Gail's Place

A little "tweaking"

2012-02-11T21:38:00.000-06:00

So there have already been a couple of upgrades to the sewing room. Out there in blogville I've noticed several folks displaying old sewing machines-working and not- in their sewing rooms. Then some folks have cried because their beloved sewing machine sewed it's last stitch. The two combined made me think. Scary, huh. I had my old Elna down in the garage, could not bear to part with it even though it no longer works and can't be repaired as parts are no longer available. I bought it in 1973 as a college graduation gift to myself and it must have made a million (or three) stitches. A nearly all metal, computerless machine that was mostly trouble-free (you really can't count as trouble the time my then three year old son filled the inside of the machine with pins and assorted sewing stuff. He was so proud of himself, for cleaning up my sewing, sigh.) It finally broke while I was stitching a bag to hold the youngest son's music and stand. That was 6 or 7 years ago. So today I brought it upstairs, cleaned it up good and set it up on top of the sewing shelves.

I still loved the way that machine worked.

Otherwise, I tided up the closet and moved empty boxes out. Put in reasonable, useable order the rest of the boxes.

Still need to label everything but I just can't get into it right now.

I did finish cutting squares of the precious little green I have in the way of scraps, hoping for a table runner maybe. Or maybe just some blocks to add to others later in the year, who knows.

The Sewing Room!

2012-02-07T18:58:00.001-06:00

Before I began all the sewing room madness there was a smallish (8x10inch maybe) basket crammed on the bottom shelf of the bookcases. Somehow Quinn managed to get in and make herself comfortable, getting out was a bit tricky though! Nothing to do with how the room turned out but cute puppy pictures are always going to find their way into the posts!

This is what I faced last Tuesday morning after the weird beginning to this project! All the stuff off the one bookcase that later collapsed plus a bunch of other homeless things!

Now for some photos of the mostly finished room!

This is my desk. It's massive. The top is quite a bit larger than the base and measures something like 3x6 feet! That's a lot of real estate in a 10x10 foot room but I love it so it stays and is cleared off-hadn't seen the top in a while until now. The file cabinets (2) are full of family history files as well as a few research files. There's a small tv on top, it isn't hooked up to dish so I only watch movies on it. Moving On.

To my right when I sit at my desk are three book cases, well really two and a half.

The one's nearest my desk are for my research and other paper stuff, like gardening books. If I ever finish the Town of Kansas book there will be a lot of empty shelves! The other one is for non-sewing crafts, my craft paints, glues, knitting basket and scrapbook stuff. Then there the door-it's a good thing I have skinny fingers as I have to reach behind the shelf to turn the light on and off!

When the door is open it backs against the closet/design wall.

This is the closet view, you will notice that there is empty room on the shelves, well once I take out all the empty boxes and re-arrange there will be--room enough for the two boxes of home decor fabric I have in the attic. Rob will get those down for me one day soon.

Next to the closet are the two bookcases that hold my sewing and quilting supplies.

The cutting table still has fabric on it to deal with, there are several pieces that will probably end up as a fat quarter and scraps. All the rest of the fabric is either in the fat quarter boxes on the top three shelves nearest edge or stored in these:

Each piece was measured, refolded around a file folder and filed in the box by the yardage (1/2 yd to 4 yds). I will be seeing fabric to fold in my sleep! I think it will be easier to see what I have and to keep neat this way.

Next around the room is my sewing machine!

I'm looking for a different table, that one is just too low! The pile next to it is my current project pile-only a pile because one project is bulky. Then we are back to the file cabinets! I have a square of floor left in the middle and a spot big enough for the ironing board (although I can't leave it up anymore.)

So there you have it. Please the gods it will work better for me and I won't spend an hour looking for my scissors!

Still sorting!

2012-02-06T18:38:00.001-06:00

I'm still working away in my sewing room. I'm just not sewing. I'm down to sorting the boxes of fabric. Measuring each piece, refolding it, wrapping it around a file folder (Adapted/stole that idea form Karen at Sew Many Ways-you can see it here. I don't have an empty file cabinet so I'm using regular file folders and standing them up in the box-photo's tomorrow, I hope.) Then I'm labeling each piece as to it's size. Anything smaller than a half-yard goes into shoe boxes with fat quarters-which still need to be sorted by color. I hope to wrap it up by Wednesday latest and then I'll post photos of the room. I think it might just work!

Sewing Room Redo, Day three

2012-02-02T21:49:00.000-06:00

I managed to work in my sewing room all day without hurting myself! Or having anything collapse. There is floor showing but not the top of any flat surface. Tomorrow should get a great deal more put away but it will be a couple of weeks before I've finished the sorts/culls on the boxes. I will have room in the closet for the two boxes of fabric I took up to the attic and will get them down when I've finished everything else. Hoping I can get some sewing in over the weekend as winter is supposed to come. We've have 60F days, only about 30 degrees above normal! While I love winter-my favorite season- I have enjoyed walking the puppy on these warmer snow free days. Poor Quinn would have trouble with 6 or 8 inches of snow!

I think I'll do some more putting away and sorting while I wait for Scott to get here for the evening. He's giving a talk at Math and Physics Institute (part of his high school) guess he still looks enough like a kid to be interesting!

Sewing Room Redo, Again...

2012-02-01T21:11:00.000-06:00

I'm sitting in the total disaster of my sewing room nursing a goose egg on my left arm but at least today I can get to my laptop! Not to mention the cable to charge my Iphone.

Most of you know that my sewing room/office has been an on-going issue for me. Last week when I searched for an hour for my scissors I declared that I would do SOMETHING to make it useable. I thought and thought -finally came up with a solution (please the Gods). Monday evening, having given up on TV for the night I thought I'd get started and move the bookcases. Bad idea, very bad idea. I unloaded one and began moving it when it collapsed! Fortunately not on me. Rethought the idea and decided to simply add two more bookcases (plus a new one for the one that collapsed) and lots of plastic storage boxes!

Last night I put together two of the new cases (would have done all three but the Independence Target only had two) and today I began ordering them. Sorting through boxes as I went. Still need to go back and toss any craft paint that has dried up, will most likely gain a box there. I needed to get to the shelves behind the cutting table which was piled totally high. The table sits on upside down paint cans (the ones Larry made to hold the dining canopy by filling them mostly with cement!). Here's where I made my mistake. Rather than take the table down I tried to get beneath and move it by moving the cans along the floor. Don't know what happened but suddenly the table was landing on my arm! It hurts-a lot -still, even after ice. It was a stupid thing to do!

Tonight I went to the Lee's Summit Target and got the third bookcase brought it home and put it together so tomorrow I should make more headway, if I can move.

Now I'm going to go ice my arm, again.

Sunday, and the weekend is over

2012-01-29T21:19:00.000-06:00

It shouldn't matter to me that the weekend is over I have no job to get to or many responsibilities in my life, yet it does. I guess it's years and years of getting up at 5:30 to get Larry's breakfast and lunch made then getting the children off to school. There is still magic in the thought of Saturday. Today, I took Quinn to the park twice to run on the fields, both times her buddy Hannah (the boxer next door) was there to run with her. Let me tell you she takes a lot of steps keeping up with full grown Hannah, but she does keep up. Actually she runs circles around Hannah-literally! When we get home she naps!

I did some sewing, handles for gifts bags that have been in the works for going on two years now. I'm putting some serious time in on them now, once finished there will be an empty spot in my sewing room and boy do I need those.

I spent a lot of time trying to figure out a new arrangement for the sewing room/office. There are only two rooms in this house that I can't lay my hands on whatever it is I need-the sewing room and the garage. It is frustration plus. In the end the answer will most likely be to finish projects and use things up although there will be some re-arranging as well it won't be major, a different layout and another 4 foot table for now, perhaps more later on.

I spent some thinking time on more patchwork ideas, like I need more projects! And some time surfing Pinterest and other spots for inspiration-again I don't need more projects! Both things involve my intention to make my home look more beautiful and to make a dent in my "TO Do" list so I'll justify it that way!

Now it's time for sleep.

Scrappy Red Top Finished

2012-01-28T14:47:00.000-06:00

Today, Quinn needed out at 5:30am (a very uncommon event) and unlike her I didn't got back to bed. She went right back to her crate and didn't get up until 9! Instead I drank my coffee and began sewing on the red top. I'm finished! Guess I should thank her for getting me up so early, nah.

Sorry about the photo being dark! We tried outside but the wind was blowing too hard and wrapped the bottom around Rob's legs! If you look close some of the seams are off a bit (hey first-born perfectionist here) but I didn't care enough to redo them! On the whole I'm happy with it, now I need to buy backing (thinking flannel), baste and hand quilt. But wait! First I have to finish "See What You Started", a quilt I am sick of and hope never to see again after it's finished!

I've also made 3 red klosjes this week. They are quick and easy even though they are hand pieced. I'll be making some more today and tomorrow, all red for the Scrap Challenge.

I intended to make some of the cute little scrap houses but they are just so tiny! I tried one a bit ago and unless I take the patterns to Kinko's and enlarge it I doubt I make any, just too fiddly for me. After I clean up a bit (don't get me started) and iron some (love the new iron so far) then I will cut more blocks and make some red heart blocks to use for placemats etc on Valentine's Day.

Quinn and I will make another trip to the park in about an hour but Tanya is making chili for dinner so I don't have to cook! After dinner and playtime I'll stitch some more, I had such a busy week I'm catching up!

Quinn at 4 months

2012-01-26T21:19:00.000-06:00

So remember these photos? They are of Quinn when I first brought her home, at 9 1/2 weeks of age.

I took these today so you could see how much she's grown!

She still really likes to "sweep" I swear she can hear the bristles of the broom gently brush across the floor! Then it's ATTACK! I sometimes put her out on the deck just so I can sweep. The dishwasher is still very cool as there is always the chance to lick a plate clean of "people food"-notice all four paws are on the floor.

She's a good puppy and I adore her.

Updates!

2012-01-25T20:55:00.000-06:00

This has been an odd week. On Monday, Kolby was here as his Day care was without water-turned out he was becoming ill, again, as well so his Mommy picked him up early and took him to the Doc. Ear infections, again. At least this time the meds to cure it are not causing him other problems. Yesterday, I had lunch with a friend before my volunteer gig, much fun. Today I met Brayden after school to keep him company until Mommy got home. He is much better after last week's fight with pneumonia, he was very tired so after a snack he watched Power Rangers and I stitched. I have to say, listening to the Power Rangers wasn't too bad but WATCHING it is agony! It is soooooo lame. Tomorrow there is a reception for my old boss at the Trails Center who is retiring. Friday is errand and shopping day. So everyday I've had something going on outside my normal, I've discovered I don't like it. I am at the heart of me a home-body, I always have been. No matter how enjoyable something is, if there are too many days that differ from my normal I get out of sorts! Weird, huh? What's truly weird is that I'm just now figuring that out!

It's been a couple of weeks with out a cross-stitch update. Bri especially likes these-it is her stocking after all. So last time:

And tonight:

I should finish the second page of the pattern (it's in four parts on four pages) tomorrow and begin the third page. It's coming along slowly. I've been busy doing some hand sewing projects and working on red scraps etc. I plan to stitch most of Saturday and Sunday. I'm going to re-arrange my sewing room, yet again, maybe next week, hoping to arrive at a more useable room. I may go shopping (ugh) for some cabinets or something to use in there instead of the 4 foot table-maybe something to go under the piece of oak counter top I saved from the old kitchen.

My new iron arrived but I haven't turned it on, maybe tomorrow. I really need a new ironing board, too. Maybe Friday, then I need to make one of the "big board" adaptations for pressing quilts. It just never ends!

Scrappy Red!

2012-01-21T18:33:00.000-06:00

Today I finished sewing 49 red blocks together. They mostly look like this:

There is, of course, quite a bit of variation in the prints--scrappy quilt after all. The pattern I'm using said to press the seams open. I don't know if I've ever seen a quilt pattern that said that! Do you know how tiny a 1/4 inch seam is to press open?! Then I remembered! Scott and Bri gave me this nifty mini-iron, if only I could find it! After an hour of hunting in every box imaginable I found it in a crock on top of the file cabinet! It looks like this:

And is indeed very nifty for tiny little hems! It even gets really hot!

Quinn and I went back to the park today for the first time in a while. I dropped her leash inside the first ball field and she ran in circles around me through the outfield of that field, then through the next and then through the last when we turned around and ran through them the other way! Well she ran I strolled. She is a tired little girl!

Made from scratch Chicken Pot pie, very yummy even if it's a messy thing.

Going to try and link up to SoScrappy with these red blocks, wish me luck!

I've missed few.

2012-01-20T21:37:00.000-06:00

Well, my intentions to write here each day sort of blew out the window this week! For some reason, unknown to me, I have been extremely tired in the evenings this week. Once after dinner play time with Quinn is over, I watch a little tube sans stitchery most nights, then go to bed early. Like 8 or 9 pm early! Then I sleep about 10 hours, get up wanting to take a nap. I don't know why, I'm not sick or anything. I think I will chalk it up to the hibernation concept, you know: winter-dark-cold-think I'll just sleep until it's over! The past couple of days have been better and today I did some sewing on the red blocks after grocery shopping. I also ordered myself a new iron! I'm tired of the one I have as it doesn't produce much steam or even get very hot. Bought a little fabric at Joann's today, some Kona in bone for the leader and ender project and a lovely green for a cushion on the piano bench. It's funny about Joann's, I went in for a 12 inch square ruler and came out with fabric, batting and the ruler! I really try to stay away from that place! Well, I'm tired so it's off to bed and read a bit before sleep.

New Zealand Quakes

2012-01-18T06:56:00.000-06:00

Did you know that there have been 9500 aftershocks in Christchurch, New Zealand? Check out Deb Robertson's thoughtful post, I think earthquakes scare me more than any other natural disaster.

Check ups!

