Another Week Finished

Another week has gone by and I haven't looked at this blog, only at my mom's recipe blog. I added some more recipes to her blog. Friday, is grocery shopping day and since the Lebanon Kroger has become so bad at keeping items stocked, I will have to go to another store. This means shopping at more than one place. This makes for a very long day. This week, I did start teaching my youngest how to purl. She has been practicing her knitting for awhile and finished a scarf and has been making blocks for an afghan that she wants to make for herself. I had bought several skeins of kitchen cotton from the store (big sale...97 cents vs 2 dollars). I explained to her that learning new techniques on dish cloths was a good way to go, because if you mess up on it, it won't matter, it will still clean the dishes. I have also been trying to read more, but that comes and goes according to what I have to get finished.

As we head into the middle of March, it seems strange to have Christmas items on the patterns list, but in truth anyone making gifts for Christmas actually starts collecting the patterns and making things back in January. I do know that my list has decreased a lot and I don't intend to add anyone to fill in the gaps, especially since one person put in print on her blog (that you can still find if you know how) that she hates what I make and throws it away as she walks out of the parents house. My mom won't be replaced, because there is no replacement, but she also didn't like the things I made, she stuffed them in the bottoms of boxes and backs of drawers. Instead, I will continue to make for my kids, my friends and husband. My mother-in-law loved getting things. I made her two prayer shawls, she would keep them on her all the time. When she passed, my sisters-in-law each took one, to remember her by.

Alternative Gardening Ideas:
Hay Bale Gardening

Homeschooling:
Dumbo Octopus

Afghans:
Setting Sunset or DROPS 99-31
Crochet Hexagon
Prairie Afghan
Galaxy Afghan
Always Pointing North Blanket

Amigurumi:
Cinderella
Owl Stuffy
Crochet Finger Puppets Goes with the Castle
Whimsical Castle
Rainbow Crochet Unicorn
Caped Crusader Doll

Baby:
Lemon Drops Baby Booties
Crocodile Stitch Booties

Bags:
Grab N Go Bag
Large and Medium Bags
Crochet Crocodile Clutch
Crocodile Stitch Beach Bag - this is on Crochet Crowd and Mikey does an awesome tutorial.
Owl Pouch

Basket:
Foxy Yarn Basket

Cats:
Cat Toy
Cat Bed

Christmas:
Mr and Mrs Snowman
Crochet Christmas Trees
Simple Stripe Santa Stockings
Crochet Nativity
Elf Stocking Ornament
Pinwheel Garland
Angel Ornament
Huggable Happy Colors Penguin
Crochet Heart Ornament
Crochet Frosty Snowman
Holly Stocking
Angel Tree Topper
Festive Bird Ornament
Christmas Tissue Box Cover
Reindeer Ornament
Cute Crochet Santa Ornament
Cute Kitty Ornament
Crochet Penguin Ornament
Crochet Christmas Wreath

Dishcloths:
Water Lily Dish Cloth
Dishcloth Overflow Blog What is this? This is from a group that makes dish cloths monthly as a KAL/CAL. Some of these are dishcloths I had not seen before and I want to try them. Great way to break them up.

Easter:
Panorama Egg I remember years ago getting sugar eggs with panorama in them. Loved getting these as gifts at Easter. But one out of crochet could be even better.
Monster Egg - I always have problems with the eggs not staying closed, these are so adorable.
How to Make a Palm Cross I made these last year with the girls. I want to do that again this year....always a good thing to save.
Homemade Cadbury Creme Eggs
Peep Houses
Bunny Basket
Crochet Spring Bunny

Flowers:
Wagon Wheel Flower with a tutorial
Flower Cup Holder Liner
5 Petal Flower
Crocodile Stitch Flower

Gloves/Mittens:
Fox in the Snow Mittens colorwork!
Fair Isle Gloves

Golf:
All American Golf Club Covers

Hats:
Random Factor Hat
Sandy Winter Cable Hat another with tutorial
Popstar Slouch Hat
Spinning Summer Slouch Hat
Shine On Sun Hat
Hadley Hat
Snowstorm Crochet Hat
Fair Isle Ear Flap Hat Fair Isle (colorwork)

