Cool Mornings Are Such A Tease!!

We have been having some wonderful cool mornings here in No Cal! They are such a tease as a taste of Fall! I love Fall here in No Cal.  That is one of the main reason we moved up here from So Cal., was Fall.  My husband drove me through Land Park, November 1988, and boy, was I sucked in by the sheer beauty of the midwest look and feel! I love the cool/brisk mornings and evenings, and the wonderful warm afternoons with the sun glowing softly! A time of hearty meals and lots of baking, and hopefully time well spent at the sewing table! Oh yeah, how could I forget, the warm, cracking of a fire in the fireplace!! A cup of tea and some handwork or a good book to enjoy the fire. Haading out to the pumpkin patch, decorating the house, inside and out for fall! Yeap, as tradition at our house, every Labor Day is when we decorate for fall.  My hubby plots out on paper, yes, paper how he will decorate for Halloween, his favorite time of year. It takes him a couple of week-ends to get it all done! I love to decorate the inside of my house.  We will get a 1 week delay this year since we will be heading down to So Cal for Labor Day week to remodel my inlaw's bathroom.  They are getting older and need some major items changed out, and well, the floor needs to be replaced, base boards, and with the new fixtures and all, we really should paint to make the whole thing complete.  I don't mind, they derserve it. I have wonderful inlaws.  Very loving, caring and generous.  Great role models for me and hubby.  54 years of marriage! My MIL has lots of good advice for me!! Have a great Labor Day, and enjoy the thought of Fall is almost here!!!

Yoga, Ouch-a!

I have been busy working on projects, and trying something new, yoga! I really should say, OUCH-A!! The instructor said sit on the mat, bend your legs and put them together.  Well, I bent my legs, together, and my feet went together, but that was about it! She said don't fret, do what you can, your muscles just aren't limber and stretched out, so I did. She kept saying, do what feels comfortable to you.  What feels comfortable to me, sitting in Starbucks, sipping an icetea!! But, I stayed with it.  I do have to admit, I did feel better when we were through, but the next day, you guessed it, I was sore! But I am staying with it, I am not as sore, and I am getting more limber!! This is not the sort of yoga that Gran used to make us do before Knoty Ladies, that is for sure! ;-) I had my second class of Charm School, the project, was Say Thank You.  I am using a very old line of fabric of charm packs, Regency II.  I loved this line of Civil War fabrics.  My son has promised to show me how to download from my I-phone this afternoon, so keep your fingers crossed!! I also have Drop In Applique at Ladybugs's in Manteca with the World Famous Lisa today, and I hopefully will finish my 1st block of my Dollhouse quilt so I can send a picture to the gal that is running the monthly group.  I just hope I can get my legs and torso untwisted to go! Have a great week-end everyone!

Summertime!

Whew, I don't know about you, but to me, summer is flying by soooooo fast! We have been busy with baseball tourneys and just plain life in general.  I have been getting a little bit of stitching done.  Embroidery-some kitchen towels for Christmas, a Halloween Pillow-pattern from Crabapple Hill-The Pumpkin, working on Charm School-finishing our first project-Say Please, Disappearing 9 Patch quilt, a stack and wack quilt top made from Reproduction/Patriotic fabrics, and some other old UFO's.  Not to mention I am FINALLY getting a sewing room.  We are removing the bed from our extra bedroom, since we really do not have a lot of overnight company, and I will make that into my Quilting Heaven! I have also been attempting to keep up on our yard work, since I am still not working and both hubby and son have been working a lot of overtime. And yes, the pups are still keeping me busy, but they do not command my immediate attention as they use to, so that has been extra nice for me.  I have also been working on a couple of BOM through my local quilt store-Fabric Garden, Merry, Merry Snowman-Bunny Hill Designs, and Garden Party-Buggy Barn.  As I mentioned earlier, I am also doing a Mystery BOM, it will incorporate different techniques, which is really good for me, since I am not a good piecer.Tonight I have Stable Group, which I really enjoy.  The ladies are very helpful, creative and inspirational! Plus we all go to dinner after, love the fellowship! Hope everyone has a great week-end.  Still trying to figure out the photo thing on here!!

