Trip To Olympia And Back

Today, Patrick went golfing, I slept in. Then I got moving on doing the laundry while playing my games. I was able to get a lot done before he got back and we had to head to Olympia. 

We went to his Oncology appointment. Like he said when he got out, it isn't that he has cancer, it's that he is living with cancer. There is a difference. He is doing great and the doctor even commented on his weight gain and looking better. He asked him if he thought we wouldn't make it, and the doctor said, no, but he was way too thin last year. He just looks a lot better. Maybe it's the type of cancer - kidney - that he's had it better than most. This is the high part of the cancer, and yet I know it could go downhill fast when it comes. But right now, we have plenty of time and are thankful it's been 6 more year than it could have been if they hadn't caught it when they did. 

Came home and it was already 5 pm. It rained the whole time up there and back. I walked around in Kaiser to get a few steps in. I then waited outside the office for him. 

When I could, I worked on this. I need to cut some more fabric to get it done. It's down to about 4 colors and I need more than that. I have them downstairs and will cut more tomorrow. I need to cut some pillowcases as well. It will be interesting what I do tomorrow. Getting to the point I want to work on my stuff and not everyone else's right now. 

Sue called and mom called. So, the evening went fast. We watched 'Death in Paradise" but we had to pause it a lot to see it. Made some homemade ice cream. It was okay. I need to get a better recipe. lol At least I found a few minutes to be Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Yet Another Monday - Just Mom & I

This morning, I was running late. I picked up some tea for both of us. Mom was happy with that. I took in my grab bag for when I am at doctor appointments. I took our quilt with the bear and gave it to mom. We worked on what to quilt around the border. She wants to put it in the quilt show come September. We worked it out, and she's going to get it ready to quilt after she's finished with the veggie cats quilt. It's really cute!

Then we sat and I crocheted while she quilted. She was telling me the story about when my sister died a birth. She didn't go to the funeral in Seattle because she was in North Bend, OR. Her kidney had collapsed. It was a sad story and we both were in tears as she talked. But I think it was good for her to get it out. Dad was a saint from what she said. I learned about how he turned down the officer's training and went back into Security Service. It is interesting. They lived in CA for a few months, which I didn't know, but makes sense since I saw pictures of Disneyland when Chris was about 3-4 years old. 

I worked on the second set of leg warmers. I'm getting the top part done. Will try and work on it tomorrow while Patrick has his doctor's appointment. 

We then went to the Firehouse Sub shop and got a sub sandwich. It was really, really good! I will go there the next time I want a sub!

Came back to her house and ate. Then I left after that. It was hailing when I left so called Patrick and told him I was taking the long way home. I forgot I needed to see Colleen. When I got there, she had good and bad news. The bad news was the new gal that we had to quilt my 250th Anniversary quilt did a really bad job on it. So, I am taking it to mom and having it taken out. I hate to do that, but I can't give a veteran a quilt that has puckers and bad tension in the quilting. This is the first time I gave in to have it taken completely apart. I feel bad, but I can't have that quilt go to a veteran as it is right now. 

Came home and went downstairs to cut more strips for this wreath. It's coming along, but it does take time and I really do have other things to do. I had to interview mom about the Sons of Norway and then I sent a message to Alice to see how the Grange is doing on getting members. It's a hard thing to do, but they do. Then I had to put those in interview forms and send them to Judy for her to have for the BE board meeting. I still have a few other organizations to ask how they are handling the changes in members. UGH

Once all that was done, I sat down and worked on the wreath. Every once in a while, I had to go downstairs and cut more fabric of the color I was missing in the tub. 

It is now half done. UGH, more to go! I was able to get this far before having to go back down and cut more fabric. 

I was thinking about friends I knew when growing up and wondering what they are doing now. When I have time to reflex, I will try and put it down on the blog. Who knows, maybe someone reading my blog will know about the person I talk about. Would be interesting if they did. 

I was able to find the time to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Hello Sunday.....

This morning, we cleaned house and then left for the casino. We are going on Sunday to get the free gift of pots and pans. The pan we got last week is really nice and works great. We can use it and I do. Today we got a Dutch oven with lid. So, I'm looking forward to seeing how long these last. 

