Welcome February... LOL I know it's already almost over

(2/2)  Monday   It's time for David's first injection in his back. The doctor explained everything and went over the MRI.  The MRI showed 35 issues. Yep 35. Disk deterioration, stenosis of the spine, pinched nerves and on and on. They took him back and the doctor used xray to guide the injection to the right spot. We'll see how he responds and come back for either another injection or and all is okay in November. Now for the left side of his back that caused.... The doctor prescribed some PT to help both. Crossing our fingers but PT don't start for a week and half.

(2/6) Friday   I fired myself from doing our daughters taxes this year and told her she needed to find someone else. I don't even do ours except for sorting the paperwork and entering the info into the accountant's packet. So she called her hubby's tax person and got an appointment but asked me to go along in case they asked questions she wouldn't know. The tax lady was really nice and within an hour and half she had Pamela and Kaleb's taxes done. Yahoo! Pamela was so relieved how easy it went and they didn't owe thousands of dollars. They got a small refund.   It was time for lunch. We were in Huntsville and not sure where to eat.  Pamela said let's go to Teysha Winery down the road.  We got a yummy pizza and did a tasting. It was relaxing and the weather was perfect. 

(2/7) On Saturday we met Kaleb, Pamela and the boys at a new place in Navasota called The Coop.  It's owned by Pamela's day of wedding coordinator, Karina, her husband Swanke and another couple. It's chicken tenders, wings and fries. It's in an old gas station and it's cute and the food was yummy. Only Braxton got wings and the rest of us got tenders. Now did I take pictures... hell no. Bad me.  I guess I have to go back. Oh darn. LOL If you're out and about near Navasota you should stop by and give them a try. We got to see Karina, Swanke and their adorable little guy Beckett. He's already 5 months old. Thank goodness I make my quilts bigger than a true baby size or he'll outgrow the one I'm making for him.

I'm so excited I now have 2 out of 3 free orchids I have are showing signs of getting ready to bloom one day.  Don't remember what color they're going to be.  I'm just glad they're still hanging in there. I don't necessarily have a green thumb.

It was time to head back to my exercise class and the gym and both was rough. My plantar fasciitis keeps me from doing a few things but I'm working on it.  Recently ordered a boot that I'm to wear at least 2 hours to help stretch that fasciitis away. I hope. Trying to avoid another shot because those hurt like a Mofo. 

This picture we're getting in position to do hamstring stretches before calling the morning done.  

David went to town to go to get some parts and a couple things at the grocery store and came home with some flowers. Ahh sweet guy.

They smelled really good and were very pretty.

(2/12)This month's book club book was "All I Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum chosen by our member Ina. Now she told us if we didn't like it we can blame her husband. LOL  He picked it for her. Well we didn't hate it. The author has revised his book several times as he gets older and gains new perspective on life and the 8 valuable lessons we learn in Kindergarten. 

1 Share                            5 Clean up your own mess 

2. Play fair                       6 Don’t take what’s not yours

3 Don’t hit                       7 Say sorry when you hurt someone and  

4 Put things back where you found them      8 Wash your hands       

 His book is filled with several short essays of things in his life that he associated with said lessons and more. We all had our favorite stories the author shared.  It wasn't a bad book so we rated it at 3.5 out of 5.

For Valentines Kaleb and Pamela took the boys up to Honey and Pops house. 

They got ride their horses and Braxton learned ride his bike without training wheels. Killian had other things he wanted to do. LOL 

Look at him Go!

For our Valentines Day we had breakfast at Shirley Mae's Bakery in Cameron with Pam and Kevin Jackson. David introduced them to the yummy jalapeno biscuit with egg, cheese and bacon or sausage. And of course they were drawn to the other pastry goodies before we left.  We came back to the house and hung out for a while but they had reservations for an early dinner back in Austin so they didn't stay long.  We always enjoy their company.  We were gonna stay home and grill a steak but about 4pm David goes "Do you want to go to Ginno's in Cameron for am early dinner if it's not too busy?" Of course I said sure and I was already hungry. Normally we don't go out because everything is so busy and pricy. We got to Ginno's just after 4:30. By being so early it wasn't crowded and their prices are very reasonable and you get plenty of food for the price. Win Win and Win.

