Happy Birthday Daughter:)

It is so hard to believe that my Sadie is only a couple years younger than I was when I had her and she is the loving mother of my 7 month old darling grandson.

She has grown into a lovely young lady and I'm very proud of her and I hope this birthday is as special as she is.Love Mom

Some Of My Projects From 2011

I realized I had roughly 15 projects I knit in 2011 and didn't blog about them so going to do it over several posts over the next week so here are a few:)

Growing Up So Quickly

Yesterday our 2nd grader's class put on a musical for all the parents it was so adorable had to share:)
The girls are getting over viruses and ear infections the weather has been strange.
I cannot knit still to painful and awkward so just enjoy time with my family.
On the health situation for me we are having to make changes rapidly.
I started chemo meds last week but the pills gave me mouth sores so their going to teach us how to do injections since my hands and wrists are really bad hubby will be doing them for me once a week we are hoping it will help me get more mobility back and less pain.
If we can slow down or supress my immune systems attack on my joints then I can be more active but it takes time and finding the right medicine to achieve this and so we hope this medicine will be a good fit.
Hoping everyone is well and missing you all.

Living With Grace:)

My friend Grace has taught me this she has her struggles but is always there sending you her love and encouragement and my girls call her grandma Grace:)
They love to send her pictures they draw and their favorite dolls are ones she has knit them.
Alora cannot sleep without her bunny which was the first knitted stufftie that Grace sent her.
 I need to have my hubby take a picture of all of the toys she has lovingly knit them over the years and she has sent me care packages threw every difficult health issue I have faced with shawls and scarfs to wrap me up in a hug from her & Tom her loving hubby and Masterblocker:)
I have been recently diagnosed with chronic psoriatic arthritis and find out tomorrow what medicine the Rheumytologist wants to try and he will tell us how things will change for us what to exspect.
 Grace sent me Charlotte my own Monster to hug and sent the girls phyllis and charity.
Letting me know we will fight this one together too.
 I want her to know how much it comforts us:)
My hubby has taken over as much as he can he cooks and cleans and cares for us and the girls are learning to be more independant.
We just got my Diagnosis a week ago so we haven't had time to tell all our family or our friends

but will take it day by day:)((((Hugs)))Darcy

We Are Still Alive And Kicking:)

Hubby has been gone a month and we still have 15 days to go I'm so exhausted but the girls are doing well in school and a friend took a picture of us at church on Sunday wanted to check in with everyone and let you know hopefully by November should be back to knitting and posting:)(((Hugs)))Darcy

G is For Grandma:)

My oldest Daughter had her first baby Sept 1 2011 Silas he was 6 pounds and 3 ounces.

I was so tickled and have some knitting to do for my little grandson:)
My hubby is gone on a tdy for 6 weeks already been gone a week we sent him this picture of Myself and Alora & Athena to cheer him up.

I'm hoping the next 5 weeks goes by quickly as my Birthday is October 25th and I want a date with hubby:)
What have you been up to?(((Hugs)))Darcy

Constantinople The Owl:)

Constantinople, has the owl constellation on his tummy and inside it too!
There are some gold bubbles that can be seen through his window-like front.
Georgie made C out of Triton, a reduction glass from Double Helix, and it has turned shades of blue as well as breaking into iridescent streaky cream striations (let's call them space clouds) . His ears are Mystic Grey, a translucent grey glass and his eyes are wonderful multi-hued nebulae.
I won this gorgeous blown glass owl from a blog giveaway at The Glass Owl November 22 2009.
I finally picked out my beads and accessories and made this wonderful and very special necklace:)
Thankyou Georgie for your generous gift it means so much to me:)
A little about the artist:
All beads are made by Georgie with enthusiasm and care in her home studio in Melbourne, Australia from Moretti/Effetre, Vetrofond, German and/or American glasses.

This was my entery comment that was picked:
My grandmother collected owls and when she passed away I got to pick out a white owl statue I keep it in my china hutch.
I found a story about owls:
The Owl was associated with the Greek goddess Pallas Athena. Soldiers have held the Owl as a special bird because it stays awake at night, which is the hardest time for soldiers to stay awake.
Some Native Americans see the Owl as the symbol of the soul.
I like this as my hubby is Airforce and our youngest daughter age 3 is Athena.
If I won the owl I would go to my local bead shop and make a necklace to wear:)
The owl reminds me of my grandmother she was always looking out for me ((((Hugs))))Darcy

"O Becky Your So Naughty" Baldwin's Little Sister

˙·٠•●♥ “O Becky Your So Naughty” is a Bathroom Monster who loves accessories and will dump out all the pretties trying to find just the right ones for dolling up but cleaning up is not her thing"♥●•··˙

Athena loves accessories and loves to get dressed up so I knew just what kind of Monster to knit her:)

I had fun learned how to embroider with embroidery floss and with yarn and how to make felt flowers and accessories.

