Look at that big yellow mouth

The boys found this fella squawking under a tree in the front yard a few days ago. He had fallen out of his nest and was making enough noise to call all the cats in the neighborhood to the birdie buffet.

We pulled a ladder out of the garage, propped it against the tree and placed him gently back in his nest.

I hope he is safe and doing well.

Cole Rules

He is one cute puppy. Luckily the camera has a fast shutter speed cause this pooch doesn't stay still long. He's funny and never lets the fact that he is a clutz, who trips over his own feet slow him down. I love to watch him run down the stairs from the deck to the yard. As soon as he gets down to three or four from the bottom he launches himself out and down. If Camden is ahead of him, he sails right over him. Life with a puppy is good, at least if you ignore the accidents, the chewing and the broken dishes.


Speaking of broken dishes(using for a transition) Sweetie, Good Looking and I went to New Market Saturday. I had been there years and years ago and it was bustling small town. Going to New Market Saturday was like going to a town that time had passed by. We were there for three or four hours and only saw a few other shoppers. The houses and shops, generally looked rundown. I had a good time, but was disappointed that the town had changed for the worst.

Plain Jane an d I Hate Cats

I do love the fuzzy boys and girls but I am sick of them. The baby (Cole) is kind-of house broken and loving leaves stinking presents on the wooden floors way too often. Star is either too lazy to come downstairs to do her business or (more likely) is too afraid of being chased by Cole to use the downstairs litter box and instead has taken to peeing on Al's side of the bed. I am sick of cleaning up after them. I am sick of doing nine million loads of laundry a day. Any one want a cat or two or three?

I finally had the bright idea of putting in a litter box upstairs. I think Al has suggested it tons of times, but I thought the cat should take her butt downstairs so I was a hold out. Stupid me, I'm the one who does the laundry.

Al and I went shopping today for an additional litter box, spray to get rid of the pee smell , spray to make sure they don't pee in the same place again and new bedding for our bed. I sure hope it works. If not I may sell the cats on E-bay.

and

The Prodigal Cat Returns

It is with out a doubt all Al's fault. Everything is, the fact that I spilled my drink, the fact that I'm goofing off instead of doing laundry, in fact the fact that the laundry is never ending is all his fault. I can't tell you why it is all his fault which is why it is fun to blame him.

I'm blaming him for all the world (all right the three people -which includes me- who read this blog) because he just made this totally out of the blue comment about how I spill stuff all the time just because I happened to drop another glass of diet tonic and lemonade.

I might just as well also blame him for the fact that I have developed an addiction to diet tonic water and lemonade. I started drinking it because a blogger/doctor recommended it for people with restless leg syndrome. For the uninitiated, restless leg syndrome, is the uncontrollable urge to move your legs, usually some time after bed time and for me it always seems to be several minutes after I just fell asleep. It is irritating and frustrating but not serious. Any way, I have it and for me it means on the nights that I don't have trouble sleeping, the urge to move my legs wakes me up and forces me to get out of bed and pace the hall for several minutes.

Tonic water contains quinine which helps control restless legs. Unfortunately quinine has side effects such as headaches and I can't remember what all else. Which means that if I drink too much I have a world class headache. I hate headaches.

Sitting between me and my diet tonic water is the prodigal cat Sandy. Sandy and all our cats are inside cats and have been forever and ever. They aren't interested in going out and don't hang around the doors trying to make a quick escape. I haven't a clue how he managed to escape, but some how or other he did.

We searched the house, the yard, posted signs stating he was lost, called the pound, placed an ad and after a week of searching; Albert saw him on the deck eating the "won't you please come home Sandy" cat food that the boys kept on refilling and keeping, the dogs away from. Albert opened the back door and Sandy flew off the deck and disappeared into the woods. I would have to say he is a rather stupid cat because in my opinion a smart cat would have come into the house. In any case, smart or stupid, we wanted him and were glad to know he was alive.
We searched the house and yard and found him hiding under the shed. Albert tried to entice him out with food, but that didn't work. I tried to scare him out with noise and he ran hell bent for leather across the yard and into the woods. Both boys chased after him madly, most likely scarring him deeper into the woods. Stupid cat, demented family. Humph.

We were all getting discouraged until Albert had the great idea of using a humane trap to capture him. We borrowed a trap from the pound, baited it with canned cat food and a one of the boys tee shirts, placed it in the woods and checked it frequently. It took two days but the Sandy finally came home via the trap.

