Blah!

I haven't posted in a couple days because I haven't done much of anything. Well, I did make it to Walmart! That was fun! I discovered Paula Deen's Gooey Butter Cake (I think that is what it is called) It is wonderful! If you find it, buy it and eat it. I think I will find the recipe and make a big pan of it!

I am almost finished with the quilting on the second table runner an will post a photo later (I am too lazy to get up and get the camera right now!) I also want to post a photo of some needlework I have been doing for my color theory class.

I have found that you can waste lots of hours looking at people's blogs. I begin by looking at my peep's blogs, then I go to their favorites, then to those peoples favorites and on and on. All of a sudden, 4 hours have gone by and my "Favorites" list has grown. That's how may day was spent yesterday and just before Big got home, I swept the floor and folded some laundry - I didn't want it to seem as if I accomplished nothing!

Well, I better get to my quilting. I have to get these things in the mail tomorrow so they get there by Mother's Day. Don't want the Mom's to think I am not a good daughter!

Have a great day!

Pin It Now!

Not Much To Say

I am feeling a bit sorry for myself today. Big went back to work, the baby is in finals week and doesn't have time to call much, so here I sit, all by myself. I didn't realize how nice it was to have someone in the house all day long. Oh well, I will get used to it. The baby will be home next week and Big will be home at the end of the day. I will get back to some sort of routine soon.

My Mother will be coming for a visit soon. The baby has a birthday on May 23rd and my Mom has been present for most of them. We usually go on vacation at that time of the year, but all extra cash is paying for college tuition. Vacations are put on hold for another few years! I sort of miss vacations, but am happy that The Baby is able to go to a really good school - that is way more important. I always tell her she has to do well in life so she can take good care of me when I am old! Speaking of The Baby, she and her old boyfriend are back together. They dated for three years and broke up the summer before she went to college. We always figured they would get back together, but I am glad she had a year in college to learn about herself and make some good friends and do some dating. Here is a photo of my baby, I am not sure if she will be happy with me posting this one. I can't remember if she liked it or not. I think she was ready for a date with The Boyfriend!



This photo was taken in the dining room of our previous house. The house was built in 1902 and I loved it! There was so much history in it. I love old houses and look forward to being able to have another one. Maybe next move! Well, I better get going, all I have managed to do is eat a slice of cold pizza, throw some wash in the dryer, make the bed and look at blogs. Sniff, Sniff ... perhaps I should go shower!

Have a great day!

Pin It Now!

Machine Quilting

I have been sitting on the front porch for the past 45 minutes ripping out some machine quilting that I did last night. It was Horrible!!! By it, I mean both the quilting and the ripping. I have learned a few things about machine quilting, 1.) It is harder than it looks, 2.) You should probably not do it when you have had a glass of wine (are you beginning to notice a lot of talk about wine?) 3.) Ripping machine quilting out is harder than ripping a seam out, 4.) Classes on machine quilting should probably be taken or at least have some type of mentor sitting around waiting for your panicked phone call.

I have read with great interest about Lane's machine quilting progress on That Man Quilts. He is doing a wonderful job and I really admire his work. I don't think I am anywhere near that. Trying to get my brains, my hands and my foot to work at the same time is really hard. When I went to Massage School, I thought I would never be able to get my right and left hand to do the same thing at the same time, but I finally did it. I am not so sure about machine quilting. I have gone to the site he refers to, 365 Days of Free Motion Quilting, and watched the videos and I have learned a few things from it. I am going to get some scrap material and practice, but right now, I have to get these table runners finished.

I will continue (last night I had a bit of a fit and then a cry about it), and I will master this too. As you all saw with the Vegemite video, I am someone who follows through with what I start. I really want to give up on these table runners, but I will continue and get them in the mail on time for Mother's Day.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Pin It Now!

I'm Just Saying

This morning when I had my shower, I think I found a chest hair or two! Is this a side effect of the Vegemite?

I want to say thanks to all of you who are viewing my video. I had a good time with it and I am glad that everyone is enjoying it! I love Ms. P to death, but I am hoping she doesn't find some other vile thing that I must taste!

More later, got to work on my table runners!!

Pin It Now!

Just a couple of things to share

First, I want to say that I am feeling extreme amounts of peer pressure from Ms. P with her Vegemite pushing! I have tried to teach my child to not succumb to peer pressure and she is doing a good job of it, but I, apparently, am not so strong. I feel as if there is a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other shoulder - Marg, you are the angel, Ms. P I think you may know who you are. So to appease Ms. P, I will try Vegemite tomorrow and will have Big film it and we will post it on the Internet for all of you to see.

