Just call me Grammie

Meeting an old friend

2012-01-23T21:22:00.000-08:00

About 7 years ago I joined a support group

on yahoo. It is one for people with

Flatback Syndrome. Was so nice to

connect with people who knew what I

was going through, had advice and just

listened. Well as much as you can

listen on an on line board!

During the first few months I met

Kathy. We seemed to click pretty fast.

Always had something to talk about,

felt comfortable opening up to each

other about what was going on. and

when I had my surgery I knew she

was praying for me as hard as her

little southern soul could.

When I finally made it home and starting

my recovery, I remember her calling and

praying for me on the phone. When I

hung up, I felt soo rested and content,

I slept the best I had in days. I tell ya, the

power of prayer.

So to shorten this up a bit. I finally got

to meet up with Kathy this last December!!

We flew into Texas to see the grandbabies

and Kathy and her hubby had moved up

from Houston, so it finally worked out

where we could meet! It was wonderful

to see her, give her a real life hug and

see that pretty face in person! We had

the nicest visit, much too short. And

now that they have moved up to the

Dallas/Ft.Worth area, I will be able to

visit whenever we fly in! Yippee!

Me and Kathy

I love shy little boys seeing santa, and

little boys sporting a cute little mohawk, and

little girls who love their baby dolls, and

little girls who want to have sleepovers with

their grammies and

awaiting the birth of my newest grandbaby in

June, and

Bob's tattoos of the kids names on his leg, and

seeing mommy and son napping together, and

little boys in button up shirts, and

little boys in levi's, and

little girls who like to wear dresses, and

the power of prayer.

On the way!

2012-01-16T15:44:00.000-08:00

I do not know why on earth I quit blogging, why
I did not just sit down and write. I loved doing it!
I love talking about my grandbabies, what I am
sewing, loves, finds...all that fun stuff.
I like to go back and see what had been going on,
what I had said, (horrible memory). So its time to
get back to it.

But first, I am going to try to get my blog looking
a little fresher, a few new pics, that kinda stuff.
So there. I am back! Ta~Da!

Kindle Fire

2011-11-15T12:36:00.000-08:00

The note from Amazon is FINALLY here!

I'm so happy, my new Kindle Fire has been

shipped!

I thought it was to be shipped at the end of

the month, and knowing how my luck on

this kind of thing runs, I thought for sure

it would be backordered! Nope!

I love my regular Kindle. Its never given

me a bit of trouble. I love the excerpts from

the books that Amazon gives you. Always

so easy to operate. And I really loved that

nice little button that says "Did you buy this

in error". ahem. Yes, I have done that a

few times. And zip, as fast as it charged you

for the book, it zaps the charge away.

Gosh, do I sound like a Kindle fan or what?

Lots of other wonderful things going on too,

Grandson Landon is now that wise old age of 5.

Olivia has finally figured out which bus to take

home from school. She is 5 also!

Wyatt's doing so much better in school! He was

blessed with the most wonderful teacher this

year. She is the one you want all your children

to have throughout their whole schooltime life.

Son-in-law Greg has new orders in. They will

be transfering to Colorado next summer. *I

know another overseas tour would have been

great...they sooo took advantage of being in

Germany, but I am happy they are to be stateside*

Selfish, yes I know.

My health is hanging in there. No new emergencies

or set backs. I did get a 'tens unit'...do not know if

it is the right spelling on that. I LOVE it. And it

really does help!

We are still browsing property in Texas. I'm ready

to move now, but we still have a few years till

Bob can retire. Sometimes patience is not my

greatest life skill.

I love these books!

2011-09-22T22:16:00.000-07:00

I just love sewing and crafting books.

I am always on the lookout for

new ones, used ones, and just

about anything else that just catches

my eye.

BUT! In the last few years I found

a set of books that are just my

favorites. The pictures are beautiful.

Very simply, country home, a bit

of a victorian touch. I want to live

in the home that their pictures are

take in!

Each page is better than the last.

The patterns are included and the directions

are sooo easy to follow!

Could you not just spend the day in this

room? I want to make it all!

I am so glad they have a Christmas

book also! There is a flying

pig included that is to die for.

Also dolls, a boys room, stuff for

little girls. It is a must have if you

have littles to make fun things for!

This is their newest book. It is on the

way to me now. I could not resist it!

Look at those Santas!! I cannot wait

to get it. I found this book on

ebay and the seller had the book,

brand new for less that $3.00!!

With just as reasonable shipping costs.

That is pretty much unheard of for new

books. Even for most used ones too.

There are more of their books to

get, but I just do one now and then

as I have so many projects in the works

and it would be so easy to just buy buy buy!

I went to their website where I found

fabric, notions and other fun items,

unfortunately, not available in the U.S.

*sigh*...so I will keep looking for them

on line. In the meantime, I KNOW where

the books can be found so I will keep

my eye on them. Who knows, I may

find another $3.00 bargain!!

I Love: Olivias camera hogging on Skype

Robbys red red hair and deep voice!

Landon and all his little girlfriends.

Wyatt being so shy!

Sewing xmas ornaments

pinterest....darn you Priscilla

old buttons

hatpins

pink depression glass

the way Bob worries about me.

I promise to blog more often

Tell all my favorite people I love them

finish my projects

try to stay in touch better with long

distant friends.

And thats all for now folks....nighty night

Yep, I'm still here sewing!

2011-08-17T11:46:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I caught the monster bug. I

had purchased a book called Make a Monster

by Fiona Goble. When I opened it up,

my imagination just did a happy dance.

At last, time to 'sew silly'. I followed the patterns,

in my own way that is.

Here are a few of the results!

Love the pastels, and instead of using fleece

I used felt and flannel.

I added eyebrows and hair to this one and

and used contrasting thread for a

frankenstein look. Love it!

I went crazy with a critter pillow pattern too.

Its so soft and fun. Who couldn't use a third

eye and extra long arms for hugs!?

Landon loved it!

I went from critters to comfy neck pillows.

I hate seeing kids in their car seats with

their heads bobbing around

when they doze off

Grandson Landon uses his, just does not like his

picture taken! His is made of flannel

and is a green monkey!

Grandson Robby doesn't mind his picture taken.

His is a doggy, and flannel too. So soft and comfy!

Grandaughter Olivia had to have a pink kitty.

I added a few extras, like a pearl toe ring,

eyelashes too. She loved it!

Grandson Wyatt got a dog too. His is dino fabric.

Nice and bright. He is such a big boy now (2nd

grade!!) so I couldn't use cute baby fabric.

He is happy with the choice!

It was such fun giving the gifts to the kids. We had

to go back to Texas to deliver them, there was no

way I was sticking them in the mail knowing I

would get hugs and kisses in return!

I'm doing ok. Still have my days where I just

can't get much done. That is when I sit and just

do some hand sewing. Most of the above items

were hand sewn. I love doing it. Its relaxing,

easy to do, and just plain enjoyable.

I have been reading all my favorite blogs, could

not go without knowing about all the fun things

being made! Thank you all!

Back in my sewing room!

2011-04-25T22:15:00.000-07:00

Its taken a while, quite awhile to be exact to get my

sewing room all put back together. The kids moved

out in Feb., and I could not wait to get all my goodies

back in there! Not that I don't miss the kids, but gee,

its my Sewing Room! ha!