David got his usual.. Chicken parmigiana and I got a chicken with eggplant pasta dish. I had lots of leftovers for Monday's lunch when I go to quilt bee. It was sooo good.

Bruno and Sadie were so happy to be laying in the yard in the sunshine. Butt to Butt. LOL

A couple of updates... 

1st David's right side is feeling better. Not perfect but better. The injection seems to have given him some relief but Unfortunately the left side where I tried to kill him with a hay bale is still giving him problems. He'll start PT this week so maybe that will help both areas. Crossing my fingers.

2nd Jerry after being gored by our bull is healing up pretty good and surprising even the vet after he saw the Video of Jerry trotting along the fence with me.  The wound seems to be healing up slowly and pretty good. We still have to watch him and make sure it doesn't create an abscess under the healing area but we're good so far. You can click above on video and it will open to see Jerry walking.

Monday the 23rd will mark my 15th anniversary of blogging. I never thought I'd keep it up but surprise.  My blogging has evolved but I still leave out words or misspell stuff but it is what it is. I never claimed to be a writer or have perfect grammar or spelling but y'all hang with me and I thank you.  Thank you everyone who follows my craziness by bloglovin, email, facebook or Instagram. I appreciate all comments and try to reply to all unless you reply anonymous. 

I probably won't get another post in before February is over but I'll try.

Hugs and Love to all

Until next Blog.............. Keep a Smile on your face. It's Contagious!

.•*´¨ ) ¸.•*¨) -:|:-

(¸.•´(¸ ;.•Carla.♥

A One Year anniversary, a Quilt, a Quilt class and more

 (01/18/26) Hard to believe it's been a year since Pamela and Kaleb got married. Crazy. Now they're celebrating their anniversary in Fredericksburg. It may be sunny but it's chilly.

And it was cold and windy a year ago too.

Once a cowboy always a cowboy.  There
was a video but I didn't capture it.  But Kaleb used to do roping competitions so roping these horns were a breeze.   The boy still has it.  

While they were off playing Bri came to stay with her cousins and have fun. Every evening they'd come in for supper and crash out.. But while outside they ran, barked, and played. Bruno and Sadie have Bri down then it's Bri and Bruno have Sadie on the ground. Never a dull moment when these 3 get together. 

So I finally finished the Bookshelf Quilt for our Exercise coach Sheri.  Sheri is a member of the book club. Last year she asked if any of us would want to exercise with her a couple days a week. And 5 of us said sure. Since that day we've had other gals come and go and others stick around. Sheri didn't want us to pay her anything for the class but we wanted to do something nice for her. And I volunteered to make a quilt. We shared in the cost and I got to work. It was decided that since we're in book club maybe use that as the theme and somehow tie in exercise.  

Sheri's Bookshelf Quilt

I finished 97% of the quilt at retreat back in October 2025.  I had it on the design wall before putting the finishing touch on it. The top corners made it look like a real bookshelf.  I embroidered on some of the books the names of books we actually read or a couple of the book titles fit the fabric.  It took me minute to figure out how to make it work but thanks to Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company tutorial I got the basic steps and adjusted her method to suit my needs. Sheri has a cat so I put a cat on the bookshelf and to get exercise included I pieced and embroidered a 5# bar bell on the middle shelf. And added a trinket box with her name on it. This was actually a fun quilt to make.  I might already have started blocks for me a quilt and another for fun.

I took it to share with the Bee I go to in Cameron before passing on to Sheri that evening.  All the ladies were hard at work on their projects

(01-19)Everyone was finally home from their holiday travel and we got together for dinner and surprised Sheri with the quilt.

She was thrilled and loved the quilt. So glad she did. It was well deserved. She puts up with all our grunts and groans.

