Big Binge Downsized

I did not pack a full lunch today.  I left for work with my low fat cheese sticks, and the knowledge that I had an errand to run during lunch and that I could pick something up to go with my cheese sticks while I was out.

At noon I left the office to go to Walgreens to get a card, 2 gift bags, and some tissue paper, with the plan to buy those items and then either go home for something to eat or pick up a salad at Sonic.  

Once I was in Walgreens I decided I would just pick up something there to eat and go back to the office.  Did I pick up something semi-healthy?  No, I decided I wanted Corn Nuts.  The problem was they didn't have normal Corn Nuts, the had the new Corn Nut Chips.  So I picked up a bag of those, but they were in the candy aisle, so I started looking around at the candy.  When I checked out, I had a card, 2 gift bags, Corn Nut Chips, and movie size boxes of JujyFruits, Junior Caramels, and Mike and Ike's Italian Ice.  Not a very healthy lunch.

Once I returned to the office, I took out my cheese sticks and opened the Corn Nut Chips.  The chips  are just not the same as the Corn Nuts.  Too salty.  So after a handful of those tiny little chips, I closed the bag and put it on the bottom of my office trash can.  I finished the cheese sticks and then I opened the JujyFruits.  I took out 3 of each color and enjoyed them while I read CNN.  Then I buried the box on the bottom of my garbage can because I decided that even though they were my favorite candy when I was little, they didn't taste same today as they did then.  

I then opened the Junior Caramels.  I love caramels. Maybe it was a mind thing, but I swear they had a hint of Junior Mint flavor.  I ate 5 and then put the box away because they needed to be frozen.  

Only box left was the Mike and Ike's.  I opened the box and poured out 10.  I arranged them by color and started snacking.  Ooooh, WAY too sweet.  I buried the box on the bottom of my office trash can.  

That was the end of my big binge.  I would have been better off just buying some chewing gum to go with my card and gift wrap and going home to eat lunch, but in my mind I knew that all along.

When I came home from work I put the Junior Caramels in the freezer.  For a snack tonight I took out three to try.  They were better frozen, but they still have that odd mint thing going on, and even though I love the taste of mint, it doesn't work on the Junior Caramels.

Just Because I Can, Doesn't Mean I Will

An acquaintance became very angry with me this past weekend because I did not answer his text in what he considered a timely manner.  This has made me even angrier.

Why is it that everyone seems to want an instant reply these days?  Yes, I saw his text.  His text was a statement, not a question, or anything else that needed a reply.  I was with friends, and saw no reason to give a reply.  I had a fabulous day with my friends and then just as I was getting ready to send him a text saying I hoped he had a decent day, I received a blast from him in a FB message telling me that he was upset I didn't reply to his text with at least a "not now," and he was never texting me again.  Excuse me?  

This person lives across the country from me.  He doesn't have a clue as to what I am doing during the day, or if my phone is even charged. What makes him think he has the right to blast me? 

I have noticed more and more that people want instant answers and get upset when they don't get them.  I have no phone signal in my office.  Sometimes my text messages won't show up until I leave for the day, but people will be calling me five minutes after they send me a text saying "Well, why didn't you answer me?"  My answer is usually "What are you talking about?"  

Even if my phone has a full signal and I get the text when it is sent, where are the written rules saying how long I have to answer the text?  Evidently there are many blogs and sites that give response time etiquette.  I like this one: "Text Message: IF the message needs a response, a few hours to 12 hours is normal.  A day is pretty long, longer should only be because your phone is dead, lost, no service."

This one is good too: "Other people have lives too - Not everyone will be able to respond immediately. There are times that people will be away from their phone or not in a position to send a response. If you need something immediately, texting may not be your best option."

Most of the texting etiquette I read said you should respond the same day.  I was going to answer him, and it would have been less than 12 hours. 

My answer to him was that I had a great day, he wasn't going to "guilt" me over not answering a statement that did not require an answer, and that I pretty much didn't care whether we texted again.

