December Already?

Hello!

It was such a short Fall! I have been so busy with work that I don't feel like working on my crafts when I get home. I am now in a mad dash trying to get Christmas things done. I am only going to get two things made this year! I definitely have to start earlier next year, January would probably be a good idea.

David and I had a great anniversary this year. He bought me a really pretty ring and we went to Louisville, Kentucky for the weekend. We visited a couple historic homes and staid at a very nice B&B. On Saturday night we drove threw the Mega Caverns to see Christmas lights, it was quite fun.

I am busy finishing up a knitting project as someone's gift and need to put the binding on the quilt for Jessica. I have lot's of material piling up from my several shop hops over the past few months. I am hoping to make some strip quilts from the jelly rolls and flannel material I bought. Once I get the Christmas stuff done I have to spend a little time finishing up getting this room organized and then get my other room put together. I also have to get all my donations for Goodwill gathered up and turned in so I can get my tax credits for this year. Can't believe it will be time to do taxes again, hopefully we won't be paying this year!

I will post pictures later, having a problem getting them uploaded right now.

Fall Pictures

Hello!

We are moving towards winter here. It has been cold and rainy all week and we had frost this morning. David and I went to the lake a few weekends ago to get our annual fall pictures. The fall colors were much nicer this year than last, we had more rain this year so the leaves didn't just dry out and fall off. We also went to the Renaissance Festival, we hadn't been there in years. It was okay but I had a hard time walking on the uneven ground. David got a turkey leg so he was happy.

Last weekend I went to the quilt retreat up North in Maria Stein, OH. I got a lot more done this time than last because I had two good hands this time. In May I had just had my thumb surgery so didn't get a whole lot done. I am working on three projects and got to different points on each of them. I am doing a Japanese lap quilt for Jessica using about 30 different Japanese prints. I am also making a purple quilt for Beryl, I think she probably won't get it until her birthday in January, it is going to be hard to get all of my Christmas projects done. The third one is in autumn colors and not sure who is getting it. We did a lot of shopping on the trip, I got a ton of fat quarters at the Ben's in Coldwater. It was an old Ben Franklin's but they dropped the Franklin's so they wouldn't have to pay the corporation for the use of the name. It is a cute little store in the middle of nowhere, they had great fabrics. We also went to the Blackberry Patch in Piqua which is one of my favorite shops and we also went to one that was going out of business that was near Celina, OH. I came home with lots more ideas for quilts and wished I had more time to work on them.

This week David gave up his computer room upstairs and I it over. I am in the process of moving all the yarn and knitting things over there as well as any extra materials and furniture. My current room is going to be a sitting room and work room for current projects. We went to Big Lots today and bought one of the stand alone fireplaces, Dave has to put it together and I can't wait to get the sitting area all done. I am looking for a small sofa to put up here and I think I found the one I like at the BX, it has a lounger on the right hand side. I will take a picture when I have it all done.

Well, I am going to go work on the Japanese quilt. I will post a picture of that when I get the top all together. I am posting pictures now of the Fall Colors!

Hello!! Long time no post!

Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since I posted. I have just been so busy since the last post. I finished mom's quilt and gave it to her when I went to Oregon in early June for Jessica's graduation. I have not really made anything since then. I have lots of things to start working on but haven't quite had the motivation. I started my new job on 11 July and it just makes me tired sitting all day, I just come home and lay down on the heating pad after work. I am trying to get more done on the weekends. I have a quilting retreat coming up in October so I need to get some things cut so I can sew while I am there.

David and I went to the Pork Festival in Eaton, OH today. We paid for the smorgasbord and got sausage, pork chop and ham with potato salad, beans, roll and slice of pie. It was delicious! They had tons of craft booths but we didn't buy any of that. I got Beryl a table runner for Christmas.

