Happy Birthday Baby #3

We've been blessed with another grandbaby.

Meet Bree Jay born 2/5/13 at 3:13 am, 7 lbs 14 oz, 20-1/2 inches long.

We can't wait to see her in person.

Burlap lampshade for Day 14

This one is kind of embarrassing. I've put this project off for just over 3 years for no apparent reason. Shame on me.

My finish for day 14 is a burlap lampshade. It was a piece of cake to finish and now DH thinks I need to do the other  one in the room as well. We'll see.

Check the 31 days tab for more information

In other news, I mastered the miter saw. Not the little yellow box with a hand saw. No, the big honkin' thing that could take your hand off without missing a beat.

Mom asked me if DH could cut a rolling pin for her and I told her he would. But, DH pulled a disappearing act while I went to fetch the rolling pin so I thought I'd try it myself.

I'm not intimidated by too many power tools, but the table saw and the miter saw would be the two that do it for me. Honestly, it took me longer to figure out how to raise the blade (there's a little pin holding the arm down) than it did to make two cuts. Poor rolling pin. I love rolling pins of any kind, shape, and size and I have to admit it might have hurt a little bit to cut it.

Well, I'd better hit the tub and get ready for work tomorrow. I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Days 6, 7 & 8

On day 6 I finished up a promise to my mom and then spent the rest of the day chasing a nearly 4-year-old. We went to a horse sale and didn't get home until 1 am. I'm too old for that nonsense.

On day 7 we recovered from the 4-year-old and I finished up the paper flowers for day 8.

Day 8 gave me a completed project, finally.  I took a dusty grapevine wreath and partially covered it in paper flowers and added a printable clock face. I think it's cute and it's certainly not like anything else I have around here. I may do more of these later with some different stuff on them.

Check out the 31 days tab for pictures and info.

Joy

Dictionary leaf tree

Day 4 was a fun finish. I've got Modge Podge everywhere. Gack!

I bought the paper-wrapped wire trees at the thrift store probably close to a year ago for 25 cents each. I made one up with white feathers and it's pretty darned cute. There's a zillion things you could do with them besides hang teeny-tiny Easter eggs on them.

I apologize in advance for the lousy pictures. The lighting in this house stinks after dark and my camera battery is going so that didn't help either.

Today's finish was to attach leaves made out of dictionary pages. This project was finished in about an hour. Check the 31 days tab for more details.

As a bonus, I got the basement straightened out since it seems Grandbaby #1 is coming to visit this weekend.

Joy

Christmas cards in October

Day 3 of the 31 days challenge has me addressing Christmas cards. I started this project last week and piddled around because I couldn't find my address book. Now it's a project done and put away until December.

Don't forget to check out the 31 days tab at the top for pictures and updates.

Joy

Visit with the grandbaby

We just got home from New Mexico and our first visit with the new grandbaby. She's a whole 11 days old and couldn't be more perfect. Just look at that little mouth and those fingers. Sweet!

We managed to get lots of holding time and I realized this morning just how out of shape my holding arm really is. LOL.

I hope she doesn't grow too much before we get to see her again.

Joy

Happy Birthday Baby #2

We welcome our newest grandbaby. This is Addison. She was born 9/19 and comes in at 7 pounds 10 ounces. Peepaw is over-the-moon.

Joy

Have a fit and fall in it

My ISP has been an OOPS lately. I hope they're truly fixed this time.

Let's see...oh yes.

DH took the local nephew fishing last Saturday and this is what the kiddo caught.A whopping 10 pound Bluecat. The boy said this fish tasted better than any he's ever had before.

Mom's home and recovering nicely. She had a doctor's appointment to get her staples out yesterday and the doc was pleased with her knee and her progress. Now she starts physical therapy.

Honey moves the kittens daily it seems. She brings them around to eat and may or may not leave them overnight. She's beginning to wean them.

We enjoy them when they're here. Never ending entertainment out of those three.

Now for the best news of all. After 8 months and innumerable job applications, (squeeee!) I finally got a job. I start Monday and I can't wait.

Easy Come, Easy Go

Would you believe that this mess was actually put away earlier today? Then I decided to make jam and clean out the fridge.Honey moved the kittens. Mr. Fuzz was acting ugly so I don't blame her, but I do miss them. Easy come, easy go.

