Sunday- Puzzle Hands, Women from Mars and Purple People Eaters?

What's up with this??? The puzzle is labeled for right and left hands but they are backwards. In order for Adam to match his hands to the puzzle he had to criss cross them, LOL.

Looks like he criss crossed his eyes too just thinking about this, LOL.


Well finally here are the pictures from dinner with Dave and Ruth. Sorry for the off colors, I tried to adjust them but it wasn't happening. The room was dark and the lighting was almost red.

The restaurant is called Delmonico's it's an Italian Steakhouse and it's delicious.

This picture is of the menu... if you can see the caricatures pictured on the menu, well they are all over the restaurant, all famous people like Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Sylvester Stallone and Elizabeth Taylor, you name them they are probably somewhere on the wall.
This picture is of me and Ruth. Ruth of course is the skinny one, she has lost like 30 pounds or more and looks fantastic. Looks like we are from "Mars" or something we look so reddish/orange.
Next we have my husband Gary and Ruth's husband Dave. Honestly they really aren't "Purple People Eaters" Gary has on the glasses. Notice the boxers on the wall behind them, and the "Sinatra Room" off to the side?
I do have some more pictures, of the new sock yarn I got in the mail last week and the pattern to knit the socks with it. I joined a sock club... not monthly though just every other month. At least until I get back to work and have more money, but then I'll have less time... oh what will I do?

As for my good news... I guess I can give you a little taste. As most of you know I am in the process of having surgery and I needed to meet with a Nutritionist to finalize everything. Well she was booked until October, and this would not allow me to be ready in time to have the surgery on my birthday. So I have been praying for a cancellation... and last week there was one and I got in on Thursday. Basically now all that remains is the attending of two seminars and losing another 14 pounds. I can do it.

The other news was about my dog Lady. I have been trying to get help getting her to the Vet or the pound. She is in really bad shape and I don't have the finances to take care of things. It looked like last week I had two good leads to handle this but so far neither has come through yet. So this is still in the works. I am believing that God will provide. Poor Lady can no longer stand on either of her back legs, she just drags herself around, it's breaking my heart.

Guess that's about it for now. Adam is still here, he came to church with me today. I love to bring him, everyone loves to see him.

Oh I did get to the Y yesterday and I swam 1/2 a mile again, but this time I swam without stopping. I know without a doubt I can swim much more then that next time. Maybe even a whole mile. The first 2 or 3 laps are the hardest but after that I am good to go and go and go.

See you all tomorrow, I'll announce the winner of this final contest week. Remember all comments today count as an entry too.

AK

Saturday- Loving God, Loving Adam and Loving Knitting

This is a scarf I received in the mail yesterday from a friend I have never met. Hopefully the next time you see a picture of it I will be wearing it, it's BEAUTIFUL and SO ME.

I also received another package but I'll save that for tomorrow's blog, that and the pictures from dinner Thursday night.

Today you get Adam and a Finished project... Adam first.

PEEK

A

BOO

As you can see I got another play box for Adam this week. Thank you Avon for creative packaging, LOL

Yesterday I worked on a pattern I recently saw on Ravelry it's going in a swap I need to mail out. I goofed up the pattern, I didn't understand all the directions so I improvised and I am happy with my final result. You can find the pattern here if you are interested and want to see how it was supposed to look, LOL.

It's only big enough to hold a small paperback, but it could easily be made larger for bigger books. I thought about adding an I-cord for a carrying handle but decided against it at the last minute. Time was of the essence, as the end of the month is here. I used my Pattons Merino wool but I didn't felt it. I think it would lose all the stretch if it was felted, right?

I opened up my Internet today and all my bookmarked/favorite places were GONE. Talk about panic... that's how I pay my bills and find my blog dashboard etc. I was able to find some of them through my AOL favorites but I know I am missing several. Of course I can't think of what is missing, guess I won't know until I need it.

Remember any comments posted over the weekend will still count towards this weeks contest prize.

I'll see you all tomorrow, have a wonderful day.

