Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today #64 visit with friends...

Nooo, Maybe I should be quiet,...

BUT,

Yep, there is always a no, sorry can't do it...

We all need em and then somehow someway, We tend to find time, for special people, like our children, grands of all and friends, We just take whatever time...

Why does that have to be being taken advantage of? If We, you, me or Betty makes a choice to do what is what we each think as Love, then we do it!

Kindness...

...It is love, no matter how it is given. Give it, accept it, share.

Keep spreadin the love!

I'm still up..going to call it a day..did read your posts..told Kyle that what I would do is stop at the costume stores in the city tomorrow and check to see if there is such a costume...said other than that I JUST cannot help..even if I brought my sewing machine to work..lol...I couldn't do it..

Told myself have to STOP feeling guilty..the other 3 boys will have new costumes but Kyle kept saying he wanted to be the pop machine we made last year, up until tonight that is...even offered to pick up other costumes I've made that are with Jeff and he said 'no'..wonder if he wants to be santa? lol

OOOPS forgot to say how much I appreciate all of your wisdom....with luck and your patience...I'll turn out to be a great person when I grow up..lol

Night/night

Have a good night Betty, I know how you feel, and I know that the girls are correct.....I tend to find myself in the same boat you are in.......I have never been a person who could say no, enough is enough.......it is most likely one of the reasons I stay stressed out and end up on the medications I am on......I don't work currently, because of some of these issues, so of course it is not a problem for me to run here and do that for everyone....and then wonder why I never seem to get caught up with my own projects....you are right Betty I think we must say good night and all try to have a good sleep on it.....Nite everyone.

Just leaving for the city...telephone rings 6:30 and it's Melanie, 'morning Betty, Kyle wanted me to call and say he's thought it over and if a blackberry is too hard then an ipod will be ok' told her I would leave work this morning as there are 2 costume places a few miles up the road and IF I could find either I'll pick one up..other than that, sorry I just can't figure out how I can do it...

We did though come to I think a plan..I bought her a machine a year ago Christmas and she's been getting together with friends and they call their group the 'Sew and bi*&ch club' anyway, she's able to follow instructions..said while I prepare for my class tonight I'd help her and Kyle...so I'll phone Greg just after I go look and if I can't find one then she'll buy material...

Did tell all of the story, Kyle has Aspergers Syndrom which is at the lowest scale of Autism..you'd never tell except if you were with him for a prolonged period of time...can't take his mind off something once he's made it...so guess that's why I try to help out when I can...

No frost on the windshield today, last of the unshipped Victorian Santa's kits are in the car....then alllll gone...let's hope they get to their destination in 1 piece...

Talk when I get to the city...

Betty-good for you:) Like you said with more notice it was doable...I know you are superwoman and only require like 30 mins slep to function normally, but that still only leaves 23.5 hrs in the day for you;)LOL-JK-you do seem to do an AWFUL lot though:)

When I ask MOM to do things of the sewing nature for me, while I am excited to get them, I am patient and know she only has the same amount of hrs. in a day that I do, so she will get it when she can get it....MOM-was it my DH you were talking about???? Did you call your other son??

laughing at "If a Blackberry is too hard an IPOD will be ok"! Not a clue as to how long it takes to just gather the materials, let alone assemble and put it together! I am guessing that even if Melanie does try to sew it, you are going to end up doing most of the work...

My daughter gives me things like the baby's diaper covers to repair the elastic and then if I don't fix them right away, she takes them back and mails them to people online who charge to sew. Now really, why not learn to do it yourself? She's a SAHM and can do other crafty things. I just don't get it...

what's a SAHM??

I eventually would like to learn, but when Mom moves down here and we can spend time doing it together-right now, just not interested..

It will be so nice for you Stacey to spend time with your mom (Janice)
and learn some of her craft/sewing technique...wish I had someone to share mine with..Melanie's not that interested, shouldn't say that, with working, raising a family and kids in all types of sports she also only has so many hours in her day.. - laughing at the SHAMM....maybe that's what Melanie is...lol

So all the way to work I'm creating (watching my driving though) and came up with some great ideas that are really simplified and she could do with me guiding her while I clean my studio for the morning Christmas Card workshop...

Why don't stores open at 8:00 am...I stopped by value village to look at the new costumes they got in..closed...went to the Party Market - they open at 10, went to the Party Packagers and they open at 10..hello, I've got 1/2 day in by 10...

