Happy Thanksgiving

I don't know about you but I've been so busy the past couple months. Getting my daughter moved out, rearranging my home, fall/Winter cleaning, and getting things ready for Thanks Giving, Christmas and hibernation.


I try hard not to let things get in the way of what Thanks Giving is all about. I am thankful for so many things. I hope each and everyone out there can find something to be thankful for. If you do not have family or a place to fellowship, or maybe you are grieving, I hope you can still find peace and thanksgiving in your heart.


I will get back to blogging soon. I have a few recipes I can't wait to share starting this weekend, but until then....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Crochet Pet Leg Warmers

It all started when my sister texted me a photo of her dog wearing a pair of baby socks. She thought it was so funny. In return, I sent her a picture of a funny dog wearing a pair of knitted leg warmers.

After we both had a chuckle, she asked if I could crochet her dog a pair of leg warmers. "I suppose I could", I said. She gave me the approximate size of her dogs legs and I told her I'd see what I could do.

Before I knew it, I had created a pair of leg warmers. I laughed at them for a minute because I think its rather silly how people dress their pets, but Im pretty sure I'd do the same thing if I had one . All I have is a fish and I'd make him something if he'd wear it but he would just get it wet and then it would be ruined....Ok that wasn't funny but, I do love my pet.

She asked me to make her four but most pet leg warmers are just worn on the front legs because the back legs are so curvy and used for ear scratching and such.

I liked the way they turned out. Here is her Shiz Tzu modeling the pair I made for her. I think she likes them.

 

They were so fun to make that I made a pair or two for my shop. If you cant crochet and would like a pair, just let visit my Etsy shop and let me know what color and size. If you can crochet and would like to make a pair for yourself, then im sharing my pattern for you today.

DOG LEG WARMERS
(Make 2)
chain 4
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc next 2 (3), ch1 turn
Row 2: sc across (back loop only) (3) ch 1 turn.
Row 3-11: repeat row 2, ch 1 turn
Row 12: repeat row 2, ch 1 but don't turn.
Row 13: sc each stitch down the ribbed band. (12) ch 3 turn.
Row 14: dc in each sc (12) ch 3 turn.
Row 15-18: Repeat row 14. Finish off at end of this row and leave enough yarn to seam together.

Seam the legwarmer together and turn right side out.
That's it.
You can make them as long and wide as you need by adding more or less stitches to the ribbing and length.

You are welcome to sale what you make with my pattern but please link back to my post. Please do not sale my pattern. Id also love to read any comments from those who tried my pattern out.

I've shared this at:
inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy
tuesday-pin-spiration-link-party at thestitchinmommy
judyscardmakingandpapercrafts
link-and-share-wednesday at oombawkadesigncrochet

My Secret Skill

I have a skill I can not talk about. Why does it have to be so secretive and private in my world? Im talking about Phlebotomy.

While others that are certified in this field can shout it out to the world , I have to keep it balled up inside. However, I do have a little key chain I dangle from my keys. Ha.

I have always wanted to be a phlebotomist. I really don't know why. I just have. In November 2013, I did something about it. I found a local school that offered these classes and I dove in with a little money I had saved. My Husband just shaking his head. He and my daughter were the only ones that knew I was going after this certification. I was so excited. As hard as it was for me to keep it to myself. I didn't tell anyone until I was finished just incase I failed. I could not wait until it was over so I could announce it to my family.

When the wait was over and I got the call that I passed, I actually cried just a little. Then I waited until just the right moment to share my accomplishments. I barely got out the word "Phlebotomist" until someone screamed "eeeew! Stop right there". I didn't want to cause a ruckus so I hung down my head and shut my mouth. These same family members can talk about hunting and dead animals around the dinner table but lets don't speak anything about human blood. I was so hurt and discouraged.

That was it.

Its been a year now. No one speaks of it. However, I look at and study my notes from class regularly. Almost every day actually. They are all on my phone right at my finger tips. One person tells me I have to stay hush about it because It could result in me loosing the office job I have been at now for 21 years. I don't understand how. I mean, as long as I'm devoted to my job, It does not hurt for others to know that I have some schooling. I agree with him that I cant risk loosing my full time job just yet but that does not mean I cant do Phlebotomy on the side. Get some experience and then one day go on full time somewhere. Somewhere with benefits and professionalism.  Somewhere I can make a difference and help people. Somewhere I'm respected.

