On Retirement

Quite honestly, it took me a few years to adjust to retirement from my 32 years in education. I had to focus on what I truly wanted to do each day. What do I feel like doing? It was a challenging adjustment. I truly miss the children and avoided driving by a school during the school year. Strange, yes? It was a process of giving myself permission to "indulge" my whims. If I feel like knitting and reading all afternoon, its truly OK to do that. I had to think of it differently, as not being an indulgence, not taking time away from something more important. Initially, I had to think in terms of "I've earned this." You see, I still was trying to validate this shift in how I spent my time. I don't have to be busy-busy-busy. Its OK to do the things I enjoy and not necessarily follow the "retirement guidelines" such as volunteer, keep a schedule, etc. Many of my friends do those things and find it completely fulfilling. I realized I wanted to completely shift out of structure, thus realizing my newly acquired sense of freedom. Freedom became my perspective on retirement, however it took me a while to get there. Each of is as unique in this life change as we are in many other ways. During the '70s, I began to use the "Free To Be You and Me" album from Marlo Thomas to help children build self-esteem. I haven't thought of it in decades until I heard it on a commercial the other day. Time warp! I realized that phrase has an entirely new meaning for me at this stage of life!!

Blog Tip of the Day
http://www.biblegateway.com/

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This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.   ~ Psalm 118:24

WIP Baby Blanket

After searching for my camera for the past couple of weeks, I finally decided to use my phone cam so that I can post some pix of the baby blanket that I'm crocheting.

My only niece is expecting their third baby in September. A nephew and his gf are expecting--I think in January, so my sister is excited to have two new grands on the way!! Then, my hair dresser told me that she is pregnant. There you go -- things happening in threes. I'm making baby blankets here all of a sudden.

Dear Niece and her DH choose not to know the baby's gender until the birth, so I am crocheting this gender neutral --- or as I've been thinking of it, "non-denominational" --- little blanket with Mission Falls 1824 cotton and an I hook.

The pattern is "Accra Tri-Colored Baby Blanket", a free pattern at http://www.naturallycaron.com/ I have opted to use hdc rather than the sc in the pattern. As I have said many times, hdc is my favorite stitch because of the nice look it gives to items. Another adjustment I'm making is how I'm doing the embellishments. I've decided to crochet them separately, then stitch them to the blanket once the baby's gender/denomination is known. Hearts and flowers for a girl. Stars and possibly a heart in the center for a boy. This WIP is working up so quickly and is fun to make!

Blog Tip of the Day
http://www.mdupraw.blogspot.com/

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And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~~Colossians 3:17

Wordless Wednesday -- On Our Boat

http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/

Blog Tip of the Day

http://divinacucina.blogspot.com/

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The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.  ~~2 Timothy 2:2

Mum's the Word

http://cozymysterychallenge.blogspot.com/

Mum's the Word by Kate Collins

My rating: 1 of 5 stars
Hoping to find another cozy mystery series to enjoy, I read MUM'S THE WORD by Kate Collins, her first effort in "A Flower Shop Mystery" series. It seemed like a series I would enjoy. It isn't. Though the story line is unbelievable, it is OK enough for a cozy. The characters are varied with the requisite personality types...check. The writing. That's the weak point. The story is padded with so much repetition that it becomes a distraction. Once we know that Abby's flaming red hair is instantly recognizable and that Marco is dark, handsome, and exuding masculinity, that the Corvette is banana yellow and gleaming--well, we truly do not need to be continually reminded of these characteristics. Published in 2004, the first book may be the weakest link in the series though I don't intend to read the others.

If you like cozy mysteries and can skim over the wordiness, you might want to try this book. I just can't recommend it.

View all my reviews >>

Web Site Tip of the Day
http://www.whitehousecorrespondentsweekendinsider.com/

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Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  ~ Hebrews 13:8

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/

--Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
--Grab your current read
--Open to a random page
--Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! Share the title & author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they want!


From Mum's The Word by Kate Collins
"Growing up on a farm, my mother had fantasized about being in high society -- not that New Chapel had any. The best it could cough up was low to medium society, but it still translated into belonging to the country club, which, for the wife of a cop, was simply too expensive."

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No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.  ~ Micah 6:8

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The words flow and wrap around the reader in the style of many quirky, magical stories set in the South. One can feel the mists and heat and emotions in the story. As we follow Emily and Julia in their journey toward truth and reality, we are caught in the pleasure of the swirling events that shape and define their lives.The author draws us in to like and care about these characters. At the end, I wished there were a few more chapters just because I didn't want to leave that world just yet.

