Tuesday- Take A Second Look

Do you remember The Partridge Family? Am I giving away my age again? LOL. Well this was the mother... Shirley Jones
And now have you ever watched CHUCK on NBC? Well Sarah one of the stars on the show I swear could be Shirley Jones daughter. In fact if they ever did a movie about the Partridge Family she should be required to play Shirley's part, don't ya think? This girls name in Yvonne Strahovski

I mean look at their eye brows, their noses their smiles, their eyes. It grabs my attention every time I watch Chuck. I made a side by side of these pictures but one of them looks really blurry so I just showed them individually. Can you see the resemblence?
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My friend Kathy sent me a package today and inside was a two piece bathing suit and a brand new pair of sweat type pants. Both in a size 22. Both fit. I can't wear the swim suit... well the bottoms anyway... the dropped stomach skin is just not pretty or corporating at all. But the top fits wonderfully and I think makes my boobs look so tiny. I am happy about that, Gary not so much, lol. The good news is I guess now I know what size to get in the jeans when I go to Walmart tomorrow.
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I didn't finish the baby blanket today as I hoped, but it's half way done, so before the weekend for sure.
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My month long contest for April starts tomorrow... Hope to see you all there.
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Have a great night and sweet dreams and I'll see you soon.
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AK

Monday- I Shot The Moon Today

My book arrrived for the WhoDuKnit Yahoo group April book read along. I think I am going to like this book. Have you read it? We read it in April and then in May we post a project we made that was inspired by the book. I missed the last two months because I couldn't get the book, but not April... I am gonna find the time to read.

I made another trip to Walmart today. I needed some yarn but I figured while I was there I'd look for a light jacket or sweater, since everything I have is too big. Gosh what an inconvenience, a blessing, huh? Of course I wore a tank top dress and didn't bring a coat with me and it was cold and windy. This could have been the real motivation behind my clothing search. Anyway... I found a knitted short sleeved sweater all alone on a wrong rack for $7.00.
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Ok the fact that I can buy something off the rack and not have to pay $8,000,000.99 for it still amazes me.
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Then I felt inspired to keep looking, this could be a bad thing not having a job, and I found a white short sleeved blouse that buttons up the front and would be perfect as a cover up for the tank top type dresses I have. I can't really wear the dresses alone (well I can but I'd scare small children and animals) because of the WINGS I have developed this past year. Even swimming hasn't removed those yet. So did I stop with the sweater and the blouse? NOPE!!! I spotted some JEAN shorts. OK I have not worn jeans in maybe 10 or 15 years. Not a possibility in my world. But I felt good, (can you hear the song??? I feel good...nanananana) so I grabbed a pair in a size I figured would NOT fit but it was worth a try and they were only $12 and maybe I'd fit in them before summer ended. Brought them home to try on (couldn't do it in Walmart, didn't want to embarass myself as the security guys watched me struggle on those secret dressing room survelance cameras) well they went on, and buttoned with ease. GREAT. AWESOME. "Look honey they fit, I am wearing jeans!!!" And then I turned around to model the back side and SHOT HIM THE MOON, as the shorts fell straight to my ankles. Oops. Guess I'll be going back to Walmart on Wednesday to exchange for a size or two smaller. Oh what a hardship, huh?
Maybe one day in my near future I'll actually get a pair of designer jeans or something. It's possible. Anything is possible.
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This is the yarn I picked up today
Peaches and Creme in colors: Licorice, Ecru, Orange Sherbert and Earthtone. These will be knitted into dishcloths for Libby, she won them for helping confirm the name for my car, Barbie. Oh by the way I have decide that my husbands truck now must be named so I am calling the truck... KEN. LOL
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KnitPurlGurl has another contest on her blog... Click on the photo to take you there
It's for two beautiful hanks of yarn.
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Adam is coming tomorrow after school, his mom has DR appt. He won't be staying overnight or anything, but it will be good to see him since he went home early this past weekend.
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I didn't get a chance to knit or crochet today. But I did catch up on Ravelry and Weight Watechers and Emails so that was good. Tomorrow I hope to finish the baby blanket and start on those dishcloths.
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Oh and April 1st starts my next MONTH long contest. I will have a prize winner every Friday. So make sure to come back every day to get enteries. Send your friends too, I love seeing new people comment and if they have a blog you can be sure I will be visiting and commenting there too.
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I guess that's all for today... You all have a wonderful night, sweet dreams and I'll catch you Tuesday.
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AK