David finally quit working and is now a full time "househusband" he is doing a really good job. He takes the dogs for a walk in the morning and then does some housework, in the afternoon he works on his Jeep. He is really enjoying it. We went to the cooking school and had a lesson in how to cook beef it was really good. We go again next month for how to cook pork. We are having fun planning and doing different things now that he isn't working. Next weekend we are going to the comedy club to see Kevin Nealon (Saturday Night Live). I took him last month to see Stevie Nicks down in Cincinnati. I am hoping we can go to Niagra Falls on a long weekend, we have always wanted to go but haven't quite made it. I'd also like to go to Gettysburg (he's already been) but we will see about that, not sure I can do all the walking involved in that.

Jack is working at the local grocery store bagging and stocking. He is using work as school credit so he goes to school in the morning and works some afternoons and evenings. He is really enjoying this new schedule. We had his senior portraits taken over the summer and he just brought home the package to order announcements so the expenses are starting to rack up for senior year...LOL.

Mark is staying in Lompoc instead of going to Cal Poly, he didn't finish up some of the credits he needed to start this Fall. He is going to get a house with a couple of his friends and take some online classes to get a management degree in hospitality/restaraunt management. Beryl is selling her house and going to get a 2 bedroom apartment, she is tired of taking care of the big old house. She had quite a few offers but they all wanted a new roof so she had one installed and raised the asking price. I hope she gets a good offer soon.

That's about all the news for now. I'll try to post more often.

Getting Ready

Hello,
I've been really busy working on this quilt! Having the thumb surgery has been a handicap, I had to take some time off to let it rest. I am trying to do the binding today and it is just driving me crazy. I am hoping to get it done today so I can mail it.

I am also trying to get ready for my trip to Oregon. I am so excited to go! Rachel and I have some things planned and I am also going to help Jessica with a dress. Mom and Dad are coming down too so it will be really nice to see them and I am sure we will be taking Mom out shopping and for lunch plus whatever else she would like to do. Britney is coming down too so that will be great since I won't get to see her at the reunion because she will be working. Jessica's graduation is on Sunday so it is going to be her special day. I can't believe she is so grown-up already!

I am starting to plan projects for birthdays and the holidays. I will be glad to get out of this brace so I can get a little more done. I have two more weeks to go. The Dr. was very happy with my progress so far. I got my brace remolded yesterday to hold the thumb further back and it is hurting some today from the new positioning.

We have gone from freezing to blazing hot! We didn't really have a spring! It is nice to finally have the sun out. I will be happy with no rain for a little while. I think my tomato plant is going to be okay. I thought I saw a few flowers on it yesterday. I had put two in there but I think only one is going to survive.

Rachel and I worked really hard to get a complete obituary done for Grandpa but there are still some grumblings about it so we are pretty much done with all of that. I think the video turned out good but someone thought that someone else had too many of her children in it and I was thinking you're supposed to be looking at Grandpa not who's children are in it but whatever. There are always people that won't be happy so I am over that too. We are going to compile all the information we gathered to develop a family tree for the reunion and put some pictures and other stuff together to hopefully make a little book to give everyone. We will work on it a little while I am in Oregon.

Oh, I am supposed to start my new job 11 July. They agreed I could start after I returned from California so that is great! I've got to start making the list of things to do for David...LOL. He is going to give his notice when we get back so he will be done about 2 weeks after we return. Jack finally got a job at a family grocery store called Lafino's. He has some training requirements to finish up and will start probably after school finishes (June 10th). He is also going to take his physical education requirement in July so he will only have two classes next year and the work program in the afternoon. He is very happy about that!

All right, back to work on this quilt!!!!

Quilt Retreat

Hello! Sorry it has been a long time again. I had my thumb surgery about a week and a half ago. It is going pretty well, feels better each day.

I went to the quilt retreat this weekend with Melissa. I was a bit handicapped so I did not get that much done. I worked on a quilt that is going to be someone's present so I won't be posting any pictures. Melissa got about 4 quilt tops done, she is a very fast sewer. There were about 30 ladies there and they all had some really amazing quilts and completed some really nice ones too. We were at a spiritual center in the middle of no where...LOL. No TV, no internet or phone reception. We sewed until about midnight Friday and 2 am Saturday night...there wasn't much else to do! We worked up until 3 pm Sunday and stopped at Jo Ann's fabrics and Cracker Barrel on the way home. It was a really good time. They are having another one in October and I think we will be going again.

