Clean up Time!!

Yesterday, Allison and I (with the help of Matthew and Heather) worked on the guest room. I had given this room over to Allison and she basically had trashed it with all of her clutter, and then I added more stuff to it when it got all ugly. When we had air conditioner trouble I had to move the clothes from a closet into this room, so the twin beds were covered in clothes. It was a mess.

A few weeks ago Allison and I cleared some shelves in the walk-in closet and then she organized our scrapbooking supplies on those empty shelves. It is so nice!! You can find stuff and get to things without any problems. NICE!!

So, our goal for yesterday was to finish up cleaning the room and moving my old kitchen table into the room to use for a scrapbooking space. We have lots of projects in place, so we think we will really like this set-up. I think everyone was really proud of what we accomplished. Even Ellis went up and gave his seal of approval. So, what a good feeling... at least for now!

Welcome Home Hatsumi!!

During a huge storm, Hatsumi came home Sunday.  She has been in Japan since December 26, so I was missing her and hoping to see her after her visit.  She cleaned and washed clothes on Monday while I was at work, so yesterday I was able to visit with her and get a report on her trip.  She had a wonderful time and got to visit her friends and relatives.  Her grandmother is feeble but she says she is very alert and bright.  So that is a blessing, don't you think?

 

I made dinner for the two of them last night.  I made sure it was Hatsumi's favorite things, Ham, Mac and Cheese, Corn on the Cobb, Fruit Salad and yeast rolls.  Yummm.

 

I baked the Mac and Cheese and will do it again because I thought it was so good.  Here is the recipe:

•  Macaroni shells cooked 7 minutes
•  Beat up 1 egg and 3 T flour in a little bowl
• Milk, butter and velveeta in a bowl melted             

(If the melted cheese is too hot, you will have to temper the egg mixture before adding it to the melted cheese.)  Mix the macaroni and cheese mixture and pour into a pan sprayed with PAM.  You can sprinkle some cheddar on top if you wish.  Cover with foil and bake, 350, for about 15 minutes.  Yummmm...

 

Fruit Salad Recipe:   Mix together in a bowl!!

• 1 can peach pie filling
• 1 can drained mandarin oranges
• 1 can darined pineapple tidbits
• 1 pkg of strawberries (frozen, sweetened or unsweetened)
• A few bananas

It was so good to see Hatsumi eat her favorites.  To top it all off we watched President Obama give his State of the Union speech. 

 

Then, I went to bed!!

My poor Ellis

Poor Ellis...

His back is hurting again.  He went to the doctor today to get orders for some more injections.  I sure hope they give him as much relief as the last injections.  He just always overdoes it.  He won't settle down. 

Poor Ellis...

Chartreuse Oak Quilt AKA Martha Negley

June and I met yesterday for sewing day.  She was a lot more productive than me.  She made a Thomas the tank Engine mat for her grandson, Hayden.  He will be two next week.  She also whipped up 8 little treat bags for his birthday party.

I worked on a pattern called Bumble Bee by Edyta Sitar.  We are going to use our chartreuse Martha Negley Oak print fabric and some beautiful greys for this pattern.  Only thing is... the blocks are too small for what we want, so I set about to enlarge them.  Took all day, but finally the two of us were able to do it.  At least, we think we did!!  Time will tell.  Now I dream of my new quilt in the works.

Late Note:
See the date on this post?  Well now it is August, 2012 and look at the finished quilt top!!  It was a real booger to make, but worth every bit of frustration.  I love it, but remember it is just a top, not quilted yet...

My Car, My Car!!!

You won't believe it, but I wrecked my car tonight.  My pride and joy, my own little jewel. 

I had rounded the corner going into Ben Lomond and was on a straight stretch with trees on each side when I realized there was a black cow about 2 feet in front of me.  Yes, I plowed right into it and crushed the front driver side of my car.  I could just cry. 

I was still able to drive, so I limped on home, thanking God in a sincere prayer that He had kept me safe in his hand.  Then I wondered, "Hey, the air bags didn't even go off."  I am still so sad....

Hatsumi is in Japan

Hatsumi has been gone since December 26, 2011.  She is visiting her family in Japan.  We try to keep up with her through Marcus, but it is good to actually correspond with her through e-mails.  She will be home in a week, on the 22nd of January, 2012.  YAY!!


1/07/2012

Hello Hatsumi!

How are you doing on your visit? I hope your mother, dad and brother are doing very well. I know they are happy to have you back in Japan for a visit!

Ellis and I had a wonderful vacation in Savannah. Yes, even Ellis tells everyone how nice it was. We got to go on a horse buggy ghost story ride. We were told about the stories of the ghosts in Savannah. It was interesting. I'm not sure if I believe it, but it was interesting!

