The Good The Bad and Oh Lordy

Oh Lordy.... I think the boys put my dad up to this.. Then again I wouldn't put it pass my sisters. LOL
Good news bad news kinda. Great news is that Dad finished up with his 2 weeks of 4 days maintenance treatment and the cancer is gone. Amen. Bad news is his white blood count was critically low which meant Jerri Lynn my little sister will be keeping dad under house arrest to keep him safe from infections. Mask is a must. 
And now they'll only have to make a that 100 mile trip down once every for 4 weeks for the next year instead of every week. This will give Dad a chance to feel better and everyone can relax and not spend all that time in a car.
 Dad I guess escaped one day and just drove around to escape the boredom of being in the house. Later Jerri Lynn had him in the car to run errands.  My little sister gives great updates and I try to shorten them and still make sense to keep from overwhelming everyone with all the details. While on the elevator at the doctors office she to listen to a patient and her daughter throw a fit about having to go to another floor for labs and back down to see the doctor. Then this woman shows up in the doctors office and continues her bitching (sorry but that's what she was doing) about having to wait and how she hurt here and there and they should take her back now and how long she drove to get there. Really lady my Dad and little sister just drove a 100 miles and your complaining about you 20 minute drive. (I adlibbed that but I know my sister drove further).  90% of the people in that waiting room felt bad and hurt but this woman felt special and privileged. My little sister maintained great restraint from telling this woman off     Old age has made Jerri Lynn wiser and more mellow. LOL Finally my little sister couldn't take it any longer and walked up quietly to the receptionist and told her to give that woman Dad's slot so that this woman would shut up.
Now you would have thought this woman could have said Thank you or moved on but nope. Jerri Lynn said you could hear this woman still bitching. Best part when Jerri Lynn heard the woman say "I knew if I griped and complained I would get in early".  It takes all kinds of people to make the world go round.

Good news and kinda bad news for Pamela. Her blood work came back with the diagnois that she has a rare blood diease where she can form clots fairly easy without treatment. Lucky for her, her doctor had already suspected essential thrombocytosis and had already started her on low dosage of aspirin. The doctor is going to run a couple of other genetic trackers and other labs to determine if Pamela needs to take a higher dosage or any other type of medication. While this is serious it's not as bad as it could have been.
And went to my doctor and got a you better do better the next 3 month. My cholesterol went down but my A1C went up a little but the doctor wasn't ready to box my ears for it.

Okay got all that medical stuff out of the way. 

Do y'all watch home improvement shows? I swear our TV doesn't have any other channel unless you go in my office/sewing room. We have a new favorite called Fixer Upper that's based in Waco. I love their style and everything they do. I was disappointed to read that they don't travel much anymore to do remodels because they're so busy in the Waco area and the show. I wonder if they think 77 miles is out of the Waco area. 

Joanna and Chip via HGTV web

David did find a house built in 1898 that needs to be moved. It might look nice on the property if we get the property. We would love to have Chip and Joanna Gaines come fix us up. They're so cute on the show and down home. Dang just read they have a 30 mile radius. So disappointed. If you click on Fixer Upper above it will take you to Joanna's blog. It would have been cool but most likely we couldn't afford to have them do it anyway.
Talking about property... yes we made an offer on some land and it was accepted but only hang up right now is the appraisal. Seems the appraisers are having a hard time finding comparable s. Cross your fingers that it all works out. Until it's ours I won't share pictures.

 Last Wednesday we did our thing and headed to Puffabelly's in Old Town Spring to see and listen to Jesse Dayton and Davin James. I know talk about them all the time but I really like these guys. They don't just strum the guitar they REALLY play it. They are great performers. What can I say?

Also our little Lilley was spayed. Poor little thing did great though.
The drugs did tend to make her a little loopy and we had to sedate her because Pamela and Sophie came home for an unexpected visit. She was so loopy she almost ran into the porch pillar. We've tried to keep her quiet but some moments she had a mind of her own.
The only thing she thought was cool for a while was her wrap where the IV was.

She only had to spend about 30 minutes in the code of shame to keep her from licking. She was not so impressed with it at all.
In fact Pamela and I had an errand to run so we put her and Sophie in the back hall with the puppy gate up and when David got home about 20 minutes after we left he called to ask why I took the cone off. Uuuhh I didn't. Lilley had actually wiggled her head out of the cone. Guess what she hasn't licked. Sweet girl. 
I had taken a day off to be with her just in case there was any complications but Thankfully there was none. I went to my sewing room to work on some quilting and was all excited I had another

finished project only to discover I had sewn up the borders upside down. DAMN IT.
So guess what I had to do... I had to rip it all out. GRRRR  I looked at several times before sewing but still did it wrong. Okay my task tomorrow is to re-sew it so it can go to the quilters and then make it's way to the intended recipient. 

