More slow stitching - on a Tuesday

Sunday's organization of the DMC bins was SO enjoyable!  There's definitely something to be said about having everything one needs in a neat and tidy location, ready for whenever and whatever inspiration may strike.

Snort lol... and after perusing Pinterest and Etsy, inspiration definitely was hitting home, specially after seeing this photo in a FB cross stitching group of mine...

I never had THOUGHT about using cross stitch for a temperature project!  I have a few sites and projects bookmarked for crochet with this concept in mind, but... cross-stitch!?!  Brilliant idea.

Soooooooo.....
Today, I was lazy.  I was productive with cross-stitch, but lazy everywhere else around here (although I DID make a point of emptying the dishwasher while warming up some left over Creamy Penne pasta).

Much of the morning was spent scribbling in a graph notebook, testing out sizing and puzzle piece shapes...

And then the super fun part of sifting through the organized bins for colors, and deciding at the same time what temperature ranges to use...

and then from mid-morning to late afternoon, the 18-count Rustico "natural" aida was prepped along with establishing the color key.  I would describe the color palette I was after as a muted rustic, rich colorway.

And this evening will be much of the same!  I haven't decided on a year, though!  2024?  Or... having recently celebrated our 26th Anniversary (7/11), maybe I'll look back to 1998 as a sentimental project...

Taking a day off from the garden and other harvests is not detrimental at all right now.
Sunday evening was spent pruning and tying up all of the tomato plants (~60)...

And Paul erected a simple make-shift A-frame style support for us to drape our repurposed softball cage netting over in order to protect our blueberry harvest from the birds.  A quick wander around the garden and yard tonight confirms that, although a bird here and there is still smart enough to make its way into (under) the netting, most birds have been deterred.  Berry picking is certainly on the agenda tomorrow morning.

And other than that, the garden is simply doing its thing right now.  No harvests needing my attention yet, so... I guess I'll keep rocking in my glider with my feet up and stitching away, allllmost guilt free.  I just feel like I should be doing something other than simply crafting at my leisure.

Last night marked the end to my coaching career. 
Seventeen years total, nine of which were as head coach.  I love it, and nights like last night really have me jokingly saying that I plan to take back my letter of resignation.  LOL.  I absolutely LOVE competitive ball and athletes who have the ability to overcome.  A double victory last night from this squad has me finishing a winner.  I'll be their biggest fan come fall ball season.

Happy Tuesday!

Tiny Tuesday - the Return

A blast from the past!
The last 4.5" midget block post made was 11 and a half years ago! - December 12, 2012

Last night was spent perusing my own blog, rereading many of the very first posts made, and as I fast-forwarded, the #TinyTuesday posts -- wow -- they certainly took me back!   to a time of patience and dedication.  Is anyone still working on yours?  Or hibernating like mine?  Did anyone actually COMPLETE yours??? 

Well, not allowing the ol' me to be outdone, my surprisingly organized folder and stack of completed blocks were taken out with an absolute plan of gauging the progress.
I recall at one time hearing that Sentimental Stitches was going to retire the first 50 blocks, so all of those patterns that had been published were printed and placed in this folder.  And apparently, I actually saved the first 116 blocks SOMEWHERE back then, according to this post from 2010.  I still have my old laptops; I wonder if I can fire them up and dig around for them... T'would appear that the block patterns are now part of a monthly BOM deal.  

Anyway, so... I looked over the next couple of printed patterns with the whole OCD/Type-A in me needing to complete blocks in order.
Pshttt!
Ummmm

Nope

If I'm gonna give this a true devotion again, I need to ease back in!

Therefore, the printouts were strewn about until two were selected as the final winners.

Amidst the stack of fabrics I had set aside with these blocks in mind, I was reminded of the sashing units I had brainstormed SOMETIME back then...

