Yo yo maker

So, I bought myself one of those yo yo makers. (picture borrowed ... not mine). I have made plenty of yo yo's in my time, but I made them the old fashioned way. I have not even opened the package to read the instructions, so in my mind, I can't even imagine how this thing works and how it makes perfect yo yo's. I'm home alone for two days and hope to investigate my new yo yo maker during this time. If it works very well, I hope to fix myself up a little bag for an easy "travel" project, while we are making our transition from one home to another. I want to make a little yo yo spread in red's.... I want my new little apartment done in red's and greens. I've been talking with a dear friend who works at a job where I worked almost 11 years ago. I have an offer to come back to work there and may possibly take it. I would be working with children again... my little loves! I'm praying about it and hope to visit with them soon to make a decision. Life is very interesting... I can't believe we are in transition again. But, I guess life is always in transition... we never know from one day to the next, do we? Hope you all are having a wonderful day!

*update on the washable pee pads* No go! Big dog would pee on them.... he'll pee on anything. Little dog would NOT pee on them.... sort of scared of them, I guess! Back to disposable pee pads for us!

A New Home for Hubby

Hubby has a new two bedroom home... an apartment. He will be living in a duplex apartment community until we can get our house sold. His looks like the little unit on the right, but I think his will be a different color. I went to his new town with him on Saturday and we spent the day looking for his new home. Of course, this will be my home too when we sell our house here. (or before we sell, we'll see) Hopefully, he will get to move in next week. There is a hospital less than two miles away, so I am contemplating applying for a job there, and giving up my job here to move with him. It'll be me, him, and two busy pups in a little two bedroom apartment... with a 13 month lease! I can honestly say that having seen the new town, I am very excited about his promotion and our upcoming move. This town has everything! And a big added bonus.... I found a super awesome quilt shop just off Highway 64, which a route we can take between our two homes. I stopped there yesterday and didn't want to leave.... ever! I am dreaming of working part time and spending lots of time at this quilt shop! Dreams can come true, right????

Spring!

We've had some beautiful weather in NC this past week, making me really long for spring time! When I came in from work yesterday, I noticed these little blooms near my front door! Yay! Spring is on its way! I found some pictures on my camera this morning (internal memory) of my home and yard when spring is in full bloom. I can't figure how to get them off to share them with you. But, when I saw them, I was a little sad to think that I will soon be leaving my home here. I know there are other homes out there and I know we will find one we love, but I really do like my current home. It's been my favorite of all the houses we've owned before. I have to keep thinking that God is in control and he has more blessings for us just down the road. Hubby has been gone all week because of his new position and I have truly been lonesome with just me and the dogs. I had thought I could stay here a few more months without him being here, but I am having second thoughts now. So many things to do, so many things to think about.... yes, I'm feeling a little stressed!

Another glorious Monday

Another glorious Monday after a long weekend of work! I think I am finally kicking my cold, or whatever I had, and feel so much better today! My husband headed out for his new job today... two hours away... so I have the house to myself. I went out for a much needed pedicure and manicure, which was top priority on my list of things to do today. I would have been truly embarrassed for anyone to have seen my toes before... they were still summer toes. You can imagine how much polish was left on them... just a few specks here and there. I gave the puppies a bath since I will be sleeping with them, alone, tonight. I put fresh sheets (dried on the line) on my bed and will have two sweet smelling pups with me. I probably won't sleep a wink because I'll hear every bump and pop in the night. I'm trying not to stress about our upcoming move. Husband in there now and will be scoping out places to rent. He called me this afternoon to tell me how pretty the dirt is there. LOL Yes, the dirt. We currently live in an area where the soil is red clay. We are looking forward to digging into black sandy soil again! We need to do a few things to the house before we put it on the market. That thought tends to stress me more than moving! My prayer is that everything will fall into place and this move with be a smooth transition for everyone.

House for Sale

House for Sale. Yes, this is my house. My husband accepted a promotion within his organization and we will be moving two hours away from where we currently live. Am I excited? Yes and no. I truly love where we are living now. My children are here and I don't want to leave them. However, this is an exciting opportunity for my husband and we will be closer to our original "home". We won't put our house on the market until after the wedding in May. (my son's) I am happy and I am sad. Everything will be okay.... it always works out.

Another cake... and Mom

Well, I bought my bundt cake pan today and made a lemon bundt cake. I was so afraid it wouldn't come out of the pan in one piece, but it did! Yay! I guess the icing pooled a bit much, but I was very pleased with the results. I hope it will taste good. Notice the cake plate: it was a "found" item when we moved into our current home. When I was cleaning the kitchen cabinets, I found it above the refrigerator, pushed towards the back. I'll bet the former owner has looked for it many times since she moved, but I couldn't bear to let her know it is here. :o) In fact, with every home we've owned, I have a little piece of "something" from that home.... except maybe the last one, I can' t think of anything.

You guys probably get bored with my silly blog posts, but a lot of these posts are designed for my mother. (mama) Most of you don't know it, but I live three hours away from my family, so my blog is a way of keeping them informed of "my world." My mom also has a blog and we enjoy reading each other's.

To those of you who live near your moms, you are truly blessed to do so. Enjoy your moms! I've been away from my family for almost 11 years now and think of all the things I would like to share and enjoy with them. My mom and I are very good friends and I'm sure she is aware of how much me and my family have "grown" in the 11 years we've been gone. I think living away has allowed me the opportunity to mature and grow spiritually, in a way that I may not have, had we not moved away. However, I think my mom and I would enjoy living near each other again, and I sometimes feel I'm a different and better person than the person who moved away 11 years ago. (not that the younger me was all that bad!)

