Never Forget

There are two events in our country's history that I will never forget where I was or what was happening when I learned of the tragedy.  The first was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The second the tragic attack on Sept. 11, 2001. 

A Farmer's Wife

A few weeks ago Janet from A Hug Delights,  posted this column written by a young farmers wife, Sierra Shea,  from South Dakota.  It is now available as a print or bookmark from Sierra Shea's store.

Being married to a farmer is full of challenges.  One of the challenges is the weather.  This spring was wet and cold.  The planting of corn and soybeans was delayed due to wet fields and then not knowing if the seed would grow because of the cold weather.   Immediately following we went into drought.  We have had very little rain this entire summer. We have watched some of our corn fields and bean fields dry up and die.

Last night when DH was baling hay I took these pictures.  The dirt and dust was rolling out from behind the baler.  The brown part of the field was under water this spring.  Now it is so dry DH cut and baled it for hay to feed the beef cattle. 

I have often thought of writing a book entitled, "What Town Girls Need to Know Before Marrying a Farmer."   I have several chapters outlined in my head such as one on hand signals from the farmer to you when either of you is operating machinery or 10 lessons on how to and not to help chase cattle.


After our emergency trip to the Abbott Heart Hospital last week, DH is doing better.  The local ER doctor had spoken with  his cardiac electrophysiologist when DH's heart rate was 120 pbm.  It had been that way for four or five days.  After another cardioversion he is back in rhythm with another change of heart medication.  We need to monitor his heart rate and blood pressure closely.  The cardiologist told us that each time this is happening it is causing more damage to his heart.  The doctor reminded us that previously he told us that a second ablation may be required.

Take care my friends,

Oh-with my tests, then DH's trip to hospital in Mpls, and school starting I haven't been able to make it to official weigh in.  However, on our home scale I have lost 18 lbs.  WOOHOO!

Newest Grandbaby Has Arrived!

                                Kylie Joy arrived on Saturday, August 17 at 12:45 p.m.  On the first day of her 42nd week.  She is a little peanut for our family, 7 lbs 5 oz and 19 inches long.

                             Jessa was staying with us for four days. She was the first to visit.
                                       All she could say was, "She is so cute."

                  Tatum saw her when she was two days old and immediately fell in love.  She stayed with us for two days.  When I showed her the pictures and told her the baby's name was Kylie.  She said, "NO, her name is Princess."  She is calling her Princess.
                                        

                 When I asked Conner what he thought of his sister he said, "I just love her."

                                                              God is Good!

I wasn't able to make weigh in this week.  I was scheduled for one of those delightful medical procedures.  The one where you drink a gallon of prep the day before...The prep is worse than the procedure.
                                                                         

Time with Friends and Continued Success!

First things first!  Even with traveling for parts of three days this weekend...I lost 2.2 lbs!

Myself, Peg & Jane

We drove to Sturgeon Bay in Door County WI to celebrate my friend (forever friend & claimed sister) Peg's 40th Wedding anniversary.  Peg & Bob have built a beautiful home on the bay of Green Bay.    We were college roommates, attendants in each other's weddings, and have remained close.  Another college friend and wedding attendant for both of our weddings was also able to attend.


Last week we had three grandkids on Thursday and the other three on Friday.   DIL-2 was due last Saturday.  She hasn't been feeling well so I have had the grandkids several days the couple of weeks.
Last night GD-2 spent the night.

Papa snapped a picture of his sleeping beauty.

Not much in the line of quilting has taken place this week.  I found out that I need to make two more baby quilts for this winter!  Also need to machine quilt the belated graduation quilt and baby quilt for a September baby.

Next week I am officially back to school.

I am totally committed to reading Ann Voskamp's book & devotional.   I also follow her on facebook.  Today this was her post.  It was just what I needed.

Busy Week with Great Results!

Last week I had three of my grandkids during the day as their daycare provider was on vacation.  It was a great week..

GS#3 is growing like crazy-At 8 months he is army crawling everywhere and pulling himself up.

  GS#2 is definitely all boy and  would rather be outside than anywhere else. 

 GD#1 is all girl, all farmer, and definitely  papa's Button.

I did manage at night to finish a flimsy.  I have had the blocks finished for about 2 years or more.  They were a BOM from Amy of Amy's Passions. I had the sashing finished and didn't like it. So I ripped it apart and started again with the marbled sashing strips and like it much better!

Now to pin and quilt.  It may be a challenge on my machine. 

I also finished the crib size quilt for the new baby. She should be arriving any day. This is an easy pattern.  I always like the way it turns out.

Success for another week...This past week, even with everything that was going on...

I lost 1.6 lbs.  

WooHoo!

 

Note to friends--Please have things decided what each child is to receive upon your death.   It will eliminate many hard feelings, frustrations, and difficult times between siblings.  

Wednesday Success

Today was WW weigh in!  I missed class last week so in the past two weeks I lost 2.4 lbs.  Not huge, but still a loss. 

That means since July 10th I have lost TEN Pounds.  Or for me to have a better perspective that equals to:

or

Whichever I will take it !

Sewing with Minkee & Other Projects.

