Van has a Boo-Boo

April 15, 2014 – Only Mom can be hit by a car with NO driver! Yes you read right Pat and Mom were in an accident and the other car had no driver in it.

Here is the story Mom told me: She and Pat had a great Sunday afternoon at Thimble Pleasures quilt shop. They were taking a Software Mastery course and were heading home and decided to stop at McDonald’s to get a drink for the ride home. As they were about to pull into the lot, Mom stopped as a car appeared to be backing out of a parking spot. But the car kept coming and speeding up (there is a small decline to the road). Mom blew here horn but it kept coming and she couldn’t get out of the way and it crashed into the front end on the passenger side.

 

Pat got out of our car after Mom said, ‘I don’t think there is a driver in that car’.  Also they had a driver speed away on them once before, so she wanted to make sure that didn’t happen again. Sure enough there was NO driver in the car. There was a male adult in the passenger seat that seemed okay but Pat thought was Autistic or of diminished capacity. The driver came out of McDonald’s and was 7 months pregnant. Mom and Pat felt bad for her.

Unfortunately,Mom got jostled around enough to cause back pain and that got her a ride in an ambulance in a collar and on a back board (I don’t know what that means). After several hours and a set of x-rays they showed Mom had no new damage, but had muscles involved that were in spasm.

The next day found both Pat and Mom very sore and being seen by their family doctor. It was really the first time Mom got a chance to see the damage to the front end of the van. I got to see and sniff the van when Mom let me out in the garage.

It is off to the collision repair shop this morning. It will be interesting to see what car we get as a rental. But I’m sure that I won’t get to go for a ride in the rental car.

Cozy Towel

April 8,2014 – Molly and I had to stay home this morning while Mom went into Chapel Hill to get some fabric to use on a project. She wanted to finish her cute Bunny Towel.  She needed pink fabric for the applique portion of the mouth and nose.

Pat couldn’t believe that Mom didn’t have a pink in all the fabric she had in her stash. Oh well!

Once Mom had the fabric it didn’t take long to embroider the bunny design on the hand towel portion.

Here is the finished product. Well almost finished. Mom has to stop at the store and get a face cloth to use for the ears.

You can see some fabric on the back of the chair. Those will be a skirt and a dress for a special little girl.

Look What Mom’s Been Doing

February 4/14 – It is a rainy cold day here in NC! Mom stayed home with Molly and I today, that always makes me happy. I got to lay in front of the fireplace with a cozy warm fire burning! Mom seemed to be to busy in the sewing room to enjoy the fire, oh well!

After a little while Mom emerged from the sewing room and showed me the cutest bunny that she made as part of the Giving Bunny Project. The folks at Urban Threads supplied a free file that can be done in either a 4x4 or 5x7 hoop. The folks that don’t have an embroidery machine aren’t left out, there are instructions for those folks as well. Meet Samantha.

Isn’t she cute, Because it is cold outside, she made her a scarf to keep her warm are her journey. Mom hasn’t said where she will leave Samantha. Keep an eye out for her. Check out the Giving Bunny blog to see where other bunnies have been found.

That wasn’t all she worked on this morning. She was inspired by post on one of her Facebook Groups that she made this cute flower treat holder. This is a free applique flower that is from Five Star Fonts. Mom adjusted it to have a clear vinyl center so you can see the treats inside and the back is 2 folded over pieces of fabric that will allow this holder to be used over again.

Now she has to go to the store and get some treats to put in it. Hoping she doesn’t put doggie treats in it as it looks a little hard for Molly and I to get treats out of.

Well, I’m back to having another nap in front of the fireplace.

Enjoy!

Sad News

January 16, 2014 - Pat and I have just returned from Ontario Canada. Last week I received some expected news. Rosemary, my Cuz, had a stroke. If anyone would have the strength and determination to make it back after a stroke it would be Rose. But then heart-breaking news came, the doctors say she will not recover from this.

Rosemary passed away on Saturday morning with her husband, son and daughter-in-law by her side. I was devastated by this news. Rosemary has been my rock through the good and bad times in my life. She will be missed by all who knew her.

This was a photo we had done many, many moons ago.

Yeah! Pat is Home.

