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Reunion

When your child plays competitive soccer, you become a part of a very small, close-knit community.

After being a part of this “family” for a number of years, you begin running into soccer people everywhere!

The best part about this family is watching the kids grow up.  It’s also the hardest part because, as they get older, you have to let them go.

Not only do you say goodbye when the kids leave for college, but you bid adios to the parents as well.  These are the people you’ve shared rides to practices and tournaments with…people who have talked you through confusing, isolated roads to find soccer fields in remote areas.  These are the people you eaten soggy bagels at 6am in dark, quiet hotel lobbies with.  These are people you’ve shared late-night, after-the-game pasta dinners with.  And these are the people you shivered through the cold and rain and sweated through the heat of summer with.

Lots of memories are forged when you share tense moments on the field, the concern of injuries, and the joy of victories with.  Strong bonds result…which distance and time cannot break.

Tonight we were thrilled when Chicky’s best friend’s parents went out of their way to attend her game.  Chicky’s friend, the Marvelous Miss M, started college in August, so we haven’t seen this family since early last summer.

It was a joyous reunion as the Mr. and I caught up with them during the game.  Chicky was in for a treat.

After the game, Chicky met up with Mr. B, both sporting huge smiles.

And then Chicky spied Ms. J standing across the field.

They ran into each other’s arms, overcome with happiness…

You know me.  I’m emotional.  I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes even as I type this.

I get close to people, and my heart is warmed when I witness Chicky express her own love for others who have touched her life.

Pretty in Pink

Another project magically jumped on and off of my needles in the span of three days.

This is the Warm Stripings Hat from the January 2008 issue of Creative Knitting.

Chicky’s friend called me earlier last week, and we had the following conversation…

“Mrs. AuburnChick, I know what you can get me for my birthday.”

“Oh?  I didn’t know I was getting you anything, but pray tell, dear Friend of Chicky, what would you like?”

“I want a hat with ear flaps and fuzzy things on the ends.”

I immediately thought of the Warm Stripings pattern because I made it a year and a half ago for another one of Chicky’s friends.

Now, I tend to be a monogamous knitter; however, the holiday season has thrown major wrenches into my normally organized life.  I keep coming up with new projects to work on with short deadlines (the request for this hat had a due date of mid-December).

And yet, after purchasing the yarn last week while on the way to Chicky’s soccer game, I couldn’t wait to cast on!

The yarn is an acrylic blend and deceptively soft.  It comes in 100g skeins, but I only needed 90g to finish the hat.  I probably could have gotten away with 85g if I had not knit the i-cord for the top, which I wound up not using.

Folks…this is the perfect project if you’re looking for something fast and easy.  I knocked this out between Friday and Sunday evenings.

Chicky called her friend and invited her to stop by the house after youth.

I was a little concerned that she would like it because Chicky didn’t exactly give me the feedback I was looking for when I was finishing it up.

After listening to a couple of Chicky’s comments, I decided to do a quick revamp and added the pom poms on the ends and the one on the top.

Chicky’s friend came over, and I was a nervous wreck (as I always am when gifting knit items).

No worries though, as you can see from her face (permission to post granted by her mom)…

She said she doesn't do hats well. I think she's pulling this one off perfectly!

See the pom pom on top?

I think she likes the hat.

Happy Birthday Chicky’s Friend.  You are like a daughter to me, and I love you.

Fruits of Labor

Do you remember my mention of Knitting for Hope?  This project was started a few months ago by my friends Rae, Rabbitrescuer, and Figaro.

Fig’s mom lives and works on a reservation in California.  There is a great need for baby items.  It was my friends’ hope that they could encourage expectant mothers to visit the clinic for much-needed pre-natal care.

I sent Fig a hat and bootie set, which I blogged about here

Knitting for Hope took a few weeks to get going, but now there are a number of people sending items.  Fig’s mom has been able to put care packages together and is sharing these items with other clinics in her area.

