Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Wednesday - July 4, 2018.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!
Happy Trails!!!

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Tuesday - July 3, 2018

Well, I thought about taking care of the neighbor's cat and decided against it.  I called her and told her.  I am truly tired from having company for 3 weeks and with my girls and their meds and mine I feel like I'm running a nursing home! LOL!  I don't feel bad as I need to take care of my girls and myself first.  Charity begins at home.  I love helping others but most people don't realize I have 4 chronic diseases running around in my system and I need to take care of my health so I CAN be there for others.  She thanked me for letting her know in plenty of time.  I know I made the right decision because I feel relieved.  I gladly took care of her cat the other times but this time I was just too tuckered out.  So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!  I prayed and I think God's okay with it because it bothered me all day until I called her.  
I went in to the guest room today to water the plants and found the sweetest present my daughter left me!  The class she took was on collage and paper making for her teacher re-certification.  I love collage and I love this one she made!  She used an illustration from a vintage chidren's book and the tree and leaves are all made out of paper she made.....quite the project but she loved the class.  She brought some of the papers she made and they were gorgeous!  I wouldn't mind using them for wall paper!

 She also left me this cute little notebook.  We were at the Dollar Tree one day and I had given the boys each $5 to spend.  Amy picked this up and I loved it and looked for another one but there was none.  She left it for me to have.....she is so sweet and thoughtful......that's my girl!  It helps that I always love everything she gives me!
 I was in slow motion today but I managed to get the laundry done and shake all the rugs which will get washed tomorrow.  I did some ironing including the fabric for my hexies.  I'm still eating leftovers which is nice but also finishing up some things in the frig so I can see my way around it! LOL!  I didn't get my cookies made but the butter is 'softened' so tomorrow I will bake.  I have so many leftovers that cooking for the 4th is out of the question which isn't a bad thing.  I cooked every day for 3 weeks.....that's enough for awhile! LOL!
I hope you are staying cool in  this heat wave or warm and dry if it's not hot where you are.  I will be taking it easy tomorrow.....after all, it is a Holiday here in the U.S.
Happy Trails!!!

Monday, July 2, 2018

Monday - July 2, 2018

I'm still doing laundry! LOL!  I was just starting to relax when my neighbor called and wants me to take care of her cat....again.  We are not friends, we don't socialize together yet I seem to be her 'go to' cat person when she travels.  Didn't I just take care of her cat when she went on her cruise?  I'm trying to be a good neighbor but she has all these friends that she 'hobnobs' with all the time yet "she hates to ask them because I'm right next door".  Really?  I know, it's not about her and me....it's about me and God.  So, despite the fact that I have 4 animals of my own to take care of with meds twice a day, I will do it.  Someday maybe I'll need her help....although I can't  imagine how she could help me but Jesus would do it so what's the matter with me?  The matter is I feel used but that's my issue evidently. 
Today I made 2 cards, for Sam and Uriah whose birthdays are July 5th and July 6th respectively.  I would have taken a picture but they were pitiful.  I am no card maker!  But Grandma made them and they are personalized with a Lego theme for Sam and a Cub's baseball theme for Uriah.  Another reason I might be a little 'on edge' is that my daughter just found out that a sexual predator just moved in one house away from theirs.  I will be praying every day that the children in that neighborhood remain safe.  There is no rehabilitation for these people but they let the rapists and child molesters go while they put immigrants in jail and take their children away
who are seeking asylum.....go figure.  This country is going to the dogs.
Speaking of..........I am currently reading this very interesting and informative book.....scary too........
 If you have any doubt as to where we are headed you need to read this book...........

On a lighter note.......I am also reading this wonderful series by Alexander McCall........I read him when he first started publishing this series but that was years ago so I am starting over.  I've read the first book, "The #1 Ladies Detective Agency" and now this is book #2 in the series...........I'm not even sure how many there are but he is one prolific writer!  They are excellent and I highly recommend them.
 Since my YOP 2018-19 start yesterday I have been back knitting on my Hitch Hiker shawl on breaks and taking care of "the girls".  I still have leftover spaghetti sauce and salad and garlic bread and the last of the Banana's Foster I made for the grands.  Tomorrow I'm hoping to make  some cookies and get back on my 'healthy meal planning' except for the cookies, of course.
Happy Trails!!!

Sunday, July 1, 2018

YOP Week #1

 DISCLAIMER:  I apologize to all as I have had company for the last 3 weeks.  They just left yesterday morning so I will probably be playing catch up with all of you for the rest of the summer! LOL!
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Here are the areas of interest to me this next year.  I will fill in as I go because as most of you know by now....I am attracted to the 'shiny objects' and want to 'make all the things'! LOL!  As for a 'recap' of last year...let's just say it wasn't too productive but I enjoyed the little progress I made and of course. seeing all of your projects and progress.  I think this year will be finishing a lot of WIPs, hopefully!
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YOP 2018-2019

Cross Stitch:
  1)  I finished cross stitching the 4th of July project but it needs to be sewn into a little pillow for a bowl.  P.S.  Betsy, I will be sending you the pattern this week!

2)  I also finished this cross stitch picture which was started almost 40 years ago!  I think I'm going to make it into a pillow shaped like the bear.
 3)What I'm working on now is this Halloween cutie but this is the smallest I have ever worked (40 count!) and I had to buy a special magnifying mirror to do it!
Here's the lighted magnifying mirror I got on Amazon..........
4)  I've also kitted up this 'small' for Fall..........
Knitting: 
1)  I have several WIP's that need to be finished before my first knitting project of YOP 2018-19.  I could not knit on anything while the grands were here....one day I tried when they went out for a bit but just when I was going to sit down.....they were back! LOL!  I do plan on finishing up my Hitch Hiker shawl as I am so close!

