re: It's Boxing Day!!!

Happy Boxing Day to everyone! It is a cold day on the Prairies, which is typical of the winter season.

I talked to my best friend this morning,and he is doing well. He is a farmer west, northwest of here. He spent Christmas Day with his mom and girlfriend.

I got money for Christmas from my dh and my dad. The kids got tons of stuff but not as bad as previous years when their grandma was alive. She went overboard on Christmas and made it totally commercialized. I also got pyjamas and sheets, what I wanted.

Today we are basically cleaning the house and just being lazy after that. We have to do one person's sidewalks, but not necessary. I am keeping my sidewalks up. I don't think that Des knows how to shovel the walks.

I am back to knitting my usual sweaters for babies, as the other one that I was going to use, was too small. They don't need preemie wear, but may save this for the next charity. I just did one. It is quick if I sit down and do it, but being busy with work and all, I don't have much spare time.

My program is working better. My hands are no longer numb in the morning which is good as that is a sign of hypoglycemia which is toooo low blood sugar, which I have been having lately.

I hope that I haven't gained a pile of weight as I weigh myself tomorrow, I hope. Last Sunday the gym was closed for some reason....not good...

Well, I should close for today as my post may crash. So drink your water and hugs to all! Gail

re: almost Christmas!

Hi to all! It is almost Christmas and I got my Dad's card in the mail, and got a Christmas cheque from him for the kids.

I have been knitting baby sweaters for the charity that I enjoy helping out Bundles of Love in Minneapolis. I knit a smaller one and it turned out, but I am turning the other pattern that I usually use. The smaller one is great for a preemie baby, and I will do that one in better colors. You aren't supposed to use yellow on a preemie as they turn yellow easily due to jaundice.

The tree went up today as Max put it up with the help of his dad. I got started on my boxes downstairs as I am looking for a pattern to make a preemie doll of about 5 lbs. I have the pattern somewhere. I did find the Christmas ornament that I had made at Royal Gorge in Colorado. Actually, it was one of those keychains with a photo in it which is darling! It is the four of us in the picture at the entrance to the Gorge.

Back to work tomorrow for one day, and then payday on Thursday! happy!

Went to the doctor today and I have to get busy and get on my meds again, as they were making my hands go numb. so now I am on program again, and I hope to lose some weight *sigh*...My magnesium is also really low.

Take care and drink your water!!! Merry Christmas to all! Gail

re: here I go again.....

HI! I had my entry done, and the internet went down so here I go again.

I am finishing off my dishcloths so that I can get back to quilting. I like making smaller quilts so that I can get the projects done sooner.

I have all my Christmas cards mailed out now, except for Dad. I will be sending that one out soon.

I am working tomorrow, but have Monday and Tuesday off. I was spoiled having three days off for two weeks in a row.

I am hoping to get more reading done this week, as I have a bunch of books to read. I love to read, but no time, or so it seems.

Take care for another period of time. Gail don't forget to drink your water and stay well!

re: another good month!

Hi! I had another good month of life, I guess!

Last night, I worked with my favourite boss! What happened was he was not supposed to work, but the cook didn't show up so it was lots of fun! Lots of breaks and lots of work too. He is interesting to work with. I got the ovens cleaned and the chicken cut up and the bannock made and the 200 hamburgers made from scratch.

I got all my party favours done for the Christmas party for work. I made dishcloths for everyone with their initials on it. Lots of work.

I am going to start my Christmas cards tonight. This way I can mail them out tomorrow, at least I hope to.

I hope to get back to my baby sweaters as I am so behind in my knitting! Once I get settled with all the Christmas cards and stuff.

I also have to get back to my quilting, but too much working. But I have another three days off so I am thrilled!!! A lot of resting for sure.

Take care till next time. I know. not too much to write today....I live a boring life...

re: Days off...Happy Days!!!!

Hi! I am finally getting three days off in a row! I am so happy! those six days in a row was not doing it for me. I was so tired and it was all I could do to keep the laundry up.

Anyway, I had an awesome day at work last night. My favourite boss was working. Lots of breaks, but lots of work done too.

I am getting my party favours done for the Christmas party at work for December 15. Then I am getting my Christmas cards done next week, as I have three wonderful days off next week too. I cannot believe my luck! Last Christmas and the last Christmases back to 2002, I was working all the way through Christmas so there was no time for Christmas cards.

Then I am going to get these quilts made. I am sewing up boxes of fabric out of my sewing room and making blocks. Then I will sew them into quilts. They will be the smaller size so that I can take them to Minneapolis next summer for Bundles of Love which is the charity that I wholeheartedly support in that city. The ladies are great!

