A Long Overdue Check-In

     Well, its been a very long time since I have posted, but I am trying to get back on a regular basis.  Life became too busy to sit at a computer due to athletics, grandchildren, marriages, births, work and life in general.  Now, after all that is said let me get updated here.  I am the mother of 3 children, 2 grandchildren, 3 dogs and 1 cat.  My husband works away from home so I am starting to have a lot more time on my hands to blog again.  Youngest child graduated from high school this year and is going to attend college in the fall and plans on majoring in accounting.  Middle child lives close, and she and her husband are the parents of the grands, 2 sweet girls.  Oldest child and his wife live out from town, so all my babies are near. 

     I just got back from a week at the beach with daughter, 2 grands, best friend, her daughter and her 2 grandboys.  I absolutely love the beach.  I went for a few days back in May with daughter and grands, but this time we took our good friends and it was fabulous.  I just wanted to check in since it has been such a long time since I posted anything.  I will be back soon with life updates and maybe some beach pics.  Yall take care, and show some kindness to someone daily.  Pray for our troops and our nation.  God bless yall!!!

Happy New Year!!

2013 has been a good year for us.  We were blessed with happiness and health!!  I talk about my kids and grands all the time, so I thought I would show you who they are.  Happy New Year! Hoping 2014 is great for yall, and filled with many of God's blessings!!!

"Finish the year and be done with it.  I have done what I could.  Some blunders and absurdities have no doubt crept in, I will forget them quickly.  Tomorrow is a new year.  I will begin it serenely and with a high spirit and hopes.  So goodbye 2013....you will soon be over, done and in the books!  No New Years resolutions for me...I will take each day as it comes, live each day to the fullest, try everyday to make someone else's life a little better and most importantly know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is GOOD and HE alone is in control.  HE HAS GOT THIS and for that I am most thankful!!!!!


(Taken from an insert of Ralph Waldo Emerson's take on a day and my dear friends post on FB.  I am blessed beyond anything I can ever expect!)

What I have been up to

Here are some of the projects I have done lately.  The first is a bench that was made from my childrens baby bed.  Since it was the Jennylynn style and that is now considered dangerous, I had my carpenter friend make me a bench--as a matter of fact two benches.  I did the painting with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, and I must tell you if you have not done anything with this type of paint, you should.  I used the clear wax to seal it.  I have not decided where I am going to put it.  I was going to put it on the porch at the studio, but I put a red bench there that we made out of a twin bed.  I am concerned that someone might take it since there is not anyone down there all the time, so I think I am going to use it inside.  The second bench went to my daughter.  She did a great job with it and has it under her carport.  The second picture is one of the frames I have been making.  I was given a block of wood and this is what I came up with.  It all started when I needed a frame for new babys picture, and refused to pay what they were asking at the gift shops.  I think mine is cuter than all those I looked at while shopping.  The last picture is a new whimsical Angel I have been making with my pottery.  I love how carefree and flowy she is.  I have had real good comments and luck with her so far.  She is one of my hot items at the studio. 


Well, I just wanted to show a little of what has been keeping me busy.  Today, I glazed for several hours, so I should have some new stuff later on this week.  I mixed glazes with my best friend and pottery buddy yesterday, and went back today and glazed about 37 pieces.  I have really worked a lot lately on Daddys house and I am about half way with getting it totally turned into a studio/gift shop.  I have set up the living room as a show case area and I am working on the 3rd bedroom turning it into a show case area also.  The kitchen, dining room, utility room and carport are where I work.   Still undecided about what to do with the other rooms but I will keep you updated.


Yall take care; Be safe, healthy, and happy; Smile and laugh; Hug those you love; Do something daily to help others; Pray and may God bless each and all!!!

Resurfacing

    

Well, I have resurfaced.  What an adventure I have been on. Let me give you a quick update.  Since I saw you last we have added the little brunette Angel.  I am an official Gammie of 2.  She is a doll!!!  Happy, fun, giggles, smiles all the time and not afraid of anything.  Big sister is still as adorable and fun as always--a real diva!  She loves her little sister and really has been a great help to her Mommy.  They all are doing great!  Son #1 has a new job and I expect I am going to get a daughter-in-law soon.  She is already a part of our family, but I think an official anoucement of a date is on its way.  #2 son is a freshman in high school.  Living life to the fullest and enjoying every minute of it.  He is a great kid!!  Actually all of my kids have really made me proud!  I am truly blessed to have 3 wonderful children that have never given me a minutes trouble.  I also have gained two more grandpuppies since I saw you last--that makes 3 now and I have been known to babysit the dogs as well as the kids!!


