Southern Gamawinkie

Family 2011

2011-06-14T03:26:00.000-07:00

Family 2011

View Picture 5...jpg in slide show

2011-03-30T12:06:00.000-07:00

View Picture 5...jpg in slide show

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2011-01-23T06:58:00.000-08:00

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Facebook | Rei Bluford's Photos - Rei's Drawings... if Anyone's Interested...?

2010-12-07T17:53:00.000-08:00

Facebook | Rei Bluford's Photos - Rei's Drawings... if Anyone's Interested...?

Fall coming? Quilting, and Weigh Gain...

2010-09-27T17:22:00.000-07:00

Wow! 97 degrees last week, and 63 today...We have prayed for weeks for rain, and God has answered with 2 rainy days...

I went to a sew-in this past Saturday and worked on several black and white blocks. All I have to do know is to square them up, sew together, and get it quilted. I won't have enough time to hand quilt it before Christmas....

Things haven't been as good lately health-wise. Since gaining 40 pounds on Lyrica, I had to be weaned off it. It took about a month, and I still weigh way too much :{

Hopefully, in the next 6 weeks, some weight will "fall off"...wish it was that easy!

Since coming off the Lyrica, the neurological pain has exacerbated to an unbelievable level. I am to start Cymbalta for the pain, and I hope to heaven above that the pain goes away, and that I don't gain anymore weight. (Ok folks, just to be honest and to hold myself accountable, I am 4'9" almost, and just topped 170lbs. It was 177# (seven pounds gained in 5 days) but it was fluid.)

So...I'll keep posting.
xoxo

Family Picture from Hawai'i

2010-09-05T14:43:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of my daughter, Meighan, her husband, Toby, Tommy and Athena. Doesn't look they are happy, huh? I suspect it had been a tiring day for them. (They are the ones living in Hawai'i.

We have been planting bushes today after church. We planted 8 plants that have red berries (gift from a neighbor-she was going to cut them down) and 6 Rose of Sharon bushes (gift from another neighbor). The back yard has such a downward slope that the earth is beginning to erode even faster. So, thanks to the neighbors for the gifts. And compliments to DH for digging and planting.

Have a wonderful holiday.
x0x0

Super-Easy Chicken Enchilada Skillet recipe at Kraftfoods.com

2010-08-25T14:47:00.000-07:00

Super-Easy Chicken Enchilada Skillet recipe at Kraftfoods.com

forgetful...and quilting

2010-08-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Bob and I went to church prepared to teach Sunday School for the 3-5th grades, just to find out we we a week early! How's that for being "middle aged forgetful!" ^_^

Anyway, I actually finished the top last evening. It is on the bias, since it is curves, so putting it in the frame will be tricky for me.

The top picture is the black I am using for the border along with the pattern piece. It has butterflies in it.

The bottom picture the first row, so it gives you a glimpse into what the top looks like. For the borders on the sides, I decided to use 2 bottle pieces in black and it makes it look like a curved border. I'll snap a pix later and show it. I am still fiddling with the top borders.

xoxo

blood sugars and low carb diet.....

2010-08-20T17:38:00.000-07:00

Having been a nurse for years, I have done numerous blood sugars and encouraged folks to stick to their diet as ordered. Lately, I have experienced hypoglycemia, again, so blood sugars are ordered 4 times a day. That isn't so bad, but counting carbs and proteins are a drag!

I miss dessert. (though I still allow myself the frozen yogurt!). And just today, after eating half a turkey sandwich, no condiments or veggies, and half an apple, my blood sugar went into the 90's (which is normal) but mostly it has been into the 70's and 80's. So....next week I will ask the MD...what exactly AM I supposed to eat?

The bottle quilt rows are finished; although I want to add black ones on the end as a border. (I think). Hopefully, I will feel better tomorrow and get it done.
xoxo

I know I am boring....

2010-08-17T11:49:00.000-07:00

I still haven't been able to get the pictures I want on here. And, as a rule, I know blogs are "boring" unless they have pictures.

I am working on a bottle quilt. It is for the quilt challenge-making a quilt with one pattern piece in 20 fabrics of @ least 10 different colors.

The bottle pattern is surprisingly easy to cut, but sewing the curves is a little tedious. But, I am making progress, and if I would just sit there long enough, I'd have the rows already done to quilt!

