Season of Hats

                                                     

Being this time of year it's not often we have 60 degree weather for a few days. This lead me to a walk in the wood, which I haven't done in over a year. It was tough being a nature gal at heart and loving this planet with all of the different birds, tree, leaves, bushes are extraordinary. I am so very grateful to be a part of it all. I sat in the wood, cried a while, the beauty and the sounds I am connect too. It's simply breathtaking, it sparks my spirit, soothes my soul and refreshes me to the fullest. 

I always carry my camera, of course, watch the birds flock to the trees of berries. Every once in awhile one will land in just the right place which means the camera must perform. It's one of my favorite things, my camera, and the planet combined. 

Also, I am on a hat crocheting phase and finding most of the hats use aran weight yarns, which I am not fond of...I don't like working the bulky or aran weight yarns. I am a fine, dk, worsted weight yarn gal. Oh, and don't get me started on the roving yarn as a hat..ever washed roving it's' often not pretty when it comes out. I just don't like the way roving works up or for that the thick and quicks. I guess I am picky when it comes to yarn, and rightly so. I did this minnie mouse hat while my other was battling cancer. I would sit and crochet while he sat in his recliner. It was difficult to watch his spirit fade already on it's destination home. Occasionally, it would find it's way back briefly and their he would be my man full of life for a few minutes. It's odd to watch a spirit come and go, not literally, but you know it's leaving they are just not themselves anymore. I would hang on so tightly to those moments it was fully their with him. So, I sat and crocheted hat after hat nothing that took a lot of concentration as I didn't know when he would need my help, in the spur of the moment. I am happy to say it's getting a bit easier as the months pass, 6 months now, although he is always with me in heart. As they say, I carry his heart, I carry it in mine.

Needless to say I am now adding detail to all the hats I crocheted while he was still with me and Minnie Mouse is one of them. I find though I am not much on adding detail anymore. Ears, bow, etc, just has become something I don't enjoy. Kind of a bummer as I really use to love it, now, I just want to make things like sweater, blankets and hats that don't require a lot of adding this and that when finished. This hat is a size 6 to 12 months in worsted weight yarn by Vanna White. I am learning to put lining in them it offers more of a winter warm hat.

Thanks for stopping by, warm wishes and we continue into the Holiday Season.

Tah-Dah Sweater

Well, the weather certainly has been strange here in Ohio. Warm then Cool back and forth, from sweaters to tee shirts and shorts. Who knows anymore. I've had two other projects going as I finished this one and the others near complete. Whee, it's bee knitting then crocheting. I am teaching myself to continental knit so it goes quicker, and that's a task in itself. Although I've always wanted to learn, it is difficult when following a design within a design. That's when I say, heck with it, I just toss if over and continue on...

I posted this sweater as I was making it and can say it was a joy. All the information one needs to knit this beauty is on this post. Nothing complicated at all. Other then my parakeets in the background talking away. Two girl's together, my oh my, then chat more than most girl's I know. I really never thought they would chat that much...it goes on and on just like a normal conversation with the exception I can't understand a cackle. If only....it would be nice to know what they talk about. Probably what is that lady doing with those needles and yarn? 

Give this pattern a go, there are many sizes available. I used Cascade 220 Superwash yarn in 1910. I really hope my grand daughter enjoys this one!

Hot Creative Days

These days it seems I am just on a working yarn roll. Normally, I don't in the summer, usually waiting for fall and winter. Honestly I believe it's the grieving process, from loosing my other. We all seem to do this in different ways, even stress is handled in different ways, for me, it's working yarn. Odd things, I am really enjoying the process and hope it grabs hold and continues throughout next summer. Oh boy, not the grieving, just the creating. Grieving is tough, it has it's days, pops in and out without warning. Yesterday was one of those days, from the moment I woke, it hit me hard all day. I sent my son a text, who's wife lost her father the year before (my son was very close to her dad) and said when does it stop. He always replies with something helpful...most of the time it's find your happiness, mom. This kid is an old sole, so far ahead of his age in life...the wisdom he has is amazing. 

Today is also my daughter's birthday, she's 31, sadly our relationship is a difficult one. We are totally opposite in every way possible. She is very conservative, organized, stubborn to a fault, where I am a free spirit, spontaneous, go with the flow mom. Not that they didn't have structure and rules growing up, they sure did, whee, it was tough but I had to get that free spirit a bit under control for them. Tough you bet, yet, worth it all. As they say, we live for our children until they leave the nest. It was tough to watch the last one go, in all, look what I am able to do. Create whenever I desire for as long as I choose.