Took awhile to post, months in fact.

In November I really got knocked for a loop

with not one bug but 2. Lucky me.

I somehow got meningitis followed up with C-Def,

a really nasty stomach bug which can actually

cause you to have to have a bowel transplant.

Glad I didn't get that bad. Oh, and I was also in

renal failure which if I had not gotten

admitted when I did, I had about a week left. Scary stuff.

I am all good now, going through some physical

therapy to get my steadiness and strength back and

its great. And that is all I am going to say about being

sick, there is so much more fun things to talk about!

And I am loving all the photos of the grandkids

enjoying easter, trips to the zoo, school fun

and joyful weekends. Those smiling faces

can't help but make you happy!

I have a few sewing projects in the works,

but of course, the first thing I cut out, I

lost a piece of the pattern. We dumped

the trash (day before pick

up...peeeeeuuuuuu!) No luck. It is

nowhere to be found. Crazy.

Been doing lots of hand sewing, making little

stuffed monsters, and its been fun, just being

silly sewing what I want for noses and

eyes and ears.

I hope you are all enjoying spring and had

a joyful Easter!

hello again!

2011-01-09T12:57:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to say hey, I'm alive, and darned lucky to be!

More to come on that later though.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday filled with

love, fun and laughter and a Happy New Year filled

with even more!

I'm ready....ho ho ho

2010-11-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

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

just a little busy

2010-10-20T16:37:00.000-07:00

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!

my iron died....OH NO!

2010-10-14T19:56:00.000-07:00

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.

Ultimate Fighter ~ Landon Style

2010-10-07T11:12:00.000-07:00

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!

Red is my favorite color!

2010-09-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

Why you ask?

No, not because I try to keep my hair

red to keep the gray away.

Its

because

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!

Still lovin Texas

2010-09-17T16:41:00.000-07:00

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

I love....

2010-09-12T11:58:00.000-07:00

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!

Back in Texas!

2010-09-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

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!

A quick hello

2010-08-30T23:03:00.000-07:00

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!

Summer fun and missing blogging

2010-08-09T22:39:00.001-07:00

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!

scrapbooking and photos

2010-07-19T23:15:00.000-07:00

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!

The Cute Book

2010-07-14T20:15:00.000-07:00

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!

The Great Gazo

2010-07-12T20:10:00.001-07:00

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!

busy busy busy

2010-07-06T23:01:00.001-07:00

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

some a this and some a that

2010-07-01T19:11:00.000-07:00

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!

School Pictures

2010-06-27T06:50:00.000-07:00

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!

The happy Little Guy

2010-06-24T22:27:00.000-07:00

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......

A robe for the Little Guy

2010-06-23T12:24:00.002-07:00

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...

Cute little sewing kit

2010-06-21T22:30:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-17T20:22:00.000-07:00

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!

Fathers day is coming!

2010-06-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

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!

I'm torn

2010-06-09T11:46:00.001-07:00

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

Lots going on these days!

2010-06-08T11:32:00.000-07:00

There has been soooo much going on lately!

As I said in my last post, my son and his

family were coming to visit! Yippee!

It actually ended up taking a bit of doing

getting them here, but arrive they did!

With news nobody cared for. They lost

their apt. and as of that night they

were homeless. Geez.

They decided to move up here for a fresh

start, but in the meantime had to head

back home to get a few things worked out

and sorted through. As they were not sure

where they were going to stay, we offered

to let the little guy stay here with us

for the 2 weeks. And he is here!

Its nice having a little one in the house.

Has been a long time since we have had

one here without a parent! Just like riding

a bike ya don't forget how ha!

So this is his second day without the

'mama' and he is doing great! Of course

we are getting used to each other

and new rules and such,but all in all

its all good!

I am surprised at how different I feel

in caring for a 4yr old as a grandmother

and not a mother. I still have little

'rules' I guess you would call them,

but there is a different softness in

myself. I just don't find myself reaching

the point of pulling my hair out or

getting exasperated easily.

I love being a grammie. I wish

my other grandkids were here,

or at least close by. Texas

is soooo far away from No.Calif.

But its wonderous at how far

your heart can stretch. And its

all wrapped up tight around

the other 4 sweeties in Texas.

Later I will talk about my son

moving in here.....yikes!!!!

cuddly fire engine quilt

2010-06-02T11:31:00.000-07:00

I'm sooo excited! THis weekend my son and his new

family, wife Brandy and her son Calvin are coming

for a visit! I have met Brandy briefly once before

and she is the sweetest girl. So easy to talk to,

funny sweet. A great daughter in law!

But I have not met her son Calvin yet. But

I get to this weekend! So to make him feel welcome

I decided to make him a quilt.

A cuddly fire engine quilt!

What little boy doesn't like fire engines?

And of course it had to be a raggy quilt. For some reason

these just seem extra cuddly.

And of course I had to be sure there were dalmations included!

The flannel and the other 'white' looking portions are all

actually a lovely warm ecru. It gives the quilt/blankie

a warm old look. Which I love. Reminds me of the

quilts a great aunt used to make.

And it had to be fire engines. Bob is a retired fire chief

in the Air Force. So of course there are fireman

related items through the house. So Calvin

should now feel like part of the family to have

his own fireman stuff just like Poppa Bob.

I'm thankful for new family members

I love having another grandson without the wait!

I love how this quilt turned out

I'm thankful I had exactly the right remnants for it

I love the hunt for remnants

I'm thankful David and his family live in Ca.

I love chocolate cheerios

I love lounge clothes

I thankful the bird is quiet today

I'm thankful for you!

I'm thankful for Tuesday

2010-06-01T21:48:00.000-07:00

I'm thankful for Tuesday

I'm love my soft jammies

I'm thankful to have so many soft jammies

I'm thankful for Bob's silliness

I'm thankful Priscilla posts so many pictures

I love Priscilla calling me mama san

I love mini drumsticks

I'm thankful all my new sewing books

I love sewing by hand

I love retro/old fashioned looking fabric

I love flannel fabric

I'm thankful for having so much fabric

I'm thankful for all of you and your great blogs!

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T05:42:00.000-07:00

My husband Bob wrote this yesterday and posted it on

Facebook. I moved me so much. I remember that

trip so well. The overwhelming sadness looking

across all those tombstones. I looked at it

through a mothers eyes. Those boys. The sacrifice.

The pride and sadness leaving me almost

breathless. I just stood among them saying

a prayer for them. To let them know,

no, they were not forgotten.

So here is what he wrote, and I think it says it all:

There are 2 holidays a year that mean the most

to me, no, not Christmas or my Birthday.

They are Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Today is Memorial Day. A day set

aside to remember those who died

serving our country past and present.

A couple of years ago I went to the

American cemetery in Luxemburg.

It’s where General Patton is buried, along

with many of his troops

I was excited to go. It turned out to be

one of my most saddest days.

Overlooking THOUSANDS of headstones marking

the bullet ridden and blown up bodies,

of those who sacrificed their lives to keep us free.

It is only one, of many American cemeteries in

Europe. Tears flowed as I saw the names.

Up to then, they were “those who died in service” .

They never came home.

Please don’t treat this holiday as just another

3 day weekend. Take time to reflect.

Reflect on those who died in all our wars declared

or not. Do we deserve their sacrifice ?

Don’t take our freedom for granted.