     I have gotten back into my pottery and have started fixing up my Dad's house as a studio and place to showcase what I do.  It is troubling at times, going through the memories, but my parents would have been so proud of my creativity, so the good moments outway the troubles.  I am still working fulltime and love my job.  I just wanted to pop in to resurface and connect with all my blogging friends.  I plan to keep more updated--I know I say this everytime--but maybe.....  Be sweet, stay kind, pray for our troops and our country, Hug those you love, and God Bless Ya'll!!!!

Quilting Along

Well, the quilt is coming along, as you can see, I have finished the main piece of the pattern. I am going to put a white border around the entire thing next, then place a colored border of the small squares around that. I have not decided what or if anything will come next. I have to visualize it and then decide. As you can see from the pics above we are growing up. Angel Baby will be two in October and she just makes me smile! She has a new something everyday that she has learned and I just enjoy watching and listening to her when I can. Hubby came home twice since we last talked, but only for 2-3 days each time. He looks good and seems to really enjoy his job. He had a growth on his arm that we had to get cut off, and praise God it was benign! We have started football-8th grade-and we seem to have a pretty good team. Simon (youngest child) has grown about 4 inches this summer and lost about 10 pounds. He is taller than me now! Voice changing and hair going wild!!! He's so cute (ok, I am prejudice), but he is a cutey!!! School is going good also, but I like summer best. Simon and I are going back to the Beach over the Labor Day holiday. One last hoorah to close out the summer. I can't wait Just a little post today to check in with ya'll. Be happy, healthy, safe and sweet! Hug those you love! Pray for our country, our troops and their families. Have a great rest of the week. Next time I check in it will be about Mucadine Jelly. I am attempting to make some for the first time ever, so wish me luck. God bless ya'll!!!! Be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.......Colossians 1:11.

Birds and Berries Quilt

Well, I have resurfaced. It has been a horrible year, but I am refreshed, rejuvinated, and I have a whole new perspective on life! This is a new quilt I started on this weekend. The material is Birds and Berries by Lauren and Jessi Jung and the pattern is Paige by Carlene Westberg Designs. I will keep you posted as progress is made. I am redoing my front guest room, and this quilt is going on one of the twin beds. The walls are chocolate with white trim in the redo, and the accent colors are Tangerine and Teal. (I know you are thinking WHAT????) It all started from a quilt I made in this color combination. That quilt is going on one of the twin beds and this new one will go on the other. The first quilt was made from Kate Spains Fandango collection and I was not able to find enough material to make a matching one, so this fabric line has the same color combo, so it will be the second beds quilt. Pics to follow later when it gets set up. We just finished the painting Thursday and I have not put all the furniture back. The kids are great. Doss (oldest) has a new job and loves it. Carre (middle) and family are wonderful. They are expecting my second Grandbaby in October and it is another girl. Simon (the caboose) is great, loving life and life loves him! Mary Countiss (#1Grand) keeps Gammie (me) laughing constantly. She is so much fun!!!! Jack (hubby) is off working. He was laid off about 10 months, and God blessed him with a great new job in March. It is bad that he is not here, but a blessing that he has a job in this economy. I read this this morning while I was drinking my coffee and thought it was worth passing on. It is from one of my dear high school friends that I keep up with on Facebook....... Simple Trust.. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 There will always be secrets & motives of God that lie beyond our grasp. God knows everything; we do not. Only in Heaven will we understand God's ways more fully. As Paul said, "Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known" (1 Cor. 13:12) But based upon what we do know about God's character, demonstated supremely in the Cross, we can trust that God is doing what is best for us. God says in His Word, "I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jer. 29:11) As Corrie ten Boom once explained, "Picture a piece of embroidery placed between you and God, with the right side up toward God. Man sees the loose, frayed ends, but God see the pattern." God IS in control. Whatever comes into our lives, we can confidently say, "We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28)......from "Hope for Each Day".Billy Graham... Have a great week! Hug those you love! Repay good deeds done for you by passing on one yourself to others. Pray for our soldiers, their families, and our country. God bless ya'll!!!!

