Early up - still have much to do around here. Still cleaning things out. Met youngest daughter and her children at mexican restaurant for lunch. They came to the house for a couple of hours spent going through some boxes of old papers/pictures/stuff from childhood. Daughter took part of the things home with her and we separated some things to throw out/donate and discovered there's a box of CRAP that I need to go through and throw out. But YEA! Stuff is still moving out the door!!! I'm determined to get the mess out of this house and only have what we actually need/use remain. We need to be using the space we have for the things we really enjoy.
We went to see Barbra Streisand's new movie, The Guild Trip, this evening. Ok flick, but it would have been just as nice to see it on television.
Ken went to work yesterday but the owner/boss sent everybody home yesterday afternoon. He was supposed to work today and tomorrow and next Monday but received a call this evening advising not to return until next Wednesday. SO, no extra $$ for him next Friday. I think he's quite disappointed, but at least he will have time at home. In fact, maybe we'll just sneak off somewhere for a day or two. Wish we knew somewhere to go!
That's about it. I'm bushed. It's been a full and stressful December. Hope everyone is getting some rest.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
This has always been the day to remember a cousin, Nelson Johnson, who was born December 26, 1946. Sadly Nelson died in 2010 from complications of being sprayed with agent orange while serving in Vietnam while serving in the U.S. Marines back in the 1960's. Rest in Peace, Nelson.
It seems holidays bring both joy and sadness, and Christmas Day was no exception. Ken and I were up early, enjoyed coffee and a breakfast casserole, opened presents (we got exactly what we wanted - surprising, isn't it?), and then made goodies to take to niece Peggy's house for our Kilgore family gathering. It was so much fun to see everybody again. Since we talk to family all the time, one would wonder what we could possibly have to talk about when we see them, but it's just fun. Even though we all live a stone's throw away from one another, the holidays are still about the only time we get together.
We got back to our house about 4:00 p.m., rested a bit, and then I started cleaning up the mess around here. Still have a lot to do -- the dining room table is the goal for today! Gotta get that thing cleaned off!!! It has been stacked to the hilt for weeks (months?). What to do with boxes that I may need later for packing things to send to son who lives out of town???? I don't know but I am NOT throwing them away. I will have to hide them or Ken will throw them out.
So, the horrible thing about Christmas Day -- I received a FB message sometime Christmas evening advising that a cousin's husband had been killed when the tornado in Louisiana hit causing a tree to fall on their house. It hit where he was sitting. So, when one reads the news story about the 53 year old man killed in the tornado in Louisiana, that's my cousin's husband. Prayers for this family definitely needed.
I "met" this part of our family via the internet - a cousin contacted me because she, too, is involved in family research. Turns out we're not that distantly related. The cousin I communicate with is Rebecca Calhoun Allar. It is her sister's husband who was killed and their home destroyed (trailer). Unfortunately another sister and her husband also lived in a trailer behind the one where the tree fell. Their home was also destroyed in the tornado. Becky lives about 70 miles from where this happened, but all in northern Louisiana. May the good Lord bless and keep them.
This Christmas was rather strange. We haven't had our own children and grandchildren in our lives in several years...we had to bow out of the constant drama that was going on for self preservation, and as a result we were disowned by them...shunned, written off. Therefore it was a bit strange to have communication with one of the daughters throughout the latter part of the month of December even though it was just suggestions as to what to get each grandchild for Christmas. She thanked us for gifts and that was appreciated. The real shocker was to receive a thank you message from her sister who lives next door to her and who does not bother to speak to me even if she sees me. Have no idea if either daughter will continue communication now that the season is over. I've invited them to brunch at the tea room tomorrow and one daughter has responded in the positive. The other daughter has not responded at all. Whatever decision is made is ok.
That's it for now unless something interesting happens. I need to get busy. Have a great "day-after-Christmas-Day."
It seems holidays bring both joy and sadness, and Christmas Day was no exception. Ken and I were up early, enjoyed coffee and a breakfast casserole, opened presents (we got exactly what we wanted - surprising, isn't it?), and then made goodies to take to niece Peggy's house for our Kilgore family gathering. It was so much fun to see everybody again. Since we talk to family all the time, one would wonder what we could possibly have to talk about when we see them, but it's just fun. Even though we all live a stone's throw away from one another, the holidays are still about the only time we get together.
We got back to our house about 4:00 p.m., rested a bit, and then I started cleaning up the mess around here. Still have a lot to do -- the dining room table is the goal for today! Gotta get that thing cleaned off!!! It has been stacked to the hilt for weeks (months?). What to do with boxes that I may need later for packing things to send to son who lives out of town???? I don't know but I am NOT throwing them away. I will have to hide them or Ken will throw them out.
So, the horrible thing about Christmas Day -- I received a FB message sometime Christmas evening advising that a cousin's husband had been killed when the tornado in Louisiana hit causing a tree to fall on their house. It hit where he was sitting. So, when one reads the news story about the 53 year old man killed in the tornado in Louisiana, that's my cousin's husband. Prayers for this family definitely needed.
I "met" this part of our family via the internet - a cousin contacted me because she, too, is involved in family research. Turns out we're not that distantly related. The cousin I communicate with is Rebecca Calhoun Allar. It is her sister's husband who was killed and their home destroyed (trailer). Unfortunately another sister and her husband also lived in a trailer behind the one where the tree fell. Their home was also destroyed in the tornado. Becky lives about 70 miles from where this happened, but all in northern Louisiana. May the good Lord bless and keep them.
This Christmas was rather strange. We haven't had our own children and grandchildren in our lives in several years...we had to bow out of the constant drama that was going on for self preservation, and as a result we were disowned by them...shunned, written off. Therefore it was a bit strange to have communication with one of the daughters throughout the latter part of the month of December even though it was just suggestions as to what to get each grandchild for Christmas. She thanked us for gifts and that was appreciated. The real shocker was to receive a thank you message from her sister who lives next door to her and who does not bother to speak to me even if she sees me. Have no idea if either daughter will continue communication now that the season is over. I've invited them to brunch at the tea room tomorrow and one daughter has responded in the positive. The other daughter has not responded at all. Whatever decision is made is ok.
That's it for now unless something interesting happens. I need to get busy. Have a great "day-after-Christmas-Day."
Monday, December 24, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
Good day. Started off good - we loaded Ken's Beetle with Christmas gifts to deliver to my daughters and grandchildren. Managed to make contact and drove to the home of one daughter and dropped off the gifts (daughters are next door neighbors). It was nice to see the daughtger and her children. We stayed about 30 minutes - we never stay long. On the way home we stopped at Mexican Inn (I had not had breakfast or lunch), a decision I later regretted but it was great eating. We took home some of their salsa, guacamole and pico to use to make pinwheels (tortillia roll ups) for Christmas gathering at my niece's house tomorrow.
Ken dropped me off at home then ran the store errands - I'm making rum balls for tomorrow as well and we were out of rum. But, he also had to go to the grocery store because no matter how many dang times we go to the store we are always out of something.
We made some stuff for the roll ups that is very good but leaves an afterburn! Whoo! They are really good. But, for the faint of heart we also made some "mild" ones.
I put on the Christmas Eve stew this morning, so that has made the house smell great all day - driving the dogs crazy. I haven't had any of it - afraid to eat.
This evening we stopped everything and went downtown to First United Methodist - I've been a member there since 1975 and Ken has been since 2002. The service was beautiful as always and very uplifting. I'm so glad we went. (We married in the courtyard garden in 2002.)
Now Ken has gone to bed and I've got to get the breakfast casserole ready to put in the oven first thing in the morning. It's going to be a good Christmas. (Then on Wednesday maybe we'll take back all our gifts to one another and get the money back - lol.)
Love to all, have much to do before bed. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.
Ken dropped me off at home then ran the store errands - I'm making rum balls for tomorrow as well and we were out of rum. But, he also had to go to the grocery store because no matter how many dang times we go to the store we are always out of something.
We made some stuff for the roll ups that is very good but leaves an afterburn! Whoo! They are really good. But, for the faint of heart we also made some "mild" ones.
I put on the Christmas Eve stew this morning, so that has made the house smell great all day - driving the dogs crazy. I haven't had any of it - afraid to eat.
This evening we stopped everything and went downtown to First United Methodist - I've been a member there since 1975 and Ken has been since 2002. The service was beautiful as always and very uplifting. I'm so glad we went. (We married in the courtyard garden in 2002.)
Now Ken has gone to bed and I've got to get the breakfast casserole ready to put in the oven first thing in the morning. It's going to be a good Christmas. (Then on Wednesday maybe we'll take back all our gifts to one another and get the money back - lol.)
Love to all, have much to do before bed. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Wow! I thought today would be easy! NOT!
Needed to go to Wally World for some last-minute things. Intended to take money from savings account via ATM but only after I gathered up everything so I would know how much I needed. Got through gathering very quickly - only had some last-minute things to grab. Calculated what I had and went to the ATM machine -- sign says, "This ATM is not working." Dang! Now I had a choice - I could have used the $$ in my checking account and then figure out how to get the $$ out of savings to put back but that would mean a trip to Arlington - and CU is not open tomorrow. Or, I could call the house to see if Ken had suggestions - and he did! Since I was at the store close to home he put on shoes, went by the nearby bank, and brought the $$ to me.
To explain WHY all this ridiculous maneuvering was necessary, stupid me never electronically transfers $$ from the savings account...only TO it. So, as I've been shopping I've been going home and transferring money from savings to checking to cover purchases. I had NO idea only 6 transfers per month are allowed! But apparently there is some government regulations regarding that kind of stuff. So, I had maxed out my 6 allowable transfers. I learned that when I went to transfer funds yesterday. BUT the same stupid rules allow a person to withdraw from the account. Just makes it more complicated to do things.
Anyway, got that business done and made the purchases -- actually got finished in relatively short time. Went by Dollar Tree to get gift boxes -- had none. So, I made a decision and got gift bags. They will have to do...at this point I no longer care. (lol)
Next I took off down the road to Hulen Mall so I could return some things to Macy's...things I had bought myself and then had buyer's remorse and took them back...I don't need them and I used equal amount of funds on purchases for others. Amazingly I finished at Macy's very quickly and was on my way again. I headed to Albertson's and got a few things to tide us over until the day after Christmas...the one thing I cannot do without is Zero Coke - I'm addicted. I also bought some ham steaks for us for Christmas evening, and supplies to make a hashbrown casserole for breakfast Christmas morning. For Christmas Eve I will put on a crockpot of stew. We will go to church Christmas Eve night and then spend Christmas Day at my nieces. The family has decided to keep the meal simple this year -- finger foods. So I'm making some cream cheese/rotel roll ups, cookies, and some candy. That's about it.
Tonight we are delivering to my husband's family...we don't look forward to it. We try not to go in, preferring just to drop off and leave. Hopefully we can get by with that tonight.
I dread the next two days. Only the lonely understand what I mean. There's absolutely nothing like having to live through holiday after holiday without family while watching the rest of the world laughing, playing together, celebrating. Each year I pray only to get Christmas Eve and Christmas Day behind me so that once again I can pretend that everything is ok. Last year I didn't bother to get out of bed - there was no reason to. This year I pray for the strength to have a better day.
Other than that - Merry Christmas Eve Eve!
Needed to go to Wally World for some last-minute things. Intended to take money from savings account via ATM but only after I gathered up everything so I would know how much I needed. Got through gathering very quickly - only had some last-minute things to grab. Calculated what I had and went to the ATM machine -- sign says, "This ATM is not working." Dang! Now I had a choice - I could have used the $$ in my checking account and then figure out how to get the $$ out of savings to put back but that would mean a trip to Arlington - and CU is not open tomorrow. Or, I could call the house to see if Ken had suggestions - and he did! Since I was at the store close to home he put on shoes, went by the nearby bank, and brought the $$ to me.
To explain WHY all this ridiculous maneuvering was necessary, stupid me never electronically transfers $$ from the savings account...only TO it. So, as I've been shopping I've been going home and transferring money from savings to checking to cover purchases. I had NO idea only 6 transfers per month are allowed! But apparently there is some government regulations regarding that kind of stuff. So, I had maxed out my 6 allowable transfers. I learned that when I went to transfer funds yesterday. BUT the same stupid rules allow a person to withdraw from the account. Just makes it more complicated to do things.
Anyway, got that business done and made the purchases -- actually got finished in relatively short time. Went by Dollar Tree to get gift boxes -- had none. So, I made a decision and got gift bags. They will have to do...at this point I no longer care. (lol)
Next I took off down the road to Hulen Mall so I could return some things to Macy's...things I had bought myself and then had buyer's remorse and took them back...I don't need them and I used equal amount of funds on purchases for others. Amazingly I finished at Macy's very quickly and was on my way again. I headed to Albertson's and got a few things to tide us over until the day after Christmas...the one thing I cannot do without is Zero Coke - I'm addicted. I also bought some ham steaks for us for Christmas evening, and supplies to make a hashbrown casserole for breakfast Christmas morning. For Christmas Eve I will put on a crockpot of stew. We will go to church Christmas Eve night and then spend Christmas Day at my nieces. The family has decided to keep the meal simple this year -- finger foods. So I'm making some cream cheese/rotel roll ups, cookies, and some candy. That's about it.
Tonight we are delivering to my husband's family...we don't look forward to it. We try not to go in, preferring just to drop off and leave. Hopefully we can get by with that tonight.
I dread the next two days. Only the lonely understand what I mean. There's absolutely nothing like having to live through holiday after holiday without family while watching the rest of the world laughing, playing together, celebrating. Each year I pray only to get Christmas Eve and Christmas Day behind me so that once again I can pretend that everything is ok. Last year I didn't bother to get out of bed - there was no reason to. This year I pray for the strength to have a better day.
Other than that - Merry Christmas Eve Eve!
Friday, December 21, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
The day is almost over ... the world has not come to an end today thus far. Of course, in Eastern countries it is already the 22nd of December. But then again, the Mayan's never said the world would end on December 21, 2012...that was just when they stopped working on the calendar. Maybe something tragic happened and they couldn't continue work on it...maybe the person doing it died and the job wasn't passed on to someone else. Of course our belief is what the Bible says - that no man knows the day nor the hour. But based on what we see around us that happening in the world, it sure seems close at hand!
