tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50996061406354112122024-03-05T10:28:36.835-05:00Crafty Holly LouiseHollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.comBlogger230125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-22041782625797183282016-01-19T18:00:00.000-05:002016-01-19T18:00:03.687-05:00Two on TuesdayGosh, it's been forever again since I've been able to sit down and write something to share!<br />
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I wanted to do [another] recap post before I jumped into all the plans I have for my blog in 2016, but time doesn't seem to allow for such "luxuries" so I'm jumping in!<br />
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Any of you who are friends with me on Facebook and/or Instagram know why life has been so busy the for me the past couple of months!<br />
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Lilia Louise Weston was born at 2:12 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2015</div>
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So much more to share in future posts about the crocheting and crafting that I've done for her over the past 3 months - not to mention all the future crocheting and crafting that I'll be doing for her. But that's for another day, when I have time to write more!</div>
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I wanted to stop in quickly today to share my first Two on Tuesday of 2016! I used to love reading these from Debi Y in years past, along with coming up with 2 things once a week that were making me happy so I'm bringing in back!</div>
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<li>my baby girl, <i>obviously</i>! She's 110% the love of my life these days. Hard to believe that she's already almost 15 weeks old. I'm pretty biased but I think she's the absolute BEST</li>
<li>The work I do with the Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown. You can click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lucilleballlittletheatre/" target="_blank">HERE </a>to visit our Facebook page and read a recent article that was published about our history as Jamestown's Community Theatre. Over the past 30 years my involvement has ranged from going to see shows as a child with my Grannie to joining the Jr. Guilders (a childrens theatre group where I was trained for over 10 years, and am still a choreographer for the group) to being cast in main productions (15 to date including: "Cats", "Boeing Boeing", "Oklahoma", "Annie" and more) to choreographing productions, to becoming a Board Member 18 months ago, to joining the Play Selection Committee to doing all marketing for the theatre for the past 18 months. To say this is a passion of mine would be an understatement. Please to do read about our history, it's truly an amazing place!</li>
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I hope you are all doing well! I'm slowly trying to catch up on your blogs after spending my maternity leave with Lilia and not my computer.</div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-78406263852006024992015-08-12T18:00:00.000-04:002015-08-12T18:00:01.354-04:00Holy Moly<div class="MsoNormal">
I know, I know, it’s been forever since I last posted….again,
but it’s been a VERY busy year!</div>
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January through March, not only was I working full time
Monday-Friday, but I also spent my time after work (5:15-7 p.m.) split between two different local high schools where I was choreographing their
high school musicals (“Damn Yankees” and “Anything Goes”). Then from 7:30 until 10:30-11 each night I
had my own rehearsal for the French Farce <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.819366224815716.1073741841.357539200998423&type=3" target="_blank">“Boeing Boeing”</a> at the Lucille Ball
Little Theatre here in Jamestown. The
link above takes you to the full Facebook photo album for the show, which was
an absolutely BLAST to be apart of! I
hadn’t done a straight play since middle school, with the exception of scene
work in my college Acting classes. This was the first "challenge" that peeked my
interest in auditioning for the show (after the fact that the show is a
RIOT). Next came the fact that I was
cast as Gretchen, the German stewardess.
I spent 6 weeks working <i>tirelessly</i>
to master the best German accent possible.
I still love throwing it around every now and then ;-) And the final “challenge” that I overcame
during the rehearsal and performance process during Boeing was announced to our
friends as follows:</div>
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A few thought we were getting <i>another</i> dog, but we did not!
This October, we are expecting our first baby!! I realized I was pregnant about 3 weeks into
rehearsals and was 10 weeks pregnant by the time the show closed. Other than our parents, no one knew until the end of March about the baby’s arrival. I
had to tell my director, and good friend, a few days before Tech Sunday because
my flight attendant dress could not be worn w/o the jacket without my belly
starting to show (more of a carb baby that actual baby pump at that point LOL)! My counterpart in the show also figured it out one night and
was great about keeping my secret until I told the reminder of the cast closing
weekend.</div>
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I enjoyed every second of all the theatre work I did this
spring. I was EXHAUSTED 90% of the time
and had to drag my nauseous self to every step of rehearsals that I had on a
particular night, but once I was there I felt just fine 99% of the time. I think if I’d just gone home every night
after work I would have done nothing but sit on the couch like a blob feeling
horribly sorry for myself!</div>
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Plus, we found out the end of May that</div>
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Our summer has been very busy. In addition to slowly trying to get ourselves
ready for the baby’s arrival, Jonathan and I are both busy running our family business,
<a href="http://www.panamarocks.com/" target="_blank">Panama Rocks Scenic Park</a> for our 2<sup>nd</sup> year and the 130<sup>th</sup>
year since it was founded in 1885. We
have been having a great summer so far and have seen a wonderful increase in the
business over last year. I am, of
course, still working Monday-Friday outside of the Park so that we have a
steady income and health insurance, and have still kept very active with
marketing and choreography at the theatre.
There’s no slowing me down just yet – in fact I’m getting ready to start
rehearsals next week as Choreographer for “The Addams Family”, our annual fall
musical.</div>
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In June, Jonathan and I were fortunate enough to be able to
get coverage for the Park’s office, and took a week off and went down to the
beach.</div>
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My in-laws currently own a condo on Estero Island, Ft. Myers
Beach, FL and we hadn’t been down since June of 2012. They have decided to sell the condo for multiple
reasons so this was a combination last trip before the condo sells, and Babymoon. It was a wonderful, relaxing
week on the beach filled with lovely memories of our first vacation together,
honeymoon and now babymoon (plus a few other vacations in between). We will certainly still vacation in Ft. Myers
Beach in the future, but it’ll never be quite the same.</div>
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There was crocheting from my favorite spot in the world (the condo's lanai), virgin Mojitos at Doc Ford's, amazing sunsets, a growing belly, sunset selfies, LOTS of ice cream, the most incredible rental car in all the land (2015 Mustang Convertible) and a tan & growing baby bump!</div>
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Oh August 6th, Jonathan and I celebrated our 4th Wedding Anniversary. Still hard for me to believe that we've been married for 4 years already, and yet only 4 years. Here's a very detailed collage of pictures from us from the past 11 years that I posted to Facebook back on the 6th - you should be able to click on it to see more detail if you're interested in seeing how we've both aged over the past decade ;-)</div>
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And here are me, and the "girlfriend", as I've been calling her, at our Anniversary dinner last Saturday night:</div>
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As far as crocheting, I didn’t really do any during my first
trimester. I was too busy, too tired and
too nauseous to really have any desire
to do so. My nausea went away around
week 14 and I’ve continued to putter and play with multiple different projects since then.</div>
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From July until December I have 7 babies, including my own
coming into our lives (6 girls by the way and only 1 boy – GIRL POWER!!) so I
have some little projects that I’ve been working on since June on that front,
but nothing is actually finished.</div>
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Then, a co-worker of mine returned to work last week so I whipped
this up real quick over the weekend for her baby-girl (another girl!!) to wear this fall:</div>
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This caused me to be bitten by bit of a "fall crocheting" bug
that still hasn’t let up this week!</div>
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Over the weekend, Jonathan and I were fortunate enough to
get a day off from the Park (first one since June 28th when we returned from the beach) and went to <a href="http://ciweb.org/" target="_blank">Chautauqua Institution</a> for the
day. We set ourselves up for a picnic in
the shade by the lake and I started crocheting this scarf:</div>
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I'm not exactly sure what this stitch is called, but after you chain your width you do a sc ch1 then skip the next stitch. Starting on Row 2 you continue the same sc ch1 pattern with each sc going into the ch1 space of the previous row. I half thought this was called the Moss Stitch, but the quick Google search that I just did proved me wrong. Anyone wanna help me out so I know for future reference??</div>
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The past couple of nights I’ve been pulling out half
finished Owl Hats from last fall, and some additional colors to stock pile on
these for gifts & orders, and spent the past two lunch hours this week crocheting the
whites for the eyes on as many hats as I can get made.</div>
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Two days progress - if you’re curious it does take me about 5 minutes per eye <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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I also have the most AMAZING blanket for myself that I’ve
been working on since early June. I’m <i>obsessed</i> with it but don’t actually have
any photographs of it to share right now – will have to be sure and take a few
soon.</div>
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Last, but certainly not least, I did finally pick a pattern
and yarn selection for my baby girl’s baby blanket. I was ridiculously picky in this process but
have an inspiration photo that I love, that Jonathan instantly loved, and all
of the yarn just arrived earlier this week.
It’s a new to me pattern that has been making it’s rounds on some of my
favorite crochet Facebook pages for some time now – hopefully I pick it up
quickly! I also have purchased multiple
photo prop patterns for our newborn photoshoot with the little one in
October. I haven’t started on these yet
either as I’m waiting on some clothing that was also purchased to arrived to
make sure that my yarn matches accordingly.</div>
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So, as you can see, we have been VERY busy up here in our
little corner of Western New York! Sorry
it’s taken me so long to post anything. I’ll
try and be better as I finish up some projects and have exciting news to
share! I still read all of your blogs,
almost daily, and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/hljweston/" target="_blank">Pin </a>and print loads of patterns and recipes to try!</div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-19704295932890625612015-02-03T17:30:00.000-05:002015-02-03T17:30:00.806-05:00January Recap and on to February GoalsBefore opening the image I created for my January goals, I was feeling pretty good about things.<br />
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Then I reread them<br />
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1. I have made a LOT of progress on one of the baby blankets. Unfortunately it's taking longer than I anticipated given it's size, and had to rip out almost the top 1/3 because I needed to go down a hook size to get closer to a square. This is before I started my "ruffly" border. Have any of you ever crocheted a ruffle border? It looks adorable, but good golly it's taking me forever!!! </div>
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2. Basically haven't touched by craft room since my original post about January Goals. Started out giving myself an F on this, because it felt like I deserved one, but I did get [almost] all of my yarn put away early in January, and I have been able to get in there to access yarn when needed, so I'm not calling it a complete failure!</div>
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3. Eh. Early January I put away our Christmas decorations and got out my Valentine's Day stuff - which was amazing because I hadn't seen any of it since 2013, possibly 2012 (I can no longer remember which holiday I decided to make my last with decorations pre-move to WNY). We also got our coffee pot set up with the fridge, but has been more hassle that it's worth when we don't have any water access on our side of the house just yet. But the fridge is nice to keep beverages cold from when we're watching TV! My in-laws left to go south for the next 3 months last Wednesday, so we primarily spend our evenings watching home downstairs in their living room since our pups are down there, and they have cable, which we do not on our side of the house!</div>
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4. The pattern continues - I haven't opened my gift-giving spreadsheet 1/8/15 (according to the last time it was saved). I've had gift ideas running through my head for Valentine's, and Jon's birthday which is in March, but I haven't taken (or HAD) the time to go in and add things in as I think about them.</div>
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5. TOTAL SUCCESS! On January 11th Jon and I went skiing for our first time together as a couple, and my first time in almost FOURTEEN years! The lift tickets that were removed from an old ski coat that still fits me were from March 2001. Craziness. My equipment is pretty old. No joke, my skiis were likely purchased around 1997 and are JUNIORS skis. Jon wanted to buy me new gear this year, but I told him it made more sense for me to ski with what I had (once it was graced by the local Ski Shop) this year to make sure I was still going to ENJOY skiing - after all, 13+ years is a very long time. Well, I loved it! After making Jon go down the Bunny Hill with me twice I was off and skied every run at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/peeknpeak" target="_blank">Peek'n Peak</a> that Sunday night. It was as much fun as I remember skiing, if not more! And I was skiing better than I ever remember skiing in high school. I couldn't wait to go back. We went back on the 18th with another couple, and I did not have the best of times. It was super icy which I've always hated, and it made my knees very sore. I ended up having to call it quits before anyone else was really ready to, but I was skiing terribly and didn't want to get hurt. Our third trip skiing didn't happen until this past Saturday. We went with the same couple as before, but this time we did a day trip up to to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/holidayvalley" target="_blank">Holiday Valley</a>. It was AMAZING. Just enough fresh snow to have an amazing time! The next time we go, I want to rent equipment so I can try out a pair of parabolic skis. Don't know when it's going to exactly be, but I.CAN'T.WAIT.</div>
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Hard to believe it's already February, isn't it? I'd originally planned to do my January recap and February Goals as separate posts as to not make either too long, but it's already the 3rd of February so bare with me, cause I'm plugging along!</div>
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1. I wasn't 100% successful in January, but I can't give up now! Realistically I doubt I'll finish all 3 with such a short month, but hey, a girl can dream [crazy dreams] right? right.</div>
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2. I feel as though I've talked about this before, but last November after our whirlwind trip to NYC I felt amazingly rejuvenated. On the drive back to Panama we were discussing this weightless feeling that I had, and we talked about saying that one day over every weekend would just be about us. Maybe a little laundry if need be, and it could be with another couple but no remodeling with my dad, no major overhauls of rooms, etc. Just Jonathan and Holly time. We're not always the best and keeping true to this every weekend, so I'm hopeful that 4 consistant weekend's this month could make it a habit!</div>
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3. I'm tired of feeling like I live in a mess. Overall it's not going anywhere anytime soon, but I'd just like to feel like there aren't piles of clothes waiting to be put away in the bedroom and piles of yarn stacked on the caught and a mess lining the walkway in the hall and projects that are way overdo that I still don't have done. Just want to feel more on top of things come March 1st!</div>
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4. I've definitely caught the bug, and want to keep skiing while the weather is good. Yesterday I totally wanted to play hooky and go skiing in all that amazing snow we got over night, but I was a good girl and went to work. I definitely foresee Jonathan/Holly time in February also being skiing time. And I'm okay with that!</div>
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5. This one probably got a big WHY out of many of you. Well, the next show that I'm going to be in is "Boeing Boeing" this March at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lucilleballlittletheatre" target="_blank">Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown</a>. I'll be playing Gretchen, the German flight attendant. We've just started blocking this week, but I'm very excited about the challenge of this part, and being apart of this hilarious production.</div>
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Here's a peak at the Broadway revival in which Mary McCommack portrayed Gretchen and recived a Tony nomination:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/-GB54JYMNJU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-GB54JYMNJU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7AE07B1C90&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7AE07B1C90&feature=youtu.be</a></div>
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^This 2nd video is better, but Blogger won't let me embed this, but please, take the 4 minutes to go in and watch it, you will not be disappointed!</div>
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So there you have it. I'm going to try my best to work on all of these goals during the next couple of weeks, but it's not surprise that rehearsals are going to take up a lot of my time, especially in the evenings. Add to it that I'm also working to choreograph not 1 but 2 different high school musicals ("Damn Yankees" and "Anything Goes") which both open in March. Throw pesky little work in there, and the fact that I actually need to sleep and my schedule is F-U-L-L</div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-18101538740554011202015-02-02T18:00:00.000-05:002015-02-02T18:00:05.641-05:00SuperbOwl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">I really prefer owls over football. </span></div>
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I especially find crocheted owls to be suburb! This little guy is part of my <a href="http://craftycraftyhollylouise.blogspot.com/2014/02/moody-monday-week-6.html" target="_blank">2014 Mood Blanket</a> (that still hasn't been touched since February 2014). Free pattern can be found <a href="http://lovethebluebird.blogspot.ca/2012/02/crochet-owl-pattern.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
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We don't really watch sports, unless it's the Super Bowl, or the Olympics. I know we are in the minority, but I gotta say, as a non-sports watcher, I'm often SO HAPPY that Jonathan is also not into watching sports on TV all weekend. We are able to get so many other things done!</div>
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We do always watch the Super Bowl. Mostly because I say we need to watch it, and that's because I wanna make Super Bowl food and use that time to crochet (and watch out the commercials) <----did anyone have a favorite commercial? I found many companies using millions of dollars in ad time to come up with the "oddest" thing they could as their way of being remembered by the end of the night. I always enjoy what Budweiser does, the Snickers one with The Brady Bunch was funny, and the #withdad Nissan one and #girlpower ones just made me all weepy! I've always enjoyed Katy Perry and found the Halftime Show to be very entertaining. Plus all the special effects and quick costume changes always make this theatre nerd giddy! And as a theatre nerd - hello amazing Idina Menzel singing the National Anthem! Seriously, she can do NO WRONG as far as I'm concerned. End of story. Don't try and tell me otherwise, because you will not convince me, or win!</div>
