Comfort Afghan ready to send

This is being sent to a couple who had a 3 year old son pass away very unexpectedly. I can only imagine the pain and hope this comfort afghan helps them during this time.

One World-One Heart

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED. I WILL POST THE WINNER SHORTLY.





I am participating in the 2009 One World-One Heart blog hop and giveaway. There is a list of all the participating blogs and more details available by clicking the logo.
Now, for the "rules" and the give away. I will send to a winner anywhere in the world. In order to be entered in for the random draw you must leave a comment on THIS post. You also must include either a link to your blog or an email address so that I can contact you if you win. The winner will be drawn and contacted on February 12th. Good luck!

The goodies:


some inside pages of the mini-album I made that is included.

Given a little time

All things seem to work through given some time. I have calmed down and that has helped tons. I also had a weekend filled with family in both good and bad times. I am very blessed in my life and was reminded of it in a big way.
Back to a better attitude and being grateful.
I also got some wonderful time with friends and playing with paper. How could a person look at these photos of my nephew with our kitty and not smile?

It isn't happening

The attitude adjustment I mean. I got bombarded with MORE **** when I walked in and read my email. WHY do people think it is OK to commit me to things that will run outside my agreed upon work schedule without even consulting me? It isn't like I am in a position to change them when I find out. They aren't the kind of thing that allow that PLUS the fact it is the boss/owner (who is also the one who agreed to the work schedule when he talked me into coming back to work) who is the offender.

big huge GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Attitude Adjustment

I need one. I am still working on being grateful for things that I don't feel grateful for. This is going to be a lifelong process. However, I am hoping that if I can really focus on one "thing" at a time that I will make progress in that area and then go to the next one. Right now my main focus is my job. Today is not a good day for feeling grateful. I want to throw a fit and pout and get to stop being a grown up. That isn't going to happen and what I NEED to do is remember how grateful I am that I HAVE job. Especially right now. Not only do I have a job, but I have a pretty good employer who really does try to make certain that my priorities are met. It just doesn't always work out that way and it seems to be in waves and right now, I am drowning!!!

In Honor of Sean H. Miles

This was sent to the parents of Marine Sgt. Sean H. Miles (28).

One Little Word - for 2009

I have watched with great interest the last couple of years as people around me in the scrapbooking world have selected their "WORD". It is explained here with some additional links to more ideas and details. I love the concept, but just couldn't imagine that I could sum things up in one word. I was challenged by Chiara's post and you know me, never one to ignore a give-away I began to ponder things.
I debated several different words and they were all good, but nothing was really grabbing me. I finally settled on one and just as I was logging in to post on Chiara's BLOG my word hit me. The expression "like a ton of bricks" is actually pretty appropriate. My word for 2009 is STRENGTH.

I could go on about why, but there are many reasons. Primarily I have some goals for myself this year that are going to require me to find and develop my personal strength in many areas, not the least of which is will power. I can do this, and my word for the year will serve as a wonderful reminder.

The little things

I am reminded once again to enjoy the little things and let things go. This must be a lesson I desperately need to learn. I was reading some BLOGS I follow and found this post It is so beautifully written that I felt it was just better to share it with you than try to summerize.

Remember to be grateful for the imperfections in our lives and the things that don't always feel like blessings. That is the only way to truly enjoy life and if you aren't going to enjoy it, but worry about the next minute, what is the point. There is no blessing that comes from worry.

What does my subconscious know?

Apparently, my subconscious has accepted things my conscious has not. My husband and son were leaving for Tae Kwon Do tonight. Right after heading out the door, my son comes running in yelling that Dad collapsed in the driveway. I very calmly said he what? "Dad collapsed in the driveway!" I walk -still calmly- out the front door and see the car with the open passenger door in the driveway, no husband visible. "Where?"
"Behind the car!"
I walk to the back and see nothing, keep -calmly- walking and see my husband on the ground next to the drivers door. I walk up and see he is conscious though obviously shaken. We begin to talk and I find out he slipped and fell on the ice. However he jammed his arm and really hit his shoulder hard. He is very much alive and will be fine.

Apparently at some level I have accepted that there will be a day he will collapse and it will not be this. It will be something serious medically. I know that because my thought walking to the car was very plainly "not yet, please". Also because I remained so calm. What was that about? I should have been running frantically out of the house. Don't misunderstand, I was very concerned and worried, just not panicked or frantic. I am pretty weirded out by this. Time to deal with stuff I don't want to I guess.

