It's the Day before the Night Before Christmas...

My favorite Day before song. Too late to be good. Santa doesn't really check his list on the day before the night before.
I remember torturing my children with this song... on this day, my son calls me and sings this to me every year. Lest he forget.
So...I give up on posting it here and recommend going to my Facebook post, because I could post it there...

Bear Lake

Back from Bear Lake/Wellsville....
Cold...Snow....White.....Crunchy....Slippery.....Wet....
Oh yeah,
and we saw where Tink and Zee live.
Finished the wedding festivities
Played games till way after midnight
Visited till way too late
Worked on a Christmas Project
Ate Pizza in De's Forbidden Car
Enjoyed yummy breakfasts
and never, ever stopped talking!

And the finished project....

Yep, that is rows and rows of vertical ruffles all singed by hand with a lovely flame. Turned out fantastic and learned something new.
Tink also likes hand beading,
and the amazing asymmetrical
drop waistline. Definitely a square neckline and wait till you see the lace up back...
I must say truly gorgeous.

And when I figure out how to download pix from my camera again, I will post a few more. This happens to be the only one I could "steal".

Wow.....

It is amazing how very quickly time can get away from me. For the past five weeks my focus has been entirely on Tink's upcoming wedding. We have been dress looking. Getting Tink, her sisters, her grandmother, and her mother together on the same day, at the same time, not on a holiday, or a Sunday was a challenge, however we did it.
She found a dress she loved the skirt on, one she liked the back of, and one which kind of did what she had in mind for the bodice. We did a bit more shopping, had a quick lunch, and then Tink and I went fabric shopping...
Forever....
It has been decided there truly isn't a decent dress fabric shop in Southern Utah. A trip to Vegas? No time available.
Out of desperation I started looking in the local thrift stores, just to find the lace she wanted.
I found a dress, took a pix of the lace and sent it to her. She liked it!!!
Later, she went in and really looked at the lace, bought the dress and we proceeded to pull it apart. Tink learned how to "rip out or Frog" seams.
See the "before" pix, I don't think you will believe the "after" pix. And can you believe that train???

Disaster?

A few days ago I was busily working on a project, actually four projects which I was trying to finish while my father was visiting.

Disaster, with a CAPITAL D!

My machine would turn on, but not go.
Wouldn't go anywhere, didn't even hummmmmm.
I checked everything I knew how to do and could not figure out what I needed to do.
Now this is important because a bit earlier in the week the same thing happened and I ended up sabotaging an old machine for a new pedal. I figured my "wiring" had gone awry and I would need to pull the pedal all apart again and see where I had screwed up.

Just about that moment my Dad walks in and asks "what's up?"
"My machine is dead" I replied.
"What's it doing?"
"Turns on, no hummmmmm, no go" I replied.
A deep sigh and then...."let's see it."

We (you know I actually mean Dad) spent the entire morning pulling the machine apart. I helped, I handed over screwdrivers and pliers and even a hammer.

Dad told me the machine was not made to take apart, everything was put together inconveniently, and the inside wiring had some time of gizmo on it which made Dad turn red in the face as he worked on undoing it.
Finally, engine apart he says, "the brushes are gone".

I know I didn't leave any brushes in there...I had never even had it apart that far to leave a brush in it, so whoever left the brushes in there will you please tell me why you took them out?

Then Dad shows me a little tiny piece and says to me, "I don't know where you are going to get replacements, but this is what you need".
It is now lunch time so we take a break and think about...brushes.

Little tiny brushes which are actually a part of and inside the motor.
While we are munching he tells me the sewing machine repair guys don't replace motors/brushes, they tell you instead..."This is a nice model.."
And then you are stuck, buying an entirely new machine when all you need is a little tiny brush.

As we continue munching I ask, "do you think my old machine brush/motor might work?"
"Don't know, probably not."

Definitely not the answer I was looking for. You see, I have this thing about throwing out the old machine, I could use it in a pinch you know, and in fact I have on more than one occasion. So, I save them for that occasion.
After lunch I went down into the obstacle strewn basement and found the old machine which bore the same name but was a different style than the one upstairs. This even happened to be the same machine I had "scavenged" a pedal from earlier in the week.

I took it up and asked, "what do you think?"
"Won't know till we get inside of it"
And the remainder of the afternoon was spent tearing into an old machine hoping the brush/motor might look the same.

And guess what. It was.
Rest of the story short. Dad replaced the motor and it now works great, sounds a bit different (like when you get a new muffler on your car), but works. And I am smiling.

(I knew there was a real reason I keep my old machines).

Missing Me?

For all of you who have decided I have died and possibly gone to Heaven...no such luck. I am still here.
When family comes to visit everything goes kind of crazy...specifically routines.
I should readily admit I was already slacking, however, who really wants to be honest?
So, a quick update...Family, Soccer, Wedding, Sewing, Wedding, Soccer, Family.
Occasionally I have found time to wash laundry, but not often. I feel as if I have been in the kitchen, a lot. I keep going into my sewing room, but it appears I really need a nap. So I come out. I have been on a search for a location which isn't in a church. Good luck in our small town. And the internet can really be a fantastic research tool. Only if there happened to be money in my account (which there isn't) which means I need to go into my sewing room and be productive, not sleeping.
So, back to my sewing room to be productive. I truly do need to be. And while I am in there I will think about food, and not a nap. But a nap certainly sounds good right now.

humanitarian projects...

