Friday, April 4, 2025
Again…
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Hello again!
Dennis had his planned endoscopy two weeks ago today. All went very, very well. He said it was like a day at the spa.😂 We arrived at the hospital at 6:30 AM and by 9:00 we were at Village Inn enjoying breakfast! The test results came back that he does not have Barrett’s esophagus, which is a precancerous condition, as he was told in Spokane. He also does not have to have any more endoscopies unless he has problems. All very, very good news.
I have put up a few Easter decorations around the condo.
I made the Easter eggs years and years ago. I think it was a free pattern on Ravelry if I remember correctly.
Last Wednesday we had a blizzard and ended up with almost 9 inches of snow. On Tuesday it had been 72° and an absolutely gorgeous spring day. This is what happens in Nebraska!
By Thursday, everything was melting and by Saturday 8 inches of snow was gone!
I have been busy since I was away.
Several baby blankets were made for the open door mission.
This one hasn’t been blocked yet so it looks a little wonky.
And this is my “in progress” blanket. I also have a pair of socks on the needles for my take along project.
I’m sorry I’ve been away. Life just got rather intense for a while with me being sick, Dennis’s endoscopy and Mom. Always Mom. She’s taken another downhill turn in her memory. We try to be with her every day for at least a little while. Last night, I went over and gave her a pedicure and helped her get ready for bed. We had hoped to go camping yesterday, today and tomorrow just to get away, but still close by, but we have storms predicted for tomorrow, so decided to put it off for a week. We have been enjoying going to fish fries at the Catholic Church around the corner from us on Friday evenings with two other couples from church. That’s about the extent of our social life at this point. As I said, Mom is keeping us very busy. They have increased one of her medication’s to help with the paranoia, hallucinations and confusion. It seems to be helping a little bit the last couple of days. We get phone calls, asking us if one of us can come over because she refuses her medication’s or even to have them do her blood test for blood sugar. She’s sure they’re trying to kill her. At least at this point, she still trusts Dennis and I, and if we tell her, it’s okay she’ll take her medicines. Especially me for some reason. Sometimes she’s even a little suspicious of Dennis, which is really strange. But I guess there’s no explaining dementia is there? I dread the day when she doesn’t know who we are either.
Blessings and love,
Thine shall the glory be
Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow
Lead me to Calvary
Lest I forget Thine agony
Lest I forget Thy love for me
Lead me to Calvary
Daily my cross for Thee
Even Thy cup of grief to share
Thou hast borne all for me
Lest I forget Thine agony
Lest I forget Thy love for me
Lead me to Calvary
Lest I forget Thine agony
Lest I forget Thy love for me
Lead me to Calvary
Monday, March 10, 2025
Forgotten?
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Good Morning
Here is my beautiful Piper waiting to go back and get her braces put on:
And right after getting them. It's been a couple of weeks and after a few really painful days, I think she's beginning to adjust. She plays the baritone horn in band though, and I'm not sure how that's going. I keep forgetting to ask her. Isn't she beautiful? I just love her smile.
She has recently redid her room a little bit. Gone are the Eiffel Tower and Paris scenes comforter Papa Queen bought for her. She's liking more grown up bedding, although she still loves Paris decor. And our precious little Lizzie is always right there. She adores Piper and so does Zoey. And of course, so do we!
I have a few more pairs of mittens made for the school kids.
Another baby blanket for the Open Door Mission. It's called the Floating Squares Baby Blanket and I don't remember where I got the pattern from. I think it was probably a YouTube video. I used a J hook and Caron Yarn.
I'm working on this one now. Just a few more inches long and then the boarder. This is made using Bernat Baby Sport yarn. Dennis is volunteering at the Open Door Mission's food bank today as he does every Wednesday. Tuesday he goes to the donation drop off center to volunteer. He just called and said it's been pretty slow because of the bad roads, but they expect it to get busier this afternoon as it warms up. He usually doesn't even have time to call me as they are so busy giving out donated food.
I went to the neuro-surgeon last week and his recommendation is to not touch the cyst on my spine unless it grows. It is actually touching my spinal column and they would have to remove part of my spine and put it back together with screws. There is no guarantee I wouldn't be worse off than I am now. I may have to face it in the future if the cyst keeps growing, but I'm hoping to ignore it until then. After returning from London, I may have some other procedures to try to stop the spasms, but again, there is no guarantee they will help. It could be worse and others deal with much more serious issues so I refuse to complain. (At least I try not to.) Ha!
Blessings and love,
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the Word.
From heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.
yet one o'er all the earth;
her charter of salvation,
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with every grace endued.
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace forevermore;
till, with the vision glorious,
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.
with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Cccccold!
I took this photo of our balcony this morning. I’m sorry it’s through the screen, but I wasn’t about to go outside in my PJs in the cold. It snowed for 24 hours straight beginning before midnight Sunday night. There wasn’t a huge accumulation, but this doesn’t accurately reflect how much we actually got since a lot of it blew off of the balcony. Since the wind was blowing, it’s hard to get an accurate picture of how much snow fell.
