Cruise and Kitchen Cabinets

Well I have to say that cruising was fun, but it was not exactly what I expected. But actually I am not sure what I expected. The ship was beautiful and it was very relaxing. It was totally cool to be able to have room service any time you wanted it and be able to get food 24/7. We watched some good movies and caught a couple of comedy shows. We had some really fabulous dinners. One disappointment was a lot of the desserts were soaked, drenched, coated or otherwise alcohol laden. But not to worry, we did manage to have some great desserts. It was a blast to have a five course meal every evening. The way were were eating I was sure I was going to gain 10 pounds, but we did a lot of walking and used the stairs when we could. I only gained a pound for the trip. I also think one of the big factors was portions. The portions were small, but you could have seconds, thirds or fourths and no one cared. A couple of times we had dinner and if the dessert was especially good we would go back later for coffee and another dessert. I did have some problems with motion sickness, but I had medication and bought some ginger pills and some of those wrist bands which seemed to do the trick. Initially, the movement got to me because I was looking out the window of our cabin and but when I turned away I could see it in the mirror. Therefore, we kept the curtains closed most of the time. We spent time out on the decks and that did not seem to bother me. We had some really rough water in the Sea of Cortez, but it was at night and I managed to sleep well. I think maybe if we cruise again we will get a balcony - some fresh air would have been nice. We went ashore a couple of times and it was fun, but depressing because Mexico is so dirty and poor. I did buy a really cool wooden domino set that started at $38 and and I paid $25.

Our new kitchen cabinets are AWESOME. They did an excellent job and I am very pleased. We changed to a microwave over the stove top and it is really nice. I just finished putting everything back in the cabinets - but I am sure I will be changing things around for days. I just needed to get things put together before Christmas. We have pull out shelves in all the cabinets except one. We had planned to get a lazy susan, but the cabinet did not go back far enough - so just shelves. They will be mainly used for storing things we don't use often.

Anyway, I know I am really bad about keeping the blog updated and I am considering not doing it at all. Not sure if I will stop - probably not. I just am not going to be hard on myself if I don't post.

Later . . .

Time passing . . .

Hard to believe that the time has passed and tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  We are all looking forward to Max's arrival for the day - some more than others I am sure:)  Devin continues to do well and is more accepting of his limitations as time passes.  It is difficult to be dependent on someone else to help with all the basic needs.  He is spending more time interacting with the family and using his wheelchair.  He cannot really manage to get around the house because it is a tricky trip because of the extended front for his legs.

I have totally enjoyed my time bonding with Deanna.  She is talking up a storm and it is a trip interacting with her.  She is one BUSY little girl.  Unlike the other two she LOVES to be outside and plays in the dirt and just is always on the go.  If there is no TV or movie to watch she immediately makes herself busy.  She has a great imagination too.

Denise bought Devin the new Star Wars video game which is keeping him very occupied (perhaps too much).  The teachers at school have gotten together and given him a basket of presents so that each day he has a new present to open - something to look forward to.  Very sweet thought and most of the things are something that he can do sitting either on the couch, in his chair or in bed.  I have found an interest in Denise's DS and have been playing a "find the hidden object game".

Max has informed me Darci is mopping around the house and missing me.  She may be thinking that I made the same trip Kodi made and am not coming back.  I have talked to her on the phone, which seems to help.  I am sure she will be very glad to see me when we get home.

Later . . . 

Devin is making great progress and handling it as well as anyone could expect - actually better than some would handle it I am sure.  He does not seem to be in any more pain, which is really nice.  Of course being off the medication brings on the problem of not being able to sleep.  Hopefully it will all even out soon.  His body seems to be recovering and getting back to some normal functioning.  His appetite is picking up and his strength is coming back - wish I could say that my appetite was letting down while my strength was picking up.  I am doing amazingly well with the lifting.  He has to be lifted from the bed to the wheel chair and then to the couch if he wants to go there.  He also has to be lifted from the bed or wheel chair to the potty when he needs to go.  He has a urinal which he can use for that purpose.  I am trying really hard to protect my back and lift with my legs, but my knee is giving me some problems in that area.  Overall I am doing well considering the up and down connected with Devin and then also the stairs for the trailer and just generally keeping up with Deanna is a task in itself.

