Quilting today -- I put together the first complete block of the little quilt I'm working on. Success! It actually went together beautifully. (The complete block is a four patch -- first each of the four small pieces have to be made, squared, and then sewn together to complete the larger block.) I think I might be able to complete this quilt after all. I'll try to take a picture of the block so you can see that it is possible.
Moral to this story....don't give up!
Monday, June 3, 2013
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Can you believe it is June!
Hello Blog Friends,
It is June 2 -- I have a hard time believing how quickly this year is going by!
This morning we were blessed by a wonderful rain. It was surely needed!
Church was great this morning -- then pizza for lunch followed by a nap. Now I have been visiting some blogs that I enjoy visiting -- nothing major to do. Tomorrow is my quilting day and I am going to take my machine to try to sew some of those awful squares that I'm trying to make for the quilt pattern that I bought at last year's quilt show. Millions of small pieces to cut and then to sew together. Don't like the pattern and don't think I will make it again! (Millions may be a slight exaggeration but it seems that way!)
What is your least favorite pattern? Have you ever bought something that you ended up not liking?
The hand/wrist/arm that I injured in the fall in New Mexico is healing but Sweetie is taking me tomorrow morning so he can set up the machine to keep me from having to lift it. My thumb is still very sore and I don't think I have the grip strength to lift the machine. Once he gets me set up he has to go out to the church to count today's offering but will return to pick me up after he finishes and makes the deposit. I hope I have a stack of squares finished. If not, this quilt may become a long-term UFO!
Yesterday we were busy -- Christian Motorcyclists meeting in the AM and then a recital/concert at church in the afternoon. We went to this to be supportive -- didn't exactly know what we were going to hear and see.
WOW! Were we blessed!
Our church Hand Bell Choir performed several numbers and included some new players from Nigeria, who have joined us. Their oil company transferred them to the US and they ended up living near our church. They are a blessing to us.
Our church pianist teaches piano lessons so there were some young players participating in their first recital. They were cute and certainly reminded me of myself when I was their ages.
In addition to the piano players we heard some singers and instrument players.. Songs ranging from gospel to opera. A friend did a small vocal solo and another friend played the harmonica. One played a flute and another the guitar.
Then... I knew that the grown children of the pianist all sang but in didn't know they SANG! I mean, sang like you wouldn't believe. Beautiful voices. One daughter, who is a professional singer and music writer, sang her first number from somewhere off stage and out of sight. Wonderful! Her second number started in the back of the church and continued as she walked to the front and went on stage. Later she and our church Music Minister collaborated on two numbers from Phantom of the Opera. Oh, my! The first number brought me to tears. In the second number the woman and the Music Minister (wearing the Phantom mask) chased (walking) each other around the sanctuary, taking turns singing. It was really great!
After we had been blessed over and over we were treated to a reception where chicken bites and cake were served while we all visited together. What a great afternoon!
Hope this wasn't too disjointed -- there were so many things to tell that it came out in bits and pieces.
I hope all of you had a great Saturday! Feel free to share your activities with us.
It is June 2 -- I have a hard time believing how quickly this year is going by!
This morning we were blessed by a wonderful rain. It was surely needed!
Church was great this morning -- then pizza for lunch followed by a nap. Now I have been visiting some blogs that I enjoy visiting -- nothing major to do. Tomorrow is my quilting day and I am going to take my machine to try to sew some of those awful squares that I'm trying to make for the quilt pattern that I bought at last year's quilt show. Millions of small pieces to cut and then to sew together. Don't like the pattern and don't think I will make it again! (Millions may be a slight exaggeration but it seems that way!)
What is your least favorite pattern? Have you ever bought something that you ended up not liking?
The hand/wrist/arm that I injured in the fall in New Mexico is healing but Sweetie is taking me tomorrow morning so he can set up the machine to keep me from having to lift it. My thumb is still very sore and I don't think I have the grip strength to lift the machine. Once he gets me set up he has to go out to the church to count today's offering but will return to pick me up after he finishes and makes the deposit. I hope I have a stack of squares finished. If not, this quilt may become a long-term UFO!
