65 degrees

Yesterday we had a beautiful day, it was 65 degrees and partly sunny. There also was a bit of a breeze but not enough to make it seem colder. It was wonderful. Of course today we have freezing rain and 32. I love those days when its warm but then reality sets in. We are in the beginning of March and it won't really get nice till the end. But I did get to go outside and walk up and down the driveway. It was wonderful. Then Rich had J go do the chores even though it was a little early so that I could see my horse. I miss my horse! I can't open our barn door yet, it probably weighs about 75 pounds. Its 12x20 and has insulation and plywood on it to help keep the barn warm in the winter.

I got to see my horse. He couldn't have cared less, he was like "Where's my food?" My horse is a 6 year old Quarter Horse whose name is Heza Tuff Mr Tee. He could win a standing still contest. He doesn't move fast, he doesn't like to move and he is very lazy. Very Lazy. We show the Central Ohio Circuit (COSCA) and Elyria Saddle Club Shows in Western Equitation and Western Pleasure. Tee is really a big baby and nothing fazes him. Rich used to be a full time trainer and had his own stable training horses. Tee and I have learned a lot together with Rich being on personal trainer. Its kinda nice having a professional trainer who only works with you. This is a horrible picture, you really can't see us, but that is Tee and I in Sept at a Wellington show.

J shows too and he shows a 7 year old Quarter Horse, named Imp Tee Impression (who happens to be fully trained unlike Tee) in Western also. This year he is going to try reining at the fair. His horse can do it - the question is can J get over his nerves? This picture is of J after one of his classes. He did really well at Wellington this year, receiving a high point in Western Pleasure and second overall in Western Equitation. He also surprised us when he said he didn't want to go in the first year canter class at the fair this year because he wanted to try to make it to the championship show. He didn't make the championship show, but he did really well, placing 4th & 5th and we were very proud of him for making that leap and being in the tougher class with kids that had been cantering longer than he had.

After seeing my horse and doing all that walking I was ready for a nap, but that was not happening. We had a hippology (study of horses) meeting last night which I am the advisor for and I wanted to see all my kids since I hadn't seen them in a month. T also had a basketball game so poor Rich was driving around dropping off and picking up. Only 2 more weeks and I will be able to drive again so that will make a huge difference. Rich won't have to cart me around anymore! Plus I will be able to go back to work which will help break up the monotony.

Now I am going to work on my red, white and blue quilt that mom, Kris and I started years ago. I only have two more blocks and it will be ready to be sashed, quilted and binded. I have to get some more red material to finish the last block so hopefully I will do that tomorrow if the weather is not too bad and mom can come get me. Otherwise I will have to find another project to work on - maybe the piecing the trail to Kansas since I have all those - they just need to be cut and sewed.

Basketball

Tonight was the first basketball for T in the rec league. He was lucky enough to make the practice squad for the 8th grade team so during the regular season he was able to learn alot and can finally put those skills to use. The rec league is made up of 5, 6 and 7th graders. T happens to be the only 7th grader and the only one who knows how to play basketball on his team. Yeah, they kinda suck. Even T says so. It was pretty even during the first half but they play full court and some of these kids were dying at the end. T played the entire game and scored 22 of the 28 points his team scored. Pretty sad.

Today I spent the day preparing Horsebowl questions for the competition in April. I didn't realize they had to be in tomorrow - missing that week did a number on me - and so I typed up 60 questions for the juniors and 60 for the seniors. What a long day.

Tonight there is also a leap year party/fundraiser for the Buckeye Baseball Team. We stopped there before the game so I could see some people from baseball that I haven't gotten to talk to since the surgery. Rich brought me home after the game and went back to the fundraiser. I am going to take my meds and probably head to bed. He wants to go to his dad's tomorrow and the 2 hour drive is something I am not looking forward to. He promised we wouldn't be home late so that is a good thing.

Otherwise we got some more snow and that is all here.

Snow and Aprons

Once again yesterday there was no school due to the weather. I believe that was day 7 which means making it up at the end of the year. What's one more day though? Its not like they do anything on the last day anyway. We had a drift out our back door that was about 4 feet. And the boys spent about two and a half hours playing outside yesterday. That was nice again since it was quiet in here and they weren't fighting. I am SO glad there is school today. I don't think I could have taken another day and I don't think they could have either. Sometimes I think places that go to school year round have the right idea.

