No Bakes At 8:30?

Yes indeed.  I had almost forgotten about making them and when I remembered it was pretty late.  I looked at hubs and told him if he'd help me, we'd make a batch and well, without hesitation he says, "okay".  Wow.  Told you they like them.  I've had this recipe for probably 20 years and if you follow the directions exactally, you can't go wrong.  This batch won't be here this time tomorrow.  We were going to make a double batch and had everything ready and we were one cup short of oats for it.  Darn.  I suggested putted in a cup of corn flakes and was shot down right away on that one.  I suppose you don't mess with a good thing.  We could have wound up with a double batch of nasty had we done that.  lol. 

I'd be happy to share the recipe if anyone is interested.  If you've never made them before, you have to have a good heavy stirring spoon and work quick when you make these.  If you've made them, you know what I mean.  That's why I like hubs to help so he can stir and mix them all together real good.  He's a pretty good guy to be my muscle, huh?  lol. 

Well, I just wanted to get that in today.  Nothing else much but everyday house stuff.  Catching up a little from feeling so yucky and thinking about Christmas decorating.  I have to move a bunch of stuff to decorate.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.  Have a good night everyone.

Renee

Good Old S.O.S.

My step-dad used to call it by the long version of S.O.S.
(You knnow what I mean) lol.
We'll call it hamburger gravy over toast.

Every once in awhile I can get away with serving this to the fella's and they don't complain.  It don't look so good but it tastes way better than it looks in my opinion.  The only thing that could have made this better would have been some fried potatoes.  I wasn't thinking in time to put some on.  And they were starving of course so I had to get it together with a quickness and this is what they got.  lol. I don't feel like I've cheated them out of anything because this is so filling and it sticks to your middle for awhile.  lol.  I was thinking of making them some no bake cookies but I'm waiting til tomorrow now.  Shhh, just the mere mention of those cookies and they'll have me in there fixing a batch.  I secretly bought some cocoa at the store the other day just so I could make some.  They think I'm out of cocoa.  lol.  My lips are sealed.  haha.

Has everyone used all of their left-overs yet?  We're done.  I still have some turkey but we're turkey and hammed out.  Tomorrow cleaning out the fridge will be fun.  haha.  I have my cold pizza in there still from Wednesday.  Plus all the other little bits of leftovers like the stuffing and gravy.  I had a couple of deviled eggs that didn't get eaten.  And some cheeseball that's seen better days.  I'll have a dishwasher full.  Oh the joy of it all.  lol.

Take care,

Renee

Oh Man

I'm not very good at this blogging game am I?  I was doing so good too.  lol.  I'm not giving up though.  It's just been one thing after another.  I feel bad for not making it back to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving beforehand.  I've done my blog roll today though and it looks as though everyone enjoyed themselves and were truly blessed with family and friends for the holiday.  Me too!

Since my brothers house has a family room the size of my entire first floor, he graciously extended his home as the gathering place for our holiday get together.  I'm only sad in that because we didn't have it here at home as planned, I lost the motivation to properly clean my house for the occasion.  lol.  Was looking forward to a spiffy place for a day or so.  lol.  Due to oven space at bro's, I used an electric roaster this year to cook the bird.  I never have but my mother-in-law always did and I never had any complaints about her turkeys, ever!  The only thing I worried about was cooking time but it all worked out and I believe I made the best turkey and stuffing ever this year.  It was definitely the moistest bird I've ever made.  And with some tweaking my homemade gravy turned out yummilicious.  I don't usually have so much success with that but the gravy gods were with me this year.  lol.  We always do potluck type and everyone brought something and it was so good.  The time with family was wonderful.  Wish we could have stayed longer but were pooped and had to come home to rest.  lol. 

