CQ Anyone?

Crazy Quilt - that is. I started several blocks sometime last summer I think. A few wonderfully talented women over on the HGTV quilting forum started sharing their knowledge. I haven't done anything in a while. BUT...while shopping with Carol today (Sam and Elton were once again out of town - hope they don't "learn better" and stop going off together) I ran across a couple of Leisure Art books at Hancock's Fabrics. And they were half price. How could I pass up a deal like that?

Then. We went to the mall and I found several things at Dillards that I had to have. All were on sale and I think I did very well indeed.

Of course, before all that, we ate Chicken and Gnocchi at Olive Garden. Yummy!

Life Goes On

The busy weekend continued for me today. I attended a meeting with our librarian and Friends of the Library secretary. Another long day following Monday - an all day drive home. Tomorrow...nothing is scheduled. I plan to sleep as late as possible but will probably wake around 6:30 or so.

I don't think I've mentioned this...I bought a line-dancing instructional DVD after we got back from our Alaskan cruise in August. I looked up during one of the on-board classes, and there sat Sam with the camera. One thing I can say about the class...it was a work-out!

Now...over five months later...I'm just working on learning dance #2. Yep. I'm that slow! LOL You can't learn it, if you don't put the DVD in the player. I have 'Slappin' Leather' down and am now working on 'Boot Scootin' Boogie.'

I found some videos from YouTube. There seems to be several variations of 'Slappin' Leather.' This one is similar to the DVD. I just figured out how to imbed a YouTube video! Applause!!!

Here's 'Boot Scootin' Boogie.' But not the variation I'm learning...looks like I need to try this one too.

Tomorrow

We are expecting a long day tomorrow. Everything is going to be ... tomorrow. Visitation and the funeral. A bit different from the norm.

On the way to Bay City, we had to stop to buy me something to wear. In 2001 or 2002, Sam told me that he would be retiring in 2003...I stopped buying office clothes. I haven't anything new since then except for jeans, shorts, and t-shirts. Besides that. I had a wonderfully delicious - and I do mean DELICIOUS - December.

I started eating while we were on our trip to south Texas the end of November/first of December. And I ate all month long. Especially dessert EVERY time we ate out at a decent restaurant which was waaaayyyy too often.

The result. Nothing fits. The one dress that I thought appropriate for a funeral we attended last week - and with its elastic waist, did fit - I realized I hadn't had it cleaned when I hung it the guest room closet - out of my way - I don't know how long ago. It's navy blue and had salty looking underarm stains. WHY didn't I have it cleaned? I daubed at the stains which didn't do much good. Thank goodness it was cold enough that I wore a sweater with it but still didn't raise my arms.

Afterwards, I laid it aside with great intentions to get it to the cleaners. I promptly forgot about it. Feeling I had nothing to lose, I put it in my washing machine on the 'hand-wash' cycle with hand-wash detergent. I didn't ruin the dress, but...I should've cleaned it a long time ago, because of the rings a shade lighter than the dress under the arms. I brought it - and the sweater - just in case.

At the third stop today... what's with these dresses nowadays?! Sam thought I was in the teenage section. He pointed to the "missy" sign. I said, "That's me." So I went through the categories: juniors - teenagers, misses/missy - adults, womens - where I'm heading fast! Petites, he understood.

I couldn't even find a decent skirt. Even if I had...I couldn't find a decent top. So...I headed to the slacks/jackets. Found three outfits. All three fit. I want either long-sleeves or short-sleeves. I abhor sleeves in between...they look as if you've had a growth spurt and the sleeves are too short, so the black with pink trim set went back on the rack. Of the other two, the long-sleeve brown/black/taupe set was on the 12 times reduced rack. I liked it, but I also liked the short-sleeve navy pinstripe set. So I bought both of them. Have I mentioned that I haven't purchased anything but jeans, shorts, and t-shirts for the last six/seven/or so years?

Tomorrow...sigh...

Traveling South

We'll be heading south on Saturday. Unfortunately not for pleasure. Sam's mother died early this evening. An Alzheimer's patient, she'd been in the hospital with pneumonia for a few days.

Born December 2, 1913 - she made it to 95.

Her sweetheart of a husband died in 1996.

Once again, they are strolling along hand in hand.

Hey, BABY!

It's cold outside!! I didn't even stick my head out the door today. Oh, wait. Yes I did. I threw three slices of stale bread out the front door for the birds. Didn't take long though. Brrrrr!

We vegged today. I didn't quilt any. Rats. We've tried to hook the laptop to the new TV and can't get it to work. Sam wants to be able to do a photo slideshow on the TV - larger screen. He hooked his old PC to the TV...it worked. I got online with a Sony tech. He gave me the link for a new driver. That didn't work. Samsung's site suggested a new BIO. Back to the tech next chance I get.

Every time I turn around, Sam's putting a movie in to watch. Between that, reading a bit, computer way too much, cooking - don't worry, I don't strain myself. Sam's reached the point to where he'd rather go to town to eat. When I set out stuff for a good meal, he says he'd rather go to town to get a hamburger. *shoulder shrug*

I made scones this morning! Yummy. Hold on...I'll go setup for a photo shoot.

*

*

*

I'm, back. Let me brush the crumbs off my shirt. What? You expected me to be around food and not take a nibble? OKAY!! A bite. I'll fess up. I took a real bite. Off the top AND the bottom (I slit the scone in half.) What? What marmalade. Oh. Yeah. I took a bite or two of that too. Yep! It was good!

