Wow! a year already?

   I started this blog just before Christmas last year.  When I started, I had set a goal to lose fifty pounds and though I'm not there yet, I did lose twenty. My new years resolution will be to continue this goal.  I won't be on some miracle diet.  Instead I will take one day at a time.  I will keep track of what I eat and make smart choices.  If I want chocolate, I'll have it, but I will be aware of how much I eat so I don't over indulge.

   I will continue to post finished projects here.  I will be taking a class so that I can learn the names of the stitches I use.  I want to crochet everything from sweaters to socks and even a teddy bear.  I would like to know what types of things you as my readers would like to see.

Bullying

    The other day, I saw a video on http://singledadlaughing.com .  It was posted by a boy named Jonah who was starting Junior high.  He, like so many was being bullied.  In his case because he was gay.  People called him names and they were horrible.  I really felt bad for this kid because on some level, I could relate.  No, I'm not gay and no, this is not a pity party.
   In my case, I am special needs or what ever politically correct term people want to assign this week.  I was born two months early at three pounds four ounces and as a result of this (as well as some trauma during my birth) I have a minor case of cerebral Palsy and hydrocephalous.  These are things that I deal with but they are not the reason for this post.
   As I said before, I felt for Jonah because like him and so many others, I had been bullied.  One year I decided I had enough so, I snapped my glasses in half and tossed them in a trash can along with my math book.  I guess I thought they would fix things.
   I know someone who was bullied because he was white when most kids he went to school with weren't.
   I don't pretend to understand why bullies pick on certain people but My guess is that they look for something different about their "victim" weather it be a disability or someone who is more academic minded then their peers.  They could be the wrong race, or perhaps they are gay.  My point here is that bullying happens to many people for many different reasons.  No matter what the reason, bullying has lasting effects and it's W R O N G!

Midnight Ramble

I am up again of course it's no surprise.  I got a couple more projects done and decided that I would add a vintage section to my ETSY store. http://www.etsy.com/shop/jennskains

This vase is listed.  it is a 1960s "Ambrina" bud vase.

Happy Halloween

For those of you who like pictures, these will some up October 2011 in my world.  I feel very blessed.  On monday Jonathan was talking about his best friends while we were running errands and when Josh asked him who they ere he said " Mommy and Khalil"  that was the sweetest thing I have heard in a long time.


The first six pictures were taken at a local park. The seventh was one of a few that I snapped during a mommy and Jonathan date.


The next three were of this years jack o lantern carving and the last one is Jonathan in his costume which I am surprised he wanted.  Last year, he wanted nothing to do with trick or treat and this year, it looked like it was going to be the same until friday when Jonathan informed us he wanted to be a vampire.  The hunt for vampire teeth began.  Thank heavens he was ok with the fact that they were too big!

Chilly nights and what I've been up too

   I've been so scattered that I hit the publish button after only writing the title.  the other day, it was thirty four degrees at ten in the morning.  I decided to add some things to my Facebook page "Jenny's yarn and more" and to my Etsy shop.  Some of these pictures have been added to Etsy already while some are going up tomorrow. The first picture is of a hand dyed wool scarf.

The second picture is made from a blend of Wool and silk in creme and green.

 Both pictures of the red scarf are the same scarf.

Crock Pot Chili

Ingredients:

One pound of ground beef.
one bell pepper diced.
one half cup salsa.
one 20 ounce can tomato sauce.
two ten ounce cans of tomato soup
two tablespoons chili powder.


Directions:

Cook and drain ground beef.
Put all ingredients in crock pot and cook for eight hours.
take the lid off for the last hour so some of the liquid can evaporate.
Add cheese and enjoy.

Time flies.

This is Jonathan right after we brought him home from the hospital.  It still feels like yesterday. the second picture was taken a year later.  The third picture was taken this past winter when he was two. This last picture was taken a few weeks ago.