I received my offer from the government and I am filling out forms and getting all the requirements done in order to begin. I have told them that I don't want to start until after 7 July, which is when we return from Lompoc. I decided that I will be going to Jessica's graduation so I will be in Oregon for that June 12th. I am enjoying my time off!

I will try to post some pictures real soon.

Dave's Doors

Dave bought extra doors for the Cherokee and cut them out to make half doors. He is now make vinyl snap on coverings for them. They are looking pretty good. I will get a picture of them once he puts them on the truck.

My Current Point of View

I've been working on the quilt all afternoon. Here are some pictures of it looking up which is how I've been looking at it most of the day. Also, a few pictures of how to tie it. I am not sure how many little ties I have done but it is a lot!!

David didn't go on his trip it was really nasty down where they were going to be. He is still waiting to see if they will go next weekend. We spent most of the morning shopping. We got up early to go to the commissary since they will be closed tomorrow for Easter. Then we had to go Jo Ann's and Hobby Lobby to get David some more snaps for his doors and I of course found several things I couldn't do without! I did plant the tomato plants in the topsy turvey but I will take a picture tomorrow. I think you are only supposed to put one plant in it but I put both of them in there so we will see how it goes. I got one Beefsteak and one Mr. Stripey (just because I liked the name)! I can't wait to eat the first one and get enough to make tomato pie.

I didn't work on the dolls today. I need to take them outside to spray the clear coat on them but the weather isn't cooperating. Maybe tomorrow.

I will post Dave's door pictures in the next post. That's it for today!!

Clothes Pin Dolls II

Here is the picture of how they are supposed to look. And pictures of me working on them.

I have also been working on the Pink Quilt. I am busy tying it and then I will bind it and it will be finished. I am hoping to get the tying done this weekend. It is supposed to rain all weekend so good time to stay inside and work on it.

We finally have some tulips coming up and I will try to take some pictures of those tomorrow if the weather is nice for a few minutes. I also bought a couple of tomato plants to plant in one of those topsy turvy planters. David hung me a hook to hang it from so I will also try to get that hung up tomorrow weather permitting. David was supposed to go 4-wheeling this weekend but of course the weather is not cooperating. He may go tomorrow depending on the weather or next weekend if everyone who was going this weekend decide to go next weekend. He has been making vinyl covers for his doors and I got a picture of him sewing on my old machine.

I got another shot in my hip for my bursitis and it is feeling better. The orthopedist wanted me to go back and see the neurosurgeon for my back pain so I have that all set up but have to get an MRI first so I will be doing that May 11 and see the Dr May 12. The orthopedist thought maybe I should try getting epidural shots, I did that once before I had my surgery and didn't get any relief but maybe it will be different now that I have had the surgery. In the mean time my primary care Dr wants me to increase my neurontin to 2000 mg a day. I am not sure about that, I already feel like a zombie all day on 1500, I think 2000 is going to knock me out. Hopefully when I see the neurosurgeon we will be able to figure all this out.

I also saw the hand surgeon for my thumb pain. I have had this going on for two years now and have had at least 4 shots in it and the last one didn't do anything for me. So, now I am going to have surgery on the joint to add a piece of tendon that they will take from my arm and roll up to put in the joint so there will be a cushion in there instead of rubbing bone on bone like it is now. I am going to get that surgery May 5. Next week is my last week at work and I don't have the start date for my new job so I am going to get this surgery done before I start the new job. Supposed to be in a cast for 6 weeks.

So, that is all the news for now. I will try to get some outside pictures tomorrow and hopefully some pictures of finished dolls!

Clothes Pin Dolls

I have been quite busy with my crafts lately. I am making these clothes pin dolls. I have four started, one blue, one green, one pink and one purple. I am still working on the faces on two of them and then I have to lacquer them and dress them and they will be all done!

Hello!!