The days in Ohio have been horrible hot, we literally have had recorded breaking temperature's due to all the hurricanes in the South. Yesterday registered near 100 degrees way too hot for this gal. I like warm, but yet, that is just crazy warm especially when it comes with the muggy humidity. The bright side it allows me to sit and create, in fact, the sweater in progress is half way done. A lightweight sweater, I used dk yarn, Bernat softee baby in soft red, appears to be pink to me, well hey, I didn't name the color but I like it just the same. The pattern is Fairy Dust, by Dani Sunshine on Ravelry. I am so enjoying this pattern, easy to follow, so well written. In fact, I plan on make more in different colors. I would recommend this pattern for anyone who knits or wants a really nice Holiday gift or  for any special occasion for the little ones. Available to make in sizes 3 months to 6 years. Follow the link and give it a go.

Today's Creating

There are so many things I enjoy doing both inside and outside, from knitting, crocheting, to photography and of course my girl's. This week was a tad difficult I have days where I wake in the middle of the night, sobbing, missing my other who passed in May 2017. The days are getting better in that area, yet, missing him seems to hit more at night, rightly so. I find comfort in my girl's, how I love them, a simple chicken brings me so much joy. Animals seem to do that, ya know, offer so much so easily even eggs...which is so exciting everyday, it never gets dull. I am so grateful for the girl's I added more to my flock. In the photograph from left to right, we have Ruby, Greta, Bessie, and Nosy Rosy she follows me everywhere and gets into everything. How she makes me smile.

I usually deal with the farm during the day and at night I knit or crochet. I've been knitting this sweater pattern that is truly easy should you know a bit about knitting, it is however, my first time adding the collar at the end. Okay, well yes, I did run out of yarn as I added length to the sweater, so I did have to order one more skein of Cascade 220 Superwash Sport. I did it in the color 1910 which the link will take you too. I just love Cascade Yarns and this one was so soft. Making it for my granddaughter who is 3 and being that age means, it better get done fast. I've also been out and about taking walks to relax, nature seems to have that affect on me, so soothing and inspirational. Which is why I carry my camera. Plus, I love taking photographs of the girl's. Should you be new to raising chicken's I'm your gal for questions. Learned a lot of what I know the hard way, hands on and of course the Internet, gee, what would we do without it? Give both chicken's and the sweater a go, you will enjoy them both!

When Life Gives Thorns....

"When life throws a thorn in your side it's all in how one chooses to receive it that Matters"

The newest grand baby, Henry, has had his share of thorns since his birth on July 14, 2015. Born with secondary Vesicoureteral reflux a condition due to a urinary tract malfunction which is hereditary, causes his right kidney unable to release urine, thus not functioning. I had it myself which lead to kidney surgery for me at 25. Thank goodness for technology in the Medical field, it's now detected at birth.

My daughter, Dannon, is handling it so incredibly well, she contributes her ability to do so from her little brothers (yes, I had 5 children) a set of twins born with Down Syndrome. Unfortunately, their father took the twins and ran...handicap children often equals a lifetime child support, he did not want to pay. She told me through the twins struggles she reminds herself that Henry's condition could have been far worse.

I believe there is a reason for everything in life...a lesson, a time to learn and grow. For my daughter I believe the twins prepared her for a struggle to come...they are her rose in the thorn of what's going on  in her life. I am so incredibly proud of her and in turn also told her there is no shame in crying, go ahead after all he is her son, and crying is something mothers do for there children. She is an amazing mother. Both her boy's are truly very lucky to have her as a mom, by all  means, I am not saying she is perfect, no mother can be as hard as we try. We are all things to our children and certainly not without feelings of helplessness and guilt. It all comes with being a mom and I can tell you it continues on until we leave this earth. Whenever one of my children are hurting, even though they are grown, it feels exactly the same as when they were young. It takes one back to the days when they needed our protection...so when they hurt...the old instincts return and I find myself wanting to protect them, because that's what we know. Yet as much as we want to, we have to step back, and let them go through it on their own...its how they learn about life. 

