GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS!!

There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind; God answers prayers according to his will. He does what we ask, IF it is best for us according to his plan. I have no doubts and have even further evidence.

Everyone who knows Peggy Kerley knows that she had ovarian cancer diagnosed a year ago. Today her reproductive system is clear, but just 2-3 weeks after she was pronounced clear of the cancer it was found to have spread quite profusely. We have all prayed for the last week that an experimental treatment program, possibly her only physical means of help would accept and agree to treat her. This program is almost impossible to get into due to the huge stream of people applying. I myself had a long talk with God last night again about this among other issues.

I received an email tonight from our church saying just today she has been accepted and will begin receiving treatment immediately!! We are more than thrilled! God does answer prayers. Although this is no guaranteed cure, it is a very critical step in her healing. God does listen, he does answer. It may not always be the answer we want; however we are taught to pray "Not my will but thine be done". Often hard to accept, I know. Please remind yourself to pray this way and ask God to help you accept "Not my will but thine".

Please pray hard for Peggy, that the treatment program erradicates her cancers and she may be healed to her normal loving, giving self again. She has a granddaughter due in August- she needs to see that granddaughter grow up.

Please pray hard also for Richard Adams who is struggling very hard right now with cancer and chemo. Please also keep his wife Barbara and young son Andrew in your prayers. They all need God's comfort right now.

Thank the Lord for all he has done today.

Calling all Reba Fans and Recipe Buffs....

I'm on a mission. I'm looking for either Woman's World April 1996, or the recipe to Reba McEntire's Banana pudding. I have the mexican cornbread casserole, TN cornbread, Reba's Beans and some others. I'm especially looking for either that article or the recipe.

Actually I'll take any Reba recipes you have out there that she's shared at one time or another. Anyone out there willing to share the article or recipe? I'm planning to put up links to the others I've found. I hear she has quite a few recipes floating around that she's shared at one time or another out there.

The first week....

Take one.

But seriously, just an update on what all's gone on here all week. Maybe when things get completely settled (who knows when that'll be) I'll get back to my more natural "my thoughts" posts.

Last Monday:

Moved Angel, moved countless other items to the house. Unpacked (or dumped suitcase is more like it) from FL. 2 loads of laundry to cover mine and Scott's yucky clothes from FL.

Played on parents' computer at the house since they had a cd of a few wedding pictures someone had taken for me. A few are OK- I'll see if there are any that are actually good enough to post on here. Our cousin was having trouble with his camera when he took them.

Showed my parents all the pics from Disney World and Sea World. Got a few interesting shots of me and Scott different places which was tough- Scott hates having his picture taken.

Tuesday:

More of same. Couple visits to Paducah (now just down the road about 10 miles) for different things, also moved some more little things. Managed to mess up the DVD/VCR player in the move so now we have to get that fixed. Luckily the repairman isn't usually expensive. I hope not- I want my toy fixed!!

Wednesday:

We won't even go there- too boring for details.

Thursday:

Mr. Draffen calls and says Carpet we ordered (that was delayed in production a couple weeks- was supposed to be laid the week before the wedding) is in, can he lay it Friday. We first told him no we couldn't have the room ready that quick.

Make a run to my grandparents' since it is my grandmother's 86th birthday. After a quick visit we go get a sandwich with my parents then back to the house to strip carpet.

My dad volunteers to help so we called back and said Friday would be fine. Spent most of Thursday afternoon and Evening pulling up carpet and getting stuff off the floor in the bedroom and bathroom.

Friday:

By noon the bathroom has a beautiful deep navy carpet rather than ugly old linoleum, and the bedroom has a sparkling french blue instead of a drab sculptured brown/tan mix. Most of Friday evening is spent getting little stuff back into closets etc.

Saturday:

Guy laying carpet was supposed to help us move furniture on his own time, but had a family emergency and couldn't. So we called one of Scott's buddies who had said he'd help us. He's working all weekend for extra $$. Great.... Everyone's all willing to help til you really need them. We'd have been glad to pay him ... probably more than he'd have made working. So Scott and my dad (Who has a hernia and isn't supposed to be doing all the moving) got stuck moving a bedroom suit and bed.

Sunday:

Church day. Scott and I actually arrived early... I was shocked. He is a worse pain than I am to get up out of bed.

Also Father's day. After church we went to eat with my parents then down to my grandparents again. Scott has to go back to work tonight.

Monday:

Monday afternoon sees my dad coming up and running a wire to install a garbage disposal. My poor father has been so busy it's ridiculous! After Scott goes to work I head for Linens n things and Kohl's to take some things back and pick up a few things. Then more unpacking and finally an hour or two watching a movie and working on a baby blanket for a baby shower.

Tuesday:

My dad goes to install rest of garbage disposal and has to take it down to the store to ask about a loose part. Meanwhile Scott and I run all over Western KY on a wild goose chase someone sent us on checking out who serves Calvert City limits in cable and also checking out Direct TV. After wasting half a tank or better of gas, looks like DirectTV in Paducah was the better choice after all. Looks like we may sign up for that. Probably soon as his check comes in Fri. morning. Have to roll my AOL over to my own account too.