I am currently in the process of applying as a volunteer for the American Red Cross. I have one more step to take on the application. I would like to volunteer in the blood centers. I think just being around this line of work will help me build confidence and get some experience. A place I can enjoy being at. Even though its "Volunteer". I love helping people and get the satisfaction that I did something to good. I could stay at my full time job and volunteer on the weekends.

Right now, I'm stuck between going for it without any support from family, or just wait and carry my wishes around in my pocket. I really would love to hear the words " Just go for it", "Do what you want to do", "make something better of yourself", "Ill be behind you if you fall". I don't think Ill get that but I know in the long run, ill have some experience that I can fall back on if my current job ever ends. I still have 25 good work years left in me. Um....Just don't do the math.

Tennis Elbow Crochet Ice Pack.

Its been seven months now. Im suffering. Tennis elbow hurts! Im not sure what caused it but I have a few ideas. Its either my job as where I use my right arm to answer the phone and use the adding machine all day, eight hours a day, five days a week...or....Crocheting an hour almost each night. Im afraid its the crocheting. I gave it a break a few days and my elbow pain seemed to subside just a little. It went from an 8 in pain to about a 4.

Feeling better, I decided to crochet a hat last night and here I am suffering again. The pain is so bad that I cant lift my arm sometimes. Even though I can lift a heavy object with hardly any pain at all, I can't do a simple task of picking up the coffee pot, pour the laundry soap or even at times, texting. Sometimes the pain is so bad it keeps me up at night. I cant even lift it to without picking it up and lifting with my other arm. My arm throbs. Ibuprofen has become a drug habit.

I read where ice will help with tennis elbow. I had homemade ice packs in the freezer but hated having to sit still while holding or balancing it on my arm. That's when I decided to create some sort of ice pack that would fit around my arm, triggering the source of pain than radiates down my arm. And of course, crocheting was my answer at the moment. I needed something quick so I grabbed a ball of cotton yarn and began to crochet in agony.

 

My little ice pack will fit right down into it and then I can securely wrap it around my arm and fasten with a button. Its not pretty and Its a little too big for the cause but its working.
 

What do you think? Does anyone have any more suggestions? I open for any opinions or help. Has anyone ever had tennis elbow? How long did it last and how did you deal with it?

A little Vintage Decor

Ive been away from blogging like Id like too. It wont be long until I get back into the swing of things. I have had a lot going on and a few projects to complete.

It started in October when my daughter decided to move out on her own. Its put me in empty nest mode. Its different now at the house with her not here for me to tuck in at night and sharing our talks in the mornings. But I seem to be doing fine now. In fact, my husband and I have decided to redo her old bedroom and make it into a guest bedroom her a new bedroom. Im doing it in some of my imaginative ideas and colors of coral and tan. We actually sold her really cute french provincial bedroom suit and put our antique bedroom suit in its place. We will be getting a new one...Finally.

While all of the moving around the rooms is still under construction, I decided to do some decorating here and there to see what style I want to go with. I like the shabby chic look but not to frenchy. I like the modern look too but the furniture is old. So, I decided to mix it up and pull these looks into one.

One decoration I added is this vintage camera my father-in-law gave me. Ive had it put away and wanted to display it and found the perfect place. I love it. I also found a blue mason jar. I have been looking for a few of these. They are so pretty used as vases.

I called up my sister-in-law and asked if I could have some pom poms off her hydrangea bushes. I wasnt sure how dead they would be but after the ok, I drove over to cut some. I was was afraid they were too gone to use but took my chances.

Yes, they were really dried up. However, I think they added a special look to this little décor. To my husband, they are just dead flowers.
When the plants bloom in the spring or whenever they bloom. I will change them out with some colored ones.

So far thats all Ive got besides vintage suit cases I plan to use as a bed side table.

Words from my daughter- " That's enough old stuff. Any more, and it will look like a grandmaw room".
I think not. I think of it as shabby chic, modern vintage and I like it. As for the master bedroom, It will be different. But as long as I have an empty little girls room, I'm dolling it up.


Ive shared this at:
thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop at katherinescorner
show-and-tell-friday at romantichome
weekend-bloggy-reading-link-up at serenitynowblog