When it comes to Henry and his mom, I will be there for support in all ways I can be at times like this...when a thorn presents itself...remember to look for the bud that blooms to a rose...it's there somewhere one just had to search...

As for baby Henry, he is on antibiotics which will change at 6 months to a more powerful one and then at one, he will have surgery. We all pray, we all are blessed and we all know God will take good care of Henry. Be still my heart...I am in love with this baby boy.

Child Support is So Wrong!

From this on March 8, 1997

To this March 8, 2015

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY TO MY TWIN SONS BORN WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND TAKEN BY THEIR FATHER WHEN THEY WERE 8. I HAVEN'T SEEN THEM IN 10 YEARS. Photographs were given to me just last year by my ex's, mother, who I ran into at the store. It's the first I have seen of them since they were taken.

To all of those out there women and men who take their children or use their children as a pawn against the other parent...I say this...you do not truly love your children for if you did you would not use them as you do in any form. To live on child support, to gain more child support, constant reporting there other parent to child support, forcing the paying parent to jump through legal or verbal hoops for you...I also say...YOU ARE THE TRUEST FORM OF A  COWARD. To speak of the paying parent as most who receive child support do those children deserve better than you! If you truly love your children you parent them together, what you and your spouse have been through is not the children's to bare. 

My twins were taken by their father when they were 8...simply because I wanted a divorce and as he said in his own words...he would not pay child support and have nothing. Child support for handicap children is based on their ability at 18 to live on their own. If they can not the child support continues. Due to going against the child visitation laws...I filed a contempt of non visitation on my own in Court. Due to my ex looking at custody being reversed and looking at 6 years in prison, he plea bargained with the judge. The bargain was... that child support would no longer make me pay if I would drop the contempt. The judge took the deal without asking me. I still have not seen them to date.

To those who collect child support...the laws are about to change...a petition to the White House was accepted as it reached it's goal in signatures, I signed it myself. THE BRADLEY AMENDMENT will be revised. For those who do not understand the AMENDMENT LET ME EXPLAIN...

In 1986 Senator William Bradley, of New Jersey, put in to motion and amended the child support laws... it states that anyone regardless of race, color or creed, regardless of mental or physical condition, even in a coma shall pay child support. Any military personnel shall do the same.

Men and Woman in the Military have to follow the same rules even if incapacitated and this is America, this is what women have allowed to happen all in the name revenge. How on earth can anyone live with themselves when they use their children to gain or manipulate, you are only hurting the children...you are teaching them to hate.

According to the Bradley Amendment the person receiving child support has the ability to forgive the debt you owe, child support system themselves has the same ability but will not tell the paying parent. 

Child Support without a doubt is Unconstitutional..to not care if or how a paying parent lives is treating someone less than human. Nearly every person who maintains custody of their children are receiving some sort of Welfare due to the children. The paying parent is left to fend for themselves, drivers license are taken, which often prevents the paying parent access to their children or for that taking them anywhere. Please rethink what you are doing to your children and the paying parent.

Bradley Amendment

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In United States law, the Bradley Amendment (1986, Public law 99-509, 42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(9)(c), Bill Bradley) requires state courts to prohibit retroactive reduction of child support obligations. Specifically, it:

• automatically triggers a non-expiring lien whenever child support becomes past-due.
• overrides any state's statute of limitations.
• disallows any judicial discretion, even from bankruptcy judges.
• requires that the payment amounts be maintained without regard for the physical capability of the person owing child support (the obligor) to promptly document changed circumstances or regard for his awareness of the need to make the notification.

But, like any other past-due debt, the obligee, typically a mother, may forgive what is owed to her.

When past-due child support is owed to a state as a result of welfare paid out, the state is free to forgive some or all of it under what's known as an "offer in compromise".

A Child Lost

Now that the New Year has rung in we tend to think about years passed, all that has happened in our lives...often wondering...how on earth did we survive. For me it's been a strange yet beautiful life, along with what you're about to read...I sometimes wonder where did all my strength come from that let me stand every time I'd fall....in my years of growing up I think of these things off and on...

Like the story you are about to read...