Angel is becoming accustomed to her new home and making herself quite at home. She's sitting behind me currently (pushing me out of the chair is more like it) taking a bath. Who knows where Smokey is... probably on a table he's not supposed to be on. He's a real little devil sometimes but cute when he wants to be.


All Caught Up!

That's the week in recap! I'll end off with 2 special prayer requests. Please pray:

Peggy Kerley, a dear friend of ours who has had a relapse of cancer is in Lexington KY checking out an experimental treatment program. Please pray hard that she gets into the program and that it helps erradicate her cancer.

Richard Adams, Another friend from church, also has cancer and is fighting a very tough battle with cancer. He needs the Lord's help and all the prayers you're willing to send his way! Please pray also for his wife Barbara as she struggles with his illness and to raise their young son Andrew (about 6). Please pray for Andrew as well- he needs his daddy!

Night everyone! Will post more updates later as time allows!!

The good news is....

We got 99% of the furniture moved in today. My Daybed from home, rest of bedroom suit (The double bed to it wasn't in use there because it was too big for the room I was in- Scott was already using it here), and more little stuff from my room. If I ever see another piece of furniture or box of crap again I'm going to scream. Now all that's left to move is the sewing desk and some other small details.

The bad news is....

The sewing desk is more like a huge computer desk and will probably have to come apart to move. Plus all the crap has to be unloaded from it so it can be moved. Heaven only knows what I'm going to do with all that. It'll go in my spare bedroom- this should be fun trying to set it up on the other side of the antique bed. If I see one more piece of material I'm throwing it out the window.

On the crochet front:

Been getting yarn together for my Sea of Yarn swap partner I have to send to. Some brand new skeins from the store, some other new ones from my stash and a couple of slightly used skeins I added in. I will pick up some more new skeins as time and money allow.

I'm adding Rainbow Wraps for Baby to my wish list. Does anyone have one they'd RAOK me or trade for a nice skein of yarn? I'm just getting to my yarn; books (both to be sold/traded, and my personal stash) are still buried. I found what was left of my RWFB book under my daybed when we moved it. Apparently Angel thought it was her toy. Let's just say those USED to be complete legible patterns.

The Cats

Smokey and Angel are getting along fine- even starting to chase and wrestle and act like a couple of 2 year olds. Great... now I have 2 cats and a husband who all act like 2 year olds. At least Taffy the rabbit is quiet for now. I had to separate the 2 cats at 4am the other morning- they decided the house was the Daytona International Speedway racetrack. The chase started across the couch, over the kitty condo, thru the living room, down the hallway, across the bed in the bedroom, over mine and Scott's heads, under the bed, around the commode in the bathroom (smokey was too fat to squeeze through- he went over and almost fell in).... back down the hallway thru the living room into the den where I finally shut Smokey up in the Den. Once Smokey was shut up in the den, Angel curled up on her kitty condo like "I'm a good girl", took her 30 minute long bath and proceeded to go to sleep. I don't know who started the chase but I was out for blood on both of them.

Coupons

As in the grocery kind... I've decided to start back on some of my coupon lists and things. I've found some pretty good ways to save money thru coupons. They aren't magic but every penny helps. Found a good deal on chicken quarters at WM tonight- bought a 10lb bag for $4.30. Now if we can just pick up a propane bottle tomorrow for that gas grill... or I can bake/roast.... Frying isn't a bad idea either but we've already had that once this week. I'm not a health nut by any means but I don't want to overload on frieds and junk too much.

OK 2:30am and I'm catching myself yawning. Scott is already in bed so I better go join him. That bed better be dry too- I threatened to kick his butt earlier if he didn't go dry his hair. MEN! He had the nerve to step out of the shower and not even bother to run a towel over his hair. Told him if he didn't get it dry pronto he'd be sleeping alone. Needless to say he learned how to use a hair dryer real quick LOL.

Dunno where the cats are but as long as they're quiet.... no Daytona 500 is gonna go on tonight! Maybe tomorrow night when Scott goes back to work I'll be able to actually crochet a little bit! Night all!!

I'm baaaaack!!! Well sort of....

Hi Everyone!

I'm back but still buried under mountains of belongings, thank you notes, wedding cards, gifts and you don't even want to know what all.

Only one crochet related note to report: I did receive a wonderful package from Tandi on YarnExchange (on Yahoogroups). It contained several skeins of yarn and a package of Crystalite hooks (the smaller sizes). I love those things!!

Ok Two crochet notes: I do have my Yarn Exchange partner on Crochetville and will be checking that out and getting her likes and such soon.

To my secret pal who has been great with the cards and things- thank you! You're wonderful and I really enjoy hearing from you. Hmmm do I have you figured out?? Maybe... we'll just have to see. Even if I do have you figured out I'm not saying for sure!

The wedding came off great and a week in Disney world was great! Just makes me wish I was close enough to do that about once a week. I could take up a permanent space in Magic Kingdom. Even the days it rained, no other place I'd rather be!

