Just Twiddlin...Random Thots

Thank you, GOD

2012-02-01T10:51:00.002-05:00

Thank you God, for the husband I have to go to the funeral home with me, to comfort a friend who has just lost her fiance.

Thank you God, for the copier that keeps misfeeding, because I have a good job with a great boss.

Thank you God, for the bra that I'm wearing that has 2 cups, when my friend goes today to have a mammogram on her remaining breast after a mastectomy last year.

Thank you God, for the man who put the new wiper on my back window this morning for me, when he could have just handed it to me and I'd have figured out how to do it...eventually.

Thank you God, for the girls in my 789 Bible Study group, 1 possible total of 21, but usually closer to 12 who attend our get togethers when they can and learn about Esther and God and prayer...

Thank you God, for my new Sunday School book, and the 15-20 ladies who want to have The Power Of A Praying Woman.

Thank you God, for the snow that we get, so Garrett can plow, and the snow that we don't so that ladies don't slip and fall...

Thank you God, for the gift card that took us out to eat last night, just the two of us...

Thank you God for no line at McDonald's, so I could zip through for a sweet tea and find out that Shamrock Shakes are HERE!! for a limited TIME!!!

Thank you God, for JJ Heller and Laura Story and Casting Crowns and Matt Mahrer and Chris Tomlin and all the other people who make beautiful music to praise you that I play REAL LOUD!

Thank you God, for friends that come into my messy house and just enjoy the time we have together...especially when the bring food!!

Thank you God, for a new puppy that is just a joy to our house, making the hole from our other dog, not quite so large...

I Lift My Hands by Chris Tomlin

2012-01-25T13:32:00.000-05:00

2012-01-22T08:47:00.003-05:00

I'm working on a little project this morning. It was one that got planted and started at Christmas time and now I was trying to kick it into gear. The plan was to attack it last night...but I was washing up the dishes and picking up the kitchen and the lights went out. We have an automatic generator, so it will come on in just a few minutes...and it did. The main parts of the house function, but not all of it. We could watch a movie in the family room, but the outlets for the lights did not work. We had heat and running water. The refrigerator/microwave side of the kitchen work, but not the stove/oven side. I was alright with that. Everything was cleaned up and I really was OK with the whole thing, except I had hoped to work on this project or knit and neither of those thing were possible to do by the light of Caddyshack and the fireplace. The candles were a little too scented and needed to be extinguished after a little bit. The electric was out about 2 hours. We were fine. But by then, I had gotten real warm and cozy and might have even fallen asleep. And they wanted to keep the lights off. So I knew I was toast and just went back to snore-land. Yep, I snore on the couch. You should know that about me...in case we are planning a slumber party. I try to hang out in the same rooms at Scrap and Sew as other snorers...because we talk the same language...right Renee and Elaine?? If that doesn't work, there is always the earplug method. I have been know to sleep very peacefully with race earplugs in to mask the rumble of others. Lynn even sends them along with Renee some weekends for her roommates!
Having a bit of trouble printing out some things, so I'd best pay more attention for now. And church is going to be calling my name soon, too. I did get a walk in this morning and the sun is shining.
Have a great day!!

John 3:16

2012-01-15T23:33:00.000-05:00

Quick Lord, answer me. for I have prayed. Psalm 141:1

2012-01-14T13:28:00.003-05:00

Last week in our Sunday School class, (we are all women, a couple of high schoolers and then older) we were talking about prayer concerns and praises. One of our members said she knew the lack of snow was good for some, but since her hubby plows in the winter, could we please pray for some snow for Garrett? Well, we've been praying and God has answered our prayers!!
The first week in January usually sees us about halfway through the season's snowfall amount.
In 2009, we had 160" at the start of January; Season total of 306"
In 2010, we had 101.5"; season total of 191"
In 2011, we had 106"; season total of 234"
As of January 4th, 2012, our total snowfall was only 35".
I think by Sunday School class tomorrow, we'll be on our way to doubling that amount.
These figure are reported on the flashing board at the FireHall, collected by our Nature Center.
So you can see where Garret might be a little bored this year....
SO...this morning, I shoveled a path for the puppy to go potty and I smiled as I thought about prayer and God and answers....

And I thought about how blessed I was to have 2 answered prayers this week....because I was the one who was sending the Christmas box to North Carolina this year... and my mom gave me a few things to tuck in...and I sent it off in a Priority Med. Box...with the address that my sister had 3 years ago...don't ask why this happened. It just did...and when the package didn't get there on time, we started checking stuff out and I had this sinking suspicion that I made a booboo. Yep, no one to blame but myself. So I prayed that it would come back to me. The address was written right on the box...no label to fall off and my return address right there, plain as day. Mailed on the 16th of December...time for Christmas, but it came and went and no box. My sister gave up early...figured it got delivered somewhere else and they needed it more than she did. My mom held out a little longer, but eventually gave up, too. Lost forever...then she told me what was in the box and I was feeling even worse, but I kept praying. Whenever I thought of it, and on my way into the post office at night. Tuesday, I came home and Scott had one of our friends in the office, so I chatted with them for a while, then Ben left, and I chatted with Scott some more, then I asked if he had gotten the mail, or if I should go get it. He said "oh, it's in the house...your box came today!" It's true. My box came back to me. Address circled in red marker with RETURN TO SENDER written beside it. Still taped up, just the way I did it. So I called my mom and she divided it up and sent it on it's way again. To the correct addresses this time. But I'm smiling, 'cuz it just goes to show me that GOD answered even sort of dumb little prayers... So don't forget to mention the little stuff when you are talking to him. He hears it all....

Praying through 2012

2012-01-12T06:45:00.006-05:00

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills,

where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip.

He who watches over you will not slumber.

4 Indeed, He who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you-

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm-

he will watch over your life;

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore...

psalm 121

My first Fab 50!!

2012-01-08T15:37:00.009-05:00

This is my year of 50... So I've decided to make some goals of 50. The first one to go public is the Fab 50 Quilt and Yarn store hop. In this year, I hope to visit 50 stores and blog about them for you. The end of this first week in January, I was able to log QS1 and YS1 in one stop! I drove to Pittsfield, PA on the recommendation of Mary. I knew I was going to Anita's shop, but wasn't sure what the name of the QS was.
What a great start of the day! Melanie of QuiltEssentials opened the door to welcome us in. She had a decent selection of fabric, lots of patterns and samples and she and the other shoppers were full of ideas, suggestions and helpful advice. A great rug pattern came home from here. It will be a fun way to use up lots of scraps and make something I am in need of. Can't wait to make one of those...and then another.
I spent the most of my time in the other side of the house with Anita. The owner is a fiber woman. So does spinning and weaving, along with dying her own wool. She has a selection of wool fabric and wool felt for crafting. While I bought 2 balls of yarn here, and hope to go back for a weaving class this summer, the yarn selection wasn't that big and for bigger yarn choices, I might go a different direction. I was also tempted by her Tunisian Crochet scarf class. A bit of knit and crochet joined together in one scarf.
Time to roll along...
Next stop was a Hobbyshop on the way to Warren Pa. Had to circle around to go back for this. It was called Dreamboat and was listed as a yarn store...not so much...sort of like walmart is a yarn store. We looked through and then went along our merry way. It would do in a pinch, but I wasn't in a pinch and the prices weren't overly awesome.

YS2 was in Warren PA and called Tybout House of Handcrafts. This store had been found online last year, but never visited. Today was the day. The yarn selection was not real big, but then she told us that she was heading into retirement. She looked too young for retirement! Not enough older than me. So some chocolate was purchased here and she directed us to the next shop QS2.

Riverside Stitchin' quilt is also located in Warren PA. It is owned by Chuck Kennedy and we went in and prowled about for a bit. Some flannel came home from here. And maybe a return another time. There were machines for sale, too and I've been thinkin' about machines...maybe doing some machine quilting on a small scale..

But for now, it's time to go home... stay turned for more of the Fab 50!!

sunrise, sunset....

2012-01-04T12:15:00.002-05:00

Today's random question - If you cannot tell if it is East or West?? Would you know if the picture was a sunrise or sunset??

Just wondering... so if I wanted some photos to tell a story about early morning, or early evening, would you know if I took them at the other time, if you didn't know where the east and west were???

Please reply with answers...I would appreciate it...

we got it!! Thanks!!

2012-01-03T06:58:00.003-05:00

To whomever was worried about our lack of snow.... THANKS!!! We got it. And it just keeps coming. It was a good day for IN yesterday, but now I much go OUT... The snowblower was out for the first time today for official work. I would hate for it to be cold and lonely until it needs to mow grass again!

And the back view is more proof. The dog prefers to have company when he goes out to 'do his business' so I've been trekking out and down the deck stairs. It's OK. He is pretty good in the house, so we'll do this winter of outside visits. Hope all is merry and white at your place. And Jenn - not going to be 80 and sunny here for a while!!

The tree is coming down......maybe...

2012-01-02T16:02:00.002-05:00

It is the day before everyone goes back to school. I feel the need to tidy and organize a few things and the tree was on the list... I've taken the ornaments off, but I'm having a hard time pulling the plug on the tree lights. It still smells nice and it isn't losing too many needles....and at night, those lights just glow and make it feel all homey...maybe I'll take them off tomorrow....what's the rush??

Happy New Year!!

2012-01-01T09:22:00.003-05:00

This was actually taken on Christmas morning, but it is our wish for you...Happy 2012!!

some people got coal....

2011-12-27T17:14:00.002-05:00

there it is...trying to hide there in the packages....but it's my brother's coal. It was in his stocking and I saw him take it out...no denying it....

Elaine - The Pink Lady

2011-12-16T22:23:00.000-05:00

This was a surprise for my friend Elaine from her sister in law,
and the Girl's Night Out group... I'm even in a couple of shots!
She's a remarkable lady.

Christmas Lullaby (I Will Lead You Home) by Amy Grant

2011-12-13T20:29:00.000-05:00

It's tough being the entertainment...

2011-12-12T06:58:00.003-05:00

I came home from a friend's house the other night and the dog had climbed up on the hearth of the fireplace, then over the arm of the couch, then fell asleep right there. Not sure that this is more comfortable than curled up on the floor, but sometimes it just happens... Then I came home from my turn at Saturday a.m. at the clinic, and they were all outside putting together the shed for the snowblower to live in for awhile. It was cold and hands were getting numb....but the energy level of Eli was not to be slowed down. A bit of a trick to get him to actually look, but after taking a few pictures, he took off on a tear and ran and sniffed snow and ran some more and then he came in the house without his neck scarf. Guess I'll be looking for that in the spring!!

Merry Christmas from Eli !!

Sunday night

2011-12-04T20:52:00.002-05:00

It's Sunday nite here. It has been over a week since we brought our new puppy home. I know, I know. I said we'd wait until spring. But I just couldn't come home to no waggy tail, barky welcome. And Scott was just not getting enough work done without a furry assistant in his office... so I got onto http://www.puppyfind.com/. I looked around and found some real cute border collie pups and decided to shoot a few emails over to Scott. He said - make the call and see if he is still looking for a home. We left on Saturday a.m. bright and early. And drove a looooong way to a nice farm to meet our new friend.

There was a bit of a sad feeling when the furry head cannot yet rest in your lap, the black and white are in different spots, and he's still getting used to us.

But he already knows his place. I am teasing my husband relentlessly. He said it is our dog. I asked why our dog always sits under his chair at the table, in his lap in his chair and under his desk, even when he's 20 miles away and I'm right next to it at the table.

He is a cute, fluffy puppy, clumbsy and crazy. He is lovable and happy. We already love him. Welcome to our life, little Eli....named after Jessica's cousin. And thank you Jessica, for letting us bring him home.

Stay Tuned.....

2011-11-25T12:29:00.000-05:00

more about this....maybe tomorrow!!

789 Bible Study Girls

2011-11-17T22:10:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to say that we met with our 789 Bible Study Girls tonight.... People have been reporting that they are praying together at lunch and not ashamed of it...

Our Jr Hi girls had their first game last night. The coach said it was the first time he had a team ask to pray first. Praise GOD from whom all blessings flow!!! What a gift these girls are.

Goodbye Dear Friend...