Yesterday we were busy -- Christian Motorcyclists meeting in the AM and then a recital/concert at church in the afternoon. We went to this to be supportive -- didn't exactly know what we were going to hear and see.
WOW! Were we blessed!
Our church Hand Bell Choir performed several numbers and included some new players from Nigeria, who have joined us. Their oil company transferred them to the US and they ended up living near our church. They are a blessing to us.
Our church pianist teaches piano lessons so there were some young players participating in their first recital. They were cute and certainly reminded me of myself when I was their ages.
In addition to the piano players we heard some singers and instrument players.. Songs ranging from gospel to opera. A friend did a small vocal solo and another friend played the harmonica. One played a flute and another the guitar.
Then... I knew that the grown children of the pianist all sang but in didn't know they SANG! I mean, sang like you wouldn't believe. Beautiful voices. One daughter, who is a professional singer and music writer, sang her first number from somewhere off stage and out of sight. Wonderful! Her second number started in the back of the church and continued as she walked to the front and went on stage. Later she and our church Music Minister collaborated on two numbers from Phantom of the Opera. Oh, my! The first number brought me to tears. In the second number the woman and the Music Minister (wearing the Phantom mask) chased (walking) each other around the sanctuary, taking turns singing. It was really great!
After we had been blessed over and over we were treated to a reception where chicken bites and cake were served while we all visited together. What a great afternoon!
Hope this wasn't too disjointed -- there were so many things to tell that it came out in bits and pieces.
I hope all of you had a great Saturday! Feel free to share your activities with us.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Graduation Picture
I think I promised a picture of my Granddaughter at her graduation from the University of New Mexico. Here it is!
Liz is going to be an awesome elementary school teacher!
Liz is going to be an awesome elementary school teacher!
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Home Again
Sweetie and I are back home -- we enjoyed most of our trip but, as usual, we are happy to be back at home. Lots of things to do here -- besides unpacking and putting away and then catching up on our mail.
My hand is healing but it still gets very sore when I use it too much. What constitutes too much? This morning it was just eating breakfast with my right hand, using the curling iron on my hair, putting on makeup, and dressing. By then my hand/arm was aching. Still, the bruises are turning yellow in places -- a sure sign of healing. Still overall technicolor, however. I know this, too, shall pass but...I wish it would hurry.
Took a different route home -- avoided the long expanse of empty desert and kept to I-40 through Amarillo and then down via I-27 into Lubbock. Stayed at a LaQuinta and it was so nice! The room had a king size bed and there were safety bars in the bathroom so I felt safe in the shower. Sure didn't need another fall!
We spent last night in Austin -- stopped by to see my Mom -- she is getting out a little more but she really isn't better. Sad to see her going downhill. She will be 91 years old on the 27th.
Home today and happy to be here. We all went to eat Mexican food tonight -- it was good but was too much so I have enough for lunch tomorrow.
I'll try to post a graduation picture soon.
Take care, all, and drop a line if you can.
My hand is healing but it still gets very sore when I use it too much. What constitutes too much? This morning it was just eating breakfast with my right hand, using the curling iron on my hair, putting on makeup, and dressing. By then my hand/arm was aching. Still, the bruises are turning yellow in places -- a sure sign of healing. Still overall technicolor, however. I know this, too, shall pass but...I wish it would hurry.
Took a different route home -- avoided the long expanse of empty desert and kept to I-40 through Amarillo and then down via I-27 into Lubbock. Stayed at a LaQuinta and it was so nice! The room had a king size bed and there were safety bars in the bathroom so I felt safe in the shower. Sure didn't need another fall!
We spent last night in Austin -- stopped by to see my Mom -- she is getting out a little more but she really isn't better. Sad to see her going downhill. She will be 91 years old on the 27th.
Home today and happy to be here. We all went to eat Mexican food tonight -- it was good but was too much so I have enough for lunch tomorrow.
I'll try to post a graduation picture soon.
Take care, all, and drop a line if you can.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Mother's day 2013
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers...even if your country does not celebrate Mothers on this particular day we should bless our mothers at some time.
