this , that, and the other . . .

Today was my optimum Monday. I'm off, Todd's on shift, and there's really very little that I *had* to do! Talk about a day that just feels goooooooood!

I got a load of laundry in early, but the danged dryer portion of our combo unit is not working, so there's not point in putting in a second load. I'd really wanted to have all the laundry completely caught up, but c'est la vie. I don't think I'll let it stress me. ;)

It's been a rather soft, gray day. The temps aren't too hot, though they're certainly not cool! Rain has danced all around us, but other than a very few sprinkles, I've not seen any precipitation of substance. As I type, I'm watching a doe walk up the road, like a sentinel watching the borders! The birds are busy, busy, busy this afternoon, flitting, eating and drinking.

I did head out mid-morning to get my Lissa blocks in the mail and do my weekly bookkeeping for the builder I help out. From there I headed over to have lunch with Kim & Sawyer! I didn't take any pictures because I can either hold him or take pictures of him . . . guess which I chose? LOL!!

I made some finishing progress on Sawyer's quilt, too! It's all quilted and squared up, ready for the binding!!!! Whooohoo!!

By the way, you do see the view I have while sewing, right? Sometimes it's hard not to be distracted!

My hope was to get all the binding cut, put together, on the quilt and have it ready to finish. But my foot started aching, so I decided it was time to take a foot-icing break. I did manage to get the binding cut and ready to go, though. (Although I admit it's been so long, it took me a while to figure out what I'd done with the fabric I'd set aside for the binding! Shhhhh!)

Anyway, it's all ready to go, when I'm ready to go!

I probably shouldn't tell on myself, but my quilting supplies niche has seen better days! Of course, given that I haven't really been into it for three months, and Todd moved us during that time, makes it look not *nearly* as bad as it could! This was one of the areas I had wanted to re-organize for my July/August Charming Girls goals, but being up and about still takes effort, and I'm not quite ready to tackle this yet.

On the other hand, being organized will mean I don't spend so much time hunting what I'm looking for, and will have more time for the actual doing!

I think I mentioned Saturday that I wanted to do something with Christmas fabric with the Heavenly Stars block from Quilter's Cache. Though the block is done with 2.5" strips, I'd like to make it a little bigger and use 3" squares. I'd like a single block as a table topper. I was playing around with photos of my fabric and came up with this . . . help me out here -- I *really* am set on the center star being the holly fabric, and I like the way the red borders it, but I'm not completely sold on the gold/cream print in the surrounding stars. Any thoughts?

Finished it would be 20" square. I'd probably bind it with whatever I use for the outer circle of stars.

I also finished working on a power point project for Todd. He's leading a session tomorrow evening for the Madison Baptist Association's leadership conference. I'm his wing man -- I'll do his audio/visual! He typed up his notes, and then I did the student handout and the presentation from that. He's put a lot of work into this, and it's going to be good! I'm *so* proud of my dear husband!!

So, for now, I'm off to have a cup of tea and switch out ice bags on the ol' foot. Tomorrow is my re-evaluation and I sure don't want to get bad marks! From here on out, I'll just be wildlife watching!

:)

glad to be home . . .

This has been an exhausting week, but not without some pretty terrific highlights.

First the exhaustion:

For some reason, early on, I had this idea that the twelve week healing process would end, they'd take the cast off, and I'd walk out of the doctor's office. Yeah, yeah, I knew I'd have physical therapy to build back muscles and strengthen tendons and whatnot, but I really thought I'd be able to walk when the twelve weeks was up. As time passed, I understood that was not to be the case, and actually, as it got closer to the twelve week mark, I was really *glad* that there was going to be transition time. What I was *not* prepared for was that (for the most part) the most pain I've had, in this entire process, would be NOW! Physical therapy is WORK!

And though I came to realize that twelve weeks wasn't really my magic moment mark, it's been full of firsts (some actual firsts, some firsts in a long time) . . .

