Day After Mother's Day

Funny how holidays don't seem to make things any different. Other than gifts. lol

This morning I was awakened by the door bell. Apparently Patrick forgot the fireplace guy was coming to work on the fireplace. So, he put his PJ bottoms on and went to answer the door. Come to find out, there were some problems with the fireplace. So, it's going to cast a couple hundred to get it fixed, but at least we can get it fixed now instead of later.

I took a shower and got moving. It felt good to get up. We waited to see what the "news" would be. Then I went and got started on the beading.

I was able to get a few more stitches in when Patrick decided he wanted to watch a movie with me. I told him to give me till 1 p.m.

At 1 pm, I sat down to watch an old western movie. While I was watching it, I worked on my cross stitching. After the movie went back to the beading.

I got a few more beads in. I'm now at 169/206 rows done. It's getting done pretty quick. I do like the way this is coming along.

After supper I went back to working on my cross stitching.

I got a few more stitches in for this. I added another black haired angel. I will add one more red head and then will be happy with the angels. I was surprised at how much I have got done.

At least I was Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Being a mom, I thought I was entitled to sleep in. So I did! I slept till 10 am this morning. That is rare for me. I think the latest I have slept in these days is 9 am. I just couldn't get my eye to open up and call it a day to get going.

When I got up, I had a message from Phil looking for me. He wanted to call and chat. We chatted awhile. It was great. I enjoy talking to my son from time to time. Patrick was trying to tell me to tell him it's better to call then text. But I will take it either way! Texting is good too! Katt texted me. She had sent a really cool card earlier. Phil asked if I got the gift card he placed for me. I hadn't so he's checking on it. Chances are I'll get it tomorrow.

We went over to moms. We gave her a flower pot and Patrick cleared out the pots on the deck. He brought them home so he can fill them in and take them back. Plus he tried to get the watering system to work but he didn't have the 9-Volt batteries. So, we'll take the batteries next time we go and get it working for her. She's talking about having Patrick move the bird feeder to the front of the house. He told her he will do that next time. He put the embroidery piece I made up on the wall for her. It's in the living room. I was surprised, but I'm glad it's up on the wall.

We came back home. Then I finished getting my Ciabatta bread ready for baking.

I decided to work on my cross stitch today instead of the beading. I do want to get my beading done, but I also didn't want to rush myself.

I've got more done! I really did get more stitching in then I have in a long time. This thing is huge. I am really surprised at how big this is. It's coming along. I'll keep working on it.

After supper, I decided to make some Cowboy Cookies! Since it's a "no electric" day, I had to keep busy. I wasn't able to do my games. So, I cooked. I baked Ciabatta bread and baked cookies. Not that I needed to do either one! At this rate, I'm gaining weight! But I do love to cook, and because I love to cook, I also love to eat! I was doing good but lately, it's not that easy.

I had Patrick size the cookies! I couldn't see making such big cookies. He was going huge! But we still got 30 cookies out of it and it was supposed to be 24. Wow! He was a sweetheart and helped with clean up! I had the kitchen cleaned while we were baking the cookies, and he washed the dishes afterward. I was so surprised. I usually do the dishes and he wipes down.

It was a lovely day. I was able to visit mom and hear from my kids. I really can't wait for us to be able to get out again. When Patrick got some stuff from one of his worker - he wore the mask! I was so proud! At first I don't think she knew who he was.

Each day goes by, each day I wonder how much longer this will be. It's like I said before, "groundhogs day." At least today, I was doing other things that I haven't done for awhile. It's hard each day to figure out what I want for supper. We need to know and take something out. I keep feeling like "same old, same old." Groundhogs Day! I'm getting myself to go look for better recipes and try different things. I tried some Chinese food, but the crust was awful! I'm getting back to putting recipes on my recipes blog. Didn't realize it's been 6 years since I posted on there. Where does the time go?! I have been adding to my letters blog though. My binders are growing! At least I can keep posting here, because I'm always Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

A Day Of Beading - May Have Another Finish Soon

Today I was up early. The sun was driving me nuts. lol 

I got working on laundry and then beading. 

I got to 156/206. A lot farther than I figured I could get at. It's coming along great. I can't wait to get started on the gift project. I'm a little concerned though, because it's all "dull" colors. I also did a pattern of Sophie, and that one has better colors. I'm actually having fun making patterns. Don't know if I will ever make them all but it will be fun making the patterns. I still want to do the Snowman piece. 

While I was doing the laundry, I took the towel outside. While I was out there, 

I found these flowers blooming! It's so pretty! I was thrilled to find these. 

