"Spring" Cleaning

Well, today I decided it was time to get cracking at it, and get my spring cleaning started. Since getting my new computer, and the Microsoft Outlook that came with it, I have been revamping how I organize my "To Do" List. And so I started giving myself a due date for some projects, giving enough time to get them done around work, and crafting and such. Well, today I started one project - cleaning the shelf of my closet. That led to cleaning the floor area of my closet and sorting through all the stuff there, putting the things that I want to save in the three drawer plastic bin I moved to the storage closet about three weeks ago, and putting fabric out of boxes and into the plastic tote that had held some of the things that I am keeping. I also did several loads of laundry.

And while this may not seem very interesting to some, for me it was quite interesting to see how one little item on my To Do List spawned an afternoon of sorting, junking, setting aside for Freecycle, and reorganizing. I actually have space in my closet now!

"Parable" of the Lost Crochet Hook

Today I was working on a baby gift for someone, and the blanket(s) I make are done in a round with different stitches for the two parts. These different stitches also require different sizes of crochet hooks. Well, I got the main part done and went to switch hooks, and I could not find the next hook that I needed. So I searched through another storage container that I had just recently re-organized to be solely for my crochet supplies. It wasn't there. Then I dug deeped into the basket that sits beside my "spot" on the couch. It wasn't there. I started digging under and around the couch cushions, under the couch, under the end table beside the couch. I even rattled the little "garbage pail" beside my "spot" to hear if it was in there. It wasn't anywhere. So I went back to my crochet supply container to find another hook of the same size. I didn't have one. So, here I am, feeling really anxious because I need to have this blanket made for the baby shower happening this week, and I don't have the right size of hook.

I then had a quiet, small voice in my head that reminded me that I had finished the partner to this blanket the night before Selena and Curtis, and KIDS, came to my place. When the KIDS come over I put my scissors and hooks up on top of my entertainment unit so they are well out of reach. I go over and look, and it WAS there! And believe it or not, I wanted to burst into Stacy's room and say to her, "Rejoice with me for I have found my lost crochet hook!!" ;-)

Happy 30th Birthday Selena

30 years ago, you were born. With your full head of brown hair (compared to my 2-1/2 year old bald head) you became my sister.
A few years later, you were at home but I headed off to school. You go to stay home and play and you became my teaser (that I was at school).
Then, you also had to go to school and after a couple of years you showed how athletically inclined you were (compared to my lack of ability). Then you became my competition.
Fast forward several years to when you were teasing me about boys, wanted rides in my car, and needed this, that and the other thing. You then became my "tormentor".
Years later, and here we are. Living a 45 minute drive from each other, seeing each other at Church every Sunday, planning craft supply shopping trips, letting me babysit your kids while you and Curtis go get some stuff done. Talking on the phone once or twice a week, emailing each other, planning things together. You have now become my friend.

Happy Birthday to a wonderful sister, and a tremendous friend!

Opening Valentine's Gifts

At long last, on an absolutely gorgeous February morning, Nora and Levi were able to open their Valentine's gifts from me. Nora was very careful with opening hers at first, and then the ripping of the paper really started. Levi was extremely careful with opening his as well, and Selena decided to help him open it so he and Nora could get down to their classes. Nora was so excited to see puppies, and Levi sat down on his right away. He looks upset because he was told to get off the rug, take the picture, and then head for class. Selena also emailed me later yesterday to say thank you, and that the kids really love the rugs!

Oh Happy Day!!!

Oh what a wonderful, wonderful day, day Miles MacMillan will never forget! Yesterday morning, after Worship Service, Miles MacMillan (my cousin Alisha's guy) was baptized. He has been studying the Bible and attending Church services for a while now!

Valentine's Gifts

These are the latch hook rugs that I made for Levi (Noah's Ark) and Nora (Shaggy Dogs). Fortunately I kept these over on my "crafting table" and so they did not suffer the same fate as the growth charts did last night! Actually, the latch hook rugs are already wrapped and waiting for a chance to be opened by Nora and Levi. Oh for better winter weather!! ;-)

I finally did a MAJOR OOPS!

As most people in my life know, I am a major crafter. I sew, crochet, do cross stitch, and latch hook rugs. Tonight I cried over a major oops.
I had the two growth charts for Nora and Levi sitting in my cross stitch tote by "my spot" on the couch. I was working instead on crocheting some dishcloths for someone at work. I had a glass of Dr. Pepper on the table beside me and had just finished setting it down when it slipped and dropped right into the tote. Both growth charts were ruined completely even though I tried to save them. I did manage to sponge the pop off of the pattern chart and the paper shouldn't wrinkle too badly. I cried. A growth chart takes about 200 hours to cross stitch. Levi's had approximately 20 hours left to be finished, and Nora's was about 80 hours worth of being stitched. I don't know right now if I am going to try to redo these growth charts for them, or simply move on and stitch the family trees for them from the Precious Moments pattern book that I salvaged.
Oh, but I did move the tote once it was all wiped clean of anything sticky so that it is completely under the table beside the couch.