Ron

Yesterday, my brother in law Ron had a terrible car accident. I am not clear on the details but let me just summorize, he is in intensive care with alot of broken bones. I ask that you keep him and his family in your prayers.

Finally!

I was talking to a relative of mine the other day on Yahoo. They have this wonderful new (to me) thing, photo sharing. You can upload a picture right to the conversation in a matter of seconds. The person you are talking to can decide whether or not to save the image to their computer. That is so cool! I got a bunch of pix of that twig of the family tree that I wouldn't have otherwise gotten. The downside to it is, I realized how long it has been since I have taken pictures of my children. I don't want to look back years from now and see only the posed shots of special occasions. Those are good but every once in awhile, a candid just tells a story. Mikey has been gone for a couple of days now and the kids are actually getting along for the most part. I had to memorialize it!

















On the table behind the girls is the infamous quilt.... I am going to have to hide that shirt of 411's, it is one of her favorites but so obviously getting too small. SSIIGGHH all the growing these kids are doing.
















I rather like how it turned out. This is the front...




















and this is the back.



















the main bodies of squares are quilted with just a simple X but for the long strips, that wouldn't really work. Or I should say, I am not smart enough to make it work. So, I got inspired, and made a template to look like the white stars and quilted that around. I like how it turned out but it is a devil to photograph. The back seemed to be more camera friendly :)

A Definition

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America' for an amount of 'up to and including My life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'


My husband forwarded this to me. I know all of you are aware of my feelings for the military. I thought this was an apprapo way to explain it once again. I have great respect for anyone that will put their lives on the line to defend my freedoms.

a couple randomness

I was messing around my myspace page and decided to delete my blog there. Seriously, I don;t have enough to keep this one maintained so there is no way I could do two. anyway, I had to go through and delete every post individually, that sucked! but I did find some humorous items...

A Short History of Medicine2000 B.C. - "Here, eat this root."1000 B.C. - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."1850 A.D. - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."1940 A.D. - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."1985 A.D. - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."2000 A.D. - "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root."~Author Unknown

Then I found this from when my first husband passed away. He was an organ donor and they sent this in a packet after it was all done.

TO REMEMBER ME BY ROBERT N.TEST
The day will come when my body will lie upon a white sheet neatly tucked under four corners of a mattress located in a hospital busily occupied with the living and the dying. At a certain moment, a doctor will determine that my brain has ceased to function and that for all intents and purposes my life has stopped. When that happens, do not attemot to instill artifical life into my body by the use of a machine. And do not call this my deathbed. Let it be called the bed of life and let my body be taken from it to help others lead fuller lives. Give my sight to a man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby's face or love in the eyes of a woman. Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless days of pain. Give my blood to the teenager who was pulled from te wreckage of his car so that he might live to see his grandchildren play. Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist. Take my bones, every muscle, every fiber and nerve in my body and find a way to make a crippled child walk. Explore every corner of my brain. Take my cells, if necessary, and let them grow so that, someday, a speechless boy will shout at the crack of a bat and a deaf girl will hear the sound of rain against her window. Burn what is left of me and scatter the ashes to the wind to help the flowers grow. If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses, and all prejudice against my fellow man. If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all that I ask, I will live forever.

Kaleidoscope of thoughts

I have a few thoughts I would like to share. The first being.....

Octomom. WTF?! She is so obviously a media whore, it is repulsive the way she is using her babies to get what she wants. Now she has fired the FREE nurses. FREE. Because they were supposedly spying on her to report to DHS. Hello, dumbass, anyone in the medical field is a mandatory reporter. That means that now you have to pay for all the nurses that you need, they will still report you if you are doing something wrong. You won't get a pass to screw things up just cuz you are now paying for it. I am sorry, cuz TAXPAYERS are now paying for the nurses. What quality of life are these 14 children, who are all under the age of 10, supposed to have? There is no way one person or even 3, if you count her mom and dad, can possibly give them everything they need. It makes my blood boil.

