Saturday, October 18, 2025

First Round Robin Piece Finished

This morning, I needed to be up by 9 am to play the war game. I played but didn't get much in points. I've been backing off that game lately. 

We watched some TV and then we shut it off. 


 I enjoyed listening to my book on tape and getting this done. I was trying to make it light and dark. It turned out pretty good, but not quite what I wanted it to look like. At least this is done. I hope she likes it. 

I'm not sure when I will be getting the next one, but I'm betting it will be soon. I'm just happy today was a day I enjoyed being Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Friday, October 17, 2025

Worked On Round Robin Today

This morning, was physical therapy. I had it early, so I was back by noon. I stopped at moms to visit but she had a gal there for her Mary Kay makeup. They were playing. I didn't want to, and I left. 

Came home to find in the mailbox my Round Robin piece. It was what the gal who was before me was supposed to have done. She had to quit, so she sent me what she was getting. I decided to get to work on it, because it needs to go back in the mail in a weeks' time. I got a message from the gal putting it on, and found that the gal I sent my stuff to in Canada, decided to quit because of the postal service in Canada going on strike. So, if she sent my piece out, it may be stuck in the mail. As for the piece I sent her, I have no idea if she even got it. I hope she has it. Or has sent it on. 

The gal that was before Erin, I think it's Jenean, found this pattern in a free stack at the retreat. So, she thought it would be pretty in Brazilian Embroidery - rayon threads. I tend to agree. I'm the first one to work on it. It has 6 places for each of us, but now that we lost 2 of us, we will be 1 short. Even my bear will be missing an area. 

The markings on the piece will NOT come out, so we have to make sure to cover them. I tried, but I think I'm a little off on it. I decided to work the leaves first and now I'm going to work on the flowers. They will be layered. Dark yellow for the outside of the petals and then a lighter yellow for the inside. The center part will be pistol stitch or a straight stitch with a colonial knot at the end. I'm going to think about what would work. I hope this looks good enough. I really liked the yellow flower they had, so I decided to go with it. Plus, this flower looked to be more fun than the others. 

We went down to Longview for Red Lobster dinner. I was really surprised at the menu and the prices! They have doubled since we were there a few months earlier. Plus, they didn't have a couple things that we wanted. So, Patrick got his shrimp - but not shrimp scampi - and I decided on the special of the day - fish and chips. I wasn't in the mood for shrimp and haven't been for a while. The last couple times Patrick made it, I didn't care for it, so I'm not wanting it. 

At least the Mariner's won today! Plus, Phil sent us a gift of 2 Mariner's shirts!! I was thrilled. I even wear my Seahawk's T-shirt with my Mariner's jacket! WE WON! I may have to wear them again on Sunday!

It felt good to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Cleaning Day - Not A Craft Day

This morning, I was beat, but I think it's because I took Night Qual around 3 am. I slept till about 10 am today. Mom called and we chatted. Then I started cleaning the house. 

I felt the house needed some work, and Patrick was golfing till 2 pm since they didn't get out in the course till around the time I was getting up. I started with laundry and worked my way to vacuuming. I got a lot done, even with the dishwasher. 

Once all that was done, I didn't feel like doing ANYTHING. I played my games. More Seeker's Note than the war game. I'm a little discouraged with the war game, even though I knew I had a couple games to play today. Decided I didn't want to and called it done. So, I played search and find instead. 

Patrick went up to Olympia. He asked me if I wanted to go and I told him I didn't. I thought about watching TV but listened to my book instead. It's really good. I have 2 more books in that series and want to read them. I will when the book comes up on my rotation. I have another of C J Archers' book series, and I like to rotate them. Just so I don't end up reading them all together and wish I had enjoyed them more. Gives me time to think about where they will go from there.  I like the authors books. Makes them interesting and fun to listen to. 

I didn't even get supper. I just wasn't in the mood - but I did have some of my dessert that was in the fridge. Life today was just to relax before I have to get busy again. We have a play to go to this Sunday. I'm looking forward to that though. As for today, it wasn't a day to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!



Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Sewing Day & Mariner's Game

 This morning, I was getting a few things done before everyone started to show up. We had 7 of us today which is a good sign for Sew Days. 