The week leading up to Thanksgiving was uh, hectic to say the least.  Monday Hubs and me went to our friend's funeral and we spent the whole day with them.  Turns out here in Ohio, Monday was a pretty decent day for late November and we thought we'd skip the jackets.  What were we thinking?  Not that that is the reason but him and I both got so sick this week.  He started coughing at that funeral Monday and by 4 p.m. he was plugged up, red-eyed, coughing, sneezing, and wheezing.  Oh No's.  He went to work Tuesday and I went up to my sister's to work on her computer.  Just as we pull in to sister's he calls and says he's heading home sick.  Not good.  He gets sinus infections at the drop of a hat anymore and we try to avoid those as much as possible.  Well, I felt fine Tuesday morning.  If I hadn't I would not have gone to my sister's.  She has no spleen which compromises immunity plus chemo on top of it so she is like susceptible to everything.  She hibernates alot during winter.  Well, don't ya know, late Tuesday I started feeling it.  Wednesday, I knew I had it.  Grrrr!  Even though I felt raunchy, Honey felt worse so I drove him to Mansfield to get his paycheck and he growled at me the whole way.  Not fun.  I don't like driving anyway, let alone someone hollering at me just cause they're sick and grumpy. 

We had all of our shopping to do except for the bird which we did run out and grab Monday night.  And guess what?  I had to do it by myself.  No way I could make him go out in that mess feeling like he was and missing work and all.  I wanted to get an early start so I could see my kid before he went to work.  Well, that didn't happen.  As soon as we got home from getting his check I thought I'd head out to shop.  But because I'm blind and need all the help I can get driving, I thought I'd wash my glasses real quick.  Again, what was I thinking?  I'm standing there drying them and I hear a ding, ding on the floor.  Crap!  There went my nose piece.  Which meant I had to wake grouch up to fix it for me.  I couldn't see the screw if I wanted to to find it so I got my little kit out and it had some screws.  He tried and tried and could not get the screw started.  So, in addition to my grocery shopping and picking up medicine at the drug store, I had to stop at the eye doctor.  Thank goodness they were in.  The lady there tried for 25 minutes.  I'm silently sitting there convincing myself to be thankful they were open and I didn't have to wait maybe til Monday even to get them fixed and when I was just about to run out of thankfulness for the situation and when I realized I wasn't seeing my kid before he went to work, she asks me if I bought the glasses there.  Um, yes ma'am I did.  Five hundred dollars I paid you directly for those glasses.  lol.  (I didn't say that out loud, just to myself).  Well she was checking to see if they were under warranty because the original screw had actually broken in half and part of it was still stuck in the glasses part.  She rigged me up one that is barely in the spot but it works til they get me new frames.  Can't believe it requires an entire new frame but she said she could not get that out for the life of her and I guess after 25 minutes of trying, I'll believe her.  Wow, just wow is all I have to say to that.

I wanted to do my food shopping at Save-A-Lot but I had to go to Drug Mart to pick up honey's prescription meds and more cold medicine for the both of us.  Hawkins is right next door so I thought I'd just go there.  They do have some good sales and I didn't need much so I thought I'd do all my stuff in one location and head home.  Yeah, whatever.  I still had to go downtown to Save-A-Lot.  So one eye doctor, one pharmacy, two grocery stores and $95.00 less later, I made it home.  I knew I had hours of slicing and dicing ahead of me so we ordered pizza which was cold when it got here because everyone else in town ordered pizza Wednesday night too.  lol.  That was just a day I don't care to repeat.  I loathe going out, let alone going out by myself.  And driving to boot.  Oh my.  I almost took the xanax.  lol. 

Thursday morning I called Sister to tell her we were sick but we felt like going to dinner and wondered how she felt about it.  I was going to suggest we stay home if she were scared of catching something instead of her and her husband missing out on account of us being sick.  They have stayed home alone when bunches of people are sick and it stinks.  I told her if she was going to catch anything she probably would have by me being there Tuesday.  We didn't have fevers or anything, just good old fashioned colds.  So she said she figured she had gotten all the shots the docs suggested and they told her to go live her life so we all got to get together after all and hubby and me kept our coughs and wheezes to ourselves and washed our hands alot.  It just makes me feel terrible thinking one of us might have made her sick.  I'm calling later to see how she is today.  She's been good so far so hopefully nothing will get her. 

