Sheila Kay

Miss Payton Olivia, Noah and me

2008-12-18T07:03:00.000-08:00

I have not been posting because I have been in a very bad funk! I have messed up my left ankle and the right side of my jaw has been hurting like heck and heck hurts alot, I can't open my mouth very wide and it hurts too much too chew, but instead losing weight I am gaining water weight. Stress from what I have been told.
Yesterday I took about 20 bags or so to the Army Y of stuff from my room! They where very happy to get it, hopefully this will give alot of pleasure to people. I have a few more things I am planning to take either tomorrow or Monday. I have been cleaning my stuff out and down sizing alot. Just need to get rid of a lot of junk I guess. I realized yesterday as I was cleaning out one of my places that I think I have been kidding myself why I was downsizing! I won't go on and I need to get that thought out of my mind for now.

I haven't been posting much here or any where else because I don't want to bring anyone else down or have anyone feel sorry for me. I guess I upset my youngest brother. I sent him a nice Christmas card and told him that He was quite aggravating but he was my brother and I still loved him. I also told him I wouldn't be going into Wake Forest to Christmas. I just don't feel right going in there. I mean they are my siblings but we aren't close. Tony and I are sort of close he has 2 little kids that I would like to be part of their lives but because of their mother and thing that she has said and done I would prefer to stay away and I can't seem to get him to understand. She isn't a very nice person to me or to Gene. Oh me...

My middle son still can not swoll his pride and talk to me. They had their second child on Monday a little girl, 5 pounds 4 ounces 18" long they named her Cramer Belle! No I didn't go to the hospital to see them I am still not allowed. I sent her a few things a few weeks ago when I sent JD a tee shirt I made for him that said I am the big brother. Whether or not he got it I have no idea. Unless my youngest son tells me they got it I have no idea what they do with what I send. The youngest is the one that let me know the baby was born and sent me a picture of her. Thank heavens for him. I put another package in the mail for the baby yesterday. I put delivery confirmation on it like I do all their packages so I know that at least it got there.
Enough on this it just upsets me to no end!!!!

On to Master Noah and his little sister Payton Olivia. I got to go to SC to watch my little Noah when his sister was born. We had a ball. We played airplane, swords, we tussled, read books got donuts and just had a ball together. I totally enjoyed myself. Everyone would be proud of me. I stayed in the room when my X and his wife came and when my middle son, his wife, JD and my X mother in law came down to see the new little one. I normally leave the room but no more. I have every right to be in the room and if no one likes it they may leave the room not me any more. No problem with my X mother in law. I got to see John for a few hours. The little fellow who is 4 didn't have a clue who I was. At first it didn't bother me, he just called me hay lady come play! I was playing with Noah. I played with JD but I didn't tell him who I was! I was very carefully around him because I didn't want her saying I did anything. There was tension on their half. When they went to leave I asked my son for a hug and I got a quick one, at least I count my blessings on that.
I made Noah a couple of shirts that said I am the big brother, the yellow one had a monkey on it. When I went to pick him up at daycare I put the shirt on him and all his little friends like it and me. Made me feel good. Kacie had made a cake for Noah to take to school that day, the boy was a hoot caring the pan, it was almost as big as him but he is a strong little boy. He lights up my life and makes me smile. I talk to him at least once a week sometimes twice and he calls me Grandma. Just him saying it sounds good! The little fellow is my lifeline right now. Here is a picture of him on the day he became a big brother. He had the T-shirt on that I made him which is sort of long, The black cap that pa pa Gene sent him and my shoes on. The boy is a hoot! He looks so much older than 22 months here.
The next day I got to go to the hospital to see my new little granddaughter Payton. She is a beautiful girl. Here she is in one of the outfits I bought her. the hat she has on is one I made Noah when he was little. The picture was taken in the hospital.

and here is Grandma Sheila holding her for the first time. I felt good that the kids let me come to the hospital to see her.
They only stayed in the hospital 2 days. Payton was born on Tuesday November 11 and they came home on Thursday. Here she is getting her first bath on Friday

I made her a total of 5 hats, 2 while I was staying there and 3 more that I sent her including a cute Santa hat. Chris and Kacie love what I make for them. They appreciate everything.

I will close for now. I have work too do, laundry to do room to get straighten up and I need to try to eat something. Take care everyone and have a wonderful Christmas and new year. This is the first time in my entire life that I have not put a Christmas tree up or decorated. Just not in the mood! Now you see why I haven't posted lately. Bless everyone

Exploring VT.

2008-11-05T07:24:00.000-08:00

After graduation on Friday afternoon we went site seeing. Our flight wasn't until Monday so we had a couple of days to explore. I had done some exploring on my own during the week but believe it or not I didn't take pictures. I would drop Gene off at school at 8 in the morning then I would have to pick him up by 4! Short day to explore. I am not a morning person so I would have to go back to the room to get ready for the day! I did get to drive around and see the sites. But that will be in the next post. When we went up to VT a friend of Gene's told him to look out for Moose. He said they would just walk out into the road. Well I kept looking and the only thing I saw was Deer! One poor man hit a male deer with a full rack and it tore his poor car up he was okay but the car and the deer bite the dust!

Driving around VT we kept seeing these Moose crossing signs. I made Gene pull over to the side of the road so that I could take a picture of the sign because I knew people in NC wouldn't believe me about the signs. We never did see a live Moose!

Here was another interesting Road sign. Yes I took the picture and Gene had to pull over so I could take it, no we never saw a live bear, not that I didn't keep looking. I don't know what I would have done if I saw one! But I kept looking.

This is a picture of a meadow with sheep grazing. There was white sheep, black sheep, brown sheep, multi color sheep, All I could think about was the beautiful roving and yarn they would make. The sheep hadn't been sheered yet. Gene told me not to get any ideas. I just looked at him! He was reading my mine. I wanted to go find the farmer to see if he had any fleece for sale. No Gene would not go look!

Gene decided we where going to take a short cut we where not going any where in particle, just looking. He had no idea where we where going. The roads where so twisty and small! Two cars could barely go up or down the road. I think I had white knuckles the entire time we where on this short cut. The short cut took us up one side of a mountain then down side then up again. We saw a beautiful waterfall but couldn't stop to get a picture. We thought we might get a picture when coming back. If I had my way we where going to find another way to go back to the hotel! After driving up and down my ears where so plugged up they hurt. I tried drinking water, chewing gum and nothing worked. The mountains where beautiful the trees where in full bloom. I couldn't believe that VT had a bad snow storm just 6 weeks before we got there and it was freezing. They told us it was very unusually for it to be so hot and humid this time of year which was the middle of June.

After about and hour and half of driving and not finding any place to stop so Gene could go to the restroom, not even a gas station! We found this pullover! This is a picture of a marsh that had lots of birds, I saw a turtle but I don't think you can see it. Gene went into the woods! I just prayed no one came by!

This is a picture of a rock with some wild flowers, there was a bunch of butterflies which you can't see. It is strange at home this year I haven't seen many butterflies. I got a butterfly feeder this year for my birthday from Matthew and they still didn't come. I hope next year I can plant a butterfly bush and maybe they will come.

This is just another picture of the rock and butterflies and flowers. It was a beautiful site, so quite!

This is the same marsh I don't know if you can see the beaver damn in the background.

Here is Gene's covered bridge! We drove around for hours looking for a covered bridge. Our directions where not very good. We didn't find the one he was looking for but we found this one. The Covered bridge was in good shape they had done some repairs on it. Gene took about 10 pictures of just the bridge!

Beside the cover bridge was a damn and a bunch of rocks. The water was moving really fast I thought it was neat

Here is a side view of the damn, those are office buildings and a restaurant. I don't think I would like a business there!

this is on the other side of the bridge, the water was calmer, the rocks made it look really nice.

This is a picture of the sky, Gene thought I was crazy for taking it but the clouds where very fluffy and making shapes. I like to watch the clouds and see what shapes they make. I could watch the sky for hours,it is a peaceful feeling.

This is where we stopped to eat. An old timey diner. I got a grilled cheese with tomato sandwich with a frosty root beer. That was so good! Gene got the same thing except he got tea! Oops no sugar!

There was a bunch of shops where we stopped so we went walking through them. Gene had to take a picture of me with this moose. I enjoyed the shopping.

Finally we found a moose or two, made of wood but that was as close as we where going to get to a moose.

here is Geneo smiling finally with the same moose!

Not to bum anyone out but i thought this was a very nice Vietnam Memorial we found at a rest stop in VT!

This is it for this portions. I need to close Hope you enjoyed our little journey. Next I will so into our visit to Fort Ticonderoga and the battle of Carillon. they where having a French and Indian War Celebration when we where there. The Fort is located right of NY. Thanks for stopping by till next time.