I had everything planned out and cut. Then I had everyone make sure they had the same 1/4" seam allowance guide. Once we had that down, I had them get started on the 2 quilts that I was ready to have done. We worked on the Irish Chain and a 9-patch quilt. I didn't get a photo of the pretty one that is the Irish Chain, but I did get the other one. 


All the 9-patches got done. So, we had enough for 3 quilts because we all decided this was way to red and busy. Mary took half the blocks and cut out the blue squares for the "every other block" area. Patrick came done to help with the color that we needed to go with the blocks. Maggie and Mary divided the blocks up in 2 groups - one of 17 blocks and one of 18 blocks. Then Mary took the material for the solid blocks and Maggie took the one that Mary had already cut the blocks for. Maggie also took the red, white and blue one we did. It was already sewn in rows and just needed to be sewn together. That one doesn't need a border. Val took all the blocks that Georgie and others did. She's going to see what she can do with them. There was a LOT of them, so who know how many quilts she'll get out of them. 

When the tops come back, then we will have 6 tops to be ready to quilt. I finished Mary's quilt by adding the border to it. I will get that ready for Colleen to work on. There are still the other 2 from the tri-cities. I need to send them photos as well. lol 

After everyone left and I cleaned up some, we decided to leave the table out for when they come back next month. I was beat by then. 

Came upstairs and sat to watch the Mariner's game. It wasn't as I hoped, but we are still in the game. Not to worry, they will pick it back up. 

It's been a long day, but a good day. We had a potluck, so when it was supper time, I wasn't hungry. I have a lot of dip left over. lol That will be for me. With all the fun we all had, it felt good to be Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!


Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Hello Tuesday

 Today, I had my physical therapy appointment. I was ready to go. Plus, I needed to stop at the post office to send out a couple packages. I also had to get some stamps. 

Once that was done, I headed to Centralia for my physical therapy. I was able to feel a little better afterwards. 

Got home around 12:30 pm. Then Patrick and I went to the casino. Today's gift was sheets. That's why Patrick wanted to go. He wanted to get the sheets. lol We stayed and played. We actually didn't do bad. We came home with some money. 

Stopped at Safeway for some stuff for tomorrow. My QOV group is coming for a sewing day. Starts at 10 am. We are having a potluck. Patrick brought out the card table for us to use at lunch time. Or use it for sewing. We will see how it goes when they get here. I'm all prepared, now. 

I was spending the 2 hours I had to cut fabric into 4 1/2" squares. I needed to get the red for one quilt and the white and off white for both. I now have enough to be able to get 2 quilt tops done, if it all goes well. I may end up sewing as well. Colleen will be here for a bit then have to leave and come back. I put the quilt material on the table so they can just take a set and get going when they get here. I am going to have to have them check the 1/4" seam allowance first, so everyone is at the same point. 

Now I'm beat and calling it a day! Tomorrow is another day, and we will be busy. My back may not like all the standing or sitting but I will get through it. 

At least I tried to be Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!




Monday, October 13, 2025

Embroidery And Mariner's Game

This morning, Patrick went golfing and I went to the grange to meet up with my friends for embroidery. I had to stop at Safeway first, then Phils, then post office and last the PUD building. I put the bill in the box for overnight, thinking it was a holiday for them. The people behind me walked right in! Guess they were open today. Oh, well they will get the bill tomorrow then. Now worries. 

We had three of us today. I talked my head off. More than I usually do anyway. They asked about mom and that went into a whole 'nother story. I worked on my Blitz piece while I was at it. 

I was able to finish the head, then I got the knees done. I think the feet are next, but not sure. I will do the "O" later, probably first before the rest of the shirt. I like working on this one. 

Came home and we went downstairs to get the room ready for the quilters on Wednesday. It needed to be done before tomorrow since we will be gone most of the day. I still need to cut the squares out but will try and do that tomorrow night. I'm trying to think of something for the potluck on Wednesday. Seems everyone is bringing stuff other than dessert. lol I thought of doing a casserole but with what everyone is doing, it would be way too much. 

We pulled the table out. Patrick was talking about leaving the table out and putting the bolts of fabric where the rocking chair in the corner is. We will work something out after everyone leaves. At least it is ready to be used and get some stuff done. 