Sunday- So I Finally Went To A LYS

The Knitorious Mrs. B has been chosen as a top 10 finalist for her Knitting peeps...
We need to get the word out that Knitting Rocks... if you have a minute click on the above picture and go vote for entry #2. She needs lot's of votes so tell your friends too.
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I am working on a baby blanket for Adams soon to be born brother... This is my progress so far, I guess I am about 1/3 done.
I am using Bernat Baby Sport yarn in a baby blue color I will probably edge it with the same yarn only in white. it sure is soft.
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After church today I drove around to visit the two local yarn shops in my area. The first one I went to said it was open Sunday until 7pm, but when I got there it was closed. Oh well at least I know where it is now, right? The second store was open until 4pm. I got a little lost driving around the airport but I found it. It was smaller inside then I figured it would be, of course maybe the fact that there were 30+ women in ther knitting might have something to do with that. I picked up some sock yarn while I was there...
It is from Cascade Yarn's Heritage paints selection, color Forrest
I got two hanks, which the LYS was kind enough to wind into balls for me, what a relief. One is for me and the other is for a friend.
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I finally saw Noro yarn and Malabrigo yarn in person. If it wasn;t so crowded I might have browsed a little more, I'll go back, when I have more time, more money and less competition, LOL
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Last I thought I'd brag a little about my improving Wii skills. Look at my bowling score!!! Yep a 280, almost a perfect game. One strike away. I am lookign forward to getting a 300 gane before my son does. And hey check out Adam's score, not bad at 148, and that's a low score for him, he is usually around 180.
Well now that the thunder and lightening has stopped I will publish this blog post and then get ready for bed. Have a great night everyone, sweet dreams.
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AK
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PS: I don't know why my blog has all that photobucket nonsense on the left side, I tried everything to clear it off, and it won't go away. I may have to seek some help from an expert if it doesn't go away soon.

Saturday- Something about Nothing

Adam was deeply engrossed in this toy last night...

But he did take a moment to look my way and smile for the camera...

This is the desktop background on my computer. Isn't it Spring like and inviting?

Hopefully this means it will soon lead to the opening of this...

That is my sisters pool next door. She had to get a new liner and re-set up the pool as it was falling apart. Can you see the fish all around the liner? I love them, they are so cute. AND I will actually get to see them up close and personal (by the way that is one of my favorite movies... have you seen it? Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer)
Anyway I will actually be able to swim in the pool this year. I won't be afraid my weight will break the ladder when getting out anymore. This makes me very happy.
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I have been crocheting today. Working on a baby blanket for Adams soon to be born brother. Apparently his name will be JACK. We were watching Blues Baby Brother today and I asked him if his new brother was going to be named Sprinkles, he said no Nana, it's Jack. I said where is Jack now? He said "In Mama's belly". Photo's of the blanket to follow soon. Just not today.
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I got my first BZZ Agent Campaign package in the mail today. It's for a Glade air freshner.

They send you a free product and you are to try it out and then tell them what you think. They also want you to tell others about it and even send coupons to hand out to family and friends. I couldn't wait to test it out. it runs on batteries (I like that, especially with have my house without electricity, lol) and it's sensored so it doesn't go off a thousand times a day when no one is in the room, it only sprays when it sensors someone in the room. And then it locks itself for 30 minutes so it doesn't over power you with scent. pretty cool huh? I think I am going to really like this and it lasts about a month before you need a refill cartridge.
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Well this is where I'd say I need to go get Adam ready for bed because we have church tomorrow. BUT Adam decided he wanted to go home a day early. So I am on my own, but I think I'll still get ready for bed. Maybe I'll actually get a good nights sleep tonight.
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Sweet dreams everyone.
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AK

Friday- Freaky Friday, But a Finished project.

