Feeling better

Yesterday I needed to get out of the house a bit, so I left about 2 pm and went to pickleball to visit with my friends there.  I'm not ready to play yet, my cough gets really bad when I do too much.  After visiting, I went to return a couple of items that I got for Christmas and knew I wouldn't wear.  After that, I dropped in at Beiler's Market and purchased veggies to make Egg Roll In A Bowl later this week.  I stopped at JoAnn's to pick up some mesh fabric to make some produce bags.  Then, a quick stop at the gas station to fill up the tank.  I got home JUST in time to get Rick and head off to dinner at Applebee's with Cris and Jerry.

Boy was I tired after the afternoon of galivanting around!  We rented the movie, "One Upon A Time In Hollywood" and I couldn't stay awake to watch it all.  We had seen it before when we were on vacation and enjoyed it, but I was just so tired.

I slept in the recliner again last night due to my coughing.  I cough more when I lay down, less when I'm sitting up sleeping.

I offered a Pay It Forward on Facebook.  Nancy Stephens (Blogging Near Philadelphia) started it.  I signed up and she is to make something for me sometime this year.  Three people signed up for me to make something (and they are to make something for three people).  Beverly Keubler, a friend from FB who lives in New Jersey; Tanya Titus, a teacher from my high school lives right here in Kent; and Kathleen Ross, a pickleball friend who lives in Florida signed up.  I had a couple others express interest, but I limited it to three people.  Peggy Klein and Debra Hirsh will also get something from me, but I didn't tell them!!

Rick has a haircut appointment today and I spent a little time in the sewing room.  No machines were turned on, but I did some organizing and planning.  I'm enjoying spending a little time there, thankfully.

Happy New Year

Let's try to do better at blogging in 2020!

I'm going to back track a little, going back to just before Thanksgiving.  Rick had his left cataract removed on Tuesday, November 26.  It was a difficult surgery and he has had a lot of issues because of it.  Tuesday night he hardly slept...his eye was excruciating.  I called the doctor on Wednesday and we got into to see her.  The pressure had gone up to 45 (normal for him is 8-12) and due to the pressure there was tons of pain.  The pressure was relieved (by poking a hole in his eye to let the fluid drain out) and he was put on extra medication to keep the pressure down.  Friday after Thanksgiving, the 29th, he went back to the doctor for a re-check and the pressure had remained down. He had another appointment to check on his eyes on December 4.

On December 3, Rick went to Dr. Lis.  We have several appointments coming up to deal with his teeth.

On December 11, Jennifer's cat Lucy passed away.  We received a call from Jennifer about 5:15 a.m.  Her passing was not unexpected, but when you love an animal, it hurts like heck.  Lucy was 19 years old.

Rick had another appointment with Dr. Lis on December 11, too.

December 12 was the Christmas Party at the Board of Education at Kent Schools.  It was nice to see some folks, but not a lot of people attended.

On December 13, Cris came to sew.  We are making a blanket for her great grandson, Cooper Everett Bonina.  We are having tons of fun making appliques (elephants) for the minky blanket.

On December 18, we went to the RHS Christmas Party at the Venice Café.  We are recognizing fewer and fewer people at these functions.  So many folks have retired and those that we know seem to be grouped together, eating; not mingling with others.  We may stop going to these.  We also went to Cirque Dreams at the University of Akron.  We love Cirque d'soleil, but this performance was scaled down so much that it lost a lot of it's charm.

December 19, Sophie went to the beauty shop, Rick had another appointment with Dr. Lis and we took Pete and Beth's basket and had dinner with them at their house.  Sophie loves to go there and she gets the run of the house.

On December 21, we went to The Kent Stage to see First Snow.  It was billed as a tribute band to Transiberian Orchestra.  It was, in actuality, a heavy metal band with black makeup and clothing and gargoyles on stage.  They played a FEW of TSO's songs, but we didn't care for the show and left after an hour.

On Monday, December 23, Rick had another appointment for his eye.  Dr. Foster said he had an extremely dry eye and gave him Tears to put in his eyes twice a day.  He also had an appointment with Dr. Lis.

Tuesday, December 24, we went to Todd's home and celebrated Christmas Eve with them.  It was really nice and we enjoyed seeing that side of the family.

