It's 2020!

Happy 2020!  My first blog post and it's already January 9th!! 😳 I came to sit in the sunroom this afternoon to write this....but had to go grab the vacuum cleaner!  I LOVE sunshine but it sure shows all the pet hair, etc!  Now I am good to proceed!  😁

I finished a few bindings recently.  The snowman was done awhile ago but I decided to put it on the kids bed for the winter.

Here is a Buggy Barn quilt pattern....and I can't think of the name of it right now.  It depicts the 4 seasons and I chose to do the appliqué in wool.  Kim quilted it with different seasonal motifs! Soooooo cool!!!   This top was done a long time ago.

Here is another Buggy Barn pattern I believe is called Garden Stars.  The kit came from a quilt shop in Lethbridge called Village Quilts....I bought it years ago and the top has been done for years!  I think it's pretty......maybe for my grand daughter.

My lipstick plant had a ton of buds on it....I have never seen it so full....and now they are blooming.

I posted the pics on Facebook and joked I have such an exciting life that I am fascinated by my blooming lipstick plant!  

When we moved into this little old house, everything was painted white-ish.  I painted the upstairs living areas and hallway a creamy white and did one accent wall "sun-dried tomato"  (a Benjamin Moore color) where our desk is.  Because I am moving towards less clutter and cleaner looking space, I kept staring at this red wall.......thinking I really should paint it the creamy white like the rest of the walls.  Today was the day!  

Before:

After:

Ignore the messy desk!  I have since removed a couple of things....but it's still messy!

I cannot believe how much bigger it looks in here!!!!!!  I am going to wait to see if Hubby notices tonight when he gets home from work.....I will try and not say a thing!  

Feels good to get that done.....there was no patching to do and it was only one wall so it went quite quickly!  Next on the list:  downstairs bathroom (still!!!!!)

Have you ever heard a dog scream?????  Before it was discovered that our Pixie had swallowed a needle and thread, she woke us up by 'screaming' one night.  It was short lived, but scared the bejeezus out of us!!!!  Once we found out she had that needle in her throat we kind of believed that the screaming was a result of that needle.....maybe it moved and poked her or something.  Last night Pixie screamed again.  😟  I called the vet this morning and booked an appointment (for tomorrow) for X-rays.  I googled "can dogs have nightmares" (because that is how we get our information in this day and age!) and found out that they can have nightmares and they can scream.  I am praying 🙏 she is having nightmares.  IF they find something (God forbid it's another needle because I will be banished to the basement, at the very least, if I ever want to hand stitch again!!!) then we can deal with it.  Fortunately, Pixie has been playful and eating well and just a new dog since the removal of the needle and thread. She has even lost just over a pound of weight.  I am hopeful that the X-rays tomorrow will show there is nothing there, and I can continue stitching while watching tv in the evenings and my husband can relax about it all too.  

We are headed into a cold snap.  It's to be expected I suppose....we do live in Alberta, Canada!  I hope it doesn't last too long.

Keep warm and toasty!!!! 🔥❆

Goodbye 2019 Hello 2020

Happy New Years Eve!  

The plan for today is to have coffee with a friend and do some stitching....all things I hope to do more of in 2020.  We are invited to a neighbours for celebration tonight but Hubby isn't into that stuff and we usually spend a quiet evening at home....rarely staying up until midnight anyway!!  😂  I doubt tonight will be any different!  

The end of a year is sad....but the thoughts of the fresh start of a new one is exciting!  What will it hold???  I know for sure it will mean meeting a new grandson!  That's super exciting!!!  Will it mean a wedding?  Who knows.  Will we stay healthy?  New work opportunities? A move? (I doubt it yet)  No resolutions to be made here....I've given up on those a long time ago!  hahaha!!!!  It's a fresh start mentally and I think it will bring GREAT things....for mind, body and soul!!  I can't wait!!  

Yesterday while in the grocery store I had a call from a former neighbour and friend Deb.  It was great hearing from her!  She is a busy, busy lady....her new job as VP at a much larger school keeps her hopping.  Her family keeps her busy too, as her daughter, husband and grand daughter live next door.  We are planning on reconnecting soon.....and I appreciate her wanting to.  I know life can get away from us and when time is at a premium it can be hard to make time to plan a visit with someone not just next door.  I miss her impromptu visits when she would pop in after seeing my sewing room light on.  Or when she "made" me go for walks.  😃  It will be a wonderful visit when we do get together.

