Crochet Along: Some Tips

On Sunday, I had mentioned that I was starting a second blanket. I started it. Stopped, and looked. I was using 4 ply yarn, and a size H hook. But it seemed small. I found myself at a stop. I wanted a slightly larger blanket. One that I could cuddle up under. So I took it apart, and added another bunny block across. This means that you must start with a chain 185. The adjustment will give 5 blocks across. And I'm thinking my finished blanket is going to be 5X6.

Manders also mentioned that she was making a baby blanket. And she didn't like the original size of the pattern. She called me. And I gave her these new adjustments. She's using baby weight yarn, and a size G hook. And according to Manders, this makes for a blanket, that is "crib" size.



But that also got time thinking. I wanted to make a baby blanket. One to add to a growing collection. That I'm donating, to the NICU, where I work. I knew that the original was slightly, too large. Because those babies are itty bitty!

So I started playing with the pattern. I thought. 2 blocks, with more double crochets in between. Making a larger border. But I didn't like it. So I decided to go with, 3 blocks across. You start with a chain 113. Then continue with the pattern. I haven't decided yet, if I'm going to make it 3X3, or 3X4. We'll just have to wait and see. In case you were wondering, I'm using Baby Bernat Sport Yarn, in white. And a G hook.

I told you, that we are here to help out! I just wanted to share a few adjustments, in case you were interested. A few of you were. Because I received, about 10 e-mails, on Monday. I hope this helps. Personally, I think that the odd number of bunnies, is more pleasing to the eye. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Hopefully, this helps with your goal this week. See you Sunday! ♥

Let It Be

Recently, I feel like many of my posts, have been "heavy." My heart has been heavy. Broken. My soul, has been in need of repair. I've been carrying so much! And need to just breathe.

Much of it, has been because of my brother. Who just makes me feel so uneasy. He rubs me, the wrong way. I can't trust him. He's just so sly. Doing the worst things, under the radar. And no one else, really seems to bring it up. But it bothers me. So much!

In so many ways, he's destroyed our family. He's still doing it. Making life miserable, for so many! And I'm not sure, what I should do. But it bothers me. It bothers me, that he steals from everyone. That he lies. That he makes a fool, out of people. Then hides from it. Doesn't own up, to the things that he does.

It bothers me, that he hurts the people that I love, so much! That he makes up excuses for it. That he brings his problems, to the rest of us. Expecting us, to make them go away. He's just evil. And I don't know what to do about it. I hate to bring it up here. But it's been on my mind. And it needs to get out!

And then, I've been missing so many people. That have gone before me. To meet our Maker. Really missing our time together. The things we shared. Time that we shared. Just being together. I've been so emotional lately!

Also, I've been so worried about my Dad. Hoping that his health improves. That things get easier for him. And my Mom. I just worry a lot, about the 2 of them. I wish that I could do more for them. Carry more of the burdens. Make things better, and easier, for them.



But I know, that I can't really, do much more. I do a lot already. I ALWAYS put my family first. I've sacrificed so much for them. But at some point, we all need to carry our own burdens. We all have our crosses to bare. The hardships, that we need to deal with. On our own. I know this. But it's still hard!

I know, that I can't change things. That I can't make everyone's pain go away. Even if I try. I know that sometimes, you just need to "Let It Be." God knows the "Master Plan." He knows why we must "suffer." Why we have certain crosses to bare. Why some people "get away with it," while others have to "face" their problems!

Sometimes, we have to go though "rough" patches. To value the good times. I know this. In my brain, I know this. But in my heart, I wish I could make all those tough things, go away. Sometimes, we just need to learn that we need to "Let It Be."

Because there is no changing life. Sometimes things, just need to work themselves out. And sometimes, we need to let go of certain things. And certain people. That can be the hardest. But I'm learning how to do it.

"Let It Be." If it was meant to be, it will work itself out. But we can't sit here, and stress ourselves out, about everything. I know this. But I need to start really believing it! Sometimes, we just can't fix things. Sometimes people don't want to change. And sometimes, we just need to go live our lives. Without worrying about the world. I'm learning how to just "Let It Be." ♥

Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara

If you know me in real life, you'll know about my "Mascara Obsession." It's real. And according to some, it's a real problem! I don't believe them. But I'm serious about my mascara. :)

A few years ago, I wanted to cry, when I heard Max Factor, would no longer be sold in the USA. I'm not lying! Their 2000 Calorie mascara was my favorite. Absolute favorite! In waterproof. Immediately, I went out, and bought 20 tubes!

