Life -but cute life this time

After what seemed like life just tripped up & fell right on top of us -this cute little bundle of "LIFE" just popped in today. His name is Cory Jacob-he is almost 3 months old & he is "bundle " that belongs to our grandson & his partner , Jade. His Daddy , Ronnie came today to help his Grandpaw work on the truck that died yesterday. He brought our young friend, James & they all worked to put a head gasket on the truck. I guess the truck was just sicker than they thought because it blowed the head gasket again - only worse this time. So while the "guys " were out working themselves to death in the Cold / snow flurries - Jade & CoryJacob were in a warm house with me. ( or it would remain warm as long as I remembered to feed that stove~)

I did not manage to get even one Good picture because this camera is showing a black screen now too - so I just point & shoot & hope for the best. I loved his little dinosaur outfit with the little "shoes"built into the set.

 Father & son as Father attempts to eat his bowl of beans before Pawpaw drags him back out into the cold to work on that truck.

This is a new outfit -after he burped all over himself & his Mama. He still does not know what to think of that old woman following him around with that thing that shoots lights at him.

I did not manage to get even one good picture of this little guy when he was at his absolute cutest. He is only 3 months old -yet pulls himself up in your lap to look all around & then talks a mile a minute in baby talk . I know it does not sound like much- but I had never heard a baby have an hour long conversation with you continually. You know how they screw their little faces up while they are concentrating so hard. Sometimes it was just a "happy conversation" & sometimes it was like he did not think you were paying attention so he would really let you have it then.

He was totally cute & funny & full of himself the whole day. His Mom is having back problems & has an appointment with a back doctor tomorrow. I sure hope they can offer some help -because you know how hard it is to have a baby & a bad back at the same time. I know that Jade did most of the work all day long-but by the end of  the day I was a whipped pup-even if he does only weight 12 pounds-but Grannies have a way of forgetting how hard it is for young Mothers.

So, needless to say I did not get my sewing attended to. They are calling for 4 inches of snow tonight- I hope it misses us . They are coming back tomorrow to work on the truck again if it does not snow.. I fed them beans & cornbread & cranberry scones today . Then I had cornbread & buttermilk for my supper tonight & here it is after midnight AGAIN- another day Gone . I just noticed that next Sunday Daylight Savings starts & I HATE it! I despise it - I loath it - do you get the idea that I wish they would just leave our time ALONE!

I ran across this interesting article this after noon & it caught my attention:

Finger length

Comparative finger length can tell you a surprising amount about your likelihood of having certain conditions. Typically, men’s ring fingers tend to be longer than their index fingers, while in women it’s the opposite. Women who have a “masculinized” pattern, with ring fingers longer than their index fingers, are twice as likely to suffer from osteoarthritis, according to a 2008 study published inArthritis and Rheumatism. The study found osteoarthritis of the knees to be more common in both men and women with longer ring fingers, but the effect was most pronounced in women. Longer index fingers, on the other hand, are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer in women and with a lower risk of prostate cancer in men. A 2010 study found that men whose index fingers were noticeably longer than their ring fingers were 33 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer.

Why? Scientists aren’t sure yet, but they believe finger length is affected by exposure to varying amounts of the hormones testosterone and estrogen in the womb. Longer ring fingers indicate greater prenatal exposure to testosterone, while longer index fingers suggest higher estrogen exposure. Since breast cancer is estrogen-fueled, longer index fingers correlate with higher breast cancer. In men, more testosterone is linked to a higher incidence of prostate cancer, since one fuels the other. As for the osteoarthritis connection, scientists don’t have a clear explanation yet but think it may have something to do with the way hormones affect early bone growth.

What to do: Women who have longer ring fingers may want to be on the alert for weak or sore joints, particularly knees, and get injuries or soreness evaluated. Men who may be at higher risk for prostate cancer should be proactive about PSA testing and talk to their doctors about additional testing as well. All women should have regular mammograms for breast cancer screening; if you think you may be at higher risk, talk to your doctor about increasing the frequency of mammograms or scheduling an MRI in addition.

Some researchers believe that finger length should be used as a criterion for more comprehensive cancer screening, but this is controversial. In the meantime, follow suggested guidelines, and be proactive about getting all approved tests.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/7-things-your-hands-say-about-your-health.html#ixzz1oDbNRuH5

Life Gets In The Way

It started as a really nice , quiet morning. I woke early & went out & did all the chores-came back in quietly because DH was still sleeping . He had a rough night last night so I knew he needed the rest. I did not even stop in the kitchen to get a drink because I was afraid the noise would awaken him as he was asleep on the couch.