Robert Tremberth

ruffles and alien green

2010-05-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

I have been having so much fun sewing

up an outfit for my grandaughter Olivia.

I had found the cutest fabric at Joanns,

so summery with watermelon and cherries,

a pretty blue, fell in love when I saw it.

Knew it was perfect for Olivia.

So here it is, ruffles ruffles and more

ruffles. I love the double ruffles on the pants.

I'm just hoping they fit. I had her measurements

but...well...sometimes I end up a little off with

them! ha!

Don't ya love the color?

I have got a thing for fabric with cherries on it

now. I got another piece thats a soft yellow

with cherries and a piece of Mary Engelbreit

with all her fun little things on it plus cherries.

Dont know what I'm making with the fabric

yet, but then alllll the fabric I have is

in the waiting stage.

And the alien green. Well. I'm finally back on

the road. I have not really driven since Dec. '06.

Why, well between Dec. '06 and Sept. 07 I had

5 spinal surgeries. Now I'm healed, steady, pain

more or less under control and ready to venture

out on my own. As our other two cars are both

stick shifts, I really could not drive them. My

right side is a bit weak and gets very painful

very easily. So I needed a manual. And Bob

got me one! yippeeeee......Don't ya love it!

Its alien green which I think is funny as

all get out. And its not low, has a high

door frame so I don't whack my head..

I'm in love....and I'm back on the road...

yippee yippee yippee and howdy do!

I'm thankful Bob got me my Soul!

I'm thankful I am doing so much better.

I'm thankful my son David and his family are visiting next weekend.

I'm thankful I finally get to meet my new step grandson

I'm thankful David has such a wonderful little family now

I'm thankful the air conditioner just clicked on.

I'm thankful there is hershey chocolate with almonds

in the freezer..

I'm thankful for you!

bachelorette, kimoni pjs and strawberry shortcake

2010-05-24T23:35:00.001-07:00

Wow, just finished watching the Bachelorette.

What fun! But I felt so bad for her, she seemed

to be freezing her fanny off the whole night!

Ya think she would have worn a shawl of something.

But having the guys offer their jackets was nice

too ha! Wonder if all the different colognes

gave her a headache after awhile? And

I thought that the very last guy she chose

looked an awful like the Jake from the last

show. Ya think? There was only one that gave

me a 'ew what a creep' feeling. That Craig M. I think it

was. The one who argued about putting the name

in the box. Something about him, an angry look,

just set off the ew factor. Any body else get that?

I can't wait for next week. I mean

besides loving the show, there isn't alot on I want

to watch right now. Project runway is done, Survivor

is over, I didn't get Lost but its done too. I mean so

many of my favs are done for awhile so its nice to

get something else fun to watch.

Yes, I admit, I watch ALOT of t.v. And really alot

at night. Bob is a night worker. He does 10hr nights

which are great really, but sometimes the nights are

really quiet and lonely. I do have the dogs but

when I talk to them, they just look at me like,

shhhhh, I'm sleeping here. And my sewing room is

off limits after 10. And this is

silly, but the birds cage is in there and she goes to

bed at 10. ha! Told you it was silly.

I have finally finished the kimono pj's. I love

the fabric. Was just so light and soft. Thought it

would make wonderful summertime jammies.

But man, next time I will find a better place

to take the pictures. The green walls did not

help with the photos no matter how I touched

them and messed with them I could not

get it to look right. But here they are:

Oh, ya like my new 'sewing room' plaque?

I put a small crochet flower where I sewed the tie on.

This is my next project, a warm flannel blankie for my

grandaughter Olivia. She is turning 4 very soon.

And being 4 is so important don't ya know!

Its the year before kindergarten. And your so

much older than your baby brother now!

You can teach him so many new things cuz

being 4 means your a big girl!

Here is our sweet girl posing the robe

I made for her.

I'm love cutting that last thread on a project!

I love wrapping birthday presents!

I love tucking away special presents for special people

I love shopping early

I love hersheys with almonds

I love pg tips tea

I'm thankful for my new email pal Kjirsten

I'm thankful for the cool days we are still having

I'm thankful our cherry tree FINALLY has fruit

I'm thank for all the apples on our trees

I'm thankful for today

love you!

Sunday Morning

2010-05-23T03:42:00.000-07:00

A sweet blogger, Rachel over at Sew Ambitious

gave me this sweet award! I was sooo surprised!

And to think I was going to quit blogging a few

months ago!

So I guess what goes along with this award is to

tell you a few things about myself...ahem...ok,

well, here goes....

1. I am completely head over heels in love

with my hubby Bob

2. I have 3 kids, 2 step~daughters and 2 adopted daughters.

3. I LOVE reading

4. My newest toy is my Kindle...its really neat

5. I love to sew...sewing books, anything to do with sewing

6. Am addicted to genealogy

7. Love to restore old photos

8. I have 6 of the cutest grandkids you've ever seen.

9 I have had scoliosis/flatback syndrome

10. LOVE LOVE LOVE reading all you talented

peoples blogs!

I guess that will work for a quick sum up of me~

I will pass this award on in the morning, well later

in the morning, its now just 4am...ugh.

I would like to ask for any and all prayers for my

son~in~law Greg who is on his third tour in Iraq.

He is the son~in~law anybody would be so thankful

to have. He is a firefighter in the USAF. And he

makes my daughter so happy.

Ok, am off to see if I can get back to sleep, Rachel,

thanks again for the sweet award! You made my day!

Monday monday

2010-05-17T22:41:00.000-07:00

Monday's been here and is almost gone, so where

did the weekend go? Saturday I asked Bob to

take me out to the local thrift stores to see if

we could find any treasures. WE had a pretty

good time smooshing through all the goodies.

I was pleased with our few finds, one brand

new Carters little boy crib sheet which I

am using for the fabric. Just is too cute.

And a Disney dalmations plate that

has two little sections in it. No scratches!

So I was happy.

Sunday I was completely tuckered from all

the store hopping Saturday. Actually I think

alot of it was from the storm that was blowing

in. Weather changes wreck havoc on my back.

And cloudy dreary weather makes me ache

to the core. I just stay warm and quiet

and its ok. Sorta.

Today I worked on a pair of Kimono pj'

for the little lady getting the diaper bag.

Love the fabric, bright sunshinny yellow

flowers with bits of pink. Adorable!

Of course, it was the usual put a seam

in, pull a seam out. I can make these

simple things but always manage to

mess up someway! ha!

As I was reading my way through all

my favorite blogs today, I saw it was

game day! And I didn't know! :-{

Today was show us your yellow. How

fun! I am going to be sure to try and

get into next weeks, what ever it

might be!

I'm thankful Bob likes going thriftstore

hopping too!

I'm love a bargain!

I'm thankful for quiet days on heating pads.

I love all the wonderful blogs out there!

I'm thankful my sil's tour is 4 mo instead of 6.

I love chocolate covered raisens.

I'm thankful my daughter married such a wonderful

man

I love my family

I love you!

Finally finished!

2010-05-12T19:37:00.000-07:00

I started this a few weeks ago for a sweet little girl

who is about to turn 2 years old. Her mama said

she is starting to get intersted in her baby dolls

so I thought she would enjoy having something

to stuff all the fun stuff that goes with babies dolls in.

Besides, a girl CANNOT have enough purses and totes.

