A Week In The Life Of Gramma

And what a week it was! Starting with Monday during the day. (My last post sounds cheery when in fact I felt like I was at the bottom of the pond trying to come up for air. And the post was written before Ernie came home.) I had submitted a request for some days off for when my daughters were coming for a visit. Everyone I work with knows how I feel about my kiddos and my grandkiddos.

On Monday afternoon, I got a phone call from the office telling me that "people" were complaining that I was taking too much time off. How dare I! My kids live out of state, I don't care about the hours, I want the time off to spend with them. Period, make it happen. I spent the rest of the day trying not to cry. Everytime someone said anything to me, the tears fell. I came home hurt and angry and vented to my dear husband. He said quit.

Tuesday morning, Happy Birthday to Me!, I call the office. ME: "This is my notice. I will work through the end of the month if you want me to." THEM: "Ummmm, ok." ME: "OK!" Hang up. Fall into my chair.

I felt the weight of the world fall off my shoulders. Then I had to tell the guys. I told one, that seemed to be enough because we can't keep a secret. So work Wednesday and Thursday, take a 5 day weekend that THEY scheduled for me (and I did not complain about), work next Wednesday and Thursday and become retired! I spent the rest of the day cleaning my office. I want to leave on good terms, just in case. You never know what life will bring and I don't want to burn this bridge. I also don't want to cross it again but...

Wednesday and Thursday were explaining days and trying not to cry everytime someone says they will miss me or not to quit. I've worked there almost 11 years so I know alot of people. I felt so great about doing this that I came home from work full of energy and in a good mood. I sewed everynight.

Then on Friday, day 1 of my 5 day weekend, I finished up this wall hanging. I love it and am giving it away. Due to arrive in a mail box next week but I'm not telling who or why yet.

Friday night was the Brad Paisley concert. I almost didn't go. But I sure am glad I did. It was fun spending the evening with Dee, Vern and Taylor. And Brad is one of my favorites and a hottie!

Then Saturday, I cleaned house for a while, then sat down in front of the sewing machine. (Ernie didn't feel good so he napped off and on all day. Poor baby has a head cold.) I got almost all of my blocks made from my quilt retreat project. I am calling it Circles and Stars. Then, after begging Ernie and the dogs to go get ice cream-and they did, I ate my ice cream, watch Over the Hedge - cute movie - while stitching binding down on my quilted jacket. Then I shopped on ebay, put in a bid on a book and went to bed.

I got up this morning full of energy, checked my bid--won the auction-wooho, made breakfast and finished sewing my blocks. Now I am sewing them into rows. Hopefully I can get the top together today. If I don't I have some extra time coming into my life. I think I'll be ok.

I'm 53 and I'm Free! Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy To Be Home

I had a blast at the retreat. What a great weekend. It sure felt good to sleep in my own bed. I had to come home ( a 3 mile trip!) a couple times to take care of Uggie and get some stuff for people that forgot or wanted what I had. Other than that, I got to sew. And eat! Lordy, the eats at the retreats! They are the best.

Thank you to all my quilting friends for giving me a fabulous surprise birthday party! All I wanted to do was work on my projects for my birthday present. I didn't know people were sneaking goodies into a surprise gift bag. (That's what makes it a surpise, Goofy!) I can't thank you all enough. Even singing Ole Gray Mare made me smile. (Remember Sister SuSue??? Riding bikes in the woods, singing at the top of our lungs!)

This picture is of our Bingo cards. We sewed together a 25 patch and the winner, Marian, sewed all 25 of them into a charity quilt. She is going to add some borders to make it big enough. I had planned on finishing it for the charity of her choice but she said she would do it. Thanks Marian, I have a new project list a mile long!!! She also won a fabulous wheeled caddy that I really wanted but didn't win. Good thing I gave up Bingo along time ago. Better to spend that money on quilting goodies.

Like the book I had to order last night and the sharpener thingy that I had to have. All because of Jane! I guess I have enough quilty "stuff" because those 2 things were the only things I had to have and ordered as soon as I got home.

