Thursday, November 4, 2010

I'm ready....ho ho ho

I LOVE Christmas. I really can't bring it to just one or two
things I love about it. I do think the top of the list is the
way it fills my heart. I am overflowing with memories
of family gatherings, smells of baking & coffee brewing,
little fingers sneaking candies, laying under the xmas
tree for that special view of the ornaments and tinsel.

And as the years go by, new memories join the old and
as I browse photos both old and new, my throat constricts
with love and unshed tears.

I know there are hundreds of other memories made
throughout a year, but I admit, my fav is Christmas.
And I was so surprised a few days ago, when I got
up and realized, HEY, its November 1st. The holiday
season is practically here. I was sooo excited! I was
practically doing a jig taking down halloween goodies
and planning what I was going to hang where this year!
Silly me!
And I just can't wait to dig these treasures out of the
box and hang them just right on our tree....

and to make sure the tree skirt is centered just right *so the dogs
can't do any doggie damage to it*

And to get the beads draped just so around and around the tree....
I'm one of those thats starts shopping early. I don't buy an
over abundance of presents *Bob might beg to differ on
that point*. But I am always on the look out for just the right thing
for every one. Last year I sewed up all the kids warm robes and
they were a hit. So now I am off to my sewing maching to get
this years treats sewed up just right!
I hope you all are finding the special little joys of Christmas a
little early this year too....ho ho ho

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

just a little busy

Got my new iron a few days ago. Filled it up,
plugged it in, picked my setting. Waited patiently
and finally got to ironing, for a few minutes.
ARGGGHHH No steam. Water leaked outta
the resevoir *sp?* at an alarming rate. Sigh...

Got it returned and spent the last 2 afternoons
catching up. Finally am all finished with the piles
of ironing! Yippee! NOW I am ready to start
matching fabric to patterns....oh How I Have
Missed Sewing! I'm still really missing my
sewing room, but thats ok, I'm making due
using a hospital tray table for my machine.
Work great, when I'm done for the day sewing,
I just wheel it out of the way. and the little drawer
it has is perfect for scissors and pins and all
the other odds and ends you need to keep
at hand.

Hope you are are having wonderful days too!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

my iron died....OH NO!

This morning was just a typical day. Wash my hair.
Dry my hair. Curl my hair. Get dressed. Make
a cup of tea and plug the iron in to finish up a few
things and press out some fabric for some aprons
I am going to make. Couldn't wait to get started!

After I waited a few minutes, thinking the iron
would be hot, walked over and saw the light was
out on it. Huh? Checked to be sure it was plugged
in. Checked to see if I really did turn it on.
Hmmmm. I picked the iron up and the on light
flashed on. Oh! Then off. Sigh.

Sooo I wiggled the cord and it flashed on and
stayed that way. Not for long. Started ironing
when it warmed up and then, snap crackle
pop.....a lick of flame up my wrist.... a quick
scream ....EEK! It was snapping and a popping
when I unplugged it, then it just stopped and
smoked a little. Of course thats when I started
laughing. And you should have seen the ash on
my ironing board! wow! Thats a first!

Anyways, now I am going to have to QUICKLY
get a new iron. I feel lost with out it. I use my
iron every day even when I am not sewing. I
love ironing. I love crisp pleats. Tidy collars.
Freshly ironed pillowcases on my pillows. That
puff of steam. Smell of spray starch. It goes on.
I cannot go long without an iron in my hand.

Hi, my name is Melissa, I am addicted to ironing.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Ultimate Fighter ~ Landon Style

Round 1:
Poppa has Landon in the 'Upside Down Ankle Hold'

Round 2:
OH NO! Landon is caught in an 'Arm Bar'

Round 3:
Landon escapes the Arm Bar and goes for the 'Ground and Pound'

Round 4:
Poppa taps out...Landon Wins! And its Bottoms Up for the New UFC Champ!

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Red is my favorite color!

Why you ask?
No, not because I try to keep my hair
red to keep the gray away.
Its
because
of
this
little
guy.

Grandson Robby!
And yes, his personality matches his hair!
A baby on the go, lots to say, see and do.
And he is just perfect!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Still lovin Texas

We are still in Texas. Not in Abilene anymore though.
We are staying in Lewisville just above Dallas. Visiting
Bob's daughters and grandkids! Fun fun fun!

Wyatt and Olivia come and stay at the hotel with
us every night. Love it! They have been so good
for us. Makes it even easier to spoil them.

Tomorrow Bob and I are going out looking
for property again. We go every time we come
to Texas. But I think its getting serious now.
We have actually been pre-approved already!
Yikes! So we have an appt. in the am to go
looking! Wish us luck!

