Scarves for the Special Olympics

My latest project has been crocheting scarves for the Special Olympics. I really believe in this cause, and the scarves are very easy to make. You can use the pattern provided, or you can make your own. All of the Special Olympic participants get a scarf to wear, and they look so proud to be wearing them in their pictures. Since I have been doing this project, several others have decided to join in on the fun. I have heard many stories of how the Special Olympics have effected the lives of others. Click on the picture above if you are interested in joining in on the fun!

Thing 1

This is a thing one wig that I made for my niece for Halloween. When I had the idea to make it, I had no idea that it would take 12 hours to make. Now I have to get busy to make the thing two wig for her friend. It is a good thing I started early!

I love my sister!

My sister came down this week on a whim, and I am really glad she did. Even though we don't always agree, it is nice to spend time with someone who you know will always love you and will eat sushi with you.

Mom and me

It was a different type of day yesterday. My mom asked me if I wanted to go to Kanheeta with her and a friend of hers from work. I love Kanheeta, so I said I would go. Her co-worker ended up not being able to go, so it was just me and mom. We NEVER do things like that alone. We usually have other family members along if we are doing something just for fun. If we spend time together alone, it is always to complete some kind of task. Not that we don't like spending time together because we do.

This time we just went to relax. I asked her what time she wanted to leave, and she said when we were ready to leave. We woke up when we wanted to, and we left when we were ready. We had no agenda other than we would end up in Kanheeta at some time. We stopped when we wanted to, and we talked when we wanted to. We were quiet when we wanted to be, and we really enjoyed the day. I listened to mom's problems and stories. Most of which I have heard before, but I decided not to tell her that I had. She told me about her plans to retire, and what she wanted to do. She wants to travel around the United States. She wants to go places she has never been like Texas and Niagra Falls. She told me that she wants to get a car just for herself, but she has no idea what kind she wants. She told me she was proud of me, and it felt so good to hear that.

We ate when we were hungry, and we left Kanheeta when we felt we had had enough. It was such a wonderful relaxing day. We didn't take any pictures or buy any mementos, but it is a day I will remember for a long time.

Tri Cities Visit... Lot's of Fun

I had a great time in Tri Cities. I got to go to my niece's third birthday party which was very fun. Grace was as cute as could be. My Nephew (by friendship) rode with me from Portland to Tri-Cities and taught me a lot about how NOT to spoil a 6 year old child. For example:

1. You should never give a child something that could be used as a cup (silly putty egg) and a bottle of Sprite.

2. You should never give a child a ink pad and stamps thinking that they will not get ink all over the back seat of your car and all over their clothes and body!

3. You should never give a child so many snacks that they want to try them all and in the process dump loads of chips and crackers on your floor, and when they get out of the car crunch them into your carpeted floor.


I did have a good time with Jakob. He is a very sweet kid. It was unbelievable when we went to a restaurant. All he could think about was the game we passed on the way in where you pay 50 cents to try to grab a stuffed animal. We all told him that nobody ever wins those things and that there was no way he would get one. He couldn't eat his food, and he didn't want any of the special birthday cake that my sister made for him. He just wanted to play that silly game. His mom gave in and on the way out put 50 cents in for him. He moved the thing around and the grabber went down and came up empty. We all told him that we expected he wouldn't win and that it was really hard to win that game. The game gives you two chances to win, so Jakob moved the control around again and the grabber dropped. It picked up a pink chipmunk. We all held our breath and thought it would fall. The arm slowly moved and dropped the stuffed animal in the winners square. We were all so shocked, we couldn't speak. Then Jakob jumped up and down, "I got it! I got it! You guys said I wouldn't be able to get it, and I got it!"

We congratulated him, and were all happy for him. Then the sweet little Jakob gave the pink stuffed animal to Grace. It was such a nice gesture. Grace was happy, and Jakob was ecstatic! That was a lot of fun.

On Monday night I got the chance to have dinner with my friend Amy's (passed away in April 2001) mother. It was a really nice visit, and it brought back a lot of old memories.

I spent lots of time with my sister and my niece Grace, and it was wonderful. It was a great break from work, and I am glad to be back even if I am broke!