This weekend has been spent just doing nothing.  We just don't feel grand and the shopping thing doesn't excite us so we've watched some movies and ate left overs and picked up the house and such but nothing major.  Tomorrow it is back at it so I hope everyone is feeling better and ready to go in the morning.  lol. 

Sorry to ramble.  Hopefully the next post will be sewing related and I'll have something to show.  Happy Stitching.

Renee

Forgive Me For The Absence

In Loving Memory
of
Rose Brinker
1939-2010

My apologies again for my lack of posts.  Just before I hit publish on my last post here, I received a text and my husband received a phone call within seconds of each other to tell us that a long time family friend had passed away.  I was so flustered that I just hit publish and walked away from this computer and haven't really looked back yet.  It wasn't really a shock to know that she had passed because she had been so sick but it still hurts no matter how much you think you're prepared.  Even as only a friend of the family.  Her children are deeply hurt and her dear husband is being so strong.  Her services are tomorrow and even though they aren't my thing (funerals), my husband and I are going.  We are best friends with one of her sons and close with most all of the other kids.  Her granddaughter Melissa is very near and dear to me and I think the world of her and her family.  They're like family to us and Rose will be deeply missed by more than she knew.  Please pray for Rose's family for strength and guidance during this difficult time in their lives.

Seems like this world is losing several of it's gems lately.  I used to work in a convenience store across the street from my house.  I've worked there five different times over a course of 22-23 years and trust me I've gotten to know alot of the locals and they've gotten to know me and where I lived and such.  Just real close little neighborhood place and good people for the most part.  Mostly old timers were the devoted ones you saw everyday rain or shine.  Just two weeks ago one of my favorite old timers was laid to rest and it saddened me deeply cause if there is one thing the world needs, it's more people like good old Jim.  He'd always make you smile, most often belly laughing was more appropriate to describe what he would make you do.  lol.  So sweet too.  Loved his wife more than life itself.  I just shake my head and wish so bad that we wouldn't lose anymore of these wonderful folks that God has put into our lives when they are needed today so much more than ever in this ugly old world we live in. 

Tuesday I have to go help my sister again with her computer.  I hope I find some time in between now and Wednesday anyway to catch up with everybody again and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  I know it will be a busy week for alot of us so if I miss anybody this week, I hope to be back at it next week after the holiday.  Everyone take care.  Enjoy your Sunday afternoon.

Happy Stitching,

Renee

Has It Really Been That Long?

I changed from a yucky white sheet to this navy blue one on my "design wall".
I think it makes stuff more visible maybe, kinda like dramatic.  lol. 



Good Grief.  I am sorry I haven't posted in so long.  Phew, has time just gotten away from me here the last few weeks.  And I really have no excuses.  I guess I'm in one of my funks right now and having a hard time shaking it.  But, as they say, this to shall pass.  I haven't been sewing anything.  I cleaned my room the other day and put up a new sheet for a design wall but that's as far as I got.  I cannot get off my duff and do the stuff I need to do, let alone the stuff I think I'd like to do.  I just hate it.  I'm worried about having to make another trip back to my friendly doctor.  I'm overdue for some blood work and just putting it off for financial reasons but the cruddier I feel, the more I know I need it and should just go get it done and see what he suggests from there.  I'm worried about going back cause I know he'll holler at me because I haven't started any counselling.  He thinks that is my cure.  I am scared I may need my medicine dosage upped and who likes that crap?  lol.  One's as bad as the other.  I'm not going to counselling because I don't have anything to say to anybody.  It would totally stink to up my med's but I'd almost rather.  I don't know.  Enough of that.  If any of you who pray out there might say a little one for me pretty please that this "cloud" will pass, I'd appreciate it.

