A Week(almost) In Review

It's been awhile since I have posted, so I thought I'd bring this blog up to date.  The past week has been exhausting/busy!
*It started Monday evening when I attended the school board meeting to honor our retiring staff members.  One of the teachers from our building is retiring.  She has been a friend and colleague for 21 years.  I'm going to miss her!  I don't like the change taking place in our building. :(  After the meeting some of us gathered at my house for food and drinks.

I don't know what was wrong with me, but I forgot to take any pictures even though I had the camera sitting on the counter!  Needless to say, it was a LATE night !
*Tuesday was a full day of work, tutoring, nail appointment then home. My sister and her husband showed up about 8:00p.m. while Bud went to Des Moines to pick up Mom who was coming from Texas.  They got home about midnight.  Soooo, another LATE night.
*Wednesday (Happy Birthday to Me and my niece, Brittany!) started out EARLY 4:30 a.m. as my sister and brother-in-law got up to head to the hospital for his surgery, and then we left shortly after.  Waiting during surgery is always hard.

Surgery went as planned and now we will wait for pathology results.  (He will have NOTHING by mouth for 20 days, which I think would be pure torture!)
*Thursday & Friday--Full days of work and then to the hospital.  Both days I stayed until it was time to drive my sister home as she was exhausted. Bud and Mom went home earlier, but we waited until Dale had his medications to help his get some sleep in the night.  Soooo, two more late nights.  I'm just not used to going to bed at midnight and up early!
*Saturday--Bud, Mom, and I slept in a little, then headed to the hospital.  We visited a bit then went to see our newest grandson, Grayson, who Mom had never seen.

Then back to the hospital a bit, and off to the motel where some relatives were staying.  The kids swam.

And we ate pizza.

Another late night!

*Sunday--We slept in and aren't heading to the hospital until after lunch.  My plan is to be home at a decent time and go to bed by ten!  We're hoping Dale will go home Monday or Tuesday for sure.  He has a long recuperation time ahead of him.

So, you can see why there's been no sewing at this house this week!  

Gratitudes--Yes, I've been lax in that area too!  I've had several days this week that I haven't even touched a computer outside of school, and that doesn't happen often!

*I'm grateful for my faith.  I lean hard on my faith at times like these.  We've prayed for Dale, his surgeons, his family, and that we can accept God's will, whatever it may be.  We've prayed for strength to get through this time.  And we've thanked God for our good health that we often take for granted!

Thanks to all of you who have been sending prayers our way too.

Tuesday Gratitude

Today I am grateful for good health care.  We live in an area where there is excellent medical care within minutes.  The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is a teaching hospital.  They are on the cutting edge of many things.  The medical staff at there certainly helped us through a hard time in 1996.  And I spent two weeks there as outpatient last year, and I got very good care.  And Mercy Hospital is also a great hospital.  Three of my grandsons were born there and my family has had many outpatient and several inpatient procedures done there.  We have found a group of family practice doctors and PAs that we like.  In addition we have great allergists, gynecologists, dermatologists, opthamologists, and dentists.  Many people take this health care for granted.  Many people from around the state and country come to Iowa City for health care.  I thank God we were in this area when we really needed it!

A Few Little Crafts & Gratitude

I have been busy with school and family stuff lately and haven't really had time to do much sewing.  I am working on a Valentine quilt.  Clearly it wasn't done for this Valentine's Day, but I'm hoping for it to be done next year!  I don't have photos yet.  I did manage to make a couple things for gifts--

I made this embroidered snowman into a little wall hanging.

Another koozie.

And a snowman for my wallhanging.

Probably no sewing time for me the rest of this week.  Maybe next week. (sigh)

Gratitude--Today I am grateful for modern conveniences.  Sometimes I long for the simplicity of bygone days and then I remember how much physical labor women had to do.  While I love to cook, it is time consuming.  I can't imagine doing it without today's appliances--even though I don't have the most modern.  I am grateful for my automatic washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher.  And let's not forget the furnace and AC!  Thanks you Lord for all of the conveniences that make my life easier!

