THINKING OF THE NEW YEAR

I decided that Christmas was almost here. I was going to think about the New Year. I am hoping for a peaceful, healthy, and a year of people finding jobs. I think of my own problems and there is always someone out there that has more then I do.

We decided that the Christmas would be for the boys . The adults really have nothing that they really want. The main thing I wanted was for all of the family to be together for Christmas and no hospital trips during the holidays. We have spent the holidays in the hospital and I really don't like doing that.

We went for a drive today being we were having a heat wave. It was 40 degree's and the sun was shining. He got to see his trains, which is one of the things that he really likes. He is taking a nap and I am going to have him wrap the packages only he doesn't know that as of yet. A surprise for him.

We have our last doctor appointment for the year this week. We have made it through ten years of fighting health problems. We just take every day that we get. You learn to appreciate more what you have been given by God. All the medicine in the world can not give you the peace that he does. You keep praying for yourself and all of the many friends who have needs. My card came from Two Crazy Crafters that I like to visit.Must close.

Countdown Till Christmas

We were baby sitting our two oldest grandson and Matt our 5 year old reminded me that it was time we counted the days until Christmas. We went to his Christmas program last night. They told the story of Jesus being born. The ages of the kids were 3 to 5 year olds. We might have had some younger ones, but they were priceless in their costumes. He was one of the wise men. It was very enjoyable and fun to watch because you don't know what they are going to say or do. I am hoping the weatherman is wrong tonight. He is saying we were going to have freezing rain and snow after midnight. I don't mind snow, but the ice I definitely don't like. We are suppose to mark a day off the calendar each day with the 24Th being circle in red. Red because that is for Christmas. He helped decorate the Christmas tree and the ornaments are on one side until mommy told him that he had to put some on the other side. Christmas is fun when you see it through the eyes of a child. They always make the holidays better regardless of the weather.

Next week I work two days and the following week I work three days. I have so much to do and not enough hours, bosses at times don't take into consideration that he closed the business for those days that we normally work. There is always a lot to do at the end of the year with the w2's and all the reports due, but it will get done. I always manage.

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Christmas Getting Closer

Christmas is quickly approaching and I think that I am through shopping. Yesterday was an absolute chore to shop with patience wearing thin at times. We started out with the sunshine and then it turned cloudy with light mist in the air. It stayed above freezing which really helped. I now know why I don't like shopping at some stores because they aren't wheel chair friendly. Some people are rude that is for sure. I pray that they don't find themselves in that situation.

I even went shopping for me which is an exception to the rule, but I needed a new pair of snow boots. My old ones had sprung a leak and my feet would get wet. I had them for several years so I think that it was time for new ones.

The letters and cards are arriving from family and friends. To me that is the best part of Christmas plus watching the little ones at Christmas opening their packages. It is fun to watch them grow up.

I tried to find old fashion Christmas candy that we had when we were growing up, which was impossible to find. You always want to relive part of the memories of what you did for Christmas. The fun that we had. The kids going sledding or building a snow man. Of course, we can't leave out the snowball fights that is all part of being a child. We always had hot chocolate and cookies when we came in from playing.

We all have our own ways of celebrating this special time of the year. No matter how we celebrate it is a time to be thankful for what we have. The most precious thing is life and you live each day that you get because you don't know what tomorrow will bring.

Have a wonderful week. Merry Christmas

COLD COLD WEATHER

This is what my car look like yesterday morning when I went out to clean it off to go to work. I cleaned 5 1/2 inches off of it the day before as well as they cleaned my driveway. There was another 4 inches plus we had freezing rain and sleet on top of the snow we had already got the day before then they added more snow after that. It was down to 10 below last night and we lost our cable to a power outage. At least we didn't lose our power like some people here in town. The kids all checked on mom and dad to make sure we were doing all right. My boss told me to stay home Tuesday, but yesterday was worse because of the rain on top of the snow. Of course, the chemicals that they used to treat the streets doesn't work when it gets that cold. It worked some today on the main streets, but the side streets were still a mess and people don't slow down. Our major highway was closed south of us and to the north of us because of major accidents. One that works with me has a son who drives over the road and he said he had never seen so many cars and trucks off the road, some even on their tops. The highway patrol was telling you to stay home. Other areas are getting harder then we did, but the wind was so bad causing drifts and horrible wind chill.

