Almost New Year

Been a bad year for me. no sewing get up and go. No finishes other than the house and yard. Which that took a long time. Illness that is righting itself, but hey that has taken longer than I cared for.

The one good thing is waiting on baby. She has been stubborn and not ready to show up yet. It will happen when she is ready.

I hope the new year will be good for all of you . I am going to start purging old pots and pans and getting things ready for taxes. That will be upon us before we know it. Also In all the house upheaval I have misplaced my blank checks. Gotta find them or order some new and then I will find them. Just little things.

No resolutions and no goals. I never meet them. Just try and be a nice person. Chris

Merry Christmas

So much was going on yesterday I didn't get any pictures taken at all. They all got here and we continued to cook until about 1 pm.

7 pizzas and cheesy garlic bread and a big pasta dish. Lots of leftovers for them to take home. The cleanup came and I was wore out. I was up cooking at 5:30am in the morning.

Everyone was real happy with what they got and they had leftovers to feed their families today also. But my oldest Granddaughter decided she wasn't loved and she moved out of her Dad's house. Destroyed us all. Dad fought in court for years and My husband and I have bent over backwards to help. 17 years old and the boyfriend means more to her than her family. He is in the service and not around.

We are walking in a bad dream right now. She is so close to being 18 and on her own it is scary.

So I am not sure what will happen today. I need to find something to keep me busy. Hope you are having  great Christmas. Chris

Will wonders never sees

 I did some hand work. I started to want to do something again. These are hexies that are 1/2 inch on each side. If I make several of these to this stage them I have something to add to my larger piece.

I will get the rest of this one done tonight. They have to have a row of them in the  tan around them to be the smaller flowers in the design I am doing. 

We got packages wrapped today, Groceries bought yesterday, run to the bank and I even went out and got my hair cut. So things are starting to fall into place. I will prep tomorrow for the pizzas.

I make an Italian bread recipe and use it for the crust. Then I also use it for the Italian loaves, but I cut them and add garlic butter with Mozzarella Cheese and place in the oven for the cheese to melt. The kids love it. We are eating about noon. 

Tomorrow I have some picking up to do and then it will be ready to get up and do my baking Sat. morning. 

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.  Chris

Little Miss tattle tail can't go shopping anymore

Autumn can't go Christmas shopping anymore because she goes home and tells everyone what was bought for them. So she came to Grandma's house to play by herself.  So we got the computer out and played on Nik Jr. 

She plays games on tablets and phones.  but the computer is a little different. She was so wide eyed soaking it all up. She was using the wireless mouse. She needs help yet, but it won't take long. 

They are like a sponge at this age. Chris

I want, I want, I want

This morning up early. Just couldn't lay there anymore. I think I had a dream and it woke me up.

I have gotten catalogs for sewing products n the mail of late. Also looking at Pinterest I have sen things and I keep think I want that.H--L I don't use what I have. LOL

What I need is motivation. I think I have come up with an idea for Summer stitching on the porch. That would be for hexies. Most of the day it is in the shade, but gets a good breeze.

Yesterday it occurred to me that I need to get my behind working again. Not out of the house, but with the housework and quilting and sewing I need to get done.

I have lost almost 30 lbs since being ill and I need to work on some alterations to a few things I can wear for awhile.

Off to make another cup of coffee and also to see if I can get a jacket zipper put into a coat for one of the girls. I hate jacket and coat zippers. Chris  

Busy today

Mommy had a Doctor's appt. today and so we had two little girls for a couple hours. They each had a tray table and coloring books and were coloring. The problem was they both wanted the same colored crayon at the same time.   

Katie is growing up really fast. She is going to be a big sister soon. They have friends with new babies so we are in hopes she doesn't get to jealous. Autumn will be fine. She will be a little mother. Katie has Grandma's allergies and her face breaks out with new soaps and shampoos. So hopefully she grows out of some of that. My son has it also. 

I have been hibernating. We have had severe windchills below zero. I just figure if I stay in I won't be exposed to germs also. 

We are going to have a heatwave in the next few days. The temp highs will be in the 30's. Can't wait for this.

I have to go to the store in a couple days to buy all the food for the  Christmas Eve dinner we are having. Homemade Pizza for 13 people is a lot of oven time. 

Hope you are staying warm, Chris 

Focus

There is a problem I have staying focused. I guess when I put something down and don't finish it I run into lots of unfinished work.

