Happy Days

Hump Day

2012-02-15T07:09:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a fun day for everybody around here! A nice fella sent daughter Kelly a big bouquet of red roses to her at work. I got a nice bouquet of red and white carnations, some sugar free candy, and a Yankee Candle from Bob, I got the girls baby dolls. Reilly also got a video and some candy and Madison got candy and Pokey Mon cards....so everyone was happy around this neck of the woods! Every one except Reilly's new pup she got for Christmas...she got a nice spay job at the vets. Poor Eva, she's the only one who got a bum wrap.

It's hard to believe February is half way through. Last year everyone was knee deep in snow and it was so cold...Remember? This year we have had hardly any snow to speak of and warm temperatures. Yesterday it rained here but was in the 40's and today it will be sunny and in the 50's!! It's actually getting light around 6:45 these days! Love it! And...it's staying light until about 6:10 - Love that even more.

Quote: A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside. - Dennis Waitley. My 2012 calender has a quote for every month. The calender is called
Simple Things by Robert Duncan. He's a wonderful artist! He is from Midway Utah. Check him out on google. He paints from his boy hood and life experiences on the farm.

Have a good Hump Day!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY !!

2012-02-14T00:10:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentines Day!

***

On Valentines Day I think about

people far and near,

The ones who special vibes create

a happier atmosphere,

For all the special feelings and

the pleasant thoughts I owe you,

I want to say, on Valentines Day,

I'm VERY GLAD I know you!!

***

Saturday

2012-02-11T11:16:00.000-05:00

Last night we had about an inch of snow and it continues to flurry around today at a lazy pace. You can see the grass in some places. Roads are probably all clear. The fella from our car wash drove down our hill this morning and salted it. Guess it's going to be snowy all day....that's ok...

Bob has come down with a terrible sinus infection. He started getting sick on Wednesday and by Friday he called in for an antibiotic. His chest is really gunky and he feels ...not so good. He came home early from work Friday.

I'm going to meet the kids for lunch today then go grocery shopping. I probably should have gone yesterday but I played "Hand & Foot" with the girls yesterday. I figured Bob would like the solitude and he did. Not a good day for grocery shopping, but....I played yesterday when it was nice, so I have to pay the fiddler today.

Reilly~Roo and her mom had Strep this week. Both of them had a nice red rash covering the upper half of their body. Poor Roo had an injection in her bottom and mom was given pills. They are feeling much better today. We're glad about that. Hate it when the little ones are sick.

We thought Barney was either lost or being stubborn on Tuesday. We went outside at 3 pm right after Madison got off the bus. It was a nice sunny day - about 47. No sign of him for dinner. Kelly and I went out looking for a TV stand for her and returned home that evening around 7:30 and saw Barnie in the tree line. We called but he wouldn't come in. Called at 8:30 -no Barnie. Called at 9 - no Barnie - called at 10, 10:30 and 11 - no Barnie. One o'clock came and went as did 2 and 3 am....I slept in a recliner by the back slider in hopes he'd come home and scratch at the door. At 4:30 am I hear a scratch and leap out of my chair and open the back door....no Barnie. I race to the front door and call....no Barnie. It was really cold and frosty out there - he isn't into the cold so much...and I hear a meow and scratching...I am puzzled. I looked at the door going down to the garage and hear a little meow. I open the door and here he comes, sauntering in like nothing had happened - went to his bowl and meowed a lot - figured he was hungry & he ate like a horse. So! he'd been locked in the basement all night. I guess he ran in when I put the car in the garage....Thank goodness he wasn't eaten or dead or lost....silly cat.

Hope you all have a good weekend. Stay warm!

Why Grandmas Are Smart

2012-02-09T20:49:00.003-05:00

Why Grandmas Are Smart....

I was out walking with my granddaughter. She picked up something off of the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that anymore.

"Why" my sweet granddaughter asked.

"Because it's been on the ground! You don't know where it's been, it's dirty and probably has tons of germs, and sometimes those nasty germs make little girls sick and not feel good" I replied.
At this point, my Granddaughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Gramma, how do you know all this stuff?? You are so smart."

I was thinking quickly and said to her. "All gramma's know stuff, it's on the Grands Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Grandma!" We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information. "OH!! I get it!!! she beamed, So if you don't pass the test you have to be the Grandpa!"
"Exactly!!" I replied with a big smile on my face.....

This little story was sent to me by a friend via e-mail. I thought I'd share it because it really made me smile!! It's a cute little story for all us Gramma's.

"The Recipe"

2012-02-07T10:27:00.003-05:00

'' MOM'S SPECIAL BROWNIES"

Remove teddy bear from oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees. Melt 1 cup margarine in saucepan. Remove teddy bear from oven and tell Jr "NO NO!". Add margarine to 2 cups sugar. Take shortning can away from Jr and clean cupboards. Measure 1/3 cup cocoa. Take shortning can away from Jr and bathe cat. Apply antiseptic and bandages to scratches sustained while removing shortning from cat's tail. Assemble 4 eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla and 1 1/2 cups of sifted flour. Take smoldering teddy bear from oven and open all doors and windows for ventilation.

Take telephone away from Billy and assure party on the line the call was a mistake. Call operator and attempt to have direct dialed call removed from bill. Measure 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup nuts and beat all ingredients well. Let cat out of the refrigerator. Pour mixture into well greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake 25 minutes. Rescue cat and take razor away from Billy. Explain to to kids that you have no idea if shaved cats will sunburn. Throw cat outside while there's still time and he's still able to run away.

Frosting: Mix the following in saucepan:

1 c sugar
1 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1/4 c margarine

Take the darn teddy bear out of the broiler and throw it away; far away.
Answer the door and meekly explain to nice policeman that you didn't know Jr had slipped out of the house and was heading down the street. Put Jr in playpen. Add 1/3 cup milk, dash of salt and boil, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Answer door and apologize to neighbor for Billy having stuck a garden hose in man's front dor mail slot. Promiseto pay for ruined carpet. Remove burned brownies from oven. Collapse and call the baker for delivery..........

A Visit To Gramma OB's

2012-02-06T09:57:00.005-05:00

Friday evening I decided to go to see my Mom and Sister Saturday morning and spend the day. My sister was in from Virginia and I wanted to go see her and mom. I called my son and asked if I could take Reilly~Roo with me. We haven't had much one on one time together lately and thought this would be fun for both of us. He brought her over about 11:20 Sat morning, we put a DVD in and turned it on and off we went. It takes about an hour and a half. After we had been on the road about 15 minutes Roo asked if we were there yet! lol I told her no we had a ways to go yet. lol That was the only time she asked. It takes about an hour and a half to get there.

She watched her movie and before she knew it we were driving into the Wendy's parking lot for lunch. I was starved but she just picked at her food. She was much more interested in Gramma OB's cookies I think. We had a great visit and I think Reilly had a good time. Here she is on the floor playing with my mom's Maine Coon Cat, Jazz. He loves kids and will put up with quite a lot from them. They played quite well together.

This is my sister Barb, she and Reilly were discussing her DSI. I have no idea what that stands for...
But she was excited to show her how it recorded and took pictures. The red dress that Reilly has on we gave her for Christmas. It will come in real handy for Valentines Day at school!!

She is showing Gramma OB her shoes after mom commented to her that they sure were pretty. After this picture she did a very nice little Irish jig!! She is so cute! Grandkids are just the BEST!!

We stayed until 5 pm and then left for home sadly. Put in a new video and off we went into the rainy evening. She fell asleep about half way there. It was a wonderful day for all of us. It's so much fun to have a little one around when on visits!! She is so funny and was absolutely sweet as sugar.

These photos are just ghastly. I took them from my phone and downloaded them into my computer, but then I couldn't find them. I must have looked for an hour, getting madder by the minute. Have no idea where they went. Heck, maybe they never were downloaded - I don't know. I haven't perfected the transfer of photos from my phone to computer I guess. So, I took a photo of my phone, cropped out the phone and tried to make them a little better - but, at least you get some idea.

Meet Jazz and Suki - my mom's kitties. Jazz is a Main Coon and Suki is half Himalayan and half Siamese. Jazz is 10, and Suki is 5. Suki was only about 10 months old here. They give her company sooo much. She is a cat lover!

The Day of "The Day"

2012-02-02T09:35:00.002-05:00

HAPPY GROUND HOG DAY!!

DAY 100 at SCHOOL

Every year the Elementary School kids celebrate the 100th Day of School. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it means the school year is half over. This year the kids are too dress up as if they were 100 years old.

Madison was sooo excited. When she got off the bus yesterday she was excited because she and I were going to get into Kelly's (her mom) closet and find an old ugly dress. We did manage to find one and we went downstairs and turned it inside out and I pinned it and then sewed it to fit her. It came down to her ankles so it made a great Granny dress. Then I found and old cheap broach of her great, great grandmother's and I pinned it on the front. Then I found an old bracelet I had that I hated and added that, then some old large clip on earrings and I dug deep into a box and came up with a great old bag and we added that. Then we went out in the front yard and found a great walking stick for her cane. She insisted she have a cane. I found a perfect crooked stick!! I took a knife and scrapped off all the bark and washed it and then sandpapered it till smooth. It was perfect!! So here are the results. Kelly sent these photos this morning and I took pictures with my camera so they are really grainy, but you get the idea. Her mom sprinkled her hair with baby powder to look gray and put it in a bun:

Yesterday when we put it all on together, she was hobbling along with her cane and looked up to me and said " Say Honey, could you show me the way to the Bingo?" She is so funny. I can't wait to hear how her day went today!!

Compassion and Kindness

2012-02-01T10:32:00.001-05:00

The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving with passion and compassion and humor and style and generosity and kindness..............Maya Angelou

Yesterday one of our local High School boys was walking home on the rail road tracks with a head set on listening to loud music when he was hit by a train and killed. A bus load of kids tried screaming and the bus driver honked his horn continously to get his attention while the train blew it's horn and tried to stop, but he was hit from behind and killed. There were so many kids that watched it happen and couldn't get to him in time. It's been horrible for all those kids who watched. They have grief councilors at the school today to help those kids cope with what they witnessed. He was to graduate in June. It's just so sad.

First Time's The Charm!

2012-01-31T09:17:00.006-05:00

I've been having an internal struggle with Bob and his car magazines. He has them stacked in 2 piles under his night stand plus a pile on top and a pile on the bed. We sleep with them some nights....I've been wanting for several years now to get another night stand for his side of the bed with doors so I can shove all those darn magazines in there and shut the door out of sight. I've looked in stores and when I find something I like it's anywhere from $800-900....which is just outrageous. (at least for me)

This is what our night stands look like. This is my side - no magazines stacked up...As you can see, having 2 huge stacks of magazines would look hideous and drive you crazy. There must be 70 of them all total - going back to probably 2000.

A friend of mine asked if I'd gotten on ebay to look for a night stand and I said no, I didn't know how. She told me I needed to hook up with Pay Pal and explained how that worked and told me to get busy...soooo, I hooked up with Pay Pal, got my account all set up and checked out ebay. I put in "Ethan Allen Furniture" and was TOTALLY AMAZED at all the stuff. It didn't take me ANY time at all to find our Chippendale night stand. There were actually 4 of them to choose from and the prices were amazing!!!!

I was flabbergasted! I couldn't believe I'd find our bedroom furniture that was 23 years old. I picked out the best of the bunch, which was in excellent shape. It was from "Center Stage Antiques" in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. The store was rated as excellent. I got online and checked out the store and found out it has been in business for 60 years and was a noted upscale antique store....so I went back to ebay and hit the "buy it now" button and whamo! Next thing I know I'd purchased a $235.00 night stand!! I was so excited!!! They shipped it via Greyhound bus to our station in Charlestion in a big box very well packed. Bob picked it up from the bus station yesterday and brought it home. There are hardly any scratches and no dents, it really looks brand new, and it matches perfect with the rest of the furniture!! I am so excited. Inside those doors lurks tons of car magazines....I should have taken a photo of that too come to think about it. Anyway....that was my First experience with ebay and Pay Pal and it was all good!!!

I know most of you have probably been doing it for years, and think nothing about it and just do it all the time! Well, I finally got there!! I might want to find a hall table now....was looking last night.....there are several nice ones out there!!!
This header is of New York City - can't remember what bridge that was. Have a great day!!

Sunday & "One For The Money"

2012-01-29T22:27:00.001-05:00

We had such a nice weekend.   Friday night we went to a newer place to eat called The Barnyard - they have huge smokers outside and they make yummy ribs, chicken and beef. We had 1/2 a rack of the ribs, veggies and salad. Sure was good!! When we arrived back home I made a big chicken veggie soup for the weekend. Yum. It's mighty good!

Saturday at noon we met the kids and grandkids for lunch at our favorite spot. Had a good time and we enjoyed each other's company. When we were finished Bob told the kids to go to the Kroger Gas Station and he filled up their cars with gas.  They were happy about that! He's such a good Daddy!!

At 3:30 we went to watch Madison play indoor soccer against a boys team. They lost but held their own pretty darn good!! Reilly~Roo went home with Kelly at the gas station and spent the day with her and she came to the soccer game too. Her poor little fingers are looking pretty good. She can now use her fingers. She still had the remains of blisters on 4 of her fingers but the they are flat now. The other four fingers just have white skin, which I imagine will peel off at some point.

Kelly and I went to the movies Saturday evening to see "One For The Money" and I am telling you it was hilarious!! I don't know if you've read any of Janet Evanovich's books, but they are so funny. They are about a gal named Stephanie Plum who is a bounty hunter. She is young and pretty and not very good at her job and gets herself into a lot of jams. She is constantly having her cars blown up by the bad guys and has 2 boyfriends. Joe who is a cop, and Ranger who is in the security business and both are real hunks....So far 18 books have been written. The first one was One For The Money, Second one was Two for the Dough, 3rd was Three To Get Deadly....and so on. The last book came out in January and was 18 in the series. Go to the movies and watch and then start reading these lighthearted books. You will laugh out loud - quick reading and really entertaining. I wish the books came out more than once a year...

Today, Sunday, I didn't wake up till 8:30 am!!! Good Grief! Didn't do much all day. Bob and I took a ride this afternoon in one of his speedy cars and ended up at Dairy Queen where I got a Strawberry Sundae and Bob got a Chocolate/Carmel Blizzard.   I went to see a friend who was in the hospital, but missed visiting hours by 10 minutes and they wouldn't let me in so I came back home. Will go tomorrow morning. She had an abscess in her bowel and then had complications and ended up with a Trach and on a respirator!! She's 78 and just a sweet as can be. She's one of our Beach Bunch.

