October 10, 2011

I'm so behind on my blog, it's painful. I am uploading a picture of my new sweater pumpkins, hand made by me. I have one more to do, and the sweater is gone. I did get more orange clothes to work with, it's getting close to Halloween though, and I'm looking at my boxes of unfinished projects once again. I really should start in January, like the big stores do, planning fall projects, but I'm usually so worn out from the holidays, I don't accomplish much. Maybe this year, I'm not getting any younger, and I may have more time to spend on it. I can only hope.

July 24th, 2011

Today's my Birthdayyyy, Happy Birthday to meeee! 67 and counting.
I want to start over with my "365" project that lasted about 5 days last month. A picture a day, I'm sure there will be one today. I will post later and see how I did.

June 21, 2011

Summer officially begins today, it already has by now, and it's all downhill from here. Don't mean to be negative, but I always think about the days getting shorter again, and we've had such a wet and cool spring, now wet and humid summer coming. I love summer, I was born in the summer, that's probably why I hardly ever wear shoes. Well, in the house anyway.

My header picture here changed now to one of my favorite flowers, the zinnia. It is named "Blaze" and would have grown to 3 feet. It's probably not even available anymore. The seed packet is an original that came out of a catalog my daughter bought at a garage sale several years ago. There were several seed packets in it, no seeds. These were to be shown to store buyers. The company is still operating in Faribault MN, my home town, and I actually grew up on the same block as the nursery. We lived in a corner house from the time I was 3, til I moved out after my wedding day, at age 19. The house was demolished a couple years ago, and now the area is used as a supply yard. I have stories to tell about that place, and I even worked there as a teen and again as an adult. This package is probably from the era of my youth, with it being 35 c. I use many of the seed packets as decor in my house, there are flowers and vegetables.

I now have orange zinnias all around my little garden, and in pots, because I bought 2 dozen of them. I had good luck with them last year, and wanted to have a whole border of them this year. They are called Profusion Orange, are small, grow only to 10-12". I have 4 in one pot, a little tight, but had leftovers, I put the picture above this post. Don't know why, but these flowers remind me of the sun, and the lion's mane. I am a Leo, born in July, and have always favored the sun and the lion, hmmmm. I'm not fierce, and hardly ever roar, but am family oriented and protective.

So, welcome, summer!! I will make it thru with ac and projects to keep me busy, family and friend get togethers, and quiet rides on the lake.

4-1-2011

Happy April! Rain overnite, and some sun forecast for today. Hope so, could use some. I'm almost finished with my sports bear I'm making for a fund raiser. Shameless advertising. But it will go to a good cause. I'm tempted to bid on it myself, and bring it back home. Event is tomorrow. I'll post photos when it's done. Then, on to other organizing, sewing, and spring prep. I'm hoping to get everything out of our storage unit this month, so I can stop paying for that. Will sell, give, throw, and pack away the rest. Some stuff I just can't seem to let go. My little garden is all bare now, and I'm tempted to go scratch around, but there are perennials I don't want to disturb, so that's a good reason to wait. It's wet now anyway. Busy weekend ahead, so will get to it now.

3-21-2011 ~ Soggy spring days

They make me sore in the joints. Well, something is, but I'm happy to have rain and not snow!! Our snow on the south side of the house is gone, and the river is rising. Our spring birds are here, robins, redwing blackbirds, great blue heron. Some odd ducks, like the wood ducks and canvasbacks are on the river occasionally, along with the Canada Geese and mallards. Those ducks have been here all winter.
Well, after a year we're going to go unload the storage unit, don't want to pay that anymore. Stuff it in the garage, re-stack and go thru it, sell what needs to go, and give other stuff away. Just can't keep it all and pay to store it. Losing money on that. It will mean lots of work, going thru all that stuff again. I think I have more wool there, want to make some more bunnies. Use it up, but then, I went and bought more coats. Couldn't pass them up at 33c. each. They are washed and dried, now to cut up and press. I like working with wool, but have a ton of cotton to deal with too.
Today is my dad's birthday, he'd be 102, but has been gone almost 30 years. He died in '81. Miss you, dad.

3-4-11

Here's the quilt I made for Judy Neighbors, a quilting friend in VA. She sent me the "rainbow" fabric and the green at the tips of the shamrock. I made it with those and some of my own fabric, it's table topper size. I have one I made for me too, and will post a pic. Hers is so much brighter. Mine is older, made it several years ago, but I still use it on the big white table in the living room. Searched for some Easter stuff yesterday, found my little leprechaun and green shamrock beanie bear. I'll post photos soon of it all, including the bunnies I made from old wool skirts. Doing some rearranging in the guest room. Going to see if I can do some scrapbooking there. It's hard having it in the dining area, and having to put it all aside for eating at the table is a pain. I have so many boxes of stuff that crowd the area, so that will be hidden upstairs and away from our living area. Some of our snow melted, but now we may get more over the next few days. Just can't stop snowing. Will we flood? Hope not, we're not buying insurance, but we have no basement, and we could sandbag if necessary.

