One down. One to Go!!!

I guess you could say that was a very proud moment for me. My mother, my son, my sister and niece were there to share in this moment with me. They have been imperative to me getting this far and I am sure that before I complete my BSW they will be pushing me some more. I won't sit here and say that I haven't had some amazing Professors and fellow students along the way, because I have. They have been great motivators, and realists for me along this journey as well. But the one thing that drives me the most is my desire to let others see that all people are not cold hearted and unwilling to to see that bad things happen to good people. Whether by choice or past mistake. I haven't updated in a long time because I chose to ensure my education came first, right along with my son. And realized I am not super woman, I can't do it all. I am not my Mother. She will disagree with that, as I think all mothers would. But she is my Rock. I have recently been off my feet having foot surgery, and have been making baby blankets.
         I watched a movie the other night on the UP channel. I almost didn't watch it but something made me sit there and learn these people's stories. The movie was called "A Cross to Bear." In this movie a child grew up with an alcoholic mother and she learned life's lessons in this manner. She grows up to try and achieve a dream of her own only to find a man, and begin drinking and eventually becomes pregnant, as she realizes this she is kicked out, the boyfriend moved on without her, which happens to many. She becomes homeless and has the baby, I won't tell you the whole movie lets just say it has some tragic circumstances that bring her to a home for women. She learns to become independent, face her past and move on as life continues to move us. I guess my lesson in this movie is although tragic and horrifying as it was we all have our cross to bear, and the past molds us into the people we are or have become. But someone should be helping these people know that our past does not define us. We ALL make mistakes and from those mistakes we must move on, even if it is in a different direction then that we initially intended to go. I will be doing my best to post more frequently. Although classes start back in August. Thanks to all those who frequent this page, any prayers would be greatly appreciated.

After reading A Far Cry from Home by Lisa Ferrill I was down trodden. Wondering as a person what can I do when there are so many agencies in the country that can do things for the homeless when I am but one person. In lieu of the recent tornadoes that hit so close to home in Kentucky, West Virginia, and here in Ohio. I have had some thoughts that were quite unsettling to me. Unsettling in the avenue that so many people reach into their hearts, and their wallets to try to help these people that tragedy has happened upon. In the back of my mind I wonder where are these people  when the man on the corner has nothing to eat, the woman has no idea where she can rest without repercussions. The child begging for a scrap from a plate of a stranger, not caring what may entail in sharing a meal with a stranger. What drives these homeless people to madness? Where is the helping hand to them? Tragedy has stricken them just as hard. But because they are living on the streets has it become acceptable? Have people become so complacent that they are what they are, but the victims of a disaster are more deserving? I don’t understand how the mind works. We as a people, a giving band of people should also consider those living on the streets with nothing to eat. With these disasters there has been more numbers added to the homeless, now our concern lies there? I just don’t get it. I had been having doubts about the role I could play as a social worker, about what one person, me, could do to help others and possibly make a change for others. These people have faces and they have names. What kind of person would I be if I allow the thoughts and actions of others make me complacent, in my thoughts and love of others. I am stating now for all who care to read this. One person can make a difference and that one person can be me, you or anyone else that chooses to stand up and be a part of this would not just an observer. I am not merely saying this because I think that people need to give money, when so many of us have very little. What I am suggesting is that if you have an hour or two, volunteer. Take the time to get to know these people who have also had tragedy passed on to them. Regardless of there reasons they are there now and they too need our help. Won’t you open up your mind and allow thoughts to sink in that that one day that could be us. Imagine how nice it would be to just talk to a person without stares and accusations about what happened to you, how did you end up here. Maybe a how are you, would you like to tell me a little about yourself? To some these may just be ramblings of one person and it may not touch anyone but if one person is compelled to step up, and step out, then it all is worth it. I once thought that I didn’t fit into the pretty little box portrayed by so many in the Social Work field. Maybe not but I have learned one thing and decided something for myself. If I don’t fit into your box I will make my own box, and do what I can from there.

Just another update....