2)  I need to continue on with my Falling Leaves class and shawl on Creative Bug......
3)  I did manage to find a box for my socks but I am way behind on sock knitting this year....
4)  I need to get busy on knitting the slippers for Christmas and a few other items for gifts.  
5)  My one really important knitted item I want to make this year is The Karma Shawl............the pattern is no longer available but I found it on Ebay and it is here in my house.....somewhere... but I'll be darned if I can find it.....time to organize the craft's room!  Here's a picture..........the information is on Ravelry...just not the pattern.  Not sure I'll use those colors...we'll see...if I ever find it
.

 Crocheting: 
 1) I have many WIP's in crochet....several blankets that I want to finish
2)  and dishcloths that I ran out of yarn for............these are some I worked on while the grands were here....I had to have something to work on..........I also made a large one for my daughter that she took home with her...........the 2 half-cloths I need to get more yarn for and I think it was at Hobby Lobby where I'm going next week.  I can get 2 small cloths out of one skein but only one large cloth.  The Christmas one is for my daughter's advent calendar that we are doing for each other.  Maybe I should have a box for dishcloths too?

 This is the yarn I got at Hobby Lobby and I love it.....very soft for cotton and easy to crochet with....also, lots of colors!


 Sewing: 
1) I am still hoping to do some wardrobe sewing....any day now! LOL!  I'm starting to look pretty shabby and I need to either sew something or buy something....soon!

Quilting:  
1)  I need to finish the I Spy quilts
2)  I also started a little/big handwork project because I couldn't work on their quilts while they were here.................little 1/2 inch hexies.........great for t.v. watching and/or grandchildren visiting! LOL!
auditioning fabrics............
the pattern is Pickle Dish from this book.............

and here's a picture of theirs............you make 11 of the full diamonds and 12 partial so this will be a fairly long term project but hopefully done by next July.....actually this is not quilted either...just framed.

3)  As for real quilting I need to make one for my bed.  I already have the materials and just need to cut and sew!
4)  I got this book as I want to learn the 'quilt as you go' method.  I'd like to make some dresser scarves and table runners.  These books were all recommended from others on pod casts and they are all very good.
Embroidery:
1)  I have fallen in love with Kathy Schmitz embroidery patterns.  I got one of her books but she also sells kits and patterns on her website..........

 I have all the material but I need to trace the pattern and get going....I can't wait!  Here's my first project............just for me!


Wool (applique, punch needle and rug hooking):
1) I have WIPs that haven't been touched in years and this is the year they will get drug out and worked on and hopefully a few finishes!  I'll show you when I find them! LOL!  
 
One of my problems in planning for YOP is wanting to make for all the holidays....not just Christmas and Birthdays.  I want a 'handmade home' and wardrobe too plus those special little ornaments for the grands.  So, I made a list of all the special days I could think of and will plug in my projects when they apply.  It's sort of a cross check so nothing slips between the cracks although it invariably will!
 Key: *  materials in house
        **  started
      ***  1/2 finished
    ****  3/4 finished
  *****  Ta Dah!!!
Holidays:
JANUARY (Winter):
New Year’s Day
My Birthday
Ben’s Birthday
*****Tracy’s Birthday – washcloth and back scrubber

FEBRUARY(Winter):
 Valentine’s Day

MARCH(Spring):
St. Patrick’s Day

APRIL(Spring):
April Fool’s Day

MAY(Spring)
Memorial Day –

JUNE(Summer):
Flag Day

JULY(Summer):
****Independence Day – flag cross stitch
**Sam’s Birthday – robot kit and I Spy quilt
*****Uriah’s Birthday – shark pillow and I Spy quilt
****Amy’s Birthday - Frida Kahlo basket
*Grayson’s Birthday – potholder maker and I Spy quilt

AUGUST(Summer):
Back To School

SEPTEMBER(Fall):
*Pumpkin Spice cross stitch 
*Wild Oaks Pin Cushion
 
OCTOBER(Fall):
**Halloween – Cat cross stitch

NOVEMBER(Fall)
Thanksgiving -

DECEMBER(Winter):
Jim’s Birthday
Christmas 
     1)4 pairs of slippers (Amy,  Tracy, Ben and Jim)

Here's a picture of the grands and their Mom (my daughter)

Sam is almost as tall as me and Grayson was always hungry! LOL!  They will be 11 and 7 this month.
Update on my girls........here's a picture of Grace....she is like a kitten again and it makes me wonder how long she was ill before I knew it.  I thought she was just a quiet cat but she isn't any more.  She plays like a kitten and runs around like crazy!  I think she was sick when I got her.

As for Nitty...I got her on Vetprofen and she seems to be perkier and I'm hoping not in pain.  She fell down the stairs the other day and now doesn't want to come  up them so I have her in the garage which I open the door every morning and close at night.  I took her bed out there and food and water and a fan.  I feel terrible because it is in the 100's heat index.  But she seems to be alright and not panting.  I put ice in her water bowl .  She takes her pill so easily twice a day and she gets 2 bacon treats afterwards to get the taste of the pill out her mouth...that helps.  Annie's back hurts her on and off and if Nitty's pills help her then I will get them for Annie too.  The gal at the vet's office said not to ever give a dog regular human Ibuprofen as it is poisonous to them.....hmmm.  Miss Peeps scratched the boys a few times but not bad and they are so good with animals!  They have an old cat and they remember my girls from when they were little.  Grayson wanted to sleep near Nitty and she guarded them every night!
 I can't wait to reconnect with all my blogging friends!  I have missed you all more than you know!  Happy YOP 2018-19!
Happy Trails too!