The Mexican Snowman

So.... in an effort to avoid the projects inside the house, I decided to lengthen our outdoor cleaning of the walkway (which the majority of was done by our fabulous neighbor) by building a little snow sculpture. Something simple to brighten Grandpa Noisey's day before he has to drive a crazy long way back home to the Coast in the snow. I suggested we make a Grandpa head in the snow with a hat and mustache and such. We went inside to find suitable materials and here is what transpired. Judy found a lime to cut in half as eyes. Judy found carrots for a nose. Judy found a hat. I found a piece of ribbon for a mouth. We return to the snow head and start our work. Suddenly she exclaims "Ah, I have an idea for the mustache!!!" and returns with a "Rattle Can" or spray paint for us non-Mexican folk and takes over. Our Grandpa Noisey art would never have been nearly so cool. As I was taking a picture to send Granny it occurred to me that it's going to snow another 3 inches or something stupid and he won't even know it's there by 5:30 am! It's the thought that counts.... RIGHT?

Let It Snow..... Let It Snow.... Let it STOP Snowing!!!!

I have to say that I think I've had enough. With being home all last week laying low and watching it be cold it sure would be nice to get a little melt. Making trips to the doctor, drugstore, and having a lay around and chilling with the kids almost literally between news reports of snow, ice, wind. It's been really beautiful and the car has done an amazing job getting us everywhere we've needed to go even without chains. We've had the chains in the car for a year now and when we went to put them on the car we found out they were the wrong size. Luckily they were the perfect size for Katie's car! Merry Christmas! I'm going to post some pictures from yesterday and today. At 5:30 pm last night we had about 3.5 inches of snow and when we went out at 5:30 pm tonight we were up to 8 inches. There is a total thick layer of ice between the snow. When we stepped outside our front door the snow doesn't even break. Apparently we're going to be living in this stuff for the rest of the week. I'm really not sure how that's going to work out. I'm looking forward to trying to get to work tomorrow.

If This Doesn't Make Sense....

it's because I'm totally drugged up** and it's the middle of the night. (**correct dose of prescription medication)

I have acquired one of those odd medical maladies that makes you question the phrase "modern medicine". It baffles my mind that in a time when we cure cancers, expand the life of those with terminal diseases in many multiples of an anticipated duration, and have the ability to prevent so many things with the knowledge we've gained that there are still times when a Dr. has to resort to "Go home and get worse for a couple more days so we know exactly what this is." I can tell you that a prescription for painkillers just doesn't make up for the fact that I'm sitting here enduring increasing pain and discomfort, praying that the weather will allow for us get to my appointment in the morning, and finally that there will be an diagnosis with a RESOLUTION.

Phone Call To Santa

As a Parent there are many things we do that we never could have imagined having to do. Last Friday my phone call went something like this.......

Mama: Hello is this Santaland?
Santaland: Yes. How can I help you?
Mama: I need you to give Santa a message for me. I know this is a weird phone call. You see, my kids came to see Santa the other day and we found out they have LICE.
Santaland: You think Santa gave your kids Lice?
Mama: NO! I wanted to warn Santa that my kids may have given him lice. We were there and there were no other kids so they had a whole lot of time with Santa.
Santaland: So he should check his suit.
Mama: Well I was more worried about his beard but his suit would be good to check too.
Santaland: What day did you come and was it morning or afternoon?
Mama: Wednesday afternoon.
Santaland: I'll let Santa know.
Mama: Thanks, I really appreciate your help. Merry Christmas.
Santaland: You too.

RID kit, shower caps, and petroleum jelly $20.00
Good Flea Comb to get out the nasty buggers $7.98
30 Loads of Laundry to wash everything in your house that could be infected $50.00
Having to call Santa and warn him your kids may have given him Lice. PRICELESS

Something To Really Give Thanks For

I've been away from the old blog. Doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about all the things I want to post. Just haven't had the time to do it. We had a very nice first Thanksgiving together Judy and I. We got a text message from Andy that he had something special for us when we arrived at the coast. We were excitedly hoping it would be a special something we've been waiting for. What an amazing thing to mark our Thanksgiving. Our Rings!