2011-11-15T19:59:00.005-05:00

This is my goodbye post to a very important member of our family. Our dog Ernie, had been having some issues lately, and we had a feeling that his days were numbered. Saturday night he ate something he shouldn't, later had seizures, then went into the woods in the dark. I found him there in the morning. He is buried beside the swingset, but he probably would have been more at home under the basketball hoop. He would lay behind it whenever the kids would shoot and rebound anything they missed. He would bark and whine at the door if they dared go out without him.
He was my husband's dog without a doubt. I was good with a mutt, but he had always wanted a border collie, so we picked Ernie out of the litter and waited for him to be old enough. His birthday was the same day as our oldest and he came to live with us shortly after Albert came from Russia. He spent hours and hours with Scott in his office, just waiting for a pat on the head or a flip of that OldNavy frisbee. My only hold on his was walking. That he would run to the door for. Everything else I suggested, he would look at Scott first as if to say, "Do I have to listen to this?"
Ernie loved herding the lawnmower and the snowblower. The past few years, we had to limit that because he would chase so much he could hardly walk for a day...but he loved it and if he heard the mower start up, he was at the door, dancing.
I've been working at a Veterinarian Clinic part time for a little over a year. I see the love and devotion between pets and owners. But death is a part of living, so we take it as it comes. We will probably have a dog again...not until spring or summer...but there will be barking in our future. Hug your pet for me today. Like people, we don't do it often enough.

Point Of Grace - I Wish (Video)

2011-11-12T07:15:00.000-05:00

But this is really why we bought those tickets....what a great show!! Hope you all get to see them sometime!! Love and a Load of Laundry is a great pick-me-up!!

Jason Castro - You Are

2011-11-11T22:39:00.001-05:00

Just got home from hearing him in concert with Point of Grace...AWESOME!!!

Today's project...

2011-11-09T22:01:00.002-05:00

I love this bubble material I picked up somewhere this summer, and it looks great with the bright colors I picked up another time for another project, but we've also added some bright, snakey material in the mix and I'll show you later how it all turns out!!

Working out of a mess...

2011-11-09T14:40:00.004-05:00

SHINY CLEAN WINDOW!!
Today is a TO DO day. I have done several TO DO things and I'm feeling good about what I'm crossing off the list...and now I'm in my Creative Space and can't wait to get movin' but I just remembered something that I wanted to get done on a day like today, so I'm off to wash that window over the kitchen sink...on the outside...cuz right now, it's not raining or snowing...and on November 9th, that's reason to celebrate and wash a window@!@
DONE ---check---
Window over the sink AND the front storm doors AND the kitchen sliding doors....
Dryer unloaded and folded, washer moved to dryer and clothesline and reloaded...
Back to cutting and creating... I love this time....perhaps I'll have to chisel in a little tidy time here in my space. I did a weekly, or maybe weakly house blessing upstairs this morning and the PLEDGE helps so people will think I cleaned. A little lemon Mr Clean for good measure... never hurts... But the large table could use a time of sort...I did put a pile of fabric away that I had hauled out and sorted through, and now I DO have space on the cutting board to cut 8" squares. So off I go!!
Just what are YOU working on today or this week or before Christmas?? I had a distress email from a friend who is a little panicked about decorating in 2 weeks when projects are not complete.... you eat an elephant one bite at a time....so just do it... I told her which order to do things and we'll see if she goes that way... if not, it is what it is,....right, Sue???
Let's see how far I can get...

Playing where the BILLS play!

2011-11-03T06:47:00.002-04:00

Today our highschool football team will take this field in their last game of the season. It's called Ralph Wilson Stadium. And we've been here before. And I was here the first time. In the fall of 1979, I was a senior cheerleader, and my football team was the first one to play an end of season game in Rich Stadium. We got to stand on the sidelines there. And it was AWESOME!! We won, which made it even better. I think about that senior season every autumn, and all the memories I have as a cheerleader for football and basketball. It was a pretty good sport when I was in school to be a cheerleader. Maybe not taken so seriously these days, but I'll have you know that a pair of white and gold saddle shoes still sits in my closet!!
Dear God, keep all the players safe as we travel to the game and play, and as our girls' volleyball team goes from there to their game .....GO PIRATES!! It's gonna be a good, good day!!

Picking out the Christmas Tree....

2011-10-31T23:07:00.008-04:00

We're off to pick out our Christmas tree. Gotta get it done before the snow comes. Some years we don't make it. It snowed this week, so the pressure is on...

When I called they said that Cindy and Renee had already been there today to pick out theirs....

This year's designated tree-picker.... Kate Honey.

Picking the Christmas tree is very serious business...especially when your turn only comes every third year.... lots of thought and studying and looking and comparing....
Don't let your mom sway your decision....

The assistant tree picker must be always on the ball...or bough....

Yes, this is it. It is the tree for us. It is the 2011 Special One... get the tag....

And this one is mine...just my tree. By itself...waiting for Thanksgiving... See you then...

Aloha

2011-10-31T17:50:00.001-04:00

This is a picture of my dad and mom in Hawaii. My dad wanted to go back to Alaska. I told him he could go back there next summer and just have fun in Hawaii! So he did. I had a picture of him sleeping in a chair, but I thought I'd save that one for another day.

give it a minute to load...it's worth it!!!

2011-10-24T11:46:00.003-04:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

MercyMe - Bring The Rain

2011-10-15T09:44:00.000-04:00

I've been working, working while I'm resting

2011-10-11T11:35:00.005-04:00

Andrea lost her apron somewhere...maybe her car...maybe her dorm room....so I made this one...but it didn't match her shirt....so it's still on her bed....maybe she'll wear a different shirt next weekend...or I'll just give it to someone else!! I was working on this last week and finished it and bagged it and took it to a wedding reception on Saturday. Do you need flannel in Georgia?? Oh, I think so. If it is colder at night, then it is in the day, you need flannel. Trust me on that one. Flannel and I are good friends.

Here's the one that needs a movie now. The binding it sown on by machine and I just have to put in Soul Surfer and finish it up to give it away. Their wedding was Saturday, too, but I missed it. So, now I'll finish this one up and deliver it to his mom. It's flannel weather in Erie, PA. Trust me. And if it isn't tonight, just wait a month or two. Then it might be DOUBLE FLANNEL weather!!

Didn't want you to think I was just sittin' around eating bonbons. I got my sweater blocked, too and I think I'm going to wear it on Saturday night. Just because I can....

With my friends....

2011-10-06T11:52:00.003-04:00

Wednesday, my friends asked me along on a little road trip. Friend Elaine was in Florida last week getting her son married. It was a lovely small wedding and this Saturday, there will be a reception to honor the couple here in the area. One of the things that needed doing before Saturday, was to go to a local winery and picking out and bringing home some wine for the reception. Willowe was the driver, and they assured me that LUNCH was on the schedule.

This was my first time to WOODBURY VINEYARDS in Fredonia NY. And it was really fun! We were early enough, and on a Wednesday, so there really wasn't much of a crowd to contend with. I hadn't been wine tasting before. Yes, I know, almost 50 and never been wine tasting. I can now mark it off my Bucket List. Thanks so much, Maria, for being so patient and making our time there so much fun. We paid $3 for a wine glass that we got to bring home. And we got clipboards with the wines listed and the pouring began. I'm not much of a fussy wine person...actually more of a wine cooler kind of girl. With a splash or so of wine, from any of the offerings of the winery, I was able to find several that I wanted to bring home. If she poured me something I didn't even care for, the little bucket was there for their disposal. Life's too short to drink something you don't like. There were also a few that were not yet bottled, but we were able to taste, and put them down for our next trip out. Yep, sometime in the not too distant future, we are headed to Woodbury again. Squeezed in between 2 friends' part time jobs and the other's radiation treatment, we will be celebrating life and friendship, the way it's supposed to be.

Happy Anniversary

2011-10-06T11:36:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was my anniversary. 15 glorious years. No, I'm really not kidding... OK, on occasion there are a few days where I'd rather bite someone's head off than be nice, but hey, I'm a woman, right?! We have been through a lot together and look forward to a lot more to come.

My best advice to dating couples....If you think you can change him into the man you want him to be, walk away. He might be thinking the same about you, and do you think you need fixed?? Be yourself and follow your gut. God has a way of giving you clues, if you listen. But also remember that God has a sense of humor!!

Then Friday....

2011-10-03T22:21:00.003-04:00

Then Friday I moved over to the next space in my room. It is where I do my cutting....when I can get to it. The doors are holding in ALOT of messy stuff. wildly folded and messy fabric shoved in where ever it can fit. I read about a girl who made neat folded mini bolts, and although I skipped the very important step of placing cardboard in them, I managed to fold my material in pretty uniform "bolts" and neatly stack them in the cupboard and mostly clean off the top so that I can do the cutting I need to do on here tomorrow. Aren't you impressed?? It's not that much material !! and the stuff on the right is all flannel. You know when tall people make flannel loungy pants for cold weather, they need 3 yds. And the weather is getting colder!! And yes, I'm going to Joann Fabrics this week and buy MORE MATERIAL!!! Because I NEED it!! So there!! But I will use it or fold it neatly and stack it here in my cupboard of fabric to admire and inspire !!! You laugh, but I bet you have a stash of SOMETHING at your house. Books, jigsaw puzzles, embroidery floss, something for a snow day! Have a great day and who knows what tomorrow might bring! This one took me more than a day, but well worth it.

space in my

see. now doesn't that look better???

2011-10-03T15:29:00.005-04:00

After posting Thursday, I got off my duff and started sorting. I pulled yarn from a lot of places, found lots of empty bags and mostly empty bags and plastic junk bags and knitting instructions and books and regular books all a mess and just plopped and dropped. Opening the closet door, I found bags of pawed through yarn and empty stuff that had been stuffed in there, perhaps when wrapping Christmas gifts or something. I grouped all the yarn, zipped it into bags and neatly placed it in the closet, where I can find it neat and clean when I next need it. Tidied the books as best you can when your bookshelves are stuffed yet again. Threw out empty junk bags, folded and put away re-usable bags and now that space looks like this >>>>>>> Lovely, right?!?!?
Room for a cup of tea and a little quiet time at that table again. :o)

Where am I??

2011-09-29T07:05:00.005-04:00

It's starting to look a bit like this again. Beautiful !!

After using the good excuse of not posting because of my computer problems, I find that I am out of practice and out of the habit of it all. I think that daily at the tax computer, waiting for the copy machine to finish, will be my best time, but now I've just got to get back in the groove.
Today I was running around doing errands with the hubby. I'll be back to work in 3 weeks, so if I behave, running errands in the co-pilot seat is a good thing to do. Our loop included driving past Red Brick Farm again. We did just drive by there on Monday, and stopped, and took home a bag with 2 lovely things in it to satisfy the yarn craving in a person. But the craving wasn't mine alone, and the need for a neat red yarn that could be touched first was strong for someone else, so when I saw a oh-so-neat red yarn in varying shades, none resembling pink, that might just work, I had to bring it home and then show it to a friend who said "Yes! That would work! Not too pink" I try not to push my own choices on her...and I knew what I could do with that yarn if it wasn't what she wanted. So my stop today was to get a hank of the same kind of yarn for me. Not sure if the same color or a different one. NOTE TO SELF: The Yarn Cottage at RBF is CLOSED on THURSDAYS in the not-summer time. Not sure if it is open then during the summer or not. Maybe next Monday....
5 of us are taking on the 789 grade youth Bible Study that goes along with their regular youth meetings. Youth is a combined group from several churches 7-12. They break out the Bible Study groups in different ways different years. This is our first year. We've been reading up on some material, picked out books that we will do with our 789 girls. The guys have chosen some material for the 789 boys. Next week will be our first get-together. Here's hoping we can make a difference for God. Always a challenge, but they are at a great age to soak it in and use it. Right now we are scheduled to meet every other week, but who knows, maybe we'll have to get together all the time to get in all the great stuff we're planning and formulating in our minds!! They won't know what hit them.
Annnnnddd, there are things in my kitchen that are looking for attention and we are starting to address them now. Just starting...but do tell...what do you LOVE most about your kitchen, or someone else's and what are some mistakes to avoid??? And let's be just a little practical, because seriously, money IS an object! I'm not ripping the whole thing off and starting over...but we have some issues.
And my creative space is a disaster, but I think alot could be done 5 pounds at a time, so it's time to get at it. GO GO GO!!
Have a great fall day. I might just go curl up with a blanket, as long as I can get away with it. :o)

Kodak Easyshare sort of day...

