Lost an Inch and Gained a Million

Lost an Inch and Gained a Million

To day I was Attacked by our personal trainer when I was running to the other building to grab-n-go lunch. She wrapped a measuring tape around me and threw me on the scale. L I pleaded with her that I have not been working out and today was a VERY BAD day to measure and weight. Guess what? She did not care and did so anyway.

When I got back she told me that I had lost 1 inch off my waist. That was a pleasant surprise since I have been horrible at eating and have not worked out in quite some time.

So, in my slur of clients, students, attorneys, appointments, and this hectic day, I had a realization. I have lost an inch but gained a million in respect and apathy.

I was raised in a very opinionated family. I did gather my own opinion about certain things in life, but some were bred into my upbringing. (Yes I am being vague). For example, I once was irritated with people that did not speak at least some English, but now I am VERY understanding. Taking my Spanish class is HARD. It is hard learning Spanish for me so it is equally hard for people from other countries to learn English. Duh, where was my brain before?

I was also uneducated and ignorant to immigration. I was one of the people that forwarded those stupid emails or petitions about immigration and the negative jokes. I was one of “those people”. Within the last year I have stopped and now I send a reply stating that it is inappropriate for me to forward them (in my nicest typing tone). I have learned that there are so many reasons why immigrants aspire to live in the United States. I have found that in my conversations and research, a very large percentage of illegal immigrants are here to save their lives or flee from unimaginable conditions. Rape, molestation, abuse, poor health conditions, starvation and so much more, we should be proud to usher them in and save them.

So I am done with my soapbox talk. Now off to help another.

MYBX arrived today

I just love it when I arrive home greeted with a package instead of a bill. My MYBX (Magic yarn Ball Exchange) arrived today from Ohio. Of course I ripped into the box and look what I saw...My Favorite, I LOVE this Cotton and Yarn. YUMMY!!!

I unraveled this treasury: Spring garland, Mary Kay lotions and night potions, Burt's Bee's skin care goodies~all yummy smelling, a beautiful necklace, and my first pair of Adult Scissors! Shinny gold, compact size and shaped like a beautiful bird. (I see a crocheted holder in the future). Up until now, I have always used dollar store or children's cheap scissors, but now I have a really nice pair that I will hide from my hubby and daughter. I will be stingy and keep them all to myself, whooo haaaa haaaa haaaa!

So with my soft blue yarn ball I will start my next 7ft Tri-loom project. I had been planning it with soft blue, brown and teal. Perfect motivation to buy the yarn and get started.

I found two projects to work on this weekend from the Crochet booklet.

And I will make a pool mesh bag for myself with the "I LOVE this COTTON".

~I am not making this up, I was at Hobby Lobby today and almost bought that very same cotton and color, but guess what...when I got to the checkout, I had left my wallet in my coat pocket at home. I was so--- disappointed. And then I got my MYBX. I was so tickled!!! What a perfect way to end a stressful day! THANK YOU Sandy!

Spring Snow Day 2- the melting

March 29, 2008 : My Willow survived. The weight of the snow covered ice did not prevail. The temperatures went from 32 up to 59 degrees Sunday and the storm the day before was melted away into a nice Spring day.

I snapped these shots as the morning drifted into rising temps.

Will this be the last that Winter will bring us?

Will the trees, shrubs and flowers survive this storm?

The forecast says "No". They call for more snow Thursday. We will see.

It is strange that a couple of weeks ago I was "Tired" of the winter and cold, but this week I am cheery from my play in the snow. Don't get me wrong! I am ready for Spring, planting my gardens and working on my tan. But, I could handle a tad bit more snow should it arrive later in the week.

Spring Snow Day

Saturday, March 28th, 2009...We had been warned of an imposing storm that has been moving in for a couple of days. This week we went from almost 80 degrees to this. Everything is in bloom and greening up, however this storm of first rain, then freezing rain, sleet and then snow covered everything.

We had a Girl Scout Dance planned for tonight, however after I went out shopping for last minute items for the dance and sliding in the muck, we made the decision to cancel. It is not worth the risk of someone getting hurt trying to get to the dance. I hope to reschedule for a warmer and nicer day.

So, instead, I spent most of the day outside. I was haveing a blast! I took all the animals outside to play in the snow and use the this LAST snow as a photo opp. (Hopefully the last snow)!

Minks never goes out. She was not a very happy cat. Funny thing is, I have not seen her since.