Sorry, I have been so negligent in my posting. I don't know where the days go sometimes! We are going in and out of Spring around here...it was so hot on Sunday and today it is freezing. I wish it would just make up its mind.

I have not done any crafting lately, I have the pink quilt on the floor and was busy pinning it in order to tie it but have not got back to it.

My last day at my current job is 29 April. I don't have my starting date at the other job yet but I am looking forward to having some time off before starting there any way.

I started my class last week and so far so good! I just found out that Britney had changed her major to History so I think she really is my long lost daughter!! LOL.

I keep going back in forth with hip and back pain. I got a cortisone shot in the hip yesterday and today my back is hurting! I am going back to see the neurosurgeon for my 2 year follow up from my spinal fusion, I have to get an MRI done before then and it is scheduled for 11 May, see the surgeon on 12 May. My hand is also bothering me again so I got a referral back to my hand surgeon to see if he can help out any. I think I may have to get the thumb joint replaced. Joy.

That's about it for now! I will get some pictures taken to post soon.

Crafty Jack

Jack has Art this year. Here are two of his projects.

Spring has Sprung!!

Hello! It is now Spring! It rains almost every day and we had a tornado warning! Plus the Daffodil's have come up really fast one minute they were small green stalks and then all of the sudden a whole bunch of yellow flowers!

David hung up the TV in my craft room and it really looks good. Now I have another surface to work off of...LOL. Here is a picture of Puppy looking at me wondering what I am doing.

The picture of the flowers are punch yarn kits. I got them on clearance at Michael's, I just got the hoop to stretch them over the weekend. I'll try to start them this weekend.

Friday!!

We were 70 degrees yesterday! I had to put my air conditioning on in my car. Today it was 60 and overcast and it just rained a little while ago and the temperature has dropped quite a bit. We are supposed to be nice this weekend so that is good.

We are going to Cincinnati again so Dave can look at the new Jeep they brought in to see what parts he can get off of it. I am going to go to Jungle Jim's and do a little shopping. We will also go to IHOP again...Yah!!

I worked on the Pink quilt a little. I have the bottom border pinned on but still need to sew it. I am posting a picture because I don't think you have seen it all laid out. I am really liking it more now.

There hasn't been too much going on I got my books for my first History course and I am starting to read those. I'll post more later this weekend.

Day Light Savings!

Isn't Day Light Savings great? It is almost 7 pm and it is still so light out! Normally I would be ready to crawl into bed.

It has been awhile since I posted. I went to the binding class and finished up my sampler quilt. I have re-arranged my craft room after a trip to IKEA last weekend. I picked up another table for the sewing machine. It will expand out on each side to make it better to sew large projects. I went through and re-sewed the seams on the pink quilt. I saw a few more seams that need re-sewn as well and as soon as I get them done I need to do the border and I will be ready to put the quilt sandwich together. I plan to sew around the border and then tie the large part of the quilt instead of trying to machine quilt it. I haven't worked on the turtle quilt at all, I am trying to get the pink one done first and then I will work on it.

Melissa and I were on a waiting list for a quilt retreat in May and we got the call that we had moved up on the list so we will be going for a weekend trip to do nothing but work on quilts. We are pretty excited!

I already mentioned the IKEA trip last weekend, we went to IHOP and then I went to IKEA and David went to the u-pull it. I got the new table, a pink rug, a pink comforter with a pink pillow, some containers, a work light, some towels, and of course cinnamon rolls! You can see the new work area in the posted pictures, Marley really enjoys the new pink carpet!

I got the call from my old work that they want to hire me back as a civilian. So, I am currently in the process of being hired, I was told it may take up to 2 months to get all the processing done. I've already given this job notice so they can find someone and I can hopefully have time to train them before I go. David is very excited because he is going to quit his job and be my house husband. He is going to do all my honey dew jobs around the house and work on his Jeep.

I know I said I was going to wait to start back to school but you know me once I get it into my head I can't wait! I enrolled with American Military University to get a Master of Arts degree in History. Figured I enjoyed history so much I may as well get a degree in it! I'll start my first class in April.

I think that is all the news for now...been really busy!