Recently I attended a fireside featuring a woman from South Africa. She spoke of her experiences as a child, as a refugee, as a survivor, and of her strength she gathers from her Scriptures.
I was amazed at her story. I am fascinated by her ability to take very negative, terrible things and apply a positive outlook to them. She has the ability to take every thing we would say, "woe is me to" and apply a scripture and a learning experience from it. Blessings are what she finds in every tragedy in her life. She has an amazingly positive outlook on life, and a happy attitude.
She talked of receiving a hygiene kit and using it for 3 weeks with 20 other women to help their lives. Hard for me to imagine two bars of soap, two hand towels, four toothbrushes, two combs, a tube of toothpaste all in a plastic bag being used for 3 weeks. Something even more amazing...ten years later she still carries this bag and its remaining treasures with her.
I am being blessed to have the opportunity to help assemble some of these kits on Saturday. I have been excited and thrilled to be able to help prepare for this event. So now, on to finishing towels for Saturday...

ric rac and ribbon and lace

Sounds extremely girly...and it is.
I need. Hard to believe when you walk into my "sewing" room, but...
I have used almost all of my bolt lace, I have depleted my large yardage supplies, I have gone into panic mode. What will I do if I don't have any lace? I know Gunne Sax dresses will be coming back into style and I need to be prepared.
Needless to say, I have been searching and searching. I even talked to Roar about perhaps picking some up for me next time he is in China (desperate I know, can you imagine Roar lace shopping?)
Finally, someone on Ebay knew I was going to be in a bind and listed lace at a price I could tolerate. Yippee!! Now, if I can win the auction and the shipping doesn't kill me...I will be all set for the next round of pink flannel (if there is one) and Gunne Sax when that happens.
And Ric Rac, I just love the way ric rac looks, but I'll be danged if I can afford to stick everywhere I want to. More searching...I may have found a supplier, I placed an order and it should be here before the end of the week. Keep you fingers crossed...I want it to be perfect and I am hoping it is exactly what I want it to be. If so, I will be in Ric Rac Heaven. Meaning, I will be putting ric rac on everything. (I ordered several colors.)
And ribbon? Yes, ribbon. I know I have a huge bag of ribbon hanging on the hook and another interesting group hanging on the wall and an additional odds and ends bag which seems to be endless, however, when it comes to yardage there just isn't enough. Little projects, sure. But not big ones.
And I found a supplier for gimp. Very exciting to find this, possibilities. Gimp just kills me with how pricey it is, this supplier may be the solution. Keep you fingers crossed. It is getting to be Christmas time and you all know how I love to sew for the holidays.

Thunder and Lightning

Finally, after several days of a promising 30% chance of rain (as in 30 days out of 100 when it looked like this we could get rain).
We got rain!
Yippee, Skippee!!!
Rain...
A wonderful downpour.
A lovely lightning show.
Fantastic crash, bang, thunder.
Loud, amazing thunder.
It started yesterday afternoon.
I went and sat in the swing till my blanket was soaked.
I watched the rain as it changed from a drop,
to a light sprinkle, to a thundering explosion of sound.
I love the rain.
I love thunderstorms.
I love the smell, the sound, the chill.
Thunderstorms have got to be one of my favorites.
Sometimes, when it rains I make cinnamon rolls. Not yet though, I am still enjoying the rain.
I think it would be fantastic if it could just drizzle all week. Or give me a great big downpour a couple of times a day. And, if I am really wishing....
a fantastic lightning show after dark could be wonderful.

Nothing...

Every now and again it is wonderful to just do nothing.
Hubby says to me last night,
"I really got a lot of things done, I washed the truck, split wood, went to lunch" you get the idea. Then he says to me,
"what did you do?"
My response,
"Nothing".
Every now and then, it is nice to be able to say,
"Nothing".
How often do we actually say,
"Nothing"?
Now I realize I should have said...something,
but it was really, really nice to do...
nothing.
I washed dishes, I washed a load of laundry, I went and bought some groceries, I watched a couple of shows, I went to a family dinner, I researched some things on the internet, essentially I did nothing.
And nothing was wonderful...

Navajo Tacos Anyone?

As we finish up a weekend of complete and total organized chaos I have a few observations.

• two or three working cars would be nice
• it is wonderful when family listen and then pitch in to assist
  
• I allegedly use positive reinforcement when I talk to my family
• it is possible to do the splits and not be on the floor
• it is possible to chop lots and lots of onions and not shed a tear
• it pays to look at receipts/register tapes
• it is possible to use only elbows and feet to open and close refrigerators
  
• it is fantastic to have left overs so you don't have to "cook" the next day
• and it is fantastic to have a family who is supportive, patient, understanding and willing to do much, much more than asked.