Going A Little Crazy

That title is true in so many ways. I've got a case of the bi-polar blues but saw the doctor yesterday and am working on it. So.... if I am a little reclusive at the moment or just missing in general please be patient.... I'm a work in progress. As for the reason I actually put the title on this post.... I still have my Bend-The-Rules quilt to send. I feel so guilty that I lost my partners address and though I've contacted the swap co-ordinator still haven't received it. If I were my partner I'd be really starting to wonder what happened. Jennifer if you read this.... email me your address!!!!!! I come to work everyday and see it's box sitting here and just feel like a total goober! The quilt swap really got me back into quilting. We finished Ruby's quilt for her swap this weekend and Judy's first quilt is done except for the binding. Which I am sewing on slowly. :) Seeing as all the projects were finished we got to go enjoy the Fabric Depot Veteren's day sale the other night and got some really fun stuff. I'll try and get a picture up. Some of it is for Christmas presents so of course that won't get posted but some of it is just for us and I can't wait to share the greatest find for our first Christmas Quilt. Guess that's all the news (and lack of news) for the moment. Ohhh.... except for..... I GOT MY FLU SHOT.... Have You?

Found These In My Desk Today

Look at these little babies! Wow.... so long ago!

My First Quilt Swap Completed!

My quilt is finished and waiting for a mailing address for my partner. I'm not sure what I did with her address but it's somewhere safe. I think it turned out pretty well. I hope Jennifer will like it. I received my quilt back from Andrea last week. It's amazing. I love the way she put the fabrics together. She put some beautiful embroidered flowers on it and it just makes me feel so special. The kids think it is just the best and fight over who gets to lay with it. If you see this Andrea...THANK YOU!

An Event In History

I am sitting here with chills and tears welled in my eyes. Barack Obama has taken the Presidential election of 2008! Not only am I so happy to have a democrat back in power but to see the arrival of a minority as our President seems unreal. Watch out world, give us another 50 years and we'll get a woman or heaven forbid a queer!

Halloween Pictures

Blogging just isn't getting done these days. However.... I've still got pictures to share.

I’ve Started Two New Swaps

I was making up some lunch box notes to leave over at Jen’s today when I see the kids and I thought how great it would be to start a note swap. We’ll see how my attempt at being a swap starter goes!


Lunch Box Notes For The Girls!

Lunch Box Notes For The Boys!

The Judtober Celebration Pictures

I don't have the time to tell the stories about this yet. I wanted to get the pictures up though!
Enjoy!!!!

Visiting Others In The Blogosphere

My blog is turning into an advertisement page for fellow bloggers! Not that it’s a bad thing after all I wouldn’t post anything I didn’t think was totally awesome. I actually have some really great pictures and a fun story to tell of our Saturday adventures for Judy's birthday celebration. The pictures are at home so that'll have to wait for an evening that I have time this week. I was browsing through the comments on one of my favorite sites and found a link to yet another great site. So, I’m sharing. Maternal Bliss has started a fun shop called the Peony Paperie. She makes really great personalized cards. What really drew me to her work was the crisp simple beauty of her work. I also really liked her “Mommy Cards”. I am hoping that I’ll win her drawing so that I can get some, that or maybe I’ll just have to splurge. I love the idea of having cards to give out to other parents that say I’m Ephraim and Ruby’s Mama. I can’t tell you how many play date names and phone numbers I’ve lost because they are written on some scrap of paper that I’ve meant to hang on to. My work cards feel way to boring. The other thing is I really believe in supporting other Moms. I wish I had a talent that could manifest into an Etsy shop but since I don’t I make it my job to point others in the direction of the good stuff. Please take a moment to visit the Peony Paperie and if you see something you like go back to Maternal Bliss and tell her about it. You might even win a set of her cards (if you do…. You can always share them with me!)