2012-01-16T19:59:00.000-06:00

Quinn had her four month check up today, got her last puppy shots and won the hearts of everyone she met! Such a social little thing-I know I've said that before but shelties tend to be more reserved than she is! Today I managed to get the glue out of her ear as well, and Dr V (the vet) cut the rest out on her head (sorry Carol we couldn't stand it any longer!) I'll work at putting the crease in her ears and glue them back down if I need to. She is tolerating my messing with the ears again and learning to deal with the toe nail grinder. She is learning so much it's just amazing. Anyway, the vet changed her heartworm medicine to one that includes protection against the mite that causes the mange so we are cleared to return to the park! Yeah! We've missed it, walking sidewalks is just boring-for both of us! We are both tired, Quinn's sleeping here on one of her many pillows, I tried to sew on the machine for a bit and ironed some seams put can't seem to get with it so I' headed for the TV room and hand work. Bed early, I think

Cutting time, sigh

2012-01-15T22:20:00.000-06:00

I spent the better part of today cutting fabric. I've cut 2 1/5 inch squares all week, really should have read the instructions for the quilt I decided to make from the red Christmas fabrics before I cut as I cut many, many more than I need for that top! I suppose they will come in handy at some point but now I need different storage, everything I have is too big. I also prepped red klosjes and sorted fabric for little houses. When I finally finished cutting (wait, who am I kidding I will never finish cutting) I managed to sew up four flannel rag blocks and two sets of blocks for the nine patches in the red quilt. A productive day all in all. Wish I could do it again tomorrow but. . . cleaning calls once more, sigh. Also both Quinn and I have medical appointments, me for blood work( yuck, very hard to get blood out of me) and shots for Quinn. She and I went back to our twice daily walks but we have to stay out of the park. Our beloved Hannah (the boxer next door) contracted a very serious mange from being in the same area as a sick coyote and is contagious, since Quinn's immune system isn't fully developed I decided it was best to keep her out of the park for a while. I'm afraid the mange will travel around to other members of our wildlife community as well, unless we get a real deep freeze to kill off the mites that cause it. So sad for Quinn, she loved running free on the ball fields so much!

A fun day with the kids!

2012-01-14T21:37:00.000-06:00

I spent the day with Scot, Bri and Coco. I hadn't seen all their recent improvements in person and I want Coco and Quinn to be friendly so they need to see each other often! The house just gets cuter and cuter check out The Modern Parsonage and see for yourself! We spent most of the time chatting and watching these two play. Once they got over themselves they spent a lot of time running around like maniacs both inside and out (in Coco's fenced yard-a luxury Quinn doesn't have), then there was sniffing, stealing of bones, food and treats on both side. They were too cute check it out.

Coco (on right) lost the bone! Not to worry, she stole it right back!

Quinn "hid" under the couch, if Coco wasn't paying enough attention she would charge out from under to start more play!

The last time these two were together was Christmas, Coco was still bigger than Quinn, Quinn is now taller but not quite as heavy. Quinn has outgrown the travel crate I brought her home in! I shall have to buy her a seat belt and harness. She did sleep all the way home and a lot this evening. Bri sent home a big pillow that Coco doesn't like,

Quinn likes it! But she slides off and occasionally gets herself stuck between it and the couch. Who needs to go out for entertainment when you have a dog, or two!

Friday!

2012-01-13T21:50:00.000-06:00

So I went off to the quilt shop today. Guess what I brought home, 2 yards of white. Exciting, huh? I needed it for my red blocks, hope to begin sewing those on Sunday! I've nearly finished cutting 2 1/2 inch squares, well except for the white. Am ready to cut out klosjes as well and to try out a tiny house-think I'll try paper piecing on those.

Tomorrow, Quinn and I are off for Columbia to visit Scott, Bri and Coco! Haven't been down for months and months so I'm looking forward to it. Quinn doesn't know it but Coco has a big fenced in yard-so they can run and play together. Must take camera for cute puppy pictures. If the pups are getting along I really should stop by the hospital there as my Mother in Law fell yesterday and was admitted today with a broken bone in her leg. Apparently, surgery is the normal treatment but she is on blood thinners so that is not currently an option. I don't know what the alternative is, don't think my Sister in law, Marie, knows yet.

High tomorrow in the 40s or 50s, short winter!

I missed a day, probably won't be the first!

2012-01-12T19:53:00.000-06:00

I didn't post yesterday, hmmm, fell asleep watching tv and didn't feel alert enough to type my own name much less a post. I'm sure I will miss other days but it seems easier to post every day than not.

So Winter came last night. Had a couple of inches of the white stuff, which melted when it hit the warm roads then froze when the temps dipped into the teens. Add to that a blustery wind and it is miserable outside. Tonight will be the coldest of this winter, tomorrow will be warmer. For some reason Brayden's school district canceled classes for the day so he spent it with us. I always make him "rest" after lunch, he doesn't have to nap but has to lay in the dark for an hour. Today he napped for about 3 hours. Then got up and said he was "just resting his eyes, not napping." Funny guy.

I've been cutting 2 1/2 inch squares until I see them in my sleep! My red scraps for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge seem to be mostly Christmas fabric, so I've decided to make up red and white blocks if there are enough I will make a quilt of just red and white if not there are more Christmas fabrics in other colors. I'm also going to make klosjies and little houses. Should keep me busy. I like the rainbow idea, I think I would be intimidated if I could just begin anywhere! Still cleaning, still sewing flannel rag blocks, still haven't worked on the Town of Kansas, sigh.

Tuesday's Cross-Stitch update

2012-01-10T19:10:00.000-06:00

So I noticed that I last posted an update of Bri's stocking last Tuesday and as I have been putting in stitches since then I thought I'd add an update. Who knows, perhaps this will become a regular thing!
Last time:

And today:

Perhaps I'll put in a few stitches tonight as well?!

Quinn.

2012-01-10T18:50:00.000-06:00

Here are some recent photos of Miss Quinn. We played inside the softball field today--she ran pretty hard but never far from me which was good as I was afraid I would have trouble getting her back after letting go of the leash!

Today I went back to the Historical Society where I volunteer for the first time since the holidays. When I arrived I discovered that they were packing up! They are housed inside the historic courthouse on the square which is closed to the public due to needing a ton of renovation (not even functioning bathrooms) and the county told them to be out by 1 March so they can begin interior renovations. The exterior and foundation have already been repaired. So instead of typing I packed boxes full of files. Not even sure which building to go to next week!

I'm going to stick a movie in and work in the sewing room, cutting and stitching along with a tad of cleaning. I've coined a new phrase: "A clean sewing room is never used!"

Quinn

2012-01-09T21:12:00.000-06:00

So this morning on our walk in the park Quinn and I ran into our friends-Emma and Felipe and then Hannah and Bev. When Quinn saw Hannah she started pulling and pulling so I just let go of her leash knowing she'd only go a far a Bev and Hannah. It was a narrow place between two ball fields so she couldn't go far but boy did she go FAST!!! She ran and ran in circles, back and forth like she'd never run before. When she finally slowed down to play we captured her leash again and then parted ways with the others to walk home. She is so tired! She didn't even get wild on our walk this afternoon. If she does it again I'm trying out the video feature on my phone! She is getting taller and heavier, also her coat is much thicker than it was and is turning that wonderful Sheltie red, showing more white than before and her face is a bit darker. She still has glue on one ear-urgh-but I'm working on it a little each day.

I finished cleaning in the kitchen today, only took the better part of a week. I also cleaned some in the sewing room and cut some 2 1/2 inch squares of red for the scrap challenge and some 2 1/2 inch squares for leaders and enders. Pretty good day all in all. More of the same tomorrow.

A little New Year's

2012-01-08T21:33:00.000-06:00

This morning Tanya, Heather and I went to see New Year's Eve at the movies! It was a cute, funny story about likes that merge on New Year's Eve. Lots of fairly big names like Aston Krucher, and Michelle Piffer but the most fab one (for Tanya at least) was Jon Bon Jovi! I enjoyed the morning very much.

Back home after lunch I tried to sew some only to be frustrated by the state of my sewing room! This is such a recurring theme--and not one I like. This big problem today was that I had gone through the boxes of fabrics and brought out all the red pieces for the Scrap Challenge and they along with the flannel for the backs of the rag quilt are taking up my ironing board as there is no other place to put them! So I worked at re-assembling the little sewing box I bought last fall, I don't have everything I need to finish and I'm not particularly happy with it, for now it is no longer in pieces and I can clear the other work table (If I don't just decide to trash the whole thing, the sewing box not the table.)

Tomorrow, I have to hit the cleaning heavy again. I'd like to have the main living spaces clean and back together again soon. This deep cleaning takes forever, sigh.

Sunset

2012-01-07T18:33:00.000-06:00

Clouds rolled in this afternoon but the sunset was still very pretty.

Happy Twelfth Night!

2012-01-06T18:56:00.000-06:00

Tonight is the last night of the twelve days of Christmas, sigh. I have been taking a few minutes to drink up the trees and other decor as they will be coming down this weekend, and I shall have a "naked" house until December 1st (or there about) when I get to put it out again! The living room tree, the stockings and my North Pole cottages suit me just fine, I'd like to add a few more cottages and finish all the other socks this year, we'll see. I was only marginally happy with the tree in the kitchen, a candy and cookie cutter tree-it needs something and to be elsewhere in the kitchen, although I'm not sure where that would be. I'm thinking on it. The tree in the toy room could stand a few more childlike ornaments but I'd pick them up anyway. The tree in the sewing room is in need of total decorating! The only thing on it beyond the lights is a tree top angel my Mom made years ago-must work on that this year. The hall bath needs a really skinny tree for me to hang my lighthouse ornaments on-still looking for that. My favorite tree is the one in my room. Clear glass, crystals, white angels and white bows-I just smile when I see it! I'm always on the look out for new crystals or ornaments for this one and I'd like a clear glass or crystal star for the top. I love decorating for Christmas! The other thing I need is Christmas quilts! Must get busy. This is why I have that "intention" to make my house look as good as it does at Christmas!

Thursday, day 5 of 2012

2012-01-05T21:46:00.000-06:00

I just realized that I have spent NO time writing 2012, I will really be in trouble if I have to write a check! Not that I write checks very often-use that debit card!

So Kolby was visiting again today-day care makes him stay home 48 hours. Again, he was just fine. A treat to have around today, as he was in an incredibly good mood. Laughing at everything and playing a hundred games of Ants in Your Pants with Tanya. Winning or losing he did it with glee!
He wanted to know where the sandbox was as it was 64F and he wanted to play. I empty the sand out every fall, clean the turtle sand box and store it for the winter then start with fresh sand. I may be buying that sand sooner than usual if winter remains this mild. (Oh, the bugs we'll have next summer without some killing freezes.)

I cleaned some more in the kitchen, including the dreaded refrigerator. I still have to sort out and inventory the freezer side but I don't have to remove shelves and drawers to clean it-thank goodness. One more day and I should have that room clean. Then it's on the the living room, after I take down and store Christmas (I shall miss it.)

I watched the last of the Harry Potter movies tonight, I must say it was a better than average adaptation of books to movies. A few sub-plots where omitted but otherwise very good. Don't think the boys should watch it for a while yet, though. I am hoping one of the grandkids really gets into Harry as Road Scholar has an intergenerational trip called Following the footsteps of Harry Potter, I would really like to take that one! Only some cross-stitching today while watching HP, maybe tomorrow more blocks will be made. I need to dig into the scraps for reds for the challenge-my scraps are big, maybe they aren't really scraps?

The lack of good customer service

2012-01-04T21:19:00.000-06:00

Twice in the past two days we have had examples of truly BAD customer service, one by a major retailer. It is so distressing to have something that should be a happy occasion, or a gift that doesn't work or isn't being installed. Lots of phone calls by unhappy folks here, not me this time but I am continually amazed at the "I don't give a d---n" attitude of businesses, don't they know that this is a tough economy and we won't shop were we are badly treated? Not to mention telling everyone we know about our experience? Are they stupid? Insane?

I didn't get a great deal done today. Picked up Kolby at day care supposedly due to tummy issues (have to say he was totally ok we think there might be a food allergy at work there), cleaned a couple of appliances in the kitchen, picked Tanya up at Best Buy (one cause of above rant), and did seven loads of laundry. Okay, in retrospect I got quite a bit done today! Still need to remake my bed so that I can crawl into it. Tomorrow is another day-I think the dreaded refrigerator cleaning is on tap for tomorrow, sigh. My least favorite of all household chores in any case but this refrigerator is doubly difficult as the drawers don't come out of the frig without the shelf they fit on, in fact I have to take them to the bath tub to wash them. Will need a shower after that! Oh, the exciting life I lead!

The rest of the post

2012-01-03T21:46:00.000-06:00

This morning I worked at scrubbing the kitchen again, I haven't really cleaned the appliances, etc for months so everything takes a lot longer than I think it should! After lunch I head for the office/sewing room and work, today it was 5 more blocks and book work (more of that tomorrow, sigh) and some phone calls (more of that tomorrow as well, sigh.) It was a bit warmer this afternoon in the park and the weather guessers are talking April-like weather, I hope they are just talking temperatures not thunderstorms! It would be lovely if it was warm this weekend as Saturday I hope to take down Christmas and store it for next year. It's darn cold in that attic! Plus there are outside lights to bring in. I have some things to put in the shed as well, it's nice to do that in less than full winter gear.

So the Iowa Presidential caucuses were today, I am not ready for nearly a full year of political ads and news stories! Both will be full of innuendo, half-truths and out right lies--it's hard to find the truth buried in all that!

Cross-stitch update

2012-01-03T21:36:00.000-06:00

I've been working a little on Bri's sock most evenings. It's update time. This is the last time.

And tonight. Getting there, slowly. Why won't blogger let me put these where I want them? And add more text after the last photo? This is so frustrating!

Day Two, Intentions

2012-01-02T18:43:00.000-06:00

I decided that this year I would have "intentions" not goals nor resolutions, the word just seems easier to deal with. I listed my Intentions for 2012 on the side bar, they are a lot like last years with a few additions. I did make progress on things last year, it's just that there is so much more to do! I did add some, interpersonal interaction for one. I have plenty of family interaction but I would like to broaden my base of friends and acquaintances, which seems to be difficult in this area. I've had several folks of different ages and sexes complain about it, even my parents who knew everyone (it seemed) said is was difficult here compared to Colorado. Anyway, my plan is to join several groups involving history and quilting (I'd planned to do this for a while just making it a priority this year) and to broaden my volunteering to include Brayden's school and possibly one other place. I also intend to write in this blog everyday, not that I have anything terribly interesting to impart but why not.

Today was cold and windy again, still clear as a bell though. Clouds would warm us up but they are so depressing! So cold in the park that we stayed in the trees when we went to walk this afternoon. I stitched five blocks today-have found a way to make several at once, thus saving some trips to the iron. Not being terribly creative on this one, it will have more than one block with the same fabrics but then I think every quilt should be different! Tonight I'm clearing my desk, again, so that I can pay bills. Isn't it amazing how often that little chore comes around?

The first new day of a new year.