AK

Friday- Finality Sinks In,,, The End Is Near

The End is drawing near. Today is the last official contest post... However Monday is when the final winner will be announced. As always any comments made over the weekend will count as entries. This 62 days really went pretty fast, don't you think?

No worries though, I still plan on blogging daily (I have committed to 365 daily blog posts this year) so please keep coming back even though the contest will be on a 30 day rest. I will be having a weekly poll to help me decide on the prizes for the next few contests coming up. So I really would love your input, it's important to me.

Oh and for yesterdays contest, the pictures sock yarn stash... which by the way was NOT mine. I can't even remember who sent me the picture, I thought it was Melanie, but she guessed and guessed wrong, so maybe not, LOL. Anyway there were 44 balls/skeins of sock yarn. So how did you do?

OK ONTO FRIDAY'S CONTEST STUFF

FRIDAY is Find the Finished Object day

Below you will see a cropped picture snagged from one of your blogs. I visited all the blogs from whoever commented on Thursday and chose this one to feature today. Your assignment is to find the blog this picture came from.

Post in the comment section where you think you saw this and receive another entry in this weeks contest. If you don't have time to blog hop no worries, any old comment, well new comment will do. LOL.

Remember the main purpose of this assignment is to visit other blogs and say Hi to them and leave a comment. It's so encouraging when others visit your blog, and show an interest and let you know they were there. You know you love it, so of course every one else does too. Hopefully you will get a chance to visit a few of them today.

We had a wonderful dinner last night. I really miss seeing my friends on a regular basis, even though we talk on the phone almost everyday. The restaurant was packed. I was shocked for a Thursday night. I think there were 17 birthday people there, we kept hearing this clapping, than sparklers passing by and singing and flashes from a camera. Looks like most of Upstate NY was born on August 28th and they all celebrate it at Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse, LOL. I took a few pictures which I will share over the weekend.

I will also expand on the PRAISE reports I mentioned yesterday. They are still in the works but I am believing that the answers are here already, just settling in. God is good.

I picked up Adam this morning so I should maybe have some Adam pictures this weekend too. The Pool is closed Monday for the Holiday so I hope to get there maybe today and tomorrow and maybe even Sunday. Can I do three days in a row? Why not.

Have a great Friday and holiday weekend just in case you are going away.
Praying for those in the path of the storms brewing.

AK

Thursday- It's Going To be A GREAT Day

OK the graph I posted yesterday was not exactly right. I have made the corrections and decided to knit up the dishcloth this morning. It's not blocked but I am very pleased with the final outcome. I will be posting the written pattern up on my pattern blog today. It's a freebie so feel free to knit one up for those special women you know and love.

I have hopefully some GREAT news. There are several issues I have been lifting up in prayer and today within the last 2 hours I think two of them will be answered before the end of the day.
I won't give details yet, but they are HUGE and I am singing PRAISES this morning. GOD is so GOOD.

OK onto CONTEST STUFF

THURSDAY is GUESS DAY

Below is a picture of a stash of SOCK yarn. Who wouldn't die to have this stash? I know I would.
Your mission is to guess how many skeins/balls of sock yarn are pictured here.
Post your guess in the comment section to receive another entry in this weeks contest. Remember your guess doesn't have to be correct you just have to leave a comment. Have fun, let's see if someone can guess the exact number this time.

By the way Bea has been making up some new bags and hopefully will have the selection in the ETSY store over the holiday weekend. So the winner should have a nice selection to choose from.

Oh and as for yesterdays RIDDLE, yes the answer was DESIGNER. I guess I stumped a few of you because although the riddle was a rhyme the answer was not part of the rhyme like it usually is. I hope you enjoyed it though, RIDDLE day is one of my favorite contest days. It's the POET in me.

Tonight my husband and I are going out to dinner with good friends who are in town this week. They used to live here but are currently living in Savannah GA. I haven't been out to eat in a restaurant since before Christmas last year, so this will be a real treat.

