Mami Dearest

It's the Weekend Baby!

2012-01-27T18:43:00.000-05:00

rushing out of the office - it's Friday!

I'm SO glad it's the weekend!

My day didn't start out so great, was up at 4am and couldn't go back to sleep, got soaked in the rain and ended up being late for work! 3pm couldn't come fast enough.

Dinner tonight was a fish fry, fries and sweet ice tea. And you can't have fish without Franks RedHot! Makes the fish so good!

Tonight is movie night. I got Paranormal Activity 3. I LOVE scary movies - hope it's good.

Not much else planned this weekend. Just hanging out at home. Of course I will be knitting. Working on lil' Miss Carmen's babydoll. Hopefully I can get most of it done.

Chili Cheese Dog

2012-01-26T20:33:00.000-05:00

Not the most nutritious meal, but who doesn't love a chili cheese dog.

Coach

2012-01-25T21:00:00.000-05:00

Tonight was an easy coaching night.

Tomorrow is the big rematch with the rival team. Last game they played, Fonzy got a double technical and was thrown out the game. I'm sure there will be no sitting down at the game tomorrow!

Comforts of Home

2012-01-24T21:00:00.000-05:00

Everyday when I get home from work, the first thing I do is change into some comfy pajama pants and cozy socks.

Ahhhh - the comforts of home.

Nails

2012-01-23T18:08:00.000-05:00

It's great having a sister who will come over and do your nails!

Forty-One

2012-01-22T19:38:00.000-05:00

Today I'm 41!

I could complain about getting older, things sagging, having wrinkles...blah, blah, blah. But I'm not! God has blessed me to be on this earth for 41yrs and none of those things matter.

In my 41 years here on this earth, I've had loving parents.

My Mom, Dad and Me

A childhood filled with many happy memories.

Mommy and Daddy - the daddy that raised me. Both gone, but forever loved.

In my 41 years God blessed me with 4 beautiful sons.

And a man who loves me unconditionally. Who has been my best friend, my soulmate, my lover, my comfortor, my everything.

In these 41 years I have endured heartache and pain. I have questioned God, been angry at God, but He has always been there for me and has never left me.

He continues to Bless Me.

I have 2 beautiful Grandbabies, Carmen and Jonah.
I have a great life, surrounded by love and I pray to have many many more.

Forty-one years and counting....

Bday Cake

2012-01-21T19:56:00.000-05:00

Someone is having a birthday tomorrow!

Weekending

2012-01-20T22:50:00.000-05:00

So glad it's the weekend....

No Words

2012-01-19T19:24:00.002-05:00

I have no words today.....

My Heart Aches Today

2012-01-19T18:03:00.001-05:00

My heart aches today.

My friend Phyllis received word that her oldest son Philip was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan.

She's been in my thoughts and prayers all day today. I know the journey she is about to take and it won't be easy.

She has been there for me when my Samuel was killed. When I needed to cry, needed words of encouragement she was there. She would send me notes to let me know she was thinking about me and sending many, many prayers. And now I have to be there for her.

Phyllis has 6 other kids, besides Philip. 5 more boys and 1 daughter. 2 of her other boys are also Marines. Philip leaves behind a wife and many many friends and loved ones.

Please keep my dear friend and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Along with the military who serve this country.

Philip and Phyllis

Phyllis's Marine sons - Philip, Kenneth & Allen.

Philip with his Mom and Dad

Philip and his wife

Mr. Clean, Mr. Clean - My Momma's Husband

2012-01-18T17:19:00.004-05:00

You know, it's funny the things you remember. I've been thinking about my Mom alot lately. I just at this very moment realized the anniversary of her death was January 6th. She has been gone for 25 years now. Such a long time.

I have many happy memories, but as time goes on you forget things. Your memory starts fading, but then you see something and it sparks a memory. Mr. Clean did it for me today.

My mom once told me when she was little she use to pretend Mr. Clean was her husband. I don't remember what we could have been talking about, but she shared that tidbit with me. Of all the people in the world to pick, she picked Mr. Clean. Well - he wasn't a bad looking guy and at least her house would be clean, right?

WIP Wednesday - Mommy Memories

2012-01-18T09:22:00.001-05:00

Hello knitting and crafting peeps! It's that time again - time to show off what your working on.

My slouch hat has been put on hiatus right now. Well, the original slouch hat that is, but I started another. This one caught my eye because of the name - Ida's Kitchen, which happens to be my mom's name. My mom taught me how to knit when I was about 12 or 13. I made a stuffed horse, gave it to a baby I babysat and never knit again. My Mom passed away from cancer when I was 15, she was 31. The picture below was taken the summer before she died.

Whenever I knit, I think about my mom and feel a special connection to her. She loved knitting and I'm so glad I found it again. I often wish she were still here so we could knit together. I can picture us drinking coffee, chatting and knitting away. I miss her....

Ida's Kitchen is a stripped slouch hat. I hate weaving in ends, so using chroma, in lollipop instead. I love the bright colors of chroma and can't wait to finish the hat.

My other WIP is the babydoll. I think this is taking me so long because of the boring yarn. I think the doll is too cute all done, but getting to the cute is rough! I like bright, pretty colors and this definitely is not bright. I plan on making her dress bright though!

For more WIP Wednesday go here.

For Yarn Along go here.

These are the Days of Our Lives

2012-01-17T17:03:00.000-05:00

Our days are crazy right now. Up early, out the door by 6:30am for work and school and it's hussling all day!

I'm always stuggling about what to make for dinner on busy days of the week. Thank God for the crockpot. I don't know who invented it, but on days like today, I'm eternally grateful!

I threw some chili in the crockpot this morning and when I got home, dinner was done! All I had to do was make some cornbread.

While dinner is cooking, the boys do homework, we eat, then off we go again. During basketball season home is really just a pitstop. We get home from games around 8pm or later, then it's time for showers and getting ready for the next day, where we do it all over again.

Lucky for me, knitting is a hobby I can take with me! Games, practice, whatever, I'm never without it!

madden = headache

2012-01-16T13:58:00.000-05:00

I guess I shouldn't complain. The boys are 12 and 9 and by this age most boys are playing video games, but we had avoided it until now.

Now it's non-stop football competition between Fonzy and the boys! That means non-stop trash talking and yelling at the TV. Non-stop! Did I say non-stop!

Boys and their toys!

New Glasses

2012-01-15T18:17:00.000-05:00

blackberry self photo

Got new glasses on Friday. I can see now!

Even though I wear contacts most of the time, I won't mind wearing these sometime.

What I Love About Sundays

2012-01-15T15:05:00.001-05:00

Preppy GQ and American Gangsta - Double Trouble!

What I love about Sundays...

Boys and men all dressed up

Going to church, and hearing a message that speaks to my heart. It's not always what I want to hear, but always what I need to hear!

Coming home to a clean house, and cooking dinner that cooks slow in the oven, so I can smell it all afternoon.

Sunday afternoon naps!

Lazy afternoon just right for knitting.

Weekending

2012-01-14T23:00:00.000-05:00

Betty Boop slippers

Spent the morning cleaning house. There's nothing better than having a clean house. I say that all the time, but it's true. Life just seems better and more relaxed when things are in order.

So now that the house is clean, I plan on relaxing and knitting. I decided to start the babydoll for Carmen. I'm giving myself a week to finish. Then will go back to making some hats. I have had more requests for mohawk hats, and I want to try the slouchy hat again. I think I've gotten over my knitting ADD. I'm just glad to be knitting, keeps me sane, especially since Fonzy and the boys have been on a Madden football kick! The other night Ezekiel and Fonzy were up until almost 3am playing! Craziness!

New

2012-01-13T21:04:00.001-05:00

He got new glasses today.

He loves them.

So do I.

So Handsome.

So serious.

Going to have to beat the girls off of him.

ALWAYS

2012-01-12T21:35:00.001-05:00

There are always basketballs bouncing in our house. The real kind and the nerf kind! It's never ending and most times drives me crazy!