LOST WITHOUT A TRACE....everyday I get to view this photo, it sits in plain view intentionally. It's one of my favorite photo's of all time, taken at a family gathering as he was caught of guard. I cherish this photograph, one it's gorgeous. The second I will tell you...Imagine a Local Mall in the early 1980's busy, lots of stores, always people everywhere especially on Holidays. A mother holding her second son who is a 3 months, a babysitter who tags along holding the younger son's hand to help a mom keep an eye on her children. Shopping in the Craft store at the Mall back then they all stand among the huge crowd, within a split second the babysitter let's go briefly and yells, where is he...the mother says what..the babysitter yells were is he..within seconds the boy is gone. The mother and babysitter split up combing the store..no sign anywhere..the mother has the girl at the register call security..the babysitter says, I'm going to search the Mall suddenly over an intercom everyone hears CODE ADAM...the feeling in the mother's heart explainable, in her mind she keeps hearing where are you baby please God where is my baby. Help me, help me. As the mother proceeds to meet with security, the babysitter and another member of security round the corner from the main entrance of the Mall...holding her hand is the mother's son. With tears flowing the mother yells Oh, my God, and takes off towards the three. That was my 3 year old son then...I can not explain to this day how it all felt. I can still only i only imagine what would have happened. Heading out the main entrance with my son in hand was a middle aged woman, as she opens the first door my babysitter running yells Adam, Adam, he turns around as the babysitter approaches in her run, the woman releases his hand and takes off. We never did find out who back then camera's were not as functional as now, and it was such a busy Holiday the Mall was so filled with shoppers, it was unreal. Today, it still enters my mind, things come about that remind me. It's etched in my memory, rightly so, as within a split second he was gone Without a Trace...every movie I see or drama that contains lost children/people I can not avoid watching...as my heart goes out to them all. That night when all was said and done, I called a radio station that was taking requests. I ask them to play "Somewhere Out There" by Linda Ronstadt and dedicated it to all the missing children...that in prayer, miracles happen, and God would let those missing find their way home. As the song played on that dark night I sat with the babysitter outside on the porch, watching the moon, while that little boy slept in his bed safe and sound. Again, I look at his photograph and am so very blessed he found is way back that awful day. A mother's love reaches many heights...and one is...she never gives up, and never let's go, when it comes to protecting her young...Ever!

Life is truly beautiful...despite it's highs and lows...we are all meant to travel a road...our own journey no matter how happy or painful...we are to experience, to learn, to become the people we are meant to be. Without all of my journeys trials and tribulations I would not be who I am today, I know my heart, I know who I am, and most of all I am strong, still standing. I am still experiencing and learning, and I am a SURVIVOR and that's the best part...

so here I am today about to turn 60 this year, yes this is me (simply good genetics) grateful and blessed  beyond measure! So where did all that ability to stand and rise through it all come from, one simple answer, Faith.

They Seem To Be Missing...

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday was a day of many thoughts, mostly of my son who is separated from his son's, my grand babies, as the family as split after 12 years. The sun was shinning, a bit of clouds here and there, the temperature was decent I was outside tending to the veggie garden which seems to be moving slowly. I don't know if it's because spring took so long to arrive. All I know is there is not much growing around us and although green is everywhere color is just missing at least for me.

I love it outside against the colors of nature mostly because it's random and somehow perfectly set in it's place. Yet so much is missing it seems nature is changing the way it effects us here in the East confusing the normal growth it usually produces. Change seems to be happening all around the Country. But, despite the fact nature is changing, I couldn't get my son out of my thoughts so I decided to put on my best attire and head toward the store to buy some flowers.

When I lived in Paris I loved the way the flowers could be bought on the street here and there with little cafes and bakeries quaint tables and chairs outside. It's not like that here where I live sometimes I miss it. But despite all I began my hardy walk down the side road filled with nature everywhere. I bought my flowers, yellow daisies for the veggie garden as bees also seem to be non existing this year. A few small packs of red inpatients for my deck was just what I needed as was the walk. I bought my son a father's day gift from Hallmark, they have these really cool double frames perfect

for two children. A photo on one side and a really neat way to put there hand print on the other. I thought this would be nice keepsake display for my son. I called him on the way home and had a really nice chat. It's so hard when your children hurt, no matter what age, it just somehow takes you back to when they were little and you could mend there bumps and bruises, keep them safe from bullies and even the boogie man at night.

So, I ended the day by planting the flowers in the garden and the impatient across the front of the deck, weeding the veggies and covering the lettuce, beets, carrots from all the rabbits. The final task was picking mulberries. I like to soak them in water kind of let them marinate for a day or two with a bit of sugar like I do with strawberries. Oh, they are so delicious this way I can't wait to eat them a fruit that just grows random around the U.S. offers a free and natural nutritional food.