It was weird today, though. I was thinking about all of us who do crafts. If I were to go to a fair or craft show, what I make would only go for about 25 cents to MAYBE $200. Yet, a football player, basket ball player, or sports figure would make over a million dollars. If we put in the time (like my beads taking about 1 hour per row), and the cost of what I paid to make it, then it SHOULD be several hundred dollars. Yet, very few people would pay that price. So, tell me, what is wrong with this picture. I spend more time working on my craft, while sport figures take less time than I do to play a game. Where have we come in life, if a game is worth more than someones creativity?! To think, I should have played basketball or something! 

Anyway, just a thought. Life is good, I'm still Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

What Is It About Fridays?

Okay, it's Friday......so what. At least that's what I have been asking myself lately We've been on "shut down" for a good 3 months now. Started in the end of Feb and it's May now. We didn't get to celebrate moms Birthday, but then we aren't the only ones. Now it's Mother Day weekend, and again we can't celebrate with her. Next week is Dan and my Birthday, and again, we can't celebrate. It's starting to get old. 

I slept in again. Wanted to just stay in bed all morning. Patrick got up about 10 mins before me. I told him I didn't want to get up. He replied, "Then you should have stayed in bed. What difference would it make? No place to go." Which is so true now. Maybe next time I'll just sleep the whole morning. 

I did get laundry going. I was able to get 2 loads done with the 3rd still in the dryer. I will take care of that later. 

Patrick went outside to work on the garden and a few things around the house. The yard looks awesome and it's all his work. He's got plants to plant. He took photos and put them on Instagram. I didn't go out even though it was a really nice 80 degrees. Patrick's brother, Dennis, sent him a video of the snow coming down pretty good up there in the UP of MI. I was glad we were here. As Patrick said, doesn't look like we will be in swimming suits when we go for dad's 80 Birthday. 

I beaded pretty much all afternoon and evening. I find it relaxing and I really enjoy listening to my audio books. 

I'm now at 144/206 rows done. I guess I was on a roll. It's looking pretty good right now. I think it's getting to the water at his feet. It really does look like a polar bear. 

I did get my beads I ordered from High Street Beading Co. in TX?. Now I have all the beads for my gift. I just can't show my work. I will figure something out so I can show some of it. 

Okay, I guess Fridays have changed. Not sure I look forward to them like I used to. But it's Friday and I was Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

An Almost Normal Day

This morning I slept in later than I have in a long time. It felt good for the first time in awhile.

I played for awhile. Then Patrick wanted to go to DeGautie's (sp) for flower pots. So, we took a trip out that direction. We came back with 5 hanging pots. They were really pretty. Came home and Patrick worked on getting them set up on the deck. It looks great out on the deck. He put the watering system going.

While Patrick was doing that, I was beading.

I'm now at 135/207 rows. It's coming along nicely. I love the way it's coming. I was listening to one of my audio books and decided I didn't want to listen to it anymore. So, I went and got another one because the ones on hold where not ready yet. I may have to get another one tomorrow if I finish this one soon.

We then went out to Dairy Queen to get some chicken strips. We eat at the park. It turned out pretty good. I ordered through the app but we still had to wait on the food. Not sure I like the app part of ordering.

Came home after stopping at the store for some milk and a few things. We got a couple things free, but then 2 of the "free" stuff didn't come up on the receipt so we ended up paying for those. Got that -.01 .01 balance on the receipt. Didn't see it till we were one the way home.

When we got home, I wanted to try crocheting the bag I was thinking about doing.

So, I got part of the bottom done. It's all recycled bags. I was working on them and was wondering if it would work like they said. So, I worked on it, and was surprised at how easy it was. I'm still working on it. I'm not sure if I have enough to do the whole bag, but I can used up what I have and then go from there. It was quick and easy getting that much done. It's curling on me, but I'm slowly getting extra stitches in on the bottom.

I decided I didn't want to do much, so I played games tonight. It was a quiet and quick night. At least I can say it was almost normal today. It made it easier to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Wow! Changes Going On!

As I open up my blog, I found there are changes that I'm going to have to figure out. I'm not sure how I'm going to find the "new post" tag to add to my blog. I went to post and got an interesting set of blocks with the blog posts I posted. It's so different! This is going to be another learning tool!

