Charlotte's Web

Bazinga!

2012-02-17T10:55:00.001-05:00

I ran into one an old friend this morning at Wal-Mart. She and I worked together in the Quality department and she taught me how to use the computer and other things that were required in our job. She is the sweetest person God put on this earth and I am so glad to be able to call her a friend. God bless you Jan for being my friend.

I scoured a few of the many crochet patterns that I have found online and came across this African Flower pattern. Aren't these colors yummy? These work up quick and I made this many while watching TV last night. I am going to experiment with baby blue to see if this would work for a little boy blanket.

I have gotten addicted to watching "The Big Bang Theory" at night. Sheldon acts just like my nephew!!

This is Howard who thinks he is a ladies man. Bazinga!

Hope you have a great weekend!!

Wool eater finished.

2012-02-16T14:45:00.000-05:00

I finished the scrap yarn Wool Eater blanket today. This is a great use of all of that scrap yarn.

I played with the photo editing on Photobucket....

Janet has already put her claim on this one. I need to find a pattern to work on next. Micki and I have planned a trip to Hobby Lobby Saturday. Justin thought Valentine's Day was Wednesday and didn't have anything for me Tuesday. Boo hoo! But he compensated by giving me some money to spend at Hobby Lobby! Woo Hoo! Give me money to shop anyday over roses or chocolate!

It's a rainy day here in SC..... dark, gloomy,cold......just the way I like it when I don't want to do anything outside (or inside) :-)

Hope you are having a great day!

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T10:32:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day to all of my friends.

It is also the 70th birthday of Peter Tork of the Monkees and my son-in-law, Tim McAbee. Happy Birthday guys!

Wool-Eater in progress

2012-02-11T13:52:00.000-05:00

I started working a "Wool-Eater" blanket last night. It's very easy and once you do the first set of rows, you can crochet without referring to a pattern. Easy way to use up your scrap yarn! Pattern here.

Have a great and warm weekend! It's cold here!

Blanket complete

2012-02-10T09:56:00.000-05:00

I finished the baby blanket,finally! My fingers are tired, but it is beautiful!

Lucky little granddaughter that will receive this! I'm not sure whether or not my new grandchild will be a girl or not, but I wanted to be ready.
This is the latest sing-a-long video. Love Toby Keith!

Crochet bomb site..

2012-02-09T13:12:00.000-05:00

Check out this site with crazy "crochet bombing"!!
http://agataolek.com/home.html

Crazy!!!

Just wasn't meant to be ..

2012-02-08T13:05:00.001-05:00

I went to my interview this morning at Cooley Group in Lancaster. Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be :-( While they were impressed with my resume, the time schedule just didn't work for me. I have worked 1st shift for over 25 years and do not want to work 2nd or 3rd shifts. And to drive for an hour one way at night is not for me either.
I am disappointed but I haven't given up. Maybe there is a job out there.
I'm almost finished with the baby blanket. I'll be glad to start something else.
Hope you have a great day!

Finding my way..

2012-02-07T13:52:00.000-05:00

I did a 'dry-run' this morning to Lancaster, SC where my job interview takes place. I personally would like to never have to work again, but I don't think that would be fair to Justin. Besides, we need health insurance at least until I am eligible for Medicare! Not looking forward to that!
Anyway, I was able to find the location with only one missed road. According to the Google map it will take me about an hour and 42 miles (one way). I returned using another route that will cut some miles but not sure about the time.

Lancaster is known as 'the Red Rose City' and York is known as 'The White Rose City".

To everyone that I listed for the blogging award, you are not required to participate. I tried to list my 'favorite' blogs but couldn't list them all. If you were not listed, you are still my 'favorite'!

Blogger Award

2012-02-06T18:38:00.002-05:00

My 1st blogging award! Debi from Dly's Hooks and yarns nominated me! Thank you so much, Debi!
Now I must tell you 7 things about myself and then pass this award on to 15 bloggers - so here goes:
1. I have been married to my best friend, Justin, for twenty-five years. We met at a club on a Saturday night and have been together ever since.
2. I taught myself to crochet over 39 years ago by following the instructions in a Family Circle magazine.
3. Yard sales are my favorite place to shop. I tell everyone my house is decorated in 'early American yard sale'! Love a bargain!
4. I was born on my dad's birthday and Justin was born on his mother's birthday!
5. I was a senior in high school when my baby sister, Tammy, was born. How embarrassing to think your mother and father were doing the 'nasty'!
6. I had emergency back surgery in 2007 because of an epidural abscess. If it hadn't been for Justin's persistence, I would be paralyzed or dead.
7. I am lazy when it comes to housework. Hate it! But my house is clean and not like a hoarders.
Now on to the 15 blogger friends that I would like to pass this award on to. If you do not participate in awards - that's ok - I just wanted you to know that I enjoy your blog.

1. Anne from Anne Fannie's Green Acres
2. Vicki from Byhooks4u
3. Cheri from Cheri quite contrary
4. Suzanne from Coloradolady
5. Faith from Crochet by the sea
6. Crochethuahua
7. Michelle from Doublewide Dreamer
8. Dawn from Fiddlesticks
9. Liz from Here's to Handy Andy
10. Sue from It's a Very Cherry world
11. Randee from Randee's Organized Chaos
12. Keetha from The Eclectic Company
13. Susan from SusanD1048Crochetaddict
14. LV from Thoughts from Meme's Corner
15. Lee from Snowcatcher

I got some more good news today... I have a job interview scheduled for Wednesday!! It's about 40 miles from my home but if it works out, I'll be back to work. WooHoo! Wish me luck!

Ugh, it's Monday!

2012-02-06T09:10:00.000-05:00

This beautiful horse belongs to a neighbor....

Have a great week!

TNA Wrestling !

2012-02-05T11:41:00.000-05:00

Justin took the boys to see their wrestling idols last night in Concord. Luckily I had ordered the tickets before my job was eliminated! They were able to meet some of the wrestlers, get their autographs and even go backstage before the main event. What lucky little boys!

Gavin's idol is Jeff Hardy from Cameron, NC.

After the show he was able to go into the ring for a picture with him. Notice Sloan in the bottom of the picture. He didn't want to go. His hero, Sting, was not at this show :-(

It was after midnight before they got home but they were not tired at all! Surprisingly enough, I stayed up until they returned! Nothing to watch on TV except Larry the Cable Guy!
Hope you have a great week!

