Where have I been?

I thought I'd do a brief update.  I've missed my blogging friends.  I haven't been quilting, blogging or reading blogs.  It's been a life changing year for us.

In March my DH was diagnosed with colon cancer.  Following the 10 hour surgery in April, we found out he had Stage 4 colon cancer.  Since then it has been a struggle and a journey with many twists and turns.  He has completed chemo treatment number 4 so far.  Every day is a challenge for him.  The hardest part is going from being a man who did everything to someone who needs help with everything.  We are thankful for family and friends who have helped us through and continue to do so.  The planting got done and the calving.  The haying is in progress and harvesting is ahead.  I won't go into details, but it's been difficult.  Our Lord and Savior are seeing us through.

Our good news is:  We are going to be Grandpa and Grandma in October!!

Daughter #2 and her husband moved to his home in Mississippi last week-end.  She will have a couple months to prepare for the addition of our granddaughter.  We are so pleased for them and it gives DH something to look forward to.

You may notice that I have stayed faithful to one of my resolutions.  I have lost 80 pounds so far this year.  I am using the Ideal Protein program through a local hospital with the help of a registered dietician.  I had planned to have knee surgery this year, but that is on hold.  Losing weight has helped immensely in giving my knees some relief.

I won't be posting often.   I miss you all and hope next year will be a better year for us.

Happy New Year

I resolve to start blogging again in 2014.  Blogging became lost in the shuffle of my life and once you stop it's hard to get started again.  I've missed you and I know many of you have been wondering about me.  We are fine--just cold!  -6 F at 10:00 am this morning.  December was a cold month and January is always a cold month.  I'm hoping the new year will jump start my ambition and creative juices, if only it would renew my joints. 

Last year I resolved to lose weight by eating healthy.  Well, that happened off and on throughout the year and I weigh the same today as I did back then.  At least I didn't gain any.

I was going to sew more.  I think I probably sewed about the same amount.  I bought the long arm and I've used it very little.  Buying a long arm really doesn't give you the time or ambition to use the long arm. 

I resolved to spend less time on the internet.  This is one resolution I think I might have improved on.  I've been on a reading kick.  I quit playing games, except for Words with Friends and that has slowed down as I don't initiate any new players, but I really enjoy keeping in contact this way with a few friends.

This year I'm choosing a word---Productive.  I need to use my free time more productively.  Whether it is to read my bible, pray, cook healthy, sew, read or blog.   Of course, I still believe watching out the window as the snow lightly falls as a productive use of time.  I need that "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) time most of all in my busy life.

Happy New Year, dear friends.  I'm looking forward to seeing what 2014 brings for all of us and what you and  I will do with 2014.

How Did It Get To Be September?

It's hard to believe today is September.  We have had a very, very hot week and it's been hard on the corn and the cattle. The air conditioner was still running at 10 pm.  Today fall is in the air, but next week's forecast is back in the 90's.  As you can see the baby calves have grown up over the summer.  The grass is not so green any more.  We are praying for rain.  DH has been preparing for silage cutting time and stacking all those bales we've made.   They will start cutting the corn on Tuesday morning.

I  have been cleaning and sorting.  I have too much stuff!  I've been thinking I need to have weekly goals, but my "flexible" life style seems to get in the way.  At least  Cherry on Top is a topper.  I've been doing most of my quilting on paper this week.  When it cools off, I'll need to do a practice top and I'll be ready to load and quilt Cherry.

I've been stitching a Thrift store find.  I bought this set of alphabet blocks at the store for $.50.  Embroidery is so relaxing for me.  I love the plain lazy and winding down of sitting and stitching.

Life is busy, but good. 

We had a wonderful week-end of family and birthday celebrations.  Uncle John (my Dad's brother)  turned 100 and his family hosted a family dinner and an Open House for the community.  In the evening we were invited to the "old home place" for supper and more visiting.  His oldest son lives on the home place.  Sunday morning my Aunt Janette's (who I am named after)  family celebrated her September birthday of 97 year at a local lodge.   We enjoyed a wonderful brunch and birthday cake. 

It was a lovely week-end of visiting with cousins and renewing family ties.  These two wonderful people are the remaining two of five siblings.  My Dad was the oldest boy.   The changes they have seen in the last 100 and 97 years is amazing.  They are both in good health and very active physically. 