We're back in the RV, full-time. There are advantages -- the space is smaller, so it's easier to get from here-to-there on the crutches. The living area is not carpeted, which also makes it easier on crutches. The kitchen area is very compact, so I am able to do more in the kitchen these days. There are also disadvantages -- the gate, namely, but never mind that for now. I'm also not really at a point where I can do a whole lot (moving boxes, rearranging low cabinets, etc.), so I'm not able to organize or put things away the way I'd like them. But that will come in time.

I'm driving. Todd rode with me as I drove to work on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then on Thursday and Friday, I drove alone. It's gonna be okay. It's a bit of a pain (and I have to allow myself the extra time) to get the boot off and on, so I can drive, but que sera, that too will not be for long. It's mentally exhausting, because I'm hyper-vigilant, and physically exhausting because it is working that healing foot. I'm not really ready to drive much more than to work and back.

I'm back to my four-day work week schedule. Except for physical therapy, which I try to schedule for late in the afternoon, I shouldn't have to miss much work in the future. This too, is pretty tiring, but I'll overcome that in no time.

My physical therapy, for all that it's tough, is also very wonderful. I opted to use the satellite location, so it's between work and home (which is lovely) and it's much smaller and less busy (which means less waiting to get in). And the folks that work there are GREAT! After a week, I'm on a first name basis with all (four) of the staff there. The atmosphere is very light-hearted and easy going, and I get at least one good belly laugh every time I'm there! And since God Himself tells us that a cheerful heart is good medicine, laughing while I'm doing physical therapy has got to be very beneficial! :)

Okay, so PT is exhausting, but it's also been very rewarding. After just one week I can already tell I've got much improved range of motion in my foot, and my foot and leg are getting stronger. My calf muscle, which was pretty much non-existent a week ago, is back and already has some definition. Plus, I really *really* like the icy electro machine, I get to put my foot in at the end of every session. I'd like one of those for home, please!

Some of my best rewards, though, have come from looking out my back window. I have the BEST view! Last night I sat here and watched this chubby little squirrel just plop himself down in a little puddle of corn Todd had thrown out, and eat to his heart's content. He was so funny!

And the deer have been incredible. Five fawns, so far -- two sets of twins and then a single fawn. One set of twins is still nursing pretty regularly and when their mama gives them the go ahead (which she's done twice, right here in my backyard), they HOP TO IT! And watching them nurse is hilarious! They are so frantic to get while the getting is good. And I'm serious, because she gives them about a minute, and then she hops on over their heads and leaves them wondering what happened! This morning they were so close, I could still see drops of milk on one of the fawn's mouth whiskers!

I've seen almost every bird we had at the old site, here at the new site. The flicker and the red-headed woodpeckers have both made appearances, so I know they're about. The only thing we haven't seen is the blue jays. I hope we can lure them in, because they're such clowns and so pretty to look at! We're putting a little water fountain in this weekend, and I'm sure that will lure some new critters/birds in and be a focal point for activity!

I am making Todd a strawberry glace pie today (sugar free, of course). I probably need to get going on the crust! Enjoy the weekend!!

Adieu!

:)

march comes roaring in!

Well, it wasn't completely unexpected . . . March certainly does enjoy playing at all ends of the weather spectrum! We woke up to this snowy weather, and it's not let up yet! I think "Nick" the cardinal looks so pretty in his wintry white backdrop!

It truly would have been the perfect day to stay warm and cozy up at the campsite, and work on quilts and bake cookies, or something, but no, it's off to work I go!

Yesterday, I had a great opportunity to get a couple of shots of the red bellied woodpecker who's been visiting our suet and bird feeders. He really is one of the most handsome birds we have visiting. And Todd's favorite!


I think he was posing for me! I love that I can be sitting on the couch, look out my window, and take this shot.

In a desperate attempt to both hold onto the promise of Spring and keep as long as possible the flowers Todd sent me for Valentine's Day, I salvaged this small handful of pretty blooms . . .