I made it to the sewing room & got on the computer to clear out emails & such. He came by shortly after & said that he had been out to the stove , but he saw that I had already filled it so he knew I was somewhere. LOL We fixed breakfast & I went to do the dishes-yep- that was my mistake for ruining a quiet morning.

The silverware drawer has been broken for approximately the last month. The support under neath of it gave way & it would either hang way out & thus you would bump it -or - if you pushed it in -then you could not get into the second drawer for the potholders???? It was a mess-but I had hopefully hoped that DH would feel like fixing it. But this morning it was the last straw for me - I got his drill & a screw & I was attempting to put a screw in to hold the broken support -just so it looked better & would be out of the way . But- NO- DH did not want that & he said we would go to town to get one & do it right?????? MISTAKE!

I did not want to go to town-but there was no derailing him. We made it to the little town where the hardware was located & IT WAS OUT OF BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!  But he found some cheaper gas so we did get gas. Then we went to the next little town at Lowes building supplies & he found the support-yea!

We pulled out of the parking lot & the truck made the most aweful sound so we coasted into another parking lot. DH went in & got some oil -but it was too late to save the day. The motor was going -but we made it out of town & to a little country store a few miles from our  house. DH used their phone as we had Both left ours at home today????

He called a neighbor who was kind enough to come pick us up. He is such a sweet neighbor who was working at a local tire shop & was helping a co-worker when a piece of steel flew into his right eye. It was horrible - so much pain , but they thought he would be alright -wrong-now they don't think he will have but maybe 5 %sight-so he has been learning to drive with one eye & you would never know he had a problem. We also have another neighbor who only has one eye & he works for the local pop company fixing their pop machines.

We made it home & I was so thrilled - changed clothes & went out & did evening chores while DH called our oldest son who has a trailer and he & his wife came & picked up our truck & brought it home. The grandson & a friend are suppose to come in the morning to help DH pull the motor & work on it. Needless to say - time marches on. I went to lock up the chickens & was actually glad to take that walk up the hill - just to have a quiet moment to destress.

Even Yukon came over for a visit- always ready for a good "ear-scratching".

I ran across a nice tip today for clutter -  you just never know who it might help. As for me - I am still looking for that magic lamp with the genie! LOL

Hello and welcome back to your Declutter Fast newsletter!

Your home truly is your castle. And you deserve
to make your home a place that brings you serenity
and good feelings, 24 hours a day.

A long time ago, I figured out the "Doll House"
method of making a place into what you really
want it to be.

This is because I had a playhouse built in my
back yard. It started as a bare wood playhouse
with a bare floor. I had the playhouse painted,
and then I tiled the floor myself (about 64
squares of stick-on tile - it made all the
difference in the place).

If I'd had that place as a kid, I probably would
have spent all my time there, but my own kids
spent very little time in it. But I love the
playhouse because it's like a "perfect" little
home.

Even when my own home had too much clutter, I
refused to let the playhouse have ANY clutter.
I put cozy kid-sized armchairs in it, plus
some colorful kid-sized tables from Ikea. I
added lamps, a bookcase, a cute rug, a fold-out
chair-bed, a tiny TV set, and a mailbox.

This playhouse was always the no-clutter-zone
and it made me feel happy to look at it! It
still does!

It helped me to realize that at heart, I was
a spartan soul who liked ORDER and no clutter
whatsoever! And I know you like order too!

Later I decided to try this "doll house"
technique in my own home. I would take one
room at a time and make sure it only had what
was needed or pleasing to the eye - and not
one bit of clutter in sight. It works wonders!

How can you do this? You take away the things
which are making ANY sort of clutter - and put
them somewhere else for the time being.

Putting your clutter out of your sight is very
important - because every time you look at it,
this has a draining effect on you.

This way, your home can be your beautiful
"doll house" right away. You've moved and
contained the clutter for the time being.

Then, when you have time, you can systematically
go through your clutter. It WILL eventually be
conquered!

For more fast ways to declutter your world,
check out my book "Declutter Fast."

      at http://www.declutterfast.com

Every effort we make adds up.

Here's to order in our lives!