I’m happily staying at home with Zoey and knitting on more mittens…
And showing off the baby blanket I just finished for the mission. She turned her head, just as I snapped the picture as you can tell by the blur. She doesn’t hold still for very long, but she does like to show off my knitting and crocheting.
This is another blanket using the “Grace” pattern, which is free on Ravelry. I used Caron yarn in the Carrera Marble
Yesterday we were discussing when we might be going to London again to see our kids there. I decided to check plane tickets for March since that’s when “baby J” will have her third birthday. We’ve missed her first two. Lo and behold, the tickets were very reasonably priced so we immediately booked them. We’ll be going during the last couple of weeks of March and we’ll get to spend her birthday with her! We also had to apply for the ETA, the new visa that’s required for Americans to go to the UK. It wasn’t too difficult and it lasts for two years, so I think we’re all set. As much as I dread the plane trip because of the tight quarters, (my long legs just don’t like those tight spaces,) we’re excited to see our kids again.
Blessings and love,
No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true.
I would tell you how He changed my life completely;
He did something no other friend could do.
Chorus
No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There's no other friend so kind as He.
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me;
O how much He cared for me.
All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me;
All my heart was full of misery and woe,
Jesus placed His strong arms about me
And He led me in the way I ought to go.
Chorus
Every day He comes to me with new assurance;
More and more I understand His word of love.
But I'll never know just why He came to save me,
Till someday I see His blessed face above.
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Surprises and Fun With Friends!
In this photo, I have four pair of mittens made, but there are actually five done. I finished another pair of lavender mittens yesterday afternoon after I took this photo. I’m excited to have a place to donate mittens again.
Please excuse the wrinkly blanket and the sunlight streak. I haven’t had time to wash this one yet, but another baby blanket is ready to go to the open door mission as soon as it’s washed.
Last night we had our valentines cake decorating party here. On Thursday I baked 25 little heart-shaped cakes and a dozen cupcakes. The ones on the right with the little hearts on the lids are gluten-free for our friend Amanda. I’ve been gathering up decorating frosting’s, sprinkles, edible glitter, and candies to decorate with. And those cute gnomes that are over a foot tall for only $1.25 each at the dollar tree! Aren’t they cute? I was puzzling on how everyone would be able to get their cakes home in one piece and I found these perfect little baking pans with lids on Amazon.
So last night, Jeff and Angie, Curt and Barb and Amanda all came over and we got Little Caesars pizza for us and a gluten-free pizza for Amanda and we had a fun-filled dinner together before settling down to decorate the cakes. There was so much fun and laughter along the way. I think the cakes turned out great! We decorated the cupcakes and ate those for our dessert.
This is the same group that carved pumpkins in October and made gingerbread houses together in December. It’s a fun way to look forward to things throughout the long winter days. The other five go bike riding once a week during the summer. Unfortunately, my back doesn’t allow us to join in on that activity, but this is also our camping group and we already have two camping trips planned for this coming summer.
Well, it’s a short but sweet post, literally. A lot of sugar in those cakes! Oh the fun we had last night. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, finding joy in your heart.
Blessings and love,
- Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.- Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
- Refrain:
- Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, “Let them come to Me.” - Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live. - Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in. - Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.
Friday, January 31, 2025
February!
The kitchen sink. I just purchased a new bottle for my dish soap as the last one had a crack in it. That drainboard/sink cover is the greatest thing. One came with our camper and I used it so much, I bought one for the house. You can drain veggies, dishes, whatever you need to. I use it a lot for pots and pans that I don't like to put in the dishwasher.
The Scandanavian Heart garland that I made years ago from my dear blog friend Teresa Kasner's pattern. She designed the pattern and although she passed a few years ago, her husband has left the blog up and the pattern is at the top right on her home page. They are quick and easy to crochet and always make me smile and think of dear Teresa, a very talented lady and good friend. Dennis and I used to drive to Portland, OR to have dinner with Teresa and Dayle at various places. The last one was shortly before Teresa died. We met them on the Oregon coast in Lincoln City at a nice restaurant right on the beach at D'River. D'River is the shortest river in the world where fresh water meets up with the salt water of the Pacific. I sure miss Teresa. We had a great phone conversation the afternoon that she passed. Right after we hung up she went to the hospital. Such a sad thing and a loss for the crafting community.
My orchids are loving this diffused morning sunshine. I'm still waiting for my violet to bloom, but since it was just a dried up shrivel of a plant when I found it in the trash at Walmart, I figured it would take awhile. They even gave it to me free because as the worker said, "it's dead, I don't know why you want it." Well, it's not dead, but it still hasn't flowered either. The sweet little card is one that Araignee, (Debbie), sent with some soap a couple of weeks ago. I really, really like her homemade soap. It's wonderful and easy on the hands. She puts such care into wrapping, providing an ingredient list and even a little card with each bar. Thank you again Debbie! She's at the "Araignee's Tangled Web" blog on my sidebar.
I cross-stitched the bunny tray about 36-37 years ago. I also made one for one of the Mom's I babysat for. We have a kissing booth all set up here in our kitchen. Do you want to come visit and get a hug?