And finally, as promised, I did continue to play around with my new-found Star Puzzle pattern and the wedding quilt fabrics! I wasn't really happy with the neutral fabric, though. It was fine when it was the backdrop for a guest's signature and sentiment, but not so much in the particular block. I was going through my stash, and found a beautiful white piece of fabric with lavender and gray leafy accents . . . it's PERFECT!!! I love this fabric and it just makes the star POP! I may have to do the back of the wedding quilt in this fabric!! :) The photos simply do not do it justice.

I also tried it using a starker white fabric in the center. It looks dimensional here because, well, it was! I've not cut anything . . . I'm just folding and playing for now . . .

I may have to do a whole 'nother quilt with this!

On another note, Todd's dad is not feeling too good. He was ill enough to call Todd yesterday morning and ask him to bring him some medicine and agreed to a doctor's visit. Today he called Todd and said he thought a trip to the ER was in order. He was right; he's got pneumonia and they've admitted him. He's in good hands now, and is starting to feel some relief. God is good!

:)

and the winner is . . .

Me!

Last night was our monthly guild meeting. As per usual, I picked up $2 worth of raffle tickets (along with the raffle ticket I get just for wearing my quilted name tag), and lo and behold, one of my raffle tickets won. Again! I think this is three or four months in a row. I know it's at least two (in October, if you'll remember, I won off of TWO tickets), because the president of the guild commented when I came up to get my prize.

Anyway, this month I won . . .

Fun stuff!

You know, this is national blog month . . . and I will hit post 200 before the month's end . . .

Should I consider a giveaway?? LOL!

TGIF!

:)

can't make me!

I am not going anywhere today.

Now hear me correctly . . . I didn't say I wasn't *doing* anything today; in fact, I've already been quite productive. I got up and made Todd's lunch, fixed (re-heated) breakfast--that yummy breakfast casserole I made on Saturday--and had coffee with him before he went out on shift. Then I had another cup of coffee and washed the dishes, folded towels, got more laundry started, made the bed, wiped down all the counter tops, and swept. Then I had another cup of coffee and washed my face, brushed my teeth, pulled my hair back, and got dressed.

Honestly, I've done a good day's work, and it's only nine in the morning. I'm feeling pretty good about myself! And having another cup of coffee.

But I'm still not getting in my vehicle and going ANYwhere today.

*This is the day that I pull out the sewing machine and finish the applique on my swap topper.

Yes, this is the one that *has* to be in Saturday's mail, on its way to its new owner!

*This is the day that I put old movies in the DVD player.

Hmmm . . . decisions, decisions . . . such tough decisions!

*This is the day I make a pot of tea in the beautiful glass teapot that all the kids got me for Mother's Day.

Pomegranate Pizzazz . . . very yummy!

*This is the day I sit and watch the wildlife flit in and out of my picture window's view.

Oh wait. I pretty much do that *every* day! Can you blame me?

As long as we're clear . . . I'm not leaving this place today. I love Mondays!

Salutations!

:)

this is for the birds . . .

Yesterday morning Todd and I sat at the picture window watching the birds eat breakfast. It was so much fun to watch the jays dive into the corn like kamikaze pilots. I'm not kidding. They fly head-first towards the ground at break-neck speeds, only to pull up and land on their feet at the very last second. And just as the jay gets comfortable in the corn, the red-headed woodpecker swoops down and displaces the jay. Not to eat corn, mind you, but simple to chase off the big ol' blue jay. Then the cardinal (Nick) comes in and flits from feeder to feeder, preening himself between dainty bites of black oil sunflowers seeds. He's such an aristocrat! Then there are the little birds; the sparrows, the wrens, the chickadees, the juncos, and the tufted titmouses (or would that be titmice?) who steadily consume their weight in feed. They make me laugh as they chatter and eat and chatter. And eat and eat and eat! Then two of them will fly swirlies together as if they're twitterpated in the dead of winter. But it's so pretty to watch! The nuthatches do their funny little hop-skip-jump upside down on the tree, and the downy woodpecker hangs close to, actually ON, the suet feeder.


