I'm So Excited

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it

I'm about to lose control and I think I like it

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it

Well today I donned my little red boots (okay not little but wide........ Hey Cathy you aren't the only one with some red suede shoes!) and walked out to my car...

Programmed "Garmin" for my destination...

To turn this in at the lottery office in Bethlehem!

Yes - that would be the winning MegaMillion's ticket from Tuesday.  NOT the BIG WINNER (we were one number off for that - if we would have had 36 instead of that 33 - we would be $237,000,000.00 richer)

We happened to match 4 of the numbers and the megaball.  Oh my goodness I can't even tell you the feeling I had as I was checking the numbers (On Wednesday Afternoon!) and they were matching up!   I started shaking and went to the website to find out how much we won - thinking it would be no more than $100!

Well I was wrong - it was for

$10,000.00

Can you believe it!  I emailed my husband who promptly called me as he didn't believe it!  I told him I checked it like 14 times but I still couldn't believe it.  

So after checking into what we had to do to claim the money - he stopped and got another ticket and the "Standard Claim form"  .  As I was trying to figure out how to fill out the claim form I called the "lottery headquarters" and spoke to a wonderful girl named Kelley - She said my best bet was to bring it in rather than mail it and turns out the retailer was supposed to fill most of the form out which they didn't!

So that was the reason for my trip today.  When I got to the office I told her I hope I didn't make a mistake.  Well she scanned my ticket - and it's official - IT'S REAL !

So all the i's have been dotted and t's crossed and now my "claim" is submitted!  Now to wait for the check (4-6 weeks).  The Federal Government will be taking 25% but this will be $7500 I didn't have last week!

I'm still in amazement - My husband generally picks up a PowerBall ticket on his weekly beer run but decided to pick up one of each this week.  He usually gives them to me to check and I generally do not get too excited since many times we don't even hit one number!  This is definitely a first - never have we won anything like this!  It sure will come in handy!

So that was my week!

Here's a pic I took at a stop light in Bethlehem (then my camera died or else I would have bored you with the lottery office and Kelley and the claim form pictures!).  I have not seen a McDonald's this old-fashioned in so long! 

Well now I suppose I will have to definitely get back to thinking what to create next.  Need to think Valentines Day and make things to share the love!  Riley is giving me a hint by pulling out my red wools and helping me to decide what I need -

I'm thinking I am going to be in a awfully good mood for quite a while - Just remember - It too can happen to you - it happened to us!  (Oh my goodness can you image if we actually won in the millions - i probably would be jumping out of my skin and then faint dead away!)

HAVE A WONDERFUL AND HAPPY AND SAFE NEW YEAR!

Christmas All Over Again

Doesn't it feel like when you finally sit or stand still long enough to celebrate Christmas it's Christmas All Over Again? I know I know - that's not what that song's about but still!

From some emails I have received, blogs I have read, and posts from an online group sounds like everyone had some wonderful days the last few days - lots of traditions - new and old! 

This morning was spent baking for today (hey i had to finish up that rug and ran out of time).  I found two recipes from a blog for a Cinnabun cake and a Gingerbread Cake with Cream Icing - so I couldn't decide and made them both!  Both were great!

Went over to my parents around noon for the festivities.  My husband opted out this year as he wasn't feeling well.  Not a lot of people on my side of the family anymore - There are no little kids anymore so it's not as much fun (no toys to play with) and I have one brother, so it was just him, his wife, my two nieces, one of my nieces boyfriends, my Uncle Bud (one of my Mom's youngest brothers - he's a twin), my parents and me.  

I took a few pics today at my parents - not many but will post them here randomly...

Before everyone arrived...

My Uncle Bud, Niece Jessica and her boyfriend Bryan...