Obama. Mike and I watched his speech last night, the first presidential speech I have ever sat through from start to finish voluntarily. I like that he speaks in plain English and tried to keep his answers to something anyone could understand. I like that he is human and has no problem admitting it. I am so tired of the politicians with a superiority complex. Granted, he is a politician so you have to take whatever he says with that grain of salt, but at least there is a little lime to go with it ;)

411 and MR are both joining soccer this spring, they start practice next week. It isn't going to be as easy this year, we don't live across the street from the practice field anymore. I love watching the little ones play, they so don't understand the subtleties of the game, it is all about fun. I just wish they could hold on to the fun aspect of it as they get older. There are some parents who come to watch the games that could totally be on the "psycho-soccer-mom/dad" list. I am all about cheering your kids on to do their best, but you shouldn't belittle them for missing a goal or not being in the best position. Let them be kids for goodness sake.

Chick and I are getting excited about the trip to Washington DC. Then there is another sister breakfast coming up, then I have been invited to tag along on a trip to Arizona, then the trip to welcome Snatch back, then there will be another sister breakfast by that time. Mike is going to have a coronary by the time summer is up. Maybe mother nature will co-operate and there will be much more camping then last year. That would help, I doubt he would notice me missing if he was camping. I am kidding. Kinda ;)

I am still battling the whole to edge or not to edge debate. I am pretty sure I have now decided to edge but with what? I might layout a white border to see what that looks like. The more I look at the star material, the more I agree, it doesn't flow with the feel of the quilt. It is going to be hard to market them with this much time from start to finish.

I am looking for new recipes that are fairly simple and cheap. I am burnt out on spaghetti/goulash/meatloaf/tuna casserole/taco's/shepard's pie/chili/potato soup/and -gasp-cheeseburger soup. I crave variety. I say that BUT when trying to keep within the likes/dislikes of my family, it is hard to find new recipes that will meet that criteria. Chick hates lettuce and doesn't like tomato based food, wants seafood but won't eat fish. Bubba hates veggies in general, only wants pasta. Mike hates spinach and alfredo, wants to cut back on chicken recipes and doesn't really groove on new things. 411 will eat almost anything so that helps. Mr doesn't eat anything or at least like a bird and tells me I don't like it almost daily. It is so frustrating to plan, shop for, prepare a meal and then get groans and skeptical looks.

That pretty much sums up what is on my mind right now.

drug free cheesecake!

I had a fabulous Saturday night/Sunday morning. My friend RJ came down to visit, my sister in law Michelle came over, I cooked. All the food turned out like I wanted it to, that is a major happy face for me. Alot of the time, I get impatient and don't let something cook long enough or forget something and it gets over cooked. So anyway, I made BBQ country ribs, twice baked potato bake and a no-crack cheesecake. I was super excited, I have been making these homemade cheesecakes for years and every time they crack. I have tried all the 'tricks' to make it not happen but, siiigghhh, it always does. And if you know me, I tend to obsess a bit when I don't get it right the first time. Hence my Mario kart obsession but that is another post entirely.
ANYWAY, I made a perfect cheesecake and was very excited and showed it to everyone who walked in my door, Jake, Wendy, Chelle, RJ, Mike, all the kids, their friends, EVERYONE! I showed it off and presented it as a no crack cheesecake. Well, some smart asses decided that I was saying there were no drugs in it. We had a hysterical laugh for quite awhile. So I took a picture, so I could prove it, which resulted in more harassment for me. But you know what, I don't care, it was a proud accomplishment. Chelle was excited by it, see?!

decision

After doing some research, price comparisons, and getting some various advice, I think I have nailed down my pricing.
Crib size...................$40
Throw size...............$60
Twin size..................$100
Full/Queen size.......$150
King size...................$200

Now, to just decide to edge or not......

answers

The quick cuts (fat quarters) are in the fabric section by the needles and stuff, they have some jelly rolls too. I had to force myself away.
As for price, I haven't made up my mind yet. I was thinking of listing it on ebay to see how it goes but that is such a pain in the tush. It is kind of a feeler piece to see what a fair price would be, if there is even a market for them. Any suggestions? Keep in mind, it is really heavy so shipping will be killer and it is only throw size. On the other hand, it is an original and really cool looking. IMO.
I was thinking
Crib size...................$50
Throw size...............$75
Twin size..................$100
Full/Queen size.......$150
King size...................$200

I am sending out a request for input on this too. Are these fair? too much? too little? Help a sister out!!
PS> I can find a different border fabric, I am wondering if it even needs the border. It would make it a little bigger (about 4" on each side) but does it need to be?