January 9, 2014 – Mom picked Pat up at the airport the other night. She said she had a wonderful time visiting family in Sweden. Molly and I didn’t see her until yesterday when she surprised us by coming to the Spa to pick us up. I should have known that something was up because Molly and I had a bath. My tail wagged so fast when I saw her. Pat worked from home, so we got to share her lap throughout the day.

Mom was out to an embroidery class. Not sure what that is, but I think it has something to do with the big noisy machine in one of our bedrooms.

So happy is it getting warmer – it was 22 degrees this morning. Down right balmy compared to the other day when it was 7!

Have a great day!

Baby It’s Cold Outside!

January 7, 2014 – Molly and I are at the Spa and we woke  up this morning to the thermometer saying it was 7 degrees and I heard Jennifer (the nice lady who owes the spa) say the weatherman said the wind-chill is making it feel like –10 or so. Mom has been talking about how our friends to the north and west have it much worse, but this is really cold for NC.  At least it is a beautiful sunny day, but I think Molly and I will be staying inside today.

Mom told me that Pat arrives home this afternoon and will be a balmy 18 degrees. Mom will definitely have the seat warmers on for sure. Molly and I are looking forward to seeing her.

Stay safe and warm out there.

Pat is Coming Home tomorrow!

January 6, 2014 – Mom says that Pat is coming home tomorrow night, so Molly and I have to go to the Spa to get all pretty. I think the plan is for us to stay overnight. Mom has some errands to do today. Hope she stops at Phydeaux in Chapel Hill to buy us some goodies.

Stay warm out there!

52 Week Challenge

January 3, 2014 – Happy New Year!

Mid December Mom came across this on Facebook and she is going to set up a jar and put money in it weekly.

Apparently, every week you put the the dollar amount of the week it is in the year. You save $1, week two you save $2, and so on.  By the end of your 52 weeks you will have saved $1,378.00.

So all you need to do is start a jar and one dollar....Are you game for the 52 Week Money Challenge?  What will you use your money for? I am voting for more chew sticks or cookies (for me – none for Molly!)

Happy saving!

Pocket Cloud

Feb 12/13: Mom found out about an app called Pocket Cloud that will allow her to watch Molly and I when she is not here. I don’t think that is such a great idea. that’s when I have a little fun!

Moving to Windows 8

Feb 11/13: Mom ordered a new laptop and it arrived today. She was telling Pat about some of the screen changes and how she is trying to overcome some challenges like her email won’t work and she will have to call our ISP tomorrow. I don’t know what an ISP is, but hoping it doesn’t involve any shots or a visit to the vet!

I will try to take notes and let you know how things tomorrow.

Project Life Week 4

Jan 28/12:

Jan 22: I am so happy that Mom and Pat are home and picked me up at the Spa. It is a cold rainy day and I just want to sit and snuggle. Pat loves it when I sit close to her and she rubs my chest. Mom and Pat did some clean up tasks around the house and I managed to sit with Pat on one of their breaks.

Jan 23: Well the house routine is back to normal today. It is still cold and rainy this morning and isn’t supposed to clear up. Pat left for work after putting out the recycles and the empty water bottles that Robert from Diamond Springs water will exchange for full ones. I always alert Mom to the truck arriving and Mom and I go and see Robert. He is always so nice to put the full bottles in the garage for us. This week we only have 2 empty bottles, normally we have at least 4.

 

Jan 24: Unfortunately Pat got some bad news today. Her DIL’s dad has taken a turn for the worse. While Pat finished up at work, Mom got her a flight out to TN and we thru some things in a bag for her (I helped with the socks). Once Pat got home, Mom and I took her to the airport. She is going to stay with the girls while Laurie goes to NY (I sure wish I could have gone with Pat, I really like the girls!). Mom’s thoughts and prayers are with Laurie and her family.

 

Jan 25: With Pat away, Mom and Pat decided that Mom should give the Lowes to Go option a try for groceries. Mom went online and added her groceries into the cart and 2 hours later she was driving up to get her groceries. Mom seemed quite pleased with the result. Me, I got to stay home – I would have preferred a drive in the car.

 

Jan 26: Garbage day, Mom does love that we have the large wheeled container. So much easier than carrying bags to the curb. I always alert Mom when the truck is here (not that she can’t hear the truck!). Well Mom had to go to see her doctor.She is coughing up stuff, and tells me her chest hurts and is tight. My diagnosis is it looks like Bronchitis.