It has rained most of the day, thank the Lord. So, for dinner, it's vegetable soup and corn bread.

xoxo

Thank God the wedding is over....

2010-07-31T17:30:00.000-07:00

It has been such a wild month for me! My son, Justin, and Rachel (Rei), got married last Saturday afternoon. Her US National Guard assignment was moved up until July 27th. That gave about 2 weeks to plan and execute a wedding!

Anyway, it got done, on a budget, and turned me into a wind-up maniac! ^_^. It was pretty, small, done in black, silver, burgundy, and white.

Thankfully, my wife-in-law, my son's father's wife, helped me with food. I know it's tradition for the bride's family to put on the dog, but in this case it was left up to me...

Rei is now in reception and is to be sent to Fort Jackson, SC for a number of months. Of course, we don't know just yet when/if she will be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Our quilt meeting is Monday night, and I am for one, looking for a relaxing night!
xoxo

Williamsburg, VA

2010-07-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

We arrived safely there and back. It is such a beautiful place. However, it was the hottest June on record, and the day we went to Colonial Williamsburg it was still 100 degrees at 5pm!

The next day we went to Busch Gardens. It was not at all what I expected. Beautiful flowers, clean park, nice attendants. And to beat it all, the guys got me on a roller coaster! They didn't believe I'd get on it ^.^

I hope to get the pix uploaded soon.
xoxo

2010-06-25T17:41:00.000-07:00

Aren't the pansies just beautiful? This is down the road at the neighbor's house. Just a few years ago this house caught fire Christmas Eve night and the older gentleman stayed at home that night and let his 8 older children and wife go on to Mass. He died in the fire.

They have done a beautiful job fixing this old house up.

House pix

2010-06-25T17:35:00.000-07:00

This is the front of my house. This is where we were putting old rocks around the side of the porch. I actually like the natural look of this...Can you see the tulips blooming?

Back to the "drawing" board...

2010-06-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

The past couple of days I have actually been working in the sewing room! YAY! I have completed 3 tops and am finishing the 4th one.

Tomorrow our guild is having a Sew-In. I intend to go but I haven't yet decided what I will work on. Actually, my mind is kind of divided as we are leaving Monday for vacation.

xoxo

A year past....

2010-06-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me yesterday that it would be a year ago today that I had my last ambulance ride to the hospital for my mini-stroke, aka, TIA. When I woke the day after Father's Day, I got out of bed and promptly fell into the floor because I "had no legs". I sat there about 30 minutes before I scooted myself into the hall where I awakened Justin, my son, and he carried me to the couch where I called 911 and slurred my way enough so that the dispatcher knew I needed help.

After about 3 days in the hospital in fair condition, and months of Physical, Speech, and Occupational therapies, I slowly recovered to where I began.

That being said, I am grateful that today started out as any other day. The new treatment regime for the immune disorder, while makes me very tired, actually makes me feel better. I am grateful for the doctors at Vanderbilt for trying this on me. As I said last week to the Dr., "I don't feel like death on a cracker".

Moral of the story, while true, is:

Never take for granted your days. Love hard, play hard, and forgive easy.
xoxo

Father's Day

2010-06-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

Today is Father's Day. And while my dad and I haven't had the best relationship, I still wanted to see him for a little while today. So...I went his church today. Then, I took my husband out for a nice lunch. Does a nap ever call to you in the afternoon? Well, today it did...not unlike most days!

I hope everyone had a good day.

We are going on vacation next Monday, the 28th to Williamsburg, VA. It is such a historic town, and I got a great price on the room! The drive will be long and tiring, but well worth it. And Virginia Beach is only about an hour away!

PS. This is a picture of Tommy teaching Athena how to read!
xoxo

post Memorial Day

2010-06-01T08:41:00.000-07:00

I hope that everyone had a great holiday. Memorial Day means a lot to me. America means a lot to me. If you get annoyed at those who always try to salute the flag, I am one of those annoyances. There are several military folks in my family, though I myself was too short to join when I was a young woman. Can you imagine that? What makes it even harder to believe is that I was borderline too skinny! If you could just see me now....haha...:)

Justin and Rachel came over, and Bob grilled brats and hot dogs. Even if we hadn't eaten, it is just nice to have the kids over. If Meighan, Toby, Tommy, and Athena could have been here, I think I would have flown from just sheer happiness.