I need input

I will get to why in a minute. Look at this adorable fabric I found at Walmart. I had to refrain from buying one of everything, they are all fat quarters and the type of material I use on my quilts. I LOVE the turquoise/brown. It's the new purple!

















I found Mator crocks for Mr. I giggled at the "underside" and the back has a tow hook and liscense plate. He loved them.














Now, here is where I need input. I got the quilt done this far. Now I have a choice. It is made with a denim backside and a layer of batting so it is heavy already. My original design calls for an edging that will add 8" to the length and width. I took pictures of it without and with a mock up of the edging, that material but I haven't assembled it yet. I can either finish it up without or assemble and attatch the edge. What does the majority say?

This is the backside with, just to give an idea..

my husband's humor

I got this in an email from him. The timing was funny if nothing else after yesterday.

These are actual comments made on students' report cards by teachers in the New York City public school system. All teachers were reprimanded (but, boy, are these funny!)
1. Since my last report, your child has reached rock bottom and has started to dig.
2. I would not allow this student to breed.
3. Your child has delusions of adequacy.
4. Your son is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.
5. Your son sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.
6. The student has a 'full six-pack' but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all together.
7. This child has been working with glue too much.
8. When your daughter's IQ reaches 50, she should sell.
9. The gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming..
10. If this student were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week.
11. It's impossible to believe the sperm that created this child beat out 1,000,000 others.
12. The wheel is turning but the hamster is definitely dead.

Untitled hodge-podge

this is the bottom 5 rows of the quilt. I got it started and then got distracted. It might get some attention today, I am not sure what I am doing. I have to get groceries, get my tire fixed, and run some other errands but I am going to try.

We went to parent teacher conferences last night. It went just like we expected, Mr is his father all over again. His dad used to tell me a story of when he was in Kindergarten, they would drop him off at school and before they pulled in the driveway at home, he was waiting for them on the doorstep. He would run home as soon as the car started to turn the corner. Little stink butt. Well, now we have Mr and that isn't an option since we live so far away but he lets his disinterest be known. I wish I could invent a way to make a child interested in school. I would make millions!

Bubba's went as expected too. SIGH. He is very smart, his teacher even used the word brilliant, but he doesn't want to take the time to do things the way the instructions are given. He won't show his work in math or write complete sentences. He reminds me of my high school Chemistry teacher, the man was amazing smart but couldn't put together a complete sentence because his mind kept going off on all these sidebars that he knew. It made it very difficult to sit through his class. The teacher asked us for strategies for dealing with Bubba and getting him to turn in his work, do it the right way and basically be more responsible. I wanted to tell her, when you figure it out, let me know. He is one of those kids that you have to be right on top of him for him to do something, not because he can't focus, just because if he doesn't wanna do it, he isn't going to. I am kinda concerned about the coming years, it is only going to get harder.

411's teacher really likes her and is very pleased with her. That was really refreshing to hear. She loves attention and is very competitive, so when Bubba gets good grades, she is going to do her best to get better. And she is. I pay the kids for their grades on their report cards. Only at quarter report cards though, mid terms make it too often. I give $1 for A's, $.50 for B's, and nothing for C's. But if there is a D, they owe me $.50 and F's cost them a dollar a piece (and grounding but that is another story). 411 gets so excited about her report card, she looked at it and told me "that's gonna cost you $8.50 Mom!". I am happy to pay it.

My mom wants me to come help her clean her basement. I am going to but I am not looking forward to it. There are spiders, mice, possibly snakes, not something groovy. But I will do it cuz she is my mom and doesn't ask me for much. I don't have to enjoy it though.

the rest of the story

So I forgot to come back and tell the rest of the story....
For my birthday I got some really cool fabric, I love the blues, I was saving it for something great. Then I had this brainstorm and thought, what a perfect fabric for it!




















I LOVE IT! I am almost sorry to use it but then what purpose would that serve?
















You can get the gist of what I am going for, I am excited to get it done.






















As promised, you don't recognize that slab-o-meat do ya? Course, I think you need to experience the yummy smell to appreciate this picture. Not looking so appetizing, but it was YUMMO!

