Making Beds

Desirae was all proud of herself that she made her bed and decided she was going to teach Devin how to do it. I am not sure if they do this at home, but it was very cute and Max caught some of it on video. Unfortunately I am having problems with uploading the video - so here is a picture of the next day. Devin and Desirae both made their own beds and did a swell job!I have more pictured to post after Max gets them off her camera.

Later . . .

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 . . .

OMG let the snipping begin!

It is hard to believe that I actually have the blocks sewn together. I do have to go around the entire edge of the quilt with a 1/2 inch seam and then I will be ready to do the snipping, shaking, washing and drying!

Later . . .

No Quilting

Yesterday was not a quilting day. I spent most of the day working on the computers and trying to find a money program for the Mac. I am beginning to move around the Mac with a lot more ease, but feeling the lack of software - no MS Money, no MS Office. I am struggling with the mail program, but it is coming together and I still hate the mouse and love the keyboard. I at least have the Epson printer attached and can print. I need to have a talk with the Mac Guru (Duane) to see if some of the programs I have I can install on this Mac - it is a whole new world for me. I suppose there is a Mac for Dummies book out there somewhere that might be of assistance. Actually I am in no huge hurry except for the money program - it is the first of the month and I do ALL my banking on the computer and online. I still want to quilt and that may be what I do today.

Later . . .

Update

I spent the entire day yesterday working on getting computers changed and set up. Once that was accomplished, I had to tackle the business of learning how to actually use my new Mac. Change is difficult, but with a bit of a struggle and some help from Duane (Pimp Mac Daddy) I am at least on my way. Interestingly, my new monster of a computer would not actually fit under the hutch for my desk. Max had to cut some blocks of wood to raise it up so I could push the thing back. I still have to work on all the electrical plug ins and where I am going to put the surge protector. I am a bit limited with access, but I think I can get all the computer stuff run down through the hole in the top of the desk - at least I hope so.

Last night Max, Kathy, Paul, Michael and I ventured off to the Alameda County Fair. We had a great time and spent WAY too much money - but we got some really cool stuff. The Weight Watchers girls decided "points be damned" and had funnel cake, chocolate covered frozen cheese cake, garlic and blue cheese fries and I splurged on a dipped in chocolate cone! I might mention that on Tuesday at the WW meeting I got a fridge magnet that says: " I did it! Lost 25 pounds." I have officially lost 26.4 pounds! (Probably gained a couple back last night). Max took her camera, but all the pictures are on her computer - I will try to get some posted tonight.

I have not sewn on my quilt and I think that is where my focus will be today - after I do a couple of things I want to do with the computers. The quilt is progressing nicely and I am looking forward to finishing it.

Later . . .

Went to the "light"

I have been complaining about my PC for ages and "Pimp Mac Daddy aka Duane" has been a spokesman for Apple since he went to the "light"( he decided my Sony was the dark side because everything is black and since the Mac is all white it got to be the light side). Soooooo this huge monster is soon going to be placed on my desk! It is an awesome machine, but with a 24 inch screen it is a bit much; however, I know I will get used to it in no time and wonder how I ever functioned with the tiny 19 inch screen of my Sony. Max's computer is OLD and she is in dire need of a new one, but she does not want a Mac (she is a gamer). My Sony is pretty new and has more everything than hers so she will get the Sony and I will have the Mac.

I actually did manage to do a little sewing on my quilt after Costco and before Best Buy. I will be torn between the two for a bit because I want to get the computers changed and I want to work on the quilt, but I will try to do a little of both - breaks from each will be needed.

And, yes, I am spoiled. It really is good to be me!

Later . . .

Productive Saturday

We had a day of it on Saturday. Paul and Max did some fly tying, Michael went to work, Kathy went to a beading class and I worked on my quilt. I am making good progress considering I had to sew 20 squares across and now I am sewing the 18 rows together. It is turning out well, but I am not looking forward to doing the snipping, but I do want it finished - so what's a girl to do!

We had a nice dinner and visit last night and Max and I just kicked back today and relaxed. We managed to watch "Pirates of the Carribean - Dead Man's Chest". It was good, but not as good as the first one. When we first turned the TV on we thought we were in TV trouble because the picture was really faded and purple. Seems like we have not turned the TV on in such a long time that the tube (or tubes) took a REALLY long time to warm up. Eventually the picture was once again clear and crisp. Hmmmmmmmm does that mean we need to do more TV watching?

