GOD KNEW I NEEDED YOU

Saturday, October 10, 2026

LETS … COVERS A LOT OF GROUND; Castle Rock-WA

I was pretty sick with a queasy stomach, a fever that had me soaked with sweat, chills that had me shaking & quaking, & nausea, in the wee hours of this morning … I was in bad shape, but I didn't think it was serious enough to warrant an ER visit, so Holland checked on me periodically before I got up - and gave me a Free Pass ๐ŸŽŸ️๐Ÿ’ž for the Day, even making Supper for us; which, thankfully, I managed to keep in my stomach. So, all I've actually done today since waking up, is scroll FB reels - and laugh out loud, nod my head in agreement, and say, "that's truth, alright".

Here are some of the reels that grabbed my attention, got me thinking-laughing-commenting:

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ Good thing I'm gutsy - as well as spicy ๐Ÿ˜‰
Giving me lots and lots of these shiny things ๐Ÿ˜ … will guarantee cashing in on anything he wants from me ๐Ÿ˜˜

I did warn Holland - when he started talking marriage: "I don't think you know what you're asking for. I will make you angry - often. I won't mean to, but it will happen." He said, "I'll risk it." Now, my warning plays in his head 24/7/365; and I try not to remind him that "I said so". Marriage ๐Ÿ’•  It's a trip …

It just happens ๐Ÿ˜‰ I wake up bouncy & innocent … and by the end of the Day I'm being told I embody all the power in the galaxy to piss off the entire world ๐Ÿค” Superwoman has nothing over me ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ

There are very few people from my Past in my Life, Now.

Some have taken different paths.

Some have heeded The Call.

Some were lured away by worldly distractions.

Some stayed.

Some made me a part of their Family nucleolus.

Some are new-comers: late comers to the Party of My Life.

They didn't know me in my Past - they only know me in this New Chapter of my New Life.

None of these people really know me.

Both groups of people that make up my Tribe, only know the bits and pieces of me that I share; I share truthfully … but I don't share all.

So, when people run with what they think they know about me, try to manage me, make assumptions about me, and try to force me into a labeled box … I will more often, than not, buck against it all & can honestly say, "You don't know me."

Truth.

Bob married me 4 months after our 1st Date. His words to me after positioning me in front of Zane's window, on Commerce & pointing at wedding rings were, "I believe we can make it, Val. I want you to be the mother of my children." I was 17 - he was 24 ๐Ÿ’ Bob always felt like Home, to me. We made it, through thick & thin, for 44 years ๐Ÿ‘ฉ‍❤️‍๐Ÿ’‹‍๐Ÿ‘จ

Holland married me 2 months after our 1st Date. His words to me while we were sitting in his truck, drinking coffees at Willow Grove, were: "We're getting married - I waited 35 years for you & thought I had missed you somewhere along the line. The years kept passing. Then, you walked through the door - I knew who you were as soon as I saw you. We're getting married & you'll get used to the thought of me." That was in November; we were married the first week of January ๐Ÿ’Ž Holland is a tough guy ๐Ÿค  … but, with all his sharp edges, he feels like Home, to me. In all those years between Bob's leaving - and Holland's arrival, no other guy interested me - not even a tiny spark; and I was flirted with at the gas station, grocery aisles, Park walks: only Holland was able to get me alongside him. I was 66 - he was 60. And we're going to make it, because there is no one else we'd rather stand beside, fight with, share laughs with, & make memories with ๐Ÿ‘ฉ‍❤️‍๐Ÿ’‹‍๐Ÿ‘จ We've weathered 1,400 Days out of our hoped for 7,300; the next 5,900 should be a cinch ๐Ÿ˜‰

I was feeling well enough to make supper, when suppertime came around - but Holland insisted that I "rest the whole Day, Baby; I don't want anything to happen to you." I consented because (1) he likes to cook (2) it eases his mind to "take care of" me.