Beach, Birthdays, and Pottery

This summer has been wonderful so far. We moved our yearly beach trip up to June this year, so we could celebrate a young man's birthday in Destin. He picked the restaurant, and it was a blast. The hat was a gift from the staff after they sang Happy Birthday!! Angel baby was great, as long as she did not have to touch or stand in the SAND!!!!!! She hated it. She loved the waves splashing her, but she had to be held in the water, and most of the time we were on the beach she was in a lap. Occasionally she would sit in her little tent, but not for long. I have really gotten back into my pottery. The pic here is a chip and dip. I have had several sales so far, and have been approached about putting it in some stores. I am throwing the idea around in my head, and trying to get some displays together to maybe try it for a while and see what it does. Quantity is the problem. My time is limited to how much can be produced to sell. We will see what happens, still thinking! I am officially in the "studio". The move has been slow, but productive. My house is looking better everyday, because of the disapearance of the craft stash. I will post some pics later this week so ya'll can see the progress. Hubby says he is worried he will never see me again, because I spend most of the time over there!! Please, I am just around the corner!!! Ha Ha! He loves the quiet as much as I do!!



Well time to head to work---first day back after the vacation---UGH!!!! Ya'll take care. Be safe, healthy, happy. Hug those you love. Smile and laugh out loud. Pray for our soldiers, their families, our country, and all those affected by tornadoes, fires and world disasters! Get your priorities straight! God bless ya'll!!!!



P.S. I saw this quote today---"If you can't be a good example, you'll have to be a horrible warning!!"---Author Unknown. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!!

Crochet Needle Holder

Well, if you follow this blog, you know I love to crochet. I am only a cold weather crocheter, and it is time to put up the needles and yarn. I have always kept them in a basket, but as my supplies grew, my space shrunk and things began to fall out of their spots. I saw several really cute needle holders out there in blogland, so this is my take on them. I just started cutting and measuring with my needles since I could not find my tape measures. I thinks it turned out cute. It solves my needs.


The big move is on. Son is out and daughter is partially in. If you don't know, they are shifting houses. Daughter and son in law (who are pretty talented) have painted, put down new flooring, changed window dressings, and become carpenters. Last night the cleaning began and the new master bedroom decor was put together. I cannot believe I did not take pics of before and after. This weekend will be the moving of all the rest of the furniture and clothing. Angel Baby goes straight to her new pink room everytime she is there, and she already knows it is her room. When my kids were little they had a Little Tikes Cozy Coupe. THey loved it and rode it 'til the wheels bowed out and bent beyond repair. I tried to get Angel Baby one this weekend while we were in Jackson shopping, but they were out, so I ordered it online. It arrived yesterday and Paw Paw and Simon put it together last night. She has claimed it and cried because she could not ride in it in the back of my car as we moved it to her house. I am taking over my daughters house, which is a rental house my daddy has had for years, and turning it into a studio for my crafts. As soon as they get everything out, I am going to start the transition from my house to it. It is just around the corner from my house, so it is almost liking being in the back yard. This will free up two bedrooms here for guests and decluttering. It is a mess now at each house, but I do see the light at the end of the tunnel. We have also redone youngest sons room, and all we lack there is his bathroom. My house is going to look like a new place when I get thru.


Well, I better be going to finish the things I had planned for today. Ya'll take care. Be safe, happy, and healthy. Hug those you love. Smile and laugh!! Pray for security in our nation and the world, our soldiers and their families, and please include us here in the Mississippi River Valley from the floods they are predicting. My house and my families houses are above the flood stage if it crests at where they say the river at Greenville will crest. We just pray that we do not get anymore rain, and that the northern states in the Ohio Valley do not get anymore rain. I know God will take care of us, but with all the tornado damage in and around the south, we just do not need anymore catastrophies. See ya soon!! God bless ya'll!!!

New Pottery

Just a quick note to let ya'll know I am here. The storms that passed through the south last week spared us. I have friends in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, who by God's grace were kept safe, and they say it is devastating. Words cannot describe the damage and sadness. Please keep all the tornada victims in your prayers. There is a little town in my state of Mississippi called Smithville. It was litterly wiped off the map. Most of the businesses and homes were destroyed. I believe the death toll there was in the 20's or 30's. Most of the victims lost in our state were from this town. Again, plese pray for these people. Today, I am posting some new pottery pieces I got this week. I started back last week after a 8 month absence. I think these are fitting to show at this time of sadness and loss for the tornado victims. I donated a cross like the middle one and a tray using the color combo in the grenn/white one to the hospital for door prizes during nurses week next week. {forgot to take a picture of the tray!} I have received orders for 4 trays and 2 crosses since then. WOW!! I was overwhelmed! I thank God daily for the talent he has given me, and I pray my creativity continues.


