Notice The New Background

I love it! But when I uploaded the background I lost all my links etc! So if you were on my links and your not now, its certainly not because I don't like you, but I couldn't remember your url. Soooo.....If you want to comment, I'll readd it! If your new and want to - I'll readd it as well!!

Thanks!
Sara

Corn, Pumpkins and CC

Today was a Cross Country meet in Avon Lake (about an hour from here). The JR. High kids had to be at the school by 6 am to get the bus and their race was at 8 am. Its been a long day! They did great though! They actually ran a longer distance that last week, but J cut 30 seconds of his time! YEAH!!! All the kids did pretty good and the JR high boys came in 7th place out of about 60 teams. Wednesday is our home quad meet and then Saturday we go to Tiffin. I guess there are over a hundred teams at Tiffan. I guess we have "spot holders" along the line so that parents of kids that are racing can travel to different areas and not have to worry about not getting to see their kids because of all the people. This should be fairly interesting!

J (next to the guy in neon)

Last night we wanted J to have a good meal before this morning's race. At 5, how much are you really going to feel like eating? So we had hamburgers, corn, and baked potatoes. The corn came from our garden and was the first ears we have gotten. Our weather has been so funky this summer that I am not sure how much we are going to get. Some of it is rather small and some hasn't really grown at all!

Rich picking corn

Our first ears

We also planted some pumpkins this year and we have our first pumpkins. Yeah, they are still pretty small. We MAY have some by Thanksgiving at this rate. We wanted to sell them, but I don't know if we are going to get any to sell!

Our pumpkins

And this guy was on the underside of one of the sides on our grill.

A walking stick

I haven't gotten any quilting done yesterday or today. Maybe later, but I think I am going to take a nap first.

PS: 7 months since Day One of surgery! I feel wonderful!

Are You Ready...

...for some FOOTBALL!!!!


College football starts tonight, with THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES playing on Saturday! Against Youngstown. at 12:00 noon. We will probably be at the CC meet so we will miss the start of the game!!

Virginia Tech also plays on Saturday at East Carolina.

Booking Through Thursday

If you’re anything like me, one of your favorite reasons to read is for the story. Not for the character development and interaction. Not because of the descriptive, emotive powers of the writer. Not because of deep, literary meaning hidden beneath layers of metaphor. (Even though those are all good things.) No … it’s because you want to know what happens next?
Or, um, is it just me?

Not, its not you, I love just reading the story. I just want to know what happens. I don't always care about the character development, or the hidden meaning. I just want to know what is going to happen! And yeah, all those things are important but they wouldn't mean as much without the story!

On a funny note:
Rich was helping J with his math homework tonight. He asked if he could write on this paper. He say's "It's not a carbon, right?" J looks up with this look of huh on his face and goes "Carbon?" Poor Rich, he dated himself. My kids have NO idea what a carbon copy is!! LOL!

First Day of School

Well, they are off. They are currently at the end of the driveway waiting for the bus. Of course, they don't want me down there with them, that would be horrible. They are now both in Jr High and while J does not admit it, I think he is glad to be going back to school. I know T is! He likes school, now if he would just turn his homework in! We wanted to go out to the bus 15 minutes early, but we managed to wait till about 10 minutes early. I did get a picture, even though T was not happy that I wanted a picture!

And in quilty news, finally onto something new! I love the cutting and creating part, not so much the quilting part. But last night I was able to cut out this material to start my next quilt. I will begin tonight sewing together the parts that I have cut out.

And since I get 2 hours to myself after work I will be doing that! And reading. And I am so looking forward to those 2 hours!

I HATE COMPUTERS!

I hate computers, we have been having an issue with ours not letting us in to see our email and update blogs etc! It was so frustrating. Here all it was was a little box needed to be clicked to turn the Internet Protection on...I don't know - Rich tried everything over the last two days and so did I, but nothing worked. How irritating can that be??? We do have some security pop up that keeps popping up for some downloadable software that we have to get rid of but at least now I can update and I can email!!!


So, Thursday I picked J up from work, came home, rode my horse, and then took him to practice. After practice was a dinner for the kids at one of the parents houses. T had practice so Rich went to the other end of the county. Friday, more of the same. Rich and I went to town when I got home to exchange the shoes I bought him. Then I went to practice with J, and he took T to the football game. I ran J to his mom's after practice and then worked on Mom's quilt. I have it quilted, I just have to put the binding on.