So here's my thought and DON'T slap me silly...
About 5 miles from here is a fabric store, after over 50 years he's going out of business once all his fabric has been sold..OMG it would take another 50 years to get rid of it, guess he really doesn't want to retire..everything 50 - 75% off...if Iwere to purchase black material and 2 panels of 4" foam, make like a pillow slip - put the foam in add sides and place for head, white or grey material for keyboard - then photo transfer Kyle's picture so it looks like it's a photo on the screen, might work...

Hard part sitting here doing ZILCH when I could be shopping..best make my 'shopping' list for all my projects that I need things for before tomorrow, organize where I'm going shopping for them so I don't backtrack...

Suzanne is just getting ready for the Trustee's office meetings and won't be back

LeeAnn and Cindy, well they are not here so who knows if they are coming in...

Paul is at the other location getting organized

So it's just ME/ME/ME

Talk later

shame Betty-thinking about doing it....

You caught me Stacey...NOT ME but I can direct Melanie while I do what needs to be done tonight can't I????

Stacey, a SAHM is a stay at home Mom as opposed to Moms that work outside the home. Not that Moms don't work at home too, most just get paid in love instead of money!

I learned on my own because I was a SAHM and I wanted to make the clothes for my children rather than buying everything (also because money was tight). My Mom never did much sewing or crafts once we got older, then she passed away before she could retire from work and have any extra time to teach me.

Terri I never heard of "SAHM"...I thought you meant someone who could do something and passed it on to someone else who would...that will have to be my 'what did I learn today'

Looking at the $$$$ cost of purchasing patterns, material, zippers, decorative items for the outfit, lordy, one has to be rich..at one time sewing was done for a lack of money, times sure have changed...

Sorry to hear you lost your mother Terri without being able to share her interests...

LOL,Betty,
Just knew you'ld find a way! to "help"

It's a gloomy day here. Going to rain and be icky cold.
So I said, geesh, maybe I can stay home...LOL DH, said well might as well go to work and get paid to do nothing then stay home and not get paid...so begrudgley, Here I am...but i did bring in Santa material to work on again. Yep Betty, I did get it cut out yesterday. and started sewing the trim on Green Velvet, my it is so pretty.

Hello Everyone...What you all up to?

Oh Betty, I am keeping Sharon in my prayers...Lets hope that operation won't leave her without the use of her legs.

Hi Gilli, Thank you, it has been real frustrating, now nearing the end again. In all the years I've been here, We have been bought many times..So now, I am just so done, never before have I felt like my job was in danger, but the way things are these days and the way operations are going, I will be shocked if they decide to keep me...Just need to know, either way is really ok with me, Got to work at least another 8 years...
I am so glad you enjoy the home schooling with Sonora. What a wonderful opportunity. Today, we have parent teachers conference. I never got a time slot, But I do know how my kids are doing. We stay on top of they schooling and Deal with the issues as we hear about them. Never could understand why they tell you issues only at the time report cards come out...

Well anyway Hope you enjoy the day ahead.

Judy, what kind of trim are you putting on the Santa outfit...haven't had time yet, but a few years ago when the girls were all doing teddies out of mink coats (passed down by moms) and my cousin was hunting, I was the recipient of fur, maybe some could be used on my Santa gown, the one that I will be keeping, where I'll put it? who knows and I have been trying to figure out where I put it...just came to me...was painting a metal can with lid for birdseed, winter design with snowmen and birds in order to hold my birdseed and I think I may have hidden it in there...so funny...

Judy so you get paid for days off? if you don't use them will you get paid if you close or are let go or will they just be lost..if so you are better to take them..

When I retired from the Municipality I got paid 75% of their value which was nice, knowing that I saved them up...nice bonus...

Good luck with the school, sometimes we're surprised...good/bad..lol

Trisha..know about those unfinished projects...try to keep up but some stay by the wayside..eventually I do get back to them...

Yes, Stacey, I did mean your DH. He gave me good advice the other night and I will take it. No, I haven't confronted other DS but I will let him know how I feel.
Oh, I will be glad to help you learn how to sew on of these days. With all the craft work you do it will be a snap to learn how to sew. All you have to do is read the directions! I am amazed at the number of things the new sewing machines can do. Mine is just a simple one that can do many things I have never asked it to do. But the new ones do embroidery and other things automatically! All you do is point it in the right direction.
Betty, your ability to think up your own way of putting things together to sew them amazes me! That I can't do..but I can follow any pattern or follow when someone, like you, shows me how to do something. I'm happy!

