MAY ALReady

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.