2011-09-21T11:23:00.003-04:00

Starting number: 17,767

Now let's see what I can do on a resting day. It will kick me out a lot. It is a big monster that needs some taming. That's what I'm aiming to do for a while today...

got rid of 60 before my first kick-out!

spoke too soon...now I'm out 3 times in a row!

It's Friday and I'm determined to have another go at this for a bit...I did want to finish my sweater sleeve, but I think I can sit here for just a bit 17,503 is my beginning number. So, I didn't do TOO bad on Wednesday, all things considered.

ok...kicked out for the second time and now I will knit. I did get rid of a hundred or so more photos....one bite at a time....

It's a Beautiful Morning...

2011-09-19T09:55:00.002-04:00

Do, do, do, DO! Just the kind of day for a song. I did have just a little walk today out in the fresh air and it was sooooo goood. I LOVE fresh air. I hang stuff outside all the time, just to get that smell...Fresh and clean!! Ok, so I'm just a little weird, but hey, I'm honest about it!!
It's another Proverbs kind of day, so I read the 19th chapter, 'cuz that's what today is, and I posted a verse on Facebook and now I think I need to do the shower thing and it might, just might be possible to finish knitting the sleeves on my Swing Jacket today!! And I'm lovin' it! Already located some dark green and thinking I could make one out of that, too. Should be alot easier now that I've done one, and maybe change the sleeves up a bit...or thinking about a vest, too, as a possibility. I still have that great yarn I bought from Carmen, but what to do with it when it's not quite enough.....
And I have my Beth Moore Bible Study to work on...we're at the tail end of Daniel and it's been good, but as our school schedules and kids get more involved for the year, it is harder to get together. 2 more times to finish us up.
oh, and I have a binding that I need to sew by hand, too. WOW! I guess I'd better get going on this day.

Turkey Lurkey...

2011-09-18T08:43:00.002-04:00

There is a wonderful man upstairs fixing a turkey dinner to enjoy after church today. I came out and asked, "what do you want me to do" and he said "Nothing"! Sounds pretty good to me!! I'm sure it will be fabulous! and sharing it with a few family members will be even better. And I don't think I'm doing dishes, either!! He's a peach!!

This is what VICTORY looks like today!

2011-09-17T18:50:00.002-04:00

I'm BACK!!!

2011-09-17T08:38:00.003-04:00

Oh, yeah, oh, yeah!!!
After about 2 months of my desktop being off-line, I'm back on and WOW!!! Life is good!!
If you use a large, very nice screen, and then you must use an older, still great , much smaller laptop, you notice a difference!!
I'm here to say that in 15 minutes, my life is sort of back to where is was before we left on vacation in July!!
I haven't keep up much on here. My emails are mostly from my phone and because I am over 40, my thumbs were NOT grown and developed for texting my emails... many ?? in things that I write.
But we're up and running.
I didn't need to lift anything over 5 lbs to do this install. Not much bending, no stretching, unplug and plug in, type, type, enter, wait....yeah, pretty much idiot-proof. That's my kind of tech support...no assistance needed.
Hey, I'm going to pick up Chicken barbeque on my way to the football game. I'll be in a chair at the end of the field, but I'll be there. And it will be good....and then I'll come home and take a nap and that will be good too.
See you around!!

Give Me Your Eyes- Silent Praise

2011-09-16T15:40:00.000-04:00

Try to remember

2011-09-14T07:25:00.001-04:00

Today.... for Neva...

good september morning.....

2011-09-14T07:16:00.003-04:00

I've decided not to be totally lazy all day. The problem is, when you've been given pretty much a don't lift anything that weighs anything, I don't always think about how heavy things are. I've been lifting big things forever. I was a big, strong, healthy kid and I did as much as I could. Now I reach and then think NO!! Don't do it!! You'll regret it later!! So I've been hiding in my room alot.
I had my first experience with an e-reader and I have to admit, it was handy. I feel like I'm cheating on my books, though. I love to read. And I have a lot of books. And I use the library quite a bit. And I trade around with my friends. Right now, Heaven Is For Real is being read by a fifth person. That is sharing at it's best. I didn't really understand all the functions of the kindle, either. I'm sure I used way more battery than I should have and I'm not sure why or what to change around. So I didn't have time for another book before the battery ran out. So perhaps I had something turned on that shouldn't have been or didn't shut it down like I should have. If you have one, how long can you go between charges??? do you just put it on the charger every night when you go to bed??? Just wondering. It is nice and lightweight. There are options to the viewing. I didn't rip any of the pages. I missed the smell of pages. I missed looking at the cover. I am a rut person. I don't adjust to change well. So, do you have one?? Do you love it?? Did it totally replace books for you??
But I've been doing some knitting. I am looking at the last several inches of knitting on my Swing jacket before I do 8 rows of seed stitch. I may have to break out a bottle for that part. Seed stitch makes me just a little more than crazy. Perhaps a painkiller would help, but I'm not sure what it would look like. Also been working on one stocking and trying to decide how to judge the size of the foot. I ripped the foot and most of the heel off the first one and it is just waiting for resurrection....not much good right now...the goodies would all fall into the Christmas fire and there'd be no Yule for You!! Perhaps this is the stocking you get when you've been NAUGHTY!! So I do have some projects to occupy my mind and keep me from lifting heavy things and I really want to wear my very first sweater, so that my top priority for today...see how many of those rows I can get done!! Have a great one!!

Thanks

2011-09-11T11:00:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to shout out a big thanks to all my friends and family who are entertaining me and feeding me, too! I love you all so much and SOOOO appreciate you taking time out of your own crazy busy-ness to spend some with me. In a while, I'll hardly remember that there was a period of time that I was not ALLOWED to do the laundry and it still got done!! The kitchen is cleaner than when I am in charge....perhaps I should stay out of there!
I've got a pile of chick flicks just waiting for me, so I guess I'd better go.
Thanks again....

Plumbing

2011-09-09T07:06:00.004-04:00

I'm home in bed, recovering from some plumbing issues I had taken care of. And I'm not on too many drugs, so I figured it is a good time to work on my knitting sweater project. It is getting a bit colder and I can see me wearing it real soon. So I got it out and I started knitting and I found a hole...not the original MAKE ONE holes that I did, but another. And then I called Cultured Purl, in Erie PA and asked the nice lady
"What is the way I can increase without making a hole?" and she told me to knit in the front and the back...so I did...then I looked at the MAKE ONE holes, pulled out that big, long circular needle and unraveled about 5 inches of sweater. I had looked at it long enough. If I'm spending the time and money to make my first sweater, I want it to ROCK!! I don't want a hole here and there and especially in the front. AARGH!! I then put the stitches back on the needle, winded the yarn back around the skein, purled the row I had put on, sliding and flipping stitches as I went, hoping that it wouldn't be noticeable. I'm not usually a unravel person, I'm an unknitter. one stitch at a time...there was just too many stitches to do that way, so I pulled it out. I hope to not have enough practice to ever get good at this, but I also hope this is a step in my knitting trip that I decided it was worth the effort to rip it and re-knit. I still have some kinky yarn wound around the skein....I've not made up how far I went back yesterday, but I'm good with it. My friend is stopping by with lunch for me to day and I told her to bring her knitting, too. I have time for more re-knitting and then I can smile when i put my sweater on....after all, aren't I worth it!?!?!?

Have a great day...maybe next week I'll be back up to posting my Proverbs. Better go lay back down. It's what I do best right now...

Phone a Friend...

2011-09-05T20:36:00.002-04:00

This is for all you folks sending your child to kindergarten. That's right. Here in WNY state, we're starting school tomorrow. I just need to tell you a few things.

Get on the phone, email, or Facebook and make a date with a friend for lunch or before. Preferably with someone going through the same thing, or not to far removed. They will understand where you're at.

Prepare yourself for the drop-off or pick-up, which ever your case may be. With #1, it was a drop off, with #2 it was a bus pick-up. Your child may look at you sadly, with big puppy dog eyes and say they don't want to go. They are just trying to make you feel good. Hey, you've devoted your life for the past 5 years to their health and welfare. They know a good thing.

Have the milk and cookies waiting when they get home and listen to whatever they tell you went on that day. If they say nothing, it may be just a little off base, but listen anyway.

They may tell you they don't really want to go back the next day, because they missed a whole day of Nintendo, playstation or tractor driving. Just smile. They'll figure it out soon enough.

Don't be surprised if they don't come home with the jacket or sweatshirt they left with. Get familar with the location of the lost and found box. Some of your best stuff may be in there!!

Have a fun date for lunch or Starbucks or your favorite yarn or fabric store. Relish the time away, and enjoy your friend. Chances are, when you get home and meet your new-schooler, they will forget all about you crying in the morning. It's OK mom. We all do it. They are so DARN cute and innocent and nothing will ever be the same again.

What Proverbs today???

2011-09-05T13:35:00.002-04:00

Hmmmm....Proverbs 5.....

How about 21??

"For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord,

and he examines all his paths."

Oh, yeah.... You're not fooling anyone.

Proverbs 4

2011-09-04T07:14:00.002-04:00

OOPS! Got past a couple of days without posting.... First home game yesterday and stuff to do in the early a.m. before and then a long, hot game...
Now on with the Proverbs posting for today...
6 "Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you."
This is a good, strong read all through ...I'll wait with some of my other favorite passages until the next trip through...

At the game yesterday, Libby said to me "I had a dream about you."
"Oh, I hope it wasn't bad!"
"No" she said "I was having some problems and you told me to read something in Proverbs...I think it was 3.." Ironic that she dreamed about the chapter that was yesterday's reading...

Keep reading your Proverbs...a spoonful everyday, and things will be brighter!!!

Now, I'm sorry to be missing church, but I said I would play in a benefit golf tourney and it starts at 9 this morning. I will be soaked by the time I'm done. I poured last night and I was taking down some clothes from the line under the deck at 4am. Didn't sleep that well because it was hot and sticky in the first place. Temperature is down now, so tonight will be good sleeping. Better go get my game on!! It's a scramble, so I'm probably just along for the ride, but I do have a good drive or chip every once in a while. And Renee's got those new clubs that she's been hitting like crazy. We had 10 for golf in Union City on Friday night and we did pretty good. But they feed us anyone!!!
Have a great Sunday and Labor Day. I need to make a list of things to get done on Monday... And I think I'd better go find my rainpants...

Proverbs 1

2011-09-01T17:54:00.003-04:00

Let's start at the very beginning...a very good place to start..... oh, sorry. Got just a bit carried away. Not trying to slack off, but today was my Beth Moore morning and I leave home around 5:45 am to go to a Bible Study and then to work and then stop at the store and deliver something to a guy who I didn't make connections with earlier and then home to empty the dehumidifier and load the washer and unload the dryer andset several baskets in front of the TV for one of my few times that I can still multi-task. And then I remembered that I didn't do my Proverbs 1 yet... so let's get to it!!
"The Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, King of Israel;
for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring a disicplined and prudent life.
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young--
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance--
for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

WOW!! There's no question that this is heavy duty stuff. Read the whole chapter..not much to ask, but much to gain. Advice and wisdom that is ageless...

A 31st-ish sort of day...

2011-08-31T08:28:00.002-04:00

Opening to Proverbs 31, I'm reading, but saving the pondering of the biggest part of the chapter for another read through... The Virtuous Women. We are just starting a chapter on her in our SS Lesson next. We have a picnic this week and Rally Day next, but our next discussion Woman of the Bible is found here in Proverbs 31....

So, I'm just thinking more on the starting of the chapter....say, verses 8-9

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and the needy."

Do you think this is a cry for a random act of kindness, or a public display???

See you tomorrow, when we get to go back to the beginning and read #1.

Reading Proverbs....

2011-08-30T18:58:00.002-04:00

I once heard a speaker, perhaps David Jeremiah, say that if you took a year, and read a day of Proverbs for the day of the month, every day and every month of that year, you would never be the same.
Today is the 30th, so Proverbs 30....."Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in him."
Take on the Proverbs Project and read the chapter of Proverbs every day that goes along with the date -for each month coming up, too....it could change your life. Won't you join us??

I invite you to join along, and please feel free to comment! You can use the anonymous label if you need to!!

Knittin' and Readin'

2011-08-24T14:44:00.005-04:00

where I'm at...

and what I'm trying to do...

