find some home remedies so that she wouldn't have to take medicines. Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm not a fan of pills, so I try to do things in a somewhat natural way. I do understand that sometimes, medicine helps. I didn't even consider the fact that ginger might help people who have Raynaud's. After all, ginger helps to improve your body's circulation.

Also, I am anemic. I have low iron, among a bunch of other vitamins and minerals that my body seems to be missing. I thought that it was interesting to learn that iron can help your body contain up to 30% of it's heat. Unfortunately, I cannot take iron supplements and my doctor has said that I could eat nothing but meat, spinach, multigrains and other iron rich foods; but I would still have low iron. I have been anemic since I was six or seven years old. I remember my first encounter with Raynaud's around that time too.

My family and I were living in Gulfport, Mississippi. It snowed for the first time and my dad took my brother and I outside to build a snowman, with all of the snow that was in our yard. We went out and bought gloves, but even with the gloves, my hands hurt. They turned interesting colors, I thought I had frost bite. I was crying and my dad didn't know what to do, except to take me inside, start the fireplace and have me roast my hands by the flames. Needless to say, I still have yet to build a snowman, and I still have yet to have decent levels of iron.

With this new knowledge, I am going to try and find other remedies that could help control the symptoms.

Feel free to comment below, if you have any thoughts, questions or comments. I would love to hear from you.

Do not forget, you are beautiful, inside and out!

Raynaud's Syndrome

I was diagnosed with Raynaud's Syndrome, a bit over a year ago. Sadly, I am just now starting to look into it and what I can do to help. I think that I am going to start writing about my findings, so that if any of you (my beautiful readers) have Ray's you can maybe learn and provide some insight. If you do not have Ray's that's still great! I think that it is good to know about it, especially if you know someone with it.

Raynaud's (ray-NODES) Syndrome/Disease, also known as Ray's, is a disorder of the small blood vessels that reduces blood flow. My doctor explained it to me like this: In the normal body, when your body experiences cold, the blood vessels open up so that more blood can reach the entire body. People who have Ray's, instead of dilating, the blood vessels shrink. This keeps a lot of the blood from reaching the extremities (hands and feet) which can really hurt. Typically, the fingers change colors (blueish-gray, purple or blue), the color really varies from person to person, when exposed to cold temperatures and turn red when they start to warm up.

There are two kinds of Rays: Primary and Secondary. Primary Raynaud's is the most common and is not associated with other medical conditions such as scleroderma, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Primary Raynaud's has no known or apparent cause and isn't disabling. However,it still can cause a lot of pain and discomfort.

It is not known whether Raynaud's is hereditary. Also, there is no known cure. The most that can be done is to try and control the symptoms and be in the least amount of discomfort as possible.

People with Ray's are often said to have cold hands all of the time. I know that when I greet people at church, I usually get some comment about the temperature of my hands. Even the little old ladies say my hands are freezing. I used to avoid shaking hands but I find that their hands are warmer and it feels nice. Ha!

Those who do not have Ray's have a difficult time understanding, exactly what goes on. My family used to, and I think sometimes do, think that I complained to much about my hands hurting when they were cold. To me, it feels like I am getting frostbite, just by grabbing some chicken from the freezer. My husband, God bless him,has gotten so much better at dealing with my Raynaud's. He is quick to remind me to put my gloves on before I get something frozen, or he will get it for me. He is also, very concerned about my hands when the car hasn't warmed up yet or I decide that I want to go for a short walk in the winter. We are still trying to figure out ways to keep my hands from hurting. Especially since I have yet to build a snowman.

So, join me, on an adventure of my own, and learn more about Raynaud's whether you have it, know someone who has it, or are just curious. Raynaud's affects 5-10 percent of the population.

Not to worry, I will still post about all of my other adventures and the little things in life that make me smile. But, Raynaud's Syndrome, has made itself a part of my life. Thank you!