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It was just the two of us (and the dogs) so we didn't make a ton of food. We had these INCREDIBLE <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2015/01/chicken-nachos/" target="_blank">Chicken Nachos</a> that I thought were going to end up being a snack, but were definitely enough food for just the 2 of us as dinner (we did have a late lunch too). They looked so amazing as soon as Jonathan brought them in, I didn't even <i>think</i> to photograph them! I was too busy cramming them in my face and keeping the dogs away from said face. Seriously, they're amazing. I just love Ree and her blog!</div>
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And for dessert were had these little beauties:</div>
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I've always been a big fan of No Bake Cookies, so when I saw this recipe on <a href="http://www.maybematilda.com/2015/01/no-bake-chocolate-oat-bars.html#.VM_gAP7F8QM" target="_blank">Maybe Matilda </a>last week, I knew they were a MUST for the Super Bowl!</div>
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Next time I make them, yes! these will definitely be made again, I'm going to try just using 1/2 cup of chocolate chips with maybe a little less than 1/2 cup of peanut butter. It was almost too over-powering for the yummy Oat mixture to have such a thick band of chocolate on top. Jonathan agreed, and I feel like that's saying something because I didn't think it was <i>possible</i> for him to have TOO much chocolate! It was probably also a combination of the fact that we used dark chocolate chips vs. semi-sweet and the only pan I had to use was like 11" x 6" instead of 9" x 9"..... SOMEDAY I'll have my own kitchen again (and equipment for cooking and baking!)</div>
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By the 3rd quarter I was ready for a snack:</div>
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Living in Western NY <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bisonchipdip/info?tab=page_info" target="_blank">Bison Chip Dip</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SouthernTierBrewingCompany/timeline" target="_blank">STBC</a> are pretty much a way of life - and both are always so yummy!! Helles (<a href="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/10933812_10153008935224266_211042067825212145_n.jpg?oh=878ca64b9bb4405c745b71d5870866b8&oe=556B5BDA" target="_blank">Where the Helles Summer?</a>) is their new Spring Lager. Tastes an awful lot like Bud Light, which I'm okay with. I'm just not sure how frequently I'd pay craft beer prices for something I could get for much cheaper by purchasing Bud Light. We'll see, this was only #2 out of my six-pack so I have 4x left for Helles to convince me it's worth it!</div>
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Speaking of Western New York, we got hit with snow last night and this morning. We live about 70 southwest of Buffalo, NY so we missed the CRAZY November storm. We're also 400+ miles west of New York City, so we weren't close to being hit by Juno last week. In all honestly, this winter has not been that terrible "snow-wise" - not compared to what I remember growing up. Jon and I constantly talk about how badly we want a big snow storm or blizzard - the kind that keeps you stuck in doors in your jammies all day! Didn't quite get this, but this morning was a bit closer to what I remember from my childhood!</div>
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Here's the view out the kitchen window as of 7:50ish this morning! Probably close to 15" of snow came down starting at 5 p.m. through the overnight. Our driveway is approximately 1/4 mile long and it took Jonathan over an hour to slow-blow the bare minimum width for me to get to work this morning! Only about 6 school districts in the county closed today, so many were digging out and on their way to work & school (as is life in these parts 6 months out of the year). Roads were decently plowed (for the most part) - all came down to what Mom and I often refer to as "winter roads". Always thankful for how WELL my Jeep drives in the winter!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCF-4O8IGm18LsgFDqBiuk2d9HhqGcW1BRu00F50A9M_05NjqtbPKmHt0rBR64ZsqtHCLiagOnUjJgQHbugv6UEJulryqkfqH3pTwJjD1zmsOJAaNX7_COx_eOXbF-PubsgR2Op-8CIQcX/s1600/Garden+Gate_2.2.15_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCF-4O8IGm18LsgFDqBiuk2d9HhqGcW1BRu00F50A9M_05NjqtbPKmHt0rBR64ZsqtHCLiagOnUjJgQHbugv6UEJulryqkfqH3pTwJjD1zmsOJAaNX7_COx_eOXbF-PubsgR2Op-8CIQcX/s1600/Garden+Gate_2.2.15_branded.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Out the backdoor, you could also see how much snow had accumulated up on the top of the garden gate.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70plTxJf4gFwsWS7BekEuKaIuyS0spGpuZn2svPTlWxxqxvGPPiocKcvKaPc6d2KZTjgSn9VOsv_OLZOIMogZDStp1f8sa14XZINoW60RUZFMvXXqcsqAdOcJmqyOCYbt5O5m4f5BLNp2/s1600/Roof+Ice_2.2.15_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70plTxJf4gFwsWS7BekEuKaIuyS0spGpuZn2svPTlWxxqxvGPPiocKcvKaPc6d2KZTjgSn9VOsv_OLZOIMogZDStp1f8sa14XZINoW60RUZFMvXXqcsqAdOcJmqyOCYbt5O5m4f5BLNp2/s1600/Roof+Ice_2.2.15_branded.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our metal roof collects a LOT of snow and ice in the winter. This shot is looking out one of the living room windows. I was sitting near this window during the Super Bowl last night, and <b>a lot</b> of snow and ice from the roof right above here came sliding down at one point and crashed to the ground scaring the bejezus out of me and the pups!</div>
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And, speaking of the pups - here's what Copper and Osa thought about watching football</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi3ZFLNbxoxYZJoXtf0kkcuEiFVfYmBcCQXeWDZIWXYlQnqHfFhfPb-g4EqLfzHMMc0K2B0UDOvFN9F5Ny6OnYMHFDNVnwNNCdERFYXd4CQGh-M9tg24MIjHOnxaWcPirRGBFtT5i4q9_/s1600/Super+Bowl+nap+2.1.15_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi3ZFLNbxoxYZJoXtf0kkcuEiFVfYmBcCQXeWDZIWXYlQnqHfFhfPb-g4EqLfzHMMc0K2B0UDOvFN9F5Ny6OnYMHFDNVnwNNCdERFYXd4CQGh-M9tg24MIjHOnxaWcPirRGBFtT5i4q9_/s1600/Super+Bowl+nap+2.1.15_branded.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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such sweet dups :-)</div>
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Jonathan and I also both passed out before the game was over. Woke up having missed the Patriots final Touch Down but did get to see what I'm certain will be remembered as one of the worst plays made in a Super Bowl and the "end-zone brawl". As soon as it was all over, we switched back to Netflix for some of our favorite documentaries on castles in England. Like I said, we don't care too much one way or the other!</div>
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I did do some crocheting. Not a lot, so there really wasn't much to photograph and share. I didn't even start crocheting until the 2nd half of the game because I was SO COLD!! Couldn't figure out why having a fire wasn't warming up the room, and me in return. By the time we went to bed around 11 p.m. our bedroom was an <b>ice box.</b> Turns out our gas was out and Lord only knows how long we'd been sitting around without heat. I'm guessing mid afternoon cause it had been cold upstairs around 2, but we had a window open knocking down some ice so I didn't think much of it. I didn't do any laundry that required warm or hot water so I didn't notice it then. Even when I was washing my face at 11, I must have been too sleepy to realize that there wasn't really any hot water (probably just the little bit that was left in the hot water tank that was luke warm at best). Jonathan trudged out into the snow to reset....whatever it is that has to be reset when that happens, and we warmed up quickly once the furnace kicked back on! #superhusbandtotherescue!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbb6TH1HmHzWsfXQLeVO0ApB2znC2lAY8gBcK2ERpavsIwZ1xnHVOtk1C7WmUcA1ox6hpnKIhngPShaIYNxKv-5Wtopri1MQe5cIh1_TkZemPBa1XKzhxZuVNonuR3QN8BJSNxwa3mIze/s1600/groundhog-day-driving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbb6TH1HmHzWsfXQLeVO0ApB2znC2lAY8gBcK2ERpavsIwZ1xnHVOtk1C7WmUcA1ox6hpnKIhngPShaIYNxKv-5Wtopri1MQe5cIh1_TkZemPBa1XKzhxZuVNonuR3QN8BJSNxwa3mIze/s1600/groundhog-day-driving.jpg" height="219" width="320" /></a></div>
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Happy Whistlepig Day to you all! We will be watching "Groundhog's Day" just as soon as I get home from my Board Meeting tonight. and hopefully it'll be warm enough to crochet! Today is one of Jonathan's favorite holidays, and this is definitely one of his favorite movies :-)</div>
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Up tomorrow - successes and pitfalls of January Goals and my February Goals!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxW5HbOlOV3SuPXHcwx6L_epqhhC3ANZrChOCIZv9TwV6lM6EPSJktec-7-mu4YA3-8120Z4FCi7eeWsyr7dxlnGkYoGqtRBxW21Me6NaZiVWTVeIe_Y7yE03qAs6Ng3L01C48jimRpoDv/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxW5HbOlOV3SuPXHcwx6L_epqhhC3ANZrChOCIZv9TwV6lM6EPSJktec-7-mu4YA3-8120Z4FCi7eeWsyr7dxlnGkYoGqtRBxW21Me6NaZiVWTVeIe_Y7yE03qAs6Ng3L01C48jimRpoDv/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-38678404987378663532015-01-15T05:30:00.000-05:002015-01-15T05:30:00.593-05:00Love BugI've always had this really bad habit of not starting on holiday crafting until far too close to that specific holiday to realistically finishing <strike>every</strike> anything in time. Somewhere around March or April 2014, I realized I should already be working on Summer crafting so that in the summer I would be working on Halloween crafting etc. I always see fabric and crafting supplies at JoAnns many seasons out, and I know exactly <i>why</i>, I've just never been good at implementing this into my every day crafting.<br />
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I'm trying to be better this year, and in realizing that it's just a little over a month until Valentine's Day, and the fact that I got out my Valentine's Day decorations last weekend means I've got the BUG to start some new Valentine's stuff!<br />
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I was super duper excited when I got <a href="http://craftycraftyhollylouise.blogspot.com/2014/02/warm-your-space-wednesday-valentines.html" target="_blank">these </a>finished last year, and loved them as much as I remember as soon as I got them out this year. Here is their new location for 2015 - between the 2 windows in our current "living room"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qaEFsfljH0R2fwqWOlwjWKlvf8nwOAhyHUiCbHeyp4ODD3Tiackip_MnVS8AissYMmFf9C-xLlvFYa1yYqPOtFc49ipuneSClfjk3XVXR4Yh2TPUFTDu3kRCMubz8sEbuocOvB_CVeD9/s1600/Heart+Garland+location_2015_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qaEFsfljH0R2fwqWOlwjWKlvf8nwOAhyHUiCbHeyp4ODD3Tiackip_MnVS8AissYMmFf9C-xLlvFYa1yYqPOtFc49ipuneSClfjk3XVXR4Yh2TPUFTDu3kRCMubz8sEbuocOvB_CVeD9/s1600/Heart+Garland+location_2015_branded.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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don't mind our only-primed walls and lack of framing around the windows - this room will one day be a child's bedroom, and isn't close to being finished. For now we are just loving it as our own space outside of our bedroom for watching TV, lounging and crocheting!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1XT4hQPV6mTzArboJ7w3yKPzHqsQBImmewgCPhMeoh21QwHbfSxl2cUWLbCHLulOPxxemNkfCaIt0mPfqM7ZunozAqLMux5LniCj1yEDOIB_FSaUD1MRqLBafKTo2fMZ_b3xDmHeGfkM/s1600/Heart+Garland+location_2015_detail_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1XT4hQPV6mTzArboJ7w3yKPzHqsQBImmewgCPhMeoh21QwHbfSxl2cUWLbCHLulOPxxemNkfCaIt0mPfqM7ZunozAqLMux5LniCj1yEDOIB_FSaUD1MRqLBafKTo2fMZ_b3xDmHeGfkM/s1600/Heart+Garland+location_2015_detail_branded.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I tried to be all artist in the photos I took this morning. Then I got to work and looked at them more closely. Good grief, between the icky morning light, grainy cell phone photo and seeing how curled all my hearts are I'm definitely disappointed in this quick attempt at taking good photos on my way out the door! LOL</div>
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I saw the pattern to make <a href="http://www.petalstopicots.com/2013/08/crochet-kiss-inspired-by-hershey/" target="_blank">these </a>ADORABLE stuffed Hershey Kisses last year, printed out the pattern, bought some white ribbon when I couldn't find my stash, and, in true form, never even started one! This year, I'm gonna make these happen.<br />
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Sarah, over at <a href="http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/" target="_blank">Repeat Crafter Me</a> is one of my top 5 favorite pattern designers/crochets/bloggers out there! I use and reuse her patterns all the time, and always get excited when she posts a new pattern. When she posted this <a href="http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2015/01/felt-bumble-bee-keychain.html" target="_blank">key chain</a> on Wednesday, talking about a crochet version coming the following day, I couldn't wait to see it. Trust me, it did NOT disappoint. How <i>cute</i> is <a href="http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2015/01/crochet-bumble-bee-keychain.html" target="_blank">THIS</a>! Can't stand it cute if you ask me! Now I personally could never put this on my actual key chain and run the rick of ruining him, but I have loads of ideas for other places he could live.<br />
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High school musical rehearsals are in full gear around here, and I've been asked to choreograph the shows at two different schools this year. While it's an honor to be asked, I've definitely got a full plate with coming up with the choreography and then I spend most of my week nights at each of the schools teaching the kids. This means I have zero "free" time to crochet right now so it may be a bit before I have much finished to share (or even give a sneak peak)! Hopefully within a week or so I'll have more of the choreography set so that I can spend either my lunch hour or a bit of time after work crocheting again vs. choreographing :-)<br />
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I leave you today with this really cute <a href="http://yarnacademy.com/21-things-that-happen-when-you-get-into-knitting/?ims=hwphw" target="_blank">article</a>. It was a sponsored post on the Facebook page, and it made me smile. Clearly all of this transfers over to crocheting pretty well!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKxYDUzyrijiRnCHeGvZCPcQwpZ56V5tvwL7ZdGVsKZcsmvwRpuZqG91vx718pF2ubhAbEu7GJ8Jq_swMVhj1ruA-6h0usnf89mz9KmHnhU_6lizcV5y6C3glRjMT6Vsq4apMG5Hun879/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKxYDUzyrijiRnCHeGvZCPcQwpZ56V5tvwL7ZdGVsKZcsmvwRpuZqG91vx718pF2ubhAbEu7GJ8Jq_swMVhj1ruA-6h0usnf89mz9KmHnhU_6lizcV5y6C3glRjMT6Vsq4apMG5Hun879/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div>
<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-39084343396675001232015-01-14T18:00:00.001-05:002015-01-14T18:00:01.117-05:00Please vote!You've heard me speak of my sweet little guy Copper a few times now, and if any of you are Facebook or Instagram friends with me, you've seen LOADS of posts and photos and videos and ridiculous stories about my little boy! If not, here are a few highlights:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76sFHMFcbJMnszHQeBmWvdKTH8OuEGbK_458BoPGZngyP62nCeHFg6nMZIwD5hXbMtaKo_VKiEvVfTeg6Zu4RPka7izdSLlpsbjEy1KulyKVvNualdkxcJop6lJI1DRW9-WQPCVGlmGoR/s1600/day+we+met+Copper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76sFHMFcbJMnszHQeBmWvdKTH8OuEGbK_458BoPGZngyP62nCeHFg6nMZIwD5hXbMtaKo_VKiEvVfTeg6Zu4RPka7izdSLlpsbjEy1KulyKVvNualdkxcJop6lJI1DRW9-WQPCVGlmGoR/s1600/day+we+met+Copper.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is from the day we first met Copper (his name was Colby Creek at the time) at his foster family's house (July 9, 2013)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeY9DL_mGOSk-NXYrULhFQi0EXG7MV2pm3-q-LmEpGQykMjWYUkw9Dog-KPufpqG_WOlmegI5mCkCKtYImpa74e0hz51SnhzQkmWaXF-D6bq5-s9zssX-cGTudoPHKWGtVrspHd6bS4GQK/s1600/day+Copper+came+home.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeY9DL_mGOSk-NXYrULhFQi0EXG7MV2pm3-q-LmEpGQykMjWYUkw9Dog-KPufpqG_WOlmegI5mCkCKtYImpa74e0hz51SnhzQkmWaXF-D6bq5-s9zssX-cGTudoPHKWGtVrspHd6bS4GQK/s1600/day+Copper+came+home.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The day Copper officially came home to live with us (July 14, 2013)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNqy9C_6kTwa13Xtx9U7oTtLbeOzDMn9qP0J_cJvPELGaDIQw8QLaSdgd_LHRW6lV6bj_xLIE2wWkx8jypx6BrUPiFrFIxLo2w4aJxIIWYVc8jJ9YbjPGBNwcJoAmCIJrhma9TykcZI2x/s1600/Copper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNqy9C_6kTwa13Xtx9U7oTtLbeOzDMn9qP0J_cJvPELGaDIQw8QLaSdgd_LHRW6lV6bj_xLIE2wWkx8jypx6BrUPiFrFIxLo2w4aJxIIWYVc8jJ9YbjPGBNwcJoAmCIJrhma9TykcZI2x/s1600/Copper.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our first summer together (2013)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-FQhz7mcqFmYDmvMY58saPl1Xgyd_KgWeOy51I16SzmIgVc84I4qUSa2vAc50rn53C27hxIuvXOEeDCmkgKgmC_4TIMdeWEaC75cBPVTcttT8qgVAToONUYuzBbM9aPscR5syhh_qHEj/s1600/Copper+guarding+bone_1.26.14_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-FQhz7mcqFmYDmvMY58saPl1Xgyd_KgWeOy51I16SzmIgVc84I4qUSa2vAc50rn53C27hxIuvXOEeDCmkgKgmC_4TIMdeWEaC75cBPVTcttT8qgVAToONUYuzBbM9aPscR5syhh_qHEj/s1600/Copper+guarding+bone_1.26.14_branded.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmsKb-vu5pb0m-6yP4X0e5YxVJN8MYNrH2bqjayIRVSmq1RPUXEKayKFGEW2x6OOA64_6P_8sh8w6iAiJ2sXOc7_2kaORQnUsUkIsUTsV4NMwgCzRn63Q-L0fjMXpxrA1vSlezu0L5hNJ/s1600/Copper+curled+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmsKb-vu5pb0m-6yP4X0e5YxVJN8MYNrH2bqjayIRVSmq1RPUXEKayKFGEW2x6OOA64_6P_8sh8w6iAiJ2sXOc7_2kaORQnUsUkIsUTsV4NMwgCzRn63Q-L0fjMXpxrA1vSlezu0L5hNJ/s1600/Copper+curled+up.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjqktYysaMOkXknleDvXnpWAEAl7NLjMq89opQ45hDB6jP9xmAfWhxFF__J9Zx8kvxhlBYJ7Z582SU9sMb0obEQUxxaYl52EF-ZV0BFA3i9BgEHBlKeuQo_TRsOoPn7bDxxwt5roFrKjF/s1600/Copper+-+please+send+chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjqktYysaMOkXknleDvXnpWAEAl7NLjMq89opQ45hDB6jP9xmAfWhxFF__J9Zx8kvxhlBYJ7Z582SU9sMb0obEQUxxaYl52EF-ZV0BFA3i9BgEHBlKeuQo_TRsOoPn7bDxxwt5roFrKjF/s1600/Copper+-+please+send+chicken.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MNQeP0op-gvNHmo7J_Ssp8m_2PoP1LXQwtKvK9saAfLNXORognvQBxAjt6KdwTExetcKBWhgZ2hbUzNlcFsBa7CNQzABEjXJvHUSp7ZKPeO0IW_nB5_vwmI0LAgMWTVL8Llu3oiXbjwB/s1600/Copper+kisses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MNQeP0op-gvNHmo7J_Ssp8m_2PoP1LXQwtKvK9saAfLNXORognvQBxAjt6KdwTExetcKBWhgZ2hbUzNlcFsBa7CNQzABEjXJvHUSp7ZKPeO0IW_nB5_vwmI0LAgMWTVL8Llu3oiXbjwB/s1600/Copper+kisses.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Copper loves his bones, begging for treats, snuggling and giving kisses</div>
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Please take a minute to vote for Copper in the Hot Dogs, Cool Cats Pet Photo Contest which is put on every year by our local Humane Society. Copper is a rescue dog from Central New York, where the owners of 'mom' got the point with the litter where they no longer cared what home this last little puppy went to. Thankfully he was brought to the Jamestown area and fostered by a wonderful family with a BIG heart for beagles until his path crossed mine.</div>
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<a href="https://www.gogophotocontest.com/chautauquacountyhumanesociety/entries/16032#.VLbGwZvY5YY.blogger"><span style="font-size: large;">Vote for Copper | Hot Dogs, Cool Cats Pet Photo Contest</span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwq36fufMZkO4S9xNIScHiblKde6VMWwK1h5qnsppkrMH-d-kD56F6Kk_H8M-aRoqfokhvY5ckbDWALi47V97OJkoLDOgjUwDjZbEf-ZyZv_U1sXi2AA2CtMEMCkIq31ZLqGuZHo1Nq4Eh/s1600/Copper+8.2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwq36fufMZkO4S9xNIScHiblKde6VMWwK1h5qnsppkrMH-d-kD56F6Kk_H8M-aRoqfokhvY5ckbDWALi47V97OJkoLDOgjUwDjZbEf-ZyZv_U1sXi2AA2CtMEMCkIq31ZLqGuZHo1Nq4Eh/s1600/Copper+8.2014.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-90108470801529360502015-01-09T06:00:00.000-05:002015-01-09T06:00:01.786-05:00January Goals<div style="text-align: center;">
Time to breakdown what I'd like to accomplish in January:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTIZYH0Zj1LsePbalHp2_CUrMq9y79P2w9UbaQODsLwqv_LHe5fnlAqWz14ocW-4Nx5rpsW5mngzvYLrMiKZQvlHeupPpL670In3O5K2nOyvhQtNrKkyCNqZDPyGyMbKktiaLKmyTyyL_/s1600/GOALS_1.2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTIZYH0Zj1LsePbalHp2_CUrMq9y79P2w9UbaQODsLwqv_LHe5fnlAqWz14ocW-4Nx5rpsW5mngzvYLrMiKZQvlHeupPpL670In3O5K2nOyvhQtNrKkyCNqZDPyGyMbKktiaLKmyTyyL_/s1600/GOALS_1.2015.jpg" height="462" width="640" /></a></div>
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1. I know, This almost feels like I'm already giving up on the possibility of crocheting a Christmas gift this month doesn't it? Ok, well maybe not to you, and yes, I will certainly be crocheting more than what's listed under Goal #1 - I just feel like before I can start on any big project for 2015, I've GOT TO finish the not one, not TWO, but <b>THREE </b>baby gifts that were started over the past year and are not finished! One is much smaller than the other two, and very close to being done. And another is close to 3/4 done. The other has a ways to go, but if, for once, I were to focus on these solely, I could actually get them finished by the end of the month no problem! So far now, I'm holding off on starting a Christmas gift so I can get the monkey of these old projects off my back and out the door. Besides, these babies need my crochet goodness to keep this warm this winter!</div>