Talk about inspiring. Show and Tell makes a person drool! I didn't ask the ladies if I could post their faces or their projects so I will keep those photo to myself. But let me tell you! Fabulous stuff.

Thanks for the great weekend, friends. Can't wait until the next one!

Hungry For Free Time

This morning I was getting out the Cheerios for my breakfast and without the aid of my glassies, I read on the side of the box "Hungry For Free Time". Then I put on my glassie to see what this was all about. What was actually written was "Hurray for Free Time". From the health and parenting experts at KidsHealth. So I checked it out and there are all kinds of fun things for kids.

Did you know that if you got to Cheerios.com and enter your box code, they will donate $1 to WomenHeart, supporting women living with heart disease. So rush out and buy your good for you Cheerios and be sure to get a box with the $500,000 banner on the front so you can find your box code and help raise a half a million dollars! Way to go Cheerios! Too bad you can't enter a code from any box. I tried. But not to worry, I'll buy more.

The funny thing is, I am truely hungry for free time. Yip, every once in a while, I need some Judy Time. You know what I mean, time to do what you want to do, when you want to do it. No clocks, no TV, no phones (I'll have my cel phone just in case!), no (sorry honey) hubby or dogs, no work. Just some quilty friends to talk to or not. To laugh with or cry. Snacks, chocolate, good home cooked meals--cooked by someone else and no dishes!

I get to sit down in front of my sewing machine and sew. I don't have to stop unless I want to. You never know when you might need a snack!!! And I do need to get up and move around a bit.

My bags are packed, I'm almost ready to go. I have a couple little things to do in the morning and then I am off to my retreat. I have my projects all packaged up and I know what order I want to work on them.

First thing I'll do is eat my Cheerios.

I Love My Dogs But...

 
 
...holy cow, they are so expensive!

DJ's shots--------------------$86
Uggie's shampoo & hair cut----$35
DJ's scrubbin'----------------$25

After all is said and done

Hugs and Kisses---------priceless

 

WhooHooo, I knew if I whined loud enough and long enough, I could show you this picture. Thanks blogger.

Ugly Fabric Challenge

Use your best blue whinie voice.......why won't blogger let her upload the picture of this quilt???

Last November at our quilt retreat, we played a game using ugly fabric. We were to bring 1 yard of ugly fabric. Then we ripped it in half, dropped a half, ripped, dropped, etc. At the end of the game, when the "What are we gonna do with this now?" question came up, I suggested we make something for charity out of it. Add some of your own fabrics, can't remember how many, and make something for someone else.

Last night I started to clear off my cutting table and I found my bag of uglies (which by the way, I didn't find one ugly fabric in the bag!) and figured I better get started. The retreat is in November after all and I have to have something for show. So I pulled out my notebook of patterns from Quiltville. I decided on the Chunky Churndash. And this is where I am now. I have one little piece of fabric left and I think I can get the 2 needed blocks out of it if I add another piece from my scrapbag and use the pink for the corners.

I didn't have to work today so I have spent my time obsessing about this top. I have all the hourglass blocks done and will do the 2 other blocks later today so I can sew the top together. I don't know what to use for the borders yet but I think I have enough fabric on my self to find something!

Now I have to get going and run a few errands. I need to go to the quilt shop and find a black batik for my May retreat project. I'm going to do an organized scrappy (I know--what a surprise!) quilt and I want my 2 background pieces to be constistant throughout the quilt.

It sure feels good to be productive again. I think I'm out of my slump for a few days. I've even been able to sew a little bit at work and have almost all of my half square triangles pieced for my depression block quilt.

Hi From Sunny Marana, Arizona

We got here on Thursday. I've discovered that I can't get up at 3 am and still have rational thoughts at 10 am. I was so tired I could hardly keep my head upright on my shoulders. When I finally took a 2 hour nap, I felt fine but was ready for bed about 7!

