September blanket

This is the pink blanket I finished yesterday for the dRaffle I donated to.

It is made with Homespun and it's called Cotton Candy. I think it's such a bright and pretty color for a girl blanket.

It is 32 inches across and 42 inches wide.

Memory Verse Week 39

Proverbs 21:23 (New King James Version)

23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.


WOW! I have lived this for sure. I have let my tongue get me into trouble many times.

It is so very hard to tame the tongue, since it is just so easy to say something.

It's a terrific verse to keep close in your heart!!

Yarn!!!

Yarn. Isn't it pretty??

These are the colors I chose yesterday. There was a HUGE sale.

I had to buy yarn.

Isn't the lemonade one just yummy??

The weird thing about all these colors is, I could make a blanket with yarn from each color and it would be beautiful.

I didn't crochet for nine weeks and it was driving me crazy to not crochet.

Now I have several blankets and a bunch of prayer shawls to make. Plus anything else I come across for charity. I might make scarves again this year but I need to get going on them if I want to send them in time.

So, yeah, more yarn for my collection. But as my husband says, I use it!!

Thankful Thursday

I am not following the other blogs for the theme today. It's late, and I've had a busy day.

The little guy is ill, and my husband hurt his back. Little guy went to the doctor and he is ok, no strep or flu or anything, just an icky cold. The husband is seeing his doctor tomorrow--we'll see what the doctor says about his back.

Today was our 15th anniversary. We did manage to go out to dinner and the daughter and little guy made us a beautiful card for when we got home!!!

It's been a hectic week.

But I am thankful for it all!! It's a good week to be thankful for all that I have!!!

Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this
world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.


Our prayers will see answers when we believe in what we ask for.

-- John Iverson

Fifteen years!!!!!!!!!!!

Fifteen years ago on this day at 2 in the afternoon I married my husband.

My daughter was part of the wedding too, and she came with us on the last part of our honeymoon!!

I wanted to be married in the fall and this is the day we chose that worked out for all our schedules and the pastors schedule.

It rained briefly in the morning and by the time of the wedding it was beautiful sunshine out.

We had a lovely reception afterwards and then went to a hotel.

We had a beautiful room--it was decorated in a Grecian Roman style.

The next morning we flew out to Boston and drove to Maine to a bed and breakfast. It was absolutely gorgeous. We drove around a lot and we also enjoyed fresh lobster and crabs. We went to LL Bean and Pemaquid lighthouse. The country side was stunning.

Then we spent three days in Boston with my husbands Brother and sister in law. This is when our daughter joined us and we had a blast. We went to the Boston aquarium, ad Faneuil Hall, and many other places. It was wonderful. My husband was familiar with Boston because he had been there several times before.

The wedding was perfect, just how we wanted it and it wasn't too big. Just about 75 people or so.

I wouldn't change a thing about the wedding or the last 15 years!!!

September blanket

I finished this one last night. It's for the dRaffle for Kat's daughter that has a fatal disease.

I used Homespun yarn. This color is called blue Sky and it is very bright!

The blanket measures 32 inches wide and 38.5 inches long.

Autumnal Equinox

Autumn is my favorite time of year for many reasons.

Here is some info on the Autumnal Equinox.

In the language of science, an equinox is either of two points on the celestial sphere where the ecliptic and the celestial equator intersect. For the rest of us, it's one of two times a year when the Sun crosses the equator, and the day and night are of approximately equal length.

At the autumnal equinox (Sept 22, 2009; 4:18 P.M. CDT), the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator, from north to south; this marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.

The vernal equinox, also known as “the first point of Aries,” is the point at which the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator from south to north. This occurs about March 21, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

On the date of either equinox, the Sun is above the equator and night and day are of approximately equal length; the word equinox is often used to refer to either of these dates.

The equinoxes are not fixed points on the celestial sphere but move westward along the ecliptic, passing through all the constellations of the zodiacin 26,000 years. This motion is called the precession of the equinoxes. The vernal equinox is a reference point in the equatorial coordinate system.

the germatorium.......

Otherwise known as school.

The little guy and I have been sick. I am not sure if it's something the husband brought home since he got it first or if the little guy brought it home from school.

Judging from the absentee list at school today, I think that the germatorium might be the culprit.

We have all had slightly different illnesses.

Husband had a snotty cold.

The little guy has a cold and stuffiness, sore throat and icky tummy.

And I have some type of flu--typical symptoms.

Now, here's the interesting part I learned today about different schools.

The little guy goes to a private school and there are about 11 kids in his class. Some of the other classes are smaller. There is one class of each grade.

We go to the public school for speech twice a week.

The whole school is kindergarten, and has been for about 9 years. I had no idea and am somewhat curious about it.