I am really looking forward to Max coming down on Thursday for Thanksgiving.  I have been gone from home and am missing her - not to mention missing my home and the dogs.  Living in a family with three kids is a BIG change from what I am used to.  Anyway, she will be here for Thanksgiving and then we will be heading home on Saturday.  Denise's niece is coming to stay and help her with Devin after I am gone.  She needs someone to help her with the lifting during the day while Duane is at work and when Desirae goes back to school.

Later . . .

I did it again . . .

Crap - one more time I have neglected the blog.  I am beginning to think I just might stop doing one (I will have to give it some serious thought).  I am not sure where to even start to catch up.

I am at Duane and Denise's with the girls while Devin has his surgery in LA.  The surgery was yesterday afternoon and the doctor said it went very well.  Unfortunately, poor little Devin is in major pain and not a happy boy.  I am not sure when he will be released from the hospital and they will stay down in LA until he is released.  I am getting Desirae back and forth to school and taking care of Deanna.  Believe me this is not something I am used to doing.  I did it back when Denise's dad passed and she and Duane were gone for a week, but I am thinking I am much older now (that would be about a year or so).  I have not spoken to anyone for an update on the surgery and the only information is from Duane's blog last night.

Joy did come up on the train for a week's visit and we had a good time.  She taught me how to cut out a pattern and sew an item of clothing.  I have to say that I am not that excited about the clothes sewing, but I did make a fleece top that turned out really nice.  I taught her how to use the quilting machine and she had a great time practicing.  We packed up the machine and headed down to Ventura and we had a good time there too.   I managed to get some amazing material for an amazing price because a quilt store was going out of business (pricey but well worth it for quality fabric @ $2 a yard).  Joy and I cut out some patterns that we both plan to sew later (fleece tops).  She hemmed and put snaps on two bathrobes she made me and cut out a nightgown pattern to check on style and size.  We got the quilt machine set up for her and James wired lights.  By the time I left on Sunday afternoon, she was quilting.  She is doing quite well and will pick it up fast (I wish I would have had someone to help me when I started, but I feel I am really getting there now).

Later . . .

Spending Money - Economy Be Damned!

I need to be careful about saying we are going to watch what we spend and no major purchased until after the first of the year. Economy be damned - new toys! I found myself knee deep in trouble when I attended the Quilt Show last weekend. I was having a good time and minding my own business when I started trying out the long arm quilting machines. Yikes! Now that I actually know how to machine quilt I could REALLY see the difference between the long arms and my Grand Quilter. Sooooooooooo I now am the proud owner of a Tin Lizzie 18 LS. It has so many advanced features compared to my old set up. 18 inches of throat space and the ratchet system to advance and retract the material is MUCH better. It actually has a larger bobbin! Not to mention that another bobbin winds while you are sewing so you are ready for a change when you run out (no loading a bunch of bobbins in advance and then not needing all of them). I am one VERY happy camper. I have been practicing with it and I am doing quite well. I think because I have been quilting it is coming easier to me, but I actually did a couple of pantograph patterns that turned out well using the laser. There is one small problem with the new set up and that is that it is bigger (deep) than my other one and space is a bit cramped in the garage. The plan at this time is to move the bed out of the extra bedroom and take off the closet doors and that will end up being my quilting room. It will also be nice to have the machine in the house and not have to deal with the heat in the garage. I don't seem to mind the cold, but the heat just makes it miserable. I was very reluctant to give up the day bed, but since we really do not have that much company, it is kind of pointless to not use the space (considering it will be something that will be used a LOT).