2012-01-01T21:54:00.000-06:00

So, yesterday the thermometer missed a record high (66F) by one degree. I only wore a fleece jacket to walk Quinn in the park, and the sun was brilliant in a sapphire sky. Today, I wore a fleece jacket to walk Quinn in the park-under my ski jacket. The high today in the 30'sF, and the wind was blowing so hard that even though the brilliant sun was still up there in that sapphire sky it was cold! Not frigid, frigid would have required long johns etc, but cold enough especially face into the wind. So it's January and the cold is more normal, I heard a newscaster ask when the "frigid" weather was going to break-get real, one day? It will warm up again by the weekend-but not into the 60's, still it's been a really mild winter so far. Here at the edge of the great plains we have a great variety of weather, I'm told it's the hardest place to forecast the weather in the United States, so there is an old folk saying "It you don't like the weather in Missouri wait a day it will change." Truer words were never spoken.

I made a big pot of beef stew to be eaten with a big batch of biscuits for Tanya's birthday dinner today-it was yummy and perfect for a cold day. Beth, Lucas, the boys and Zoe came to help us eat it! Quinn found her inner 'wild child' again but I learned how to calm her down this time-we'll be working on that this week! That's along with her current command to "come". She answers nicely in the house to her name, but outside is a different story, she also knows "leave it" even if she doesn't always do the leaving at first, and "let's go". Not bad for a 3 month old puppy. Bobby brought his new huskie puppy over today as well for a few minutes-he's maybe 3 weeks younger that Quinn and already bigger, really big feet on that puppy!

I also did some tidying up in the kitchen and stitched up a couple of blocks in the flannel while I watched Harry Potter (only two more to go). More productive than the past week but I didn't get everything finished. I never do. Ah well, it will still be there tomorrow.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T18:54:00.000-06:00

It isn't midnight yet but I know when it is I shall be tucked into bed and snoring likely so without further ado: HAPPY NEW YEAR! May you all have the best of 2012, enjoy each minute.

Blessed Be!

Finishing up the "un-time"

2011-12-31T18:52:00.000-06:00

So this week, as I was doing precious little except walk the dog, I got these blocks

out of the "To Do" box. I made Brayden a whole rag quilt of these blocks

and had a ton of fabric left over-I bought more than I needed as the pattern was for a lap quilt and I wanted a twin size. I finished it in 2009 and began making up the extra strips into blocks, then life got "interesting" and I put it away. Anyway, it was time to get it out again. Now I've pressed a thousand ;) strips and made 6 more blocks, I hope to make two or three a day until the fabric is gone then I'll see how big a quilt it will make-Kolby might like it or maybe it will stay here who knows.

I've been watching the Harry Potter movies this week as well while I stitched, cleaned and worked on a few other projects. Monday, I shall have to begin the January DEEP CLEAN, sigh, which will cut into my stitching time considerably!

Un-time.

2011-12-28T07:16:00.000-06:00

What we have now is "un-time", the week between Christmas and New Year's. Not part of either, not regular time. I am taking the time to recover from the lead up to Christmas, always hectic no matter how I plan! I do work under the banner of "Don't sweat the small stuff--It's all small stuff" but I still get pressured to have everything right and proper! (It's the perfectionist in me, what can I say.)

I think I hit the mark with every gift I gave-which is truly amazing! And, of course, the children spoiled me with lovely gifts!

My biggest gift was having a house full of my family (and 3 dogs) for Christmas dinner! Rob, Tanya and I managed to find a way to seat 14 at one huge table, after removing all the sofas from the living room to the kitchen and putting 4 tables side by side-there was no living room left but it was so worth it to all be together!

Now, I'm tidying a bit each day, Quinn and I are taking walks in the park twice a day (gotta wear that girl out), and I am working a bit on some of my many projects! In January I'll hit the cleaning etc but for this week I'll just enjoy "Un-time."

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-25T06:06:00.000-06:00

Christmas Blessings to you all! May you have heath, happiness, and love! And may we all have Peace on Earth.

Love to you all!

Gail and Quinn

One thing off my "To Do" list!

2011-12-19T08:03:00.000-06:00

Just finished sewing on the last of 26 buttons last night, the black on black is murder on the eyes! I only hope it fits and looks better on him than it does hanging on the hanger! (And that the over-robe, has a special name but I can't remember it, covers a multitude of sins.) I'll give it a good press and it's off to be mailed so he can wear it on Christmas Eve. The sewing was not difficult (except for the black on black thing) but there were SO many adjustments to the pattern it's hard to know if it is proper or even, most importantly, that it's long enough. Will hope for word that he is totally delighted in it-please the gods.

It's been a long time since I updated the cross-stitch project-like August 8th-due to the kitchen thing, I'm getting back into it now. So, last update.

And now:

Hope to do more tonight.

I discovered yesterday that my greeting card list has grown quite a bit larger (I have no idea how as it has shrunk for YEARS) and I neglected to buy enough cards, sigh. So today I'm off to buy more, pick up the photos for them and some other errands. After the DRYER REPAIRMAN comes! I guess I belly ached enough that they got tired of hearing from me! Hopefully, this fixes it for a while-trips to the laundromat are real downers, especially in the rain.

The weather finally cleared out last week and it has been warm although today it is raining again. I like cold weather but I'm grateful for the bit warmer as I have a puppy to take outside! I may not be as grateful next summer if it doesn't get cold enough to kill off some of the bugs!

What's Up?

2011-12-13T17:35:00.000-06:00

So the past two days have been dark and dismal, dripping from the sky. Today was so dark and so dismal I turned on all the Christmas trees this morning! They normally don't come/go on until 4 pm but it was so dark in here I hit the "on" button on all the timers! Made me think of "Darling Dora and her Dazzling Diamond D" (an old Sesame Street story we read to the children) there was a "dragon in a deep, dark, dank, dreary dungeon"! It really hampers the old spirits, even with extra vitamin D. To top the weather I had a griping session with the Extended Service plan for the dryer. You'll remember it was broken in October when I got home from California, it took three weeks for the part to arrive (and then only because I complained to Lowe's) the tech that came to fix it (from At Your Service), left it broken in other ways-assuring me it was just fine to use it, only it wasn't just fine and began to damage clothing. Two weeks ago, while driving to get Quinn, I called them because their tech had broken it and they came out. Had to order more parts, last Monday I called to check on the status of the repair-waiting on parts. Called yesterday on status of repair, waiting on parts. I grumbled, a lot, this is taking too long. I was told they would check on it and call me back. They didn't so I called Lowe's today, they ordered the parts yesterday! I belly ached long and loud-but of course that still won't get the dryer fixed until after, most likely, Christmas. After that I had to go to the bank, and then the RV place to get a part for the trailer. The RV place didn't have the same part (of course) so they sent me home with a different one which they thought would work, although I might have to change out the top as well. Supposed to be easy, yeah right. I couldn't get it on today but I was still so frustrated by the dryer I think that may have been part of it. I hope that's all it is as it will NOT be easy to change the top! After all that I came in and fumed at myself for my lack of tidiness and cleaned my office so I could sew. It has not been a good few days--please, please let the sun come out tomorrow!

Thank goodness for Quinn, she is really good at raising your mood! Poor thing though, I really messed up her ears with the glue on Sunday. I didn't read the instructions (come on, it's glue!) and got way too much on them she got her feet into it and well suffice it to day she is a sad looking little thing (which makes me sad). The glue remover doesn't work very fast and she hates it. I put baby oil on it and it's working-well it's turned it into a gummy mess but that is coming out. I wonder if I put peanut butter on that, humm. She'd probably try to eat her ear, just to get to the peanut butter!

First Snow!

2011-12-06T20:30:00.000-06:00

Woke up to the first snow of the season! Just a skiff but still the roads were white, I say were because it is mostly gone already, sigh. It was Quinn's first snow as well, she sniffed, tasted, and dug a bit occasionally lifting a paw like it was cold-can't really tell it she liked it our not, expect that she will especially once her outer coat comes in!

I've been sewing and cross-stitching as well as some reading. Today I went to the Historical society where I volunteer (David always makes me type! Really I've been inputing the accession records into a spread sheet for quite some time. No one else is willing and I guess I type faster than most, and I am NOT fast. ) See a lot about the holdings this way and today they made me think of my friend Kathy Tuohey who passed away in September. Something I saw made me think "Kathy would be able to tell us all about that" and made me miss her.

After "work" I headed for Kolby's daycare and his Christmas program. He's normally a little ham but froze on stage-at least he didn't cross his little arms on his chest and turn his back on the audience like he did last year. After we all went out for BBQ--good times, such good times!

Filling in after finishing the kitchen.

2011-12-03T14:33:00.000-06:00

Since I finished the remodel of the kitchen I have been struggling to figure out what to do with myself! Finally, I told myself I couldn't go into the office/sewing room and sit down at my computer without doing something else in there! (It's to easy to fritter away and afternoon playing on the laptop!) It seems to be working so far, as a few things are being done. I finished a stocking cap to compliment the scarf I bought in Ireland, it isn't perfect but it keeps my ears warm! (I tried to take a photo but the batteries are dead-charging now.)

Occasionally, someone asks me to make something for them. This is one of those projects.

A choir robe for Steven. (The one whose is 6'10" tall) Last spring when he was here I took measurements, there was no way the pattern would fit as it was so I cut and added both length and width. Then I made a mock up and sent it to him. While I was there in October I checked the fit and length and once home I reworked the pattern yet again. Through the magic of my Iphone I finally figured out and bought the black bottomweight fabric and today I cut out everything except the lining. Tomorrow I will cut that out and mark everything. Taking this one in small steps and praying it fits and looks decent when I finish!

I'm also working on Christmas gift bags (very big) that I've been pecking at for over a year-trying to machine quilt at least one each day. I've tried my hand at some more knitting-can't say that is going well, think I've forgotten more than I ever knew! Still working on Bri's stocking-I'll try to post an update this week. When I finish this I'm going to sew Tanya's stocking together and get it ready to hang with all the rest.

Cute Puppy photos--required at the moment! Shetland Sheep dogs are known for a couple of thing: Being "helpful" and being "vocal" the last just meaning that they bark, hello, dogs, they bark! I thought I put in some photos of Quinn being helpful:

Making sure I load the dishwasher properly-she'd be happy to pre-wash the dishes but NO.

Your tape measure will not run away!

Just looking for those pesky acorns!

Having a puppy in the house is such fun! We all laugh several times a day! She is so different from Charley and Kelsey, she stands up to the cats (even when Mica hisses) and just loves everyone! I think Scott nailed it when he said Charley and Kelsey were always nervous-she is not!

Now if I could only find my desk and work tables!

Introducing Quinn!

2011-11-30T08:53:00.000-06:00

I got home last night from a fast trip to Michigan (must go back up there in summer) where I picked up the newest member of the clan. Everyone meet Quinn!

Checking out the floor vent blowing hot air.

The patio door is very interesting!

She is 10 weeks old tomorrow and weighs about 5 pounds. Her breeder expects her to be about 17 pounds full grown. She was a trooper on the drive home yesterday, did not get car sick (a worry of mine as Charley and Kelsey did for so long), slept a lot, etc. I had intended to take two days to come home but she was doing so well I decided that we'd both be happier if we didn't have to drive today. She is busy showing me where I need to puppy proof!

On other fronts, I put up all the trees, except one before I left and the house is nearly decorated for Christmas-I'll put up photos on Sunday, link up to Karen's blog party. The house needs some tidy up and the dryer is yet again awaiting a part (the last repairman broke it fixing it) so unless the part comes in soon it's back to the laundromat! In other words life is returning to normal after Thanksgiving. I am nearly finished shopping for my immediate family, still have some extended family and friends to find or make gifts for but it isn't even December until tomorrow and I have a stack of Amazon.com boxes in my room ready to wrap!

I'm on a roll!

Thanksgiving Day!

2011-11-24T07:59:00.000-06:00

Well, after all the hard work (with more to come) it is here, Thanksgiving Day. One of my faves-oh wait, I like them all! A holiday that is often lost in the Christmas frenzy to follow. I find that sad. I also think it is too close to Christmas-perhaps we should follow Canada's lead and move it into October? I don't really mind the work, it's just cooking-which I love-and cleaning-which I don't love although I attempt to remember this poem I have stuck to my refrigerator (author unknown):

Thank God for dirty dishes.

They have a tale to tell.

While others may go hungry

we're eating very well.

For by this stack of evidence

I shouldn't want to fuss.

With home and health and happiness

God's been good to us.

I wish for all the joy of family and feasting.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Day with Brayden--getting ready for Turkey Day!

2011-11-23T18:57:00.000-06:00

Brayden did not have school today due to Thanksgiving holiday, rather than spend the day at the school's day care he asked to come here. I said sure but that he'd have to help cook. Our day in pictures.

While I did things he couldn't help with (making rose apples, cooking giblets and cranberries, etc.) the Author/illustrator set to work on a new book. Entitled Earth, it featured (among other things) a cruise ship fighting the people who were poisoning the ocean. (Various forms of fighting feature large right now.) Then after discovering "red hots" (aka Cinnamon Imperials), which he later declared to be quite "suckable" and sampling some brown sugar he had to go a little crazy on the kitchen floor.

Next he (and Tanya) tore up the bread for the stuffing. Then he helped knead the dough for the rolls tomorrow!

He declared this to be "very sticky" and could he please wash his hands. Then it was on to the pie crusts.

He rolled out the biggest part of the crusts for FOUR pies! Guess it wasn't so sticky. I told him that after a few more years I wouldn't have to make the pies, I'd just let him!

Then it was outside to help Rob with the Christmas lights.

AFter all that a game or two of Candy Land was played. He had a very full day, me too. I'm tired.

More cleaning!

2011-11-17T19:15:00.000-06:00

So remember last week? The week I spent three days cleaning my office/sewing room? I did get it clean, I could see my desk and everything. Unfortunately that is not the case now, sigh.

I think I should change the name of the room to "The Dump!" As everything has just been dumped in here, again. I have finished cleaning the rest of the house (well, if you don't count the other dump- my garage workshop) in preparation for the holidays. Not a small task I can tell you as it hasn't been properly cleaned since I began the kitchen remodel. So glad that's behind me. Just wish this was! I should learn to keep a creative space tidy--that could be an oximoron.

A little sewing!

2011-11-14T17:20:00.000-06:00

A little back story. Brayden loves, loves, loves the denim blankets with the Mizzou fleece on the back. He always wants to sleep on, or under one and is very disappointed when it happens to be in the truck! He asked me if I could make him something from the Mizzou fleece so we came up with scarves for the cold weather that is sure to be here soon. Of course, Kolby needed one as well! I love having a project that goes from start to finish in a short time! I cut them out one day and put them together the next--I had to buy gold thread to sew on the initials or it would have been done in one afternoon! They love them and my leftover fleece box is much emptier!