Part of my problem when I started all this was to make bed quilts. Well how many queen size quilts can a person handle to make in their life time?

I need to learn some time management skills. I have been getting up early and then I end up going back to bed for a couple hours. Part of the trouble I am up and down 3-5 times a night. Not  much good sleep happens then.

Well I will add to this in the morning.

Well this is 503 pm. Nothing to report other than really cold weather. I got up took a shower washed my sheets on my bed and with weather coming in tomorrow I was miserable and sat in the chair, get up and walk around and sit back down again.

I can't wait until it is bed time again. Then 2 hours later I will be up miserable again. This is going to be the rest of my life I am afraid. The one med that worked for me was discontinued because of serious side effects. Can't win for loosing.

Going to snack on something and see if I can get some handwork going. I have plenty of that. I wish I had a better chair to sit in. My chairs are nice, but they don't fit my back well. I keep changing chairs off and on all night.

Getting closer to Christmas everyday. I am going to attempt to make homemade pizza for everyone. They love the combination I make. I mentioned homemade pizza and they said when should we be there.

Well hope you have a nice evening. Chris

Where are they now?

I have done all this sewing and nothing finished, but where are they now? Since the house remodel and my Mother's illness and passing I am so disjointed and not sure what I have done and what is just a hot mess laying there. 

I really think I need to lock myself in this  room and get something done. Since this new baby is due in less than 9 days. I think she will be overdue. Time will tell.

They had a name picked out and last I heard they had changed their minds, but no new name that I have heard.

I think with it so cold out I will see what I can do about getting something done. Chris

Just checking in

Snowing lightly here. Will for several more hours. We got 2 inches yesterday late afternoon.

I had a bad night last night and I know why. The day before we had the girls and I picked both of them up. Which sets me back a couple days as to how I feel. Today I am better, but the upside to all this is I have lost 20 lbs.

Awful way to loose weight by being sick. But it is getting better. Back to eating as I had just far less and if the strength in my back and legs would return I would be happy. Took a long time to get out of shape it will take twice as long to regain everything.

I was going to sew today, but I think I will take a nap and recover more if possible. Gray old day.

Hope you are having a great day. Chris

Twice in one day

I bought a Christmas gift for myself. I have had big heavy irons and old irons that drained the electricity out of my house.  My husband and I thought about it and we decided to purchase a travel iron. 

It is small light weight and boy does it get hot. This one can use steam and has a puff of steam feature also. See the difference in the size of the two irons. It takes out creases well and also presses seams perfectly.

The good thing about it is that I got it delivered to my door. I use Amazon and they had this Sunbeam travel iron very reasonably priced. The only thing it doesn't have is an on/off switch. I have it plugged into an electrical strip and I just turn it on and off there. But I did that with big iron also. I still have the larger iron for big projects, but this one is very handy.

Our major storm has started. We are to get 7-11 inches by noon on Sunday. We got to the store this morning and got a few things bought so we would have variety.

Tonight fried chicken. Haven't had that for ever. Chris

What I have been doing

Date on picture is not right. Oh well! Do you see what this picture is? It is a picture of a screen of Pinterest. Yes that is as far as I get with sewing/quilting. I have spent hours on Pinterest looking to get inspired. I see so many things I would like to do, but all I do is save the links. 

This images are of very well organized sewing studios. Well that will never happen in my lifetime. I don't want to just sit, but I have no motivation. 

We are to get up to 6-10 inches in the next 36 hours. So off to the store. My loaf of bread was moldy so I need to replace that and get some meat. If I have the basics I can cook up a decent meal. 

I promise today after the store run I will go into the sewing room and sew on something. I do have some mending to do also.

Stay warm I am going to get my mind ready to go out in the arctic air. 

Suppose to be 1-3 HAHA

It ended up 8 inches before it was done.

He got out the snow blade just the day before. So it was all installed and ready. Then this morning because the ground was warm so we had fog that was pretty thick. 

We had to go to the clinic. Jeff needed blood work done. So we went through the process and got home. 

We both have had naps and lunch. Maybe I can get some sorting done. Stay warm. Chris

In response

Katie, Thank you for you suggestion. We have tried everything possible and we get told  we make to much money to qualify. One letter to an application told us we make $100 to much. It has always been a struggle.

On another note I am doing better each day, but it is hard work. Thanks Chris

Since Thanksgiving

I have done a few things. So many days are so draining I just do one thing and then sit or take a nap. My fear is that my Father had MS. I really don't think that is what is going on, but the back of your mind sneaks there when you are really down.