So before even starting on any blocks today, a section of the design wall was cleared away for some playing and admiring... and reminiscing of the 40 blocks completed so far.  All the while placing them on the wall, thoughts lingered on simply 'calling it good' and setting them into a 5 x 8 layout.
but, eh... not very pleasing... tall-n-skinny and not close enough to the 'golden-ratio.'

However the 6 x 7 layout has some promise here.  Specially considering I had chosen two of the patterns that would be a good easing back in!

Block #60 - French 4's

Although paper-piecing was the recommended method of piecing this block, the math-mind was given a workout during this summer break.  A little measuring and a little fraction scribbled-addition later, the 4.5" midget blocks are back in action.

...and it felt good to be back in the action of the volleyball gym last night too.  I was left with a skeleton crew of athletes after all of the basketball athletes departed for a 3-day multi-team tournament, and although MOST of my attackers are on the basketball team, this lil' team knows how to hustle and finished 1-1 on the evening.  Just a few more moments like this left for me as I elected to resign from coaching after completing 17 years on and off over the past twenty-six.

Happy Tuesday everyone!  Hoping you have an amazing circle too!

No sewing for me...

Cass and I are heading out shortly for a SUPER-DUPER FUN DAY of Wisconsin State Volleyball.  We're both enjoying a relaxing morning right now at "Grandma's" house, who just so happens to live smack dab in the middle of the state, halfway between our house and Green Bay, where the State tournament is happening.  

"Aunt Jenny" (my sister) lives just north of Green Bay, and being a former HS volleyball player herself, she is planning to meet up with us too!  

A coworker (Jan) took the day off of work yesterday to head to State Vball since her daughter's team advanced to the tournament last weekend.  Yes, a bit awkward to some that she works at one school, but has children attending a different school, but that's just the way Geography and job placement works sometimes.  Anyway, I digress.  There were loads of texts from Jan yesterday, keeping me posted on results and other goings-on.  Sadly, they have not advanced to today's finals :\  But maybe it worked out for the best???  Because today she is in the middle of the state watching her son's team play the next level of Football Playoffs.  Wowsas.  Busy lady.  

And one funny----the Packers are playing at home this weekend, and I guess they were out-n-about yesterday.  At two different times, Jan texted me "OMG.  Tramon Williams is eating right behind us."  "OMG.  Troy Aikman just walked past us;  he must be announcing the game on Sunday."   LOL.  She's such a football groupie.

Although no sewing is happening, I'm extremely okay with the plans that lie ahead today :)

Happy Saturday.

The signs are all around...

Fall is here.....

Beautiful picture captured by a friend and shared via Facebook

Taken just moments ago.....and YES!  They are heading due-south! :\

And even Angela (SoScrappy) is joining in on the Fall festivities, choosing Orange/"Pumpkin color" as the September's selection for the 2012 Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  As bad as I would like to head downstairs for much of the day and sew away today.......

I can't.

My husband has taken over Brett Favre's philosophy of what retirement means.  >:|  Remember last week's volleyball fiesta after coming out of retirement for a day?  

Well..... 2 nights ago he committed us both to play again THIS weekend (today).  Paul, Paul, Paul.....

LOL.

It's all good.  The team we're playing with today is super relaxed, all in it for the fun..... and today, there will be SIX players on the court and not just FOUR! :-)  Already a better situation :)

The day is expected to be beautiful;  high of 79 degrees; 0% chance of rain; and FULL of "fair-type" events for our town's "Town & Country Days."  

I hope your Labor Day 3-day weekend is spectacular for my US comrads;  and for everyone else, well...I hope you also have a spectacular 2-day weekend :D

FINALLY a finish!

Last night, the volleyball team brought home some hardware and are now the 2011 Regional Champions!!! Being the #3 seeded team, we knew the team had their work cut out for themselves, but the championship was attainable. The match was exciting from the start, and our girls upset the #1 seeded team in three straight sets (25-6, 25-20, 25-16). Waaahhhhhoooooooooo!