I've been cleaning house getting ready for the holidays. Made pumpkin puree for pies and pumpkin bars yesterday and today-always makes a huge mess but I'm ready for that baking day. The living room is clean (for at least today) and I made inroads on the kitchen so I accomplished something today, at least. After dinner, cross-stitch!

To Honor and Serve.

2011-11-11T09:12:00.000-06:00

A huge Thank You going out to all our service members past and present. Remembering those lost:

Msgt. Larry L Fines, Ret USAF

1949-2009

We still miss you.

Sewing room/office

2011-11-07T18:48:00.000-06:00

It's a pretty well known fact around here that my sewing room/office is a disaster! Mostly because I use a 10 ft by 10 ft room with two windows and 2 doors for 2 BIG purposes. During the recently completed kitchen overhaul it got even worse! Especially after I cleaned the playroom before the boys came for the weekend. In an effort to tame the beast (and pay my bills--lost in the mess of my desk) I brought in yet another piece of furniture. Crazy, I know, but it seems to be helping. I hung a three shelf bookcase on the wall at the end of my desk. All my notebooks for the Town of Kansas and my notebooks for bill-paying, gardening, planning, etc (you get the picture) and a few reference books are now located at my fingertips. I usually postpone (read procrastinate) the re-shelving of books, notebooks etc until the pile is beyond belief and then I have to spend an entire day (as I did today) sorting things out! I'm hoping having the things I use the most really close will help there. Plus, I'm learning new habits in the kitchen so why not in here as well? Moving those notebooks and some other shifting set three shelves on my other bookcases free so I could put project boxes there and as soon as I trek up to Old Tyme Pottery and buy them, baskets for true fabric scraps (as opposed to leftover larger pieces which go into the fat quarter boxes. All that means that there are fewer things whose home is the floor (not just a temporary storage space but the actual place that they belong!) I'll post some photos when it is complete, and I can see the tops of all the flat surfaces!

Beyond that I spent two days working at cleaning the shed and storing things for winter. Hank the Hulking snow thrower, gas for said Hank and the snow shovel are out. Hmmm, need to fill him up and crank him up to make sure he starts. The bench and all the planting pots are stored, the tube bags of sand are in the back end of the truck for weight, etc. Then I raked the flower beds (have decided I need another leaf blower-I've already burned up two so I need to do research) and mowed the leaves. This is the first year of not having as many trees, down to four from eight, and mowing is all I really need to do-the mower just mulches them right up. I may need to pick up a few but no where near the 30 bags or so that was normal in the past. I will have to deal with acorns, which is really why I need a leaf blower-to blow them together so I can pick them up easier. Lots of people just leave them but they are kind of dangerous when you walk on them and I get tired of pulling up trees in the spring!

While I was in the shed I got out the dog crate. Why? you ask. Because I am getting a puppy! Sometime soon after Thanksgiving I will pick up a Sheltie puppy, I can hardly wait!

At last! Final Kitchen photos!

2011-11-02T20:31:00.000-05:00

In case you've forgotten here's what it looked like to begin:

And here is what it looks like now:

There are still details to attend to and a few thing to finish. I need to finish making these:

Plus some decorator stuff, white spoon rests, etc. But I'll just finish those things up quietly.

I don't know if you can see in the pics but the crock pot is sitting on the counter. That's because I'm making Pumpkin Butter from the little pumpkins the boys acquired for Halloween. Those pumpkins are the reason I'm sporting two really cool Spiderman bandaids. I really must buy some grownup bandaids-or at least princess ones!

Ann asked for a photo of the jar lids I sprayed, on the right is an old zinc lid and on the left the one I sprayed.

Not exactly alike but not too bad either.

So my new Kindle came today, only broken thing left is the dryer and we are still waiting on a part, ;(

The beautiful weather left us today as the temperature fell 40 degrees in just 2 hours. Now it's raining, pretty hard too, and snow is forecast for tonight and the morning! That's Missouri for you!

Recap!

2011-10-31T15:32:00.001-05:00

I can't believe I've been home a week already! I came home to lovely days in the 70's and chilly nights. I had to put the flannel sheets on the bed AND another blanket! I also came home to a dying cell phone, a dead Kindle and a sick dryer! So I now have an Iphone (4s the newest and somewhat smarter than I am! But I'm learning), The new Kindle will be here in two days. The dryer is waiting on a part-please let that come soon! I'm off to the laundromat if it doesn't come soon as clothes are not drying well outside--too cool-- and I haven't a place inside to dry them, urgh. Please, please, please let it come soon!

Another thing that isn't drying too well is paint! It is taking two days between coats. Not that I've been all that interested in painting but those last two doors. . . . Tomorrow, if I get the kitchen cleaned up again I will take the photos and do the final post, even though it won't be finished--those two pesky doors, new drawer glides and missing parts from IKEA--it's close enough for you to see it but it's a disaster from the weekend.

About the weekend. When Beth moved into her new house it became harder for me to get the boys for their weekly night at Granna's. I can get Kolby as he is still at the same day care, but Brayden is in school now--the real killer is that they now live 30 minutes away. For a while I picked Brayden up and we tried out some new parks, had dinner out and I took him home but it will soon be dark too early (and too cold) for that so Beth and I hit on sleepovers. This past weekend was the first! Beth brought Brayden up (and all their stuff!) and after she left, he and I went to get Kolby. After dinner of Brayden's favorite food, fettucini alfredo, we carved pumpkins. Brayden did a lot of the work on his himself, even though he had to get the step stool so he could reach inside it, Kolby told me he wanted "round eyes, a smiley face and teeth" so that's what I gave him! Saturday, Rob and Tanya took them to the pumpkin patch and then to Independence's Halloween parade. I stayed home and did stuff, like sew on 20 patches-5 on each of their blankets and 10 on mine. After a dinner of brats and mac n cheese-how lushous- we had movie night. Sunday, we "raked" leaves. They did lots of running and jumping in them and were covered up many times. The pile moved halfway across the back yard! Brayden said, "I'm never going to forget this day, it's so much fun." At 5 he might forget but I never will--it was so much fun.

Last of all, on Sunday evening we had Rob's birthday dinner. He chose French dip, cheesy potatoes and jello mixed with cool whip for the meal and cheesecake (Jello Instant with canned cherry pie filling-not the cherries just the goop!). Had a full house, which I love.

I'm Home

2011-10-23T09:40:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, I drove over the mountains and into Denver. First, I did some shopping at a quilt shop in Grand Junction (bought a couple of new books on sale-like I need more quilt books!), as well as a yarn shop and an antique shop. I wasn't in any hurry as it is only a 4-5 hour drive over the pass and both my brother and sister-in-law had to work- wasn't much point in getting there too early. Timed it just right, my brother got home 10 minutes before I got there! We had a nice dinner out with friends of theirs in from Taos, a very enjoyable evening.

I got up early on Friday and hit the highway home. 600 miles from Denver to Independence-took a long time. Mostly because after two weeks of driving the southwest every joint in my body hurt! So, I had to stop every little bit, if I made it 100 miles I was very lucky! Pulled into my driveway a little before 8pm, unloaded only what I HAD to, took a shower and crashed! It's amazing how great a shower in your own bath-the one with great hot water and great water pressure-can feel.

Slept until 9 Saturday and felt dull-witted all day! Rob unloaded all the IKEA stuff and I finished up with the rest of the truck, then opened boxes until I found the instructions. Decided real quick that I wasn't up to assembly and left it lie.

Slept until 8:30 this morning but am feeling up to thinking today! So I plan to assemble, later. First, there's a soccer game and I need to go visit my Dad. Also going to look at new cell phone plans as my phone has all but died. And I need to call Amazon as my Kindle met with demise, again. I'll be busy for a couple of days then I'll post the entire Kitchen redo for the last time, I promise.

Kayenta,AZ to Grand Junction, CO--Or, I have no idea what number day this is for this trip and it's too much trouble to figure it out!

2011-10-20T09:56:00.000-05:00

Set the alarm again, only the second time I've done that but I intended to drive a long way! The day began with Monument Valley;

Very beautiful in the morning light. Then I drove on through bluffs, mesas, and other interesting rock formations in red mostly (iron in the ground) and through a second world nation. All the US's First nations homes are places of grinding poverty (compared to the rest of us) the people are caught between two cultures. The traditional culture has been fading over the years (partly because of the intense effort of the government in earlier times to integrate them into white society and partly because of higher and higher levels of influence from the outside) yet they don't quite fit into the mainstream. In more modern times Tribal leaders have been trying to bring at least a sense of who and what they are. It is difficult to tell if they will be able to mesh the two for they can never truly go back to traditional life. (No one wants to live without heat, electricity and no indoor plumbing!)

I took a highway just outside of Mexican Hat, UT, which on the map looks perfectly fine, Utah State Highway 261. Known as the Mokee Dugway I knew I was in trouble when there were huge warning signs-No RVS, No towed vehicles, etc, etc. Three miles of narrow, dirt, hairpin switchbacks! The view was stupendous, again one of those a camera cannot capture! Besides I didn't dare stop as it was two- way and few places to get out of the way! Thankfully, I only met one car and that was close to a small (read tiny) pull over spot. I am so glad I was going up!

Next stop, Natural Bridges National Monument. Small and rather remote it was a treasure chest of canyons and unusual rock formations (saying that, Lucas would LOVE it!) Here are the three natural rock bridges inside the monument:

Oh, and one of the many curious rock formations.

Leaving there I headed towards Blanding, UT. Happily, I could see snow capped mountains to the east-meaning I was nearing Colorado! I passed by both Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park, both were on my original list of places to see but, I had driven for two days along side, buttes, bluffs, ridges, mesas, rock formations etc, etc, etc and I couldn't get up the enthusiasm for more! Missed my turn in Moab, don't know how (guess I should have enabled Samatha, you know the GPS) and so missed a valley that is really neat. I didn't care enough to go back. Driving due north, knowing that I soon would intersect with I-70 (the one that goes only a mile north of my house!) about 5-10 miles away I saw the buttes that I know from past trips run along the side of the highway, excitement! When I saw the semis headed west on it I actually cheered! A few miles after getting on I-70 I entered Colorado! Really cheered--am only two states away from home! Can you tell I'm anxious to be there? Anyway, spent the night in Grand Junction, had a dinner at Outback and feel like I've returned to civilization! Next up, over the pass, through the tunnel to Denver and my brothers house! (Then it's only one long day until I'm home.)

Kingman, AZ to Kayenta, AZ

2011-10-19T21:24:00.000-05:00

For the first fifty miles or so I was traveling on I-40, just me and the semis. Not even any radio stations coming in, boring! Thank goodness Rob called. At Williams I headed north for the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. Nice road, nice views, driving in trees etc. I arrived at Grand Canyon in good time, parked and began the search for the canyon! Sounds odd but you can't actually see it from the parking or the Visitor's center, you have to take a walk over to it and when you finally come up to this:

For the first moment, it literally takes the breath out of you! This photo and the ones to follow don't really do it justice. The scope is just immense and the colors so subtle and so similar from point to point that it is hard to see the edges of things. I took photos for you, bought a book of professional photos and some post cards for me.

On my way out of the Park I saw a road sign that was totally new to me:
Watch for Cougars on highway. I've seen signs for deer, elk, cattle, horses, and even bears but this is the first time for cougars! I did not see one though, darn it.

Heading east and west through the desert of the Navajo Nation, I stopped at Kayenta, AZ for the night. Only place with hotel rooms for many, many miles.

Catching up!

2011-10-17T23:12:00.000-05:00

I've been bad. Actually, I've been too tired at night to post anything. I'm going to try and catch up now.

Saturday, Steve and I took Nora to the Zoo. It was crazy! Kids get in free in October and folks were really taking advantage of it! Added to that Steve's foot began to really hurt so we rode the bus around and just walked around the Koalas (who were actually somewhat awake, shocker), and the Rhinos, (who were begging for food-I kid you not), and the Giraffes.

Isn't she a doll?

On Daddy's very tall shoulders puts her up there with the giraffes!

Oh no, not another Jayhawk fan!

After the zoo we headed off to Candice's parents' house for a yummy dinner of Tacos, present opening and Cake!

She really knows what to do with a package and blew out her own candles!

On Sunday, we drove up to Julian, Ca for pie! Yummo! A really pretty drive up and another, different one on the way back. Even had a nice little walk at a very windy scenic overlook!

This morning I met Steve for breakfast before heading north and east. Well, I decided to run up to Cabrillo National Monument (one of my favorite places in San Diego). Unfortunately, while it was a lovely sunny day in San Diego proper it was VERY foggy up at Cabrillo. I heard the fighter jets fly over, couldn't see them, heard the helicopter-again couldn't see them. Couldn't see the ocean or the bay so on I went. I wanted to go back to the Fat Quarters Quilt shop north off I-5. I really thought I could find it again, but I had to resort to Samatha (the GPS) which was apparently set to stay away from freeways and that took forever. Once I found it-I didn't buy a thing :( Anyway, Samatha (the GPS) and I duked it out and got to the I-15. Stayed on that one until I got to Barstow where I picked up I-40. I don't think I've ever been on this particular stretch of I-40, I have to say I didn't miss much. The mountains in the distance are pretty but it's barren out there. You can see a really long way though and I saw many very long freight trains. They always remind me of the "push me-pull me" from Doctor Doolittle with engines at both ends. Anyway, I stopped at Kingman, AZ for the night. I plan to crash very soon!

A rest day in San Diego

2011-10-15T10:21:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, as Steve had to work, I did some shopping. IKEA! Man, how I wish we had one in Kansas City! Bought what I needed for the kitchen and some things for playing with (toys) at home. (It all fit in the back of the truck! Yeah, I was worried I wouldn't be able to close the cover. No problems though, plenty of space for other stuff still back there.) Hit the bookstore for Nora's Birthday gift-hitting another one today! Then I had an adventure in finding my way back to the hotel-sigh, I can find my way to places but I can't always get back to the hotel. San Diego is a confusing city, good thing I have GPS or I might have ended up in LA! Then I did the most exciting thing---laundry. Steve came by after work and we did a little shopping together then met Candice and Nora for dinner--fun time all around!

Today, after Steve takes his Ham radio operators test and I hit the Hallmark Store we are taking Nora to the Zoo. San Diego's Zoo is world famous and I love to go there (and to the wild animal park). We will be riding more than usual but Steve's foot is still causing him quite a bit of pain and we don't want to over do it!

Sometime in there, I'll read/record Nora's new book and she will open her presents. She was two yesterday, seems impossible. I'll take the camera along today and try for some photos.

