HAPPY 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND

I am a day late on the Happy 4th, but we are all enjoying the weekend for it. 

The last couple of days have been interesting. I have been working on laundry and cleaning, with the help of Patrick picking up stuff I can't pick up. I'm trying to behave, but that's not in my nature. So far, I'm doing good. 

I have been playing on my tablet, walking each day, and enjoying my books on audiotape. Libby is a good library for that. 

I found 50% off on ancestry and I bit the bullet and ordered it. So, the last 2 days, I've been on the computer going over family history. Yesterday I worked on my family, today I worked on Patrick's family. We added a couple names to our line. I am working all the way back to the 1600's. I found Patrick's family was also involved in the King Phillip's War. That was a deadly war! My mother's side of the family lost whole families with the exception of one. Hard to believe what they went through. I can see why the women in those families fought back. I was working on Patrick's CASE, HANDY and BEAMAN families. I add FOX to that BEAMAN line. Some of the names can be several people, so I'm going through books to make sure I get the right one. It's hard to do at times. Since they served our military, it's a little easier to find them. But then again, I have to make sure I have the right one. 

As much as I would love to say, yes, I'm working on a craft, sadly that isn't the case. So, in the meantime, I am working on the family history. I'm still waiting to be able to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Third Days Later - UGH

 The last couple days of just trying to behave have been hard. Since the bandage is off, it's a lot harder than one thinks to not do what we usually do. Even though I'm left-handed, I didn't realize how much I use my right-hand. 

So, I THOUGHT I might be able to do some beading. 

I worked by putting the beads out that I would need and not do them all. Then I set up a row to bead. 

One row added to Sophie. Now we can see the noise. I couldn't do any more to the tapestry. One row was all I could do. 

Yesterday we went to the casino. Lucky Eagle in Rochester, WA has made changes to their rewards system. I can tell you right now, they cut back on the rewards. Then the sent out a letter saying we couldn't take the rewards money as cash, have to use them in the machines. That's fine. BUT they also made the machines TIGHT! We played for about 4 hours, and we lost what we took. I wanted to play, but the wins were not there. The last 2 times we went, the winnings are not there. People around us had the same trouble. Usually there are people out there next to us or around us that are winning pretty well. NOT anymore. I don't think I saw one person who won a big amount. They were all small amounts and didn't last long. We put money in the machine 4x's and there wasn't one bonus. The bonus' are where the money is. It's a joke. Trouble is, we like playing, so it's not going to stop us. Just frustrating that the casino decided they needed the money more. That shouldn't happen. I was reading on FB some of the comments on the site. They had the same feeling we did. 

Today, I went to the ankle and foot doctor and ended up with a shot in the top of my foot. UGH!!! I have to go back in 2 weeks. Then I stopped and picked up 2 quilts from Colleen. I was already at the museum to drop of 6 quilts today, so didn't bother to take them to the museum. We are still moving with quilts! The quilts I dropped off, I forgot to get a photo of. UGH!! 

I put another row on Sophie before heading to bed last night. I can do one row at a time at this rate. May try another row tonight.  At least I can say it was brief, but still Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Stitches Out - 2 More Weeks

Yesterday, I was on my way to Olympia for my stitches to be taken out. First, we went to Kaiser for Patrick's blood tests, then Costco and back to Kaiser for me stitches to come out. I found out, I am not allowed to use my hand for another 2 weeks. UGH! At least not lift anything over a cell phone weight. I have been doing that from day one. I also found out; they were supposed to have made 2 appointments for me after the surgery but only made one. So, I had to schedule another one, but that one had to be with my surgeon. Now I have another appointment for Tacoma after we get back from Tahiti. So, I guess I better behave. I didn't think it would take this long with surgery but oh, well. 

Since my hand isn't wrapped up anymore, I am able to do some typing.  Trouble is that I can't do much. I'm thinking I may pull my cat beads out and work on them. 

I left the doctor's office looking like this. Then by this morning, the tape was gone and I know look a little better. Still stiff. Dry too. 

I spent the morning getting a bill paid and getting stickers for everyone on the water system, to mail out water information. After that, printed certificates for my cousin and have them ready to mail as well. Tomorrow or Thursday I will be going to the post office and mailing them as well as getting stamps. 

Not sure what today will bring. I'm enjoying this book that Phil gave to Patrick - "The House Witch" while Patrick reads it, chapter by chapter, I am listening to it on audiobook. I really like it. I guess there are more books after this, so I'm going to be having fun listening to it for a while. 

