Easy Street Linky

December 10, 2012

I don't want Bonnie to think that I am not working on her "EASY
STREET".  I am behind, but I have most of Clue 1 done.

Since I just got back from Spain and Portugal and was so fascinated
with the streets and all the fascinating designs, I knew this quilt
would be a must to do.

I am hoping that the grey fabric is the "street"  and I want mine to be cobblestones like all the many streets I saw.

I also saw this cute leftover Halloween fabric with spiders and since I need black on white fabrics, it came to my house.  Now
I have spiders walking down the street.

Together they look like this:

                                                
                                                 

Not perfect but I hope you can see the little spider peeking around the corner.  This is so much fun. 

You can catch what everyone else is doing at The Monday Linky. You can find that here:   Easy Street Linky.                                                                                  
 Have a great Monday.  Happy Quilting.

                       Carolyn                                                    

Sailing to Funchal

October 31, 2012

Tonight we are in athe Atlantic sailing to Funchal.  The Ocean is a little rough and the ship, the Ryndam is rocking.  We are thinking of all of our friends and family back home.

Friday Florida

October 12, 2012

Today I am in Florida visiting with family.  Yesterday Wayne and I spent the day traveling.

We ate dinner in a Greek restaurant in Ft. Launder -dale.  Then we drove on down to Viera.

We just had dinner and Lynn fixed a great dinner with Greek salad.  Lynn is also working with her IPad.

  

Tuesday Thoughts

October 9, 2012
                                                                                        


I graduated from Bladensburg High School in Maryland in 1964.  A 50 year reunion is being planned.  The group that is organizing it are doing a great job.  They are doing their very best to locate all
of our classmates.  I have been trying to help by looking up a small number of people.  That task has been more difficult than I would
have thought.  I haven't been able to find very many of them.

Today I got a phone call from one of the organizers.  She said that
we have lost over 100 of the 400+ we graduated with.  The Vietnam War was responsible for a large portion of that group.  It
is difficult to get e-mails from one of my classmates saying another
person has died.  Some of my classmates were close friends and
others I hardly remember..yet it shows me that time is passing by.

Have a good Tuesday evening.

                                    Carolyn

Oldest

October 8, 2012

Wayne Aaron is our oldest child.  He is no longer a child but
a grown man with a wife, Ann, and three children, Olivia, Caroline, and Wayne Aaron William.  He lives in Pennsylvania
 and we aren't able to see him very often which is very emotionally
difficult. 

We have missed seeing these three grandchildren grow up.  We
have also missed most of their special occasions.  I wouldn't
change their decision to move to Pennsylvania.  They are very
happy there.  I just wish that we were closer.  I miss them
very much tonight.

Have a wonderful Monday.

                                            Carolyn

                                               
                                                                       

 

Shadows

October 7, 2012

When the sun is out the shadows can create scenes across the
view from our nest.  As the hours change and the sun moves so
do the shadows and the vista is different from minute to minute.

At times when a hawk or a large volture flies by you can even
see their shadow. 

                                                     
     I have tried to tell our children and grandchildren narratives of my grandparents, parents, and myself when times were less technical.  If you are old enough to remember, children used imagination to make clouds and shadows into animals  and other characters.   A whole hour could easily go by while you were lying in the grass.

 We actually have a fur Shadow inside our house.  Like the changing shadows outside, our Shadow moves all over this nest.  

Have a blessed Sunday.

                                            Carolyn
                                                                                                                                                
                                                 

 

Football and Candy

October 6, 2012

Tonight was a football game for Josh's team, the Trojans,
against the North High Middle School, Jaguars.  That in itself is exciting, however there is another angle to the story.  North High
is the school that two of my grandchildren are from.  Fortunately 
for Josh his team won. Our granddaughter, Rickylee, and her
mother had mixed feelings about the outcome.
                                              
                                              
You haven't met another chick from our nest, and her name is Candace, or as we lovingly call her Candy.  I may get shot for this
but Candy is our oldest daughter.  She lives the closest to us about 20 miles away.   Candy is Rickylee's mother.  She also came to the
football game to see her brother, Josh, play.  I loved sitting at the
football game and talking with Candy.  She was knitting on a cocoon for her soon to be granddaughter.  Thanks Candy for coming and sharing the time with us.

 What I just figured out is somehow I haven't been taking pictures of Candy.  I will change that quick. I will have to get you a picture another time.

Have a good Sunday because Saturday is soon to be over.

                                          Carolyn

 

 

Go Pink
October 5, 2012

Yesterday I encouraged everyone to do all they can to promote
Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Today I decided to do my
part. 

 I saw another doctor about my wrist.  It was still hurting
and yes, I do have arthritis.  The crack in my wrist is still showing
up. They were able to see it on a CT scan even though it did not
show up on the X-rays.  I use forearm crutches so it is important that my arm is fully healed before I put all my weight on it. 

