Monday, February 22, 2010

Reno Nevada Trip

This past week-end, hubby and I headed to Reno Nevada for our annual Cal Ripken Baseball Conference, that we attend every Feb. We had a great time with all of the folks from the Pacific Southwest area. We get updated with headquarters, new rules and changes in rules, go over tournament sites, new procedures and policies, tournament draws, hear whats going on in every one's area. It really is a fun conference. I had plans to go see the Gee Bend Quilters exhibit, except for the fact, I came down ill with a really nasty headcold, and as you can see from the pictures, 1 1/2 feet of snow fell while we were there, so I thought I should stay inside, in fact, I did sleep quite a bit, which was probably the best thing for me. I am feeling a bit better, just a little worn down, but I am on the upside of mending which is a really good thing. I do not do well being sick, I can't stand being held down for nothing! I am hoping the exhibit comes to the Sacramento area, we shall see. For now, its time for another nap in between doing reports for work. I hope everyone is doing well and having a good week! Until then, hugs!!!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Gee Bend Quilters

This week-end, hubby and I have to attend our annual conference for Cal Ripken Baseball in Reno, Nevada. I know, life is rough, however, the silver lining for me, is that this past Wednesday thru April 11th, at the Reno Museum of Art, they have the Gee Bend Quilt exhibit, so guess what I will be seeing. I am so-o-o-o excited to have the chance to see this exhibit. I have read about the Gee Bend Quilters, read testimonies on blogs, and in magazines, but nothing in person. I am hoping to be able to take some pictures, so keep your fingers cross and check back next Monday for a report. In the meantime, during the conference, I will be stitching and listening. Have a wonderful week-end everyone!!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

What's Up?

Not much new here in Orca land. Work is work, and I am sure by now, everyone is tired of hearing about my job. So, I thought I would share something about my favorite dog, Orca. This morning, while drinking my morning tea, he was watching me through the sliding glass door, as he does every morning. Except, this morning, he was looking particularly cuter than normal, so of course that means an extra treat. Well, he took the treat, and walked around the patio and yard, just letting it rest in his mouth. He finally walked over to the other side of the fireplace, and all I could see was his tail and rear end. I knew exactly what he was doing, he was seasoning his dog treat, AKA-burying his bone! He then turned around and looked at me, and this is what I saw, (see picture). A nice big clump of mud on his cute nose, and of course, Orca looking at me like, "What, what are you looking at? What did I do?" I just hugged him and went on my merry way to get ready for work. Don't we love our dogs??

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Busy Week

Yes, it has been a very busy week for me, and I am sure with everyone else. My job is my top priority right now, so not much time for stitching and fun stuff, which I am sad to say. I know I need to nitch some time in my schedule for me and for my stitching, but after such a l-o-o-o-ng
day, it has been hard to mustard up the time. But it will get better!! My long awaited box of veggies and fruits showed up yesterday, and when I got home, late last night, I was pleasantly surprised and delighted! I immediately cleaned the veggies and got them ready to include them in our meals. Both hubby and son were very pleased with our "goodie" box, and hubby even commented that he does not think this will last us past a week. We originally signed up for every other week, so I most likely will be changing that this week-end. I am also sharing the box with my mom, who is on a limited income as most seniors, but mainly because I want her to eat more healthy and fresh veggies and fruits, with out the pesticides. I have a good friend who lives north of Sacramento in Yuba City that has 3 kids, and each child has their own raised garden that they are responsible for. Her husband and his father also raise bees and harvest Organic Honey, and she is bringing me a couple of jars. What a treat, I cannot wait! I am especially excited, because I saw someone make a Carmel sauce out of honey, and I am dying to try that! I can only imagine how yummy that will be, and I am also looking forward to sweetening my hot tea with some of her honey. Well, off to work, have a wonderful Thursday! I am looking forward to this week-end, for I get to play at BP & HH and I also have my wool penny class with Gran! What a double treat!! Hugs to all!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Reports, Reports, Reports