Back to the cake.... my son and future daughter in LOVE are coming over tonight to make plans for the rehearsal dinner. (wedding in May) I am cooking Paula Deen's baked spaghetti, tossed salad, and bread sticks. We'll have the lemon cake for dessert. If you like Paula Deen and like spaghetti, you'll love this recipe and it's not difficult to make. This is a dish that is served in her restaurant, The Lady and Sons.

Speaking of.... I really want to plan a trip to Savannah and dine in her restaurant. I have a few friends who have done so and have given me mixed reviews. Even so, it's something I want to do... maybe even this year.... if I can find a puppy sitter. (*hint* daughter) You want to go with us, Mom?

My day off!

My first day off of my long weekend! I slept in this morning, spent a little time with the children (bow wow), and then headed out for an afternoon alone. I shopped at a new shopping center that I really had not had the chance to spend a lot of time there before. What fun! I didn't see it all, but did find a few great bargains. Two new pairs of jeans and a new blouse!
Okay, this is huge for me.... I then went to a "sit down" restaurant, ALONE, and had lunch. I was craving a good cup of coffee and knew that Cracker Barrel wouldn't let me down. I have never dined in before by myself and had always wondered about other lone diners, when I would see them sitting alone. I had always thought it might be a little awkward. It was great! My waitress was super nice and it was fun to have "thinking" time while eating.
After a couple more stops for shopping, mostly browsing, I stopped by the grocery store before heading home. Thankfully, I have my grocery shopping done, and tomorrow can be an "almost" stay at home day for me. I do have to run one of the dogs to the vet tomorrow. He seems to be having anxiety issues since my daughter moved out about a month ago. I wonder if they make doggie prozac?

On the mend

Thanks to everyone who checked on me this week. I am happy to report that I am feeling much better after four days of antibiotics. I got my voice back on Wednesday and with only an occasional squeak, I am talking very well. My girlfriend went on a Starbucks run today at work and I think that cup of yummy hot coffee just completely healed me! I'm not normally a Starbucks kind of girl, but for some reason today, it was a wonderful treat and really hit the spot. I'm off for three days now, so hopefully, I can find something fun to blog about. I hope everyone is well and has a great weekend!

Off to visit the doctor...

Okay, all you guys that enjoyed your snow this weekend: This is what I did all weekend while it snowed. I had to work 36 long hours at the nursing home with NO VOICE! Now have you ever tried to talk to "very hard of hearing" people with NO voice? It was a challenge, to say the least. (I did end up writing out messages to those who can still read) Several of them thought I was trying to tell them a special little secret and would whisper back to me.... I thought they were cute. I still have a lot of sick people on my hall, and one who is dying. It was very difficult trying to work with the patient and family without a voice. I had another nurse, bless her sweet little heart, who made all my phone calls to the doctor for me. I really did enjoy seeing the snow, but I would have enjoyed it more, being home, and resting my vocal cords. I still can't talk this morning, but I'm off to the doctor at 9:45. I'm actually going for a regular checkup, but figured if there is anything possible to make me well, maybe he'll have sympathy and give it to me this morning. I really think it's just a viral thing and will be gone in a few days anyway. Who knows? Maybe he'll tell me I can't go back to work this week..... ha! Have a great day!

Bookmark

Joanna, from Joanna Quilts, sent this bookmark to me. She said a friend of hers made it. Some of you talented ones can probably get ideas to make some adorable little bookmarks. I'm trying to figure out how she made the green trim along the edges. I love it! (click on pic. for closeup view)

Welcome back!

Believe it or not! I brought my sewing machine in the house and cleaned it up! It has been in the garage for three years now. I'm so proud of my old baby; it still works.... light and all! I broke a needle when I first got started sewing, but thankfully, had some spares. Below, I am getting started on my project. A new Bible cover. I am still using the same Scofield Bible my parents gave me when I was a senior in high school. I have often thought of switching to a new one, as my cover is worn, but I have so many notes and memories in this one, I can't bear to stop using it.
The dogs surprised me when I started sewing. I thought they would bark and go crazy at the hum of the machine. But look at Butterbean! I brought his blanket in the kitchen and he went right to sleep.
Sweet Pea found herself a spot on the vent behind me. They were both so good. I was careful not to drop any pins, as I knew what would happen if I did. It was almost like sewing with my children in the house again.
Okay, here's my new Bible cover. I'm very rusty and the binding isn't sewn very smoothly, but I'm excited that I actually sewed something today!
I will post a picture of the beautiful bookmark you see hanging from my Bible later. It was a gift from a blogging buddy. I want you all to see it!

Sick doggies

Do dogs catch sickness from each other? Yesterday the little dachshund was sick, throwing up parts of a huge bone she had pigged out on the night before. I'm sure she was sick because she had made a little pig out of herself, eating a bone almost as big as she was, in 15 minutes. Well, this morning the other one is throwing up. I guess I know what I'll be doing all day! And yes, I'm still sick too. I wonder if we all have the same thing???? This picture was taken last night when my newly married daughter came over. The pups were glad to see her. I think she wishes she could take them home with her, but her and hubby's work/school schedules don't allow them time for dogs. I am very willing to share joint custody with her. Especially today....