Other Bloggers Blogs

It’s becoming more and more evident that I am developing a blogging problem! I can’t believe all that I’ve been missing. I love seeing the work that others are doing and wish that it were possible for me to help support everyone. One of the blogs I follow on a regular basis by Alissa Jacobs of Quiltish is having a contest for some of the new Amy Butler fabrics from Sew Good Fabric. Please take a minute to check it out and put your name in the hat. If you happen to win don’t forget me, I’ll help you use some of that great fabric! You can click on the cute little button (my first try at button making) in my fun things I’ve found section. Or the link below. Please make sure to not only take a look at Sew Good Fabric but make sure you visit the Quilitsh Etsy Store and see the great things Alissa is making as well. Thanks!

A Post About Our Saturday

I wrote this letter for one of my swaps but wanted to post part of it here because it was a good account of our day on Saturday.

Last night was one of those nights where I am reminded that a double bed really isn’t big enough. It was an ever changing mix of bodies. With our houseguest in the kids room they are sleeping on the floor in our room. Bad dreams, wet beds, and just plain being a kid resulted in me waking this morning at 6:00 when Ruby climbed back into a bed already full of three people and then complained that she was falling out of bed. Gee, I can’t imagine why. It’s not like Judy and Ephraim had anywhere to go except to fall out of bed on the other side. So I took her downstairs for a snuggle and a movie. As we got all cozy in our blankets and watched the current installment of the Bernstein Bears from the video store, I’m pretty sure I snored through the whole thing. After Ephraim woke up I confess I started the video over again and snuck back upstairs to the now fairly empty bed and sucked up every last snooze to be had. Hunger triumphed over the Bears and I was needed to rectify the situation.

I made blueberry pancakes and as fast as I could cook them there were more being requested. It’s so hit and miss with them. One day they eat 2 pancakes a piece and yesterday I lost count at 6. After everyone was fed we loaded ourselves into the car and got the day started. We went over to our favorite donut shop to get some “birthday” donuts. It’s tradition in our family to have donuts for breakfast on your day. Judy’s birthday is Tuesday and since we don’t have the kids on that day we celebrated early. The kids were thrilled with their donuts covered in baby m&m’s, two treats in one. We tried some of the other flavors and Judy has added the Captain Crunch donut to her list of favorites. I added the grape donut to the “that’s disgusting” list. There is always something new and interesting to try.

We then went over to the local Bi-Mart to get the kids some new rubber boots. Everyone has outgrown their old ones and after taking them through the horrible muddy Corn Maze the night before I really didn’t want to have to clean up another pair of shoes if we encountered more mud. The kids found little rubber boots that look like cowboy boots. Pink for Ruby and Black and Red for Ephraim. They were so excited and wanted to wear them out of the store. We picked out some snacks for Mr. I’m Hungry and we are finally on the road.

We drove up the scenic highway to Crown Point and the Vista House. It’s a great place to be able to look out and see the Columbia River, The George, the fields over on the Washington side all green and all the fall trees changing colors. We left there and drove down to Multnomah Falls.

It occurred to me that the kids and I had been here a year earlier almost to the day. They’ve grown so much this last year. We got hot chocolates and walked up to the bridge. It’s one of those places where no matter how many times you’ve been it never stops amazing me with its beauty. We waved down to Judy who stayed at the bottom since she wasn’t in the mood to conquer her fear of heights. Along the trail there was a really cool little pool of water in the base of a tree that was covered with moss and beautiful red and gold leaves. The kids noticed tadpoles swimming in it when they were checking it out. They wanted to bring one down to Judy but I vetoed adding to our home frog collection and advocated for their extended life by remaining in the tree. I am such a spoil sport. We lured Ephraim back to the car with the promise of another snack to curb his perpetual hunger and headed on to the Fish Hatchery.

I haven’t been to the hatchery in years and forgot how cool it is. It’s so fun to see all the fish that you know are in the rivers but you just can’t see them. The adult Salmon were in and so we were able to watch them trying to jump up into the pools where there friends were. When you looked out into the holding ponds you saw so many fins sticking out of the water. I don’t remember ever seeing so many. The kids were thrilled with them and would laugh and squeal when the fish would jump. We then walked up to the ponds where you can feed the trout and the home of “Herman the Sturgeon”. He’s about 70 years old, weighs 400+ pounds, and is around 10 feet long. For a fish he has a pretty cute face. I love doing things like this with them because you get to experience something as it’s being seen for the very first time. It puts such a fresh cool perspective on things. After wandering around the Hatchery and letting them run off some of that energy it was back into the car.