This morning I was enjoying the sleeping in part. I did get up early, then decided to go back to bed. It felt good to sleep in. Sophie was waiting on me. She was something else at 2 am! She wanted attention and meowed at me while I was "on the pot." So, I petted here. Apparently it wasn't enough because she jumped up on the bed and climbed on me. I was on my side. The next thing I knew was a paw was stretching out on my cheek. I petted her, then put my arm back down. Another paw came up across my face and toughed my arm. I couldn't get her to leave me alone. So, I finally petted her more Then Patrick rolled over and she took off.

I decided to get the house picked up a little. Vacuumed and swept the floor. After that worked on our bank statement. Got all that taken care of. Then I was ready to go bead!

I'm getting there. I reached 126/206 rows. I just kept going today. I also finished an audio book and started another one. It's really enjoyable beading. It relaxes me. I tend to forget time and just keep working on it.

After I decided to give it a break and come back to join Patrick watching TV, I got moving to cross stitching.

I was able to do the bottom area blue. I also outlined the boy. I didn't get a lot done, but I did get more done. I am getting this done, little bit by little bit. I think it's because it is frustrating at times, so I'm not in a big hurry to get it done. Plus I don't know who's name is going to go on the bottom of the tree. Either way, I'll have to get the names from my genealogy.

Now I just need to check out the changes going on with my blog information. Once I figure that out, I'll be back on track. I'll keep trying to figure it out and get back on track.

In the meantime, I'm Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Trip To The Doctors -

This morning I was up and ready to go to Olympia for my doctor appointment. I had to make the appointment yesterday because my doctor and the nurse wanted me to make an appearance regarding my chest pains.

I was at my appointment about 10 mins early. I had to wait 10 mins past my time, and I had to wait another 15 mins for the doctor. When she finally came in, it went really quick. We talked about my chest pains and my back pains. She told me what to look out for, for a heart attack. I didn't think it was a heart attack. We've been working on this for several years and determined it's my reflux. I was given some medication to pick up. I had to take it today to get started It's one I have to take first thing in the morning. Talked to the pharmacists and was told to take the thyroid meds first, wait 30 mins and take this medication, then wait another 30 mins before eating. Oh what FUN!! NOT.

We came back home. I got another load of laundry in an beaded while Patrick went to the golf course. At least they opened the golf course. He was thinking of getting a pass, but they wanted $1,300 for the pass. He would have to golf 5x's a week! So, he is thinking about it. Don't think he will get it because he won't want to go golfing that much all year.

Faye stopped by and gave me 4 quilts. 3 of the quilts where donated to our group! Now I think our count is up to 14. Can't wait to honor our Veterans with all these quilts. I need to get moving on a couple of mine to get them done as well. I know Bill is looking for some quilts to quilt. I will see how it goes!

I enjoyed some music and then listened to the audio book.

I was able to get another 7 rows done. I was moving around a lot, or I could have gotten more done. I'm now at 114/206 rows done. It's getting there. I haven't shown Katt what it looks like yet. We talked about framing it, and I told her this one can be framed. That would probably be a good idea.

Then after supper I got on the computer and watched a few Youtube videos on some jewelry. I may make a couple of the bracelets that they have. They look easy enough. I told Katt I had a Mickey Mouse bracelet and she said, "Why doesn't that surprise me?!"

I was one the computer tonight, so didn't get any cross stitching done. I will hopefully get more done tomorrow. It's a better day to have been Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Yet Another Day At Home

Today started out pretty good.

I emailed my doctor and let her know the pepcid isn't working as well as zantac did. That started off pretty bad. She wanted me to call the nurse. I did.......we chatted about my chest pains and back pains that I get when my reflux goes off. Since I have a new doctor, she wanted me to go over this with the nurse. LONG story short, I have to go see a doctor tomorrow to have the pains looked into. UGH. They are thinking it may be my heart, but I'm pretty sure it's the reflux.

Patrick brought me my package of beads that I got today. It was so nice to get! I ordered from Fire Mountain Gems. I then logged all my beads into my excel program. Then I put the beads that I'm going to need for my "gift" together. I figured out I ordered the wrong number on one, and I was missing one. So, I went back to High Street Bead Co. and ordered what I needed. She had some beads on sell, so I decided to add a few beads to my collection. I only spent $10. That way I will have what I needed and I got a couple of her sell beads. I probably could get them cheaper at Fire Mountain but the only way to get a really good deal is to have 25 things or more. I will have to order some bracelet pieces later. That will help.

I marked them with the number, so it would be easier to work with.

After all that (Patrick was out shopping that whole time), and after watching a couple of my shows, I decided to sit and cross stitch. I didn't want to do beading today. Shame because it would be nice to get that done to start on the "gift."

I was able to roll my frame to get more areas to work in.

