Taco Night at Beef House

Down in Garland is Beef House and Monday night is Taco Night. I can't tell you how good these are. They are not the average taco shell taco like everywhere else, but little corn bowls of beefy goodness. The Wifey and I try to make it down there every time we have the chance. This is a place where we are one of the regulars and the people know us and we know them. Can't get that feeling at a Chili's.

Not much for a Monday. I have gotten the ole drawing pad out to start drawing up the new raised beds and thinking about building new storage shelves for the garage. She saw me do this and has added a few honey projects. A new roof for the back porch awning and a few other suggestions. I can't say no to her. She looks at me fluttering those pretty eyes and reminds me who gave me the new tools for Christmas.

Off to find the tape measure and hide in the garage......

JW

Sunday Night Ramblings

Just  sitting here in my chair with a warm cat in my lap debating watching the news or going to bed. Bed is winning. Wifey and me are watching the first Harry Potter movie and agreeing the first Dumbledore is still the best. Yep, time to go to bed.

The year is winding down and I am ready. I am usually in bed and asleep by 10:30 or 11:00 New Years Eve, but I am throwing caution out the window and some great friends of ours is having us over that night. I hope I last till midnight. no promises, though

Already getting my new seed catalogs, and I am once again looking forward to spring planting. I had to go out to the garden just to get some dirt under the nails. I love puttering. I even refilled the bird feeders and added a new one in the tree.

Time to put the dogs out for one last time for the night..........

See ya'll later

JW

Giving it one more try

I have been a way from the blog-sphere for too long. It has been a busy several months with big ups and dark lows for me and the family. My other grandmother, Charline, has passed back in September and it came done to me to oversee her affairs and estate. I did have the chance to spend the last several weeks with her and to take care of her. Anyone that has been in that situation knows how hard it is to watch someone who raised you to slip away with failing health and then succumb to their ailments. She was a wonderful soul and a strong Christian woman who helped shaped my core beliefs and faith.

The up is that the kids with their mom moved back to the area from Maryland. I get to spend the proper time with them and watch them be awesome kids instead of settling for Skype and summer break. It was the best Christmas gift anyone could give me, except the awesome tools the Wifey got me this year. Home Depot was my plaything this year. Thank you my sweet Wifey.

I love pheasant hunting and this year was absolutely perfect. Beautiful weather and birds were flying everywhere. I was very lucky though. This was right after the North Texas Ice In. We got several inches of ice and the tree tops were snapping all weekend long. It took several days to cut up the branches. Some of my friends lost whole trees from the ice. One lost his 60 year old Oak tree. It was a complete mess. Our bird feeds were quite busy. I saw the prettiest cardinals and doves out there.

Well the year is almost over. It was not especially exciting one, but hey I am the eternal optimist. I gotta keep moving forward and keep the light shining on the dark places. I hope ya'll have a peaceful New Year and I will keep the light on.

Another week gone by.......

It has been a crazy, busy week. Work has picked up quite a bit. We have a new coordinator and not familiar with our service routes and the company has added more locations to her duties. We have been traveling all ends of the Metroplex, waving at each other passing by. It has kept things interesting for us service techs. Hopefully this gets worked out before our vans wear out.

I have been busy with the Blue lodge and church, volunteering with work days and other duties. I have seen articles and heard people either complaining about there are no "real men" or what makes a "real man". I don't know what they are looking for, but what I see are the guys are the closest thing I know of. We take time to volunteer to give back our time to maintaining and supporting our churches with work days and being on committees. We spend time coordinating Gift of Life blood drives for children's hospitals and collecting supplies for local schools. I could go on and on, but the fact is we support each other, our families, our churches and organizations, and community. Men strengthen each other like iron sharpens iron. That is the only way I can describe it.

I have a little boy and two older step sons and I hope and the end of the days I have left, I am an example of this and it rubs off on them. For my daughter, I will be the example of what to look for in the relationships she will foster in the future.

Thanks to all those who stop by and take time to read my ramblings, I do appreciate it.

