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!