I still need to pick up in the other part of the room. I have my counter that really need to be cleaned up. 


I vacuumed the floor and got a few things done. I still have to get that mess on the counter done, so I can cut my white fabric for the 9-patches. It needs to be done and before they arrive. I will try and work on it tomorrow. 

BEST OF ALL THE MARINER'S WON!!

At least today I was having fun being Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!


Sunday, October 12, 2025

A Lazy Sunday - BUT THE SEAHAWKS AND MARINERS WON!

This morning, I did some cleaning. The usual Sunday morning routine. 

The I worked on my bookkeeping and my genealogy. I wanted to work on some letters that were written by my mother's uncle. I entered them in the Letters from the Past blog. I was able to add about 4 or 5 letters. I also added my grandmother's obit on that page as well. I was surprised to see where he was separated from his wife in 1926. Not sure which one that was. But in 1927 he found Jo - the one who had a son with him - and even mentioned her name. That was the first time I saw that. Since he was married 7 or 8 times, it would have been nice if she would have said who his wife was. This one was in Portland, and he said she had property in Canada. That was interesting, since she was born in ND. But then my dad's family had property in Canada as well. I have more letters to read and will find out more about him. He has a fascinating life and maybe someday, someone will write about him. I think the reason my grandfather didn't go to visit him was because of my grandmother. Plus, he always called her "and wife" in the letters. I don't know if that was a "dig" or just something he did to everyone. 

Then I went to watch the game. Seahawks won today! Then we watched the Mariner's game and we won that too! WOO-HOO! We are winning. 

I got my mail all set to go to the post office, but it's a holiday tomorrow. So, it's going to have to wait till Tuesday. I still don't know if I have a PT appointment Tuesday - I think we forgot to schedule it. 

I worked on laundry. The funny part around the house is since we got new chairs, Sophie hasn't come around to sit with me. I don't think she likes the chairs. Or it will be a while before she decides if she likes them or not. So, she's been sleeping on the bed - ever since Patrick changed the quilt. She loves the quilt we have on it now. 

Today, was just one of those days that didn't work out for Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!



Saturday, October 11, 2025

Hello Saturday - A Day To Get Ready

Today, I was up earlier than usual. I wanted to participate in the war game this morning. I did for a while then went with Debbie to get "coffee." We chatted about the Mariner's game and a few other things. Not sure what's going on with the museum, but I do know the funding has been lost. 

Came back home and headed downstairs. I needed to get ready for the sew days on Wednesday and had to pick a few things up. 

I got started. The blue bag there was emptied with more fabrics that were donated. I cleared off the table a little. I need to put the bolts of fabric somewhere so we can pull the table out to have sewing machines on. 

Took a "break" and went through the 4" squares that mom cut. I put them in sets of 4 & 5 for the 9-patches we will be working on. I have it set for 2 quilts at least. I don't think it will take long with a lot of quilters. We will make sure they set up the 1/4" seam allowance on everyone's sewing machine before we get started. 

I did put a few things away and still have more to do. I'm going to work on cutting for another quilt, so, that pile of strips on the end will be put for 6" squares. Or something to that affect. I will work on it later to decide how I want to do that quilt. I put my stuff away. I have a few things I want to do, but till I do what I already have to do, it will have to wait. 

Came upstairs after they dropped off our new chairs. 


It's Lazy Boy and comfortable. It's sort of smaller than our old ones, but it's taller. I didn't notice that since I can put my feet down. On the old ones, I couldn't do that. I really like it. Sophie is trying to figure out where her chair went. She was always in my chair. I only felt her climb up above my head and not in my lap. It will take time for her to decide if she likes it or not. The old chair had 2 pairs of my scissors in it. Patrick brought them back to me. Scott and Patrick put them in the garage for now. 

The rest of the day I played my games. It was hard on my back doing the work downstairs, but I will try again tomorrow to get it ready to be done. I want it done before Wednesday. I also need to get something for a potluck. I may do a casserole, since Patrick doesn't like those. I will see what I can come up with. 

In other words, I didn't get the chance to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!



