Mickey's Warm Fuzzies

What a Week!!

2012-02-11T20:48:00.000-06:00

Oh man, I am tired! My friend Judy is on a vacation cruise with her hubby all week and I am covering for her. It has been such a busy week and I am not used to being there every day. I think it has made me consider even more the idea of retirement. I don't need to be working anymore. Ellis has his health issues and my mother needs care, or at least Anne and Bill need a break and I could be more available for them.

I don't know, it has just really been on my mind. We were so busy this week that I made 2 lab mistakes. In all of my years at St. Michael I have never made a lab mistake. It feels bad and it happened because I was so busy and made careless mistakes. Makes me feel like I am not efficient or capable any more.

On a happier note, my car has been repaired and looks brand new!! I am selfish to feel so proud of this car, but I just love it. It is so easy to drive and so comfortable. And, it was the first brand new car right off the lot that I ever bought. So, wow, I just love it!!

I went to a great scrapbooking class this morning (Saturday) that was led by Tambi Shirk. The project name was "You are my Sunshine" and involved several new techniques that were easy and yet very nifty and cool. I'll have to upload some pics soon!!

When I came home after the class, I took a nap, that was great!!

2012-02-01T14:12:00.000-06:00

I'm working on my Savannah Vacation scrapbook and see that Ellis has returned from Lockesburg and is picking up the mail. He went after tractor parts and then visited with Merle for awhile. I think Merle's garage has become a new part-time hangout.

Ellis' back has flared up again, so yesterday we spent a few hours in town getting a spinal injection and running some errands. Mostly, looking around at Sams Club. We looked at TVs and all of the other trappings they provide to us consumers. All for the price of just a few bucks. We didn't buy one thing, not one!!

Today, his back is sore at the injection site and he is still stiff and down in his back, but we are hopeful that in a few days he will be good as new!! God willing.

Clean up Time!!

2012-01-30T09:19:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, Allison and I (with the help of Matthew and Heather) worked on the guest room. I had given this room over to Allison and she basically had trashed it with all of her clutter, and then I added more stuff to it when it got all ugly. When we had air conditioner trouble I had to move the clothes from a closet into this room, so the twin beds were covered in clothes. It was a mess.

A few weeks ago Allison and I cleared some shelves in the walk-in closet and then she organized our scrapbooking supplies on those empty shelves. It is so nice!! You can find stuff and get to things without any problems. NICE!!

So, our goal for yesterday was to finish up cleaning the room and moving my old kitchen table into the room to use for a scrapbooking space. We have lots of projects in place, so we think we will really like this set-up. I think everyone was really proud of what we accomplished. Even Ellis went up and gave his seal of approval. So, what a good feeling... at least for now!

Welcome Home Hatsumi!!

2012-01-25T14:13:00.002-06:00

During a huge storm, Hatsumi came home Sunday. She has been in Japan since December 26, so I was missing her and hoping to see her after her visit. She cleaned and washed clothes on Monday while I was at work, so yesterday I was able to visit with her and get a report on her trip. She had a wonderful time and got to visit her friends and relatives. Her grandmother is feeble but she says she is very alert and bright. So that is a blessing, don't you think?

I made dinner for the two of them last night. I made sure it was Hatsumi's favorite things, Ham, Mac and Cheese, Corn on the Cobb, Fruit Salad and yeast rolls. Yummm.

I baked the Mac and Cheese and will do it again because I thought it was so good. Here is the recipe:

Macaroni shells cooked 7 minutes
Beat up 1 egg and 3 T flour in a little bowl
Milk, butter and velveeta in a bowl melted

(If the melted cheese is too hot, you will have to temper the egg mixture before adding it to the melted cheese.) Mix the macaroni and cheese mixture and pour into a pan sprayed with PAM. You can sprinkle some cheddar on top if you wish. Cover with foil and bake, 350, for about 15 minutes. Yummmm...

Fruit Salad Recipe: Mix together in a bowl!!