Stepping back into time to June

2008-11-04T11:09:00.000-08:00

I am back again. I finally was able to get some pictures of Gene's graduation at Norwich in June of 08" on the laptop. I found the camara card and the pictures where still on it so I was able to download the pictures from there. I am dividing the VT trip up. This part is going to be just school week and graduation. I post pictures of our site seeing next. To begin:

We stayed in a very nice bed and breakfast just outside of the college it took maybe 10 minutes to get there from where we staying if the traffic was good. I did pretty good driving there. Here is Gene on day one, I told him to smile but he wouldn't his mind was else where he said.

He is a picture of the middle of Norwich where the band practice and people hang out. The building is a dorm. Don't remember which one though. The trees where beautiful up there and the grass was soft and thick to walk on.

Here is Gene standing in front of the class building where he went to listen to different people's presentations. He is standing in front of a statue of Alden Partridge. Not sure who he was I was probably told several times but he has something to do with the school!

Here is Gene and a fellow student, Joe Mann. Joe is active Air Force. Joe lives in WA state. Gene and Joe where in many seminars together. Joe was in Korea for part of the class! Just a tidbit

There is a neat musem attached to the library at Norwich. He has alot of neat stuff in it all of it pretaining to the school. This is some special jeep from wwi I think, Gene was in love with it. We must have 10 pictures of just this machine. I don't think I would want to ride in it. It didn't look too comfortable. They only made a few of these and the Army stopped using them. Again I was told all about this jeep but I seem to have forgotten! OOps.

Again here is Joe and Gene posing in front of this Canon. I think this canon was from the civil war. Don't hold it to me, it has some cravings on it and I think it was suppose to be used to defend a post where the school use to be before it came to VT. The think around Gene's neck is what I called his school dog tags. He couldn't go anywhere without it and he hated wearing it. Then so did everyone else. As you can tell I was the camera person. But then it was Gene's week!

Thursday night was Karkoe night. At first we wheren't going to go but then he decided we would and he had a ball that night. Here is Gene and Joe and some fellow classmates. Gene is drinking an Odel's Nonachol drink, Joe on the other hand was partaking of an Adult brevage, the glass next to Gene's was mine, That might have been my second Cosomo, over ice of course. These guys where a hoot.

Okay where are you Mona, You would have loved this shirt. The back was the same as the front. This is Dr. Wintermeu. I doubt if I spelled that right. He was one of the teachers for Military History and he loves Elvis and is something else.

It took some pushing and encouraging but here is Gene, Joe and Tom singing Karkoe, they where sing a Jimmy Buffet song. I laughted till I cried. This is way and I mean why out of character for Mr. Gene. I love Buffet music, Gene on the hand can take it or leave it mostly leave it but he is slowly coming around. It was good seeing him come out and enjoying himself for once.

Here is Gene getting what they call his Hoodie for Military of History. It was this white drape thing, one side was white for history the other side was marron for Norwich, which is the school's color. He is getting ready to shake the Dean's hand and next to the Dean is Dr. Broome. Dr. Broome is a very neat person, he is scholarly but yet he cares for his students and enjoys having fun.

In front of the Unknown statue is the 3 guys. The one on the end is Mike, he is in the Army also and was working on another Master Degree while he was up there so he didn't hang around much. Joe and Gene where smiling ear to ear, Mike was tired. Should be.

After class on Wenesday the guest speaker who was also the speaker for graduation was General Richard A Cody. The General was the Vice Chief of the Army. General Cody retired a few months ago and was from the town Norwich was in. Gene use to serve with the General before he became a General. Gene was surprised the General remembered him and the General gave Joe and Gene one of his special coins. That's a big thing from what I am told! General Cody gave two very good speeches. They where from his heart and I really enjoyed listening to him.

Getting down to the wire now. Good thing my brain is going and my fingers keep hitting the wrong keys. This is graduation day. This was the front they had flags from all over the worlk around the American flag along with all the state flags. The building was hot as you know what, no air, no air condition! We had our programs for fans! Once all the students got in there it was horrible. I had gotten there 3 1/2 hours early to get a good seat, when it was over I was soaked! I had a sleeveless dress on but it stuck to me! At least I had my knitting with me and got all sorts of weird looks but I kept knitting away! The service lasted about an hour and a half 2 hours! Too long for us all. The poor students had their gowns on!

Here is the Man of the hour smiling for once. I told him to take a short sleeve shirt but he was afaird it was going to be cold! They happen to have a heat wave the week we where there. He couldn't wait to get it over. He had been at the school since 10 and graduation wasn't until 4! Long day.

And here are the boys, we couldn't find Mike. They are holding red tubes that their dipolmas where in. Two very happy fellows and Me! After this I went outside to cool off, find some water, then we went to this nice Italian restraunt in town. Good wine! Good food. Long line.

This ends the saga of graduation. I had many more pictures put I couldn't post them all and it was hard to pick out which ones to post. Hope you enjoyed seeing the pictures. Gene worked very hard to get that dipolma and I am very proud of him. Now he is on to get his PH.D. Thanks for stopping by. Will post another part of the trip tomorrow.

The Beach

2008-10-28T16:28:00.000-07:00

On October 10 I went to the beach with my older son and his family, we had a ball I got there late on Friday and left late on Sunday, but I did get a little shopping in before I headed home. No pictures though of what I bought. I bought some jeans on sale, some beads, a army wind socket, a bright green scarf and a few other things. It was fun!

The beach on Sunday was beautiful, it had rained Friday and Saturday. We did go to the beach on Saturday but it rained. There was a wedding on the beach that got rained out. I felt sorry for the guest! They where all dresssed up and got wet! On Sunday it was a beautiful day, the waves was soft and smooth the water was semi warm and the sky was blue! The beach is one of my favorite places to go to! I am alot calmer watching the waves soaking in the rays!

My feet with the pink toes in the ocean enjoying the waves. I love the waves.

Noah on the beach helping Grandma pick up sea shells. He was a good sea shell finder. He find this one rock that had alot of sea shells attached to it. It must have weighed 2 pounds or more. He tried to carry it but grandma carried it for us. He is a hoot! Smart as a whip. I am going to clean our sea shells up and put them in a glass container.

The expected mother (Kacie is due around the middle of November, so grandma is on baby watch. When she goes into labor I will go down to take care of Noah), Noah and Christopher walking on the beach helping pick up sea shells for Grandma.

Noah finally sitting in the ocean in a small hole right off the beach with his daddy! The water was warm. He loves the water, doesn't like it in his eyes. He liked giving our legs a sand rub!

Here is a picture of the boys and me sitting on a huge pipe that ran into the ocean. The pipe was bringing sand from the bottom of the ocean to build up the beach. The wind had messed up my hair and we where slumbed back and Noah wasn't in the mood to have his picture takenso the picture isn't the best of us but at least I have one of the 3 of us I really don't like having my picture taken.

This is the machine that would roll out into the ocean and measure the bottom of the ocean then come back to the beach, move over a few feet then go back out into the ocean. It was interesting to watch. Noah enjoyed watching the machine!

On Saturday after we picked up Kacie from her meeting we went to the outlet stores to find Noah a few things for his costume. We didn't find much. I did find a couple of cheap scarves on sale for my purses I am making and we found the Harry and David store. I will leave it at that! I love the store.

That is all for the beach right now. I am going to try to do some more posting. This is the fourth time trying to post this posting for some reason blogger wasn't working. Alot of things have been going on so I haven't gotten to much done. I have been knitting. I have several sweaters in different stages, I need to just finish one at a time instead of starting a new one. I did take a spinning class so hopefully I can get to it.

Thanks for stopping bye. Have a good day and take care.

