Continued Journey into Dishcloths ~ Saturday AM, July 14th, 2012

 Saturday AM, July 14th, 2012

I plan on having a simple kind of day.  Dishes, etc.  ha ha.  I do have a new recipe that I want to try today.  Publix was demonstrating it the other day and so I grabbed the recipe. I really need to go to the store, but I don't feel like it.  Maybe later today, or even tomorrow.  I also have another pattern for a dishcloth that is a retro one that I want to try my hand at.  That may happen today too. ha ha.

I am on a roll.  I love this pattern for the dishcloths, which can also be used for washcloths as they are cotton, and so soft. 

If anyone has a pattern they would like to share with me, I would love it.. 

Here is the pattern for the ones above if anyone is interested in it.

Simplicity Dishcloth

Materials: Worsted Weight Cotton: Multicolor – 1½ oz, 75 yd (45 g, 68 yd); Pink – ½ oz, 25 yd (15 g, 23 yd) (Peaches & Crème)
Crochet Hook: Size G-6 (4.25 mm)

Special Stitches
Shell: (sc, hdc, ch 3, sl st) in same st or sp indicated.

DISHCLOTH

Row 1: (Right Side) With Multicolor, ch 31, sc in 2nd ch from hook, [sc in next ch] across. (30 sc)

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc now and throughout), turn, [hdc in next sc] across. (30 hdc)

Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc now and throughout), turn, [dc in next hdc] across. (30 dc)

Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each dc across. (30 sc)

Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across. (30 sc)

Rows 6-21: Rep Rows 2-5 four times.
At the end of Row 21, finish off and weave in ends.

Edging

Rnd 1: With right side facing, join Pink with sc to first sc on Row 21, (hdc, ch 3, sl st) in same sc, [ch 1, skip next 2 sc, Shell in next sc] across row, * working in sides of rows, evenly work (ch 1, Shell) 9 times across *; working in unworked lps of starting ch, ch 1, Shell in first ch, [ch 1, skip next 2 ch, Shell in next ch] across; rep from * to *; ch 1; join with sl st to first sc. (40 shells) Finish off and weave in ends.

http://www.bestfreecrochet.com/2011/06/09/160-simplicity-crochet-dishcloth-maggie-weldon-maggies-crochet/#

Until next time.................................
 

An interesting Personal Ad ~ July 2, 2012

"What would be an interesting personal ad to read in the newspaper?  Imagine who might send it, then write the ad."

This prompted me to think.  What would be interesting.  I am such a scatterbrain that everything and anything is interesting.  Heck, the back of the cereal box is interesting.  I really need a life.  ha ha.

Maybe the personal ad would go something like this:

I am looking for someone that will age gracefully with me.  I am kind, caring, considerate, and have a lot of love to give.  I love running on the beach and long walks. I really don't want to put down a physical description as I don't want to be judged on my looks.  A picture will be sent if you really need to see it.  If that's the case, then don't bother to respond, as I know what you care about.  I am looking for someone that is loyal, kind, considerate, and wants to love me for the rest of my life. If you had a flexible schedule or stayed at home that would be great.  I do need a lot of attention, but the reward will be yours because you will never find anyone more honest or loyal than I will be for you.  I will protect you with my life, as I would expect you to do for me.  I don't ask for much and I don't require much.  Just love.  Pure and simple love. 

If possible please respond to the American Humane Society.  

I really want someone to make me feel safe and wanted.

"The Dog".... Gosh, if only it was that simple.

Please jump on in and add your ad.  I would love to hear it.  Don't be shy.  I don't bite.  Get it..  The dog for the ad, don't bite.  ha ha.  I crack myself up sometimes...  ha ha

A Senior Dog’s Prayer - Beulah - June 20, 2012

                              Beulah a lot grey but oh so cute

         Beulah a lot grey but oh so cute spread out

 

 

Wow, I came across this poem and had to post it.  I know Beulah is getting (she's already there) older, and I would never think of letting anything happen to her because she was old.  Coco died at home with Don and I petting him and talking to him.  He was so peaceful until he took his last breath, I screamed, he opened his eyes, and just went to sleep.  I wish I hadn't done that, but it was a reflex action.  He will be missed forever.  With Schmutz we had to have her put to sleep as she was chocking as her tongue had swelled from her heart problems.  We went to the vets and held her while they gave her the medication to put her to sleep.  Again, she was held, loved, and went peacefully.  I will do no less for Beulah whenever her time is. 