My get-up-and-go has got-up-and-went!

2012-02-02T10:50:00.001-05:00

I seem to have lost my 'mojo'! After 40 years of working every day, it is hard to get into the swing of not working! Yes, I am enjoying not having to put up with all of the drama but it feels like I should be doing something! I have progressed on the crochet blanket though.....

Not much to watch during the day on TV. I don't care to watch movies and would rather watch something educational such as HGTV, TLC, etc. Stop whining! At least I am alive and have a loving husband.
I have to go to the unemployment office tomorrow morning for an orientation meeting. Hope that means it won't be much longer until I start receiving some money!
Hope you have a nice day.

Happy Tuesday!

2012-01-31T10:44:00.000-05:00

Not much happening here today :-( Took Gavin to buy some new shoes yesterday. 13 years old and a size 12!! Yikes!

Hope you have a great day!

How am I going to pay?

2012-01-28T12:59:00.000-05:00

What a Saturday! I forgot that with unemployment comes no health insurance! I have the option to use Cobra insurance but have not gotten that started yet. So imagine my surprise and disappointment when I went to pickup my hormone medicine this morning! $99 !!! Yikes! Justin told me he would rather pay $99 than put up with my bitchin' :-O

Thanks to everyone who commented on the christening dress and bonnet. Here are two blocks of the blanket.....

The ribbon is only to mark the first block. I have to make 30 blocks joining as I go. Hope you have a great weekend!

Dress and bonnet complete!

2012-01-27T09:30:00.000-05:00

I finished the christening dress and the bonnet ! Isn't this the most gorgeous thing?

The pattern is from the American School of Needlework and designed by Delsie Rhoades. I was able to download this pattern years ago when someone posted it. I'm going to start working on the blanket to match. Hope you have a great weekend1

Thank you, Vicki!

2012-01-25T17:31:00.000-05:00

Look what the mailman brought today! Thank you Vicki!! What a great friend!

Keep an eye on your mail for a thank you gift!

The lady in the mirror

2012-01-25T09:56:00.000-05:00

Mother finished another quilt. I had bought these embroidery quilt blocks for her a couple of months ago and this is the final product........

I found a print at Wal-Mart for $1 a yard that matches perfectly. I didn't take a picture of the backing. Sorry! The lavender works great with the colors, doesn't it?
The christening dress is almost complete, but I am going to wait until then before posting any photos. Until then, hope you have a great week.

Brighter news!

2012-01-23T16:50:00.000-05:00

Even though it has been rainy, foggy and cold all day, at least I finally received some good news. First, my grandson ,Sloan, won 3 awards at school this morning. Principal's Scholar (straight A's), Perfect Attendance, and Safety Patrol. Way to go! He got the smarts from his grandma!! That's him in the middle...

Then this afternoon, Justin and I arranged for my 401K to be rolled over into a Money Market Fund. I feel so much more secure.
When we got home and I checked the mailbox, there was a letter from the unemployment office listing my eligibility and benefits. Finally, the sun will come out tomorrow! Yee Haw! Hope your Monday was not a munday!

Rainy days and Monday!

2012-01-23T08:54:00.000-05:00

Raining here again this morning! It's bad enough to be Monday but raining also. Oh well, it could be worse - it could be snowing! Yuck!

I have a question for every mother with sons. Once your son married did he change towards you? Does this apply : "A daughter's a daughter all her life, a son's a son til he takes a wife" ? My son has changed so much that now he talks to me and my husband like we are not that important to him anymore. He has even blocked me from Facebook! All I can do is sit back and hope that he soon realizes family is all you have in this world and his mother will love him when no one else will.
I'm sorry to bring such a downer to a day that already sucks, but I just had to talk to someone.
My youngest grandson has an awards program this morning, so maybe that will improve the day. Hope your day is sunnier than mine.

Not a damn thing!

2012-01-20T11:38:00.000-05:00

That's what I want to say to my husband everyday when he asks what I did today. I know he doesn't mean anything by asking, but I get the feeling that he thinks I should be like June Cleaver and do a lot of housework. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! I hate housework! Always have and always will! Yes, I tell myself I should be doing something around the house, but then I wake up and say, "Screw it!'. All I want to do is blog and crochet. What's wrong with that?
Here is a progress report on the christening dress...

The first steps in making the dress was making 28 of these roses. What a pain! I had to make them a second time (that's 56 roses) because the thread I used for the first set was not the same color of white as the dress. It's hard to see in these photos, but the difference was evident when I started attaching them. Even my dear hubby could see the difference.

Today is my youngest granddaughter's 14th birthday. Happy Birthday, Kayla !

My WIP Wednesday

2012-01-18T08:48:00.000-05:00

I have seen quite a few linky parties to show your WIP (work in process) but I just can't seem to get into the linky scene. But I will show you my progress with the christening dress.

I have always used Aunt Lydia's crochet cotton, but Wal-Mart does not carry it anymore! So, this is Red Heart Classic cotton. It's OK but I prefer Aunt Lydia's.

Monday news

2012-01-16T09:31:00.000-05:00

Brr! It's cold here this morning but not as cold as some places. I 'met' a lot of nice people linking up with Sunday Social (sidebar button).
Here is the progress on the christening dress...

Happy Monday!

Blog 2 Print your blog!

2012-01-14T14:50:00.000-05:00

Have you visited the Blog 2 Print site? I received my 2011 book yesterday and have ordered my 2010 book. Your entire blog in book form! Love it!

Lunch with 4th graders!

2012-01-12T16:09:00.000-05:00

I had lunch with my nine year old grandson, Sloan, today. He and 13 of his peers were treated to Happy Meals to celebrate the end of the semester as part of the safety patrol team.

They quickly devoured a whole pack of cookies with the boys competing to see who could eat the most! The toy in the Happy Meal was a Simon from 'Alvin & the Chipmunks' new movie. Do you know how annoying 14 squeaking toys can be??

While waiting on Sloan, I saw my niece, Olivia, with her classmates having lunch.

Oh, to be 6 years old again! NOT! Overall it was fun to be able to visit with my grandson and his friends.