The days have been so gray and gloomy and that doesn't help the mood. Not in the mood for Christmas so everyone gets a money card. I could go nuts and order everything off Amazon, but that fells like cheating to me.

I did so quilting as you go, but haven't gotten back to it. I want to wake up and feel good and a sunny day. Don't want much. Yes I am depressed and yes I need to go to the DR. but I have no insurance. Waiting for Medicare to kick in. I know no excuse, but we really didn't have the premium money to get insurance.

We lived on the edge of poverty for a long time and it can happen again. The new government maybe will be the undoing of us all.

Be patient with me I think I will get it back. Chris

So much thought has been going on

I have just been overwhelmed by the health crisis and recovery and I still am not really 100%. I am eating normal again and able to do a few things, but I am so wore out after I get done.

As I said before I let myself go and it is going to take a long time to recover, but I am determined to get better. Each day I push harder.

Thanksgiving is going to be here, but my son and wife are going to do the cooking. Which will be a treat for me because I have always done for ever one else.  I am sure it will be emotional day for me giving up the apron.

I have been wanting to get into the sewing room and even move things around, but I haven't forced myself as of yet. I do have to go in there tomorrow and move a Christmas gift that is visible. The kid always looks for his gifts so I have to make sure it is hidden.

So here is a list I have thought about of late and I wrote it down in the middle of the night when I was awake and in pain.

My 12 step list.

1. Admit you are a quilter who has a problem.

2. If you have more than one quilting problem Start over. Admit it all.

3. Use what you have on hand.

4. If you are a starter and not a finisher. Admit it.

5. Make a list and finish it.

6. Make a goal to complete a WIP soon.

7. Pet your stash and straighten it.

8. Pull fabric for your first quilt after the first of the year.

9. Organize all quilting tools, rulers, machine feet, and have them all in one place so you can find them easily.

10. Dust as you go. Empty waste baskets and pitch small scraps.

11. Have a leader and ender project ready to work on.

12. Have kits made up with EPP and applique. Needles, thread, pins, patterns and templates, scissors and a thimble.

Go Forth and quilt.

I will have to push myself to stay with this list. Hopefully I can make some goals happen.
I think I have to push through mind over matter and get myself going to get back in the swing of things.

Hopefully you all are getting ready for your Thanksgiving  Day. Some will sew some will cook and others will travel. Be safe. Chris

Well all most Thanksgiving0

I had decided I just wouldn't do thanksgiving this year. I still wasn't on top of my game. So it was a disappointment for the kids, but they took it upon themselves to come here and do the cooking and the clean up. So next thursday we will will have Thanksgiving I just won't be doing ads much work.

I am 80% better, but I just need to get over the hump. I have gone to the store to buy groceries by myself, but the scooter in the store gets used. I guess that is what they are for.

The granddaughters came yesterday for a couple hours and they were busy. But we got through it. The three year old has such funny explanations of how things happen at her house. We just sit and laugh at her.

Six more weeks for the new little one to arrive. So I had better get well quickly. Hope you have a Great weekend. Chris

Dust and adjusting

This has been on my dining room table for two months. I am embarrassed to say. I have picked up a stack here and there and made sure bills were paid, but the leftover just sits.

I really need to get some sewing done with a new baby on the way. 7 Weeks and we ill have a new baby in the Family.

As many of you have said on your blogs your election experience was different than what you expected. No candidate was perfect for sure.

I really hope life gets calmed down and the World can resume somewhat Normal place.

I am going to try and get some things done today. But don't hold your breath. Chris

I'm improving.

I finally am turning the corner and starting to feel better. Been a long slow journey to get this far.

Well the election is over. The name calling and the mudslinging hopefully is over, but time will tell. Maybe isn't the outcome you wanted, but I think the voice of America was heard. Change had to come.

I am  not optimistic this will be the answer. I honestly think the complete change will never happen as long as the Good Old Boy Society remains in place a length of term isn't changed to a certain amount of time.

This is my opinion and not forcing it onto you. Trying to be optimistic the transistion will go smooth and we Don't show the World we are in-fighting here in the USA. Chris

Nov. 1st

The girls in their costumes. Kate was a cow and autumn a pumpkin. They were in a Halloween parade and then yesterday they went to their Great Grandma's to visit with her.

The last couple years they were here. 