So here it is. A diaper bag for a toddler. There are

pockets on both sides plus one large one inside.

I love love love the fabric. Its well over

15 years old. I have made clothes for cabbage patch

dolls with it. A cute little dress for a grandaughter,

and now after it has been safely stored for so long

a diaper bag for a little mama!

And a soon to be displayed sun hat!

There is a mistake with the handles. oops! But when

I took a good look at it, I decided I liked it. I think you

will be able to find it if you look at the pictures

carefully. Especially the last one.

Here is a closeup of the flower. Cute huh? The button

is a Daisy Kingdom one. I adore those buttons.

The flower is my pride and joy. The first one I managed

to make that look good. Thank you all of you who have

posted tutorials on making fabric flowers. I swear I have

read darn near every last one trying to make one that

looked good. I finally pulled up a tutorial, sat here in

front of the computer and followed step by step..

and ta~da I DID IT!

A shot of the inside and the pocket. The doll is to give

you a better idea of the size, she is 10" long.

Just had to set it up with the doll and bottle and cup.

I love it so much. I think its cuz I miss having a little

girl in the house. Their stuff is just too cute.

One last shot just because. I'm really happy

it turned out so good. Now if the sun bonnet

turns out as nice, it will be great and I will

have to do my happy dance!

I decided to measure the bag, its 15 1/2" long

and 7" hi. Thats with folded top.

I'm still recovering from our lastest trip.

Can't get caught up on my sleep! ha!

But then I always have loved a good nap.

I love buttons and bows

I love freckled noses in the shade of a sun bonnet

I love tea parties that are held on my sewing basket

I love eyelet lace, the bigger the better

I love small handmade crochet flowers

I love my collection of threads

I love full bobbins

I love getting the needle threaded first attempt

I love the smell of orange blossoms

I love you!

What a nice weekend!

2010-05-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to say our trip to Reno was the best.

It was beautiful there. 70ish out with a mild breeze

that brought cool air off the surrounding mountains

that were still covered in snow. Beautiful! The casinos

and hotels there should have more windows.

One thing that really got my goat was the lack

of handicapped services. Ridiculous! We arrived

and headed straight to the brunch, we were

so hungry! I was on my scooter cuz my hips

were all froze up from the drive. We head over

and ta~da, no ramp! One small little elevator for

us that of course was out of service. So Bob carried

my scooter up while I held on to the banister and

hauled my heavy screamin' hips up 'em! Lunch was

nice. Great selection, nothing heavy, yummy deserts!

So we head on out to check out our room. ha! Elevator

still on the fritz, so we did complain to the man that

runs the elevator. He just said, "sorry about that",

watched Bob pick up my scooter, me grab the rail

again, and as we walked away he said nothing more.

I really would have appreciated his arm for balance

cuz going down is harder than up for me. That was

pretty much the way it was the whole time we

were there. I am not happy about it at all. At least

I can walk, there are so many who can't and it just

was not fair for them. I am going to send them a

note later telling them.

Enough of the complaining. I said earlier we played

a little. And a little I did. My fav was my 18cent

bet that paid off with $125!!! OH how we laughed!

We headed home Sat. Evening tuckered out.

Yesterday was my birthday and all my kids

called and I loved it. Bob got me my favorite

Cold Stone Strawberry cheesecake ice cream cake.

Its just delishhhhhh! yum yum yum. Guess I will worry

about losing weight later! ha!

I'm thankful for getting to talk with all the kids.

I'm thankful for ColdStone!

I'm thankful for brownsugar honey glazed ham.

I'm thankful for spring rainshowers.

I'm thankful I finished that diaper bag!

I'm thankful I have mastered the cloth flower!

I'm thankful for hugs.

I'm thankful for Calvin who wants to come see his mummmy *me*!

I'm thankful Tori wants to come for a visit again!

I'm thankful for all of you!

Loves you!

I love new toys!

2010-05-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

The other day Bob came running into the house

with a package in his hand. He really caught me

off guard cuz he doesn't really hurry and any

packages that come he just sets them on the

table and says 'more ebay'. ha!

Not today!!! Nope! He surprised me with an

early birthday present!

a Kindle2!!!

I love it! I love him! I love it!

Its so darned easy to operate to. And buying books

is the easiest its ever been. Just a few clicks your

in Amazon browsing books. And LOTS of people

must purchase books by mistake because you can

immediately cancel a purchase. Which was one

of the first things I had to do. Ha! what a goof.

But its great. Got 2 books so far. One

Dean Koontz, one Stephen King. and on

Sale too! If your a reader I really recommend this.

I always have my nose in a book. And I more often

than not have 2 or 3 books going at the same

time. Nutz I know.

As my birthday and mothers day fall on the

same day this year, Bob is running away with

me to Reno tomorrow morning. Just going to

stay the one night and come home late Sat. These little

one night trips are so much fun. We don't go

party it up or anything. Just play a little,

people watch, find a yummy meal, laugh and

be silly and enjoy each others company.

Life is so good! I am blessed.

I'm thankful I learned how to make flowers!

I'm thankful its a beautiful day today!

I'm thankful Bob picked up my scripts for me this a.m.

I'm thankful I was able to catch an extra hours snooze!

I'm thankful I have such wonderful memories of family.

I'm thankful for my family.

Love You!

thinking about Mothers day

2010-05-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about mothers day alot

this year. Thinking how proud I am of our

daughters, their being such good mommies.

I get so tickled watching them with the kids.

Sometimes hiding how hard I actually

am laughing when the grandkids do

something and I think, ohhhhh man,

you so deserveyour kid doing

that too YOU!

Oh the other hand. I miss my mom something

terrible. I admit after this length of time,

some 15 years she's been gone, there are

days where she does not come to mind.

But she's right here with me. Laughing with me

when I realize I have her hands. Her knees.

Like to craft like her. Look like her. Sound like her.

There's days when I swear its her

talking and not me. I love it. But when those

days happen underneath it all, I get sad.

I miss my mom. I still want to call her and

tell her things. Sometimes I will actually catch

myself heading to the phone. So I will have a small

talk with her, knowing she saw and heard

it all anyways. I believe in angels.

And I believe my mom is one.

Here are a few pictures from long ago when my

mom was just a girl and growing into a woman.

Here is my mom, Barbara, and her grandma,

Charlotte Its in L.A. County, Cal. 1932.

Isn't it just the sweetest little picture?

Next is my mom leaning onthe handlebars

of her bicycle with her little brother

Jimmy sitting behind her. Thats her mom,

Clara, standing behind the both of them,

probably making sure they behaved for the

picture. I think this was about 1936.

Mom was such a beautiful young woman.

She was a teen in this picture. Just around

the time she met dad. Yes her eyes were as

blue as could be. When she was this age,

she like to roller skate. In fact she did for

years. I remember her taking me to the

rink with her when I was small. She loved that

time for herself. I can see her in my mind

skating, turning, one leg up. I remember

even then thinking momma's pretty!

I think she is so cute here. She is married and

expecting her first baby! My sister, Teri.

They were living in Culver City then. Her cute

little smile here, I think it makes her look so

happy. Boy little did she know what she had in

store for herelf with 2 daughers in her future! ha!

I'm thankful there is a special day for mothers!

I'm thankful I was blessed with my 2 boys and a girl!

I'm thankful that I was blessed with 2 step daughters.