THEN . . . Max bought the new Sony notebook that just came out with the 19" screen and a screaming graphics and video card. The color and picture is amazing! She was thinking about the 20" Wacom and debating on the purchase of a Mac and ended up with this one. The new Sony actually has a better everything inside than the new MacPro. After much discussion and investigation, it would appear that 4 or 5 years ago the Mac would have been the best way to go to do photography stuff, but since the Mac's and PC's are both running the same stuff it has become somewhat of a "moo" point (as Joey would say). Interestingly, the new Sony can run all the different operating systems if one wanted to add them. Needless to say, now Max is a very happy camper.

We also just finished getting an estimate for new kitchen cabinets and we are going to have them installed just before Christmas. They will be a medium dark oak. We are getting pull out shelves in some and a lazy susan in the corner to utilize the space that is essentially wasted because you cannot reach back there without taking everything else out. We will have the little pull out drawer in front of the sink and also one in front of the stove (not sure what will go there).

Once we get the kitchen cabinets the only project left will be fine tuning the back yard and getting that extra step out of there. We still need to find the matching bricks to finish off the flower beds. We do need to purchase a new hot tub cover and that will be coming in the next couple of weeks. It needs to be replaced before the rain starts.

Sorry I have been so bad at keeping the blog updated - I just seem to loose track of the time and at the same time I am staying pretty busy.

Later . . .

FINALLY!!!

THANK GOD and WOO HOO! Max was officially hired as a full-time career employee today. The stress of it all is finally over. I had conviction that it would happen, but Max has been stressing about it since they started laying people off. Now we can pretty much start looking forward to retirement. Since the Lab went private, job security is not what it used to be, but it sure beats the hell out of knowing come December 1st she was out the door. This means she is eligible for full medical benefits for both of us when she retires - which means a lot! We went out to dinner at the Fondue Place for dinner tonight to celebrate. We have been wanting to go there since it opened and it was GREAT! Way, way, way too much food, but we did the whole thing - salad, cheese fondue, meat/chicken fondue and chocolate fondue. It was amazing, but no way would I ever do it again - just plain too much food for one sitting.

We were in Cal City over the weekend to visit with the grandkids and family. We had the opporunity to watch one of Desirae's soccer games in which she made her first goal. It was COLD and the wind was blowing like crazy for her 8:00 A.M. game. We had a nice weekend and did a little family "Rock Band" which was fun.

Max took pictures, but Duane posted some shots on SmugMug. Check out his blog for a picture link.

CONGRATULATIONS MAX - WAY TO GO!

Later . . .

Made it to the laundromat

I managed to get to the laundromat yesterday and get the bedspread and the above coasters washed and dried. I went ahead and posted them for sale on Etsy, but I am not sure I will continue with that. It only costs .20 per item to list with them and they take 3.5% of the sale. So it was not a big investment to give it a try and I can always use them for the holidays myself!

We finished painting the kitchen today - so the kitchen project is basically complete. There is some touching up that has to be done on the black wood for the pots and pans rack, but it really looks good and I am very happy with it.

Later . . .

Finished Halloween Bags

So that is accomplished! I think the bags are really cute and I hope the kids will like them. Above in red for Deanna and below in pink for Desirae - same material for both the girls. I think I still like Devin's the best.
Now it is back to quilt making. I am headed off to do some errands and the laundromat.

Later . . .

More Embroidery

I have been working on Halloween bags for the grand kids and the above are the finished embroidery patterns. They were long and tedious designs, but I think they turned out really cute. I have finished Devin's bag and I really like it. Devin's bag has different material than the girls and I really like the way it blends. His lettering is green, which also goes really well with the material. I think I might have bought the wrong "pet mesh" because I am having a really terrible time with it unraveling. The stuff I used before was what my sister, Joy, gave me and it did not unravel like this stuff is doing. It makes it hard to work with because the more you more it around (and there is a lot of that) the more it unravels and the more I have to keep trimming off. Maybe there are different brands or I just happened to purchase one that was not coated well.