We headed onto Hood River for a stop at one of the local pumpkin and apple farms. Rasmussen’s has a fun little corn maze that you read the story as you walk through. It’s much different than the one from the night before which I think the corn is just a bonus and it’s grown for the maze. This is a regular old corn patch with a path and this year a Cinderella story and diorama’s to follow as you go. Ephraim amazes me with his reading skills as he read us the story at each stop. There are so few words he actually needs any help with anymore. After the maze we went over to a dark little hay house thing they had for the kids to run in and out of. I supervised them from the outside as Judy went in search of a wagon to help us with our Pumpkins. Then it was off to the Pumpkin Patch. We started walking out into the field and picking the perfect pumpkin is so hard. I had a certain shape in mind and apparently none of those grew this year. Judy found her pumpkin first. The kids ran off after being told to stay close and I wandered in yet another direction to attempt to prove a point. I figured as long as I could hear them their actual safety wasn’t at risk. I was hoping they’d get scared and then I could revisit the importance of staying close. Nope, they found me on their own and could have cared less. So much for the teachable moment. Dragging that wagon back out of the patch with the two of them sitting on it, keeping the pumpkins from rolling away and playing with the worms stuck to the dirt of my pumpkin was HARD work. Even with the two of us. I recommend smaller pumpkins or something next year because really that was nuts. Ephraim asked for a new worm because his broke in half. I distracted him with the need to weigh our pumpkins. 33 pounds for the two of them. We picked up some brussel sprouts, some apples, and some pears. The kids got popcorn and caramel apples and it was time to get back in the car. All the sugar and fresh air caught up with them and they were both sound asleep in minutes. We let them sleep and woke them up as we got back into town.

A Little Too Much Judtober!

I just couldn't stay up last night to enjoy the festivities. As guilty as I felt about it at the time..... I am so over it. I woke up every couple hours to the sound of bad 80's Karaoke and happy giggles. At about 5 am I heard "We're Not Gonna Take It Anymore!" at the top of their lungs. When I finally got up for the day I heard Steph slipping off to bed and this is what I found when I went downstairs! If this isn't birthday fun.... what is? She called me just a little bit ago and while she's technically still alive the jury is out on whether that's a good thing or not! Sorry Honey! Have some water and some aspirin!

Happy Birthday Judy!

We've been celebrating the month of Judtober one day at a time and we've finally reached the pentacle of the month. Happy Birthday My Love!

Oh Blog It!

Things have been so busy these last few days that I haven’t had a chance to really get to my blog. This makes me sad. Really, I’m pretty sure I could have made the time but since I have a lot to write it’s seemed a little daunting. So…. Let’s get started.

Friday – October 10, 2008
My amazing and beautiful family (I’m not biased) picked me up from work and the kids and I got to enjoy a fabulous fall evening at the park. They ran like crazy and played tag with our friend Gary and his friend Calvin. Nothing better than little kids running after teenage boys to insure a good night of sleep.

Saturday – October 11, 2008
We had a fantastic chill morning at home before taking the kids back to Mommies. There must have been something in the air that screamed dress up! Ruby created a rather fabulous outfit for herself at our house and then as we were getting ready to leave Mommies she came out with a purple mohawk mask. We of course had to take turns getting our pictures with it. What silly fun. After we left Mommy and Mimzy’s we were off to the coast for a fantastic weekend of quilting and tamale making. We took our time and just enjoyed the beautiful fall colors and the company of the four legged wonder Tonks. It’s so fun to have a part-time dog. Sometimes there are moments in life where you really wished you had your camera, any camera for that matter. I just wish for some way of sharing the image so that others can appreciate it for whatever it is. Judy finally got to drive one of the four wheelers over to George and Kelly’s on a mission to pick up a new cutting blade for the rotary cutter. Gracie (Granny’s Basenji) and Tonks went along for the run. On the way back apparently Gracie decided to follow her true Basenji nature and go off on her own. Judy feared the wrath of Granny on returning without said charge. So… the chase was on. Basenji (and child) rule number one (well maybe not rule one but definitely in the top 10)….. do not chase them it turns it into the best game ever. I can just see in my minds eye Judy with Tonks at her side chasing after the fast and naughty Gracie. With much patience and perseverance the little dog was captured and as Andy and I stood in the driveway watching Judy round the corner upon her return and there on her lap looking over the handle bars of the quad was Gracie! I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. She looked like the Queen of Sheba! You have to love other people’s pets! That dog is a hoot.