Now to family news. Oldest son got moved last weekend to his new house. Daughter stared painting and fixing the house that she is moving into. They are moving into the house oldest son was in. It is the house that they grew up in and their dad kept it and rented it over the years. She and husband are really doing a redo on it. Looks great! They are moving in this week. I am taking over her house and making a studio out of it! I cannot wait to have my own place for all my crafts and things. Should lead to more fun!!! Youngest son is on the countdown to the end of school. I think we have about 14 more days. He spent the weekend at a Boy Scout camp out. Had a blast! Time to go to work. Be safe, happy, healthy. Hug those you love! Smile and laugh! Pray for the safety of our troops and country. God bless ya'll!!!!

New Clothes

Look how big Angel Baby has gotten. She is now 18 months old. She is a talking machine, lots of "jarble", but she has some definate words in there. Her mom has her doing the model walk, stopping and turning, crossing her arms with this head lowered look and then putting her hands on her hips. It is hilarious! She loves her Paw Paw. They go outside everyday she comes by and throw the ball with the dogs. She does the throwing until the ball gets yucky and then Paw Paw has to clean it before she will throw it. Her mom was the same way!! Watching that little one brings back lots of wonderful memories.


Look at the precious clothes we just got for her. A wonderful friend that used to work with me makes these for her. She loves to sew and has no one to sew for now, so she picked us. Both these outfits were made from scraps she had in her sewing room. She got the first pattern from a sew beautiful magazine I had and then added her own personalized style to it, and the second outfit is a pattern I bought from Little Lizard Kings. I buy patterns and she sews. Sometimes I buy the fabric, but most of the time she goes through my stash and gets stuff I had left over from a project. These are just two of the many outfits she made for her for summer. I will post some more on a later post.


I am heading to pottery this morning. I have not been since July when I had about 7 pieces mess up in a load, but I have had so many people contact me lately for crosses that I need to get back at it. I had to go to work for a quick inservice this morning, but I am going to spend the rest of the day in the clay. Ya'll take care. Be healthy, happy, and safe. Pray for those who are in need. Hugs those you love! Smile and laugh! Do something special for someone today and watch then smile! God bless ya'll!!!

Vintage Hair Clips

Good morning, y'all!! It looks like a beautiful day here. I hope yours is the same. I get up every morning and check my Facebook status to make sure all is well with old friends. I have been able to reconnect with some people that I have not seen in years. There is one who puts quotes on each day and I thought todays was very good. He posted---In the last analysis, the individual person is responsible for living his own life. If he persists in shifting his responsibility to somebody else, he fails to find out the meaning of his own existence. -Thomas Merton---. I thought this very fitting in my life as of late. The mean fairy is raging at work. Most of the people there this week are growling at each other. I came in Tuesday morning to here it in several different areas in the clinic. I always try to be positive and happy no matter what is going on, but their grumbling has even put a damper on my spirits. I finally said yesterday, that the majority of the clinic needs a vacation or either a little stay in the hospital like I had and they would be glad to be at work with their co-hearts! I wish they would all run across this little quote he posted!!!


The pics are some vintage hair clips I made for Angel Baby. She still wears hats and bows most days, so I made these for her. I saw these while blogging and fell in love with them. I really love the lacey ones, but her mom likes the feathery ones the best. They are really easy to make. You cut 5 different size circles of satin fabric. Put the edges over a candle and let the edges "seal" to prevent fraying. Be careful and don't burn yourself! Then get that wonderful glue gun fired up and dab a dot of glue on each layer and stack to make the flower. Go from large to small. Get some faux pearls, rhinestones, or sequins and put in the center of the flower. Next step is putting the feathers on. All you have to do is glue them to the back of the flower. Then do the same with the lace if you desire. Cut a felt circle and glue it over the raw edges of feathers and lace. Lastly put a little hair clip on!! That's it!!


I hope you enjoy the tutorial! I would like to thank all you new followers. It does my heart good to see a new face in my follower group. I plan on doing a giveaway when we get to 50. I have to go out today for some errands, so I will be talking to you folks later. Take care. Be safe, happy, healthy! Hug those you love! SMILE AND LAUGH!!!! Pray for our country, our soldiers, and yourself. GOD bless ya'll!!!

