Makaila Turns 9. Birthday Dec 19!! She has a cold so Granny blew out the cake candles and she had a snowman ring.

She got a Strawberry Christmas movie from her brother Adam and Toys in Playland from Tyler.

Granny made her some nice warm mittens.

And she got a very nice Musical Clown doll from us.

She had a great time eating cake and is now enjoying her movies.

She is thrilled cause she stills gets another party at home.

Celebrated Makaila birthday this afternoon. We were supposed to go to her house today but we were hit

with a huge snow storm, so we had a party at Granny's. It was a fun filled afternoon, now where is my pillow LOL...

Love This Time Of Year!

Got my tree up and trying to get out the rest of the decorations. My back has been giving me fits again so I have to do things in stages. I wanted to make sure I wished all of you my dear friends a very Merry Christmas. Know that I keep you all in my prayers.

I have been busy as you with the season. I have fudge to make and rice krispie treats, I add M&M's to them and they are a big hit with the adults as well as the kids. I have to get my sewing room set up and get my pillow cases made. The children always enjoy getting the pillows. I am finishing up a pair of mittens for my grand daughter and they turned out really cute. I will post some pictures when I get them finished. Makaila has been asking for a fish, so I am going to get her one for Christmas. I think I am having more fun than the kids. We are blessed to have the children on Christmas eve this year again. On Christmas eve we go to church and focus on the meaning of Christmas....the kids enjoy it so much. Please email me and let me know what are some Christmas traditions you share with your family.

Huggers, Dusty

Some Wedding Pictures

AUGUST 5, 2007
The wedding was very nice. I did get a few pictures from my brother's camera. This one is Michelle, Dusty, and Mike. Daddy was glowing as was the daughter.

We did have a professional photographer and we are waiting on the pictures. I hope I will be able to purchase them on CD so I can create slide shows and such.

Michelle and Chris one happy couple!

I will post more pics as I get them.

Mike did a beautiful toast to the couple and most everyone cried. Michelle sang a song to her dad during the father, daughter dance...it was awesome and daddy wept. Got some great shots of that, I will let you know the song when she sends it....she heard it when she was 14 yrs old and sat on it for her wedding.

Well, more later. Hugs Dusty

Count Down Time

We are in the home stretch now!! Wedding is this coming Sunday! Lots of traveling to do this week. I went last Thursday and got my dress. I was getting concerned cause I waited so long and all the stores are putting in their fall items. Michelle wanted me to get something with yellow in it....so after 3 stores and lots of walking, my girlfriend and I found the perfect dress and get this....it was $90 on sale for 39.99 and another 30% off that! Then I went shopping to try to find shoes to match....well I found a really cute pair....$67 on sale for $20! Now hubby said don't be telling everyone how much you spent...LOL...come on girls don't we just love to share our good finds! I then found a purse at Meijers...it was on sale too!! Next I have to get my a manicure and a haircut. Friday is the rehearsal dinner and then Sunday the wedding, lots of road time over the weekend.

My feet are doing much better after a couple of weeks of pain. I got some of those cogs from the Dr's office and what a difference they make. I still have some pain but it is much better. Bone spurs are just awful!!

I have been playing a game called "Animal Crossing" and it is so much fun. My daughter is into it also..the game is for 6 and up...we are the up part LOL....we play it on the game cube. Makaila thinks it is a great game.

You have a house and fill it with furniture...like a dollhouse. I have not have time to knit...hmmmmmmmmm I think I need to balance my game time with knitting..

Well here are some more pics of Tyler and Makaila having fun. It is a riot watching them play in the water.

Hugs, Dusty

Makaila giggled cause she thought he was so silly, she did not know that dogs like water sometimes.

Tyler loves to get sprayed by Tiki, it is so funny to watch him get a face full of water.

Dusty thought it looked pretty good to get cooled down so he joined Makaila in the water.

Face full of summer fun!

Give two kids a small pool, a hose and a dog and you have a great combo of fun.

Next post I will try to have some pics of the wedding.

