Sewing room day

and got the cutting table cleaned off and some fabric put away.  Then I started cutting out 3.5" sqs. for an Internet friend who's 5 year old grandson will be going through chemo, he has leukemia.  She wants to make an eye spy quilt for him to use while he's going through chemo to keep his mind busy on looking for all the different things that will be in his quilt.  I found some comical penguins, toy wagons, apples, kids kicking balls, climbing ladders and playing ball, some puppies, etc.  Tomorrow I need to look for a couple more kids patterns I know I have.

Our neighbor Dennis has been accepted into a Mayo trial treatment program for his cancerous brain tumor.  They have to be back at Mayo's Tues. and their kids start school on Wed.  So it will be Becky and Dennis going North while the kids stay home and go to school.  Tough time.

Laar delivery

arrived today so Christmas is officially over for 2011.  Now on to 2012, house is in good order, groceries are put away and tomorrow is sewing room.  George got something he had ordered for a friend so he will be busy installing a little light that will light up when the garage door is open.  They will know when the garage door is open and can close it before they go to bed. 

We visited our favorite Casino for a couple of hours this afternoon and donated again.  Then came home and broiled a couple of turkey sandwiches on french bread and a bowl of veggie soup with fresh fruit salad. 

Tomorrow I am going to play with fabric, I have a friend who's 5 yr. old grand son is suffering from leukemia and going through chemo and radiation.  She wants to make an "I Spy" quilt for him to have with him during the treatment to look for objects in the quilt.  So I am going though my stash to see what I can find for his special quilt and get them to her next week. 

We are so blessed, big hugs to our healthy, happy bunch.

Busy

the last couple of days, started taking empty boxes and Christmas decorations to the basement.  Set up my lovely wrought iron quilt wrack.  It's in the sun room but may move it to the living room out of the sun. 

I sat in the sewing room for a while today to contrive a good organization plan and that's as far as that went today.  I have way too much laundry and other house blessings to do before I can work in there.

Mike came over and helped George disconnect the sun room furnace, it died.  We're not going to replace it, we bought one of those little electric heaters for the sun room and it seems to be working OK but we really haven't had  any really cold weather yet.  We'll see. They had to call the Gas Co. to come out and get a turn off valve loosened up so it could be shut off while they sealed off the gas line.  That was an experience, the gal who answered the telephone told us it would cost us $140 for a service call.  That stinks, George told her it was the Gas Co's. responsibility as it was the turn off before the meter.  That was totally inconceivable to her and she wouldn't let him talk to anyone else.  Finally he told her, "for all we know it could be leaking" that got her to get us help.  There was a service person here withing 15 min.  and she said there would be "no charge". 

Lovely Christmas

day with our wonderful family and friends.  Dinner was excellent, everyone got Christmas present that they loved and a mean game of scrabble was played after dinner.  A really fun day for everyone. 

Now it's back to reality, going to start doing some really deep cleaning and get the house back in good order so I can start working on my 2012 quilting goals, which I will post here to keep me on track and focused.  Starting with "No buy" fabric rule for 2012, use up this monumental stash I've acquired over the years.  Reorganize the sewing room and make it more user friendly, it is a cluttered mess right now with nary a flat surface that is not cluttered with leftover stuff.  Yikes, but the house is first, starting with the kitchen and bathrooms today.

Fun day

today, bumming around with dgds and a couple of Emily's friends.  Good kids with a lot of laughing and fun.  I went back to Williams Sanoma for a couple of items I thought about ever since last week.  So I got them.  Emily found a pair of new jeans that aren't jeans but look like jeans. They are like a soft stretchy flannel.  They will be comfortable I'm sure.  Looked for a vest for Katie but couldn't find the one she wanted in her size so we are going to try again tomorrow.  Went to the local gourmet popcorn store for a couple of gift baskets for Katie's running coaches, then to lunch at Colonial and then to Joanns for Emily to find a gingerbread house kit for her to take to a party tonight where all the teenagers are going to build their own gingerbread house.    Then took Katie to the dentist, then home. 

Got the Bulls game on, basketball has begun for the pros.  Yippee!!  We'll see how long I can stay awake to watch them. 

Tomorrow Katie is going to have a little girlfriend with and Emily's friend is coming too.  I'm OK with letting Emily and her friend go off alone but not comfortable with 12 yr. old Katie and her friend yet.  So we'll do some pre-teen shopping then go to Barnes and Noble and have a sweet treat and I'll have a much needed cup of coffee.  LOL  The girls will do some shopping there too I'm sure.  Gosh haven't sewn for 2 days, will be suffering from withdrawal pretty soon.

Gosh don't know why those tea towels and hot pads are so big, if you click on them they are smaller.  Duh!!!

Tea towels and hot pads

Whew

put a big dent in my shopping today and only went to 2 stores, Target and Williams Sonoma.   The latter being one of my favorite stores, there stuff is so nice and well made.  I did get gift receipts for all of it though, kids might not like what I liked. 

Tomorrow I'm going to post photos of the tea towels and hot pads.  I still need to sew down some of the bindings and should finish that in the morning.  The ones for the teachers are all done and I've already given away one of the sets.  I'll be home waiting for delivery of some gifts I ordered on line from Vermont Country Store and Bath and Body Works.\

Think I will also  put together some cookie dough tomorrow, will refrigerate the dough and bake as needed. 

Busy weekend

Went out to dinner with Terri and Lou after church on Sat.  Went to a restaurant out in Sycamore that we hadn't been to in many years and it was awesome.  Sat. morning I worked on more hot pads, I now have 6 of them quilted and ready for the binding.  Today I broke down and went to Joann's with my 50% off coupon and bought a new 60 mm rotary cutter so I can trim up the hot pads easier.  It worked really well so I got them all trimmed and ready for the bindings which I have already to sew down. 
I also got some Christmas shopping done,  I don't know what I'm going to get Emily and Katie they've got all the electronic stuff they need and some they don't need.  LOL 

A friend dropped off a present for George and me, I baked it this afternoon and it was delicious, I hope she will tell me where she got it.  It came with the dough already made, shaped into a braid and frozen.  Thawed it out overnight, let it rise in the morning and baked it this afternoon.  George and I at half of it as a snack for supper.  LOL

Tomorrow will finish the hot pads, they turned out so nice IMHO, I'll post photos of the sets when they are all done.  Well it's time for  me to get to bed so I can get up bright eyed and bushy tailed tomorrow.

Next door neighbor,

Dennis was taken to the hospital today from work and within 2 hrs. they had him in surgery.  He had a brain tumor that turned out to be cancerous.  They didn't get it all so he will undergo chemo and radiation in a couple of weeks.  Becky and Dennis are wonderful neighbors, they have 3 lovely children ages 16, 12 and 10.  We will keep them in our prayers for as long as it takes.  It's so hard when good people have to suffer through bad times.

