2012

The older I get, the faster the years go by!

I started this blog in April of this year.
Mostly to motivate me to finishing projects and to have pictures of things I made.

I have been productive!
I have finished so many projects; a couple quilts, a couple afghans, potholder, countless dishrags.

But I am terrible about posting pictures! 
Oh well, good intentions count for something, right?

There are so many project ideas floating around in my head.
Those can be another New Year's Resolution post. 

I read a lot of blogs, really enjoy seeing what others are making.
Seriously, how do people get it all done?
I didn't even send out Christmas cards this year. (bad Linda)
Maybe I should retire and just sew?
Yeah right, that's not going to happen. But a girl can dream ;)

Happy 2013!

Merry Christmas!

Yay

No surgery for me, 
at least not at this point.

=D   YAY!
I am so glad I don't have to worry about crutches in winter.

I just need a cortisone shot and some patience.
I have had cortisone shoots in my wrist, shoulders, and neck without complaint.
But in the knee. 
OUCH
I didn't complain though. 
Until I saw my hubby in the waiting room, he got to hear all about it!

LOL

12/12/12

                          Happy Aaron Rogers Day! 

Birthday

Today is my birthday.
48. 
But if anyone asks, I am 29 plus shipping and handling. ;)

My hubby brought me lunch at work.
Roast beef sandwich and onion rings. 
Not a romantic dinner out, but pretty darn yummy in my opinion.
I really wouldn't want a dinner out anyway. 

I got lots of wishes on facebook
And some love in my mailbox.
A funny card from my friend Mary Ellen 
- only Mary Ellen would send a birthday card about farts
And another one from my cousin and her hubby with a sweet surprise inside.
THANKS  and Love yas S&C !  
Not necessary, but very much appreciated. 

well, crap

I was hoping once I got my neck fixed I would be good. 
Nope.

I had an MRI on my knee last week.
Twisted a while back and it just was not getting better.
I blamed it on being fat.
Nope again.
I have torn meniscus.
Or in English: torn cartilage.
Really? 
I see an orthopedic surgeon next Thursday. 
My friend said its and easy fix, but lots of PT after....
and of course a brand new $$$$ deductible starting on January 1.

Emma's quilt

This is the quilt I made for my great niece Emma.
She wasn't too excited about it, LOL. She is 8.

 Front

But her mom loved it.



Back  -->

Kohls super deal

Lena, over at Frugal and Thankful ,
motivated me go to back and and look around Kohls.com again.
( I got some black Friday deals on Thanksgiving )
 I  ordered some new curtains for my living room.
 Which I have wanted for a long time!
 I made ours 17 years ago when we moved into this house, so its about time ;)
We have 4 big windows and drapes are so expensive!

They new ones were on clearance, 
I used the 20% discount, and Kohls cash. 
$2.12 a panel. 
Merry Christmas to me :)

Happy Thanksgiving

A hilarious Thanksgiving blast from the past

CLICK HERE

Rosacea

My dermatologist diagnosed me with rosacea yesterday.
I pretty much figured I had it, I have ruddy red cheeks all the time. And acne that I can never seem to get under control. 
I guess I am a little too hard on my skin. 
Oops.

Anyone else have this?  any suggestions or insight.
I have a bathroom full of stuff that I probably shouldn't be using.
Oh well, my kids will get the acne stuff.
He wrote me a couple prescriptions for the acne part and suggested laser treatment for the broken blood vessels in my cheeks. 
Pretty pricey...I think I will stick to concealer.

ripple afghan

I finished my bright ripple afghan last Friday.
I gave it to my friend, Darlene, who is having surgery on her foot this week.
Like a prayer shawl, but bigger (and more practical in my opinion)
I told her she could curl up with it. Along with a good book and her boot ;)
The colors did not photograph well at all.
Its actually  purple, hot pink, bright turquoise, yellowy orange and lime green. And super soft snuggly yarn.

help

I am looking for a pattern or tutorial for a cinch top bag 
that can be worn like a backpack.

Anyone know of a good one?

thanks!

11-2-12

I love politics. I am a political junkie.
But it sucks living in a swing state.
I made up my mind a long time ago,
and really...haven't most people? 
I mean who has not decided by now?
And are nasty commercials and annoying phone calls going to change your mind?
Our local radio stations hardly plays music any more. 

