Okay it's fixed but another problem today

Today, was not meant for me to sew. I did do some sewing after I spent almost an hour taking my machine apart putting it back together, apart again, together again, apart again and finally together again and it was working. For some reason the bobbin holder kept popping up and I had to take it apart and put it back in. Once that was fixed then the thread was doing crazy things. Take it apart. Finally after almost throwing it out the window it decided to work again.

I have my block 1 done and need to locate the camera (I think it is in the van from our trip home over Thanksgiving weekend) and take some photos of it. I'm going to start working on block 2.

My other problem today is that I had Michael at the Dr. this morning. Complaining of an ear ache. Sure enough, ear infection in both ears. That means all 3 boys have had an ear infection over the course of the last 10 days and they are all on medicine. Ethan is finishing his up in the next day or two.

So, as much as I wanted to sew, I spent a great deal of time cuddling. Which is good for the soul!!!

Problem

I think my sewing machine is broken. It is acting funny and not wanting to sew. So I quit working on my project for today and am going to pick up again tomorrow with fresh eyes. I hope it is nothing major and that it is just being tempermental.

Something for me....

as well as some Christmas presents. With long thought and contemplation I have decided to take part in a Quilt-A-Long. I looked at it and pondered and thought will I actuallly continue on with the project as it goes on. Is it too late to start? I have so many projects that I need to work on why am I going to start something new?

Well, I have to do something for me and I can knock out a couple of Christmas presents as I go.

If you would like to join in with me (and the many others that are participating) go and visit AmandaJean at Crazy Mom Quilts.

And here are the direct links to the first 3 weeks / blocks:

Week 1 , Week 2, Week 3 .

And I believe this would be a nice way to get started on quilting if you have never tried. AmandaJean has great tutorials that are easy to follow and understand. I am going to work on my blocks today and try to post some pictures later.

Keeping Busy / Happy Thanksgiving!!!

So I'm a little late posting Halloween Photos, but aren't they cute. This was the best picture we had of all three of them. I just love the little monkey. He learned quick what to do and was (as you can see) snooping in his brothers buckets!!!

Next on my list, is a Snowman Trio. I had a "vision" of these and decided to go with it. They turned out really cute and I made up a bunch more. Great teachers gifts and cute add ons to packages.

Then there was this...

My neighbors daughter was having a sleepover and she asked if I would make a cake for her. I said sure. Originally we were just going to do a layer cake, but then she say my "Special Cakes" book and looked through it. I told her that I was not sure that I would have the time (or patience) to do it. And in case it didn't I had a back-up plan. I think it turned out well. I'm not used to working with fondant and the boys didn't care for the taste of it. But the cake was cute.

That brings me up to date. I have been working on other projects, some of which I have neglected (forgotten) to take photos of and others that are still in progress. The holidays are fast approaching and I'm not sure everything will get done. But I am going to try really hard. Spiderman, Optimus Prime and the Monkey all keep me busy (sugar on the kitchen floor, oatmeal on the family room floor and play doh in the basement).

Now this is what I have worked on today...

2 pumpkin pies - one for my family & one for the neighbor
2 apple pies - one for my family & one for the neighbor

2 pecan pies (still in the oven) - one for my family & one for the neighbor

2 hazelnut tarts - one for me to take along as a thank you gift & one for the neighbor And finally, the above is 2 pounds of egg noodles. There is a total of 4 pounds.

As much as I love Thanksgiving, I'll be glad when it is over. I have been busy for 3 days and don't feel like I have gotten anything accomplished. (Not really, I have done a lot and feel really good about what I have done).

Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!!!!!

Simple things

The above is a Rag Quilt Wall Hanging that I made. Embroidered on each of the hearts is the saying "Live, Love, Laugh". That is how I have been living today. And how I am going to live each day from now on. I have been working my way through "The Purpose Driven Life" instead of 1 day at a time, 1 week at a time. I realize this defeats the purpose of the book, however, for me it makes it much easier to process. I was afraid that I would read each chapter do the journalling and go on without much thought. Doing it this way gives me time to review what I have written and really let the message sink in.

I was re-reading on of the questions, that pertained to life on earth is a temporary assignment. This made me think, then I wrote, if life is a temporary assignment, then the material items that we hold onto are really not necessary. As I have been getting my home ready for the holidays and just in order for a less chaotic life and much simpler life, I have been purging and getting rid of stuff. With life being a temporary assignment, it makes letting go of things much easier. We really don't need to hold onto all of the baby toys, there are children that we could use them. Do we really need all of those clothes that are hanging in our closet, time to get rid of more of them and donate those as well. Do we really need all of those books (paperback books that I have read and will probably not read again.) time to give them to the library and let them use them or sell them in their next sale.

The passage really helped me get a handle on living more simply and why I should live more simply.

Thinking more about the holidays

I have been diligently working on getting my house ready for the upcoming holiday season. Things have already become a bit stressful in regards to where we are spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It has recently become a "situtation" with the in-laws. MIL wants all of us at her house on Christmas Day and BIL is having his in-laws at his house on Christmas Day. Which leaves me and my husband in the middle and no one cares what we want to do.

I read an article here. And I think that this article will settle if for us. I sent the article to my husband and asked if he thought we should pass on to his family. I really want to be home on Christmas Day. I really want to start our own traditions and values. I have been working on small things the last few years but I want to incorporate a few more things and that has been hard to do with the traveling over the holidays.

We are hosting my family on December 15th. This takes care of us having to incorporate a 2-1/2 hour trip on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to see my family. I spend Thanksgiving with them every year and then that has left Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to the in-laws as in the past it was predicated that we spend both days with them.

Last year, I did not enjoy the holidays, a lot of stress. This year is going to be better, the house is looking great (shaping up quite nicely with some simple routines and a little bit of time each day decluttering), the Christmas gifts and shopping are coming along nicely, and I'll get the decorations out slowly and really ask myself, do I like this, why am I using it and if it's not loved or is being kept for no reason it is going this year.

I plan on having everything done, so that in the month of December, the boys and I can bake each day, play games and do some holiday fun stuff with the season of advent. Here's to a happy and joyous season for the right reasons and not the wrong.