Remember that you are beautiful.

scleroderma (also known as systemic sclerosis), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) and rheumatoid arthritis - See more at: http://www.raynauds.org/frequently-asked-questions/#sthash.qChrArpg.dpuf

scleroderma (also known as systemic sclerosis), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) and rheumatoid arthritis - See more at: http://www.raynauds.org/frequently-asked-questions/#sthash.qChrArpg.dpuf

scleroderma (also known as systemic sclerosis), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) and rheumatoid arthritis - See more at: http://www.raynauds.org/frequently-asked-questions/#sthash.qChrArpg.dpuf

Moving Right Along

Life is certainly full of adventure and anyone who knows me probably hears that more than they wish to hear. I love life! You never know what is really going to happen or where the road might lead. Every day is full of possibilites, both good and bad.

My husband and I have learned to embrace all of these. Most recently, we began to talk about a move. I have a job, one that I'm not always happy with, but I have one. We own the house that we are currently living in but it is old and it needs a lot of fixing up. I never thought that I would actually convince my husband to leave the house, even temporarily. But, he is full of surprises. We are moving into a small apartment for about a year. During this time, I will have full time job and be able to work at getting my teaching certificate. We will finally have heat! Which is something we can't afford with the house, since fuel oil costs quite a heavy bundle. We also plan on putting all the money back, that we can; so that in Spring we can start working on the house and getting it back to where we can live in it without worrying if it is going to burn down because the electrical system is as old as the house is.

We are both very excited for this move. We will be closer to family and I believe that it will help both of us feel more connected to our friends and in general. Afterall, we won't be living in the middle of nowhere.

I am not sure that I have ever felt so at peace knowing that my husband is 100% on board with the idea of this temporary move. I am excited to face these adventures with him.

Something worth fighting for.

I know that it has been a while, over a month, since my last post.  A lot has happened, but mostly I have been working late and just trying to keep from sinking into debt. I'm sure that many of you can relate to my situation. Credit cards and student loans are the bane of finances.

I graduated from college in May of 2014. Yay! I have a degree! A shiny piece of paper tucked away in a frame that, like many people who graduate, I haven't been able to do anything with, yet.

In fact, I have had a long battle with the university I graduated from. I went to school to become an elementary teacher. I fought the college to graduate and even the day of graduation, I wasn't sure that my name was going to be on the list. My Godmother had come up just to see me walk and my husband and mother-in-law were there as well. Thankfully, I was able to graduate, after tens of phone calls, pulling higher names and praying that I wouldn't fall on my face in high heels as I walked to recieve my fake degree. (Which, by the way turned out to be some "welcome to the alumni association" paper).  As I walked up, the Dean of the College of education handed me the rolled up paper, grinned and said, "I see they couldn't keep you out. You deserve it, now smile!" The camera flashed and I walked on with pride. She had helped me in my battle to graduate.

Today, I am still fighting the university, pulling higher names and trying not to drown in the feeling of utter failure and hopelessness.

In March, the registrar's office took me out of my student teaching seminar, without my knowledge or permission. They refunded me the money (after the refund date had LONG past) and then put me back in. All the while, I was still attending my seminars, unaware that any of this had been going on. I was a good girl and did my taxes. The money I had been refunded was very close to the same amount I was to receive from taxes, So, when I looked in my bank, I thought nothing of it and used the money to pay some bills I was behind on (because it was the university policy that I wasn't to work while student teaching. Understandable but frustrating). When my taxes were actually returned to me, it was far less than what I expected, some of it had been garnished to pay a bill that I forgot. This confused me and when I realized the mistake, I paid the univeristy all of my return, which only covered half of what I had used. Since then, I have tried to reason with the college and either convince them to drop the charges because it was their mistake or set up a payment plan that I could afford.

They refused both, wanting the payment in full.

Here is where it gets more frustrating.

I work a minimum wage job, part time. I would love to work full time but there aren't enough hours and I'm looking for a second job. So is everyone else. I am not yet certified to teach, because I need to observe in an Urban classroom for 40 hours. I live in a very rural area and the closest urban school is an hour away and we barely have enough gas in the tank to get me to and from work. However, I can substitute teach. In order to complete the application, I have to have my transcripts from the university.

Here's the frustrating part.

Becasue of the university's mess up, I now have an overdue account AND I can't get my transcripts. So, that means I can't sub, which means I can't pay the university for their mistake and mine.

Granted, I should have returned all of the money but it was an honest mistake on my part. I would have never been mistaken had the university not messed with my class schedule. If they didn't do that...I would be substituting in classrooms and I would probably have my hours finished. Which means, that had the university not messed up, I would be certified to teach, right now.

