Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts

Sunday, June 16, 2024

Back in the saddle - new sewing spot along with some Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Four years since the last entry, which can certainly be considered a long time despite how quickly the passing of that time now seems.  "Life happens" is an old adage and perhaps too overused as a simple excuse of one's absence, however... life has certainly been happening.  All three girls have become young adults with the baby having just graduated last month. What I've missed most about blogging is having everything documented, and there'll be time for catching up, but let's first focus on the most recent changes and updates.

The girls' bedrooms haven't been taken over, BUT the loft area was cleared of most items and transformed into my sewing/crafting space.  Standing atop the staircase, the panoramic showcases most of the setup.  
In the process of clamoring two sets of staircases repeatedly these past few days, much of my focus has been the complete overhaul of purging of old fabrics and other items that simply haven't been touched or used quite honestly in over a decade (or two!) and organizing much of what remains.

 
I mean, some of these fabrics were inherited from my Aunt and Gma back in the 2000s when I began quilting.  Both of these fabrics were kept for certain, but there were definitely some I was finally ready to say see-ya to.  Shelf after shelf of partly organized and mostly scattered fabrics were unfolded, pressed, refolded and organized.  Then, this morning, these two completely-forgotten-about totes of gifted fabrics were dragged from their hiding spot underneath my quilting frame.  

Much of the day was yet again spent sifting, unfolding, pressing, unfolding, pressing, unfolding, refolding, and although I don't have shelves and shelves of fabric, I'm pretty tickled at how satisfying it is to have much of what I own now neatly tidied in one location.  The folding of the fabrics was like a riding a bike!  Bonnie K. Hunter's method is engrained forever!
After three full days of working on this new space, a little break was deserved.  I ventured into my blog land to see who all is still around going strong, and was not disappointed.  Angela (soscrappy) continues to be active with her Rainbow Scrap Challenge!  Nicely done!  This month's color:  blue, which I clearly have an abundance of, and even though today isn't Saturday, a few moments were enjoyed with some rather mindless piecing.

Tomorrow, I'll be back to work on the transition as there are still items that need attention in the basement area where my sewing room used to be, and I think another box of fabric is tucked away, hiding somewhere.  Eventually, catching up will occur.  Until then, little manageable chunks will suffice.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

A two-year hiatus, but still alive and loving life

The time it takes to write blog posts simply hasn't been a priority for me over the past couple of years, however don't think that the business of life has taken a turn for the worse.
Quite on the contrary -- Life is FABULOUSLY busy with my three extremely active girls!  And I'm truly loving (just about) every crazy second of this hecticity!
The household now has a Senior, 7th grader and Freshman, ALL extremely active playing volleyball in the Fall, basketball in the Winter and Track in the Spring, additionally softball for Candace in the Summer.


As for most people, the realization that we have a graduating Senior this year is a bit surreal and downright crazy to fathom.  The ol' cliche "time flies" has never rang so true!!!!!!!

Cass has certainly committed herself and has been self-driven to achieve seasonly and yearly goals over the past year, both for herself and for the betterment of her teammates and the school.
Parents are usually defaulted into being proud of their children; with these three, it's so easy to follow that default :)


On the crafty side of things......
OH BOY!  Opening admitting that my quilting room NOR my crochet needles have seen much action of any sort for the past year.  A T-shirt quilt is slowly in the making for Cass's graduation, but other than that, there simply hasn't been much ambition to fire up the sewing machine.  There IS time in my schedule, however.... "ambition" is truly the key word.  Much of my evening time is devoted to editing athletic photos for the girls' teams and updating the school's athletic Facebook pages.
My sewing machine and needles will always be there and ready for whenever the mood strikes;  until then, I've gotten over the initial guilt of backing away from that part of my life.

RUNNING update --
This hobby, on the other hand, is (hopefully) going to be taking front and center stage again after having some downtime since 2013.  No crazy plans for another marathon, but reaching a healthy running stage is a goal I hope to achieve again.

For now, that's where I'm at......
Happy 2019 to all!


Forever in our hearts:  Shadow (June 2006, August 7, 2018)
2018 Family Trip - Badlands

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Family and a 'home' visit


Reunion Siblings, 2015
Reunion weekend brought me to the homestead.  Saturday morning began overcast, drizzling and gloomy, but cleared up perfectly with light cloud cover by reunion time.  The size of the party was smaller than in the past, but still relaxing and fun to catch up with family members (immediate and extended).  There really is something about getting older and becoming more appreciative of family.

In fact, how much do I love my family?  (specially, my sister?)  Knowing I'd be seeing my sis, Cassie and I spent Friday morning picking strawberries from the patch in order to make up a couple batches of strawberry jam.  For my sis.  She loves it!  
just a quick taste from the bowl scrapings :D
An ongoing observation with the girls is how TALL they are all getting;  Dad is 6'6" after all.  ;)  Aunt Jenny is getting dwarfed, certainly.  