Here's hoping everyone is doing what they love to usher out 2019 and bring in the new 2020...new year AND new decade!!  🎉🎆🥂

Eek...Only Two Days Left In This Year/Decade!

How crazy is that?  December 30th today........I have been writing faithfully in a journal my friend Kim had bought me for Christmas last year.  It's a 4 (or 5?) year journal so I will continue on with it....I think there are only four days all year I haven't written anything.  For 2020 I plan to only write one thing I was grateful for that day, making me stop and truly appreciate what is so great in my life!  I truly am blessed and this is a way to keep this journal positive and reflective.  I'm looking forward to it!

Daughter1 took a picture of her quilt on their bed for me.  The fabric is called Bliss and it has some rose gold in it..hard to tell from this picture. I kept the pattern simple because they have FOUR dogs who like to sleep with them so I'm sure somewhere down the road I will need to make a replacement quilt and if they have less dogs I can put more time into the pattern.  😜  Kim did a beautiful job quilting it as usual!!!!!  💓

Other big news in the family......Son1 and Jenna have been dating for about 13 years.  They are the parents of our grandson and for a long time I've called her my daughter-in-law.  For years I have been waiting for our son to pop the question.....and so has Jenna!  He would always say no....not necessary; why; etc...even saying he didn't want to pay for a marriage license!!  😂  Jenna's birthday is December 27th and she turned 35 this year........and Son1 FINALLY asked her to marry him!!!  We knew about it but she was shocked and surprised....and VERY happy!!!!!

Who knows when the wedding will be but we are hoping it will be sooner than 13 years from now!

My plan today is to take down the Christmas tree, do some tidying up and then go for groceries.  The fridge is bare!!  I have started to big stitch hand quilt a wallhanging (pretty crudely I might add! 😳).....I'd like to finish that today, get the binding and hanging sleeve on.  I'm also thinking of making short term plans for what quilt projects I would like to work on and finish in the new year.  I am hoping to try and use what I have and get some of my old UFOs done....but alot are BOMs and require alot of sewing/stitching to finish!!!!!!!  I need to either get rid of them or do them.....again, I sound like a broken record!

Enjoy these final two days of 2019!!!! I know I plan on it!

Christmas 2019

The craziness of Christmas has passed.  The family left this morning, all before noon.  The quiet was almost too much 😂 (not!).  Tomorrow is going to be a busy day getting the house back in order (bedding and towels were done today) but it will get there!

My Dad came down and enjoyed the chaos...I think!  He was in charge of the turkey and stuffing and it was delicious!!!  Here he is with his great grandchildren:

Dad made me a farmhouse table I have wanted but now I have to get it home from up north.  The top is made with old coral boards from his place. 💓  It's not completely done but here it is in his workshop: 

Ends down 👆

Ends up 👆

It will work perfectly!!!!!!  EEK I can't wait to get it!!  (he also has a supply of odd ball chairs which will be perfect to go around it....and I might need a bench.....

Our hillbilly family picture!  My Dad gave me the Flames jersey. 

I made each of the girls a quilt and here Daughter2 is enjoying hers....which she did all day!!!!  I love it and am glad she loves it too.  I haven't got a pic of the one I made Daughter1 yet. Hers will fit on her bed.

I am exhausted from the last few days....as I am sure a lot of other people are!  Once the house is back to normal I would love to spend some time in my sewing room.  

Past my bedtime!!!  Here's to enjoying the last few days of 2019 before we head into a new decade!!

He's Baaaaaaack!!

 He's baaaaack!  😂😂  Jude is back...for SIX days...right before Christmas.....keeping me busy!  😜Because I knew this was going to happen I made sure I was pretty much ready....just some baking left to do, which will happen tomorrow and Friday.  All gifts are bought/made and wrapped!  When they leave (either Sunday 🙏 or early Monday) I will clean like a mad woman and get bedding washed and replaced.  I also have a few groceries to get.....hoping to get that done on Sunday.  (fingers crossed Hubby isn't working that day!!!!!)  Then the troops all arrive on the 24th...early in the day because that is the day we have our big meal.  My Dad is coming down so he will take over turkey duty....woot woot!

Yesterday we popped to town, where I had a nail appointment.  Here Jude is watching a movie on my old lap top!  Unfortunately he didn't stay that relaxed or still but he wasn't too bad.  I was stressed so it certainly wasn't a nice relaxing appointment!  😆 Next time!

My nails! 💅💓

Once home we went for a walk to burn off some pent up energy!!  It was beautiful yesterday.....+6C!