It didn't take me long to go through it. Unfortunately. And I had to go out, and search out a new mascara. Since then, I've been hooked on Covergirl's LashBlast! But I still try lots of other mascaras. Because my LOVE of mascara, is just too big, for me to control!

I try all kinds of mascaras. High end mascaras. Drugstore mascaras. All of them. I don't need a lengthening mascara. I have LONG eyelashes. But I just adore voluminous mascaras! Every mascara, that I've ever LOVED, is a voluminous mascara.

Until I ran into Maybelline's new mascara. Meet Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara. My newest friend. The one, that makes me excited, to get ready!



Like I said, I'm a total fan of mascara. I've tried them all. And I'm ridiculously picky, when it comes to my mascara. I like a mascara that doesn't clump. That makes my lashes look full. Without looking like "Spider Eyes." When I was a cheerleader, in high school, one of the girls, had those horrible "Spider Eyes." Where you could count the eyelashes, because of clumpy mascara. I've always HATED that look!

But I also want a mascara that doesn't run. I have very oily skin. Which means, most mascaras don't hold up. They usually leave me with lots of smudging. And therefore, "Raccoon Eyes." I'm not a fan! No way! That's why 99.9% of the time, I wear a waterproof mascara. It's just the way it has to be. But I when I wore Illegal Length, I noticed that it didn't budge. And it's not waterproof. A total positive!

So for the woman, that usually has 5 mascaras going at one time, this is a total score! It's the first "fiber" mascara, that I've actually liked. Most of them usually end up in a mess, all over your face! This formula, is different. It hooks onto your lashes, and doesn't budge. Did I mention the length? I already have ridiculously LONG lashes. But this mascara, made them go on for miles! Even this guy noticed! Literally, my eyelashes went past my eyebrows!

I dare say, this is nearing the top of my "Mascara List!" If you buy it at say, Walgreen's, during a sale, you'll pay around $4 a tube. I'm not lying! For me, this is my "going out" mascara. The one I reach for, on "Date Night." It's definitely one to try out, if you're still on the hunt for "The Perfect Mascara!" ♥

What Cards Really Mean...

Unfortunately, I don't live near, most of my Goddaughters. That really bothers me. As I want to be active in their lives. But I try to stay in touch with them. How do I do this? Well, a few ways. Mostly, I call my Goddaughters. I also Skype. For the older ones, that is one of the best things. :)

But I also send lots and lots of letters and cards. Filled with notes of love. And little treasures. Like stickers, pictures, and books. These are the most meaningful. I hear, that my Goddaughters wait for their "mail" to arrive. Knowing the little schedule, that we've got going on! :)

I usually get a call back. With a very excited little girl, on the other end. Which makes me smile. I want my Goddaughters to know, that I LOVE them. And that I'm ALWAYS thinking of them. Because, they each have a piece of my heart.

And then, I'm blessed. With little things that they send me too! A picture of them. A piece of "school art." And sometimes a beautifully colored picture. Yes, I hang them on our fridge. Or in my office. Because these things, mean the WORLD to me!



I think about this a lot. Because my Goddaughters, really do mean so much to me! I LOVE them with my whole heart! And I just think, that it's special to have this contact with them. But above that, I think they really enjoy the mail too! What kid, doesn't like to get mail? With their name on it!

I'm sure that Hallmark, and the USPS just LOVE this! They make bank off of me. But honestly, it's a small price to pay. When I stood up there, taking the vows, to be their Godmother, I was making promises to each of them. And to God. I don't take that lightly. And I hope that they know it. And that their parents know it. And especially, that God knows.

I know that my Goddaughters enjoy their cards. But for me, I enjoy them much more! It makes me feel amazing, to sit there, and write out a special card. To make it colorful and fun. To add something special inside. Just to let my favorite little girls know, that I love them. It means so much, when I get a scribbly picture back. That I know, they took the time to color. Just for me. Yes, those little cards, sent both ways, mean the world! ♥

Money, My Guy, and Me

I get lots and lots of money questions. Everyone wants to know. Does My Guy pay for everything? Do I really work? What do I spend my money on? How does it all work?

Well, I work. All the performing that I do, it's to pay for things like my college tuition, books, internships fees, insurance for working at the hospital, my home, all the costs associated with my home, and anything personal like that. Why? It's my decision.

My Guy from the very beginning, wanted to be able to pay for it all. Honestly, he can afford it. But I wasn't having any of that. I've never been the type of woman, to just let someone be completely financially responsible for me. Call me crazy but that's how I feel.