Project Completions for 2014
All four quilts for the quards
My Step Mother Carolyn's Quilt
Cut out Pamela's quilt for her guest room when the house is complete
Re Covered a throw pillow for Pamela's bed
Quilt top for Jaxon
Quilt top for a baby girl...
My Bow-Tuck Purse
Tool Pouch for David's Motorcycle
Helped Pamela make 2 wreaths and Made 2 more for myself

I guess that's not so bad compared to years past but hopefully I cross more off my list in 2015

My new 2015 project list to work on

my last 2 handmade gift items from a Facebook post. Did 3 but have 2 more to create

Jaxon's quilt - putting on last sashing and at the quilters

a couple of flannel baby quilts - heading to the quilters

Sandy's quilt - printed photo blocks need to chose quilt pattern

Flag quilt  - complete cutting the blue blocks of Texas flag

get my antique sue bonnet sue quilt backed and quilted

Pamela's quilt 1 n 2 - #1 in process. all cut out and 3 rows sewn

Pamela's tshirt quilt

2 aggie baby quilts - One was done until I had to rip out the borders.

Nickie's Tshirt quilt
Mom's flannel quilt
Mom's fleece quilt

postcards are an ongoing project - x

Allan's quilt

phi mu auction quilt

valence for den

valence for dining room

valence for breakfast room

create more book marks

create some mug rugs

new pillow covering for pam - 1

pillow cases for guest room

valence for master bath

hobo quilt

Bible Quilt
A surprise quilt for someone special JLK

open a pattern I bought and actually make it.

start reading again  then stopped. Lost my reading mojo... grrrr

Well that's it for now folks.
Until Next Blog ... May your bobbin always be full

2014 ---- comes to an end

Ever have one of those weeks where nothing happens as you planned . LOL
That's what happened the week before Christmas. I was supposed to go to my dept after work party only I had a package I had to pick up or they's return. Then I was suppose to go to bookclub and it was postponed due to people not be done reading and on Friday a group of us was going to meet up and they were going to do Karaoke. Notice I said they. LOL.. But that didn't happen because one of the guys was sick so we decided to wait until he could join us. I did make it to our department pot luck luncheon celebration and I made it to a luncheon with one of our vendors @ Texas Land & Cattle. It was a nice and tasty.  

Plus I made it to a brunch on Sunday before Christmas with Girls that used to work for WTS. It was a freight forwarding company but a few years back it was sold. Some of the girls are still there with the new owners but several moved on such as I did..  Some of these same girls even belong to the book club. WTS is where the club was started. 

 This past Monday the 22nd was my first day off for Christmas and all I did was run around picking up some
last minute stuff, mailed cards and letters off. And that night we went to Main Street Crossing to listen to Two Tons of Steel. What an awesome group. They were rocking the place.
The young man on the far right is the Base Player Jacob and is the nephew of my friend Dawn LaGrou and former co-worker.  She told me that Jacob taught himself to play the base and other instruments. Very talented young man. The whole group is awesome.  If you tap on the group name you can listen to a youtube of them singing Crazy heart. We first saw this group in Fredricksburg back in October at Crossroads. You need to catch this group if you can.
And before we knew it was Christmas Morning and David's Birthday.  
Hope you had Happy Birthday David if you're reading this.

We headed over to David's brother's house for dinner and gift exchange for the kids. Only Pamela wasn't home yet.

She had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Seemed funny with celebrating the day without her. This was a first. 




We had a delicious meal and fun with the family. Mom and Joe joined us at Gary and Lynn's. 

Not sure what was being said but my Mom and Shelby were having a good laugh.
 




Thanks Lynn and Gary (David's brother) for hosting Christmas this year.




Friday morning after Christmas David and I headed to College Station to take Pamela to the hospital for a bone marrow biopsy. The doctor wants to figure out why her platelets are so high. She has not been sick or showing any symptoms of any kind. The procedure went smoothly but we'll have to wait until 2015 for the results. Pamela was doing fine so they let her walk out and not ride in the wheel chair. That short walk did her in. She sat down on the bench in the hospital foyer while we waited on David to bring the car around and that's when she turn white and broke out in a cold sweat. Had to go back in so they could give Pamela some nausea meds. After that she did fine. She was pretty sore the next day but the soreness began to wear off slowly. Say a prayer that the fix is something easy.
  
