This Is Why I've Been Missing!

      Sorry Y'all...*head down, circling the ground with my big toe, and with my hands clasped behind my back*...I feel bad that I haven't had time to do my blog. But every time I said to myself: "Okay, go throw up a post!"...then something would happen that would let me know that I didn't have the time to spend posting, and it would take me away!
      Yes, I admit that my 'Virtual Friday Date' with my hubby yesterday was one of those things! ^_^ I felt like I needed to pay some attention to him, since I've been in full crochet mode for days. :-) But we couldn't go out of the country on one of our 'fancy' dates. So we had an 'In-Town' pizza date instead! ^_^
 

      It was an early afternoon date yesterday though, because I had to get back to work! I'm all about a custom order right now! :-] The pizza was so good though that we brought some home...which I proceeded to 'warm up' for dinner...to save me some time. Ugh!...and you can see the crust on my 'warmed-up' pizza in the photo above. LOL
      I got a little side-tracked with my crochet hat and...well...O_O...found out that slightly burnt 'UNO'S' pizza crust......is just as good as fresh out of the oven UNO'S pizza crust!!! LOL 

      Anyway!!! :-)) ... Here's the yarn I'm working with this time...

      I had to do some research to find some yarn that was light-weight, and stretchy enough to hold the shape of the hat after numerous wearings, but also was soft and in pretty colors! :-) Phew!! It wasn't as easy as I thought!! O_O 
      I 'did' get an education about yarn though! An education that I'm ashamed to say I hadn't had before!!...I found out that the regular yarn I use...my beloved 'Caron Simply Soft' is a favorite for a lot of crocheters, but NOT for hats or fitted items! O_O
      The 'scuttlebutt' is that Caron is the softest and nicest to work with, but when you make hats with it...it doesn't hold it's shape as well after washings! O_O I must admit that I wasn't thinking about numerous washings when I made my hats. I was thinking about 'soft'!...and 'pretty'!...which it is!! ^_^
      And, truth be told, I'll still use 'Caron Simply Soft' for my hats!...well...MOST of my hats! :-) The reason is because most of my hats aren't made to 'snap-back' after washing. They're not 'fitted' hats. They're pretty hats! ^_^ But now that I know about the 'stretchy, snap back' thing, I'll make a few hats for the shop in the 'snap-back' kinda yarn too! :-]
      Speaking of which!...
 

      Hubby wasted a whole morning for me, going to every single yarn shop in our area, trying to find a light-weight, stretchy, non-wool, yarn! O_O Four hours later...this is the yarn he found!...
 

      And where did he find it?!...In the first shop he had gone to! LOL...It was one of those 'Ugh! I can't find it!! Let me look in that first shop again' kind of things. :-))))
 

      Thank you, Honey! ♥ ... These are the two news boy cap hats I made out of it...so far! (above) Only one is going to my customer. The other one will be in the shop soon. :-)

      Today I'm working with some 'Vanna White' yarn he also found!... 

      In case some of you don't know who she is...she's the lady that turns the letters on 'Wheel Of Fortune'! :-) Crocheting and knitting has been her side hobby for many years. I have books of her patterns...they're great!! :-]
      I'm gonna make a different kind of hat for my customer in this 'Vanna's Choice' black yarn, and then a totally different kind of hat in some hot pink! ^_^ So, as you can see, I'm busy!!! ^_^
      
      By the way, I finished the thread wedding shawl too, except for tying on the tassel threads...which I'll get to some time next week I'm sure! :-) ...
 

      I would normally try to enlist my 6-foot helper into doing this tedious tying of tassel strings, but I'm laying off of him for August. He's got 'bigger fish to fry'...so to speak! :-)) He's focusing on people, and their knowledge, and trying to add some Biblical components to it this month. :-) August is a very active month for us, as Jehovah's Witnesses, this year. Special! :-)
      So now you know why I've been missing...in case anybody noticed! ^_^ Have a good weekend, Everybody! ♥

Busy As A Beaver

I've been waiting for this moment,
where my crochet shop's involved,
to be busy as a beaver.
Now that problem has been solved.

I've been doing custom orders,
(Every customer had a tip)
Writing notes and tying ribbons,
readying packages to ship.

Yes, I know that things could change,
I could hear crickets any day.
But for now I'll just enjoy it.
Beavers pat their tail this way!      

A Giggle-Fest.....Like In The 'Old Days'!

 (Giggles by artbylynn)

      Everything about our life...at this age...is trying to tell us to be grown up. More serious. NOT silly, like when we were teenagers! ^_^ And, for the most part, we're on board with that. And we listen. BUT...every once in a while....! ^_^ And in telling you what happened I'm gonna have to risk a 'you-had-to-be-there' kinda sideways head-tilt on your part. Because I HAVE TO talk about it!! :-)) 

      Hubby and I have been really busy the last couple of days...doing what seemed to be a lot to us, but to someone else could look like a lot of us being busy doing nothing!...Whatever!! :-) ...But it led to us not wanting to go on an extended 'take-your-virtual-luggage-and-remove-your-virtual-shoes' kinda date this week. We just wanted to lay low and watch some television...and sleep! So we did!