Just for Fun:
Pinwheel comes with a tutorial and they use it as a piece of art. But then isn't all yarn craft art?
Crochet IPhone Cozy

Kitchen:
Sunny Skies Hot Pad

Scarf:
Foxy Loxy
Caribbean Dream Scarf
Lovely Leaf Lace Scarf

Shawls:
Lavender Blooms Shawl

St. Patrick's Day:
Lucky Crochet Top Hat

Tutorial:
Crocodile Stitch Tutorial is on this page

We Did It!

Several weeks ago, my husband and I went to Home Depot to get some necessary light bulbs. While we were walking in, I brought up the topic that we both had on our mind....we need a new grill.

When we first moved to Lebanon 11 1/2 years ago, we had a very nice gas grill that we won in a silent auction from a local church festival. It came built and all I had to do was get a propane gas canister for it and it was ready to roll. I was not fond of the gas grill, because I was constantly being eaten by mosquitoes when I used it. But the first summer we lived in Lebanon, we had many wind storms and our grill was picked and flown through the neighbors yards. The next morning, I had to go and claim the grill (in pieces). It was now not usable because the part for the gas was damaged. We then bought a small charcoal grill and used it frequently, but it rusted from exposure to elements (hey, it's a grill and is outside). So we waited for an end of summer sale on grills and bought another charcoal grill. It was nice and we used it, a lot, and it served it's purpose. But now it is rusted and needed to be replaced. So going into Home Depot with all the grills set up, we saw a nice sized charcoal grill with a smoker and it was a great price! So we discussed buying the grill and the man there also wanting one, said that these were the last three grills! Then the man who worked for the store said that the new ones had come in and they had to get rid of the "old" ones. The new ones were almost $200. Yep, we took one! As we were going through the rest of the store, we ran into a friend and he said we should have the store assemble the grill. We said, no, we would put it together at home with the girls. We felt that it was a good project for the girls.

So, today as I was coming home from church with the youngest, I commented that it is a really nice day and since no one else wanted to go to the zoo, we were going to assemble the grill and grill supper outside. We stopped at the store and got charcoal, a new lighter and some smoke chips (yeah, it's got a smoker, we want to experiment with) and went home and told her sisters and dad the plan!

This afternoon, we built a grill! This is the 2nd time that he and I built a grill together (the first being for his sister). It was a bit frustrating because the girls were not as into the process as they could have been, but it was a good lesson for them. When you buy something that has to be put together, check off the list and make sure you have all the parts. Read all the directions! This is important because if there is an issue while you are building you will have to stop and read the directions all the way through anyhow. Then get your tools. This is a great family project as the kids can learn how to put things together and you get something useful in the end (a grill for a cookout)!


My new grill. I am presently seasoning it, so I can start using it. Cheers!

Weekend and Activities

Weekend is finally here, but there is no rest for the wicked. We having writing club today for my children and church and this is time change weekend, so we will go to church on Saturday instead of on Sunday because it is hard enough to get them up on Sunday, who needs the loss of an hour to make it harder. We will also be attending a concert tomorrow. I love being able to take the girls to concerts. They get to hear some wonderful music and if my nieces are performing it is even better! They get to see how talented and wonderful they are and we get to support the girls.

I keep saving patterns for toys, partially because I love making toys. I think they are fun. But I have to get used to the idea that my children are growing up and toys are not part of their wants so much any more, or the toys are more high tech than something I can make with yarn and needles/hook.

Yesterday, on the news they had a story about how to get things finished. Set your goals smaller so that you feel that you are accomplishing something. Given that I have so much to do and can't do it everywhere I go, for instance, I have books that I want to read, but can't read and drive at the same time. My time to work on things goes down. I turn on a computer and get up to do something, like cook, or dishes, or laundry, etc, and come back and someone else is on the computer. So smaller goals, might just help. So instead of 50 a day on emptying the email, whatever I can accomplish. I had a goal of at least 20 recipes a day for my mom's blog, but I think whatever I can get to. Same goes for the knitting and crochet items that I need to finish. I really need to finish things. I have too many WIPs.