As for wedding pictures, I do have a homemade CD of which some turned out good- stil waiting on the professional pics. Will put them up as time and all allows. Also pics from FL!

Right now we're so buried it may be who knows when before I come up for air and post again. On top of moving we pulled the stupid stunt of having carpet laid tomorrow in the bedroom and bathroom. Actually it was supposed to have been done before the wedding but the production on it got delayed so we're just now getting it done.

Must go as I owe 2 cats and a husband some attention, not to mention the mound of thank you's from AFTER the wedding I haven't touched. We don't even want to start on the piles of crap covering every room in my house except the two being carpeted.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments, support and prayers. Please do keep our new marriage in your prayers!

One last post....

Before I'm a married woman!

Well Rehearsal went off fine, like a chinese fire drill but I'm told that's normal. Seriously, all went fine. I am having to keep a tight rein on my mother though- seems while I wasn't around this morning she told off one of the wonderful ladies who has worked so hard on the food and all for the reception... and get this.... All because the lady was going to serve coffee and some other drinks with punch at the reception and Mom didn't want anything but punch. GEEZ!! How stupid can you get!!!! Who really cares if they serve coffee with the punch, cake etc???? Good thing I wasn't around... I'd have had one less mother for sure. I told her if she tried anything like that tomorrow they'd be having a celebration without the bride. If she didn't believe me, try me. Needless to say she's been pretty quiet all night. And she better be tomorrow too. She knows better than to call my Bluff.

Other than having to shut her up (which was highly expected), Everything has gone pretty good. Just ready to get this done and over with. All I want is to be married peacefully- no more details. I still told Scott we were in our lawyer's office (he's also a minister and the one who's marrying us) the other day- we already had the marriage certificate, we should have just done it right there, had his son witness it (he's a lawyer also) and be done with it! LOL My dad responded "Why the he## didn't you- I'd have paid you dearly for it." ROFLMAO

Don't get me wrong, I love my mother but she has some serious issues sometimes that I have to fight tooth and nail to keep them from becoming my problem too.

So hopefully after everything comes off smooth tomorrow we'll be heading for FL and Disney World for a week first thing Monday morning. It's about a 14hr drive from here and I'll be doing most if not all the driving. Please pray for our safe arrival and return!

I did get a bit of crocheting done in all the madness last few days.... worked a bit late tonight on a baby blanket for the minister's grandbaby due later this summer. Also made a water bottle carrier for carrying thru the parks while we're gone. My own pattern. Don't know if I'm posting the pattern yet (may try to publish- I love the design) or not but will definitely post pics when I can... would love to know what this yarn is and if I can get any more of it. It was sent to me without a label and don't remember who I got it from. It's a navy blue, fuschia, and teal variegated. Beautiful but I don't know what it is and have never seen anything like it. Feels like maybe Caron or Wintuk or something like that.

OK have to be up early in the morning so I'm hitting the sack. Will fill you with details soon as I get back. Probably no wedding pics yet though since it will take a while to get them back. Will try to post at least one or two though if I can get them in a scannable or digital format.

Please pray: Peggy Kerley, a dear friend of ours (and wife of our lawyer/minister marrying us) has had cancer to return and her situation is very serious. Please pray for Peggy as often as you can- she needs all the prayers you can offer on her behalf.

Please pray also for our marriage, safe arrival and return from Florida.

See you all next Sunday night/Monday, God willing.

Coming up for air

Hi Everyone,

I'm still here- just buried in a sea of boxes, junk, wedding gifts, information... and fighting not to pull out my hair LOL.

You may see a little more of me before the wedding on Sunday but I won't promise. Sorry it's been a week but as you can imagine it's been nuts around here. Haven't even had time to crochet. I do need to get another water bottle holder made though to take thru Disney. Scott and I are leaving first thing Monday Morning after the wedding and will be back late next Sunday the 12th.

A lot got done today- spent most of the day at the mall, picked up gifts for my attendants and Scott's, took care of the info on the guys' tuxes- they are ready to be picked up soon as they are ready Thurs. or Fri., had Scott's ring re-sized, some gifts for ladies helping with the wedding and some things for my flower girls. While we were at the Christian bookstore by the mall, I found a little book I like called Life lessons to live by. I've just sneaked peeks at it... can't wait to read through it. Oh and shoes- picked up the girls' shoes. Now if I can just get one of the guys at church who operates the sound system....

Sorry this has to be short but it's 2am and I'm about to drop. Hopefully I'll get some little snippets of time to post between now and then. I'm sure I'll be full of details when I get back!

A Packing I Will Go....

You guessed it! Been packing more stuff for moving- and getting rid of too! Clothes, Crochet and sewing accessories, some of my Lee Middleton dolls and stuffed animals, you name it. Also have a small end table to move that will go between 2 recliners in my den.

Been up to my booth today too- lots of moving stuff around. My aunt's closing her booth so she gave me or Mom anything we wanted out of her booth so she wouldn't have to haul it. I took a few little knick knacks and a desk and a large bookcase about 4'X4' that I can put a lot of little stuff on. Had to move a ton of stuff around in my booth to make room for both. Now I have to go back tomorrow and take some of the stuff I have bagged to go in my booth for sale. Hopefully I can get some more out of here so I don't have to move it.