I made myself this goal sheet again this year...not New Year's resolutions, but more of a bucket list for 2011. One of the things on this list was to knit myself a sweater. I have been on the track of finding the world's easiest sweater pattern for a not-too-sure-of-herself knitter and I happened upon the Swing Coat from Annie's Attic. It's a cardigan, top-down knitting, with 3/4 sleeves and raglan at that. I'm thinking it should be pretty forgiving...and I finally took the plunge and started the knitting. You know all the unknowns that stall you...which size should I do?? is that the measurement to just come together, or are they adding the amount that it overlaps in the front? and just how tight is it going to be? and what about my long arms?? and the armpits?? I don't want it tight....

And then it just comes to the part where you GO BIG OR GO HOME!! So let's get it started!

I cast on when I was on my way home from vaca...and also was working on a Christmas gift...my second one.So I have 2 things on needles right now, and when I get stuck on one, I just take out the other and keep knitting. I made these 2 zipper bags at my last Scrap & Sew and I'm finding them oh-so-helpful at keeping my stuff together. I have a project and the yarn and instructions all together in a bag and until it outgrows the bag, it is zipped and ready to go along with me. Less tangles and falling-off stitches, I think.

And I'm reading, too. I have a Karen Kingsbury on the table right now. I've had it there for a while and I've been doing the shuffle and The Chronicles of Narnia are on my LIST for 2011 but it looked pretty big and I wasn't really up for starting that one yet, so I just put it underneath for now.

3 days off...

2011-08-17T08:37:00.013-04:00

We started out in Portville NY at Sprague's. If you haven't been there before, I think it's time you tried it!!! A feast for lunch and then a walk through the sugarbush, to the sugar house, past the bear climbing the tree and several other wood carvings!!....

We said we were walking off the meal, but we were really just being snoopy...what's up there on that hill, anyway????So THAT"S where they keep the sugarhouse!!Had to stop and take a look at some little Bobwhites.... I really wouldn't know what Bobwhites were, but I read all the Trixie Belden mystery books I could get my hands on as a kid, and their club was The Bobwhites of the Glen...Besides eating at our destination, we took along the cornhole game and broke that out. It was fun to watch...And fun to play...if you are better than me, which pretty much everyone was....here's Scooter. He does this on his vacation, too. And here's my sweetie. You might not be able to tell from this picture, but he is getting a bigger benefit out of healthy eating this summer...Dropped several pounds. Feelin' better...Gotta keep those men healthy...

Willowe plays this game with Scooter on vacation...or maybe they play against each other!.....

Cheryl and I just dug out our knitting. Hey, it's vacation days. We can do whatever relaxing thing we want, right?!?!?

Here I am untangling what I thought was an easy winding job, that ended up with me making it more of a mess instead of less....Kathy looks pretty intense...think she is studying our work. Should have brought your knitting along, girl! Maybe you should try a little trip to Victor NY to the Springdale Farm Bed and Breakfast!!

Hello Gorgeous

2011-08-15T21:02:00.006-04:00

This weekend, we were introduced to an organization I didn't know existed. I've written of my friend Elaine several times in the past. She's the one who did the Breast Cancer 3Day walk with me, she's the one who does Songfest with me and she is the one who has 1 chemo and 28 radiation treatments to go.... This is part of her team this year for the Relay for Life. The ones who could, gathered together at school for this picture. Elaine teaches English. We try to keep it a secret that she really can't spell, but she has a dictionary, so that works out OK!! I wasn't there for the picture, but I was there for the walk....

Here is Elaine in all of her smiling glory!! The purple group from L to R is her SIL, Laura, Laura's Mom - treatments completed for MaryAnn, I believe, Elaine and Martha. They were in the beginning group of walkers...

But today, Elaine got a surprise. Some friends worked together and submitted her name for a program called HELLO GORGEOUS!!

Willowe did not have an easy time getting Elaine to go to lunch today. Her Thursday treatment had left her not feeling really up to it, but the date was already set as a surprise, so she used her most convincing ways to lure her into the local restaurant and then once in the car, went to the salon, sat with her for the 3 hours of pampering and makeover, and then delivered her to the restaurant for her REVEAL!! Doesn't she look MARVELOUS!!!

You are such an inspiration to us all, Elaine. And you are truly GORGEOUS, inside and out, but you always were!! Now go get some rest!!!

summer songfest 2011

2011-08-15T08:20:00.006-04:00

Our fearless leader works her magic with us.... Thanks Sue Rhebergen for agreeing to do this with us!!

Why do 40+ people give up a whole Saturday in the summer to come and practice and then do a concert that night?? Well, we are a little crazy, and we do like these people we sing with...some we don't see a lot, so it is a reunion...
And the chance to sing with some really good voices, when I'm not a really good voice is so nice. The people who listen are truly blessed by the sounds...And we do it because several of us have received The Memorial Peace Award, given at graduation in memory of 4 graduates who gave their lives during the Vietnam War. When the money ran out, we decided to help it continue, and to continue to remember those who gave all to keep us free, so that we have a Saturday to get together and sing our hearts out...No dang chemo is going to keep Elaine down. We had to Make Our Own Kind of Music!!

Thanks to all of our singers and all of our audience... See you in 2 more years!!!

gone...

2011-08-09T08:37:00.003-04:00

Sorry, but I'm gone...I'm in Victor NY at a really neat B&B with my friends. 4 couples, all escaping just for a couple of days. We've left behind our crispy, brown lawns, the leftovers from another wonderful Summer Songfest, our kids, our pets, all left at home. We have a few stops we'd like to fit in. I still want dessert, since there was NO WAY I had room anytime last night and now we are just headed to breakfast here. We have read CRAZY LOVE and are having a pretty deep discussion about it. We did the first 3 chapters the last time we got together, but now we are to chapter 4. It is about the lukewarm Christian. It is very eye-opening, soul-examining, hits pretty close to home.... If you haven't read it, I'd suggest it. We were going to finish the rest of the book this trip, 'cuz we have 2nights together to discuss, but we didn't even get out of Chapter 4 last night and we were up until after midnight. Very good discussion. Good brainstorming, good ideas, all floating around the room. Stuff to get going when we get back home. Programs we want to do, groups we want to help organize, and just wanting to breathe a little more life back into the church that has been floating a little on not real good autopilot... It's time for a new plan.... when I get home, a few pictures of singing, but not too many...a few pictures of other things. Perhaps I will find someone to get my network functional again... love to you alllllll

busy, busy, busy....

2011-08-02T19:20:00.002-04:00

ok, so I know that is no excuse, after all, everyone is busy...way too busy. But I was getting ready for vacation along with Bible School week, and then it was vacation and then I came back and the internet is screwed up. Time Warner has fixed the connection from the pole, and the laptops have a signal, but not me in my basement oasis. It is cool, creative, messy, and not online in my space...where I do most of my 'stuff' and then also, where my pictures are on the computer....so I'll try a few posts from this laptop while I figure out who can help me with my router, booster, modem and whatever else I'm trying to figure out. Who do I call to do what everyone has been telling me is real easy to do.
The weekend before July 4th.....

This is my niece Jennifer and her daughter Miranda. I haven't seen Jennifer for quite a few years. She moved to Colorado, and although her mom has been there and she's been to her mom's, she hasn't been in PA in years.
Her oldest, Evan, was up last summer with his grandma and we had a good visit, so we were looking forward to seeing him again!
Boy #2 is Braden. Oh, dear...I guess I just always say his name and I don't write it. I'm not sure that I've spelled it right, but he is a cutie.Here's another picture of little Miranda. She just had her 1st birthday last week. Nothing like a good thumb...

What I did on my summer vacation

2011-07-21T08:28:00.002-04:00

Today I am on my summer vacation. It is HOT...very hot. But we are at a lake and the water is fine. We headed for New Hampshire this summer. Not doing much, just rather hanging out and for our active family, that is a vacation from the norm. We have all finished at least one book, have a bit of a sunburn, have eaten more than we should, have been to see a comedian, have traveled over to Freeport ME for shopping, and part of us have been to a NASCAR race. Nothing more is planned for the vacation, but lounging. I'm good with that. Haven't even taken that many pictures. Our rental house is an old barn restored and it has lots of room, which is nice. Everyone is on their own time schedule and up late and sleeping late seems to be the norm for the kids. All have their own space and 2 screened in porches help to expand our space. One 1000 piece puzzle has been completed and cleaned up and I wouldn't be surprised to see another on the table, but that was before the reading started in full swing, so we'll see, I guess.
We drove across with the GPS taking us the shortest, but not the fastest way and we saw some really neat places in Vermont and New Hampshire, but it is a haul back home, so Saturday morning that will be adjusted to the fastest way home.
I've also been doing some knitting. A quick dishcloth on the way here and then tried my hand at another Christmas stocking and I'm really liking that. Also brought the instructions and yarn for the sweater I got for my birthday. I just can't quite get the hang of "knit in the front and back of the stitch" and although it's going more like a "make one", in the end, it looks like a "yarn over' with a hole. Guess I'll be pulling it all out and having someone show me. My knitter friend, Anna tried to show me a couple of times, but I just didn't get it, so she just did it for me and now she's not here and I'm still stumped!!
2 weeks until Summer Songfest 2011. Looks like we have around 30 singers, but I'd love even more. We do a whole day of practice and a concert that night. It was alot of fun last time, so I'm hoping for as much this year.
My friend David went to Pittsburgh yesterday in an ambulance. It has been encouraging to hear reports on his progress. No speech yet, but moving all 4 limbs and even taking the pen from the nurse a couple of times. I went to see him before we left. He has lived in Pittsburgh for around 15 years and it will be easier on the wife and kids to have him there.
Today my partner in crime, Elaine, has Chemo #4 of 6. She has been feeling pretty good so far and she knows radiation will follow this, but in between, her son gets married in Florida and she has been waiting for that day for a while. Her daughter also adds a wedding for next year into the mix. Never a dull moment.
Guess I'd better get back up to work on Daniel. My friends all got together and did the chapter already, so I'm doing a bit of catchup. We had Bible School the week before we left and work in the day and Bible school at night tends to take the stuffing out of you pretty quick!! Sleep is deep! Have a great day!

This week...

2011-07-05T07:11:00.002-04:00

Last night we had between 20-30 people here to celebrate the 4th. The weather was perfect, the fireworks as good as ever and the s'mores ROCKED!!
We had JUMBO marshmallows again this year, along with the regulars...
I've still got a quilt that needs hand sewing on the binding...
I've got to get some stuff around for Bible School that starts next Sunday night...
I have less than 2 weeks until vacation, and having Bible School every night after work the week before will squish that prep time......
I have knitting to work on...go stocking, go!...
I have to find my next skirt to sew...or something... maybe a beach coverup...
I have work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday...
I ate too much this weekend...time to check the damages...
Better move...
I'll check in later....
Have a great day!!

Thinking of David...

2011-07-05T07:03:00.002-04:00

This is my friend David. This is not his Halloween costume, he really is a police officer. But right now he is in the hospital. He was in town this weekend for his class reunion, and when he left the get-together, he was riding his motorcycle. A deer ran out, there was an accident, helmets are optional in PA and 5 miles from the line. He wasn't wearing a helmet. He has a wife and 2 kids. Please remember him this week in your prayers...and his family.

January and June...

2011-06-29T20:59:00.004-04:00

You know, one of the differences between January and June is....

Tonight, on June 29th, I was just finishing up walking around my block at 9:30 and I could still see where I was and where I was going...without a flashlight...

In January, it is mostly dark when I come home from work...

I like this for walking....it does make it a little more challenging for settling down. Seems maybe you should still be working on something constructive if it's still light outside. But I've been puttering today and enjoying being home and running some errands with the hubby. I liked this about last summer...Scott sticking his head in the house and saying, "hey, I've gotta run to Erie. Wanna ride along??"

We are together ALOT in January with tax season, although it is the quietest of the tax months...it's sort of a breaking in time. Not too many late nights yet in January.When tax season is over, I sort of miss that 'together' time. Yeah, we get on each others' nerves quite frequently in April. There is sometimes even yelling back and forth, but it usually ends up in us cracking up because it is just stupid.

I'm working on my red skirt. I had so much fun sewing the brown dotty skirt, that I got some red dotty material and another red and I'm doing a skirt like I saw on here.

I thought it might be done before I went to bed, but it's not looking that way right now. The skirt has a zipper and it would be ready for a hem, but I'm going with the double ruffle look. I just feel a bit swingy lately. I forgot to take a picture before I cut the bottom off.