1 can peach pie filling
1 can drained mandarin oranges
1 can darined pineapple tidbits
1 pkg of strawberries (frozen, sweetened or unsweetened)
A few bananas

It was so good to see Hatsumi eat her favorites. To top it all off we watched President Obama give his State of the Union speech.

Then, I went to bed!!

My poor Ellis

2012-01-20T15:39:00.000-06:00

Poor Ellis...

His back is hurting again. He went to the doctor today to get orders for some more injections. I sure hope they give him as much relief as the last injections. He just always overdoes it. He won't settle down.

Poor Ellis...

Chartreuse Oak Quilt

2012-01-20T15:35:00.000-06:00

June and I met yesterday for sewing day. She was a lot more productive than me. She made a Thomas the tank Engine mat for her grandson, Hayden. He will be two next week. She also whipped up 8 little treat bags for his birthday party.

I worked on a pattern called Bumble Bee by Edyta Sitar. We are going to use our chartreuse Martha Negley Oak print fabric and some beautiful greys for this pattern. Only thing is... the blocks are too small for what we want, so I set about to enlarge them. Took all day, but finally the two of us were able to do it. At least, we think we did!! Time will tell. Now I dream of my new quilt in the works.

My Car, My Car!!!

2012-01-16T19:34:00.001-06:00

You won't believe it, but I wrecked my car tonight. My pride and joy, my own little jewel.
I had rounded the corner going into Ben Lomond and was on a straight stretch with trees on each side when I realized there was a black cow about 2 feet in front of me. Yes, I plowed right into it and crushed the front driver side of my car. I could just cry.
I was still able to drive, so I limped on home, thanking God in a sincere prayer that He had kept me safe in his hand. Then I wondered, "Hey, the air bags didn't even go off." I am still so sad....

Hatsumi is in Japan

2012-01-15T15:09:00.002-06:00

Hatsumi has been gone since December 26, 2011. She is visiting her family in Japan. We try to keep up with her through Marcus, but it is good to actually correspond with her through e-mails. She will be home in a week, on the 22nd of January, 2012. YAY!!

1/07/2012

Hello Hatsumi!

How are you doing on your visit? I hope your mother, dad and brother are doing very well. I know they are happy to have you back in Japan for a visit!

Ellis and I had a wonderful vacation in Savannah. Yes, even Ellis tells everyone how nice it was. We got to go on a horse buggy ghost story ride. We were told about the stories of the ghosts in Savannah. It was interesting. I'm not sure if I believe it, but it was interesting!

We had a great time on a ferry boat dinner cruise. The food was so good! I think it was the best food of the whole vacation. There was music and dancing and it was very funny! Little girls were twirling and dancing and acted like they didn't know anyone was there watching them. Then some black people got up and started doing some real DANCING! It was fun to watch!

We went to a candle light service at a Lutheran Church at midnight on Christmas eve and then walked back to our hotel. It was not scary to walk in the town at midnight, so that was especially nice. We felt very safe.

And there were lots of DOGS!! It seems that everyone had brought their dog!! I never saw so many different kinds of dogs!! Of course, that made Ellis miss our dogs even more - but he did all right and so did our dogs. I just got them each a haircut and they look so pretty.

We went to a huge Catholic Cathedral too. It looked like a palace and was so beautiful inside. I really loved seeing that. There were lots of marble posts and gold and stained glass windows, and statues. Just so much to see.

On Christmas day, we went to a place called Tybee Island. A little seaside swimming place. It looked like Jamaica, Mahn!! I would love to go back when it is warm. It was quite windy while we were there, and lots of birds. They would let you get very close to them. I guess they were used to people.

I went to 3 quilt shops on the way home!! Ellis is so good to me. He didn't mind at all.

Everyone here is doing well. I have seen the people at my church, Miss Polly and June. So, I am back into my regular routine.

Your dogs are doing well. Marcus just called me to see how cold it is at the house because he has to work late. It's not very cold here (got up to 72 degrees today), so we decided the dogs would be fine until he gets home. He is watching out for them.

I made Ellis Salmon patties tonight. Yummy.