Saying goodbye

isn't easy.  Found out this morning that my cousin passed away.  John was born in June and I was born in Aug. the same year.  We grew up together and spent a lot of time together, he came to live with us for a couple of years in our teens and worked for my dad in his gas station.  My dad mentored him into finishing high school, wouldn't let ;him come live with us or work for him if he didn't.  That's where John learned his mechanic skills that served him well the rest of his life.  He owned and operated his own station for over 50 yrs.  

He will be missed by his dear family, his sister and brother and his cousins.  Farewell good buddy, don't walk through any plate glass windows up there in heaven.

The story behind the quilts

My dear friend and co-hort in crime, Sue,  gave me the John Deere fabric and farm panel before she moved to Nevada.  It sat around here for a couple of years and I finally planned out a simple quilt block for William, who is an avid John Deere fan.  Two years later the quilt is done and on his bed.  his comment when he curled up under it, "my quilt smells just like grandma". 

The pink quilt was made for my sweet, patient grand-daughter Katie, my Sun Bonnet Sue block won a challenge and I received all the blocks that my good friends and fellow quilters on "Justquilting" entered in the challenge.  Katie and I did a few more embroidered blocks to fill in the spaces needed and 2 yrs. later she is sleeping under it.  She loved her new quilt and said "Now I have my heirloomm".

I was a little sad that they left my house but that went away when I saw their happy faces with their quilts made just for them.  Life as grandma is good!!

Miss Katies qult

Happy runners

The two little ones in the front are Katie and William and their running buddy.  Back row is mom Robin; other little girl's mom and son runner son Michael.  The three little ones compete in the Batavia Accelorator youth group. 

Pretty morning

We had a lovely evening last night with friends and family.  Lou, ddil's dad, treated us to tickets for a show at Fermi Lab's Arts & Lecture center.  We saw the Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats.  The show was awesome, it is amazing what those beautiful young people could accomplish.  Great show, even Emily the 16 yr. old enjoyed it.  LOL  The only unpleasant part was me trying to walk down all of the steps without falling on my face or backside.  I managed to do it with the help of George, Mike and Lou.  I know I need to get out but it is so embarrassing for me to need so damned much help to get from point a to point b.  Stairs and curbs are my worst nightmare.  OK enough with the whining....

I'm going to sew today, George went off to help with the roof he helped with yesterday.  He wasn't going to go today but the weather is looking rainy for this afternoon so he went to help get the roof closed up before it rains.  Almost 80 and still climbing around on roofs, old fool!!!!

Grace and Emily at the Dells' race

I'm waiting to hear how Emily did, she's running a 10K race this morning in Sycamore, grandpa Lou sponsored her and is her chief cheerleader this morning. 

Roadrunners

Fun weekend

We went up to the Dells with the kids and had a wonderful time.  Michael and Emily and Emily's friend Grace were running in the Marathon on Sunday.  Mike, Emily, Katie and Grace and I went up on Fri., weather was beautiful.  We stayed in a lovely condo with a hot tub in the living room.  LOL  The kids went to the indoor water park at the facility and wore themselves out Fri. night.  They got up Sat. morning and did a bike ride on the marathon route so they would know where they would be running.  Katie and I went out for breakfast.  George, Robin and William came up after his qualifying race on Sat.  Then all the kids went to the water park with mom, George and Mike and I went to a buffet for dinner.   Hmm sounds like all I did was eat, not really.  We a had a room with a view of the Wisconsin river so I sat in the window and did a lot of knitting.  We also did a lot of walking, wish I had the discipline to keep it up here at home.

They finished the 13 mi. half marathon in 2 hrs. 8 min. , i"d still be walking.  LOL  If Emily keeps it up she'll beat her dad's time at the next race. 

Yesterday I did laundry and finally figured out how to get embroidery patterns off the Internet and to my embroidery machine.  I am so proud of myself and my classes paid off.  I'll post a picture of my first attempt as soon as I get my camera back from Katie.  I left it with her because George and I came home before the race ended.  It was really cold and from all the walking I had done my calves and back muscles knotted up on me big time so we decided to come home.  After my legs warmed up in the car they finally relaxed and felt better.

Before getting ready

for the big dance.  Grandpa and grandma were both tickling her, she enjoyed our teasing.  She is such a sweetheart and we are so proud of her.  Can't you tell?

Our homecoming princess

Our nephew Billy, a commercial photographer, was nice enough to come and take pictures of the kids before the dance.  He's such a talented guy I really look forward to seeing his pictures.  He did have a beautiful subject didn't he?  Emily looked so pretty.

Busy Sunday

George got the sun room sliding glass doors washed today and the kitchen windows done.  I did a couple of loads of laundry and emptied the dw.  Didn't have to cook today, Robin worked a banquet last night and brought home leftover Italian beef and shared it with us.  Very tasty and I didn't have to cook. 

I'm still in a world of pain so took a Vicodin this afternoon hoping tomorrow will be a better day.  I did work on my red work project.  I also designed a couple of labels for the 2 quilts and just need to print them onto the fabric. 

My cousin, Dodie, called me and we had a nice visit, hadn't talked to her in a long time.  Got caught up on all her family news, grand kids getting married, etc.  We've got a while before that happens with our grand kids, they are 16, 12 and 9.

The Bears won!!!!Yes!!!!!  It's time for me to call it a night, the pain meds are working.

A slow day today

went in early this morning for a fasting blood test, back  home for COFFEE and breakfast then finish the bathroom windows.  After laundry, empty dw and sweeping the kitchen I spent the day in the sewing room organizing fabric and kits.  Have a couple of projects that will be quick to finish so I think that's what tomorrow will bring.  I need to stay off the foot darn thing was really hurting today.  So I'm off my foot for the rest of the night and work on my red work project.  George is going to carry the folded laundry up from the laundry room for me. 

Cold, windy Thursday

Went to lunch bunch yesterday and had a good day visiting with friends and other quilters.  A good day, I worked on my red work chickens, finished one block and on to another. 

Today no sewing, I washed windows on the inside only, and washed and ironed curtains.  Smells nice and fresh in the bedroom tonight.  I didn't get the bathrooms done, saved that for tomorrow.  My back started to act up so I knew it was time to stop.  I also wore the boot on my foot, I knew I was going to be going up and down the basement stairs so decided I'd best have the added support.  Foot feels fine tonight but the back's not so good.  Rest it tonight and it'll feel good tomorrow.

Mike and William stopped by so they each had a bowl of chili, George and I were finished so they got the leftovers.  William showed me the book he's reading, "Stories of Mark Twain" and he said he hasn't been able to put it down since he started it last weekend, even reads it on the school bus. 

The oak tree way in the backyard is turning a pretty gold the rest of the trees haven't started turning yet.  Probably ;next week.  High winds tonight, we are showing 60 mph and gusts even higher.  It's stripping a lot of the leaves off the trees. 

That's all for the last couple of days, off to work on some more red work chickens.