Been really busy - been Christmas shopping. Not spending a bunch of moolah on anyone, but with so many it takes money and time to do it all. I am about worn out. Thankfully son and family requested all cash - that granddaughter is graduating from high school this next spring and they are saving for a graduation trip - maybe to the islands or something. So, check was easy to mail. Unfortunately the news from them is that they having received the package with the cookies and candy yet nor the small box with some trinket gifts for them plus their card. Hope to heck none of it is lost in the mail.
I still need to finish Ken's Christmas stuff and maybe pick up one more thing for a certain grandchild. But first thing tomorrow morning I have to bathe Bennie (can't do it unless Ken is at home because he is too heavy for me to lift in/out of the tub - but I'm getting stronger!) Want to get that over early. I went by the vet this afternoon and picked up their flea meds. I found flea dirt on Luci last night so first thing that happened this day was she got a bath, towel dried, brushed, blow dried, hair in pony and new shirt on. She can't have the flea med until tomorrow ... vet wants to wait for 24 hours after the bath. We take no chances with her since the horrible experience of last June. We'll do the same 24 hour wait for Bennie. If I thought I would get away with it, I would bathe the cats - but I can't - I'm not ready to be killed!
We were invited to a granddaughter's band concert earlier. We went, but did not sit with the family. My ex did, of course - he is the great white father now that they are grown and all the responsibility is over. Anyway, I was glad to be invited. We didn't stick around after the concert but left immediately afterwards, dropped some things off on their front porch, then headed back to Fort Worth. There has been some communication with the granddaughter's mother (my daughter) since then, but mostly about what to get the children for Christmas. That's been helpful. That's the most anyone has said to me in 4 years. Guess I'll take what I can get.
No idea when we will drive over and drop the packages off on their porch...there's no family gathering any more. We just do a drive by, drop off, leave. Same with Ken's biological son/family. We will finish up theirs tomorrow and hopefully get it dropped off as well. We don't actually go to their house -- afraid of being shot. We just drop off at Ken's dad and they pick up from Ken's dad's. We are ready for the gifting part of Christmas to be behind us because participating in this nonsense is very painful.
So, what else? Ken's new job. He has gone to work part-time for a family-owned/operated metal building company in Burleson. Working 3 days per week. They are nice to him. He got paid today - he got a Christmas bonus! Not a huge amount, but definitely a nice surprise!
I've decided I'm NOT going to do sub teaching any more. Either I get a job teaching in a different environment, or I don't teach. I've been thinking about applying at Macy's or something. That would mean being on my feet, but it would also mean continuing to build up my stamina. Or maybe a job at Wal-Mart. I don't want to work full time, however. Just want to work at something about 3 days/20 hours per week.
That's it. Nothing more to tell. Hope everyone is ready for Christmas celebrating.
Been really busy - been Christmas shopping. Not spending a bunch of moolah on anyone, but with so many it takes money and time to do it all. I am about worn out. Thankfully son and family requested all cash - that granddaughter is graduating from high school this next spring and they are saving for a graduation trip - maybe to the islands or something. So, check was easy to mail. Unfortunately the news from them is that they having received the package with the cookies and candy yet nor the small box with some trinket gifts for them plus their card. Hope to heck none of it is lost in the mail.
I still need to finish Ken's Christmas stuff and maybe pick up one more thing for a certain grandchild. But first thing tomorrow morning I have to bathe Bennie (can't do it unless Ken is at home because he is too heavy for me to lift in/out of the tub - but I'm getting stronger!) Want to get that over early. I went by the vet this afternoon and picked up their flea meds. I found flea dirt on Luci last night so first thing that happened this day was she got a bath, towel dried, brushed, blow dried, hair in pony and new shirt on. She can't have the flea med until tomorrow ... vet wants to wait for 24 hours after the bath. We take no chances with her since the horrible experience of last June. We'll do the same 24 hour wait for Bennie. If I thought I would get away with it, I would bathe the cats - but I can't - I'm not ready to be killed!
We were invited to a granddaughter's band concert earlier. We went, but did not sit with the family. My ex did, of course - he is the great white father now that they are grown and all the responsibility is over. Anyway, I was glad to be invited. We didn't stick around after the concert but left immediately afterwards, dropped some things off on their front porch, then headed back to Fort Worth. There has been some communication with the granddaughter's mother (my daughter) since then, but mostly about what to get the children for Christmas. That's been helpful. That's the most anyone has said to me in 4 years. Guess I'll take what I can get.
No idea when we will drive over and drop the packages off on their porch...there's no family gathering any more. We just do a drive by, drop off, leave. Same with Ken's biological son/family. We will finish up theirs tomorrow and hopefully get it dropped off as well. We don't actually go to their house -- afraid of being shot. We just drop off at Ken's dad and they pick up from Ken's dad's. We are ready for the gifting part of Christmas to be behind us because participating in this nonsense is very painful.
So, what else? Ken's new job. He has gone to work part-time for a family-owned/operated metal building company in Burleson. Working 3 days per week. They are nice to him. He got paid today - he got a Christmas bonus! Not a huge amount, but definitely a nice surprise!
I've decided I'm NOT going to do sub teaching any more. Either I get a job teaching in a different environment, or I don't teach. I've been thinking about applying at Macy's or something. That would mean being on my feet, but it would also mean continuing to build up my stamina. Or maybe a job at Wal-Mart. I don't want to work full time, however. Just want to work at something about 3 days/20 hours per week.
That's it. Nothing more to tell. Hope everyone is ready for Christmas celebrating.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Had Ken wake me up when he left for work this morning - then promptly went back to sleep -- didn't wake up 'til after 10 a.m. Oh, well, not like I really have to do anything!
Made a batch of the easy peppermint bark and let it cool while I was waking up. finally made it out the door a little after noon and went to the post office to mail the tin of cookies/candy to Colorado to my son and his family. Now to get the rest of their stuff put together tomorrow so I can get it mailed off! Thank goodness that's all I'm doing this year in the way of getting things to people! I will have a few things for my two daughters' families but nothing like in past years, and I'm not too concerned about getting those packed and mailed. The way things are right now, I will probably do with those packages what I've done with some other things - get them boxed or bagged and just put them in the front bedroom so that someday when I'm dead and gone maybe someone will get their stuff to them. I'm just not going to disrespect myself again by making arrangements to drop off things as I've done the past 3 Christmases. I finally got THAT message loud and clear last year. (Made a run through the toy department tonight, looked at everything and the prices and considered buying things for the kiddos, but then I thought about the fact that I haven't been allowed to have anything to do with these children in 4 years -- why am I concerned about buying gifts for them? So, I left the store.) We're not buying for Ken's dad/step-mother this year either...they made it pretty clear they want nothing to do with us; and we're not buying for Ken's son's family either - for the same reason. Being disowned by both sides of the family is certainly saving us bucks this year.
SO, now need to make a batch of cookies to take to my kidney doctor -- he's a cookie 'holic, but like me doesn't need to be. And need to get a cookie bucket made up for the housekeeper. Other than that I need to finish a little bit of shopping for Ken - then I'll be done. We're still trying to figure out what we are going to do about Christmas Day -- we may just drive up to Win Star for the day -- it will beat sitting around here being depressed! and we see no point in cooking all that food for just the two of us.
That's it for today...nothing to report, as usual. God bless.
Made a batch of the easy peppermint bark and let it cool while I was waking up. finally made it out the door a little after noon and went to the post office to mail the tin of cookies/candy to Colorado to my son and his family. Now to get the rest of their stuff put together tomorrow so I can get it mailed off! Thank goodness that's all I'm doing this year in the way of getting things to people! I will have a few things for my two daughters' families but nothing like in past years, and I'm not too concerned about getting those packed and mailed. The way things are right now, I will probably do with those packages what I've done with some other things - get them boxed or bagged and just put them in the front bedroom so that someday when I'm dead and gone maybe someone will get their stuff to them. I'm just not going to disrespect myself again by making arrangements to drop off things as I've done the past 3 Christmases. I finally got THAT message loud and clear last year. (Made a run through the toy department tonight, looked at everything and the prices and considered buying things for the kiddos, but then I thought about the fact that I haven't been allowed to have anything to do with these children in 4 years -- why am I concerned about buying gifts for them? So, I left the store.) We're not buying for Ken's dad/step-mother this year either...they made it pretty clear they want nothing to do with us; and we're not buying for Ken's son's family either - for the same reason. Being disowned by both sides of the family is certainly saving us bucks this year.
SO, now need to make a batch of cookies to take to my kidney doctor -- he's a cookie 'holic, but like me doesn't need to be. And need to get a cookie bucket made up for the housekeeper. Other than that I need to finish a little bit of shopping for Ken - then I'll be done. We're still trying to figure out what we are going to do about Christmas Day -- we may just drive up to Win Star for the day -- it will beat sitting around here being depressed! and we see no point in cooking all that food for just the two of us.
That's it for today...nothing to report, as usual. God bless.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Lazy, lazy, lazy! I've partially cleaned the kitchen - much to do in there...wherever in the world does all the stupid paperwork come from! It's everywhere! In piles. Hopefully most of it has outlived its usefulness and can be thrown away. I culled out a stack on Thursday and lo and behold I found another stack in its place today! Ken is the king of piling things! and I'm certainly not any better -- except I just scatter it instead of piling it!
SO, today I've made peanut butter cookie dough which is currently chilling in the frig. I'll make cookies in a while because I have to ship to my son tomorrow. Don't have all their stuff ready to mail (or anyone else's for that matter), but need to get this part on its way.
I found some really cute small Christmas buckets (metal pails) at Hobby Lobby a week or so ago so last night I filled those with Christmas candy (store bought/wrapped) so those are ready to go to the grandchildren. We ordered the fudge from Swiss Colony this year so that has been shipped. Other than that we've bought an ornament for each of the children and grandchildren but 've got to figure out how to pack those. This year we are not making a trip to anyone's home on Christmas Eve to deliver. That proved to be really awkward last year so we won't do that again this year. Best just to stay distant. Kinda like putting your hand on a hot stove -- you learn pretty quickly!
I've got one gift for each of my daughters, my son and daughter-in-law have requested cash only so that one is really easy to send, we do the same for my step son and his family, so basically all we have to do is get a gift or two for the local grandchildren (and I always try to send something to my granddaughter in Colorado something in addition to the cash - but at 17 she puts the cash to good use!).
So, that leaves Ken. What in the world do you buy for someone who doesn't need anything? He wants a new computer but that's not happening. He can buy that out of his own paycheck. Did I mention that he went back to work? Part time, accounting, for a company in Burleson. May or may not be permanent. Owner has Ken watching over what's happening -- not real sure what Ken's job is because the owner's daughter is doing books and the wife/mother is doing payroll. But, money while it lasts! And he's GONE 3 days a week!!! Plus he has group on Tuesday and works at the mission on Thursday - so he's out of my hair 5 days a week!!!
As a substitute teacher, many of my days spent with pre-k, kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade, I am totally saddened by the shootings in Connecticut. I thought about the little ones I've had in classes and I know I felt like an old mother lion just when I thought some of them were being mistreated by the sub librarian. And I thought about the classrooms in which I've taught - no way out of them except the main door...no windows to crawl out of, no way to escape. How in the world would I protect those little babies? In the situation in Connecticut, I'm probably a bad person because I am glad the shooter is dead.
That's about it for today...nothing to tell. Things are pretty much the same as always. Hope everyone had a great weekend.
SO, today I've made peanut butter cookie dough which is currently chilling in the frig. I'll make cookies in a while because I have to ship to my son tomorrow. Don't have all their stuff ready to mail (or anyone else's for that matter), but need to get this part on its way.
I found some really cute small Christmas buckets (metal pails) at Hobby Lobby a week or so ago so last night I filled those with Christmas candy (store bought/wrapped) so those are ready to go to the grandchildren. We ordered the fudge from Swiss Colony this year so that has been shipped. Other than that we've bought an ornament for each of the children and grandchildren but 've got to figure out how to pack those. This year we are not making a trip to anyone's home on Christmas Eve to deliver. That proved to be really awkward last year so we won't do that again this year. Best just to stay distant. Kinda like putting your hand on a hot stove -- you learn pretty quickly!
I've got one gift for each of my daughters, my son and daughter-in-law have requested cash only so that one is really easy to send, we do the same for my step son and his family, so basically all we have to do is get a gift or two for the local grandchildren (and I always try to send something to my granddaughter in Colorado something in addition to the cash - but at 17 she puts the cash to good use!).
So, that leaves Ken. What in the world do you buy for someone who doesn't need anything? He wants a new computer but that's not happening. He can buy that out of his own paycheck. Did I mention that he went back to work? Part time, accounting, for a company in Burleson. May or may not be permanent. Owner has Ken watching over what's happening -- not real sure what Ken's job is because the owner's daughter is doing books and the wife/mother is doing payroll. But, money while it lasts! And he's GONE 3 days a week!!! Plus he has group on Tuesday and works at the mission on Thursday - so he's out of my hair 5 days a week!!!
As a substitute teacher, many of my days spent with pre-k, kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade, I am totally saddened by the shootings in Connecticut. I thought about the little ones I've had in classes and I know I felt like an old mother lion just when I thought some of them were being mistreated by the sub librarian. And I thought about the classrooms in which I've taught - no way out of them except the main door...no windows to crawl out of, no way to escape. How in the world would I protect those little babies? In the situation in Connecticut, I'm probably a bad person because I am glad the shooter is dead.
That's about it for today...nothing to tell. Things are pretty much the same as always. Hope everyone had a great weekend.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Been totally worthless the last two days...just feel exhausted for some reason. Yesterday I made it to the store, finally, at about 2:00 p.m. Had to buy some groceries - we've been out of just about everything. I've slept an awful lot - and that worries me. The doctors have told me that when the "end" comes around that I will start wanting to sleep a lot, then a lot more, and then I will just go to sleep...death from kidney failure is pretty quiet. Of course I'm also told that I'm stressing over that for no reason because they don't think that's what I'm experiencing...but who knows.
BUT, just in case, I'm trying to get some things summed up/completed. I've recently gone through some boxes and papers and mailed off some things to the kids. As I come across things I will now send packages. These are things like pictures, report cards, various paperwork that is about each of the kids. Time for them to decide if they want to keep them...I am resentful that my own dad never allowed me to have any of my personal things. As a result I have very little of my school pictures, pictures of me as a child, and such.