Today was report day, and not only the normal reports that I am required to complete each Monday, but an additional 2 more reports! My eyes are so tired from working on the laptop, that I am sorry to say, I am not able to do any stitching tonight! That does not make me happy, because I was looking forward to doing some stitching. I was not able to do any yesterday due to the Superbowl game being such an exciting game. I did try to do some stitching, but every time I would stitch, something exciting would happen on the TV, so I finally gave up and just watch the game. Last year for Mother's Day, hubby made me a light box, but he made it really too high. He had good intentions, he thought that the higher it was, the less bending I would have to do. Sadly, it was not good for tracing, because the light was not close enough to show through the fabric to trace the pattern. So, he cut the box down, in half exactly, and now, it is perfect! I actually have an extra frame for another light box, minus the plexiglass and light, but my son's girlfriend, who is quite artistic, has taken ownership of it. She has always wanted a light box to enlarge pictures, and was quite impressed with the box hubby made me, so I think it has found a new home. My son has some extra plexiglass for the top, and she is getting the light. Well, my eyes are ready to close, so I am saying good night. Have a great week everyone!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Fresh Farm To You

Hubby and I were watching a show on California Organic Farms, and they were talking about a service called, Fresh Farm to You. There is an organic farm in the Capay Valley that will bring you a box of fresh, organic fruits and veggies to your door, whether you want it weekly, every 2 weeks or monthly. We both looked at each other and said, "Hey, that is for us!!". So, I went online, and signed up. They come to Galt every Wednesday, and they have a variety of sizes and selections. We chose the small fresh fruits and veggies, and for $23.00, we get a very large selection of seasonal organic fruits and veggies, just enough for us with no waste!! We chose to receive it every other week, just to see how it works. We can always change our schedule, and you know what, we are both pretty excited about it. This will really help us to eat healthier, and it will cost about the same if not less than what I have been spending with a lot less waste. I will let you know when we get our first shipment next Wednesday. As far as this week-end, I am finishing up Colleen's birthday gift. I also went through my UFO's and I am going to try to get one done this week. I also have a tote bag ready to put together. I have already made one for myself, last year, but I wanted to make one for my hubby's Cal Ripken secretary for our annual conference that we will be attending in a couple of weeks. Also, Super Bowl is this Sunday, but we will be having a very quiet game, just hubby and I. Son is going to a party, but that is ok. We will enjoy the game just the same. Are you doing anything for Super Bowl, and who are you rooting for?

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Miss My Kimmy!!

In case you haven't heard or read, Kim is out for 2 months. I received a call from Carol at BP to let me now that Kim's class Saturday has been cancelled and reschedule for April 3rd. How am I going to survive without my Kimmy? I have coffee with her, (I mean her blog) every morning, I will be at a lost. Now I have that out of my system, I want to say that I hope Kim is healing and getting better everyday, and she will be back in no time. I can still see her and talk to her, but like a lot of you, I started my day off with reading her blog. So, I think we all need to head over to her blog and wish her a speedy recovery. In fact, they do say that prayer is a powerful thing, so how about everyone saying a prayer for her speedy recovery and she will be back even faster! Take care my dear Kim!!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

What's Going On?

I have been asked this question by several people in the past couple of days. What's going on in my life right now. Mainly from a quilting/stitching point. I have a couple of Schnibble patterns that I want to make, and I even signed up for the Schnibble monthly program through Sinta's blog, but I haven't started them. I have been working on a birthday present for you-know -who, and also on a challenge that Gran gave us Knot-y Ladies. I also am continuing working of Happy Hauntings, from CrabApple Hill. I have 3 houses done now. I have several UFO's started that I am trying to complete in accordance to Gran's challenge, 10 in 2010. I have class this Saturday at BP&HH, Baa Baa Black Sheep, by the famous teacher, Kim Powers. I can't wait. She shares her wealth of knowledge and tips on wool, felting our own, and a couple of patterns along with a kit to make of her patterns. As always, these classes of Kim are the best I have ever taken, not to mention you certainly get a lot more than the cost of the class. She is very, very generous, and since she is such a good cook, she even feeds us. Now, I am hoping that the week flies by so Saturday gets here even sooner! What have you been up to?