Oh and update on water therapy. I so love the pool. Yesterday I again swam 18 laps (1/2 mile) but I swam the first 9 laps (450 yards) non stop. I can remember when I first started I couldn't swim one lap without feeling like I couldn't breathe or move. Now I am barely out of breath after 9 laps. It's amazing. I also did 50 pull ups, yeah my flabby arms are toning right up. In church one Wednesday night the pastors daughter prayed that the "spirit of fitness" would come upon me, and guess what? I think it did. No I KNOW it did. Now there's a prayer we should all want a part of.

OK off to get ready for the day. Lot's to do. May God shine His blessing on you today and bring a quick answer to your prayers too. Amen.

AK
Psa 47:6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

Wednesday- Working For The Cure

Morning I am running a little late again as I was working on another dishcloth design. I have one going in a BC awareness calendar in January, but I really wanted to sell some in the ETSY store with all the proceeds supporting the cause. So I decided to design a second cloth. I have a couple more ideas as well, maybe eventually I will have an assortment. Anyway... here is the rough draft of my first graph. I need to run it by Shelly for approval since we are working together on this. I haven't tried knitting it yet but maybe later today or tomorrow, I'll keep you posted.


It's already after 10am and I still have to go to the bank before therapy so let's get onto the CONTEST STUFF

WEDNESDAY IS RIDDLE DAY

This is something I LOVE to do
And I bet some of you do too
It only takes an idea you see
It can be what you want it to be
Pencil and paper can be your tool
And what you discover is so cool
You may think you can't but you can
If you try you'll become a faithful fan
All it takes is a thought on your part
And then you're off and ready to start
Don't be afraid to try something new
We can all learn, yes even me and you
What we will have are new things to knit
And we will have a new title, can you guess it?

Ok there you go... can you solve the riddle? Post your answer in the comment section to receive another entry in this weeks contest for one of Bea's awesome small project bags. Your guess doesn't have to be right, heck you don't even have to guess if you don't want to. Just leave a comment and you are IN.

I have church tonight so not sure how much knitting I will get to today. Hopefully something while I rest up after water therapy today.

Oh and before I forget I just wanted to mention the Special Olympics... now that the Summer Olympics are over, the Special Olympics are getting ready for Winter in 2009. If you are interested in supporting them click here to see what they are looking for. Thanks Jane for reminding me about this. I will add a link on my side bar in case you don't have time to check it out today.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

See you tomorrow.

Tuesday- Throw It Away, Tsk, Tsk, Tsk

Wow I can't believe it's so late and I am just getting to blogging. I was missing some very important stuff that I had to find, TODAY. One was my bag with ETSY stuff for sale since I sold something last night. And the other was my bank bag so I could pay my bills. Both were missing.

I finally found them all, and in the process got rid of 3 boxes of garbage. My new motto... THROW IT AWAY!!!

Here is a picture of me and Adam from yesterday. He is such a good boy and loves to hold hands and hug and snuggle. I know he will someday grow out of this but I am going to enjoy every minute of it while I can.
OK Onto CONTEST STUFF

TUESDAY IS TRY A NEW STITCH DAY

Today's stitch... Leaves of Grass
Leaves Of Grass (multiple of 11 sts)
Note: the instructions below are a generic description of how to execute this stitch pattern. For a single repeat, you'd only need eleven stitches but you'd have a VERY narrow piece! In the example shown, there are three repeats of the stitch, so to make a swatch that looks like the one shown, you need to cast on 33 stitches (3 x the multiple of 11 stitches needed for a single repeat of the pattern.)

Row 1 (RS) *Yo, ssk, k9; rep from * to end.
Row 2 and all WS rows Purl.
Row 3 *K1, yo, ssk, k8; rep from * to end.
Row 5 *K2, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 7 *K3, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 9 *K6, k2tog, yo, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 11 *K5, k2tog, yo, k4; rep from * to end.
Row 12 Purl.

Rep rows 1-12.

I thought since Summer is ending Leaves of Grass sounded like a perfect pattern to finish the contest with.

To receive another entry in this weeks contest just leave a comment. If you want to you can specifically comment on this new stitch. Have you tried it, do you like/hate it, etc. Any comment will get you another entry.