Last day of summer

My gosh when it was in the upper 90's, just seems like yesterday, didn't think it was ever going to end.  I finished sewing the binding down on the quilt and discovered a seam I missed in sewing the sashing on and the raw edge of the fabric is showing as well as the batting.  Ugh.... have to figure out a way to fix it, maybe stitch down a little bouquet of yoyos and buttons.  Luckily it's on a corner so I can do the same thing on all 4 intersections. 

I got a red work project today that I ordered, will prep it tomorrow to start sewing.  Will be doing the embroidery by hand.  Then I am going to sash and border them in gingham.  I don't know if it will  be in red, blue, yell or whatever.

Topped for gas today and paid  3.59.9, hasn't been that price for a long time.  Hope it keeps going down, won't feel like it's doing much until it's below $3 and by the way where the hell did that .9 crap come from,  like I don't know it's $3.60 or might as well be.

Awesome day

Did some sewing today using my left foot, have to be careful don't have as good a control as I do with my right foot.  Wish I had my old singer that had a knee control.  Grandpa ended up taking Emmie to her nail appointment and then to her running.  He also came home early and we went grocery shopping so I had to take a pain pill.  Tried just laying low today and see if I could stay off the pain meds.  It worked until I went shopping.  

Spent a good part of today going through paperwork, shredding, tossing and filing so the computer workstation doesn't look so messy.  Also worked on the kitchen counters and my cutting table.  I have some room to work now.  ]

I don't think I will be going to lunch bunch tomorrow, too hard to walk and carry my sewing projects, so will stay home and sew something.

Awesome view

View from the running/bike path along the Fox River

A quick note

This is going to be short and sweet tonight, I have been in major pain all day.  I think it might have been the trips down the basement to do the laundry and carry it upstairs to put it away.  I waited until dinner to take a pain pill.  I think the anti biotic is upsetting my stomach too, take the last one tomorrow.

Took Emily to her running, they do it along the river on the bike/walk path so I sat and watch wave after wave of Canadian geese floating down the river.  I took a couple of pictures from the car so don't know what I'll be able to see.  Will post tomorrow. 

So I'll say good night and hope this foot starts to feel better pretty soon.

Coming back

I'm starting to feel like I'm going to live and I want to.  It's been a rough 3 days and my advice to anyone who will listen, if you feel a tightness in your chest, sore throat and itchy ears go to the Dr immediately.  Both George and I did and I would hate to know what would have happened had we not gotten the anti biotic as soon as we did.  Boy this seems to have started awfully early for us. 

No sewing for the last 3 days, yesterday I slept all day and today I didn't sleep but I didn't do much either, just sat around watching the stupid Bears and Saint game.  The old Bears are back.  I fixed a pot of chicken soup, jello salad and then had to rest.  Mike and Katie and William stopped by with a big bag of oranges boy did they taste good.  I have been so hungry for oranges must need the vitamin C.  George went to his 60th high school class reunion last night, I didn't get to go.  Boohoo  I do love to go out for dinner and his classmates are a friendly bunch. 

Well it's time for bed around here so I'm off for now.

Shees

Cubs pitcher just bounced 3 pitches in front of  home plate and walked the batter.  I could do that good.  No wonder they're on the bottom.  No hope again this year. 

Tried going without pain meds today but ended up taking one at supper time.  Didn't have any pain all day until dinner time.  George took a ride to the train tracks, Mike called and said a train had derailed somewhere along the line and no commuters were coming in.  He didn't see anything but about 3 mi. east of here he saw 2 Metra buses coming in and 2 commuters parked there so something was wrong.

I started sewing down the binding on Katie's quilt today, will finish it tomorrow.  I used my left foot and kept my right foot elevated.  I'm really looking forward to getting these 2 quilts finished and starting something new.  I'm going to work on my snowman cross stitch table runner tonight. 

We had a hard frost last night so the garden is done but my flowers up close to the house seem to have survived to bloom another day. 

Quiet day

today.  Didn't go to lunch bunch, I stayed home, rested my foot and did hand work.  Didn't finish the embroidery but got a lot done.  George got home early, he called the Dr. to see if he could get something for the nasty cold he's got.  Glad he got home early, we had to turn the heat on, it was 65 degrees in the house and that's not comfortable when it's rainy on top of it.  George got a zpak anti biotic so that should kick the cold, he also brought home a roasted chicken for dinner. Now how nice was that, roasted chicken, crusty bread, salad and veggie. 

I did get a kit out and read the instructions, it's a Thimblberries and I think it will be my next big project for this winter.  I also found some towels I bought way back when that need some applique or embroidery on them to finish them off.  Need to set up the embroidery machine tomorrow and let the machine do all the work.  I just might have some pictures to post tomorrow.

That's all for today, pain med is kicking in so it will be beddy bye time soon.

An easy day

Running the sewing machine didn't go too well so I perused magazines, sorted and trimmed scraps.  I did get to the Post Office and got my 10" sqs. mailed off and my block of the month orphan blocks sent off.  Talked to my friend for a while this morning, she was busy cleaning out her freezer, something I did earlier this summer.  I don't buy a lot of extra food anymore, we just don't use it up fast enough.

Don't know if I'm going to lunch bunch tomorrow, if I do I'm going to take my lunch so I don't have to walk to the restaurant to get lunch. 

George's cold hasn't peaked yet, he feels lousy.  I fixed beef/veggie soup for dinner with crusty bread and fruit salad.  I guess we are at the end of the good fresh fruit season.  The peaches were kind of dry, will have to see what fresh apples are in.  Might see if Emmie will drive me out to the apple orchard  this weekend for some really fresh apples.

Well it's time for bedtime meds, watching Diane Sawyer with the Jacqueline Kennedy tapes, very interesting.

Beautiful day

We had wonderful weather all weekend and today was just as nice.  Sat. we took a trip to the casino to try our luck, I was surprised when security checked out my purse before they would let me in.  I've never had that happen before, I wasn't the only one they were checking all bags. 

I went to the Foot Dr. today to have my right foot checked out, had real bad pain in that foot for about a week.  Xrays showed I have two "stress fractures" so I'm in special boot  and  on Viacodin.   So the pain is gone but I'm a bit loopy or loopier than usual.  George went to his Cardiologist today and they've decided he needs blood pressure medication, then he came home from the rehab house tonight and he's coming down with a nasty cold to boot.  So we are both down for the count for a few days. 

I can still do some sewing just can't drive a car with the boot.  She didn't say anything about driving a sewing machine.  Ill see how the foot feels when I sew.  My philosophy is if it hurts to do it then don't do it. 

Thursday's happenings

Worked in the sewing room, got my last years applique block of the month out and started getting it organized to work on again.  I'm going to quit fretting over it and just do it.  However it turns out it will be done.  I have all the fabric just wasn't happy with my applique work on the first block and didn't start another one.  It is what it is and I'm going to finish them this winter. 

