December

I had all these plans to get everything done and be ahead of the holiday rush, but work and the constant migraine got in the way.  Right after Thanksgiving, a large project came up at work and became the priority above everything else.  Unfortunately, the migraine has not improved and I've had to cut back on everything I usually do for the holidays.

I give a stitched ornament to my family members for Christmas every year.  In November, I finally settled on an alternative finish for the little cross stitch designs designed for the sleds.  I had stitched these little designs a few years ago, but hadn't purchased sleds for all that I had stitched.

I purchased the wood slices at Hobby Lobby and then wood burned Merry Christmas on the front and my initials and the year on the back.

We celebrated Christmas with hubby's side of the family yesterday.  As the kids have gotten older and in their own homes, I have been making ornaments for each one of them as well.  I was happy to hear my nephew tell my mother-in-law how nice his tree looks with all the ornaments I've made for him.

Hazel(nut) celebrated her 2nd birthday on Dec 17.

I received this quilt from my mother-in-law for my birthday.  This quilt belonged to an elderly neighbor whose mother and aunts had made it sometime before 1894.  It is in very good condition and there are only a few spots where the fabric has worn. 

The triplets are 9 months old!  They are settled into their new home and we will be celebrating Christmas there.

We've heard from DD and the tentative plan is for her deployment to end and her to be back in the States in early February.   We're praying that the plan stays the same, but given current events, there is uncertainty.

From our family to yours...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

October

We've had some nights get down to 24F and I still had 2 hummingbirds coming to my feeder every day.  I haven't seen them for the past week, so I'm assuming they have finally migrated to a warmer climate. 

This photo was taken in early October and the Supertunias still look amazing.  I also have a large pot of Supertunias in the back yard that haven't been affected by the frosts and freezes we've had.  I'm really enjoying these remaining flowers since all the yard work and fall clean up has been done -- until the next big wind storm blows more corn husks and leaves in.

The migraine has been much worse these past several weeks.  I can't cross stitch for more than 5-10 minutes a day and only if I can manage stitching without bright light.  Even indirect sunlight is too much light.  Even with a raging migraine, my need to be creative continues.  I've found that I don't need much light to crochet and can crochet a bit in the evenings. 

I've been able to finish a comfort blanket for a friend.

 
I had left over yarn from the gift I made for the 3 year old girl, so I made a baby blanket to be donated to a local charity.

Not a great photo of the triplets, but in my defense, it's pretty difficult to get all three of them together, lol.

These boys are so active and trying to crawl.  Seven months old now and doing so well.  My niece and her husband are moved into their new house and still settling in.  My sister is loving having them only a few minutes away now.

Thank you, again, for your thoughts and prayers for us.  DD#1 continues to see the specialists and is having some better days.  DD#2 has been deployed for 27 weeks already and says she's doing well.

Until next time...

September

September flew by for us.  Did it fly by for you as well?  

I made a blanket, pajama keeper and stuffed owl for a little neighbor girl celebrating her 3rd birthday.  I loved crocheting with the bright colors and it's been quite a while I since I've used all girl colors.

She loved her gifts and sleeps with the owl every night.

The triplets are 6 months old!

My niece and her husband have been able to take the boys out for some weekend activities.  This family photo was taken at the Touch and See Truck Show.  Even though it was chilly that day, it was nice to get out of the house and share the day with them since they have been so busy packing.  They close on their new house on October 10. 

DD #2 posted this on facebook a couple of weeks ago.  

She has been keeping track of how many weeks she's been deployed and how many weeks she has left, but I had to chuckle at her choice of words when she posted this.  If the next 6 months fly by like September did, it really won't be long until she's home.

DD #1 has been having many tests and follow up doctor appointments.  The new diet has helped her digestive issues and is helping in regulating insulin and other endocrine functions.  

  

Dottie Dog had her annual vet visit in early September.  The vet encouraged us to have the "senior dog blood panel" done since Dottie Dog is almost 14 years old.  The physical and test results were all perfect except for the thyroid.  Turns out that Dottie Dog has hyperthyroidism, or over-active thyroid.  Further testing was done and it confirmed our vet's suspicion of cancer.  Unfortunately, because of Dottie Dog's age and the location of the tumor, they do not recommend treatment or removal of the tumor.  Except for weight loss, Dottie Dog has been doing so well and it's hard to see that she has cancer.  

Part of me wishes we wouldn't have agreed to the senior dog blood panel so I would never know that she has cancer.  Our vet has recommended extra nutrition so Dottie Dog doesn't lose any more weight and we'll keep her as comfortable as possible.  

I'm still suffering with the migraine and some days I can only manage doing what is necessary.  

We've been able to enjoy our chilly fall evenings by relaxing by the campfire.

I'm still enjoying all the flowers around my home.  The hanging basket is filled with Supertunias and has been spectacular all season long.

Happy October!

 

July & August

Hello Dear Friends,

I hope you all have been doing great and enjoying whichever season you're in right now. 

The garden and flowers have been looking so pretty this summer.

Hazel learned to catch the frisbee!

I told Dottie Dog, Hazel and Hollie that we needed to send a picture to DD and they actually smiled for the camera!

I can finally share the Mail Art I stitched for my partner in the Quaker Mail Art exchange.  The fabric is hand-dyed Lugana and the motifs were stitched with Victorian Motto Sampler Thread in the color Delphinium.   A matchbook needle keep and embroidery scissors were also included in the envelope.