I thought you'd like to hear the update on my water therapy. Yesterday I swam 1/2 of a mile that's 18 laps (up and back) for those who haven't seen my previous posts about this. Plus my regular resistance stuff and 15 minutes of aerobics in the deep end plus I did 30 pull ups too. yeah I am certifiably crazy. LOL

Today other then the major house cleaning, and eventually dishes to wash, I am resting. Adam went home last night so I can. Except Hannah my niece is here, but she is 6 and actually was a HUGE help to me so getting up to feed her etc was a good trade off. Plus I gave her about $5.00 in money and I think she took $10.00 in Avon samples, LOL.

So that's it from me today. I feel like I am way behind, but I am so happy to have the junk out of here finally.

See you tomorrow.

AK

Monday- Hmm Maybe I Read That Wrong?? LOL

Here is the cartoon I meant to post yesterday. I forgot, but I think it's worthy of a Monday Morning laugh.


OK First things first. let's reveal the winner of last weeks contest prize. The Random Number Generator out of the 97 comments last week chose comment number 53. Comment #53 was made on Thursday by MLJ1954.

If you can contact me via email (gimpykatk at AOL) or Raverly (also gimpykatk) so I can get your mailing information I will send you those awesome stitch markers. I liked them so much I even got a set for myself, LOL.

Now onto this weeks contest...

MONDAY IS REFLECTION/CONFESSION/MEMORY DAY

So my friends, what have you been up to this week? Did you finish all the Ravelolympic projects? Did you clean out your stash or add to it? Have you started making gifts for Christmas? Tell us, inquiring minds want to know.

Just post a comment to receive an entry today for the final contest week. Any old comment counts so there is no reason not to enter. Out of the 8 weeks so far the most comments received in a single week was 112, maybe we can beat that total this final week.

And with this weeks prize being another chance at the small project bag from Bea's ETSY store again, I know we will have quite a turn out.


Of course the actual pattern and color of the bag will be your choice and based on the available bags left in her ETSY shop. If you haven't been there to check out her bags you might want to pop over there. I highly recommend it.

I guess that's about it for me today. Adam is still here, but he will stay with Daddy today while I go to therapy. Last Friday I did 14 laps, I am going to aim for 16 or 18 laps today. If I can do 18 that will be 1/2 a mile. yeah, I can do it, heck it has to be easier then sticking a needle through a camels eye, or it that the other way around, LOL?

AK

Sunday- Surprise...Swimming To the Gold

Well last night I finished stitching the blankets together, and this morning I did the crochet borders before I went to church. Here are the finished products. I will be mailing them to Maggie at Close Knit Hugs tomorrow.


This is the eight inch squares blanketAnd these are the 9 1/2 inch squares
Sorry about the light issues in the photos, I had my son hold them up so I could snap a quick photo so I could blog before Sunday was over already. LOL And well you can see it wasn't the best conditions for picture taking.

Not sure if you remember but I said I received 2 packages last week. One I posted yesterday and the other was the Honeysuckle sock yarn I bought from Cinders. It's even prettier then I hoped it would be. Now to find the perfect sock pattern to knit it up into.
We had a surprise visit at church today, my friends Ruth and Dave, who used to live here locally and moved down South, currently in Savannah Georgia we there. Now I talk to Ruth on the phone everyday and she told me they were going to North Carolina this weekend, the little sneak. LOL. Anyway I haven't seen them in 2 years and it was a great surprise. I am hoping we can get together one night this week and go to dinner before they head back home again.

Another surprise... Adam called. He wanted to see Nana (that's me, lol) So I picked him up after church and we took a trip to the Y for a 2 1/2 hour play date in the pool. This time I got him to wear the safety belt and he had a ball. He was swimming everywhere. He's laying next to me now watching Diego save the dinosaur. He already watched Diego save the moon. LOL, great TV going on at Nana's house. I know you are all jealous.

Now that the squares are done I am going to work on a couple designs I have in my head for dishcloths and I need to make up some snowman scarves for the ETSY store and there are the Red Scarves too. Never a lack of things to be done around here.