You just take your ruler and measure up 6 inches and chop the bottom off...then you insert a ruffle in the middle and on the bottom and sew it back together. I spend a lot of time cutting material into smaller pieces and sewing it back together, so I guess it's no surprise that I'm pumped up about this little red skirt.

OOpps!! I think I went over the edge! I did the double ruffle and then when I sewed it together and shook it out...it screamed APRON!!. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE to wear aprons, but usually not to church...but what's done is done...and next week is another week, and I can make this cute little skirt without any ruffles out of 1 1/2 yds of material and without ruffles, it will go much quicker...and I did a great job on the zipper, so I'll still count it as a success!!

Upon closer inspection of the instructions for the double ruffle, I see that it is NOT applied in the same manner. It was not hemmed, but double over and gathered...hmmm...is it worth taking that whole part out and redoing??? I may just wear it first and see...I guess to start out with, I'll sleep on it.

Have a good tomorrow... I'll let you know...

2011-06-26T22:57:00.003-04:00

hey - does anyone have a good recipe for bread that is like the Longhorn Restaurant?? We took Scott there today for his birthday and I'm thinking that would be a good bread to try.

Tonight I did the old Sunday night special, Homemade Pizza and we haven't done that in a while. It was good and healthy and then I walked afterward to get it moving so it didn't just settle on my hips and seat. Now I think it's late, and I was hoping to get a recipe off the internet for the bread and put it on my ToDo list for tomorrow...

PS...there are seeds in the stuff...like sunflower or something. Perhaps if Ratatouille were here, he could nail the ingredients!! That is, if you like rats in your kitchen...I'm holding off on that a little longer...

Ready for bed...

2011-06-21T23:26:00.002-04:00

One quilt is all the way finished and in a gift bag....the other top is sewed together and after some tweaking, it is smoothed out and ready to tie...maybe not tomorrow. I have to work at the dog and cat clinic and then have Bible Study for Daniel with Beth Moore.
The clippers were too dull to cut the dog's hair, so a new blade is on the list before I can finish that.
Hubby's Tahoe air was fixed today, but we think we have a MAJOR issue...hoping they can fix it quick tomorrow. The only time I drove today was to go pick him up tonight when he dropped it back off. I really LIKE those kind of days.
Made some bran muffins this a.m. and then had to bake a batch of Oatmeal Choc Chip cookies...sorry honey. We are on a challenge and cookies are one of his 2 forbidden foods...
Night, night....

Hey, let me know if you are going to sing with us this year on Summer Songfest day...

I'm just saying....

2011-06-20T11:41:00.003-04:00

The one on the left, that's my friend Elaine. She has had 2 chemo treatments of 6. The one in the middle is her sister in law, the beautician. Didn't she do a lovely job??? You know someone with cancer, or who is sick?? Give them a call today or just stop in for a chat. Break up their day a bit and spread some sunshine. You'll both be glad you did it!!
You have a beautiful head, Elaine....I'm just saying...!!

Sunshine in Erie

2011-06-20T09:59:00.003-04:00

Yep, it's true. The sun is shining in Erie, and since there is a big group coming from our school to the zoo around the corner, that's a good thing. My copier is running and it's just another day in paradise!!
Isn't it true, though?? Don't you think if you address was 3549 Paradise Drive, Paradise, USA, there still might be laundry to do?? A dog that needs a haircut and something that isn't working quite the way it should be??
So here's today's question:
What is the best way to deal with hurt feelings...of your own...when they person that did it, thinks they have done nothing wrong?? How do you get over that feeling?? Or the feeling that you are being blamed for things that you had no part in?? I'll gladly take credit for what I did, and I did some pretty strong stuff, but don't be telling people things I didn't do...

OK, now on a happier note. I had a sick kid last night. or shall I say in the morning....what is 4am anyway?? the night or morning?? We bought a pecan pie and left it on the table all day and ate it the next day...never know about pecan....so many eggs, it probably should be in the frig. Well, now the rest of it is in the trash and those of us who ate it are hoping that is the end. I know some people who put everything in the frig, but there's not room in there for everything...especially with that 1/2 watermelon in there and the extra gallon of milk and the 3 dozen of eggs and the 4 cheese spreads from the FFA, and all the other fresh fruit that I have on my Healthy Habit list for June...and the 3 large bottles of Ranch. (note to self: take out the bottles of Ranch and conbine them. sort through the other salad dressings and toss the old ones)
Took my dad out for Father's Day yesterday. Some years we just go to Addie's for ice cream, but since he has to check his sugar every morning, I'm thinking that is not the most responsible thing to do. Aunt Mary and Uncle Larry went along, too...and my sister, BIL and nephew. I slipped my mom a digital camera for a combined Mother/Father's day birthday gift. They took a trip to Alaska last summer and this fall they are talking about a Hawaii trip and it's time they got over their photo phobia and just did it. It will recharge and the SD card will take more pictures than they will take, so I'm hoping to get her going with it and then be comfortable by the time the plane flies and the ship sales. Last night I called her and made her open the box, put the battery in and plug it in and the light came on saying it was charging!! We have made progress. Next we'll have some memory card lessons and take some pictures and then load them on her computer or delete them from the camera. I think once she gets the hang of it, she'll get braver. I mean, she only wanted to look stuff up on ebay when she got her computer, now she googles everything!! You Rock, MOM!!!
The copier is quiet, so I'd better get in there. I brought my knittin' but I think I'm starting to decrease and need to shorten up my needles. I have 3 sides to do on my binding at home and walking still...maybe bulls' dam...or the track...around my 7pm meeting that shouldn't last long at all.
Have a beautiful day and remember that all you have is a gift...be grateful and smile...

Friday...flyday

2011-06-17T06:48:00.004-04:00

On Wednesday, my friends were getting a car fixed, so they were doing errands in Erie and said 'let's meet for lunch', so I was at Max and Erma's a little after noon and we had a very nice meal and visit. Then we headed out to Joann Fabrics to help pick out material. K is just finishing up the binding of a cozy quilt she is making for one of her sisters and now is picking out material for her other sister's quilt. She wanted some help with that, so I went in and then wondered where they were. They took a shortcut and arrived about 5 minutes after I did!! C grabbed a cart and we got to work. I picked up 5-7 blacks prints and met them down at the gold/yellow section. We used the main wall, and then wandered through the other sections a bit as K debated the things we were stacking in her cart. In the end, she had a beautiful backing, and 10 bolts for the top pieces. Only a few were the ones we started out with, but that's OK...you've gotta start somewhere.
Last night I FINALLY got the binding sewed onto that pink and chocolate quilt. Now I'm ready for a few nights of binding in front of the TV. That leaves the one that is on the floor in pieces to be put together. I think that I should go do a row or two there before I go to work. That would free up some floor space for the dog to lay on...just in case he is already laying there when I'm not looking...which is quite often. It looks like it's going to be a nice day.
Things I've got going in the crafty corner:
*the 1st grad quilt needing the binding
*the 2nd grad quilt needing the top put together, layered and tied and bound.
*my quilt that needs LOTS of hand quilting this summer. I've not started the 3 blocks a day that I had figured to get it done by fall!!
*my Christmas knitting gift #1, getting closer, but not ready to decrease the toe yet.

This week...

2011-06-12T14:22:00.004-04:00

This week, I worked on this a bit. Today I cut the batting and put 2 pieces together for the backing.... I really like it. I helped Bert make these. Still need to make them a good summer PJ length, but they are done but for that.

And I made this swingy, swirly skirt. It is a little stiffer than I thought it would be, but I'll make the next one out of lighter weight cotton. You KNOW I love cotton best...

My assistant laid out the next quilt that needs to be put together this week. I have some applique blocks to finish up tomorrow and then I can sew those blocks all together. I will NOT run out of things to do this week...or for a long time. And no sewing until 4am the day before the gift is due. I'll have one done this week, for my goal and the other will be ready to finish for next week. If you call, I may have to put you on speaker phone, but I'll be glad to chat.

I'm also still figuring on the first Christmas gift I'm knitting and it will need another to go along with... I have yarn to try my first ever sweater for me!! and then there is that quilt for my bed to be quilted.

I'm looking for a good book on prayer...anyone have suggestions?? Either for me alone or for a small group.

Hey, I think I hear my pillow calling. The list for tomorrow keeps getting bigger. I just have a few things that need to be done. Like either plant it tomorrow, or forget it. Front and back. Stop over thinking and just do it!

Table of 8

2011-06-05T16:53:00.005-04:00

I don't think I've written lately about the table of 8. We had a month or two skipped in spring with the crunch of tax season, but we're back at it. We got together this Saturday night at our house. It was the weekend of the big local 3 on 3 basketball tourney, and it was actually the first year they did one in Jamestown and one in Warren. Our friend's kids played in Warren and ours played in Jamestown, but we managed to get together around 6:30, even with rain delays and high wind warnings!
It was so good just to get together again with the other 6 and eat some steaks and potatoes and salad and fruit and dessert...of course we had dessert....actually, we had 2 desserts! And then we sat outside for quite a while, because even though we had ruled out eating outside, sitting outside and having a fire. We ate inside, but the deck called us, so we had the most of our booktalk outside. We had read HEAVEN IS FOR REAL. and had lots of interesting discussion about it. I'm always anxious to see where discussion will go from the starting point of our book reading. It's a good group to bounce ideas off of and to take the devil's advocate, forcing someone to stand up for their opinion.
When the bugs got busy and the light started to fade, we moved back inside...after all we HAD cleaned up the family room for this purpose! and we went there to finish the discussion, and to talk about our summer trip, lined up for August - 3 days on the edge of the finger lakes. We were starting to talk about all the options for activities, but I'm voting for less going and more being. The 4 girls are doing Beth Moore's Daniel study this summer and we'll have our weekly meeting of that to fit in, along with the book for the month. We are opting for a B&B and we'll have all 4 rooms, so that will be fun. Our package includes a credit toward a meal at the Dinosaur Bar and Grill, which others have said was awesome. Letchworth Park walking is a possibility on our way out...lots of eating ....and I think it will be a week off of chocolate. That is our little trip with friends. So we firmed up some of the decisions about that...
and then we had to pick a new book and I guess we hadn't really thought about it, so we just hemmed and hawed a bit and then we started digging around the shelves and the CBD catalog and who do we like and who has something new out and we decided on CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan. We both have a copy and I had started mine, but not gotten too far, so I'll just start over and fold down pages in my bookclubbing method!!...maybe some sticky arrows to make my points and we're good.
Plans were made and the date tossed around for our July date and then it was time to go home. We had done prayer breakfast and the BBAll tourney parents had been up early and out in the rain and the sun and we were ready to sleep!
Can't wait for next month and getting together again!

I found it!!

2011-06-03T06:50:00.002-04:00

After spending hours looking and then just going over the same places 2-20 times, I have FOUND the lost library book. Life is good and God is GREAT!! I had collected the other library books, including another sock book and I still had a cooking book I was going to look at, but I was going by and wanted to return the books... I had the 2 sock books in my car when I went to OH last weekend and I started to have fears that this book was laying in the parking lot beside where I parked my car...someone else would find it and I would have to buy a new copy for the Library. BUT!!! I looked over at my Beth Moore Daniel workbook, that I had brought down from the kitchen table, and there were 2 books the same size and shape and I knew I had the leader's guide out, but thought I put it away, so I picked up DANIEL and there was my Library book!! Oh, Happy Day!
AND... I remembered after dark that there was a frost warning last night...granted only 3 or 4 nights before, it was so DANG hot I was thinking about the airconditioners in the windows already, but I got up from my comfy couch/chair and got the lovely painting sheets/dropcloths and covered stuff and I don't think I needed to, but it's uncovered today, waiting for some more wonderful weather. I got Dan to help me dig up some ornamental grass and load it into the car and take it to Cheryl's house last night. I said that he didn't need to go 'cuz when I got there, Mark would help me unload it, but ever willing to practice his driving skills, he taxied me over and unloaded the grass, I left my swimsuit repair job there to be delivered this morning to her carpool partner, and also some strawberry jam that was in my freezer and she was out and wondering if she could make some from the store-bought berries that would work until our berries were ready here. When your kids eat it for lunch, it goes fast. Better go eat my Life cereal, take my iron supplement and get ready for my day.
Have a great one. I have to save my energy for 9 holes of golf tonight....oops forgot to call Pine Junction for a table for 10...have to leave a note on the table for when I get home from dog and cat day!!

