Hello Again...

 

Well, Good morning!  Sometimes a Maxine cartoon is exactly the little sarcastic remark that makes me laugh and sets my mood in the right direction.. lol  It's been a long year... and not much fun... so a little laugh is a good thing. 

The holiday season has been upon us for a couple of months.  I was home for Halloween...had my Thanksgiving turkey and dressing in a skilled nursing center...and am finally recouping my strength and energy painting my Christmas cards...however they may not be finished this year..may have to buy some..ughh

I finally got my sewing machine fixed after it sitting unused for about 2 months while I tried to find a repairman.  I was told repeatedly that there was not one in Altus .. the nearest was in Elk City.  Finally went there for another reason but forgot to take the sewing machine and it was a good thing we did forget.  The entire street (the shop side) was torn to bits with road work and we would have had to carry 2 or 3 blocks to get it there.. remember I am 77 and my husband is 82.  I don't think we would have made it..lol 

Then I was in the quilt shop one day and I asked Mrs. Johnson if she knew of any repairmen close by.  Lo and behold.. her answer..."My husband has been fixing sewing machines for at least 20 years here!" Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather.. lol  And he did fix it.  I had no idea how depressed I had become without it!

My husband and I realized that I had not felt very well for most of the year and we half heartedly blamed it on my daily medications with the promise to someday go thru them and see which ones caused those side effects.. sure wish that had been the case. 

To make a long story short:  The meniscus in my right knee snapped just like a rubber band and I screamed like a banshee.  Thanks to Dr. Picket on Sept. 16 that was fixed and I came home to recuperate.  On Oct. 8 I felt well enough (and could walk without a walker),  so I decided to go to the beauty shop for the first time in 6 weeks and then to have my nails done.  Immediately upon arriving home I could barely make it back into the house.  I spent the next 4 days screaming with pain.  I had back surgery in Oklahoma City where 3 abscesses (one the size of an Irish potato) were removed and a full cup of MRSA fluid was drained from my spine. It seems the injections I've had for back pain left pockets of whatever caused abscesses in areas close by my spine and they finally developed. 

I am telling this online only to inform of the possibility that this can happen to anyone.  These were found only with an MRI.  There were X-Rays, CT scans, MRIs done to try to find out why I was screaming in pain for several days and could not tell anyone where the pain was... it was everywhere and unbearable.  

To top it off..lol.. my handwriting was suddenly totally illegible.  My daughter ( my rock during this) had to sign all of my papers.  I really wondered if I would be able to paint or do any of my crafts again!  But things are looking up.  I have painted 2 of my Christmas cards...they are not the greatest, but are convincing me that maybe all will be well once again.  :)   

It's now January 7, 2026...I've been home long enough now for things to feel a little more like normal.  I'm now strong enough to do all the normal things, my hands and fingers work well enough that my handwriting is almost back to normal.  I do have more tremors in my entire body than I've ever had, including my head and feet, but if that's all that comes from this round of incapacity then I'm okay with it...lol  

I've ignored this blog so long that very few if any read it anymore, but I find that I look back over the many years of doing this to find out things that I haven't remembered..lol  So I will continue as the mood jumps up.  

Very quiet Christmas as all the children had other things to do this year so we enjoyed each other, watched tv, and slept away the day.  As we did for New Year's Day.  We've only had a few days of cold weather so far, but February is almost upon us and that's when the real winter hits.  So I've got comforters, quilts, and afghans ready to sit in front of the fireplace with my book, tv and cup of teas all set to go.  

I harvested my lavendar a few days ago and yesterday made sachets with it.  Had some ribbon I bought years ago that I love but had no real use for at the time.  So I made sachets with it.  