I'm going to the Bernina shop tomorrow and sign up for a couple of classes, one to learn how to download embroidery patterns to my laptop and then either burn a CD or use a stick thingy.  So far I haven't had any luck with either method.  I also want to learn to use my digitizing software so I can make my own designs to use on the machine.  Old dog, new tricks time.

Just got a call, need to pick Emmie up at the high school, Katie up at Johnson's Mound preserve and take them both to the Geneva Middle School for a race.  Will need to load up a bag of energy snacks, apples and oranges and a couple of bottles of water. 

Tonight George and I went out for supper, really good chicken soup  and fruit salad.  Yup it's gotten so cool chicken soup actually tasted good.  When I'm done hauling kids tomorrow afternoon I may do a Portillo's run for a couple of Italian beef sandwiches for supper. 

My kind of wather

Well high today was 75 degrees, going down to 55 tonight.  Oh that will feel so good.   We went out for brunch this afternoon, had a very pleasant day.  I did do some sewing this morning, worked on a border for an RR swap I'm in and it just isn't working out the way I would like it to.  Going to play with adding a coping strip tomorrow and see if it looks better with a high contrast strip first then add my border.

I worked on William's blocks a little, got everything sorted and put in it's own container so I don't have his 4 patches floating all over the sewing room.  I found my embroidery instructions for a little pin cushion I want to do so things are coming together.

I downloaded some machine embroidery patterns yesterday to the computer now I need to figure out how to get them to my machine using one of those little stick thingys.  The local Bernina shop is offering a class to teach you how to download and copy for the embroidery  machine, I'm going to call and see if I can get in the class, take my laptop and my sewing machine.  This old dog needs to learn some new tricks.  I'm also going to take a digitizing class and learn to use this very expensive software I've had for 4 yrs. and still haven't learned to use it.  Shees!!!!

Wasted day

darn it.  Didn't get any sewing done but did get bills paid, grocery shopping done and put away and a couple of loads of laundry.  Now isn't that an exciting day.  I think the heat and humidity got to me because I didn't feel very good when I got home from shopping or it was sticker shock from the price  of my groceries.  Seems like it's almost double what it was a month ago.  Oh well gotta eat.

Might get some sewing done tomorrow after the floors are scrubbed.  I have to do some repair work on Williams quilt, the long arm quilter didn't catch all the edges when sewing down the binding so I need to fix that before I sew it down.  I'm getting anxious to start another project that will have a quick finish.  I want to get some of the smaller ufos I have around here done and then focus on my Dear Jane quilt this winter.

I put my camera in the car so I can get some photos of some of our beautiful foliage this fall.  I think that's what I like the most about our fall, it's so colorful. 

MIA

for a couple of days.  Busy doing this and that.  Went to lunch bunch yesterday and had a delightful day visiting with friends and seeing all of the show and tell projects.  Saw Sue's darling painted baby quilt, it was absolutely gorgeous.   She used fabric paints to fill in printed designs.  We also critiqued her black and white blocks on the design wall.  It just didn't look right and weren't playing nice in a quilt top, then one of the gals said hey "put the blocks together into sets of 4".  It worked beautifully so then suggestions flowed on how to add a "wow" aspect to the quilt and she decided on lime green.  It was awesome and I can't wait to see that top put together. 

I worked on the binding on the John Deere quilt and discovered that some of the edges of the binding hadn't gotten caught up in the seam so I have to do some repair work before I start stitching it down.  Will these 2 quilts ever get done or at least be done before the kids are in college.  Shees!!

Slow Sunday

I had a very pleasant Sunday, got Williams quilt binding pinned down and ready to start sewing.  Spent some time looking for the right green thread, couldn't find it so off to Joann's tomorrow. 

Sorted through all my projects in the sun room and started some cross stitch projects.  Just what I need another project.  The kids gave me a nice ottoman for my birthday that opens up with storage area so I was able to put my projects in there and get a big basket out of the sun room. 

George helped Mike mow his lawn, then went into Kathleen's and helped her clean up her yard.  He came home and had dinner then went down to Carolyn's house, 2 doors down from us) and coerced Tim Melish, Mike and Lou and Terri to help him cut down a dead tree in her yard He talked to his brother Bill tonight and Bill's feeling much better, the anti biotic is working and he's feeling better.

Quick note

I have finished the binding on Katelyn's quilt, now to get a label done and attached.  Then on the William's John Deere quilt and then I will be ready to start finishing another UFO.  Don't know which one will be next.

George stopped by Kathleen's house this afternoon and as he was leaving he heard a loud noise and thought something a dropped off the bed of his truck.  Checked it out and all his tools were still there, as he was driving south on the street fire trucks were heading north so he decided to turn around and check with Kathleen.  It turned out to be the building across the street from her house, it was on fire.  When her dad left she heard the noise he  heard and went outside to see if he was OK and she heard more loud pops and glass breaking and she saw the fire.  No one was there, she went in and called 911 and they were there within minutes.  Lot of damage to the building  but the surrounding bldgs. OK and so is Kathleen's house.

That's all for now, it's time for me to head off to bed.

Lazy day today

Did sew a few inches of binding on Katie's quilt, took care of some paper work and paid bills then I went grocery shopping for a few odds and ends.  Came home and got everything put away then back to the sewing room to stitch a few more stitches around the binding.  If you're not a quilter you have no idea how long it takes to hand sew a quilt binding down on a 70" x 86" quilt.  Just have to keep plugging away at it, then start on Williams, same size.  I've tried doing a binding by machine but didn't like the way it looked at all.  No sense in making a mess of the final part of a quilt after all the time and effort that goes into  getting it to this point.

I'm going to set up the embroidery machine tomorrow to make the labels for both quilts rather than just write one with pigma pen.  Let the machine do the walking.  LOL  George will be working on the rehab project he's been helping with all summer. 

I'm going to swap some 10" sqs. with some friends, need to pick colors that represent the 70's, blues, turquoise, oranges, etc.  and start cutting them. 

on the go today

William and Katelyn only had 1/2 day today so they took the school bus to Bill and Trudy's and I went there to pick them up.  I found out that Bill isn't doing so good again, he has a fever and kidney infection and fluid in his lungs.  Not a good scenario, he is on strong anti-biotic.  Will keep him in our prayers. 

After a short visit with Bill and Trudy we left to go to our favorite ice cream shop for lunch, shared a sampler appetizer then had ice cream.  Was very yummy.  We came home and started working on Katelyn's PJ's, we should finish them on Sat. and I'll be working on William's quilt for him so he can get it done on the weekends. Don't have grandma duty tomorrow, they are in school all day.  Tough adjustment for grandma, will be a long lonely day.

Tomorrow I will straighten up the sewing room and go back to working on my projects.  Will be watching that hurricane and praying for all those in it's path. 

Well it's time for bed so I'm toddling off and settling down for the night.