Fig sent me a picture of one such package…

Do you see anything familiar?

My hat and bootie set!!

I am touched beyond words.

Once again, I see how God is using my hands to touch others, and I am humbled.  It is an honor to serve Him by serving those here on earth.

My Week – In Pictures

Yarn...that turned into...

Parts...that turned into...

 

A work of love.

 

Two days off from school this week gave me time to paint the toes...

 

...and to file coupons...

Several batches of cookies were baked in the AuburnChick home this week. Rooster scored two before I could pull out the camera. You've gotta be quick in this house.

 

Aubie loves the new bedding I gave the dogs.

 

Pele prefers the couch...

 

 

 

 

 

Molly saw some couch action as well...

 

...especially while "nuggling" with Chicky.

 

Another sample arrived in the mail this week...

 

Yarn shopping...

 

...for gifties...

 

...on the way to the soccer game...

 

...where we won 3-1!!

 

This is my attempt at being organized for next week's classes. Do I have "teacher handwriting" yet?

It Was Only a Dream

Chicky and I stood in her dorm.

We were laughing, enjoying our conversation and one another’s company.

I don’t remember what was said…only that we had finally reached a point in our relationship where we truly respected and loved each other.

Then, it was time for me to go.

I felt a great wave of sadness wash over me.  I started crying and thought about how I had not cried when I dropped her off at college a few weeks before.  Somehow, leaving her this time felt different…more permanent.

My sobs poured from deep within me.

With a start, I woke up only to find my face wet with the tears I had just shed while I had slumbered.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized that it was only a dream.

And yet, the entire day, I felt as if I was carrying a weight of somberness because I know that this dream will become reality in a few short months.

The Frog Prince

Once upon a time there was a fair-haired girl named Chicky.

Chicky had a friend named Happy who always had a way of bringing joy to those around him.

One day, Happy became sad when his Papa became sick.

Chicky visited their castle  and inquired how she might be of assistance, making special mention of the skills that her mother, Duchess of Knitting, possessed.

“Does she make stuffed animals?” Happy’s mom asked.

“The Duchess is very talented.  Your wish is her command,” and she carried the request back home to her very beautiful mother.

The Duchess found the perfect pattern (Frog Prince by Alan Dart) in a magazine she had stowed away (Simply Knitting – March 2009).

The Duchess then visited her local market, picking up some Vanna’s Choice in Olive and Dusty Green (we all know that Vanna’s been around for a very long time) along with some I Love This Yarn in Buttercup and Forest.

She toiled late into the night…several nights, in fact, and produced a work of art even a king would be proud of…

The frog’s crown is a reminder that there is a Great King who rules over the land, keeping watch over His children…

Chicky and the Duchess hope that every time Happy and his Papa look at the frog, they will remember to Fully Rely On God (see the acronym)…especially during this time while Papa is sick.

As the frog has great big eyes that see all, so does our Heavenly Father, who loves each one of us and keeps a close eye on each of His children…

And they lived Happily Ever After.

The End.

AuburnChick is a Shopping Fiend

Despite my crazy schedule, I had to repeat a few of the deals I did on Saturday.

The savings are really adding up as I’ve spent less than $30 this week.

Yesterday, I spent less than $6 on the following:

The deli meat for Rooster’s sandwiches was priced at more than $6 alone…

Which means that I saved mucho bucks on lip gloss (yes, more of the stuff if you read Saturday’s post)…

Imagine how dolled up I'd be if all of my makeup was free!

And the Zantac was a moneymaker again…

Today I hit the stores for Round 3.  I got the following goodies for $.57 (that’s cents, not dollars, folks)…

The Zantac was a moneymaker, and I payed $.75 for all six boxes of pasta and $.45 for both cans of soup.

My regular Publix was out of the Tylenol I was looking for, so I headed to a different store, where I got the following for a little over $8…

The Tylenol was free, the yogurt was $.67 each, the TP was around $4, and the buns were $3.