01-09-2026  Went to Lawton yesterday to see the Infectious Disease dr.  He says that while they usually prefer to continue oral meds after the IV meds are finished it looks like mine is completely cleared up...YAYYYY!!!  So..free at last...sigh  

Stopped at Merle Norman on the way to the dr... spent a bit of money...hmmm  But is so worth it when you don't have spend money every week on something new because the cheap stuff just doesn't do the job.  Daughter Donna drove me over so we had a good time looking thru the store..lol  It's a good thing we didn't bring huge amounts of money (as if either of us had huge amounts of money..lol)  

Have a great day today... hugs those loved ones every chance you get.. ♥

Would You Make A Prepper's Doll?

 Several years ago Jerry and I began to consider the need to prepare for a disaster.  We considered food, water, shelter, medicines, personal hygiene items...and the list goes on and on.  As time has passed, we continue to consider these things.  As I began to look through the internet for related things, I came across this most unusual idea....  A Prepper Doll.   

I have to say this totally intrigues me.. lol  Now...we have reached the age that if anything did happen we are just too old to jump in the car and run off to some "secret" hidey hole and wait everything out.  But...that is not to say that I may not make one of these little cuties just to see if I can.. lol 

Stuff You Can't Have  is a blog by Catherine McEver with the description of this doll.  There doesn't seem to be any real pattern, but it shows how each area of the doll is filled with necessary items for survival.  The legs are filled with rice, the arms with beans and lentils, the body with fishing gear, knife, medical supplies or anything you would like to put in it or feel you would need.  The clothes have an underskirt that is embroidered with necessary ideas for building a shelter, purifying water, how to build a fire and some basic first aid.  Even her face is used to show that stress and fear will be a way to keep you on your toes in the event of a disaster.  

I find it a very unusual and ingenious idea.  I think I would change the face to one of hope instead of sadness, tho.  

If you go over to the site, be sure to click thru the other labels on the side panel to see some of her other posts.  This lady is amazing in her ability to take beauty from the most bland things.  I truly enjoyed her site. 

The weather has cooled off again in Southwestern Oklahoma.  The fire was lit this morning and the dogs are in hog heaven once again.  Nothing really came of the weather alert for our first "there is a small possibility of a tornado" for this year.  I'm sure it won't be the last, but there is always hope.. lol

Have a wonderful day today... and as the Boy Scouts always say... Be Prepared!  (in line with the subject of this post!)  :)

Today in My Life... March 24, 2024

 

I woke up this morning around 2:30 am and for whatever reason could not get back to sleep .. so I got up and moved to my recliner and tried to sleep there for a while.  Both dogs decided to join me so I had no trouble staying warm...however, moving around was a bit stilted... if you get my drift..lol  

Finally I decided to give up the ghost and just get up.  Put the Navy Beans (as my grandmother called them) in water to soak to be cooked for supper tonight, put out bacon to be thawing for breakfast and plopped back down in the other recliner to see if it would be better.  It wasn't.  

So here I am at 5:17 writing for the first time in at least a month.  

We've had rain during the week and thankful is not even a big enough word for what we feel about that.  I've heard all my life the saying "March winds, April rains"... well there was very little wind and finally a little rain, but everyone is sure hoping that April will bring rains and lots of them.  However, we are under a wind advisory beginning tonight for strong winds up to 50 mph into tomorrow noon.  We may get some of those March winds yet.  We'll see.

The rain has brought some of the back yard into bloom.  Love that.  The redbud is bursting out all over and the japonica has already set all the blooms for the lovely cherries that will make jam this year.  Been here 7 years and just learned last year that these beauties are good to eat.  Who knew! 

I took the dogs out around 3am and the neighbor's dogs across the alley were in a massive uproar about something.  No idea what about, but they seemed to settle down within a few minutes. The only sounds heard.  One of the things I love about this time of the day is the peace...quiet...ability to just drift off into thoughts of whatever comes along. 