The girls start school Monday one will be going into Kindegarten the other 2nd grade their very excitted :)                                                                                                                                                                             

Larry Crowne Video Knitting Joke:)

Tom Hanks and crew on set of Larry Crowne play a cute knitting joke on Julia Roberts so sweet:)

˙·٠•●♥ Summer Bliss ♥●•··˙

Last time I blogged alot was happening and I was feeling overwhelmed so hubby in his infinite wisdom sent me home.
I bought "The Big Book Of Knitted Monsters" By Rebecca Danger
I knit a Monster for Alora his name is Naughty Baldwin The Bathroom Monster.
I had some Yummy Malabrigo in a colorway that reminds me of my Summer's as a girl chasing the ice cream truck to buy a creamsicle on a hot day.
I bought the skein from SandraSingh.com
Alora loves her Monster and I'm knitting one for Athena right now in Malabrigo Colorway Cuarzo a lovely lilac:)

I visited my Son and Grandson and got some knitting time with friends and relaxed it was a therapeutic trip.
I spent 3 days with my son celebrated his 26Th birthday went out to eat went to the movies and we got pictures taken together:)
I spent my Grandsons last day of Kindegarten with him at his school and went to his Graduation the following day so special.
We are still working on health issues mine and Alora's are getting better but we haven't figured out Athena's yet but we will.
Everything has broken down or had to be replaced this year like washer & dryer ,vacuum,lawnmower,vehicles but we just deal with things as they come.
I'm taking time to just spend lazy days with the girls watching movies or reading them stories and cooking light healthy recipes for my family.
The Summer is going by quickly school starts next month.
Hopefully I will start to be a more frequent blogger until then tell me about your Summer:)

Tough Stuff Just Keep Your Chin Up:)

I find out next week the results of my bloodwork the doctor believes I have an autoimmune disease.
Alora has had an abdominal x-ray and ultrasound on her kidneys and has to go under for a proceedure on the 22nd.
Athena needs to go to the Children's Hospitol for her skin condition.
Our van broke down a week ago and needs repairs.
Alot is going on right now but with time we will get it all figured out.(((Hugs))))Darcy

Here Comes The Sun

Most days Iam dealing with cluster migraines and an overall feeling of exhaustion.
We are still trying to figure out what is causing them and I look towards that goal.
Athena's eye was turning in and we found out her eyes are worse than mine they put her in half the prescription that she needs to get her use to them in April they will reevaluate her she is doing better since getting glasses with her preschool work and she likes her glasses and is very careful with them she has an appointment next month to see a Dermatologist so we can figure out her skin problems.
Alora is dealing with some health issues as well so we have appointments every week between the 3 of us girls life is to busy and I feel overwhelmed alot but I know it is just the exhaustion that causes this.
March 7TH we had 70MPH winds we had to pay a $500 deductible to get 3 windows replaced in Toms car the winds uprooted big trees it was pretty scary just glad no one was hurt.
The other day I got a package in the mail from Grace she had tucked into this little box 2 knitted monster chunks one for each of the girls and underneath Sunshines Embrace a lovely shawl she knit:)
Yesterday I took the time to shower and do my hair and makeup so Tom could take pictures.
I wanted to show you the lovely and thoughtful gifts from Grace:)
When you have migraines you have to avoid light and the shawl she knit reminds me of a sunshiny day you cannot help but smile it is a hug and so appreciated and the girls love their little monsters so much.
Thankyou Grace you always know when to send hugs we love you bunches:)
I wanted to share something a friend wrote me this morning.


A Friend

She can deal with stress and carry heavy burdens.
She smiles when she feels like screaming and she sings when she feels like crying.
She crys when she is happy and laughs when she is afraid.
Her love is unconditional.
Pass this to every beautiful woman you know remind her she is unique:)

Update & Some Knitting:)

I had my oral surgery yesterday and thanks to everyones prayers and get well wishes it went well and Iam recovering well:)
Hubby is taking care of me and on the 31st will be fitted for partials so that I can eat solids again.
Next week I see the Neurologist about my Migraines so we are working on the health issues and Athena is getting better so everything is going great:)
I thought I would share the knits I did over the Holidays alot were little wee socks and one wee tiny ornament and I knit myself a warm hat for The January Month of knitting for self.Hugs Darcy
**I knit A Very Froggy Christmas:)Hugs Darcy**















**I knit Going Postal For My Letter Carrier Larry:)**














I knit Wee Tiny Sporty Sock for Sock Scrimmage:)















**I knit Starry, Starry Night Sockhead Hat for Myself to Wear Next Month On Our 7TH Wedding Anniversary On Valentine's Day:)Hugs Darcy**













I knit an Ornament Wee Tiny Elf Sock.













