All that down time did me in ~~

Oh my, I think I was not meant to have that much down time. Although it was wonderful, this past Tuesday was the start of a cold for me. I honestly have not been sick in quite a while when it comes to cold or flu. I have been very lucky. I don't like being sick. But who does?

It all started with Nicole the week before, and then George got it and he was even out of work this week for two days. That NEVER happens. The man never misses work. He was down and OUT! Then it was my turn. Now I'm afraid I gave it to Linda.  Today is the first day I'm feeling somewhat human. Of course at night I always get achy again. I'm hoping I've seen the last of that!

So again, I missed the hook in. I couldn't drive a car even if I wanted to that day. I was on the couch from morning till night.  But I heard it was a great turnout again. Hmmm, I'm thinking maybe there is a pattern there. I'm not there and everyone shows up!  Now watch, I'll go next week and no one will show up lol. I'm so happy it was a great day for them. Wish I could have been there to get pictures to share with you. 

Creativity has been the last thing on my mind lately. Actually  haven't even thought about it. Started to read some blogs this morning and I'm amazed at how much everyone is getting accomplished. I'm hoping the feeling will come back soon and I can pick up a hook or needle.

Today will be a day of disinfecting for sure and then cleaning up some. I haven't done anything in days. I did have to venture out to the grocery store yesterday since we were plum dry out of some groceries. As soon as I stepped out into the cold air, I started to cough. That wasn't fun. But I made it there, and back and on the couch I went. It's snowing out now. Supposed to get 1-3 inches they are saying. Ugh! I'm so sick of this  snow already.  My friend Joan said she saw 2, count them, 2 dead skunks on the road, and SHE says that means an early Spring!!!  I'm counting on that Joan :).  Now, if someone would just shoot the groundhog, it won't see it's shadow and we WILL have an early Spring. I haven't quite figured that one out yet.  All those camera's, LIGHT's, etc, pointed at this hole on the ground. You don't THINK that there is going to be a shadow?? LOL. Ok, I'm still sick, bare with me....  I really just want Spring.... now!

Well, I've sat my limit here at the computer. Time to get off, have a bite of something to eat for breakfast and then rest some before getting started on something around here.  I certainly hope all of you are staying healthy. Hopefully my next post will have something creative to share with you.....

Enjoy your weekend  friends ~~

Loving my down time ~~

Hello everyone ~~  I have no pictures to show you today. My daughter borrowed my camera and I haven't seen it since.  I did have a few pictures on there from the hook in on Thursday, but I guess they will have to wait. 

The hook in sounded like it was such a success on Thursday. Lots of people showed up despite the threat of snow.  Even a couple new hookers.. I'm sure Linda was very busy :). I left around 3:30. I felt like I was playing hooky lol.  I did have a few things to do on the way home and then even stopped for a couple slices of pizza for dinner (decided to treat myself). I walked in and told them not to even heat them up. By the time I got home, I'm sure they would have been cold anyway.  So I took my time and reheated them when I was ready. 

George had left Thursday morning very early to meet up with a couple of other employees to head to Virginia for business.  He was spending the night and wouldn't be home till Friday evening around dinner time.  You would think, WOW no husband, daughter is working, so why leave the hook in?  Well, the threat of the weather was one reason, I won't lie there. I don't like it when it snows. First flurry and I'm back at home.  But another was, I just wanted the down time.  The more I thought about it, the more I wanted it. Yes, I could have had the down time at the hook in but.... I just wanted a quiet evening alone....  and I'm so happy I did. I was being selfish...  There are just some times where I love a house with no noise. No tv, no music, nothing. The silence is soooo wonderful.  It lets me think....   Later on in the evening, I did turn on the tv and waited for Nicole to get home from work.  I think I was in bed about an hour after she walked in.

Friday was wonderful too.  I enjoyed the bed to myself, and I'm sure my husband enjoyed the KING size bed he said he had on his trip.  We just have a queen.  The phone rang after 5:00 a.m. to say that there was a 2 hour delay.  I told Nicole and then I went back to sleep.  Woke up when my body told me too.
I finished working on a swap gift. The rest of the day was spent watching Lifetime movies and putzing around the house.  George got home earlier than he thought so that was nice.. around 4:30.  I made some dinner and then relaxed the rest of the evening. 
Today I finished packing the envelope for the swap and that will go out on Monday. Also drew up a little chick to hook up for a Basket Bingo that the Senior High Band does each year. This will be my last year donating a piece for them.  It's not due until April, so I'm ahead of the game :). 