We had a great time on a ferry boat dinner cruise. The food was so good! I think it was the best food of the whole vacation. There was music and dancing and it was very funny! Little girls were twirling and dancing and acted like they didn't know anyone was there watching them. Then some black people got up and started doing some real DANCING! It was fun to watch!

We went to a candle light service at a Lutheran Church at midnight on Christmas eve and then walked back to our hotel. It was not scary to walk in the town at midnight, so that was especially nice. We felt very safe.

And there were lots of DOGS!! It seems that everyone had brought their dog!! I never saw so many different kinds of dogs!! Of course, that made Ellis miss our dogs even more - but he did all right and so did our dogs. I just got them each a haircut and they look so pretty.

We went to a huge Catholic Cathedral too. It looked like a palace and was so beautiful inside. I really loved seeing that. There were lots of marble posts and gold and stained glass windows, and statues. Just so much to see.

On Christmas day, we went to a place called Tybee Island. A little seaside swimming place. It looked like Jamaica, Mahn!! I would love to go back when it is warm. It was quite windy while we were there, and lots of birds. They would let you get very close to them. I guess they were used to people.

I went to 3 quilt shops on the way home!! Ellis is so good to me. He didn't mind at all.

Everyone here is doing well. I have seen the people at my church, Miss Polly and June. So, I am back into my regular routine.

Your dogs are doing well. Marcus just called me to see how cold it is at the house because he has to work late. It's not very cold here (got up to 72 degrees today), so we decided the dogs would be fine until he gets home. He is watching out for them.

I made Ellis Salmon patties tonight. Yummy.

We are missing you, Hatsumi. But we want you to have a wonderful trip and an excellent visit with your family. I hope they are all well.

Love to you,

Mickey



1/09/2012


Hi, mickey! How've you been? I'm glad you and Ellis really enjoyed your trip. Gerogia souds nice place!


It's been soooo cold here, but I'm having a great time!! I really enjoying spending time with my family and friedns.  My mom and grandma was so happy about your present. My grandma was very touched and she was vowing a lot.  They both said "thank you" to you.


It's been a pretty busy day doing the things I wanted to do so bad!!
I met one of my best freind who lives in KObe, and I'm going to meet another best friends this weekend.


On new year's day, my mom and I went to aunt's house and I could meet my cousins and their kids and new baby. all the kids are sooo smart and funny and very very cheerful. Me and little girls played "make up artist" game, and I was the "judge man". It was so funny and cute.


I told Marcus on the phone that I guess I forgot how japan is a little bit, so I was kind of shocked for a few days that everything is sooo clean
and high technology and everyone is sooo nice and very kind and fast service.


And thd food is super good!!! I really missed it so I'm pretty satisfied now. And I bought lots of Marcus's favorite food, so he can also enjoy them.


Thanks for checking on my dogs. I keep looking for a cute sweter or something for Suzy, but a lot of people have small dogs in japan, so every cloth are too small for my "best friend" Suzy. I really miss my dogs so bad!!!


I hope everything is fine there, I'll see you soon. I miss you and Ellis. please say hi to him, too.

Love,
Hatsumi.



1/12/2012

Hatsumi,

Sounds like you are having a great time. Tell your mom and dad and relatives hello for me. It was cold here today the wind blew really hard all day. We have had really nice weather until today.

I check on your dogs every now and then. I am sure they all miss you. I can make friends with all of them except Clover. She just doesn't trust me.

Yesterday, Marcus called and said the washing machine was leaking. I went to your house to see if I could help him with it. It needed a new water pump. We took the old one off and he is going to get a new one today.

I hope you have really enjoyed your visit. Just remember it won't be long before we need topaint your house and plant a garden.

Have a great time.
Ellis





1/13/2012


Hi, Ellis! I'm glad to hear from you. Marcus told me that you got a cell phone and a hearing aid. That's great!  So now, you can hear my beautiful voice more!! haha!!


it's extra cold from yesterday here, but I went to a beauty salon by bicycle yesterday. I thought my nose will frozen and drop!  It was so fun to meet my hairstylist and her assistant, because we've became friends long time ago. And we are going to meet again next week. And I'm going to meet orher friends tomorrow. we used to work togher at Mitsubishi. It's going to be fun, too.


we still see "tsunami"victims and survivor's stories everyday on TV and newspaper. even now, about 3000 people are still missing.  It's really sad to hear and see all that, but I can feel that all over in japan is really trying to help and support by the way that each person can do best.


so, I'm glad being here, so that I can feel more all that kindness and to know all the details of what happened that day, and to know all the pain people have.


Anyway, thank you thank you so much checking on my dogs. I really miss them.


I see their photos and videos in my camera everyday!!  I'll see you soon, and I'm sure will remember to paint my house! I'm ready!


See you Ellis.
Love,
Hatsumi.