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I'm having trouble getting started. Trying to figure out what to say. Here's why, my husband is in the hospital. He's doing much better, and I expect that he'll be able to come home in a few more days. I started to write this big description of what had happened and how it's effecting me, but that's not what I want to do. Then I started writing about appreciating life and loving your family, but that's not what I want to say either. Those things are important, but what I really want to tell you is this: I've been trying to stay busy to keep the worrying at bay. I wanted a small project that I could finish in one afternoon. I was flipping through this issue of Crochet Today! and I found inspiration. So I grabbed my supplies... and following the step by step instructions on page 83 - 84, I created a collection of parts. I don't have much experience making things like this, but I threaded my needle and attached them one by one. When I was all done there was a little red bird in the world that hadn't existed earlier in the day. That makes me happy, and it kept me busy. I had to go to the library this afternoon and empty the book drop so the staff that open on Monday don't have to spend their morning checking in books. We just started closing on Saturday's and our patrons are still getting used to the idea. I stopped for a moment to appreciate the lovely flowers that are blooming in our garden. I brought along my little red bird because I thought it might be nice to take his picture outside. The sun was so bright, but he seems to be enjoying himself, and he's so light that he can perch just about anywhere! We were having so much fun that I decided to let my new Chubby Sheep spend a little time grazing. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon. If it weren't for my ability to loose myself in my crochet I would have spent the day worrying about John. And worrying isn't going to make him get better any faster. So I guess what I really wanted to say was this: The only thing in this whole world that you have any control over is how you respond to things. And when something happens that knocks you for a loop, you can choose to worry and fret and be anxious. Or you can choose to stay calm, to trust in your higher power, and find yourself some yarn.
Until next time friends, Be blessed and stitch & read with love! I was drawn to The Lost Years, the most recent offering by Mary Higgins Clark, because the inside cover told me, "(it) is at once a breathless murder mystery and a hunt for what may be the most precious religious and archeological treasure of all time." Sounds exciting doesn't it? Unfortunately, for me the book falls short of being "breathless" or any kind of treasure hunt.
The story begins in the Vatican Library in 1474 A.D., where thousands of sacred manuscripts are stored. The most controversial of these is know as both the Joseph of Arimathea Parchment and the Vatican Letter, believed by many to be the only letter ever written by the Christ. Fearful that it will be destroyed by Pope Sixtus IV who believes it to be a fake, a monk removes the letter from the Vatican and it is never seen again. Jonathan Lyons is a biblical scholar who, while cataloging documents from an ancient monastery, discovers what he thinks is the Vatican Letter. Within a few days of sharing his discovery with his closest colleagues Jonathan is found murdered in his home by his adult daughter. His wife, who suffers from dementia and advanced Alzheimer's, becomes the prime suspect as she is found hiding in the office closet holding the murder weapon. Mariah Lyons is convinced that her mother is innocent and sets about trying to discover who really killed her father and to find the missing letter. There's tremendous potential for a really great mystery here, but the book just doesn't take advantage of any of the characters or the significance of the missing document. The author introduces us to many people (too many?). I don't think any of them are well developed and as much as I wanted to, I just didn't care about any of them. Except maybe the mother. I was a little worried about her. The book reads really quickly. I admit that I didn't figure out "who-dun-it", and there were some unexpected little twist. Overall, I'd say it was a fair offering from Mary Higgins Clark. Not worth going out of your way for, but acceptable if you find it in the library of the B & B when you're looking for an easy read on a long weekend! Currently I'm reading The Body in the Boudoir by Katherine Hall Page. This is a Faith Fairchild Mystery and in this installment the author goes back in time and tells of the story of how Faith (the caterer) and her pastor husband Tom met. I'm about 70 pages in and so far the story is moving easily and the characters are as unique and entertaining as I hoped they would be. Check back next Thursday and I'll tell you if it holds its own or misses the mark! Interested in seeing what others are reading this week? Come with me to An Accidental Knitter where I link up on Thursdays. I may not have loved this book, but what do you think of the latest addition to my yarn stash? This is a bulky weight wool from Canada that I got for free from my terrific crochet/knitting group. The label says it's from Candide Yarns and is color 79. I have 6 skeins (about 1140 yds. / 24 oz.) of this wooly goodness - now what am I going to make with it!?! That's all for now. Until next time friends, Be blessed and stitch & read with love! The only fiber action today is this new yarn that I got for free! I don't know what I'll do with the cotton, but I'm sure I'll figure something out. And I don't even know what the orange sherbert looking stuff is, but I thought it would make a nice wash cloth or doily since there's not that much of it. The coup of the new addition however is that totally beautiful sock yarn, I have no idea what brand it is, but I think it's gorgeous. Since it doesn't have a name I'm going to call it "Autumn Stroll". I can't wait to give it a try with my new sock skills. I'm going to try a smaller hook this time because I think it'll make a nice fabric that way.
