Hospitality

I haven't had a lot of time for crafts lately. We've been working on income tax, discussing our positions on some important Biblical issues, trying to figure out how to pay for some very expensive medication that Phil needs sooner rather than later - fun stuff like that. One other thing I am doing is showing hospitality. The Contemporary English Version of the Bible renders I Peter 4:9 this way: "Welcome people into your home and don't grumble about it." How many times have you complained about something when you've invited people over for dinner? Perhaps the table didn't look right, or you asked a family member to do a chore and it wasn't done to your satisfaction. Or maybe the person you've invited to dine with you is picky about his/her food. Did your guests arrive late, wreaking havoc with the dinner? The list could go on and on! The point is, when we invite others into our home, we need to have a cheerful heart. I'm being challenged to truly serve my family (and friends), to forget about myself and my comfort, and focus on others and their needs.

To that end, I have been making elaborate - at least for me - meals of late, usually several times a week. What do I mean by that? Making certain that I have a main dish, vegetable, salad or other comparable side dish, and bread/starch, plus dessert. I admit to having become lazy when preparing meals for my family; sometimes, all I give them to eat is a main dish. Shame on me! You know what? I'm enjoying the challenge and the cooking! Of course, it helps that our frequent guest is truly wonderful, and feels comfortable with us and our home.

I suppose this post really belongs on my other blog, but I wanted to share what I've been doing. I long to do some sewing, but right now, I can't get to the sewing machine as Sarah has a project set out on the table. Besides, I have paperwork that must be done. Sigh.

Fun with a Monkey

Wow!  Has it really been two weeks since I posted?  It's been busy at our house, but that's nothing new. 

My daughter, Grace, is crazy for monkeys.  It's a true obsession.  Really.  Yes, she's just over three months shy of her 19th birthday, but I guess we all have our weaknesses, right?  Anyway, now I'm always looking for monkeys for her.  So what better to do than crochet her one?  I used the pattern here. 

Here he is, reading Lori's blog:

He thought Sarah needed help with her stitching:

 

Petting Callie (who was not amused):

 About to wash:

  

 Wondering why Phil hasn't put his socks away:

Gosh, he's so much fun, I just might have to make another one for myself!

Answering Questions

Heidi asked a bunch of questions that I thought I'd answer publicly instead of sending her an email.

1. How is DH doing? Do you always take along something to work on when he has to go to the hospital?

We had great and bad news about Phil this week. The good news is that he is off dialysis. He'll be monitored carefully for six to eight weeks, and if he's still ok after that time, they'll pull his catheter. However, the bad news is that the latest tests for the cancer showed a jump in the numbers. We do not understand why this is happening - it's the same scenario we had with the last drug he tried; namely, that he responded well at first, then the numbers started to climb. We see the doctor on Tuesday, and we have a lot of questions. Another bad thing about the cancer is that it was what caused the kidney failure in the first place, so if we can't get it under control, Phil will end up back on dialysis.

We have a Caring Bridge site where I do updates, if you're interested. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/philipingram You can sign up to get an email whenever I post updates so you don't have to remember to visit the site.

2. My cat loves to sit on my lap when I use an afghan. What do you do with yours?

With my cat, or with the afghan? I use the lap blanket I made when I sit in the recliner at night and read blogs and email. We set our thermostat to 58 degrees F at night, so it gets cold when I'm up, uh, late. As for the cat, she spends time in Sarah's room at night (Sarah bought her a little kitty bed, which she loves), but when she ventures into my room, she'll sit on the back of the recliner and sleep until I get into bed.

3. How can you choose which [purse] to use?

Usually my latest creation is the one that's currently in use. Other times I try to match my purse to my outfit. I have a few that are distinctly seasonal - one made from snowman fabric, and another that has delicate pink flowers on an off-white background.

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Thanks, Heidi, for your questions!

99 Experiences

Lori challenged readers of her blog, Musings of a Proverbs 31 Wannabe to share the things they've done from the following list. Here it is; I hope it helps you know me better! (The things I've done, I've put in bold letters.)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band/orchestra
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill (does doing that in high school count?)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Gone without food or water for 24 hours or longer
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Stayed up for 24 hours with NO sleep at all
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Changed a lightbulb
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Mowed the lawn
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (I think so, as a child)
85. Read the entire Bible (I'm ashamed to say I haven't)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Another "Miranda Day Bag"

The sewing bug hit me on Sunday.  Or rather, the desire for a new purse caught up with me, so I sat down to finish my newest Miranda Day Bag. (You can see my other versions here.)

I found the fabric on one of my trips to Hobby Lobby.  As so often happens, I had a picture in my mind of what I wanted, but couldn't find fabric to fit my image. 

Although I've made this bag twice before, some of the instructions made little sense to me today.  I guess I was just tired.  The one part of the bag I am not pleased with at all is the flap.  I'm now thinking that on the other bags, I used interfacing instead of batting, thus eliminating the bulk that I couldn't sew through very easily.  Once I stitched it, though, I didn't want to do it again, so I just left it.  After the bag was assembled, I decided to take another look through my button box for some accent buttons, which you can see I did indeed find.  I think it adds a nice finishing touch.  (I was just thinking that, with advance planning, machine embroidery could be done on the flap, too.)

Here's a shot of the inside.  I've been having problems with the stitching on the pockets ripping out, so I made sure to stitch back and forth at the top of each pocket section several times.

I'm looking forward to using my new bag when I take Phil to his doctor's appointment on Wednesday.  Until then, I'll try to stay cozy and warm at home.  I think there are more dishcloths in my immediate future . . .

Please Pray for Naomi

A young woman in our church was involved in a serious car accident on Monday. Her name is Naomi Hannah, and she is the daughter of our associate pastor and his wife. Naomi is in serious condition with a head injury, internal injuries, and a broken pelvis, and at this time, the doctors are unsure of her prognosis and actual condition. Please keep Naomi and her family in your prayers.

The Hannah family has set up a Caring Bridge page for Naomi. Please read more of her story at http://caringbridge.org/visit/naomihannah.

Callie At Play

A couple of nights ago, Callie decided to "help" me with my crocheting.  I was able to shoot this video of her . . . Enjoy!