I'll see you all tomorrow when I announce the winner of the stitch markers from this weeks contest and start the final week of the 2 month long contest. I am always sad to see them end, but I know the break is good for us all, lol.

Make sure you stick around in September though as I am going to run a poll regarding prizes for some of the upcoming contests (October and December and January) I have a few thoughts and I'd like to know what you all think about them.

Ok I guess that's it. Hope your day was filled with surprises and laughter.

AK

Saturday- Sew what's UP?

OK it's done. All 75 squares are finished. I will confess I had some already started before the contest on Close Knit Hugs started, whenever I am knitting or crocheting if I have a little left over from the yarn I start a square. Also when I try a new pattern from a KAL I often knit them with acrylic first and then use those as squares for Maggie too.


These 5 single squares are from patterns I have designed and a couple KALS.And here is what 70 ready to stitch together squares look like. The pile on the left are 8" squares and the pile on the right are 9 1/2" squares. I will be stitching them together today into 2 afghans and then everything will be ready to mail to Michigan on Monday.
I also mentioned I received a package this week... from Beth. Inside was a bookmark she has been making for me and two books that I have been wanting to read, and two CD's from her worship team at church singing.
Here is a close up of the beautiful bookmark.

I did go to the Y again this week, so that makes 3 days of exercise. Monday I did 8 laps in the pool (each lap totals 50 yards) Wednesday I did 10 laps. So Friday I decided to do 12 laps. 36 laps equals a mile by the way so 12 laps would be 1/3 of a mile. Not too shabby for a human sized like a whale, huh? Well I actually did 14 laps on Friday and it felt wonderful. I may even go again on Sunday after church and shoot for 16. My goal is to get to 18 which is 1/2 mile and then work on doing them more in a row. Right now I do 2 laps then some walking with weights, 2 more laps, more walking etc. Maybe one day I will be able to do 18 without stopping.

Not much else is new here yet. Let's see what today brings. I know I promised another story but not today. Maybe tomorrow. I guess I kinda want to forget the bad stuff and just focus on the positive today.

Hmm I just noticed my arm/shoulder is hurting. Must have slept on a nerve or something. Or maybe it was the marathon crocheting last night to finish these squares.

I'll be back tomorrow, with another funny cartoon too.

Remember all comments over the weekend are still counted towards the weekly contest prize.

Have a wonderful weekend.

AK

Friday- Enjoy The Show?

I got that cartoon in my email this morning and just had to share it with you. I love to start my day off with a smile. There was another one too but I'll share that over the weekend.

Not too many caption comments yesterday, maybe it was too hard of a picture but I have to tell you I was particularly fond of a couple at the end

Cheryl said "You've heard of Joseph's Coat of many colors.....well here is his gas station."

and Katerina said "Kathy was sad to find she was still only halfway through her stash - maybe she DID have more yarn than she could knit in a lifetime."

Aren't those great?

Now onto FRIDAY'S CONTEST STUFF

FRIDAY is find the finished object day

Below is a picture snagged and cropped from the blog of one of you that commented yesterday. Your mission is to find the blog.




Post your answer in the comment section to receive another entry in this weeks contest for those stitch markers pictured in the side bar. Of course if your not able to blog hop today ano old comment will work. I am all for making life easy for everyone.

Hopefully though you will all get a chance to visit these wonderful blogs and leave a comment that you were there. We all know it's the comments that make blogging exciting.

Next week will be the last week of the 2 month stretch for the contest. But don't worry I will still blog daily... and hopefully tell some of my funny stories, share pictures of Adam and even knit a few things too.

And don't forget the Other Contests listed on my side bar. I will continue to keep those current as well.

I am going to get ready for the Y now. I leave in a half an hour and am still in my nightgown and haven't had breakfast yet. Can't swim 1/3 of a mile on an empty stomach now can we?

May God shine His light on your path today so you don't feel like the people in the cartoon today.

