What's Happening?

This is the second of the three quilts I quilted for my friends. In our small group, we had a block exchange and made blocks that represented our fine state of Washington. One of the gals had signed up but then surgery was scheduled so she had to drop out. Being the sneaky bunch we are, we made her this quilt. I had a blast freehand quilting this. The only problem, I forgot to take a picture of it when it was finished! How could I do that? I take pictures of all the quilts I do. So maybe, just maybe, my dear friend Cheri will send me a picture. Pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaase.

I've been sick. Yes, again. First it was the horrid cold, then the stupid knee--that one is still not healed--and then this weekend I had to go to Urgency Clinic. I knew what was wrong but they have to have you come in before you can get the medication. So I am on 2 nasty antibiotics. One of them is just horrible. My mouth tastes like I'm eating a big o' ball of foil. Nasty! So I am drinking my water, eating careful and sleeping. I didn't know antibiotics made you sleep but I don't care, I feel horrid so sleep is fine with me.

I thought today I could venture out to the grocery store but I just don't have the energy. I don't have to cook dinner on Thursday so that pressure is off. I do have a house full coming on Sunday. I am being the nice mom and giving my kiddos one less place to be on Thursday. But what I am really doing is hogging them on Sunday! So pray for nice weather so they can play outside.

I'm done checking in now, I need a nap.

Catching Up

It's been a while. I have been hiding and healing. I don't want to sound like a whiner because I have been doing lots of whining the last couple weeks. I don't handle pain very well at all. Then I feel worse because my injury is so minor compared to what others are dealing with.

At the retreat, I slipped in the mud, did not fall down and probably should have. You know when you slip and then to the please don't let me fall on my butt dance??? Well, that is exactly what I did. I reinjured my knee and could hardly walk. I went to the doctor, I wanted her to make it better just by my going to see her. She didn't! So after a few days of being dilegent with the ice, elevating and ibuprofen, I am doing better.

I did some grocery shopping yesterday after spending time with Dee. About half way through the store, I wanted to lay (fall) down on the floor and cry like a baby. But I didn't (only because I would of had to stand back up again!) and finished my shopping. I made it home, somehow got the groceries into the house and put away. I put a roast in the oven for dinner and got out the ice pack. I sat in the chair with my feet up on the stool, ice on my knee, phone by my side and the remote in my hand. I watched tv and talked on the phone for an hour. When I finally got up, my knee didn't hurt as bad. It couldn't have been from using it!

This morning it isn't too bad at all (could it be because I used it???). I hope I'm good for Thursday because I am going to the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival with my friends and then on Friday, I am going again with my daughter. The best part about going to this is that is close to home. Usually this is held way up north near Seattle and I can't go. I am so excited. I love this kind of stuff. I can't wait to see the latest and greatest. I am going to take my cane and my pills and ice pack just in case.

The quilt in the photo is one that a group from one of my groups made for a member that had surgery. I had the pleasure of sewing the top from blocks made by members and then I quilted it. It's very nerve racking to quilt for another long arm quilter. She loved it when we gave it to her as did the others that recieved their Hugs Quilt. Notice the block that has the sashing on the wrong side? I left it on purpose because that is the nature of our group. Just a little bit quirky and that is why I love it.

My Bags Are Packed

Again, my bags are packed for a retreat. I think after this weekend, I will settle in for the winter. I admire anyone that travels alot. I am not good at it. I like being home with my stuff. And besides, does it count when you go to a retreat but come home at night to sleep????

I have some Christmas projects for the kiddos I want to work on. I'm hoping to be done with that tomorrow. I packed a UFO and a WIP to finish. My UFO has been around for a couple years. I need to frog stitch a couple rows and then I can finish putting it together. I'm thinking it is about 80% done. Wonder why I didn't work on this one more.

Then I have my Orange Crush Mystery from Quiltville. The main top is finished, the border strips are finished, I just have to put the borders on. Maybe then I will like it more. I took it with me to the last retreat and Gloria had her's there so we compared. She had dark borders on hers and it really set it off. So we decided that is what I need to do also. So I searched my stash and found a nice dark blue that I am going to use. Now I am excited to get it done.

When I come home, I only have one quilt waiting to be quilted for my friend Nadine. When that is finished, I have 3 ready to do for myself. I have the flannel for backing and I have enough batting for all of them. Then I need to buy more batting. Uggggggggg!

How do you like my photo. Miss MaeMae is learning to give DJ treats. My dogs are very patient with the babies, knowing they are in for some good stuff. He knows if he sits there long enough, she will drop something or she will just put it in his mouth so he doesn't have to reach to the floor!

I'll catch up with you next week. Hopefully I will have some progress pictures. Until then.....

My View

Once I am out my back door, this is what I see. I look up the hill and it is full of yellow, green, orange and brown. I love all the colors of this time of year. But I am afraid my colors will be gone shortly. The rains have started and they forget to stop sometimes. I don't think we will be doing much dry leaf shuffling this year.

I can't sleep tonight. I am plenty tired, but I can't turn off my brain. I have a billion things going on in there. Like what quilt design am I going to quilt on my next quilt top. Or which piece of flannel will be the back. Or am I going to have time to get my lotto blocks finished before the retreat. Or do I want to. I do and I will make the time to make them before leaving on Thursday.

Today is Miss Ashlee's 14th birthday. Happy Birthday!

I have a little something for her and will try to catch up with her sometime today. Then I am going to make a mad dash to JoAnn's to get a new bulb for my Ott Lite and some knitting needles.

I dumped my light over the other day and the bulb blew out. Darn those things are expensive! And I have to have a pair of size 17 36" circular needles for a shawl I am working on.

I had one of those moments the other day where I looked at a pattern and then had to make it. So I made a dash to Battle Ground, found some gorgeous yarn but no circular needles so I bought the size 17s they had and came home. I cast on my 184 stitches and away I went. But that is just too much on those needles and it is hard to knit. So I am on a mission. I could work it on the needles I have, after all, I have one skein of yarn done. But I have a burr in my bonnet and I want those darn needles. And besides, they might have some more yarn that I couldn't live without.

I think I can go to sleep now. If not, I will toss and turn and then hubby will wake up and talk to me. Now that isn't a good idea!