Our seniors lead the team with motivation and inspiration last night! Joining in with the picture is Emma, former teammate who switched over to Cross-Country. She ALSO had reason to celebrate last night; yesterday morning, she placed 3rd at the Sectional meet and is heading off to State Cross Country!!! I love the support they have for each other!

"Blue-n-Gold Pride
So, with the Blue-n-Gold fever still flowing in the veins, I awoke this morning with the ambition to finally finish this baby.

Hind-sight is 20-20 and I wish I would have made this a bit larger, but it'll still going to be used and used and used.

Cassie is excited to finally have it on her bed. She's upstairs cleaning up her room right now :0)

Bittersweet

Tuesday night hit every emotion a human person is capable of!!! I don't think anyone would say that I'm not passionate about this sport, nor will they say I am lacking energy on the sidelines. I have been dubbed "the girls' biggest fan!" from some parents; and why wouldn't a coach be the biggest fan?!? {photo via maxpreps---an amazing photographer!!!!}

Tuesday was the first round of regionals; we were the 6th seed playing the 3rd seed with very confident hopes that we would come out on top. Our record hasn't been amazing by any means, but this young squad has made BIG steps of progress from the beginning of the season to the end.

We started on top with a set#1 win: 26-24. Then a set#2 loss: 21-25. Set #3 was a complete flip-flop of set #2 with a win from us: 25-21.

This was going to be a dog fight to the end!!!!!

Set #4 found us with an early lead: 9-5.....and they slowly crept back.....
and then...with the score 21-24, my middle (pictured here a few games ago) went down on the serving line (her knee buckled and flat-out gave out). I needed to pull a sub off the bench, and bless Emilee! With such pressure on her shoulders, she whipped out two back-to-back aces, but sadly, despite being so close at sealing the deal, she missed the next serve to end set #4 with our loss: 23-25. Therefore, the match went into set#5; the first time for us all year. The girls held together as best they could with a new lineup (a freshman stepping into the middle spot and a JV player stepping into the right-side spot), but sadly we couldn't come away on top and ended our season with a 10-15 loss.

We all put so much energy into this match; some blood; lots of sweat......and then the tears after such a hard fight. LOTS of tears!!! This end is bittersweet in many ways. It ended very much too soon to many of us; but....slowly.....we can move on to winter sports and/or our families again. This year's squad will only graduate 1 senior, so we are extremely excited to work towards a winning season next year. However, replacing our one senior will not be easy. She definitely lead this team!!!

So....there ya have it.

Bittersweet.

BITTER:
The season is over.
Ended too soon.
FOUGHT so hard!

SWEET:
We only graduate one player
Family time can return
Quilting can resume!!!


Happy Friday

Days don't get much better!

Yes, it's an age-old cliche, but....SOOOOO true regarding yesterday!

Yesterday was our final season tournament, hosted by us, with six total teams invited. I am SO excited how the girls played yesterday! We are finally clicking! The outcome of the day made all the running around and organization of the tournament worth it. We placed third, behind two larger division schools; having taken a game off the Tournament Champs and going 25-27 with the 2nd place team. I am SURE the girls slept well last night; they played HARD! So, with a season record of 3-21-3 (YIKES???), this young inexperienced team is going into the tournament season the best possible way---with hard fought wins and closely fought losses.

Then, getting home after the tournament, Paul had cleaned up the yard and garage (Fall cleaning, ya know)....and we had a huge bon-fire.

Of course, we needed to roast marshmallows and have some s'mores, but that bon-fire was simply tooooo hot! So....enter "small fire" soley for the purpose of s'mores!

With Regional tournaments beginning on Tuesday, I don't have much else on the mind besides Volleyball. For round #1 we have a coin-toss chance of moving on. Both teams are very alike (on paper), but my girls have finally found "it". On Friday, round #2 follows, with the finals on Saturday evening. We have a chance if we play like we did yesterday because all the teams in Regionals are our size and division (no bigger schools).