It is good to have caller id.
Sometimes when the NRA calls I do answer and give them a piece of my mind
you would think they would take me off the call list. 
So far I am not so lucky. 
(and neither is that guy who calls me!) 

10-26-85

Happy 27th 
Anniversary 
to us.

:)

We got married on the same day the original Back to the Future movie takes place, so Marty McFly and I have something in common. 

work in progress

This is one of the projects I have been working on. The colors are much more "neon" than the picture shows. Not sure what who will get it when I am done.

potholders

I made some potholders for my friend.
She had a facebook comment one day about burning potholders
...so I had to.

I just used some odd scraps and attempted rounded corners.
Hope she doesn't set them on fire! 
:o)

Oct 11

So far I still have a job :)

My friend who was battling brain cancer passed away yesterday :(  Only 42, so sad.

Finished 2 afghans :) No plans for them, maybe I will get an etsy shop someday.

Had to see an otolaryngologist, I have a little lump on the back of my neck. Nothing to do with my spine surgery and  nothing to worry about, he said I am just weird  :o)   ( I do not need a specialist to tell me that! LOL)  

I have been working on some pillows for my great-nieces for Christmas presents. Seems like a long time til Christmas, but it will sneak up on me if I am not careful.

Oct 5

I am bad at blogging
Actually have been working on several crocheting projects.
Just don't get around to taking pictures.

I had cortisone shots in both shoulders yesterday.
Honestly, I don't know why I worry so much about those and put them off,
because they aren't that bad.
The worse part was the gown because it was chilly in there!

I am worried  that I might be out of a job soon.
Its not a great job. I only work part time,make little more than minimum wage, and no benefits.
But I love the people and the little extra spending money and adding to our retirement account.
Stressing about it only make me tense,
which makes my neck hurt.
Wish I was not a worry wart.

Sept 29

No sewing again today
Instead we installed new 
ceiling panels in the kitchen.

No idea who's idea 
it was to put a suspended 
ceiling in an old house.
but GROSSSS!

Oh well, 
the new (ugly)
are installed and 
they are clean and I 
could not take a long enough 
shower after dealing with all the 
disgusting yucky yucky stuff
that fell on my head
today.

Holy run on sentence Batman!

dish rags

I haven't been sewing at all. 

Just not interested right now, 

I have plenty of ideas but no energy.

At my follow up with the neurosurgeon he told me that he believes anesthesia messes with metabolism. My fatigue is not unusual. He said a major surgery can kick some people in the butt, and since I have had three in the last year I can take a nap when I want to, if I'm tired that is my body telling me I need to rest.  Ok then!

I am going to work everyday, and can do some crocheting while things are quiet in the afternoon. Make lots of dish rags. Also started new striped wavy afghan. They lifted all my restrictions! The only things off limits are things with force. No tackle football, no bungy jumping, no water skiing....I should be good with those. I am also not supposed to fall on the ice or be in a car accident...will do my best!

Remember this?

I finished it last spring and was going to give it away,

but  never got around to it.

Instead I donated it to a fund raiser silent auction being held this weekend for my friend Jody.

She has stage 4 brain cancer and not much time left :(

Its so sad, she is such a sweet person. Her daughter and my youngest have been friends since grade school.

They play saxophone in the band together and team up for hand bell duets.

I am hoping it gets some bids, I don't think people really appreciate how much time goes into an afghan. I think the colors are rich and cozy for fall. And its 100% acrylic yarn so it will take a beating and last forever.  


Update:  I didn't get to the benefit, but my daughter did. She said it had a bid of $25. I was hoping for more. (the yarn cost more than that) But it was for a good cause and hopefully  someone will stay warm with it this winter !

fluff

see my new little ticker?

I want to lose 30# 

hopefully you will see some progress soon!

Sorry for taking you along on my journey, but if I see that chubby tummy everyday it will motivate me ;)

9-10

I survived my three days at work last week.
I swear every farmer I saw asked what happened to my neck.
This scar better fade fast, 
at least scarves are fashionable and its almost turtleneck season!