This is that Shamrock Lace pattern I designed earlier this month. I had to re-graph it to fix some mistakes I found knitting the first go around and this is the second knitted version. I actually used this pattern as a KAL and let all the group members be my test knitters. It worked like a charm. I'll add the pattern to Ravelry and my blog sometime this weekend.

This was knit with Sugar N' Cream Twist in country blue, and I used a size 3 needle. I think it came out pretty good. I like this twist color.
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Shelly made a cool felted bag (click on her name and check it out, it's really cute) anyway I want to make one and I want to use this tweed Pattons Classic Wool, it's gonna look awesome, don't you think?

And these are some buttons I snagged when I was at Walmarts. I LOVE buttons. Not sure what I'll use these treasures on yet but whatever I end up doing I know these buttons will seal the deal. (Ha I made a play on words)

Adam and I walked around Walmarts today and then later tonight went grocery shopping again too. We played a ton of WII and we played catch(in the house, uh oh)too. It's been a long day. He just zonked out at midnight, and I am close behind him.
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Have a great night and sweet dreams everyone. I'll check in Saturday sometime. Hopefully Saturday is not as Freaky as this Friday felt.
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AK

Thursday- Reflect day- You've come a long way Baby

Today is a Reflection Day.
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It started out with my weigh in this morning. I at my highest KNOWN weight was 393 pounds overweight. I know, shocking, sickening, stupid. I am embarassed to even admit this in public, but it is what it was. And if I can in anyway help someone else from ending up where I was then I will gladly shout it from mountain tops (mountain tops I can now climb) and offer support whenever I can.
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Anyway I digress a little, as of my weigh in this morning I have lost 251 pounds and I only have 142 left to get to my ideal goal weight. Since the surgery in November I have lost 94 pounds. I think that works out to be about 5 pounds a week on average. I can not believe it sometimes. I have a whole different life now.
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Then I happened to find myself watching Oprah, I usually don't watch her, she is not my favorite person, I might be in the minority there but... today she had on Obese people. And my heart was breaking. I know where they are/were and how they felt. I know what it's like not to be able to do normal everyday things and to have the world look down on you and discriminate you. For some reason this show today angered me. Not towards the people who were suffering but towards those who helped them get to where they were. I have no one to blame for my weight except myself. I was OBESE but I was still for the most part mobile and I cooked my own meals. These people were bed ridden and others fed them and cared for them. How could they continue to feed them so much? One woman went from 500 pounds to 900 pounds in 4 years, while confined to bed the whole time. I know people are responsible for their own actions, but come on when you are confined to bed and others are bringing your food, there could have been some control there, right? GRRRRR
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Then I went to support group tonight. I love support group. I love hearing and sharing and learning and I won't miss them unless absolutely necessary. My sister had found a picture of me from about 5 years ago when I was almost at my highest weight, it's hard to look at that picture. it's hard to believe I was so out of control. And I thank God every day, every minute, for sustaining me and making it possible for me to get this surgery and my life back.
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This is a picture of me taken today just before support group.
And this is a moasic of some before photos and one from Feburary this year and Today. For some reason it keeps cutting off my head... what's up with that. Maybe I should show them individually, but I think this is OK for now.
I know this is a knitting mostly blog and today's post was NOT about knitting, except that one picture of me on my bed I am knitting there, LOL, does that count?
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Actually I haven't knitted anything today but I will remedy that tomorrow.
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Oh and I almost forgot part of my You've come a long way baby moment... Last night when I got home from church I pulled my car into the garage but there was no room to open the drivers side door more then 10" so I was trapped in the car. I was afraid to back it out and hit the other car or motorcycle so I had no clue what I was gonna do... WELL I climbed across the front seat into the passenger side, I lifted my legs in the air, I was like a pretzel, I wiggled and scooted over the gear shift and everything but I got to the other side and got out. I was so excited I crawled across the inside of the car, of course when I walked in the house I yelled at Gary for making me park in the garage but really inside I was so excited about this HUGE victory.
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So in reflection, it's been a long journey, and a slow journey some times too. But I can and will continue on this road to health and in doing so I pray God will use me to encourage others and help them be victorious and succeed and find health and happiness too.
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I hope you all have a great night, sweet dreams and all that good stuff.
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I'll continue the regular knitting blog posts tomorrow, thanks for listening to me reflect.
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Goodnight, AK

Wednesday- Well Let Me Just Say...

