Video: Crochet Dragonfly Stitch

I was thinking of creating a dragonfly blanket using the same pattern from this video but making it look more like the midwife blanket. The patterns look similar and I am sure it will look great.

Time to give it a go and see ...

Video: RUSSIAN PIPING TIPS - What are they & What do they do? - YouTube

RUSSIAN PIPING TIPS - What are they & What do they do? - YouTube

via YouTube https://youtu.be/SOC5KeUZDns

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 29, 2017

Total steps: 8715
Floors climbed: 0
Calories burned: 2531
Elevation gained: 0 meters
Traveled: 5.53 kilometers


April 29, 2017
via Fitbit

My New Fitbit

My fitbit arrived yesterday. 

I love how the alta looks.

It's definitely a lot slimmer than the fitbit charge.
I also really like how I am able to get replaceable bands if I want to. I'm thinking perhaps that I might get some other colours so I can change them when I want to. You know, to match my outfits (~_o)  

Video: 3-Course Mother's Day Brunch (Strata, Smoothie & Breakfast Parfait) Bigger Bolder Baking

3-Course Mother's Day Brunch (Strata, Smoothie & Breakfast Parfait) Bigger Bolder Baking

via YouTube https://youtu.be/dLU8mlrv5-4

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 28, 2017

Total steps: 5986
Floors climbed: 0
Calories burned: 2346
Elevation gained: 0 meters
Traveled: 3.8 kilometers


April 28, 2017
via Fitbit

VIDEO: Plan With Me! | May 2017 Bullet Journal Plan with Me | Setup Ideas + 30 ...

I wish I was as artistic as this.
I love how her journal/planner looks.

Video: Why Are You Always Tired?

Why Are You Always Tired?

via YouTube https://youtu.be/nn42RC1zT_A

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• for all of those who have served in the armed forces now and in the past. For the sacrifices they have made or are making now. Thank you
• being able to watch the ANZAC Day march on tv
• family & being able to chat with my nieces and nephew online. Even though we don't live in the same state it's great to be able to catch up with them
• crochet
• lots of lovely rain

What are you thankful for this week?

RIP Fitbit Charge

You may have noticed that my fitbit statistics haven't been posted on my blog for the past few days. Have a look at the photo below.

My fitbit is well and truly dead. Well, the display unit works but as you can see the band died!

I contacted Fit bit via Twitter and told them what had happened. I also explained that all four of us in our home have had fitbit charges and they have all broken and had been replaced at least once. Some two to three times (around 10 charges in total). I also let them know how disappointed I was and I could understand one or two bands breaking but not all of the ones we have had. I  also mentioned I would not be purchasing any more of their products.

I was messaged by Fitbit soon afterwards, and asked to provide my email address that was linked to my account. I received a message stating the following:

We do apologize if the quality of the product did not meet your expectations, and we appreciate you taking time to share your concerns. As with other sport watches and wrist based jewelry or accessories, some people may experience wear and tear due to uncontrollable circumstances. Wearing it 24/7 does not give your skin a chance to breathe. Whenever you get your tracker wet, dry it thoroughly before putting it back on. To know more about our product care, please visit our website at https://www.fitbit.com/productcare . Rest assured that we are continuing to make sure our products passed all quality and safety tests before leaving our manufacturing department.

Upon further review of the account, we've confirmed that the tracker is already beyond 365 days from it's original paired date September 2015. The replacement trackers that we provide does not carry their own warranty period. We will always base it on the original tracker that was purchased and paired to your account. To help keep you in the Fitbit family and working towards your goals and as a gesture of our goodwill, we'd like to offer you a one time exception for the replacement tracker.

We hope this is a good news for you. Since we’ve recently stopped manufacturing our Charge tracker, which you can read about http://fitbit.link/299dnYv.  To get you back on track right away, we can instead send one of our newest products, the Fitbit Alta, with no additional cost.

The Alta is our sleekest tracker and offers a slimmer band plus a tap display, reminders to move, and call/text/calendar alerts. We also sell a variety of interchangeable Alta bands https://www.fitbit.com/alta#accessories.  You can find more information about Alta on our website https://www.fitbit.com/alta.