Going for four days this week. 
Taking Thursday off for the follow up appointment with my surgeon.
Need to figure out something for pain management,  tylenol is not cutting it.

We are getting a new septic system this week.
Technically - we are getting two. One at each house on the farm.
Merry Christmas to us.
Septic systems are not cheap.

September already?

Really? Where does the time go?

Jill started her senior year today.
Doesn't seem like it was that long ago that I was sending her to her first day of kindergarten.
*sigh*

I decided to go to work today too. 
I am planning a couple days a week at first to see how it goes. 
I am home tomorrow because Allison is visiting for a couple days :)

The guys at work are so sweet. They are looking out for me.
And get this:
One of the service guys from our competitors said I can call him for anything too. 
How sweet is that? 
Now, if I could only get them to put the seat down.

strip quilt

For someone who is not supposed to be sewing
I am getting a lot accomplished this week!

Jill and I went to see my new great nephew today. 
We took him some Packer onesies (his dad is a Bears fan. Ew), and his quilts.
His mom got some hand cream, chocolates, and diaper coupons.
And his big sister got a colorbook and crayons, the doll quilt I make yesterday, and some of those "magic" baby bottles (from a last minute stop at the dollar store) . She loved the bottles, would not put them down.  I remember being a kid and being fastincated by them!

When I got home I got a fb message from my neice,
big sister (she is 18 months and not understanding the whole baby thing) had claimed baby brother's quilt.
So...
 I have some fabric laying around
   cut some strips 

and ta da.

Will mail it off to my niece for machine quilting tomorrow.

YAY!

doll quilt

Wow, two posts in one day! 
What's up with that??

Tomorrow we are going to meet Kase and deliver his quilts. 
Of course we need to take a present for big sister too.
We got her a color book
and I made this today.

 Its a little doll quilt for her baby.
Kind of I spy. And the back has a little redheaded princess :)

band practice 8/23/2012

Every year the band director has a practice at night before the first home football game.
Family is invited.
Here are some pictures of my favorite saxophonist.

new neon green shoes 

I lifted this one from the clarinet player's mom, that's why he is clear and Jill is blurry ;)

Famous Fresh Trash: percussion totally rocks in Fennimore!

Since the first football game is before school starts, the band is still on vacation. So they sit in their lawn chairs for half time. *That's my girl with the neon green chair*

for baby K

I made this a couple months ago. Excuse the wrinkles please, ironing is on my "don't" list. And the color is not so great, took these inside because I am lazy.

This is the baby blanket I made for my soon to be great nephew. He should arrive any day now. The picture is not great. My niece asked me to make a valance and crib skirt in the white swirly fabric.

I added some Riley Blake Mod Tod stars, some Robert Kauffman brown circles and made her this. I love the binding , its brown and white and reminds me of a peppermint candy cane stripe.The back has a little square of Packer green and gold. I could not resist. The dad to be is a bears fan and takes a lot of good natured ribbing from our family!

I will add a little tag "to ___ from great aunt Linda" when I find out his name and mail it off.

daisies

Today I had a visit from a sweet retired couple from church. They brought us supper for tonight, some magazines and this sweet daisy bouquet. Totally made my day!

Recovery

I cannot believe how boring this is.
I've been good.
No sewing or crocheting :(
Sleep a lot, although its not good sleep.Pain sucks.
My neck doesn't bother me as much as my shoulders and arm.
My incision is starting to bug me, its tight and looks very Herman Munster-ish.
The bruising is beginning to fade, lovely shades of green, yellow, and purple.
My voice is pretty good most of the time, it fades sometimes and sounds scratchy

I did attempt a new cookie recipe yesterday,
They were ok,
not great,
    did not bust the diet!
(always gotta look on the bright side!)

I painted my nails, they looked great til I did the dishes.
Not supposed to do the dishes, but no one else was doing them.
grrrr

ouch

Well, I can't say they didn't warn me.
I got to take off my bandage yesterday. 
Whoa! My incision is UGGGLLY!  
Swollen and bruised and pretty icky.
I have no pain around my incision.