I love cranky red headed 18mo olds
Olivia dancing
watching Wyatt and his poppa together
crafting with Lisa
fabric shopping with Amanda
collapsing exhausted in a comfy bed feeling
blessed

Sunday, September 12, 2010

I love....

I love city fairs
petting zoos
bouncy houses full of jumpin' toddlers
big slides with screamin for joy toddlers
toddlers with a newly won scooby doo
funnel cakes and lemonade
the roar of the engines at the tractor pull
Texas thunder and lightening
watching my favorite toddler dance along with scooby doo
hearing him sing the accompanying song
hearing my daughter putter in her kitchen while whipping up
her delicous goulash
hearing my daughter and her husband talk via skype in the
morning while he is in Iraq
waking up in the morning happy that we are still in Texas!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Back in Texas!

We arrived in Dallas yesterday, got our rental car
and took off for Abilene! Thats where my daughter
and her family live!

I am soooo soooo happy to be here. have not seen
them since last Christmas...way to long for me.
I am so enjoying our visit! We will be here until
Wednesday and then we take off back to the Dallas
area to Lake Dallas to visit our other 2 daughters
and there famlies!....Can it get any better!
I have missed the grandkids sooo much.
Seeing these little faces makes all the troubles
and worries and aches and pains all just disappear.

I have already been given a sewing demand,
scooby doo jammies and pillow case! Of course!
Anything for Landon!

Hope your all having a good of weekend as I am!

Monday, August 30, 2010

A quick hello

No I have not fallen off the face of the earth, nor am I hiding,
am just still working on that scrapbook. It seems to be
consuming ALL of my time. It has taken me weeks to get
through all the photos, but at long last, I am finally getting
to do some serious scrapping and get the pics in the book!
Thats been fun. I love playing with the colors of paper.
And the paper, oh there is such wonderful paper available.
I have found that there is some already stitched! LOVE IT!
I gotta find a pic of it to share. Its beautiful.

We are getting ready for our trip to Texas.
We usually go twice a year to go dote on grandbabies
and visit with the kids. But the costs this year are
keeping our visits down to just one. I am just happy
that we do get to go! Two whole weeks! I Cannot Wait!

As I'm sitting here scrapping I'm daydreaming of
making a christmas quilt. Have always wanted to
make one. I'm going to try hard to do it this year.
The fabrics. Oh the fabrics. Just lucious! Thats
gonna be the hard part, trying to pick fabrics
to make it with!

I hope this finds you all well and happy and creative!
I'm still reading all your posts, loving each and every
one. Your all just so talented!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Summer fun and missing blogging



I have missed blogging so much. And not just the
blogging, but reading all your wonderful blogs.
I have not had time to spend browsing,
reading about all the fun things you have
made, want to make, pretty fabric,
summer bountys from gardens,
summer fun with kids.

I Have Missed You All!

I admit there is one blog I do not miss.
My daughters. Will not miss a day cuz
they always make me smile. They live
so far away and I miss them so much. I feel
much closer having her blog to read.
My fav's are the ones of Landons
fun and games.
The boy does have a good time.....


I think I shall keep my distance when we see
them next month and he is watering for mama!

All is going well with me and Bob.
In fact, we are heading to Vegas this
weekend! Yippeee! We always
have such fun. Not big gamblers but there is
so much to see and do there, I love it!
My stepdaughter Amanda will be there too
celebrating her birthday. We never get
much time with just her so we are really
looking forward to seeing her!
Will be so much fun!

Hope your all having a wonderful summer!

Monday, July 19, 2010

scrapbooking and photos




Have put sewing on the backburner for now. A
very good friend has asked me to do a scrapbook
for her mother. And as I love scrapping I
said yep, be glad to!

She has send boxes of supplies to me and
occassional odds and ends. An album,
lots of refill pages, embellishments galore,
gorgeous papers....oh its been like Christmas!
And I get to play with it all and when I'm done,
send it away!

She picked an absolute yummy album
by K and Company. They have such beautiful
scrapping items. Hard to not buy it all!

No thats not her pic in it, its just the one
included for the sale. Pretty isn't it!
*the album, not the picture* And
I get to fill it with lots of wonderful old family
photos. Alot which I get to touch up and repair.
And as my friend knows how much I love playing
with damaged photos, she threw a
HUGE challenge at me,
Can You Belive That Picture? The damage, YIKES!
So I said, oh hey, no problem, bit my lip and dove
in. And I think I did pretty good! *its still not
quite finished*
Yeah, not bad huh?
I love family photos. They are family treasures.
I cringe when I see photos that have not been
taken care of, or worse yet stored in those
horrible sticky albums. You know the ones,
you lift the page, and its sticky, so you put your
beloved picture on that page and drop the top
back on it. Then the page proceeds to discolor
and do terrible things to that picture.

