Because I need more to do

HA! HA!!!
Seriously, I have fallen in love with these bags! They are just beautiful and I want one!! I have a friend who is much better at sewing than I and she has agreed to help me undertake the task of attempting to make one. I have scrap denim in smaller pieces left from the quilts I make and I bought muslin for the backing the other day. At least, I think that is what I will need to sew the design on. If not, then I have some extra muslin!
I keep thinking about them and can not wait to make one of my own. I just hope I am not too disappointed with the outcome.

In Honor of Michael T. Lilly

This is for the mother of Sgt. Michael T. Lilly. Thank you again to all who send squares to be assembled and make it possible for HMB OPH to send these comfort afghans.

It is that time of year

School is almost out for the summer. I have been working on end of year thank you gifts for my youngest's teacher, SLP and interpreter. I decided to make these card sets for them and there was also a pattern for a matching tote. Each one is different, but here is one of the sets. I am pretty happy with the end result and hope they like them. Now, to determine what to do for the bus drivers. They are who I entrust his safety to every morning and afternoon. They desire a big thank you as well for doing such a great job.

Recently mailed

My DH had a co-worker pass away recently. This comfort afghan was sent to his wife. I hope it brings peace during this difficult time for her.

Spring Fever

I've got it! I want to be outside enjoying the nice weather. It makes me crazy not to be and the days seem so long! At least the boys will be out of school for the summer in a few weeks so we can start to do some fun things!!!
I have been busy with multiple projects lately, but one of the things I have done is make some cards. I have been playing with different techniques and supplies. LOTS of fun! The dresses on these women are all paper pieced. It really created a lot more visual interest, but they were very detailed to cut out.

It is Monday

And do I know it! Actually, it wasn't super bad, I am just frustrated. I continue to end up in situations at work where my plans get messed up because someone else isn't doing what is needed for me to be able to finish my work. My day off tomorrow? Not happening. Why? There is a presentation out of town on Friday that needs to be ready to go. It is not ready to send to print because some decisions -that I don't make- still have to be make. I can not finish my work on it until they are. Consequently, I have to go in tomorrow and HOPE the decisions get made so I can finish and send it to print.
The worst part, we have two meetings next week (Thurs and Fri) that are going to end up in the exact same situation because I know there will be complete refusal to work on them (or even look at them) until Monday. I do not operate on last minute at work well. I hate it in fact.

Now, I will admit that my job has a pretty nice schedule and they are very accommodating. However, I signed up with the understanding that I work 4 days a week. If you want me to attend the meetings at the end, then the work preparing for them has to be done so I can have a day off in the beginning of the week. Just they way the calendar works. I know that the presentation work isn't not getting done with any intention of me not getting a day off, it is just how it is happening. However, there also isn't any thought given to me getting the day of either. So not intentionally malicious, but not courteous either.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Feel a bit better for venting, but not as much as if it all wasn't happening OR if I thought it would stop happening.

Quilts away

I have finished making and am mailing off a couple of quilts for TLC for Angels. I really enjoy making these. My sewing skills are basic and my machine is not fancy, but more than sufficient to make the baby quilts I do.
It is hard to see, but the all flannel one has the cutest little dragons on the front print.

In Honor of Stuart A. Wolfer

This is being mailed out on Monday to the widow and children of Major Stuart A. Wolfer. It has been my honor and privilege to be able to assemble all these squares from different donors to express our love and concern for his family.

Here is an article from our local paper.

I'm a homebody

It has taken me a while to admit it, but I am truly a homebody. I would love to just hang out here most of the day and putter around. Do projects on or for the house. I love to get my flower beds looking as I want -it is a lot of work though! Right now with Spring around the corner they are just calling to me to to be worked on. I think that is a lot of why I don't want to go to work. There are things I WANT to do here as opposed to things I am SUPPOSED to do there. KWIM?

Mailing another comfortghan

This is going to a wonderful lady who's Mother recently passed away. I hope this helps to comfort her during what must be a very painful time. Thank you so much for all the wonderful and talented people that make and send squares for me to assemble into these expressions of love and concern. It could not be done with out all of your help.

In Honor of Nicholas A. Gummersall

For the mother of Army Sgt. Nicholas A, Gummersall. I hope she finds peace and comfort.

Not my favorite day

So, I have never been a big April Fools Day fan. I always thought it was a bit mean spirited. However, I like it even less now. Now it has very little to do with the "holiday" and more to do with it being the day my Dad passed away. I am having a hard time believing that it was 10 years ago. 10 years~! It really seems like just yesterday in so many ways.
This entire week is just a tough one as his birthday is April 3. I just do my best anymore to ignore what the days represent and not to talk about it with my family. I just don't have the energy to commiserate and/or get them through it. I really thought it would get easier with time, but it hasn't. Just different.

You have got to be kidding!

