Summer fun.

Received Mom from Rachel's on Sunday. She had arrived on Saturday from Florida. We get her every year, so that Butch and Cheryl can get a much needed break. Honestly, she should be in a home. She is forgetful, stubborn about steps, needs assistance getting her meals prepared. Yes she is able to do many things but doesn't concentrate on those- just the things she can't do. I was afraid last night when she mentioned what she takes as far as her meds are concerned. Thought she was double dosing. So I hid her bottles last night. She asked where they were this morning and I told her I put them away, and will make sure her tray is filled weekly. Now she is mad. So be it.
At this point can't wait till Sept is here....

Around the corner

The wedding is just around the corner. Things have settled down a bit so that I can finally get to work on my dress. My plans are to do that today.
I was contacted several weeks ago to make pies for the Yellowstone Club, where Rachel works, for an upcoming YC Camp weekend. Forty pies to be exact. So I enlisted Erin's help, she was going to do atleast 10, me the rest. Due to some obligations she had she was only going to get that many completed. It was alot of pressure but knew we could handle it. They wanted them for the 1st weekend in August. Well I made 14 of them when the "higher ups" decided to slim down the budget. So now I am waiting to hear if they will purchase what I have made. If not I will be selling them to others.
But alas when that fell through it has given me some extra time to work on my wedding dress. I also gained a quilt from Shirley to do, and a commissioned quilt for Kayla at the bank. Once everything goes back to normal I can get those 2 things done.
Also found out that Mom is coming in August for the wedding. Ofcourse she will be staying with us as the Butte Gang want to have nothing to do with her. We will never understand the childish selfish ways they are acting over the last several years. Not just towards Mom, but to the rest of the family. They have alienated everyone, including Erin and she is living in Butte and working for Allen! I am flabbergasted by the treatment. He did not even go to either Bonnie's or Annette's funeral. Mom is in her 90's now and I know she will always love her son-as she should- but she does not realize/recognize or admit how she is getting treated. That is due to her own health issues...dementia, alzheimer's, & back pain. Ofcourse when she passes they will gladly accept anything monetary she leaves them- such gratitude. Kudos go to Butch & Cheryl for what they have been doing for the past several years in caring for Mom. Ashley and I certainly appreciate it, and have told them that also.
Well I better get dressed so I can start sewing. Sewing Bee is this week also.

Half way through the year.....

Well only 2 more months till Rachel and Brandon get married. Time is flying by. She asked me again today if I would make some Shoo Fly pies for the reception. Ofcourse I said yes.

Rachel also asked then hired Erin and I would make 40 pies for the Yellowstone Club. A variety of them, Erin is making 20 of them, I am making the other 20. I have picked several from recipe books. We have to have them to the club by the first weekend of August. So I guess I'll be making pies in between making the dress for the wedding. Plus I received an order for some more ShooFly pies from Vicki at Rachel's work.

Also sent off the estimate to Kayla for the Commissioned quilt. Awaiting her reply. I hope I get it. It is a Crown Royal Quilt.

Also found out today that Rachel is having hip surgery in September, in Spokane.

Oh, and Erin gave us some cool news today. She will be modeling some running gear at the MT Folk Festival on the 10th. I am proud of that. It would be so neat if it was the start of something...

And last but not least found out MIL is planning on coming out in August prior to the wedding. Good thing I am going to be busy this summer.

The Vann's job is going well. I have actually already sold 3 acts/upgrades in the past 3 weeks which is what the store has done since they became a Rep in Jan. As soon as the word gets out I expect to be pretty busy.

The Boulder River Quilt Guild got started this past month also. I won't be doing joining any groups at this time, due to the business of the next few months.

Well I better be going, need to get up early in the morning.

Start Tomorrow!!

I start at Vann's tomorrow.This will be my first ever commission only job. Since it is Ashley and I at home it won't be so much pressure. I believe I will do very well, afterall Sales and Customer Service go hand in hand for me. Ash is always saying I can sell ice to an Eskimo so we will see.
We went to Coeur D' Alene this past weekend to support Erin in her Marathon. Unfortunately she did not finish but we are very proud of her for trying. She went to just before 19 miles. Her body from hips down were completely numb, she felt a pop in her ankle so she decided to not push it. And possibly injure herself more. Hopefully we talked her into doing half marathons for a while. We think she can do a full marathon, if the course is right. Macadum doesn't do well on her body.
That's about all for now.

Wow- Is it April already?

