New Project

This morning J had a quartet performance at a local high school. Its a competition but not against other students, they are only scored on their performance. They did good, but had a few tempo issues so they received a 2 for a score. 1 being the highest. So that was good. I was really proud that he got up there and did it. He played the French Horn and has only been playing the French Horn for about 3 months so it was nice to see him have that kind of confidence. I was going to record it on my camera, it was only about 2 minutes long, but they didn't allow recording devices or cameras so that was out!

Then when we came home I couldn't decide what I wanted to work on. I need to pick up some thread to quilt several of my WIP's and there were a few other things I could work on, butI started a new project instead. Several years ago I printed the patters for Sylvia's Bridal Sample from the Elm Creek Quilt series (one of my favorites!) and decided to check it out. I went to my stash and dug out some fabric:

And accomplished 4 blocks today. Not much, but something. I certainly have a lot of blue in my stash. Need to get more greens, reds and browns. But it will do to start with! The thing is I am not a paper piecer. I just have a really hard time with it. So these are all going to be kinda trial and error, but so far I'm happy with them. I haven't evened them up yet, but I figure with like 142 blocks or something I have time!

I also finished up my book "The Last Run" an NF about an Alaskan Rescue in the Gulf of Alaska. I was really surprised at how good it was. I just picked it up because it sounded good and really liked it. So now it is onto either:

or

for my one challenge shown in my sidebar. Hope everyone is staying warm. Its only about 11 here and is supposed to get up to 40 tomorrow (yeah right) and then we are supposed to have another winter storm either Monday or Tuesday.

BTT, Basketball and New Kitty

Booking Through Thursday this week is a discussion on an article found here. The discussion actually takes place on the BTT website, and I have yet to figure out what I think of the article.


Tonight was an away basketball game with Wellington. Our 7th grade boys team did a great job. 8th grade, not so much. At the half they were down 23 to 7 or something horrible like that. They just could not get it together! I know nothing and I knew they were playing bad. Just not on their guys, bad shots...But T did a fairly okay game, not his best though. He is number 50.

And at Hippology on Monday I was given this beautiful tortise shell kitty. Her name is now Kylie and she wants to live in the house, but dad won't let her. So she is in the barn with CC and Bob. She seems to doing just fine and comes when you call her. I was a little concerned since she had been in a house for a few weeks and wasn't eating when we first brought her home, but this morning and tonight she climbed right into the tub we keep the food in. Now J and I have our own kitties so we no longer have to debate who's it is.

Kylie

CC and Kylie (she is so small!)

Tee, munching his hay

Also, Thanks so much for all your warm thoughts and prayers for Holly. She has had the transplant, her numbers are going up like they should and she should be coming off the machines by the end of the weekend. They have her open because of swelling so they have to close that before they can wake her up. But she made it and I am so thrilled!!!

Winter Storm Warning

That was the news last night. There was a winter storm coming our way. It was supposed to hit at about 1:00 pm and then it was moved back to 4ish and then later. Well, it hit about midnight. There was no school today because of all the snow. At 1 today the yahoo weather for our area said 2-4 inches. It is more like 6-8 at that time and it was still snowing. I would have to guess there is a good 8 inches of snow out there. Drifting is worse. Our road (and the main one by us) didn't get plowed till at least 2!!! Wonderful winter weather. Perfect night to be inside with a good book, cup of cocoa and a warm quilt!!

Part of the drive with the

trees in the background

My half of a 55 gallon drum

covering my rose bush

The barn

HOORAY!!!

Some of you may recall me mentioning my friend Holly who is waiting for a heart transplant. She has been in the Cleveland Clinic for over 5 months now waiting and we got word today that there is a donor heart!! WOOO HOOO!!!! The transplant was scheduled for tonight, but because of the weather is being postponed a day. The docs say this is okay because the donor is on life support and the heart will be fine! I am so excited for her and I ask all of you to please send up a quick prayer for her and a speedy recovery. This has been a battle for her for over 3 years now and I am so happy for her to finally get her heart!!!

Also the first Friday in Febuary, which I believe is the 6th is National Wear Red day for Go Red for Women to fight heart disease!

