Wonderful Christmas Eve

We had an extra special Christmas Eve this year. Everything was just about perfect with the exception that Stephanie and Dameon were in Amarillo and unable to join us.
We all gathered at Jackie and Cody's house, then on to their church for Christmas Eve services.
Then we were on our way to our favorite Turkish restaurant for too much delicious food. After that we all went back to Jackie's for the opening of the presents. Funniest moment, Bret thought he had gotten a Swiss Army knife only to find out it was chocolate! Most special moment was me opening a jewelry gift from John. He sure has good taste!
No weather worries this year, so Lizzie and Lane stayed awhile and John and I spent the night. Up the next morning for breakfast burritos and pumpkin pie. John and I went on home while Jackie and Cody packed up to go to his parents.
We had a quiet day and then Lizzie and Lane came over for dinner. It really was a special Christmas.

Christmas is coming

I've sent of Stephanie's package to Amarillo.... now need to start all the other wrapping necessary for the 3 daughters here and their husbands... I'm not a person who is big into wrapping...

Daygown is done (hand stitching), started on new project. Machine stitching will be done tomorrow.

Funny!

One of the blogs I follow, http://southernhospitalityblog.com/, has a funny entry this week. She has also decided that the big tree is just not the thing this year and bought a 3 foot tree that she put up on a table... didn't know I was a trend setter!

I have to learn there's only so much space!

Cleaning up the pantry today. It's not so much that I have things to throw away, although Stephanie and Lizzie would disagree with that, but that I can't find anything. I've just pulled out all my King Arthur Flour mixes and I have too many. I look at the different kinds of flours and grains and I have too many. John loves nuts and chips and he has way too many. I love spices and herbs and I have way too many. There is only so much room in my medium size pantry and I need to learn that.

Now, I just have to put everything back in...

Christmas Decorating

No pictures, but by the end of this post, you will understand...

I have a good friend who DECORATES for Christmas. I mean she takes her whole house and re-decorates the whole thing... it's full of bling, a very Southern thing. I'm serious, her house is beautiful, it could be in any magazine and I love going over there.

I'm not that type and I don't think I will ever be. This year, I really just don't feel like doing the whole "Christmas" thing. I have a few Mark Roberts Fairies (3), a centerpiece on the breakfast room table, a few decorations here and there. John always get stressed by Christmas decorating and because we weren't home the day after Thanksgiving, it just seems to be too much work for 3 short weeks. Yesterday John and Stephanie were starting to put up the 7 foot Christmas tree and I said NO! I don't want the work, I don't want the stress.

We ended up buying a pre-decorated 4 foot tree that I added my two small fairies to and it's perfect for my mood this year. No big deal, but pretty. I don't need to add anything, including pictures.

I really am stitching!

I was able to get a lot done on a pink daygown from Jeannie Baumeister while I was in Cambria. The picture is proof that I was really stitching!

We're home

After a wonderful visit with my family in Cambria, California, we headed back to Monterey the day after Thanksgiving. We were mere blocks from the Naval Postgraduate School's historic hotel where we had a reservation when the phone rang. It was NPS stating that there was a water main break and we couldn't stay there. We ended up at the Army Lodge at the Presidio of Monterey. Decent room but not as nice as the Navy.

The next morning we got up and had a wonderful breakfast in Monterey. We drove on up to San Jose and got to the airport very early. We checked in and settled in for a wait.

Our flight from San Jose to Phoenix was uneventful. We got to the gate in Phoenix, much busier airport than in San Jose, in plenty of time. US Airways began boarding. We were in Zone 3. All of a sudden, the jetway door closed and no one was allowed to get on the plane. They had already boarded first class and people traveling with small children. Finally they announced that there were "crew issues" and they hoped to have them resolved soon. John went to the counter after awhile and was told that the First Officer wouldn't fly with the Captain. We then saw the Captain storm off and a new one showed up. Boarding resumed and we took off.

About a half hour into the flight, the Flight Attendant announced that there was a medical emergency in First Class and if there was a doctor, nurse or EMT on the flight to please come to First Class. A nurse and a doctor showed up. The nurse went back to her seat and the doctor walked up and down the aisle with his stethescope. I guess they decided that the poor woman wasn't too sick to make it to DFW so the flight continued. We were held up while the EMTs at DFW took her off the plane on a stretcher, but that was fine. We were home.