       But then today...or should I say 'tonight'...we decided that we wanted to go somewhere! :-) But there aren't any virtual flights out of town on a Saturday night...Only on Fridays, you know. ^_^ So we decided we'd just have to 'pretend'! LOL

      So we got on our bed...our far away tropical island, surrounded by sharks and stingrays...and a sandy beach on one side!...and just talked! :-] ...

 (Rustic Wood Platform Bedframe by KnotsandBiscuits)

      The talking led to silly conversations about when we were kids, and stuff like that...so forth and so on! Then I said: "Ooooo! Let's pretend that our bed is really in a castle, and we're rich! Let's ring for the butler to bring us some....caviar!" :-)) And then it happened!!

      Hubby started giggling....softly...slowly...like a boil being turned up on a lobster!...

 ("Little red crab" PDF Crochet PATTERN by kseniadesign)

      Then it got contagious, because I started giggling! ^_^ In the midst of the giggling I said: "What?!...What's so funny?!"...And he said: "Caviar!!!" Ha! Ha! "We're not caviar kind of people!" Ha! Ha! Ha! 

 (Caviar & Crackers on Limited Edition Tray by CrownJewelMiniatures)

       "We're more like Doritos kind of people!" Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!...

(Doritos Chips Advertising Train 50 Foot Box Car by thevintageshop)

      Then we both lost it!!!! ^_^ He started doing little mini-skits!...In a very fancy and proper voice, he said: "Excuse me. Do you have some Grey Poupon?!" Ha! Ha! Ha!

      Then he said in a down-home backwoods southern voice: "No?!...How 'bout some Do-ritos?!" Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

      Okay, Okay! I get that 'you really did have to be there' to get how funny this really was! ^_^ Especially since half of the stuff we were talking about was done in skits and hand gestures! LOL But by the time we were able to stop giggling...and it took a while!...we both had sore stomachs and tears in our eyes! ^_^ 

      This was no way for two grown 50-somethings to be acting!! NOT AT ALL!!!...But you know what?!.....It was sooooooo fun!!! ^_^ We hadn't been that silly in a long time!!! A LONG TIME!!! :-)) I mean, if this was somebody else's pretend bed...they would've been kicked right off the island!! ^_^

      Giggle-fest OVER!!! ^_^ Now I have to stop from looking at him, so I can actually go to sleep! :-)) Every time our eyes almost meet I can feel the giggle churning back up!! O.o What is this anyway?!...Saturday?!! WOW! I've lost two days!!! O_O I've got to go to 'real' bed!!!...Right after I have some dough-ree-toes!! LOL Goodnight y'all...I hope!! ^_^

Let Go

Ever against the tide we row,
fighting our-self, with bent elbow.
(Releasing feelings, tucked inside,
hidden because of foolish pride.)

Fighting just to stay the course.
Using every ounce of force.
(Dreaded emotions pushing through,
trying to get the best of you.)

Waves of feelings swirling round.
Fighting hard to keep them down.
(They're  seeping out on every curve.
Letting them-takes lots of nerve.)

Open quick, your tight-clenched palm.
Feel the water's  quiet calm.
(Released emotions-held too long,
now are righting every wrong.)

What Do You Look Like When You Go On A Date?!

 (Autumn Stream Landscape Photography by EyeWasHerePhotos)

      It was too dark to get you a picture of our backyard scenery this morning, so I thought I'd let one of my fellow Etsians give you some Fall color this morning! :-) Isn't that just a gorgeous header photo?!...I'm gonna see if I can get hubby to ride around town and snap some Fall foliage photos this weekend. I'll share them with you if I can. :-] ... I'm pretty sure it's a 'done deal'! ^_^

      But that's not what I had intended to talk about this morning!...I intended to share my 'Woohoo!' about the custom order boutonniere I'm crocheting today for a customer to my Wuglyees Etsy shop! It's gonna be a black, dark grey, and pink one! :-) I'm gonna be working on it this morning. I'll hopefully share it with you tomorrow! :-)

      I also want to talk about my 'virtual' date. Well...sorta kinda. O_O We're 'tapped out' financially...Wah Wah...so we're not gonna be "going" anywhere!...Unlike the other 'virtual' dates where we "went" somewhere...sorta kinda...while going nowhere! LOL 

     So instead of going anywhere, we've decided to have a sort of 'stay-cation' kind of date! You know...staying at home, but having fun. ^_^ A novel idea!! LOL...But if I was going somewhere...if I WAS!...this is how I would dress...with a little Etsy help! :-) 

     I would put on a pretty black dress like this one... 

 (Vintage 50's Black Dress by pintuckstyle)

      ...Well, maybe not exactly like this one. I really like it, but the deep plunge in the back wouldn't leave me any way to support my 'girls'...if you know what I mean! O_O

      But since I'd still wanna be pretty and stylish, I think I'd go with this one!...

 (Lace Dress in Black by ASSAFPELLEG)

      And, to add a little 'pizazz', I'd wear these earrings...