Once I get the bags completed, I will finish Chloe's dog quilt. Considering I want the kids to have the bags for Halloween and we are planning a visit the first part of October, getting the bags completed was kind of time sensitive. I still need to make a trip to the laundromat to deal with the coasters I made - simply too many projects and not enough time.

Later . . .

Keeping Busy

I certainly have been keeping busy doing embroidery. Above are the latest sets of four coasters that I have done. I have them all sewn together and just need to make a trip to the laundromat to get they frayed. I have done some in my own washing machine and it is just such a hassle to clean up the mess. I need to wash my frayed bedspread and I will just do them all at once. I cannot even get the bedspread in my washing machine. I did list the other patriotic red white and blue coaster on Etsy. I now have a "shop" so check it out. I plan to put some more coasters up for sale. I will probably put up some of the left over scarves that I did last year. I really don't like the idea of doing stuff for sale because it then adds the pressure factor and I really like doing things for pleasure. I like to do them for myself and friends and family. So the whole selling thing will probably be very short lived. It would be nice to get a little money to replace materials, but I actually have plenty of material to last for a long while (the thread does go quickly when doing a lot of embroidery).

Max and Kathy went up to her mom's for a couple days of doing chores. Max is doing some plumbing work and Kathy is assisting. I decided to stay at home cause I was not feeling all that well. I worked in my sewing room a bit and just kind of relaxed.

Later . . .

Productive Day

We had a productive day today - in the kitchen and in my sewing room. Max made herself a little plastic bubble and sanded, primed, textured, primed and painted the kitchen ceiling while I squared Chole's quilt and added the border and got the binding ready. We made a Lowes run for the moulding (which will be put up on Monday with the help of Kathy).

Max hung the ceiling fan and it actually looks really nice - cute little thing. Must say Max is an expert ceiling fan hanger! It is black and chrome which matches our appliances and cookware really well. It puts out more light than we expected it would, but we still will probably replace the bulbs with some floursecent ones to get a brighter white light.

Later . . .

That time of year again . . . Hatch Chilies

It is that time of year again for New Mexico's great Hatch Chilies. We ordered 50 pounds and Kathy and Paul ordered 25 pounds and we had a chili roast over at Debby's (she is not home but she is the only one with a Weber - the gas grills just take too long to get hot enough to do a good job). Of course I forgot my camera, hence the picture of the chilies bagged and in the freezer. We ordered from a different company this year and have not eaten any chilies yet, but they did come from the same place.

The plans for this weekend are to keep working on the kitchen and hopefully make some progress. It is coming along great and I think will look really nice when it is completed. We picked out a really cool ceiling fan, but have not picked out the molding yet.

I have been working on Holiday themed coasters on my embroidery machine. I just was a bit tired of quilting and wanted to do some embroidery. I have the top for Chloe's quilt done and I just have to square it and then cut the border and binding. I want to get it done so I can get it quilted and on her bed. The dogs are getting along really well and playing and keeping each other company. Darci finally has someone who will actually sleep nest to her and their bodies can actually touch (Kodi was NOT a snuggle guy except with me).

Later . . .

Celebrating 21 Years of Sobriety and Working on the Kitchen

First off it amazes me that I have gone 21 years without a drink and 19 years without a smoke. Life is good and it is a direct result of taking that first big step. Max bought me a Garmin Nuvi 770 (which I have been wanting for the longest time). It is totally cool and will come in handy for many things (especially finding my way home when the traffic comes to a stand still). It also gives you the freedom to explore without the fear of being hopelessly lost.

Our latest project is changing the lighting in the kitchen. We used to have the dropped ceiling with fluorescent lighting and we are opening up the space and putting in a ceiling fan. The kitchen is always really hot and opening up the ceiling will give the appearance of more space. Once the sheet rock is up, tapped, mudded, textured, painted and ceiling fan hung, we will then finish it off with molding around the bottom and top. I think it is going to look really nice and I know that it will help keep the kitchen cooler. The above picture is Kathy and Max patching the ceiling where Max had to extend the wiring to accommodate the new ceiling fan (Max did not hit Kathy with the hammer - she was just goofing around - per usual).