But the pain in my upper back/shoulders/arms is unbearable.
:(
And I am taking my super duper p ain meds regularly.
Apparently, they stretch my arms straight out in some weird traction thing.
 Anchor me down so I don't move.
 I was asleep for this part (thank goodness!).
The surgeon told me the space where the smooshed disc was removed was less than a half centimemter
He opened it up to 8 cm. 
7 and a half centimeters is a lot for my old spine.
I am usually pretty tough, but I hope this resolves quickly. 

We did venture out to the grocery store today. 
I got stocked up on yogurt and jello
even bought some chocolate ice cream.
(Since I will be stuck with soft food for at least another week and a half. I
I am going to have good stuff)

I am home

I am home, had a nap.

Thanks for the prayers and well wishes.

Recovery will  be interesting.
The surgeon told me it was much worse that he expected.
It was supposed to take an hour, but was 2+

He said he took his time and did it right :)

whew!

nervous

Tomorrow is the big day.
Today I am nervous.
I know I have a wonderful surgeon 
and its great hospital,
But its MY neck.

I probably should have taken today off.
I still have a list of things to do a mile long. I have been so distracted by the Olympics. 

As long as I get my floors scrubbed tonight, the rest can wait.
Besides, if I don't get stuff done, I am going to try not to stress about it.

An apology

I am very stressed about my upcoming spine surgery
Sorry if you are here to see my sewing or crocheting,
Not much creating is going on.
Mostly cleaning, and other things I need to get done in the next several days. 


Check back later though, 
sounds like recovery will be long. 
But I will be back to creating as soon as I can!


Linda

pre -op bomb

Pre -op appointments today. I was at the clinic for three and a half hours!
holy crap.
I am registered, informed, and passed the physical.
The physical is a joke. She listened to my heart, lungs, check my reflexes. 
That's it.


The surgery educator gave me information overload.
And a ba-jillion restrictions.
No lifting anything for 2 weeks
No lifting more than 10# for 4-6 weeks after that. 
No lifting my arms above my shoulders, can't even take a plate from the cupboard,.
No pushing or pulling.
No sweeping.
No dishes (yay!)
No vacuuming
No turning
No twisting
No driving,
No using my hands
    Wait. what?
That's right. No typing, no crocheting, no sewing, no typing.
I am allowed to use the tv remote.
And go to the bathroom.
so glad they are going to let me do that!
The list of 'no' goes on and on. 


I am so glad I am getting this done before school starts.
Jill will be around to help :)


Also, I will probably not be eating any solid food for a few weeks.
He has to push my esophagus out of the way to get to my spine.
It will be very swollen for a while.
My larynx will also be "disrupted"  I could be without a voice for a few days.
She said its not unusual to wake up feeling like you are being strangled, because of all the swelling.
She said that so nonchalantly 
Yikes!
On the upside, maybe this will jump start my diet!
I wonder how I will choke down the pain pills?
There will be severe neck and upper back pain, the actual surgery strains the ligaments in my neck and between my shoulder blades. 
I have 20 or so pages of information to read;
It sounds like recovery is not going to be fun. 
All this and it probably won't relieve my pain.


*sigh*

August to-do list

Before surgery (on the 10th)

•  Find the fabric I bought for the back of Emma's quilt....I have searched high and low...no idea what I did with this, grrrr
• make a cute back for that and get it to quilter
• Get hair cut 
• Organize my fabric
• major grocery shopping so I don't have to think about it when I get home
• walmart run to stock up on TP , cat food, paper plates

After surgery. The surgeon told me I would be miserable for the first week or two, 

(I don't like the sound of that, but do appreciate the that he is up front with me)

and  I will be off work for at least a month.

• Sew
• Crochet - the surgeon told me none of this, the use of my hands will be very limited.
• Watch movies
• bind Emma's quilt.
• mail baby quilts

July recap

Making a list of things I got accomplished in July

• finished baby K's quilt. All I need to do is sew a label in.
• stocked up on some clearance yarn at walmart
• decluttered my kitchen cupboards (I tackled the worst one, the others will do)
• finished Emma's quilt top
• donated 6 (1) garbage bags of clothes to the local thrift shop.
• cut up a garbage bag full of t shirts for t shirt yarn

dang, I know I got more done than this, but I can't remember :o)

Weekend

Its been a fairly cool weekend here.
I have gotten a lot done around the house. 
Six bags of stuff to donate to the local thrift store,
plenty more to go to the dump.
(We usually burn most of our garbage, but still in a burn ban)
Still lots to do. Maybe this surgery is the kick in the butt I need to de-clutter.