Anyway, 'nuf of that. One of the things I'm trying to complete is my "social" stuff. I am a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution through my gggg grandfather, James Kilgore, Sr. of Darlington, South Carolina. However, James' son and grandson, my gg and ggg grandfathers - Samuel and Matthew Kilgore, were civil war soldiers from Jones County, Mississippi. For a long time I have been working on paperwork to complete my application for the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Julia Jackson Chapter, here in Fort Worth, Texas. I have finally submitted the application so am now just gathering the documentation to send to the Registrar. I should have that completed some time this week. I did not take teacher assignments for last Thursday and instead went to the December meeting and luncheon of the UDC that was held at the Fort Worth Women's Club. Very nice - met some nice ladies. Some of these are also in the Mary Isham Keith chapter of the DAR - the chapter I belong to. They also meet at the Women's Club.
Although I was invited years ago to become a member of the Etta Newby Club (FW Women's Club), I never accepted and thus the UDC meeting is the first time I have ever been in that beautiful mansion here in Fort Worth. It is gorgeous. And the food was scrumptious. Think I'll go again. Think I might get the hang of this retirement thing after all. I always said what I was going to do in my retirement was meet friends for lunch at the club for shrimp salad! I was just teasing, but now maybe not so much!
In connection with family history, I've been working with the Jones County, Mississippi, genealogy society and need to complete the book I'm working on that will be placed in their library. The Kilgore roots in Jones County run deep even though my great grandfather and great grandmother migrated to Texas. Even after that migration family members continued to go back and forth to Jones County, and some of them stayed there rather than here in Texas (after all, we still had lots of family in Jones). I still communicate with family in Jones County even today. And my dad continued to go back to Jones County for reunions. Anyway, because my ggg grandfather was a sheriff in Jones County back in the day (he died in January 1863, so it's been a while!) the society wants a compilation on the family history. My distant cousin and I have been working on this for a while (she's in her late 70's). Believe it or not, her name is Dorothy while mine is Dorthy. We also have another cousin by the name of Dorothy. Kinda like my brother Darryl and my other brother Darryl. So, I want to get this wrapped up and get on to something else.
Right now I am going to take a shower and shampoo my hair - first time I've felt like it in a couple of days. I'm a little "rank." After that my goal tonight is to make two Christmas pillows for my daughter Megan. I made Brandi's last year but haven't given them to her. This year it is what they will get because we just do not have the funds to spend for big major gifts for everybody.
So, I'm off to fight the dragons - whatever and wherever they are. Take care; God bless.
BUT, just in case, I'm trying to get some things summed up/completed. I've recently gone through some boxes and papers and mailed off some things to the kids. As I come across things I will now send packages. These are things like pictures, report cards, various paperwork that is about each of the kids. Time for them to decide if they want to keep them...I am resentful that my own dad never allowed me to have any of my personal things. As a result I have very little of my school pictures, pictures of me as a child, and such.
Anyway, 'nuf of that. One of the things I'm trying to complete is my "social" stuff. I am a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution through my gggg grandfather, James Kilgore, Sr. of Darlington, South Carolina. However, James' son and grandson, my gg and ggg grandfathers - Samuel and Matthew Kilgore, were civil war soldiers from Jones County, Mississippi. For a long time I have been working on paperwork to complete my application for the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Julia Jackson Chapter, here in Fort Worth, Texas. I have finally submitted the application so am now just gathering the documentation to send to the Registrar. I should have that completed some time this week. I did not take teacher assignments for last Thursday and instead went to the December meeting and luncheon of the UDC that was held at the Fort Worth Women's Club. Very nice - met some nice ladies. Some of these are also in the Mary Isham Keith chapter of the DAR - the chapter I belong to. They also meet at the Women's Club.
Although I was invited years ago to become a member of the Etta Newby Club (FW Women's Club), I never accepted and thus the UDC meeting is the first time I have ever been in that beautiful mansion here in Fort Worth. It is gorgeous. And the food was scrumptious. Think I'll go again. Think I might get the hang of this retirement thing after all. I always said what I was going to do in my retirement was meet friends for lunch at the club for shrimp salad! I was just teasing, but now maybe not so much!
In connection with family history, I've been working with the Jones County, Mississippi, genealogy society and need to complete the book I'm working on that will be placed in their library. The Kilgore roots in Jones County run deep even though my great grandfather and great grandmother migrated to Texas. Even after that migration family members continued to go back and forth to Jones County, and some of them stayed there rather than here in Texas (after all, we still had lots of family in Jones). I still communicate with family in Jones County even today. And my dad continued to go back to Jones County for reunions. Anyway, because my ggg grandfather was a sheriff in Jones County back in the day (he died in January 1863, so it's been a while!) the society wants a compilation on the family history. My distant cousin and I have been working on this for a while (she's in her late 70's). Believe it or not, her name is Dorothy while mine is Dorthy. We also have another cousin by the name of Dorothy. Kinda like my brother Darryl and my other brother Darryl. So, I want to get this wrapped up and get on to something else.
Right now I am going to take a shower and shampoo my hair - first time I've felt like it in a couple of days. I'm a little "rank." After that my goal tonight is to make two Christmas pillows for my daughter Megan. I made Brandi's last year but haven't given them to her. This year it is what they will get because we just do not have the funds to spend for big major gifts for everybody.
So, I'm off to fight the dragons - whatever and wherever they are. Take care; God bless.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I'm worn to a frazzle! Had a full day with third graders. Except this was a third grade from somewhere outta space! First of all, there was no lesson plan to be found, just some vague instructions for the beginning of class, then a couple of lines about what to do for the spelling test and the reading worksheet. Fortunately the team teacher (also 3rd grade, next door) came to help me out a minute and we were able to put together a "day" for the students. Her class and the one I had switch at mid day.
From the beginning these kids decided Substitute Teacher Syndrome would be appropriate behavior for the day. And I actually asked them if this was the way they behaved for their regular teacher. they said no. I was totally unprepared for the absolute defiance from some of the students. They would not sit down, they would not respect me nor their co-students, they got out of their chairs and went wherever they wanted in the room even while I was trying to teach. They hit, shoved, cursed one another, and at one point did the same to me. At one point it became necessary for me to get assistance from the other teacher and we had to remove a student. This class was the epitome of every classroom one has ever seen on television where the students were totally out of control - chair overturned, desks moved, total disregard for order.
As I said, I thought it was me. At my break I went to the teacher's lounge. There were other teachers in there - I was about to the breaking point. I told them I had totally lost control of the class, even though I had a parent volunteer in the class to assist me! Between us we couldn't get the class under control. Another sub was in the lounge as well - she was having the same problem. We discussed with the other teachers that according to our training we were not to use "drill sargeant" actions with them (don't raise the voice, use only positive reinforcement, etc.). The regular teachers told us the only way they get order in the classroom is by totally ignoring the training and taking charge. They said the people who put that training together apparently have never been in one of our classrooms, and that they deal with these actions every day and that it is not just a substitute teacher problem. They say it is an epidemic...that children now days will not listen, will not respect, will not pay attention, do whatever they want to. They told us it is totally out of hand.
Anyway, to make a long story longer, at recess I was approached by some of the regular teachers wanting to know if I would be willing to come back to sub again. I was kinda surprised. but they told me I was actually doing a good job. And, of course, they have a hard time getting subs...no one is willing to come put up with it! I laughed. I told them I'm willing to sub for them as long as there are other teachers around who will step in to help me when it gets rough like it did that morning. They told me that was no problem - that they do it all the time! So I'll probably be going back to that school.
I'm signed up to teach a different class on Friday - different school. Middle school. I hope I survive. But tomorrow I'm taking a break - having lunch at the Fort Worth Women's Club. Both the DAR and the United Daughters of the Confederacy meet at the FWWC...it will be nice to go so something a little sweeter than the classroom today.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Sunday, December 2, 2012
A GOOD day! I've learned to appreciate each and every GOOD day!!!
Yesterday was grandson Jacob's 9th birthday. I wasn't invited, of course, and I didn't get to see him - also of course. But, I thought about him all week and got his gift cards mailed last Thursday and hopefully he got them. I'll never know, but I've decided to be ok anyway.
Ken went to the store for me early this morning...to get supplies for making Christmas goodies. Today was quilting club Christmas party. I made some peppermint bark and peanut butter fudge. The bark was/is good; the fudge is good but it overcooked a bit and set up a little "dry." the good thing is, it won't matter! Ken and I will dip it in chocolate and it will be just fine. As for the peppermint bark, we like to drop a bit of that in a cup of coffee. This was our favorite drink when we were out camping...I think it will taste just fine out on the back porch.
Our little Christmas party was fun -- I love being with these ladies...they are all so smart, intelligent mind blowing women. It feeds my brain as well as my soul to be with these ladies. They are mostly employed by or retired from my former employer so they truly are bright women, plus they are talented, crafty women. I keep hoping that just being with them will somehow make me better at the simply things I do!
Anyway, we play a dice game - have no idea what it is called - Left, Right, Center. Everyone gets chips. In turn each one throws the dice. The player must do whatever the dice show when they are thrown. If one indicates left, a chip is given to the person to the left; same with right; and if one says center, a chip is placed in the center of the table. The last person with chips left wiuns the game. Some pretty neat prizes are given out after each game.
Today I got a fat quarter that has coffee cups/kitcheny things on it. It will be perfect for making a half apron! I will need to add some sashing to each side as well as to the bottom; and will need to make the waist band and ties as well as the pocket out of something different. I've been wanting to make a new apron, and this is perfect for that.
The other prize I got is fabric to make one of those fast pillowcases like I made for all the various members of the family for Christmas 2010. It's cupcake fabric with some plain brown for trim along with some dot fabric for the pillowcase top. These are so easy to make - should take about an hour or less. Directions say to wash the fabric first - not sure I want to do that (lol). I love unwashed fabrics! But experience tells me these 100% cotton pillowcases wrinkle like all get out! I made some for Kenneth out of University of Texas fabric...they always need to be ironed...I'm not into ironing!
This evening we went to Chili's - we shared a burger and salad. I needed something to counter all the SWEET from the party. Oh, my, it was all good. And I love the coffee at Susan's house -- it's perked coffee...and I can certainly tell the difference in it and drip coffee. Kenneth found my percolator (sp?) and I think I'll make a pot of decaf for tomorrow evening after dinner. Ken will be gone all day tomorrow with his playmates to celebrate friend Chuck's birthday (it's a guy lunch/party) so I'll be spending tomorrow alone. Maybe I'll finally finish cleaning the den and get a few Christmas things out. No one's going to be at our house, but maybe we will feel better about Christmas if we put out a few things.
That's about it - I need to do a few things then crawl into bed. I hope I sleep - I usually don't and get back up but I'm tired so maybe I will. Maybe I'll dream of my kiddos again. I think my wishing they would show up at the front door to surprise me is working it's way into my dreams. That's not going to happen, but oh, well. It's better than nightmares.
And so, the end of another weekend.
Yesterday was grandson Jacob's 9th birthday. I wasn't invited, of course, and I didn't get to see him - also of course. But, I thought about him all week and got his gift cards mailed last Thursday and hopefully he got them. I'll never know, but I've decided to be ok anyway.
Ken went to the store for me early this morning...to get supplies for making Christmas goodies. Today was quilting club Christmas party. I made some peppermint bark and peanut butter fudge. The bark was/is good; the fudge is good but it overcooked a bit and set up a little "dry." the good thing is, it won't matter! Ken and I will dip it in chocolate and it will be just fine. As for the peppermint bark, we like to drop a bit of that in a cup of coffee. This was our favorite drink when we were out camping...I think it will taste just fine out on the back porch.
Our little Christmas party was fun -- I love being with these ladies...they are all so smart, intelligent mind blowing women. It feeds my brain as well as my soul to be with these ladies. They are mostly employed by or retired from my former employer so they truly are bright women, plus they are talented, crafty women. I keep hoping that just being with them will somehow make me better at the simply things I do!
Anyway, we play a dice game - have no idea what it is called - Left, Right, Center. Everyone gets chips. In turn each one throws the dice. The player must do whatever the dice show when they are thrown. If one indicates left, a chip is given to the person to the left; same with right; and if one says center, a chip is placed in the center of the table. The last person with chips left wiuns the game. Some pretty neat prizes are given out after each game.
Today I got a fat quarter that has coffee cups/kitcheny things on it. It will be perfect for making a half apron! I will need to add some sashing to each side as well as to the bottom; and will need to make the waist band and ties as well as the pocket out of something different. I've been wanting to make a new apron, and this is perfect for that.
The other prize I got is fabric to make one of those fast pillowcases like I made for all the various members of the family for Christmas 2010. It's cupcake fabric with some plain brown for trim along with some dot fabric for the pillowcase top. These are so easy to make - should take about an hour or less. Directions say to wash the fabric first - not sure I want to do that (lol). I love unwashed fabrics! But experience tells me these 100% cotton pillowcases wrinkle like all get out! I made some for Kenneth out of University of Texas fabric...they always need to be ironed...I'm not into ironing!
This evening we went to Chili's - we shared a burger and salad. I needed something to counter all the SWEET from the party. Oh, my, it was all good. And I love the coffee at Susan's house -- it's perked coffee...and I can certainly tell the difference in it and drip coffee. Kenneth found my percolator (sp?) and I think I'll make a pot of decaf for tomorrow evening after dinner. Ken will be gone all day tomorrow with his playmates to celebrate friend Chuck's birthday (it's a guy lunch/party) so I'll be spending tomorrow alone. Maybe I'll finally finish cleaning the den and get a few Christmas things out. No one's going to be at our house, but maybe we will feel better about Christmas if we put out a few things.
That's about it - I need to do a few things then crawl into bed. I hope I sleep - I usually don't and get back up but I'm tired so maybe I will. Maybe I'll dream of my kiddos again. I think my wishing they would show up at the front door to surprise me is working it's way into my dreams. That's not going to happen, but oh, well. It's better than nightmares.
And so, the end of another weekend.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
BAD day...depression in addition to feeling yucky. Can't get the fluid off - diuretics not working, legs and feet are at least twice their normal size - can't get shoes on. Finally got up today about noon...managed to get my teeth and hair brushed and put on some clothes.
