Thankfulness

We had an emotional Thanksgiving. 

All our kids were here for dinner.

Herman is holding my Nugget. 

We played cards, pictionary and enjoyed each other. 

Family is everything. 

Saturday, the guys were watching football.

So, Kelly & I went hiking.

2 miles, 4650 feet up. 

My legs still hurt...3 Epsom salt baths later.

We had our head in the clouds.

Literally.

The view would've been better if the sun was out. 

But, this is Syracuse...not Fort Myers. 

After, we grabbed a martini as a reward. 

Then made gingerbread houses. 

Unfortunately, all this fun took place after we received a sad phone call early Thanksgiving morning. 

My father in law had passed away in the wee hours of the morning. 

He was almost 90, a good long life. 

And he'd been suffering. 

But, it's still sad to say goodbye. 

Especially for my Murray. 

And my mother in law...his wife of 64 years. 

He was her everything. 

My Murray has written a beautiful eulogy to be delivered at his funeral mass. 

And he spent 2 great weekends with his dad before he left us. 

He fed him his last good meal....ravioli!

Please pray for my mother in law and my Murray. 

Rest in peace, Tony.

HBD2me

I woke early to Murray playing the Beatles It's your Birthday. 

I thought it was going to be a good day....until his iPad randomly followed it with The Bitch is Back by Elton John. 

We had a good laugh about it. 

I got up and looked out the window to see snow. 

It's the coldest day of the week.

Of course it is. 

I may or may not have made some online fabric purchases to soothe myself. 

Addiction is real.

Then I took a long hot shower, followed by a long hot bath. 

I noticed in the tub that the discoloration from my FL foot event is finally gone.

That's something...right?

While I was bathing, Susan text & invited me to check out the new Weight Watchers program they're unveiling today. 

Then to lunch. 

WW followed by OTL...the irony. 

What the hell...I'll check it out. 

What's better than stepping on a scale on your birthday?

Stay tuned. 

Barb text me to wish me a HBD, and revealed I share my day with Miley Cyrus. 

Wow...Miley Cyrus....classy. 

This day needs updates as it plays out. 

I may have a sitcom episode in the making!

Update:

Kels called...she's coming up this weekend. So excited...we're going hiking. 

I got texts from the newlyweds...I'll see them Thursday. 

It's 10:30 and things are getting better. 

Update.

I'm home from my outing. 

Weight Watchers was a bust. 

Susan was mistaken.

They aren't rolling out the new Oprah plan til December. 

And I gained 2.5 pounds. 

Fun Fun Fun. 

We also went to Barnes & Noble and Marshalls. 

I scored these for my Nugget. 

Baby girl stuff is so stinkin cute!

Baby Boy called to wish me a HBD. 

He told me his professor threw a hissy today cause everyone's phone was ringing. 

Threw them all out of class.

I was afraid to inquire if the phone belonged to him. 

His jaw feels a bit better today. 

I think he's grinding at night again. 

He says he's not. 

He knows everything. 

We had a nice lunch at Core in North Syracuse. 

Healthy & Delicious. 

I appreciate Susan's efforts to make my day!

She's a good friend. 

In the spirit of the day, I missed 2 chances to talk to Claire. 

Who wouldn't prefer a weigh in to speaking to the cutest kid?

Ugh. 

She did leave me 2 adorbs messages tho. 

And J9 send an ice skating video. 

Little Chad Carr, a 4yo with brain cancer, died this afternoon. 

While I don't want to sound cold, this feels like a blessing. 

He didn't suffer, outlasted his predicted life expectancy and has really shed light on childhood cancer. 

He didn't die in vain. 

I will pray for this young family as they grieve. 

I cannot even begin to imagine.....

Update...

I had a good laugh with my sister over the day. 

No one makes me see the humor like Meem.  

Murray is stopping for a bottle of wine.

DWTS finale is tonight. 

Update...

Happy mail

Pics from the wedding finally!

And cards from Barb & Aunt MJ

Update....

Phils dad has taken a turn for the worse. 

Prayers appreciated. 

Update..

Carlos went home. 

I'm going to bed. 

I guess I'm glad I kept track of the day. 

It's been pretty eventful.

At least I can read this when I can't remember it. 

Which will be in about 15 minutes. 

Keep Kindness ... You just never know. 

Odds & Ends

Today is Jammie Day #2 this week. 

Phil has gone to NJ to visit his folks.

And I went to Wegmans yesterday, which was traumatizing. 

I deserve to be comfy.

I've been working on a layout for Nuggets quilt on & off the last few days. 

I want to have some churn dash blocks in it.

Here's what that looks like. 

It's true, I do sometimes return to the dark ages and use graph paper. 

It's kinda nice actually...

Like the pioneer days...

Or not. 

I limped along and finally finished longarming this puppy. 

What a nightmare. 

I was having thread breakage in a big way...and I was dwirling, for Pete's sake!

Drove me nuts. 

I tried everything, and figured I was just gonna have to break down and call Amy when I got thru it.