Project Life Week 3

Jan 20/12: While I am at the Spa this week, Pat and Mom are on a 6 night cruise that left yesterday from Charleston, SC. Our ports-of-call included Key West, Freeport and Nassau. They tell me they had sunshine for all six days.

Jan 15: So today they spent the day at sea. Mom said it was a cold night in their room last night, apparently there is no heat in the staterooms, just air conditioning. In the morning they are half way to Key West and the sun is shining.

Their first day consisted of:

• a lovely breakfast in the Celebration dining room,
• played a game of Bingo,
• listened to the talk about the ports and the shopping in the ports they were going to,
• a relaxing lunch in the Celebration dining room
• some time on deck
• then a nap
• a fabulous dinner in the Jubilee Dining Room
• some entertainment in the Universe lounge.

Jan 16: They docked in Key West at 8 a.m. They enjoyed watching the ship maneuver into the dock. Pat got off the ship to do a little shopping and look around Key West. She saw a multi-leveled bar and that top deck is a naked bar!

Next she passed by Sloppy Joe’s.

Pat stopped in Margaretville and bought Mom a new Tervis tumbler and saw this T-Shirt.

I guess feathered animals are protected in Key West. Pat saw a Mommy chicken clearing the pebbles away so her chicks could peck in the dirt.

Route 1 ends here in Key West.

Right near the pier where they were docked there was the Customs house and they thought it was such a beautiful building.

While Pat was off the boat, Mom was relaxing on deck and doing a little knitting.

Jan 17: They left Key West at 4pm and headed to Freeport, Bahamas. They were scheduled to arrive at 8 a.m. and were right on time. Pat took a tour to a Dolphin sanctuary where she was to have an open ocean experience, but because the ocean was too rough, they stayed at the sanctuary. She swam with Chloe, her dolphin for at least 10 minutes or more. I don’t know what the big deal was, I can swim with Pat anytime she wants in the summer!

Jan 18: They said goodbye to Freeport and set sail for Nassau, Bahamas at 6 p.m. They arrived in Nassau some time in the night and were guided in port on time at 8 a.m. Pat and Mom got off the ship to do some shopping at Cariloha Bamboo and Del Sol. We bought some new sheets for Mom’s bed (I guess for me as well, as I share the bed with Mom!) and some fun coloring changing gifts for the grandchildren. In the afternoon Pat toured the fabulous Atlantis Resort.

As well, while they were in port, in both Freeport and Nassau, Mom said the crew did quite a comprehensive evacuation drill. She was sure this had something to do the tragedy in Italy. They even dropped the life boats into the water.

Jan 19: As the sun set they sailed out of Nassau at 6 p.m. and shared a lovely dinner with their new friends, they were looking forward to their day at sea. Mom said the sunshine was plentiful and there were wonderful warm breezes again. Pat and Mom said it was kind of sad to sit and listen to their debarkation talk as that meant their cruise was coming to an end (why sad – that means they are coming home to me!). While they waited for their talk, Mom taught Pat to do some Quilling! I’m sure there will be projects in future with the little flowers, dragonflies etc. she made.

One of the fun treats Mom had that day was dessert Sushi! Everything was made with fruit and chocolate.

The other fun treat Pat and Mom had for lunch was Ice Cream Puff Swan. They were making them with vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream. Growing up Mom’s, Nana would make her Cream Puff Swans – Mom says that was a great memory to relive.

Jan 20: Mom and Pat continued north thru the night and were back in Charleston at 6 a.m. Mom said the crew was very organized getting them off the boat. They had their last breakfast in the Celebration dining room and reported to their area at 830 a.m. and were off the ship, got a porter for the luggage, cleared customs and bordered the bus to the parking lot and were at their van at 915 a.m.

What a great vacation! Now come and get me!

Jan 21: Pat came and picked me up at the spa today. She said I looked really pretty with my haircut! I was so glad to be home with Mom and Pat. I found myself resting on Mom’s lap, making it hard for her to do anything on her computer, but she didn’t seem to mind!

Take care.

Project Life Week 2

Jan 14/12: Here we are at the end of week 2 for Mom’s Project Life Project. She has been taking her camera when she goes out, as well, she takes pictures of things we do around the house. I want to share the summary for week 2.