The past 24 hours have been busy. On Wednesday I wrote about balance, my lack of it to be specific. To add to the chaos I've been feeling, I spent way to many hours trying to make friends with Facebook (that's me asking for help on the Rav Group The Blog Hub). Eventually we established what can only be considered an "association". Friendship I fear is not in the cards for us. On top of that I've been trying to buy a new computer for the past two weeks. Really. I've somehow managed to turn a fairly straight forward purchase into I don't even know what. How's that possible? Here's the quick version: I purchased computer 1, brought it home, set it up and used it for about 10 days. It couldn't stay connected to the internet (wirelessly) and the space bar stuck. I tried trouble shooting with my internet provider with no improvement. Back it goes. Computer 2 (a different brand) comes home, gets set up and is incredibly slow and temperamental on the internet. Some pages open, some don't, those that do are so slow I could make dinner while waiting. I try to adjust settings, firewalls and such. It doesn't get any better. Back in the box it goes. And oh yeah, my son's 7 year old laptop is working like a champ so I know the connection is fine. Today I went to the store for one last try. The bright side of this adventure has been the staff at the store who have made the exchanges easy. I was going to get my money back, but I was assured by the friendly clerk that I can try another one if I want and as long as I keep my receipt I can bring it back (for any reason) within 15 days for a full refund. I figured why not? So here I am with yet another model computer. It's been about 6 hours and it seems like the third time might be the charm. I'm staying connected, the keys don't stick and it even has the big 17 inch screen (fancy!). Buying a computer shouldn't be like this, and I've probably added to the situation because I refuse to settle and I refuse to spend 3 hours on the phone with the manufactures tech support who I can't understand trying to adjust something that I just spent a bunch of money on. I'd rather take it back to the store. Again and again. Now I'm going to relax and see what's happening at Natural Suburbia and Wisdom Begins in Wonder. Why don't you join me? Until next time friends, Be blessed and stitch and read with love! Where I begin to match projects with people... I have to admit that participating in this challenge has been educational. Why, you ask? What have I learned? Well I already know that I am lazy and procrastinate always. What I didn't know was planning and preparing in advance (months, not weeks like I usually do) is quite a bit of effort! During this week I have been thinking about what I'll be making for whom. So far, all that I've really feel committed to is what I'll be making for my co-workers. Since they may be reading I'm not sharing more than that today. What I can say is that it will be one item made in a slightly different manner to make them each unique and personal for the recipient. As for everyone else well I'm keeping my options open and my eyes peeled for projects that strike my fancy. I don't think there are any blankets or throws in my future, but who knows? On another note, I realize that we're supposed to be reducing our stash, but I couldn't help but add these three yarns to my collection. After all they were free (from my club at the library) - and who can resist free yarn?! Plus I came across them on a day when I had socks on my mind, and I think each of them would make a fine sock. Maybe that's what I'll do. Make socks for everyone. Do you think they'll get suspicious when I ask for foot measurements?
Be sure to check out Marie's great tips and prompts over at Underground Crafter. Honestly it's because of her that I'm even considering my holiday list in May! That's all for today friends. Until next time, Be blessed and stitch & read with love! Analyzing the Stash
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My name is Robin. I am a wife, mother and strong believer in the power of faith. I'm a maker, a crafter and an artist. I love exploring new mediums and sharing my adventures with you. Did you enjoy your visit? Let me know by leaving a comment. I love knowing you dropped by, and hope to see you again soon! Be Blessed and Stitch & Read with Love! |