God Bless and thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Dusty

Ramblings of the past week

Isn't he just busy chowing down LOL....we are enjoying our animals on our deck. They knock down the feeder so we just let it set on our porch. My window box is looking a bit sparse as we have a new member, a groundhog who thinks grannie's flowers taste good. Grannie is not amused.

My camera is not working. The card need to be reformatted. I tried to do it but it did not work. My brother said it was easy...isn't it always easy when you know how.

We are now getting geared up for the wedding on Aug 5. My feet are flaring up again with the bone spurs. I have an appointment tomorrow. I am waiting for a game called Animal Crossing for the gamecube. My daughter took my other copy and has been having a good time with it. It is a silly game where you just create a town and gather stuff. It is for ages 6 and up...my daughter is the up group. Lot's of adults are playing this game and having a good time. So I got me a copy so I could join in on the fun. The grandkids think it is great as they are playing it at home. Looks like I might have to be on the outlook for another gamecube. The things that amuse are are indeed a wonder at times. Like Ace Ventura says....ALL RIGHTY THEN!

I was very excited when I won the bid on Ebay for some Adventures in Odysedy tapes. They are great tapes with moral lessons in each one. I know the grandkids will love them. I am putting them back for Christmas. I have started to squirrel away presents. I know this is only July, that is what I thought last year and whoosh, it was December.

On August 12 we will have been here for a whole year already, wow, that went fast. We are renewing our contract. I really love our new location and hope we can stay here for a few years.

Well, time to get my day going, God Bless and catch you all later, hopefully with a fixed camera.

Michelle's Bridal Shower

The Bridal Shower was so much fun! Although it was terribly hot in the resturant. The air was not working correctly and the fans were broke. So among melting guests and candy we did manage to have a great time.
This picture starting from the left is: Leona my mother-in-law, then my daughter's Michelle and Trish. Seems like I turned my back and they became grown women.









This picture is from the left: Dusty, Mom Whelan and our beautiful bride to be, Michelle.
















Dusty and daughter Trish. Trish is, Adam, Tyler's, and Makaila's mom. She look so prety in her dress!






It was indeed a lovely afternoon. Watching you children grow and move into their lives is amazing!

I wanted to quick share some pictures of Tyler having fun in the sun. It is so hard to get good pictures of him. For those of you who do not know, Tyler is Austistic. I caregive for him 5 days a week. He is 13 now and is such a delightful child. Most of the time he is happy. Tyler is non-verbal. Tyler loves the water as you can see in these pictures. He also loves movies, and going to the malls and stores. He loves to swing in the park, the higher the better. I just the these pictures of him, especially the one's with grandpa.

So much fun and what fun it was taking the pictures! Well, now to get ready for the wedding on August 5th. I still have to buy a dress. My camera is stuck in picture error mode so now I have to track down what is up with that. Yikes I gotta have my camera LOL....Have a great week. Hugs, Dusty

Chipmonk Friend and Scarves

Isn't this just the cutest. Hubby is so delighted we have a chipmonk! The squirrels got quite frisky and down came the bird feeder so we put it on our porch. This little fellow is taking his turn among the bunny's, birds and squirrels.Such a treat to watch them!

Finished my green bowtie scarf, I just have to weave in the ends. The pattern went quickly. You can find the pattern in my patterns section. Next is my red on in progress..this one takes a bit more as I have a reversible cable going down the center of it. Picture did not come out as clear as I wanted it to. My LYS showed me how to do the cable.

Getting geared up for the shower on Sunday for Michelle. I went and brought her one of those big Jewerly cases on wheels for all her jewerly makings. I had a 40% off coupon which saved alot on it.

Well till next time,

Still on the Potter's Wheel, Hugs, Dusty

Summer Fun, Pool and Flowers

They do not seem to mind that the pool is so small, as long as there is water and they can get wet I have some happy children! Makaila loves the sprinkler especailly when it squirts out the top.

Hubby came home with a belated anniversary gift from his parents. They got us a hummingbird feeder and stand. We put it up next to our flower box. I sure do hope we get some hummingbirds. It is really a pretty one. It is shaped like a hot air balloon.