Nothing much new on our front - Hot/Hot/Hot weather.

Later . . .

Finally!

Now this is what I call VACATIONING! The weather was beautiful - not too hot and not too cold. Floating around on a pristine lake up in the mountains where you can smell the pine trees and feel the cool breeze. Even if I did not catch any fish (which I did) it is a great way to relax.

I cannot believe how unbelievably busy I was before we left for vacation and seems like I have been pretty much the same since we got back. Part of the business has been spending time with Debby before she left for Iraq. She has actually been deployed, but will be in Washington preparing for a while.

We had a really GREAT time in Arnold at the Mountain Retreat. We had great chats, great food, great fishing, some special occasions and an all around very relaxing time. I was able to get the bindings sewn on both the dogs quilts for Wanda and also my "Wild Woman" quilt. We also had a good game of poker and a night out at the local Pub for Debby's birthday. I also almost completed the binding for a table topper that Joy gave me. One of the highlights of the trip was getting to be close to a 400 pound Mama brown bear and her two cubs. Thankfully we did not have an encounter with 800 pound Daddy. We had the opportunity watching the Mom and her cubs having dinner in the trash bins at the complex. That is Debby's Toyota that you can see in the right corner of this shot. I was really amazed that Mom would get so close to humans with her cubs, but let me tell you she keep a good watch. Every time someone moved she truly shot them the evil eye until they stood still! There were some beautiful lakes in the area and we had a great time using our float tubes. Max and Paul did some fly fishing in the river and they both managed to hook some up. We were not that successful fishing the lakes, but we did manage to hook up some beautiful trout, but we did not keep any.

The following is a shot of Utica Lake, which was one of the most peaceful, serene and awesomely beautiful places I have ever seen and one we will always hold near and dear to our hearts! This vacation will be one we will remember for a lifetime! I will try to get more of the photos posted on Shutterfly - it is just so hard to add photos to really let people see where we were and what we were doing.Later . . .

Ready for Vacation

Well the dog quilts are ready to make the trip!  I finally got the binding on and the labels made.  I am hoping to be able to do the hand stitching of the binding during down time relaxing at the condo.  We have had a busy week since the kids went home.  Our gardener just stopped showing up so I am doing the yards now.  Got the yards done, pool drained and the slip and slide deflated and put away.  I then tackled the quilts to have them ready to take with me.  Michael had his 25th BD party last night - everyone went to a Karaoke Bar.  Max and I left before the "real" singing got started (she had to work today).  We are very much looking forward to doing some fishing and spending some time with Debby before she leaves for Iraq.  I am not taking a computer with me, but I will have my cell phone (providing we get service up there in the mountains).

Later . . .

Quiet House

We took the kids home Saturday and came back Sunday. Unfortunately we forgot the "warning" Denise gave us about not letting Deanna drink any milk 1 - 1 1/2 hours before putting her in the car. She had milk with lunch and fell asleep immediately when we started driving. The mistake we made was stopping at McDonalds in Bakersfield for dinner and she had milk with her Happy Meal. Shortly before we were about to make the turn off for Cal City, she got sick. Hard to believe someone so little could puke that much. OMG it was everywhere and there was no place to pull off the road for a couple of miles. We thought for sure the other kids were going to get sick just for being next to Deanna in the car. Poor Desirae ended up with it on her and she was trying her hardest not to puke herself. So when we finally pulled over we took the car seat out of the car and got Deanna changed and then proceeded to try to figure out how to take the cover off the seat because there was NO WAY we were going to be able to clean it there. Mission accomplished and we were back on the road and you would never know that Deanna had been sick - kids are amazing!

We will enjoy the peace and quiet for a few days and then start terribly missing them. Once again I will mention that it is really sad that they live so far away, but at least they are close enough to make the drive in one day.

Now we start preparing for our fishing trip with Max's family. Debby will be leaving for Iraq the end of the month so it will be a good time to have everyone together for the week.