 

Beulah is such a nice little girl.  She is kind and loves everyone.  She may look old (one of the neighbors when he sees her always says how's the Old Timer doing.  That's okay.  She is getting older, just like me.  She's gained weight and turned grey.  Hey.. So have I.  I am glad I have someone to grow old with.  All she needs to do is look at me with those beautiful eyes and a tilt of her head and I'm a goner.  Yes, in case you haven't guessed it, she owns me.  ha ha.

 

Here is the poem that just tore me up, and I could not stop crying.  Bless all the old timers who give us all they have and then some.

 

A Senior Dog’s Prayer
 

One by one, they pass my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can’t run and play.
They shake their heads slowly and go on their way.

A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.

Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn’t belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.

Whatever excuse they made in their head,
Can’t justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
Those younger dogs get adopted away.

When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond the cage

You took me home, gave me food and a bed.
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.

I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To You, my dear person, as long as I live.

I may be with you for a week or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.

And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the angel who made my last days so dear.

~ Author Unknown

Pinky Ring - Memories - June 11, 2012

                                         This is not my pinky finger, just so you know.

It's just that kind of day.  Sort of melancholy.  You would think that it would be all of last week with all the rain, thunder, and lightening we had.  And we did get it good.  We needed it so bad. Hopefully this will keep the fires at bay.  And it is hurricane season.  Dang.  There was one clap of thunder yesterday that honest to pete, made the trailer shake.  Scared the you know what out of me.  Beulah had already been there since she sensed it coming.  I don't do storms very well.  It just brings home the feelings of being alone.  Oh well..

I started to knit.  Yeah for me...  ha ha.  Well, that may be a gross exaggeration of knitting.  I have learned to put the stitches onto the needle.  ha ha...  And I like that part so far.  ha ha...

I am trying to do some of the things on my so called "bucket list".  I think it's more of a "I'm bored I want to do.......". ha ha.  I have always wanted to learn to really crochet, knit, and quilting.  I am on my way with crocheting, and I love it.  My hands aren't always cooperating though.  With my carpal tunnel and arthritis, they get sore, but oh well, that just lets me know that they are still there. The saddest part of all that is that I have had to take off my pinky ring.  I just about cried.  I have had that on my pinky for 43 years.  I got it as a gift from my mom and dad for my 16th birthday, along with a great sweet sixteen party.  It was my initials DJB with a tiny diamond.  I always thought it sort of looked like a U instead of a J, but I loved it then, and I love it now. Wish I could find those pictures.  Anyway,  I will keep trying to get it on.  The strange part is how strange my finger feels without it.  Over the years my fingers have gotten fatter along with the rest of me, but it still fit.  Now old age is doing it for me. 

Well this was short, but need to take my baby girl out in this insufferable heat.  At least it's not storming.

Until next time.

Crocheted Baby Booties - Start of TS Beryl - May 27, 2012

I am so proud of myself.  I am actually learning to crochet and it feels so good to make things.

As you can see from the picture, I made baby booties.  I was beside myself.  I grew up never thinking I could do much, and so to be able to do this makes me very happy.  And I love my crochet buddies. 

We are making baby booties, hats, and afghans to donate to a Pregnancy Center locally.  It feels good to be part of a community and to be think that tiny little feet will be filling my booties..ha ha.  As I've said a hundred times, it doesn't take much to make me happy.

I will post the directions at the end of this.

We are in the midst of waiting for Tropical Storm Beryl. We have had lots of wind, wind gusting pretty good at times, rain bands that are heavy when they happen, and thunder.  As I am writing this it is bright and sunny out there right now.  It is sort of raining about every half hour or so, then the sun shines.  Beulah will need to learn to walk between the raindrops.  ha ha.

