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Post by craftedbys on Oct 29, 2023 12:47:34 GMT
Something to combine my favorite things: quilts, cats, and books.
A place that had space to work on quilts and a cozy area where you could curl up near a fire with a good book.
And lots of snuggly cats to curl up on laps while reading and to "test nap" the quilts. None of my quilts are ready until my cats have slept on them and given it their "nap of approval".
Oh, and there would also have to be baked goods/baking classes because while I am not ready for the tent, I do love some baking.
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Post by craftedbys on Oct 21, 2023 13:59:17 GMT
Well, that was a wonderful stroll through my childhood. The few things we didn't have in our house, various aunts and cousins did.
The many, many of those things I still have and use: Revere pans, Corningware, flour sifter (although I have my own new one so Mom's can be displayed with some of my other vintage kitchen stuff), the nutcracker set, the Tupperware S/P and the list goes on.
Those big honking console TVs? When they finally stopped working, my dad would take the guts out and attach doors and turn it into a storage console. Right now, one is in my dining room to hold tablecloths and things that don't fit in kitchen cabinets, and the other is in the den under the flat-screen tv and holds extra blankets/throws and controllers/games for the switch.
The octagon table? Gave it away about 4 years ago.
This is why whenever we are browsing a flea market/antique store DH just walks through saying "have that, and that, we've got two of those, don't need any more of that" and on and on LOL.
Both of my kids have a few of their own small Revere pots. My mother loved shopping at the Revere store at outlet malls and had several in her gift closet. DH uses one of the small ones exclusively for ramen.
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Post by craftedbys on Oct 18, 2023 13:08:07 GMT
DS went to visit his bestie last week and took the quilt I made her for graduation.
She is absolutely crazy for Cinnamoroll, and I had to order fabric from Japan since it isn't available here. I made a 5x5 sampler quilt (to stretch the fabrics), and on the center block, I handmade an applique of Cinnamoroll.
DS filmed her opening it, and the absolute joy and excitement made me so happy. She screamed when she first saw it and as he was telling her everything I did she was crying because she was so touched that I made it for her.
One of the first things she said was, "Can I marry your mom?". LOL
She is such a sweetheart and is definitely quilt worthy.
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Post by craftedbys on Oct 16, 2023 17:06:32 GMT
One of the quickest costumes I ever put together was making a bunch of different size pompoms out of grey yarn and attaching them to a black shirt. Added a headband with bunny ears (from our costume box) and pinned a powder puff (from the dollar tree) to the back waistband of my pants.
Boom.
A Dust Bunny.
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Post by craftedbys on Oct 2, 2023 16:37:10 GMT
Excellent advice. Thanks for sharing.
Now, if i can just conquer 1 and 2. Those are the hardest for me right now.
Still a bit lost since my Dad passed away in June.
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Post by craftedbys on Sept 22, 2023 12:48:30 GMT
DH's Beloved Hogs play LSU.
DS, who was born and went to college in Louisiana, says he is contractually obligated to root for LSU, especially considering his school dis not have a football program.
My Hog wreath is on the front door and the Ole Miss one is hanging on an interior door.
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Post by craftedbys on Sept 4, 2023 23:24:01 GMT
When you cook the pasta, make sure you salt the water really, really well. Not just a few shakes, like a good healthy dose (should taste like seawater).
As soon as I drain the pasta I run under cool water to stop the cooking, but leave it just slightly warm and toss into the bowl on top of the veggies and pour part of the bottle of zesty salad dressing over.
I made some pasta salad on Saturday, and when I tossed it into the bowl I added a squirt or two of balsamic vinegrette dressing to the pasta and then added the Italian dressing.
I also added some fresh herbs from the garden with really brings the flavor.
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Post by craftedbys on Sept 4, 2023 23:17:38 GMT
My house was built in 1967, and every room has overhead lights except for the formal living room.
The formal dining room is the only room that doesn't have a ceiling fan w/lights (besides the living room, of course).
Even though we have overhead lights, I still have and use table lamps in every room because the overhead can be so harsh/bright so I prefer lamp light.
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Post by craftedbys on Sept 3, 2023 4:06:30 GMT
I feel you. I took classes at CKU and another scrapbooking convention even though I taught classes at my LSS.
I remember walking away thinking whatva huge waste of time because most of teachers were "celebs" and spent much of the class going on about themselves and their career and products and very little actual techniques were taught.
