Gooseberry Prayer Patch

"The Sock" Saga

2007-02-12T14:16:00.000-08:00

"The Sock" saga continues! LOL Okay. So here is the latest on "The Sock". After breaking the sz 1 bamboodpn, I scrounged five metal sz 2 dpns. The gauge was so different and for somereason there were 'holes' but no dropped stitches. Then I realized there werefour sz 2 and one sz 3 need in the mix. ARGH! I just sat staring at "The Sock"and wondering what on earth to do to fix it. So...I tore out the entire thing. "The Sock" was a curling, twisted pile of yarn. And actually, I felt prettygood inside after tearing out "The Sock". I went to Walmart and purchased apackage of metal, sz 2 dpns, came home and cast on four needles, twistedstitches all around. Tore it out. Cast on...same thing. DUH! Molly! Cast onto three needles!! It worked and I was off!! Moved to the cuff, then on to the actual pattern. While watching the Colts win last night I got four inches on "The New Sock" worked on and it looks good! WooHoo! I figure at this rate I MAY actually finish by next weekend! HAHA! It seems so much easier this time, like I'm not fighting every stitch. And mybrain keeps recalling all the helpful advice on the heal turn and gusset. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AHAHAH! HAHAHA!! hehehehehehe! heheh... So, Just about one more turn in the pattern and I can start the heel turn!

And an update: The sock is finished!! After reducing "The Sock" into a pile of Ramen noodle-like yarn, it only took about one week to finish "The New Sock" Go figure! I just need to graft the toe together and it is completely finished! AHAHHAHH!! (maniacle laughter and much wooping around!) It turned out so nice. Nancy and I are going to get together in a couple weeks and visit a spinning shop together and I get to play with fibre critters. I can't wait!!

My Feet to Prayers box arrived!

2007-01-16T15:19:00.000-08:00

My box from Kimberly arrived today. It was filled all kinds of wonderful gifts! A matching mug, note cards, pen/paper set, lavendar candle, chocolate, yarn that she spun & dyed herself, fall motif sticky notes and tablet, and the most beautiful sock!! The pattern is one she designed herself. It's called "Molly Pitcher Lacey Socks". (You'll have to look up Molly Pitcher AKA Mary Hays McCauly. A very interesting piece of little known history.) It was such a wonderful gift box!! Thank you so much, Kimberly! I think I have a new favorite coffee mug!!!!

2007-01-11T12:15:00.000-08:00

Today seems a bit dreary. Gray and windy. Not too cold; jacket weather. I feel ready for winter this year and we really haven't had a nice long stretch of cold. Where is the snow? I miss snow, snowball fights, snow angels, sledding, snowmen, hot cocoa with marshmallows on top. Snuggling under warm blankies.

There are a lot of things going on right now. Just a few:

1) Cooking at church is a blast! I am having so much fun! I love the people who help me cook and then help clean afterward. What a super group of people! This has been a fantabulous opportunity to meet other people at church, find out a little bit about them as I serve them their dinner. I hope they ask me to cook again next year!

2) My dad and mom finally sold their house and bought an RV. They planned on doing some traveling while they still could, but mom's health is really deteriorating and she is fast becoming an invalid. A visit to the CTCA doctor confirmed that her cancer is back. They caught it early and she started chemo this past Monday. She will do chemo for one, then off two weeks, on one week. etc. So far it is only causing her to be very sleepy, but no nausea so far. That's what she was worried the most about: the nausea. Dad has decided it will be more economical for them to just stay at the hospital during her treatments and when they do leave only be about a days drive away. That limits how far they can go. He just needs to feel God's support. He has taken care of mom, the house, everything for the past six years. He's old! And he's tired.

3) A very good friend from Ed's Marine Corps days called and told me her cancer is back and has metastasized onto her spine. The doctors said it's incurable (and inoperable). Her husband is in Iraq and they are trying to get him home to be with her. She made it sound like she didn't have long to live or that the doctors gave her much hope. She is my age (40-ish). I'm praying she finds a doctor who isn't going to give up on and will work to heal her.

4) Ed got a COLR (cost of living raise). We are thankful for that. They aren't every very much, but like I tell him, it's better than nothing. I am trying to get our finances in order and both of us on a budget so we don't struggle this summer when I'm not cooking at church. Ed may have to get a second job to make ends meet.

5) I'm trying to be a better wife, mom, housewife, I'm not the greatest cleaner-upp, but I'm trying. I am also trying so hard to be that Provers 31 woman. She sounds so perfect, which I know is not attainable for anyone here on earth, but surely she had some bad days!

6) I want to start my own at-home business, but not anything I have to sell at home shows. Been there, done that, hated it. There are a couple ideas God has given me, I just don't know where to go to take the step of making them happen. I have two jewelry ideas, one on-line business (need a digital camera that will run with our ancient computer), mural painting in chruches, preschools/daycares. So there are several options, I just don't know how to take the next step. What is the next step? How do I find the next step?