Bouncing....bouncing.....bouncing!

Knitting ADD

2012-01-12T09:24:00.000-05:00

I think I have knitting ADD right now.

I started my second slouchy hat, but have decided this yarn is not going to work. The pattern calls for chunky weight yarn, but I think my yarn is too chunky. So now I need to find another chunky yarn in hot pink.

Now that the hat is on hold, I can't decide what to start next. Last night I went though my knitting books, pattern binders, browsed ravelry and nothing is saying knit me. I have a list of things I want to knit, and some requests, but nothings grabbing me there either. Maybe I will just go back to my tried and true favorites - monsters! Or maybe I will just go eeny - meeny - miney - moe and whatever I land on, I knit.

Do you ever have Knitting ADD, where nothing is holding your attention? What do you do! I can't NOT KNIT.

365 - Rainy day, fatal accident and being thankful

2012-01-11T17:45:00.000-05:00

On my way home today, there was a fatal accident on the highway I take, but by the grace of God, I was running late today.

After work, I had to stop at the grocery store before I picked up Elijah from school. I grabbed what I needed and got in line. Now, I'm notorious for ALWAYS getting in the line that has issues or has someone super slow, and of course today was different. There were 2 men in front of me, and as the first one was given his total, he all of sudden ran out the store. Didn't say a word to anyone, just walked out! So the cashier, the other guy, and I just sort of looked at each wondering what was going on. The cashier said he must have been going out to grab more money, but wasn't sure. Now normally I would be frustrated, thinking how this ALWAYS happens to me, but surprisingly today I wasn't. The guy in front of me had some white chocolate covered pretzels I had never seen before and we starting chatting about them. Just as the cashier was about to cancel the other guys order, he showed up with more cash. I got checked out, and off to pick up Elijah. This put me about 15-20 mins behind my normal commute time.

The drive home was rainy and miserable. I turned onto the highway, and was stopped in traffic, just as I heard on the radio there was a fatal accident up ahead. Had I not been delayed in the grocery store, I may have been right there at the accident. Sitting in traffic, watching the blue and red flashing lights up ahead, I prayed for the family who would get the news their loved one was gone. Someones husband, wife, father, mother, daughter, son would not be coming home tonight. My heart aches and I've been praying for that family all evening and thanking God for the delay in the grocery store.

WIP Wednesday - Slouch x 2

2012-01-11T07:38:00.001-05:00

Happy WIP Wednesday Knitting and Crafting Peeps!

So how's everyone's crafting coming along? I've had some knitting woes this week. I made a slouchy hat that was no where near slouchy, so this is going to be slouch numero dos!

I'm really loving the yarn color, so hoping this hat turns out. I plan on adding more rows to accommodate my head and all my big hair!

I have so many projects I want to start. I'm not the type of knitter to have many projects going on at once. The most I've had is 2. I have some mittens I want to do - 2 @ a time. Two more mohawk hats, the babydoll for my granddaughter Carmen, a whale for my grandson Jonah, a few monsters and a cowl. That's just a few of the projects. So many projects! So little time!

For more WIP Wednesday go here.

For Yarn Along, go here.

365 - Chimes

2012-01-10T17:30:00.002-05:00

I love wind chimes.

The tinkling in a soft breeze.

Wondering if the breeze is caress from my Mom. A whisper from my Son. Both gone, but always in my heart and thoughts.

Ugh - I Must Have a Big Head!

2012-01-10T08:34:00.000-05:00

So I've been working on a slouchy hat for the past few days for those bad hair days or for the days I just don't feel like dealing with my hair. I would like to say I don't have those days very often, but keeping it real, it happens more than I would like to admit. I found a cute slouchy hat pattern, some cranberry yarn I liked, which by the way this picture does not do a good job of depicting, and hat making I went.

I finished the hat last night and it's not slouchy enough! Either the hat is too small or my head is too big!

Ugh!

I tried stretching it, pulling, tugging, and still not enough slouch! I'm so disappointed! I really liked the pattern, so I guess I'm going to try again, but add a few more rows for my big head! If this one doesn't work, I'm going to take that as a sign that I need to start doing my hair more often!

365 - Pizza Night

2012-01-09T20:31:00.001-05:00

Forgot to take something out for dinner, so it's pizza tonight.

365 - It Has Happened

2012-01-08T17:46:00.000-05:00

It has happened!

After so many years of discouraging video games for the boys he's been sucked in with xbox and Madden!

Ugh!

365 - Yarn Porn

2012-01-07T20:32:00.001-05:00

Yes - another yarn photo.

In the beginning of the year, I decided I was going to again try a 365 Project. You know, a picture a day for a whole year. I tried this once before and didn't make it the whole year. I'm hoping I can make it this time around.

I went to bed last night and realized I had forgotten to take a picture and got upset with myself. I had already failed my 365! But then I realized, it's Leap Year! There are 366 days in this year, but I'm only doing a 365 Project, so guess what? I'm still good! Phew!

I'm sure during this 365 there will be lots of pictures of yarn and knitting. I'm trying to find my photography style and take my camera out of auto. All the pictures I've taken so far for my 365 are in manual mode. There has been lots of trial and error trying to get the shots I like, but it's all in the learning.

FO Friday - For Dallas Cowboy Fans

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

Happy FO and Creative Friday Peeps!

I finally finished the Dallas Cow~~boys~~ girls hat for my cousin. It took me a little longer than the other mohawk hats because I was tired of all the fringe! That fringe takes a long time! I still have one more mohawk hat to do for my nephew and I think I'm done until next football season!

I had the boys give a message to all our friends and family who are cowboy fans and posted it on FB for them. The cowboys lost the night before, so we wanted to mess with them. The last sign says - "So sorry you lost last night.....NOT! :)

I'm still working on this babydoll, but really not feeling it. I might look for another pattern that is done in the round. I got the Itty Bitty Toys just for this babydoll pattern, so think I might switch.

I hope you all have a great weekend and Happy Knitting!

For more FO Friday go here.

For Creative Friday go here.

Knitting Life

2012-01-05T22:18:00.000-05:00

“Sometimes, people come up to me when I am knitting and they say things like, "Oh, I wish I could knit, but I'm just not the kind of person who can sit and waste time like that."

How can knitting be wasting time? First, I never just knit; I knit and think, knit and listen, knit and watch. Second, you aren't wasting time if you get a useful or beautiful object at the end of it.

I will remember that not everyone understands. I will resist the urge to ask others what they do when they watch TV.”
~Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much

MOMS(mothers of murdered sons/daughters) - Samuel

2012-01-05T14:00:00.001-05:00

In a little bit of down time today at work, I found myself on the MOMS (Mothers of Murder Sons/Daughter) board. A couple of months after Samuel was killed, I was searching online for something, someone, anything that could help me deal with his death and I found MOMS. The ladies I "met" there helped me so much. Only another mom who has had their child murdered can understand the heartache we feel every day.

I'm not sure why I went to the MOMS board today, but my heart breaks each time I've gone back and see new members added to the group. This group none of us want to be part of. It's so sad and I feel the pain, the rawness of new members searching for someone who understands this new life.

This year will be 3 since Samuel was killed. 3 years. I have good days and bad days. I try to keep the bad days to myself. Cry when I'm alone, hide the hurt, put a smile on my face and keep going. Most people think I'm doing "so well". That I've moved on with life, that it doesn't hurt as bad. They are wrong. I can't even look at my own son's pictures. It hurts so bad. I have pictures I need to scan, photo books I want to create, but just can't do it! I have CD's of his music, but can't listen to them. Hearing his voice.....I just can't take it. He's buried in TX, I am in NC. Whenever I visit TX I go to the grave site, but hate it. It's a slap of reality that sometimes I avoid. He's not really dead. He's just away.....but once you go to the cemetery there's no denying. He is gone.

