Day 31, Is it Over already??

Wow I can't believe the month is over already. This one sure flew by.

I hope you have all enjoyed the contest this month and will keep coming back for more. Still unsure if I will pop in a small contest day or two in February, you never know, LOL.

I am always open for any suggestions you might have on contest ideas... I like to keep it interesting for you all, so feel free to send me any ideas you ever have, OK?

TODAY'S CONTEST MISSION

Since I am forever on a "diet" to lose weight... it got me thinking what kind of knitting "diet" are people on? Post today what kind of "knitting diet" you are on by answering the following poll and earn an entry into the final day of January's contest.

1- I am on the eat all you want knitting diet... I can't get enough and I don't care if I am bulging out over the edges

2- I am on the use it to lose it plan. Trying to lighten the "stash" load, use what I have before I buy more. Waste not, want not, right?

3- I only restrict my "knitting diet" on weekdays. Weekends and holidays are a free for all, watch out LYS I am a hungry girl on Saturdays, LOL

4- I am starving, my stash is gone, my needles are lonely, but hey the "Sheep" are happy, right?


Well I finally finished my mini project carryall bag. I used the ticker tape, in pink, it's the perfect size for a couple balls of cotton, needles and a pattern for those on the go dishcloth projects. It's a little bright in the picture, camera woes still, but it's cute. I like it.


Today I am hoping to get the taxes done. I think I finally have all the documents I need. Tomorrow Adam returns, so today is the day.

Just a reminder everyone there are many other contests out there in blogland... I have a few links on the side bar for individual contests and one of the links is a blog that is strictly to list contests she has found out there. I think you can never have too many contests, right?

Have a terrific Thursday everyone...
AK
Psa 66:20 Blessed [be] God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

Day 30, Another Weird Wednesday Story

Well that was fun, the creative ways everyone used the number 200. I like how that worked out.

Adam is coming today just for the day though, I will bring him home before I leave for church tonight. He will come back on Friday morning and stay until Saturday night.

I don't think I told you all yet about my husband and his trip to the Bull Riding competition last weekend. A friend of mine is head of security at the arena and he called me on the phone to tell me that my husband was dancing with the Rodeo clown to "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" by John Denver and it was showing on the big screen TV for all to see. I was shocked. He didn't even dance with me the night we got married, my first thought was he must be drinking. He wasn't. I guess the clown was very convincing. I mean does this look like the kind of guy who would dance in an arena full of strangers???

My husband called me a few minutes later to tell me but instead I told him... I said how can you dance with that clown and not ever dance with me? He wondered how I knew, I told him I KNOW everything. LOL At least he had a good time and after the two day event Travis (my step cousin) finished in 1st place too. He is #1 in the World right now. Not too shabby for a 20 year old, huh?

OK onto Contest Stuff-

Wednesday is RIDDLE day... so put on your thinking caps... and no worries it won't involve Prime factorization, LOL.

Oh when it's cold outside you might want me around
My other half is often no where to be found
Just one opening is all I need to provide
But inside of me well five things can hide
If you find yourself in the winter a sittin'
Then I bet you'll want me, cause I'm a....?????

Post your answer to this riddle in the comment section and receive an entry in this weeks contest. Your answer doesn't have to be right, you just have to try. Tomorrow is the last day to enter January's contest, so make it count.

As for February... I am going to take a break for the rest of the week and decide if I want to have another one right away or wait until March. My usual method is to have the contests on the months with 31 days. But I might have a mini surprise contest day during the off months so make sure you keep checking back. You never know what I might be up to.

I will announce the winner of this weeks contest on Friday's blog or Saturday depending on when Adam is here. I will also do a special drawing from those that have linked my contest on their blogs as well. Thank you for that, it really means a lot to me.

Not much else is going on around here, trying to catch up on resting while I am toddler free. I have a few requests to design a couple patterns for people and I hope to work on those soon as well. I have so much I want to do and so little time to do them all. So it's time to sit back and let the Lord lead me, my pastor often says... "Every GOOD idea is not always a GOD idea." I so get that now.

Hoping that today you are all finding yourself on the path God set before you and that things are right as they should be. Take a moment to breathe in the blessings of God's presence and thank Him for being the I AM in your life. Everyday is a miracle to be celebrated.

AK
Pro 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Day 29, and I just turned 200 posts old today

Well imagine my surprise when I went to blog today and noticed that today was going to be my 200th post. Wow!!! I guess it's true I do talk too much. Or I have a big mouth. Maybe both???

I heard from CAT or winner last week and hopefully she is shopping over at Rachel's site as I type.

CONTEST STUFF- Yesterday I put you all to work so today I will go a little easy on ya... in honor of my 200th post today I want to to make a comment and do something with the number 200 in it? Use your imagination, have some fun, and earn another entry for this weeks contest prize.

Now onto Cocoa swap stuff...
COCOA SWAP
This weeks topic:

What is your most memorable vacation? Where did you go? What made it memorable?

Is this supposed to be from my childhood or adulthood? Not sure. I have several vacations that are memorable, I guess the most recent was September 2006 I traveled from NY to MN. I alone, on oxygen, traveled by train

(not the actual train, this is just a model, LOL)
for 30 hours one way to stay for 18 days with a friend and her family I had NEVER met in person. Now that's memorable. I went because I had become friends with Shelly

over the phone through the Internet and well it was time for us to meet in person. We kept it a secret from our mutual online friends until I arrived too, it was funny.