The Year of The Ox

It's Chinese New Year today and it is the Year of the Ox.

I was born in the Year of the Tiger and here is my horoscope for the year.

Tiger
1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998

Tiger Overview
From the outset, 2009 may present some true challenges for the Tiger. The year of the Ox presents an overwhelming influence upon the Tiger to maintain a steady and well disciplined pace. That is not to say that there won't be opportunities for achievement, but it would be more precise to say that this is a year that would benefit the Tiger in the areas of experience and possibly lay a solid foundation for the year to come. You will have to be resourceful and rely on your boldness and quick wit to ascertain anything in the year of the Ox.

Tiger Rating
27% (3 neutral and 9 unfavorable months)

Tiger Career
It would be beneficial to be cautious and careful when it comes to career decisions in the year of the Ox. It would be wise to be aware of the views of those around you, as this is not a year to be too independent in your actions or take any unnecessary risks. Be persistent in your responsibilities to impress others, as this will lead to progress towards your future. For the Tiger seeking a career change, tread through the rough spots and your relentless efforts will be rewarded in surprising ways.

Tiger Relationships
The Tiger's relationship may be one of the more favorable areas this year. You can look forward to some happy times with your loved one this year. Though your domestic life may be busy, it can bring you much satisfaction. Be aware of the fact that those around you hold you in high regard and you may not want to jeopardize these relations by your independence or by being too stubborn. Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings of others in your life and everything should work out well for you.

Tiger Health
The Tiger will not have any serious health problems this year, but there may some minor issues that you may want to pay attention or they could become much worse than originally anticipated. One area of concern is stress. There may be some situations this year that could escalate your stress levels and you may want to find some ways to alleviate this issue. The Tiger enjoys outdoor activities and this could provide an outlet to relieve your stress.

Tiger Wealth
Take caution when it comes to your finances this year, as it is not a time to speculate or take any unnecessary risks. Plan your large purchases carefully and avoid impulse buying. The best advice is to monitor your spending throughout the year and you won't have any problems. This may sound like simple advice, but due to your generous nature, it may not be as simple as it sounds.

Blog Award and some Quilting

I was awarded this great award by Quilting Newbie. Thanks So Much!!

What I am supposed to do is list 5 addictions, so in no particular order they are as follows:

1. Dairy Queen. I love Dairy Queen Blizzards. So much that I buy a large and eat it slowly throughout the week and then go back the next Wednesday and buy another one!

2. Fabric. Who doesn't love fabric??

3. Books. Yes, I love to read and love to be surrounded by books.

4. Hot chocolate. I love hot chocolate. I even drink it in the summer. For some its coffee, for me its hot chocolate

5. Snowmen, I love snowmen and have many different ones. I collect them and would like to be able to display more of them, but we just don't have the room for them.

I have to award 5 blogs this award, which is such a hard choice since there are SO many great ones out there! But here you go:

1.Sara at itsjustonemore

2. Norma at randomstitches

3. Lisa at candelitequilter

4. Sarah at sarahlookingin

5. Terry at terrystreasures

This was really hard because there are SO many great blogs that I visit and stumble upon! I love so many blogs and keep finding new ones every day! So if you feel you deserve this award, take it please!

I also finished putting together 11 of the 12 squares for the LQS Block of the Month from 2008. Block 8 is missing because we were having issues and it couldn't play well. So it will be finished at a later day, probably next weekend when I attempt to re-do it by hand. The thing with these blocks is they used Thangles and well, it just didn't work. Their BOM for 2009 starts next month and I would like to do that one too!

My favorite block

What is a WIP?

We all know that WIP stands for Work In Progress, but my question for all you out there in blogland today is what makes a WIP a WIP?

Is it tops that needs backs...

Or is it ones that needs the top/blocks completed....

Or is it ones that you have the material for and just need to start...

Or is it something someone else started and gave you....

What is a WIP to you?

Lost

...That is how I am feeling lately. Just out of the loop. Just not all here, don't really know what is going on and what is happening! Isn't it horrible that I forgot my son's basketball game today? I couldn't have went anyway, but I forgot he even had one! Some days I don't know if I am coming or going! This 10 hour stuff is tough... I just feel lost.