I've been working on a C2C join as you go crochet baby blanket.  This blanket will be donated to a local children's hospital.

The triplets are 5 months old and big brother will be 2 years old next month.  They are all doing well and such sweet boys!

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers for my girls!

DD sent this photo recently.  I think she's trying to make sure I see that she's ok.  She has been able to communicate with us about every 10 days to 2 weeks.  She won't or can't tell me what she actually does, but I know she is working long hours with not much down time.  She said they have had temps as high as 120 and some areas have been even hotter.  I miss her so much!

My oldest DD has been to so many doctor appointments these last several weeks.  While she is still having digestive issues, she has also been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).  We've learned a lot about PCOS and it was recommended that DD start a low glycemic diet.  She said she's already feeling so much better with the diet switch.   There are still many medical appointments in the coming weeks as the doctors work to get the PCOS under control and figure out what else is going on. 

I'm still struggling with the migraine.  I have been to my doctor and had more testing done.  My migraines are caused by injuries I received in a very serious car accident when I was 20 years old and I am not able to take any of the migraine medications due to medication allergies.  Most days the migraine is bad, but there are days that it's totally debilitating and I can't do anything.  For now, I'm taking it easy and only doing what must be done.

Thanks for stopping by & have a wonderful week!


   

June

I’m barely making my goal of posting at least once a month, lol.  In all honesty, I’m having a hard time.  I’m struggling with a persistent migraine that I can’t break.  I’m sure stress isn’t helping, but the migraine is contributing to my stress and it’s a vicious circle.

My youngest DD seems to be doing ok on her deployment, but she wouldn’t tell me either way.  I understand that she’s busy doing what she’s trained for, but I wish we could communicate more often.

You may remember last year my oldest DD was having some medical issues and had to have several surgeries.  I’m sad to say the issues haven’t disappeared.  She may need additional surgery later this summer.  She’d been looking forward to a relaxing summer after graduating with her Master’s in May, but has started seeing a new specialist that is ordering many more tests.

MAILART

I participate in a Mailart Facebook group. This year there is a birthday exchange and I made a mailart for one of our group members who had a birthday in May. I mailed it “naked” as it was not in a protective wrap. I`m still amazed these envelopes make it through the mail.

I included a handmade birthday card, needles in a matchbook case and 4 skeins of floss.

Her postal carrier really liked delivering the mailart too.

Our Facebook group is also having a Quaker mailart exchange.  I received my Quaker mailart from Meari.  I love the design and work Meari put into this envelope for me.  The goodies she included will be so useful too.

The triplets are 3 months old now and doing great!  My niece has made the decision to be a stay-at-home mom and is adjusting to having her hands full.

That's all for now. 

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Happy Mother's Day!

My DD says it perfectly...

(DD is on the left)

 

APRIL

It's been a while.  It's been crazy busy since the triplets were born.  The boys are doing well and have come home!

They have only been home a short time and their immune systems are very fragile.  Outings and visitors are restricted until they are 3 months old.

The boys all weigh almost 6 pounds now.

We spent Easter and part of spring break visiting my youngest DD in Texas.  The weather was perfect, we did some sight-seeing in San Antonio and spent some time at the beach.

Last week, my oldest DD and I traveled back to Texas to see my youngest DD before she left on her deployment.  I've heard from her and know that she arrived to her deployment post safely.  This is all new for me and I am so worried about DD.

That's all for now.

Until next time,

Happy Stitchin'

Big News!

No stitching or craftiness to show in this post.  Been busy helping my sister and niece these last few weeks.  My niece had been hospitalized for a few days and when she was released to go home, she was not to be left alone.  I was able to help out and stay with my niece during the day.

She made it 32 weeks and 4 days!

Presenting...

These three baby boys joined our family today!

The babies weighed 3 lbs 14 oz, 3 lbs 10 oz and 4 lbs 4 oz.

Mom and babies are doing well.  

No word on how long the babies will need to stay in the hospital.

Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes.

Happy Weekend!

February

Wow, I missed posting in January, so let me catch you up on what's been going on around here. 

I spent most of my time working on baby gifts for my niece.  It's hard enough to make gifts for one baby and making for three babies was a big endeavor.

My first time making sock monkeys.  I made one for each baby and the fourth one is for big brother.

Leaping Stripes and Blocks

Pattern by Moogly

Started January 8, 2018

Completed January 21, 2018

Yarn: I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby 

Colors used listed below

Dark City Blue

Gray Mist

Antique White

Dark Olive Green

Gray Mist

Antique White

Cranberry

Gray Mist

Antique White

My niece, her hubby and Little D (who turned 1 in September).  Her shower was Sunday, January 28 and she was 25 weeks when this photo was taken.  She is doing well, but is quite uncomfortable.  She's been on modified bedrest since December 11.  Since she is high risk, she sees her doctor weekly.  So far he has allowed her to stay home, but her doctor said she may have to be admitted to the hospital at some point.  The goal is to make it to 32 weeks, but my niece says she's ready now.  The doctor has been giving her pep talks each week and told my niece that for every day she carries the babies, it's two less days in the NICU.  

One year ago, Hazel joined our family.  I can't imagine ever being without her.

The past week has been filled with snow.  My area has had snow everyday since Sunday, February 5 and our weekly total now stands at 20+ inches.  The good news is that the coming week is supposed to be calm with no precipitation in the forecast.

Hazel and Hollie have really been enjoying the snow.  

Whatever the weather is in your area, please be safe.