While trying to unpack my suitcase at 1 am, I discovered that the nice people at TSA had searched my suitcase... a perfect ending to a day of drama!

Cowboys Fan

Most people who know me well are well aware of the fact that I am a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan. I even survived the 1-15 season in 1989 while we were living in Washington DC. This year is no different. They are horrible, but I'm still a Cowboys fan, but it is getting harder. At least in 1989 Troy Aikman was a rookie and they were TRYING to build a team, this year, well, I don't know what they're doing or what they're problem is.

I'm still a fan, but it's getting harder and harder.

Aftermath

The house is slowly getting back to normal. I amazed at what needs to be cleaned and how badly it needs to be cleaned! Dust is insidious, it gets into every little nook and cranny in the entire house.

It's also been really rainy here the last two days. It's also turned cold. I sleep so much better when it gets cold, but the rainy weather makes me wish I could take a nap.

It's Done

Relief. The faucet is in and working. We have running water in the kitchen. All that's left is the hardware for the cabinets and drawers. It's been 2.5 months and I'm ready. Sorry for the picture of the faucet, but I took it with my phone. Would I do it all over again? Yes, I'm that pleased with the result, but I wouldn't do it for a long time...

Kitchen Update

Well, it's almost finished. The appliances are in and we're slowly but surely putting stuff away. Friday the electrical stuff, lights, etc., will be done. The faucet and cabinet hardware are about 2 weeks away. It's a bit odd to have to go get water from the utility room, but the faucet will be worth the wait!

Changes

This week there have been lots of changes at my house. The plastic walls are down, the painting is almost finished. We have all the new windows that we ordered. We have about a week and a half to go on this process, not counting the kitchen faucet. That could take up to three weeks... My attitude has changed as I see the end of the process of remodeling, but I'm not sure when Phase 2 will start because I can't see going through this again.

One of my daughters lost her grandma in law this week. This one is particularly hard because we are so close to our son-in-law's parents. His mom lost her mom. My heart breaks for her because I have been there. My daughter is hurting because her daughter will never meet her great-grandmother....I so understand that hurt because my mom will never meet my granddaughter either.

Friends are the stability of life. I cannot stress enough the need to have friends. There have been times in my life when I haven't had friends and those were desolate times. Today I've had calls from two friends and I know that my daughter's mother-in-law who just lost her mom and I are connected by the heart. Tuesday I had the privilege to spend time with 3 friends to celebrate the birthday of one of them. Next Wednesday we are going to lunch. I need that time with friends. That 5 year span I had without friends still causes pain in my heart. When I was at my lowest of lows, 3 friends were there and I will never forget that. Friends are the stability of life.

Our life has been changed with the friends we have made here. In some ways, the remodel is because we will be hosting those friends at a get-together in February. Friends are that important.

Too Optimistic

Well, the contractor told me a couple more weeks, but as slow as the painting is going it's going to take a lot longer than that. Nothing was done on Tuesday.... nothing. Wednesday was a ton of taping off drawer runners and hinges and today has been lots of caulking. IF they do any painting tomorrow, it will be primer. I'll be surprised if it's painted by Wednesday. Seriously.

That means granite will be done on Thursday, tile on Friday, and we'll then be into the 8th week of the project.

Sorry to be so negative, but the frustration is beginning to set in.

Update

Cabinet doors and drawer fronts are up today. Painters start tomorrow. Another couple of weeks and we'll be done.

Organized some projects in the sewing room this weekend. I didn't realize I had so many UFOs. We kept having to go back to the store to buy more plastic shoeboxes...

I've been crocheting today, about half done on that project and aim to get some sewing done this week. The weather is cooperating... I'm always more interested in stitching and sewing when the weather is cool.

Real progress

Last week I picked up the new microwave so that the cabinet builders could measure it properly for the new cabinet. That seemed to be a big step at the time, but now it's just sitting on the dining room floor, not in it's rightful place, so it really wasn't a big step.

Today, however, was a big step. The new exhaust fan is in. It's in and it's big. It's very industrial looking. I love it.