Awesome Cosmo Cricket Giveaway

There is some fantastic Cosmo Cricket being given away on this BLOG. Makes me drool, but be sure and leave a comment for your try at it as well.

Enjoy the other projects she has while you are there!

There is a GIVEAWAY!

and it is awesome! Lainey has a giveaway on her BLOG in addition to a bunch of fabulous gift ideas! Go check it out and sign up to win!!!

Unfair?

You won't become successful by complaining that life is unfair. Certainly there are many injustices in the world, yet you won't get anywhere by using those injustices as excuses.
Your best response is to work over, under, around and through them. Accept the fact that life is unfair, and choose to experience outstanding success anyway.

It is admirable to fight against injustice. But fighting against injustice may very well make that injustice even stronger.

A better way to end injustice is to make it irrelevant. When you create ways for yourself and others to succeed in spite of unfair circumstances, then you render those circumstances powerless.

The world is filled with inequity and unfairness. And yet, there are always plenty of workable and creative ways to rise above those negative circumstances.

When something in life is unfair, choose to succeed anyway. And make that unfairness so small and insignificant it won't even matter.

-- Ralph Marston

In Honor of Robert D. Lindenau

This is being sent to family of Army Capt. Robert D. Lindenau (39).

I so ROCK!

Yes, I am tooting my own horn! I have managed to teach myself to knit with two colors. This doesn't sound like much, but not only am I doing it, I am stranding with nice tension AND I am doing it without dropping colors in between. I am changing colors each stitch and it was making me NUTS. I can now knit English and Continental (don't ask me to remember which is which). I am carrying one color in my right hand and one color in my left. This is something I NEVER thought I would be able to do. I have attempted to knit carrying the yarn in my left multiple times and finally just gave up. I should have attempted two colors long ago. Pretty amazing what a high level of frustration can encourage a person to accomplish :)

The Day After

Thanksgiving it what I have been looking forward to. My plan has been to listen to Christmas music and start on my Christmas cookies. Each year I make a bunch. I don't eat a bunch, but do love making them. We make up cookie tins and plates to give to people for the holidays. Neighbors, co-workers, our mailman, etc. I start now and freeze them until we are ready to get them all put together.
Once again this year I am reminded that although the day is relaxing and enjoyable, it isn't quite like I imagine.
No music because my sister is asleep on the couch. The boys only want to 'taste test' rather than help (which is really fine with me because I enjoy baking and find it very soothing). I have down time waiting for dough to chill and I need to go to the store for more eggs.

That said, it is still a great day and MUCH better than going out in shopping in the chaotic mess I imagine there to be.

Learning Gratitude

We all have challenges in life. Some we create and some that just are. When I am very, very fortunate, I learn from these challenges. I have realized that currently I need to learn something. I need to learn to be grateful for things I have, specifically the things I have that I do not want.
This may sound a bit strange and if you think in terms of 'things' it is. However, start to think about what you have outside of the things and you will find there is a lot that you may not want. That seems like necessities or trials. I am working to be grateful for these things. This is TOUGH! I am not successful at it by any means, but I really believe that if I can make progress in this area and keep it in mind as I go through each day I will be a more positive and happy person.

In Honor of William M. Bennett

This OPH Comfort Afghan is being sent to the Mother of Army Sgt. 1st Class William M. Bennett (35)

Mailing some love and comfort

This is for a very wonderful lady who has most certainly gone through some difficult times lately. One of them being the loss of her Mother. I hope she can feel the love we are sending to her.

Head on

Some days life just comes at you head on and there is no getting away from it. Today that is how my morning started. I had an eye dr. appt. I left there having ordered glasses with a prism for my double vision - "oh and while we are at it, I am going to add some prescription to help with reading and computer work so your eyes won't be so fatigued" Translated=you are getting old people eyes!!!!!

Oh well, guess it'll make my DH happy. He tells me he misses me in glasses since I had Lasik.

Comfort for a family

This family recently had a young son pass away after an extensive medical battle. I can not imagine the pain they must be experiencing, but hope to provide a small measure of comfort with this afghan from Heartmade Blessings.