Sunday – October 12, 2008
TAMALE TIME!!!! We were graced with the presence of some of the women from Leland’s work and their amazing tamale talents. I wasn’t much help seeing as my mind was one track on trying to get the quilt top finished. Even so I got to experience the making of tamale’s using the banana leaf method. I found it really interesting because the masa is so different from the stuff we used for the corn husk tamales we made previously. The masa was made with broth and pureed tomatoes, onions, and peppers. It isn’t a dry consistency but rather left as something similar to Malt-o-Meal. You use foil to keep the banana leaves rolled and holding all their goodies together. Adding to the fun aspect of working together on this was the fact that the group of people assembled was a fun and truly enjoyable group to be with. Listening to Judy speaking Spanish always makes me smile anyway! We managed to make 156 tamales though I’m not sure how many exactly were left after we all took our turns trying them out. Erika and Granny made some extra tasty sour cream cookies to offset the healthy nature of our tamales. I managed to get everything done on my quilt before we left except for the hand sewing of the binding. I have to say I’m so proud of my work. It’s the first quilt where I’ve done everything myself and even took on the binding this time. I can’t believe what a chicken I’ve been about it, after Granny showed me the trick to the corners it was a breeze. We drove ourselves home and enjoyed a quiet evening getting ready for yet another long week of work and school. It was sad to return the fabulous Tonks back to her other Mom but I think she was ready. We managed to wear her out to the point that she slept the entire drive home!

Monday - October 13, 2008
I brought my quilt to work today to share with some friends and to be able to get started on the hand sewing. I forgot a needle! Good thing too! After posting to the BTRS sight that I was almost done with two weeks to the deadline I was thwarted. I called Mom to give her another idea for the great Judtober holiday to be celebrated on the 21st and she brought up a concern. I might need to take my quilt to the quilting shop and make sure they think it’s been quilted close enough together to get the desired effect. AGHHHHH!!!!! What a silly thing to not have considered. There was a part of me that screamed “It’s FINE!” and there was the part of me that knew she was right. I went on-line to the BTRS Flickr group and discovered exactly what I didn’t want to find. The quilts that look the way I want mine to turn out are quilted much closer together than mine. So it's off with the binding. Where is that dam seam ripper anyway!

Tuesday – October 14, 2008
First Swap-bot swap is completed. I sent out my postcards to my Partner. I sure hope she enjoys them. I was really hoping to send them out one at a time but with being out at the coast and Monday a postal holiday they all went in the mail together. It was sure fun though to write just a little something each day and also to know that there will soon be something fun in the mail for me. It's especially nice to know that since Judy has been banned from checking the mail until after her birthday that I will get to enjoy actually retrieving it from the box too!