In the 70's today and sun is out. Enjoy the Fall weather. Chris

Loosing it

I am ok, but not great. As a caregiver I let myself go instead of eating correctly and getting out to do keep myself active. Now I am paying the price.

I haven't stitched a single stitch in over a month. I am starting to eat a little better, but have a long way to go to be right again.

I have been trying to stay focused on doing the right thing. Take care Chris

Blogger and honesty

Yes I am around. Improving slowly, but not as fast as I would like to. Suppose to go to a birthday party today, but I am not sure I will attend. They all know I have been sick.

As I read through blogger comments left on others blogs and questions asked by the bloggers I scratch my head and wonder why would you open yourself up to that type of criticism.

Recently I read a blog of a talented duo and the question was trying to answer why they who design their own patterns always make another designers patterns and don't promote their own more. They were asking for opinions.

Needless to say I opened my big mouth and suggested they were selling themselves short. Then I got all the excuses of work outside the quilting business, Love of family, Just to busy to work that hard at it.

I then was raked over the coals the next post openly that I didn't understand. So if you have all these answers why are you asking the questions. I guess truth hurts.

This duo is very talented and could do well on their own designs and never have to look back.

Sorry to say we only restrict ourselves. Not saying anything else. Chris

Told you I wasn't feeling well.

I have been flat on my back in bed, but Stomach issues and I just am a mess. Starting to correct itself with some urging.

I have a family issue with this trouble and yet I fall into this dead zone off and on and I need to get this straightened out.

My Mother, Son and two granddaughters all have this issue. Not fun. Hopefully in a few days I will be better. Chris

Well finally getting numbers up there.

I have been watching my stats on my blog as of late, but the last 48 hours I have been really sick. It started out as stomach flu and now I am wondering if it is gall bladder.

I have spent the better past of two days in bed. I am up early today and need to go and get somethings done so I will force myself to go and get a few groceries.

Well the numbers thing I have 100,592 views of my blog.I have been blogging since Aug of 2009. For someone that didn't have a lot to say I guess others have looked.

I have though about not blogging in the past and yet I try and keep it going.

Temperatures in the low 40's this morning. Hope you have a good day. Chris

I'm here

Been trying to keep busy. I have done some cleaning and picking up. Yesterday took my daughter-in-law and the two little ones rummage saling.

We made a good day of it. I think we got almost everything she needs for the new baby and then some. Newborn clothing is outgrown before it gets stained. We bought clear up to 6-9 months while it was available.

The little ones were good until we got back to my house and they started fighting. So they had time outs and got in the car and on the way to pick up one of the brothers they had long naps.

I have done some hand sewing and yet I still haven't walked into the sewing room to do anything. I got the dimensions for the crib mattress. So I can  now look for fabric for sheets.

I am sure I have several pieces to make at least four sheets if not more. I make them without elastic and they stay on the mattress much better.

My Grandson had his first date tonight to go to Homecoming dance. The girl called him 30 minutes before they had to go. His step-mom got it all done and he was out the door.

Should be interesting as to how he liked it. Well going to go watch some Netflix. Chris

Been a solemn few days

Tomorrow is the year anniversary of my Mother's Death. I miss her everyday and I struggle more some days than others.

My Brother texted me today, but nothing was said, but I know he is struggling also. It was small talk, but for him to contact me that is saying a lot. We were close when we were young, but things changed.

Family is a different dynamics than what it use to be. Every family has issues that create differences which change the closeness of the family. I have said illness and death will make families ugly.

I have my son and grandkids and my husband so I will be ok. My Brother hasn't got any children he only has his wife and a dog.

I haven't touched a bit of sewing and yet I want to, but still don't feel real swift. It rained today off and on and we got an inch of rain. Chances of rain over the next few days off and on so not a lot of outside work will happen if it is to wet.

Hope you all are being very productive with your projects. Chris

Hexie's are coming together

This is the connecting color for this quilt top. I added the color around the flower and stitched it to the long row of diamonds.

The dark green flower has some of the red around it and I positioned it on the right side in the top picture In the second picture I added it to see what it will look like on the left side.

This is the thing I like about this setting. It is all color and you add what looks good to which ever side you want. As I add more I will show you the progress.

Finally today I feel better. The sun is out and the humidity is down. Had a couple really rough days. I try and move, but sometimes it is more than you can handle. Thanks for your support.

Today I need to look in the freezer and get creative with a meal. We have been trying to cut back and sometimes it becomes just to mundane. I will be going to the grocery sometime today and picking up some things for sides.

