New Pool

Since things seemed just a bit crowded doing the swimming thing - it was time to break out the pool we purchased for the kids. I used the air mattress inflater for the pool, but the little bench inside had to be "blown" up. Not bad for an old lady cause I got it done without passing out. They really had fun in the pool and it is big enough and deep enough that they feel like they are in the water. I just hope it holds up on the bricks - don't want to put it on the grass cause it would kill it or I would have to empty it every couple of days and I know our water bill is shooting up there every day. They have so much fun outside and in the pool that I could not deprive them of the sun and fun! I must admit it gets a little hot for Nana sitting out there with them, but I have some shade.

Later . . .

Catching up again . . .

Duane's blog pretty much covered the weekend with the exception to another crash by Deanna. She was sitting on the couch "playing video game" with Devin and just crumpled.

Yesterday was Max's birthday and the gift I ordered (new flash for her camera) is not arriving until Wednesday, so the kids and I went to WalMart and picked up some fishing stuff for her. Devin got a Sponge Bob bobber and Desirae got a Dora for our fishing trip on Friday. Max came home from work HOT and tired and decided to join the kids in the pools. They thought that was just grand and Darci even joined them.

The kids signed a card for Max and were very pleased with themselves and the lures and fly boxes they wrapped in computer paper and put in a WalMart bag. We have BBQ hot dogs, ships and salads for dinner followed by a huge chocolate eclair for each of us.

We had a power outage, which the kids took well. Should not have happened, but we had way too much running at the same time and tripped the main breaker. It was an easy fix and we were powered back up in a few minutes.

Devin and Desirae are having a great time during the day, but are having some difficulty when it comes to going to bed - hopefully we can get it worked out. I am hoping when Desirae wakes up she still does not want to go home. The kids may just be at an age that being away from Mommy is difficult. Devin has been fine, but Desirae got him upset a bit last night. They are still sleeping - so maybe a good nights sleep will make everything better. We will video with Mommy today and see what happens.

Later . . .

The New Book

I do not know who posted the previous comment, but here is a picture of the book I bought yesterday. I have been looking through it and it has some really interesting tips and clear instructions. It seems to be a good addition to my sewing library.

Later . . .

Another picture

This is for those of you who might be interested in what the other side of my quilt looks like - considering the project was to use my thrift store jeans! I had to put the quilt back in the dryer several times because the seams were not getting dry. We used it on the bed last night and it felt cold (wet seams). It took forever to actually get the seams to dry - but I kept getting bits and pieces of fabric and lent from my dryer screen.

I did not get to start on anything new because I spent the day running around doing shopping - Costco, Safeway and JoAnn's. I bought a really cool Better Homes and Gardens quilting book (50% off), which looks like it has really good information and instructions. I might do some material picking tomorrow. I do have lots of patterns to choose from and I am leaning toward the strips that Joy cut for me and the pattern she gave me.

Later . . .

Frayed Denim Done!

After getting my first night of really solid sleep last time, I trudged off to the laundromat with my quilt. It cost 18 quarters for the largest machine to wash it and since there was no way to clean the lint trap I dried it in four different dryers for 15 minutes each. It frayed up nicely and looks really cute on the bed. I like the concept of the quilt, but making a king (110x100) sized one is not something I think I will tackle again. I may put some together for kids in a much smaller fashion or something to keep in the car. It will be really nice this winter, but it is definetely heavy with the denim and the material sandwiched together (denim alone is heavy enough). I have not made the label for it yet - I had planned to do the embroidery on one of the squares of denim and use it as the last one, but I forgot. It took a lot of the 25 cent jeans I picked up at the thrift store, but believe me there are still many left.

I may start doing some practice with my fabric mover to see if I might be able to master the machine quilting thing. I have a couple of books that give some ideas and I have one that came with my machine that deals with the twin needle sewing. I want to make more quilts, but I need to figure out how in the world to get them completed - back, batting and quilted. I may try another of that first one I made - it was fun and basically easy as far as putting it together goes and I have learned from the mistakes I made. I do have the fat quarters to cut another one, but I also have tons of 4 inch squares and a lot of 1 1/2 inch strips that Joy gave me. Not sure what project will win, but I will keep you posted.

Later . . .

Playing Catch Up Again

I really hate playing catch up, but here I am again - way behind! We went to Laughlin for a week and had a really nice time. Did not come back with a bunch on money, but we did some serious gambling and had a really fun time doing it. Of course, the weather had to be miserable - cooled down to 102 in the evenings. We made the stop by Duane's and they were having some serious heat too. If any one has checked Duane's blog his a/c went out on the Friday we were heading to their place for the weekend. We took Devin and Desirae with us to a motel in Mojave while Duane and Denise stayed in the trailer with Deanna - that was after they purchased the generators to run the air. We wnet ahead and left for Laughlin a day early due to the circumstances with the a/c. On the way back their a/c was repaired so we stayed in the trailer with Devin and Desirae - with the air running. Duane and Denise are bringing the kids (Devin and Desirae) to us this coming weekend and we will have them for two weeks. We always look forward to having them here and it gives Duane and Denise a little reprise.

Hopefully I will be better with my camera while the kids are here and be able to do some postings with pictures. We have a pool for the kids and they aways love playing in the back yard - so there should be some picture moments.

I have been snipping like a mad woman and I am hoping to have my quilt finished today or tomorrow. I will get Max to help me shake it and then I will take it to the laundry and see what it is going to look like once it is all frayed. I will keep my fingers tightly crossed that I did not cut any of the seams. It actually is looking pretty cool, but I will be glad when it is done. It has taken a lot more time than I had anticipated and I am anxious to start a new projecct. I will probably be doing embroidery for the kids while they are here - I have shirts that are promised to them that I have not completed. It is always easier when they are here and can pick what they want.

Later . . .

Catching Up

It is hard to believe that so much time has passed. I guess we have been busy working on the whole computer transition (Me to a Mac and Max to my Sony). My Mac transition was pretty painless compared to the problems she is having adding her old hard drive to the newer Sony. I am sure Kathy will be able to accomplish it, but there have been some sheer anxiety moments during the transition (fear of losing everything) - it is not complete as yet, but should be soon.

I have been snipping on my quilt and it is going to take considerable time to get it all done. I did not really grasp the concept of just how many snips there would be. I am just taking my time and working on it slowly. I would like to get it completed because it is taking up my entire cutting table and moving it around leaves a mess. I would like to start another project, but I need to see this through to the end.

We decided to count our change for our Laughlin trip and have ended up with over $1000. Now we have to wrap it all and get it to the bank. We have been saving loose change in our Pepsi bottle bank for a couple of years and it had around $500 in it and our fifty cent pieces were about $550.

I hate when I don't post often because I forget what we have been doing and leave things out. I also have been letting Max do most of the picture taking and then she has the pictures on her computer and I have nothing to upload for the blog. I will have to do better with taking my camera along and grabbing some shots.

Later . . .

Snipping

OMG I have finally snipped out all the corners on the squares! That has been a thing and I have little pieces of material everywhere. I am hoping the snipping of the seams will go easier and faster. That is about all I have accomplished this weekend with the exception of playing with the Mac and figuring out what software I will probably need to purchase. I have downloaded some trials and the one that is most impressive so far is Liquid Ledger

I also made a coaster for Michael. I made one for his grandma and grandpa and he wanted on too. He picked brown and white - so it is ready to be washed to let the edges fray.

Later . . .