Hopefully I will get my rows sewn together tomorrow - well, maybe not tomorrow cause I need to do some shopping - Costco trip.

Later . . .

Project for the day

The project for the day (Max's Friday off) was to get the day bed out of the garage and set up in the "extra" room. The painting was accomplished yesterday so we could get things set up today. The place we wanted to put the bed would not work because the bed was about an inch to long. If we had taken off the balls on the top of the back rails it would have fit, but would have looked pretty dumb. We have things arranged so they can be easily moved to pull the trundle out if we want to use it. We have a couple of book shelves and my craft desk in the room along with that little table beside the bed. Since we really do not have many visitors, the room will be used for reading, relaxing and Max is going to set up some of her fly tying stuff and use the table and have access to a couple of shelves for her materials. I am happy with the way it turned out and the day bed is in great shape. I did not want one of the white ones - so we got lucky and picked this one up for $150.

Later . . .

Sewing squares

The quilt making has begun! I decided to make a bit of a change and have the fabric on the top and the denim on the back - seems like it will work out and I like the idea of being able to see the fabric. I have actually sewn together six strips (of the 18 needed). It is going together rather well, but I can see the real work will be in the snipping of the 1/2 seams - yikes it could take YEARS (just kidding)! I am planning to take the finished quilt to the laundry to wash and dry it. My machine is large capacity, but this is going to end up being a large quilt - not to mention dealing with all the fraying that needs to happen.

I have enjoyed the process and am enjoying sewing the squares together; however, I don't think I am looking forward to clipping the seams. Considering that is really what the quilt is about, I guess the nice part of clipping will be that the more I clip the closer I will be to a finished project (and I LOVE finished projects).

Later . . .

Ready to Sew

OMG what a thing! First off my math skills seemed to be sorely lacking when I first figured how many squares I needed. I calculated I would be left with a 4.5 inch square; whereas, it will actually be 5.5 inch square. One inch does not seem like much, but when figured into the bigger picture - ouch! I had 360 denim squares cut and all I actually needed to do the one big enough for our bed was 396. Sooooooo more cutting of denim. Then I had to cut all the material squares and had to find another piece of material to add to the collection. With all that finished, I am actually ready to start sewing the squares together. I am thinking I will take a breather and do something else tomorrow and start the actual quilt making on Tuesday or Wednesday (certainly not that we need any kind of quilt for this weather).

On a different note, Max took me to some garage sales and the thrift store on Saturday. I found some great deals on material and picked up a couple of very cool baskets. Max found a small acetylene torch in a holder for $1. First thing in the morning I had checked Craig's List for day beds and found a really nice one in Walnut Creek - so later in the afternoon we went and purchased the bed. Wrong time to be without a truck, but with the Xterra we played hillbilly and had the roof rack stacked high. Hopefully we will get the room painted in the next couple of days (Max took the "popcorn" off) and be able to get the bed set up. The bed has the trundle so it will come in handy for the grandkids.

I made banana pudding with bananas and Nilla wafers and had Paul, Kathy, Michael and Paul's parents - Carl and Nancy over for a visit and dessert. It was a nice weekend.

Later . . .

Denim squares completed

I certainly made a dent in my jeans stash. I have 360 (and a few extra) squares cut and ready to go. I now have to do the same with the fabric I am putting on the back. It is washed, but not ironed yet. This is certainly turning into a "thing" and I can't even imagine what it is going to be like sewing all 720 of the things together. I am making the quilt 80x90. It will be enough to cover our king sized bed, but not enough to be a bedspread. Unfortunately our bed sits high and has side rails - so no bed skirt and the bedspread needs to be a minimum of 120 inches to come down to meet the top of the sideboards. The idea of making 622 squares of denim just did not appeal to me - not even a little bit. Perhaps after I see how this project ends up I "might" consider it.

Later . . .

Back to the cutting table

I am back to the cutting table with a stack of denim. I found the quilt I want to make with frayed edge denim. I need 320 squares and I think I am up to around 230. Interestingly, the backing for the quilt is also squares! I have picked out the material, but that means ANOTHER 320 squares. Once again I am determined to proceed from start to finish. Nice part about this pattern is there is not batting or binding and you actually are sewing the backing as you sew the denim. Another nice part about this type of quilt is that it is very forgiving with any mistakes because the frayed edges tend to cover things up.

