Go'in on a Jet Plane

I am counting down the days of this week to when I get to fly down to Southern California for a long weekend with my BFF.  I have been looking forward to this time with her and hearing Beth Moore for so long, I can not believe it is almost here.  And as if that was not enough excitement, I will be spending the following week with my son and his family.  Getting to see my grandchildren, who are getting to be so grown up.  Thank you Lord for giving me opportunities like this.

Wedding

Yesterday was my niece Katie's wedding to Andy.  It was a fantastic wedding, Katie was beautiful and Andy was so sweet, I cried buckets of joy.  My sister did an amazing job, she could go into business.  The wedding and reception were awesome, decorations, food, everything.  There are not enough words to describe how incredible it all was and the generous people who helped make it a special day for both Andy and Katie.  I pray for God's blessing of good health and happiness for them.

Bodega Bay

I finally made it to Bodega Bay, it was glorious.  The weather was perfect, the ocean was blue-green and I could see up the coast line, the waves crashing against the rocks.  It was a great drive all around.  Sunday finally made it to a movie I wanted to see and Monday did shopping for Ed and wedding on the 15th.  Next 2 weeks are going to be busy.  Battling with vertigo right now and not feeling so great, but am trying to keep going.

September

It is hard for me to believe that September is here and fall is around the corner.  Hoping for cooler weather. Ed is off on Monday, so maybe we can have a nice long weekend.  Going to drive to Bodega Bay, me and my green machine.  HA!

Go'in to the Chapel

Today is the bridal luncheon for my niece Katie, what a remarkable woman she is.  She was the sweetest baby, girl and now woman.  It is so hard to believe she is getting married, the years have flown by.  I have so many sweet wonderful memories and am looking forward to seeing her as a wife and mother.  Sept 15th will be here before we know it.  God bless you and Andy in your marriage and home and the children that will come.  I have been so blessed to have you as my niece.  Love you my sweet girl!

Recovery

I have not posted for awhile, have been involved with my mom and encouraging her recovery.  Progress has been very slow and she has been so discouraged.  BUT, she is doing better.  She is eating more, keeping it down and can walk some better with someone at her side.  It is so hard watching your parent get older and be sick.  My mom will be 83 in October and on good days she is determined to keep going, sometimes though it is 2 steps forward, 3 backwards.  God is good and is in control of her recovery, He is leading the way and giving her strength for each new day.  Love you Mom, would be lost without you even at 61 years of age I still depend on her for support, encouragement and love.

2 Hot and Sewing Lots

It has been very hot here and I do not do well in the heat.  On top of that, our air conditioner went out, so we were really hot, fortunately the fix it man came on Monday and had it running again before it got to hot.  I have been sewing lots for my niece's wedding and that has helped to keep me busy.  Ring bearer pillows almost done, one very cute purse done and two more purses to make.  Mom is doing better each day, praise God, it has been very scary.  Birthday's to plan for this week, so.....back to sewing.  Housework will have to wait....dinner??? not so sure, maybe left overs!

Reprive

Ed left yesterday for Reno and Hot August Nights, will not be home until late today.  So, I had a reprieve from car shows on TV and cooking dinner.  Yesterday, I drove to Grass Valley to explore a Ben Franklin store and a new to me quilt shop.  Ben Franklin was like an old variety store, the kind I grew up with that has a little bit of everything in it, from home maintenance to fabric and patterns.  Love, Loved the quilt shop.  The ladies were wonderful and friendly and there was so much colorful fabric to choose from.  I will definitely make a trip back, it was the best selection of fabric I had seen in a while.  Today, I will be sewing ring bearer pillows for my niece's wedding and some bridal gifts. 

Cleaning

Today is cleaning day, finally able to get my husband to vacuum and mop for me, guess that means I will do the rest.  Not really motivated to do it though.  Do you make your bed everyday?  I have not made mine all week.  I grew up in the generation that beds were made before you did anything else, including the bathroom, which by the way was only 1 bathroom for 5 people.  Back to bed making, my mom makes hers everyday, I think as she rolls out she just grabs and pulls and it is done before bathroom, teeth brushed or dressed for the day.  Her daughters have not followed her example.  I think I am somewhat better than my sister though.  As for cleaning the house, I am discovering that you can not sew everyday and clean at the same time, sewing seems to have taken over everything, including cooking.  It is a good thing my husband is easy to feed, grilled cheese so so easy and he does the clean up.

BACK TO SEWING....SO many projects to do, so little time!!!!