With love,
Mimi Tanner
Author of Declutter Fast - How to Get Your Home In
Order Almost Immediately!
http://www.declutterfast.com

Sorry - kids - I just ran across this recipe:

Blackberry Scones
(Makes 6-8 scones)

Ingredients:

For the scones:
1 – 1 1/2 c blackberries 2 c flour 1 Tbs baking powder 4 Tbs sugar 4 Tbs butter 2 eggs, beaten 1/3 c milk 1/4 c sour cream
For the crust:
1 egg white 1/4 c sugar

Directions:

If you are using fresh berries, wash them and then stick them in the freezer for at least a half hour. This will help the berries maintain their structural integrity when you work them into the dough.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Combine the flour, baking flour, and the 4 Tbs of sugar in a bowl. Cut the butter into chunks and work it into the dough until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Stir in the milk, eggs, and sour cream and form a soft dough.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board. Fold the berries into the dough. Be careful not to overwork or smash the fruit.

Pat the dough into an 8 inch circle. Now it’s time to make the sugary crust. Beat the egg white until it is frothy and then spread over the top of the dough. This will seem soupy and strange, but go with it. Sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar over the egg whites so that the top is covered and the sugar is absorbed by the egg whites.

With a floured knife, cut the dough into wedges. The scones will expand a bit in the oven, so keep this in mind when you cut them. Carefully transfer the scones onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake 18-20 minutes until they are lightly browned. Wait until cooled and then enjoy.

Furbabies like new things to

If any of you have a furbaby like my Miss Blondie (on the right) She has always loved to sleep under the covers when cold weather arrives. So, I accidentally hit upon an idea I like & she really enjoys. I sewed two pillowcases for her favorite pillow -then put each one on the pillow on opposite sides. That way the first pillowcase covers the pillow & the second one she uses like a little tent& pulls the covers over top of herself.

I think that Miss Blondie had fallen off to sleep & Miss Honeybear decided to try out the new covers. LOL  Funny how they "spot" new things just like humans do? LOL

It was a perfectly lovely , sunny day today & I got 3 laundries all hung out in the pretty sunshine to dry.
Then I got online & ordered the parts for my little sick Tracker vehicle. Yes, she is sick - her clutch, pressure plate & throw out bearing have had it. So, we will see how it goes.

I have just taken a small carrot cake from the oven & am letting it cool for me to put the cream cheese icing on it  & now I have to tackle those bills once again. Can you believe how fast this past month has gone? It just seems like the other day when I did the bills for February . I hate for time to fly by so fast -just making me older quicker-but in this case it gets the weather closer to what my beautiful flowers & fruit trees need. If it turns back into a deadly cold I am worried about their survival. ????

Well, work to be done - have a wonderful , blessed day!
linda

Hump-Day?

What is it about "hump-day"? I think for me it is the combination of a week rolled into 3 days? I had that eye appointment  this morning so I got up early to do all my morning chores & feed us & then off we went . My little vehicle is making a bad noise . I am worried it might be the transmission , but I am the worrier in the family - DH always thinks if it "ain't broke - don't fix it"!

We did make it to the eye doctor on time . I totally love my eye-doctor . He is about the same age as our oldest son & he is the only doctor that I actually love to get to go see. He is kind &  gentle & has a quiet personality & he always makes time for his patients to talk to him. He does not make you feel like he needs to dump you out the door -just to see the next patient. I probably also love him because I have never seen "Needles" at his office. :LOL
I could not believe that he gave me such a good report - :for my age"! LOL  He checked my macular & is keeping an eye on it. He said the vitamins I was taking that he had recommended was helping & this time he changed it to Icaps with omega 3 oils. I told him I knew I was needing more omega 3 oils anyway.

I asked him IF they could reuse my frames & they said to check next door & if they could not then there was a way-maybe. With DH guiding me next door we did ask & they said No. So, back we went & she told me that he had a practice in Galax & they filled prescriptions there . He warned me that when they take those frames off sometimes there is the possibility of them shattering  & that sometimes instead of 2 weeks it had been known to take up to 6 weeks. So, I handed over my precious pair that had fixed not only my ability to see but also my fibromyalgia pain from trying to wear just regular frames. These are those extra-light-weight frames that cost me a fortune & that was why I was trying to hang onto them.

I told him I had a spare pair that I carried with me for emergencies & I would fall back on them. These were the ones I had made the week before I had these made & I could NEVER wear them- believe me after the eye drops wore off & I started to see a little - I thought what rotten timing I had picked to do this because our bills are due the end of the week & seeing them to fill them out is going to be mighty "iffy"?  But, you know how bills are -they want their money even if you have to stand on your head.

We had 4 hours to wile away for my counselling appoint & it would save gas if we did not just drive home & come out later so DH went to a fuel oil place & picked up a small part for something to do with our woodstove . I will just have to wait & see .

Then we went right by two thrift stores on our way . I got a small pitcher for fifth cents - I need it for DH's orange juice when I make it from frozen concentrate - and another stop at two health food stores.  We had to stop & get gas & then we made it on time.

