tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26118987148211319502024-03-05T01:56:56.863-05:00Sheri's SentimentsMy place to ramble...Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-52103868937494675692014-08-22T15:48:00.001-04:002014-08-22T15:48:09.774-04:00Are You Ready For Some FOOTBALL???!!!!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh, I definitely am!! Although I <strike>played</strike> was on the volleyball team in high school, I've never been much into playing sports. I do LOVE watching football, though! It's one sport I understand and enjoy. I've been a cheer mom for several years, but this is my first year as a football mom. I can't even explain to you how excited I am about it. #1 Son has never had an interest in playing before - basketball, yes...football, no - but one afternoon last spring he surprised me by saying, "Mom, I'm going to talk to Coach about playing football." And that was that. From weight lifting to cleats, his padded girdle to quite a few bruises, my son has become a football player. #72 for the JV Fighting Leeman - Right Offensive Tackle - Left Defensive Tackle, and even a little bit of Special Teams. </div>
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I was impressed with the coaching staff the first time I met them at the parents' meeting a few weeks ago. It was stressed that the program does not have a "Win at all Costs" mentality, and that if you can't keep your grades up, keep your attitude in check, and keep your willingness to succeed in the forefront, you wouldn't play no matter who you were - even the starting Quarter Back. Plus, the coaches don't beat around the bush. They tell it like it is. Just in the short amount of time #1 Son has been with the team, I have seen a positive change in him. Not that he's ever been a problem child or anything like that, but he seems to have matured over the summer (shh...don't tell him I said that!). He seems more responsible and disciplined. If nothing else, he's gotten a great workout and built up a few muscles and endurance!</div>
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The first scrimmage was this past Saturday, and I couldn't have been prouder! He looked so comfortable on the line, like he'd been playing for years. Are there things he can work on? Sure! But, he wasn't timid and he played until the whistle sounded. He even made a block that cut off the side and opened up room so the play could progress. Not bad for a first-timer I'd say. A friend at church, who's son has been playing football since he was old enough to play and who is also on the JV team, told me that #1 Son looked really good. Again, I couldn't have been prouder. Scrimmage #2 is tomorrow, so we'll see what the full week of practice, plus watching films, brings out in him.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dJwk326K9kuNUwNTaHrIXnVqb98YX4GblebT4wjufAqTPSKgV8wI_8CL0w4UCgHxXjVB7hjk9STWR6DJ8M1o4VFgxNXX3eNQugKL1MsOdx6_Tdy5yuPT5eBRO1ZeYvTr8Cwq-jPA9k8P/s1600/photo+3+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dJwk326K9kuNUwNTaHrIXnVqb98YX4GblebT4wjufAqTPSKgV8wI_8CL0w4UCgHxXjVB7hjk9STWR6DJ8M1o4VFgxNXX3eNQugKL1MsOdx6_Tdy5yuPT5eBRO1ZeYvTr8Cwq-jPA9k8P/s1600/photo+3+(2).JPG" height="254" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuRLTMAkUaIGLvualtv7h_hm32tgmnzQEzdn45tKkLaIMp4c_J9nPYG7i15j_KHnTsf8MXP4N98Cg4rKcoLG4H8qmVLUYIV4pHRCwx_mv4sWFN1MczuZM1-FOFu8MZ9_d3QNFnmyn3SUE/s1600/photo+2+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuRLTMAkUaIGLvualtv7h_hm32tgmnzQEzdn45tKkLaIMp4c_J9nPYG7i15j_KHnTsf8MXP4N98Cg4rKcoLG4H8qmVLUYIV4pHRCwx_mv4sWFN1MczuZM1-FOFu8MZ9_d3QNFnmyn3SUE/s1600/photo+2+(2).JPG" height="270" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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He's really enjoying football so far, and he told the Hubster the other day that he wishes he had started playing sooner. Well, son, you can't go back so enjoy every moment from this second forward, and if you never play another season after this one (but I sure hope you do!) I know that you will have learned and grown tremendously through this experience.</div>
Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-39175800742595717782014-08-11T09:55:00.000-04:002014-08-22T13:40:07.797-04:00In Memory of My Grandpa<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't like starting a post on a sad note, but my
sweet Grandpa, the one who turned 95 the end of January, passed away on April
8. His memorial service was a couple weeks ago, and I wanted to share some of his remarkable life with you.</div>
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He lived a full life and traveled the world. Born in California to Scottish
parents, he lived in Chile, South Africa and Puerto Rico growing up (along with a few other places). His
family settled in Scotland when he was in high school. He returned
to the states to finish school, which was extended a year because Grandpa hadn't taken Civics and Government. Apparently, this didn't sit well with him as you can imagine! After finally finishing high school, he went to Virginia Tech and graduated in 1940. It wasn't called Virginia Tech at the time,
however. In 1896, the Virginia General Assembly changed the school's name
from the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College to the Virginia
Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute. What a mouthful! Popular usage shortened the name
to Virginia Polytechnic Institute, then to VPI until 1970, and finally to Virginia Tech. </div>
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After graduation, Grandpa began working for Grumman Aircraft (now Northrop Grumman
Corp.) and moved to New York. He met Grandma while on Long Island, which
was purely by chance since she was only in town from Minnesota to visit her
brother, who just happened to be Grandpa's boarding house roommate! Grandpa and Grandma were
married on October 7, 1941, and eventually moved to Florida due to Grandpa's
job. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlt7zBsgxSITurub-ykI5pS6PNtuFZ-wDv8SyGhM04fBBcm9rz7ocGO32WSlSmqBPzA_7FcCbYfDDPnVf-QtUm0aHPtDCcK6uuJnE2ZAQv4qrZH0TwWGbGMosewTIbNIUIQbvKwayLKQvv/s1600/Grandma-Grandpa+wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlt7zBsgxSITurub-ykI5pS6PNtuFZ-wDv8SyGhM04fBBcm9rz7ocGO32WSlSmqBPzA_7FcCbYfDDPnVf-QtUm0aHPtDCcK6uuJnE2ZAQv4qrZH0TwWGbGMosewTIbNIUIQbvKwayLKQvv/s1600/Grandma-Grandpa+wedding.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma & Grandpa<br />
October 7, 1941</td></tr>
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While in Florida, Grandpa also worked as a water ski instructor, which makes me giggle because I
can't see Grandpa water skiing. I think it's hard for us to picture our
grandparents young, after all they are grandparents, right? They're not supposed to be
young. Well, except for some of us who happen to be young grandparents, ah hem. But I digress...</div>
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In 1953, Grandpa was hired by Champion Spark Plugs to handle sales of aviation spark plugs.