AK
Psa 119:105 Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Thursday- Good, to Bad to Great Yeah... that was my day

Well yesterday started out to be a good day, got bad and then got great. I am glad it's over, but even gladder that I experienced it because it made me stronger.

I'll probably go into more details over the weekend.

I didn't knit or crochet a single thing though so I have a lot to do today for sure.

As for the frost... I don't think we really had frost, but it was only 40 degrees when I woke up yesterday. It felt cold enough to have frost.

Yes the answer to yesterdays Riddle was SHAWL. And NO I have never knit one. I might give it a try one day. Maybe.

ONTO CONTEST STUFF

THURSDAY IS CAPTION DAY

Take a look at this picture (if you click on it you can see other views of this amazing real photo and read the story behind it)

To get another entry in this weeks contest all you need to do is think up a caption for this amazing photo and post it in the comment section. OK really all you need to do is leave a comment you don't really need a caption, but come on you got one rolling around in your brain already don't you?

Not much else to blog today. I am behind the gun and need to get things moving.

Remember out of all the comments received today I will choose one blog for a featured finished object. So if you have any new stuff to post, finished Ravelolympic projects etc. today is the day.

And just a word of encouragement for you... even when things seem to be going all wrong, don't give up, don't quit... if we prevail and overcome, we will inherit ALL things. God's word says so, and if God said it, I believe it and that settles it.

AK

Rev 21:7

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Wednesday- What Happened To Summer?

OK how is it I can go from this...and the air conditioner running

to this....
In just one day??? What happened to SUMMER?

Thank you all for bearing with me through my story yesterday. I was a little afraid I might scare you all off, but a promise is a promise, right? I have a zillion more stories, maybe one day I'll write them all down... there was the time I fell down a flight of stairs after a Mai Tai lunch with a skirt on and high heeled boots and no under clothes, and my mom and a strange man right behind me. Or the time I forgot and went to work in my bare feet, how do you forget shoes? Or the time I shut my boob in the desk drawer and couldn't explain to my male boss why I screamed and was crying. Oh and that's just the tip of the ice burg for me... I know you want more now, don't you???

But this is a contest month... so you'll just have to wait, lol.

WEDNESDAY IS RIDDLE DAY

I woke up this morning to frost on the ground

The sky was blue not a single cloud around

The temperature is in the forties, burr it's cold

It's still Summer, at least that's what I was told

In Summer I like to knit dishcloths and socks

Those light small projects, yes they just rock

So I am confused, hard to believe I know

Do I stay with socks or onto blankets go?

If we were in October and the season Fall

I'd be thinking about making myself a ????

Go ahead, take a stab at my riddle and post your guess in the comment section to receive another entry in this weeks contest. You don;t have to be right, but I am sure you all know what the answer is. However if you just want to comment on something else, like pleading with me to tell yet another embarrassing story, go for it. LOL All you really need to do is comment.

On a brighter note (as if that wasn't bright enough, lol) my DR follow up with the surgeon went wonderful yesterday. I lost another 6 pounds and have hope that we might be able to schedule the surgery for my birthday in November. Not set in stone, but not out of the question.

I finished 2 more squares, I need to pick up the pace. Today is water therapy, church and it's my night to preach... I of course have prepared NOTHING. You think the tampon story would work??? Oh God, I am in trouble.

See you tomorrow.
Stay warm if you can

AK

Tuesday- Tales of Talc, Tubs, Telephones and T.....

I promised to explain a story to someone (Shut Up I'm Counting) Cass and I guess today will be as good as any... but to save most of you from having to suffer through it I will post it at the end of this blog. And then I'll buffer it out with a 45 second video of Adam singing for me. Hopefully it will be enough, LOL

So what is today? Oh it's TUESDAY

TUESDAY is TRY A NEW STITCH DAY

RICE STITCH

Works on a multiple of 2 plus 1 stitch (ie: CO 35... 17 multiples of 2 plus 1)

Row One: Purl 1, Knit 1 through the back loop, Purl 1

Row two: Knit across

Repeat Rows one and two until desired length

***NOTE on my swatch sample pictured here

I CO 35, Knit 4 rows for a border and K3 on each end of row 1 for border

So let's get another entry in this weeks contest for those stitch markers. All you need to do is comment, that's it just say Hi, let me know you were here. But for those of you who would like to try this new stitch featured, or perhaps have already mastered this stitch have suggestions for how to use this stitch feel free to share that with us all as well.