Rainy Wednesday

2012-01-11T08:45:00.000-05:00

Another day of freedom! Rainy, but I like how the house is dark and gloomy. I'll just sit in my recliner crocheting and watching TV. I finished another baby afghan using the yarn from the "crooked" one I posted about earlier. I just worked a large granny square because that is the only way I could tell where the stitches were.

I started working on a christening dress for my new grandchild last night.
I spent most of yesterday unpacking my office 'junk' from my job. I know it sounds like I am bitter about my job elimination but really I am so happy. I have been wanting out of that place for so long. I loved my job but the management killed all of that joy. Everyday you walked on pins and needles because you never knew when someone was going to run to the plant manager because you didn't smile at them or they didn't like hearing the truth.More times than one I have been reprimanded because I did not use my 'sweet-ass-kissing-voice' and someone told 'the wee-man'. That was my new name for the person who caused me the most grief. Everyone in the plant, including his 'yes-men', felt the same way that I did. Lord forgive me and help me forget all of the hurt this person inflicted on me.
OK that's off my chest. Now it's a new life and I am going to enjoy it with my hubby and kids. I am so looking forward to warm weather and laying out at the pool. Bring it on!!

Happy days are here again!

2012-01-10T12:48:00.002-05:00

Hooray! Everything worked out for me concerning my job elimination! Turns out because I was an office employee, I could decline any plant floor jobs without it being held against me. So, guess how I decided. That's right, I signed that paper declining the plant floor jobs so quick, the ink didn't have time to dry! After 28 1/2 years, I walked out of that door without any regrets.

I had a lot of friends that I left but I'm sure we'll run into each other at Wal-Mart or yard sales.

I heard through the grapevine that the plant manager has someone attempting to do some of my duties. Trouble with that is she has no clue what she is doing. See the concern in my eyes? :-)

Here's to the rest of my life! To hell with the past!

New job decision

2012-01-08T10:34:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes. After a long weekend having time to think, I have decided to make sure HR understands my limitations and just go with whatever happens. My BFF and sister have helped me make this decision. So here is my new job.....

Here is the ad I found for this great job....

I might as well laugh because crying doesn't help!

Crying doesn't help!

2012-01-07T11:42:00.000-05:00

I got the worst news yesterday afternoon. My job as Quality Technician has been eliminated effective immediately. The only job they claim to be able to offer me was filter assembler which is a $5 cut in pay! This wouldn't be so bad but I am unable physically to work on the plant floor. After my emergency back surgery in 2007, I have balancing problems and unable to stand for any length of time. The doctors say I have some spinal damage and can work at my previous job only if I have frequent breaks, limited lifting and standing.
Justin is going to help me explain my situation and ensure they do not screw me. Since I am unable to perform the job they are offering me, we are going to request they just lay me off so I can draw my unemployment.
29 years at this job with 16 as a Quality person. Makes you wonder what this world is coming to. 3 1/2 years to retirement! F--- them!
Sorry, for the language but this is news I never wanted to hear. Hope your week was better.

I will not let this beat me!

2012-01-04T19:35:00.003-05:00

Finally! I am not going to let a crochet pattern stump me if I can help it. So I tried working the second row of circles using my experience in crochet and ignoring the confusing instructions.

Here is my instructions that make more sense.....

1st row (4 circles):

With color A, chain 22.
3 dc in 4th chain from hook, skip 2 st and sl st in next stitch; skip 2 st and 3 dc in next st.
Repeat 2nd step two more times; 3 dc in last ch.
Remove hook from loop and insert in ch 3 of first dc and then back into loop of last 3 dc group
12 dc in same st of 3 dc group (1st circle)
Sl st in previous sl st (insert hook through chain and sl st)
11 dc in next 3 dc group
Repeat steps 6-7 to complete 4 circles.
Fasten off

2nd row (12 circles)

With color B, chain 70.
3 dc in 4th chain from hook; skip 2 st and sl st in next chain
Skip 2 st and 3 dc in next chain
Remove hook from loop and insert in 4th dc of upper left circle and back into loop
4 dc in same st of 3 dc group (1st half circle)
Skip 2 st and sl st in next chain
Skip 2 st and 3 dc in next chain
Remove hook from loop and insert in 4th dc of next circle and back into loop
4 dc in same st of 3 dc group (2nd half circle)
Skip 2 st and sl st in next chain
Skip 2 st and 3 dc in next chain (this will be the corner half circle)
Repeat steps 2-11 two more times ; then steps 2-9 once
Sl st to first 3 dc group to close
8 dc in last 3 dc group stitch (1st full circle)
Sl st in previous sl st (insert hook through chain and sl st)
7 dc in remaining 3 dc groups with sl st between each
Sl st to close

3rd row

Attach color C to 4th stitch of any circle
Ch 5
Sc in next circle
Repeat for each circle ( corner circles sc,ch 5,sc)
Next row, dc in each st with 2dc, ch2, 2dc in each corner

Hope this makes sense and is easier to understand.

Help! This doesn't make sense!

2012-01-03T19:50:00.001-05:00

Can anyone help me figure out this pattern? I cannot understand how to work the second color circles. This is the first square of a CAL http://www.ravelry.com/groups/2012-crochet-block-a-month-cal. ( http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/16-circles-square) If you can help me, I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
I finished the baby afghan yesterday. I love the colors.

Hope someone can help me!

Please Mr.Custer, I don't want to go...

2012-01-02T08:47:00.000-05:00

Back to work, that is! I have been at home since December 23 and will have to return to work tomorrow :-( I could sure get used to not having to get up at a certain time and going to a dead-end job everyday. I used to enjoy my job but the management has taken all of that joy away. One person can really put a damper on things, can't they?
I have been working on a new baby afghan and should finish it today.

The pattern can be found here. Just finished my second cup of coffee and a doughnut (which I did not need but thoroughly enjoyed!). Hope the rest of the week is as good as the last few days have been. I know my desk is piled up with paperwork that should keep me busy for a few days! Happy friggin' New Year :-)

Crooked crocheting!!

2011-12-30T12:29:00.000-05:00

Look how crooked this is!!! This yarn is beautiful but impossible to tell where the stitches are so it looks like I had a little too much wine while I was crocheting!!! I tried to square it up but that just made it worse! Aaaarrrrggghhh! I'm going to rip it out and try something different.