Days Six and Seven

2011-10-13T23:46:00.000-05:00

I was so tired last night I didn't even get the laptop out of my backpack! I'll try to catch up.

When I loaded up the truck in Flagstaff yesterday there was frost on the cover and the windshield! I was chilly enough with short sleeves and a fleece jacket that I considered a sweatshirt as well as gloves-decided I'd be warm enough as soon as I was in the truck with the heater going. After breakfast I headed south to Turzigoot National Monument, a later period than the ones I've seen before, I've started to be able to pick out the differences in construction (a history nerd here). There is a whole line of these hilltop ruins, I think he said a mile and a tenth apart you could see one from the top, built on hills to preserve valuable bottom land for crops and to keep above the worst of the mosquitoes. Just a couple of photos-you'll notice that there are no doorways here, all rooms were accessed through a hole in the roof and a wooden ladder. No windows either, but they lived most of their lives outside. All these sites were occupied for 200-300 years.

After that I traveled on to Montezuma's Castle National Monument. Steve has often talked about this one and it is stunning.

It's really high up the cliff and you can't get close to it. Those who have studied it believe the inhabitants used this method of getting to it.

By this time I had long ago shed the jacket and have worked up a sweat-the air conditioning goes on in the truck!

I intended to visit one last set of ruins-Casa Grande National Monument but somewhere between Phoenix and Casa Grande I had had enough. (Sure wish that had happened a bit sooner so I could have taken some cut offs.) I headed west on Interstate 8 through the desert-it was hot. After a boring 3 hours-not even radio out there-I arrived in Yuma, AZ for the night.

I crashed, and crashed hard didn't get up until 8 am this morning! I really didn't care though as I had only a three hour drive into San Diego. Yuma is very close to the California border and the border with Mexico so I had three checkpoints to pass. First, going into California they stop you and ask if you have fruit, vegetables, pets etc as they are trying to prevent hitch-hiking bugs etc from threatening their farm industry. Then there were two Border patrol checkpoints-many illegal immigrants try that border so there is a huge border patrol presence. Arrive in San Diego in time for lunch with Steve, Candice and Nora, tired. I know for sure that I will not drive this again, there is just so much space between things! I really do not like the desert so Arizona has joined Texas and Oklahoma as a "fly over" state. (If you just love those places, sorry.)

Day Six --oops?

2011-10-11T22:23:00.000-05:00

So I began the day by traveling into New Mexico to Aztec Ruins National Monument. I really liked this site. Very accessible and they gave us an interpretative booklet (on loan) to read. The booklet included oral history which goes along with the site. Maybe the best part for me, I love oral histories. This was once at places three stories high, used mostly for ceremonies. There is a grand Kiva there that has been reconstructed, so cool. Photos next, when you see the doorways, I had to stoop down (sometimes a lot) and I am 5'3" and some were very narrow--reminded me of Scott's telling me about the Irish Castle they went to.

Saw a little wildlife---

That rabbit had the longest ears! (I've seen other wildlife on this trip--mule deer, antelope, birds etc).

Headed on down the road west, had planned to do the South rim of the Grand Canyon as well as a couple of other places but somewhere around Shiprock, New Mexico I jigged when I should have jagged (or something) and by the time I figured out where I was I was 18 miles north of Gallup! Almost due south of where I started! Oh well, I needed an Interstate break anyway! To far to go back so I'm flexible, I went to Painted Desert National Park and Petrified Forest National Park, which are one and the same in two parts. The Painted desert was very pretty, look and see

The Petrified forest was really cool! These were huge, some very long, some long but broken, some you can count the rings on, some you can see the bark-all different but all amazing!

It's greener here than I remember from the other times I've driven through, maybe they've had more rain than before? Some people love the southwest, find it breathtakingly beautiful-I am not one of those people. What can I say-I like the plains and the mountains but to each his own.

I'm in Flagstaff tonight. It's kind of a mixed bag of emotions as the last time I was here Larry was with me. I drove past the hotel we stayed in and the Chili's where we ate. It was weird and kind of lonely, oh well.

Day Five, Can it be?

2011-10-11T21:40:00.000-05:00

I spent the morning today driving inside a picture postcard! Take a look.

I also went over the Dallas Divide at 8970 ft and Lizard Head pass (great name huh?) at 10,282 ft. Just at lunch I stopped at Anasazi Heritage Center which is part of the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. There are several ancient settlement sites throughout the area and I walked up to the Escalante Ruins site-photos

Up on a high hill (well you can see the view) they could have seen anyone coming--early warning system?

After this I "did" Mesa Verde National Park. I can now say I've "been there, done that" I think it might be over rated and I know the road in and out is an eyebrow! The View is fantastic though in all directions. I did walk down to the Spruce Tree House which was very interesting and I enjoyed it very much. I did not do any of other other sites as all involve climbing and descending a number of ladders-that vertigo thing again.

I don't think I'll go back there but who knows. I once heard these kind of dwellings as defensible by a small boy with a pointed stick, Humm.

On the way to Durango, Colorado I saw a really funny thing (well I thought it was funny but I was exhausted) a closed ski area, lifts and all with cows grazing under it! Spent the evening trying to figure out where to go next!

PS: I started this yesterday and was too tired to finish, oops

Trip update-Day 4

2011-10-10T20:52:00.000-05:00

So, The day dawned clear! Snow totals where I was 6-8inches-and there was about that much on my truck. I headed west again on US 24. First stop, not far down the road at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. It was chilly enough that my long-sleeved shirt and fleece jacket were not warm enough! You would never know that once this was the home of a giant redwood forest! The fossils look like this:

Apparently there is a whole field of these stumps but the snow made them impossible for me to see and the National Parks Service is unhappy when you wander off their paths! Also on the site is the Hornbeck Homestead. Everyone knows that I love the places people used to live!

Heading west again I cross Wilkerson Pass (9502ft) heading down the west side I run into heavy fog. The grass and trees are all iced by the fog and visibility is low so I'm careful-this kind of weather sends the wildlife to lower elevations and I know first hand what hitting a deer does to your car! Soon I see whole herds of antelope, not on the road though. Hit the second pass of the day, Trout Creek at 9487 ft. then I turn south looking for US highway 50 at Salida. There I head west through the third (and highest) mountain pass of the day, Monarch at 1131 ft. The snow comes and goes depending on my elevation but it's obvious they didn't get as much as further east. On the west side of Monarch you travel through South Park. It's a huge valley, where it gets really cold in the winter. My brother, Jim, went to college in Gunnison and it is often the coldest place in the lower forty-eight. The great thing about driving through open country is watching the play of shadow and light from the clouds on the ground. The bad thing is you can get really bored!

Next up : Curecanti National Recreation area there is a very big lake, Blue Mesa all along the side of the road. Not too many people out there fishing, a few boats out, some campers, it is late in the season though.

Some pics from along the way.

From the dam here you go down, a lot- you really get the feeling of having been on a hanging valley. My last stop of the day was Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (saw a fox on the way up). This is not a place for a person (me) with vertigo! Beautiful though

Making my way on down the road to Montrose a tired girl checked into a hotel for the night.

Snow!

2011-10-08T09:52:00.000-05:00

Last night I heard that we were to be under a winter storm advisory, up to 7 inches of the white, fluffy stuff. I hoped they were wrong but. . .

The view here last night was of a valley with homes across the way! Today's visibility is nil.

Good thing I brought a snow broom and scraper with me!

I have decided to remain here another day. I am not truly prepared for this weather despite the snow broom, as I did not bring my heaviest coat or snow boots! (I did bring gloves.) My truck has rear wheel drive and is horrid in deep snow (Rob, Tanya and I have vivid memories of driving sideways up the hill this past winter!) I came this route because I had never been this way, so I would like to see what's here not a curtain of white (beautiful but...) and finally my life is worth more than the cost of this hotel room. Tomorrow should be sunny and warmer and I can continue on.

Luckily, I packed several projects, books and have free WI-FI! I have everything in here (remember I had to bring all the food because of the bear-who is probably holed up somewhere sleeping) except the shoes that would be best for the snow, perhaps I'll dig out after it stops snowing but until then I'm making a pot of coffee and settling in! There will surely be college football and major league baseball on the telly if I can't find a movie-it is after all Saturday.

I'm in the Mountains Now!

2011-10-07T20:02:00.000-05:00

Yesterday packed a real punch weather-wise! After I finished my post on the wind I was watching the telly (after Big Bang before Person of Interest) when I noticed a severe thunderstorm warning on the bottom of the screen. Not knowing the counties of western Kansas (or even the one I was located in) I hauled out the atlas and looked. Not my county but counties to the south and west, since most of the weather on the plains comes from the southwest in the summer/fall, I continue checking updates. Next up is a tornado warning for several counties including the one I am in! Tornados are serious business and I have all my stuff in a motel room! Where would I go if it was coming to me? Solution: the bathroom-lots of walls close together. I moved all my stuff in there and continued to watch the weather. Turned out the possible tornado storm passed just to the west of me, whew! All this time the wind continues to blow against the window and door of my room (dirt blows in around the door until I stuff a towel under it) and about 10:30pm it began to rain. As my Granna would have said "It came a gully-washer!"

This morning, on the other hand, dawned clear and nearly windless!

First up today I went here!

The Prairie Museum of Art and History

I've driven past this place so often and wanted to stop but there was always something (it was freezing cold out-frying hot out etc). They have several buildings on the grounds that date from earlier times and I enjoyed walking through them.

First up was the 1930's farmstead. Depression years so they talked about dust storms and this:

I thought of you, Ann, and Australia's "rabbit problem". Behind the house was a small barn where some 4-H kids had their black-faced sheep (black-face sheep always make me think of Jenna). The sheep were pretty curious about the lady with the camera!

There was a herb garden complete with an unusual windmill-called an umbrella.

Weird, huh?

A lovely white Church or Sunday School as they were originally called, built in 1915. Love the "fish scale" shakes, although "clam shell" would be a better name as any quilter would tell you!

There was a sod house, very common on the plains as there were very few trees (there are more now because folks planted them-we primates like our trees!) I have seen lots of photos of them but I've never been near or inside one. I was especially taken by the thickness of the walls. This one had a wooden floor, windows and wood covering the sod by the windows-I think I've read that those thing were later additions.

Cactus growing on the roof! In many photos the roof is covered with sod and sometimes there are wild flowers blooming!

These walls must be two feet thick!

There is a one-room school house and what is billed as the "largest barn in Kansas".

Isn't that sky a wonder?

The main building houses 21,500 square feet of art and artifacts! Wonderful collections of glass, buttons, coins, military uniforms from WWI to the present, bridal gowns, china, toys and dolls (my favorite).

I enjoyed this stop tremendously, and I bought stuff in their gift shop! See!

Another glass ball to hang in the Kitchen-only 6 empty hooks now! Where am I going to put that cookbook? And another history book (I am most intrigued by 19th century women and children-in spite of my current research into the Town of Kansas this is what I love.) I really hope I don't own this book-I might!

So, after that I was off on Interstate 70 again, soon leaving Kansas behind for Colorado. It seems greener in Colorado-the trees are only hinting at fall color, strange. I leave the Interstate at Limon for Colorado Springs via US 24. I have never driven this road and it is odd to always have Pike's Peak in view, as it usually disappears as the northern peaks come into view. I arrive in Colorado Springs at 1:30 pm MDST and decide to just keep on. Ended up at Mountain View. There is new snow on Pike's Peak and the aspen are turning! I was told at the hotel to take all food in out of the truck as there is a bear about!

Wind, Wind, Wind

2011-10-06T19:21:00.000-05:00

The day began well, a clean truck, donuts for breakfast and off down the road I went. I picked up a 20 mile and hour wind out of the southwest just west of Topeka (about 60 miles from home). The wind just got stronger as I went. My lunch, usually eaten at a rest area picnic table, was moved to inside the truck at the rest area. At Hays I don't know how high the wind was but it nearly blew my bluetooth headset out of my ear! Just before I reached Oakley I heard that the interstate was CLOSED at Goodland due to sustained winds of 40 miles an hour and gusts of up to 60 miles per hour. By the time I reached Colby, my destination of the day, the interstate was closed here. Kansas is always windy and the highway is often closed for high winds out here where there is nothing to stop it. I've never driven in any winds this high and I guess my pick up is a rather "high-profile" vehicle because it took two hands on the wheel to stay on the road at times. Visibility was low in places from all the dust being blown about as well. Between the dust and fighting to stay on the highway I didn't get to observe all the small details I like to report. You can see my report of geography etc here. It is fall this time so things are shades of yellow, rust and brown. I had hoped to see fields of sunflowers, I did put unfortunately I'm too late to see the blooms just the seed heads drying on the stalk.

I did make a couple of stops, here:

Where I bought some yummy apple butter! I also stopped at a quilt shop for a driving break but I didn't buy anything :(

After unloading at the hotel (my small suitcase blew off the cart twice! Thank goodness for the lovely housekeeping ladies who helped me with the door) I went to Montana Mike's steakhouse for dinner-my waiter's name was Colby. Colby in Colby, pour guy!

As I'm sitting here in the Motel 6 the wind continues to blow, it whistles around the door and rattles the exhaust fan in the bath. The forecast says it will stop later and that tomorrow it will be windy but not nearly as bad we shall see. If I can't go any further tomorrow I'll enjoy Colby and think of another trip when a car broke down outside Russell and we discovered Hays!

The bags are packed and so is the truck!

2011-10-05T19:21:00.000-05:00

In the morning I'm headed west again! Destination is still San Diego, where Steve and his family live. I'm going out for Nora's birthday-I can't believe she will be two! Time is just evaporating! I am taking some large things to him and bringing home some larger things for me, more later. I am taking a slower path than I have in the past and will try to see some more of our national parks and monuments. In all I'll be on the road for a bit over two weeks. It is a very long drive out and back so this may be the last trip in the truck-I think I'll just start flying out now and again. If it weren't for those big things going and coming I would likely have done that this time.

I'll try to keep a travel log as I did last year but internet may be spotty!

It's been a lovely fall, cool nights and warm days, still dry (we could use a good rain but it's just so pleasant!) I'm hoping the weather is pleasant all the way!

Fall!

