AN ENDING AND A NEW BEGINNING!

It's the start of a new year for me-a few weeks later than what the calendar says, but that's the way it goes sometimes! The last time I posted anything on my blog was late October. Since then a lot has happened. We said our final good byes to my Dad on December 23rd at Indiantown Gap National Veterans Cemetery in Annville, PA. The last few months had been difficult for him but he made his own decisions up to the very end.  Participated in the cake cutting ceremony one last time for the Marine Corps Birthday on November 15th, 2015

This is the obituary my husband wrote for Dad. Galen did a much better job than I would have.

 And yesterday (January 16th) we had the final Memorial Service at the church here in Texas. It was a celebration of his life, all 98 years of it. Several organizations of which he was a member participated too. The Masons and the local Marine Corps League. The league here had  also made sure we had the 21 gun salute and taps played on the 23rd. We had not been expecting that at the cemetery so we were very honored and pleased.

All is all it has been a very emotional few months. Now Galen and I are finding our new normal as the saying goes! It seems strange not having him around but we also know he and my mother are watching over us and while we can't see them they are always with us.

Design Wall Monday-August 10, 2015

It has been awhile since I have posted anything on my blog. Late June things went downhill for a while. Dad was in the hospital, we had our furniture delivered from storage as the wood floor was installed. We spent our time unpacking when not at the hospital and also still having work done in the house. Dad went to rehab to get his strength back. He was there for 2 weeks.  We got him out early. They weren't helping him and they were happy to get rid of my husband. He was asking to many questions. They were more interested in collecting the insurance money than getting Dad stronger so he could go back to his apartment. Once he was back to his home with Home healthcare PT people etc he improved rapidly and was walking to the dining room by himself with his walker. He did so well that on July 31 he and my husband left for the Final Muster of the 4th Division WWII Association Reunion at Camp LeJeune. With 10 days to myself I actually got to sew. First time in about 6 weeks!!!!


The first 2 quilts made using the tutorial from Missouri Star Chevron using layer cakes. I had made the blocks when we were staying at the motel. 

                                     
                                             

 The strip quilt I had the strips together but couldn't decide on a border. It doesn't have a name so I am calling it Dots and Dashes. That was suggested by a friend. It is made with a jelly roll . Strips are cut 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 inches and  4 patches

                      These quilts are ready to go to my quilter.

              I did make one other one but can not show a picture yet.                                                     It's a gift.

                    Play time is over. The guys get home today!

Linking up with Patchworktimes

Design Wall Monday-June 22, 2015

Not much to show this week. Too much happening around here, very little quilty.

This is block #7 for the Easy Does It block of the month on Quilters Who Care. Good thing they are true to their name-Easy Does It!

We did manage to take an afternoon away and went out to Marble Falls for lunch.

It was a beautiful day after "Bill"

Galen. We were having his 70th birthday lunch

On the way home we stopped at Shin Oak Wildlife area

We are usually there the wrong time of the day to see many birds. But a Spiny Lizard wanted his picture taken.

We got back to a phone call from Dad. He ended up in the ER from 5:30 to almost 10:30. His cancer of the bladder has returned and he's been having  a lot of bleeding from the tumor. The past few days have been a roller coaster with more down than up. Doctor appointments another trip to the ER on Sunday. Saturday he was at the hospital getting 2 units of blood. This afternoon he starts radiation once again. Hoping it will shrink the tumor like it did last Fall. It's one day at a time. On the upside, when I left the ER Wednesday night I was treated to a beautiful sunset after another band of rain came through.

Our trees are too big now to get a great view to the west.

If you are following the remodel. The shutters for every where but the bathroom get installed on Thursday. Furniture out of storage on Friday. Will be waiting for the glass for the shower and the mirrors but we are about done. Then it will be on to phase 3 in about a month or two. Wall board people will be here today to do a little touch up as well as the painter to do the final round of painting and any touch up that needs to be done before Thursday. Doesn't matter how careful they are there are always some spots that get a little marked up when putting in flooring.

The latest remodel link

Between Dad appointments and life here it will be a busy week. And it probably won't include much sewing time-my therapy!

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DESIGN WALL MONDAY-3/9/15

I have been sewing on blocks for various projects.  I did finish the Trifecta BOM for Feb.

