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
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
Unpleasant Surprises
September 22, 2012
Today was a day of surprises and not all of them were pleasant.
I started the day with my keyboard not working. No matter what I did to it, it wouldn't respond. I was so frustrated. I guess I
can't hardly do without a computer.
Off to Wal-Mart we went to buy some groceries and to get a
new keyboard. It sounds simple doesn't it? Well it takes us
about 30 minutes to get there.
Brianna's homework this weekend was to take care of an
electronic baby. The baby went with us to the store. All was going
well UNTIL..Brianna told me ...and very upset...that she had lost
the key that makes the baby quiet. We were tearing the car apart
the girls drove back to search the store. No luck. No one turned in
a key. Needless to say when the baby cried we had a hard time.
Now to face the teacher and find out where we go from here.
As I said a day of unpleasant surprises.
Tonight I found out in the process of trying to fix the keyboard that the printer is no longer attached to the computer. I will have to wait until Josh comes to the rescue. He is at a friend's house this weekend.
After I opened the new keyboard...this one decided to
work. This old keyboard is a much nicer one than I bought. I
hope they will let me return the new one.
I hope your Saturday has been uneventful.
Carolyn
Friday Thoughts
Last night we went to see Brianna cheer for the football team.
Our team "almost" won.
The girls cheered loudly.
Haley enjoyed the hotdogs.
After the game Josh had birthday cake.
All of this is to offer excuses why I didn't do my hour of sewing
last night. I rated a big fat zero for my calendar. I hope I can sew tonight.
Have a great Friday night.
Carolyn
JOSH'S 15TH BIRTHDAY
September 20, 2012
We are off to watch Brianna cheer for Alleghany High School
and to celebrate Josh's birthday.
Have a great Thursday!
Carolyn
WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!
September 19, 2012
The sun is shining!!!
You really don't appreciate the sun until it is gone for four days. I awoke this morning so glad to be alive and to see the beautiful sunshine. Everything is very clean after all the rain and the air is clear. The heavy rains did break off some of the mums, but we are so thankful that this part of the USA has enough rain. I did get a
surprise from the rain:
I have a gladiola blooming!!
Usually I get them in the middle of June, but there was a sale on
the bulbs and I bought some. Maria, who helps me clean this
nest, planted them to surprise me. Thanks Maria.
Henretta is happy today, too.
I hope your day is full of sunshine and wonderful memories.
Carolyn
LIQUID SUNSHINE
September 18, 2012
The rain was pouring. Can you see the droplets coming off the roof?
Just as I sat down to scratch this note out there was a break in the
clouds.
See the blue sky peaking out.
You can even see the sun over the top of the roof.
SomChai is perfectly content on my chair. My designated
spot to work on my cross stitch. If you will look closely you
can see it sitting on the bar stool and Tinkerbelle trying to see if she is being left out of the picture.
Here are the two of them taking a nap.
SomChai is named for a Vietnamise soldier who helped the American cause in the Vietnam War. I was calling SomChai, "Possom,". When I took him for his kitten shots Dr. Williams said my name wasn't really appropiate for a Snowshoe cat. He asked me if I would honor a special soldier who helped him in the war.
My cat has held that honor since that day.
Please remember to pray for our military. They all deserve our honor and our respect. To those fellow quilters who donate to Quilts of Valor I am so very proud of what you do. God Bless.
Carolyn
MISTY MONDAY
September 17, 2012
I have spent the day inside, another misty, foggy day. We can't see
anything beyond our snug nest inside.
This is what you will see when you enter the house from the
carport. I found this sign last fall when I having a day out with
my dearest sister-in-law and friend Barbara. Come on in and
spend some time. We would love to have you visit in our "NUT
HOUSE."
Don't forget to spend your time doing your handwork.
Carolyn
UNUSUAL SUNDAY
September 16, 2012
Today was an unusual Sunday for us. We didn't go to church.
Wayne woke up with a very sore throat and a temperature. Josh
got his right knee hurt at football last night..after he scored a 78
yard touchdown. I am a little hoarse. The weather is even a little
different....63 degrees and rain and fog most of the day.
I love when the mountains just peak out of the fog. I took these pictures one right after the other and the fog was moving very fast.
As the mountain became lost in the fog..the boys...Wayne and
Josh watched football...The Panthers vs The Saints.
Josh is into the game!
Wayne is watching every play. Walker, our cocker, could care less.
I spent the day with my nose in a book and of course I saved an
hour to work on my handwork challenge.
Have a cozy Sunday night.
Carolyn
TIME FLYING
September 15, 2012
I know when I was young and my Grandmother would say " The older you get the faster time flies," I thought she didn't know what she was talking about. How wrong I was. Time..I remember a quote I learned in fourth or fifth grade.." Lost between somewhere and someplace 60 golden seconds...." I can't think who the author was, but I have thought about that saying so many times in my life.
As I tried to find this quote I found that I was indeed wasting the time that I have, searching for what may or may not be a correct memory.
Five years ago Haley was a child of seven. Tonight this same
girl came in and handed me her school pictures. The picture
is of a preteen in braces. Time has indeed flown.
Have a great Saturday night.
Caroly
Beautiful Sky
September 14, 2012
These are the pictures of the evening sky that I wanted to share
yesterday. Then I had some problems with being thought to be a robot. It sure isn't me..or maybe the fact that I can't figure the
words out makes them really suspicious.
The sky was just so beautiful. I get so busy with all kind of
stuff....just stuff...that I often forget to appreciate the important
gifts that are right out my window.
I want to post one more picture of my progress because I need to move my hoop. I still have this cast on ...tired of hearing about it I bet...but I can't position my arm so I can do any more stitches..the X's are too close to the edge of the hoop. I am so pleased that I have kept at it. I think the design looks like an angel..not the flower that it is if I turn it around.
Have a great Friday night.
Carolyn
Complications
September 13, 2012
I am having some technical problems with my blog. The site has
decided that I am spam. What I don't know about writing a blog will do me in. I am trying to get the problem worked out and if I
do I should be able to at least post about the Sew Along Challenge.
The wanting to be accountable for my sewing this month is why
I started this blog. In this case, I am definately a case of "teaching an old dog a new trick."
Have a good Thursday.
Carolyn
FALL CLEANING
September 12, 2012
Last evening Wayne and Haley came home with some mums.
The petunias have spent all their bloom and only the herbs are
still doing well. I should say that I gave them too much Miracle Grow last week. It has yellowed some of the parsley.
I bring the herbs inside during the cold weather. They add such a nice aroma to the house and make the food taste so good. They
get plenty of sun through my patio doors.
Last night Bonnie talked about getting ready for Christmas. I am not making Christmas gifts. My handwork doesn't have the details or perfection that it once did. However with the cooler weather I decided to get everyone to get the Christmas ornaments from
the third floor to the storage so it will be ready. This year I want to
get out all the decorations like I used to. I promised everyone last
year that we would. I want the house to look like The Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, TN.
We went down to Gatlinburg, TN on our honeymoon almost 48 years ago and we still love it. It has changed so much as have we.
Now that we have started this cleaning it just seems like there is
so much more to do, windows, baseboards, doors, etc. These pretty days make it so hard to keep cleaning...and what I really want to do is to go down to my sewing room and just spend the day playing.
Even Dan is calling me out to come and play with him. He is ready. Fall cleaning can wait another day.
Have a wonderful Wednesday.
Carolyn
I FORGOT
September 11, 2012
In the midst of remembering the terrible significance of September 11th., I forgot about writing a blog. I actually remember exactly where I was on that morning just like I know where I was when I found out President Kennedy was shot. Although many important
events in my private life have occurred, these memories have remained chrystal clear.
How about you? Were you born after Kennedy or were you so young when The Twin Tower event happened you don't have a distinct picture in your mind. Are you worried as some mental
actions become more difficult that these memories will also fade?
It is with sincere gratitude that I remember all the sacrifices that
have been a result of that day. It is with a heavy heart that I remember my special friend, Joy H., whose death was most probably a result of those awful fumes. She was as her name, a
Joy to know, and I am blessed to have been her friend.
Don't forget to tell those you love how special they are. Remember
also to thank those who serve us all...the military, the police, and the firemen.
Carolyn
Monday Progress
September 10, 2112
Bonnie Hunter from Quiltville, http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/09/one-hour-of-needle-thread-week-1.html,
has asked us to list our progress today. I am
proud to announce that I have sewn 4.75 hours by hand since last
Tuesday. That time would be super for me anyway, but with my
arm in this cast that is remarkable.
The whole hoop was without stitches when I started so you can
see I have made progress. I will try to watch the web cam tonight
and log in another hour.
I also updated my calendar.
If I have this figured out correctly you should be able to see this
without all the verification. I am still so new to this that I honestly
didn't realize some of the things that exist on a blog.
Have a great Monday. Are you looking forward to the web cam as much as I am?
Carolyn