Whew

I got everyone delivered to their appropriate cross country practices, then waited for Mike and Robin down by the windmill along the river.  Beautiful spot, should have taken my camera, maybe tomorrow.  There was o goose that was nibbling bugs along the path and when she tried to walk she had a problem.  Looks like she may have had a broken leg but she was getting around.  We watched her for about 1/2 hr. then she slid into the river and swam away.  Katie and I made the infamous chicken casserole today and she wrote down the recipe while we made it.  Took enough over for their dinner and kept some from me and and grandpa.  William sewed some of his 2 sets of 4 patch sqs. together into another row so he now has 2 rows done.  I told him I would work on some of them while he's in school, then he can put the border on and quilt it.  Katie didn't get her pj's sewn, we had to go get her some tops for gym and shorts we forgot yesterday.  Got home in  time for a hot dog lunch, then we had to start the casseroles to be on time for the cross country at 3 pm.  Came back home and William and I packed up Katie's sewing machine and unfinished pj's, took them over to their house and picked Emily up so the two of them could get to ccpractice at the windmill after we stopped and got Emily a new pair of gym shoes.

My three munchkins, all of us in my little sewing room, each doing our own thing.  As you can tell we giggle and laugh a lot.  Work on our projects.

Good evening

Boy am I tired tonight, we didn't get any sewing done today, not a stitch.  Started out the morning with a really bad storm, power went out for about 5 min., then I went over a picked up the 3 grand kids.  We went to the Polar shoe store for William's new running shoes and guess what all made in China.  Bought him a pair, the store didn't have any made in USA and it wasn't a big box store.  Then we went to Target where I got a few groceries and the kids picked up some extra school folders and supplies plus some clothes.  Then on to Office Depot for  printer ink, copy paper and more odds and ends.  Then we had Chinese for lunch, oh it was so good, the kids brought the leftovers home for dinner tonight.  Then back to the kids house so they could change into their running clothes and took them all to Katies practice.  During all this it was either pouring rain and/or with thunder and lightening.  We stopped at Hobby Lobby, no I didn't buy any fabric, we bought a little "learn to knit" kit for William to try and make a collar of Patsie the Westie. 

We took Katie to her practice at 3 pm, it was still storming but the coach said they were still going to have practice so we decided to stay with her until Robin got there at 4:30.   All of a sudden about 4pm the rain stopped and the sun came out.  So Robin came and picked up all 3 to take them to their other practice and I came home to fix dinner.  Fixed a pot of beef stew from leftover beef and gravy.

Now I'm calling it a day, Emily starts her sophomore year of high school tomorrow and William and Katelyn start school on Thurs.   It will be so quiet around here, I'll miss the fun.  I have a cute photo of the 3 of them that I'll post tomorrow.  They are fun characters.

test picture add

Thanks Nan, this is a picture of a block that one a bom in June.  The blocks I won I had sent to Ley in California who was having a b'day shortly and really wanted these blocks.  Lord knows I didn't need any more orphan blocks.

Busy day

Had a really busy day working with all 3 grand kids on their summer projects.  William started sewing his 4 patches into rows and boy was he impressed.  LOL  Emily worked on her lasagna quilt borders, made a cookie/fresh fruit pizza and also learned how to make homemade sloppy Joe's.  They love my recipe, I think all they've ever had at home is from the can.  Tomorrow Emily wants to learn how to make my creamed chicken casserole.  I don't have a recipe, I just make it and add a little bit of this and a little bit of that.  Whatever I have handy.  LOL  So tomorrow we do a recipe.  She is such a big help, she got my web cam hooked up today and got me on Skype, now to learn how to use it.  Katie got a pair of Capri pj bottoms cut out and ready to sew tomorrow.  Instead of an elastic waist we are going to put a draw string in a casing around her skinny waist.  She is pencil thin and a fast runner.  

They ran in a cross country race during Elburn days, William came in first for his age group, Katie came in first in her age group and Emily came in second.  Their dad finished.  LOL  Well he did help pace the kids.  They run a race almost every weekend, Emily is going to run a 1/2 marathon at the Dells in Oct.  I think grandpa and I will try to go to that one. 

That's been my day today and my little sewers will be bright and early tomorrow morning to see what we can finish.

Sunny Sunday

What a glorious day, Sunny, cool a little humid but lovely day to sew, but then what day isn't a good day to sew.  I have almost finished sewing down the binding on Katie's quilt, should finish it today.  I did find a seam that didn't get sewn down before it was quilted so have to do some damage control before I can call it done.  This being one eyed causes some unexpected challenges but nothing I can't fix.  Then I just need to do the label so 100 yrs. from now all will know who made it, who it was for and when it was made. 

I have decided that we aren't going to sash Williams 4 patches, just sew them together randomly and put a border on to frame the sqs.  I think he'll like it that way, I designed an example in EQ quilt design program for him to see what the finished quilt will look like. 

Robin and Mike called last night, they were at the Lions Park with Kate and William and wanted us to come in too.  It's the "end of summer Elburn days", parade, animals on display, rides, food and fun.  They have this every year the week before school starts.  We went in and played bingo, I haven't played bingo in over 30 yrs., had fun.  Robin won, the rest of us donated.  It was fun, they are going to have bingo games every Fri. night at the park starting in Sept., Robin wants to go and take me with.   It will be fun. 

This and that today

Been busy getting things sorted out in the sewing room and I can get back in there now.  Thanks to Emily who came over and helped tote stuff downstairs and to the spare bedroom.  I still have to sort through some of the bins but at least there's room to move in there now.  Then William spent a whole day sewing his Sq's. together.  He's going to have a nice little lap quilt when it's done.  Emily's lasagna quilt is put together except for the borders, I guess I'm going to have to help get them done, school starts next week. 

I have 2 quilts that need the bindings sewn down, been too hot to even clip them down.  Maybe tomorrow will be a "me" day and I can at least get the clipping done so I can start hand sewing them down and make the labels and attach them. 

I've also been putting some glassware, candles, silk flowers and other stuff in boxes for the girls garage sale in the fall.  If they don't have a sale then off to Good Will   Getting rid of some clutter.

Beautiful day

Saturday afternoon we went to a neighbors to celebrate their sons high school graduation.  The young man had to overcome some pretty tough obstacles but he persevered and made it.  So very proud of him.  While we were there the rains came and came and came.  At least it cooled off and is gorgeous today. 

I haven't done much in the sewing room this weekend, too much going on, have to  do all those danged house blessings aka chores.  They are almost done so might cut some fabric sqs. to send to a friend of mine who makes quilts for an orphanage in Honduras. 

George is over at the house he is helping to rehab, don't know when he is going to be home today. 

Went grocery shopping this morning, wow was Meijer's crowded, I guess everybody decided to shop as long as it was so cool out.  Wll have to go now, bottom of the ninth, Cubs beating Atlanta and now they walk the first batter and he steals 2nd.  I hate these nerve racking games!!!  Whew Cubs win 6 to 5!!!