So while the boys were outside yesterday I finished up the aprons that mom and I started on Saturday night. It went really quick once I figured out the directions. I don't make clothes or things like that - pretty much just quilts so it was my first attempt at using a pattern. Some of the directions didn't make sense, but I winged it and am happy with the results. Just don't expect too much more from me.

I haven't really read a whole lot since I got home. I read And Now You Can Go by Vendela Vida which was okay. I think I would have probably liked it better if my attention span was better. I just finished Can't Wait To Get To Heaven by Fannie Flagg yesterday. That was good, but again I think I would have liked it better if my attention span was better.

We had a 4-H meeting last night so Rich drove me over to that. It was nice to get out of the house and spend some time doing something I enjoy. Everyone was surprised to see me, I'm glad I went though - nice to break up the monotony. Today I am off to lunch with my friend Diane, which will be wonderful since I haven't seen her in a while! I can't wait to hear what she has been up too! When I get home if I feel up to it I am going to work on my red, white and blue Americana quilt that has been several years in the making. Need to get these things finished up so I can start some new ones!!!

Off to lunch!

Snowstorm!

Well, the snowstorm that they said we were going to get - we got. There is about 4 inches of snow out there now and they expect about 4 more over night. The kids didn't have school today and are outside playing in it right now. Its so quiet in here...hmmm....I have to say though that even though I hate the cold and snow I love the way the trees look with the snow on them.

So its a good day to stay inside and curl up with a quilt project. Well, first I had a drs appointment, my 4 week check-up. Everything looks good but I am still retaining water. They upped my Lasix, fun fun, and I go back next week for another follow-up. The boys went along and we picked up pizza on the way home so dinner is taken care of.

I did finish these squares that my mom started oh so long ago. The hearts are actually appliqued on using a blanket stitch (I believe).

Now I just have to find some material for the sashing, border, backing and binding. I am also trying to finish my red, white and blue block of the month that we did I don't know how many years ago. And of course the aprons will be finished and have a picture posted by the end of the week.

Tonight I am going to stay inside (Not that I would do anything else) and be warm underneath my big comfy quilt.

OK! OK!

...I'm updating!

It has officially been 3 weeks since day 1 of surgery. I am home and feeling a little better every day. Its been hard, but I think it will be worth it in the end. If I would just get my taste back and quit retaining water it would be even better! Its been slow going but I am slowly getting there. Everyone was wonderful while at the hospital and I can't thank you all enough (Mom, Dad, Kris and Grandpa Dick). We certainly couldn't have done it without all of you helping us! Rich was a godsend and he went WAY above and beyond "husbandly duties" while I was in the hospital, doing anything a nurse might do.

Now I am home and everyone else is back to normal. I still can't drive, still have stitches, am sore and hurt, but getting there. The kids have adjusted right back to their normal selves and are fighting constantly. I know part of it is the weather, since its been kinda cold and they haven't been able to get outside much. Part of it is just brotherly love. T really has his nose in his books for fear that he won't get to play baseball if his grades don't come up. Yep, we officially hit 13 and hit it running!

While I was in the hospital I received a quilt from Project Linus. This organization gives security blankets to mostly children having major surgery or going through something like chemo. Its to give them a sense of comfort while they are in the hospital. I am not sure why I received one since I am certainly not a child. But this has inspired me to make one for Project Linus. The website is http://www.projectlinus.org/ and you can find out all the details there and contact people for your area if you want to donate a quilt or even a quilt block.

Before I went in the hopsital I finished Mary's quilt and got it mailed off to her. I know that she has received it and likes (I hope!) and here is finally a picture of it. Ok, dummy me didn't take a picture of it completed. Not sure where my mind was then....But here is a picture of it together, just not quilted and binded and one of the individual squares. I did quilt each goose and that took forever! Also that is not exactly my favorite part of quilting. I like putting it all together and then someone else can do the quilting...

Ok, well Mom is coming to go for lunch! YEAH! I get out of the house! So I will post more later...

Jessica's Chicken

Its has been a busy month.