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2. and 3. These go hand in hand because there was a "great shuffle" of boxes and things over Thanksgiving weekend to give us a temporary living room in the 2nd bedroom we originally had demo/electrical/insulation work done to back in early 2013 (see the first set of before and afters <a href="http://craftycraftyhollylouise.blogspot.com/2013/04/big-announcement.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</div>
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Here is what the 2nd bedroom/"storage central" looked like when we started in on Black Friday:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkv9DwmtRlLGzoi2PYWcUJTrFNuNgvzQFl8NHsy1DYYhVdMiWfEcAU3wBLOvLgRbLK5_y19-z1C1i1NovIs5szfxUoJW6Jxe2560rxNtSijTLLWjDZD7BiUznpcj8Ub6kVLLWpmepZ55D/s1600/2nd+bedroom+storage_before_11.2014_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkv9DwmtRlLGzoi2PYWcUJTrFNuNgvzQFl8NHsy1DYYhVdMiWfEcAU3wBLOvLgRbLK5_y19-z1C1i1NovIs5szfxUoJW6Jxe2560rxNtSijTLLWjDZD7BiUznpcj8Ub6kVLLWpmepZ55D/s1600/2nd+bedroom+storage_before_11.2014_branded.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>yikes, </i>right? </div>
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I know, it almost makes me twitchy. I spent close to 18 months completely ignoring this rooms presence when I walked through the upstairs hallway.</div>
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Well after moving and shuffling and repacking and moving and labeling and shuffling and moving to the attic and the amazing <b><span style="font-size: large;">super power </span></b>that was having my parents helping us (seriously, I do NOT know what we'd do or where we'd be with out them), here's where we were by Sunday early evening:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCLaKd6Qa6tNJDXUaFIOm8rYHYYRw9m-Kkw-OlZHZDyPLa3NX7vtUMKStqw7G4BA7lyIIYnggG_lxpyKnZbqRWY3UG7MkW5KRB_EKLNGqD554TPDWtf0wlz2qUeJfrwDJB-_riQCKAbXF/s1600/2nd+bedroom+cleaned+out_11.2014_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCLaKd6Qa6tNJDXUaFIOm8rYHYYRw9m-Kkw-OlZHZDyPLa3NX7vtUMKStqw7G4BA7lyIIYnggG_lxpyKnZbqRWY3UG7MkW5KRB_EKLNGqD554TPDWtf0wlz2qUeJfrwDJB-_riQCKAbXF/s1600/2nd+bedroom+cleaned+out_11.2014_branded.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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As we rolled up an old mouse eaten rug from the room to replace with a remnant we purchased that weekend, we found this hole in the floor! Crazy thing is, can't say any of us were all that surprised by this (other than the fact that I just thought it was a soft spot under the carpet when I would step there - not an actual, uncovered HOLE). We've found this time and time again in the house where holes were cut in the floor for whatever reason access under floorboards was needed, and usually the fix was to just nail down whatever they had over it to cover the hole. This would include tin can tops, parts to tin can tops and a 12" x 12" section of wainscoting (all were found on the original floors of our Master Bedroom) The house originally operated as a Bed and Breakfast starting in 1885, though sections of the house are older than that (2 smaller houses were brought up on the hill by ox cart from the <a href="http://www.panamany.com/" target="_blank">village </a>and much work was done to build everything together into one large hotel. When they demoed our Master Bedroom, in January 2013, there was newspaper being used as insulation from 1813 found in the walls - pretty cool huh?) We believe many of these types of holes were created in the early 1900's when they would have been running electrical wiring in the house for the first time, and access was needed to hang chandeliers down in the 3 first floor parlors.</div>
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A few nights before we left for Disney, we had our couch, TV unit and coffee table from Maryland set up in our "new" temporary living room. I snapped this very grainy picture with my cell phone on this night to post to Facebook:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5KfxPTP6Amp3jWfyKaVkrM8AxEubaLwC7quOBnD8zowMxgz-pyeMyDiMvHr20rXclv48WkE9bt8q1IJ7KlPOptTzeVTlnYsMTKzZgnHVGh4B7MqglyHCS42C2aQ0PusLubp8pJsmMn6E/s1600/View+from+couch_temporary+living+room_12.2014_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5KfxPTP6Amp3jWfyKaVkrM8AxEubaLwC7quOBnD8zowMxgz-pyeMyDiMvHr20rXclv48WkE9bt8q1IJ7KlPOptTzeVTlnYsMTKzZgnHVGh4B7MqglyHCS42C2aQ0PusLubp8pJsmMn6E/s1600/View+from+couch_temporary+living+room_12.2014_branded.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was my first time sitting back down on our couch since we had left Maryland 18 months prior and I was feeling all sorts of feels: sentimental for our old apartment, missing our friends and excitement for some progress on our side of the house.</div>
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I have cleaned blankets to use on the couch now, and my favorite couch pillows are out. We even got a small fridge for drinks and a Keurig for morning coffee up there. I just need to clean up a bit this weekend before I can take some more after photos to share.</div>
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Moving all of my crafty things out of "storage" and quickly just <i>into </i>my craft room, meant my beautiful, almost finished craft room went from this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GGdx50BcLevpYLGjqsWjRBXfGQKoBz6EAqSQX8ERupgz6c47spbKWF2SXcZ9uIan7ojVuixGWKV65jgC7Kck3eWMtvKxRYR0fQL7p__p8nlVFZBMwnXUajjiQ8K58ZH3OtiA9ygIAWYI/s1600/Finished+Craft+Room_before_11.2014_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GGdx50BcLevpYLGjqsWjRBXfGQKoBz6EAqSQX8ERupgz6c47spbKWF2SXcZ9uIan7ojVuixGWKV65jgC7Kck3eWMtvKxRYR0fQL7p__p8nlVFZBMwnXUajjiQ8K58ZH3OtiA9ygIAWYI/s1600/Finished+Craft+Room_before_11.2014_branded.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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(all that's missing is some moldings and my tile flooring - we decided to let me move everything in now and use the room as I can while work is being done on the bathroom, etc and that we'll get the tiles laid one of these days when we have professionals in working on the bathroom or something and Jonathan and my dad are in need of <i>something</i> to keep them busy! LOL)</div>
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to this!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbnX1cFK5pkYCjNXjU-x5R_V8pq8tzu98nI13yhEr7_Fb0IVJscufFYwNZdT3ceHBiW3iN7uJH2YZXN4fCDC_te8sNpWifVlMN-vKS0qi73q8uwTLDMJPz0xzFcOIi0EjG9uJSMNRv65B/s1600/Craft+Room+full+of+bins_11.2014_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbnX1cFK5pkYCjNXjU-x5R_V8pq8tzu98nI13yhEr7_Fb0IVJscufFYwNZdT3ceHBiW3iN7uJH2YZXN4fCDC_te8sNpWifVlMN-vKS0qi73q8uwTLDMJPz0xzFcOIi0EjG9uJSMNRv65B/s1600/Craft+Room+full+of+bins_11.2014_branded.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Scary, huh... </div>
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It's better than this now thanks to all my yarn being 90% put away (as I mentioned yesterday), but there is still tons to get put away so I can easily find things and use this room - including getting my sewing machine out of that box on the counter and start using it again!</div>
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4. While I don't really knit anymore, I thoroughly enough reading Stephanie's <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/" target="_blank">blog</a>. Not only does she make me wish that I was a better knitter, but she's hilarious to boot! One of my favorite times of year with her blog is during the month of December when she writes to non-knitters daily about what they can buy the knitter in their life. Always amazing things that she researches and shares, many of which nicely convert over to use for a crazy crocheter like myself!</div>
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I'm always so insanely unorganized during the Christmas season (or, at least, it felt that way this year), and Stephanie's <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/2014/12/the-spreadsheet-of-joy/" target="_blank">spreadsheets </a>really spoke to me in my haze of just not knowing what I was doing for Christmas gifts. Before Christmas was officially upon us, I had built out my own version of her spreadsheet to make sure that I had all the gifts I needed, and that I wasn't forgetting something stuck in a bag, hiding on the counter of my craft room behind a large tower of bins filled with yarn.....it was very interesting getting in there on Christmas Eve to find the Santa gifts which still needed wrapping!</div>
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Since wrapping up Christmas 2014, I have begun building my own gift-giving spreadsheet for all of 2015! Whether birthdays, anniversaries, for Jonathan, my parents, sister-in-law, the puppies, or Bingo gifts for Christmas Eve; everyone has a row and every holiday a column. It's still evolving (just yesterday I added in Mother's and Father's Day, and I blacked out any holidays where gifts aren't needed for particular people. I don't tend to buy my puppies Anniversary or Father's Day gifts, but I do spoil them with special treats on their birthdays, home-a-veries and on Christmas! Nor do we buy my dad and father-in-law Mother's Day gifts - you get the idea)</div>
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I'd like to have, at least, a first draft of my 2015 spreadsheet well under way by the end of this month. Mostly the crochet/sewing column - it's really the only way I'm going to effectively know what I need to make each month and stay on track, right?!?</div>
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5. For those of you who don't know me personally, I skiied my entire childhood. My parents were both on local ski patrol (my dad was actually on ski patrol at 2 different resorts) so I started skiing when I was 2 - which is actually 5 years before I even started taking dance lessons! The last time I went skiing was my senior year of high school. We used to come home from DC for the holidays thinking we'd get to ski but we'd run out of time, or the weather would just be too warm. Now we're on our 2nd winter in WNY and we still haven't gone skiing. That's changing this Sunday! I'm excited and nervous all at once to pick something back up that I used to love, but haven't done for the past 12 years.</div>
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My boots still fit, my skis and bindings are being checked my a local ski shop. Last night after work I stopped at Mom and Dads to go through what ski gear I still had that was usable. Everything still fits or was in good enough condition (some mearly good-enough to get me through what's left of this winter) except for ski pants. Turns out my hips are not as thin as they were when I was 18. duh....I totally knew that <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyVywm5HSRsXxfBbQLGjjDVBt8U-cTN-xQW8jDerTGN-H4ci7iCfQi_HDHax_FO_HTjHXUuX5j2u0YGjmGwMIoc4dYsnZQ6rEmjvb7IWgEuJUxWpPVJ1FsOxjEBnoELyyNrVnsyBuJCoO/s1600/wink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyVywm5HSRsXxfBbQLGjjDVBt8U-cTN-xQW8jDerTGN-H4ci7iCfQi_HDHax_FO_HTjHXUuX5j2u0YGjmGwMIoc4dYsnZQ6rEmjvb7IWgEuJUxWpPVJ1FsOxjEBnoELyyNrVnsyBuJCoO/s1600/wink.jpg" /></a></div>
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There you have it - my January Goals. Will try to remember to photograph my progress and completion throughout for a month-end recap!</div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com1Panama, NY 14767, USA42.0490842 -79.49288569999998841.860472200000004 -79.815609199999983 42.2376962 -79.1701622tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-60599736582689650142015-01-07T13:56:00.000-05:002015-01-07T13:56:43.013-05:002015 GoalsI'm a couple of days behind in getting this posted, esp when you consider the fact that I've had my 2015 goals set since New Years Eve! Unfortunately, Jonathan and I got sick while in Disney mid-December and the "ick" that seems to be taking out any and all in our region has kept me down for weeks now - to the point where I didn't get off the couch or out of my jammies all day on New Years Day :-(<br />
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<a href="http://craftycraftyhollylouise.blogspot.com/2014/01/january-2014-goals.html" target="_blank">Last January</a> I had big plans of keeping track of goals vs. resolutions throughout the year. Well that was big flop long before I stopped blogging in March. I'd like to try again each month to come up with around 5 things that I want to accomplish. Some may tie into the 2015 goals I'm sharing with you now, while others may just be on a month by month whim!<br />
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1. As I mentioned in my last post, this past Christmas I crafted far less gifts this year than for the past few years. For a while I felt bad, almost guilty about this, but there came a point in December where I had to just <a href="https://33.media.tumblr.com/cacafc7c05c84a63fe75d3caba960de0/tumblr_mxthui4n8G1t7xe6go1_400.gif" target="_blank">"Let It Go"</a> and remind myself that my family would not think that I cared less about them this Christmas just because their gift came from a store vs. my crochet hook or sewing machine! I've certainly said it before, directly after the holiday stress and rush that I'm going to start crocheting Christmas gifts earlier next year! Well, to make it seem a bit less daunting, I thought I'd just hold myself accountable to one gift per month. In theory this means I should have 12 gifts made by Christmas 2015 - makes sense right? We shall see how it goes!</div>
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2. Shortly after midnight New Years Eve (well, technically Day) I proclaimed that this was my big New Years Resolution for 2015! I had been thinking it for a couple of days at this point and hadn't shared with Jonathan. For some odd reason I was bursting with excitement to share my level of commitment to this over the coming year. Sadly, Jonathan's response was to scoff and say "what do I get if you buy yarn?" I was definitely disappointed that he wasn't taking me seriously (he later apologized, he's really not a stay up late kinda guy and was getting <strike>tired </strike>cranky). It also fueled me to prove him wrong! </div>
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Have no fear though, I will have ZERO problem crocheting lots this year while also keeping this goal. This is, of course, because I quite possibly have the yarn stash to end all yarn stashes:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-DPC2iCPYoNVrW3yaJzLV9YCVknFtKnPkZ5jW4fHfXRNtt9agOLjsZDSxcYPmgFOvqhR9P5Gqb4HVaU4_horXWnuOEq4p5qfVDjJ05jP8qS3v41VtHRxKQaukktQUOtFTav-ewtYfwqT/s1600/yarn+closet+angle_beg+Jan+2015_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-DPC2iCPYoNVrW3yaJzLV9YCVknFtKnPkZ5jW4fHfXRNtt9agOLjsZDSxcYPmgFOvqhR9P5Gqb4HVaU4_horXWnuOEq4p5qfVDjJ05jP8qS3v41VtHRxKQaukktQUOtFTav-ewtYfwqT/s1600/yarn+closet+angle_beg+Jan+2015_branded.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Mostly importantly, I'd like you all to <i>please</i> disregard the laundry and coats hanging in the doorway, and the bags stacked up on the floor. My craft room is most definitely still a work in progress!</div>
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My yarn bin was designed by me, and fully built and executed by Jonathan and my Dad [who built everything in my craft room.] The cabinet is deep enough that what's in there is 2 (sometimes 3 or 4) skeins deep right now. As you can also see things like purple, veregated, baby, pound of love and cotton yarns are missing from my yarn cabinet. There are 3 large plastic bins of veregated yarn along with 2 large plastic bin of purple yarn under the counter top just to the left of my yarn cabinet (bins are similar to <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermaid-Home-3Q35-00-CLMCB-Basic-Latch-95-Quart-Basic-Latch-Each/23504725" target="_blank">THESE </a>and were purchased at Walmart 2 summers ago). My baby yarn is all stacked in a hanging cabinet in the corner of the same side of the room. My cotton yarn and pound of love stash is in 3 plastic bins (2 of cotton, 1 of pound of love) in the floor to ceiling cabinets that were built to hold these sort of standard size <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-18-Gallon-Tote-Box-Fuchsia-Supreme/36128070" target="_blank">Sterilite </a>totes (20 in total, 10 pink and 10 silver if anyone truly cares other than me!) And as I was telling my mom this morning this doesn't include the multiple bins and bags of yarn which is either part of a WIP or was purchased specially for something which I haven't given up on actually making one day...</div>
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So, as you can see, I will NOT be running out of yarn anytime soon this year, or next, or likely the year after that! I have controlled the desire to walk through the yarn aisle at Walmart, or just swing by Michaels as I drive by, or even look at online sales for yarn so far. Yes, I know, big whoop we're only 7 days into 2015! But I'm trying. I do foresee the possibility of needing more of a neutral like white, black or cream or a specific shade [say of blue] by mid year, but for now I'm really concentrating to use what I have!</div>
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And one day, what yarn I have will fit in my specially designed and built yarn cabinet. It just won't be today. Or tomorrow :-)</div>
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3. I'm a bit on the fence on this Goal since typing these out back on New Years Eve. It's taken me quite a few days to write this post around everything else in life, it's now January 7th and I haven't begun to pull together the materials to do this. Heck, I haven't even come close to finishing my <a href="http://craftycraftyhollylouise.blogspot.com/2014/02/moody-monday-week-7.html" target="_blank">Mood Blanket</a> from 2014!! As always around this time of year, everyone is talking about goals and projects for the following year. First, I had to Google search what a Temperature Blanket even was. Once I knew the answer to that, I felt a bit stupid for not putting that one together on my own. As I kept looking, I found <a href="http://english.charami.com/2012/08/03/pattern-hearts-blanket/" target="_blank">this pattern</a> which got me exciting by the idea. Now on the 7th of January, I haven't begun, my Mood Blanket hasn't been crocheted since last February (I have notes for every day of last year) and I'm starting to wonder if I want to bother....</div>
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The only thing keeping me holding onto the idea is 1. I love the pattern and it would allow me to try it out 2. I think this blanket would make an awesome Christmas present 3. if it gets to be too much, or I don't like the pattern after all I can always quit (keeping track of moods felt so much more personal last year that even when I had packed up the yarn for it, I still wanted to keep track of my moods throughout the year) and 4. think of all the yarn I would use up!</div>
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We'll see what happens. Maybe I'll get some motivation over the weekend to dig in...</div>
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4. Cutting in dangerously close already, aren't I?? Can't believe my last post back was already a week ago! Life has just gotten so busy lately. Gonna try and be more organized and write with purpose in 2015. Of course, if I have nothing interesting to write; I may miss a week, but I'm going to try and be more dedicated to the blog this year. I write for me, and don't want it to be stressful, or feel like work - I just don't want to go 8 months between posts again!</div>
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5. I didn't read much at all last year. I'd like to change that. I have books on the shelf (and far more still in boxes), books on my kindle, books in my Amazon wishlist and even an Audible.com subscription so it's not that I'm not interested in books, or reading/listening. More importantly, when am I going to fit reading into my day with everything else??!? </div>
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Up next: My January specific goals. I will try and make that post a little shorter too!</div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-36367509136848124092014-12-31T16:51:00.000-05:002014-12-31T16:53:48.639-05:00"excuses" and Christmas crochetingI'm just going to go ahead and ignore the fact that I haven't posted anything since March.... there are about 500 reasons why this is. <br />
Okay maybe not 500, maybe it's closer to 10....in the past 9+ months I have (in no particular order):<br />
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1. changed positions (and desk locations) at my company, not once but twice<br />
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2. very effectively ran a super busy 1st summer for Jonathan and I at <a href="http://www.panamarocks.com/" target="_blank">Panama Rocks Scenic Park</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcpolnl1kseZSEWs0yoViudQ0jNzRglPcZRjNafaiM8BJvnkN1RRlAfaIzGtjxsf0jwjcxUEya-JsgrJRlHMwBPOFUlVMREWzlUN_q-gbSz63R79Dr-WpStF9mq8aeC__SQ8eVi7mdRqP/s1600/Opening+Weekend+at+PRSP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcpolnl1kseZSEWs0yoViudQ0jNzRglPcZRjNafaiM8BJvnkN1RRlAfaIzGtjxsf0jwjcxUEya-JsgrJRlHMwBPOFUlVMREWzlUN_q-gbSz63R79Dr-WpStF9mq8aeC__SQ8eVi7mdRqP/s1600/Opening+Weekend+at+PRSP.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Opening Weekend</div>