He was promoted to aviation sales manager, and in 1959, the family moved to
Perrysburg, Ohio. After retirement in the early 1980s, Grandpa and Grandma opened
a Quickprint franchise, the Big Red Q.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
O</span>ne of the best memories I have of their first store (before they moved from
beside the railroad tracks) was when President Reagan stopped almost in front
of the Big Red Q while on his Whistle Stop tour through Ohio on October 12, 1984. I didn’t know at the
time that the car he rode in was the same one President Truman used on his
Whistle Stop tour in 1948! Cool, right? Something else really cool about the stop President Reagan
made in Dayton, Ohio (his first stop on the tour), was that he spoke via phone with the astronauts aboard
the Space Shuttle Challenger!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
speeches that President Reagan gave during the stops have been transcribed
<a href="http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/101284d.htm" target="_blank">here</a>, and there’s an article by the NY Times <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/13/us/reagan-follows-the-tracks-of-truman-48-train-tour.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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Grandpa loved boats, the Great Lakes and Great Lakes lighthouses. He was a
founding member of the Western Lake Erie Historical Society, and he and Grandma
were also members of the Maumee River Yacht Club and the Perrysburg Boat Club. Even though I was quite
young, I can remember having nice lunches at the yacht club when we went to visit. I
remember looking out the big windows watching the boats go by. Grandpa’s love for the
water is definitely in my blood. While the mountains are beautiful, there’s
just something that calms me, something almost intoxicating, about the sight,
sound, and smell of the water. Ahhh. Grandpa was also a member of an organization of Great Lakes boat captains, and he was able to take a trip with them on a freighter to Lake Superior.</div>
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Grandpa was a hobby draftsman as well, and having the Quickprint store enabled him to reproduce drawings and blueprints of the ships he drew. Grandma wrote about the history of the ships, and Grandpa drew the ship's plan. His plans were used by model-makers, and he sold them to museums. I found a <a href="http://www.thenrg.org/ship-model-plans-and-photos.php" target="_blank">website</a> that lists a few of the plans Grandpa did (here's one more <a href="http://www.microglass.net/products/p1022.html" target="_blank">site</a>, just in case you're interested). He talked about the freighter <em>Willis B. Boyer</em> often, and I was fortunate enough to go aboard with Grandpa and Grandma once in the early 1990's. You can find an article about the <em>Boyer</em> <a href="http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2007/12/17/Maritime-artifacts-formerly-on-Boyer-need-a-new-berth.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Grandpa is in the first picture. </div>
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I have wonderful memories of Grandpa and Grandma. She passed away in 2003, but Grandpa continued to stay active until the last few years when mobility became an issue. I have a lot more I could tell, but this isn't a biography so I'll leave it at what you read here. Grandpa was greatly loved and he will be greatly missed!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z28JeGrVoxtvuW5IEcQwea-EfmLVDqZQjZWyakytkI4B8CZ2gaWvGUogJPx4uWvmw-FIyMBM0GnvYV9eVlVC6Ts2UOCUW0Kf5cxxcgYlAs7a0g21t702Evynj9_1OFbFRyiiHB4q6-EI/s1600/grandpa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z28JeGrVoxtvuW5IEcQwea-EfmLVDqZQjZWyakytkI4B8CZ2gaWvGUogJPx4uWvmw-FIyMBM0GnvYV9eVlVC6Ts2UOCUW0Kf5cxxcgYlAs7a0g21t702Evynj9_1OFbFRyiiHB4q6-EI/s1600/grandpa2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry C. Archer<br />
January 31, 1919 - April 8, 2014</td></tr>
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<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-31810790666340140272014-03-25T13:58:00.001-04:002014-08-19T13:56:18.327-04:0052 Week Crochet Challenge - Week 3Yay! I did it! I started and finished Week 3 before Week 4 begins. Woohoo! It really is the little things sometimes, isn't it? <br />
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So, Week 3 is: <u>Celebrate the First Day of Spring (March 20, 2014) by Crocheting a Flower, or Make a Project that has a Flower Motif or Theme</u>. Well, it sure doesn't feel like spring in my neck of the woods. Today it's snowing. Really not my idea of a good time, but least the roads are clear...for now anyway.<br />
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There are so many gorgeous patterns for flowers out there that I debated for a bit on how I wanted to proceed with this week's challenge. A couple weeks ago I checked out the book, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/75-Floral-Blocks-Crochet-Beautiful/dp/1250013321/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395760886&sr=1-1&keywords=75+floral+blocks+to+crochet" target="_blank">75 Floral Blocks to Crochet : Beautiful Patterns to Mix and Match for Afghans, Throws, Baby Blankets, and More</a></em> by Betty Barnden from the library, and let me tell you it's worth looking at! With every page turn, it was, "Oooh, I love this!" I'm really not one for buying books, especially when there are so many free patterns online, but I think having this book in my crochet library would be a welcome addition. So many project possibilities! Where would I start? Truthfully, I forgot all about the book until now *sigh*.<br />
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But, that does get me back to Week 3 of the challenge. Flowers. What to do, what to do? Only one thing to do...look at my stash. "Hello, my name is Sheri, and I'm a yarn addict." There, I said it. I didn't even realize it until I started crocheting again, but I LOVE yarn. The color, the texture, the way to slides along the hook, the way it takes on a whole new personality with each design. I do have a problem though, besides the addiction I mean. I have all of this great yarn, but I don't want to use it! Crazy, I know. Yarn was created to be used. It wants, no <em>needs</em>, to be used. Yarn does no good sitting on a shelf getting dusty. So why do I not want to help it fulfill its desires? Maybe it's because once I use it, it will be gone. But that's not true. It won't be gone. It will just have a new need. No longer will it need to be used to create something. Yarn's new need will be to bring warmth, comfort and joy to those who use it in whatever way, shape or form it has now taken. Its purpose remains the same, though. Its purpose will forever be what it was created to be...yarn. Even when it changes shape and form, it is still yarn. Still fibers wound together. No chemical reaction takes place to change its being when it touches the crochet hook or knitting needle. Only a physical transformation into something beautiful, something more beautiful than when it was originally created.<br />
