OLD BONES AND A BLESSING

Our last outside show is over ;)  You remember the last show it got to 98 degrees, well this one we set up on a cold, wet 36 degree morning.  As the day went on, close to noon, it warmed up to the high 50's and the sun felt wonderful.  However, those 4 hours were enough to send me to the Advil this evening. 
I know you keep hearing me refer to the 'Golden Years' being a myth, this is true.  The cold got into these old bones and found a home.  I believe some Advil and some warm blankets tonight may be a cure...at least for today.
Hubby is happy the show is over, for he has a fishing trip to prepare for.  A week of man against fish, is, for him, nirvana.
And, a week on my own is my nirvana, hahaha
I haven't told you about my blessing, yes, I have been blessed with a new, used Viking Topaz sewing/embroidery machine.  I have had it for a week, but the prep work for a show and the fact that the machine scares the bejabbers out of me has kept me from touching it.  There is a huge learning curve and I had better catch on quickly, for we sold many embroidered flour sack kitchen towels and I will need more before the next show.  I believe this machine will even cook breakfast and make the beds, if I learn the right commands.  It is the learning that is the problem.  And, I may have as many lessons as I want, but I have to lug the 200 pound machine into JoAnns for each lesson.  A great way to discourage learning!!  But, I am determined and so a lugging I will go.

   I can't believe this is really mine, but most of this week I have been just looking at it, afraid if I touch it, for fear I will break something.  And, no, I will not be doing the bird anytime in the near future.  I will have to learn how to transfer my patterns from .pes format to .vl2 (if you don't understand that last part, not to worry :)  This is supposed to be easy, for my machine, to take one pattern format and transfer it into another compatible format.  I hate when they say that. 
I do have some cute patterns, both red work and applique, that I would like to transfer to the new machine format, so I will be praying over the machine and take my long list of questions to my first class.
I have told you about my cold, old bones and my blessing, so I will be off to search the blanket box for a comfy blanket and get a little rest tonight. A full report on class time to follow ;)
Hope this finds you all happy and healthy,
hugs....Tilly

I AM MURPHY'S CHILD

Well the pool closed ;( and almost immediately the thermostat shot up to 99 degrees in the shade.  It is now September 20th and it has been in the mid 80's or higher, all but about 3 days since the pool closed.

We have one fair behind us, and yes, that Sunday was 99 degrees.  I believe the only reason we had anyone show up was because the club house, craft fair central, is where the swimming pool is located.  Many shoppers still had their 'floaties' on and a towel wrapped around them.

You all know I have been trying to figure out just a few items, and focus on them alone.  I have been foiled every show.  The altered sweatshirts, went like crazy, at one show last year.  The little girl aprons were paying our entrance fee at another.  The scarf and hat combo were a star at one fair.  This last fair, the only thing we sold were the leather cuffs, and they were buying them 2 to 4 at a time.   Now this is no help at all, how do I make any decisions based on what sells?????

As I talked about in the last post, I have added little boys 'daddy's little helper' aprons and had many positive comments.  Only the intense heat kept shoppers moving quickly to return to the pool or their air conditioners.  And truth be told, I didn't blame them. 

DADDY"S LITTLE HELPER APRON

 

A little video of the fair: 

 

 

 

Needless to say I didn't sell a single hat and scarf combo.  I was heart broken at the couple who had an Alpaca booth.  Their things were wonderful, but no one was in the mood to even try anything on, for the heat was so intense.

Our next show is the middle of October, with fingers crossed, it will be cooler than 98 degrees.  Are there any takers on the bet that it will be 8 degrees????

Personal news, not much in the way of excitement.  I am being faithful to the massage and compression stocking (what a fashion statement!!), and my legs and feet are, for the most part, normal size and the skin is back to normal, YEAH!!!  As this improves, I get the news that the lesion on my face is basil cell carcinoma.  Nothing to bother about, it will be burned off Monday, with a praise that it is not the nasty melanoma.  What a praise!!  And, the remaining freckles will help to hide the scaring.

Hubby has just left for the club to do a little fishing and target shooting.  I am sure the guys will have everything wrapped up early to be in their rockers on the patio to listen to the ballgame on the radio.  After all, we live in Cardinal Nation, and are rooting for a spot in the playoffs. 