It has been much easier rotary cutting the denim jeans in my new sewing room because I can move my cutting table around and get a good cut on all four sides of the ruler. I really should not be allowed to play with rotary cutters, but I have only cut myself once and nicked myself once. I do fine with the cutters until I start turning things and seem to get just a little pressure on the handle and the blade comes out just enough to cut if it happens to come in contact with my other hand. It only takes one good cut to remind you to be REALLY careful.

Later . . .

FYI Oncologist Appointment

I had my regular appointment with the oncologist and we made the decision that I am going to stop taking the Arimidex (check out the miserable side affects). I will have some blood work done to check my liver function (connected to all the Advil I take), blood count (for the fatigue and possible anemia) and, since I have lost 23 pounds and am eating healthy, my cholesterol to see if it has gone down (yet another side affect of the medication). I will be off mediation for the cancer for 30 days to see if I see an improvement in my all around joint pain and movement. After the 30 days I am suppose to start taking a different medication, Tamoxifen (the drug of choice before Arimidex came out). According to my doctor Tamoxifen is not suppose to have the miserable side affects like the Arimidex, but the information available on the web does not really support that notion. One major side is it has been associated with causing blood clots/stroke (which in my way of thinking would be WORSE than getting cancer again). Another is uterine cancer, but I do not have my uterus. I will wait and see how I feel in 30 days and then make the decision if I want to take any medication at all. Difficult decision to make, but I want to have a better quality of life than I am having right now. I suppose the worse thing that could happen if I don't take any medication is getting cancer in the other breast or again in the same breast and then I could have them surgically removed. That sounds better to me than having a fricking STROKE! Like I said, difficult decision to make and any input will be graciously accepted.

A bit more embroidery

I had to add something to the other collar to give it balance. I truly love doing embroidery and I guess I am going to have to actually tackle the new software I bought so I can do MORE!

Later . . .

Back to Embroidery

Since I finished the quilt I decided that I would do a little embroidery. I played around with my fabric mover for a while and with practice I will probably be able to do some okay free hand quilting with it. I think I am going to round up some material and tackle another Brick Road quilt - only this time it will be a larger version. I really did learn from my experience and all the mistakes I made. I am looking forward to trying it again to see how it turns out. I have plenty of things to quilt if I head in that directions. I have MANY 4" squares for a scrap quilt and I would like to do the denim one along with incorporating embroidery into the quilts. I certainly have enough to keep me busy for a long time. Since I am having fun taking this adventure, I can see great things in my future!

Later . . .

DONE

And the "Not So Fat Lady" sang!

Finishing touches

The quilt is rapidly coming to completion. I thought I would hate the binding process, but I found it was not that difficult (with the exception of sewings the two joining ends four times before I actually got it right). Since I like handwork, I enjoyed putting the binding on. I plan to make and attach a label today to "officially" be finished with it. I made MANY mistakes on this one, but I am looking forward to making another one and "hopefully" I will do a better job.

Later . . .

Slight Detour

I took a slight detour from my quilt this morning to glue together some couches that were ready to be put together. I gave Jessie (from Ireland) a couple of the couches I had sitting around the house and it was time to replace them. Now there is kleenex EVERYWHERE!

I did move on to the binding for my quilt and have it sewn and pressed. I am very close to being actually finished with my quilt. I will have to make a label to attach - this will be an unforgettable project!
Later . . .

Progress

I actually have been working on the quilt and not on embroidery, but the embroidery is calling me. Whew - I liked doing the top for the quilt - it was fun watching it come together; however, the batting and backing are another story all together. I have gotten them together and did the "stitch in the ditch" thing. I was looking into free hand quilting and it is a bit of a thing. I decided that I would try practicing with my fabric mover and that is even a bigger thing. I think I may just go ahead and sew the binding together and "try" to put that on and call it quits for this quilt. I will say this is a learning experience and I am presently at the BOTTOM of the learning curve. I think I may resort to calling my friend, Lynn (aka the quilt master) for some tutoring. Making a finished project seems to be a major challenge for me. I do not want to try to do anything with my Hearts top or the Celtic Circles until I can figure out some of the more basics of putting the "sandwich" together.