I must say I am tired of snow. Yesterday it took us over an hour to get to Helena. The roads were horrible, and that is putting it nicely. We had 6" when we woke up. But by 1pm most if not all was melted.Typical Montana Weather. Wish Spring would stay here with some beautiful weather.
Letterjackets have been slow in getting turned into me. I have joined 2 different swaps with the StashBuilders group. I am having fun. The most recent is a 9Patch that I signed up for, and it consists of 6 in a set, the other is a 4patch Happy. This is a set of 6 also. I signed up for 4 or more sets on the 9patch, and ended up with a 7 sets on the 4 patch. This will be interesting. I have done the online Sewing Bees with them before and they have been motivational in getting me to work on several projects. The group also does a FIUP (Finish It Up) Bee where you list 6 projects you want to complete in a timely manner. That was fun also.
I am going to help get a Quilt Guild started here in Boulder. I hope to get my business running also. That has bee a very slow process. Ashley and I have discussed moving back up to Helena so that could happen. We will see how that goes as I have to be able to find a fulltime/permanent position first.
Taxes are done, signed, sealed, and delivered. We did well.

I made a chocolate cake for Ashley this evening. Too bad he decided to go to bed before eating a slice. Guess he'll have to wait till tomorrow.

Two Letterjackets were completed tonight, I look forward to getting them.

Tomorrow is the County interview. I took the day off so I can get there for 3pm without having to run back up to Helena. I am planning on cleaning and sewing before I need to walk to the interview.

It just amazes me how people think since they are in a profession for a certain amount of years and they know everything. The smart person will realize that they can learn on a daily basis.

We had our taxes done this morning, ended up not looking to bad. refund from the State, Owe Federal. Found out after work that it was rejected. Now we have to find out from Lorien @ Vision Quest, or Mia to get it right. So I guess they get called tomorrow.

Repairs and Such....

Ashley had to make a trip to PA for 2 funerals. That was hard enough for one but when there are 2 family funerals in the same week it is difficult. The only good thing was that he was able to visit with family that was not seen for a long time. It was a hard week for me also, I missed him very much. Afterall he is my best bud.
Well I had to work yesterday, as I will have to next Saturday also. I have an interview for the 911 dispatcher on Tuesday. I hope I get it as I need a fulltime position. The benefits would be great.
So while I am at work Ashley decided to do some repair work in the bathroom. He took the Shower doors down and hung up some new curtains. All we have to do is remove the caulking, clean really well, and re-caulk. We found out the shower door is the main reason we were have leaking problems. We will do the repair work ourselves instead of getting someone else to do it. The plumber we had out this week gave Ashley the much needed advice to do it himself, and the confidence.
I received a letterjacket this week. Finished it the same night.
Ashley's 51st Birthday was Friday night. I took him to Applebee's. Jack & Jenny joined us, and we had a really fun time.
I am working on a quilt, 2 actually. One I have laid out- trying to figure out what layout I want to use. The second I am working on the blocks. Both are strip quilts.
 Japan was a victim of an earthquake and a resulting tsunami. Devastating for them, the numbers are not all in and it will be a while to get them as the bounce back will be a long haul for them. I feel bad and am wondering what we can do to help.
Well Duke is on in an hour so I need to get showered.

Family Loss

This past week was one filled with bereavement. On Tuesday we lost Ashley's Aunt Evy. She resided at Phoebe Home the last several years , and was not doing very well mentally. She did not always recognize his Mother, which was tough on her.
On Friday Ashley lost his sister to cancer. Annette was a young 67 years of age. She had a rare form of cancer which took the life of his sister Andrea several years ago. Annette leaves behind 2 sons and several step kids from Rommie's first marriage. Infact Todd told us this evening that Rommie has not accepted it yet and was cleaning the house all day. This will be tough on him as they were soul mates.
We are somewhat concerned for his Mom as losing both a sister and a daughter in the same week is very tough. Mom has been very quiet from what we hear.
What we must remember is that neither Annette or Aunt Evy would want us to mourn their death but to celebrate their life and to be happy.
Ashley is leaving on Sunday for Pa to attend 2 funerals, and returning on Saturday.

On a more positive note: Peace Valley Quilts is now the official person to sew on the letters and chenille on the letterjackets. I have picked up 8 this week. Completed 3 of them so far. Hopefully I can get the other 5 done this weekend.

Commissioned Quilt & New Service

I finished the Quilt that was commissioned. All is well. Melodi really liked it and is positive Cate will also. Also received a new job/service to add to Peace Valley Quilts. I am now sewing the letters and Chenille on to Letter jackets. I picked up 6 on Tuesday,  1 yesterday, and there are 2 more at the store waiting for me. I have completed 3 of them. I can generally get one done each evening after work and dinner.

We will be going to Erin's after work on Friday so that we can ravel with her to Seely/Swan for her 1/2 Marathon. I hope the weather holds.I look forward to getting away. We will have to dress warmly.
I went to the Job Fair yesterday, dropped off a resume to Alltel, and went for an interview at ASC this morning. It looks good there for another interview, hopefully a job offer.