When I was 18 years old, I moved out of my parents' house. I actually moved a few hundred miles away, to go to college. From the beginning, I was pretty lucky. My parents convinced me to buy a house. It would be an investment into my future. And I had a really good job in music at the time. So I bought a house.

It hasn't always been easy. But I've done it on my own. No matter if I was dating someone or not. In a serious relationship. Or just by myself. It didn't matter to me that I was only 18. Or single, in a family sized home. Seriously, my house is bigger than any other on my street. I didn't plan it that way. But I got a good deal on the house. So I bought it.

That's my way of having independence. I'm financially independent. I have always paid for my education. I have a few small scholarships. With the issues in the economy, you've definitely seen scholarships dry up. And I get help from the various doctors that I work with. But I pay for 99% of it. I've also paid off my home. I did that in just over 7 years. Yes, it's possible to pay a 40 year mortgage in 7 years. Is it easy? No way! But again, I was single at the time.

I didn't have kids to worry about. Or anything like that. I could just take an entire paycheck and send it to the mortgage company. Living like that is tough. Because you sacrifice other things to pay off your home. Like furniture, decor, and sometimes even the basics in life. I never had cable. I watched the thermostate like my life depended on it. And I lived in the desert with no AC. I didn't go out with friends. Shopping was almost nonexistent. I rarely if ever, had a decent meal. Times were lean. But if there is a will, there is a way.

I'm not saying that I do it all on my own now. Yes, My Guy does pay for a lot of things. Like travel. Because we travel mostly for his work. So that cost, is purely up to him. He also pays for me to be able to go home to visit my family and friends. Because he knows that I moved to be closer to him.

As far as our day to day costs, again My Guy pays for most of those things. Groceries, bills, utilities...those sorts of things, he pays for. He makes sure we have what we need. Or in his case, what he enjoys. So ya, he pays for movies, dates, anything like that. And for anything for his house. I know what he'd say there..."Our House."

Like now for Christmas, he pays for the decorations. He also pays for the cleaning lady. Although, we really don't need one. But he's had her working for him for over 10 years. And well, he never had a girlfriend who did housework and cooked before. So he kept our cleaning lady. And now, we just kind of hangout and talk when she comes over. :)

My Guy also owns a large lot of land where we live. Our friends say we live in the BFE. And with that much property, well you need people. People to help you keep up with it all. So My Guy obviously pays for that.

But I'm still pretty stubborn. I don't spend My Guy's money on myself. As an example, if I go shopping for me, I pay for it. Regardless if it's clothes, makeup, craft supplies, a movie, a haircut. Those things, I still pay for. And that is the point were we don't agree...

You see, My Guy has more than enough to take care of me. And a small country to be honest. But I still feel like I don't want to "burden" him with the responsibility. Or make him solely accountable for everything. I think it's because I was raised to be so independent. Now one day, you know when we are legally wed, I won't have a problem with that. But right now, I feel like I need to support myself.

So there you go. I still pay for most of the things in my life. My home, my car, my bills, my health care, my shopping. But My Guy provides us with all the other stuff. The stuff that I probably wouldn't have encountered otherwise. We fight about money. But not like most couples. More because I don't spend enough of My Guy's money. Isn't that hilarious? But we've finally agreed on a little set of rules. And it's made life a lot easier. Even for this insanely independent woman. ♥

Stuck in the Snow

My Guy and I, had this great idea. To come and rent a cabin in the mountains. To get away from everything. And it was a great idea. Until we realized, we might be stuck here. You see, we have to leave for Sin City today. And all the roads are closed. It's been 2 crazy days of snow storms. We even lost power for a while. It's a good thing we have all these fireplaces!



I guess we should be very happy. We got to spend some really good time alone. Just being a couple. That tends to be hard when we are living our regular lives. You know, My Guy doesn't have the easiest job. And he is very recognizable. But we are doing, what we can. Taking some time out, to just run away from life.

It is pretty important, that we make it out of here today. We both have work stuff in Sin City. But if we can't make it, what's the worst thing that could happen? We are stuck here together. I can think of worse things.

Actually, I packed up. And My Guy, is looking at some alternate routes out of here. When the sun comes up, we are going to try and get out of here. We've got all day. Hopefully!

We just need to make it to the airport. Good thing we are flying privately, and we don't have to worry about making a flight. That could definitely wrinkle our plans. So could us being stuck. Oh boy! ♥