Thank you family for all of your help. You enabled me to focus on my church responsibilities and didn't make me feel bad for missing things I didn't really want to miss.
And just a question, are you sure you want to do this as a family next year?

Stinky Sweat

Has anyone noticed how much sweat can stink?
Why is it that sweat stinks?
Is there are reason some sweat stinks more than other sweat?
I am sure there is a scientific reason for stinky sweat...
So here is my understanding of sweat,
(I actually looked it up) specifically stinky sweat.
Your entire body has "sweat" glands. Where hair isn't prominent sweat is just "salty water"...however, where hair is...your body makes oily sweat. And (just in case you didn't know) bacteria like oily sweat. Now then, bacteria eat oily sweat. But, bacteria itself doesn't smell,
however...
the waste from bacteria does.
So stinky sweat is "poop" from bacteria on our bodies.
Lovely isn't it?

It is time...

School has now begun (not that school affects much with me anymore) and of course, I jump into Christmas mode.
Do you realize how far away Christmas isn't? I begin thinking of Christmas literally the day after. But, I really kick into "holiday mode" after school starts. I find myself thinking of projects, ideas, time.
Time is a great big "hello" to me. Do I have time for this? Can I make time for that? How much do I really, really want to do this?
I encourage my "girls" to come up with their neighbor ideas early so we can work on them in the summer...but to no avail. It seems we are working on projects in the fall. Last year (as in probably the day after Christmas) I decided what I want to do for my friend/neighbor gifts. I actually do have to wait to do mine this year. I can not do them early. I have what I need, but they will have to wait.
So, to my girls...
I very much enjoy helping them with their projects. I enjoy the time spent around the table laughing and gabbing and enjoying each other as we serve one another. So heads up--new babies, pregnant, school and work...Start thinking! Start planning! Start gathering. And let's get a girl day (as in a few hours) together so we can accomplish a few goals. Take stress off of one another and enjoy each other.

early mornings...

I have come to the conclusion Midge really likes to play soccer.
This dedication has been demonstrated to me for the past 3 weeks as she has been getting up, dressed, and ready to go earlier than is needed. Before 5 a.m..I experience a tap on my door and a "hey Mom, I need a ride".
"ride to where" is what I think, but actually she wants a ride to soccer practice. With the field schedule and her coach's schedule 5:15 to 7:30 in the morning is when she is practicing. She comes home, does a quick rinse in the shower, and manages to look rather "cute" for the day at school and we tend to get her to school on time as well. Yahoo!!!
But really, early, early in the a.m. for practice? Is wonderful because it is cooler, it is dark, no one else is on the field, all are bleary eyed, and it is over for the day. I haven't quite adjusted to her being home after school yet; but I am sure that adjustment will come. She says afternoons will happen when their coach is unhappy with them.
Way to go Midge, I am proud of you and your dedication.

School has begun...

Funny how your life changes every year as school begins. For several years it was go here, go there, talk to this one, find a parking spot, find your desk, find your name, find your teacher times 5 or 6... The first day of school was hectic, chaotic, and traumatic. Ready for school or not, we went.
We have been through the heartbreaking kindergartens, and the very difficult first grade beginnings; where they are really now in school, whole day and everything. We have watched as they have shifted from one school to the next, have observed as they have changed and adapted to the different challenges "school" has delivered to them, and we have heard them say, "thanks Mom, this is cool", so we can drop them off close to school but no longer with a kiss on the cheek. And we have learned to re-adjust our lives after school has once again, begun.
Used to be the first day of school meant an extremely crazy couple of hours while I made sure my high schoolers through kindergartners got to school, found their classmates and discovered where the desks were. Then, whomever was left went with me and my friend to "lunch". This was tradition.
We would be back early enough to pick up, locate, and await the buses which delivered our children. But lunch was our celebration.
It was the beginning of a quieter time of life, the marker of time to start working on Christmas projects, and provided the opportunity to relax a bit after the summer crazies.
Now, the first day of school is a three minute event, a question of this door or that? And a (I love this one) "I'll call you when I'm done" comment with a thanks Mom, I love you quickly said as the car door closes.
No longer do I do back to school lunch with my friend. We don't even get together to celebrate school beginning and in another year back to school will no longer be a part of my life...
My comment to those of you who have kindergartners...soon they will be seniors and you won't be having any back to school celebration lunches. Treasure and cherish the smiles, giggles, tears and joys....

Let's hear it for feathers

So speaking of feathers....
What to do about Midge's feathers. The dress she is copying (understand this actually means me) has a huge tail of feathers. And they are plush and thick and amazing. And even though the dress sparkles like a disco ball under thousands of spot lights it just isn't right if it doesn't have feathers.
I then began the feather search...Google once again. I found feathers, but what color did I want? I couldn't quite tell. And price...was okay I guess it would be alright to spend more on the feathers than everything else put together.
Save the day, thank you my friend, Marilyn!
She says to me how about pieces of tulle and net stitched in a long rope and then gathered and stitched again onto a base which happens to be the correct shape?
I truly had my doubts substituting tulle/net for feathers, but out of desperation and cost effectiveness I went ahead and gave it a whirl. Amazing, step back and take a look, feathers. Then, when I actually added a few feathers here and there, it truly was feathers. I wonder how many shows I have been to thinking it was all feathers and it wasn't...wonderful....amazing....fantastic....
So tell me, what do you think of my "feathers"?

