Reflections on the past year while basking in heavy drugs...

I have one more week off before I go back to school and work.. So, yesterday morning I just went me on down to the medical facility and had me some ovaries removed.... While I was at it I had my plumbing worked on,,, I will be good as new as soon as all the pulled muscles get back where they need to be.

I have uploaded some pictures of some projects I have been working on that I am not too ashamed to post. Not that there are very many folks that stop by my post, but I do get a little sewing done during the year and that was one of the reasons I wanted to do this Blog.

I have so been trying to make pot holders.. My daughter-in-law over at The Tulip Patch makes the cutest pot holders for my grandson's teachers! She gave me some last year, but she had some with her when they were here Thanksgiving and I just had to have a new one. I have been trying to reproduce these and have made the biggest mess! I wound up buying alot of fabric and redoing and undoing.. This is the result so far on the left...




This is a quilt that I made for my student worker at school. She has been my work-study student and upon her graduation in December this year, she told me she wanted a quilt made by me and she didn't care what it looked like..,That gave me confidence to try once again... This is a pattern that my DIL displayed in Moda Bake Shop,, I just bought the fabric at JoAnn's in the colors my student wanted and went for it. This is what the back looked like on the right... My student said she loved it...


While I am on drugs, I am doing some hand work on my dresden plates and finishing up my last pot holder... Just because. The potholders have NO hangers,, they are not perfect, but I will use them until they are burned in to...I am done, my Lortab is kicking my tail!!!!

Later!

Merry Christmas, ya'll!!!!

This is a glimpse of Christmas in the country,, in a Lauderdale County Mississippi version of a white Christmas...

Hey I'll take it!!!!!!

Check out those HUGE snowflakes!!!!

After living in MS for 54 years of my life and never having a snow flake fall, I am claiming this one as the first white Christmas ever!!! I was hoping for a miracle this Christmas and this one is the proof. It does not take much to make me happy, and obviously the size of the snow flakes far out-way the "stick ability" of the snow! Maybe one day I will tell my grandchildren that the snow was on the driveway and the sidewalk... You think maybe they will buy that??? 

I hope this has been the very best Christmas ever. Jesus is the reason for the season and He has shown Himself to be faithful as always. My prayer is that all your dreams come true and that you continue to believe in miracles!!! Instead of eat, drink, and be merry,, this new year, sew, craft, and build to be happy!!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Out on the porch at 1:38 am...

So yesterday was meant to get a beginning to the end of what I needed to accomplish outside the house before Christmas... Today, I need to try and get everything wrapped and take one final inventory before Friday. Shot Brown is going to be home so there is a chance that my plans may get messed up...

We were up during the night to see the lunar eclipse that was meant to be the last time during our lifetime... This is what we saw... When I checked the local news on fb, the weather person said,,"there may be extreme cloud cover"...Ugh!!! so we drank our coffee and watched Hoarders. Oh my! I need to clean!

Confessions of a "FLITTER"

I worked my last day on Friday. I sat down and made out a list of things to accomplish this week. Things that HAVE to be done, things that NEED to be done, and things I want to do, JUST BECAUSE...

I have made the biggest mess....I have started EVERYTHING on the list and NOT FINISHED anything.,,, In fact I have even done some more things that I did not think of when I was making out the list...I have flitted from one thing to another...

I really want to sew, that is it.. for 2 weeks.,.I organized fabric today. I think I need to try and use up some of the fabric I have before I buy more... hum...I am running out of space..I may have to go cold turkey on this one...

So you want to know how we spend our Thursday nights?

Well it is going to be hard to make tea tonight...

When my phone rang at work today at 3:30 pm, I did not take the call because I was busy with a student..Then I called on the way home and Shot was riding up the hill from the valve shut off to "re-fix" the pipe... He was on his 3rd try, each time the connections had blown out. By the time I got home, he had used all the "stuff" he had bought at Lowe's when he found this and had been trying to get it together...

He had to go back to Lowe's and get more stuff,, after he had taken it apart,, it looked like this picture...

So he gets everything set up, the lights turned on his tools and sack of "stuff" from Lowe's... he has dug the hole out and he is a plumbing dude!!!! My hero,, he can fix anything..~once he does it right and quits trying to screw it together hoping I do not find out how many corners he cut until it breaks again~ Poor baby I know he is tired, worked all day, hasn't had any supper, fixed the pipes...

what the hell????

You are NOT parking that thing in my new outdoor living room, i.e., porch, did you hear me??? Shot Brown I am telling you!!!! I'm telling Big Momma!!!!

