Another Crocheted Scarf

I'm still on my scarf kick.  I've started crocheting a hooded scarf in lavender.  Purple is one of my favorite colors.  The pattern is very easy but it's taking me longer to finish because I started back to work full time this week - almost 2 months after my car accident.  I start to poop out around 2:00 pm and by the time I get home a little after 4:00, I pretty much just want to rest.  I am hoping that my strength and stamina return soon.  As soon as I finish the scarf, I will post directions and a picture. 

Cascading Potato Chip Scarf

I'm on a bit of a scarf kick and when I heard the words "potato chip" in the same sentence as "scarf", I was intrigued.  It turns out to be a super easy scarf to crochet.

I found the pattern at http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Hats-Scarves-Gloves.  Just search for cascading potato chip scarf.  If you're new to crochet, this is a good project to start with.  I love the blue (Red Heart Blue) against the brown (Coffee Fleck).  Hope you enjoy!

PS - I am now the proud owner of a 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan in metallic blue :)

I'm Off To Buy A Car - I Hope :)

I think that I've found my new car.  I've been doing a lot of research.  I decided to go with a new car because the cost of buying a good quality used car is more than the cost of a new car (or so I read).  I believe it, because I have looked at a lot of cars online and the difference in price is not significant; in some cases, a used car actually costs more than the new model.  OK. 

My primary source of information was  http://www.edmunds.com/.  You can search for new or used cars based on make, design, price, options, etc.  I decided that I wanted a 4 door sedan under $15,000.  I was leaning towards a Nissan because my old car was a Sentra.  I went and test drove a Nissan Versa and I loved it - four doors, automatic, power windows & doors, power locks, 6 cup holders (very important), a big trunk, and lots of leg room. 

Next I went to http://www.truecar.com/ and found out where I could get the best price for a Versa.  I printed off my price guarantee certificate and talked with a salesman who told me that he could give me an even better price and the color I want.  How great is that?

So here's a picture of the car that I want and hopefully, by the end of the day tomorrow, I'll be driving it.

A Simple Winter Scarf

It doesn't get cold here in Florida very often, but we're looking at a second night with a hard freeze - time to cover the plants and pipes and bundle up with a jacket and a scarf.  Most of the time though, wearing a scarf  in Florida is more of a fashion statement.  My daughter-in-law loves anything purple, so for Christmas, I crocheted this simple scarf for her.

It's easy to make and only uses one skein of yarn.  I used "I Love This Yarn" in mixed berry from Hobby Lobby.

Use a size K crochet hook.

Chain 27.

Foundation Row: single chain (sc) in 2nd chain from hook.  1 sc in each chain to end of the chain.  Turn.  You should have 26 single chain stitches.

First Row:  Chain 3 (counts as a double crochet (dc).  Skip first two sc.  In next sc, *(1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc).  Skip next 2 sc.  Repeat from * to last 2 sc.  Skip 1 sc and 1 dc in last stitch.  Turn.  You should have a total of 26 stitches.

Second Row:  Chain 1.  1 sc in each chain to end of the chain.  Turn.  (26 sc).

Repeat First and Second Row until you run out of yarn.  Finish with a 2nd row.  Fasten off.  Scarf measures approximately 45 inches.



Another New Year and I Have to Buy a Car

Today a new year begins.  I looked back at some of my posts from last year and it brought back a lot of good memories.  Although I had some bad times in 2011, overall, there was more good than bad.

This year my first challenge will be to purchase a car.  My car was totalled in the accident that I had on November 15th, so for the first time in almost 7 years, I'm without a vehicle.  Luckily, I don't have to rush my buying decision.  I live close enough to my job so that I can either walk or ride my bike.  I have a lot of friends who will take me to my doctor's appointments and my son will take me grocery shopping.

I know that in order to buy a car, I need to have a budget, I need to know the make and model of the cars that I'm interested in, I need to decide whether I want to buy a new car or a used car, and of course, I have to test drive the cars.  My old car was paid for, so I'm looking at the possibility of having a car payment - yikes!  It's a big decision, but I'm making my decision in steps.

Where, Oh Where Have I Been? This is Personal.

When I started my blog I had hopes of being just a bit more disciplined about writing.  So, ok, I haven't done the best job, but at least now I have a good excuse.  On November 15th, my car was struck by a garbage truck that ran the red light.  I remember hearing a horn, I remember looking to my left, and then I remember no more until my car came to a stop.  You know it's funny what you think about after you have an accident.  I literally crawled out of my car because I had to go to work and I was wondering why I hurt so much.  I looked around the inside of my car and was amazed at how much broken glass there was and surprised that both my air bags had deployed.  Who was that woman who called 911?  And thank you Eric for holding me and telling me that everything was going to be OK.  I always wondered what it was like to ride in an ambulance and it isn't fun at all.  I thought that having pneumonia or natural childbirth was the worst pain that I had ever experienced, but I have to put broken ribs in my top three.  The first few days in the hospital were the easiest and the worst - pain & sleep, pain & eat, pain.  Walking and breathing with a fiery knife in my side.  My poor car - my Nissan Sentra - I named her Ruth.  Totalled.  I never saw my car again.  My sister went and picked up my personal items and seeing the car made her cry.  A few more inches and I wouldn't have survived; such calm and peace knowing that dying is ok.  So here I am, what? 5 weeks later, and a few days away from Christmas, and my rib is healing, and my neck and back are aching, and I have a headache that won't go away and I survived.  And sometimes I can't sleep and I get nervous around large trucks, and I clench my teeth at the intersection where my accident occurred, and I cry, but the worst part are the dreams.  In my dreams, I hear the garbage truck's horn and I wake up shaking and crying because I know what's going to happen.  So pray for me as my mind and body continue to heal and thank God that he let me live.

55 Days and Counting

Soooooooooooo, I read today that Christmas is 55 days away - that's less than 2 months!  Holy cow, where did the year go?  I have stuff to buy, but more importantly I have stuff to make!  With the economy the way it is, I plan on making at least one gift for everyone on my gift list.  Plus, there are stockings to stuff!  OK, I know Christmas is not about presents or money, but gifts are a way of showing our friends and families how much we care about them and I believe that homemade gifts are extra special.