(Black and Brown Earrings by Simplish)

      They have a little leopard print, and they look like little acorns! :-) Perfect for a Fall night outing! ^_^

      Then, it would be all about the shoes!....Hmmm...I love these!...

 

 (Black High Heel Sandals, Size 6 by OldStation)

      But the heel would be a little high for me today...*we had all of the rain yesterday, and my poor toes are still recuperating! ^_^*...And besides...you know how much I love a sling-back!!...

 (Vintage 1950s Black High Heels Suede Leather 6 Half 7 Bow Pointed Toe Sling by OliverandAlexa)

      But, although I love the sling-back shoe, it's still not quite dressy enough for this dress!....Aha!...These would be perfect! :-) ...

 (1950s Black Mesh/Lace/Brocade Stilettos by LadyfromShanghai)

       I'll just soak those aching pinky toes!! LOL

      Now, usually, I'm not that much of a bracelet wearer...but because the dress doesn't have a sleeve, the wrist would need some interest!...This 'BLING!' would do nicely!...

 (Black and Silver Seven Strand Fancy Bracelet by DoloresLanier)

       Now, all I'd need is a little clutch that will draw the whole outfit together...and give me somewhere to hide my pain medication!!!! LOL...

(Genuine Leather & Leopard Print Envelope Clutch by OfRemnantsAndDross)

      So, there you are!...All dressed up and no money and nowhere to "go"!! LOL...That's alright!...I still have crochet! ^_^ And I'm off to do that right now...after I nibble on a little something. :-)) ... Have a good day, everybody!...And a good weekend! :-)

Virtual trip

I really like to travel,
See the world, expand my mind.
But not getting on an airplane,
or hunting luggage I can't find!

I like a 'good ole' virtual trip.
Computer details. Music too.
Where you don't need a 'stinking' passport,
or have to wear a 'stinking' shoe!

But a little stay at home,
under covers, lock and key,
can also be expansive.
Even if it's 'virtually'.

A Date With Scrabble And Popcorn!

(Travel Photograph by shannonpix)

       It's not even 8:30 a.m. yet and I've already had a leisurely breakfast with my hubby...sausage, eggs, grits and cheese, and, of course, a hot cup of green tea with lemon. :-) A sort of pre-date night breakfast date! ^_^

       We're off to a fast run today because we won't have much time together until tonight. Tuesdays and Fridays are now...per the recent family meeting...hubby's days to put eyes and ears on his mom, and to help her with whatever errands or whatnot that she wants to do. And it appears that she has a list 'yay' long today!...I hope he survives! LOL We've got big plans for our 'Virtual Date Night'! :-]

       Considering that this is our weather right now...

      ...we've already decided that we're gonna stay in tonight, turn off the phones, and play Scrabble and eat...

(6 Retro Circus Popcorn Boxes by sweetestelle)

      ...popcorn! :-)

       What can I say...we're adventurous like that! LOL...We may even have an old TCM channel movie playing in the background while we're playing...Casablanca.....Bringing Up Baby....Gone with the wind! :-)

        On second thought, if I want Mr. Man's undivided attention maybe I'd better X the movie and just stick to the Scrabble and popcorn! He's not a very good 'multi-tasker'. :-)) In fact, back when we were dating...the night we got engaged actually...he made me a steak, rice  and corn dinner that took F-O-R-E-V-E-R for him to cook! The reason was because he cooked each item...from beginning to end...before he started the next item!! LOL...By the time the rice was done, the corn on the cob was too cold to put butter on it, and the steak had become a hockey puck!! LOL...As I say...not a good 'multi-tasker'! ^_^

         So, while he's with his mom this morning, sloshing around out there in the rain, getting her "To Do" list cleared, I think I'll brush up on my big words... :-)) ...write some cards and letters that I've been putting off writing...

(Kraft Calligraphy Address Labels and Heart Seals by weheartpaper)

           ...and get some nice warm covers ready for him, for when his mom gets through practically killing him! ^_^....'swimming with the fishes'....so to speak. ^_^

(Knitted Nemo Fish by MapleApple)

          ^_^ Cute fish, right?!...I love it! and I just had to share....And it made me thingk.....hmmmm....we could watch "Nemo" instead of playing Scrabble!!!....Something else to consider....Clearly my 'Virtual Date Night' plans aren't set in stone yet! :-) ... Have a good weekend everybody, whatever your plans are! :-]

What Should A Written Letter Be?

Should it be a simple "Hi!"?
A casual "I was thinking of you!"?
A 'Catching Up' on times now past?
A calendar of the things you'll do?

A sad reflection of how they're missed?
A needed word when someone's died?
To say you wished you could be there?
To say you really, really tried?

Solicitations for your business?
Requests for info? A note of thanks?
Impersonal salutations from
Insurance companies and banks?

Heartfelt apologies?
Explanations of what you did?
A place to 'let off a little steam'?
To, without loudness, 'Blow your Lid'?

Well, whatever reason for them,
they put a smile upon your face,
that no Facebook, Tweet, or typing
ever, ever, will replace!

I hope they never go out of style,
and keep the mailman's job secure;
because the smell of a written letter,
like hugs and kisses, should endure.