New Free Round(ish) Afghan Pattern Added to List

There is a cute octagon shaped afghan pattern for free at redhearts new site. I have placed the link on the page I've been making at the top of the blog page or you can click here to see it. Enjoy!

Slippers--Think Pattern Is for a Giant!

I tried a different pattern for slippers. It works up easy but my gauge was off so I down-sized to a smaller hook. This pair was going to be for me so I made the larger size to fit my BIG size 10 (sshhh) feet. Well, I think that either my gauge was still off or these slippers are for the Jolly Green Giant! I'm just going to pitch this slipper. I suppose I could frog it and use the yarn in a magic ball for some future project. Anyway, here's a picture of it:

After the Christmas slipper rush is over I'll probably try these again. In the meantime, I'll stick with my old tried and true pattern for these slippers:

A Belated Birthday Greeting & Getting Old and Things Are Starting to Fall Apart!

I was so wrapped up in myself and some dental phobias yesterday that I forgot to make a post saying "happy birthday" to my "baby." He's a big bouncing baby boy of 31 now! I did remember to get him a present so I'm not a totally derelict mom :). Happy belated birthday Justin!

I've had an achy tooth for a couple of weeks. It wasn't excruciating or anything, just a low-grade ache. I procrastinated going to the dentist but I started picturing having a toothless grin and I decide to cave and make plans for a dental visit. I get the insurance information from dh and schedule an appointment. Of course, with insurance being as it is, my previous dentist wasn't in the "network" and I had to get a new one. So, off I go to the yellow pages and find a "new" dentist and I do mean new. Turns out he just graduated from dental school this year. At first I was apprehensive to have this "kid," younger than my kids, delve into my mouth with his pointy instruments of torture! To my surprise, he was very gentle and took the time to show me the x-rays and explain what was going on. Seems like I need a root canal. Ugh, gasp, oh no! I've never had anything more than a filling except for the 1 wisdom tooth I had pulled. I've heard all the horror stories and now I'm sitting on pins and needles! Tomorrow is the day. I wanted it scheduled asap because the end of the year is coming up and I know that after the 1st of the year the new insurance deductible and all that starts over. I have no idea how much this is going to cost so it's best to get it taken care of before Jan. 1st.  I don't want to go!!! My question--will the tooth fairy leave a quarter under my pillow after this????

Fall Is in the Air

Fall is definitely in the air around here. We haven't gotten snow like some parts of the country but the time is getting close. I almost waited too long before I took a picture of the maple in our yard. The leaves turn a beautiful gold-orange color in the fall. Here's a look at it.

As you can see, the north side of the tree has lost many more leaves. You can probably see the last of this years roses bravely blooming before the rose bush goes dormant for the winter. Here's a closer look at them:

At the present time it is in the mid-60s so not too cold and for the rest of the week we're supposed to have weather in the low 70s--guess this will be our Indian summer.

Y'all take care and stay warm! Hugs...

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern

Need a quick gift for someone? Or, maybe your hotpads are looking like they've seen better days? Here is a cute apple shaped hotpad that should be a relatively "quick" project. Enjoy...

I Did Something Goofy Today

Here's my chuckle for the day--
This afternoon, I was a substitute teacher at the high school a couple blocks away. I usually like to get to the afternoon jobs no more than 15 minutes early because otherwise I feel like I'm a distraction as the teacher finishes up with the class. As I was walking into the building I noticed my one shoe felt a little snug. I thought maybe my sock was bunched up or something so I bent over to straighten it out and what did I discover...?

I had 2 different shoes on! Lucky me, I was only a couple minutes from the house so I was able to dash home and get matching shoes on. If I had been at one of the other schools I would have had to make a decision of either to go in with mismatched shoes or be late. Glad I didn't have to make that call!

Have a great weekend!!!

Times Are Hard--Maybe These Links Will Help

The following links were posted on crochetville and it was mentioned that it was ok to share with others. Times are hard and many of us may need a little help every now and then. Here are some links to help out with many things from prescriptions to telephone service. Hugs...