I even got some sewing in.
I got my quilt for baby K back from the quilter.
I wish I knew what his name will be, they aren't telling, want to put a label on it
Got the binding on this afternoon,
tomorrow I will do the hand stitching at work.


I will post a pic when I finish.
I don't think Amy reads my blog :)

duh me!

I was thinking I could do some sewing when I am off work for a few weeks.
I just realized I will not be able to iron.
Ugh.
I am probably in the minority here, but I love to iron!
Instant gratification.
Maybe I can buy a cheapo lightweight one...hmmm...
Or I may have to stick to crocheting and watching movies. 


I have been such a blog slacker.
This was supposed to keep me sewing and hold myself accountable.
Now I am in this frenzy to get my house spic and span.
Good Lord! 
What if someone comes to visit me?
I would die! 
I am such a hoarder lately.
Don't get me wrong, its good stuff.
Just don't always have a place for it.

Neurosurgeon

I have decided to have my C5&6 fused. 
I am scared.
I will be in good hands.
I have tried everything else. 
I am getting by. But its hard to be in such pain every single day. 
Dr D was very sweet. Seemed shy, but confident. 
He told me straight out I would probably not be better.
Nerve damage heals slowly, if at all.
But he feels the weakness in my arms and hands will not progress. 
He promised to get rid of the bone spurs that are pressing into my spinal column.
I am ready for this step.




I think.

Laundry Soap

Here is the recipe I used for homemade laundry soap

1 (76 oz) box  20 Mule Team Borax (in the laundry aisle)
1 (55 oz) box Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (laundry aisle, next to the borax)
1 large bar Zote soap ( I got this from Amazon.com, you can also use a bar of Fels-Nappa also found in the laundry aisle. I picked Zote because it was pink )
1 (4#) box  Arm & Hammer baking soda (store brand would be fine, found it in the baking aisle)

Grate the bar of soap. I used my food processor. The soap was very soft, so using a hand grater would easily work too. I didn't worry about 'contaminating' anything, its just soap.  I dumped the borax and both sodas into a small rubbermaid container with a snap on lid. Then added the grated soap and stirred with a heavy plastic spoon. If you are doing this in a smaller container, you may want to add layers of the ingredients to make for easier mixing. 

I also added a container of Purex  crystals. Just so it would smell good. Honestly, I think they are a little over-powering so will probably skip this step next time. I did fill the empty purex container with some of my new detergent and use the lid to measure. half of a lid full got my clothes clean and fresh!

So far so good. I think it cleans well. We live on a farm and trust me, we get dirty! 
It doesn't make suds so I am hoping it will be easier on our septic system and washer. 
The best part? You only use 1 tablespoon for a load. (I used 2 tablespoons for Scott's super grungy barn clothes)  this is going to last a long time!! 

Edited: I read another recipe, just like this. Substitute a small box of Tide detergent for the grated bar of soap.  Make it easier. 

Hoping

and praying that sweet Dr D says no surgery for me.
(I met him before and he is pretty nice as far as surgeons go.
 Most surgeons I have dealt with are jerks)


I have a bunch of questions if he does recommend it.
I also have acupuncture first thing in the morning.


Allison and I are planning a little shopping after my appointment.
At least part of the day will be fun
:)

Weekend

I finished the quilt top for Emma. 
It actually went pretty quickly since its just a patchwork of large squares.
The worst part was getting them arranged....who knew a random look was so hard to do??

I know I bought some of this for the back. --->
But I can't find it.
I hate when that happens. 
Has to be upstairs somewhere.


Scott had his class reunion Saturday.
Man! Some of the people in his class look OLD!  LOL
All those girls that tanned in high school are some wrinkled 48 year olds. 
We overslept on Sunday, missed church
Scott had a headache anyway. Wonder why???  LOL


Sunday evening I made my first batch of homemade laundry soap.
I had to wash a couple loads right away.
I was impressed, dirty barn clothes came out nice and clean.
Even smelled fresh!  
Believe me, farmer and 100 degree temps make for some very stinky clothes! 

