Volunteer Day

 This morning I was sleeping on the couch. I had a heck of a time getting comfortable. I was sore all night. I was able to sleep on the couch, which I don't think I could have in bed. 

I headed over to the fair grounds to help with volunteering. I was able to get lunch before going on "duty." I was able to help for about 50 mins. It was so dead that there wasn't much work to do. They were sending people home. I checked at the main desk and they said they didn't have anything for me. So, I came home. 

I worked on 2 rows of beading. 

It's not changing much with only 2 rows at a time. My neck was bugging me. So, I quit. Then I needed to fill some beads in my "cups." I pulled out my beads and started to organize them. I wanted to make them in my excel program. 

That was a good 2 hours. I had my box out and I filled the bead containers with the beads in bags. The green container had it full of bagged beads. I was able to get them all in in containers or in the tube that was low. Now I'm happy my beads are organized again. 

THEN, I decided to use the free coupons I have from Shutterfly (Safeway tickets), and I ordered a book of our trip to San Francisco before the kids graduated. I believe it was the first or second year we were here. I have 2 more books that I started back in 2014. I'm going to get them printed and will use the coupons. I really want to get some of these photos in books and then get rid of all the photos we have. I must have 20 albums downstairs. Putting them in books are a lot nicer. 

At least my day was Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Beautiful Day For Creating

 This morning I was out the door at 7:10 am. Debbie arrived and we headed to the fairgrounds for volunteering again today. We worked from 8-12:30 pm. It was a quiet day, but as we were leaving, the crowds were coming. It was weird how quiet the morning was. They were really busy today. 

Came home and loved the weather! 

There is a "red dot" in the top by the barn. That's Patrick. He was working out in the yard, and I tried to do some cross stitching. As one can see, my fabric is so thin. It was hard to see where my threads were to be able to do the crosses. So, I decided to listen to my book. I actually fell asleep listening, and I do believe I missed some of the book. I was okay with that. It was a little confusing keeping the characters separated. I kept trying to figure out who was who. This is a series, so I will try one more book and if that doesn't work, I won't listen to the rest. 

I was able to get another 3 rows done today. It's coming along. The deer head is starting to come out more now. I can see the noise coming through. 

Then I decided to try to get a few stitches in on this. I was able to get a good 200 stitches in. I wanted to start squaring it up, so I'm getting there. I started on the top of the head. That's the beard of Santa. I do like how this is coming along. I have been really happy with both of my pieces. 

It made for a good day to be creating 2 pieces. I just hope I can get the beaded one done. I need more time to sit at the table to work on the beading. At least I can do them both in one day. That keeps me Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Another Day Of Volunteering For Covid19 Vaccines

 This morning I was lazy. I knew I was leaving at 11:30 am today, so I didn't want to get into anything. 

Debbie showed up and I drove both of us to the fairgrounds to volunteer. We both work as "scribes" with the nurses. One was a retired nurse, so she couldn't give the shots, the other was a nurse that could. We didn't have a lot of cars going through with people. I guess there were 200 slots still open for shots. I told them Lewis County doesn't advertise. They haven't gotten the word out at all. I did look on the website today and they had where one could sign up for TODAY but not any other day. Plus they had the restrictions on the website where you signed up. There wasn't supposed to be restrictions. We worked all the way to 4:30 pm. It was nice to be able to leave early. They had 3 shots left, and were waiting on the 3 people to come get them. That way it wasn't a waste. 

Came home and had supper. Then I decided to do my exercises before getting any cross stitching done. 

I worked on the face of the bear. I didn't like leaving the empty spots for the eyes and noise. I will get back to the noise tomorrow. I went up to the ears and worked on that. I tend to be going around the bear face. He's looking cuter now. I will see where I get tomorrow. Beading is on my mind as well. Doing 2 things at once is fun, but I know I have a lot of stuff unfinished as well. 

Even though I was gone all day volunteering (which I love to do), I was still Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Volunteering Day

Today I was out the door by 7:15 AM. Debbie and her neighbor came and we tried to get in the van. Couldn't open the sliding doors. So, Debbie ended up driving us. Told her I would do it Tuesday when we go in the afternoon. We stopped at Dutchman Brother's I got a chai tea. She got a white chocolate coffee. She don't like coffee but said this was really good. I am afraid to try it. May buy one for Patrick and try it that way. 