Christmas day we opened our gifts and then set off to go to Kelly and Scott's house.  We had a really nice time.  That night, Rick started having more eye pain.  First thing the next morning, I called the eye doctor and we got in to see Dr. Foster.  He now has an abrasion on his eyeball, and he is allergic to the Tears drops she wanted him to us

e.  She gave us Refresh Plus (no preservatives) and he is to go back on his antibiotic eye drops 4 times daily.

On December 26, Sandra Wierzbicki passed away from a fall down her stairs.  She had a brain bleed and died very quickly.  So terribly sad.

December 30 was my birthday.  I played pickleball and Todd came (he's in town because of Sandy's passing) to the tennis club and brought flowers and balloons -- arranged by Jennifer.  That evening, Cris, Jerry, Rick and I had dinner at Bricco (my choice).  I had a delicious meal of shrimp and scallops with an amazing risotto.  Cris got me an outfit for pickleball, a new and beautiful umbrella and several glue sticks.  (I use a lot of glue when sewing for temporary hold and she thinks it's funny, so she got me 6 new glue sticks!)  Rick ordered slippers for me, but they aren't in as yet.

December 31 was a quiet New Year's eve for us.  Rick's eye is not doing well at all...it's so hard when your eye is painful.

Now to 2020...January 2, rick goes to Dr. Foster again for his eye.  The abrasion is actually worse.  She put a contact lens in...he wears it 24/7 and it's supposed to protect the scratch and also hold the medicine like a sponge.  We are hoping this will help.  (It is helping, but the eye is still really painful.)  I am coming down with a lot of chest congestion, so I went to see Dr. Uhall.  He suspects I have strep throat because of my swollen glands, firey red throat and the chest congestion.  I am on an antibiotic!  Sandra Wierzbicki's funeral is this evening, too.  So terribly sad.

On Friday, January 3, Rick again goes to Dr. Lis.

Saturday, January 4 is kind of a blur...I was so sick when I woke up that Rick was really worried about me.  I pretty much just sat around and rested.

Sunday the 5th, I went upstairs to sew and look for a pattern.  I overdid it and I'm really tired and coughing more than I was.  Dinner will be leftovers...nice to not have to go out.

Ok, I'm now caught up on some of the past doings.  Now to try and keep blogging and keeping track of things.

Signing off...

Bits

Not tons going on around here, but seems like I've got my fingers in this and that!

I'm doing this little quilt (for my dining room table) and have been working on getting it ready to be a hand sewing project.  This is the layout (although this photo isn't the complete layout, there is another round of white and then of red).  I was in a red/white charm swap many years ago.  I put the charms away and didn't know what to do with them.  I've been wondering about not making many quilts anymore...seems like everyone in my family has at least 2 quilts from me, and just how many do our family members need?!  I've made many quilts over the years and have given them to friends, loved ones, babies and some on commission, too.

Rick and I are going to go on a road trip before too long and our driving styles are vastly different.  In order to keep from gasping, sighing, clearing my throat and other annoying things when he's not driving like I think he should, if I have something to occupy my mind (like a hand-sewing project) we both have a better time!

On Sunday night, we were on our way to dinner and the sunset was beautiful.  I snapped this photo as Rick was driving.







Yesterday, I did FaceTime with Jennifer and the kids.  We had a silly time.  I miss them terribly (Todd, too).  I get mixed feelings...I am so happy to be able to chat, see and have fun with them via the computer, yet I get so sad that we are so far apart.  I have to hang up quickly to keep from showing my tears.  Bittersweet moments of life.

I just got off the phone with Kelly.  She's so busy!  It's wonderful to have time to talk to her, but would be even better if I could pop in on her now and again and help her with things.  I'm so fortunate to have wonderful family.                                                                                                Today I am running some errands.  I have been struggling with leg cramps every night and got up early this morning because I was tired of getting up, walking around and trying to get back to sleep several times through the night.  So far I've made 35 stuffed bones for Sophie and am ready to head out to pick up some things from several stores that we (I) need.  My list is ready, I'm dressed (even with shoes) and once I get my hair fixed and some lipstick on, I'm out the door.

January musings

It's been a LONG time since I've posted. 

The holidays were great this year, all the family came home and it was fabulous having everyone together in our home.  I think the children had a good time.  Our grown-up kids went out while we kept all the grand kids.  We had a great time with the grands and their parents;

I'm pretty sure the grown ups had a great time, too.