Spent most of the day in my sewing room piddling. Used a couple of fat quarters to make some coasters. They're cute but definitely look homemade by Dorthy! I've included a couple of pictures of them. I'm always amazed that no matter how much time I take, how carefully I measure, how many times I take out stitches, etc., etc., that everything I make comes out looking like crap! Oh, well. I'll probably just keep these for myself anyway. I was originally going to tie tea or something with the ribbon and maybe include these in a little bag with a mug (Dollar Tree maybe).
I thought about daughter Brandi all day while working on these...she likes the snowman decorations. I won't give them to her, I don't think, because she doesn't like "stuff."
I think next I'm going to try making some coasters with half square triangles. The Crafty Gemini on youtube.com had a tutorial on those - I think I can do it. Of course they will LOOK like I made them but I'm beyond the point of giving a hoot!!!
Did not dare work on a quilt while feeling like this. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
I thought about daughter Brandi all day while working on these...she likes the snowman decorations. I won't give them to her, I don't think, because she doesn't like "stuff."
I think next I'm going to try making some coasters with half square triangles. The Crafty Gemini on youtube.com had a tutorial on those - I think I can do it. Of course they will LOOK like I made them but I'm beyond the point of giving a hoot!!!
Did not dare work on a quilt while feeling like this. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
I lied. I didn't take a break from Christmas quilts...didn't do pillows for daughter M. Instead I spent yesterday cutting big patches for another Christmas lap quilt - this one for Ken's step mother. Left up to me she wouldn't get anything but to keep family peace I'm doing the little quilt. (My FIL had this little lady on the side in the last years of my MIL's life. That is not a big deal in the family because my MIL was, unfortunately, for the last 12 years of her life "lost in space" due to a terrible stroke and memory loss. The bad/sad of it all is that this person decided to be my FIL's date at my MIL's funeral - and managed to marry my FIL within 6 months of my MIL's passing. And my FIL gave almost everything that had been my MIL's to this lady, even calling my husband and demanding he return things he had rightfully inherited.) Don't ya just love reading my blogs? You get to catch up on all the family dirt!
I have the top all sewn together, the squares and seams pressed, the borders on. It's ready to sandwich and quilt -- maybe I'll get finished with this thing tomorrow.
This week I was supposed to teach kindergarten - at a school in an area where I'm afraid to drive or get out of my car to walk to the building! I've worried about it all last week and just could not come to terms with it - so this morning I canceled out on the assignments for Tuesday and Thursday. Hopefully I'll be able to find something else this week in a better area. I've decided taking risks is not worth $127 per day.
Today I'm trying to make decisions about retirement funds...I haven't done a rollover of 401K funds since I retired so can't access them. I haven't been too worried about it since the account balance has actually gained this year instead of losing, and because of income this year the last thing I wanted to do was to take any kind of taxable withdrawal from the funds! But I think we need to do a rollover so we can continue contributing to it. For this current year we elected to continue to save but to do it via government E and I bonds...we try to pay ourselves first, even if its just a little bit. Thus far we've been decently successful at it. And we're not planning to wipe it out with Christmas either!
Oh, learned a couple of things about quilting Saturday via my Yahoo quilting groups! For simple quilt blocks, press the seams OPEN because they lay flatter and because it makes them easier to match seams! Some of the ladies on the group are big time quilters - one of them is the quilter for one of the TV shows. I tried it on the big patch lap quilts, and sure 'nuf, the seams/blocks align better. Apparently the reason seams are done the other way is because it supposedly reduces stress on the seams. However, actually quilting the sandwich reduces the seam stress to negligible. Dang, the things we learn. Of course depending on the block pattern there are still some blocks that require the other process.
Oh, and the other thing is, DON'T PRESS before sewing blocks together. It sets the stitches and "stretches/forms/sets" the fabric so that it is less easy to manipulate the fabric to match up seams/blocks!!! Don't press seams until all blocks are matched and stitched! EXCEPT, make sure fabric is pressed before cutting and that all blocks are measured/squared correctly. I was told that in spite of what all the quilting books and instructors say, don't do the pressing. I tried that with this quilt top, and it is true! I barely finger pressed the seams open then matched the block seams to one another. Because the rest of the block (other than the seam) had not been pressed, the fabric was much easier to manipulate and match the blocks, working with the fabric to get it to all fit together. Pressing the whole thing afterward wasn't all that difficult because this is a big patch lap top....it might get a little difficult doing that with other types of blocks. However, I was told this is also done on 4-patch, 9-patch, and other patches where matching corners is so important! Maybe my grandmother knew what she was doing after all - 'cause she never pressed as she was putting them together!
I took a short break from the quilt to watch a few videos on making coasters and then actually made one out of scrap fabric. I cut the squares 5"x5", turned the two outside fabrics face to face, then put the batting on the bottom of the "sandwich." It was a simple sewing around the thing leaving an opening to turn and being sure to turn between the two outer fabrics. then I edge stitched around it. I tried to do another stitch using the edge stitch as a guide with the presser foot but it looks like a drunk did it! But it will work out fine in our house! I think I'm going to zip up a few of these as gifts - I'll tie a ribbon around a stack of 4 and maybe slip a package of tea or something onto the ribbon before tying. Or maybe coffee, or something. would make a cute gift with a mug included...Dollar Tree anyone? Oh, I think next time I would make the squares at least 6"x6"...the 5"x5" when turned is ok, I just prefer coasters be a little bit larger.
I watched a second video on making coasters - these are a little bit more complex but not hard. when I have time I'm going to give those a try.
A girlfriend posted a picture on Facebook of something she found on the internet...doily cookies! These are made from the old sugar cookie recipe which is then rolled out to about 1/8" thick on parchment paper. Then the doily is rolled onto the dough, lifted carefully from the dough, any excess dough around the cookie "doily" is removed, then the cookie is placed on the cookie pan paper and all -- no trying to get the cookie lifted and placed on the pan. Bake the usual 8-10 minutes depending on the oven. For ours it is an exact 9 minutes. I can't wait to try these - they are so dang pretty. I've already bought cookie tins to make cookies to send to my kids for Christmas. I'll send that to Colorado the week before Christmas and to my Texas kids the week of Christmas.
Oh, I've been watching a lot of videos by a lady in the UK. Her name is Debbie Shore. She does a lot of cute things and she makes them look rally simple. I can't wait to make a bag for my granddaughters following her simple instructions - but the Crafty Gemini goes a bit further with them and I gain some tips from her to make the bag a bit better.
Gotta go - have many things to try!
I have the top all sewn together, the squares and seams pressed, the borders on. It's ready to sandwich and quilt -- maybe I'll get finished with this thing tomorrow.
This week I was supposed to teach kindergarten - at a school in an area where I'm afraid to drive or get out of my car to walk to the building! I've worried about it all last week and just could not come to terms with it - so this morning I canceled out on the assignments for Tuesday and Thursday. Hopefully I'll be able to find something else this week in a better area. I've decided taking risks is not worth $127 per day.
Today I'm trying to make decisions about retirement funds...I haven't done a rollover of 401K funds since I retired so can't access them. I haven't been too worried about it since the account balance has actually gained this year instead of losing, and because of income this year the last thing I wanted to do was to take any kind of taxable withdrawal from the funds! But I think we need to do a rollover so we can continue contributing to it. For this current year we elected to continue to save but to do it via government E and I bonds...we try to pay ourselves first, even if its just a little bit. Thus far we've been decently successful at it. And we're not planning to wipe it out with Christmas either!
Oh, learned a couple of things about quilting Saturday via my Yahoo quilting groups! For simple quilt blocks, press the seams OPEN because they lay flatter and because it makes them easier to match seams! Some of the ladies on the group are big time quilters - one of them is the quilter for one of the TV shows. I tried it on the big patch lap quilts, and sure 'nuf, the seams/blocks align better. Apparently the reason seams are done the other way is because it supposedly reduces stress on the seams. However, actually quilting the sandwich reduces the seam stress to negligible. Dang, the things we learn. Of course depending on the block pattern there are still some blocks that require the other process.
Oh, and the other thing is, DON'T PRESS before sewing blocks together. It sets the stitches and "stretches/forms/sets" the fabric so that it is less easy to manipulate the fabric to match up seams/blocks!!! Don't press seams until all blocks are matched and stitched! EXCEPT, make sure fabric is pressed before cutting and that all blocks are measured/squared correctly. I was told that in spite of what all the quilting books and instructors say, don't do the pressing. I tried that with this quilt top, and it is true! I barely finger pressed the seams open then matched the block seams to one another. Because the rest of the block (other than the seam) had not been pressed, the fabric was much easier to manipulate and match the blocks, working with the fabric to get it to all fit together. Pressing the whole thing afterward wasn't all that difficult because this is a big patch lap top....it might get a little difficult doing that with other types of blocks. However, I was told this is also done on 4-patch, 9-patch, and other patches where matching corners is so important! Maybe my grandmother knew what she was doing after all - 'cause she never pressed as she was putting them together!
I took a short break from the quilt to watch a few videos on making coasters and then actually made one out of scrap fabric. I cut the squares 5"x5", turned the two outside fabrics face to face, then put the batting on the bottom of the "sandwich." It was a simple sewing around the thing leaving an opening to turn and being sure to turn between the two outer fabrics. then I edge stitched around it. I tried to do another stitch using the edge stitch as a guide with the presser foot but it looks like a drunk did it! But it will work out fine in our house! I think I'm going to zip up a few of these as gifts - I'll tie a ribbon around a stack of 4 and maybe slip a package of tea or something onto the ribbon before tying. Or maybe coffee, or something. would make a cute gift with a mug included...Dollar Tree anyone? Oh, I think next time I would make the squares at least 6"x6"...the 5"x5" when turned is ok, I just prefer coasters be a little bit larger.
I watched a second video on making coasters - these are a little bit more complex but not hard. when I have time I'm going to give those a try.
A girlfriend posted a picture on Facebook of something she found on the internet...doily cookies! These are made from the old sugar cookie recipe which is then rolled out to about 1/8" thick on parchment paper. Then the doily is rolled onto the dough, lifted carefully from the dough, any excess dough around the cookie "doily" is removed, then the cookie is placed on the cookie pan paper and all -- no trying to get the cookie lifted and placed on the pan. Bake the usual 8-10 minutes depending on the oven. For ours it is an exact 9 minutes. I can't wait to try these - they are so dang pretty. I've already bought cookie tins to make cookies to send to my kids for Christmas. I'll send that to Colorado the week before Christmas and to my Texas kids the week of Christmas.
Oh, I've been watching a lot of videos by a lady in the UK. Her name is Debbie Shore. She does a lot of cute things and she makes them look rally simple. I can't wait to make a bag for my granddaughters following her simple instructions - but the Crafty Gemini goes a bit further with them and I gain some tips from her to make the bag a bit better.
Gotta go - have many things to try!
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
A great lazy day! Woke up to the "music" of Luci Grace barking her head off...once again the waste management people were stealing our trash!
Got the binding of brother Jerry's quilt pinned down last night - thought about it after I went to bed and decided instead of fighting to try to sew around that quilt on my small sewing table I would try something different. Since I already had my Singer 645 set up on the cutting table (I use it to wind bobbins as needed for the 648), I decided to sew around the binding on the 645 using the cutting table because of its larger space. It worked like a charm except my back, hip, leg, and left foot just about gave way on me balancing all my weight while I operated the controller with my right foot! But using the larger table for working on the quilt made a great deal of difference - made things much easier!
The corner-to-corner stitches on the quilt came out ok...I wobbled in a place or two but not two badly. I like it. Now all I'm doing is putting the "picture frame" around the label and then I'll get it sewn on, and the quilt will be about finished and ready to mail. Yippee! Another one down and a couple more to go.
Before I start on another one, I'm going to take a break from Christmas quilts and make daughter Megan's pillows. I made daughter Brandi's last year but didn't give them to her because I ran out of time to do Megan's. So, the Christmasy something of their Christmas gifting is just about complete. I've got another thing or two in mind for each of them, but not much unfortunately. It may be a tin of cookies and a Wish You a Merry Christmas! We'll see. Daughter-in-law Nicky has already instructed that all gifts this year are to be $$ - because they are saving to take granddaughter Courtney on a graduation trip this next summer. So, that gift will be easy. I usually buy everyone a Christmas ornament - I probably will do that again this year. The hard ones to buy for are the kids - I have no idea what they have or would want - what do you buy for kids who have everything? I'll worry about it later.
I took a few pictures of my sewing room today...just to show that it IS possible to work in the middle of a great big mess!!!
On that table is my black Singer 301 -- I'm currently using it to make Ken's t-shirt quilt. This is the machine we found in pristine condition but had to drive to Forney, Texas to pick up. Underneath that table is my mocha 301. I ordered it off Ebay and it arrived unscathed! Behind the 301 in its case is my Singer 221 Featherweight. I bought this one off my Singer guru, Mr. Bruner. The machine in the corner is a Singer 600E - it's waiting for me to take it to the shop. I did something entirely stupid and can't get a piece back in place - nothing major, just need help. I found the 600E on Craigslist located in Corinth, Texas. Ken and I drove up there one Thursday evening after work a couple of years ago. Love that machine -- all metal geared machine. Under the 600E in its case is a Singer 404 straight stitch machine. Love it! It's like brand new. We picked it up at an estate sale a couple of years ago.
On the tv tray at the end of my cutting table is my Brother XL 5130. I absolutely love this machine even though it is not fancy! I bought this sweet little machine at Walmart for about $125 several years ago. It operates so smoothly!
Set up on top of my cutting table is my Singer 645. I bought this machine off of Craigslist - but it was located in Houston, Texas. The lady was moving, wanted to get rid of it, told me if I wanted it she would ship it to me because otherwise she was putting it in the dump! I paid shipping on it and it arrived in ok condition. It was dirty, nasty, needed a little help, but sews like a champ. I liked it so much that I had the gears replaced in it (these are the nylon, not metal gears). When I am running the 648 on my sewing table, I set this one for bobbin winding. When I am running this one, I set up the 648 to do the bobbin winding. Underneath the Minnie Mouse doll is my sewing trolley -- there's a machine in there, too, but I can't remember what it is! On the shelf beside Minnie are other machines. There's a 500A, a European machine, and I can't recall what else.