Jan 8: I got to go for a long ride with Mom and Pat and we stopped at a house that I hadn’t been to before. While I waited in the car, Mom and Pat went in to meet with a lady named Marsha. She has dogs just like me! I got to meet Marsha and Spice when Mom and Pat came back to the car. I guess Spice had puppies and I am getting a baby sister! I’m not sure I’m happy about that, but we will see. Marsha showed Mom and Pat a puppy named Trick – he is very cute, for a boy! Mom took this picture for the lady who will be adopting Trick.

Jan 9: Monday morning and Mom has gone for her eye appointment, Pat is waiting with me for Mom to come back. After Pat left for work, Mom and I spent some time in the Dinning Room where she finished putting her Project Life binder together and I alerted her to the Recycle truck stopping at our house. (Mom appreciates me watching over the house)

Jan 10: I spent time with Mom today resting. She had a three injections in her back at the Carolina Pain Consultants. Mom says Dr. Rieker and the staff there are fantastic. I am so glad that they take such good care of my Mom. A box was waiting at the door when Mom and Pat got home, it was a camera for Pat. Mom was testing it out – she told me it can go in the water!

Jan 11: I can’t figure out what’s going on this morning. Mom is trying on summer clothes and it is rainy and really cold out, shouldn’t she be wearing jeans and a sweater? Just saying! Anyway, the next time I went into the bedroom this is what I found at the end of Mom’s bed.

Jan 12: Road Trip! Here comes the suitcases! Not sure if that is a good thing or not for me, but Mom and Pat seem pretty excited about it! When Pat came home from work she got her suitcase as well.

Jan 13: Oh my it’s Friday the 13th! No worries there are no black cats here or ladders up in the house. Pat is taking me to the Spa when she leaves for work. I guess I’m not going on the road trip, oh well, I will play with my friends at Bed and Bone. Mom’s plan for the day is to get their vitamins pills and other pills ready for their cruise.

Jan 14: I have to apologize for the delay in the posting of our blog, but I had to wait for Mom and Pat to get back and pick me up. (I didn’t have the computer with me at the spa!) Apparently Mom and Pat’s road trip was a little more than just a plain old road trip. It started with a drive to Charleston, SC to board a cruise ship! They cruised for 6 nights from Charleston to Key West to Freeport to Nassau and back to Charleston.

More to come. Take care.

Welcome 2012! Project Life Week 1

Jan 7/12: Hard to believe that we are into 2012! Mom has been talking to Pat about starting Becky Higgins’ Project Life. She choose the Clementine edition. Mom kept unpacking the Amazon box and she decided on Design A for the majority of her pages but she also purchased some of the other designs to mix it up a little. These include the following pages: 6x12, Design G (which is a mix of Horizontal and Vertical 6x4’s), Varity Pak, Dividers and Big Envelopes for ‘stuff’.

Jan1: To start the year off Pat and Mom started the year off by packing away the Christmas ornaments and clean the house room by room. As much as I love having the house decorated for Christmas, the house always looks fresh when you take them all down. I am always a huge help by picking up whatever Mom and Pat drop. They are usually so happy with my help I get a treat when I give it back to them. SWEET!

Jan 2: Mom and Pat have wanted to de-clutter the stereo corner in the Living Room for awhile now. I have never been back in that corner, and am looking forward to seeing what they have been hiding back there! On a car ride to the mall between Christmas and New Years, Mom and Pat found these Leaning Ladder Bookshelves at Crate and Barrel. I watched them go together, hoping I could help by picking up a screw or something, but they didn’t drop anything. Mom and Pat were so happy how easily they went together and weigh very little. I guess they decided that it would hold the stereo equipment and pictures. Mom and Pat seem quite happy with the look, I like being able to check out the corner!

Jan 3: Mom and Pat are still on a clean house kick, but they do stop long enough to play ball with me. Mom has all kinds of things on her dresser, but these were looking kind of funny. She took them out to the kitchen were I watched her work some kind of magic with a cloth and the bad smelling stuff in the blue jar. I think they look really pretty now.

Jan 4: The sun is shinning and Pat opened the front door so I could look outside. It wasn’t open long as I tend to bark, Mom says at just about anything! Mom is so pleased with the end result of the small changes in the Living Room. This is a shot from our Kitchen. Mom caught me standing guard, I’m always up for my picture being taken.