Good day

Yesterday was a really good day, spent it with the grand kids.  Went to Barnes and Nobel in the morning, got some books and magazines, had smoothies (coffee for me) and some treats then on to 5 below for some cheap treats then to Honey Jam for lunch.  Really good lunch, had the best fresh strawberry Crepes I've ever had.  Will go back there again and again I'm sure.  We all liked it.  Came home and went through my stash to find borders for Emily's quilt, we finally found something we both liked.  Then I got out the juicer machine I haven't used in years and we made apple juice from some apples I had.  Boy did the kids like that stuff, I hope they don't get tummy aches from too much of it.  Then we juiced up some carrots and tomatoes I had and made a big batch of spaghetti sauce, with gr. beef and cooked up thin spaghetti pasta.  Sent a big casserole of it home with the kids for their dinner after running.  Cleaned up the kitchen, dropped the casserole off and took the kids to running practice.  Home for dinner and to collapse.

Today Emily is coming over and we are going to dig into this sewing room and get things reorganized.  Wish us luck.  Going to take a lot of my old quilting magazines downstairs and empty off some shelves.  Will stack fabric on the empty shelves and get rid of some of the big roller bins to give us more room to move around.  Have to do this because George won't knock the wall out to the living room or the guest bedroom for my sewing room.  The bins are a nice storage but takes a while to dig through them to find a fabric I'm looking for.  Sow we'll see if it works better with them stacked by color on shelves.  Always enjoy these little challenges in life. 

Sunny Tuesday

Well I am without wheels today and maybe tomorrow.  Kathleen's car is in the shop so she's using my car to get to work.  I have 2 quilts that have the binding sewn on and ready to be stitched down and they will be finished.  I still need to make the labels.  The quilts are for Katelyn and William.   I'll post a photo when I have them all done.  I'm going to try and find the flat surfaces in the sewing room, no bare spots showing.  Why do I do that.?  I am still going through all my UFO projects to decide what to finish next.  I have a couple of tops that just need to be layered with a backing  and batting to finish the quilting on.  I think they are pieces I was trying to decide if I wanted to make them bigger and add more borders so it's time to cut bate and finish them.  My machine is running like a champ, had to take it back to the shop last week, something that was supposed to be fixed when I had it in for the annual check up didn't get done so the machine quit on me.  They finished fixing it and didn't charge me for it. 

The Dermatologist had to do another treatment on the skin cancer spot on my cheek last Thurs. and I have an irritating scab on it that I keep rubbing and I shouldn't.  My bad!!!!  It doesn't hurt, it's just there and I can't let it be.

We're getting veggies from the garden, tomatoes, green peppers, zucchini, corn and green beans.  Yummy!!!

Well enough with my ramblings for today and get back to work on the sewing room clutter.  It's going to be fun to see what I find.  LOL

I'm back

I haven't posted in a while, been busy with my grand kids and it's been too darned hot.  Emily and Katie have discovered latch hooking and are busy doing that in their spare time and William is working on his quilt when they're not just chilling out.  George is busy with a rehab job for a friend's son.  New windows, wood paneling and wood flooring plus a new stair case.  Busy busy busy but it keeps him off the streets and out of the bars.  LOL  I started sorting through ufo projects today have them sorted into 3 piles:

1.  Can be finished fast!
2.  Might get finished! and
3.  No way in hell will ever be finished.  These are going to be outsourced.  

William has also let me know in no uncertain terms what will be at the top of his Christmas list, he wants a Barnes and Nobel Nook that has Internet access so he can get to his reading site.  We'll have to see if Santa can get the message.

Had a lovely day today with good friends and neighbors over coffee and treats.  A lot of chit chat while sitting in our neighbors beautiful screened in gazebo, with the water splashing into their Koi pond.  Their yard is just beautiful, so peaceful and pleasant.  We decided to meet over just coffee next week and learn or work on some simple crochet or knitting projects.  A couple of the gals knit and crochet really well so they are going to help us less talented. 

One of our neighbors stopped by with a zucchini, sliced it up for dinner tonight.  We've had some from our garden but didn't have any there now for a few days.  Gotta find my recipe for zucchini bread and shred some up to freeze for bread this winter.  Yummy!!!!

Lovely day today

Went to lunch bunch today, gave my Alto Quilt Cutter to Edith for her sister in law and it's out of my house.  I haven't used the thing in years, now it has a new home with somebody who will get some use out of it.  Finally got a call from the shop I took my 200e machine in for cleaning, oiling, update and repairs last week.  Needs some parts replaced, etc. so it's going to cost more than just a cleaning.  It'll be worth it if it's repaired right.

Had a nice surprise at lb today, Laurie came, haven't seen her for so long now that she's going to school and looking for a job.  I sewed on yoyos so had time to visit, it was a good day.  I also found some sale fabric that I want to use in both my tube blocks and strips for the lasagna quilt.  I need at least 40 two and a half inch strips wof from at least 20 different fabrics for the lasagna top and lots of 2 and a half inch strips and 4 and a half inch strips for the tube blocks.  So tomorrow I will be cutting strips of fabric.   Just call me the old stripper.  LOL

A lot going on

Well I got a box of books and movie tapes sent off to a friend in Alaska where she is trying to build a library.  It's nice to have someplace to send all these paper backs I read, I send them at "printed material" rate but it's still expensive.  It's a good cause so it's worth it.  I had some kids movies that the grand kids are too big for so off they went too.  I sewed charm Sq's. together into 4 patches and am cutting them up into disappearing 4 patches.  I'll post a picture when I get er done.  I also found a website showing a video for making a strip quilt using jelly roll strips.  I've gotta do one of those.

Visited with my neighbor for a while, we are both very upset over that verdict in Fla.  That baby will never get justice now. 

George is busy helping a friend rehab his house, he's put in new windows, trimmed them and now is doing wood paneling.  It'll look nice when he's done, he always does such a good job.

Sewing Saturday

I plan on spending the whole day, or at least most of it, sewing or prepping to sew.  Had a busy day yesterday with the grand kids and a friend of theirs.  We shopped at Joanns for stuff and Meijer's for a pizza for lunch and fruit for smoothies.  Then home for a day of fabric painting, sewing, baking and eating.  They slowed down in the afternoon, Emmie and Natalie had been up since 4:30 AM, they went into Geneva to be part of the group shown on NBC news for a program featuring Geneva Swedish Days.  Fifteen seconds of fame.  lOL

William  spent the afternoon learning to chain piece, he did a darn good job.  He workied on a packet of charms, next time he will sew the pairs into 4 patches, then we'll do sashings to put them into a quilt top.  I posted aphoto of his efforts at the sewing machine.

I should have some stitching time tomorrow too, George will be driving the votemobile in the Swedish days parade from 11am to 3 pm.  Today he is at a friends house helping him to replace some windows, there is a lot of rehab work to do on this house so I think he will be busy for the rest of the summer.  MOre sewing time for me. 