This is the workhorse Singer 648. The masking tape is because the spring on the top piece is "sprung" and will not stay down. When sewing the thread bounces and causes tension issues, so I just did the redneck thing and taped it. I love this machine. It does a great job. It sews thru anything!!! We got this machine off of an old Singer man in Garland, Texas. He still fixes and repairs sewing machines - can be found on Craigslist. The gears on this one cracked after a short time of using it after we got it home (not unusual for these machines). We had all 5 of them replaced by Mr. Bruner.
Underneath the sewing table holding the 648 is a Baby Lock serger - still in the box, never used. Across the side of the room that is not seen is a Singer 401 in pristine condition in its original sewing table. We bought it at an estate sale a year or so ago. Some day soon I'm going to Clean and put up my Singer 648 for a while, fold up my sewing table, move the 401 to the place where the 648 currently is, and use the 401. It is a great machine.
Also not shown is the machine in the kitchen in its original cabinet - a Singer 66. We call this one the Russian princess. The reason is because we bought it off of Bill Paxton's wife - yes the actor - Ken went to school with him. The machine was actually Bill's mother's, but it was Bill's wife who we went to see. Ken enjoyed talking to her and discussing the various regions of Russia where their families are from. The machine is beautiful. We did a little work on it and had it rewired. It sets at the end of the kitchen island and holds the mail/junk. It sews a great stitch.
Also in the kitchen on the cabinet wall that divides the kitchen and den is the 1918 handcrank Singer sewing machine that I got from my friend Debbi. This one was not free - no way would I let her do that. It is beautiful - and it is Ken's favorite machine...he loves the handcranks and treadles - says they allow him more control over the machines.
Some day I'll take pictures of the Singer 500A. These were called "the rocket" because of their look. They are great heavy all-metal machines. The one we have we got off of another collector when we went to a sewing machine conference in College Station a couple of years ago. It had been owned by a man who made quilts for charity but he smoked like a chimney. The machine was NASTY with nicotine and smoke. We had to take this machine completely apart, use a product to MELT the nicotine and smoke off the machine and parts, clean all that up, clean the inside, rewire it, special order a new controller unit for it, etc., etc. Once all that was completed and we put it all back together, lubed and oiled it, it runs like nobody's business. I may end up giving this machine to a favorite someone.
There has been only one machine that I have regretted not buying...and that was a New Home machine in the cabinet that we found at an antique dealer in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It was identical to my mother's, and I think it was my mother's. The fellow told us that he bought it in Texas in the vicinity of where my mother lived. Regretfully I've missed out on this machine twice - when mother died and also at the Eureka Springs antique store. If I ever find one again, I'm bringing it home - even if I DO have to tie it to the roof or the hood!!!
So, enough of a break -- I'm going to finish sewing on the frame around the label, attach it to the quilt, give the quilt one last pressing, fold it and get it ready for shipping. Then I can scratch off one more "to do" from my list.
Before I start on another one, I'm going to take a break from Christmas quilts and make daughter Megan's pillows. I made daughter Brandi's last year but didn't give them to her because I ran out of time to do Megan's. So, the Christmasy something of their Christmas gifting is just about complete. I've got another thing or two in mind for each of them, but not much unfortunately. It may be a tin of cookies and a Wish You a Merry Christmas! We'll see. Daughter-in-law Nicky has already instructed that all gifts this year are to be $$ - because they are saving to take granddaughter Courtney on a graduation trip this next summer. So, that gift will be easy. I usually buy everyone a Christmas ornament - I probably will do that again this year. The hard ones to buy for are the kids - I have no idea what they have or would want - what do you buy for kids who have everything? I'll worry about it later.
I took a few pictures of my sewing room today...just to show that it IS possible to work in the middle of a great big mess!!!
Underneath the sewing table holding the 648 is a Baby Lock serger - still in the box, never used. Across the side of the room that is not seen is a Singer 401 in pristine condition in its original sewing table. We bought it at an estate sale a year or so ago. Some day soon I'm going to Clean and put up my Singer 648 for a while, fold up my sewing table, move the 401 to the place where the 648 currently is, and use the 401. It is a great machine.
Also not shown is the machine in the kitchen in its original cabinet - a Singer 66. We call this one the Russian princess. The reason is because we bought it off of Bill Paxton's wife - yes the actor - Ken went to school with him. The machine was actually Bill's mother's, but it was Bill's wife who we went to see. Ken enjoyed talking to her and discussing the various regions of Russia where their families are from. The machine is beautiful. We did a little work on it and had it rewired. It sets at the end of the kitchen island and holds the mail/junk. It sews a great stitch.
Also in the kitchen on the cabinet wall that divides the kitchen and den is the 1918 handcrank Singer sewing machine that I got from my friend Debbi. This one was not free - no way would I let her do that. It is beautiful - and it is Ken's favorite machine...he loves the handcranks and treadles - says they allow him more control over the machines.
Some day I'll take pictures of the Singer 500A. These were called "the rocket" because of their look. They are great heavy all-metal machines. The one we have we got off of another collector when we went to a sewing machine conference in College Station a couple of years ago. It had been owned by a man who made quilts for charity but he smoked like a chimney. The machine was NASTY with nicotine and smoke. We had to take this machine completely apart, use a product to MELT the nicotine and smoke off the machine and parts, clean all that up, clean the inside, rewire it, special order a new controller unit for it, etc., etc. Once all that was completed and we put it all back together, lubed and oiled it, it runs like nobody's business. I may end up giving this machine to a favorite someone.
There has been only one machine that I have regretted not buying...and that was a New Home machine in the cabinet that we found at an antique dealer in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It was identical to my mother's, and I think it was my mother's. The fellow told us that he bought it in Texas in the vicinity of where my mother lived. Regretfully I've missed out on this machine twice - when mother died and also at the Eureka Springs antique store. If I ever find one again, I'm bringing it home - even if I DO have to tie it to the roof or the hood!!!
So, enough of a break -- I'm going to finish sewing on the frame around the label, attach it to the quilt, give the quilt one last pressing, fold it and get it ready for shipping. Then I can scratch off one more "to do" from my list.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Black Friday - November 23, 2012
Can't believe it! We got up early (at least for us - about 7), went to the Dixie House for breakfast, then went to the mall! We had NO traffic going down the main drag toward the mall, there was not a huge crowd at the restaurant, and we had no problems getting a close parking spot at the mall. We were able to get our scooters out, had no problems getting around in the stores and on the mall walkways. We went all over the mall, found the few things we wanted, managed to get excellent service, and we were out of there before 11 a.m. The good thing about going to the mall was that I managed to get exactly what I had been looking for - for a ridiculous price! This is something I've been wanting to get for my youngest daughter since she married...something just for her. She had a very small private wedding with just immediate family and a couple of friends. There was something I always wanted to purchase for her but couldn't at the time. I did for her sister for her wedding. Anyway, I love that I got the real McCoy for such a rock bottom price!!!
We also stopped in the tool department at Sears - only because it is right next door to the tree trimming and ornament area. There was this really cute tool caddy for $9.99 - in PINK. It is perfect for quilting and sewing stuff. I got one for my room - we also got one in black for Ken to use on the garage workbench. This thing is large enough to hold my quilting squares and rulers, cutters, scissors, tracing wheels, etc., etc. Now to get the sewing room cleaned up and organized!
From there we went to the fabric store again - a few things I needed that were on sale. Needed a couple of pillow forms, some cookie tins, some corduroy to make dog toys, and 1.5 yds of black fabric...don't know how it happened, but I was completely out of black (I use it a lot for interior borders on quilts).
I spent the rest of the day quilting the Christmas lap quilt for my brother Jerry. On this one it is once again straight line quilting but is from corner to corner. I thought I would never get this thing finished. Some of my "straight" lines may be a bit "wobbly," but it looks ok. Tomorrow I'll do the measuring and trimming of the backing fabric - I trim down to 1.5" then fold it once and press, then fold it once again, this time over to the front of the quilt. I don't do applied bindings on these kinds of quilts -- and don't do mitered corners either. Not necessary, and the flat binding looks much nicer. Applied bindings take far too long because I refuse to attempt to sew the final stitching around the binding by machine -- I've never seen one done by anyone yet that doesn't look sloppy. So I do mine by hand - and it is very time consuming. I don't have time for that so I do the roll from back to front using a wider binding to the front.
Other than that...life goes on. I think we are "done" with shopping for a while...we've still got to figure out what, if anything, we are going to do about Christmas gifts. We'll think about that next week! I think we have a plan to do a little bitty tiny bit, but certainly far less than in the past.
From there we went to the fabric store again - a few things I needed that were on sale. Needed a couple of pillow forms, some cookie tins, some corduroy to make dog toys, and 1.5 yds of black fabric...don't know how it happened, but I was completely out of black (I use it a lot for interior borders on quilts).
I spent the rest of the day quilting the Christmas lap quilt for my brother Jerry. On this one it is once again straight line quilting but is from corner to corner. I thought I would never get this thing finished. Some of my "straight" lines may be a bit "wobbly," but it looks ok. Tomorrow I'll do the measuring and trimming of the backing fabric - I trim down to 1.5" then fold it once and press, then fold it once again, this time over to the front of the quilt. I don't do applied bindings on these kinds of quilts -- and don't do mitered corners either. Not necessary, and the flat binding looks much nicer. Applied bindings take far too long because I refuse to attempt to sew the final stitching around the binding by machine -- I've never seen one done by anyone yet that doesn't look sloppy. So I do mine by hand - and it is very time consuming. I don't have time for that so I do the roll from back to front using a wider binding to the front.
Other than that...life goes on. I think we are "done" with shopping for a while...we've still got to figure out what, if anything, we are going to do about Christmas gifts. We'll think about that next week! I think we have a plan to do a little bitty tiny bit, but certainly far less than in the past.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thanksgiving 2012, Thursday, November 22, 2012
Felt MUCH better when I woke up this morning. So glad. We had a very nice day.
Today we went to the home of my niece and her husband, Peggy and Mark, and got to spend time with lots of my brothers family. In the old days our family gatherings were at my oldest brother's home, but now days the family gathers at Peggy's. WAY too much food, but OH SO GOOD. I did NOT make peanut butter fudge - guess I'll make it and take it to them for Christmas. Niece Lisa and great niece Katie teased me about expecting it -- and a couple of family members said I should sign up for a particular web site to SELL my candies. They think I can compete with others who are selling theirs at $5.00 per pound. I need to figure out if that is a good price or not. (Nephew Troy was remembering Grandma's (my mother's) divinity.)
Took the Christmas lap quilt today because I knew I probably wouldn't see my brother and sister-in-law any time soon, especially before Christmas...I thought giving them the quilt early was better - that way they can use it this year instead of waiting a full year. And with Joe's health issues we never know if he has another year or not. It's a contest as to which one of us siblings is going to go first - I think that even with all my health issues I may be the one in "good" health. That's the reason I want to get brother Jerry's quilt finished! (I have it spray basted and pinned and on the sewing machine waiting for me to quilt it. I'm letting it stay there while I decide what color thread to use for the top...it will definitely have red in the bottom. The top is big patches of various Christmas fabrics, so I'm debating whether to use green or red...white will not look right. I used red on Joe's.)
Joe was teasing and aggravating me as usual...he says I always say we don't have any money - and we DON'T, but he says I then tell him we bought or did so and so! He has no idea how much planning/saving/switching around we have to do when we decide to do something. and when we spend money it is a BIG deal. He asked me if we bought a motorhome and when I told him yes, he wanted to know how much we paid - and when I told him he zapped me again! Then he saw Ken's car and made some remark about how we afford to do something like that! Well, we have a tendency to save, look, research, and search before we buy anything. We saved for 4 years for the motorhome and bought a '98 Tiffin Allegro Bay, not a new one; and Ken's car LOOKS new because his cars ALWAYS look new, but we searched for it for 4 years as well - and bought a 2007 VW Beetle with 22,000 original miles on it previously owned by folks in Temple, Texas who never drove it. We got one heck of a deal on it! Guess I'm going to have to watch what I say because we truly do NOT have a lot of discretionary money! We just SAVE for things and plan for them. I also had to remind him that although I am retired from LM, I still work part time. And where does the money I earn go??? Yep! Right into savings!!! Ken and I know that we have no one but ourselves to count on if anything goes wrong, so we can't afford to spend money!
Anyway, after he and my sister-in-law left he called me from his house (3 doors away) and asked me if he made me mad or hurt my feelings. I laughed. No, I've been putting up with you harrassing me for the last 64 years - I didn't think anything about today. Just chalked it up to "family as usual."
Did not hear from any of my own kids, of course. Always disappointing, always makes me cry, but I decided to have a nice day anyway. Likewise we didn't hear anything from Ken's family.
We were home in time for Ken to watch the football game; and I spent the late afternoon and evening watching videos on youtube.com - I like the sewing videos done by Debbie Shore - she has some pretty cute ideas, simple to do. There are some things she has done that I want to try.
Hope everyone had a great day. If you're gone shopping, be careful out there!
Today we went to the home of my niece and her husband, Peggy and Mark, and got to spend time with lots of my brothers family. In the old days our family gatherings were at my oldest brother's home, but now days the family gathers at Peggy's. WAY too much food, but OH SO GOOD. I did NOT make peanut butter fudge - guess I'll make it and take it to them for Christmas. Niece Lisa and great niece Katie teased me about expecting it -- and a couple of family members said I should sign up for a particular web site to SELL my candies. They think I can compete with others who are selling theirs at $5.00 per pound. I need to figure out if that is a good price or not. (Nephew Troy was remembering Grandma's (my mother's) divinity.)
Took the Christmas lap quilt today because I knew I probably wouldn't see my brother and sister-in-law any time soon, especially before Christmas...I thought giving them the quilt early was better - that way they can use it this year instead of waiting a full year. And with Joe's health issues we never know if he has another year or not. It's a contest as to which one of us siblings is going to go first - I think that even with all my health issues I may be the one in "good" health. That's the reason I want to get brother Jerry's quilt finished! (I have it spray basted and pinned and on the sewing machine waiting for me to quilt it. I'm letting it stay there while I decide what color thread to use for the top...it will definitely have red in the bottom. The top is big patches of various Christmas fabrics, so I'm debating whether to use green or red...white will not look right. I used red on Joe's.)