My sewing room; a disaster at the moment. I can't even get into it. Maybe tonight the boys will help move things about so that I can at least reach my sewing machine. All the household changes require changes for me, so I am trying to find a little niche for me to be creative.

xoxo

Household info.........cont'd!

2010-05-29T06:22:00.000-07:00

It has been such a busy week that yesterday my body just said NO MORE! Typically I do take a nap in the afternoon, but yesterday I had to just take a Renea Day!

Josh and Bob were very helpful last night. After supper, I walked the dog and they finished the dishes and mopped. :) yay!

On the other job front, Justin and Rachel finally got jobs....

And dear sweet Meighan, still trying to find a government job in Hawai'i. You'd think with it being so military it wouldn't be so hard. Tommy and Athena, the grandchildren, are still beautiful (as all grandma's would say) and growing. It'll be hard to wait until next year to see them again.

Today is 1890's day in Ringgold. It might be fun, though I don't know if the fellas would enjoy it. After all, Josh's girlfriend is coming over this afternoon. They plan to eat (of course) and watch horror movies. If they get bored, I just might convince them to go to the festival. After all, they will be shooting fireworks tonight and I love fireworks!

I better eat breakfast...I want to share more things later.
lots of love
xoxo

and the household grew......

2010-05-16T09:04:00.000-07:00

It is a very rainy Sunday, not surprising as it seems like summer already. The humidity is overbearing and with it always comes the rain &/or storms. However, with the dryness over the past week, the grass and flowers need the drink from above.

My friend, Gloria, is coming tomorrow to spend a few days with me. It will be good to see her again.

Josh has decided to spend at least the summer with DH and me. I hope his mother will agree. He is 17, though, and will be a senior next year. He just needs a change and we will welcome him. It is nice to have youth around, even a sometimes smart-alack teen! His step-dad had a heart attack (2nd one) last night. Maybe the distance between the two will give him a rest.

Glynda, my next door neighbor, and I have been burning junk and debris from the gully between our properties. You wouldn't believe what we've found! She's lived there over 42 years and it hasn't been all cleared until now. We found a 20' gutter, distributor caps, wagon, toilet tank top, lino, roofing tiles, chairs, etc. And these were buried underground! We liked to have never dug this junk up. Makes me wonder who all those years ago put this stuff out there. But the dirt there is wonderful! We plan to plant azaleas there to beautify the yard and the neighborhood. It is probably at least a 40' drop from the road to where we were clearing, but it is beautiful landscape.

Today, I am having to use the walker because the pain is awful in my lower extremities. You know you always have to pay for playing! Doc's at Vandy say my body has bursitis all over. The new med regime is starting to work at reducing the inflammation it seems, but the pain has not totally gone. We will continue to work on that. It would have really never dawned on me that systemic nerve pain could be so painful as well as hard to control.

Have a wonderful day. I intend to!
xoxo
Renea

Tommy

2010-05-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

Just testing to see how to upload photos. This is my grandson, Tommy.

then the rains came!

2010-05-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

I drove to Nashville and back today. It had seemed the flooding was gone on the way up I-24, but on the way back, I could see the water almost to the side of the interstate. There are still plenty of people there w/o their homes and are missing work. The radio stations were announcing several fund raising efforts to help the flood victims.

Starting early this am, I guess 9am Central time, it started to rain again, and rained until I got home this afternoon. My prayer is that it doesn't create more flooding.

The doctors are changing my meds just a little to help get things under control. Then watch out yard, I will be back!

Hopefully, Josh, my 17 y/o step-son, will finally show me how to get my photos to show up on my blog! He will be here again this w/e, but getting him to slow down enough to show me....well, that is another story.

xoxo
Renea

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all! Even if you aren't a mother, you could very well have been an influence in someone's life.

I have had a good Mother's Day. Both my children called me, and Justin came over. I am sure Meighan would have come except she doesn't have wings to let her fly 5000 miles here....

My parents were surprised when I went to their church this am. It is the small church in which I was raised. There might have been 25 people there today.

Bob gave me a humorous card and the second season of Doc Martin. Despite all the pain I have been in over the last week, life is good.

