Angels Have the Phonebox

Quotes

2008-06-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

- Church billboard in Kentucky

Thomas Jefferson once said, 'We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.' And ever since he told me that, I stopped worrying.
- Ronald Reagan

About the time we think we can make ends meet, somebody moves the ends.
- Herbert Hoover

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
- Lester B. Pearson

Quotes

2008-06-24T15:43:00.001-07:00

Blessed is he who speaks a kindness; thrice blessed is he who repeats it.

- Arabian proverb

Every increased possession loads us with new weariness.
- John Ruskin

Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.
- Robert Frost

The only paradise is paradise lost.
- Marcel Proust

Summer

2008-06-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I really hate the Texas heat, but there is no denying there is nothing in the world like summer produce. The local produce stand (which just happens to be a block from my house!!!) opened yesterday and for $23 I was able to walk away with 4 bags full of tomatoes, Serrano peppers, onions, red potatoes, zucchini (my fave!), yellow squash, peaches, and a cantaloupe. So I came home and made 4 jars of salsa (with enough left over for a nice snack) and my favorite summer dish--sliced summer veggies and turkey kielbasa covered in dry Lipton onion soup mix and steamed in the oven for 45 min on 425F. I love my MIL for sharing that recipe with me. So simple and easy and sooo... yummy!!!

Last week I grated some zucchini and yellow squash, diced an onion and jalapeños, and tossed them with some cilantro, lime juice and shredded cheese and used it as a filling for quesadillas. They were so light and yummy. Perfect for a hot summer night. (My tip for perfect quesadillas is to spray the pan with butter spray, cook over med-low heat, and keep on a plate in the oven until ready to serve).

Last night was a perfect night. I love simplicity. After listening to an internet radio show a couple of friends host, I turned up the radio and just crafted until the wee hours of the morning. I have an afghan I'm making (and hope to have finished by July 12!) for someone as a thank you for something wonderful they did for us at Christmas. Then I'm going to start making baby items!!! I have a whole list of stuff I want to do, hopefully I can get it all done, if not there is at least one special item I want to complete.

Anyway, off to work more on the afghan...

Oklahoma Declares Sovereignty

2008-06-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 51st Legislature (2008)
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1089

By: Key
AS INTRODUCED

A Joint Resolution claiming sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over certain powers; serving notice to the federal government to cease and desist certain mandates; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads as follows:

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”; and

WHEREAS, the Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being that specifically granted by the Constitution of the United States and no more; and

WHEREAS, the scope of power defined by the Tenth Amendment means that the federal government was created by the states specifically to be an agent of the states; and

WHEREAS, today, in 2008, the states are demonstrably treated as agents of the federal government; and

WHEREAS, many federal mandates are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has ruled in New York v. United States, 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992), that Congress may not simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the states; and

WHEREAS, a number of proposals from previous administrations and some now pending from the present administration and from Congress may further violate the Constitution of the United States.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 51ST OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the State of Oklahoma hereby claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States.

THAT this serves as Notice and Demand to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate of each state’s legislature of the United States of America, and each member of the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation.

http://www.okhouse.gov/51LEG/Leg_Votesxx.aspx?include=okh01983.txt

http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2007-08HB/HJR1089_int.rtf

It's been a while...

2008-06-15T18:54:00.000-07:00

In an effort to streamline all the projects I'm working on I figured I'd delete all of my old blogs and just keep one. This one may be a bit eclectic with a wide array of topics, but I hope it'll be fun.

A quick update on me, I am no longer just a housewife. My favorite farm & ranch retailer is opening a new store in town and so on a whim I applied and got hired! Once we open in a couple of weeks I'll just be part time in the evenings, so I'll still have plenty of time to devote to my other endeavors.