My appointment with my wonderful counselor is like being able to just Stop the world  & step off of our world &  be reborn & recharged to step back in & continue our lives. Even if I had the money to pay her - it would Never be enough ! She is Priceless to me.

We finally made it back home & I locked the chickens back up for the night. I fixed us a shepherd's pie with baked beans. We both love the baked beans & we "scrap" over dividing them up equally -down to the last bean- I think I got a few extra tonight! LOL

After we ate I headed to the sewing room with one project , but ended up working on two of DH's lounge pants. The first pair I had made him about 4 years ago now had the pocket ripped out of them - so I got that fixed  & then the pair from 3 years ago where now too short so I added an extension on  them to make them longer.

Believe me I HATE this pair of glasses I am forced to wear right now - so using my dear eyeballs might be very challenging for a while.
O, and to top off the day - we are under a Tornado watch for another hour.
I hope that each of you has had a wonderful day & maybe included some creative pleasures!
Love to all

Remember those scraps from the jacket?

You know how it is - the majority of fabric folks love fabric & also never want to waste any. Maybe partly from that generations old saving - "Waste not - want not".

SO when I had those left over scraps from the jacket yesterday I could not bear to just throw them away. SOOOOOO - I decided to make Miss Mochia a jacket for those cold nights to go potty.. She was actually very patient with me . IF I had an embroider machine that would work I would have added some designs on it, but since mine does not work - I had to settle for a solid coat without any embellishments

. Wonder what she is attempting to tell me?At least she was not like my first chihuahua who Bit me because I was crocheting her a jacket & she got tired of me putting it on & taking it off for measurements! LOL
It was a perfect weather day today-It was one of those "short - sleeve" days & holding my breath worrying
about all these flowers?

Not my "finest" project - but she will appreciate it more when it is freezing LOL

I had a few scraps left so I cut them out  & when I ASKED my machines to sew 6 layers of fleece - they balked on me. The serger just throwed them out away from him -so I moved to the sewing machine & when it discovered that the pile was so tall that I could Barely get the fabric under the pressure foot -even with me holding it up as high as it could go - it asked me IF I was some crazy woman -treating it like it was a commercial machine?????????????? LOL

AaaaHHHH shoot - it was fun messing with their "chips" . LOL
Hope you guys had a wonderful day too. :-)

Double layer fleece jacket-curiosity satisfied

Well, "Sewing  Families" - I am here to tell you that you can make a VERY warm fleece jacket from a double layer of those little fleece blankets (aprox. 6ft. x 8ft.) . It took 6 of them to complete this jacket.

As I cut out each piece from a double layer of fleece I then zig-zagged  all around the piece to keep them even . I think that helped to make them behave themselves and not try to walk all over the place with me.

I tried it own & of course it swallowed me up-but then I rolled the sleeves up to my size -which would be smaller than a man's size & you talk about WARM!  Where was this jacket when we had that blue-blazing cold last month - I sure could have used it!  LOL

Of course IF my dead embroidery machine was working I would have embroidered something on it -like maybe an eagle flying on the front? So, without embroidery - it seems kinda naked to me. I did make one Bad boo-boo & that was where the hood & the front hook together - I just serged them together & I did not like that look, I took them apart & turned the raw edges to hide that top edge of the zipper & I liked that better-except I had kinda "shagged " the fleece & did a satin stitch to cover it. I wish now that I would have used gray thread to do that. But, live & learn. I am anxious to get it to my son & see what he thinks -since he was the one who got me the fabric to play with.

I am pleased to satisfy my curiosity & can state that it is REALLY warm & soft. Both of those work great with my fibromyalgia which likes to complain about everything that touches me. But, I shut him up this time! LOL  If that young man that we got it off of has anymore to part with I might make some for all of the family  and for him too. I am a happy camper when I can make somebody happy - as DH asked Emmett if the young man liked the blankets I sewed for him & the answer was yes- that he did not expect to get that many of them back -since nobody else had returned anything to him. LOL Let's just say I made him enough to make sure he is warn in the winter time. LOL

I did not have hardly Any scraps left over - I am going to check them out & see if there is enough to make a doggie coat,maybe? WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLL I can't stand to throw out scraps if there is a use for them. Plus, I can shred them with my scissors & add them to the bag of shredded knits that I intend to put in another doggie pillow, as I noticed somebody was shy one last night- who knows they probably had a 'doggie- pillow -fight'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

Curiosity Does What????????????