I just wanted to let you know that I have not forgotten my mission. I have been focusing on my schoolwork and trying to be a better mother, but I also have been reading books about homelessness, and let me tell you it is such a situation that makes me rethink everything, not in a bad way. But it has made me try to think of other ways to help. The last book I read was published in 1990 and even then the waiting list for low income housing was 18 years long. Can you imagine? Can you imagine how hopeless these people feel knowing that they will probably die before an opportunity, to live in their own apartment opens up? I can't. So maybe if all the Rich people across the country could stop focusing so much on the all mighty dollar and focus on the people of this country, we could build housing projects or more shelters. Or offer others the opportunity for a hand up before it comes to them being on the street. Just a couple thoughts.........On my way to school, have a couple tests and papers due, so wish me luck. Maybe if we all thought about homelessness and other things just a few minutes more, and if we think outside the box we can come up with some solutions, and put a dent in the problem not just a band-aid..

Sharing a few pics.

Here is the pics I promised and a sampling of the 40 throws we bought for the homeless.

Hoping to give some warmth.

Sewing while on Christmas break

While I was home on break from college my mom and I did a little sewing for the babies
there is 67 fleece Newborn hats completed, 10 Preemie fleece sleep sacks and 19 Newborn fleece sleep sacks completed. Lots more cut out and a lot more to cut, so, hopefully before we can get to those before next break in March or May. LOL Thank you for following and I hope to have a little more time to keep everyone updated as to what is on the agenda. Oh, I almost forgot, Mom and I also purchased 40 fleece blankets when they were on clearance after Christmas. So there will be at least 40 more homeless people with their own throw. I do have an idea and I would like your input if you wouldn't mind. Just leave a comment if you can. I know that many college kids get new backpacks for each semester, a waste of money but hey who am I to judge? What if they could donate them and then I fill them with a blanket, hat and scarf. and possibly any other items we can fit, that way the people have something to keep with them not just a wal-mart bag. Make sense to any one else besides myself?  I will be posting pictures tomorrow of the blankets, hats and sleep sacks. Have a good day and remember people need a helping hand year round, not just at Christmas time.

Just an update....

      I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still here, just been very busy, with a heavy course load in college, an eight year old son, and of course the holidays. Not to mention that I have had Shingles. My focus is and will always be charity work, I hope to be able to do more during our Winter break, which is only a month. And in that time I will be helping my mother and her favorite charity Gods Tiny Angels. We will be making baby cocoon's, or sleep sacks, hats , and blankets. Unfortunately they are homeless too and Charity knows no boundaries. So in closing I hope that everyone continues to give freely and openly to their favorite charities. I also hope to be able to update my blog with pictures after next week. Wish me luck to keep my 3.25 GPA. LOL

Finally.........A box to send, and one more on the way.

We have a box I am sending out in the morning to the Bridge and Beyond,  It has 50 hats and some travel containers so people can carry around some necessities if they choose. This picture is of 29 scarves mostly double strand crocheted, some single strand. 5 double strand hats and a pair of booties. Its just a start and as soon as they are washed they will be on their way as well. I know many will stay a little bit warmer, and hopefully know in their hearts that someone does care. Just an update......I approached My college's Social Work student council about collecting food and items for the homeless. There is a City Mission in Huntington, West Virginia that my mother and I also try to help and I pleaded with them that since it is getting colder outside, if we can help the mission with food items and possibly socks, gloves, and hats. More will stay warmer as the mission doesn't have room for all and some are on the streets. From what I understand we will begin collecting non-perishable food items in November first of December. I am excited to see others willing to help as well. The great thing is they are not just considering helping during the holidays but in January and February when others forget about doing good. It makes me proud to be a member of the college. I will be crocheting more scarves and saving my money for more hats. Please keep active in your area and if you can, help other areas too. In these times with so many losing their jobs we need to remember that it could be our family out there on the street. If you can't crochet, donate money, food, socks, anything others need to stay warm. I also again want to apologize for not posting as often as I should but, being a single parent, and going back to school, is a hard undertaking at 39. I know I just told my age,  LOL. Oh well. I am honored to be able to help others in any way possible and hope to continue, and to keep encouraging others to do so as well.

A long time gone..........

To all of my loyal followers I want to apologize for not posting in such a long time, but college after 21 years of being out of school has been challenging. LOL. I am still working on scarves and hats, although I find it much easier to buy hats then to make them. I found a deal and got 50 of them for $0.75 each. If you crochet or knit, or loom you know you can't make them that cheap. As mentioned in one of my comments, research shows that 1/3 of our homeless are veterans, or the mentally challenged. and another 1/3 are children. Now that we have the computer fixed and the camera hooked up again, I will be posting some pictures. Forgive me for the long pause in posts. My mission is still on and I have not wavered. If you have a passion for helping remember the ones out there that have fallen on bad times, and know they are not all asking for a handout, JUST A HAND UP!!!!!!!!!!! I will extend my hand, will you?

