Finished Items - Crochet - Baby Beanies

As of yesterday morning I had 18 baby beanies to take to the Relief Society activity today.

I have really enjoyed creating these little beanies. I've had a lot of fun using the knitting loom.

Although to be honest there has been a bout of gastroenteritis that has swept through our Ward over the past 5 weeks. So far so good, our little family hasn't been affected by it but I don't want to tempt fate. I am in two minds as to whether I attend today or if I even go to Church on Sunday.

Considering all of the medical conditions we have getting gastro is the last we need.

I just need to work out who I send these beanies to if I don't go.

WIP - Crochet & Loom Knitting - Baby Beanies

I've been busy over the past few days. I wanted to make at least 12 beanies to take with me on Saturday to the RS service project. I have definitely achieved that and more.

I'm not too sure about those front two beanies. They don't feel as soft as I would like them.

I snagged this at an Opp Shop on Tuesday. I've been using the yarn from the bag on the right. It's a lovely soft Moda Vera yarn. I've added an 8 ply to it when I used the Knitting Loom (see pic below) as it seemed to help with the larger holes. Not a good thing for baby beanies. Using the two threads of yarn made it much better.

I've made 15 beanies now (I made another one after I took the photo below)

I managed to make three of these purple beanies yesterday.
I hope to get a few more done today.

WIP - Crochet - Baby Beanies

The Relief Society in my ward are holding a service project next Saturday (Oct 1st). Some of the sisters will be helping to clean Old Gippstown, a small town within Moe where you can experience what Gippsland was like during the 1850's (now that it's spring there will be more tourists and activities coming up there) and other sisters will be making beanies for babies to donate to the local hospitals. You can guess which one I have decided to help with.

Here are some of the beanies I have made so far to take with me.

I chose red because who doesn't like bright colours? There is no need for pinks and blues for baby all of the time. 

Some of the patterns I have used are by Heather from Just Crochet. 

Heather has some lovely freebie patterns available on her website (outfits and beanies) as well as her paid ones of course.

I hope to have quite a few beanies made before next weekend. It doesn't take all that long to whip them up so I hope to have at least a dozen or so to take with me.

Squares for Nepal

The Relief Society presidency in our Ward sent a call out for knitted and crochet squares last Sunday so that blankets can be made for the people of Nepal, where that horribly devastating earthquake struck a few weeks ago. 

Of course, you know how much I love to crochet. I didn't hesitate at picking up my hook and some scrap yarn to make squares to donate for such a worthy reason. This was just a couple of evenings work. I have made a few more since this photo was taken. I'll add them to the rest and take them in this coming weekend. I am sure I have a couple of completed blankets I can add to this collection. The people of Nepal need to feel some love and care right now.

Nurturing Your Talents

Shock, horror, you'd better sit down for this one ... I went to Church yesterday with Brodie. It was the first time in ages that we had gone. I'm glad we went. We got to meet up with lots of (old) familiar faces and we met some new people too. It was nice to catch up with everyone. Even some friends we had made through the Ambassador Program that Brodie & I participated in were there.

Anyway, one of the discussions we had yesterday during Relief Society was about nurturing and sharing our talents. It was kind of funny that this topic came up as our ward is having a Talent Show at the end of the month. The first thing that popped into my head was I know what my talents are and they weren't that hard to identify. They're knitting and crocheting. Not something I could share on talent night but they are something I could share. Well I do share them to some extent. I share what I make using my talents by giving things away that I create. Although Angus reckons I should selling the stuff I make but I honestly wouldn't know if anyone would buy them.

Some of the sisters were saying that they don't have any talents. They can't play a musical instrument or sing very well. I'm sure if they thought about it they would be surprised at what their talents really are. Who said talents had to be something musical or arty/crafty. They may have a talent for making the best desserts, a knack for soothing tired & grumpy children, finding bargains when you go shopping or underwater basket weaving! I know that last sounds a bit fat fetched but hey someone somewhere might be able to do it.