It has been a really long day, as if the clock stood still for a while.  One of those days that seemed to last forever.  And here I'm thinking tomorrow is Monday.  But I have one more day off !!  Will go to church in the morning and then hopefully get back to hooking some more when I get home. I told my husband I wasn't going out at all this week. But then I forgot about church.  The series that the Pastor is preaching about right now is sooooo good, I don't want to miss it.  I'll be right back home after that.

Will be looking forward to getting back to the shop on Monday after such a nice long weekend.
Nothing special in this post tonight. Just felt like typing.   Hoping you are all enjoying your weekend.  Sure has been bitter, so stay warm!!

Where is the time going?

It has been one whirlwind of a week for me since the last time I posted.  To start off, our Daughter Nicole was chosen to participate in the County Band. That in itself is an honor. She was debating whether or not to do it.  I just told her "it's your Senior year... make the best of it!"  There were only 4 that went from her school.  Well, George and I have been to many of the band concerts throughout the years with both of our children and I have to say that this one was the icing on the cake. To have that much talent from all different schools playing together was such a treat! The conductor was from a University in West Virginia and did a marvelous job. Even George commented on him because George used to play instruments too (that's where the kids get their talent lol). But he said watching him was a pleasure, because you could really follow him as a musician. You knew just what he wanted from you.  The music they played were the perfect choices and so wonderfully played. These children from all the different schools had 3 days to practice together, that was it! It was one concert I wish would have lasted longer... I could have listened to them all afternoon. In the end, Nicole was very glad she participated.  Usually at a concert, the kids get all dressed up.  The picture below is not what she wore lol.  She left early in the morning to meet at the school and go to the High School that it was held at with her band teacher and other students.  What I felt when I saw each student walk onto the stage was the pride for the school they represented. They wore their school band uniform. It looked great!  Here is Nicole "after" it was all over. She changed before I could snap a picture of her.

Not the best shot, but it was wonderful !

This past Thursday was Lake's 25th Birthday.  George and I couldn't make it out to dinner with her family on Thursday, so we invited them the day before and took and them out to dinner.  Nicole got her this storage box. Lake loves black and white and animal print :). The kids stayed pretty late and we had a great time visiting.

On Thursday, Linda had the hook in. I think the snow got to everyone, and we had a wonderful turnout! Joanne and Nettie were helping Linda tie off some "stash builders" to display. I just took the pictures and told them there was more (inside joke) lol.

Don't you just love this old suit case that Linda found?

Joan was talking with Linda about the rug she is doing.

It is spectacular. This is about a 1/3 of it. It's LONG... She started this rug on 12/20.  I truly think that somehow, someway, she has a plug on the end of her elbow and she just plugs that baby in and away she goes! Hook, hook, hook, the woman is a machine.

She had just brought along the one above to share with us, and brought something simple to do.  Some binding on this cute Christmas rug she did. 

Genny is doing another chair pad.

Nancee is filling in this center very quickly! She was going to leave this one home and bring the one she was planning last week, but decided that it was almost finished in the center, so she brought it.  I love the simplicity of it.

Beth finished her bunnies, and was getting ready to whip it.

Jill finished hooking Isaac's rug and just needs to finish it off.  She ran out of the blue wool she died, so was hoping to find something close enough.  Joanne had a wonderful idea of finishing it off with blue and white ticking the way Nancee does her rugs.  So Jill and Nancee were discussing on how that would be done.

Nettie is working on the cutest snowman. I just love the color combination. That green with the blue is so complimenting.  And the rust she chose for the stars and borders is going to pop.

Joanne settled in to WORK.  And when I say work, I mean work. She finished the piece she brought, but I can't share it. It's for a gift. Let me just say, I wish it had my name on it :).

We had 2 new people join in yesterday. They stopped by earlier in the week. Diane on the left and Sue on the right.  Diane has hooked before and pulled out her piece to finish. I could have sworn I got a shot of it, but I guess I didn't.  Sue picked out a beginners kit that Linda sells and was working on that.