My youngest niece Desi (who just graduated college on Sunday - she is now an official school teacher - watch out kids!) and my Dad

My brother Rusty (we put him in charge of the trash bag with the wrapping paper) and his two girls Desi and Jessica

Not sure what they were looking at here - My Mom, Desi and Rusty

Must have missed getting a pic of my sister in law.  I stayed after everyone left and help put away the extra chairs and tables and clean up - I think perhaps my parents are exhausted here!  My Mom insists on doing everything even at 80 years of age!  She didn't even take her apron off!

My gift from my parents this year was a quilt my Mom made - I knew I was getting it (she's worked on it off and on for the past two years in between other projects)  I helped pick out some of the fabric - This is a terrible picture to show the actual colors - It is a big honking quilt -for a queen size bed but I'm thinking it's more a king size - My Mom is upset it may too big - Will try it tomorrow when it's lighter outside to get a better pic and also put it on the bed (then it will be taken off and packed away for the time being because of Miles and the vomiting issues)

Had to tell the boys it wasn't a wrestling mat!  Again it's actually so much nice in person!

Well hoping you all had a wonderful day and had time to enjoy it!

Deck the Halls

Merry Christmas Eve to one and all!

First I just wanted to say that I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas filled with your heart's desires!

Now just a little update on the week!

On Tuesday my friend Dolly gave each of the boys a little catnip mouse - Well Miles wasn't interested but that didn't stop Jonesy and Riley from having fun - they must have played for an hour or more with them - then of course they got the munchies and Riley came and brought me his treats! Silly boys!

Wednesday was vet appointment for Miles - hate having to take him places as it stresses him out so bad

"I'm not amused"

Even as scrawny and weak as he is - he puts up quite the fight to get into the cage and of course cries the whole way - We went to see Dr. W.  Dr. W. and another doctor both examined him and really there is no good news.   His new meds weren't helping and should have been - they think perhaps he has some tumors possibly on his intestines or it could be a thickening.  I really think they are at a loss to what all the throwing up is about - his thyroid problem isn't extreme enough to cause all this.   Anyway - he suggested I could take him to a specialist for an ultrasound however if they did find something he probably wouldn't be strong enough to survive a surgery.  I asked him if I'm making him suffer by just letting him be as he is as long as we can maintain the weight he's at (he's just about 4 pounds!) .  He said that should be okay as i understand if he keeps losing then things will start shutting down.  But like the vet said he's got a strong heart, he's very much aware of things (just like some aging people whose bodies don't hold up), and he even still tries to play a bit and eats and uses the litter.  I do not ever want the little guy to suffer but like the vet even said to me he'll know I'll know when it's time.   So that's what we are doing right now - just going along as it's been and giving him all the loving we can.  We did get some new thyroid meds that you rub on his ear as he was just spitting pills out and stressing out. It's about 10 times the cost but so far it's worth it - Miles just thinks we are giving his ears a massage - something he likes! woohoo! 

This is the scene I found when we got back from the vet... rough life!

Jonesy did manage to show me how much progress he made while I was gone...

Well this morning I pulled the last loops on the rug!  It's approx. 26 1/2" x 56".  And do you believe this - I still have noodles/worms left!  Well at least I'm down from three baskets to one!

Now comes the finishing part - Jonesy wanted no part of that - so thank goodness I have Riley...

"Hey get off this rug - I have to finish it for GrandMom before Christmas"



"I told you - your part is done - now it's my turn - GET OFF"

"Fine, just fine - I'm going to go get lunch and when I get back you better be off of here"

"Who does Riley think he is throwing me off this rug - it's mine"

DONE!

YEAH - I pulled it off - I finished the rug about 10:30 tonight! (And yes Kathy it is labeled too!) Now to find a box and wrap it!  Let's hope she likes it!

AGAIN - WISHING EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

Do You Believe in Magic

Happy Sunday!

It's dreary and gray out then sunny- weather can't make up it's mind today!  Been cold lately too - but can't really complain too much - heck it is December.