As Time goes on....

I have started college since my last posting, and I am enjoying it tremendously. And in the learning process I have adapted some new information on homelessness that I would like to share. Did you know there are an estimated 3.5 Million people in America that are homeless. 1.3 Million of those are children. Those facts alone are enough to upset a person. We can't clothe them all but we can try our best to keep our personal missions in check. And my mission is to not only put clothes on their backs and scarfs around their necks, and etc. I am now on a mission to educate others. My family and I suffered one of the worst flu's I think I have ever had recently, and going through that with my mom and my son, made me so thankful for all that we have. $5.00 will buy you a value meal at most any fast food joint, But that same $5.00 will also buy a bag of socks. Lets think people. If each person would give one dollar to a worthy cause, How much money could we raise to help the needy? Just something to think about. Thank you also to those who take the time to read my blog and who support a charity of any kind.

More Scarves and Hats to provide warmth...

I can't post new pictures as of yet because one computer died and the other is not the best, but I have not forgotten.. The Today show had a man on this morning, "The man with the golden voice" I don't remember his name but he was homeless in Columbus Ohio and said he lived in several shelters throughout the past since 1993 and it just goes to show that all are in need of a hand sometime, and sometimes a hands up. I have 50 hats and almost as many scarves done and will be hopefully be delivering them Saturday morning to Huntington West Virginia, I have not forgotten my mission and will continue to work on it throughout the year. With my scraps out of my skeins we are making  blankets in double strand and it is very heavy, hopefully I will be able to post a picture of it soon. Thoughts and Prayers and warm wishes to all who are helping someone in some way regardless of the charity. Just keep up the good work and know that you are appreciated. And I am very afraid that things will only get worse with the inclination of the economic situation. Be Happy and Be praised. God loves us all.

Day of Realization........

A day of Realization. Why you may ask. Well because today. My son, my Mother and My sister and I went to Harris Riverfront park and there was a lot of homeless there. several local churches were there, giving them a hot breakfast, and personal care packages and some other things. It was heartwarming, and the great thing was it wasn't just churches. People from all over were bring items for them. We took 24 packages like the ones pictured. each bag contained a fleece blanket, a pair of gloves, a pair of socks, a scarf ,a comb, a razor, and toothbrush and toothpaste. It wasn't much and they could use so much more. The hardest thing for me was knowing that what we brought was not enough. So my mission continues. I took my son with me because I wanted to teach him that we are truly blessed and that there are others who need our love and smiles. and maybe a blanket or two.So if anything we do has touched you, you can help too. I think the thing that touched me was the ones who wouldn't just walk over and get the little care packages we had. It was like they had lost hope and within that their pride. It was just so sad. Because every living being needs to know that we all need a hand sometimes. Either a hand to hold or just a hand up. Maybe we can do more in a month because homelessness knows no season or reason. And I only hope that if it were me and my son that someone would feel the desire to help me too.

Another blanket for the babies.

This is the Baby Blanket I finished about a week or so ago. It will be going to Gods Tiny angels, for a needy baby somewhere. They are the first charity that I started giving to, and we (mom and I) continue to make items for. Its a newborn blanket made on the rectangle granny square pattern. My thoughts are still aimed at the homeless, but I have slipped some. I have been busy planning my future. I am proud to say that I am going back to school. January 10, I will be starting college and pursuing a social worker degree. Other than my the birth of my son this feels like the best thing in my life to do. I will not only better myself for the future of my family but I will be hopefully teaching my son that its a good thing to go to college.

A Big Reality check for me

This is a baby blanket I made for a supervisor at work, they are expecting their third miracle from God On Thanksgiving Day, I hope they enjoy it along with some other things that are going with it.
     My reality check is this........In making my goal 125 scarves by November 1st I have realized that was an unrealistic goal, because when I set that goal I was depending on others to help me. I have come to know over this last month that I cannot force my thoughts onto other, and not everyone shares my views on charity. In the future I will place my goals based on myself and pray that God will allow me to achieve those goals with one thought in mind, Give to others, as I have been given to. I will continue to work towards helping others, whether it be Homeless, Babies, Battered women and children, Special Olympics, or Cancer victims, and if need be my next door neighbor. I hope that someone is touched with hope every time they receive something homemade by me or someone else because the love is there.