Here is the flower box that Adam was working on, it sure looks nice with a touch of color to it.

Now to finish up the the minute details this coming week for Michelle's shower.

Still on the Potters Wheel, Hugs, Dusty

Scarf Shawl For Makaila

This is a Scarf Type Shawl I made for Makaila. It is from the LionBrand Yarn Site. It was very easy to do. Makaila wanted me to post a picture of her on my blog for you to see her scarf shawl.

Makaila has been spending the week with Grandma and Grandpa and attending Larger Than Life camp. On Sunday she gets to be in the Choir at church with her other campers. We are very excited.

Still on the Potters Wheel, Hugs, Dusty

Shawls Done!!

This is our daughter Michelle. On Monday she and Chris came over for us to have our private pre-wedding welcoming Chris into the family and celebrating. We spent the whole day and into the evening with them. Michelle loved her shawl. I got to share some special mom-daughter time with her also. It is a time I pray she keeps in her heart as she gathers golden moments throughout her life. She said she was going to wear her shawl to the shower, which is one week from this Sunday. The wedding is on August 5th.







Next is the shawl I made for my other daughter Trish. It is a very easy to knit triangle shawl. I gave it to Trish yesterday, she was having a really rough day the day before and she was thrilled with the shawl.






This is a truer color of the shawl, isn't it amazing what different lighting does to colors.
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60301.html

I now will work on finishing my bowtie scarf. The first one is turning out a little bigger but it will still work.

Makaila is enjoying Larger Than Life Bible Camp this week. I take her each morning at 8:30 and pick her up in the afternoon at 3:30. You think she would be really tired...she is full of so my energy...maybe I will nail on shoe to the floor tonight LOL....this granny is having a busy week...it sure does bring back memories of raising my own children...but I didn't seem to poo out by 4 in the afternoon. No nap time this week. Um, when does school start back LOL...

Still on the Potter's Wheel,
Hugs, Dusty

Day In The Yard

Big trip out today. Makaila and Tyler and I went and picked out a few flowers to place in our window boxes. Makaila spots this pool and wants it even though it is very small.Well, here we are in the pool. I know a bit on the small size but the kids loved it anyway, but we do have a neat sprinker too..more about that in a moment. Ok this sprinkler shoots water out the sides and then it eyes open and shut, when the eyes open the water shoots way high in the air. Well, my dog did not know that...he walked by it just as it went off and what a fuss he made growling at it LOL


Makaila enjoyed the new flowerbox with all the flowers.

Adam helped with our other flower box.

It was a great afternoon! I think I am going to have to make a payment to my back though..it is hurting a bit even though I was careful...so I took some meds. Well the beds are stripped and laundry is going..just a couple more hours of work..but then I just had to go and sit down.

I have been working on my daughter's shawl and some scarves. Inbetween getting ready for the wedding shower and wedding. Summer is going fast. Makaila will be staying with us all next week so she can attend Bible Camp she is so excited. It will be a fun week.
More later everyone,

Still on Potter's Wheel,
Hugs, Dusty

Who would have thought??

We live right dab in the middle of a busy city. Our house is set back off the road. We have a large back yard. We were told when we moved in last year that deer frequently trotted across the back yard..(hmmmm we thought).

Well, yesterday, what come trotting across our back yard but two fawns. We think the mom might have been hit by a car cause she was nowhere in site. My hubby had to take the picture through the screen..they bolted when he tried to get close to get a picture. It is such a delight in our backyard, we have deer, squirrels, and even a bunny that we call three ears and one of his ears is split.

Currently I am working on this cute bowtie scarf pattern. It has a reversible cable up the center strip. It will have a slot at the other end to tuck the other end of the scarf thru it. It is being done in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. I also have a green Slotted Scarf in a dark green the picture did not show up great. I will try to get better pictures. I get some Baby Alpaca to do two more of these scarves..it is so soft and wonderful to work with.