Friday, October 10, 2025

Another Interesting Day

 First things first. I was at PT today. I took Bob some veggies from the garden. Afterwards I went to moms for the applique group meeting. I had been there first, but no one was there. So, I really didn't expect much when I went. I arrive to find Micheale there with Jeanine. Jeanine didn't have anything to work on, so I gave her mom's block that I was working on. Conversation went to the back basting issues. Jeanine doesn't do back basting, and she didn't know what to do. We explained it to her, and she did fine. 

I worked on the baby blocks. I'm still shocked at moms' attitude towards doing the blocks. She stated she doesn't want to do another, nor does she want to help with the ones that are doing one. That's not like mom, but who knows. 

I pulled out the Swade that I needed to get this one finished. The tough and the feet need to be done and then I can finish the back stitching. 


This one is mine, and I finished getting the left ear on. Now I'm putting the collar on. Next will be to work on the face and then start the back stitching. It shouldn't take long. I just need to get it done. Plus I have another dog to do. I'm surprised at how long it's taking the group to do it, since they agreed to. Not my problem, I guess. Trouble is, I may end up being the one doing all the work. Don't want to be that person because it wasn't my idea. 

I left early to go with Patrick to the casino. He wanted the day away. We played till about 5 pm and then went to the deli for his Prime Rib. I had a burger, but it really didn't taste like a "ground beef" burger. I was surprised. Not a burger I was happy with, but ate it. 

We came home and watched the rest of the Mariner's game!!!!! WE WON!!! 15 inning and we WON! So, cool!!

So, my day was fun and interesting. Plus I was able to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!


Thursday, October 9, 2025

Quilts of Valor Presentation Day

 Today, I got ready for the presentation. Debbie called and needed a ride, so I picked her up. Then we went to Dutch Brothers for our drinks. Headed to the museum and it looked like there was stuff going on. We didn't mess with the "drama" as we were there for the veterans. 

Marilyn came down from Tacoma to help honor our veterans. She helped present the quilts. It was awesome. 

Kenneth Proske, Kathleen Powell (sister to Kenneth) are on the left. I can't remember the next 4 and the one on the end, but they were Lester Dow, Carroll Hill (his the fourth from the left) Alan Pierson, Wade Sampson. From the right, #2 and #3 are brothers - Tim Tidyman and Wayne Tidyman, Jr. 

It was a lot of fun with this group! We had a good time and have enough quilts right now to give them out for the end of the year. The ones that come in will be ready for next year as we are done after November 11th - Veterans Day. 

I stopped and got gas, then came home. I worked on the 2 certificates. One was needing a change, and the other was needing to be sent out. Kathleen was presented when we found out she served as well and wanted to honor them together. 

The rest of my day was sitting and watching TV. Plus chatting with Patrick. We have our new chairs coming on Saturday. He wants to go to the casino tomorrow, but it will have to wait till after my PT and being at moms. He wants me home around 1 pm. lol 

I wasn't in the mood today to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Working On Family History And Meeting Night

 Today, I was up and ready for Val to come over. When she arrived, I was chatting with Debbie on the phone. We were working on Quilts of Valor stuff. Val won't be able to make it tomorrow. We'll see her next time. Our sew day is next week. 

I then got to work on the family history. I wanted to work on Patrick's family some more. I added about 200 names to the Wiltzius tree. We now have 4,600+ names to his tree. I have more to work on, and will probably try to do that this weekend. I worked on my Taylor family tree yesterday and it's over 14,000 names. The research is fun. I did find some had different dates than I do, but I decided to keep the dates I have because it's usually wrong when I get the dates they have. 

I then played on my tablet and relaxed with Patrick. His brother, then sister called, so it was easier to play and listen then it was to work on the trees. 

After supper we had a water meeting. Only 4 houses of 24 houses showed up. We have to up the fees and we had sent out a message to everyone they needed to attend because of raising fees. It's amazing how many people don't attend these meetings. Scott and Patrick do all the work, and they still won't come. Oh, well. They will be getting a bill her shortly. 

We got back at 8:30 pm, so I didn't have time to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Family Photo


First Round Robin Piece Finished

This morning, I needed to be up by 9 am to play the war game. I played but didn't get much in points. I've been backing off that gam...