Went to see ogd graduate yesterday so nice! unfortunately I fell going into building .. flay on my face!
nothing broken but right hand/arm in brace...can't do much with hand...still pain & swelling. Not how I meant to spend this special day.
Went to see ogd graduate yesterday so nice! unfortunately I fell going into building .. flay on my face!
nothing broken but right hand/arm in brace...can't do much with hand...still pain & swelling. Not how I meant to spend this special day.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Taking a break...
Sweetie and I are visiting our oldest daughter in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our oldest granddaughter, Elizabeth, will graduate tomorrow from The University of New Mexico with a degree in elementary education. Sunday is not only Mother's Day but also daughter's birthday. Perfect time for a visit.
Weather is beautiful here -- 60's (F) during the day, 40's in the evening/night. Daughter and I shopped for groceries yesterday -- had a wonderful dinner -- grilled chicken breasts and lots of vegetables. I enjoyed it all, especially the veggies. Ate artichokes for the first time -- at least for eating the pull-off version. I usually eat artichokes in something -- like artichoke dip, in a fish dish or in pasta. I like them but thought the effort in baking and eating the whole thing was wasted effort -- not enough to each bite. Like them better other ways.
Tonight we are having a pot roast (cooking in the crock pot as I am writing this) and I volunteered to fix cauliflower. Don't know what else is planned. Most everyone has gone to play golf -- Liz and I will have lunch together a little later. She's still asleep and I need to shower and do some grooming. Tomorrow will be a busy day!
Albuquerque is a nice place -- just has lots of the dirt that I am so allergic to. Where I live open spaces are covered in vegetation. Here, and in El Paso where we previously lived, an open space is covered in dirt. There just isn't enough water (rain) to allow plants to grow freely. When the wind blows, which is quite often, the dust/dirt blows, too. My nose runs and runs!
Abq (as it is abbreviated) is built in the Rio Grande valley next to a range of mountains. We have visited the mountains on multiple occasions -- I love them. The view of the city from the top of the mountain is beautiful.
One big attraction here happens in the fall. The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Hot air balloons come from around the world to fly during the two weeks of Balloon Fiesta. We came one year and it is a wonderful sight. I wanted to post a picture from that occasion but can't find one quickly so it will have to wait.
On our way here we took a shorter route that led us across miles and miles and miles of nothing but dirt - flat, barren land. It must take multiple acres to support one cow. The desert does have a beauty of its own but, frankly, it is not my favorite place.
Guess I better wind this up and get ready for lunch. Take care, everyone, and let me hear from you when you get a chance.
Anita
Weather is beautiful here -- 60's (F) during the day, 40's in the evening/night. Daughter and I shopped for groceries yesterday -- had a wonderful dinner -- grilled chicken breasts and lots of vegetables. I enjoyed it all, especially the veggies. Ate artichokes for the first time -- at least for eating the pull-off version. I usually eat artichokes in something -- like artichoke dip, in a fish dish or in pasta. I like them but thought the effort in baking and eating the whole thing was wasted effort -- not enough to each bite. Like them better other ways.
Tonight we are having a pot roast (cooking in the crock pot as I am writing this) and I volunteered to fix cauliflower. Don't know what else is planned. Most everyone has gone to play golf -- Liz and I will have lunch together a little later. She's still asleep and I need to shower and do some grooming. Tomorrow will be a busy day!
Albuquerque is a nice place -- just has lots of the dirt that I am so allergic to. Where I live open spaces are covered in vegetation. Here, and in El Paso where we previously lived, an open space is covered in dirt. There just isn't enough water (rain) to allow plants to grow freely. When the wind blows, which is quite often, the dust/dirt blows, too. My nose runs and runs!
Abq (as it is abbreviated) is built in the Rio Grande valley next to a range of mountains. We have visited the mountains on multiple occasions -- I love them. The view of the city from the top of the mountain is beautiful.
One big attraction here happens in the fall. The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Hot air balloons come from around the world to fly during the two weeks of Balloon Fiesta. We came one year and it is a wonderful sight. I wanted to post a picture from that occasion but can't find one quickly so it will have to wait.