We are still making hay and the wheat has been combined.  We haven't had rain, but it has been very, very foggy in the mornings.  I think the corn is getting moisture by osmosis. 

Some of my followers, who are face book friends know I purchased a long arm quilter.  It is a 2000 APQS Ultimate 1 with a 12 foot table. It is very plain Jane--no bells or whistles.  I  haven't had much time to play with it.  I have a lot to learn!

It is set up in our old farm house living room--the only place large enough for it.  I quilted a large piece of muslin all over and all over again.  I'm a regular reader of the APQS forum.  I'm making  notes of all the advice about tension, thread, batting, maintenance, etc.  I even bought a CL board from someone. 

 
I loaded some fabric to test out using this template called 7 Treasures of Budda.  This is my first completed project--it's even been through the washer and dryer.

This wild and crazy bright colored monkey fabric makes me smile.  I like how the design goes with the circles.

My main problem was with tension.  I have ordered some different quilting thread.  It will just take some time to learn how to adjust things for the best outcome.  I'm excited to have more time to get acquainted with this machine.  Hopefully this winter I will be able to spend more time.  I'm practicing by doodling every chance I get.

I really had given up on the idea buying a long arm.  I didn't feel like I could justify buying something that I didn't  have a lot of time to use.  After my older sister passed away in January, I've been thinking about what's on "my bucket list".   I had an opportunity to buy this machine and decided to go for it.  It is very gently used.  Although it doesn't have any extras, I think it will serve my purposes.  You probably won't see any amazing quilting, but I hope to complete more quilts. 

DH is off to Dakota Fest (a large Farm Show) today with a neighbor.  I'm looking forward to a day of doing whatever I want to---so many, many choices!

Feline Friday

When you are a princess you sleep on a pillow!  This has been Puss's napping spot this week.

The wheat is ready to combine.  I went for my yearly eye appointment.  There were a lot of combines in the field and trucks on the road.   We haven't combined ours yet--probably next week.  I'm hoping they don't call tonight and want to come this week-end.  It is Uncle John's 100th  Birthday Bash tomorrow and our family reunion week-end. 

The corn is looking good, but we could use some rain soon.

I enjoyed my afternoon away from the farm yesterday.  After my eye appointment, DD 1 and I got pedicures and went out for supper at LaMinestra.  I had the salmon and it was wonderful.  We had a nice visit too.

The prayer quilt was delivered this week.  Seven of us were able to visit with our quilting friend and see how well she is doing so far.  She was very pleased to see us and her quilt.  

Sewing and Praying

I had a couple girl dates last week.  The first one was a sew all day at a friends.  Eight of us gathered at a quilter's home to make a quilt together.  We sewed and prayed together.  It was sad that the reason for this was to make a quilt for one of our quilter's who has been diagnosed recently with cancer.  We wanted to make her a quilt.

The quilt we made is called Cheese and Crackers by Terry Atkinson.  We used  30's fabric from all of our stashes.  We had stations set up for cutting, ironing and sewing.  These young gals can still get down on their knees for the laying out of the blocks.  I'm jealous of that!

 

Lunch was potluck and there was no shortage of food.  All of our quilters are good cooks too.  I love this huge kitchen island.  It was great for cutting fabric too.

 

Here is the finished top.  We started sewing at 9:30 am and finished up about 5:30 pm.   One of the quilters took the top home to quilt.  The backing will be gray minkee (gray for brain cancer).  We plan on getting together to bind it and give it to our friend.  I've missed my quilting friends--it was a bittersweet day.

There was more mowing and raking last week.  Then on Thursday night I had a night out with 3 friends for the July birthday of my friend, Peggy.  We had supper at  Guadalajara's Mexican Restaurant and went to the play "Kiss Me, Kate".  The Pierre Players community theatre does an amazing job.  It's a tradition to go to their plays for our birthday celebrations.

 

Senior Games

My Uncle John will be 100 years old on Saturday.  We can't have his party that day.  He is participating in the Senior Games in Cleveland, OH this week.  So far he has won 3 gold medals and 2 silver.  He made the paper today in the bowling competition.  He is in two of the pictures.  You can click on them to make them bigger.

We'll have to party next week-end!  My soon to be 97 year old Aunt Janette will be there too.

We hauled bales today.  Cloudy and cool--maybe we'll get rain tonight!