I'm forcing myself into action by throwing the family Thanksgiving dinner next week.  I seem to thrive on deadlines and under pressure so what better way to motivate yourself to clean your nasty house than the thoughts of about 20 people coming to eat with you.  lol.  I hope that maybe that motivation might lead me to be motivated elsewhere in my life too.  Like towards sewing.  lol.  And then I guess I might get inclined to look for a job.  I so do not want to.  I am just not ready but with bills to pay, there isn't much choice.  I'd work from home tomorrow if I could find the niche but venturing out into the work force again has me scared to death.  Panic attack mode isn't how I like to roll but I gotta do what I gotta do. 

Anyway, good news on a couple of fronts.  Praise the Lord for all the kids.  First of all, my youngest son Shawn has gotten his first real full-time job since he graduated last year.  Yeah!!!!  He's been working since he's been old enough and he's been a cook at a local restaurant for two years now but he wasn't getting the hours he needed and certainly not a very good wage.  He's 19 now and I know he's chomping at the bit to get a place of his own and buy nice things fellas his age like to have and I'm real happy for him to get this chance to dive in to the working world.  I knew a long time ago that going on to school wasn't an option for this one so I've decided to support him in whatever he does pursue and this really seems like a good solid job for a young guy.  He's been working 50 hours a week.  Doesn't mind the work but he's not crazy about his hours.  He works from 3 p.m. until 1 a.m.  The regular shift is 3-11 but they don't see a let up in sight on the overtime so that's a real good sign.  Hopefully it means job longevity.

This second bit of news is also just wonderful in my opinion.  My daughter-in-law, Stephanie, just today got her very first full-time nursing job.  Of course this position will definitely make a difference in their lives.  They have worked very hard during the course of their relationship and marriage and I am very proud of both her and Tony.  Such drive and goals for younger adults.  I even admire them.  Steph went into nursing school right out of high school and just graduated this June.  She tested, passed and was licensed as an RN in August.  Bub (Tony) went to school for two or three quarters just out of high school but he had other aspirations at the time and decided to quit school.  He's worked like a hound ever since and has gained himself a pretty nice spot within the company he's been with for 3, maybe 4 years now.  He does mention maybe going back to school himself now that Steph is established but he's uncertain as to what to pursue.  That's something he has to decide on and then just go for it. 

Well, geez I guess I've rambled enough and now it's supper time.  After that I want to blog cruise to catch up on every one's pretties.  Take care.  Happy Stitching.

Renee

Crazy Dreams

Warning!!-This post not quilty or sewing related at all.!!!!
I must confess that after the stocking fiasco, I lost my groove.  lol.  I didn't work on anything this weekend.  All I can do is shake my head at myself and hope tomorrow is better.

I just had to briefly share this dream from last night.  First, you need to know I normally and frequently have some wild, colorful, out of this world dreams.  Some link to real life events and others are purely ridiculous and I can't link them to anything in my lifetime.  lol.  My son says that there is no hidden message in ones dreams but sometimes I wonder.  This one last night is so ridiculous, all I can do is laugh when I think about it today.

Don't know why or what but all I recall is riding in the back end of a pick up truck.  It was black and my oldest son does have a black pick up and it could have been his in the dream.  Can't say with certainty on that though.  Anyway, I was sitting in the back of the pick up on a spare tire and guess what I was doing?  LOL.  It was NOT sewing.  I already told you this isn't a post about that at all.  lol.  I was riding around, sitting there eating a bowl of cereal.  OMG!!!!  What the heck kind of message would that be trying to relay to me in the form of a dream?  lol.    My dreams are so life like sometimes my memories get fuzzy between things that happened and things that I dreamed.  lol.  Well, let me tell you, the aggravation I was feeling was very strong and life like and I was not having a blast trying to eat a bowl of cereal while riding around in the back of a truck.  I had it all over me.  But I must have been hungry cause I was chowing it down.  lol.  Wow.

Do any of you suffer from wildly vivid outrageous dreams?  If so, I would love to hear about them.  It would help prove to me that I am not crazy perhaps.  If I knew I wasn't alone in the traveling cereal eating arena, I would feel so much better.  LOL.  I'm laughing right now.  Please, share some of your crazy dreams with me.  It could be a blast.