Check them out on the Internet who knew they contained so many nutrients beneficial to our bodies and not to mention there are lots of recipes too.

 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE DAD'S OUT THERE.

I hope your day was spectacular!

Gorgeous Poem for Newtown

Today I heard this poem, it was so beautiful it just had to be shared. It also saddened me to hear of the scammers that are taking advantage of such a tragedy. Greed has many faces and to take advantage of the loss of a child is just unacceptable on any level. After this poem I am no longer speaking of this, a day that shook a nation and left behind families to grieve. It's now time to let them have peace, give them back there privacy as it was before the tragedy.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE CHILDREN OF SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"This is heaven." declared a small boy. "We're spending Christmas at God's house."

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their Savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring.

Those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

Then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.

Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

Then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"Come now my children, let me show you around."

Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

and I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

26 Acts of Kindness For NewTown Children

 

 Early this morning while watching Good Morning America on ABC. Laura Spencer suggested the country participate in 26 Acts of Kindness for each of the victims of 

Sandy Hook Elementary.

I thought it was a wonderful way to show how we can come together as humans in honor of those who lost there lives in such a tragic way.

 Please make sure you take time and read this entire post.

 

 I am working on what I can do for 26 acts of Kindness in truly meaningful ways. Ones that will honor each of those listed below with more than just a simple hello or helping someone with there packages. No, they have to be greater and they have to be heartfelt. For me, I personally don't want to forget there names, like those of many other tragedies which have happened before this one. These lives deserve more, so much more.

And, although we are all God's children, the small ones, the new ones to this life which represent a new beginning a new world to come, are here for all of us to acknowledge and protect as " the morals of our society, are in how we treat and protect the children." From what happened in NewTown it somehow doesn't ring true. It seems to be the way of this new world we live in, this new place where a lot these days, doesn't make sense. But tragedies are everywhere, more babies it seems have died this year of 2012 from violence then any other year I can seem to find.

Yet it's clear now places in our country still exist, where the innocent, those who trust the most, those who still want to believe and live as if the world still holds true, that evil doesn't or wouldn't touch. We can no longer afford to believe that way, now with this sad tragedy, can not wear blinders, no longer think that there is such a place so magical, it's untouched by such evil.

Those tiny little lives are changing things across the country which makes me believe there lives were not lost in vain. Let us not just make it a moment of tragedy to be left behind in a month. Let us make it really count. Let it make history, not in the tragedy of the moment, let it make history for the fact they lived, no matter how short the time. They lived, and by doing so they made this our America a better country forever.

In this senseless moment I have decided for the first time to work with color. To knit with the colors of the rainbow and make a blanket. And to work on what my 26 Acts of Kindness will be....in honor of those listed below.

May God hold them tightly and their parents even tighter as they begin a long journey for there own peace. God Bless the children below...and there heroic adults.

20 Children: Charlotte Bacon, 6 -Daniel Barden, 7 -Olivia Engel, 6 -Josephine Gay, 7 -Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 6 -Dylan Hockley, 6 -Madeleine F. Hsu, 6 -Catherine V. Hubbard, 6 -Chase Kowalski, 7 -Jesse Lewis, 6 -James Mattioli, 6 -Grace McDonnell, 7 -Emilie Parker, 6 -Jack Pinto, 6 Noah Pozner, 6 -Caroline Previdi, 6 -Jessica Rekos, 6 -Avielle Richman, 6 -Benjamin Wheeler, 6 -Allison N. Wyatt, 6

Six adults
Rachel Davino, 29 -Dawn Hochsprung, 47, principal -Anne Marie Murphy, 52, special education teacher -Lauren Rousseau, 30, teacher -Mary Sherlach, 56, school psychologist -Victoria Soto, 27, first grade teacher


Will you too participate? Will you too find 26 acts of Kindness, do them and write them down. Share them on your own blog? Make this like a chain letter that no one breaks....please once you have read this post, send it on to someone else. We must in honor of these 20 children and 6 adults make the loss of there lives really count for something greater than in the way they passed. Please pass this along and don't break the chain...

If you haven't read it...the poem in the post below is truly beautiful.

Thank you...Pamela