Friday

I picked up a copy of my MRI yesterday.
From what I can see
   (not like I know medical terms but after a few years of this I am learning a lot!)
it looks like my neck is stable. I think.


I got an email my pain clinic doctor,
he got a copy of the report too and actually knows what it says!  
He said he wants me to keep my appointment.
I knew he would say that.
Gotta start my list of questions to ask. 
I did lots of research a couple years ago when I went through this, 
this time I am not. Not yet anyway.
There is a lot of good information online, there is also a lot of crap.
And there are also icky pictures....I don't want to know what the inside of my neck looks like. God gave me skin for a reason! 


Oh we did get a little rain on Wednesday evening!
About a half inch
Lots of wind before the rain. Flattened some of our sorry corn
Hoping the rain will help the soybeans and the pastures.  And that it will rain again soon.
Little beef calves are their mamas are looking kinda thin.

going crazy

don't mind me, I am just thinking out loud here


I am making myself batty worrying about my MRI results and my appointment with the neurosurgeon next week.


Should I have surgery? If he even recommends it??
My primary doctor, pain clinic doctor, and my my brother's brother-in-law doctor, one of my chiropractors...
all tell me to do it.
I am not so sure.
The thought of spine surgery scares me.
REALLY scares me.

I am a little more open to the option of a disc replacement
but insurance says its experimental 
(excuse me but I don't think of 20 years of successful outcomes to be experimental but you don't listen to me)
Although one insurance rep told me to find a doctor that would plead my case and fight for me, It could get approved.


If I have fusion there is no turning back.
What if I am worse? What if I can't turn my head? 
You can't live in the boonies country and not be able to drive, I would be totally isolated. 


I worry way too much
I got that from my grandma and my mom
I can still hold out hope that my neck is stable and I can keep putting this off.
But it hurts so much I am miserable,
Chronic pain wears on a person. 
But I have met my deductible this year already
Still have about $4000 more to go in co-pay before I max that out.
But if I wait, I will have to start over again.


See? I flip flop a million times in a day.




arrgghhh
I need a nap and that is so not going to happen.
Tomorrow I am going to pick up a copy of the MRI and get the radiologist report,
hopefully I can see what he thinks

work in progress

A little rearranging
A little more stitching
A lot more pressing
And figure out something for the backing
Hoping this  baby will be finished in time for Emma's August birthday
I love the red and black
and the big squares

MRI

I survived. 
I kinda figured I would ;)


Darn, no Steve. He has done my last 4 MRIs
Oh well.
I had forgotten just how loud and annoying that thing can be,
just counted the thunks and bangs until I lost count
then I started again.
And again.
ditto. 



I made a potty stop and got a diet coke at McDonald's on the way out of town.
Someone was watching over me.
I missed a fatal car accident by minutes   :(
(I am sad for the family, I knew Jerry, was a very nice man, quite a talker)


Today would have been my mom's birthday. 
She was my angel, telling me to "pee when you get a chance"




I have goosebumps now.

t-shirts

I brought a tote bag full of old t-shirts to work with me today. 
Decided to cut them into long strips for t-shirt yarn.
Not sure what I will do with said yarn.
It might made a super soft bath mat someday. 
Upcycle.  Its a great concept. 
But who has time? 


I also have a tote full of old blue jeans....hmmm  :)

No Idea

I have no idea why this song has been stuck in my head all morning. Christmas in July maybe?

Now you can listen too!
 Maybe it will get stuck in your head
and I will not be the only one singing like a silly elf!


:)

Pain clinic

Today I saw my doc at the pain clinic. I am  concerned about my worsening symptoms
 tingling, dropping things, weakness in my hands, dexterity issues, losing feeling in my finger tips. He is more concerned than me. 


He poked me with the pin. (They all poke me with pins.)
tested my strength in my hands and arms.
Sat and chatted. 


He scheduled am MRI for Friday, At least I can have the MRI close to home.
This way I get the nice MRI guy, Steve, he knows me well after all these years.
and a visit to a neurosurgeon in a few weeks back in LaCrosse.
I don't like that.