Sunday (1/25) was a mess weather wise. Ice, sleet and COLD!

It's not as bad as a few years ago where the ice was so heavy it was breaking tree limbs and power lines but it wasn't safe on the roads. 

Sadie is checking out this crunchy white stuff in the back. She and Bruno kinda slid off the porch the time out.  and the 2nd picture is off the front porch.

My neighbors sister Tammy took a picture of house from the road and sent it to me.  Thanks again Tammy

She and her man were riding the 4 wheeler out and about town and sent me pictures of the hwy in town and coming out our way. The roads were definitely a mess.

This is the East end of our road. Very icy.                                                           Glad that weather has moved on now.

Monday morning (1/26) David went out to check on the cows and Jerry due to the freezing weather. Well our bull, Woolly Bully had blood on his horn from the tip to his head and David knew what most likely happened. He got on the golf cart and rode to the bottom of the property to check on Jerry and sure enough he had been gored on the right shoulder. And all Vets were closed due to the ice. 

We got a call back next morning from Texas Equine off hwy 6 and they came out.  We warned them there was still ice and in some spots lots of mud. This at our driveway.

The Vet Dr Henre and the tech with him was Very nice. They spent about 2 1/2 hours cleaning up the wound and giving him shots. We had a 50/50 chance of Jerry coming back from this. The vet was able to put his whole hand in the wound up to the wrist. No pictures to share. Too gory. But the good news is that as of today 2/8 Jerry is still upright and is moving around slowly but he's not really favoring his right side like expected. Odds are better. Wound still looks gross but better.

Oh and instead of poor David feeling better I manage to damage him more. We went out to feed the cow some hay but it was frozen together. I chipped away so we could break it apart. Then I started helping by putting the bale and I lost my footing and pushing power and David went down.  So now not only does his right side hurts, so does his left.  He's telling everyone I tried to kill him. Not good not good at all. I do feel bad.

 

On Wednesday 1/28 the weather and the roads are clear so I got to go to a quilting class on curved blocks at the Railroad Cotton Exchange. It's a really cute shop in the country. The address says Bryan but feels like it's in Hearne. It's off Hwy 6 and FM 2549.  I got to pick any pattern out of the Fabric Cafe' Curve Appeal 3 yard quilts book.  I choose the pattern called Voyager and let Christine the owner know prior so she could have the templates ready for me.  Christine was my teacher. After showing me what I needed to do and giving me any advice as the day went on we sewed and talked away. It was a great day.  Her husband came and checked on us a couple times. He's really nice too. I'd like to catch another class one day. Either something new or something that will refresh my technique which I can always use.  If you haven't checked out the shop you should.  Click on their name above get their address and scroll through their website. They limited hours their open currently but that will be changing at least during the The Texas shop hop in March. They'll be open more days than usual.  Anyway I finished all my curved blocks while there and said I'd finish the 4 patch at home.  Okay so not right away.  LOL I got sidetracked while home

But I have got 2 rows sewn up now. As soon as I finish this post I'll go sew some more.  In the mean time here's my two rows.

Friday (1/30) My long time friend and sorority sister Kathy picked me up and we headed to our friend Sheryl's (also a Phi Mu Sorority Sister) to spend the weekend. Once we were together we talked, we laughed and talked some more. We either solved the world problems or created more.  LOL  That evening Sheryl made some kind of delicious chocolate martini to toast a Happy Birthday to her husband Ross in Heaven. You wanna talk about a great guy he'd be on the list. He is very missed by all who knew him. 

 

We might have had wine too while hanging out. Now Sheryl and Kathy are usual in bed by 10 but when the 3 of us get together it midnight or a little past.                                               It was a great weekend and time together.

And January is over.

Until next blog post...   “Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” ~ Leroy “Satchel” Paige

2026 is here - Let the adventures begin

 

Before taking down the tree I took a couple of pictures of us and the fur babies. 