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I purchased yarn in carrot, coffee, dark sage and cornmeal for a Melinda Miller <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sensational-sampler-afghan-lapghan" target="_blank">sampler blanket</a> that I'm working on. After the first three squares, I decided that these colors were too dark and ordered others to continue the project. This yarn had been sitting on the shelf for about a month, unloved, when I came across this week's challenge and <a href="http://nandinasplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/sunflower-crochet-square.html" target="_blank">this pattern</a> at Nandina's Place. Perfect! It was the first time I used a pattern that wasn't in US crochet terms, but it is very well written and I didn't have a moment's trouble converting the stitches. It worked up very quickly, and I'm very pleased with the finished product; however, I really should start blocking my projects before posting. Anyway, here's my finished Week 3 challenge:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKjIK7-timHiDTcJKjCYtNn0TkiixXjJ7VblKsqMUNJCkj2lau2rGr9mxxAeKcvCm_R4Qm4g5DQtRw2XQICplKHNVFw2ZywXWBku1o8gIah5ocC-JNft6acAKSs0EDIgfjxPBkpGjdBcR/s1600/sunflower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKjIK7-timHiDTcJKjCYtNn0TkiixXjJ7VblKsqMUNJCkj2lau2rGr9mxxAeKcvCm_R4Qm4g5DQtRw2XQICplKHNVFw2ZywXWBku1o8gIah5ocC-JNft6acAKSs0EDIgfjxPBkpGjdBcR/s1600/sunflower.JPG" height="305" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunflower Crochet Square by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/nandina-2" target="_blank">Nandina</a></td></tr>
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All this talk about yarn got me thinking. Aren’t we, as humans, a little bit like yarn? Just like yarn, we were
created with needs and a purpose. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were created in the image of God (<a href="http://biblehub.com/context/genesis/1-26.htm" target="_blank">Genesis 1:26-28</a>), to worship and honor God (<a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/2-30.htm" target="_blank">1Samuel 2:30</a>, <a href="http://biblehub.com/context/revelation/4-11.htm" target="_blank">Revelation 4:11</a>), to fear God and keep His commands (<a href="http://biblehub.com/context/ecclesiastes/12-13.htm" target="_blank">Ecclesiastes12:13</a>), to love one another <a href="http://biblehub.com/context/john/15-12.htm" target="_blank">(John 15:12</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like yarn, our needs will
change as we go through life. Our needs as newlyweds will vary greatly from our
needs as empty nesters. Our needs as parents of toddlers will vary greatly from
our needs as parents of teenagers. Just like yarn, our lives will get tangled and come unraveled at times. Our shape and form will change as we grow and mature, but our purpose will remain the same - to know and enjoy God. In <a href="http://biblehub.com/context/john/15-16.htm" target="_blank">John 15:16</a>, Jesus says that we did not choose Him, but He chose us to fulfill a purpose. A purpose to love one another, to bear fruit (be a witness for Christ), to keep His commands. Just as we are the keeper of our yarn, to keep it smooth and free of kinks, God is our keeper. While our lives will never be without bumps and knots along the way, God promises that He has a plan for us, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" <a href="http://biblehub.com/context/jeremiah/29-11.htm" target="_blank">(Jeremiah 29:11</a>). God promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us (<a href="http://biblehub.com/context/deuteronomy/31-6.htm" target="_blank">Deuteronomy 31:6</a>). God promises peace, even in the toughest times (<a href="http://biblehub.com/context/philippians/4-6.htm" target="_blank">Philippians 4:6-7</a>). Just as a ball of yarn is transformed into a beautiful flower or lovely blanket, our bumpy, knotted life is transformed into something beautiful when we allow God to be our keeper. <br />
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"And we know that in all things</div>
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God works for the good of those who love him,</div>
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who have been called according to his purpose."</div>
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~ Romans 8:28 NIV</div>
Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-67538098000073847372014-03-21T13:45:00.000-04:002014-08-19T13:56:43.777-04:00Thankful Thursday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, it's Friday, and this post is titled "Thankful Thursday", but it's been quite a week! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daughter #2 broke her toe on Monday. She and #1 Son were playing kickball in the basement, and actually getting along - something I relish with a happy mom's heart, because it seems few and far between these days! They're 12 and 14, and are complete opposites in many ways. Plus, they can't help but pick on each other...EVERY DAY it feels like! But I digress. Daughter #2 went to kick the ball and missed, kicking the back of #1 Son's leg. She couldn't put any pressure on her foot, couldn't stand or walk Monday afternoon, so we iced, elevated and Motrined (yes, that is a word, as of right now) the rest of the day. She still couldn't bear weight Tuesday morning, so off to the walk-in clinic we went. I didn't even try her regular pediatrician, knowing that if she needed x-rays we'd be sent somewhere else anyway. After three hours at the walk-in clinic, the results came back - fractured 4th right toe at the growth plate. Great! We were fortunate enough to get an appointment with the orthopedic doctor that afternoon, and after almost three hours there Daughter #2 had a beautiful, multi-colored blue/pink/yellow cast. </span><a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even though most toe injuries only require good support through the use of sturdy shoes, the ortho felt that since the fracture was at the growth plate and since Daughter #2 isn't finished growing yet, a cast would be the best option for healing. The toe/foot would be protected from further injury and it would have the support it needed. Thankfully, the doctor feels she only needs to be in the cast until the end of the month. She's getting the hang of walking in the boot and doesn't think she'll need the help of the crutches much longer. She's even said she thinks she'll be able to manage riding the school bus next week, instead of being taken to and picked up from school. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So Wednesday was a normal day. Daughter #2 was at school, I was at work...normal, right? (Backstory: The Hubster hadn't been feeling well for the past couple weeks, so he finally went to the doctor on Tuesday. They did blood work and said they'd call with the results). This is where Wednesday becomes less than normal. The nurse called him Wednesday saying, "You need to get to the ER now", as his enzyme levels were through the roof. Ok, if that's not enough to scare you, I don't know what is!! We got to the ER about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, and it was PACKED! For the middle of the week, I couldn't believe how busy it was. It took us about 45 minutes to be called back, and the doctor was right in to see him. Ordered blood work and an ultrasound. IV started, blood taken, and then we waited. And waited. And waited! Finally, about 9:30 they take him back for the u/s. He gets back to the ER room and we waited. And waited. And waited. No doctor, no nurse, no nothing. Around 11:00, the ER doc finally comes in and says that he's still waiting on the u/s results, but the blood work shows enzyme levels over 1800! After doing the little bit of research I could, normal lipase levels should be between 0-160. No wonder he was feeling lousy! Shortly after that, the admitting doctor came in and said that the diagnosis was pancreatitis and that he wouldn't be going home. We sort of had a feeling when we left for the hospital earlier that night that they might keep him, so we were packed and ready (unfortunately). Finally, about 1:30 a.m. Thursday, a nurse came in with transfer papers so he could be moved upstairs. We waited. And waited. And waited, AGAIN! About 2:30 a.m. we were finally upstairs and in a room. The Hubster is hooked up to an IV for fluids and given Dilaudid for pain. At least he was able to sleep a little bit. Me...not so much. Anyone who has been in the hospital with a loved one knows what I mean. The "recliner" chair was less than comfortable, but I tried to make it work - for about 2 hours. I couldn't take it anymore, so I climbed into the empty, second bed in the room. It was the one time I was thankful to NOT be in a private room in a hospital. I was able to sleep about another hour, between the beeping of machines and nurses coming in and out taking the Hubsters vitals. At least this part of the floor was fairly quiet otherwise. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By Thursday morning, his lipase level was down to 1000, still well above where it should be, but coming down at least. IV all day Thursday and nothing by mouth. More blood work and glucose checks. We finally got the u/s results showing no gallstones (which can contribute to pancreatitis), or anything else that shouldn't be in there. With a family history of cancer, the C word was in the back of our minds, so we both breathed a sigh of relief when we got the good results. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here it is Friday, and we're still in the hospital. We've gotten the final report from the doctor at last. Because the Hubster does not abuse alcohol, has not had an injury to his abdomen, doesn't have gallstones, and has not been to Trinidad recently, the doctor feels that his pancreatitis was caused by the combination of medicines he's taking for his Diabetes. ** SIDENOTE: 24 cases of pancreatitis were reported in Trinidad after patients had been stung by the scorpion, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Tityus trinitatis ** His lipase level has returned to normal and he's been ok'd to start on a "clear liquid" diet. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">So, the IV has been stopped and the Hubster's happily slurping on yellow Jello and lemon Italian Ice, <strike>and beef broth</strike> as I type. He didn't like the broth. I don't think he's ever been so happy to be on "clear liquids", especially since he hadn't eaten anything solid since lunch time Wednesday! The whole purpose of IV fluids only was to allow the pancreas to reset itself, basically. Allow it to stop producing food-digesting enzymes, and help it heal. The doctor is putting the Hubster back on insulin and removing one of the combo pills he has been on. Now, we're waiting on someone to come talk to us about managing the insulin, since we've never had to deal with that aspect of Diabetes before. The Hubster's always just taken pills. Hopefully, adjusting his meds, diet and referring him to an Endocrinologist for continued care will keep his pancreas happy. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">So this week I am thankful. I am thankful that Daughter #2 and #1 Son didn't make foot to foot contact, or I could have two kids in casts. I am thankful that Daughter #2's injury wasn't worse than it was. I am thankful that the Hubster's u/s didn't show signs of gallstones or anything worse. I am thankful that a change in meds/diet should be all that's needed to make the Hubster healthy again. I am thankful that I have a God who is always with us, even when we don't have a clue what's going on. I am thankful for family and friends looking out for us, praying for us, and taking care of the kids while we've been in the hospital. I am thankful for the many blessings that God bestows upon us, each and every day!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh give thanks to the <span class="sc">Lord</span>,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for he is good,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for his steadfast love endures forever!"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ Psalm 107:1 ESV</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">whose confidence is in him.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They will be like a tree planted by the water</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that sends out is roots by the stream.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It does not fear when heat comes;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">its leaves are always green.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has no worries in a year of drought</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and never fails to bear fruit."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ Jeremiah 17:7-8</span></div>
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Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-22445210905523827832014-03-15T10:11:00.000-04:002014-03-16T19:16:16.504-04:00A Project from the Heart - The Boston Marathon Scarf ProjectNational Crochet Month...what a great excuse to do more crochet - like I need an excuse, right? I've been busy keeping up with my CALs, and I've added some new projects to my queue, which I'll share with you soon! I can't seem to help myself really. The are so many great things out there to make, and so many great people to make them for. One of my newest editions: the Old South Church Scarves for Boston Marathon Runners. <br>
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I am a helper, I always have been. So when something comes along that pulls at my heartstrings, I'm all over it. Such is the case with the scarf project. The <a href="http://www.oldsouth.org/news/one-year-later" target="_blank">Old South Church</a>, in honor and rememberance of those lost at last year's Boston Marathon, started a project to collect knitted and crocheted scarves to "wrap each runner in love". On Easter Sunday, the Old South Church will hold a Blessing of the Athletes during their morning services (which they have done since 2008) and present a scarf to each runner present. I can't think of a better way to show my support and prayer for safety and strength than by something homemade from the heart. <br>
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I decided to use Red Heart Super Saver in #324 Bright Yellow and #385 Royal for my scarf. I did a simple ribbed pattern of double crochet, alternating five rows royal, three rows yellow, two rows royal, three rows yellow, and finishing up with five rows royal. I had a TON of ends to weave in, since I didn't do it as I went along, which was very time consuming. I think it turned out great though, if I do say so myself, and I hope it will bring a smile to a runner's face.<br>