View all my reviews >>

Blog Tip of the Day
http://retiredsyd.typepad.com/

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For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!  ~ 2 Corinthians 4:17

Friday Fill-Ins #186

And...here we go!




1. I feel ill.



2. When I'm better, I'll be able to catch up.



3. Do excuse me, please



4. Each tiny germ is completely unique



5. It's hard to know how much more patience I have without deep prayer!



6. My head aches and my stomach follows suit.



7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to resting, tomorrow my plans include resting, and Sunday I want to complete my resting and be ready to spend the week at the lake.

Web Site of the Day

http://brokensecrets.com/

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Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.  ~~ Peter 5:7

Double Take by Catherine Coulter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Julia Ransom is the opening character who, like the white rabbit leading Alice into the hole, foists us into a world of murder and mystery. Swirling around her are a band of very individualistic psychics, the police, FBI agents, and the unsolved case of her husband's murder. The cast of characters was a bit confusing at times, however this novel ultimately is a good mix of mystery, humor, and a dash of romance.

Have you read Catherine Coulter's books? This was my first. There may be more on my TBR list by this author.

View all my reviews >>

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Web Site Tip of the Day

http://catalogliving.tumblr.com/

Funny stuff!

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He who believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And he who sees me sees him who sent me.   ---John 12:44-45

Teaser Tuesdays ~~ The Girl Who Chased the Moon

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/


--Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

--Grab your current read

--Open to a random page

--Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

--Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! Share the title & author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they want!

From The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

"Years ago, after Stella's ex-husband had spent his way through Stella's trust fund, he'd decided they should bring in renters for extra money, so he'd put a long curtain at the top of the staircase and said, 'Voila! Instant apartment.' Then he'd been surprised when their were no takers."

If you haven't read Garden Spells by this author I recommend it most highly!
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Blog Tip of the Day
http://sarahlondon.wordpress.com/

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Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.  ~ John 14:1

Harlequin Shawl

After interrupting my work on the wedding ghan for a DGS to begin a modular ghan for another DGS, then pausing to begin a Prayer Shawl for DD, I once again have leaped to another project which is a shawl for MIL for Christmas. Actually, there were a few completed toys for The Toy Society in that mix. The reason for the newest diversion is that I simply felt like crocheting!

The yarn is from the Estes Park Wool Festival last month. I purchased it specifically for MIL because I wanted to make her shawl using her favorite color. The softness of this yarn will warm her in the harsh Ohio winters! The yarn is from Brooks Farm http://brooksfarmyarn.com/ and is 50/50 fine wool and silk. The pattern is the Harlequin Shawl at http://www.caron.com/projects/ss_paints/ssp15_harlequin_shawl.html .

Akin to this is my order for blocking wires from Kaleidoscope Yarns at http://www.kyarns.com/ . Can't wait to see the two shawls I'm working on after they've been blocked with wires since I've always used pinned blocking.

What's your current project? I'd love to see it!

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Blog Tip of the Day

http://maggiemugginsdesigns.blogspot.com/

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Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.  ~ Proverbs 18:13

Li'l Darlin'

Meet Li'l Darlin', she who is crocheted with Hobby Lobby I Love this Yarn! Stripes and a size K hook. I carried a cotton light denim blue along with the stripe yarn to use up the left-over yarn. Now, I need to find a good drop spot for her, so a child can be surprised with an unexpected toy. For more information on this international project, visit http://www.thetoysociety.blogspot.com/ . Maybe you'll want to join the fun!

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Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.  ~ 1 Peter 3:15

Wordless Wednesday

http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/

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Blog Tip of the Day

http://redhatknitter.blogspot.com/

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. - John 15:10

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/
--Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
--Grab your current read
--Open to a random page
--Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! Share the title & author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they want!

From Double Take by Catherine Coulter:
" '...Bevlin likes to say he's from Croatia, first thing when he meets someone new--I think he believes it makes people think of Transylvania and vampires and things that go bump in the night--you know, it makes him sound like he's steeped in otherworldly knowledge.'
'Even though Transylvania is in Romania.' "

Blog Tip of the Day
 http://zoesknittingbag.typepad.co.uk/my_weblog/

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A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.  ~ Proverbs 15:1

Flagging the Fourth

In the days surrounding July 4th, DH, Lailah, and I were travelling in our motor home from CO to St. Louis and back. The state parks along the way were welcome sights as we stopped for the night to relax, rest, and enjoy the natural beauty.

