EVERYTHING IS SO DIFFERENT........

here in GrandFalls Texas that I am really overwhelmed with everything. Kevin has finally gotten around to downloading more pictures and I will begin sharing with you all of my experiences. Forgive me though when I do not post for a few days or a week at a time, I am doing so many things and then again at the same time doing nothing that I forget things like blogging.

As you can see above, my organized sewing room was totally left in Grants Pass Oregon. Only a few boxes are available in our room and I can not tell you what is in any one box without opening each one until I find what I am looking for. LOL. I will not complain though, at least I have it available and can use it when I can!

Sorry that you can not see the quilt block center that I am slowly embroidering. I have received several wonderful comments on it from onlookers at the local cafe. That is where Kevin and I go and hang out for hours at a time to escape the heat. Yeah, it is air conditinioned!! But, I am finding I really do enjoy embroidery and am having a fun time with this project. No time lines, no expectations, just a hobby to pass time and enjoy.

If you look closely you will see the horned toad that Dodger has discovered while we were leaving for one of our walks. She just could not figure out this creature that would not move for her.

Dodger and I have seen so many forms of wild life; a red tailed fox, a Coach Whip snake (which was very long and green....scared the dickens out of me) a small two foot rattlesnake, which scared more than the dickens out of me!!! We caught a huge Black Tarantula and brought it back to the house in a cup with a lid I found laying beside the road. I wanted to get a picture and send to my daughter and mom and dad. I teased Kevin and said I had brought him a wonderful gift. He did not appreciate the thought and action behind it and I barely convinced him to snap the photo. I will have to post that later, I forgot. The variety of song birds and other birds is fascinating. I am currently working on making fabric postcards with an applique of a bird. I used various colors of fabrics to point out the variety of colors in these birds. They sing from dawn until after dusk. I am really curious what encounters I will have this month in July!

So, although, we have not found our own house, we are very happy and seeking new adventures everyday.

New Friends

Dodger, Mighty Dog and I take a walk every morning and we keep adding time and distance. This morning we went pretty much all the way around town. Every street we walk down we encounter dogs, they bark, growl and some even come up and introduce themselves. Dodger would love to play with each and every single one, Mighty Dog could care less he just wants to mark new territory. So we stop and go often. LOL.

Well in behind the aparment complex that we are residing in with Shirley, there is a beautiful horse that the owner usually has confined in an area, but now and then he lets the horse graze in the area behind us. Dodger has seen this horse several times from a distance, she shows off for Kevin once in a while and the hair on the back of her neck raises and she growls real big and tough like. This morning though, Dodger finally had the courage to go up close and actually see what this huge monster was.

It was so incredibly funny watching the two of them. The horse would move around and keep eye contact with Dodger, Dodger would crouch down, leap a few inches closer and closer (she really was bouncing and crouching) until finally she was close enough and they got nose to nose. Dodger was so excited then, she just knew she could play with this horse and rough house like her and Frankie used to do (believe me Dodger misses Frankie tremendously). The horse just kept looking at Dodger like she was insane and moved constantly to keep Dodger in eye view. After a short while, I decided to go and introduce myself to the horse also. The horse was very eager to let me pet and talk to it. Dodger on the other hand was not so sure I should be that close and she came charging in........the horse turned sideways and kicked outward. I called Dodger right away and ended our new friendship until next time. LOL.

Aside from our walks, I continue to go swimming whenever possible. Glenda, her grandson Collin and I all went for about 2 and a half hours. We had a great time; the water is so refreshing. A couple of other kids in the pool have decided it is really neat to have us there. I got to have a stand on your hands as long as you can contest, who can swim the longest underwater contest, who can be thrown the farthest by me contest, and lots and lots of chatter...........we all know how energetic children are, well by the time we left I was exhausted. I hope that this all really does help get me in better shape and shed a lot of excess weight, but no matter it is great fun!

Kevin and I went to the storage unit last week also. We dug out a bunch of sewing/quilting items. But somehow, I did not find the box that contains the bobbins to the Singer machine and missed the quilting rulers also. So until we go and search again, I will have to get by with what I have. Searching through the magazines and books that I have, I found a perfect project for Glenda and I to make for the bizarre. They are fabric gift card holders. Since Glenda has only done a small amount of sewing and she really wanted something easier than easier to get her feet wet with on the first project. This afternoon we are going to go to the Community Center and begin cutting them out.....will depend on time wise if we begin sewing or not today.

Best news of all though..........is we discovered a house that MIGHT be available after the first of the month. We have to get in touch with the man and see if they are still considering renting after the current tennant moves out. So please say a prayer that it will be available and within our price range.

Thank YOu and have a great day!

CHANGES

Slowly, but surely, things are changing! This picture shows one small glimpse at what magical things shine down upon us. Almost every evening clouds gather and change from moment to moment, in every direction you look. The weather here in Texas is dramatically different from Oregon, but each offers a wonderful tranquility.