Updating

I have not posted for awhile, my mom has been very sick and I have been spending time going to her house, e-mailing the doctor for her, doing what they will let me do to help.  There is no way to prepare for your parent to get older and not be well.  It felt like she had aged 10 years before my eyes this past week. She tries to be independent, but just does not have the strength.  Seeing someone who is usually very active and independent, dependent on me or Dad to help her walk down the hall, get into bed and even take a sip of water is so hard.  I am so thankful for this time I have with her.  While I did not plan on being retired so early in my life, just knowing that I have the freedom to drive over and relieve Dad some or talk with her is and has been such a blessing.

Bored

Remember when you were little and by the middle of summer you were bored, with nothing to do?  Well, I am bored, now the truth is I have a lot to do, but I need a change in my routine.  Thinking that a drive to the ocean might help....question is can I get my other half up and out of bed on Saturday to make the drive??  Where to go...Bodega Bay...finally and yes, we will take the dog with us.  She gets bored too!

Shopping and Pinterest

Went shopping today, they really need to change the name of Costco to the TWO HUNDRED $$ store, I can never get out of that store for less.  On the bright side, I have become addicted to Pinterest, now that I know how to post pictures.  I could easily spend a lot of hours searching the internet for pictures to post.

Progress

Progress, I think I have figured out how to pin items on Pinterest??  I actually pinned a few items, not sure if I did it right.  It is cool here today, windows open and trying not to turn on the air conditioner....we will see how long that last.  Back to sewing, sewing, sewing.  

Sewing

The temperature is rising and am staying indoors as much as possible.  Which presents a problem, because I find that I have less motivation to do anything, like sewing.  I have several projects I need to do, but the sofa and my Kindle keep calling my name.  DANG!  I need to finish the birthday presents I started, OH WELL!!

Hello Monday!

I am sewing today, started a table runner yesterday and will finish today.  Trying to sew some new things, lots idea's in my head (it is keeping me up at night).  Taking a break from my Kindle, I realized it was toooo easy to spend $20 a week downloading books.  Love my Kindle, it can be addictive!!  Have a wonderful day and stay cool...it will be in 100's here.

Computers$!$

I have just spent the better part of my day on the phone trying to resolve a problem with my computer that I would think would be so simple to resolve.  Why did it take 3 different companies, 10 different people to explain each time what the problem is, only to still not have it resolved??  I would say that I hate computers, but I am just as tied to the Internet as the next person and would go thru withdrawals if I could not have access to Facebook or all of my quilting websites.  UGH!!

July 4th

Happy July 4th, may you remember the reason for the celebration  The cost of lives lost and the men who put their lives and families on the line to write the Constisution which gives us the freedom to choose how we worship God and to voice our opinions about government without worry of reprimand.

Just too Busy

My goal is to blog Monday thru Friday, but sometimes life gets in the way of good intents.  Anyway, Monday is gone and today is a new day.  I have friends coming for lunch who I have not spent time with for a very long time.  Trying to stay focus on what is important and let go of the things that are not.  This weekend marked 10 years of living in northern California.  I miss southern Cal, still, the smell of the ocean,  family and friends who still live there.  Life moves on, 10 years means a lot of changes for the co-workers and friends we had who still live down south.  Am I glad we moved?  I am blessed that I have had 10 years with spending time with my Mom and being able to talk with her almost everyday.  I have been able to spend time with my sister, not as much as I would like though.  I have made new friends who I value very much.  Would I move back, YES.  I miss my son and his family, especially my grandchildren, who have continued to grow even when I have not been around.  AND I miss the ocean!!

Friday

Use to be Friday is what I lived for, as a working person it is the last day of the working week and a 2 day break is around the corner.  It is also pizza and a salad night.  Now as a retired person, Friday is just another day of the week, BUT, I have decided that Friday is going to be my day to do something fun.  So today, after taking a quilting class last night after a very long break in sewing I am going to explore a new quilt shop.  First though will be a visit to my favorite place, Starbucks.  Here's to shopping!!

In light of all the uncertainty with the country right now, I am reminded of Jeremiah 29:11, "God knows the plans He has for us, for good and not evil", do not lose heart, God is in control.  Have a wonderful weekend!!

Long time no write

When I look at the date of my last post, I realize a lot has happened in the last 6 months.  Mostly, dealing with health issues, both mental and physical.  My son Carl has had health issues as well.  The job hunt I thought I would be successful at, has not happened.  It seems when you change careers, no matter prior experience, you are looked at as being inexperienced.  The one job I had, was not a good fit for me.  I enjoy face to face talking with people, not talking on a phone all day.  So....I am trying retirement....not easy either, when you have worked for many years.  I find I have lost my purpose, there is not the demand to get up and rush to work each day.  I am starting to sew again, fighting the demons of depression, seeking the Lord through His word and prayer.  I am going to try and blog each day, if only to express a verse or two from God's word.  I am reminded today that I serve a God who is control of the world around me, not the world.  If you read my post, have a great day!