                    I like this version of the Friendship Star. Has a little more interest to it.I need to go back to Cotton Cupboard now and get the block for this month.

I have also been doing the Quilters Addicts Anonymous  2015 BOM on Craftsy. Calypso Kaleidoscope is the name. I am using some of the Calypso Batiks by Moda and a lot from my stash. It has been a lot of fun so far and I am caught up! This is the center medallion.

                        And yes, I plan on keeping this one!

      This link will take you to it-      calypso kaleidoscope

Have been having fun celebrating being another year older. Meals with close friends, of course the coupons from various places.  All great fun. This was my free dessert from Jack Allens Kitchen in Round Rock last Monday.

Galen and I split the very rich chocolate torte.

It's a  rainy Monday here in Round Rock. Over an inch so far and still raining. Am hoping that the areas to the west of us over the Highland Lakes are getting this as well. The farmers close to us are now wishing it would stop raining for a little while so they can get their corn planted.They start planting by the middle of February and this year it has been a little wetter than usual and colder than usual. So if they haven't planted be now it will be another week before the ground is ready.

The contractors should be coming out this afternoon to give us ideas for the remodel of the master bath and the other big job we want done. My Dad who us 97 is thinking that maybe now is a good time to look at the retirement place near by for those 55 and older. That is tomorrow. He is still living by himself and is getting tired of the cooking etc. And we would have a little more peace of mind. He knows that. But it is his decision.

See what else happens this week!

Over to Patchworktimes!

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE BIRTHDAY DINNER-GEORGETOWN, TX 11/15/2014

Ever since Dad moved down here we have been going to the Birthday Dinner the Georgetown Marine Corps League holds in November. It is always an enjoyable evening with good speakers, good food and the usual Marine Camaraderie.  Since Dad has joined and we've been going to these dinners he has been the oldest in attendance. There is a tradition, the oldest and youngest participate in the cake cutting ceremony. The picture below is from Kathy Dunklee who posted this on face book on the Corps 239th birthday.November 11, 2014. Her Dad is 3rd row #1; mine is 4th row #3. Dad was 23 at the time when he joined the Corps. I met several of these men at their group reunions. I think Dad is the only one still alive of those in this picture.

This next picture is when he finished Boot Camp

Now we will fast forward 74 years. Yes, Dad is now 97!

 

Color guard-Marine ROTC from Hendrickson HS in Pflugerville ,TX

Cake Cutting Ceremony 

Oldest and youngest Marine 

The guest speaker-R.V. Burgin.
He has written a book Islands of the Damned
He is just a few years younger than Dad 

Dad
Once again it was another wonderful evening.
I want to thank Ken Cinco for taking this picture of Dad.

Design Wall Monday-October 20, 2014

Not on the wall but something I can show!  I managed to get the top of the month finished on time,I have a mistake in #2 BOM (bottom left block) of Trifecta so I will be doing a little frogging and then putting it back together again

                                                               HIDE AND SEEK

                                                   BLOCKS FOR #2 TRIFECTA

                                                             BLOCKS #1 & #2
It felt good to be able to get some sewing in this past week. I have 2 quilts not that I can work on sewing the binding in the evenings. Been awhile since I have had any hand sewing.

the rest is about other doing this past weekend so if you want to skip Back to Patchworktimes!

It was a busy weekend. We stopped at the Pumpkin Patch with the girls on Saturday.  Needed some small pumpkins to make pie filling for the freezer.

 On Sunday we had a surprise Birthday party for my Dad. There were about 20 of us and we did pull it off as a surprise.  Quite a few of his friends from the Y came as well as some from church and some of our friends who he has gotten to know since moving down here 7 years ago.

 Made good use of the new island. It made it so much easier than our old set up for serving food. I did get some things made but this was one time I was quite happy to have some things made at the deli in the grocery store.  This was a last minute deal since we weren't sure how Dad's health would be.

                           Dad is the one on the left, his friend is the one with the can of coke.

One very tired puppy. The girls love to have company but they miss being on the couch!

Design Wall Monday-Sept. 1, 2014

My wall is the same as last week.