I have a couple of friends that I absolutely adore who have an internet radio show called "Ghostology" on Saturday nights and I have been inspiration to start some research on the correlation between dreams and the deceased using our dreams as a means for contacting us. I am a skeptic when it comes to all things supernatural, but I can't deny that there may be something when I, as well as others I have encountered, have had dreams involving a deceased relative interacting with with us but unable to communicate with us verbally. I do understand it could simply be our subconscious manifesting frustrations of the person being gone and not being able to physically speak to them anymore, but I can't help but wonder if there is something to it. So that's the basis of the investigation and paper. Check out Ghostology at http://www.para-x.com/.

I'm also active in local politics because I am absolutely appalled and angered at the path our country has been on and is continuing down. There is so much corruption it's unnerving. I keep hearing over and over why bother because my one vote or my one voice won't make a difference, but all great revolutions started with the actions of a few. Civil disobedience. I was unable to make it to the Texas GOP state convention even though I was voted as a delegate, but the convention is not the end of the fight. We will continue on to change the face of politics. Now for a few of you who want to lump me together with other evil Republicans I just want to make clear that I do not consider myself a Republican, rather more of an Independent Populist, I am simply using the current established system as a means to help make a difference.

I am still knitting and crocheting. I have several projects going at the moment. I'm working on an afghan for a very special person that helped us in a time of need who I will get to meet for the first time in July. Then my dear Ghostology friends are expecting a wee little spook in a few months, so as soon as I am done with the afghan I have a few projects I would like to do for them. Then maybe I can think about the holidays!!!

As for my garden, I was not able to get my land tilled in time for a spring garden, so hopefully soon I can get it tilled for a fall garden, and many of the little seedlings I started in March just didn't make it. I do still have a few pumpkin plants, a couple of carrots, onion, garlic, and an array of flowers and herbs. This spring has been sooo... hot though, so I'm not sure how everything is going to fare in the long run.

Tony and I have also been trying to reduce our bills, including our electric bill by turning off the central a/c unit and running 2 window units in the front 2 rooms of the house, essentially cooling about 300 sq ft vs 900 sq ft, but this past week with the temps reaching upper 90s and low 100s I have been absolutely miserable. So we are going to break down and get one more unit to use up front and move one of the current ones to a back bedroom for our dogs. Our bill from Oct to April was only $130 each month, and for May it only increased $30 to $160 running the 2 units, so I'm hoping adding the 3rd won't take us too much over $200/mo which is still MUCH better than our $400-550 bills we had last summer running the central unit. Just this weekend the back of the house reached at least 97 degrees while the front was approximately 85, even though I suspect it was warmer than that. I'm trying to handle the heat, but it's very hard when I'm a cold lover by nature. The new job is helping me lose weight so hopefully that will help with me tolerating the heat this summer.

Ok, enough babble for now...

Hiatus

2008-04-09T22:58:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't posted in a while. I've completed several projects and taught myself how to knit since my last post. I'll try to get some photos up soon!!!

Baby Granny Square Afghan

2008-01-31T02:15:00.000-08:00

Since it's the middle of the night and I have all the lights off except one lamp, this isn't the best photo, but this is the start of an afghan I'm making for my childhood friend Liz. She's due to have a little boy in April. She said she's doing a Jungle theme, so I figured I'd do something a little more boyish that he can grow up with. Here are the links for the yarn and pattern:

Yarn (from Hobby Lobby): http://www.craftsetc.com/store/item.aspx?dep=20&cat=60&subcat=12&IsOnSale=0&IsFeatured=0&IsNew=0&ItemId=77422

Pattern: http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/granny-lg.html

My First Pillow

2008-01-06T21:59:00.000-08:00

Front

Seam

Back

I used Hobby Lobby's Yarn Bee in Airy.

Afghan for Grandma Ermina

2007-11-25T02:01:00.000-08:00

This is the afghan I'm currently making for Tony's Grandma Ermina as a Christmas gift.