2011-09-29T09:11:00.000-05:00

We've had a very cool September, which I quite enjoy! Have considered turning on the heat a couple of mornings already but managed to control myself. Does my pocketbook good to have neither heat nor air conditioning running! I noticed while driving to Columbia on Sunday, and more and more since then, that the trees are changing color, the soy beans have gone gold and some farmers have already picked their corn. The great bowl of a sky has turned the hard and wonderful blue that I love so much-no humidity to soften that blue! I planted mums and asters in the front garden. Fall is my favorite time of the year. Not yet cold but chilly in the morning and after dark-it so reminds me of my years in the Rocky Mountains. Rob built a fire in the fire pit on Sunday and it was so lovely to sit around it, chat and watch the flames dance!

I hope to get to stitch again this week as I am cleaning out the extra room today. I've finished all the painting (for now) and can sit in there at night and stitch. Just can't seem to do it in my bed room.

My office is getting cleaned out today. I took the quilt out of the frame and took it down a week or two ago. The quilt isn't finished but I simply don't have room in there for the frame and I don't like using it so quoting Ann "I make up excuses" not to work on it. My Mother's cousin, Betty, who was a wonderful quilter always just quilted without any frame so I'll do the same and use a table. Planning to take it along on the trip to San Diego and work at night. I always stop early, so the evenings can be long. I have so many things to do before I go, re-up the plates on the truck, get an oil change, clean the house stem to stern etc, etc, etc! Guess I'd best get to it. When Rob gets up we are trimming the kitchen, and working in the yard. It will be a good day!

OOPS!!

2011-09-24T18:50:00.000-05:00

Apparently my Math skills are not what they should be! I can't measure and divide by two and correctly fit the cabinet! Also my idea to cut off the fronts of the drawers using the jigsaw and then screw on the new front didn't work, sigh. So, tomorrow I am ordering drawer boxes and new doors for this cabinet. I am tired of working on it, although I will still be doing work in there each day with this little set back I won't be finished until well after I return from San Diego. I feel like the most boring person on earth! All I've talked about for weeks and weeks is the kitchen-so no more. When it its all finished I will post before and after photos and I may mention in passing that I've done something (like put my cookbooks on the new bookshelf or trim or something) but no posts just about the remodel.

On that note, this morning I took a look at Lee's Summit's Oktober Fest. Not very big, although they did have locally made crafts in the craft tents. I was totally disappointed by the lack of funnel cakes! I could really have used a funnel cake this morning!

I have done a little quilting in the past couple of weeks. I have all the bag pieces together and have machine quilted two of them (two I've done by hand with big stitches). I've never really had any luck with machine quilting but I used my quilting foot (well, duh!) and they went quite quickly and nicely. I expect I'll be doing the rest this way as I'd like to finish them and use them this Christmas!

I spent the afternoon cleaning the house as Rob and Tanya are having guests tomorrow. It looks better than it has in a really long time but there is still much cleaning to be done before the holidays. My office/sewing room looks like a hurricane hit and the extra room (where I do hand work and watch tv) is full of trim, tools, and all the stuff I couldn't figure out where to put!

Tomorrow, I'm off to Columbia to deliver a bed to Scott and Bri. My Dad no longer needed it but Scott and Bri have empty bedrooms. Next time I go down for an over night I will have a real bed!

The State of the Kitchen Address.

2011-09-20T20:33:00.001-05:00

So, I have eight doors left to hang and eight drawer fronts to put on-then tweek the fit of several-then the cabinets will be officially finished! Rob, Tanya and I installed the new counter/bench top today and Rob the new sink. My plumber, Jamie, is coming in the morning to hook up the sink drains etc.

My plan for the next two days: finish door and drawer fronts, put up the backsplash, and paint (of course).

By the weekend I should have the bookcase installed (and filled-I have four file storage boxes of cookbooks!) and the windows turned into photo frames painted although the photos won't be back. Then all that will be left will be painting and installing trim. And cleaning house and cleaning house and cleaning garage!

I do believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel! I also believe it would be easier to move than remodel a kitchen! I am going to love it though, I can already tell.

Odd things!

2011-09-19T22:05:00.002-05:00

There is an odd thing in my kitchen--there are doors on some of the cabinets. Weird. More tomorrow.

A short kitchen update.

2011-09-11T19:26:00.000-05:00

In the past week only one visible thing has been finished in the kitchen.

The floating shelves! I still need to repaint jar lids-they get a hammered pewter color which mimics the zinc lids on some of the antique jars and make labels. I like to have everything close at hand when I cook and bake so this arrangement works quite well for me.

I've finished painting the first set of doors and have begun the second. Found space for a few more this time and have found a way to shave a day off the whole process so I am hoping to finish all the doors by this time next week. I think I'll wait to hang them until they are all finished and the handles arrive.

I've also been stripping multiple layers of paint off the two windows I bought and Rob has made me a bookcase (for my cook books). All will need painted. I have the trim and my brother, Bobby, is going to rip some board for the kick space-that will need paint as well. I am really starting to hate this painting! But, things are coming together, thank goodness.

The counter(bench) tops are due in Tuesday, I say due in because I was told it was the earliest they would be here. The truck only comes once a week so if they don't come this week it will be the Tuesday after. I have all my fingers and toes crossed for this week!

Remembering September 11

2011-09-11T09:59:00.000-05:00

Today makes ten years since September 11, 2001. While I haven't (and won't) watched any of the many tv programs on the subject, it is hard not to remember what happened that day. The live video of the towers collapsing is etched in my memory along with President Kennedy's death and the Challenger explosion. The act of men who hate my country and cloak it in terms of religion. I grieve for those who were lost, knowing that their families will never be the same. I hurt for the survivors who must feel some "survivors guilt" along with great gratitude. I will never forget.

Holiday Weekends!

2011-09-05T16:24:00.000-05:00

Hope all those in the US are enjoying the Labor Day Holiday! I've had a terrific weekend, so far. Saturday Scott, Bri and Coco (their adorable little dog) came up from Columbia to visit. We generally all gather to attend my town's annual street festival, Santa-Cali-Gon (so named because Independence was once the "jumping off" point for the long overland trips to Santa Fe, NM; Oregon and California.) Mostly we go to eat funnel cakes, corn dogs, walking tacos and other "junk food" and to buy homemade Cream Soda or Root Beer. (We all save our bottles from year to year and they re-fill them for us.)

Then we walk through the craft tents. It was pretty exciting on Saturday as a big thunder storm hit right over the top of us and the tent we were in began swaying and things started falling off displays etc. Bri managed to get outside and the rest of us headed that way but by the time we got to the doorway it had let up some. Started up again though and was surely in danger of falling down except some really intelligent person shouted that we should grab onto the poles and hold them up! One of the other tents did fall in so thank you intelligent person! As soon as it let up we made a run for the cars and headed home!

One great thing about the storm, it brought a cold front with it! After the high 90's of last week, today's 71 is delightful!

Sunday morning Beth and her boys joined us for a biscuits and gravy brunch (apparently their favorite breakfast-or maybe they just don't get it very often?) Then we split up. Rob, Tanya, Beth, Brayden and Kolby along with Rob's friend Das met up with other friends Thomas and Heather at the Carnival part of Santa-Cali-Gon while Bri and I headed to the Flea Mart. I scored a really cute sewing box (always wanted one) I plan to put my cross-stitch in it for now, hum it would work well for hexi-gons too. I wanted to attend a memorial service for a lovely lady I knew from my historical work here at 2:30 and I did. While Scott and Bri took Coco back to Columbia and demo'd their current project, their den. Later I met up with the others to walk through the tents again and eat more "junk food"-- Didn't buy too much there this year just a snowman for Tanya and a long magnet to hold up the calendar on the frig.

When I woke up this morning, after sleeping with the windows open, it was 54 degrees! A beautiful clear day, with a lovely blue bowl of a sky. I mowed the lawn this morning and I found a hint of things to come.

Already the hills in back are getting slippery, rolling on these as I walk and I hear them hitting the trailer all the time!

A short kitchen update: The shelves arrived on Friday, the doors and drawer fronts on Saturday. I already have primer on one side of 5 doors (that's all I can fit on my 6 foot table). Everything is here now except the counter tops (bench tops) which won't be in until the 13th. I bought the old windows for the wall decor on Friday and Rob installed the second fan on Saturday. I still hope to be 90 percent finished when I go to San Diego next month, won't be finished until I get back as I'm bringing home IKEA stuff for in there.

Look! New Floors!

2011-08-30T22:24:00.000-05:00

I know it's crazy, two kitchen posts in two days but what can I say WE DID THIS TODAY!

I just love these floors! Rob, Tanya and I just keep looking at them and saying how pretty they are and how much they change the room. I haven't moved any furniture back in as I wanted another little while to just look at them and admire all our hard work! One more thing off the list.

KitchenUpdate!

2011-08-29T18:11:00.000-05:00

Today, I finished painting the cabinet boxes and fronts. Thank goodness. No more oil paint until the doors and drawer fronts come-have no idea when that will be, soon I hope. I spent the rest of the day getting part of my gardens back in shape from the heat and cleaning house. I don't even want to think about how long it's been since I last cleaned my bathroom! So photos:

You'll have to imagine the doors and drawer fronts painted white and installed ;) but you can tell where I'm headed. The back splash is here as is the new sink (I think I have to buy drain parts for that) just waiting on the new countertops. Tomorrow afternoon Rob and I will go buy the bamboo flooring, maybe we will put it down on Wednesday or Thursday. The shelves for the big open space are on order as well, so it's all beginning to come together. I think my plan is working out, it's just slower than I would have liked. That true of all remodeling projects!

Time for a Kitchen update!

2011-08-23T17:35:00.000-05:00

Wow, a whole week has passed! I worked on the kitchen every day except one and I have nothing to show in pictures! All the "this must be done before I can paint the cabinets" are finished. Today I primed a bit over half the cabinets, inside and out! Rob said I had as much paint on me as I did on the cabinets, even in my hair! As it's oil based paint I have scrubbed several layers of skin off! This time next week I should be finished with the cabinet boxes/frames, then I will have to paint doors and drawer fronts-after they are delivered of course. Tomorrow I will put a coat of paint on, inside and out and then I can return my kitchen to some sort of order! I'll have to begin early in the morning as it is Brayden's night at Granna's and I'll need to be at the bus stop about 3:30pm and I'll need time to scrape away all the skin-I mean paint!

Kitchen update, three

2011-08-16T21:36:00.000-05:00

I know I'm a bit late with this update but some exciting stuff has happened (and I'm tired at the end of the day!). First, on Saturday I painted the ceiling-boring but necessary. On Sunday, I painted the walls!

Each time I loaded up the paint roller and swiped it onto the walls I did a little happy dance--I just love this color! When you look at that paint chip or even audition the colors on the wall as I did you are still never quite sure you will like it when you have it every where! I do, I really do.

Yesterday, I did some of the nitty gritty odds and ends that keep turning up and cleaned house a bit getting ready for Thomas. After dinner last night he installed this:

A new exhaust hood! It has a very quiet motor (my number one priority) and four halogen spot lights, I can really see what I'm cooking now and boy is my stove top dirty!

Then he installed this:

a small ceiling fan over the actual kitchen area, I have one over the table but I actually think the cook (me) should be cool while she cooks, go figure. I've touched up the paint around the top but it will need a medalion to cover a very bad looking spot where the old light was-Lowes here I come, again.
He and Rob also changed out the switches and outlets, now I don't see sparks when I plug in things and those things stay plugged in! He will be back tomorrow to finish up- it seems the GFI outlets by the sink are troublesome. Also, he will fix Larry's oops in the basement that led to outlets and lights that didn't work!

Today, I gave the wall behind the bench another coat of paint and painted between cabinets (it will get another backsplash but for now it just looks clean), touched up at the ceiling on one wall (more to go there), put on switch and outlet covers and new vent covers on the heating ducts. Then I cleaned. Well, I also put the first coat on the living room side of the openings. Let me just say here that I should NEVER be allowed to do anything major with drywall! Patches ok, dings, nicks, holes fine but NOTHING any more complicated than that!

Tomorrow it's more of the same!

Shopping!

2011-08-12T19:54:00.000-05:00

So, Wednesday afternoon I hit what marathon runners call a "wall". I couldn't do another thing, in fact it was a near thing that I didn't end up curled in a ball on the floor sobbing! The "mudding" of walls and doorways had made my arms, shoulders and neck hurt so bad that even the feel of water in the shower caused me to cry out. I decided that night that I had to take a couple of days off from the kitchen. I know myself well enough to know that if I had stayed home I'd have worked on it so I went shopping.

Shopping is not one of my favorite things to do, it's done only when necessary and for as short a time as possible! I hit the antique mall first and had barely walked through the door when I found the terrarium above. I fell in love at first glance and knew that if it wasn't way out of my price range I had to have it! Some things just "speak" to me, those things I buy. I didn't find anything else I had to have so it was on to other places. At Hobby Lobby I bought the little tea pot in the photo, it's a paper weight-too cute. Mostly, I bought groceries, oh and 6 new puzzles for the boys to have at my house and one no longer missing toy for my "Space" set. Brayden will be pleased, and I didn't even have to shop on line. (Last week Brayden reminded me that I was STILL missing this one car that went with the set. After I said that I hadn't been able to find it in the stores here he said; "Well, Granna, you know you can always shop on line." He's only five and already shopping on line, grin.)

I'm feeling much better tonight so tomorrow after watching the boys while Zoe takes Beth to puppy class I will paint the kitchen ceiling and the living room side of the door openings. Maybe I'll have some photos of the kitchen this weekend!

Cross-stitch update for Bri's stocking

2011-08-09T20:20:00.000-05:00

I haven't done a cross-stitch update for a couple of weeks so here on the left is what I showed you last. Then below (because I can't get blogger to let me move it) is today. I've made good progress, mostly because the kitchen project has me tired, bruised and sore by supper time so I only have the energy to stitch! I sit down to watch tv and there is the stocking right where I can see it. It nags until I pick it up!

Further whining on the kitchen front-my house is COVERED with enough dust from sheetrock and sanding that you can see the cat's paw prints quite easily! I've cleaned up quite a bit of the kitchen (much more to go) and tomorrow's project is to clean the living room etc as well as touch up on the drywall. I hope to begin painting ceiling and walls on Thursday, I really need to see that paint on those walls. Destruction in only good for a while!

Kitchen Update, two

2011-08-06T19:53:00.000-05:00

No pictures this week as I doubt you'd notice anything much different! I have been working at it some each day and I 'd be further along but I keep running out of joint compound! and sandpaper! I can say that with the exception of the tile on the floor (coming out before the bamboo goes down) all the "destruction" phase is complete. I thought that several times but each time I'd find just one or two more things to take down or out! I have begun sanding the cabinets as well as applying joint compound (when I haven't run out) and sanding that. Needless to say we are washing everything in the kitchen before be open it or use it-there is just no way to keep the dust out!

