What a day!

This has been an interesting day. Yesterday afternoon my boss announced that the office would be closed today so I had the day off. FANTASTIC! I planned to get a ton of things done and have some me time as well. I started off the day with working out after the kids left for school. Just as planned. I then went to use my %off coupons at some of the craft stores to get some things I really need for upcoming projects. I got some things for the ABC baby book I am making (gift) and new blades for my cutter. Unfortunately, stop #2 was not what I had hoped. I needed the page protectors and they did not have what I needed. Since I had a 50% off coupon I really thought I should use it. So I wandered for waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy too long. The good news is I did NOT spend money just to spend money. Bad news, can't get the time back. Went to another store to get the page protectors and then went to visit a LSS that I hadn't been to in some time. I actually didn't need anything, but I noticed the owners vehicle and just wanted to say "Hi!". It was a great time and I am so glad I did. She shared some of the upcoming changes for the store and showed me a bunch of things. It is going to be really neat and it was good to see her so excited again. I did get some ribbon she had that matches perfectly a page kit I have and it is just the thing for it!
After all of this though, the day was pretty much gone. I really should have tried to catch up with some friends or something, but I just didn't plan well. The good news is the weather is sunny and nice so I have spent as much time as my bum knee with allow cleaning out flower beds. There is still a TON of work to do. This has brought on quite the pity party however. Earlier this year I talked to my hubby about spending the raise I got the have the front relandscaped. I wanted the big ugly junipers gone and flower beds that looked planned instead of mish mashed and overgrown. I wanted them easier to maintain. He agreed so I began to get quotes. As it went along it was decided to find out how much it would cost to replace the grass with something more suited to our climate. Then we added on how much to do the grass in back as well? See where this is going? I have spent several weeks in landscape hell and guess what? We have all new grass, but I still have a front bed that needs to be rototilled, prepped, planned, planted and mulched. Not quite what I had planned. Now, I admit the junipers are gone and the bed is edged in beautiful rock as are my beds in back, but it is not ready to go and done. Hence the pity party. Guess I best get over it soon because it isn't going to get done by itself!!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Dad! I love and miss you!

Mixed emotions time

This time of year is so hard for me. I love Spring. It is my favorite season. There is nothing like seeing the trees in bloom and the first colors of tulips and daffodils (one of my favorite flowers!). The grape hyacinths remind me of my grandmother and playing in her yard.
This is also super tough. April 1 is the anniversary of my Dad's death and April 3 is his birthday. I try to avoid all the April Fools stuff as it just serves to remind me what day it is. This year it has been 9 years since he died. It isn't easier, the pain just isn't as sharp.
I dread the phone ringing on either day. I always worry it is a family member wanting to talk. I don't want to talk. I just want to pretend it is any other day. Not very adult, but also the only way I get through.
So, enjoy the sunshine and the daffodils, I will be. The rest will come as it will.

ATCs

I have really been admiring ATCs and over the last year participated in a few trades and received some amazing artwork! This is certainly the way to go for me and creativity without pressure. As long as it is 2 1/2 in by 3 1/2 in I can't do it wrong!!! This the latest one I made for a "celestial" themed swap. My one before that can be seen at Scottish Borders Stamping.

Sewing on paper?

Oh, yes! I swore this was a thing I would never do. It looks really neat, but just seemed like too much effort to me. Keep in mind I have a very old and very heavy machine with no craft room, so everything has to be gotten out each time. Well, I caved. I joined a card swap and the other evening I created the card in my mind and the sewing was part of it. I have to say that I am pleased with how it turned out. It is almost as nice as I imagined which is much better than usual :).

Christmas gift finished

I have been experiencing some problems and pain with my wrist so have not been able to spend the time crocheting and knitting that I usually do. I decided to pull out the sewing machine and see what I could get done.
I have actually managed to FINISH a Christmas present. I know it is March. Can you believe it? I can't! Now the trick will be not to forget where I store it between now and then..............

Anyway, this is a flannel rag quilt I made for a little girl who loves Blue's Clues. For size reference, that grey thing on the side is my 12 inch paper cutter I use for scrapbooking.

Who elected these morons?

I work very hard to not post things that might offend someone. Politics are a subject that is often prone to that and so I don't usually "go there". However, this is just so outrageous that I can not believe it! These morons in the Idaho State Legislature killed a bill in committee that would set MINIMUM safety standards for daycare facilities and require background checks of workers. The reason it was killed? Get this! Mothers shouldn't be taking their children to daycare they should be staying home with them. WHAT!?!?!?!?!? Not every parent even has that option even if they wanted to. So those kids aren't important to keep safe? Ones that aren't raised by two parent families and stay at home moms just don't matter? This is the most amazing thing to me. Talk about hicks! And I thought we looked stupid for having elected someone like Bill Sali to represent us in Washington. However, this really takes the cake. I often wonder WHY I live here and if this is really such a great place to raise kids if these are our elected leaders.

New Quilts

I finished the binding on one and started and completed the other for a total of two additional quilts to be sent to TLC for Angels. These are really fun quilts to make! The colors in both of these just seem so cheerful to me and it was a nice feeling to have something COMPLETED!! Need to do more of that ;)

Never Ask

Never ask "what else could happen?". Why? You will find out. My youngest (and I) were up all Wednesday night because he was sick. He is much, much better today and headed to school. I just hope it either hurries through the rest of the family or stays away. I can't bring my brother here to recuperate if we are all sick!

My niece is scheduled for her cardiac surgery on Monday. The Dr.s say they don't find anything else and expect this to be a very straight forward surgery. She will probably still be there for another 4 weeks, but at least now her Mom has been able to join her. That is a very important part of the process, for both of them!