We are missing you, Hatsumi. But we want you to have a wonderful trip and an excellent visit with your family. I hope they are all well.

Love to you,

Mickey

1/09/2012

Hi, mickey! How've you been? I'm glad you and Ellis really enjoyed your trip. Gerogia souds nice place!

It's been soooo cold here, but I'm having a great time!! I really enjoying spending time with my family and friedns. My mom and grandma was so happy about your present. My grandma was very touched and she was vowing a lot. They both said "thank you" to you.

It's been a pretty busy day doing the things I wanted to do so bad!!
I met one of my best freind who lives in KObe, and I'm going to meet another best friends this weekend.

On new year's day, my mom and I went to aunt's house and I could meet my cousins and their kids and new baby. all the kids are sooo smart and funny and very very cheerful. Me and little girls played "make up artist" game, and I was the "judge man". It was so funny and cute.

I told Marcus on the phone that I guess I forgot how japan is a little bit, so I was kind of shocked for a few days that everything is sooo clean
and high technology and everyone is sooo nice and very kind and fast service.

And thd food is super good!!! I really missed it so I'm pretty satisfied now. And I bought lots of Marcus's favorite food, so he can also enjoy them.

Thanks for checking on my dogs. I keep looking for a cute sweter or something for Suzy, but a lot of people have small dogs in japan, so every cloth are too small for my "best friend" Suzy. I really miss my dogs so bad!!!

I hope everything is fine there, I'll see you soon. I miss you and Ellis. please say hi to him, too.

Love,
Hatsumi.

1/12/2012

Hatsumi,

Sounds like you are having a great time. Tell your mom and dad and relatives hello for me. It was cold here today the wind blew really hard all day. We have had really nice weather until today.

I check on your dogs every now and then. I am sure they all miss you. I can make friends with all of them except Clover. She just doesn't trust me.

Yesterday, Marcus called and said the washing machine was leaking. I went to your house to see if I could help him with it. It needed a new water pump. We took the old one off and he is going to get a new one today.

I hope you have really enjoyed your visit. Just remember it won't be long before we need topaint your house and plant a garden.

Have a great time.
Ellis

1/13/2012

Hi, Ellis! I'm glad to hear from you. Marcus told me that you got a cell phone and a hearing aid. That's great! So now, you can hear my beautiful voice more!! haha!!

it's extra cold from yesterday here, but I went to a beauty salon by bicycle yesterday. I thought my nose will frozen and drop! It was so fun to meet my hairstylist and her assistant, because we've became friends long time ago. And we are going to meet again next week. And I'm going to meet orher friends tomorrow. we used to work togher at Mitsubishi. It's going to be fun, too.

we still see "tsunami"victims and survivor's stories everyday on TV and newspaper. even now, about 3000 people are still missing. It's really sad to hear and see all that, but I can feel that all over in japan is really trying to help and support by the way that each person can do best.

so, I'm glad being here, so that I can feel more all that kindness and to know all the details of what happened that day, and to know all the pain people have.

Anyway, thank you thank you so much checking on my dogs. I really miss them.

I see their photos and videos in my camera everyday!! I'll see you soon, and I'm sure will remember to paint my house! I'm ready!

See you Ellis.
Love,
Hatsumi.

Quiet Sunday

2010-03-07T23:03:00.002-06:00

Oh, how I love quiet Sundays! No big mishap or drama in the morning when getting ready for church, everything went well with a good crowd of friendly happy church family there and a nice little hop and skip back home. Good start to the day!!

I still haven't gotten up-to-date with my Bible Study, so I tried to get some extra days in. Yes, I got drowsy and almost fell asleep, so I knew I wasn't doing anything really good there.... so I picked up my sewing.

Yes, the little black embroideried baskets project. I have six done now. Yay!!! except that when picking out the next block to do, I saw that I am missing one block and have prepared two that are alike. Aughhhh.... How did that HAPPEN? Beats me, but now I am all beside myself because it won't be just right... yeah, yeah, yeah...