I'm thankful that we were able to adopt 2 daughters!

I'm thankful we made it through unscathed with all

those daughters!

I'm thankful my rosebushes have an overabundance

of blooms on them this year!

I'm thankful Bob is growing 'salsa' out back this

year!

I'm thankful I like salsa

I'm thankful I make a good salsa.

I'm thankful Bob likes to grow 'salsa'

Love to you all!

Mini reunion

2010-05-03T19:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we drove out to Tracey for a

'mini~reunion' of sorts. Most of Bob's

elderly aunts and uncles were in

attendance including a few cousins and his mom.

Its always so much fun to gather 'round with

them all. So much laughter, family stories,

a little singing by Uncle Paul, and of course

all the munchy food one could want in one day.

I remembered to bring my laptop along

too. I have the family tree downloaded

on to it also, and what better time than

a family reunion to fill in alot of blanks,

correct a few, just a few, errors and share

what wonderful info I have found on the family.

Or at least this branch!

It was great! I love genealogy. Its a passion.

And sometimes I call it my little addiction.

ha! And what goes along with genealogy

are photos. OH the old photos. Treasures.

Just priceless. I'm a bit of a beast when

it comes to how people care for their photos.

No, not the digital ones silly. Those old

wonderful black and whites. The ecru ones.

The ones that might have just babys sweet

cheeks pinked lightly. Those photos!

Now hear me and hear me well. If you

have them stored in one of those old

albums that have the sticky pages get

them out. You know, you put them on

the page, they stick and you flap back over

the clear top on them? Well they have acid

in them and will eat up them photos. Make

them nasty looking. And sometimes they

do not like to get unstuck from them.

bad bad bad. Ok, got that off my chest.

I managed to collect a new 'old' picture

which I have yet to scan and get posted

in Ancestry. Its cute too. Its the aunts and

uncles as kids. Love it.

One of the aunts came in from Pheonix, one

from So. Cal. the rest were in the area. Of

course the frailest lived the farthest away.

She is so spunky! Kept elbowing her sister

and smartin' off. Just had us rollin'. What

a fun day.

Besides that, not alot going on. Still working

on the little girl diaper bag. Man this is

taking a while! ha! One of my favorite

bloggers is back, hi Kjristen. yippee.

I'm thankful for family reunions!

for old family photos.

I'm thankful for books.

for my love of reading.

for my kindle!

for clean linen candles

for sweet smelling fabric softner.

I'm thankful for all of you!

have YOU done your family

tree?????

A nice trip and quiet week!

2010-04-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

We had such a nice time in Havasu last weekend.

The drive there was an easy one. Made good

time, and as predicted I snoozed on and off

the whole way. We stayed an extra day

too which really helped put us all at ease.

Saturday Bob and I went and walked around

the walk under the London Bridge. It was

busy as there was a boat race going on.

Not just any boats, the huge big ones.

Ones that have to be loaded on the trailers

with cranes. Crazy~so BIG!! There was the usual

boat parade on the canal, lots of people, sunshine...

oh it was nice. It felt so good to have the sun on

my shoulders. I think I got a few hundred more

freckles on them too. Bob could have spent the

day watching the boats/people. Or maybe it was

all the bikinis? hmmmm?

Being with family was the best though. In this

picture are my sister, step mom Faye, Dad

and me. Dad couldn't get his smiled timed

right so we settled with the opened mouth

grin?! ha!

Dad and Bob took off in my dad's jeep for a cruise

in the desert. Faye and I stayed home and

napped. ha! They said it was beautiful out.

It is a good time of year for the desert.

Each day there the temp climbed a little.

Monday it was 96, and was supposed to reach

98 Tuesday. When we got home Tuesday

night it was 66. ha.

We drove home on Tuesday. Man it was a long

drive. Seemed to take twice as long to get

home as it did to get there. Ugh. I was so

uncomfortable and ill feeling. Even though I hated

leaving my family, I was more than happy to get

home to my own bed.

Im trying to get into the projects I left behind.

No go so far until late last night. I managed

to sit and do a little hand sewing which I love.

I could hand sew everything. I have been

told to do a hand sewn quilt. But they are so

intimidating to me. All those little

pieces.....yikes! But I am going to make my

grandaughter a strawberry shortcake blankie

for her bday. Its such cute fabric,

Very little girlie.

I just bought a nice piece of oilcloth. Now what to

do with it? A raincoat for olivia? A tote for me?

oh the decisions! ha...

I hope you are all having a wonderful week and

have plans for a fun weekend!

I am thankful for my family!

I am thankful for the ability to travel

and see them!

I am thankful for birthday cake!

I am thankful for sparkling lakes.

I am thankful for children on swingsets.

I am thankful for children snuggled safely in

clean crisp sheets.

I am thankful for my sister and I FINALLY

having a relationship.

I am thankful for today!

Off to Arizona!

2010-04-22T20:28:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, when Bob gets

home from work we are leaving for Arizona! And

what or who you ask is in Arizona? My dad and

step mom!

I do not get to see them very often. In fact,

last time I saw them was the beginning of

last December. We stopped there on our

way to Texas. And I feel guilty we do not

get there more often, but geez, what can

you do? So I'm looking on the bright side

and I get to see my dad! Yippeeeee!

I sound like a daddys girl or something. I'm not.

At all. My dad is really not that kind of dad. Oh

that sounds bad. But we have a great relationship,

lots of laughs and relaxing close moments in time

when we are together.

Our phone calls are ritual, He says HI Mabel *its Melissa*,

he always asks about the weather *its sunny or raining*,

and 'ya heard from anybody'? *its a no, our family is

not close what little there is of it*, and have you been

up to the lake *no, but he lived there a long time so he

has to ask*. It never changes and I love it the way

it is. Its my dad.

Just before we arrive *we always call just before we get

into town*, Faye *stepmom* says he paces and looks

out the window constantly. That tickles me, and I am

just as anxious to get there, sitting up straight and commenting

on how much this and that have changed and how beautiful

the hills are in the setting sun.

Family always asks how on earth I am able to travel

so far. *another post for another day*. I just say, I

take my pillow and blankie and a pill and sleep most

of the way. Thats just partially true. We listen to

books on cd while we travel, and I do nod off alot

but try not to cuz I hate waking up completely lost

in the story thats on. Oh, Dad and Faye live in

Lake Havasu City, Az. We are in No. Cal. just outside

the bay area.

That drive down central california is booor~ringgg.

As bad a driving through the middle of New Mexico.

a snooo~ooze. Yea we travel alot. But did I mention?

I get to see my dad!

My dad, his name is John. He will be 82 this fall. Loves

a glass of wine. Still works on his boat and jeep. Loves

to go for jeep rides in the desert. *they stop to look at

mines which scare me to death*. Is that not the greatest?

But he is slowing down which is all good but a little

bit sad for me. He is my dad and I think he is perfect.

the other big mouth in the house!

2010-04-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

We have more than one big mouth in this house.

But I do not think I have talked about the

biggest of all!

Her name is Lew, actually Lewis, but we did not

know she was a girl for a while. When we finally

found out we just kept the name because she

seemed to know it.

She is a most unusual character. Doesn't

have a big vocabulary, but most definitely

knows how to use what she does know loudly!