Yesterday Tyler and I went for a drive and it was so hot. My AC is not working in my Bravado and it was miserable. I hope to get that fixed soon. We ended up at target and I got Tyler a lawn sprinkler for his birthday...we cannot have a pool, so I thought he would like to run in the sprinkler...hubby and I watched Ghost Rider last night with Nicholas Cage, (not that Nicholas Cage was here he was in the movie LOL)...while not one of his better movies it was entertaining. Well, time to get ready for church. They have a handicapped class for Tyler and he loves it. They have a huge window and he loves to walk back and forth looking outside. This has really worked out well for us as Mike and I can now attend our worship hour together. They have family hour at 5 tonight and we hope to make it back for that. My knitting ladies at church meet from 6-8 tonight and I am looking forward to that. So have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Till next time...
Still on the Potter's Wheel,
Hugs, Dusty..

No Electricity!

Last night around 3 a.m. in the morning we awoke to the sound of several transformers popping! Flashes of white and bang...my dog was not happy at all about it. So we were without electricity for most of the day. My daughter brought over her generator and we use that to save our freezer stuff. So now what to do, can't phone anyone, can't use the computer, hmmmmmmmmm, what to do...okay so I went outside and help my daughter pull weeds and get the yard ready for tommorrow's flowers. Yikes it was hot..but I did pretty good for not being an outdoor type of person. If fact it was kinda exciting about getting some pretty colors in the yard. Tyler handled it pretty well considering he did not get to watch his morning movies...

So we finished up at noon and I was able to soot over to my yarn shop for some instruction on how to make the really cute bowtie scarves...I wrote down all the instructions on how to do the cable down the center strip...me thinks these will make great gifts. Got home and was surprised to find out I needed to get some size 6 needles...good thing I have a 40% of coupon! So off to JoAnn's then back home for a nap, then happy evening of knitting.

Will post some pics of my progress soon.

Still on the Potter's Wheel,
Hugs, Dusty

Found the Perfect Box!!!

Isn't it amazing what nice things we can find in the grocery stores now. And what a bonus with stores like Meijers...not only do groceries...but bunches of other items too. I found the perfect box to package Michelle's shawl! She loves birds and hummingbirds are one of her favorites! So I see this round box with the same colors that are in her shawl! I put it in the cart then back out, in and out..it was $10..I really wanted to next size down..but eventally someone did too and all they had left was the large and tiny sizes. Well I put it back thinking that I did not want to pay that much for it...so then I get to the checkout...now the conversation going on in my head was so funny....I was scolding myself..you know you should get that box...how many times have you not gotten something and regretted it later....you know when you get home you are going to come right back and get it..(oh come-on you do this too. LOL....So I had the check-out person hold everything and ran back and got it...I sure am glad I did..I might of beaten myself up when I got home without it. (My hubby sure does like you all...I can just ramble on and on...)
Not only did I find the big box...I found this cute little box also! I have a necklace from my mom that I want to give to her. I am pondering doing up something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue also....do you know that the rest of it goes..and a sixpence for her shoe..
Okay time to get busy before the kids get here,
Still on the Potter's Wheel,
Hugs, Dusty

Some Doings...

This is my dog, Dusty...he is such a riot. We were very forunate this weekend. He got loose and was standing in the middle of a very busy highway! The Good Lord was surely watching over him....sometimes I think he really is a cat with nine lives!


I got the teabag covers done for Michelle's wedding shower. They turn out really nice...now to go find, something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...

Later,
Still on the Potter's Wheel,
Hugs, Dusty

Dusty's Doings

Finally up and did it....welcome to my blog. Just ramblings of some of my doings.
This is a shawl I knit for my daughter's wedding shower. I did purchase a beautiful antique looking button for it. The pattern is from, Just One More Row . It is the Tapestry Shawl. It is done in short rows and is very easy to do. They have several nice patterns. Things are moving nicely toward the shower and wedding. I have to do the teabag covers and get the candy and such for the tables. Aren't showers so much fun..

I am working on another shawl for my daughter, Trish. I will post a picture soon. It is another very easy pattern and looks great, plus it is a very fast knit! Doesn't get much better than that!

Till next time,
Hugs, Dusty