Is It Time For Them Already?!!!!

(Candy Door Pulls by Dprintsclayful)

        Yes it is! At least it is in my neck of the woods....It's time to open the drawer with the winter hats in it and 'get to wearing'!! ^_^ We've outrun the old 'snow' monster for as long as we could. Now...we're caught! Winter has finally arrived in Massachusetts! No more pretending that maybe winter was gonna skip us this year....Yes! Yes I have been pretending!....*giggle*

      But just looking at the weather map this morning got rid of all my pretense. It could get rid of anybody's pretense...and could give you 'snow blindness'! Or pink and green blindness!

       Most mornings there's this calming blue all over the weather map. The blue that says: "All is calm. There's no storm or bad weather in our vicinity"... but this morning there's tons of green, which means that rain is pouring down in some areas....and there's tons of white, which means that it's already snowing heavily in some areas,...and there's areas of dark pink around the white, which means: "Whoa Sally!!! Where are my long johns and gloves?! And pull me one of those winter hats out of the drawer, will ya!...I think we're in for it today!!!"

 (Hand Knit Cable Beret Hat by pixiebell)

          Me...I'm working on putting some winter hats 'into' the drawer...the drawer being the section of my Wuglyees shop that says Hats/Headbands! ^_^  I've put enough scarves in there for right now I think. Now I'm gonna work on putting some hats in there with colors that match some of my scarf colors.

       I'd love to be as successful one of these days with selling things from my shop as pixiebell has been with her hats! She's had over 8,000 sales in her Etsy shop!! Impressive indeed!!...She's got talent...not only in knitting, but also in marketing. I followed a link in her etsy shop profile that showed Ty Pennington and his crew from Extreme Makeover Home Edition wearing her hats!!...Hmmmm....what celebrity could I send an 'Ugly Wuglyee' to?! O_0

      Maybe I should market them the way Dprintsclayful marketed her really cute door pulls. Maybe I could make my hats look like candy somehow!!...Nah. That won't work...But I could send some candy wrapped up in the hat!! ^_^ Would that be a sweet marketing gimmick or what?!....Anyway! I need to think on that one a little bit more...and keep the phone number for Russell Stover candies close at hand! LOL

      Enough daydreaming...^_^...Let me show you my hats I made in between gabbing and napping...

         I started out with a simple pull-on hat using the soft gray Caron yarn...

       I'm calling it a 'Sack Hat' because it's gonna be long enough on your head to stuff your hair in it...

       ...Or you can just 'roll up the sack'...so to speak...

       And just like grocery sacks are good for all kinds of things, I think my hat can be worn by all kinds of people too!...I may even have to make one for my hubby! :-)

      After I finished the gray one, I made one more...

        I used this pretty 'maize' or corn-colored yarn.

       I actually liked the hat better in this color...

         In fact, I liked it so much that I couldn't help but wonder what it would look like with one of my crochet button flowers on it!...So I made one of those too! ^_^...

       Please forgive my wacky photos...I tried to edit them...*shaking my head*

        I didn't attach the flower to it this time. Depending on who buys it, I might just send the flower along as a free accessory. :-] 

       So, that's my foray into the winter hat making arena. It was just in time!...The snow outside is starting to make hats...

 (Snow Hats Photo by karencaseysmith)

         ...and if the snow is starting to make hats......I KNOW it's time for me to start making hats!! That white stuff is not gonna have anything on me!!! LOL

Snow

Yes, I knew you'd finally get here.
Every year you come around.
Even when you're not so punctual,
you always make it to the ground.

No, I'm not always glad to see you.
Every sighting leaves me cold.
Even when you're kinda pretty,
you always remind me that I'm old.

Yes, you make me kinda grumpy.
Every word of you brings woe.
But even when I call you "white stuff",
you still fall as poetic, snow.

I Don't Know If I'm Going Or Coming...!