I want to reach out to some of my other MOMS, new and old. I've missed them. I keep in touch with some of them on Facebook, but they are really on my heart and mind right now. There must be a reason I wandered onto the site today, not having been there in months. Maybe someone needs a shoulder, an ear. Someone to share the pain. Maybe I can be that someone, or maybe I'm the one who needs someone.

Elijah

2012-01-04T21:04:00.001-05:00

I don't know what it is with fourth grade this year, but WE and yes I mean WE (Elijah and I) have had a ton of projects to do. Projects meaning reports, inventions, crafts and things of the sorts. I don't recall Ezekiel having to do all these projects and I won't even dare try to remember when Samuel and Manuel were in the 4th grade.

Luckily Elijah is a smart and crafty kid. He is always inventing something or working on a project, that's not even school related. There's always tons of tape, paper, cardboard, crayons, markers, and glue involved. You name it, I'm sure he's used it.

Tonight he had to put the finishing touches on his invention. A basketball goal that has magnets around the rim and a ball with magnets in it, so you no longer miss your shots. He's currently playing on 2 basketball teams, so I'm sure that's where his inventions comes in.

Next week he has a music paper due. All about his favorite singer. He picked Darius Rucker. We've been on Country Music kick lately. He even got an acoustic guitar for Christmas. Once basketball season is over, we are going to look into guitar lessons for him. Who knows, maybe he will be the next country music star!

When I'm not knitting

2012-01-04T14:15:00.001-05:00

If you've been a long time reader of my blog you've probably noticed its being taken over by knitting, yarn and all things crafty. I kinda just noticed that myself. When did my blog turn into a knitting blog?

I have been knitting alot lately, but believe me, it's not all I do. I still have a husband and 2 boys who are in the midst of basketball season. One of the busiest times of year for us. It seems every evening I am at someones game or practice. Which sometimes is good knitting time! I know, I know! Enough with the knitting already! This post was about basketball! Moving on.....

Hubby is still head coach at the school he teaches at, Elijah is playing on 2 basketball teams, and Ezekiel is manager for his Dad's team and also playing on his own team! Our weekdays are long and busy, but we love this time of year.

We especially love going to Hubby's games! The boys and I try to make it to at least all the home games and any big rival games.

I love to see Fonzy coaching. He is truly in his element when he coaches. He gets so excited and into the game. His games are actually the only time I don't bring knitting with me.

Tomorrow is a big rival game. The team they are going against is undeafed. We hope to give them their first defeat in their house!

Can't wait - Go Wolves!

WIP Wednesday - Granny Square/Circle?

2012-01-04T07:30:00.000-05:00

Happy WIP Wednesday! Our first in 2012!

So as I mentioned in a previous post of mine, I've decided to learn how to crochet. I saw a beautiful Granny Square throw on Ravelry and decided I MUST make one. This was going to be my year long project. You know, make a square a day or something like that, then have a throw by the end of the year. I thought Granny Squares would be easy. Hahaha...was I wrong!

See that square up there? Yeah, me either. That would be a circle and my zillionith time trying to make a square! I thought this was going to be easy! The videos online made it look easy enough. I get the concepts, even know how to do the technique, but I CANNOT make mine look like a square!

I'm going to learn how to Granny Square if it kills me! I WILL have my bright colored throw!

I am determined!

For more WIP Wednesday go here.

For Yarn Along, go here.

Thoughts

2012-01-03T20:57:00.002-05:00

Baby, it's cold outside!

Today was our first day back to work/school and it was the coldest day of the season! 25 degrees with wind chill feels like 17! Didn't want to get out of bed and in that cold, but vacation is over! Back to reality!

So I've decided I want to learn how to crochet. Another skill to add to my craftiness. I've never thought of myself as a creative person, but since learning to knit again, I've gotten all kinds of crafty ideas. Maybe I've been creative all along and was just suppressing it. Who knows. I'm just glad I have it now. I've found a great community amongst all you knitting, creative people. And I kinda like it.

"Knitting yarn binds more than stitches...it binds people"

Cleaning

2012-01-02T17:11:00.000-05:00

Today is the last day of our Christmas break. Tomorrow it's back to our crazy work and school schedules. I swear that break just flew by!

We spent the day cleaning house, taking down the Christmas tree, decorations and getting our lives back in order after being in vacation mode.

Don't you just love a clean house? I do! Life is so much easier when everything is clean and in place. Of course, it never lasts long! So I'm going to enjoy it this evening on my last day of break!

Create

2012-01-01T20:13:00.001-05:00

A brand spankin' new year!

I'm not making any resolutions. I never keep them. But I am picking a word for 2012.

CREATE

I want to use the creative gifts God has given to create...

~smiles

~caring

~goodness

~happiness

~beauty

~love

CREATE - so many possibilites!

FO Friday - Miss Lulu Limon

2011-12-30T11:51:00.001-05:00

Happy FO and Creative Friday peeps!

Wow...my Christmas break has flown by! I can't believe it's Friday already and 2012 is almost here! I didn't knit as much as I thought I would, but did get some knitting time in. Enough to finish....

Miss Lulu Limon

I wasn't sure who I was knitting her for, but my sister has claimed her. So I guess I will give it to her. Lulu is one of Rebecca Danger's monster. I actually combined two monsters. It started out being Iris but I love Harold's little feet, so did them. Rebecca Danger monsters are so much fun to make. I always seem to have one on the needles.

For more FO Fridays go here.

For Creative Friday, go here.

WIP Wednesday - Babydoll

2011-12-28T15:44:00.000-05:00

Hi my knitting and crafty peeps!

I hope you all had a great Christmas. Ours was pretty quiet this year. Just hubby, me and our boys. Normally we have family over, but everybody else has other plans. Felt kinda weird not having a house full on Christmas.

I can't believe it's Wednesday already! My break is flying by! It will be back to our regular crazy schedule next week Tuesday. Until then, I plan on doing lots more knitting.

My current WIP is a babydoll for my grandbaby Carmen. She will be 2 in March. I searched Ravelry for all kinds of doll patterns and I found myself going back to this one. The pattern seems pretty easy. The only thing I don't like is it's knit flat and then seamed. I've become so use to using Magic Loop that it seems strange to be knitting and purling and I'm not experienced enough to convert to knitting in the round. So knitting and purling I will go!

For more WIP Wednesday, go here.

For Yarn Along, go here.

Don't eat me!

2011-12-27T16:43:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas surrounded by the ones you love!

FO Friday - Rockin' a Mohawk

2011-12-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

Happy FO Friday!

Only 2 more days until Christmas! Aren't you excited! Hopefully you all have your Christmas knitting done, or close to it. If not, I'm sending knitting mojo your way!

My FO this week is hubby's mohawk hat. Since he hates taking pictures, I modeled for him. I really like these hats. They are quick, easy and boys love them. I'm still working on the Cowboy one for my cousin and then need to make another one for my nephew. I think I need one too - in pink, white and grey. By the time I make all these mohawk hats, I will have the pattern memorized! I'm close to it now!

OK....I'm off to finish my Lemon/Lime monster and some other projects. Hope you all are enjoying the holiday season with the people you love, and have some time to knit/crochet.

Merry Christmas & Happy Knitting!

For more FO Fridays go here.

For Creative Friday go here.

Christmas Break

2011-12-22T13:35:00.004-05:00

Sorry looking gingerbread house, huh?

This was our first year doing a gingerbread house. They always look so pretty on the box, but not so easy once you get it home. And really, what is the purpose of a gingerbread house anyways? You make a huge mess, snap a picture, than eat it. Is there anything else?

Luckily we took a picture - because this was our first and last time making a gingerbread house!

So today is our first day of Christmas break. We slept in, ate a late breakfast and now just lounging around the house. My kinda break!

WIP Wednesday - Monsters & Cowboys

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

HaPpY Wednesday Everyone!