Quite frankly, I don't have time in my life for someone that is going to be that demanding.  

If I text someone on a time sensitive issue and I do not get a response that allows me to deal with the issue, then I make a phone call.  No big deal. 

My boss and I communicate by text after hours and on weekends when there is a situation that needs taken care of immediately.  I prefer that to phone calls because the matter can be handled quickly and efficiently as we can stay on task. Phone calls can get off track and you can end up spending a lot of time working in your off hours.  However, if she sends a text and I don't reply in a time frame acceptable for the issue, she will call my house or cell, knowing if I don't answer, I am truly not available at that time.  Is that written down some where?  No, it is just common sense. 

So if you text me, and I don't reply, wait for it.  If you must have an immediate reply, then call.You could email, but I am just going to read your email on my phone, and if I don't feel you need an immediate response, you are not going to get one, so maybe you should just call first. 

Accomplishment #179

Paid the bills!  They all seemed to come at once this week, but I sat down after work today and entered them all into the online pay and put them all in the box to file. 

Accomplishments #173-178

Even though I have been concentrating on quilting projects lately, I have accomplished a few things in the last few days.  My accomplishments include:

•  Sorting out the junk mail from the "real" mail
• Sorting through a few drawers and cleaning them out
• Dusting
• Scrubbing the bathroom sink
• Puttering around in the garden a little
• Laundry
• Cleaned out the linen closet
• Picked pins up from floor
• Picked thread up from floor
• Picked up scraps of fabric from floor
• Emptied Dishwasher (that doesn't happen much because I have children home now)
• Started cleaning out magazines
• Cleaned the bathtub

Great Productive Weekend

I had a great weekend, that was also very productive, for many of us.

Saturday BFF, Loni and I really worked on our different projects. BFF is making me a quilt. It is absolutely gorgeous.  Reminds me of a dark version of Monet's Water Lilies.  Loni sewed all the labels on her quilts, washed and dried them.  I sorted through my different projects trying to find one that was ready to work on since I still have trouble holding the ruler down with my left hand.

I decided to work on one I cut out for Loni at least two years ago, but wasn't real happy with some of the fabric selections. I decided to throw out the ones I hated and go with more of some of the other selections.

We took a break to go to BJ's for dinner and then to Wal-Mart so BFF could look at baby quilt kits.  Loni found a couple of projects there too.

Once we were home BFF and I worked on projects while Loni was looking at her projects she purchased.  We watched "Guarding Tess" while working.  BFF was able to get her project ready for sandwiching, and I pinned all my blocks together.  After Loni and BFF left, I started piecing my blocks together.  I worked until about 1:30 A.M.

Today, Sunday, Mina stopped by to visit before heading to the airport.  It was great to see her, even if it was for just a few minutes.  We planned our 4th of July weekend.

After Mina left I continued piecing the blocks until it was time for Loni and I to go run errands.  We went to JoAnn's, Aaron Bros. (buy a frame, get one for a penny sale), and Target.  Once home I started piecing again until it was time to grill the chicken quarters for dinner.

Once we cleaned up the kitchen after dinner it was pool time.  I spent an hour in the pool giving my shoulder a good work out.  Then it was back into the house for more piecing while watching reruns of "The Closer."

This is going to be one bright quilt.  It is so bright I am having trouble getting my camera to take a picture of it.  I have all the blocks pieced and ironed, but I made a mistake in putting it on the design wall.  I thought I figured out the mistake, but then I found out I hadn't, so now I will have to start over again tomorrow.  I bet Loni is sorry she told me she likes bright colors.

All in all it was a great weekend, and I am looking forward to the next one.

For right now I am calling this quilt, Bright Cat Quilt

Close Up

On design wall, but not correctly

Earthen Angel Quilt Top - Completed 6-25-11

I found this kit on clearance.  The pattern is really too traditional for my tastes, but there are turtles in the fabric and I need practice on keeping my points.