That's about it for my weekend. The header and small photo are of Mystic Harbour in Mystic, Connecticut. I went to vist my cousin several years ago. Great place to visit!! It is a Whaling Harbour and has old famous Whaling Ships.

Reilly's Accident

2012-01-27T08:13:00.002-05:00

Last evening around 6 pm I received a frantic call from our son. Apparently they have a Kerosene heater in the garage and for what ever reason it was on. It was 61 here so I was surprised it was even on. I didn't quite get why it was in the garage in the first place. Reilly was waiting for her mom to come back from walking their new pup when she decided to warm her hand on the heater, so she put all 8 fingers on the top of the heater and before she realized it, burned all 8 fingers. Both thumbs apparently did not touch the heater. She went screaming into the house where Brien quickly filled the kitchen sink with cold water and put in both hands. I could hear poor Roo crying in the background. I felt so bad for her. Brien said they where white on the ends and asked if they would blister and I said I'm sure they would if she left them on long enough and the heater was hot.

At 11:30 last night I received a call from my DIL who was so upset because Reilly was trying to go to sleep, but would wake up crying that her fingers hurt and by that time, she had blisters on all 8 little fingers. She asked if she should take her to the ER. I asked if she had any Durablast in the house, which she did. I told her to spray the ends lightly and hoped that would dull the pain so she could fall asleep. That's the last we heard until this morning when Bob called Brien and he said they were taking her to the Doctor. Bless her heart. I can just imagine the pain she's in.

When I was 4 my mom and I were ironing. I had a little ironing board and iron and I'd iron my doll clothes while she ironed her clothes. My mom left the room to get another piece of clothing, and before she left the room told me not to touch the iron and for what ever reason, I went over to the iron and touched the bottom of the iron with my whole palm....needless to say I had blisters on my palm and was in terrible pain. Another time, apparently I don't learn very fast, I put my palm on the electric stove to see if it was hot and again was burned. They were circular burns from the elements and once again my hand was bandages. Since then, I have learned my lesson. Hopefully Roo will be smarter than her Gran and not do that again. Will keep you updated on how she is doing. Maybe a little prayer that they heal quickly...

Bird Feeder & Reilly~Roo

2012-01-26T12:52:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting here listening to an old Alabama CD - just love them. The song playing noew is "You've Got the Touch" great song here is our newbird house. Looks a little straange with the bungy cords! But the wind has been strong of late, and mostly because of the pesky squirrels. No matter how cute they are...they CAN be a pain in the neck!! The one going over the top is to keep them from pulling it off...they are smart littler buggers.

Our little Reilly~Roo got her report card yesterday with all "M's" - which stands for "Mastery of", for the kindergarten kids. They don't get ABC grades until first grade. She has admitted to me that she gets yellow and red cards....(ounds like a soccer game to me)...for talking in class and not doing what she is told. I told her that she needs to try a little harder listening to her teachers. She says with a Big Smile..."yeah"....but with no conviction...lol She is our little spit~fire. Wouldn't know it to look at her sweet little face, but I believe she is going to be something of a free spirit. Which, makes me smile because her daddy was no picnic growing up. What goes around comes around??? Hummmmm....guess we'll have to wait and see. She's only 5.

Here it is 12:37 pm and I haven't done ANYTHING this morning but read. Downloaded a new book the other day into my Nook and sat and just finished it right before noon....Got up and made the bed and threw in a load of wash. Have no urges to do anything today. That's not good. Oh! I know what I wanted to tell you!! Bob was shocked and thrilled to find my list of Tax Deductions on his night stand. He was speechless for a brief second, then said Thank You! His smile was worth the effort!!

Today is in the low 40's and misting. Were supposed to get rain last night but we didn't. They said today heavy rains but so far only misty rain. Fine with me. Guess I'll go fix lunch for myself and ole'
Barn. Have a good day!!

Photo Catch Up...

2012-01-25T10:13:00.002-05:00

I wanted you to see Madison's Time Line project. She brought it home yesterday and...got !00% A+ !! Her teachers favorite photo was the one below, and Madison's favorite was her laying in the bed. I asked her why it was her favorite and she told me "It's all the pink Gran, I like the pink. Pink bed and blanket and outfit...it's just really pulled together Gran."...can't deny that!! lol

I wanted you to see her art work and "My Frst Makeup Experience" which I thought was so cute. Course she's my granddaughter and anything she does is wonderful and cute... : )

Here you see an angel on the left of the family photo and her writing that she loves her family! So sweet.

AND!! here is her report card! She leaped off the bus with a big smile waving a vanilla envelop and as soon as she got in the card she told me she got her report card and pushed it in my face - so full of excitement! So of course I let out a big screech and make a fierce fuss over her super good grades. Her mom to her out to The Outback to celebrate those outstanding grades!! what a grand day for her and me!! ....and here I thought I wouldn't have an exciting week!!

This N That...

2012-01-24T11:22:00.001-05:00

Last night we had something for dinner that I have always wanted to taste but was afraid to because, I didn't know what to do with it. But I came across a quick recipe - looked easy so I tried it. It is Butternut Squash.....and we LOVED it!!! I chopped the ends off, took of the skin or whatever you call that, scooped out the seeds and chopped the meaty part into little cubes the size of my thumb nail. Put it in a cooking bag with 2 holes poked in the top, added some butter and microwaved it for 6 minutes and sort of steamed them. They weren't quite soft enough so I went for 2 more minutes and they were perfect. Cut the bag opened and dumped them into a bowl and yummo!! They were sooo good!!
Had it with pork chops. This was a part of my new years resolution: To have more variety at the dinner table. I get stuck in a rut sometimes.

This morning I decided to surprise Bob and go through my notebook and pulled out all our donations and property taxes and typed them and layed it all printed out in a neat fashion on his nightstand. That's were I put all our Income Tax stuff so he can take them to the accountant. Every year he has had to tell me to do that, and every year I keep forgetting to do it until he hounds me...so THIS year I decided to get my butt in gear and do it BEFORE he asked. He will be SOOO surprised!! This is another part of my new years resolution: To be more organized.

Last night I called my mom. She is 86. As we were chatting I asked her what she did that day and she told me she didn't do anything because she was STUDYING all day!! I asked her what she was studying so hard and she informed me that she was studying about Lightbulbs....yes, lightbulbs....lol....Then she asked me if I knew what lumens were, and I answered yes, but she proceded to enlighten me about Lumens. Then she asked me if I knew about wattages....and I said yes and smiled to myself, because I knew I was about to get a lesson about wattages...and ...I did. I just listened. She told me that all lightbulbs were NOT the same. She always buys 100 watt bulbs....we buy 60's but I didn't tell her that. I figured at 86 she probably needs to see better. She said she paid $12.00 for 2 special light bulbs that would last for YEARS!! I hope they do, or she will be mad....lol....

Yesterday was the Chinese New Year! The year of the Dragon. Many good wishes to all those who celebrate the Chinese New Year. Best go - have to pay some bills. Today is windy, high to be 48 - and it's already 47. I think that's a good temp for Jan. and it's partly sunny too!! Have a great day!!

Beautiful Sunday!

2012-01-22T19:49:00.000-05:00

Today was such a beautiful day!! Up in the mid 50's with the sun shinning!! Didn't do anything very exciting either. Did a little housework and plopped myself in front of the TV and fell asleep for 2 hours. Bob was out running errands and Barney was playing in the woods.

I bought a great new bird feeder yesterday from Tractor supply. It holds quite a lot of seed, and it has 2 suet holders, one on each side. Will have to take a photo of it tomorrow. I bungee corded it to the deck in case the squirrels decided to try and take off with it. The squirrels really haven't been in the back yard since we started letting Barney out. I see them in the front out where the tree line is...for quick escape I guess.

Bob told me yesterday we were going to Naples, Florida in March for a 4 day business/pleasure trip...that sounded really good until I had a look in the mirror...oh my...so you can guess my horror. I started immediately back to eating good - actually there aren't enough months to get where I need to be, but I guess it's going to be a start......ho hummmmm.... :o (

These deer are just a few of the ones that come to our Mountain House. I love seeing them. They are sooo pretty. I'm missing going up to the mountains - haven't been for awhile. Hopefully soon!! Hope everyone has a good week. I don't think my week is going to be all that exciting!!

Making a Time Line

2012-01-19T22:57:00.002-05:00

Madison spent the night with us Wednesday night because her mom was going to be out of town for the night. Yea, another sleep over with one of the girls! We didn't have time to do much lolly-gagging around because she had a project that was due Friday. She had to make a time line of her childhood. Sooo, I got on the computer and found her picture of when she was born and printed that off and then we found her birthday photos every year up until her 7th Birthday. She and her mom picked up a piece of pink poster board yesterday and we set to work making her Time Line. I'm sorry to say I didn't get a picture of it. We were trying to get it done by bedtime, and she ended up going to bed 45 minutes late. But she put the first four on the top and the second four on the bottom and then picked 3 other photos for the middle. One was of her putting on make-up when gran wasn't looking and she made a fierce mess of her face. I posted it a few years ago. I think she was four.

The other photo was of her mom, dad and her together and the last photo was her at 4 months old in her crib with a football. Not sure why she picked that one - she just liked it. She added dates for her time line and colored hearts and poca dots inbetween the photos. It looked pretty good when she was done. Bob took her to school this morning. She had to be there by 6:50 am. She hopped out of bed at 6 am, ate, got dressed, brushed her teeth and headed off to school all cheerful and full of smiles. Tomorrow she will stand before her class and tell about her Time Line. I thought it was a cute project for first graders. I can't wait to hear how it all went. In the top photo she was 2 minutes old and of course she was seven when this one was taken....growing up much too fast for her Deet and Gran.

It Came!!

2012-01-19T13:12:00.000-05:00

Yesterday when I went to the mail box in the freezing cold I found that my prize from Sunshine of "Such Life in the Tropics" had arrived!! The envelop was so cute!! It had starfish, crabs, jelly fish, angel fish and sea horses alll over it! Very Tropical Envelop!! The stamp was really pretty too, it was a Cuban Bluefinch. Must be a noted bird of the Caymens, plus it had a little Crown. The cookbook was a "Paw" pourri of the recipes from the Cayman Humane Society. On the cover was pretty "Lilly" who was adopted from the Humane Society. Inside mixed in the recipes were many, many photos of the residents who lived there until their forever home happened.

Here is a perticular part of the book that interested me!! lol ...yum Bacardi is the only thing I ever drink, usually on Fridays, I'll have 2 with dinner! Gave me some great ideas!!

I took a photo of this little guy because he looked like my Barney. Same cute face!! Being an Island cookbook, it has a lot of wonderful fish recipes! We love fish so I am going to make a few of these soon. Have no fish at the moment! It looks like a great Cookbook!! Thanks so much Sunshine!!!

Please Read About Heather & Share

2012-01-17T20:58:00.000-05:00

Today on my post I reveived a comment from Heather, who asked me to please get back to her via e-mail. And I did and she told me that she was trying to get the word out about Mesothelioma Cancer. She developed symptoms this cancer right after the birth of her daughter Lilly. I went to her blog and read from the very beginning, which starts in September I believe and caught up until this month. She asked that I put up a link for her as she is wanting to help others that may have this type of cancer. It is very rare that someone as young as she is and the fact that she does not work in an asbestos filled environment. She was exposed to asbestos when she was a child from her dad who did work in asbestos. Please take time to read her story. When you go to her blog, or site, please go back to the beginning and ready through up to the present. If you can put the link here to your Blog. I know in the state of WV we have a very high rate of Mesothelioma from our mines and chemical plants. Hopefully we can share this with enough people and they will recognize the same symptoms and get help....Thanks http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/heather/

A Night With Our Reilly~Roo

2012-01-17T09:06:00.000-05:00

Sunday we asked if Miss Reilly~Roo could spend the night with us. It's been ages since she spent the night. There was no school on Monday because it was Martin L. King Day. She arrived about 5 pm and jumped right into playing with Barney. I really wish I knew how to put videos on here. They played chase and hide and go seek, played with balls....sometimes I wonder if Barn knows he's a cat and not a dog. He is so good with the girls. Never scratches. She wanted hot dogs for dinner so that's what we had. We all love hot dogs around here. At 7pm we hopped in the car and went to see the new Chipmunk movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked", which was really cute and so funny. She laughed and laughed.

When we got home she played with her DS for a little bit and played MonkeyQuest on the computer and then asked to see a movie. (video) I said sure, but it was time to get her Jams on and she could watch it from bed. She picked Barbi and The Diamond Castle, which is one of her favorite. She fell asleep about 11:30. It was really nice having her to ourselves. She's such a sweet little girl. Full of energy and hops from one thing to another which I'm not used too! lol She colored and cut out a pretty green Christmas Tree with Blueberries...it is now hanging with pride on my fridge!!

Blogger Strikes Again

2012-01-15T10:30:00.002-05:00

For the last 3 days I am having a terrible time with Blogger. When I try and click on anyone's Blog it comes on for a nano~second and then goes white. Never had THAT before. Don't know how to fix it. I can't read anyone's blog. Yesterday it would let me read one, but today it's none. I'm all frazzeled and mad. Any one else having this weird problem??

2012-01-13T09:12:00.000-05:00

The first time I read about Pinterest was in a post by Chris at Diet Coke Rocks. She found out about it through one of her readers and said how she liked it and wanted to spend more thime there when she got time. Being curious I googled "Pinterest" and found out it's a Website that shares interests. The Website creates a bulletin board where users can 'pin up photos, ideas and items of interest to share with others. Some of the interests are: pets, food, sports, History, Geek, nature, gardening, science, autos, music, art, decor,crafts, fitness, fashion and weddings.

The site is like one giant delieious scrapbook of ideas. Browse to your heart's delight by category or by creative people you know. Create your own bulletin boards and "pin" your ideas there. Like if you wanted to know how to turn a closet into a small office....there are at least 30 references that will help you by using the Pinterest application on your phone or by using the "pin it" bookmark you created on your personal computer. It's a once stop shop for those who love collecting ideas. It's design is clean and visuallly appealing, it's easy to navigate and terribly addictive!!

To be a member you must be invited or request an invitation...no need to worry though. you'll get your invitation! Kind of like our Blogs, the site allows people to follow you. From what I've read it's a great source of inspiration and you can get lost in Pinterest for HOURS....check it out!!