She is quite welcoming to anyone saying

HI HI HI to who ever comes in! Even

when she gets up in the morning you get

a HI! She waits not so patiently for her

breakfast. When you get it to her she yells

hot hot hot in your face. It usually is to hot

when we walk it over to her and she tells

us so until we give her her bowl.

One of her favorite pastimes is playing in the

warm clothes fresh out of the dryer.

Unfolding my linens for me, throwing them,

playing peek a boo and laughing hysterically

when I throw a hand towel over her head.

If I laugh, she laughs. I laugh soft she laughs

soft. I get loud, she blasts us. whew.

She adores Bob. Loves on him, rolls her

head against him. And jealous! Wow!

She comes at me at a run....sometimes

even hissing at me! I'm not

scared of her, much. ha!

Somedays when she is yelling for

attention, she will yell..."Help Bob" Help!

Cracks us up! But man she can get loud

with it. When we tell her to stop, she will

back talk and say uh~oh.

over and over. and over.

Some days she NEVER shuts up.

She hates the vacuum. Hates change.

Hates to be alone. Typical female!ha!

She is so afraid of the meter man. OH my.

She will bust your ear drums. Makes a good

watch dog of sorts. Nobody can get through

the back gate with out her seeing. And

she lets us know.

And who is this big mouth female:

Lew is 10 years old now and will outlive us all.

What will we do with her when we are gone.

We will will her to the kid of ours that has

given us the most grief over the years! ha!

Enjoy your Sunday!

2010-04-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

Good morning~Its nice and sunny. Gonna be

a really nice day! Have fresh roses from my

bushes on the counter, husband doing

grocery shopping, laundry almost done,

lots of fun sewing projects in the works.

It can't get much better than this for

9am! Feeling mighty blessed here.

There is so much I am thankful for. I used

to put that on my blog whenever I wrote.

Infrequent as that was. But now as I am

doing lots of blog hoppin' I see more and

more people writing what they are

thankful for. I like that. Alot.

So maybe,I will start doing that again. It

always did make me smile when I wrote down

my 'loves and thankful fors'. They were

right off the top of my head, from

what was going on that day in my life.

And no matter how bad my day was

going, I could always find something

to be thankful for, and that I loved.

On another note, I am working on this

cute little momma diaper bag. Turning

out good so far. Except I cannot get

the trim on it! I have cut the trim 3

times. Pinned it. Unpinned it. Trimed,

ironed. Pinned unpinned. I'm sure

there are many that know how frustrating

that can be! ha! So today I am going to

start fresh. Cut some strips from the fabric

the main bag is made of, put it through

my little handy dandy bias tape maker

and see if I can finally get the right size.

ha...I can't believe I am keeping my patience.

and~

I'm thankful Bob will go to the commissary

bright and early

I'm thankful he ALWAYS gets all on my list!

I'm thankful we have the commissary to shop at!

I'm thankful for our beautiful roses this year!

I'm thankful for their wonderful aroma!

I'm thankful for the blooms on the apple tree.

Its gorgeous! So's the cherry tree!

I'm thankful for my washer and dryer.

I'm thankful I am still able to do the laundry.

I'm thankful Bob will help when I need it!.

Hope you are all having a glorious morning, and

the rest of your day will be great!

Friday already?

2010-04-15T21:08:00.000-07:00

I can't believe this week is almost gone already!

I've tried to keep busy and I guess it worked

cuz time seems to have gotten away from me!

I spend the week doing this and that, dinkin'

around, readin', sewing....anything to keep my

mind off of back pain and stomach nausea.

Both of which plagued me pretty much every

day.

Oh well, at least I had my 'sewing supervisor'

along side when I would put my feet up...

His name is Elvis. And yes he does act like he is

the king.

Cuz when there ain't no place to sit

with momma, he will sit where and

on who he wants. This time, it was

poor little Dawber. Dawber doesn't mind

though. In his eyes, Elvis is just keepin'

him warm!

I am in the middle of making a cute

little diaper bag, sized for a little

girl to carry all her baby treasures

in. I dug some fabric out of my

closet I have had for, ahem, almost

20 years. ha! I can't believe it.

I used it on my daughters baby

doll clothes, then an outfit for

my grandaughter 10 yrs ago, and

now this. Talk about stretching a yard or

two out!!

So when its all finished I will do a pic or

two. Its time to go put my feet back up.

I did a stupid thing this evening. I was

digging through one of my sewing

baskets for pink thread and instead of

bending at hips, I attempted bending

at waist which I cannot do. Lets

just say spasms are on the menu for

tonight.

sleep well everybody!

baby stuff

2010-04-13T23:16:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to sew is stuff for

baby. Love it!After making two crib sets, I was

asked to make a caddy to old wipes and a few

diapers. This is the end result. The only pic

I have, sent to me by the mom on her cell

phone. *sigh*, I will not forget to take pictures

again!

It was so easy to make. Just got a fat quarter,

cut four corners off and saved them. Made a

box, lined it with contrast. Added handles,

cardboard for solid bottom. With the left

over squares, I made a little tiny box and

stitched it on the front to hold pacifiers

and such odds and ends. I put a few yoyos

on with crochet flowers in the middle.

OH I wish I had pictures to share. It just was so

cute in person.

I have never really sewed patternless before.

But after spending hours blog hopping, reading

tutorials, I figured I should give it a try. It was fun!

This week I am trying to figure out how to make

fabric flowers. I have been trying to use my

cricut to cut out fabric, having a hard time

with that one. I have a heavy duty cutter,

just have not hit the right setting yet. I

will get there. In the meantime I have

made a few circle templates, done some

cutting, folding, stitching, sighing and trying

again. I will get it. Maybe I should proceed

to zippers. ha!

Daisy kingdom and dinosaurs!

2010-04-09T22:45:00.001-07:00

First off, I forgot to put this picture in yesterdays

post. Nothing special, I just forgot. Its my cluttered

bookcase in my sewing room. Again more treasures.

The two sewing boxes on top were my moms.

She had them forever. As they were getting

rather battered up I thought I would put them

up for safe keeping, but up where I could see them.

I admit, I love going on ebay and browsing the

sewing notions section, in the collectibles.

Love it ALL.

But I restrain myself. My moms are enough for me!

I LOVE Daisy Kingdom fabric panels!

This was the first one I had sewn,

and before it arrived in the mail I was

a little hesitant not know what the

fabric would be like. I have sewn pillows

from panels before and never really cared too much

for the fabric. Surprise! This is really nice

fabric! You can almost put it together without

reading the directions too. And I got brave.

I admit it. I have NEVER, not once, make buttonholes.

Ta~da! I was determined, you see I had just gotten

2 bags of the cutest buttons, Daisy Kingdom of course and

I had to, just had to use them on the dress!

And here it is~~~~~

After I took the pictures I realized I should have

done a top stitch on the top. It looks good as it, but

I am going to do that top stitch. I love a nice

top stitch! ha!

Just love the little flower shaped pockets.

You can't really tell, but the buttons are

greener than they look. They match

the little animals in the bottom border.

OH Oh

AND on the sides, the fabric is cut so you can

match up the animals exactly. I LOVE that!

I had started this little raggy quilt of sorts

waaaay before Christmas. I felt so bad I never

finished it up. And its such a simple one at that.

Just big old squares. Can't get much simpler.

But just to give it a little more dimension, or

color, or whatever you want to call it,

I put the dark blue flannel squares staggered

down the middle. I think it looks ok.

