Hi D,
Have V check out Ravelry.com for crochet patterns. Some are for sale,however, there are a lot that are free. I go there for my knitting and crocheting patterns.They have more that you can ever imagine. If she is interested in learning how to knit Verypink.com has great tutorials. Happy New Year!!
Thanks so much for this! I've opened both of them in new tabs and plan to check them out!
Happy New Year to you too!
Glad to see V is crocheting. Such a fun hobby. I've been crocheting for over 40 years now. I'll second Ravelry for good patterns. When I was V's age (about the time I learned to crochet), patterns were few and far between. Now, you can go online and find anything you want.
Hi Kathy!!! It's so great to see you! I hoe you had a wonderful Christmas! Thanks for seconding that website - I plan to check it out more today.
While V is learning to crochet, I'm learning to sew.
I LOVE it! Congratulations! I cannot wait to hear how it goes... I hope you'll keep me updated! Remember to go slow - it isn't a race.
Just signed up for the introductory sewing class at JoAnn's. One three hour class. I'll see what I learn from that before committing to anything else. I might try to take online courses...or Craftsy. We'll see.
You will do great - I know you will!
I never wore crocs but I did wear sandals all the time. I also was told my weight probably didn't help. They also said for me to wear shoes all the time which I don't do because I hate wearing shoes especially at home. I'm still having problems finding a pair of shoes that will help keep the pain at bay (I'm very cheap when it comes to buying things for myself so I have a hard time spending $100 on a pair of tennis shoes). Thankfully I haven't had any issues since I had my last cortisone shot back in April (I've only had 2 shots total in the 4 years I've been dealing with this because I can normally get it to subside within 24 hours too. I also always have a frozen water bottle in the freezer for that just in case moment. Hope it's doing better today.
Thanks Sandra! Yup - I keep a water bottle in my freezer too.

I wear my Orthaheel Tide flip flops around the house constantly - I cannot go barefoot, as my PF acts up immediately. So, I wake up, walk the 5 feet to my dresser, slip on my flip flops and they stay on my feet all day long. I hate that I can't wear them in the winter and at work. I did buy a pair of their inserts, but they just aren't the same as the flip flops on my feet - I dunno what it is about them? I swear, I can slip them on after a day at Target and it's amost immediate relief - most of the time. But the arch in them is SUPER high and takes a lot of getting used to - most people HATE them. But - I can usually find them at various places for less than $50.
My PF is much better now... Still a little sore when I first stand up, but getting better. Phew! About the time I am fully healed again, I'll have to work a shift at Target and I will be right back to where I was.
That's great you've gotten contacts so you can move forward. Exactly just take it one thing at a time and it'll get done.
Yes! I just wish my Dad would call me... He doesn't have a phone in his room and his reception is HORRIBLE in the nursing home. Every time I try to call him, it goes straight to his voicemail. He has to be standing by a window to get reception. Grrrr... I gave him orders the other day, to call me every day or two to let me know how he is doing - since it's hit or miss (usually always miss) when I try to call him... And, of course, he doesn't call - I sure hope it means he is having fun and he doesn't think I've abandoned him.
Nice!! I'd like to go out but we're getting things ready for when the baby decides to make his appearance. Took our tree down today, started pulling baby items out of the attic and I got all the kids new toys sorted and almost all put away. Still have a few things to open but I didn't want to overwhelm them with too many new toys to play with all at once.
WTG! What a relief to have your holiday items put away... We still need to do that. Also, it must be a relief to have some of the items out for the baby... It's getting soooo close!
Great savings on the shirts!!!
Thanks! I was pretty excited about it!
Glad you got a couple places figured out!! Even though our date has come and gone I'm still changing some things around where I can.
Yah - I do that all the time too!
You sure do have a very crafty family!!! Great job V!! I wish I could get into doing things like that again but right now just not much time with the kids. One day I will be able to do it all again.