My Sweet Madison

2012-01-12T08:28:00.000-05:00

Usually when I meet Madison at the bus stop and we are walking back to the house I ask her how her day went and she tells me...I ask her what the best part of her day was and she'll tell me allll about it, and then I ask was the worst part of the day and she will tell me and we will chat about that on the way back to the house.

Yesterday she was rather quiet as she jumped off the bus. I asked her about her day and she said it was fine...but didn't go into any detail. Then I asked what her favorite part of the day was and the said they all sat in a big circle and had a large piece of art paper and everyone took turns adding something to the paper, she really enjoyed that and when they were all done, they had a great piece of art they all contributed to. I then asked her about her worst part of the day and I got no responce. We walked along in silence so I asked her again, and she said " I heard you Gran".....more silence. I said, "Well, that's great that you had such a good day!" and she replied. "yeah, it was good." But she remained quiet all afternoon. She does her homework at the kitchen table and I always check her work. Usually there is none or one mistake. Yesterday there were 5 mistakes. Silly mistakes. About that time her mom came home and she saw she had so many mistakes and asked her what was going on? Madison said nothing, but she looked distressed.

Later that evening I get a texted from Kelly that read: "Read my face book post....but try not to respond with anything too mean & sassy Gran!"...that kinda threw me for a loop so I go to her facebook page not knowing WHAT I was going to find and here is what I found:

" So my 7 year old awesome daughter tells me today that a classmate says to her, " I know you try to be pretty but you're really just not!!" WOW! First Grade?! Really?! Already?! ....and from there, there were 75 angry comments and a lot of positive love to Madison. It made me cry, that some little snotty girl, named Lola, would say something to hurt my Madison. Gran's not used to that!! Kelly said Madison told her about the incident and that it really hurt her feelings. Kelly told her it's not about outside beauty that counts, it's if they can see how big your heart and your brain are. Kelly told her she was beautiful, and smart and caring towards other people. She asked Madison what she did and Madison said " Mom I just turned and walked away. Later the little girl appologized after another one of her friends informed her that it was mean of her to that.....

I realize that all these things occur, but it's so sad when they are so young...and to MY sweet granddaughter too!! It upset Kelly too, she just had no idea it would start so early. So!! now that I vented that, I feel much better......Have a great day!!

Rainy Day Tuesday

2012-01-11T09:51:00.000-05:00

Not much has been going on around here. After I pick up Madison off the bus we have been going over to her house the last few days so she can play with her little friend. They ride their bikes and scooters, and play house in the garage out of the wind. I know sometimes she gets a little bored here so I thought I'd mix things up a bit and make a little changes on nice sunny days. Today is supposed to be cold and rainy. Her infected finger is coming along nicely. Should be cured by the weekend.

Tomorrow morning I'm going to go play cards with some gals. I sub when someone is missing. We play "Hand and Foot" which I just love to play. I'm not very good at cards, but this game I'm not too terrible at. I never win, but it's fun. There are usually 7-8 other gals. We play with 7 decks of cards. We start at 10 am and go to about 1:30. The time flies. I have to leave early sometimes because I have to be at the bus stop. But do enjoy it. Any of you ever played? It's a ton of fun

The Real Estate Company called and said they showed our mountain house over the weekend to a family from Florida. Said he'd let me know if they were interested. They wanted to know how much of the funiture would stay and I said EVERYTHING! But it's been a few days and we haven't heard anything, so I guess they're not enterested. Fine by me. Bob's not so happy, but I am glad.

This morning I had a little castrophy with my laundry. I'm in the midst of trying to correct the problem now. Apparently there was a red fuzzy sock slipper stuck to the top of the washer. I didn't know and threw in all Bob's white unders and t-shirts only to find when the load was finished, that they were a very pretty shade of delicate pink. So! they are going through the second time with a cup of bleach. Hopefully, one time will do it. Last time this happened it took about 3 washings/bleach. It's a wonder the material didn't fall apart when I finally got them white again. I guess I should check the top of the washer, but I just can't remember to do that.

Barney was in trouble last night. About 3:30 am we woke up to a sound like breaking glass, and a continuous sound of clanking dishes. At first I thought there was a burgler in the house and it liked to scare me to death. But....upon checking, I found Barney in the open China cabinet walking around and knocking things over as he went. He gave me a little chirp hello, and came to the front so I could lift him out....so nice of him....I took him directly to the girls playroom and shut the door telling him on the way he was bad and to go to sleep.

Have a Happy Hump Day!!

This- N- That

2012-01-09T09:05:00.001-05:00

The fella who took down our Christmas lights is going to replace our tree. He came over Sunday to take a look at it and was amazed that his worker broke it in half and wondered as we did, how in the world he managed to do that. We settled for $150. for replacement and they have to removed the broken one. That sounded fair to me.

Saturday we met Kelly and Madison at Giovanni's for lunch. Kelly showed me Madison's hand that had a HUGE infected cut. I told her she needed to bring her over to the house after we ate so I could get all the infection out. It was ugly. As you would imagine Madison was NOT a happy camper and started crying before I even started. One prick of a nice clean pin was all that it required and the junk came pouring out. yuck. I pulled off the top dead skin and cleaned it real good and put an antibiotic ointment and band aid on it. She cried for another 5 minutes after I was done. The first of many infected boo-boo's I would imagine!

The horse in my header is my buddy Junior. I had him for 10 years. Bought him when he was about 5 months old. He followed me around like a dog. I had to find him a new home when I had my knee replacement. One of the saddest day I ever had. We were great buddy's he and I.

Barney has a new fun thing he likes to do that puts Bob into a fit. One of the TV's is on a lower table that the other one and for some reason the movement catches his eyes, especially when there is a trailer at the bottom of the TV. He leaps on the table and tries to catch it along the bottom or he will leap up to the top trying to "get the movement" on the screen. Football is his favorite! So much action going on. Bob yells and hollers at his, and of course he pays NO attention. I told him to just turn it off....simple enough...lol

We had great weather this weekend. Both days being 60 and sunny. I cleaned 2 rooms pretty good. That's about all I can do before my knee gives out. To vacuum just about does it in anymore. It swells and hurts like crazy. Gettin old sure isn't for the faint hearted - lol

Saturday

2012-01-07T08:53:00.001-05:00

This morning I awoke to find that my eyes seemed to be back to normal, however, I really don't think I see as well as I did without my glasses. My pupils are normal and there is a great improvement in my vision. I just don't think I see as well as I did. I have decided I'm not going back to the Retinal Specialist unless I have a problem. I'm not even sure I want to go to my regular eye doctor at this point. I am very leary about having my eyes dilated.

Thursday, the fellas came by to take down our Christmas lights and put them away for another year. I didn't notice until last night when we were going out to eat, that my beautiful Pin Oak was snapped completely in half!! It's trunk is about 1 3/4 inches in diameter!! One of the guys must have fallen into the tree from a ladder or SOMETHING!! Bob called the owner of the business, and he said "yes, Tommy did say he broke a branch" ....lol A Branch???? the whole tree is snapped in half!!! He is coming over today to look at it. I'm not sure what we'll do about it. The tree was about 8 years old.
Since it is snapped completely in half, it can't grow another leader. It's not that type of tree. At this point I'm not sure whether to give it a chance or cut it down. Probably will give it a chance. I love trees.

Yesterday it was 62 degrees and sunny! Just Beautiful!! Today is dark and cloudy but they say it will be in the low 50's and then Sunday....snow flurries!! LOL such silly weather!! Have a good weekend!

My Eyes

2012-01-05T23:27:00.000-05:00

It's been 36 hours since I've had my eyes dilated and they are still not back to normal. I'm getting concerned. I called the Dr.'s office today at 4 pm and told them that my eyes were still 1/2 way dilated and that my vision had not returned to normal. Everything beyond 8 feet is quite fuzzy, especially in my left eye. I still have to wear dark glasses when I go outside. She told me that the drops they put in at their office is much stronger than those at the eye doctors, and that it isn't a common thing, that this happens, but that is Does happen on occasion, And that I should remind them NEXT time I go, (Jan. 2013) that I need drops that are not as strong. .....so....I guess in the mean time, which could be 3 days she said, I'll just try and stay out of the sun and just deal with it.

Deep down I am fearful I'll not get my regular sight back to be truthful. It does scare me a little. Anyone have this happen to you?

What A Game!!

2012-01-05T10:04:00.000-05:00

Last night West Virginia University played higher ranked Clemson in the Orange Bowl. We were to lose that game. All the bookies, papers, statisticians all said Clemson's defence was too strong for West Virginia....The Final Score: WV 70 (yes that's right) Clemson 33. It was one hell of a game! We broke 6 records:

1) most points scored in the first half in any major college football history. ( 49-20)
2) Broke an Orange Bowl first-quarter mark that has lasted since WW 11.
3) Smith, our quarterback threw 6 touchdown passes to break the Orange Bowl record
4) Smith's 401 air yards wiped out Michigan's record of 369 air yards.
5.) Smith broke a 70 year old Orange bowl record by throwing for 427 yards breaking the 355 record.
6) WVU 's 35 points in the second quarter was a bowl record.

I'm telling you what!! it was the most exciting ball game I've ever seen. What made it so sweet for us was because everyone had us the underdog and because we've been in 31 Bowl games since 1922 and have only won 14 of them. So, for us this was a crowning moment!

I hope at least a few of you watched the game. Probably not, but, you missed a great game and I'm PROUD!!!!

Think Warm...

2012-01-04T08:29:00.000-05:00

This morning it's already climbed up to 14!! Goody. May we can hit 28 today. I decided to put up nice warm beachie photos today...thinking positive and hoping to scare the shivers away....
I'm going to the eye doctor today since I couldn't go yesterday. I don't mind going there. Only bad thing is they dialate my eyes and I can't see. I'm supposed to bring a friend along to drive me home, but I don't. I have a pair of really dark glasses and that works fine.

Not much going on here. I've put more bird seed out for my feathered frriends and some suet. Two in the front and one in the back. Yesterday I had a beautiful red headed woodpecker. I did get a photo of him but haven't downloaded it. Have no idea if it came out. Most of them don't. I can't seem to photograph birds well for some reason. Please feed the birds if your having snow or freezing temps.

Gotta run. Have a good day today! It's Hump Day Already!!!

What A Beginning For 2012!

2012-01-03T11:08:00.000-05:00

We've been having fierce snow squalls for 2 days, but last night it snowed because this morning we have about 2 inches. Last night Bob had his fireplace burning and it warmed up part of the house nicely. Plus it was so pretty seeing it flickering away!! School was cancelled for today so Madison is here. I had an eye apt this morning, but changed it to tomorrow morning. Hopefully they will have school. If not, I'll change it again. I go to a Retinal specialist who is keeping a check on my Vitreous detachment. It just floats around in the back of my eye. (left)

Barney didn't know what to think of the snow. He hopped around on it and scratched at it and took a bite, then he wanted inside. He has a bit of the crazies this morning. guess the cold air has him all aflutter! lol. So far, 2012 has come in with a Bang....hope it's not a test, of things to come...It is supposed to be back in the 50's by the weekend so they say! yea!

HAPPY 2012 !!!

2012-01-01T01:15:00.000-05:00

What a fun night. Kelly and Madison came over with wine, hats, blowers and silly string!! Even Bob
stayed up to watch 2012 come in!! We all went out on the front porch and screamed HAPPY NEW YEAR, and blew our horns and yelled and blew some more!! lol lots of fun!!! Happy New Year Blogger Friends, hope this year brings nothing but Goodness for you!!

Happy Birthday Brien!

2011-12-31T03:57:00.000-05:00

Last night we celebrated our son's 36th Birthday! Bob and I went over to his house and brought presents and cake and watched Duke play W Michigan...and spent a fun evening playing with Reilly~Roo and playing with Eve. For a puppy, she is so calm and sweet. No biting your fingers off, no stealing of the shoes, just a sweet pup. Amazing!

Hard to believe Brien is 36. Where does the time go?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIEN!!

Silly Christmas Hat

2011-12-30T09:18:00.000-05:00

Madison and daughter Kelly bought this silly hat for Bob about a week before Christmas! We've had a lot of fun with this silly thing. You push a button and it sings Jingle Bell Rock and the tree twirls and rocks to the music. It's so funny! Those silly girls saw this at Walmart and thought Deet (Bob) should have it.

He took it to work on the Friday before Christmas and I guess wore it around the office. OH MY!!
I don't think anyone did any actual work from what he said...but Corp. office wouldn't let them off early so Bob decided they would have fun anyway.

Meet Eve!

2011-12-29T09:58:00.001-05:00

My son and dil got this beautiful 5 month old German Shepherd for little Reilly ~Roo for Christmas. She is 5 months old and a very sweet and calm pup. She was delivered to their front door on Christmas Eve, thus her name. Reilly, however, had no idea until Christmas Day when they went home. Reilly was at our house and Eve was staying at the next door neighbors.

After they got home on Christmas Day, the neighbor came over and told Reilly Santa left something over her house to keep for her until she got back from Gran's house. Reilly was a little confused, but once she saw what the neighbor brought over she shrieked and hopped up and down!!

She is already house trained and a very, very sweet girl. Appears to be very smart and loves everybody already...Barney however, didn't think much of Eve. He wouldn't back down from her and kept his ground, he was definitely not a happy camper.

She sits, and shakes hands and will down when prompted a bit. I just love her!! She really is a great pup and know she will fit just fine in my dog lovin' heart.

lol, demonic eyes staring down on Eve!! I think they will be friends soon. Eve doesn't pay that much attention to him. She barks at him only because he gets to close all crazy eyed and puffed up!! lol Silly Barney, he doesn't like foreigners in his house!

Christmas Morning...Photographic Essay

2011-12-27T15:49:00.002-05:00

Post Santa

Santa brought Madison a Guitar

Soap on a Rope for Reilly

Something she wanted badly!

Son, DIL & Reilly~Roo

Barney with his Mouse from Santa!

Go Dolphins!!

OMG! Mother! What were you thinking?!??

They loved their quilt!!!

.....and she loved her quilt!!

Barney had a ball with all the tissue and boxes and ribbons!! Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas morning as much as we did!!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T09:32:00.000-05:00

CHRISTMAS 2010

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse! The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.....

Wishing all of you a Very Merry Christmas, filled with love, joy, peace, warmth, good health, lots of laughing and squealing from the young ones! Lots of kisses and hugs, a bountiful table and ample desserts!! May your hearts be Merry and Gay and may Santa leave you lots of goodies,..........but most of all, believe in the Spirit of Christmas. Believe that Christmas is not only about the birth of a baby, but about the man He became.