Michael Miller Quilt-along

I don't believe I have mentioned about our MIchael Miller Quilt-a-long. It started in January and we go each month to the store and get our pattern and material for that months block. In twelve months we will have a beautiful quilt. I changed my material a little because that is the way I am! We just had our 3rd class and I have not made a single one. First class, one of my BFF's kids fell and broke his arm, so I was dealing with that. Second class, my mother in law was sick in the hospital and I did not want to get to far from home. Third class, I was just getting out of the hospital with the kidney stones. I am going to the 4th class!! My dear best friend Dawn as always takes care of me. She has been going and picking up the stuff and getting the lesson to share with me when she returns. The picks above are the first months blocks. Some of ya'll may be doing this as well. They are promoting it all over the country. I really like it because it is on my own pace. I have yet to finsh the second months blocks, but I hope to work on some of that this weekend.


Just a little quick note to say have a great weekend! Ya'll go out and do something nice for someone today--a random act of kindness. You will be surprised what it does for you as well. Take care this weekend. Be safe, healthy, happy! Hug those you love! Smile and laugh! Pray, get close to God! I will be glued to the tube Saturday for some great March Madness.! I beleive this is the best Final Four I have seen in a while. I love basketball! Some of ya'll may not believe it, but I was on a high school team that won 100 games in a row! We were in the Guiness Book of World Records at one time, and may still be. I know some have come close to breaking our record, but I think we still hold it. Anyway, just a little side note about me. Have a great day and GOD BLESS YA'LL!!!!!!!!

Spring Hats

Thanks for all the prayers and concerns involving the little "critter" kidney stone. He decided he did not like his location anymore last Monday and things have been good since. They have not decided why after 14 years they decided to start forming again, especially in multiples, but we are doing tests to check and see if they can determine the cause. My MD I work for and myself have determined that it is probably going to be my blood pressure medicine I started in November. This is not good folks because stopping the BP meds is not an option. When I had them years ago, I kept shots in my makeup bag for the pain. I would give them to myself until I could get to the hospital for real strong meds. This was begun after I had an attack at a college football game with the kids--they were 8 and 9, and all the men in my life were at deer camp without phone service. Hard headed as I am, I left the game, loaded up the kids, and drove home to my hospital with my doctors. This was about 2 hours away. Quite an experience!!!! I have done it once and I can do it again, but I really hate to know that these "critters" are back. I call them "critters" for lack of a better word.


Anyway on to better things. I have made use of my down time by crocheting. I made these hats and several more over the last 3 weeks. My daughter has lots of pregnant friends and Angel Baby loves a hat, so I downloaded several patterns, tweaked them to my liking and here are the results. The pics are not true colors. My bag looks like a sherbet parfait. All the colors are so sweet and soft. I have really expanded my crocheting skills. The only things done previously were scarves and afghans in straight lines. I was always scared of circles, but it is all the same.


It is time to head out to work, so ya'll be safe, happy, healthy. Hug those you love. Smile and laugh! Pray for our soldiers and their families. Pray for peace and GOD bless ya'll!!!

Fabric Bracelet

The sun has been bringing warmth to us all weekend. Looks like we are going from sweaters to flip flops quicker this year than I can remember. I even turned my air conditioner on yesterday!! Ya'll have to understand I have worked in an extrememly cold environment for most of my working life, and hot is not an option, especially with hormones ranging!!! My family freezes here most of the time, but I explain very kindly that it is a lot better for them to layer up than to have to watch me strip down and walk around naked!!! They quickly agree and get a blanket. The hubby and little buddy son went fishing a short while ago. Hubby came in late Friday night, and will only be here until early tomorrow. Yesterday was spent handling business with his Mom's estate and catching up on little house hold fix ups. Little buddy spent the night out Friday and did not get into late yesterday, so they are spending today doing the boy things. I have already got a pork loin slowly cooking on the grill, and told them I would have their favorite meal ready when they get in--pork loin, wild rice, asparagus spears with lemon and butter sauce, and pear salads--everyone in the family has a favorite on that menu. Oldest son called this morning to check in, he had been to the farm hunting turkeys. Daughter and Angel Baby have just come over to visit. We are going to browse a little this afternoon for some furniture pieces she wants for her new house. They will be moving to a larger house in April. There are a few pieces of mine she wants and I said no, so we are trying to find her something similar. They have bought new bedroom and living furniture, but the pieces we are looking for are are odds and ends she could use but does not have to have. Things to fill open spots and making for more storage.