Saturday was the first official cross country meet. It was in New London, a small town about 45 minutes SW of here. TJ did awesome coming in 5th for the team, the varsity boys team took 3rd in the meet, and then J ran his coming in 7th for the team. He therefore gets to participate on the team race next week, rather than in the open race. You have to earn your spot by making top 7 the week before. They did a really good job!! Our girls JR High team got 2nd. And our top JR boy won the 2 mile JR high race in under 12 minutes!!!!

TJ, running hard

The JR High starting line

J coming into the finish line

Today T and I went to church and then came home to get Rich. T had a double header in North Canton for baseball. I didn't get any pictures, it rained most of the time. But he seems to enjoy playing on this team, its a little funner because they are all more talented players than he usually plays with. The only problem is that it is on the other side of the county!!

I have also been reading, but nothing from my 10 in 10 list. I suppose I will have to put some books on reserve for it so that I can get started on that. I am on my second book for the weekend though and read a good 200+ pages today. Right now I am reading Map of Bones by James Rollins. Its pretty good, about a scandal in the vatican and a secret team of operatives are working to save the relics of the vatican and the church.

Lastly, a quick picture of my sock monkey baby quilt. I only have to sew the binding on but that can wait till it gets to be winter and I am inside more.

Wednesday, Wednesday.

No quilting has been done, its been a slow week for it. Monday we went to my parents for Rich to give Dad a lesson and I didn't get any done. Yesterday we went school
clothes shopping and then cross country practice. No quilting.BUT...I am currently
going to finish this post and then pin my mom's quilt and start working on something else! I have this need to get back to making something.

My job is going really well. I am really starting to enjoy it.I actually got to do something today instead of sit and watch and I think I am really getting the hang of it. Of course I have a TON of questions, but its only been 3 days so I am sure there
will be plenty more before I am done! I work for Job and Family Services(cash assistance,foodstamps,medicade etc) and its not very interesting what I am starting with,but its busy so that is good! Today just flew by! I couldn't believe it when
the person came to relieve me and said "Good Bye". This position lasts till January
and hopefully by then something else will open up and I will be able to get a full time position!

Off to do some sewing!

I'm so tired!

Some of you may be wondering....

why my blog is called the quilting bookworm.

I love to read, I read an average of 2-3 books a week, on top of quilting and everything else. Yep, 2-3 books, and many are not small books 200-300 pages is average. You know, a normal adult book.

So....where is this going you may ask....

I found this challenge tonight called the Book Awards II Challenge. The challenge is to read 10 award winning books in 10 months. Think I can do it?? You have to have 5 different catagories of books (Pulitzer, Newberry etc awards).

I haven't actually decided on my 10 books yet, but I have some pretty good ideas. Of course, that is subject to change. Here are a few possibilities:

1. Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides (Pulitzer)
2. Lonesome Dove - Larry McMurtry (Pulitzer)
3. The Color Purple by Alice Walker (National Book Award)
4. Life of Pi by Yann Martel (Booker Prize)
5. Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally (Booker Prize) - this I have tried to read SEVERAL times
6. Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson (PEN/Faulkner Award)
7. Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes (Newberry)
8. We Need to Talk About Kevin - Shriver (Orange Award)
9. A Fable - William Faulkner (Pulitzer)
10. The Road - Cormac McCarthy (Pulitzer)

The only one I am really not sure about it the last one - The Road. I have heard good things about it but for some reason it just never struck me as something I wanted to read. But hey, I will give it a shot and as I said before; this list is tenative! You never know what one may find on a library shelf one day calling to you!

Right now I am trying to read Anne of Avonlea. It is for my book club this coming Thursday and I just can't get it done! I have two more days and am just not into it! I read Anne of Green Gables also for this month, but I had a hard time with that one too! I don't know why - I just have a hard time staying focused.

So that is where this post was going and now you know. There will be more updates on books as I work through this list and hopefully get more reading in. I am only at 80 books for the year and I want to hit 150 (25 more than last year!)

Have a good night!