Hopefully we can move at least one or two pieces of furniture this weekend and try to get that over with. So much to move, so little time/space.

Back to packing- gotta round up some more boxes!

I'd love to relax .... (Also the book of James)

But too much to be done that won't do itself. Still about 25 or 30 more Thank you notes to be written, more packing- both for the honeymoon and the move, throw in Taffy's cage needs to be cleaned/washed out so I can take her up to the house, every day chores like laundry.... Oh- and add PMS to the Mix. Luckily that never lasts long but I feel like I either need six more weeks to get everything done or about 10 more of ME.

Angel's being really clingy lately- she knows something's going on, that everything in the house is all torn up and she doesn't understand. I know moving and getting used to another cat are going to be hard on her. Actually I feel sorry for her- she has almost as much change to go through as I do.

Forgive my rants- I'm on an emotional kick tonight between the PMS, the pressure to get everything done and in order. Two weeks til the wedding and I'm ready, just would like to go through everything in slow motion so I can enjoy it and not be rushed so it all seems like a blur. Thank God (Literally- if he is willing to allow it) for two weeks alone with Scott after the wedding- one of them in Florida at Disney World, which should be my favorite place on earth. I want to take the time to enjoy it, enjoy Scott and our time together as newlyweds, and just relax from this whole fiasco. Someone shoot me if I ever move again.... or send me Samantha the Witch. Or the US Army to do it for me.

Not much new on the crochet front.. only chance I've had to crochet lately was during slower points at the Yard sale Saturday on a lapghan I've started with a skein of Holly & Ivy yarn I had, and another one I got from Sara.

It's even Sunday night and still nothing on the Gospel channels. I don't watch them much because they often preach different ideas than I believe, but once in a while I find a preacher or show that is straight from the bible, not a specific religion or far-off teachings that I like to watch. No CD player upstairs so I can't play my favorite gospel CD's I usually play to relax. I feel like some good bible study/worship right now but unfortunately it's after 1am and evening services let out several hours ago. So it's me, myself and I (and God) and my bible. I find myself studying the remainder of the book of James. We're just finishing up the study of the book in our Sunday School class. Mostly regarding Faith, works, and faith in action. We had about a 3 week pause while one of the elders came in and spoke with us about a church growth seminar we had not long ago. Important and interesting but I'll be glad to get back to our actual fellowship and bible study/discussion class. (Our Ladies' class also focuses on our relationships as Sisters in Christ and how we can support, encourage, and help one another.) During the study of the book of James, I have found another verse I'm fond of: James 4:17 Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

Many of us, and especially myself would do well to remember this. For some reason this spoke to me. OK, not for some reason, for the reason there are a lot of things I know I should be doing, but they don't always get done. And it's not usually because not everyone can do everything either- it's often because of procrastination, or things that are less important get put first. I know I'm not the only one, but I should always remember which things are more important and matter the most. Like my spiritual life and my call to do good when I can and strive to live a Christian life; My prayer that I be forgiven when I fall short by saying and doing things I shouldn't and failing to say and do things I should.

This isn't my version of preaching, just speaking what's on my mind at the moment. If my thoughts touch someone else spiritually, it's just one more good thing I have done.

Actually I feel much better having expressed my thoughts on here as well as to God; I know he is listening as well. I am going to go and finish the book of James. No, I don't read my Bible every night, although it would do me good to do so. However I find it gives me more joy every time I make the time to pick it up. If you're looking for something to read, take a look at the book of James. If you're troubled in any way, I'd recommend the book of Job also to start out with.

*Taking my own advice and reading my bible like I should do every night- then another good deed that is to be done- saying thank you and finishing some more thank you notes for gifts and kind actions regarding our wedding*

Another day, another dollar....

Well, after a decently successful one day yard sale (considering the tiny little bits of junk I sold for almost a steal just so I could get rid of it, and the few people we had- it turned out almost cold today!) I am about $90 richer. With the exception of the yard sale ad, about $80 (the remainder) will be going towards our honeymoon. I also had a duck visitor in the yard next to me while I was cleaning up.




With 2 weeks to the wedding, next week is going to be PACKED. Trying to pack and move, Scott has a Dr's appt Tuesday with my Dr., attorney appt. Tuesday (he's a friend and also a minister- he's the one who's marrying us), then hair appt. and pictures Wed. morning.... don't know what else is going on yet but I'm sure I'll be running my tail off... *checking to see if my tail is still there*

Hopefully Monday the payment will have posted to my credit card so I can book the reservations. We're going to be staying in Downtown Disney World. We decided not to spend as much on the hotel room (we can always get an expensive one next year when we have more $$ saved) and concentrate on things to do like the parks. Scott wants to drive over to Sea World and Universal too... We'll see... depends on how complicated it is. I remember some about Orlando highways but not a lot so we'll see how it goes.