I've been sewing a bit.  My friend, Pat Hoaglin, asked me to make a bear and little blanket from her son's baby blanket.  Pat has a new granddaughter and wanted these things for her.  I'm not particularly fond of making stuffed animals, but she asked and I wanted to do it for her.

Before cutting into the blanket, I thought I should make a trial bear.  I went into my "stash" and found this blue fleece.  One of the neighbors just had a baby boy a couple of weeks ago, so this trial bear will be for baby Benjamin Douglas. 

Next week I'm going to be making something I've not tried before...pictures and updates will follow. 

Weekend activities...this and that

Busy weekend for Rick and me.  

It started on Friday night...Hadley had a T-ball game.  Poor thing has been fighting strep throat and a respiratory infection, so she only was up to bat once and that was all she could handle.

Treva was feeling fine, so she was running and playing and being silly with Papa!  It was cold and windy at the ball park, but it didn't bother Miss T at all!!

We headed to Pittsburgh Saturday morning.  Nathan and Anna had a T-ball game and we were off to the ball park to watch them play.  Rain came and went and they did a fine job on the field. 











Nathan likes to pose!

Anna likes to give you her sweet smile.  She got
the game ball!  (She caught a ball in the chin...but she was tough and didn't even cry!)

Evelyn...having a good time at Guinness's birthday party.










Vivian gave Mimi a smile...not always willing to have her photo captured!

Guinness was the star of the day.  Our brown granddog is 13 years old.  He's a great dog.













I made him a neckerchief with his initial to celebrate his birthday.  He was a good sport and wore it all day.

Sophie had fun at the doggy party.  She (and some friends) found a mud puddle to do a little wrestling, then went to the black mulch around the swing set.  This is how she looked before we rinsed her well and brought her home!

 Needless to say, we were tired when we arrived home Saturday evening...Sophie was tired too!

Tea anyone?

Isn't this just the cutest picture?  I think so!  The four chickadees on the right are my granddaughters.  The one on the left is a good friend.  I'd sure like to be having tea with them, wouldn't you?!

 

Curling Iron Cozy

I made this curling iron cozy as a Christmas gift for my daughter Kelly to use for travel. I

I'm so happy with the way it turned out...just hope it fits HER curling iron!!

Disregard date on photos...someone didn't reset her camera data!

Dance like no one is watching

This wall hanging was made for my daughter, Kelly...a gift for her birthday that was on October 17th. 

 

This wall hanging was made for my daughter, Jennifer.  Her birthday was November 19th. 

I hope they both enjoy them and think of me when they look at them.

Vivian...4 now

Vivian is now 4.  In this picture she is only 3.  

You can see how she has matured by looking at the next two pictures!!

Seriously, she's a beautiful child, a deeply passionate and very determined.  She has an impish spirit upon occasion and she makes us laugh!  In the following pictures, her family has deemed her nickname, "Crazytrain"!

She is holding her banner for her bedroom door that Mimi (me) made for her for her birthday.  This year each of the grandchildren got one of these for their birthday in the colors I chose for them.  I hope they treasure them as they grow older and remember that their Mimi (and Papa) love them so very much.  Happy, happy birthday Vivian!  May your year be filled with wonder and love.  

This is the final grandchild birthday for the year, so now I need to come up with another project for next year's birthdays.

Treva starts preschool

Little Treva started preschool this year.  Although her preschool supplies a tote bag, each of the grandchildren were presented with a personalized tote bag from Mimi (me).  This is Treva's.  It has a little matching coin purse to carry a little change when she might need it.

First thing she did with it was to put her blanket into it!  She's a cutie!

This is her tote bag...









This is Treva...

Katherine F. Carnahan

Today is a very special day in my heart.  It is my mother's birthday...99 years ago she was born to Bessie and George.

My mom played a strong and important part in my life.  We were best friends as I was a teenager.  When Daddy died in 1966, our relationship changed and we became even closer.  She was always there for me, and I tried to be there for her.

I still miss Mama and she's been gone for 21 years now.  Hard to believe.

If you are lucky enough to have your mom, give her a hug and tell her just how much you love her.

 

Thanksgiving

This year, Thanksgiving day started with the 22nd Annual YMCA Turkey Trot for three generations of Burdette women.  Pictured from left to right is Jennifer, Evelyn, me and Kelly.  We did our 5k...the three younger gals doing the run...me, well I walked most of it, with a little running thrown in to make it a little more interesting!  What a great way to start a terrific day.