I went to exercise class this morning as Ruth from our weight loss support group was hosting it. It was fun! Easy Adult fitness is what it is called. I have been to many exercise classes and this is one of the best! So I will be spending my Mondays there in the morning.

So many things planned! But I must get my dish cloths made...so off I go to those. I am taking my oldest to the bowling alley today, as it is his night for bowling. I will get my knitting done then too.

Take care, and having a great time on my days off!!! drink your water and see you next time.

It's Saturday!

Hi! It is now Saturday! I can take a breather...Whew!!! I worked Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday night, Thursday morning, and Friday! It has been a horrible week! The only good thing about it is the cheque...I have to work tomorrow (Sunday) and then Monday and Tuesday, and then I am off for Wednesday and Thursday.

I am starting my own block of the month as the guild is not having one this year. I have September and October blocks done and I am making two quilts. I have to clean downstairs today and then tonight I hope to get November blocks done. It is the material that I bought in Buffalo, WY when we had the water pump go on the motorhome.

I am hoping to get back to the baby sweaters again. I am a bit behind in them. I will get on them soon, I hope. Once it settles down at work...

I am trying to get over this cough that I have. I think that it is almost over but it is because of my dh and his germ spreading. Max is all better, thank goodness!

The snow all melted and I am certainly happy about that! It is Spring outside or Fall and the lawn needs to be mowed...

Max's bugs are all gone and he got a real haircut at the barber's. What a thing to deal with...bugs and the flu. You think with two bugs that they would cancel each other out 8-)

Other than that, life should be back to normal after Wednesday...I hope...

bye till next posting and drink your water!

re: rough two weeks.

HI! I have had a rough two weeks! First off, my son received his second bout of head lice through school on October 17th, so I started that day with the NIX. Then on October 22nd, another full head of lice, another treatment with Nix.

I took a breather and went to a fantastic quilt show in Saskatoon with the girls with our chartered bus. Bought a few patterns and a few books, and had a great visit with the girls. I found two loonies and I spent it on books. NO driving for me, and no worries. very tiring though. you guessed it! the start of the flu or something. But I survived. Laid on the couch on Sunday before going to work. We are so busy on Sundays, it is unbelievable!

Then on Tuesday, I had the school nutrition expert check him, and more bugs. MOre bugs. So last treatment with NIX. I told the pharmacist that I couldn't do NIX anymore. So I got the tea tree oil shampoo with the oil drops. Anyway, having done the NIX that day, I went to my meeting and came home and less than 12 hours, more bugs. I am losing it!

My dh is sick with something and coughing his brains out. Max is also coughing because of his dad spreading germs around. Went to the doctor's this morning and got amoxicillin and they are getting better slowly.

Went trick or treating with Max to my friend's house and she checked him. She is an expert and found only two live bugs, and those two would have created 64 in the head by Friday if not more. she is soooo good at this! Pizza or popcorn and a movie at her place next Saturday evening and a check-up for Max. I may even have her check me! I know I am clean, but you never know...ick!

So....that is all that is new here. The mind is gone, and the rest of me is holding on...I think. take care, and drink your water...hugs to all....

re: good day at work!

Hi! My favourite boss accidentally made a delicious caesar salad wrap and gave it to me for lunch. *melt*! It was sooo good! It was so relaxing at work now that I don't have to do a salad bar and buffet. I made a few trays and put the bread away, and took the racks out.

I am starting the quilts that I have cut out a few weeks ago. "bright hopes" is the name of the quilt with partial seam construction. I couldn't sleep so I got up at 5:00 am and made the kids' lunches, and did some housework and folded the wash, and then did more sewing on the blocks. It is so much fun and fast to do! I have two more kits cut out so I will have six quilts when I am done.

Then I phoned my aunt who I gave six quilts to this summer (she gave me money-always has) and I told her when she gives the quilts to babies to take pictures of the quilts and the recipients as I had no time this summer to take pictures of them with my aunt. It was so crazy at the farm for the final time there!

I phoned my dad too and we discussed investments. Nothing is paying big interest right now, but I am hoping to invest and buy some shares in a fast food chain which is quite successful. That may pay off! He is going to watch at his end and I have to check at my end.

I hope to get back to the baby sweaters. I am so busy! I am busily watching "Deal or No Deal" and knitting dishcloths. I always have a load in the wash when I am downstairs. I am watching tv downstairs now because Des bought a 42" tv and is playing PS3 on it. oh joy...

Tomorrow I work again, and another exciting day with my favourite boss. Believes in lots of breaks :)

be good and drink your water....Gail

re: another day at the hotel....

