Reusable Swiffer Cover

I decided to try crocheting a reusable cover for my Swiffer. The pattern I used can be found at http://alicethekamel.blogspot.com/2007/09/crochet-swiffer-shrug.html

I think it turned out pretty well! Now I just need to use it more often!

Top View and Bottom View

Wildlife Rescue Nest Pattern

I decided to put the pattern for the bird/rabbit nests on again because I am starting to find others that are willing to make a few. If you make any, contact me and I will let you know how to get them to me.

The pattern is at http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/nest.html She has the pattern below and patterns for Knit and Hoop nests.

CROCHETED Artificial Bird Nest

Several yards of Worsted weight yarn.
Hold 2 or 3 strands together for a TIGHT stitch!
Size H hook

Starting ring: Crochet 3 chains using 2 or even 3 strands of yarn held together, and slip stitch last chain to first chain to make a loop or ring.
Round 1: Chain 2 (this counts as your first “stitch), work between 10 – 15 single crochets into th ring (depending on what thickness yarn you are using). Slip stitch the last single crochet to the top stitch in the chain 2 that started this round.
Round 2: Chain 2. Single crochet into each of the next two stitches, then do 2 single crochet’s into the next stitch, single crochet into the next two stitches, then 2 single crochet’s in the the next stitch. And on and on around the circle. Slip stitch your last single crochet into the top of the chain 2 that started this round.
Round 3, 4, 5, 6, and on: Repeat Round 2 over and over, until your circle is at least 3” big. You can make your nest with a bottom as small as 3” big, up to maybe 6” big.
Once you have made the bottom of the nest from 3” to 6” big, from all rounds thereafter, crochet ONE single crochet into each stitch. You will see your “sides” begin to form.
Crochet until the sides are about 2 – 3” high. Bind off and weave in loose ends.

This will make all the same size nests. In order to make larger nests just keep increasing (as in rows 3, 4, 5, 6) until you have the desired size base. Then just stitch one SC in each stitch and it will begin to crate the sides. You can make these as large as you like. Remember that more than one bunny does use them at the same time. I would recommend limiting the size to 12 inches across or less.

ANOTHER TEMPLE FOR ARIZONA

This is the article found on the NEWSROOM section at www.lds.org .

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

SALT LAKE CITY 24 May 2008 President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced today that the Church plans to build a new temple in Phoenix, Arizona. This will bring the worldwide total number of temples built or under construction to 140, including five in Arizona.

Latter-day Saint temples differ from the tens of thousands of local meetinghouses where members typically meet for Sunday worship services and midweek social activities, and where visitors are always welcome. Temples are used solely for the performance of sacred ordinances and religious instruction aimed at strengthening members’ relationships with God and their fellowman.

To members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, temples are houses of the Lord, the most sacred places on earth. Temple services bind families together forever, teach the purpose of life and explain God’s plan of salvation. Temple attendance strengthens Latter-day Saints’ commitment to living Christian principles, emphasizes personal spiritual growth and increases devotion to family.

“The blessings of the temple are eternal,” said President Monson. “Those who come to this holy house will feel of God’s love for His children and come to a greater understanding of their own divine origin and potential as His sons and daughters.”

There are currently two temples in Arizona, in Mesa and Snowflake. Two additional temples were announced last month for Gila Valley and Gilbert, Arizona.

The Church’s Temple Department reports that the Mesa Arizona Temple, close to the city of Phoenix, is attended by more worshippers than any other Latter-day Saint temple in the world outside of Utah.

The announcement of eight new temples in Arizona, Idaho, Utah and British Columbia over the last two years reflects the Church’s steady growth in North America.

After Latter-day Saint temples are built they are opened to interested members of the public and the media for open house tours before being dedicated as places of worship. The Church’s last temple to be completed is in Curitiba, Brazil. Over 20,000 guests have visited that temple this month in open house tours for the media, dignitaries and the public.

Thoughts on Crochet

I just love crochet! There are so many satisfying things to make and so many colors to play with. I guess that's what my relationship with crochet is about, so I could just stop here.

But, you know me! I don't stop just because I can. I wouldn't be as irritating to some of you if I did that, so I'll continue.

I have said for many years that everyone needs to have some kind of "hobby" they can do just because they want to. For me it all began as a way to deal with panic attacks and Chronic Fatigue. I started with Cross Stitch (still do a little) and then switched to crochet. Both helped satisfy an intense need for color and kept my hands busy when my body could hardly move.

