Happiness Past

My cousin stopped by a few days ago and gave me another family picture.

Based on the number and age of the children, I would guess that this picture was taken in the summer or fall of 1932. It looks like my grandmother "might" be pregnant with my dad. My aunt and uncle are the kids at the top of the picture and I have to say, they didn't change much! I would have recognized both of them in a line-up. LOL My cousin laughed when she handed me the picture. If you look closely, there is a man sitting in the car. She said that she has had that picture for many years and never noticed the man until she made me a copy. We don't know who he is, but look at that nose! At the very least he is Italian. At the most, he is a Carminati! I cannot say how grateful I am to my cousin for sending pictures my way. Because my parents divorced very early in my life, I only have a handful of pictures and anything I can get is very appreciated.

So, this sends me on a hunt. I can only find one of me when I was really little. This would be from my first birthday. My dad looks so young!

I was cute kid! LOL

Then I found this one. It makes me sad. I think of all the things that disease has stolen from my dad, his smile is the most missed.

I try to stay upbeat, but as the days pass, it starts to wear on my soul. I know there is an end, and I will be sad when that comes, but I am so tired. I try to remember the happy times, but it is getting harder and harder.

Hug your loved ones and be kind to one another.

A Break From Reality

Yesterday, we took a break from reality, if only for a few hours. Being a caretaker is so wearing. I call it my circle of crap. I get up at 4 am, take care of my dad, get lunch ready for work, go to work, work all day, come home, take care of my dad, fix dinner, feed my dad, maybe take a walk, take care of my dad, and fall into bed at 9:15 pm. If I skip the walk, I may get some sewing or stitching in. Then, tomorrow, I get to do it all again!! The only difference on the weekends, I do both lunch and dinner for my dad since we do not have any extra help. At $30 an hour, you get pretty darn good at choosing your time away.

Anyway, I need to stop the whining.

So,we hired someone for Dad-sitting and took a short motorcycle ride to Solvang, CA. I think it's supposed to be the Danish capital of the US, not sure about that, but they take their heritage VERY seriously. There are strict building codes and you really feel like you stepped into the past. Yesterday was Danish Days, a celebration of all things Danish. There was great food, nice crafts, dancing and music. Not to mention, they also have two pretty nice needlework shops available! Neither of the shops carry the newest or most amazing patterns, but they have some local California designs that you don't see anywhere else. Plus, I found some great linen fabric at about 1/2 price! All the pieces are neutral, but I could stain/dye them if I really wanted to.

Now somehow, this was the only picture I took:

I had great plans, but managed to pass up all the photo opportunities! And no, I did not get any chocolate from this store. LOL Maybe next year...for both the pictures and the chocolates.

Okay, gang. I need to finish my chores and I really, really, really need to finish that baby blanket. My husband says he doesn't care if I vacuum, but since I pin my quilts on the floor, I think I'm going to have to vacuum sometime today! I've already finished the laundry and went to the grocery store, so I am almost done. Have a good day, do something fun. Be kind to one another.

When You Know Better...But You Do It Anyway

So, you know when you know that you need to fix something, before you get it finished, but you keep thinking it's not that bad, and maybe it will lay straight? But then it doesn't...and you are very annoyed at yourself because now you need to redo what you just spent three hours doing. Case in point. Been working on a baby quilt. Took me a while to pick the colors. The couple does NOT want to know the sex of the baby, so had to stick to neutrals. Finished the piecing, started putting on the border. Hmmmm, seemed a little wavy. Oh well, it will sit flat when I put in on the batting. No, no it won't.

So now, I will need to rip out all the sides of the border and restitch. I know better, really I do, but I did it anyway. Ever the optimist, I suppose. Doesn't change the fact that I wasted about three hours, including laying on the floor, in 100 degree heat, sewing the border and making the quilt sandwich. Damn.

Speaking of heat. 102? Really? In September? What is the point of that? When I get hot, I get grumpy. When I get grumpy, I get more grumpy. When I get more grumpy, I get the most grumpy. See a pattern? It was a tough weekend with my dad, and the heat does not help. Once again, I made all these plans in my head. Go for a walk, clean up some in the house, finish laundry, and then head to town. Fit in lunch for Dad, and it was 11:30 am. Didn't seem worth the trip to town. Same program today, except I had to go to town for "Dad stuff" and groceries. There's nothing like pulling groceries out of the car in 102 degree heat to really just piss you off.

I can tell that my three-month grumpy period is in full swing. This would be the time that I would head up to the Bay area for a weekend. Not going to happen since my baby boy now lives in Iowa. And I really don't want a weekend trip to Iowa. Talk about no point.

Okay, no more whining and crying. Need to put my big-girl panties on and just deal with it. I did work on some cross stitching last night, may I'll put in an another hour or so. Or, start ripping out that quilt border...Damn...

Be good to one another.

Moving Very Slowly....

Well, important safety tip...when you are over 50, pace yourself or you will hurt really, really bad the next morning. LOL I have been remiss in my exercise program. I don't say that with pride, just a fact. A few days ago, I got off my big old behind and started on my stationery bike. It is easier to exercise in the house. I can get in 30 minutes and still listen for my dad. Did okay with that, but...my BFF calls yesterday morning and invites me to a walk. Keep in mind, we never do less than 2 miles, that's the route in the neighborhood. Also note that I haven't walked in about 2 months. So, off on the walk, felt pretty darn good, so started watering outside, then did some raking, then cleaned house, then did laundry, then cleaned the 100 gallon fish tank, and took care of Dad. Oh yeah, I was on a roll, baby! By 8 pm, I was in a coma on the couch. Should have taken a pain killer BEFORE bed. To bed at 9 pm, woke up by the phone at 3 am (call from work, nothing unusual, LOL) and out of bed at 6:30 am. I hobble down the hallway, start the coffee and take some Excedrine Migraine. I know, just for headaches, but works pretty darn well on everything else, too. I have almost finished my first extra, extra large coffee, so should be doing ok in a half hour or so.

Today's plan includes working on a baby quilt and a football party. First, here's a picture of the fabric I'm using for the quilt.

I really like the patterned prints and with the plain fabric, I think doing a pinwheel set on the side will work. I plan on using the dot fabric on the back. It's a little lighter than I wanted, but just couldn't find anything any closer. I think I can make it work.

Now, about the football party...Well, I do not DO football, but was invited by a dear friend who LOVES football. She does a huge opening day party, homemade chips and salsa, lots of food. I very gently reminded her that I have no clue about football and don't want to, but she is ok with that, as long as I stop by to meet her other friends. Since I really like her and her wife, I am off to my first football party! I promised to be good, cheer when appropriate, no cussing, and if that doesn't work, I'll go sit with Eva and stay out of trouble! I do plan on taking some stitching, just in case. LOL

Ok, gang, off to start my morning. I have a few daily chores to finish, find something to wear for a "football" party, and then I am off like a herd of turtles. Have a great day, be kind to one another.