(This is the Winona MN Train Station)
While there I learned to knit in the round (I have since forgotten) hmmm maybe I need a trip back real soon, ya think? I had been mostly a crocheter until that visit, I did knit but not as much. I totally give Shelly all the credit for my new love of knitting. Watching her click away made it look like so much fun. And because of all she taught me I guess that's why it's the most memorable vacation for me.

So there you go... I am looking forward to reading all the other Cocoa Swap partners stories too. Guess I'll be doing some more blog hopping this week, LOL

Not much else is new around here so I think I'll end here. More tomorrow for sure. You know me, I love to talk, lol. My prayer is that there will be wisdom in what I speak because my heart meditates on the Word of God and His understanding.

AK
Psa 49:3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart [shall be] of understanding.

Day 28, Monday Miracles

Ah here we are Monday already. I see it's almost noon and I am just getting started. I have had my breakfast with Jesus though, talked to a friend from church on the phone, started dinner in the crockpot, cleaned up my desktop area, exercised my brain cells with a game show, lol, drew a winner for last weeks contest, and here I am finally to blog.

YES I have drawn a winner... hmmm I am thinking maybe the contest mission today will be to find the person who won last weeks contest. I was recently mentioned on a blog and given an award. I have not yet responded and I will do that today and one of the 10 people I named is the winner of last weeks contest.

Your assignment is to visit these 10 blogs and see which one I left the comment on saying they were the winner. Come back and tell me who it was and you will receive an entry into today's contest.



These are in no particulr order and in no way is a complete list, just a sample of the wonderful freinds and connections I have found in the knitting community.

MELANIE
She definitely is a lil of this and a lil of that. I think of here as a blog expert, my blog would be just words without her assistance and wisdom. She is a self taught knitter, and a designer too. There is plenty to be learned from Mel by us all.

SHELLY
My BFF! An ear when I need one, and I always need one. A laugh in the midst of tears, and a song always. She brightens my day just knowing she is there. Her blog is full of entertaining posts and revelations.

MICHELLE
Definitely the most talented crafter and awesome mother I have ever known. A beautiful person with a beautiful family and a gentle spirit that leaves no life untouched.

MARYANN
A friend, new to blogging and knitting but if you haven't seen her doilies yet you are missing out. They are breathtaking to say the least. A fellow Weight Watcher who by the way is melting away. Could it be that Florida air???

CAT
Who can't love someone named Cat??? She loves NASCAR too and that makes her #1 in my book. And by the way a very talented knitter too, must be the German in her.

WENDY
What can I say about Wendy? She is a trooper, she is not a quitter and in spite of things around here she will never hesitate to encourage another. God is going to bless her knitted socks off for sure, because she is such a blessing to others.

KATIE O
Katie, flying high in a job I can only dream of having. I feel important saying well I know a pilot. Traveling and knitting, well who couldn't ask for a better life? It was a good day when she flew onto my blog and we became friends.

DEB
When I first started searching the Internet for stuff to knit, this was one of the first blogs I happened upon. I can't remember the pattern now, but I loved her blog. It's because of her I started one of my own. Bet you didn't know that, did you Deb?

AMY-LYNNE
When you think of a frog, I bet you will now always think of Amy Lynne. It's not easy being green, but her blog is sure easy on the eye and full of entertainment. I bet you have seen and possibly made at least one of designs. My first was the paw print, I made for my grandson Adam. Thanks Amy

GHOST
I am a strong supporter of Close Knit Hugs, I've been donating for a few years now and Ghost here is also a fellow supporter. I often visit her blog to see what new things she is crocheting, such a talent.

Now here's rules:
Give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel so happy about Blogland! Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so that they can pass it on. Beware! You may get the award several times!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well I so goofed up this blog post today, twice it published on me before I was finished. I still need to notify the winner, and will head off to do this now. Since I'm already published I will save any further chatting for tomorrow. I am in need of BLOG INSURANCE today, LOL. Thank God He is able to forgive all my mistakes. And that brings me peace and assurance. AMEN

AK
Isa 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

Day 27, Sunday for another 45 minutes anyway

Well this will probably be the shortest blog in history for me. I made it to church but have been sleeping on and off most of the day. I think Adam wore me out.

I would have just skipped blogging today since there is no contest stuff on Sunday but I made a commitment to blog everyday for the whole year, so here I am.

Still working on the Patriotic cloth... I like the ideas I've seen so far, but haven't made a decision yet. I sent the first one next door to my sisters to see what she thought and it never came back, LOL. She is my biggest fan for sure.

So I made another one today and revised it a little. Here's today's version
Front side

Back side


I think before I crawl back to bed I will get the names ready for the drawing tomorrow morning. I am excited to see who the winner will be, aren't you?

See you Monday. Get some good rest, OK?

AK
Exd 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go [with thee], and I will give thee rest.

Day 26, Is It Still Saturday???

I bet you all thought I was lost in cyber space huh? It never takes me this long to blog. But with Adam here and it being Saturday this is the first time I have been on line today. My husband has been here most of the day listening to music, playing Pogo games and getting familiar with the Professional Bull riding standings. Why you ask? Because tonight the PBR will be in Albany NY and he is going. We have been following the PBR for a couple years now, ever since my dad's new wife told us her nephew was in the circuit, his name is Travis Briscoe in case any of you ever get a chance to check it out. He's only 20 years old but has already built himself a reputation and last week he got a score of 95, only three others before him have done this, so that's a huge accomplishment. If you'd like to see a picture of him visit the website for PBR

My foot still hurts, it's my right driving foot, I am getting around the house but it's not fun. My left foot is starting to hurt now too, mostly because I tend to put most of the weight there to spare the right foot. I have not made it to AC Moore yet and I really want to get there today.