I knit a wee tiny Sugar Plum Ornament.















I knit a wee tiny Ravelry Sock.

Here We Go Again

Athena has strep she is on antibiotics again and although my van is fixed Iam a wreck cluster migraines and cannot see Neurologist yet because I have oral surgery on Wednesday.
Those of you who remember last years oral surgery well now I need the same thing done again but it is the exact same molar on the other side of my jaw and if the Ct Scan of my jaw comes back favorable then at the same time the Oral surgeon will be doing the implant for the spot from last years exstraction so to say iam stressed and worn out well that is a given so will be quiet for sometime hope when I come back it is with better news.Hugs Darcy

~*2011*~

`*Chillin With My Gnomies*`

Before We got sick back in November I knit these little guys for some friends of mine.








Athena no longer has staff infection which we are so grateful for thankyou for all your prayers and loving words it meant alot to us.
I still have not gotten the van fixed as I have gotten sicker and sicker with infection in my sinuses.
I had Friday labwork was put on 3rd antibiotic Levaquin and had a CT Scan will know results next week.
So no tree is up this Christmas but Hubby wrapped the gifts and in the morning we will take pictures and watch the girls faces light up over their presents and drink hot chocolate and read the Nutcracker and listen to TCHAIKOVSKY THE NUTCRACKER
SIMON RATTLE BERLINER PHILHAMONIKER gifts a friend of mine sent me that teaches ballet she thought the girls would love it:)
I sent out the picture Christmas Cards today one is making it's way to Grace.
I hope all my friends and their families have a safe and happy holiday together.
I know alot of us have been sick since Thanksgiving but with a New Year Brings New Hope.Hugs Darcy

When Bad Things Happen In 3's

Picture Taken At ER Of Athena's Leg











It all started a week before Thanksgiving found out I had an infection in my chest then we got a killer virus I refer to as the Terminator still trying to get over it.
Last Thursday our 4 yr old Athena was bitten by a poisonous spider and she had a fever then from her calf to her foot swelled up and I had to run her to The nearest ER 40 minutes away.
They said she had a staff infection and drew a circle around the infected area and said to get her into the pediatrician first thing in the morning and we did and it had spread both directions way past the lines and were even more red and swollen.
They had to give her 1 gram of antibiotics half in each thigh at one time and she has been on 2 oral antibiotics since then as well.
The swelling and redness is gone but the antibiotics are 5 times a day for a 10 day period.
I was just calming down from all of that when we got in a car wreck today now my back hurts and Iam emotional and exhausted.
I wanted all my blogging friends to know why my blog has been quiet.
I will eventually be back to keep you updated and hopefully our lives will get less crazy soon.Hugs Darcy

~*Happy Thanksgiving*~

What Iam grateful for is a loving family and friends:)
Watching Macy's Parade hope your weekend is filled with family and friends and food.Hugs Darcy

Beam N Read

The awesome folks at ASF Lightware Solutions sent me their Beam N Read LED 6 and I knew just what I would use it for.
We live in the Mojave Desert and I like to go walking at night this hands free light was the perfect solution to my problem as we have areas that I walk that don't have lights and we have coyotes and bobcats that roam the base at night so I needed some illumination.
My hubby also likes that oncoming cars can see me when I'm wearing mine and the light wont blind them as they pass me.
I feel alot safer on my walks now that I have it and it is light weight and the neck strap is adjustable so it doesn't bounce around it sits nicely on my chest as I am walking.
I love that it comes with the 2 filters The orange filter for softer light and the red filter to maintain night vision also it is good to note that magnifiers with the LED 6 and 103M are an accessory to the light that are beneficial for short periods of detail work by those with normal vision.
They are not low vision aids nor for use for extended periods.

Celebrated My Birthday:)

Birthday was today but hubby works so we went on a date Saturday we went to the movies and then out for Thai food and it was so much fun:)
Today was a busy day running the kids to and from their schools then I felt sick after dinner so will have cake tomorrow.
I got packages in the mail one from Grace and one from Mary and one last week from Kat will post pictures of presents tomorrow also Tom let me buy some awesome yarn when I get it I will take pictures:)
I finished my birthday sockhead hat I love it:)Hugs Darcy