Mom update. Here's a picture of the back of her little legs. She's going to kill me, but I'll take it. Notice how much straighter the leg on the right is. It was as bowed as the left leg. Today her bruises have started showing up. Poor thing. The side of her knee is black and blue. I take pictures so she can see what I'm talking about when I tell her her knee pits are purple.

She's not having a good day. She got too hot sitting on the patio yesterday and was sick last evening. She's been laying down more today and hopefully she'll feel better soon. As for walking, she's moving right along.

I think I'll go work on a new header and see about getting July out of here.

Mom update

Mom had her knee surgery on 8/3 and came through it with flying colors. She did so well in fact that the doctor sent her home yesterday (8/4).

She's making a million miles up and down my hallway and doing really well. I'm sure I'm smothering her, but soon she can go home and I'll be around if she needs me and not doing so much hovering.

I hope everyone is having a fabulous Wednesday.

Cats and a bag

Thank you for the kind words regarding Tucker. The backyard seems very empty. Onward and upward. It's better today.

On that note, these little kitties are endless entertainment right now. This kitten is being adopted by my mom. She's named him Frady. It's funny because he's the most adventurous and not frady-cat of the whole bunch. Cute name though. These two are a little more timid and hang out close to Honey or hide behind the dog house. DH named the little tabby Stripes. That's his favorite of the three. The other one is Grumpy. He's got an attitude and it's not a pleasant one.
Mom's first knee surgery is Monday. I can't believe it's so close to time. Here's her snazzy red walker fitted out with a walker bag. You know a girl has to have a way to carry her Diet Dr. Pepper, book, and grabber thing. Now she can do it in style. It has two outside pockets and is big on the inside. The straps are outfitted with snaps. Super easy to make.

That's all I've got for now. I hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday.

Happy Independence Day

Of course I'm a day late. I had way too many irons in the fire yesterday.

The day started with Mom coming over to help do up a dozen jars of peach jam. This is a lot darker than the other, but just as yummy.

Mom and Annie and her family came over and ate with us. After dinner we went out on the back patio and visited in the rain. I don't know anyone that wasn't wet when we got done. I enjoyed it, even the being soggy part. After Annie and crew left we went and watched the fireworks. Nothing too exciting this year. Low key and relaxed, just the way I like it.

I hope each of you had a wonderful Independence Day.

Sad news

DH's father passed away on Thursday evening late. DH has held together pretty well considering and mother-in-law is hanging in there and showing a little sass every now and again.

We're home long enough to swap out clothes and sleep in our bed one night. We're headed back to New Mexico in the morning. The funeral is being held on Monday.

I'll see you next week sometime.

Quick update

Time does slip through your fingers, doesn't it? I had all kinds of happy fluffy stuff to post and share, but I'm not up to it right now.

We made an unplanned trip to New Mexico on Sunday. My sister-in-law called late Saturday night to let us know father-in-law had fallen again. DH decided we'd get up early Sunday and drive down to see how he was doing and assess the situation. It wasn't good.

FIL had a doctors appointment last Wednesday and everything looked really good. His blood work was as good as could be expected for someone his age and the doctor gave him the go-ahead to go out of town. He was excited about possibly going to the cabin in July and was working on gaining more strength so he could make the trip.

In three days he'd taken a turn for the worse. We thought he might have had a slight stroke and took him back to the doctor. While he hasn't had a stroke, his liver enzymes have tripled, platelets have plummeted, and he's in constant pain. He's confused and doesn't know today from 40 years ago. Today we found out that his kidneys are failing and the end is drawing near. Hospice has been called in to assist in his care.

We're trying to prepare ourselves which is ridiculous. No amount of preparation ever eases the pain of losing a parent or spouse.

So, if you can or will, please send up a prayer or thought for the family. I really would appreciate it.

On my wall

I have this affinity for old platters and odd plates. I try to imagine where they've been and what they've held during their time.The one at the very top was a thrift find and it weighs a ton. Quite a bit of the gold around the rim has worn away and it has a chip in the edge. It's had a hard life.

The one in the middle on the left has been with me for years. I'm sure I picked it up at a garage sale years ago. Somebody, besides me, had loved this platter. I adore the shape with the delicate rose band.

On the top right, that's my granny's platter. I can't remember a meal that she didn't eat off of it. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and holidays, she always used it. It isn't very big at all. In my mind I can still see her one biscuit, piece of sausage, and gravy on that platter. She's been gone almost 23 years.