Afghan:
Spiral Crochet Afghan
Drop in the Pond
Medallion Afghan
Crazy Ripple Afghan

Amigurumi:
Rocky Raccoon
Dotty the Fawn
Mrs. Nutterson
Francis the Fox

Baby:
Baby Uggs

Bags:
Amazing Grace Tote
Moroccan Market Tote

Basket:
Birch Bark Basket

Christmas:
Santa Ornament
Santa Tag
Mini Santa
Christmas Tissue Cozy - this is something I could use year round....we used a lot of tissues this year, so far.
Mushroom Ornaments they are kinda cute.
Crocheted Wreath for Christmas
Crochet Scrooge
Lily the Christmas Elf
Christmas Cottage

Easter:
Mini Easter Basket

Gloves/Mittens:
Zig Zag Mittens
Doug Fir Mittens

Hats:
Quick Pink Knit Hat
Peaks Cables Hat
Fan Lace Hat
Half and Half Slouch
Avery Slouch
Rainbow Hat for Child

Just for Fun:
Peeking Cat Butt Coaster
Happy Flowers
Police Line Do Not Cross Scarf

Kitchen:
Lydia's Lily Pad Dish Cloth
Dutch Sky Pot Holders
Lacy Butterfly Dish Cloth

Friday, Finally

This week has been so very busy. I have had something every day this week and I am trying a new curriculum with the girls. I am uncertain if this will work with them, but I plan on trying. If it fails, I will be trying something else. I read that it takes awhile to find what works for each groups homeschool, but I won't be sending them back, I don't want to lose my children because of the bullying that I know is out of control in our school district.

My husband and I and our children, took our fathers (and my husband's brother) out to a fish fry in Ludlow, KY. It was a really good meal. The Knights of Columbus did a really nice job and the prices were good for feeding all 8 of us. My middle was shocked at how much she got for her meal. She was not able to finish the meal and we lived too far away to package it up and take it home. It was good to see the dads again and we had a good time.

Afghan:
Log Cabin Arrow Throw - crochet
Celtic Weave Blanket
Color Lovers Crochet Afghan
Star Shell Afghan

Amigurumi:
Cinderella Crochet very cute little doll

Baby:
Crochet Converse

Bags:
Hexagon Market Bag
Making Waves Water Bottle Holder - I need to make about 4 of these to encourage my girls to drink more water.

Children:
Pound Puppy Slippers

Easter:
Crochet Bunny - this is a very cute bunny.
Chocolate Bunny Amigurumi
Carrot Basket
Pretty Pastel Easter Basket

Just For Fun:
Essential Draft Dodger - cute puppy

Kitchen:
Ripple Pot Holder
Milk and Cookies Crochet Hot Pad

Mittens/Gloves:
Wicked Knit Mittens very pretty and fun.


Socks:
Knee High Boot Socks
Fun, Multicolor Crochet Sock
Lacey Toe Up Socks


Birthstone Labeled Patterns:

1. January: Garnet -Gorgeous!
2. February: Amethyst
3. March: Aquamarine -This Month!
4. April: Diamond
5. May: Emerald
6. June: Pearl
7. July: Ruby -My Birthstone!
8. August: Peridot
9. September: Sapphire
10. October: Opal
11. November: Topaz -Reader Favorite!
12. December: Turquoise 

Monday, Again

Wow! A busy weekend is over and a new week is beginning. Friday, I had to get all my shopping for the next week (usually 2, but Kroger was out of quite a few items that I needed, so I have to go back). Saturday, my husband, children and I went up to Navarre, OH to see his great aunt, girls great great aunt. What a great lady! She is so fun. She is now at a stage in her life, where she needs help with daily care and has moved into a nursing home. She has such a great attitude about being there. She compliments the staff and they constantly tell us how wonderful she is. Love visiting with her. But this weekend, we took our dog with us and the dog was not allowed in, because they need to see the paperwork on the dog, showing she is up to date on all her shots. That was okay. We had no way of knowing and she got to see all the girls and her great nephew and we brought her some more pictures (she loves pictures) and a photo calendar.
Great Aunt Flo with her great nephew.
Our dog riding in the back with the children. She is very happy.