Hi! I deleted todays entry so I will try this again.

I worked today and am off till Sunday. So, I worked four days straight! Whew! Makes for a nice payday or whatever.

It is snowing so I am glad that we repaired the roof on our Melfort building. Two suites upstairs and a store front downstairs which eventually will be a knit and stitch cafe. Have to win the lottery first...would make things easier...

I am not working on the baby sweater for the charity lately. I am busily knitting dishcloths and I should be doing my homework. I am so behind in my homework, the housework, dishes and wash respectively.

I haven't been to the gym lately so I am going this Sunday which will be good for me. I miss the crowd!

Anyway, till we meet again....porchlight

re: October already?

Hi! It is October already, and Fall is here! I enjoy the rain and the cold drizzle as I am from the West Coast. I am still knitting the baby sweaters and dish cloths. I have been so much lately that I have hardly enough time to keep the wash and the laundry under control.

Went to Saskatoon yesterday for the annual Lions Flea Market. It was quite big this time! Went to Westgate Books, and to Value Village. Went to Great Buffet of China for supper which went up in price again! It is always packed in there, and it was only 3:00 pm. It was tiring but fun, as usual. Made a dishcloth in the car while Des drove. I drove home though.

Hopefully, things will settle down at work, but I don't mind the extra cash to spend on important things (fabric and wool) LOL....

All the best to all of you! Gail

re: how time flies!

Hi! I can't believe that I am behind in this blog! oh well. I have been busy, like the rest of the world. My oldest has football practice and games, and I stay home and relax for the most part or I am at work.

I am working on getting my dishcloth of the month done before the next one starts on Thursday. I am almost done it, and will finish it while watching "Deal or No Deal".

I want to start another sewing project, but too many to choose from. I am thinking of starting a bag, but not sure. I will see what I can find, after my show in the sewing room.

Then I have to decide if we are going anywhere for a weekend trip somewhere. I don't know where to go. Regina? Moose Jaw? I am leaning toward towards Regina. Edmonton, too far. Des has another week off to take, or he loses his holidays. Must be nice. So I would like a weekend which would be nice. I am leaning towards November 11th.

Work has been exceptional! I love my job more and more each day! My bosses are the best. The work is rewarding! I am so tired after work. But it is a good tired. How can being tired be good?

Any ideas for my holidays? Just post them here or on "facebook". Take care. Gail

re:back to work.

HI. I am back to work after my usual Monday and Tuesday off. I am watching my "deal or no deal" faithfully. Howie is such a card, and always has a cute little surprise for the participant of the evening. Something to fold laundry by, if nothing else.

I finished off the booties that I am making to go with the set that I am knitting. All I have to make is the hat. Then it will be another set, which will be two sets out of 20. I want to have 20 sets made by next Summer. We will see.

My cold is all better. I had a cold on Saturday, and didn't get much done, but I survived. I don't have time to be sick or down with a cold. I rested a lot.

It was raining like crazy on Monday, and of course, I had to be out in it. I love rain, but not when it is raining so hard that I couldn't see out of the windshield. It was a tad scary!

Had a great day at work today. I worked with my favourite boss today and always have coffee (diet coke) with him for about 1/2 hour. We just chat about issues of the day, or our non-existent cheques. I make salads mostly, and vegetable trays, and fruit trays, and muffin trays, and dainty trays. I am all tray-ed out!

Well, more of the same tomorrow and Friday. Tomorrow is payday which is exciting! It is always a surprise as sometimes we get tips/gratuities which is from the banquets that I make all these trays for. So something to look forward to.

I missed my TOPS meeting tonight (weight loss support) as I wanted to make sure that I am fully recovered from this cold, and Max (my youngest) wanted to stay home, and I wanted to get my three loads of laundry done. Whew!

Take care till next time! Gail

re: wild weekend

HI! I just got over my cold that I had yesterday. I have a bad cold for one day, and then it is gone! I don't have time to be sick. Anyway, dropped my iron onto the cement floor again, so you know what that means. I have to go and buy a new iron. I buy the cheap ones. They work! Sunbeam is the best.

I am knitting on my baby sweater still. I went for two walks yesterday and then I work today. I don't get to work with my favourite boss today as he is off and I have to work with the slow dishwasher who hangs all over me (not literally). I like to "pad" my hours too, so I don't have a problem wih it.

I got all my quilts cut out, and then I have to cut out more focus fabrics for more quilts. 6 1/2 inches square. It will be a fun easy quilt to make, so I am gearing up for it, and making lots of packages. A great winter program putting bindings on, and practicing my machine quilting.