Janice, lol...when I got to do oils and trompe l'oeil painting of furniture, they all mix their oils, sit with photo directly in front of them and are so overly into the project....me, first thing I do it throw away the directions and paint..I paint by photo's ..

As for sewing, I can follow patterns but no again I think about what it is I want to do and think up all the variable in the project and hey just go for it...think about it, what can one expect when they order a costume the day before....lol

I have a top line Janome and love it...but it's wasted on me..it embroiders, I have a scanner that goes with it and can scan something and it appears on computer screen, can change the stitches etc. and really don't use it...maybe at Christmas I do..embroider table cloths, Christmas stockings etc. Have done a lot of jean shirts with wolves, deer, bears etc. - did a Noah's Ark quilt with blocks done from the Janome Noah's Ark line...fell in love with the open cut embroidery (bought the disk) never used...have the Austrian Flower disk (bought never used) last Christmas had to have the new Christmas disk (bought / never used) I could live a lifetime and just maybe I might used it...

But I'm a gadget person incase nobody ever noticed..if it's a craft item, I need it...total of 3 high tech knitting machines (one knits on its own) the other 2 my workhorses, the other beginners never opened, always wanted to give it to someone..lol...so lots of things..but when I retire watch out...I'll have the gadgets...

I'm like yu..a gadget person but once I get them I may not use them. I think one of those machines that do everything would be fun but if I don't use what I've got I wont use the new ones.
Once I see things like the block below (my latest Christmas Block) them I want to have a machine like yours. Ain't it beautiful?

What a beautiful block..wish you lived closer...could use mine...boys have no idea how much I paid, think it was in the high $3K with some attachments then bought many more...should really tell them so that if something happens to me, they'll not put it in a garage sale for $20.00 same with all my equipment...

Forgot to give you the answer to yesterday's question of the day....

It takes 4 colors...

Betty put a price tag of what you paid on the item. That way you don't have to hear"you paid what for this! "

lol Vicki that's a great idea..grandma used to have stickers under everything and I mean everything so that if she passed on we'd know who to give it to..odd thing, some of those stickers went missing....

Told my girlfriends that after the funeral they were to all come over with shopping bags, rather they take it than a garage sale...

OMG if I put a price on the articles if I weren't dead I soon would be...lol

How are things going Vicki any signs of snow yet?
Gardens put to bed?

Would imagine this is your busy time at work...

Todays question of the day...

78% of women say they won't get "romantic" with a guy for THIS reason...what's the reason?

Know the answer???

Oh My Gosh,
Janice that is beautiful!!
I like to make things as time permits. My mom taught me how to do Bead work and make a few items before she passed away. We spent much of our time conversing via phone. She lived in Wi. But she would always take some time to teach me how to make a little something, on visits...I enjoy all the time i can get doing crafts with my kids. They learned very young how to sew and do beadwork...They are teenagers, so not into crafting much, but every now and again, they will suprise me with something they've been working on "secretly"
Oh my gosh, that machine sounds splendid. i think i would just be afraid to work one of those. But yep you should tell them and I think i would write a note and tape it to the box!

Well Betty, i used all of my days already!! had 20 1/2 at beginning of year. If i still have any, i would get paid for it. which is I think only a half day left. Thought i better save it just in case...Otherwise If I now take any days they will be without pay. But i figured, heck I was off three months with out pay, so whats a day here and there if i need them...IF i am still here come Christmas, I will only need to take 2 days to go to Florida. Then I will regain 21 days of vacation for next year...Very confusing but i got down pat.

Oh the mink fur sounds wonderful!! Mine is just fur from from Joannes. After the practice Santa, Now my green velvet I know where to place it...All around the shawl, on the bottom of Robe and the ends of the sleeves...

Ok, we are having a Chilli cook off, so got to go taste and choose the best. 5 dollars to tast and vote. All money collected goes to united way...Later we will have a cosume party, 1 buck to vote...I just go for all the fun anymore, meaning I don't participate. But still donate and have a nice fun friday.