So this is what I am spending my time doing.
Touching up, resizing, reprinting, scanning
and having fun!

In a few days I will start putting the pics
to paper and adding all the fun
embellishements! I can't wait!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

The Cute Book

I finally got my latest book order in the
mail. I'm so happy it arrived, cuz like
it says, its just toooo cute!



I found a few pics on line I could share, This shows the patterns
and directions. Complete and easy. They are all for felt which
makes it all pretty easy.
This picture cracked me up, one of the figures sewing up another one!

Here is that whole page which describes the book.
Isn't it just the cutest ever? I will have to see if I
can find more pictures to share. They are adorable.
And have great names,one is called 'Liar',
another Pinkie, Bad Guy, White Sheep Black
sheep. It goes on.

Wish I wasn't in the middle of a huge project so
I could get started sewing some up. I picture
making a little drawstring bag and filling it up
with these little guys for miss o, my grandaughter.
She LOVES the little goodies like these. Perfect!

Monday, July 12, 2010

The Great Gazo

I'm sure you all remember a few months ago
when I was jumping up and down with the
purchase of my new car! Well I have stopped
jumping up and down, but still LOVE it!

And I'm finally getting used to the size.
Its just so small! I'm used to driving a
mini van with a long nose, so for weeks
when I would park, I would be nowhere
near being all the way pulled in! ha!

I am still loving the color, alien green. Yes
its what it says on the paper work. Don't
you love it! Well, Bob was washing it for
me over the weekend, and when he was
finished he comes in and says, 'The Gazoo
is all clean and ready to go now'. Huh?

And then I remember! The Flintstones! The
alien called 'The Great Gazoo'!!


So I guess thats the official name of my little car.
Now, we really dont name our cars. Well, we
did call one car I had 'the mom car' if that counts.
Bob has ordered me a small sticker to put in the
corner of the back window, which I think is
pretty cute. And as soon as it gets here
I will take a picture!

Tomorrow some pics of a
Cute Little Book that I just got!


I am thankful I'm feeling so much better
I am thankful for cool summer evenings
I am thankful for diet caffeine free coke
I am thankful for Kathy trusting me with
her family history
I am thankful for all my sewing books
I am thankful my daughter is a loving
strong wife and mother
I am thankful all my ink was in stock
I am thankful Dawber finally got a haircut
I am thankful for you!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

busy busy busy

I've been a terrible blogger lately. I have not even
done my fav's and lov's when I do blog! And that
was one thing that I was always going to do.
Shame on me.

Things around here are as busy as ever. My
son finally made it here from So. Calif 2 weeks
after his wife and the little guy. And of course
he brought another car full of stuff with him
so we are about at the crammed to the rafters
level now! Our garage is crazy...hard to get
to my sewing stuff now and that makes me
not too happy.

So guess what I am having the guys do this
weekend? Give up...ha, clean out the garage
so I can get to my sewing stuff and stay in a
good mood. Its like withdrawels or something.
I need fabric piled around me, thread and trims
within reach, patterns handy to browse through.
Just my little addiction I guess!

A bit of good news. For almost two years I
have been suffering horrible, dibilitating
nausea. It would strike so fast. Last for
days. And the docs did not know why.
I was scoped. Poked. Prodded and
questioned. Nothing. But I figured it out.
It was an oh my god moment. I have
been having a reaction to my muscle
relaxer I take nearly daily. Its amazing,
I have not taken it in over a week and
I feel sooo good. I had forgotten what
its like to be able to eat and not have
nausea accompany all meals. Its
amazing and I am so grateful its
finally been figured out!

I am thankful for my prayers being answered
I am thankful for my friends trust
I am thankful we are able to help our kids
when they need us.
I love Bob's cucumbers fresh off the vine
I love making salsa with sunshine warm tomatoes
I love 'repairing' vintage photos
I love quesedillas
I love cherry coke
I love you

Thursday, July 1, 2010

some a this and some a that

Finally finshed something for myself!
And I LOVE it! Just a big tote bag,
but its perfect in my eyes.
And I managed to get the flower
centered on at least one side! yay!
Isn't it cute!
Nice and roomy and didn't
droop and hang when I filled it up
with all the things I find important
to haul around! That was a big
big plus in my book!