A day in the life

Nothing really exciting going on, trying to wait patiently for warm weather. When I say nothing, I mean exactly that. I don't have a career to discuss, any spectacular solutions to the worlds problems, amazing artistic ability or financial mastery to share. This is what I did today:
















I gathered all my denim parts and pieces to cut into backing for the newest quilt I am working on.














I have to measure, cut, curse because I did it wrong and then recut.















I am left with this perfectly neat stack of squares














and this heap of parts. My poor lil sewing machine won't handle the thickness of the seams on the pockets which is too bad because they look really cool incorporated.



















I have the blisters to prove my hard work
















When I got all that done I decided to make beef and noodles for supper. This is before seasonings, doesn't it look suspiciously like a hunk of beef in water? By the time I am done, you won't recognize it, promise.

Strolling

Today I went on a field trip with my oldest son. 26 fifth graders in an Air Force museum to learn about brains. An hour bus ride to and from with said fifth graders. I was looking around the classroom before we loaded up and thinking, wow, things have changed. At the same time I was thinking wow things haven't changed at all since I was a fifth grader. There are two things I remember from my 5th grade year. 1) the first day a sixth grader came up to me and pushed my shoulder and said 'hey you're cute'. I was so flattered! 2) my math teacher , Mrs. Kirkpatrick, made me share a seat with Kyle Jung-something because he was sitting behind me snapping my bra strap and I turned around to tell him to stop. So because I was interrupting her class, I had to share his seat with him. I detested him and was sooo mad.
My son has his first crush, which I think is just so cute but 'gawd, moooooom' so I keep these thoughts to myself. He LOVED it, towards the end of the trip I asked him what he thought of everything we had seen today and he said " the Air Force is definitely in my league of interest". I kept a straight face and didn't let that little 'you are so cute' smile out till I realized that in less then a decade, that will be a serious choice he will have to make. So yeah, that little smirk was replaced with thoughts of where in the hell did time go?

Quick quilts

THese are a couple of quick quilts I made for my niece to give to her niece/nephew.









































these are the backs, the yellow is the tink back and the blue check is the spiderman back

ho hum

Another chilly day in Iowa. Hold back the excitement!! I have started the plotting of a new quilt. Designing, I totally meant designing. hee hee. I am trying something a little different this time and have discovered I am not a fabulous artist. I know, hold back the shocked gasps, it's true. I can see the image in my head, and I like it alot, but I can not for the life of me get my hands to draw it. I think it has to do with my lack of hand eye coordination, depth perception, or space management. One of those many things I totally ignored in art class. Anyway, I am working on it. I am going to have to buy some new fabric (oh poor me, right?!) because I don't have the color in a big enough piece for my creation. Usually I do alot of little squares & it doesn't matter. SO, of course, this time, I have to be difficult. Drives Mikey mad.
For those of you that don't know, Chick got an A+ on her poetry assignment. I take partial credit for that grade because I was the one up till 2 am with her grouchiness helping to get it together. I told her not to expect that kind of help again, I am getting too old for that. But it is nice to know I can accomplish a freshman's assignment. :)
My mom is already planning a mini family reunion for Labor day. It seems the holidays are all claimed for various spouses so my mom put her claim in on Labor day. We are thinking that at least 3 of the 5 kids, their kids/grand kids, her sister and her brother with his family will all be attending. It ought to be something. She really enjoys having everyone around. I need to make a better effort to visit more, that might be a little easier if she lived closer. I am trying to get her to move to Tabor, that might have a little selfishness behind it. Then I could visit daily, although that might be construed as an argument against.

I have proof!

I have proof that I do have a friend. I am not imagining things, she does exist!! Meet RJ>>













We went to Jr hi together and thanks to the wonderful tool of Facebook, we got in contact again all these years later. She came down to visit me Saturday and we stayed up all night visiting. like till 5, I haven't done that in years. I was kinda nervous because after 20 some years (we are so not going into exact numbers), what could we possibly have to talk about? I suck at small talk and to steal a funny line (thanks RJ) I don't want to bring all my baggage on the first trip. I enjoyed the visit a lot and hope to keep the friendship going after finding her again after all this time.