Yesterday we just fiddled around all day. Ernie, Elliot and I went to visit our friends, Tom and Tessie. Crystal and Mike went on a date to the golf course. Then we went shopping. I needed to go to Micheal's for a couple skeins of yarn for Ashlee's scarf. Then we had to go to Home Depot for Mike. Guys sure like to shop at the Depot. We left there with a truck full of new power tools and a gun safe--too bad they couldn't put it in their kitchen like ours are.

This morning after breakfast out, we went to Mission San Xavier del Bac.
It was kind of neat to see. When we walked into the chapel, I thought of of going to church with my Great Granny. She would have love seeing the Mission.

Then we came home so Elliot could nap and now nap time is over. Wonder what's next on the agenda. I've been having fun using Crystal's computer with her high speed internet. I get to look at lots of blogs in a short period of time. Sure don't miss my pokie ole dial up.

That's all for now. I'll post when we get back home.

Ain't We Purty?

This is Miss Amanda. Isn't she gorgeous!

This is Uggie after his trip to the groomer.

He's kinda purty now, don't ya think?

Can you see his Elvis smile?

This is Uggie

He was a scruffie looking little doggie. He needed lots of tender loving care. He has since been to the groomer for a hair cut, the vet for shots and neutering.

He's a happy little fellow. He fits in with the family like he has lived here forever. He is getting better with his manners and he is learning to come when called. He also likes to sneak up onto the beds when no one is looking. Yip, he's a happy fellow.

Quilt Designer

This is Miss Taylor. She loves to help design quilts. These blocks were started at Royal Ridges Quilt Retreat last November and have been aging in the baggie every since. The other day it was time to get the top together.

With as bit of help from Miss Taylor and Mr Ian, we have the top assembled and is ready for borders. My original plan was to continue the red line into the border with the background fabric that is used throughout. But you know how plans go---mine usually go right out the window. I have enough fabric for a few more blocks but not enough for a border. So on to plan B. I will find another piece to make it out of.

We just finished Easter dinner and the infamous egg hunt. It's raining so eggs have been hid several times in the kitchen. With Jenny and Crystal's families away, it was almost quiet at our house. We all missed you guys!

The bellies are full and kids have almost settled down to watch a movie. Poppy is in his chair and probably snoring by now. Gramma will get things ready for work tomorrow. It's been a bit slow at work so I'm thinking of at least loading the sewing machine and string block project bag in the car--"just in case".

All the Snews That is Snews!

There has been a bit going on around here in the last couple of weeks.

Happy Birthday to oldest daughter Jenny and Happy Birthday to youngest daughter DeeDee. I've spent alot of time this week remembering when my babies were babies. And now they have babies...ohmygoodnessgracious!

I've finally updated to new blogger and I how have a gmail account. Just wish I could update my pokie ole dialup! Come on TDS Telecom, think about the people that live out in the sticks.....and we aren't in the sticks, we just happen to be a bit too far from their tower. Like 1 1/2 miles too far!

What else--sewing news--I cut up the pieces I need for my quilted jacket class and I have my bias binding ready. Now I just have to get the sweatshirt to create the jacket out of. The class is Thursday. 3 day weekend, rainy Saturday, no plans, think I'll sew.

Oh I am mom to a new dog. 2 year old Bingie is a Peek-a-poo. He was listed on Craig's list and when I went to meet him, I fell in love with him and he was adopted. Everyone in the family and at work has changed his name to Ug-moe--don't ask! He has quickly become Ug. But after a visit to the groomer, he is UgNoMore! I'll post a pic soon.

Now lets see if I am capable of labeling this post and publishing this post. I know, lets call this Snews!

My Productive Weekend

I have a gazillion UFOs. I consider anything started and not completed to be a UFO and it is time I got some FOs. So this weekend was my time to get busy.

I finally finished my marble circle quilt top that was started in November at our quilt retreat. I had to go back and re-sew all of my black sashing because my 1/4" seams were waaaay too narrow... But now it is done and I am ready to quilt it. I have to get some fabric for the back but I know what I want and I hope they still have it. I'm going to use a smokie colored thread and quilt various size circles all over this quilt.