I've already posted the recipe:

http://keepyouinstitches.blogspot.com/2008/06/gone-again.html

A Tale of Two Freddies

Jonathan's very first friend was Freddie, a gift from a friend. The poor dear is in storage right now, but soon to be released. When 'they' were infants, I would hear Jonathan cooing and gurgling only to peek into his room and see him with his head turned toward Freddie. At 3 months old, they had some extremely serious conversations.

Fast forward 25 years. Here is Freddie the 2nd. I had to lift this photo off Jonathan's MySpace. Jonathan recently adopted him. His name came with him.

While scanning the photo of baby Jonathan in his crib, I scanned a few photos my mother wanted.

This is my cousin (on the right) with his son and grandson. The older gentleman is his former father-in-law. Cousin has maintained an extremely good relationship with the man.

Isn't my niece just precious?! Oh, she is my grand-niece. She is an only child so far, but one of 8 total grand nieces and nephews that I have.This next photo is from about 1945. My mother is the older (approximately 10-years old) of the two girls. The other is her only sister (approximately 6). They married brothers many years later.

Our weather is nasty. We have freeze warnings out for overnight. I don't mind it as long as we don't have to get in the car. The people around here are not used to freezing weather and they drive like idiots. We don't do tire chains. Very little sand is spread except on bridges and overpasses. In other words, if you don't have enough food for a couple of days (cause that's about as long as it is going to last) then you better get there today. Then STAY HOME!

I checked out my bluebonnets while walking down to the mailbox. (That's water drops on them.) I am going to have more than last year. Sam isn't going to be too happy that they are spreading out. What? Me worry? ;o) When they bloom in the spring, you can bet I'll be back with photos!

Heart of Mary Blog Giveaway

Corinne is giving away a pattern on her blog. Stop by and see her!

http://pinoyinoz.blogspot.com/2009/01/some-firsts-for-2009.html

Jeopardy in a few minutes...

One of the few television shows I watch comes on in a few minutes. But I have a bit of time to tell you about my day. Funeral services for the 89 year old wife of one of Sam's cousins (who himself died in 1999) were today. One of her grandsons spoke. His grandparents' gentleness has been passed down to their children, grandchildren - and on down the line.


This afternoon, I've been quilting. I am slowly but diligently plodding away on the poor orphan quilt. I am determined to get it out of the frame before it celebrates its second anniversary in said frame. I looked up and watched fascinated as first one bluebird hen bathed in my new birdbath, then as soon as she vacated the bath another dove in and splashed around.

Just as I thought about grabbing my camera, she too had finished her ablutions. (You see...I read. I remember that word because I had to look it up.) I got my camera ready and finally captured a male bluebird drinking. Taking photographs through the screen...then I thought.

'Hey dummy! Stand up.' So I did.

Celebrate!

We drove the Acura to Longview today and left it. Came home with a certified check and stopped at the credit union to purchase a CD. Oh, and made a stop at the insurance office to drop the car from our policy. So nice to not have to deal with taking the car to town every morning and going back in the evening to bring it home. The phone calls haven't been all that bad considering I put Sam's cell phone number in the ad and he's the one who has been fielding the calls. I know exactly what I do. ;o)

We had the 4-Runner washed at one of those drive through car washes. I had to have the guy wipe the rear hatch again...it was streaked. MOF, the whole car had problems. I spent $15 on a half-a$$ed car wash. I do better myself at the $5 carwash in town and wipe it down myself.

Have you had Zuppa Tuscana at Olive Garden? Isn't it delicious?! I have found a new runner-up for my favorite...Chicken & Gnocchi soup. A while back, Carol and I worked together and came up with this (so as not to infringe on copyright, let's call it):

Italian Potato Soup

1/2 - 1 pound Italian sausage
2 medium potatoes, cut in half lengthwise and then into 1/4" slices
3/4 cup onion, diced
1 clove minced garlic
2 cups kale leaves, sliced
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1/3 cup heavy cream

If sausage is in links take out of wrapper. Cook until done. Remove from pan. Saute onion in sausage grease until it is translucent. Add garlic and saute another minute. Add chicken broth, water, and potatoes. Simmer until potatoes are done, about 15 minutes. Add chopped kale and cream; simmer only 4 minutes. Serve.

This is good stuff!

Changing gears. On this historic day...how about a few quotes from past presidents...

James Polk: "There is more selfishness and less principle among members of Congress ... than I had any conception of, before I became President of the U.S." (December 16, 1846)

Abraham Lincoln: "You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."

Rutherford Hayes: "Nothing brings out the lower traits of human nature like office
seeking." (1878)

Grover Cleveland: "A man is known by the company he keeps, and also by the company from which he is kept out."

Theodore Roosevelt: "Actions speak louder than words."
AND
"There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism." (October 12, 1915)

William Taft: "The world is not going to be saved by legislation." (1916)

Harry Truman: "America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand." (January 8, 1947)

Dwight Eisenhower: "America is best described by one word, freedom." (January 9, 1958)

John Kennedy: "There is always inequity in life. . . . Life is unfair." (March 21, 1962)

Ronald Reagan: "Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first." (March 2, 1977)
AND
"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." (January 20, 1981)

Amazing Man

I don't know how to imbed a video from U-Tube in my post. But you MUST see this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MslbhDZoniY&eurl=http://www.google.com/reader/view/