I head to Vanderbilt Medical Center in the morning. Since I need to be in Nashville at 9am, I suppose I'll be on the road by 6am. In fact, I have 2 appointments tomorrow; one with the Rheumatologist and one with the Neuroimmunologist. So, we'll see how it goes. I am pretty happy at this moment with the treatment regimen, but I think I need to have ankle braces or something to keep me from twisting and falling. Since my hip is having a hard time supporting me over the last couple of days, maybe they'd help. I don't know, but I sure will ask.

Justin and I, (he's my 22 y/o son), have been taking old rocks and broken concrete from the yard and making rock gardens and walls. The property has in areas 60-75 degree incline and falling is so easy. Even Bob feel last week and cut himself. Soooo, not only are we trying to beautify the yard, we are recycling the rocks as well, and hoping to keep us safe from falls as well.

Take care and have a blessed day.
xoxoxo
Renea

just when I thought quilting was expensive.....

2010-04-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

I took the van in today for it's 60,000 mile maintenance; and wow! had to have 2 tires-one literally fell apart. Goodness gracious. Thankfully God didn't allow something bad to happen while I was on the road. Guess that means I really have to do something with my scraps now since I cannot afford more fabric.

I inherited yet another cat...kitten really. Marie, a beautiful black and white long haired domestic. Took her to the Spay/Neuter Clinic for the job. She'll be back in the am. As I said on FB, if this keeps happening, I am going to have to buy a farm...

Told my son, no more animals! I've already gotten three from him. But he knows I am a real softie....if he moves in, he'll bring Pryce, his rat with him. Oh my. But at least I am not afraid of him. (as long as he doesn't run around or get out of his cage).

Guess I better get back to my Beef Stroganoff. It's starting to smell really yummy.

xoxoxo

Beautiful Sunday

2010-04-25T16:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a very rainy, tornado-y day. We didn't get one here, but there was one not so far away. But it is a warm windy day and all the yellow pine pollen is gone. At least for today.

I am still quite tired from the trip. After reading how everyone seems to be spring cleaning their sewing rooms, I feel I need to do the same as well. My stash needs to be manageable!

xoxo
Renea

friends

2010-04-24T18:40:00.001-07:00

I was wondering, could anybody click on the friend button?

back in the saddle, again.

2010-04-24T18:21:00.000-07:00

Well, I got back midnight or so from Michigan where I attended the funeral. Never had I imagined that Michigan was such a pretty state. At least it was where I was. We were at one point so far out that the population is about 300 with no local police. The people there were so nice to me. And being a southern woman, they were intrigued by my accent and local colloquialisms. In fact, I kept giving one of the ministers, who is also the son of my friend who died, "southernisms". Maybe he can incorporate some of them into a sermon someday.

I was asked to sing at the funeral. The song they wanted was "The Wayfaring Stranger",a cappella. Though being nervous, it turned out OK.

So, I guess that maybe I can get back to sewing soon.
xoxoxo

And so it goes...

2010-04-16T04:55:00.000-07:00

I haven't gotten to write or even sew this week. Yet, anyway. I have been sitting with my friend's husband who is in the last stages of dying. It'd be a lie if I said it hasn't draining. He is a minister, his passing over makes it easier, and Hospice is doing all they can to alleviate his suffering.

With that all being said, if I don't go to Michigan for a funeral next Tuesday, I am to demonstrate the Twice as Nice Plus More technique from Eleanor Burns to the Battlefield Quilt Guild. I am excited about doing so...if only I get the handouts completed!

xoxoxo

April Blooms

2010-04-12T16:46:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a brief walk with the dog. The flowers from the Dogwood trees and the Azaleas are too beautiful to describe. Traditionally, April is to have the showers for the May flowers, but I think we are ahead of ourselves. Somehow, seeing all this beauty inspires me.

We are planning to plant a couple of trees for Arbor Day, if we can. I am leaning toward a Red Bud Tree because of the size and the flower color, or maybe pink Dogwood's. We might even put in Azaleas in the back yard to help keep the land from washing away down the ridge. We also might put in Japanese Maples just because they don't get too big.

