Chatty Cathy

I've spoken several times my love of dolls and my small collection. When I was a young girl I longed to have a Chatty Cathy doll. There was never enough money in the budget for one. In the late '90s Ashton-Drake, was selling reproductions. I delayed buying one, and the next thing I know they weren't being made anymore. Back in December I was checking out eBay, and found a seller who had several listed. So, I placed a bid, and got this sweet girl! She speaks very clearly and her voice sounds just as I remember. I also got an Advance pattern made for Chatty back in the early '60s. I'm planning on making a few things for her. There are other patterns in the series, and I'm keeping my eye out for them.

Cardi-wrap

I started the Stitch Diva's Hairpin lace Cardi-wrap in late October. When work started getting crazy, I put it in hibernation. I brought it back out yesterday. I'm in the process of recounting the loops to see how many more I need on this row. It's row D in the pattern, the longest row.
I decided to make it in Lion Brand Microspun yarn. I like the color, and the yarn works up easily enough. But, as you can see looking at the pictures, there are several white hairs on both the yarn and the row on the loom. I have two white dogs. Maybe, I should rethink the color. LOL
Lion Brand has numerous patterns for both knitting and crocheting. I'll be using several of those patterns as I continue to learn to knit and crochet. Along with great patterns by Stitch Diva, and some awesome patterns from Knitty.com.

McCall Pattern 9576

I finally finished McCall's 9576 jacket. I really like this jacket! It's made from fleece and very warm. With the temps dipping here in Florida it's going to be very cozy! It's difficult to tell from the picture, but all the plaids line up, and the hem IS even! LOL

So Disappointed

well, today at work, I spoke with "the person who determines my future". Which facility I will be placed at. When I first learned my facility was closing, I was asked to go to another facility to assist with the transfers of our residents to this facility. My placement wasn't to be permanent, I'd be there a couple of weeks, then go to another facility. I guess you can tell where this is heading. Today, I was "asked" to stay at this facility. She went on and on about what a great job I did at the previous facility and how they are grateful for what I've accomplished at this new facility. I thought I was getting terminated. You know how it goes. You may be asking, what is so bad about this other facility? The staff that transferred from "closing facility" to "new facility" is called names, like b***h and h*. I. AM. NOT making this up. So rude. So unprofessional. The first day I went there, I heard someone say " They better not think they can come in here and take over". What? Where did that come from? No one is trying to take over anything. We're just here to do a job and make a living like everyone else. We are generally referred to as "those people from (inset name of facility)", when they aren't calling us more colorful names. I spoke with "person who determines my future" about the hostile environment, and I will not even repeat here what her response was. I didn't think she understood what I had just told her. I was furious. I AM leaving out some details that have to do with a another co-worker from the "closing facility" that went to a third facility. But we both are presently seeking employment else where. Any body know a facility that needs two really good clinical reimbursement specialists? LOL This too shall pass. I just had to get it off my chest.

My Dad is leaving to go back to north Georgia tonight. I miss him already. I didn't get to spend as much time with him as I wanted because I had the flu. My brother and a friend of his came down to get him and drive him back. Daddy was eager to get back home. It's been freezing there and he wanted to get back and take care of his house. My fantasy is to win the lottery and move him down here. Get him a house very close to me so I can fix his dinner each evening. He wouldn't have to worry about anything the rest of his life.

I am eagerly awaiting the weekend. I have to leave work early tomorrow due to a 12:40 appointment with my chiropractor. I am planning on spending some time sewing on a jacket and my Kimberly bag. I'm using the same color and print as the green one. I've had it cut out for a couple of months. Hopefully, I can get it sewed this weekend.

I hope every one has a safe and happy weekend.