Sampler Quilt

We woke up to a dusting of snow on Sunday morning but it was all gone by lunch time but it was still a gray day. We've had sun the last two days but it has been really cold. Today the rain clouds have rolled in and we are to have rain tomorrow and snow showers on Thursday.

David and I have plans to go to Cincinnati on Saturday and the weather looks good for that. He is hankering to look around the u-pull-it and it has been awhile since I went to IKEA to just look around and shop. We will also make the IHOP stop first.

Okay, I've made the sampler quilt to take to class tomorrow night to learn how to do the binding. I am pretty happy with it and it was nice to see all the stitches my fancy sewing machine can make. I really like the colors of this little thing and might make something bigger, like a lap quilt if I have enough blocks left.

I am going to clean up my yarn collection and see what I want to knit next. I just put it all in a pile when I moved my room around and I still need to organize and put it all in the cubes that I have to hold yarn.

That's all the news for now, I hope you like the pictures!

Rainy March

We've had quite a bit of rain for March already. Even had a couple flood warning for some of the counties around us. Today was rainy but wasn't cold so that was nice. We went out to Sears so Dave could look for clearance on tools. I picked up a couple tops for the work wardrobe. We then had some Applebee's and looked at a couple thrift shops. I got a few more things for the wardrobe and I found a few more plates for the wall.

I sewed a few blocks of the quilt this morning but then we went out most of the day and I had a nap when we came home. So, I am going to work on it tonight after I eat and then I will take some pictures to post. Overall it was a pretty good day!

March Already??

I can't believe how the days just fly by! I have been really down in February. Once my back went out that seemed like the worst. I have been going to work and coming home only to lay on the heating pad and go to bed. I saw the Dr. this week and he gave me long term pain medicine and it has helped the last couple of nights. The sun has also been out the last few days (but not today) so that has helped with my mood too.

I received some good news on Monday, my VA disability rating finally came through and they rated me at 70%. They are still reviewing some of my conditions so that % may go up. I received all of my back pay for the last 6 months which came to $8242. Then yesterday I had an extra $1250 in my account and I just opened the mail to find out they had resolved the remaining issues and I am now at 80%!! This is really good news. I still need to send them some more information on my back to hopefully receive a higher percentage for that.

It was nice to get all the back pay because Mark got accepted to Cal Poly! He will be attending in the Fall as a transfer student so he will be considered a Junior. I had thought I would transfer my GI bill to him to help pay for school but I found out I was supposed to transfer before I got out of the service so that won't work. The California VA has been paying his tuition for Allan Hancock but he can't make more than $11,300 for them to do that and he made $12,000 last year, so, my nice little back pay will go towards paying his first year at Cal Poly. He will not work that many hours this year so he can get the CA VA entitlement back. I am just so happy he got accepted, that is where he really wanted to go.

I am trying to get a government job doing contracting. I have applied and now that I am a disabled vet I get a higher priority for hiring so hopefully I will get something soon. I've decided that I will need to work for the next 5 years to make sure both the boys will be able to go to college. So, I decided I will fully retire at 50 and use my GI bill to go back to school full time.

Okay so for crafts, I haven't done anything. Tonight I am going to do a small sampler to take to the class next week where we are going to learn how to bind the quilts. I've got to get back to my twin size pink quilt for my bed which I won't need soon (LOL) and the Turtle quilt which I have to finish all those turtle blocks. I am going to look for some knitting to do to, I don't seem to be in the knitting mood lately.

All right it is dinner time. I will take some pictures of the sampler tomorrow.

Sauna Pictures

Here are some pictures of the sauna.

I have not got to sit in it yet! My back went out yesterday morning when I got out of the shower, I had to get David to come get me and I was in bed all day on muscle relaxers and pain meds. I am doing better today only getting up to do things I need to do. It is feeling better today as long as I keep the meds in my system. I am going to try going to work tomorrow but not sure if I will make it all day.

Any way, I am going to go into the sauna later this evening. It is a really nice unit. It has a stereo system and color light therapy. I hope it will help with the back.