Friday Night Sew, It's Back!!

Yes folks, back by popular demand, Friday Night Sew is bad. I am going to try it this time since I have my sewing space up and running now, and I am finding myself at the machine more. Only problem, I need to commit to a day of cutting fabric for all of the projects I want to do. Last Saturday, me and my BFF attended the Modesto Quilt Show and we had so-o-o-o-o much fun! I think it is the best show I have been to in a long time. We originally paid for 2 hours of parking, and ended up going back out to the parking lot and paying for another 2 hours!! I am having a hard time transferring the photos from my blackberry to my laptop, but I am going to keep trying. Above is a picture of Colleen and Nancy Galloway in front of the quilt that Nancy did. It is a beautiful quilt and the picture does not do it justice! Colleen has this pattern and was so excited to meet Nancy, as was I. She is a very gracious lady, retired school teacher, so you know she has the patience of Job! There were a lot of embroidery, and applique-wool and fabric, and a great selection of all types of quilts. I can not wait for their next show, in 2 years! A log of great vendors, and a lot of new vendors. Everyone was so nice and friendly. We had ourselves a wonderful time. We were so tired! I bought a couple of books, and several patterns. Only 1 embroidery pattern though. I think I shocked Colleen! I also bought some beautiful vintage button trim, vintage wooden buttons, and only 1 yard of fabric, green of course, and civil war style. I have such visions of grandeur!! Now I just need to get started, so off I go! Tootles!!

And So It Goes..........

This week, on Thursday, in when a group of us ladies are getting together at my house. Known as "The Girls", we have been getting together once a month to stitch and kibbiz. We are not sure if we all are going to make it, but we are going to make a go. Shirley, aka-Gran, I don't think will be joining us. Her son has been very ill and is doing much better, and they are moving him home here in Northern Cal for him to recover. We are all so grateful he is doing much better and prayer for his added strength daily! We have a newbie joining us, Lonnie, my buddy from BP. I can't wait to see her. I will try to remember to take pictures to share. Saturday is a quilt show in Modesto that me and my BFF are going to attend, can't wait!! Then Saturday afternoon, we have football to watch-playoff game. I think my BFF and her honey will be joining us at our house, we will see. It should be a great week-end, I cannot wait! I don't know if anyone else has been following the news regarding the floods down in Queensland Austrialia, but it is just horrible! I know everyone here in the states are praying for a speeding recovery for all! Hope everyone has a good rest of the week!!

Goodbye To Orca

Tomorrow morning, I will have to do something that will be very gut wrenching to me, I am having to take my beloved dog, Orca to the vet to be put asleep. Needless to say, this was not an easy decision for me, but we could not watch him suffer anymore. His poor, weak hips had not much strength left, as brave as he tried. He sight and hearing are fading fast, his voice is gone. How I feel guilty thinking back when I scolded him for singing to me in the wee early morning hours of summer, (1-2 am), wanting to play Frisbee when it was much cooler for him. I miss him singing to me while I have my morning tea, or when I pulled in the driveway. In fact, that is how I got the name Orcsmom. The whole neighborhood honestly could hear him talking as any of us pulled in our driveway, and they would say, "Oh, its Orc's mom". Thus, my personal license plate was ordered. I was very grateful when he did this when our son would come home, late at night. No curfews were broken for fear Orca would tell on him! He was a very good dog, pal and therapist. I could tell my problems and concerns to him and he would patiently listen, and I would hug him, scratch behind his ear and kiss his head, and off he would go looking for the neighborhood cats to chase. We would play tag together, he would jump on the back side of my legs trying to knock me down, and I would spat his butt, as he tried to fishtail out of my range. I lovingly would roast him carrots to eat, feed him 2 big stick Popsicles a night, knowing his love of ice. Grill him a piece of salmon for his birthday and 4th of July, or when ever it was on sale, while my mom argued that he ate better than her, then she would share her salmon with him. Lots of good memories, I will always hold close and dear to my heart. Orca, you have been a gem, I will always love you, forever. Enjoy teasing the cats in heaven! You will be missed, greatly by us all!!

The New Year

I am sitting here drinking my morning cup of tea and thinking about the New Year. 2010 has been an interesting year, good and bad, but we made it through to 2011. I am hoping to get more sewing done, now that my week-ends are free from not working at BP, and I am hoping to be able to focus on more UFO's getting completed. I am hoping for a better economic forecast and market, and for the good health I have been blessed with. May it continue on in the future!! I am also hoping to spend more time with good friends and of course, my family. I am hoping to continue on this journey on living life simply, and free of extra "stuff" in our lives. To garden more, a bigger garden, so we can enjoy fresh, healthy veggies. I wish you peace and good health in 2011! May it bring you all you wish for and more!

Merry Christmas!!

It's Christmas Eve here in Northern California, and I know its a very busy day for a lot of folks, so I thought I would do my blog today. We had a short day at work today, so hubby and I were able to do a little shopping and have lunch out together. It was really nice. We came home, he is snoring away, and I am going to start the binding on a quilt that has been waiting for a quite while to be done. Tonight, hubby will make his world famous tacos and we will go to church for Christmas Eve services. Tomorrow, we will get up and have a nice breakfast together and open a few gifts and enjoy each other's company. Most likely we will all be taking naps if the rain pays us a visit to us as expected. I wish you all the Merriest of all Christmas' and Best Wishes and good health for 2011!

Bah Humbug!!

I don't know about you, but I have been hearing a lot of this lately. Yes, I am sure I am also guilty, inside at least! It has been a rough year for a lot of people, and I try to convince them and myself, it has to get better, it just can't get any worst! But still, folks are still feeling the pinch. At the Bump house, we had a meeting to discuss our situation, and came to the conclusion, that simple is best for us. We could really use with a lot less stuff and just enjoy being in each other's company. Our son wanted a fresh tree, so his present to us was a beautiful, fresh tree, and the best part, it was only $20. Our present to him, very practical items, undies, thermal tops, big bottles of shampoo and multi packs of deodorant, and a couple of other much needed and appreciated items of use. Hubby and I usually don't get each other presents, although, this year I bought him his fishing license, which is what he really wanted, and I know he got me something, but not sure of what it is. I did notice that my $4.00 coupon for a Brita Water pitcher is missing, so maybe that is what I am getting. We plan on spending the day together, although our original plans were to go on a nice, long bike ride, but due to the weather, I doubt we will be able to do that, so the back up plan is to watch all of the Indiana Jones movies, one after another until we complete the series. I look forward to this time together, for soon our 23 yr old son is moving out, and I know that I will miss him even more. What are your plans for Christmas day??

A Wonderful Give Away

RetroMummy is having a wonderful give-away of Lecien Fabrics, which are so adorable. Go to her blog and sign up. Even though she is in Australia, it is open to all everywhere! Good luck!

www.retromummy@blogspot.com