He is safe though a little battle worn. He is on a course of antibiotics because he was running a fever. He has settled in and we are glad to have him back. I would post a picture but my computer is still in the shop.

The Mayflower

It was my night for book club. Which means all the members meet at my house. Since I didn't want to meet in the back yard I had to clean the dang house, at least the downstairs. I scrubbed floors, doors, walls and windows. I cleaned the downstairs until it sparkled and I am beat. It was worth it. Unfortunately by this time tomorrow, the boys and the pooch will have made a mess of the place again. Sometimes I like to think about being an empty nester.

This month's book, my choice was The Mayflower by Nathan Philbrick. It is, not surprisingly, the history of the Pilgrims from getting ready to make the voyage on the Mayflower and the following 50 years. The book was great, but way too long and too detailed. Even so the discuss was interesting and the meeting was fun. The interesting thing is that I don't seem to read any more now that I am retired then I did before. .

Jelly Rolls

I've joined Moda's jelly roll of the month club. Don't get excited, chances are it's not the kind of jelly roll you think it is, these jelly rolls are rolls of fabrics; precut strips 2.5 inches by 42 inches 40 different strips, 40 different fabrics but all in the same line. Those strips will the kind of quilt that I want to work on a lot easier - dang, their name is on the tip of my tongue, but not in my brain- quilts that start with strips of related fabrics. But how many of those quilts am I going to want to make. Oh well I can cancel at any time.

What I wish I could cancel, but don't know how, is I seem to be a night owl. I like to stay up till one in the morning, but I need to get up at 6:30 to get Albert off in the morning. The problem is staying up till 1 or later and getting up early leaves me cranky. The problem with sleeping in is it squanders my precious alone time (Albert is home 2:15 ish).
and I love my alone time. Speaking of alone time, it is very soon to become a lot less. The boys have only 3 half days of school left. The horror! I'll be a stay home mom with full time kids in just a few days. Weep for me.

Ben (Boy B) 8th Grade Graduate

yup, Ben graduated from the 8th grade tonight. He is hot stuff.

The evening did not start auspiciously, it was raining hard when Ben's grandparents pulled into the driveway and absolutely pouring by the time we arrived at the school. Al (hubby) dropped Albert (Boy A), Ben and I (the grandparents were in a separate car) off at the front door to the school and we still managed to look like drowned rats by the time we were inside. Of course I could have been a bit drier if I had not felt compelled to stand in the rain and get the last word at the same time I was giving my dear sweet hubby, Al, the evil eye. I thought he could have dropped us off closer to the door saving me two whole steps of wetness. Since he hadn't I felt compelled to let him know right then and there. Oh well, that's one of the joys of marriage, or at least one of the joys of being married to me. Even so, it was a nice evening.

The thing is he is my baby. It just doesn't seem right that my baby is now a high schooler. Time goes way too fast.

New cell phone (strawberry chocolate), new number (boy A took over my last phone when he left his on the bus and some rotten kid found it and kept it), new sewing machine class and new entry. All that new wears me out and I may need to go take a nap. and I think I will. That is one of the nice things about retirement, I can take a nice nap any time I want,

Chores and More

I'm finally settling into a decent routine. Mornings are spent doing chores and afternoons are spent doing fun stuff. I would much rather do just fun stuff all day, but the guys won't go along with it.They demand clean clothes and refuse to go around their days as naked as a J-bird. And even I would rather life in a clean house. So this morning I did lots of chores and the house, at least the downstairs looks fairly decent. Life is good.

I'm almost finished with Boy A's quilt. I am pleased with it. And when I finally get my computer back I'll post a picture.

Time to get some work done on the quilt for the tutor.

First Concert

My computer is back in the shop. I can use one of the boy's but I sure miss mine. It really irks me, it is a new computer and should be staying home.

I'm also, well irked isn't the right word, appalled is a better choice, that Boy A is in the starting stages of being an adult. I can see glimpses of maturity in the decisions he makes and the way he behaves. Of course I can see much more teen age behaviour. He and two friends went to his first concert Monday night. That process, making the arrangements, buying tickets and behaving responsibly; is a rite of passage. Of course I'm not sure whether it is a rite of passage for him or for me. I know it is his job to grow up and mine to help him become a responsible adult. But these rites of passage, while good for him, are painful for me. I want him to grow up while at the same time I miss the little boy who wants his mommy.