The fabric bracelet is a copy from blogland, and I cannot remember where and I am so sorry because hers was so much cuter than mine. I thought I highlighted the site, but apparently in my sickness stupor over the last 2 weeks I have lost it. Anyway, you cut 3 strips of fabric about 1/2 in width and maybe 22 or so inches long and braid it. Do this 3 different times using a different pattern of fabric for each braid. Then you sew the braids together. I used my machine to make the initial seam but hand sewed all the rest as I went down, then finished with a sturdier machine stiich when I got it to the length I needed for my wrist. You can put clasps on, or sew the ends together, either one works the same. Make a fabric flower by twisting strips of fabric and then forming a circle to the shape you want. I found out tapping a little dab of glue here and there made it easier and sturdier for wear. This was made out of some fall fabric I am making a quilt out of, but I have just purchased some red, brown, yellow, and cream fabric that I think will make a great one for summer. As soon as I get the quilt pieces cut, I will start on the bracelet.


Time to move away from the computer for the day. I told ya'll I was afraid all this laying around would have gotten me lazy and I believe I was right. I did go to work Friday and made it 8 hours. Tomorrow they will take the stent out and I hope I getto feeling better and more normal. I am a little concerned that if they put me to sleep to put the stent in, then why are they not putting me to sleep to take it out. I have probably done hundreds of these surgeries over the years, but it has never even accurded to me before why they never came back to have it removed. Oh well, I will know tomorrow! Wish me luck and pray it all goes well. Be healthy, happy, and safe. Hug those you love. Smile and laugh! Pray for our country, our soldiers and their families, world peace, the poor people of Japan. Oh, before I finish, did ya'll see that beautiful moon last night. Now to properly finish---GOD BLESS YA'LL!!!

Cupcake Kind of Day!

I thought I would start this glorious day off with a fun happy picture. It's a "cupcake kind of day" is my motto for this day. The good Lord has blessed us with sunshine, warmth, and many blessings so yall enjoy! I have been seeing these precious pin cushions all over blogland, and I just had to have one. This base is a dipping sauce cup that ended up in my cupboard at some time. I had 2 at one time but this is all I could find at present. I glued the ric rac around the base and top of the cup. Next I filled the cup with rice so keep it sturdy. I formed some pillow batting into a ball and covered it with felt--glued the felt, but the next one I will sew a loose stitch and pull it together. If you use glue, use it sparingly. I then cut a piece of fabric that would cover the felt ball and did the sew trick, pulled it together, and tied it off to form the top. I sewed the center in with several tacking stitches to make a dimple in the center. At this point, I glued the edges of the fabric/felt ball to the dipping cup. Then, I made a little fabric flower by folding a 1-2 inch width of fabric in half and gathering the bottom to make a ruffle. After that I folded and turned the ruffle to make a little flower and hand sewed it at the base to secure the ends. I glued the flower into the dimple because I will not be putting pins in that part of the cushion. The final step I did was to make a bow out of a matching strip of fabric and there you have it--the bright, fun, funky happy for the day!


Spring break is coming to an end, and I have enjoyed this week watching my youngest grow up. He has become very independent and his logic of things is great. I have been home most of the week due to the kidney stones, but I am going back to work today. The weekend was spent in the hospital trying to pass them, but there is one who really enjoys where he is. Please pray that he leaves soon!! Hubby comes home tonight, and we have not seen him in 10 days. He tried to come home when I got sick, but I told him by the time he got here, it would probably be over. There was really nothing he could do, but look at me. Older kids have jumped in and supervised little brother, transported him to his destinations, and kept him fed. It has been so nice seeing all my kids taking care of each other and me. If one of the older was busy, the other stepped in. Little buddy spent the night with my daddy some, and friends some while I was in the hospital. He had so many offers of places to stay, I thought it was neat he decided to stay with his granddaddy the first night. I have a wonderful group of friends and family. I have been so pampered this week, that I am afraid I have gotten lazy. I love my kids and family.



Time to get up and going. Ya'll take care. Be safe, happy, healthy. Hug those you love. Smile and laugh!! Pray for the victims in Japan, our troops in Irag, Afganistan, and other parts of the world and that the conflict in the Middle East will soon end. God bless ya'll!!!!

Hello!

