Just To Let You Know I Am Around

I haven't been ignoring you.

Well, not intentionally anyway.

Things have just been crazy. My Grandma is not doing well and I am scared each time the phone rings that it will be someone telling me she has passed away. I was talking to my older brother and I realized that we will not just be mourning the loss of our Grandmother--but a loss of our Grandma's house and all of the nostalgia attached to it.

I have such fond memories of time spent at my Grandma's house. From the fiber optic lamp down in the basement...to the flashlight tag that we would play at dusk. My Grandma has books and toys (ever play the board game Careers ?) and would play cards with us for hours. She taught us King's Corners and Cribbage. She is the queen of Jumbles, the best cookies in the world.

I think Grandma is ready to go to Heaven. Doesn't mean the rest of us are ready to let her go...That is the tough part about death.

On another note, here is the link to some of the Hawaii scrapbook pages I have finished. There are like 4 different Hawaii albums..make sure you click on view all albums to see all that there is if you are interested.

http://www.scrapbookflair.com/chmorales

The Spinning Wheel...

I got fabric while in Hawaii.

Mom pointed out that my living room is kind of dark now with dark brown furniture and curtains. She suggested getting some fabric to make some throw pillows to brighten up the room a little. So while in Hawaii, I found some beautiful Hawaiian fabric to make the pillows.

I was excited to get started on them so I was bummed when Mom and Dad had to leave to go to NY. I thought to myself...I can do this! I have made a couple of pillows with Mom. I know the basic concepts. I became anxious to get started even though Mom wasn't here to help me. So Cade and I ran to JoAnns to get the pillow forms and plain fabric for the pillow backs.

We headed over to Mom's and let ourselves in. Cade ran around out back throwing golf balls while I cut the fabric. I got out Mom's sewing machine. I made sure everything was set the way it always looks when Mom sets it up.

I lift up the foot, place my fabric, lower the foot back down. I press down on the foot pedal to make the sewing machine sew. It sounded like it was working! I was so excited! I went forward several stitches then back to make a good strong corner...I went forward again and after a few seconds realized that it was NOT working. I looked at my fabric and there were holes from the needle, but it was NOT sewn together. I removed my fabric.

There was a huge knot of thread coming up from the bottom of the machine. How did that happen? Who knows? So, I thought to myself, I can fix this. I opened the secret doors and pulled parts out that I am not sure are supposed to come out. Then, I couldn't get them back in. I started to panic at this point. I tried to remain calm while putting the sewing machine back together all while keeping one eye on my child who was wandering through the house.

I got the parts that I removed back in and fixed the thread that comes up from the bottom. I thought that I would try it one more time. Everything looked good. I got my fabric ready to start, pressed the pedal to go and...

SNAP!

I stopped immediately. What was that noise? It was the plastic rod that held the spool of thread snapping off! I was horrified. In fact, I am still horrified.

I am apparently more than sewing machine deficient. I just should not touch them. Every time I do, something goes drastically wrong. So, I am thinking that I might offer Mom some money to finish (okay...start and finish) my pillows. It would be better for my pillows...and obviously a LOT better for her sewing machine. Which I may have to replace. Or super glue.

A Little Overwhelmed

So much is going on.

I have been feeling a little overwhelmed. So much so that it seems like it would take way too much energy to blog.

My parents are still in NY with my Grandma. She has left the hospital to go home refusing any more treatments or tests. Grandma will have 24 hour nursing care and daily visits from hospice. My heart is breaking. I am very worried about my older brother who seems to be finding this news hard to deal with. I just wish we lived closer so I could be support for him. I am terrified about what this is doing to my Dad...I am missing my mom and worried about her being cold and miserable in NY.


Cade is sick. High fever. Not sleeping. Not eating. Pretty happy considering though. Doctor says it is just a virus that will run its course. Ughh...


I have been really concerned about a good friend who is dealing with a family member battling drug addiction and depression. His illness has been very hard on her. My heart hurts for her as she battles daily with him. Her ability to cope and be strong amazes me as always.

A little tension at work goes a long way. But hopefully we have cleared the air regarding that.


My sister-in-law and family are coping with the death of her grandfather...and good friends of ours are coping with the death of an aunt and the diagnosis of cancer for her surviving husband. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

Just seems like so much is going. Love to everyone!

Storage for Toys...or Child

Jim and I bought furniture yesterday.

I am very sick of our living room looking like ToysRUs threw up in it. Cade's toys have outgrown the nice canvas baskets I bought to contain them. So...I have been on a hunt to find something, anything to help organize them.





Jim and I went to several stores and nothing caught my eye at all. Until this:

It is technically an ottoman. But, it will replace our coffee table. And the brown leather matches perfectly to our semi-new couch/ love seat. Each square has storage under the lid...and each square can flip to be the hard-sided tray or the soft leather side. It is just unique. Of course, I have to wait 2-4 weeks before we can pick it up, but I can wait. Maybe.... I figure if Cade's toys don't fit in there, then we will just put him in there. Solve all the problems. I jokingly said that to the guy at the salesroom...and he said he would watch for me on the news! It was a joke....and besides, I wouldn't get caught :-)

In the midst of buying furniture, we also had to help my parents get out of Dodge. My Aunt called yesterday from New York and my Grandma is not doing well at all. My parents left last night to go to NY to see her. I am praying...not sure what to pray for though. I guess release from pain and discomfort for my Grandma and strength for her and my family. Keep us in your thoughts.