But nothing worthwhile was ever obtained without a fight, it seems. I was born to teach. I want nothing more than to teach. I love teaching. I love my students. I love working with teachers who have the same passion I do, and someday soon I will be able to do what I was born to do. First, I have to fight for it.

And believe me, education IS something worth fighting for.

Car Update

We finally have a vehicle! It is a 2001 Izusu Rodeo! One of the ladies I serve, often, was selling it. It has been kept up nicely with only a bit of work that needs to be done on it. Which for a used car, we weren't expecting to get a perfect car.

We are going to get an oil change on it and see about the battery. We think that it was acting up because of how long it had been sitting on the lot. There is a bit of rust on the bottom but that seems to happen on Michigan roads and actually has less rust than most other vehicles we were looking at.

The adventure of finding a used car, that met our needs was a wild one full of stress and anxiety but it has passed and we have found a vehicle that works for us until we can save up for a better one.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Hopefully, I can now get back to my crocheting, writing and this little adventure that I have the honor of traveling with my husband, called life.

Savor the moment, and enjoy the bumps.

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all" Helen Keller

When it rains, it pours...

My husband and I thought that things were starting to look up, a couple of months ago. I got a job working at Subway, close to home. We were getting caught up on bills and starting to build a savings. We were able to do more things and then the storm hit us.

Although we were getting caught up on bills, we needed a new fridge and we weren't able to eat much because of the afore mentioned bills. We received a new to us, fridge from my mother-in-law and it works wonderfully. Since then, we have gotten some help with food and can now eat more than a can of soup a day. Today, I enjoyed cold yogurt.

Minimum wage is rising, here in Michigan. That's great! Except for the idea that when minimum wage rises, hours get cut. So, instead of working close to 30 hours a week, to save the boss some money, everyone is getting cut to less than 25 hours a week. This means that even though I am getting paid more, it makes it more difficult to pay bills and I may, now, have to pick and choose which bills get paid and which ones I let go for the month.

Then, my husband and I got in a car wreck. The details are in a previous post. Although the car still runs, everything is squished against the engine and I wouldn't trust that car as far as I could throw it. That being said. We are in need of a vehicle. My husband recieved a whopping $175 fine for the accident, because technically he was at fault, even though the brakes decided to go out. Someone has to pay and it has to be us. However, I can't pay all $175, at once and we are having trouble finding a way, to that city (because we have no car) to pay half the fine. We were looking at a 2002 Ford Escape for 2,000 but we only have about 20 to our name and that is not enough for a down payment. Any loans we take out would be more than we can afford to pay back.

I just recieved a few phone calls today. The first was another bill collector that said I wasn't paying them, after locking me out of paying them, earlier this month. They, of course, want their money and I'm not sure how I can get it to them, every month. On a Subway budget.

The second call was that the money we thought we could get for the car, we can't get right now. So, instead of getting the car, this weekend, we have to wait another week or month. Yay. Even then, payments will be an issue.

And even though all of this is going on, I have many blessings that I choose to count instead. Yes, we got in a car accident, but no one was hurt, besides a few bruises. Sure, we have to pay a fine, but it is a one time fee and better than than have hospital bills added on top of it. My husband and I have health insurance now. We have a working refrigerator that stores the extra food we make and the foods we get on sale, and freeze. Our neighboors cut our lawn for us, because our mower is broken. My co-workers are amazing! In the time that I haven't had a car I have gotten rides home from one, and she took me to the bank to deposit my paycheck to pay the above mentoined bills. One co-worker, saw me walking the 4.5 miles to work and gave me a ride, the rest of the way.

I may not have a car or the best job. But I have a roof over my head, food on the table, and a husband that I come home to, every night. We are working on getting more funds, we are both looking for a job. We have family who loves us and a church that accepts us, and is willing to give us rides to the services.

This is a song that I think of every time things start to look for the worse.

 

When it rains, it pours. When it pours,we learn to dance.

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes...