Children and grandchildren are knee deep in baseball, football, school activities and just everyday work and home chores.  Life is progression as it should, grandchildren are so involved in church, school and play, that children are running to keep up with them.  Grandpa just tries to keep a pocket full of Werthers Original hard candies, just in case someone drops by.  And, we are both looking forward to a possible visit from Flossie and Mr. Wonderful in November.

Enough for today, so this is Tilly signing off,

Hope this post finds you all happy and healthy

How Does The Time Get Away From Us????

The summer just flew and with the soft casts lasting till the 1st of August, I was looking forward to the compression stockings and the opportunity to get a little swimming pool time for the end of the season.
What do we say about Murphy??  So in the state of Missouri, August turned cool and rainy.  Who ever heard of the month of August being cool, like 60 degrees in the evening, and rainy?  Anyone, anyone???
It is just now turning warm again, but there is just a week till the pool will be closed for the year and I am knee deep in getting ready for the Fall craft fairs.
A few things that have been keeping me busy :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJKDLwj8x7E and yes there is more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i68XQPbdbNc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8rvl5El5-g
Off to the craft room, to finish my embroidery work, next week will be getting things in order and tagged and packed for easy transport.  Shiver, shiver....first show is September 1st

Hope this finds you all happy and healthy!!

2013 JUST PAST THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER

Now I may have to turn my blog into a medical classroom.  I am still protesting the phrase 'the golden years'.  I have yet to find the gold, but am finding one new disease after another.

Our visit with Flossie and Mr Wonderful was, as always, the highlight of our year.  We not only have the most wonderful things to do and see, but we feel so comfortable, we can kick off our shoes and feel at home. 

From our dominoes game on the lanai, to the wonderful meals and the golf cart rides thru The Villages.  This year we took the trolly bus tour to see and learn a little more about our (adult Disney World) Villages.  It was well worth the time and was a tremendous amount of fun.  We had newby's, visitors and homeowners and the funniest tour guide. 

 I was able to visit the beautiful (adult only) pool just up the street and hubby was a regular visitor to the pond just at the end of the street.  Fishing pole in hand, he pesters the fish on a daily basis.  But, I have to say this years highlight was joining several hundred people at the American Legion, one fine evening, to welcome the return of an Honors bus.

This was the time I just had goose bumps from beginning to end.  What a wonderful sign of respect to the returning Vet's after a great, world wind, trip to Washington to see the memorials of the wars they served our country so well. 

 The Villages know how to do everything right,

for some of the veterans returning from their tour received a much belated honored welcome.  One they never received when they returned from their actual return from service.  For many of us still remember the dishonorable way they were welcomed back after Vietnam.  That was a 'serve your country and return to be spit on and denounced as killers'.  What a black eye on the citizens, who sat comfortably at home while these men and women did what their country ask of them.

Enough of my rant, watch the video above if you would like to see a little heart tug, well deserved reception.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the comfy time:   The sweet relaxation place ;)

 

 

                 

                 Now, it is home and back to real life
 
Flossie has a beautiful new knee and is working really, really hard to hop, skip and jump (well ok at least walk) with her new knee.



But, I got into a little trouble for not letting her know about my discovery.  My excuse was, not to give her any bad news while she was recovering.  But, the little (I never get on the computer) stinker, got on the computer and saw my post :{

    My first question is, who ever heard of Lymphedema??

 
This is how I will spend the rest of my summer.  Needless to say I am not as happy as the pleasant days we spent at The Villages.  My darn doctor just catches everything ;)  It is really a praise that he recognized just what it was and started me on the path of control, for there is no cure, but there are steps to be taken that will help to keep it under control.  For the best explanation I have found see: http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-center/lymphedema-pdq-supportive-care-patient-information-nci.aspx

Don't just assume if you have swelling, redness and weeping of blisters as just water retention, or dry skin.  Talk to your doctor.  As with so many things, the earlier it is caught, the better chance you have to keep it under control.  If this helps just one person, I will be so happy.

Needless to say, with no swimming in my near future, I have been doing a little more crafting, which is my second most fun thing to do in the summer.  And, have been ordering the material I will need to start building my inventory for our craft fairs this fall. 