After next weekend; volleyball may slowly start dwindling from my mind.

I know I'm busy when...

...my latest Quiltmaker magazine has remained, untouched, on the kitchen counter since Saturday afternoon---and it's already Wednesday!!!!!!


Enjoyed some bonding time tonight at the local pizza place with m'girls! Oh golly---I never (EVER) realized SOME girls can be so naughty, crazy, immature, and piggish when clustered together in a plywood palace of pizza!!! But we sure had some fun......

....from praying happily together ....

.....to having eating contests.... This bunch of girls sure enjoy each other and have great rapport! The season end is nearing....a handful of contests left.

Coaching DOES have its moment of rewards!

80's flashback

Homecoming 2010; "Decade Day" today allowed me to revisit the times of jean jackets, rolled pants, and big hair!! Admittingly so, I miss this hair style :0) But the kiddos sure had a good giggle today! Quite an extreme from my normal pony-tail!



This is my first breathing moment to try to catch up with my bloggin' buds; the Team continues to struggle and it's not easy taking loss after loss. I really don't know who's having a harder time though----me, or the girls.

Happy Wednesday

and breathe - 2 - 3 - 4....

holy buckets.....is it REALLY Saturday already???!?!!?!?

Away game Tuesday
Away game Thursday
hosted a home Volleyball tournament all day today.....

I feel very out-of-touch with all of you; I haven't checked blogs in AGES (since last Sunday.....yeah.....that's AGES for me!!!)

I WILL be a good lil' math teacher right now and log out ASAP and park myself in front of my Statistics book for the next set of hours to plan/prep for this next week of class----ONLY so that I may actually find some time in my day tomorrow to park myself in front of my sewing machine for at least an hour.....(I hope????)

Will catch up on blogs later tonight OR bright-n-early tomorrow......

psht.....ummm.....rethinking that statement! MAYBE not so bright-n-early tomorrow ;0)

Happy Saturday and happy sewing for those of you who have the luxury :0)

I feel some quilting coming on....

?????


Maybe????

This weekend is pretty free schedule-wise. I need a couple handfuls of hours to work on my Statistics plans for the next week, grading papers that have collected over the past two days.....and I bet the tomatoes are going to need some attention....

BUT.....

MAYBE I'll be able to sneak in a few hours on the machine if I feel any bit as motivated as I do right now.

Just arrived home from the football game. It's nice having so many Saturdays open this Vball season as compared to years in the past to be able to make some home football games without feeling stressed and tired due to the early Sat. morning bus rides. AND, the school pride that our student body is showing is SO REFRESHING!!! It's been too many years since we've had such positive school pride!

THESE are the days I like remembering when the going gets tough and the stress is weighing down with a few tons of pressure!

One week down...life resumes its hecticity

The first day of school has come and gone.

This is actually a pic from the 2nd day of school that DH took. He was busy the morning of the first day of school, reducing the population of our pigs, so this was his first "school" morning to enjoy. {{notice the rain jacket? Gloomy 2nd and 3rd days of school.}}

Three days down, and already right back into the swing of things. I spent 7 hours yesterday working on lessons and problems that will be coming up this next week in my Statistics class. I need to wrap up the lessons today, and then I'll be able to put my books away for the rest of the weekend.

Volleyball is keeping me away (as expected), but it's rewarding in its own way. These young ladies are my Captains this year and showing wonderful leadership.

And the garden?....

That's DH's job now. My allergies and busy life are keeping me away from it, but I try to help out when I can in the house with the "storing" part.
Corn has been the latest harvest; two full wheelbarrows of cobs, plus (in DH's words), 'easily another wheelbarrow left on the stalks out there.' Friday night was a "shucking-party" in the garage. And last night, after DH spent much of the day blanching the cobs and cutting the corn from them, I helped him fill 34 bags with 3 cups of kernals in each.