These are the marbled fabrics that I did with my Marbelous friend Sonya. I used Nancy Elliot MacDonald's templates and just started cutting fabric and this is where I ended up. I totally love this wallhanging and cannot wait to get it finish and on the wall.

If you strain your eyeballs and look on the left edge you can see just a trace of another quilt top underneath. It is a baby quilt top. The red, white and blue nine patch blocks have been in a UFO box for 3 years or so and I finally got them out, made a few more, sliced and diced them, arranged them, re-arranged them, sewed the top together and added a red border. It now needs to be quilted and given away.

I also sewed the back to another quilt together and pieced the batting. I have a bin of 10 1/2" squares that makes great scrappy backings. It is ready to put on the machine and quilt. Now I have to clear off the machine table, fill some bobbins and dance with my machine. Hopefully this week will lead to some finishes.

I went to the doctor on Thursday about my caprel tunnel. I left with splints for both hands, wear when sleeping (that's a joke) and when I can when I'm awake. She doesn't recommend surgery right now (thank you!) but she does recommend that I rest my hands and arms. You cannot go on a marathon knitting/sewing/computering binge with out taking breaks. When I told her I used to take breaks all the time (smokers do that ya know!), she told me to take water breaks. Funny girl!!!

So now I am going to take a water break. And then put on my cute splints and watch some TV with the big guy. Hmmmmm ice cream...that sounds good. 

Can You Believe It!

100 Days I am a non smoker!

Not Much Happening Around Here

Get up, go to work, come home, fix dinner, clean up, go to bed so you can get up and go to work. I love my dull, boring life.

Work has been a bit busy for winter time--don't these contractors know that this is my time of year to sew and now to knit. I've only taken my machine to work once this winter. It's been too busy so I have been knitting socks and hats. I'm not real fond of these bright green socks--really I love the color and they are quite toasty. I tried a new pattern, didn't make a swatch to check my gauge and the right sock is a bit big. I made the left sock to fit. I also am not real fond of this yarn, it split real bad and isn't really sock yarn but I got in some excellent practice.

I'm having a hard time adjusting to the fact that another of my children (ok adult children) are packing up and leaving. Jenny and her family are headed to Texas. I understand they have to do what is best for their family. I also understand that I am going to have to keep working so I can jump on an airplane and go visit. I don't have to like it! I just have to understand it. So here I am, trying my hardest to understand. I do, really I do.

What else is exciting-----I lifted up the laundry basket this morning and hurt my back. I knew I shouldn't do laundry. I fixed an awesome pot roast dinner today.

Ohhhhh, on Tuesday, I went to the doctor and she told me I need a test to confirm I have carpel tunnel so something can be done with it. And on Wednesday, I had a mammogram! I do lead an exciting life. On Thursday, I got a phone call to schedule my test and I get to do that next Friday. Look at this children of mine, I have to drive to Portland.

After my mammo, I went to Joann's--they were having a sale~like when aren't they~--and I bought 2 sets of circular needles and 2 skeins of Wool-Ease yarn to knit 2 socks at a time. I bought a book with awesome instructions and pictures. I'm too lazy right now to look it up. I had to finish the hat I was working on, the sock I was working on and the orange dish cloth before I could start with the cir needles. I got to start those last night.

I did sit down at my sewing machine a few days ago and made myself a cute red purse. I think the sewing machine is feeling a bit lonely again. I need to pay more attention to is this week. I'm going to try to sew for 30 minutes each evening. Wish me luck!

Ostrich With Attitude

We went to the Ostrich Ranch and got to feed the critters. The deer were fun to feed. There was one that was a bit nippy but I think it was still quite young.

The ostrich terrified me! I thought I'd be clever and let them eat out of my cup instead of my hand. He took the cup and almost jerked my arm out of the socket--not really but it scared me so that's my story.