Tomorrow they will finish the crown molding. Monday they will put on the cabinet doors and drawer fronts and then on Tuesday, the painters will take over. Once the painting is done (probably by the end of the week), it's time for the rest of the appliances and then the details such as switches, outlet covers, etc. There is a light at the end of a tunnel!

OOPS!

When John came home last night he was surprised to find that there was a discrepancy in the cabinets where our huge hood would be mounted. The spacing was 2.75 inches on the left side and 5.25 inches on the right side.

Call the contractor! Well, actually I e-mailed him. He was out here bright and early this morning and had to add a bit to the left side cabinet to get them to come out properly. I think it looks pretty good!

Grumpy

When we were in Mexico, a friend of ours took care of our plants. He also put in solar lights to light up the pathway between us and the church. What a wonderful friend.

Yesterday, one of the pastors at the church came over and very rudely informed me that the solar lights were to be removed immediately. Not only was he rude, but he treated me like I was a moron. By the third time of him telling me to remove them, I politely told him that I had heard him the first two times.

John moved the lights to OUR side of the alley and no one can say a thing.

If you have something to say to me, or want me to do something, say it nicely. I'll follow up nicely, too.

This morning I was outside talking with the contractor when the pastor that came over yesterday walked by. He said "Hi"; I said "Hello". He said "Thanks for moving the lights". I said nothing. He said "Have a nice day." I said "I hope to". End of discussion.

I honestly can't stand rudeness, especially from a pastor.

Please remember

A Day Off!

Today, I'm going to a birthday party for one of my best friends. I'm so excited! We always have a great time on these "girl trips" and today will be extra special because I won't be babysitting the crew at the house. They are putting the "mud" on the sheet rock and we are on day 3. Radios blasting, zipper walls closed, I'm excited to get away!

Dry Wall

Yesterday, was insulation and dry wall day. The guy came in and "foamed" the outside walls. That insulating foam is weird!

Then it was on to the dry wall. Talk about dust. It is everywhere! John was off, so he spent the day watching the work crew.... I don't supervise that closely.

Stitching

Since this blog is supposed to be about stitching, here goes....

I've been working all week and last on digitizing something for Cody, my son-in-law. I am hopeless when it comes to digitizing. Classes here I come (after the kitchen remodel).

Hand stitching I can do. I'm doing Jeannie Baumeister's sew along daygown class. I ridiculously behind, but I am working on it. Today, I'm going to get the sleeves put in.

So, I am stitching, and I hope to do more!

Fewer ceilings, more progress

It's still two steps forward, three steps back where the ceilings are concerned. They took the little hallways down today. Had an A/C guy here to check for leaks in the duct work, waiting to hear back from the contractor on that one.

On the other hand, all the electrical is done and the lights work! Gas pipe has been moved for the new stove. Nail guards are being installed and the boards that the cabinets will be attached to ( I can't remember their name) are being installed. Tomorrow is a day off, Friday will be foam insulation, next week dry wall will go up. Yeah!! Ceilings and walls. Who would have thought that would be so exciting?

Also took pictures of how I want the cabinets and granite to be around the stove. Here's the right side.... it's above, but I wanted to add that our cabinets will be white.

Demolition

Well, this is how my house looked on Friday. No ceiling, no walls, etc. Today, Monday, I have a ton of wires sticking out of everywhere and can lights in the ceiling. I guess it's making progress, one week down, 8 to go...

Progress

I now live in house with "plastic walls" and zippers in the plastic. The entire kitchen/breakfast room is blocked off. The zippered walls are hard to walk through. The baseboards are off, the appliances are out, and tomorrow is the rest of the protective flooring and then they scrape the ceilings!

It's here!

The kitchen is empty, the utility room is set up with a microwave and a coffeemaker, we're using paper plates and plastic "silverware", and I'm hand washing coffee cups and wine glasses. Tomorrow morning, 23 August, is the real beginning of the kitchen remodel. Tomorrow morning Stephen and his crew will arrive and start the project for real. First, they're going to protect our wood floors and then the demolition begins.

I so hope that we've made the right choices for granite, cabinets, backsplash, lighting and appliances. I think we did and it certainly is too late to make changes.

Onto the demo!

It's getting closer

One week from today our kitchen/breakfast room remodel will start. We've done all the choosing, we have picked out granite, tile, a sink, a faucet, appliances and the edge for the granite. We also have 4 new windows, all in place already!