Have been a little under the weather during this past month... off and on.  Running a slight fever every night for no obvious reason at all... I like to blame it on the 2 teeth I had to have prepped for crowns last week but not sure that's what it was.  Between that and the teeth, it's been a month of doing whatever can be done in a chair.. lol 

I cut up my short nightgown and used it as a pattern to make me a new one.  Had a left over piece of a sheet I had cut up for a project, so I used it and some pretty lace to put together a new one.  The poor old one was on it's last leg!  This one turned out pretty good... if you don't look too closely...lol 

An old friend from Sherman, (Hi Amber!) sent me a message to tell me she was finally getting that spinning wheel she's been wanting for about 10 years.  So HAPPY FOR HER! And she's doing great!  Sent me pics of her yarn.. Started my spinning bug back and I've been happily chugging out my Blue Faced Leicester over the last week or so.  

When it came time to dye it I found that I had 2 cherry Kool Aid packets and one strawberry... sooo... guess what color I got to choose.. lol  But it came out good.  275 yards of 2 ply and about 100 yards of 3 ply (Navajo plied).  No plans yet for a finished product, but we'll see what comes along. 

Been doing some "mindless" knitting with some 2ply handspun that I've had for a while.  It will probably turn into a scarf or a head/ear covering like I made a couple of months ago.  This feels really good so I may end up keeping this for myself.. lol  

Still reading the same series of books by Pedro Urvi.  Can't for the life of me figure out why I'm even reading them..lol  They are definitely written for kids still in school, but somehow got sucked in and can't seem to stop.  Book 11 now... whew... must change!  

And now the time is 6:10 am and I can legally turn on the coffee pot... YAYYYY   I do enjoy a Dr. Pepper every now and then but this one to stave off the coffee addiction is not working.. just sayin'...  :)

I looked at the calendar and so far there is nothing on it for this week except the groomer for dogs.. and hair appointment.  Those two I enjoy.. others not so much.. :)  I have some things I need to get into the mail and the prep for that will take at least a day, but that is the only planning so far for the week.  

I hope you have a wonderful day...full of laughs, friends, hugs.  If you don't get smiles, give one.  :)  

Good Morning...January 19, 2022

 Good morning.  Up at 4:30am this morning.  Don't know what's up with early morning rising, but seems to be a new pattern for me.  I have to say that I do enjoy the quiet time.  

Found out yesterday that Covid Omicron is so prevalent here that most in our doctor's office are out with it.  Daughter who is working for one of the drs. in that clinic says we should stay home... go nowhere.  So once again there will be no beauty shop or nail appointments for a while.  This is the second year for the Covid threat and have been out to eat once in those 2 years,.  Not to say we don't order out and use the pick up window... but sometimes it's just nice to sit down in a restaurant and have dinner and conversation with someone you love.  I'm sure that most health professionals are aware of the mental health issues with this pandemic, but sometimes I wonder how much we are actually saving (as far as health is concerned) by the stay-at-home idea since the increase in depression is so markedly on the rise.  We have not seen our grandchildren for almost 2 years.  Not a good thing.

Several years ago I started this egg.  The idea was to see if I could do a Russian style icon.  It didn't turn out too badly, but then I was stymied on how to finish the back side of the egg.  Needless to say... I am still stymied.  It occurs to me that a lot of Russian art contains at least some geometrics, so I'm thinking I may get out the acrylics and do a geometric of some kind on the back.  Any ideas would be welcome.. :)

We're in for a bit of relief from the horrible cold...welcome relief.  Up in the 40s and 50s and then on Sunday and Monday it should be almost like spring with temps in the high 60s and even 70s.  That's always welcome, but the cold that comes after always seems even colder.. sigh 

When we take our dogs to be groomed, they always come home with a little triangle of cloth around their necks as a scarf.  Since our dogs are so "graceful", we always take them off to prevent them from tugging and pulling on them.  This time we cut the collar off Katie with the scarf!  We immediately ordered another one that comes with her name on it and other information, but it would take 3 weeks to get it, so enter the trust sewing machine... I really prefer this little collar for her than the new one she has now.  It is much softer and just as strong.  I'm sure it's more comfortable for her, but her new one has her name on it.  Anyway, I'll put up a tutorial to make a collar for your dog on Fabric Follies Too... very easy to do. 