So mote it be

JW

Back from Summer Break

I am back from a summer break I took away from the blog. It got to the point where I didn't know what I wanted to do with it. I couldn't come up with anything on a daily basis and I was ready to chuck it. But I  realized that I was trying to hard and worrying what people thought. This is something I do enjoy this and it is a chance to put my thoughts down.

So I am starting over.

So this is who I am.....

I am a Mason and a Shriner here in my neck of the woods. This year I am the senior steward of my masonic lodge which means I and the head food provider for all activities and meetings. I am enjoying getting in the kitchen and cooking. A whole new set of mouths to try new ideas and recipes.

I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. I try to be active in my church with all sorts of activities. Everyone has their own beliefs and the paths they follow, let us leave it at that.

I am a prepper/ gardener/ homesteader outside of Dallas. I do what I can with what I have and the space I can. I believe to be ready with supplies, skills and knowledge if there is a disaster her at home. I like to be prepared, but I don't go for the end of the nation/ world scene. I take care of me and my own.

I am a father to 4 wonderful, sometimes nutty kids. Rufus, Big Sis, Little Man and Oldest Boy. I am a husband to a wonderful woman, Wifey (GG), who has both supported me in my endeavors and kindly adjusted my way of thinking at times. I love my family and very protective of them. I do my best and love them as much as I can.

These are some of the things I am passionate about and what I will fill these pages with. I welcome the friends I have made on here and look forward to adding more. I will be here at least once a week and more if something interesting or goofy comes up in the week.

Happy Independence Day

Independence Day 2013

Let Freedom ring out.....

JW

Crazy Day

Today was a bit of a hectic day, to say the least.

I had to work a half day running my calls before the fun started. Got home and had to run Rufus and his car back to the shop for the same problem. Stinking car has been over heating and we are trying to get it fixed before the engine seizes. After that I had to take Big Sis for first day of physical rehab after injuring her knee.

I know it doesn't sound like much, but after all that, dinner and traffic made it home for the night at 8:00 pm tonight. I feel like I ran a marathon in the desert. We made it up to 102 today and supposed to hit 104 tomorrow. That is before the heat index is factored in. I am a summer heat wienie.

But Wifey is back home for the weekend. I miss her when she is not here and sure glad when she gets home. She gets to stay home next week for the 4th of July. Family parties and lots of firework watching planned for the week. Can't wait for some good eating.

We all need to put aside our bickering this next week and get together, raise a flag and remember those who gave us what we have in this great nation. Our veterans, founding fathers and the leaders that built and sacrificed to build a nation we can still be proud of. I know I will.

Tomorrow is another day....... remember to be thankful for that blessing.

JW

Net is down......

The internet is down and won't be back up for awhile. It is intersesting watching the kids be creative on finding outlets to keep themselves busy. Old games are brought out, movies watched and they are wanting to chat more.

Wish it was down more often....but we have to have it up for work, especially when Wifey is home.

Supposed to break 100 officially here tomorrow and I am noy looking forwards to it. I can't complain with a nice and long spring. We were lucky while friends stayed snowed in late this year. Lets hope it is a short summer heat season. The heat gets bad with the high humidity.

I don't like to get too political here, but I is getting nauseous with all this political fighting and everything is a political hot button.  I am independent in my thinking and beliefs and why do I have to bend to others will so they won't be offended. I vote and let me representatives know what I think.

Let me raise my kids the best I can with what I have and what I believe. I don't need any namby pamby special interest group telling me that I am doing it wrong.

I had to get that out and I feel better.

Now I am going back to putter in the garden and play with the kids.

See y'all tomorrow.

JW

mush

That is what my mind is right now. I am lucky that I am conscious and sitting up right.

Coming back from vacation, work decided to save bucket load of service calls the last two days, running Rufus back and forth to get his card repaired and chasing kids around this house. It is enough to buy stock in caffeine.

I am ready for bed and do it all over again tomorrow.

JW

Kids are here finally for the summer

Big Sis and Little Man have made it to CHA for the summer. They got in late Tuesday after their first flight was cancelled and had to change airports to find another flight. Today we stayed in to unpack and recover from the flight. The rest of the week we will go check out stuff around town while I am on vacation.