Adam is still here, he just fell asleep though, so I am home bound until he wakes up, then I might try to get out after I take him home. My mom offered to go for me, but I really want to look at the yarn and stuff and pick it out myself.

Onto CONTEST STUFF

First yesterday's mission was to guess the number of balls of yarn I piled on the chair... well there were 99 different complete balls, unused and ready to knit or crochet. What oh what will I do with it all???

Today and continuing tomorrow since I was so late today is another pattern I made yesterday. It's patriotic and I want to try to think up a creative name for it. I might bring some with me to Primary day on February 5th and maybe even sell a couple.

So take a look at the picture below and tell me a name that you think might fit this cloth. The picture isn't the best, but the top is blue, white and red bobble stitches, the middle is blue with a white heart in the center and the bottom is a slip stitch pattern rotating blue, white and the peppermint variegated.



So post a comment today and/or tomorrow to receive an entry to this weeks contest. Drawing will be Monday morning before I blog.

This is a picture of the reverse side... this was knitted up as I went along, I didn't have a pattern graphed or anything so I did not cut the colors as I changed them, I just carried it along the back, do you this this is real tacky? When I make more I can cut and tuck in the ends like I normally do unless you think it looks OK like this, I really could use some feedback. Thanks.


Tomorrow is Sunday, a day of rest. I am looking forward to it. After church I plan on coming home, cooking a roast in the crock pot for dinner and just chillin' out watching movies and knitting. I'll still blog tomorrow sometime, but probably later in the afternoon like today.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend planned, I can't wait to hear all about it.
I know I am in good hands in the Lord and He will help me and I believe He is and will do the same for all of you too. So let's all rejoice today no matter what.

AK
Psa 63:7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Day 25, Friday Freaky Foot Feelings

I am not sure if I mentioned it yesterday but I am having trouble with my feet again. This used to happen a lot, and it was almost impossible to deal with. It hasn't happened in quite awhile but it came back Tuesday night and has gotten progressively worse. It's really a pain in the foot!!! LOL. I am sure in my infinite wisdom I couldn't possibly have hurt it more by walking into church the long way on Wednesday, cleaning the house, which basically means an hour of dirty dishes, I know Fly Lady would be beating me with her feather duster for that comment, and yesterday we ran out of wood in the house for the metal monster I love so much. So what does AK do??? Why in her slippers, she walks out to the snow covered backyard, goes behind the garage and gathers wood, like a real pioneer girl. Umm, yeah the foot was still hurting, now it's really hurting. Then I walked last night in and out of the board of elections meeting. I barely slept all night because now it even hurts if elevated. Yeah, you're reading the blog of a full blown idiot.

I finally got the pictures of Adam from his last visit uploaded. This was one of my favorites. I don't have a lot of pictures of Adam with his daddy, my son Joe, cause Joe is always sleeping. He works over nights. Anyway Adam snagged him the other day and they played with the chalk board on the easel.

I have had Adam here 5 out of the last 8 days and just found out he is supposed to come again today and tomorrow. No rest for the weary here, it's a good thing I love him. Bad thing, I probably won't be getting much sleep or computer time.

I was planning on a trip to AC Moore today, I just have a couple thing I want to get to complete my Cocoa swap package and get it in the mail. I think I might drop Adam off to my moms to play with Hannah and Colin and run to AC Moore then. Hopefully, I will be able to walk on my foot by then.

CONTEST STUFF

Well I just love caption day... it's my favorite. It always makes me smile to read all your funny and creative thoughts. I'd do it more but finding the pictures owners is becoming harder and harder. I have several funny pictures and cartoons I have saved but I don't know where they came from. I don't want to practice bad blog etiquette, if you know what I mean. So if any of you happen to take a funny knitting/yarn related picture or see one somewhere send it to me so I can see if I can use it in the future. Thanks.

Today's contest mission: GUESS TIME

Yep, below are a couple pictures of some novelty yarn I have in my stash. Lately on one of my Yahoo groups some were asking about ribbon yarn. Well I have Ribbon yarn, like Trellis, and Ticker Tape and Confetti to name a few. My mom found most at a dollar store clearance and bought them all for me. What you see here is what I have left, I am sure there are a few balls that are in another spot, but for today we will focus on this group.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE PICTURES BELOW AND POST YOUR GUESS AS TO HOW MANY BALLS OF NOVELTY YARN I HAVE STILL TO USE UP. POST YOUR ANSWER IN THE COMMENT SECTION. YOUR ANSWER DOESN'T HAVE TO BE CORRECT TO GET AN ENTRY FOR THIS WEEKS PRIZE, YOU JUST NEED TO GUESS. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? A PATTERN FROM RACHEL IS AWAITING.





I also mentioned the other day my Mexicali Chicken... Here is the recipe in case you wanted to know.

Boneless/skinless chicken breast
Salsa
FF sour cream (or real if you prefer)
1 Pkg taco seasoning mix

Mix the salsa, sour cream and seasoning in a bowl
Put chicken in the crock pot, pour sauce over top
Cook on low for 8-10 hours

Just before ready to eat, take two forks and shred the chicken right inside the crock pot, it will break right apart, and stir it all up.

Serve wrapped in a tortilla, or over rice, or in a taco shell.
Add a vegetable and you are set to go.

You can also sprinkle shredded cheese over top if you like that.

I guess that's about it for me today. I see we are out of wood in the house again, but I WILL NOT try to be Laura Ingalls today, LOL I know it will be a hard couple days with a three year old here, but I am training him in the way of the Lord and pain or no pain, I believe this is what God has for me to do.