I’ll be heading out for Round 4 tomorrow…getting B1G1 bratwurst and visiting Target for a little snooping.  Wonder what I’ll come home with?

Indescribable

Sunday mornings spent at church provide some of the most uplifting moments of my week.

I find myself drawn closer to the Lord through worship music.

Music soothes my soul, while the words remind me of God’s grace and love for me.

This morning, we sang Chris Tomlin’s Indescribable.

The words, which I am posting below the video, describe how vast God’s love and presence is.

I have often spoken with people who don’t believe in God because they can’t see Him.

My response?

Have you ever seen the wind?

No, but you’ve felt its presence as it blows across your face, and you’ve seen its ripple affect as it floats across water.  You’ve witnessed its power during hurricanes and tornadoes.

Such it is with God.

Though you may not see Him in the form of a person, He is present.

I am sure that God knew that we humans would doubt His existence, and so He makes Himself seen in nature.

It is His hand that paints the spots on each leopard, decorates the landscape with fall colors, and puts a song of praise in every creatures’ lungs.

That is why I am overcome with gratefulness when I hear this song…

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation’s revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

This Week’s Grocery Trip

I have a renewed appreciation for those who work full-time and still manage to keep their homes clean and refrigerators full.

After a busy week of settling into my new subbing assignment and attending two soccer games and a football game, I’ve scarcely had time to wiggle, much less look at my coupons.

Thank goodness for weekends!  I finally had a couple of spare hours to get organized and run to the grocery store.  I was able to pick up several free items!  I’ve posted my favorite deals.  If you live near a Publix, maybe these are deals you can take advantage of too!  Make sure you visit Southern Savers and Frugal Coupon Living before you head out.  These are wonderful web sites that post links to the coupons I used for my deals.


Dove Deodorant
2/$4.00

Used: $2 mfr AND $1/2 Unilever Products Publix coupon from the Green Advantage Buy Flyer
PaidNOTHING!!  This was a MONEYMAKER of $1 per stick!!


Cover Girl Lip Gloss
$1.79 ($1.50 off – Advantage Buy)

Used: $2.50/2 mfr AND 2 $1 competitor coupons
Paid: NOTHING!!  This was a MONEYMAKER of $.92 per stick!!


Tylenol
$3.99

Used:  $2 mfr and $3 Publix coupon
Paid: NOTHING!!  This was a MONEYMAKER of $1.01 per box!!


Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditioner
$2.43 (not on sale)

Used: 2 B1G1 mfr coupons.  One coupon I received in the mail after signing up for it through Facebook.  The other coupon was in an insert.
Paid NOTHING!!


Publix Reusable Shopping Bag
$.99

Used:  Coupon for a Free Bag wyb two General Mills products (see purchase below)
PaidNOTHING!!


Nestle Toll House Refrigerated Cookie Dough
B1G1 @ $3.19

Used:  $1/1 mfr
Paid:  $.60 each


Cheerios
B1G1 @ $3.59

Used:  $.55/1 AND $1 competitor coupon (one set for each box)
Paid:  $.25 per box


Ragu Spaghetti Sauce
B1G1 @ 2.59

Used:  $1/2 mfr
Paid:  $.80 per jar


Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Morsels
B1G1 @ $2.50

Used:  $.50/1 mfr
Paid:  $.75 per bag

My Week – In Pictures

I’ve been a bad blogger this week.

Life has been hectic with me taking on a two-month subbing gig (yay for me!).  Soccer season officially kicked off, and I also attended the football game tonight.  As a result, the pictures are few in number.  I trust you’ll forgive me.  I hope to have some knitting stuff to show you next week.

On to the pictures!

All that's left of my Halloween candy

I paid $.22 per box!!

Samples and a coupon for free shampoo!

I love discovering the coupons that accompany free samples!

I often wonder what the girls discuss during their pre-game huddles. I often pray for them during these times.