They will be here all summer through the first of August. I haven't seen them since last summer and I am so happy to have them here. The rest of the time they live in Rockville, MD outside of Washington DC with their mom. Big Sis has turned into a beautiful young lady and she turns the big 18 this year. One more year of high school and she has already been scoping out college prospects. I couldn't be prouder of her. Little Man is growing like a weed and cruising though school like a wiz. I love them dearly.

I need to plan a time for my girl and me for some father-daughter time this summer and have some fun. Maybe go to the range and teach her to shoot and dinner later on. I want her to be able to defend herself and have the confidence and having that skill with her. That what daddies are for.

Well I am off to bed, it is going to be a busy day tomorrow running around town and seeing the sites. There are a couple of museums we want to go and see, the new Perot Nature and Science in Dallas and the Flight museum next to Love Field. Hurricane Harbor Saturday and we will cook out Sunday.

Life is good. Wonderful kids, Big Sis. Little Man and Rufus, and my awesome Wifey. Could I be any luckier.

Night All

Taking care of Grandma Honey

Poor Grandma Honey had a spell today and had fallen in her living room. Luckily she had one of those Life Line alert systems and was able to get help to her quickly. They called me at work and I responded to her house. She was fine and did not have to go to the hospital. She was shaken up over the ordeal and a little weak. I fed her lunch and stayed with her for the lunch break. I will be back tomorrow to check in on her.

I am worried for her, she has been through a lot this year already and it seems it is harder for her to bounce back. She is 89 this year and she keeps telling me "it is hell getting old." She took care of me and my brother all our lives and when mom passed, she took it as her responsibility to look after us. Now with my  brother living away and family passing on or moving away, it is me, a cousin and a sister in law looking after her. She is the cornerstone of this side of the family or more "the force to be reckoned with" over her grand kids and great grand kids. She has kept an eye over a dozen or so grand kids and an army of great grand kids all these years.

Now we are looking after her reminds me we all are heading to uncertain times in our lives in which we are never promised a tomorrow and enjoy today like it is your last. It might be. In the past 15 or so years I have lost my mom and Granddad Honey and Grandma Cleo just in the past year.

I am trying to love Grandma Honey a little more while I have here and remind my kids how precious the time we have each other and our family.

Say a prayer for our family and I will return the favor for your family.

Until next time we meet again, here or in heaven.

JW

Time to get it together

This being  the first time to blog, I am a hard time getting into a rhythm of postings. Wifey said I have been getting lax with it. Funny, I thought she started it and I was going to add to it occasionally.  Oh well, I will keep this marching along. I am rather enjoying it.

The garden is stalled this year. Trees have blocked most of the days sun and I have tried to prune them back but I can't take anymore without killing the trees. This is my first year to do this and that is where I learn from my mistakes. I should have better luck in the fall when the leaves fall off the trees.

Our dream is to be little more independent and self sustainable when we get out little place to expand. Until then we are learning and practicing while we can. Gardening is just one more step to this dream.

I am beside myself with excitement my kids will be here soon for the summer. They will be here in less than a week and I am planning lots of fun for all of us. It will be fun having them help in the garden and teaching them new skills.
I am planning to take Big Sis to her first time to the gun range and teach her gun saftey and shooting techniques, maybe bust a couple of clays this summer. Little Man gets to watch and learn about saftey also.

The lodge had a Gift of Life blood drive this past weekend and was able to collect over a hundred units for the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun.

So mote it be.

Memories

My father served in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict as a heavy equipment operator helping to build and repair runways. The US, had complete air superiority, which didn't sit well with the North Koreans, who constantly either shelled or attacked air bases with total regularity. 
My father and his crew were usually only armed with .45 caliber automatic pistols to defend themselves, and he told of losing friends and comrades during these skirmishes.


Also, on his way to Tokyo from Korea for some R&R, the plane he was in was shot down when it drifted into North Korean air space, forcing him and the rest of the planes occupants to bail out, where they spent 5 days hiding in a rice paddy until a US patrol rescued them.

It's these stories that make up the big picture which reminds us of what this day is about. That, and remembering all the brave soldiers who didn't live to tell tales such as the ones my father told. - Written by my brother today


God Bless to my brother, my Daddy and to all those who are currently serving or who have previously served.
We owe you much more than a day of celebration. So much more.