I can't believe you are parking that thing in/on my new back porch. I guess I know now why I got it.... blaaa, bla,,,bla,bla,bla,, go inside, wash your hands and take a bath....love you...

Thyra

When we get old

OK, so we have been building again... well, not us, but Cap't Terry and Donal Duck (not their real names, but what Shot Brown calls them...) and then we had to paint,, well Shot did,,, everyday after work and I helped.... and then we had to have banisters,,, they had to be painted before they were installed... Me: let's put down the plastic and paint them under the new porch away from the sun,,, Shot: nothing... So, he set them up on the plastic in the grass next to the cattle trailer balanced on ladders.... IN THE SUN!!!!! what did I say????? ok,,, let's get this over with. I am on the down side and he is on the upside... So I bust my butt sliding down on the plastic as we were trying to move the banisters to prop against the cattle trailer...
Shot: are you ok????? Me: leave me alone, if you had put this where i told you to,,, etc., etc., etc...bla,,bla,,la,,,yak, yak,,,yak,,,wheeze.....etc... (you get the message)...

The banisters look really good.

This is Shot Brown's new favorite place... I guess I am going to have to make him a quilt...

Life goals

Life has a funny way of thumbing its nose at ya. All my life I knew there were 2 things I wanted to accomplish in my life. And I knew if I did these 2 things then my life would be complete. I worked hard and planned from childhood. Never taking my eyes off the prize, it kept me focused, out of trouble, and helped me to make good choices when others were making unwise choices, I just did not want anything to hinder me from my 2 goals.   

I wanted children and I wanted to teach. Those were the only things I ever wanted in life. Now, other things had to come and be part of the process, but basically if God had just given me children to love and a classroom to inspire, I would not even have found the paper towel aisle at Walmart. I would have had no need for any outside stimulation. Happy, happy would I be.

We have been so very blessed in our family with lots of children. About the time we are about to grow out of some, then a new crop begins.Our Creator is very wise like that.... Healthy, happy, well-adjusted, children full of life and creatively different in every way. God is good!

I cannot find the picture of all the children from last year on the 4th... There is a pile, the picture here is just a few of the blessings with skin...
 

I cannot believe I have been back at work only a week....

Sandra's shirt. I have this Sister that is loosing lots of weight and doesn't have any clothes. So I made her an outfit.. This is the shirt to the left. It is a simple pattern and the pants are a separate pattern. This is the outfit to the right. I think she likes it, but also thinks it is WAY TOO BIG!!!!... I think she looks pretty cute... What do you think???

Shot went to the doctor again today about his spider bite. Looks as though he will be going back to work on Monday... Woo hoo!!!! His leg still looks terrible, but they say it is better. Brown Recluse=Not good... He has been off since the 25th of June. He has also not been able to bale or cut his hay... or go out a sweat,, I have tried to impress upon him the importance of getting better and not getting cow poop in his 2 X 2 X 2 hole in his leg.. Apparently, the good news about spider bites is that one does NOT get stitches.... Always a silver lining...

You can find out more information about the Brown Recluse Spider here here

Going back to work

Seems as though I will be going back to work on Monday. My big holiday is over. I worked on the 29th of June and have not been back since! My sister came on the 29th. We went early on Wednesday and had our hair done. She made wonderful cabbage rolls for my brother when he came into town. We had to try them out... She left on Thursday morning. My niece from Florida came in on Thursday. We met in town and shopped the fabric stores for bargains. When we got back to the house, my nephew Jacob came. along with my brother, sister-in-law, niece, great niece and great nephew. We chowed down on the wonderful cabbage rolls that Sandra made.

Friday morning we went to the fabric store in Dekalb. Wow!!! double wow. So much to see, and buy. Had such a great time with the girls while the guys played golf. We came on home after noon and was getting things set for dinner and my son, daughter-in-law, and 3 grandsons arrived from Houston, TX!!!. What a wonderful surprise! We all had to visit quickly so the babies could go to bed.

Saturday was spent in preparation of Sunday when the rest on the family arrived. Sunday was wonderful and fun filled with food, fellowship, singing, guitar playing and down home good time!

Monday Shot and I got to spend 24 whole hours with our grand sons! First time ever for more than a few hours. They are just too cute and smart! They left on Tuesday afternoon and Shot and I both fell asleep in the chairs.

I have been sewing and cleaning since. I finish my sister's outfit and started me a shirt. The stripes are not where I think they should be, so I have stopped for today. I have also been working on my online training class....Gah! I need a break... There is the finished shirt above... Do the stripes look too terrible???

