I am a retired 44-year veteran of the Real Estate Assessment field. As with real estate assessing and how it applies to real estate taxes, one can make many acquaintances, but not many real friends. It was a great career choice.
It has been nearly 10 years since I reclaimed my home and my real passions within my home. I enjoy it more each day and tip my hat to those who I left behind.
Each day I try to stretch myself with the use of my computer as it relates to this site and using it to print out labels for quilts for trying to incorporate photos into my sewing. Life is so full and I know that I have room for more.
It is no secret that I have a bit of arthritis. Sometimes using the rotary cutter is hard on the wrist. I can tell you that my helper, hubby Dennis, can cut through four layers of fabric in one swoop of the rotary cutter with no jagged edges. Needless to say this help is so appreciated. Dennis’ hands and arms are super strong. The individual blocks are getting tidied up, soon to be one portion of this quilt top for Dennis’ great granddaughter Ava.
Anyone for a snow fort? The snow was sticky, heavy and deep. Before we knew how we were going to go about working with the soft billowy white stuff, there rose such clatter, I jumped to the window to see what was the matter. Our neighbor, Randy, with his honking huge John Deere tractor and snowblower was coming down the home stretch of our driveway.
Our driveway is ninety feet by twelve feet. The Simplicity snowblower that came to our home, after being gently used by Kevin, would need to make about six passes as the snow was a foot deep. A half swathe at a time with this heavy wet snow would have been about right. The length of the driveway is not the challenge. The county road that runs past our home is cleared multiple times when the snow begins to fall. Each pass of the county’s huge machine packs the snow into the end of our driveway, much like wet cement. Randy backed in from the street and his snowblower didn’t even snort. Two passes in five minutes and we were in high cotton.
Dennis did get the Simplicity snowblower going to tidy up. The city crew never did clear Stauffer Avenue. In case of emergency, Dennis likes to remove the snow in front of the garages. After a bit of a break, Dennis went on to clear the patio of snow going on to clearing a path around the garage porch in total. No one ever wants an emergency to happen, but to play it safe, access to the parameter of the buildings is crucial.
As Dennis was going around the patio doors of the porch, all five, and yes, I did say all five of the cats were watching from within the porch. I think it finally sunk in that there really is no place like home.
I was outside, but my intentions fall short, as well as they should. No way would I want to have either of my shoulders or knees in need of being replaced because I was thinking I was the same person I was in the 1970s. At that time, there was never a thought that any of my working parts would fail me in time to come. It is oh so humbling.
Looks as if I got the weather app for our zip code on my new computer just in time for the snow that started about 3:30 this afternoon. I would not have felt bad one bit if the snow had missed us.
Four of the five cats are in the garage safe and sound. I did go to the backyard and call for Honey Bunny to come home, but so far no luck. I do realize she can and has taken care of herself very well when she has been gone from home for days on end.
The day went well in my sewing studio. All the blocks have been decided and now I will need Dennis’ help to take down the tote that has the blue fabric stashes in it. I sure hope that I find some vibrant fabric in the blue tones to tie all these blocks into one cohesive look. It is always a crapshoot and I do not entertain purchasing any fabric at all. On that I am determined.
Using some of the trim on a dress of Ava’s with a bit of the dress fabric, a bit of this and a bit of that and I will be pulling all the blocks together with a fabric in between, much like a jigsaw puzzle.
Today in my sewing studio there was a glimmer, perhaps tomorrow will be one of my miracles. Dennis’ oldest granddaughter has asked me to make a memory quilt of her oldest daughter, Ava’s, childhood garments. Yesterday, I did make the comment that sometimes there was little given to work with. Today, after several cups of rich clarifying coffee, I know why.
Ava is the oldest of three girls. Ava is in second grade, Bella is in preschool and Josie just turned one. All of Ava’s clothes get triple duty and mom, Erin, is not one to be frivolous. Today, I decided to put a few extra touches in play for Ava. I do have several more ideas on making use of what I have for Ava. There are several items of t-shirt material that will need a bit of stabilizer before becoming a part of the project.
Dennis was right on when it comes to knowing what I can contrive.
Lo and behold the snow did find us. The five or so inches of the heavy wet stuff laid just where it fell as we had no wind with it.
I am in “pace” mode. Working with a new sewing machine, a new cell phone and a new computer, pacing myself, dedicating a bit of time to each new item until it is secondary to my gray matter is what is called for.
Kersten helped me with the cell phone on Christmas Eve day. Me, myself and I are in charge of the computer. Today I worked with it until I had the items done to do the initialization of it with me, the user. I got it as far as the connection is up and running with the wireless router for access to the world wide web. At that point, I patted myself on the back and headed down into the sewing studio.