We were welcomed by a giant prairie dog and an alert Native American brave at two of our stops.

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Kansas/Norton.html

http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Glen-Elder

It seemed as though the entire route was lined with flags through CO, KS, NE, and MO --- very uplifting sights at this time of celebrating our liberty!

The culmination of the weekend were the fireworks framed by the St. Louis Arch.

God bless America.

God bless our beloved family with whom we shared precious time during this holiday weekend.

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May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.   ~ Psalm 19:14

The Last Time I Saw You: A Novel by Elizabeth Berg

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Elizabeth Berg creates distinctive characters in this story of people preparing to attend their 40th and last high school reunion. I found it interesting that someone had decided to end reunions after the 40th, however this limit was necessary to the storyline. The character study of each person and his reasons for attending set the story in motion. We learn about the people and the labels attached to them by classmates in the shallowness of youth. The author cleverly contrasts the depth of character in each of them after 40 years of living. This is a very good story that links to the reader in the commonality of the high school years. FYI: I have never attended a high school class reunion. ;)

If you plan to listen to the audio version, be sure to listen to a sample. I found the author's rendition akin to listening to the trembly voice of a matronly librarian reading at story time.

View all my reviews >>

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And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  ~ John 8:32

Mr. Bubble Legs -- Wanna Cuddle?

Here's another toy for The Toy Society that I will drop somewhere along our route as we travel in our motor home. We will leave tomorrow morning and be staying at some state parks, so I know I will find the perfect location for Mr. Bubble Legs. He is crocheted with a size G hook and WW yarn, a quick and easy project. The free pattern download is available at http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=2456 and is named  "Amigurumi - Bubble Leg Monster".

Have you made any toys recently?

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Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.  ~John 17:23

At Jumbo

After many years of using our camping trailer, we decided to buy a Class C motor home this spring. Lailah helps DH set up our site at Jumbo Lake.

Most of our time was spent on the lake in our pontoon while DH fished, I read and knitted and Lailah had a job to do!

 

She serves as the chief look-out and does a fine job of it!

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But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.  ~Luke 15:32

Dead End Gene Pool by Wendy Burden

Dead End Gene Pool by Wendy Burden


My rating: 1 of 5 stars
This memoir is an extremely disappointing, depressing story about a dysfunctional girl who apparently has become a morbid, unforgiving woman. This disturbing story does not center on Wendy Burden's mother, but on Burden herself. As unfeeling as the grandparents and parents she vilifies, Wendy seldom visited her brother at a psychiatric hospital because "...the inmates creeped me out." The very idea that one can visit a dying grandfather and stand as far away as possible  from him "...while still managing to convey a sense of compassion." is laughable. As pathetic as her life has been, I did not find the author to be a sympathetic character because of her vitriol. The "humor" does work in a few places, but most of the  at humor are caustic and mean.

In writing this book, the author appears to have disgorged her rage and sickness much as her brothers did in the therapy programs that she finds so ridiculous. The fact that the author wants her bleak book to answer her daughters' questions about their grandmother is a disgusting idea.

I do hope that Miss Burden finds peace within. Perhaps, this unfortunate book is meant to be a step towards a more positive, hopeful life. I pray that she finds it.

View all my reviews >>

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Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. ~ Proverbs 19:20

Chubby the Fish

This crocheted fish is for The Toy Society. I used "I Love This Yarn" from Hobby Lobby and a size G hook. The pattern is fun and quick to make and is a free download at: http://mygurumi.blogspot.com/2008/11/chubby-fish-pattern.html

Read more about The Toy Society at http://thetoysociety.blogspot.com/  I'll be out today searching for a good drop-off spot for Chubby the Fish!

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Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. ~ Proverbs 11:14

Dead End Gene Pool

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/
Just do the following:
*Grab your current read
*Open to a random page
*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

From Dead End Gene Pool by Wendy Burden:

"Many colorful adjectives have been used to describe my great-times-four-grandfather: egomaniacal,

unethical, coarse, brilliant, vulgar, ingenious, pigheaded, underbred, ruthless.

Only one is necessary: rich."

 

Who do you think is her "great-times-four-grandfather"?

 

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Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.

~ Proverbs 9:9