Amongst all the work that was going on, all of a sudden it felt like it was the Christmas party all over again.  We had picked our names for this upcoming year for our Secret Pal.  I was amazed at the gifts that were brought yesterday.  Linda however got something from someone and the tag read... "Nacho" Secret Pal.  Someone had dropped off a little gift for her.  And soon after the belly laughing began lol...... 

If you enjoy people, enjoy laughing, enjoy just getting out and having a good time, then Thursdays at Grantstreet is the place to be. This person, knowing what it is like on a Thursday gave Linda this........ You may have to click on it to enlarge it to read.  The odds of finding something like this was just perfect LOL.

So Linda went over to the copper tub that holds the gifts if you choose to bring any, and started to pass them out.  someone made Jill this wonderful knitted hat/scarf....   I'm thinking she did go home with it. I saw many eyes on it. We were all jealous. It was wonderful!  Others got some gifts too, but I didn't get shots of them :(

Joanne and Linda still trying to figure out who could have brought her that gift lol.....

Joanne was so hard at work. She needed more wool cut.

The thanks I get lol.

Then it was down to some serious shopping......  Joanne received a gift certificate from Nettie for Christmas at the shop, and Joanne brought some of her own cash. She WAS serious.......

There is 7 yards here, but we missed one, so she went back to get it.  Oooh, to see a hookers face when she buys this much wool. It's priceless!!!

I too received a package from my Secret Pal.  If this didn't bring on the giggles !!!  At the Christmas party, I had a huge basket from Genny filled with beautiful things.  I kept pulling more and more out of that basket. Linda was teasing about will it ever end.  Well,  this was the same case. There were 2 bags tied together. Inside were these boxes and in the boxes were gifts.... you get the idea.  But WOW, was I blessed with some goodies!!  I can't wait to store my items in these boxes, use the chap stick, wear the pajama's and socks, burn the candles and drink the hot cocoa!!!  The scarf underneath the cocoa is huge and ooooh so warm.  I had forgotten my scarf and gloves the night of the hook in and coming out of there it saved me!!  I was toasty all the way home :)... Thank you so much to my Secret Pal if you read this.  I am in awe :)... The card said it was my Winter Survival Kit to keep me warm.. She was so right and must really know me :)

Joanne's Mom was going through some items and Joanne brought them to see if anybody wanted them.  SINCE I have not put my Christmas decorations yet lol, I brought these home.  Thanks Joanne's Mom :)

And for the record.................  I had said I would not buy any wool till after the first of the year.  I kept to that!!  Rebecca Erb and Heavens to Betsy flyers arrived, Linda purchased for the shop, and I went shopping the day them came lol.    I finally caved....   It will be going upstairs to keep my other wools company lol. 

I took a project to work on, but it was for a gift, so I can't show it.  I haven't decided what my next hooking project will be yet.  During all the cleaning and putting away this weekend that I have to do, I will be contemplating that one!!   Would love to have another start to finish rug to share with you all. 

This was another long post. I need to post more short ones, but the time just gets away from me anymore.  If you've made it this far lol.....  I hope you have a warm, fun filled weekend!!

A day to myself ~~~

It's Friday, the real Friday of the week.  Not like my last post.   And I have it ALL to myself.  Well, until everyone gets home tonight.  But  whole free day... I'm sitting here saying Yessss!

The hook in was yesterday at Grant Street.  Very slow turnout, but the cold and the threat of snow kept some away.  Understandable! I did get a few pictures, but not a whole lot and of course the piece I was working on for Linda was just a few loops away of being done. Now did I take a picture of it? Numb nuts here, of course forgot to.  So Monday when I finish it up, I will take a quick shot of it.  We did get about 1 1/2" of snow over night, so I'm not complaining toooo much.  We did miss you all who could not join us yesterday and hope that next week the sun will be shining, and you will feel like getting out.  I do want to say that Linda's website is up and running. She had a large order one day and that was wonderful! I hope it continues to do well for her. http://www.grantstreetwoolworks.com/ in case you are interested in taking a look for items you may need in the future. I'm sure she will be adding more as time goes on.

So here is Linda starting a round piece in a #3 cut.  She really enjoys the little loops.  I love it, admire it greatly, but just won't bring myself to do one. I will never say never, but that never,  IF it is a possibility is far away lol.

