Best/worse/What did I learn today? Chat with friend old & new..all welcome..

It's been a damp, dreary day here. The sky looks like it wants to do something but can't make up its mind.

Betty I will soon be joining you. Going to have a hot shower and soon lay on the bed.Ache too much to even think of eating. Maybe later I will have a piece of toast.

Have been thinking a lot about Barb and Norm - they sent me the most wonderful Santa Warren parcel last year. In it was a vest and a very warm good looking pair of mitts that I use almost daily these days. I am thinking about turning them into idiot mittens so I won't lose 1. I have more mitts and gloves that I only have 1 of so often wear mismatched items on my hands.. My work gloves are the same.

Pat my niece moved to Oregon after teaching in India and Jakarta for 5 years. She has super computer skills and got a job quickly. I don't understand the whole thing - I think it is 1 of those jobs she can work remotely Anyway good luck to your son finding a teaching job.'

Where's Susan today ? Maybe that wallpaper swallowed her up.

For those of you who read I stumbled upon Shalini Boland and she is an excellent writer of psychological thrillers. I've inhaled 3 of her books. This Kindle has taken me captive.

Stay safe and warm

Hi - sorry, been busy - didn't get the wallpapering finished Dianne, but Bub & I have been driving around from town to town. We played Crib at the Senior's centre today, as we do every Wed afternoon. After Tues crafting I stuck around and finished cataloguing the 100 pocketbooks that were donated by one person. Lovely books too - in new condition 😊
We also go have coffee some afternoons with the Seniors in another town - Trochu. Lovely people there.
Tonight I've been busy baking squares & making 2 batches of ice cream for our Bowling league Christmas windup tomorrow. Yes, Christmas is coming. Hard to believe it's less than 2 weeks until then
Betty - I agree, it sounds like you may have a pinched nerve. Hope the new sling you made continues to help.

Morning all, will be overcast today but no snow, high of 28..tomorrow a bit of everything.

Susan, you are one busy lady, don’t overdo and then be in bed for Christmas, easily done..guess you are trying to get visiting all your groups in case bad weather arrives in your area. Bob still ok? Haven’t put my arm holder on because I need both arms right now.

Dianne don’t you just cherish gifts sent by friends..am sure Barb is smiling from up above.as for the aching it’s that damp cold weather giving us the whatfor..hope you got a good nights rest. Have you ordered more books to get you through the Christmas season? Guess you could get some from library or do you like increasing your library. Aline was a book fanatic..also missing her

Was up early and made a mess making Mel her quilt ladder,sawdust all over, just have to cut angles for better positioning against the wall then staining time..Barb and Norm are in my thoughts as I do his project.

Bailey called me last night to say my last pair of beer mitts and janice’s 3 are ready so will meet up with her again in Warminster, about a 20 minute ride..leaving here at 9:10

Will give me just enough time to cut what is needed and clean up

As you can see Santa’s Workshop still has one hard working elf.

I do hope you are not lifting that heavy equipment.

Oh oh, did, needs to be done..just stained it and now ready for warmminster drive

Not sure if it’s a light mist of snow or light freezing rain,guess I’ll find out

Safe travels Betty,

It is damp, very cold and dreary here.

Have my Kindle loaded up with new books to read.My house is bursting with books. I have wall to wall, floor to ceiling bookcases in a couple of rooms There isn't any space for even 1 book.

Pat have you found a day you and your DS can go shopping ? Renos moving
along ?

Congrats to Inuk and Sharon.

Need to go and find breakfast.

LK is the new med helping you ?

Stay safe and warm everyone.

Sis and I have not found a day together yet. It might have to wait until after Christmas. Her remodeling is moving along, when contractor finishes HER job, they are headed to my house for the new bathroom.
Today the new carpet goes in the guest room, we put furniture back and move the last of the stuff out of Kevin (son) room, I finish painting and Friday HIS room gets new carpet.
I talked to friend who is employed at Pasco school district and she says there are over 150 job openings NOT permanently filled! GREAT chance that son can get on as he has teaching experience in Korea and China, does speak some Spanish but does not have his Masters in Teaching yet. Pasco is hiring on Provisional certificate they are so short handed.

Betty, love your quilt ladder! one of these days I'll have the time and space to make one! (if the remodeling and visitors are all gone?? LOL)

100 like new books!! YES, my idea of heaven. I hate when Ben reads my books, he is so hard on them. Mostly now he reads on tablet, not book. I have written down the Shalini Boland name so I can find some of her books.