3-1-11

Yup, it's been a month, glad to have it behind me, but March can be a challenge too. New month, new eating plan, new vision for the rest of the year, life, etc.
Gave myself a few days, now am taking the doctor's advice and eating better, hopefully. After last night's supper with the Lions Club, broasted chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy, I'll need to fast a day or two. But I didn't, had yogurt. Yum.
Hopefully will finish my shamrock quilt for Judy Neighbors, and post that as my March photo. Then some mending and other sewing that needs finishing. Not too much on my calendar for the month, yet, a few meetings. First is our Friends of the Waterville Library, which we call FOWL, on Thurs. evening. We'll assess our fundraiser, and plan for the rest of the year.
Lent begins on Wed. the 9th, and that will bring us to a very late Easter. That's good, so we can hope to have nice weather for that and our family celebration on May 2nd. I guess that's the plan.
So, now, onward and be healthy. Wish we'd get some melting so we could walk outside, but the streets are still icy and we are forecast more snow soon. We are hoping not to have flooding here. Bring in the sand bags!! Work time!!

2-2-2011

January is gone, but Feb. has started out cold, so no big changes.
I got a nice thank you card in regard to the bears I made, and appreciate that. I'm happy that they are happy with them, and I know they will be loved. I loved making them.
Getting stuff together for our tax man, hope it's not a paying-in year. It will be different with us retired and getting social security.
So I haven't done much but work on the computer, doing some ebay selling. Not much sewing or crafting, did some mending and that takes time too. Has to be done, and more stuff out of my sewing room. Will be moving it soon when Brent moves out and I can put my junk back in the storage room. I'll be able to move around then, more productive that way, when I don't have to squeeze between boxes, and worry about them falling on me. Time to think about making some supper. Have a ham so will use that for starters. I see a pan of ham soup in my future. Have to go get more groceries for the weekend, lots of food moves here.

1-27-2011

Thursday, almost the weekend again. The third birthday in a row today, Cathy is ... Won't say. Happy Birthday Cathy.
I'm having my left hand looked at today by an ortho dr. I have trigger finger, leave it up to me to get silly diagnoses. My middle finger won't come out of a fist without a snap, hard to grip, etc. Maybe a cortizone shot, which will probably hurt.
It's not so cold again today, will be colder on the weekend, it's been a weekly pattern of cold weekends. Kids off to school, haven't missed a day. Brent's going for a test and tour at Brown Printing in Waseca, hope he gets that job, lots closer, and better pay and possible benefits. Overnight work though.
I'll check in later when I know if I can still type with both hands.

1-26-2011

Another day in January, not as cold as it's been. It's a significant day, had my second baby boy on this day back 45 yrs. ago. 1 1/2 day and 2 years after his big brother's second birthday. Happy birthday, Brian. I called him and he was having a birthday supper with the family.
My bears went home today, were picked up and admired. I was happy with them and so was Lisa. Hope the others like them and the quilts. I did some mending on jeans in the afternoon, getting a few more things out of the sewing room. Would like to gut it and rearrange it completely. It really needs cleaning, but will have to think about how to change it. Have it more for work than for storage. In a months time I can hopefully do it. Will need help, but I know where to get some. To bed early.

1-25-2011

Warmer finally, lots of cold and snow in January. This is traditionally the coldest week of the year, but not too bad this time. Today is our oldest son, Gregg's, birthday, he's 47, yikes, I'm old. 47 years ago this morning his dad drove me to Dist. 1 Hosp. in Faribault and it wasn't long, he was born. Big baby, happy baby, still a good son. We talked and his dad called him too. Tomorrow is Brian's b'day, he'll be 45, and the next day is Cathy's, Gregg's wife, she'll be .... I won't say.
So, got some test results back today, cholesterol is still too high, but lower than last time, going on a new med for it. Otherwise, all is okay, until I get more tests, then we'll see. Having my left middle finger looked at on Thurs. I have a trigger finger, and it's probably going to be a cortizone shot. If that doesn't work, I'll have surgery. Had the right one done 8 yrs. ago.
So, finally finished all the 3 bears I was making, and will post pictures soon. I'm happy with them, and hope the buyers like them. I hate to see them leave, but I'll have photos. Building an album now with just my bears in it. Well, and their quilts that go with them. Had fun doing them.

1-9-11

Sunday, gloomy and cold, but made it to church and the meeting after. Just picked at food, no real dinner. Worked on more tax receipts, I always think I'm forgetting something. Not enough deductions, probably. Luckily we didn't have lots of medical expenses, but food, gas, and insurance cost. I bought no clothes to speak of, no wonder my closet looks like it does. Must have some winter clothes somewhere. Time for spring now. I hate winter. Back to work. Snow coming, and several meetings this week.