Quiet Thursday

I putzed in the sewing room most of the day, decorated some dish towels with some fabric to use some bits of fabric and pretty up the kitchen towels.  The sun finally came out this afternoon.  George and I went out for a quick dinner, nothing fancy but tasty.  George spent the day helping Teri measure more windows for shutters and getting things ready to put the shutters up tomorrow.  They really look nice on the house, they already put some on the front now they are doing the rest of the windows. 

Tomorrow should be another quiet day, need to do laundry and  get some things ready for the P. O.  I'm giving my serger to a friend who uses hers all the time and it died.  I don't use mine so off it goes to a better home where it can be put to good use instead of sitting around and collecting dust.

OMG what a day

Took Kathleen to the Day Surgery this morning, they found some pol lops, diverticulitis and stomach ulcers. They think the ulcers were caused by her migraine meds which she needs for the cluster migraine's she suffers from. They also did biopsies for viruses and infections. Well hope she's on the road to feeling better.

Then George and I were taking a walk and all of a sudden he got real dizzy and weak. He wouldn't go to Dr. or Er so I"m keeping an eye on him. I started the day by losing my balance and falling in our bedroom. That left me with a sore shoulder and sore back so I'm doing Tylenol,hot packs and rest.

Tomorrow I'm spending the day in my sewing studio and hopefully out of harms way.

I'm so blessed to have such a thoughtful grand daughter, Emily came with me and was a big help toting groceries and helping Aunt Kathy.

Hoory for Kaneland Baseball team

The Kaneland baseball team won this afternoon and tomorrow is the final game. My friend's grandson plays 2nd base for Kaenland, he is a Sr. and has already graduated. What a way to go out.

My cousin made a surprise visit this afternoon, it was nice visiting with her, haven't seen her since my accident.

I was all set to sew today but that will have to wait until tomorrow, I found some nice dish towels and I want to decorate them with fabric or embroidery. Just do a little something cool.

Yup it's cool today, hope it stays that way for a few more days.

Coooool Thursday

After some real nasty storms and lots of rain we have been cooling down all day. We shut the house up, don't want to have to turn the heat on. Shees I've got "no peek stew" in the oven and I baked an angel food cake so the kitchen is nice a warm. Didn't think I'd be saying that for a while. George got the grass cut and fixed the alarm system, some of the windows weren't signaling open or closed. Now they work. I'm looking for my yoyo makers, want to start putzing with those in the evenings when George is channel surfing, if I keep my hands busy I'm not tempted to kill him.

Hot, hot, hot!!!!

Woke  up the lst 2 mornings about 4 am having difficulty breathing, my throad was closed up.  It passed after a minute or 2 but sure is a damn scary way to wake up.  Poor George doesn't know what to do and neither do I.

Went to lunch with the neighbor gals today, it was Sandy's birthday, we had a really lovely time.  Karen, the neighbor who hosted the l unch, had a beautiful table runner she made on the table that would be so much fun to make.  I think I'm getting into the sewing spirit again.  Carolyn shared pictures of the Kaneland high School baseball team who are going to the State semi finals.  Her grandson Brian Dixon is a player on the team, he is a Sr. so this is his last year for the high school scene.  Brian's dad went to school with our son Mike. 

My Saturday so far

I think we are going to have to put the AC on today.  I just came in from watering and weeding and boy am I warm.  Will have to wait until George gets back from Mike and Robins, he drove his mower over there to help Mike mow.  Boys and their toys, oh well he doesn't complain about my sewing machines and fabric.  Well not too much.  LOL 

Had my big straw hat on when I went outside but didn't cover my arms so the area where they froze the skin cancer is all red and blotchy guess I had better put a long sleeve shirt on when Igo out. 

Today is going to be a good day to sit and do some hand sewing, maybe yoyos or my drunkard's path blocks. 

Time flying

Been a while since I last posted, don't know where the time went.  I've been busy making swap blocks for a challenge and a block of the month project and round robin borders.  Today I'll be working on a new purse.  I have spent the last 2 days working on this computer, it ran into some problems on Mon. and it has taken me the whole week to get it straigtened out.  I thnk all the problems are resoved because it is humming right along this morning.  I'm off to get sewing some more, back later.  First I want to call Trudy and see how Bill is doing, he's back in the hospital with muscle and heart issues.

Wonderful day

We went to Mass at 10 am for William's first communion.  What a beautiful morning, all those sweet faces, so eager to do right and please everyone.  The smiles and happy faces were awesome.  After Mass we all went to our favorite restaurant for lunch and ice cream.  William opened his gifts and wa a very happy little boy.  I also gave him his late birthday present, he said it was worth waiting for.  LOL, we gave him 2 rockets to shoot and 2 car kits to build and decorate.  Katie was alter server for the mass and she did an awesome job, the Priest even thanked her at the end of the mass. 

George is out mowing, going to spread weed and feed and he just finish running the rototiller through the garden.  I think he's going to plant a lot of stuff tomorrow.  I watched the Cubs win and now I'm watching the Kentucky Derby.  Well it's on the TV while I type this, then I'm going to sew before I have to start some supper. 

Thursday May 5, 2011

On 5/5/55 my then boy friend surprised me with a beautiful orchid corsage and in the middle of the orchid was a one caret diamond engagement ring.  We were married 6/2/56 and like the energizer bunny it's still ticking.  I wonder if George remembers, I'll have to tease him and ask him if he has any surprises for me today to celebrate.  I don't have the ring anymore, I lost the stone out of it 2 yrs. ago, very very sad about that. 

Today I will be going shopping for William's First Communion gift, he receives his first communion on Sat. and Katelyn is an alter server for the mass.  William has been chosen to bring the gifts up at communion.  He is so excited. 

Going to get a haircut too, I look like a shaggy sheep dog, it's past time for that.  Well I'm off to get things going.

I'm back

after spending the last couple of days getting the sewing room back in working order.  Don't know why I trash it so badly when I'm working on a project.  Looks so much better now that I have my fat quarters in pretty floral bins I bought at WalMart.  I bought 6 of them, they were 2 for $7, such a bargain.  I sorted them by color so I won't have to paw through all of them when I'm looking for a specific color.

Going to lunch bunch today, haven't been there for over a month, it will be good to see dear friends and chat for a few hrs.  Might even get some hand sewing done! 

Just talked to sis-in-law Trudy and she is going to the EENT Dr. Thurs. for a steroid shot to see if they can clear up her hearing loss.  Hope it works for her, don't know what caused the hearing loss.  She may have more answers after Thurs.

I'm off to get ready to leave for lunch bunch, a fun day.

Sewing day

and laundry.  Took lunch over to George and Terry, they are still working on the window trim around the new windows.  Seem to making progress,slow but sure.  I started working on a new purse pattern today, should have everything ready to sew up a new summer purse tomorrow.  Have 2 quilts ready to be quilted just need to cut some binding. 

