Shawl Week

Hello again! Well, it wasn't quite as long this time as it was for the last post. It's still been a busy week but I've figured out how to post the photos to blogger on my iPad and then type the actual words on my laptop which makes things a bit faster. 

Our precious Baby J celebrated her first birthday this week. Oh my goodness, what a celebration! They face-timed so we could be a part of the party. I have photos of her kissing my face on Alex's phone. She loves me and remembers me! That means SO much when we live so far away.

Yesterday was a long day with doctors appointments for Mom most of the day. We now have a referral to a neurologist for her as the memory tests didn't go well. We've noticed a memory issue for quite some time, but Mom was able to pass the memory tests until now. I detest the fact that she's losing her memory, but so far it's just short term and has no problem knowing people, etc. It's just recent events, appointments and the like that she doesn't remember. I spent some time on the phone this morning making several appointments for the future for her. Meanwhile, the doctor is putting her on a new medication that could help slow down the memory loss.

On Monday I was home while Dennis worked all day. Believe it or not, I crocheted this entire shawl in that one day while I watched two movies I had wanted to see. I used three skeins of Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Yarn." I bought it in the clearance sale for $1.24/skein. So I was able to make this shawl for the hospital for only $3.72! I think that's a pretty good deal. I basically made the pattern up using a basic shawl set up stitch. This yarn is so soft and squishy and I think whoever recieves it will appreciate it.

I also made this shawl this week. The details of the yarn are in my last post.  It's also nice and soft. Squishy too, but the yarn isn't as thick as the above shawl, so not quite as squishy.:-)

Today we made this sweet little tealight candle in our crafts group. We could choose the size canning jar we wanted. Then we brushed mod podge onto the the jar and placed dried flowers on the jar. Then we mod podged the entire jar over top of the flowers.

Partway around the jar.

And the rest of the way showing the twine bow.

I also put a flower on the top of the lid. It was a fun craft. They had 24 different packets of dried of flowers and greenery to choose from. Inside is a small tea light with a battery. When it lights up inside it's really pretty.

I forgot to show you the bunny I made last Wednesday. Is't it cute? I'll give it to Mom to put on her door for Easter and springtime.  For this one we had a wooden shape of a bunny and lots of fabrics to choose from.  You lay a square of fabric over the form with mod podge covering the shape. After it dries a bit, you just trim the fabric close to the wood. I added a "collar" and a pom-pom tail. Another super simple craft. I enjoy helping the older ladies who have arthritis in their hands and find some things, especially using scissors harder to do. One lady is 99 and shows up at every single activity. She has a few mobility issues but is the sweetest lady and loves everyone. She still lives alone in her apartment.

Not a lot else going on. In the evenings we've been busy planning our trip west this summer. We're staying at few KOA's and also in the Black Hills again at Fort Welikit where we stayed last year. We'll be house-sitting for friends in Spokane while there. We will stay in our camper and take care of their dog Izzy. She and Zoey are great friends. We're planning to be gone 3-4 weeks if all goes well, during he last week of June and into July. In September we'll be heading back to London for a big party. During the week following Memorial Day my sister Melanie, niece Chaela and hopefully Mandy and I will take a girls trip to Pioneer Woman's shops in Pawhuska, OK. Then on the way home, we'll stop in Westin, MO. I've been told there are some great antique and specialty shops there. Lots of fun things to look forward too.

I hope you all have a wonderful few days. We're supposed to get up to 71F tomorrow. Thats the warmest we've had so far this spring. I'm looking forward to that. Maybe winter has taken it's last gasp here after the snow dump we had on Sunday. We can only hope. :-)

Blessings and hugs,
Betsy