Please let us know if you’d like an Alta, including preferred size (S, L, XL) and color (black, blue, plum, or teal) and we’ll process your request right away.

I decided to take up the offer of the Fitbit Alta. I have received another email stating that they will let me know when it is ready to be shipped and that I should receive it within 7 - 10 days from the date of shipment. Hopefully that will be by then end of next week.

I have to admit that I cannot fault any of the correspondence I have had from the team at Fitbit. They have always been very helpful.

Please note that under Australian Law rights for the consumers in regards to refunds, repairs and replacements is different to other countries. Other countries may not receive the same offer I have been fortunate enough to receive.

I Love a Man in Uniform

I found some photos of my Dad and my brother, Mark, in their Army uniforms. 

Gosh they are handsome! 

Dad is the one on the left.

Dad on the left again.

Dad front left.

My brother, Mark, front left.

These photos make me wish I had some of Grandpop in his army uniform as well. I am sure he would have looked just as handsome.

ANZAC Day 2017

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grown old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Video: Golden Loop - How to adjust for stitch height - Crochet Fundamentals #36

Golden Loop - How to adjust for stitch height - Crochet Fundamentals #36

via YouTube https://youtu.be/97Vpxaf8wvk

VIDEO: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake - Gemma's Bigger Bolder Baking Ep 134

My boys love cookie dough ice-cream.
I am sure that they would also love this cheesecake!

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 21, 2017

Total steps: 7003
Floors climbed: 0
Calories burned: 2485
Elevation gained: 0 meters
Traveled: 4.45 kilometers


April 21, 2017
via Fitbit

WIP - Crochet - C2C Blanket

I have been working on this for the past few days. The variegated yarn is one of the value balls from Spotlight but the other skein is a marvel yarn. It's been slow going but that is only because I ripped this blanket apart a few times (well just the yarn I was using) before settling on this particular style. Plus I kept making mistakes counting the stitches. It was very frustrating for a while.

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 20, 2017

Total steps: 7445
Floors climbed: 2
Calories burned: 2469
Elevation gained: 6.1 meters
Traveled: 4.73 kilometers


April 20, 2017
via Fitbit

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• I was out late on Friday, when I arrived home I found the boys in the kitchen doing all the prep work for dinner. It was a lovely surprise.
• kitty cat snuggles
• going to the Diabetes Support group. It's always nice to catch up with the people there
• sunshine
• cooler weather

What are you thankful for this week?

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 19, 2017

Total steps: 8706
Floors climbed: 0
Calories burned: 2558
Elevation gained: 0 meters
Traveled: 5.53 kilometers


April 19, 2017
via Fitbit

Video - Crochet - The Midwife Blanket

In one of the Facebook groups (Australian Crochet Community) I belong to one of the ladies shared a video of The Midwife Blanket. Not that I needed to see the video because I am able to make the blanket but I did love the border that was created to complete it. I usually only do treble crochet (US dc) but this looks really nice.

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 18, 2017

Total steps: 6343
Floors climbed: 5
Calories burned: 2400
Elevation gained: 15.24 meters
Traveled: 4.03 kilometers


April 18, 2017
via Fitbit

Video: BEST SWISS BUTTERCREAM FOR CAKES, HANIELA'S

BEST SWISS BUTTERCREAM FOR CAKES, HANIELA'S

via YouTube https://youtu.be/f_AyxhbjrUA

I Love Crochet

I agree with almost all of this. 

I would swap the coffee with a pepsi-max and then it would be perfect! 

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 17, 2017

Total steps: 5783
Floors climbed: 0
Calories burned: 2329
Elevation gained: 0 meters
Traveled: 3.67 kilometers


April 17, 2017
via Fitbit

Video: DIY Doctor Who Fandom Gift Ideas | Doctor Who DIY Projects & Crafts | Fandom DIY Gifts

DIY Doctor Who Fandom Gift Ideas | Doctor Who DIY Projects & Crafts | Fandom DIY Gifts

via YouTube https://youtu.be/RQNMjYaMgO0

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 16, 2017

Total steps: 5472
Floors climbed: 3
Calories burned: 2359
Elevation gained: 9.14 meters
Traveled: 3.48 kilometers


