Thoughts

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..
 Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene. One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days, weeks and months passed.
 One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He saw that the window faced a blank, brick wall.
 The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was completely blind and could not even see the wall. She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you or give you a little pleasure.' 


 There is joy in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

Ask Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
I'm so tired  of being  the only one  in my family  who takes  responsibility  for anything  . I am the  youngest  child  who makes the most money . I have been helping out my  siblings  for years . I pay for one niece's college tuition . I pay for my brother's  mortgage  several months out of the year  , whenever he  does not have  steady employment . I feel like the family ATM , but whenever I stop helping them  , they all accuse  me of being selfish.
I actually  enjoy helping my family  in some ways  , but I do not appreciate  them thinking  that it is my responsibility  to take them for a free ride . How can I create a better balance ?
Feeling Used
Dear Feeling Used ,
You are in a predicament that is common  in many families  . The one  or ones  with means often help  those that is less fortunate . And as  you already know  , the fine line can be difficult  to navigate  between being of help and enabling . What  you may want  to do is invest  in a financial planner  who works  with you  and with your family  members . You can determine  what you will do  for yourself  for now  and your future  including  a finite  amount of money that you will give  to your love ones . For them , the planner can help  them figure out  how to be more stable  in their financial dealing  so that they  can learn to live  within their means  and establish independence .
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
"We are here ! We are here !"  This is a gentle suggestion  to consider  reminding your readers  that they can  contact their local YWCA for help  with many of the issues  you address in your column .
The YWCA has been in existence  since 1858 . Each branch  embraces  the following mission : "YWCA is dedicated  to eliminating  racism , empowering women  and promoting peace , freedom , and dignity for all ."
As an example  , our local YWCA provides  shelter  for  victims  of domestic  violence  and sexual assault . Please let  your readers  know they can  contact  their local YWCA when they need help .
Jennifer Graf and Heather  Farwell ,  co-chairs  YWCA  Clinton Iowa
Dear Jennifer Graf and Heather Farwell ,
I am happy to recommend  that  my readers  contact  the YWCA , as well as other service and counseling agencies  I often mention  . Your organization  does have a wonderful  for the community , I  appreciate  the reminder .
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
I was married  for 20 years  when my husband left me for another woman .
At first I was upset , but in the intervening  years  , I have changed my mind .
"Please print this for her ."
Dear Other Woman.
I bet you thought you was a winner  when my husband left me for you .
You have dealt with his drinking  , pot smoking  , heart disease , emphysema , baldness , toothless smile  , erectile  dysfunction  and bad moods .
You had to support  him because  he was chronically unemployed  and now you are his nursemaid 24/7 .
Because  of you , I have had the freedom  to love , live and travel . I also drive a new car  and paid  off a home  he didn't want . I have enjoyed  children and grandchildren . I thank you . You may have saved my life .
Women if you think  that man that  you wants that belongs  to someone else is a real prize  , you haven't  seen the whole picture  .
Grateful Granny
Dear  Granny ,
I appreciate  your voice  of experience .
More importantly  , you have  underscored  that having a man  in your life  does not  determine  your level  of happiness .
Too many women  believe otherwise .
Maxy

Bunny Slippers

You can use the bunny slipper sewing pattern as a base to make all kinds of creatures – bears, cats, dogs, you name it. And the bunny slipper sewing pattern can be sized up on a copier for bigger kids or kids-at-heart.  Thanx to...http://www.merrimentdesign.com/
Supplies for making fuzzy bunny slippers from recycled felted sweaters:

• Kathy’s free bunny slipper pattern
• One felted wool sweater (mine was an old green 100% wool sweater)
• One piece of cream wool felt
• One piece of pink felt
• Black embroidery thread and hand sewing needle
• Grip stop fabric for slipper bottom (cotton fabric with little non-slip rubber circle grippers)
• Thread
• Pins
• Fabric scissors
• Sewing machine
• How to make fuzzy bunny slippers from recycled felted sweaters

I’ve been asked how to size this pattern up and to tell you the truth I’m not 100% sure. Here’s what I think might work to properly size the pattern: Print out all pieces. Increase (or decrease) the size of the sole on a copier to fit your desired foot size plus about 1/2″ around all sides (I had Elise step on a piece of paper and I drew around her foot). Now use what ever copier setting you needed to use to get the sole to fit properly (125%, 150%, 200%) to increase the size of all other pattern pieces proportionally.