T finished up basketball. They did really well, first in the league and second in the tournament. He is looking forward to Rec ball starting so he can actually play in a game.

J is still involved in 4-H and Hippology. We have been practing twice a month and actually have a full senior team and two junior teams. They are doing really well and I am impressed with their dedication. He wants to join Pet Pals where they take their pets to nursing homes but I think we are still a bit young for that much involvement. I would like to see him spend more time with his horse. But then I suppose I am not one to talk since I haven't spent much time with mine lately. I miss the warm weather and being able to ride every day.

I finally finished Mary's quilt. But I won't post a picture of it till she has seen it and lets me know what she HONESTLY thinks! I also completed the blocks of the month from Fabric Obsession for last year. Here is a picture of those blocks and Jessica's Chicken. I am not into pink but hers came out really cool. I like it - its funky and girly at the same time. The pattern is Pollo Loco from Miss Rosie's Quilt Shop.

Next up is Bean's quilt. Its going to be out of Sock Monkey Fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop. I love the fabric and the pattern. I have started buying clothes, but we don't know yet if its a boy or a girl. As soon as we find out I will be picking up more things. I am pretty much just getting basics right now. Nothing every says "Nana" on it though. Its all Grandma. What a bummer.

Otherwise we are just getting ready to go to the hospital. I have to go tomorrow for my pre-admission testing. Robin is going with me. I just hope that nothing happens to postpone this. Rich keeps asking me what I want for the "Last Supper" since all I eat in there is fish and baked potatoe. Anyone coming to visit - BRING FOOD!

I will write more when I get home and hopefully have some more projects to work on.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well, its the first day of the new year, and this year is going to be the year. These past weeks have been busy, but exciting and relaxing all at the same time. The kids are enjoying their second week of vacation, and have been pretty good too.

Christmas with my parents was pretty typical. My niece said a few things that

were absolutely hilarious, especially about boys putting their underwear on, and

my nephew topped the night when he told Grandma it didn't hurt to touch a 9-volt

battery to your tongue, and SHE DID IT! I have honestly never seen my mom

jump so high, nor have I laughed so hard. Everyone liked what they got, including mom's unmade chicken sampler and grandma's quilt. Here's a picture of Grandmas quilt:

Christmas with the in-laws was pretty uneventful too. We went down to spend the day on Saturday before Christmas. I spent the day with Alice, Sue and Julie, having nice chats while the kids ran around and the guys watched football. We actually got some family pictures. Here's one:

Its kinda hard to see all of us, but everyone was there except A. She is still in NC and has officially moved in with Shannon. More news on "the bean" later! She was planning on coming home in January but I have asked (due to recent developments) to not so that she can work as much as possible before she can't work as a firefighter any more.

I am STILL working on Mary's quilt, but it is almost done. I only have a little bit more to go to quilt before I sew the binding on. I am hoping to have it done by the weekend and mailed off next weekend. I would also love to put a picture of it up, but she hasn't seen the finished top yet and I don't want her to see it till she gets it. I know she checks this periodically (Hi Mary!) so I won't post any yet.

T turned 13 on Christmas Day and had a small party last night. Only 4 friends showed up, but they still had a blast. I guess people just had other things to do on. We have more pizza than we can eat though! They played Corn Hole most of the night (thanks mom!) and seemed to have a really good time. They never stopped laughing! Even the girls seemed to have a good time (which was my concern!) Hopefully no more parties till we turn 16!

I also tried to make it to 130 books read for the year, but I missed it by about 45 pages. I got too involved with J playing rummy last night. We played for over 2 hours and he still wanted to play more. 1:00 am was late enough for me. I went to bed. The nice thing though was that the boys all slept till 10 this morning, which was WONDERFUL!! I can't remember the last time I beat them all up!

I am trying to finish up Beverly Lewis' The Postcard and that is the one that only has about 45 more pages. Then I have no idea what I will begin reading. I have several library books that I need to get read, like Ten Days In The Hills by Jane Smiley, and The Kitchen Boy. Of course, a trip to the Fabric Shop and Borders is in order before the 29th so that I have plenty of fabric and books for the 4 weeks I will be stuck inside at the hospital and after!!

Off to try to figure out how to add links!