So, I decided I would work on my sewing room again. Allison has been working up there for several weeks and has added to the messiness, too. She helped me straighten up a little bit, but mostly she worked on her own project. She is making little posies out of two layers of fabric, shaped like flowers and held together with a little button. Very cute. They are good.

Really, it is pretty neat, because she learned how to use freezer paper to trace out a pattern and then cut out the shape after she had ironed it on to the fabric. She thought that was neat! And she got a little more practice sewing buttons, threading needles and tying knots. All things I take for granted, but still a little awkward for her.

Papa fixed us a baked potato, steak and salad tonight. Yuuummmm.... What a precious man. Thank you Lord for my sweet Ellis! Amen!!

I am writing this tonight with my little pup, Aggie, snuggled sound asleep next to me on the couch. So sweet. Thank you dear Father for a wonderful day.

Hope yours is blessed, too
M.

We shopped till we dropped!!

2009-11-16T21:27:00.001-06:00

Allison and I went shopping Saturday... that's always a fun day for the two of us. We started out the day by going to Chili's. What a way to start the day! Big mouth burgers for her and chicken tacos for me. Mmmm, so good.

We then made our way to the mall. We found a very cute little pair of brown velour pants with a matching hoodie that fit her perfectly, don't even have to hemn the pants!! YAY.. We got a pair of little flats and some earrings, too. She is fixed up now!!

Then we went to Hobby Lobby, one of the neatest places we shop. We bought sequins, glue and styrofoam. We bought frames, tissue paper and ribbon. We bought ornaments and a mini tree for Marcus and Hatsumi. We bought lots of little things and could have stayed a lot longer but we wore down... Still a very good day.

I thank God for my granddaughter, she's one of my best friends!!

Now, I am going to eat a big piece of apple pie that Ellis and I just made. Mmmm.

We found a new Quilt Shop!!!

2009-11-07T22:37:00.001-06:00

Last Tuesday on our sewing day, June and I went on a little field trip!! We went to Broken Bow, Oklahoma to see a quilt shop that we had heard about from a friend. Were we ever surprised and tickled to pieces!! The store was BIG and full of fabric, all kinds and colors!! The people were very friendly and we felt right at home. I know we will be going back soon!!

We didn't get to sew last Tuesday, but every week another Tuesday rolls around so we will get to work on our projects again. June got an apron pattern book and fabric to make several pillowcases for Christmas projects. Wow, she has finished 2 quilts and 2 tote bags since this summer. Go June!! I have finished 2 quilts and am working on a third, my Blossom Quilt for Hatsumi.

Ellis made us a hamburger that night after our shopping trip. He is such a sweetheart! He makes the burgers with onions and Worcestershire sauce mixed into the meat and then fries them up in the skillet. Mmmm, they were good and so is he.

Allison made a power point presentation for school and I was impressed that she knew how to do that!! I guess she is learning something at school! Just kidding...

Tonight is Saturday and Ellis was feeling a little cabin-bound so we went to Nashville tonight and ate Chinese food. It was good, as always!! We ate too much, as always!!

God bless my family and friends. I am a blessed child of the King!

65 and counting...

2009-10-18T20:10:00.001-05:00

So, Ellis had his 65th birthday on Friday and I wasn't able to be with him. I was at the hospital working. I thought about him all day though. When I got home he had a beautiful German Chocolate Cake made by his sister, Ada Joyce. Yummy!!

Here is a pic of him with Matthew and Allison. Allison made the cake for him. What a doll!!

I meant to...

2009-10-15T07:34:00.019-05:00

write about my day on Tuesday, sewing day. June and I worked on our projects, BUT... we made ourselves sew the binding on our Hidden Nine patch quilts first!! We weren't too happy to do that but we knew if we didn't do it first, we wouldn't get back to it at the end of the day. Yes, we are SMART, INDUSTRIOUS, DEDICATED, FULL OF OURSELVES, etc., etc.

Now our Hidden Nine Patch quilts are ready to be finished while watching TV and then I will be able to post a FINISH!!