Two felt sweaters: Felt and recycle old wool sweaters by machine washing them in hot water and drying in the dryer. They should shrink and thicken up. I felted two 100% wool sweaters and decided to use the green.

Cut out Side 1 and Side 2 slipper upper pieces out of the felted wool (be sure the wool is smooth before cutting, my edges were a little curly). Place Side 2 right side up on your table. Cut one bunny tail out of cream wool felt. Place the bunny tail on the back side of Side 2 about one inch from the bottom edge.

Sandwich the bunny tail by placing the Right Side piece on top, right sides together.

Pin the back seam and the top seam, leaving the bottom and foot opening unpinned and unsewn.

Sew back seam and top seam using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Repeat this for the other slipper.


 Make and attach the bunny’s cute little face

Cut two faces from cream wool felt.

Cut four cream bunny ears.

Cut two inner bunny ears out of pink felt.

Place the pink inner ear on top of the cream bunny ears.

Sew down the center of the ear to secure the pink felt to the cream felt – the pink will be open on both sides and that’s OK, that’s how I like it.

Pinch the bottom edge of the ear and sew a few stitches close to the bottom edge of the ear to make a little pleat – this will help the ears stick up more on the finished slipper.

Cut out a pink nose and place on the bunny face. Using a water-soluble fabric pen, trace around a small button (or draw a circle freehand) for two eyes.

Fill in the eyes using a satin stitch embroidery thread and a back stitch. Repeat to make the second bunny face.

Repeat for the other bunny face.

Take one bunny face, two ears and one slipper upper.

Pin the bunny face on top of the slipper, slipping the ears between the two layers about 1/4″.

Sew across the top of the bunny face close to the edge to secure the bunny face and ears to the slipper.

Stitch around the perimeter of the face to secure it all around – it will make it easier to attach the sole later.

Turn the slipper inside out and set aside. Repeat for the other slipper.

Make and attach the slipper’s non-slip sole
Cut out two inside soles from felted wool sweaters. You’ll want to cut one with the arch facing to the left, then flip the pattern upside down and cut out one with the arch facing to the right.

Repeat to cut out two bottom soles from the grip stop fabric so you have one with the arch facing to the left, then flip the pattern upside down and cut out one with the arch facing to the right.


Place the bottom sole (grip stop fabric) face down on your table. Lay the inner wool sole on top, right side up, matching arches.

Pin together placing pins on the grip stop fabric side.

Baste together very close to the edge – it will make it easier to attach the sole later. And here’s a tip: Place a piece of paper underneath your presser foot to keep the little rubber circle grippers on the fabric from gripping onto your presser foot. Nice, huh?

When it’s all sewn, you’ll have the grippers on the sole bottom with a nice soft felted wool sole inside to keep your feet cozy.

Now you’re going to attach the sole to the slipper. Pin the middle back first – middle of the sole pinned to the back seam of the slipper upper.

Then move to the front – pinch the sole in the half to find its center.

Pin together, placing pins on the slipper upper side (rather than on the sole side).

It will look like this:

Sew around to attach at a 1/4″ seam.

I used both a straight stitch at a 1/4″ seam plus a zigzag stitch and I think it looks pretty professional if I do say so myself.

Turn right side out.

You can use a bone folder to help push out the seams.

Attach slipper cuff
Now make the cuff. Cut out two cuffs from the sweater ribbing.

Fold in half, right sides together, and sew a 1/4″ seam to make a circle.

Turn right side out.

Stuff the cuff inside the top of the slipper, ribbing side down, so that the raw edges meet. Pin.

You can see that it’s all tucked inside.

Sew at a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Pull the cuff straight up…

…then fold it in half to hide the stitches. Repeat for the other slipper. You’re done.

Slip on the slippers and stay warm and cozy all winter.


- See more at: http://www.merrimentdesign.com/fuzzy-bunny-slippers-from-recycled-felted-sweaters-for-kids-free-slipper-pattern.php#sthash.M9JaDh8n.dpuf