Fingerless Gloves

2007-11-09T21:31:00.000-08:00

Here's one of the fingerless gloves I made for my Halloween costume. I got the pattern from:

http://plcdesigns.blogspot.com/2006/12/free-fingerless-gloves-pattern.html

Cell Phone Pouch

2007-11-09T21:10:00.000-08:00

Here's a little pouch I just made for my cell phone. I took just under an hour to make. If I had thought about it I would have added a bead to it before I sewed up the sides so I could button it closed. I can make note of that for next time. :-)

Beige Snood/Slouchy Hat

2007-10-17T22:09:00.000-07:00

Ok so here's my 2nd attempt at the slouchy hat from:
http://jessicasuzanne.com/craftypants/2007/09/13/pretty-puffs-slouchy-hat-with-pattern/

Diane's girls love it, so I'm making Maddy an orange one w/a scarf and probably fingerless gloves for Christmas, and Cilla I'm doing the same only in dark pink.

For myself, I personally prefer the camo skull cap in my first post.

Knit Sleeper Blanket

2007-10-17T21:31:00.000-07:00

Here is the first square I've made for the blanket for Tony's sleeper. For those of you who don't know what a sleeper is, it's the back section of an 18-wheeler cab that the driver sleeps when he's not driving. My husband recently bought a truck that he is fixing up, and rather than giving him my blankets in the house, I thought I'd make him a blanket for when he's over the road. He's been begging me to knit him something, and so this is my begginer's project while I teach myself.

This square is knit both sides, 50 stitches wide with 10.5 needles, that comes to 13.5" wide. I goofed on the length and it's only 13 long, but it'll stretch so it's no biggie. The square I'm doing now is K (knit) 1 row, P (purl) 1 row, so the alternating squares will have different textures. Then I'll sew all the squares together with a different colored yarn. I'm thinking maybe black or blue, but if you have a different idea, let me know. His truck interior will be black vinyl when he's done reapholstering and pearl white and pearl blue paint on the outside. It's a 1982 Peterbilt 359 for any of you interested in trucks.

Snood

2007-10-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

Ok, here's a snood I made based off a pattern from the link listed below. My stitches were too tight, so the opening was too small for an adult head. My mom is the one holding the hat, and she knows a 5 year old who will enjoy it, so now I will attempt a larger one. The yarn is Caron Simply Soft in Rubine Red.

http://jessicasuzanne.com/craftypants/2007/09/13/pretty-puffs-slouchy-hat-with-pattern/

Ezrinjaz Original Quick Skinny Scarf

2007-09-30T21:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a scarf I made tonight. I didn't use a pattern. It is simply a single crochet using an N hook. It measures approximately 64 inches. I wanted it to hit me at the waist if I wrapped around my neck once, so if I needed extra warmth I could wrap it a second time and it not be too short. This is the first scarf I've made that I absolutely love! And it only took me about 3 hours to make (including getting up and down several times).

About the scarf:
Tools: Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn in Pale Antique Rose. It is a bulky weight yarn. N/9.00mm crochet hook. Tapestry needle and yarn needle threader.

Pattern:
Row 1: ch 11
Row 2: turn, sc in each ch beginning with second ch from hook (10 sc), ch 1
Row 3: turn, single crochet in back stitch of each sc (10 sc), ch 1
Row 4+: repeat Row 3 until desired length.
To finish: end with slip stitch and weave in ends with tapestry needle.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

The Sudzo Hat!!!

2007-09-30T00:41:00.001-07:00

I wasn't sure which you would like more, Toezie!

Fingerless Gloves

2007-09-28T00:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, these are the fingerless gloves that I am considering trying to make to go with Libby and my skull caps. This photo is taken of a page in "The Cool Girl's Guide to Crochet" by Nicki Trench.

Libby's Skull Cap

2007-09-28T00:35:00.001-07:00

Here's a beanie/skull cap I just finished for my favorite Liberty Chic!!! I hope she likes it. :-)

I used the beanie pattern from "The Cool Girl's Guide To Crochet" and used Bernat Camouflage Yarn in Pink Camouflage with an F hook.