And I am missing my blog reading...

And quilting....

And reading....

Only one more day till 3 days off!

Randomness...

Today our meat came back from the butcher's, so now we have a nice full freezer of "Steak and Patty" LOL!

And the kids are here from NC, here they all are just hanging out. Alyssa didn't come with them, which I didn't know, because they couldn't get her back to TN and then back to NC in the short time they have.

And lastly, a new do...not sure if I like it, but Rich does so I guess that is most important. It just seems short....

And did you know Polar bears are left-handed.

Freaking Cold!

Today when I left for work it was -14. Yes, -14 at 8:30 am. When I came home from work at 8:00 it was -1. I hate this weather. I am over the snow and over the cold.

But, I did get Alyssa's quilt finished last night. Its all washed, dried and crinkly. I just hope she likes it. I guess they didn't leave till sometime late this afternoon. It was 5:00 when they were in Raleigh so it will be at least 10 more hours.

And this is what we are doing tonight...

Yep, nothing. I am going to get some hot chocolate and my blankie and snuggle in for a cold winter's night.

Have you ever...

...done this??

Yes, the needle is through the pin. I think only I could manage this!

Alyssa's quilt is quilted. Tomorrow is binding and washing. Thanks for all the great suggestions for keeping it from bleeding. Looks like a cup of salt wins so tomorrow night I will give it a whirl!

This is a picture from Saturday and the snow we had. I love how the trees look.

This is half of a 55 gallon drum that protects my rose bush. That is how much snow we had. We now have about 2-3 more inches. I am ready for Spring!

Yesterday was my one year check-up with my cardiologist. They were thrilled! My progress was way beyond what they had hoped and they were all surprised at how good I am doing. My surgeon was there and I got to see him and he was completely thrilled! I didn't come off any of my meds yet, but that's okay, small price to pay! Here are some pictures I took yesterday with my phone. I always mean to take my camera; there are some great churches down there, but I always forget! And of course there was a huge snowstorm coming home!

The New Heart Center (from the parking garage)

One of the churches

Off to blog read and have some hot chocolate! It's only supposed to be -10 for a low tonight! Yipes!!

Question

...for all you quilters out there!

I am not a pre-washer of fabric, I know, the horror of it. But I do want to wash Alyssa's pink quilt before I give it to her because

A. She is a little girl, it will get dirty and
B. No one else will think about it bleeding and will probably just through it in the wash.

So how do you keep the fabric from bleeding when you don't pre-wash?
Any and all suggestions are welcome, especially if they are tried and true to work!

Thanks!

Snow, Facials and A Top

We had a major winter storm here this weekend. There is easily 12-14 inches of snow and drifts from 18 to 20 inches. Lots of fun. I did actually get stuck in the driveway, and after that it was bad, but I am loving Traction Control on my truck! It works great! One would think that my Dear Hubby would have said "Hey its really bad out, I think you should stay home." But he didn't so out I went! So he comes home because I told him I got stuck and brings the plow truck from work. What happens - he gets stuck in the yard because he went too far and it wasn't frozen. Now there are some serious ruts in our yard. I meant to take pictures of the snow but just haven't gotten there.

I actually went to get a facial yesterday. My "son" TJ gave me one from his mom who does that kinda stuff for a living for my birthday last year and I just never used it. So I went. And well not so much, I didn't really like it. It was nice and all but it seemed to last FOREVER! and made my face feel really oily when it was done. I didn't see much difference. But then again, I did get carded the other day...

Yes, I got carded. FOR A VIDEO GAME!!! I had all three boys last weekend at Wal-Mart to spend their gift cards. We were buying a video game rated "M" which you have to be 17 to buy. So the lady says "Are you 17?" I was like "yeah, do you want to see my ID?" Mind you the boys are rolling by this point! She said YES! I couldn't believe it. As I am getting out my ID she says "Are you their mom?" "Yep" I answer. She looks at my ID and says "Oh, OK". Not really sure who was more embarressed Me that she thought I was their sister or her because she carded me. I happen to be 34 for those who want to know! And of course the first thing they say when we get home "Dad, Sara got carded for a video game!!" and start rolling with laughter again!