Yah - I am not sure how that happened? LOL I was never very crafty until I learned to sew... I had a lot of hobbies previously - well, I guess Josh would say I was crafty before - so maybe I was? LOL
Hi D~ I finally got caught up and have a bit of time to myself to touch base. First, I'm so delighted to see those Christmas photos with the girls and your Dad. Just beautiful. And I'm glad you are little by little getting all the necessary ducks in a row and that you are so wise to be doing it a little at a time. It certainly can be overwhelming.
Hi Lois! It's great to see you! I've been wondering how you've been doing and how Jennifer is doing. I've missed you!
Thank you, it has been a relief to start getting a few things ironed out. HOpefully I can continue to make progress tomorrow.
And my heart just broke when I read about Gwen. I read it yesterday just after praying for her and it was just so sad. It wasn't that long ago she was first diagnosed. Tess, I'm so sorry for your loss and that of Gwen's family. You all will continue to be in my prayers. I, too, feel as though I know you. I'm glad you had your kids with you during the holiday. I know that must have been such a comfort.
I agree with this completely, and I couldn't have said it better myself.
D~ I loved your pic of your scissors! I have most of them as well. I would like to get a pair for cutting when you layer the flannel, like the blanket you made for your nephew. I can't remember what you called them. But I did get a couple of gift cards for JoAnn's so I'll be checking them out.
Hahaha thanks! I believe it's called a "chenielle cutter"... And if you make a lot of blankets like that - I think it would be $$ VERY well spent. If I ever have to make another blanket - I plan to buy one. Which will insure many blankets after that. LOL
Loved that the stockings you made are being used...globally! They looked so beautiful hanging in the various homes. Must make you feel good that a little piece of you is present in your loved ones homes.
Yes, it was really cool! I was very happy that some of them sent pictures.

And even better, it connected us, even though we were all so far apart.
Plantar F. is the absolute pits!!!! I had it for 18 months the last time and there was a Disney trip in the middle of it. Not fun! I too, have a water bottle in my freezer! I used to lay in bed when I woke up and stretched a bit before getting up. I've slacked off lately, but it's a good habit to get into. It is supposed to keep that tendon or ligament or whatever stretched enough so it won't tear. We have a shoe store here that employs foot specialists and they told me that a shoe with a small heel is better than a flat shoe. Also, they sold me a pair of insoles that absolutely rid me of the PF after 18 longs months of trying everything else known to man. I sure do hope yours doesn't linger!
Hmmm... I would be SUPER interested to know the name of those inserts... I am about ready to cut my feet off... Ok, not really, but this is getting so annoying week after week. Just when I get it "healed", I have to work a shift at Target and it comes right back. I honestly don't believe that the little I work there is worth the pain I have to go through after, but I love my Target pals...
Have you and the girls ever eaten at 1900 Park Fair? I have a dinner reservation for there on Charlotte's 5th birthday. It was too late to get CRT, so I thought that might be a good substitute, but I know nothing about it except the menu. We're also eating at Crystal Palace, which I know is really good for character interaction.
We did have dinner there on our last trip... It was fun! Not sure it's earned "must-do" status... but it's definately a "do again" status. I think that Akershus or 1900PF is a good substitute to CRT, and I think you will enjoy it. And, CP is always a Must Do for us, so you can't go wrong there.
It's just great that you are getting some ADRs lined up for your trip! Finally, right?? Can't wait to hear all about them.
Yes, finally... It's been a crazy few months for BFF, hopefully things are settling down a little for her, and we can get to some serious planning. I am still a bit jealous that she is very nearly paid off... I still have SO FAR to go, and this time, I am just not sure I will make it?
Oh, my daughter Emily and I took Charlotte to see Frozen yesterday. It was so good! We came home and listened to a lot of the songs on You Tube and Charlotte danced around. Dan watched little Caroline (age 15 mos) including changing a poo diaper. What a guy! Did you ever get to see Saving Mr. Banks? Dan and I are going there once all our kids leave. We have enjoyed having them here, all but Jennifer. She is doing pretty well with the PT, but as all of us do, wishes the progress was faster.