Second, I seem to have mislead some (all) of you. When I introduced and talked about Big, I never said he or she. I did this, as I said, to keep Big very anonymous. As previously stated, Big runs a Federal Prison. There is always a concern about inmates or their families finding out where we live or something about our family and use it against her. There, I said it, Big is a girl, she is my partner. I hope that no one feels like I lied. I referred to and will continue to refer to her as Big. I respect her job and her want to be unknown. I hope that you all understand and still want to be my friends. If not, I am sorry, I will miss you if you unfriend me.

Pin It Now!

Sewing and cleaning

Remember the Moda Charm Pack I purchased at the LQS Shop Hop? Well, I have decided to make table runners for my Mom and MIL for Mother's Day. (I know England already had Mother's Day, not sure about Australia) Since I am still somewhat home bound, I decided to make gifts instead of buying. This runner is a very simple pattern, which is good for me since I think my brain is still doped up from anesthesia. I hope the Moms will like them. I am thinking I need to get more fabric and make myself one. What do you think?



This is the layout of the charms for the other table runner.



On another note - Big has been taking good care of me and also good care of the house. I am sort of a picky (read - anal) housekeeper. I have my way of doing things and that is all there is to it. Some things are not high on my list of house chores - my closet and dresser drawers are always a mess, under the sink is a disaster - I guess places where people don't look, don't get much attention. The refrigerator is one of those places. It is clean, but that is about it. Big decided to clean the refrigerator today (it is on my list of once a month chores. Yes I have a list!) Here is what it looks like now. I swear things are alphabetized!



(By the way - Big just saw this post and noticed the cheese wasn't lined up properly and went to fix it. I have been asked if I will take another photo with the cheese placed properly!!)



Hope you guys have had a great couple of days.

Pin It Now!

Good Weekend

Yesterday ended up being a good day. I got a great package from my friend Ms. P and I went to the LQS. I really wanted to do the Shop Hop that my LQS was a part of, but decided to just visit the local store. There is another Shop Hop coming up in June and one in October also, so I will get to do a complete hop before the end of the year. I ended up getting a Moda Nature's Notebook Charm Pack. I saw an easy pattern for a table runner that I might try to whip up for my Mom for Mother's Day. Mom - if you are reading this, please forget it (I know that won't be too hard).

Today, I got serious about making hair goodies for The Baby. Here are a few photos. You have to use your imagination here - I did not have a model for the goodies, the cats and dog just won't participate (trust me - I tried). I would not model because I don't have my face on and I wasn't in the mood to put it on. So, the ornaments are laying flat on the counter. Imagine them in a young, pretty girl's head. A girl that has a bit of a flair for the dramatic.







Oh yeah, Ms. P and Marg, I understand why you Aussies are so hung up on TimTams. I had one (read two or three) while I was working on hair ornaments. I believe they gave me the inspiration I needed. Also, I have not tried the Vegemite, but I am getting my body accustomed to it. I walk by it, look at it and have even held it a few times! I think it is beginning to grow on me!

Pin It Now!

A Ray of Sunshine

I was just about ready to think today was going to suck as much as yesterday, when Big came in the door with a package for me! It was from Australia, from my bud Ms. P!!! I was so excited, I made my way to the closest pair of scissors (not quilting scissors - just in case you wondered) and opened the box. I found not only Vegemite, but TimTams, Fruchocs (apricots and peach covered with chocolate) and a recipe for Aussie Lamington (which has nothing to do with lamb). I was so happy! It was the much needed ray of sunshine in my day/week.



Not too long ago I had questioned Ms. P. on what Vegemite is. She says it is a lovely tasting, healthy spread for your bread. My other friend from Down Below, Marg, disagreed. Marg says it is gross and I should never, ever try it. Well, long story short, Ms. P. asked for my address and sent me some Vegemite (can you get the, "I come from a land down under" song out of your head yet?) Just in case, I had Big stand a few feet away from me to open the jar of Vegemite. (My stomach has been sensitive lately and I wasn't wanting to feel nauseous.) I could still smell the Vegemite from far away. I am saving my tasting of this gift for a time in the near future. My father always said we should try everything once (boy has that gotten me in trouble). My daughter (the Guinea pig) will be home in a couple of weeks and she will try it. She is like Mikey - she likes everything. She is a Veg Head, so it is possible she will love the Vegemite.



As you can see, I tried the TimTam, (somehow my stomach can tolerate sugar - go figure). It is as the package says, "The most irresistible chocolate biscuit." These and the FruChocs will be stashed away somewhere to be brought out only by me!