So that's what is going on with me. Boring, huh? I think I want to learn how to bellydance.

Happy 2007!

2007-01-01T20:59:00.000-08:00

Well, God has given me a new year! I am not one to make new year resolutions because I tend to make them to grandiose and I can't attain them. However, this year I did decide a few things:
* pray more
* spend more time getting to know God
* learning what God's plan for me is
* have friends over for dinner more often
* calling friends so I don't lose track of them

I really want to be on the same page as God; to know what He has planned for me. Can you imagine how exciting 2007 could be if I would keep my focus on God instead of what's going on down here? The things down here would naturally fall into place and wouldn't have to take up my God focus.

That's not to say I don't have some health goals. In the fall I changed my eating habits. With the holidays I did eat some of my favorites, but with the new year it is time to eat the way God wants me to. Not too difficult...for me, that is. My husband doesn't really like it, but I do try to accomodate his tastes.

I wish you all a God-focused 2007! Remember: John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease."

Happy December!!

2006-12-01T07:09:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe it is December already! It seems like yesterday that I was lamenting it was "July already". This is the month we celebrate the birth of Jesus, my Savior. This year I want to keep it all in perspective and not lose site of the reason we have Christmas.

I have received so many wonderful emails and letters from soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm part of an organization called Soldier's Angels and have adopted three Army soldiers, one sailor, and one Marine. It has been so wonderful knowing that I can make a difference to a soldier who needs some love and support with letters and care packages. I wish I could do more! But I can't. That's why I hope others will join and adopt. It doesn't cost a lot but it means a lot to these soldiers, some of whom don't have someone at home to write to them. Check it out at www.soldiersangels.org

The sock is coming along nicely! It has been so fun knitting for my Feet to Prayer partner and praying for her. I hope she can wear these socks. When this is done I may knit myself a pair. I've only knit one pair before, but nothing like this pattern. It's bubbly! My next project for myself is scarf knit from handspun yarns my kids spindle spun. I'm excited about this project! I can wear something my kids made.

Feet To Prayers update

2006-10-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm not a sock knitter. I have the beautiful yarn and the little toothpick-sized dps. I have started and ripped out about eight times already and will be doing it again today. The stitches went on just fine and after eight tries I finally knit & purled one row. YAY! But I "yayed" too soon. After really looking at it my stitches twisted and I can't figure out how to untwist. So, off they'll come! It's okay though. It helped me remember what the next step was, so once the twist is gone I'll be off running .

Adopt a Soldier

2006-10-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

Well, Autumn is finally here! My favorite season. It's time to put the garden to bed until next year. Most everything done producing; an occasional tomatoe ripens, the brussels sprouts are about the size of a marble, but it's time. Can't keep the garden going all winter!

I've been busy cooking at church on Wednesdays. I just love the ladies and guys who come in and help cook, serve, and clean. Such a fun group!! It has been so...FUN!

Did you know you can adopt a soldier? There is an organization called Soldier's Angels. You can sign up to support one soldier (or however many you feel you can financially afford) by sending letters and an occasional care package. You aren't making a political statement. Wouldn't you want to know that your son/daughter/husband/wife was receiving support from a total stranger? A pick me up for doing what they want to do: serve their country? Check out the website at www.soldiersangels.org/ I have adopted four, one unofficial, and write LOTS of letters. The soldiers say they covet letters the most. To hear their name called at mail call is like winning the lottery. And it's just a .39 lottery, the cost of a postage stamp! So check them out!

Well, that's about all! You all have a blessed Autumn season! Enjoy the explosion of colors!!!

First Dinner

2006-08-27T18:44:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday, Aug. 23, was the first day I cooked dinner at church. It was such a fun day with Judy, Glenda, and Evelyn, chopping, mixing, rolling, steaming. The food was very well received with compliments. I wasn't nervous at all! Just a little concerned we would run out of food since about 20 people decided to call after reservation cutoff. But we had enough. Evelyn said it would be like the fishes and the loaves of bread. She was right. We ended up with two pans of main course. We started asking people if they wanted seconds. All in all it was a fantastic day. People have been asking what's for supper this week. This is just too fun to be a job!

End of the Garden...for now

2006-08-13T19:19:00.000-07:00

It has been a good year for tomatoes. The poor, sprawling tomatoes were all over each other, but they managed to put up some gorgeous fruits! The patty pan squash took over the west end of the garden, choking out a tomatoe plant and three rows of corn. They didn't put up much fruit so they won't be in the garden next year. The corn that did manage to grow was laid flat during a heavy wind storm. Can you stake corn? :oP No more watermelon in the garden. The farmer's market is close enough and the melons are a great price. The brussel sprouts are still going. No sprouts yet, but we'll see. At the east end of the garden, the Fat Brown Goose beans have a permanent choke-hold on the Big Beefy tomatoe plants and don't show any signs of ever letting go! These are heirloom beans, and while there aren't enough to actually eat, I will try to save them for an heirloom seed company. Maybe they can grow more than I was able. The seeds were several years old so it was a surprise any of them came up. The okra did wonderful. Again, I didn't harvest a lot so the pods have become woody. Those seed will be saved as well.