Joe was teasing and aggravating me as usual...he says I always say we don't have any money - and we DON'T, but he says I then tell him we bought or did so and so! He has no idea how much planning/saving/switching around we have to do when we decide to do something. and when we spend money it is a BIG deal. He asked me if we bought a motorhome and when I told him yes, he wanted to know how much we paid - and when I told him he zapped me again! Then he saw Ken's car and made some remark about how we afford to do something like that! Well, we have a tendency to save, look, research, and search before we buy anything. We saved for 4 years for the motorhome and bought a '98 Tiffin Allegro Bay, not a new one; and Ken's car LOOKS new because his cars ALWAYS look new, but we searched for it for 4 years as well - and bought a 2007 VW Beetle with 22,000 original miles on it previously owned by folks in Temple, Texas who never drove it. We got one heck of a deal on it! Guess I'm going to have to watch what I say because we truly do NOT have a lot of discretionary money! We just SAVE for things and plan for them. I also had to remind him that although I am retired from LM, I still work part time. And where does the money I earn go??? Yep! Right into savings!!! Ken and I know that we have no one but ourselves to count on if anything goes wrong, so we can't afford to spend money!
Anyway, after he and my sister-in-law left he called me from his house (3 doors away) and asked me if he made me mad or hurt my feelings. I laughed. No, I've been putting up with you harrassing me for the last 64 years - I didn't think anything about today. Just chalked it up to "family as usual."
Did not hear from any of my own kids, of course. Always disappointing, always makes me cry, but I decided to have a nice day anyway. Likewise we didn't hear anything from Ken's family.
We were home in time for Ken to watch the football game; and I spent the late afternoon and evening watching videos on youtube.com - I like the sewing videos done by Debbie Shore - she has some pretty cute ideas, simple to do. There are some things she has done that I want to try.
Hope everyone had a great day. If you're gone shopping, be careful out there!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Today is niece Peggy's birthday...seems just yesterday we (the entire family at the time) were gathered in the maternity waiting room for the birth of this beautiful person. November 20, 1963. Love her just as much today.
Received a letter from Social Security today -- wow! they say they miscalculated my monthly payment amount and that it should be more! So, on the December payment they are going to pay me back payments to January plus increase the monthly amount - and that does not include cost of living increases if we get any! Yippee...it's not much - about enough to buy a yard or two of fabric! And if I have a coupon I can also get a bag of batting!
What else? Woke up about noon today...sick as a dog. Am so tired of having a really good day followed by a day of sick, sick, sick. Blood sugar WAY off for some crazy reason...it was 440 tonight. So, huge dose of insulin, and hoping it will bring it down so the fog in my brain will lift. Decided I needed to do some sewing work anyway, and since the backing fabric for brother Gerald's (Jerry's) quilt came yesterday I elected to measure for doing the piecing to make the backing large enough. First, I made a mistake on the length and ended up having to sew on not one but two extensions. Then I laid the back and top together to check size and discovered I had mismeasured the width required!!! Not my day. Thankfully I have more fabric so have enough to make up for my stupidity. I know better than to do something like this when I'm not feeling my best, but alas, I thought I could handle it.
Received message from childhood friend David this morning. Learned his brother Ronnie passed away this morning. We were next door neighbors to this family - so we were in/out of one another's houses all the time. Seems we are losing everybody. We went to that Memorial service for the son of friends Johnnie and Lela on Saturday, and there we learned the funeral for another friend Claire had been on Friday. This is becoming way too frequent.
I'm very tired tonight - for unknown reasons. We did lie (yes, Larry Klos, chickens lay/people lie) down late this afternoon - all of us (doggies, cats, people). Just can't kick the exhaustion. Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow to a great day - I hope so. Need to get ready to go to niece Peggy's for Thanksgiving with all the family...and there is much to be thankful for. Great nephew Isaac went home from the hospital today -- he has been in the hospital since he was born, 17 months ago...this is his first time to leave the hospital. It is indeed a time of rejoicing. But the holidays are always sad for Ken and me because we long to see our own family and the gathering reminds us that we no longer have a family.
Received a letter from Social Security today -- wow! they say they miscalculated my monthly payment amount and that it should be more! So, on the December payment they are going to pay me back payments to January plus increase the monthly amount - and that does not include cost of living increases if we get any! Yippee...it's not much - about enough to buy a yard or two of fabric! And if I have a coupon I can also get a bag of batting!
What else? Woke up about noon today...sick as a dog. Am so tired of having a really good day followed by a day of sick, sick, sick. Blood sugar WAY off for some crazy reason...it was 440 tonight. So, huge dose of insulin, and hoping it will bring it down so the fog in my brain will lift. Decided I needed to do some sewing work anyway, and since the backing fabric for brother Gerald's (Jerry's) quilt came yesterday I elected to measure for doing the piecing to make the backing large enough. First, I made a mistake on the length and ended up having to sew on not one but two extensions. Then I laid the back and top together to check size and discovered I had mismeasured the width required!!! Not my day. Thankfully I have more fabric so have enough to make up for my stupidity. I know better than to do something like this when I'm not feeling my best, but alas, I thought I could handle it.
Received message from childhood friend David this morning. Learned his brother Ronnie passed away this morning. We were next door neighbors to this family - so we were in/out of one another's houses all the time. Seems we are losing everybody. We went to that Memorial service for the son of friends Johnnie and Lela on Saturday, and there we learned the funeral for another friend Claire had been on Friday. This is becoming way too frequent.
I'm very tired tonight - for unknown reasons. We did lie (yes, Larry Klos, chickens lay/people lie) down late this afternoon - all of us (doggies, cats, people). Just can't kick the exhaustion. Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow to a great day - I hope so. Need to get ready to go to niece Peggy's for Thanksgiving with all the family...and there is much to be thankful for. Great nephew Isaac went home from the hospital today -- he has been in the hospital since he was born, 17 months ago...this is his first time to leave the hospital. It is indeed a time of rejoicing. But the holidays are always sad for Ken and me because we long to see our own family and the gathering reminds us that we no longer have a family.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
Oh, wow! Monday. Cleaning lady came this morning - yea for Irene! She saw the Christmas quilt I made for my older brother...she wants one, too. That's 3 folks plus the church who have asked me to make one before Christmas!!! Not sure I'm going to get this all done.
After Irene left, Ken took me around running errands. We got a lot done. We first stopped at UPS and sent back some shoes I had ordered that came in too big for me - afraid I'll slip down in them...they have a bit of a heel (about 1.5") and were beautiful dress shoes. Just didn't feel I could successfully wear them. I'm too used to my granny shoes.
Next stop was Albertson's...checked on Hostess goodies - picked up a couple. Plus we had to buy more soup...we eat a lot of soup. We love the new Campbell's tomato basil soup (microwavable container, perfect for two of us).
Then, the post office...mailed some things to my baby daughter - some things I found while cleaning out/up around here. They've been hanging around in my sewing room for months; finally did something about them today. Have other stuff to mail to other kids. Hope to get it all done and outta my hair.
We had lunch at Sam's (our friend's place...the name of the place is Italian Cafe). Good food, great prices. Then on to my personal fabric shop hop! We headed out to Hurst to Hancock's (had a good coupon). I found a few fabrics I liked, along with some batting (had a good coupon for it, too). Then we went to Joann's - which is in the same shopping center as Hancock's. I picked up some fabrics and another batting (coupons). I like the poly low-loft battings a lot, but the batting I got at Hancock's was one of the 80/20 battings.
Then we headed for Hobby Lobby. We had seen some fabrics at the HL close to where we live and we found most of them at the one in North Richland Hills -- still have to go to the one close to us to get one of them -- I'm determined to have that fabric with the skiing snowmen!
We finally headed home in the evening traffic, so it was a crawl from NRH to SW FW. We stopped at Panda Express for food, then headed home. When we got home Ken checked the mail box - yep, more fabric in a package...the backing fabric I ordered for my brother Gerald's quilt came in. Now I can get it finished...I already had the batting. So now I have enough fabric, thread, and batting that I don't have to come out of my cave for weeks!!! But before I can do any more work in here I have to clean it up a bit. It currently looks as though the room exploded.
So, if I don't get on here any time soon, it's because I'm 18 kinds of busy. See ya around!
After Irene left, Ken took me around running errands. We got a lot done. We first stopped at UPS and sent back some shoes I had ordered that came in too big for me - afraid I'll slip down in them...they have a bit of a heel (about 1.5") and were beautiful dress shoes. Just didn't feel I could successfully wear them. I'm too used to my granny shoes.
Next stop was Albertson's...checked on Hostess goodies - picked up a couple. Plus we had to buy more soup...we eat a lot of soup. We love the new Campbell's tomato basil soup (microwavable container, perfect for two of us).
Then, the post office...mailed some things to my baby daughter - some things I found while cleaning out/up around here. They've been hanging around in my sewing room for months; finally did something about them today. Have other stuff to mail to other kids. Hope to get it all done and outta my hair.
We had lunch at Sam's (our friend's place...the name of the place is Italian Cafe). Good food, great prices. Then on to my personal fabric shop hop! We headed out to Hurst to Hancock's (had a good coupon). I found a few fabrics I liked, along with some batting (had a good coupon for it, too). Then we went to Joann's - which is in the same shopping center as Hancock's. I picked up some fabrics and another batting (coupons). I like the poly low-loft battings a lot, but the batting I got at Hancock's was one of the 80/20 battings.
Then we headed for Hobby Lobby. We had seen some fabrics at the HL close to where we live and we found most of them at the one in North Richland Hills -- still have to go to the one close to us to get one of them -- I'm determined to have that fabric with the skiing snowmen!
We finally headed home in the evening traffic, so it was a crawl from NRH to SW FW. We stopped at Panda Express for food, then headed home. When we got home Ken checked the mail box - yep, more fabric in a package...the backing fabric I ordered for my brother Gerald's quilt came in. Now I can get it finished...I already had the batting. So now I have enough fabric, thread, and batting that I don't have to come out of my cave for weeks!!! But before I can do any more work in here I have to clean it up a bit. It currently looks as though the room exploded.
So, if I don't get on here any time soon, it's because I'm 18 kinds of busy. See ya around!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Quiet day; cried some of it because today is my granddaughter Chloe's 12th birthday and I don't get to see her ever and I miss her so very much...along with all of my other children and grandchildren. I have no idea what she (or the others) like, need or want, so all I can do any more is send gift cards. And I never know if they get them or not because my daughters won't let me know if they get them. And they don't send a thank you message so all I can do is hope they get them. But these are my children and grandchildren, and they will be until the day that I die so I will continue to miss them, long for them and send gifts. I don't have a clue what to do about Christmas gifts...I know it has to be something I can mail. We made the mistake of taking gifts to their homes last Christmas and it was made obvious that they didn't want us around. So, today was a little rough. I remember the day Miss Chloe was born - oh, God, she was beautiful. Such a precious bundle.
So, what else? We didn't do ANYTHING except stay home. I have studying to do because I'm trying to complete an additional teacher certification. However, I get started on it and it is so boring that my attention wonders, and then about the time I do settle into the videos Ken appears at the door. So, I'm not getting much done on that very quickly at all! I've got to get finished with it because I need to take the assessment by the end of December!
I don't work this next week...the schools are out for the week for Thanksgiving. But, I'm scheduled to teach a couple of kindergarten classes on the 27th and 29th...at the school where my son was bused way back when he was in the second grade! My baby daughter was also bused over to that school. What a stupid idea it was to bus these babies across town. Anyway, back then it was a nice school and I liked the principal as well as my kids' teachers. I'm hoping it is still a good school. Rough part of town, but...
I've been working on my silly table cover today -- keeping myself busy mostly. It's still kinda wobbly! However, I did get the flannel backing and backing basted to the top and I've done a million lines of straight line stitching on it and still have more to go! I've had to do it with three different colors because of the colors of the strips in the thing...red, green, and white thread. I still have the white to finish...got it started but sick of the dang table cover! Still have to decise what I'm going to use for binding. I'm trying not to cut into any of my large fabric pieces.
Tomorrow is Monday - the cleaning lady is coming...so tomorrow will be a busy day. I want the house cleaned up this time instead of halfway cleaned up. I've not been happy with the work I've been getting for the money we are paying.
Gotta run...am so hungry...could not make myself eat today...too upset. Glad this day is over; dreading the holidays and the loneliness and depression. Extremely hard to live with.
So, what else? We didn't do ANYTHING except stay home. I have studying to do because I'm trying to complete an additional teacher certification. However, I get started on it and it is so boring that my attention wonders, and then about the time I do settle into the videos Ken appears at the door. So, I'm not getting much done on that very quickly at all! I've got to get finished with it because I need to take the assessment by the end of December!
I don't work this next week...the schools are out for the week for Thanksgiving. But, I'm scheduled to teach a couple of kindergarten classes on the 27th and 29th...at the school where my son was bused way back when he was in the second grade! My baby daughter was also bused over to that school. What a stupid idea it was to bus these babies across town. Anyway, back then it was a nice school and I liked the principal as well as my kids' teachers. I'm hoping it is still a good school. Rough part of town, but...
I've been working on my silly table cover today -- keeping myself busy mostly. It's still kinda wobbly! However, I did get the flannel backing and backing basted to the top and I've done a million lines of straight line stitching on it and still have more to go! I've had to do it with three different colors because of the colors of the strips in the thing...red, green, and white thread. I still have the white to finish...got it started but sick of the dang table cover! Still have to decise what I'm going to use for binding. I'm trying not to cut into any of my large fabric pieces.
Tomorrow is Monday - the cleaning lady is coming...so tomorrow will be a busy day. I want the house cleaned up this time instead of halfway cleaned up. I've not been happy with the work I've been getting for the money we are paying.
Gotta run...am so hungry...could not make myself eat today...too upset. Glad this day is over; dreading the holidays and the loneliness and depression. Extremely hard to live with.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Friday, November 9, 2012
FRIDAY! Even when retired Friday's are special! This morning I woke up at 5:27 a.m. by my clock, made my trek to the potty, went back to bed to try to sleep. Finally decided to get up because sleep escaped me. Headed to my sewing/computer room thinking I would be alone for the morning. The I felt something furry brush against my leg...Mollie Cat wanted attention. Anyone who knows Mollie Cat knows she is independent, wants to be left alone, does her own thing. So we don't push it with her. What a sweet surprise! This morning she wanted to talk to me and to be picked up. I just spent about 30 minutes holding, rocking and talking to Mollie Cat. Rare occasion.