I guess what has me reflecting is that just last week my baby boy started calling us "Mom" and "Dad" instead of "mommy" and "daddy"  Where did the time go?  I wonder if God will freeze time for just awhile?  No?  well, I thought I'd give it a shot.  Enjoy the little moments.  They are what make memories.

   I sat down to write and instead drew... a blank.  I have been having a very hard time lately.  It's not just one thing, it's everything.  It's getting to me and I feel like I'm going to crack.  The worst thing is I don't have anyone to talk to. and I don't have the option to crawl in bed and stay there.  I miss having friends close by.  I miss having extended family around.  It's got to be better than this.

The Mouth

  Have you ever had one of those days where you just want to take your family into the house and lock the door to keep the world out?  I have.  Let me explain why.  There are two pine trees dividing our yard from the neighbor's and the neighborhood kids like to play in these trees.  I can't really say I blame them, the way the trees have grown makes for a perfect childhood hideout!  Here is where "The Mouth" and my problem come into play.

   My three year old son decided to lock us out of the house so we were stuck.  Thing was, we are in the backyard and unseen by the kids in the trees.  Here is where "Mouth" decides to open.  This "Child" who could be any more than nine or ten,  let out a stream of obscenities that literally had my jaw on the ground! OH my ---!  Don't Rape your M----- ___ child!  He said this as loud as he could with my son staring right at him!  I was furious!  Once I spoke up he took off but I was still angry.  Is society that warped that this talk has become normal?  Is this how his parents talk???  Should I be worried about what happens to this boy that he would know to talk like that?  How should I handle things if he comes back?

Lucky Dog Rescue Blog: Free to a Bad Home

Lucky Dog Rescue Blog: Free to a Bad Home: *This is a 2-part post. Check back tomorrow for Part 2: Owner Surrenders When a pet owner no longer wants their family pet, they tend to ...

Help.........!

     I don't usually do this but, I need input.  For those of you that read blogs, What keeps you coming back?  I'm trying to improve my writing.  I have always wanted to get published but there is one teeny little problem.  I freeze when I sit down to write.  It hasn't always been this way but, I hit a creative wall.  Any ideas on how to improve would be appreciated.

When I stated this blog in December,  I wanted to write something inspiring.  I wanted to write in a way that would get people thinking.   This blog is called "A Little of This.  A Little of That"  I wanted it to be a little of everything.  Someone once told me that I need to write about things that my readers would enjoy.  So I am branching out and asking for ideas.

And the winner is.....

Mary Lou!  Congrats.  I will be doing a give away annually so stay tuned.

September 11th, just another day?

There has been a lot of remembering today.  I believe all of my readers are old enough to have September 11th 2001 seared into their memory. Tragic events tend to do that. Where were you and what were you doing at the exact moment the towers were hit?  I remember as if it happened yesterday.

I woke up and turned on the TV just like any other morning.  You see, I was always the first person up because I had to get ready for work.  I usually turned on the television because the voices coming from it kept me from crawling back in bed.

The only thing different is that I didn't have to change the channel.  It was already on ABC news.  I could not believe what I was seeing.  The second tower was hit!  it seemed surreal.  I ran across the house to wake my mom up because she had told me the night before that her cousin was in New York for a meeting.

I also remember, what happened after this horrible day.  We were able to put aside differences and come together as Americans.  We were not ashamed to stand up and worship God.  We showed RESPECT for anyone who stepped up to keep us safe.  For the soldiers who fought and still fight so we can have the freedom that many people try to take from us.  I felt pride!

It is my hope that we will not wait for the next tragic event to remember how to treat each other.

Last call for the giveaway

Hey everyone! If you are following publicly you are already entered. If you want to enter again, just tell me which picture you like. 

 The first picture will fit an eight inch doll or bear  The second is a lap blanket.  The third is one of a set of wash cloths.  the forth is a child's blanket and the last one is for a sixteen inch doll or bear.  The winning name will be drawn on the 19th.  Good luck!