Sunday, we started prepping our walls in the family room to paint them. We have lived in this house for 11.5 years. We started painting the hallways and bedrooms different colors. I have been slowly working on painting the other rooms. I try to do it when it is warm outside so I can open windows and try to keep the paint fumes down. My girls would like their rooms repainted, too, but I asked that I be allowed to get the other grey rooms painted first. It will be nice to get rid of the grey. It was a fight to get grey walls and carpet, but in the end, we got really good paint on the walls, in grey, and pretty good carpet, ineptly laid (we had to have them come back and fix it). But the work is beginning. I will work on it at the end of our school day. That way we get in our work and then I can work on this one day at a time.

Last week, I worked on my mom's recipes again. It is good to get more of the recipes onto her blog. I opened this blog, and put the recipes on it. It is the best way to share the recipes with my siblings and we can all have a copy. She collected recipes from everywhere. Things she liked or thought she might like or something she wanted to make. I don't know where they all came from. Some of the cards, are in the handwriting of aunts or the typing of my grandmother. Where possible I have put a picture of the recipe. Nice memory of some of those recipes. My goal is to try and get more in this week. I want to get the box back to my dad and brother. But at least the majority of recipes are already up.

As far as the emails go, well, I got it below 1500, but it has been creeping up to 1500. Time to empty the box some more. A little at a time and it will happen.

Afghans:
Mitered Throw
Cake Icing Afghan
Yo Yo Square

Amigurumi:
Crochet Teddy Bear
Tiny Turkey

Christmas:
Tiny Elf
Holiday Mice
Gift Card Ornaments

Cozy:
Cat Tea Cozy

Dish Cloth/Trivet:
Apple
Patchwork
Wiggle Trivet/ Dishcloth this is a set and is really nice looking. It is from Moogly.
Fabulous Fish
Rainbow Sherbet
Navajo Ripples
Not Your Mum's Hotpad I really like this hotpad, too.

Easter:
Little Egg Monster
Lacy Cross Bookmark
Baby Bunny Amigurumi

Gloves/Mittens:
Elowen Gloves
Emerald Green Handwarmers
Fingerless Knitted Mitts
Fox in the Snow Mittens
Winter Skies Mittens
Glover Gloves

Hats:
Winter Cable Knit Hat
Spearmint Cable Hat
Spring Meadow Seed Stitch Beanie
Guacamole Comfort Beanie Dad Hat
Circus Scrap Hat
Scrap Buster Hats

Links:
Mitered Projects from Red Heart
Winter Animals Patterns

Shawls:
Celtic Cables Wrap
Madison Shawl

Socks:
Sock-a-long
Best Sock Pattern
Business Casual Socks

St Patricks:
Kitrick the Leprechaun
Four Leaf Clover Keychain
St Patrick's Day Dish Cloths

Wedding:
Wedding Favor Bags

Writing:
JK Rowling spreadsheets for Harry Potter I keep telling the girls to write out what they want to say and then follow the plan. This is the perfect example of what I have been telling them.

2nd of March, still a Lion

Yesterday, hard rains, thunderstorms and windy. Today, cold and snow. Yep, it is March. Tomorrow would have been my mom's birthday, our first without her. Lots of firsts when you lose someone.

Today, I was looking at FB and their on this date app showed me some links that I had saved awhile ago, but because I wasn't saving and deleting at the time, they were hidden, time to save them here.