So, the neighborhood boy that comes over every evening to see if my youngest son can play is here. One of the first things he does -after asking if they can play videos games - is proceed to announce that he has pink eye. LOVELY!!! Highly contagious and they are playing with and touching all sorts of toys. I would NEVER EVER send my kids out with pink eye. ACK!!!

Hope all the things they use can go through the dishwasher, because if not, they are going in the garbage!!

End of Spring Break

Spring Break is coming to an end. Today is it. The boys go back to school tomorrow and I return to work. I had most of Spring Break off work with them. It was WONDERFUL! I am dreading the return to the routine. I like the company of my kiddos and finding activities to do with them. I would like to have done more, but with the oldest being 14 it wasn't always cool to do the things I thought of or he was in the company of friends which hindered it some. Just part of the equation now though.
I hope that summer starts to work out better. The last 2 have been ok, but I really didn't feel like we got the fun time I was wanting with them. Looking forward to finding out if we can schedule better this year!!

Some days

are just that way.
So, mine was ok. Not great, not terrible. Then I came home......
Had an electrician here to install a GFI in the kitchen - we didn't have one, not real safe. Had him do some looking around while he was here because of some concerns I had. So, $63 dollars later I need to replace two light fixtures that have surged or run so hot that the wires in the fixture are burned. Need to check all the attic wiring and at minimum replace what runs from those fixtures to the junction box. Ok, we'll be safer, right?
Next, as I am trying to get dinner on the table my boss calls. He has a $90 bill from Qwest for 2 months of website hosting service that they (not Qwest but another company) are saying I authorized. Now, I clearly remember in Jan. talking with someone who wanted to send information to review and multiple times they assured me that nothing would be activated or charged unless we called to authorize it. I said, sure send it, we would be interested. Well, they have ME on tape with that part, but nothing about having to authorize it before it starts and are claiming I did! Guess what, after I fight with them more tomorrow I figure I get to write my boss a $90 check and possibly another $45 if they have some 30 day cancellation thing. I can't expect him to pay if I am the one that got scammed, but I am NOT happy.
THEN----in the process of cleaning up from dinner -BIG thanks to my DH for doing the cleanup- we find that if we turn on the garbage disposal it trips the GFI. Oh, not good. Well, guess we put it on the list with the light fixtures. Even worse, same thing with the dishwasher. Guess it happens sooner rather than later. Like maybe tomorrow? This is not going to be cheap and looks like the can of worms is open. Now, time to squish them all!!

ARGH! This stuff all STRESSES ME OUT!!!

Comfortghan completed

and ready to mail to a gentleman who had his Mother pass away recently. I hope this helps him through what must be a very difficult time. Thank you so much to all who donated squares.

Sunshine Therapy

Yesterday the sun was shining, the temperature was moderate and the wind wasn't too strong. I put on my sweatshirt and ear covering headband thingy and went to clean up the flower beds. Oh the sun was WONDERFUL!!! I got a lot of work done, but there is much more to do. However, the therapy a bit of sunshine provides is truly amazing. Once I get out there, I could stay for hours. Sometimes it takes hours to get out there, but if the weather is right I love every second of it.
My teenage son joined me yesterday. Not because he wanted to, but I asked him to (in that you don't have a choice Mom voice ;) ). He was a bit of help and great company. I like that he was able to breathe a bit of fresh air at the same time. He was a bit amazed at the amount of work required and at how much was still left to be done. Yes, beautiful flowers grow naturally, just not at my house without a lot of work. However, the weeds and grass in the flowerbeds do FANTASTIC! LOL!

For a Friend

This comfort afghan is being sent to the mother of a dear friend. Her mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I wish them both all of the best during this difficult time.

Calling in to work

Can I call in uninterested? How about just an I don't want to work today day? I know it wouldn't fly, but I really do understand why they say so many people lie and call in sick when they aren't. Sometimes, more than others, a person just really doesn't want to go. I am mentally stomping my feet and throwing a big ol' temper tantrum. Of course, my clothes are all out and the shower is warming up so obviously I am going. I just plain don't want to. I know I can't be the only one with days like this........................

Happy Valentine's Day!

The prelude to mine, wasn't as uneventful as I would have liked. DH called me from a basketball game and asked me to get a bucket of ice water ready and see if I could get some crutches rented from the pharmacy. When he got home, his ankle looked like this only even more swollen. After a few minutes in the ice water his foot started to swell and I told him we were headed to the ER. He didn't put up much of fight so anyone who knows my DH realizes he was in a LOT of pain.
After several hours, the end result is a really bad sprain with follow up in a week'ish to be certain there isn't a stress fracture or ligament damage. Everyone, including the nurse, was surprised that the x-rays didn't show a break.
After we got home, about midnight, I was turning off lights and closing up the house for the night. I came into the bedroom and there was a Valentine's card waiting for me on my pillow. Despite what we had just been through, he surprised me with the card. He typically hides them someplace for me to find in the morning, but decided that he might have a hard time accomplishing that this year :) I think I'll keep him.