I'm Still Here

Since my laptop crashed and I got my Kindle Fire, I have not felt like typing with a touch screen. So, I have been severely slacking on my blog.  I figured it's a good time to play catch up.  I've been very busy crocheting lately also...found something to keep me out of trouble! :)  I remember when I was younger and my Mom used to take care of my Great-Grandma...and Great-Great Aunt Kate used to come visit....the two of them would sit for hours knitting and crocheting.  I started having them teach me, and later, both of my Grandmas continued my schooling.  But, then life caught up to me and I was too busy to be bothered with either.  Last September, all 4 of the kids started school and I started this blog as something to keep me busy, but by March, I needed something else....and that was when I just ordered my crochet needles and re-taught myself.  The rest is history...knitting is still in the future, but for now..I'm a crochet queen! :)  Here's a little photo-biography of my work so far!

My first projects..accidental mini-tote, soap sack, washcloth, and cotton rounds (great for makeup removal!)

 A couple of other bags I made...aren't they cute?!

My first lapghan...I added a single crochet round of the variegated yarn before giving this to my little sis-in-law as a graduation gift.

                                                                     My second lapghan.

                                        I made this camo blanket for my hubby...he loves it!!

I made this lapghan for the 4th of July...and Hayden, who had just turned 6, wanted it for a birthday present..

                         First of the baby items..I loved the sandals so much...I made more!! :)

                          My first full layette..makes me wish I had done this for my own babies!!

                       
                        This afghan was a wedding gift for my bro-in-law and new sis-in-law.

This is my new favorite piece of art!!....A just-shy-of queen size granny square afghan!

And last, but not least, a few of my latest day or two projects...

Comfy warm ankle warmers

Kayleigh's sunhat...I have added a ribbon to this also...look for pics to come!!

 The boys..modeling Daddy's camo hat..I'm currently finishing both of their hats, but they wanted to model!

A very rare pic of me!!  I absolutely love this slouchy brimmed beret!!  I'm making a beret without a brim for Jasmyn also.





And now, you've seen why I have been neglecting my blog!!  So sorry to all of you, but I hope you've enjoyed my update...and if you're interested in any items, feel free to message me!!  School starts again soon, and I'll have even more free time! :)

Pandora Radio - Listen to Free Internet Radio, Find New Music

I thought some of you might want to join me! I'm listening to my Pandora Radio station and folding laundry. Rock on! :) I'll be on my chat a little later.. hope to see some of you!

http://www.pandora.com/#!/stations/play/591853589049772325

Family Fun

It's been awhile since I've had the time or energy to do much baking or crafting, so I decided to take a look around on www.familyfun.go.com. I started with pies, as Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I'll have to start getting supplies. Here are a couple that look delicious and fun!

http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-desserts/thanksgiving-pies/crunchy-caramel-apple-pie-684193/

http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-desserts/thanksgiving-pies/handprint-pumpkin-pie-679067/

There's also so many fun family crafts on there! I can't wait to get started! I saw some very cute pipe cleaner ideas... also very inexpensive! Yay!  I'll be sure to add to this post when we make some stuff and I'll tell you all about it!

Liberty Plaza Occupiers March to DC

I just happened to be checking out www.occupywallst.org, and saw that some of the Liberty Plaza Occupiers will be leaving the park tomorrow 11/9/11 at noon. Over the next 2 weeks, they will occupy the highway and march to Washington, DC. They will be there by the 11/23/11 Super Committee meeting. Just imagine how big this could get! How many people will join in on this march? I can't wait to see the word spreading even faster and what twists this may cause! This group has a page setup www.nycmarch2dc.wordpress.com with a link to stay up to date on the march.. here it is! http://nycmarch2dc.wordpress.com/category/march-updates-and-details/  This was a great idea and I look forward to tracking them and hearing from you!