When we got home, the menfolk had finished defrosting the turkey, had it in the roaster pan and had set out the makings for the stuffing.  Great men we have in our family!

Our dinner included turkey, gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes, spinach risotto, red cabbage, green bean casserole, home-baked rolls,  macaroni and cheese (the grand children's favorite), pumpkin and coconut cream pie.  Yep...not very much food!!!  LOL!

Our time together was wonderful this year.  Unfortunately, daughter Kelly has a shoulder injury and isn't feeling very well.  She's a trooper and did as much as she could, but I was really glad to see that she is a smart woman and rests when she needs to.  With lots of help in the kitchen, I put together the stuffing and got the turkey into the oven.  Group efforts on side dishes made creating a wonderful dinner a cinch.

My family is fantastic.  I am so grateful for each and every one of them.  I'm thankful for so much.  Each day is a treasure, isn't it.  We have SO much to thank God for.  To think that my sweet husband (who teases so very much!!) and I started our little family so many years ago.  It's grown and we have such wonderful children, sons-in-law and grandchildren.  Each and every one of those people is so special.  Family is a wonderful thing...through everything, you love.

I'm getting a little "sappy", so I'll close this post with this:

Thanksgiving was such a great time!  Thanks!

Trick or treat?

It's a cold and rainy day.  Sandy (the hurricane/tropical storm/frankenstorm) is on her way up the east coast, coming inward toward Pennsylvania...and me...in Ohio.

Today is trick or  treat but it's so ugly out.  Not many trick or treaters here.

I've got a couple of the grandkids since their parents wanted a little "no littles" time, so I put on some meatball stroganoff and then the girls and I made homemade rolls.  They had a blast!

I don't like the cold, damp, rainy weather...then again it's all part of the "cycle of life".  I'm missing my daughters...all in all, just feeling a little blue lately.  I should stop complaining and think about the quilts I'm currently working on.  After all, happiness is a state of mind that we choose, isn't it.

I can't show pictures of the quilts yet, they are a surprise, but I love the fabrics and am eager to get on with the show!

If you are in the path of this storm, take care of yourself and be very careful.  

Starring Treva

See this cutie to the left?
It's Treva!  A pint-sized tornado!

This is a granny-square quilt I made for Treva.  She's the youngest of 6 grandchildren and somehow I got waaay behind in making quilts for the two youngest!  However, I got this done and given to my cutie.  I think the old adage is true...better late than never!







The backing is minkie...I love it for baby quilts as it gives such a cozy and silky cuddle.

A little close up photo of the label.





I sure hope this quilt reminds Treva how much Mimi loves her long after Mimi is gone.

We did it!

This morning, Akron Walks for Autism had an event.  My daughter Jennifer and I walked in support of the organization.  This photo was taken just after we registered, before the walk.  We had our McDonald's coffee in hand, still relaxing before our 1 mile.  We were going to do the 5K, but Jennifer has poison ivy and isn't feeling tip top.  Anyway, we walked, we enjoyed and we supported!

Mmmm, delicious!

I (along with my daughter, Jennifer) took Wilton Cake Decorating classes at a nearby Michael's store this last couple of months.  We had a blast (the instructor was great and the group of ladies were super-fun!).  Now, I know you may think..."Wow, that Helen is one fantastically domestic goddess!".  As much as I hate to disappoint you, well, maybe I'll just let you think that.

Here is the cake that I just completed.  Making all those flowers was fun and many laughs and fun times were enjoyed while making them.  When it was time to enjoy the fruits of my labor, I divided this baby up and shipped a little bit off to six of my neighbors.  Not a big piece for anyone, but a treat to be enjoyed that night after supper.  I had rave reviews that the cake was tasty, and I can attest to that fact as I had a small slice myself.

This is Treva!

Last week was my youngest granddaughter's (Treva's) birthday, she turned 2!

Here are a few pictures of us making her cake...his name is Larry Boy from Veggie Tales.  Lots of time was spent creating Larry Boy and our efforts were appreciated, as Treva was delighted with him.  (Plus, for a cucumber, he was one mighty-tasty cake!

This is Jennifer, working on Larry Boy

I'm working on Larry Boy

                                       

Evie in back, Hadley, Nathan, Viv and Anna

Hadley, Jennifer & Treva

Larry Boy