AK
Psalm 126:5- Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing.

My prayer for you today is whatever is hard in your life right now, whatever ails you, worries you, tries to distract you, that these things will turn into joy and singing as you let the Lord walk you through them. Keep planting and sowing the good news and you will reap in joy and singing. God's promises are ALWAYS the truth. AMEN!

Day 24, Tired, Tried and Thankful

Did you know it's Thursday already? I am unbelievably tired this morning. I just got out of bed and to be honest I could have stayed there no problem all day. I guess Adam wore me out a little. Or maybe it was that I drove myself to church (haven't done that in over a month) got in some extra walking yesterday or could be I am just OLD. But today is a new day, and I expect it will be wonderful.

Speaking of church it was wonderful last night. I have really missed being there for prayer. Last night the Pastor's wife gave the message and she is always so full of wisdom. It focused on waiting for that answer to prayer that you know God said He would do. Sometimes there are other things that need to take place before the actual answer is completed. So many (myself included) often want that instant answer and when they don't think it comes fast enough they try to speed things up themselves. It ended with the fact that if God said He will do something then we need to believe and KNOW He will. Definitely words to chew on this week, there are plenty of things I am waiting on for sure. I am so thankful for my church.

Tonight we have a training meeting to prepare us for working the polls on Primary day in February. I took a little quiz I saw on one of the blogs I read, can't remember which one, I am a goof. But I saved the link anyway. I thought it would help shine the light on which candidate thinks closest to the way I do. I have to admit I was surprised at my results. If you are interested this is the link to the short quiz. Candidate Quiz

OK CONTEST STUFF

Hmmm are my riddles getting too easy? I made that one up because the night before I was working on a market bag and I wanted Adam to go to sleep it was already past midnight so I turned out the lights and turned on the lighted crochet hook. I love it by the way. I also have a pair of lighted knitting needles but they are not circular and they are long needles, being on oxygen those long needles tend to get caught up in the oxygen hose so I rarely use them. But if you are thinking about getting some lights I recommend them 100%.

Today's CONTEST mission... Time to place a caption on a photo

Take a look at the picture below and post in the comment section whatever thought comes to your mind. Relax, have some fun with it. And in doing so you will have another entry for this weeks prize.

picture on loan from Kat-Knits check out her blog sometime.

Oh on my side bar I have a section that lists other contests as well...as I find them I try to list them there along with their closing dates. I also have a link to WiKnit (a play on words for win it) there. Her blog is solely for listing contests. Even mine made it there a couple times. She tries to give a brief description on the contest. The only thing is they show up in the order they were posted and not in date order so make sure you look thru if you are looking for some contests to enter, ok?

That all said now, I think I might take a morning nap while I can, but you all know I am going to the kitchen right to do the dishes. Then time to clean up the evidence of Adam, ie: toys, toys and more toys. I think I'll put on some music and just sing/whistle while I work.

Tune in tomorrow — same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!... wow where did that come from???

AK
Psa 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Day 23, Weird Wednesday

Well what a Wednesday... actually the weird day was last night, but since it's Wednesday now I'll just use the "W" words. Adam decided to come over yesterday, he missed Nana and Papa. He is still here will be here until tonight. He arrived with what he called "spots" like Sprinkles, Blue's baby brother. He happily modeled his red spots for me...


With Adam here dinner plans got a little mixed up so we used some coupons for buy 1 get 1 free burgers at Burger King. We got Adam a kids meal, have you seen the packaging for BK's kids meals lately? I thought an employee or my son was trying to be funny and change the wording on the bag, but after a closer examination I saw it was actually printed like this... Take a look


The toy was a Snoopy on a motorcycle with a retractable front wheel, and Adam and Papa had a blast driving it and a few matchbox cars all over the easel we got him for Christmas.


Now I chose not to eat BK food, it's just not on my eating healthy plan. I decided to have some left over "Mexacali Chicken" (recipe available if anyone is interested just let me know) in a whole wheat tortilla and some broccoli with melted cheese. The chicken is shredded and while the broccoli was cooking I got the chicken ready and then set the tortillas on top to cover it until I could put it in the microwave. Adam decided he now wanted some PB toast so I got that for him and was wrapping some other meat my son got today at BJ's, the microwave beeped so I put in the chicken and re-set it. After about 3 or 4 minutes I could smell something burning. I decide it's the tortillas and go to take them out of the microwave and what do I see... a metal spoon in the bowl. Yeah, I am an idiot. I have never since microwaves were invented put metal inside one. I am sure I am losing it. Unbelievable. Thank God it didn't start a fire and I was still in there while it was cooking. I usually leave the room until I hear the beep.

Onto Contest Stuff...

I am really excited about the prizes for the rest of this month. This weeks prize is explained in the side bar of the blog just under the contest rules. I am sure you will all want to win now, so make sure you don't forget to post a comment to get an entry, link to this contest on your blog and tell all your friends to come play too. Yeah, the prize is that good.

Today I thought I'd have fun with a RIDDLE... are you ready???

I am something that's pretty new
But I can be a huge help to you
I come in knitting or in crochet
I help you continue in an unusual way
I won't keep you in the dark for long
With me you can just keep plugging along
Can you guess what I am before the end of the night
I am a needle or hook and I have my very own ????

Post your answer as to what you think the riddle is about and receive an entry into this weeks contest. Your guess doesn't have to be correct to get the entry, you just have to take a stab in the dark at it. LOL.

