Flat Teddy Bear

While I was deployed to Iraq, mommy guilt was at an all time high, thus my little velociraptor was the recipient of many many things I would not have bought otherwise.  And when I wasn't buying stuff for the the rug rat,  I soon found myself falling into the trap of  buying things just to get mail.  While I love my family dearly, they SUCKED at sending me anything in the way of packages, letters or cards (fortunately I have some really cool friends who picked up the slack).  This, however, gave me ample opportunity to add to my stash, which would have been fine, had I not been sharing a metal shipping container with a roommate.  (She was very understanding, fortunately, about the whole yarn thing).  With very little to distract me after my long shifts, I found myself with a lot of time to crochet.  Here's one of the first things I made--Flat Teddy.  Cheap (the one pictured was made with scrap yarn and cotton balls because that's what I had at the time), safe for all ages and easy to ship.....this would be a good project for charity.  It's been months since I've one of these guys, so please let me know if you run into any errors or typos.

FLAT TEDDY BEAR

Teddy Bear Front (make 2)

Head

Chain 6

1Turn, sc across (5sc)

2Turn, 2sc in 1^st st, 1sc in ea of next 3st, 2sc in last st (7sc)

3Turn, sc across (7sc)

4Turn, 2sc in 1^st st, 1sc in ea of next 5sc, 2sc in last st (9sc)

5Turn, sc across (9sc)

6Turn, 2sc in 1^st st, 1sc in ea of next 7, 2sc in last st (11sc)

7-9Turn, sc across (11sc)

10Turn, sc dec over 1^st 2sc, 1sc in ea of next 7sc, sc dec over last 2st (9sc)

11Turn, sc in ea st across (9sc)

12Turn, sc dec over 1^st 2sc, 1sc in ea of next 5, sc dec over last 2sc (7sc)

13Turn, sc across (7sc), tie off

Begin Arms

14Ch7, with 7^th chain still on hook, connect (with a sc) to 1^st sc of row 13 and sc across (7sc). Chain 7.

15Turn, sc in each ch and sc across (19sc)

16Turn, sc across (19sc)

17Turn, 2sc in 1^st st, 1sc in ea of next 17, 2sc in last st (21sc)

18-19Turn, sc across (21sc)

20Turn, sc dec across 1^st 2sc, 17sc across, sc dec across last 2st (19sc)

21Turn, sc across. Tie off (19sc)

Begin Body

22Turn, join yarn in 4^th sc with sc, 1sc in ea of next 12sc (13sc)

23Turn, sc across (13sc)

24Turn, 2sc in 1^st st, 1sc in ea of next 11sc, 2sc in last sc (15sc)

25Turn, 15sc across (15sc)

26Turn, 2sc in 1^st sc, 1sc in ea of next 13sc, 2sc in last sc (17sc)

27-28SC across (17sc)

29Turn, sc dec over 1^st 2sc, 1sc in ea of next 13sc, sc dec over last 2sc (15sc)

30Turn, sc dec over 1^st 2sc, 1sc in ea of next 11sc, sc dec over last 2sc (13sc)

31Turn, sc dec over 1^st 2sc, 1sc in each of next 9sc, sc dec over last 2sc (11sc)

Begin Leg One

32Turn, 2sc in 1^st sc, sc in ea of next 4sc (6sc)

33Turn, sc dec over 1^st 2sc, sc in ea of next 3sc, 2sc in final sc (6sc)

34Turn, 2sc in 1^st sc, sc in ea of next 3sc, sc dec over next 2sc (6sc)

35-36 Repeat rows 33-34

37-38 Repeat rows 33-34. Tie off.

Begin Leg Two

32Attach yarn with sc in 7^th sc of row 31 with sc, sc in ea of next 3, 2sc in last sc (6sc)

33Turn 2sc in 1^st sc, sc in ea of next 3sc, sc dec over next 2 st (6sc)

34Turn, sc dec over 1^st 2sc, sc in each of next 3sc, 2sc in final sc (6sc)

35-36Repeat rows 33-34

37-38Repeat rows 33-34. Tie off.

Begin Ears

In 1st st of row 2, hdc 5.  Sl st across top of head (5sc).  In last st of row 2, hdc 5.  Tie off.

Place the two teddy bear fronts, one on top of the other, right sides out, and stitch together (I single crocheted them together, but any method of sewing together should work), stuffing as you go. Using a yarn needle, create the bear's face.