Homeschool:
Tina's Dynamic Homschool Blog she has some wonderful, helpful things on her blog.
Math Calendars
Math Blog
Acid + Base = Reaction
Susan Evans Homeschool Blog

Afghans:
Chevron Stripes
Stripes and Waves Afghan
Slip Stitch Afghan
Mermaid Afghan
Deck the Halls Throw

Amigurumi:
2000 Free Amigurumi Patterns - Horse only
2000 Free Amigurumi Patterns - all the links
Miffed White Bird
2000 Free Amigurumi Patterns - Horses (plural)

Animals:
Crocheted Cat Toy

Bags:
Purple Tote

Christmas:
Crocheted Nativity
Snow Swirl Ornaments

Cowl:
Forest Glad Cowl
Fisherman's Rib Cowl and Scarf

Dishcloth:
Turkey Drumstick Dishcloth
Turkey Day Dishcloths

Hat:
Chunky Cable Knit Hat
Spin Cycle Hat
Rib Flat Hat
Purple Plum Hat
Brain Waves Beanie - the owner requests donations to favorite charity.

Just for Fun:
Wine Charms

Mitts/Gloves:
Fingerless Mitts
Purple Texting Mitts
Cable Experiment Gloves
Cartridge Rib Fingerless Mitts
Thrummed Mittens
Seed Stitch Mittens

Pot Holder:
Turkey Pot Holder

Scarf:
Irish Shepherd Scarf
Reversible Circles of Lace Scarf
Aesthetic Hooded Scarf
Cat Hooded Scarf
Stashbuster Crochet Scarf
Snake Scarf - I originally found this pattern in a calendar pattern a day. I had made this many times for my oldest who loves snakes and she has been sharing with my youngest, who also loves snakes.

Shawls:
Recession Wrap

I am below 1500, finally, in the emails. I will continue to work on this as it makes things easier to find patterns that I really want.

1st of March....In Like a Lion

The old saying is that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. Today, we are supposed to have a storm. It is cloudy and there is a nice wind blowing. I think I will run out and get some things in for a few days work on the emails again, while the girls work on their school work.

Afghan:
Blooming Flowers Afghan
Bold and Beautiful Catherine Wheel Throw
Breaking Bad Afghan

Amigurumi:
Caped Crusader

Christmas:
Crochet Christmas Wreath
Christmas Knitting Wreath

Hats:
Crochet Charity Hats

Just for Fun:
Crochet Wind Sock
Crochet Rice Bag (Hot Pack)

Leap Weekend and Leap Day

This past weekend and Leap Day were gorgeous days! The weather was warm, the sun was out and we were out and about! Having children and wanting to go somewhere means having family passes and going on the Macy Sampler Weekends. Every year, Macy hosts the Macy Sampler Weekends, where families can go to different places and experience them without cost to them. They are lots of fun and the price is the best-free. I used to take my youngest sister to these events when I could. I would figure out where was available and times and take her. I even once took her to the Behringer Crawford Museum. It was much smaller and not as kid friendly. But we also went to the Taft Museum and a few other places. This weekend, my husband and I took our children to the Behringer Crawford Museum for the very first time. At first, they did not want to go and they were acting like the teens that they are or going to be. They drug their feet, but as we explored the museum, they began to have fun and enjoyed the Museum.

 One of the exhibits, is of the Ohio River Valley's River Boat History. It was fun for the girls and they loved the whole area.

We even found a friend's daughter's art work on display and sale at the Museum! 

We moved on to the Overlook. It is called that because it overlooks the city of Cincinnati,

and Covington, KY.



On Sunday, we went to the Warren County park. We were going to go to the dog park with our dog, but it was full to brimming and since she has issues with other dogs, we decided best thing to do was walk her somewhere else. My husband calls this her FB time. She loves to walk and she sniffs the whole time. It was a great day to go out and do something.



On Monday, Leap Day, the girls and I went to the Columbus Zoo. We have had a membership to the Columbus Zoo for 10 years. It is a very large zoo and to do it right takes about 8 hours. Courtesy of the membership, we can go for a few hours at a time and enjoy different sections and talk with the docents and learn different things while we are there.