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<div style="text-align: left;">Wouldn't you like to make a scarf to bless a runner in this year's Boston Marathon? Check out the Old South Church <a href="http://www.facebook.com/OldSouthChurch" target="_blank">facebook</a> page, the Ravelry group <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/boston-marathon-scarf-project" target="_blank">Boston Marathon Scarf Project</a>, or the church website for more information.</div>
Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-34504614516788374072014-03-13T16:31:00.000-04:002014-03-13T16:35:41.258-04:00March is National Crochet Month. Who Knew??Ok, LOTS of people probably realized that March is National Crochet Month, but not me! Thanks to Julie at <a href="http://redberrycrochet.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Red Berry Crochet</a> for creating the <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzN7xy_Ywj8TZjZoaG5WS2hZV1E/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">52 Week Crochet Challenge</a> in honor of National Crochet Month, and making me aware of the awesomeness of the month! Now I'm in the know.<br />
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Each week, there is a new challenge - from learning a new stitch to organizing your stash. She's also created a Ravelry group to help us keep it all together. You can find it <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/52-week-crochet-challenge" target="_blank">here</a>. So far I've met a great bunch of ladies that I look forward to getting to know better as this challenge goes along. You can follow their blogs from the links on the right under the "Are You Ready? Crochet Challenge" logo. Or join the group at Ravelry, which is a really cool knitting and crocheting site, by the way. You should check it out if you haven't already!<br />
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So what was the Week 1 Challenge? <u>How do you celebrate National Crochet Month?</u> Well, since I didn't know there was such a thing, just finding out about it was a good start, right? I also decided that I would try and crochet at least a little each day this month, and do better updating this blog. Yeah, I know...I'm a little late getting around to posting this and we're already 13 days into the month, so I'm not doing so well with goal #2 at this point. There's still half a month left though, and there's always room for improvement so I'm hopeful. As far as goal #1 is concerned, I've been able to keep up with that fairly well. I use time duing my lunch hour to keep my hooks moving, and in the evening while watching TV. I should say listening, because I have to keep an eye on the yarn and stitch count or else I end up with really strange looking objects!<br />
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As for Week 2? <u>Start a crochet notebook, journal, scrapbook, or blog.</u> Check! Woohoo! Got week 2 covered already. I did actually start a “Current Crochet Projects” binder last week. No, I didn't cheat by looking ahead either. It's a bright, pretty pink binder because white was just too boring for a notebook full of beautiful crochet projects. Plus, I'm a girl and I like pink! Don't judge. Anyway, I was getting confused with which blocks belonged with which CALs, and trying to keep straight just how many ongoing projects I do have, so I needed something to help me along. I have a page listing project name, designer, date started, date completed, which pattern(s) is used and where it can be found (book, website, etc.), hook size, and yarn brand/name/color. I also have a printed copy of the current object pattern I’m working on, and a picture of the FO (finished object) labled with pattern name, which CAL/project it’s for, and the date. Oh, and a picture of someone else's take on the project if I like their color placement or want to use it for inspiration, etc. The projects are divided by tabs so I can keep it neat. I plan on making another binder for completed projects, and probably dividing that by type of object - blanket, scarf, hat, etc. This might be overkill, but I’ve never done it before so it will most likely be a "try it and adjust as needed" kind of thing. I think it will be a nice reminder of the time, effort and LOVE that I put into each project, and I hope to be able to see my crochet skills progress and improve over time.<br />
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Now that I'm caught up on Weeks 1 and 2, I should be ready to start Week 3 on time. Hey, it might even get it's own blog entry. You never know...<br />
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<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-6549655043460178722014-02-12T14:24:00.002-05:002014-03-13T12:01:51.297-04:00Blocks and Bowling<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crochet blocks, that is. Between traveling to Ohio for grandpa's birthday, and traveling to a bowling tournament this past weekend, I've had a little bit of time to work on my CIPs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, Dad and I bowled in the Central Shenandoah Valley USBC Hall of Fame Tournament and didn't do too badly. We placed 7th in Doubles, I placed 7th in Women's Singles, and I placed 6th in All Events (which takes your scores from Doubles, Singles, and Team and adds them all together)! I don't know exactly how many doubles/singles there were since the results haven't been posted to the website yet, but I'm still quite pleased. Now the Virginia State Mixed Tournament in Richmond Saturday and Sunday was a completely different experience. Double/Singles weren't too bad, but Team was a nightmare! The lanes were not very forgiving, we couldn't get anything to carry, and we bowled lousy - about 300 pins BELOW our team average for the day. It's impossible to win anything that way. The tournament goes through the end of the month, so we won't have any results before the middle to end of March, I'm sure. At the end of the day we were still laughing and smiling so I guess it wasn't so bad. Plus, we went to Dairy Queen afterward, and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ice cream makes everything better!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I</span> did make some progress on the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.redheart.com/blog/join-us-checkerboard-textures-throw-crochet-along" target="_blank">Red Heart Checkerboard Textures Throw</a> while traveling. Woohoo! I'm using <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/yarns/pound.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lion Brand Pound of Love</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> yarn in Antique White #099. The squares are so soft, and measure roughly <strike>12x12</strike> 10x10. They're close enough that I think once it's pieced together it'll be ok. The next textured square doesn't come out until next week. Boo!