He can make an ordinary thing, extraordinary; this man can cook ๐Ÿ‘ฉ‍๐Ÿณ‍  - and I am grateful ๐Ÿ‘

I am blessed - and I know it ๐Ÿ’–

Thursday, October 8, 2026

MOD HEADPHONES CROCHET SUNFLOWER STRIP BAND Pattern; Castle Rock-WA


After I had designed and crafted ๐Ÿงถ✂️๐Ÿงต my Curvette Fall Vibes Headband …

Fall-Themed V-shaped Curvette Headband.MOD CROCHET CURVETTE FALL VIBES HEADBAND; Castle Rock-WA: (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2026/10/mod-crochet-curvette-fall-vibes.html)

… I decided to add of seasonal color to my headphones too -  so, that's what I did ๐Ÿ˜Š

When Holland woke up and caught sight of them, while I drank my morning joy juice - he laughed and said, "You are really having fun with sunflowers, aren't you? I like it - it's definitely YOU" ๐Ÿ‘ฉ‍❤️‍๐Ÿ’‹‍๐Ÿ‘จ

I am having fun.

Life is too short to do anything else.

Fall is the season for colorful fun.

MOD Headphones Crochet Sunflower Strip Band

Materials: Worsted weight yarn in colors of choice (original is yellow, brown, & green - but sunflowers come in an array of colors, now); Size #E/4 crochet hook; scissors; tapestry needle; 2 medium-size resin buttons

Terms Used:

ch = chain

dc = decrease

EA = each

hdc = half double crochet

inc = increase

jn = join

sc = single crochet

sl st = slip stitch

st = stitch

tog= together

rpt = repeat

x = times


MOD Crochet Strip Band: Ch 7 - T

Rows 1 thru 12: Sc EA st; T

Row 13 - Buttonhole R: Sc x3, ch 5 & jn w-sl st in next st, sc x2: EO & weave in loose end.

On opposite end, count 3 rows down & 3 sts from side to sew resin button in place.

Make another band in same manner.

MOD Sunflower: Center; Make a magic circle, ch 2 & work 12 dc in circle - draw to a close with last dc.

Petals: Attach Gold yarn & ch 5 & work as follows - *sl st, sc x 2, hdc, sl st in front loop of next st, then sl st in back loop of same st & ch 5 st*; rpt * - * around circle (13 petals); remove hook & working from backside of work, pull yarn through.

ch 5
Sl st, sc x 2, hdc
Sl st in front loop of next st
Sl st in back loop of same st
Rpt petal pattern sequence.
Finished Sunflower~Front Side

Strengthening Petals: *Ch 5 & sl st to top of petal backside, then sl st EA ch to backside of petal & in backside loop of sunflower center circle*; rpt * - * around EA petal. EO & weave in loose ends.

Ch 5
Sl st to top of petal backside
Then sl st down EA ch st & thru petal sts; tog
Sl st in backside loop of sunflower center circle.

Mark sunflower placement & place 1 Sunflower in the center of crochet strip band & tack securely in place:

Place Sunflower in center of crochet strip band, & tack securely in place.

Repeat with second crochet strip band.

Button your sunflower bands to your headphones … ๐Ÿ˜Š๐ŸŽง

… and enjoy your favorite movies ๐ŸŽฌ, podcasts, ๐ŸŽ™️, music ๐ŸŽถ, or reels ๐Ÿ’ป, in Fall style ๐Ÿ, & and enjoy your Autumn vibe ๐ŸŒป

Enjoy your Autumn vibe.

MOD CROCHET CURVETTE FALL VIBES HEADBAND; Castle Rock-WA

MOD V-shaped Curvette Headband is finished~Side View

I get a little silly ๐Ÿคญ with certain holidays … 4th of July ๐ŸŽ†, the [ber] months ๐Ÿฆƒ๐ŸŽ„, & my BD ๐ŸŽ‰, which follows Christmas & lands just hours before the New Year.

I had a cute 4th of July funny headband I planned on sporting - until Tim ruined that Day with a business deal ๐Ÿ˜’ that included Holland being gone the bulk of the Day; so, I'll keep it for next year ๐Ÿ˜‰

I snagged a cute December funny headband, while in town the other day ๐Ÿ˜Š … and had Holland laughing, & saying, "it's YOU, Baby", when I modeled it for him ๐Ÿ˜˜ I plan on sporting it on the appropriate December Day, this year ๐Ÿ˜

But, I couldn't find a funny hat that fit the month of November ๐Ÿค”, so, I designed ✍️ one that is simple, & using materials at the ready ๐Ÿ’ป๐Ÿงถ✂️๐Ÿงต

There is beauty in simplicity.

 In being authentic.

In creating something that feels like you.

Especially when everything starts to feel the same.

Be creative, be brave, be cringey … do it anyway: do it differently - do it authentically; do it like you ✨๐Ÿ‚

Put yourself out there and have fun!