OK now that most of the garage sale stuff is cleaned up, back to that junk pile..er.. my room that is. Lots of packing still to be done. *sigh* I'd love to sit and do some crocheting about now but I'm not Samantha the witch either- this stuff won't move itself.

Movin on up

Well, not the Jeffersons but close....

The entertainment center from my room is gone, as is the small old sewing machine table (that used to be my grandmother's). Lots of little odds and ends, and more is being packed up and gotten ready to move.

Actually I should be at the house working... stuff's gotta be put up and more stuff gotta be brought back here for (hopefully) the final garage sale before I move. The rest of the stuff will go... well.. somewhere.... either my booth, goodwill, freecycle, etc. The big comforter can stay in a closet somewhere until sold but the rest- there is no room for. House is a good size for me and Scott but there isn't a ton of extra storage room.

Gotta find a bookshelf for my Disney VHS collection- we already have DVD shelves. I used to have all the Disney movies on VHS til they started putting out all the sequel movies- now I'm short a few. Added them to my wish list on Crochetville. Should make one for my website but no time for the next 3 weeks or so.

Also Wed. my cousin Missy and I got to get together and run around for the first time since she moved back here almost 10 years ago. Oh we see each other, but Wed. we met for lunch at Red Lobster, went to the mall, picked up my wedding dress, and took her and Carson (her son) by my house- neither had seen it yet. Four year old Carson gets out and promptly says "Hey- you don't live here!!" ROFL We had to explain this is Aunt Marla's NEW house and she's going to be moving to live with Uncle Scott who's going to be her new husband after the wedding. The kid's smart but I don't think he totally understands the concept of marriage. Anyway he spots Scott's plug n play video game system and wants to play. We just told him the tv was broke (it isn't hooked up at the moment) and he responded "You guys gotta get that fixed". ROFL- Kids...

Missy also talked me into going into Victoria's Secret... They have some beautiful stuff but MAN those prices!! I picked out a couple of sets for the honeymoon, but nothing too racy (I HATE strings and refuse to wear one!!) I told Scott (after we're married- before anyone gets offended) he can either settle for at least a little material in the back or take it off! Can't afford any of their bras though... man, those things were $38-48!! Anyone wanna get me some Victoria's Secret gift cards/certificates for the honeymoon???

Well, back to packing.... and vacuuming (dust and rabbit hair behind everything!)... and moving...

Chasing my tail

No I'm not a dog or cat but I feel like one- Feel like I'm chasing my tail trying to get everything done and Mom isn't helping by creating more things for me to do.

I did go to LNT tonight and used all but about $10 of my gift cards- got my comforter, dust ruffle and sheets. Still don't have enough for the shams yet though. Hopefully I'll get some more LNT credit etc. between now and the wedding or shortly after. Now all I really need is my pillow shams, and the programmable recipe crock pot I'm after. Can't find it anywhere in town at the stores.

I've probably still got about 50 thank you notes or so to write and getting further behind every day- seems like every day we get another card with money or a gift card or someone sends a gift from somewhere. Not that I'm complaining about the gifts but all those notes... ugh! I'm writing a ton every day and still not finished.

I've GOT to dedicate at least one day this week to moving things- have a few small boxes packed up and that's it! I should have a whole truck load by now to take up there but I can't quit chasing my tail long enough.... Almost everything has to be done at once. Almost everything is done for the wedding except for picking out gifts for the attendants, bridesmaids' shoes and jewelry, picking up my dress Wed., and arranging the order of songs on the music CD. Oh yes and dropping the invitation off at the church so it can be put in the church bulletin.

So, even though I should be working on packing or thank you notes, I'm exhausted so I'm about to hit the sack. Soon as I turn the air down that is- my parents have it freezing in this house! Glad I still have a pair of winter jammies here at the house! BRRRR! Night all! Angel and I are going to bed!

What I've been up to today...

Hmm Let's see.... Playing Memory, Watching Disney Channel, Playing Chutes and Ladders (well sort of anyway)....

Yep, you guessed it. I've had Carson again tonight while my cousin and family were at her graduation from college. Wasn't too bad except I had other thingsI needed to be doing. Like moving stuff. Bringing stuff from the house that should have gone in the Yard Sale today.

Yes, I've also been running another 2-day yard sale today. Not bad sales for as few customers as I've had. I was told there weren't many yard sales out today. Tomorrow should be fairly big though as Canterbury hills Subdivision next door to us is having their subdivision wide yard sale. Hopefully I can get rid of what's left. I brought down most of what was at the house that was of any value that needed to go. Sold a ton of towels!! Lord only knows how Grandma ended up with so many towels!!! I've never seen so many in my life- bet she had more than Wal-mart!

Hopefully tomorrow evening after the yard sale we can go to Linens N Things and use our gift cards to get new bedding. That's the main thing we're missing. That and carpet in the bathroom and bedroom. Oh and the programmable recipe crock pot I'm wanting. Still can't find it anywhere in town.

Since I've been running since about 7 this morning and I'm definitely NOT a morning person(!!!!), I'm about to check my boards, blogs etc. and go to bed for the night.