We played our usual games. But that wasn't working out. So, we went back to the game we played last week that we really liked. Right off the bat, Patrick won $862. So, we stayed and played. When it was going down, we left and the games we played didn't last long at all. So, we went back to the game and won more money. After a while we decided to call it done before going through all the money we won. We came home with plenty of money to play later. 

We decided to go to Safeway and pick up some meat for sandwiches. I had crab left over, so I got some cheese and a little of the seafood salad. Came home and fixed our sandwiches. I added the crab to the seafood salad and made a sandwich out of it. I have a little left over for another sandwich tomorrow if I want it. 

Mom called to say Georgie and Bonnie weren't going to be there tomorrow. I know Gerilyn won't be there either. So, mom thought I wouldn't go. I told her I would see her tomorrow. 

We didn't get home till about 5:30 pm, so we were at the casino most of the day. I didn't want to do anything, but I did go for a walk and listen to my audio book. It's a good book. I was able to get 4 laps around the neighborhood before I couldn't go farther. I will try and get back to my 7 laps, but at least I can get that far right now. 

Tomorrow is another day. Today was not Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Hello, Saturday - Meeting Day

This morning, I was ready for our meeting. I had to vacuum downstairs so we could have a clean area to have the meeting. I usually don't do much down there. I can be lazy about vacuuming and dusting downstairs. 

Our meeting went well. I have a few things I have to do and get answers back to the people working on the projects. I also have to get moving on the wreaths they want for the Bazaar. Not what I'm happy about, but the group wants to do this. I passed out some wire wreaths for them to get started on. Colleen and Val showed everyone what they needed to do. It was a really good meeting, so can't complain. Just took a couple hours. lol 

After everyone left, I worked on cutting fabric for the wreaths. Colleen took all the ones I cut the last few days, which I was shocked about. But she has done so much, that I let them go. I waited on Jo to come and get some backing and batting for her quilt. When she arrived, we had a good chat. Got the fabric ready for her and it's a go. She has till June to get the quilts back and I am not worried. Gave Debbie the 250th panel that she wanted. Still have 2 more panels here. They may end up with me making those. We can wait and see. 

So, I didn't have this to work with. I did cut a few more that I have downstairs. Then I decided to do a purple one. I have plenty of purple in my "stash" that I want weeded down. So, I cut purple after Jo left. 

Of course, Sophie had to be a part of that. She kept getting in my way of cutting. Then she finally went to the plastic and sat on it. I can't win. 

I brought the purple up to get started and she decided to climb in the box. Then she put her tail in the fabric! You can see it under some of the purple. I couldn't believe it!

Before supper, I was able to get this much done. The colors look better in the photo. It's a neat little wreath so far. I'm not quite at halfway but it's going fast. 

I have this much done, almost halfway. It's easier than I thought and it really just take time to do it. Almost as if one was doing the binding on a quilt, about that same amount of time. I need to cut more fabric and will do that tomorrow. I may take it with me on Monday to work on. I'm sure mom will have me cut some pieces for her. Who knows. I have red, white, and blue cut, so chances are I will be doing another one before calling it done. 

As much as I was thrilled to be working on something - I was too busy today with everything. I still have things to do for BE and our group. Too much work between the two. I really am not in the mood to do all this work. But it needs to get done and I can do it. That should keep me Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Movie Day

This morning, Patrick was up before me. He was sitting in the living room. I thought he was going golfing but remembered he said he had to go to Olympia instead for blood work. 

He left and I went downstairs to get to work on the wreath scraps to work on the wreaths. Cutting takes the longest on this. 

I was able to cut some but not near what we need. It's going to be interesting how we get all this done. I will try, but dang! 

Plus, I need to spend time on the computer doing research for BE. She wants that done by next week. I really don't want to be on the computer that long anymore. Yet I need to work on the genealogy again too and that's nothing but computer work. 

I called it done when Patrick got home. I will work on it before and after our meeting tomorrow morning here. 

Then Patrick suggested we go to the movie "Hoppers." I was all for it! I love those kinds of movies and there are more coming. I think it's interesting that we want more animated movies than the real thing. Guess we are tired of AI doing the acting. it was cute and fun. I enjoyed it. 