We left the ranch with a couple of feather dusters and bunch of stories.

Vacations are great. 

Bye Bye Gramma & Poppy

Poor little Elliot, can you see what he thinks of Gramma and Poppy leaving him! Pppppttttttttt!

Gramma feels the same way. It was really hard to leave Arizona. I miss the kids. I miss the smoochies and giggles. I miss the conversations. I miss the relaxation. I miss going out to eat. I miss the weather. (Except that one night when it was real cold at the softball game.) Heck, I even miss Mike! And Tiny, oh I will miss seeing Tiny.

It was a party for Elliot's 1st birthday (and the super bowl). Mike had family and friends from out of town there. Elliot was not left alone for a minute.

I can't figure out where all the days have gone. Wasn't he just born??? He is now almost walking. He figured out how to flip the lever door handles to get the door to the bathroom open--snicker, snicker. Wonder how Mommy and Daddy are gonna fix that little problem!!! snickering again! I love being the Gramma and not having to worry about the little details. Every cupboard in the kitchen except one (that belongs to himself), has a child proof lock on it. If you open it, he is right there to get into it.

Today I had to go back to work--not real happy about that but need money for airline tickets and hobbies. Do you think it would be a nice leisurely day? Heck no, it was busy busy. I just wanted to have a little knitting time, didn't get much of that done but I sold a heck of a lot of rock.

I got to knit at Crystal's. I'm not a good passenger so I took my knitting everywhere so I wouldn't suck all of the air out of the car as we are cruising at 75mph! I worked my second pair of socks (which are finished and I wore to work today) and made a scarf while I was there. When I got home, I had a box of sock yarn waiting for me. Can't wait to get that on the needles. I have 3 dish clothes started and I'm going to finish them this week so I can work on socks. I am really trying not to have a bunch of UFOs like I have with my quilting. The dishclothes are great to take in when I'm riding in the car. But darn it, I want to make socks. I also had a book here waiting for me to teach me how to work from the toe up on 2 socks at a time. Not sure if I'm ready for that yet. Besides, I don't have any circular needles--told you I have to work. There is always stuff to buy.

So I am off here to get into my pjs and knit for a bit. It's hard not to cast on for the 1st sock. 

I've Got Socks

I am quite impressed with myself! My arm hurts from back patting! I cannot believe I can knit a pair of socks. I can read a pattern and figure out the simple things, know who to call or where to look (Socks 101) for the things I can't figure out. I can drop stitches and pick them up. I can find all the mistakes I made, sometimes I backtrack to fix them. Other times I say it's a lesson. When doing the next pair, I will count my rows on sock one twice or three times before going on with the next step on sock two. Maybe they will turn out the same length and not 2 rows short!!!

But I don't care, I have a pair of socks.

My next pair will be a on the needles this week. I am going to use the same pattern but only rib the cuff. Now I need to find the yarn. The TLC yarn I bought is a little hard to work with because it has bumps of color in it. I think I'll save that for something esle. But in the mean time I have alot of dishclothes to work on.

We will be leaving in a few days to spend some time with Crystal, Mike and Elliot in Arizona. I will take my knitting with me to work on if I have time. I'm going to be pretty busy smooching all over Elliot. I have to do it now because in no time, he won't let Gramma kiss him at all! Boys are like that!!!

Now, I have to do the weekend stuff--you know the stuff you have to do to survie until next weekend. And I have to start packing and getting the house ready for the house sitter. I don't see much knitting in my future for today. But I am still training a new person at work so I get to knit there!!! Some days I love my job.

TaTa For Now. 

Socks, I'm Knitting Socks...

...or I've Started A Sock! Whichever!!!

Socks 101 has the most awesome sock demo. I have been searching online for a basic teach me to knit socks site and this is what I found. So on my day off today, I made a mad dash in to town to get some more printer ink (I need this to be portable), double pointed needles (couldn't remember what size so I bought 4 sets--just in case!) and some Lion Wool Prints yarn and some TLC Wiggles sport weight. The wool color is Autumn Sunset and the TLC is called Cherry.