I don't know what it is, but I have been on a, rather ambitious, crochet kick. I first started to crochet about two years ago. The process of learning was more frustrating than I would like to admit, because I had no one to show me and I am one of those 'see and do' learners. My first project was a scarf, which I gave to my husband. Then, I made a couple afghans, which I gave to my step mom and mother-in-law as gifts for Christmas.

More recently, I made a Santa pillow. I was bored. I had yarn. It was the middle of July and I was feeling a bit ambitious. I saw the pattern and decided to make it. It took me three days to make, which isn't bad for over 48 pieces for his beard alone.

Here is a picture of the finished Pillow.

I am selling it on Etsy.com because I have this terrible knack for making things and having no idea what to do with them, afterwards. I also have a ton of ruffle scarves and other things that I will be putting in my shop, soon. The moment it stops raining on a day I have off and I can get my husband to help take pictures.

My birthday just passed and I have been yearning to make something with crochet thread. Little did I realize just how difficult and frustrating the process of being able to, would be. The hooks are almost as tiny as a sewing needle and the thread is...well, thread.

Still I have been able to create a snowflake each day, for the past three days. Here are the ones I have created, so far:

 

I found the pattern for the first snowflake at the Snowcatcher Snowflake Directory.

The person who runs the directory and blog has created all of the designs for the snowflakes and has amazing stories to tell for each design. I love her snowflakes and I think I'm going to try several of her patterns.  

These last two snowflakes, I found the pattern for in the December 2010 issue of Crochet World Magazine. I love being a subscriber and trying new patterns. I am going to make a few more snowflakes and then stiffen them so they keep their shape while they are hanging on our tree. I will probably make more than our poor tree can handle, and end up selling them in my Etsy shop.

What are some ornament ideas you have?

The "Husband Interview"

Last night, my husband and had a little chat. It was more like coming to terms with the fact that we are both so busy trying to make a life for our family that we forget to make time for US. And the US is a very important thing in marriage. We don't quite seem to be on the same page anymore and we both understand that a wedding doesn't make a marriage. The people who are in the marriage (the bride and groom) do.

Love isn't a feeling or a noun, it is a verb. An action word. A word that needs another verb, communication. Which is a word that we feel we have been lacking in the bustle of life.

So, my solution? Or the start of it, was to create a "Husband Interview" while he was sleeping. I wrote down all of my questions and asked that he write or type his answers so I can read them and we might be able to talk about them.

Here are my questions:

1. What are your goals?
2. What are the top 3 things that you like about yourself?
3. What are 3 things that would change about yourself?
4. How do you feel about our marriage?
5. What can I do to be a better wife?
6. When do you feel happiest? Angriest? Most loved?

And then a quick think "A few of your favorite things"
Book
Movie
Actor
Actress
Quote
Vehicle model
Destination
Animal (domestic and wild)
Color
Flower
Board Game
Hobby/Pass time
Name (Boy and Girl)
Food/Meal
Number, why?
Season
Holiday
Memory

_____________

I also invited him to create questions for me so that I can answer them. I wanted us to write them down so that I can keep them as a refection and that way I don't mishear anything he says. I intend to give the first six questions to him, every year, at least once. Because I really do want to be a good wife and I don't think I can do that when I don't know his goals or how I can improve.

Communication doesn't always have to be by mouth. Sometimes, it is easier when it is written because you can't mishear and the words are in front of you so you can talk about it.

If you have thoughts or comments, I invite you to post them below. What do you do to keep the communication open with your spouse or significant other?

Working mother fears..

It seems that the number one question for any newly wedded couple is “So, when are you having kids?” I understand that children are the light of the future and a joy, as well as an experience to have. I think that many, if not all, married couples want to have children at some point, in their life but I don’t think that we all agree that there “is no time like the present”.

My husband and I have been married for a little over a year and we are constantly hearing the question from family and friends. More recently, we have begun to talk about parenting methods and wanting to have kids. The topic of conversation usually arises when we see a cute child in the store or at the park. Our hearts immediately melt and we want nothing more than to have kids. There are a few small problems that I find.

1.      He wants kids and he wants them now. Don’t get me wrong, I want kids and I love the idea of having little feet pattering down the hall. But, I’m a little more practical thinking.

2.      I want to have a more stable job before we start having kids. Right now, I work at a fast food restaurant that does not provide health insurance, much less maternity leave. Within the next few months, I hope to have everything in line for a teaching job.