I also started a baby blanket today. I am going to put a material ruffle around it with my new ruffler for my QC 1000!!! I can't wait to try it!!!

well, we shall see how tomorrow goes. It is definitely time for bed! nite nite

A glimpse at the future...

Oh my gosh! I feel so much better! I dropped my class today and withdrew from the Doctorate program. I am free!!!!! I thought I wanted it so bad, but when I thought about being tied to my job for long enough to finish, much less staying indefinitely when I can retire,,, I just let it go!!!! I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders. Now, I can just sew, piddle, and work until I don't want to anymore... and then....

Life is good!

Drama with a Capital "D"

Why is it that things have to be so complicated? Life used to be so easy and smooth. Everything went according to plan. Not a strict- "No we can't change anything" sort of plan. Just flowed... It flowed in and flowed out. There were no barriers, no pretenses, no "oh my, watch what you say, you don't want to hurt any one's feelings" just,,,just,,, family. that was all... The good, the bad, the ugly,,, the wonderful dysfunctional world that we all love and survive in. Get together,,, can't do it,,, not a problem,,, let me do that,,, no, I do it better,,, FAMILY!!!!!!

 Suddenly,everything is different. Or is it the same. Is it my perspective,,, my own worries,, will everything really be OK? How can we pass a test we are so nervous to take that we can't remember the answers? Spontaneity is the best. Organized confusion. respect....mutual respect... I'm OK, You're OK.. let's all live together and get along..

Or are we already doing that? Hum, maybe everything I worry about,,, the energy and all put in to worry will not go to waste... maybe NOTHING will happen,,, and everything will be OK.. That is my prayer... That is my plea,,, that is my promise.

Maybe I need a nap...

Poor cow...and I think I got problems....

We certainly have our priorities in order!!!!!!

Today, my husband had a phone call from a farmer friend. "Aw man, I am sorry to hear that!" he said. Then in a farmerly tone said, "You bailing hay today"?... After they got off the phone, I asked what that was all about, he told me that this man's mother-in-law had just died. I said, "I can't believe he is actually going to bale hay today, what did he tell you"?..... "He is going to call me if needs help"......

I mumbled under my breath as I cleared the dinner dishes, "I hope there is no hay on the ground when I kick out",,,, he mumbles back as he walks away to his chair,,,,"if it is,, you will just have to wait.. HAY WILL RUIN"... Aaaaagh! please if I die, ask him immediately if he had hay on the ground,,, the morgue will let me rot while they are trying to reach him on his cell phone in the hay field. At least come and help him get through so he can take an afternoon, no make that morning, because you can't bale with dew on the ground, to bury me....

What a week it as been...

I also bought a serger the weekend of the money spending. I was planning to go back to the store last weekend so they could show me how to thread it... Well,.,,, horrible weather had me in the storm pit all Saturday. So my chance to go to "sewing school" was over for a week.

Sunday I decided to read the instructions and figure it out.... Monday I redid it before dancing with the stars.
Tuesday I redid it, still getting these BIG loopy loops instead of nice serged edges.... UUUUgGGGHHHH! Major Frustration!!!!! Wednesday I totally redid it again and decided that I was going to try and go by the the sewing store and look at the way that serger is threaded before I got my hair done.... Got home tried one last thing and woopeee! It is fixed.!!!!! I am pumped.

Did I forget to say that I also bought a quilting machine while I was there? Oh yeah! But, I do not have it yet,,,, I got off work late, so I have to wait until tomorrow. Also, I need to make it to Dekalb to the fabric store so I can get the Plain Jane that she ordered.... But tomorrow is another day. Maybe the storms will just be quickies and let me get some stuff done...

We have been working trying to get everyone registered at school and finishing up on final exams... One more week and graduation... I will be so proud!

Shot has had 2 new calves this week. He just loves those babies so good.

Nothing new to show,,, just hanging in there....winter clothes on the floor ready to be packed up,,,, not done... Fertilizer and 2 tomatoes in garden,,,, not finished... The yard guy "weekeated" the flower beds around the azalea's,,, but I really need to pull the weeds... I did finish my online course,, I left work at the end of the day... with ACTs not graded and not mailed.... When will I finish something,,, anything???

I could do it now, but Wife Swap is on and I need a nap...
Laters!

What a weekend

I have been on a spending spree this weekend. But, justifiably, I have no excuses other than "SALES"!!!!!! I ran over to Dekalb to that WONDERFUL place during lunch on Friday and bought this

I just loved the sewing theme on these fabrics! I think it was Southseas fabric. The yellow and rust were laying close to the cutting counter and I just scooped them up,,, you never know..