Long time no post

2008-07-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

I have been away from my blog for a long while. Not all by choice. Life has been hectic to say the least! May was the last time I posted. That seems like a long time ago. It seems like I have kept a headache for the past 3 months, allergies have been in full force and my legs and lower back have been killing me.
I work a little each day in my room, I am making progress. I decided I needed to go through my fabric again and downsize it. That and I am refolding it so that it will look neater on the shelves. I will give most of the fabric to the Y on post they are still making quilts for kids.
I haven't been going anywhere because of the price of gas. It cost $42. to full up the Honda. Gracious I remember when that was my fuel bill for 2 weeks and I was going back and forth to work and the store, now I might go out one day a week for errands and every 5 weeks I go into Cary. I haven't been to a Bernina meeting since the gas prices went up! I just pray for those that have to go out every day to work! It's a shame that the cost of gas takes up most of your pay check these days.
Gene's hernia operation went okay, but he is still having a little pain from it and he is still a little bloated from it. No more pain medicine for him.
The week of June 20th we did get to go to Vermont for Gene's last week of class before he got his Master's degree. It was a week on the go but it was a change. Vermont is a beautiful state. I didn't care for the roads in the mountains but then I only drove on the smaller mountains. I tooted around a little bit of Vermont by myself. I got lost more than I knew where I was going, I did see alot more of the country side that way. I went to a Maple farm, I didn't get much there, then to a pottery place and I bought 2 pieces there. I will have to take pictures and post them, they are very simple but pretty and usable. Of course I found a yarn store and I think she was happy to see me.
Gene was in class from Monday to Friday but we had to be there on Sunday afternoon. It rained everyday up there except for Wednesday. I got so tired of being wet. There was something going on every night that we had to go to. I was one of a few wives that showed up, the guys just treated me as one of them. I had this big bag that I carried my knitting in plus a book, water, camera, and whatever else I needed. I ended up caring every one's stuff! My poor shoulder. Gene didn't sleep much so neither I. I have pictures of graduation so I will post more about graduation later. Now that he has his master's degree he is going to go on and get his PHD. He asked me if I wanted to go back to school. I always wanted to but I haven't a clue what to study. I haven't a clue what I am good at besides getting into trouble!
On Thursday Gene had a couple of spare hours so we went to Vermont Teddy bears, the chocolate factory (yummy), cheese factory, and to Ben and Jerry's. Of course we got lost and I found a couple of yarn places but we where on a time line and we had to get back to school for a speaker. It seems like every time I found a yarn store or fabric store we had to go somewhere. Oh well I couldn't buy but so much, I have to leave some for someone else.
I have 3 different sweaters in process. I have the back of a man's vest finished, I have the back and 3/4 of a front of a ladies short sleeve pullover done and about half of the front of another women's long sleeve pullover done. I have I think 3 shawls in various stages that I am working on a pair of socks almost done. I just haven't fault like knitting alot lately. Just tired of being tired I guess.
I think I will close for now. I need to take pictures of the sweaters and post them. Hopefully I can get that done this week. No I still haven't hear from Ricky! I have tired I have sent 2 letters but nothing. I just don't understand! Bye for now. Oh year on August 9th I get to tandem jump again. Just pray I don't get sick and that this leg is better!

Not sure how to Title this

2008-05-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

I am not sure how I should title this post I just need to vent for a few seconds! I am really tired of a few things. One is my X and a few things that go along with him things that he has done and said why he has done these things I haven't a clue and I know he will just look at me without a clue as to what I am talking about and I haven't a clue how to handle him and that situation!
Two is my brother, I remember my brother from when he was 16 to 20 and I wish that boy would come back. I don't like the person he is now. He is my brother and always will be my brother it's just I wish I could get him to understand that I am a person with feelings, that I am not a dummy and that you have to learn to watch what you say and do to other people. He is suppose to be my family and he should support me and my family and that my boys are my boys not his! Yes, I appreciate him helping me with Ricky when Ricky was younger I know he has a kind heart somewhere it's just I haven't seen it in a long time. We all remember things differently but his/their memories are not always the way it really happen and just because they remember things differently doesn't mean it is to be set in stone their way!
This problem with Gene, that you and Ricky have has got to end and end now, yes he is different, yes he can be rough around the edges and he sees things differently then you do but he loves me, takes good care of me and he will NOT let ANYONE family or not disrespect me in any way! I know this is different from the way things use to be but it is the way it is now. Gene came from a military family, he grew up in the military, he went to a military school and he was in the military for over 30 years He sees things differently and handles situations differently. He grew up differently then you did! When you disrespected him by calling him a liar about what he did and who he was that upset him it really. I know you, if anyone would have talked to you like you did him, questioned your background or disrespected you in any way you wouldn't ever let them forget it. It has happen! Life needs to go on! Also you need to hear what I say!
The 3rd and last thing that is really bugging me is my middle son Ricky and this mess between us! I don't understand why you accused me of what you did, I know you have to learn to quit listening to other people and what they say about me or what might or might not have happened. I have never and would never disclaim you as my son for any reason. Don't you remember what you put me through throughtout your 30 years! The horrid things you said many times to me throughout these 30 years. You listen to what other people say I have done or said. You don't listen to me! You don't give me a chance! Some things that you have said that have happen I know never happen and I haven't a clue where you got those notions from. I know certain people have told you things to make you mad at me and turn you against me and it has worked boy has it worked and I do not deserve it. I don't understand why you want to hate me so bad! You know if you ever needed anything within reason I tried to help you and that I was always there for you no matter what. Look at all the crazy girlfriends that you have had. Some got you into trouble and I was always there to pick up the pieces. Another thing Gene is not your enemy he never has been. Gene just will not let anyone disrespect me or talk ugly to me and I know that is different from what you are use to it is different for me. I do deserve better and you know it. Yes, I haven't been the perfect mother but you haven't been the perfect child. I have done the best that I could at the time and if you think about it you know it is true. You turned your back on me when I needed you the most and only came back when you needed something. When I needed you where were you! Yes, you where there for me at Davy's funeral and I shall never forget that and I did greatly appreciate your comfort at the time! I needed it! Thank you. There is so much more I can say but I shall let it be this is enough. I would like our realationship back, it won't happen overnight it is going to have to be a gradually thing. Life is too short for all this, we are only hear for a short time we have to make the best of what we have. Your mother, "May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
May the Lord hold you in the palm of His hand" Till tomorrow1

MAY ALReady

2008-05-18T18:42:00.000-07:00

It has been 2 months since I posted last. Alot has gone on! Me being sick for over 3 months, sinus infection, flu, bronchitis, phenomena sinus infection! Just the meanness coming out in me I guess. I have been trying to knit. I have finished a monkey, I didn't like this one too much. The pattern wasn't clear. I also finished a shawl that I had started with Crystal Palace Panda Silk yarn. It was the Ivy Trellis pattern, it did turn out very well! Here is a picture of it.

I have been working on this bag using Knit one Crochet Too Yarn, Paint box yarn! Not my favorite yarn the bag is getting longer and longer, I might try to felt it a little. Picture to come.

I am still working on my room. I still have aways to go to get it where I want it to be but it is getting there. Weeding out a few items.

I want to get back to my sewing, I need to get my friendship squares finished and in the mail, I am so behind on everything. I still haven't figured out Vista or Word 4.

In April I made a trip to WA state to Sock Camp sponsored by Socks that Rocks. It was on Orcus Island. Little place, it did snow there.

I really enjoyed myself and can't wait to go back next year. I learned alot and meet alot of nice people. My trip did get off to a bad start. I stayed in Raleigh the night before my early morning flight and my neighbors decided to party hardy so I got little sleep, then they messed up my boarding pass and I had to go through security twice, as soon as I got out of security it was time to board the plane. NO COFFEE, BAD!! My direct flight ended up being a stop over and change of plane in Ohio! No sleep! Finally got to WA got on my bus to the ferry, a long ride, the ferry ride was not all it was suppose to be! I hope I can avoid the ferry next year and go by plane to the Island. One of the things we made on at camp was a small version of the Cheeky Monkey, I used buttons for the eyes and it makes him a little scary. I call him the clown. He wasn't hard to make and we made him in 3 days. Now don't laugh!

We also made sock puppets, I don't think I took a picture of it. The Yarn Harlot was at camp and she was great, along with Cookie who did the Monkey sock, JC Briar designer and Cat Bordhi. I had my books of theirs with me but didn't get them signed and I didn't take any pictures! Too much too do to remember to take pictures. Bad me, my camera and I don't get along my pictures kept coming out fuzzy! I am looking at getting another camera. Here are a few pictures that I took while I was up there.

Gene has been down and out for the past 3 weeks or is it 4 maybe 5 long time that is all I know! It started with his hernia, went to a tooth that needed to be pulled to a viral infection to having a hernia operation and again I am getting use to the Army way of hospital and medical! I have been trying to get him to stay down, but he is a hard head and you would think that as sick as he has been he would listen.

My niece graduated from NCSU, here is a picture of us at her party. It was freezing outside, Matthew has his arm around me because I was trying to hid, Matthew's girlfriend, Rebecca is on his other side, my younger brother is doing the bunnie ears on me and my older brother is in the back row he is the father of my niece. My oldest son, his wife and master Noah is pictured along with my Aunt Margie who is 84 her granddaughter Leslie and Leslie's son! Aren't we a scary group! Josie is the one in the middle sort of in pink! No Ricky is still isn't speaking to me, we are going on 14th months now!