First I really wanted to tell everyone thanks for offering to give me the ball winder and/or swift if you won the contest. I was only half serious, lol. Of course you can all keep it if you win unless you don't want it, hahahahaha
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The Cows are coming home?
Well not exactly, Sunday on our way home from the birthday party we had to stop so Adam could see the cows along the side of the road. We rolled down the window and the cows started MOOing, and Adam was so excited. I should have made a video but we were stopped in the middle of the road at the top of a crest and if a car came behind us we would have been sitting geese in front of these cows.
See the comfy seat Adam found at the party? "Umm Adam that's a dog cushion, silly boy." "I'm not a silly boy Nana, I'm ADAM"
I finished the ETSY dishcloths. I had to make another grandma's favorite today because the first one I made looked more Purple then Pink. Oops.
And this is the breast Cancer cloth I designed. I made five sets of these to sell in the ETSY store with the money from the sales to be donated to Breast Cancer. So far I have sold 2 of the 5 sets.
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So California is going to be jam packed and full of fun fun fun in the sun. I spoke with one of my best friends from high school tonight. She is getting married in July and part of the reason for this trip is to attend her wedding. It's going to be on a yacht in San Diego. And if that isn't enough a cruise from 3pm to midnight I found out tonight she has 4 days of fun planned for us all. From a LUAU on the beach, to a fishing trip for the men, hair, nails and massages for the women, brunch at Sea World and another day at the Animal Park. And that's just what I can remember. I told her to email me the itenary. I am floored at what she is planning for everyone.
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I can see I am going to have to lose a lot more weight if I want to keep up, LOL
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I tried to take a self portrait today in the bathroom mirror, this was the best of the twelve or so I attempted, LOL.
This is me 142 pounds lost since June 15th and the good news is I am 50% to my goal weight. Yep I have 142 to go to get to my goal weight. let me just say, I wasn't sure if I'd ever even get this far, but now that I have I BELIEVE I can make it to the finish line.
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Have a wonderful night everyone, sweet dreams. I will be California Dreamin'...
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AK

Tuesday- Thanks Everyone I am Gonna Love It, Hahaha

This is the basket weave dishcloth I made on a whim during the talent show. I just made it up as I went along and then crocheted around the edge and wala. I like it. It's big though maybe 9X9 or close to that. And of course it's PINK.
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Well Look at this contest I discovered. Now of course I am encouraging you all to enter, BUT if you win you have to give the prize to ME. Hahahahahahahaha
I mean really people, I have hanks of sock yarn I can't use until I get this. I am a woman in NEED. LOL Anyway the contest ends April 3rd so go click on the picture of the soon to be combo swift and ball winder that will be mine and go enter. Thanks. I know I am gonna love it.
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I talked to my dad tonight and it looks like I will be spending a MONTH, yes a WHOLE month this summer in San Diego with him. I am so excited I can hardly breathe. I haven't been home, yes San Diego is HOME, since 1990. I am going to a wedding on a Yacht while there too, I am just bouncing around with happiness.
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I can see me now, knitting on the beach. Oh JOY JOY JOY
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Hmmm do you think I am looking forward to this trip? Nah me either.
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Oh and to make this day even better I MADE it to the POOL. Yep and I swam a mile too. Not too shabby after not swimming since Christmas. After the first 6 laps I thought my arms were gonna fall off they felt like lead, but by lap 7 I suddenly limbered up and was good to go.
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Well it's after midnight and look here I am still up blogging when I am supposed to be in bed, geez. You all have a great night and I'll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.
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AK

Monday- Maddness I tell you, Maddness

Here's Adam saying HI from the birthday party. he had such a great time up there.

I finished another dishcloth today. This is part of the ETSY sale. I forgot to do the border around the basketweave cloth so I'll show that one tomorrow when I finish it.