It's back to work

2011-06-02T06:43:00.003-04:00

Today I'm back to work. I've had a verrrry long weekend. Normally I work T, TH, & FRI and then we take turns for SAT a.m. With a vet out of town, they opted to close the clinic for the long weekend, so I worked last TH, and now today is the first day back. The good thing is they were open yesterday, so the absolute chaos of all the people who MUST come to the vet after than many days off was handled by someone else. I'll have an easier day.
Yesterday was a puttering day and I just couldn't settle on a task. I had several things going and not really sure I completed any of them. It was warm and windy, but I just didn't have what it takes to stay on task....a very AADD type of day. I looked around and wondered what I DID do. I puddled around with a new lining in a new bathing suit for a friend and I was pretty nervous about screwing it up and putting holes in the material and having it too loose or too tight. I'll find out tonight if it is going to work, then put the last seam in. I spent a fair amount of time trying to clean off horizontal surfaces around here. I need to get started on the other quilt top for graduation and I'm only doing applique on a few blocks, but getting that going is sometimes the trick. Dragging out the wonder-under and the random pieces and the background blocks and looking up numbers...
Guess I'd better get moving. Today will be a long day and I think I hear the washer calling me.... Have a great day!!

Oh, wait...I finished another book yesterday. It was Family Affair by Debbie Macomber and it is not quite 100 pages - a very quick read. But I'm counting it. I spent quite a bit of time looking for a library book about socks that I still haven't found....AARGH!!

just a few...

2011-05-31T18:04:00.004-04:00

I don't get much of a chance to read during tax season, so when it is over, I load up on books and that's good for the most part. A lady at my church loaned me this book to read. It is written by a Russian orphan, and since we adopted a boy from Russia 1o years ago, she thought it might interest me. She sat by this man on an airplane, if I remember correctly. It did interest me and I finished it and gave it back to her this past Sunday. Then I started this book. I got my hair cut last week and it was raining pretty good while I was there and I wasn't in a particular hurry to go outside and our Library in Findley Lake is in the Community Center, as is The Snappy Snipper who cuts my hair. I picked up a couple of books and magazines and visited with some of my friends.

Today I finished this one. I found it very interesting and perhaps there is a little farmgirl trapped inside of me. It appealed to that girl who grows beans and tomatoes and maybe some squash. Who thinks a small chicken flock might not be a bad idea, but whose husband thinks perhaps I'm a little crazy sometimes ...but he loves me anyway! No chickens here!!
And that Saturday trip to the Great Lakes Sheep and Wool show was AWESOME!! I learned so much and I bought a few things and was proud that I held back on some things and I'm wanting to go next year again... or maybe I'll find someone nearby to pick their brain for a while. I kept circling around some fat and thin in natural and didn't really think I needed it, but the thought of experimenting with a little dying was too much for me and now I have to do some research on that. I have some Brown Sheep bulky in a very chocolate brown and a spice and I'm looking for something to bridge between that for a stocking...my next stocking. I think I have everything I need for the first one to be completed. But then I'm thinking about that sweater yarn and pattern I bought for my birthday project.

I DID get one small top sewed together today, but it was the easy one. Only cut and throw it in a bag and then pull 2 out and stitch them together. Only restriction is not to have 2 identicals side by side. The next one has 4 blocks with applique and that's the next pressing thing on my project list - BEFORE the sweater...

What have you got going in your project pile??? I also have the very large hand quilting quilt that I should start on a couple of blocks because I start my count on June 1. That's already tomorrow... oh, dear...

What I did today...

2011-05-30T20:54:00.003-04:00

After many days and nights of this.... perhaps you can't see that the rain is coming down in torrential downpour style and just shooting right over the gutter and washing away all that good mulch that Willink Landscaping put there last spring... There is a birdbath right below this that is still tipped over from the winter, but hey, it hasn't been spring here for very long!! And all of that lovely mulch has washed itself right into my little water feature and it's rather a mess and since it was a lovely day today, I thought I'd like to fix the fountain thingy, but it is silly if I spend all that time doing it and then it pours buckets again and makes it all a mess...so after it cooled off a bit today, I got the ladder and cleaned this section...and then did the rest of the front of the house and scooped out all the old rotten leaves and the tree seeds and little stick and YUCK...It was pretty stinky! and then I ran the hose and flushed it out....and then as long as I was on a roll, I thought I'd do the back, too. The way the gutter is on my ranch house, you can reach most all of it with the step ladder safely...you notice I said MOST....

See that place there where the gutter is bending down just a bit??? Yeah, that's where I was hanging from it when I reached a little further on the last 4 foot to clean out and the ladder and I went different directions. I had thought about this possibility, but was on a roll, so I kept going. Scott was just inside the office there with the windows closed. If you yell loud enough, your husband can hear your screaches quite clearly. Luckily for me, no neighbors came over. After the initial swing, I was able to sort of steady myself on the ladder, which was tipped sideways, but wedged between the house and a raised garden bed...but I didn't have any leverage to get myself down, and I wasn't jumping...hey, I'm pushing 50 pretty hard. My arms are a little sore, and I might feel it more in the morning. After the hubby helped me down, I was pretty shaky, but admitted that if it wasn't me, I'd have thought it was pretty funny. By tomorrow, I'll be laughing mostly about it. Before I published this, I had to call my mom and tell her. She was cleaning out her gutters, too this week. I told her I'd send my 13yr old over to finish hers. I'm not sure she'd swing as good as me, or that my dad would hear her as quick as I got my help. Maybe I'd better go ice this sticky elbow. Live and learn....

Here I am...

2011-05-27T12:29:00.004-04:00

Yep, I'm working hard...

I have done a half dozen little office jobs that kept getting pushed aside and just needed some forced sit-down time to get them done. I'm feeling better as I tick off each completed task. I'm looking at one that, once it was opened, proved to be a MUCH BIGGER job, so I am re-grouping here for a few as I decide how best to tackle it.

End of Seasons...

2011-05-26T07:04:00.002-04:00

Last night was Bert's last night of golf for this year. Although their team is VERY young, they competed all spring, had a good time and learned along the way. As a 7th grader, he was the youngest. He has been golfing for years, but just fun golfing with the family, and alot of getting tired of it and just tramping through the woods to find lonely golf balls. He always wanted to wear cargo shorts so he could fill his pockets with golf balls. I believe between him and his dad, we probably have more golf balls in our garage than the local sporting goods store! So, now it's just summer golfing for him and that's good. He'll look at it a little different now, since he's been golfing more serious and following the rules. He never came home discouraged enough to not want to go back. I won't miss the very wet shoes everynight, because the golf team will continue when the baseball team's field is too wet to play on. The whole shoe thing has been kind of yucky. I need to get one of those shoe/boot dryers, my friend Kathy tells me. But Dottie quickly suggested that it be NOT in the house...you know...the smell of hot wet shoes can be a little overwhelming!! I'll be checking that out.

At the same time that Bert was finishing golf, Dan was finishing his last high school baseball game of the season. They have lost 3 seniors over the season, and most of the rest of the team is young...sort of like the golf team...real young. But that leaves a lot of potential to come back to next year. Last night the first baseman, 2nd, and shortstop were all freshman, the catcher and 3rd baseman were sophmores, there were a couple of seniors in the field, and a pitcher that was a sophmore and a junior....can't remember all the others... but there just wasn't a lot of years experience there, but if they all continue to play together, they could have a couple of pretty good years ahead.

So it is time to wash those uniforms for the last time in 2011 and send them back to the coaches. It has been a good year.

Mayday 2011

2011-05-21T14:59:00.008-04:00

Last week we celebrated May Day in our town. It is a tradition that goes back to our parents youth here. The senior girls wear long gowns and are honored by the underclassmen. 4 lilac arch bearers from the Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior class are chosen by the class, along with a representative, who brings a gift to the queen, a member of the senior class, voted on by all of the high school students. This first picture is of katie marbach...she's the only senior in my Sunday School class and a special friend of my boy, Dan...

The First grade girls are flower girls, sprinkling lilac petals for the queen to walk down on....When all of the senior girls are on the platform, including the queen, Bethany Heiser, and the class representatives, Enter the 3rd grade girls as MayPole winders... if you have ever been to Clymer on MayDay, the maypole winding song gets into your head and just stays there for the rest of your life.

Smiling Girls on a Sunny Day!!

Here's one of my favorite photos - My Brother with his 2 girls - Haley was the 10th grade arch bearer and Rachel came home from Rochester to see her do it!!
May your May be filled with beauty......

Planting...

2011-05-19T06:56:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was an errand day. I had a drop off, and a go-to-the-other-office thing to do for my husband for some clients... and I had a list. I asked the newly home from college student if she wanted to go with me. There were birthday presents for her on the list. She agreed, my only girl and for the most part, not a shopper person.
We didn't start very early which was fine, because our nasty, rainy day was delayed a bit. I had time to neaten up a few of my planted spaces, pull some weeds, and then I had a little more time, so I planted 3 plants of 4 variety of tomatoes that I had started from seeds. I got a bit of a late start with those seeds and my plants are not too big, but they turned out OK last year, so I'm good with them. I also planted 4 rows of green beans. That's all that's in so far, but I feel good about it. It hasn't really been very nice yet this spring. Lots of rain and not real warm, but I'm hoping maybe to get a few more things in between this weekend and next. Still want to put in a couple of pumpkin plants, some more tomatoes, my purple peppers, of course....I have carrot seeds and I've never planted them, so maybe this year...just trying to figure out where to put it. I had considered plopping another raised bed in, but you know... the hubby loves his grass and I'm trying to keep to one area that is sort of out of the way of other life here, so we'll see.
The daughter arrived here, I jumped through the shower, we errand-ed and had lunch together and can home smiling and with another bag of projects...why is it that I keep coming home with projects, but not that many make it back out??? Saturday night!! I'm thinking of quality time on Saturday night!! Either knitting or cutting and sewing....and healthy eating, of course....and maybe a fitness walk.... oh, I can't wait.
Tomorrow night I'm going to the community play. They are doing "The Sound of Music" and I helped with the costumes, so I'm anxious to go see it. I understand that it will be 3-3.5hours in my seat, so I think I should have a cushion and maybe some pretzels or something and a bottle of water. There is some real talent here and I can't wait to see it.
Have a great Friday tomorrow and I'll leave the light on for you....

Already Monday

2011-05-16T08:59:00.003-04:00

It's already another Monday morning....seems to be some slacking going on here... Oh, well!! It is 9am and the washer and dryer are going, clothes are being folded, I need to walk the dog and get over to the office for some hours of tidy. There are files that need to be purged and sorted and re-arranged and some stuff needs to just go somewhere else. I have a box that needs sorted and tallied for the extension that it was and then it can be finished. I look around here and think...hmmm...where is the time going. A list, Kathy, I know that I need to make a list, so I shall.
My sister called and we chatted for a while and she is at the place where her very old companion, a yorkie, needs to be retired. Major health issues, but a very hard decision anyway. My months in the vet clinic make it easier for me to be objective in these things. No, I haven't turned cold to pet owners and their feelings, I just see that sometimes it is for the owners that the pets must stay, even though the pets are more than ready to go. It will be a tough week for her, but she knows in her heart it is the right thing.
A few friends and I are into a 6 week wage/challenge of healthiness. That doesn't look like it is spelled right, but I'm going with it! We must each select 2 forbidden foods that we cannot eat for 6 days a week, but can on our 'day off'. Mine are fried foods and chocolate. My sister says "well, you don't eat that much fried foods." Bacon in my subs, fries that I bake at home were flash fried first, right? Those chicken patties and tenders that are so easy to pop from the freezer to the oven on late dinner nights...Wings from the French Creek Tavern with a couple of fried pickles to go with them...chips, pretty much all of them that are regular. And then there is the chocolate....that I pop...without thinking....more often than I ever realized....so far, so good. There is a daily exercise requirement and water drinking and communicating with others who are suffering along with you. I wanted the pounds to just jump off, but hey, they got here one at a time, so I guess it's only right to figure they will leave the same. Scott is doing this with me, so maybe by vacation, we'll have a neat AFTER picture....but it won't really be AFTER....more like a DURING, but an improvement all the same. There IS some $$ at stake...extra motivation to do a good job. I'm not crazy enough to think I'll ever be skinny, and I don't really want to be...just a little more comfortable and healthy. GAME ON!!!