Hope everyone had a good Mother's day. Christopher, Kacie and Noah stayed with us the weekend and Matthew and his Girlfriend Rebeca came over Sunday evening. Rebeca brought me over a pint of Strawberries and I ate them all myself. I love fresh strawberries!

Here are a couple pictures of Noah around Easter. The little fellow is growing up like crazy, he is 16 months now and is doing real well, he loves for you to read and he can make alot of animal noises and loves trucks. His mom bought him a quad, that is a little 3 wheeler and he is a little demon! Oh yea for the big NEWS Master Noah is going to be a brother come the middle of November. I get to go down and stay with them when she goes into the hospital and stay with them for at least a week. Yea me!

Gene is still on track to get his Master's degree in June in VT! Yea! a week in VT

The weather here has been crazy, pollen count has been high, allergies bad, fire ants every where. I went outside to put fire ant killer on the mounds and I got bit twice, nice little blisters.

I will try and be a little better at posting and posting pictures. Take care, as I say on my signature line "May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
May the Lord hold you in the palm of His hand"

Just a quick note

2008-02-12T09:15:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted for awhile, so I thought I would take a moment to let you know what is going on. Christmas was great, Gene and I went to CT for Noah's Christening and Christmas. I got to have a real white Christmas. It was a blast. I got to play in the snow. Poor Noah was bundle up like a snow man! His Christening went fine, the service was 2 hours! Because of the snow they had missed the Sunday before so they did 2 services in one. Considering the time we all did very well. Gene was funny he said "God knew he had him in church so he was going to keep him for awhile" Christmas was Great at the Tartaro's. I got alot of time with the little fellow and there was so much food! I have never seen so much food before. You name it I think we had it! They had a dinner after the christening and all the family came. It was a good time! I had never seen Gene enjoy himself so much and was so at ease! The Tartaro's treated us like family and we truly had the best Christmas ever. The plane trip there and back wasn't bad. Of course right before we went I thought I had gotten over my broncutis at least that is what I made myself think!
Then Noah turned a year old January 21st same day as his PePaw Ray (Kacie's dad). The kids had a birthday party for him on the 26th. Of course I went down to SC to help with the party! Matthew and his girlfriend came and the Tartaro's where there. I was glad! The party was a blast for the kids. Noah is walking or should I say trotting around he is beginning to feel his Wheaties! There was 5 other little ones at his party and they all where a hoot! All in all I had a good time visiting. I was there for 3 days. Of course when I got back Gene had to leave for a business trip for the week. He came home on Thursday. While he was gone I got sick, I thought it was just a sinus infection so I took Bendryl and Tyneol. I was wrong. On Friday I was off to the doctors and I had a bad case of broncutis, I couldn't breath, my throat was so sore, I was coughing my lungs up (at least it felt like it) couldn't eat (need to shed a few pounds anyhow). I got lots of medicine and I got put on a breathing machine! It was hard to breath on that thing then when I got home I did nothing but throw up! Plus some of the medicine I was given bad me a mad women. As the week went on I didn't much better so Friday off I went to the doctors again just to be given more medicine and told that I now had pneonmonia! So I was banned to the couch went the threat not to do anything! You know me I can only stay down for awhile! So yesterday I did some cleaning and picking up! Guess I did too much because I was wore out and coughed all night. I was told again to stay down to let the medicine do it's thing, so I guess I will try again. I hate being sick and the house is coming in on me!
I have been trying to knit some, I have done much, I had to stop working on my sweater and socks so I started the Hemlock ring blanket, using yarn from my stash. I won't tell Gene what I am knitting because I don't know what it is going to look like. I am using Homespun yarn and I do believe I chose the wrong yarn to work with. Homespun isn't my favorite yarn but I have alot so I need to try to use it up.
I am typing on my laptop that I got for Christmas, (not suppose to go upstairs, I started rearranging my sewing/craft room before I got so sick and I have 2 rooms in a huge mess and it is bugging me so I am not suppose to go up there to work on it, Gene says I don't know when to stop) Anyhow when I get to go upstairs I will post some pictures of what I have been working on, the christening, Christmas and the birthday!
Meanwhile everyone take care. Boys remember Moma loves you! Ricky I miss you!

Another Day

2007-11-19T11:34:00.000-08:00

We went to a craft show and Santa was there so I had a picture taken of Matthew and I sitting on poor ole Santa's lap! Santa told Matthew he was pulling on his beard! I don't think you can tell from the picture but santa's suit is camo! It was great to have him and his girlfriend Rebecca

I give up

2007-11-15T11:26:00.000-08:00

I give up, it is just one of those days, weeks, months I guess where 2 steps forward 10 steps back.
My canon camera died and I sorely missed it! We went to have picture made from the disc and I did not go to Ritz like I usually do I went to a place in Fayetteville and asked that they make me a disc of the pictures! I can't open the @**% disc up! I am going to have to now go back to Ritz which is in Raleigh and get a disc made of the pictures. I have to send the camera back to Canon to fix it! There is something wrong with a chip in the camera and it is covered by a recall so I will send it in. Meanwhile I guess I will have to figure out how to use the other camera, and how to download pictures! Means I will have to put more software on my computer. Gene says my computer is going to explode with all the software on it now! It just ticks me off, I told the lady I wanted a disc of the pictures to use on my computer and I have no idea what program she used! I can't download the pictures
Well how has every one been. We are good here. I should have gone to get my shots today but will wait until tomorrow and do the whole run around at the same time. I am still trying to find a place to stay in CT for Noah's christianing! It's going to be expensive any way I look at it I tried calling this one B & B in Watertown and the number has been changed then it was changed to unlisted! Hum what is going on there. I guess I need to go on post and check and see if they have any suggestions!
I am knitting on a shawl/stole for a yarn company need to get some more done and pictues taken soon! I have been helping a couple ladies learn how to knit socks. Last night we just worked on casting on. We had fun! My sweater is coming along hopefully I will get pictures of it up one day! After I get a new disc made that is!
The weather can't make up it's minds if we are going to be hot or cold, we just need some rain!
Last weekend Gene took me to Camp Macaw (not sure if that is how you spell it) The camp is part of Fort Bragg, we walked around. He is writting an article and a book on the Camp. It has some very interesting history! They use to train glider pilots there and that is where Special Forces does there thing. Alot of memories for him, I didn't know we where going there so I really didn't have my hiking boots or socks on! Next time I will! We walked for about 2 hours or so, he explained where things use to be. They have tore down all the old buildings. Shame! He did find someone who had alot of pictures of the camp and gliders. I love history and this is something alot of people would never see or know! So much has gone on behind scenes that we never know exist! The special oops department on Fort Bragg does publish a magazine quartly that is very good and it tells about the different groups and what they did and were they where, that is things that have been declassified! Anyone can get the magazine. I enjoyed the walk and could see the men 50 60 years ago walking the same paths that I did, I could stand where the parachute rigging buildings where and see the guys packing parachutes! At the landing fields you could image the planes and gliders and the guys jumping, good imagations huh!
I don't have any pictures since they are on the %&%* disc, so I will have to wait to post any pictures. Next time, there will be pictures!
Everyone have a good Thanksgiving. I will have 2 of the 3 boys and 1 of the 2 grandsons for Thanksgiving, I am thankful for that! Just remember my little boy (and you know who you are) Mom loves you and you will always be my little boy no matter what even though you are the biggest pain in my rear end!
Take care everyone. Love to all my friends and enemies, love you boys! Mom