Aside from viewing the sky changing, several other things are taking place. This is a small community that we have chose to make our new home in; we are still searching for a house, but have made the decision to go ahead and become involved in the community. Last night we attended a City Council Meeting. Even though I had trouble following all of the discussions and agendas (you know my brain, it does not like to have new information to begin with and when you add several things basically all at once, it slows way down); I found it fascinating and discovered I want to be a part of this.

One thing that was mentioned was the need for citizens to be on a committee for Economic Developement. I want to try and make some sort of input........that will be decided after I attend the meeting and find out more information. Kevin wants to make an input also, his is more politically focused, but we are both excited to learn and do what we can.

My second agenda, began before we moved actually, I decided then that once we got settled I wanted to join or start some quilting club. The "library lady" as Kevin calls her, her name is Kelly and we stopped by the library this morning to get information on the Economic Commity....well she asked me if I would be interested in forming just such a group or doing something with teaching and sharing my skills. I was thrilled and started putting together a list of sorts to get a direction and ideas.

I went back to the library this afternoon and talked with Kelly some more, who called a woman that does some stuff at one of the local churches and set up a time for us to meet. Then another woman came in and when we were introduced, she informed me that my mother in law showed off each and everyone of the fabric postcards that I made for her and sent. This woman (I am sorry, I can not remember her name already....see to much new information for my brain to handle) really pushed for me to come tomorrow and said that they really needed someone who could organize and direct the activities. I am really excited about going tomorrow and meeting more people and seeing what we can all come up with and go from there.

I tried to find more of our pictures, but I evidentally opened the wrong folders and only got ones of the various cloud formations. Do not give up on me yet, I will figure out all of this stuff eventually and a day (of course).

Few Things Going On......

Things here are just settling into a routine. No luck in finding a house/apartment to rent, so we are still with Shirley. Kevins mom is such a neat lady, but I have to laugh at her also. All her life she has struggled with money and they way that she deals with things show it. One thing that I am having trouble adjusting to, is the dry heat here and she has air conditioning, but refuses to use it. It is such a terrible waste of money! I just laugh at the situation and Kevin and I go to the Library and/or the Cafe and spend the majority of our afternoons! The people in those establishments welcome us with open hearts.

I have also decided, out of pure respect for Shirley, not to set up my sewing machine. Although I am missing it terribly at times; Kevins mom would have a heart attack at the number of hours I can easily spend each day on the machine. I think she would have a very difficult time accepting the waste of electricity. LOL. So, out of respect, I will not bring on a heart attack the first time she would get her bill. HEE-HEE! Even though we would pay for it.

I am learning new embroidery stitches and techniques in place of that. Eventually they will become quilt blocks. I have looked up several books, in the library, for instructions and various patterns. There are several instruction sections but very few patterns. So, I have been searching on line. Again there are many sites with both, plus I have found several books that are on my wish list. But, I went ahead and bought a kit with 4 quilt blocks, stamped and ready to embroidery. Then all I will have to do, in who knows when, put it all together into a quilt.

I also have been taking Dodger and Mighty Dog for walks throughout the day. The morning is our longest walk, several short strides throught out the afternoon and another walk in the evening. I have lost several pounds, yippeee.........well yesterday, we discovered that they have opened the public pool. So as soon as I buy a swimming suit, I will start going and exercising and enjoying the cool refreshing water as often as I want. Boy though, I have not been in a swim suit since before Dawn was born, over 23 years. I am going to have to really muster strength to show off my pure white, fat body parts, just to loose weight. Most likely, I will scare the dickens out of everyone and they will flee the continent!

Sorry I have no pictures to post..........Kevin does not have our computer set up and his moms does not take our picture cards. But hope that you enjoy a tad bit of my events and new experiences! Have a great day!

WATCH OUT.........

Dodger, Mighty Dog, Kevin and I took a stroll in the park this morning around 11:00. Since these duplexes do not have areas big enough for Dodger to run and play and get good exercise, we have been taking her to the park and playing ball. It was a little to warm for ball, but we thought the dogs would enjoy just walking around the park and have a little fun. Very few people go to this park, for some unknown reason.

I should give an introduction to Mighty Dog; he is Kevins mothers dog. He weighs about 7 pounds and is about half the size of Frankie in Oregon. Mighty Dog is also 17 years old and although he loves to go for walks and explore, he does not like to play with our 80 lb Dodger. LOL. Also Mighty Dog is almost completely blind from cataracts in both eyes.

Since not many individuals use this park, it is great to let Dodger run and explore with us close by. Mighty Dog really does believe he is a Mighty Dog and does not bother to listen to the word stop or sit or come back; therefore, he must be kept on a leash. While we were walking around, letting the dogs go and have their space............I looked at Mighty Dog just in time to jerk the poor little guy about 10 feet..........a small (about 2 foot) RATTLESNAKE was coiled up and getting ready to strike.