Earthen Angel Quilt Top

Earthen Angel - Center of Quilt Top

My Friend Laura Made Me a Purse

My friend Laura made this purse for me using fat quarters.  It is really cute.

Fibro Flare

My fibromyalgia is flaring up today. 

I usually have pain everyday, but I ignore it most of the time.  I was expecting a big flare up when I had my shoulder surgery and it didn't come.  Usually a flare up means my hips, but today it is my hands, upper back and hips. At least it didn't hurt to walk today.  Typing was slow and still is.  

I am always afraid if I don't keep my hands moving I won't be able to move them again.  I was piecing a quilt tonight and it was going okay until I realized that I needed to rip out some cornerstones because they did not line up correctly. I decided not to use the seam ripper because my favorite one is very small and hurt my hand to grip.  I don't like my big one that is made for arthritic hands, so I gave up quilting for the night. 

I hope this flare up does not last long.  I am going to try taking a sleeping pill to see if a good night's rest will help.  

Tomorrow is my busy day at work. I need my hands to cooperate.

Accomplishment #172

More paperwork.

Laugh of the Day

This cracked me up this morning.  Craftfail

Accomplishment #171

Paperwork.

Charles Edward Thompson : Nov 20, 1918 - June 20, 2011

My Uncle Ed passed away in his chair sometime between yesterday and this morning. 

I called him a little over a week ago to talk.  I remember saying to Loni and my boys he wasn't himself in that phone call.  He was always calling me and telling me I needed to sell the house, etc.  In our last conversation he told me he was glad I had the house and that it would serve me well in the future.  That was a drastic change.

He liked Raymond.  He came to our wedding and then we saw him again sometime in the 2000-2001 range.  He came to visit us here at the house.  We all went out to dinner and Raymond drove him to see where he worked.

Uncle Ed was a pilot in WWII and often flew to see us when we lived in KY when I was growing up.  He was always trying to get me to go up in his plane with him, but I wouldn't do it.  Just didn't seem big enough. 

When I was small and living in Dayton I remember that wen he would come to town it was a big deal.  My first memory of him was when he went to Grandma's house and we went to see him there.  He and his second wife, Ann, had some kind of very large, tall dog.  He let me ride the dog like a pony up and down the street.  I thought that was grand.  

All my other memories of him are from when we would visit our house.  I remember he liked how I made coffee in my mom's old coffee pot that percolated.  I  would make him pot after pot.  

Another time he came to KY and he and I went to see my other Uncle Marion Hall in Harrodsburg, KY.  It was just the two of us.  I think I was already in college or had graduated.  I even think he let me drive because I knew the way. Those details are hazy, but what is clear is that he treated me like an adult and I appreciated it very much. 

Uncle Ed "had money."  I never understood what that meant when I was little.  It wasn't until I was in high school that I understood.  

I do know he was always kind to me.  He usually gave me money when he left town, $25.00 here, $50.00, up to $100.00.  I usually used it to buy clothes.  I remember one set of clothes I bought in high school with the funds he had given me.  It was pink.  (Yes, I hate pink now, but I wore a lot of it back then.)  

When Raymond and I got married he gave us $500.00.  Raymond and I were so blessed to get that money.  I don't know what we would have done without it when we moved to TX.  It helped us set up our household and buy food for the apartment.  

Uncle Ed called me when Raymond died.  He was very upset.  It wasn't long after that call that I received a card with a very large check.  Now I had not told Uncle Ed about the water heater catching on fire and that I had to replace it, or about any of the other issues that had popped up.  I guess he just knew from losing Ann that expenses come before the money arrives.  His generosity made my life a lot easier those first few weeks after Raymond died. 

It really made some people in the family mad that he was so generous with me.  I always thought he was so generous with me because I really didn't care that he had money.  I would sit around at family gatherings and listen to relatives hint at things he should pay for, or invest in, etc.  I was just happy to take a walk with him, or sit at the table and pour him coffee while he told stories.  It made no difference to me about his money.  Yes, I appreciated all he did for me and his thoughtfulness, but I never expected it nor did I ask for anything from him.  

