11 years of bliss...spending our anniversary w/ our kids camping!

11 yrs later....
3 kids, 1 dog and a lot of LOVE.

We had a blast in Mission Bay,
kayaking, fishing, but no catching

and taking silly pictures.
Life is great!

My Wish List

Now that my creative juices are back and flowing, I've to decided that August is a perfect time to make a wish list of crafty things I wish to do. So here it goes:

1.) Crochet a cardigan.
2.) Learn to knit.
3.) Make a quilt.
4.) Learn to embroider.
5.) Sew an A line skirt.
6.) Clean out & organize my over abundance of craft materials. :)
7.) Make clothespin dolls.
8.) Make button rings.

Sage Hobo

Love this purse! Super easy to make. So much so, that I plan to make at least 1 more, maybe 2, maybe 3. :) I found the FREE pattern on Ravelry and had this sage green yarn by Lion Brand just hanging around so...VOILA! It appears that sewing in the lining will be the most time consuming for me since I am not a strong seamstress. Oh and the button...I LOVED IT, had to have it! I've got a couple of ideas on how to work it in we'll see which one wins...

Pretty Pink Blankie

I've got my creative juices flowing again! Gosh, I love Ravelry!!! I made this beauty for my Cousin's new baby girl arriving soon. I was really concerned it wouldn't turn out even close to normal, but to my surprise, it turned out PERFECT! The blanket pattern is called Tiramisu and it's by amazing Alicia Paulson, plus it is FREE.

Out with the Old in with the New

Time for me to pull out the hooks and get to creating!

Kick Ass News: I signed on to one of my favorite crocheter's sites, Ravelry, after what seemed like a lifetime away. I had an email, from a lifetime ago, asking if they could use a picture of a crochet bag I made for the pattern page. AH...YEAH, I said and they used it! I'm famous!!! LOL
Check it out at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-cluster-stitch-shoulder-bag.


Next Project: A friend of mine asked me to make a set of Amigurumi dolls for her new baby niece or nephew, not sure just yet. I found an adorable patter for a pig and thought, "I'll make the three little pigs and the big bad wolf!". Below is a picture of the wolf, too, darn, adorable! If you are interested in making your own, you can get the free pattern at http://countingclocks.blogspot.com/2008/08/crochet-pattern-amigurumi-wolf.html.

Out of my Funk and Finally Back.

When you find it has been a long time since you've done something, sometimes you feel like not doing it at all. I call it a Funk and that has been the state of my life since June 13th. Thank God for my son's Cub Scout's Day camp this last week, which motivated me to push through the cloud of funk and get back in the groove.

In my last post, I spoke about my Mom being terminally ill and my husband's job royally sucking. Well, it all came to a head, as they say, starting June 5th. My husband was let go at work and then the following Saturday, June 13th, my Mom passed away. At the time it seemed overwhelming, but in retrospect, it was a blessing. My husband was home for the last week of my Mom's life which enabled him to help me with the boys and allowed me to spend more time taking care of my Mom. Her passing has been surreal to say the least. With in a month in a half, we found out she was sick and she was gone. My Mom had Acute Hepatitis C which damaged her liver and on top of that she drank and she drank alot. In the end she suffered alot, compliments of the alcohol abuse. This was so heartbreaking because obviously she suffered her whole life emotionally to the point that she needed to drink and you would think that in the end she deserved to go peacefully. The experience was enough to make me never want to drink again. I do feel comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering and she is with my Grandma and two of her sisters. I look forward to the day when I can hug her again. As much as I know I'm not to blame for her addiction, I feel I failed her in so many ways and wish I could have done more so that my children would have had her here longer. They miss her terribly which is the hardest part.

On Auto Pilot

I've been on auto pilot for the past few days trying to keep myself busy so that I don't allow myself to fully comprehend what is going on in my life. The past month and a half has been shockingly stressful.

My husband's job is a constant roller coaster. I've contemplated going back to work, but with the economy in the state that it is, there isn't much out there and it appears I would be working to pay for day care only. We are uncertain whether refinancing will help or whether we will have to sell our house; thankfully we have these as options available to us.

On top of that , my Mom is terminally ill. In the last month her liver has begun shutting down. My Mom has battled with alcohol severely for the past 10 years and it has finally caught up with her. She was told on Tuesday that there is no medication to be given to extend her life. That we just have to let nature take it's coarse. I'm shocked with how fast this is all happening. I struggle with how my children will react when she is no longer here. My oldest understands that she is going to Heaven, but is confused by why she has to go. He said to me, "She can't go. Her hands aren't wrinkly. Who will watch us when you and Daddy go on a date?" Trying to explain to him why was so hard. My heart brakes for him and my two other children.