Another first

I believe this is the first fitted garment I've ever crocheted. I've always stuck to more flexible and fast projects like scarves, hats, ponchos, throws, pot holders and doilies. I've never followed a pattern and made a garment....... Now I know why! ha ha ha I spent at least 12 to 14 hours of crochet time on this little thing and nearly two full skeins of yarn. The stitch is so dense that the sweater isn't very soft or flexible. I would rather put it on a doll or a teddy bear than a baby. Maybe it needs washed; I don't know. Oh well; another mile stone crossed and another learning experience accomplished. It feels good.

Bubba is gone picking up his truck at Virgil's shop. He's pumped about the new exhaust break he had installed. It was an expensive project, but much cheaper here than we were quoted in Iowa. I'm glad its done and am excited to experience what it feels like. I know it will give us both a greater level of confidence when we roll with our home.

We've been talking at length about where we would like to settle down when we decide its time and what we're looking for in a home base. We've been searching the net for properties and Bubba even met with a local realtor we were referred to. Its been very interesting and every day we seem to come upon something that peaks our interest. We even found a property one mile from a huge bass fishing lake in Texas that has two homes on it, sits on an acre and a quarter and is listed for what we paid for our 5th wheel.......... amazing.

Gotta run. A week with no wheels means we need some basic groceries. ;-)

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Onward and Upward

Its a thing of beauty! Rene and Bubba have been able to work on the pavilion again and its looking more beautiful and finished all the time. Yet to be done are enclosures on the ends of the roof, benches in the corners for seating, some landscaping and a walkway for solid access. I think Rene intends to build a stone barbeque and put horse shoe pits in this area too. The pond will be filled as well. The park was beautiful when we came in and I expect it will be even more enticing every time we are able to pass through.
Cecilia heads back to Georgia this afternoon. It has been a great pleasure to spend time with her and her family this past week. I have never met a family that makes one feel so immediately at ease and comfortable in their presence. The other day I was invited on a shopping trip. Imagine a young man escorting his girlfriend, mother, grandmother and neighbor through several stores; everyone looking for something different. It was amazing. I've seldom enjoyed a shopping experience as much.
I wish you safe travels today, Cecilia. I apologize if I've misspelled your name and I'm anxious for the day I may refer to you as Dr. Garcia! ;-) God Bless you!

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Roller Coaster Weather

Is it snow?
NO

Its ice ........ falling in sheets ............ from the sky

AGAIN

I wonder if anyone will drop from pneumonia.
Yesterday it was in the 40's, the wind was still and we were walking in the sun feeling as if Spring may have actually sprung.... right.

Every day it seems the weather will fluctuate from one extreme to the other.

From one perspective, we have enjoyed twice as many warm days as anyone who lives even 300 miles North. From the other, we have enjoyed very few outings in the warm sunshine as so called "snowbirds".
Its those self inflicted issues, brought on by the privilege known as freedom of choice, that bare the heaviest burden. etc etc

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New Link

Check out this guy. He's pretty interesting. ;-)

http://bubba-life.blogspot.com/

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So Blessed

ARKANSAS Feb. 18th

IOWA Feb. 18th

Are we blessed?
No doubt!!

We pray our family, church family and everyone still in the blizzard stay safe and warm.

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Record size project completed

Brace yourself; more fluff. When it comes to crochet I've always been about immediate gratification. Hats, scarves, dishcloths, doilies the occasional poncho are the norm for me. About a week ago I spotted a cute little baby blanket on a free pattern site and just had to try it. With lots of yarn in the cubbard it wasn't hard to find a few that went together. Might even have enough left to make something else with the same 4 colors. Its kinda small for a baby blanket, fits well over the back of a chair, but I guess it might work for a premie or a lap blanket.

Now that I finally finished it its time to start my first prayer shawl. If you all would please, say prayers with me over this first shawl and for its ultimate recipient. Will keep you posted on it's progress.

We missed another Angel Food Distribution at home ..... Thats something I'm having a hard time getting used to. Only two more and we'll be back with our church family, sharing the love of Christ with each other and the community. If any of our Heritage family are reading this; we Love you and Miss you more than we can say!

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Today I found a new ministry to which I can devote crochet time. What a beautiful idea! The list of potential recipients of these Prayer and Comfort shawls seems endless. I will choose one personally and possibly bring the idea to church and see if any other knitters or crocheters want to get involved. Kay and Bonnie have done so much good with their "Grandma's Hugs" blankets for kids in the hospital; I think the Prayer Shawls should go to survivors of domestic violence or families of military personnel.

All weather related evidence to the contrary, I do believe we are swiftly approaching spring. Yesterday I saw a Robin for the first time this year and today the squirrels were out in numbers, playing and chasing each other. At one point there were five in view.