Today is the day I will spend 1/2 day with a classroom of kindergartners. I am SCARED. After the experience with the classroom of 5th graders I am terrified of attempting to teach kindergartners! (lol) The school is quite a ways from where we live, so I have to leave about 10:30 to be there before 11:30 to check in, etc. Lord, I hope this day is good.
On Monday I will be teaching at my alma mater high school...supposedly secondary business class. Instructions were very cryptic - "Academic Acceleration and Plato. All of the kids' work is on the computers. They know what to do. Thanks!" So, what the heck is Academic Acceleration and Plato in regards to business??? I guess I'll find out when I get there 'cause I've discovered NOTHING about it trying to google it.
Today is the day I will spend 1/2 day with a classroom of kindergartners. I am SCARED. After the experience with the classroom of 5th graders I am terrified of attempting to teach kindergartners! (lol) The school is quite a ways from where we live, so I have to leave about 10:30 to be there before 11:30 to check in, etc. Lord, I hope this day is good.
On Monday I will be teaching at my alma mater high school...supposedly secondary business class. Instructions were very cryptic - "Academic Acceleration and Plato. All of the kids' work is on the computers. They know what to do. Thanks!" So, what the heck is Academic Acceleration and Plato in regards to business??? I guess I'll find out when I get there 'cause I've discovered NOTHING about it trying to google it.
Saturday, November 17, 2012 - Day in the Life Of
Bennie and Luci Grace woke me up this morning wanting to play. I was very tired because I stayed up until almost 4 a.m. working on a silly project - a table runner made from strips of all the various Christmas fabrics used over the years. I sewed them kinda randomly, making sure I balanced colors - or at least I tried to.
The top was pretty "wobbly" by the time I finished although I followed directions and attached a strip on first one side and then the other all the way until I elected the length was right. I then pressed the thing per instruction. Not surprisingly it was a tad bit longer on one side than the other. But after all was said and done, it came out pretty even by the time I cut it down to 16". So, it is pressed, and I've cut 2" strips and sewn those on as border. That will be the inside border. Tomorrow I will attach a 3" border of poinsettia fabric. If I have time I can then make the sandwich and quilt the thing.
Today was the memorial service for the son of our friends Johnnie and Lela Johnston. Johnnie Jr. was 58 years old and apparently took his own life to end his suffering. He had been in the hospital, was in pain, knew he didn't have much longer to live, and elected to choose to die. Very sad. The music at the service was "I Can Only Imagine," and "Amazing Grace, My Chains Are gone." both very nicely done. The minister made an impression on me with what he said has become a slogan of sorts around his church..."We are good people, who make bad decision, with good intentions." and I think that about sums it up for most of us.
We saw lots of friends at this service -- mostly from our RV chapter of the Good Sam's Club. My father-in-law and his wife were also there but didn't say much to us. Clackers just ca never treat Ken as a man, instead always finding some way to put him down. Yet Ken is constantly craving some positive recognition from this man. Today Clackers needed his walker so he could get from the sanctuary to the fellowship hall. Ken volunteered to go get it but no, Clackers said he wold get it. Ken walked out with him to the car, but then Clackers wouldn't allow Ken to get the walker out, saying to him, "it's too complicated for you." Clackers can never let go of the fact that Ken caused himself some issues when he decided to commit suicide...but that has now been 4 years ago, Ken has been through rehab and recovered completely, been through much psychological counseling, continues to be under care and in a program thru MHMR, and is doing well. But to Clackers Ken has always been and will always be damaged goods. He has never and will never recognize Ken for the man he is. Of course one of the things the counselors have advised Ken is to have as little to do with the man as possible because it is always a put down. Yet Ken can't help it - he is always seeking the positive recognition that he is never going to get from this man.
Ken and I decided to come on home after that instead of going to fellowship hall. We rested a bit and then went out to dinner at the Cotton Patch where we over ate as usual! Then we stopped by Starbucks where we had a delightful time from a couple of ladies (mother/daughter) who were originally from El Paso. We had a very nice time.
I received a package in the mail today - something I ordered. It is a fabric Christmas tree panel. It is pretty big! But it will be beautiful if I ever get 'round to it ... it needs to be bordered, sandwiched and quilted...needs echo quilting all around various tree ornaments and such, but it also needs lots of beading and special threads to make it come "alive." No idea if/when I will ever get around to this project...certainly not THIS Christmas...this will take a year or so to complete.
That's about it...I'm pretty sleepy. Need to go take meds, go to bed, and try once again to get up and go to church. Thus far I haven't make it in a long time.
Have a great rest of Saturday night.
Have a great rest of Saturday night.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
School assignment canceled again today - I wasn't feeling so good, so thankfully that worked out. Didn't get much done this morning other than moaning. Went to fabric stores on Wednesday; got stuff to finish brother Gerald's quilt, but didn't feel up to working on it today. I finally cut the border strips for it tonight - maybe I'll get something done on it tomorrow. Need to get finished with it because I have at least 3 others to do before Christmas, and would like to do one for myself!!! That probably won't happen.
My cousin, Barbara Sue Wright Greene, died this morning. She was diagnosed earlier this year and told she had only about two months to live, there was nothing they could do for her aggressive cancer. Her mother has not yet been told - don't know if she will be told or not. Aunt Ethel Lea is almost 100 years old, is now blind, etc. She is probably too fragile to be told this news.
Got granddaughter Chloe's birthday card/gift cards sent off today. Can't believe she's going to be 12 years old on Sunday. Been a long time since I've seen her; I would love to see her again. She was always a sweetie.
Not sure what we're doing about Christmas for everyone this year. We've about decided we're not going to spend a lot of money, so folks may be getting homemade things again. I saw two really neat tutorials today on how to make quilt-as-you-go placemats and how to make a nice table runner. They are both fairly quick, so maybe I can do some of those. The thing about the Christmas tree is you are supposed to buy the 10" hex ruler, but I figured out how to make a template of it out of paper, so I can just transfer that to some cardboard or else just cut it out via a straight ruler using the paper template. No point in buying the hex because I have no idea if I would use it again or not! One thing I do need to buy, however, is some background fabric in a neutral cream or something. Need to get back to Joann's and Hobby Lobby while things are on sale.
Went to nail shop late this afternoon...had pedi and got nails done. While there I met a teacher from South Hills High School who teaches career training - accounting, etc. She found out I do sub teaching and ask for my phone number - says she's picky about who teaches her classes but she liked me after talking to me so wants to know if I will do her classes for her! Yes, it is possible to ask for a specific sub. Yea! South Hills is not far from me - on McCart.
Tonight I worked more on the additional certification classes. BORING. But need to get all those finished. I've done the required stuff thru FW ISD, but now need to get this additional specific training completed. I may never use it, but who knows. I'm about ready to retire completely and either we make it on the funds that come into this house or we don't. I could make that happen by taking some funds from savings and paying off some bills. But I am terrified of depleting savings so don't want to touch it. I notice Ken's become pretty cautious as well.
That's about it for today...for some reason I am extremely tired. The extreme depression does that to me, and the drugs don't help much with it. I want so badly to get this place cleaned up, decorated, rearranged, stuff hauled out, but I don't seem to be able to work up the energy to do any of it. Doc says it is simple depression, and I know it is. I don't want to go anywhere, don't want to see anybody, don't want to leave my room. Have to make myself do the little bit that I do.
Bye now - 'nuf from me.
My cousin, Barbara Sue Wright Greene, died this morning. She was diagnosed earlier this year and told she had only about two months to live, there was nothing they could do for her aggressive cancer. Her mother has not yet been told - don't know if she will be told or not. Aunt Ethel Lea is almost 100 years old, is now blind, etc. She is probably too fragile to be told this news.
Got granddaughter Chloe's birthday card/gift cards sent off today. Can't believe she's going to be 12 years old on Sunday. Been a long time since I've seen her; I would love to see her again. She was always a sweetie.
Not sure what we're doing about Christmas for everyone this year. We've about decided we're not going to spend a lot of money, so folks may be getting homemade things again. I saw two really neat tutorials today on how to make quilt-as-you-go placemats and how to make a nice table runner. They are both fairly quick, so maybe I can do some of those. The thing about the Christmas tree is you are supposed to buy the 10" hex ruler, but I figured out how to make a template of it out of paper, so I can just transfer that to some cardboard or else just cut it out via a straight ruler using the paper template. No point in buying the hex because I have no idea if I would use it again or not! One thing I do need to buy, however, is some background fabric in a neutral cream or something. Need to get back to Joann's and Hobby Lobby while things are on sale.
Went to nail shop late this afternoon...had pedi and got nails done. While there I met a teacher from South Hills High School who teaches career training - accounting, etc. She found out I do sub teaching and ask for my phone number - says she's picky about who teaches her classes but she liked me after talking to me so wants to know if I will do her classes for her! Yes, it is possible to ask for a specific sub. Yea! South Hills is not far from me - on McCart.
Tonight I worked more on the additional certification classes. BORING. But need to get all those finished. I've done the required stuff thru FW ISD, but now need to get this additional specific training completed. I may never use it, but who knows. I'm about ready to retire completely and either we make it on the funds that come into this house or we don't. I could make that happen by taking some funds from savings and paying off some bills. But I am terrified of depleting savings so don't want to touch it. I notice Ken's become pretty cautious as well.
That's about it for today...for some reason I am extremely tired. The extreme depression does that to me, and the drugs don't help much with it. I want so badly to get this place cleaned up, decorated, rearranged, stuff hauled out, but I don't seem to be able to work up the energy to do any of it. Doc says it is simple depression, and I know it is. I don't want to go anywhere, don't want to see anybody, don't want to leave my room. Have to make myself do the little bit that I do.
Bye now - 'nuf from me.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Woke up not feeling well at all! That was about 5:30 a.m. Had to rush to cancel my teaching assignment job for today. Sorry I didn't make that one - it was for my own high school.I was finally able to eat a biscuit (that's about it) about 10 a.m. The rest of the morning was spent in my chair holding and rocking Luci who wasn't feeling much better than me. I tried putting her down but she would have none of that.
Yesterday I spent a lazy day working on the big patch Christmas quilt for my older brother, Joe. I like it - even though it is very simple. Everything in this quilt came from my stash. I used straight line stitching for quilting, placing a line of stitches 1/4" either side of the seams. The binding is rolled from back to front rather than applied; and the corners are squared, not mitered. This is the method I learned from my family during my growing up years. I like it much better than applied bindings.
This is the back of the quilt; the lines of stitching show up much better.
I like the polyester batting in this quilt...it makes the squares more puffy. I considered quilting a Christmas tree in the center of each square but decided to forget about it and move on to the next one on my list.
Tonight I started a big patch quilt for my other brother, Gerald. Because I'm not feeling so great I haven't gotten far on it. Patches are cut out - about half the same as on Joe's an about half different ones - whatever is in my stash. I've sewn together four rows and have two more to go. Maybe I'll get that done tomorrow.
I would like to use the same fabric for the backing as I used on Joe's, or at least something very similar. It looks very nice and I like the way the stitching shows up. I'm planning to quilt Gerald's with straight line quilting as well, but using the corner to corner method. I will have to figure out how to draw the lines because I am not good at "eye balling" it and keeping a straight line. I had one of those pens that is used for marking and then disappears after washing. Of course I don't recommend washing these dang quilts at all!!! They are liable to fall apart! Not really - it's just that these types of quilts don't really look all that great after washing.
Oh, well, so much for this day. Now to get some sleep. It's 3 a.m. - I guess technically it's tuesday, not Monday.
I like the polyester batting in this quilt...it makes the squares more puffy. I considered quilting a Christmas tree in the center of each square but decided to forget about it and move on to the next one on my list.
Tonight I started a big patch quilt for my other brother, Gerald. Because I'm not feeling so great I haven't gotten far on it. Patches are cut out - about half the same as on Joe's an about half different ones - whatever is in my stash. I've sewn together four rows and have two more to go. Maybe I'll get that done tomorrow.
I would like to use the same fabric for the backing as I used on Joe's, or at least something very similar. It looks very nice and I like the way the stitching shows up. I'm planning to quilt Gerald's with straight line quilting as well, but using the corner to corner method. I will have to figure out how to draw the lines because I am not good at "eye balling" it and keeping a straight line. I had one of those pens that is used for marking and then disappears after washing. Of course I don't recommend washing these dang quilts at all!!! They are liable to fall apart! Not really - it's just that these types of quilts don't really look all that great after washing.
Oh, well, so much for this day. Now to get some sleep. It's 3 a.m. - I guess technically it's tuesday, not Monday.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012
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| Presley and the Pink Strip Quilt |
Been awake since 3:30, but I went to sleep about 8:30! I was exhausted after a wonderful afternoon spent with a classroom of little kindergarten children...all adorable. What an adventure - I would do it again tomorrow if asked. Oh, my goodness, can kiddos be any sweeter?
I spent a 1/2 day with them - from 11:30 to 3:00. They completed what they were working on when I first got there then we cleaned up and went for library time. There was a substitute librarian who apparently knows NOTHING about little ones. She was so mean I started to yank my babies out of there. It is a bilingual class - they are learning English. They barely know their first names, and some of them don't quite know their last names. She didn't know how to operate the computer system for checking in their books or checking out new ones and she was not nice to them when they didn't understand what she wanted them to do! Another little child (and I do mean young one) came in the library (sent by a teacher) and she was mean to that baby, too. His teacher came in after a bit looking for him and we exchanged a word or two. I decided my babies had had enough of that mess and took them back to the classroom where they put away their new library books and then we headed outside! They had a blast on the playground equipment. Of course there were the usual childish battles and fights, and I guess little girls come into this world wanting to be controllers.
We played outside about 45 minutes! Then they ASKED if we could go back inside so they could "SLEEP" for a little bit. We turned off the lights and they rested. I told them a story while they rested. Then it was math time (learning numbers). They are a hoot. They have "math" centers, and there are 6 of them with 3 students to a math center. One of the math centers is at the teacher's kidney table where a game of "BINGO" is played. After two games they get a sticker, the bell is rung, and all the students change centers. Sweet, sweet, sweet. They all know what to do.
Although I am not bilingual, I understand enough Spanish (I've been doing some online traiing classes) that I can work with them. When we were working on letters they pronounce them just a little bit differently, so I had to listen closely -- h is hchie, for instance.
I'm glad I accepted this assignment. After the class of 5th graders I had on Wednesday I was resolved to never go back!