I did the usual X that you do on the raggy

quilt squares but I used

a wiggly or snakey? stitch line. It looks

kinda neat. I'm going to tell him

they are snake tracks! ha!

I just got in a nice piece of quilted fabric so of

course first thing I dug through my patterns and

found the perfect tote style pattern. Got it cut

out and will get it together tomorrow. This is my

second red purse in the last few months.

I guess that is the color

of the year for me!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

My Sewing Room

2010-04-08T15:14:00.000-07:00

I had read anothers blog a few days ago, and she

asked readers to show their favorite place to

create, read, sew, that sort of thing. I think. ha!

Really, it was something along that line. That stuck

in my mind, so this morning I clicked a few

pictures of my favorite spots

in my sewing room. Now, I did just the

favorite SPOTS because of course I

have a chair, a table a sewing machine, wheres the

fun there? But I have treasures around them that I

love and thats what I am sharing!

This is my mothers side board from long ago.

Its located right behind where I sit and sew.

I have some of my favorite old pictures,

glassware and odds and ends on it. I LOVE the

way my assortment of treasures looks! Pink glass.

I adore it. Old old pictures and frames,

precious. Attic treasures teddies,

make me smile.

And a pretty old bowl full of pretty buttons.

Gee what else would a girl want?

This next picture is of the area to my right,

or right above where I do scrapbooking.

I recieved the doilie tucked in a box of fabric

won on ebay. A hidden treasure!! I love

filling mason jars with ribbons and laces of

pretty colors. I think every room in the house

should have lavender in it. And of course,

tuck it in pink glass. Family pics are tucked

in a ribbon board along with other treasures

made by grandkids and their mommies.

Here is a close up of my mason jars and

ribbons. Love them! Just make me smile.

And see that little hand there on the right?

Its a traced hand of my grandaughter Olivia.

I was in the hospital for quite awhile

a few years ago, and my step daughter made

them for me with a little saying about holding these

little hands until I can hold the real ones.

Does that just not melt your heart?

Well, thats a glimpse into my sewing room.

I love this room. Its a small room to start with

and I have filled it with so many of my favorite

things it does not feel small to me. It just makes

me feel warm and safe and creative.

I like that!

2010-04-06T22:43:00.000-07:00

I Always knew that Priscilla would be a good mommy

Easter 1982

2010-04-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! I hope everyone has a

wonderful day, finding eggs, eating

chocolate and being with ones that

you love!

This was taken April 1982, Priscillas first

Easter. This was at her Poppa and Gramma

Barbara's house in Downey, Ca. Poor little

thing was sick. She did great though,

Spending alot of time in mommy's arms.

Note she is loving on a bunny her Grandma

made for her.

It was a good day. Lots of family, cousins,

sisters, nieces, nephews. Home made goodies,

laughter and a yummy dinner. Nothing could

have been better.

Hope you all have the same kind of day.

A perfect one!

Happy Easter!

2010-03-31T05:46:00.000-07:00

So in this picture the kids are a few years

older so no Easter Bunny. Which is ok, it

probably would have been the

same orange one in the other picture! ha!

This is in Riverside, '89 if I am not mistaken.

Aren't they cute! I made Priscilla's dress. Jeremiah

liked the 'surfer' style clothes. Love them!

And today is April fools! I hope nobody gets

pranked too badly! That was a fun day too.

Could get the kids with silly stuff, like...ohhhh

spider! But I made Priscilla cry one year, so that

was that for scaring the kids. I still feel bad about that.

She will say otherwise cuz I laughed.

I finished the dress I was working on. Turned out

pretty good too! And I am proud to say, I have

conquered the button hole! Next week, zippers!

Does my talent never end.....hahahahaha

Easters past

2010-03-29T20:24:00.000-07:00

With all the wonderful Easter goodies in all the

stores and spotting the Bunny in the mall

waiting for little people to pose with, well,

it got me to reminiscing. Remembering.

Reliving. It was nice.

Dye stained fingers. Pink peeps. Yellow peeps.

Foiled bunnies. Jelly beans and marshmellow

eggs. Surprised faces at the baskets lined

up on the coffee table. Easter egg hunts that

were rehunted over and over. AND finding

that long lost egg 2 months after easter

which shows what a good housekeeper I am!

Ohhhh I love it all!

Here are my babies. Neither were afraid

of the Easter Bunny. Its 1983. I think.

But aren't they cute!!!

Hope you all are enjoing memories of long ago Easters too!

blogging

2010-03-26T21:37:00.001-07:00

Well, I have had 2, two, count them 2 people ask why

I am quitting blogging. What. A. Following! ahahahah

I am going to keep this going, putting up pictures and

a few other odds and ends as I find them.

We went to see Alice today. LOVED it. Of course

I will admit I love anything with Johnny Depp.

He does those characters so good. And he did

the mad hatter just right. As it was a Tim Burton

movie, I expected it to be a little dark, and it

was. There were also alot of his trademark

twisted dark creepy trees too! Have you ever

seen a movie of his without them? But it was

a fun movie, at least for me, Bob was kinda

'eh' about it. Just the 3D details made it so

good! The dandelion puffs floating, the huffing

of the big old dog beast, dust motes, it was

great! Just not for kids. At all.

I am almost done with a cute little Daisy Kingdom

dress I am sewing. When I finish I will put

it on here for the whole world to see, that is

all 2 of you! hehehe.

I do loves you

2010-03-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

Greatgramma and Melissa and Teri

Culver City, Ca.

I would say spring 1954

what for....or pity party for 1

2010-03-20T20:46:00.000-07:00

I have decided that it is useless and of no value

for me to continue blogging. I gave it a try.

Really I did. It's just not for me. I will go

back to my personal journal.

I am going to continute my fav/loves in

there too. I have been doing that for the

longest time. I have also found out that

I do have a lot of repeats in them. Obviously

those things are really precious to me.

Make ME, just me, feel warm and good

inside. I have decided that those are private

too. I mean, who really gives a flying fig except

me if I love butter cookies or rainy days. Or

the clouds in the evening with the gold

outline or tucking a baby under my

chin and loving the smell? They are my

treasures. Mine and mine alone. They

are the things that make me me, fill my

heart and soul with satisfaction.

I am going to continute sewing. What I want

when I want it. How I want to do it. I will

browse all those wonderful tutorials for

the how to's that my fingers don't

know how to. And I thank you for them.

I will ALWAYS be thrilled with Priscillas

blog and pictures.

And I am glad I did give this a try, because

now I know its not for me and not wondering

if maybe I should have one day given it

a try.

Loves you all,

Melissa.....daughter, wife, sister, mother, grammie

or as my dad used to call me when I was little,

kookoo bird.

my chenille

2010-03-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

In my last blog all I did was talk about chenille.

Chenille this that and the other. So I took a

few pics of the chenille I do have.

Its been put away for awhile in one of those

bags you suck the air out of but don't work.

Thats ok though, it did keep them dust free so

its all good. When I dumped them outta the bag

and on to the couch I was just pleased as I

could be all over again when I saw them. I

could not really get an accurate color on the

raspberry one, but its close. It is just lucious.

I just want to wrap myself up in it. Its in

great condition, no worn spots, discolored spots,

no shredding .The fringe is faded

though, but its not bad.

I am not sure what the design is. I just call it a star.

