LOST

Last Thursday I started a post and thought I published it but it must have been a dream because it is not here! It is LOST...speaking of which anyone watching the season premiere on Wednesday? I AM!

Sahara took this photo and is using it on her Birthday invitations

What is everyone doing to stay warm? Personally I am trying to keep busy, which as you know is not hard around our home.

We babysat Gavin Thursday & Saturday last week, he is crawling (short lengths) and has cut his first tooth. He still vomits his formula and is on the NG feeding tube each night. This last week Tim gave him a break because the tape was irritating his skin.

Thursday Susan & I tried to dye up some browns so she could finish her ottoman/stool

Thanks to this cold/virus I missed hooking a week ago but did make it this Saturday. I found out another lady from last year was back but Nancy didn't attend this week so I will have to wait until next Saturday to give her hugs. Class was full and even Sahara came along with me. Amy had made her this adorable purse from an old silk tie, she made me promise not to show it since it was her first, I think it looks wonderful but will wait for her next one to show you.
Four Seasons Class Project
Maggie's Ottoman ready to be mounted


Sunday was FOOTBALL at our house, the entire family was here, even Gavin for the games. Gabriel made Mojito's that were wonderful. I worked on my rug during the game and got a little more finished.



Today we took Casper back to the Veterinary Ophthalmologist in Tampa, he is doing wonderfully we have to continue a few meds for 2 more weeks then the cone can come off & he only has to have eye drops & gel to keep his eyes well lubricated for the rest of his life. There is some cloudiness but we are hopeful it will clear eventually. His Right eye has a slight cataract but nothing that should ever impair his vision! Thank you for all the Prayers!

Calvin is doing well on his meds currently and we hope the infection was averted & the anti-inflammatory meds will help long term.

This weekend is the Sebring Hook-In so I hope to have TONS of great photos of all the attendees', teachers & rugs. I just saw Polly's newest rug which will be featured in next months Country Home Magazine I am hoping she will have it or a kit with her Friday.

Next week the influx of Cardinal & Steeler fans will invade our lovely area for Superbowl 43 I hope the weather is perfect!

Well off to accomplish some things around here the annuals need to be covered again later today along with packing the camper, taking down the Christmas tree, daily domestic jobs, school & animal medicating.
Stay Warm were ever you are today!


Blessings 2 U Friends

SO HAPPY I LIVE HERE!

I have been chatting with a few friends & family the last few days on facebook, it is wonderful to be connected in daily conversations with those people you care about.
A couple friends are traveling to Minnesota this week from Florida...it's freezing and I mean freezing...the high is going to be -12 degrees...stay warm Cathy & Dawn.

In my hometown they have been getting snow on almost a daily basis and the temps are dropping. At least their high temps will be in the teens but they keep getting fresh snow!
Stole this from my niece's facebook...they are expecting another 3-5 inches of snow tomorrow?


Here in Paradise it is currently 64 degrees and partially sunny. Although storm clouds are in the gulf, and moving inland for later today this morning is picture perfect.

What will you do with this new day?

Mine is a little busy but I am going to enjoy it as I feel a bit better today, a friend is coming by to pick up some stickers to work on her album project.
The kids will be working on school & I hope to finish Gavin's Heirloom Stocking for next Christmas so I can pack it away with a few more Christmas Decorations today, between lessons. grading & domestic jobs.
Yes I still have the tree & some decorations up, they didn't go up until late this year & I am enjoying them still!


I LOVE FLORIDA this time of year...now get back with me in August/September to see if we have melted!

Blessings 2 U Friends

Virus/Germs/Bacteria/YUCK!

Well it is day 5 and this 'bug' is showing no signs of retreat so my post will be another short & sweet one today.
Susan isn't feeling well today either so we cancelled our dyeing day and no Gavin since I don't want him to catch this crud.

Yesterday was another Vet trip but this time it was Calvin, he was showing all the typical signs of a bladder infection again so I ran him in for tests. Oddly there was no bacteria so we are trying anti-inflammatory drugs this time along with some Amoxicillin just for good measure in case we were sooo early in catching it.

Have you ever tried to give medicine to a cat?

Thankfully his thyroid pill can be broken into tiny pieces & hidden in cheese and so can this anti-inflammatory pill but the Amoxicillian well that is a horse of a different color.

Sorry I couldn't decide which one I liked best!

Take your vitamins, get plenty of rest, wash your hands & keep away from sick folks!

Blessings 2 U Friends...stay healthy

The Holidays are over now what?

Things were going along really well until yesterday afternoon when I started feeling a bit 'tired'. I should have known something was up when I drove to Zephyrhills for class and we don't have class until next week, but I enjoyed the beautiful drive.
Later I thought it was just because Gavin was being so 'cranky' and wanting to be held. Sahara & I took him off to Walmart to get a walker & stroller in hopes I could put him down without his crying. Nope that lasted all of 3 minutes about the amount of time it took me to put those things together.