Daddy - 1960

My brother - 1983

Where did she go........

Wifey (GG) has a new position in her company and now has to travel A LOT. Gone by Monday and home on Thursday.  It is hard to go back to taking care of myself and the kids (4 animals and one boy) but I had to do this before I got spoiled of having her work from home.

I have been enjoying to see my shows on TV and eating off one plate all week. Lot less dishes to clean.

Also this means less blog fodder when she is gone, except these past weeks. I had been on call this week and was called out constantly.  Good for the paycheck, but rough on the ol' body.

We have hosted 2 car shows, taken the dogs to the vet for their shots and then back to the vet to treat the allergic reactions to the shots. That was not a fun Saturday. Who knew chihuahuas could swell up that big. He looked like a balloon animal. But he is back to normal after benidryl and steroids.

I am sitting here at the second car show honoring those who served this great country now and in the past. I have family and many friends the were in the many branches and I am honored to know them and reminded I have what I have because of them.

Raise a flag and shake their hands to thank them this Memorial weekend.

JW

Happy Mothers Day

What a Week

I am wore out to the bone this week and GG is the same way. But it is Friday and I am ready for the weekend.

GG has to travel for work for the next several months and I am having to learn how to do things around the house. The good news the animals stayed fed and didn't go hungry. On the other hand, I am very relieved food comes in boxes and cans for the microwave. I am good at cooking and fixing meals, just it is easier to nuke a burrito for me instead of pulling out the pots and pans.

The garden is doing good and taking off. The tomatoes have several buds and fruit coming. The salt and pepper are patiently waiting. The onions, zucchini, cantaloupe,  cucumbers are rockin' along. Jalapenos  leeks, and okra are hanging in there and still showing life. I hung up a couple of those upside down planters at my grandmothers house to see how well they work. The plants like it and really growing.

GG is getting ready for the weekly Walmart trip and dinner. No matter how much or little we have on the list, she drags me around for 2 or more hours. It wouldn't  be so bad, but the ammo section is constantly empty and not much new in the garden section.

Family Day up at the lodge this weekend. Horseshoes and washers are on the agenda and looking forward to the fun to be had. The weather is going to be picture perfect for the event.

I need some range time. My poor guns are looking at me like they are neglected. There are clay pigeons calling for me.

Wish me luck!

Don't worry and keep your towel close....

JW

Dang Tech

I have read over my last 2 post that I did from my phone and I am here to apologize for the spelling errors. Autocorrect is having fun with me.

I am tired of the news here lately. It has been the same news stories on the TV and internet. The government is bickering, someone killed and injured someone else and so on and so on.

I guess  I am just feeling grumpy tonight.

I do feel better after puttering in the garden. Dirt under the nails do make you forget the days frustrations and it is relaxing.

I need my glass of tea and seed catalog.

JW

Crud

I have felt like yuck this week. Gotta love North Texas allergy season,  and this year has been the worst. Pass the tissue, please!!

I went to the doctor yesterday and new drugs for this mess and now I do feel better. This is hard since I work outside most of the time. I love working outside and I guess I will just have to up with this till the hot summer.

GG seems to be immune from this and is good of reminding me to blow my nose and to to take my pill.  Yes dear, I will. "snort, snarfle"

Everything is going good in the garden, but zucchini leaves are yellow. It is good soil, but it has me scratching my head. I will have to read up on this. GG says that Neem will help. It won't hurt.

Well it time to get back to work and then lodge tonight.

Be good at something then you won't be bored.

Lovely Day

Weelll it is past quitting time :30 and can't be any happier. Today the sun was out and it nice and warm. There is no better way to start the weekend.

I have been watching all the news reports on Boston and Texas. It is interesting the reaction s for everyone perspective on these two stories. Everybody has banded together to donate supplies for West, TX to the point the poor town is overflowing with stuff. And the respect and honors given to the fallen is incredible.

Then the flip side in Boston, the city was in lock down to hunt down the second bombing suspect. I have read and seen reports and blogs that were not positive with the steps the state and city took to capture a highly dangerous person. They were caloing it martial law or poking at the fact they have strict gun laws. I don't get it. I will admit the media was outwardly peeing themselves with all the action and displays of force. But they caught the kid and that is what matters.