(60s Floral Dress by oldage)

        I saw this cute little dress and it reminded me of when I was a little girl and I used to watch my mother get dressed to go out. I'm almost positive she had a little floral dress just like this one!...Ohhhh! The 60s! :-) I was just a 'youngun' in the 60s, but my memories of that time are very clear...more clear than my memories of what I did yesterday...or 20 minutes ago frankly! LOL

     I know my memory is getting 'scattery' because my hubby keeps saying things like: "Don't you remember I told you...blah, blah, blah...!"...and the answer is: "No! No I don't! thank you very much!...Move on already!!...Tell it to me again!" ^_^

     My not knowing whether I'm going or coming has him cracking jokes about me having Alzheimer's!! He thinks he's sooooo funny! But won't he be surprised if one of these days he comes home and starts one of those long stories about the different stops on his route....and I start screaming because there's some strange man in my house!!! LOL

      Yes, I have been tempted to do it just for a joke, but I'm afraid he might actually call the doctor and the two of them might finally have the excuse they need to lock me up!!! LOL

     That's why I got so tickled when I saw the name of the treasury by thecarboncrusader that included the dress in my header photo. The treasury was titled "i follow you"...

       It's a really cute treasury, and she put one of my crocheted necklaces in it! And that's why when I saw it I kept thinking: "If only you knew who you were trying to follow!!" ^_^ I'll show you a couple of my favorite items in her treasury, but let me finish my story first...

    My friends and my sister-in-law came over yesterday. Within the hours of these visits, while I was ecstatic and giggling and having a good time, my mind was all over the place! And my hormonal, forgetful, brain was my constant companion.

       One of my girlfriend's asked me, but I couldn't remember where the new phone that hubby bought for her was plugged in at...the one hubby got new the other day. He bought one for us and one for my girlfriend. My old cell phone wouldn't keep a charge anymore, and his ended up under water...don't ask! LOL We needed new ones, and we saw a great deal for them online...There's a long story in there, but I'm not telling it today!!! FRUSTRATING!!!

      Anyway!...hubby activated ours the other night, and I activated the one for my friend so that it would be charged when she came over to pick it up...Well, she came to get it....and I couldn't remember where it was plugged in at!!...No! We don't live in a mansion with 8,000 rooms!! ^_^ I'm just not the brain-savvy girl I used to be!

     I had to call hubby at work to use his brain for the memory that mine won't hold anymore....All I did was give him more Alzheimer ammo!! LOL...It was plugged up in the socket and laying on the floor in the hall (NOW I remember!! LOL)

    Add to that that hubby came home, kissed me hello, and proceeded to ask me a bunch of questions..."Did she like the phone?!...Did you write down her new number?...What were you and 'Sis' talking about today?!...Is she coming back over tonight?!...How long is she gonna be in town?!"...and I had to hem and hah my way through them!!...Seriously?!!!...I couldn't remember what we talked about...and that's all I did yesterday was talk!!! LOL

      UGH!...I think I better look into that Ginkgo Biloba or something!! O_O ....Okay, before I forget, I better show you the items I liked from the treasury!...

(Custom Rosie Initial Necklace by TwoLittleDoves)

(Wool Knitted Slipper Socks by RGideas)

(14k gold filled Bracelet by petitor)

      And, of course, my pink and black necklace! *Teehee*...

      There's one other...fabulously creative...item that was in this treasury. I had to show it to you all by itself. It's that cool!! :-) ...

       Looks like just a regular shell....right?!.......

      ...WRONG!!!...

       It's a Handstitched Clamshell Book Sculpture! It's in the etsy shop odelae...

        Now that's what I call a great place to keep your thoughts!...Or in my case, my memories!! LOL

      Okay, I think I'm 'going' now. ^_^ Have a good day everybody!...and don't forget about the Giveaway. Just click the right hand sidebar for what it is and what the rules are to enter. There's only a few more days!....Now, where was I?!.....

My Brain, My Brain

My brain just does
what it wants and when it wants!
Some days, all of it's positives
is what it flips and flaunts.

It triggers really fast,
and all my brain cells start to meet.
It stores all kinds of things,
and it runs long, without feet!

It fires happiness,
is organized, remembers well.
But then that "Bing!" will come
as if someone just hit a bell.

It slows and starts to ponder.
And what it ponders is not good!
Those days it might as well
be just a solid block of wood.

Can't remember what to do,
or if it already did;
Thoughts are scattered everywhere
and all my memories are hid.

Yes, my brain just does
what it wants and how it wants!
My job is staying with it,
and responding when it taunts.