April 16, 2017
via Fitbit

Happy Easter

Video - FUDGE BROWNIE CHEESECAKE - Gemma's Bigger Bolder Baking Ep 163

Is there such a thing as too much chocolate?
Perhaps instead of the brownies on top some raspberries or even strawberries. That way you can say you had some fruit for the day (~_o) 

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 15, 2017

Total steps: 5620
Floors climbed: 3
Calories burned: 2331
Elevation gained: 9.14 meters
Traveled: 3.57 kilometers


April 15, 2017
via Fitbit

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 14, 2017

Total steps: 5279
Floors climbed: 0
Calories burned: 2294
Elevation gained: 0 meters
Traveled: 3.35 kilometers


April 14, 2017
via Fitbit

Video: Starbucks FRAPPUCCINOS SECRET MENU (Birthday Cake, Oreo & Banana Split) Gemma's Bigger Bolder Baking

Starbucks FRAPPUCCINOS SECRET MENU (Birthday Cake, Oreo & Banana Split) Gemma's Bigger Bolder Baking

via YouTube https://youtu.be/w0TJNutXsBk

Health Update: Diabetes & Diverticulosis

I went and saw my GP the other day to get the results from the colonoscopy I had at the end of March. It turns out that I have Diverticular throughout my large intestine. Most people only have them in their descending colon.

I found a couple of interesting articles that may help me out &/or provide me with information.
A Diverticulitis Diet Plan and one about what Diverticulitis Disease is.

My GP said they don't know why this occurs in some people and not others. From what I have read it is most likely caused by the type of diets people eat. I have had these symptoms on and off for years but I never got around to saying anything to my doctor. For now, what I need to do now is increase my fibre, add psyllium husk to my diet, exercise and drink more water.

I also got the results from my latest HbAlc blood test. It's gone down even more. It was 5.7  (or 39 mmol/mol) The good news is that it's in normal glucose range. My last HbA1c was 5.9 so I must be doing something right since my levels have been going down over the last few years.

Even though I may have other health issues to deal with (arthritis and psoriasis) at least my diabetes is well controlled.

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 13, 2017

Total steps: 5543
Floors climbed: 1
Calories burned: 2341
Elevation gained: 3.05 meters
Traveled: 3.52 kilometers


April 13, 2017
via Fitbit

Video: 70 Actors Who Can Sing

70 Actors Who Can Sing

via YouTube https://youtu.be/p0D26QeVBd0

Video: The Sounds Of Silence (Live) by Simon & Garfunkel

The Sounds Of Silence (Live) by Simon & Garfunkel

via YouTube https://youtu.be/B9z87viDmOo

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• crisp fresh mornings that warn up in to beautiful sunny afternoons
• bright yarn for crocheting
• that my boys are willing to help out with cooking dinner even when it isn't their turn to cook
• being able to spend time with Mark, without the boys.
• finding my old hairdresser in her new business & getting my hair cut exactly how I like it
  

What are you thankful for?

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 12, 2017

Total steps: 10387
Floors climbed: 0
Calories burned: 2705
Elevation gained: 0 meters
Traveled: 6.6 kilometers


April 12, 2017
via Fitbit

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 11, 2017

Total steps: 6270
Floors climbed: 5
Calories burned: 2365
Elevation gained: 15.24 meters
Traveled: 3.98 kilometers


April 11, 2017
via Fitbit

Video: Breakfast Sandwich!

Breakfast Sandwich!

via YouTube https://youtu.be/sykK8jPSxcs

Weekly Fitbit Stats - April 03 2017 to April 09 2017

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 10, 2017

Total steps: 4614
Floors climbed: 2
Calories burned: 2277
Elevation gained: 6.1 meters
Traveled: 2.93 kilometers


April 10, 2017
via Fitbit

Circular Knitting Needles

I love it when parcels arrive! Especially when you have found bargains on ebay.

I bought these circular needles from China a couple of weeks ago and they arrived this morning.

There are 18 in the set but there is only one problem not all of them have the size written on the needles. It's a good thing I have a gauge I can use to measure them.