Must get around.  Coffee cup empty and it's 6:10am.  Have plans for the day, just not sure what they are yet..lol  Have a wonderful day... 😊

 

My Diary... Jan 12, 2022

 

I woke up this morning:   with a little wet nose on my cheek and bell ringing in my ear.  It was not quite 5:30am but I got up anyway.  Sweet Katie was telling me it was time to rise and shine...so I rose, but definitely did not shine.. 😉

I look out my window:    and I can see the sun beginning to shine.  The thermometer outside says not quite 30° and it's definitely feeling it.  The trees are bare and the earth is definitely in sleeping, resting mode.  The winters have been cold and not my favorite part of the seasons until I realized one day that it is not a dead season, but a resting season needed for the revitalization of life.  Time to slow down a bit and revitalize myself. 

I am hearing:    the whirring of my printer.  It's enough to make me want to turn the thing off.  But the ringing in my ears helps to cover it..lol  

I am thinking:   that I can finally see patterns in my life... and as I do all those things one hears as child are true.  Be careful who you spend time with.. family is all important...early to bed, early to rise...and on and on.. I have heard and smiled at all my life.  Today, they don't seem so rhetorical at all.  

I am thankful for:   first and foremost..my sweet, caring, thoughtful husband who helps me through good times and bad, takes care of me even when he doesn't feel well himself.  My children..there is not a word that comes close to covering how thankful I am for my children.  Coffee.. lol.. what can I say about coffee..sigh

I am wearing:    My gown (black with tiny roses around the neckline) and my robe (horrible faded black t-shirt material with huge pink flowers on it.. ughhh).  But.. it's very comfortable.  Flows without any binding anywhere and I may just wear it all day.   

I am hoping:    that my children are well.  That Covid will soon pass into that thing that happens during flu season instead of all year long.  2 years stuck inside the house is enough already. 

From the kitchen:    doesn't come very much these days.  But I did put a corned beef in the crock pot a day or so ago.  LOVE THAT!  Still having corned beef sandwiches.  Made a couple of batches of chocolate covered peanuts and some peanut butter cookies.  Yum...

Around the house:   It seems the older we get the more often we don't feel well, so the house could use a good deep cleaning and de-cluttering.  You would think that being stuck inside during the Covid mess some of this would get done...but no.. hmmm

I am reading:    For the 5th or 6th time.. Magician Apprentice.. by Raymond E. Feist.  This is a series of fantasy books I read for the first time many years ago and have re-read many times since.  

I am learning:   seems to be not much lately.  I'm going to have to re-learn how to spin with a spindle since for the last several years I have used only my spinning wheel.  sigh... 

I am creating:   not sure I would call it creating.. but.. anyway I managed somehow to lose my coat!  Now.. how does a person lose a coat?  ughhh  ... so I had to make me another one.  It's not as warm as the one I lost, but it works in a pinch ..lol   I will make another one with some closer woven fabric, but I do like the way this one drapes. 

This is the coat and the pattern that I use.  I have had the pattern for years and am considering making it with very light material as a matching cover for just jeans and a shirt.  Anyway... the number of things I consider in just one day would fill a month's worth of time if I made them all. 😏😏😏

Now.. on to other things. 

One of my favorite things:  is following my children, grandchildren and friends on facebook.  Sometimes I think I should just get off it, but somehow that lasts about 1 day.  I love the photos.. what the kids are doing, what the grands are doing.. just LOVE it.. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:   not many.  To the beauty shop today but as far as plans, that's it.  Whatever gets done will get done when I decide.  Haven't felt too well for the last few days, so will see what happens later on.. 

Remember to smile at stranger, hug your friends and have a wonderful day. 