Uncle Ed loved my boys, even though he only met them once.  He would call me and sometimes spend the entire conversation asking me about them and what they were doing in school. 

He made me laugh with his jokes.  He irritated me with his insistence I sell my house.  He loved my family.  We loved him. 

I miss him already.  

RIP Uncle Ed. Say "hi" to Raymond and the rest of the family for me.  

Love you.

Poppy Quilt is Pieced

Heaven

I was driving down the road the other day, looking at the sky and thinking about heaven.  At least my version of heaven.

I was wondering if Raymond visits with my parents much.  I bet he enjoys talking to his grandpas.

Then I had to wonder who all I would want to meet me, if I am lucky enough to be with them for eternity.  I think I would only want to see Raymond and my parents immediately.  The rest I would visit on my own time.  

My aunts, uncles, grandparents would be towards the top of the list.  

I have lost more friends than I care to think about, and then there are the guys I have dated that have already passed on, and a couple of guys I was very close to as friends.  Paul, Jack, Mike, Greg, Kenny all come to mind.  I would like to stop by and visit with them.  

Cheryl and Theresa, it would be good to see them again and catch up.  (If they wanted to see me that is.)

It is an interesting thing to think about when you are just passing some time driving down the road.  

In Honor of Father's Day ... My Dad

I Enjoyed this Book

I just finished The Bride's House by Sandra Dallas.  I hated to finish it. 

Was it something really new and different?  No.  

Was it predictable?  Yes.

Did I care?  No.

It was a good read by one of my favorite authors.  Her best book?  No, but I loved the characters.  I loved the story.  I loved the setting.  Good enough. 

If I was going to rate it on a 1-5 scale on how much I enjoyed it, I would give it a 5.

Accomplishments #163 - #170

Laundry, mail, some cleaning of cabinets, and dusting.  That has been about it for the week, unless you want to count rearranging the refrigerator a hundred times to get things to fit.  

Naked Day Canceled

I don't work on Fridays.  I have a 35 hour work week, and I work all the hours between Monday and Thursday.  Originally it was a trial to help save my employer money since they would have an extra day  a week where the electrical load would be low, but then I liked it so much I negotiated a deal last year to make it permanent.

Most Fridays I am very busy with outside appointments, catching up with friends I don't see often, etc. Last Friday my plans were canceled so I made new plans.

My oldest and Loni were at work, my youngest was at freshman orientation and wasn't due home until 1:00 P.M.  I got up early, made a haircut appointment, and then planned out my morning.  It was to go like this:

1. Haircut
2. Walgreens to get hair dye, fingernail polish, Mountain Dew, and some new eye shadow
3. Home
4. Ice down Mountain Dew
5. Turn on stereo really loud
6. Get Naked
7. Dye Hair
8. Paint Fingernails
9. Enjoy Mountain Dew while reading Kindle
10. Get dressed before child came home. 

I was so excited about my naked day (which may or may not include full nakedness depending on my mood, and I never, ever sit on the furniture naked), that I was humming in the drugstore while buying my items.  

As I was driving home I was so excited about my morning...then I pulled into the driveway.  What was there?  The youngest's car. He came home early.  I was so deflated.

I went into the house and asked him why he was there.  I told him he ruined my naked day.  He told me I could close off the Man Cave and have naked day anyway.  I told him naked day required a house free of others.  

It all worked out though.  I made him help me dye my hair.  Granted he hosed the dye out like my head was a sidewalk, but it got the job done.  

Oh well, I am sure I will get a naked day soon. 

Shoulder Update

I went for a follow up visit on my shoulder today with my surgeon.  

I could tell he was chastising me (in a nice way) because he doesn't think I am stretching and exercising my shoulder enough to get the results I want, and maybe I'm not because I am not doing it 24/7.  I am however, running through my exercises when I get up in the morning, after my shower, several times during the day at work, and at least twice a night.  

