SICK!!

I cursed myself.

I was thinking the other day, "I haven't been sick in a long time. When everyone else gets sick, I never get it. I'm so lucky and healthy."

Ha, ha, ha.

Now I am sick with the ugliest, grossest cold that ever existed. I have been in bed for 2 days because I felt so completely rotten and now I am left with the after effects... coughing, plugged nose, head ache and tired.

I think I'll go have another nap.

Party at Jon's

Jon invited everyone up to his home for a family party. As you can imagine, we are always excited for a reason to get together. We had a yummy dinner. Plus, Jon asked that everyone bring a valentine of one sort or another to be judged.

Miss Kit helping me find my camera in my car.

Rose trying to get Matt to show me a dazzling smile.

This is Jon's latest specialty. He makes oatmeal fudge bars that are so amazing and then he cuts them into heart shapes. They bring a tear to your eye if you eat one.

I tease Jon about how he puts his sisters to shame because he makes better cookies and bars than any of us. They are always the same size and shape and taste perfect. It's just not FAIR!!

The results of the valentine contest:

Carolyn won first place with her pink heart dishcloth. Her prize? A box of Jon's famous Snickerdoodle cookies. We were all jealous.

She is standing with her granddaughter, Hayley.

Jackson won 2nd place. He made a huge cookie and decorated it with frosting that said "Happy Valentine's Day."

Rose won third place with her heart dishrags. She made one for each lady that she visit teaches. I wish I was one.....

A picture of the whole family. It took a bit of nagging but I got everyone to gather for this photo.

All in all, it was a very nice evening that was hosted by Jon.

Summer Bucket List #2

I should probably change the name of this post to read "Summer, Fall and Winter Bucket List #2" because this project took so much longer than I thought it would. The results, however, are breathtaking.

My sister, Mary, said that this pattern is single Irish Chain. I simply call it my two-color 9-patch quilt.

Death to Procrastination

I know that these pictures are less than attractive but I am so happy with the results of my dental visits.

As you can see, I had 2 teeth on my lower right side that had several mercury fillings in each tooth. The result of these fillings were two teeth that were severely cracked, ready to break at any moment.

Also you may notice that I am missing a tooth at the very back. I had to have my 2nd molar pulled because I developed an abcess underneath the root and there was nothing they could do to save the tooth.

I have an implant screw back there and was waiting for the opportunity to have a tooth made to cement on top.

All in all, my teeth were in bad shape on the right side.

I visited my dentist who removed all the mercury fillings, took impressions and prepped my teeth for 2 onlays and a crown for my implant. It was a 2 1/2 hour appointment.

The next appointment was 2 hours long and brutal but this is the final result: teeth that are repaired, black fillings gone and no more worries about smiling and showing off fillings.



Of course, we may have to sell a child to pay for it, but I am so pleased.

Simplification---Step Two

As I have mentioned before, I collect crafting items. Lots of crafting items. Chances are if you need something, I probably have it tucked away somewhere.

Having lots of little craft items makes a BIG mess. It's hard to organize. It looks awful.

I have been wanting to do something about this mess for a long time. I have looked at all kinds of crafting organizers. I have thought about different ways to tidy things up. As you can see below, I needed some serious help.


I discovered this craft organizing system. It consists of different cubes that all fit together. I planned how I wanted my system to look, then saved up.

I purchased various cubes and then spent over a week putting them all together. The palm of my right hand was extremely sore from screwing in so many tiny screws.

The pain was worth it when I saw the finished product:


I have more room to work now and I don't feel crowded and cramped. What a delicious result.

What to call myself...

Hmmm, what should I call myself?

Gram?

Grammy?

Grandma C?

Plain old GRANDMA?

This is a formal announcement that Boyd and I are going to have a grandchild!! Kalie and Kevin are expecting in August.

Hip, hip, hooray!!

Results...

And now the results of Alyssa's MRI:

No herniated disks, no pinched nerves. Inflamed muscles which are causing pain.

Diagnosis: Physical therapy.

Has anyone tried to nail down a teenager who is involved in a gazillion things to an appointment for physical therapy? It took us 10 minutes to find a date and time for her MRI.

Billing: when I saw the bill yesterday I decided that I might need therapy myself to get over it.

Summer Bucket List Project #1 or a Job Offer in Mexico

I had set 3 goals to finish 3 projects last summer. All of them took longer than I thought they would but I have one finished, one almost finished and the 3rd about 1/3 finished.

This is the finished project of my chip bag purse. I think it took around 100 chip bags cut into 2 x 4 inch rectangles and folded.

This became a neighborhood project as I had family, friends and neighbors saving potato chip bags for me.


I took it with me on our Mexican Riviera cruise. When we were in Puerto Vallarta at one of their flea markets I was asked by one of the booth owners if I would be interested in making chip bag purses for his booth.

As flattered as I was, I had to turn it down. My bag took so many potato chip bags and so many hours to make it that no amount of money could possibly cover the time involved.

Well, maybe I'd sell it for $1000.