I don't always make a stop at Hancock Fabrics when visiting 'home,' but on a whim, I drove into the parking lot at 7:20 last night, and left by 7:40.  How's THAT for a quick stop???  These fabrics simply leapt off the shelves.  I can't wait to brainstorm a top.  Bonnie's Pineapple Blossom may be on my list (again!).  Love that pattern.  Or Jared Takes a Wife.  ?
AND -- the best part of this purchase.... it essentially was FREE.  After coupons, sales and gift cards, this $100.00 purchase dwindled to $0.00!  As Andee said on FB -- "Score!!!"

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Piano, Basketball, Quilting and Planting. Precious moments!

Friday night, the girls 'fighting' over practice time
Saturday tournaments for both Cassie and Caitlyn
Sunday morning working on tidying up some blocks
Sunday mid-morning shopping spree at Walmart -- the SEEDS SECTION is in full swing!

Yes, folks!  I DID buy some seedling supplies and planted.  This is the EARLIEST I've ever planted seeds!

Despite being 14, Cass is stil okay with being a 'twin' with Mom on dress-up days at school

My band of wack-a-doodles!

Friday, October 4, 2013

Busy, busy, priorities, priorities..

If I could find 20 minutes in my life to update my blog on a daily basis, I certainly would....
LOL
It's INSANE how busy, busy the day-to-day is!  It ZOOOOMS by!  

I mean....come ON!  It's the first weekend in OCTOBER already!!!??!!?!!!!  
Holy moly.
Where did September go??

Caitlyn has dutifully been plugging away on her Pioneer Day projects with some assistance from Dad and Mom.   Here, she is hammering a pattern into a tincan to be used as a lantern (Project #1 - check.)

She took complete charge of making her 2nd project.....a Yarn Doll.  I never had a chance to snap a picture of it because she took it to school right away.

Her 3rd project was Apple Butter that we made up Tuesday evening.   Oh yes...we've been busy every night with SOME kind of preservation of some sort.  Tomatoes are still in full action.  Can you believe that???  LOL.  It's OCTOBER, for crying out loud.  This Sunday will be the LAST of our tomatoes, though.... ( I think???) :D

Her 4th and final project was 90% completed by herself!  She actually had the top all put together before I even realized she was making a quilt.  Little stink-pot!  :0)
So, I helped by showing her how to baste the layers together.  She quilted it with a simple grid.  I attached the binding for her, but then she finished sewing it to the front (via machine).
And then....bless her heart.... she said, "Mom, just so you know, I'm going to give this to Aspen.  He's moving away this weekend, so I want him to have it.  It'll be hard, but I know you give your quilts away all the time.  I want him to remember us."    Awwwww.

Candace has been reading up a storm, trying to challenge herself into reading over 20 books (or chapters) each month.  She accomplished the September goal. :)  Yay Candace.   When I asked her about reading, she said..."Ya Mom, I like reading more this year.  Last year I didn't even read 100 books, but I'm going to get 200 easily this year." Awwww.

And school.....wow!  Keeping me oodles busy!  7AM - 5PM, and then it picks back up at 8PM - 10PM just about everynight after the girls head off to bed.  BUT, the students this year are pretty okay ;)  Many of them have a conscience, and know right from wrong, and are willing to go the length to "do the right thing."  Bless them :)  {{And I'll have you know, this was COMPLETELY initiated by the students.  This was not a "I want you to write me a letter on what you did wrong" moment.  This showed up on my desk after class, completely a surprise to me.}}  Awww.

:D  Yup.  LOTS of great AWWWWW moments flying around this place.  Isn't life great?

Yep...even this student! :)  She and I are still often found at the kitchen table, nightly, working on homework, side-by-side.  Pictured here, she's just starting her Math HW.  Gah.......what kind of teacher must she have that actually assigns HW once in a while?!?!?!?!?!?!?  
;)
{{At most 2 problems on any given night.  2 keys problems.  10 minutes.  Doable, right?}}

And then.....Volleyball...

Volleyball...

Volleyball.......

AND yet MORE volleyball!!!!!


 Not to mention that we actually TRY to fit in some "dad" time when he's home and not working his own crazy busy 12-hour shift schedule.

PLUS some family time around a campfire with the Autumn season hitting full force.  Last weekend was reserved for family (at least until Sunday afternoon hit).....


And then it was back to more school work.
But even a teacher's brain hits a shutting-down-going-to-break mode EVENTUALLY!

All-in-All....
Life is pretty grand right now!  Flying by.  Filled to the brim.  But happy.  And healthy.  

Happy Friday.

Friday, September 20, 2013

A life in pictures...

Paul has had his new job since April, so I guess I shouldn't really call it his "new" job anymore.
It's a swing-shift style job;  he works 4-days on, then 4-days off, then 4-nights on, then 4 days (more like 3.5 days) off.... repeat.

This past week has been his night-shift swing.....
and we didn't see much of each other.

Therefore, the girls and I tried to keep us in his mind as much as possible with the use of pictures.

One night, we came home to a pot of chicken-dumpling soup he made up for us before heading to work.  I don't know if he felt bad, because of a "I'm beat" text I had sent the night before, and therefore made up some dinner for us. (?)  Dunno.  But the soup was good.  And healthier than some of the quick "gotta get to bed" meals I've been putting together :\  
This week's schedule was tough.  Simply put.
Monday consisted of morning meeting AND afternoon meeting, followed by a volleyball match, and then a quick rush home (at 7:30 PM) to take care of animals, make a quick dinner, and scoot the two lil'uns off to bed.  THEN, Cassie and I parked ourselves at the table for a little wind-down with homework.