It is a cross between disappointment and frustration when family members ask me to do projects with little to nothing to work with. Where were the mothers when they could have encouraged their daughters to pay attention in Home Economics while in high school, rather than doodling in their notebooks? Dennis counters with a comment regarding past projects where I have managed to work miracles. Bless that ole cowboy’s heart. He sure does know how to butter me up.
The birth of a small baby cradled in a manger is the most profound event that has shaped the lives of all of us, even those who are unaware of the baby. From the earliest days, even when my parents would attend Christmas Eve services in the neighboring rural church and the service was in German, the story could not be misunderstood.
It brings peace to me each and every Christmas season when I put the nativity under our Christmas tree. It is Christmas Day, but I know the nativity will stay with us for quite some days to come before I gingerly put it away.
It makes me very proud of family during the Christmas season. We come together and share of ourselves with little need to hold back laughter, tears, time and memories.
Thank you Baby Jesus for making my life precious.
It is Christmas Eve. We have had a family gathering that was fantastic. Laughter, good food, hugs and even a few home repairs. I just love it when Megan and Nicholas are oh so not ready to go home. Each time that happens, I hear it and tuck it deep, as I know in time they will be busy teens. It was all priceless, leaving my heart feeling very full. Not a small part for the success of the day, the roadways were clear of snow and ice.
I think I will sleep very well tonight.
” . . . and the Angel of the Lord came and said ‘Fear not,’ and the glory of the Lord shone round about them.”
So many are expressing the sentiment that they have no Christmas spirit this year. How can you not? For me it is not dependent on a showing of white snow, nor the wares of the retailers. Each year at mid-December, something within me starts its very own ticking time clock. It is not unusual for me to begin singing a Christmas hymn before I even realized I did know all of the words.
There have been Christmases when the family could not get together. It did not deter me from putting a fine finish on our home with decorations, complete with several nativity sets. When we are fortunate to have company coming, I make sure that their presence is not over shadowed by cleaning out the walk-up attic with Christmas decorations.
At our home, Dennis and I comment so very often, how fortunate we are to have each other and a warm home for as many family members that can find their way here as possible, to be welcomed in the true spirit of “Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men.”
It is hard to admit, but I have an owie. Yesterday I ran errands downtown. Where the street curb meets the sidewalk, there was just a bit of ice from the runoff in these mild temperatures. My right foot realized the ice and the left leg and foot went into overdrive. I did not fall. The big toe on the left foot was rammed hard into the tip of my left slip-on shoe as the ole body refused to take a tumble. Ah . . . there is the problem: a loose fitting slip-on shoe.
I know the toe is not broken as there is a steel screw in it from a surgery years ago to take care of bunions. Today, the color of the toe on the top, on the bottom, and all around has the same colors as beautiful sunsets that I have been amazed by: purple, scarlet and all shades in between. The toenail thinks it is going to pop off from all the swelling. Not.
The good thing is, I had all bases covered for Christmas company. There is not one item of the day’s events that is and has not been planned and executed. Even if the toe falls off, nothing can keep me from being excited about family coming.
No gray clouds could take away the great afternoon I have had. A cup of coffee at Lorraine’s home made the day feel oh so special. Lorraine worked for me years ago and left the employment to be a stay at home mom for their two adopted daughters.
Lorraine continued to stay at home to care for the infant granddaughter, Peggy, so the eldest daughter, Louise, could finish high school.
Over time, Lorraine lost the youngest of her adopted daughters, Tammy, to an illness. Lorraine’s husband passed away right after he reached retirement age. This last May, Lorraine lost the second of two granddaughters, Kathy, to cancer.
Lorraine lives in a two bedroom apartment in one of the apartment houses here in St. James. She is a very private individual. I am so privileged to call her my friend. Though not many people visit her home, the ambiance that met me today was astounding. Every nook of the home was filled with evidence of how much Christmas means to Lorraine. The small village that was set up exuded the same warmth that I felt the moment I stepped into her home. I had to ask if it would be okay to peek into every corner and then marvel. I could tell that Lorraine so enjoyed sharing with me how each and every aspect of her bounty came to be. More than I could count, were hand quilted lovelies.
The coffee was served with goodies, as Lorraine loves to bake, but does not have many to bake for. The plate of goodies that was sent home with me will not be ignored by Dennis, I can tell you that for sure.
Two cups of coffee and some date bread made me feel so full of the joy in knowing this wonderful person. Just priceless.