I may not ever shut my pc down again

I can't believe how difficult it is to get here... sigh Maybe this time I can keep up with whatever password Google demands for this site...

Anyway.. here I am and only about 8 months late.  But .. it has been a busy time.


 It would seem that we have reached that time in life when we really want to be nearer family .. so a move is underway from North Texas to Southwest Oklahoma.  At first it was not something that I was wishing for... It's hard to leave friends and a settled home, but after a little thinking it over I am truly looking forward to the move.  I cannot wait to be near the children and grandchildren.

The visit from grandson Dustin and family was a true joy. That visit is more than likely what helped make up our minds to made the move.

 My two sisters and I went to McKinney last year and in the wandering around thru the shops we came upon a small shop that had lovely antiques.  The proprietor was a young lady who enthusiastically helped us with anything we could think of and I asked her about the watercolor painting she had sitting on the shelf.  She said her mother had painted it and she was happy to sell us on the cards that had been printed from that painting.  She was so pleased to be able to sell some of her mother's art work and I was only too pleased to buy it.. lol   So I came home and immediately had to paint my own pears..lol

On a trip to Lavender Ridge Farms a few years ago I bought 8 oz. of lavender.  It has been stashed away forever, so I decided I would make pillowcase sachets with it... and so I did.  I made about 10, and still have lavender left, so I will probably make more when we get resettled.

I'm so glad to finally be here.. on this site.. again.  For the few who are still following, thanks a bunch.. :)

Hugs from the very warm (and nearing hot) North Texas area... have a great day!

OMG! I'm back in....

I had decided that I would never get to blog here again.  Perhaps I have figured out the secret.  We'll see if works next time I try to get in....

Six months... I'm sure a lot has happened but with my memory I'll never get it all in here.. lol  However, I have had cataracts removed from both eyes... and no one was more surprised than me to see that my walls are a different color than I thought.. :)  I'm still about a month away from totally healed and getting new glasses, but already the difference in my sight is amazing. 

Sister's Weekend this year was wonderful.  My two sisters and I get together every year in the summer for a couple of days.. just us.. and do "something".  This year we went to McKinney, TX and wandered the streets shopping and eating and shopping... and eating.. :)  It was too much fun .

There are shops of all kinds in McKinney and we stopped in a small shop that sold everything from antiques to soaps.  The proprietor was a very personable young lady who pointed out some cards that were prints of watercolors her mother had painted.  I love them.  I bought two of them... and then had to come home and paint some pears.. 

Saw a YouTube video on how to make these fabric wrapped cord bowls.. LOVE IT!!  I'm about to get the hang of it after making several small ones.  Here's the url: 
The Crafty Gemini ..  She makes it look so easy.. and it really is easy after I figured out the size of the stitches that looked best.  Love these!! 

Must go.. I hear my sweet DH getting around and he's going to be ready for breakfast before I even get in there..

Have a wonderful autumn day.. Give lots of hugs and kisses around... :)

Nostalgia .. and stuff

December 28, 2015  Got up early this morning.. about 4am.  Don't ask me why.  I sat here until 5:30 and decided it was time to make coffee.  In the process of wasting all that time I began to wonder what was going on with all the blogging friends I've had over the years that I don't see much anymore.  So I went to Chloe's Place...

Linda B. lives in Victoria, Australia and I began to read her blog back in 2005 when I was heavy into crazy quilting and ribbon embroidery.  When I looked today, she still has not blogged since 2013 and I miss her witty, independent personality.  

If you are into embroidery of ANY kind, the place to go is Pin Tangle.  Sharon Boggins is the most wonderful embroiderist (I don't know if that's a word, but sure fits.. :)  )  that I have ever seen.  She has tutorials, an embroidery "encyclopedia of stitches", worksheets, online classes.. etc.  And on top of that.. she is just a wonderful person.  :)  I seem to give away everything that I do .. but I do take photos.. :)  This is a small practice block.. from way back then.. :)

Haven't done much for the past few weeks.  It seems (from what my Dr. says) that he had to fix much more than was anticipated during the surgery and it is taking A LOT LONGER than I anticipated to recuperate!  But have done a few things lately... 