We arrived at the fair grounds where we got the instructions on what to do. Debbie was awesome, as she came over to help me out with instructions. I was "scribing" while the LPN and RN where doing the vaccines. We did a good 60 shots in the 3 hours we were taking the cars. It got a little slow just before lunch. They had 2 rows with 4 tables to each line. It went fast, when the gals were on it. A couple of the gals that gives shots were slow. We were the 3 table and we would be done way before the second table was done. My LPN was fast and good! The others went to lunch first (they closed off one lane and sent them to lunch). Then it was our turn, so the lane was closed and I went to lunch. Debbie and her neighbor had to work another half hour but my shift was over. We got lunch from "Once Upon A Thyme" in Chehalis. We finally got home about 1 pm. 

I then decided to sit and watch TV while Patrick was still golfing. 

 I was going to bead when Patrick got home, but he had to take one of his golfing buddies home - in Winlock. So, he didn't get home till around 4. I will try and bead tomorrow but it's going to be iffy. We need to take Patrick to Olympia for his appointment (CT scan) and I will be at moms in the morning. I will try later. 

So, I was able to get a few more stitches in on the bear. He's coming to life. I really enjoy working on this, so not too worried when I can bead, at least I can stitch. It's coming along great. Sophie isn't too thrilled that I work on this. 

She was something else today. I got up and she cried. Then I opened the bathroom door for a few minutes so she would quit and let Patrick go back to sleep. When I got out of the bathroom, she cried even more. I got ready to go, and she was still crying. I got home and she cried. Then she gave me a ton of TLC when I sat down. Let and came back for more TLC. Patrick said she was doing that to him this morning. Not sure what her problem was. 

My day was fun! I enjoyed the volunteer work and I enjoyed my stitching. It turned out to be a great day for Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting! 

Getting Caught Up - Part 1

I thought about posting....then it never happened. So, I'm going to do this in 3 parts. Starting with Monday and working my way to today.

Monday started out pretty good. I got everything ready to take with me to the museum. I usually don't take something to work on, but this time was different...and a good thing I did!

Arrived at the museum at 9:30 and Greg had already had the place opened up. So, I just walked right in. Usually I have to use the back door to get in.

I love this on the wall!

I had to get a photo of this. I had missed it for over a year. I really love the stain glass work in this one.

At 11 am we had 2 people show - one was a member and the other was a "guest" of the member. So, no charge. They had the museum all to themselves.

So, I pulled out my embroidery and got to work. This was my starting point. While the ladies were looking in the museum, and the UPS driver arrived, I decided to try and do some more damage to this piece.

I worked on the leaves, and I found I like this better this way.

By the end of the day - yes only 3 people showed up - I got more work done on this. I worked on the branches and leaves.

So by the end of the day - 4 pm - I called it quits. Greg said he's opened and closed by himself several times and he would be fine. So, I left.

Got home and got supper going. Then headed over to Nick and Joanne's to drop off Patrick bowling bowl he couldn't use. Nick gave him his. It will be interesting if it works for him. Nick just needs to work on his swing.

Then it was off to pick up Dan at his place. He is staying with us because of surgery. Came home and fixed him supper. He had to eat because he wasn't due at the surgery till 12:45 the next day. We sat and watched TV before calling it a night.

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

Off To Olympia And Back

This morning I was able to get some laundry started before heading up to Olympia. I had 2 appointments and needed to be prepared. So, instead of taking the quilt I'm binding, I took my embroidery.

I was up and out the door by 9 am. Then I was about 15 mins early for my ultra sound. That was okay, because I played a couple games and tried to do embroidery but it was too crowded to enjoy that. So, I played. After the ultra sound I had an hour wait. So, I went to the waiting room and worked on my Brazilian embroidery.

This was about where I started. I was working on the pine needles. Then I branched off from there.

I actually got a lot done. I'm happy with it. I also worked on the rose leaf and decided I wanted to do a different leaf than it called for. I like it better than the one in the pattern.

