Coupons and Deals...I think I'm Addicted

Well, it is no secret, that every gal loves a deal. Now, I'm not the kind of girl that's in the mall every weekend. In fact, I rarely go there unless it's Christmas and then only once or twice. But, I am totally addicted to getting deals on my groceries. You see, the gal wearing the hat (below with her daughters) got me hooked on couponing and now I am a fiend!

Yesterday, I took my son to the doctor and he was told that he was showing some signs of dehydration and was recommended water, gatorade or propel. Of course, on the way home, my mind is whirling with the deal I had just "plotted" at Walgreens that involved Gatorade, Tostitos and Wet Ones (not to be eaten together of course;). Anyway, my poor unsuspecting son is given the task of picking out the Gatorade that he wanted. "Only the ones that are $1.00", I remind, as he bypasses the ones in the cool sport bottles. He rolls his eyes and puts 3 in the cart. "Oh no," I say, "we're getting 10...keep going." He looked like he wanted to crawl in a hole, but at 13, this happens a LOT!

We then bypass all other snacks for the Tostitos and I shoo him away from the M&Ms (not in the plan and I have no coupon for those and besides we still have discounted Halloween candy at home!). And of course, he is still wondering where the Wet Ones fit into this crazy scheme. So I'm strolling to the car feeling like I've bought a refrigerator for a penny and now we are looking for where we can stash 10 bottles of Gatorade!

Knit yer fingers off!

Well, let's just say I'm making the most of the cold weather....I have knitted many instant grat projects this winter and there's no signs of stopping. I am even making plans for my spring/summer knitting (please HOLD me to that!). Well, there are a few finished items to picture here. I have made several hats for others, mostly babies (and one big baby) and those have been successful. Made myself a pair of fingerless gloves and knitted a thumb gusset for the first time! (Wow, much easier than I had it built up in my mind). Had so much fun, knitted some for my friend Crissy as a birthday gift. She is the only person I know that has a birthWEEK instead of a birthDAY. I think she's got the right idea! Of course, I forgot to call her on her birthday so hopefully made up for it with the gifts :). Pictured l-r, Grace eating her knitted cupcake and wearing her cupcake hat, Crissy sporting a pompom beanie and fingerless gloves and Anna Beth, modeling her pink cupcake hat.

OH Christmas tree...thou needest a skirt!

Well, here is my latest FO, a shawl for a beautiful friend who really really needed a prayer shawl.
To do the photograph, I spread it out under my Christmas tree and of course, now I'm considering doing one in green or red. I'm thinking a pretty light green might be nice. It turned out quite gorgeous and she is thrilled with it!

So, since I don't have a tree skirt, I might start scouting some sales at Michael's for appropriate yarn. (As soon as I finish all the winter hats that I didn't get finished BEFORE Christmas)!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Throw out the Lifeline!

I was looking at a knitting pattern the other day and the writer suggested several points in the knitting where she recommended putting a "lifeline". This was new to me!! I consider myself a fairly experienced knitter, although I am still learning new techniques every day, but I had ever really heard of this. (I am basically "self-taught" so there's probably a lot of things I still don't know!)

After some research, I came upon a site that clearly demonstrates and explains the lifeline...enjoy!
http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/lifeline.shtm

(Does anyone remember the old hymn, "Throw out the Lifeline"...anybody but me??)

LPM Memory Verse Challenge #4 - 2/15/09

Psalm 34:4-8
I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
I cried out to the LORD in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears.
For the angel of the LORD guards all who fear him, and he rescues them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!

This is my chosen verse for the memory verse challenge for 2/15/09. I just started this - although the challenge started on 1/1/09. I have jumped in, 3 verses behind. If you'd like more information about the Living Proof memory verse challenge, just click here.

One Sock!

Well, I have finished my very first sock using self striping sock yarn. Please hold your applause. I will say that although it is somewhat of a mess, the untrained would see little or no problems with it. Of course, the creator knows all the flaws and loves it just the same:)

I have been knitting and crocheting for years and it's an on-again/off-again relationship. But when a friend asked me to teach her to knit, I gladly grabbed my bag of tricks, sharpened my needles (of course, you don't really do that, right?) and got busy. I HAD to give myself a refresher in order to seemingly speak intelligently.

So, I was off an running; making samples and swatches and copying instructions, finding websites, youtube videos and the like. She is now getting top notch instruction from moi and I am once again hooked by the needles!

I decided now was the time to resurrect my long-held fear and attempt a sock (or maybe two). Since the kidlet is constantly using me as a taxi, I have plenty of waiting time to knit on my sock. It basically stays with me in my oh-so-chic whole foods bag (the little ones are perfect for your on-the-go project). So my moonlight sock has been knitted by the light of the interior dome light! It IS possible.

Ah well. I have now decided to start another sock but since my first is fraught with mistakes I am not anxious to knit it a spouse. Therein lies the dilemma of sock-knitters the world over. The dreaded second sock! In this case, I am still in a quandry if I should have a pair of socks where one is clearly less appealing that it's partner. OR I should start fresh. HMMM. I could just rock one sock - like the one-glove people.

Fingerless gloves unhip!

Loopy here! I'm going to post my fingerless gloves pic. Here is the pattern. I made them and I thought my son would die laughing. He thought they looked so stupid....until....he found out:

#1. They come in handy while shooting hoops in the back yard

#2. Teens love them because they don't inhibit their texting (heaven forbid!)

#3. Useful for playing X-Box in cold basement "man cave".

So...where did I find them this morning? On his bedside table. All of a sudden, Moms stupid fingerless gloves ROCK! How can this be? The rotation of the earth will now be reversed. Enjoy the ride!