What's been going on

2007-10-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update as to what has been going on, No pictures this time hopefully next time. Last Saturday the 6th we went to the air show at Pope Air Force Base. We had a grand time! I love airplanes we didn't have any problems getting to the Base, Gene had lots of memories to relive! Of all the times he had to wait for his turn to jump or go where ever he wasn't going. Saturday was very cloudy to start off with that we didn't think that the clouds would lift so the planes could fly. We knew that the Golden Knights wouldn't be jumping because of the clouds but at 12:30 they did let the planes start to fly but they didn't get to go up high which was disappointing. The War Hogs didn't get to fly, Gene loves those planes, those are the old war planes. They are neat planes but they don't fly as fast as the new planes. The Thunderbirds did fly at 3. I was surprised to see that there where 2 women flying the planes. The Thunderbird show was good but I still like the Snowbirds air plane show, their show is much better. More planes, faster, better flying! Not that the Thunderbirds show wasn't good... When the show was over it took us 2 hours to get back to our car! To get to the air field you cannot just drive there you have to park on the army post and then catch a bus to the air field. To get to our car was horrible someone forgot to tell the air force how to get all the people back to their cars! No one knew where our line for our bus was to start so one person took it upon himself to get our line started in the correct place. After that it wasn't a problem. I swear there was alto of upset people that day!
After the show we went out to eat at the local German eater! While we where there an older gentleman came in and introduced us to his nephew, who just happen to be #7 for the Thunderbirds. A little exciting for us, then we where given 2 VIP tickets for the Thunderbird tent on Sunday. Now we weren't planning on going to the air show on Sunday, I wanted to go but knew Gene had a paper due on Sunday so I didn't think we would be going but we did. Happy Happy!
Now getting to the air field on Sunday was another question! It took us at least 45 minuets to get to the field, the clouds where high so the planes could fly high and fast. We missed the Golden Knights jump but I did get to see one of the men. The VIP tent was neat we where right across from the Thunderbird planes so we got to see all the pilots up close and front! Gene got alot of pictures of the sky! We have a new camera and he didn't practice using it before we to the show. We still have to figure out how to use it. He did get some good pictures though that I will picture later. Gene got to see the War Hogs up close and they flew it was exciting. We checked out the other planes and went about watching the planes. Leaving the show was another question again. It was more organized but the lines where very long and it did take us over 2 hours to get our bus! It was worth it though. This was to be the last show at Pope! The Army will take over the base due to the realignment so the air field will belong to the Army.
I did get to see an old friend that I use to work with. It was nice seeing her again. Gene ran into someone he knew from his days in the Army and then we ran into 2 people from the SF team house. Strange who you run into in the unlikely places. I love watching the planes they go so fast they your heart catches. I did wear ear plugs. If I wanted to hear I had to wear them. When you are that close to so many planes one can barely hear. The Army had some of their equipment there. Jeeps, mortar shooters, their backpacks, (I know that's not what they are called!) The medics had their set ups, there was some older planes and helicopters that you could go through! Of course we tried to check everything out but ran out of time both days! We where both tired. We both got a little red on Sunday. We did get the grand boys and me some souviers. Couldn't leave without an airplane or two or a new hat! Yes, I will wear a ball hat! Especially if we ride in the Mustang with the top down! Wearing the hat blow the boys away! Mom isn't the same person! I must say I am much happier!
Before I forget I got to tell you something funny! For some reason people don't think I am as old as I am. Well I went to have lunch with Matthew (He is my youngest son) at his new job last Friday after the Bernina meeting. I meet some of the people he works with inside they are nice people. I hope things will work out for him there for awhile. Anyhow Matthew called me this week and said I couldn't come back to his work, (Joking) he said they (guys outside who I didn't meet) thought that I was his girlfriend! That was a hoot!! When he told them I was his mom they didn't believe him, they said I looked to young to have him for a son, he is 26! (I was laughing quietly), He kept telling them that I was his mom then they asked for my phone #. (Still laughing) He sounded a bit beside himself, he said I told them that you where my mom not my girlfriend and that they couldn't have your phone # because she was married! (trying to just snicker after that). They never had experience that before! I have changed some, alot in many ways, I carry myself some what differently, take a little better care of myself, smile more, dress better ( I don't wear clothes 2 sizes to big for me), I have been wearing alot of skirts, I love full flowing skirts, I like to twill around in them. Still a little girl at heart. The guys where Gene works still don't believe there is just 2 years difference in our age! Food for thought for them! Makes me feel good sometimes. Gene calls me his babett! I laugh I don't see myself as that! Too long of a story..
That has been our excitement for the month so far. Gene is writing his last short paper for his master's program and answered his last questions this week. He is still working on the paper, it has to be turned in tomorrow and I still have to read it! It looks like we go to Vermont in June. After tomorrow I hope to get him started working on plane tickets to Ct for Noah's christening which is going to be the 23rd of December. I am really not looking forward to the Holidays this year with all the garbage that has been going on! I know Thanksgiving will be here and as far as I know Gene's mom will be her, Matthew and hopefully Chris, Kacie and Master Noah! I am standing my ground I am not going to be the one to call Ricky! It is a Gene's said and I have to agree with him as does some others, Ricky should have talked to Gene instead of talking to me saying what he did. It should have been the two of them talking and getting things talked through. Gene was going to talk to him but Ricky was gone then.... enough I still don't understand why my family thinks that it is okay to do me wrong and that I have to forgive and forget when I am accused of something I haven't done or said or better yet when someone has said something ugly or wronged me! I was told that should be "water under the bridge" and I need to move on! I am not perfect but I am human and do have feeling and I am so, so tired of walking on egg shells as not to upset some people. But it is perfectly okay for them to talk trash about me behind my back or take things or just da**** it be ugly! Life is just too short and you all have heard me rant enough about this situation.
I went to have my allergy test done on Friday the 12th. 73 shots later I was off the charts and will start 4 allergy shots twice a week for a few months and work down to just 2 shots once a week! That doesn't sound like fun but if it will keep me well I will do it. My poor right arm looks a mess with all the red welts and they itch and I can't scratch! I am allergic to everything in the air, (which I knew) grasses, weeds and some trees are the worse! Mold is bad, mites, I had to go out and buy covers for the mattress and pillows, dust, (Molly Maids every 2 months) cigarette smoke bad and what surprised me the most was that I was highly allergic to cats. I have always had a cat until now. Our last cat "Sunshine" was a character. The dogs knew he ruled the house and yard and they gave him wide berth! He was a yellow tabby, fat thing. He loved to bring me presents and put them outside the front door! Mice! Urk! A dumb possum got in a fight with him and Sunshine was 12 and didn't have the fight in him like he use to and that possum was huge! Gene shot the possum! Sunshine didn't last long after that! It broke my heart to know he was gone, but he was buried next to Buster so I know they are looking after each other.
Well I have rattled on enough this time. We still haven't had any rain. The State Fair started this past Friday and we are to go on the 19th! Gene wants to go to the antique store at Cameron Village in Raleigh but I don't think we will make that also! I write more about the fair. Maybe we can take the little camera and take some pictures. We will see.
For those of you who have heard of Paul Potts, the English gentleman that blow away the talent search contest in England (Talent show, I can't remember the name it is like the one we have hear that I don't watch) I heard him first on you tube. He has a beautiful voice! When he sings it gives you chills. Paul has a CD out I didn't know it until I went to Walmart today, it is called "One Chance" The Cd is more than just great, He sings the "Music of the Night" from the Phantom, it is the best I have heard in a long time. Go buy the CD listen enjoy it is worth it! That will be all for now, take care, have a good week, boys, grand boys, mom grand mom loves you and you are always in my heart, mind and prayers. Bless you all!

Noah at the computer

2007-09-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

I just had to post these 2 pictures of Noah. I got a good laugh out of them when I saw the pictures because Noah reminded me so much of his dad. I'll post more knitting and quilting another day. Enjoy the pictures. I have seen this look on his dad's face when he was little. Doesn't he look like he knows what he is doing. Chris says Noah loves to push buttons and chew on telephones. The little stinker knows the difference between the phone and TV turner if you place them side by side. I don't think Noah is going to crawl, he loves to stand up too much, I think he will just walk when he is ready. Janet enjoy the pictures. Love you boys Your Mom and Grandmom!

It's the end of September already

2007-09-28T11:06:00.000-07:00

Someone sent this to me many years ago and I just found it. I put it up on my design board, hoping that it would make me finish a project before starting a new one. Yea! I bought McKnna Ryan's quilt kit "In Full Bloom" I went to Staples and had them make pattern sheets that I can cut up that way I won't mess up the orginal pattern. This quilt is going to be done just like my Army quilt that I am working on. Need to finish the Army quilt first.

I can't believe that October is just a few days away! Time has gone by fast. The State fair is just in a few weeks. I haven't entered anything in it again this year. Next year I hope to enter either my MS3 shawl, finished or my Army quilt ! I also have a Flag quilt that I need to finish, forgot to take a picture of it. I have the strips done, I have 3 rows of the stars done and they are pinned on a mini design board. I have been working on this pair of socks for Gene, I had to find more of the yarn because I made the longer than the pattern said to, but then I never go by a pattern, Gene likes his socks long on his leg, army days, I have one just about finished! I just need more time in a day.

I am in a group on Yahoo called Noqquilt and we are exchanging Friendship stars, I have them pinned on my large design board. I am waiting for them to talk to me as to how they want to be arranged.

If I can get my mind too it I have about 10 purses that I have knitted/designed that I need to do finishing touches to. I have had most of these bags done for over 2 years. I just can't seem to set down and do the beading that I want to do. I have the beads and beads. I keep changing my mind what I want to do to them. Gene and the boys keep telling me to finish them and to sell them. A couple of them I have scarfs made to match them.