Will update more tomorrow hopefully!

Computer (and Diet Pepsi) Break

That's what this is called- a computer break. Taking some time for ME on the puter, and who knows- may even crochet a little. Been busy running all day with errands, been to the house tonight to pick some stuff up and take some stuff. Picked up some stuff to go in my booth at the antiques/collectibles store for sale and some that goes back to the stores after shower etc. I STILL have at least 2 trips to make to different stores. I haven't taken all the stuff back to Kohl's yet and gotta make another trip to Wally World- missed a couple of things first time.

Been getting writer's cramp all night writing on that huge mountain of thank you notes from my shower. I'm MAYBE half done and I've probably written around 100 so far. Many of the gifts were from 4 or 5 people or more, and I got a TON of gifts! No I STILL don't have them all put up. It's almost more than I can get done, all the cleaning out and bagging for yard sale of old stuff and putting away the new- all before the wedding.

Especially since I'm gonna have to jerk a knot or two in a certain fiancee's tail about cleaning up around there and introduce him to the clothes hamper and garbage can. If the man knows where the two are, he's gonna learn how to use them. See, every once in a while he slips up and does the laundry or cleans the house- showing me he CAN do it.... but getting him off his rear end sometimes is a different story. Typical man. Although I can't really complain tonight- he did put up the shower rod, curtain and new commode seat in the bathroom and put my laundry cart together. More work than usual for him. Now if I can just get him to take care of his stinking laundry, clean the grime out of the shower and throw his garbage away.... he'll be perfectly trained ROFLMAO!!

Sara (who has 4 very cute kitties!!) wasn't kidding when she said a woman's work is never done!! Actually I already knew that but.... I'm getting a double dose of it between moving and wedding planning.

I have 2 pieces of good news:

1: I have to go tomorrow and talk to a lady at the Executive Inn- a part time job is open at the Antiques shop there (NOT the same one I have a booth at) and a couple of friends of ours recommended me for it. So, say a prayer there..... could use a little bit of work a few days a week. Maybe more after the wedding is over with.

2: I have a new FO!! Actually Several! The Neon afghan is finished, and the two baby afghans were finished to an extent to become two very different sized preemie afghans! And the Kitty snuggle is finished. Now to finish those two baby afghans intended for the showers this summer...

OK must get back to work.. er.. play. So I'm gonna follow in so many other bloggers' footsteps and leave you hanging abruptly. Til next time- don't do anything I wouldn't do!

The Prodigal Blogger returns...

Yes, I'm still here- sorry it's been almost a week. Been trying to do about a couple month's work in a couple weeks' time or so. It's been a week and I STILL don't have everything put up from the shower yet and the duplicates etc. taken back. Well I have a few but still have a load of things to take back to Kohl's and Wal-mart where people didn't mark items off the registry as bought.

Today's been a long day and currently my sinuses are killing me. No Sudafed Non-drying Sinus (my miracle worker)in the house for almost a week now. And I haven't been able to get to the drugstore/pharmacy counter when they're open lately. Our wonderful legislators in KY passed a law the other day requiring all products containing Sudafed (or pseudophedrine I think it's called) to be dispensed only in pharmacies, you have to show an ID, they record your buying habits... and a whole bunch of other crap!! Why? Because a handful of idiots are buying it to make drugs with!! So they punish everyone by making it hard to get, watching our buying habits like everyone buying the drugs are drug pushers/sellers.... Come on you idiots, I just want some relief here- I'm no drug pusher. Just a sinus sufferer. One of millions may I add. I bet the idiots who came up with that law never had sinus problems!!

On the up side, I did manage to get MOST of the bathroom closet cleaned out in the house and our new towels etc. put up. You've never seen so many towels, washcloths etc. in your life as Grandma had in that closet. I kept a handful for cleaning, rabbit's cage etc. and still bagged up 6 Wal-mart sacks and 2 garbage size bags full of them for my dad to keep and the yard sale I'm planning in about 2 weeks.

Well, if we can get the inside of the bathroom door painted, a mirrored medicine chest put up, and carpet in the next 2 weeks I think the bathroom will be ready. Want to do carpet in the bedroom too if $$ allows- it will allow but don't know if we can do both at the same time or not. Now, if I can just get everything out of my living room... Hopefully there can be some kind of order by the time I move in.

Looks like a honeymoon is in the works for me and Scott. We didn't think we were gonna be able to manage it but I think we're gonna be able to after all! We're talking possibly Disney and stay at one of the resorts directly in Disney World... we'll see how it goes! Say a prayer that it all works out for us!

OK I'm outta here- headed upstairs for a nice hot bubble bath before working on some more of that huge mountain of thank you notes! TTFN! Ta Ta For Now! (That's Tigger Talk!)

Shower Success.... and a HUGE SURPRISE!!!!

Wow! My wedding shower was so huge, it's taken me 2 days to get the pile in the living room reduced to a few bags/boxes left, and I haven't even started on the one in the kitchen, much less begun to put things up. That's gonna take me the rest of the week and it's only Monday!!