 A close up shot... Love the detail !

 Barb came back for the day for a visit and brought some floss to wind up on her cards. She had just finished up. Good to see her. She had her knee replacement before Thanksgiving and is doing well.

 Nancee stopped by to transfer a new pattern she is doing. It will have two cats on it and a few mice. Very cute design. This one will be more portable for her to bring than her other large one. So looking forward to seeing how she is going to hook it up..

 Jill came by later in the evening and pulled a few loops. It was a very long and trying day for her, so I think she was just enjoying the company more.  This rug is going to be beautiful when completed!! Jill, I hope today you are well rested.

 And lastly, a picture of my bird rug at the end of my bed. I'm laughing because I had to stand in the closet to get a good shot. The room is longer than it is wide.   I was actually thinking of selling the rug, and it is always still a possibility, BUT for now it will stay here. When I laid it on the chest, I really liked the way it looked. The background looks great up against the blanket.

So now I will go get myself another cup of coffee before I get started for the day. I do have to run out this afternoon to pay a few bills, but it will be good to be in the sunshine for just a short bit. That always sparks a burst of energy in me.  I've completed my workout for this morning, so i'm glad that is out of the way.  After the coffee and a little surfing on the web and reading other people's blogs, I will head upstairs and get back to the wool room and cleaning some more.  Christmas decorations are still around the house also. I haven't gotten to the point of they need to go NOW lol.  So they will stay for at least another day. 

Tomorrow George and I will go and see Nicole play with the High School Band at another school. She was asked to participate in the county band.  Her Senior year is bringing lots of new things for her. AND she was accepted to Slippery Rock University. We are proud of her. My son is trying to finish up his Bachelors Degree on line while working full time. He is a hard worker, it will just take a couple more years. So very proud of him too! I really look forward to seeing what the future has in store for both of them! I know when they were little, I would look at them and wonder what they would be when they grew up.  Heck, I don't even know what I want to be when I grow up lol.  So I am enjoying watching them make their choices.  Some are good, and some are not so good, but each not so good choice teaches them a new lesson. And that's what life is all about, right?  No matter what age you are....

Enjoy your Friday everyone! Hope you get some "me" time in there, whether it be today or one day soon.
Smile today and pass it on :)

It's my Friday

No pictures to share today.  Although it's Wednesday, it's my Friday. I only help Linda out Mon-Wed.  Tomorrow is the hook-in.  We have not had it for 2 weeks. I hope everyone is anxious to come out again and get together for a couple hours or more! I know I'm looking forward to it, even though I don't have anything planned to work on yet. I'll be thinking of that today and get something together tonight.  I look forward to seeing those who show up tomorrow and hearing how their Christmas went and how their New Year is going for them so far.

I took the time to go up in my wool room last night and start the cleaning yet once again......  It's a never ending job and I've come to accept that. I think any room that you use to create your treasures in WILL become messy.  It has to, or something is wrong with you lol.  Ok, maybe there is one or two of you out there who is a tidy person. I am not!   I was able to clean a good portion of it. I am happy I went through my wool when I did, or that would have just added to the frustration.  I am cleaning up what mess I made in there from before Christmas.  I also used the spot on the floor that I could find to wrap the presents, so things are thrown all over the place and then on top of each other, etc.  I had to start at the door and work my way in. Pretty bad huh lol?  But it's good. I was making piles and then took care of each pile after that. One pile I made was the patterns I have received as gifts, my had to haves, and just thoughts that I wanted to do. I have them in one pile now and will work on one of them for this month! That is my goal. And with finishing organizing this room, that will be another one I can mark off. George bought me some pro chem dyes for Christmas and I need to figure out what will work for me in this room to store them. I have plenty of boxes, etc that I can store them in. But I would like them so I don't have to layer them. I want to have easy access to them, so that will take some thought. The room is not big. 

I was happy that I found my lap top and the table that it sits on again. Was nice to sit up there, surf through the internet and listen to some music that I just bought.  If you are interested, one was Selah, album called Press On, and the other one was by Amy Grant, album called Somewhere down the road.  I'm enjoying them.

Sure hope your week is off to a good start. It's hump day for everyone else who works. Hang in there, it's almost over :).
Hope to have pictures from tomorrow's hook-in to share with you in just a few short days.