I am so glad it's Wednesday! At 3pm today, our (hubby, boys and I) Christmas break begins! We aren't traveling to Texas this year, so we will have a quiet Christmas holiday at home, in which there will be plenty of knitting, knitting, and oh yea....did I say KNITTING! Can't wait!

I have 2 WIP to share this week. First is my Lemon/Lime monster, which happens to be my favorite candy flavors! I'm almost done with him. Just need to knit his legs and put him all together. These monsters are so addicting! You can't just make one! Try and I guarantee another one will jump right on your needles when you're finished!

My second WIP is another mohawk hat. This one is a Dallas Cow~~boys~~girls hat for my cousin. He's lucky he's family, because I can't stand the Cowgirls! I'm hoping to show off both mohawk hats on FO Friday. I wasn't able to show off Hubby's last Friday, since he insisted on wearing it before I got a good picture. I know! How dare he!

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

For more WIP Wednesdays go here.

For Yarn Along go here.

Ummm...you want to knit/crochet that why?

2011-12-19T14:54:00.002-05:00

This is for all my knitting and crocheting peeps!

Have you ever seen a project and wanted to knit/crochet it for no reason at all? You know that crazy project that people are kinda like....ummm...why do you want to knit/crochet that?

I have 2 of those projects right here!

First - I've been searching for doll patterns to make my grandbaby a doll and came across Babes in Wool. Really not appropriate for an almost 2 year old, but I love them! So I've decided I'm going to make a Mini Me. Yes...I am! Why you ask? Because I want to! That's why!

If you crochet, I'm sure you've heard of Twinkie Chan. She has the cutest foodie scarves. Yes, they are a little crazy, but oh so cute! I saw this popcorn scarf in her book and instantly wanted to make it. Why you ask? Just because! We are movie loving people in our house. Friday nights are normally movie night. Wouldn't this scarf be cute to wrap around while watching a good movie? This would be my movie watching scarf.

I know, I know....I'm crazy. But that's ok. I'm ME!

Quirky, crazy, ME!

So tell me my other crafty friends. Is there a project you want to make that make people wonder....hmmmm......I don't know about her!

Melted Snowmen Cookies

2011-12-17T15:30:00.001-05:00

Today was my sister and I Annual Christmas Cookie Bake with our boys. This event normally consists of a huge mess, lots of yelling and a headache by the time we are done. Today was no different.

This year, we cheated a little though. Instead of making the batter from scratch we used Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix. Let me just tell you, the Betty Crocker cookie mixes are awesome! They taste just like scratch-made cookies! For real! I kid you not. If you haven't tried them, you really should! I've tried the sugar, pumpkin, molasses, and oatmeal cookies and they have all been good.

My favorite cookie from today were our melted snowmen. They turned out so cute, I hate to eat them!

CrockPot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili

2011-12-15T09:13:00.001-05:00

I have a love/hate relationship with cooking. I've mentioned this several times before.

I love looking for recipes and checking out food blogs. I have a subscription to Rachel Ray magazine, I'm always getting cook books from the library. I can sit and watch Food Network for hours! Paula Deen is my hero! Love her ya'll!

The hate part of this is I hate cooking the same thing over and over again! In between working all day, then home real quick for homework and dinner, then off again to whatever sports event the boys are playing, there's not alot of time for a gourmet meal. I swear we are going to turn into chickens we eat so much of it!

So searching for something different I found this recipe, Crockpot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili. You're probably thinking that's a weird combination. I thought so too, but the board I got it from gave rave reviews. I'm not the biggest fan of turkey, and have never had white beans, but it's was something different and NOT CHICKEN!

So at 5am this morning - ok, ok...it wasn't exactly 5am. The alarm went off at 5am, I got out of bed about 5:15am, but that's still 30mins earlier than I normally get up! Geesh! Half asleep, I went downstairs to prepare the chili. Let me tell you, it smelled so GOOD! I wish I could be home to smell it while it's cooking! Let's just hope it taste good too! I will come back later and let you know.

If you'd like to try the recipe, go here. Or just look below.

sidenote: you can tell I'm not a professional food photographer. I should have wiped off the top of the crockpot before taking the picture, but it was 5-something in morning! That was the last thing on my mind!

Edited for results: chili was yummy! I really liked it. The boys ate it, but said they liked the "regular" chili better. Fonzy(hubby) liked it too. Next time I make it, I will add more chili powder - wasn't spicey enough.

Crock Pot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili

Servings: 9 •
Serving Size:1 cup •
Calories:182.6 •
Fat:2.3 g •
Protein: 23.3 g •
Carb:10.9 g •
Fiber:8.8 g • Sugar: 2.1
Sodium:429.8 (without salt)

Ingredients:
cooking spray (I use my misto)

2 lb 99% lean ground turkey

1/2 tsp olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp chili powder, to taste

2 bay leaves

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp oregano

2 (15 oz cans) of white northern or navy beans, rinsed and drained

15 oz can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

4.5 oz canned chopped green chile

2 cups low sodium, fat free chicken broth

fat free sour cream for topping (optional)

chopped cilantro and chives for topping (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Heat a large heavy saute pan over high heat and lightly
spray with oil.Add meat and cook, breaking it up until white, about 5 minutes
Add to crock pot.
Add oil to the saute pan, then onions, garlic, sauté about 3 - 4 minutes;
Add cumin and sauté another minute.
Add to crock pot.
Add beans, pumpkin puree, green chilis, broth, chili powder, oregano, and bay leaves.
Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
Enjoy!

WIP Wednesday - For the boys

2011-12-14T07:30:00.000-05:00

I'm a mom to boys - 4 to be exact. And being a Mom to boys and the only female in the house means I'm surrounded by sports!

My husband and 2 younger boys play football, softball and basketball. So I spend ALOT of time at practices and games for all 3 of them. I'm the football, basketball, baseball, cheerleading mom. Not just a soccer mom here! Knitting keeps me sane and I take it with me to practices and games.

My WIP this week is a mohawk hat for my husband in the school colors where he teaches/coaches. Right now he is in the midst of basketball season, he's the head coach. The picture behind my WIP is the first year he coached. I made a photo book from the gazillion pictures I took. The front cover is of them praying in the locker room before the game.

So far the hat looks great! Hubby wants W's on the side of the hat for his team - Wendell Wolves. I tried to duplicate stitch it, (my first time) and it wasn't so great. So I will probably use felt W's. I hope it looks ok. I guess we shall see on FO Friday!

For more WIP Wednesday go here.

For Yarn Along go here.

Monday *Maunder - little bit of this and that

2011-12-12T09:26:00.000-05:00

Monday already!? Where does the weekend go! I swear Friday - Sunday is nothing but a blur. I'm ready for our Christmas break, which starts next week Dec 22. Let the countdown begin!

We were planning on going to Texas this Christmas, but unfortunately our trip has been put on the back burner. I really wanted to go because it's been over a year since I saw Manuel and my Grandbabies. I have 2 now! I haven't even seen little Jonah yet! It's hard when you have older kids and have to let them go to live their own lives. Your mind knows he's 21 and has babies of his own, but your heart still sees the little boy you raised.

Been thinking alot about Samuel too. I wanted to do an updated photo book with new pictures family members have given me, but I haven't been able to scan the pictures. You would think by now I could look at his pictures, remember the happy times and the life he had. But I can't! 19yrs is too short! He shouldn't be dead! The pictures break my heart whenever I look at them, so I put them away and say to myself that one day I will be able to do this....just not sure when that one day will be.

Wow.....I thought this was going to be a happy post, but I guess I had some things on my heart and mind that needed to get out. Let's see if we can turn this around.

Knitting - that always cheers me up! I really need to stay off Ravelry! Really! I have SO many projects I want to knit right now! I don't even know where to begin. The list keeps growing and growing. I think I'm going to post a list of what I want to knit/learn in this new year, and not just everything I see because, "ohhhh....that's pretty, I shall knit it" knowing I probably will never knit it. If I make a list, maybe that will keep me on track and I won't get distracted with the pretties. Yeah..we shall see how that goes.