On a brighter note, I am all signed up for a scrapbooking retreat in April. I can hardly wait! I feel like I am in paper withdrawals. There hasn't been time for me to touch much of my scrap stuff lately. I have made a few cards, but not much else. I picked up 10 rolls from the developer so I really NEED to get busy :). I have gotten some sewing done though. Made great progress on Brandt's denim quilt and finished up a few in progress projects. That feels GREAT!

It continues

My niece was born yesterday, but they have determined that she has what is called transposition of the great artery. Basically her heart has some backwards wiring and so the blood recirculating has not been oxygenated. She will require surgery to fix this and she has been transported to another hospital and the surgery is scheduled for Friday. My SIL will be released from the hospital tomorrow so she can join her daughter.

If all of this seems a bit familiar, this is the same thing my nephew was born with last year. Now keep in mind, this is not genetic. Yeah right! They won't get me believing that anytime soon! It just means they haven't found the marker yet!

Busy, stressful, good

Today was THE day. Transplant day. My sister is receiving a kidney from my brother. Add to that another brother and his wife are at the hospital working to provide me with a new niece. There are some phone calls going back and forth today!!!

The great news is both my brother and sister are out of surgery and seem to be doing very well so far. They are tired, really exhausted is more like it, and have some recovery ahead of them, but so far, so good.

Last I heard, my SIL was being taken in for a C-section. Although I wouldn't wish for this, there is a time when it is just time and this was one of those. My SIL is in fantastic health and shape and will recover quickly. She also has the advantage of a couple of SIL who will be making certain her husband is taking proper care of her during all of this ;).

Well wishes and prayers are welcome, but the news so far is GOOD!!!

Black and White - love it!

I have finished my first rag quilt. It is a style I have wanted to do for a long time, but just haven't. This one is baby sized (36 x 48) and is headed to TLC for Angels. I just love the black and white contrast and can see myself doing this again very, very soon!

Out of the mouths of babes

I got the opportunity to watch that incredible football game Sunday evening - Colts vs Patriots. Toward the end there was a fantastic play by the Colts and it had me cheering. My youngest son, who is 8, turns to me and says "Let me guess, Peyton Manning's laser rocket arm?". The answer in this specific instance also happened to be "Yes".

I still have not stopped giggling about this. Anyone who ever doubts the power of advertising obviously does not have small children.

So, I need a goal?

I actually accomplished my goal of turning out the cookbook shelf. It is not empty despite how much I threw away. Infact, it is still pretty full. However, there are no longer books on top of books :). The next day I accomplished my mini goal of getting some things gathered and completely ready to mail. One more item off my "to do" list. However, on Friday, nothing! I sat and wondered what happened and realized that I hadn't actually made anything my goal for the day. How could I do something if I didn't know what to do? Hmmmmmm the long term problem seems to be defining itself right before my eyes! LOL!

After some thought, I made a mini goal for yesterday, and got it done! Now, I need to figure out what it is for today. Maybe even write a list of 4 or 5 and select on each morning with the flexibility to add to it as I think of things, but not pressure myself on getting it all done. Just one thing at a time.

Goals

I have given this quite a bit of thought and really think that I need to continue in the same vein as last year. If I can work each day on a task that I have put off or finish a started task/item then I will make a lot of progress and much more than I would have otherwise. To select a task daily to complete that is on my list of "projects". Not the entire project, but a step. Eventually, I hope, to be overwhelmed by my progress :).

So, right here I am stating that my goal for today is to turn out the cookbook bookshelf. I did a tiny bit of this before year end by removing the most obvious items. Cook books that I had not used in more than two years. However, this area needs more than just that. Tonight I will empty it, clean it off and selectively restock/organize it.

I am anxious to see how this process of daily goals goes and hope I am able to report a lot of success!!

Recent Comforghan

I completed the assembly of this comfortghan for a woman who's husband passed away and mailed it out just before year end. Didn't I get some beautiful squares to put together?

In Honor of Spc. "Doug" James Lee Bridges

This OPH Comfortghan is being mailed tomorrow morning to the Mother of a young man who was killed in Baghdad while on patrol. This is in honor of Spc. "Doug" James Lee Bridges. I hope she can find a small bit of comfort and peace in this time of loss.

Great Friends

I am very blessed to have some wonderful and amazing people as my friends. Unfortunately, it seems that some of them move away. I guess it is inevitable and part of life, but it is still a big bummer.

One of my very dear friends moved to Alaska. (For those of you that know me, can you see a pattern;)). I would love to see Gayle more often, but am able to keep in touch via email and occasional phone calls.

The other day a package arrived from her that I was not expecting. I opened it and found this beautiful advent calendar she had made. All of the stitching is hand done. She has to have spent hours on this. It is wonderful and I love it! Needless to say, the minute I opened the box and saw it I began to bawl like a big ol' baby. She really made me feel special and important. Thank you so much Gayle for the wonderful gift of your friendship!!!

In Honor of Pfc. Thomas L. Tucker

This OPH comfort afghan is being sent to the parents of Army Pfc. Thomas L. Tucker. I can not imagine the pain of their loss and the difficulty this time of year must bring. I truly hope they find some comfort in knowing others care.

Basketball

We went to the season opening game for the Idaho Stampede basketball team. Well, I use the word team loosely as they really seem to be a bunch of guys who want to shoot the ball, but not play defense or follow through on any of the shots. They have some potential, but the game we saw was a bit sad.
My youngest son had a fantastic time and I think this is going to turn into a good family activity for us. With the age gap of the boys and that the whole family (except me) is boys and all our varied interests, finding things we can all enjoy is a bit difficult. This one seems to be a winner!