I've wanted to try this particular watercolor for a while.. and have tried it a couple of times with very unhappy results..lol  But I do like this one.  

The year is ending soon.. Hoping your holidays have been good one.. :)  

Lavender Ridge Farms

Pat and I went to Lavender Ridge Farm on Saturday.  We picked lavender, drank lavender iced tea and lavender iced lemonade and bought lavender plants... along with some others.. ;o)  What a wonderful day. 

Well, it's Monday one more time.  ;o)   Have sewing to do.  Will finally be able to get back to my patiently waiting (almost) purse... 

It will have a very large red button on the pocket.  I've been trying to make it have over the head straps... but I think that will not work.  ;o(    Anyway, we'll see.  More on this project later.. ;o)

I hope your Monday is the beginning of a week that you will look back on with fondness.. ;o)
Have a good day...

Frustration... so let's sew!

We thought we would have to call a repair man to check out the washer and dryer when we began to find dark spots that look like oil on our clothes.  But we turned to the trusty personal computer and internet and guess what we found?...  Gunky build up on the dispensers and in the tub are supposed to be what causes it.  We spent all day yesterday working on this...took all the dispenser apart and cleaned them in the kitchen sink, washed the entire dispenser area until it squeaked.. ran a full load of whites with the recommended 1/4 cup of powdered Cascade w/Dawn degreaser and 1 cup Clorox.  Whites came out pretty white, but the next load of his shirts and my pants showed no appreciable difference in the spots... ughhh  Still working on this today... ;o((

By the time our tempers had vented from the frustration we decided it was time for a hug, supper and a little quiet.  We had supper, watched "Frost" solve another case,  and I decided to do a little hand sewing. 

I have had that terrible urge to do something...anything... with a hand needle for the last couple of weeks.  Why is that do ya think? Anyway, I have this pile of wonderful flour sack tea towels that I've had hidden away in my work room (there's a story...more on that later) so I decided to dig them out.  Over on Fabric Follies Two , I will be blogging about some embroidery that I used on one of them.  I digress...again.. sigh 

After cutting them in half, the hemming went like a charm.  This stuff sews like butter.  I'm thinking of buying another dozen and sewing me up a blouse or something to wear with it... you think I'm kidding.. not!  ;o)



It's going to be a busy week.  Company flying in from Idaho that DH hasn't seen in many years.  I'm really looking forward to this.  They get on the phone and do nothing but laugh...  It does a heart good..  ;o)

Hope your day is good... Hugs..

Thursday, 07/30/2009

I just realized that I haven't blogged about the new picture I put up as a header. This is a Bottlebrush plant and while I have read about them many times, this was the first one I had ever seen. It was growing in front of the elevator that we took to get to our room in El Cajon while we were on vacation. It was so big, it tipped the 3rd floor and was in full bloom. I want one... ;o) If you click on the link, there is a picture of the hotel and the bottlebrush plant in front of the blue tiled elevator.

There's not been a lot of hobby-ing in the last few days except in the evening. Since we had to take the curtains down anyway, I decided to cut them down. While the "puddle" look with fabric on the floor might look ok, it's not too great at keeping the dust and dirt off the curtains...not to mention the bugs out here in the semi-country. No.. I'm not drinking 2 or 3 cups at a time.. lol The coffee cups are to hold the fabric down...

As an aside... Now that DH has assisted with cutting the window film and the curtains, he has decided that he needs one these cutting mats to use in his shop. He cuts the glass for the picture frames he builds and this would sure help to line it up straight. Wonder what they'll say at JoAnn's! lol

Isn't it great to have gardening friends? ;o) DH came home yesterday with this batch of wonders. Today they will be peeled, sliced, blanched and dipped into corn meal to be frozen. It's a shame I can't eat them right now... sigh But... I'm 10 pounds down on my diet, so there's no stopping now.

