Getting back into the swing of things.....

I finally got back in the swing of things and went to one of my weekly sewing meetings today.  It felt really good to be out and see everyone again.  I haven't been going many places for a couple weeks as my allergies are BAD!  I was supposed to go to the allergist yesterday for testing.  You know, you should really read directions ahead of time.  I looked to see where the appointment was and noticed the instructions that told me about stopping all allergy medication a few days ahead of time.  I had to call and reschedule!  I hope they can do something for me like shots.  I take allergy meds and they make me tired.  It certainly doesn't make for a very productive day.  Get up, take pills, sit, nap, get up again, sit, take pills, go to bed, ad nauseum!

I was really surpised at  the meeting today because two of my friends had Christmas gifts for me.  I hadn't taken theirs because I thought for some strange reason that Christmas was Thursday and we had another meeting next Wednesday.  I'll have to drop theirs off at their houses.

 This darling little stuffed Scottie dog is from Darcy.  I love it!!!!  It is quite the vintage pattern, going back to at least the 30's so using 30's fabric is perfect!!!

Carol makes these darling kitchen towels and she said when she saw the Scottie fabric at Joann's she knew she had to make it for me.  I don't care if she did say it can really be used, hubby has been warned!!!!  It's Christmas fabric but I'm going to keep it up all the time.

Not much else is going on around here.  I have some baking and candy making to do.  I'm putting together a box for the couple next door.  They shovel my snow for me which is so invaluable.

Tomorrow I'm going to donate blood as I try to do every time I am eligible.  I am O negative and they love me.  There is a critical need for that blood type so I'm glad to help. O negative is a universal donor and only between 6 and 7 percent of the population has it.  It's really easy and painless to donate blood so consider doing it this holiday season, no matter what blood type you are.

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Spa Day

Mollie and Maggie went to the groomers yesterday. They would both rather stay outside and roll around in the snow and play all day so they both needed a spa day - BAD.   This was Mollie's first trip to the groomer since we got her.  I wanted her to feel comfortable before we exposed her to anything new and scary.  As it is, she doesn't travel well in the car.  I put her in the crate and she always gets sick, like all over, like bad!  I'm sure part of it is that she is afraid she's going to be abandoned again.  She got sick going but was fine coming home.  Next trip I'm going to try letting her sit on the back seat with Maggie.  They will be harnessed in to the seat belt holders so they can't get hurt and I'll put lots of blankets and towels down - just in case.  This is how Maggie travels and it's one of her favorite things to do.

 I'm sorry the picture is a tad blurry, but doesn't she look so adorable now?  The groomer, Jaymie, said she did just fine and was happy and there were no problems.  She said Mollie's starting to get the little tufts of hair between the ears that are so darling.

I talked to Jaymie about Mollie's coat and tail.  Maggie has a nice straight smooth coat.  Mollie's is soft but wavy.  She said her coat was not standard (she used to have a Scottie) and that may be why someone got rid of her.  Not up to standard - kick her out.  Insert angry face here!  Also Mollie's tale does not arch around like it should.  Most of the time it hangs down and when she does raise it is only slight.  Jaymie said she might have some nerve damage from an accident - intentional or otherwise.  Any opinions out there in Scottie land?

Whatever the case may be,  I'm so glad we found her - or she found us.  Even Maggie is glad she is here so she has someone to play with.

Yep, it's still cold........

Snow Day

Here in Colorado we are experiencing a true arctic blast.  The local news stations have been warning us  of the impending storm, but nothing really prepares you for something like this.  It started snowing last evening and hasn't stopped yet in our area.  That's all fine and dandy, we've been through this before.  What we haven't had before, at least not Sweetie and I, are the cold temperatures.

Doesn't it just look picturesque and peaceful?  It is, except it's only 8 degrees outside!  The cold temperatures are going to hang around till the weekend and depending on which news agency you listen to, today's high will be between 8 and 10 degrees and the low tonight will be between -8 and -6 degrees!  That's cold people!  We are advised to leave any faucet on an outside wall turned on to a slow drip and to keep cupboard doors and/or shower doors open so the heat can get to them.  Otherwise you run the risk of your pipes breaking.  I had the kitchen sink dripping all night and only caught a mixing bowl full of water so I don't feel bad about "wasting" water.  Late last night I stuck my head out the front door and it was scary cold.  There was even frost on the inside of the storm door. We're staying in and keeping a close tab on Mollie and Maggie when they have to go outside.