I am so fortunate- I received SOOOO many nice things, a little money, an abundance of my red dishes (I got so many duplicates of the dishes, I'm about to scream if I ever see another red dish again- ROFLMAO), and a TON of gift cards to Wal-mart, Linens N things, and Kohl's where I have my registries. I only got a few duplicates of other misc. things so I am going to take those back to their respective stores, add that to my gift cards, and finish up what I didn't get. About the only major things I lack are my comforter/sheets set for our main bedroom, sheets for guest bed, bathroom rugs/decor (and we still need a few towels), and curtains. The rest are just "like to have" items that we didn't get that we asked for. Some of what's left will probably be used to finish redoing the house. Of course, we aren't rich but our house (when we get through remodeling) and all of our items are very nice, so we have been very blessed!

MY HUGE SURPRISE.....

I opened this lightweight box and card that read "Love, Mom and Dad" and the Envelope just read "Marla" instead of "Marla and Scott" like the rest. So I open the box and there's nothing but tissue paper.... I start laughing and I asked Mom "OK who's the practical joker (I'm thinking she wrapped an empty box just for the fun of it)??" She just said look under the tissue paper, so I did. I found a plain white envelope with a bank statement in it. OK now I'm confused... why is there a bank statement in an envelope?? I opened it up and before I got a chance to look at it there was a note attached:

BALANCE ON BLAZER
is
~0~

THAT'S RIGHT- THEY PAID OFF WHAT WAS LEFT ON MY 2002 CHEVY BLAZER!! So Scott's and my income just jumped quite a bit per month- I still had about a year and 3/4 left to pay on it. Though they drive me nuts to no end sometimes, I really do have 2 wonderful parents!! They also bought a bench I'd been looking at at Wal-mart; it's sitting in front of the house under the den window. I'll post a picture soon as I get up there with my camera.


Well, since I have had a HUGE weekend and have been working on the house and putting things up for 2 days, I am going to go relax and crochet something for a while.... before I have to start on that HUGE mountain of thank you notes!!! With sooo many gifts, gift cards, etc. and some of them were from three or four people.... I don't even wanna KNOW how many I'm gonna need to write!!!!

The Daily Times.... Marla's Style....

Wow, so much to cover! Figured I'd better make this more like a newsletter....

THE CASE OF THE MISSING SOAP.....

Last night I had a full shower... shower, shampoo, shaving, the works. (For those of you who know me, I often prefer a long bubble bath unless my hair needs washing.... ) Anyways, last night... nothing abnormal.... used my pink dove soap like normal. The bar was MAYBE half used.

Mom hasn't been home most of the day and the whole hour or so she was home, she was here on the computer playing Freecell. My dad doesn't bother to go in my bathroom (we have 3 bathrooms in the house- I have my own, my parents have a master bath in their room, and a community bathroom downstairs) unless it's to kill a spider. Our once weekly housekeeper hasn't been here since last Friday.

About 4pm or so I go upstairs to take a bath and clean up to go out and eat. Get bath ready, get in the tub, reach for the rag and soap..... Wait a minute... There's a brand new bar of soap on my tub. The old one's gone. I didn't put that there???? I look on the sink, all around the tub... in the wastecan.... nothing. What the heck happened to that half bar of soap that was sitting there about 2am, probably still wet from the shower the night before?

As I said, Mom hasn't been home all day, but I questioned her about it anyway. "What happened to my soap?" "What soap?" "The bar that was sitting on my tub when I got out of the shower at 2am this morning." "I don't know- maybe it slid off the side- look around the tub."

Now mom pulls some wierd stunts and often denies them or lies about what she's done or tries to cover them up... but I honestly don't think she did this one. After all, she got up after I did, put her face etc. on and came straight downstairs... she was in her bathroom while I was watching the news with my dad talking to him in their bedroom right next door. Then we all went straight downstairs. She didn't come back upstairs til suppertime. Why the heck would she want a half bar of soap anyway? She doesn't even use that kind. Noone else around here does either.

My dad knew nothing about it of course... Pat (housekeeper) hadn't been there in a week.... My conclusion? Our Ghost is at work again. Yes, we have an actual ghost that hangs around the house, plays tricks, shows himself (at least I think it's a him) from time to time, etc. OK Ghost, the joke's over, put my soap back and quit wasting new bars- the stuff don't grow on trees ya know!! You touch my yarn and I'll send you back to the previous life you came from so I can make your life miserable!!!!


FINISHED OBJECT AND UFO'S

Well I finished my kitty snuggle and almost finished the Neon Afghan. Just a few more stitches on it. The bad news is in going through stuff in a corner of my room I found 3 more UFO's to be either frogged or finished. Trying to determine their fates as we speak.

MOVING: ONE PIECE AT A TIME

Got that Baker's rack out of my room that had all the stuff on it, took it up to the house and set it up in the kitchen. Now if I just had a moving van for all my yarn/crochet stuff and someone to unload it for me... that's going to take weeks!!!! Got sacks and a couple of bins all ready to go up to the house now. Then more sacks with UFO's stay here- that way if I take most of the rest of the yarn to the house I can't work on much else til I move, right? We'll see if it works.