One of the projects on my list to knit is a baby doll for my granddaughter Carmen. Right now I'm on the naughty Grandma list. I knit her a R. Danger monster and I have yet to send it to her. It's sitting nice and pretty in our study! Bad Grandma! I'm embarassed to even write that! Ugh! I'm finding a box and sending it to her this week!

Anyways...back to the doll. Anyone have a doll pattern they have tried and like. I have queued a couple patterns from Ravelry, but just want to see if anything else is out there. I would like a good sized doll, something big and huggable. Any suggestions?

OK...I'm done with my Monday Maunder. Do you know what maunder means. I didn't until today, but I needed an M word to go with Monday and meant ramblings and found maunder! Perfect!

*Maunder - means to talk incoherently or to speak in a rambling manner

What I'm Lovin' Right Now

2011-12-11T19:35:00.001-05:00

I'm lovin'

~ twinkle lights

~ holiday music

~ fresh smell of the Christmas tree

~ Charlie Brown Christmas, Grinch, Frosty, Rudolph

~ old comfy sweaters

~ hot cocoa

~ snuggling in the evening in front of the fire

~ warm wooly socks

What are you lovin' during this holiday season?

Weekending

2011-12-10T16:52:00.001-05:00

Been spending the weekend in pj's and an old cozy sweater.

Knitting and looking up crochet patterns for when I learn to crochet. So many cute things I want to make!

Weekend is good.

FO Friday - Gingerbread Men and 50's Housewife Wanna Be

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

HaPpY Friday!

I'm so glad it's the weekend! Friday's are my favorite day of the week and FO Friday has made it all the better. I love sharing finished objects!

Today's FO is the last of my Christmas ornaments - I promise. And my favorite one - the Gingerbread couple. I think they turned out adorable.

This weekend my sister and I are making our Christmas cookies. We do this every year with our boys, just like our Mom did with us. We make a huge mess, a variety of cookies, and it normally ends up being just my sister and I doing it. Our boys lose interest real quick!

Did you notice the cute apron I found! I'm so wearing it when we make cookies! I've asked Santa for a sewing machine so I can make my own aprons and other crafty things. Hopefully I'm on the nice list!

You know, I've never wanted to be a housewife, but I would do it now! I think I would make a good 50's housewife. Keeping house, crafting, cooking delicious meals, then waiting for my Hubby in a dress, heels and cute aprons. Yep - I could see it!

Stepford wives here I come!

My Gingerbread couple are part of RetroLemon's Christmas Favorites.

For more FO Fridays go here. There are so many awesome projects! Check 'em out!

For Creative Friday go here. I just love all this craftiness!

WIP Wednesday - Cute Sweetness

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

Hello fellow knitters and crafty peeps! It's Wednesday and you know what that means!

WIP Wednesdays!

Can you tell how excited I am! Wednesday's have taken on new meaning since I found WIPW. I look forward to seeing every one's WIP and sharing my own.

This week's WIP is all about sweets and cuteness. I don't know what it is, but I'm really lovin' Gingerbread men this holiday season. Hence the new mug, stitch marker and project I'm working on....even the marshmallows for hot cocoa are gingerbread! They are taking over! But I can't resist! They are just too cute! Spot some gingerbread men and see if you can resist. I dare you! If anything, they will at least make you smile.

My WIP is another of Retro Lemon's Christmas Favorites found here. I'm sure you can guess which one it is. This is the last of my ornaments. I have a LONG list of other items I need to knit!

For more WIPW go here. For Yarn Along go here.

Oh Christmas Tree

2011-12-04T20:40:00.001-05:00

Our tree is finally up!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Weekending - Christmas Tree Shopping

2011-12-03T20:40:00.001-05:00

The plan this afternoon was to get a few new ornaments, pick out our tree and home to decorate. We sorta stuck to the plan....sorta.

It seems everyone was out and about shopping today. Christmas music was playing in the stores, and everyone had a smile on their faces. The holiday's are officially here.

I leave the tree decorating to Fonzy. He has his Momma's genes with decorating, picking out colors and coordinating everything. This year I'm into snowmen and gingerbread men. Fonzy....not so much.

I have to admit I really like the colors he choose this year. Our tree should be so pretty.....when we actually get it. Yeah we came home without one. By the time we shopped around for decorations we were tired and ready to go home. We will get our tree tomorrow after church.

On our way home we drove around the neighborhood, listening to Christmas music and looking at all the decorated houses - one of my favorite things to do this time of year.

Now we are home for movies, hot chocolate and cookies - the easy kind of cookies.

Hope ya'll are having a great weekend too!

FO Friday - Ornament Edition

2011-12-02T07:30:00.000-05:00

My first FO Friday!

I finished the ornaments I was working on. These were a quick and easy knit. I have one more to go. Well, actually it's a couple and they are turning out cute. Can't wait to share!

I'm so happy it's the weekend! We are decorating our tree tomorrow and I can put these where they belong - amongst the twinkle lights.

Oh...I almost forgot! I finished the coffee monster for my son's teacher. Here's Mocha! She's a Rebecca Danger Monster.

For more FO Fridays - go here.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2011-12-01T08:02:00.001-05:00

Happy December 1st!

This picture is one of my favorites of the boys. Makes me smile every time I see it. I was trying so hard to get a cute Christmas picture of the boys. I had those big old school colored lights and tried to drap them around the boys, but after a few seconds they started yelling the lights were burning them. I tried the white twinkle lights, but just couldn't get a good picture. I was getting frustrated and so were the boys. Finally we had enough!

Disappointed, I downloaded the pictures and started looking through all the outakes and found this one. I instantly fell in love! It wasn't what I had imagined, not what I planned, but it captured a priceless moment and will always be one of my favorites.

Cartwheels!

2011-11-30T11:03:00.001-05:00

A big grassy open field makes you want to run and do cartwheels!

Unfortunately this 40yr old body can no longer do cartwheels! Now that I think about it...not sure I ever was able to do cartwheels!

Oh well....it was fun to try!

WIP Wednesday - Ornament edition

2011-11-30T07:39:00.001-05:00

Brrrrr.....it's cold this morning. A chilly 36 degrees. Driving into work I was thinking I really need to make me some mittens. It's on my long, ever growing list of projects I want to knit. I've never knit mittens, so it's going to be a learning experience for me.

As for my current works in progress(WIP) I'm making a few ornaments from Jenna Krupas aka Retro Lemon Christmas Favorites. Pictured here are the snowman and Christmas trees. We usually put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving, but with family staying with us we decided to do it this weekend. Along with our little town's tree lighting Friday night and Christmas parade on Saturday we are going to have a festive weekend! I love this time of year!

For more WIP Wednesday go here.

A Lil' Bit Country - Part 3

2011-11-29T10:16:00.001-05:00

OK...this is the last installment of A Lil' Bit County. And it's all about the llamas! Being a knitter, llamas was the highlight of my day. The wool from llamas are spun into yarn. Beautiful, silky yarn.

To get to the llamas, I had to ride with Vicky(SIL)in a thing called a mule. I held on for dear life while we speed over pastures! Once we got to the area the llamas were, they came a running! Guess they knew it was time to eat.

The llamas looked so soft - especially the baby. I wanted to pet them, but they weren't having it! I was happy just being in their presence. Such amazing creatures and yarn providers too! Doesn't get better than that!

A Lil' Bit Country - Part 2

2011-11-29T08:08:00.001-05:00

I LOVE horses! Love to ride horses. They are such beautiful creatures. I wasn't sure where I got my love of horses until Dad told me he grew up riding horses in Puerto Rico. I never knew that.

You could see the excitement on his face, the memories of being young, riding bareback in Puerto Rico. He was a little nervous at first to get back on, but once on he was an old pro at it.

I learned that I share a lot of the same loves and qualities as my Dad....horses being one of them.

For A Lil' Bit Country Part 1 go here.