Father's Day

I know everyone knows that today is Father's Day.  My dad lives 5 hours away from me, so I will have to call him this afternoon.  Our son took his dad fishing bright and early this morning.  They still are not back as I write this post, but he did post a couple of pictures on Instagram.  No fish yet, but I am sure there will be plenty to talk about.  Our son works for the same company as his dad, so they carpool almost everyday to work.  Since this has been going on, a little over 1 year, I have noticed that they are closer to each other, and there isn't the tension between them any more like it use to be.  This really makes me happy, but sad, my little boy has grown into a young man, someone whom I am very proud of.  Of course, I did not raise him by myself,  his dad was involved.  I really should say we are the lucky ones.  Chris has really not given us any trouble growing up, not to say mistakes were made by all parties, but mistakes help us learn and grow. I will grill Marty's favorite meal for dinner, tri tip, roasted corn, roasted potatoes and french bread.  Dessert will be fresh fruit, blueberries and watermelon. I am very proud of the 2 men in my life! Wishing all of the dads out there, and single moms who had to be both mom and dad, a wonderful Father's Day 2012!!

Time to Get Squeezed!!

Yes ladies, we all know what that means! I use to have to go every 6 months, now I go once a year.  My mom has lost both of her breasts to cancer, so they consider me high risk, even though they say you cannot inherit cancer.  I rather be safe than sorry.  I know so many people, both men and women who have had breast cancer.  Thank goodness, with modern medicine, they are able to detect it sooner than later.  My doctor is part of a group that teaches medicine, UCD, so they are pretty much on the new stuff fairly quickly.  I do receive excellent care from every doctor I have came in contact with there.  Even the techs, nurses and volunteers are very gracious and knowledgeable.  I use to dread this day, but now, I embrace it, make a big brew ha ha, treat myself to a nice breakfast out.  Today, I wasn't able to do that, but I did have a very nice chat with a very good friend of mine who has had cancer, and she wanted to tell me she was proud of me and make sure everything went OK, and it did.  I do cherish our friendship and thank God daily for it! Wishing everyone a great rest of  the week.. Tomorrow, I have "Charm School" at Fabric Garden.  Thursday, I have "Garden Party", and Friday I have Drop In Applique at Ladybugs. I will fill you all in on it later this week.  Hugs!!

What A Lucky Gal I Am!

Today, I met up with some ex-co-workers.  One of them had moved up to Alaska when she was laid off and was down here for a visit.  It was sure good to see her and hear about how much she loves her job and Alaska.  She is a live in care taker, and she is very fortunate to be employed by a very nice older man. She loves to hike and the outdoors, so Alaska is perfect for her.  Our ex boss held it at her house, and fixed a delicious lunch of shredded chicken tacos with all of the fixings, yummy black beans, chips, salsa, guac, and mini cupcakes.  Of course, we had margaritas, Strawberry Lime and Mango.  Yummy!! It was so relaxing sitting on her patio, laughing and catching up.  We are trying to plan a trip to Alaska to visit our friend, I hope it works out for us! Other than that, it has been a slightly warm day here.  I am looking forward to putting my feet up and enjoy some stitching.  Here's hoping everyone is enjoying their weekend, and have a great week!

PS-I am going to figure out this new blog stuff, I promise!!

What I Have Been Up To!!

It has been quite awhile since I have posted on my blog.  A lot has happen and I won't bore you with all of the details.  Job, family and simply life took over and I just could commit to blogging, not that I gave it up completely.  I enjoy reading every one's blogs.  I can learn a lot and be inspired by them, and I was.  A lot has also changed in my life and family.  We have 2 new members, to replace Orca.  Monty and Minne, brother and sister, yellow labs, who I simply adore.  I feel like I have 2 new grandchildren.  I am taking care of my mom, but that is a good thing.  I rather be the one than some stranger.  I still have not gone back to work.  Right now, me not working is best, financially, its a challenge, but in a good way.  We are living well, simply, and learning that you can get along without a lot of extra stuff.  I have been very lucky to attend an embroidery retreat, and LOVED it! I have a group of good friends that I am able to hang out with and be encouraged and have fun with.  I have time to give myself to enjoy my friends and life itself.  I have been doing a lot on thinking and contemplating, and made some positive changes that I feel really good about.  Going back to blogging is one of those.  I need to apologize to anyone I have not been honest with and I will admit that I flaked out of a exchange, due to family issues.  I am very sorry, and I hope you can forgive me.  I am not asking for pity or advice, I just needed to clear out the cobwebs, sort to speak.  Once I figure out this new blog system, I hope to post pictures of my new 9 month old pups, and to share what I have been working on.  Until then, take care, and take time to enjoy the day!