Susan you have been social butterfly!

Yes, new heart meds are working great.

I have a Sony Dianne, with over 1,000 books on it, haven’t been reading so there it sits in a drawer,should get it out.

Trip to warminster went well, we both pulled in at same time

Pat, might be better after Christmas when you have more time. Sharon won’t get back til Tuesday or so weather permitting and I have those 3 candleholders she bought from my sale so at some point we’ll have to meet up.

I’ve given Greg and Mel so many quilts that the ladder will come to good use. Stained it but it’s soooo damp that it will take 2-3 days to dry enough to put the satin finish on..oh well still gives me plenty of time to glue together.

Should nap before girls get here tonight but that will screw things up so maybe I’ll make hot chocolate and look on Pinterest for ideas lol

Pat - with Ben being so hard on books, I'm glad to hear he uses an e-reader!
LK - so happy to hear the new meds are working well 👌❤
Betty - like you, "overdo" is my middle name 😁🤣
Without family here, I try to do what I can to make it Christmas as much as I can. Today we went to our bowling league Christmas Fun Bowl, and had 4 games - 1 regular, 2 fast paced Bingo bowl, and another regular. On frame 5 of the last game, I fell on both knees - hurt like the blazes & brought tears to my eyes. Bob finished out my game & did a wonderful job 🤣 He bowled better than I was. Got me a 167 game! Bless his heart 💕
I put ice on them right away and brought down any swelling, and at home I've used the hand massager - seems to be feeling better now.
I haven't finished the wallpapering yet - 1/2 way done. I made some ice cream & did some baking yesterday, so I hope to get it done tomorrow - maybe 🤣
Going shopping with Carol tomorrow, at her request. She wants to take us out for Chinese but Bob doesn't want to go. I'll go with her, though.

Morning,

Calling for quite a mix today, rain,sleet and snow so gives me the day to work on moms quilt..need a case of wine for those stockings in midland but if weather not good it can happen another day.

Oh Susan, let’s hope that you are ok this morning, sometimes the worse of it comes a few days later. Enjoy Chinese.

What are you up to today?

Time for coffee and eats then downstairs I go..

Sorry to hear about your knees. Take it easy.

My knees seem to be fine, thx
it's 5c / 45F right now, going to 8c / 49F! woooo hoooooo heat wave!!

37 here, we’ve had freezing rain

Rita called, she will drop in and spend the night, break her trip north..wants me to help her finish a few things she needs for her brothers party tomorrow.

The pain in my shoulder and neck is at the worse it’s ever been..just heating up warmer for neck in hopes it eases pain, pop aa few meds, spray ice/hot and hope I’m merry for my company lol

She will get here around five so if the sander has helped the roads I’ll head to foodland and pick up pre cooked food.

Kyle turned 23 today, asked him to drop in for his gift, hoping he comes before I go out.

Happy birthday Kyle.

♫♪Happy Birthday, Kyle ♪♫
Betty - so sorry that you're having increasing pain. Besides heat & rest, what meds are you taking for it?

Falling on knees, when you already have problems with them is the pits. I'm relieved to hear they are better today.

Were you able to get some relief from the neck and shoulder pain Betty.

Evening, mild day, went to. My sewing class and drove 1/2 way there in fog..nope, neck shoulder still not good, I’m running my bath, then Tylenol 3 and relax..was a l9ng day..on good side learned quite a bit, love my angel a pillow, can see I’ll be or rather embroidery machine will mKe lists of angels. Lol

Would love to see the angels.

Need to put ribbon the hang it but a quick project..omg our ancestors that’s took days to tat these would die to know it takes an hour

Sitting down hand sewing pillow binding..I used left overs and it’s too light, will make 9ne us8ng rich greens etc.

That is beautiful.

it was embroidered on the machine? it sure looks like tatting!

Went to the neighbourhood church's community Christmas dinner - it was a potluck & I took some cherry cheesecake streusal bars, and they were a definite hit 👍
Lots of good food, for sure!!!!

did you use the dissolving stabilizer? A friend made me a number of those a few years back.
Helped my sister with some of her Christmas sewing today.
Headed to bed.

That is beautiful, Betty!

Glorious day out there, sunshine abo7nd..

I’m just going to do my hair and pickup a few things, have company coming for supper as the carollers, Greg/Mel and their group are coming between 4-5 so I’ve a few things I need

WNt topics up flowers to make fresh table arrangement.