When I had the straps all pinned
and ready to be sewed I realized
the way they were you could not see
the flower! So I swapped them from
being back to front straps to
front to front and back to back
straps. It worked. I'm happy.
The flower is in full view.

I had a docs. appt. this morning.
It was my paint management doc.
Great doc, always listens to what I
have to say, ready always with a
positive word or thought and
keeps me comfortable in my
everyday life.

We have a few trips in the works and
I am so happy. Texas in Sept. to play
with grandbabies, Reno in Oct.
to go eat ribs at a cookoff,
Vegas in August to celebrate
middle daughters birthday! All
fun stuff and I cant wait.

I also have a genealogical scrapbook
in the works for a good friend.
Have lots to do on that as I am
just getting started. But as I love
genealogy and I love scrapping,
I am not worried about getting
it done. Its great, two of my
favorite things all in one!
Cool Beans!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

School Pictures

I LOVE getting new school pics of the
grandkids. Its my favorite snail mail.
And yesterday new pictures arrived!
After I quit doing my happy dance,
I ran to the scanner to get them
on line. Us Grammies have to brag
you know!

This is Landon.

He is one happy boy!
Don't you just love school pictures?
I did not know they took school pictures
for preschool! I found out at the beginning
of the year when I received another set
of Landon. Just as cute.

We don't get to see him often. He lives
in Texas and his daddy is in the A.F.
We would like your prayers for his
daddy right now because he is doing
yet another tour in Iraq. He has
three long months left. So we would
appreciate all prayers sent his
way!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

The happy Little Guy



Here he is. Our grandson, the little guy.

Sportin' a big smile
and his new robe...
He is doing really good now. All settled in
and used to the new Poppa and Grammie.

I have a new project in the works. Just a new
bag for me. I'm not sure if its considered a
tote or what. I cut the pattern thinner so
I could center the pattern on at least one
side. I of course did not think of cutting
the sides seperately so the pattern
would be centered on both sides.
I guess I just can't think that far ahead
of myself! ha! Anyways, its all
cutout and ready to be sewn up.
Its tomorrows what I wanna do!
stay tuned! ha......

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

A robe for the Little Guy

Since little guy has been here I've wanted
to make him something. Of course, what
I make all the 'little guys' in my life, is a
new cozy robe

Thomas the Tank is his absolute fav so
Thomas it was! I found a nice piece of
flannel on ebay that was perfect! I LOVE
little guys in red for some reason.

And here is the result:
And the back...

I will have to get a picture of him wearing it.
Its too cute.He always wears it right
after his bath and until bedtime.
And with the hood up which is even cuter.
The momma ties it with a bow which for
some reason just tickles me.

Next, maybe some Thomas the Tank Jammies...

Monday, June 21, 2010

Cute little sewing kit


When we were living in Japan I was able to get
several fun items. This is one of my favorites.
A cute little sewing kit.
It is 3 1/4 inch long, 2 inches wide. Pretty small!
And look at all it holds! It is
so sweet. I haven't ever used. Just couldn't!
Too cute! And I love the little horn shaped
button that holds it closed. I don't know if
you can tell, maybe enlarge pic you can,
but there are 2 spaces for the goodies.

I'm wondering if I would be able to make one~
I think so, it does not look toooo difficult.
Ya think? I do have a nice scarf, that is
of the same fabric, wonderful pattern.
It is doing nothing but sitting in a drawer
for the last 10yrs. I'm thinking its time to
get creative with it. And this is the
perfect little craft I think!


Thursday, June 17, 2010

Thursday

Have been so busy! Been a long long while since
I have to care for a 3 almost 4 yr. old full time!
I think the difficult part is getting to know this
little guy, getting him used to us while he is
missing momma and dad. He is doing good
considering it all. WE do see a bit of acting
out which is centered towards the dogs. So
we do have to be extra viligant in that aspect.
Our dogs are all sweet hearts, but even they
can be pushed to their limits.

The kids should be back in town by the middle
of next week. I hope. As I don't seem to be the
healthiest person, this has really taken its toll
on me. Bob is a HUGE help and just dotes
completely on the little guy and is always
scooping him up and away so I can get some
rest. I love my husband.

