Spring has Sprung

I'm sure most of you can relate to my lack of blogging. It seems that there isn't enough time in the day to sit in front of my computer and post my pictures. I have several things I would like to blog about but time does not permit.
As soon as I got off work yesterday, I went out in the back yard to admire our gorgeous tulips and daffodils that are in process of developing. Such beauty. I just pray the gophers don't find them. Eventually they manage to eat the bulbs, so we end up planting new ones every year. This year, Tom and I are planning on taking the bulbs, after they have bloomed, out of the ground, for next year. We have to read up on that tho.
I didn't think this post would take that much time, so I chose to share some of God's beauty.

Busy Bee

Well, at least I didn't say busy body. Yes, I have been busy sewing up a storm. I found this adorable, patternless, skirt to make. I made a couple of them for my granddaughter. They look adorable on her too. I hope to get a picture sent to me soon, (hint-hint) so I can post them and you can see for yourself.
They are so easy to make, it is just a matter of a few measurements and you have this darling little skirt.
I am just having too much fun with my Bernina.

My version of Zaccheus

While singing one of my granddaughters favorite songs on the phone, her mommy decided to record us. I changed the words a little to make it more appropriate for her. She loved it. I had no idea that she would be going in circles while listening. Here she is in their laundry room. It is being remodeled.At the end of the song, she is saying "again, again". Hey, at least she likes my singing voice.

Weight Watchers What?

Here we go again. The first shipment of Girl Scout Cookies arrived at our office yesterday. No, I am not in Girl Scouts, but Emily, the doctor's daughter, is. So, we get to keep them here. If we don't sell them all, we just eat them.

All ready started on the first box. These things go down so easy. They are becoming bite size to me.

Won't be going to weight watchers for a while. Just use willpower...what is that?

Upgrade 101

Living in the same house with the same phone number and the same man for 37 years, well, you need to upgrade at times.
I have been wanting to get an over the stove microwave for several years, so I could free up some counter space. Tom and I decided that is what we were going to do for each other for our Christmas gift.
Yesterday we went for it. It took all day and a lot of muscle work, well muscle work on my part because, for some reason, I got the heavy side and neither of us realized it. I think Tom just thought I was being a whimp. He kept telling me that I need to work out more. OKAY...that is good to know.
In order to get the microwave to be flush with the cabinets, we had to remove the cabinet above and cut it 3 inches. So, we had to lift the microwave and hook the bottom on the brackets at least 10 times, nothing is ever easy for us.
About the 11th time, I told Tom to just hold on a second, my arms and back were killing me. Every time we picked that thing up, his side was a breeze, I was grunting and groaning. Finally I asked him to trade sides, maybe it would be lighter, and IT WAS. The whole time, from 11:30 to 5:00, yes that is how long it took us, I was picking up the heavy end. This womens lib thing is ridiculous! Whether we like it or not, women are the WEAKER sex!!!!

Okay...that's "Behind" Me.

Friday was a fun day for me. After successfully getting through a Colonscopy, and I can literally say I am so glad that is "behind" me. Dore', my dearest sweet what-would-I-do-without-her friend, brought over these adorable daffodils.
So, to answer a few questions you might have, yes Cecelia, the 4 liter or 8 pound container of liquid you drink is flavored, it taste like Alka-Seltzer, that's if you consider that to have a flavor. It's really wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. I managed to get all but one cup down.
I did have two very small polyps, which he removed. We didn't receive a preliminary report, so that means they are benign. It really comes in handy working for the GI that did the procedure, wouldn't you say???
So, I am good for at least another 10 years.

Dore' also brought this yummy apple too. She discovered we have a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory here in town. Only problem is I had to stay on a soft diet all day. Apples are soft aren't they?
Oh yea, I will be munching down and getting my fruit in today.

So, here's to all that still need to drink a gallon of Golytely and schedule their Colonoscopy....Bottoms Up!

Where's the Beef? Or Veggie Meat

Do any of you recognize this jug? Well, if you don't, let me tell you...it is a gallon of "Golytely", they use this now in place of the 1 1/2oz. of Fleet, to clean the colon out. Unfortuneatly, I procrastinated on scheduling my colonoscopy and last month they took the little 1 1/2 oz bottle off the market. Guess it was causing renal failure.
So, today I am on a liquid diet AND I get to go home and drink this tonight.
Yummmm

It Is Finished!

The quilt top is finally finished. I started this quilt back in 2003. Took a break from it due to some health issues. Picked up again last year, and wah-lah. This is called Grandma's Apron Strings. As you can see it has hundreds of squares and blocks. Now all I have to do is get it quilted. We have a long arm in class but I have spent so much time on this, and since I have never used a long arm machine, I am considering taking this to a professional.
There are some ladies out there that can look at a quilt and know just the right design to use. Believe me, it takes talent and a lot of experience to do something like that. It is pricey but worth it.

The border is called "piano keys". I also mitered the corners.

And now, I am off to a quilt show with Dore'. Hope I don't spend too much money. No wonder I have to keep working.

Merry Christmas to Me.

My children are catching on to my love for teapots. Ryan and Shelly gave this to me for Christmas. It goes with the Pfaltzgraff Winterberry dish set I found at a thrift store for $8.99, place setting for four. They bought 4 more dishes and this gorgeous teapot. Can't wait til this Christmas to use them.