3. have performed in 3 shows, and choreographed 2 others in addition to 2 solo performances over the summer<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWStlknVe8f-1lzAhV7abMVgJqzkEjFrtX5pWiRAUJluBMdX4XmAEgAMX6GYuyvsb21QqGCzX8ARr5Mhuh3UZsfrJCw4aywQBZUBPmZ-UT1x7fdEmpDwSYO48tvTJe-ENqC_c7C0nMOal/s1600/The+World+Goes+Round+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWStlknVe8f-1lzAhV7abMVgJqzkEjFrtX5pWiRAUJluBMdX4XmAEgAMX6GYuyvsb21QqGCzX8ARr5Mhuh3UZsfrJCw4aywQBZUBPmZ-UT1x7fdEmpDwSYO48tvTJe-ENqC_c7C0nMOal/s1600/The+World+Goes+Round+collage.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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May 2014 </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTDByMVzlRLrLuimtpblWB4fFyzBu5fBJxNk2JVi2ehK2EqlABW-qWxCzOgX2VnM8lLNxCSXPbHYsobIxqk-Y16L0PytqRTHPLoPoSxZdjLBnrVGEWwr2xzd4OnQAsZ1SVIyeGx-nlFs5/s1600/Cats+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTDByMVzlRLrLuimtpblWB4fFyzBu5fBJxNk2JVi2ehK2EqlABW-qWxCzOgX2VnM8lLNxCSXPbHYsobIxqk-Y16L0PytqRTHPLoPoSxZdjLBnrVGEWwr2xzd4OnQAsZ1SVIyeGx-nlFs5/s1600/Cats+Collage.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
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October 2014</div>
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If you were paying attention, I mentioned involvement with 6 shows and only showed photos for 3. In addition to the ones shows above, I choreographed "Annie Get Your Gun" for a local high school, performed in a theatre fundraiser called "Home for the Holidays" and choreographed "Miracle in Bedford Falls" for the Lucille Ball Little Theatre"</div>
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4. taken on a Board of Directors position with the <a href="http://www.lucilleballlittletheatre.org/" target="_blank">Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown</a>, and began actively managing their website and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lucilleballlittletheatre" target="_blank">Facebook </a>page<br />
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5. took a trip to Walt Disney World with Jonathan to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of my 30th birthday - I could add about a bazillion pictures here that were taken, but I'll spare you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gQ1X9z1KWH6dJvDHGmANvhFIZMXRzyZrtCszwX6-p7Nvv7qcH63uUm3vuDVsxTs7iO3Ub3tb0ieg1QPHtZpU4RKdJzghqcdw05A0ZrjrCAfQN_exI1KYfIOzvmq0IMLrEBmHYB-LsulD/s1600/Cinderella's%2BRoyal%2BTable%2Blunch%2Bpicture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gQ1X9z1KWH6dJvDHGmANvhFIZMXRzyZrtCszwX6-p7Nvv7qcH63uUm3vuDVsxTs7iO3Ub3tb0ieg1QPHtZpU4RKdJzghqcdw05A0ZrjrCAfQN_exI1KYfIOzvmq0IMLrEBmHYB-LsulD/s1600/Cinderella's%2BRoyal%2BTable%2Blunch%2Bpicture.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Lunch on my Birthday was at Cinderella's Royal Table - IN Cinderella's Castle... DREAM.COME.TRUE.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCE3K26qn0cP0x5mUntJYFn2ce8vwc0T_GQV3oyvJHS45tTFLhrI6s-BZiIDrYV4ntuUbPiaLVzSp-bBBZ7eK42HIx43P4__5eu0VRbodK0yR4aiYzeiyLmYVtIz1dzbznHJfQkmNwX-T/s1600/Mickey+Ice+Cream+at+DHS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCE3K26qn0cP0x5mUntJYFn2ce8vwc0T_GQV3oyvJHS45tTFLhrI6s-BZiIDrYV4ntuUbPiaLVzSp-bBBZ7eK42HIx43P4__5eu0VRbodK0yR4aiYzeiyLmYVtIz1dzbznHJfQkmNwX-T/s1600/Mickey+Ice+Cream+at+DHS.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Mickey Ice Cream is the best! Really everything "Mickey-shaped" just tastes better!</div>
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6. continued working on the house remodel, which for my part usually is just about me moving boxes, reorganizing and excitingly getting to put things away. Again I could show a million pictures here of our work in progress but they're probably boring to you since it's not your house, and really it barely looks as though much as changed. I'll save them for now!<br />
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7. Celebrated our 3-year Wedding Anniversary (and 10 years together)<br />
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8. took a very last minute trip to NYC after winning tickets on Facebook to see the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular!<br />
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Walking around my old "stomping grounds" from when I went to <a href="http://www.amda.edu/" target="_blank">college </a>in NYC</div>
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View from our Time Square hotel room</div>
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[one of] my FAVORITE dances in the Christmas Spectacular!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcz_Nw1aAVReaItb7xvFl-7jGH1Q30Sq1AQMDjSvtocbCskwTP4WG1nctyAUCKweaPhszkE9wAJ21bcFOUDAxZ_lLmL6t4QIcOFn0XGvy959ftjyOGKz80M9vou_T014fpOUhlAGkLt6Q/s1600/yarn+purchase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcz_Nw1aAVReaItb7xvFl-7jGH1Q30Sq1AQMDjSvtocbCskwTP4WG1nctyAUCKweaPhszkE9wAJ21bcFOUDAxZ_lLmL6t4QIcOFn0XGvy959ftjyOGKz80M9vou_T014fpOUhlAGkLt6Q/s1600/yarn+purchase.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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AMAZING yarn from a really <a href="http://www.annieandco.com/" target="_blank">incredible </a>store on the Upper East Side - if you are in NYC or plan to visit NYC - go there!!!</div>
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9. spend as much time with the puppies, kitties and Jonathan when I'm not at work or the theatre<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6Fr5unFNhMeQ9hIbXj_nHK6FRaGIMu9lWjv9w-kipT6MjOJ_GwGK7p1gdMoElUQRHrg4TQobhSY83Dz8-k3J2U72JQSkXAzZWo1vPuD4NMyaRUkozux7Uyp-Eq8U8_wkvMnNNeygbc2G/s1600/Heron+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6Fr5unFNhMeQ9hIbXj_nHK6FRaGIMu9lWjv9w-kipT6MjOJ_GwGK7p1gdMoElUQRHrg4TQobhSY83Dz8-k3J2U72JQSkXAzZWo1vPuD4NMyaRUkozux7Uyp-Eq8U8_wkvMnNNeygbc2G/s1600/Heron+2014.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://greatblueheron.com/wp/" target="_blank">Happy Heron</a> for my 2nd year!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVF3dscHSfTsfm6KN7QnGo4QIN6-6VSZJ3FeMqETnyT9sOCC1KY8X8QOVxvGFnIOvDzaIsOa0AMR9ILqMm13_JyCC4e5kJyPdI57xIIMWLFDopG_gniO35kCN_uzQoYTael3FFsZyqDFH/s1600/silly+date+date.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVF3dscHSfTsfm6KN7QnGo4QIN6-6VSZJ3FeMqETnyT9sOCC1KY8X8QOVxvGFnIOvDzaIsOa0AMR9ILqMm13_JyCC4e5kJyPdI57xIIMWLFDopG_gniO35kCN_uzQoYTael3FFsZyqDFH/s1600/silly+date+date.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Silly date night selfies!</div>
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<b>These dogs tho!</b> Good gracious I don't even want to tell you how many pictures of them are filling my iPhone! I just LOVE them and all of their silliness!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdBl-YJTyL7IJCc9Re-CcOc7BAEm4xXOHVhGVu5BlydpN_RqUuGLe8YlM0Lr5ptGIV2cQ5VVJu52SSar_ye4oxkctNiKJntspyfmVPMRc_5HqcH7SUYAhIOw1mpALI6d34oQuV6yH8nfR/s1600/Sunday+morning+dogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdBl-YJTyL7IJCc9Re-CcOc7BAEm4xXOHVhGVu5BlydpN_RqUuGLe8YlM0Lr5ptGIV2cQ5VVJu52SSar_ye4oxkctNiKJntspyfmVPMRc_5HqcH7SUYAhIOw1mpALI6d34oQuV6yH8nfR/s1600/Sunday+morning+dogs.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunday morning poses!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t28zXcF5z_qAGeW4xQT7uCCfUDjV4a-5clcubceyVziV4t4-ce9nq4UORZD7CMC4Jf0gaNqXrufgpFr0SXmiWbdjkY1Ve4tMfqeSHxzbao3F8uQfEO3Uev9xV5S4F-4nd0Zgj_Fk92Tb/s1600/Copper+-+please+send+chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t28zXcF5z_qAGeW4xQT7uCCfUDjV4a-5clcubceyVziV4t4-ce9nq4UORZD7CMC4Jf0gaNqXrufgpFr0SXmiWbdjkY1Ve4tMfqeSHxzbao3F8uQfEO3Uev9xV5S4F-4nd0Zgj_Fk92Tb/s1600/Copper+-+please+send+chicken.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Dear God, it's me, Copper. Please send roast chicken"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhEt3jhnFpEOEtVkomtvuJkUMGHxVgaS5scMrR-x5_T1MH-3uPifzm7E5KRAcxcMi43oYI3qOCQ7Lp8tkOZyC_zwxte0iayYoWlbSGboI5SKubEa9vrJAYD6Dix8c3WlzvHEfBT5Ipw0r/s1600/National+Puppy+Day+Aug.+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhEt3jhnFpEOEtVkomtvuJkUMGHxVgaS5scMrR-x5_T1MH-3uPifzm7E5KRAcxcMi43oYI3qOCQ7Lp8tkOZyC_zwxte0iayYoWlbSGboI5SKubEa9vrJAYD6Dix8c3WlzvHEfBT5Ipw0r/s1600/National+Puppy+Day+Aug.+2014.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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My babies on National Dog Day 2014</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZx0JUBkYY_cgXUdFmvNu2GWkPRCzxmMxdHaBNVleQSFxX0DK7xQvtl21IhEMbUNv0ejOQv_Lpe_pKkxeU0Xm5Ng2icCEgJcbrUKyTdTHpD3FyrODaMFNivFxjJIVFLf85xZMw9Ol4AF_J/s1600/Cooper+toof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZx0JUBkYY_cgXUdFmvNu2GWkPRCzxmMxdHaBNVleQSFxX0DK7xQvtl21IhEMbUNv0ejOQv_Lpe_pKkxeU0Xm5Ng2icCEgJcbrUKyTdTHpD3FyrODaMFNivFxjJIVFLf85xZMw9Ol4AF_J/s1600/Cooper+toof.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not sure this one requires a comment....it does make me laugh EVERY TIME I see it!</div>
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10. crocheted as much as possible...looking back, on the last day of 2014, I'm honestly not sure if I crocheted a lot over the past year or no where near as much as in years past. Based on the lack of pictures, minimal custom orders and lack of Christmas gifts I gave this year that were crocheted it feels like I crocheted very little. In fact, looking back on some really ridiculously busy weeks and months at the theatre, I know that entire weeks went by where I didn't pick up a crochet hook! But I know things were crocheted....barely anything that I can recall was finished and my list of ideas has grown 10-fold. Definitely have to make sure I do a better job at photographing the work I complete in 2015 (we'll call than an official resolution - don't worry the 2015 Goals post is up next!)<br />
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A little Facebook stalking of my own page allowed me to find the following that I did crochet, finish and photograph since March:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxN-YQyf6HnNcdvSmjpnZ_l3iZzp6XNOCDLcq5IQ35TZBXedA43WpW8iFD6nBuTMh5ZXmkRLK9NtVGmuE9NcvZZmwy7NbfjcV7PLHGB_vvWV4EhfO4uveSG-mg-T6nyYsxA-lrOseHtOd/s1600/Emma+Olaf+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxN-YQyf6HnNcdvSmjpnZ_l3iZzp6XNOCDLcq5IQ35TZBXedA43WpW8iFD6nBuTMh5ZXmkRLK9NtVGmuE9NcvZZmwy7NbfjcV7PLHGB_vvWV4EhfO4uveSG-mg-T6nyYsxA-lrOseHtOd/s1600/Emma+Olaf+hat.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Olaf-inspired hat for a Halloween Costume (completed custom order)</div>
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<i>my own pattern</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKnkKZBgRUeyxHXd_ZUHJqjpf3o3IfZJUllBbnfnTKjC0DL6QbOlQ21d7NZoAu-KeE3a1Z5AsrofCsNTuRCu4pTpPGTv2G-DCB7hcsrvJtfWS-PhZp-0k1DZk5HGLjHY7P1YpmS7-rXnH/s1600/KWeber_phittens_Nov+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKnkKZBgRUeyxHXd_ZUHJqjpf3o3IfZJUllBbnfnTKjC0DL6QbOlQ21d7NZoAu-KeE3a1Z5AsrofCsNTuRCu4pTpPGTv2G-DCB7hcsrvJtfWS-PhZp-0k1DZk5HGLjHY7P1YpmS7-rXnH/s1600/KWeber_phittens_Nov+2014.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Phittens" (completed custom order)</div>
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<i>my own pattern</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYZ2l5CzxJgKXPsXOXcWxYBsKThGTYgf4sOQY_J1_x163hmGzcMEyCTkM_BMh5oXnopKvrM-YbujQjBqbQ6eGwAfyxF_-H2NbuAaXC6aVFqUMrHuvx4zYTTZ5jzFlcPp16yzOLu1J6aQr/s1600/neon+c2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYZ2l5CzxJgKXPsXOXcWxYBsKThGTYgf4sOQY_J1_x163hmGzcMEyCTkM_BMh5oXnopKvrM-YbujQjBqbQ6eGwAfyxF_-H2NbuAaXC6aVFqUMrHuvx4zYTTZ5jzFlcPp16yzOLu1J6aQr/s1600/neon+c2c.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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My Neon c2c blanket....still no where near done, but I just love the colors of this one, and the fact that I was sitting on my front porch in flip flops crocheting! </div>
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<a href="http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/crochet-corner-corner-throw" target="_blank">PATTERN</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioi1DK3oscjiZn7EZ9m55IFBzYi93ORuSPWFO4rrdPYTp5EgimDzjvy07YRROaFh0LmFhJagKAPMNLRUw_XCx_YajqnjFjzFh4-U7x-eGHuIDZQga-8dllAy9hkXQJ_TLHn36qDwgDUdlX/s1600/Sunday+Mornings+@+PRSP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioi1DK3oscjiZn7EZ9m55IFBzYi93ORuSPWFO4rrdPYTp5EgimDzjvy07YRROaFh0LmFhJagKAPMNLRUw_XCx_YajqnjFjzFh4-U7x-eGHuIDZQga-8dllAy9hkXQJ_TLHn36qDwgDUdlX/s1600/Sunday+Mornings+@+PRSP.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Speaking of 'warm weather' crocheting - doesn't this look like amazing way to be spending a Sunday morning??</div>
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<i>my own pattern</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoW-mMBNERBuEUjTYZy2_4RaETG2eUJyxEiyPsfVwNJBkvEk_eNYA2vWwHQMLxH-w491DAJ6shN4TaJNyKV5-jPrgIOvp4OJkyRwl8uh3aqoivc0KIJn-PuD2hjvv74mlveAjv-zFQYDq4/s1600/Red+Boot+Cuffs+11.2014_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoW-mMBNERBuEUjTYZy2_4RaETG2eUJyxEiyPsfVwNJBkvEk_eNYA2vWwHQMLxH-w491DAJ6shN4TaJNyKV5-jPrgIOvp4OJkyRwl8uh3aqoivc0KIJn-PuD2hjvv74mlveAjv-zFQYDq4/s1600/Red+Boot+Cuffs+11.2014_branded.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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My first pair of Boot Cuffs!</div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scalloped-boot-cuffs" target="_blank">PATTERN</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQzcMxR-v37NdaAebt6IK8SzWXIlCoMiB55vQqNOH-uDyoXBZFOowSKUKPOLn4NKyx8X9c-5gB9zLYojExK5BbUrJZrTHu-T6DsHYJp_cBc3O3JIoFVt3VI2z9hdUJXXU1BbGWt-HPGja/s1600/Road+Trip+Scarf_8.21.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQzcMxR-v37NdaAebt6IK8SzWXIlCoMiB55vQqNOH-uDyoXBZFOowSKUKPOLn4NKyx8X9c-5gB9zLYojExK5BbUrJZrTHu-T6DsHYJp_cBc3O3JIoFVt3VI2z9hdUJXXU1BbGWt-HPGja/s1600/Road+Trip+Scarf_8.21.14.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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The beginning of my Road Trip Scarf. Everything but the border has been done for MONTHS, but the last time I picked it up, I couldn't understand the pattern so I gave up...it's still waiting for me, mockingly to finish</div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/road-trip-scarf-2" target="_blank">PATTERN</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVme4HN7xEfqDgJOk2Wahqy3a1wSZcp_stp_aq2eHuHWDjxqMzmLeJ5EpRWyDWXhxFGBlWDUzhoCpICZZ2W7Q6cSpdMVDYfSummMaIEx048PCjpc-boQFoOHBxiQ16fAY3Pzwutcs2QZy/s1600/Thanksgiving+2014+crocheting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVme4HN7xEfqDgJOk2Wahqy3a1wSZcp_stp_aq2eHuHWDjxqMzmLeJ5EpRWyDWXhxFGBlWDUzhoCpICZZ2W7Q6cSpdMVDYfSummMaIEx048PCjpc-boQFoOHBxiQ16fAY3Pzwutcs2QZy/s1600/Thanksgiving+2014+crocheting.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Crocheting accomplishments from Thanksgiving morning while watching the Parade and Dog Show</div>
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Cowl is a variation of this <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90652AD.html" target="_blank">PATTERN</a></div>
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Boot Cuff Pattern is the same as <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scalloped-boot-cuffs" target="_blank">above</a></div>
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Remember that AMAZING tower of yarn I purchased in NYC?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUHhQr5Mjgy0l8wMLrW1y_7mxBVTETMm3tlQtVEVviSPc6O4E8sA-w54rB19DC_jHb0qma8M0AVoKJuvIq9v31N9j1F53FxTTrANkQtBmJ03DwXOS3UfPHjHQNx7m7-vpbv7HeSxyqke6/s1600/Jon+hat_madelinetosh+yarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUHhQr5Mjgy0l8wMLrW1y_7mxBVTETMm3tlQtVEVviSPc6O4E8sA-w54rB19DC_jHb0qma8M0AVoKJuvIq9v31N9j1F53FxTTrANkQtBmJ03DwXOS3UfPHjHQNx7m7-vpbv7HeSxyqke6/s1600/Jon+hat_madelinetosh+yarn.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well here is the hat that I crocheted for Jonathan at his request. This was photographed from our hotel in Buffalo the night before we left for Disney.</div>
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<i>my own pattern</i> (just a simple dc beanie)</div>
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Here's a quick recap of what I did crochet for Christmas gifts:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPRBynZxHg8Xu-ZZuyEJK1DJfp-YLtlixJfL7V-9Yp68g6H57LYY0QF_5fZuhKww1WZnharycK9uvwVAAPEUyw0fmJsdonoqqnSiwW73k2t8dHxMBVxWUzkiYhLJg3ZmQ9fbpoD85AgxX/s1600/Christmas+Crochet+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPRBynZxHg8Xu-ZZuyEJK1DJfp-YLtlixJfL7V-9Yp68g6H57LYY0QF_5fZuhKww1WZnharycK9uvwVAAPEUyw0fmJsdonoqqnSiwW73k2t8dHxMBVxWUzkiYhLJg3ZmQ9fbpoD85AgxX/s1600/Christmas+Crochet+2014.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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As you can see, more detail and effort went into "collaging" and decorating this in PicMonkey than the actual photographing of gifts before wrapping hastily on Christmas Eve (yes, I was that person. We arrived home from Disney around 2 a.m. on the 22nd and I had to work the 22nd and 23rd)<br />
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And, "why?", do you ask is it that I don't get anywhere near as much crocheting done as I'd like to on the rare occasions when I'm home and not sleeping?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0TNu4w0bRZ9iCqm6_b-18UsBj5gF7xsMzbtMznsmsR0-Q-XraS7WZ-VTwt5wNHEDceWkFVnX-pCgprSy1dwwVPsEe1wzc0xz6gc9W5vKMZjQfXvtvukT64ZZzRUteS3WgwtxP_BuqrsG/s1600/why+I+can't%2Bfinish%2Bmy%2Bcrocheting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0TNu4w0bRZ9iCqm6_b-18UsBj5gF7xsMzbtMznsmsR0-Q-XraS7WZ-VTwt5wNHEDceWkFVnX-pCgprSy1dwwVPsEe1wzc0xz6gc9W5vKMZjQfXvtvukT64ZZzRUteS3WgwtxP_BuqrsG/s1600/why+I+can't%2Bfinish%2Bmy%2Bcrocheting.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Oh yeah, cause someone gets jealous he's not getting all of my attention at all times!</div>
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That's all for now friends. I've had the blogging bug bad for a few weeks now so I hope it continues to stick with me in 2015!<br />
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Wishing you all a safe and Happy New Year!</div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-54113549791802980762014-03-03T22:19:00.000-05:002014-03-03T22:19:13.282-05:00Moody Monday - behindI haven't given up on my mood blanket. I still love it, but time has not been on my side.<br />
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Life has taken a busy turn lately. I'm 2 weeks behind on crocheting my hexagons...<br />
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Last week I planned to be caught up by today but it just didn't happen.<br />
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Fingers crossed that by this time next week I'll have weeks 8-10 to share.<br />
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-41056597217442646152014-02-17T22:50:00.000-05:002014-02-17T22:52:02.909-05:00Moody Monday - week 7<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
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Gah – the last week really slipped away from me! Sorry to have disappeared a bit….I had been doing so well the first few weeks of 2014. Between getting over being sick, catching up from being sick, and transitioning into a new role at work; I can’t seem to recall <i>any </i>free time had to blog, or crochet!</div>
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<b>2/10:</b> PRODUCTIVE – as I mentioned<a href="http://craftycraftyhollylouise.blogspot.com/2014/02/moody-monday-week-6.html" target="_blank"> last Monday</a>, I was a little ahead of schedule in my posting. I spent Monday recovering from the last of the flu, but this was the perfect opportunity for some seriously hexagon crocheting in between naps, allowing me to catch up on all my days to date in 2014, picking a joining method, and I mapped out the size of my blanket (how many hexs in each row by how many rows to make sure the size come Dec 31<sup>st</sup> will be proportionate with the correct number of finished hexagons for the year!)</div>
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<b>2/11: </b>HAPPY/PRODUCTIVE – Tuesday was my last day in my old position. I had a busy day of wrapping up what I’d been working on, and leaving notes for the woman coming back into the roll. I also got all of the final details on my new role, which was exciting and made me happy to start anew on Wednesday morning!</div>
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<b>2/12</b>: FREEZING – holy moly was it coooooooooooold on Wednesday morning!!!! I was driving to work and started hearing this creaking and bending noise on the top of my Jeep. I couldn’t figure out what was going on, but looked up at my temperature gauge and saw THIS!:</div>
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If you were wondering, this is 10 degrees colder than it was here during the first Polar Vortex back in January. The creaking and [almost] snapping of plastic sounds reminding me of the movie “The Day After Tomorrow” when everything turns to ice. I think it goes without saying that I had a hard time warming up most of the day.</div>
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<b>2/13:</b> SAD/FRUSTRATED – day 2 in my new position proved to be a challenging one. I don’t like to be idle at work, and I had a day of forgetting that it takes time to get adjusted into something new, especially when it’s a newly created position with no previous job description and duties to follow! I spent most of Thursday having a pity party for myself in this respect. Completely illogical, but who said there’s logic behind our feelings??</div>
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<b>2/14:</b> VALENTINE’S DAY – we had a bit of a low key Valentine’s Day. We’ve never gone crazy with this holiday, just small gifts and a nice evening together, which is a-okay with me. I came home to red roses and a heart shaped gluten-free brownie. There was wine, a lovely dinner, and an evening in front of the fire watching the Olympics.</div>