So next weekend Ashley and her fiance and his daughter are coming up for a visit. We are going to have our little Christmas celebration. So this is what I have been crazily working on to get done. The top is done. All I have to do is baste it, quilt it and bind it! I am not sure how I want to quilt it though. I can't do all that cool stuff so its either in the ditch or meandering. I am thinking meandering, but what do you think?


Not much else is going on here. It has been a great weekend to stay inside and quilt. I do have to work tomorrow since I have my one year check-up with the Dr. on Tuesday. (Mom, Dad I will call you both when I am done.) I am riding with LST and Fire tomorrow so hopefully it will be good and we will get some calls, but no dead guys! I have had two in the last 2 weeks!

I am off to do some blog reading (which I know I won't get to all of you!) and then some reading for book club before I head to bed in about an hour.

Happy Quilting!

Booking Through Thursday

It’s a week or two later than you’d expect, and it may be almost a trite question, but … what were your favorite books from 2008?

Ok, this year was not nearly as good for me reading wise as it was last year. I read 130 books last year, this year only 93. Looking back on my list I don't believe I had any real standouts! I don't think I rated a single book a 5 which is weird because there are several that really stand out. Some of my favorites from this year are:


1. It's All About Him by Denise Jackson
2. Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez
3. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
4. The Necklace by Cheryl Jarvis
5. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
6. The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer

Notice that of those listed above 3 are Non-fiction. It was a good year for Non-fiction, which is not normally what I tend to gravitate toward. But I am looking forward to reading more NF in the New Year. I did read the Heretic's Daughter about the Salem Witch Trials and would definately like to read some NF on that. I will have to see what I can find!

Overall, a decent reading year (since I didn't really read for almost 2 months!) and hopefully a better one this year!

What have you been reading?

New Shift.

So I started this new shift at work. I am in my last weeks of training before I go on my own. This shift happens to be Tuesday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm. I hate it. I feel like I get nothing accomplished at home and it has only been 2 days!

Yesterday I did end up staying till almost 8 because of the horrible ice storm we had, but still...Its like I get up at 7:00 ish and what can you really get accomplished that early in the morning? I am barely awake. I get home about 7:30 and its dark. Can't do much. Ok, great, I have 3 days off, but still - I don't get to see the kids that much and well, its just stinky!

Tonight I rode with one of our township officers, which is part of my training and nothing exciting happened. I didn't even get to go to the guy who owns the lions and tigers and bears OH MY! Ok, he doesn't own bears, but you get the point.

So while I will probably not be around during the week for a few weeks I will be back on the weekends. And I will have a new project that I hope to finish this weekend. It is a quilt I want to finish for my soon to be step-granddaughter before they come up over the holiday weekend, in just over a week!

Till the weekend, Happy Quilting!

Challenges

I have decided to compete in both the challenges in the previously mentioned post. So here goes....

First, the WIP challenge for 2009. Complete a WIP/project every month. I can do this...

The second is the 09 TBR Challenge. This challenge I actually have to list the books that I would like to read that are currently on my shelves. And they can't be rereads, which is fine because I usually don't re-read books anyways.

So here is my list:

1. I, Mona Lisa by Jeanne Kalogridis

2. The Vanishing Point by Mary Sharratt

3. The Zookeepers Wife by Diane Ackerman

4. Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster

5. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

6. Anna Karenina by Tolstoy

7. The Eight by Katherine Neville

8. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

9. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

10. The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall

11. One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

12. Follow The River by James Alexander Thom

Alternates:

1. Snow Falling On Cedars by Guterson

2. Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris

3. THe Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

4. Snow In August by Pete Hamill

5. The Tortilla Curtain by T. Coraghessan Boyle

6. THe Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult

7. Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

8. Golden Country by Jennifer Gilmore

First Top Finished

I finished my first top of the year! WOO HOO!!!

It is something that I had started around Sept/Oct and just finished up today. I like it. Its funky and colorful. I have no idea what I am going to do with it, but I am sure it will find a home. And maybe tomorrow I can start another one! I think I am going to join this challenge since I think I can do it. I am also thinking of joining another book challenge here. I just have to decide what books I am going to put on my list for the TRB Challenge and get everything set up with the badges.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.