Frustrated

We found out yesterday that Ashley's Brother, Butch, was admitted to the hospital. On Tuesday morning sometime. Stomach cramps and the doctors still as of yesterday have not figured out anything, typical doctors. We found out via FaceBook. We were not called, but found out because my nieces posted something about praying for him. So since we were not called I figured we would only get info by the internet. Wrong. NO replies and when I write a message to someone when they are on they log off!! Rude to say the least! And it is not just Ashley's family either. That was how I found out my brother was in the hospital, and had to have emergency surgery in Nov. I then call my Mom about Chris and find out that my Uncle was admitted to the hospital recently and transferred to a Nursing Home, and that another Sister in Law was in a terrible car accident day before Thanksgiving! Communication sucks in our families from the East to the West. Just because we are here, time zones are different is not - I REPEAT NOT- an excuse! Leave a message if we can't answer the phone. What the heck is voice mail for anyway!

Thank goodness for this blog page- I can let out my frustrations.

Rachel's Engaged!!!

Rachel and Brandon gave us the news at Allen's yesterday that they are now engaged. Woohoo!!! Brandon is a great addition to the family. He is already like a Son in Law. They are going to be happy -  we have no doubt. They are looking at September 2, 2011. We will have alot to do till then, they want to take care of most of it. A small wedding, and a nice reception, nothing fancy. Guess we get to be there for guidance and questions....

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to Everyone. I do hope the Season has brought you everything you wanted. I am thankful for '09, it was a wonderful year. Yes, there were ups and downs. Life doesn't hand you lemons for nothing- you have to make lemonade or something else. So you can't expect it to be "perfect". 
Gifts that were given to one other this year: A Garmin for our trip, A Camera and a Camcorder for our trip, and other recordings. Two pair Boots for Ashley, and a Kuvings Juicer for me (to assist me in losing weight). Now to get fruit. We are going to exchange the camera for another as we want a Lithium Ion Battery one instead. I picked up the wrong one, haha.
I'm making my list for New Years. I think I 'll have 3 items on my "Resolutions List".

Bartering

What a wonderful concept. Darci and I bartered a quilt of mine for several pieces of Weibe Pottery. Got some wonderful pieces for Christmas for the girls, even a few for myself and Ashley. And Darci wants another one of my quilts so I placed an "order" for other product. I can't wait till the girls see the plates and mugs. I must say they are going to be totally spoiled this year for Christmas, even Brandon is. I'll hold onto the Strawberry Picnic Quilt for her as that's the one she wants next, I think.
I have 2-4 others I am working on. So we'll see. And of course I am now going to teach a lady to quilt after the holidays. Not sure yet what I should charge for the sessions. I wonder if Emily is going to want to sit in on these sessions. That would make two students. This another business approach, working towards the Fabric Shop.
Erin is comfortably ensconced in Butte, living, working, and enjoying Tana -her cute little Puppy.
Brandon and Rachel are looking to buy a house in Belgrade.
It is nice not having to worry about the kids so much anymore. Things are going well.

Root Canal

I came home yesterday from Kalispell and went directly to the dentist's office. He took me right away, and I was the recipient of a root canal. Whew was I glad it was done. The pain was too much. Novacaine certainly helps out. I was given Amoxacillin and Vicoden for pain and antibiotic. Have not filled prescription yet, and I don't think I will need to. I woke up this morning to no pain or discomfort. 
Sales have been going well. Sold 2 Apple Butters Monday, and several Salts and Scrubs this morning. I'm going to bake cookies, clean today.

Hypocritical....

Wow, woke up to -24 @ 7am today, and it was -28 an hour later! Needless to say I am not going to walk outdoors today. Went out yesterday only because Ashley is unable to get to PO during working hrs to mail packages,and get stamps.
I must admit I was thoroughly disappointed in the comment Timothy put up on FaceBook yesterday with the Kid/Santa comment. I was speechless for a moment. Then the I thought that was totally unexpected. What a very closed minded, prejudiced thing to say! An he is raised in a very religious way! After Michelle's comment the other day about respecting a man in his Faith and Passion. I am surprised she didn't comment on it. Hypocritical- that's the word that comes to my mind. Why is it that most people who spout religion, religious phrases are full to the gill of hypocrisy? Ashley asked me not to reply to the statement - to just let it go. The best I could do was a comment of my own saying how I was truly amazed at the hypocrisy that was so prominent today.
The Christmas tree and several decorations went up today. Made breadcrumbs, did some laundry, and napped for about an hour. I never nap, or rarely ever. Listened to Christmas music for the most part of the day. It was so calming and peaceful.