In the center is the plate rack I bought the other day filled with mismatched little bread and butter plates and saucers. I understand now why it was sold. The plates have to have an absolutely flat back or they try to flip out. It was easy enough to solve with a little tape and care.

What's on your walls?

So sweet it makes your teeth hurt

She's trying to stand, get out of her car seat, roll over, and talks a blue streak.






I miss the little stinker already. She's growing like a weed.

In 45 minutes and counting

We're off to NM to check on DH's folks and love on the grandbaby. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

See you Monday!

Waffle Hair uh, I mean House

Some times life is funny, but then again, not so much.

I'd never ever eaten at a Waffle House until today. Chances are I'll never ever eat at one again. I'm plowing through my breakfast like a farm hand when I spy a hair. I think to myself, hmmm looks like a cat hair, so I start to pull it off the plate. But, it just keeps coming and it's not a cat hair. Ick! That son of a gun was a good 6 to 9 inches long and under half of my food. Gag. Never again. The good news, I didn't blow my diet eating at the Waffle House on Meridian.

I got Mom dropped off at the airport for her impromptu trip to South Carolina. My baby sister's been having some problems and Mom's going to take care of her and try bring her home for a little while. They should be home Saturday.

DH's dad has decided to check himself and MIL out of the nursing home on May 1st so they can spend the summer in the mountains. I hope to Pete it works out okay because that room will go fast and I don't know where they'll lay their heads at night if there's a problem.

DH's dad also insists that you don't have to pay taxes on interest and dividends. Hello? If I get a 1099I or 1099D I'm declaring it and paying the taxes whether he likes it or not. This has turned into a huge debacle and I refuse to participate any longer.

In house news, the wall between the living and dining room is almost finished and I'm nearly done with the dining room ceiling. I'm shooting towards having all of the mud work done by Friday night so I can sand Saturday or Sunday. I'd love to be texturing come Monday.

I've got a crick in my neck, a rip-roaring case of bronchitis, and enough drama to float a boat. I'm not whining. Just telling it like it is.

Dirty four-letter word

Stinking weather. They're predicting snow later this week and the only thing between me and the snow is a bunch of boards and the exterior siding. I've been busting my butt trying to get insulation up so I can use the heater if we need it. I refuse to heat the outside.

Monday we had a very loud, but much needed, thunder storm. I couldn't tell you how much rain we got because the new rain gauge is laying here next to the computer. It'll be handy if I get a sudden down pour in the office. We also celebrated our anniversary although celebrating was a stretch. DH ended up working from 1-4 AM on a lightening-struck well and nobody got much sleep.

Tuesday morning bright and early Mom and I ran to Lowe's and picked up insulation. Poor Mom had to ride home with a bag in her lap. One of these days she's going to disown me.

Anyway, here's where we are now. This is the dining room. The blank spots have been filled in and a vapor barrier installed. Mom helped until nearly 10:00 last night and I wouldn't have gotten this far without her help. Thanks Mom!Now I'm working in the living room and it's going to take forever.

We have some 2 x 4's that need sistered because of old termite damage and DH wants to work on re-routing his cable wire.I bought myself a new friend and Stanley and I are loving each other. I'd never get this done without him. He's been a big help with the insulation and vapor barrier. I'm sure we'll have a long and satisfying relationship.I don't think I'm going to introduce DH to Stanley just yet. There's the small matter of letting me use the router. DH is stingy with his toys and I'm not inclined to share until he does. We're adults after all and that's how adults act. LOL!

Glad to be home again

Gosh, it feels good to be home. Even with the mess around here it's nice to be around my mess. I don't plan on going anywhere for a while.

Driving back to NM on Friday, we ran into a little storm this side of the Texas Travel Center. We got to see actual rain and it smelled so good. The hail was okay too. It amazes me how people think they can still drive 70 mph when you can't see a thing.

We visited with the folks at the nursing home and they seem to be settling in okay. Everybody seems happy with the situation and is doing well. MIL couldn't remember my name half the time and so didn't have anything ugly to say.

We spent a good part of the day Saturday with the baby and naturally I forgot the camera at daughter #2's house.

I swear, she's growing like a weed. She sure can yawn big for such a little thing.She likes to listen to Peepaw talk.Unfortunately it was time to come home. She's worn out from being passed back and forth between us.We missed getting a picture of her upchucking down the front of my shirt. LOL! Somehow she got her fist inside the neck and used my shirt front as a barf bag. Peepaw thought it was funny. Meemaw, not so much.