I received two packages in the mail yesterday. I will most likely blog about them on the weekend.

Water therapy went well yesterday it was the drive home that got ugly. Adam went home last night and I probably won't have him again until Friday next week as his mom is getting married this Friday.

I am making progress on the squares, I have about 25 more to go to reach the 75 total.

Ok for those not interested in the talc, tub, telephone and tampon tale you can stop here or scroll down to the Adam video
***********************
How I almost broke my leg because of some powder, a tub and a tampon while on the telephone
(by Aunt Kathy August 2008)

It was just like any other day in my life. I am dealing with a very irritating TOM never ending session. I have taken oh let's say 2 or 3 showers already, yeah TOM is not my friend. The last shower I decided to put on some refreshing feminine powder (you know why) but the darn thing seemed to be clogged and I swear nothing was coming out. I kept shaking it. Uh AK, did you think to look at the floor? My bath mat is now white instead of the burgundy and green it naturally is. I am already frustrated so I decide to clean that all up later (which means never).

Fast forward a couple hours, I am on the phone as usual... I need to replace my supply, if you know what I mean... so I am in the bathroom, ready to insert the fresh clean (if only for a few minutes) tampon when I lift my bare foot onto the edge of the tub for a better angle.

Did I mention my floor was covered with powder? Well now so is my bare foot, and powder on the bottom of the foot on the edge of the tub, yeah can we say slippery? My leg starts to go into the tub... I am doing a split trying to hold onto something, I can hear the bones screaming in my leg about to break.

I finally ended up straddling the tub broken leg avoided, and poor Shelly I am sure was wondering what the heck was going on. I considered it an exercise session, burned a few calories, that deserved a chocolate don't ya think? Or two?

Oh by the way, I am still finding powder spots and where did that tampon go? Perhaps with my missing socks, my hidden cash stash, the darning needles. Who knows.

Now you know... I apologize for the details... and the lack of creativity in my writing style. I am not as good at writing down the stories as I am in just telling them... you really need to hear my emphasis etc. to get the humor in it all.

So to ease your pain, why not have a listen to Adam singing to me, oddly enough about exercise. LOL Oh and please excuse Papa's coughing... I swear he has to somehow get his two cents in on any video I make of Adam.

Monday- Move That Mountain

Well here we are in the final stretches of the two month long contest. Hard to believe we only have this week and next week left. Guess we can all spend the extra time on our hands making red scarves for the orphans, right? If you missed that blog post this weekend go check out Saturdays blog

I truly believe that one person can make a difference, one person can move a mountain, one rock at a time. I believe in all of you.

We have a WINNER from last weeks contest. It was poster #5 as chosen from the Random Number Generator

So Congratulations to SMARIEK Please send me an email via AOL or on Ravelry with your mailing address and I will get the needle holder sent directly to you.

This weeks prize is a set of handmade stitch markers made by a friend of mine. She doesn't have a blog yet or an ETSY store but she is on Ravelry and you can find her here, her name is Patti.
Here is a picture of some of the sets of stitch markers she has made... one of these will belong to the WINNER of this weeks contest.


So let's get on with Monday's Contest Assignment

Usually I just ask you all to tell us what you have been working on all week, we want to celebrate your victories and medals too for you Ravelolympic knitletes. But this week I am also asking a question... Have you ever won a contest? More then one?

To get an entry for this weeks contest simply make a comment on what you've been doing, or answer the question, or heck just say congrats to Marie... by the way if you don't know Marie you should check out her blog, she has some awesome free patterns she has designed there.

That's it everyone... leave a comment and who knows that very comment might be the random chosen number, you just never know.

Water therapy for me today, more Adam hugs and a sink full of dishes are what await me right now. Then I can think about reading my new mystery novel and finishing some more squares.