A Lil' Bit Country - Part 1

2011-11-28T19:49:00.001-05:00

So the day after Thanksgiving, we decided to take a ride out to the country to see my brother's and SIL land they are buying and the farm they help out on. We try to get them to move closer, they move further out.

The ride was about an hour long down country roads, over lakes, in the middle of nowhere. You wouldn't want to break down out there! Triple AAA would probably never find you! GPS couldn't even tell us where we were at. Phone service was almost nonexistent!

Jay finally was able to get thru to us and told us to pull over on the side of the road and he would come get us. So on the side of the road we sat.

The day was beautiful....sunny and about 75 degrees. It was so peaceful and quiet. Well...it was until we got out there. then you heard Christmas music and kids shouting, laughing, running in an open field. It was beautiful out there.

Jay finally showed up and off to the farm we went.

The guy who owns the property has a wedding barn and cabin which he rents outs. The barn is beautiful with huge fireplaces and twinkle lights everywhere. You go out on the back deck and can see all the animals, pond and property out back.

There were chickens, turkeys, bulls, goats, minature horses, regular horses, donkeys, llamas. So much to see and do. The kids loved it!

We gathered eggs, petted bulls, rode horses, and I got to feed llamas! There was even a baby llama. They were beautiful.

I took over 450 pictures! Uh yeah....what was I thinking! One post is not enough to share the pictures, so stay tuned for A lil' bit Country - Part 2 where I share our horseback riding and hearing my daddy's stories of growing in Puerto Rico.

Thanksgiving Recap

2011-11-27T15:20:00.001-05:00

Our Thanksgiving break is just about done. Tomorrow it's back to work and school, but the past 5 days have been pretty great. It was filled with family, food and fun. I think I've gained about 10 lbs. the past few days, but have to eat all the Puerto Rican food I can while my Dad and s-Mom where here.

I just noticed I didn't take a lot of pictures Thanksgiving day. Was too busy enjoying the family. I kinda disconnected from the internet and didn't have my phone right at my side either. It felt good to disconnect for a few days.

I'm so thankful to have spent Thanksgiving surrounded by family, but also wished I could have had Manuel and his little family here.

One day....

WIP Wednesday - Coffee Monster

2011-11-23T09:30:00.000-05:00

This is my first time participating in WIP(work in progress) Wednesday. I've been checking out all the old WIP Wednesday posts and finding so many great blogs and projects.

My WIP is Elijah's coffee monster for his teacher. I wanted to make his teacher a little ornament, but Elijah insisted she needed a monster and that she LOVES coffee. So coffee monster was born. It's one of Rebecca Danger's pattern from her Big Book of Knitted Monsters. We picked out this yarn for it's coffee colors. Dark coffee, cafe au lait, and cream. What's better than coffee and monsters? I say it's a great combination!

To check out more WIP Wednesdays, go here.

~RockStar~

2011-11-22T11:39:00.001-05:00

My lil' rockstar!

Elijah harassed me all weekend to get his hat done. I could not sit down without needles in hand, or he was right there telling me to knit and knit faster!

FASTER MOM! FASTER! I NEED MY HAT!

Guess what happens when you put on a mohawk hat?

You turn into a rockstar!

Mohawks Rock!

2011-11-19T10:12:00.001-05:00

Did you know Mohawks rock?

They do!

I am so happy with the way Ezekiel's mohawk hat came out. And it's even better that he loves it and is wearing it right now around the house. He keeps saying we need to go somewhere so he can show it off.

I see a few improvements I can make with other hats, but overall I'm happy. I even plan on making myself one. Pink and grey sound good! But first I have to make Fonzy and Elijah a hat. Elijah insists he needs a hat NOW! I think he's a little jealous of Ezekiel's hat.

Giggles

2011-11-18T17:36:00.001-05:00

Love this picture of Jonah and Manuel....so sweet!

Weekending

2011-11-18T16:52:00.001-05:00

This weekend, I plan on finishing Ezekiel's hat, starting Elijah's coffee monster for his teacher, and maybe even knitting up a few ornaments, snowman, gingerbread man, and a tree.

And in between all that knitting, I plan on reading more of The Help....really liking it. I haven't seen the movie, but like to read the book first. The book is always so much better.

Weekends....don't you just love 'em!

Pink Power!

2011-11-17T17:19:00.001-05:00

"He's gonna help me scare all the bad stuff away" ~ Becky

So the secret is out. My special monster went to Becky, my cousin. This past year she has been fighting breast cancer. Fighting being the key word here. Cancer is NOT going to win with her!

I've always looked up to Becky. She is what a Supermom and Wife look like and if I am half the woman she is, I'm doing good.

I love you Becky!

{Little bit of this - Little bit of that}

2011-11-17T10:26:00.001-05:00

Today is a dreary, rainy day. Kinda day I wish I was home KNITTING!

I had a knitting breakthrough yesterday! Ezekiel has been asking for a mohawk earflap hat since LAST winter. I have several patterns and tried a few of them, but could never figure how to join the earflaps correctly. Kept twisting stitches, messing up on casting new stitches. It was a mess! I've ripped out several hats and finally gave up! Well, this week I was determined to make Ezekiel's hat. I got this pattern from Ravelry(see lots more hats on Ravelry) and started again. First try I had to rip out! UGH! Put it aside for a few days and started again last night and got it! No twisted stitches, no issues of any kind. The pattern was actually pretty easy! Maybe I was just making it hard. I should have the hat done tonight and then all I need to do is add the mohawk! Yay Me! Of course I will post pictures when I'm all done!

So everybody gearing up for Thanksgiving? I am. My Daddy and stepmom are coming for the week. I'm excited! They came for Thanksgiving 2yrs ago, but we didn't have enough room in our apartment, so they stayed elsewhere. We have the house now, so we will all be together! We plan on decorating our tree and house Friday after Thanksgiving, so lots of pictures to be taken!

I have so many projects I want to knit. The list just keeps growing and growing! I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving break to work on a few of them. Elijah has asked for a monster for his teacher - a coffee monster. He said she LOVES coffee and drinks it all day. I would probably need coffee all day too if I had to deal with 27 9-10yr olds! I can't wait to see how the monster is going to turn out since I LOVE coffee too!

Speaking of monsters, my surprise monster is out for delivery today! Once the recipient receives it, I will post a picture in all it's awesomeness!

The Holiday Joy UP

2011-11-14T20:36:00.001-05:00

Have you heard about The Holiday Joy UP? I found it while browsing around on some of my favorite blogs and instantly wanted to be a part of it.

The holidays can be a stressful time. I find myself wanting to create these perfect memories, and then feeling like a failure when everything is NOT perfect.

I want to find the JOY in the season, the sparkle, the magic. Wanna join me? I can't wait!

The Holiday Joy UP

What's for Dinner?

2011-11-14T16:54:00.001-05:00

The question of the day, EVERY day - "What's for dinner?"

I hear this before I even walk in the door. Heck, before I even get home, I get a call asking What's for dinner. If you're a mom, you know it's hard to come up with meals everyday that everyone likes. Oh....it's not hard for you? Really? Well, it's hard for me!

I hate making the same thing over and over again. I'm always looking for new recipes, but this is one meal I can make over and over. It's Pioneer Woman's Marlboro Man Sandwich. I LOVE this sandwich. It's so quick, easy and delicious! The last thing I want to do when I get home from work is cook, so this sandwich is right up my alley! Want to make the meal even quicker, throw some tater tots in the oven and call it a night. Yes, I said tater tots! What? There's nothing wrong with tater tots. My boys love 'em!

Monster Lovin'

2011-11-13T16:33:00.001-05:00

I finally finished my special monster and tomorrow it will be on it's journey to it's new owner.

I hope this monster brings lots of smiles and Monster lovin' to it's new owner!

More!

2011-11-09T19:12:00.001-05:00

Looking up into the tree

I know, I know......more trees! Really? YES! More trees! I can't help myself! I LOVE Fall!