These are couple of my latest that I need to do the final touches so that I can put them in my etsy shop. My little girl is on a huge tea towel. I put her in the corner because I didn't think that she would look good in the middle. It is a big enough tea towel that you could almost make it into a table topper and I am not so sure that I won't try that. My 5 year old grandson called today to invite us to his Preschool Christmas program. He told me that he is going to be a wise man. He told me that he got sick at school and mommy had to come and get him. He couldn't understand why he could not go out into the snow. He is so funny.

I need to get back on my Christmas cards and letters so that I can get them mailed. If you are in snow and cold, I feel for you. If you are in sunshine and warm weather send it our way.

Our First Snow Storm

Our first snow storm hit starting about 9 o'clock last night. We had 51/2 inches the first time. They came and cleaned my driveway, but it will be to do over because it is snowing again. This time it started with mist, freezing rain, then sleet, and now snow. The snow is sticking to the trees. I got to stay home today from work which I was glad because I don't like driving in this kind of weather. We are to have snow until early tomorrow morning, so I will wait and see if we open tomorrow. Who would believed that we were in the 60's just a couple of weeks ago, but we are in Missouri, just stick around and it is guaranteed to change.
I thought I was going to have to make the trip to the hospital with my husband. This past week was very rough with losing his cousin, who was in our wedding all of those years ago.He had been sick as long as my husband, and I think that is what really bothered him, because we know that he has some issues that we won't be able to do anything about. We are now to the point where we have to weigh the decisions of whether the risk will improve his quality of life. We both have accepted the fact and take every day that we get.
I sold my first baby quilt, which makes me very happy. My Tiny Treasures is for their first baby and they decided that they aren't going to find out whether they are having a boy or girl. I told them they could have twins, a boy and a girl. Which ever the case may be, the baby will be spoiled because of being the first baby on both sides of the house. We will just have to wait a little while to find out. Babies are such an enjoyment.
Well I need to get back to my project I am working on. I am sending a package tomorrow to the East Coast. Have a good week.

Christmas Time Approaching

Christmas will be here before I am ready, but I am trying to get more in the Christmas spirit. I have my red bows hanging on my railing and lamp post. I have my wreath that is suppose to be battery operated, but I am not quite through decorating it. I think it needs a little more color. The kids think that I am sick because it is the first decorating I have done in several years.
I lost my dad on Christmas day and it has been hard, but I know that has to change. Life is to short to not enjoy every day that we are given. My youngest grandson has a tree in his room decorated with Cars. His Lightening MC Queen and all of the characters in the Cars Movie.
My middle grandson class gets to go take a field trip to pick out a Christmas tree, see them cut it down, have hot chocolate and cookies, plus have a Christmas story read to them. He is really excited about it. They took them to see Cinderella the ballet when it was in town. He really liked that as well.
It has been a rough two days at work after enjoying a four day off at Thanksgiving. We have had one in the hospital, one who's father passed away so that left us with a very short crew and it was statement time. I finished my statements today, which it took the majority of the day for that accomplishment. I have several projects in the works and I need to get them completed.
I did get my new purse that was made special for me. It helps me better organized because of the pockets that it has on the inside and outside. I have a pocket for my checkbook, cell phone, drivers liscense, and whatever else I want to use the pockets for. The best part is that the handle fits over the arms of the wheelchair. My purse I had before whatever I needed was always in the bottom of it.
I need to get back to my embroidering or I won't have it ready when I want it done. Have a great week.