...and May God's Blessings be with you in the new year ahead.

Not Long!! HO HO HO!!

2011-12-22T10:05:00.000-05:00

Christmas is nearly upon us. Just 2 days, 14 hours, 12 minutes and 52 seconds away...according to my phone. Not much time for those who have put things off. I need to go shopping for Christmas breakfast today and dinner. That all. The grandgirls are getting so excited, they don't know what to do.

Today I have to go pick up a T-shirt for Bob that I had ordered with his 2 Corvettes on the front and his GTO on the back. Being a car nut, he will love it. But, Miss Blabbermouth Madison makes this a little difficult, so I'm meeting the owner (and friend) at another location with the bag turned inside out so she won't blab. Grandkids....they are so un~darling at times....

My DIL, Reilly, daughter Kelly and Madison are going to go to Charleston later this afternoon to see Santa and get their annual picture taken together. One of our Christmas presents will hopefully be a copy!! ( we hope!)

This photo is of lasts year's Christmas morning. Should be fun watching the kids tear into their gifts.
I'll have my camera "at the ready"....of course lately everything I take is out of focus. I'm thinking I might need new glasses...

Ole' Barney has been a pretty good boy lately. Not getting into too much. He is finally gaining weight and feels like he weighs 10 lbs!! He still nurses on the blanket from time to time. I hope he doesn't scare Santa off, he's into latching on to pant legs lately. No claws, just hitching a ride. He's so silly.

Some bad person tried to get into Kelly's car yesterday by breaking a window while she was at work, but had no success. They did manage to put 4 chips into the glass and it spidered little bit. Made her so mad. They are coming to her work to fix it today. She has to pay the $100. deductable however.
She wasn't to happy about that either, right at Christmas and a tight budget. Crazy people, why don't they go to work insteak of trying to steal from someone.....Bah Humbug!!

Wishing you ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas!! Tomorrow - 65 Degrees!!

2011-12-20T18:53:00.005-05:00

Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year.

Lunch With My Friends

2011-12-19T20:37:00.001-05:00

I had a wonderful lunch with my girlfriends today. We ate at The Outback. Had yummy Salmon, fresh veggies, salad, AND....a huge warm walnut Brownie, with a mound of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and shaved chocolate on top!!! It was probably 6-7 inches tall!! I wasn't able to eat the whole thing...but Mmmmmmmmmmm - so tasty. We had a grand time exchanging gifts and just talking for 3 hours. It was a wonderful visit. Probably need to meet again and discuss our Christmas sometime in mid January.

This cute photo someone sent me in an e-mail several years ago and I've kept it because I just LOVE it. It's so so cute. Merry Christmas Everybody!!

Quiet Sunday

2011-12-18T11:41:00.001-05:00

It's Sunday and the sky is partly blue and going to be in the mid 40's. That's not too bad. Yesterday was cold and windy. Icy winds. Last night I received a call from my sweet cousin who lives in Connecticut. His mom and my dad were siblings. As kids we loved to go to his house and visit when we made the long trek from Texas to Connecticut. He had a big room in a big house with a real live swimming pool AND a nice pond where we would catch absolutely HUGE bullfrogs. The memories are just wonderful. He is 5 years younger than I am and looks so much like my Dad in the eyes. Both of his parents have passed away. We sorta found each other again about 6 years ago. I can't remember how exactly. I hunted him down somehow and have visited him twice since then. He is a real character. Anyway, I'm babbling, we had a great conversation as usual and wish he lived closer so we could visit each other more often.

Tomorrow, Monday, I am driving to Parkersburg to have lunch with 2 of my BEST High School chums. It's been many, many, many months since we've met for lunch. BUT!!, tomorrow is THE day. It's about an hour and half drive, which I don't mind driving. I love to drive my myself sometimes. Will be listening to Christmas Music the whole way!! I'll just sing along and make the trip buzz by. We graduated in 1966 together and have remained friends since, and meet as often as we can. One funny thing is: Susie and I were born O'Brien's and Pam married an O'Brien ....so we're all O'Briens in some fashion!! Now how often does THAT happen!! Such wonderful friends, I am anxious to see them!!!

Guess I better go fix Bob and I some lunch. Have a good Sunday! and....MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Cold But Sunny Saturday

2011-12-17T14:45:00.001-05:00

Today our whole family met for lunch at our favorite lunch spot, Grazianios. It was a lot of fun. The girls love to eat there because they have games and those boxes that you put .50 in and try to grab a toy. Between the two of them, they got 4! We're all stuffed to the gills so we won't be eating dinner!!
This wreath I made many, many years ago and I am amazed that it has lasted so long. It's hanging on the outside kitchen door. Usually it's inside but I needed one on the outside this year. Not sure what happened to the outside one...oh well...
Nothing exciting going on here today. I'm doing wash, and Bob is doing errands...There is someone in a small air plane who is flying circles around and around swooping down sometimes. I had to out there to see what in the world was going on. I guess who ever the pilot is, must know SOMEONE around us and is trying to get their attention! lol Have a good weekend. Hope you get your Shopping done!! All I have to do is buy Christmas Dinner and get the stuff for our Christmas Breakfast! It's a family tradition for me to make Monkey Bread and my yummy Sausage/Egg Casserole. HO HO HO! Merry Christmas!!

Kelly's Finished Quilt

2011-12-15T11:08:00.000-05:00

Here is Kelly's finished quilt. You can't see it in the photos, but it was quilted with red thread in a nice curly design. Very girly. This is my favorite quilt of the four I've done. The colors are just so pretty and I really like the window pane look. (that's what I call it) Can't wait until after Christmas so I can start another one. Am going to make both grandgirls one. Should be fun!! But first I have to finish a tunic top that I started for Madison.

Madison had to go to the doctors today and was positive for Strep, so she will be staying home for today with her mom and not coming here until tomorrow after she's been on her antibiotic. She has a low grade fever of 100.6 and will go to bed when they get home from picking up her medicine and stopping by the ice cream drive through to get some Sorbet. ( I love Sorbet)

I'm Done!!

2011-12-14T08:42:00.001-05:00

Oooh, I just wanted to tell you that I am completely done with everything!! All gifts are bought, and all but two are wrapped and either under the tree or hidden in the locked spare bedroom. I am very relieved that it's all done.

Today I pick up Kelly's quilt from the Quilters and I am so excited. I like her's the best of the 4 I've made. Love the colors and love the design.

Madison is home sick today with fever, sore throat, and tummy ache. Guess she has the Grunge that's going around. Kell sent me a photo from her cell phone and she looks very unhappy. Poor little thing. Hopefully it won't last long. She is going to the Dr. around 11 am.

Today I am meeting some of my Beach Buddies for lunch today. It's been 2 months since we met last. Am looking forward to it. There will be 5 of us today.

I wanted to tell you that I've figured out Windows 7 for the most part and haven't had any problems with it and like it pretty much except for a few things that I miss from Windows XP. The new computer sure cured my Blog problems...at least so far....and it will load up my photos lightning fast!
Have a Happy Hump Day!!

A Dog Gone Great Give-A-Away!!

2011-12-13T08:51:00.001-05:00

If you'd like to win a Great Christmas Give A Away treat, visit Such Life In The Tropics! It is a delightful Blog written by a sweet young gal who works in an Art Gallery, she is very talented in her own right and makes darling little animals out of yarn. I can't remember what they are called. She and her hubby live in the Cayman Island and it's just wonderful to see all the beautiful photo of their home and sights on land and down under their sparkling waters! They have 2 dogs and a number of kitties that they feed - she is very passionate about their animal shelter and animals in general. If you have time, please click on the http below and visit!!

Check Out these Clever Ideas!!

2011-12-12T09:01:00.002-05:00

25 clever ideas to make life easier - LOVE THESE!!!!

Hull strawberries easily using a straw

Rubbing a walnut over scratches in your furniture will disguise dings and scrapes.

Remove crayon masterpieces from your TV or computer screen with WD40 (also works on walls).

Stop cut apples browning in your child’s lunch box by securing with a rubber band.

Overhaul your linen cupboard – store bed linen sets inside one of their own pillowcases and there will be no more hunting through piles for a match..

Pump up the volume by placing your iPhone / iPod in a bowl – the concave shape amplifies the music.

Re-use a wet-wipes container to store plastic bags

Add this item to your beach bag. Baby powder gets sand off your skin easily – who knew?!

Attach a velcro strip to the wall to store soft toys.

Look up! Use wire to make a space to store gift wrap rolls against the ceiling, rather than cluttering up the floor.

Gotcha! Find tiny lost items like earrings by putting a stocking over the vacuum hose..

Make an instant cupcake carrier by cutting crosses into a box lid.

For those who can’t stand the scrunching and bunching: how to perfectly fold a fitted sheet.

Forever losing your bathroom essentials? Use magnetic strips to store bobby pins (and tweezers and clippers) behind a vanity door.

A tip for holiday packing. Store shoes inside shower caps to stop dirty soles rubbing on your clothes. And you can find them in just about every hotel!.

A muffin pan becomes a craft caddy. Magnets hold the plastic cups down to make them tip-resistant.

Bread tags make the perfect-sized cord labels.

Bake cupcakes directly in ice-cream cones – so much more fun and easier for kids to eat. Definitely doing this!

Microwave your own popcorn in a plain brown paper bag. Much healthier and cheaper than the packet stuff.

Brilliant space-saver: install a tension rod to hang your spray bottles. Genius!

Win friends at breakfast with this heart-shaped egg tutorial. Aww shucks!

Turn your muffin pan upside down, bake cookie-dough over the top and voila – you have cookie bowls for fruit or ice-cream. Click here for recipe.

Freeze Aloe Vera in ice-cube trays for soothing sunburn relief.

Gutter garden: Create a window-box veggie patch using guttering.

Hey Dad! You Need Some Help?? Huh Dad?!

2011-12-10T16:48:00.000-05:00

Bob trying to find a burned out light so the bottom string will light. Barney wants to help.

Trying his best to help, he is getting in the way by batting at Bob's hands...Bob is being patient.

Both trying to find the allusive burned bulb in different spots.

Bob warning Barney he is pressing his luck....

Barney backs off for only a second until he gets a bit of the crazies and .....

flies up the tree, with Bob hollering at him....and it delights him as he climbs higher and....

higher and higher, all the while Dad yelling and me...well, I'm laughing....Barn is still climbing.

until he reached the summit!! Didn't knock down one single ornament. He was so careful...then I
drug him out of the tree and he scampered off only to come back and harass Bob a little more...
Christmas is so much fun. Barney is having a blast!!

Mom Opening Her Gifts

2011-12-08T15:39:00.003-05:00

After lunch we came back to Mom's house and she opened all her presents. She got some chocolates from Madison and some chocolates from Reilly, Brien and Tara gave her 3 dozen home made cookies (peanutbutter, oatmeal cranberry, pecan and mint chocolate chip), and a large magnifying glass that will read about a 7 x 9 rectangle, which she needs when she reads the newspaper. My sister gave her a pretty gray sweater, Kelly gave her a huge box of Gadiva Chocolates, her favorites and we gave her one of those nifty gizmos that stirs and of course the quilt which she absoltuely loved and cried....and cried more when she realized there was a shirt of Dad's in every row.

Madison is helping with the gift giving. she brings the presents over and helps when needed.

Just all of us watching her open her gifts.

Mom and sister Barb checking out the quilt. I'm so happy she loved it. Made me teary eyed.

Teary eyed but thrilled, she tried it out for size.

This is where she is going to keep it when it's not in use. The colors are just Perfect! I'm so happy.
Soon after she finished with her gift, we all piled in the car and headed back home. It was such a fun day!

Quilt # 3 Son & DIL's

2011-12-07T20:38:00.000-05:00

My photography skills are going south lately. I had the wrong setting the entire Birthday lunch until the very end then switched it so those pics are horrible and I did the same thing tonight with this quilt. OMG! Maybe I need my eyes checked or something. And I can't take new ones because I already wrapped it up. But you'll get the general idea and see the pretty colors - all fall colors - they will go perfect with her chocolate brown leather furniture.

I didn't have the right lens in. I was looking at birds today across the yard. I am so goofy sometimes.

Least you'll get an idea. The colors in real life are so pretty and bright! Just like my sweet DIL!!

This is an odd angle, looks short and squatty but it's about 67 inches in height - not sure about the width. It's wider than mom's. The last border needs to be bigger. I had it bigger and chopped it off...need to go with my first instinct I guess.

Kelly's quilt is all done but the binding. I should have it by the end of next week. It's my favorite one so far. This quilt is technically the best so far. Most all my squares are right and the edges came out nice that meet the pin wheels. I should have put a plain border between the two now that I look at it. Will do better next time!! lol

Mom's Birthday Luncheon

2011-12-06T21:42:00.001-05:00

We started with 10 but Son Brien and his family were sick, my BIL and his mom didn't come because she had some health issues and he needed to stay and help her. But the six of us had a great time and a lovely lunch. Starting from the left: Madison, Mom, Bob, daughter Kelly and sister Barb.

ordering lunch

Surprised look from Mom when her cake was brought out and we started singing!

Make a wish and take a deep breath Mom!!!

Hope she wished she'd live forever!

Such a super yummy chocolate cake with almond butter cream icing!!
It was decorated with a red rose, pine cones and pine for the season.

After lunch, Bob took a nice family photo: Barb, Me, Mom, Kelly and Madison

          A very sweet lady asked if she could take a picture of all of us and we said "SURE!!"
          We had a wonderful lunch and all loaded into the car to go back to her house so she
          could open her presents!! It was a lovely day!! ...and Mom had a great time! Isn't she cute!!

Good Computer Day!!

2011-12-06T20:16:00.001-05:00

Guess what!! I was able to save my beloved printer!! I went into HP.com and looked up HP Photosmart D7360 and found they HAD AN UPGRADE FOR A DRIVER FOR MY WINDOWS 7!!! Oh happy day!!! So I downloaded a new driver and now I'm back in the printing business. The format is different, and of course I liked my old one better, but I AM NOT COMPLAINING!!

Tomorrow I'm going to hook up the old computer and get the photos off Elements 2 with one of those magic wands and down load them into my external drive and than I think I'll be done.

This was last years tree, but it looks the same this year except sometimes, at least everyother day there it a cat clear up top peeking out. Wretched beast. So far, knock on wood, he hasn't knocked off a single ornament....but I figure it's a matter of time. I've got some photos of him in the tree. As soon as I find them I'll put them on here.