Windows

Well, my kitchen and breakfast room look naked.... we took down the blinds and toppers to prepare for new windows this week... it looks like we are moving and we're NOT!

Daughters

Sometimes it's really weird being the mother of 4 grown daughters. I've talked to 3 of them in the last 24 hours. One was super excited about her latest sonogram picture. I'm so happy for her and her husband. The other two phone calls were not as good. One daughter is unhappy with her job, my heart hurts for her. The others husband has accepted a job where he will be way out in West Texas for the next year while she works out her contract as a teacher. My heart really hurts for her as I've been there, done that, and it's hard.

Banks

OK, we're remodeling our kitchen. That entails money. I need to move money from our savings account to our checking account. I write myself a check. I go to the local branch to deposit said check. They tell me that the funds will not be available for 15 days! A few days I can understand, but in 15 days, I could walk the check to the bank it was written on in San Antonio, and bring back the confirmation of funds available. I think that it's because I wrote a check to myself. Today, I take a check from my brokerage account, a bank, and those funds are put on hold for another 15 days. Now, we have the time before we need the money available, but my bank won't accept a check from another bank? Ugh.

Moving

I moved once as a child, at the age of three. I married John and have lived in 13 different houses since 1978. I stated boldly that I would never move again when we moved here in 2005. I stated boldly that I never wanted to see a moving box or packing paper again.
Last August, I had to go through my mom's house with my brother. He let me bring home 16 boxes. I don't know why he let me bring home that many boxes, but then, he brought home a whole truck full. I swore then that it would be the end of my box and packing paper association.
Today I ordered boxes and packing paper so I can tear up my kitchen and then move back in.
I will never have boxes and packing paper again, I swear.

Life can get complicated

Electronic things are supposed to make life easier, or so I thought. Today my iron, yes, I iron, popped loudly and all the lights turned off. I unplugged it, let it cool down and now it works again, but I know I need to be looking for a new iron. Sad, because I really like this iron.
Computers are wonderful, but drive me nuts. They are such a distraction. But then, how else would I know that a high school friend has a beautiful back yard?
Cell phones, we don't even have a land line, but I feel like I'm on a leash. I can't ever get away from the phone.

Yep, electronic things have their place, but I think I'm going to go find some peace with some hand sewing.

4th of July

I was kinda sad today. In church we sang the Star Spangled Banner and The Battle Hymn of the Republic. I waited and waited for people to stand during both songs. Maybe it's the fact that I was an Air Force Wife for 20+ years, or that I'm extremely patriotic, or for whatever reason, but it saddened me that I had to wait for others to stand.

Kitchen Remodel

I met John at the appliance store yesterday and we agreed on the 48" range (GE Monogram). Then it was on to the dishwasher. While the Monogram is beautiful and has interior lights (never had a light in the dishwasher before, I really kinda like the Kitchen Aid. On to the microwave. I really thought this was a no brainer, but John didn't like the looks of the cabinet mounted GE... we decide on a Viking. Darrell, the appliance guy, told us that the ventilation hood that we liked, low profile, only came in a 42 inch and we couldn't use that on a 48" range. We both ended up liking the huge professional kitchen ventilation hood that GE Monogram makes. That was a surprise. What's missing? Oh yeah, the refrigerator. I will NOT buy another side by side. All the free-standing, which we need, have grey sides, not stainless. We came home and checked out Sub Zero. They have what we want, but very expensive. I'm looking back at the GE Monogram site and their fridge looks like it is all stainless... guess I'll be calling Darrell today.

Kitchen Remodel

Met with the second contractor last night and will go with him. He's nice and down to earth. Now, the work begins. We have the month of July to pick out and order all the stuff. Then work will begin about 15 August and go on for a month. We've decided on GE Monogram appliances, I think, and a blue/white color scheme with white bead board cabinets. The bead board will tie the kitchen in with the stairs and the fireplace. Crazy times in Rockwall!

Last Wedding

On Saturday, my oldest daughter got married. That's 4 weddings in 6 years. Whew! It's exciting that they are all married and we love our sons-in-law, but there's also a big sigh of relief that all the weddings we have to put on are over. It's the one big issue of having 4 daughters.... 4 weddings... We made it!