Biggest Loser

Tonight was the first episode of the new season of the Biggest Loser. I LOVE this show! I've already picked out my favorites. They are the white team, husband and wife, Jerry and Estella, which happens to be the oldest contestants. Jerry gave us a scare when his blood pressure bottomed out tonight. The orange team, best friends, David and Daniel, who is the heaviest ever contestant at only age 19. Such a cute face! The black team, cousins Blaine and Dane. These teams are being trained by Jillian Michaels, who is gorgeous, and intelligent and hot!!! and she could probably kick most guys butts! I'd love to be able to have her as a personal trainer! My next favorite is the brown team, father and son, Mike and Ron. They are being trained by Bob, who is not chopped liver by any means! love his ink! and I love his pose at the beginning of the show. Anyway, this season, an early twist is that at the first weigh-in there was not an elimination. But, nine contestants went home. One team won immunity from the challenge. One team won immunity by staying above the yellow line, losing the highest per centage of weight. Of the other nine, two person teams, each team had to send home a member. At the end of 30 days, if the partner staying at the ranch is still there, and hasn't been eliminated, the teammates that went home tonight will return to the ranch. I'm really looking forward to next weeks episode!

A parent should

never have to bury a child. Even though I had my son for 28 years, I know what it's like to lose a child. My world went dark on March 2, 2001. Michael was the light of my life. I just learned last night about the death of John Travolta and Kelly Preston's son Jett. My heart goes out to John Travolta and his family. Jett Travolta was only 16 years old. May he rest in eternal peace.

January's Posts

Here it is the fourth of the month and I've already blown my goal of posting every day in January. I just felt sooo bad yesterday I didn't even think about it.
I don't make resolutions because, well, I just can't seem to follow through. And how long does a resolution last? If you made one last year and make the same one this year...what is the point? People seem to make the same resolutions over and over. Just re-inforcing a "pass or fail" mentality. And negatively affecting their self esteem. So....I make goals....sometimes I reach them and sometimes I don't. I put forth an effort though. Some goals, I decide aren't worth achieving, such as finishing a book that I find is not as interesting as I thought when I first started it.
With that in mind, here are some of my goals for January:
1. Finish the Lion Brand swatch that has been on my side bar forever
2. Make one piece of jewelry
3. Complete one garment for myself and write a review
4. Make one outfit for one of my dolls
5. Finish half of the cardiwrap, also on the side bar

For you who do make resolutions: Good luck!

Still

feeling awful. At least my throat isn't sore now. But, I still have a fever and am feeling achy. I had to call off work today. I'm gonna lose holiday pay. But, there is no way I could have worked today.

Happy New Year

I had great plans for today, but I ended up sleeping on and off during the day due to catching the "bug" going around. Still feeling kinda crappy, so I'm just gonna go back to sleep. Unfortunately, won't be able to take off work tomorrow, so I hope I feel better in the morning.

January 20, 2008

It's 23 days until Mr. Barack Obama is inaugurated the 44th President of the United States. My birthday is the 21st. So, I'm thinking it's an early bd gift. LOL

My brother drove my Dad down from north Georgia last weekend, so he could spend Christmas with my sister and me. It had been over a year since I had seen him. He's looking well. Although he is a little unsteady on his feet at times. When he is at home he uses a rolling walker, but he only brought a cane with him. I am so thankful that I was able to spend Christmas with him.

I hope eveyone had a beautiful holiday.

Christmas Wish list

Every year my ex and I post a list on the fridge door of things we would like Santa to bring us for Christmas. Sometimes I put really expensive things on the list such as the BMW Z4 Roadster and sometimes things so cheap as a bottle of alcohol ink.
Here is my Christmas wish list this year:
1. CED Colin
2. Tripod
3. Perfect Pushup
4. Tilli Tomas Soie de la Mer yarn in Parchment
5. Alcohol inks
6. Bow and arrows
7. Stretching machine
8. Ashford Rigid Heddle Weaving Loom

I also have a list of books and Santa usually chooses three or four of them.
Knits for Girls and Dolls by Charlene Schurch
Quilt Your Favorite Photos by Betty Alofs
Madeleine Vionet by Betty Kirke
American Doll Quilts: 16 Little Projects That Honor a Tradition by Kathleen Tracy
I Can Make You Thin by Paul McKenna
What Every Body is Saying by Joe Navarro
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

What's on YOUR Christmas Wish List?

Nicki Lee is having a Give-a-way!

Nicki Lee is having a give-a-way! Check it out on her blog. All you have to do is guess the time of her son's birth. The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve and the person who comes the closest, will be the winner of the goodie bag. She has some gorgeous crazy quilted items and I love her hand dyed laces!