Now all I need to do is work out what projects to knit and I can begin using them!

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 9, 2017

Total steps: 4173
Floors climbed: 0
Calories burned: 2220
Elevation gained: 0 meters
Traveled: 2.65 kilometers


April 9, 2017
via Fitbit

Video: Torrone (Italian Nut & Nougat Confection)

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 8, 2017

Total steps: 6535
Floors climbed: 1
Calories burned: 2388
Elevation gained: 3.05 meters
Traveled: 4.15 kilometers


April 8, 2017
via Fitbit

Video: Knit Bee Stitch

Knit Bee Stitch

via YouTube https://youtu.be/odMzRbxrVBY

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 7, 2017

Total steps: 7800
Floors climbed: 0
Calories burned: 2526
Elevation gained: 0 meters
Traveled: 4.95 kilometers


April 7, 2017
via Fitbit

My latest WIP

via IFTTT

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 6, 2017

Total steps: 7340
Floors climbed: 2
Calories burned: 2466
Elevation gained: 6.1 meters
Traveled: 4.66 kilometers


April 6, 2017
via Fitbit

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful for this week:

• being able to travel to and from the Austin Hospital with Brodie safely and without too much traffic on the road. Always a bonus in my book! Brodz had a mental health check up on Monday
• my crochet - it keeps my hands busy 
• that there were no complications from my colonoscopy last week although I need to see my GP for the results next week. They found a polyp *eeek*. It was sent off to pathology. Hopefully it is 'normal' and nothing nasty
• beautiful autumn weather. We have had some lovely crisp mornings lately that warm up to really lovely afternoons. I love this kind of weather!

What are you thankful for this week?

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 5, 2017

Total steps: 10028
Floors climbed: 5
Calories burned: 2707
Elevation gained: 15.24 meters
Traveled: 6.37 kilometers


April 5, 2017
via Fitbit

Finished Item - Crochet - Midwife Blanket

I finished the border with plain treble crochet (US double crochet). I don't like to make the border too fancy with this pattern and I believe that the plain look suits it best.

I am not making another midwife blanket in bright orange. Mainly because I have four balls of it left over from the temperature blanket I made last year. Although I think it is a little too wide so I may frog it later today and make it smaller.

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 4, 2017

Total steps: 7797
Floors climbed: 4
Calories burned: 2475
Elevation gained: 12.19 meters
Traveled: 4.95 kilometers


April 4, 2017
via Fitbit

Video: Series 10 Trailer #2 - Doctor Who

Series 10 Trailer #2 - Doctor Who

via YouTube https://youtu.be/PbJqNa0_Oz0

Weekly Fitbit Stats - Mar 27 2017 to April 02 2017

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 3, 2017

Total steps: 5103
Floors climbed: 1
Calories burned: 2303
Elevation gained: 3.05 meters
Traveled: 3.24 kilometers


April 3, 2017
via Fitbit

WIP - Crochet - Midwife Blanket with Ice Yarn

 Slowly but surely this midwife blanket is getting there. 

I have now started on the border. I quite like the colours too.

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 2, 2017

Total steps: 7000
Floors climbed: 2
Calories burned: 2519
Elevation gained: 6.1 meters
Traveled: 4.44 kilometers


April 2, 2017
via Fitbit

YSA Mormon Flash Mob in Melbourne

My boy Brodie is in this flash mob in that was done in Melbourne a few weeks ago.
I am so proud of you Brodz! And of course all of the others who participated. There were a few familiar faces in the crowd!

Fitbit Daily Summary for April 1, 2017

Total steps: 7389
Floors climbed: 0
Calories burned: 2444
Elevation gained: 0 meters
Traveled: 4.69 kilometers


April 1, 2017
via Fitbit

Video: Lemon Meringue Cake - Gemma's Bigger Bolder Baking

Lemon Meringue Cake - Gemma's Bigger Bolder Baking

via YouTube https://youtu.be/u6C7ffJPYRc

Fitbit Daily Summary for March 31, 2017

Total steps: 4278
Floors climbed: 0
Calories burned: 2223
Elevation gained: 0 meters
Traveled: 2.72 kilometers


March 31, 2017
via Fitbit