I SURE do like this 3-day weekend. It's nice thinking that it's actually more like a "Saturday morning" right now and that I have two more full days ahead of me to get things done that have been lingering.

And so it begins...

Holy cow! Last week was a doosey! Here's a quick snapshot...

Monday: 8-noon (Vball practice), noon-3 (paperwork in my classroom), 5:30-6:30 (Candace's orientation), evening (prepare for vball events)
Tuesday: ummm....I don't remember what I did in the morning....paperwork, I'm sure! 3:00-9:00 (Vball scrimmage)
Wednesday: 8-noon (Vball practice), noon-4 (classroom work), 4-8 (school shopping and dinner at Pizza Hut)
Thursday: 8-2:30 (Teacher inservice), 2:30-8:30 (Volleyball Triangular away), 9:00 (supper)
Friday: 8-3:30 (Teacher inservice), 3:30-6:00 (Vball practice), 6:00-7:00 (papwork in my classroom), 7:00-bed....FINALLY some family relaxing time
Saturday: 8:00-3:00 (Volleyball tournament away), 4:00-8:00 (TUBING ON THE BOAT!!!!), 9:00 (collapse on the couch)
Today: SLEEP 'TIL 8:00! ;0) 8-noon (volleyball stats paperwork, update stats online, write article for newspaper), noon-4:00 (write syllabus for newly created Statistics course and start planning the schedule)

of course, here-n-there scattered throughout is just a WEEE bit of time to stay ahead of the laundry. The dishes have officially been pawned over to DH (until I lose patience at the balancing stack of dishes and end up doing them myself!) ;0)

This week will bring one more day of teacher inservice (Monday), more volleyball events (Tuesday away & Thursday home), and the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (WEDNESDAY!)

yeah....."and so it begins....."

I love my girls! All of them!

My children "girls" were wonderful yesterday; able to take my mind off of things that were troubling me. I love them!

My volleyball "girls" had an absolute AMAZING practice this morning (yeah...mean coach here! Saturday AM practice!)...and confirmed that the choices that were made for team selections were correct. I love them!


And, DH and I are absolutely KICKING ourselves! We took the "big" boat out on the Lake yesterday and borrowed a friend's tube and rope setup----and we DID NOT TAKE THE CAMERA!. This was the girls' first time out on the tube and they had a BLAST! The boating time started with me, (of course), showing them "how it was done." It was also the opportunity for DH and I to work out the appropriate speed where it could be fun for the girls, but safe. None of them can swim (yet); and Candace and Caitlyn ARE only 4 & 6 respectively, afterall; we didn't want them to be scared :0)

BUT.....

once we found that "good speed"-------- **giggle**.............I had "FUN"! DH cranked the speed, and the girls had a good time watching me fly and bump and twist and turn over the giNORmous waves DH was making. OOOOOOdles of laughs!

I tandemed with Candace and Caitlyn separately before they tubed by themselves. Poor Caitlyn got a HUGE face wash when a wave crested a bit higher than planned....but she held on like a trooper, spittering and sputtering and laughing, giving us the thumb's up.

Oh---did I mention that MOM was more nervous and scared for the girls than they actually were themselves? ;0)

When we finally called it quits, we dealt with the pouts and whines....but they sky was losing light! What a FUN afternoon!

And yeah----practice this morning was fabulous! I really DO love coaching this sport and the girls!

This afternoon, I don't have a lot planned. Right now, I'm thinking of just relaxing with a good book while the girls enjoy their Wii time. Cassie has a friend over, so they're playing a "new" game....
I will consider making my way downstairs...but I'm okay if I don't, too :0)

Happy Saturday!

A reminder from 2009: Best Weight Loss Program...

Tip #1 to a sure weight loss program:
Become a Head coach of a sport

Two days now where it's been go-go-go-go....and it's dinner time before you know it and you realize all you've eaten all day is a banana.