Wow, I did not realize how long I have been gone from this blog! I may not have been posting, but I have been crafting. The pic above is a ruffled scarf and hat I crotcheted. The pattern for the scarf came from www.lionbrand.com. I used the Lion Brand Homespun yarn because of it's "wooliness". It is a really easy pattern, and only takes about an hour to complete. The hat is an adaptation of a pattern I had. I added a scalloped edge and changed a few rows from dc to hdc. My friends laugh at me all the time because I cannot follow a pattern completely. I am always changing it up. I made about 10 of these for Christmas presents for family next year, but we had a 4 inch SNOW here and I ended up giving away about 5 to friends at work who did not have scarves. The little doll model is something I picked up at Hobby Lobby during Thanksgiving. I got it because it makes me think of what I believe MC will look like when she is older. She loves to go hug on it. I should take it down, but she loves it so it stays up. It also makes a great hat and scarf model.


We all are fine at the moment. I have had a very hard winter. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in November, flu in December, stomach bug is January, and just passed a kidney stone this morning!! I told my doc the other day that I had been so healthy all my life, and it looked like I was falling apart. He laughed and said you are ok, your resistance has just gotten down. He prescribed sunshine, and so I am in the process of booking our week in Destin for this summer. I told my Daddy the other day that the first warm Saturday, I was going to the lake to hang out. We lost Jack's mom last week. She had been sick for 7 1/2 years, and not known anyone or able to do anything for herself for the last 3 years. It was a sad time for everyone, but a blessing in some ways. She will not suffer anymore, and Heaven is better to have that Angel there.


S due in from school any minute, so I better get off here. Today starts his Spring Break. I sure hope it warms up next week for them. Going to be around freezing tonight, just not right for the south! Yall take care. Be safe, healthy and happy. Hug those your love! Smile and laugh! God bless ya'll!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Flu-Bug Project

The worst part of this flu-bug we have had has been the joint/muscle aches and pains. I have been seeing these BO-BO packs all over the web, so I got up yesterday and made us some. I cut two matching size fabrics, put wrong sides together and sewed them except for a small area to turn them and insert the insides. After they were turned and pressed, I topstitched all but the opening. I mixed rice with some oils I had here at the house--again, all those buys over the years have finally come in handy. I put wild berry oil in about 3 cups of rice and mixed real well. Next I poured the mixture into the bag through a homemade funnel--a rolled up piece of cardstock. Then I top stitched the opening to close and finish the project. You can heat the pack on 2-3 minutes in the microwave, or place in the freezer for a few hours, which ever you need---hot or cold. I filled the second one with rice scented with peppermint extract--does great on the chest of you or your little ones to relieve the congestion and aches. Take care. Be healthy, happy, safe. Hug those you love. Smile and laugh! Pray daily for those in need, and may God bless ya'll in this upcoming year!!

Holiday Wishes!!

Hope ya'll had a Very Merry Christmas! We did!!! Things did not go quite as I had planned, but it was wonderful with many blessings and great memories! All the kids and significant others made it for Christmas Eve festivities and have been in and out since. My sweet Daddy however did not make it for the get together. He came down with the flu on the 23rd and is just now getting to where he feels like normal. He decided on the 24th that he would not come over and that we could not come there. He let Carre (daughter) and I take him some food and his presents. She opened them for him while I fixed the table so he could eat. He tried to stop us at the door, but since we had both had the flu shot he let us in. We came back and did the normal things we do with supper and presents here, but it was not the same without him. We traveled to and from family get togethers starting the weekend before Christmas and endng with our last one on the 26th. That is the day Simon (youngest) and I came down with the flu! It has been horrible! He has had fever as high as 103! We just got out of the bed and started to mill around the house today. I called my internist on Sunday and he put me on Tamiflu, and I think it has made mine not be quite as severe as all the others.


The pics above are from a flu project and daughters attempt at Christmas cards with Angel Baby and my first granpuppy. This year I have 2 granpuppies, Doss (oldest son) and girlfriend picked up a stray this year, who when he gets loose from them comes to my house, climbs the fence into my back yard and plays with our dogs until someone comes to take him home. Darnest think I have ever seen, most animals climb out of fences, not in. He does climb out of theirs! I love the Christmas card attempt. This is not what they went with, but I got a pic of this framed, because I love it so much. You really have to see the series of pics to appreciate it as much as I do. This is the only one out of the bunch that they both looked straight at the camera. The scarf was made from yarn I had here at the house while I was "bedridden". I used a basic single crochet stitch for the scarf, and the flower was an after thought because the scarf just looked bland. I have a new fleece that matches perfectly. See, it is a good reason for buying all that yarn and fabric and adding to my stash--note to hubby!!!!!!