This afternoon was perfect! About 70 degrees, sunny, the smell of dried leaves in the air and the crunch of leaves under my boots.

In a few weeks, all the leaves will be gone...a memory until next year. But these pictures will take me back to today, to this perfect moment in time.

Beauty All Around

2011-11-08T18:25:00.001-05:00

This is one of the reasons I fell in love with the house and subdivision we moved into last year. The drive there.

I always thought of myself as a city girl, but I've come to realize that I'm really not.

Give me long, curvy country roads. The trees, the farms, the horses. Beauty as far as the eyes can see.

We live right outside of the city, but sometimes it seems a 100 miles away. We have the best of both worlds, country living, within minutes of the city.

I savor the drive home every afternoon. It gives me time to unwind, leave the office at the office and just breathe! The horses are normally out grazing, and I slow down just to watch them.

The trees.....the TREES - right now are GLORIOUS! Vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. You can't help but slow down and take it all in.

Turning into the subdivision I get my mind right for being Wifey and Mommy. Homework needs to be done, dinner needs to be cooked, family needs to be loved on.

I'm home.....

Thank God for my FAMILY and HOME!

Thankful for boys

2011-11-07T19:58:00.002-05:00

Thankful for having boys so I don't have to take the smelly trash to the curb.

Right now

2011-11-06T21:42:00.001-05:00

Hot chocolate and Walking Dead - this is where you will find us Sunday nights at 9pm.

Thankfulness and Grandbabies

2011-11-04T08:52:00.003-04:00

Carmen and Jonah - Halloween 2011

Sometimes I still can’t believe I’m a Grandma. Maybe it would seem more real if Carmen and Jonah were here. I’m missing out! I hate they are in TX and I’m here in NC. I wish Manuel and Andrea could just pack up and move here! Then I could have my Grandbabies all the time! And spoil them! One day….

Since this month is about Thankfulness, I am thankful I have two beautiful and healthy Grandbabies! I’m thankful Manuel and Andrea are together and pray they weather any storm that comes their way.

I love you Manuel! I love you Andrea! I love you Carmen! I love you Jonah!

Thankfulness

2011-11-01T19:57:00.000-04:00

November has come, and I’ve decided to make this a month of Thankfulness. I have so much to be thankful for, WE have so much to be thankful for. So I’m making a conscience effort to Thank God for all our many blessings, big or small. I will post my thankfulness on Facebook and Twitter. Why don’t you join me?

Right now I’m thankful for home. A home that is warm, on this chilly night.

Trick or Treat

2011-10-31T20:21:00.002-04:00

Well, the rain didn't stop, so off we went into the cold, rainy night. All the ghosts and goblins were running around having the time of their lives while the parents stood under umbrellas looking miserable, cold and wet.

The boys got plenty of candy, and are on a sugar high right now. I think it's about time for some hot chocolate in front of the fire!

Hope you all have a great night!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T17:31:00.001-04:00

HaPpY Halloween Everyone!

The boys didn't have school today and the day has dragged on. They are so ready to go trick or treating and when you are home from school 6:00pm takes FOREVER to come!

We spent the morning watching Hocus Pocus and It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown always brings such great childhood memories. As the day has gone on, it's gotten cloudy and now it's raining! How dare it rain when kids want to go out trick or treating. Hopefully it lets up in the next hour.

Dinner was a Jack O' Lantern chicken pot pie. Perfect for a rainy, cold Halloween night!

Caramel Apples

2011-10-29T11:53:00.001-04:00

HaPpY Saturday Everyone!

Today is a cold, rainy Saturday, but making these caramel apples cheered me up. Pumpkin spice coffee helped too!

This evening is our Fall Festival at the church and I had to do a test with the caramel apples, because the first time I attempted to make caramel apples they were a flop and I was so disappointed. Prayerfully Pink, a group at our church to support breast cancer awareness had a bake sale a few weekends ago, and I came up with selling caramel apples. I had pictured cute caramel apples with pink and white ribbon sprinkles tied with Breast Cancer awareness ribbon. It was so cute in my head! Not so cute when I went to make them. I made the mistake of buying one of those caramel kits. The caramel did not stick AT. ALL. Total flop!

So we decided to try it again for the Fall Festival, this time with Kraft caramel chews, melted down and here's the result. So much better! The only tricky part is getting your sprinkles, nuts, candy, whatever you are going to decorate with on it super quick! If not, they won't stick.

I think my candy apple turned out pretty cute and Ezekiel just confirmed it. He said it looked professional! Yay me!

The pain never stops - Samuel

2011-10-27T11:17:00.002-04:00

On Samuel's birthday I asked my friends and family to share any photos or memories they have of Samuel. My step-mom text some pictures to me. Pictures I had never seen of Samuel. I asked her to send me the actual pictures so I could scan them. I got the pictures in the mail yesterday.

When I opened the mailbox and saw the box, my heart started racing. I wanted so much to see the pictures, but knew it would be hard. Even though Samuel has been gone for 2yrs I still have a hard time looking at his pictures. It hurts so much! I'm sure other Mom's who have lost a child can understand. You look back at the pictures, remembering the baby, the little boy and wonder why....WHY! Why is he no longer here? Why did some punk grab a gun, point it at my sons back, while he was laying on the ground unconscious and SHOOT him! OVER A DARE!!!!!!!!!

WHY! WHY! WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!

I look at the precious, beautiful little boy he was, and the young man he was becoming and my heart breaks. Just when you think you can breathe again, when you think the pain isn't so crushing, it all comes back with a glimpse of a picture.

I couldn't look at them long.......the hurt, the anger, the tears were just too much. Even writing this post is too much right now......

Words for Wednesday: Ezekiel

2011-10-26T14:07:00.003-04:00

Ezekiel - self portrait

Little bits of you at 12yrs old.....

Funny - you can come up with craziest things and always have us laughing out loud.

Smart - you are mostly an A student. Every now and then you get a B.

Sensitive - when I've needed a hug, you have been there to give me one and let me know it will be alright.

Sports Fanatic - you love sports and I'm always amazed at how much you know about players, teams and stats. Your favorite teams are Carolina Panthers and the Heat.

You are growing up so fast! I see glimpses of the teen in you, and pray you don't change too much from the boy you are now.

Love ya Zion!

I Heart Fall

2011-10-25T10:31:00.000-04:00

Don't you just love Fall? How can you not? There's so much color and beauty around right now. The reds, oranges, yellows. When I'm driving by the trees I just want to stop and take picture upon picture! But then I would never make it to where I'm going. Luckily this tree is in our backyard, so I didn't have to go far.

On the homefront, we all did our chores last night, so house is still clean! Yay for us! Boys will be starting basketball in about a week. We've had a nice little break from sports. Soon we will be running around like crazy with the boys playing and Fonzy coaching again this year.

Still working on my surprise monster. I need to be done this week, because I have plans on learning how to crochet this weekend for sock monkey hats I want to make! More on that adventure later!

OK....off for more coffee and in a little bit a flu shot! I hate needles! So not looking forward to that!

Pieces of her

2011-10-24T09:10:00.000-04:00

She left pieces of her life behind her everywhere she went. It's easier to feel the sunlight without them, she said.

~storypeople

HaPpY Monday!

Mondays seem to come quicker and quicker. I'm on my second cup of coffee and thinking I need a third! Coffee - work your magic!

So yesterday I made a chore chart for us. I think the weekends seem to fly by because we spend so much time cleaning on Saturdays. We do pretty good in the beginning of the week with keeping up the house, but come Wednesday or Thursday it starts to go downhill. By Saturday morning, its a mess! I refuse to spend another weekend cleaning!

The chart has each of us making our beds in the morning before we leave the house, and then one chore in the evening. If we stick to it, the weekends should be free from cleaning! Yay!