Tonight Kelly, Madison and I went out to eat because Bob was having dinner with some out of town head honchos. He wasn't real thrilled. He likes to come home, eat and put some warm comfy clothes on and watch sports.

I picked my DIL's quilt from the quilter today!!! Will have to show it too you. It's has really pretty fall colors. And daughter Kelly's is ready to be bound. It's quilted, and will be done soon! How exciting!!!
Going to try and find mom's Birthday Party photos, and get them on here. I heard at dinner that it was to snow 2-3 iches of snow by morning...drat.

Transfer........Ho Hum....

2011-12-06T00:03:00.001-05:00

I've worked on this darn transfer most of the day. I finally had to call my computer wizard to find out what I was doing wrong. The programs or soft ware that will NOT transfer are my Photoshop Elements 3, MY PRINTER, iphone backup for Kelly and I, and my Canon soft ware. However, I was able to download Photoshop Elements 6 and I found the software for my new Canon and downloaded it. Didn't get My Favorites either on my AOL tool bar....

It's been a very depressing day. My printer is too old for my new computer and there is no way it can be downloaded, sooooo I'm going to have to buy a new printer, which I just HATE because I love my printer. Am looking at HP's and Epson. Probably will end up with an Epson. My printer is perfectly fine. I was just able to find my External hard drive and I think all the photos are there. I pulled up this ducky photo to see if it would work and it did. Blogger is the same, which I'm happy about.

I have to say I am NOT happy with Microsoft Windows 7....Nothing like Windows XP...but, I guess it's a dinosaur now days. The new CP is really fast and I like that!! I'm sure in a few months I won't be so grumpy about the change.

Setting Up

2011-12-05T11:08:00.001-05:00

Just a quick note to tell you I have my new computer and am going to be transferring from one computer to another and am hoping it will go without a hitch. I am going from Windows XP to
Windows 7 and can tell you all ready I'm not likeing it. I am completely lost. I did type in my blog address and it came up so at least I can do that. Hopefully everything will switch over without me going into a tamtrum and getting a headache. It's taken me 2 hours to get this far.

We had a wonderful Birthday Party for mom, however, all Brien's family was sick so we lost 3 there and my sister's hubby's mom was having an issue and they didn't get to come either, but there were 6 of us and we had the best time! More later, I've got to get back to transferring all this stuff. Wish me luck...

Happy Birthday Mom!! XO

2011-11-30T15:36:00.001-05:00

This Saturday Bob and I, our two kids, and their two kids, my sister and her hubby are meeting at Mom's to take her out for her 86th Birthday Party being held at a local Historic Hotel. There will be a total of 9 of us!! The food there is wonderful and we always enjoy going there. I'm going to give her the quilt I made. It was going to be her Christmas present, but I can't wait that long. lol. I hope she loves it.

This photo was taken last year at her 85th Birthday at the same place. It's kinda become the annual event for her Birthday's. Her actual Birthday is December 6th. The next Birthday in the family is our DIL's, which is Dec. 12th.

Today is my couzin Pete's birthday. You'll find him on the left side down at the bottom, dressed up for St. Patricks Day. He lives in Connecticut and reminds me a lot of my dad. They both have the same eyes and nose. He's a wonderful guy and I do so love him. His mom was my dad's sister. Both have passed away, but we keep in close contact.

I've been sick with the grunge since the day after Thanksgiving. I think it's getting better. I'm no longer achy and my nose isn't dripping as much. I am still not eating much. As soon as I do, I spend the next few hours close to the bathroom. My stomach gets crampy and soon after that, clear the way!! lol

I've done some Christmas shopping here and there. I have the grand girls all done, and our kids mostly done. It's coming along slowly. Hopefully next week I'll be able to leave the house for a longer period and get some shopping done!!

I'm excited for Dec 1st to come...tomorrow!! We're going to turn our Christmas lights on!! We've had them up for about 2 weeks. It's been hard to wait. I love, love, love Christmas lights!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2011-11-23T09:10:00.001-05:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

At this time of the year we all need to take a moment as we
sit at our dinner tables to dwell on the Blessings bestowed on
us sice our last Thanksgiving. When we gather for our feast,
we need to give thanks for the simple, yet the most important

things, love, family, friends old and new, our health and the

wonderful communities in which we live. I wish you a safe
and wonderful Thanksgiving. My Best to You and Yours!!

Debbie

2011-11-22T11:38:00.001-05:00

Welll, after playing around with Chrome, I did finally figure this out. This is my first post from Chrome. Will be interesting to see how it comes out. I ordered a new computer yesterday. This one won't let me hear music any more and yesterday I had no sound. Bob told me not to take it to get it fixed because it's 5 years old and just to get a new one. I got an HP. Never had one before. I've always had Dells. But the one I wanted had not so good reviews so I looked at HP. Probably should have gotten a MAC....not sure...oh well. The deed is done and it will be shipped on the 28th. I am anxious! Not sure about switching all my info from one to another. I got something called Lap Line that is supposed to make it all easy.

It has been raining here very hard and water is EVERYWHERE!!
I'm sure there will be wide spread flooding. I hope it stops soon. I 've got to go to the post office and mail my cousin his Birthday giftie! Hope this works!!

Yeaaaaaaaaaaa!!

2011-11-20T11:25:00.000-05:00

BY GEORGE!!! I THINK I'VE GOT IT!!!

HURRAY!!!!! THANKS TO YOU ALL!!
YOUR WONDERFUL!!

OOOOH!!!! You Gals Are Super Duper Fine!!!!

2011-11-20T11:02:00.000-05:00

Oh! Thanks so much for all your help. I'm getting there!! just can't get it centered.
I went to alignment and put it in the center box but nothing happened. Might need to shorten the whole blog - not sure.... BUT I THANK YOU ALL PROFUSELY FOR YOUR HELP!! Am going to keep on fiddling until I get real exasperated then stop for the day. Hopefully it will be centered soon....hopefully

The Girls

2011-11-19T09:22:00.000-05:00

Thursday both girls were together. After school Madison called Reilly's daddy to see if Reilly could come over to play. He brought her over for the remaining of the day. They played the usual Barbi's, house, colored, played with Barney and got along pretty good with only an occasional whine. As you can see, they are growing up FAST!!

Here is Reilly. I thought she looked like a waif. I asked Brien if she went to school looking like that...he said yes....jeez! That dress is paper thin cotton. Time to put it away for winter. She is quite adorable however.

Madison was busy watching Disney DX - one of her favorite shows. The girls get together about once or twice a week now days. Brien will bring her over if he's not working that afternoon.

We had a heavy freeze last night. Our second one. The remaining leaves are falling fast now. S Brien will be coming over later this morning to get what remaining leaves that have fallen. I'm doing wash to day since I didn't do it yesterday. Kelly and I went out for a nice mother-daughter day. Had a lot of fun. Have a good weekend!!

Mom's Finished Quilt

2011-11-18T09:20:00.000-05:00

I picked up Mom's finished quilt yesterday. I hope she likes it. I was going to give it
to her at Christmas, but I think I'll give it to her on her Birthday which is Dec. 6 th. Each row has a square of one of Dad's shirts. I had a bunch left over after I did my quilt so I incorporated them in her's. I know she'll like that. It's not very large, just a little lap blanket. 60 x 43 I think. Being 85 she tends to get rather chilly in the evenings.

These are the colors in her family room. They are mostly black, rust, greens and tan.

The backing doesn't show up Near as pretty as it is in real life. I love this fabric. It really is rich in color outlined in black and is quite pretty. I still have my DIL's and Kelly's to get back. It won't be until mid December, however. Just in time for Christmas!!!

Thanksgiving Play

2011-11-17T01:03:00.001-05:00

Tuesday Bob and I went to Madison's school for the First Grade Thanksgiving Play. It was so cute. Madison's class and one other class were Pilgrims, and the third class were the Indians, who I thought were the cutest. These pictures came in backwards and I can't get them in order...Below is Madison and her class saying a Thanksgiving prayer.

Here are some of the cute Indians! lol They sang many songs about Thanksgiving, and about the turkey and how he feels, then a song sung from the turkeys perspective that was really cute. They all had speaking parts and all did so well. Nobody forgot their lines. Madison is going to the same school where her mom went. The Gym looked a whole lot bigger then. Bob and I thought it shrunk!! It was good seeing Kelly's classmates with their little kids.........phew, time sure flies by.

Here is our little Pilgram - she looks like a little chipmonk with those chubby cleeks!

Here is Madison's class - most of them anyway. I forgot to change my lens so I couldn't get a lot of anything. What a dumby...We had a great time. The whole thing lasted 25 minutes and then the kids had a Thanksgiving feast at tables that were set up. They had ice cream, cup cakes and juice. I think they were all glad it was over, some of them were so nervous. It was a fun afternoon.

First Encounter

2011-11-14T08:49:00.000-05:00

The stare down: Who are you?! and what are you doing in MY yard!!
You better get outta' here Bud - I don't want you here, GET OUT!

Look here you little Twerp, I can have you for lunch any day of the week!!!

Oh Yeah!! Well you don't scare me you big Bully!!

I may be small, but I'm a powerhouse of muscle and guts!!

They don't call me Super Barney for nuthin' ya know!!

I'm warning you kid, you better back off, I'd hate to have to hurt you!!
Aawwh, you don't scare me you big ole' bully, .....now get outta here before I put a hurtin on You!!

OMG, he's finally gone! My legs are shakin' and my heart is beatin' out of my chest. That ole' Tom scared the shit outta' me!! Sure hope he doesn't come back. I probably better go back inside and rest...this whole ordeal has worn me out. I'm a lover not a fighter!

My New Gizmo

2011-11-13T11:23:00.000-05:00

Here is my new gizmo. I found it at Rite Aid Pharmacy.
I looked at it for the first time and thought that'd be great if it worked...but figured it was a hoax....but it invaded my brain and 3 days later I went back and there were only 2 left. I bought it.

And...I have to tell you it's the Berries!!! I love it!! It's great for stirring soups, gravies, and veggies. It has 3 speeds. Thin liquids like soups first setting. Veggies second setting and gravies that get thick are on third setting.

Here it is taken apart so you can see how it's built. Pretty simple little gizmo. Four double AA batteries and your in the Gizmo Business of stirring your foods so you can do other things. The bottom white
piece comes off for easy cleaning. See the little black thingie?? It stirs the bottom of the pot which comes in handy for gravies.

Here it is in action. Too bad I don't know how to do videos...it's quiet. Just a
slight hum. If you happen to see one of these little jewels, you might pick yourself up one. I have no idea how much it cost. I didn't look. But I don't think it's over $10. Less I think. I guess I should have looked. Well, I think I did briefly, but don't remember.

I set it going on the table and Barney had to come check it out. He thought it was fascinating!! He batted it with his paw for a while until he lost interest.

Honoring My Dad on Veterans Day

2011-11-11T14:31:00.000-05:00

Honoring my Daddy who served in the Army Air Corps for 4 years during World War II. He also served his country in the Korean War as a Research and Development Staff Officer in the Ground Water Division in French Morocco, Africa. He died May 14, 2004 of a brain tumor.

This Is What Is Keeping Me So Busy

2011-11-07T17:18:00.000-05:00

This is Kelly's quilt that I am presently working on that has kept me from blogging, and keeping up with the house cleaning. It has taken forever to cut and sew the strips for one of the borders. Tomorrow I have to go and get the small flower print for the last border. I'm not sure how wide it will be yet. Will have to play around with it. Will show it to you again when it's ready for the quilter. I also have to get the backing, which will also be of one of the red prints in the block squares. The binding will be the cream so it will look uniform. I really like the window pane look. Might make my sister this same quilt only in her colors which are: blues, yellow and tans. I'm disappointed that I can't make it in time for Christmas. But...her birthday is in June. or perhaps Mother's Day...The main reason I can't get it done is because the fabric doesn't come out until mid November. Bummer.

That's it...just thought I'd show you what's been eating up all my time lately. I thought I had photos of my DIL's quilt and my mom's but they are on my cell phone. Why I didn't take a photo with my real camera, I have no idea. Am mad at myself for that...

2011-11-06T20:16:00.000-05:00

Seems like a very long time since I've posted anything. First I went to mom's and then I've been racing time to get quilts done before the quilting deadline which is this coming Friday. I got my DIL's done and to the quilter on Friday afternoon and then raced home to start my daughters. I have to have it to the quilter by Friday. I've sewed and sewed and sewed. My back, shoulders and butt hurts from leaning over the sewing machine!! lol I have worked non-stop on Kelly's quilt and am finally making some headway. Her particular quilt has a LOT of work, more so than any of the others I've done. But I really like it. It looks just like her!! In her favorite colors: red, tan, brown and green. I made up the pattern for her quilt myself and have been lucky it has worked out mathematically. I made up my DIL too, but there was a little qlitch in hers, but hopefully she won't care. I've sewn all weekend, to the point where the house is a disaster, poor Bob had no unders, and the kitchen while cleanish, is a mess. No floors or bathrooms have had a lick of work...just a total mess around here.

Bob's been battling the leaves since Friday!! The yard looks great for a day or so and then it's time to clean up the leaves. Our neighbor doesn't do any of his leaves and they blow in our yard. Drives Bob crazy. Today our son came over and he and Bob got the remaining leaves. There are hardly any left. Of course, the Bradford Pears are still green, but turning their usual pretty burgundy, red and yellow and orange. They are so pretty in the fall.

These are my two mom's kitty's. The darker one is Jazz, he's a Maine Coon Cat that I got for her for Christmas about 8 years ago. The creamy one is Suki, she is part Siamese and part Himalayan. She was a rescue kitten and about half dead when she got her. She is fat and sassy now!! Mom's eye surgery went well and she is doing fine.

I am still not able to comment on several Blogs. So if you haven't heard from me in a while that is probably the reason. It is telling me I have no access to that account. What ever that means. I am reading almost daily - to give me a sewing break!!