I remembered that my mother had a pretty little V-shaped black velvet, Curvette Fascinator Birdcage veiled hat & I used the remembered image of that form, for my design inspiration.

MOD Crochet Curvette Fall Vibes Headband

Materials: 2 ct. plain Women's Plastic Headbands; Worsted weight yarn in colors of choice; Size #E/4 crochet hook; scissors; tapestry needle; sewing needle, sewing thread

Terms Used:

ch = chain

dc = decrease

EA = each

hdc = half double crochet

inc = increase

sc = single crochet

sl st = slip stitch

st = stitch

tog= together

rpt = repeat

x = times


PATTERN: I did use an online maple leaf pattern - but, the rest of this design, is my own.

Maple Leaf design @ Raffaella Designs online: https://raffamusadesigns.com/crochet-maple-leaf-applique/

Crochet Headband Covering = Ch 55; T

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch & each ch across - sl st in last ch; T

Row 2: Sl st in each foundation ch loop - sl st in last ch; Cut yarn. leaving a tail long enough to weave in on backside:

Sl st in each foundation ch loop - sl st in last ch; Cut yarn.

Row 3: Attach yarn at opposite end of sl st row & sc in back loop of each sl st across - sl st in last ch. EO,  leaving a tail long enough to weave in on backside.

Attach yarn at opposite end of sl st row & sc in back loop of each sl st across.
Sl st in last ch. EO

Make a second crochet piece in the same manner.

Covering Plastic Headband:

Wrap plastic headband with 1 crochet piece, & whipstitch closed from one end - to the other.

Wrap plastic headband with 1 crochet piece, & whipstitch closed.

 Wrap 2nd plastic headband in same manner.

Making V-shaped Curvette Headband: Overlap both finished headbands & securely tack together:

Overlap both finished pieces & tack together.

MOD Pumpkin: Starting with a long tail, ch 3; T

Row 1: Working in back loop - inc x2; T

Row 2: Working in back loops - inc, sc, inc; T

Row 3: Working in back loops - inc, sc x2, inc; T

Row 4: Working in back loops - inc, sc x3, inc; T

Row 5: Working in back loops - inc, sc x4, inc; T

Row 6: Working in back loops - inc, sc x5, inc; T

Row 7: Working in back loops - inc, sc x6, inc; T

Rows 8 thru 12: Working in back loops, sc in EA st (9 ct); T

Row 13: Working in back loops - dc, sc x4, dc; T

Rows 13-16 - dec rows

Row 14: Working in back loops - dc, sc x3, dc; T

Row 15: Working in back loops - dc, sc x1, dc; T

Row 16: Work even in back loops: EO, leaving a long tail.

With 1 long tail, gather sts along one edge, & pull closed.

In center st, attach stem color & ch 4; fold back and tack in place. Stuff pumpkin ball with a cotton ball &  with 2nd long tail, gather edge closed & fasten securely.

Stuff pumpkin ball.
Gather edges & close tightly.

Pin stuffed pumpkin in place on Curvette headband & tack firmly in place.

Position pumpkin & tack in place.

Position maple leaf & tack securely in place.

Position maple leaf & tack securely in place.

MOD Sunflower: Center; Make a magic circle, ch 2 & work 12 dc in circle - draw to a close with last dc.

Petals: Attach Gold yarn & ch 5 & work as follows - *sl st, sc x 2, hdc, sl st in front loop of next st, then sl st in back loop of same st & ch 5 st*; rpt * - * around circle (13 petals); remove hook & working from backside of work, pull yarn through.

Attach Gold yarn
Sl st, sc x 2, hdc
Sl st in front loop of next st
Then sl st in back loop of same st
Rpt petal pattern sequence.
Finished Sunflower~Front Side

Strengthening Petals: *Ch 5 & sl st to top of petal backside, then sl st EA ch to backside of petal & in backside loop of sunflower center circle*; rpt * - * around EA petal. EO & weave in loose ends.

Ch 5
Sl st to top of petal backside.
Then sl st down EA ch st & thru petal sts; tog
Sl st in backside loop of sunflower center circle.

Place Sunflower on opposite side of Curvette & tack securely in place:

Place Sunflower on opposite side of Curvette & tack securely in place.

Your V-shaped Curvette Headband is finished.

Have fun enjoying a little fun Fall vibe ;-)

V-shaped Curvette Headband is finished~Top View
Side View1
Side View2