Things are busy at work and at home.Not enough time to keep up with all the threads I like to. But will try to pop in once in awhile!

Just found out my sister has Breast Cancer. She goes to see the surgeon monday morning to set things up. I have put it in someone elses hands and I will not worry! Hope your sister comes out fine also!

No snow yet. Not even a flake! Still working slowly on putting things to bed. But it is hard when there are still some flowers out there!

From what I heard we have gotten the bulk of our Xmas merchandise at work. Now those orders will be smaller. Hurray! Now it is getting all that stuff out.

Have to go and check the stew and cornbread I have cooking for supper. Then it is just warm up when I get home.

Chili cook-off, sound great...serves 2 purposes..filling to tummy and helping a family...counting the minutes now, 15 in total..I've 9 places to stop - 6 of which are in Toronto..have items marked clearly so that I can run in/run out...I'm so hoping to be home by at least 5, if I'm a good girl and don't dwaddle might be 4...

Have to watch myself at the material shop..that's where I got the velvet reg. $29.99 for $6.99...need mega maroon but will get these projects cleared before I start Mrs. Santa...

I don't like to sew in the sewing room, feel so secluded so brought sewing machine out and it's on dining room table, that way it's bright and I can see people walking...don't mind the time I spend sewing that way...

Judy what costume are you wearing?

Can I come for supper Vicki...
I am so very sorry to hear about your sister...let's hope it was caught in the early stages and with meds she'll be fine..know what it's like to have a sister ill...is yours nearby where you can visit and give her support??? I'm 100 miles from mine and with driving to work 100 miles each way every day by the time I'm home I just can't seem to go visit...maybe Sunday aft. we'll see...am waiting for her call to tell me if she's being moved and when the operation is..she thought maybe today! We'll both try not to worry but both will pray for each others sister..her name is??? my sister is called Sharon..hard when you are alone, she's quite worried, tells my mom but not me...

Calling for more snow this week so a few more things to do outside, when, who knows, but do know they MUST be done...

Off to the races...
Wish me luck

Betty her name is Linda! It's a 45 minute drive. I don't drive in the city she lives in. Phone calls are long distance. But we will see how things work out. Lots of construction where she lives also. Makes driving harder and they are terrible drivers in that city.

Vicki, sorry to hear about your sister, we will definitely add prayers for Linda along with our Prayers for Sharon.....at least the two of you are reasonably close to your sisters....we are here in WA and my sis lives in NY!!!! It is often years between visits for us. She has a lot of back problems and my BIL has been fighting very severe headaches for years.....I think they have him making visits to the Mayo Clinic now and are beginning to make a little progress......can't imagine what it would be like to have headaches all of the time!

Trisha that's not good...sometimes I don't see her much more than 3 or 4 times a year..talk on msn daily though..

Just got in...I'm annoyed, want to know why, was going to tell you anyway....lol..

Went all around Toronto looking for that blackberry or ipod costume..one would think you could phone and ask if they have one, NOT, because the are so busy their phones are either busy, do not disturb or mailbox full so visited them - NO GO...so drove back down where I work to purchase material/foam - open Fridays NOT..closed.. I then go to Value Village which is much like SallyAnne's but they have new costumes and Halloween decorations so found for $34.98 a beer can costume..now I know you are asking, why a beer can costume when he wants to be a phone or ipod...well the backing is silver, the structure is already there, sewing icons on a piece of material then simple sewing it on the front would make the project easy ..ended up purchasing everything I thought I needed..

Did the remaining stops I had to do re tomorrow's workshop...bought some nice ribbon/paper etc. even purchased a 'make your own sticker machine' and additional cartridge needed incase we get carried away, gased up the vehicle, gas was down, that made me happy, got homemade soup to go, thought I'd guzzle it down then start cleaning studio and Melanie / Kyle would come over....

Now here's the amazing part..

Telephone their home - no answer so I leave a message...

Think they must be in town, call Greg on his cel..he answers and when I ask where Kyle is he tells me tonight is the night his tutor takes him to the movies...so I ask where Melanie is, said she couldn't come over because SHE had plans for tonight - made on Tuesday and couldn't break them....

SOOOOO hmmmmm...ggggeeeee...much like my plans right?

So I'm going to have my soup, take my bath, come downstairs and start re-organizing and cleaning to accommodate 12 people in the studio...then sit and enjoy what will be left of the evening...