 Wish I could say other wise! Had plans on working on some other blocks today but Dad had different ideas. Ended up spending close to 4 hours in ER.  All is okay for now, on antibiotics for a bladder infection.  He, of course, was the hit of the ER.  Didn't feel much like doing anything when we got home and besides had dinner to finish up for the 3 of us.  Good thing I had started the chicken pot pie last night. Broth was cooked and I did bone the chicken this morning before he called.

The Monarch Butterflies are starting their migration south. Took this from the family room window on Saturday.

Next Friday is our 44th wedding anniversary and we will be spending it tearing up the family room. We are having new flooring put in-that starts on Saturday the 6th.  We will be moving furniture on the 5th! Guess we couldn't stand not having dust etc that comes with remodel.  But once the floor is done, no more until next year!

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Stash Report- week 7, 2014

Managed a little sewing in between everything else this past week. Painters here earlier in the week and then on Friday things started coming together in the kitchen! If you want to check out the progress I'll add the link at the bottom.

We decided to go out for our Valentine dinner a day early. Went to the Oasis on Lake Travis.
                   

We are sitting on the upper deck. The lake is about 40% full-what

you see are the Sometimes Islands which are becoming permanent ones.

Yes, we are still in a major drought.

But now to the really important stuff!

Finished the Off Track flimsy yesterday so I can claim it!

Used this week:    4 yard

 Used to date:      19.25

Added this week:        0

Added to date:       8.5

Net:                        10.75

The Kitchen!

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Design Wall November 18, 2013

I wasn't sure I was going to have anything on the wall for today. It has been one of those weeks! I did get a chance to sew however this afternoon and evening.  30 of the 99 blocks are on the wall just to give an idea. Most of them are finished. I think I have about 25 more to sew on the solid strip, but I was getting tired of sewing and pressing! I may or may not have it finished by Thursday. I also have the option of doing 2 smaller quilts and that may be what happens.

The pattern uses a jelly roll and about 1.5 yds for the solid.

My hubby leaves in the morning for a few days of hunting and helping our friend at his place in Brady and Dad has decided to skip the Y as well, so I will have a chance to maybe get it put together. It was a late night for him on Saturday plus an emotional one, so he was pretty well played out today.

Cake cutting ceremony for the Marine Corps birthday. the oldest and youngest in attendance participate. At 96 Dad was the oldest.

At the dinner. Me, Dad, friends and Galen is at the other end.

I have also started packing up kitchen items that I  will not need for 3 or 4 months-extra dishes and such. Decided I had better start now instead of rushing at the last minute.  Work on the kitchen is scheduled to start Jan. 6, 2014!  That will be here before we know!

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Design Wall Monday-August 12, 2013

Now that our family from PA has left I am back to sewing.  It's more like catching up on what should have been done before they arrived!  Yes,, procrastination is my middle name, sometimes my first name!
My Top of the Month for the LQS is due on Thursday in order to get next months at a lower price.  You know what I am working on.

 This is by Villa Rosa, called Lillian.  Uses a jelly roll and accent fabric.  All the blocks are made, need to be pressed, laid out and all that good stuff.  Should get a lot done it today after getting home from taking Dad to the Y.

While they were here we were having afternoon temperatures over 100.  This day was 105-perfect afternoon to spend at the Imax at our State History Museum.  Saw 2 shows, the one on the building of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Railway.  Fred and Donna really enjoyed that one as they had taken that train. This time they got to see the scenery from the air!  The second one was on the Monarch Butterflies and their migration.    Several years ago we were in Big Bend National Park late September and they were on their migration to Mexico.  We stopped in a glen and the trees were full of Monarchs taking a break before taking off again! It was quite a sight.We had seen both before, but they were definitely worth seeing a second time.

 One afternoon we also took them on a driving tour of Round Rock and then out to Lake Travis.  Round Rock has grown a lot since their last visit about 7 years ago.  And while we had been telling them how the lake level was dropping due to our extended drought, it was hard to believe.  We would be under water here.

This is looking back to the boat ramp and no we could have driven out further. The guys figure there is about 3/4 of a mile of extra shore front property.  that green you see should be under water.  But since it's been a good 3 to 4 years or more since we have had our normal rainfall amounts or anything close to it, the lake is now about 34% full. Lowest it has been since the 1950's.

If I am going to get the top pretty well finished today, I had best get sewing.

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