So today it is full blown headache/earache/sore throat/ stiff neck & shoulders and a cough...JOY!

We still have the tree, the mantle & the credenza decorated and since they didn't go up until the week before Christmas they will stay up until I feel better. I am hooking in my spare time on my big rug...a Polly Minick Gameboard Design that was put aside this year so I could make some other small items to sell. Now that the Florida Scrub Hooking in Sebring is only a few weeks away I feel the urge to finish it. I want to start the Belsnickle I copied onto sewer cloth last January so I can finish it by Christmas this year.

Here are a few photos of the girls projects in class December 27th
Maggies 4 Seasons Home


Maggie's Stockings


Helen's second ever project


These little calves were in the field down the road from the shop that morning striking a pose



Blessings 2 U Friends...may you find beauty in the simple things this month!

WISHING YOU & YOURS A BLESSED NEW YEAR

1907 Times Square

We have not gone out for New Years Eve since.....I can't remember when...maybe 1992?

We usually stay home with family & friends, eat sushi, play games & watch the ball drop


This year we are breaking tradition & heading to The Martin's house, for what sounds like our typical New Years Eve. :-)
Maybe it is because we are about the same age or maybe it is because we grew up in the same neck of the woods, who knows?
I am happy to bid goodbye to 2008 and I look forward to 2009 being a year of blessings & dreams come true.

We started planning out some of the next few months events yesterday.
We look forward to more camping, meeting up with old friends along the way and spending more time with the kids & watching Gavin grow!
I hope to see you here, on facebook or maybe in person finally in 2009.

Whatever this New Year has in store I know GOD will bring us through it just as HE has this last year and the many before!

BLESSINGS 2 U FRIENDS

Christmas Surprises and makeovers?

Libby thank you for your compliment on the tree is is overflowing with ornaments as you can see



Here is Sahara and her BIG gift...She has been practicing stitches since she opened it.


Tyler received an electric guitar set but he has been in his 'room' practicing since teenage boys are a little territorial and afraid of daylight I will try to sneak a shot of him playing later.

Here is Otis with his big gift
Last years bear is just a patch of fur parts

The day after Christmas we ran a few errands and left the boy home alone to finish his chores *yeah they NEVER all get done*
I found a LARGE envelope along with 5 Christmas Cards and a Package from my Procrastinator BIL Lance.
The LARGE envelope was a complete surprise so of course I grabbed it first....it came from over the pond, a completely unexpected gift from my online friend Rachael
When she made these I thought they were so cute & told her they brought a smile to my face...she sent them to me aren't they adorable?


She made this for Casper but since he has been strapped with the Elizabethan collar I let Otis model it for him.



Then she sent a package for Gavin

He opened it when Tim brought him by for help with reinserting his tube

It is the cutest stocking being held by a bear with a tiny mouse in his bed inside.
Rachael than you for reminding me that surprising others is a blessing...I will keep that in mind this week.

We have a 'child' who insists on making weird faces when pictures are taken of him....he reminds me of Sarah's cousin Beth...you remember her right?
Well Mom usually doesn't post those 'less than adorable photo's" however I think in true makeover fashion he may need to see these photo's in hopes he will not make sooo many of them. There are quite a few in the photo albums these are the ones on my computer.







I think he missed his calling as a comedian!


Blessings 2 U Friends

Did everyone survive???

The Hustle & Bustle of Christmas that is?
While we have some time honored traditions we have had to adjust a few things this year due to having a DIL as well as a Grandson added to the festivities.
Christmas Eve we traditionally opened our Ornaments, I buy the kids one or two each year for their trees. I also get an item of clothing that is the same for everyone. In the past it was matching sweaters from Lands End, Union Suits from the Sock Company, one year I sewed matching boxer style shorts from an amazing vintage looking flannel. Then we try to get a group photo of everyone wearing their gifts. This year Tim & Britt had a Christmas Party to attend with her parents while we babysat Gavin & Jessica was heading to Gabes so the Long John photo didn't happen. Maybe next year!

Now my kids have usually let us sleep in past 7 at least however this year Harley woke me up before 7 after feeding & medicating all the pets Sahara woke up and wanted to open gifts well I couldn't say no so after only 5 hrs sleep we started Christmas.
Thankfully Jess & Gabe bought me a Starbucks Gift assortment so I had plenty of coffee to keep me going.

Gavin & Aunt Jessica









Tyler with his ornie

Sahara with her Ornie


Grandpa home with the Sushi & Sashimi making Gavin laugh


Brittany & Gavin Christmas Morning before she left for work



Great-Grandpa Art Rasmussen, Grandpa Larry Rasmussen, Gavin, Dad Tim


However you may celebrate, whichever traditions you hold dear I pray you had a BLESSED Christmas!