Anyway, I can dream, can't I?
xoxoxo

Honolulu MS Walk

2010-04-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

I got the sweetest surprise this weekend. My daughter and son-in-law in Hawai'i donated money and did the MS walk with the kids in my honor. How thoughtful is that?
Brought me to tears. Every little bit given to any autoimmune organization hopefully brings things closer to a cure instead of "band-aids" to fix you.

xoxoxo

sausage fingers

2010-04-08T06:47:00.000-07:00

well, i survived! fingers look like big sausages, but that will soon pass. i am anxious 2 get back 2 sewing!

our guild is having a 4 patch block swap in july 4 the arkansas crossroads pattern. it is 2 be all scrappy made in darks and mediums. when i can use my dominant hand again, i can't wait 2 reduce my scrap bins!

xoxo
renea

Tindersticks

2010-04-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

Has anyone ever heard of Tindersticks? They are an English band. Kind of melancholy/soulful music. Alternative rock maybe. Just listening to their orchestral arrangements of their songs relaxes me. And since I am having surgery in a couple of hours, and I haven't had anything to eat, I need something to take my mind off of things.

Neil Young sings a song "A Man Needs a Maid". Seems to me these days I could use one. It'd be nice not to have to dust. I don't mind mopping but it does wear me out. It's just that dusting makes my hands feel dirty. And not the kind working in the yard does. (I like that kind of dirt!)...

Oh well, enough of my music musings. I'll be the bionic woman by the end of the year if it keeps up. Maybe I can get more quilting done!

xoxo
Renea

90 degrees and just the first of April!

2010-04-06T17:44:00.000-07:00

Just one month ago it was snowing. And now, another 90 degree day. However, dogwood winter should be on it's way by the week's end.

Tomorrow I have my carpal tunnel surgery on my right/dominant hand. Wish me luck!

We got good news/answered prayer last evening. Tommy, my grandson, was tested for Cystic Fibrosis. It was negative! I can't tell you the relief I have.

The quilt meeting last night was fun. I won a bunch of floral fat quarters! How fun is that?

I finished 2 tops last week. If I can ever figure out how to place pix on here, I'd love to!

Everyone take care of yourself.

Loads of love,
Renea

spring! and Happy Easter...

2010-04-01T18:16:00.000-07:00

It is still 80 degrees here and it is after 9pm! It has been a beautiful day. We are expecting warm temps for Easter Sunday, and I am happy about that. It is also Bob's 49th birthday! We plan to go to church, then out to lunch to celebrate. He wants a Vanilla Wafer Cake for his b/d, so I will make it Saturday. Since I gave up cake, cookies, and candy for lent, this will be a perfect time to eat a little cake.

I have to admit, though, that I haven't missed the food all that much. Thankfully God has helped me with it. We never celebrated Lent when I was a child; I really didn't know what it was until I married Bob and joined the Methodist Church. The Holy Days make me very happy.

The doctor's office called yesterday and again this morning. I have at least 5 tumors (non cancerous) and an abnormal pap. Guess surgery will be sometime this spring after the right hand surgery heals.

Have a wonderful holiday...
Renea

twice as nice plus more

2010-03-31T19:25:00.000-07:00

I have finally sewn together jelly roll strips for the twice as nice series. All I need to do now is to figure out how to put it together for the demonstration I am doing next month.

taxes

2010-03-30T18:05:00.000-07:00

Today Bob did our taxes. Thankfully. I dreaded doing them. The damage isn't as bad as we first thought. Having energy efficient windows put in the house saved our behinds.

I separated jelly roll strips last night for a demonstration I am doing in mid April. Hopefully, the quilt will get made in the next few days as I am facing surgery next week. Actually, the pattern I am using will make 3 small quilts.

Anyway, if I don't write much in the next 2-3 weeks, it is because my right hand will be bandaged and cut from the surgery. However, maybe I will be able to "hunt and peck" one handed!

Palm Sunday

2010-03-28T17:39:00.001-07:00

Today is Palm Sunday and watching the children bringing in the palm branches in church this am brought me to tears. It is such a spiritual experience for me.

I finished this months blocks for the buck a block- 2 large and 3 smaller. Guess I need to do the BOM for the next guild meeting.

Going to the surgeon in the am for a follow up on my surgery. If all goes well, I suppose he will schedule the other hand. Then I will be "pitiful"! (I am right handed and it's been tough enough having the left one done).