Christmas fun ...

2011-12-28T13:55:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone had a great Christmas! My kids and grand-kids came over and we exchanged gifts. Can you tell how excited the grand-kids are?

Micki and Timmy....

Craig and Holly....

Great food...

Justin, Rodney and Sloan attacked the ham...

Kayla kept everyone laughing...

Janet tried the funny glasses that each grandchild received in their stockings...

Gavin......

Justin wanted hunting gear...

Speaking of hunting, Gavin got his first deer Saturday morning....

Micki and I hit the after-Christmas sales and I bought a 7-ft prelit tree and a 3-ft black tree. I also bought some yarn to start a new project. I'm supposed to keep a secret for another few weeks but maybe you can guess what the secret is by the colors of my new project....

That's right, I'm pregnant! Just kidding! But one of my kids are! Hope it's a girl!!Hope everyone has a Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T07:13:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends!

More Christmas stockings

2011-12-22T09:27:00.000-05:00

Here are some Christmas stockings I made...

Funny, you don't look 40!

2011-12-22T05:30:00.001-05:00

Forty years ago a beautiful little girl was born. Today she is a beautiful woman. Happy Birthday, Janet!

Love, Mama.

Log Cabin finished.

2011-12-21T09:06:00.000-05:00

Finished the Log Cabin last night.

Grandpa shot Rudolph!!

2011-12-17T12:26:00.000-05:00

No, not really, but Justin did get a small buck this morning.

Gavin and Sloan helped him drag it out of the woods. It weighed 160 pounds.

I've been making a few stockings that everyone seems to be making this year. Pattern here

The last one is for a big foot! I didn't count my rows correctly ;-( Oh well, nobody has to know but me! I had to go to Hobby Lobby this morning to get some more yarn to finish my afghan and found some buttons to put on some of the stockings. I'll show you those later. Have a great weekend!

Christmas trees

2011-12-13T10:38:00.000-05:00

Look at these beautiful Christmas trees that a local nursery has...

This is my favorite......

My 6-year old niece, Olivia, was in the Nutcracker Sunday. She looks like a little floosy, dosen't she?

Merry Christmas!

Christmas in Olde York

2011-12-11T16:52:00.001-05:00

Last night my sister, Pam, her daughter, Sayra, and I went on the 29th Annual Christmas in Olde York home tour. What magnificent old homes! The first was the Episcopal Church Home for Children chapel. This was on the site of the Kings Mountain Military Academy established in 1857. Beautiful!

The second home on the tour was the most interesting one. Decorations galore! This is the Mackorell House established in 1920.

That's Pam and Sayra as we were leaving. Here are some more photos to drool over...

This is the pool house!

This is the Inman house built in 1890....

This chair was in a thrift store this morning and I almost bought it! How ironic!

I have a few more photos, but blogger is working slow! Hope you have a great week!

Just hookin' along...

2011-12-07T18:18:00.000-05:00

Before I go any farther, I want to thank each and every one of my followers for being my friend. I appreciate every comment you leave. I try to visit each of you but don't always get to. Thanks again.
Here is the progress on my afghan...

Hope you like it!

Shopped til I dropped!

2011-12-05T10:30:00.000-05:00

I love to shop but this Christmas shopping is wearing me out! Micki & I went shopping again this weekend. I got a few 'presents' for myself. ;-) I love watching the Duggars on TLC and knew they had a new book out. I started reading Saturday afternoon and finished yesterday. I wish I had their patience!

I got some more yarn at Hobby Lobby to start a new afghan....

The colors are bright and happy! I'm working on another Log Cabin afghan. I know these are not normal colors you would expect with a Log cabin, but I think it will be interesting!

Hope you had a great weekend!

Front door no more...

2011-12-02T12:37:00.000-05:00

Thought I would show you how my home has changed since last Christmas. Last year (and up to about 2 weeks ago), the front door was on the side of the front porch.....

Now, the front door is in the front with a new sidewalk...

Ignore that stupid ladder!! The reason the front door was on the side is a long story that I will explain at a later date. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Now what??

2011-11-29T11:09:00.000-05:00

I finally finished my hexagon granny, now what do I crochet?

Have you seen the "Redneck Wine Glasses" at craft shows that sell for $12-$15? Well, I can do better than that. I had several glass candle holders that I had bought at yard sales for 25 cents each. Mother let me have several canning jars and with E-6000 glue this is what I got....

How cute are these?

We put our Christmas trees (yes, plural) up last week. The normal green one....

I let Sloan decorate this one. Do you see the pipe cleaner project hanging at the window? He made that for me several years ago and we hang it up every year. Next year I want a green tree that already has the lights attached.

My white tree with blue and brown balls....

And my newest tree this year......my pink tree....

I call this my 'christmas tree table' because I added any tree decoration that I had. These pictures were taken with my phone this morning before I came to work so they are not as clear as I would want.

Hope you have a great Tuesday!

Monday, again??

2011-11-28T14:00:00.002-05:00

I know I should be glad to have a job, but after a 4-day weekend, this sucks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T08:21:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday today with family and friends. I'm looking forward to eating all the great food prepared today. Yesterday I had a colonoscopy. Yuck!

Lucky for me that Justin took these flattering photos!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Breaking Dawn Part I

2011-11-20T17:28:00.000-05:00

Janet and I went to see the latest Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn Part I. Great movie! Read the books first, then watch the movies.

Personally, I would have gone for Jacob!

Makes you want to howl at the moon :-)

Deer!

2011-11-18T12:03:00.001-05:00

Look what I got behind coming back from lunch....

Looks like a 4 or 5 point!

On my hook...

2011-11-15T12:07:00.001-05:00

My latest project...

Sisters at the Xmas show

2011-11-14T09:45:00.000-05:00

What a great time we had at the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte yesterday! I can't remember when my sisters and I were together at the same time. That's so sad, but true.

That's my sister Pam (she's 2 years younger than me), me (God, I look just like my dad!), and my sister Tammy (she's 17 years younger than me). Pam and Tammy look like Mother.

Here's some highlights from the show...

Beautiful Disney figurines....

Grandaughter Ashton...

Busted! Tammy buying candy...

Pam and Tammy examining jewelry..

Micki and Tammy at the same booth..