Corey gave me a nice warm pair of leather gloves and a Visa gift certificate for Christmas. Well, I had to go down to the local gift and stationery store to pick up some W2 forms and as I walked through the store, heading for the back, I spotted their dishes, and this adorable tea set. Thank you Corey, that gift certificate was perfect.

Delivering through the woods?

How is this for artwork? I had to take a picture of this to share. (OUCH). This guy, won't mention any names, delivers our pathology records. He is so proud of this too. I tell him he is crazy, he just laughs. Sorry, but I am not into pain. Doesn't the bible say something about tattooing the body? YES!

Oh yea, it's not finished.

The Farm Chicks Cookbook

Just came across this cookbook online. It looks adorable. I don't even think it's in the stores yet, you can pre-order though. I thought some of you would be interested in taking a peek so I am adding their blog site:The Farm Chicks

I already took a peek at the site...enjoy!

Happy Birthday Kathleen

We have a very busy month this month. To start off, Kathleen celebrated her birthday. We were up there last weekend. Yes, I- have- a- few- pictures- of- her- party- but- I- am- currently- at- work- and- haven't- blogged- for- a- few- days. These are the only pictures I have on my computer at work. So, I thought I would share them.
She is such a special woman, to us anyway. I am sure lot's of people who know her will agree. She has a great husband, whom we adore, and of course their beautiful daughter.
We are very close, in fact, we call each other everyday. If I don't call her on my way to work, I know I will get a phone call shortly after I arrive.
Not only is she our only daughter, she is my best friend, my confidante. She is such a blessing to our family. She is also known as the other mother, well being the oldest and having three younger brothers, you can see why.

One of these days I am going to get a scanner that works...so I can scan pics of the kids when they were little...but until then...


Happy Birthday Kathleen....we love you....mom and dad.

This N That Christmas

This year Christmas was a little different here. We usually all gather here at my home. Now that we have Grand kids, well, it's time to make some adjustments.
We spent a weekend up in Tahoe to celebrate with Ryan and Shelly, they were going to Texas this year to be with her family. We rented a very cozy little cabin and we were blessed with snow so we had a partial white Christmas.

I managed to get a little creative too, I made some Peppermint Bark. So simple and very delicious. Makes a nice gift to give during this time of year.

After you freeze it, for about 15 minutes, you just break it into pieces.

After picking Corey up at the airport, we headed over to San Francisco and attended a Celtic Christmas Concert. The Golden Bough performed. They were great. We enjoyed their musical talent, the harp in particular.

I even managed to get a tree up, even though Corey was the only one to enjoy the aroma and beauty. Tom and I enjoy a tree too. I didn't get any ornaments on it, maybe next year, but it was nice to cuddle up on the couch and have the coziness of the lights.

We took the tree down today and rearranged the living room. Christmas 2008 is over, but not the memories.
Guess it's back to work tomorrow.

Snow What

My kid's were kind enough to send me some pics of their surroundings today.
Sean's house as it looks today. I can't believe that everyone is getting snow but me, we're just getting rain. I guess that is the price you pay when you are a valley girl...for-sure.

Someone was generous and gave Keiran ski's. I can't believe that he already knows how to use them. Isn't that great!



Sledding down the little hill at their house.

Sean just added this pic to his face book and I stole it. They got enough snow to build this snowman.

A picture of Kathleen's back yard. Geez, everyone is getting snow but me, all I got was a(rock)rain. And to think I drove up to Tahoe just for some snow. I think it followed Lawren home.

Lawren really likes horses. Last year, for Christmas, we bought her this cute little rocking horse. This year, Uncle Ryan and Auntie Shelly bought her a dolly on a rocking horse. She just loves them.

Alive and Kicking

Just wanted to let you all know that I am still alive. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to go to Tahoe, since I was down last week with a bad cold, flu or bronchitis, not sure which, all I know is that I was sick. Thankfully I was doing okay by Friday so as soon as Ryan and Shelly arrived, which was about 3:30 in the morning, we packed up and headed out, fog and all.
I haven't been able to blog for a while since my computer died last week. I plan on calling HP tonight, after work. My warranty is still good. Not sure what is going on but one day last week I tried to get online and my power came on but nothing would show. Well, Ryan and Shelly were here this weekend, btw, we had a wonderful time in Tahoe. We celebrated Christmas up there with them since they will be in Texas for Christmas this year. Ryan has an HP also, the same thing happened to his, he called and they were able to fix it. So, I hope to get some pics of our weekend loaded as soon as I can. The trip was wonderful. We had plenty of snow and were able to stay cozy inside a nice cabin with the fire going. We did go out and do some sledding, well Tom and I didn't, we just watched the kids. Lawren loved it. I have a video of her sliding down the side with her daddy and she is doing the cutest belly laugh. She just loved the snow. We loved it up there so much that Ryan, Shelly, Tom and I are ready to move. I think we are gonna have to wait a while for that, at least until they finish school. So, I have a few more years of working here.
No, I wouldn't mind living in the snow. After all, I was ready to move to Upstate New York (picturesque)after visiting Cecelia last year.