First Race

J had his first race of the season on Wednesday. It was a 5K (3.1 mile) open race that the team went to as a warm-up for the season. He did really well. He came in at 27.23 and while he could have done better he now understands that during races you don't pace yourself so much. Especially since his races will only be 2 miles once the season starts next week. Here's a couple of pictures:

Starting Line (the lady in green is Coach VanEpp)

1/2 mile in

Finish line

8 of the mom's walked the course during the girls race. We came in last but that was okay. We were able to see the girls and cheer them on as they went past us coming back. It was fun, lots of food; everyone on the team brings something and we cook out hot dogs and just have a huge picnic with all the families.

The rest of the week was spent working on the backing for mom's quilt, I hope to get it pinned today. Also, we cleaned the house, worked in the yard, garden and flower beds some. Of course we are watching the Olympics!

My garden, doing much better

Also this week, Rich and T fixed the broken field tile in the yard that has been a hole for about 2 months. They had to rototill the dirt up to put it back in the hole since it had sat there for so long! So here they are hard at work!

Last night was the All-Night Run fundraiser for Cross Country. The kids get pledges such as a dollar a mile and then get paid for however many miles they run. They have to run a minimum of 10 and no more than 20. The run lasts from 7 pm to 7 am. The kids get locked in the stadium fence with the coaches and hang out all night. They played soccer, duck duck goose and capture the flag. Everyone brings food and they stay up all night getting to know each other. It's the "Official" start of the season. J said he had a great time and was very hyper when I picked him up at 7 this morning. I sent him to bed though and he pretty much fell right asleep! Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures. Parents don't stay - just the kids and coaches.

Car Washing and Jobs!

Bob the cat

Well, Its' been a kinda busy week and kinda slow. If that makes any sense. Its only Wednesday but it feels like it is Thursday or Friday. I have had a couple of interviews this week and actually got a job (temporary) that starts Monday till January. There is a good possibility of it turning into something permanent or another position opening up, so we shall see. I am going to take it and hope for the best. The hours are great too! 8-1 M - F!





Tonight is the first Cross Country race for J and TJ. I had them wash my car today because I still had all the grime on it from fair week and before. They did a great job and even cleaned out the inside and did the windows etc! Hmmm....ought to have them do that more often! The race tonight is in Rocky River and its an open race but they always take the kids to it to get one in before the actual season starts!

J washing my truck

TJ washing my truck

I finished quilting the sock monkey quilt and now just have to sew the binding on and then off to storage with it so that I can save it for my first grandbaby. This material is what I am backing this heart quilt in. I am doing something a little different with it but mom doesn't know what yet so I can't tell!

And my update on my friend Holly, She is not doing well. They cannot get her stabalized so they are putting in an artificial heart this morning and then she will have to wait a month to go back to the top of the transplant list. I am so worried and I haven't been able to go see her because I was sick. For obvious reasons I don't want to get her sick. That would be very bad! Please continue to keep her in your prayers! Thanks so much to all the wonderful comments regarding praying for her!

Till next time!

Eating and reading, what T does best!

Prayer Request

I have a friend, Holly, who had a heart catherization done about 4 years ago in October. During the catherization they disected her aorta. After coding on the table twice they were able to stabalize her and now she is waiting on a new heart. After waiting for all these years she had an episode about a week ago and went into congestive heart failure. She was life flighted to Cleveland Clinic where she was put on a balloon pump. She was able to be weaned off the balloon pump on Thursday and is now on the transplant floor, at the top of the heart transplant list, waiting for a heart. If everyone could please pray for her to get a new heart and soon I would appreciate it. She is a very dear friend and I hope that she gets a heart soon!

Much Better!

Thank you for all your get well wishes. I appreciate it. After two days of sleeping alot (15 hours one day) I feel much better! I started really feeling good about Thursday night/Friday. I am pretty much back to normal.





Right now I have been working on quilting this quilt:

I decided I wasn't going to start anything new till I got this and mom's heart quilt done. That may or may not happen but I am determined. The above quilt (funky monkeys) was supposed to be for Ashley's baby (My first Grandchild) but she decided to give the baby up for adoption, which was really for the best. She needs to take care of herself before adding a baby to the equation. But her and Shannon did get engaged and are planning a wedding for the fall next year. I like Shannon and I hope that it works out for them.