It's All About Food Today...Some Good...Some Bad

         I hope Martha Stewart doesn't mind me sharing a couple of meal pictures from her Everyday FOOD magazine. This is THE LIGHT ISSUE.  On the cover it says it's "68 Good-For-You Recipes!' They sure look 'good for me!' :-)
        I got it in the mail a couple of days ago and was immediately smitten! The recipe in the header photo puzzled me at first, even though my favorite color is green!...I don't usually expect my chicken salad...which is what the words said it was...to be green! O_O
       But then I looked a little closer.....and it's not just chicken salad. It's chicken salad with avocado dressing!...Ah yes, the avocado!...That thing that I 'still' haven't really eaten yet!...Okay Martha Stewart, you may get me to do it this time! :-]  
       This recipe has chicken...of course!...and celery, a shallot, a scallion, parsley leaves, fresh mint, fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper, some buttermilk, and avocados...of course! And it's put on top of toasted sourdough bread!...Yum! I may just be up for this one!
       Not all of my food news is good today though...UGH! Yeah, I'll tell you why in a minute. First, I wanna show you a couple more pictures from Martha Stewart's magazine! :-) Have you ever had Denver Omelet Cups?...

         Hash browns, eggs, and ham steak pieces! Yum.....Yum!
     There also was another avocado meal!...I know, I'm trying to get all familiar with the avocado y'all!!  ^_^ And the fact that this one is a halibut with avocado and pineapple salsa meal....Oh Yeah!!...

    If you're not into fish...or pineapples...how about Honey-Chipotle Turkey Meatballs?!...

         Onions, garlic, cider vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil......check....check....check....and check! :-) ...I bet that would make a great turkey meatball sub for the upcoming Super Bowl game too!...Hmmmmmm.....Note to self: REMEMBER THIS ONE!!! LOL
       And if you're into healthy.....okay....health-ier treats!...Lower in fat I mean...

         Oh Yes They Are!!...Triple-Chocolate Brownies!!! :-) ...They have black beans...Black Beans!...and of course some heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid, protein and fiber packed walnuts too if you want! :-) ....I want!....I definitely want!! ^_^
      And for those of you wondering if going out to the store to get this one is really worth it, here's a few more of the healthy recipes that are in here: Avocado-Banana Smoothie; Slow-Cooker Beef and Tomato Stew; Almond Biscotti; Easy Chickpea Curry; Roasted Spaghetti Squash; Chicken Soup - 5 ways (Asian style, rustic minestrone, with dumplings, Mexican tortilla, and chicken vegetable); Lemon Pudding Cakes; Gingerbread Mini-Cakes; and YUM!...Blueberry-Orange Cornmeal Muffins!!
         Now, Martha Stewart doesn't know anything about how much I love the recipes in her magazines...whether I cook 'em, or just look at 'em!...so me telling you that it's worth the money....is just me telling you that I think it's worth the money!!  ^_^ You decide for yourself!...Sorry Martha. I had to add that part. LOL
           Now...about the bad food news.....UGH! Hubby and I found out while looking at the evening news last night.....UGH!...that his company is apparently gonna apply for bankruptcy again!!!!...*shaking my head*...You would think that somebody that sees you every day, or somebody that sees somebody else that sees you every day, would kinda give you a heads up that the job you work at every day may not be in as secure a place as you thought it might be!...{Not that any job is in a secure place these days!!}...but in this case....Noooooooooooo!
      Hubby says that there has been some cutting back on product and stuff, so he knew something was going on, but he didn't expect that the first place he would hear about it was on the evening news!!...Mr. Tax Man may not be as happy with us pretty soon if things don't work themselves out!
      Maybe I better start doing some aerobic finger exercises to get my fingers in shape for all the work they're gonna have to do to help keep our little heads above water pretty soon! ^_^ ....Anybody wanna buy a few dozen scarves?!!!!! LOL
       You know what?! I'm gonna be like Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With The Wind" and think about that later, because 'Tomorrow is another day!' LOL...Today I'm gonna focus my energy on my sister-in-law!! We're gonna spend some time together today, catching up and girl talk....you know how it is! :-)
      I'm gonna show her my backyard, and tell her about the 'phenomenon' I saw back there this morning! It was a first for me. I looked out the window THIS MORNING and the moon was visiting the backyard!! It wasn't high in the sky like it usually is. It was peeping through my trees!!...

