Friday Night Sew In Results

During Friday Night Sew In, I was able to piece and finish the flimsy for the baby quilt.  Katie's contractions have stopped and the IV has been removed.  They are watching now to see if the contractions begin again.  She is really hoping they don't have to do another amniocentesis.  She will know on Monday after another ultrasound if she is able to come home.

I hope to baste and quilt it during the Packer Victory  over the Bears tomorrow afternoon.


Tonight Cole and Kasey were over while DS-1 and DIL-1 went out on a date night.  They had dinner at Applebee's and went to see "True Grit" .  DH asked DIL-1 if it was as good as the original with John Wayne.  She didn't know it was a remake!!! 

                            Go Pack!!!!!!

Cold Morning Moon BBRRRRRRR!

This was the view of the morning moon from our driveway when I left for school this morning.  The temperature was -33 degrees.  That doesn't include the windchill. The tires felt as though they were square as I drove.  I tried for a second picture, but the lens of the camera had frosted over!!
We have had snow on the ground since November 11.  It is making for a long winter.

DIL-2 is on best rest at the St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.  She started contractions after the amniocenteses. She is on medication and an IV to stop the contractions.  DS-2 is driving home tonight.  He has been there since Thursday morning.  They had not expected to be admitted when they went over so they had nothing with them.  Conner and Tatum are at their other grandparents until Sunday afternoon.  They will be here after that during the week.  If the contractions stop and don't reoccur, Katie maybe allowed to come home on Monday and will be on best rest at home.  The doctors are being very careful, if the baby would arrive this premature it would be airlifted to Marshfield, so they would like to have her there if she goes into labor.  They are equipped to take care of the baby immediately. She is at 33 weeks now.  Thank you for your continued prayers and  thoughts.

Tonight is Friday Night Sew-in.  I have been working on the quilt for the new baby "if" it is a she.  I will post pictures tomorrow when I have more accomplished!

DIL-Update

 Please continue hold  Katie and the baby in your thoughts and prayers. They were called back to Marshfield  this morning.  It is about 2 1/2 hours from their home. The doctor looked again at the ultra sound taken on Monday and didn't think they should wait until next Monday for the next ultra sound. They did the amniocentesis  to remove some of the excess amniotic fluid. They removed 1.7 liters. The doctor said she could have removed twice that much but didn't due to the contraction of the uterus.

As of Thursday afternoon,  Katie was hooked up to an IV and monitor. She is having contractions but is not dilated. She told the doctor she has been having pains like this since before Christmas. They may be keeping her over night.

The kids are at Julie's (Katie's sister in Spooner) this afternoon. Tonight they are going to Hayward to Katie's parents. On Saturday the kids will be here and probably over night. Katie said the amniocentesis  was very painful.  The doctor talked as though they will need to go back to Marshfield every week until the baby is born to check on the fluid and the status of the baby. They will be going back on Monday for another amniocentesis.

Thank you for your continued prayers,

New Year Starts & Friday Night Sew In

While others are posting their New Year completions, here are my New Year starts.

Today I started sewing on the McCalls Quilting BOM "America the Beautiful." I pieced the Shining Sun Block:  I couldn't believe it--When I finished the block and went to square it up. It was an exact 12" X 12"!


Then I worked on the "Fields Block". It is sewn "on point"-(Is that the right term Amy?) It is 8 1/2" X  56".  Now I need to set my mind to the idea--that, "Yes, Linda, you can cut templates and sew the pieces into a block!"  I need to use templates to make the "Barn Block."

On New Year's day (while DH watched football) I pieced the quilt top for the baby due in March if he is a boy.  I know---It is almost just like Cole's.  Well at least I changed the border colors.  I have the fabric cut to start on the "If the new baby is a girl" quilt.

At school this week there are two new referrals for students that need to be tested to determine if they are Students with a Specific Learning Disability.

Friday Night Sew-In is coming this Friday night.  A Virtual Sew-in to work on all those MUF's, UFO's, or projects that we want to work on!!!  I am looking forward to it. How about you?

I would like to finish the new baby boy quilt and work on piecing the baby girl quilt.

A little More Potpourri

It has been total withdrawal!!  DH took my sewing machine in to the local Janome dealer to be serviced on January 4.  He drove down to pick it up on Friday.  That is 10 days without it!!!  Oh my--instead of sewing during last week's  Packer game I tried to cut fabric--didn't work.  Tonight I have the machine set up ready to sew and cheer on the Pack!!!!