Why didn't I share this all in yesterday's post? Because yesterday was a serious, introspective, Pulitzer prize winning post day. You can't write about birds and twittering and be a Pulitzer prize winner unless you're Robert Frost. Whom I'm definitely not. Hahahaha!


Anyway, we sat at the window and watched the birds and ate breakfast. You do remember me sharing that I was going to make my darling man a yummy breakfast of sausage apple pie, right? I'm sorry to report that it didn't happen. In my defense though, it's not for lack of trying. It's for lack of light apple pie filling. So instead, I opted to tweak a recipe I'd tried a couple of months ago at our mini-retreat. It's healthy, hot, and very tasty. It's whole wheat bread, turkey sausage, peppers, onions, mushrooms, assorted herbs & spices, eggs, milk, and cheese. Layered and allowed to sit overnight, it took 30 minutes in a hot oven and it was ready to chow down! Which we did. :)


We were without water again yesterday; did I mention that? We actually lost it Friday afternoon, which, given the temperatures, is no big surprise. I feel so badly for my husband, because I can *see* how it eats at him until it's fixed. It makes me realize how incredibly blessed I am to have him as a husband; my provider and my protector. I need to be more purposeful in my recognition of him. I'm sometimes quick to challenge his way of doing things. An example would be with the heaters and the water sources. I was a little anxious about leaving them (the heaters) on overnight. But instead of saying something (or at least I don't think I did; I hope I didn't) I got to thinking about the fact that my husband wouldn't do anything to endanger me; he's a very smart and resourceful man. Not to mention the fact that he was schooled as an electrician and he's a FIRE FIGHTER! If he is comfortable with his plan, who the heck am I to challenge him? Good gracious; I need to read this paragraph frequently!


I did get my applique leaves on my swap project. I'm didn't want to get the sewing machine out until the water was on and the heaters were put up. The down side to our living arrangement is that there's only so many machines that can be plugged in and working at a time! No matter. Water was back by late afternoon and Monday is an off day. I'll get her done.


Friday is the third annual board meeting for Restoring the Church Ministries. Three years already!! What an incredible ride it's been so far. We've come a long way since our original vision. I mean, we're actually living in our fifth-wheel RV!!!!! I cannot wait to experience what God has for us this year!


Two weeks from yesterday we'll have another wedding in the family. It's with gratitude that I note I'm just a guest at this one! :) My nephew, Michael Jr. is getting married in HOTlanta! It will be so awesome to see my whole family again after only six months! Yippee!!!


Today is Sunday, so I'm off to ready myself for church! Pictures will have to wait until I can upload them on Tuesday. :(


Selah!


:)

TGIT!!!

Are you frantically trying to figure out if you missed a day or if I missed a letter?

No! Thank You, God, it's Thursday!

I realized this morning that I've really always liked Thursdays. I'm not sure why. To the best of my knowledge nothing spectacular has happened to me on a Thursday. I wasn't born or married on a Thursday. My children weren't born on Thursdays. I really couldn't pinpoint one singular event that would cause me to not just *like* Thursdays, but be really excited that it is Thursday.

Unless . . . maybe just maybe . . .

This is the day that the LORD has made?? He made all days, I know. But just think, way back to the beginning . . . He did some incredible things on each of the 'first' days. On the first "fifth" day, or Thursday, though, He made all manner of creatures to live in the oceans, and birds to inhabit the air! I love birds! They bring so much interest and enjoyment; between their song, their beauty, and their antics, they are well-rounded entertainment! And fish? My husband *loves* to fish! It's where he is headed right this moment!

I can't imagine what this day -- this Thursday -- would be like if the Lord hadn't seen fit to do on the original Thursday what He did. I wouldn't have enjoyed the cheery call of the wren this morning, or the dozens of sparrows making a mad dash from my boxwood hedge this morning as I passed by, and my dh would have headed into work as normal, instead of heading to the lake with his dad. How blah. God, You are SO good!

This *is* the day that the LORD has made; I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!

Viva jueves!

:)