Well today I will be playing with Adam again, then it's church night. I love my mid week church nights. It just gives me that extra umph to continue with the week.

Hoping you are all having a wonderful day. Teabird your package from last week is ready to mail, should be out tomorrow or Thursday. Sorry for the delay.

Thanks everyone for making it fun for me to blog daily, I love hearing from all of you and that's what keeps me coming back everyday.

AK
Pro 14:20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich [hath] many friends.

Day 22, and Thank you

First I just want to thank everyone for all your ideas on naming my newest design. I honestly had no clue and wow you all just had some wonderful suggestions. I don't know if it was harder to think of a name on my own or to choose from all the great ones you thought of. Oh the dilemmas, LOL. Anyway the window door theme seemed to be the most popular and the one that just clicked when I saw it, you know the AHA moment, was "Windows of my Soul" There were a few variations of that idea, and I thought I'd slightly adjust it to "Windows of Heaven" to go with the scripture...
Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].

God has truly blessed me with great friends and family, and His blessings never stop. Even when life is hard and things aren't going as I think they should, still He blesses me. This dishcloth will be a constant reminder to me of that.



Yesterday I finally bit the bullet and started up the ESTY shop. Shelly and I are partners, and we are really excited about getting this up and running. We are starting out slow but hope to build it up soon. I added a few things yesterday and she will be adding some more this week as well. And this is where I will put any patterns I am selling. My other pattern blog will still have free patterns available and more free stuff added there as well too. So if you are interested in the pattern for "Windows of Heaven" or for "Sprinkled Lace" they are both there and the pattern is only $1.00. There is a link on my side bar to our store, and one on Shelly's blog as well.


Contest Stuff

Wow I had 28 comments yesterday, amazing. I don't think I've ever had that many in one day. Today's contest mission... is a question.

WHAT IS ONE SKEIN OF YARN YOU WOULD LOVE TO TRY/BUY BUT HAVEN'T YET. BE SPECIFIC... BRAND, TYPE, COLOR ETC. IF YOU HAD THE MONEY AND COULD TRY ANYTHING OUT THERE WHAT WOULD YOU TRY FIRST?

Post your answer in the comment section today and earn another entry in the contest for the prize this week. I have a wonderful idea for this prize and will be confirming it hopefully today so I should be able to keep my promise and post about it tomorrow.



This weeks Cocoa Swap topic:

What is the most 'random' memory you have from your childhood?

Well the first thought was a family vacation we took in Baja, I was 10, and my sisters were 8 and 3 years old. We stayed on this beach in a lean to, and I remember the three of us in a blow up raft type boat rowing out into the deep waters crossing over to another island to go digging for crabs. I still to this day wonder what my mother was thinking we were so young to be in the bay like that alone, it sure was a different era. But it was an awesome vacation, we were there 15 days. I still remember catching a conch and trying to get it out of the shell so we could cook it, and it was the first time this CA native ever had a sunburn. We had quite and adventure getting there too... I think our car broke down, we had to stay in a hotel overnight while it got fixed, no one spoke English, and I only knew a few basic Spanish words. Of course my mom and dad fought, they always fought, but my sisters and I, we stuck together and I'll always hold onto those memories. I have more if you're interested, LOL... like the time we needed Santa to save us from the snow storm, remember we were CA kids we had never seen snow... or the Flintstone village we found by accident... or... yeah so many.



I am sure I had more I wanted to blog today but this already seems pretty long and I don't want to overwhelm you so I'll save it for tomorrow.

Praying today that you all can know the blessing of the Lord as well, that He opens up the windows of heaven for you today and overflows your life with blessings more then you can receive.

AK

Day 21, Are you the winner for Week 3???

It's Monday already, Wow how did that happen?

I have to tell you it's mighty cold in New York, I am definitely colder with every pound I lose. Now if this only proves true in the summer humidity I'll be happy.

I forgot a picture of Adam yesterday when I blogged, so I will share it today... He was posing in front of the slide area saying cheese so I would take his picture. He is such a big boy now.



Three weeks of the January contest are already gone, only 10 more days to go, but still 2 more prizes to be won, so don't stop coming to play, OK?

Today's contest assignment is a little different. I knitted up a dishcloth yesterday, playing around with some lase and trying to make up a few patterns (I gave up on the cables for right now, I got tired of frogging...LOL)

Anyway here is a picture of what I created, try not to focus on the color, I was just using some left over cotton I had, but what I need is help in naming the cloth?



Post your suggestions in the comment section today and help me out. And at the same time get an entry in the contest for this weeks prize. (Which I promise to post on here no later then Wednesday!!!)

Now onto the WINNER, I know you are all anxious to see who it is...

There were 49 comments last week, was your comment the winner?


The winner was from a comment posted on Day 3, by our very own TEABIRD, congratulations. Please email me with your mailing address and I will get out the mystery prize to you by the end of the week, God willing. My email address is gimpykatk@aol.com.

Not sure what I am going to do next week, since there are only 4 days left in January, I will be thinking about it this week though.

I started adding links to everyones blogs in my sidebar... if I missed yours don't worry, I am still gathering the info. I am so unorganized and have info scattered everywhere. I need to make sure I have you all on Ravelry cause that's the easiest place for me to find you. But I will get you all added eventually, one day or I should say one blog at a time, LOL.

I climbed my stairs last night by the way. My husband was watching football (I am a NASCAR girl) so I went upstairs to watch the ending of The Amazing Race, that's 4 stars on my chart now. Slow going but I am trying. Really our stairs are awful, very steep, and old and the walls are old plaster board and they are falling apart and some of the stairs have split from wear (they are wooden), I HATE those stairs. I can't wait for Spring when I can take to walking outside instead.