Well I just may pull this off - I have just slightly passed the half way mark on the rug! (Okay Okay - no one believes I actually hook - so here's Jonesy's progress ) Spent the whole afternoon lazing about watching the boob tube and hooking yesterday. 

It's funny Jonesy actually does love this rug - wherever it is - on the frame or the floor he's on it - under it - rubbing it - rolling around in it!   It's so funny - I think he thinks it's his!  I found this with my kitties - they take to certain rugs and not others.

Today I decided to go visit Judy at the Cinnamon Stick.  I made her a little something and wanted to deliver it - she was good to me this year and gave me the opportunity to make a few dollars by buying some of my work and organizing the feather tree classes! Every little bit helps!

This is what I get every time I leave the house...

This little guy HATES to be alone - and my husband is home but I swear he does this to break my heart or else make me hurry home - I get those eyes and that sad face!

Judy's store was bustling and it had just opened - I was walking around and looking at things - look at this darling paper ornaments she made for the feather trees!

I was there for a little bit and even ran into a friend and her daughter I haven't seen in a few years - Nice visiting with her!

Anyway - here's the little something I made for Judy - a very simple prim chair pad.  It's more red then in the pic - this is one of my "marbleizing" colors - i took that Santa red with some ugly pinkish reds and bleed them together - same as I did for my Mom's rug - I was aiming for a washed out old looking red - i think it worked. 

Well I better get out my basket of worms and start hooking them into that rug - only 6 days left!

Do They Know It's Christmas?

Of course they do! 

Yesterday was Grant's Street Christmas Party - and oh what fun!  To find out a full accounting of the day check out Kathy's blog (Rugs of Mine in Time) She couldn't have said it better about her thoughts on friendship!

It was truly a wonderful and fun day filled with so many smiles and laughs and giving and receiving.  Thank you to Linda and Kathy for all your hard work to make it so much fun for all of us!

Nettie and I started out around 9:00 am. and between stops for gas and coffee and rest stops we arrived around 11:30 or so.  It took a while to unload everything!   Gifts, hooking equipment, some food for the party and the kitchen sink!

When we arrived it was only Kathy and Linda - the place looked great and so festive and already food getting set out!  

Next thing you know we heard it was snowing - sure enough everything was covered in white!  We would have stayed over night had it kept up but it was clear enough to make the long drive home (at 11:30 p.m.!)

The party wasn't supposed to start until 5:00 but that didn't stop us from actually working - image that!

Kathy actually pulled some loops and sewed some pillows!

 Joan in the background busily working on her large rug -again I forgot to take a picture.

I decided to let Jonesy work on the hit and miss while I was gone and took my Seven Gates rug to work on - finished up the hearts and the flowers and started on the background - not sure I'm liking the background - This is way out of my box with this "neutral" light background - will keep it going and see if I like it any better.  It's a wee darker than pictured.

Nettie was working on her snowman and got a lot done...

Linda modeling her new nightshirt (with sheep of course!)

Louis came up to visit - Kathy giving him a big hug - Hey everyone gets some Christmas loving!

Linda and Rex

Linda and Annabelle (or was it Crazy Moe?)

Finally people started braving the cold weather and wintery roads and started arriving - the tables were full of food and Kathy's meatballs smelled (and tasted) oh so good!   Dinner!!!

After dinner we started playing several games for prizes that Linda generously donated - there were pins, earrings, wool bundles and I didn't see everything.  I did win one game and won a 1/4 yard of some gorgeous wool!

We all brought 3 gifts - could be whatever related to hooking or not or white elephants!  We all got numbers and if Linda called our number we went up and grabbed a gift or took it from someone - if we took one we had to give one to the person we took from - Everyone took there turn...

Beth

Betty

 Genny

Jill

Joan

 Kathy

 Nancee

 Nettie

 Missed taking a pic of the other Nancy.  Once everyone got 3 packages and we thought the trading was done we started opening one by one. 

Here's Beth...

 Linda actually started the opening - in her third box was a true white elephant.  Oh how we laughed...