Update on DIL-2:
To summarize: DIL-2 has a tumor in the placenta.  It has caused excessive amniotic fluid in her uterus.  She is measuring much larger than she should.  She was at a Medical Center 2  1/2  hours away last Monday for a 3-D ultra sound.  It showed the baby is alright--which also was in question.  She goes back again this Monday for another 3D and more tests.  The amount of fluid will be remeasured to see if a tap off is needed.  She will need to have an ultra sound every week until the baby is delivered to make sure the baby continue to develop and measure the fluid.  (Due March 15)  She is extremely uncomfortable.  There is such pressure on her stomach that she is sick at least once every day. Please hold her in your prayers as she tries to follow the doctors directions and continues to be a mom to a busy 18 month old and an eager 4 year old.

The positive--the 3D showed the baby looks like Conner.  Also we have had over night one day and  night last weekend, again last night and today.  It gives Katie a chance to try to rest.  When putting Tatum to bed last night she climbed on to the mattress with Conner and thought she should sleep with him.  It didn't take long to rock and sing her to sleep. She made the entire night in the Pack n' Play last night.  Last weekend she spent most of the night cuddling in our bed.  I loved every moment of it.

New use for a quilters ruler

 

Last weekend when I walked into the living room I noticed Conner had found--what he thought-was the perfect bridge to race his cars and truck. Not only did he use the ruler he also took a basting pin to hold the ruler to the couch.    

An Outstanding Giveaway!!!

Maria,  of Life on the Block, had a link to this outstanding Give Away from Gum Tree Designers .  They are giving away all the BOM from a beautiful quilt.  Take a minute to check them out!  Wouldn't it be great to receive a giveaway from quilting friends another continent.

A "Time" For Everything

 

 Sheila, is a friend I have met through blogging. She selects a "word" of the year. She challenged each of us to find a word. I have been trying to decide what do I need to work on in my life. My word is "time".  Kelly, from Charming Chatter has also posted a challenge to find a word.  Since I chose my word. I have been more aware of the way I use my time and the importance of setting my priorities.

When I was in  elementary school,  there was a song recorded by The Byrds, "Turn, Turn, Turn." It had been written by a folk singer, Pete Seeger. It was used as a protest song against war and for seeking world peace.  The lyrics of the song were taken from Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 

A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot, 

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build, 

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance, 

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away, 

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak, 

8 a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

I have 24 hours each day, 168 hours in a week, and 8, 765 hours in a year. There are many things that I need to do such as  teaching, cooking and cleaning , farm record keeping, and many more things.  There are things I  like to do such as spending time with my family and  grandkids, taking part in my small group at church, being with or talking to friends, quilting and reading. I guess I could keep my list going.  

One area I need to work on is taking the time to relax and not putting as much pressure on myself.  When I am able to take "time" for myself. I will be able to give more quality  "time" to the things I must do and the things I enjoy doing. In Jennifer Rothchild's book , Self Talk Soul Talk, one chapter is entitled,  "Chill Out: Be at Rest, O My Soul."   In order to be the person I need to be and desire to be, I need to take care of myself.  To do that I need to take "time" for myself.

New Projects For 2011 and my MFU's

McCalls Quilting has a BOM quilt that I am going to make!  There I made the commitment and I expect my blogging friends to hold me accountable.  It is called "America The Beautiful."  The magazine shows two color scheme suggestions.  I am going to make it in the  "Country colors" choice. I am sure I have enough fabric in my stash to complete it! 

We are expecting Grandchild #5 in March or earlier.  DIL-2 has developed some complications. Her doctor told her last week that she may be going on bed rest and to expect the baby early.  Since things may become difficult later this spring I need to finish both a grandbaby boy (John Deere Quilt) and  baby girl blanket.  If she goes on bed rest we have have Tatum with us.  I would take her to daycare in the morning and pick her up after school.  

So far,  We only have one special  wedding coming in 2011 that will need a Christmas Tree Skirt.  I have selected from my Christmas Stash and purchased some John Deere Christmas fabric to make a skirt for Chris and Kari's wedding in September. It will be traditional on the top and could be reversed to be a John Deere tree skirt. 

I was making my list of UFO's and thinking about finishing them when I really wanted to be starting something new.  Last summer sometime I was chatting with a blogging friend about quilting as a way of relaxation.  I had been feeling guilty because I wasn't accomplishing as much as others.   Early this morning  (2:16 a.m.) I was blog reading and  read Kelly from Charming Chatter's blog.  She is starting a new group called "MUF's Girls".   It fits me--so I'm in with the other MUF girls.   

Some of my MFU's include: 

1.  BOM by Amy--I was doing great until school started when all my quilting came to an abrupt halt.  I did finish Christmas gifts.  Now I would like to pull out my blocks and finish the quilt.