Then I went to JoAnn's on Saturday. Listen, it is not MY fault! They keep having these sales!!!!! I found some awesome ribbon that looks like a measuring tape. But, I also just had to have some of this cute seersucker for a cute "little" outfit.

The plaid and blue on the left were purchases at the 22nd Ave. store. They were having a sale and it looked like "boy shorts" to me.

While I was there I bought me a Juki serger. Ya never know when one might retire and have to make money by selling ones wares... anyway,

I finished up the Chapter on Access for my final exam, washed some fabric (which I did not picture) that I will use to make me some outfits. JoAnn's had Bottomweight on sale,,, and since I can no longer afford to buy any clothes, I need to sew some... :)

Did you see Cait in her outfits? Too cute... I want to try and thread that serger today.. I told them I needed one that was "idiot proof" and she convinced me this was the one... I shall see. I may be down there next Saturday morning crying and carrying on for lessons....

What week

Not really much to talk about unless one likes "Drama". Man oh man oh man..... But enough about work.,,,, Shot says Jack's cow had a calf this week. He apparently looks just like his daddy. He has been worried and looking for the calf all week. Suddenly, the calf and its momma came up to eat on Thursday. Shot loves to watch the new babies. He had a bad run there for a minute in the fall. Had a cow that had twins, one still born, the other born weak. He fed it with a bottle and tried to help it gain strength, but it lost its battle. Had another that got bogged up in mud and died trying to get out.... Enough about all that... He is PUMPED about the new baby. I guess that is just the way of the wild...

He has one cow that he has been petting since it was little, now it nudges him and roots for him to scratch behind his ears. I told him, he was probably going to knock him a winding one of these days and just moo, "my bad"...

I got the 3 outfits I have been working on for Cait in the mail this week. I can't wait for her to try them on and make sure they fit... I went to my favorite fabric store today during lunch, I really thought I needed some retail therapy... I got some wonderful fabric. We need a picture here don't we?

I take my final exam in my computer class on Monday so I can sue that extra time on working on my projects.

Things I have made this past week...

4am and all is well

Well this has been an interesting night... I have been awake every hour. Something about being told off at work because I "work too much". Well that is not really how it happened, but basically that is the jist of it... Some people!

I guess I do get a little over jealous sometimes, but I have never really learned how to be "average",,, I can either play full out or fail... There are no "Cs' for me. I have never fully understood how people do it.

I have been trying to fix my blog page and having a terrible time with it.. I guess I will sit down with my Dummies book after my final exam on Monday.

Let me know you some of the things I have been working on for Cait.

proud moment...

I am so proud of my brother. today he received an award for highest achieving Technical Occupational Education (TOE) student from the University of Southern Mississippi!!!

Nothing makes me happier than to watch people achieve their dreams.... for my brother, this is truly a dream of a lifetime.. congratulations Jimmy!!! I am so proud of you I don't know what to say.
Keep on Keeping on.. Hugs!

Back in the saddle

Well, today I am going back to work. Spring break is over. There is only 6 more weeks of classes left before the summer. I am going to have to decide if I am going to keep working or retire.... It sure would be fun to stay home.. But, I don't know if I can be organized enough to accomplish anything... We shall see..

New quilt

I have been working, working, working,trying to finish the southern quilt before I go back to work. My house is a wreck and I have not completed anything else... But the top is ready to be put together...

You won't believe this, but I just found another block, now I need to reposition the whole thing. I worked on my sewing room today,, getting all my fabrics, machine, ironing board and table in one room... It will save so many steps. I have been cutting in one room, going down the hall to sew,,, going across the hall to iron, and back and forth.... ugh! So, my husband helped me take down the bed and get it out to the shed,,, I have my very own room! Still a work in progress, but it is all mine! woo-hoo!!!!

What a wake up call! Luke, being inside still recuperating from his broken back leg (see picture of him and Thyra chilling in front of the tv) begins to bark uncontrollably and Thyra pounces from the bed barking at the top of her lungs to back him up... OK, OK I say, I'm up! first day of spring break to sleep late.. New time 6:00 am, old time 5:00am. Same as always. So here I am, up,, brain spinning with things I want to do. I have almost completed the ALS quilt I have been working on. I have Tea dyed the white that I thought was too white, and have it in the washer now.... We shall see how it turns out..I want to cut out a new quilt today. I have a doctor's appt. later today. I really want to work on my sewing room.

So much to do! I only have a week off..I will post pictures later when the quilt is dry, I need to start getting ready..

Just trying to figure this out.

Poor Luke is still recuperating his back leg.