Tuesday was much of the same... EXCEPT I didn't have any meetings... and Cassie's and my HW load wasn't much.  LOL.  We still enjoyed taking a pic and sending it off to Dad as we settled in with some HW.

Wednesday was a night OFF! (for the most part).  NO Vball game.  No extra running.  We were home by 5:45, but ended up being booked anyway.  Animal chores, laundry, tidying house, sweeping... and then even headed out the garden to pick all the ripe tomatoes for a coworker.  I'd say we handed 60 pounds over;  and she was extremely grateful!

Thursday rolled around, and Paul was actually able to make it to Cassie's game (umm....yeah....that'd be last night), but sadly is working yet again tonight.

Caitlyn's class had their "mucking" field trip today.  I'll tell ya.... 4th grade has some AWESOME field trips!  I can't wait until the Madeline Island trip at the end of the school year;  I think I'm signing up to chaperone that one! :)

And, would you believe that I headed out the garden for more tomatoes after arriving home at 6:00 tonight??


**GASP**
And even PROCESSED THEM!?!?!?!?!
LOL.  What a way to spend a Friday night :)  I kinda needed to, though.  Tomorrow is full of an all-day volleyball tournament, and Sunday......schoolwork!  Yuppers;  I've accepted the inevitable!  The only way to stay caught up this year with two new textbooks (one in AP-Statistics), and all the other RTI initiatives, etc.... I simply need to devote minimum of 6-10 hours every weekend to school.  It simply is what it is.  I'll get a break when June rolls around again.  Right?  :)

Happy Weekend everyone!!!!!!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Life is good!

Glorious sunshine today!  And very deceiving! LOL
The avg. temp during my run today: 17 degrees, with a decently strong wind on the "outs" of my out-n-back.

And I'll tell ya... I only remember one other time in my life where I have reached the "runner's flow."  TODAY was one of those days!
I really only had intentions of doing a simple, easy 3 mile loop....  

...but the legs felt GREAT, so those 3 miles tripled into NINE! :)
AND, my 9th mile was the fastest to boot.  Can't be anything but pleased today.
  
But here is the kicker of 'em all today....

So far in March alone, I've run 76.3 miles;  that's TEN MILES more than I ran last year TOTAL!!!
AND, so far this year, I've run MORE than I ran total in 2011; sitting currently at exactly 217.00 miles. My OCD is loving that number :)

I certainly hope y'all don't get sick of my running posts.  The obsessive dedication is going strong :)

Family time is also still a priority!  Last night, once again, the girls and I headed to Skate City for a couple hours of skating enjoyment :)  Caitlyn was in the top-five for the Limbo; Cassie and a friend enjoyed tormenting both little sisters, and Candace.... well... Candace just skated; and fell; and skated some more :)

AND AND AND.... THIS task just means that Spring is getting ever so much closer :D


I'll see what I can muster up now in the quilting room :)
HAPPY SUNDAY!

Monday, February 25, 2013

February summed up

Oh, I have been a bad, bad blogger :S  LOL
Sorry everyone!!!!  Really :D

So, here's the whirlwind tour..... 
YES!  I have done a little bit of quilting (only a lil though) !  I have a baby shower coming up this Saturday, and I will pull a perfect procrastinator's schedule with this quilt.  I have yet to add one more blue border, and then the quilting, all to be fit in sometime this week before the shower on Saturday at 1:00.  I got this.... no biggy :)

I also have been working on organizing some more units for the Omigosh quilt leader-ender project.  NO RUSH at all here;  purely my leader-enders.  So much fun to play with all those mixtures of 1" scrap strips :)

Family fun time has been in quite a bit of full swing on the weekends.   Paul and I have certainly tried to keep these dreary days of winter entertaining...
Tubing in the snow...

Tubing in the water...  {{OBVIOUSLY an indoor water park}}
I do enjoy my snow and winter sports, but..... yup.  I'm ready for the snow to start melting and for Spring temperatures and smells to start taking over.  We here in Wisconsin have another solid month to survive before that'll happen, though :)




ALTHOUGH...Tonight, Cassie and I dressed in a couple of layers to enjoy the 32 degree weather with a nice 1.83 mile run.  She's getting sooooooo dang tall!  Easily 2-3 inches taller than me!

I know I've said this before, but here it is again... I LOVE THIS Nike+ Run App! Love it love it love it.  

This past weekend was barbershop at our household.  And dear Cassie wanted her hair CHOPPPPPED.  Since her hair is SO think, I ended up banding it in pigtails before cutting it.  The outcome:  DOUBLE the donation to Locks of Love.


So, yeah.  Life is continuing....

OH!!!! AND......
All of my running has been leading me ultimately subconsciously to another marathon, I think.
After hovering over the Registration button for a full week, I finally hit "SUBMIT" yesterday afternoon.
Green Bay or bust, right Andee???