OMG! Has it been this long?

2010-03-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

Please don't be upset with me because I haven't blogged. My hand is finally getting better, though is still quite sore after 6 weeks. And to think I have to do the other hand soon. ugghhhh...

I finished the State of Grace quilt top on which I was working. I also finished a Christmas table topper. What else, hummmm, I have all my blocks made for my 30's buck a block. Maybe I'll get the top finished by weeks end.

Last Saturday I went to a sew-in to work on a quilt top for Habitat for Humanity. We got enough blocks done and rows sewed for one quilt with other blocks being made for another one. Our guild awards one about 2/year, depending on when the houses are awarded.

If anyone there is a praying person, please pray for my son. He has been suffering from depression. I took him to the walk-in crisis center clinic, and got him some help. Thankfully, medication is working.

Athena, my granddaughter, is beautiful as my daughter sends her pictures to me on the cell. Tommy, whose pix is my photo on front, is my almost 4 y/o grandson. He has pink eye; doing well, but who at 4 wants eye drops? Certainly not me!

ttfn
Renea

recuperating!

2010-02-14T14:32:00.000-08:00

I am finally able to type somewhat with my left hand, despite the surgery on the hand and elbow. The pain is better; mostly sore now.

One of the guilds I am in meets this coming Tuesday night. Just got an e-mail about needing to cut rectangles and squares for the presentation. Guess I won't participate; am afraid to do much at present where a knife is concerned!

The morning snow has already melted, but the forecast is for more, along with the frozen ice for in the morning. Good excuse for staying in...

snow again....and post-op

2010-02-12T10:38:00.000-08:00

can you believe it's snowing again in tennessee? anyway, it is beautiful. surgery went well, typing one handed. did hand and elbow, so no sewing 4 a while.

Blocks and Carpal Tunnel

2010-02-09T08:37:00.000-08:00

I used the Thangles for the Buck a Blocks. They aren't hard to use, but I find I have to be careful pulling the paper off to not pull my stitches.

Well, it's catching up with me. Old age! I am having carpal tunnel surgery tomorrow, then the other hand in 6 weeks. So I suppose my quilting will slow down for the next bit.

I did get blocks made yesterday for next month to try to get a little ahead. Wish me well!

buck a block...and more cold weather! plus a cry of happiness....

2010-02-06T18:32:00.000-08:00

I knew when I saw the squirrels in the fall it was going to be a cold winter. I don't mind though, because maybe it'll help kill the mosquitoes and bugs that we get during the summer. But today, just snow flurries, but the wind is cold!

I have just started the "buck a block" series for this year. I have never used Thangles before, so it should be interesting! There are 2 sizes of blocks- 2 large and 3 small in different color schemes- tone on tone, floral, brights, civil war, and scrappy. Soooo, if I get them all done each month, there will be 5 tops completed. Yay!

I have been sick with a flare up and an infection for over a week and have just started feeling better the last couple of days. The transplant drugs they gave me before helped my disease, but left me toxic, so I had to come off them. The secondary choice they are giving me makes me feel less like death, but I can't seem to be pain free...anyway, so you can imagine how tired I was beginning to feel when...

I talked to my daughter in Hawai'i yesterday and she sent me pictures of Athena, the 4 month old. Then, she told me that she thinks I am beautiful. I immediately cried. I just thought that all daughters didn't think of their moms as attractive, so this made my day, week, everything. I am a very lucky gal. And am so proud of my children. God has blessed me very much.

Snow! again in Tennessee! :)

2010-01-29T12:57:00.000-08:00

It was almost 60 degrees yesterday and today we already have about 4" snow at the house. I love it. It is so pretty and pure. Of course, my Mary Kay party has been canceled- and I made a chocolate cake and cheese ball. The boys will be happy with the cake, so I guess the cheese ball is mine-all mine! ha ha!

organizing the sewing room

2010-01-26T17:03:00.000-08:00

I have been working on the State of Grace quilt that I am supposed to be leading on the weekends. Last w/e 2 of the Hip Crips were sick, so the class is post poned until this Sat. But....looks like we might get either sleet or snow or both. So I guess it possibly will be postponed yet again.