They have about 14 classes of kindergarteners. About 21-26 kids per class. It is a very busy and somewhat noisy school.

Apparently this works out very well and the teachers all like it. I thought it was interesting.

Can you imagine all the germs and illnesses running through the schools?? No wonder there is such a high number of kids out at any given time.

The little guy went to preschool for two years and caught the occasional cold. I wonder how different this year will be??

Memory Verse Week 38

Proverbs 21:21 (New King James Version)

21 He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

September blanket

YAY!! Back to crocheting.

I finished this one Wednesday night. It's for the woman mentioned in the post a few days ago about giving birth on September 11. She had a little girl. They didn't know what they were having til the baby was born.

The color is Cotton Candy. And it is 28 inches wide and 39 inches long. It's kind of a small one--I miscalculated on this one.

(P.S. I am glad to be crocheting again after my hiatus. And, yesterday, I bought MORE YARN!! It was on sale..........)

Thankful Thursday

I am not following the theme this week for Thankful Thursday.

This week I have been reflecting on life. Just how fragile it can be and what an absolute miracle that life is!

I have been thinking about recent friends, and long lost friends and new friends, and even friends I call friend that I have never met!! I've learned that you can have a close friendship with someone you have never met--I have several people like that in my life. I have learned that you can have a close friendship with someone you have met, but do not live close to. I also have several friends like that.

And I have been reflecting on what a miracle that childbirth is!! It is incredible to me that a baby can grow to a living being inside a womb. It is absolutely incredible to me.

God is wonderful!! All I have to do is look around me, or even just look out the window to see His miraculous works!!

This week I am especially Thankful for my family and especially my Husband. I am thankful for my children--they bring me joy each day.

I am thankful for strangers I have never met--yet they have all pulled together as one tight community.

Today I am thankful.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
-- Psalm 23:4

Memory Verse Week 37

Proverbs 21:13 (New King James Version)

13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.

A birth and a death

September 11th is a significant day for many many reasons. I have a friend who has a birthday on this day.

Another friend gave birth to her third child just this year on this day. A beautiful baby girl!! Named Hannah.

Another woman I know died on this day this year. I originally wrote about her HERE.

She didn't even make it a year. It is so very sad. Her name is Vaike and she leaves behind a devoted husband and two very young children. The children are just four and barely two years old. A boy and a girl.

Vaike had colon cancer that everyone thought was caught in time. Sadly it was not. Vaike went through lots of treatments throughout the almost year she was diagnosed. She didn't even make it a year. She and her family were at least hoping for the 5 year plan.

There are a lot of people that are saddened by her passing.

She is a woman that won't be forgotten by many.

Please pray for peace and comfort for her family. They will need it to get through the next few days, months and years.

Psalm 103:8, King James Version

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

Finally done!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the LAST needlepoint chair that I have and it is FINISHED!!!! Except for the upper right hand corner, which I finished this afternoon. I have taken it off the frame, removed all the staples and tape and rolled it up. It is ready to go to my mom now!!!

I started this one on July 16 and and finished it today, September 12. Nine weeks and 2 days to do it all.

I will be glad to start working on some crochet projects again!!

September 11

I will never forget this day. I know where I was and what I was doing.

I had to fly just a few weeks after this happened and I wasn't sure what to expect.

In my little town, the firehouse has a HUGE flagged flying. It was nice to see that.

I will never forget.....................

Thankful Thursday

Today Laurie has chosen undeserved kindness.

I love sending cards to people, even if just to say "hi". I also love to send people crocheted items. I love sharing kindnesses with people, whether I know them or not. And my giving is without motive, it is just part of my character to have a giving attitude!!

I have been a recipient of many undeserved kindnesses. One that I think of is a package of special hummingbird cards from a special friend. She knows I love hummingbirds and sent me these cards.


Often I think that it would be a much nicer world if people would stop to think about their actions. If there were more unexpected kindnesses in the world, I am sure it would be a better place.

Daily I receive undeserved kindnesses from God.... I am thankful for that.

Today I am thankful for:
*my boy starting school and liking it!!
*getting used to new routines
*a nice lunch and book shopping with my husband
*my daughter
*my mom's successful eye surgery


Ephesians 4:32 (New Living Translation)

32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Joshua 1:9 (New Living Translation)

9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Letter box revisited

I originally posted about letter boxes Here.

Since then the company has gone out of business.

Thankfully I was receiving e mails from a woman who worked with this company.

I ordered two of the letter boxes. One for each of my children for their children.

Of course you don't need to order these letter boxes. A person could just write letters and buy a special box, but I wanted to get them each one for their children.

I am sad this company went out of business, they had some other really neat items on the site.

First day of school!!!

My little guy had his first day of kindergarten today.

He did well, like he has been going to school forever.