On our way here we took a shorter route that led us across miles and miles and miles of nothing but dirt - flat, barren land. It must take multiple acres to support one cow. The desert does have a beauty of its own but, frankly, it is not my favorite place.
Guess I better wind this up and get ready for lunch. Take care, everyone, and let me hear from you when you get a chance.
Anita
Thursday, May 2, 2013
As Time Goes By...
Once again I have been buried in this and that and time is marching on. Now it is May! What a shock to look at the calendar and find it is less than one week before we leave on vacation. WOW -- guess who is not ready!!
Meanwhile, I have had my 6 month check up at M.D.Anderson and I still show no cancer in my lymph nodes! Praise the Lord!
I learned that the more I talk the better it is because it gives my tongue the exercise it needs. Funny. Telling me that it was good for me to talk more. I've never had a problem with talking too little -- just too much. I do notice, however, that sometimes my tongue feels stiff and perhaps swollen. My daughter said that sometimes it sounds like the tongue is swollen when I speak. Feels that way to me, also. Truth is, it may be swollen or it may just be stiff from disuse.
I was also given some exercises to use to practice those sounds that are difficult -- rather like singing practice.
We have been having lovely weather -- tonight, however, it is windy and quite cool -- we are expecting temps in the 40's tonight. Love it!! A/C off, windows open. My favorite way to sleep. A few days ago we had a day of rain! Lovely, lovely. We think we got 3+ inches at our house -- some places got as little as 1/4 inch and some places got 8 inches. I thought ours was a nice middle of the road amount. Our trees/plants really needed the rain and I always feel natural rain is much better than watering from the hose.
Because of the alternating warm/cool weather we are having a rather strange spring. So far, my amaryllis plants have bloomed (red), our hibiscus has been blooming for days, the azaleas are finished, and the back yard is a sea of wild violets. I'd rather it be grass but once the violets got a good strong-hold we were unable to keep ahead of them. Oh, well, we'll just keep mowing them down.
I've been so remiss in writing that I fear my few followers have given up on me. Hope you still drop by from time to time -- Doug? Do you still stop by? How are things in Ireland?
If anyone had a minute, drop me a line. I'll try to post a few times during our trip to see our granddaughter graduate from college. It may be cold where we are going!
Meanwhile, I have had my 6 month check up at M.D.Anderson and I still show no cancer in my lymph nodes! Praise the Lord!
I learned that the more I talk the better it is because it gives my tongue the exercise it needs. Funny. Telling me that it was good for me to talk more. I've never had a problem with talking too little -- just too much. I do notice, however, that sometimes my tongue feels stiff and perhaps swollen. My daughter said that sometimes it sounds like the tongue is swollen when I speak. Feels that way to me, also. Truth is, it may be swollen or it may just be stiff from disuse.
I was also given some exercises to use to practice those sounds that are difficult -- rather like singing practice.
We have been having lovely weather -- tonight, however, it is windy and quite cool -- we are expecting temps in the 40's tonight. Love it!! A/C off, windows open. My favorite way to sleep. A few days ago we had a day of rain! Lovely, lovely. We think we got 3+ inches at our house -- some places got as little as 1/4 inch and some places got 8 inches. I thought ours was a nice middle of the road amount. Our trees/plants really needed the rain and I always feel natural rain is much better than watering from the hose.
Because of the alternating warm/cool weather we are having a rather strange spring. So far, my amaryllis plants have bloomed (red), our hibiscus has been blooming for days, the azaleas are finished, and the back yard is a sea of wild violets. I'd rather it be grass but once the violets got a good strong-hold we were unable to keep ahead of them. Oh, well, we'll just keep mowing them down.
I've been so remiss in writing that I fear my few followers have given up on me. Hope you still drop by from time to time -- Doug? Do you still stop by? How are things in Ireland?
If anyone had a minute, drop me a line. I'll try to post a few times during our trip to see our granddaughter graduate from college. It may be cold where we are going!
Monday, March 25, 2013
Time marches on...