Things that make me happy

The first picture is my son last winter.  He loves his bubbles!  The second picture is of my parents holding all three grand babies.  This was taken in August 2008.  The third picture is of Jonathan and his cousin Maylee.  The fifth and sixth are Jonathan with his Daddy and then again with his best friend.

I got a bit of a jolt this weekend when my best friend lost her sister in law to breast cancer.  It is still a shock because I knew her as well.   We all went to high school together.   Things like that shouldn't happen.  I hope we all take time to express gratitude to God for the things that make us happy in life.

Etsy

I started an Etsy shop for my work.  There isn't much up now but I will be adding more over the weekend.http://www.etsy.com/shop/jennskains  Check it out if you have a chance.

I'm not perfect.

   Obviously people have complaints about how I do things but I am doing my best.  I'm tired of people who pretend to be my friend to my face and stab me the minute I turn my back.  Perfection is over rated.  I'm tired of people who only stick around because they want something.  They spread hateful lies when they are done.
   What's worse is the people who have claimed to be my friend for years but they actually believe the venom they hear.  I am grateful for people in my life who except me for who I am.  Yes, I'm done with the rant.

Spa at Home: Basil and Sugar Body Scrub | SpaMagazine.com

Spa at Home: Basil and Sugar Body Scrub | SpaMagazine.com

A new old project

I learned how to make these baskets many years ago with a large crochet hook.  I thought I would offer them to you first before putting them on Etsy.  they are 15.00 plus postage.  If anyone is interested I can do custom orders.  If anyone is interested, email me at jennifer@skains.org

Everyone has those days

lately, I have had more than my share of days like this,

Give away

The drawing for the give away will be held on september 19th.  If you follow publicly, you are already entered once.  I have several things available.  if you want to increase your chances of winning, you can leave a comment telling me which project you would like if your name is drawn.  This is what I have so far.  The orange blanket will fit a baby and the others are made for teddy bears or small dolls.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Party dip for your hair recipe number two

Combine: one egg, One table spoon honey, two tablespoons virgin olive oil and two drops of peppermint essential oil.

Mix well and leave in hair until dry.  Shampoo as usual.  I did this this morning and washed my hair twice.

My sweet boy

I had the sweetest little moment with Jonathan last night.  We went grocery shopping and he saw a bin of flowers.  Jonathan looked up and told Josh, "Daddy, we need to get mommy some flowers." Then he chose these.  I have got to have the sweetest little boy in the world!

Making Banana bread.

This is Jonathan's first attempt at my Banana bread recipe.  He calls it "breakfast bread".  I posted the recipe awhile ago.  It can be found in the archives. sorry the pictures aren't the best.

Just for fun.

   I know some of you collect teddy bears so I thought I would show you some of my collection.  What do you collect and why?  The first picture has a big Merrythought teddy from the 80s.  to his right is a sweet bear from an artist at Teddy Talk.  The white one in front is from E Teddys and the cream colored mini is from Laura Lynn Matthews.

The second picture are three unknown artist bears that I could not resist.  The third picture is an old soul, but I have no idea who made her.

The fourth picture is  of two artist bears from wonderful ladies  on Teddy Talk.

Picture number five has a smaller white bear from Laura Lynn Matthews and a vintage Padding ton bear among others.

 Picture number six has a couple bears that insisted on getting in more than one picture.  The top middle bear is from Russia, while the bottom two are a unknown artist bear that a just simply had to have.  He is next to  The Big Bad Wolf who  barks louder than he bites.  He is from Boyd's Bears.  He has never done anything bad in his life but I do have too hide the chocolate!  The last picture has a bear and a bunny who have been with me my whole life.  They have seen me through many of life's ups and downs.  I collect teddy bears because they all seem to have different a personality just like people.  I wanted to number the pictures so they would be easy to follow but I am still new to blogging and haven't figured format out yet.  What do you collect?