What has been going on here since I posted last: Gene is almost half way finished with this session of his master's program! He doesn't like this sessions to much. His boss at work is already on his case to start thinking about going for his doctorate! I think it is a good idea, but I think he needs a couple of months after he finishes this program to rest his weary brain. I must admit I have learned a lot these last 18 months. We have been watching the "War" program on PBS about WWII and alot of what he has written/learned about was there. Of course he already knew alot about WWII his father was in the Navy I believe during WWII! Gene grew up with the military, his father was in WWII and I know his dad did 2 tours in Vietnam in the Army Special Forces. I think his dad was in another war but I don't remember! I know he had 2 Uncles in WWI. We have alot of pictures and cards from his Uncle time in Europe during the war. Some of the cards are very neat!

I am doing okay, sinuses are driving me crazy, I have had a nasty headache all week. Plus I was trying not to step on the little dog and twisted my right leg, my driving foot for my sewing machine and car. The stupid thing has been swollen all week and hurts like heck! I go to the doctors on Tuesday so we will see. I don't think they will tell me to do anything except what I am doing now, keeping it elevated and on ice! I did finish the quilt for RaNae for her book. Charlotte had started it and couldn't get it finished so I finished it and I will put it in the mail tomorrow for her. I can't show you a picture of it since it will be in a book. I have been busy this week sewing the quilt and knitting.

Little Noah has 2 bottom teeth now and the top 2 are trying to come through. I have a new picture of him, Chris sent me some pictures from snapfish and I ordered them. I don't have any way to post the picture. I am going to e-mail Chris to send me the picture though. John David turned 3 on Sunday the 21st, no I didn't get to go to his party, I did send his present by my younger son. I know they had a good time. My younger son got another job, this job is in Raleigh. It means more money for him but is alot furture away from me then his current job. I will have to go to Raleigh to see him. I go into Raleigh at least once a month maybe now it will be more.He is still living with his brother. Hopefully by the new year he will be able to afford his own place.

The animals are fine, Gene still spoils the heck out of them especially Harley! The dog sleeps 23 1/2 hours a day! Lazy little fellow.

Well that is all for now. Need to get a few things done. As aways love to my boys from your mom and grand mom. I do hope everyone out there has a good month.

Another Day and the end of August

2007-09-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures for everyone, the first is of my puppy Simon, he is 8 years old. This is before Matthew gave him a hair cut. I don't have a picture of him after, but he really did a number on him. Simon is a sweetheart to some, but you don't want to come after me. I had a friend that just went to shake my hand and I had to have help holding Mr. Simon back! I am very careful about letting people around him. Simon does love his back yard! He just let's Gene mow and clean it up from time to time! Love the pouch.
These are the flowers gene gave me for my birthday! The reds where so deep red and they lasted 2 weeks! I keep telling people don't give me flowers when I die I want to be able to see them. Some more birthday pictures: My youngest son Matthew is on the left looking at his phone checking out who is calling him, that is which girl! He forgot to shave for a couple of days, I was just glad he was there. My oldest son is to the right, Christopher, next to him is his wife Kacie, the mother and father of Mr. Noah (Mr. Cool-Breeze who always has a big smile for you) They missed my jump by just an hour or so, they had to come from SC beach so they did good getting here. And here is Mr. Smiling Noah with his PaPa! You just want to pinch those cheeks or kiss them or both! The little fellow is just over 6 months and now has 2 bottom teeth and the top 2 looks like they want to come through. He weighs about 24 pounds and is solid like a brick. We think he gets that from Kacie's Dad, Ray! The boy likes to eat. He is one sweetie.

Our 2nd Wedding Anniversity was 8-27-07, we went to Wilimington, NC to the Battleship! My idea. I had not been to the ship since the boys where little and they had opened up alot more for people to see! Gene hadn't been in about 10 years or so, the ship, boat had changed for him also. We had a blast, we went from steern to bow (think that is how you spell it) I got to go up in the gun tennerys, we went up we went down we went every where you could on the boat and sometimes we rewent places because we took a wrong turn, but it was fun. I keep telling Gene that I don't think we saw everything but we where on the boat/ship for about 3 hours. Here are a few pictures of our adventure that day! First picture is of Gene at the ship's bell! this is another picture of Gene at the big chains. You know walking through the ship you had to be a small person, being tall you would have to stoop alot and you had to be very skinny to fit in some of the places they put you, especially where they loaded the powder to shot the big guns! I can't stand to be in tight places, I would go crazy I think. The hospital part of the ship didn't look to pleasant either. here I am in the Captains chair looking out across to front street in Wilimington. The seat wasn't very comfortable but it was a good view. My favorite part was getting to sit in the gunnery seat and look like I was shooting! I wonder who I was pretending to shoot! I could turn the gun around to make sure I got the right target! I have a few ideas! But I won't go there for now! Here is another picture of me that Gene likes, He calls me killer here. He says I look like I was having way too much fun behind the guns.
After the battleship we went over to Front Street or River Street! I got to see the steps of the Courthouse where Matlock was filmed. They have cleaned up River Street alot since I was last there about 7 years ago. There wasn't many shops open but the Cotton place was opened so I did pick up a few t-shirts and some beads for some shawls!
I am waiting to get the go ahead to tandem jump again. Need to wait I was told! The sky is still calling me. I am even thinking of taking solo jump lessons. Gene says as long as he can pick who teaches me it is a ok! So watch out.
Now you are probably wondering if I am knitting. I still am working on the Fir Cone Shawl, The MS3 that I have frogged several times, can't seem to count! I have a sweater started and a pair of socks that I am working on, plus a quilted table runner and another quilt! I just don't have enough time in a day to be able to do everything that I want to do. Hopefully I can post some pictures of some of my knitting at my next posting. The video of the jump is still on hold. So everyone take care, pray for our soldiers and those you love. Remember my little boys (all 3 of you) and my little grandboys (both) Moma, Grandma Loves you!

My Birthday Jump August 11

2007-08-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to download/upload the video of my parachute jump but without fail. So I have a few pictures of that day.
We arrived at the airfield at 9 am on the 11th. Gene, my son Matthew and Gene's mom was there. This was my first jump! Now many of you may think I am crazy, but the sky has been calling me since I was little and I have always wanted to jump out of a plane! Go figure! I have had a few friends to tell me that I am not right in the head at times. Another my dear husband being in the Army, a Ranger and in Special Forces jumped alot! He knew how much I wanted to jump so for my birthday he arranged for me to jump with John. It was a tandem jump, I was attached to John with some straps! I was walking high all morning! I listen to the teacher as to what we where to do, head back, arc back, legs bent between partners knees or we would spin!
The first picture is of me suited up in the jumpsuit they have you where, John is making sure everything is just right, the next picture is of me waiting, waiting for the plane to come, ah the plane is here and off we go! No butterflies, not scared, I could have skipped all the way there but I contained myself! Now I won't say my heart wasn't beating fast, but I couldn't wait to fly! The next picture is of me sitting on the edge of the plane just as we are to jump out, then out the door we go! Oh so cool! John pops the little shute and we are flying I don't know if you can see the smile on my face in the 7th picture but I was beaming ear to ear! It was more than I could ever ask for! I knew my grandparents where seating on the clouds watching me shaking their heads saying their she goes! It is so hard to explain the feeling I had it was just a total awsome feeling and I will do it again and again! The 8th picture is us coming through the clouds, the scenerly was the best, I hated to land. We landed on our butts, we slid in, totally cool and then you see me walking away still smiling wanting to go again but John was filled up that day! The last picture is of my Birthday Cake, Jets flying through the sky! The boys just shook their heads. When Matthew said the blessing at lunch he said, "Thank you Lord for letting Mommy get closer to you but thank you more for letting her to come down safely" I thought that was sweet of him! I knew I was in good hands. Gene would only let me jump with someone he trusted and John was very good and was a rigger for the Army with many jumps under his belts. The rest of the day I stayed in the clouds and the day after. I can't wait to jump again. The video of the jump is better than the pictures, Gene laughs he says I am going to wear the video out and maybe some day I will get it up on my blog, mean while enjoy the pictures. Thanks for looking.

Some pretty pictues of a sweet little boy

2007-07-27T13:09:00.000-07:00

I just thought I would post a couple of pictures of Baby Noah and his Dad and Mom. He is 4 months in these pictures. I just love his smile. He looks just like his dad.

Aren't they a cute pair!

I love his smile and his eyes just twinkle. You can't tell I am his grandmother can you! He is a cutie pie.

As you can see I have tried to post a couple buttons to my blog I finally got one to work but I can't get the other one to work. I am going to give up for awhile. These pictues are for a happy note. Best wishes to all.