50 more days of this circus going on over the Election 2016. My Mother taught me not to says something to hurt others. I wonder why this has to happen.

Hope you have a wonderful day. Chris

A little more

Yes the sun is out even though they predicted 80% chance of rain today. We had thunder for about 20 minutes and no rain. Hopefully we get a little bit or we will have to water those plants we moved the other day. 

Ok a little work was done after the post last night. I started on a row of the diamond blocks. I thought I needed to get a few of them done so I have a base to sew the mini flowers onto. 

I have cleaned some in the sewing room. I took down the ironing board again and opened up the floor space. I also found a spot for all the loose batting I have. Much of the quilting I do has leftovers so I save like kinds and stitch together to make a larger piece for utility quilts. 

I also had two odd tubs that had leftover fabric from garments in. I found a home for them out of the main floor area. They have denim pieces and fleece in them. 

I plan on getting one more table cleaned off then I will be in a better spot with the things that I need to work with being available and not so penned in. 

I got my dishes done and the counters all wiped off so I can do some more cleaning in the extra bedroom. First I have to pick up toys. I didn't realize they had such a mess in there or they would have had pickup time. Note to self watch the play area better before they leave. 

The bed needs a fresh set of sheets and also some dusting needs doing. Housework never ends. 

I haven't felt real good the last few days which is an ongoing thing of late. Mold and pollen is the biggest problem. The other problem is I have lots of pain. Yes I have arthritis and with the stormy weather in the area even though it never happens here I feel the pain. Also I need to drop some weight again, but when you are in pain getting up and moving to keep it off is difficult. I know it sounds like whining and I apologize for that, but for a long time I thought I was alone in dealing with it. 

That is not the case and as I get older I can see where we become sedimentary easier. My back from a former job is so screwed up I don't think I can ever get any relief. I can walk on a level surface and all of a sudden my left leg goes numb. The pinched nerves in my back are crippling at time. 

Running after two little girls takes it's toll on me most of the time. I try and keep active, but some days are worse than other.  I was reading blogs this morning and the tears streamed down my cheeks I know it was from pain. I got up moved and took some pain meds, but it covered it up. It is back again. Life sucks some days when you have pain. Off to do some more cleaning. Chris 

Well been busy with my hands

They are larger hexagons. It is 3/4 of an inch on a side. I am cutting them out of 2 inch strips and it is going a little faster, but covering more space faster, 

I do not have the pattern for this, but found the picture in the "Millefiori Quilts" book by Willyne Hammerstein. It is a picture of a quilt she was working on.  It is sewn in strips that inter mess with each other. I have a tone on tone red print I am going to add between the flowers and diamonds. 

Yesterday we transplanted a couple plants before it rained. We had a couple Ice Plants to stitch in the ground and a sedum to move. The yard got mowed today and I did some hand sewing.

I use a thimble, nut my fingernails are getting in the way. Also hand stitching I must hold the needle to tight because the corners of my fingers where the nail is loose from the bed it is really sore. I need to toughen up. 

I got a panicky phone cal tonight from my Daughter-in-law and the three year old pulled a piece of raw pork off of a chop that had seasoning on it and ate it. I told her she maybe would have a stomach ache or run to the bathroom. I said give her a glass of milk. It has to run it course through her body. KIDS! Dad was lighting the grill to cook supper. I guess she couldn't wait. 

Five kids in the house is a little stressful. Hope you have a good evening.Chris 

  

If we could change the World.

I only wish things could be even keel. We have even issues where we live. The neighbor has been on a mean binge lately and his mouth is has gotten ahead of him.

Awful that we have to live in a World where there isn't any anger or hatred. We keep to ourselves most of the time and we try not to get involved in all the gossip.

We loved living in the country where we had neighbors as close as 2 miles away. We could do as we pleased and didn't have closeness to interfere with the way we lived our lives.

I did get and outside outlet installed on my covered deck. Jeff did that for me today. I just love having a husband that is handy.

Going in to lay down in a few minutes then start on my sewing room to rearrange. Chris

So much fun

she thought she was doing something with the computer. She is teased about being Dutch. You ask her something and she says Ya. We just laugh at her. 

She is such a cheeseball. She loves to smile. She is growing up so fast. We had jeans on her yesterday and she is getting taller and slimming down a lot.

We had fun with her and she seemed to enjoy having Grandma and Grandpa to herself. But she was glad to see her sister yesterday when Taylor came to get her.