Here is a little wider view showing the china cabinet. This week I cleaned some things out of it that I've had for years and taken them to the thrift store. After moving Mom out of her house of 47 years, (and she never threw anything away), I've promised myself that our kids won't have to sift through a ton of stuff when we're gone. Actually, it feels very freeing to get rid of some "stuff" we don't need. Except yarn, I'm afraid they'll have to go through yarn when I die. :-)
One of the things like like most about this condo is the laundry right next to the kitchen/living room/ dining area. It makes it so easy to do our laundry that I don't mind it at all. Our newest purchase is the little rolling can storage cart on the bottom left. We don't have much of a panty here at all, so this has come in very handy. I had the extra cans in rolling plastic bins under our bed, but it was just too difficult to get down on my hands and knees and drag that very heavy thing out every time I needed some canned food. I try to keep things we eat often on hand just in case. I don't think I'll ever forget the empty grocery shelves during covid. So I keep a month or two of groceries on hand. (And toilet paper!) Ha!
My first pair of mittens in over two years! They actually took longer than I thought they would, considering I've made hundreds of pairs in this exact size. But I had to keep referring to the pattern as a refresher course. Now, I think I've got it in my head again and will get rolling faster. I'll try to make at least 3-4 pair a week, as I can usually make a pair in this size in about 3 hours or so. I'm going to check with my friend and see if they would like larger sizes too, so they would have them for all the elementary students that need them, not just K-2 grades that these normally fit.
I was asked what pattern I use for the mittens. Here is a photo of the pamplet that I bought on Amazon. It has patterns for both the pointed tops and the rounded ones that I prefer to make for the children. I've done both and I have mittens for Mandy, Piper and I with both pointed and round. The cute hat patterns are also included. I'm not sure if the leaflet is still in stock or not. Let me know if you can't find it anywhere.
A larger view of the leaflet number. It's Leisure Arts #391.
Well, that's it. Not much else happening here. It was another gorgeously sunny day today, but tomorrow is supposed to be cloudy. Sunday is predicted for 56F! I can't believe the weather this past week. After Sunday, it's supposed to cool into the 30's during the day and teens at night. That will be more like January in Nebraska!
My doctor sent me a message this afternoon that he has referred me to an endocrinologist. Did I spell that right? Anyway, he wants another opinion on the mass, growth or whatever you want to call it on my adrenal gland, that showed up even clearer in the CT scan this week. I feel like I'm living the book, "If you give a mouse a cookie." I had the MRI to check my back muscles and joints because of the spasms. They found a cyst on my spine, so now I have an appointment next month with a neurosurgeon. Now an endocrinologist too. I don't think I want any more tests, if they're just going to find stuff. :-) Ha! It's all part of growing older, right?
Blessings and love,
SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEARTl
What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
2 I have ceased from my wand'ring and going astray,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And my sins which were many are all washed away,
Since Jesus came into my heart! [Refrain]
3 I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,
Since Jesus came into my heart! [Refrain]
4 There's a light in the valley of
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And the gates of the City beyond I can see,
Since Jesus came into my heart! [Refrain]
5 I shall go there to dwell in that city, I know,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And I'm happy, so happy, as onward I go,
Since Jesus came into my heart! [Refrain]
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Baby It’s Warm Outside
A friend at church is a school nurse for a low income elementary school here. Many of the children are refugees through Catholic Charities. She said mittens are very needed there, so I'll start making them again. I enjoy making them and have missed it. They use up lots of worsted scraps too.
After I wash them, I keep finished projects in bins in the closet until they are donated or given away as a gift. The bottom two bins have leftover balls of sock yarn that I try to use up, but it just seems to multiply. The purple bag has my yarn swift from Paradise Fibers in Spokane. The bags underneath have projeccts in them that I may or may not get to. They've been in those bags since before we moved from Spokane. I should just frog them and put the yarn to better use.
Now for the recipient of the sweater that I made earlier this month. She told me that I could share her photo. This is Pamela from the "Closed Doors, Open Windows" blog. She is an amazing Christian woman, encourager. wildlife lover and friend. I am blessed every time I read one of her posts. God put it into my head to maker her a sweater. I've never done that for anyone besides family, but when God tells you to do something, you do it! And do you know, Pamela lives in Florida where it was so cold last week? She got the sweater just before it got so cold. God's timing is perfect. He knew Pamela needed a sweater and told me to make it, and it got to her just when she needed it. Look at her beautiful smile. I LOVE it! And who knew? I had no idea of her size, but it fit her perfectly. God is amazing!
And she likes the pockets as much as I do on mine. Now she matches Piper. I want one is this color too. I'm just so happy that she likes it.
I better finish that chicken and noodles to take to my sick kids. Please pray for a swift recovery and that Brad doesn"t get it. As I said, Piper is much better, but Mandy is still pretty sick. Hopefully the chicken and noodles work their magic and they're completely well tomorrow.
Blessings and love,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me,
And He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own.
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing.
And the melody that He gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing.
And He walks with me,
And He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own.
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
I'd stay in the garden with Him,
'Tho the night around me be falling.
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.
And He walks with me,
And He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own.
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.