Ms. P. I want to say that you are really a sweetheart for sending me this wonderful package of goodies from Australia. I promise that I will say Crikey and Strewth while eating my Aussie Lamington (although I don't know what Strewth means - I will say it for you). I am constantly amazed at the good friends I have made on the web. Thank you Ms. P., Marg and everyone else for all the good wishes and thoughts and for being my friend! (Ok, now I am going to go to a corner and cry a little).
Pin It Now!

Yesterday Sucked!!

Yeah, I said it, yesterday sucked! Here's what lead up to Friday totally sucking.

Tuesday, I went to see Dr. Rasputin, who was semi-friendly, and got my staples out. He said my tumor was the biggest he had seen - he was disappointed he had not taken pictures. (Marg, I am sure you are happy about that!). It weighed about 6 lbs.

Thursday, we had to drive to Morgantown (two hours away) so that Big could see the Sports Medicine Dr. and get a shot in the ripped bicep! Don't ask - it is a long story that has to do with a 500lb tire! We then went to a couple stores (minor amounts of walking) and then to dinner with friends (tried to drink a beer, but it didn't taste right - that pissed me off). We left the house at 11:00 a.m. and returned at 8:30 p.m. I thought I was handling it well, but when I woke up Friday morning, I was so worn out. I got up, drank my coffee, ate my Cheerios and went back to bed. I stayed there all day long! I got up to pee and walk around the house a little. I took two naps! Naps piss me off! I don't take naps (well apparently I do, but not usually). I am sick of being in a state of recovery. I am not a person who does well with other people doing everything for her. I don't like to sit around all day - waste of my time. I don't like to be coddled. I want to walk my dog, clean my house, drive my car, etc. I don't want to hear "you can't" anymore. Grrrrr.....

I can't even think clear enough to write this blog. I think I have read over it about 10 times and I am still not sure if it makes sense. You know how people say men's brains are in their penis? Well, I am beginning to think mine was in my uterus. You know that 6 lbs. I mentioned earlier - I think that was my brain!

Oh yeah, another thing that made me angry, yesterday was a Quilt Shop Hop. I really wanted to go, but couldn't. I couldn't imagine sitting in the freaking car for 5 hours to look at freaking material. (Boy, you know I am bad if I say freaking material) Sometimes, I just hate living in a rural area. You just can't get in a car and "zip over" to anyplace. Everything is at least an hour away!

Sorry for my ranting, thanks for listening, I love you guys .... but yesterday still sucked!!

Pin It Now!

What I am up to

Hi everyone, just wanted to let you know what I have been up to. I have been making hair ornaments. "The baby" is a fashionista, as you all know. She is an avid reader of Elle magazine and is always up to date on what is in fashion. This year hair ornaments are in fashion. She informed me that she wants to wear some sort of ornament in her hair on a regular basis. I am sure that all of you have noticed that flowers, feather, etc. are showing up in every ones hair. So, before surgery, I was out shopping and looking for hair ornaments and found out that they were very expensive! I thought the prices that stores were charging were outrageous. I thought "Dude..I can do that." So, I have spent some time searching hair ornaments. Here are some photos of things I found.


I am not sure what this is, but I just had to show it!


Hmmmmm...not too sure about this one, but big is hot!


This is what the Chinese girls at The Baby's college wear. She thinks these little hats are hot! She just informed me that her roommate for next year is Chinese and wears these hats. I think she is hoping that her new roomie will share.


I think this is pretty.


I like this one also!

I have not felt like quilting yet, but am up to doing something with my hands. These little hair ornaments have been a good thing to keep busy with. I can easily stop and start and take them around with me. Hope you all had a great day!

Pin It Now!

I'm Back

Hi all, got out of the hospital Friday afternoon. Surgery went well and now the healing process begins. It took me a couple of days to rid my body of the drugs and anesthesia. I am not a big medicine taker, so I think I feel them more. I can't stand feeling so dopey and foggy headed. Yesterday I was clear headed enough to look on the Internet a little and see what everyone was up to. Today, I feel better and will spend some time dropping by to see you all. Still a little tired and a lot sore, but that will change soon.

By the way, Dr. Rasputin smiled at me for a moment the day after my surgery. I wonder if him putting his hands inside someone makes him happy! I guess that is a surgeons dream! I had wonderful nurses, but was disappointed to find out that the hospital was nothing like TV hospitals - no Dr. McDreamy or Dr. McSteamy. This was verified by a nurse who had worked there many years. Oh well, can't have drama everywhere!

Pin It Now!