Time to start the weekend chores and catch a stinkin' squirrel that is causing havoc.

Later Taters

JW

Our Prayers

GG and I are taking time to keep those in West, TX and Boston in our prayers for the losses and those who are hurting.

It makes me proud of those who stopped and RAN to the aid and relief of so a tragic times as these. Watching and reading the back of forth of all the rhetoric,  we can still come together and be the wonderful people we can be.

My hat is off to all the first responders and volunteers that put themselves out there to help and recover.

Thank you

JW

Busy busy!

It's been yet another busy weekend here at CHA.

I've been readying trophies for a car show BFF and I are running next month.
Inventorying them, cleaning them up and making a list for our trophy guy of the needs of each trophy.
That took a few hours alone!
They are all tidied, organized and ready to go to him now. I should have them all back by next week, in time for the show on May 4th.

BFF and I have a car show business, and this is the second to last show we will most likely do this year.  She has finally found a job, and I will soon be travelling every week to Colorado, so we will not have the time to dedicate to car shows like we did last year.
When we did have the time, we usually did a show every other week.
It can be brutal during the hot summer, so I have to admit that I am a bit happy to not have to sit for hours outside, baking in the heat.

In other news, I am still waiting for my release date from my current position. That should all be settled by Tuesday, as my current manager has a call with my new manager.  According to him they want me yesterday, so I imagine once everything is in place, I will be traveling asap.
While I do look forward to seeing new places, this momma does not want to leave all of her babies.
Little dog won't have a warm lap to sleep on all day, and big dog won't have company during the day.
JW assures me that all the flying monkeys will be taken care of. But as I pointed out to him, it won't be me doing it, so I wont be satisfied! HA

JW is currently at Grandma H's, mowing her lawn.
We played a bit of hooky today, staying home from church. We had an event that we went to yesterday, and we were wiped out by the time we got home. It was fun though, so I can't complain.
He manged to get our lawn mowed yesterday and tended to my bird feeders. And he was kind enough to refill the bird bath for me today also.

The garden is coming along nicely. JW thinks our okra may not make it though.
He did point out that the tomatoes do have some babies on them, so that makes me happy!

Laundry awaits me now. I dont look forward to it, but we all enjoy clean clothes.

Have a good rest of the weekend!

Tomatoes

One more good reason to grow your own:

Thug Kitchen

Cause who wants dick cancer? Yo.

Another week gone by

Another week has gone by here at CHA.

Our garden is looking lovely so far.
We had quite a bit of harsh wind and cold earlier in the week, but we managed to protect everything.
So far so good!
I can't wait for warmer weather and fresh tomatoes. If only willing the plants to grow would work!

We had a lovely Easter. There was a lovely Easter play last Sunday that JW was in.
He looked quite adorable in his robe and bare feet, prancing around on the stage with the other disciples.
The service on Easter was nice, and was rounded out with a bells performance.

That evening we had my must have of ham. It's not Easter unless you have ham!
I forgot the rolls, but JW was kind enough to run out and grab them for me.

JW and I were off last week from work. We had a stay-cation.
We wandered around, bought some Depression glass for my collection, and I got a few much needed items for my lacking business wardrobe. You can't help but realize just how many pj's you have when you have to work with the public after working from home for over 10 years.

We also did some major spring cleaning of our closets. All together I believe we had 8 bags of clothes and linens that I decided I did not need any longer. It was so nice to have the closets cleaned and organized once again.

We both dreaded going back to work today, but all told it was not too bad. JW was pretty busy, and I had quite the full day also. The bulk of my day was spent making training documents for the two people that will be taking over my job when my transfer comes through. It's funny, it takes two people to do my job that I have done for seven years. And yet management always wanted me to take on more duties. Go figure.
Now I am just waiting for the negotiations between management on when my release date will be.
Once that is done I will have some training on a few things, then most likely be off to Denver to negotiate a few things. But I can't complain. It's new and exciting. And I stay with a company that is not too bad to work for.