Sunday Gratitude

Today I am grateful for family gatherings.  As we gathered today to celebrate Nate's birthday (and mine) everyone was together in one place.  It doesn't happen often enough to suit me.  It is so fulfilling to watch my kids, kids-in-law, and grandsons interact.  I'm sure most mothers would agree with me.  The best of times are times spent with all the family spending time together.  Thank you kids, for spending time together with us today!

Saturday Gratitude

Children--Oh how grateful I am for my kids.  I can't imagine life without them.  They were great fun as they were growing up. (That's not to say there weren't trials and tribulations.)  Our lives revolved around the kids and their activities for so many years.  Now they are all grown up and parents or becoming parents themselves.  I'm grateful for the adults they have become.  I'm grateful that they all have good work ethics and good jobs.  I'm happy that for the most part, they are adults that give back.  And now I'm getting grandchildren! Oh, happy day!!

These cookies are one of Bud's favorite.  I usually only make them at Christmas.  It is a recipe that his mom and sister used to make for him.  They are super easy to do.

Unbaked Coconut Date Ball Cookies

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 cups crispy rice cereal
• 1 cup flaked coconut

Directions

1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, combine the eggs sugar and dates. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla. Mix in crispy rice cereal. Butter hands and roll the mixture into walnut sized balls. Roll the balls in coconut. Serve.

Check out the other great recipes at And Baby Makes Five.

Gratitude for Friday

Today I am thankful for my husband.  I am thankful for his sense of humor, his work ethic, his cheerful attitude, and his loving nature.  We met when we were 14 and have been together since.  We have had ups and downs, sad times and happy times, but we always manage to get through them together.  After adjusting to an empty nest, after years of kids, we are finally enjoying our alone time together.  Most of all I am thankful that he puts up with my many moods and requests!  Thank you  God, for my husband.

Gratitude

Each year for Lent I try to give something up or do something special.  Often I'm not very successful.  After reading an article about Gratitude Journals I decided to try to write about something I am grateful for each day.  Making myself think positively is always a good thing!

Today I am grateful that I have a job that is secure.  Well, secure as long as I don't REALLY mess up!  I am in my 21st year of teaching.  The first twelve years were in second grade and the last nine years have been in fourth grade.  Teaching has changed so much since I started.  Our job is now much more than just teaching.  Parents are different.  Kids are different. And requirements of the administrators and government is different.  And for the most part different is not for the better.  BUT, I still love the day to day interaction with the kids, and watching them when they "get" something.  I love when they want to share with me--about their families, their books, activities, etc.  I am lucky that I have 21 years of seniority.  Thank you, God, for giving me the opportunity to do what I have wanted to do since I was a fourth grader!

Happy Birthday, Nate!

Nate turned three yesterday!

He is our third grandson and Trilby and Mike's third boy.  He is quiet and shy.....until he warms up to you. He loves Mickey Mouse and Cars and has recently moved into his "big boy" bed.  We look forward to watching him grow. We will be celebrating his birthday on Sunday.  Happy Birthday, Nate!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Quilt

The baby is born and the quilt is delivered, so I can share pictures of it now.

The back is white polka dots on white.  I put two strips of fabric on the back, but I missed the bottom one in the photo.

The quilter did a great job.  You can see she stitched "Baby Roos" in the leaf.  She would have done the name if we would have known it.

This photo shows the different designs she used in addition to the circles.

I had a great time making it and I hope Grayson enjoys it.

Announcing our Newest Grandchild

Grayson Bradley Roos was born February 13th at 10:01 p.m.  He weighed in at 6 lbs. 3 oz. and 21" long.  

Yes, he is a long little guy!

He was born at 37 weeks which is a little early.  They are keeping him in the warmer to keep his temperature up as he was having a little bit of a hard time keeping it up where it needed to be.  He was also having a little bit of a hard time breathing.  But, just a little concern.  If they were more concerned they would put him in NICCU.  He is in Trina and Tanner's suite.  So, we haven't gotten to hold him, but that's for the best.

He has long fingers and toes like his mommy and daddy.

He has some light brown/sandy blond hair on his little cone head!  

We are thrilled to add another grandson to the family.  Bud says we'll have one at every weight class for wrestling!