Flowers are looking great in our yard. I am thinking of doing a beaded one of our flowers that will work. This will be fun to bead! I'm not sure if it will work but I'm going to try and see which of the photos I have that will work the best. 

I'm still dreaming to be back to Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Still Frustrated - Can't Wait For Monday

 Yesterday we went to casino. We were there 4 hours and lost $300 but that wasn't a lot considering we have won a heck of a lot more in the last couple of months.

I am frustrated at not being able to do much of anything. 

Monday the stitches come out, and fingers crossed. Still frustrating not to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Frustrating - But Getting Along

 Being left-handed does have its perks. I am able to write at least. But in today's world we don't write as much as we used to. 

I ended up doing pit ally stuff. I can't wash dishes, but I can unload the dishwasher. I can't clean out the litter box, but I can scoop when needed. Patrick is getting tired of me asking him to open this or that. Plus, he wasn't happy today to empty the cat litter. I could at least tempt to clean the box.

So, most of my time is just playing one handed on the tablet. I never thought I would say this, but playing games all day is tiresome. I actually went to get early last night. I was tired of playing games and listening to my books.

I did start a bread with the machine today. When I need to shape it, Patrick is going to have to do that. He wasn't thrilled that I couldn't make gyoza's for Father's Day. I asked if he was going to make them and he just looked at me. lol

I am frustrated I can't be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

  

Good Thing I Am Left-Handed

 This week has been one appointment after another. Surgery was Tuesday, Thursday was another trip to Tacoma for my sprained ankle. Today, I had an appointment with Olympia for an ultrasound. 

I am having it hard not being able to use my right hand. Showers get interesting with a bag around my hand. Then when it comes to pulling up my pants - well that's another story! I can't wear jeans, because I can't do the button. So, I'm in sweats~ugh!! Hate going out in public in sweatpants. I know no one cares, but I do.

All week, this is the traffic we have had to deal with! You'd think we were in Tacoma or Seattle! I decided I wasn't going to go to my eye appointment on Monday in Olympia. Rescheduled for August. 

If I was right-handed, I would be in worse condition! So, I listen to my audiobooks and play my games with the tablet on the armchair. I so want to finish that quilt but realized I can't cut on the rotary board. Need presser from my hand. 

Still not Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Thumb Surgery Today

 This morning we headed to Tacoma for my surgery at 6:45 am. We left early just in case. Good thing we did because it too 1 hour 45 minutes to get there.  Usually, it takes an hour 15 minutes to get there.

I ended up waiting in the room for an hour and a half before my surgery. I was awake the whole time.  Luckily it didn't bother me. 

Afterwards we went to the Spaghetti Factory.

I am limited to what I can do. Right now, it's painful. So, I won't be posting daily, till the pain goes away. I can't get it wet for 2 weeks. 

I will try and post in that time, but it's a wait and see thing. I am more upset that I can't be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Embroidery At Moms - At Least She Had Air Conditioning

 This morning, I was up and called MDG to let them know that I picked the wrong fabric for the backings of quilts. I scheduled a pickup and also order more batting and backing. I used the last of the one batting today. Had to start on my "extra" which tells me to order more. Once that was done, I cut the backing and batting for 2 more quilts tops that need to be quilted. Then I hurried out the door to get gas and head to moms. 

I stopped and got a cool drink at DB but found that I really wasn't that crazy about it. I don't think I will order it again. I don't care for strawberries, and this had that in it. It was okay, but not a drink for me. 

Arrived at moms. Georgie, Bonnie, Gerilyn and I were there. Mom was quilting and we had a very good visit. Gerilyn got a couple magazines that were duplicates. She told us about her trips over the last 6 weeks. She's been gone a long time. We enjoyed her stories. I worked on the pink flowers from the Distant Learning class. I was able to get one of the petals all done over, and it's ready. Now I just need to do that to 3 more. I didn't have my bead floss in the bag I take to work on, so I wasn't able to finish the rose piece I was working on. Stopped at Jo's to pick up the 2 quilts for July and went home. 

When I got home, it was cooking HOT!! I was at 89 degrees. And getting hotter. We don't get to the full heat till about 3-4 pm in the afternoon. I was home by 1:30 pm. 

So, I went downstairs. I got the 6 blocks from Georgie that I asked her for. Mom couldn't find the panel, so I used one of the ones I had here. Patrick and I talked about what to do and I got to work on getting that quilt top done. 