At this point, you could probably learn more from just watching YouTube videos. I have learned several sewing and quilting techniques from watching a video and that is one of the first places I check when there is something I am not sure how to do.
YouTube videos are especially helpful because you can stop and go back and replay as many times as you need to.
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Post by craftedbys on Aug 23, 2023 15:27:52 GMT
Satan's ballsack here in Memphis--unbearably hot and sticky.
My family is blaming me for the high temps, I have been wanting at least 1 day over 100 degrees so that I could use my darkest red in my temperature quilt and we haven't hit it yet. Sould be today.
I feel so bad for the neighborhood cats that hang out on my patio. They are just panting they are so hot.
I rigged some extra shade with a blanket draped over the glider and have 2 bowls of water out for them. I also took a can of wet food and diluted it with some turkey broth I had in the freezer to get them more hydration.
I so wish i could bring them inside, but my cats wouldn't have it, nor would DH.
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Post by craftedbys on Aug 12, 2023 22:22:42 GMT
I managed to do everything on my list *except* the thank you notes.
I also finished everything in the ironing basket and hemmed a pair of shorts, altered a blouse and did another few items of mending.
I got so much accomplished with this challenge, maybe tomorrow I can work on some quilting. I need to fill my tank with something enjoyable.
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Post by craftedbys on Aug 12, 2023 17:40:13 GMT
I would love to join in. I really need some motivation.
DH and DS are both at work and I would love to spend all afternoon working on things I enjoy, but there is so very much that needs to be done.
So far today I have:
Made another batch of roasted tomatoes before they went bad. Our garden has been generous this year.
Ran a load of my workout clothes (needs to be hung to dry)
Cleaned out the pantry of containers of stale chips and cookies and straightened the shelves.
Emptied the dish drainer of clean, dry dishes and then washed all of the containers from the pantry.
Loaded the dishwasher with breakfast and lunch dishes and hand washed the things that don't go into the dishwasher.
Straightened den, put pillows back on sofa and blankets away.
Bagged the pile of coats we pulled out to donate
Seems like so much, but I still need to: Run another load of my laundry Wash the load of kitchen bleaches Fill my medicine sorter for the week Empty a doom basket in my bedroom
And the biggest task I need to accomplish that I have been procrastinating on is the final ten thank you notes feom my Dad's funeral. My brothers left the entire task to me and I have really struggled to get them done.
What is bad, is these are the ones that are important, that need to say more than the generic thank you wording that I was able to find on the internet.
(Any advice on what to say would be appreciated)
Break is over. I am going to start at the top and get a few more things done. Starting a timer, lol
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Post by craftedbys on Aug 2, 2023 16:39:36 GMT
I have never broken my wrist, but going to put my 2 cents in anyway, LOL.
Unless you have to leave the house, a bra isn't an absolute necessity. Leggings and oversize tunics/pullover shirts are definitely your friends.
This is a situation that the rest of the family needs to step up and take over the lion's share of work around the house until you feel up to trying to do things with your wrist in a cast.
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Post by craftedbys on Jul 29, 2023 15:46:05 GMT
I use the address labels as did my mom. She got so many that she used them to label all sorts of things (umbrellas, camera bags, luggage, etc).
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Post by craftedbys on Jul 28, 2023 18:59:40 GMT
It is Satan's ballsack here, both unbearably hot AND sticky.
My temperature quilt had been coming together so nicely with lovely purples and pinks during the spring and now it's red, so, so much red.
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Post by craftedbys on Jul 14, 2023 15:09:18 GMT
For DS's graduation party/open house, I did a crockpit of Burning Feather's Italian beef with peppers and onions and a crockpot of Mississippi chicken.
I had shredded cheese and a variety of condiments to put on the chicken (BBQ, wing sauce, ranch, honey mustard) and some slider buns.
The meats were cooked the day before because they become better after resting overnight and what few leftovers there were were gobbled up the next day.
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Post by craftedbys on Jul 4, 2023 12:43:48 GMT
I have the large silverware one. I actually bought two.
One is in the drawer of the hutch next to the table and it holds knives, dinner forks and teaspoons.
The other is in a drawer under a counter and it holds salad forks, tablespoons, serving spoons, and steaknives.