        The picture doesn't do it justice, but let's face it....my pictures never do. ^_^ And I'm good with that! I'm a crocheter and a poet...not a photographer. Sometimes you just have to know your 'wheel house'!! LOL
       Okay, off to crochet a little on my new hat while I wait for my friend and my sister-in-law to come! :-) Have a good day everybody!! Eat something good today too! :-)


Describe The Sky

Evoking awe and bouts of wonder.
Such inspiration, you just want to cry.
With birds high-flying, and winds a blowing,
what words would you use to describe the sky?

Would you say, whether clouds are upon it,
that it blankets a wondrous space?
Or would you be more awed and humbled,
hoping there you would find God's face?

I would say that when standing quiet,
looking up at the sun or moon,
there's a feeling of peaceful oneness
that I hope won't go away too soon.

Evoking bouts of awe and wonder
was probably what it was designed to do;
That is, besides giving off light and weather,
and the most spectacular view!      

Company's Coming!...Company's Coming!

          (Swarovski Pearl Necklace by JenniferMoonJewelry)

          I saw this beautiful necklace in the etsy shop called JenniferMoonJewelry and almost fell in 'necklace love'! :-) And for more than one reason too....Yes! I am a colored jewelry nut! And the combination of Pea pods wrapped in antique bronze wire and gold leaves definitely draws that part of my jewelry nuttiness to the fore!

       But I also looked at it this morning...in my poetic brain kinda way...and saw...family. :-) Don't those peas all nuzzled up beside each other look like family?!....Well, sometimes my family looks like that. Sometimes I look at my family and just see 'red'!! LOL...Whatever!! ^_^

      But because I've got some special company coming from out of state today, I'm all about family today. :-] My hubby's sister, my 'sis-in-law'....she calls me 'Sis' :-) ...is coming!!! :-) I can't wait for her to get here!!

       My siblings and I, while growing up, were very close...

(Art Print by LondonBridgeChildren)

       ...You would hardly ever see one of us without the others...But as we've grown up, and as our lives have taken different roads, we aren't as close as we used to be...I miss that. But it's funny how, if you keep your heart open, you can find family everywhere!...sometimes even in your own family! LOL...The family you marry into I mean.

(Two Peas in a Pod Necklace by JenniferMoonBridal)

      I love my sister-in-law! :-) She's the kindest, sweetest person you'll ever meet...And strangely enough...and it's a long story I'll spare you from going into today...my hubby didn't meet her himself until he was about 16 I think! In fact, he didn't even know she existed!

      When he found out he had a 'Big Sister'....since he was the oldest at that time...he was ecstatic!!! :-) She came to stay with them for the summer shortly after he found out about her, and he loved her right away. In fact, it was an affectionate love he'd never had with anyone...not even his own mom...up to that point. (Things have changed drastically in that regard now!)

      His memories included sitting on the floor and talking very openly with her while she braided his hair....Yes! He is a boy! ^_^ ..If you weren't a black guy in the 70's you're not gonna understand it. You just aren't!! LOL

      Anyway, when the two of them are together I am always amazed at the change in him...He's a sweetie in my book anyway, but somehow when she's around, he's softer, more thoughtful, gentle, more respectful...protective even. You can just look at him and tell that he would never allow anything bad to happen to his sister. :-) It's a look I love to see, and I'm looking forward to it today!...Company's coming!!!

(Wall Hanging by EarthiesbyEmilie)

           In other, unrelated, news...I finished the new eight-color scarf!...

        If you saw the other one...before it sold...you'd know that I put different colors in this one. I just couldn't bring myself to make the same one again....I just couldn't!! LOL This one has chocolate brown, white, golden yellow, turquoise, red, gray, mint green, and a straw tan shade...

        Depending on whether I can de-excite myself about my company that's coming...^_^...I might list this one in the shop later today...I listed three new items yesterday though, so maybe not...I listed the three yesterday to replace three recent sales I made...Yep! More sales!! :-)) I don't know why, all of a sudden, my shop seems to be getting a lot of attention, but you'll get no arguments from me! Bring it on! I'm still crocheting!!!! ^_^

      Have a good day Everybody...and forgive my silly poem below. It's one I wrote a while ago!! :-)

Family Perspective

When we're all together we are--
Massively talkative,
argumentative, competitive;
adaptive, adhesive,
so much fun, addictive.