Feathers...

Recently I have been working on a formal/costume for Midge. She needed a 70ish dress for the fair float. Looking at formals from the 70's we discovered mostly Gunne Sax type dresses, perhaps you may remember...gauzy, cream, ruffles and tiny lace. I looked at Midge and she looked at me...I said, "not much wha bammm". She said,
"I can't wear that, that is awful". Essentially, yuck.
I actually remember Gunne Sax days, they were the "bomb". Oh you were so very lucky to have one for your dance. Not very many could afford them. There were even patterns so you could make your own...again nothing wha bammm about it. Always in very soft, very muted prints. After a chat with her director Midge informs me, "No. Like Diana Ross and the Supremes".
Google search and here she found "wha bammm".
Scoop rounded square neckline front and back, fitted essentially to the floor, thank goodness for slits or we would have to push her on a hand truck everywhere, lots and lots of sparkle, and.....feathers.
Thank goodness for Google, and Diana Ross, and the Supremes, and for feathers. With a smile, Midge says, "I can wear that".

Ducks...

So here I was driving home on our street,
the sun was setting,
I had just dropped Midge off at practice and
was thinking about things I needed to yet accomplish.
The glare on the windshield is to blame.
I truly did NOT see the family of ducks
which decided to cross the road at that moment in time.
But, it was too late. One of those ducks just did not look both ways,
didn't even slow down, just waddled out into the road
and right under my license plate.
He made a little thump and I felt real bad, I looked around to see if I could figure out who the family belonged to, but to no avail.
As I looked in my rear view mirror I saw a few feathers, but not many
and the duck was flapping his wings quite a bit.
My thoughts, "Maybe he will just have a head ache and is really all right?"
I don't know for sure. When I arrived home I looked at my license plate (that duck saw it up close and everything).
One, lone feather.
So, do you think I am a duck killer? I never saw the duck again.
And I have been truly pondering this duck, and my guilty conscience.

Late night chats

I received a late night phone call last night. The house phone rings after ten and everyone looks at one another with a "what's happened?" look. Now, with the age of cell phones and texting this is truly not unusual. Facebook even contributes to late night calling. If someone is chatting/texting with you after ten, you know they are up or sleep texting...which I guess does happen occasionally.
However, back to my late night call.
I answered the phone with "emergency" on my mind to hear a small voice ask me
"who are you?"
Really a very variable question as there can be so many different answers...
mom, wife, grandmother, daughter, friend, granddaughter needless to say I responded with
"Who are you?"
My answer was quick, "Madison".
And once our "relationship to each other was established" she told me all about her day at Sea World and the fun things she saw and did. We discussed who was smarter and who didn't know quite as much, what cool new things she and her family got at Sea World, playing at the beach and chasing waves, and having a fun car trip experience. A trip is always so much more memorable when the car breaks down, children remember it forever. And never, ever let you forget it.
She informed me she was on her way back to the hotel where she was going to put on her pajamas and get her dolphin and go to bed. She seemed very excited about this prospect and told me she was sleeping on a sofa bed. I asked her which it really was and after some discussion it was decided the sofa really preferred being a sofa most and would be a bed only now and then.
I was rather tickled she wanted to share her day with me and then realized
this phone chat was fill in for the car ride home. Wonderful to hear how her "surprise" trip is unfolding and can't wait for another "fill in" phone call.

Procrastination...

Yes, that is what I have been doing...more like chilling, doing absolutely nothing, and thinking about lots of things...but accomplishing nothing.
Actually not, you must accomplish something if you "think" about it. Topic for this week, Midge's dress for Saturday. Did some measurements yesterday. So today,
I will cut out sparkly sequins and get to work. Midge, chose something not too complicated. The hardest part is the sequins and knowing if I make a mistake I have to start completely over from the beginning. And thinking about how to make "feathers" from tulle and net.
So, this week, Fair, formals and cheesecakes.

Beautiful?

It started out to be a beautiful day. Now it is 105 degrees outside with a bit of a dry breeze and all of a sudden it feels humid. Humid is wonderful in the wintertime, but horrible in the middle of the summer. I don't want to cook, I don't want to eat (not necessarily a bad thing), I definitely don't want to do the laundry.
About the only thing I want to do is take a cool shower and lay around somewhere with a good book and a very cool drink or lounge in the shade in a very wonderful pool.
So, the big question is...will I accomplish anything today?
Most likely, not.

Buttonholes...