I do know that if you don't use your talent regularly you often forget how to do them. I used to be able to speak Indonesian. It was something I learned in Primary School and continued to study in High School. I even taught it when I was working as a teacher. Once I had stopped teaching I had no use to keep using this skill and I lost it. I still remember some of the words but I couldn't have a conversation in Indonesian.


That old saying of use it or lose it is so true.

What are your talents? Do you nurture them and still practise them?

Back To Church

I got a phone call from the Bishop on Wednesday night. He had spoken to one of the other members about our car and had called to see if that was why we had not been to the chapel these past few weeks. It was so I told him so. He has agreed to help us. Initially he was going to pay for the car parts so that Mark and our neighbour could do it. Mark suggested that we pay for the parts ourself and ask the Bishop to help us with a food voucher. I mentioned this to the Bishop today and he said that was a good idea. So hopefully in the next day or two we will receive a voucher in the mail and I can then use my pay to get the kit and other things needed for the car.

We were also told that we needed to be at the Chapel this Sunday (today) whether the car was fixed or not. I talked to one of my Relief Society sisters, who I visit for visiting teaching, and she helped arrange a ride for us. So we went to Church today.

It was so good to be back there. I missed being able to chat with the sisters. Sometimes I crave more adult company. I know I have Mark at home to talk with but it's not the same as being able to talk to other women. It sure sucks not having girlfriends close by to talk with. There isn't much I can do about that for now so there is no use complaining. I know what I need to do to change it.

I did get to do my visiting teaching on Friday morning. So I did have the opportunity to chat with other women. It was nice to see the sisters. And sometimes it can be such fun as well as uplifting. I like getting to know them.

Anyway back to Church. Brodie got a calling today. He was asked if he wanted to be the Secretary for the Teachers Quorum. I knew all about it as I was asked if I thought Brodie would be interested and if I thought he would be capable of the extra responsibilities. I think it will do him some good.

I think that's good news to end the weekend. The possibility of having the car fixed by the end of the week and Brodie receiving a calling. It's all good!!!

School Excursion & Other Stuff

Angus and I went on an excursion this morning. We went to the cinemas to see "Bee Movie" it was really good for a kids movie. There were a few things that were went over the top of the kids heads but that is normal for some movies I guess. When I asked Angus what was his favourite part he said all of it.

Brodie had the day off school yesterday because the teachers had a pupil free day to write their reports. Gee whiz we never had a day of school when I was working in Adelaide and I know that I never had the day off school when I was in High School. The teachers had to do the reports in their own time. I think they have it too easy here!!
Anyway while Brodie is home he has to do some, lets just say, medical tests for the paediatrician. Brodie would freak if I had to put what the tests were on my blog so I wont say what they are. He had to stay home today as well so that we can complete the tests. He had to have a blood test this morning though. He squeezed the dickens out of my hand. He has such a phobia about needles but he did very well.Thankfully the nurse got the vein first time round. I don't think he would've been able to cope if she didn't.

It's applique tonight. So far so good as for me wanting to to. It's also Angus's Young Achievers night, the last one for the year. I don't think he would be too happy if he couldn't go but he still has to make sure his room is tidy or he will be staying home!! Also on tonight is choir practise for Relief Society. It's a special enrichment activity coming up on Saturday and they want some of the sisters to join the choir and to practise a few Christmas carols for Saturday. I said I would join in because I'll be at the chapel any way tonight (provided the boys room is cleaned up!).
Brodie's activity isn't on tonight because they are playing basketball this coming weekend and he will be doing that instead. So perhaps after choir and young achievers I'll make it to applique for a little while.

Oh and with the enrichment activity, we are meant to be showing off our quilts that we have made this year. I have Diva's one, my Christmas one and if I remember my cat table runner as it was the first thing I made.