Tuesday I found that I had finished spinning the chocolate merino, the Cotswold and the bamboo. I dyed the Cotswold blue and tried to dye the chocolate Merino, but there was no way. I think if I want to dye it I will have to use acid dyes or some other type professional dye instead my old stand by Kool Aid. Since it has been raining the drying was time was quite long, so it wasn't until last night that they could be rolled into center pull balls.

Have a good day... ;o)

"What you see is evidence of what you believe. Believe it and you'll see it." ... Dr. Wayne Dyer

Happy Flowers Quilt

I was wandering through my fabric stash the other for something or another and came across...voila... a baby crib quilt piece of fabric that has to have been there for at least 5 years... Since it is pink and green...girl's colors... I guess I thought I would never have a need for it. But now there's Hannah..!! :o) Well, it is now in the process of being quilted... This will be much quicker than the last one. I will not be doing any embroidery on this one.


And... guess what... when I was in JoAnn's the other day... lo and behold...what did I find...and on sale, no less...for 99 cents... but the impossible to find in this town or any nearby town... a quilting foot! I have looked everywhere...asked everywhere. No one has one and everyone wanted to send me to Wal Mart to find one.. I had already looked there and they didn't have one. It will get it's first tryout on this quilt.. ;o)


The sun is shining today and the temps will rise this afternoon into the low 90s. I haven't looked at the weather, but I'm sure hoping for at least a week respite from the rain. Of course, along about August everyone will be praying for rain..lol.. can't be pleased....


Have a really good day...

Allergist "Rant"... Or Maybe Not

The week has gotten away from me somehow. It cannot be possible that it is already Thursday.

Today is the trip to McKinney for the allergy shots. I think the allergy shot thing will go by the wayside after this bottle of meds is used up. Last week we learned that the series of allergy shots is supposed to last around 5 years... ha.. I don't think so. When asked how long these would have to be taken, the allergist hum hawed and referred to months instead of years.... he knew that years would be out of the question...

I always thought my grandfather was a bit off whenever the subject of doctors would come up. He felt that they were "quacks" who only wanted your money.... small grin here... After working in the medical profession for years and seeing some seriously expensive tests or procedures ordered about the time BMW payments were due... I think he may have been closer to right than I wanted to believe....

Please don't get me wrong here. I have to say that if not for my sweet DH and Drs. Davis and Bonilla I honestly do not believe I would be here to write this today. But I also think that it is very easy to become enamored of all the money the profession brings to them... and writing that order for whatever procedure makes them the most money is so very tempting for many of them...

Anyway.. I have wanted to make a few of these tissue covers for a while now... just have not done it. So I did make me one a couple of days ago. It is much easier to keep up with this in the car than that big tissue box sliding around under my feet...

Sorry for the Lack of Posts

It's been a really busy week...go, go, go... Will say hello this morning with a couple of things...

First and foremost... our new granddaughter Hannah.... Is she not lovely?...








And second...what I have been working on in the evenings...home spun, dyed and woven..then sewn and embroidered needlebooks....

I have just been reminded that I have to be at the dentist in 40 minutes...lol ... (Does your DH do that too?...) Will try to blog more later and catch up on my Simple Woman's Daybook!

Pansy Purse

One of the first projects done when my Harp loom arrived was to weave some of the green handspun that was in the stash basket. I didn't weave very much of it...about 18" x 24". It's been waiting in my workroom for me to get around to making this purse out of it... Well, today was the day.

A pattern wasn't used, but here is a site that will give you basic instructions for the way I did it..

Placemat Purse Instructions.

It's been very warm today...sunshiny through the office windows. Had to close them to keep the heat out of the house. I don't know if it really is so, but it sure seems to be warmer today than it has been for the last couple of days.