HURRY UP AND GROW ALREADY!!

I'M GETTING HUNGRY!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

So many things have been happening around here in the past few weeks, it's almost hard to wrap my head around it.

There are times when you think that your path ahead of you is straight and clear, but in the blink of an eye it can change.
Last week we found out about possible layoffs in my company. After almost 17 years with the same company, it came as a shock.
This week it was pretty much confirmed that I would be one of the ones laid off.

And by Friday I had a new position in the company.

This new position is in a division that I have not dealt with before, so it will be totally new to me.
I will feel like a new hire all over again.
With this position comes many new responsibilities, a larger role in the company, and travel.

Needless to say, my cushy easy job is coming to an end, and it will soon be balls to the wall working again.
After seven years in my current position, I will have to dig in my closet and find my thinking cap and dust it off. I will actually have to think, negotiate with clients, and deal directly with VP's and Directors in my company. Something I have not had to do in a long time.

I'm actually looking forward to it. I will have to leave my little haven here, and actually wear "outside, proper" clothing. No more telecommuting, wearing yoga pants, polo shirts, and slippers for me.
I will also have to re-learn air travel, as I have not had to travel for work in several years. As a matter of fact, the last time I flew, which was for work, was pre 9/11. Scary, huh?

So now my time will be spent digging hand sanitizer, body spray, nail clippers, nail files, knives, drugs, illegal narcotics, stolen kidneys and whatever other contraband is floating around in the bottom of my purse that may be confiscated by TSA, and moving it elsewhere. I will also have to become familiar again with driving on a regular basis, wearing decent clothing, and being around beings that don't bark or meow, or call me mom or wife. And I have to start wearing shoes that don't come from Dollar General.

All in all it will be a big change. But it will be worth it. I will remain employed, and this will give me a bigger footprint with my company.

But it will also take me away from home more. Away from JW, college boy, and my fur babies.
And it will take me away from here.

But JW will still be here. He will hold down the fort for me, and keep everyone updated.

And keep my pillow warm for me...

Spring Sprung

Spring has messed all over CHA and the yard looks like it. The grass is rubbing poor Lil Dogs belly and Big Dog doesn't much care for it either.

Hung up our new bird feeders and the new birdbath in the backyard and the birds are coming like wild wildabeast (sp?) but G.G. is loving sitting and watching her birds play and feast. I can't blame her, they are cute.

We added a rose bush (Blue Girl) and several tomato plants in the garden yesterday. Still waiting for the pepper transplants to show up so we can put them in the garden. The local feed n seed doesn't have them yet, but it is funny we always come home with some new gadget or goody for the animals.

Breakfast has been finished and it it time to fire up the mower for the first time this year.

More later....

JW

Preoccupied

Sorry I have been quiet. Grandma C went to be with the lord this week, so we have been dealing with that.
Her service is today.
Grandma H is getting better and they expect her to be released Wednesday, so we have been busy coordinating her home and followup care.

Once things calm down, I will have a proper post.

Let's get ready to make stuff!

So the weekend is gone. I'm not sure why it left so fast.
Maybe it got mad at me? Or maybe it got mad because JW snatched the cable out of the house.
Yeah, I'll go with that.

So the weekend was fairly quiet. I spent the time making junk crafts.
I stabbed myself with wire, glued my fingers together with E-6000, and then burned them with hot glue.
But it was worth it. I have several goodies ready to list on Etsy whenever I get around to it soon.

So here we go...
Lots of pictures ahead!

Lots of glass topiaries!

 My table full of glass, just calling to the cat to break it all...

 My glass bin is looking rather sparse

Bracelets waiting for a wrist

Finally cut the cord

Garland Girl has let me get on here to pass some wisdom and vent. I hope she won't cut me off after this. She is already mad at me for what I did. I cut off the the cable and hid the boxes while she was at the craft store. Hee Hee!!

We have been cutting expenses and reducing our debt to find our little place out of town, when we decided to drop cable and get TV for an antenna and a Roku box. Some how we find excuses to not switch over and this weekend I decided to do it while she was out. G.G. does not like change or surprises and I caught grief for it. All I could say was the ol' ripping the band aid reason. It didn't go well.