Came home and pulled my tablet out to play. I am getting frustrated with my war game. I seem to be in K3 kingdom more lately because I know what they are doing. But I have to translate it every time because they are German and Polish. Makes like interesting. I'm learning some terms though. In k11 they are busy and go fast for me. I can't tell what we are doing from one day to the other. I'm just trying to upgrade my troop right now. So, I go in, do what I need and get out. Then I play my search and find game to calm me down. lol 

Think I feel like Sophie! lol I wasn't really there today with crafts. Cutting fabric really doesn't qualify as being Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

Hello Thursday!

Nice day! I was able to sleep in but didn't. Patrick went golfing. That game me the morning to myself. I actually sat and watched "Virgin River" on Netflix. I did notice that some of the stuff in the books are different. But it is pretty close to the books. 

Patrick got home and I went for my walk. I got a call before I went out from my Gastro team in Olympia. My doctor wants me to be on the care end. A nurse or PA will call me once a month and see how I am doing with my IBS and would I like to do this. I said, "sure" if it's every other month and not monthly. So, I had to sit through the usual questions. That's fine. I will try it. 

After walking, Patrick took his nap and I watched a detective show on BritBox. I was enjoying my time with stitching. 

I am getting closer to getting this done. I like it so much! Beading is going to be the longest, I think. But then I am good at beading. I am just happy this is getting done. I have another one I want to start. LOL I must have worked on it a couple hours. I didn't even think about playing my games. 

It was a nice day to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting! 

Laundry, Museum & Cross Stitching

This morning, I worked on the laundry. Getting all the loads I didn't get over the last week and running out of clothes. I still have a couple loads to do, but at least I was able to do quite a bit today. I ran the Roomba when Debbie called to head to the museum. 

Debbie picked me up to head over to the museum to talk to Donna. I took over the 3 quilts I had as well. We stopped at DB and I got another $15 gift card, since I forgot the one I have. 

Arrived at the museum and found Sam and Donna in Sam's office. Chip has been gone since the weekend, had to check on his mother in ID. She's not doing well and has to sell the house and put her in a care facility. He thought he would be back this week, but we all think it will be a couple weeks.  

We talked with Donna and decided we would have brother Patrick do the presentations of the veterans. Then we will have her help with the quilts. She will be good at wrapping the quilts around the veterans. I will try and get someone to do mom's part and mine. I don't want it being my family's group. Presentations are what most of them want to do. I didn't get a photo of the quilts that went today. I need to try and remember to get that when they are presented. Oh, well. 

Everything went well and I called Patrick to see if he would do that for us. Said he would and asked me to send him all the information so he would be ready for next week. He's going to be doing the presentation on his Birthday. So, when I got home, I got to work on what he needed. I also sent a couple other things for him. He has friends in Vancouver he wants to come for a presentation as well. So, we will have more to work with. That took a couple hours just getting stuff ready and sent. Plus, I worked on Gunderson Water stuff. 

After all that, I decided to work on my cross stitching. 

But then, that's time for Sophie to show up. She always knows when I'm going to cross stitch!

I was able to get the right side done and back on track with my steps. I will need to turn the bars here pretty soon. I noticed that the white threads I needed - I needed 4x - and don't know how I missed that. I THINK I used 2 already before I ordered 2 more. I may have to order more but thinking I might not have to. We will see, at least I know where I can get it. I enjoyed working on this today. I actually got a couple hours in on it and wasn't in a hurry to go play! That's a good sign! Which means, I MIGHT be getting back to enjoying Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Tuesday - Trip To Olympia

Today we were heading to Olympia for Patrick's MRI and CAT scans. It's the three-month journey.  It was a cool day but a pretty day. He had his scans and while he was in there, I crocheted. I started the next set of leg warmers. I got about 3" done. I also played on my phone. 

Since I didn't take a photo - this is what I was working on - again only 3" was done. I took it out because I wasn't sure if I did it right or not. Then I stitched it again, taking about a few rows and starting over. So, all in all, I would have had about this much done. Oh, well. I enjoyed working on it. 

It was funny though. I was getting my yarn ready and found the crochet hook I have had since I was 9 years old and lived in Japan - was missing. I was looking all over last night. A good 30-minute search! Before we left and before I went walking - I looked in the project bag in the car to see if I put it in there. Sure enough, it was in the project bag. That made my day. My favorite crochet hook and it was still around. lol 

Took about 3 1/2 laps today. Then it was time to head to Olympia. 