Daughter's Quilts

Dear Daughter was here for a couple of days last week. What a joy! This is a pic of her beautiful Christmas quilt.

She is discovering the joys of the sewing machine and is making some really pretty quilts, dolls, and things.

This is another quilt she made. She is using the crayon technique I have posted about here...

We spent one day just admiring each others' hobbies... ;O) ... and the next day we went shopping for a bit, out to a long, wonderful lunch, and a little more shopping. The only thing wrong was that it just wasn't long enough....

Rain, Rain....

It began to rain yesterday and is continuing today... I love the soft sounds of the rain on the roof. It was pretty to watch this morning on the roof of the shop while listening to songs of the birds. Have I said I love spring???... I tried to get a pic of the splashes that were so vivid on the shop roof...it came out so-so... if you click on the pic you can see a couple of splashes and the bubbles...

This has been a week of some very good ups and some very terrible downs... "Life is what happens when you are making other plans"...ughhh I've always found that John Lennon line somewhat comforting... It always seemed to remind me that there is a randomness of events in a person's life... along with a randomness of whether it is good or bad... Well..today I don't like it...

Remember my first hand weaving that was done with my hand spun Icelandic wool...Well here it is after being made into a small change purse. It was hand sewn with needle & thread. I had to make the pattern myself since I bought the clasp at least a year ago and it didn't have a pattern with it.

I have some cotton thread ... larger than #10, but came from a thrift store, so no info attached with it.. It is a bit more difficult to weave, but is coming along great. Who knew that green thread is self striping???

Did You Ever Have One of Those Days......

Yesterday I talked about some fabric that I picked up at Jo Anne's a couple of days ago to make me some clothes for the upcoming LRRP Ranger Reunion. Welllllll..... yesterday was just one of those days... When I shortened the pattern to make capri pants, I also did not get my cut correct and now these would fit my daughter...lol They hang beautifully when I have them on... it's just the getting them on...lol And the bad thing is that I cut the taupe ones at the same time and in the same way. Anyway, I will pick up some more fabric today and try again....

And Patti... I have read at least one book since I changed that photo...lol This one by James Patterson is one of my favorites and I have read it at least twice before, but am reading it again.

Let's Sew!

A couple of days ago DH and I went to coffee and then made a side trip (across the street..lol) to Jo Ann's. I picked up some really pretty fabric to make 2 sets of capri pants and tops.

The colors don't show up very well in the pic, but I think they will be very pretty. And I sure need some clothes for the LRRP Ranger Reunion in August. Sooo... I have spent most of the morning clearing a spot in my workroom so I can get to the sewing machine. I have my "try out the pattern" pair finished except for the hemming and have cut out the other two pair of pants. Can't wait to finish these!

And Patti... this is just for you. I had a bad day yesterday with some serious fatigue that lasted all day. Sat in my chair and spent lots of time laying on the sofa. Today... way much better. Appt. with gastrointerologist is next week.

SRF Quilt, Rocking Chair Pincushion & Whine

I have been working most evenings and some during the day on the Split Rail Fence quilt. I began putting the binding on...wow... but there was a snag... update on the Fabric Follies Two site....

While we were in Stonewall at Wildflowers & Rosie, I found this wonderful little Rocking Chair Pincushion. It stands 7 1/4 inches high and I first thought what a wonderful little artifact this would make for me to paint.. something like this egg... I like the drawer... And the color of the rose on the needle book Tomomi made for me just matches the color of the pincushion fabric. So, I haven't decided whether to paint it or not... Any suggestions?

Our trip back to Stonewall may have to be postponed. Monday I had to cancel my physical therapy appt. because of "an event" with heart or whatever... (they keep telling me it's not my heart)... so I went to physical therapy yesterday morning.. bright and early at 9am... and 1 minute into therapy the same thing happened again... the physical therapist immediately called the doctor and an appointment has been made to see him this afternoon. I can have no more physical therapy for my shoulder until whatever this is has been resolved... sigh