Friday night Pamela was ready to open presents so we had our Christmas. It was nice to have Pamela and of course Sophie home. 
Lilley and Sophie had a grand old time.  They played together with their stuffed Olaf toy. First one would carry it and then the other.

Can my Quilt retreat Gals guess which stocking is mine. LOL
You girls know me well so I know you'll figure it out.

Yep it's the cowboy boot. I have one started in a western Christmas theme but I haven't been able to find it so when I was at HEB I saw this stocking and knew I had to buy it.


Pamela has wanted a mixer for the last 3 Christmas's and we finally obliged. She was so excited in her Christmas jammies with penguins.


After the gift opening was done Lilley and Sophie decided they needed to give David some Loving and get some in return.  
Both dogs have become David's best buddy. 

Dexter

We miss little guy but he's in a better place now.


Saturday Mom and Joe came down and we had another Christmas Dinner and celebration. 
This was the first time Mom and Joe had met Lilley and they made quick friends.  



Sophie and Lilley made sure Joe knew they needed lots of attention

And before we knew it the day was almost over and it was time for some family pictures.

David   Pamela   Mom   Joe

And I wanted a picture of Pamela with Mom and Joe.

I think this one came out pretty good.

3 Generations 

This picture of my Mom opening a gift I requested from my very talented cousin in Florida. She made this hat. And get this.... it's made of pine needles. The hand work on this hat is amazing and my Mom loved it! 

There was a special touch Gayle Lynn  added to this hat... A 
sliced walnut closure for the cords that holds the hat on her head if it's windy. 

You see my Uncle, her brother made Mom a walnut belt while he was in the service. Don' remember the whole story but at some point they began this game of re-gifting the belt to each other at Christmas. 

 One year they forgot who had it but magically it appeared under the Christmas Tree. 

Gayle Lynn also crocheted a beautiful coverlet/ jacket.  

Like I said my cousin is very talented.  

Mom was thrilled to have something that Gayle made.

Pamela   Kristina   Marlaina

New Years Eve Pamela went to a party with her long time friend Marlaina, her husband Josh, Kristina and Ryan.

David I hosted the 

Kathy  Sheryl  Gigi and Me

Fabulous 4 gathering but only one of my Phi Mu Sisters and her husband made it. Kathy and Mark stuck it out until almost 1:30am in the new year of 2015. The four of us had chips, dips and green chili stew made with turkey. And guess who didn't take pictures. I do believe I was off my game. 
I had the camera ready but never actually brought it out. I'm such a goof. Well trust me we had fun and David brought in the New Year with fireworks. The poor dogs went nuts. Poor babies. David only set off a small portion of what he bought so I guess we'll have fireworks on the 4th of July. He said lighting fireworks is a lot of work. Setting up, lighting and running. LOL

The 2014 year ended and I hadn't accomplished/completed as many unfinished projects as I had planned but I was able to cross off a few and then I also added a few more to the list. Dang it's never ending.

I found this quote that pretty much sums up my project list.....

"God put me on this earth to sew and finish a certain number of things. I am so far behind now I will never die"

My 2014 project list to work on

Quad quilt #2 top complete, quilted, binding  mailed

2013 taxes yippee

Quad quilt #3 top being quilted mailed and received

Quad quilt #4 - cut out, started piecing mailed and received

my last 2 handmade gift items from a Facebook post. Did 3 but have 2 more to create

Carolyn's quilt top complete  quilted, binding mailed

Jaxon's quilt - putting on last sashing and at the quilters
a couple of flannel baby quilts - heading to the quilters

Sandy's quilt - printed photo blocks need to chose quilt pattern

Flag quilt  - complete cutting the blue blocks of Texas flag

get my antique sue bonnet sue quilt backed and quilted

purse

Pamela's quilt 1 n 2

Pamela's tshirt quilt

2 more baby quilts - 

Nickie's Tshirt quilt
Mom's flannel quilt
Mom's fleece quilt

postcards are an ongoing project - x

A tool pouch for David's motorcycle

Allan's quilt
phi mu auction quilt

valence for den

valence for dining room

valence for breakfast room

create more book marks

create some mug rugs

new pillow covering for pam - 2  1

pillow cases for guest room

valence for master bath

hobo quilt

Bible Quilt
A surprise quilt for someone special JLK

open a pattern I bought and actually make it.

start reading again  then stopped. Lost my reading mojo... grrrr

So Until next post....I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes...you're Doing Something. ~Neil Gaiman~

HOW YA FEELING THIS MORNING