Jan 5: Mom and I had company this morning. Chris from Carolina Sound Works came by to put some finishing touches on our new receiver (the old one was causing Mom and Pat lots of trouble). Chris is always glad to see me and I love to sit in his lap while he works. Mom and Pat were really pleased with his work and would recommend him to anyone.

Jan 6: Sadly to say that I had to stay home today while Mom went in town with Pat. After dropping Pat at work, Mom went to a class at Archiver’s named Itty Bitty Valentines Workshop. After class Mom stopped by Pat’s work to pick her up. I was sure happy when they got home.

Jan 7: We have finally reached the end of Week 1 of Project Life. Sadly today I had to stay home again, Mom and Pat went for haircuts in the morning and then Mom had a Pedicure in the afternoon. I understand that they went to Cold Stone Creamery and had some ice cream. Look at all those pretty colors!

Take care

Taste Testing of Potato Soup.

Dec 14/11: Well Mom and Pat had the soup for Supper last night along with some Grands biscuits and they both loved the soup. I can't comment on the soup as I only had a small taste of a biscuit, which I really enjoyed.

Tonight, soup was on the menu again and Mom commented to Pat that she thought that it tasted even better the second day. Again, no taste testing for me, maybe next time.

Take care

Easy Crockpot Potato Soup

Dec 12, 2011: Mom was looking around something called Pinterest, she came across this recipe. Pat is stopping at the store tonight and Mom said they will ‘throw’ it in something called a Crockpot and will have it for dinner tomorrow. Here is the list of ingredients and directions.

1 - 30oz. bag of frozen, shredded hash browns {Mom used Ore Ida}
3 - 14oz. cans of chicken broth
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/4 tsp. ground pepper
1 pkg. cream cheese {don’t use fat free. It WON’T melt!!!}

In a crockpot, combine everything EXCEPT for the cream cheese. Cook for 6-8 hours on low heat. About 1 hour before serving, add cream cheese and keep heated until thoroughly melted. Serve with cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, green onions, or whatever else you think would be good!!

Mom will be back tomorrow and let you know how it turned out.

Take care

What to Do While Mom Plays!

Nov 3: Well Mom is working up in her Studio this morning. She is trying to finish up the pages for the Recipe Swap she is doing with her friend Gail and other Scrapy Land Divas. I’m sure she will share a picture when she is done.

While Mom is upstairs, I am always on alert downstairs. Mom counts on me to protect her and the house.

I guess I had better get back to work!

Take care

I Made This at Lifestyle Crafts Contest

Nov 3: How exciting, Lifestyle Crafts is holding a terrific contest on their Blog.

You can win the grand prize giveaway, which includes:

• $1000 Lifestyle Crafts shopping spree
• Canon 60D camera
• Mac computer
• Canon Photo Printer
• Craft Room Furniture

You can find out more information by going to this post on their Blog. This week if you create an account you can win the following:

An amazing camera and one cute camera bag (in the favorite color at Lifestyle Crafts!) with a value over $1300!

Mom is keeping fingers and toes crossed!

Take care

Ribbon, Ribbon Everywhere

Nov 2: Mom loves to use ribbon on her projects but I noticed when she shows her projects to Pat that she hasn’t been using much ribbon. Sunday I figured out why, Mom brought down a bag that was full and when I poked my nose in the bag there was a lot of Mom’s ribbon. There was a bag with little bits of ribbon poking out of it, lots of spools and then there was a large amount just loose in the bag.

No wonder Mom wasn’t using ribbon very much, she probably couldn’t find what she wanted.

So yesterday Mom and I stayed home and while I napped on my bed, Mom worked on winding her ribbon on funny looking cards that she got from here. 

Look how pretty they look now! All the colors of different widths are stored together. I think Mom will be using her ribbons a lot more again.

Mom got this IRIS box when she and I were out over the weekend. She bought it at Michaels Craft Store.

Take care

Fall Frenzy Videos

Oct 31: Mom had a terrific time last week following along with Susan and all the Scrapy Land Divas on the Message Board. The divas displayed their projects for the challenges and the make and takes in a Fall frenzy section of the Message Board.

Susan recorded some terrific videos and Mom thought you might want to check them out.

Take care