Tammy swore I could crochet a necklace like this....I don't think so!

Love these cats!

How cute are these snowmen made from banisters? Great idea!

Tenda Bake flour had the cutest booth...

This pillow looks just like one my mother has! I've got to check with her and see if she still has it. If not, this could be hers! How cool would that be?

Great wood art...

Tammy & I got Pam to try some wine. This was hilarious because Pam does not drink anything harder than a wine cooler!

Janet and Ashton....

Water feature....

Beautiful trees...

Santa & Mrs. Claus enjoying a hot dog and sundae...

More trees...

Hope you had a great weekend!

I finally won something!

2011-11-09T18:37:00.000-05:00

Look what I received in the mail today. I won a giveaway from Bev at One Yarn After Another. Thanks Bev!

Here are some rooster ornaments that I made. I got the pattern here.

Did anyone watch "Hoarders" Monday night? That lady had enough yarn to start her own store! Try to catch a rerun or go to the Hoarders website and watch it.

Check out this new website and join...

Happy Wednesday!

Take this job and shove it!

2011-11-09T10:31:00.000-05:00

Did you ever have one of those days when you want to sing Johnny Paycheck's song "Take this job and shove it"? That's the way I am feeling right now. Why is it so easy for some people to push my buttons and get me upset?

2nd Babette finished

2011-11-06T14:37:00.000-05:00

Finally finished the 2nd Babette. Tired from shopping yesterday with Micki. Think I'll go sit down and prop my feet up!

Happy Sunday!

American Horror Story fan

2011-11-04T09:13:00.000-04:00

Are there any American Horror Story fans out there? This is a creepy, spooky (all the scary words) show that leaves you wanting more. Check it out! Wednesday's at 10 pm on FX.

Lazy Leopard finished.

2011-10-26T17:44:00.000-04:00

Mother finished the crewel picture for me. isn't it beautiful? Now I need to get it framed.

My Babette is coming along. I am on the 7th group with one more group to go.

Justin had the concrete poured today for the new sidewalk..

Love my "jack-of-all-trades" hubby!

Monkey See,Monkey Do

2011-10-22T17:01:00.001-04:00

Brr! It was cold this morning but Micki, Sloan and I went yard saling. I love this lamp! The lady had $10 marked on it, but I got it for $5 !!

Got to make sure the flamingos cross at the correct place :-) This is going to the pool area..

Sunflower wreath...

Don't know where this guy will go but for a $1 I'll find a place...

Santa tree topper for $2...with lights!

I got all of these quilt magazines for Mother for $5! There is at least 50 or more!

Here's an update on my Babette...

Happy weekend!

Howling good fun!

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

Here's the first set of blocks for my Babette. Interesting!

Justin and I took the boys to the halloween store yesterday afternoon. This looks like a few people here in my hometown :-)

ICE CREAM AGAIN!!

I tried to get a picture of Gavin with his werewolf mask on...

Sloan will not let his older brother out do him!

How was your weekend?

Saturday adventures with Sloan

2011-10-16T08:37:00.000-04:00

Saturday morning found Justin and Gavin dressed as 'great white hunters' to go deer hunting behind our house.

Sadly, they didn't kill anything but time. Went yard saling with Micki and Sloan but we only killed time also :-(

Later that afternoon, Sloan and I went to Hobby Lobby where I bought some more yarn. I'm going to use some of the leftover yarn from the Log Cabin afghan and make another Babette.

Then we went to the Halloween store everyone has been talking about. What fun! Slaon modeled a few hats and masks....

Yes, he's in this mask! Afterwards I took him to the ice cream store where we both got an ice cream cone. I think there were 2000 calories in mine, but it was good! I really enjoyed my shopping adventure with my youngest grandchild.

Hope you have a great week.

Knitting is not for me!

2011-10-12T17:18:00.000-04:00

After ripping out 4 times, I finally decided to just knit until all of this lovely "ribbon" yarn was used. We had seen this yarn at the Women's Show last month and we all wanted it. I tried to crochet following the video on the Red Heart website, but it just didn't want to cooperate. Although it is a beautiful yarn and makes a beautiful scarf, I will not be using it again,unless someone can think of an easier way to use it. Knitting is too slow for me. So now I need to find something to crochet!

2011-10-10T09:32:00.000-04:00

Finished my Log Cabin afghan!

Next project....

Finally, success!

2011-10-09T08:50:00.001-04:00

WooHoo! Finally found some bargains at yard sales! Micki and I went yesterday and found some good deals. I don't have photos of Micki's finds (will post later) but she found some good deals as far as Halloween and Christmas decorations. Here's what I found...

The cookie cutters were free, the cracker tin was $1, the deadbolt was $2, Santa was 50 cents as were the books. This makes 3 cracker tins in my collection. We needed a new deadbolt because the key had broken off in the one at our back door. I got this Cath Kidston journal just for the name. I doubt I will ever use it.

The Best of Life Magazine book is dated 1973 and is a true treasure. The pictures inside are so interesting.

A closer look at Santa...

Isn't this little chair adorable? The seat lifts up to hide treasures..

Here's the best deal of the day... $2 for this entire box of fast-food toys! This is how much is left after Micki and I went through and took the 'toys' we wanted...

Micki's husband and some of the guys he works with were shingling our roof when we returned. This was to replace the damage from the hail storms earlier in the year.

Justin is forming up a new sidewalk for the front of the house.

I saw this idea on another blog (sorry, I don't remember which one) and made this....

These are spindles from a refurnishing project glued to a cardboard circle, painted white, yarn web and spiders from Wal-Mart. Not bad if I do say so myself!

Hope you have a great week!

Happy 25th Anniversary!

2011-10-04T06:00:00.001-04:00

Twenty five years ago I was a 33 year old divorcee with three chldren. When I met Justin, he was 25 years old. I just knew that as soon as he found out that there were three kids in the picture, he would bolt and run. But he didn't and now twenty-five years later, we are still together and still in love.

Happy Anniversary, sweetheart!

How does this work?

2011-10-03T17:47:00.001-04:00

Yesterday my 13 year old grandson asked me how this phone worked! Can you imagine not knowing how to dial a phone?

I have a black phone like this.....

It's called a Cobra phone. I also have a beige phone like this one..

Called a Doughnut phone.

Kids say the darndest things!