My Past Tuesday the 24th

2007-07-27T12:31:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was D day for me for my colon test! Now I hate these test but I know they saved my life. Monday at 11 was my last meal. Gene said I was being a bit dramatic but it felt like it to me! Starting Monday I had to take 4 horse pills every 15 minutes with 8 ozs of water! I couldn't do it, I did it every 30-45 minutes, all I can have is water, black coffee, gum, coke, and frozen fruit juice with no pulp! My night time I don't feel too well! I keep busy, washing clothes, knitting checking internet, house work! Tuesday isn't much better, I keep myself busy, Gene gets home at 2;15 and after he gets his computer together we are off for the 3:30 appointment! I get there fill out the paperwork, go to the restroom and what do I do, I like the restroom! oops.... I get called back, now I haven't eaten and the last time I drank anything was right before we left and it was just a sip of water! I answer 10 more pages of questions, and the nurse gets ready to do the IV, I tell her that we usually don't use the right arm because it doesn't do right, but she says she has too! Let's say after too painful sticks and those who know me know that I hate needles and thinking I was at the beach with the waves rolling in didn't work! All I could hear her say was I have a bubble and mumbles! Then she goes to get another nurse who looks at my right arm and goes after my left hand! She thumps it, I hollar, they say I am fighting them, I say it hurts! They think they have it in! They think, it is on a bone and it hurts like heck!
The nurse leaves and comes back to tell me they are running a little behind, it is 4:30 now! Gene comes back to stay with me he works on his paper, we talk and it is past 6: I am wanted a steak and bake potatoe now! I don't remember what time it was but they finally come in and decided to take me back. I tell them nicely to knock me out I don't want to feel it! I have had at least 6 of these things 4 in one year and I was awake one time and that was one time too many! The nurse tells me never fear I won't know a thing. She tells me I should be getting light headed and go to sleep! Nothing! Doctor says give her more, still nothing! Now I don't do antesia well to begin with but I see the nurse push more drugs in my IV but I am still awake, I don't feel anything but I can see what he is doing! At least this didn't take long. Next thing I am in a room and Gene is in there and another nurse ask if I want something to drink, apple juice, pepsi or water! I tried water but I got sick. I was told to get dressed and started feeling really bad, I got sick, poor Gene could find the throw up thing fast enough! We finally get to leave! Needless to say my steak and potatoe is off the list, we get home after 8pm, the doctor's office is about 20=25 minutes away, Gene sits me on the couch and I am out! I stay out until 10 come alive for a minute or two then out again, then on Wednesday I am down and out! I stayed sick, crackers and warm coke or tea! Thursday I did eat a little more but not much! Still tired, arm and hand are purple, you can see a trail of the veins!
After all of this the best thing the doctor told us was that there was not ANY pulps. That is right NO pulps that is the first time in I don't know how long, first thing first thank you Lord, a look of relief comes over Gene's face! The doctor also shows him a picture of my CLEAN colon and shows where the last surgery was and it has healed with no scare tissue We where both so glad! I guess 3 days of misery was worth it! And life goes on.
Still planning on jumping on August the 11th, we won't make the SF meeting at the team house because I will be jumping out of a plane. My X mother in law was wanting to know if I had lost my mind, told her no so she said she was going to try to make it there! Told her A OK with Us. No I still don't have my voice back yet, no I haven't heard from my middle child don't expect too! Life is just too short. I have give or I am trying to give that problem over to a higher power (the good Lord) to take care of because I can't worry or stress about it any more! Sometimes things are not what they look at and sometimes people make things out to be what they aren't! I have been dealing with this for 54 years and will for the rest of my life! Everyone take care, May God bless and have a great life!

It's been awhile

2007-07-22T12:21:00.000-07:00

Just a few words. I have been trying to figure out how to add buttons to my blog but haven't had much luck! I am doing the MS3 mysterystole, it is a lace shawl, it isn't that hard to do I'll post a picture when I have a little more done to it. Right now I have a pair of socks, a purse and two shawls that I am working on along with 4 quilts, a Friendship star square swap, one for my grandson Noah to match the bumper pads that I made for him, the Army quilt for my husband that he has been watching me do and then the last one quilt is for a lady, I am having a time with it! I guess I chose a hard theme to do! My mind just hasn't got wrapped around her quilt yet. I did get a design board to put my squares and such up on so I can look at what I am trying to do.
Why things can't be a little easier for us I don't understand. Because one person messed up I got sick with a bad sinus infection back in May, then we had to get a new air unit! The new fancy filters that they added where recalled after a week so we are waiting for the new units! Because of that one person, trash was blown in the house and the dust was horrible, every time I dusted I got sicker! So I quit dusting, Gene used the sweeper to clean the carpet when I wasn't around! The infection went into another infection which went into another infection and I still couldn't talk because of swollen throat! The medicine the doctors give me don't help much but they do make me sick, and then I get one antibiotic that I am allergic too! We then break down to have someone clean the house to get rid of the dust! They (Merry Maids) come on Friday, and now the air isn't working right upstairs. Somehow the girl has put it on a permanent hold for the air not to come on and it is hot up here! Can we get it corrected no, the directions don't make any sense to get rid of it, how the Merry maids dorked it up I can't figure out! I haven't been up here since Saturday night because we went to Cameron looking at Antiques that they didn't have! Oops someone forgot to tell the Antique dealers that they where suppose to be having a Antique show!!
The Merry maids did a good job cleaning, the one who sweeped didn't know how to clean corners though! I will admit they did dust well including the blinds. The curtains have gone to the cleaners and I am slowly washing all of the bathroom rugs, shower curtains, blankets and bedding! This one persons mess has cost us our vacation but we had to get the air fixed for their mess and then clean up the dust that was blow in the house from the mess! When you dusted everything was black! Now I have to get the carpets, couch and chairs clean and that is going to be costly if I don't find a coupon for Stanley Steamer!
Gene goes I'll clean the couch and chair, when will you have time, he spends all his time on his master program! I think we will both be glad when the program is over and his paper turned in!
We both go back to the doctors this week. Me for a check up on my colon. I am taking the pills this time. The pills are huge! Need to do it, kind of scared but I have to think positive. They will find pulps but hopefully not any more bad ones. Gene's doctor appointment is for a check up for his stomach! Just to make sure everything is okay. I don't know if they will scope him out or not will have to wait. I go Tuesday him Wenesday then I go to Raleigh on Thursday for my hair! Guess I can make it to the Bernina store and the yarn store the same day! Need to go to Ritz's to get some pictures done.
The dogs are doing good. Simon keeps digging! I wish he would quit! Harley follows you around every where till it gets on your last nerve.
The boys at least I know the two of them are doing okay. Noah is growing like a weed and giving Christopher a fit. The things he tells me reminds me of when they where little! Wish I could see the little fellow. Matthew says John David is doing okay! Life has to go on! That son of mine just doesn't know how much he hurt me, why couldn't he have listened to me and just kept quite and things would have been okay by now! Life is just way to short for this mess. If you read this little boy Moma loves you and misses you. And you will always be the pain in my fourth point of contact!
Tony's little one's turn Two today, Happy Birthday to JoAnn and Anthony! Hope you got my card and present!
Gene had a classmate to pass away this week unexpectedly, he won't say anything but I know it bothers him, especially since the guy called him about a month ago and with all the mess we have been going through he hadn't gotten back to calling him. The father of the Army "Rangers" also died this week "Darby" I think is what Gene called him, forgive me if it wasn't. He is going to buried at West Point this weekend.
On a good point I am still going to jump out of an airplane on my Birthday. I can't wait! I just hope nothing goes wrong so that I do get to jump. Lorraine, my X mother in law is suppose to come. She said if I ever jumped she wanted to be there so I sent her a letter and told her when. Of course she thinks I am crazy! Nothing new she always thought that.
Hopefully I will have some pictures next week till then take care everyone

Tuesday

2007-06-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

Well I haven't been writing for awhile, with Gene being under the weather and myself. You have heard about bats in the belfry (I think that is how you spell it anyhow we had bats in our garage attic, we had about 20 adult bats and another 30 baby bats, we had to get the batman, yes he was called the batman to come out and clean out the attic! They where creepy! The batman as you can see let the babies crawl over him!
There is a picture of them in the attic, yes they hang upside down! Somehow the screen inside the attic got torn and the bats got in that way! As of last night they are all gone! We have everything screened up! One reason we could have been sick, not to mention the mold under the house on the installation! I have been without a voice for about 5 weeks now! At least I get to go to an ears nose or throat doctor tomorrow. I am not thrilled about having to go have the barren (again misspelled) swollen and X rays. My spelling is really off today!