This time of year is special to us all. Sometimes things are hard, but if we continue to pray and ask God to take things into His hands, the best will occur. I got off work on the 21st planning to get all my Christmas finished and be prepared for the 24th festivities without being rushed. As I entered the house my phone was ringing. When I answered it my best friends daughter was crying uncontrollably on the other end. Her grandmother was found in her bathroom covered in blood and not talking appropriately. She lives in a small town out from our town about 20 minutes away. My BFF was out of town at a concert with her hubby that they had been planning for almost a year. I told MB to get a baby sitter if she could for her twin babies and I would meet the ambulance at the hospital, and not to call her mom until I saw what exactly was wrong with Gran. (My initial thought was if it was a cut or bump on her head, we could handle it until BFF gets home later tonight--THey are about 3 hours away) It was not quite that simple. Gran did not know me when she got to the hospital, and after a CT of her head it was found she had 4 bleeds in her brain. One big one and 3 smaller ones. Needless to say when she did not recognize me, we started to try and get BFF on the phone. She called back just as the ambulance was preparing to take me and Gran to a bigger hospital about 3 hours away even more south than BFF was. Long story short I got back home the next morning about 6:30, and todays report from Gran is the best one yet. She is starting to do things normal to her. Hopefully by the middle of next week, she will be able to come home. All of this has been brought to you by the power of prayer!! God is great in all ways, and we are so lucky to have such a great God watching over us!!


Take care. Be safe, healthy, happy. Hug those you love! Smile and laugh!! Pray for our soldiers, their families, those whom you know in need, and just anyone you thinks need an extra boost!! God bless ya'll and may ya'll have a safe and great New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rudolph

Good Morning Blogland!! Hope all is well. I have to tell ya'll about this wonderful blog I found the other day while hopping--http://littlewondersdays.blogspot.com/ It is awesome. She does wonderful crafts and incorporates teaching into the fun. Great teaching! I first saw her post about reindeer games, but after going back and looking the whole way through at old posts, her creativity and talent is everywhere. Please go and see and tell her how much you enjoyed the tour. The Rudolph above is straight from her blog. Angel baby needed something to give her nursery class for Christmas and I thought these with some reindeer food would be great. All you need are some clear ornaments, brown packing paper, red pipe cleaners, google eyes, and a red shiny nose. Pack the paper inside the ornament, glue the eyes and nose. Cut a pipe cleaner is half, and then cut one of the halves in half. Take the smaller pieces and make extra "horns" on each antler and shape. Glue the base of the antler to the top of the ornament. Cute, easy and cheap. Ya'll take care. Be safe, healthy, happy. Smile and laugh. Hug those you love. Do something special and unexpected for someone. Pray for our nation. Pray for our armed forces and their families. God bless ya'll!!!!!

Angels Among Us!

This is an ornament I made many years ago. I made one for every child and parent for the tree that year, and actually I made some for friends and co-workers also. I am really surprised you do not see them much here in crafty blogland. They are really simple. I am not sure of the exact measurements because I made them in several sizes, but here goes my first tutorial. Ya'll bear with me now!

Things you will need:
Small styrofoam ball
8 inch circle of fabric--*not sure about the circumference, but you can play with it and see what size you like.
Lace- I used wide for the large Angels and small for the little Angels, again this depends on which size you choose to do.
Ribbon
Glue gun
Rubber band
raffita, straw, yarn-this is for the hair
Flowers, or any other embellishments--optional

I cut my fabric into a circle, then sewed the lace around the edge of the circle. Next, I glued the center of the circle to the styrofoam ball (only glued at the top of the ball). I draped the rest of the fabric tightly around the ball and secured it with a rubber band. Pull the skirt, so it lays smoothly. Glue the ribbon, flower whatever you decide on around the rubberband to hide it. Take a piece of the lace and make several loops with it. Pinch the middle, and wrap with thread to secure the pinch. Make a loop with some of the left over ribbon so you can hang her. Gluethe loop and the wings to the back of the Angel at the neck or right below. You can put something over the string to cover if you like. Take the straw and make the hair. I hot glued it to the head, and WHA LA---you have an ANGEL.

Take care. Be safe, happy, healthy. Hug those you love. Smile and laugh! Pray for our soldiers, our nation, and our nation's leaders. Help someone who needs it, it will make your heart feel so good! God Bless Ya'll!!!!!