Freezing in Boone

2011-10-01T19:54:00.000-04:00

Justin and I went on a one-day trip to Boone, NC this weekend. We will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary Tuesday, so we took a small trip just to get away. We were going to leave early Friday morning, but my car decided it needed to go to the 'doctor' Thursday. Turns out we had to put a new accuator motor for the all-wheel drive. There went over $400! But we did leave after lunch Friday.

We got a room at The Village Inn in Blowing Rock. Beautiful room...

There was a pond in front with ducks...

It was 80 degrees when we left South Carolina, but it was 55 degrees and falling by the time we got to Blowing Rock. Brr! It didn't take me or Justin long to unpack our jeans and jackets!

This is the view from the back of our room...

Here are some pictures from the town of Blowing Rock. ..

Look how the sun is only reaching part of the mountain....

We stopped at the Mast's General Store in Boone. What a step back in time!

We were greeted by a beautiful black cat....

I want this rocking chair....

Beautiful scenery from the parking lot...

The temperature was 37 degrees and raining in places. One place we stopped, we actually had sleet and snow for a few minutes! So we headed home where it was a little warmer, stopping at several places on the way. We found a small flea market down the road. Justin was hung up on guns...

We had a great time and enjoyed each other's company. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Lovely spiders

2011-09-27T11:01:00.000-04:00

I cannot hold my excitement any longer! Look what arrived at my house yesterday!

Aren't these gorgeous?? The last one is my favorite although I would have a hard time choosing if I only had to choose one. That's why I ordered all of them! The lovely lady that makes these can be found here. Please visit her blog and tell her that Charlotte sent you.

P.S. Hope you don't have arachnophobia!

Rain, rain go away..

2011-09-24T11:26:00.001-04:00

Rainy Saturday! Tried to go yard saling but the rain won :-( So here I sit watching reruns of Moving Up . I received my copy of the Gooseberry Patch's Big Book of Home Cooking yesterday. Great recipes!

Mother has started working on the Lazy Leopard crewel kit that I bought on E-Bay last year. This is to replace the one that I lost in a fire 25 years ago.

Here is my progress with my Log Cabin afghan...

These blocks are easy and fast to make.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Log Cabin progress

2011-09-21T14:34:00.000-04:00

Here is the progress on my Log Cabin afghan. After you make the first block, it isn't that hard. This is going to be beautiful!

Love'n this bag!

2011-09-19T10:10:00.000-04:00

We had a GREAT time at the Southern Women's Show yesterday! Most people start at the first booth but we always head for the back of the show. I am so glad we did because that is where all of the GOOD booths were. Sewing, knitting, crochet, scrapbooking!! I was in heaven! At the Universal Yarn booth, they had this new yarn that is so beautiful it''s hard to describe. Look at this purse...

Isn't this yummy? The ladies said you can also crochet with this yarn. I have already ordered a skein to try. I can knit so that is how I will try working with this yarn. Visit their site here. The free pattern is under the Rozetti yarn.

New project & a piece of my mind..

2011-09-18T09:05:00.000-04:00

I'm almost finished with the Groovyghan and wanted to get ready for my next project. I saw this gorgous Log Cabin afghan here and wanted to try my hand at making one. Isn't this beautiful?

Micki and I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and this is what I got.....

I want to make this in shades of black and gray. Wish me luck.

Check out this Babette from the same site. She uses it in her header...

Here's another of her beautiful work...

We are going to the Southern Woman's Show in about an hour. Going to have fun!!

I just want to speak about a comment that was made regarding my post about the 'retro style' photos. I only expressed my opinion. I did not hold a shotgun to anyone's head demanding that they never use this style of photo editing. But one blogger felt she had to be hateful and make a snide remark just because I mispelled a word. For God's sake, I should have written "too", but I typed 'to' instead! Holy Crap, the world is coming to an end!! Never mind that her latest post was full of grammar mistakes and misspelled words! She does no wrong but doesn't mind pointing out other's errors.

On top of all of this drama, three followers have stopped following me. Why? If I offended anyone, I apologize but I will always speak my mind because I have the right to do so. To stop following someone for trivial nonsense is ridiculous. Oh well, your loss not mine.

Now that I have gotten that off of my chest I feel much better. On to the Woman's show! Hope you have a wonderful weekend also!

Groovyghan almost complete!

2011-09-17T08:10:00.001-04:00

First, I want to clear up the answer to one of my Five Questions. I do not put sugar in my coffee when I am using sugar-free creamer! DOH! I use sugar when I have to use regular creamer!
Now, join me at The Frugal Girls Chic & Crafty Party.
Here is the progress of my Groovyghan. Pattern here. Great way to use up those scraps!

Five Question Friday

2011-09-16T13:55:00.000-04:00

Five Question Friday at My Little Life. Come join the fun!

1. If you had a weekly newspaper column, what would you name it?

"You can't fix stupid!" Sorry, but this seems to be an on going thing here where I work. Seems even with detailed written instructions, people still screw up!

2. Who is your mentor/inspiration?
My mother and father. Although I thought they were being mean (don't all kids?), they taught me that good outweighs bad. I had to do without alot of things that other kids had, but it didn't kill me and I am a better person for it.

3. What is your wake up beverage of choice?
Java,java,java!! Got to have my coffee! I like mine with sugar-free vanilla creamer and two spoons of sugar.

4. Would you wear your mom's clothes?
No, only because she is more 'bustier' than me. :-( She always told me that when I had kids my boobs would grow. NOT! Oh they did until I had the kid, then they shriveled up! :-)

5. When you were a kid, did you put posters on your wall? If so, what were they of?
Seems so long ago, it's hard to remember. I don't think my parents let us, but if I did the posters would have been of the Monkees or the Beatles.

Retro photos---please stop!!

2011-09-14T10:57:00.000-04:00

I realize everyone enjoys playing with editing their photos, but please stop using the "retro" style!! This makes your pictures very hard to look at! Obviously you didn't grow up in the 60's or 70's and your photos looked like this! Technology has come to far for us to regress!

Women's Show & new friends

2011-09-14T09:40:00.000-04:00

The Southern Women's Show starts tomorrow in Charlotte. We are going Sunday. Can't wait! So much fun!

I found several new friends this week....