Please pass this on to anyone who may benefit from it. 
File - Assistance Links 
Can't Afford Your Prescription Medication? 
Free Prescription Medicine is Available to those who qualify. 
http://www.mhsanctuary.com/add/rx.htm 
http://www.needymeds.com/ 
http://www.themedicineprogram.com/ 
http://www.volunteersinhealthcare.org/home.htm 
http://coveringkidsandfamilies.org/communications/bts/ 
http://www.freemedicineprogram.com/drug/ELDER+TONIC/ 
http://www.mycancernews.com/viatical.html 
http://www.cancercare.org/HelpingHandsGuide/HelpingHandsGuideList.cfm?c=49 
http://www.helpingpatients.org/ 
http://www.rxassist.org/default.cfm 
http://www.mhsanctuary.com/add/rx.htm 
http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/content/drugAssistance/ 
https://www.merck.com/pap/pap/consumer/request_application.jsp 
http://www.sch-plough.com/schering_plough/corp/patient_programs.jsp 
http://www.phrma.org/ 
http://www.hrsa.gov/osp/dfcr/obtain/obtain.htm 
http://www.lillyanswers.com/ 
http://www.benefitscheckup.com/ 
Every one of America's uninsured, regardless of age or income, can call toll free to 1-866-776-3700 
or log onto the Internet at http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com 
to find out how to get Pfizer medicines for free or at significant savings. 
Direct links to the food stamp site -- officially the USDA Food & Nutrition Service 
Frequently asked questions -- 
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/faqs.htm 
Applicants and recipients 
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/applicant_recipients/default.htm 
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. 
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch/Default.htm 
Modest Needs is a non-profit, tax-exempt philanthropic organization that began as one man's personal project in March of 2002. Since that time, Modest Needs has become a community of unlikely philanthropists dedicated to helping others as best we can with what we have. 
http://www.modestneeds.org/ 
Find a National Depression Screening Day site near you 
(for members of the public wanting to take a free anonymous screening) 
http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/ 
http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/locator/NDSDmap.htm 
A national free eye care program for low-income working Americans that is now open year round. See web site or call 1-800-766-4466. 
http://www.aoa.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?site=AOAstage&WebCode=VISIONUSA 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Programs for which CMS is responsible include Medicare, Medicaid, State Children's Health Insurance Program(SCHIP), HIPAA, and CLIA. 
http://cms.hhs.gov/default.asp?fromhcfadotgov=true 
Links to help with Disabilities. 
http://www.disabilitypolicycenter.org/relatedlinks.htm 
Sources of Free or Low-Cost Food and Nutrition Materials 
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/pubs/bibs/gen/freelow.html 
? 01/15/2006 
Alma Riffel 
Friends_Freebies 
A list of directories of grantmakers by state/region/city 
http://fdncenter.org/learn/topical/sl_dir.html 
Volunteers in Health Care staff have prepared the following list of links useful to those serving the uninsured. 
http://www.volunteersinhealthcare.org/links.htm 
Insurance for kids 
Insure Kids Now.gov 
http://www.insurekidsnow.gov 
Patient assistance programs 
http://helpingpatients.org/ 
Prescription medications are an important part of total patient care 
http://www.rxassist.org/default.cfm 
Free Medicine For Low Income People http://www.mhsanctuary.com/add/rx.htm 
Merck Patient Assistance Program 
https://www.merck.com/pap/pap/consumer/request_application.jsp 
Habitat for Humanity 
http://www.habitatforhumanity.com 
WIC 
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/ 
Food Banks in the United States 
http://www.wadv.org/foodbank.htm 
Administration for Children and Families and Domestic Violence 
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/opa/facts/domsvio.htm 
Energy Assistance: Home Heating and Cooling 
http://www.ncat.org/liheap/referral.htm 
Free or Low-cost Medical/Dental Care 
http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc/ 
Financial Help to Pay for Home Heating and Cooling 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap/faq.htm 
Head Start (Administration for Children & Families 
http://www.headstartinfo.org/infocenter/infocenter.htm 
Job Opportunities for Low-income People 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/dcdp/joli/welcome.htm 
Medicaid - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/mover.asp 
Resources to Help Children and Families 
http://www.ncfy.com/Resources.htm 
State TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Links 
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/news/welfare/stlinks.htmSingle 
Touched Twice 
http://www.touchedtwice.org/index.html 
Touched Twice provides free clinics and more to the less fortunate. 
many of the clinics provide free food, clothing, dental and medical 
care, free haircuts, free legal, financial and spiritual advice. free 
clinics located in the US. 
a leading resource for senior related information 
http://www.friendly4seniors.com/_search.asp 
Get Connected: Afford-A-Phone 
The Lifeline telephone discount program, also known as "Lifeline Assistance", gives people with low incomes a discount on the basic monthly service for either their wireline or wireless phone. The Link-Up America program pays for a portion of your wireline or wireless installation or activation fee excluding the handset. 
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/getconnected/faqs.html#signup 
Listing Of Free Clinics 
http://www.medkind.com/FCF/

Updated List of Free Round Afghan Crochet Patterns (11-04-10)

Here's another free crochet pattern for a round afghan.
The list I've been keeping of free crochet patterns for a variety of round afghans is found here.

Enjoy Everyone!!!

Check Out the Give Away I Found!

Crochet book give away!!! Go here and get your entry!!!


Crochet Now!
By: Candi Jensen
Published by: Krause Publications
ISBN: 1440213887

Reviewed by Christine Weiher, Editor of AllFreeCrochet.com

From the second you open the book to the very last page you will see bright, bold and colorful pictures that will lure you in. You can find 29 projects for the home, for baby, gifts and more. Finished measurements are included with a materials list, stitches needed, a full pattern and picture. The graphs and charts really allow you to follow the pattern easily. If you’re looking for broomstick lace or felting crochet patterns you can see those too. An exciting aspect about this book is that it includes a DVD with a segment from the show Knit and Crochet Now! Afghans are my favorite part about this book, they’re so beautiful with their intricate stitch work. Gain a whole new wardrobe and accessories by winning this book or redecorate your home.


This looks like a pretty nifty giveaway. One can never have too many patterns and books! Check it out and good luck...