Last night I decided to watch Retro TV (with the digital conversion box) in my sewing room. So as to not feel just lazy, I decided to work on the denim leg scraps given to me by my neighbor. (she makes purses out of jeans). I cut off the hems and seams, then folded the fabric to someday be used as a rag quilt.

I have been cutting out very small whirligig pieces for my president's challenge. The pieces are only about 2 x 2.5 inches before cutting them in two. Hope I don't get tired of messing with the small pieces!

My Mary Kay party is Friday night. Hope I have a good turnout! Sure would like some free make up!

gamawinkie-what?

2010-01-23T16:19:00.000-08:00

I guess some of you are wondering "what in the world is a gamawinkie?". Well, it stems from a nickname my daughter, Meighan, gave me when she was still in high school. She used to tease me and tell me that someday I'd have a grandchild that couldn't talk plain and would try to say "Grandma Wrinkles!", but it would come out as "Gamawinkie". The nickname has stuck, although my 3 y/o grandson just calls me Grandma. But all the packages I send him (and his baby sister, mom and dad) are all sent from Gamawinkie! (they live about 5000 miles away from home). Anyway, I have been working on the mystery quilt and gotten the first step done. I'd post a picture except the battery is dead in the camera and I still haven't as of yet a battery charger. Oh well, hope to post some pix very soon...

30

2010-01-12T11:56:00.001-08:00

30's stash & Physical Therapy

2010-01-12T11:56:00.000-08:00

Since I am hosting the Mystery Quilt at Moon Over the Mountain Guild, I have to get started cutting out my fabric. I am fortunate that I, and only I, know what the final look is to be. I have decided to use my stash of 30's &/or some that are similar. Since I am on pain med at the moment, I will wait to cut the pieces until the pain subsides.

I had PT today and am walking better, with less pain, but not absent pain. PT said I probably will be there for a long time to come...anyway, guess I shouldn't ramble on. MS, Rheumatoid, and Scleroderma are bad enough enemies w/o me fretting about them...

Soon as I can, I plan to post pix of my qips (quilts in progress...)...please bear with me.

R

Pepper's home!

2010-01-10T09:25:00.000-08:00

With the snow, ice, and below freezing temps for over a week, my 8 year old cat, Pepper, has been gone. I, of course, feared the worst since he hasn't come home. But, today, thankfully, he came home. Just to eat, but at least I know he is OK. He is an outdoor cat, almost feral, but he allows me to pick him up and stroke him briefly. He doesn't like my "granddog" Punk, a dachshund, and a year old sickly cat I have named "Freddy von KittyCat"-aka Fred. So, he avoids them. After all, he is the "alpha male" in the animal kingdom here!

southern snow!

2010-01-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

We have had snow showers since before noon! It is beautiful, but, however, it's not enough to cover the yard. The temp is getting colder, though, and icicles are hanging from the car outside.

The guild meeting went well Monday night. There were approx. 20 people there; a couple of visitors came as well. It was bitterly cold, for here especially (around 20 or so degrees F), so the coffee served was quite welcomed. The mystery quilt I started presenting was received very well, and for that I am quite pleased.

Guess we'll see what happens with the snow/ice tonight. They are calling for more snow showers on Saturday. I had planned to meet with the "Hip Crips" on Saturday, but 2 of us 6 are sick, so we are postponing it for 2 more weeks. I'll explain more about the "Hip Crips" later....

quild meeting

2010-01-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

Tonight is our Moon Over the Mountain guild meeting. Last year I served as President, and this year I am the Secretary/Newsletter person. I think I am going to enjoy being the secretary. This month I will be doing the program, and I am hosting the mystery quilt. I actually haven't done it myself just yet, but I will be following along with the girls in the guild. It will last about 6 months, then can be assembled.

Wish me luck!

2010 Already?!

2010-01-03T16:16:00.000-08:00

It was a decade ago that Y2K was all the rage. Here it is 10 years later and it seems as if the hype never happened. It was funny at work, however, when I returned to work that the computer did change the date to 1972. Good thing we'd bought a new computer system, though no one expected that the date would change. Enough of that.

A goal for me this year is to use more of my stash and scraps when making quilts. I want to "simplify" my life, and become less cluttered by reducing what is in my sewing room. Of course, we all know what it is like to find a fabric we cannot resist!