Garden Wrestling

2006-06-28T05:08:00.000-07:00

It's not pretty, but it's a garden! I managed to plant everything too close to each other. Has it been so long since my last garden that I could forget veggies need space?

The white Pattypans have overtaken three rows of sweet corn. They (the squash) look fantabulous, but the corn underneath, well, let's just say they may as well not be there. One row of corn has managed to sprout; the one at the edge of the Pattypans. The Mr. Stripey tomatoe at the end of the Pattypan hills is looking...spindley at best. But Mr. Stripey is setting fruit!

I didn't have cages for any of the tomatoes. And I did forget that inderterminate is synonimous with rambling all over everything in it's path. I have them staked, but they're growing faster than I can tie the branches up! The row markers are gone (probably lost under the tangle of tomatoes) so I can't remember what is where. There are some Beefy Boys, a few pastes, one pink (something 'et the other), one white, and one Mr. Stripey. I think there is an orange tomatoe in there somewhere.

The okras are about 18" tall and are already setting fruit. That's exciting. There's Red Velvet okra, Emerald okra, and maybe a Cherokee Long Pod okra, but I don't think those made it. There might be one or two somewhere in the tomatoe tangle.

Then I planted an heirloom been called Fat Brown Goose. It is a vining bean and right now has a half-nelson on a couple Beefy Boys tomatoes.

While standing at the garden fence I finally threw my hands in the air and said to the veggies, "I'm gonna leave ya'll alone and you can fight it out! You are all simply too unruly!" So, we'll see what comes out of that garden wrestling match!

Early Mother's Day Gift

2006-05-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

I found out today that our "daughter" that has been living with us since May of 2005 wants to be adopted! Misty couldn't wait until Mother's Day to tell me. She is so funny! It is very hard for her to keep a secret, like a gift, until the special day! That is okay. I am so excited! We will hopefully be starting adoption proceedings this month. God is SO good.

I needed something to cheer me up today. Was a wonderfully precious gift. This makes up for my crummy morning.

Gardening

2006-04-28T05:49:00.000-07:00

Still trying to navigate blogging. My garden is in. It was a lot of work! We don't own a tiller so I hand-turned a large area. There are several blisters on my hands! But it was worth it. There are four types of okra, Mexican Sour Gherkins, West India Burr Gherkins, Parisian pickles, Boston Pickling cukes, White Scallop Summer Squash, zucchini, Fat Brown Goose Dry Bean, yellow wax bean, green beans, Bloody Butcher Corn, Tigger Melon, Jarradale Pumpkin (gray squash), Yellow Midget Watermelon, Thai Winged Bean, and I'll be putting in some tomatoes and jalapenos this weekend. I can hardly wait to do some canning this fall!
At one end of the fence I transplanted some raspberries last year. The have MULTIPLIED! There will be a lot of berries this year. The canes tipped and started several more plants so they will be transplanted this fall. I did have a gooseberry cane started, but I was accidentally weed-wacked. Maybe this fall I can put in some strawberries and a couple blueberry bushes.

Around the fence are Hollyhocks, Shasta Daisys, and Mexican Daisys. There are some other flowers but I can't remember what all we planted. I hope they come up. The seed was a few years old. I put out some yellow daisy plants and hope they will "take over" the area they are planted.

business venture

2006-04-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

I am still going full-steam-ahead on the product God gave me the idea for. It is a prayer reminder. The response from stangers has been overwhelming! In fact, the target market I thought would be most interested has shown interest, but not like women my age! It has been a bit overwhelming. Now I am looking into a manufacturing company and financing (possibly a business grant). In fact, while cruising the net today I found a Christian company that used a place that employs special needs adults to make their product. SHAZAM! What a great idea! The confidence God has given me in this product is so...I can't express it! I'm trying to make sure He is kept first in this project since it was his idea. Keep me in your prayers!

First Blog!

2006-04-05T07:17:00.000-07:00

I have entered the world of blogging! My world currently consists of homeschooling, being a wife and mother. My hobbies are spindling, painting murals or anything not nailed down, learning to knit. But most importantly, serving my Lord and Savior, Jesus. I enjoy fellowshipping with other believers. I am going to be helping in a Special Needs Bible study class that is starting at church April 16. I am very excited about that!

My digital camera got knocked off the desk by one of our cats, so I'm not sure when I'll get it repaired or replaced. So bear with me on some boring blog entries for a while.