Ok blogging is done, I am off to check Weight Watchers and then enjoy my Breakfast with Jesus.

Looking forward to your ideas on naming my new dishcloth. Thanks everyone.

AK
Isa 62:2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.

Day 20, Sunday a Day of Rest and Worship

Well hello. I know I am a little later then normal, but I didn't have time to blog before church and it took me awhile to get the pictures ready to post today. I had a wonderful day with Adam yesterday. It was one of the best days we have had in a long time. Hannah came over and they had breakfast and played for a couple hours, they made slides out of the pillows and bean bag chairs and then they made "THE FORT"

Adam thought this was the BOMB, LOL I am sure next time he is here I can expect to see the blankets spread all over the furniture again.


Then we decided to take Adam to get his hair cut. He has only had a professional haircut one other time and he hated it. We tried to make this sound like an adventure and it started out good with playtime at the Lego table while we waited for his turn.



Then it was Adams turn, my sister Dayna and I took turns trying to hold Adam still while the Barber cut the hair. Hannah took all the pictures, not too bad for a six year old and my very ancient camera.









The reward for getting a haircut, not only was the lolipop from the Barber but a trip to McDonalds and not the drive thru either. I said let's let them go inside and play on the big bubble slide.

We entered the room and they hit the slide immediately.

Then the food came, they sat for a few minutes, McDonalds fries are the only thing that will draw a child from the playground. LOL

But where are they??? There's still ffod left but where are the children??

Oh there they are, waving from the yellow bubble. I guess I can have a fry or two while they are gone, they won't notice.

Adam's new saying yesterday was "Gamma, this is super fun"... it was so cute.


We brought him home after that, and when his mom came down to get him he said "Mommy, look at my haircut!!!" Of all the things we did, he couldn't wait to show her his haircut. Too funny.

So that's my story, and I am sticking to it. It was a great day.

Today is also a day that is great. I had a wonderful time at church, I feel refreshed and ready to face the week. I have a song playing in my heart and worship music playing on the computer and I just feel like dancing around the house. I love the JOY of the LORD, it truly is my strength.

Praying you all can experience the Joy of the Lord today too, our Redeemer lives!!!!!

AK

Hab 3:18
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Day 19, Tied up in cables and I can't get out...

Yep... I decided to try to put this design I have in my head onto the needles, it's a cabled design and I know next to nothing about what makes cables work. It started out pretty good, but I can see it needs some help. Heck I need the help. LOL. I think I need to frog it out and start over again. Now I can follow a cabled pattern I just am not sure how to make the cables do what I want them to do. Is there such a thing as a "cable anonymous group" I need help.

In the meantime I worked up a fast pattern called Dainty.

I saw it on a blog and from there joined a yahoo dishcloths group to get the pattern. It was easy to work up and a fast knit, I highly recommend it. Here are the 2 links... I know I was supposed to learn how to have a link without actually showing the link but I never copied the instructions when it was on I think Wendy's comments so I have no clue. Anyway here they are this long way in case you are interested.

http://http://jantsart.blogspot.com/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JustDishcloths/

Contest for today...
Since I am struggling with CABLES today, I will ask a question of you all.

What knit or crochet stitch type have you been struggling with? Or if you mastered it how long and how many grey hairs did it cost you?

Post your answer in the comments section for an entry in this weeks contest. I know no prize has been posted for this week, I guess it will be a mystery as I have not yet decided what to send. I will however, make sure one is sent so no worries.

Did you all see my hit counter today? I am less then 25 views from 10,000. Maybe you will be the one to turn it over, if you are, please let me know. I think that's worth celebrating.


Adam is happy, Hannah is on her way over with WAFFLES, yummy.

I will take that as my cue to sign off... with Adam and Hannah here it will be a zoo. Plus I have laundry to fold, dishes to wash, stairs to climb, oh yeah and cables to knit...

Have a wonderful day. God made us special just the way we are.
AK

Psa 139:14
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well.

Day 18, Miracles Do Happen, Really...

Now isn't that a face to start the day with??? Obviously Adam is here.

About Miracles... Well my sister and my two nieces went to see High School Musical live on Wednesday night, and they were waiting in a not so nice part of town late at night for their ride home. Lots of people not so nice and homeless too were all around. They get home and my niece Autumn says she can't find her purse, it had her cashed paycheck, her drivers permit, her SS card, her bankcard and her passport in it. She knows she had it when they left the arena. Uh Oh, it was a 20 minute drive to get home, so my sister and Autumn drive back to the curb they were waiting on, in a record 10 minutes and when they were one block from the corner my sister could see the purse sitting on the curb plain as day. Somehow God made that purse invisible to the hundreds of people that were walking around that area, not a thing was missing not even a penny. Yep it was a true miracle.

Speaking of miracles I finished the intarsia version of the shamrock. Here is the picture of the front and the back, I think it looks pretty good, and it was a little easier this time around.
Front side

Back side


Ok, let's move onto the contest for today.

As most of you know I am in a Cocoa swap and well I forgot there was a topic of the week, so I am going to answer the topic of the week and if you would like to answer this question as well, it will earn you another entry in this weeks contest. So here it is...

Now that we're in the thick of 'Winter'... has your knitting changed to match the season? Are you moving on from dishcloths, and tank tops to afghans, hats and mittens? Has your yarn changed from silk or cotton to wool, super wash or heavier cottons?

Here's my response...