I am determined to at least finish this Brick Road quilt before I bail and go back to doing embroidery. I do want to embroider squares for quilts so I will eventually have to learn how to put them together.

Later . . .

Progress Continues

The progression continues. I cut and sewed together the backing for my quilt and then started the process of layering and pinning. I purchased some clamps to hold the piece on my cutting board and I must say they work really well. I was a little annal on the pinning and ended up running of of pins. I was on strict orders not to leave the house until the FedEx truck showed up (Max's new lens was to be delivered today). So I was able to get some pins later in the day and will get back to work tomorrow.

While I was waiting for the FedEx truck I adapted a "bow tying" board into a thread holder for my embroidery thread. When I am doing an embroidery that requires a lot of thread I needed something to keep it in order. I found the bow tying board at a thrift store for $1 and drilled holes in it and put some cut off golf tees in the holes. It turned out really well and I am pleased with that accomplishment!

Later . . .

Top actually completed

The border has been added! I now must make a trip to JoAnns to get material to back the quilt. I have plenty of Warm & Natural for the batting. Feels really good to have gotten this far, but I know the real challenge will be with the batting, backing and actual quilting. I think the hardest part will probably be the binding - but I am determined!

Later . . .

Working on the quilt

I used my felt in the garage, as you can see, to get the pattern of my squares. It was really amazing how well the felt worked to hold the fabric in place. However, I seemed to get a little confused when I was sewing the squares together because the finished top does not look exactly like the layout. It really does not matter how they went together anyway because it is just a huge mix of fabrics and colors. If any one wants to look closely at the finished top and compare - feel free to do so (the bottom picture is the top in finished form). I will next be working on the borders. My real fear comes with the batting and backing and of course the binding. I am determined to actually FINISH this project.

Quilting

I tackled my quilt kit today! I now have 40 9 1/2 squares that I need to arrange for my top. I have not cut the border or binding - one thing at a time. I will say quilting is much more work than embroidery. I was standing doing cutting and ironing most of the day. It was iron, cut, sew, iron. Made for a lot of standing on my part and the knee is pretty swollen. Tomorrow I will get to use the felt material which I bought over the weekend and hung in the garage to arrange my squares. I will try to take a picture of this process - IF it works.

Later . . .

Little more embriodery

I decided to mess around with my embroidery a little this evening. I had been sorting through designs and downloading other designs most of the day - just trying to get things cleaned up and ready to work with. I had some stuff this morning and had to take Kodi to the vet for a blood test this afternoon (which turned into a THING). Most of the time I guess I get appointments when there are not a lot of other dogs there, but today there were dogs everywhere. For the most part it was not a problem except listening to Kodi whine becuase he wanted to personally visit each and every dog that was there. However, when a pit bull rounded the corner - thank God I had a good grip on Kodi and the pit bull's owner had the same. Kodi is NOT fond of pits (he has been attacked by one too many) and the pit was VERY aggressive. It all turned out basically well, but I hate that kind of hassle and especially when my knee is messed up. Went to our weight watchers meeting and am still doing well (total loss so far is 22.4). The day was basically shot by the time we finished dinner (did get all the laundry done though). I am planning on starting on my quilt kit tomorrow - so finishing a little more embriodery seemed to be the way to transition into quilting. I used my software to cut the small tulips on the collar from another design. That worked out well and I am really happy with the way the shirt turned out.

Will see how the quilting goes tomorrow.

Later . . .

Hummingbirds

I cleaned all my feeders and mixed up the sugar and water and the little critters are all over the place. It is especially fun to be able to sit in my sewing room and watch them feed and play. We have identified four separate birds and according to the article I read about hummingbirds is you are suppose to count how many you see at one time and multiply that by three. I am enjoying all the birds in the back yard. I had to eliminate some of my bird feeders because of the squirrels. I have two squirrel proof feeders, but now they are coming into the yard to eat the seeds from the ground. They don't get too brave considering the dogs are not pleased with them being in the yard. We end up with a yard full of birds playing and eating. I am hoping it will soon be hot enough for them to start bathing - that is a kick to watch.

Max is getting a lot of practice with her new camera trying to get good pictures of the hummingbirds and the other birds as well. I can see the telephoto lens in the works!

Later . . .

