Thursday, November 23, 2017

Wednesday: Pre-Black Friday Shopping!

How can it be the day before Thanksgiving already?  
Today, I emptied the dishwasher, put away the dried laundry from yesterday, did another load of laundry, washed more dishes, and watered the back garden.  I also finished knitting the front of the sweater.
In the afternoon, daughter and I went to the fabric store.  She had a coupon for purchases at the fabric store and the store was also having a Black Friday "Door Busters" sale, even though it is not yet Black Friday!  We went mostly to buy yarn, which was on sale for $2.33 a skein (regular price was $3.49).  

Red Yarn for Hats for Newborns

Several days ago, a friend of mine posted a link about the American Heart Association's project called Little Hats/Big Hearts.
Basically, the American Heart Association is looking for volunteers to knit red hats for newborns, to be distributed in various hospitals in February, to raise awareness of congenital heart defects.  My friend knows that I like to knit and she thought it was something I might be interested in participating.  Actually, several years ago, I participated in a similar project for another friend's daughter who was doing it as a Girl Scouts project.

Anyway, I contacted the local representative for the AHA in my area and asked for details such as the deadline for submitting hats.  She emailed me back, today, saying that they collect hats throughout the year, but the deadline for submitting hats for this coming February's distribution is at the end of December (in order to have enough time to wash and bag the hats - they are looking for volunteers to wash the hats, as well, as donations of yarn, etc.)

I bought the yarn today, since it was on sale.  I don't know how many hats I'll be able to knit before the December deadline, but, I'll try to make at least a dozen or so (hopefully, more).  My daughter, too, said she was interested in crocheting a few hats (she prefers to crochet than to knit).   I also bought three additional skeins of yarn for daughter for her amigurumi projects.

In addition to the yarn, I bought a new sewing machine to replace my old machine which is broken.  I might still take the old machine to a repair shop to see if it can be fixed, but, now, I have a new machine for my sewing (I had been using daughter's machine, but it is better to have my own machine).  
New Sewing Machine
Nothing very fancy because I don't need a fancy machine and, in fact, I'd be intimidated by one!  I just need something very basic and easy to use.  This machine was on sale for $69.99; with sales tax, it came to $76.30.   

In the evening, daughter went out with one of her friends.  I did a little paperwork, watched news on TV, read blogs, etc.
I also called friend A to ask her what she wanted me to bring for tomorrow's Thanksgiving meal and all she wanted was a container of vanilla ice cream!  I called my cousin, too, as daughter and I have been invited to her mother's house, as well, for Thanksgiving; cousin wanted me to bring cornbread.  I will make the cornbread in the morning, so it will be nice and fresh for the evening (and maybe I'll make enough to take to my friend's house, too, in addition to the ice cream).  It's a bit difficult to go to two places but, we'll go to my friend's house around 3:00 p.m. and go to aunt's place around 7:00 p.m.

It was another hot summer day, today!  In fact, we broke several records for the day time high temperatures!  Today's record setting high was 95F in my area! It will be another warm day, tomorrow, and then, there will be a gradual cool down.  

Today, I am grateful for:
- An opportunity to volunteer and participate in the AHA program
- Another hot, summer day in November
- Yarn on sale
- A new sewing machine 
- Daughter was able to spend some time with her friend

How was your Wednesday?  Are you preparing Thanksgiving dinner, tomorrow?  Are you ready? 

Happy Thanksgiving; may you all have a lovely day.

14 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you, Jules. Hope you have a blessed day, today.

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  2. Happy Thanksgiving! So nice of you to knit for a good cause! Andrea

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    1. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, Andrea. Enjoy the day.

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  3. Happy Thanksgiving from beautiful sunny and very warm (record breaking) San Diego! At home the low was 28F and a forecast of 57F for the high. Son said he'd rather have that than this record breaking heat.

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    1. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, Sandy! It is record breaking heat here, too, and I am loving it! :)

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  4. I may try my hand at some of the red hats. Seems simple enough. Thanks for the link.

    Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your day with family and friends.

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    1. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, Live and Learn. Hope you have a wonderful day.

      It would be lovely if you decide to make some hats. The AHA sent me links to some patterns, too, so let me know if you'd like me to post those links, too.

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  5. Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoyed the two outings.
    The red baby hats reminded me how some of the babies with Down syndrome have to deal with heart issues, but with good surgery and prayer they make it through and grow strong and live well with their extra chromosome.
    I'm glad you were able to find a fairly basic sewing machine. My pet peeve is that all too often they have far too many complicated widgets for all but professional or near-professional seamstresses. I have a 55 year-old machine which does straight stitch and zigzag of different widths and it has served me well for my own level of sewing.

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    1. Thank you, Bushlady. I had a lovely Thanksgiving.

      A simple, easy to use machine is all I need. I mostly sew with a straight stitch and the occasional zigzag. I rarely use any of the other decorative stitches. Maybe one day I'll learn to use the zipper foot...

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  6. How sweet of you to knit the hats.. A very wonderful project.

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    1. I am happy to be able to knit the hats, Judy. It seems like a good thing to get involved in.

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