PS...the quilt that I want to hand quilt is just a variety of 9" squares...and alot of them. Any suggestions on a design to put in the center of these blocks is appreciated...possibly not TOO challenging, because there are ALOT of blocks and I'd like to sleep under it this winter. I'm not looking to impress anyone, just be warm and stay together well.. :o)

Baby #3 goes to the Prom

2011-05-09T12:34:00.004-04:00

Baby #3

I said "Who talked you into a white tux?"

He said "I INSISTED on a white tux!"

And he looked pretty good! 2 baseball wins that day and then dressed to the nines. And they let me pose with him. In my lovely green T-shirt and jeans. But I'll take some credit for this kid who has sneaked past the top of my head. I keep his hair real buzzed so he is shorter.

Pose a whole bunch of kids on a golf hole in the sunshine and I get a whole bunch of shadows and people looking the wrong way...maybe I've got a better shot....
Oh, I think this one might be a bit better...at least most of them are facing this way... except those boys from other schools, and who really cares about them anyway... There, way over on the right kind of leanin' down. That's my Katrina from Sunday School. She does some of our prayin' and she's got a heart for the Lord. We love havin' her in there...and you can usually get her talkin' too, which is not easy to do with a high school junior in a class with some old ladies...

Relay for Life in Corry PA....

2011-05-03T06:54:00.003-04:00

3 years ago, my friend Elaine and I walked the Breast Cancer 3 day. It was August, the hottest weekend that year. It was 3days x 20 miles. We had trained a lot, but we had blisters and sore toenails and sunburn and just plain exhaustion... but we walked the whole walk. We were NOT getting into the sweep van. Together we raise over $6000 for Susan Koman and our friends were so supportive.

This year, I'll walk the Relay for Life for Elaine. She is currently recovering from surgery and will soon start chemo to treat her breast cancer. If you haven't sponsored anyone lately, go to www.relayforlife.org and look me up in Corry PA 16407. TEAM ELAINE is a BIG team. This is our picture at the finish. Whipped but victorious! Join us in the fight.

Better??

2011-05-01T20:08:00.002-04:00

Hey now! Doesn't this look a little better than yesterday?? The wall ahead and on the right is freshly painted, all of the dust elephants are sucked up and the stuff that isn't supposed to be in this room is gone,...well, except for that one corner and I'm working on that!!

Doing revised Game On with some friends starting tomorrow, so I should be at Addie's right now for an ice cream fix! Instead, I think I'm taking my to-be-felted slipper into this new clean space and finish it so I can perhaps felt it tomorrow night or maybe Tuesday.

Hope your Sunday was good.

sorry...

2011-04-30T22:28:00.004-04:00

I was going to post today after I got the Family Room cleaned up. Honest I was...

But the truth is, it was never cleaned up, picked up, or back to any semblance of order. It has been quite a while of stuffing stuff down here when you didn't know where else to put it, or just dropping it here on your way by, or sorting and folding and not putting away. Even the dust bunnies didn't want to live down here anymore. And looking through to the 'toyroom' was equally disturbing. That's where we keep our socks...all of our socks...all unmated and waiting for someone...

I was sort of on strike about it. There are too many socks and why do I have to match them all and if they do a really bad job then I won't ask them again, right???

And if you look through the sliding door, you'll see that I was also trying to get some sheets and quilts and blankets washed and hung outside. After all, it's been a while since I had such a nice day to do stuff. Even now, my helper suffers from a hereditary disease of starter-stopper. That would be the hose to the vac, that was abandoned for a time this morning.... I had the webster and the bucket and I was getting down to business...

I'm showing you this to embarrass myself. Naw, it's this way too much and it is, what it is. Tonight the room is not done. I decided one wall could use a fresh coat of paint as long as I had it all ripped apart... but these baskets and clothes and laundry, they're all put away...where they REALLY belong, not just out of sight.

My mom's been reading a book I bought and hadn't gotten to yet. She sent me an email with a quote from it just yesterday.."A family lives here. They are busy and happy and a little messy but someday they won't be so, and you'll be sorry."

Thanks, Mom. Aren't you glad this is mostly picked up though??? It looks much better than these pictures from this morning. She wishes I inherited just a little more of her 'clean genes' !!!

A bit of last week...

2011-04-27T07:59:00.003-04:00

oh, drat...you think I'd know better by now than just to hit enter...so....

Here is Bert at the Biltmore Estate. He's doing the strongman thing and holding it up. Well, hey, it was worth a try!!

It was raining when we went inside for the tour, but had cleared up by the time we came out again. We ate in the stable, and then we walked around outside a bit. It was sort of the end of the wisteria, but it was still pretty.

We saw lots of neat stuff inside. Bert got the recorded tour, so he told us all of the important stuff we needed to know. I thought it must be a bear to dust the place, and how in the world would you decide which HUGE room to have your party in?? I guess if you have poofy dresses, you take up lots of room, but I'd NEVER know where anything was!! Oh, I guess that would be the job of the domestic servant who liked me the best, to keep me sorted out!

Bert took my picture when we were walking in the gardens. He kept saying, "back, back, back..." I really like this picture of me...don't you??

Gotta read...

2011-04-22T10:06:00.002-04:00

My friend picked up a copy of this book and read it fast. Another friend sat down and started it. It was offered to me, but I suspected that I might just want my own, so I declined and snuck out to Target for a copy. It was going to be my quick read on vaca.

WOW!!! If you haven't read this book, pick one up and do it!! I will be picking up a few more copies of this to share. It is definitely that good. It is pure and easy to read. It is inspiring and comforting. It is Heaven from the mouth of a little boy. When he was scared, he sat right on Jesus' lap....

now to finish "the Sock".....

I've been kidnapped...

2011-04-21T09:39:00.003-04:00

It's true....I've been kidnapped by my sister. Instead of picking me up and taking me home with her, we went to Asheville, which because I haven't studied geography lately, I have NO idea is in the opposite direction of where we are supposed to go. And we stay over and go to the BILTMORE , which was ever so cool, but then, when I think we are going home again, it turns out that there is a wicked awesome fabric store that we stop at and oh, we are going to stay over at my niece's house, too! Not home yet. Today we will see. She had a dream that she decided to go somewhere else, but it was in NY, so I think I'm safe on that one....time will tell.

HHmmmm....

2011-04-18T10:50:00.002-04:00

Ok, so where did I put that thing I printed out from someone's blog about making a little Fairy Tutu ..... There must be some way that I can flag, or mark, or fav, or something these posts on these 50 blogs that I read on a regular basis, so that I can find things again... Can anyone offer me a bit of help on that??? Thanks so much.

The End is Near!!

2011-04-17T08:50:00.004-04:00

Whoops! That went ahead and posted the title when I just wanted to jump into the body here! So if you get on here and read the title, you might get the idea that I'm into some phophetic stuff....Nope! The end will happen when it happens. But the end of our wild tax season is tomorrow. The government will officially declare the deadline time as postmark APRIL 18. It was silly to extend it over the weekend, but no one asked me. I would have SURELY given my honest opinion on it. Why ruin a perfectly good cold and rainy weekend, but giving people 3 more days to procrastinate?? It is what it is. And now, I look around the disaster of my house and think about the shoemaker and the elves and what needs to go where and why nothing is where it should be. One bite at a time, that's how you eat an elephant...so I think a little R&R is in line first, then tackle the stuff. I need some organization with this yarn that I love to see and feel and need to knit up. Did I say I was getting more??? What am I - crazy??? yes, just a little crazy!! I think I should just put projects into numbered bags and work on them one or 2 at a time. For Lisa Loo- THE SOCK will travel with me in the car and I will knit a bit on it here and there. I agree with those who say one of the frustrations of sock knitting is when you finish, you still need to knit a mate. I'm in the same place with my still to be felted slippers. One done, one not. A problem here is that one is started a bit, but I'm not sure how much, so it is a matter of trying to decide if I know where I am in the instructions, or if I need to pull out what is there and restart. One slipper will do me no good...unless I match it up with the one slipper that Andrea did for her class and I recently found in a jumble of my yarn stash. Projects #1 and #2 have named themselves. I will not let myself start the sweater yet. But I may take project 3 along and start it if I can finish #1 or #2. I have hopes!! ANDDD>>>>>> You would be so proud that I was looking through the stash of fabric for something to try a skirt with. I bought stuff a few years back that I like and never got around to, so it's possible that I will now...and I also found some Gecko material that I bought for something and I really like it, so I held onto it and I'm wondering if I would wear a black skirt with bright, silly geckos all over it. Or if I should try for some shorts/capris. I can just see me smiling every time I put on the geckos!! ANYWAY!! I need to get moving. It's the last Sunday of BSI, Dan is not here for it, so I'm his stand in person, I need to tape the scripts to the clipboards and I'm already been out for errands this morning with my friends, because you can't talk about a donut break for 10 weeks and not give the kids a donut break for a reward!! The parents are going to LOVE us....SHHHhhh!! Don't tip them off! Have a great Sunday. I need to throw some wash in so I have something clean for my next adventure!!

What I'm thinking about....

2011-04-12T17:27:00.007-04:00

I'm thinking about some of this....I know there is some near my sister and we've got it on the list of things we need to find. You can never really have enough. And I will again have time to put it to good use. I need to finish a few things I have going right now, and there's that other Brown Sheep knitting that I want to do while I'm there...and there's that bag from Joann Fabrics that I found with the 2 balls of yarn that I forgot about. And there's a couple of bags of stuff that came from Carmen, but really....can you have too much of a good thing?? You never know when you might get snowed in....

And just in case of foul weather and long car rides and hours of idleness, I'm going to need some of this. Yep, Christian Fiction. I find that after reading a lot of this, I'm a bit prudish to the ways of the world and this is just what I need to keep my head and heart right. I have Narnia that I started with one of the kids, but some quick reading stuff could be a plus, and there's an awesome bookstore not far away from her, that has a great selection.

And I think we might stop into one of these, because I have a quilt or two to do this spring, and I need the backing for one I was supposed to have on my bed this winter, and well, you just never know what they might have there, that I don't have here....so this is another important stop... Is it any wonder I haven't been sleeping well at night???

Oh, and that whole clogged kitchen sink/dishwasher/disposal problem?? They couldn't fix it today, so they'll try again tomorrow. I said I didn't want to come home to that problem...but Scott and Bert were washing the dishes up in a pan to surprise me when I got home from Dog & Cat day...I smiled. It changed my whole outlook on the situation.

Have a great day..

Walking with Friends....

2011-04-11T08:56:00.006-04:00

Yesterday I took a walk with a couple of friends. When the winter is done and for me, tax season, our time is a bit freer and we like to walk and talk together. I've read where some people can walk and knit, but that might be just a little TOO much multi-tasking. I've accepted the fact that for the most part, multi tasking is not good for me. Something always suffers. But walking and talking, I can do. We had kids that needed dropped off to go see SOUL SURFER with the youth group, and since we'd be near the school, the track is a pretty dry place to walk. However, the horseriders in their family, were finishing up with lessons and had a weiner roast at Heather's, so I met them there and we walked up a big hill and around a field and then back down the hill again. We'll have another walker most times, but since she is having a Mickey Mouse vacation with the family, she wasn't around. We did not take backpacks not did we have our pink baseball bat, which is carried when we walk in bear country...which is pretty funny, because there is NO chance that I'll get close enough to whack a bear with this little pink bat before he eats me up!! But I guess we can toss it in the other direction as a diversion. I so miss walking with my friends. I walk alone quite a bit, but walking with friends makes the miles go by faster. Happier and Healthier. Life at its best.....

Thanks, Anna.

2011-04-08T06:58:00.004-04:00

This week my knitting mentor went home. God called her. She was 100 years old and only 2 months from 101. Still knitting and reading to 100 and beyond. How can you say anything about going at 100.... Only thing is, I probably should have paid more attention. But now, there's no more questions to ask. One day I went over and the last 3 times I had the same project in my bag and she looked at me and said "Leave that here and I'll finish it." and I did and she did. A little change for her and a help to me. She made the best headbands with extra width for the ears. I have the pattern and now I guess I'll have to make my own. She could whip stuff up like that in no time, while I plodded along.

Here she is last May with some girls that were 80 or 90 years younger than her. Can you tell which one she is. That bright sun was tough on the pictures!!