As I promised just a couple of things that I have knitted, but have not quit finished. This is a purse I started, I have rolled the hem down but now I need to figure out how to attach a handle. I really don't want to poke a hole in the top, it is felted, but I may have too! Still thinking on it

Here is a pair of socks I knitted, I am not happy with them, I did the first sock as the pattern said, but wasn't happy with it so I changed it around a bit. The yarn was too heavy so I guess they can be just worn around the house without shoes on! Then I don't know how long the bottom will last! Maybe I will add something to the bottom of the socks so they don't wear out as quick!

This is one of my favorite quilts that I did, I call it "Purple" it is a million little squares sewed together! I love the yellow in the quilt, I think it makes the quilt. But then the boys say in all the quilts I make there is purple or yellow in it some where!

Here is my barky dog Simon! Lately all he does is bark! I love the dog to death, but how he can bark 3 hours straight I can't figure out. He looks like a friendly dog, he is a teddy bear with me, my husband or my younger son, but don't you dare go in his back yard or come towards any of us. He can be very aggressive towards strangers. He owns the back yard we just keep it cleaned up for him! He lets his little brother, Harley out but he has to get the sniff down when ever we let Harley out. Harley is our second dog, a Bengal colored miniature dachshund.

Last but not least is another picture of my little fellow Noah! He is looking at me like what the heck am I doing! This picture was taken about 2 months ago! The boy is just 4 months old but growing in leaps and bounds. They have in 6 month clothing already. I still think it looks like his dad. But then that is a mom/grandmom opinion. He is still a sweetie.

I think I have posted enough for the day. Let's see what do I have on the sewing machine, I still have my husband's Army quilt and flag quilt! I have my friendship squares to finish and the Christmas exchange squares that are due in July and I am way behind because of not feeling well. On the knitting needles I have a pullover sweater, button down the front sweater, a pair of socks, a sweater for Noah, and 2 shawls. I need to seriously get busy and finish somethings up. Till another day stay cool, enjoy life, smell the flowers and watch out for bats in your yard!

Just another day

2007-05-30T11:01:00.001-07:00

Another day at the Doctor's this time Gene had to go also. This is week 2 for the sinus infection, I don't think it is ever going to go away i got more antibodies!

Gene has a Viral Infection. I tried to tell him but he wouldn't listen or go to doctors! When he coughed it sounded like he was going to cough up a lung. I swear the man is as hard head as they come. He has been sick for over a week and kept saying he would get better, trying to get medicine down him was like choking a horse but I got some down him. I kept his fever down. The doctor gave him a butt load of medicine today! I had him eat some soup and then gave him all his medicine. At least he is asleep right now.

We went to the beach this past weekend, Saturday was Gene's birthday, he laid on the couch the entire weekend and I stayed at the pool, read a book and I did walk to the beach. I got sunburned some, but at least I wasn't home and I could hear him coughing while I was outside. I was glad that restrurants where within walking distance as the beach. I got him him food and ice cream. Of course he complained the whole time. He says I am terrible when I am sick, I have news for him, he has me beat he is worse.

We didn't make it to our neighbors funeral and that upset me some but Gene could not have gone.

I haven't got to knit or sew much these past 2 weeks. One because of sickness two because it is so darn hot upstairs in my room so no sewing. It gets so warm up here you want to fall asleep. Next week that will change, we get a new cooling system, 2 one for upstairs one for downstairs, Yea!

Well I will close I was going to post a picture of boys and me together Aren't they great looking boys. They are my sweeties. This picture was taken almost 2 years ago at our wedding. I made my dress and the boys all had on purple ties, they where so cute! Till next time, take care and have a good week.

I have been tagged, but I don't have anyone else to tag

2007-05-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by Deb with the "7 things" meme.

Rules: Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves.

Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game.

You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog.

You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Here goes:
1. I want to learn to parachute out of a plane.
2. Ice Cream is my friend, Coffee ice cream
3. I am not a morning person, if you are going to wake me before 7 am then you best have some strong coffee waiting.
4. I bore easily that is why I try to keep busy, I love to sew, quilt and knit.
5. I HATE being RUSHED!
6. I hate being interupted when speaking. It's just plain rude!! I don't interupt others and expect the same respect.
7. I love lilacs, my husband, my boys, my grandsons and daughter in laws!

Now who do I tag? Most everyone I know have been tagged or do not have a blog! What to do!

Tired of Being Sick

2007-05-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

It has been a week now and I am tired of being sick. I have been having bad headaches for the last 2 weeks but then I woke up on Monday with a horrible sore throat and ear ache and no voice! Then I had to try and make a doctor's appoinment! Have you tried to make a doctors appoinment when everyone is sick, noone can hear you cause you can not talk and the active duty guys have first dips on the doctors appoinments. After half a day I finally got in to see the doc, then it took another half a day to get the meds. No knitting or sewing got done the last few days. I want to go to the beach! Oh the beach, sand in my toes and waves lapping!

I got to see my littlest grandson this weekend Noah! He is really growing and getting to be a little hand full but still a cutie pie, here is a picture of him, we call him cool breeze in this picture. In this picture he is only 3 months. He is almost 4 months now. Love his glasses and smile.

He loves for you to rub his tummy and walk around outside, he is a happy baby most of the time and a big eater! I got the golden shower this weekend even though I thought I had him covered. I have to be more careful next time. I cannot forget my oldest grandson John David, he's a little cutie also.Need to go rest for now. Will post another one of my quilts tomorrow. My purple quilt! Good night boys

Knitting

2007-05-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

I enjoy knitting. I have been knitting off and on now for over 36 years. I am self taught. I haven't taken any classes to learn to knit, but I do ask questions and I have lots of books. I have a spinning wheel that my dear husband gave me in 2005 before we where married. This summer I want to learn to spin correctly. Knitting can be very relaxing. I don't like to be rushed when knitting. I have started knitting socks, doing a little designing, my goal is to sell some of my designs as patterns or finished works. As far as yarn goes my husband keeps saying that he thinks he needs to put support beams under my sewing/craft room. He encourages me to be creative and to do my thing.

The first picture is a picture of a sweater that I knitted for my nephew for his first birthday. I don't remember what pattern I started out with, I tend to start a pattern then change things as I go. I had a hard time finding yarn for a little boy. The yarn had to be very masculine or he wouldn't have been able to wear it! Nothing sissy as I was told. Why there can't be more masculine or boyish stripe yarn out there I don't know, Not brown yarn, I get tired of blue! Boys can wear more than just blue can't they? At least that is what I keep telling everyone. The next picture is a pair of felted booties that I made for my oldest son when he told me that they where pregant. I knew the baby was going to be a boy! Just a feeling I had they thought it was going to be a boy also. I have 3 boys, 3 brothers, I had 2 brother in laws now they are X brother in laws and I now only have 1 brother in law. I already have a 2 year old grandson so something told me this baby was going to be a boy also and he was. My son and daughter in law opted to wait until the baby was born to find out the sex which I was glad of, everyone needs a surprise, I had 3! The little fellow was born in January of 2007. He was a big baby 8 lbs, they named him Noah, he is such a cutie pie. I will get permission to post his picture here from his parents. Anyhow they loved the booties, I don't think he will ever where them though because they would be too small for him now at 3 months. I have knitted him a sweater and a couple of hats which he has worn. I have a couple of more projects waiting to get started for him. Well that is all for now. Still can't seem to get the writting and the picture thing down. If I post pictures first I have a hard time typing and lose the pictures. If I type and then add more than one pictures I have a mess, any suggestions?

Good Afternoon

2007-05-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

I am new at blogging so please bear with me as I learn what to do. I am already finding out that I am having a problem with posting and adding pictures. So here goes, bear with me! I enjoy Knitting, Sewing and Quilting and hope to share with you some of my projects in the finished, middle and beggining stages, that is if I can remember to take the pictures.

Today I want to share just a couple of pictures of a couple of quilts that I remembered to take pictures of and gave 2 of my sons Christmast of 2006. The top quilt was made for my oldest son some years ago.
He was surprised that I had actually finished it. I

think it turned out okay, I had problems with the boarders. I couldn't make up my mind what colors to use.
The next quilt, the fish quilt was for my youngest son. I had started this quilt also a few years back. I total took my son off guard when he opened up the present. I couldn't help but to grin because he had no idea what he was getting. I love to mess with them. He had forgotten all about the quilt. I had let him go to the fabric store to picked out all the fabric for the quilt I just decided on the pattern. He didn't understand why it took me so long to pick out fabric for a quilt so he got to find out. We where at the fabric store for a couple of hours. The ladies at the store where friends so they helped him. It is a bright quilt and he loves it so that is all that counts. That is all for now about the quilts. Thanks for stopping by.