Keeping A Journal - 10 techniques

Well that wasn't so hard. I found the list in the first place I looked. In a pile on the floor where the boys dump things each night when its time to clear & set the table for dinner. So that was no real surprise lol.

1. Notebook & Bound Books - the most common way to record a journal. (Me personally, I've tried this and I don't like the idea of my boys picking it up and reading it. I know that sounds silly as I do this online and I let anyone who wants to read it but my boys are less likely to read my blog than they are a book I write in).
2. Computers - they recommend you use a word processing program & to back it up to keep it safe & then to print it as well. (well me once again prefer to blog - less likely for me to misplace a folder or accidentally delete a file).
3. Letters & Emails - keep a copy of your emails and letters. It says you can paste and copy to your journal. It also mentions printing them for safe keeping. (Been there done that - I've often copied what I have said in an email and pasted it here in my blog).
4. Scrapbooking - Take lots of photos? Scrapbooking is a very popular way of recording your life (Unless of course you are like me and have a stack of photos sitting in a box that is in the cupboard gathering dust! I now prefer to take photos with my digital camera and never print them off - oh well).
5. Media Sources - Suggestions are use tape recorders, videos and digital video clips on the computer. (not a bad idea maybe one day I'll do something like this).
6. Spiritual or Gratitude Journal - record those spiritual events in your life, or that of family and friends, along with personal thoughts and ponderings. Write down your experiences, answers to prayers, your testimony, conversations and other spiritual experiences from Church/Temple attendance, scripture study. Write down all your blessings and what you are thankful for. (All great ideas - make note to self to included these things in my blog).
7. Study Journal - Elder Richard G. Scott said, "Knowledge, carefully recorded knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place that communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. This practise enhances the likelihood of your receiving further light).
8. Meeting Journal - Some people carry a notebook for use in Church meetings. It could help you focus on the talks and lessons given at Church. It gives you a place to record your thoughts and reflections as they happen (not a bad idea this one *note to self get a book to use this coming Sunday).
9. Calendars - these are a great addition to journals. Make sure you keep your calendars over the years to come and keep them with your journal (I do this with my pocket dairy for the past few years that I keep all meetings and appointments in; it has come in handy quite a few times).
10. Additional Embellishments - decorating your journal makes it more personal and more enjoyable to look at. You can keep things like tickets, maps, charts, photos, poems or anything you can think of. It will certainly make it more interesting reading later on down the track when you may have forgotten some of the details of events you've been to. (I like this idea but it comes down to the book thing again. I prefer the PC and being online).
    

A UFO and a Completed Piece

Well I finally finished my Christmas Project (Up on a Roof Top) last weekend and I took it to applique on Tuesday night to show it off I took Diva's quilt too as some of the others had not seen it finished before.
I'm as pleased as punch with it for my first completed quilted project. I was told by one of the girls that I should quilt some more on it. I might just do that but not yet. I've got a few other things I want to get started on first.

The other photo is of my Noah's Ark wall hanging. I'm only about two thirds of the way through it. It's kind of hard not having the pattern at home so that I can work on it here. I've only got Tuesday nights to do this one. At least last week I was able to trace all the main pieces (I forgot some though) and was able to put them onto the fabric the other day. It was good to be able to at least get that much done. I wasn't able to put them on the backgrounds though. I didn't trust myself to place them in the right spots without looking at the pattern. I do like how this has turned out so far though and that little monkey is such a cutie!! Let's hope that I am able to get quite a bit more done this coming week. I want to get this finished long before the display of enrichment activities projects at Church. I'm not sure when that will be, most likely next month.

Let's Catch Up ...

I thought I had better fill you in properly with what's been happening lately.

I spoke to Bishop last week and I wanted to catch up with him briefly today but he wasn't there. But that was okay I spoke to my Home Teachers instead and filled them in with what was happening at home. I didn't expect them to have all the answers but I just thought it wise to let them know what was going on and to see if the Bishop had passed on some of the things we spoke about the week before. I know the Bishop is a very busy man and he didn't have time but that was okay.