Pongo

Pongo, my sweet 12 year old Dalmation was having a difficult time walking and fell a couple of times last night. Walt took him to the vet's today. She couldn't find anything wrong just "eyeballing" him. She poked and prodded a bit and said he has some neurological damage to his hind legs and he probably has arthritis. She gave him some glucosamine and something for pain. This evening he is walking a lot better and doesn't seem to be having any discomfort. It's hard to believe it's been over 11 years since Walt found him while delivering mail. He was tied to a shed behind his owner's house. He finally saw someone giving him some water and the lady told him the owner's were getting divorced and couldn't take him to either of their new homes. Walt brought him home that day (after getting the okay from the man that owned him then). He was just a little "poopy dog" and I fell in love with him at first sight!

Sadly,

the nursing facility I work at is closing. It's eerie walking down the empty halls that once held young and old residents alike. It's sad to see them cry and ask if they really have to go. They are scared. The employees are scared too. It's the holidays, time for gaiety and lightheartedness. Not the time to worry about which sister facility we will be placed at, or if we will be placed. (I have already been told I will have a position with the company, but not which facility. And for that, I'm thankful.) We smile at the residents and tell them they will be well taken care of at their new home and how much we will miss them. The residents thank us and tell us how much they are going to miss us and when we re-open they want to come home. For some, we are their only family, their only friends, the only people who care about them. We smile until they are out of sight and then we cry. We seek out co-workers we are closest to, looking for support and strength to make it through another day. And we do make it another day, putting one foot in front of the other, life goes on. There will be other residents we will care about and care for, but we will never forget these residents.

I wasn't sure if I should blog about this. I decided to go ahead and do it. I love the facility I work at. It has been very stressful at times. I've done my share of complaining about things. I was disappointed when I had to go back there after taking the paralegal course and then wasn't able to find a job. As odd as it sounds, a lot of paralegal jobs were being outsourced at the time. Now, I am just as disappointed that I will no longer be working there. It's like a divorce and a family member dieing all rolled into one. I am just numb. The next few weeks are going to be difficult. I'm glad I don't have young children nearby. It would be hard to explain why Mommy or Gramma is so sad.

Shoes!

Don't you just LOVE getting a new pair of shoes? Even if you have to wait a few months to wear them. Such as these gorgeous turquoise espadrilles. I just missed the auction by a few seconds on eBay, when I had a difficult time logging on. But then, found them at half price a couple of weeks later. They perfectly match fabric I have to make a casual top.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Babies

Isn't this the most adorable creature you've ever seen?

Finally, I sewed something!

I finally sewed something! I made matching outfits for a friend's daughter and her My Twinn Doll.
My friend picked out the patterns and the fabric. The top was made from Butterick 4970 in a soft
and cuddley pink rayon lycra jersey. The capris were made from McCall's 5312, in a cotton khaki twill.

President Obama

Initially, I was all for Hillary. But, then, as I listened and watched, I knew I was watching and listening to the next President of the United States of America.
There was never a doubt in my mind on whether or not Barack Obama would win. I had faith in my fellow Americans that they would make the right choice.
They did.
What an exciting time. Watching history in the making.
President Obama
Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
I went to my voting place at ten after seven. After I turned the first corner and could get a better view, I was able to count 150 people in front of me. I wasn't able to count some people that were standing in groups or the voters that had already entered the building. It took me one and a half hours to cast my vote.
I just could not keep my eyes open Tuesday night and fell asleep about 10:30ish. At 11:51, I heard the words, "Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States of America."
I knew at that second that everything was going to be okay.

It's been a while

since I've last posted. I'll be making up for lost time over the next couple of weeks. LOL

While I was away I went from this


to this












I had a hard time deciding on the style and where I would get it cut, but I finally decided on Janet Mittendorf's. Walt also decided to get his hair cut while we were there, but I don't have pics of him. He only had two or three inches cut, while I had about twelve inches. And, I like the fact that the red color shows up even more now that it's shorter!

I'll be blogging about the projects I've completed and the ones I'm working on over the next week or so.