I haven't been in PT for a about three weeks because of another snafu with the insurance, and I miss the manual manipulation that I get there.  I get to go again tomorrow.

I will double of my efforts and work harder.  

He did say I probably wouldn't be rock climbing in Alaska next year.  Fooey on that.

My Personal Best Thinking/Idea Place

I have always had my most brilliant ideas, thoughts and solutions in the shower.

I don't go into the shower with the intention of coming up with a solution for a problem, I just go in there to get ready for my day, but I think because I am not multi-tasking, I start listening to other ideas floating around in my brain and I am able to concentrate on them.

Today's shower proved to be very important.  I was just washing my hair, thinking about whether to change the style again when suddenly my brain told me something was really wrong with my car insurance. Now I have been concerned about the insurance on the new car and the lack of any bill or proof of insurance coming through, but I thought they were just being slow.  So it is a thought that has been in my brain, but I kept pushing it to the back burner.  My brain was now screaming, do something about it today!

When I got out of the shower, I didn't comb out my hair, or anything else, I just paused long enough to wrap a towel around me and then I immediately went to the computer and checked my policy again. No new car!  I picked up the phone and called and sure enough the new car was not covered.  They had all the information, including the VIN but it had not been put on the policy. They even had that I had called with the information from the dealership on May 28.

It took about 40 minutes to hopefully solve the problem. 

I am so glad I listened to my brain in the shower telling me to go back and check out the insurance again.

Accomplishment #162

Even though I was just piddling, I got a lot of things accomplished yesterday.

• Two loads of  laundry, washed and dried.
• One basket of clothes folded.
• The rolling library cart of laundry put away along with all hanging clothes.
• Emptied out my closet some more of items I am going to donate.
• Straightened my bedroom.
• Did some cleaning in the bathroom.
• Picked up around the living room.  

That was in the morning.  I spent the afternoon and evening making coasters and then putting a quilt up on the design wall.

I also went to Fabric Fanatics and JoAnn's with Jill and Loni.  

Good day.

Enjoyed the Day with my Friend

I spent today with my friend Laurie.

We met by chance through some City meetings, and then email.  She is a quilter too, but she manages to get a lot more done than I do when it comes to quilting.  She makes beautiful quilts.

Today we went to Fabric Fanatics and Quilter's Connection.  We topped at WalMart to see what they had in the way of precuts, and to get me some new sandals.  We also went to Entertainmart.

She introduced me to the Mexican food at Chitos.  Very good, but unless you want real fire in your belly stay away from the orange salsa in the bottle they bring when they give you your food.

We stopped back at my house so I could give Laurie some fabric for a baby quilt.  I couldn't find it (see a previous post about my memory), but Loni came in and she knew just where the fabric was located.  Laurie loved the fabric.  She was worried what to tell me if she didn't want the fabric.  I told her that she would have said "No, I don't like it."  Or at least I would have hoped she would.  

After that Loni and I took her home and Loni had a chance to see some of Laurie's quilts. 

Her is the t-shirt quilt Laurie made for her son.

How Will We Know?

Both of my parents had Alzheimer's.  My dad suffered with it much longer than my mother because he was fairly young when he was diagnosed.  Those odds are not good for me.

I know people now suffering from this horrible disease, and I really am not making light of their illness, suffering, the suffering of their families, etc. I am just telling you a real concern of mine, that happens to be funny.

As I was having one of my mental blanks the other day, I looked at my youngest and said "How will we ever know if I have Alzheimer's?"  

I mean I already have issues finding the words for everyday things, and have for years and years.  I have a tendency to lose things because I put them in "safe" places and then those places are forever erased from my mind.  

My youngest and I were imaging taking me in for the test, like I took my mom in.  They would give me the three words, and when I didn't remember them or did my hand gesturing and clues, he would have to say "She has done that ever since I was born."  Then when they gave me the math he would say "She never could do math."  Yep, that is how it would go.  We were laughing when we got done acting out the visit.  