Slowing down but not forgotten.............

Its been busy at work and haven't been able to crochet as much, but did manage a few things.
I am so glad that the Bridge and Beyond have been able to enjoy the items that have been sent. The Blue Scarf (red heart: Turqua and Blue 886) is for the Special Olympics, Every year they chose a new color for their scarves, and every participant that is in the Olympics gets to wear a hand made scarf, Its a little thing but just think of the smile on these wonderful faces. It is worth it to me to step out of the box and do something different, which is not really different but colors I never dreamed would go together . Was I wrong, aren't they beautiful together? And the Beautiful squares go to Share a Square, a project that takes a 6x6 square with a 12 inch tale and puts them together to make an afghan for children with Cancer. A great way to use the scraps of yarn left over from all the scarves we do. Or anything else you may do. Think of the smiles. Now on to make my first set of slippers for the Pink Slipper project, a group that shares slippers with abused and battered women and children in shelters around the country. Mom has made a pair and they are surprisingly warm, I thought it would be rough on the feet but again I am wrong. If you have questions about any of these projects look them up. There are so many worthy charities and projects that need out help won't you join us too.

Boxes recieved, and appreciated!!!!!!!

Still crocheting, and will be shipping another on Friday. Thought I might try a mitten, mom is working on one now to try it out. I am so glad that the boxes were recieved, and will hopefully be posting more completed items soon.

3 boxes shipped............

Well..........the good news is we have shipped 3 boxes of scarves and some things to the bridge and beyond. I am sure Sandy will make good use of everything. Special Thanks to Mom, Ayleen, Tabi, and Pat for your help we still have more to go. Also the other good news  it looks like Noah does not have the chicken pox LOL. Have a great day and will post more hopefully this weekend.

My Pattern.....48 to go, YeeHaw!!!

The Pattern I use, which is just one I made up.
Using a size N Hook
2 Skeins of worsted weight yarn (4 ply)
double strand.

Row 1: Chain 103
Row 2: In third chain from hook DC in each D/C across.
Row 3-5: Chain 2 and D/C in each D/C across
Trim Row: end of row 5 ch 2, 3 D/C  in the same stitch. D/C around entire scarf using 3 D/C at each corner. Slip Stitch together when back at start, finish off, weave in ends.

I am so excited  that we are almost there.  If this pattern is a duplicate of something someone else uses, and you feel I am infringing on a copyright and I will remove the pattern Immediately. Just contact me with any problems. Don't forget everyone that soap, razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and other personal items would be greatly appreciated find a shelter or mission in your area to share your love and hope as well.

66 and Counting

66 so Far and looking forward to shipping our first box next week. I am sure that Sandy will make good use of it. Been a slow week for scarf making this week as my elbow was killing me LOL. seriously tho, I am trying to make sure that we have 125 shipped and to the needy by November 1st on my way to Wal-Mart to see if they have any clearanced yarn. Wish me luck. Wish I could go to Hobby Lobby the "I love this Yarn is the best" I want to thank all the women at work for their help and encouragement. Hopefully I will post before next Friday . Have a great day.

Up to 59

We are up to 59 if my count is correct. I am hoping to ship some next week or so. I am hoping that I have not set my goal too high. But I have faith and I am hoping to make squares or hats with all the yarn balls I have left out of my skeins. Thanks to mom who hunts the patterns for me. The majority of these are double strand.
Family update: Noah is doing well in school and is seeming to be better at doing his homework for Mom.

These are for the Bridge project.

Let me Give

I do not know how long I'll live ,but while I live. Lord let me give, some comfort to someone in need, by smile, or nod, kind word or deed. And let me do whatever I can to ease things for my fellow man. I want naught but to do my part. To lift a tired or weary heart To change folks frowns to smiles again.Then I will not have lived in vain I'll never care how long I'll live. If I can Give,Give,Give...Author unknown
 
 
2 more from Tabi today and two for me, Maybe tomorrow I will try to add the pics. Lets keep up the good work everyone. 58 Total so far and four more working on some.