It has taken a long time for me to get decent at it, but now I feel like I can give something I've made and not have to make excuses about it. I think one of the most satisfying things I have done is to make the little nests for wildlife rehabilitation. Those fuzzy little things don't care what color I use or if it looks nice enough to show anyone. They just love having them.

I read that knitting and crochet are now used to help deal with stress. I think that's great and agree with them.

Now we don't need to make as many items for ourselves as they did in years past, but why lose the art of stress-relief? Or the art of creating something with your own hands? Or giving the gift of time to yourself or others, by making them a one of a kind creation. They may not realize it, but when you give something you have put hours/days/weeks into, you are really giving a piece of yourself when you give it to someone.

And it's a great feeling. Now my fingers are itching for some yarn and a hook. Let's see, where is the afghan for my teenager? . . .

Genetics

The teenager has been growing this year! A LOT! All the pants we bought her at the beginning of the school year now are 3 inches above her ankle bones. She still has the classic figure of all my female siblings. Just look at my fabulous figure at age 12. (I’m the oldest)


Yesterday, I took her to the doctor. She is now 5’7” tall and FINALLY weighs 100 lbs!

All the doctors and teachers ask if she eats or is anorexic. Sorry, but that is not the problem! It’s genetics that makes her look that way!

I finally got it!

I have seen the crochet hooks with ergonomic handles for about a year and have wanted a set since I saw them. Anyone who crochets a lot knows the pain that your hand begins to feel after a few hours of work. That pain magnifies for someone who is also on the computer a great deal of time, like I am. I have not spent the $20 to get myself a set because that was not as important as gas, food, bills . . . It was just something I wanted.

Well, my husband knows how much I love to crochet and so he ordered me some yarn for Mother’s Day. I don’t know what it is so it will be a surprise when it comes. But on Saturday he made two trips to the store and I was debating whether or not I should tell him to get me a set. I decided not to, but he did anyway! He really loves me.

I acted like a kid getting a favorite toy! But I made myself do the dishes, clean the sink and tidy my miniscule kitchen before I opened the package. Then I took pictures! I ended the day sitting in front of the TV, happily hooking and watching the PBR Bull Riding!

Did I ever mention that I LOVE bull riding? The rest of the rodeo events are fine, but there is so much dull-time that I get really bored. And crochet at a dusty dirty rodeo is just not what I want to do with my WIP’s (Works In Progress). But the bull riding is a totally different story! Sometime I’ll tell that story.
On Sunday, I also got a new watch, a big bag of Pistachio’s and a big bag of Kisses. Can you tell I have some favorite snacks? I’m nutty and I am a chocoholic and I am happy about that. Yes I care about my too-large size, but if it never changes, I am still happy! What more do I want? Except CHOCOLATE and YARN to crochet!

For Mother & Moms

I would love to give someone the credit for this, but I don't know who wrote it. But I love it.

******************************************

MOTHERS and MOMS

This is for the mothers who have sat upall night with sick toddlers in their arms,
wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying,
'It's okay honey, Mommy's here.'
Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.
This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains
on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
For all the mothers who run carpools andmake cookies and sew Halloween costumes.
And all the mothers who DON'T.
This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers
who took those babies and gave them homes.
This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.
And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars. And that when their kids asked, 'Did you see me, Mom?' they could say, 'Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world,' and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner.

And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.
This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making
babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.
This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read 'Goodnight, Moon' twice a night for a year.

And then read it again, 'Just one more time.'
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before
they started school. And for all the motherswho opted for Velcro instead.
This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook

and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls 'Mom?'
in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home

-- or even away at college

-- or have their own families.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them
they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later
asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed

when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings,

and the mothers of those who did the shooting.
For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful,

and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good mother anyway?
Is it patience?

Compassion?

Broad hips?

The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it in her heart?

Is it the ache she feels when she watches her son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?
The jolt that takes her from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M.

to put her hand on the back of a sleeping baby?
The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when she just wants to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in her home?
Or the need to flee from wherever she is and hug her child when she hears news
of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...
And for mature mothers learning to let go.
For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
Single mothers and married mothers.
Mothers with money, mothers without.
This is for you all. For all of us...
Hang in there.

In the end we can only do the best we can.

Tell them every day that we love them.

And pray and never stop being a mother...

'Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall.'

Live each day as though it were your last and never forget to say

'I love you.'