The strip on the right will be turned around. I want the red on the inside. I'm going to put that between the star fabrics. There are 6 stars, so top and bottom will have the bigger strip than the ones on the side. The star blocks are 16" so when I'm done it will be 15 1/2". That helps with the size. The gold around the panel will also go around the quilt when it's done. I actually got more done than I thought I would. 

I called it quits and sat down (downstairs) to work on my beadwork for the cross stitch. I was able to do some, but it is hard when the lighting isn't that good AND I didn't have my magnifier to help me make sure I was in the right spot. 

Sophie was happy to be downstairs. She slept next to me the whole time. 

This is one of Jo's quilts she had for me. I love it. One of the better ones. 

I'm tired for some reason. So, I'm calling it a night early. Need to be in Tacoma by 8 am tomorrow. My surgery is shortly after that. It will be interesting. I'm really not worried about it, but by tomorrow morning that may change. I'm told it doesn't take long, about 5-10 minutes but I'm guessing the prep takes longer. We will see. Might not be able to type tomorrow but will try. That way you all know I'm still kicking! lol 

Today was a three way of stitching. From embroidery, to beading, to quilting. That's what make me Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Enjoying Lunch With Friends

This morning, I got some cleaning done. Then I headed to Centralia to meet up with Sandy and her sister JT (Jeannette). We must have talked for over 2 hours. I've missed Sandy since her job moved out by us. She couldn't get her Monday's off. The two of them were checking out downtown Centralia by the time I got there. The restaurant was nice and cool. I could have stayed there all day!

We were in the low 90's today. I believe WA broke records on being so hot today. We have another hot day coming tomorrow. I will be at moms, so at least part of the day I will be cool. We are in a heat wave today, tomorrow and Tuesday. UGH

 Came home after picking up 3 doughnuts at Fullers. Patrick wanted his doughnuts and I decided to get myself one. I had that for "supper/dessert" and now I'm paying for it. There was a reason I didn't eat doughnuts anymore. 

I am so hot that I can't do anything! I played on my tablet but even then, it was hard to do. Sweating isn't lady like! So, I'm cooking in heat and not able to get to Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

QOV Presentation Day

This morning, I was up and getting ready to head out to the museum for our presentation. 

The museum was busy with a car show that had a lot of people showing up. We had to figure out where to park and find a place for mom to park as she's not so steady on her feet. We also had to find a place for the one veteran in a wheelchair. 

We were able to be upstairs, so that was a plus. Our meeting started a little late because Debbie and I were dealing with the quilts. We decided to add 3 more presentation days to our schedule. It will have us going for every other week. But that's what they wanted. We are back to adding August. Then we talked about taking the summer off for sew days. We will start back up in October. 

We will need that sign next month and I'm going to ask the museum to keep it. We were able to honor 7 of the 8 veterans today. It was a really good presentation. Tim did an awesome job filling in for Patrick. I was able to get a few more things done. 

Came home by 2:30 pm and crashed. I played my games and listened to my book on audiotape. I wasn't in the mood to do anything else. Which tells you, I was not Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Yet, One More Trip To Olympa

 I am beginning to think we should move to Olympia at this point. I received a message from Kaiser to get a MRSA test done before I got to Tacoma for my surgery on my trigger thumb. So, I had to run up there today. 

Patrick went golfing this morning and when he came home, said he needed some time before we left. So, while I waited on him, I worked on more beading. 

I added the beads on the right side and got the flower area finished. 

Then I worked on the sash. It was interesting and I kept checking my pattern to make sure I stitched it right. Guess I did. The other side doesn't match the right side, which makes it look like I didn't do it right. Oh, well. 

Then we headed to Olympia for my test. We got on I-5 and it took us 30 minutes to go from Chehalis to Centralia, which are twin cities. There was an accident according to the car information. When we got where it was supposed to be, it was cleared up. Then as we came into Tumwater/Olympia area, we ended up going through almost the same amount of time. It was surprising that it took so long. We were thankful we didn't have an appointment. When we got there, I went to the check-in desk, and they sent me to a nurse that was "available", but we ended up waiting 15 minutes on her. It wasn't even a 5-minute visit for the MRSA test. 

We then came home and I cooked a lasagna to freeze for my meals when Patrick isn't feeling good - like today. I fixed a stir fry for super instead. I have a piece of the lasagna in the frig, but I took something else out for tomorrow. We'll see what I'm interested in tomorrow. I will be at the presentation with a meeting before that. Should be interesting. 

So, I'm happy that I could find time for Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!