Prayers for all who need them and wishes for a fabulous New Year, in case I don't get back on.
I am so glad you got to see Frozen... We have not seen it yet, and I am not sure we will this weekend? I really want to though. I will talk to the family to see if it's something they'd like to do today - it's kind of a crappy and VERY cold day here, so it's definatly an option. We have not seen Saving Mr. Banks yet either... Soon, I hope.
I am so happy to hear that Jennifer is doing well with her PT... I know she wishes her progress to be faster, but she has overcome SOOOO much already - I hope she doesn't push herself.
I wish you a Happy New Year too! Take care Lois and thanks for checking in. As always, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
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Yesterday was a nice, slow & relaxing day here...
Allison took us out for a WHOLE family photoshoot! The pictures (most of them) turned out great, and we had FANTASTIC 50deg weather yesterday - which NEVER happens here this time of year. Alli has not edited the photos yet - so I cannot post them. She told me that she plans to edit them today.

HOpefully I will be able to post a few tomorrow.
We had chicken tacos for dinner last night - which were SUPER good. I just threw a bunch of chicken breasts in the crock pot and let them cook all day - easy peasy.
And then we hung out in the livingroom last night, being lazy and watching TV.
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**** Warning: Weight loss ramblings ahead...
Yesterday morning, I finally weighed myself... Yah... Sigh... I hadn't weighed myself since March. I had no clue what to expect... but I didn't expect
that number.
I didn't weigh myself because I wanted to see my loss... It was strictly a "fact finding" mission.
Another story...
I had a goal of getting into a certain pair of capris last summer... I was hoping it would happen before our trip, I was SUPER close, but nope... Then I tried them on again at the beginning of Oct (right before I started my heavy lifting)... I was STILL super close, but still a no-go. OK... I told myself I would pack them away for a few months and try them on MUCH later.
Yesterday, I tried them on again... And yup... They were just as tight as they were last summer... maybe a *smidge* looser, but not a lot. Sigh.
What in the world is going on?
I've been working so hard!
I have been religious about eating within my calculations since the beginning of October. No, I haven't been journaling... but I rotate through the same few favorite things every day - it's pretty cut and dried. For the fun of it, yesterday, I entered a few *sample* days into my MFP journal... Yup - exactly where I thought I was.
Hmmm... So, what is going on? Why am I not losing inches? Super frustrated here.
Time to dig deeper to figure out the problem.
Guess what...
Seriously...
I mis-calculated!
WHAT!!!
Yup...
For the last 3 months, a STUPID miscalculation on my part, and I have been eating almost 600 calories above what I should be. Now remember... I am NOT trying to lose via a conventional starvation method (ie: 1200 cal/day)... I am following a less traditional, but tried and true method of "Eat More 2 Weigh Less"... Google it, if you are interested. So, the fact that I was eating +600 calories per day is totally believeable and possible with out being outside the "norm" for this method.
GULP!
OK - all is not lost...
I've learned a few things in the process...
I now know that I can eat 600+ calories above what I am supposed to, and maintain perfectly.

I also know that I can survive and be happy on that amount of food.
Then...
I made a bunch of tweeks to my food journal... Simple things... Smaller breakfast - same food, just smaller portion. Smaller snacks... Trade out the protein that I normally like to eat for lunch and insert something that's lower calories/higher protein...
And VIOLA... -600 calories/day.
So, starting today... I should be back on track.
How could I make such a stupid error? Not a clue... I have NO idea what I was thinking?
For the time being... I am back to journaling (UGH!)... Hopefully not for long though - I truly HATE it! But I really hope that I won't be stalled anymore.
Wish me luck everyone...
Oh, and if you are interested... I've lost 22lbs since March... but I've lost several inches all over... So, it's still progress... Just really slow/stalled progress. BUt the right direction.
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OK... Thanks for letting me ramble.
I hope each of you has a fantastic day!
Sending out prayers and good thoughts and big (((Hugs))) to everyone!
D~