Too Cold

Morning All, Awoke to -20 this morning here in Boulder. Just a bit too cold for me. Going to walk down to PO to mail a package and our Christmas Cards. Gotta get dressed in my longjohns, 2 sets of gloves, literally bundle up!
This year has gone by so quickly. Hard to believe 2010 is just around the corner. Going to decorate for the holidays this week, make breadcrumbs, and prep some cookies (for the frig) before I leave for Billings on Thursday.
Emily and I are going to go to Great Falls to see Shirley after school lets out for the holidays. Shirley is getting depressed up there, missing her friends. Its hard being away from everyone. Bill is in a rehab/nursing home up there where they are more aggressive with his therapy. The stroke he had before Thanksgiving has taken its toll, but he is trying hard to recover. He is strong and it will be a long haul but I think he'll do it. Determination...Drive...Encouragement...- he needs alot of it.
Called Mom to tell her not to open the box I am sending till Christmas as it has unwrapped gifts. She also gave me an update on Chris- they took the tube out, took catheter out, and have him walking. They also took him off the O2. They are allowing him to drink, no IV. Guess he'll want steak soon...,lol
Just checked the temp- we are now -16, getting warmer...
Watched Angels and Demons with Ashley on Friday. What a great movie!

Caught up!

Today is a let down, by that I mean I feel as though there is nothing to do. Wait I can relax. After having been busy with craft shows, preparing for them I 'm done. And Christmas has not even arrived. We are in our 3rd day of continuous snow. It has been light, but steady. We are also in a cold snap, woke up to below 0 several mornings this past week.
The Christmas Bazaar yesterday went well. We had our best year sales wise yet. I think this is one show they could do 2 days. I took Apple Butter, Tooth Fairy pillows, Quilts, Bath Salts and Body Scrubs, Gift in a Jar, and of course Watkins. Going to have to call Christina to put the suggestion of 2 days in her mind.
Attended a Boulder Woman's Dinner last night. They had ham, rolls, casseroles, desserts, green beans, and so much more to eat. It was buffet style, and very good. Connie and another woman performed a Christmas skit in which the audience participated, decorating a tree. We each received a Christmas ornament during this performance. It was a nice, relaxing evening.
Learned on Wednesday that my little brother Chris (44) had to have emergency surgery. The Dr removed his appendix and 1/3 of his colon. They don't think cancer but are checking for diverticulitis. He is doing well, still in hospital. He was catheterized, had an IV placed, tubal feeding, on O2, the works. I spoke to him on Friday and he sounded good. Originally found out about this from my nephew on all things- FaceBook!!
The same night I found out about this I was told by my Mom that my Sister-In-Law (Linda) was in an accident on her way to or from work, not sure which. She fell asleep at the wheel. From the pictures Chuck sent me she is damn lucky to have survived. Instead she escaped with only a full blown concussion. No broken or fractured bones or anything else. We are so thankful for that, the fact that she was otherwise ok. Talking to my brother he said they are running tests on her thyroid, as they found a mass on it when they were running xrays for the accident. He said Mom and Dad are not to be told of this at this point until they know what is going on. I told hime that I would not say anything and I would let that up to him.
I also was told that my Uncle was admitted via the hospital to a Nursing Home. Evaluation in 3 months as to whether or not he can return home. Apparently he stopped taking his meds and stopped eating. Mom says the holidays are a hard time for him, but I think he is deciding to give up. We'll see.
Watched a wonderful Eagles game today. They beat Atlanta. What a great homecoming for Vick.
Sent Mom E's package last week w/ strict instructions it is not to be opened until Christmas. Sending my parents out tomorrow w/ the same instructions. I hope they follow them...
Think maybe I'll decorate this week, and if I have time bake some cookies. At least prep for them, refrigerate dough and stuff before I leave Thursday for Billings.

Black Friday

Good Morning All,
Well after having survived Thanksgiving Ashley and I came home with Erin and Tana in tow. She needed to do laundry, and as her jeep is in the shop for repairs. We had Thanksgiving down in Butte w/ Allen and family. Erin, Rachel and Brandon joined us. We had turkey, elk roast, green bean casserole, brussel sprouts, corn, salad, stuffings, gravy, yams, potatoes, desserts, and appetizers.
I cut, hemmed, and looped Erin's curtains for her french doors last night.
Today my day is going to be making 2 batches of Apple Butter. And some of the Salts and Scrubs today and tomorrow. Some gift jars will be done this weekend also. Next week I'll work on finishing the quilts.
Here are some of the quilts and a pic of the Body Scrubs I have done. Want prices just email me at simplefreedom4u@yahoo.com or call me @ 406-459-3464.