I told Michael, 
(and pretty sure he knows this about me since I have been seeing him for 4 years now.)
The thought of spine surgery scares the crap out of me.
But I also know there will come a time when putting off surgery will no longer be an option for me.
I am praying the issues with my neck have not gotten worse and its just nerve issues...oh wait - then I might have to have an EMG...dislike those!


On a lighter note, we went to Rudy's for onion rings . Yum :)
Then Target, got nothing exciting there.
And a few groceries on the way home.

too hot

Obviously, I have few followers.

Probably because I have few posts.
Its just too darn hot here to do anything you don't have to do.
Sewing in my old house upstairs is unimaginable.

I have some yarn and a potholder pattern here at work.
But the thermometer in my office says 94.
Bleeeccchhhh. I hate hot, and this big old brick building holds the heat like an oven.
I am not about to touch yarn! LOL

I really feel for people working outside.
And those milking cows, don't miss that on these hot days.
I just talked to one of my farmers and he hoped his cows would survive.
Oh the poor cows just pant when its like this :(

Someday I will be creative again.
In the mean time, pray for rain. Our corn crop is beyond hope now. It is tasseled out but will not make ears. We can only hope for moisture and be able to get some hay baled. It will be a long winter and feed costs will be unbelievable :(

Yay!

Acupuncture is amazing.


I still have pain, but I can lift my arm again. 
You don't realize how often you raise your arms until you can't do it.


Really wish Scott would go to acupuncture school ;)

Dry weather

OK people. 
I know its dry. 


Seriously, quit bitching about your brown grass and wilting flowers. 


Farmers livelihoods depend on their crops getting rain. 
You think food is expensive now? 
Just wait.


This ends my rant for today. 

Secret Pal Afghan

Before (I did use more yarn, this is just what i started with)
















I finished this a couple weeks ago, just got around to taking a picture. Its teal and cream, I think it looks more blue in the picture than in real life. Its for my church secret pal for Christmas. 


After

July

July 1 - time to make a to-do list

• square up what I have sewn to far and...
• finish sewing Emma's quilt top
• Add binding to  baby K's quilt (must get it back first)
• cut up old t-shirts for crochet rugs
• start sorting squares for I spy quilt
• spend lots of time at acupuncture, Jim thinks he can help my shoulder   Yay! 2 visits and I can lift my arm again :)
• try to get into the pain clinic, I have a list of questions for my doc there and hate doing that much by phone or email.   I have an appointment next Tuesday. 
• putting Aaron's t-shirt quilt on the back burner til he comes home and tells me which shirts I can chop up =D

Last day of June

Instead of listing all the things I didn't finish in June. 
I am going to make a positive list.

• Got squares cut for Emma's quilt.
• Started sewing them into pairs.
• Sorted through several totes of out grown kids clothes. Have some to donate, other to repurpose and still more back into the totes because I can't part with it yet.
• Crocheted a pile of dishcloths.
• Have a half afghan done, using up odds and ends yarn.
• Made a mug rug from my cousin's birthday and got it to her in time! 
• Went to my in-laws to check the dog when they were gone overnight, found they were using the most adorable enamel bowl to scoop dog food. I asked nicely and they gave it to me...the bowl, not the beagle :)

99 things

Since it is too hot to crochet and work is quiet...I had to do something....


the things in bold are things I've done.
Gosh, I am boring!

1. Started your own blog - several
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - to church
7. Been to Disneyland -
8. Climbed a mountain -
9. Held a praying mantis -
10. Sang a solo - I sing in the car
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightening storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - yes, I am just winging this sewing stuff
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning 
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse, of the moon yes, of the sun no
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset -
31. Hit a home run 
32. Been on a cruise - any no desire to!
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person, I was 6
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied -
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance - twice
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - gosh no, I hate water
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud - always made mud pies as a kid
54. Gone to a drive-in theater - where I first saw Grease!
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business -
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - No, but bought plenty
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy  - but think it got donated to charity when my dad moved :(
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle - not a fan
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car - I love my Subaru Legacy!
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury, been on jury duty, but never chosen for the jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby - three !!!
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Finished!

I finished the afghan for my secret pal. YAY!


remind me to post a pic when I get home from work.
Ok, so totally forgot to take the pic. 
Jill has my camera at Badger Girls State this week - so some day!