For the past while my buttonholer on my machine has been a bit of a pain to use. Not really a problem, just not very convenient.
Consequently, I have been sewing dresses and waiting for someone to "love" them before I put the buttonholes in.
Lesson learned.
Big mistake. Someone "loved" a couple of dresses. In the process of putting in the buttonholes my little gizmo broke, it didn't fall apart, some little, funky metal part sheared off and went kha-thump onto my machine deck.
I had already committed myself (in my mind) to doing all of those buttonholes at the same time...I'm still not finished, but I am getting closer.
So I have spent the last day recovering from our trip and putting in buttonholes. Perhaps later this morning I will be finished. And on the positive side, Little Emma's blessing dress and strawberry dress are now finished!

Snuggles

After being away for several days
I returned home to some wonderful "snuggle" time with my grand kids.
A new baby to "snuggle" with, it was actually like saying "Hello".
Fun to make that connection.
The boys with their big, tight hugs...
and the girls with their "hi" hugs and "where's Papa?".
I know how much I was missed. Good thing I have a treat jar filled with smarties and suckers and such!
We enjoyed ourselves while we were gone...
pretty much we did mostly what we do at home...
chill out, visit, watch movies, and play games.
What we don't do at home,
stay up till the a.m., visit some amazing "real" factory outlet stores (how come we don't have those here?), and attend a wedding.
I also was so very fortunate to experience my daughters' driving,
and of course the stop at the cheese plant for ice cream,
as well as a time to reconnect with distant family.
The best part of being away... coming home.

Food for Thought...

I realize I rambled about this the other day...
however, this is still rattling around.
As a family we have been given several little "wake up" reminders in the past few weeks....
For example, a cousin in ICU for over a week,
a tumble from essentially a roof top,
a slip on slippery concrete,
a baby almost here,
another 2 on their way,
an occasionally funny walk.
And, we have been blessed, everyone has eventually walked away but...
So here is my comment, perhaps it is time to set inconsequential "stuff" aside and focus on what it truly important, each other, family, friends, church,
Family
It really is all we've got.

Hurray for Diaper Bags!

Here
they
are...

all
finished.

I think
they
turned
out
fantastic.
A
definite
variety.
Something
for
boys
and
girls
and
babies!!!

Diaper Bags

Recently, I have been making diaper bags.
Kater was promised one for her new little one and she discovered a fabric set she liked in the random "pit" of my sewing room. So off to make her diaper bag and a special blessing dress for little Emma. Both turned out rather nice.
The dress was kind of "flat", but after looking at it for a week...I decided what it needed and fixed it. Now, instant cute. And very pretty and elegant.
Pix sometime...
I have a cousin who has asked for a diaper bag, but I haven't quite gotten the pattern/fabric/style just right.
I have reworked my basic pattern.
The insides are very neat.
One side has two oversized elastic topped pockets which are rather deep,
the other side has three elastic topped pockets which are
a bit shorter and perfect.
Behind these three pockets is a zipper pocket for important stuff.
On one end is two sets of card pockets which can work for cards, band-aids, thermometers, tube of desitin, etc.
The other end has a pleated cell phone pocket and a deeper stitched pocket for pens/pencils.
All in all, the bags are turning out nicely. I am currently working on a coordinating changing pad for each and a diaper wipe container which also matches.
Sooooo, sometime soon I should be listing 5 diaper bags.
Woohoo!!!

We have...

Amazing all of the things which can cause you to sit back and really evaluate your life. Sometimes, I think we are so busy doing "busy" stuff
we don't truly appreciate who we have in our lives.
We just know they will be there and never think twice about them...
You know what I mean, we have a family, a husband, a mother, a father, a sister, a brother, cousins, grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, more cousins, a wife.
We have friends.
So, we are a blessed family.
We have.
We have so very much
and all of it is so very important to us, but do we appreciate how very important they are? Do we spend all of the time we can with them?
Do we take advantage? Are we just "bad weather" friends and family?
How much do we enjoy each other? How long since we last talked with them?
How much do we want to?
How much are we willing to put into what we have?

Imagine please, taking one person out of your family/friend list.
Would this change your perspective?
Would it change how you do things in your life?
Would you have regrets?
Or would it make a temporary difference, a difference for a bit of our lives,
but not a lasting one?
So perhaps this is just a "think about it" thought.
We have...and What if?

Vacation Plans

Vacation?
Here we are trying to coordinate Midge, Hubby, and Tink's schedules so we can go on a mini "vacation". Not really a going to do something amazing and build tons of memories vacation, just a get away from home and visit vacation.
I like that. Low key, no pressure.
Relax, we've been there, done that and have already thrown away the t-shirt. So, yesterday, we scheduled the time off, wrote it in the calendar, took care of our church jobs, invited some other family members, put the dates in our phones, contacted the family we are going to visit, discussed a few meals and treats, got the pix? We are making plans...Midge comes in last night and informs us, "I have things I want to do, it isn't just about try outs you know!"
No, I am not going ballistic however, we were scheduling this trip mainly around her and now...it is like, oh well, I really can just stay home.

