On my heart

I am a Christian. If you did not know that about me before, you do now. To me being a Christian is about my own personal relationship with God, not belonging to a particular denomination or religion. I am grateful to live in a day, time, and country where I can worship freely and can speak my views openly. Keep this in mind as you continue reading.

There is a great deal of talk of tolerance and respect being shouted for one and all to hear ... yet what is the message? I am supposed to be "tolerant" of others' views even when they conflict with my own, yet when others hear my views they are not "tolerant" of me - why is that? When did tolerance turn into agreement? Why can't it be simple acknowledgement of differences and respect of others? Why do I have to embrace a view that is drastically different from my own but I cannot (nor do I want to) force someone else to embrace mine? Why do I get labeled, branded, and judged for my views when I do not use those labels on others? Why am I lumped in with others who claim the same beliefs that I have but when you truly study their views and actions do not represent me and my beliefs?

Christmas Knitting

Below is a list of gifts I've made, am making, or will make in the future.

1. E's "Fred" - done.
2. J's "Ninja" - in progress.
3. R's "Jacque Cousteau Cowl" - future.
4. J's present - future.
5. J's "Warm Socks" - future.
6. H's present - future.
7. M's Cowl - future.
8 - 24. Mini-stockings for a variety of special people - future.
25. 2 Teacher presents - future.
26. Do I really need more?

I'll get back to working on these just as soon as I finish designing and making my Wrist Sock iPod Cozy, because I need to have inspiration while I work. Right?

Movin' Right Along

I love the Muppets. The original ones, from the 70's & early 80's, with Kermit & Gonzo & Miss Piggy & Fozzie & Waldorf & Statler & Dr. Bunson Honeydew & Beaker & Scooter. The original "Muppet Show" with Pigs in Space & the Swedish Chef. The movies "The Muppet Movie" and "The Muppets Take Manhattan" and "The Great Muppet Caper." I love the music and the stories and the lessons I learned - it's not easy being green (or red or yellow or blue), but it's ok & it's beautiful and I like it and it's what I want to be; never agree to help Fozzie with a joke because more often than not it will backfire or just plain not work; don't try to figure out the Gonzos in the world, just appreciate them for who they are; sometimes there are going to be people who heckle you & pick on you regardless of what you say or do; and singing loudly (in-key or out) can make a bad day better and a good day great.

How did I get on this subject again?

Oh yeah. I was going to post about how it's the end of summer and school will be starting next week here. Changes are coming, ds is going into 5th grade and dd into first. I'll be volunteering again, dance and tae kwon do will start soon, girl scouts and boy scouts will keep us hopping, and just for fun I've decided to take ballet. No, I'm never going to be a ballerina, never wanted to. It just sounded fun, and I really like the woman teaching the class. Anyway, changes are coming & I'm not sure how often I'll be posting... but having said that, I'm kind of a random blogger anyway, and I like it like that.

"Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection...
the lovers, the dreamers, and me."

I'm famous!

Well, no actually I'm not. But I did answer a survey about craft blogs and I'm one of 3 craft bloggers in South Dakota, which I think is pretty cool. Here's the link to the results, and by the way the survey is still open just in case anyone wants to add their two cents:
Craft Book Project
This survey is actually part of a woman's thesis, which I find quite amazing. I never could have imagined, years and years (and years, if you must know) ago when I was in college this strange thing called The Internet would be this big, this important, this much a part of everyday life. Way back in The Dark Ages (ie, when I was in college) the World Wide Web was young and kind of scary, and many of us weren't sure it would be around for long. I remember working at the front desk in my dorm and a friend being in the office behind me, claiming to be talking with someone in Russia. I didn't believe her, I thought it was probably someone much closer who said they were in Russia but trying to scam her. Fast forward to now and not only do I talk with people around the world but I absolutely love reading craft blogs from Norway, England, and anywhere they post in English. I salute the creator of the project and her effort, what a neat idea and wonderful execution. Great job, Alicia de los Reyes!

Aren't I crafty?

Well, no actually, I'm not. I like doing crafts, but I don't think of myself as crafty. Having said that, here are some things I've made or done semi-recently.

               Painting a bathroom should count, right?

               Family bracelet

               Gift bag

               Lanyard

               Monster for graduation gift

               Wall Organizer

Hmmmmm... maybe I am crafty after all :)

Look at what I found!

While meandering around the internet looking at anything that could keep me from doing housework, I found this wonderful post, which I am going to 100% try to figure out how to add as a button or catch or whatever it's called... someday. It's titled "Blogging without Obligation" which makes perfect sense to me - this is not a business or a necessity, but something fun to do when I have the time. Simple & to the point. Great, ain't it? Don't you wish more of life were like this?