Thanksgiving Night

Last weekend I did a craft show with my daughter-in-law. This was my table and a couple of
of my latest creations. It will give you an idea of what my tea towel will look like coming directly out of the dryer to take to the craft show. I worked late because I wanted them included. I had such a good time even though I didn't make a lot. It was a day away from everything else. I met a really nice lady who makes purses. I have not been able to find one that would fit over the handle of the wheel chair that I thought I could afford. Well she made me one, with the handle long enough for the wheelchair. It seems that she has a niece who is in a wheelchair that she sews for. Amazing what you can learn when you visit with others.
Today was a quiet day for us. We had an enj0yable lunch at our local Cracker Barrel compliments of my boss, who had given me a gift card for Thanksgiving. He was going to give me a turkey, but it would take forever for the two of us to eat it.

My daughter and her sister-in-law are getting up to go shopping early in the morning. You can't hire me to shop on Black Friday. There is nothing I want bad enough to fight the crowds n0r the traffic. I guess that is a sign I am getting old. Ha
I am going to enjoy the rest of my four day weekend and sleep as late as I can for a change. I hope you all had a wonderful day.

MEET OUR SENIOR TECH OF THE YEAR

We are so proud of our daughter. She works for a company that is nationwide. She had told us that she had been nominated for Senior Tech of the year, which we thought was an honor whether she won or not.

She called yesterday all excited because she had just found out that she won Senior Tech of the Year. She has been with this company ever since she graduated from college with a degree in Construction Engineering. She has been on several projects, the last one is the power plant that they are building at Itan.

She, also, teaches a class at our local college. That way she can help maybe find students, who would make good summer time help.

They will be having a reception to giving her plaque which is misspelled and a nice check. It will also be a time for fellow employees to congratulate her. It is a honor also because of being nominated with a group of men and being the winner. It shows that women can fit into a man's world.

I must close because I am doing another craft show with my daughter in law tomorrow and I need to get up early.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. It is a time for eating way to much and wishing that you hadn't afterwards. Ours will be a quiet Thanksgiving with all of our children going different directions. It has come a time in lives where choices need to be made instead of trying to do two to three places in one day. The boys are getting older and they have things that they want to do instead of traveling.

This past weekend we celebrated my brother's 80Th birthday. He is the oldest of ten of us. Being our parents are deceased, he has kinda appointed himself head of the family which is fine. He had triple bi-pass surgery earlier this year which has given him a new look on life. To look at him you would not believe he is that old. All of his children, grand children, and great grandchildren were there. Some I hadn't seen for quite a while. It was a fun afternoon which the time went by way to fast. We came home in the sleet and rain. The wind was blowing and really made it cold.

Monday started off with sleet, rain, and then snow. The snow hasn't lasted long, but it has been very cold and damp. It makes the bones hurt. I already have made arrangements for my snow removal this year. I don't have to call him, he just puts me on the list of his snow removal customers. I really appreciate not having to worry about it. It is funny what we don't want to be bothered with as we get older. I know I keep getting told you are only as old as you feel. I want to wish everyone who visits a Happy Thanksgiving. I must get back to my embroidery for it has to be done by the weekend.

LATEST CREATIONS

These are three of the latest tea towels that I just recently finished getting ready for the craft show. I found the Vintage Patterns in a box of patterns that belonged to my mother-in-law. They had never been used and the package said a dime for the cost. That is how old the designs are.
I have two left to embroidery out of the set. It has been my stress reliever the last week and starting of this week. We have had some rain this evening and they say a cold front is moving through. It hasn't rain hard just enough to require the windshield wipers.
We were out long enough to go to Walmart after supper for a few items.


My grandson said that I had to have a turkey .

This will give you an idea of how I unwind. If it is a pattern that really holds my attention I have been known staying up late and seeing how much of the design I can get done. Well you all have a wonderful week.