The girls came out for a little play.

Ferret tracks are adorable, if you ask me.

Rogue LOVED the Snow, Kisses and Trinity ran right for the door to get back in the house.

But did explore a bit.

Ferret Snow Angel

No kids were out, I tried to provoke them to come and play. So Hubby came out and helped me build this FAT Snowman. You could not have asked for better snow to play in. It had weight to it so it packed great.

Buddy, is the most beautiful dog I have ever seen. He LOVES this snow.

This little Freak dog was eating the snow while it was falling to the ground. I mean they were huge snowflakes, but REALLY?!

It was fun to toss it at him too

Look at my handsome husband...

he was throwing snowballs for the dogs to catch

I challenged all the kids in the neighborhood to come out and play with me. We have over 20 kids in out little area of the complex and I was the only one outside. So I ran around and threw snowballs at their windows till they came out and played. See, I even got hubby to come out and build a snowman with me.

My deck and my willow tree. As I type I am watching it bend from the weight. I hope it does not snap. I love this tree.

I'll post more tomorrow. Time to go warm up by the fireplace and eat a big bowl of chili.

Flowers from Julie

Beautiful Daffodils that Julie brought us from her father's yard, being enjoyed at my home.

Crochet Hook Key Chain

Never Leave Home Without One;

Crochet Key Chains
made by: Pete & Dana Roberts

Sold in size H, I, & J

Special order by size, color & charm.

Great Gifts for Friends, Co-Workers, Family &
Fellow Crochet Buddies.

$7.00
Plus shipping and handling


Email: DanaRoberts76@gmail.com for order information, questions or comments.

Confetti Lap Cloth

Chelsie dying her Alpaca-1st try

Saturday was beautiful out at 70 degrees. So Chelsie brought out her Alpaca Fiber to dye it. First she put it in a vegie mesh bag and rubber band to secure the opening. Then she made up her mixture of dye.
Soon all the kids in the neighborhood were over to see what she was doing...

Ummm...Can you do this project outside, just in case.......

And not without onlookers...

Pete's little race buddy: Seth

(Love the glasses, Dude!)

Chelsie's onlookers: Alicia

(That poor little tooth needs to come out soon babe.)

pink Alpaca

Varigated Alpaca

And More Research!

The Studio Yarns

Shanita's Baby Girl Shower Gift

This beautiful cotton yarn was found at The Studio off the Plaza. Shame it was the very last one.
So I pulled out my 'H" hook and worked up this corner crochet pattern into a beautiful burp cloth.

Strange Day For Dana

I don't have a picture to post. I just have something to write. Maybe words make the uneasiness flow away...

What saddens me is that I have met a couple of people in my job that I wish my mom was around to meet. I believe that Margo would have understood them also. Their beliefs and passion in life are so similar. Almost strangely ironic.

Aislinn's cat is passing way. Today Aislinn was detached and with her cat Witchy, while she tried to put on her happy face. Poor Aislinn wanted to be with Witchy, but I believe she came to work to let her go. Witchy is her cat and is 18 years old dying of cancer. Witchy, in my own words, is going to be with us for a very short time. I would not be surprised if she was waiting for Aislinn to go to work so she could pass. Poor Aislinn, I think deep down that was what she was preparing for also. Witchy has told Aislinn in dreams that she was leaving. I believe this is true.

Why is it so hard for us to allow loved ones to go? Selflessness... We need them, we want them, so their souls stay. It is not till we allow them to go that they can be a peace. I listened to Aislinn. That is hard for me to do. For some reason I always have a story to tell or what happened to me that was just like what is happening to them. For once I tried to not to sympathize with her, but to LISTEN. And console her. I told her that she needed to tell Witchy to go and she did not need her to stay. Wow does that sound Corny, but I do believe that they stay to console us.

My mom would have LOVED Aislinn and Margo would have too. I have learned a lot from Aislinn, Vanessa, Patricia, and Vera. I wish mom was around to talk to Aislinn. They had so many things in common. And Vera, reminds me of Margo. Her facial expressions are so uncanny. and Patricia has so much fun, I inspire to be like her. I want to take art classes and have ME TIME. I want to explore, but have my family too.