Ok now I am ready for coffee... see you on Tuesday

AK
Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Sunday- Squares Squares and more Squares

Ahh sleeping babies somehow they make the world seem right, don't they? Adam is staying until tomorrow afternoon, so he will be going to therapy with me again tomorrow. He can't wait to go under water in the big pool again.

Speaking of being "under" water... I am coming up for air from making the squares. I made good progress yesterday... I have 35 squares completed and ready to be stitched together into an afghan.

These are an assortment of squares that need to be tweaked a little before they are ready to be sewn together
This is a picture of some of the ready to stitch squares, the background and edging will be done in navy blue
These squares are obviously too small... I need to do some rounds on them to bring them up to speed.
The good news is between all the squares I have, I have a total of 75, and that's exactly how many I pledged. I just need to get them all the same size now.

I almost missed church today. I had a really bad day yesterday with the TOM stuff, and the night wasn't any better. I knew I couldn't drive so i called the pastor and said I wouldn't be there. BUT I really wanted to GO. So I prayed and asked God to make it happen. And then the phone rang, a neighbor who used to go to my church called and wanted to come today with me. And she offered to drive. Prayer answered. I am glad I went. I feel stronger and ready to face whatever the week will bring.

Tuesday I see the surgeon again, maybe I will get a better idea on when they think the surgery will happen.

Not much else is new here... and I hear the squares calling out my name.

Tomorrow I announce the winner of the sheep needle holder and reveal the next prize. I'll give you a hint... It has something to do with letters. LOL

May the Lord bless you all today
AK

Virtual Tour Of My Home Town

Welcome to another part of Upstate NY, after visiting the Catskills if you continue Northward for maybe an hour or so you will arrive to New York's Capital... Albany. I actually live in Watervliet but it is Albany County. I am only blocks away from the bike trail that runs along side the Husdon River, it's about 5 miles long, and ends in a park in Albany where all summer long the have Alive at 5 concerts on Friday's for free.

As you can see Albany is pretty centrally located and we are not far from several near by states, especially Vermont and Massachusetts.

This above picture is a view of the city along the Hudson River in the day light

And this picture above is a night scene of downtown... that saucer shaped building is called "the Egg"

The JP Cruise liner is docked along the river right near where the bike trail starts so on any day you can see the boat traveling along with it's day and night cruises. My father was actually married on this boat, that was a fun day.


Also in Albany we have a land and water boat, that takes you on a tour of the city. I have never taken this tour but hopefully one day, perhaps when you all come for the visit. The boat is called the Albany Aqua Ducks.

Across the river from me is the town of Troy... yes the official home of Uncle Sam.
"UNCLE SAM WANTS YOU"


I am also only minutes away from Saratoga Race Track and I have to tell you that place is hopping this time of year, the horses are racing for those wins everyday. And should you get tired of the horses there is a casino actually it's called a racino there too. Also a place I have yet to visit. I have however been to the track several times.


Continuing North you will hit beautiful Lake George... it's hard to explain, you just have to see it there. Ft William Henry, Six Flags, Outlet shops, cruises, beaches, you name it Lake George has it.

Interesting Facts about Lake George

The outlet of Lake George, called the LaChute River, descends 221 feet through a series of rapids and empties into Lake Champlain at Ticonderoga, a descent greater than that of Niagara Falls.

Railroad service started in Lake George on May 29, 1882 and provided service until November 11, 1957. The D&H Railroad Station is now in operation as a restaurant.

This is FT William Henry, you can tour the inside, it's great fun for the kids. I can't wait to bring Adam there next year. The Last of the Mohican's was told from here.

I am happy to say I am in a pretty central location and although Watervliet is a small town, only 11,000 people we are so close to everything around us that it's the perfect place to live, if you are
in NY that is. The Watervliet Arsenal is still here and still building tanks and things for the military.


And there you have it a brief tour from a non native New Yorker. I am sure I missed several things, but I bet if you come we will get them all in as well.

Thank you for visiting my home town, and make sure you come back again soon, OK?