3.      I don’t think I’m ready, even though I know he is.

I’ve read a few things on the internet and in a few books that don’t calm my fears.  I am the kind of person who needs to know what to “expect when expecting”. I don’t like surprises. I look up what the doctor might do before I go in for an appointment. I hate surprises! So, I’ve done some reading.

What I read, helps a bit. I’m still nervous and what not but my nerves and fears come from something that I can’t find on the internet or in a book. I know all about the swelling that happens ALL over your body. Your feet swell, arms, legs, butt, chest, belly…everything swells and I understand some of the reasons behind the why of all of that happening. I am not comfortable with doctors, much less doctors being THAT close to my anatomy. I have resolved that I can get over it rather quickly and rant for an hour afterwards and say that I hate my doctor when I know that I’m the one that made the appointment and she is just doing her job. I know that I will need a new wardrobe and that during pregnancy, I will probably end up getting a shot, I probably won’t be paralyzed and I will most positively make a mess everywhere but I don’t need to worry because everyone does.

I know that by the end of pregnancy, I probably would not be able to see my toes enough to paint them and I will have nine months of agitating my husband because he probably won’t let me go for runs, or lift boxes, groceries and the like. I am very much independent but I hope that I will welcome his help, when the time comes.

What I am having the hardest time what happens after my nine months of bonding with the tiny humanoid mix of my genes and his. When everything is said and done and we are holding a baby boy or girl. Hopefully, a healthy one.

I worry about my parenting, his parenting and work. You see, we have talked a lot. Talking is good in any relationship so we do it quite a bit. Sometimes it is loud but that is a whole nother ballgame. We talk a lot about the future. He wants to be a stay at home dad and I’m going to teach. That is what we decided and I am okay with it. I like the idea that one of us will be home for the kids. There is just one thing that branches off into a million other fears for me.

What if our kids hate me because I work? What if I miss everything and they like him better because he his home making meals for them, playing with them and being there for them? How can I be there when they fall if I am at work? I am so afraid that I am going to miss their first word, first steps and their first smile because I will be at work but not to worry, HE will be home with our children 24/7.

I will be in a classroom of my own, teaching children that belong to someone else. This is what I have always wanted to do, but I didn’t even consider how that would work with children of my own. He thinks I’m a superhero that saves the world and can do anything, but I’m not THAT good.

I will wake up, go teach until 4, come home and help him feed our children dinner while he talks about everything THEY did while I was absent. Then, I will help them get ready for bed and watch them as they sleep, only to wake up the next day and do it again. On week days, I will be a mother for a few short hours on weekends, I hope that I would be a good mother.

I will have nine months to bond with my children in a way that no one else can and then…then what? Are there any working mothers or fathers out there who can share your experiences with these fears? I know that it has been done because people have kids all the time and somehow manage to work to provide for the family.

Please post your comments below. I know that I can’t be the only one with these fears. Or, perhaps I am.

Lights in the Storm

This past Thursday, my sister-in-law, who is 15 years old, ran away from home. Her and her brother were adopted nearly five years ago and they have both done a lot of growing. She has had a few road blocks but has always had the support of her family, counsilors and many other people. She grew up having to take care of herself and younger brother, and I understand not wanting to let that kind of power go.

I was thirteen when I had my first job because my mom couldn't pay the bills. I love her dearly, but there were things that needed done and I had to grow up quick. My sister-in-law started at a younger age, making meals and taking care of her younger brother. When she was adopted, she no longer had to take on the responsibility of being a mother and she was allowed to lay aside her "grown-up" burdens for a time. This is a tough thing to ask of a ten or eleven year old. She's gotten in a bit of trouble since then but her support never wavered.

Thursday, she wanted to sleep in the camper outside of her mothers home. It's a nice little camper but the electricity wasn't hooked up and so her mom said no, not right now. She got upset, unable to understand that "not right now" doesn't mean never. She also doesn't like being told "no". No one does. The next day, she went to her appointments with her mom and then ran away from the appointment. A couple people tried to run after her, but she was gone.