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Friday was also the day we celebrated Copper’s 1<sup>st </sup>Birthday! Since he was a rescue, who was found in a field, we’ll never know his exact birthday. When he came to live with us this summer, they told us that his birthday was February 13<sup>th</sup>. The more I thought about it, I decided this situation had some wiggle room, and I made his birthday Valentine’s Day – cause he’s definitely my little LOVE BUG! </div>
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This picture was taken yesterday evening; clearly his birthday weekend was exhausting business!</div>
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<b>2/15:</b> DREAMING OF DISNEY/THINKING OF GRANNIE – <a href="http://www.post-journal.com/page/content.detail/id/635569.html" target="_blank">Jamestown High School’s music department </a>left Friday afternoon for Walt Disney World. Since then my Facebook feed has exploded with status updates and pictures from within the Resorts. There’s student’s family members, and the fact that my in-laws are also currently in Walt Disney World, on a totally unrelated trip (my Valentine’s Day present will even be coming home with them this spring as it was purchased at the Polynesian resort!). All these images of people that I know at the Happiest Place on Earth just makes me want to put on a Disney t-shirt, flip through photos from our previous trips, and listen to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Disney-World-Official-Album-Release/dp/B00EVAY1EQ/ref=pd_sim_m_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1TMWGCMZGETDZ9DCG12B" target="_blank">this </a>(or watch <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Disney-Parks-Disneyland-Ultimate-Undiscovered/dp/B0036K9CM8" target="_blank">these</a>….)</div>
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or THIS!</div>
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Over the past day or two, my mind keeps wandering to my Grannie. Just little things like something happens that I want to share with her, and I think to tell her on my way home from work….then I remember that I can’t.</div>
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<b>2/16:</b> LOVED – Last night we were sitting watching the Olympics while I crocheted up my hexagons for this week, and I said to Jonathan: “I don’t know what mood I’m feeling today!! What is my mood??” I spent the day out shopping/running errands, having a phone date with my best friend, finishing up laundry, playing with the puppies and crocheting. Being productive and/or crafty was not really sticking out as my mood for the day, and I don’t have a color for ‘shopping fun’, ‘snuggling puppies’, ‘best friends’ or ‘excitement for pizza for dinner’ (yes, I have a color for excited, but it seems a little ridiculous to use this for the day just over the evening dinner selection…..) Jon’s response was: “don’t you feel loved today?”, and I said: “I <i>always</i> feel loved”. </div>
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Everything else with my blanket is still piles of hexagons that need the ends woven in on and to be crocheted together….as always, there are never enough hours in the day/week</div>
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I planned to start crocheting things together this evening, at least week 7's work....but in a brief moment of exhaustion; this happened:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">Of course, the one that weighs around 70 pounds thinks she's a lap dog...</span></div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-85670297090059626312014-02-10T21:42:00.002-05:002014-02-10T21:42:30.497-05:00Moody Monday - week 6Another week has come and gone, and I've made great progress on my Mood Blanket!<br />
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For starters:<br />
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I have <i>finally</i> caught up! Everything to date (through today) has been crocheted! As you can see, no ends have been dealt with (well, some have) and I still haven't started putting my blanket together, but progress has been made there as well!</div>
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I did all the math, many <i>many</i> times to figure out how I wanted to put my blanket together, and tested out Lucy's <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/joining-granny-sqaures.html" target="_blank">joining</a> for Granny Squares. Still not 110% on my joining decision, and wanted to just look things over one more time in the light of day (AKA: Saturday).</div>
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Here's what I crocheted for week 6:<br />
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<b>2/3</b>: NOT FEELING WELL - woke up last Monday morning not feeling well at all. Hopeful that I'm not getting sick and/or catching whatever it is going around my office.</div>
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<b>2/4:</b> FREEZING / THINKING OF GRANNIE - the sunrise on my drive to work Tuesday morning made me feel as though Grannie was looking down on me</div>
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It was, again, freezing cold but I immediately thought of my colors for freezing and thinking of Grannie, and they really match this sunrise perfectly.</div>
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<b>2/5:</b> SNOWY DAY / EXCITED - more snow in WNY and some exciting possibilities arose at work.</div>
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<b>2/6:</b> EXCITED - Wednesday's excitement continued into Thursday with good meetings at work, in additional to a few meetings I had outside of the office.</div>
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<b>2/7:</b> SICK - ugh....drove home Thursday night with a migraine, woke up with it on Friday morning. Started to cough while getting ready for work, and definitely had a nasty sore throat. Everything went downhill throughout the day on Friday, but I made it through my day in the office, came home and just C.R.A.S.H.E.D. sore throat, fever, body aches, and cough</div>
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<b>*BONUS HEX* </b>refused to miss the Opening Ceremonies for the Winter Olympics, even if I did have a flu. I had to make a TEAM USA hex for the day as well!</div>
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<b>2/8:</b> TIRED / SICK - didn't feel as terrible Saturday as I did on Friday, I even made it to my 10 a.m. nail appointment. Came home and took a 4 hour nap, slept through most of the Olympic events that night, and still slept a solid 8 hours. I clearly needed all that rest to get over whatever it is/was infecting my system.</div>
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<b>2/9:</b> FEELING CRAFTY / SICK - woke yesterday feeling around 75%. Spent most of my day crocheting and watching Dawson's Creek on Netflix. Slowly getting better (even if my voice isn't fully back)</div>
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<b>2/10:</b> PRODUCTIVE - "technically" this hex belongs on next week's post. But it was already in my picture before I realized this. So, you're getting it tonight. You may see it again next week, if I remember. We'll call today's productivity a variation on overachieving!</div>
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Speaking of today's productivity, I've gotta show off my favorite hex to date:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8idGSP03OrHGfYOXGOX9RoOEY3g_wCwsZ8a0BsK2RiG13Zfk6GftPEUr0GDgmV4C2_OQH7I1Kul0_K4ceu64ZWuFP4UP4cFnZ97dAA6yg920-wEEQ4bL6FCJdC0d8ZgWCw0VRbkjDy5KA/s1600/Owl_fav+as+of+2.10.14_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8idGSP03OrHGfYOXGOX9RoOEY3g_wCwsZ8a0BsK2RiG13Zfk6GftPEUr0GDgmV4C2_OQH7I1Kul0_K4ceu64ZWuFP4UP4cFnZ97dAA6yg920-wEEQ4bL6FCJdC0d8ZgWCw0VRbkjDy5KA/s1600/Owl_fav+as+of+2.10.14_branded.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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TOO CUTE, right?? Jonathan asked me if the owl was because I was feeling crafty. I told him it was because I bought an Owl [decoration] that day! I'm just realizing now that the owl was supposed to be happy / feeling crafty, but that I crocheted it happy / thinking of Grannie. Maybe she wanted to be part of today's crocheting - or she was a part of my crafty shopping trip with Mom back on January 18th.</div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-73185250308143615592014-02-09T20:21:00.001-05:002014-02-09T20:22:46.916-05:00Showcase Sunday<div style="text-align: justify;">
No "sneak peak" to show this weekend, cause I'm too excited to <b>show off</b> of my 2 new <a href="http://etsy.com/shop/craftyhollylouise" target="_blank">ETSY</a> postings:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLX2koXOCotaGk7jSHFG67NvhfBhL8S-zDodyaNB-Px1Fnd-Z6YBF03ZX_3fyh67hKgnkCzEcHqS1hmJWnMqgpADnt79As9bpHrxuOQyOPWLKuD_tti_spzQuWa0TfODwY0246X5cpyf2/s1600/pink+and+white+hat+with+heart+flaps+by+fireplace_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLX2koXOCotaGk7jSHFG67NvhfBhL8S-zDodyaNB-Px1Fnd-Z6YBF03ZX_3fyh67hKgnkCzEcHqS1hmJWnMqgpADnt79As9bpHrxuOQyOPWLKuD_tti_spzQuWa0TfODwY0246X5cpyf2/s1600/pink+and+white+hat+with+heart+flaps+by+fireplace_branded.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2f3CYoyOu3kDMfasamJXj4zPGmBDnb1_bTciejBnfioLL-1ajFe58Y2_66FcvnA5J7CTuRmerpc5mu6vtVGLjVZWsTHhxwpWu6DNNDToK29tpwikvgMmYkCBUNIDJCc0CVHO_yzY-gilQ/s1600/pink+and+white+hat+with+heart+flaps+on+table_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2f3CYoyOu3kDMfasamJXj4zPGmBDnb1_bTciejBnfioLL-1ajFe58Y2_66FcvnA5J7CTuRmerpc5mu6vtVGLjVZWsTHhxwpWu6DNNDToK29tpwikvgMmYkCBUNIDJCc0CVHO_yzY-gilQ/s1600/pink+and+white+hat+with+heart+flaps+on+table_branded.jpg" height="400" width="328" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttUhlgmiLLNGr3r9UoaXArroOpJHvhSOKIUCQxuFV_xRxk5Vzc8ttOu5oYk0dTsixC_8P5EYAJRP13M_pTGoh9A2SmJf8wg7ZwF0SQkubQuTcRWRPnVBXN0iauMaouELDmtHg7v2TkwrV/s1600/white+and+red+hat+with+red+heart+on+table_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttUhlgmiLLNGr3r9UoaXArroOpJHvhSOKIUCQxuFV_xRxk5Vzc8ttOu5oYk0dTsixC_8P5EYAJRP13M_pTGoh9A2SmJf8wg7ZwF0SQkubQuTcRWRPnVBXN0iauMaouELDmtHg7v2TkwrV/s1600/white+and+red+hat+with+red+heart+on+table_branded.jpg" height="400" width="332" /></a></div>
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Are these hats not the cutest? I'm just in LOVE with both of them!! I wish I'd made the pink one in my size...or that I had a little girl to put them on :-)</div>
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They are between 18" and 19" in circumference - perfect for ages 1-3 (though measuring the recipient's head is the best way to ensure an accurate fit)</div>
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Both can be found at www.etsy.com/shop/craftyhollylouise - check them out today!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QUM_Tx_w5X7y0h0EvLHT0X5bVAufK6ZrwRCYYzrIEpCPmOxLzm1Y6Dr3VUN0pRLRxnGcvapbrXZnZ8XCx7hhndMqIKAAL8DuOG0rzCBk-4zA1RuqmV6aB740pcj723WQzbsI-utaVimt/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QUM_Tx_w5X7y0h0EvLHT0X5bVAufK6ZrwRCYYzrIEpCPmOxLzm1Y6Dr3VUN0pRLRxnGcvapbrXZnZ8XCx7hhndMqIKAAL8DuOG0rzCBk-4zA1RuqmV6aB740pcj723WQzbsI-utaVimt/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-40198478028697126912014-02-05T16:11:00.000-05:002014-02-09T20:23:11.039-05:00Warm Your Space Wednesday - Valentine's Edition<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I did it! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHVJjVZS2JQq7rngkgumgmRxPW3XfGHSJeGr6dZ1dhYBwyVCSpTZ6BJTBjxb4biGKl05HJWmDNRHsHqOY8AsOBYbGImBGxdDSSYduXK2Sb_poyvkXdoFM45Mimmv8JSXg9pzLUAAiRH4g/s1600/confetti+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHVJjVZS2JQq7rngkgumgmRxPW3XfGHSJeGr6dZ1dhYBwyVCSpTZ6BJTBjxb4biGKl05HJWmDNRHsHqOY8AsOBYbGImBGxdDSSYduXK2Sb_poyvkXdoFM45Mimmv8JSXg9pzLUAAiRH4g/s1600/confetti+gif.gif" /></a></div>
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I actually completed a planned project for Warm Your Space Wednesday and am ready to write about it <b>on</b> Wednesday.</div>
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If only I had gotten better pictures this weekend... Thank goodness for <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">photo editing online.</a>.. (there's always room for growth before next week, right?)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgNFoRQMYEKy6_JNj_yCcyHB8hgh26QGgrAR1j3Wo0aC_U8hzSTBAOgE0H08WR1gmbfOhnedCst0JYv6v8V_N-XVG4CY9uvZwxQpRFvSfkr-oyY7IiSJdVWowJGQcR1ANnk_r9njm498a/s1600/Heart+Garland+with+closed+curtains_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgNFoRQMYEKy6_JNj_yCcyHB8hgh26QGgrAR1j3Wo0aC_U8hzSTBAOgE0H08WR1gmbfOhnedCst0JYv6v8V_N-XVG4CY9uvZwxQpRFvSfkr-oyY7IiSJdVWowJGQcR1ANnk_r9njm498a/s1600/Heart+Garland+with+closed+curtains_branded.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
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Isn't this so cute!!! I just love it every time I walk through the kitchen!</div>
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I found <a href="http://sarahndipities.indiemade.com/blog/things-make-crochet-heart-garland-pattern" target="_blank">THIS </a>pattern just as it was posted last month. I honestly can't even remember what I was doing/looking for when I came across it, but I immediately fell in love with it and new it would be a great way to warm my space this Valentine's season (yes, I do believe a season is in order for all things hearts, pink, love, and roses) Everything was crocheted in <a href="http://www.redheart.com/yarn/love" target="_blank">Red Heart with Love</a> in Candy Pink and an <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/24063193?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=3&adid=22222222227017375641&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=35583618876&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=50599061196&veh=sem" target="_blank">I-hook</a>.</div>
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This shade is just <i>perfect</i> for Valentine's Day! Over-the-top sickeningly sweet, <span style="font-size: large;"><i>perfect </i></span>shade of pink! </div>
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As previously posted, it took me a few weeks to really get started on this project, but once I got focused and really started working on these they went so fast! Sarah's pattern is super easy to read and I quickly had it memorized and cranked out the 13 necessary within two nights of crocheting. I'd say that they could have been done in one if I didn't eat dinner and those puppies weren't so darn distracting, but neither of those is ever likely to occur in our house!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4INSfOW2nBQ8UJbsrgLvIv2aK10z6VtAhz1N2INmZhBuavypv1n-3-qSfg3pXwe-CP6hcwWiU4_rmkiD8L1gh-RL5DN-e8kENDU1MmF8stJSb5gakXn1efkn_sUeI5_AJW9Zv5XAypzp/s1600/Heart+Garland.2_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4INSfOW2nBQ8UJbsrgLvIv2aK10z6VtAhz1N2INmZhBuavypv1n-3-qSfg3pXwe-CP6hcwWiU4_rmkiD8L1gh-RL5DN-e8kENDU1MmF8stJSb5gakXn1efkn_sUeI5_AJW9Zv5XAypzp/s1600/Heart+Garland.2_branded.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure there is much more that I can say about these except that they just make me smile! </div>
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*side note - totally loving on all the snow stuck to the trees in these pictures. While I'm a little over the excessive cold, and am really sick of my sweater collection each day as I'm getting dressed for work, I just LOVE the snow! Even when the slower driving extends my commute, I can't help but smile at the beautiful white flakes coming down and the winter-scape out my windows</div>
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**side note #2 - those spring like flowers were a lovely surprise from Jonathan last week while everything that was going on last week really had me down. There are also flowers from my mother-in-law that are just out of the sight line of this picture. As I mentioned on Monday, my family has been amazingly supportive and really know how to make a girl feel <i>extra </i>loved!</div>
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For any of you non-crocheters out there reading this, who would love Heart Garland for your home for Valentine's Day [2015], send me a message at craftyhollylouise[@]gmail.com I sadly don't anticipate having enough time to make and ship these for your family's enjoyment this year (unless you're looking to use these year round / for an Anniversary / Birthday! Then I'd be more than happy to work with you on timing!) As always, color options are endless.</div>
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P.S. Be sure to check out the <a href="http://eyeloveyoublog.blogspot.com/2014/01/reasons-why-i-love-you-jar-and-other.html" target="_blank">adorable ideas</a> Taurie has been cranking out for <a href="http://eyeloveyoublog.blogspot.com/2014/02/valentines-for-home.html" target="_blank">Valentine's Day,</a> including <a href="http://eyeloveyoublog.blogspot.com/2014/01/valentine-lovings.html" target="_blank">Valentine's inspiration</a> and this week's Warm Your Space Wednesday, found <a href="http://eyeloveyoublog.blogspot.com/2014/02/wysw-free-valentine-printables.html" target="_blank">here</a>. And I sooooooooooo wanna make <a href="http://thisidylliclife.com/watercolorheartgarlands/" target="_blank">THESE</a>!!!!</div>
<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-71467179010236224112014-02-04T22:42:00.000-05:002014-02-05T09:58:26.973-05:00Two on Tuesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Things making me happy as I head to bed this evening:<br />
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1. time to crochet after work this evening, allowing me to catch up on Mood Blanket!<br />
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Here's my hexagons from week 5</div>
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Still not fully caught up for January, but here's where I now am! Totally having some anxiety over the order when it comes time to start connecting these - between similar colors and patterns that I don't want next to each other, I'm not sure what I'll end up doing!</div>
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2. Our puppies are just the BEST</div>
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Osa and Copper were both very interested in hanging out with me while I crocheted this evening</div>
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Clearly, they were exhausted after a day of playing in the snow</div>
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Can't imagine he was chilly when laying that close to the fire, but Copper found himself the warmest location he could! LOL he cracks me up</div>
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Wouldn't it be great if there were enough hours in the day that I could work, crochet and still be able to take pictures when it's daylight vs. everything being dark, fuzzy and not quite the right color overall? #agirlcandream </div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-51003254231723461442014-02-04T11:29:00.001-05:002014-02-04T11:29:16.822-05:00Moody Monday - week 5<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b> </b>what.a.week</div>
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As you can see below, MOODY is a pretty darn good word for how I have been feeling over the past 7 days!!! </div>
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<b>1/27</b>: ANXIOUS - due to some totally unexpected, and unforeseen news at work, I spent most of last Monday evening in a state of shock, disbelief, anger and sadness. As of today, things still aren't totally straightened out, but I am trying to keep a "things happen for a reason" attitude, and I am overwhelmingly thankful for my amazingly supportive and loving husband and family.</div>
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<b>1/28</b>: ANGRY/LOVED - Monday's news spilled right into Tuesday, but in the form of anger that I haven't experienced in quite some time. I have to say that Jonathan has been just amazing all week long. I mean, he is ALWAYS amazing and ALWAYS makes me feel loved, but he's managed to go above and beyond as we deal with all the emotions of the past week. He truly is the biggest blessing of my life. And <u>the</u> <span style="font-size: large;"><u>best</u></span>.</div>
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<b>1/29</b>: *FREEZING - I'm not convinced this winter will ever end, and I'm pretty sure most of you would agree with me on this! The cold on Wednesday just seeped into my bones and I never really warmed up in the office all day.</div>
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*Freezing is one of my new "weather related" moods that I added in when I found the perfect shade of <i>ice blue</i> in my stash this weekend. I'm saving this for days when the space heater has to be on at work all day, or I'm sitting in the house in 5 layers and still can't warm up!</div>
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<b>1/30</b>: STRESSED/ANXIOUS - Sometimes I think I take on too much. Most would definitely say that I do, but I'm rarely willing to admit this. Thursday was one of those days. I was panicking about work that I needed to complete for my newest job (I technically count 4 jobs these days - one of these days I should maybe break that down for you....). I spent Thursday's lunch hour from my full-time job doing work for that night, just to find out around 5:30 p.m. that it was a total waste of my time! Okay; not a total waste, but I could have more productively used my day if I'd know how the evening was going to pan out. </div>
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Vague yes....but there's so much to share that's not necessary for the subject of today's post. soon, perhaps? Yes, I'll try for soon.</div>
