Merry Christmas

It seems to get tougher every year to remember to slow down and truly remember the real meaning of Christmas.

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." NIV Luke 2:11

My prayer for today is too keep Christ in Christmas. So from my family to your have a Merry Christmas and celebrate the reason.

Bren's challenge

Yesterday Bren posted this on her blog and asked the quilters to take it and post it on our blogs. So I had to prove also that quilters can step up and be noticed without being named. ;-)

I consider myself a quilter with oh so many UFO's of tops needing the finishing touches. Maybe now that my life is coming has all its pieces back under one roof maybe I will be able to find more time to work on those UFO's or WIP whatever they are called I plan on making 2008 the year for catch-up on them.

So I extend the invitation to other quilters to take and post the picture on their blogs.

Christmas wish already come true

My son had decided last year he wanted to live with his biological dad. So in April I decided to not give-up but to let my little guy fly. Well, it has been a struggle having my 17 year old live somewhere else and only seeing him every other weekend. But I knew that he had to live with what he wanted, and that I could not bail him out; how else would he learn. Anyway after months of watching his needs both emotionally and pyshically not being meet I started to ask him little things like why they had not bought him jeans, or taking him for a hair trim at least. It got so bad that I noticed when he was here he had a ravenous hunger, and this weekend he had no deodorant or shampoo. Come on this is basics that a child needs. So as of today he is back at home with his mom and my only Christmas wish has come true. I'm jumping for joy, now to get everything legally finalized again. So prayers would be nice that we have a smooth transition to a new family normal. He has not been here since end of April/May. So there are going to be ups and downs, especially since he now knows that his bio-dad has basically washed his hands of him and does not want visits. Makes me want to cry about the new hurt.

Busy, Busy

Been so busy with this kid functions, or school assignments that I was two days late getting my block for the round robin done. So I was happy when it snowed Tuesday, giving me a little more time to get it finished. The block was done late lastnight and I had to take a picture for the journal; decided to wait till morning when I was more awake.

This is Diann's starter block. And here is the grid with my wreath block added. I sure enjoy being creative.

I have one assignment left in this class then I start my next class on Tuesday but for all practiacal purposes I will be on Christmas break until January 8th Yeah! I plan on sewing and reading, maybe organize some more of my house since I will have more time free at home. I am done shopping, all presents are bought or made; now they just need wrapped.

I normally have everything done in October but am finding school and work play havoc on my schedules. So have been stressing a little about being behind schedule. We are so busy with family Christmas that I like to have things done early to give us a chance just to enjoy instead of rushing around.

More snow

We have had snow since Thursday. According to the weatherman we should have hopefully 24 hours before the start of the next front that will dump snow on us. So basically I get tomorrow to get out and take care of work and things before the weather turns tomorrow night. Been trying to catch up on homework, yet still doing the holiday stuff.

My daughter and I made Cookie gift jars yesterday from a book I received in a drawing from Mary Anne. Then I made the instruction labels. So tonight when I was taking a break from homework I covered the lids with a nice Christmas fabric and attached the instructions with Christmas ribbon. These jars look so festive.

Next challenge is to actually make some cookies that stay here. I have Christmas this up coming weekend and need to try to get a good majority of my cooking done. Not to mention final class team assignment. So I actually am praying for more snow so that I can stay home from work. Because when the roads are bad I will not even attempt to drive that hour to work slipping and sliding.

Snow has arrived

We finally have gotten our first snow fall. It was not alot but it still was more than a skif. I really hope this year we actually have some snow for Christmas. I so miss having a white Christmas. One year the kids and I made paper snowflakes and hung them throughout the house just to have a bit of white. Then we made paper snowballs and had a snowball fight in the house. We had so much fun. Granted it was paper, but it made memories for a life time.

Icy weather

We had an icy storm over the weekend. We did not lose power with this storm; my husband was a little bummed wanted to have a reason to turn on the generator. We did have a nice sheet at least 1/4 inch thick of ice on everything. I know have gorgouse ice bushes. Luckily with there being so much ice I was able to see how the car I got in July handles the yucky stuff. Wowser I have anti-lock brakes and traction control. That makes me feel a little safer, but even if my car and I can handle it there still are others out there that do not use their head and they are the ones that crash me.

We have another wonderful storm coming in Thursday the weatherman says; so maybe hubby will get a chance then to play with his toy. I hope everyone stays safe and warm with the storms that have been hitting us lately.

P.S. to see the icy just click on the picture it should enlarge making it easier to see. I took the picture through the screen door which made all the lines.

Christmas is Up

First things first. I finally finished a quilt for my daughter. I started it in 2003 as a block a month. And just got the binding stitched down the other night. But had to wait until she was in bed so I could get a picture. Oh and I got this great package in the mail from Mary Anne it sure brightened my day.
Well here's my cutting table. Right next to were my ironing board would be and here is the corner my sewing machine sits. In May we got Dennis Mom's china hutch and I have not been able to put anything in to it until now. It was still tough, but now my Nativity Scene has a safe place were the cats will not break it. Yesterday was very tearful there were so many great little trinkets and memories of Mom.

I was extremely blessed to have had her in my life and to know that she had gotten to know me like she did. I know as each Christmas passes that I will cry for the loss, but knowning full well she is better off. I will always have my memories and I will help keep her alive through the trinkets of love for my kids.

My husband has started to collect Nut crackers and it has managed to take over the top of another shelf. Oh well as long as I get it and my sewing room back after the holidays.