Resolutions

As you know I have a very lofty goal for myself this year. I wanted to share how I was doing. I did my first Yoga work out of the year. It was only ten minutes long but the slow movements had me out of breath. Man, I am way out of shape. That is weird saying, "out of shape" because really I have a nice curvy soft shape. Maybe I should say I am out of fitness instead... No, you are right it doesn't quite work either. The first one is done. I have walked a total of four miles so far. Not good, but baby it's cold out there. Haha. No really my husband had last week off and I find it super hard to get motivated when he is home. I will walk tonight. I like to get into the habit of moving my body and work up to a run. It makes it feel less daunting. 

What else? I have been writing. It is slow because I have to write in between times. So it is a few minutes there and a few minutes here. All I need is one word at a time. My class started yesterday and it looks like it will be at the very least interesting. 

I have been actively working on letting go of grudges. It is hard to set it a side. My whole self wants to explain to the person why their actions were hurtful. I know that it doesn't matter to said person and that person is super self centered so the person may never understand. Once I made this realization it became easier. I am only hurting myself. I have been praying for that person and have sent a couple prayers and inspirational quotes to the person. I will be positive and I will move forward. Not all people need to like me, and not everyone will appreciate me. That is okay. I still want to do good for others and will always to my best to be helpful. That makes me happy.

How are you doing on your resolutions? 

I hope your day is filled with love, laughter, and inspiration. Be well friends.

New Year's Resolutions

 

This is the time of year where I think about what I want to accomplish in the New Year. Right now it feels like we are juggling a million possibilities, and not one of them is in our control. That is the way of the military life. Sometimes it is smooth sailing as it has been for us for the past three and a half years but you're bound to run into turbulence from time to time. Between you and me I feel like we can not be anything but grateful for have such a long run of good luck. We are ready to face the on coming storm.



Before I get into my new resolutions I would like to face the old list.

New Year Resolutions for 2013

 1. Make a granny square blanket. Oh, dear. I made about half of the squares or less. I am not good at multi tasking. I can only focus on one thing at a time. I will work on it soon. 
2. Work on paying down our debt. Well, we started out okay and then the air conditioner went out, the stove had a crazy breakdown, and well life throw a wrench in our plans. We will try again.
3. School I am going to take one eight week class at a time. Nailed It.
4. I am going to focus on exercise this year. Haha, Last minute achievement. I ran two 5k's in December. It counts!5. Lose a little weight to the tune of 12 pounds or so. Again I weigh the same. Lame!6. Finish the projects I start. I did finish several projects this year but I always have things on the burner. Nailed it.
7. Make the boys each a pair of Pajamas. I can not remember if I made the boys Pajama's. I did make other things. Maybe.
8. Sew two new dresses. Yes, I did do this one. So what if one of the dress went to a lovely little girl. It still counts. Nailed it.
9. Get an updated Family photo. Fail, Epic fail. I need to let go of my own issues and make a point to do this.
10. Get organized and get on a cleaning schedule. I need to do this badly. . . Enough said.
11. Write one page a day on my book. I wrote 40 pages in word. It is sitting there waiting for me. I can not multitask! My brain shuts down if I try to load it up. 
12. Be More productive. I did okay.
13. Finally Can more food for my family. I did this! Yes.


Well, here we are. It looks like I did okay 2013. How did you do? I bet you did better then you think you did. You know me I like a long list of goals but in 2014 I only have one. One giant one that will bring me to my knees so that I can come out the other side new. Too Big? No, it is tiny.

My New Year's Resolution for 2014 is.

I am going to work on myself so that I can become a better person.

1. Let go of grudges and forgive the people who have hurt my poor feelings.
2. Let go of my twisted body image.
3. Do more Yoga.
4. Less Gossip.
5. Finish my AA.
6. Clean more.
7. Love more.
8. Finish what I start.
9. Write more.
10. Run more.
11. Sign up and complete a half Marathon (circumstances allowing).
12. Focus on my kids more.
13. Attend Mass regularly not just holy days and youtube.
14. Finally, garden more with my husband.