Beth and her family are in their new home, settling in. It will take a while to be completely settled but progress is being made. I kept the boys during yesterdays move (no kitchen work), took them dinner and cookies the boys had made (okay I "helped") and made up the beds. It's always good to have the bed ready when your kids are tired and cranky and you are tired and cranky! Today I went down for a bit and folded clothes, also got Kolby down for a nap. Larry always said anyone would go to sleep rather than listen to me sing! Actually, Kolby likes to hear me sing and can do it while we rock for quite some time unless he's really tired!

Kitchen Remodel Update

2011-07-30T22:04:00.000-05:00

Here's where I am with the kitchen. It's a big mess! I have only two more sections of uppers to strip the red paint from, YEAH!! All the doors and drawer fronts will be replaced so they don't get stripped. I've pulled the trim from around the openings to the hall and living room as I plan to "wrap" those openings with drywall, giving a cleaner and more updated look. I called an electrician to move a plug up the wall and fix the "oops" from hanging a curtain rod. Caused a short which disabled two plugs and a light. He was a no-show though. Guess it's back to square one on that. Tomorrow I'll do one more section of cabinets, wrap the openings, and repair the many holes (both large and small) in the drywall, after I go buy drywall. Will finish with stripping on Monday and begin sanding on Tuesday. Next weekend I'll be a little further along, I hope. At this rate it'll be Thanksgiving before I get done!

I'm adding a shelf in the extra room closet tomorrow as well. I need to have more space for the boys' toys. They've just been sitting in boxes and tubs in the room so having the closet arranged better will make that space more attractive! That room is where I sit, stitch and watch the tube.

Along with demolition, etc today, I bought some sunflowers (fake) for the living room vase and did some computer work inputing data for my Town of Kansas Research. Had a little rain early but the heat is back. Ah well, summer in Missouri!

OOPS!

2011-07-26T22:15:00.000-05:00

I make a big OOPS! The Bar begins tomorrow! Go Bri!

Cross Stitch update

2011-07-26T18:55:00.000-05:00

As you can see not a lot of stitching has been done in the past two weeks, sigh. I've been working on the wall out in back and in the gardens every morning in spite of the heat and it just knocks me out! Today, I didn't work outside and I feel much better, so I guess the walls will have to wait for cooler weather!

I have been stripping one section of the cabinets in the kitchen and have finished most of the demo (only the trim around doors and windows remain to come down. I should be finished with the stripping on Monday-unless I get energetic and do two sections in one day. Doubt that'll happen.

Today, I found my sewing room/office. In that I've cleaned it again and moved things a bit, it seems I do that every week! I just have too small a space for everything I have in that room! I am working to finish things and get them out of here but it's very slow, sigh.

On Thursday, Bri (my daughter-in-law) takes the Bar exam. I wish her the best, hopes she gets a good nights sleep tomorrow and has a good breakfast! I know she will do well as she is very smart! That said, if everyone could remember her on Thursday and send her your best wishes I think that will help!

Wilted!

2011-07-22T17:48:00.000-05:00

This is how we all feel. Wilted. Heat indices 110-115F! There is a rumor that we might get a very short break, please the Gods let it be so!

More projects!

2011-07-21T11:09:00.000-05:00

Inspired by all the re-decorating and re-modeling being done over at The Modern Parsonage, Scott and Bri's place, I have tackled the most hated room of my house, my kitchen! I've looked at it for the past 11 years trying to figure out how to make it work without breaking the budget and come up empty. I had a few brain storms lately, some I've tossed and had some more. First before photos:

First, I've removed all the dark brown paneling and chair rail (thankfully, it was only nailed on! I was afraid glue had been used which would have torn up the wall board behind it, so YEAH!) Also, all the floor trim has been removed.

Second, I've removed the tiny and almost useless tall cabinet on the right of the last photo as well as the tiny cabinet to it's left. The cabinets were built in place and are one piece on each wall, getting them out was a real chore! The funky opening left there was created when my new frig didn't fit in the hole. (Yes, we measured-twice-and still lacked about a 1/4 inch of it fitting.) The now open place will get open shelving to display my collection of blue glass canning jars (I use them to store food in.)

Third, I moved the one foot cabinet seen on the left of the frig over to the left of the stove. The stove was directly next to the cabinets on the window wall and always made me feel closed in. This little one footer in the space gained by taking out the tiny and almost useless tall cabinet makes me feel a bit less cramped!

Now, I'm working on removing the wall paper. Unlike Scott and Bri's experience with that mine is coming off easily, I just don't like standing on the step stool!

Next up: the dreaded chore of stripping all the cabinet frames.

Once that's done I'll order replacement doors and drawer fronts so all the cabinets have the same look and it will be painted white. I'm adding a couple of drawer units to the place where the bookcase sits and a bookcase under the end of the island. Above the drawer units I've a mind to put some shelving to hold my pretty bowls (I seem to collect those as well) and my teapots. Haven't decided on the decor for the wall above the bench, yet. If you look at the frig photo again you can see where I "auditioned" paint, I've chosen the green for the walls. Bamboo flooring, all new white trim, a new sink and laminate counter tops plus a few new light fixtures and it will be a totally different place!

I like to cook and usually spend quite a bit of time in the kitchen but I've slacked off lately as I hate that room soooooo much!

I'm so anxious for it to be finished, but realistically it will take some time and quite a bit of effort before I finish. It seems that everything I do adds some small detail to the list for me to deal with!

I'll leave you with one photo of the new stove wall (sorry, not a very good one):

Funny brown paint is on the dry wall from the back of the removed cabinets!

Sunday in the Garden

2011-07-17T16:24:00.000-05:00

Moss Rose Portulaca, volunteers

There isn't much blooming in the gardens right now, it's just too hot! So I have some garden-related photos instead.

The nursery, wild lupine seedlings. The wire is too protect them from our chipmunk!

Mexican Heather

Non-stop begonia

Jasmine and Million flowers.

I have made a little progress on the wall in the back. The end at the deck is done (much digging to do on that end) and I'm beginning to head down the yard. I have to re-do a bit tomorrow as I noticed while mowing that it didn't seem level. Sure enough, in spite of the fact that I was using the level, each block is level but the run is not. How does that happen? I have been pulling weeds everywhere, and more to do tomorrow, as the flower beds need some work. I wish someone would tell me why the weeds don't mind the heat but the flowers do!

Off to make BELTS for supper! Tomatoes from my plants, yummo!

Tuesday's cross stitch update, and maybe other stuff

2011-07-12T12:58:00.000-05:00

It's just too hot to spend any time outside today. Still under a heat advisory, so 105-110F heat indices mean that I stay in unless I just have to go out. Think we are supposed to have a tiny reprieve tomorrow and maybe Thursday, if so (and it isn't raining) I'll work out in back again. I've been tackling some financial related stuff-always my favorite- and my office/sewing room, again. Those two things just never seem to go away!

In keeping with the title of this post, Bri it is begun!

This is the stocking Bri choose:

Again, the toe is pointing in the wrong direction to hang with all the others (and I am not about to begin again). So, I'm working it in reverse, which isn't really as horrid as it sounds once you have your eye on!

This is how far I've come, there's a long way to go. I hope to have it finished well before Christmas, that means I have to stitch every day-oh, darn!

Sunday in the Garden, Three

2011-07-10T15:36:00.000-05:00

I intended for this to be a weekly feature but I sometimes forget to take the pictures! Here's what's blooming in my gardens this week:

Phlox in pink!

Cosmos

Larkspur or Delphinium?

I've also begun another project in the yard! Oh yeah, just what I need another project, but any

way I'm terracing this hill:

And adding pavers to this eyesore!

As well as under the steps to the deck. I'm doing them at the same time so that I can use the dirt from the paver projects behind the terrace walls. I hope to be finished with both projects this month, we''ll see.

The heat is back big time, heat advisory today.

I also washed my 'yard weight' today (travel trailer-caravan). I am wanting to sell it and the outside gets filthy sitting under the oak tree! My arms and shoulders are already screaming at me for holding that brush attached to the hose over my head for so long! Man getting old sucks!

Where does the time go?

2011-07-05T20:16:00.000-05:00

I swear it was just the first of June! I've been trying to finish some indoor projects for a while, not really making any progress on anything. I just seem to be spinning my wheels these days. About the only progress I've seen is the recovery of the backyard parking area from the weeds! Sigh. Maybe, this month.

Last night the "fam" went out to Blue Springs for their fireworks display, what a lovely night it was! Very comfortable-it's always great when the heat doesn't affect your enjoyment. The display was 30 minutes of BIG fireworks, I especially like the chrysanthemums and the waterfalls. As Tanya says we girls like our "bling" even in fireworks! The boys shot off a few little fireworks here at the house before we went and poor Zoe did not like it when Tanya set off the string of fire crackers, she made a bee line for the house and took me with her! She tolerated the big display really well though.

Rob has headed home from California. He has an interview here on Friday, with Sprint. All fingers and toes are crossed here! He still likes the beach but he can vacation there, and our cost of living is less here in the heartland so he might be able to afford that vacation. It will be good to have him back, I missed him. I miss Steve and Scott, too, sometimes it's almost unbearable! I really love it when we can all be together, such a fun group!

Independence Day!

2011-07-04T07:20:00.001-05:00

Celebrate Independence Day! Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

More Storms.

2011-06-27T10:13:00.000-05:00

Apparently, we had another storm last night. About 2 inches of rain here at my house and no real damage around this part of town but a friend of my lost a huge limb from a heritage tree which they might now have to cut down. It's sad to lose a 150 year old tree! At least it didn't fall on her 150 year old house!

Scott and I had a great time together over the weekend, pulling weeds from over-grown walkways and along the drive. Coco thought it great fun to grab the great long pieces of grass and play tug of war with them! We laid out his front garden and he put in more castle bricks for the front garden wall, while I pulled grass from the new beds. We trimmed his oak tree a bit and then decided he needed a pro to really get it up to shape! Bonding over plants and weeds- how fun is that. (I must me odd to find that fun!) While we were weeding Bris was painting and decorating. Lots of good visiting to be had!

Today, I'm tidying the house getting ready to pick up Kolby for the evening. Hoping to get in a little stitching but it's too wet to work outside!

Caught up!

2011-06-23T18:47:00.000-05:00

I have finally caught up on the inside work, as well as the outside work, whew. I can even see the top of my desk! That's something I often wonder: "Is there a top to this desk? Is there a bottom to the piles?" I have even begun typing in some of the materials I have collected for the Town of Kansas research. No Sewing to report but I think that's coming. The aches and pains are much better so I'm heading back to the gym on Monday, but I'll only be in the pool for a week, slowly, slowly is the way I have to go!

Tomorrow I'm heading down the road about 125 miles to Columbia. I'll spend some time at the State Historical Society where they have pulled files for me, then I'm meeting some of my college friends for lunch. After that I'll either go back to the library or to Scott and Bri's. Saturday, Scott and I are going to do yard work-you'd think I would have enough already, but I volunteered! Love being outside and it is still to be on the cool side-that being under 90 degrees.

Guess I'd best go get ready, I want and early start!

Storms in the night.

2011-06-18T06:49:00.000-05:00

Thunderstorms in the night are not a rare occurrence, especially this summer, but rarely cause any damage so when I was awakened by a huge clap of thunder directly overhead all I did was look at the time, 2am, roll over and go back to sleep! One of the first things I do in the morning is open the blind in my room overlooking the garden bench, this is what I saw:

The bench is very heavy and was lifted up over the pots on the right. It appears unharmed by the adventure, it will be a while before I can tell about the pot on the bottom! So because of that I decided I'd check for other damage. This is what I found:

The dining canopy I had on the deck is no more, sigh. I cannot keep anything up on the deck for shade! The canopy itself is light but each of the four legs was attached to one of these:

A gallon paint can nearly filled with cement. Larry made these for use on handicapped camp sites, those are cement and you can't stake down the canopy. Heavy enough that the leg left on the deck moved my stainless steel barbecue grill! It's the trash for the canopy. Otherwise, the deck chairs and table have been moved around, one trashcan was across the street-lid is still missing-the others just moved about.
The worst of it, though, is that the oriole's nest in my neighbors sweet gum tree was knocked down and the babies are dead. So sad. Seeing orioles is such a treat, they are fairly rare here, and we had so hoped that this nest would bring others in the future. Mama is still hanging around, I hope she tries again.

How's al that for a way to start the day?!

What a Week.

2011-06-17T18:00:00.000-05:00

It's been a crazy week. Just as I began to think I was getting it all together again, life struck. I'm not even sure how! I dropped my Kindle once too often and the screen is broken, sigh. I have mixed feelings about the Kindle but there are some features I really enjoy: 1. It's great for traveling, small and light and capable of holding 1000's of books, easy to add a book to if you are in say, Ireland! 2. I don't have to find shelf space for the Kindle books-which is no small thing. 3. I can (and do) read the books over and over again, that would be harder to do if I checked them out of the library. and 4. I can make the print any size I want! Since I have quite a few books on the Kindle I'm sure I'll be getting a new one very soon!

Occasionally, I decide to run a test to see if I still need my anti-inflammatories and I did that this week the first two days weren't bad so I thought maybe I could eliminate them. When the third day hit, however, it was an entirely different story. Big Sigh! I hurt. Especially, my left knee and hip. So I had to take a couple of days off the gym until the meds take hold again. I think I'll be okay to go tomorrow, maybe.

This morning I did one of those things a Mother always dreads, I waved Rob off down the highway towards San Diego, trying not to let the tears get the best of me. The job search here has been dismal (until yesterday and today when he already had interviews scheduled in San Diego for Monday) and we've always suspected that he would need to go to one of the coasts the find development work. He will stay with his oldest brother, Steve, there and look for work, if he finds something he will only come back to move. Tanya is here with me as she had to work. He's always said he wanted to live there, so if he really likes it and can find work than I am happy for him, but I will really miss him!

On a happier note, I did finish the mock up of a choir robe for Steve and Tanya's Christmas stocking. I purchased the fabric for the back today, so when that is done I'll post a photo of the whole deal. I'll be starting on Bri's July 1st.

For tonight, I'm moving the TV box into my office and then I'll clean it up--AGAIN! URGH!!!

As requested the gardens from a distance.

2011-06-14T19:08:00.000-05:00

Jilly has asked for a "zoomed out" view of my gardens so I'll try my best. Blogger has changed something in how you can move photos around and I get a bit crazy!

My house from across the street-the curb appeal photo!

The garden to the right of the front porch from the drive.

Everyone's favorite part of the garden-my bench and pots!