Speaking of Kitty's!! last week a little gray stripped fluffy kitten wandered into the yard and Reilly said "Look Gran a little kitty!!" I said no that's Barney, and she said nooo, it's another one...sure nuff, there was a darling little ball of fluff meowing and appeared rather hungry. So I went into the house and got a bowl of food and that poor little thing dove into the bowl and then another one came through the bushes. A larger all gray kitty. It took me a day to figure out the gray one was the mother. The first night I put out a box with a towl around the side of the house to keep off the wind and cold, with food and water. I thought if they were still there the next day...I'd have to figure out something. The second night the mom slept on my chair on the back porch. The little one stayed in the box. I fed them all day and then called Kelly to put on facebook I had to kitty's that needed homes and lo and behold a fella Kelly works for wanted them both!! So I captured them both and put them in my dog crate and they spent the day in there in the spare bedroom with the door shut. I can't understand for the life of my why Barney didn't smell them - but he didn't seem too....??? That afternoon he came and while trying to get the mama cat into a smaller crate, she escaped...never let a man do anything like that...Jeez....after trying to catch her for an hour, I told him to just take the kitten and I'd catch her later...but once they left, she called and called and looked and looked for her baby. I could hear her clear down the road when I went to pick up Madison at the bus stop. I did manage to get her later on and she was going to spend the night in the crate again, but the fella called at 9:30 pm and asked if it was too late to come get her...I said no, because she was sooo upset. So I put her in a smaller crate and gave her to him when he came...So!! Mine and Kelly's good deed for the week.

Have a great week!!

Thursday - A Rainy Cold Day...

2011-10-27T15:26:00.000-04:00

Today is a misty, rainy, cold day. It's rained since yesterday. Just a slow fall rain, and sometimes it's rather a lot, good day to be sewing on my 3 rd quild.
Which is for my DIL. I just finished the top part, now I just have to add the borders. Not sure what colors I'll use this time.

Madison will be let off the bus shortly, in about 10 minutes. We'll have to run some errands and come back home in time for her mom to come get her. Then I'll be leaving to go to my mom's for 2 days. She's having a tooth extracted and has to go to a clinic because she's been on a blood thinner and they are being cautious. She's worried she will be goofy the rest of the day tomorrow! lol I told her goofy is a good thing and to just enjoy the ride. lol. She is 85.
Soon to be 86 in December.

We're back! Had to get my medicine and I found a nifty gizmo that will stir what ever you need stirred in a pan. It moves around. It will be great for sauces and gravy and chili. Might have to get one for Mom if it proves to be a great item. Have to get some batteries for it. Will show you a picture when I get back on Sat. evening.

Hope you all have a great weekend! Stay dry and drive safe!!

Barney's Halloween Costume

2011-10-24T08:58:00.000-04:00

I bet you've all have been wonderin' and wonderin' just what Barney is going to be for Halloween!! Well, your wonderin' is over! Barney is going to be a Sultry Feline Hoochie Mama! He's got the face down pretty good!!

Here is a side view so you can see all his pretty curls.

Here he is trying out short bangs, but we decided we didn't like those as much as the longer curly ones.

He's got his tounge out shaking his head, trying to get those curls to fall just right. I guess it will just take a lot of practice to get it the way he wants it.

So there you Go!! No more wondering!!

Happy Halloween! What are your kids or grandkids gonna be this year? We have one Black Sparkle Fairy and one Jesse, who is the cowgirl in Toy Story 2.

Halloween here is going to be next Monday. Have a great day! Don't forget to buy candy.

Snack Time

2011-10-21T22:12:00.000-04:00

Oh good! Nobody is around. I've been wanting to get in here. I think I smell some chicken...hummmm...let me just take a little peak and move this paper over a little bit...

BINGO! chicken scraps! Holy cat fish, how am I going to get it out of there?? It's down pretty deep...sure smells good...let me think!! how can I do this??

If I can keep my balance, and nobody comes in here, I thiiiiiink, I can...oh, come on paw, just a little farther, reach it...ooops, hope I don't fall in here, I'll never get out and I'll get caught. Dag gone it, come on...just a little farther!!

Maybe my tail can keep me anchored so I don't fall in, Oh! just about got it!!

GOT IT! oh yum! this is a great place to smell and find goodies! That was good, wonder if there is another little morsal I can get real quick before anyone comes...all's quiet...

OH, Look!! something smells good over here...if I can just stay balanced on this thing...ah oh...QUICK jump down!!!

BUSTED!!!

Photographic Trip To The Mountains

2011-10-18T09:20:00.000-04:00

On the way to our Mountain house we went through a tiny town named Cowen. We often stop there to get our lunch at The Market. It's a gas station - grocery - food store. These beautiful maples lined the stretch of road in fron of The Market. They were just beautiful. This is about 1/2 way there.

From The Market we took the back road along the Little Williams River. In some places it was really pretty and others like here the scenery was rather bleak. The water was really high from all the rain and moving quite fast as you can see.

Here is a waterfall coming down off the side of the mountain along the road. It was fairly windy - you can see a yellow leaf floating down.

This is one of the prettier parts of our drive along the river. Many, many leaves have already come down and scattered along the side of the road.

Here we are just getting of the Little Williams River road and are on The Scenic Highway headed to Slatyfork where our house is. It was still pretty, but past it's prime
color.

We are about 5 miles to our house now on route 219 and this beautiful yellow maple was standing all alone in it's splendor!!

We've arrived. Sitting on top of the road looking down. It's really farther away than what it appears here. I was using my zoom lens. We just replaced the fencing. The old
was 9 years old and just rotting in it's place. This is the first time we've seen the new fence. It's very solid and should last a good while. We also had some gravel put down. It was getting a little sparce. While here, Bob mowed for the last time and then loaded the mower in the back of the truck. We carried all the back porch furniture to the front and got it all secured - All ready for winter!!

These are the last of the pretty trees that are located to the right of the house, you can't see, along the fence line. It's always a pretty sight every year. These are a week past prime color.

On the way home, I saw this old bus and thought the colors went well with fall. It seems to have "Fall in" to disrepair! Our ride home wasn't as colorful as we thought it was going to be - thus no photos of the return trip. I have photos, but they are really just like the ones on the way up. Fall color was short lived this year, but really beautiful.
The leaves are just starting to get pretty here at our regular house.

Have a great Tuesday!!

2011-10-16T01:19:00.000-04:00

We went up to the mountain house yesterday to mow the grass for the last time and bring home the mower. It was a chilly 46, rainy and extremely windy. Bob mowed and I brought the chairs from the back deck and set them on the covered porch along with the outside table. They're all wrapped up for winter now! Yesterday was very weird weatherwise. It would rain, then sunny, then rain, and the whole time the wind blew like a son of a gun!

I saw this little Snowbird early this morning. The sun hadn't been up very long and he was sitting on the fence - first one of the season for me. They had 9 inches of snow there 2 weeks ago. The leaves were past their prime for the most part, but the drive up was really pretty. It was a short stay - left early yesterday and came home late in the day. We had a nice visit with our neighbor Friday night after going out to eat.

I mowed the grass and chopped up the leaves today. The yard was nearly covered with them. The winds blew like crazy here all day. Barney ran up the tree at one point and the wind was so fierce, he fell out of it, but landed ok...scared me to death. Crazy Kat!

I finished mom's quilt Thursday night and will go Monday to pick out the backing and take it back to have it quilted. I really like this quilt. Love the colors. I'm going to start on a cute little blouse sometime next week. I'm going to take her and let her pick out the material. More than likely it will be blue. lol...unless of course, she throws me a curve ball! lol

Have a nice Sunday!!

New Quilt

2011-10-13T08:49:00.000-04:00

This is what has been monopolizing all my time lately. It's a quilt for my mom for Christmas. I love all the colors. I did incorporate some of dad's shirts in here too. There is one of his shirts in every row. This photo doesn't give all the nice warm fall colors justice. All the colors are in her family room. This quilt has given me a peck of problems. I guess because I'm not that
good, this being my second quilt, but being on the diagonal has proved to be quite a challenge.
I've ripped out at least 8 times - the darn triangles all around and at the corners has just t driven me mad. It's a simple pattern, but I'm having such a time with it. I've taken it to the quilt shoppe twice for help. I've got to do the corners and put on the borders and find a backing I like and then it will be ready to go to the quilter's to be quilted.
The border is black with taupe flowers (like what is in the body) and the outer border is a brown. It's not solid...sorta swirly. It's not that large because it's just a lap quilt. Probably 5 ft x 40 inches.

Here is what the borders will look like.

I'm going to make my sister one for Christmas next. I'm not sure what colors. But I think her family room is in colbalt blue and white.

This morning at 10 I am going to the quilt shop for a sewing lesson. We are going to make Magical Pillow Cases. Not sure what makes them magical.
Guess I'll find out. They are supposed to be seamless. (???) or at least seamless looking. Better get going. Have a great day!!

Madison's Project

2011-10-12T09:35:00.000-04:00

Yesterday after Madison got off the bus and ate her snack, she came to me with her school reading book and said she had a great idea for us to do. I said ok and she opened her book to the last few pages and there was a little project for making a quick bird feeder. All we needed was a forked branch, peanut butter and bird seed. All of which I had plenty of!! She found a nice thick branch. She smeared peanut butter all over it, then we put mini black and white sunflower seeds and took it out front and threaded it through another feeder for the birds to nibble on.
She was very pleased with her finished project and I took this photo so she could take it to show her teacher. You might have to click on it to be able to see the feeder. She loves a good project!!

Fall Colors Around The Yard

2011-10-11T09:51:00.001-04:00

Fall is here showing her beauty around the yard, thought I'd share with you all the colors. Every year our Chestnut Tree is the show of the back yard.

Sassafras Trees

Dogwood, Chestnut, Sassafras & Olive

Roses are still blooming

Hydranges are drying, but the leaves are so pretty

Looking into the woods

The colorful Sassafras

Maiden Hair

Beautiful red Sumack

Sassafras up close

Japanese Maple

And last, but certainly not least our Red Maple

Happy Columbus Day!!

2011-10-10T09:25:00.001-04:00

HistoryColumbus Day first became an official state holiday in Colorado in 1906, and became a federal holiday in 1937. However, people have celebrated Columbus's voyage since the colonial period. In 1792, New York City and other U.S. cities celebrated the 300th anniversary of his landing in the New World. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison called upon the people of the United States to celebrate Columbus Day on the 400th anniversary of the event. During the four hundredth anniversary, in 1892, teachers, preachers, poets and politicians used Columbus Day rituals to teach ideals of patriotism. These patriotic rituals were framed around themes such as support for war, citizenship boundaries, the importance of loyalty to the nation, and celebrating social progress.

Catholic immigration in the mid-19th century induced discrimination from anti-immigrant activists. Like many other struggling immigrant communities, Catholics developed organizations to fight discrimination and provide insurance for the struggling immigrants. One such organization, the Knights of Columbus, chose that name in part because it saw Christopher Columbus as a fitting symbol of Catholic immigrants' right to citizenship: one of their own, a fellow Catholic, had discovered America.

Many Italian-Americans observe Columbus Day as a celebration of their heritage, the first occasion being in New York City on October 12, 1866. Columbus Day was first popularized as a holiday in the United States through the lobbying of Angelo Noce, a first generation Italian, in Denver. The first official, regular Columbus Day holiday was proclaimed by Colorado governor Jesse F. McDonald in 1905 and made a statutory holiday in 1907. In April 1934, as a result of lobbying by the Knights of Columbus, Congress and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt made October 12 a federal holiday under the name Columbus Day.

Since 1971, the holiday has been fixed to the second Monday in October, coincidentally the same day as Thanksgiving in neighboring Canada (which was fixed to that date in 1959). It is generally observed today by banks, the bond market, the U.S. Postal Service and other federal agencies, most state government offices, and some school districts. Some businesses and some stock exchanges remain open, also some states and municipalities abstain from observing the holiday.

Local observance of Columbus DayActual observance varies in different parts of the United States, ranging from large-scale parades and events to complete non-observance. Most states celebrate Columbus Day as an official state holiday, though many mark it as a "Day of Observance" or "Recognition" and three do not recognize it at all. Some states close schools and other state services, while others operate as normal.

San Francisco claims the nation's oldest continuously existing celebration with the Italian-American community's annual Columbus Day Parade, which was established by Nicola Larco in 1868, while New York City boasts the largest. As in the mainland U.S., Columbus Day is a legal holiday in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. In the United States Virgin Islands, the day is celebrated as both Columbus Day and "Puerto Rico Friendship Day."

We have no school here (WV) in observance of Columbus Day. All banks and Government offices are closed. Does your State observe Columbus Day??

Sunday

2011-10-02T20:19:00.000-04:00

Well....It just wasn't coming out the way I planned, putting on Dad's name and dates, so I decided to put an applique' - It looks better. Should have never put that thingie in the middle...oh well....Twas a learning experience, it twas!!! I've got to cut out the backing tomorrow, then I'll take it to the Quilter that is about 10 minutes from our house. Should be back sometime in November so they tell me. After I sewed this on I made a Red Velvet Cake. Thinking of Linda who has been in the doldrums. Barney loves cake and esp. philly cream cheese icing. I'm going to make my mom a little lap quilt next. Probably won't get it quilted before Christmas unless I hurry.

Here he is, wild man climbing the tree instead of the bedpost.

Today was a lazy day. Bob went to the store to get a few things, then watched Football games. I made a big breakfast so we skipped lunch and only had a light dinner and of course cake for dessert. I sewed, took a nap and now ....I'm not doing anything but waiting for Desperate Housewives to come on at 9 pm. Hope your weekend was great.

Top Completely Finished!

2011-10-01T20:46:00.001-04:00

I finished the top of my quilt this evening. Added both borders and I was really surprised at how neat it really looks - mistakes and all. ( which you don't really notice unless you really look, then you'll see LOTS...lol) In the middle I need to stitch our family names before it goes to the quilter. They said yesterday it takes about
5-6 weeks to get it finished. They have so many already to go. Big backlog.

Barney is back to his wild form today. Yesterday he hopped around, but was a little reserved. Today however, is a different story. Ears back and running full steam all over the house, up over chairs, leaping from one thing to another, he's crazy. But...he
so sweet.

I decided not to go with the traditional cream cotton backing and am going with this navy blue design. It has white squiggles, gold and reddish/burgundy thingies -
The binding will be the red polka dot unless I change my mind and make it the same as the backing. Haven't quite decided. What do you think? I already bought the polka dot - still have a little time to decide. Hafta talk to my instructor on the binding. I think she likes the red. I plan on using this quilt all the time and figured a cream background would look grungy after a bit.

Hope your having a good weekend. We went to the grand girls soccer games this morning. Reilly's was at 10 am - it was 42 degrees, windy and misting. I froze my arse
off...I don't think she has a clue about the game. But she runs and hops around. She did get an assist thought!! Went to Brien's house to warm up between games. Madison's was at 12:30. Bob parked the truck right in front of the field in front beside the goal posts at an angle, so I sat in the car nice and warm listening to the 60's music, while Bob & Kelly and everyone else braved the cold, wind and mist. Madison made 2 goals!! Yea! We all went out to lunch and then came home and worked from 2 to 8:30 pm. finishing up the quilt. Bob and Barney are watching football - although Barney does take off every so often at a dead run to terrorize the house. Have a good Sunday.