Quilting time will be taking a hit; I'm pretty exhausted (mentally more than anything right now) and I just enjoy trying to relax (unfortunately with little success). Played some board games with the girls this afternoon; snuggled with Candace and Caitlyn at various times as well. And VERY thankful I have a husband willing to have an open ear and is understanding of the mental "blah" I'm going through today and yesterday. It's one of those days where I REALLY wish there was an on/off switch for the mind. Please let sleep come quickly tonight!


On a more humorous note.....

While out looking for a perfect graphic....I came across these two cartoons, too....





Hope they made you smile, because I sure had a good giggle!

Happy Thursday!

Pineapple Blossoms - DONE; Volleyball beginnings...

Whew! At least the lack of motivation yesterday wasn't contagious to today....
The pantograph used: Chinese Crescents. Bobbins used: ummm....10? Quilting time (loading to finish): ummmm.....6-7 hours? {I guess I didn't keep excellent records for this quilt}. Both the customer and myself felt this pantograph was very fitting due to the orientalness of it; her plans for the quilt will be to gift it to her Nephew & wife for their anniversary and they currently reside in Japan. Feels good to have it done ahead of schedule :0)!!!!

See the whole quilt here...

Two days into volleyball practice and I realize that I have not updated my blogging world with my Assistant Coach news. My second assistant coaching position was filled a week-n-half ago with a previous Junior Highschool coach. She has 5 years under her belt and was ready and interested to "move up" in the world of volleyball. SO, BOTH my assistant coaching positions are filled, and we're rockin'-n-rollin' in try-outs right now. Whew-eeee......TOUGH YEAR for decision making, though! I graduated 6 seniors last year, so only have 3 returning players. Talented group of girls are bustin' their butts for the open Varsity spots, in addition to the turn-over that Junior Varsity is also facing. Not a whole lot of stress (yet); tomorrow afternoon might be a different story though when the final team selections need to be made.

Happy Tuesday :0)

You know you're gettin' older when...

...other volleyball players head home to shower and get all dolled up for a night on the town, and you head home to shower and put on the comfy PJ's, prop feet up and turn on a chick flick.

If I were a squirrel, this might just be what I would look like.

I'm really thanking someone that there were ONLY FOUR TEAMS in our bracket. Even after a full Round-Robin seeding play, and a double-elimination tournament, we were finished by 3:30; another bracket had ELEVEN teams; they weren't even out of round-robin yet, so they'll easily be playing until 8:00! Easily! At least they only will be running a single-elim. tournament.

At tournament start (9:00), the weather was really ideal!!! Overcast, muggy (but tolerable), slight threatening chance of rain (but it never did), very little breeze. Really nice! The radar this AM was showing a decent sized cell of severe weather that had a chance to hit us by noon, but???? it must have petered off because by noon, the clouds started breaking up...and by 1:00....it was HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT!!!! I can tell I haven't been very active outside much this summer in the hotter weather; the heat started taking its toll on me. By the time we were in the final game at 3:00 (yeah, we battled for 1st/2nd :0) ), I was starting to get a bit winded and moving slower. Between games (we lost the 1st in a best 2 of 3 matchup), without really thinking of it, I non-chalantly asked ... "has anyone else ever gotten goosebumps when it's extremely hot out?" Two pairs of concerned eyes turn my way instantly and asked me how I was feeling. They informed me that goosebumps on hot, humid, sunny days is a sure early sign of heat exhaustion which could lead to heat stroke. I wasn't feeling very concerned, wasn't feeling dizzy.....just getting run down. SO, going into the last game, I voluntarily sat out (we had an extra girl anyway). I was VERY okay sitting out; I am humble enough to know when I'm not in the best shape, and in all honesty, I really wasn't interested in pushing the possibility of over-doing-it when I needed to be the one in charge of the girls for the rest of the day. We lost the championship, but I'm okay with that. I don't think some of my team members were okay with it, but really.....the other team had two BIG hitters that we just couldn't match up against.

