The Things We Do For Our Kids!

DS -2 called the other day asking if I could sew the edge of an awning for him.  Now you have to understand DS.  He builds trucks, trailers, etc. as a hobby.  He has turned an old school bus into a family camper.  He "found" an awning that had been on a camper that had been totaled in an accident.  It has never been used.   He cut it to fit the  bus.

The following is a text discussion between DS-2 and myself  the past couple of days.

D.S. "Mom when can you sew the awning for me?"

Me.  "I have school this week, probably on Saturday."

D.S. " Oh, not until then?"

Me. "When do you need it?"

DS. "Soon as you can."

Me. "I will work on it after school Tuesday.

 I purchased heavy needles for my machine. 

Next discussion.

Me. " Do you want the edge turned over and sewn."

D.S. "Yep, about an inch."

D.S. "How about 1/2 inch?"

D.S. "Oh, there is a hole on the end.  Can you patch that too?  If not I will use duct tape."

When I arrived home today the canvas was on the picnic table. I tried my old machine--didn't work.  So my Janome sewed right through it!

Me. "All finished."

D.S. " Have you hung it on the bus?"

Me. "Don't push your luck!"

 Since this picture he has painted the bus, changed the door and a few other things.  He built the ramp carrier on the back of the bus.  They are able to drive their car or 4 wheelers onto the back to take them along with them camping.

Introducing...

The newest member of our family. 

Pepper is an eight week old 1/2 Border Collie and 1/2 Blue Heeler. 

   She is a lovable rascal.

       She will be DH's dog.  Our previous Border Collie had been DH's constant companion. He went in the truck, tractor and combine with him always.  He wasn't sure about replacing him, but the rest of us knew that he needed a dog.

Did it ever feel good last night to pull out fabric and cut pieces for a baby quilt.

 Yesterday was a:

So many changes are going to be taking place at school in two weeks.  Today was the first day of a two day "Tech Institute."  I was provided with three ipads for my classroom last spring.  However, no training how to use them.   So today I heard 4 hours of speakers attempting to show me.  They could be great educational tools if I had the time to download the apps and to explore to find what is out there for my students. 

Also,  there will be two new aides along with a great aide who was new last year.  That will make considerable more work for me.  I am sure glad I have my classroom motto:

 

How do I become selfish?

I would really like to know how to change my personality to become a selfish person!   As my blogging friends know,  I spend a great deal of time taking care of my grandkids..which I love doing,  spend time counseling and supporting  young moms-definitely needed by several,  spend time with  the young mom whose son was killed last January--guiding her through the grief process. 

This week DH and I left for four days for a road trip vacation.  DH and I have taken three vacations in 38 years.  One to visit relatives and tour Glacier National Park three years ago,  a trip to Door County for two days last year to celebrate Bob and Peg's Birthdays, and this four day road trip.

We visited SEVERAL truck dealerships (looking for used truck for DH),  two trailer dealerships looking for a trailer to haul round bales, tractors, and equipment. We  stopped to look at farm equipment beside the roads with for sale signs,  (and did buy a grain auger). I did a lot of driving with DH resting with eyes closed.

 Not forgetting to  mention  stopping at Cabela's,  four gun shops, and three farm supply stores.   Lots of windshield time!

I did mange to YELL,   "STOP QUILT SHOP."  We pulled over at five unique shops we saw along the two lane highways.

First quit shop stop:  Pins 'N' Needles in St. Croix Falls.after stopping at a truck dealership.

We were driving along  the Mississippi River in Alma, Wi. when I saw a sign the read, "Quilt Shop" on the side of an old building.  I yelled, "STOP".

  "The Burlington-Hotel-Quilt Shop" 

 A couple purchased the old Burlington Hotel.  They have remodeled half of the first floor into a quilt shop.  They are working on remodeling rooms and an area to hold quilt retreats.

Burlington  Hotel & Quilt Shop

View of the Mississippi River from their front door.

Here I purchased the Quilters' Travel Companion 2012-2014!  From there on I had the road map in one hand and the Companion open to Minnesota in the other.

Two days later as we were heading across Northern Minnesota I turned a corner in the very small town of Wahkon and there I saw the Country Caboose Quilt Shop.  Another unique small building with bolts and bolts of fabric. 

After stopping at a Reed's Sporting Goods in Onamia MN at the foot of  Mille Lacs  Lake (only to find they didn't sell or stock firearms). We headed north to Walker, MN to their main store.

 On Hwy 371 near Pequot Lakes  I spotted Mother Originals Quilt Shop.

This is an awesome "little shop."  Working in the shop was a young teenager, her mom, and her grandma.  They were quilting with a HUGE Gammill longarm.  I had DH come in to look at the machine.  He was very impressed and asked many questions.  Then he started wandering around the shop and HE found fabrics he thought I should buy.  WOW!  It was an expensive stop...remember he is a grandpa who LOVES his grandkids!  We came out with Whitetail Deer fabrics and princess fabrics.  (On his farm credit card!)

At Walker, MN on Leech Lake I dropped DH off at the other Reed's Sporting Goods and headed to find Front Porch Quilts.

They were preparing for a busload of 60 Shop Hoppers who were touring with the Minneosta Shop Hop to arrive in 45 minutes.  The store was all decorated and stocked for the hop.  I bought some of my favorite Holly Taylor Christmas Spirit Fabric.

DH found the best gun shops are within 40 miles of home so we headed for home--5 hours away!

Heidi of Handmade by Heidi wrote to tell  me of great shops in the Duluth area.  We didn't make it before they were closed...Do I hear ROAD  TRIP ?  Now--How do I find selfish time to Quilt?

What a WEEK!