All Hallow's Eve

This year we decided to forego the store-bought costumes and work with what we had on hand. It was really important to us to not waste money on cheap costumes and promotion of yet another "spending" holiday, especially with all that's going on in the world right now. As a kid that went to church harvest festivals, and not trick-or-treating, I did not want our kids to feel left out as I sometimes did.  The harvest festivals were a lot of fun, but the next day was always so disappointing. I would have my brown bag of candy and everyone else had their pillowcases. :(  So, therefore, imagination central!! Our idea was to dress the kids up as Occupy protesters, but they don't all understand it enough to explain it in class. It would be cute for trick-or-treating.. especially if we dressed as cops w/zip tie handcuffs-keep them on the sidewalk!! Maybe Mom and Dad will be protesters and still get the word out.. I do have some time to work on signs today! So, working with what we had.. Jazz is a vampire "changeling"(at school) and a zombie later, Justus and Hayden are zombies, and Kayleigh is a little devil! It was a little rushed before school, but I will have pics tonight! They actually turned out really cute and it was a fun weekend of "testing" costumes and makeup! Jasmyn did an excellent job on the kids' makeup too, maybe she should think about being a costume/makeup artist! She's got talent! :)  Also, we have a lot of apple orchards in the area and a bunch of great Jamaican guys come every year to work. This year, they gave us a huge bag full of apples, which will come in quite handy tonight. After we get home, I'm going to cut up a bunch to have with caramel and peanut butter caramel dip, so that we have plenty of time to sort through the candy and make sure it's safe! I might even make some popcorn balls! YUM!! We might just stay home next year and have our own harvest festival. Maybe a scary movie marathon, bobbing for apples, and eat the donut off a string contest. It's too bad we don't have a cornfield, I could have some fun making a maze! That's it! My mind's made up...next year, we're having a party and we'll spend the month decorating and carving pumpkins and making spooky snacks! As for now, I'm going to go enjoy a quiet morning because the 3 little ones have a half day, and Jasmyn has an afternoon concert before we spruce up and head out on the town tonight! Have a spooktacular day! bwahahaha!!

Star Wars takes over Jasmyn's Halloween concert!!

Well, seems things never go quite as planned. After Jasmyn's concert this afternoon, which had a wonderful arrangement of Star Wars characters..and of which I have a video on my Facebook..I ran out to the store and grabbed some more candy, and I hate to admit it...but McDonald's.  The 3 younger siblings got Happy Meals, and Jazz got her Frappe.  Quite the special treat, as we rarely go to McDonald's, let alone get Happy Meals!  Jasmyn went trick-or-treating with Em's cousin, her boyfriend, and 3 boys...she was a great helper, I'm told.  And we stayed home with our 3 younger ones finishing dinner and handing out candy to our trick-or-treaters.  I took them around the park and they got quite a few goodies too!  Then, I made them pose for a few pics...on a sugar high...before cleaning them up and tucking them in.  All-in-all, it was great day...even if it wasn't what we're used to...we wanted something different anyway! :)

Our Zombie/Devil Rock Band

Zombie Rockers

Lil Devil

Stubborn Zombie (at least I got a couple pics)

Just Another Day

I figured out how to add a chat box to here! I'm so excited! Now I can chat with you all and hear your suggestions! I'm hoping that this will help spur my lack of creativity that I've been struggling with lately. I've had such a problem thinking of something to write about, or what to post. Also I've been spending more time surfing and posting information elsewhere, and this provides me the opportunity to watch YouTube videos with you, while chatting about them. If you join the chat and I'm not there, feel free to chat amongst yourselves...we are family here! I will teach all newcomers how to change their name and watch YouTube with us! Please join me! I'm waiting for you! :) I also just found this link and I wanted to share it with you all.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeV5ut2u1Qk&feature=channel_video_title

I also wanted to share my friend's facebook group for healing and inspiration.. I've found some great links on there and I always feel more peaceful after skimming through it! :)  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Stronger-Pull/218739564832029

Hope from the Hopi Elders

I don't have much time to write today, but I wanted to let you all know that I'm still here. I've been focusing a lot of energy to our brothers and sisters in all the "occupied" zones, and I thought that some might enjoy this prophecy. I'm going to start reading it daily myself, for it brings me much hope and a great sense of calm and unity. Hope you enjoy!

 The Prophecy of the Hopi Elders:

Here is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift, that there are those who will be afraid, who will try to hold on to the shore, they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly.
Know that the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, and keep our heads above water.
And I say see who is there with you and celebrate.
At this time in history we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves, for the moment we do, our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves.
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
For we are the ones we have been waiting for.