Actually my knitting habits haven't changed this winter. I don't have any afghans in the works right now and I am still focused on these dishcloths (knitting and designing) and hopefully moving onto socks real soon. But normally I would be working on an afghan in the cold of winter. I made a ton of hats and scarves in December though, maybe I winterized myself out, lol.

Okay then, now that that is done... I better get to playing with Adam, he is being so patient.

Oh one last thing, I am less then 100 hits away from reaching the 10,000 mark. How cool is that? I wonder if it will happen today.

Have a great day everyone and remember our God is a God who works miracles everyday.
Oh and my thumb is fine. Thank you Jesus.

AK

Luk 1:37
For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Day 17, and a broken thumb

So I woke up this morning and came to sit at the desk, my nightgown, which seems to have gotten longer or I am shorter, whatever, got stuck under the wheels on my chair, so I am tugging at it trying to free myself from this prison and when it finally let go my thumb hit the underside of the desk HARD. Ouch!!! Now I have a blue thumb and a ugly hole in my nightgown. Moral of this story??? I have no clue. No that's the moral, I HAVE NO CLUE. lol.

Well I finished the Pharmacy dishcloth yesterday as promised. Here is the picture.

I haven't typed up the pattern yet, that's the hardest part of the process. And as I just mentioned above the desk and I are not on "happy" terms today. However I am considering this other option... it's a toll free number you call and can speak a 30 second message and it will send the message typed up to your email address. COOL, huh? So I am thinking it will take oh maybe 52 calls, lol, speaking K3, P2, K26 etc... and then I can just copy and paste the emails onto Word. Okay does that sound way too complicated? My son had another word for it when I told him about it. I can't remember it, and I just called his cell phone to ask him what it was and he didn't answer, bummer. Where is he you are asking, well he is upstairs in his bedroom, I suppose I could just climb the stairs and ask him, I do need another "star" on my chart. Ok be right back.

Ok, first thing, I hate the stairs. 2nd thing, my son's comment was kind of not politically correct, and I guess typing here would not be a good idea. 3rd thing is he thought the 800# would just make me look like I was being lazy, and well I just climbed 15 stairs to ask him a question and that doesn't sound lazy to me, does it? And 4th thing, I caught my nightgown again in the wheels of this chair. So now I have matching holes, thank God though still only one blue thumb.

CONTEST STUFF
Well the answer to the riddle was NOTIONS. I like making up those, the hardest part is thinking of a knitting term to be the focus on.

Today's contest I decided (I was going to say I think... but if I am typing it here then I am not thinking I have already decided, right? Oh boy this is going to be a strange day I can see it already)anyway...I will be asking a question.

THURSDAY's Question:

What are you working on right now? Don't be shy, tell us all the WIP's you have going on and if you can share a link to the pattern or a photo. I love looking at all your projects.

A post in the comment section will enter you in this weeks contest, winner to be revealed on Monday.

I can hear our cat crying somewhere. I think he might be locked in the front porch. Dare I risk getting up from this desk again? Yeah, it's cold here in NY. I guess that's my cue to get off line for a bit.

It's time for breakfast with Jesus anyway.

Stay safe everyone, watch out for clothing eating chairs and thumb battering desk tops.

AK

Psa 34:20
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

Day 16, The good, the bad and the...???

Sorry no pictures for you regarding the title of my blog today. Let's just leave that to your imagination. I am talking about my craft area near my bed. Yes it was pretty bad. Good news I was able to untangle all yarn, bad news I am still missing several bamboo needle sizes (termite??? eeewweeee) and the ???? Well that's the scary part, I never know what I will find there. One of the disadvantages of living in your bed 24/7.

So yesterday I looked at my blog and the egg had hatched. Today I looked and it wasn't. Hmmm, is it my computer having issues? Can you see that the egg hatched and if you can what are you seeing there?

I am working on the final rows of another pattern dishcloth, this one is for a pharmacist symbol. I was hoping to finish it last night but I was just too tired. I'll post a picture of it tomorrow for sure.

So who watches American Idol? I DVR'd it but didn't get to watch it yet. We watch alot of reality TV here... We were original Survivor fans. DH also like Big Brother and Amazing Race. As for Idol, I missed the first few seasons, but I've watched the last 3, and am looking forward to this years as well. Between reality TV and game shows I hardly notice there is a writers strike, LOL.

OK, let's get to some contest stuff...
Wednesday is RIDDLE day

This might be hard if you give it too much thought
But really if you read it slowly you'll learn alot
This riddle is about things that we've all got
Some have more then others, things that were bought
These can be small or long, rubber or plastic
I think these things are just plain fantastic
Can you guess what they are, without emotions
I know you know this answer, they are simply...????

Post your answer to this riddle in the comments section. Your answer doesn't need to be correct to get an entry you just need to try.

Prize is still in the works, hopefully before the end of the week I'll have it figured out. Thanks for being patient with me on that detail. LOL.

Okay then, I guess I am off to sip my Fat Free Hot Cocoa and watch yet another game show and finish that dishcloth too.

Praying your day today is filled with things that make you smile and reasons to be thankful to be alive. God is good all the time.

AK

Psa 84:11
For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Day 15, Get your creative juices running (pun intended)

Good Morning everyone... Have you had your breakfast yet? I am going to start right off with the contest project for the day... It's caption time. I found this picture a few months ago and well it totally spoke to me. This designer is just way out there. If you are interested this pattern is available on the Internet for free, I have added the link to make it easy for you to find.

So today think of a caption for this photo and post it in the comment section today for an entry into this weeks contest. Still working on the actual prize and will post it ASAP.