Surgery

Can't believe I didn't say in my last post that my surgery will be tomorrow which will be Thursday. For those of you on Aussie time, I guess I have already had my surgery! How am I doing? By the way Marg, I can't believe you don't want photos! I thought we bloggers took pictures of everything!

I am off to run errands and get ready for the big day. I am trying to decide if I should take embroidery, knitting or a good book. I think I will take them all and see what happens.

Thought I would leave you all with a photo of my cute kitty! His real name is Monet, but I like to call him Prison Kitty, Kitty from Hell and sometimes #&*!&@ Kitty. In this photo he was Cute Kitty (this rarely happens). The breeze was blowing the curtains and he was playing in them and I guess he got tired. Hope you enjoy this moment of cuteness. (Just in case you notice the black carpet the kitty is laying on and think "What the hell was she thinking," I did not choose that!!! It came with the house and I will be doing something about it soon.)



Thanks for all of the well wishes - see you all soon.
Pin It Now!

Surgery

I spent 3 minutes with Dr. Rasputin today and found out that I will have a full hysterectomy. Ovaries out, uterus out, and anything else they find. I will be in the hospital for 2-3 days, longer if there are complications. I don't imagine there will be any problems, but you never know.

We will pick The Baby up from school tomorrow afternoon - she really wants to be here for the surgery. This is a bad time for her, finals are in three weeks and she has so many papers due, she can hardly see straight. I am excited to see her though.

I am not sure if I will be blogging or not. I would love to take you to the hospital with me! I will see if I am allowed to have my computer with me. If not I will make sure I take photos and post later.


Pin It Now!

Random Stuff

It is Monday night and I don't have anything profound to write about, so I thought I would just post some random thoughts. Hope you don't mind.

We worked in the yard for most of the weekend. We have just over and acre of land located in what, at one time, was all woods. We love the property out here, but it can be a lot to take care of. This weekend we raked, picked up sticks (saved them for kindling for next year), cleaned flower beds, did a little planting (I have to make sure that whatever goes in the front yard is deer resistant), cleaned the chicken poop out of their area, and cleaned the back porch and the furniture that goes out there! The picture below was taken from our front porch. It was snowing very lightly that day. I am not sure if you can see the snow or not.



We also ran by an antique store and found four prints of different locations in London. We have had our eyes on them for a while, and this visit they were marked down 1/2 price! We went to London on a family vacation almost 3 years ago, it was our favorite vacation ever, so these prints will bring good memories to us each time we see them.

We had a nice Easter. The Baby was not able to come home for the holiday and that made all of us a little sad. I know that these things happen and will continue to happen, but that doesn't make it any easier.

My mother sent a table topper just before Easter. It was made by a German lady and it reminded her of the table cloths that her Mom used to make. I really love it and every time I saw it on the table in my living room, I thought of my Mom and my Grandmother.



Tomorrow afternoon, I have an appointment with Dr. Rasputin!! I will find out exactly what type of hysterectomy I will have and how long I will be in the hospital. I have to sign my life away and I am sure sign a few papers that say if something horrible happens, like they cut my head off or something, I will not hold them responsible.

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter and had a good weekend!

Pin It Now!

I'm Just Saying

OK, so I took my little puppy to the River Walk (just found out we had one - photos coming soon), we both could stand a little exercise. I was a little hot and tired after the walk and decided to take a short cut and drive home on the back roads. When I say back roads, I mean back roads. They are curvy and sort of scary in some places. By scary, I mean the houses (read trailers) are usually old, there are frequently many dead cars in the yard and a few unemployed people sitting on the front porch watching their children playing in the yard. Yes, it's true, we do have hillbillies here in WV.

Anyway, I drove past a man standing at the edge of his property waiving at the passerbys. I thought, wow, he is a friendly dude, so I waved back. Then I noticed the Coors Light can in his hand! I mean really, it was 10:30 a.m.! I realize that it is after 5:00 p.m. somewhere, but come on. There he was with his ice cold beer in the hot sun, having a good old time waving and being neighborly. Hmmm....ice cold beer, hot sun, being neighborly, does sound kind of good. My friend Ms. P says it is already tomorrow in Australia....

Just Saying!

P.S. - It is true that we have many hillbillies in WV. The Baby and I saw a PBS show about WV and the people who found the area. They were hardworking people and deserve a lot of respect. Of course they were called hillbillies, we live in the Appalachian Mountains! I think their bad rap came from all of the moonshine stories that went around (people continue to have stills to this day) They were and still are very family oriented and would do anything for their kin folk.

Pin It Now!