Humidity

Humidity...
Hot, sticky, wet,
breath stealing, heavy air.
I realize this "humidity" is nothing really, not even enough to actually complain about.
However,
It is humid and as it is humid, anything more than 30%,
I am complaining.
Years ago humidity just meant it was a bit sticky out, but now...
humidity means my house is hot and sticky and heavy and YUCK!
Now Moist, moist might be Okay, Moist implies wet as in rain,
I like rain.
But, humid, no I don't like humid. Humid causes me to constantly wash my hands and arms and face even after just a few moments of doing nothing. Humid says go ahead and take a cool, clean shower, then in about half an hour you can do that again so you can once again feel cool and clean for...
that's right maybe half an hour.
I have no tolerance for "Humid".

the "project" continues

I just realized no one has had an update on "the project" for a while.
The bath is now functioning.
The TP is even stored in there now...
Waiting on Chaser to finish up the trim around the door, under the cabinet.
Ticklebug came over and finished up the electrical, new lights, new fart fan...yipee.
Cliff and Marlo hung all the towel bars and hooks and things the other day as well as hanging up the shower curtain with "new" hooks.
Brino set the toilet in place.
Cliff finished the grout and sealed it.
Midge put away most of the bathroom stuff with some storage items as well.
Brino ripped out the next shower surround and repaired the original problem...
kind of a funny, the overflow drain needed a cover, that was where all of the water was coming from...bizarre.
So the bathroom still needs...touch up paint around the tile,
fresh caulk around the tub, maybe new handles/head for the shower, an additional wax ring for the toilet (it rocks), and paint for the things Chaser finishes.
The bath looks fantastic, amazing what a change it is!

Now then, when Brino "repaired" the tub, he pulled out the ever so fantastic formica shroud from the master bath, Midge and I have been plugging away a tiny bit a day trying to get the rest of the shower/cabinet/storage/laundry drawer out of there. I have several battle wounds to show for this endeavor and so does Midge. I have discovered I no longer have brawn. Makes me grumpy. Midge doesn't have enough weight behind her to do what is needed either. Last night, after I whined about battle scars, lack of brawn, and plans...Hubby sneaked upstairs and finished the ripping out project for me.
(I am sure he has an ulterior motive, like being able to shower in his shower.)
We now have a huge space, virtual as well as visual. So many things to now think about. However, I now feel as if we can move on. After we make different plans, of course.

Here we are again gathering up the trash...
have you ever really evaluated how much "trash" we can generate?
Marlo says to me,
"In Alaska everything has to fit into one can with the lid shut",
imagine squishing our trash into just one can...
some weeks this would be easy, other weeks it would be
"Holy Cow, you're kidding me".
This is one of those weeks, the cans are already overfilled and
there is still trash to be found
(this is what happens when the cans only go out, not the inside stuff from the week before).
So here we are stuffing and squishing
and shoving and stacking
and praying a big wind or big dog does not come by.
Hubby was determined the cans would be "at the road" and he must have taken them there early this morning.
Midge is already doing her weekly, self-appointed chore of gathering...everything she can find which needs to be at the road.
Have you ever noticed other people's trash?
You can tell if they eat out,
if they are cleaning out rooms,
if they had company,
if they haven't been home much,
what they like to drink,
if they have a dog or a cat,
if they are remodeling/redecorating,
if it was someone's birthday.
The list goes on and on about what you can learn by just looking at someone's trash and they can learn from yours.
Imagine archeologists eons from now...
"gee, I wonder what this was used for?"
in reference to a wooden spoon which is broken...
Anyway, just thought someone might like to know,
it's kind of a "trashy" day here today...

What's up?

Hubby watched kids Saturday night...
I was supposed to help..
It was like someone turned off all of my power, I went into complete sleep mode for about 5 hours, woke up for an hour and a half and then slept again for the entire night, in my own bed.
Thanks goodness Marlo, Midge, and Cliff as well as Tink were around to help Hubby. I certainly wasn't.
I was completely out of it. But, I did get up feeling rested. I still have this "wear you out" cough, and absolutely no energy, but I don't feel as miserable. YaHooooo!!!
Brino began the master bath on Friday evening.
I came home to a repaired main bath and a huge hole in my bathroom. It looks so weird in there right now. Dark and spooky and "old" like. I know when we finish ripping out the cabinet and walls it will be brighter, but right now it looks kind of creepy.

friends

hugging
catching up
chatting
smiling
giggling
laughing
gasping
story telling
adventures
funnies
crying
planning
brain storming
creating
listening
talking
sharing
loving
not sleeping
sleeping
shopping
snuggling
eating
drinking
snacking
staying up late
then later still
enjoying
never stopping
hugging
promises
waving
Some things I do with my friends. Wonderful to have friends.
They make me happy.

Hubby's Birthday Splash!!!

What to do when Hubby's birthday falls on a Sunday and on Father's Day?
Sneak in a surprise get together/party on Monday.
That's right, we got in Hubby's Birthday Waterfight on Monday instead. I am sure he was hoping we would kind of miss this family tradition because it was Sunday and all...
But,
sorry dear Hubby. We still know how to plan and run the hose and strategically place buckets, coolers, water balloons and more around the yard, on the roof, and in the trees!
A great blessing/learning experience is to check out the drive for how many extra vehicles are parked...if it looks like a used car lot, not a good sign.
If someone meets you at the door of the truck with their hands out wanting all of your "important" stuff, not a good sign.
If before you get out of the truck it is hit with a water balloon launched from an unseen culprit, not a good sign.
If it appears there are vultures circling and lying in wait for your demise, not a good sign.
Once out of the truck, everything is fair game. If you are brave enough to be out, you are fair game as well. (Hugs are always appreciated, just not always "wet" ones).