He got dressed in his uniform clothes, put on his brand new back pack, and went out to the car all by himself.

When we got to school, he put all his stuff in his locker and found his name and place at the table in his room.

I'm glad he went to pre school for two years because I think it helped prepare him for today.

My little guy wasn't nervous or anything!~! I'm so proud of him!! I know it will be an adjustment for him for a few days. And I know it will be a huge adjustment for me having him gone all day everyday. It's kind of a sad for me too.....

Now I am off to pick him up from his first day.

Wills--revisited

I first blogged about wills here.

Since that time, my mom and I went to a lawyer and had her will drawn up as she wanted it. She is happy with her new will.

My husband and I have also completed this task recently as well.

Though it is not a pleasant task, it needed to be done, since we have the little guy. The daughter is of age so no provisions needed to be made for her care.

We are glad we got this done now.

Labor Day

Info here

The History of Labor Day

For other Labor Day information, visit our Labor Day 2009 page.

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Founder of Labor Day

More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.

Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."

But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Labor Day Legislation

Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

A Nationwide Holiday

The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

Memory Verse Week 36

Proverbs 21:3 (New Living Translation)

3 The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just
than when we offer him sacrifices.

Thank you to Bethany for the weekly memory verses, they are great!!!

2010 Census

Earlier this year I took the test and filled out the papers to be a census taker in 2010.

The man that was in charge of the whole affair was a flake. He was mad, angry and highly disorganized. He called headquarters looking for help, and got off the phone upset. No one ever came to help him. It was absolutely awful.

The room was packed. People left because they didn't want to wait any longer.

The man threatened us that if the people that left took any of the papers/tests with them, then none of our tests would be valid.

Did I mention that I was there for FIVE hours?? This man was so very disorganized that it took that long to complete everything.

About a month ago, a census taker showed up at my door. Apparently it was just to confirm that I lived here. I told her about my experience.

Today I received a phone call from the Census, asking if I would still be available to help next year!! I said YES!! Then I explained to this man what had happened at the testing site. He could not believe it!

I told him I thought I would not be contacted because of the person giving the test.

He told me he would look into it all. I wonder if I will hear from him again??

I am so glad he called though because this is something I really want to do!!

Thankful Thursday

Today Laurie at Woman Taking a Stand has chosen "slow down" for the theme.

Often in our day to day busy-ness, we forget to take time for our relationship with God.

Some people get up early in the morning to have a time of devotion. Some people take that time at night or at a lunch break or even driving to work!

Sometimes when I am cleaning my house, I have a conversation with God. To me, this is my time to talk with Him and pray or even just talk about things that are on my mind.

I have learned in my life that I can stop and talk to God or pray at any time of the day or night and I often do.

What I need to do is set aside a time for just devotions.

I am thankful that our God hears us no matter what we are doing or where we are!

Today I am thankful for:
*beautiful end of summer days
*school starting on Tuesday
*my husband
*my children
*friends

James 1:19-20, King James Version

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Shopping.............

I am not a huge shopper, I never have been. There are few things I actually enjoy shopping for.

Today we finished fall/winter shopping for the little guy.

I found winter boots for him and a few long sleeved shirts to balance out his wardrobe.

This year he wears uniforms to school and we found those a few weeks ago!!

Then I had to order just three uniform shirts and I ordered his winter jacket at the same time.

He is well stocked up on jammies, socks and underwear.

The only thing I can think of is maybe some mittens. He has everything else.

And I may have bought some yarn today!! LOL

We also went to a new used clothing etc store and bought about 12 books for 14 dollars. Buy four and get one free too!! Great deal on books, I think that will be a new shopping place for books!!

FYI

I live in MINNESOTA.. I have my whole life. I have not moved.

State Fair

We all went to the state fair today. It was a gorgeous day for it. About 71 degrees and sunny!

We got there early and our daughter met us there. We were there for a very long time today and the little guy did very well. We all had a lot of fun.

Daddy and little guy went through the Butterfly house again this year. There was one year that he didn't really like it.

He and big sister went down the big slide again this year, they went twice. They go down it every year.

We watched a BMX bike show and a skateboard show. It was very fun to watch that and the little guy was very focused while watching it.

We watched the end of a kitty surgery and that was interesting too.

We saw the animals again this year. There were lots of baby pigs and a chickens and lambs. The little guy got to touch the baby chickens and pigs. They had some huge cows there too.

I also bought some of these. I know it seems goofy, but I have some of these and they really work. They soak up a ton of liquid. I got three of them for the price of one and I gave one to the girl and am giving a set to my mom.

We ate some food but not as much as in previous years. It's still yummy state fair food.

Our state fair is one of the biggest in attendance. Texas' state fair runs 24 days and Iowa's is a big one too.

I've gone almost every year since I was a little girl and it's fun to go with my family now.