The left side garden, this is full of ground cover roses in pink and peach.

The garden on the east, very green at the moment.

The hill garden, also very green. I put this in because it was too steep to mow!

I really like the way these look this year, even though most of the plants are not mature yet.

Sunday in the Garden, Two

2011-06-12T11:19:00.000-05:00

This sweet, and tiny, ground cover has blue flowers.

Blooming in my gardens today:

Hostas in white.

For the first time, a pink lace cap hydrangea.

Butterfly weed in the hill garden.

The ground cover roses in pink must have hundreds of buds.

This is a peach ground cover rose.

Also beginning to bloom are white coral bells. These plants are in the garden mostly for the color variation in their leaves, the blooms are underwhelming. I have several varieties of hosta, again mostly for the variation in leaf coloring, they are mostly white with an occasional lavender. The lavender ones are only thinking about blooming, I'll try for a photo when they open up.

I'm behind, again.

2011-06-09T18:28:00.000-05:00

Life sometimes gets away from me! It has outdistanced me for sure lately but I think I may be close to catching up. I've been behind ever since Rob's graduation party. It got worse when I joined the gym and started working out daily. I took my brother's advice (he's been working out for years and years) to go first thing in the morning but that just didn't work for me. Mostly, because I couldn't get there early enough to work out and then swim before classes in the pool, which caused me no end of frustration! Finally, last week I began going about 1:30pm and this is working much better for me-I get my housework/yard work done before I go then come home and fix dinner. I have the gardens mostly caught up, except for trimming bushes and digging up oak trees (the never ending chore here!) Well, I could dig up wild strawberries all day every day for a month (or longer) before I came close to getting them all out of the grass and then I could start on a multitude of other weeds in the lawn, but I won't. For all the cool, wet weather we had in April and May, June is turning into a trip to the equator! We literally went from the 60's one day to the 90's the next! Along with the 90's came high humidity and air quality issues (which I have to heed as my asthma is trying to act up.) So it's early morning for yard work, once it gets too hot I head inside.

I think one or two more days and I'll have the inside of the house caught up and I can work on projects again. Most nights I've been too tired to even pick up a needle. I am not a hot weather person, never have been, never will be. I don't sleep well and begin to feel caged in when it's hot. I like the cold, it was only in the 50's in Montana today-sounds good! It's funny but in the cold I don't mind being inside as much as when everything is green outside my window.

I'm hoping for a few project updates later on, as well as another one on the gardens soon. Just need to take the camera out for pics!

Wow, Where Have I Been?

2011-06-02T11:11:00.001-05:00

It's been a whole week since I posted? Can not be, can it? So I've been up to the usual-housework, garden work, a little computer work and a very little sewing. I'm beginning to find my groove with the addition of the daily workouts. I added swimming every day to the whole (for about 20 minutes-when the pool isn't full), also stepped up the resistance on the machines. It's still too early to tell any changes but I enjoy it. That statement it really unbelievable!! Me enjoy a workout?! It seemed unlikely but it's true. I really love the swimming-I'm way out of practice but I'm getting there. It would be lovely to be able to once again SWIM the length of the pool. The pool is also the only source of frustration with the gym, finding it with a lane open that is. I think that when my two years is up I'll just put a lap pool in whatever house I'm living in, add an eliptical and a bowflex! Ha-Ha, right after I win the lottery.

There has been some progress on some projects but nothing to show and I'm feeling overwhelmed by them again. Really need to finish SOMETHING, that keeps me going, but all the things it would be wonderful to have done are a long ways off. That makes it hard to not start something new but so far I've been holding off!

I'm really happy with the way my front garden is coming along this year. After all the wall building and addition of new plants it is really looking nice, not yet mature but much better than before. I filled some big pots with pretty flowers (photos later) and arranged then around the bench (which I really must clean when I finish this) and when the shade is thick it's a lovely place to sit. The shade is less thick this year with two trees missing that used to shade the front of the house but it's still a nice place to sit and wait for Beth or perhaps to sit and read. Now if I can get the grass to grow in the bare spots left by tree stumps. . . .

Not much going on. I really must get to work- my desk is a disaster (so what else is new?) and I have a choir robe mock-up to sew and get in the mail for Steve plus, plus, plus. I keep thinking that my life will slow down and have fewer things on my TO DO list but it never happens, sigh. Feel like I'm running in place.

Lost Days

2011-05-25T21:49:00.000-05:00

This week has had two lost days in it! On Monday I had planned to clean my house top to bottom, just as I always do on Mondays. Things have gotten into quite a mess and the work needed to be done so I began in my room, finished it in a snap then moved on to the sewing room/office which was going to be a slower go as always things were piled high. I cleared my cutting table, mostly, cut binding for the quilt in the frame, etc and had started in on the desk when "crash" the legs on one end of the cutting table just caved in. It went in the trash yesterday. My sewing room/office is a full space, move or remove one thing and everything has to be moved and re-ordered! So instead of getting my house clean I spent the rest of the day ordering that space. One day lost.

On Tuesdays I volunteer at the historical society, that went as usual but I never get any work done on that day.

Today, after my water aerobics class I came home to start again on the cleaning. Sat down to check email etc when the storm alarms began blaring. My first thought was "It's Wednesday, they are testing" only they don't test when we are in the severe storms bubble so I pulled up the local radar and yelled to Rob "I think this could be something!" After packing up the laptop and grabbing my go bag I headed to the basement (the safest place in severe storms). Rob turned on the TV and we sat listening to the blare of sirens and watching the radar as tornado after tornado was sighted. Luckily, all but one were touch down and pull back up into the clouds. No real damage was done in the metro but one took out some of Sedalia (about 1 hour east of here.) It was scary, Beth's work was in the predicted path of about 5 and my house in the path of two. It all turned out well but it was another lost day as the low pressure area that caused the storms was approaching and passing over and that always gives me a headache! So it was medication and bed for a while.

I hope tomorrow is better, I would really like to see the sun for a few days so my gardens will dry out and I can get the weeds out! The grass needs cut and the list goes on and on and on. I did like water aerobics though. Ah well a good night's sleep and all will be well!

Joplin

2011-05-23T12:09:00.000-05:00

As you probably know the city of Joplin, Missouri was struck by a mile wide F-5 (the highest rating there is, the scale is based on the damage caused) tornado yesterday. 30% of the city is gone, including the hospital, the high school, Walmart and Home Depot. 75% of the city is damaged in varying degrees. News crews and aid workers had to walk in as the debris was so deep, xrays from the hospital were found 70 miles away, and there are 89 confirmed dead. That number is expected to rise. If that isn't bad enough, today they were slammed again with high winds and heavy rains. Three other Missouri towns and at least one in Kansas were also hit but by smaller tornados. The only thing one can feel is sorrow for those who have lost everything, or loved ones in these storms. Our weather man said just last week that it had been a mild tornado season here-guess that has changed now. We are in the bubble for damaging storms today and tomorrow although it is believed to be wind, hail and heavy rain, not tornados. Forecasting tornados and storm warnings have improved so much since I was a child, we have so much more warning now. I am grateful for that.

If you don't know exactly where Joplin is-it's about 3 hours south of Kansas City on Interstate 44, almost in Kansas. (Think, middle of the country for KC then go south.)

Sunday in the Gardens.

2011-05-22T15:43:00.000-05:00

This is what's blooming in my gardens today. The blooms of Bleeding hearts, Buglewort, Clove Pinks and shooting stars have already passed! Too bad.

Coral Bells in Pink

and Red

Sweet Woodruff's tiny white blossoms!

These tiny purple bells are taking over!

Pink Poenies

Purple sage

Purple chives

one very odd tomato blossom!

There was a photo of the daisies as well, don't know what happened to it! Still getting used to I-photo. In the end I may have to go back to Picasa, also Blogger is making it very hard to move things around again, what's with that?

It's raining, it's pouring, I'm thinking of snoring!

2011-05-19T14:30:00.000-05:00

It is raining, started in earnest during the night sometime. I woke at 6am and just laid in bed listening through the open window. Then I got up, made the coffee and went to the gym. WHAT? Went to the gym? That's right, I've done something new, I've joined a fitness club. I decided that just walking wasn't getting it done, mostly because I can't seem to be consistent-no dog to whine if I don't go. I have lots of reasons for getting fit, I wrote them all down but I won't bore you with them, but perhaps the biggest is this: I don't want to hurt myself just doing the things I like to do. I've spent the last several months recovering from injuries I gave myself while gardening last year and I have more that I would like to do-without hurting myself or needing yet more shots of cortizone! So everyday I'm off to 24 hour Fitness, beginning slowly. Next week I'll meet with at personal trainer to set up a program then go from there.

Last night was Brayden's Preschool Graduation, he was adorable and scared silly! He made it through just fine but we wondered if his tummy was going to hold! While watching 20 or so 5 year olds sing, and jump around with enthusiasm it occured to me that by the time they were starting high school all that joy, that energy and enthusiasm would have gone cold. That's sad. We should all be more like them! I'm going to give it a whirl-you can laugh at the funny old lady if you wish.

I also made some little stitches on the quilt in the frame, it's slow going as I am not very fast (nor very good) at the hand quilting. Sure hope I pick up speed as I go!

Lastly, I've finished all the cross stitches on Tanya's stocking! I also began on the back stitching, a little. I'm excited to see this one coming to an end, then I can begin Bri's. I would like to get that one done this year, and start Kolby's. If I can just get them done faster than we add new people I may someday get caught up!

On the sewing note, I'm off to quilt and maybe get the machine humming as well. I can only quilt until my finger bleeds!

New Beginnings

2011-05-17T09:01:00.000-05:00

Back home again after being in Columbia for Bri's Law School Hooding and party. Afterward, Scott threw a party in their new home. They have been working really overtime to finish the first renovations before the party and it's really shaping up. Of course, they will be working on the house for a long time to come, but I have no doubt that it will be lovely when they finish. Bri is looking for a job now as well-I wish her good luck there- she is smart and capable so I'm am sure she will find one soon.

With her hooding, I have only one more graduation to attend. Brayden's Preschool Graduation! I think that one will have different flavor.

So, now's it's time to return to my routine and catch up on things that I've let go for the past couple of weeks. The gardens need work and the house tidied plus many tiny stitches need to be made. More on all that later with pics!

New Toys and Learning Curves

2011-05-14T13:46:00.000-05:00

After having lunch with Steve, Candice and Nora one last time before they headed home to San Diego, Rob and I trekked on down and I bought myself a new laptop! The PC I had been using was Larry's originally and was showing some signs that it might quit soon, plus I just plain hated that one. He liked have the 10 key pad on the side but that just messed me up royally and it is so heavy, plus it didn't fit in my backpack. I am now the proud owner of a MacBook Pro with a 13 inch screen. I am learning the ins and outs of it more each day as it is a bit different. I still haven't migrated any data, perhaps later today. So far I like it very much.

I had Brayden for a sleepover last night which was fun. He hadn't been over for a while without Kolby and sometimes you just need time away from your baby brother. (He calls him a half baby.) We looked at YouTube videos on how balloons were made-that's pretty amazing and much more complicated than you would suppose. Then we watched some on boomerangs, how they were made and how they were thrown. After those he made himself a "Boomerang" it didn't fly very well, ;) Guess we'll do it again! Kolby's still too young to come for an overnight without Brayden but his turn will come!

After I took Brayden home Rob and I loaded the back end of the truck with things I'm taking to Scott tomorrow. Bri graduates from Law School tomorrow so we are all headed to Columbia tomorrow. He's planned a party for her so we get to see the inside of their new (to them) house. This has been a very busy month!

Miss Nora and her DaDa with Oma

2011-05-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

Steven, Nora and Oma (aka Larry's Mom)

Yet another update!

2011-05-10T09:53:00.000-05:00

So the weekend didn't stop with Friday! On Saturday I returned my Mother-in-Law to her home via the train, she had come up on Thursday for Commencement and stayed in the guest house (the trailer/yard weight). I hit the grocery store on the way home to collect a few things I needed for Sunday and by the time I got home the grandboys had arrived. I kept ALL the grandkids, that sounds like a lot but there are only three, while the siblings went out to a comedy club. The boys are very good with Nora, who is quite a bit smaller than they are, and all went well until bedtime. Brayden, gotta love him, crashed on his pallet on the floor but Kolby and Nora where a different story. Kolby usually goes down really well for me but about the time I put him down Nora started crying for her Mama (and when she didn't appear then she cried for Dada.) That started Kolby off crying for his Mama and sent out a distress signal! We rocked, we went outside to look at the stars, we looked out the window in front for the cars carrying Mamas, and finally I gave up and played with them. It was very late for Kolby, Nora is a night owl and on California time, when Mamas arrived. Only a few minutes later Granna crashed!

On Sunday, we all had brunch together, Strawberry waffles, to celebrate Mother's Day, Steve's birthday and Rob had a few more gifts to open as well. Then Beth and Lucas were off to St Joseph for Mother's Day with his Mom and things quieted down. Nora picked up a few new words on Saturday, which she practiced on Sunday (yucky, and Charge-I have a toy truck that does the music and you say charge at the end which she loved.) They had friends of Steve's to meet, Rob and Tanya were gone, so I had the house to myself!

Yesterday, I managed to find most of the house after all the fun we'd been having! I am so tired still, crashing early but can't sleep beyond 6:15am.

The weather was lovely until Sunday. Well, it was sunny then but I had to turn on the Air-conditioning! I only turned the heat off that morning! And Friday it's only to be 69F. Crazy spring!

I think I've caught you up for now so I'll be talking to you!

Graduation Day!

2011-05-09T19:16:00.000-05:00

Last Friday (May 6th) we had a party! A Graduation Party! For Rob! If you had told me seven years ago that I would EVER see this happen I'd have laughed in your face. He dropped out of school at 16, was in and out of trouble and I very nearly lost the hope that things would ever change. Until one day, 6 years ago, he asked me to go with him to enroll in college. He began at Community College and finished at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, with Latin honors-cum laude, in Computer Science. To say that I am proud of him would be a vast understatement!

Rob and Tanya, his girl. She's next to go back to school!

Rob and his younger brother, Scott. Both Scott and older brother, Steve, helped Rob with problems. Scott in Math and Steve with programming issues. He says he couldn't have done it without them!

My four children. Between them they hold SEVEN college degrees (6 from University of Missouri schools) and Elizabeth is working on another Masters. I am so proud of them!

This is one happy Mom with the graduate!

And two nephews and a niece who may not have been happy with posing for photos but who adore their Uncle Rob.

Yee-Haw! I'm four for four!