Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Crocheting Christmas Pot Holders



The other day I picked up some red, green, and variegated Christmas yarn at Walmart. It's their kitchen cotton in worsted weight. I was there buying soap supplies. I make these hand crocheted pot holders every year as gifts. My family and neighbors love them. They are an easy and quick project. The pattern is here on my blog somewhere. I will have to find it and post a link.

Today I had my toilet fixed. It hadn't been flushing properly. The plumber said that the water level was low, and that the flapper was damaged from the hard water. He rebuilt the toilet for me, and did a beautiful job.  It's  working perfectly now. The suction is amazing.  It is such a load off of my mind to have it flushing properly again. I love home maintenance. It's so rewarding.

When he wrote up the invoice, he gave me a 10% discount. I was a little sad that I look like a senior at age 54, but really appreciated the 10% off of the bill. That saved me $25.00! I am determined to be happy and grateful about getting older. I think trying to look young is a waste of energy. I need to start getting used to being seen as a senior citizen. It's wild...everyone looks so young to me now. It's an interesting shift in perception. How do you feel about getting older and becoming, (or being,) a senior?  

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21 comments:

  1. It's nice learning to accept the years with grace. Takes so much pressure off doesn't it. That doesn't mean 'letting myself go' but it does mean not worrying about every new wrinkle.

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    1. That's true, Cherie. Accepting the grey hair, changes in the skin, etc.

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  2. have just caught up with you, have missed so many posts! love the new chair! what a bargain & will last a life time or 3!
    got a tad confused with the Mom's blogs but figured out they were her rooms in her house (read them out of order lol) loved her vintage furniture! & she is right, antiques go well together even when they don't match.
    your plumber was being nice regardless of age i think, hoping you'll recommend him to others no doubt, i'm 57 & .look like i'm in my 60s but hey we don't all age slowly like some. used to bother me but not anymore.
    lovely pot holders!
    thanx for sharing

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    1. HI Selina, You always make me laugh.I wrote an excellent review for the plumber. He was so diligent and talented. He did a fabulous job on the toilet. I think I look a lot older to the younger people. I will have to get used to it. They look like babies to me!

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  3. Hi Stephanie: While, I think it's important to take care of ourselves as we get older, I agree with you that it is a waste of time trying to look younger. I have embraced getting older. I have experienced the loss of many loved ones that did see their 60 birthday (including my husband) so I see aging as a privilege. Last year I stopped coloring my hair, and while I miss my dark hair I love the freedom it brings!
    On another note, thank you for your blog, and the gift of sharing your life with us.
    Patricia/Fl

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    1. HI Patricia, Welcome. Thank you for your kind words. I am impressed that you let your hair go natural. I still put henna on mine, but I guess it's not making me look younger. That's okay, I am older.

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  4. I love your crocheting! And the colors make me excited for the Christmas season! That's great you got a discount...don't let it make you think you look older than your 54 years! You certainly don't. I find businesses don't know what age what their senior discount starts! I've asked at mcdonald's (coffee discount) and another restaurant...no one seems to know but if you ask they just give it. I think I got AARP pamplets in the mail when I was 55 or younger (never did join though). Andrea

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    1. Hi Andrea, You are so sweet. I get the AARP pamphlets, too. I feel thirty years younger since having my hips replaced. That's what matters to me. I look much older in the mirror, but there's no way to reverse it, so I will work on being grateful. Performing is so based on your looks. It's kind of a shock to see the changes...

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  5. I'm still 25 in my head, its just my body doesn't always agree! I do keep fit and look after my weight, that's the 2 most important things I believe.

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    1. I do those things, too, Tania. It really makes a difference.

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  6. Getting older....not for sissys! haha....I am a tad older than you by about four yrs. I hate the changes your body goes through as we age. But on the flip side, I don't have to shave my legs everyday! haha....

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  7. How lucky the plumber was able to rebuild the toilet instead of installing a new one. Toilets are much more expensive than you would imagine. My poor father had one of his blow up in the middle of the night last month. Luckily the live in was able to shut off the water to it before it flooded half the house. There is much to love about getting older, but sometimes it is hard as well. As the song from GiGi says-"I'm so glad I'm not young anymore!!!!" I have a wonderful quote from Myrna Loy about aging that I need to dig up and share with you.

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    1. Hi Anita, I didn't know a toilet could blow up! I like the attitude the European women have about getting older. They are so elegant. I would love to read that quote.

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  8. Christmas pot holders are lovely.

    It's great that you received a discount.
    I thought senior discounts start at 60. I think I'm still young in my head, but when I see how young my students are it really makes me realize how fast time flies.

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  9. Hi Nil, maybe he thought I was sixty. I don't know; I'm not going to worry about it. $25.00 is $25.00.

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  10. Potholders are a great idea for gifts, Stephenie. I'm always using them in my kitchen to put hot pots or bowls on. I always think the red and green and white look so fresh and festive together. I think what matters most about ageing is how you feel on the inside and also about keeping your mind sharp. $25 discount is great! Meg:)

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    1. I use them as hot pads, too, Meg. Yes, keeping your mind sharp is important. I find I that I am getting forgetful. I need to become more organized and to write out my schedule by hand, like I used to do.

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  11. Love your hot pads, Stephanie! My mother used to crochet, primarily afghans, doilies, hot pads and some special stoles for yours truly. She also crocheted pillowcase and dresser scarf edgings, and shuttle-tatted handketchief edgings. The hot pads were crocheted in the round using fabric strips folded like double-fold bias tape. No shabby-chic straggling threads or edges allowed! ;) She disliked joining things together after crocheting them, so she always looked for continuous patterns. That always seemed odd to me, as she also enjoyed sewing. Apparently, when she finished a process, she was ready to have a completed project!

    Aging: I am about a decade older than you. Until sciatica slapped me silly three years ago, I rarely thought about my age as anything but a number. I am just now reaching the point where I am not in constant pain--too stubborn for surgery or prescription pain relievers! Long term, it was the right decision to go with Chiropractic adjustments and physical therapy, but I think the constant, unrelenting pain aged me about 20 years over those three years! I am offered senior discounts more often than not these days! lol I make it a point to go to our local Kroger (Ralph's in your area) grocery store the first Wednesday of each month to take advantage of their 10% senior discount!

    I really enjoy your blog. I am pretty frugal by nature and am learning even more from you. I never will be a gardener or keep chickens and have zero talent on the crocheting or knitting fronts, but your positive attitude and spirit remind me to review my priorities and redevelop interests that have fallen by the wayside during the past three decades while I redevelop my body.

    Onward! :)


    Taja

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    1. Hi Taja, That's wonderful. I'm so glad that you are reading and enjoying the blog. Thank you for commenting. I really appreciate it. That's interesting about your mother not liking to sew the things that she crocheted together. I love that part, but many crafters hate it. You can also crochet squares together, which I also like. Yes, being in pain really does change how we look. I am so relieved to be pain free now. Phew! I'm glad that the chiropractic and PT is helping you.

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