Friday at Canton

This morning June and I left out for Canton.  We had 3 big things on the list to find for June:

• a hand woven straw basket for Jordan (like the one we got on our earlier trip this year)
• to look at the Fiesta Ware booth
• to find the bottle tree man

I didn't need a thing.  I just wanted to look and help June find her things.  My back was still "iffy" but I loaded up on Ibuprofen and we headed off.  Coffee in hand...

It was a beautiful day, overcast with no hot sun hitting on us, but the temp was in the low 70's with the best little breeze you could imagine.  It was the best weather day I have ever had at Canton... it is usually freezing or unbearably hot.  Thank you my Lord for a gorgeous day to enjoy our little junket.

 We were not able to find the lady with the basket booth.  We checked at the office and they said they thought she had been sick and so she had closed her booth.  So, we missed getting to see her AND finding a basket.

Then we went looking for the bottle tree.  We passed a place that had some bottle trees and June liked one in particular but another lady bought it right in front of us.  I was kind of glad because I wanted her to see the one I had seen last time.  It had more of a tree shape and was a better quality tree, even though it was more expensive.

So, we did find the man!  He said it was the last one he had and sold it to June for $70 instead of the $85 that was marked on the tag!  Hmmm, I might would have raised the price if it was the last one, but he was a really nice man and gave her a wonderful deal.  Thank you, Mr Bottle Tree man.

We could smell the hamburgers way across the yards...

Yummy!  I was trying to get myself onto the picnic table bench while June picked up the order.

(Remember, my achey-breakey back?)

I was kind of turned around and couldn't remember where exactly was the Fiesta Ware booth so we turned back in the direction that I thought was right and lo and behold we ran right into it. Quite a happy accident.  June bought a 5 piece mixing bowl set in sunshine yellow and a beautiful aqua, soft turquoise blue.

What else?  Well, we each got a handy dandy whisk that will turn skim milk into stiff froth and is guaranteed to make wonderful meringue. (hope, hope, hope), a small bag of homemade English toffee, and a "frog" (as in floral frog) to use for card holders.  I found a perfect gift to get for Ada Joyce and Heather for Christmas.  Picture holders that you can slide the pics in and out of as you change seasons and years.  I am VERY happy with them.   We got some books and a little Texas A&M tie for her grandson, Hayden.

We looked at all kinds of stuff and had a wonderful day.  Having a best friend is a gift that means more to me than I can ever say.  

Now, for the rest of the story...

We got to June's about 8 pm and unloaded all of her stuff into her house and then put all of my stuff into my car.  I left on my merry way and within 5 minutes was in a car wreck that totaled my car.

I could see that someone was flying down the hill toward the bridge.  At the end of the hill you have to make a very sharp right turn so the speed limit is 35 MPH at that spot.  My first reaction was that they will never make that turn onto the bridge, and so I slowed down and moved over to the shoulder.

See, it's bleeding!

My next thought, as I saw them lose control and start spinning toward me was "I am not going to make it this time" (referring back to the cow in the road wreck) and "this is going to hurt". Wham, they plowed right into me and I was alright!  They had hit me with the back of their car and it rotated and landed on the right side of the road going the right way!  Hit by two young teenage boys and they were fine, too.

Long story short, June came to the site, my sister called and located Ellis for me, the police came and it was over.  Not 2 miles from where I left June's house.

Caretaker, Investigator, CEO of all practical matters.

I told Marcus, on the way home, how much I loved that car. How that morning I had seen some scuff marks on the driver's door and so I had gotten some cleaner and wiped them off while telling the car how much I liked it and that it was pretty.  How, in a high, soft and slightly squeaky voice, my car had told me "i love you too and thank you for keeping me so clean".  He kind of chuckled and said "Is that your car's voice?"  I just had to say "yes..."

Good Bye, excellent car, I loved you.

No Peeking, Annie

No peeking, Annie!!  Today is sewing day with June and I plan to finish your quilt top.  Woo Hoo!!  I hope you like it.

I hurt my back this morning.  One of the the stupidest things.  I leaned over to pick up a towel and wham - a shot of electricity shot right up my back.  Oh man!  I hurt my back... Big ole dose of Ibuprofen needed.

Ms. Polly came to the church to visit us and brought us jello today.  She usually brings June and I some kind of treat from the senior center after lunch.  Hey, no problem, we're senior citizens, too.



June finished all of her Birds in the Air blocks today.  She has made 124 of them and now all she has to do is sew them together!  Go June!!