Bye Anna! It was a great run! She made my first handknit socks and my fair isle sweater. She didn't like mittens much, and when I told her about felting it almost made her crazy."You knit something and then shrink that nice wool up on PURPOSE???" But she tried it once or twice. Still didn't like it. Thank you for all the blessings you have rained on us over the years. Save me a seat at the quilting circle, too. We'll do that together.

This morning,....

2011-04-07T07:15:00.002-04:00

This morning we are covered in very wet, slushy snow. It is around 32 degrees and sloppy. I let my dog out for his morning constitutional and when I went to let him back in, I noticed that the ice is off the lake, but there was a definite line out there, so I followed it. YEP!! The Mercyhurst Crew team is back on the lake!!! Spring must be right around the corner. Sorry, I could do it in warm weather, but right now??? No way I'd go out there in the morning at 6am wading through several inches of snow to get there...

Prayers for Elaine

2011-04-06T07:11:00.006-04:00

This is me 3 summers ago with my friend Elaine. Elaine teaches English in our middle school level. I called her in February after reading an ad in a magazine for the Breast Cancer 3day walk. That hot summer, we trained and trained and then we walked 20 miles a day for 3 days in Cleveland OH and slept in tent city at night. It was a very exhausting weekend physically and emotionally. We would never be the same.

Elaine told me she never cries, but as we passed row after row of supporters and people cheering us on, even she had trouble keeping a dry eye. Here she is at the finish location...

2 weeks ago, my friend Elaine found out she had breast cancer. It is stage 2b and invasive. She has been having tests the last week and a half and today she goes to Erie to the Regional Cancer Center and they will tell her what her new lesson plan is. Please keep my friend Elaine in your prayers.

Felted Christmas Stockings

2011-04-05T21:52:00.003-04:00

Hey all you knitters... HELP!!! I want to make some felted Christmas Stockings, but the instructions I have end up to be 6-6.5 inches wide and I'd really like them to be around 8 or so... So if I would cast on 64 stitches for the 6.5 ones, what would I cast on for the 8".....80?? I'm a math-er and I'm a bit stumped by the shrinkage factor here if it is proportionate, or if will be the same inches lost whether I cast on 64 or 80.... I hesitate to cast anything one yet .... Thanks so much for being there for me!!

who dun it!?!?!?

2011-04-04T20:08:00.004-04:00

Back row:Kathy Heil, Stephanie Holt, Cheryl Honey, Sue Henry Middle row: Elaine Caflisch, Judy Willink, Willowe Neckers & Kristy Catanese Front: Me and Renee TeCulver Friday night Annette Rhebergen and Julie Fisher were there, but they had to go home and get some sleep!!

seeds..

2011-04-04T09:13:00.002-04:00

Last night I finally planted some seeds. I'd been procrastinating this task, looking for the dates that I did it in years past, and just not taking the time. But Saturday I found some more peat pot things, and I soaked them up good and then last night, I sat at the dining room table and put little purple pepper seeds, and Broccoli seeds, and Cauliflower seeds and my favorite, lots and lots of tomatoe seeds, regular and cherry, into 2 flats of pots. Here's hoping everything turns out OK. With life the way it is, it is nice to grow something...This morning when I looked, there is still a spot on the lower deck with snow, but the rest is gone...HURRAY!! I took a picture of my flats, all covered and thinking about growing, but I didn't load it up before I left FL, so I'll have to add it later. I'm SOOOO ready for some spring...and then end of Tax Season, and just a break from go, go, go... I think I'm too old for that! Looking forward to a visit with my sister, which involves eating, sleeping, watching movies, napping, shopping and stuff at whatever time of the day or night it strikes us. maybe I'll finish my sock and have a pair, after all. One down, and the other is started. Maybe I'll sew while I'm there...I have a BIG quilt to lay out and pin up... or maybe I'll start something new, because you KNOW how good I am at starting things!! I do have my birthday needles and the new sweater pattern and yarn that I ordered, just waiting to break out of the bag....or I have that other project that I got at the Red Brick Farm Yarn Cottage....Thinking I should wait until someone else does one that has adjusted the size and see what it takes...although I DID like the ones that she had there....hmmmm... and I liked the yarn that I picked out. Just my knitting companion on the left thought it might be a little too small, so she is expanding it.... we'll see

Uncle D...

2011-03-30T21:07:00.004-04:00

Today I spent several hours at Hamot Medical Center. Why would you do that when it is tax season and your house is messy and a whole bunch of other excuses....Because I got the call. The ambulance is taking your brother to the hospital. Someone rear-ended him while he was working. Not serious... My brother works for the town. There are a number of reasons that he could have been playing in the road... This time, he was sweeping the dirt off. On top of a John Deere tractor with a cab, and flashing lights, he was trying to sweep winter off one of their roads. Unfortunately, the lady who hit him never saw him. He was going about 12 mph. In a New York Minute he was going much faster. There were no skid marks. She wasn't kidding, she never did see him. But she felt him when her Trailblazer got rearranged. She gave him a pretty good push. He never saw her coming....said he almost wishes there was a camera so he knew what happened. He had a quick, wild ride, and ended up pushed through the ditch . He got out and turned around and didn't want to go back to the car that hit him...it looked much worse for the ride...but he did. A few ambulances later, he was in the ER where he got checked over real good...no stitches to the cut in the back of his head....a sonogram to his side...checked over a little more...a tetanus shot for good luck... a few more tests and we were on our way back home. He needed a shower REAL BAD!! Hydraulic fluid mixed with plenty of road dust gave him a rough look. Tomorrow, he will ache... he'll feel every bump and bruise and jerk that he had in his quick ride today...but the lap belt kept him in the cab and in the seat, which is bent and twisted a bit. Tonight, we thank God for miracles, big and small, that we see every day.

Scrap & Sew 15

2011-03-28T06:39:00.006-04:00

We're KICKIN' UP OUR HEELS!! At least that's what our shirts said. Sometimes getting the picture taken in too much fun. Kathy couldn't stop laughing.... Here we are...all settled down.....sort of.... Saturday Nite Survivors...

But then, we were up to no good!! Oh, dear!! Hide the children!!

And then it just turns silly again. We have so much fun!!! Notice the Charlie's Angels on the right...they were striking that pose all weekend.

And here's my scrapping weekend confession...

I took at least 5 bags of scrapping stuff AND a rolling cart and NEVER TOUCHED IT!! I was in the mood for some stitching and so sew I did. I made 2.5 pairs of flannel pj pants...(got material for a pair of long ones and a pair of short ones and while packing up, couldn't locate the pattern...only to find it pinned to another piece of flannel, so I cut that one out and sewed it first. Then I studied up a book and sewed a couple of bags with a 12" zipper closure. One has my ongoing sock in it... The other is open for suggestions. I didn't sew a handle into the second one, but I'm think I'll add one on. Using it for a similar thing. Also found a reversible purse kind of bag and sewed that...thinking it should have a pocket or two and still figuring how to do them....Did a bit of knitting and a whole bunch of talking.... Went to the Red Brick Farm to the Yarn Cottage...Oh, I LOVED it there. So helpful. Getting some yarn and a pattern to go with the yarn I got from Carmen that is not ENOUGH yarn and I'll make a vest with my funky stuff on the front and a plain on the back. Thanks Susan Newman for being there for us!! We rewarded her by buying yarn for projects which will lead to more yarn needed for projects...

Gotta get movin... have a great day!!

Scrap & Sew #15

2011-03-25T06:40:00.002-04:00

Good Morning!! Get your stuff packed up! It's time for Scrap & Sew 15!! Can you believe that we are on #15??? And still going strong! Willowe has been there with me every time. Several have been to most and one will be there for the first time. This it the best time for friends. PJ's, Chocolate, sit and visit for a whole weekend... and maybe get something done, too. I don't know if my scrapping will look like much. It is still pretty trashed from last year's graduation frenzy, followed by going-to-college-and-stickin-pictures-on-the-dorm-wall. It may be an organizing time, and that's fine. I also have a couple of easy sewing projects and then there is the knitting. Knitting is great with friends. And who knows...we could pop out on some errands...in our pjs...it's OUR party, after all. Someday we'll even get a band to come in and entertain us, but not this time. Just CD's.
Gotta remember my SS lesson, and my skit for Children's Time...and the crockpots, and the ladles, and the stuff in the freezer and frig. and stop for some thread...and a rotary cutter for my friend who has misplaced hers. (we're bag people - it's in one of her bags, she just can't find it yet...and everyone needs at LEAST 2 rotary cutters. I have 2!)
Here's a goodbye wish for my friends going to Florida this week. Have fun Kathy & Hannah & Barry!! Go find some sunshine!! Be back soon!!
I just keep circling around my room, wondering what I want to work on this weekend. I always take WAAYY more stuff than I will ever get done, but that way I don't get bored or feel the pressure to stick with something. Sometimes sewing is noisy and you just need to knit or scrap. It can be very much a mood thing. I never did my Breast Cancer book and now might be the perfect time to start it...or be a very hard time to touch the stuff. More on that later. Just put in a prayer for friends who have to deal with it...
Best get moving. I want to take a load to HIExpress on my way to pickup stuff.
Have a great weekend...and get some sleep!! One of us should!!

A Beautiful Morning!!

2011-03-22T07:10:00.002-04:00

Yep, it's the second day of spring, I've got someone else's supper in the crockpot to be delivered after work and it feels good! We have an expectant mom in the neighborhood of our SS class, so we are taking turns taking meals in 2-3 times a week. She's on complete bed rest and still gets frequent hospital trips to slow down things. With 2 toddlers in the house already, life is anything but relaxing, even on the best of days. It's the least we can do for them. So tonight it is Stroganoff over noodles and can of corn on the side. Easy for us both. S&S is this weekend, so I'm counting down the hours and wondering what I will take for projects when the time comes. My new sweater pattern came and I'm VERY excited about it. I ordered it from Annie's Attic and it is called SWING COAT. Saw it and it was out of stock, so I left my email and the notified me when it was back in and I ordered it that morning. Shopping in your PJ's is so easy!! Now comes the knitting part. Well, I got yarn, but I need needles, so that will be a stop for me.
Have a great day and I'll go take care of dogs and cats!!

Bert the chef

2011-03-16T08:59:00.002-04:00

We have a new cook in our house. It is Bert's turn for home ec. and he has on several occasions asked me if I want him to cook dinner! Well, last night we worked on some stuff together. He is also loving my new mixer and I said we need some cookies in this house and that's your job. So he grabs out the Betty Crocker with a gleam of a boy who loves cookies and doesn't see the whole thing as a chore to complain about. He suggested a few options that we were missing the ingredients for. One took a certain measure of cold coffee....I guess he was making them for Cheryl, because we are not coffee drinkers at our house. Pass...then he found gingersnaps. I think we can do those, so he fired off the ingredients and we had them all.
I was just finishing making my mini meatloaves, so I put away my stuff and he got his out. His needed mixed and then set into the frig for an hour, which meant an hour of TV time while they chill! In praise of his prep skills, he put all the ingredients away when he was done and put the bowl and the cookie sheets into the sink. When I saw the amount of dough in the frig, I said "Shucks, guess we should have doubled THAT recipe! Roll them small, Bert!" and then I went out to process returns and when I came back in, the lovely little baked gingersnaps were on the table, the rest of the stuff was cleaned up and the chef was ready to be tucked into bed. And they tasted yummy!!
I know I should post a picture of Bert and the cookies, but I'm away from my camera right now, so I may add it later...also thinking of seeds that need started and lots of other life stuff...
Waiting for more seeds to arrive...waiting for my S&S stuff to arrive...waiting for my new sweater pattern and yarn to arrive...guess I may as well load that copier up again!!

Later, gators!!

Dayne and Dan

2011-03-13T18:36:00.001-04:00

This week we are reading about David and Goliath... Keep reading!! We must be halfway by now!!

just around the corner...

2011-03-07T16:26:00.002-05:00

Now, I've had my suspicions for a while, but Saturday confirmed them. As I did all of my running around errands for several hours in the pouring rain, I saw the snow slowly shrinking. BUT---- When I walked into Old Navy, the smell of spring .....

Daffodills?? Hyacinths?? No, the smell was fresh FLIP FLOPS!! The smell of a whole wall of FLIP FLOPS hits you when you walk in the door. Sort of like suntan lotion ... It is a smell that makes you say, "hmmm.. I know that smell and it makes me smile and it is summer."

Yep! The flip flops are in at Old Navy. Spring must be close...