Speaking of Mollie.  As  new quilter years ago, I thought that I had to match the thread with the fabric when I was piecing the quilts.  I have since learned to use neutrals, white, cream, beige, gray with an occasional black thrown in as those stitches don't generally show.  So I naturally have lots of colored thread that I don't use.  I was throwing putting some things in the spare bedroom to clean up one day and put my big glass jar of thread on the floor tucked away on the other side of the dresser along with some other sewing things.  Well, somehow, Mollie decided to go exploring.  Did she dig out my myriad assortment of neon colored threads that I don't use?  Of course not!

She went straight for the neutrals!!!!  Mollie, Mollie, Mollie!  What can I say.  She must have gotten the  neutral thread memo!

To all of you who are experiencing severe weather, stay safe and warm.  To all of you who have lovely, sunny, warm weather - consider yourself very lucky!

Have a great rest of the week!!!

From Miss Jean, Sweetie, Maggie and Mollie

Snow Story

We had snow last Thursday.  One day of beautiful snow.  The problem this time is that the temperatures dropped so drastically and everything turned to ice.  It looked so peaceful and innocent but underneath the snow on the roads was another story all together.  I wasn't truly aware of the ice problem and I thought on Friday that I would run to the library to return The Bletchley Circle dvd and pick up the latest copy of Midsomer Murders.  Hubs and I are great British television fans and our local library is awesome and has quite a wonderful selection.  I can reserve a book or dvd online and when it's in I go pick it up.  They have self checkout so I'm in and out in less than 5 minutes.

So off I go and it wasn't long before I realized that it wasn't one of my most brilliant ideas.   A six mile round trip on solid ice.  Me with no snow tires or front wheel drive.  It was too late to turn around by the time I realized my mistake so I trudged along.  The great thing about it is that everyone just took it slow.  Like 20 miles per hour slow.  I did have to coast through one stop sign as the car just didn't want to stop.

I made it home just fine!  Whew.  I swore off going anywhere until May!!!!!  Now, did I ever mention our driveway?  It's slanted.  A lot!! I had shoveled the walkway up to the house and the sidewalk but not the driveway.  I started to but a.) I was tired, and b.) I started to slip and slide.  That should have been my first clue not to go out.  When I got back I couldn't get the car up the drive.  Back and forth I went and each time I went a little further but not enough to get into the garage.  Right about then the neighbors parents came by.  The Dad got out and said he'd push while I tried it again.  Oh, Lord, I though sure I would run over him.  I got a little way but the car stopped and I slammed on the brakes.  Then he got the snow shovel and cleared the driveway and I gunned it.  "Please, oh, please, don't let me crash into the house!"  Success!!!!!!  I woke up the next day and the driveway was all clear.  Unbeknownst to be, my other neighbors had come out after work on Friday and shoveled the drive and sprinkled ice melt "stuff" on it.  (The same neighbors who cleaned my gutters!  Aren't I fortunate!?)

It's Sunday and I haven't ventured out since.  The roads are clear, albeit it's freezing out, so I think I may go out today.  If for no other reason than to get some more of "stuff" you sprinkle around to make the snow melt.  I did learn some things:

1.  If you think you need to go out in bad weather, rethink it.
2.  If you have to do something, be brave and do it.  You just might surprise yourself.
3.  There are so many nice people out there who are willing to help when you need it.  I preface that with don't ask for help until you have tried to help yourself and you just can't do it alone.
4.  Pass it on.  I can't shovel snow or clean gutters but I can rake the neighbors leaves and bake cookies.

Hubs and I are going to have a quiet Thanksgiving just the two of us this year.  We had an invitation from some friends who live about three hours from here.  We spent Christmas with them last year and took Maggie with us.   We had a wonderful time and stayed a few days.  However, with getting little Mollie and her being still a little skittish, we thought it best to stay home.  I haven't decided whether to go ahead and cook a big meal or go out.  Maybe we'll take in a movie - or watch some more Midsomer Murders.

What do you do when it's just you for a holiday?  Give me some more ideas.

Have a wonderful Sunday and a peaceful Thanksgiving.

Blessings.....

Fall

Winter is still a month away which means it's fall - as in FALLING LEAVES!