It really does save space and it is very easy to get the hang of what goes where. If something is put in the wrong slot it really doesn't matter because the slots are all the same size and it is pretty easy, at least for me, to tell which piece is what by the shape/size of the handle.
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Post by craftedbys on Jun 24, 2023 20:11:09 GMT
It failed to recognize that roughly 42% of the US population is overweight/obese. Didn't see much chub in those pictures
Also, why did everyone look as if they have never heard of sunscreen or skincare?
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Post by craftedbys on Jun 13, 2023 15:41:34 GMT
We have used the Feliway plug-in for our anxious cats.
We also have one of our cats on a half of a Prozac pill daily to keep him from being such an asshole.
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Post by craftedbys on Jun 4, 2023 17:28:11 GMT
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
DH says we shouldn't dust because it might be someone we know.
Makes sense
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Post by craftedbys on Jun 2, 2023 3:06:59 GMT
Thank y'all for such love and support. It gives me comfort knowing I am being lifted up by the Peas.
I went back and forth all afternoon after DH got to the hospital to be with me if I should stay or leave.
Part of me doesn't want him to pass alone, but I just don't know if I have the emotional strength to be there.
I still have some guilt about not sitting next to my mom when i knew she was close to death, but instead sat in the other room and just kept checking on her. One of the last times i checked on her, I held her hand and told her I loved her and promised to take care of my Dad and that she could go. She passed a short time later before I went back in.
I finally decided that I would treat it like every other night for the last six months. He wanted me to help him get ready and get in bed and tuck him in. He didn't need the help, but wanted me there. So every night I would tuck the covers up around him and tell him to have a good night and that I would see him in the morning.
So right before seven this evening I gave his hand a squeeze so he would open his eyes. I pulled his blankets up and stroked his head and gave him a kiss on the cheek like I have done a million times in my life and told him I lo e him and would see him in the morning, and if he needed to go during the night I understood and would see him again one day.
As I turned to walk out the door I hear DH tell my had that he would take care of me and make sure I would be ok.
I am going to turn my phone off; the hospital had DH's number and will call him if anything happens.
I will decide tomorrow if I am going to go back to the hospital or not.
Thank you again for all of the love.
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Post by craftedbys on Jun 1, 2023 19:58:10 GMT
As y'all mostly know my 95 year old father had been living with me and my family for the last two years.
On Sunday morning he has a major stroke. And was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
I kept wanting to post but have been shuttling back and forth between the hospital and home to keep things going.
Yesterday it looked as though he could be moving forward to improve enough to go to a nursing/rehab facility.
Today his breathing is labored and he has developed aspiration pneumonia. The doctor was in and basically said this is the end.
We are now moving on to comfort measures.
I have called our church and a priest is on his way to give him Last Rites.
But for now, I am all alone with my dying father.
DH has been up here every day for longer than I have because he knows how hard it has been on me.
I told him not to come up today because I know he needed a break and Dad had been improving.
I guess I am posting now to try to take my mind off of everything.
? Dad has been saying for the last several months he is ready to go and be with my mom (although I think he wanted to pass in his sleep)
So can I selfishly ask for prayers for myself and my family?
This week has been so very hard and not a single person other than DH (and my kids) has asked how ~I~ am doing. I know that it's not about me, but I could use some support.
Apologies for rambling.
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Post by craftedbys on May 27, 2023 16:33:24 GMT
I am not a fan of red velvet cake because to me it never really had a flavor, and that was before covid screwed up my taste buds.
I do, however, whenever red velvet cake is mentioned laugh about the red velvet groom's cake in Steel Magnolias that Jackson's aunt baked in the shape of an armadillo.
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Post by craftedbys on May 25, 2023 15:24:46 GMT
I have been doing strength training for the last six months. Before that, I had just been doing yoga.
My DD is a certified trainer, so she writes me workouts to do. She had me do max tests at the beginning and then redo them every couple of months. That is just to see where to start from, I never actually lift my max.
And when I say lift, it's not like the ones in the gym lifting to get big.
I use the dumbbells up to 12.5 lbs, medicine balls up to 10, and the kettlebells up to 20lbs.
I also do a few machine lifts as well, nothing crazy.
She also has me incorporating core strength exercises and balance exercises into my routines because core strength, balance, and flexibility are extremely important as we age.