Miss Polly and Heather came by while we were sewing to visit with us. Just a few minutes to visit is so nice. I would not see Miss Polly otherwise. I also get to see a more relaxed Heather at our little gathering, so that's very nice. (A warm fuzzy)

I went by the Quilt Store yesterday and picked up 2 new charm packs by Moda. They are GORGEOUS!! Aster Manor by 3 Sisters for Moda and Rouenneries by French General for Moda. What kind of name is Rouenneries? I don't know what it means, I can't say it, remember it, or spell it. I think I will write Moda a letter...

No, I think I will look it up. Ha! Found it!

What is Rouenneries, you ask? Rouenneries refers to cotton prints produced in Rouen, France during the mid-18th century.

My Sister, Annie...

2009-10-14T15:18:00.005-05:00

On the way to work this morning I was thinking about my sister. We rarely see each other and we don't call very often. I guess I was missing her. I miss my Dad, I miss who my mom used to be and I even miss my brother, Thom. I hate that he is so far away, but he will be home in January, I believe. Anyway, I guess I got kind of sentimental because "I WAXED POETIC!!!"

Both created by our parent's love for each other
Both carried under and lulled by the rhythm of our mother's heart
How can we not feel so connected?

For you, Annie,
I love you.
M.

Yay!! It's Sewing Day!!

2009-10-12T08:03:00.000-05:00

Today is Tuesday, a day I look forward to every week. It is the day that June Ewing and I get together and sew on our projects. We meet at the fellowship building of the church about 12:00 and sew until we get tired. Usually 7:00. So far we have finished 2 quilt tops - The Hidden Nine Patch and Over the River Christmas Quilt. We are unabashedly proud of ourselves and are quite obnoxious about our "talent, intelligence and just out and out wonderfulness". We dance and sing and laugh, we compliment each other until it is sickening. We are having so much FUN!!!! So you see why I look forward to Tuesday every week.

June is one of my very best friends. She is generous and giving to a fault. Her enthusiasm for everything she does is catching. Especially to a slow moving (slug) like me! She keeps me going. We talk and talk and laugh and laugh.

We also study the Bible together. She and I love bible study and love to discuss what little bit we know of what we read. She is my loyal, sweet friend and I thank God, my father for her. I am blessed to have her in my life.

So, here's to you June and Tuesday! Hooray!!

Working on Blossom...

2009-10-10T20:40:00.002-05:00

Today I had the chance to work a little bit on my new DIL's Blossom quilt. It is by Fig Tree and I am making it with Moda Kashmir IV fabrics. She chose this Layer Cake at the local quilt store and named it as her favorite. So.. I am going to try and get a quilt made by Christmas for her. I had a hard time deciding on a pattern, mostly because the colors are so light, but I finally chose "Blossom" by Fig Tree Quilts. I am doing it a little bit differently because I only had one Layer Cake instead of the two that are required, but I think it will be just fine. More about it later....

Oh yes, today Allison, my GD, was working with the Cricut and so Matthew, my GS, helped me "sew" by cutting the blocks apart and pulling the pins out of the pieces. That was nice!! Saved me some time.

Potty training is going well with Aggie, Shnorkie-poo!!!

To begin....

2009-10-09T08:01:00.007-05:00

First, I really don't know what I am doing so far as blogging is concerned... But, if I can halfway keep track of my days and projects, while enjoying the friendship and company of any other like-minded friends, then I will have accomplished my goal!!

To that end, I will start my blog not talking about my grandkids, but my new little puppy!! She is a 12 week old "Schnorkie", a Schnauzer-Yorkie mix. She looks like a schnauzer but has yorkie coloring and she is a doll!! Everyone in the household is in love with Aggie. Short for Sister Agnes or Ignacius, you take your pick! Like any pup she is loving and full of energy and we are all doing our best to potty train her. Woo Hoo!!

I am supposed to be at work today, but I have been called off due to low census, so I am a very happy camper. It is raining, raining... Perhaps I will get something done today, but maybe not. No worry either way!!