I'm sure he will love this post.

Crocs Make Cute Sandals

I bought a pair of turquoise toe sandals and it made my day.

I am working on 3 quilt tops.

Boy A's quilt (lap quilt sized) is almost done. I've appliqued on all the turtles and one of the dogs. I have one more dog to applique on, unfortunately I can't find what I did with it. If it doesn't turn up soon, I'll gave to make a new one.

The retirement block quilt top is 99% done. The problem is I'm afraid to make the quilt sandwich and quilt it. It is hard for me to keep the smaller ones smooth and this will be several times harder. I might breakdown and buy a quilting frame, but I am out of money just now.

But I saw a pattern I really loved, so I've started a modified version of it. All I have to do is post some pictures so you all can see how multi talented I am.

Quilts, Quilts and more Quilts

I'm working on three different quilts, all in various stages of completion. The bad thing is I keep looking for fabric on line. I have plans for another 4 or quilts working in my mind. I want to put the three ones I've started away so I can work on the ones in my mind. I know better. I need to finish at least two first before I start on any other quilts.

Searching for the Misplaced Mother

One of the nice things about retirement is that I can be on call for my folks. They called yesterday. My father had driven my mother to get a colonoscopy but bore she went in for the procedure, he started feeling poorly. She called asking for me to come, help him to the car, wait for her and take her home. Of course I agreed. Then she asked if I knew where she was and I asked if it was the medical center near her house. She said yes. I got a book, my knitting, put the pooch in the crate and set out.

I pulled into the medical center but there was no surgical center. I went in, walked into a Doctor's office and asked for help. The receptionist Kelli, was absolutely wonderful. She called several nearby surgery centers to see if my mother was a patient, but could none were working on a patient my-mother's name.

Since I was near my folks house I went there and looked for clues. The only one I could find said he had an appointment at the hospital that morning. Since the hospital was about 30 miles further north on the same road as the near by medical center I decided that was the right place (even though it was one that Kelli had called) and drove over. I should have listened to Kelli, no mom.

I borrowed a phone book and started calling near by hospitals. I was lucky and found her at the first one I called. Poor dad, it took me two hours to get to a hospital that was 25 minutes away.

Everything ended well. My dad was doing better, my mother was fine and we all had a nice visit and I was lucky enough to run into a woman who spent a lot of her time helping a stranger.

He is a Pain in the Butt

Cole that is. He had a rough night. And if he has a rough night so do I. Afterall, he sleeps in bed with one of us, but on a leash. He is bed trained, but not house broken. He started out in bed with the boys but when he kept crying at 2 a.m. Boy A brought him to me so I would take him out. And take him out I did, three times from 2 to 4 in addition to the time hubby took him out. Which means that we took the little rat tailed, monkey sock, pain-in-the-butt out four times in two hours in the middle of the night. Four times when we would much rather have been sound asleep. And each time we took him out all he did was play.

The fifth time he cried to get out of the bed I decided he could play while I snoozed and I just let go of the leash. Boy was I sorry when I woke up. He left presents all over the place. I don't know how it was possible all that came out could have fit in him at one time. And none of it belonged on the rugs. So I spent much of the morning cleaning up after him and hoping I learned my lesson.

Cole Update

Cole has had all his puppy shots. We are done visiting the dang vet every two weeks, thank goodness.

He is a sweetie, a 33 pound sweetie. He loves to chew and has so far destroyed Boy A's retainer, numerous empty water and soda bottles, my new headphones, various socks, a school book and many toys. This is turning out to be an expensive puppy. No matter he is a joy. He is loving and playful' He has captivated all of us including Camden (excluding the cats of course). He and the cats are interesting.
Cole wants to play with the cats the way he plays with Camden. So he chases them around the house and chats with loud yelps. I keep waiting for Sandy to tear off an ear. Sandy hisses and swats, but I don't think he has made contact yet. Soon, now doubt.

KVS send me an e-mail, Please.

Life is good. I picked up my new sewing machine today. I had time to set it up and read the instruction book and try out a few stitches. By that time it was time to meet the girls for dinner.

Dinner was great, but we spent part of the time talking about how are parents are aging, and how we are getting older. It was our lives, but now I feel rather old. And tired. I think I need to go to bed.