Yesterday was also an AWESOME mail day as I received a wonderful package from a wonderful friend!  Boy oh boy did she spoil me!!!!!!!!  Cushion she made (AND did hand embroidery.....Kim does not like doing handwork so I feel very honoured!!!!), a sign she painted and a cool mug! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it all!!!!  Mostly LOVE our friendship....she's a GREAT friend (gifts unnecessary!)

Some recent finished projects:

This is actually a nice purple wool.....👆

Hard to get a good pic of this snowman👆!  Colors are never right!!

This last one 👆

is an OLD UFO!!  I did hand appliqué on all the cotton fabrics and then wool appliqué of the snowmen.  I even quilted it myself and feel proud of my stones on the walkway! 😄

I am in awe of how many buds my lipstick plant has!  It will look amazing when it blooms...the only problem with these is they drip a sticky clear liquid when they are in bloom.  But worth it!

The sun is setting (it's 4 pm in the afternoon!!) and it looks beautiful out there.  I can see it through the trees.  It's by this time of the day that I am pooped.....and with this little man here I am super pooped!  😐  I just need enough energy to make supper and clean up, then my job is done!!!!!  👍

Grand-babies!

This weekend was a busy one!  It started Thursday night when the grandson came.  His Mommy had an exam to take in Calgary on Friday so we hung out all day.  We played, watched tv, went shopping.  He keeps me hopping!!  LOL

They went home Friday afternoon and then our grand daughter arrived.  I didn't get any pictures of her!!  Saturday we hung out at home and then we took her to Calgary on Sunday.  Hubby wanted to do some Christmas shopping....he bought himself some shoes!  HAHAHA!  He will have to go again another time.  

This weekend was a busy one for Daughter2.  She is crazy into CrossFit and won her first individual competition!  Look at the belt!  Reminds me of a WWF one!  LOLOL!  She's a tough little whipper snapper but is very dedicated to this sport...and stubborn!  All great qualities of a competitive athlete!  (and she NEVER mentions hockey anymore!)

I have decided, once again, to distance myself from a very one sided friendship.  It always makes me sad.....I guess distance, in some cases, is too hard for people to deal with.  Thankfully I have a couple of "long distance" friendships which are still going strong!  LOL!  Anyway, I kind of like this quote.....I'm tired of chasing:

It is snowing this morning and looks sooooo pretty!  Monday means cleaning day for me so I'd best get at it!  Alot more things on the to-do list for this week....it's my last full week alone before Christmas.  Next week the grandson and Jenna arrive from the 17th to the 22nd!  Eeeeeek!  Gotta check the list....twice!

Update on Pixie

Our poor sweet Pixie......she has been recovering for a bit which makes me wonder how long that needle and thread were in her mouth.  😢  Do you see her abscess in this picture?  The swelling was worse...even under her eye which closed her eye even more so I took her back on Thursday as her face was getting more and more swollen.  She got antibiotics then and an anti-inflammatory. Thankfully Monday morning it started to drain.  We had already had a vet appointment for Monday at noon (before all of this happened!) so once we were there, they shaved her hair on that spot and rinsed it all out.  She had a bit more leaking last night but her face is back to normal.....and so is she!!!!!  She is back to being feisty and she even played with me yesterday!!

The vet appointment was to check out her heart and sure enough it is a bit enlarged but certainly not late stages at this point.  So now she is on a heart medication....very low dose.  

Then Phoebe had an ultrasound to check her kidneys (all clear!) and a urine sample (she's been "leaking" when she sleeps 😳  She IS 12 years old I suppose) and there were some crystals that showed up.  She is on medication now too.  Both are on new foods....Phoebe for her urinary issues and Pixie for weight loss!  Both love their new foods so that makes things easy....what makes it hard is making sure they only eat their own food....and keeping the cats from eating it!  LOL

Friday night I was invited to a friends place for a painting party.  What FUN!!!!!  Here is the sign I did there:

I have another to do here at home that says "But first....Coffee".  It was great seeing friends and meeting some new people.  

I am pretty much done with my Christmas shopping so have plans on doing some wrapping today!!  All the stuff is in the spare room upstairs here and Jenna and Jude are coming Thursday night and they use that room when they come on their own.  

I love my dogs but I think they love Hubby even more then they love me. 😩 This pics describes the pet situation in our house!  😂😅😆

Best get a move on......clouds have rolled in.  Not sure what weather we are to get today but I will be inside all cozy, wrapping gifts and playing Christmas music!