After my appointment I headed back home. Stopped at the museum and found out we are not doing Monday's any more. So, the good news is I can get together with Sandy on the off Mondays's. She did ask if I would work Friday. Told her to call me on Thursday if she's still stuck.

Came home and worked on QOV stuff. I had 1 cancel for tomorrow, which didn't help at all!! Now I'm having to find someone else to be there and it looks like that won't happen. Or if it does, I'll probably end up with 2 coming in tomorrow and have to figure out what to do. UGH I also had to do the certificates. Contacted everyone to remind about tomorrow. One didn't realize it was tomorrow - my bad! They will be here though and that's good.

After all that, I finally got out the quilt to bind.

I found this corner needed to be redone. So, I took out about 12" and resewed it on. Then I got the corner to lay better.

This was what I took out and put back in. It worked out better that way.

This is the end result. It works out. One of the other corners I wasn't real happy with but it works. I may take it out and do it again. I'll wait and look at them again tomorrow. I am happy with how it's coming along. Once in awhile, while I'm working it, I wonder if it's looking okay. I try harder when I know it's for someone else. I hope to finish it tomorrow after QOV and before bowling. I really need to finish it tomorrow so I can deliver it on my way back or before going back up to Olympia. I also need to get a quilt up to Bill. Ouch, forgot about that too. Another list is getting done before I go to bed.

I stayed up to work on the quilt. It's getting late, and I need to call it a day. At least I was both Happy Stitching and Happy Quilting!

Spending The Day At The Museum

Today I was spending the day at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis. That is an awesome museum because the personal parts of the displays. I always see something new and I'm told the cases change from time to time, so one doesn't see the same thing every time they go. We had about 28 people go through today. That's pretty good when one figures the average day is about 15. We have programs that are in there as well, so that brings more people. I think our QOV also brings in more people. We even get people to come back later to see the museum. They are allowed to see the museum when they are awarded a quilt.

When I got home, Sophie has been keeping an eye on me.

I was going through the boxes of letters, genealogy information, and books that mom gave me. I was looking for Orville's other papers and things, that I have SOMEWHERE. I didn't find that but I did find a box of letters. So, I had Patrick bring it in and I went through 2 tubs and 1 box of letters. Of course, Sophie had to climb in all three to see what was going on! I found more letters from great granddad White and letters from my grandfather's brother Irvin. So, now I have more to write about them. I will try and do more letters on the other blog, now that I have the older letters to work with. I was getting into the 1960's and I really want to get as many of the letters before 1950 as I can. I may work on them tomorrow.

Wish at times I had an unlimited amount of time to work on things. Life isn't that easy. So, today was not a day of stitching but it was a day of going through stuff. I will be sending a lot of stuff to my 2 brothers once I get to that point.

I'm hoping tomorrow will bring a day of Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Days Not Over Yet

This morning I was up and on my way out the door to the museum. First I made a call to my brother, then I was out the door.

Arrived around 9:30 am and Skip was already inside. I kept banning on the door but he didn't notice. Another volunteer showed up and when I saw the lights go on, we were at the gate asking to get in. Skip gave the other guy the keys he needed, then let me in. I put the lunch stuff away. We had 8 people show up before 11 am and we open at 10 am. That made for a good day. One parent came to get some military toys for her son. It's his birthday in a couple days, and she bought him a gift. It was awesome. We had a really good day. I was there all day.

Faye showed up with my 2 quilts that were at Bills. I need to get them bound soon. I'll call Ethel and see if she can bind the one quilt. I need to get the other one done by Aug's meeting. We talked about what we have and what we need to do. We are trying to get the panel quilts done for Sept. We had a long chat about what we need to do and what is there.

Came home and Patrick had a few boxes from moms for me. I went out in the garage and went through a couple of the boxes. I wanted to see what was in them and what I needed to do with them. A lot of them were cook books, and I took what I wanted and then put the rest in a box for good will. I found photos from Japan, so I worked on those. I kept a few things, but put a lot in the box for good will. I really don't know what to do with some of it. Things I made as a kid. I hate to throw them out, but I don't know what I will do with them. One of these days I'll get to the point of getting rid of them. There was a photo of dad when he was in the military and I'll take that to the museum for them to put with the plaque we have with his name on it.  Not sure if I could work there and see him every time. But I want his photo with the plaque.