Oh, and the girls! They were SUPER SUPER SUPER! There were so many dogs around and other kids; I BARELY saw hide-or-hair of any of them! When I finally rounded them up, Caitlyn was ready to leave----the heat was getting to her too. Candace pouted because she was having too much fun; Cassie was okay, until I said "NO" to heading over the the carnival section, they she joined Candace in pouting. And I WISH I would have taken pics of them before throwing them in the tub-----they were F-I-L-T-H-Y from playing in the dirt and sand all day.

I needed to stop to gas up on the way home, and all three of them asked if we could stop at McD's. That was a NO-BRAINER! #1) I didn't need to cook, and #2) they really really really really were great today and they earned a McD meal.

So, it's a bit after 5:00, and I'm contemplating if I will head downstairs tonight. I am thinking NOT. Maybe I'll work on typing up the directions for the two Sept. BOM's I pieced yesterday.

A satisfying day

I wasn't able to spend the entire day downstairs, but I am very satisfied with how my entire day went :0)

7:00 AM--shower, drink coffee, kiss DH goodbye for the weekend :0(
7:45 -- wake girls and go through typical "morning stuff"
9:15 -- Cassie's eye appointment, followed by a few errands (groceries and pharmacy)
11:00 -- arrive home, unload car, start lunch, start laundry
12:00 -- clean up lunch table, put next load of clothes in machine/dryer; head outside to pick green beans
12:45 -- soak green beans in sink; take care of next load of laundry (INCLUDING FOLDING!!!!)
1:00 -- headed downstairs

With so many projects sitting idle, I decided it was time to start my "Twilight" block swap. It isn't due until October, but....well....yeah, you know. Volleyball season is right around the corner; I didn't want to NOT get around to these.
The idea behind the swap is to use the colors that appear on the Twilight saga books: red, black, white, gray. Swappers may choose any 12" block of her liking. My choice: Blackford's Beauty. This is the block that Bonnie used in her Jared Takes a Wife, this is also one of the blocks that I posted for February 2010 BOM. It's definitely one of my favorites! So, to be "in-the-mood" for a Twilight inspired block, I threw the DVD into the machine and sewed for the duration of the movie. This is how far I got....
Fifty-two of these corner units; I'm making 13 blocks (12 for swapping and one for myself).

These are the other fabrics I will be using in the block. I'm taking my time; pressing with spray-starch.

OH! Speaking of which.....DEFINITELY WORTH LOOKING AT! If you haven't already taken a peek at Amanda Jean's homemade spray starch, you simply MUST! I used to be so skimpy with when, where, how much spray starch I used in the past because it was SO expensive! $7.00 a bottle! And when a bottle could be gone within 3 days of serious quilting-----PSHT! I don't think so! Therefore---tried out AmandaJean's "recipe." LOVE IT! LOVE IT! Water = free. Corn starch---psht? $??? always have it on hand. Essential oil: $9.00/bottle, which will last for YEARS!!!!!!! In the last two weeks, I must have refilled my bottle 3 times already---that's a LOT of savings!!!

Anyway---I did take one small break in the movie to take care of another load of laundry (AND FOLDED AGAIN!!!)
So, movie ended around 3:00. As badly as I wanted to keep pluggin' away at the blocks, I had other pressing projects too!

Knowing (again) that Vball season will definitely reduce the amount of machine time I'll have, I HAD to start spending some time on the September (and October) BOM's. So....what movie to put in?????.....
The mask of Zorro -- I figured it was fitting; not knowing who Zorro is....not knowing what the blocks will look like. ??? Yeah, okay....maybe pushing it a little bit.

