Storm that Passed

I didn't shrink them enough...you'll have to click on them to see the whole picture.

Spring Break

Okay...I'm behind on posting, what else is new. I only took a few pictures during the stock show in OKCity, but I like this one the best. All three boys were done showing (all three are Seniors) and it was like "it's OVER"!

No, Troy didn't win big at this show but we didn't expect to either. He did have fun and that is what's important. The END!

I'm kinda posting these after the fact, but this is my FIRST year to have pretty daffodils. The snow kinda did a number on them, but you can also see the concrete broke up that use to be the east porch to the old house. This is looking out my kitchen window and SOMEDAY will be my garden spot.

See the metal swing? (Another) SOMEDAY that is going to set on my new back porch. It's gonna take at least 4 young guys with heavy-duty muscles to pick it up and move it.

Story of my life...

A little snow

We were forwarned about this snow storm coming....the weather-guy said 6 to 9" of the stuff. Well if we got 9", it spread out thin. Here are some pictures out my back door during the past two days.

We didn't quite wake up to blizzard conditions, but we are still under a blizzard warning. Think I'll stay inside and sew!

Thursday

Is it only Thursday? The way I've felt the past few days, I couldn't tell you for sure what day it was anyway. I haven't been real productive....at work or at home. Thankfully, I get to work 99% of my time unsupervised .....I can make it up later on when my head isn't so stopped up.

We surprisingly received 3" of snow last night and this morning. Maybe I was just surprised because I can't stay away long enough to catch the weather report. Glad my car is front-wheeled drive. We must go to work.....and we may just go home early enough to catch a nap before bedtime!

Fast update:

The farm is busy with baby calves.

Baby girls are doing great.

Next week is Spring Break---LAST stockshow in OKCity (Hopefully we won't all be sick)

New picture of Mia:

Strawberries

I've been talking about wanting to do a strawberry bed where the old house use to be. No, not the size of the old house, but maybe a patch.



Well...things don't get done around my house unless I push. Sometimes it's a push on myself, but I have 50 Cardinal strawberry plants ordered....and so now I have to push the other folks on the farm to get the place ready for them to go in.

It's still very dry here, but since my raindance won't do any good....I'll keep watering.

Stockshowing

I have to show a couple of pictures from last week's stock show. I have to say this hasn't been the best (as far as winning ribbons/trophys) showseason for Troy, but not everyone gets to win...right?! I was just hoping his Senior year he could end with a bang...just isn't gonna happen with showing.

The first one is Troy getting ready to go into the arena. He's been showing since 8th grade, so it's not something that Mom or Dad has to help him get ready for. Mr. Independent has been real good about being punctual....going to a show anyway.

This picture (and I felt bad after taking it) was taken after Troy placed 2nd in his class and when the judge was picking order for our premium sale. There are 8 class of pigs(avg of 10 per class)...and Troy placed 2nd in his class...but the darn judge would NOT pick him for sale order.
This is a picture of showmanship. It's like saying "thanks for not picking me"....but my kid was being nice and went over and shook his hand. You can see the gal at the table looking...she told me later on that she felt so bad for Troy. When Troy left the arena, all of the people around me stood up and applauded. I felt very humbled that we have such a great support of parents in our group. The judge just looked at them like "whatjusthappened?"

All I can say is ONE MORE SHOW..... life goes on.

So nice to be warmer

Yes, we're expected to be even in the 80's today and for the next few days. I hate to admit it to my northern friends who still have snow on the ground. I'm setting in my office with a short sleeves on thinking that it's almost too nice to be inside. Of course we're under a wind-advisory but we're hoping it'll bring in a much-needed rain.

I've been horrible about posting here lately. Between grandbabies visits, helping deliver baby calves, work, stock shows, kids, work, farm ...did I mention work? ...life has been more than hectic and stressful. I have a supervisor that I'd love to ship to anybody if they'd take her...I'll buy the one-way ticket today if you'll accept.

I have a camera full of pictures, I'll try to get some new posts started soon.

Updated Picture

Rachel MarieMia Gabrielle

Both girls are doing wonderful and growing each day.

Maybe one of these days I'll get back into my sewing room....maybe.

February Storms

I've had several email and ask if we were hit by the storms. No, they were about 80 miles to the east of us, but our oldest lives real close to where one did come through. They were without power for about 3 hours, but no major damage. Thank goodness.

If you like storm chasing ...and there are many of us around here who stand on the porch to watch them, one of the local television stations has some good videos and pictures of the damage that occured all over the state.

We did receive close to an inch of rain last night...I slept through it, and the needed moisture was welcome.

It's springtime on the priarie....it's gonna storm...and I'm glad I have a basement.

Twice the Fun

So much lovin, cuddlin, rockin, singing.....Oh...so much fun!

Grandma Again!

This Grandma thing is really nice! We got a few layers of ice and snow yesterday, but Mia Gabrielle decided it was time to come into the world. Her and Mom are doing great. She weighed in at 6lbs and 12 ounces. She looks just like her Daddy, except she has lots of dark hair.

It's amazing that we got to hold her about an hour after she was born. This Grandma-thing is just alright!

Gramma's Girl is Home!

Yes, she's Daddy's little princess and Mama's little girl, but she's Grandma's Sweetheart! If you just set and talk to her, she just coos and talks back.

Her Mama took her to her first pediatrician appointment this afternoon, so I'm setting here waiting on the results from the trip. She's 7 weeks old, and still 3 weeks from reaching her due date.

She's perfect...just tiny... and with absolutely nobody in this family being petite...she'll get over that in a hurry! She's HOME and she only lives 1/2 mile from me!

TONIGHT!

Guess who's coming home TONIGHT!

HINT...she wears PINK!

I cannot wait!

Sewing..

Yes, in the midst of all the running around worrying about babies there has been some sewing going on at my house. I've got one graduating from H.S. this May and I asked him what type of quilt he wanted. Troy had two requests: That it wasn't flowery and that it was big enough for a bed. Since we don't know where he's going to college yet (he may sleep in his own bed for a semester or two), I still want to make it big enough for a dorm bed.

So, here is the progress so far. This is Bonnie's Star Struck design done in leftover plaids...mostly homespun. I think these things multiple in the bin because this is the FOURTH homespun quilt I've made and what's left is either getting donated or cut into strips for the general scrap bin.

Here's a close-up of the blocks. You can tell they're not sewn together and how I didn't do matchy-match on the patterns/plaids. I tried to keep similar sizes of plaids together and did put a lot of colors together, but Troy is pleased with the progress, and that's what matters. At this point it's approximately 6'x4'....I still have a bunch of blocks laying on the ironing board. It'll need a couple of borders put on it too before it'll be big enough. I've never been known to make small quilts.

You can't see the quilt too much, but here's a bullseye quilt that is made from homespuns. It's being "held-in-place" by Rusty the watch-dog.

Since every post of mine for the past 44 days has included a Rachel update....today's news is that she was put in "The Village" yesterday. We're going to have a baby home THIS WEEKEND! So...I'll be in the rocking chair holding her if you need me!

Fast Update

I got a call yesterday that Rachel has reached the 4lb mark! She's out of "the box" and in a regular bed. If she can keep her body temperature steady and continues to receive all of her milk without being tube fed, then her and her Mama will get moved to "the village". It's a wing of the hospital that resembles a motel. Parents stay overnight 24 hrs a day with the baby until the staff is convinced that she will thrive at home.

I can see this happening very-very soon! So...keep your prayers going. Rachel is coming home soon!


Can you stand anymore good news? The OTHER daughter-in-law is now two weeks away from her due date!

SOOOOO much excitement...so much pink stuff going on! Yes, I'm going to be Gramma to two girls!

It's a Monday

I had a long weekend. Quilt show in OKCity...which I did not overspend because I really didn't see anything that I just had to have a lot of.

I did buy an Amy Butler bag/purse pattern. The vendor was upset that I didn't buy her kit for $59., but I'd like to use my own fabric and $17. for a 1/2 yard of interfacing?..yikes! It was fun seeing quilts displayed from people that I actually knew. Yes, there are photos...still on my camera, if I could find it.

And then...there's the matter of a dent in my car. When a family member does the damage, does that mean I get a new car? yeah, right.

I did get to go see Rachel. This is from a few days ago, but she's progressing. She lacks GRAMS being 4lbs...which will mean getting out of the BOX. We're excited. She's taking a bottle every 6 hours, so the hospital stay visit may end soon. She's staying healthy which is so wonderful. I had somebody ask me if I've ever go to hold her. I've never even TOUCHED her! Her Daddy was holding her yesterday when I went in...and there's no way he'll turn loose of her.

Monday still....I spilled a huge tavel mug of coffee all over the counter, cabinet front and floor which you know it had to run under the fridge. I was already running late and then my garage door opener didn't want to make it go back down.

...and then I almost had a new coyote hood ornament. Even tho it's almost noon, I need to go back home and start over. Maybe this Monday will go away. Hope the body shop guys are nice with their repair estimates.

A new year

Her Daddy finally got to hold her. She took a bottle for the first time yesterday. Her Mama insisted that they try. Rachel drank 1/3 of what she was suppose to get in a feeding, so it won't take her long to learn to drink it all. We're now free of all air tubes and the picc line. Only have the basic monitors hooked up to her.

Antique Present

I have a son who works for a local natural gas company. He frequents alleys reading and repairing gas meters. He told me that when he saw this piece of furniture that it had Mama's name on it! Believe it or not, it was setting beside a dumpster.
I haven't done much research on the Singer machine, other than knowing it's the same exact machine that I use to sew on at my Grandmother's house (middle 1960's) when she lived out on the farm. As soon as it was unloaded, it was plugged in and other needing a good oiling she purrs right along. The drawers to the cabinet are full of attachments!

This machine (Bruce) was setting on the ground beside the cabinet. I'm assuming it was the original machine in the cabinet.

My question is this: Who in their mind would leave this thing by the dumpster? Even if you were sick of looking at it, we have TWO second-hand shops in town that they could've left it at.

Oh well...their loss is now my piece of furniture to dust!