This has been a not so good week for family. Rommie thinks Annette had a stroke this weekend. She is not doing well. The Home Health Nurse believes the cancer has entered her brain. not long now. We are prepared for her death but that by no means we are ready. We also received some news yesterday that
Mom's sister Evy passed away. Butch, Cheryl, & Mom drove up today to PA for the funeral.

Time for bed.....

1st Internet Commissioned Quilt!

Earlier this week I received my 1st Quilt via the internet! It is for a little girl who is turning One. I am so excited. It will be, at Melodie's request, similar to the Strawberry Picnic. Finished Kayla's and the Green with Envy Quilt on the HQ. Then finished the bindings on each. All I have to do is label them. Which I made too.
Ashley returned from PA after his visit with Annette. She is "golden" in color. Her spirits are good, which is a relief.
We are seriously considering sending me to school for Pharmacy Tech. Money is the issue so we really have to think about it. I also applied or sent resumes to the VA for several jobs, and took a test for the 911 dispatcher position for Jefferson County on Friday.  Got an 81, 75 was the MHP requirement. We'll see if I get a phone call.
I really need to get back on the Wii. Need to lose weight. Hopefully if I put this down in print I'll do it.

Amazed and other goings on

Well I keep up with a niece by following her blog. Sometimes I am truly amazed at what I read on it. She is so so much more religious than Ash and I, and sometimes we think to the extremes. But that is truly her decision. We would not take that security away from her as long as it is not pushed on us. However I just read something about being truly grateful to her parents for the way they sacrifice their lives by taking care of Mom. As we get her several months out of the year I understand what they have to go thru. It is nice to know that other family members are realizing what we and Ash's Brother and Cheryl are going thru as caretakers.
It will really set Mom back now that Annette has told Mom that she is in the last stages of her cancer. And has been given only a few months to live. Mom has already buried her husband, and her youngest daughter. I am not sure how she is going to handle this. As for us, well Ashley is checking into some passes that Butch can get him to get to PA so that he can see his sister a final time. I think he is ignoring parts of it but that is the way he is dealing with it. The flight out is a way for him to make it a realization. Ashley is the youngest of 5, and he has buried a sister already. It is hard for him. I just hope he realizes I am here and not to block it in- like he usually does. Bless you Annette.
Well, I am going to start up classes again. A Carpenter's Wheel, and a Split Decision which is a jelly roll quilt.I would love to have 2 in each class. I'll get back to you on how well it goes.
I am also working on the binding for Emily's quilt. I hope to get it done this week. I joined a quilt group. Stash-Builder's. I hope it goes well.

Welcome to 2011!!!

As I reflect on the past year I am very thankful for the many things I and we (my husband Ashley and I) accomplished. We remodeled my sewing room for my HQ. I was so so excited when he said I could get one. I stayed pretty busy with all my projects. Ash got me a Go Baby for Christmas which I had to get some dies for and will try to get to today and use.
Our youngest, Rachel, is planning her wedding. Found her dress the weekend we went to Billings. Absolutely gorgeous, of course I'm prejudiced.
Our oldest Erin has started dating a nice young man who is very special to her.
We had his mother here for a long summer. It was a strenuous time as she is going thru the phases of Alzheimer's and Dementia. So we had to be very patient with her, even though it was hard at times. She melted a container top at the stove- didn't realize it was against the burner. In her defense she was trying to help by getting dinner readied. She went against our wishes that she not take Gabbi outside or bring her in if we had her tied out, and not to do the steps. We didn't want her falling. This was also about the time I was downsized. I lost my job. In one instance it was good as she was not left alone. And basically I had the summer off.
I kept busy with the business, Peace Valley Quilts. We did flea markets, shows around the holidays, taught quilting classes. I was able to find temporary positions so I did not have to collect unemployment for long. I know its there for you when you lose your job but collecting unemployment still has that embarrassing feeling hanging around. I worked at the VA @ Fort Harrison for a few months, and now am temporary at AT&T as a meet and greet. Getting paid very well I might add. Funny how I swore I would never go back to cellular sales. But then again I am not selling, just taking names and directing customers where to go. I don't need to know cell phones, plans, restrictions....
I am looking forward to 2011. Getting the business to be able to produce enough income monthly to make the HQ payments. To finally get a permanent full time job. To have lost a sufficient amount of weight for Rachel and Brandon's wedding in September. I am going to make my dress. To get my diabetes under better control with the weight loss. We are going to have to remodel the bathrooms as we have leaks, so we'll have to get some estimates done. And so much more is in store.
Happy New Year to Everyone! May it be a Loving and Prosperous one for all!! Health and Happiness to you and yours!