</span></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made a decision about the other crochet alongs...after looking at the <a href="http://www.mooglyblog.com/moogly-afghan-cal-block-1/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moogly</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> crochet along more closely, I realized that the squares were much more intricate than at first glance, so I decided to only join the </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/2014-crochet-block-a-month-cal" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2014 Block-A-Month Crochet Along</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. I am really enjoying the squares, and they make quick work. I've gone with </span><a href="http://www.redheart.com/yarn/super-saver-economy" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Red Heart Super Saver</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in Buff #0334, Soft Navy #0387, Aran #0313 and Cafe Latte #0360. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is one main square a month, one filler square, and one 6" square, so the choices really are endless. I've decided on the </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/free-smoothfoxs-lemony-lime-citrus-square-12x12" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lemony Lime Citrus Square</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, the </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/frostbloom-12-afghan-square" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frostbloom 12" Afghan Square</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flower-tile-afghan-square" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Flower Tile Afghan Square</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> so far. I've learned something, too. Squares aren't so bad afterall.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryy7l_wWTLuD9xuYNkL6FuQLBinol37ZQlpZSBF_uvdIvMcohY093VAAPAu4ySI9JZZDZ-MVsFeNL5roTItulpZbZHnJAzlNoOCFzrouLU_5F_eonuGn0THa3SLcGmz03cSJyrkGZjgHI/s1600/January+square+-+Lemony+Lime+Citrus+Square.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryy7l_wWTLuD9xuYNkL6FuQLBinol37ZQlpZSBF_uvdIvMcohY093VAAPAu4ySI9JZZDZ-MVsFeNL5roTItulpZbZHnJAzlNoOCFzrouLU_5F_eonuGn0THa3SLcGmz03cSJyrkGZjgHI/s1600/January+square+-+Lemony+Lime+Citrus+Square.JPG" height="307" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemony Lime Citrus Square</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqoil2AfpHKMlEJtyKc_EWiHFxblNN5n0e_1U_x-suKiIsNujyhAzE5k2ZM5oYPtEnonwnjMGTdSGt0nA34p_gpR_QvD-DMpAMMTXnGpXMMi5C-1clb3C8zEYVkJts4lqKUgcLBsAzigz/s1600/frostbloom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqoil2AfpHKMlEJtyKc_EWiHFxblNN5n0e_1U_x-suKiIsNujyhAzE5k2ZM5oYPtEnonwnjMGTdSGt0nA34p_gpR_QvD-DMpAMMTXnGpXMMi5C-1clb3C8zEYVkJts4lqKUgcLBsAzigz/s1600/frostbloom2.jpg" height="315" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frostbloom 12" Afghan Square</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the texture of this square! It makes you just want to run your hands across it, doesn't it</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">? So ruffley and soft! I'm really liking the the colors, too, and I just happened to have them on hand so I didn't have to make any special trips to the store before starting. That makes me and my pocketbook happy!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVByrv2gzwUFbka2QYVMpj-VSKLhtAj5eOolVOdUNWASkOQngoYYuFI7jq37q_to_BMPoT56R69x7VO6WdWMpJpUcEUBzv7HMqffNbJbSurv971D7I8NSWBTNpVfcEdmv-n1ctITrh_rib/s1600/frostbloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVByrv2gzwUFbka2QYVMpj-VSKLhtAj5eOolVOdUNWASkOQngoYYuFI7jq37q_to_BMPoT56R69x7VO6WdWMpJpUcEUBzv7HMqffNbJbSurv971D7I8NSWBTNpVfcEdmv-n1ctITrh_rib/s1600/frostbloom.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frostbloom 12" Afghan Square<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MMbSrngsRkjMlja-dYKfzuue0owkPeD40U3VYLhS3b5Ofj5Q2teBeSN-Er3mjwqqppAr3V-y4ounm4US0Od1YT7REbpXUC5lUaR05YtT4sWorFYndYpeG83ONY91smB4ixzMg4Bvm0Qg/s1600/flower+tile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MMbSrngsRkjMlja-dYKfzuue0owkPeD40U3VYLhS3b5Ofj5Q2teBeSN-Er3mjwqqppAr3V-y4ounm4US0Od1YT7REbpXUC5lUaR05YtT4sWorFYndYpeG83ONY91smB4ixzMg4Bvm0Qg/s1600/flower+tile.jpg" height="309" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower Tile Afghan Square<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The downside to these two crochet alongs is that the afghans won't be completed until December! AAAHH! Waiting is so hard! I may have to add some 6" squares to fill in the time. Or, um, I could just work on the CIPs that are anxiously awaiting my crochet hook...</span></div>
Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-36524381677878063522014-02-03T21:47:00.001-05:002014-02-04T09:57:08.412-05:00Time really does fly...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow! It's been over a year since I posted anything. Seriously, where does time go? Oh yeah, I'm a full-time working mother...that explains it, at least a little.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first thing I need to do is introduce you to my granddaughter, Karli. She was born November 22, at 3:30 p.m., weighing 5 pounds 15 ounces and measuring 19 5/8" long. Perfect and healthy in every way! Oh, and mom recovered GREAT from her c-section (after two and a half days in labor!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About 3 hours after birth:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48IxdE1xzmoK4BH5wKLw0Z-rn7UI_QKwL8LhlFizhp_jVFmS19UmVNXxUkL3gf1OY6qESnW6JeowXBPY7hciY82MvjtuspfIiyeWaAEk1j-eYoHNuig-vsqp5NE30rYxKUKOyXz8vAhgl/s1600/Karli2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48IxdE1xzmoK4BH5wKLw0Z-rn7UI_QKwL8LhlFizhp_jVFmS19UmVNXxUkL3gf1OY6qESnW6JeowXBPY7hciY82MvjtuspfIiyeWaAEk1j-eYoHNuig-vsqp5NE30rYxKUKOyXz8vAhgl/s1600/Karli2.JPG" height="272" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here she is at 6 weeks old:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlQaLK2b0_TYy2hOYRDQowhOoLd41ljpdiSaZWwDd-tyQ5KuanyR27VIExEdYfXbzGA1tBSpTSSygEENix0dNemSb59aW8-dK7mRoFz6F85my4uwyclKbB9iBKud2nKWzbyH_m1jUhOzF/s1600/Katsixweeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlQaLK2b0_TYy2hOYRDQowhOoLd41ljpdiSaZWwDd-tyQ5KuanyR27VIExEdYfXbzGA1tBSpTSSygEENix0dNemSb59aW8-dK7mRoFz6F85my4uwyclKbB9iBKud2nKWzbyH_m1jUhOzF/s1600/Katsixweeks.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And one more at two months:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFFiUESFvFfdX-U54rzBSCs9ZvnDU1opA7ZWDEyCaY1PK6fGpSjPrExXqs92XRKJB7vCsbk7Sgmg6vHyJYXTp2NS0e03Dj63srUZEKKvHoZTin1B0r7FVxrDBtCoi-uP4nJCmMgumlKt-/s1600/Karli2months.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFFiUESFvFfdX-U54rzBSCs9ZvnDU1opA7ZWDEyCaY1PK6fGpSjPrExXqs92XRKJB7vCsbk7Sgmg6vHyJYXTp2NS0e03Dj63srUZEKKvHoZTin1B0r7FVxrDBtCoi-uP4nJCmMgumlKt-/s1600/Karli2months.JPG" height="287" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't she gorgeous?!?!?!! I think I'm starting to get the hang of this whole grandma thing, and I think I'm really going to enjoy it, too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We spent this past weekend celebrating my grandpa's 95th birthday. It was great seeing my sister and my Ohio family again. Sadly, the visits are few and far between. With the addition of Karli, it made five generations - again! My oldest daughter (aka Karli's mom) made five generations on my dad's mom's side of the family. My great-grandma was 94 when my oldest was born, and my grandpa (dad's dad) was 94 when Karli was born. I think that's kinda cool. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">On a different, but