Sick

I hate being sick.
I hate feeling cruddy.
I hate having a runny nose.
I hate coughing and coughing and then gasping.
I truly dislike my "man" voice, however it can be humorous.
I hate accomplishing nothing.
I hate getting tired from resting.
I hate being miserable.
I hate weepy eyes.
I hate relying on others.
I hate having a burn-y chest.
I hate having a sore nose.
I hate being a "pariah" no one will come near.
I hate going from hot to cold to hot again.
I hate giving up an entire weekend to being sick.
I hate trying to figure out which medicine to take.
I just plain, flat out, hate being sick.

Dishes

Perhaps life was easier when we ate off of leaves.
Then we wouldn't have dishes to wash. Just toss the leave (or eat it- a wrap you know) and you were done. Cold food too. That is a great idea, no prep dishes to wash. Or perhaps even an automatic (as in do absolutely nothing) prep dish cleaner upper. Wave a magic wand and everything was cleaned and put away (Merlin had the right idea, evil spirits or not).
Dishwashers were supposed to do those things, but they don't.
Even when the makers "tout" just place on the rack.
But, back to leaves...they were like our paper plates of today only easily replenishable, except in the winter, a bit in the spring and after fall. Maybe not so good an idea after all.
And dishes were and are a great chore item. They can also give you a great time to chat with the children,
teach the children how to cooperate or in some cases delegate.
There is a pecking order to dish washing.
Dish washing does not just involve washing dishes...it involves

• clearing the table/counters,
  
• putting away,
  
• gathering,
  
• scraping,
  
• mixing the soap water just right,
  
• washing,
  
• rinsing,
  
• stacking (an act of art in itself),
  
• drying,
  
• putting away,
  
• wiping down,
  
• scrubbing out,
  
• taking out and
  
• sweeping.

Oldest generally gets to choose their job. And on down the list it goes. Sometimes it just happens to be what happens to be their favorite,
other times it is the best of what is left.
Dishes are also a time to catch up and enjoy what is happening in a child's life or have a one on one chat.
Or, if it happens to be a single day,
it can be a time to look out the window and enjoy the gorgeous view,
a time to reflect,
or a time to make plans,
a time to dream or sing,
or a time to completely "veg" out,
it can be a time to escape (playing with bubbles can be rather fun). Dishes can become
a reflective, chatty, teaching, learning, listening, rewarding experience.
But some days, I think I like leaves best.

Grumpies...

Ever noticed how some people get the "grumpies"?
Some people go through their entire life being grumpy over some small, inconsequential item for the entire day.
Or maybe even the week.
Why?
Someone does something that upsets you,
a little thing really,
like takes your parking place or is a bit rude on the phone.
And amazingly, your entire day becomes focused on this one negative act. Something that most likely wasn't personal, but we take it personal.
Then, we are so focused on this one act
we allow it (random act) to mess up our entire day.
Doesn't make much sense, does it?
We go through the rest of the day telling everyone about this random act,
we dwell on it, we embellish it, we replay it in our minds.
We become so very caught up in this thing that...
Everyone important to us suffers because someone took our place...
silly, silly, silly.

Life goes on,
we can decide how we want to be.
We are responsible for how we are...
happy or sad, irritated or smiling, it is always up to us.
No one else can really take credit for us.
We can try to place the blame for our "grumpies" on someone else,
the one who smashed our finger, finished the milk, or woke us up;
but really...it is our reaction to each and every situation which can be most important.
We decide.
We can give a small irritant the power for the day
or we can blow it off and move on.
It really isn't going to matter later today, or tomorrow, or next week.
And most likely, we won't even remember it in a year so why bother with it?

Grumpies because of something non important (something you just won't remember in a year, or in a week, or in a day), just not Okay.

Unreached Goals...

Yesterdays goals...
caput!
I believe the only thing accomplished was the kitchen cleaned up thanks to Hoperdoo doing her chore.
Things listed, none.
Skirts finished, finally. I took more ribbon off than I put on, actually not true, but certainly it felt that way. Perhaps today I will see them on all together.
Did make it into George, was unable to purchase the flannel back satin for pink flannel...another project placed on hold.
Hubby came home early, two days in a row. Unusual.
I have a huge pile of dresses waiting for pix and listings. When it really happens I am sure it will now be an all day project.
Chaser came over and hung out for a bit...he was bored so he worked on a piece for my machines. Can't wait to see how well they work.
Today...Hubby is going riding, Hoper is gonna play soccer and then Princess for a while, Marlo and Cliff are guiding, and Tink is still at the lake! Wow, I will have the house all to myself for maybe 10 minutes...
Don't think I will make any plans or establish any goals.

lists again...