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<b>1/31</b>: NOT FEELING WELL/TIRED - I suppose it's not surprise after the level of stress I was under last week, that I woke up feeling pretty poopy on Friday morning. Yes, poopy is the technical/clinical term for "I kinda feel sick, but I'm not so sick that I can't go to work, but if I did stay home and sleep all day I'd probably get over this faster than going to work, but I don't feel bad enough that if I did take a sick day I wouldn't spend the entire day feeling guilty that I'm not 'sick enough' to have taken said sick day". Did you not know that this type of sickness is called "to feel poopy" by medical professionals all over the world? No? Well, that's what I call it!</div>
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I'm exhausted by the repetitiveness of this past week just in typing this
recap. I'm going back to what I said initially - what.a.week. </div>
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<b>2/1</b>: STRESSED - I try to do the heavy lifting of my weekend "chores" on Saturday (errands, laundry, cleaning, unpacking/organizing), leaving me with Sunday to relax, enjoy and crochet as much as possible! There's almost always too much that I try to pack into Saturdays, and this past one was no different. We started our day getting up early, going to Wegmans to Super Bowl grocery shop, met my Dad at Home Depot to buy the final fully assembled cabinet for my Craft Room, then I parted ways as Jonathan and Dad went back to the house I continued with the errands that needed to be run by going to Sam's Club and Walmart. We left that house that morning a little after 9, and it was 2:30 before I was driving home in the rain with a full Jeep of bags that needed to get into the house. I got everything inside, and I had no more dried off, and started the past week's laundry when my Dad asked if I wanted to drive back into town with he and Jonathan to look at some tool at Sears. I agreed as I needed to make a return at the mall anyway (and figured this would save me the trip into town the following day). Back into town we drove, they went to Sears, I did my return, Jonathan purchased his new tool and then the two of us headed over to Office Max - the last stop on my weekend errand list (I needed index tabs for my pattern organization project). Needless to say, by the time we got home (around 4:30), I wouldn't have done <i>any </i>laundry if the dryer didn't have a new mattress cover in it and the washer wasn't full of wet bedding. I made the executive decision to not do any additional laundry that night but was left feeling frustrated that every weekend is the same, and I never have the time I want/need to crochet!!</div>
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<b>2/2</b>: HAPPY - Sunday morning my Momma came to hang out! It's been an interesting transition with our moving home how little I really get to see her. Between her taking care of Grannie over the summer, her work schedule, my work schedule(s) and the "distance" between our houses, we definitely don't see each other as much as either of us thought we would once I moved back home. Yes, I'm now 17 miles away, not 400 miles away, but it's not the quick trip down the road either - even if I were to "swing by" on my way home from work, I still have 25 minutes to get home after. I work about 8 miles away from my parents house, so I do make a point to go have lunch there on the weekdays that my Mom is either off from work, or doesn't go in until later in the day. When a rare weekend day comes up that she's off, we definitely try to meet up. This time it involved her coming to our house and while we didn't do much more than finish my laundry and talk with my Dad and Jonathan about design stuff for my Craft Room it was nice to have her there, and I look forward to the next weekend day she has off where she can come up and we can just watch movies and do crafts together!</div>
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So you're all excited to see what my blanket looks like now that we're into the 2nd month of 2014, right!?! </div>
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At the moment it's basically a stack of could-be coasters waiting for their ends to be taken care of!</div>
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I'm struggling to take the time daily to find the right color of yarn and just make one hexagon, so moving forward I am going to set aside the time on Sunday to make the previous week's hexagons per my notes that I take throughout the week. Of course, I waited until the last minute to do everything for last week, and I ran out of time! I still have 3 to finish for last week, not to mention most of January that still hasn't been crocheted! Plus there are ends to weave in, and I need to make a final decision on how I want.</div>
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This is week 5 as of 10:30 p.m. Monday evening. Hopeful I will have 7 hexagons by my Two-on-Tuesday post...</div>
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I know I'm not the only one out there who feels there are NEVER enough hours in the day/week/their lifetime to crochet everything they want to make, so for all of us, I'll like to put in a request for a few more hours added to each day to give us our rightful time to crochet!!</div>
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And yes, one of these weeks I will accurately hit PUBLISH at the end of the night, not SAVE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKnZjEMUOP2Uw2fpDQyVuJ0qyQIcAqfdPo7NwIsGkt8MY-GKxOAm0LnU9XURQNFCGjZQWnunvadP-UGi1RiYc9O51Ey5gw_eZE7k_33RYY9LZ1yqymiVg4zKdhjKTbPYc8Ns7VRzwiOqG/s1600/wink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKnZjEMUOP2Uw2fpDQyVuJ0qyQIcAqfdPo7NwIsGkt8MY-GKxOAm0LnU9XURQNFCGjZQWnunvadP-UGi1RiYc9O51Ey5gw_eZE7k_33RYY9LZ1yqymiVg4zKdhjKTbPYc8Ns7VRzwiOqG/s1600/wink.jpg" /></a></div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-83773279790874187512014-02-02T22:11:00.001-05:002014-02-02T22:11:47.559-05:00Sneak Peak Sunday<div style="text-align: justify;">
As <a href="http://craftycraftyhollylouise.blogspot.com/2013/02/super-bowl-sunday.html" target="_blank">always</a>, I like to pick a Super Bowl project - you know for crocheting during the game. I need something to keep me busy so I'm awake during the commercials....yup, it's the one time of year you say something like that!</div>
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I was SUPER excited about this years project earlier this afternoon! It leads in nicely as a pre-Olympics project...one where if it didn't get finished tonight, I could easily finish it up during the Opening ceremonies.</div>
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I even posted about it on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/craftyhollylouise" target="_blank">Facebook</a> during the first half of the game.</div>
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So where's your sneak peak picture, you ask?</div>
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<i>siiiiiiiiiiigh</i></div>
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All I can offer this evening is the knowledge that 3 hours of work has been frogged and rewound. Totally discouraging night of crocheting. </div>
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Could someone please rewind the clock so I can try again?</div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-74747255779000945242014-01-30T09:10:00.001-05:002014-01-30T09:10:50.685-05:00Eek! Help!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Does anyone remember seeing, or for that matter, did anyone of you post a pattern/completed project recently using <span style="font-size: x-small;">tiny </span>Granny Squares (like <a href="http://dishclothdiaries.blogspot.com/2009/10/grannys-daughter.html" target="_blank">THESE</a>)?</div>
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I totally remember seeing something, I think it was a blanket....but I can't remember where.</div>
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My Google & Pinterst attempts are coming up with pretty patterns, but not what I remember seeing! I know right, how do I know it's not what I saw, when I can't remember what I saw? I just <i>know </i>:-)</div>
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I'd love to keep the patterns together for future project planning...</div>
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Thanks!!</div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-9546706619456286952014-01-29T17:01:00.001-05:002014-01-30T11:42:22.209-05:00Growing Family<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of my promised, catch-up posts was to be about our family additions - 2 kitties and 2 puppies. My iPhone is filled with photos that I've taken of all 4 of them, in addition to those sent to me by Jonathan and my Mother-in-law either when I'm at work, or we're out of down and my in-laws "babysit".</div>
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Bare with me on this [<strike>large </strike>excessive] photo story:</div>
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<u><b>OSA</b></u></div>
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This spring as we planned and packed for our move back to WNY, we knew we would be quickly gaining a family member. My sister-in-law and her boyfriend own 2 beautiful dogs that they had breed and we would be getting one of the puppies this summer when they came down from Vermont to visit!</div>
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Here is my sister-in-law Jessica holding a <i>very</i> tiny baby Osa...this was taken long before we had picked the name Osa, but we knew that we wanted one of the two female pups.</div>
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Here she is again, growing quickly, but we'd yet to meet her at this point.</div>
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Jessica and her boyfriend, Jake, drove down to WNY from Brattleboro, VT the end of July with our baby Osa, Shanti (the little boy pup they kept) and Kali (who didn't make it to his home in California until October)</div>
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The two pictures above are from her first weekend with us</div>
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Osa summer consisted of playing, napping, long walks, biscuits and waiting patiently for belly rubs</div>
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On August 15th we took Osa to the vet for her 3rd distemper and rabies shots. We had a 8:30 a.m. appointment so once we she done, we dropped her off at home and headed into town to meet my Dad at Home Depot to buy more things (who remembers what exactly anymore) for the remodel. When we got back from Home Depot, Jonathan and my Dad worked to unload his truck, and I started hanging some laundry outdoors. While I saw all the other "kids" playing in our fenced in back yard, it took a few minutes for me to find Osa. She was laying under the deck in the mud (not unusual) and had no interest in coming out to see me. Well, when the kitties had gone for distemper shots, they would be a little out of it and sleep for the next few days so I didn't think to much of it, and went back upstairs. Before my Dad left he went out back to see the "kids" and got some bones out for the puppies. At this point Osa did get up but he noticed she wasn't using one of her hind legs. I came outside, and he mentioned it to me so I picked up the bone, and brought it down to her so she would stop trying to walk up the stairs onto the deck where my Dad was sitting. I thought maybe she had a pricker in her paw so I went to touch her leg to see and she FLIPPED.OUT. I sat down in the grass with her trying to calm her down, but she was crying and howling and not giving in to any comfort I could provide. There was no visible evidence of what was causing her pain, but we called the vet we had just seen that morning and thankfully caught them before they left for the day (this was around 1:15 and they close at 1 on Thursdays). We raced back to the vet with Osa in Jon's lap while I drove. Upon examination, they determined she had broken her left hind leg. The vet we go to doesn't have x-ray equipment, but they suggested who we should call to get an x-ray. Sadly, they couldn't get us in until 4 p.m. that day so we left and headed home, unsure of what to do with her except to try and keep her still and as comfortable as possible until we could go get her x-ray. When we were about 2 minutes from the house, we decided to call another vet hospital in the area, explained our situation to them and they told us to come right in so we drove straight past the house and continued on our way to get her looked at.</div>
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2 days later, our baby girl came home looking like this. She was so excited to see us the afternoon we picked her up she peed on the floor in excitement (something she has never done before or after this day!) We now had to keep an 11 month old puppy away from her brother and not allow her to be too active - yes, this is exactly as difficult as you could imagine it to be! We also had to go back every 10 days to have the cast changed because she was growing so.darn.FAST at this stage</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4SYI__XQTVu_6qA_dnTunV0givTc_FwHQNkf05Wa4OenZZ1RJlFqkKYpeFUWpmiv33wI0DFTOt7bDvbn7G1j6qj2ZgL8aLVuP-8ZXWNh8tvtFqbQFXgEFZ665Cz7ftlECPSZ0sPQrTbB/s1600/Osa_Cheeseburger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4SYI__XQTVu_6qA_dnTunV0givTc_FwHQNkf05Wa4OenZZ1RJlFqkKYpeFUWpmiv33wI0DFTOt7bDvbn7G1j6qj2ZgL8aLVuP-8ZXWNh8tvtFqbQFXgEFZ665Cz7ftlECPSZ0sPQrTbB/s1600/Osa_Cheeseburger.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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If you can focus past the big ears, and hot pink cheeseburger in her mouth, you can see a little bit of cast #2 on her back hind leg.</div>
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Thankfully after cast #2, and about 4 weeks with a cast on she had been growing so quickly that she also healed very quickly and was finally cast free! We still had to limit her activity and keep her separated for another 2-3 weeks, but we were making huge strides towards a speedy recovery!</div>
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So, "what happened?" you ask? We're not 100% sure. Since we have the fenced in back yard, we don't supervise them 24/7 during the summer months. We do know that the 3 steps from the back deck to the grass were (yes, <b>were</b>) open on the back. We also know that this was (and still IS) the clumsy-ist puppy in, I don't know, all the land, and we had seen her sort of face-plant, slide down these stairs before when she was in too big of a hurry (to get no where). We believe she caught her back leg in the opening of the stairs while having one of these moments getting down the stairs - which also explains why I found her where I did when we first came home from Home Depot. Again, I'd like to stress that the stairs were open backed until this happened. Jonathan has now put backs on the stairs so that no body gets hurts like this again in the future!</div>
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Osa continued to grow at an alarming rate (at 6 months she weighed in around 65 lbs!!), though she has slowed a little....we think. Maybe not. We haven't weighed her in awhile, and I <i>swear</i> her ears have grown!! LOL</div>
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This picture was taken Sunday morning. Sorry for my nail, but of the 4 shots I took of her with her paws crossed, of course, her face looks the best in this one! We were all laughing because Osa is almost always laying on her back, spread eagle, zero modesty, waiting for belly rubs! For a split second she thought she was a lady!</div>
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<u><b>Maisy & Nyx</b></u><br />
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I have always loved cats. Always. It wasn't until I was about 4 that I found out that I was allergic to my Grandma's dog (technically my Dad's dog that lived at my Grandma's house because of my Mom's allergies). Right before I started Kindergarten, I convinced my parents to let me take home a free barn kitten. Shortly after that the dog at my Grandma's had to be put down due to old age, and she took in a stray kitten that had been hanging around her house. Very quickly after that, we found out how much worse my cat allergies are compared to the reaction I would have to dogs. I had 2 different cats growing up (Fluffy, the free barn cat when I was 5 lived until I was 19, and Brady who was adopted when I moved home after college and sadly had his life cut short at age 3 as he was far too curious of a kitty). Both had to life outside due to my allergies. They had comfy and warm homes in our garage and never went without food or love from my whole family. They just couldn't life in doors. My love for cats has continued as an adult and Jonathan and I had discussed prior to our move the possibility of getting outdoor kitties some day. When he was in first grade he found a Momma cat and kittens who hung around the house. The one baby, Kitty lived until we have been dating for about 5 years, and only lived in the house with my in-laws at the very end of her life.</div>
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Fast forward to us being home about 2 1/2 weeks when we heard that the chipmunks that were everywhere on the trail and around the house (things that happen when you no longer have a cat living on your property!) had also gotten into the house at least twice (that we knew of) in the spring! That Monday morning, Jonathan and I went to a local rescue to see about adopting kitties - we were not interested in having our new electrical work chewed by chipmunks!!!</div>
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We went to look, and came home wit these little beauties:</div>
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The white one with the grey eye patch and tail we named Maisy and that little black fluff-ball behind her in Nyx (or Nyxie as we call her) They were SO TINY when they came home!!! Maisy was only 7 weeks old, and Nyxie 9 weeks. Half the time Maisy didn't vocalize a mew when she'd open her mouth, and it took almost 2 months before <i>both </i>of them could purr when you'd pet them. Jonathan could carry them inside at night together in one hand. We'd call them the "ittah bittah kittah committah"</div>
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We bought them itty bitty harness and leads the day they came home, and they were trained to be used to these from day one. They were so tiny at this point, that we wouldn't let them off the porch and into the grass without someone sitting them with supervising (hawks are pretty common in our area and we didn't want one of them to get scooped up) We even had an old dog training pen that we brought into the family room for them to sleep in at night for fear of a racoon sneaking up on them in the middle of the night and attacking our itty bitty kitties while they slept.</div>
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This video depicts how they spent their waking hours this summer:</div>
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I would never NOT get more than one kitten at a time from this point forward. We could have never entertained a kitten the way these 2 entertained each other. It makes me feel bad for my childhood cats who never had this type of companionship throughout their lives. </div>
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They spent most of their summer days lounging, and napping...</div>
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and waiting impatiently for food or treats!</div>
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They too grew fast, and soon were big enough to sleep outside, and have unsupervised time in the yard.<br />
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If you can't tell, Maisy in an absolutely CHARACTER. She's a total spaz and truly not the smartest of cats. The 2nd picture here was taken the first day we have them cat nip - Maisy was more interested in laying in the hammock of their cat tower cleaning herself and doing "high kicks" every time I went to take a picture. The picture that I caught couldn't have been planned if I'd spent a month working on it! I've never seen her lay like this since, but her built in "modesty panel" is something she could teach her <b>BIG </b>little sister Osa!</div>
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Nyxie looks like an Ewok. I wish I had a good picture of this to share with you! She is the fluffiest and softest of all the kitties I've ever known and looks at you with these HUGE eyes that make you saw "awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwe Nyxie!"</div>
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And how do they spend their time these days?</div>
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Here's where we found them on Christmas morning. Forever causing trouble and when you call them out on it, they stand there looking at you with eyes that say "what?"</div>
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You almost have to play "spot the kitty" when you walk into the family room, but this is a standard location for each of them: Maisy on the desk chair and Nyxie "pooled" on a dog bed. And why not? 90% of the time they're more interested in eating dog food and biscuits than their own!</div>
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<u><b>Copper</b></u><br />