Next piece of furniture to go will probably be either my nightstand behind my bed, or the old sewing machine table that came from my grandparents' house. Can you believe all this stuff is currently stuffed in one room???? Well, the furniture that is...

WEDDING NEWS

On to Wedding news, the pictures are on hold til my mom and dad work out who is going to pay for them. That sounds strange, I know- and I wish my dad would just pay for it and get it over with. However, my mom insists on paying for it with money my grandparents left her, and while I'm grateful and she's been good about most things she's being really selfish about the pictures. She's decided she's not paying for any pictures except the main photographer's time, her album, and a small one for me. Everyone else will have to pay for their own, and if I want more than a few I have to pay for them myself. She knows I don't have the $$ to do that and have any decent ones. My dad told us both forget it, for me to order what I wanted and he'd pay for them... well that made her mad at both of us.... I finally told her I didn't want her paying for, or being involved with anything else with the wedding if that was the way she was going to be- that I'd not have any pictures or anything else if I had to deal with her to get it. And I meant it. End of Story. I really hate to be that kind of person, and I know it isn't the way I should be, but it isn't worth letting myself be tortured emotionally by her- letting her be nice and do something for me and then having it thrown up in my face as often happens. Not anymore. I imagine it'll pan out one way or the other- I think she's just trying to play a game she knows (or should know) she can't win.

Oh and I FINALLY got ahold of my Maid of Honor tonight. Her phone had been disconnected for a while, she hasn't been fitted for her dress yet and I was panicking thinking I was going to be short my Maid of Honor. I REALLY didn't want to have to ask someone else to do it, and I wasn't about to go thru trying to find another 4th bridesmaid. If I didn't get her ready and she couldn't do it, I was just going to stick with 3, my SIL, my cousin and a friend I used to work with. My Maid of Honor is also a friend I used to work with. We've pulled each other out of many a scrape and she's been there for me lots of times. Anyway she's coming to the shower Sunday, then 3 or 4 of us are going to the dressmaker's to get her and my cousin fitted. Cutting it a bit closer than I would like but as long as it gets done I'm at the point where I could care less if it's fancy or not. Same with Shoes, jewelery etc. I've got enough details to worry about.

SECRET PALS ON CROCHETVILLE

Just waiting on the green light to send my package to my secret pal. Got a stash built up of little things... trouble is I'm ready to get them outta my way. Plus I'm anxious to be sneaky!!! Let the games begin!! Bet it doesn't take me long to figure out who's got my name.... they better be pretty sneaky!!

THANK YOU NOTES

Well since I still have about 15 thank you notes left from the last shower to write, and I've already written an issue of The Marla Times here describing all that's been going on, I better go give myself a case of writer's cramp and finish those thank you notes. After all, if 2 weeks hits and people still haven't gotten thank you notes, they're going to think I'm some kind of ungrateful brat!! *shame on me- sounding like my mother..... *

SECRET PALS ANNOUNCED!

YES!!!! Our Secret Pals on Crochetville have now been announced!!!! I am going to love this... already have a stash of little things built up to send my pal!! Hope she enjoys!!!

Hmmm I wonder who mine is? *sneaky thoughts* Let's see if I can figure out who mine is... bet I can.. wanna bet? So you really wanna know who I got as mine???

*Drum roll Please*

My Crochetville Secret Pal for May-July is......











Thought I'd really tell ya, didn't ya???? ROFLMAO!!!!!

Monkeys Always Look!!!

Frogging and Finishing

I should be able to announce a Finished Object soon- the Neon afghan is almost done!! Just another row and a half or so....

That's the progress to report. Other Progress on the Finish or Frog project:

Working on Finishing:

*Sage Mary Ripple afghan (former UFO)
*Neon Afghan (former UFO)
*Giant ripple afghan (former UFO)
*Rainbow afghan
*neon socks
*kitty snuggle for Project Linus
*2 Preemie afghans for Newborns in Need (former UFO's)
*Round Ripple baby afghan from New Crochet Basics
*Pastel Stripes Afghan (former UFO)

Frogged or to be frogged:

Aran and blue sock with no mate (lost yarn)
Varigated blues Slipper
Piece of scrap afghan
One row afghan
Baby outfit (lost pattern)

Also go through, ball, thin out scrap yarn from stash. Send baby yarn balls I can't use to another crocheter or charity.

This is all part of my Finish or Frog pledge- I have no choice- I can't move ALL of this!!!

Shower Curtain found!

Thanks to ZingyZoid on Crochetville, the notorious Navy Jubilee Swag shower curtain has been found! Thanks Stacy! *Dancing* I can have my navy and fuschia bathroom after all! Where oh where would I be without my crochet buddies???

Also, I did find a pair of natural color bamboo rings at Hobby Lobby for making the fleuri purse on CrochetMe Blog- BUT... I'm still looking for a set of clear ones, around 6-8", for a different purse.

I feel so loved at the moment!

Now, off to finish one of the WIP's (or UFO's) I've been talking about!