The Fear Won

The fear of the unknown gave way to doing what I "know" how to do. I decided to enjoy myself a little longer playing in my sewing room and did some embroidery work on one of my denim shirts. The daffodils are really pretty and I wanted to add some tulips to the bottom, but could not find the design that I wanted. I know I had it in the past because I did embroidery on a tea towel. My mother's favorite flowers were daffodils and tulips and I wanted to have them both on my shirt. I will be able to find another tulip design, but you know how it is when you get your mind set on something. I spent HOURS searching my computer and just could not find it.

I then decided that I was going to make some coaster sets. I made four sets with four coasters each. Now all I have to do is put the insulation and the back on and sew them. After sewing comes the cutting of the edges (which is actually the most difficult part) and then into the washing machine to let the edges do their unraveling. I have a quilt kit that I am going to try work on tomorrow.

Used Sewing Room

I had fun yesterday in my sewing room and decided today it was time to work on the never ending denim squares. I really want to get a quilt made from all the jeans I have stored in the closets. I listened to podcasts on my iPod and quite enjoyed myself.

I also made a few coasters - just messing around with different designs. I am motivated about doing quilts, but have the fear factor working considering I have never actually made a quilt before. I have two completed tops, but have yet to add the batting, back and binding. No time like the present to forge ahead and see what happens.

Later . . .

FINALLY

I finally found myself in my sewing room with nothing else to do but sew! It is completely finished and I took the opportunity to do some embroidery. It seems like it has been WAY to long since I have been able to play with my sewing machine. I just recently received an update for my software and I must admit I haven't figure out half of the old stuff and now I am faced with new stuff. It does seem that the 4D software is much more user friendly - so maybe it won't take me years to learn how to use it.

Feels good to have accomplished something - new tea towels are always nice.

Later . . .

Knee update

Had a doctor's appointment on Friday to discuss the changes in my knee and the pain situation. My surgeon said it is time to replace the knee. I knew that was coming from what she had said before, but I really do tend to live in denial. She is pretty backed up on surgeries and I do not have a date as yet. I do not want to have the total knee replacement, but I also am seriously tired of the pain and limitations my knee is giving me. I had to laugh when I asked her if my knocked knee would be gone on the leg with the surgery and that answer was "yes". Not sure how strange that will be considering I am VERY knocked kneed. I am going to try to loose some weight and build up some muscle tone to make the recovery a little easier. She said I have great flexion and range of motion right now and that is a very good sign for a good recovery. It will be a three day hospital stay and then some serious physical therapy, but hopefully in about three months I should see substantial improvement. I am tired of having surgeries, but maybe this will be the last (one can hope).

Later . . .

New Camera

Well Max decided it was time for her to step into the world SLR digital cameras. After much research the Cannon Rebel XTi was here camera of choice. I took a good look at her after the purchase because considering all the instructions and such, I will probably be looking at her nose in the instruction book or her eye to the view finder. She loves to take pictures and this will give her the opportunity to have some fun and not be so limited.

Later . . .

Long Time

Whoa, it has been a while since I have posted, but I have been a bit busy. I spent a week at Duane and Denise's taking care of the grandkids while they flew back to Oklahoma for Denise's father's funeral. Needless to say, I was a bit exhausted every night and plenty busy during the day. Desirae was sick Tuesday through Friday, so I had both Desirae and Deanna and then had to get Devin to school everyday. We did manage to have some fun and I stirred up my "video thumb" killing the Lizard King for Devin (not an easy task). Deanna was a very good girl, but she let me know right away that it might be okay for me to be taking care of her, but I was NOT replacing Mommy. As soon as Denise was home, it was then okay to give me big hugs and let me cuddle and hold her, but it was not okay prior. I had a wonderful time with the kids, but it was an eye opening experience - I am too old (with a disabled knee) to handle three kids on a full time basis. Everyone that knows me well, knows getting up to an alarm at 6:00 AM is NOT my idea of a good time.

Anyway, while I was gone Max hooked up the speakers for my surround sound in the sewing room and it is GREAT. I got a connection for my iPod and I could live in there.

We are looking forward to a quiet three day weekend of catching up on our missed TV shows, playing around with our toys (sewing, tying flies, etc). Max has tomorrow off and the only thing scheduled is an appointment with my surgeon to discuss this "total knee replacement" surgery. I will let you know how that goes. I have very mixed feelings about it. The recovery is brutal, but worth it if I get movement without pain. Sure wish surgeries came with guarantees!

Later . . .