Here it is March 25 -- more than a month has passed since my last entry and I didn't realize that. I guess I should consider myself lucky that I did drop in to see what I had been doing and found out that I have not been doing anything since Feb 14.
WOW
I've sure been slacking off!
At this time I am visiting with my Mom -- remember she lives with my brother? Brother needed to go out of town so I came up to stay with Mom. First time I've been able to see her while she is well in quite some time. She is well ... except...she is 90 plus years old and is victim to the usual frailties of mind and body that come with that great age. I believe she has had several small strokes over the past year or so and they have taken a toll.
Easter is almost here -- HE IS RISEN!! What a wonderful thing to celebrate. I will be home for Easter and am looking forward to it.
About one month from now will be my 6 months check-up following my cancer surgery. My tongue has continued to heal and to change over the past 5 months -- every time I think, "OK, that's all," it changes again. I am hoping for clear tests, of course. Please keep me in your prayers.
WOW
I've sure been slacking off!
At this time I am visiting with my Mom -- remember she lives with my brother? Brother needed to go out of town so I came up to stay with Mom. First time I've been able to see her while she is well in quite some time. She is well ... except...she is 90 plus years old and is victim to the usual frailties of mind and body that come with that great age. I believe she has had several small strokes over the past year or so and they have taken a toll.
Easter is almost here -- HE IS RISEN!! What a wonderful thing to celebrate. I will be home for Easter and am looking forward to it.
About one month from now will be my 6 months check-up following my cancer surgery. My tongue has continued to heal and to change over the past 5 months -- every time I think, "OK, that's all," it changes again. I am hoping for clear tests, of course. Please keep me in your prayers.
Sweetie and I recently celebrated our 39th anniversary -- we plan a trip to Galveston to celebrate our special time and also my return from Mom's. This picture shows me feeding the gulls on a previous trip. I love doing that so I am sure I will be feeding them again.
Next month my Sweetie will travel to Georgia to be of assistance to his sister while she recovers from major oral surgery. I will miss him! (He assures me that he has been missing me these past days. But, we do what needs to be done.)
What's going on in your lives? Would love to hear from you. I'll try to drop in again soon.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
February 14, 2013
Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you are having a nice one. My Sweetie and I had breakfast together, chatted with a friend, did some shopping, then went to Olive Garden for a lovely lunch. I had Chicken Scampi and it was really delicious! We may just skip dinner since we had lunch a little later than usual.
How did you spend your special day?
Later I had a brief nap -- don't you love little cat naps in the afternoon? I sure do -- they really seem to refresh me.
Have any of you been keeping up with the saga of the Carnival Cruise ship that had a fire and lost power? Tug boats are attempting to tow it back to the USA but there just seems to be one failure after another. More than 3,500 people are on board ship and have spent several days with limited food and water, no cooling, limited electricity, and very limited toilets. Well, a friend of ours is on that ship -- her very first cruise. Such a terrible experience for her! We have been on one cruise (to Alaska) and we loved every minute of it. I am so sorry that her cruise experience has been so bad.
Have you ever been on a cruise? Where did you go? Did you enjoy your trip?
My Mom is doing very well -- she is still doing her physical therapy and has regained some of her strength. I think it is time to start planning her 91st birthday party!
Take care, everyone, would love to hear from you!
How did you spend your special day?
Later I had a brief nap -- don't you love little cat naps in the afternoon? I sure do -- they really seem to refresh me.
Have any of you been keeping up with the saga of the Carnival Cruise ship that had a fire and lost power? Tug boats are attempting to tow it back to the USA but there just seems to be one failure after another. More than 3,500 people are on board ship and have spent several days with limited food and water, no cooling, limited electricity, and very limited toilets. Well, a friend of ours is on that ship -- her very first cruise. Such a terrible experience for her! We have been on one cruise (to Alaska) and we loved every minute of it. I am so sorry that her cruise experience has been so bad.
Have you ever been on a cruise? Where did you go? Did you enjoy your trip?
My Mom is doing very well -- she is still doing her physical therapy and has regained some of her strength. I think it is time to start planning her 91st birthday party!
Take care, everyone, would love to hear from you!
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