And this is the hair cut. But the picture is Horrible. I was so tired this weekend, I look awful. My hair was also having a very curly day. I prefer the hair to be a little less Shirley Temple like. Hopefully I'll get a better picture later this week. I need to get my web cam re-installed, I am no good trying to take a self portrait without it.

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I didn't get to the pool today, I over slept. Like I said the weekend wore me out. But hopefully I can get up and get out tomorrow morning.

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Sorry this is short and boring today... just don't have it in me tonight. I am going to try to blog before midnight tomorrow.

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Have a great night and sweet dreams and I'll try to entertain you tomorrow.

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AK

Sunday- Special Treat... Tap and Jazz for your enjoyment

This is the tap video, so many of the young kids insisted on standing in the front to watch so you can hardly see their feet tapping, and there is no music in the background. they look cute together, Hannah the short 7 year old and Jill the tall 60ish(?) woman, LOL. Don't those canes look perfect with their costumes?

This is the Jazz video. Hannah did this one alone. It's a dance routine she is learning in her dance class. They haven't learned the steps all the way through the song yet, so Hannah improvised and made it up as she went along. She is also used to having a partner during this dance so you see her hesitate a few times, thi must be where her partner did something. I love watching her dance, and she is so cute doing the twist and the mashed potato, LOL

The message at church went good. At least everyone said it went good. I got thumbs up and no negative comments, yet.
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I of course dreamed about it last night and I dreamed I forgot my printed notes and couldn't get home to get them and had to hitch hike (which I have NEVER done in my life) and got lost getting to my house. Now mind you I live 1/4 of a mile from the church, lol.
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Then of course I over slept this morning. And once I got Adam ready and myself ready Adam suddenly had to go to the bathroom. I ended up getting there 5 minutes late the lights were already dimmed and the praying had begun, oops.But it all worked out. Now I can relax a little, no more preaching Sunday's for me until May. I'll still have a few Wednesdays but they don't seem to make me nervous at all.
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After church we came home and went to a birthday party. So was gone most of the day. This has been a jammed packed weekend, I have done a ton of walking and my feet are killing me. I even climbed up a mountain of a hill today chasing Adam. I haven't been able to EVER climb this hill, I always take a longer way around because it's steep and I just couldn't lift my legs to walk up it. I should have taken a picture of it. I am still amazed I did it and I had wittnesses.
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Most at the party hadn't seen me since Christmas and I am down 45 pounds since then. They all said I looked good. It's nice to see others notice.
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Oh and I got my hair cut after church today too. I'll post pictures about it tomorrow and some of Adam too. I finished the dishcloth I started yesterday and got halfway through another at the party today. I'll show pictures of those tomorrow too.
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I guess that's all for me tonight. Have a great night, sweet dreams. May next week be full of miracles and blessing s in your lives.
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AK

Saturday- Such Talent I Have To Share

Adam insisted on modeling the canes I decorated yesterday for my niece Hannah who was going to be in a talent show tonight. They were wooden canes and I covered them with aluminum foil, and sequin ribbon and some green ribbon. I think they came out pretty good. (Don't mind my messy house)
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This picture is of the room where we went for the talent show and dinner. That's me with the frizzy hair (I so need that hair cut already) in the pink outfit knitting of course. Notice how crowded the room is? Well in the past I would have been in a panic because I had to somehow get through that crowd up to our table. But I actually was able to get up there without shoving my backside into some poor unsuspecting souls face. Remind me someday to tell you about our trip to the Pocono car race. OMG
Here is the list of talent we were forced honored to listen to. No really most of it was great, LOUD but great. We were in the front so all the speakers were pratically in our face. They didn;t follow the order on the list though so we never knew what was coming next.
This was the first one we saw, this little girl is maybe two, and she danced a little and sang along with a recording of the Lion King song. She was adorable. Way to start off the show.