On the knitting front, I'm hoping to finish a monster I'm working on for someone special. I wanted to have it done by now, but alas, I don't. Once I'm done with this monster, I'm taking a monster break and working on some hats. It's already getting chilly, and I see the need for hats soon!

Let's make this a great week!

Give someone a hug today! Anyone! They need it! You need it! I need it!

Weekend Breakfast

2011-10-22T11:18:00.001-04:00

HaPpY Saturday!

Time for the dreaded Saturday chores!

We need a new way of keeping the house clean during the week, so Saturday mornings aren't spent cleaning!

I just noticed I need that stuff in my dishwasher so our dishes don't have spots! Can plastic plates be called dishes?

I Love Socks and the Weekend!

2011-10-21T16:47:00.000-04:00

I love socks!

Stripey socks, thick socks, knee high socks, holiday socks.

SOCKS! SOCKS! SOCKS!

I told myself I was going to learn to knit socks this year. Ummm...it's almost November and I haven't learned yet! I have tons of holiday knitting to do, so socks might have to wait unitl after the holidays. I think 2012 is going to be the year of the socks.

The weekend is finally here and I'm too happy! Looking forward to sleeping in, snuggling under warm covers and cooking a big breakfast. If it's chilly enough in the morning, I might light up the fireplace. Coffee, warm pj's and a fire. Sounds like a perfect morning to me.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

*Pictures by Ezekiel - he wanted to make sure I gave him credit*

Bert & Ernie pumpkins

2011-10-21T12:37:00.000-04:00

How cute are these?

Saw these pumpkins on a craft blog I was checking out. I'm helping out with the Fall Festival at our church, was looking for games, and crafts and came across these. I so want to make Bernie & Ernie pumpkins! Bert and Ernie were my favorites on Sesame Street, with Oscar the Grouch a close second.

Flashback Friday

2011-10-21T09:06:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday everyone!

I was feeling like a little Flashback Friday today. Taking it back to 2001. I can't believe that was 10 years ago! I need time to SLOW THE HECK DOWN!

This was Fonzy's and I first year in North Carolina and our first trip to the beach. It's not the greatest picture, but I love it....wet bikini top and all!

I love this picture for what it represents.....our new life together. We had been through so much to get to this point, moved hundreds of miles from Texas to North Carolina and still had plenty more to go through. But right here, in this moment we were happy!

Happy 22nd Birthday Samuel - Forever 19

2011-10-20T10:01:00.002-04:00

Today you would have been 22.

I often think of where you would be in life right now. The kind of man you would be. Before you died, I would catch glimpses of the man you were becoming. We were getting closer, talking more, laughing together more. You were growing up and understanding why I said and did the things I did for you and Manuel. It wasn't just nagging, it was loving you both and wanting what's best for you. I miss our conversations. I miss your smile. I miss you.

Today I'm going to remember the good.....the sweet and cherished memories.

Happy Birthday my 1st baby.

Smile - life is beautiful

2011-10-18T13:34:00.001-04:00

Wow - it's October 18th already! This month is flying by.

This has always been my favorite time of year. It still is. Both Samuel and Manuel were born in October. Manuel's birthday was yesterday. He turned 21! Of course I had to give him the speech that just because you are of legal drinking age, doesn't mean you need to go out and act a fool. He called me this morning. He was suffering through work because of a hangover. My advice obviously went in one ear and out the other. He was at least smart enough to have a designated driver.

Samuels' birthday is on the 20th. He would have been 22. On his birthday I try to reminisce on all the good memories, and not the fact that he is no longer with us. I don't want his birthday to be a sad day, but a day to remember the life he had. No matter how short it was. He was here, he was loved, and I want that to be the focus of his birthday.

It's suppose to get chilly this week. The mornings have already been chilly....making it so hard to get out of our warm and cozy bed. The trees are starting to turn red, orange, yellow. I need to get out and take some pictures before they are all blown away. Been doing some baking, and loving the cozy feel of home. I'm ready to light up the fireplace and hibernate!

Lovin' October! Who's lovin' it with me?

DreamCatcher

2011-10-13T10:00:00.000-04:00

Elijah made a dreamcatcher.....to catch all our bad dreams he says.

Vampy Penelope

2011-10-12T18:11:00.000-04:00

My swap partner got her package, so I can now share Vampy Penelope in all her red and black glory.

This swap had so many creative monsters! It was fun seeing all the packages, and what people came up with.

Monsters in the Mail

2011-10-12T09:19:00.000-04:00

Don't you just love getting surprises in the mail. Something special besides bills, bills, and MORE BILLS!

I do!

When I was younger, I wrote letters. Long, lengthy letters to friends and family. There was nothing better than getting a letter in the mail. I hate snail mail has gone to the wayside. I think we need to bring letter writing back.

Yesterday was a good mail day. I was part of a swap on Ravelry, Things That Go Bump in the Night Swap and got my package. It was filled with goodies and an awesome Rebecca Danger Monster.

For non-knitters who are not sure what a swap is, it's a group of knitters who get paired with a partner and they make a knitted object, stalk them online, learn other things they like and send a package to them. It's all for fun, and a way to get to know other knitters.

Knitters are awesome by the way!

Meet Vampira and her minion. According to her creator, Vampira has a secret....she's a vegetarian. No blood for her. I'm waiting for my swap partner to receive her package, then I can post the monster I made for her.

Pumpkin bread

2011-10-11T10:08:00.000-04:00

Mmmmm.......

Karen and I made pumpkin bread on our bake-fest 2 weekends ago. It is sooo good! I heat it up a little, spread some butter on it and enjoy! Mmmmm....good! I plan on making more and freezing it. Then I can have yummy pumpkin bread whenever I like.

I love this time of year - the baking, pumpkin smells, changing leaves and being warm and cozy at home.

Changes

2011-10-10T12:00:00.000-04:00

Changes are in the air. Leaves are changing, weather is changing, and I feel like I'm changing.

According to the Fonzy and the boys I've been real emotional lately. And maybe I have been. I'm not sure what's going on with me. I just feel like life is passing me by, and I'm just going through the motions. I guess I'm stuck in a rut and not sure how to get out of it. I feel I need to make some changes, but not really sure WHAT the changes are or how to make them happen.

*sigh*

Maybe I need to do something different, not the same ole', same ole' that Ezekiel was more than happy to point out to me yesterday.

Switch it up a bit.

Try living more and not just going through the motions.

Easier said then done....

Knitting Thoughts

2011-10-07T20:21:00.001-04:00

Yarn yumminess from Michelle @ Dancing Dog Dyeworks

About 2 years ago I found knitting again. My mom was a knitter and taught me when I was about 12-13. I knit a stuffed horse and didn't knit another thing until 2yrs ago. I don't know why I decided I wanted to learn again. I just had this desire. Maybe I saw some pretty yarn, saw someone knitting, who knows. But whatever it was, I'm glad it's in my life again.

I love the feel of soft, squishy yarn, the sound of clicking needles and the acomplishment of creating. It's a connection to my Mom. Something she enjoyed and did so many years ago, and then passed on to me. When I knit, the memory of her is in every stitch.

Smackdown - Sumo Wrestling Style

2011-10-06T13:18:00.000-04:00

Our subdivision had a carnival this weekend and one of the main attractions was sumo wrestling! The kids were loving it! Of course I had to get Ezekiel and Elijah in the suits and take pictures. These suits were heavy for kids! They had to crawl into the suits, then someone had to stand them up. Ready! Set! Fight! Once down, there was no getting back up!

Magic

2011-10-04T15:00:00.000-04:00

She tapped her finger & nothing happened & she thought she had lost her magic, but it had only changed & it took her awhile to figure it out.

~ Story People

Magic happens on ordinary days. Did you know that? It does.You just have to look for it.

I've been trying to capture the magic in my ordinary day and sometimes I find it.......like bubbles floating up to Heaven....magic.

Some kinda way

2011-10-03T14:17:00.000-04:00

Feeling a little sad.......melancholy........in a funk.....some kinda way......not really sure why......