It has been a busy , successful day with ups & downs. The kids came early to cut firewood-matter of fact they came before I had even rolled out of bed. So everybody went to work- I went out & did morning chores while the grandkids went to cut firewood & the oldest son went with DH under the house because our water that runs in the house from the outdoor wood stove had sprung a leak. They had to take it apart & re-work it & turned the basement into a mud puddle-but they got it fixed.

I started on the cornbread & told the kids it would be ready in 30 minutes - so they hung around as they had already worked up a good appetite. I pulled the corn bread out -it was perfect & I put the bowls & spoons & chow chow out & told them to come on. I could see they were having some strange looks- so one of them finally got brave enough to tell me that the beans were not done - matter of fact the beans were not even plugged in. O Yea -one of those times that you want to disappear . Here they were starving & rock beans. Not to worry I pulled out the pressure cooker & told them to give me 20 more minutes & I transferred the rocks to the pressure cooker. I knew since they had soaked all night long that it would not take much to pressure cook them.

I had transferred them to the pressure cooker & now I could not find the lid!!!!! Now, the kitchen is a very small kitchen & there is only so many places that you can look. I even got the flashlight down & rechecked- but no lid? Then Ronnie (grandson) came & was helping me look -when I noticed his partner , Jade was giving Ronnie some more of THOSE looks - so they both broke down & told me the lid was laying on top of a computer that was sitting right BESIDE the stove ??????????????????????? I was not even seeing the computer because it is a "dead-duck" & to me it is not even there - LOL - By now they all knew I had lost my marbles !

After everybody had eaten & gone out doors I headed to the sewing room to regain a little of my dignity.
I had been dieing of curiosity to see if you could take two of those fleece blankets that Emmett had brought me & put them together somehow to make a warmer jacket. I sat & figured & studied & then hope sprang eternal & I decided to just go for it & see what happens. So this was the first two blankets that I started with.

I decided to start with  the front pieces & here is four pieces of the fleece sandwiched together.

I had made this pattern several years ago & I could remember some of the problems it gave me & I was hoping to re-invent my progress to manage a better job.I decided to put the zipper in first instead of almost last because I knew that for ME- this way I have better luck at getting both pieces to line up & not be cock-eyed.

While I was wandering down the path of creativity everybody finished & came in & said bye . Our oldest son , Cory stopped to take a gander at the lousy embroidery machine to see if he thought that piece was bent. When he leaned back to rest his back - Miss Rosie decided that was a perfect time to snag herself some petting. He was not petting her - she was the one doing the rubbing against his fingers . LOL

Cory said that he did not "trust " her because she was at his back & he could not "keep an eye on her". He probably felt that way about it because he has always been the one who gets the best of her when he holds her down & wools her. She does not forget -and she very seldom forgives until punishment has been rendered. She must have been in a gracious mood today because no punishment was rendered. LOL

When quiet returned & everyone was gone I got back to studying that sheet of instructions to see how else I could organize the process -that was when Miss Rosie thought I needed to see instructions in a different light?

I believe that she thinks she is pretty & so do I - but - she is one of the most cantankerous felines that we have ever shared our life with.  But, she is starting to mellow a little - just like I hope we are. Maybe it is her job today to remind me to take little breaks because of the problems that I am having with my eyes. I have an appointment on Weds to go see what is going on with them ????  My eyesight is one of my most treasured gifts - so it scares me to death to have them get sick. At least today they are good enough to see a beautiful kitty with her lovely blue eyes. :-)

 As I was studying the layout now that I had my papers back all of a sudden at the back of my knees little Mr. Bandit jumped on the back of my knees kinda causing them to buckle forward -to get my  attention. DH used to pull that one all the time on me - so I snapped Bandit's picture - he was "caught in the act". LOL

And last but not least is Miss Cocoa who crawled up in my chair to see if she could be of any assistance. She knows I totally adore her & she always makes me smile when she comes for a visit. My goodness after all of the extra incentive I should manage much better.

I Almost got to the end of my journey with this project - but every time I thought I was almost finished - there was another step I had forgotten about - like cutting out Half of the hood & having to go back & be glad I had the left overs to cut the other half of the hood from. I am also making the hood from double pieces , hoping to keep those ears warm when that cold breeze blows through - or - yeah , I only ended up cutting out One sleeve & had to go back & cut out the other double pieces.

I finally did get "pooped" & decided to quit for tonight before I get too tired & start to mess up -especially since I am now down to the hood! I really do have high hopes for this jacket & I will finally "satisfy" my curiosity about using two pieces of fleece to make a jacket to see if it does indeed make it warmer????????