2007-09-11T11:09:00.000-07:00

Yay!!! My first finished afghan!!! I just spoke to Maria, and she's leaving for Mexico a week from Thursday. She's meeting her family in Cuernavaca (where she's from) and they are taking a family trip to Acapulco which is a few hours away. This will be the first time Maria's parents will meet her daughter, Emily, and this month is Max's birthday, so they will have a little family party for him there instead of here in Texas. Maria's very sad I can't go with her, but unfortunately I just can't afford the airfare. :-( I'm so happy she'll get to see her mother though, and I hope her mom enjoys this afghan. I've thought of her the entire time I made it, and I think it's super special that I happened to finish it on 9/11. I'll never forget it.

Knit Sweater

2007-09-10T09:52:00.001-07:00

Here's a photo of the sweater and the beginning attempt at it!!!

Knitting

2007-09-10T04:25:00.000-07:00

Ok, so my curiosity has gotten the best of me, I have been dying to learn how to knit, so I taught myself tonight with some assistance from www.knittinghelp.com. I'm making a sweater from The Cool Girl's Guide to Knitting by Nicki Trench. I'm using the Bernat Soft Chunky in Pale Antique Rose. I love sweaters so I'm going to try to knit one and crochet one each this season.

Halfway Thru Afghan for Artemisia

2007-09-03T17:55:00.000-07:00

Here is the first half of the afghan. The finished product is supposed to be 40x60", but as of right now, the afghan is 44x25. So it may end up more of a square when it's done.

Afghan for Artemisia part 2

2007-08-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, here's a photo of the beginning of the afghan. Maria helped me pick out the colors, she says it looks like the Texas flag, I think it looks like the American flag, either way Maria said no one in Mexico will know, they don't even know what their own flag looks like. lol.

I absolutely love this stitch though, I think I'll definitely use it again for myself.

Afghan for Artemisia

2007-08-26T00:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, the stadium afghan is going on hold for the moment. I just talked to one of my dearest friends and she informed me that her mother is very ill. She recently had a heart attack while she was at the hospital with her husband and now only one of the chambers in her heart is working. We don't know how much longer she'll be with us, so I've decided to make her a blanket that Maria can take to her when she visits her in Mexico in a few weeks. I'm using the Caron Simply Soft (like usual) in dark country blue, off white, and autumn red. Here's the pattern I am planning to try: http://home.att.net/~susanbinkc/patterns.html?avshell2.html. I'll post photos as I work on it. And for those of you who read this and pray, please pray for Artemisia, she is a truly beautiful individual.

Stadium Blanket Part 2

2007-08-14T13:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo of the blanket so far.

Stadium Blanket Part 1

2007-08-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

My MIL's 60th birthday is coming up in November and while I could always get her a gift certificate to Tractor Supply and make her the happiest person on earth, I thought I'd crochet her a stadium throw she can take with her to her step-grandkids football games. The pattern I'm using is shown here: http://home.att.net/~susanBinKC/patterns.html?ripple.html but I'm changing the colors and how many rows of each I make. The school colors are green and white with a black accent, so I'm starting with a couple rows of white, 3-4 rows of green (haven't decided yet, I'm starting the green now, then one row of black. The yarn I'm using is the Caron Simply Soft with an I hook. It's a very loose stitch, but it's turning out extremely soft. I'll post some photos once I get the camera charged and some more rows done.

Everyone else is doing it...

2007-08-05T20:59:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I've broken down and decided to start a blog here. Warning, it will probably be pretty boring, but so what? It's for me. So... now what?

Well, in case I ever decide to change my profile photo, and I probably will, I'll post this photo here. I'm wearing the first hat I've ever crocheted. I'm extremely proud of it. I can't wait to start making more clothes!!! I have an odd body type so I can make stuff to fit me in styles that I like! WooHoo! I envision a whole camouflage outfit: skull cap (photo here), long skinny scarf, fingerless gloves, long skirt, and either military boots or western boots. Oh! And some big silver hoop earrings. How cute would I be???

I love funky clothes. I have a very hard time finding any stores that sell what I like though. So once I also figure out how to use my sewing machine, I'm set!!! Funky, fat girl clothes!

Ok, now to go find people to read my colloquy.