We have three willow trees on our property.  One in the front and two in the back.  I'm not sure what type of willow they are, they are not the weeping type, just the messy, dropping leaves and branches type.  Huge branches drop all the time, especially from the one on the side yard.  It's usually not the dead branches (there are many of those) but live green ones.  I know if we have had any sort of wind, I need to go pick them up.  I do not recommend this tree at all!  They are not pretty like the weeping willow.  They have no redeeming qualities, just too many falling leaves, surface roots and a tendency for the branches to break and fall.  I supposed I could have them taken out but they are so large the cost would be prohibitive.  I've already apologized to the new neighbors about the messy tree next to our common fence.  It was hear before I got here and there's nothing I can do.

 My neighbor cleaned out my gutters (God Bless Him!) and I know they are full again.  He said he'd come back in a couple weeks and do it again.  For some reason he doesn't want me standing on the very top of our ladder to do it myself!

November is supposed to be one of the snowiest months here.  We've only had about a half day so far.  I have to get all the leaves up off the yard before it does rain or snow so it doesn't smother the grass.  Yesterday I blew and raked the front yard.  We live on the end of a court with a third acre lot.  The front yard is really small.  I did our front yard and the tiny side yard of our neighbor (the least I could do) and the combined tiny side yard on the other side.  SIX GARBAGE CANS OF LEAVES PEOPLE!!!!!!!

Today I'm starting on the back.  Wish me luck!  

Now for a reality check.  It's a beautiful, warm and sunny day and it will be lovely outside.  My prayers go out to all those in the midwest affected by the tornadoes.  I'm from Michigan and I don't remember tornadoes in November.

I hope you all have a great and safe week ahead!

Haiti Sew

I'm a quilter, not a seamstress and garment sewer.  I did sew some easy little jumpers for my daughter, Dory, when she was little but stopped when they would have needed more intricate sewing skills.  I was fortunate to be able to be introduced to some great ladies here who volunteer their time, efforts, skills and materials to make dresses, bags and shorts to send to Haiti.  I figured I could help, even if it was just ironing or pinning.  I wanted to be involved.  There is such a desperate need for these things there along with food and shoes.  I'm not sure how long this particular group has been doing this but I know they have made a huge impact with the town and church they work with in Haiti.

 We usually meet twice a month to sew.  This past Tuesday an extra effort was made so they could make lots of dresses all at once.  There were over 40 volunteers all working assembly line to get the job done.  A lady from Texas drove all the way here to Colorado with fabric that had been donated.  Some were cutting, inserting elastic, adding binding, hemming, ironing or putting on pockets.
 

There are going to be a lot of happy little girls the next time the dresses are delivered.  Aren't they pretty?  I don't know any little girl anywhere who wouldn't just love having one.  I'm not sure how many they were able to finish but there is a goal of 100+ (or more) by February.

This is what it's all about!  This is one of the little girls who got a dress last year.  Is she adorable or what?  Take a minute - how long would it take for you to make something easy that would help someone so tremendously?  Some of these little ones have nothing, including clothes.  No one deserves that.

You don't have to find a group just like ours.  There are all sorts of charity and volunteer opportunities out there.  It may be helping out at the senior home in your town, rescuing a dog, donating blood, serving meals to the homeless during the holidays, donating food, donating blankets to a homeless shelter,  reading to a child.  Sometimes looking outside ourselves makes us feel so much better inside.

There is no way I can say "thank you" and "job well done" to all the ladies at the Haiti sew.  I will say a big THANK YOU and GOD BLESS  to Barbara.  She has a servants heart and more energy than anyone I have met!!!

Have a wonderful and restful weekend!

Happy Veterans Day, Aaron!

Happy Veterans Day to our son, Aaron!

We are bursting with pride in all you have accomplished in your life.  Though you have done so much serving your country, you are always, always, humble in the fact that you are just doing your job.  We are relieved that you are back on home soil but know that if asked, you would go wherever you are sent.

Next year as you retire after 23 years in the Navy, may you find as much happiness in civilian life as you have in the military!

Love,
Mom and Dad

Happy Friday

More gratuitous pictures of the dogs!  I hate to even call them dogs, really they are little furry people that rule live in our home.

This is one of Maggie's favorite places to sit.  She can look out the windows and make sure everything is right with the world.  When Mollie jumped up, she didn't quite know what to think. (Sorry for the glare.)

This is Maggie and we just love her to pieces!

"I'm ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille."

You'll have to enlarge the pictures to really see Mollie's cute little face!

The girls and I hope you have a fun weekend.  I'm off to a Christmas Bazaar and a favorite restaurant.  Then hopefully, I can get some sewing done.  I need to do some housework and mop floors.  I can already see the difference in having two dogs rather than one.  Worth it?  You bet!

Hugs!