Raymond was the one with the memory.  He could remember things I had forgotten ten minutes after they happened.  He remembered details about dates that I didn't even remember being on, but I was.  I miss that. Not only did I lose my soul mate, but I lost my history.

Maybe my memory is so bad because I multi-task constantly and do not take the time to really concentrate on one thing long enough for it to register.  Maybe I am in a constant fibro fog, since that is really when my memory got bad was after that diagnosis.  I really don't know, or don't remember.

I do know I am blessed to have a family, blood and extended, that puts up with me.  

Panic in the My Brain

I am embarrassed to say how many check boxes I have lost in the last year.  I put them in "safe" places that are just too safe.

It happened again when I went to by the youngest's car.  I lost a particular checkbook that I have not written a check out of since my 50th birthday.  I know where I always hid it, but then when I went to that spot it was gone.  I kind of remember moving it, but not really.  A hunt began.

I was pretty excited when I found what I thought was the checkbook.  To be sure I called the bank. Turns out it was the old account and only had three cents in it.  I am so glad I called.  That could have been very bad, but it meant the real checkbook was still missing.

How did I solve the issue?  I ordered more checks.  

As I was sitting here this morning, I realized that I had seen the new checks come in the mail, but not where I had put them.  I had a moment of sheer panic, until I looked over and saw them on the footstool with all the other mail I need to file. 

I am now going to get up and put them where I told the family I was going to put them.  Surely one of us will remember if I ever need to write a check from there again.

Accomplishments #148 through #161

I admit that since I have my own personal maid (youngest) home for the summer, I have slacked off on my accomplishments, but I still do the mail daily.

I have managed to accomplish a few things in days 148-161.  I have:

• Completed about 3 loads of laundry. (Youngest and Loni have been doing the rest)
• Still cleaning out my closet some each day
• Cleaned out the old leftovers in the fridge
• Dusted some knick knacks
• Went through several boxes of paperwork and either refiled or destroyed papers
• I have put away clothes

I am also working on a plan that involves rearranging some things in the house, but I will keep that secret for now.  My boys hate it when I decide to rearrange everything.

Frustrated with my Shoulder

I have made some good progress with my shoulder, but not as much as I had hoped. 

I still cannot raise my arm over my head without assistance from my other arm. (Yes, I am restricted from doing this, but they have me do it in PT.)

Currently I am not in PT because once again insurance has denied it without further documentation from the doctor, and the doctor's office doesn't seem to be able to get its act together.  I love my doctor, but I wish he just had one office in Dallas and did not travel all over.  

I have a doctor's appointment next week, so hopefully we can get it all worked out.  In the meantime, I am still concerned he might have to go in again.  I still think something is not right. I don't know how to explain it in words, but the constant tightness in my upper chest and arm seems wrong.  

Slow progress.  I am not good with slow progress.  

Last Night ... A Good Porch Night

There was enough of a breeze last night for me to enjoy my porch swing, if not my porch swing quilt. 

I laid on the porch swing reading and swinging for quite a while after work, with visits from my youngest once in a while.  He was concerned that I had put myself into a position (on my stomach with right side into back of swing) that would not allow me to get up since I would have to use my left arm.  He has not been home long enough to know I had solved that problem soon after shoulder surgery.

After a while, Loni came out to sit, and then the oldest came home from work and brought his dinner out.  It was a very nice evening of chatting and laughter.  

It was a good porch night.

Text Posting

Posting by text.

Well, that works.  I have no idea what I would need to say that would be so important I would need to post by text, but since I seem to have trouble getting to the computer these days, maybe I would use it.

At least it is enabled and I have the option.

Of course, anyone that has read my texts know that I have issues with my new phone and getting any of the words right.  Maybe I will text post and then give blog candy out to the first one to decipher the post. 

Storm at Sea Quilt Completed June 8, 2011

I made this quilt to be my porch swing quilt.