The police had been looking for her. Friday, my husband and I got a phone call saying that they found her. We assumed that she had been picked up and everything was okay. That was my first mistake. She ran from them, cutting through yards and what not. She is a smart young lady.

Yesterday, my husband and I went to his mothers house. I created some "Missing" posters, found her new social media account and learned that she was safe, just stupid. She was hiding in plain sight! My mother-in-law and I went to businesses and asked them to hang up posters. A couple said that they couldn't most at least put the poster in the break rooms. To all of those who did help us by putting up posters, Thank you! One Subway said that they had seen her around and that they would call the number at the bottom of the poster if they saw her again. Then, McDonalds, I walked up to the counter, handed over the poster and delivered my: "Would you please help me by hanging up this poster, my little sister ran away from home a few days ago and we are still trying to find her." speech for the twentieth time (no joke).

The man who took the poster studied the picture and then excitedly began to inform me that he had seen her earlier that day and the night before. Apparently she had been eating McDonalds twice a day, from the same place. He said she was with two girls but described her as if she was standing right there, wearing different clothes than what she was wearing in the picture. I informed him that she was off her medicine which she needed and was digging herself a deeper hole. She needed to come home. He said that he would put the poster up in the break room and they would call when she came in again. This was around 6:30 or 7pm.

We went around to other places. I was at wits end reciting my speech another ten times, trying to convince others to help in my quest for finding this girl. One lady, I will never forget her. She looked like she was going to cry with me, or for me, and gave me the biggest hug she could. She said she would hang up the poster and pray for her safe return and for the family. Even if I wasn't the praying kind, I am so happy that she was unafraid to say that she would because I felt so much better. She was like an angel, sent to give me a hug and let me know everything would be okay. After I left the building, I felt this overwhelming sense of peace. I knew everything would be okay.

Around 9:30 pm, last night, my mother-in-law recieved a call from one of the local officers. They said that they recieved a call from a McDonalds and were able to pick up my sister-in-law. She did try to run but she didn't appear to be harmed in any way.

She is safe. Today, we have her hearing and I know that she will probably sent away for a bit but she will be safe. Then she can come home and we can work on mending trust.

I cannot say how much I appreciate everyone who helped by putting up posters, calling the number at the bottom and keeping us all in their thoughts. Even total strangers who aren't afraid to pray for you and hug you.

My Mimi would call that woman a "God Wink". Little things that let you know God is there. A light in the storm.

Thank you!

The Penny Pincher's Fondue

Hey there!


My husband and I just got a new-er refridgerator because our old one took it's last volt of electricity during a bad storm that took out the power (and apparently our fridge). Our new fridge works really well and I was treated to a nice surprise, today, when I pulled the strawberries from the depths of the cold cabinet and found them to be half frozen!

I cannot tell you how delicious they were!

Two of my favorite foods are strawberries and chocolate. I remember when I was in high school, combining foods that were cheap but tasted like heaven.

With strawberries, and I did this today, I take strawberries that I find on sale and a chocolate pudding cup (low sugar) and allow myself to have a small piece of heaven. It's not fondue but it comes very close and it is so affordable. Especially when I can get pudding cups, four for a dollar, at my groccery store.

Another treat that I indulge in, from time to time, is apples, chocolate and peanut butter! I take any apple, I'm a fan of them all, core and slice it. Then, I either have a chocolate and peanut butter pudding cup or I mix my own peanut butter and chocolate pudding. Dip and enjoy!

Wait, weight!

We live in a sad age where beauty has been defined by the shape, tone and texture of our bodies. The internet is the bane of true beauty. With all of our magazines, celebrities, shows like "America's Next Top Model" and "Biggest Loser", we all see beauty as something we are not. As a woman, I can say that I never feel beautiful because even at 125 pounds, I'm not thin enough. I have rosacea, which means I am in a perpetual state of blushing and dry skin. My hands aren't soft because I work hard and develop callouses. My skin is only slightly darker than snow but it isn't tan. I've tried and I look like a cherry for a day or two and then go back to being my bleached-skin self.

At 125 pounds, I don't feel beautiful. I'm in a war that I can't win with my body because my brain says I'm not thin enough, when I go to put on the swimsuit, but it also says that I'm back to dancing on the line between healthy weight and being underweight.