Here is the baby bootie pattern and the website

Bev's Very EASY Newborn Booties
www.bevscountrycottage.com/bevsbooties2.html

Newborn bootie size measurements
Foot Length = 3 1/2 - 3 3/4"
Height from sole to top of bootie is about 4 - 4 1/2"
Instep (from sole to ankle bone) = 1.75" - 2.25"

Size H hook ( For preemies I used G hook)
1 oz of soft 4 ply worsted weight yarn (Simply Soft works great!)
Bottom of bootie foot -- Ch 26(for other ones I used 30 chains)

ROW 1: HDC in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (25 hdc) Ch 2 (counts as a HDC on next row), turn

ROW 2 - 3: HDC in each hdc across row (25 hdc). ch 2, turn.

ROW 4: (you can change colors here if desired) DC in each hdc across row (25 dc) - do not chain 3 at the end, just turn

ROW 5 (top of bootie) : slip st in the first 5 dcs, ch 3 - in that 5th st- (counts as one dc) dc in the same st and then in each dc across leaving 4 unworked at the end.. (17 dcs) Chain 3, turn

ROWS 6 and 7 : (change colors back) DC in each dc across the 17 sts being sure to DC into the very last stitch, ch 3 and turn (17 dcs)

ROW 8: Girls top: Sc into 1st st near hook, ch 3, sc in next st, repeat across to make a ruffle on the top.

ROW 8: Boys top: Alternate making a *FPDC and *BPDC across row, working the stitches in the front or back of the sts in the row below.

Finish off. ~Fold piece in half and whip-stitch up using yarn and big eyed needle - this is the wrong side of the bootie. Flip booties right side out and shape them with your hands to make them more puffy and rounded. FOLD TOP DOWN.

~ * ~ IMPORTANT: Weave a length of ribbon in and out of the row above the heel to tie booties. Or crochet a contrasting colored chain of about 60 chains. ~ * ~

* FPDC = Front Post Double Crochet. Meaning you go down into the stitch below, in the front and make a dc in that stitch
* BPDC = Back Post Double Crochet. Meaning you go down into the stitch below, in the back of the stitch and make a dc in that stitch

**As I stated above I used a G hook for the preemies

**For the other ones I used the H hook and chained 30 and adjusted for it.  Like in row 1 it would be 29, In row 2, 3, and 4  it would be 29, 5 I did the same, etc.  Any questions, just ask.  I am learning, but I know what I did.  ha ha

Until next time....

My day - May 25th, 2012

What a day, what a day...  Had a doctor's appointment (yeah, what else is new ha ha) and had another right after for my shots, but the first one ran over by almost an hour so I had to cancel my shots.  You can tell I'm heartbroken over it. ha ha  I just have to remember to call and reschedule it. 

 

Went to the new Hobby Lobby.  Today was their grand opening and I was really disappointed.  Not much in the way of yarn at all.  I think Wal-Mart has more.  It's about the same as Michael's, but much more expensive.  They had a wheel to spin for Chick-fil-a, and I won a breakfast sandwich.  Yeah.....ha ha.  They had someone there with banana muffins and Dunkin Donuts coffee.  If it's DD coffee, I am so there.  ha ha.  No cream, but with DD, I can do without it.

 

Then it was on to crocheting.  I worked on making baby booties.. And yeah...  I made one.  It is a preemie size and so adorable.  Needless to say, I am so proud of myself.  Waiting to see if the other one comes out the same size.  ha ha...  I know it should be relaxing,  but when I am learning something I get so tight and tense.  ha ha... While there, I got a phone call from my friend/next door neighbor and she locked her keys in her car at her work.  So I left, went home, let out Beulah, went to her house, looked for the key and found it.  She found a ride home, so I had to just take her to her back to her car.  30 miles later, I was home.  It is in the 90's and my air doesn't work in my Jeep.  Can you say, Ughhhhhh... Hotttttt.  Heat........ It felt so good to come home into the air conditioning.  Funny thing is once your in for a while it doesn't seem as cool.  Beulah is even knocked out from the heat... 

 

Just got off the phone after a nice conversation with a friend that I was best friends with in high school.  Miles and years come together so nicely.  I am so fortunate to have made some wonderful friendships over my lifetime.  It's great re-connecting with people. I thank you all, old and new for what you have contributed to my life.