The doctor decided I need to go into another cast.  This time
for 5 weeks.  I just hope it heals without any other complications.

Now I just need to get some new pink shirts.  There has to be
plenty of them out there, espcially this month.

Have a great Friday.

                                          Carolyn
                                                

Bailey

October 4, 2012

       
                      This is Bailey she is my Mustasche Parakeet.
Bailey is a very special little girl.  She is learning to talk and
likes to give kisses and ride on my shoulder.  She came from
a parrot rescue.  If  you are interested in getting a bird please consider getting one from a rescue.  The birds need to find loving homes and you can help a great organization in the process.  
                                               
                                    

Bailey and I would like to also remind you that this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  If you are like me you know someone this terrible disease has touched.  Please be sure to check yourself for the signs of breast cancer. This cause also needs all kinds of support: from remembering those who are afflicted, to giving financially.
                                      
 Have a good evening.

                                             Carolyn                                         

Barbara's Birthday
October 3, 2012

Today is Barbara's birthday.  I don't think she would like it if
I told you how old she is, but let me just say that today she caught
up to me. 

Today has been overcast which is better than it has been the
last 3 days.  We had been in the fog again and this nest can get
pretty dreary when the days are grey.
                                                    

The leaves are not as pretty as other years.  There are still plenty
                                         that need to turn.
                                                        

                        A tiny speck of red here off of the deck.

The majority of them are brown and falling off the trees.  I think
                          all the heavy rain has taken it's toll.

If I can get a good view picture ot the color I will post it but with
                                 the fog that isn't possible.

Have a great Wednesday and again Happy Birthday Barb.

                                                 Carolyn
                
                 
                                                    
                              
                                             
                                               

 

Heather's Birthday

October 2, 2012

Today our daughter, Heather, has a birthday.  I wasn't able to
go for her celebration but her Daddy is there.  I wish so much
that I could have been.  Happy Birthday Heather.  You are
a blessing.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

                                            Carolyn
                                                

Final Accountability

October 1, 2012

 

 

     I have sewn 31.45 hours on my cross  stitch quilt during the month of September.  I am very thankful to Bonnie Hunter for this challenge.  You can view everyone's progress on her blog here. 

        These pictures are what I have accomplished this month. 

 

                 
                  I started at this point.  I had started this quilt 41 years ago.                                               

I worked on it while Bonnie was on Web Cam.  This was not
where I thought I would work.  I planned to work on it in the
recliner that sits behind my desk.

 

Scruffy often looks over my shoulder.

 

                        
            I think this looks like an angel instead of a flower.

                 I did finish this leaf before I moved the hoop.

                         This doesn't look like alot of progress.  Remember
                                 

                                      I broke my arm on September 3rd.

This is my final effort for our challenge.  I hope I will be able
to report one day that this quilt is finished being cross stitched
and that I have begun to quilt it or have it quilted.  You will
probably here me shout all the way to where you are.

I also realized that one of the reasons that I quit working on this
was because the crosses get pulled very easily.  I remember seeing
one of these that was quilted in Pennsylvania in about 1986 while
I was visiting my son at college.  It can be done but the quilt won't
stand for much use.  I am very thankful that it has still held up
to my working on it. 

I purchased the one with the most work because I wanted to get
my $10.00 worth.  I think I can say that I definitely did.

Have a wonderful Monday.

                                         Carolyn



                                                 
                                                     
                                                   
                                                   

 

                                                
                                                                                                                       

 

 

Continuing Cross Stitch

September 30, 2012

I can hardly believe the month is over as of today.  I have done
very well for me with my Hand Work Challenge.  I haven't
done 1 hour every day but I have worked several hours at other
times.  I have made real progress.  Thanks to Bonnie Hunter
for suggesting this.  I find myself wondering if we will
continue the challenge next month.  I hope I will work on
this quilt until I get it finished.

I completed this section and have most of the next hoop finished.
I hope to do it tonight while watching TV. 

Doing this blog has been a challenge in itself.  I do not have
experience writing..in fact other than papers I wrote for school, I haven't  even written much in the way of letters or cards.  I guess most people don't write much either any more. 

Have a nice Sunday evening.

                                     Carolyn
                                               

 

Technology

September 29, 2012

 I both love and hate technology.  I love how I can connect
with all of my friends and family over the Internet.  I love how
pictures just taken can be sent immediately to other places clear
across the world.  I love the computer. I love my I Pad.  I hate the cell phone.

The cell phone here is my latest attempt to communicate.  I just
can't seem to make it work.  I have taken pictures with this phone and tried to upload them on the computer and I just am
not able to do it.  I had a Blackberry before this...actually two of
them..and I couldn't work them either. 

 One of my problems is that my fingers do not have good circulation.  Touching a touch screen doesn't work well for me.  The screens will not pick up my fingers because the tips of my fingers are cold...or so I have been told.  That means when someone calls me I can punch on the button all I want and it may or may not answer the call.  It is so very frustrating. I could probably
make it work if I had a stylest, but who carries one all the time?