2.  Pokey Little Puppy needs to be sandwiched and quilted.

3.  Confetti Girls quilt--needs to be sandwiched and quilted.

4.  Half of the "on point" lap quilt is still hanging on the design wall upstairs.

5.  Two "Quilts for Kids" that need the binding sewn on and mailed.

However I will not feel guilty about them!  They are merely fermenting on the shelf!  

It was a Wonderful Christmas

Spending time with family is one of the special parts of Christmas.  After Christmas Eve service we had a light supper at my mom's apartment.    We tried to take a picture of all four of our grandkids.  It was past bedtime and not the best time for a picture!  It is easy to tell that Conner and Kasey are the oldest in their families--They could smile no matter what is happening around them!

Christmas morning we went to DS-1's to watch Kasey and Cole open gifts.  This was the first year they have ever been home on Christmas morning.  Usually they have headed to DIL-1's family 3 1/2 hours away  early Christmas morning.

Sunday after church was the day for celebrating at our home.  My traditional dinner is not several "fancy" choices. We have Swedish meatballs in gravy, mashed potatoes,  home canned applesauce,  homemade rolls,  homemade strawberry jam, our own frozen corn,  and cookie salad followed by apple pie.  For something new this year I made a Caramel Chocolate Trifle- OHHHHH! It was easy and really did look like the picture!!!

Since it was Cole's first Christmas he wasn't sure what was happening. He liked the wrappings and the tree! Grandpa had a great time helping Tatum with her gifts.  Conner being a good big brother was more than willing to help

 

The end of a perfect day.

.

Merry Christmas

 

Tonight at Christmas Eve Candlelight  Communion service we will have our DSs, DsIL, grandkids, and my mother.  During the service,  I will be reading Gloria Gaither's  "Ordinary Baby Extraordinary Gift" for the Children's sermon.  The outstanding  illustrations will be on power point for all the congregation to follow the story.  This story is based on the Gaither's song, "Ordinary Baby."  After the service we will all go to Grandma's/ Great Grandma's for a light supper. 

Just before dusk DH will light the same lantern he has lit for 29 years to hang in honor and memory of our precious son, Travis.  The light will be shining in the dark  when we arrive home tonight and burn until during the night on Christmas Day.  I am so thankful for the four years of Christmas memories he was with us. 

One tradition we have had for many years is to have a birthday cake with candles to celebrate Christ's birth.  We will even sing Happy Birthday.  DS-2 and DIL-2 will  then drive to her parents to spend Christmas Day and will attend church at DIL-2's father's church.  He is a pastor.

 For the first time since they have been married DS-1 and DIL-1 will be here for Christmas Day.  We are going over for breakfast on Christmas Day to watch Princess Kasey and Cole open their gifts.  On Sunday after church everyone will come to our house for our Christmas celebration. 

I am still here!

 Like everyone else I have been busy with Christmas preparations. I have missed reading your postings and learning what is happening in your worlds.

Tuesday  was our elementary Christmas Program.  As Amy of Amy's Passions wrote about living in a small town.  We still have a "Christmas Program" not a "Holiday Program" where each grade sings two or three songs.  The students perform  a mixture of holiday, Santa, and true Christmas songs.  The gym is full of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and plenty of younger siblings.  The fifth graders who started playing instruments this fall put on their first performance with all the proud parents not hearing the squeaks and squawks.  Last night was my small group Christmas gathering-I will post about our project later, and tonight I have to sell tickets at the high school wrestling match. (All teachers have to work at least 5 events.)

On Wednesday nights I  am part of  a small group through my church.  This fall we studied Jennifer Rothchild's book "Self Talk Soul Talk." .  The church is over crowded and there are not  enough places on campus on Wednesday nights.  This fall our group meet at Pastor Chopper and Andrea's home.  Every week Andrea has her house ready for 15-20 women to meet in her living room,  use the dining/ kitchen  area for our snacks and hot tea or hot chocolate.  She has a first grader and a 4 year old.  I made her this runner in appreciation for having her home open to us.

I finished the tree skirt as a gift for my Para educator at school.  It was a joint gift for her birthday and Christmas.  Last year I used the same fabrics to make a runner for her.

I finished a table topper that is being sent  to my Secret Santa.  Yes, I know I am late.  That seems to be what is happening in my life lately.  I hope she will forgive me and enjoy it. It will go in the mail on Friday noon. 







There is still  a great deal of Christmas shopping and preparations.  The Midwest snowstorm hit us last weekend.  We didn't receive the amount that Mpls and St. Paul received but enough that everything was closed including malls, walmart, etc.  Even the highways were closed to traffic and all snowplows pulled on Saturday.