Well, hear it is, with June's feet underneath, Anne's quilt top.  She is holding the
ironing board up under the light so that you can't see through the fabric.
The colors are delectable!!

New Computer

Hey, you can see my blog on the screen. 

So here it is, my new ACER laptop.  It is super fast and of course, new and shiny.  The keyboard is a little different and I am trying to get used to it.  The keys are flat instead of being cup-py (or indented) like my old keyboard.  My little fingers sit better on the keys on the old one.  Make sense?    I am trying to get used to it and get rid of a bunch of files that I don't need.  Over all, I really like it.

Quite a busy dayl

I visited my doctor today.  Dr. Santos Day.  She is the sweetest prettiest little woman!  I was not having any problems, I was just making a visit to get established as a patient at Collom and Carney Clinic because she moved to that medical group.

Then I did some Christmas shopping.  I don't have to buy much this year, so I took care of what little bit I needed to do.  A few shirts, gift certificate, CD player for Mom.  I stopped by the Scrapbook Store to sign up for a few classes.  I always have a great time doing that.  They are so friendly, creative and crafty there.

I bought some charms and had a little pendant made for Bethany.  Just a little reminder and encouragement for the twins.

Then I went to the Texas Tourist Center and gathered up some brochures for traveling during Christmas time.




So, these are the major things I need to do:

•      Go through and organize the mail
•      Catch up with church records
•      Plan a trip for me and Ellis

It was a BUSY day...

Christmas in Nashville

I had to run several errands in Nashville and it
was such a great day. Temperature was in the
low 70's and there was a light wind.
Pleasant for me!!


I parked the truck,  and then I walked around
town to do my errands.  I took some pics while
walking.  Looks like Christmas in the South,
doesn't it?

This is the front side entrance to First Baptist
Church downtown.





This is one of lightpoles decorated on Main Street. 
See the breeze?

And the picture below shows the yard space beside
the Diamond State Bank.  There is one big Christmas
tree in the center and it is surrounded by Christmas
trees that are in a semi-circle.  Each one was 
decorated by a business in Nashville.  

It was quite festive! 

Thanksgiving 2012

Look at all of that good food!

Very thankful to be able to gather with my family again this year.  I am so glad we have at least one time each year to see each other.



Jo and Bob - both of their kids were there -
Laura and Mark, Alyssa and Braydon
John and Karen, Andrew and Anna




Pauline and Charles - their 2 girls made it -
Valerie, Bill, Greg and Amber
Tammy, Talon, Melissa and Abbey
Charles' sister Louise

Katherine and Will

Katherine and Jerry - all of their kids made it this year
Suzy and Mike, Cecil
Warren and Elaine, Will, Emma Kate and Wyatt
Randy and Lindy, Lauren, Abbey and Isaac and new baby girl due January
Neal and  Austin, Jared and Shelby

Ellis, Heather and Allison

Mother (Purl)
Thom and grandson Peyton
Mickey and Ellis, Heather, Marcus, Allison and Matt
Bill

He raises his leg to throw the ball!! LOL

We missed Bethany and Seth this year.

Their twins came early and Bethany is still in the hospital and the babies, of course, will be there for quite awhile.

Thom brought Peyton and it was so good to see him.  He came in like gangbusters, so friendly and good.

Many prayers for their precious family.  It will be a long road.

Matt, Peyton and Allison

I hope all of my family and friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I love them all!    Mickey

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving

oh so good marinated salad

Well, the pies are made, marinated salad is ready, fruit salad waiting for tomorrow to get bananas and strawberries added to it, and the "funeral" green beans are simmering.  I'm ready!!  Matt helped me with all of this cooking this morning, so I was able to clean and cook at the same time.  I love him...





Seth and Bethany's twins were born yesterday.  25 weeks gestation, one weighs 1'4" and the other 1'11".  They are in the NICU at UAMS.  Father in Heaven please watch over them and make them strong.  What a long road.

My computer shut down on me several days ago, so I am using Ellis' computer and it is very slow, but for some reason this morning it seems to be moving right along.  I went to Nashville yesterday to get mine repaired and ended up buying a new laptop.  It was spur of the moment, but not REAL spur of the moment.  I have been thinking about a new one for a long time and it just hit me while I was at the repair shop. 

So, I am having my laptop repaired and bringing home a new laptop as well.  I will keep it available for the grandkids so they will leave mine and Ellis' computers alone.  Anyway, it sounds good.