Later . . .

Added Note . . .

I forgot to mention Thursday night at dinner all the kids were droppey eyed and yawning and Desirae looked at me and said, "Nana, what are you doing to us"? It was very cute and I had to explain that they were outside in the sun and fresh air and expending a LOT of energy playing in the pool and it was natural that they were all tired. It was funny cause you would think I was working them to death or something. She had such a serious look on her face. At least we will be sending them home with nice color. While packing up their stuff and getting ready to take them home, Max and I are both already sad to see them go and will miss them a lot. If we did not have plans it would be nice to keep them longer. They are all very precious children (spoken like a true Nana)!

Later . . .

Last Day

I cannot believe that the week has gone by so quickly. We went to the movie this afternoon (WALLE) and Max and the kids are now making ice cream cone cup cakes (which are yummy). The movie was not what I expected, but the kids seem to like it and that is what counts. We have not been to a movie since they were here the last time and it is hard to believe that for a matinee it costs $6.50 per person. Popcorn, candy and drinks is something I don't even want to discuss! Now I know why we stay home and watch DVD's.

I will say I accomplished a BUNCH of yard work that I have been wanting to do. Deanna is the greatest little helper and I do mean that she helps. The kids have been in the pool everyday and that has given me the opportunity to work in the yard. We have had some great weather - around 80 - 85. Hot enough to be outside and in the pool, but not so hot I don't want to be doing yard work. The one thing I did not get done was mowing the lawns (I guess our gardener quit as he just stopped showing up).

It will be silent and a bit sad around the house next week, but at least I should be able to get my dog quilts done and be able to take them with me on our trip to Arnold. I should have them completed except for the hand sewing of the binding. I am looking forward to the trip and Max is dying to go fishing. We have not been fishing at all this year. She might be able to do some stream fly fishing with Paul and we are taking our float tubes for the lakes.

Later . . .

I guess I am staying BUSY!

I can't believe it has been weeks since I posted. No need to ask me what I have been doing cause I really have no idea why I have not been on my computer. I did manage to embroider a shirt for Denise that she has been wanting (spinning wheel on the back and knitting basket over the pocket on the front). I am slowly trying to get the dog quilts done, but I have been having issues. One would think that all Pfaff machines would load the bobbin the same way and insert the needles the same. IF that were the case I might not have had such a hassle with thread breakage - check the manual, Donna! Max and I did the Reno trip for a few days and had a really good time. We gambled most of the time and I actually came back with more money than I started with (not much, but that is so cool in my book). Max had a great birthday and we hit some really good cards and had a really nice birthday dinner (the buffets are amazing). We came home to greet Denise and the kids. She brought them down for their week stay and was here when we got home. Having three kids in the house is definitely not something I am used to. I can't believe these little people eat breakfast, lunch and dinner - not to mention snacks and dessert! We are having a good time spending most of the time in the back yard in the blow up pool we have for them. We also bought a slip and slide, but it requires more energy than I can muster to help Devin be able to use it. We played on it for an hour or so and have not set it back up since (believe me it is hell getting old and having arthritis). Having them around is a real treat. We miss not seeing them often. I have taken some pictures, but not as many as I would like and Max has not gotten her camera out. With Max working all day we both seem to be ready for bed when the kids are. We will be taking them home this weekend. Kathy, Paul, Michael and Debby are coming over for dinner tomorrow night.

Later . . .

Keeping Busy

Loading my quilt frame is not an easy task and putting two different quilts on at the same time was a challenge.  I think it will work out well and in the long run save me some time and effort.  Once the quilts were ready to go I then wound 27 bobbins (that was the number I had with no thread on them).  It takes around 15 bobbins for each quilt - give or take.  I like to get bobbins wound before I start quilting so I don't have to do it in the middle of quilting.  Changing bobbins is a pain and at least I have them ready.  One would think someone would come up with a large capacity bobbin for quilting machines!

Later . . .