I have another assignment on Monday - an all-day class at my own high school! It is supposed to be a secondary business class but apparently it is a computer type lab for students who are working on accelerated course work as well as for students who are either making up credits (recovering) or attempting to catch up credits so they graduate on time. Should be interesting!
That's it for now...I'm about ready to go back to bed for a nap! It's 6 a.m.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012, Post 2
I survived a classroom of 5th graders! But just barely!!! Thank goodness I signed for up for 1/2 day only!!!
Everyone who knows me knows I have difficulty with stairs because of this crazy half amputated/rebuilt foot. I was assigned to a school unfamiliar to me, so I called early in the day to learn where to park and where the office is located. First of all, I had to park at the back of the building - not bad at all, except it took me a bit to find a gate to the school yard that was unlocked. But no problem once I did. Some students and teachers were out on the playground and a teacher very kindly pointed me to the direction of the office...up the playground steps, across the yard and into the building. I made it, no problem. Checked in with the secretary, got a blank time card. I was kindly pointed to my classroom - up a flight of stairs, down the hallway, make a right, keep on going to such and such room. Made it! Checked in with the teacher, got my sub folder, went back to the teacher's lounge to go over it. She did an excellent job of explaining time for things and instructions regarding what students were to do.
At the appointed time I entered the classroom, exchanged a bit of discussion with the teacher, and then I was left alone. And as well behaved as they were when she was there, I thought this would be no problem. MAN! Was I ever wrong! They became hellions! They would not stay in their seats, would not listen, would not do their work, and found every excuse in the world not to do what was requested. This classroom has restrooms in it, so no going down the hallway to the pot. It also has a sink/water so no going down the hallway for water. They continually wanted to be up to the bathroom, a drink, and to sharpen their dang pencils. I quickly realized this was a game; a game to frustrate the substitute teacher. Several students were totally disruptive.
My time began at 11:30; by 12:05 when we were supposed to go to recess, the class had fallen apart. We went to the playground where they had to serve a 2 minute "loss of recess time" because their homeroom teacher had already taken away that privilege. They had 18 minutes to play...ridiculous. Then I held up my hand and they were all very good and came to me so they could go to the cafeteria. But they would not get in line, would not stay in line, would not listen, and would not stay with me. Thankfully I dropped them at the cafeteria and then went to the teacher's lounge so I could try to regain my composure. I had to be back at the cafeteria to pick them up at 12:50. Rather than route them through the school back to the classroom I inquired if I could take them out the back way, through the playground and up the back stairwell -- that would work out a little bit of their energy plus get them outdoors. They COMPLAINED the entire way back to class because they had to go outside ("this is not the way we go; we could have gone the shorter way thru the school...") By the time we got back to the school entrance I was pooped - had done the walking, gone up two flights of outdoor stairs, and still had to transverse the hallway plus the stairs to the second floor. I thought I would die by the time I got to my classroom!
And then it was time to change classes. I thought surely the next class would be different. Well it certainly was! It was WORSE!!! OMG, these kids were totally wild. They were to write in their composition books, but once again we had the need to sharpen pencils, visit the bathroom, get a drink, etc., etc., and on and on and on. We had approximately 20 minutes to work in their composition books before a counselor came to talk to the class - and they were all so prim and proper with Ms. Thomas! Sat in their seats, mostly paid attention, and were little angels. She left 30 minutes later and they turned into hellions. Would not sit down, would not listen, would not do what I asked. It was time for science - they had approximately 25 minutes to do science. The instructions were to turn to a certain page and answer the questions -- didn't have to write the questions, only the answers. It was over material they had studied previously. They claimed they didn't know how, went thru the pencil sharpening excuses again, wasted time going to the shelves to get books, journals, etc. I finally went thru the questions with them, receiving input from one rather smart boy who knew to read his book for the answers. But even then they claimed not to know what was being asked of them to do. It was a pure substitute teacher game.
After science they were to do a "social studies" exercise. It had to do with the internet! Not at all anything to do with social studies! Anyway, thank God, by then it was time to get ready to go home. Thankfully at 2:55 I could let the kids go who ride the bus. I had to wait until 3 to take the two students who remained back down the stairs to the front of the school for pick up. Before we made it to the door they were met by mothers. So I sat down on a bench by the front door to recompose. The principal walked by and said, "you're supposed to walk them outside." I said, "I did. I only had two who don't ride the bus." "Oh." I went out front anyway, with the other teachers, watched the kids to make sure no one was grabbing them, and then walked back thru the schools, down a set of stairs, to the back, down another flight of stairs, and to the parking lot to my car.
I vowed to never return to that classroom.
My dismay -- not a single time during my entire half day with them was there any real classroom time. It is no wonder we are graduating students who cannot read, write, or think. There's no way they can if this an example of a class day.
So let's see - how much exercise did I get today? I climbed the first set of stairs from the parking lot to the office; climbed the stairs from the first to the second floor to the classroom; went down the back long stairwell to the lower floor at recess; down the steps to the outdoor patio; down the stairwell to the playground; delivered students to the cafeteria and then climbed the stairs back to the main floor; from there climbed the stairs to the second floor to the teacher's lounge; went back down those stairs at 12:45 and walked back to the cafeteria stairwell and walked down it; got the kids lined up and we went back outside and climbed back up the playground stairwell then up the steps to get inside the building; walked down the hallway and then climbed up the back long stairwell to the second floor to the classroom again. When we left for the day, we walked back down the stairwell to the first floor where I delivered the two students outside and then waited and watched until all were picked up.
Then, I went back inside the building, went down the back stairs to the patio, walked across to the stairs leading down to the lower playground again, then down the sidewalk to the parking lot to get into my car. I am about dead!!! If I were to do that every day I would be in excellent shape! But right now my legs and hips are screaming.
Everyone who knows me knows I have difficulty with stairs because of this crazy half amputated/rebuilt foot. I was assigned to a school unfamiliar to me, so I called early in the day to learn where to park and where the office is located. First of all, I had to park at the back of the building - not bad at all, except it took me a bit to find a gate to the school yard that was unlocked. But no problem once I did. Some students and teachers were out on the playground and a teacher very kindly pointed me to the direction of the office...up the playground steps, across the yard and into the building. I made it, no problem. Checked in with the secretary, got a blank time card. I was kindly pointed to my classroom - up a flight of stairs, down the hallway, make a right, keep on going to such and such room. Made it! Checked in with the teacher, got my sub folder, went back to the teacher's lounge to go over it. She did an excellent job of explaining time for things and instructions regarding what students were to do.
At the appointed time I entered the classroom, exchanged a bit of discussion with the teacher, and then I was left alone. And as well behaved as they were when she was there, I thought this would be no problem. MAN! Was I ever wrong! They became hellions! They would not stay in their seats, would not listen, would not do their work, and found every excuse in the world not to do what was requested. This classroom has restrooms in it, so no going down the hallway to the pot. It also has a sink/water so no going down the hallway for water. They continually wanted to be up to the bathroom, a drink, and to sharpen their dang pencils. I quickly realized this was a game; a game to frustrate the substitute teacher. Several students were totally disruptive.
My time began at 11:30; by 12:05 when we were supposed to go to recess, the class had fallen apart. We went to the playground where they had to serve a 2 minute "loss of recess time" because their homeroom teacher had already taken away that privilege. They had 18 minutes to play...ridiculous. Then I held up my hand and they were all very good and came to me so they could go to the cafeteria. But they would not get in line, would not stay in line, would not listen, and would not stay with me. Thankfully I dropped them at the cafeteria and then went to the teacher's lounge so I could try to regain my composure. I had to be back at the cafeteria to pick them up at 12:50. Rather than route them through the school back to the classroom I inquired if I could take them out the back way, through the playground and up the back stairwell -- that would work out a little bit of their energy plus get them outdoors. They COMPLAINED the entire way back to class because they had to go outside ("this is not the way we go; we could have gone the shorter way thru the school...") By the time we got back to the school entrance I was pooped - had done the walking, gone up two flights of outdoor stairs, and still had to transverse the hallway plus the stairs to the second floor. I thought I would die by the time I got to my classroom!
And then it was time to change classes. I thought surely the next class would be different. Well it certainly was! It was WORSE!!! OMG, these kids were totally wild. They were to write in their composition books, but once again we had the need to sharpen pencils, visit the bathroom, get a drink, etc., etc., and on and on and on. We had approximately 20 minutes to work in their composition books before a counselor came to talk to the class - and they were all so prim and proper with Ms. Thomas! Sat in their seats, mostly paid attention, and were little angels. She left 30 minutes later and they turned into hellions. Would not sit down, would not listen, would not do what I asked. It was time for science - they had approximately 25 minutes to do science. The instructions were to turn to a certain page and answer the questions -- didn't have to write the questions, only the answers. It was over material they had studied previously. They claimed they didn't know how, went thru the pencil sharpening excuses again, wasted time going to the shelves to get books, journals, etc. I finally went thru the questions with them, receiving input from one rather smart boy who knew to read his book for the answers. But even then they claimed not to know what was being asked of them to do. It was a pure substitute teacher game.
After science they were to do a "social studies" exercise. It had to do with the internet! Not at all anything to do with social studies! Anyway, thank God, by then it was time to get ready to go home. Thankfully at 2:55 I could let the kids go who ride the bus. I had to wait until 3 to take the two students who remained back down the stairs to the front of the school for pick up. Before we made it to the door they were met by mothers. So I sat down on a bench by the front door to recompose. The principal walked by and said, "you're supposed to walk them outside." I said, "I did. I only had two who don't ride the bus." "Oh." I went out front anyway, with the other teachers, watched the kids to make sure no one was grabbing them, and then walked back thru the schools, down a set of stairs, to the back, down another flight of stairs, and to the parking lot to my car.
I vowed to never return to that classroom.
My dismay -- not a single time during my entire half day with them was there any real classroom time. It is no wonder we are graduating students who cannot read, write, or think. There's no way they can if this an example of a class day.
So let's see - how much exercise did I get today? I climbed the first set of stairs from the parking lot to the office; climbed the stairs from the first to the second floor to the classroom; went down the back long stairwell to the lower floor at recess; down the steps to the outdoor patio; down the stairwell to the playground; delivered students to the cafeteria and then climbed the stairs back to the main floor; from there climbed the stairs to the second floor to the teacher's lounge; went back down those stairs at 12:45 and walked back to the cafeteria stairwell and walked down it; got the kids lined up and we went back outside and climbed back up the playground stairwell then up the steps to get inside the building; walked down the hallway and then climbed up the back long stairwell to the second floor to the classroom again. When we left for the day, we walked back down the stairwell to the first floor where I delivered the two students outside and then waited and watched until all were picked up.
Then, I went back inside the building, went down the back stairs to the patio, walked across to the stairs leading down to the lower playground again, then down the sidewalk to the parking lot to get into my car. I am about dead!!! If I were to do that every day I would be in excellent shape! But right now my legs and hips are screaming.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Let me say first that I am totally heartbroken over the election. Actually in a state of shock and disbelief. I do not understand how Americans can be celebrating the election of someone so bent on destroying this country. This man did so many horrible things in his 4 years of office to the detriment of this country, and the damage he will do in the next 4 years is unthinkable. I will cry and pray my way thru the next 4 years as I watch America being destroyed. Obama is not American - he is a foreigner hell bent on taking America down. I am so scared for my children and grandchildren and great grandchildren after this election.
It is time to get the guns ready, ammo purchased and ready, and to work on getting a full food pantry. God bless us all as we watch the destruction.
That being said, today I am going to be teaching 4th and 5th graders. I'm subbing at an elementary school from 11:30 to 3:10. I hope I survive...I usually teach older folks! but I didn't want to work all day so accepted this assignment. I hope they are nice to me!!!
Oh, and since I have to be there at 11:30, guess who came and woke me up at 6:30 a.m. because, "don't you have to be somewhere today?" I wish I had had a brick in my hand at the time - I would have knocked the crap out of the village idiot. I could not believe he did that - again! I told him in no uncertain terms that I was teaching a half day, didn't have to be there until 11:30, yet he decided to wake me up. I have warned him about tomorrow - that I will KILL him if he wakes me up tomorrow - I have not accepted a sub assignment for Wednesday. My next sub assignment is for Friday - again for 1/2 day - for kindergarten! If he wakes me up at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, he may be fed to the fish.
The nut case has an interview this morning. Someone from Catholic Charities has contacted him. I have no idea why he continues to job hunt in the accounting field - no one is going to hire him. He's old and nobody wants to hire an old person. He needs to be looking for a part-time job doing something less involved. I really don't care what it is he does - I just want him out of this house because he needs to do something other than sit here playing on the computer and watching television -- which he has done for 4 years!!! Now that the campaign is over and his friend lost the election for U.S. Representative for District 33 (Republican), he needs to find something worthwhile to do - I don't want to put up with him every day.
That's about it, I guess.
It is time to get the guns ready, ammo purchased and ready, and to work on getting a full food pantry. God bless us all as we watch the destruction.
That being said, today I am going to be teaching 4th and 5th graders. I'm subbing at an elementary school from 11:30 to 3:10. I hope I survive...I usually teach older folks! but I didn't want to work all day so accepted this assignment. I hope they are nice to me!!!
Oh, and since I have to be there at 11:30, guess who came and woke me up at 6:30 a.m. because, "don't you have to be somewhere today?" I wish I had had a brick in my hand at the time - I would have knocked the crap out of the village idiot. I could not believe he did that - again! I told him in no uncertain terms that I was teaching a half day, didn't have to be there until 11:30, yet he decided to wake me up. I have warned him about tomorrow - that I will KILL him if he wakes me up tomorrow - I have not accepted a sub assignment for Wednesday. My next sub assignment is for Friday - again for 1/2 day - for kindergarten! If he wakes me up at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, he may be fed to the fish.
The nut case has an interview this morning. Someone from Catholic Charities has contacted him. I have no idea why he continues to job hunt in the accounting field - no one is going to hire him. He's old and nobody wants to hire an old person. He needs to be looking for a part-time job doing something less involved. I really don't care what it is he does - I just want him out of this house because he needs to do something other than sit here playing on the computer and watching television -- which he has done for 4 years!!! Now that the campaign is over and his friend lost the election for U.S. Representative for District 33 (Republican), he needs to find something worthwhile to do - I don't want to put up with him every day.
That's about it, I guess.
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