Had a nice visit with a special neighbor today, we haven't had a chance to visit for a while.  Her sister is going into the hospital for surgery for thyroid cancer, will be keeping her in our prayers.  Seems like everyone is out of hibernation today.  That's what sunshine will do for you.  Got a telephone call from our nephew Billie this morning and he told me his mom, sister-in-law Trudy, is going in for a scan at 7 pm of her ear.  She suddenly lost hearing in one ear, didn't even realize it until she couldn't hear when talking on the telephone.  Hope everything turns out ok, she and Bill sure have had their share in the last few months. 

Well going to get meat loaf and baked potato in the oven for dinner tonight.  Tossed salad and corn will finish it off. 

Another cloudy day in paradise

It's lunch bunch day so going to get a project ready to work on.  I am going to take my hand applique snowman blocks.  I want to get this quilt done by Xmas, making it for a gift.  I really should have done the applique by machine, the top would be ready to quilt by now. 

I have to select some fabric for another project I am going to start next month, it's a mystery quilt so I really don't know what it's going to look like.  I don't like mystery quilt projects, I'm a very visual person and need to see pictures of the finished project.  We'll see how long I last doing this one.  It may be a table runner instead of a bed size quilt..

Tuesday's goings on

Pretty quiet around here today which is good after Easter.  Had computer problem yesterday so wasn't on the Internet until last night when George got things fixed.  A handy husband is a good thing to have around
.  LOL  Had to hunt through some dresser drawers and bookcases this morning and found a rosary and prayer book for William to hold in his First Communion photo today. 

Today I am going to finish my border on an RR swap, finally made one that looks right with the center.  I also have to take some time to dismantle all the Easter decorations for another year. 

Yesterday I got all the dishes put away from Easter dinner.  We had a lovely day with the kids and grand kids and Randy, Robin's brother and Terry and Lou, her parents.  Had fun after dinner playing Farkle (a dice game) with the kids.  Michael won but I beat Terry, she is very competitive and that didn't sit well.  She's determined to beat me next time.   Lots of fun and laughs. 

Well I'm off to get things finished around here and the sew for the rest of this gloomy day.  Will have all the lights turned on in the sewing room so it will be bright in here and work with some bright happy fabric.

Sunshine

at last and warm too.  I've got my potato casserole done for tomorrow, going to make the fruit salad and holiday squares for dessert.  Have to make every one's favorite shrimp dip too.  George is out mowing for the first time this season, he's a happy camper.  Started burning a pile of evergreen limbs he cut down but it got too windy so he let it go out until a quieter day.  He won't be able to rototiller the garden until the pile is gone though.

I finally decided on the border for Trink's RR and it's looking good, did one border and it just overwhelmed the piece so back to the drawing board.

Well I"m going back to the kitchen and get another dish done for tomorrow, having the whole brood plus a couple of friends.  Will be a good day.

Where's the sunshine

Cold, rainy, windy,  blah day.  Went to urgent care yesterday and got the stitches out so now my finger can finish healing on it's own.  Doesn't feel too bad, only if I bump the end of it and do you know how many times a day you hit the end of your fingers?  Well you don't want to, trust me.    I also found out you don't want to go to Urgent Care on Mon., all the diy people are there to have various injuries taken care of.  I waited for over an hour to get to an exam room, then waited another 1/2 hr. for the Dr. and my finger took about 15 min and I was on my way.

Got our taxes mailed yesterday so that nasty job is done for another year.  I also went to Walmart for a few items and it took me longer to check out than if I would have had a basketful.  Training 2 new people and they couldn't get it straight.    Oh well everybody has to learn sometime I guess.  I've got to call for a new card, my old one is falling apart and their machines don't like it anymore.

I've got a couple of projects to finish up today, a border on a Round Robin block and a challenge block made from a small square of 11" red fabric.  Think I know what i'm going to do with it, just need to weed through the stash and find the color I want to use with it.   I'll post a photo when I get these 2 projects done and ready to mail.

SNOW!!!

Yup it's snowing, phooey and I like snow but seems like we've had way too much this winter.  I was hoping for a warm sunny spring. 

I think tonight is a chili night instead of spaghetti, anything to warm up.  Mike and William came over for lunch after their cross country races.  We wished the little guy happy 9th birthday and was treated a big happy grin.  He's looking forward to celebrating with his family tonight with the cake grandma made him.  Going to have another celebration next week, today they were all going in different directions, Katie had a basketball game, Emily had a soccer game (grandpa took her to school to get the bus to wherever she needed to go) and Mike and William had a race.

I have my desk area cleaned up and all the paperwork filed, the cutting table is just waiting to be messed up again and the sewing machine is calling me so I'm going to do some sewing before I start dinner.

The Bulls pulled out another one in the fourth quarter, they are an amazing team this year.  Go baby Bulls.

TGIF

Went to Urgent Care to get the stitches removed, they couldn't do it, the wound is infected and very painful so they have me on antibiotics and pain killers.  They also put a finger guard on it, makes typing fun and hand sewing impossible. 

I did finish our taxes today, they are printed and just waiting for the check and then P. O.  I also baked a "cake with a hole in it" (angel food cake) for William's 9th birthday.  Ran some errands, George came home from Mike's and we went out for dinner.  Home now and ready to relax and read a good book.  Hope I get a chance to sew tomorrow, have to clean up all the paperwork first. 

My Wednesday

No lunch bunch today, I can't hand sew with my cut index finger and I didn't get a machine project ready to work on.  So I'm staying home to get things done.  I need to get a pair of rubber gloves to use when I'm cleaning, keep the cleaning chemicals out of the cut. 

I found the fabric I want to use on the RR and in the process found 2 panels that will be a fast project and get some fabric out of the stash. 

Trudy called last night and Bill didn't break anything when he fell but is badly bruised and in a lot of pain.  I know just how he feels, been there, done that.  He's lucky that nothing broke on the him replacement he had in Dec. so he should be feeling good soon.  Gosh we haven't gotten together for a dead fish supper and poker game in ages.  Have to see if we can't get together soon.

I'm off to cut up some fabric and get something done today.    We are experiencing the invasion of the boxelder bugs.  Yuck!!!

Tuesday so far

Today I am working on an RR swap project, doing a picket fence around 4 pots of flowers. Cute block.  I have 2 quilts ready to be quilted but need to get a couple of smaller projects done first.  I will get  a project ready to take to lunch bunch tomorrow, I have to do machine sewing until this finger I tried to slice the tip off of heals, hope it feels better after they remove the stitches next week. 

My white and purple hyacinths are in full bloom and the bright yellow daffodil's, looks so bright and cheerful.  Thought spring would never get here but it's awesome.  The tall maple tree out the sewing studio window is starting to bud, the birds are happy.  They love that tree.