Its about a foot and a half across. Isn't it

pretty! So thick and cozy!

These are pictures of the white one.

There is a lot of discoloration on it. But nothing I can't

just cut around. The flowers are so thick and pretty.

And the colors are wonderful. The flowers are

all in great shape too, no bald spots. In fact

except for the discoloration, there is no shredding anywher.

Can we say yippee!

I really didn't do too much today. I finally broke down and

bought a "Loop Turner". I can finally turn those

little tubes of fabric with out tearing them up

and making my fingers sore. I just hope

they get it to me quick.

I am off to check out patterns for sewing with chenille.

If anyone has anything they can recommend

I would love it! I have been sewing for along time,

but I am venturing out of my safety zone of crib sheets

and bumper pads with matching blankies and lovies.

I have done one raggy quilt, and it is a raggy looking thing. Ha!

But I did my best and it really isn't bad! I will get a pic of that

next. There are a few other odds and ends I have made,

but I am finding spreading my wings so to speak

pretty exciting!!! Wish me luck!

I am thankful for and love

pg tips tea

that first sip of tea in the morning

being able to laugh at my many sewing mistakes

vintage fabrics and linens

glass buttons and tatted lace

all my moms old lace wound into balls

Dawber, Elvis and Fred

I'm thankful for all of you too, whoever you are

if there is anybody even reading this!

Loves you all!

losses and love and being cozy

2010-03-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

My daughter Priscilla and her husband suffered

a loss last weekend. One of those things you

never want your daughter, your baby girl to

have to suffer through. They miscarried.

My heart just ached for them. I said kind

words, but to me they were not enough.

I wanted to hold her. To murmer all those

words mommas whisper to their babies

when they are hurting. Even though

I said words over the phone, I hope she

does know how I felt for her, how I love

her. How proud I am of her.

She blogged her news with grace, saying how

she is so lucky to have the wonderful husband

and beautiful little boy she has. I hope she

knows how lucky we all feel to have her as

our daughter, wife, mommy. We all

love her so much!

On a different note,

I'm still immersed in reading all the craft blogs

there are, and there are hundreds upon hundreds.

And it seems each just as good as the last. I love

them! And I will say it again, so many great

ideas, fun patterns, beautiful fabric. Oh the

pictures. Thank you thank you for all of them!!

One thing about all those wonderful crafts/ideas/tutorials/

fabrics and photos, I want to buy everything! Books!

Fabric! Patterns! Ribbon! Threads! Quilting goodies!

Buttons! A day does not pass when I do not buy

something from ebay. Todays purchase were two

booklets. One for chenille soft animals. *I adore

chenille*, the other for some purses and goodies.

Chenille. Even the word is cozy. It brings to mind

grandma's bed and thick heavy bathrobes. Both cozy

comfortable things that bring warm memories. Well

at least they do for me!

I found a cute tutorial for slippers that calls for fleece.

I am going to use chenille. I'm making some easter

animals, nix the cute florals, chenille will do. I have

a cute jammie pattern for myself, will find a nice

chenille for them. *I spend alot of time in jammies

as I am not particularly the healtiest person in town*

Does that not sound sooo cozy!!

I think I have just talked myself into doing some

chenille shopping tomorrow! And I already have

2 beautiful bedspreads tucked away for just

this stuff! One a beautiful plain raspberry one

and a white one with flowers along the border.

I'm seeing a robe made out of that one!

I love and am thankful for

Priscillas beauty grace and strength

Gregors love and caring for her

Landons being his mothers son

the doctor who cared for her

the warm day we had today

the gentle breeze we get through the

house when we open front and back doors.

The lavender Bob bought for the backyard

for me.

Bobs happiness at getting his tomatoes started.

You all have a wonderful tomorrow...and if

you see something great on ebay...don't bid,

its mine! ha!

loves you all!

keeping busy

2010-03-11T21:07:00.001-08:00

I have been reading lots of other blogs

that have to do with crafts & sewing.

I LOVE them! So many talented women

in blogland. I spend hours going from

blog to blog, reading tutorials and

how tos. About fabrics, from how do

you store yours and how to cut. I make

sure I look at all the pictures so I don't

miss anything. Its great!

I have learned alot in the past few days.

They have gotten my own creativity going

too. I have found I can make something

with out depending on a pattern. And it

feels fantastic! I get so excited I ask Bob

a hundred times while I am making something,

what do you think? Should I do this? Would

this look good? He always takes the time to

answer me too. And he does have some good

ideas to boot! So it makes it even more fun

know I can share with him and he takes an

interest in what I am doing.

I am just about finished with a little tooth

fairy pouch I am making for my grandson

Wyatt who has his first loose tooth! Its

not the best, but my first attempt and I am

happy with the result. Soon as its done

I will take a picture. I already have ideas

on making one for Olivia, who has a long

time to go before any loose teeth happen.

Beads! I LOVE Beads! Fringe! Sparklies!

Ribbons! love em love em love em! ha!

Not much other news. Things have been

quiet. Its hard to plan alot when my stomach

is still so bad. I really have to call the doc

don't I. I do not know why I put off calling.

I do know I am sick of doctors. Well, not

so much sick of them as rather put out

by their inability to help me. And that makes

me tired. Sooo, I just am hanging in here...

I am thankful for and love

my favorite old worn stretched out soft

sweater~

crawling back in bed in the mornings for

another hour of snoozing~

word search games~

snapple cranraspberry tea~

dark toast~

pop tarts~

swiffering~

when Bob brings home a movie that

I really wanted to see~

watching real housewives~

reading tutorials and understanding them~

getting my jammies on after a long day~

I loves you all and someday soon I am sure

I will get pics on here!

I really understand!

2010-03-09T00:20:00.000-08:00

I finally realize what the terms 'chronic pain',

'chronic nausea', 'chronic this', 'chronic that'

mean! I thought I did. Really! I can understand

being in pain all the time being labeled as

chronic. What has really nailed it for me is

this constant, exhausting, depressing, mind

numbing nausea that will not go away. I get

it. Sorry to all who have chronic afflictions

for not fully realizing your suffering. I do now.

Anyways. I am anxiously waiting to hear about

Pricilla's docs appt. tomorrow. I know its not

her ob one, but its a start. Like its really the

official word that she is expecting! Its just

so exciting! A new baby in the family. It

really just doesn't get any better. My mom

would just be 'over the moon'! She LOVED

babies. And was so looking forward to being

a great grandma. I have this little bitty

album that was in her stuff that said

great grand kids on it. Kinda warmed my

heart and broke it all at the same time

knowing how much she wanted it and

did not get to experience having great

grandbabies.

I truly believe she is looking down on us,

watching, protecting and laughing along

with us. And that she knows about the

new baby. I also believe she is driving

everybody else crazy talking about it!

ha! Just a picture in my mind that I love.

She could get excited about things!

Soooo I love simple things, like

1. the flower on my christmas cactus.

2. the smell of fabric softner sheets.

3. finding a just the right size box for

mailing in the garage

4. my pill alarm system Bob set up for me.

5. my well worn in slippers

6. chicken patties

7. black olives on nachos

8. folding warm clothes right outta the

dryer.

9. the smell of warm clean clothes right

outta the dryer.

10. my new measure and press quilting board!

loves you all...and I just may add pics tomorrow! ha!