Next was Hannah doing her Jazz dance and then a Tap dance she did with Jill. Blogger won't let me upload videos tonight so those will have to come tomorrow, I hope. But here's a picture of them


And last but not least, or maybe it is least... Since this is sort of a knitting blog here's the start of the dishcloth I was making. It's more then half done now but I didn't take another picture yet.
So with that I will bid you all a good night, sweet dreams and I'll try to do the same. But I have a feeling I will be dreaming about preaching or flubbing.
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AK

Friday- Finished and Friends and a little Frantic

This week I did have some finishing of items. I was on a charity square knitting frenzy, And I also did a little blanket buddy and baby wash cloth, and a couple dishcloths too. Here are some of the photos.

I was also nominated for a Blogger award from Darcy and Patt. Thank you very much girls. It's always an honor to know that someone enjoys your blog. I really like blogging and I am still amazed that so many of you keep coming back just to see what I have to say. Here are the awards...


I know I am supposed to nominate others and honestly I know some of you feel presured by this and I don't want to stress you out.
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SO...if you are reading this I want you to know I read your blog too, and I love them all. Feel free to snag these awards and post them on your blog and nominate some of your other friends. I promise when I visit your blog I will also visit all the ones you nominate. Blog hopping is one of my favorite things to do.
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I have added a few more contests to the side bar... and I think I have a few more to put on too so make sure to check them over the weekend.
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Had a pretty busy day today. Drove my son the therapy and while he was there I decided to run to Walmart. When is ever running to Wally World a quick thing to do? I mean really. I went to get a birthday present and ended up in the yarn/craft section. How does that happen? Are there magnets on the carts that just pull you there? I dug my heels in, I swore I was only going to pass by and peek, I am on a budget after all, I just bought a car, did I cave? Well I am not telling, at least not today, LOL. You'll have to come back tomorrow if you want to know.
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I also took Adam grocery shopping. he wanted "Fruit salad, fruit fruit salad" You have to read that while singing the words and if you have small children who watch NOGGIN you will know exactly what tune to sing that song in. It's the only way we talk about fruit salad around here now. The other song that is sung often is the taxi song.

I love the Taxi song... it sure beats walking cross town, LOL.
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I am a little stressed. I am preaching the message at church on Sunday, yes THIS Sunday, and I am not 50% prepared yet. I've been sick, tired, stressed, car shopping, now Adam is here, tomorrow we have a birthday party and a talent show to go to. What will I do? I feel like Moses... Lord are You sure You know what You are doing asking ME to preach on a Sunday. I mean Wednesdays are not so bad, a small crowd, easy going, informal, short and sweet. But SUNDAY, that's a major event. I know I am complaining and murmerring (did I spell that right?) and I know it will all be OK. And come Monday I will be sad it's over already. I have taught on Wednesdays for several years, but this is my first Sunday. Anyone wanna come and support me? Upstate NY... church starts at 10am. Free coffee and bagels and cookies afterward. LOL
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Now I need to knit up two dishcloths for ETSY, I made another sale today and can't find my box of ETSY stuff {{sigh}} and then hopefully a little message time and then sleep.
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Have a great night my friends, don't forget to come back tomorrow. Sweet dreams.
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AK

Thursday- I Drive Therefore I Must Have A Car, LOL

These are the squares I have made so far this week, there are 17 completed squares so far.

And here are the keys to my new/used car

And here is the proud owner next to the new/used car

AND

There she is... Malibu Barbie in her Silver swim suit... The name of my car has been chosen.

BARBIE

Maybe I'll call her Bab's sometimes, or Barbara if I am angry at her, but Barbie it is.

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There was one person who actually suggested this name in the comments. I didn't give any hints or clues on the names I was thinking, but Barbie was the name I was rolling around in my head, so when I read the comment I KNEW it was conformation.

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CONGRATULATIONS... Neas Nuttiness, you are the winner, and since you asked you will get a set of handmade dishcloths in the colors you like. Drop me an email (gimpykatk at aol) with your mailing address and info and your color choices and I will get right on those for you.

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I did consider all the "silver" ideas and had some of those as well in my head, but they all sounded like MALE names and this car is definately a GIRL. LOL

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Well I have lot's to say but it's late. Adam comes tomorrow and I need to get to sleep. I'll blog more tomorrow

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Have a wonderful night, you should already be asleep. Hopefully with plenty of sweet dreams too.

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AK