 

I finished Moonlight Road by Robyn Carr yesterday.  I am just blazing through her Virgin River series. 

 

So this has been my day. All in all, it's been a good day.  It's to hot to eat.  I might just have a yogurt. 

 

When I finish the second baby bootie I will post a picture of it.

 

Until next time..

Beep Beep ~ May 20, 2012

Cars..  Not the normal topic for me, but I was laying there trying to fall asleep (it was not happening) and I started thinking of cars I have had.  How odd is that..  ha ha

 

Growing up, I drove my mom's car.  She had a canary yellow Javelin.  Remember the commercial with the fish. "Hey..wanna race".  Well, I took that literally and raced and dropped the transmission.  I could only go in reverse.  Not a good thing. 

 

Then I got married and we had a Dodge Polaris.  Oh how I loved that car.  I don't know if it was so much the car or the fact that the  gears were push buttons.  No putting anything in gear.  Just push the button and you were in drive, reverse, etc. (It's the little things that excite me). 

 

Then I got a 1958 VW bug.  That was in 1973 or 1974.  It was red and her name was Tizzy.  Yes, she had a name.  My grandfather always wanted to go for a ride.  The only problem was it didn't have a gas gauge, and I had to stick a ruler in there to see how much gas I had.  Needless to say, I would forget and would run out of gas.  Not a good thing with an 80 year old man who decides he's going to walk home.. (15 miles or so from home), getting more aggravated as the moments went by.  And yet, the next day, he would ask to go for a ride.  I loved my grandpa.  RIP Pop. Another thing was it was a stick shift and not synchronized.  I did not know how to drive a stick.  I would roll down the hill, buck and stall and stall some more.  I had a love/hate relationship with her.

 

Then it was a Green Grand Marquis.  Nothing special except it was brand spanking new.  Don't remember what happened to it.

 

Then I remember our 1971 Chevy Chevette.  It was a lemon.  I mean a really really sour lemon....  Let's put it this way.  A kid on a bicycle beat me up a hill.  But I was so happy with it when we moved to Florida.  Who cared if the transmission was bad, and it had so many problems.  It made it here and I was so excited to drive it on the beach at Daytona.  That got old fast.  HA HA.  The hatch back was nice for our chairs, cooler, and fishing rods. 

 

Then my red Dodge Aspen.  That is the first car I bought myself.  I was going through my divorce and went and bought it by myself.  The ad said "year, make, model, am/fm radio, cassette player, air, etc.  Long story short.  I could not get the radio to work.  Got home with it and a friend looked at it.  It had no speakers.  So I had to go buy them and he put them in.  The ad did not say anything about speakers so I felt kind of stupid, but oh well.  Whatever... ha ha.  I have no idea what a slant 6 engine is, but that is all the guys talked about.  So I'm thinking I made a good choice.

 

Then it was on to a baby blue Grand Marquis.  That was the prettiest color car I have ever seen.  I have not seen another car that color to this day. 

 

Then onto a black car.  ha ha.  I don't remember what it was.  ha ha.  I do know the seat belt got stuck and I was in the parking lot of a shopping center and it would not come apart.  Thank goodness the seats reclined.  After panicking I thought to lay the seat down and shimmied backwards out of it.  G-d only knows what people must have thought of this woman crying and wiggling.  ha ha.

 

And now my Jeep Grand Cherokee.  I love my Jeep.  Yes it has developed problems over the years, but I love it and Beulah loves being a co-pilot.  She doesn't get to ride in it much anymore as she can't jump up.  I feel so bad for her, but did I mention I love the Jeep.  ha ha..

 

I think there may have been another car or two in there somewhere, but with my memory and not knowing anything about cars, I think I'd done quite well...

 

So that is it for today.  I am on my way to the library.  Lucky they are open on Sunday's.  I have my potato salad made, and will make my pounded pork for supper.  Plans are in place.  Just trying to figure out my meds.  With a few new ones thrown in there because of my finger (a whole nother story- doctor's on Friday, hospital for x-rays, etc.).  Some you have to take with meals, some on an empty stomach, can't take this with that, etc.  It's enough to make an old lady crazy.  ha ha...

 

Until next time...