November Busy Time

This is my neighbors tree which was so pretty. I was amazed at the color this year of the trees. We didn't get to take our trip in October like we normally did. It had to be postponed and we will be staying closer to home at the moment with everything that is happening.

We went to see our oldest two grandsons. I got their sizes so that I can start my Christmas shopping because it well be Christmas before we are ready for it. I do it gradually so that you don't spend big amounts all at once and it works better with the budget.

We have had such crazy weather lately. The temperatures the last two days was in the 70's. Yesterday was the best of the time.

I got several of my new tea towels done. They are in the dryer at the present time. When they get dry, I will be pressing them and taking pictures so that I can post my latest ones. It has been a stress reliever from this past week. I have learned more about asthma attacks and how they can make you think you are having a heart attack. Our oldest son has chemical asthma and ended up in the hospital with it. They ran test and they found no problems with his heart. They had to be safe because heart problems is in the family history.

I will be doing a craft show this weekend. It is the first one that i have done in a long time. It is at my grandson's school so it goes for a good cause. It is time for me to say goodnight because tomorrow is another work day. Everybody have a good week.

Happy Halloween

I wanted to send all of my friends a Halloween greeting. We will having company here in a while because our grandsons are coming by our house while they are trick and treating. It has turned off pretty nice after a terrible day yesterday with the wind and rain. It was pretty cool coming out of work to the sunshine, rain, and seeing the double rainbow. It would have made a great picture, but you never have a camera when you want it.
I have been playing with a new photo editing program trying to improve my pictures. I am still learning. Please meet Spot and Shorty. They are my oldest two grandson's dogs. I was please with the way that the pictures turned out. It is very time consuming, but it is fun to know that if the picture is crooked you can straighten it or cropped out what you don't want like fingers in the pictures.

Have a Happy Halloween.

WORK IN PROGRESS AND FALL COLORS

I just finish embroidering my tea towel. I thought she was cute. It is a very old pattern that I found in a box I was going through that was my mother-in-law's. To give you an idea of age, it had a dime price sticker on the package of patterns. She had never used them so I decided that I would. It is done excepting for the border around the edge, which I haven't decided what color I want yet.

The fall color picture is the trees in my yard. I wanted the sun to be shining so very bad, but no such luck. It has been cloudy, damp, and very cool. We had frost on the windows this morning when I got ready to go to work. It only warmed up into the 50's this afternoon. It is warmer at the moment then it has been all day. It is amazing what our weather can be like. You just never know from one minute to the next.

The color would have been so much brighter if we would have only had sun. At least it wasn't like the day we had to go to the city for my husband's iron infusion. It was rainy, foggy, and rush hour traffic. When I looked in my rear view mirror all you could see was three lanes of head lights bumper to bumper. I was glad that I had made a trip previously so that I knew where I was going.

We did get to go to my high school alumni banquet where they honored different graduating classes. Our class was one of the honored classes. Northwest won their football game in over time. They don't do homecoming like they use to do, where there would be house decorations besides the floats. Some of the floats didn't really have that much decoration. Well tomorrow is another work day getting ready for the end of the month. I really don't know where the time has gone. I have four tea towels ready for borders that I will be adding to my etsy shop very shortly. Have a good week.

Hooray its Friday

I was really glad when 4:30 came today. It has been a very hectic week for me, but I have two days off and hopefully, we will have some sunshine and warmer weather.

Tomorrow is homecoming for our local college and next Saturday is homecoming where I went back a lot of years ago. We will have a High School Alumni dinner in the evening for all the people who graduated from the high school on the college campus, before they closed it. My year is one of the years to be honored.

My latest creation, Would you care for a cup of tea. It is a table topper and I was really happy with the way that it turned out. I still have problems taking my pictures and that is one thing I keep getting told. At least, I don't have my finger in the picture like I use to do it.

We have had a week of raining, cool, weather and they are talking about snow. I definitely don't want that. You all have a wonder weekend.