Once we were done with the scans - it was time to head to Costco. We got some new towels and a few things that we needed. We also go some crab for supper. Once we were all done, we had lunch. Patrick got his pizza and I got the dog. I ate the whole thing!! ugh. 

Dropped some stuff at Phil's and came home. It was about 3 pm. Patrick took a nap and I listened to my book and played my search and find game. I should have done my cross stitch but really wasn't there yet. I need to finish that! At least I did do something to keep me Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Monday - Brazilian Embroidery Day

This morning, I was out the door and off to moms. We are back to having it at moms. Geralyn was there with Georgie and Bonnie. So, five of us enjoyed each other's company.  Geralyn was working on her hedgehog that is so cute!

I worked on the darker red areas. I finished the rose bud area and then went to work on the petals to the right. They are done with the detached buttonhole and turned out better than I expected. I'm not really pleased with the center area, but it worked out. The outer part is the harder part, I think. But then it was going pretty quick. I told Geralyn it was a practice piece and she couldn't believe me. I guess I like things looking better. This one isn't the best I have done, but I can deal with it. It is fun to work on. So, can't complain. 

Stopped at Colleen's on the way home. She had another quilt done for me. I will put names on the labels and get them to the museum on Wednesday. At least they are coming in on a regular basis. 

Came home and went downstairs to work the cutting the scraps to make enough for the wreaths we are doing. 

I cut all these strips for the wreath. It takes time but I need to get more done for when they come on Saturday to get started on them. We are going to try and sell them in April at a Bazaar. I just hope it works. This was about 2 hours' worth of cutting. Not my favorite thing to do, but I did them. I need to do a lot more for Saturday. 

As soon as I was done, I got a phone call asking if I was joining the group! I forgot we had a virtual meeting to figure out how to get more members for BE. I hope this will help us! 

After supper decided to play my games. Relaxed till my IBS decided it was mad at me. So, figured I would get this done asap - because I will be busy for an hour with this! 

It was so much fun today that I was actually Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Casino Day Today

We did the usual cleaning this morning. Got a lot done and then headed out to the casino. We arrived around 11 am. 

I checked our cards and this time we both got the free gifts. It's a Hex fry pan. I like them and hope they are as good as they look, but who knows. We have gotten cheap crap from them before. We played for a good 4 hours. We didn't lose all our money. We got ahead the last hour and about that time I was tired of playing. I think Patrick was too. So, we called it done. Went into the cafe and got "supper" before we left. They had a Ruben as a special, so I got that. Patrick got the French dip. It was good. He also had to pick up his candy bars on the way out. 

We came home. Scott came over and we chatted awhile. I played my games. And played my game. I'm almost to the point of quitting my war games. I can't seem to get friends to chat while I'm on. lol Really, I'm not sure where I am in the game. I was a leader and now I'm a "pee on." Plus, I'm upgrading and it's almost to the point of "what next?" They have migration coming but I don't know what I'll do then either. I think I will stay in 2 kingdoms. Yet I am losing interest in the game. When it comes to teamwork, there doesn't seem to be much anymore.  Half my friends are in other kingdoms. I just have things to think about. 

I really wasn't in the mood for Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Another Day Of Garage Selling

 Today I had a little more time before heading to the garage sale. I stopped and got some tea. 

I arrived around 9:20 am and the doors were already open. Colleen was already there. It wasn't a busy day. It was so slow that I wondered when 5 pm would come around. It was Colleen and I for a while. Then Debbie arrived around 3:30 and mom arrived around 4 pm. I called Patrick to come get the TV stand because it didn't go. The TV went finally. We sold a few bigger items but not enough to make it a really good day. We ended up with only about $250 but we did make over $800 for the 2 days. It made for a good garage sale. We left a lot for the thrift shop in Rochester at the Methodist Church. When we were looking at all the boxes we didn't fill back up, it felt good that we sold that much in total. 

I stopped and got a burger at Wendy's. Then I came home. It was around 6 pm by then. It really did make for a very long day. I was thinking I should have taken something to work on while I waited for customers. At least we got a couple donations as well. 

Long day = a tired day. AND NOT a day of Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!