New Kitchen?

Next Wednesday at 4 pm we meet with a contractor to discuss remodeling our kitchen. We've made some big decisions this morning, such as getting a 48" range with two ovens, eliminating the wall oven, and moving the microwave into a cabinet. We've decided on countertops (no more tile) and other small things.

Sometimes I'm really amazed at how fast things go once John makes up his mind to do something!

Sometimes I wonder...

How much my life would be different if I hadn't met and married John. I wouldn't have my four wonderful daughters, my 4 (almost) sons-in-law. I wouldn't have the lifestyle that I do. I mean, how hard is it to be at home all day with no kids, tending to my beautiful house and fulfilling my creative desires.
What does still amaze me is that back in 1977, when I met John, I never dreamed that all of these wonderful things would have happened and that I love him more now than I did then. It's a different love, a deeper, more abiding love, now. I also still think he is incredibly cute.

Back at home

Well, we had a wonderful time in Mexico. I can't recommend Cozumel's Iberostar enough. We ate, slept, went on wonderful excursions (Jeep Tour and the Catamaran) and then ate some more. It was the most relaxing 7 days I have ever spent. I'd go back in a heartbeat, but then, I didn't have to go to work on Monday like my husband, John, did.

OK, I have two other daughters, Stephanie and Lizzie. They are very special people... Stephanie is my relaxing daughter. Lizzie, I talk to everyday. They are both married to incredible people, Dameon, and Lane. Both of them, and their husbands, are wonderful. We are all going to Mexico on Sunday. I remember one special conversation I had with Dameon. I was very sick, and he thought I wasn't happy with him marrying Stephanie. Nothing could be further from the truth. We had a long talk, cleared the air and things have been wonderful. I am still amazed at Lane. The more I get to know him, the more I love him. I have been truly blessed.

Wedding

26 June 2010. A big day for our family. Our daughter, Dianne, will be marrying Bret on that day. We're excited! Bret could not be better for Dianne, and he's a great addition to the family. He does have some competition for best son in law, we love Cody, Dameon and Lane, but, then, we love them all.

I've been waiting....

This post could be hard, or it could be easy, which is why I haven't posted in a few days. My third daughter, yes, I have four, went to the emergency room on Friday with severe pain. The diagnosis was an ectopic pregnancy. She went ahead to the emergency room at my oldest daughter's hospital, (oldest daughter is an RN), and they were prepping her for surgery. Enter oldest daughter, Dianne. She pulls a few, well, maybe more than a few, strings and get's Jackie's (third daughter), OB/GYN to come in on a Friday night, on a holiday weekend. This Dr. tells them to wait, let's see what the Beta levels say. On Tuesday, Jackie got blood drawn. On Wed. the Dr. says that the Beta levels are great. Ultrasound on Thurs. morning. Today, Thursday, the ultrasound was done. There is a black dot in the uterus. Viable pregnancy. While there may still be problems, any pregnancy can have problems at the 5-6 week point, Jackie has been cleared to go on our family vacation to Mexico. Praise God!

Now for the "Stitching" part of my blog title.... I sew, I sew children's clothes, especially baby clothes. I've been sewing for "Baby Figment" see www.marthapullen.com and now I'm sewing for a real baby. I still have to remind Jackie that I am a children's clothier, not a child care worker though.

Mixed Feelings

Well, we're supposed to go on vacation next Sunday, and we will, but one of our daughters may not be able to go. She's having some medical issues, we'll know more tomorrow, but it's definitely mixed feeling for the whole family...

No Martha Pullen School

Well, I found out today that the Bernina school is full for July, so I won't be headed to Huntsville after all. How sad.

Headed to Huntsville?

John has encouraged me to go to the School of Art Fashion in Huntsville, Alabama in July. There are two hurdles to overcome. One, was there a hotel room, and two, is there room in the Bernina School. I've made the hotel reservations and am now anxiously awaiting a call back from the Martha Pullen Company with the answer to question number two. If this doesn't work out, I'll go in February.

It's a beginning

Well, I have decided to take the plunge and become a blogger. I'm not telling anybody right now, but it will be an interesting ride. I have lots to learn, uploading pictures, for one and it will be a slow process, but I'm excited.