CLOUDY FALL DAY

The day started in the 30's, misting enough that you had to have the windshield wipers periodically to clear the windshield. We finally about 5 o'clock hit in the low 50's. Usually it is cool enough to need a jacket and by afternoon you could run around in a sweater.

The fall colors are really getting pretty in our area. There is the greens, yellows, red, and oranges mixed with the trees that have already lost their leaves it makes a great fall picture. It is my favorite time of the year.

I was really happy how my Halloween tea towel turned out and it sold very quickly after I listed in my etsy shop. It was so much fun making with the help of my grandsons giving me instructions to the colors that I should use. We definitely had to have a black cat. We have to go for a drive to see the decorations for Halloween. They have some really nice ones. I have been known to do more then one so if you like it and would like to have one for yourself, I would be more then happy to make you one.

My daughters mother-in-law decorates for every holiday. Her front porch has a scene that works both for Halloween and fall.

It has been a long day and tomorrow is another working day. I will work two days and then it is back to the city for more doctor appointments. You all have a wonderful week.

RAINY FALL DAY

If you like rainy, cool weather, then welcome to our area. If you don't like it, then stick around because it is sure to change. It has been raining all day and the temperature in the 40's. This is just the first week of October. It is not suppose to be that way yet. We aren't ready for the cooler weather yet.
We will have our pumpkin festival this weekend. They start with the lighting of the Pumpkin wall that is made of jack-o-lantern that people have carved. Some are really unique. They will have the parade on Saturday where the kids get to wear their Halloween costumes. My middle grandson pre school class went to the apple orchard for a field trip. They got to pick an apple off the tree and pick out a pumpkin to take home. He was going to paint a really scary face on his. . They got to ride on the bus, which they thought was fun.
It is amazing what entertains kids. They don't forget what you tell them. We took our youngest grandson to the park to see the buffalo, long horn cattle, and the deer that they have in captivity. He saw another little boy feeding the cows leaves, so he had to do it to. He wanted to go down the slide, but it was higher then he liked. Nana had to go help him down, if that wasn't a scary sight. I am not use to doing that especially when you backing down steps at my age. We managed to get safely back to the ground. I decided it was time to go home.
He went fishing in top of his sand box lid, the fish were leaves, and his fishing pole was a stick. He had fun and that was all that matter. He had fun and that was all that mattered. I hope you had fun.
If you need a lap quilt for a little one, then drop in at my etsy shop where they are on sale through tomorrow. http://shirleystitches.etsy.com Have a great day.

A pretty fall day

I can't wait until the color comes to my trees in the back acre. This was taken last year. We made a drive today to see what the hills looked like close to us. I guess you could say close we put over 180 miles on the car.Ha. I love going to Weston, Missouri to look at the shops, which aren't wheel chair friendly and Parkville, Missouri because they have a park by the river which allows you to walk along the river and it is easy to push a wheel chair. No hills to worry about. It is so peaceful and people are very courteous. I enjoy watching the river while we are walking with my husband in the wheel chair. The fall is when I love to travel because of all the pretty colors especially when the trees are at their best.

My latest two tea towels are done ready for the border. September's has fall leaves and acorns. October is for Halloween. I will post as quick as I get them finished which will be a little later this evening. Halloween reminds me that I have a friend who just put a concrete floor in his barn. We are trying to talk him into having a party before he starts putting everything back into it.

During our adventure today, we met a group of old cars, saw an old steam engine on an eighteen wheeler. I liked the yellow Gto Pontiac convertible. Guessing I would say it was in the early sixties. We never know where we are going or what we are going to see. We just take every day that we are given and make the most of it.