Signs

     It probably seems counter initiative that someone into Tarot would decide not to know what the gender of their future child was, but that's exactly what I have decided to do.  Much to the annoyance of the crazy old man wielding the ultrasound, the husband and I decided against finding out the sex of the baby.  After all, there are so few surprises left in life.  It sounded like fun, and it's driving my family nuts (which in my book = win).  But I am determined to stay strong (not that I have a choice, the ultrasound ship has sailed).

     It, however, has not stopped me from speculating.

     I'm pretty certain it's a girl.  I never dreamed about little man before he was born, but I knew he was a boy long before we had the twenty week ultrasound.

     I have dreamed about this baby (girl).  My six year old says he's having a sister.  I have read every myth and wives tale I can find (I think we're close to 50/50), checked the Chinese Gender Calculator (girl) , read my cards (girl) and been the subject of speculation by both friends and strangers alike (50/50 there too).
I adore little man and  would love, love, love to have  a little boy.  But I think the universe may be telling me it's time to get over my inability to do hair or makeup properly,  if so many of the signs I keep encountering are true.  I've already gotten in the habit of calling my little womb invader a "she," so much so that I'm afraid I'll be going the way of my mom, who called my youngest sister a "he" her entire pregnancy, only to be surprised by a tiny baby girl a few months early in the end.

     So am I right or wrong?  I guess only time will tell.  But odds are on my side........after all, I've got a 50/50 shot ;)

When the answer you get isn't the one you want

So I seem to keep running into the same situation. Client asks for a reading about the ex, someone they dated for a short time, or someone they're currently with who just isn't that into them and then is incredibly frustrated when the cards reveal that. I always do my best to give the bad news as gently as I can, but it still does nothing to help the client who didn't get the answer they had hoped for. It's hard as a reader to give someone bad news ( I want everyone to leave my presence happy and excited about the future that awaits) but it's also my job to be honest about what the cards reveal. What can you do if you don't get the answer you had hoped for?

1. Remember you have free will....but so does everyone else.
The Tarot is less predictive and more about what's going on now and what may lay ahead if the current path remains unchanged. It's not guaranteed. Don't like what the cards say? Change your path. You have the power. But remember, just as you have free will, so does everyone else in your life. You can affect you, but you can't always affect everyone else.

2. Try to see the cards point of view.
Sometimes we know the answers, but don't want to believe or deal with the truth. Some situations (matters of love especially) are really difficult to see objectively. Take notes of your reading (if they aren't provided for you by the reader) and review them later. Sometimes time and distance help us process information a little more objectively.

3. Ask a friend.
It's a lot easier for outsiders to be objective about your problems and issues, so ask a trusted friend or family member....was the reading right as they see it? Maybe they can see truth where you can't.

4. And there's always the possibility.......Maybe you just got a crappy reading.........
And yes, there is always the possibility that the reading is wrong. Maybe it's as simple as your reader had an off day, maybe he/she just picked up the cards yesterday, or maybe (because it does happen) he or she is just a quack after your money. Make sure you know what your reader provides for his/her fee....does she allow for followup questions? Rare is the reading full of doom and gloom. Be wary of the reader predicting doom and gloom that they can help you prevent with a spell or charm for a fee.

One final piece of advice......readers are just like any other personal service provider....sometimes it takes a few tries before you find someone that you click with. It may be that you and the reader just aren't connecting well enough to get a good reading. Look around, but be wary of those who are simply in the business to get your money.......making a living is one thing......running a con is a whole other kettle of fish.....

Struggling with stuff

Physical Evidence of potential future as a Hoarder who may die alone and not be discovered for weeks, when a pile of yarn falls on me and smooshes me to death.....

I have enough stuff. Seriously. And now with a little one scheduled to arrive this summer the husband, child and I will be taken over by the BABY'S (henceforth referred to by his/her fetal name "Al") MASSIVE AMOUNT OF STUFF. (Our grandmothers' made due with a dresser drawer and cloth diapers.....sometimes I wonder why we don't do the same, but that's a rant for another time.) I live in constant fear of becoming a hoarder and watch the hoarding shows on television just to scare myself (temporarily) straight.



Months ago when I was on the other side of the world, dragging around my M4 and getting four hours of sleep a night, I had no spare time to think and thus kept my spending habits well under control. And while I would not want to go back to that life, I do have to say there is something to be said for not having constant access to anything I could possibly want as well as constant access to means to indebt myself for it. But now that I'm back on the right side of the world and have to time to read once again, I keep coming across things I don't need, but desperately want. (First World Problems much?)