As a wife, I know that men don't escape the lens of beauty. I don't know how many times I have heard "I'm not toned enough", "I wish I had abs", "I need to lose weight". Thanks to American Eagle and other stores where  thin, toned, tan males are plastered on the walls in beyond life-size potriats, males can see themselves as less than what they are because the magnifying glass shows them what they aren't.

So, what do we do, ladies and gentlemen? We fall into the pit of despair and become victims of the diet and fitness scams. Don't get me wrong, eating healthy and staying active is a good thing, but all good things should be done in moderation.  Food becomes our center focus. Young men and women starve themselves when starving only breeds starvation. Or, we eat and make ourselves sick. Or, we just eat.

In high school, I ate one meal every other day. This means that I had 3-4 meals a week. I was busy with working and going to school, but we all are busy. 3-4 meals a week is no bueno!

More recently, I have been losing weight like that one strange episode of Dr. Who where the little adipose dudes just walk off your body and run around town. Weird. In January, I weighed 140 pounds. Now, I weight anywhere between 120 and 125. I wasn't conerned about my weight loss until one of my co-workers mentioned it. Then my husband mentioned it and his mom said something as well. I got the whole "You need to eat more" speech, nearly every day, from someone. I know they have the best of intentions, so I looked it up.

Several websites told me that the best way to gain weight is to eat more and do less.

Huh...obviously these people have never met me. I'm not a health nut but I eat at least two meals a day, do yoga every other morning, clean my house and work 20-40 hours a week. Added up, that is...roughly 30-50 hours of activity, a week. There are only 168 hours in a week. I sleep about six to seven hours a night. So, let's say 50 hours of sleep. That leaves roughly 68 hours open. I take walks, go for rides, play with my dog, go grocery shopping...basically, I don't sit still!

So, I asked my Aunt and my Dad who are both very dear to me and happen to know a little something about the body and medical stuff. They gave me the best advice ever! I will share it with you. Ready? Here it is:

Wait!

Yep, that's right hold off on looking at those numbers! As I have said before, we live in a society that no matter what we look like we will never be able to reach the media's definition of beauty. Men and women both have poor body image and that links to depression and stress which does less for you and can wreak havoc on your body (not always in the way you want it to). So, don't look at the numbers on the scale, instead, here is what you do:

1. Tell yourself that you are beautiful.
2. Respect yourself. 
 You wouldn't throw garbage at someone you love (unless you are my husband and I who throw straw wrappers at each other). You wouldn't throw a pail of grease or sticky, icky, gooey stuff at someone you love. Don't throw it at yourself. Eat well. Don't eat when you aren't hungry and don't stuff yourself. Put good things into your body (veggies, meats, fruits, bread...)Remember the food pyramid?
3. Be as active as you want to be. You don't have to go run marathons every day but you also don't have to be a couch potato. Go for a walk, even for five minutes.
4. Enjoy life.

When your body (including your mind) takes in all of the good things (food, nature, things you enjoy) you will start to feel good. When you start to feel good, you can see yourself (and others) in a new and better way.

5. Don't look at the numbers.

Bottom line, eat balanced meals (healthy, some say), be as active as you want and enjoy all the things that life has to offer.  You are beautiful! Yes, those American Eagle models and Victoria Secret Angels are beautiful too. BUT! They are individuals, unique in their own way (looks included). AND! Just because they weigh less than a penny doesn't mean that they are living a healthy lifestyle.

Healthy is only one part of what being beautiful means. Beautiful isn't any number or set of numbers.

Beautiful...

I want you to look at that word again. See what I see. The word has nine letters but only one of them is repeated.

beautiful

U

The beginning of Savor of Life

Welcome to The Savor of Life!  I tried to come up with a title that would encompass everything that I hope to share with all of you. From my struggles, growing families, arts and crafts and just general life.

Life is something that should be enjoyed. Something that should be savored. Too often, we forget about enjoying the little things, while we are worrying or stressing out about all the other things. Granted, there are times when we should put our attention on things that should matter. Still, there is no better time to pause and enjoy the beauty of life, like now.

From the flowers, to a word your child says. The way the person you love looks at you. Even the things that you enjoy, be it crafts, writing, exercising, watching T.V...savor them.