This quilt has been on one of my design walls forever.
You can see that it was 7 stars wide on the wall

I am always lost without my internet access.  It stunts me some way or another, but last night I finally went upstairs to my sewing room, determined to get something done.  I have a list of UFO's and what order they are to be done, but NOOOOO, I worked on another UFO that was not on my list, the Slanted Stars quilt that has been on one of my designer walls for years.

I looked at it real good and decided to make two baby quilts instead of a twin size quilt.  I swear I was thinking about the twins while I was working on it and they were being born at the same time and I didn't even know it.  I kept thinking should I be working on this or not?  Will they make it or not?  Sounds horrible but that is what was going on in my mind.  I have two matching pieces of fabric, one in red and one in navy that I will use as backing for the two quilts.

The first pic shows my magazine with the pattern surrounded by formerly sewn blocks that need to be put together.  The second pic shows how I have made it only 5 stars across.  That is 11 blocks across.  I will make it 11 blocks long and will have a nice size baby quilt.  I'm not sure of the exact size while I am writing this note, but it will be a good size





Anne is leaving today after work to go to Dallas to be with her family for Thanksgiving.  I will miss her, she brings so much life to a gathering.  She's friendly, funny and always can carry on a conversation.  I have trouble with that.  She can make a party.  But, she needs to be with her kids.  Ha, she always misses them so much and then is so happy to come home.  Ha, just like me!!

Heather is staying with Mother Wednesday and Thursday nights and I will stay on Friday and Saturday night.  I don't mind at all.  It's kind of fun and I want to help Anne as much as I can, because she is a god-send to me and Mother. 

Sewing Day

I got the last four blocks of Anne's quilt made yesterday.  I tried to make them duller or more toned down than the others, because they were so bright.  We'll see how it goes together next week.

Also, got my polka dot fabric in the mail to do the backing for the Cherry Folk Art Baskets.  I sewed the two pieces together to make it fit the quilt, pressed it, and now it is ready to go.  I think it will be fun when it is finished. 

Ellis took Allison and Heather to the doctor in Little Rock today.  He drained and cleaned out her ear, said he was not sure if the infection is in her bone or not, but gave her instructions for care and will see her again in January.  If she doesn't stop having such troubles with her ears he will consult an immunologist.  I think that is a great idea. 

I took Matt to meet the bus this morning.  We enjoyed the seat heaters cause we had cold butts.

Pot Holders Today

Selvedge Potholders

Well, I have been saving selvedges for a long time because I think they are neat and I don't have enough fabric or things to do...  That's a big lie. Anyway, a few years ago I made a bunch of aprons for Marcus and his co-workers.  I saved the selvedges and made them into ugly potholders.  They are sturdy because they are made of upholstery/duck type fabric, but it is so ridiculous that I didn't use some of my immense fabric stash.  Oh well, that is just me.  I am putting bindings on the potholders now.  Wish I hadn't started them now, but I did, and I am trying to finish up projects before I start new ones.  My little way of clearing out the clutter.  Ha...

Allison is still sick with congestion and earache/drainage.  Her pediatrician called today and wants her to go back to Children's to be checked out there.  I have to work Friday, so Ellis is going to take Heather and Allison to Little Rock. He's such a good guy.

Marcus helped him out a bit today pulling tractors around the countryside with a chain.  Funny...  Ellis helped him with his plumbing a few days ago so they are working buddies.

We had italian sausage, mac and cheese, collard greens and rolls tonight AND a Mrs. Smith apple pie.  As good as homemade!!

And this is the hotbox that runs me out of the living room at night!!

Four more blocks to go...

I worked today cutting and picking fabrics to go with the last four fabric blocks.  It takes a long time because each block has to be cut separately, but never mind, I don't even care!  I am making progress.

The last four blocks of Anne's quilt.

 I have been working a lot upstairs because my sweet Ellis is so danged cold natured that he has the whole downstairs as hot as a ......, well I can't think of the word right now, but it is hot and smoky from the fireplace.  So I have been upstairs where it is cool and the air is clear.

Had to pick up my boy Matthew after school since Allison and Heather are in town.  Had to feed him, too!!

Working on Anne's Quilt

These are the blocks as they have been taken apart.