Mental Health Day

Sometimes you just need one. I'm not talking about the kind of day where you'd rather be out in the sunshine so you call in with a case of food poisoning. I'm talking about those days when it's just too hard to get out of bed, everything seems way too overwhelming, and your just feel like the only cure is a break from the world. Now those of you who read this and know me are looking up the number for my Mother to tell her I haven't been taking my medication! Alas, while this may be a little bit of my seasonal psycho cycle, I'm taking my meds and actually feeling really good. Taking good care of yourself sometimes is just exhausting! While staying home comes with a hefty financial thwack on the toosh these days I still called in mental today. After getting over the guilt of making a wise decision however pricey and frowned upon by the work police I had the most perfect day I. I slept. I started cutting out a new quilt with Judy for her friends new arrival. Everything was so calm, quiet, and down right rejuvenating. I slept for a few more hours this afternoon and didn't wake up with that groggy, why did I take a nap feeling, but rather a renewed energy and need for some kind of accomplishment. I tackled another "Angie Bag" (Angie Bag - any type of container in which I shove all sorts of stuff in order to "clean" up) in Judy's honor. That makes two less junk bags hiding around our house in one week. I need to be careful and pace myself or she'll start to expect them all to disappear. I cleaned up the sewing and started dinner for the kids. This is stupid but I felt totally zen. I feel so centered again after today like everything is back in line the way it should be. Judy brought home the kids from daycare on her way home from school and we had a really nice evening. The kids turned their yucky days from yesterday around and both had great days at school today. They make me so proud. Ruby showed us her "homework" after dinner and evenly divided the weekly announcements between the two of us. We reviewed the newest of her reading words and it's so fun to watch her starting to be able to read. I just took for granted how easy it was with Ephraim. He had Miss. Melissa and his oh so one track mind to thank. With Ruby it's different. I love watching her figure them out and making the sounds. Tonight as we lay in bed and read our stories I realized just how much they are changing right now. Egad! Who are these little people, no longer my babies. They are so independent and smart. Ruby asked if we could snuggle while they fell asleep tonight. It's been so long since we all just cuddled together both of them in my arms and drifted off to sleep. What a fabulous gift. They sleep, I am winding down for the night, and tomorrow is another day. One which I will most definitely be at work.

My Swap Fabric Has Arrived!!!!

I am so very excited. I got my swap fabric in the mail today. It took it a little while to come because it had to come from Erskine in Alberta Canada! Jennifer if you happen to look at my blog I love the fabric and I'm so excited to be able to work on a quilt for you! I feel like a kid! This really is such a fun thing. I'm going to add a picture to this of the great fabrics later. I'm thinking I may start working on it tonight while Judy is at school. Thanks Jennifer!

To Swap or Not To Swap

Is that really a question? Nope... I'm really getting into this. I discovered Swap-Bot and it could be a problem. I'm actually feeling like I've made a smart start though. I've joined 4 swaps. I know it sounds ambitious but relax and read on. The first that starts next week is a diary postcard swap. I'll mail one postcard a day to my partner. The biggest problem here will be picking which postcard and getting my toosh to the post office for some postcard stamps. I don't want to post them with the meter. The next swap is a letter swap. I will be writing two letters with a theme of what happened that day and sending them off to my partners. I'm looking forward to this. It will be fun to share whatever fun things are happening in our life that day. I feel like I'm a fairly decent writer and that I will hopefully be able to bring a smile or at least a break in life. Equally exciting will be to receive my letters and get a look into a day in someone elses life. My third swap isn't till the middle of the month and will require the most thought. It's a no-spending swap and requires the sending of at least three items from your stuff that you think your partner will enjoy or use. I already have some ideas but I'll definitely need to know about my partner for this one. I like this because you get to send a little care package and get one in return but it has to be from things you already have. I would like to limit my swap involvement to the cost of postage. It's so tempting to get involved in other things that require so much more, like the BTRS Quilt swap (don't be fooled... I put my neck out for another one of these too but it's for Ruby and I together, guess that makes 5) . The 4th swap-bot swap is a postcard stash exchange. I have so many of my old vintage postcards to share. I'm not exactly sure that I will use all of them as it might be fun to have a combination of things but it sure will be fun to send some of them. Gives me an excuse to sit and go through all of them again. They are spaced out over the next month or so and I really think I've made a good choice in spacing and giving myself a realistic start. I'm such a jump in over my head person that I actually feel like I've turned a new leaf with this. Oh... and as for another quilt swap, that's still up in the air. I bumped into a lady who wants to put together a possible swap for her 4 year old son. Ruby had such fun with her quilt I bet she loved to sew one for another kid. I'll keep everyone posted on how this goes.

Update: Already found something for my no-spending shop while digging through my desk drawer for a Pepcid Complete, (one of the best things ever created). Just wish I would have found one of those!

A Rainy Weekend At The Coast

This weekend was our first rainy blustery weekend of fall. We spent the weekend out at Granny's and Grandpa Noisey's and had a really fun time.