I thought Lola was finally protesting her way into getting her SR fixed. 

With about 8 inches left to quilt, I ran out of top thread. 

Once I put the fresh cone on, my troubles were over. 

Good grief. 

I have some thread boogers to deal with, which I will do as I sit in front of the TV. 

And then repair it. 

Can someone please tell me why I like quilting?

Next up...the last Christmas flimsie. 

Or the last Bento Box. 

I haven't decided. 

This made me laugh.

You can touch my quilts anytime, Tom.

***scatter kindness, we need it***

Another Day

Can you believe that Murray said the sonogram pic of my Nugget was creepy?

That's the most offensive thing he's ever said. 

I'm still deciding if I can stay married to him.  

To relieve myself of dark thoughts regarding my hubs, I decided to quilt up a flimsy I made in Florida. 

It's uber girly, wildly colored & pieced, &, best of all, made entirely from my stash!

I plan to snuggle my Nuggs under it. 

Hopefully, a lot. 

I did hearts & daisies allover. 

Lightweight batting so after a washing, it shall be perfectly soft and yummy.

With my stitch regulator in a mood, I've been forced to stitch on the fly. 

It's so much better, easier to move the head gives me nicer curves and less fatigue. 

And with all the practice, my stitch length is even relatively consistent. 

It's also forcing me to slow down some, which is good, too.

Even after I resolve her issues, Lola & I will be non regulated most of the time. 

It's just better. 

I took Frannie to Dr Stacey this morning. 

It was time for her 6 month blood work.

And she looks skinny since I got home & is limping pretty bad in the early morning & evenings. 

She's lost 5 pounds!

Stacey said not to panic, that she's not too skinny and actually less weight is better for her arthritis. 

I can't remember the last time she weighed less than 70 pounds. 

She also gave me a script for her pain in the evenings. 

After her blood work comes back, I'll fill the script. 

I'm hoping the warmer weather after Christmas will get my girl feeling better. 

When we got home from seeing Stacey, she ate her breakfast & took to her bed. 

And that's where she's been all day. 

Poor Baby....see her booboo?

Of course, she was delightful & cooperative (sorta) at the vet. 

She tried to hide under my chair, but gave in quickly and only wimpered a little when her hips were examined. 

That makes it even more sad.

***kindness***

Binding Quilts & Family Madness

Yesterday, I got my hairs did. 

In the words of my crazy mom, this was a corporal work of mercy. 

I feel much better now. 

Today, it was very cold out. 

I stayed in & got 3 quilts bound, which can only be done if you don't have to get dressed all day. 

Full disclosure... I am still in my PJs & it is 5:30pm. 

No sense dirtying any clothes at this late date. 

Anyhoo, they are Christmas quilts.

Binding is torture for me. 

Life would be infinitely better if one of my quilts magically bound itself every time I poured a glass of vino. 

Clearly, God is not a quilter. 

In other news, J&J had a sonogram of our little Nugget today. 

John told me they saw her yawn!!!

Why are Maizee's not invited to obstetrician appointments?

Don't they know I'd love it?

I have decided I will make a churn dash quilt from my Houston purchases for her. 

I think I need at least one more pink & one more neutral. 

Guess I'll have to go shopping. 

Or, I could probably find something in the stasheroo. 

Stay tuned. 

Some not so happy news...my FIL is supposed to come home from the hospital today.

This is very worrisome for us. 

He is starting hospice care & my MIL is responsible for most of his care. 

It's a struggle to get old people to be reasonable. 

Please pray for them. 

***spread kindness like confetti***

Brrrrrrrr

Home again

Home again

Jiggedy jig. 

What is that from anyway?

The only good thing about leaving this...

Is this...

And I'll see my loves...K,J,J & J. 

We had a nice week+ together, my Murray & me. 

Murray golfed EVERY SINGLE DAY, which kept him happy. 

Lucky for me, this hot granny came to keep me company. 

We did lotsa chatting, shopping, decorating, eating and wine drinking. 

We walked a bit, too.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect. 

The last night, we got our Art on. 

Wine & Canvas at FMBrew. 

Move over, Leonardo!

S&M are on the scene. 

The Nadeaus are always a delight. 

I swear Mike was there, too. 

But he was golfing with my Mur.

And buying dinner. 

Obvi, too busy for photos. 

BTW, I'm freezing. 

***kindness***

Chloe's closet flannels

In a moment of weakness, I bought Chloe's Closet flannels 

I'm not sure what year it was, but it wasn't this year.

Anyway, I had them up in the studio so I cut em up & made a rag quilt.

I'm pretty sure this won't be Jenns cuppatea, but I'll ask her. 

Rag quilts are linty.

And messy.

Jenn is neither of these things. 

I'm happy to keep it up north in my house. 

It will be great to throw over a napping Nuggs.

I'm hoping I'll have a napping Nuggs in my house. 

By the way, Nugget is more than halfway cooked. 

Time is flying!

***spread kindness like confetti***