Thank you Blogging Friends for all your excellent suggestions.   I was still reluctant so I didn't put it on the back of the quilt I was planning.  But decided unless I try it...So after rereading your comments,  I made a second quilt. 

 The center four blocks are flannel with a minkee border.  I pinned and pinned and pinned.   One suggestion I found was to cut the back about an inch larger than the front.  Then fold it over the front to create the binding.  The corners were a little tricky. 

A week ago we celebrated Tatum's fourth birthday.  She told Katie that gramma would bring her a princess cake.  So of course this Gramma couldn't refuse.

I didn't make it to Weight Watchers class this week.  We had originally planned on going a vacation this past week.  However, due to the need to attend a meeting with DH's siblings on how to proceed with their mother's estate we had to cancel our plans.  They were here from NJ and Southern WI.

Wednesday we did take off for Duluth to visit gun shops and quilt shops.  One of the shops, Creations Quilt Shop  ,  had the Handi Quilter Fusion set up and operating.  DH spent a long time talking with one the shop's owners how it operates, the space it takes, and many other details.  I think it helped that the owner used to be a heavy equipment operator and grew up on a farm. 

DIL-2 is due to have the newest Grandbaby on 8-10-13.  Her younger sister became engaged this summer and selected the same date for her wedding.  She is expecting DIL to be an attendant.  The bride purchased a dress for DIL.  It is the stretchy lace over a stretchy under dress in size XL.  DIL normally wears a S or M.  SOOOO- I have been attempting to alter the dress so it will fit around the arms, neck and shoulders--in case DIL is at the wedding.  To add a complication the zipper is under the arm in a side seam.

They also brought a necktie to be altered for Conner from a man's tie to 6 year old size.  I cut out about 8 inches then pieced it back together.

The only thing left is they also brought the wedding dress for me to add a button and loop to fasten up the train during the reception. 


Life has been hectic--Through it all I have stayed on program and hope for a successful weigh in on Wednesday afternoon.

Week One--Success!

I know it won't be like this every week!  But for now!  WOOHOO!

At weigh in this afternoon I have lost 7.6 lbs. 

Most of the week went well.  Monday I really struggled.  

I made it through without going off program. 

I know that not all weeks will be as successful but I am thrilled for a start!

As many of us are , I am a stress eater.  The next three weeks will be a major 

test of my ability to stay on program.  

As my cousin as told me, 

"No food tastes as good as being thin feels."

I don't necessararily want to be "thin." 

Just more comfortable, healthier and

have a better self-esteem. 

Throughout the next three weeks I may be taking
many naps!!

Looking for some help, Please.

I just finished this baby quilt flimsy. I plan to use Minky for the back.  Would you suggest pin basting or try to spray baste?    I also have a quilting stencil I would like to use at least around the border.  What should I use to mark the stencil on the fabric?   Does anyone have suggestions for sewing with  Minky?

Thank you friends!!

Need help being accountable!

OK Blogging Friends...I need your support.  I finally went back this afternoon.  A couple of years ago I did very well losing weight on Weight Watchers.  With the extra stress the past year, I have gained much of what I lost back.   I know I should be able to do it myself...for some reason...it hasn't happened.

Now comes my request...If you don't want to play along no problem.  I need to be accountable when I lose or gain.  So each week I will report how I have done.  If you want to help with encouragement that would be great...If you want to think, "Here she goes again."  No problem...we will still be blogging friends.

I may even be brave enough to ask my DH to take a picture of me...then every 10 lbs I would do another...now that is REALLY brave on my part.  I have been allergic to cameras for years.

OH!  As a reward for going back..I stopped at a Busy Bobbin and indulged! 

Now--I will work on a quilt tonight..If I'm sewing..I can't be eating.

One Flimsy Finished

 Tatum wanted to help hold the finished flimsy for a picture.   The finished top is 38" X 43" inches.  I haven't decided if it will be the "one" for my next grandbaby.  I have a couple of other ideas also.

 I would like to try to make a baby quilt using the Mini Granny Square tutorial from Trish at Notes of Sincerity.   I made one square last summer when I first read her post.


This week I will spend one day driving my mom to visit her three surviving brothers.  It will be a difficult day.   Her younger brother, 85 years, has just been diagnosed with bone cancer.  An older brother, 92 years,  is in the last stages of Alzheimer's, and her other surviving brother is 94  and is becoming weaker and has difficulty walking. We will try to spend time visiting with each and their wives.

Finishing Up and Starting New Projects

I finished the machine quilting on the quilts for Lucas and Caleb, the sons of our assistant pastor.  Their family left our church  after seven years on July 1st to become the senior pastor at Living Hope Wesleyan Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  There was a Going Away Celebration Party & Program for them where we presented the quilts.  My friend, Marla did the piecing and I did the quilting.  We had fabric pens available for friends to sign the back.

 Pastor Chopper and Andrea liked their quilt also. Our friend, Rhonda embroidered on the borders.

 Yesterday I decided it was time to start working on a quilt for the grandbaby which is scheduled to arrive in 4 weeks.  I am not sure if I am going to like this or not.  I will finish the flimsy for now and maybe work on another one.  These are a few of the blocks. 

I have strawberries to finish preparing to freeze.  We have been eating more than our share and freezing the rest!