related note, I have started crocheting again. Related because I
picked up my yarn and hook when I found out I was going to be a grandma. I have
a few projects under my belt, and a few CIPs (crochets in progress). Karli has
a beautiful blanket; my son-in-law and youngest daughter have scarves and I
made one for myself, too; one lapghan for <a href="http://www.soldiersangels.org/" target="_blank">Soldiers’ Angels</a>; an OSU afghan for
my son; and, an afghan that I started years ago and lost the pattern for.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Last week, I was cruising
around looking for patterns and discovered The Checkerboard Textures Throw
Crochet Along at <a href="http://www.redheart.com/blog/cross-stitched-square-checkerboard-textures-throw-crochet-along" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Red Heart</span></a>. I fell in love and have finished the first
square. I am really pleased with how it turned out, except for the fact that it is definitely NOT a 10x10 square like it's supposed to be! What do you think? I'm hoping that all my squares will turn out the same size and the afghan will still come together like it's supposed to.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57m9_EKWphUG1T9ztLkwVnTBlzBW9MRfYteadJjJbYqYsxaUhXjTi6R6L07z_RR_wjkyMBq1HXocmKQ-BE6bWANor5MwBd9SaPZBspdQr9uSJUqI0F72UhR9i0KctpDUp7Et8sr4BOI_y/s1600/crossstitchsquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57m9_EKWphUG1T9ztLkwVnTBlzBW9MRfYteadJjJbYqYsxaUhXjTi6R6L07z_RR_wjkyMBq1HXocmKQ-BE6bWANor5MwBd9SaPZBspdQr9uSJUqI0F72UhR9i0KctpDUp7Et8sr4BOI_y/s1600/crossstitchsquare.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My problem now is that I
have found two more crochet-alongs that I am smitten with. First, the <a href="http://www.mellieblossom.com/2014-crochet-along/" target="_blank">2014 Block-A-Month CAL</a> and then the <a href="http://www.mooglyblog.com/moogly-afghan-cal-block-1/" target="_blank">Moogly CAL 2014</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not even a huge fan of Granny Squares, but I do love a good
challenge so I’ll probably be making three blankets (in addition to the other CIPs I
have going) this year. You can never have too many projects going at
once, right?? The BAM CAL only does one square a month, while Moogly does two, and Red Heart does four! Hmm...decisions, decisions...</span></div>
</span><br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-7203943534579162792012-12-17T10:16:00.000-05:002012-12-17T10:16:07.333-05:00NaNoWriMo bites the dust (and a recipe!)Well, I tried. I tried to squeeze in 1,667 words each day last month. I tried and failed. Apparently, 24 hours is just not enough time to be a full-time wife, mom and Administrative Secretary, and a part-time taxi driver, doctor, dish washer, laundry attendant, cook & bottle washer, and novelist...get the idea? I am not giving up, no, I am just going to postpone this adventure for now. The thoughts are still swirling in my head and they'll eventually make it down on paper. Just not right now, maybe not in 6 months, but maybe next November when NaNoWriMo starts up again. We'll see...<br />
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Thanks to Pinterest I have hundreds of new recipes to try (as if my dozens and dozens of cookbooks didn't already have enough!). This one was a big hit at my Dad's 70th birthday party back in September, and I made it again today for our Christmas lunch at work. </div>
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<strong><u>Pepperoni Pizza Rolls</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6muGhX4rcHWmYcqmkoCXyaKK0yoHPXaTqhkoC83wLgTE2AMGaVH82sJqq1ieDI2ZMC8zpJ94v9AxzB9vdGpF2S8GT9Fuo8aL6nAOufzaVlmVeNRKTzRY1J1WdiYq0bfyu4MXjUU7CrY7Z/s1600/Pizza+Bites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6muGhX4rcHWmYcqmkoCXyaKK0yoHPXaTqhkoC83wLgTE2AMGaVH82sJqq1ieDI2ZMC8zpJ94v9AxzB9vdGpF2S8GT9Fuo8aL6nAOufzaVlmVeNRKTzRY1J1WdiYq0bfyu4MXjUU7CrY7Z/s1600/Pizza+Bites.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thanks to Dori at <a href="http://richestoragsbydori.blogspot.com/2012/03/mini-post-pepperoni-pizza-rolls.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Riches to Rags by Dori</a> and Tonia at <a href="http://www.thegunnysack.com/2011/03/easy-pepperoni-rolls.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Gunny Sack</a> for this great recipe. They both have step-by-step pictures, by the way. I wasn't thinking "blog it" when I made them this morning or I would have taken some myself.</div>
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I did change the original recipe a touch this time and only used mozzarella cheese...ok, string cheese cut in pieces. You can get 7 perfect-sized pieces out of one piece of string cheese :) I also forgot the Parmesan - gasp! I know, I know...what is a pizza bite without Parmesan. Or Parmeesheean, as my Dad says. I didn't have any Italian seasoning either, so I just used oregano. Ack, I also <span style="font-family: inherit;">brushed</span> with butter after baking instead of egg before baking (oregano and garlic after baking as well) and baked at 400° for a tad longer than 20 minutes. Guess I changed it a bit more than a touch. Hope they taste ok! I'll let you know. They do look good though, don't they?</div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ingredients:</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 cans buttermilk biscuits, not the flaky kind (10 biscuits per can)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">60 pepperoni slices</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Block of cheese</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 beaten egg</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Parmesan cheese</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Italian seasoning</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Garlic powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 jar pizza sauce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><em><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Directions:</span></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">1. Cut the block of cheese into 30 squares (1/2" - 3/4").</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">2. Flatten one biscuit and layer pepperoni, cheese, pepperoni.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">3. Gather the edges of the biscuit around the filling, and squish gently to seal. Repeat with remaining biscuits, pepperoni and cheese.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">4. Place pepperoni rolls in 9x13" baking dish. Brush with egg and sprinkle with Parmesan, Italian seasoning and garlic powder (or whatever you want really...see my note above).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">5. Bake at 425° F for 18-20 minutes.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Serve with warm pizza sauce for dipping.</span></span></span></div>
Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-72883852620751688882012-11-05T08:54:00.000-05:002012-11-05T08:56:08.880-05:00Better late than never!Wow! It's been quite a while since I posted anything. My laptop still isn't working, and it isn't nearly as convenient using the desktop computer downstairs. I've taken over the hubby's MacBook (which I'm not nearly as fond of as my Sony!), and hope to start posting more frequently.<br />