It was a great week at VBS!  We averaged 118 kids! 

The kids were fantastic.  Many of the students were not from our church and were  hearing the Bible stories for the very first time.  Many of them making life changing decisions!!  PTL!

Each afternoon Kasey and 2-3 other grandkids.

I now have to catch up on my blog reading and check out  the Christmas Blog Hop 

I am also a week behind reading and studying the  Bible Study For Women.  

Maybe tomorrow between cleaning and laundry I will sneak a few minutes to quilt!

VBS-GO FISH!

This will be our third year of using the Go Fish curriculum.   It definitely is not the VBS I went to when I was little!  The kids are totally involved in the music,  the message, and the scriptures.



The themes this week are: "Praise God For His..."

Day 1 Greatness -"I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols."  Isaiah 42:8
Day 2 Authority-"How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth."  Psalm 47:2
Day 3 Providence-"For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." Psalm 91:11
Day 4 Power- “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus
our Lord. “  Romans 3:23
Day 5  Love-"Neither height nor depth, noranytin else in all ceation, will be able to separate us from he love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

This year I will be teaching the Missions Story during each of the 5 rotations.  That means adjusting it for five different age groups.  The offering will be going to One Verse The Seed Company.  The are a branch of Wycliffe Bible Translators.

Kasey will be coming with me.  DDIL-1 will be dropping her off each morning when she leaves for work.   Then we will be spending the afternoons together all week.  I was thinking it may be a good time for the two of us to work on the "If my baby is a brother or if my baby is a sister." quilts.  

I will keep you posted on our projects!

Have a great week!  Don't forget to visit the Think Christmas Blog Hop.

Once A 4-H'er...

I was a involved in 4-H as a member.

  Eventually the leader  of the club that DS-1 and DS-2 were members. 



In our small northern Wisconsin area we have our county fair.   Each year there are fewer and fewer exhibits and participants.  Two of my friends decided they were going to enter their knitting, some sewing and canning.  They talked me into taking two of my quilted projects.

Once you are out of 4-H you may enter into the open class.

All of the knitting, crocheting, and quilting are displayed and judged in an old school house that was moved onto the fairgrounds.  It has old desks, chalkboard,  photographs of old one room school activities,  report cards, and lists of families that attended Washburn County Schools.

In another building are the vegetables, flowers, sewing, photography,  baking, canning, cake decorating and many more entries.

There is a small animal building with rabbits, chickens, turkeys, and ducks.   The large animal buildings with cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and horses.  And of course the carnival!!

Well- I entered two of the items I made for the Red, White and Blue Hop.   I earned a Blue on the Table Topper and a red on my runner.  The Blue went to a square table runner who had wool flowers appliqued to the top.

            -The BEST PART IS NO RECORD BOOK TO COMPLETE!

I am A TWO TIME WINNER from the Blog Hop!

One thing I have learned is that Quilter Blogger friends are generous and become wonderful friends.

I was privileged to be the WINNER--not once--but twice!   I am SEW SO Blessed.

From Gmama  Jane of  Grandmama's Stories I received a package containing not only a pin cushion but two pieces of fabric also!! 

   Gmama Jane sewed great projects for the hop. 

            Isn't this banner great!!

From Judith of Judith Handmade Treasures I received one of the FOUR Easy Dresden rulers that she gave to blogging friends from her drawing.

 She made  an awesome Dresden block for the hop.

She also made this  table topper and a paper pieced star block.  Aren't they great!!




Now I have MORE projects to think about...


Today Cole and I took a 4-Wheeler ride past the corn field.  We have been blessed with rain at the right times.  It was getting dry again..but not to the degree of those south of us.  My heart goes out to all the farmers whose crops are burning up.  We had seven years of drought a few years ago..we know what they are feeling.

Summer School Class in Preparation for Fall

I am taking a two credit class entitled "Understanding The Autism Spectrum." Which is  interesting because Autism is a disability that is growing each year and it is not known how it is caused. 

We have watched numerous videos, listened to lectures, learned strategies, have been introduced to numerous teaching materials and websites. 

Take a moment to read the facts below.  Especially the funding information.

Facts about Autism

Did you know ...

• Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys
• Autism prevalence figures are growing
• More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined
• Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
• Autism costs the nation $137 billion per year
• Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases
• Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism
• There is no medical detection or cure for autism

Prevalence vs. Private Funding

• Leukemia: Affects 1 in 1,200 / Funding: $277 million
• Muscular Dystrophy: Affects 1 in 100,000 / Funding: $162 million
• Pediatric AIDS: Affects 1 in 300 / Funding: $394 million
• Juvenile Diabetes: Affects 1 in 500 / Funding: $156 million
• Autism: Affects 1 in 88 / Funding: $79 million

National Institutes of Health Funds Allocation

• Total 2011 NIH budget: $30.5 billion
• Of this, only $169 million goes directly to autism research. This represents 0.6% of total NIH funding.

All this is staggering and very concerning.  How do I meet the needs of a student with Autism, a student with Downs Syndrome and the Students with Specific Learning Disabilities?  I will be very thankful to be able to relax with my quilting  at night this winter!

Crowded Flowers

Last fall my DDIL-2's grandmother was  digging out her perennial flower bed.  After her daughters and granddaughters had what they wanted she offered that I could dig out any I would like.   DH has promised make a new flower bed to replace the one I lost when the highway in front of our house was widened.  So I went and dug out many flowers...Well, with DH's health issues I don't have my flower bed.  All the flowers are over crowded in the beds next to the house.

This year I planted inpatients in my barrel.

 

The  phlox have always been the purple color.  This year there is one that is white with purple on the edge of the petals. 

I am waiting for both of these to bloom.