Even with the sewing room packed up, I'm
not letting that stop me. We were very
careful with the packing, its soooo organized
so I know right where everything is. Today
I cute out a cute Thomas the Tank robe for
little guy. Will hopefully sew it up tomorrow.
These robes are so easy to sew up. I love making
them too.
I, for some reason, like the little ones to have
and use bathrobes. I love robes. I have 5.
ha! I use them all too. Well, year round different
ones. I am planning on making some summer
ones too.
I did take some pics of a tiny little sewing kit
I received as a gift when we were living in
Japan. Its adorable. I really want to try and
get a patter off of it and make a few others.
I have a few things, napkins and such, that
I got in Japan that I am going to use for
fabric for the sewing kit and a few other things.
Will have Bob load the pics up tomorrow. You
see, I have not yet learned how to load pics
yet! *hiding face in shame*....

I love cool summer evenings
I love Fairfields delta breeze
I love my husbands good soul
I'm thankful my daughters going
to be ok.
I'm thankful I get to go to bed early
tonight!
I'm thankful for you!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Fathers day is coming!

Well when did the middle of June
get here? I tell ya, time sure flies
when your keeping all kinds of
busy! *sigh* and none of it has
to do with sewing or scrapping.
OH well....

With fathers day looming, I've
been thinking so much of my
dad. All the fun things we did
as a family when I was a kid.
How hard he worked at 2 jobs
so we could do those fun things!
He was and is a really good dad.

1949

This is 1950, Dad and mom and my sister Teri

I've finally joined the family...huge head and all! ha!
I love the memories from when I was small.
Christmas hadsuch a magic, the trees seemed
bigger and brighter! Packages wrapped so
pretty with lots of ribbon! The cards I always
worked so hard on for fathers day. You knew
school was ending when we were making fathers
day cards! It seems they always had us make ones
with ties on them. I hated them. My dad
never wore a tie!But he sure didn't seem to
mind when I gave him the card. Made me so
proud I worked so hard on it.

I hope my kids have those same kinds of
memories. I tried so hard to pass on the love
I always felt with my family on holidays.
To make them feelspecial...
know they were loved.

ON a different note, I am busy
packing up my sewing room, hating
every minute of it. Finished putting away
allll my scrapbookingpaper and tools.
Will work on fabric and trims later today.
As I have been sorting
through stuff, actually goodwilling a few
things I know I will never ever use, I
realize just how blessed I am. I have so
much. And so much to share. I have to
keep this in my mind during this whole
family situation. I've put my big girl
panties on and decided I can get
through this with a smile.!

I love allllll my fabric!
I am thankful for allll my fabric!
I love all my family pics
I'm thankful I have so many of them!
I love scrapbooking
I'm thankful I have a huge rollalong storage
for all my scrapbooking papers and dodads.
I love pie ha!




Wednesday, June 9, 2010

I'm torn

As I said previoiusly my son and his family
are going to live with us which hopefully
will be just a short while. Yes, I said a short
while. something I never dreamed I
would ever say about one of my kids.
But this certain 'kid' , 36 yr.old kid,
has had a pretty terrible history of his
own making.

I used to feel so guilty for all of his
problems. If I only would have done
this, or that, or the other. But over
the years I have come to realize
I did all I could as a mother. I tried
to guide him, to teach him right
and wrong. That there were consequences for his actions.
Love him unconditionally and help him when he
needed help.

He made some very bad choices many times.
I was always there for him in one way or another.
So when do you as a parent say I'm tired?
Do you keep bailing them out at any age?
I really don't know if I can do this. My health
is not the best and I'm already stressing.
Its so difficult.

People who are close to us say oh its such
a wonderful thing to open your home. Your
warm loving people....giving. Well,
I do not feel it anymore with this kid. I feel
as we are again being used. When I showed
him the room they would be staying in,
which is now my sewing room, and all that
I had to pack up and store, I didn't even
get a 'we appreciate you doing this', or
I'm sorry you have to move this. Or ANYTHING.
They just looked in the room and said
ok. I don't get it.

I can't even pray I'm so upset. I know I
should, I would feel better. I guess I'm
to deep in my own little pity party.

My husband has worked hard to give us
this life we have. Its a simple life. We
have a nice little home. We are very
careful with our money so we can
take the occassional trip to visit kids,
or a weekend for ourselves. Am I
wrong to be hurt they don't care they
are disrupting our lives without a
second thought?

I know I am whining, but I had to get this
out. Put my thoughts down and be
able to read them to see if I am just
over reacting. So why did we say ok
come stay here. They had a 4 yr
old with them. Which makes it even
harder. Heck, mama hasn't even called
him in the 2 days they have been gone.

I know God never gives us more than
we can handle. What is he teaching me
with this one though?


I'm thankful for Bob's strength
I love lays potato chips
I'm thankful for the bright sun today
I love Bob's quickly growing cucumbers!
I love warm tomatoes off the vines
I'm thankful for my life
I love hearing the laughter of a toddler