Just did 2 angels for joanne and Suzanne who are coming for supper and put bind8ng on moms quilt..I’m in a productive mood.

What are you sewing for your sister Pat.

Susan will this week be as busy as last for you.

Thanks Deb..did you hav e your day with your daughter?

L8ndakay, What was your quilt group work8mg on?

Karen,his gies the battle,almost organized

Where is our Debbie, missing her

Dianne sure hope you are getting this sunshine

On a mission so besti get moving

Vertigo has descended.

Stay safe and well. My bed is calling me.

Sis was sewing a cape for her granddaughter, the costume "Heramane" is that right? the female character from Harry Potter.. So we worked on vest, adapting a tie, and this cape. She had the skirt already made. Created a coordinating fleece scarf. The big collar of the cape didn't make any sense to her. I would have chosen to make it a little differently but it is NOT my project.

Cold and damp here.

I was also touching up a painting she bought, a 5 panel scene of 2 birds on a branch with blooms of some kind, "red" and white blossoms. She wanted the painting to be more 3-d and the red a truer red. Bought paints and got the first go around done. I bought a paintable silicone that is clear that I will touch up the edges of bird's wings, branch edges etc. Maybe sprinkle TINY bit of sparkle on a few of the branch edges.

Trying to wrap up Christmas stuff. Making Scramble and maybe puppy chow today. Still have wrapping to do. Our family Christmas in MI is next Sat. Really looking forward to it. Still have boxes sitting around our room, waiting until bathroom is redone before they get unpacked. Other than that our room is pretty much set. Downstairs is in good shape, we still have work to be done in kitchen but after the holidays. Other work is proceeding slowly but surely.

Dianne - hope the vertigo settles down & goes away soon. I've heard how debilitating it is.
Pat - Hermoine is someone I was thinking of being next Hallowe'en. I found a Hermoine magic wand & as Harry Potter is a favourite of ours, I had to get it of course lol
Betty - a different busy lol At church one of the congregation gave me some wool to do a Prayer Shawl, so I have my marching orders lol The colour is so pretty - sort of a seafoam green.
Also, Tues will be a small Christmas party at our crafting group, so I'm going to decorate the room, and today I'll make some treats for it - Cherry Cheesecake Streusal bars - they are Delicious! Took some to the Lutheran church's Community Christmas dinner, and they disappeared lol

Sounds like everyone is getting ready for Christmas.

Betty, not much going on at quilting. Quite a few are traveling. Monday is the quilting group Christmas party. Pot luck style. I am bringing my Bailey's Irish cream fudge.

My brother was moved to Colorado springs for rehab. While eating his lunch he started to choke. They did a swallow test, and his food is going to his lungs, not his stomach. So they had to put a feeding tube in. May have been a small stroke?

Pinot goodness at all LIndakay..will they keep him in the rehabilitation location or back in hospital? Love those pot luck gatherings.

Oh Dianne, so feel for you, vertigo is beyond being ill, it’s so debilitating..

Pat didn’t know you were a painter, your project sounds interesting.

Company came at 3:30, carollers at 5:00, everyone got to enjoy the carollers sing 3 sons, over 20 of them.was nice seeing a few young ones out with them.

company could see I was in mega pain so they’ve just left. I’m going to tidy up a bit then bedtime

Oh Linda Kay - how scary! I hope they can re-divert the food to go to the stomach.

Beetty - lovely that you got carollers. I remember being a caroller & also having carollers coming to the door. More often than not we sing carols at the church as we will later in Dec.
I am now a permanent fixture at the front of our church during service, leading the singing. I sit back in the congregation otherwise, in the first pew; We don't have a choir, but people do appreciate hearing someone sing with them and it encourages them to sing louder. I love singing, so it's not a problem lol

AW thank you for the proper spelling Susan! My husband and his family are great Harry Potter fans but me, not so much. Just could not get into it. Where did you get the wand?: Not sure what sis is doing about that.

Karen, right now YOU are further along than we are!!! My living room is a disaster! The carpet layer did ONE room and was suppose to come back Friday but at the last minute postponed until Monday!!! We have everything from Kevin's bedroom in our living room. I have to walk sideways to get thru in some places! Everything from Kevin's closet is all over the big dining room table, etc, etc...

I really had a melt down Friday when I was told carpet layer wasnt' coming until Monday. I was soooooooooo looking forward to having my living room back and things cleared up and functioning again. oh well.