1-8-11

Saturday, quiet Saturday. Spent time with receipts, filing, organizing, shredding, throwing, ready for the tax man. We haven't received any papers from anyplace that we need for filing, but they have until the end of Jan. to get them to us, so will have to make an appt. in Feb. to see the CPA. I also cut more bears out, and started sewing, these are fun and colorful. Will try to add some fun embellishments to make them appealing. Have a long list of stuff I want or need to do before the outdoor weather comes, and in MN that is not for a few months. But I do have LOTS of stuff to do. So, I'll be heading to bed now, and it will be really cold in the morning they tell us. We'll toddle off to church, dress warm, it's cool in church, and then a meeting after. Hope it goes fast. Over and out.

1-7-11

Well, a week of January is already gone by, and it's been a cold, windy, snowy one. I accomplished a few things today, did some paper work, in anticipation of tax filing, and I did some fabric fun. Cut out some appliques for a swap with my quilt group, and cut out a few parts for another bear. This one will be very different from the last one, but nice I hope. I don't plan well, just start something and see what happens. Need to get these done soon, so have to put in more hours tomorrow. It's quiet tonight, just the 2 of us, and soon will be time to sleep.

1-6-11

Whoops, I missed a day. It was a busy day, yesterday, as I finished the first of 3 bears I need to do before the end of the month. It turned out cute and I'll post pictures after I get all 3 bears and their little quilts done. I'm listening to the latest audio book by Elizabeth George while I sew. I put lots of hours into the bear, and even hand embroidered name and date on the bottom of the feet. I was asked to make some clothes for this one too. I have a couple white sweaters and some t-shirts I can use. That will be a challenge. Tomorrow is Friday,,, I don't have anywhere to go planned, so could probably spend time sewing. Today I didn't sew at all, I cleaned out my pantry and rearranged it so I can find what I have. Threw out some outdated food that was lurking in the back of the shelves. We have plenty to eat, just seem to run out of bread and meat. So, went to a friends of the library meeting this evening, had a good meeting, just not many there. Picked up a book and a couple audio books, so have more to listen too as I sew. We're trying to raise money for the library here in our little town, to buy books, movies, and supplies needed by the librarian and all the volunteers that work so hard to keep it going. Dad's bowling, will be home soon.

1-4-11

Much colder today, -3 when we got up. Had our oatmeal and ready to start the day. Will do some grocery shopping, and hope to get back to the sewing room soon, like after lunch. I want to start a new permanent album of all the bears I make. Hopefully the ones I do this month will generate more orders. Costs of gas and food are going up, and I'd like to offset that with a little of my time. I will try, this is a resolution, to list on eBay daily, if I can find enough sellable stuff. Right now I have enough for a good month or 2. Just have to put the work into it.
Have one big bag of old clothes to go in the red box, better there than in our garbage. Didn't make a dent in the pile in my sewing room though. I did mend a couple pairs of pants, so thats off my floor. That's another resolution, to find the floor in my sewing "studio". Will be finding plenty of stuff, just need to get it organized and on shelves, in boxes. For now, grocery shopping, yuk.

1-3-11

Third day of the month, and year. Headed downtown to have a cup of coffee and scone at Kathy's "Singing Hills Coffee Shop" that just opened officially today. Delish. Listed one whole item on eBay, find more, list more. Have sewing to do too, and will get at that soon. Want to start on bears so they get done in time for the end of the month, when they are requested. Warmer out today, up to a whole +20. How do you get a little degree circle to print? So off to work at home, done going out for the day, no big meetings until Thursday.

1-2-11

Made it thru the 1st day of '11. Enjoyed time with the neighbors at a little celebration. Did a little fabric play, organized one box of homespuns and decided the couch throw I started a year ago is going to be my first finished project of this year. It won't take much work, the project is ready for quilting, so it will be my first ufo finished for 2011. Church this morning, Vikings game later, and family discussion meantime. A good Sunday spent.

1 1 11

Lotsa 1's this year, with it being 2011. I sure am a bad blogger. Just checked in here and see that I haven't written in almost a year. Well, will I last longer this year? This would be a good place for me to journal, as I'm probably the only one reading it anyway.
We ended the year with dinner out at Gilligan's with 6 friends from the neighborhood. Delicious prime rib, yum. Spendy but good. Champagne was at 9, crowd was thinning, so we got a cup, a hat, a horn, and celebrated. We were home by 10:15. It was fun, and today we celebrate again at the neighbors' house. Hoping this is a good year for all, it could be worse that the last one, but we can only hope. I think it will be a challenging one.
I will be starting in soon on making bears and quilts, have orders and some of my own I want to finish. I will try to archive it here, so someday I will see what really got accomplished in '11. I plan to take pictures of it all so that will be here too. Haven't made any real resolutions but I have a plan list, and it is the best I can do for a person who is impulsive, and has a slightly ocd brain.