When we want to be, we are--
acceptive, accommodative,
attentive, creative;
appreciative, inclusive,
enjoyably cooperative.

When you catch us on a bad day we're--
aggressive, combative,
allusive, explosive;
assertive, offensive, ,
over-protective, combustive..

When we take the time to think we are--
assertive, affective,
adoptive, non-corrosive;
attractive, progressive,
apprehensive, but non-subversive.

But what our family mostly is, is--
actively responsive,
communicative, acceptive,
Positive, supportive;
And as a spiritual collective,
moved by one directive.

I Didn't Need Flowers To Bloom Yesterday, But......

        No! I didn't need flowers yesterday, but I did need something to bloom...and it did. :-) I'll tell you about that in a second...But let me first say that I'm probably better off that I didn't get flowers yesterday, because I was clogged up and sneezing most of the day, and then again this morning.
     I think I finally figured out why this morning...new dish-washing detergent. Well, not new, but the 'concentrated' bottle. I know they say it's suppose to be the same as the regular, but I seem to be allergic to the ones that say 'concentrated' for some reason!...*Achoo!*
      It just dawned on me this morning...no pun intended 'Dawn'...^_^...when I realized that this is the soap that's been washing my C-pap mask every night now!!...Puffy eyes, stuffy nose, no fever, gurgly stomach, slight head pressure,...all of it clearing when I drink tons of water.....Yep! Allergic reaction to the dish-washing soap! UGH!
     Anyway!...Moving on!! I want to take a second and say a big 'Whoop! Whoop!' to all of you who commented with such nice...and funny...comments about my annoying day yesterday. As usual, you made me feel less annoyed...and you made hubby smile too...at all of the support you gave him for at least trying! ^_^
     The farthest hubby is going with anything of mine today...and there is no list involved...is the Post Office. I sold two headbands overnight and they have to be shipped....The tax man is gonna be soooooo happy!! ^_^ More money to send to him!!
     Now, about what bloomed yesterday.......friendship. :-) Hubby and I both got to build some more layers on the friendships we have...He spent part of the day with a friend, moving some wood from his mom's yard, and talking about times when they grew up and stuff and people they had in common. He was all smiles telling me about it.
      And I got to visit with a dear friend and her mom!!!...Her mom lives out of state. It was such a surprise to see her. A very nice surprise!! :-) We laughed and did part of our 'Watchtower' study article together, for the meeting today. And...she brought me another gift too...besides seeing her mom I mean...she brought me BUTTONS!!! :-)

         I can see that there is going to be some more 'blooming' in my future. I see the blooming of some new crochet projects...with great buttons on them!! ^_^

           They're just the kind of buttons I like too. Interesting, not just like everybody else's...The color of this ceramic one (above) is so pretty!...And just look at these others too (below)...

       These are some kind of heavy metal...

         I think this one (below) is glass...

           I'm gonna have fun trying to figure out where to put them all! :-) ...

         And you can see why I like this one, right?! :-)

         It's blooming! ^_^

       So, no...I didn't need any flowers to bloom around here to make me feel better yesterday. I had all of your wonderfully supportive comments, a visit from some great friends, a cuddle and chat with my hubby, and some buttons to drool and smile over. :-)
     I guess 'SOMEBODY' didn't want me staying in that 'annoyed' and grumpy state too long. :-) And this morning.....the grump has lifted, hubby is making breakfast for us....without a list! LOL...and I've got packages to wrap for the Post Office after the meeting. :-) I think it's gonna be an 'ANNOY FREE' zone in Wugland today!!...I hope it is at your house too!...Have a good day everybody!! :-)


I will Be Happy!

Today I will be happy!
I've decided, and so "There!"
And it won't depend on clothing,
or the way I wear my hair.

My 'Happy' has to be
from my head down to my toes.
And not coincidental,
but because that's what I've chose.

I am trying to be happy
when there's always such bad news.
But the good news is that happy
is a way to squash the blues!

So today I will be happy!
I've decided. Enough said!!
There will be plenty of time for sadness,
and for taking to my bed.

Are you thinking that my poem
is too 'Optimistic/Sappy'?
Okay, you could be right.
Don't burst my bubble. I am happy!