Blessings 2 U Friends

FINALLY got a few things finished YIPPEE

Well I was able to finish Gavin's Christmas present and my No Melt Southern Snowball ornaments are listed on ETSY.

Got the Christmas Tree decorated last night after falling off the ladder & breaking one of my vintage glass angels & possibly my tail bone AGAIN!

The garage sale went fairly well we sold a few things and the rest are going to Goodwill.

Casper was seen again this morning at Dr. Wolf's and his eye is healing the iris prolapsed through the laceration so now we have to keep his Elizabethan Collar on and medications 5 x a day for the next 10 days until his next recheck.

Now to clean up the house again & finish wrapping the few little gifts the kids are getting, we are not buying lots of gifts because we bought them all tickets to the World Series so they better remember that gift.

Can't stay sitting long it is too painful so this is short!!

Help our Economy & buy HANDMADE IN AMERICA!

Blessings 2 U Friends!

Still hanging in there...I think I am!

Well I don't know about you friends but I can barely find time to breathe these days?
I am not one to over-schedule during the holidays & I usually say NO to any extra activities in order to maintain my sanity.
This month has been full of unexpected activities that have to be done, outside of daily things, like laundry, dishwasher, school etc. Apparently we are going to end the year the same way it began.

Saturday's 2nd annual Hooker's Christmas Party was the highlight of my week. Sahara & I drove the hour to Lake Jovita just arriving seconds before Susan.
Jonnys house was beautiful as always and she had 3 different breakfast breads & coffee waiting for us.





After checking out what 'new' things she created we sat down to do a little hooking and exchange gifts before group pictures.
Lunch was served & we had a delicious Beef Soup/Stew with an assortment of Cheese & crackers, cucumbers & hummus and for dessert, homemade pumpkin pie.
Here are Maggie's Twin Rugs

One of our class projects for next year
Then started the chaos ...I got a text that Casper's eye was bleeding & swollen shut, so Sahara & I packed up and raced home. Where I quickly assessed this needed to be checked by a Vet. While everyone changed into their recital outfits I found a Vet in the area we were going for the Christmas Recitals. DH dropped Casper & I off at the Vet and drove down the road to the recital.

An hour later & another $120 Casper was now on 5 medications, 3 are ointments that needed to be rotated every 2 hours and a referral to a Veterinary Ophthalmologist, I started walking towards the Church 1/4 mile down the road carrying the dog.
While walking I found $10 on the side of the road, this comes into play later!
We gathered the kids up and orders for Meredith & Sarah and drove for to Mickey D's for a quick bite before the next Recital stared. Casper was a trouper and after eating a hamburger he slept through the second one.
Meredith made an announcement regarding recital fees...which I had forgotten to pay....ahhh $10 THANK YOU GOD!

We missed the Church Christmas Party and on the way home got the call that Tim needed help putting Gavin's tube back in, he is now weighing in at 11 lbs 12 oz and will be 5 mo old next week, only gaining 9 oz since the hospital released him on the 1st, so we headed over there next and we finally got home around 9 pm
The rest of the weekend is a blur as I have had minimal sleep, getting up every two hours to put ointment in Casper's eye. I do remember our family did the reading & lit the Advent candle at church.

Monday I called my Vet for a referral to an Ophthalmologist and made his appointment for today. We drove to Tampa & Dr. Wolf is WONDERFUL, he sent me home with more medications along with orders to continue the ointment every two hours for another 48 hrs and return on Saturday.
Great I still need to put up our Christmas Decorations and get ready for a Garage Sale to try to recoup these Vet bills.

Here is just one of the items I mailed off to Yvonne my Christmas Gift Exchange Buddy...


Did I mention the day before DH left on his business trip he snapped the shower head off ? It was leaking down the inside of the wall, which of course he had to cut open. So I was changing a towel in the wall every 3 hours to soak up the drips until I thought of stuffing a #8 cut wool strip into the front of the pipe to wick the water into the shower & not the wall on Monday.

Libby & those of you who asked there is nothing definite on the relocation yet, which makes me happy since the weather everywhere else seems to be FRIGID! It also means we can spend Christmas with the kids and I won't miss Hooking in Sebring with Polly in January!


A couple Rugs from Class on the 6th
Jonny's Pig

Melanie's Stained Glass Dragonfly

Forgive me I have forgotten who hooked these...



Here is Casper after today's Vet visit with his brand new Elizabethan Collar


Time for his meds again as well as more laundry before our Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Class this evening.

BLESSINGS 2 U FRIENDS!!!


*disclaimer* any incomplete thoughts or sentences/ misspelled words or inaccurate credit given is due to lack of R.E.M. sleep and blog author should be forgiven.