 Kathy was laughing so hard she was on the floor (Oh course she's the culprit that brought that snowman? We were trying to figure out what it actually was and why someone made it in the first place! See Kathy's blog for more info about that!)

Linda opening again...

And again..

 And again... Yes she's wearing a bag on her head - guess I lost my title for headgear!  Linda kept bartering with everyone to take her snowperson off her hands - the offer was available to you if you didn't open your package yet!  She kept trying and trying - Here she is bartering with her pomegranates!

Oh and she's opening again...

See the smiles from Betty and Nettie (the theme of the night!)

I believe Genny ended up with one of her own packages and Joan generously switched with her - Boy Genny had no clue what she was putting her hands on...

I so wish I had the pic right before her face when she first looked at the item!  As you can see she's shocked, and Joan just about looses it (for the big reveal you will have to visit Kathy's blog - I didn't get the pic of the item before it was whisked away) Big laughs all around for sure - some tears of laughter from all!

Me - i got the other white elephant in the room (you'll see in that on Kathy's blog too - I'm too lazy to take it out of the box again - too hard to get back in) Let me tell you it brought some laughs - I was laughing so hard I turned bright red!

After the games and gifts were opened - everyone started opening some individual gifts between friends and also ones from the "secret pal"

Sherri gifted Jill with this hooked gingerbread man pocket and these lovely ornies - Oh my they are amazing - Sherri you are truly gifted and generous soul!

Here's some of my gifts - my wool, Linda gave me some silver earrings, Nettie gave me some candles, I got Sherri's bag in the 3 gift picking and it contained the Gooseberry Christmas idea box and a basket of worms,  Also got Nettie's gift bag and it contained a candle and 2 cards. Also received a cute little Santa from Jill and some vanilla bean handsoap from Genny - I can't seem to find that pic - Thank you so much girls.

Sherri gifted me with some of her amazing ornaments - just look at these - the details on them were and are amazing and I will treasure them always! She also gifted me with a basket of wool and some note cards- Just love everything Sherri - and have mention that the little snowman  needlepunched ornament my cat Riley is in love with - I was walking around trying to hang it up - he kept taking it from wherever I hung it! I don't know if he was attracted to the cloves that Sherri hand sewed on or what! It was too funny - he would take it and then snuggle it!  Oh Sherri better watch out if you come to my house - Riley may be slightly in love with you!  (Oh and I managed to hang it without him seeing and it's still there!)

Sherri opening her gifts (sorry this pic should be up above!)

Nettie went way overboard too - she gave me a gorgeous bundle of wool, a gift certificate to Linda's shop, some bingo daubers,  and the candles and cards! Oh Nettie - you are way too generous - thank you so much!

Another one that way overboard was my friend Kathy!  She gifted me with these red cosmetic bags that I think I will use for other things but they are so pretty, a gorgeous bundle of red wool and mushroom colored wool (my fav!), some tea, some gift cards to the coffee shop around the corner from her - so now I have to come out and visit her and stop for coffee first!, and the coverlet pillow her friend Tanya made!  Oh and she gave me these set of wool pasties for those extra cold days!  Just kidding - you know how we get at Grant Street -they are coasters and what's great is the wools match perfectly to a kitty penny rug my friend Debbie made me a few years ago - so they now sit together on my table in the living room!  Oh thank you from the bottom of my heart Kathy - you are so generous with me and i can't thank you enough for you just being you and your friendship across the miles!

Oh and did I tell you how generous my friend Nettie is - Oh Nettie you are too much! She won the door prize from Linda's party - a milk can - and on the way home gave it me since I have a small collection of tin milk cans - so here it is nested between a couple of them my Dad used to use on the farm while he was growing up - Thank you again!

Again thanks to Linda and Kathy and all my wonderful friends!  I do not know what I did to deserve each and everyone of you that I have met in person or here in blogland!

Merry Christmas!