So, now I'm going to sit and relax. I'll pull out my cross stitching and see what I can get done on that. I need to work on something. I also need to remember to take something to work on while I'm waiting in Tacoma for my appointment tomorrow.

I'm going to quit right now and go be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Having A Fun Day!

First thing this morning we were out the door and off to the reenactment of the Civil War. Patrick and I volunteered to help at the food truck. Actually it was a jeep. We got everything set up and were ready to sell breakfast burritos. We really didn't sell very many for the time we were there. We had a good time. Then after our shift, we walked around and watched the reenactment.

They were getting ready to head to the fight. While we were cooking.

We went to the field to see the action. This was as it was going on. Amazing how close they got to each other. I enjoyed it, and found they would die, then move behind the line and come back to life.

We were behind the cannon.

This is the camping area. They actually stay the night in these things!

Afterwards we headed home. Had lunch and then I worked on the beads.

I found my word chart was wrong! I ended up re-writing it! I also had to take out about 7 rows. Then I started putting them back on. I got this far. I am hoping to gt them done soon.

I fell asleep on the couch after, and then it was time to eat and leave again.

We went to Monte Carlo at the bowling alley. I worked on my new bowl. Trouble is, my thumb hurt. I used sandpaper to get more room in the thumb hole.  I bowled a 174, 129, 169. I'm still working on the bowling ball. I need to relax more to get used to it.

Now we are home and I'm trying to play a couple games while watching the comity shows. At least I was able to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Working At The Veterans Memorial Museum

Today was the day I volunteer for the museum. Sophie was getting after me this morning. Think she wanted to play. But I had to leave.

I worked at the museum and it was busier than I expected.

We had a family of 6 already when I got home. We had a lot of people coming in. They have a ton of these bond fliers that were donated to the museum. We have a lot of stuff in the museum and it's hard to believe that most of what we have have come form local people. They go all the way back to the Rev. War. It's awesome. They have so much stuff that they have to store a lot.

When we did have down time,

I stitched some more stems on the pieces that go to moms quilt. I will start working on the leaves next. I did get about 3 stems attached. I really wasn't in the mood, but I did enjoy working on it.

Got home, and Sophie wouldn't leave me alone. Got supper going and then sat down. Before I realized it, I was working on the family history. I also went to Find A Grave, and fixed a few things there to get family connected.

It's a good Day of being Happy Quilting/Happy Stitching!

A Day Volunteering And At The Vets

This morning Sophie wasn't any better. So, I freaked out. I know when I'm in trouble with my pets. I called the Vets and they couldn't get me in today. If I called at 8 am tomorrow, they could get me in  - maybe. I called 2 other vets and they told me they couldn't get me in till Wednesday. One told me to go to Olympia to the Emergency Vets that's open 24 hours. I really couldn't do that because I was due at the museum. I called Patrick in a panic, and he told me to keep trying around here. I called mom's vet and asked if they could get me in today. I was told to show up about 3:10 pm and they would work me in.

I decided to call that good. Then it was time to go to the Veterans Memorial Museum to work. I got there early and was let in. Skip didn't make it yet, but we waited for Skip to have him open the museum. I let him know I needed to leave by 1:45 pm because I had to go home and get Sophie, then go all the way to Centralia to the vets. We worked, keeping me busy. I was so nervous about going! We had a lot of people show up - which is awesome!

It was time for me to go home to get Sophie..... She had a good idea what I was up to because she wanted to hide from me. She went under the bed. So, I acted like I was going to be home all day and got my tablet. She came out from under the bed and headed up the hall way. I picked her up and put her in the crate. She didn't seem to mind. She did mine the trip a little. We got to the vets about 30 mins early. We were greeted by the resident cat.

This cat sat in my lap and was right there checking on Sophie. Sophie went to the end of her crate, but didn't get upset or hiss.

We ended up waiting about 45 mins. I was okay with that as long as she got to see the vet. She dug herself into the crate. While we were waiting, they called our vet to see what shots she needed. About 5 mins later they called me to tell me they could get her in tomorrow!! I couldn't believe it. Patrick said, "at least they called you back."  I cancelled the appointment for Friday.