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Last, but certainly not least, came Copper. I grew up with beagles at my house. Three in total, one of whom my Dad still has. Jonathan has known for as long as we've been officially planning our move back to WNY that I wanted a beagle, basically the day we got home! My Dad looked into getting sibling puppies this spring (with the intention of keeping one for himself as his little girl Emma is almost 11), but none of the local breeders either had beagles or were trusted. Since we already had Osa planned to come home, and got our kitties so quickly, I'd not thought of the possibility of any more animals coming to live with us. In my back of my mind I just thought that maybe I'd look into it a bit this coming spring and see if there were any options.</div>
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Along comes July 8th: we've been home just over a month. The kitties have been home with us for 2 weeks, and Osa will be here in 2 more weeks. It's 8:30 at night when Jonathan and I see a picture of a beagle mix named Colby Creek posted to the Facebook page for the shelter where we adopted the kitties. He's almost 5 months old and available immediately for adoption again and A-DOR-A-BLE! With Jon's permission, I quickly send a message to the shelter saying that we had just adopted the kitties, and were very interested in meeting Colby Creek, when could we come?!? I received a response that we could come the following evening around 6 p.m. to meet him. At this point, EVERYONE thinks were NUTS for taking on ANOTHER pet. In addition to 2 kitties and a puppy on it's way, please keep in mind we were both unemployed at this point - even I thought we were nuts! But at the same time, we didn't want to pass up the opportunity to at least meet with someone who, maybe, was <i>meant</i> to be a part of our growing family!</div>
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So Tuesday night we go to meet Colby Creek. Jonathan tells me before we walk in that no matter what, we're going to let them know at the end of the visit that we need to think about it. We walk into the foster house, take one look at him and it was LOVE at first sight! I think it was a 2-way street too cause I bent down to pet him and he <i>immediately</i> licked my face....of course I'm smiling and talking to him so he licked my teeth but I didn't even care! We talked with the foster mom for a while about his back story (left in a field near Corning, NY), his behavior (loving, great with their young children, chewed very little), and why he was up for adoption again (the man who was to adopt him had been approached to care for a special needs beagle and could not take them both on at the same time. The shelter where Colby Creek was told him that if he could take care of the special needs beagle, he should and they would have no trouble finding a new home for Colby Creek) They then let us taking Colby Creek for a short walk around their neighborhood. We had no more than got outside and Jonathan expressed to me how "we had to have him" and how much he was in love with him (yeaaaah!! cause I <span style="font-size: large;">110%</span> felt the same way!)</div>
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This was taking down by the lake during that first walk the day we met him. Is he not the sweetest??!?! I just <span style="font-size: large;"><b>LOVE </b></span>him!!</div>
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The shelter was made aware that night before we left that we were most definitely interested in adopting him. On Thursday he was neutered and on Sunday, July 14th he came HOME for good (on his 5 month birthday - that's right, his birthday is Valentine's Day!)!! Between Tuesday and Sunday I thought long and hard about his name as well. He had been named Colby Creek cause that was the name of the creek near where he had been found. I didn't mind Colby, I just wasn't sure I wanted to call that name for approximately the next decade. While looking online, using the same pet naming websites I'd used 2 weeks earlier with the kitties, I came across Copper and added it to a short list. I first liked the name due to the coloring on his head. It took me about a day to make the connection with Disney's "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082406/" target="_blank">Fox and the Hound</a>". At that point I <i>knew</i> it was the perfect name for him!</div>
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He loved his new home from day one (pictured above that first afternoon in our back yard)</div>
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One week later Osa arrived, and our "zoo" was complete! This video was pretty much their first interaction other than the initial meet & sniff out front. As you can see, Osa was still smaller than Copper at this point.<br />
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Copper had what I can only imagine was an amazing summer:</div>
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being ADORABLE</div>
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and getting in trouble (this is one of those pictures Jonathan sent to me while I was not home!)</div>
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Both dogs also quickly learned when we were mad/they were in trouble. This sand box is under a fort in the backyard that Jonathan used as a child. We tried to teach them to only dig here vs. the entire yard (not completely successful). And while they did still dig here till the sand was flying EVERYWHERE; for some reason unknown to us, they would go sit here after they knew they were in trouble! It became the "trouble box"!</div>
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It's taken some time to control the kisses that this little boy likes to dole out too. The shot above was from Dec 26th and my face looks like that because he's tongue had probably just been in my ear. Over the summer I was impatiently waiting for him to be interested in sitting in my lap with me if I was reading outdoors. He was still far to hyper of a pup and was always squirmy and giving out ALL THE KISSES.</div>
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Within the last month, we have mastered giving a kiss on the tip of my nose if I bend down and put my nose to his (seriously, it's the cutest thing ever! He won't always do it for Jonathan either, which makes me feel like it's our special thing)</div>
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I also try and have him sit in my lap with me for a little bit each night and he continues to relax there more and more</div>
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Only once though has he laid himself down and fallen asleep <3</div>
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The downside to me encouraging this behavior? From the moment I get home from work at night, he's all but ready to crawl up my butt:<br />
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And when I don't let him?</div>
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He pouts.</div>
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A couple of weeks ago I was concerned that he was sick due to his behavior of just laying there in the evenings. Jonathan informed me that all day long he's running around and playing, and as soon as I get home he sits on his favorite little rug and LOOKS at me until I pick him up. Biggest.Baby.EVER</div>
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He also chews like no other dog! He can't have soft beds (which is why the kitties now use them) and all soft toys get destroyed. He (or someone else - OSA) makes a small hole and Copper thinks it's a game to get all the fluff out and "make it rain". He chews rawhide bones designed for dogs 4x his size for hours on end and never tires of it. I'm constantly amazed that his gums don't bleed. But he does not have stinky puppy breath (unlike his sister who gets bored with chewing bones after 5 minutes)</div>
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If you take the bone away from him, which is necessary or he doesn't eat his meals, he naps<br />
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in <i>very</i> adorable, snuggly positions</div>
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and some of the oddest positions - honestly, he slept like this for about 10 minutes a few weeks ago!</div>
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He is just the BEST and I'm so happy he lives with us. He's the sweetest dog I've ever been around.<br />
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All four of our babies get along so well. As I mentioned with never getting a single kitty at a time again, same goes for all of them! Because they came home around the same time, and are all around the same age (born Feb (Copper) April (kitties) and May (Osa)) no one is a threat to the other, no one tries to eat someone (Osa) and no one tries to claw out eyes or the noses of curious puppies (kitties...)</div>
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Osa shows no signs that she's aware that she's bigger than Copper, and
Copper is definitely an Alpha dog who thinks he rules the roost! With zero awareness or care that he's now smaller than her I might add. Seriously, Osa thinks play time is putting Copper's <i>entire</i> muzzle in her mouth! Thankfully neither bite hard with each other and just play. It only gets "aggressive" when someone takes the bone the other one wanted. And they <i>always </i><b>only<i> </i></b>want the bone (or toy) that the other one has!</div>
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There is lots of playing, hanging out and snuggling happening at our house!</div>
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Jonathan wanted in on the snuggles one night - does anyone else find Osa's head/ear position while being "squished" as funny as I do?</div>
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<i>*disclaimer* </i>no puppies were hurt in the taking of these photographs! Jonathan's weight in on the floor between them</div>
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We even dressed up the puppies for Christmas dinner!<br />
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Copper did NOT like it - but those hound dog eyes are the best!</div>
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Thank you to those of you who stuck with this crazy long photo tour, and story! </div>
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And for those of you who didn't read this far, don't worry. There will be <i>plenty</i> of photos shared in the future!</div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-71512663788246479122014-01-29T16:31:00.001-05:002014-01-29T16:31:39.967-05:00Warm Your Space Wednesday - #FAIL<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Another Wednesday is upon us, and I've yet to complete a planned project for Warm Your Space Wednesday!</div>
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It's been a bit of a week (to day the <i>least)</i>, but I got home from work yesterday evening and quickly set myself up with a glass of wine, pattern, yarn and crochet hook to work up a quick Valentine's Day project to share with you all today.</div>
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After dinner, I ended up having a long over-due, highly needed phone conversation with a former boss from DC. Reminiscing about working together and catching up on life, and the laughter that followed was <i>just</i> what I needed. An hour later we hung up and I was feeling a bit better, but it was time to feed the puppies then off to bed.</div>
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I woke this morning discouraged that I didn't take the time to finish my project to share with you, so I packed it up and brought it with me to work today. I thought I would have time on my lunch hour to, at least, make enough progress that I could share a sneak peak.....nope. Work has been far too busy today and I never even found a chance to even <u>think </u>about crocheting.</div>
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Forgive me friends so continuing to not deliver on Wednesdays. I still hope to have a Valentine's decoration idea ready to share next Wednesday, which I hope will still give you enough time to whip one up and enjoy before/on the 14th!</div>
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I also hope that you will accept my next post all about the adoption of our furry family as a way to tide you over until my next crochet post. Fair warning, it's a looooooooooooong one, full of MANY adorable pictures of our babies. </div>
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It also puts one small check mark on my <a href="http://craftycraftyhollylouise.blogspot.com/2014/01/january-2014-goals.html" target="_blank">GOAL </a>list for January! (How it almost February??!?)</div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-18917779451303708652014-01-28T14:40:00.000-05:002014-01-28T14:40:12.675-05:00Two on Tuesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPXo1xoy5p_k5cXMT0UHpWtVn9NUoEZUQ0stmJXMfrJWyMfPupINpDZrKnl8U7dHzdO6OSammS4ZqNTyq7Q9UDuR4kqc6gyLySnTw2_hisgPrMTpTgycKJbmypL89V0jRqT6NwGtWSjqg/s1600/T-on-T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPXo1xoy5p_k5cXMT0UHpWtVn9NUoEZUQ0stmJXMfrJWyMfPupINpDZrKnl8U7dHzdO6OSammS4ZqNTyq7Q9UDuR4kqc6gyLySnTw2_hisgPrMTpTgycKJbmypL89V0jRqT6NwGtWSjqg/s1600/T-on-T.jpg" /></a></div>
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1. I'm thankful to have working heat and warm clothes on days like today.<br />
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This was the weather outside when I woke up this morning: </div>
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Naturally, the only thing to do when you can't stay in doors on a day like this:<br />
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you wear long johns under your work pants!</div>
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2. Excited to have tried a new pattern and have another custom order quickly "out the door" (techinally this custom order just went downstairs as my Mother-in-law ordered it for a friend!)</div>
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Here's the finished product from Sunday's <a href="http://craftycraftyhollylouise.blogspot.com/2014/01/sneak-peak-sundays.html" target="_blank">SNEAK PEAK</a>:</div>
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The pattern is from Rachel over at <a href="http://www.maybematilda.com/" target="_blank">Maybe Matilda</a> and can be found <a href="http://www.maybematilda.com/2013/12/quick-striped-v-stitch-cowl-free-pattern.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. I did make a few adjustments though:</div>
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<li>starting chain of 100</li>
<li>Round (Row) 1 - sc in 2nd chain from hook and across (99 stitches), sl st to join loop (making sure to not twist), fasten off</li>
<li>Round 2 - started following pattern as Rachel wrote it for the V-stitch pattern</li>
<li>Round 13 (final) - ch 2 into top of dc of V-stitch of previous round. hdc into each ch and dc of round 12, sl st to join and fasten off</li>
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I look forward to making more of these in the future, including ones that are wider and maybe even someday ones that stash bust with ends and scraps vs. starting with me pulling out new skeins of yarn!<br />
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-21785009432460560302014-01-28T08:46:00.002-05:002014-01-28T08:46:50.104-05:00Moody Monday - still catching up<div style="text-align: justify;">
First, let's just pretend that I remembered to hit "Publish" last night and that it's not already Tuesday, okay?</div>
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Okay. </div>
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I'm still working to catch up on my January days for my mood blanket. I posted to the<a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/crochetmoodblanket2014/" target="_blank"> Facebook group</a> last week how I have caught up on remembering all my moods from earlier this month. I do continue to add to this journal daily, but with all of the other projects that I've been working on, I just don't have enough time to get <i>everything </i>done I wanna/have to do (nothing new there!)</div>
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Here are my "moods" from this past week:</div>
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<b>1/20: </b>EXCITED - got to see some great friends for a final Christmas get-together of the season. </div>
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<b>1/21:</b> TIRED - out too late the night before enjoying the company of previously mentioned friends!</div>
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<b>1/22:</b> THINKING OF GRANNIE/SAD - watched a beautiful, pink sunrise on my way to work, which always makes me feel like Grannie is looking down on me. I also had very odd dreams the night before that involved Mom and I going through things in Grannie's house and finding these hidden "gifts" with notes addressed to us from Grannie. I put gifts in quotes as they weren't large gifts - but things like beautiful pieces of wood that had naturally occurring designs in them, and the notes explaining to us why she'd picked them specifically for each of us. Like my Mom's had a pattern in it that almost looked like a flower so Grannie had mentioned in the note how it was like a Brown Eyed Susan for her (my Mom's name is Susan, and she has brown eyes, so Grannie really cherished the Brown Eyed Susan's that she had planted in her gardens).</div>
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<b>1/23: </b>EXCITED - Mom and I went to see Kellie Pickler in concert at our local <a href="http://www.jamestownarena.com/" target="_blank">Ice Arena</a></div>
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<b>1/24:</b> FRUSTRATED - all of last week had an underlying theme of being a bit frustrating for me. Both personal and work situations had me ready to crawl out of my skin in frustration and everything collided and reared it's ugly head by Friday.</div>
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<b>1/25:</b> SNOWY DAY - no, not <i>exactly </i>mood or feeling. But don't you ever have days where the sun shining makes you smile? Or you love looking out windows that make you feel like you're inside a snow globe all day? Or the rain puts you in such a funk that you feel like screaming? Well, the weather does this to me, so it's almost like the weather is a mood; it definitely can have an affect on mine! Most of Saturday, I spent inside the house working around - mostly in our bedroom, which has 5 windows on 3 walls so it was the ideal opportunity for me to enjoy the snowing and blowing that was happening all around me!</div>
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<b>1/26:</b> CRAFTY/PRODUCTIVE - while I did have to spend a little bit of time yesterday getting our laundry finished for the week, we also had our first official <a href="http://www.panamarocks.com/" target="_blank">Panama Rocks</a> meeting of 2014 and I set myself up to be VERY productive with custom orders- like my <a href="http://craftycraftyhollylouise.blogspot.com/2014/01/sneak-peak-sundays.html" target="_blank">SNEAK PEAK SUNDAY</a> photo! </div>
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Osa's contribution to our meeting was snuggling my foot to keep me warm :-)</div>
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By Sunday we also had enough snow that we had to send Jonathan out to snow plow before more snow came.....and while Sunday was our "warmest" day for the foreseeable forecast, I sent him out with nothing but his EYES showing! </div>
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So really, it was a productive day for him too ;-)</div>
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He came in looking like a "Alla-ka-zanie" snow monster! (sorry, I know only 3 people are going to get that, but I HAD to say it LOL)</div>
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So WHERE <i>does</i> my 2014 Mood Blanket stand at this point?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMFkJJYhcS0GGi1HXWbT3WQNLH4Rk4r2yMNxg8KhyphenhypheneL4uqncACORKLelmYLfY46OAbhhO3I6rmNw5w4JhaMb-eXDfquXQiIcdKc4i0WPtthl7dfizZ0dI63TKgel8xmVUbDzVyVg8cSnS/s1600/still+catching+up_1.27.14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMFkJJYhcS0GGi1HXWbT3WQNLH4Rk4r2yMNxg8KhyphenhypheneL4uqncACORKLelmYLfY46OAbhhO3I6rmNw5w4JhaMb-eXDfquXQiIcdKc4i0WPtthl7dfizZ0dI63TKgel8xmVUbDzVyVg8cSnS/s1600/still+catching+up_1.27.14.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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No, these aren't the hexagons for the past week based on the moods listed above - it's just all the furthest I've gotten so far...period. I can't figure out how I messed up the pattern on a third purple hex on Saturday morning and I honestly haven't picked it up again since.</div>
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Here's to having more real-time progress to share next Monday - you know, ON time!</div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-4777783360849337732014-01-26T22:09:00.004-05:002014-01-27T11:49:17.335-05:00Sneak-Peak Sundays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;">I thought it would be fun to share glimpses into the projects that I'm currently working on; new patterns or the just variety of things I'm working on. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">In the past I haven't been great about blogging over the weekend, and I often work on and finish new projects without ever finding the time to post on here....</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Here's to hoping that these sneak-peaks hold me a little more accountable ;-)</span></div>
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I worked on a couple of different projects this weekend, but here's what I'm working on tonight. New [to me] pattern, and I'm loving how it's turning out!</div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-23849872521902668292014-01-21T15:32:00.000-05:002014-01-21T15:32:33.551-05:00Two on Tuesday<br />
Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope that your week has been off to a great start!<br />
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Things that are making me happy today:</div>
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1. Hair tutorials, like <a href="http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/2013/12/my-favorite-simple-and-quick-hair.html" target="_blank">THESE</a>, from Kate over at <a href="http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/" target="_blank">The Small Things Blog</a>. I woke up this morning in <u>no mood</u> to go through the <i>process </i>of doing my hair for work. Typically I am <b>terrible</b> at any sort of "styling" when it comes to my hair, so I'm usually a bit of a "hot mess" after these types of mornings. I've kinda, sorta, half-@ssed tried this <a href="http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/2013/09/the-mid-knot-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Mid-Knot</a> style before but it went all kinds of wrong. Today though? Well, it must be my lucky day, because I think I [almost] got it! </div>
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And yes, after about 10 photos, I've also realized that my "skill" for taking back of my head #selfies in the bathroom mirror rivals my standard inability to style my own hair. Either way - this was over my late lunch hour so not only did my hair go up on the first try and look decent, it <i>still</i> looks decent this far into my day! (yeah me!)</div>
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This will likely never happen again, and the next time I think I'm going to sleep in the extra 15 min and put my hair up all "cute" I'll show up 15 min late to work, overly frustrated with my hair in a nasty little knot/bun/thing. So for now, I'll enjoying having hair that looks like I'm capable of doing something with it.</div>
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2. Getting to crochet over my lunch hour. While my commute to work is about 35 min on dry roads (to go 32 miles - such an improvement over DC traffic!), my parents live 8ish min from my office so I frequently head over there on my lunch hour. Always on the days my Mom is off from work, and on the other days (like today) it just depends on my work load, the weather, if I remembered to bring anything to do while I'm there, general mood, if I'm in need of food (and too cheap to buy something), etc. I headed over today so that I could finish crocheting up my mock-ups of the three patterns I was deciding between <a href="http://craftycraftyhollylouise.blogspot.com/2014/01/moody-mondays.html" target="_blank">yesterday </a>for my 2014 Mood Blanket. </div>
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That's right - <b>WAS </b>deciding between - I've totally made my decision, and I'm so excited to get going on my blanket!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwezDYrXaLdElX34OjeQyxImTWkU2GrTSL7xoyhLppY9XZBcGqZvJhG8dCz44kegAdjA4JWwlThRJTX80ooJQmpj0Rn1UgpJmTQsqNjEjmU2oxHu_rjHgnm_nHlNwTYQWNmjDWDXTNpt9/s1600/2+pattern+options_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwezDYrXaLdElX34OjeQyxImTWkU2GrTSL7xoyhLppY9XZBcGqZvJhG8dCz44kegAdjA4JWwlThRJTX80ooJQmpj0Rn1UgpJmTQsqNjEjmU2oxHu_rjHgnm_nHlNwTYQWNmjDWDXTNpt9/s1600/2+pattern+options_branded.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are the 2 that I crocheted up last night. I'd already made my decision by the time I'd finished the 2nd one, but continued on to the third, just to be sure. I messed up #3 as I was trying to beat the clock to my final Christmas dinner of the holiday season.. I tried #3 again today, and while I was doing it right this go-around, I still didn't like how it looked compared to the one I was already in love with:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRR0ftnZdbAI2jkCoZ9HWGa6IgpKGW4iBg3vtrvPsXqMOT6Tat7ziuN04CJoIBERvAxLbQNSclOWkflZYuMqn2WtbUpf5-mhJgcma0nXN0LbSxcgu_oBPvCOJmJc361I-ewz5AcT4ZSDaC/s1600/pattern+mock+up_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRR0ftnZdbAI2jkCoZ9HWGa6IgpKGW4iBg3vtrvPsXqMOT6Tat7ziuN04CJoIBERvAxLbQNSclOWkflZYuMqn2WtbUpf5-mhJgcma0nXN0LbSxcgu_oBPvCOJmJc361I-ewz5AcT4ZSDaC/s1600/pattern+mock+up_branded.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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That's right. I shoulda just trusted my gut! I'm using <a href="http://crochetincolor.blogspot.com/2013/08/hexagon-pattern.html" target="_blank">THIS </a>pattern, and to get three rows of color before my border, I'm adding a 4th row of single crochet. Each corner space is a sc ch1 sc. I'm using a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cornerstone-Products-Crochet-Hooks-4-5mm/dp/B000SKHR6W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1390335465&sr=8-2&keywords=light+up+crochet+hook" target="_blank">G hook</a> and my finished hex is about 3.5" across. I just love this little "peanut" and they only take me 10 min to crochet, 15 max with weaving in ends! Perfect for me to get caught up on January, not over look on a busy night, and/or catch up again when life gets too busy! I also really like the narrow border of sc so that when everything is joined together you'll primarily see my "mood colors" with a little connecting border throughout.</div>
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Still a little unsure of my connecting method and how I'm going to lay everything out, but I'm certain that by my next "Moody Monday" post I'll have <b><u>so</u> <u>much</u> <u>more</u></b> to share!</div>
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So what did I decide to do with my other mock ups? Well, <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60153.html" target="_blank">the one I didn't finish</a> I will frog this evening so I can reuse the yarn on my blanket. The other one?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAo0sqS5u4frxorpm6J3jhz_RS7377o7uEZaUykKxScHJiQkKKBfcW25XPkVccPt728OXmE15XpckrjYfHQ1MMY7NMYwQwr32dxUybPBErZuVZnXTJ1RDBHBqfmWn_XrMfD2pITA3RZOf/s1600/use+for+other+mock+up_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAo0sqS5u4frxorpm6J3jhz_RS7377o7uEZaUykKxScHJiQkKKBfcW25XPkVccPt728OXmE15XpckrjYfHQ1MMY7NMYwQwr32dxUybPBErZuVZnXTJ1RDBHBqfmWn_XrMfD2pITA3RZOf/s1600/use+for+other+mock+up_branded.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a></div>
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I've been in need of a new Spring-time coaster in my office. <a href="http://lifeonlaffer.blogspot.com/2010/04/granny-style-hexagon-pattern.html" target="_blank">This </a>works perfectly! (I'm not a big fan of how this pattern is written, but the finished product definitely makes adorable coasters with ENDLESS color possibilities. One day when I have some free time (ha-ha) I may have to try and adjust the pattern a bit for my liking)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB56fM8sWrvcSpW8a2aAt6ztFh93QD9k1-DFD_Q0Dq_rFbqfxmiK8Ycry5Ef3P0mDYCrDdBDNIXtlQMSL7FWQEDuMwAxIPg7fwXS-OOp4k3yRNrBif9jkN1bI3vRAB2qfoqnOAO89D8QtQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB56fM8sWrvcSpW8a2aAt6ztFh93QD9k1-DFD_Q0Dq_rFbqfxmiK8Ycry5Ef3P0mDYCrDdBDNIXtlQMSL7FWQEDuMwAxIPg7fwXS-OOp4k3yRNrBif9jkN1bI3vRAB2qfoqnOAO89D8QtQ/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5099606140635411212.post-87963331656044849102014-01-20T17:07:00.000-05:002014-01-20T17:10:34.707-05:00Moody Mondays - the set up<div style="text-align: justify;">
Everyone is a little bit "moody" on a Monday, right? Well, I typically am knowing that I have 5 full work days ahead of me. This also seems like the perfect 2014 tie-in for an update post on my Mood Blanket!</div>
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As I mentioned <a href="http://craftycraftyhollylouise.blogspot.com/2014/01/two-on-tuesday_14.html" target="_blank">last week</a>, I had been really looking forward to picking out colors for my Mood Blanket. Then I joined the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/crochetmoodblanket2014" target="_blank">Facebook Group </a>and rapidly became overwhelmed with the number of options I had in regards to colors, yarn choice, pattern, design, frequently of completed square, etc etc. By Friday morning I <strike>thought I</strike> had made my yarn choice (Caron Simply Soft) and I'd picked out my <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/hexagon-howto.html" target="_blank">HEXAGON pattern</a> from Lucy at <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/" target="_blank">Attic 24</a>.</div>
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So, after work on Friday night I stopped by Walmart to pick up my yarn...only to find their yarn stock had not been replenished since Christmastime! I left, and headed to Michaels, thinking to myself how much easier it is to bounce from one store with craft items to the next in a small town vs. Maryland. During my 3 min drive from the Walmart parking lot to Michaels, I had a thought of using a shade of Vanna's Choice for the days that Grannie's presence is extra strong, or I just can't stop thinking about her* (I made her this <a href="http://craftycraftyhollylouise.blogspot.com/2010/12/wip-it-wednesday.html" target="_blank">lapghan </a>with matching slippers in the same pink for Christmas back in 2010 and since then the "Rose Mist" shade has made me think of her). Anyway, as I walk through Michaels I find their supply as pitiful as Walmarts; so I leave. As I make a quick side stop to Petsmart for kitty food (since it's in the same plaza) I start sputtering to myself about how ANNOYING it is to live in such a small town where my yarn options are this limited! I wanted to wiggle my nose, blink my eyes, or click my heels 3 times to find myself back in Maryland where I would have many more options for yarn!!! Instead, I drove across the street to JoAnn Fabrics and HOORAY! they had [almost all] the yarn shades I was looking for in Vanna's Choice! I left happy, with a big bag of yarn, hoping that I could supplement in yarn from my stash where needed.</div>
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Exhausting, right?</div>
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The weekend was spent working around the house so it wasn't until last night that I was <i>finally</i> able to line up all these beautiful colors of yarn, pluck out the ones that totally clashed, and worked with my color consultant (a.k.a. Jonathan) to assign moods and feelings to the colors I was unsure about. Here's what we came up with (and yes, I had final say when I didn't agree with him LOL):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IVf3rkbJBuaqZ1RzH5iUo8kiD10c6RZR-pvddBv5K8QrC3FNbfvPWfk3P2yEFCxpZoebBkwpmNonyzfsp1uojgdjprCsblZLA_dWGQSXltKS8b-TZ7z9T25fghSRulswBDbmDiHI1sfy/s1600/colors_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IVf3rkbJBuaqZ1RzH5iUo8kiD10c6RZR-pvddBv5K8QrC3FNbfvPWfk3P2yEFCxpZoebBkwpmNonyzfsp1uojgdjprCsblZLA_dWGQSXltKS8b-TZ7z9T25fghSRulswBDbmDiHI1sfy/s1600/colors_branded.jpg" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I do have to take just one side moment to mention our window framing that Jonathan and my Dad installed in our Master bedroom. It's AMAZING, right? One of these days you'll get the full breakdown on the 7 months to finish the room and a full picture tour!</span></div>
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All yarn colors are <a href="http://www.joann.com/lion-brand-vanna-s-choice-yarn/xprd90044.html" target="_blank">Vanna's Choice</a>, except where noted:</div>
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Dreaming of Disney - mid-blue (<a href="http://www.redheart.com/yarn/love" target="_blank">Red Heart With Love</a>)</div>
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Thinking of Grannie - speckle pink</div>
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Stressed / Angry - green</div>
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Angry / Irritated - dark purple (if I hadn't spent so much of Friday thinking about Grannie, green and dark purple should have definitely been my colors for Friday's square after my yarn shopping adventure debockle!) </div>
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Love - light pink</div>
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Special Holiday - kelly green (<a href="http://www.michaels.com/Loops-Threads%C2%AE-Impeccable%E2%84%A2-Yarn---Solids/nw0435,default,pd.html?cgid=products-yarnandneedlecrafts-loopsandthreads-yarn" target="_blank">Loops & Threads Impeccable</a>)</div>
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Happy / Excited - speckle purple</div>
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Tired - dark grey</div>
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Sunny Day - yellow</div>
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Feeling Productive - royal blue</div>
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Feeling Crafty - berry pink</div>
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Rainy Day - navy blue</div>
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Special Holiday - red</div>
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Sick / Not Feeling Well - speckle green</div>
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Sad / Lonely - brown</div>
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Dreaming of the beach - aqua blue </div>
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Special Holiday - hot pink (<a href="http://www.premieryarns.com/Product/Premier+Deborah+Norville+Everyday+Soft+Worsted+Solids+and+Multis+Yarn.aspx" target="_blank">Deborah Norville Everyday</a>)</div>
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BORDER - cream</div>
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If anyone is interested in more details regarding the specific name to a shade of yarn listed above, leave me a comment and I'll be sure to check at home and get back to you!</div>
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Now, it's just to get started with my hexagon pattern right? Well, as I read through Lucy's pattern I started to feel like it may be a bit too complicated; especially when I have so much catching up to do while the pattern is new....so I got on Ravelry and did some searching for free patterns and I've narrowed it down to these three:</div>
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<a href="http://lifeonlaffer.blogspot.com/2010/04/granny-style-hexagon-pattern.html" target="_blank">Granny-Style Hexagon</a> - I like that with 3 rounds before my border, I would have the option to "mix-up" colors if I'm having a extra moody day of extra strong feelings, or if I just want to express something with more than one color (sunrise/sunset, the beach, seasons, holidays, etc) </div>
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<a href="http://crochetincolor.blogspot.com/2013/08/hexagon-pattern.html" target="_blank">Hexagon Pattern</a> - Once narrowed down to 3 options, I'd totally planned to use this one as it's 3 rounds, nice and quick and at approx 3.5" across, I will get a nice size afghan by New Year's Eve.</div>
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<a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60153.html" target="_blank">'Granny Stitch' Hexagon</a> - of course, I was immediately down to the "Granny" title, but a 7" hexagon times 360ish of them? yikes, that's a <u>BIG</u> <u>BLANKET</u>! </div>
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I'm still completely torn, and unless someone would like to point in my the right direction, and make a suggestion I can't refuse, I'm probably going to mock up one of each pattern tonight and see which one I like best....anyone interested in making my crafty-life a little easier??!? anyone?</div>
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So for now, I've made a few decisions and still have some to make. Plus it's the 20th of January already and I have LOTS of catching up to do:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFSm3tTfIcKBGlfJcw5PqTIaB-Jb4YD0tjvcQJYdIp6RHlBfBKXqHLjHwpciYfuT0LEXlDNG_eUcZ72JZNw_9X1F_wuJ1JMIrg45SVhUM4deVxKHajs9yfQ-Zjr_7FhUraHueBcC-lq-p/s1600/color+list+in+notebook_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFSm3tTfIcKBGlfJcw5PqTIaB-Jb4YD0tjvcQJYdIp6RHlBfBKXqHLjHwpciYfuT0LEXlDNG_eUcZ72JZNw_9X1F_wuJ1JMIrg45SVhUM4deVxKHajs9yfQ-Zjr_7FhUraHueBcC-lq-p/s1600/color+list+in+notebook_branded.jpg" height="320" width="268" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKuKndMUmafwVoibb8oTghGnQuzxepXfK4omaoSOQBkrm0Hd7Im1NenMvCo6kIlzoGv5EM3ZzT6L7DbUU4-rFBSE34XBtOhOd5bhemB_doe3xThWuKI_DYcqZRp6Q7WPQezW2ECGgL6n0/s1600/beginning+of+January+list_branded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKuKndMUmafwVoibb8oTghGnQuzxepXfK4omaoSOQBkrm0Hd7Im1NenMvCo6kIlzoGv5EM3ZzT6L7DbUU4-rFBSE34XBtOhOd5bhemB_doe3xThWuKI_DYcqZRp6Q7WPQezW2ECGgL6n0/s1600/beginning+of+January+list_branded.jpg" height="320" width="272" /></a></div>
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Happy Moody Monday to you all! Here's hoping for some actual crocheting to share my next Monday! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8W5CPWbaqA8Q3P_hnllpNzSGa9fgn0vFY2pDPoyTmIjI2F8cfo7qKBF1iua78vMN0uGtH2YSv_jI81DXpD8RkSaiWhq6syTycL6imqBZSOulf3MVtiWpmE6CCasWv5lw6iqvAxOvVq7J/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8W5CPWbaqA8Q3P_hnllpNzSGa9fgn0vFY2pDPoyTmIjI2F8cfo7qKBF1iua78vMN0uGtH2YSv_jI81DXpD8RkSaiWhq6syTycL6imqBZSOulf3MVtiWpmE6CCasWv5lw6iqvAxOvVq7J/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div>
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* On October 12, 2013 we lost my Grannie. Shirley Louise Raymond was the most outstanding woman I've ever known, and as you can <a href="http://craftycraftyhollylouise.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html" target="_blank">see</a>, she has influenced my passion for crafting more than anyone else in my life. To call her family is an honor. She was also the toughest woman I've ever met. After an inconclusive diagnosis in the spring where the doctors were not comfortable performing necessary testing due to her age, she took things into her own hands. My Mom moved in with her full time, and she all but killed herself during PT and OT to make herself stronger again after spending almost 2 weeks in the hospital in May. She got so strong that Medicare would no longer pay for her to have therapists come to the house. She truly was amazing in her desire to live her life to it's fullest, even when things hurt, and were hard, and what lay ahead was totally unknown. This summer she was walking again unassisted, with no cane or walker (except maybe in the middle of the night, etc), was back to cooking and baking and doing what gardening she could from her patio. Things were so good, my Mom had returned to work in August and was ready to move home. Due to long standing issues with her stomach, her potassium level was a struggle to keep up, and in September she passed out in the bathroom. Thankfully my Mom was walking with her, and she was wearing her medical alert. There was concern that her heart was weak at first, but after much testing the doctors said "no way" and that her heart was great for her age (would have been 90 this past December) - turns out the entire episode was due to her potassium level being too low and after about 5 days in the hospital, she returned home, thankfully no broken bones either, but weak. I started my new job on Monday, October 7th and I went to see her and Mom, every night that week before rehearsal. She'd been very tired that week, and really didn't get off the couch too much but we attributed it to a recent procedure having made her weak, and the September hospital stay. On Friday, October 11th I got a call from Mom around 11 a.m. that Grannie had pushed her Medical Alert while home alone and they were taking her to the hospital. I spent most of the afternoon and evening in the ER, and eventually ICU with her, my Mom and Aunt as we waited for answers. Turns out the recent procedure (biliary drain replacement) had nicked her gall bladder causing an infection, which was causing her all the pain she was in. They gave her some pretty heavy pain meds once she was in the ICU, we met the overnight nurse who was extremely kind in giving us her phone number if we wanted to call during the night, or the next day (my Mom had planned to go into work at least half of Saturday at this point as they felt we were really just waiting for the antibiotics to kick in). Saturday morning Mom got the call from the ICU nurse that we needed to gather family as her kidney (she only had one) had shut down. We all spent the day at her bedside, and while she never fully woke again due to all the pain medication in her system, she seemed to no longer be in pain, and I pray that she went in peace. Her death certificate listed Pancreatic Cancer as cause of death (though the biopsy was the testing they never did due to risk of bleeding). She's now with my Grandpa Freddie and Uncle Warren, out walking the beach or on the lake on ECHO, traveling the world and doing all the things she always loved.</div>
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I continue to miss her terribly every day. Each time the sun peaks out, I watch a beautiful sunrise on my way to work, or a see a full moon shining, I KNOW that she is watching over me. Grannie I hope that I continue to make you proud, and I'll be sure to pass along all the crafty wisdom you taught me to my children and grandchildren one day.</div>
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Sorry for the long winded story - I have a hard time just telling a small portion of this one. I almost deleted in all before posting, but for now, I'm going to leave it as she was and still is very important to me, and LOVED reading my blog!</div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11266318164402731168noreply@blogger.com10