Here is an example of one of my workouts from last week, it took me roughly an hour to do it all:
Lateral machine 6min @3.0 level
Torso rotation machine: (3 x 15LR) 50/55/60
Machine Tricep press 15 ea @ 30, 35, 40
Machine row 15@ 25, 30, 35
Superset: Reverse lunges (3 x 8 LR) 5, 7.5, 10 lb dumbbells Gorilla rows (3 x 8 LR) 5/7.5/10 lb dumbbells
Glute Bridge (2 x 12) bodyweight
Trampoline ballet squats with overhead press 3 x 12 8/10/10 lb medicine ball Yoga: Warrior poses I&II Revolved side angle Revolved triangle Half moon Hamstring stretch Low Hamstring stretch Pigeon pose Sphinx Cobra Frog Child's pose Birddog crunches 10 Kneeling side toe touches (10x each side) Bent knee leg lift 10 Fire hydrants 10 Child's pose Push to downward dog Walk the dog 10x Straight leg raises from DD (10x each side) Walk the dog 10x Sumo squat *repeat other side
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Post by craftedbys on May 23, 2023 18:20:17 GMT
I have the bonsai tree with pink flowers and have yet to put together the orchids that DS gave me for Christmas.
I did put together the bird house set that he got me for my birthday. It is so stinking cute!
DS is really into Legos and he has several of the modular buildings. I love the jazz club and the grand hotel.
Our latest funny Lego story is we were at JoAnn's and we saw the new blind bags for the mini figs.
DS suggested we try to find Baymax gor DD for her birthday, so we felt up the bags and found one we believed to be Baymax.
DS also chose a bag and while getting checked out he suggested we mark the bag for DD, which was smart.
So as we are checking out DS hands me a bag and says this is the one for DD so I mark it with her initial before the checker puts it in the bag.
The morning of DD's birthday DS went to get the bag and had the thought of what if this is the wrong one. So he got a knife and slit it open and turned out it was not Baymax! So he opened the one without the initial to find Baymax. So some time while we were standing in line to check out he mixed his hands up, LOL.
DD was v excited to get the Baymax minifig and DS got Miguel from Coco.
I am annoyed that they have done 2 different Stitch figs but haven't done Lilo.
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Post by craftedbys on May 23, 2023 15:19:36 GMT
A couple of years ago, I went from just using cheaters to read to needing bifocals! Ouch. That hit the old ego. I don't look like I am 57, and many days I don't feel like I am 57, but then other days I feel like my 95 year old dad. The past several months I have gotten serious about taking care of myself to (hopefully) ensure a bit of longevity. DD is a certified trainer and keeps reminding me of the importance of balance and flexibility as we age. So the workouts she gives me include things to help me improve in those areas. I noticed that when I was getting up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night (haven't slept a full 8 in years) that my feet and ankles were stiff, so now before I get out of bed in the morning I move my feet up and down and in a circular motion to get the fluid in those joints moving so it is less painful. I had four major back surgeries in the span of eight years, so I try to be extremely careful with doing things that might hurt it again. lucyg sorry to hear of your dx. Will keep you in my prayers, you are a wonderful part of Pealand.
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Post by craftedbys on May 14, 2023 14:00:04 GMT
What's the male equivalent of Felicia? Cause that's what she should say.
Just walk away. Or skip, saunter, trot, mosey, or sashay away.
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Post by craftedbys on May 6, 2023 12:18:36 GMT
Ok, mad props to dudes playing instruments on horseback.
And how well trained for the horse to move like that with a guy playing saxophone next to your head!
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Post by craftedbys on May 6, 2023 12:14:01 GMT
Even through the TV you can feel the contrast from the somber parade of troops at Queen Elizabeth's funeral.
Everyone is still maintaining their military bearing, yet you can feel the positive energy and joy.
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Post by craftedbys on May 6, 2023 10:36:20 GMT
It is 5:30 am in the central time zone of the US and I have tuned in to the BBC America channel. (They don't talk over the action like some of the American broadcasts.)
I had wanted to get up earlier but didn't sleep well last night, so I am bummed I missed the beginning, but I am sure it will be replayed.
It must be such a great day to be a British subject. I love hearing about all of the celebrations across the country and in all of the small towns and villages.
I don't know if a lot of Americans really get that many of the items used in this ceremony today are older than our own country. To me, that is just so cool.
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