The Country Cook --- Great recipes!
Redneck Chic
Vintage and Company

These are just a few of the great sites I found this week. Please visit and say 'hello'!

Can't roller-skate in a buffalo herd....

2011-09-10T09:52:00.000-04:00

And you can't yard sale in wet grass!!

Maybe this would help!!

My feet are still cold!

Sky Watch Friday

2011-09-09T09:26:00.000-04:00

This is NOT a tornado!! This is coming from the Catawba Nuclear Station.

Joining SkyWatch Friday.

Groovyghan

2011-09-08T18:31:00.000-04:00

Here's what I have been working on....

The name is Groovyghan and the pattern is here.

What beautiful cakes!

2011-09-07T13:31:00.000-04:00

Check out these cakes here.

Snake!!!!

2011-09-06T09:22:00.000-04:00

Look what was trying to crawl across my mother's yard yesterday afternoon! The scary part is my 5-year old niece, Olivia, had just left my house and walked down to my mother's house. I made her walk on the side of the road so she wouldn't get her feet wet. Yes, I was watching her until she got to mother's driveway. Less than 10 minutes later, her mother ran over this monster as it tried to cross the same road Olivia had been walking on. She stopped at my house and told Justin. Now, my 6'5" - 275 pound husband is terrified of snakes! But we didn't have time to call "Billy the Extermintor", so Justin had to do! It was more like a 'keystone cop' scene because it took Justin five shots from the shotgun before he actually hit the snake. I can guarantee someone will be walking with Olivia when she comes to my house again!

Homemade donuts

2011-09-04T18:27:00.000-04:00

My youngest grandson, Sloan, and I made homemade donuts this afternoon. We got the "recipe" from an employee at the local China Buffet. According to him, "very simple! Go to Wal-Mart and get some biscuits". Who knew? Here's how we made these delicious, fattening but easy donuts:

Canned biscuits - We started out making balls of each biscuit, but it works better just leaving them flat as they come out of the can.

Drop into hot oil - must be at least 325 degrees, but I turned my oil up higher.

Turn each biscuit as it browns; remove when golden brown and roll in sugar. I had some cinnamon sugar left over from making french toast.

Cool, if you can wait that long,then enjoy!

Babette is finished!

2011-09-03T06:02:00.003-04:00

I finished my Babette afghan and couldn't be more pleased with the results. I will probably make another one soon. What do think about just using blacks, grays and white? That would be stunning!

Linking up with The Frugal Girls Chic & Crafty party and The Crochet Way.

SkyWatch Friday

2011-09-01T21:04:00.000-04:00

Participating in SkyWatch Friday.

Swap question

2011-08-30T11:00:00.000-04:00

I am so bored! Waiting on the long weekend to get here!! I have been reading several blogs that mention "swapping" with another blogger. Is there a certain blog that does this or does each individual blogger decide who to swap with? I think it would be so fun to swap with someone in another state or country, different crafts or whatever. If anyone has information on swapping, I would appreciate it.
This is how I feel sometimes ...........

Happy Tuesday!

Earthquake!!

2011-08-24T13:12:00.000-04:00

The big news yesterday was the earthquake in Virginia that was felt in our neck of the woods. I felt it while sitting at my desk but did not know what had happened until it was told on the radio. No one believed me at first when I asked them if they had felt the eathquake. It felt like a large (very large!) truck was passing by. In fact, that's what I thought it was.

Luckily this was the only damage here....

Now we are bracing for Hurricane Irene. Hope she decides to go elsewhere!

Babette almost done!

2011-08-21T14:45:00.000-04:00

I have two more sections left and the Babette afghan will be complete.

Linking up with The Crochet Way

Slim pickings

2011-08-20T11:23:00.002-04:00

Went yard saling by myself this morning. There wasn't too much out but I was able to find a few. I bought 3 pumpkins for Halloween....

I also found a 'skull' goblet that had Gavin's name written all over it...

These also are for Gavin....

A crochet book, photo album and a framed doily for me....

..and a rocking chair for Justin....

We are taking the boys to the Charlotte Knights baseball game this afternoon. There is supposed to be fireworks after the game so we should have a great time. Hope you have a great weekend!

Five Question Friday

2011-08-19T11:14:00.000-04:00

Sitting here at work wishing I was at home, so I'm linking up with Five Question Friday at My Little life. Here goes....

1. Do you close the bathroom door when you are home alone?

No. I don't close it when it is just me and my husband either. Nothing to hide.

2. You have to walk around with a word on your forehead. That word describes you. One word. What is it?
BITCH! At least that's what everyone thinks I am. Only if you cross me.

3. What store do you refuse to shop at and why?

I have no particular store name, but if it looks dirty or trashy from the outside, forget it...I'm not going in!

4. If you participated in arranged marriages for your child(ren), who would you choose for your child(ren)?

That would be hard because they have picked the perfect mate for them already.

5. If you could pick how and when you would die, would you?

In my sleep after my husband has died. I dearly love my husband and would not want him to leave me. I love my kids and grandkids, but my husband and I are soulmates.

Do your boobs hang low....

2011-08-17T18:49:00.000-04:00

Remember that song? That's how mine felt after my mammogram this afternoon. How many have had to endure this torture machine?

I had to have two pictures made of each side because "there is a wrinkle at the bottom"! I told the nurse that was called 'old age'! I also told her they were flat enough without her squeezing them anymore!

I would love to live long enough to see this......

It wouldn't last long, would it? Or it might if men thought it would help with the length!!! Oh, did I just say that??

Schedule your mammogram if you haven't already.

Phone frame

2011-08-16T15:09:00.000-04:00

Look what I did with my phone in my office! I printed a 11x17 background and added the frame. Classy,huh?

I know the phone is crooked, but that makes it abstract art :-O

Barbeque and family

2011-08-13T21:43:00.001-04:00

We had a storm come through this afternoon and it kept knocking the power off, so I was unable to visit any blogging friends. The satellite was out so I watched my new DVD, 'The time Travelers Wife'. Great movie but as always, the book is better.
We went to Courtney's Bar-B-Q in Clover this afternoon. Hard to believe that this was the first time that we have ever eaten there. Very nice place; will have to visit again.
Waiting on our order to come................

Justin's trying to catch a nap while waiting....

Sloan always enjoys eating....