Well you did know I like to make a list. But as you can see everything falls under only one category. No weight loss goals this year even though I was tempted but instead I decided on a lofty fitness goal. The Rock and Roll Marathon happens here in San Antonio in December so I have a year to get ready.

What are some of  your goals for the year?

I hope that your day, week, month, year is filled with inspiration, love, and laughter. Be well friends.

 

Granny Square Border Time

Finally it is time to add a border to our blanket. You get to choose the border. I know I have been giving you options but I really want you to enjoy your blanket. Are you ready?

Shell Border

I know she is making this flower border for a basket but we could use it for our blanket. If you like it.

Puff Stitch Border

I think this is cool.

How cool is this Interlocking Crochet border?

 

Of course you could also do a simple border of single crochet stitches or double crochet stitches. I think I will do the shell stitch because it is simple and looks crazy good. OR maybe that Interlocking one. This is it the end of our crochet along. If you are not finished yet don't worry neither am I. Take your time, it is not a race. I will update each of the squares as I finish them. I would love to see how yours turn out.

I hope your day is filled with love and laughter. Be well my friends.

Joining your squares!

So there are a few ways to join your squares together. I am going to give you a couple of options. Watch the videos and use the one that you like the look of the most.

The first tutorial is from the Crochet Crowd. I happen to enjoy Mikey's videos

I also like that his squares look like they are different sizes and he shows us that they are the same size. So take a deep breath. Ours will look wonky because we have at least ten different squares.

Now Bobwilson123 gives us a slightly different variation that will allow for the squares to lay flat. And I like that she tells us to match our corners in case we are using different granny squares.

I like this one because we did a couple of flowers.

Finally I like that this video uses different sizes.

 

I know that having so many videos may cause a little confusion. But there is really no wrong way. Take a deep breath pick your method and sew them together. If you did a border around each square in one color like I did with the light blue use that color to make the seam blend in together. You can do this.

I hope your day is filled with love and laughter. Be well my friends.

Eek! It our last square for our granny sqaure blanket!

So I went back and looked at all of the other squares and I decided to post two squares for the month. One is a another basic square like the January square, and the other is a flower square. You choose which one you like best or that will help create balance.

A beginners square. Nice and easy.

 

Finally the last flower square.

 

Of course you could go and scan youtube for other great ideas and tutorials. There are a ton of options from wonderful people. There are also lots of free written patterns online. Next month we will sew together the squares. So when you are ready layout all of your squares to see how might want to put them together. If the squares are slightly different sizes don't panic just organize them in a pleasing way. We will sew them together then we will add a lovely border that will clean up the edges and no one will notice the difference. Besides this is our first granny square blanket so be kind to yourself and your blanket. It will be beautiful.

I hope your day is filled with love and laughter. Be well my friends.

Ninth Granny Square

Here is September's granny square. I think this one looks fun. Remember that if you do not like the square for the month you can do eight of your favorite square so far. Obviously this not a race or else I would be tailing the at the very end. Please take your time and be kind to yourself. I am looking forward to making this square. This can be done in one color, two colors, or three like it is shown in the video. If you are planning on doing a solid color or just two colors just watch the video all the way through so that you know what to expect.

Have fun!

I hope your day is filled with inspiration, love, and laughter. Be well my friends.

Eighth Granny Square

Here is another granny square. I know I am a little late posting this months granny square, I hope you will forgive me. I decided to do another semi solid square for a symmetry, and so that you will have another type of square to decorate with all of the appliques you have made so far. Only two more granny squares until we start sewing them together. I hope you will share your finished projects with me. I will update these as I get caught up with them

 

 

How about some whales applique.

And Fish appliques

And a cute little duck

 

Cherries!

 

 

I feel a little guilty for posting late so I wanted to make it up to you by giving you extra applique videos. I hope you find something you like.

I hope your day is filled with inspiration, love and laughter. Be well my friends