 I have learned that it is a real mistake to think, fall is so far away, no need to be in a hurry starting on the crafts to be sold.  For the earlier in the summer I start the better off I am when time flies thru summer and bingo it is fall and time for the shows :{

I will be adding some new crafts this year, I have some embroidered flour sack dish towels (I have always loved them, now lint left behind), and some boys B-B-Q aprons, like Dad's.  As well as a tool type apron for little boys. 

I had several people, last year, ask for, not just little girl things, but something for the little guys!!  I will also be doing some for the butcher aprons for the men.  Why, oh why, was I leaving the male sex out of my crafting.  Do we not buy gifts for our guys and our little guys??  Maybe because they don't have ruffles and frills, we don't think of them, but this year the men will have a few things to choose.  And, the embroidery designs, I believe will make them a little out of the ordinary.  For who, I ask, likes our guys in 'ordinary'?  Of course I will have photos to share when I have some made, am waiting for the material to be delivered and then off I will go. 

And that is just what I will be doing right now, for I have bent your ear (eye) too long, as always, this is Tilly signing off

Hope this finds you happy and healthy

 Blog:   http://hisblp.blogspot.com/
 Youtube: Barb Pollitt
 Store:   http://zibbet.com/tillysbridge
  Email:  hisblp@yahoo.com

SIGNS OF SUMMER

It has to be close to Summer, for we have scheduled our yearly visit to The Villages.  It has been too long since we spent time with Flossie and Mr Wonderful!  My dear Flossie will be having a knee replacement next month, then we will really be twins.  I do not fly, I prefer to have my feet firmly planted on the ground, but my Flossie loves to fly and Mr Wonderful's post retirement employment was as a steward (is that a male stewardess?)  He loved the fun of going to different cities, he did his research and if there was enough layover time he would visit the special sites.  No grass growes under Mr Wonderful's feet.  I am just wondering what that metal will do to the detectors at the airports??

And, maybe I should explain a post retirement job.  This is a job you always thought would be fun, but couldn't do because you were already employed for 30 years at a job that is not so fun.  Once you retire, you are free to try for the 'fun' job till your body tells you it has had enough ;)  It is now time to do things in your own time, sleep late if you wish, jump into a hobby with both feet, or travel and read all the things you said, 'I want to read that, when I have the time'. 

Now this trip has started to mean the beginning of Summer to me, so it is a double good thing.  Not that I don't enjoy the chill of the Winter, the color of Fall and the bloom of Spring, but as you might have read previously, we downsized to a condo with a pool, and the pool was a dream of mine since childhood.  I did not take much advantage of the pool last summer, for that 'being seen in a swim suit' thing got into my head.  This is not going to stop me this year!! I am going in my swim dress and tent cover up ;)

We will be picking up our son's GPS, this is a device that keeps husband and wife still speaking to each other at the end of their road trip, truly a boon to any marriage ;}

Signing off to start packing, this has to be done in spurts, you know, not to much,  not to little but just enough!

Hope this finds you all happy and healthy,
Tilly

Spring in the Mid West

Beautiful sunshine, shorts and Tee's, 12 inches of snow  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_dVsiHRkvc  ,back to having garden thoughts then rain, tornado's, more rain, flooding and that ushered in near freezing temps.  And that is Spring in the Mid West in the US ;)

I have been busy crafting, swapping and sewing and watching my dear sisters in crafting video's.  I did get into a challenge recently that was very fulfilling.  That would be : www.operationwritehome.org .  This is an organization that collects hand made cards of all sorts, with plenty of blank writing space.  They forward the cards to military persons overseas for them to use to write notes and letters home to family.  I was thrilled to be a part of this challenge and got a dozen or so done.  We are hoping to do this several times a year. 

 And, again I was going thru my emails I got to one from Kim Komando which I am including below.  How simple will it be to collect a few things and treats, box them up and get them to SFC Matthew W. Carley!!  I will be doing some shopping Monday, so won't be home till lunch time, just in case you are looking for me :)

Who: 396th MP DET Law and Order (OEF)

Where: Afghanistan

About the Soldiers: The soldiers are an Army Reserve MP unit from Denver, Colorado. They are scheduled to be in Afghanistan until late Fall of 2013.

What they need: Since the unit is in dusty areas, it's difficult for the soldiers to keep themselves and their belongings clean. Baby wipes, hand sanitizer, body wash, toothpaste, and shampoo are great items to help with this. Also, they want to have a taste of home! Sending beef jerky, nuts, seeds, pretzels, protein powder, energy drinks, power bars, cookies, and candy would surely be a treat.