I have to make room for my mom's machine. She had a Kenmore like me, but I have more stitches than hers did. I am still "leaning" towards a new one from Sears. I have the electronic one picked out with a million stitches (I used up all the ones on my machine). So we will see what the Easter Bunny puts in my basket.

Anyway, all for today. I have to get back to the gym, once I get more organized. Gail

September 11, 2009--Long week...

Hi! It has been a long week! I worked Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Whew! I worked with my favourite boss a lot so it wasn't too bad. Also, it is the memorial anniversary for 9-11! My dad and stepmom had visited the twin towers earlier that summer. He has a beautiful panoramic picture of that area from a distance.

I went to the quilting meeting on Tuesday and got homework! I cut out four quilts so far and more to come. There is this new quilt pattern (like I need another pattern--we all do!) and we are having a class on it, so we have to do all the cutting first. It is always fun! While I am cutting fabric or sewing, I am also doing the laundry.

Went and bought a bit of fabric for those four quilts. They are smaller (38 1/2" square) and quick to whip up, but I needed a bit of coordinating fabrics to go with the focus fabric. Des and our two boys were in Saskatoon at the oldest boy's football game. They lost 18-38 to the Saskatoon team, but this is their first game, and Des says that they tried, so therefore it was understandable that they had an average showing. The other team had years of experience.

I have been working on the baby sweater also. It is an easy pattern and it is knitted. It takes longer than crocheting but relaxing after work.

Tomorrow is football practice so I will have the house to myself in the morning. More quilting!

Be good and drink your water! bye for today!

re: Life goes on...

Hi! No work yesterday. The people never phoned, so you know what I did! I did some homework for tonight's quilting meeting. I have to have something to work on. So I made a pillow from a kit that I bought years ago. I also did some knitting on my dish cloth of the month, and then I started another baby set for charity. My goal is 20 sets to take to Minneapolis next summer. We will see on that one.

I have to go to school today to volunteer. I help with the snack program and visit with the teachers. That way, I can keep on top of any problems that may occur and they do. This way I can take care of them quietly with no fuss.

So, I am looking forward to the quilting meeting tonight and my son has football practice tonight so I have time for myself before my meeting. I like it! Knitting time!

so off for another day.... be good and drink your water...

September 6, 2009...just off work...

Hi. It has been a different day. as you know yesterday, we went to the stock car races. Wow! They went around the track many times in their fancy cars, and then fancy, looked to be, 1/4 ton racing trucks. It went till 10:40 pm and then out to McD's for supper and then the hour and a half drive home. We got home at 1:30 am and then straight to bed.

Today the kids had their Sunday paper to do and then I was doing this one house as the paper was left there from the previous week. So I poked my nose in the door as there was activity in the house and the landlords were there. Apparently, the "midnight" move. So, of course, I "step up to the plate" and say that I clean houses and they were thrilled, to say the least. Nice older couple. So now I have a job for my only two days off this week. oh joy...I would have just knit anyway.

After that, I went to work at the hotel and it was a good evening. My favourite dishwasher was working. She actually works! at the age of 62 years old. So we were out of there on time with the floors washed and everything. When the other one works, one hour too late to get out of there.

Never a dull moment, that is for sure. Have a great day!

September 5, 2009 What to do...

Hi! I decided to form a blog as my friend L. has one and it looked good and I wanted to share with my friends what I do without going on and on, about it on facebook. So here goes.

I am 48 years young, and a mom of two (the third one in NL) and I have a husband. I love to knit and crochet, quilt, sew, and all types of designing. You wouldn't know by the boxes and boxes downstairs and at my best friends house in the country. That is another story. So here goes with my blog.

Today, we are planning on going to the stock car races in Saskatoon as we have these tickets that dh bought off of the internet auction.

Of course, I will be doing my knitting in the car. otherwise, I will be sooo bored. I have homework to do as I belong to the monthly dishcloth group on yahoo groups.com I am a few days behind.

I am also a cook at the local hotel here. I am working four days a week now, as it is so hard to find good help. Why am I there? I am holding up the tables LOL...Seriously, I really enjoy my job and have been there seven years and I work with a great bunch of people. They treat me like family but the pay is a little low, but the entertainment is worth the extra bucks an hour that I should be making.

I enjoy knitting everything. baby sets for charity, afghans, dish cloths, and anything else that needs to be knitted. I am working on a sampler sweater from Mary Maxim that I started last May; hope to get back to that soon. No time for a lot of it. between the lawn and the laundry and various towing jobs that I am asked to go on, cuts into the quality time.

Since this is my first blog, the subsequent ones will be short, at least I hope they will be.

Have a great day!