Meanwhile,  I hope everyone had a great weekend and I hope you all accomplished some lovely works over the past few days.  Have a great afternoon.

Happy Stitching,

Renee

Doh! If I Weren't So Bullheaded!!!

Grrr. Here are three little known things about me that complicate my life:
#1-I don't like rules, instructions, patterns or anything that requires
me to follow directions.
#2-I get bored very easy. Haven't always but sure do now.
#3-I'm stubborn. Been told I was worse than my Mother in that regard.
I tell em "thanks" when they tell me that. lol. Although, I admit
that in her day there were times when I thought her record in that
department couldn't be beat. lol.

Anyway, perhaps those three things combined is why I got this to show for it:

Are you all laughing as hard as I am?  LOL.  Ha ha.  I think I might need to modify my pattern just a fuzz.  Lol.  It's too funny.  Maybe I should consider browsing for a pattern somewhere after all.  lol.  Oh well, live and learn right?  lol.  Just had to share my weird little ole stocking with you all.  lol.  Oh, and go ahead and feel free to laugh.  I would. 

Cheers!!!

Renee

Headed To The Sewing Room

Yep, I said it. I'm heading that way in short orders. Not sure at all what I'm going to work on but I'm sure I'll find something to do. I need to make some more red border blocks. That's probably what I'll work on.

What are you all up to? I did some surfing last night and saw some neat stuff. Whatever you do today, I hope you get some stitching time in. And have fun.

Have a great day.
Renee

Just Had A Feeling

 Our city does a fall leaf pick up for the residents once a year. We rake them to the curb and they come and vac them all up. They will usually post a notice in the paper about when they will be around to certain zones to pick them up so we can have them out to the curb and ready. This year was really vague in that it just said it could start last week or this week. Well, raking last weekend wasn't going so hot with the wind the way it was and this past weekend, I was sewing.

Something told me to get out there and rake those leaves yesterday. So, I did and ughhh. I don't like it. lol. Thank goodness our yard isn't that big. I didn't even do the back yard. Just the front yard and down between the house and garden because that's where they like to collect just outside the back door. I raked huge amounts of them into my two flower beds out front for bedding/mulch for winter and then I raked the rest of what was left to the curb and this is my pile.







I raked the ones out back into the garden.  It's full too.  lol.  But sitting here this morning I hear this loud noise outside and I look out and to my surprise, it's the city guys picking up leaves.  Man, how happy was I that I raked those when I did?  I don't know what we'd have done with all of them if we hadn't gotten them out there on time. 

Here's a few shots of their amazing machine in action.

See, all gone!!!  And while I know that was one of the most boring blog posts I think I've ever posted, it's better than no post.  I missed yesterday cause I did sleep in and then I worked outside.  I was warm when I started working out front but when I got to the side of the house out of the sun, I was freezing.  I finished that up and said heck with it and came in to warm up.  lol.  I kicked back on the love seat and I noticed my neck hurt a little.  Like in the front, jaw area of my neck.  Well since I just had the heart scare I worry sometimes about little things and I know that a woman's jaw hurting can be a sign of a heart attack so I mentioned it to hubby just to be on the safe side.  Well, we got to investigating and I actually believe my glands are starting to swell.  And last night I just felt like, oh no, here it comes.  First thing this morning I felt okay but as the day goes on I think they are swelling a little more maybe and I got this dull achy headache.  I'm doing the bare minimum today cause I don't feel like breaking any records.  lol.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.  Maybe I did just pull something again in my neck with the raking, I don't know yet. 

I thought about digging out some embroidery that a friend gave me and work on that awhile but the "digging" part discouraged me.  lol.  I have a nice roast cooking right now and when hubs comes home we'll have a good meal and maybe that will help too.  lol.  If I get some pep in my step I might work on that embroidery after supper.  Yeah Right!!!

Well, I need to check the roast so I'll sign off for now.  Thanks so much for coming around and being bored out of your mind by my exciting life.  lol.  Have a great day.  Happy Stitching.

Renee