Fried pickles...Yum!

Great hushpuppies.....

Gavin loves the ribs.............

and so does Sloan...

I had chopped barbeque although I should have ordered a baked potato instead of the baked beans!

Time for bed. I'll try to visit tomorrow. Nighty-night!

I'm not lion....

2011-08-13T14:46:00.001-04:00

Yard sales are slowly picking up here in York County. Micki went with me this morning and we were able to find a few good sales. At the first one I bought this lion statue for $3......

But wait, I acted quickly and got another one to match!

They are not concrete but you don't know it until you try to pick them up. I gave Justin another project to complete this area by adding a patio and sidewalks. I found these two cardigans for $1 each. The blue one is chenille and sooo soft!

Look at all of these goodies! 5 cents each but I gave the lady $1 for all. I'm going to have to find another knick knack shelf to put them in!

I'm going to use this bag for my crochet projects. It's big enough to carry an afghan! $1..

The greenery was free! The mini loaf pan was $1 and so was the DVD. I had just finished reading 'The Time Traveler's wife' and was looking for the movie. What luck!

Hope your Saturday sales were as good or better!

Photo fun

2011-08-11T18:01:00.000-04:00

I found an app for my phone called PhotoFunia and played around with some different effects. You can also find it online at PhotoFunia.com. I also found another fun site called FunPhotoBox.com. Check out these great effects........
This is my new profile picture............

Justin and me at our son's wedding...................

My gorgeous daughter-in law..........(she loves puppies)..................

I think this one was supposed to be animated.................

or maybe it was this one............

I think this is a great picture of Justin.....................

Give it a try........it's fun!

I've been crocheting along on my Babette afghan. This is my progress.........

Finally...success!!

2011-08-07T10:38:00.000-04:00

I went yard saling by myself yesterday and finally found some treasures! First some free items. We love free, don't we?

A snowman for $2.....

A cat shelf-sitter....

Do you see her?

A fake plant for 50 cents....

A 'electric' bug zapper ($2) and a framed doily (50 cents)

Stop the music!!

2011-08-05T14:41:00.000-04:00

I love a good song as well as the next guy but trying to act like I'm working while actually reading your blogs is hard to do when music starts up everytime I visit you! I have a radio playing in my office but it is so low you have to sit at my desk to hear it!
I enjoy the music you have but it is a little distratcting while I am reading your adventures. Don't be mad at me because I'm sure there is something on my blog you don't like.
Everybody has a right to add or subtract from their blog. I guess I'll have to turn my sound off while I am ~~surfing the web~~ working!

Longest yard sale!

2011-08-04T18:38:00.001-04:00

My sister and her husband left this morning to begin the Longest Yard sale journey for the the third year!

I'm sure she will see plenty of good junk!

I want to go !!!!
I have got to plan better next year!

Brutus the cat quilt

2011-07-31T13:59:00.000-04:00

Mother finished embroidering and quilting the patterns from here. She thought these were the ugliest patterns when I asked her to embroider for me, but once the quilt was complete, she changed her mind. I found some Mary Englebrit fabric to use for the quilt. Isn't it lovely?

Back home!

2011-07-30T12:01:00.000-04:00

Well, we are finally back home from the beach. Had a great time! Here a few photos of the fun we had...

Watching 'Rango' on the way to the beach...

........beautiful sunrises.........

............fun in the sun...........

........visiting the zoo......

........riding the rides at the carnival........

...Kayla found a new friend.........

......Ashton found two......

...........breakfast at the pancake house............

Justin is wore out!!

So are the boys...
I'm just glad to be home. Now if I didn't have to go back to work Monday it would be even better!

Let me in!!!!!

2011-07-26T09:15:00.000-04:00

Stupid computer! I am trying to visit some of my blogging friends but this stupid computer is only letting me visit certain blogs! Everytime I try to visit one of my 'old' friends, I get an error message that will not let me open your blog! AARRGGHH! So, if I haven't commented on your blog, blame it on this stupid computer!!

How embarrasing!!

2011-07-25T15:58:00.000-04:00

Rainy day here at the beach but we are still having fun. We went to the carnival Saturday night and I had an accident on one of the rides. I puked into Justin's hat!! You would think that a grown 58 year old woman would know better than getting on those crazy rides. But noooo! I get on several rides and the last one really did me in!

How embarassing!! Poor Justin! Poor Justin's hat!!!

Yesterday we went to the waterpark but I didn't wear my bathing suit because I was not going to do something stupid again. But guess who rolled her shorts up and rode the water tubes along with eyerone else?? Yep, me! I even went on the "toilet bowl" ride!! Had a great time.

Micki and Timmy went home yesterday and Janet and Rodney left this morning. It has rained almost all day so we went shopping!! Next best thing to laying on the beach!

Hope to get some pictures in the next few days.

I got my toes in the water....

2011-07-23T16:57:00.000-04:00

We're here at the beach with the grandkids, Janet, Rodney, Micki and Timmy! I wish Craig and Holly had been able to come with us also. Maybe another time. We are going to go to the fair this afternoon and let the kids ride as many rides as they want. I forgot to pack my USB cable to my camera and this computer does not have a slot for a memory card. Bummer! But here is a picture of the sunrise Friday morning from my phone...

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Where have I been?

2011-07-16T12:38:00.000-04:00

It has been quite a while since I have posted anything, but I just can't shake this "blogging-slump"! Hope everyone is doing well. It's a dreary day today as far as the weather goes, so maybe I can visit some of my blogging friends.
We had a great 4th of July get-together this year. My BFF Cathy and her family was unable to attend, but a new family of friends were able to attend. My grandson's baseball coach and his family were first-timers this year and we hope they will make this an annual event.
Here are a few pictures of the great time we had........

Swimming....

Diving....

Playing beanbag toss...

Playing horseshoes..

Night swimming..

and the finale....Fireworks!!

Tomorrow is my birthday, but it is bittersweet because it is also my daddy's birthday.

I miss him terribly, but I know he is no longer suffering. Happy Birthday, Daddy! Love you always.

We are going to the beach Thursday and taking the grandkids. No, we haven't lost our minds! Believe it or not, we wouldn't have it any other way. I'll try to send some pictures, but I'm not promising. Hope everyone has a great week. I sure hope mine is better than last week!