Baby Quilt Finish

I have Trina and Tanner's baby quilt back from the quilter and bound.  I started the quilt one evening and got  the top almost pieced, but I wasn't happy with it. I thought about it that night in bed and because we had a snow day I was able to go down and tear it apart and start over.    This is the first time I have sent a quilt to be machine quilted, and she did an awesome job! I am very happy with the quilt.

I'm only showing little peeks of it since I don't want them to see it until the baby is born.

I also made them a valance for the baby's room using scraps from the quilt.

Now we just need a baby to wrap in the quilt!

DREAMIN'

Friday night was "grandson night".  Well, with all of them who can walk on their own anyway!  We went to the RV and Boat show close to home.  We started off with a turkey hunting class which really only made Grandpa and Payton happy.  Next up was a wild animal show which we all enjoyed.  The highlight was the HUGE snake that took three grown women to hold.  EWWW.  Finally, we got to go fishing in the little pond!  Nate and Cael each caught a trout which I got to carry around in a plastic bag the rest of the night!  After getting our balloon fishing pole and doggie on a leash, we finally got to look at the RVs and boats.  McDonalds was our next stop where we ate and handed them off to their mom.  We had a good time, and I didn't have my camera, so no pictures.  DARN!

Saturday morning we headed for Des Moines for the RV show.  We go each year to dream and get ideas.  They have everything from fold down campers to these:

See that SALE price on the side?  Yeah, $188,544, and that wasn't the most expensive one there!  But I sure liked it. Let's see....my birthday is coming up soon.  Maybe my family should pool their money.
But my realistic choice for camping is this one:

Not sure why those people are looking at MY fifth-wheel!  See the little sewing nook?  How nice that it is right next to the fireplace and TV with windows for me to look out!

Here's where Bud would be parked when he's not fishing.  See the nice big window out the back?  Perfect for looking at the water.

Here's the kitchen area.  

But it doesn't have one of these:

Yes, some of them have a dishwasher!  I can live without that since we are just camping, but when we retire and live in it while we travel, I want one!

Oh, look, Bud is choosing his bedroom!

After buying some accessories, but not a camper, we headed for the furniture store.

Homemaker's Furniture is my favorite furniture store!  It is HUGE.  It used to have a model home built in the middle of it, but they've remodeled so that's gone.  You'd better be a good decision maker or you could be there forever.  Even choosing a lamp can be overwhelming!

And there are more throughout the store!  We were looking at chairs, but we already knew what brand we wanted and what fabric we didn't want, so that made it easier.

After the furniture store we headed for lunch.  Bud chose the place although I know he had me in mind.  We at at the Cheesecake Factory, but we didn't eat cheesecake!  Next, we went to Bass Pro, which, if you read my blog regularly, you'll know I said I didn't need to visit again!  So, I stayed in the car and read my book while Bud shopped.  We had a great day.......just dreamin'.

Five Hour Beef Stew

A hot bowl of stew with some cornbread muffins on a cold winter day---YUM!

Five Hour Beef Stew
1 1/2 lbs. stew meat
5 medium potatoes, cut-up
2 c. carrots-cut up
1 c. onion
1 c. celery
2 (14 1/2oz.) can stewed tomatoes
2 T quick cooking tapioca
1 T sugar
1/2 t salt
1/8 t pepper

Combine all ingredients in large bowl.  Mix gently.  Tun into a greased 3 qt. casserole, cover and bake at 275 for 5 hours.  Serves 6  (I have used pork  because that's what we have.  When I did that I also added a beef gravy packet. You couldn't tell it wasn't beef!)

Check out the great recipes at And Baby Makes Five.

Fabric Fun

I love shopping for fabric.  Part of the fun is just thinking about what I might use it for.  I shopped Friday night at one store and Sunday at another.  Some of the fabric is needed to finish things I have started, and some is for projects yet to come.

Looks like I was in a polka dot kind of mood.  And what would you make with these fabrics?

Snowman Love

It is snowing here tonight so I thought I'd share my snowman decorating.  I know that most people have switched to Valentine's decorating, but it's hard for me to switch when it's still snowing!