BUT, by midway through the movie (around 4:15), the first September BOM was finished. {{a lil' peek at the flying geese we'll be using}}

At that point, the movie was paused and dinner preparations took over (after, of course, another load of laundry taken care of). Dinner: BBQ on bun, pickles, mac-n-cheese, baked beans, pink lemonade.
5:00 -- tidy up kitchen, unload dishwasher and reload with supper dishes, take care of ANOTHER load of laundry while drawing a bath for #2 and #3. Bathe girls and tidy up bedroom/bathroom/kitchen all at the same time.
6:00 -- take girls out of bath, trim Candace's hair.......and yup! ANOTHER load of laundry!
6:30 -- head back downstairs, unpause the movie and tackled the 2nd BOM for September...

some more flying geese units....and...umm....a "long" flying geese unit :0)

8:00 -- movie ended; block finished, a small bit of tidying the sewing room. Headed upstairs to shoosh the girls to brush teeth. Take care of the LAST load of laundry (I've lost track, but I think it was 6 total washers full), make Cassie's bed with freshly washed sheets, tuck all three girls into Cass's bed, carry Candace back downstairs to take care of a nasty toenail that was hurting her, wipe away her tears, and tuck her in to Mom's bed. (Yeah....I think that was her game plan all along!) ;0) No biggy----no hubby tonight, and the girls REALLLLLY need to get some sleep tonight. They have a tendency of NOT sleeping until too late when they all sleep together. (go figure, right?)

And now----computer time :0)

Tomorrow will be another long, energy-seeping day. I was asked to play in a Vball tournament a few weeks back and gladly accepted, NOT realizing that DH wasn't going to be AWAY for the majority of the weekend. I don't really want to call a babysitter to watch the girls, even though they would probably LOVE that. Instead, I'll be schlepping them along with me. Last year, the tournament started at 9:00 a.m. and ended at 8:00 p.m. (DH and I were done by 6:00 though because our team lost before the final two rounds of the tournament.) I'm sure they will be perfect lil' angels for me :0) **crossing fingers**

The Ol' Man is 39....and other things...

39 years of gracing this earth pictured here in all of his beauty ;0) With all due respect---A lil' salt-n-peppa startin' to show at those temples and speckling the beard....;0) But you can still give Brett Favre a run for his money :0) LUV YA HUN!

Mmmmmmmm........the first green bean pickins---not enough to warrant the process of canning. DH is eatin' em all up anyway. Come Sunday, we should have a good bunch ready for canning, though.

BRACE YOURSELVES

Just LOOOOOOK at this kitchen!!!!! DH snapped a shot of me last night when I canned another 4 quarts & 1 pint of dill pickles. Yikes----looks a bit cluttered, huh? Canning supplies cluttering up the floor on the right, bottles of booze on top of the fridge, cupboard doors open showcasing (?) our spices, counters full of clutter......GOSH! It's embarrassing to show! {{and yeah...my hair is in braided pig tails}}

Once the canning was done last night, I made some more progress on the rug....

Very little quilting being done, but I did load a quilt of my MIL's on the frame yesterday and did a couple of paths before losing interest. I have four quilts that she wants me to quilt up, so I hope to get them done next week since I have NOTHING on my schedule. YEAHHHHHH :0)

Yup, yup: Two weeks OFF coming up and then....summer vacation is officially over because volleyball season begins. Yes, yes....I love it, I really do! For those of you somewhat newer to my blog----I kinda fell off the face of blogland last year August - October once vball season hit :0( Now that I have my first year of being HEAD coach behind me, I'm hoping life will be a bit better this year and I'll be poking in more often that last year :0) Some of you have inquired about my assistant coach issue. NOPE! Nothing yet, but it is what it is. Everything usually works out in the end and I'm sure this will be another one of those times.

Dinner is just hitting the table, so I'm off. DH is heading out tonight to my parent's house because he needs to work for his sister tomorrow. He'll be able to see the girls, too! I'm heading down tomorrow once camp is over and I get a few things done around the house. So....life is GRAND at the Skattebo-Ranch :0) Hopefully things are super in your neck of the woods, too.