<br />
I've never thought of myself as much of a writer, so signing up for <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> was not something I had planned by any stretch of the imagination! 30 days...50,000 words...1 novel. Piece of cake, right? HA! Here it is day 5, and I'm already 5,225 words behind. Who knew writing 1,667 words a day would be so difficult? I'm sure I speak at least that many words during the day, but actually writing that many words is proving to be a challenge. Time, that's my excuse. Not enough time to write. Working 8-5 sure cuts into my writing time, then the family needs my attention in the evening, which also creates a free time issue. Plus, I'm not sure where my story is going so I'm winging it. Having never written a novel, or anything other than school papers for that matter, I don't have a clue what I'm doing. Character development, plot-thickening events, and the moral of my story will have to come later. For now, the goal is just getting the words onto paper. The details will come later.<br />
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My friend, Sheri (<a href="http://www.sherisalatin.com/">http://www.sherisalatin.com</a>), and my brother-in-law, Kevin (<a href="http://kwsleadership.wordpress.com/">http://kwsleadership.wordpress.com</a>), are also participating in NaNoWriMo. Wish us all luck!!<br />
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Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-24211287054908637172012-04-17T08:32:00.001-04:002012-04-17T08:32:49.598-04:00Blogger troublesI'm having a lot of trouble logging in to Blogger in order to post. I keep getting some type of security error when I go to their page. So, until I get this problem figured out you may not see much of me as posting from my phone is a hassle. Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-69932106445066234572012-04-13T21:40:00.001-04:002012-04-14T10:52:03.740-04:00Books, Books, Books!I love books! Cookbooks, craft books, fiction, non-fiction…it doesn’t matter. While there is something fundamental (and rather appealing) about touching, and holding, and the smell of an actual book, I have grown to really adore the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=sa_menu_karl3?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle app</a> on my iPhone. Since I usually have my phone with me wherever I go, it’s so convenient! Plus, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-eBooks/b/ref=sa_menu_kbo3?ie=UTF8&node=1286228011" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> always has free books to download! Both <a href="http://www.pixelofink.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pixel of Ink</a> and <a href="http://www.inspiredreads.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Inspired Reads</a> are great resources for finding those freebies. Right now, I have 531 books (should I be concerned about this???) that I have gotten for FREE! I didn’t pay a penny for either the app or the books. How cool is that? Here are some books that are currently free on Amazon.com:<br />
<br />
<strike>How to De-Clutter and Make Money Now</strike><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EM2NXG/?tag=readtoday-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Heart of Gold</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005F6NBPU/?tag=readtoday-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Vengeance Squad</a><br />
<strike>Saving Hope: Men of the Texas Rangers, Book 1</strike><br />
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Another site I love is <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>. I can keep track of the books I’m reading and my progress; I can add books to my to-be-read list; and, I can follow my friends to see what they’ve been reading (and they can follow me). <br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/OverDriveForLibraries" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">OverDrive</a> is also awesome! You can only access it if you have an active library card for your local library, though. With OverDrive, you are able to check-out eBooks, audio books, music and videos and download them to your favorite electronic device. What I love best about this service is that there are NO late fees! Once your loan time is up, the book (or whatever you’ve checked out) just disappears from your device. I listened to two audiobooks on our trip to Ohio over Christmas, which was great because I get terribly carsick if I try to read in the car. Check with your local library to see if they participate.<br />
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With all of this digital greatness we are surrounded by, don’t forget to visit your local library and check-out some good, ol’ hardcopy books regularly. Our local libraries will continue to lose funding, and employees, if we don’t show our support! <br />
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P.S. I didn't finish my book last night, but I did whittle it down to only 42 pages remaining. Hopefully this weekend!<br />
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Edit: One thing I should note about the free books on Amazon, some don't stay free for long! Sometimes, you just have to be quick.Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-80475533913000232772012-04-12T18:47:00.001-04:002012-04-12T18:55:00.413-04:00Ahhh, ThursdayOh, Thursday, how I love thee! Why? I don’t know exactly, but it’s always been my favorite day of the week. Maybe because the busyness of the week has worn down; maybe because it’s one step closer to Friday; maybe because I usually don’t have anyplace to be after work and I can just be home with my family. Thursday brings me to that “ahhh” moment of unhurried peace. Maybe I can even get the last few chapters of "The Search", by Suzanne Woods Fisher, read tonight. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2q1w1Cxun0YN5jiUeYNOofD92Pvxa35RZ-cCnPxH3UtjHbQfXLqYkw36iJVMmMhOeuxwnwA22XA1h-fMm1QLfxIl71ZSQtF21HmSrufOWX-qd5GL2DF9Oa0FipNSA3Ta9ms-F2JSgEf3/s640/blogger-image--1476075791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2q1w1Cxun0YN5jiUeYNOofD92Pvxa35RZ-cCnPxH3UtjHbQfXLqYkw36iJVMmMhOeuxwnwA22XA1h-fMm1QLfxIl71ZSQtF21HmSrufOWX-qd5GL2DF9Oa0FipNSA3Ta9ms-F2JSgEf3/s640/blogger-image--1476075791.jpg" /></a></div>Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-79105177962188647232012-04-10T17:58:00.000-04:002012-04-10T17:58:03.040-04:00I'm a WINNER!Wow! I am thrilled to have won a $10 coupon from <a href="http://www.designsbymeganturnidge.com/blog/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Designs by Megan Turnidge</a>! I can't wait to use it and make something really pretty. You know I'll let you know what I get :)Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611898714821131950.post-91825516794976884222012-04-10T04:53:00.001-04:002012-04-10T17:58:34.093-04:00Just testing the waters...Some people say I talk too much. That I tend to ramble. Maybe I do. So here it is...my place to ramble. I'm not sure what will show up here, but I'm guessing it'll be a hodge-podge of different things...a little of this and a little of that. Hang on, because it could be a bumpy ride!Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673693978375908210noreply@blogger.com0