Have fun with this, no stress, we don't want to cause a reflux or anything, LOL

http://www.strangebuttrewe.com/knitGI.htm

OK that's done, now onto blogging.

First I have added a link to Michelle's blog in the contest section, she is having a contest that runs until February 18th. Make sure you go over there and check it out.

http://insanknitty.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/totally-random/#comment-1658

Also you MUST go to Shelly's blog... if you don't read hers you are missing out. She has a way with words and it is always good for a laugh or two or twenty. I swear she should do a column in a newspaper or something. Here is the link to her blog...

http://kadezmom.blogspot.com/

I cleaned up my knitting area yesterday, somehow I have lost several of my favorite needles. How can this happen? Maybe we have termites, they are bamboo after all. Who knows?

I also added the star patterns to my pattern blog yesterday, the Shooting Star and the Christmas Star. They've been done forever but I just haven't been able to sit here and type the patterns up. Now I need to get them onto Ravelry too.

Did anyone watch CSI last week, about the Bull Riding? My fathers wife's nephew (are you still following, LOL) is a professional Bull Rider, his name is Travis Briscoe, anyway they used the time he was stomped on by the bull in Las Vegas as part of the show last week. They will be here in Albany the end of the month, I'd love to go but am not sure I can with the health issues I am still, yes still, dealing with.

I think, thank you Jesus, we will be able to fix my car this weekend. We will soon be back to a three car household, and of course the motorcycle. But we won't go there.

It's still snowing too, I thought it was supposed to be over yesterday.

I guess that's all I have for today. Definitely not as interesting as Shelly's blogging, so don't forget to check it out and send your friends too, it's very funny. And remember Michelle's contest too.

See you all tomorrow, for who knows what?

AK

Pro 27:1
Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Week 3, Day 1- A WINNER

Happy Monday...

We have a winner... our very own TURTLE


CONGRATULATIONS!!!! It was your comment on day one of week two that won you the prize.

Thank you for playing, I will get your prize in the mail ASAP. Drop me an email with your mailing address ok?

I cannot believe how tired I am. I think after I got home from church I slept most of the day. Which of course has put me way behind schedule. I haven't even thought about the prize for week 3.

So for today's contest I am going to take a poll...

Post in the comment section your preference and help me decide what to give the winner this week.

1- Novelty Yarn, like ticker tape, lion suede, ribbon yarn etc. enough for a small project
2- A booklet with patterns and yarn to complete one of the patterns
3- Cotton and an original dishcloth pattern
4- Something else... please be specific, I need all the help I can get.

I hate putting this on you all, but honestly I am wiped out today, and I know you can all help me here.

We woke up to more snow today. So much for the green grass in the backyard, LOL.
Good day for me to work on the Shamrock pattern done in the Intarsia method like the Raven/Crow. I also have a few new patterns to graph, and hope to get to those today as well.

Making Shepherd's Pie for dinner tonight. It's one of my favorites. I shouldn't eat it though cause the corn and potatoes are too carby for me. I might just have the meat and a small spoonful of the rest. We shall see. If I have some cauliflower I might mash that up and use it for the potato part of mine, it's amazing how much like a potato that can taste when it's mashed up.

I haven't been to your blogs in a couple days, I just haven't felt good at all. But so far this morning I am good, so I hope to pay you all a visit today. I love reading your blogs and seeing what's going on in your lives too.

Happy blog reading today, I am looking forward to your ideas.

AK
Psalms 121:1-2 [[A Song of degrees.]] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Day 13, The mystery is solved

Well here I am. Home from church, lunch cooking on the stove and ready to blog for the first time today.

First I got a picture of Adam yesterday morning I forgot to share, look at his hair, LOL, that's a bad case of bed head. But he looked so cute.


I finished the Crow pattern in the Intarsia method yesterday. I still have to tuck in the spaghetti strings on the back


But this is the finished front side. I think it looks OK and I am guessing I am doing it correctly. It's not the easiest project for me but I hope it gets easier as I try more patterns with it.


Now onto contest stuff...
The answer to the mystery is STAIRS.

If you noticed the first letter of each clue actually spelt out stairs.

S ix clues will be given, each one a step above the other, read between the lines.
T his may seem like an uphill climb, but it's easier then it appears
A ltitude is not always a bad thing, some times you can see clearer from the top
I ncline, decline, they go together, what goes up must come down
R aise the mission to new heights, nothing is impossible with God
S uccess is measured one stride at a time, keep reaching for the stars

I am trying to climb the stairs in my house a minimum of 404 times this year. I made a chart and if I don't meet my goal I will have to eat 1 cup of raw, plain mushrooms.

I'd much rather eat a raw cup of these though, I hate mushrooms.


I decided to make this the contest this week so you can all remember to remind me now and then to climb those stairs. Ask to see my chart updates etc. Don't let me push this thought to the back of my mind.

One thing I am hoping to do to make a reason to climb the stairs is to move all my yarn supplies upstairs. This way I will have to climb them if I want to knit and we all know I always want to knit.

I have not been up in a few days though, still struggling with female issues, I am so ready for this to be over with.

Church was good today, I always feel refreshed after I go. I am so glad to live in a country where I am free to worship anytime and anywhere. We are so blessed.

New contest week starts tomorrow, I am not sure of the prize yet, I have been procrastionating. I will draw a winner tomorrow morning for this week though, so stay tuned, it might just be you.

That said I am going to go eat my lunch, and tuck in those spagetti ends, LOL.

Praying that you are all filled with peace, hope and joy today and everyday.
AK
Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.