When Vanessa and Ailsinn talk about signs and astrology, I am sorry that mom and Margo did not get to meet such neat people. They were into that and taro cards and all. Mom and Margo loved Sylvia Brown and went to see her once when she was in KC. You know...I saw a commercial the other day and almost cried. It sounded like Sylvia Brown had died and instead it was her last tour. Her last date to see KC. Chelsie thought the same thing. Weird how I am constantly thinking of them EVERY DAY. Is it all the reminders? You would think that 2.5 years later I would not be soooooooooooo sensitive to them.

I MISS MY mom. She was the only one to listen to me babble. Patricia walks off sometimes mid sentence and others could care less of my babble. I can read it in their face. I miss my mom that would listen to me. In the shower I talk to myself. I have friends, but how boring is it for them to listen to me reminisce. That is all I have left. I can never replace the friendship I had with mom and Margo. Margo was crazy, but listened. Mom loved the fight. She would go to battle with me.

Which reminds me of the boy I wanted to harm today when he tweaked my daughters arm in Karate. I heard him say "that is what you get" after she kicked him loose. When he was told to come talk to me he acted so Innocent...I reminded him I heard and saw the whole thing. When he told me he did not realize her hurt her till her bone snapped...it took all I had not to cry from the anger. I kept my cool and I tried not to cry...I watched Chelsie and waited to see if she was seriously injured. She later smile and then practiced moves with him. She was fine, but I was not.

What a strange day?!

Tri Loom Weaving Class in Oct 2008

Donna sent us pictures she took of us at out October Tri-Loom Weaving class.
Donna was our instructor. She is in the blue shirt, front row, far left side.
Delight was the co-instructor of my group of three. She is in the very back in the middle of the group, standing.
Her husband build our looms, that is him in the middle. I am sporting the shawl that I made in the workshop. :)

Tamara and I are signed up for the Advanced Weaving class in May. How fun will that be?!

The Girls

Miss Chelsie, Trinity, Rogue, Kisses & Alicia on a bright and Sunny 75 degree St. Pattys Day.

Finished a WIP

Finished this WIP this weekend. I bought this yarn at The Studio on the plaza this winter. I thought I would make a hat, but a decorative sleek scarf was created instead.

This project is not my favorite. The colors were not what I expected, but strangely I was reminded of this blanket that we once had. It was a Giant Granny Square Blanket that my mom used to put on the back of our orange love seat we had in the basement.

So I bet if I was to dig around in storage I would find the blanket. Chelsie loves Orange. Just maybe I will look for that blanket. Still, Orange, yellow and purple???

Just one skein, but two different angles to see the variegation.

The remainder of the yarn was used to make a couple of granny squares. I think I will start making up squares to make a BRIGHT and COLORFUL Granny Sq. Blanket.

Chelsie's Fairy Garden

Today Chelsie and I went to the local nursery to see the flowers in bloom. Having 3 days of 70+ degree weather really makes me want flowers. At Family Tree Nursery they had these cute Fairy Gardens. So we picked out a couple of plants and a mushroom. Bought a pot at the thrift store and went home to get dirty.

With odds and ends from home we created Chelsie's Fairy Garden. I think when we get closer to May, We will plan a larger Fairy Garden outside.

WIP Cotton Project #2

Aislinn has requested 2 sets of cotton spa mits and booties. I have no pattern so I am winging it as I go. This is the first set of hand mits. The booties are needing more thought...So the concept is to parafin dip the hands and feet and then slip into the mit and booties to simmer. I fugured if the hand is dipped then there is no need for the thumb. I think I will make up one set for her to try and I can modify them later if need be.

And trying to write a pattern is hard for me. I don't read patterns so it is really hard to write one....

WIP Cotton Project

In Downtown Overland Park is a quaint little yarn shop that caters to knitters. Saturday I felt like shopping for a locker hook with no luck. I did however find this tasty cotton to make a small saddle bag purse for myself.

My only problem was that the weather was too nice and I had a million small projects in mind. I just did not put the effort needed into this project...Yet. I'll post again when I have it finished.

Farmers Market Bag

This weekend I sat down with double strands of cotton Sugar n' Cream yarn and made this Farmer's Market Bag without a pattern. In two evenings I created this durable bag. My part in the effort to Go Green. The strap looks short, but it has been my experience with cotton that with the weight of the produce, it will stretch. So this wide, short strap will be perfect once it is a full bag.

I made a small pocket for my Drivers License, cash and cell phone. It is detachable. So now I am ready for the Farmer's Market to begin.