Today I want to get some cleaning done. We have let the inside go and it is getting to me. I then want to get the extra room cleaned up. I would like to paint the walls in there and get it to look like a room instead of a warehouse for discarded things.

My plans are to hit the living room and kitchen first and work till I get the extra bedroom done even if it takes me a week. It amazes me how you can dump so many things and not ever get to cleaning up. Well it amazes me that I can do it maybe or I hope you don't.

I have been away from the sewing machine for far to long and it is bothering me. Yes I have plenty of other things to keep me busy, but it feels funny not to sew.

Well off to make coffee for my husband before he gets up. He loves having the kids, but he is wore out keeping up with them.

Take care Chris

Been busy

Kate has been keeping me busy. Autumn is with Mommy and Daddy and calls me every hour wondering what her sister is doing. 

She likes to draw and play with this tablet. We are into asking why all the time now. I just L-O-V-E that. Not! She is suppose to be taking a nap and isn't cooperating. 

She has the hiccups maybe that is why she isn't sleeping. So m uch fun. Chris

Well another day gone by and no sewing

I did get the last of the baby knit booties finished. I made 6 pairs in two sizes. They go pretty fast and I can pick up some more yarn later when I get back to the store. I have a couple months before they are needed.

I was surprised yesterday when the oldest granddaughter showed up. She had a few minutes before she had to be at work. She had a sandwich and also some cookies before she had to leave to go into work. We don't get to see her very often. She is a Senior in High School and working about 24-30 hours a week. She keeps busy.


Suppose to be cooler today and gorgeous over the weekend. So I get the youngest one for two nights. Mom and Dad are promoting a benefit concert and she is just to little to be going. Autumn is going because she loves this band and she is going to sing with them on stage she says. I am sure she will be bashful.

She was funny yesterday when they went to feed the calves and she told me she saw a snake. She said she didn't like it. Well after all I thought she was telling me about a snake. The property is rural and it is possible. Come to find out it was a worm. Dad told me it wasn't a snake. Then she called later and said they got 5 eggs. They have chickens so she was excited about that also. They are a lot of fun when they are that age.

Kids are funny with what they share when they call you. At least they are not sitting in front of a TV or a video game for a babysitter.

I have some things that need picking up before little hands get here today and also some medicine to go purchase for my husband. So I will not get a lot accomplished other than picking up today.

Hope you have a great weekend. Chris

One of the hottest days of the Summer

They even let school out early it was so hot. 100 degrees heat index. Most schools here do not have A/C. So what was I doing knitting.The new little girl will be born on or around January 2nd and I am sure it will be really cold outside. 

I found this pattern online from Bev's Country Cottage. Beverly A. Qualheim has many patterns on her website. These called Bev's Stay On Knit Booties. They are a easy knitting project and can use different weights of yarn and needle size with the same amount of stitches. The ones on the right are size 5 needles and baby yarn DK sized. 

The one on the left is regular worsted weight with 8 needles and this is a larger bootie. The top one is the DK baby yarn again, but the size 8 needles. I plan on making several in different colors so there is a size that will fit. 

The Nelson babies all have big feet from the get go so multiple sizes are a must. They grow so fast. Then I thought I would make up several sizes and colors and save them for Great Grandchildren I am sure I will be getting. Have to use up the yarn I have laying around here. 

A pair takes about an hour of fast knitting to complete. 

I plan on trying to get some more picking up done today. I need to get to the grocery for the little one to come and stay. She is a juice drinker and milk drinker and grandma is low on both right now. I need some snacks for her also. 

Stay cool today. Chris

Such a slump I am in

Nothing is wrong just not into doing much. Suppose to get a weather change so it might be why I am in this slump.


I need to get back into a routine quickly. My life needs routine.


I have a lot of things to finish up before Christmas and that is coming real quickly. I might be absent for a couple days here. I need to get some Fall like housekeeping done. I really want to say I did some housekeeping this year like I use to. LOL Chris

yard walk before they loose their glory

This is just pictures of my yard in bloom.

We worked hard in our yard this Summer and it is paying off well with the looks. Chris

Are you a creature of habit?

First thing in the morning I am a creature of habit. I like a couple cups of coffee first thing while the house is still quiet. I wake up before my husband most days and I can sit in quiet and read or sew without a lot of noise. I read blog posts that you all write and then if I have anything to say I add it to your blog posts. I have been not doing a whole lot other than cleaning and dishes and laundry. I guess while working on the porch I let things go to much. 