Can't see much of the tree from the way we took the picture but oh well. The fur babies wanted the treat I had in my free hand.  At one point Bruno was watching my hand with the treat and he bent his head all the way back. But I finally got a pretty good picture of them. Sadie will always sit pretty when asked Bruno doesn't like sitting still for long.

I went down to see the boys one day after the new year rolled in and we went over to the park.  They had a good ole time. Their Cici (me) was anxious while watching them climb around. I kept seeing a broken arm and such. LOL  Killian is a little monkey and Braxton is working on it.

They are just like their Dad. They have to make faces when I'm taking a picture. LOL Or one will make the funny face and the other one smiles.

They are all boy.

The boys went on their first camp out with Kaleb in their backyard. The boys had a blast but poor Kaleb woke up stiff after sleeping on the hard ground. He thinks he's getting old. LOL

3 out of 5 days of the week (1/5-1/8) was spent on the road to doctors and dentist appointments except Tuesday and Friday. Spending Quality time together. LOL   Not much time for fun stuff but then poor David is struggling with back pain. Hopefully the MRI Thursday will give the doctor enough info to make a plan for the pain management. Which will start with possibly a shot in his back but that won't happen until 2/2. Geez

Thursday (1/9) was book club night. We met at Pony Express to discuss our latest read.. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. It was a good book and provided plenty discussion. To recap anything about the book would be to spoil the story should you decide to read the book.  We gave the book 4.5 out of 5 being the best. Three of the girls saw the movie with Cameron Diaz and were very disappointed. It was totally different from the book. Read the book. The movie might not have been so bad had they not read the book. 

I think I caught Linda just as she put food in her mouth but Peggy was ready. Sorry about that.      And Emily was ready.

We have fun 99% of the time. Lol

And the discussions never stay on track. It's like squirrel. The food is always good where ever we meet at except maybe a couple of times. Wouldn't trade the gals for anyone else.

I have a quilt I need to finish and a couple other projects but I keep getting sidetracked. I need focus.  Can't find it. Soon though I better get busy.

The Day of Coordinator for Pamela's wedding had a baby a couple of months ago. Karina posted the cutest picture of Pamela and her at the hospital so I'm sharing it here. Pamela was her nurse for at least a 2 different days. Hey I'm bias'd okay. I think they're cuties.

Sadie was so tired she couldn't keep her eyes open. Her and Bruno had been running and playing outside this day. She kept trying to watch me but her eyes kept closing.  There was a progression of 5 pictures as her eyes kept getting heavier and heavier but I spared you from all the pictures. LOL

On (1/17) Saturday I went with David to the VTRA  awards banquet where they handed out trophies and awards for points, rookie of the year, etc and they auctioned off the the quilt I made for David to donate for Breast Cancer Awareness. VTRA is an association/club for the drag racers. The folks that did the cooking did a great job. There was steak, bbq chicken, potato salad, beans and deserts. In fact I made David's moms applesauce cake recipe to take buuuuttt it got left on the counter. Ooops.

This is Monte. He's the founder/president of VTRA. He with the help of Justine they book a track for races of different bike classes and send out a racing schedule to the memebers.

The guy in front of Monte in the 2nd picture is Chris and he was the one who started the auction last year for Breast Cancer Awareness. And the third picture is of the winner of the quilt, Bill.         

Here is a picture of the quilt and the label I made for it. Since it was going to be auctioned off I didn't put my usual who pieced and who quilted and some saying so instead I embroidered the Breast Cancer Awareness symbol and the date.  Folks I didn't expect what happened at the auction.

 I was blown away and felt honored. The guy running the auction was funny but he kept after the guys and at least one gal bidding by saying "come on we all like titties"  It cracked me up. So the bids were coming quickly. I heard $200 then $300 and thought that'll be it. Nope. The numbers kept going up. Final bid and winner was $1000! The young man Chris, who wanted to earn the money for Breast Cancer came over and thanked me and David. 

The racers were all really nice and very generous. Good thing they didn't give me a test to remember all their names because I'd fail. 

Okay so that's it for now.

Until next post...Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple