Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Quilts to make in 2009

Hannah's quilt was a hit! I'm sorry I don't have pictures. Believe it or not I forgot to take my camera and so I don't have a picture of the finished quilt. My sister-in-law has promised to get me a picture of Hannah with the quilt. I hope I get it soon so I can share with you. I saw Hannah last night at my brother's birthday party, and she told me she has slept with her new quilt every night since Christmas. She really loves it. When she opened it she said "It's just want I wanted!" Granted she said that with every present she opened...

My sister-in-law, Heather, has asked for a quilt next. She is so funny. She told me I could even make her a baby quilt too! I guess she thought that was all I could make. I am going to try to make her a Black, White & Red quilt using Amanda Jean's pattern. I think it will work beautifully in her living room.

I also want to make Beth a quilt using the same pattern, but using Brown & Turquoise. I already have the fabric for Beth's quilt. I just haven't been able to come up with a pattern.

I also want to make Charlie a Georgia Bulldogs quilt. He loves the Bulldogs. I found a blog where someone made their son/grandson a Bulldogs quilt but I can't find it now.

I would also like to make Trevlyn a quilt, but I don't have any ideas yet on colors or patterns.

I think it would be neat to make them all at least Twin size, and then make a pillow case to match. So, that is 4 quilts, and I still have Mother's too. I have her material and her pattern. I am planning on having hers ready by her birthday, which is March 16. I would like to have Beth's ready by her birthday too, which is March 18. So, lofty goals....

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas!

Well, Christmas is tomorrow. I have finished Hannah's quilt, well almost! I am at work right now and on my breaks I am finishing the binding. Oh! How I hate binding! I hope to have pictures of her with her little quilt to post over the weekend. Yes, I said little quilt. I also hate cutting! I started with a 45x60 and ended up with a 36x48. What? how did I lose 9 x 12? Well, let's just say I can't sew straight nor cut straight! I had to even everything out and that is what I ended up with! Good thing Hannah is only 4 and hopefully will love her Aunt's first try at a disappearing 9 patch.

I better go. I wanted to drop in and wish anyone a Very Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Christmas Time is Coming...

Wow, Christmas is a week from today. We finally got our Christmas tree up on Tuesday night. Although my Christmas gifts that I was going to make our still sitting next to the sewing machine. Aaaarrrggghh, time needs to slow down. I only have this Saturday left. I am going to be working like a crazy person!

My kids volunteered me to make a Buche de Noel for their French II class tomorrow. Of course a recipe that I've never tried...I'll let you know how it turns out. Right now I have Salmon Turnovers in the oven, and they smell delicious. I found the recipe over at The Happy Housewife, go on over and check out her blog.

I just got off the phone with my sister who is organizing our Christmas menu this year. We are both going to be at Mother's for dinner. Usually we go to our respective in-laws, but due to the economy and her having a new baby, we are both staying in town! It will be different but still wonderful. I have been told to bring the ham & green beans for Christmas dinner, and Rotel Dip for Christmas Eve snacks. That is great by me because they are all easy things to do.

What are you doing for Christmas? Are your plans different this year due to the economy?

Friday, December 12, 2008

Random Thoughts - Friday - December 12

I haven't blogged much lately because of the new job, and I've had a cold...again! Yes, every night this week (except last night) I've went home, drank a cup of NyQuil and went to bed. My intention was to blog in the evenings once I started this job, but it hasn't quite worked out that way. Usually what happens in my life isn't what I planned to happen. Do you think I am being too hopeful or setting unrealistic expectations? Maybe I am just not trying hard enough!

Can you believe there are only 13 days till Christmas? I still have so much to do. I haven't even put up my Christmas tree yet! GASP.... I know I am horrible! Usually I have my tree up by December 1, but this year my tree is in the attic and I can't get the attic door open. My husband hasn't been home until late every night and when he does get home he doesn't feel like getting it out. AARRRGGGGHHHH... I hope to clean house this weekend and put out all the Christmas decorations. That will give us about 3 weeks because I usually don't take them all down until New Year's Day!

The Christmas Play at church is this weekend. We have dress rehearsal this Saturday night. My sister and I have coordinated the Christmas Play for the last 3 years...I think. It maybe 4 but I can't really remember. It was always easy because we worked together, and we would brainstorm things at work then put them in action. It isn't that easy now! I miss being able to talk things out with her. Of course, I can hear you all saying "just call her" but it isn't that easy! I just remembered this morning that we need to put the programs together, so I called her. She reminded me that the original we work from is on my laptop. I totally forgot. See, if we were together I would already have the programs done or almost done and we would have done it together like we always do. I guess I have been spoiled, but I miss working with my family.

My job, you all have been asking, How do you like your job? Well, have you ever had a job where you felt like you didn't go to work? Well, that is how I feel. Other than missing my sister, I really like my job. I have specific job responsibilities, I do them, then I go home. I don't think about what is not done or what I have to do tomorrow. I do the same things everyday...deposits, process returns, check in inventory, etc. This is daily work so I get today's done and then tomorrow I do tomorrows! My manager is great. He is laid back, and easy to get along with. The people I work with are all younger than me. I think all but 2 of them are in school at UT. Their lives are full and exciting. I don't see how they get so much done. Most of what they talk about is going to a party or the party they just went to. I don't think any of them go to church so I hope to be a light to them. I would like to be a witness for Jesus. Wouldn't it be amazing if I could make a difference in one of their lives?

You have asked me (Valerie) about my quilting projects, and I hate to say that since I started this job I have not even sat down at my sewing machine. I just haven't had time. I know I only have 13 days to finish.... Tonight is a no go, I'll be at the church. Tomorrow, I have to clean my house and decorate for Christmas. Sunday, in between church services...maybe. Monday, I am not working because I have an appointment but it is at 1:30...maybe I can get up early and sew for a little while, then sew some more that evening. Okay...that is the plan. I'll let you know if it works out. It doesn't sound to unrealistic, does it?

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Have You Ever?

I found this on another blog and I thought I'd give it a try. There are 200 things on the list and the things that are in bold are the things I have done. Remember I haven't always been saved so some of the things I have done and I am not proud of them, but I still did them! Give it a try if you want!

Have you ever:

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone - verbal not physical
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someones mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch - does sewing count?
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet - when I was a kid
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe.
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt- (a very small one!)
129. Lived in a historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one - does Putt Putt count?
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Ran a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
57. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunch box
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a camp fire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter


Now you probably know more about me then you ever wanted to know! Hope you all enjoyed that! Now go try it yourself!

Monday, December 1, 2008

A New Chapter

Today was my first day on the job. I am working in a retail cellular store. My title is sales support rep. Basically I run reports, make deposits, order & check in inventory, and process returns. I was so bored today! I don't think that the manager expected me to learn so much on my first day. He told me that I am going to have to slow down or I'll get all my work done everyday in about 4 hours, and I have to stretch it out to 8. This is going to be interesting... All the people I work with are in their early 20's. Only one of them is married. They seem to be a fun loving group, and they all act like they get along. But that was a first day impression...

Well, I just had a minute to write...I am on my way to a church ladies meeting!

Thank you all for your prayers, and I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!