We finally got in, and they all were wonderful. He checked under her tongue and noticed something. He then put her under so he could check it out. She had a double wrap of the blue thread around her tongue. The ends were twisting like a tourniquet. That wasn't good!! If we would have waited till Wednesday it would have been a lot worse. He told me he was worried there was thread down her throat, and if that would have happened it could damage her insides. I didn't want to hear that! But it's all my fault she was in this stage. I didn't put my bobbin away, and she found it. I'm so thankful that I got her in today! Now I have to wait till tomorrow to go get her. I'm so thankful today!! There is a LOT that could have gone wrong! I came home and put my threads out of reach for her. I'm going to have to make sure I keep doing that! I cover my beads on the table, I'm going to have to put the thread in the box at night.

With a day like today, I wasn't able to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

A Day Of Volunteering

This morning Cherry and I went walking. We were done in a good amount of time. I grabbed my stuff and went to the Veterans Memorial Museum.  I put in 2 hours of volunteering. They put me to work doing inventory so they can get everything accounted for with the register. I didn't get a lot done, but I did get to know where some of the stuff is that is up for sale. I found a shirt that I might buy later on.

After 2 hours there, I came home. Then I got busy with putting the binding on Susy's quilt. Of course I had help from Sophie again.

At least I was able to get it bound. Now I need to work on the last one. I believe that one is mine. So, I should have the blue to use for that one. It's also a panel so it won't be given out till Sept. I also made a few calls to get information on the veterans. I also had to call a couple people to see if they would come and get a quilt. So far no answer to both of them. If I don't hear by the end of the week, I'll go for 2 other veterans to get quilts.

We had bowling tonight. I did okay for 9 pin. We lost all 3 games. The first game none of us were on, I bowled a 170. Then we lost by about 13 pins on the second game. I bowled a 215. I was getting better, but it didn't seem to help. I bowled a 255 for the last game. I got a 640 series. I beat Patrick. We were in first place but after today, I don't think we are. We bowled one of the 2 teams behind us. Oh, well. We had fun. Poor Joann, it wasn't her night. She was "so close!"

I really enjoyed volunteering today - both at the museum and for QOV. It was also a good day to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!!

A Day Of Volunteering And Bowling

This morning I was up earlier than usual. I needed to get my walking in before 9:30 am. I was due at the museum by 10 am.

Cherry and I got our walking in, and she kept talking as I was trying to leave. By the time I got back to the house it was already 9:40 am. So, I had to get moving. I got the meat out of the freezer and headed to the museum. I was able to be 5 mins early, but that wasn't what I had hoped for.

Greg (one of the museum's directors) trained me on what I needed to do for volunteering over the summer on Mondays. I will be doing the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. They asked if I could do the 18th and told them it's my Birthday, so no. Then I told them I wasn't even going to David funeral on the 18th. He chuckled over that. I was working the museum till about 3 pm, when a HS student came in. She had to get 10 hours in before the year was out. So, I told her she could take over for me and I'd go home. I need to go another day or two before next month so I can get it down on what I need to do. There is a lot to do. I really like being there with the others. Veterans are so much fun to be around. They really didn't have a lot of visitors today, but it was fun all the same. They are going to be open on Monday's this year for the summer to see how it goes. A lot of people commented that they came on Monday and it was closed. So, they want to see if it will hep. Hence me helping out.

Then when all was done, it was time to go bowling. We are bowling 9 pin no tap league for 8 weeks. Tonight was the first night. It went really well. Joann and I beat the guys. I bowled a 188, 256, 199. So, I'm okay with that. Had a few splits but over all it was fun and I didn't pretty good. I would have liked to have had a 200 all three games but that's the way it goes. Patrick and Nick were a 500 + series, while Joann and I had a 643 and 640. Joann is doing so much better. She had her ball fixed up in Federal Way. I want to go to that guy in Federal Way for another ball or even to see if this one is drilled wrong.

I wasn't able to be stitching today. Tomorrow is another day and I'm looking forward to being Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!