I have never been so glad of my reflex timing, my heart stopped beating for several moments and then it was beating beyond control as I realized not only did I just save Mighty Dog, only moments before we were all just walking around in that area with not a clue in the world...any one of us could easily have stepped on it or been bitten. Since Dodger was not on a leash, Kevin told me to get the dogs away as quickly as possible and back in the car. He walked carefully around to the picknick table we had been sitting on (only about 7 feet away from the snake) and gathered up our stuff. He then informed me that very often if there is one, especially being small, they tend to follow one anothers trails and there could easily have been more.

I just do not know if I will care to walk casually in the park anymore! The thing is though, living in a community with only 391 people, snakes could care less that they are moving through a park or lawn. It is their territory we are invading, they protect their space just like we do ours.

I just thought I would share my First Rattlesnake adventure (SCARED SILLY)!

A NEW BEGINNING IN GRANDFALLS TEXAS

We arrived here two weeks ago. The trip itself, aside from being long, went rather smoothly. We arrived at about 2 am, slept for a few hours and then headed for Fort Stockton (about 32 miles away) to rent a storage unit and unload the truck.

Kevins Uncle Tex, a true Texan, rounded up a couple of kids and they helped unload. I can not thank them or Tex enough for all the help they were. It would have taken Kevin and I 10 hours or more to get it unloaded, being as tired and out of physical shape to do it. I gave them a couple of my quilts on top of some $$ because of how grateful we were.

After that we really just lazed around, taking naps off and on, for about 4 days. The first couple of days were hot and not being used to this kind of heat, we felt the difference. Then we began looking for a place to rent (preferably a house) only to discover that Grand Falls, Fort Stockton and Monahans do not have any available housing for anyone at this point and time. Evidently because of the way oil prices have been going, every oil rig worker in America are in Texas. Which means for the time being we will be living with his mother until something opens up.

Kevins mother, Shirley is a wonderful person of 80 and is so thrilled that Kevin and I are here, I really do not think she wants us to move out. LOL. I quickly learned where Kevin picked up his talent for being a pack rat. He is so mild compared to her, I have already began teasing her. She just laughs and says, but you would not believe the amount of things I have thrown away in the past year. She is also a very independent woman; she does not want me to wash the dishes because that is a job that she can still do and she does not want me to take it away from her. She says she will ask me to do something when she needs it............I have sneakely succeeded in taking out the trash and hanging up some of her clothes out on the clothes line.

My biggest sorrow so far has been that I do not have any of my sewing/quilting available. We talked about it last night and I asked her if it would be alright to bring in my stuff. She said she had already thought of it and we will just have to rearrange the living room area and make room for whatever I need! I really thought that was special of her. So the next time we go to Fort Stockton I will be raring to go. Rediscovering all of my stuff all over again. Yipee........Yipee......!!

I hope you all have not given up on me and will stop by again and leave a comment; I sure have missed blogging and communication with everyone!

DESIGN STITCHES IN QUILTING

While Kevin has been looking for jobs and we are anxiously awaiting the decision of unemployment; I have been busy creating.

The picture above is of a reversible tote bag I decided to make. The blocks are paper pieced (pattern from Quilt Blocks Galore called Paper Stars) and were so fun to make. I chose these blues and the following tote bag.............pieced the blocks all together, assembled them and quickly discovered that these fabric colors looked hidious together.

Therefore, the tote bags were assembled. I really had fun making these and learned some new techniques. I did my very first zipper and created a pocket. It turned out fairly decent. I also learned how to sew in cording. It really adds character to the bags. Eventually, I would like to try and make my own cording.

In the photos above, (I can not figure out how to get them all seperated........Sorry) you can see that I have actually managed to put a whole quilt together. I found this pattern in a book that was given to me and after many days of looking the directions over and deciding which fabrics to use. I began assembling. It went together fairly easily, but I did have to make some adjustments to the borders.

I then had to decide how to place the applique pieces, this took a lot of time. There are so many possabilities to chose, rearrange, chose again. LOL. You can tell that Chicca has given it her approval, I have had some horrific pushing matches with Chicca with this quilt.......she just could not leave her paws off of it for any length of time.

After assembling it, I had to decide on a backing; well the person it is being made for is a cat fanatic (good thing she will understand the cat hairs mixed in with the stitches) I really wanted to try some applique cat shapes. After several attempts, I gladly gave up and decided to chose a fabric with cats on it.

Next, it was time to quilt it. On the tote bags I had decided to use a decorative stitch to add a little extra pizzaz. I dedided to go ahead and give them a go on this quilt. WOW! I am so astonished at the effect that they added. They are far from being perfect (some are tight and look great, some are spaced out and out of sinc) but hey for me that is pretty normal. Hee, Hee. But I really did enjoy and suggest to those of us that love to try new things, give some of your decorative stitches a fling and discover how wonderful and useful they really are!