Here is some pictures of CC. He hasn't grown at all since he came to live with us. We think he was either the runt or there is something wrong with him in that regard. But he is still so loveable and trusting. He loves to be around people. He also never meows. He opens his mouth and only a little squeak will come out.

Get it before it gets you!

What mom?

Lastly, just a random picture of my horse. I haven't ridden in a week (just haven't felt good enough) and he really needs to see me. This picture was before Showmanship at the fair, after he got his make-up put on and was ready to go except his show halter.

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Wednesday Wonderings

Ok, I'm not really wondering anything except how I ended up with strep throat after not having it or being really sick (except for my surgery) in several years? Just don't get it. And in the middle of summer too - I would think one would get sick in the winter!

This week is just a slow normal week. Not much happening. Monday we cleaned up from fair - my house was getting kinda cluttered (more so than normal) and laundry was frightenly (is that a word?) high! Poor Rich was running out of socks, which is sad if you saw his drawer with his socks! Monday night J had CC near my parents so we went and dropped him off. T brush hogged while Rich gave Dad a lesson on Cooper. I read and talked to mom.

Yesterday I had a couple of interviews/applications to fill out for jobs. Hopefully something will come out of it! I need a job! And then I went to the library to get some more books and came home to take a nap. I started feeling yucky yesterday so when I went to get my monthly blood test I asked them to do a strep test. Yep...pretty much sucks!

Today I am not doing much. I am home by myself till 1 when I have to pick up T from JRs. I wanted to ride my horse, but I am not sure I am up to that yet. I slept about 15 hours yesterday/last night. I do feel some better but not great. I think I am just going to read and work on quilting my funky monkey quilt.

Hope everyone is having a good week!

Thanks Lola!

Lola at and sew on gave me this great blog award!

The 'rules' for receiving this award are :

1) Put the logo on your blog. Okay will do.

2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4) Add links to those blogs on yours. Already there in the side bar blog list !!

5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs. If you don't see a post on your blog but read this post YOU ARE TAGGED!!

So I tag the following:

1) Mom at Country-Chicken (I'll help you save the pic and put it on later today!)

2) Holly at And Sew It Is - love her geocaching stories and great work!!

3) Jackie at Jackie's Quilting - new friend who does some great work!

4) Christy at Quilting Cowgirl - She has become a great friend and I love reading her blog!

5) Karen at Short Story Long - love her little red blog!

And anyone one who hasn't been tagged!

Fair Fun Day 5, 6, and 7!

Today is the last day of fair. I am not even going near the fairgrounds till take down tonight at 8:00. We are just hanging out at home. Its been a long week and a busy week. Its been a GOOD week! We have had some laughs, some tears and ALOT of fun. Its great to see all our friends and to get to ride with them for the last time this year at 4-H. Some we will see at other horse shows yet to come and others we won't see till next show season. Its been great!

Friday was the Championship show. I am SO PROUD of J. He did such a good job. He was nervous but he handled it very well. I got him to relax and he did an excellent job. He was a little inconsistent in his riding speed, and had one bobble in his horsemanship pattern where he turned to far during his turn, but he did WONDERFUL! Really, he probably should have placed and many people told us that. I'm sorry that he didn't, but he came out of the ring very happy with both his rides and knows that he did an awesome job, even if "the stupid judge" (his words) doesn't think so!

J in completing his pattern

J in Pleasure

Friday night I also made a friend. This pigeon was walking around by all the people watching and just hanging out. I believe he was some type of homing pigeon. He wasn't afraid of people at all and I was feeding pretzels.

Then last night was the Alumni show where parents, advisors and 4-H alumni show. I took Tee up there and am so upset with my horse. Every time we go to this show he decides he is going to be a brat! So we rode and rode and rode. Rich even rode him because he was being so bad. I have been doing most of the finishing work myself and we are figuring it out but last night he just totally ran away with me. It was horrible! Then I tried to go in ribbon race with my friend Kimmy and he was bobbing his head and bobbed right on to her horse's head. Horrible! So last night was bad.

Tee and I in horsemanship

Kimmy and I in Ribbon Race

Poor T spent the week just hanging out with friends or helping us. He doesn't mind going to the fair with his friends but even he is tired of going! Tonight, pick up our stuff and get back to normal.