I realized I had written a post and then not sent it! going back and reading what I missed.

Linda K, when you said feeding tube, do you mean the kind down throat, or into the stomach at belly button level, directly into stomach? 2 years ago, after the brain surgery, Ben did not pass the swallow test 3 days in row and MD had announced to me they were going to put in a feeding tube, I said "NO, let me think about it". Fortunately, he passed the test that day and I did not have to make a decision. It was scarey.

Betty, I have not painted ANYTHING in years and years and wasn't particuarly good at it then either. This isn't much better than paint by number that I am working on. Only painting I do nowadays is furniture and walls! I fell in love with watercolors after an art class I took and would have loved to have taken some classes. Maybe some day.

One Christmas I got an opportunity to buys cases of frozen juice for literally $2 a case and we delivered that. We knocked on the door, emotionless faces, stated deadpan, "Merry Christmas, we don't sing and we DON"T bake" and handed the friends frozen juice and walked away. THAT was fun, to see the stunned faces.

I remember caroling a little with my sons. Let's just say, they didn't sing traditional songs in the traditional way.

The restroom door said gentlemen, so I just walked inside
I took two steps and realized I've been taken for a ride
I heard high voices, turned and found the place was occupied
By two nuns, three old ladies and a nurse
What could be worse?
Than two nuns, three old ladies and a nurse
The restroom door said gentlemen, it must have been a gag
As soon as I walked in there I ran into some old hag
She sprayed me with a can of mace and smacked me with her bag
I could tell this wouldn't be my day
What can I say?
It just wasn't turning out to be my day
The restroom door said gentlemen and I'd would like to find
The crummy little creep who had the nerve to switch the signs
'Cause I got two black eyes and one high heel up my behind
Now I can't sit with comfort and joy
Boy, oh boy
Now I'll never sit with comfort and joy

Oh my, that's a very different version.
Pat, I hope you'll try to take more classes in watercolor. It's my daughters medium of choice. She's taken several classes and learns something new in each one. One class she took at the Outer Banks was an outdoor on the beach class and she thought it great fun.

Betty it do seem you are over doing again..or still. you really do need to be easier on yourself. We love you and need you around.

I don't know if it is a tube down the throat or in the stomach. He is staying in the rehab place, as they have Dr.s on duty. They did the procedure there.
Pat, I sure hope you get things put back in the bedroom soon.

Morning all, high if 38,sky is heavy,calling for a mix of rain and snow but will not amount to anything.

Sipping my coffee with yummy muffin, I’ve done a load of wash, tidied up from supper last night, so enjoyed it.

Have 3 sides to hand sew binding on, will sit and watch embroidery machine do a few more angels so relaxing day for me. For the next week it’s just puddling around, hurrah for me.

Pat how disappointing for you but on the good side today is the day and you will be organized by nightfall for sure. Pat loved your story and your rendition of the Christmas carol.

Karen the trip to MI is a long one, sure hooe weather cooperated..Sharon madet home last night, she will reconsider long and hard about doing it again, was a terrible trip for her.

Dianne, you feel8ng better?

LIndakay hope your brother shows improvement today..does he live far from you?

Yesterday I got my flower arrangements done, I’ll have to pick up more flowers and get one made for suzanne and Melanie so I can deliver on the weekend. Used to make about 10 but cut down this year..might not have done any but saw my sleigh sitting there without greenery and thought it was a must.

Well off to get the quilt and sit and hand sew, find that relaxing

What are you all doing today?

Betty it's about an 8 or 9 hour trip. Long day for sure but need to go. Missed Thanksgiving so Christmas is a must. Also Great granddaughter is having a pretty serious surgery on Fri. and I feel The need to check in on her my self. It's Sweet Caroline and she's so upset over missing family Christmas We want to bring as much to her as possible.

Oh poor little Caroline, I HATE missing Christmas so I can imagine how that sweet little girl feels about it! My oldest &wife can't come this year, I'll miss them. She has to work Christmas Eve.

Yep, they are in there now banging away on getting the floor finished, rehanging doors now so I KNOW it's close!!!. Kevin is really looking forward to sleeping in his own bed, in his own BEDROOM. We're hoping it's only 4 months before he can claim the guest room for his. Depends on his brother & family, how long they stay with us.

What's funny bout the caroling is that 2 of my sons have BEAUTIFUL voices, sang in special choirs, won karaoke competitions etc. But they love to do the unexpected.