I start to wonder what I am thinking at times but this has become an obsession. I have dishclothes #9 and #10 started. #9 is on the couch for TV time and #10 is at the computer for pokie ole dial up load time. Mind you, I'm not getting bored with the dishclothes. Just yesterday, I bought a book and 6 more balls of cotton yarn. I love using them and want to share with my friends and family. It's just this stupid sock thing I have going on in my brain. I even dreamt about socks last night.

So I've jumped in with both boring white sock covered feet and I'm determined to knit some cool socks. I've never used double pointed needles and that was a challenge. After some serious lip biting, I think I have the hang of it. I just kept refering back to my Socks 101 photos on how she hold the needles. I guess what I'm really saying is I am not afraid of the boogie man. The worst that can happen is I'll have to rip them out and start over. Would that be worse that just giving up?? I'm not going to do that, I've seen too many photos of cool sox. Check out these photos from the Socks 1o1 Lady. I want to be just like her when I grow up! Like that's gonna happen anytime soon.

I was just so excited about my bit of progress that I had to share. With any luck at all, my next post will have a photo of my foot/feet decked out in an Autumn Sunset Wool sock/socks. Hopefully one of those feet won't be in my mouth.

TTFN, gotta knit before I start dinner.

PS Happy Birthday Mom 

I Need To Sit At My Sewing Machine...

...instead of at this computer. But there is so much to read in blog land. That is where is am spending too much of my time now.

This is the last quilt I quilted--November! It's called Pinwheels on Parade from More Nickel Quilts by Pat Speth. It's been a UFO since last November, but now it's done. I even used it for a comfort quilt while I was sick and sleeping on the couch! Worked pretty darn good.

I did get to spend some time this week at my machine. We had an awesome snow storm and I got to be housebound for 2 full days. No husband, no dog, no job. Just me and my room for about 10 full hours each day. I did get some house stuff done but I use the theory of "If it wasn't snowing out, I'd be at work and house stuff wouldn't be getting done anyhow!" That kept the guilt at bay.

While I was cruising around blog land, I happened upon this post by Patchalot More. I was totally intrigued by this design so I went looking for my Open A Can Of Worms book by Debbie Caffery, remembered that I've loaned it out, so I got out the graph paper and started to draw. After a few attempts, I figured it out (mostly) and got busy. I dug out a pile of scrappy 9 patch blocks and now I have a top ready to quilt.

I have the batting pieced together to get it out from under my sewing table, the binding is ready, the thread colors chosen, even the quilting design is picked. All I need to do is make the back. I am going to piece together my 10 1/2" blocks to make a fun scrappy back for it. Then I can get it quilted and gift it to the person that babysits our dog when we are out of town.

So now I will get off of here (after I check out the Big Horn Quilts sight where I saw a Debbie Caffery book I don't own) and get the back together.

TTFN

My Latest Obsession

I want to knit socks! Everyone else is knitting socks. I want to knit socks.

Fun, funky, bright, warm, useful socks. I am going to make socks. Only problem--I don't know how to knit. I don't have time right now to take a class so I am teaching myself to knit.

I am making dishclothes. Do you know that there are a gazillion free dishcloth designs on the web. I Googled free dishcloth designs and opened a few pages where I found Knitting Pattern Central whick led me to the Dishcloth page. So on my next trip to town (so I made a special trip--I have a new obsession!), I bought some cotton yarn, some knitting needles and a teach me to knit book. I'm doing pretty good. I am on dishcloth #5 now. I gave one away and am using one. I also picked up a few more balls of cotton yarn.

I'm getting braver. I am actually following a pattern now and I'm doing a pretty darn good job. Only problem is my arm. There seems to be muscles in there that haven't been awake for a while and constant knitting is playing havic with them. Today I will try to rest my arm a bit but tomorrow they will work! I need to knit. I want to knit socks!

Have a great day.