I have done a little hand stitching on my stars. I was going to start something else and I just put it aside until I have a better plan as to what I want to do with the quilt. Today I do want to get more laundry done and also get my sewing room back in better shape. This week I need to get the extra bedroom usable again.

I think the little ones will be coming this next weekend for over night and if I get kicked out of my own bed I have someplace to sleep.

I have some goals, but whether or not I can get them done is a different thing. I would like to get some of the partially quilted quilts done with the quilting process so I can get them to the people they belong to. I have three for sure that I need done.

I have a little bit of knitting that needs doing also. I want to make some baby booties and also a couple stocking caps. I had been looking for a certain size needles and I finally found that at Joann's the other day.

The season of transition to being stuck inside is just around the corner. I need to finish up some cutting back in the yard and then we can get everything down to just mowing of the leaves as they fall. We have a mulching mower and we don't rake leaves because they help feed the soil if they are mulched.

Today will be open game for whatever I find to do. I would like to get something done to say Labor Day was a true day of labor for me. Enjoy your weekend. Chris

Pink is the color

Maybe you figured it out. It is a girl.

Her name will be Adalyn Jae. She is due January 2nd, 2017. This will make 3 little girls under the age of four. Heaven help us.

EPP AKA English Paper Piecing

I had been told I am crazy doing this little stitching. Well it is satisfying to me to use needle and thread when I sit to watch TV at night. 

I was also told and saw that this book is no longer in print. It has sold out. I found it on a website I was looking at.  www.paperpieces.com . They have both of Willyne Hammersteins's books available plus many others. I have loved the look of this cover quilt and am fascinated with the shapes. The pieces are larger than the mini hexies I am doing no so they should piece together quicker. The trick is picking out the correct color combinations to produce the effect you want. 

This is side ways, but you can see EPP can be done with other shapes besides hexagons and jewel shapes. 

The author is a commuter to her office everyday and she makes kits up to take on the train to her office. She says she has several quilts and blocks started in each pattern so she doesn't get bored with the same blocks. 

The book is written in several languages. So it is easy for others to read. She is from the Netherlands.

Today we are trying to recover the house and rest, but we get girls again for a couple hours. Mom and Dad are going to the Dr.s appointment together to see if the gender of the newest little one will be revealed. 

They have a couple names picked out, but nothing is for sure. Take care and see you later Chris 

I am wore out

We had three grandkids over the last two days. And we get two of them back tomorrow. 

Derek the 15 year old wanted to come and he helped grandpa finish the roof over the ramp. The girls just came to hang out. 

We went shopping today and bought shoes for the three year old and got them bubber boots as they say. Rain boots. They wear them when they go to help do chores with all the animals. 

We had another fast moving storm that dumped another 1.6 inches again. The grass grows by inches over night. The farmers don't want rain at this point. They want the crops to start drying out. This kind of moisture causes mold in the crops. 

Hopefully tomorrow afternoon we find out what the gender of the baby is. If he or she cooperates. Time will tell. 

My son has had issues of late raising his Teenage kids. You want to be their friend, but then some hard parenting has to come into play. He has experienced that from his oldest. I think they are finally getting beyond the resentment and the hurt feelings. Grandma has had to step in by Dad's request and try and smooth things out. I try and not blame, but make sure everyone has choices and we have to pay the consequences with the choice we make. I think some progress has been made and maybe they will move forward. Life is to short to hold grudges. 

Well I think the nightgown is going to get put on and maybe an early bed tonight. I had two year old feet in  my back and side all night long last night.  Chris 

 

The roof over the porch

This is what you see when you walk out the kitchen door. We had a small deck there. We decided to cover the deck so that we could sit there and keep the weather off the kitchen door. We used deck boards that are treated and we won't stain or paint them. They will be covered on the top with shingles. This will give the outdoors look to the roof. 

This was taken from the garage looking towards the house. See I still have my driveway space, but this way we have a usable deck. We used it, but when it was hot yu were right out in the sun in the afternoon. This is the North side of my house.  

This is from the driveway on the front side of my house. We are taking about changing the steps on the front side of the deck to give us a little more deck space. That maybe will be before Fall weather. It was hot and humid

yesterday. So we retreated to the garage and shade many times.

This is the ramp area and we are going to add a cover over it also. We had to attach to the wood on the house so that is why the siding is off. We get the last of the roof done the siding will be fitted back in place. 