Picture 1:  X-Bag, quilted handbag
Picture 2: Strawberry Picnic Quilt
Picture 3: Harvest Quilt
Picture 4: Garden Impressions Quilt
Picture 5: Buttons and Squares Quilt
Picture 6: Rag Quilt
Picture 7: Bath Scrubs

Christmas Bazaar

   Well I was a busy Suzy Homemaker today. I got 33 pillows ready to stuff, 2 quilt tops at the ready for sashing. Going to make Apple Butter for the Christmas Bazaar, and need to get some more Bath Salts and Body Scrubs done this week and early next. Going to take some things with me on my road trip so I can work on them.
   Erin hit a deer, a young buck, on the way home yesterday with her jeep. She and Tana are fine. The jeep has a few bruises. We'll see what the insurance company has to say.
   Rita and Julia saw my pics from the Quilt show on Facebook, like them and want to do a Quilt A Long next year. We'll start with a sampler which I 'll put together some blocks to choose from, and I think we'll do a CW High School color scheme, like Blue and White.I'll work on the block choices after the holidays.
   Weibe Pottery and Barb Reiter are making some deep dish pie plates for me.Going to get three, one for each of the girls and 1 for me. Not sure which one I'll go with as they both have not made them before. I might be geting something from both. I looked on Darci's blog and really like the larger mugs also. Darci wants to possibly do some swapping also.
   Well, I better get to bed as it is going to be a long day tomorrow, as well as a long week.

Quilt Show

Well, I survived the weekend. We had over 75 Adult entries for quilts, Teen and Youth were about 15 entries, and the Other Fibers were about 40 entries. I didn't get the People's Choice Award but I understand I missed by only one or two votes. I entered Mickey's Crown Royal, Garden Impressions, Buttons and Squares, Harvest, a Rag Quilt, A Strawberry Picnic, Harvest Time Table Runner, the Brown X-Bag, and a Tooth Fairy Pillow. And sold a pillow while I was there. There were several beautiful quilts on display. I demoed the Disappearing 9 Patch, learned how to do a Log Cabin quick cut. I was also able to cut, and prep 2 tops for quilts, and prep another at home. I did learn however that the next time I am involved in the Show- I would like to see things organized differently. When we have our next meeting I will voice my opinions. Even so I had a good time. Emily really helped out when it came to setting up and tearing down.
Ashley helped Erin move the last of her belongings on Saturday to her house in Butte. Saturday night we found, of course, that she had still left behind some things.
Now I'm off to clean the basement so I can move my sewing stuff downstairs again.
On my agenda for the next few weeks is to make 2 batches of Apple Butter, Tooth Fairy Pillows (as I sold what I had), Salts and scrubs need to be made. And of course the 3 quilts I started need to be completed. Guess I better get started. Oh, and I was asked to make something for a bake sale tomorrow.

A Busy Day...

Started off this morning taking Erin to work, after we unloaded her jeep at her apartment. Came home to work on some quilt stuff, load the jeep again. and go to work for an hour or two at Racing Burger. Came back home ate lunch, and took Tana  ( erin's puppy) back to Butte to unload jeep again, pick up Erin, go to vet, and then to Walmart to pick up some things that Ern needed. Then went back to her house and lined shelves. Got home shortly before 8:30. I am tired. And I still have alot of labels to do. I  may just wait to do them tomorrow.
I finished the quilts this week, and made the Bath Salts for the order. Just waiting for them to get picked up.
Guess I'll do laundry, and work on the Quilt Show stuff tomorrow. I'm going to go to bed now. Nite all.

Getting ready...

Well, it's Saturday morning and the puppy (Tana) has been out, and is back in her kennel. Everyone is asleep and I am sitting at the computer working on the Quilt Show. We are doing okay with applications. I think the show will be a success. I have worked all week on the paperwork (forms) to get everything done. And there is still a lot to do.
I was to Platinum to see Robin to get my haircut yesterday and she ordered some Bath Salts and Body Scrubs, which I'll be delivering in the next few days. I also received a call the other day from a previous customer for 5 Bath Salts. She'll pick them up today. I have my 2 quilts which I just have to put on the binding and labels and I am done.
Ashley and I are going to Helena today to do grocery shopping, and then to a Craft Show at the Civic Center. We'll see what we can find to by for Christmas.

A little bit....

