Friends

I can not resist this. The following is an e-mail from a very dear friend. Read it quickly because if she sees this, I may have to pull it. I don't think I've had this good of a laugh in a long time. I merely asked for book reviews for the library's site.

Disclaimer: Names have been changed to protect the innocent...her husband is the only innocent I found in this whole thing. ;o) Any censoring was done by my very dear friend.

Yeah..........and a very happy new year to you also, Mrs. Sherry !!!

I have been on crutches ever since last year and I have read so many books that I have continuous headaches.

I liked some of the books, some I did not; some made me cry, others did not. I always finish what I start even if it's ' waaaaay wrong'. Never did like book reports. Hey, I didn't even like school, but in order to live I HAD to attend AND remain on the honor roll.........or else.

I received a bag of books from one of my church members. She joined a Christian book club and has about lost what bit of 'religion' she has because the books are coming so frequently. She swears that they are coming out of the wazoo. (whatever that is) Does the library have any of the books I have read? Probably not. So, so much for my review, eh? But just for your own info, I read 'em because they were: (1) free (2) large enough print not to stress me out (3) I was unable to leave the house to get what I wanted (4) -husband- still has a nasty cold so I had mercy on him and did not send him to get the 'who done it' type I like (5) I was too 'sorry' to even get on the computer to read and answer mail (6) I ran out of wine (7) I had to stay off my feet and elevate (8) TV was not an option ( 9) needed to unwind after the kids/grands left (10) had already finished my scrapbook of family members
(11) fully clothed, I fell down, barely missed falling into the bath tub. (12) stayed pissed with -husband- for a good 24 hours because he did not hear nor feel me when I hit the floor. At - oops...better leave weight out of this - plus, I KNOW #### well that I had to have shaken
not only the pictures on the walls but the foundation of the house. Did he come to my ####### rescue? #### NO !!!

I said a prayer of thanks, finally got up and totally forgot about the 'religous books' that I was reading. (13) the orgami frogs that I taught myself to make never did hop like the instrucrions stated (14) could not play the keyboard, while my foot was elevated (15) tried the guitar again...it sounded lousy, as usual, my fault of course. (16) And.........I DID NOT CALL YOU TO SCHEDULE A CROCHET CLASS. So I read what I had. Got religion now though.

God is good. I made it to 2009 ANNNND I got more wine. I don't take many pain pills anymore. I can finally place my foot on the floor but still cannot put pressure on it. That's a start. I will take it "one day at a time'. I have had enough 'pity parties' to last for the rest of the year. When I did finally get out of the house, I had to crawl back in
(refer to # 12) because I was afraid of going up the steps on crutches. Won't even discuss pain in my back. Been spending quite a bit of time on it. :o) Get your mind out of the 'gutter'. I am referring to the elevation of my foot.

So now you are up to date. I hope that I will be able to attend the meeting. I miss all of you.

Much love to ya,
(much loved friend's name)

Back in Stitches

Once upon a time, I was a quilter. A hand quilter. I did very little quilting on the sewing machine. As a traditionalist - at least that is what I called myself - a quilt had to be hand quilted. Yes, I know. This is somewhat snobbish. I eventually found out that sometimes machine quilting is best...for placemats, children's quilts, wallhangings, etc.

However. I have not quilted much of anything in a while. I had some items to make for the cruise we took in August. Once those were completed...that was it. I hit a slump. Didn't want to do much of anything.

Yesterday morning, I cleaned my sewing room. All the threads accumulated on the carpet after sewing dolls clothes with two little girls were vacuumed up. I stored several items away. Dusted the desk my machines sit on. I even ironed Sam's last two shirts and put the iron and ironing board away. Then...

...then yesterday evening...I pulled the quilt frame away from the wall. Tilted the surface down and tightened the wingnuts to hold everything in place. I set the tray on the back edge. Then...I actually sat down and took up the needle and...

took a stitch.

I'm...

"Back in the saddle again!"

Tent

Jonathan called me yesterday evening. He said that @#^&#^$# had arrived. I heard "tit." (He has yet another cold. Vitamin C, Son. Go purchase a bottle of Vitamin C!)

"What?"

"The tent arrived. The scrub top is huge."

Back to the pattern which I've already trimmed out at extra-large and threw away all the smaller pieces - facings, etc. Hopefully I can modify it. If not, I'll wait for a 99 cent or $1.99 sale on patterns. That thing regular priced was around $15!!! Why don't they just drop the price and sell them at that price all the time? Well. "They" didn't ask me.

2009

My prayer for you this new year - May God continue to pour his blessings on all of you and your families.

American Girl Dolls

Since I don't have any grandchildren, I never dreamed that I'd be making doll clothes any time soon! We had a 'sew-in' today. Elton and Sam had a road trip planned so Carol came over with her two grand-daughters, Katy (9) and Maddie (7), who are spending the rest of Christmas break with them.

Saturday when they were over and ate supper with us, Maddie fell in love with my fabric stash and wanted to sew. So ;o) we set it up. I found authentic American Girl patterns online:

http://agplaythings.com//AG%20Patterns/DollDressPatterns.html

I printed a pajama pattern. The girls chose their favorite fabric (with my approval - fabric not set aside for quilts) along with matching lace. We started late morning...broke for lunch...got back to it. Finished about 3:30. That's a long time for two little girls, but they did real good...not fussing while they were sewing, just while they were waiting on us for directions. One part of the shirt pattern was a booger to figure out. The girls probably did 90% of the sewing. Even setting in the sleeves! I was impressed. They've been sewing with their mother and grandmother (Carol). But they are still only 9 and 7 years old!

A washable glue stick and quilt basting spray turned out to be the best notions. We tacked the pockets and lace down on the fabric for no pin sewing. When the pjs were completed, Maddie washed the glue out in the bathroom sink. Katy rinsed them. Into the dryer went the pjs. Outside went the girls to play. Carol and I sat down with a glass of wine. After the wine took affect, we decided we would do this again. However, the next time will be a one-piece garment!

When I get a photo of the dolls ready for bed, I'll post the photo.

Remember the plate with the truffles? This is it.

Oh! I finished a pair of socks last night! Ain't they snazzy?!