I got more blue done. I then outlined the lady angel. Then I noticed I was a "line" off. I decided I would NOT take out all the lines that were off. Plus I noticed it wouldn't be noticeable. So, I left it. I know I will KNOW it's there, but I'm going to suck it up and let it go....I hope. 

I was able to get a lot done. BUT in truth, I wasn't all there today. I don't like the idea that I have to go up and see a doctor tomorrow. I don't like having to stay home day after day. I'm not going to take chances, because I believe there is going to be another wave of this virus. I'm tired of all of this. I need to get out! So, maybe tomorrow will help. I'm way too emotional to do much lately. I was reading about our playhouse canceling the year. It will start back up in June or July. I actually started to cry!! WHY?! It's not worth getting upset about! UGH. So, that's been my day. Prayers tomorrow will be a better day for me. I want to go out and eat! UGH! All in all at least I tried to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Happy 85th Birthday Mom!

This morning I was up and got the cinnamon buns in the oven. They turned out awesome! I don't know what I did right, but they turned out really good. Then I baked mom's while we were having ours. Each of us got 5 cinnamon buns (mom on batch, Patrick and I the other batch). After all that was done, we headed over to moms with her gift, cake and buns.

A photo of her that's on my wall. This was about 15 years ago, I think. She's still pretty close to that but has a few wrinkles. Mom really hasn't changed over the last 25 years. Hard to believe she's 85 years old. Dad would have been 87. Like my brother said, "Unreal."

We arrived at moms around 10:30 am. We decided to stay awhile, plus I needed to make her frosting for the cinnamon buns. She like the cream cheese frosting (Patrick doesn't) so I checked to make sure she had the cream cheese. When we got there, I made her frosting and frosted the buns. Patrick told her to go ahead and eat one since they were still warm. She loved them. We also gave her 1/3 of the cake. She was thrilled about that too.

Cinnamon buns in the back. The cake on the left is what she got. We also gave her the tea pot embroidery that I did. She wanted to hang it up right away, but Patrick couldn't find the hooks that were in the garage. Guess my brother took all those. So, we told her the next time Patrick comes over he will do that for her. We will probably see her on Mother's Day as well. We would have taken her out to dinner, but as we all know, restaurants are closed. It will be awhile before we all can go out to eat again. We visited for about a half hour and then came home.

Got home and went to work on my beading. Katt called while I was beading and we chatted for awhile. Patrick and her chatted longer. It was so good to hear her voice and know she's doing okay.

The Polar Bear is now half way. 99 more rows to go. 108/207 rows completed. I wondered if the neck/chest area was easy to see or not. Close up it blends in, but the photo shows it pretty good. It's going to be fun to finish this one. Can't wait.

After awhile, (laundry, cooking, beading), I decided to sit and watch TV. So, I was able to pull out the cross stitch - which I haven't had the chance to do for a couple days - and stitch.

I worked on the angel in the middle. I also had to redo some of the cloud by her because I was off a stitch. Now I think I'm back on track. I will outline her tomorrow and get a few more clouds done. One would think it would go quickly but it really doesn't. There is a lot I have to pay very close attention to or end up taking it out. I've done that so many times, that I often wonder if I'm making headway or not. I can't wait to get to my next project. I could start it, but really don't want 2 things going at once. Bad enough I have that with quilting. Beading, embroidery, and cross stitching can stay with one project at a time.

Today ended up being busy and slow. Chatty and fun. A lot is going on in this world. I see protests and as much as I hate to admit it, I wish some of them would get the virus so they would understand how serious this is. Then I get mad at myself for thinking that, because I wish no ill will toward anyone. I just wish people would be more considerate, even if it was just to wear masks wherever they go. I believe a second wave is coming and I just hope I can be safe from it. I will try everything I can not to get it and not to give it to anyone else.

It's a good day. Each day I'm thankful for. Each day I'm enjoying being Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Another Day Of Fun!

This morning I was up after Patrick. That surprised me. I guess I wanted to sleep longer.

Then I got going with my games. Once I was satisfied, I decided to work on my beading. Ended up trying to figure out what I needed to do. Almost wore the carpet out by trying to decide what to do. When 1 pm arrived I had decided I better get going on mom's and Patrick's cake. Moms because it's her Birthday tomorrow and Patrick's because he wanted that cake made. We will cut a 1/4 of the cake and take it to her tomorrow. That way they both win.