If I didn't want all the technology I probably wouldn't have a
problem..but I do...ME.  I want all the latest gadgets...they are
so much fun...but only if you can make them work.

Have a great Saturday night.

                                        Carolyn

                                            

 

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL FALL DAY

September 28, 2012

Today was simply beautiful.  Barbara and I went to Mt.
Airy, NC for "Andy Griffith Days."  The town was all
decorated for fall.
                                                

Everywhere you went the theme song was playing and characters were dressed like Andy, Barney, and Aunt Bea.                              

We didn't get pictures with the characters but I did get Barb
to pose with the car.                                         

    

We also went to celebrate Barb's birthday which isn't until
October 3rd, but we were up for some early fun.  We did
enjoy ourselves thoroughly.    We wanted to get a pork tenderloin
at Snappy's until we got there.  The line was all the way down the
block.  We just weren't doing that.

It started to shower and we stoped in a store so we wouldn't
get wet.  We were starved by then and inside the store was a sign saying they had a restaurant.  We decided we would check it out.
We hit a gold mine.  Not only was it not crowded, but it was
extremely nice.  You can tell by the desserts that we couldn't
resist.

                                             Her's was a chocolate torte.

               Mine was a blueberry bread pudding with white
                                            Chocolate.

We had such a good time.  I hope you can spend the evening with
someone you love...be it with fur or feathers or if not that then
a project full of fabric.  You can probably catch reruns of  "The
Andy Griffith Show" on TV.

                                         Carolyn
                                                  
                                            
                                              
                                                    
 
                                                  

 

Fall

September 27, 2012

I know the season really arrived several days ago but the air
made me aware of it for sure today.  The leaves are starting to
turn.  I can see from my deck door that there are several trees
that are now golden in color.  We always wonder if the leaves will be as bright as the last year.  Each year though we are thrilled
with the color.

Soon we will be raking the leaves and having hot dog roasts.
I love it when the air has a crispness to it and the smoke from the
fire smells so good.  Then there is always room for roasted
marshmellows..or even s'mores.  I don't have the chocolate
but we have the graham crackers and marshmellows.  I had
better add chocolate bars to the grocery list and hide it from my kids or it won't be here when we need it.

Happy Fall everyone.  I hope all your pumpkins are as big as
                                       this one.

                                     Carolyn
                                                                           
                                               

 

Matted Fur

September 26, 2012

                                            Joy Shaved

With my left arm in a cast and then in a splint our beautiful
Persian cat, Joy, got too many mats.  I had no choice but to
have her shaved. 

Gift of Joy, her registered name, is about 10 years old now.  I would have to look up her papers to be sure.  She was my Christmas present.  We were in Florida visiting Barbara and Jim.  I got so sick on Christmas Eve.  I went to the doctor and he
ordered me to stay in bed  and in Florida for 5 days or go to the hospital.  Joy was 6 weeks old.  She was my constant companion during those days.  She still sleeps with me and when it is time to
go to bed...she comes running.

Our nest of fur has less fur tonight because Joy must have lost
a pound of it.  I feel better knowing she doesn't have mats.

Have a great Wednesday.

                                      Carolyn
                                               

 

LONG DAY

September 25, 2012

Today has been a long day.  I am extremely tired.  My
arm is doing better.  I have progressed to a small splint.

Have a good night's rest.

                                        Carolyn

 

Accountability

September 24, 2012

I hope you have enjoyed your hour of hand sewing every day as
much as I have.  I have especially enjoyed sewing along with
Bonnie on Quilt Cam.  I have sewn 16 1/2 hours since we last
reported.

                                                                                            

                                                                                   

 

 

 

 

 Be sure to check out everyone's progress at Bonnie Hunter's link. 
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/09/one-hour-of-simply-needle-thread-92412.html

Have a wonderful Monday.

                                         Carolyn                                                                         
                                                   
                                                

RAVEN'S 14TH BIRTHDAY

September 23, 2012

Today is a special day for me.  My first service dog Raven ll
turns 14. 

 He is a wonderful blessing that Canine Companions
for Independence gave to me on August 19, 2000.  We are
represented by the SE Center in Orlando.  Because the center
wasn't fully operational I went to the NE Center on Long Island
to get Raven.  He was trained by Janet Evans who was a puppy raiser for CCI.  She was a high school English teacher. 

Raven learned his commands perfectly.  He went from Alaska
to the Caribbean on cruise ships.  He even has a couple of pages written about him in a book "Love Heels". I can't tell you enough
about all the times Raven was my hero.  He just is.

  When it became time for Raven to retire he went to live with
my dear friend Jean.  He as been her devoted companion since
that time.  I couldn't ask for him to be in a better place.

I love you Ravinsky.  I am so thrilled we have had you for these
years.  God willing, we will have you for several more birthdays.

Have a blessed Sunday.

                                              Carolyn