Finished The Top!

2011-09-29T23:27:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I finished my quilt top. Phew! Thank heavens!! That kooky thingie in the middle will have my dad's name and dates sewn in the middle and each of the little squares will have the name of each of us in the family. I think it will look much better when the borders are added.

I'm putting on a red poka dot small border and a navy blue outer border. Then all the reds will pop out...I hope.

Here's how it will look with the borders.
The material is just lying on the floor, it's not sewn yet. I had to get my further instructions from Ms G's mom today. She figured out how much material I'd need to buy for each border. Thank goodness for her!! I need to pick out the backing and binding. Will go tomorrow and get that material. Just wanted to make sure I liked the red and blue before I bought any more material.

Tomorrow Barney goes to the vets in the morning to get neutered. I'll take him in at 8:30 and pick him up at 4:30. Knowing him, I doubt he'll skip a beat. I've taken up his food and water as instructed. I bought him another little house. Don't have a picture, but it's a square, sits on the floor - has 2 entries and 2 balls with bells and a scratching post. He likes it too and leaps from one to the other. Tomorrow is Friday!! yea! Hope everyone has a good weekend!!

Happy Birthday Madison!

2011-09-26T08:35:00.000-04:00

Today is Madison's 7 th Birthday. Just hard to believe. Sunday she had her birthday party at a place called Quantum. It's a huge building with an indoor soccer field, and for birthday's they blow up these HUGE Blow Up play things for the kids to slide, jump, bounce, and crawl through. I've never seen such a place. There were two parties there and all the kids just go in the huge area and play. Her mom told me this morning she loved her party and said it was the "Best Birthday Party Yet!" I'll have some pictures in a few days.

Tonight the family is meeting at a local restaurant for dinner and a little mini party. We got her 2 outfits and a new snazzy lunch box. (Her dog ate the old one.) Tonight is also Reilly's soccer practice night so we're going to eat a little earlier. Should be a fun evening.

I've been back working on my quilt. Had to redo one whole row. Then had to redo it AGAIN, when I noticed the thread came out of the needle and it didn't sew a lick the whole way down the quilt. I was a little peeved. Finally have it sewn together! I'm half way done with the top. I've got to make some more squares today as I ran out. It's not half bad. Many that don't line up perfect for what ever reason. Probably my sewing!!

Have a good week. This is the last week in September and then October. The time is whizzing by and I'm not liking the speed at which it is progressing!!

Happy First Day of Fall

2011-09-23T10:58:00.000-04:00

AUTUMN

When the trees their summer splendor

Change to raiment red & gold,

When the summer moon turns mellow,

and the nights are getting cold;

When the squirrels hide away their acorns;

And the woodchucks disappear;

Then we know that it is Autumn

Loveliest season of the year.

~ Charlotte L. Riser ~

Investment in a New Condo

2011-09-22T20:17:00.002-04:00

Barney's New Condo! He loves it!!

Dragging up a piece of paper

Checking out his new bedroom

Peek A Boo!! I See You!!

This is his wild eyes look "The Crazies"

Nobody can see me...I'll attack at the right moment!

Smuggling jewels into the condo...

Barney has really enjoyed his new condo!! MarkD60 suggested I get one and I thought what a great idea!! It has proven to be a great investment! He loves it and plays on it all day dragging "stuff" in and out, and off and on!! He naps on the top deck in the afternoon. Thanks so much for all your suggestions! He has not climbed up the post since the Condo was brought in!

Mid Term Grades Today

2011-09-21T20:09:00.000-04:00

Look at these wonderful mid term grades!! All "A's"!! I was real proud of her and she was pretty happy too, because she said her mom SAID, if she did well they'd go out for dinner and dessert. It's the dessert part she was excited about! lol

I took a picture of her too because I thought she looked pretty snazzy! Today was Crazy Hat Day at school. I didn't think it was crazy. Looked cute to me. Today was a little chilly at times. Gray and rainy ~ then chilly and rain...couldn't make up it's mind.

Barney and His Claws

2011-09-21T08:38:00.000-04:00

Several of you have wondered if Barney's claws will be coming off and the answer is no. He will be an inside outside cat and will need to defend his honor at some point. Like all things, I feel like this too shall pass. I have some old English furniture repair liquid that I'll put on there and you'll never see the gouges. I did hang towels on both posts to deter him and so far so good. I did put him in the tree outside so he'd get the idea of using it instead of the bed post. Not sure how that worked. lol

He will be getting neutered at the end of the month. That might slow him down a bit...maybe. He is so funny and I have to say I just adore him no matter how kooky he gets. He's only 3 months old. Just a baby!! I'm afraid I am spoiling him rotten, but what's a mother to do?? He is extremely friendly and loving. How can I resist him? xoxo lol

BARNEY NOOO!!! (omg, my poor post)

2011-09-19T19:12:00.003-04:00

Bob told me he did this while I was gone and showed me his claw marks on the posts.

Didn't make me too happy with him. Tonight after dinner he went into his crazy running mode and up the post he went about 4 times. I did get these shots on his last trip up the post. All this happened at lightning speed.

Doesn't take him long to scale the post.

He is nuttier than a fruit cake

On the way down ~ look at the post

WHAT???

Sitting there like he wonders what I'm yelling about!

(He is pretty cute....I can't get tooo awful mad...)

Back Home to Cool Weather! Burrrrrrr

2011-09-19T11:57:00.001-04:00

Arrived home Saturday afternoon to a mild 72 degrees. We had great weather at the beach. In the high 80's to low 90's. Tropical storm Maria left us with some big waves and the surfers were out big time, as well as the little surfers! It was fun watching them catch the waves. We had a great time last week. We were all on the beach every day. I sat under the tent except when I was playing beach golf. I'd never seen this game before, but it's a lot of fun. We went out to eat three times and ate in the rest.

On Monday afternoon I came in early from the beach to get a shower and found one of our girls having trouble breathing and knew she was in distress. So I ran upstairs and took a super quick shower and blew dry my hair at lightning speed and took her to the Hospital Emergency room. They took her right in because she was having such a hard time breathing. After many, many tests, they said she had a lung infection, COPD, a fever and her white count was extremely high. She was in the hospital until Wednesday. The Hospital was wonderful!! Gave her super care! The food was great, the Doctors and Nurses couldn't have been nicer. It was a great hospital experience, if you could call it that. When we brought her home Wednesday, she looked much better and was breathing great. She had several perscriptions we had to get for her: 2 inhalers, antibiotic, and a vasodialitor.

On Friday I was stopped by the police for speeding....42 in a 30 mph residential zone. I was lucky, he just gave me a warning. He probably took one look at us 5 old ladies and felt sorry for us. We had just gone to see a house that we were thinking about for next year and none of us saw a speed sign...lol...He asked me where I was going and I told him the gas station. lol. Gas there was $3.21!! It's $3.65 here at home.

It was a great week, but I was glad to get home to see Bob and of course Barney who, by the way grew a foot while I was gone! Couldn't believe how big he was!! Bob was glad I came home and he must have missed me because he had a big box of pasteries from our favorite bakery and a pretty box from Victoria's Secret that had 2 pretty nighties. One floral and one pink poka dotted.

I didn't take many pictures this year. Just wasn't in the mood and it's just the same thing year after year...but I'll post some of what I do have. I forgot my polorizing lens so most of the outside ones are washed out from the bright sunlight. Hope you all had a fun week. I did catch up on some of your posts Sunday. I'm excited for this week because the new fall shows start!! Tonight is Dancing With The Stars and the new night time Soap Opera Revenge!! Time for lunch! Lator Gators!

Heading To Myrtle Beach Sat Morning

2011-09-09T09:34:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow morning at 6 am myself and 4 other girls will be heading to the beach to meet up with the other 2 gals who are going down today to pick up one of the gals who is flying in from Boston. The last gal is arriving from Florida this evening. Should be a lot of fun if that darn Tropical Storm Maria doesn't mess up our weather. It says the weather in Myrtle Beach will be partly sunny and stormy....geez.

This is our house. Eight bedrooms, and 8.5 bathrooms. It's got a very nice big pool in back and 2 big covered porches to sit on in the evenings and have a toddy and watch the sun set after dinner. Providing of course, we're not in the midst of a storm. lol. Some nights we cook in and some we go out to eat.

In the evenings we play cards: Hand & Foot, which is so much fun and some other game I can't remember. I am pretty bad because I only play cards when we go to the beach. This will be our card playing table, by the bar in the background.

This of course is the kitchen. We have another refrig in the huge laundry room. There is a huge dining room with 2 large tables, and a living and family room. Just enough room so we can all do our thing. The bedrooms each have a tv and it's own bathroom which is nice and it's all wireless.

Big pool and nice wide beach. We are bringing a 10 x 10 tent to sit under just in case we have sun and it's hot. lol

Wish I had a laundry room this huge!! Look at all those cabinets! I'm just about all packed. Gotta pack a jacket in case we freeze to death in the event Maria is trying to terrorize us. Wicked old woman!!

Have a nice week and I'll catch up with everyone when I get back next Monday!!

I'm gonna miss Barney.

Amazing Grace

2011-09-07T21:55:00.002-04:00

He sings like an angle...hope you enjoy

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=FFJ29MNU&utm_source=GodTube%20Must-See%20Video&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=08/31/2011

you have to double click on left and wait a little bit.

click on http - this arrow won't work

Awh! I Got an Award! Thank You Judy!!

2011-09-07T03:00:00.002-04:00

Judy, of My Freezer is Full has kindly awarded me with The Liebster Blog Award. Thank you Judy! This award is designed to give smaller blogs, under 200 followers, some well deserved recognition. I have followed Judy for a long, long time and have moved from the city to the country with her. I've helped her renovate her home, from mice to water, and I love reading about her talented children who are all musical and talented in their own ways. They do all kinds of nifty things together as a family and I have really, really enjoyed her Blog. Please stop by and visit with her. She will wear you out with all her energy!! Thank you for my award Judy!!

As Judy said, this is an easy peasy award and I will award my three to: (1) http://grannyandpa.blogspot.com/ I have been following Granny's Garden for a few years now and just truly enjoy her Blog. She resides in Australia, just started up a wonderful Soap Business, has some darling Grandson's who are full of enegry, and then there is Pa - He is constantly building, then there is their Chooks, who lay tons of eggs and her beautiful gardens that produce an amazing amount of produce in their raised beds!! Stop by and see her wonderful soaps. I have been purchasing lavender soaps that are to die for!! (2) Ms Graysea at http://msgraysea.blogspot.com/ is another favorite of mine. Ms Graysea's mom is helping me learn to quilt!! I've been following her Blog for a long time and enjoy reading about Ms Graysea, the kitty, and all her antics! Ms Graysea's mom is a fantastic quilter and we talk via phone for my lessons! We've had a lot of fun! She has a very nice family and LM her honey, whom I love to read about! She has several darling grandkids that are growing up right before my eyes!! I also love to see her beautiful photos of Cape Cod where she resides. Please stop in and visit!! (3) My third choice is Lois at http://loishands.blogspot.com/ . Lois will take you on cruises to beautiful places and you don't even have to leave your computer space! We get to see what it's like to be on a HUGE beautiful ship, photos of all the wonderful places to visit on board ship. The ships are amazing and are like huge fantastic towns!! She recently has been taking us to historical places in Ohio, where she resides - It's a lot of fun to travel with Lois and her Honey whether by car or Ship!! Lois also is a beautiful knitter. Stop by and see all the things she can do with a needle!!

There are many more wonderful Blogs that I follow and love. It's like we're one big family!! I have enjoyed Blogging and hope you'll look at the 3 mentioned here if you haven't already!!

Tomorrow I get my hair cut. Have to make SURE she doesn't get scissor happy and scalp me and I've got to take Barney to the Vets for his second round of booster shots. It's been a month now since he's wandered into our yard, and into our lives!! I am soooo thankful for that. He is an amazingly wonderfull sweet boy!! I just love him!!
At some point I've got to get my clothes washed and packed for the Beach. I guess we're leaving at about 6 am Saturday morning!! Jeez, that's early!! lol

HAPPY HUMP DAY!! HOPE IT'S A GOOD DAY FOR YOU ALL!!!

My Sweet Silly Helper

2011-09-06T09:14:00.001-04:00

Barney stays with me the entire time I'm in the dining room sewing. Most of the time he's on the table peeking at me or laying on the quilt or somewhere on the table. He purrs and then will dash across the table and leap off, with little squares flying every where! I found one down the back hall this morning. He carries them off and plays with them...Here are a few cute photos of my sweet help. Although I'm not quite sure on how helpful he actually IS, I Do enjoy his company!!!

I'm afraid he's going to get his foot under the needle and try to scoot him away...

Look at this sweet face

Waiting for my hands to guide the material so he can attack them...

I'm gonna have to remove him so I can sew...too much help is no help

Heeeey!!! leave my cake alone!!

This week I've got to run to the quilt shoppe, get my hair cut, grocery shop, and generally get ready for our beach trip. Have a good week!!

Happy Labor Day!

2011-09-05T16:36:00.000-04:00

Today I've been laboring on my quilt. I added 2 more rows and it's looking quite festive with all the different colors! I ironed it today and a lot of the problem areas just ironed right out and actually looks pretty good. I have more corners that match then those that don't - and you don't really notice anyway, because there is so much color you don't notice it unles you look. Here's what it looks like now: I'm a third done!!

It's been raining allll day long bringing cool air and some much needed rain. I haven't

minded it at all for a change. Thank goodness we had our family Bar-B-Q yesterday!

Hope you are all enjoying your Holiday!!

Traded that Sucker In!!!

2011-09-04T21:33:00.000-04:00

The last few days I have been struggling and fighting my new sewing machine, and finally on Saturday I loaded it up and took it to the quilt shoppe to see if perhaps any one there could help me out. And...we thought we had it fixed, but as soon as I got the damn thing home it started up again. It took every ounce of strength I had not to pick it up and fling it through the window. Oh? you want to know what the problem was?? Well....it just wouldn't sew. The bobbin was not doing right, the tension was not doing right and it sounded like a garbage truck. I could sew ONE 2.5 square and then it just got all balled up under the material and locked up. Sooo, I calmly got the box it came in, carefully repacked it, got my receipt and headed back to Wal-Mart. I learned my lesson. If you want a sewing machine, go to a sewing center...and that's what I did right after taking that piece of junk back.

