7-31-2018 Washing Papa's Truck

7-30-2018 Pool Time

The backyard neighbors just put in an above ground pool.

It was fun to watch the workers assemble it.

GD having some summer fun on the slip 'n slide.

 This weekend was the BIX 7 foot race in downtown.

DH and I went down to the street fest afterwards

to grab some 'street vendor food' for lunch.

http://runonthoughts.com/2014/07/24/a-midwest-midsummer-running-classic-hits-40/

7-29-2018 Brioche Sample

Finished my Sample for the 

Brioche knitting class I took last weekend.

I learned how to brioche knit,

brioche purl,

and work brioche increases and decreases.

By George, I think I've got it!!!

Yay, me!

I added a buttonhole

and will sew on a button

to make a headband for this winter.

7-28-2018 Finished

7-27-2018 Another Card Wallet

Starting another card wallet from bright yellow

a home for my new deck of cards.

7-26-2018 Squirtle

Started Squirtle yesterday...

he is the last 

of the original 4 Pokemon characters

(Pikachu, Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle)

that I want to make.

7-25-2018 Morning Walk Blooms

7-24-2018 A Doe and Her Fawns

A Doe and her 2 fawns

joined me on my morning walk.

:-)
She walked out of the grass nearby
with her two fawns,
looked at me,
and then calmly walked ahead of me along the trail.
Very unusual behavior for a deer,
much less a mama deer with 2 babies!
Normal behavior...
they would be high-tailing it out of there!

Yesterday, I happened to take a quiz online 

to find out what my 'spirit animal' is: a deer!

It said... 

• Look in nature and observe around you. Pay attention to animals and their behavior.
• Be attentive when an animal appears in your life in a way that is noticeable, when it has an unusual behavior; it may be a spirit animal trying to grab your attention
• Watch for repetitive encounters with the animal either in its physical or symbolic form (as object or image)

And now, all of a sudden, 

a doe and her 2 fawns join me for a walk?!?!?!

A coincidence?

And the stillness in the air

made the reflection on the pond

like a mirror!

7-23-2018 Fun At The Zoo

Yesterday...

The tiger's owner (in dark pink)

is protecting us from the tiger (in light pink)...

7-22-2018 Hot Dog Mobile

Papa spotted the Hot Dog Mobile in town

and the GDs have never seen it before

so we took them to see it and have a peek inside.

Also got a free hot dog for lunch!

7-21-2018 Brioche Knitting

It's been 6 years since I've done any Brioche knitting...

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OMgirls/brioche-scarf

and there are so many beautiful patterns out there right now

that use Brioche knitting,

so when I heard there was a Brioche class

at a nearby yarn shop(an hour away in Galesburg, IL)

I decided to sign up and attend today

and brush up on my Brioche knitting skills!

So glad I went!

It was a lovely LYS

and even had a Yoga/Tai Chi studio as well.

Right up my alley!

 We got to sit in these comfy chairs by the fire during class.

7-20-2018 RUMI Oracle Readings

Yesterday

I did my very first 

Rumi Oracle Reading...

using the simple 2 card draw

the first card (orange) is my situation/present moment strength,

the second card (green) is what to know or do for the future.

I thought it was interesting

because I have been very joyful lately

after reading the book "The Untethered Soul".

Even my knitting friends have noticed my increased joy.

The second card... what to know or do for the future,

was also apropos because

I am in therapy trying to leave a very dark past behind me

and turn my face to the sun and light and joy

in the few remaining years I have left

on this planet.

Today, I decided to do a one card draw

and meditate on it during my morning walk.

I shuffled the deck a good deal

and was about to quit shuffling when

one card jumped/popped out,

so I drew IT.

It was the SAME green card from yesterday...again!

Two days in a row.

"After despair, many hopes flourish.

just as after darkness,

thousands of suns open and

START TO SHINE."

God knows I've had enough darkness and despair in my life!

But, after some therapy,

I feel that I am turning a page 

on a very dark chapter 

in the story of my life

and FINALLY beginning a new chapter

where my hopes can flourish

(no more nightmares, flashbacks, numbing)

and my face can feel the warmth and light of the sun again.

During my morning walk,

a double (partial) rainbow appeared...

also a sign of hope to me!

7-19-2018 Eevee Dolls Finished!

7-18-2018 Eevee Ready for Fuzz

The Eevee Pokemon dolls

now have their ears

and are ready for their neck and tail fuzz.

GD#1 wanted pink.

GD#2 wanted purple,

'cause, ya know, Oma can make anything!

- - - - - - - -

I've made 3 of the 4 original Pokemon characters...

Pikachu, Charmander and Bulbasaur...

still have to make Squirtle.

(GD pushing Pikachu on its swing several years ago.)

- - - - - - - 

And of course, the kitty Meowth.

7-17-2018 Peppergrass

Found some big patches of peppergrass

that are ready to harvest!

Mmmmm!

7-16-2018 Huge Snapper

and a rainbow

on this morning's walk!

7-15-2018 GDs

7-14-2018 Take A Swing

Take a swing at the piñata !!!

And "Feliz Cumpleaños" to my grandsons!

Thank you for inviting us to your 

"Coco" themed birthday party!

Candy is out!!!

Checking out her loot!

The Batman and Spiderman I made for the GSs.