Things we do when it's raining:

QUILT- Ephraim and Ruby were helping me earlier in the week with a baby quilt I'm working on. So I decided to see what scraps Granny had that would let Ruby start her own quilt. We found what I considered to be the anti-stash. She liked nearly all the pieces and all I could see was ugly chaos. As we sit on the bed and sorted them into color piles however it became apparent that she has the eye. She and Granny could nail some of the fabrics that even after squinting and standing back I was still befuddled as to which color it read. Ruby is really into Rainbows at the moment seeing as her classroom at school is the "Rainbow Room". So I suggested we arrange the quilt like a rainbow. She sat and laid out nearly the entire quilt. She had definite ideas of what should go next to what and could see where you changed something on her. There was even a pile of rejects out to the side, pieces that didn't belong in her quilt. (note to self no dead fish or stupid ferns for Ruby) Upon getting her final artistic approval we started the sewing. Judy, Granny, Ruby and I all took turns sewing. We even had a little help from Gracie in reorganizing the layout. We have managed to pass the quilting bug on to Judy. I was so hoping that would happen. When we left the project laid out on the floor at the end of the weekend it was amazing to see what the mess of squares was turning out to be. I look forward to getting to work on it more and sharing the final piece of art.

CARS, CARS, AND MORE CARS- Well this activity isn't really exclusive to rainy weekends. Where there is an Ephraim there will be at least one HotWheels car. This weekend he and Grandpaw Woody were playing cars together which proves your never too old for HotWheels.

SLEEP- There may not have been naps for the Mama's or the Kids but the Grandparents were all a little sleepy this weekend. The sign Grandpaw is holding says "Dawson Retirement Center".

A BLAZING FIRE- This may have contributed to the napping. It definitely made it a good 90 degrees upstairs where we were sewing. We had to open the windows. It wasn't quite cold enough for the fire but it sure felt cozy and inviting.

BAKE- Granny made a beautiful apple pie. Judy made her marvelous enchiladas. I stayed out of the kitchen which is always the safest most edible bet for all.

BATH- This was a fun place to spend a little bit of the day. Granny has a great tub and bubbles.

Patience

Patience is a virtue. One that I apprently do not posses at the moment. Well, I guess I just don't have patience for certain facets of my life. I have no patience with work. I think I'm totally burnt out and just need a vacation. Funny but I'm pretty sure I won't be having one of those for at least another 4 months. I'm tempted to just take all three weeks off at one time and just wallow in it. Who cares if we have to starve the rest of the year for days off. Everything feels like it's supposed to be "right now". I'm not sure if that's this years October bi-polar swing or if I've just gotten spoiled in my happy life lately and have forgotten what patience is about. One item that's making me nutty is that my swap fabric hasn't arrived. I check everyday and I'm literally freaking out that something has gone wrong. Maybe they didn't send it, maybe it's lost, maybe I didn't get a partner. I swear after writing that thought it's totally got to be that I'm a little nutty right now. On the patience and quilting note though. I'm going to finish up the baby blanket for my co-worker this weekend. I'm over half way and it's just killing me not to be finished with it. That and the little one is ready to come out at any moment. I really hate how jaded I've become on pregnancy and childbirth. I'm always waiting for the worst. It's not even my child or my life and yet I always fear that there will be a loss. I think it's all the time I spend on the MISS boards. I just hope this little one joins us soon and safe. This entry is all over the place. Just like me right now.

Anyone Had One Of These????

I'm Living IT!!!!! AGHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Swap Fabric Is Going In The Mail

I had hoped to have this done sooner but at least it's not past the deadline. I had a great time at the fabric store on Saturday and my swap fabrics are going in the mail today. I'm excited and really hope my partner will enjoy working with them. It was nice to have Judy go with me to the fabric store and she was helpful in making some decisions about what fabric to keep and which just didn't go. However, it is vital to all future fabric store missions to ensure that she is properly fed and watered before going, that or only go when there is a football game on and leave her with the other husbands in the TV room! I could have wandered for hours and she was dying of thirst which thwarted my plans. I can't wait till my swap fabrics arrive. I have a baby rag quilt I'm going to be working on over the next few days to get back into the swing of things. I love quilting so much.