This is outside the entrance to the Asia Quest. The home of Hanna the Reticulated Python.



She is approximately 20 years old and over 18 feet long. Yep, she is huge.


Red Pandas are fun to watch...but these guys were just a bit tired.
 I have loved watching the rhinos, but only because of a painting or wood cut art that I saw a few years ago...It was created by an artist, after his friend wrote back from Africa describing the animal.

We finished our visit at the Reptile House.


The girls had a good trip. We listened to Jim Dale read "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" by JK Rowling. He makes the story more fun for the girls. We also read the book and then watch the movie and discuss what was added or removed from the movie and why they would do that.

Today, the 1st of March, is a dreary, wet day, but still a good day. We accomplished some more school work and did loads of laundry and cooked a good meal (teaching girls how to use knives and cook meals is paying off...they can make more simple meals themselves).

More Emails

Time to get back to work on the emails and keep getting them farther down. I decided to work on the ones that have "Secret" as the tag line first. It seems last year the senders would mark a few "secret" and you would have to click on the link to find out what pattern was linked. There aren't that many and most of the patterns are not something I really find interesting.

Afghans:
Crochet Hexagon
Crocheted Amish Quilt Inspiration
Pastel Wind Chime
Pink and White Shell Baby Afghan
Rainbow Dash Baby Afghan
Valentine's Heart Afghan
Star Shell Afghan
Stormy Weather Throw
Rustic Panels Afghan
Colorful Afghan
Long Live the Queen Throw
Rose Twist Afghan
Spicy Diamond Throw
Merry Melon Afghan
Loco for Cocoa Afghan
Merlot Afghan
Heirloom Wedding Ring Quilt Afghan
Dresden Plate Crochet Throw
Chameleon Afghan very pretty!
Comforting Kitty Afghan
Tunisian Entrelac Throw
Patchwork Afghan
Antarctic Throw
Pink Moscato Double Shell Throw
Neat Ripple Afghan
Log Cabin Arrow Afghan
Sand Dollar Dream Afghan
Mountain Mist Afghan

Amigurumi:
Monkey
Happy Colors Penguin
Owl Family

Baby:
Ella Elephant Lovey

Bags:
Mesh Knit Market Bag
Rainbow Dragon Backpack
Owl Pouch
Owl Coin Purse
Crochet Envelope Purse

Christmas:
Polar Bear Ornaments
Crochet Angel Topper
Counted Cross Stitch Christmas Angel
Angel Ornament
Santa Coaster
Striped Christmas Stocking
Snowflake Dishcloth
Gingerbread Man Dishcloth
Christmas Star Afghan

Clothing:
Swimsuit coverup also called a beach top.

Dishcloth:
Circle Point
Pie Dishcloths
Water lily Dishcloth
Sun Catcher Dish Cloth

Gloves:
Fingerless Gloves
Triangulation Wrist Warmers

Halloween:
Easy Crochet Trio
Hello Kitty Witch

Hat:
Steinway Hat
Simple Slouch Hat
Guacamole Comfy Beanie
Easy Fitted Hat
Darkover Hat this site is in English and French.
Spearmint Cable Hat for kids
Hope Knit Hat
Double Knit Hat with Earflaps
Short Rows Hat
Dad Hat
Grey and White Hat
Slouchy Hat Just by the picture alone, it is a pretty nice looking hat and I am certain 2 out of 3 girls will wear it.
Rosalie Hale Hat

Links:
Hat Links

Mittens:
Entrelac Fingerless Mitts
Fair Isle Gloves
Women's Norwegian Mittens
Broad Street Mittens - Convertible Mittens. They can be fingerless gloves or mittens.
Crocheted Mittens
Adeline Fingerless Mitts

Scarf:
Ocean Air Scarf
Hitchhiker's Scarf
Gallatin Scarf my husband has cousins with the last name Gallatin.
Rainbow Dream Scarf
Short Row Scarf
Candle Flame Scarf
Definitely Diagonal Scarf
Jefferson Scarf
Pleated Pattern Scarf
Lady Mary Triangle Scarf
Harry Potter House Scarves