I knew I had done the right thing in talking with James and Warren (my Home Teachers). They said that next fast Sunday they will fast and pray with out family for guidance about what we need to do in regards to the big fella.
James also said would I like a blessing. I told him straight out that normally I would say No but not this time. I accepted it gratefully. And do you know what? I felt the spirit for sure. I could feel it in my heart that Heavenly Father was with me and that somehow things would be okay. Not perfect mind you but to some extent manageable.

I also spoke with the Relief Society President, Lesley. It turned out she was looking for me to talk to anyway. She is so caring and understanding, with surprising similarities in her family with all of the kids she and her hubby have. She suggested that perhaps I get a referral from the Bishop for a Church social worker (James also recommended a Church counsellor).

Before I forget the reason Lesley wanted to see me was that she had spoken to the Bishop about getting someone to do the Relief Society newsletter and he recommended me. I said I would love to do it. All they need to do is let me know what has to go in it, etc. So I now have a job (or calling I guess).

Anyway back to my talk with Lesley. She thinks that the big fella needs a change in meds perhaps. Which we had a review for tomorrow yesterday with the paediatrician for both boys. She also seems to think that the current school the big fella is in might not be the best place for him. I have thought the same thing many times but I don't think placing him in another High School will improve things for him that much. However she also said that the public system probably isn't helping him either. I think I agree on that one but private schools are NOT cheap and I doubt we could afford that. In fact I'm struggling now to pay the public school fees let alone the possibility of paying for a private school.

Lesley must've had a chat with the big fella also. She's even offered him a sleep over and he's asked her if he can call her Auntie Lesley. Which I thought was sweet. He absolutely adores her hubby, Rick. So it will be a wonderful thing if they can spend some time with him.

I also managed to talk with the Young Men's president, Andrew, to give him a quick update on things. So at least he can help keep an eye on things and lead the big fella in the right direction. I'm sure that the Bishop with catch up with Andrew soon about what's been going on since he & the Bishop are brothers.

Also the big fella will be going on a Youth activity this coming Friday night and Saturday. I spoke with on of the Youth leaders about it. Letting him know that the big fella was able to go but there was talk about billeting him in the city. Well not quite the city but near enough. I said that if they couldn't find a space for him it was okay. Which in fact did turn out okay because Br. Smith might be travelling back and forth for the activities anyway. The big fella is so keen to go.

So that's what's happened for me on Sunday. It's been pretty full on and fairly busy!

And I have a calling to boot! I can't get over that one!! Should be cool I could make it all (the newsletter) look so pretty with all this Paint Shop Pro stuff I do!

OMGosh What A Week!

What an awfully long week this has been. We've finally finished cleaning up the old place yesterday and I am so thankful that I had help from some of the Relief Society Sisters on Friday morning. We were able to clean a lot of the place. Mainly things like washing walls and cupboards. Mark & I did the rest of the place between us and went back yesterday afternoon to shampoo the carpet. I think Dennis & Sandra were impressed as to how clean the place was when we were finished.
Although we haven't completely finished unpacking we've done A LOT and only have a few boxes left to unpack. I think we can relax a bit now at least for a day or so.

In regards to the precious post I made about the dial-up. Thank goodness we only had to put up with that for a day or two. I don't think I can ever live without my ADSL. I've been so spoiled with it that I don't EVER want to go back to anything slower every again!!

On Thursday we finally receive a letter from the psychologist that we took the big fella to for his assessment. Thank goodness to came because I was going to phone her and find out what was going on. Well I did phone actually but there was no answer at the clinic. I guess that was just as well because the assessment report arrived that very same day. It has some recommendations which we will follow up on. I just hope now that we can get more help from the people who didn't believe me before!!
We have an appointment tomorrow for the big fella with GCAMHS. I'm going to take a copy of the assessment report and they can have a look at it. Now they HAVE to believe me!!! Let's hope that they can help!!