I went to a little shop called Mr. Sewing Machine. The fella there was SO nice. I told him my story and he just shook his head, and said it happens all the time. He showed me several different brands and I sat down and sewed on three of them and finally chose this one. It's really nice!! It's called a Baby Lock. It sews like a dream, very quiet. No foot pedal, there is a little button you push to start and stop. I didn't know how I'd like it, but I must tell you it's the berries!! Also has auto needle riser, and it's digital. It came with 7 different foot gizmo's, and all kinds of neat stuff. They also threw in a case, a handful of bobbins, 4 spools of thread, and some material to practice on. I REALLY LOVE IT!!! It has 47 different stitches, 5 different button holes and also came with a double needle, which is nifty!! And the best part is they were having a sale! They were trying to get rid of the 2011 models to make room for the new models so I got this $699.99 machine for $327. and change. I thought it was a great deal, plus they threw in all the other goodies. Plus one free lesson, a free cleaning at the end of a year, and something else, but I can't remember.

I have been sewing like a demon and having so much fun!! It's fun to sew when the machine works! My back is killing me tonight. But, I kept thinking just one more square and I'll quit, but it didn't happen until the kids came for dinner. I shut it down until tomorrow. I have to admit on a scale of 1-10, my quilting skills are probably a 6.5. I see many mistakes, they all don't line up perfectly, all my painstakingly square squares are not square, although, the sewing machine, made straight lines impossible some times. Since I have the new machine the last row is considerably better than all the ones before it and I'm falling into a nice flow and things are matching up quite well. I was getting upset before, thinking the whole project was becoming a disaster, but it's finally starting to take shape. I discontinued looking at the photo I took so I could keep to a certain pattern - it wasn't working out - so now I just have everything on the table - big and little squares and I do it a square at a time and I like it better that way. My seam ripper and I have become quite good friends!! I have 6 rows done and I'm not sure how many to go.....but!! things are looking up!!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

2011-09-02T21:41:00.000-04:00

Labor Day

Labor Day—the first Monday in September—celebrates the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of America.

Today would have been Bob's mom's Birthday and she would have been 94. Bob took the day off today and we mostly did car stuff. He took his Corvette to have it's tires rotated, then he took Kelly's car and had it's tires rotated. He went to the car wash for a little bit - came home and got me and we went out to lunch. I didn't work on my quilt at all today, but did go to the Quilt shop and got some light weight Interfacing.

Barney threw up 2 round worms this morning, so I went to the vets and got him some worm medicine. He took it by mouth without too much trouble ~ I shot it in there with a little syringe. He goes back to the vets for his second round of shots. A booster of some sort on Sept. 8th.

Tonight I went to meet my Beach gals for dinner. Bob was too tired to go. Didn't stay all that long. From about 6 - 8:30. Had a Greek Salad with grilled chicken. Yum and 2 nice rum and cokes...yum.

We don't plan on doing much this Labor Day Weekend. Probably Grill out with the kids n grandkids Sun or Monday...don't really know - have made no plans. I'll probably work on my quilt Saturday for a little while. Had a very good chat with Ms G

last night!! She is one interesting woman!! If you haven't visited her blog, you might just slide by and check her out. http://msgraysea.blogspot.com/2011/08/s-s.html

Drive Careful this Holiday! Have fun and get together with family or friends or both!!

Frustration

2011-09-01T13:27:00.000-04:00

Today I experienced my first day of frustration. I thought I'd sew 2 patches to 2 solids to make an 8' square to see how it was going to look. I should've called Ms G last night but got side tracked on some stupid show. First of all I got all confused and sewed the green stripe on the wrong side. It was supposed to be on the left side of the patch. And the patch was supposed to be on top of the blue - Ooooh! It's all messed up. But, I'll deal with it. My first patch square didn't exactly meet in the middle as you can see. I was more careful in the second patch square.

The other frustrating thing was my sewing machine. I had a terrible time. I realized I put the bobbin in backwards...then I had to figure out the tension, had to make it tighter, and then after still having trouble I noticed I missed the hole where the tread comes through that little do-hicky on top.....oh my. Too much to deal with, so I put up my sewing and will be talking to Ms G tonight. I also have to iron on the backing...but when do you do that??? Hell if I know...and I havne't even bought it yet. Help me Ms G....

Cutting the Little Squares

2011-08-31T01:22:00.000-04:00

This morning I started cutting out the 2.5 inch squares, and to tell you the truth I was sorta dreading it because I thought it was going to be really hard because they were smaller. HOWEVER, wasn't the case. I think they went faster than the larger ones. I used all my scraps that I had left over from the larger squares and started looking through my pile for some small pieces to make strips. Things were going pretty good until Barney got the Crazies and started attacking my hands while I was trying to measure. Needless to say my hands were getting pretty battered.

I worked all day on the little squares until about 4 pm and my back was really hurting so I decided that was enough for one day. I'm not sure how many I made I didn't count them. I think I have some from each shirt ~ but not very many of some. Will continue cutting tomorrow. My work space is getting pretty messy. I try to keep it clear of the tiny scraps, but they keep coming back. I need to straighten up the material too.
They have gotten all disheveled from rummaging through them today. So here are my little piles and some squares I threw together just to see how they'd look. I think they'll be pretty nifty when I get the right ones together. I was just fiddling here.

When Madison got off the bus, we went grocery shopping. I knew she'd grumble so I promised her I'd buy her a pint of Ben & Jerry's CHUNKY MONKEY. If you haven't tried it yet, I suggest you better!! It's vanilla ice cream with a slight banana flavor, walnuts and bitter sweet chocolate chunks...My-O-My!! It's very, very tasty. We got some nice fat steaks, some little red potatoes and corn on the cob. When Kelly called I asked if she'd like to stay for dinner, so they joined us. Was fun having giggly Madison at the dinner table.

So...that was my day. I have to say, I have a crick in my back. Don't think it liked hovering over that cutting mat all day! Phew...hard on an old lady!! lol It better cure it's self over night, because I plan to start cuttin' in the morning!!

Learning from the DVD

2011-08-30T08:12:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I got up bright and early, had breakfast, played with Barney a little bit and headed for the shower. Hopped in the car and headed for the Quilt Shoppe only to find that they were closed on Mondays. Bummer!!

I came back home and popped the Sewing Machine instructional DVD in the player and sat down and watched it, and was glad I did. Learned all kinds of neat things about this sewing machine!! Then I sat down and took my bobbin out and filled it with some beige thread...that went just fine and then I threaded my machine, with the help of my booklet and now I am ready to sew!! Hurrray!! I did a few test strips and it sews great!! Made me giggly - it's been about 28 years since I've sewn and the old feeling of how I loved to sew came back...wonder how giggly I'm going to feel when I screw up a seam on my quilting and have to rip it out! lol

Today I'm going to start cutting out my smaller 2.5 inch squares. Sure are going to be a ton of those. Holy cow! I'm thinking of adding another 2 rows to the bottom. But I think I'm gonna cut the little squares out first. Just to make sure I have enough of dad's shirt material. I can always make a big border or two. Ms G has given me several options! She's a great teacher!! ( very patient with my goofy questions)

Mark! I only hope to be a tenth as good as Chris (Diet Coke Rocks) and Ms G!! Both have their own style and I just happen to love both of them! Chris with her wild bright colors, and Ms G with her warm cozy colors! Quilting so far, has been so much fun!!

Quilting Update

2011-08-29T08:54:00.001-04:00

Saturday after my chat with Ms G, I felt inspired and ready to dive in and get started on my cutting. I did a few practice cuttings on an old shirt of mine and they came out pretty good, so I sat down and cut out 34 - 8 inch squares and was so proud of my self. I placed them on the floor and sent a photo to Ms G...Sunday when I talked to her
again, she told me the squares were to be 4.5 inches. Oh! I couldn't believe it!! What a dope. I sat there after our chat and stared at the beautiful 8 inch squares that I painstakingly placed before cutting now to be reduced to 4.5 inches. I grumbled at myself for making such a blunder - I know I could have kept them that way, but decided that would be cheating, so I cut them down to the correct size. Actually, some of the larger plaids lost some of their beauty when I cut them down. But...it'll be ok -
I've gotten over that boo-boo and have now cut them all and added to the length. In this photo, the left side is the top and the right being the bottom. I still need to tweak 2 areas that are a little bland. Either need to cut new squares or move what I have around.
But I pretty much like all the rest, so I may cut two new ones. It might need to be bigger too.

Barney decided to take a nap right where I was working and plopped himself on my material. I just worked around him. He stays right in the dining room with me while I work. He gets the crazies every once in a while and terrorizes my work space, but then settles down for a nap.

Today I'm taking time out to learn how to work my sewing machine. I've got to get it threaded, bobbins filled and hooking up the foot pedal and then finally, plug er' in!! I also have to go back to the quilting store and buy backing for some of the thinner materials, and then iron them on. I got too excited about cutting and forgot to get the backing on first...more work for myself. Definitely a learning project! BUT I LOVE IT!!! Then tomorrow, Tuesday, I'll start cutting out the 2.5 inch squares. Goody, Goody!!

Quilt Lesson #1

2011-08-27T22:29:00.002-04:00

I got up this morning thinking I had a lot to do before I called Ms G's mom at 1 pm for my first lesson. I had 17 shirts that I needed to cut up and was anxious to get started. I know I said I was going to use my hand scissors to cut the shirts...but after doing 4 of them, I looked over at the rotary scissors and thought to myself...there must be a reason why someone would invent such a thing and I opened them up and on the fifth shirt, I held my breath and made my first cut!! Oh! my Goodness!! HOW EASY WAS THAT!!! No wonder someone invented these things!! I used the rotary scissors for the rest of the shirts and I have to say, it was 100 times easier, and found myself in a smooth cutting rhythm ~ cuttting like a mad woman!! I loved it!! I finished my last shirt with 2 minutes to spare!!

I took a little snip of each shirt, put them on a page and numbered each piece. That is going to help me when I start putting them together.

I saved all my pockets but one, and it was the last one. Barney jumped into my scissors and I pulled back so I wouldn't cut his foot and it sliced into the pocket and couldn't use it for later. I also saved all
the buttons. I was amazed to find just about all of them had a different color button. Even the white or cream ones were different from each other!! I put them in a little tub.

I am also saving my bag of scraps in case I'm short on one of the shirts squares...just never know!!
I called my Instructor at 1 pm and we had a delightful chat and then got down to business. She is going to do all the math scifferin' for me, thank goodness, I have no clue how to figure all that out. I took photos of the instructions and e-mailed them and my fabric samples to her so she could do her mathematical thang. We talked for an hour and I felt like we had been friends for decades!! I loved hearing her Eastern accent. Reminded me of my aunts and uncles back in Connecticut...We will chat again soon. My homework was to take some material, a pillow case or what ever and practice cutting the squares before I started on my fabric. I got one piece squared up and then ran into a snag about the size, it didn't make sense to me ~ so I called her back. Had to e-mail another page I didn't see...the measurement page...lol

Here is my little helper Barney. He thought it was Great fun to leap onto the table and dive into the shirt I was trying to cut. He raced along the table making a mess of my pile of material and knocking over the buttons. I finally got smart and put them in a little tub with a top. I took the front the piece of material that had the button holes and tied about three of them together and made him a big kite looking thing for him to play with.

Here you see him climbing up the chair beside me, being so silly. He did finally wear down and took a nap in the chair beside me on the other side. He is so funny.

So the next lesson will be about me measuring to cut the squares. She told me to watch several videos on Using the Rotary Scissors 101, and several others. They were a great deal of help. I probably watched about 6 of them. So!! I am ready, I think, to start cutting!!!

My New Project for the Fall

2011-08-26T22:04:00.001-04:00

When my daddy died in 2004, I asked my mom if I could have all his plaid and stripped shirts because I thought one day, I'd like to make a quilt for myself out of his shirts. Every year since then it just didn't seem like the right time and of course I have no idea how to quilt. That was a problem and I also had no sewing machine. And I knew I wouldn't be sewing by hand!

Well, yesterday I decided I was going to start on my quilt and wrote and asked Ms G's mom (Ms Graysea) if she would help me get started and help see me through this. After 7 years, I felt I was ready to start on the quilt. Ms G's mom is a master quilt maker!! I'm sure you've seen her quilts on her blog. They are absolutely beautiful. Today she send me a list of supplies I needed to get started and I went to our local Quilt Shoppe and asked for help. They were so nice and helped me get all my supplies. Then I went to WalMart and bought a new Singer Sewing Machine. It is just your basic model. It does button holes, zippers, and 100 different stitches. I figured that was all I needed. I brought all my "stuff" home and dumped it on the dining room table and had fun looking at everything, hoping that I'll be able to do this.

I got out all the shirts and spread them out on the living room floor and seperated them into 8 different piles. The small prints, bold plaids, few stripes, medium size plaids, and solids, then took a photo of them all and sent them to Ms G. They are all washed and ironed and ready to cut. I did have a hard time starting to cut the first shirt. I put it off for a few hours and finally started cutting one of my favorites with my new nifty sharp scissors. I did get a mat and a mat cutter, but I'm going to hand cut the shirts. Tomorrow at 1 pm I'm going to have my first phone lesson!! I have my note pad ready and am quite excited!! Will keep you informed as to how I am coming....or not..lol Wish me luck!!!

A Day In The Life Of Barney

2011-08-25T08:31:00.002-04:00

What a strange position to take a nap...

Watching squirrels from under the planter ~ what a scaredy cat!

Being silly on the porch

Trying to decide which toy he should play with....such a decision!!

Time for another cat nap against a nice fuzzy pony.

Staying close to me, he's napping on my desk while I'm on the computer. He is such a lovey little kitty. I can't say I've ever had a kitty that purred and just loved to be around me and loved to be held. He likes to curl up next to my neck and take a little snooze and I have to say I like it too. He has practically no meow. It's very soft and you have to listen to hear it. Bob and I laugh at how soft it is. He's a scrappy little guy, but still keeps his claws in when he plays, but at times now he gets carried away and bites a little harder. It's so nice having a furry little friend around!! He is so sweet.

Linda at A Slower Pace

2011-08-24T19:49:00.000-04:00

Whaaaaah!!! Linda! I have not been able to comment on your post for the last 3 days and it tells me " I do not have Access to this Blog" Is anyone else having trouble commenting? I don't have any problems with any one elses blog...any ideas???