It has jumped to my attention today, more than is typical, that I am a very visual person. I seem never to post in my blog without a photo. I am a hands on learner and when planning a project and/or calculating what supplies it will take, I must draw it completely. I was moderately adept at geometry while pitiful at algebra. Its a visual thing...
Useless information, yes; but its my blog and I'll spout fluff if I feel like it. ha ha ha

I had the pleasure of meeting Cecilia Garcia today. She is Rene's wife and this is her beautiful RV Park. What a lovely person! I had a preconceived notion of what a conversation with her would be like and, amazingly enough, I was right! ha ha ha It was my pleasure today, Cecilia, and I look forward to our next meeting.

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The Blue Bird of Happiness

I'll come across with something more thought provoking and wistful later .... ha ha ha

This morning I just wanted to share the pretty little Blue Birds that graced us yesterday morning.




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My friendly mockingbird

When we were in Hemet there was a very pretty bird that I saw every day on the big cactus and it took me a long time to identify. I finally heard the song, loud and varied, finally realizing it is a Mockingbird. When it flies you see a pronounced white stripe across the tail and each wing. This one was fearless. It stayed near me, seemingly posing for the photos.

ICE ICE BABY

This pic was taken yesterday when the ice was still a pretty thin layer .....


Some day the sun will shine, the wind will not blow and the temperature will be more than 50 degrees!! It seems we are still the extreme weather magnets. Yesterday we woke to an ice covered world. The boys nearly broke their bottoms getting down the steps and we waited till the warmest part of the day to run to town. Thank goodness we did, though, because today its worse. We woke to a newly ice covered world and now there are snow flurries decorating it. YUCK ... YUCK ... YUCK !!!

What we're experiencing is nothing compared to the snow, ice and frigid temperatures being suffered in the Midwest, the tornadoes devastating Tennessee or the homes burried in snow in the Northwest, but it is unusual for this area and not what we expected when we came here.

We ran out of propane at about 12:30. It was a blessing that it didn't happen in the middle of the night. Bubba took a hammer to the steps so Mijo could get down them without falling. He had to use a pan of hot water on the truck door to thaw it open. He got more experience with his ice scraper on the window and is now up at the office helping Rene with something.

Life is exciting at the least. ;-)

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Nose to nose

It was far too cute not to share. I can't believe the armadillos are so oblivious to what goes on around them. I guess their sense of smell is much stronger than their sight because they will walk right up to you and think nothing of it. When they finally got nose to nose the armadillo let out a low squeal and trotted off the other way. It was comical.






I don't know if many of you enjoy photography like I do; if you do or if you're just curious, take a look at this site. I was referred to them by a dear friend and have submitted many photos. You can find mine by simply searching my name. http://www.greeneyephoto.com/
This black and white is one I took at sunset tonight. For some reason I thought it looked better in black and white.


What do you think?


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Long time, No Red Hat

For those of you who know me well or have read my old blogs, you know my primary crochet habit before doilies was hats. Last night I crocheted the first hat since coming to Arkansas. I just had to grab a BIG hook and some regular yarn and play instead of focusing so hard on the dainty stuff. One of the ladies who lived in the RV Park in Hemet inspired me to crochet "Red Hats" for her and I've done many. I figure if you're gonna be a member of the Red Hat Society you want to bodacious and this new hat is nothing if not bodacious.

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The only constant is change

Since last I blogged; the 5 inches of snow became 6, the 6 inches of snow melted and turned to mud, the mud increased with a day of rain showers, the temp reached 70 two days in a row and now.............. flurries, 28 degrees and high wind gusts. But ..... We thank God today, more than ever, that we are safe in the midst of storms that have taken the lives of so many people. We pray for their families and all of those suffering from the damage left behind.

We snuck out on one of those 70 degree days and took a drive to Bull Shoals Lake, Diamond City and Lead Hill. It was a real windy day and Bubba didn't have any luck fishing. I walked the shoreline around a little cove at Lead Hill Park and picked up a few things that stirred my curiosity. None of it lasted any longer than taking the picture, but it was interesting none the less. Stones, bones, rocks and shells were my treasures of the day.

In between storms Rene has made more progress on the pavilion. They finished raising the rafters and placing the roof. Rene got the tar paper (?) fabric tacked down on one side before the rain. This morning its sprinkled with white stuff again ................ YUCK!



I continue down the doily path. Should have more than a table full for the Fall Dinner and Craft Sale at church! ;-) The latest are a bit patriotic I guess. I also mastered a heavy thread. Working my way closer to the delicate stuff. Will get there eventually. Might have to break out the magnifying visor but, oh well, I am over 40. ha ha ha



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Snow is a 4 letter word!

This shot, taken through my window ... pretty much sums it up. Happy campers? NO! People in this area say "it only snows an inch or two every three years or so." For some reason we seem to be extreme weather magnets. While we were sleeping Wednesday night this lovely 5 inch blanket of crap fell. ha ha ha Yesterday it continued to flurry all day. No big surprise, I didn't go outside yesterday and likely won't today either. Bubba has snow boots and is willing to walk Mijo in this stuff so I'm cowering inside till it melts. I love Rene and we still plan to hang here till April 1st, but might not stay here again in January. ;-)

More later .....

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