When our service men and women are on base, sending items for entertainment is helpful. Reading materials, DVDs, playing cards, games, word puzzles, stationery, MP3 players, gaming systems, etc... are items that would be greatly appreciated.

Lastly and most importantly, the soldiers love to know you care! Please send a letter and even photos with your care package to let them know you're thinking about them and you appreciate all they're doing for us. One soldier told me that pictures of your hometown or even McDonald's are comforting to see! Anything to remind them of home.

If you'd like to show support for SFC Carley and his unit, please address your care package as followed:

SFC Matthew W. Carley
c/o Operation Komando
396th MP DET Law and Order (OEF)
APO AE 09354

Thank you for your continued support of Operation Komando and our brave troops!

If you'd like to add a unit to the website, simply email contact@operationkomando.com.

 

I was thrilled to receive a gift box after winning a challenge and it was like Christmas having so many pretties to open and enjoy. 

 I truly enjoy getting hand made things from my crafty friends.  This little hot air balloon is just a treasure and she will be hung from hubby's fishing line from the ceiling tile, so you can see the like and she will look like she is just hovering ;)  That will make me smile each day!

 

We are soon to plan our visit to Flossie and Mr. Wonderful at The Villiages and I am really excited already.  This year we will be renting a car for the trip, last years adventure was enough to keep me in stress reduction classes for the next 5 years.

 

Will soon be celebrating the birthdays of everyone in the family from January thru April, need to get this in before they all are another year older.  It will be exciting this year for one niece will be coming home from California with her fellow and we are not only excited to see her again, but  it will be nice to meet her fellow in the flesh. 

 

 You know now, with the friendships developed on the computer social sites, you feel like you really know someone you have never seen in their skin.  I have many friends, but several I consider close friends,I have never met.  We share so much with each other, on line, it is much like the over the fence type of friendship of days gone by.  I was able to watch a few shows of The Goldbergs.  In Molly's old radio and early TV shows, she would catch up on all the news in the neighborhood and in the world, by calling out the window to the many neighbors who's windows were adjacent.  During the days your clothes line was strung between two buildings and as you hung you wash or took it down to iron, you could catch up on all the important happenings of the day. 

 

Just maybe this computer thing is not such an evil thing after all. 

 

Hoping this finds you happy and healthy,

Tilly 

 

 

 

 

WHAT CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY WHEN YOU GET BAD NEWS?

What can make you happy when your eye doctor says you have cataracts.  Yes, the left eye is ready for surgery right now, the right maybe a few months more.  And, you, legally, shouldn't be driving, you can't see well enough.

Come to find out, this surgery is very easy now.  You go in, they put you to sleep, do the deed and off you go.  You can't drive yourself home, but you can drive the next day.  And, not a stitch is needed.

I, with my new prescription, will be legal to drive, so I am going to put it off till the little grandchildren are out of school, with their daddy off for the summer to care for them.  The doctor says there is a good chance by that time, the right eye could also be ready.

I know this is not earth shaking news to anyone but me ;)  I see it as just one step closer to death.  I was sure only old people got cataracts.  I am doing my best not to think of myself as old, but each time I turn around I get another 'old folks problem'.  Shingles, remember them from last year?  Knee replacement, without having played a single game of football in my life.  Arthritis, degenerative disc disease, a full beard and eye sight so bad I can't see where to apply the Nair!!

Not being over joyed with any of this, the good Lord, timed it so I got boxes of goodies to keep my mind off my bad news.  A huge box of junk jewelry on Ebay, I got for $6.  Yep, I put in a bit of $6.01 as my max and I got it for 6.  Most all boxes that large are selling for $40 to $60, (I have been watching close for a few months).  So, I put my silly bid in on several different lots and forgot about them, knowing I would not have a chance.  Bingo, go one.  Needless to say every craft project I do for a year will have a beaded stick pin on it ;)  Next, comes a box of papers and goodies I had pre-ordered a month (at least) ago.  It is so pretty, I have more things planned to make than I have paper for!!! 

I know every crafter is headlong into steampunk, but I am still back in the vintage and country, I just love it!

Take a look at all I got, and forgive that I was totally out of my mind and very tired when I made this....ergo, keep your giggling to yourself!

Hope this finds you happy and healthy!!