This is the approach coming back up the ramp to the kitchen door. I really like the look. It was a trade off of adding a porch to the house. We just decided we didn't want to sit on the front side of the house. This will be our little getaway. We really like it and now maybe I can get back to sewing. Chris

Rain, Rain go away

My husband took these and didn't change the date on the camera, but this is about 10 am this morning. I went to go get groceries and as I was standing in the check out the heavens opened up and just poured and didn't stop. I could barely see to drive home it was coming down so hard. This is the street and the front yard and sidewalk in front of my house running with 5-7 inches of water. 

This is the back yard. the yard is really soggy with all the rain we had last week. We are to get 1-4 more inches overnight with flash flood warnings. 

This is the drive and the side of my neighbors house and yard. It is all soaked in now, but the grass is really wet. 

Tomorrow we are suppose to put a roof over the side deck. Wish it was done today. I got soaked bring groceries in. I change my clothes and wrung water out of my shirt. I was soaked. Now it is hot and humid. 

I am getting tired of being woke up in the middle of the night with thunder and lightening, but Mother Nature doesn't listen to me. Chris

Hand stitching

It is starting to gain in size. It is a slow process. I haven't felt real good with my allergies so sitting and hand stitching suits me. It might be five years before this has any definite size to it. 

I took it out into the natural light at 7 pm to take this picture. I keep emptying small spools of poly/cotton thread. I use it to baste the papers and fabric pieces. Might as well use it up, because I don't do much garment sewing anymore. I have been using the lighter threads on the lighter pieces and the darker threads on the darker hexies for the basting. 

Here are a few more pieced, but not added yet. I find colors and make up the flowers and the stars and when the color works I then attach it to the main piece.

Yesterday we got a delivery of wood for the out side deck. We are going to make a cover for it and the ramp we have. The weather when it is bad really hits that side of the house. We thought carrying groceries or going in and out would be nicer with a cover porch. We are thinking about adding an outside ceiling fan to the roof so we can sit out there and be comfortable also.

We really wanted to add a covered porch to the front of the house, but it would cost way more than what we cared to spend. Also in the afternoons and evenings the sun is beating on that side of the house. The porch with the ramp is on the North side of the house so it made more sense to cover it.

We painted the tall posts so we don't have to stand on ladders so we got the wood delivered early to do prep work before we get help to do the heavy lifting hopefully on Thursday.

Over the last 72 hours we have received 7 inches of rain. Not as much as in the South, but it did cause flash flooding in the area. We are ok, but I feel the pain for the families in the South that lost everything some of them for the second time.

The Olympics are almost over and the Fall TV season will be starting soon. The reruns are driving me nuts so I guess I go back to the hand sewing again for this evening. Chris

August

Where has the year gone to? I have been dreading this time of year. Normally Fall is my most favorite season.

It has been a time that I am approaching a year since my Mom struggled with her cancer and it is reminder that life comes and goes so fast.

About this time last year my Mother's illness was taking a turn to the end and she needed more help. This year has been hard to face, but I could wish her to come back and deal with all the pain.

I really think this is why I have had such a struggle with staying focused. I question in my mind did I do enough? I in reality think I did and there wasn't much more I could do. Made her last days filled with family and also as pain free as possible.

Hopefully no one else has to go through this ordeal. I know others will and I understand your pain and the sacrifice one has to go through.

Thoughts are with others who are dealing with this ugly disease. Chris

Grandchildren Day

Yesterday morning I went and got the girls. Autumn is 3 1/2 years old. She wants to go to school and before Winter I think she will be in Pre School.

Katelyn will be 2 in a couple months. She just is into playing for now. Yesterday she could say gampa for Grandpa. I said say gamma and she told me I can't. So later she wanted something from me and I said what do you say and she said to me pease gamma. Funny how she could she just didn't want to. 

Derek came in the afternoon and wanted a haircut and also a backpack for school. They start Wed. So we went and got the haircut first and went shopping. Freshman in high school this year. Where has this time gone.?????

Found this picture of him and me on Grandparents day in kindergarten. 

He wanted his Grandmother to be at lunch. Seems like a lifetime ago.

Taylor was working  so no pictures of her.

Last night her class had a tragic loss. One of their class mates was killed in a car accident. She was  Taylor's age. Planning on going to her Senior year and that life is snuffed out to soon. It can happen so quickly.

In a small town everyone knows everyone. I feel for her classmates and her family.

Watch out for young drivers and kids walking to school. Chris