Shawl:
Easy Cranberry Shawl
October Shawl
Oversized Box Stitch Shawl
Irish Crochet Shawl
Amazing Mitred Shawl

Slippers:
Crocheted Soccasins
Hybrid Slipper Socks
Loafer Slippers

Socks:
Lazy Day Knit Socks
Lacy Toe Up Socks
Darling Lace Socks

Squares:
Framed Church Windows
Granny Square Hexagon
Mini Hexagon Square I know it is not a square, but it can be used to make many and put together to make an afghan.


Blogs:
8th Gem Blog she is from the UK and her blog is more sharing of patterns than mine (I share links to patterns and some patterns).

Teen Lock-In and Friday Night

It is Lent and last night was Friday. Normally, my husband and I take the girls and go to the nearby Catholic Church (St. Francis de Sales) and we sit with friends and have a good conversation and enjoy the meal. It is also a good deal. There isn't any place where you can get a full fish meal for $40 for a family of 5. My girls groan about going, but they do enjoy some of the meal. Last night, though, we had to be in Centerville by 6 p.m. and it would have taken more than 30 minutes to get through the line and to eat. Also, my husband had to be at work by 6 p.m. and had to leave by 4:30 p.m., so we could not go.

My oldest girls are in the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) at the Washington-Centerville Library. Last night, they were able to participate in a TAB only Lock In. A lock-in at the library is where they get to play games and have a meal with their friends. They get to watch a movie ("Monty Python's Holy Grail" was the choice) and stay for 6 hours after closing. The girls were in heaven! For me, that meant, Nicole and I got 6 hours alone. We watched a movie that she wanted to watch. We went through my yarn stash and she picked out many skeins of yarn. She says she is going to make an afghan for herself, but making squares. We sorted the yarn (again) and made popcorn. We had an ice cream and just had a nice evening together.

When it was time to go get the older girls from their event, I noticed how much traffic was on the road. I know that since I married and became a mother, that I have become more of a home body at night. Daytime, I will be out and about enjoying the day, but at night, I want to be in the house and enjoying a book or yarn or cross stitching. Part of that has to do with deer on the side of the road, that can cross at any moment. Last night, we had just that, a herd of deer on the side of the road. It was a pretty large herd. It startled me and I know it startled the drivers on the other side (the deer were on that side).

As I was driving along, I remembered that there had been a time where I would be out until midnight or later. I used to have a life at night and would hang out with my friends. I know that I will have to work at making sure that I start going out at night again and having a life at night. I didn't drink and drive and I certainly didn't need to drink alcohol when I was out. I would just be with friends and enjoying life. I guess when you are young and don't have children or a husband, you do spend more time out at night, because you are working full time and are at an office or job all day and you would hang out at night and have a night life. Also, when you are a teen, you have that set time where you have to be home. Most parents set that at 10 or 11 or midnight. I know my curfew was midnight when I was in high school, but then I had passed "the test" and my parents trusted me to not get into trouble. They also liked the person I would hang out with.

What is "the test?" When I was a freshman in high school, some girl at the school I went to, tried to get me to do drugs with her and buy from her. When I refused, she started causing me trouble. I turned her in at school and she turned me in. The officials started watching us both and my lockers were searched nightly. The school officials never found drugs in my locker, but they did find it in hers and she was expelled. So were 2 other girls, also for drugs and bad grades. I think more should have been done for them, but at the same time, I was so grateful that my parents learned that I would not get drunk or high when I was out of their sight.

I know that my girls are going to start wanting to go out at night more as they get older and that is all part of growing up. I think it will be good for them to have things to do and friends to hang out with. I am pretty sure that they won't try drugs, but today's world, they will have to be careful, no one puts stuff in their drinks when they aren't looking. But for now, they are hanging out with a good group of people.

Are you more of a homebody or night life person?