Worked today on Annie's quilt again.  The first 3 blocks looked good, but there was not enough seam allowance on the outside edges.  If I had left them that way the points would have been cut off of the design.  I knew it would not be right and would not look good, so I took the 3 blocks apart and re-sewed them with bigger outside pieces so that the seam allowance is now CORRECT!!  Ta dah!!  Only for my sister...

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Here is my little Aggie with her nose poked in the corner of the couch  while she sleeps.  

And this is my sweet Ellis with Aggie peeping over the top of him while he naps on the couch.

Ahhhh, LIFE is good, isn't it?

Ellis has something that looks like cysts or a nodule on his thyroid.  It was discovered during a carotid ultrasound.  So Dr Hurley ordered a CT for a better look.

In the meantime, we had gotten an appointment at the Senior Health Clinic to establish Ellis as a patient (because we were so unhappy with Dr Gardial).   They drew lab and ordered an ultrasound of his thyroid.

Then, we got a call that Dr Hurley had consulted Dr Dubois (a surgeon) to see him about his thyroid.  Dr Dubois ordered a CT of his chest.

So today, Ellis had a CT and ultrasound.  We haven't heard  anything yet.  No news is Good News!  When he got home he laid down because
he is having issues with a stiff neck and arthritis in his foot.  Falling apart, isn't he?

Oh well, that was a boring day.  We had tacos for dinner and they were yummy.  Hit the spot.

I am very grateful for medical technology and smart doctors.

Thursday Sewing Day

Progress is being made on Annie's quilt top.  I sewed with June yesterday and got 5 blocks made.  I made the pieces bigger and they came out much better than my first 3 blocks.  I am a terrible block drafter and nothing ever comes out exactly as it should the first time.  So, it becomes a lot of trial and error sewing.  But, I finally think I have the correct dimensions.  I will have to take out the outside pieces of the first 3 blocks and get them right, but it will be worth it.












June worked on her Red Dawn (Birds in the Air) quilt top.  It is so beautiful.  I love it.  The picture does not do it justice.


She also brought so much snack food I couldn't believe it.  White cheddar cheese puffs, caramel cinnamon bun cookies, Doritos, popcorn and 2 orange fantas and 2 cokes heche en Mexico (her  on favorite because they are made with real sugar).  I couldn't believe it. I have been on an eating binge since I started a new medicine several weeks ago, so I was filled with terror at the sight of all those goodies.


I ate quite a few cheese puffs and totally enjoyed my orange fanta.  We put them in the freezer and so when we drank them, they were icy!!!!

Barack Obama WINNER

It's O.V.E.R.  OVER.... Finally. Now maybe some of the nasty talk will stop. Ha!  hat am I talking about?  Mickey, don't you remember the last four years of endless criticism and no cooperation?  How could you have overlooked that?

I know my friend Kathy is smiling ear to ear!

But, I don't care right now, because the one I voted for won.  So, GO Obama and God bless you and our country.  Amen!

The End

Election Day 2012

Not only registered, but voted as well. 
Voted against Marijuana... Sorry, Potheads

That crazy man is trying to intimidate the wife, has the baby howling, and the dog has run for cover!  Gotta love ole Norman.




 

Sunday...

I now have 3 of Annie's blocks finished and guess what?  They have Allison's nod of approval.  Wow...  I am very happy with all of the colors, but I was not sure if the blocks were good or not.  I liked them, but you know how it is, you usually like your own work very much.  It's just part of the process of creating - LOL.

So, today Allison is with me in the sewing room working on a little purse for a friend's birthday.  She is sewing and I am cutting out pieces for more "Annie" blocks.  Nice day.


Oh, I forgot, the air conditioner wasn't cooling yesterday and yes, it was that hot!!  It felt like an intense hot flash.  It was over 80 degrees.  I was a hot mama!!   So right away I sought my hero, Mr. Fix-It.  He was sitting on the couch (covered with a blanket, because he was cold, of course)  with his tv earphones on and the dogs in his lap.  I hated to disturb him but I was hot and he is Mr Fix-It.  True to his wonderful nature, he jumped up and started checking out the problem.  Somehow in our conversation, it was mentioned that a cherry cream cheese pie would sure be good.  Awwww,  cool air is not free, it comes with a price.  But, no problem, that is an easy pie to make and I really do love to see him smile over a treat.

There was rain and lots of lightening last night.  I love that kind of weather.  My name should have been Stormy.  It was damp when I went to church this morning and the dogs' feet were wet when they came in the house.  Uh-ohhh - to the mud room Aggie and Bird.  Smiling.