Well I finally get to put my quilts on a frame tomorrow. Probably won't have them done by the quilt show but atleast they are going to get done. I put up several envelopes with applications for the quilt show, hopefully I get some replies. Spoke to Barb about the deep dish pie plates, and called Darci about them also(or should I say I left a message).
Watched the Eagles play today- boy did they do awesome! Let's hope that their luck rubs off on the Phillies. They need to win tonight.
Spoke to Colleen at the Gallery. She wants several pillows, and at least 5 Body Scrubs. Asked if she could have them next week.
Made 2 Shoo Fly Pies for Rachel. Actually for her Boss. Vickie is paying me for them, $18 total. She is originally from PA so she knows about Shoo Fly pies, hasn't had them in awhile.Was surprised when she requested them. They turned out pretty well, I just hope she likes them. They are hard to make- have to be just right. I had enough dough leftover to make a third one. So I did for Ashley. Hope he likes it.

Boulder Quilt Show

Met with Jeanine tonight to put a face to the name. Talked about show, and what I was given when I took over the job from Shirley. Shirley is unable to fulfill her obligations due to Bill and his most recent health problems. Gave a few suggestions which were readily received. Told and showed her the updates that I made to the paperwork.
Today I priced a frame to quilt upon. I talked it over with Ashley and we decided that since I prefer the HQ we would wait and get that, even tho the one I looked at today was on sale. The HQ has a stitch regulator included and I would have to upgrade my current machine in order to quilt evenly if I just get the frame I looked at. The one today was $1899, the HQ is about $6k. But ok-hohhumm vs top of the line: I'll go with top of the line.

Peace Valley Quilts and other thoughts

      I am still hoping to open a Quilt Shop here in Boulder. We will name it Peace Valley Quilts, if we can ever get it off the ground.I just want something small to start out with. I am thinking that getting a longarm quilting machine to help get money in may help aid in the process. I figure if I can get a machine and take in quilting I can put some money aside for the store.I have been asked to help with the Boulder Quilt Show this year. It is in just a few weeks and have actually only been asked, but atleast I have been included. This is the 2nd one that Boulder has put together.
      I picked up a couple of patterns the other day at the store so I could get started on making some Christmas gifts. I am hoping that it gets me in the holiday spirit. The last few years I have had the blahs over the holidays despite my trying to avoid them. So anyway one of them is a walker basket- which I plan on making for my mother in law.I hope she likes it, she is picky. More than she would like to admit. But alas I love her as she gave me her son to cherish, love and marry. And be a loving Father to our 2 beautiful daughters. I am making a wall hanging for my parents, its one of the quilts I am waiting to get on the longarm. I would like to make quilts for each of the girls for Christmas. Must get the material for them. Perhaps this weekend in Bozeman.
       Once Erin finds an apartment in Butte she will be moving down there again. We already have several pieces of furniture for her in storage. I just need to make some pillows for the couch and maybe some pads for the dining room chairs. Ashley, Erin and I will be going to Rachel's this weekend. We are going to go to a Women's Show.
      Well, I suppose that is about it for now. I hope to be back in a few days...

Phills!!!!

Well my guys did it again. They won the National League Championship. Was an awesome series.
I look forward to Wednesday when the World Series starts.

Well, I'm off to Kalispell and Billings this week. I am taking a wall hanging with me to work on. I need to finish the binding. Going to have dinner with Laura, Mike, and Karen in Columbia Falls. The Phillies played to win last night. My boys did real well.

Well, I made it back. Since I last posted I have finished a table runner, and am just about to finish a wall hanging. All I have left to do is the binding. I need to get some tooth fairy pillows done also as we have a Christmas Bazaar coming up. They sold so well at the Music Festival, we were pleasantly pleased. I have been asked also to place my Bath Salts, Body Scrubs, and the TF pillows in our local gallery. Our, my husband and I, still would like to open a fabric store here in Boulder. I believe we would do very well. I think having internet sales (a web sight) would be very beneficial to the store offerings. It is in the discussion stage right now. Certainly would be nice to win the lottery, have a huge financial windfall so that our dream could become a reality...

New To Blogging

My name is Cindy and I am going to try to keep up with this blog. I love crafts, reading, cooking, and my family- not necessarily in that order either. I like quilt and I have made several which have received blue ribbons at our local Fair and Rodeo. I am very proud of that as I have only been quilting for a few years. One quilt in particular was a Crown Royal quilt commissioned by a friend of mine, it was an original design, and one of the quilts that won a Blue Ribbon. I have recently added Tooth Fairy pillows to my collection of crafts. I also make Bath Salts, and Body Scrubs which I sell, and have sold in several states. Gift Jars are another item I make and sell. All of these I sell at our local Farmer's Market, and various Craft Shows.
It is fall outside but I think we are skipping it this year as we have already had 2 snow storms this week. It is only 10/9! Guess that's par for the course in MT. It is a good time to either curl up with a good book or start sewing- I think I'll sew. I think I'll work on a table runner and a wall hanging today. I have 2 quilts ready and waiting to put on a longarm.