Which makes me realize I may never be fully finished with the catch up with my sleep phase of retirement. The fact that being able to sleep in is a joy is another sign that I am getting old. Neither Boy A or B would voluntarily take a nap or go to bed early for any reason what so ever. Keeping up with them makes me feel old too. Old but lucky.

What's even worse than being old is I am turning into my mother. The crafts that I enjoy are the ones I learned from my mother and her mother (knitting, quilting and sewing) . It is special when I think that those crafts are passed down from who knows how many earlier generations. are the ones I learned from her. It is family, tradition and part of the definition of who I am. But at the same time, not many women want to be like their mother. (No my folks do not know I keep a blog).

Crafting is going well, I felted the three bags and the slippers. I love them all. I used one, the one that I had dyed with kool aid, when I went out to dinner tonight. It was a hit. And if my camera was working I would post a picture. But since it isn't you'll just have to take my word for it that it is very cool.

You all need to see the quilt too. I love it, I love the fact that it is made of various sized rectangles of vivid colors-- hot pink, bright orange, vibrant yellow, wild green. Most of the colors are take from the few prints I am using. I'm using it to symbolize the transition from work to retirement. It is a large rectangle bound with wild green, that made up of rectangles of various sizes each bound with it's own color. Each of those rectangles is mode up of 10 to 15 ish small rectangles. If I can figure out the embroidery part of my new baby, I'll embroidery something around the edge about transition give us the opportunity to use the blocks of our experience to build a new life.

I love the quilt, but it sure is bright.

I love my guys.

I'm falling into a nice rhythm at home. I do everyday cleaning, some extra organizing, time with the pooches and the boys and still fit in time for crafts. I finished my last knit bag, good size and my own version of a fun print, felted it, two smaller bags and a pair of slippers.

I love felting, it hides a multitude of sins.

I'm getting back into quilting. I've been working on Boy Terrapin and big Dog foot fall quilt. I also started a quilt of bright colored, various sized squares and rectangles. It is my transition quilt. I want to embroider on it, with my soon to be Bernina 440 QE, a saying along the lines of -- the sign of a successful transition is that you use the basic building block of the last phase to build a new and more exciting life. I haven't been able to find a quote I like on the Internet, of course I haven't looked all that much. I hope to find a good quote, if not I need to wordsmith the above.

Changing the subject, tonight was a special night. Hubby and I celebrated our 17th anniversary, paid for by Boy A. He wanted to make the event special and he succeeded. We ate a what was, prekids, our favorite restaurant. We had a great time. Thank You B oy A.

quilting squares

My computer is still in the shop and the missing camera piece is still missing. I sure do have a tough life for a retired lady.

I've started working on a new quilt. I don't like making traditional styles, I like making my own pattern and design. Right now I am in to putting together an irregular pattern of various sized rectangles. I want to make a quilt of 6 to 8 large rectangles, each make up of 4 or 5 smaller rectangles and each of those made up of 2 or 3 smaller rectangles. I plan on binding each grouping in a bright color. I know it sounds awful, but I think it will be great. We'll see. If I get the camera fixed everyone can judge for them selves.

Rantings

I seem to have the touch of death for laptops. Recently, my laptop was replaced because it died three times within 3 years and the deaths met the insurance policy's replacement criteria. The replacement is in the shop after only a few months. Grr. I miss it, it is bookmarked, some of my passwords are automated and it is mine. I am tired of losing it for several weeks at a time. I dare say I'll survive.

More in the life is tough theme--Boy A took the flash drive (or whatever the heck it is called) out of my camera to download the pictures to his. He gave it back to me, and I have no idea what I did with it. That means I can't take pictures of Spring or the leaky pup. I miss my camera. I miss my computer, but I don't miss my job.

Yesterday hubby and I went through model homes for the age 55 set. Condo townhouses that were big and plush. They made me drool. We almost qualify, we're old enough, we just need to get rid of the boys.

Nothing Much

I have been trying to take a picture of Cole, but he is too bouncy. The pictures I tried to take today are all too blurry. So instead I'll just post a couple more pictures of Boy A's trip and a short update on retirement.

I have finished the vacation part of retirement (goofing off and catching up on sleep) and I'm ready to move on to having a more structured day. I'm still working on the structure, I find I would rather spend my days doing fun stuff and forgoing cleaning, so right now the structure is laundry and cleaning, and walking the dogs and cleaning up after the puppy. I miss the cleaning lady a lot. I hate doing the cleaning, but love having a clean house.