But we are off cable and able to put that money away for savings for this summer. Now we can sit here and complain there is nothing on TV and it is FREE.

Now if I could get her to talk to me again.

Saturday slowness

It's a nice, quiet, sunny Saturday. Most definitely a nice change from the busy week.
JW is working a blood drive today, so it's just me and a still sleeping College Boy in the house.

I've gotten several things done today so far. I even braved an early morning trip to Walmart.
I got a few essentials and yarn that I was yearning for.
I have pork country ribs in the oven, slow cooking for dinner. They smell heavenly right now.
Roseanne is on the TV while I work on a new blanket. And it's nice and quiet in the house.

I couldn't ask for a better day. Well, my feet could be warmer.
Someone go fetch my slippers so I don't have to get up!
Anyone??

Here is a blanket I finished this week. It's baby sized, and oh so soft.

Here is a cotton one I started this week.

And one I started this morning.

In other news, tragedy has struck... I have broken a nail.
JW is elated, as this means eventually I will have to trim my "raptor claws" to make them even.

I may not be able to do much, but I at least have the super power to grow nails.

I'm exhausted. Is it the weekend yet?

Man I had a busy weekend!
BFF and I wreaked havoc on the flea markets this weekend. We bought everything that we could possibly stuff into my little van. And then some.
We were big wheeler dealers I tell ya.

We found some great deals. BFF even found 5 antique blue 1/2 gallon mason jars. For three dollars total!
BFF said she could hear my brain explode when the guy told us the price.
Seriously, those things are going for anywhere between twenty and fifty bucks a piece around here.
And man were they purty!

We also found tons more goodies.

Ducks for JW, who collects them. The one on the left is actually a light also.

This awesome steel painted milk can. It weighs a ton!

And we also bought tons of glass. We found a thrift store that gave us a great price for two large tote bins full of glass. I felt like we robbed him blind. Almost. For about 72 seconds. Then I got over it.
BFF makes garden topiaries similar to the one below. The glass we picked up will make MANY!

In other news, I finally finished my little rag quilt. It turned out quite nice. It's throw size, so it will be perfect on someones lap, or for decoration on the back of a chair or sofa.

Now it's on to a blanket I'm crocheting and also a t-shirt quilt for college boy. He cleaned out his closet and I took all of his old t-shirts and will piece them together to make a light summer quilt for him. That boy loves his mommas blankets. He has a small crocheted one that he keeps in his car, and he always sleeps with his queen sized one that I made him last year. He and JW fight over the ones I make for some reason, but not the store bought blankets. They could care less about those.
I guess they have their priorities straight!

Jesus and ham ride again

Seriously people I have no clue why JW even lets me out of the house.
I am absolutely positively the most socially awkward retarded person on earth. At least in hospitals.
 
JW's Grandma H is in the hospital now.
We went to visit her last night and of course the minute JW stepped out of the room I apparently start screaming at poor grandma about ham when she mentions about it being "her time".
What the hell is the deal with me, old ladies, and ham?
I do not even know y'all.
I must have some seriously repressed feelings about ham or something.
Or maybe I've dyed my hair one too many times and the chemicals are finally soaking in.
Eh, who knows.

Well, at least today is a better day.
College boy demanded kale chips. I was kind enough to oblige so he has a bowl waiting for him once he gets home from classes. It's about the only green item in his diet, so I am more than happy to make them for him so he doesn't get rickets or some weird deficiency disease or something.

They are very easy to make. I make them with Asian chili oil, soy sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder. I tossed all of the ingredients except the kale in a bowl, mixed it well, then toss in the kale to coat.
Then I just put it on the dehydrator and let it go until they turn out crispy.
It takes about 5 hours for all of the pieces to get very crispy and crunchy.
And then it takes about 5 seconds for college boy to eat them all.

Of course I forgot before pictures, so here are the gratuitous after shots when they were done.

See, all nice and shrunken and crispy!

Sunday sewing

It's been a lovely weekend so far.
We had lunch with JW's family yesterday. We didn't get much done otherwise. It was rainy and we felt like being lazy.
Today is a different story. I did laundry, cooked, we cleaned, and now while JW is at his men's group meeting at church, I am at the sewing machine.