Why isn't when you can sleep in you can't sleep...
and when you don't have time you can?

Busy, busy, busy working on dresses and skirts. I plan to list a bunch today. Yes, that is my goal for the day..
Along with going to George, finding the smell, working up a bill, and finding the bottom to the bottomless sink. A bit of laundry tossed in would be a good thing as well. Dinner, at least, will be breezy. It is Pizza night!
Yipee for me... easy meal, easy clean up and the beginning of the weekend, yuck because I am tired of pizza.
I am finishing up four skirts for the princess' today. They need them for the "tea" tomorrow. And Marlo has disassembled my swing so I am trying to figure out where to take some pix. I had the swing all worked out...her flower bed is gorgeous right now...lilies are blooming and snaps and this other weird bush/flowering plant.
Off to my "work" center or play room.

Neighborhoods

Most of the time I don't pay too much attention to the "neighbors".
We essentially live in a tiny little corner of an extended family neighborhood.
I mean I did notice there was a bunch of activity across the street months ago when my neighbor died (didn't know he died though),
and I am aware when kitty corner neighbor is not home and his children are,
and I always know when something "big" is going on with the extended family.
see the gardener guy all of the time,
and I know the lady on the hill is needing more care,
and occasionally I see the people who work out of town all of the time. I do occasionally share fresh bread or cookies or cakes with the neighbors
But,
thanks to good neighbors who smelled smoke late last night...
They were coming home a little after midnight and smelled smoke,
because it was kind of late they were wondering who was burning at night,
then they saw some smoke and thought,
"Hey, we are already in the car, let's go see what that is?"
Thank you, thank you, and thank you.

Our shed had caught on fire!
And the dried up grasses around it as well...

I awoke to someone knocking on our front door (I had gone to bed about 11:30), I opened the door to no one and noticed there was an extra vehicle outside,
then I heard people talking (I thought perhaps someone had stopped by that needed a place to sleep),
so I walked around the side of the house to a fellow talking about the shed being on "fire" (He was doing this while running all around with a garden hose),
the house I ran to grab
Cliff and Marlo.
Thank you neighbors who notice things, he had the fire under control and mostly out without a call to 911.
Most everything was "saved" from the shed (I really don't know what, as it was on Marlo's side).

Funny thought, I had taken a peak outside before I went to bed,
taking care of the dog and all, nothing happening...so within about 30 minutes we had flames licking up the side of the shed as well as inside.
Makes you think, doesn't take much time.
As I looked around,
I realized the neighbor's field (different neighbor) would have been like a wild fire had it spread...and,
our home would definitely have been included in this "little" fire.

Thanks again to neighbors who look after us.

Why would we have Seven Children?

That is a very good question.
The quick answer for today is...
so Mitch and I wouldn't need to spend a year installing a fence for Grandmama.
Saturday, 7 AM,
we gathered at Grandmama's home and put up her new, vinyl fence.
Brino had gone over a few weeks earlier and dug out the old, rotted, nasty (yucky face here) railroad ties and then dug around all of the various "utility" stuff to get the post holes ready. (why would there be a waterline going under her house?)
Then, the fencing was decided upon and ordered.
A mass text went out Friday reminding everyone about 7 a.m. Saturday.
Every family was there one way of another except for Marlo and Cliff (they had a last minute trip come up) and Hoperdoo, she was at a camp meeting and Tink brought a friend, (Yeah, more muscles).
It was quite fantastic watching the family work together for a few hours.
My contribution was minimal...I asked a lot of questions to which I usually received this answer
"We are getting there, it isn't important yet!" or the answer I really like,
"Geez Mom, give us a minute"
and the especially loved,
"How come you're so picky?"
or perhaps,
"Why didn't you say something sooner?"
Enough about my contribution...
It truly was rewarding watching the family work together on the project. For the first 30 minutes or so everyone was rather clumped together and it looked as if this was a small state job in process. One person doing something, everyone else supervising...then as the morning progressed, everyone spread out and started working jointly on the fence, but with different aspects. It was great. By the end of the process, everyone had a "job".
Ticklebug worked with Tink's friend and Tink and assembled main fencing parts, Rosco designed a "cutting" area to work in and made cut after cut after cut...he was always looking ahead to what was going to be needed next, Brino supervised, helped everywhere and ran back and forth to the fence store to pick up things that were needed, Chaser worked with Hubby installing the top rails and lattice, Branson was in charge of the tape measure, and Briceman played with Bear, the dog. The boys also found some fantastic dirt to drive their cars in. They were great to go around the string line and did an awesome job handing fence parts as needed.
Grandmama made sure everyone was hydrated and had a yummy treat or a piece of fruit for quick energy.
One of the coolest things (to me) was after the fence was "up" the mess was cleaned up. Trash gathered, disturbed dirt raked back into place, and the fence was washed down and wiped dry (couldn't be dirty with Hubby around).
All in all, was a great morning project for the family...what a great service they provided. And, we had a great time with everyone.

(After I figure out how to download pix from my phone to the computer I will post some pix here of the fence family project).