IMAGINE THAT!

Are you ready?? Look what Mom made me-a couple mos ago I was in Joann's (have been searching for the right comforter for years to no avail) and they had THE fabric for 75% off!!!! So I got it-cost me about $30 all together and this is what I got back!!

ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Good for you Betty!!

a close up-that is actually a fern green border:)

WOW, lucky you to have a talented mother...colors are striking...much better isn't it when you can purchase colors to match your decor...elegant looking...when did she give it to you??? when you were up in Frankenmuth???

Love the chest you have in the front of your bed...

Going to scream, know you've heard it before...ear ache..ran across the road to Bernice's she wanted me to see where she put all the giant geraniums she wants me to bring home tomorrow as they might be out, then again when I showed her the cards said she might come over and do the class...if I keep showing everyone can you tell me who I will be able to make them for...didn't think of that I didn't..lol

Yes, Betty, I gave the duvet to Stacey for her birthday. It is a king size and a silk acetate. D... thing slide all over my dining room table when I was tryig to sew it. i thought I would go crazy with all the weight of the material and just the size! But, glad it is done and that it looks so good and that she likes it. Was worth it all!!

Betty, how did you make the card you gave me in Frankenmuth? I was looking at it again today and just love the design and colors. Would love to know how it's done. Don't tell me you just thunk it up on your own or I will just die. LOL Pattern, pattern, what about a pattern?

The course Janice I'm teaching tomorrow is the 'Iris Folding' Christmas Card workshop...just finishing all my packages so that tomorrow I can also play...lol

there are patterns...I just tried to make one at work to look like a fairy for Stacey, didn't have hardly any materials so couldn't..also did yours there...just simple folding of wrapping or scrapbooking paper cutting them in 1/2 inch strips, or can use ribbon, the girls are doing 2 tomorrow with ribbon, taping in place on a template # in sequence...

I'll get through tomorrow and then I'll show you...

You did a fantastic job on the douvet..can imagine it slipping and slidding..lots/lots of work..a 'treasure made with love'

Still no Kyle..lol...

Melanie called awhile ago and said they realized that he wouldn't have a costume for tomorrow so he was ok with that...would have been nice if they'd have called me at work to tell me, would have save mega aggravation...

Back to doing paper cut-outs..

Thanks... I wish I could just scoot on over and take the class. Would be nice to take some of your classes; they always sound like so much fun.

I, too, am unhappy with a son. No biggie; he just hurt my feelings and I'm sure he has no idea. I'm going to have to find a way to tell him (or it will fester in me) without hurting him like he hurt me. Sometimes I think Mom's have to have higher degrees in diplomacy.

Diplomacy, what's that? lol...

Kyle called and asked me about my plans for his costume so I said come over and we'll go through it...dad says he'll bring me over tomorrow grandma...

Didn't I just tell him I was doing classes tomorrow..kids-big and small...what would I do without them though..

Called Sharon, wow, she's on a real downer..know she was fighting back tears..said 'you'll have to come to see me' yep...4 hrs of driving, now which day will that be???????

She said "I've some family" mom doesn't work, SIL Kim doesn't work and they live 1/2 hr. from the hospital..you'd think they would take turns to go see her as she's alone.. NOT...I don't know, sometimes I just get so tired with people who always want but never willing to give...sooo have to go through my schedule and see when I can go after work..problem is she's waiting to be transferred downtown, even further... I know it must be overwhelming for her, only 1 day did I not call, all others I call at least twice..she's has a son 41 who lives in her home, offers nothing financial (thinks because she's well to do there is no need) she's kicked him out a hundred times yet he's still there...I would say it's all of 10 minutes to get from her house to hospital, she asked him to bring her ginger ale, a few cosmetics and didn't he say he was tired...I'll tell you I'M ALMOST tempted to drive there and pack his bags for him...

Aren't I being nasty tonight...time to go to bed..must be because I'm tired...

So dear friend, thank you for being there, keeping me company, being my friend...

Tomorrow, will have a house full of friends to entertain..a fun morning for sure..told them to be here at 8:30 to noon..let's see what happens...

night/night

No Betty you are not being nasty.....it sounds to me like several of them need to have a good boot in the rear......the son especially deserves an extra Large boot! Get a good nights sleep, may tomorrow be brighter...