Front of Quilt

Back of Quilt

Wouldn't It Be Nice...

Wouldn't it be nice if you could slap sense into people?

Of course you can't.  That is why violence does not serve a purpose.

Here it is June 5

Here it is June 5 and I made it over the hump.

Raymond died May 31, 2006.  This year I got through that day without thinking about the death, a new stepping stone for me. In fact, I totally ignored the date.  I went to work, went to my meeting, went to dinner with extended family, and did not once think about the significance of the day.

I still cannot control my eating during the month of May.  I go back to old habits of just wanting to eat all the time.  The good thing is I did not reach for just the same thing over and over again.  No major obsession with Pringles and dip, or any one single food that I just eat over and over again.  

Do I miss him any less because I made it through May 31 without thinking about that day 5 years ago?  No. I do not.  In fact, all I can think about is how he has missed 2 graduations. He has also missed the oldest having his first very serious girlfriend, my youngest getting a new car, watching me learn to quilt, and most of all watching his two boys grow into fine young men.  That brings me to my knees on a daily basis, whether it is a significant date or not. 

Sometimes I still day dream about what our life would be like right now. After all, this would be the prime of our life. Both boys in college.  We would be pretty much free to do whatever we wanted.   Instead, I am trying to figure out what I want the rest of my life to look like.  I feel like I am in limbo. I know it is up to me to move forward.  I just don't know what I want to move forward to now, or in the future. 

I know that January 1 starts the new year, but sometimes I feel like my new year starts June 1 as I see how I get through March, April, May. 

The Last of the Line For Now

My dad had 2 brothers and 3 sisters.  Of the six kids, my dad was the only one to have a son, my brother.  My brother has two sons. 

For years we took pictures of my dad, my brother and his son(s) together showing the men that were left in the family, since my uncles both died before my dad.  Then my dad died, and there were no more pictures of the line, especially since my brother hates having his picture taken.  

Recently my brother and his two sons were together at one of my youngest nephew's wrestling match, and pictures were taken.  

Here is a picture of the "Last of the Line," for now.

Table Runner - Using Modern Charm Runner Pattern

Jill gave me two batik charm packs and Laura gave me the Modern Charm Runner, quilt as you go pattern by G.E. Designs, so I made this table runner for my antique table.

Too Much Stuff!

My oldest moved back in for two months while he is waiting on his next apartment to be available.  He has too much stuff!!!!

Either that, or he just brought it all home in so many boxes and baskets it looks like too much stuff.

Then there was all the dirty laundry.  The boy had a washer and dryer in his apartment, a luxury I never had in my apartment, so why did he have so much laundry?  Laundry he kept saying he would do, but was never home to do it, so I sorted it all out and Loni and the youngest did almost all of it in one day.  Probably about 8 baskets full.  (We didn't do his girlfriend's laundry. It was put in a paper bag on his bed.)

I have had a couple of run ins with him since he has been home. (Loni calls it "The Wrath of Mom.") Evidently he needs reminding that he may be 21, but he is in my home.  Oh, I don't care about what time he gets home, he has no curfew.  I don't care about how many people he has over, they are all good people.  I don't care what he eats and when as long as he cleans up after himself.  I do care about keeping the house up, talking to me with respect, and not adding extra work to anyone else living in the house.  

It may take another week, but we are almost there.

 

The Anti Driver Has a Car

My youngest, the anti driver, now is the proud owner of a 2011 Honda Civic with 113 miles on it (test drives).  He brought it home on Saturday, May 28, and has driven it 4 times since. Two of those trips were less than a mile, one was less than 3 miles, and the other was probably 25 miles round trip. 

He hates driving.  However, once he gets to college next year he will need a car.  It was one thing when he was on a campus with rigid restrictions, but next year he will not have any restrictions other than his own morals.  Which I am proud to say, at this point is his life, are very high.  

I think this car will last him a very long time if he takes care of it, and I am sure he will.