Back in September I started on a rag quilt, but had to put it away for a while.
I messed up my back in October and was on complete bed rest for the month. I still wasn't well enough to sit in my sewing chair for any amount of time, until now.
My back, while not completely healed, is better enough that I am able to sit at the machine for a while and work on the quilt.

I already had all of the squares already cut, thanks to my Accuquilt.  All I have to do now is finish pinning a few squares together that I had left to do, and sew everything together.

If you like doing rag quilts, the best investment you could ever make to save your hands is the Accuquilt.
It has a rag die that pre-cuts all of the rag for you. Seriously the best thing I ever bought.

Here is my stack I still have to pin. There are three pieces to the sandwich.
The top, which is just a patterned cotton, the middle is a square of polyfil and the back piece is white flannel.

Sewing the X on the squares

Completed X on the squares

The colors used are beige's and light greens.

I think it will make a lovely quilt. I will be happy to have it finally done so I can start on another!

What a shame

Awww, the poor criminals can't make bail!

Top New York judge calls bail system unfair to poor

I'm sorry, but who gives a crap if you can't make bail.
Don't commit the crime, then you don't have to worry about making bail.

What's next?
An allowance from welfare for your bondsman?

I need a smoke now. Jeez.

Great balls of yarn

I finished drying the yarn I dyed this weekend, and now they are all rolled in their little balls.

Here they are, all rolled up.

They are, in order:

White and food color, white and food color, and multistripe and food color.

White and KoolAid, multistripe and food color, white and KoolAid, and white and food color.

I think they turned out great.
The white yarn that was dyed with KoolAid turned out the most vibrant.
The white yarn with straight food color turned out in pretty pastels.
And the multistripe colored had some nice color change with the food color.
The multistripe that is predominately blue and purple had some red tones show up, and the other multistripe had the majority of the green that was already in it turn blue or purple.

All in all I'm satisfied with the colors, and will be dyeing more in a couple of weeks.

I know all there is to know about the dyeing game

Such a lovely day here.

The weather cooperated for JW to put the onion starts in. He also put some grass seed down on the bare patches on the lawn, reorganized the garage and shooed that darned squirrel off the awning of the swing where it was just gnawing away. 

I spent the day in the kitchen dying yarn.

I started with a white cotton yarn and used the food dye method and the Kool Aid method.

I found them here. They are very simple to do. 

I don't have many pictures today, and whats pictured is not everything I dyed. 

I will post more tomorrow after everything dries.

 Giant yarn knot and little dog are a requirement for any yarn activities.

The dye method is done in baggies in the microwave.

Finished the first batch and ready to hang up to dry.

The colors will lighten a bit as they dry.

Ignore the messy counters and dirty stove. I promise to clean it tomorrow!

On the plus side my whole house now smells like one giant tooty frooty bomb went off.

Slow

It's a lovely slow day today.

It's slowish at work (I telecommute) so I have a bit of downtime here and there.

And in that downtime I'm working on these:

Pretty, simple cotton dishcloths.

I will hand dye these this weekend. Not sure of the colors yet.

It's good to pick up a needle on slow days. It keeps the hands busy and productive.

And out of the Dorito's bag...

Helicopter Mom

In the past several days, some interesting reading has floated across my computer screen.

This post from Katidids on how The Guvment Gonna Make Ya Freeze.
And then I saw this posted on Facebook: Bring Out Yer Cheese!

After a while I began thinking to myself, when did the government decide to become a helicopter mom?

The government has gone from being a loving parent to the overprotective bitch hipster mom down the street.
And I hate that bitch.

So today, while we are still semi safe, and partially free, think about a government that would do this to you and yours...

I mean come on. Who wants to eat all that healthy, natural, organic food anyways.

Oh it's on now!

That SOB squirrel has been at it again!
He ate the hell out of my cushions AGAIN!

But that's ok.

Cause it's on now.

Next time he goes in for a snack he's gonna get a mouth full of chili powder.
That's right, chili powder. My green swing cushions are now coated in the stuff.
Why not? He ruined them anyways!

Alright little squirrel. It's on.