Patrick worked on my clock!! I'm so thankful to him!! That clock is over 150 years old. Dad got it when I was around a year old while we lived in Germany. It's been in our house the whole time growing up. Brother Patrick has the Grandfather clock that was with it as well. My Patrick got this one working again!! I'm so thrilled! For the past 2 days, it's chimed on the half hour and the hour! I love hearing it again.

Ages shows on it, but Patrick has been taking really good care of it. He got it fixed on my Birthday about 3 years ago. I worked for about 6 months and then quit. So, yesterday he decided to take it apart to see if he could fix it. He looked online and watched a few videos. Then it worked. But then the pendulum would work and it stopped the clock. He did more looking and found out why. He fixed it and now we are back to telling time. It was so funny watching Sophie. Every time it chimed she would stare at it wondering what the heck was going on.

Once I got the cake in the oven, I went to do some beading.

I only got about 4 rows in. I took this photo to send my brother. We were texting each other about what's going on. I really enjoyed an hour of going back and forth with him. I hadn't talked to him in a long time, and just wanted to know how he was doing.

Ethel called and we chatted a half hour too. She was asking where the labels go on the quilts for QOV. She's been doing the bindings and the labels. I really need to order more labels.

Chatted with mom as well.

While supper was in the oven, I kept busy with games and beading. I just wasn't in the mood for much today. I did do laundry though. I just couldn't get myself to sit down and work on something....it was a weird day for me.

After supper I finished up with the cake. Patrick frosted the cake and I worked on getting moms cinnamon buns going. The disadvantage of baking and baking is that one ends up cleaning and washing, then cleaning and washing dishes again. It doesn't stop till the last of it is done. I swear I washed dishes at least 3 times today. Actually twice, Patrick did a load as well. UGH. I do have a dishwasher but the baking pans really don't go in the dishwasher. At least some of them, I don't trust in the dishwasher. Some say I do more work then I need to, but some of my pots that went in the dishwasher came out in bad shape.

 
Patrick frosted it, and then had to put powdered sugar on top of it. Not what I would have done, but he's trying to look fancy. lol

I really can't say today was a good day for me, but I can say it was productive. Not quiet Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Stay At Home Extended

This morning started out pretty good. I finished the masks and called Mike. I had 20 masks done, when I told him I would have 12 for him. He took them all because he had people that could use them. They ended up staying in the "family." They all went for Mike's employees and the rest went to the family. It's my daughter-in-laws family. I'm happy about that.

Patrick went shopping before Mike got here. He picked up all the stuff we needed. I'm going to bake a Birthday cake for mom tomorrow and then I'm going to set up for her to have cinnamon rolls as well. Will take that to her Sunday - but only about 1/4 of the cake. Patrick came home with 100 monopoly tickets.

It took me 3 hours plus to go through all of them! I only got 1 ticket I didn't have. But I did get a lot of free stuff. I clicked all the stuff on the app. Hard to believe it took that long!

While I was doing all that, we watched the Governor speak. He now has 4 phases for us to go through. We are in phase 1 and he thinks we will stay in that phase for at least 3 weeks. Some other counties may be able to move into phase 2 before the rest of us. Lewis County is just getting started with the virus. So, not sure when we will be able to move on. This phase is where people can go outside, golfing (only in groups of 2 unless family members and then only in 4's), and fishing. It's a start. Trouble is we had a lot of protests in the last couple weeks, and I'm betting that is going to hurt us all. We may end up going back to shut down if they got the virus. A couple weeks will tell.

Then I went and worked on my beading.

This came in the mail. So, I entered all the bead numbers in my chart. Then I put them in this container because I will be using them in the next "surprise" Christmas gift. OR it will be a Birthday gift, hard to say right now. Once I got all that done, and we had supper.

After supper I wanted to get some beading done on the Polar Bear!

He is so close to 1/2 way done! I'm on row 99/207. I hope to get more done tomorrow. The last couple days have been way too busy for me to work on it. Coming along nicely!

I took a break and worked on my exercises. Once I was done, Patrick turned on a movie, so I had to call it quits and work on my cross stitching.

I was able to get more done. I also am getting started one working on another angel. She's got blonde hair, so you can't see her very well right now. I'll hopefully get her done tomorrow as well. We can hope. Sophie wanted me to give her TLC and didn't want me working on this. I was able to get a little done, but not as much as I would have loved.

Now, we will the staying home till at least May 31st unless the Governor changes his mind. Time will tell. We are due to see Patrick family in June, but not sure if we will be able to or not. Patrick is determined that we will be going. We have tickets, so betting he's not going to cancel this one.

Even though we have to stay home, I'm still loving being Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!