Some of this I know stems from the months of "deprivation," that comes from being stationed in a war zone and my adjustment back to life in the states. But I really want to try to become more independent financially. To me, that means not being fixated upon having stuff, or rather new stuff. This is incredibly difficult for me because I grew up incredibly poor (mustard sandwiches for lunch and a home heated by a wood stove poor) and as a parent, I've now overcompensated, constantly buying toys and clothes for the man child when he is already more than well stocked with both.

All of this is such a waste of money and has led to credit card debt. I abhor credit card debt because it's usually so absurd. That 29% interest I'm paying to Citi could be going to a real charity that does real work for good, or toward man-child's college education. Instead because of my own stupidity it goes to the corporation smart enough to play off my weaknesses.

I recently did a small five card spread about my issues with debt and money.....as you can see from my quick one word association with the cards, it's not all sunshine and roses.

6 of Wands Arrogance
2 of Pentacles Balance
5 of Pentacles Hard times
3 of Swords Being Let down
10 of Wands Struggle


Basically my cards confirmed my past and are warning me that the future is not any easier. I think it's important though to look for the positive side of things when the Tarot tells it like it is (as it has done here), instead of being frustrated that it didn't tell me what I wanted to hear. Unless I win the lottery tomorrow (which wouldn't happen, since I don't play) breaking these bad habits that got me into this mess is not going to be an overnight process. Fixing the mess that I've created isn't going to be easy either. The ten of wands, even with it's message of hardship and struggle, is not all doom and gloom. Yes, the figure struggles to carry his load, but he is doing it....he has not given up or fallen to the ground. He will eventually make it....and so will I.

There is that cliche that goes "when life hands you lemons, make lemonaide." But honestly you don't always have sugar and a pitcher of water laying around. Sometimes you just have to stuff those lemons in your pockets and carry on.

Happy New Year

I'm cheating and finishing this post from the 2nd of January.......the first day of the year was spent on the most painful of all journeys known to mankind......the long road trip with small child. I would kiss the inventor of the portable DVD player if I could track him down....with the exception of the occasional "I'm hungry," and "Mommy can I watch another Scooby Doo?" there was complete silence from the back seat. Priceless.

I have yet to make a resolution.......not out of fear of failure, but merely acceptance that my life is going to be nuts this next year and maybe for once I should not overload my plate quite so much. Let's see if I can actually live up to that. A lot of changes await me this year and if you find yourself in a similar boat, I invite you to give yourself leave to not be everything to everyone. Too many people (especially women) fall into this trap. If you must have a resolution then resolve to give yourself room and time. Learn to say no gracefully when necessary. Overstretching and over-committing are sometimes worse than never stepping in at all. Don't be afraid to be a little selfish......a little self interest never hurt.

The New Year is Fast Approaching!

Welcome to my new blog! I'm so excited about the coming year and I hope you are too. It promises to be a year full of exciting changes for me personally and professionally as well.

I've spent the past week enjoying the break from Boring Day Job and have spent far too much time on the couch. Luckily I've been able to read for a few clients over the past few days to break up the nonstop eating that seems to go on when I have too much time on my hands.

The New Year is traditionally a time of change.....or at least attempted change. Very soon (if it hasn't started already) many of those around you will begin to make BIG promises about resolutions for the new year that will die a quick and guilt-ridden death. If you find yourself in that same boat, I appeal to you: Please stop the insanity! Getting into shape, eating better, reading more, volunteering, getting out of debt [insert your goal here] are all good goals, but reaching them and better yet, maintaining them are nearly impossible without moderation. Moderation is the key to making realistic change in your life. Here are some key points when starting toward your new year's resolutions:

• Start Simple--the simpler the change, the easier it will be to maintain. Want to finally start that vegan, lactose free, gluten free diet? Pick one area at a time to slowly eliminate from your diet.



• Think hills instead of mountains--a series of smaller, realistic short-term goals is far easier to obtain--want to loose 50lbs? Set a goal for five.



• Rewards--Living on a strict budget to get out of debt? Create a series of milestones along your debt repayment plan and reward yourself for reaching your goal.



• Don't give up--OK, so say a month and half into your diet resolution Valentine's day rolls around and you find yourself gorging on that box of chocolates or you sleep through three morning work-outs in a row. Your resolution is not dead! We all slip from time to time....give yourself leave to be human. As the cliche goes, tomorrow is, after all, another day.
  
  
  I hope you all have something wonderful in your life, and if not that 2012 brings it to you. Blessings in the New Year!