You all have a wonderful week

The Starting of Fall

Summer is officially over and fall begins with the fall festivals. We just had ours in the south side of our town filling the park with crafts, food, fun, music and the Saturday morning parade. Just to drive by with the window down to smell the aroma from the food. It makes you hungry. There are many different crafts and you have to submit your work to see if you can get in. Maybe next year.
The weekend was absolutely gorgeous, but today was entirely different. We had rain all day and on the cool side. It was heavy rain at times, and then it would let up, but never entirely stopped. We will be down in the 50's, so it will be jacket time. The trees are starting to turn and get really pretty.
I had my first experience of having an auction right next door. They decided my drive-way was a great place to park. I have never seen so many Elvis records. He was a collector and at one point had his own antique store. He would do flea markets with his things that he collected. What I really would have like to had was his side by side refrigerator. It was less then a year old. Some things sold good and others didn't which is typical. He had some old children games in the original boxes, books, cars, trucks, glass ware, and I can't remember it all. We have a new antique mall going to open up in town. I am curious about it, but I haven't had a chance to check it out. They will have a lot of space that is for sure. My husband has even gone looking lately with me which is new. Usually he doesn't want to do that kind of a thing. It was surprising and an enjoyable way of spending a Sunday afternoon looking at things that brought back a lot of childhood memories.
You all have a wonderful day.

September Fall Colors

Fall is just around the corner according to the calendar, but I think it has already arrived with the leaves all ready turning to the reds, orange, and yellows. The picture is one that I found while browsing the Internet. It made me wish that we could take a trip down to the Branson area, but that isn't possible for a while.

We have had the cool temperatures of the morning to where you needed a sweater or light jacket to start the day getting into the 70's. It makes you wish it would stay that way all year long.

The excitement, I guess you could call it that, was this past week we had one arrested for drugs within a half of block from where I work. This morning one of the guys saw this girl getting into a nice looking car, and what brought his attention to her was the way she was dressed in black with a hoodie pulled so that you couldn't really see her face. It wasn't long after that she was seen sitting across the street behind a building going through a bag, tossing things on the ground. She got a way, but she had cleaned the glove box out of the car that she had gotten into. They didn't say what she got away with, the owner was at the restaurant having breakfast. We made sure that all of our cars were locked. Things are happening to close around us from house break-ins to a shooting at Wal mart in broad daylight. The Walmart is one that I go to at times during my lunch break because it is close.

We took a drive this last Saturday to look at the hills to see if they were were getting more color in them. I saw my life past in front of me because I had an idiot on my side of the highway. I set my car down and was praying the ones behind got theirs set down to. There was a possibility that it could have been a seven car pile up because there was two behind me and four coming from the opposite direction. I know that it unnerved me for a while. Our drive got cut a little short, because I just wanted to come home.

Well it is time for me to close for tonight, I hope you have a wonderful week.

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day Weekend. Three days of getting to sleep late and taking it easy. It has warmed back up, and the leaves are starting to turn. It is earlier then we have had in the past.

I have been doing some changes on my blog and ECS page. I thought I would give it a new look. I would appreciate you signing my guest book and let me know what you think of my changes. I always appreciate messages left.

I have had my first international sale. I was really surprised to see it this morning when I checked my e-mail. I went to the post office to check and see what I had to do and if there was any extra fees. Lets just say that this will be a learning experience. We all need to have a few of those along the way.

The month of August just flew by and now the first 5 days of September are gone. It seems to me that time is absolutely flying by. We have usually taken a small trip, but they have turned into drives over two lane highways looking at the scenery. We were in Amish country today. They were working in their fields with a team of horses. It reminded me of my childhood when we would go places in the wagon. We always went and picked corn by hand, then dad would bring the wagon with the horses to pick it up. We thought it was fun riding on the hayrack full of loose hay because we didn't bale hay. The first tv's, refrigerators, and washing machines were thought of as a luxury. I remember the wringer washing machines and the wash boardthat we used. In the winter months we, we used oil lamps and candles when we didn't have electricity. We always heated by wood stoves, take the irons that was on the stoves wrapped in paper to bed with us of a night to warm our feet. We always had a good time as we grew up.

I think we did more visiting with family then, then we do now. Today we always seem to be in a hurry. Have a safe weekend if you travel.